bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polypyrrole Nanotubes Conjugated with Human Olfactory Receptors: High‐Performance Transducers for FET‐Type Bioelectronic Noses
Authors: Yoon Hyeonseok , Lee Sang Hun , Kwon Oh Seok , Song Hyun Seok , Oh Eun Hae , Park Tai Hyun , Jang Jyongsik
Published: March 2009

Get a whiff of this: Human olfactory receptor (hOR)‐conjugated polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes were integrated into the field‐effect transistor (FET) sensor platform for the fabrication of high‐performance bioelectronic noses (see picture, S=source, D=drain). The device can translate and amplify hOR–odorant interaction into a detectable signal, and it showed highly sensitive and specific responses toward a target odorant.

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Breast Cancer, Estrogen Receptor and Ligands
Authors: Bai Zhenlin , Gust Ronald
Published: March 2009

This review emphasizes the relationship of breast cancer, estrogen receptor and ligands, especially the centrality of the estrogen receptor, which mediates on one hand the hormone‐induced gene transcription and on the other hand the anti‐estrogen action against breast cancer. The characterization of the estrogen receptor ligand‐binding domain co‐crystallized with agonists or antagonists provided a molecular basis to gain an insight into the regulation of estrogen receptor and, thereby, to describe the mechanism of the hormone therapy in treating breast cancer.
Microarray analysis of murine limb bud ectoderm and mesoderm after exposure to cadmium or acetazolamide
Authors: Schreiner Claire M. , Bell Sheila M. , Scott William J.
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:A variety of drugs, environmental chemicals, and physical agents induce a common limb malformation in the offspring of pregnant mice exposed on day 9 of gestation. This malformation, postaxial, right‐sided forelimb ectrodactyly, is thought to arise via an alteration of hedgehog signaling.METHODS:We have studied two of these teratogens, acetazolamide and cadmium, using the technique of microarray analysis of limb bud ectoderm and mesoderm to search for changes in gene expression that could indicate a common pathway to postaxial limb reduction.RESULTS:Results indicated a generalized up‐regulation of gene expression after exposure to acetazolamide but a generalized down‐regulation due to cadmium exposure. An intriguing observation was a cadmium‐induced reduction of Mt1 and Mt2 expression in the limb bud mesoderm indicating a lowering of embryonic zinc.CONCLUSIONS:We propose that these two teratogens and others (valproic acid and ethanol) lower sonic hedgehog signaling by perturbation of zinc function in the sonic hedgehog protein. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of narrow band millimeter‐wave potential interactions with endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor genes
Authors: Nicolaz Christophe Nicolas , Zhadobov Maxim , Desmots Fabienne , Ansart Armelle , Sauleau Ronan , Thouroude Daniel , Michel Denis , Drean Yves Le
Published: March 2009

The main purpose of this article is to study potential biological effects of low‐power millimeter waves (MMWs) on endoplasmic reticulum (ER), an organelle sensitive to a wide variety of environmental insults and involved in a number of pathologies. We considered exposure frequencies around 60 GHz in the context of their near‐future applications in wireless communication systems. Radiations within this frequency range are strongly absorbed by oxygen molecules, and biological species have never been exposed to such radiations in natural environmental conditions. A set of five discrete frequencies has been selected; three of them coincide with oxygen spectral lines (59.16, 60.43, and 61.15 GHz) and two frequencies correspond to the spectral line overlap regions (59.87 and 60.83 GHz). Moreover, we used a microwave spectroscopy approach to select eight frequencies corresponding to the spectral lines of various molecular groups within 59–61 GHz frequency range. The human glial cell line, U‐251 MG, was exposed or sham‐exposed for 24 h with a peak incident power density of 0.14 mW/cm2. The average specific absorption rate (SAR) within the cell monolayer ranges from 2.64 ± 0.08 to 3.3 ± 0.1 W/kg depending on the location of the exposed well. We analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) the level of expression of two endogenous ER‐stress biomarkers, namely, the chaperones BiP/GRP78 and ORP150/GRP170. It was found that exposure to low‐power MMW does not significantly modify the mRNA levels of these stress‐sensitive genes suggesting that ER homeostasis is not altered by low‐power MMW at the considered frequencies. Bioelectromagnetics 30:365–373, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endocrine controls of keratin expression
Authors: Ramot Yuval , Paus Ralf , Tiede Stephan , Zlotogorski Abraham
Published: March 2009

Keratins are a family of intermediate filaments that serve various crucial roles in skin physiology. For mammalian skin to function properly, and to produce epidermal and hair keratins that are optimally adapted for their environment, it is critical that keratin gene and protein expression are stringently controlled. Given that the skin is not only targeted by multiple hormones, but also constitutes a veritable peripheral endocrine organ, it is not surprizing that intracutaneous keratin expression is underlined by tight endocrine controls. These controls encompass thyroid hormones, steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids (GCs), retinoic acid (RA) and vitamin D, and several neuroendocrine mediators. Here, we review why a better understanding of the endocrine controls of keratin expression is not only required for an improved insight into normal human skin and hair function, but may also open new therapeutic avenues in a wide range of skin and hair diseases.
Translocation through the nuclear pore: Kaps pave the way
Authors: Peters Reiner
Published: March 2009

Transport through the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a keystone of the eukaryotic building plan, is known to involve a large channel and an abundance of phenylalanine–glycine (FG) protein domains serving as binding sites for soluble nuclear transport receptors and their cargo complexes. However, the conformation of the FG domains in vivo, their arrangement in relation to the transport channel and their function(s) in transport are still vividly debated. Here, we revisit a number of representative transport models—specifically Brownian affinity gating, selective phase gating, reversible FG domain collapse, and reduction of dimensionality (ROD)—in the light of new data obtained by optical single transporter recording, optical superresolution microscopy, artificial nanopores, and many other techniques. The analysis suggests that a properly adapted, simplified version of the ROD model accounts well for the available data. This has implications for nucleocytoplasmic transport in general.
A Ca2+‐binding protein with numerous roles and uses: parvalbumin in molecular biology and physiology
Authors: Arif Syed Hasan
Published: March 2009

Parvalbumins (PVs) are acidic, intracellular Ca2+‐binding proteins of low molecular weight. They are associated with several Ca2+‐mediated cellular activities and physiological processes. It has been suggested that PV might function as a “Ca2+shuttle” transporting Ca2+from troponin‐C (TnC) to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+pump during muscle relaxation. Thus, PV may contribute to the performance of rapid, phasic movements by accelerating the contraction–relaxation cycle of fast‐twitch muscle fibers. Interestingly, PVs promote the generation of power stroke in fish by speeding up the rate of relaxation and thus provide impetus to attain maximal sustainable speeds. However, immunological monitoring of diverse tissues demonstrated that PVs are also present in non‐muscle cells. The axoplasmic transport and various intracellular secretory mechanisms including the endocrine secretions seem to be controlled by the Ca2+regulation machinery. Any defect in the Ca2+handling apparatus may cause several clinical problems; for instance, PV deficiency alters the neuronal activity, a key mechanism leading to epileptic seizures. Moreover, atypical relaxation of the heart results in diastolic dysfunction, which is a major cause of heart failure predominantly among the aged people. PV may offer a unique potential to correct defective relaxation in energetically compromised failing hearts through PV gene transfer. Consequently, PV gene transfer may present a new therapeutic approach to correct cellular disturbances in Ca2+signaling pathways of diseased organs. Hence, PVs appear to be amazingly useful candidate proteins regulating a variety of cellular functions through action on Ca2+flux management.
Hydra and the evolution of stem cells
Authors: Bosch Thomas C. G.
Published: March 2009

Hydra are remarkable because they are immortal. Much of immortality can be ascribed to the asexual mode of reproduction by budding, which requires a tissue consisting of stem cells with continuous self‐renewal capacity. Emerging novel technologies and the availability of genomic resources enable for the first time to analyse these cells in vivo. Stem cell differentiation in Hydra is governed through the coordinated actions of conserved signaling pathways. Studies of stem cells in Hydra, therefore, promise critical insights of general relevance into stem cell biology including cellular senescence, lineage programming and reprogramming, the role of extrinsic signals in fate determination and tissue homeostasis, and the evolutionary origin of these cells. With these new facts as a backdrop, this review traces the history of studying stem cells in Hydra and offers a view of what the future may hold.
The interplay between transcription factors and microRNAs in genome‐scale regulatory networks
Authors: Martinez Natalia J. , Walhout Albertha J. M.
Published: March 2009

Metazoan genomes contain thousands of protein‐coding and non‐coding RNA genes, most of which are differentially expressed, i.e., at different locations, at different times during development, or in response to environmental signals. Differential gene expression is achieved through complex regulatory networks that are controlled in part by two types of trans‐regulators: transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). TFs bind to cis‐regulatory DNA elements that are often located in or near their target genes, while miRNAs hybridize to cis‐regulatory RNA elements mostly located in the 3′ untranslated region of their target mRNAs. Here, we describe how these trans‐regulators interact with each other in the context of gene regulatory networks to coordinate gene expression at the genome‐scale level, and discuss future challenges of integrating these networks with other types of functional networks.
Enzymatic surface modification and functionalization of PET: A water contact angle, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy study
Authors: Donelli Ilaria , Taddei Paola , Smet Philippe F. , Poelman Dirk , Nierstrasz Vincent A. , Freddi Giuliano
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes induced by a lypolytic enzyme on the surface properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Changes in surface hydrophilicity were monitored by means of water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (ATR) was used to investigate the structural and conformational changes of the ethylene glycol and benzene moieties of PET. Amorphous and crystalline PET membranes were used as substrate. The lipolytic enzyme displayed higher hydrolytic activity towards the amorphous PET substrate, as demonstrated by the decrease of the WCA values. Minor changes were observed on the crystalline PET membrane. The effect of enzyme adhesion was addressed by applying a protease after‐treatment which was able to remove the residual enzyme protein adhering to the surface of PET, as demonstrated by the behavior of WCA values. Significant spectral changes were observed by FTIR–ATR analysis in the spectral regions characteristic of the crystalline and amorphous PET domains. The intensity of the crystalline marker bands increased while that of the amorphous ones decreased. Accordingly, the crystallinity indexes calculated as band intensity ratios (1,341/1,410 cm−1 and 1,120/1,100 cm−1) increased. Finally, the free carboxyl groups formed at the surface of PET by enzyme hydrolysis were esterified with a fluorescent alkyl bromide, 2‐(bromomethyl)naphthalene (BrNP). WCA measurements confirmed that the reaction proceeded effectively. The fluorescence results indicate that the enzymatically treated PET films are more reactive towards BrNP. FTIR analysis showed that the surface of BrNP‐modified PET acquired a more crystalline character. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 845–856. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enzymatic synthesis of β‐glucosylglycerol using a continuous‐flow microreactor containing thermostable β‐glycoside hydrolase CelB immobilized on coated microchannel walls
Authors: Schwarz Alexandra , Thomsen Malene S. , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: March 2009

β‐Glucosylglycerol (βGG) has potential applications as a moisturizing agent in cosmetic products. A stereochemically selective method of its synthesis is kinetically controlled enzymatic transglucosylation from a suitable donor substrate to glycerol as acceptor. Here, the thermostable β‐glycosidase CelB from Pyrococcus furiosus was used to develop a microstructured immobilized enzyme reactor for production of βGG under conditions of continuous flow at 70°C. Using CelB covalently attached onto coated microchannel walls to give an effective enzyme activity of 30 U per total reactor working volume of 25 µL, substrate conversion and formation of transglucosylation product was monitored in dependence of glucosyl donor (2‐nitrophenyl‐β‐D‐glucoside (oNPGlc), 3.0 or 15 mM; cellobiose, 250 mM), the concentration of glycerol (0.25–1.0 M), and the average residence time (0.2–90 s). Glycerol caused a concentration‐dependent decrease in the conversion of the glucosyl donor via hydrolysis and strongly suppressed participation of the substrate in the reaction as glucosyl acceptor. The yields of βGG were ≥80% and ≈60% based on oNPGlc and cellobiose converted, respectively, and maintained up to near exhaustion of substrate (≥80%), giving about 120 mM (30 g/L) of βGG from the reaction of cellobiose and 1 M glycerol. The structure of the transglucosylation products, 1‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐rac‐glycerol (79%) and 2‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐sn‐glycerol (21%), was derived from NMR analysis of the product mixture of cellobiose conversion. The microstructured reactor showed conversion characteristics similar to those for a batchwise operated stirred reactor employing soluble CelB. The advantage of miniaturization to the microfluidic format lies in the fast characterization of full reaction time courses for a range of process conditions using only a minimum amount of enzyme. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 865–872. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroscience and the law: Philosophical differences and practical constraints
Authors: Martell Daniel A.
Published: March 2009

Controversies surrounding the value of neuroscience as forensic evidence are explored from the perspective of the philosophy of mind, as well as from a practical analysis of the state of the scientific research literature. At a fundamental philosophical level there are profound differences in how law and neuroscience view the issue of criminal responsibility along the continuum from free will to determinism. At a more practical level, significant limitations in the current state of neuroimaging research constrain its ability to inform legal decision‐making. Scientifically supported and unsupported forensic applications for brain imaging are discussed, and recommendations for forensic report writing are offered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alteration of Ca2+‐ATPase activity in the homogenate, plasma membrane and microsomes of the salivary glands of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Nicolau José , De Souza Douglas Nesadal , Simões Alyne
Published: March 2009

Diabetes has been implicated in the dryness of the mouth, loss of taste sensation, sialosis, and other disorders of the oral cavity, by impairment of the salivary glands. The aim of the present study was to examine the plasma membrane, microsomal, and homogenate Ca2+‐ATPase activity in the rat submandibular and parotid salivary glands of streptozotocin‐induced diabetes. We have also examined the influence of the acidosis state on this parameter. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and acidosis was induced by daily injection of NH4Cl. At 15 and 30 days after diabetes induction, the animals were euthanized and the submandibular and parotid salivary glands were removed and analyzed. Ca2+‐ATPase (total, independent, and dependent) was determined in the homogenate, microsomal, and plasma membranes of the salivary glands of diabetic and control rats. Calcium concentration was also determined in the glands and showed to be higher in the diabetic animals. Ca2+‐ATPase activity was found to be reduced in all cell fractions studied in the diabetic animals compared with control. Similar results were obtained for the submandibular salivary glands of acidotic animals; however in the parotid salivary glands it was found an increase in the enzyme activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intergenerational transmission of internalising and externalising behaviours across three generations: Gender‐specific pathways
Authors: Kim Hyoun K. , Capaldi Deborah M. , Pears Katherine C. , Kerr David C. R. , Owen Lee D.
Published: March 2009

Background Few studies have examined gender‐specific pathways in the intergenerational transmission of internalising and externalising behaviours across three generations.

Aim The current study considered both parental figures' internalising and externalising symptoms simultaneously and tested path models of the transmission of internalising and externalising symptoms from Generation 1 (G1) to Generation 2 (G2) and from G2 to Generation 3 (G3) by focusing on gender‐specific pathways.

Method The study used data from the Oregon Youth Study of 206 young men and two associated studies of their intimate partners (Couples Study) and children (Three‐Generational Study) over 20 years.

Results Findings indicated that, in general, mothers' internalising behaviour showed robust influence on offspring's internalising symptoms across three generations, regardless of gender of the child. G2 men's externalising behaviour was further predicted by G1 mothers' internalising as well as externalising behaviour, albeit the latter was only marginally significant. G3 girls' internalising and externalising behaviour was predicted by their fathers' corresponding behaviour. Overall, fathers' influence on their sons was limited.

Conclusion The findings shed important light on potential gender‐specific mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of internalising and externalising behaviour. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of curcumin for preventing restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit iliac artery stent model
Authors: Jang Hyung‐Suk , Nam Hye Yeong , Kim Jeong‐Min , Hahm Dong‐Hoon , Nam So Hee , Kim Koung Li , Joo Jae‐Ryang , Suh Wonhee , Park Jong‐Sang , Kim Duk Kyung , Gwon Hyeon‐Cheol
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of the curcumin‐coating stent (CCS) on the inhibition of restenosis in a rabbit iliac artery stent model.

Results:

Curcumin, pigment naturally acquired from the rhizome of the plant curcuma longa, is known to have antiproliferative, antimigratory, and anti‐inflammatory effects. However, it is still unclear that curcumin can inhibit neointimal proliferation of the injured vessel.

Methods:

Dose‐dependent inhibition of cell growth was observed over a dose range from 10 nM to 10 μM. CCS was prepared by a dip‐coating method (high‐dose: HD, low‐dose: LD). The release profile of the HD CCS showed that drug release persisted until day 21. Scanning electron microscopy of the CCS showed an intact surface of the stent even after expansion. To test the efficacy of CCS in vivo, LD CCS, HD CCS, and bare metal stents (BMS) were implanted in random order in one iliac artery (N = 30 arteries) of male New Zealand White rabbits (N = 15).

Results:

After 28 days, the LD and HD CCS groups had a 43% and 55% reduction in the neointimal area, compared with the BMS group (BMS 3.3 ± 1.0 mm2, LD 1.9 ± 0.8 mm2, and HD 0.9 ± 0.5 mm2, P < 0.05). There appeared to be no cytotoxicity related to curcumin at the indicated doses.

Conclusions:

Curcumin, a natural compound in the human diet, seems to be a safe and effective candidate drug for use in a drug‐eluting stent for the prevention of stent restenosis following angioplasty. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The “Buddy‐in‐Jail” technique—A novel method for increasing support during percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Bagnall Alan J. , Spratt James C.
Published: March 2009

The “buddy‐in‐jail” technique is a novel method for increasing support during percutaneous coronary intervention. We report two case‐based examples of successful coronary stent delivery using the jailed buddy wire technique. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carotid artery stenting: Do procedural complications relate to the side intervened upon?
Authors: Zahn Ralf , Ischinger Thomas , Hochadel Matthias , Mark Bernd , Zeymer Uwe , Schmalz Wolfgang , Schramm Alexander , Hauptmann Karl Eugen , Seggewiß Hubert , Janicke Ilse , Mudra Harald , Senges Jochen
Published: March 2009

Objectives: To determine the influence of the side intervened upon on outcomes during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Background: Anatomic and technical aspects may influence the results of CAS. The value of the side intervened upon has not been analyzed yet. Methods: We analyzed data from the Carotid Artery Stent (CAS) – Registry.
Results: A total of 3,165 CAS procedures, 1,613 (51%) at the left and 1,552 (49%) at the right carotid artery were included. There was a higher proportion of patients treated for symptomatic stenoses when CAS was performed at the left carotid artery (50.1% versus 45.8%, P = 0.016) and more patients already had prior carotid endarterectomy (8.5% versus 5.8%, P = 0.003). Interventions at the left side took 3 min longer than interventions at the right side (46.6 ± 24.3 versus 43.8 ± 23.6, P = 0.003). In patients treated at the left carotid artery amaurosis fugax (0.7% versus 0.1%, P = 0.005), ipsilateral stroke (3.1% versus 1.8%, P = 0.017), and the primary endpoint of in‐hospital death or stroke (4.1% versus 2.3%, P = 0.005) occurred significantly more often. Even after adjusting for confounding parameters, CAS procedures performed at the left carotid arteries remained an independent predictor of death or stroke (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.15–2.72, P = 0.009). Conclusions: In current clinical practice, CAS is performed frequently at the right carotid artery as at the left carotid artery. CAS interventions have a higher in‐hospital complication rate if performed at the left carotid artery. Technical improvements might help to overcome this situation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrograde recanalization of a chronic total occlusion of a saphenous vein graft
Authors: Sachdeva Rajesh , Uretsky Barry F.
Published: March 2009

Percutaneous revascularization of chronically occluded coronary arteries remains technically challenging, with far lower procedural success rates compared to other lesion subsets. Retrograde approach via septal collateral is more promising for improving success rates of this lesion in native coronary arteries. The potential benefits of successful treatment results in improvement in angina and mortality are well established. Occluded saphenous vein graft recanalization retrogradely has not been described before. We describe a case of retrograde recanalization of chronically occluded saphenous vein graft. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early clinical experience with the new amplatzer ductal occluder II for closure of the persistent arterial duct
Authors: Forsey Jonathan , Kenny Damien , Morgan Gareth , Hayes Alison , Turner Mark , Tometzki Andrew , Martin Robin
Published: March 2009

Objectives: To describe the early single‐center clinical experience with the Amplatzer Ductal Occluder II (ADO II). Methods: All patients undergoing attempted transcatheter closure of persistent arterial duct (PDA) with the ADO II were included. Data collected included demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic parameters. Results: From March until September 2008, 29 procedures were undertaken in 27 patients (21 female). Median age was 1.4 years (range 0.4–76 years) with median weight 9.4 kg (range 4.7–108 kg). A transarterial approach was used in 2 patients. The median minimum ductal diameter was 2.7 mm (range 1.7–5). ADO II was released in 25 patients (92.5%). Two patients had significant residual shunting following deployment of ADO II and underwent closure with Amplatzer ductal occluder (ADO I). Postprocedural echocardiography identified one occluder had changed position with development of a significant leak and one occluder had embolized to the left pulmonary artery. Both occluders were retrieved successfully at a second catheter procedure. Complete occlusion was noted predischarge in 22 of the remaining 23 occluders (96%). One patient had mild flow acceleration in the left pulmonary artery which has resolved. Conclusions: The ADO II is highly effective at providing rapid occlusion of morphologically varied PDAs. Occluder design allows closure with arterial or venous approach and delivery with 4 or 5 F delivery catheters. Stable occluder position is dependent on correct positioning of both aortic and pulmonary discs. A larger range of sizes and configurations of this occluder may be required to successfully occlude all ductal sizes and morphologies. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanistic Study of the Palladium–Phenanthroline Catalyzed Carbonylation of Nitroarenes and Amines: Palladium–Carbonyl Intermediates and Bifunctional Effects
Authors: Ragaini Fabio , Gasperini Michela , Cenini Sergio , Arnera Lucia , Caselli Alessandro , Macchi Piero , Casati Nicola
Published: March 2009

Palladium–phenanthroline complexes catalyze both the nitroarene carbonylation reaction and the amine oxidative carbonylation reaction to give, depending on the conditions, carbamates and ureas. There is evidence that the key step in both processes is the amine carbonylation. Here, we show that when the reaction is run in methanol key intermediate compounds have the general formula [Pd(RPhen)(COOMe)2] (1) (RPhen=1,10‐phenanthroline or one of its substituted derivatives). The kinetics of the reaction of 1 with toluidine in the presence of a carboxylic or phosphorus acid is first‐order with respect to complex, acid, and toluidine. A CO atmosphere is also required for the reaction to proceed. Acid dimerization was shown not to be influential under the concentration conditions examined, but reaction between the acid and toluidine is not negligible and a correction has to be applied. Diphenylphosphinic acid is more effective than any carboxylic acid in promoting this reaction, as also observed under catalytic conditions. A series of equilibria and an irreversible acid‐assisted proton transfer explain the observed data. Formation of an adduct between complexes of the kind 1 and CO was spectroscopically observed when RPhen=2,9‐Me2Phen. Several analogous complexes were also spectroscopically characterized and the X‐ray structure of [Pd(2,9‐Me2Phen)Cl2(CO)] was solved. This shows an asymmetric coordination of the nitrogen ligand. Kinetic measurements were also conducted under catalytic conditions. An Eyring plot shows that the effect of the acidic promoter is to decrease the ΔS ≠ value, whereas no positive effect is observed on ΔH ≠. A temperature‐dependent correction for the reaction between the acid and aniline and phenanthroline present under the reaction conditions has to be applied. Comparison of the results obtained under stoichiometric and catalytic conditions strongly supports the view that 1 is involved even in the latter and that the acid is acting as a bifunctional promoter.
Study of the MR relaxation of microglia cells labeled with Gd‐DTPA‐bearing nanoparticles
Authors: Ribot Emeline Julie , Miraux Sylvain , Delville Marie‐Hélène , Bouchaud Véronique , Lacomme Sabrina , Gontier Etienne , Bouzier‐Sore Anne‐Karine , Franconi Jean‐Michel , Thiaudiere Eric , Voisin Pierre
Published: March 2009

Therapies involving cells as vehicles need to visualize in situ the trafficking of the cells concerned. This cellular imaging can be driven by cell contrast agent‐based nanoparticle internalization and non‐invasive MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) detection. Here, microglial cells, that would transport a suicide gene to a glioma, were incubated for different times, with various concentrations of silica nanoparticles on which numerous Gd‐DTPA were grafted. The goal of this study was to investigate the repartition of cell‐associated particles. MRI was used to quantitatively follow the particle uptake process. Fluorescence microscopy images showed that, although most of the nanoparticles were internalized, some remained adsorbed on the extracellular membrane surface. The cells were then submitted to various treatments: glycine to release bound nanoparticles and/or ultrasound to destroy the cell membranes. The R1 relaxation rates were measured at 4.7 T. R1 was maximal for 4 h of incubation, decreased after 8 h and remained stable for the 24 following hours. The magnetic resonance signal of ultrasonicated and glycine‐treated cells made it possible to quantify the loss of bound nanoparticles after 8 h. Nevertheless, this release did not prevent cell detection since the internalized nanoparticles are enough concentrated to visualize the labeled cells even after 4 days of cell growth. These results highlight the compartmentalization of nanoparticles in microglia and the evolution of the MR signal of the labeled cells. This study could be of importance to interpret in vivo the MR signal changes that could occur after administration of such nanoparticle‐labeled cells in therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MR determination of glomerular filtration rate in subjects with solitary kidneys in comparison to clinical standards of renal function: feasibility and preliminary report
Authors: Katzberg Richard W. , Buonocore Michael H. , Low Roger , Hu Brian , Jain Kiran , Castillo Michele , Troxel Scott , Nguyen Mike M.
Published: March 2009

This study was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying single kidney glomerular filtration rate (skGFR) by magnetic resonance (MR) by comparison to the clinical estimates of GFR in volunteer subjects with a single kidney. Seven IRB‐approved subjects with a solitary kidney, stable serum creatinine (SCr) and a 24 h creatinine clearance (CrCl) volunteered to undergo an MR examination that determined renal extraction fraction (EF) with a breathhold inversion recovery echo planar pulse sequence and renal blood flow with a velocity encoded phase imaging sequence. The product of EF and blood flow determines GFR. These values were compared with the 24 h CrCl, estimated GFR by the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) regression analysis and the Cockroft–Gault (CG) determination of CrCl. The mean and standard deviation of differences between the MR GFR, MDRD and CG vs the 24 h CrCl were 12.3 ± 35.7, −8.9 ± 18.5 and 1.2 ± 19.6, respectively. The Student t‐test showed that none of the mean differences were statistically significant between techniques. This clinical investigation shows that MR can be used for skGFR determination in human subjects with comparable values to those derived from clinically used serum‐based GFR estimation techniques. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inputs to serotonergic neurons revealed by conditional viral transneuronal tracing
Authors: Braz João M. , Enquist Lynn W. , Basbaum Allan I.
Published: March 2009

Descending projections arising from brainstem serotonergic (5HT) neurons contribute to both facilitatory and inhibitory controls of spinal cord “pain” transmission neurons. Unclear, however, are the brainstem networks that influence the output of these 5HT neurons. To address this question, here we used a novel neuroanatomical tracing method in a transgenic line of mice in which Cre recombinase is selectively expressed in 5HT neurons (ePet‐Cre mice). Specifically, we injected the conditional pseudorabies virus recombinant (BA2001) that can replicate only in Cre‐expressing neurons. Because BA2001 transports exclusively in a retrograde manner, we were able to reveal a subset of the neurons and circuits that are located upstream of the Cre‐expressing 5HT neurons. We show that diverse brainstem regions differentially target the 5HT neurons of the dorsal raphe (DR) and the nucleus raphe magnus of the rostroventral medulla (RVM). Among these are several catecholaminergic and cholinergic cell groups, the periaqueductal gray, several brainstem reticular nuclei, and the nucleus of the solitary tract. We conclude that a brainstem 5HT network integrates somatic and visceral inputs arising from various areas of the body. We also identified a circuit that arises from projection neurons of deep spinal cord laminae V–VIII and targets the 5HT neurons of the NRM, but not of the DR. This spinoreticular pathway constitutes an anatomical substrate through which a noxious stimulus can activate 5HT neurons of the NRM and in turn could trigger descending serotonergic antinociceptive controls. J. Comp. Neurol. 514:145–160, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using clouds to provide grids with higher levels of abstraction and explicit support for usage modes
Authors: Jha Shantenu , Merzky Andre , Fox Geoffrey
Published: March 2009

Grids in their current form of deployment and implementation have not been as successful as hoped in engendering distributed applications. Among other reasons, the level of detail that needs to be controlled for the successful development and deployment of applications remains too high. We argue that there is a need for higher levels of abstractions for current Grids. By introducing the relevant terminology, we try to understand Grids and Clouds as systems; we find this leads to a natural role for the concept of Affinity, and argue that this is a missing element in current Grids. Providing these affinities and higher‐level abstractions is consistent with the common concepts of Clouds. Thus this paper establishes how Clouds can be viewed as a logical and next higher‐level abstraction from Grids. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth Mechanism and Chemical Structure of Amorphous Hydrogenated Silicon Carbide (a‐SiC:H) Films Formed by Remote Hydrogen Microwave Plasma CVD From a Triethylsilane Precursor: Part 1
Authors: Wrobel Aleksander M. , Walkiewicz‐Pietrzykowska Agnieszka , Ahola Marja , Vayrynen I. Juhani , Ferrer‐Fernandez Francisco J. , Gonzalez‐Elipe Agustin R.
Published: March 2009

Amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a‐SiC:H) films are produced by remote microwave hydrogen plasma (RHP)CVD using triethylsilane (TrES) as the single‐source precursor. The reactivity of particular bonds of the precursor in the activation step is examined using tetraethylsilane as a model compound for the RHP‐CVD experiments. The susceptibility of a TrES precursor towards film formation is characterized by determining the yield of RHP‐CVD and comparing it with that of the trimethylsilane precursor. The effect of substrate temperature (Ts) on the rate of the RHP‐CVD process, chemical composition, and chemical structure of the resulting a‐SiC:H films is reported. The substrate temperature dependence of the film growth rate implies that film growth is independent of the temperature and RHP‐CVD is a mass transport‐limited process. The examination of the a‐SiC:H films, performed by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA), and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), reveals that the increase in the substrate temperature from 30 °C to 400 °C causes the elimination of organic moieties from the film and the formation of a Si‐carbidic network structure. On the basis of the results of the structural study, the chemistry involved in film formation is proposed.
Adolescent female rats are more resistant than males to the effects of early stress on prefrontal cortex and impulsive behavior
Authors: Spivey Jaclyn M. , Shumake Jason , Colorado Rene A. , Conejo‐Jimenez Nelida , Gonzalez‐Pardo Hector , Gonzalez‐Lima F.
Published: March 2009

We tested the hypothesis that adolescent Sprague–Dawley females may be more resistant than males to display impulsive behavior and lower prefrontal cortex thickness after mother‐infant separation (MS). Starting at postnatal day 2 (P2), the MS group was separated 6 hr/day and the early handled (EH) group 15 min/day for 10 days, and another group was standard facility reared (SFR). Subjects were examined for novel open‐field activity (P28), light–dark apparatus (P29), familiar open‐field (P30) and frontal cortical thickness. This protocol resulted in impulsive behavior in MS rats relative to EH and SFR, but this effect was less pronounced in females than males. MS affected the two sexes differently in terms of decreased prefrontal cortex dorsoventral thickness, with this effect being significant in males but not females. Neuroanatomical and behavioral documentation that adolescent females are more resistant than males to ADHD‐like effects of maternal separation have not been previously reported. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 277–288, 2009
Emotion and eating psychopathology: Links with attitudes toward emotional expression among young women
Authors: Meyer Caroline , Leung Newman , Barry Letitia , De Feo Danielle
Published: March 2009

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine links between attitudes toward emotional expression and levels of eating psychopathology among young women.

Method

Eighty‐nine young female volunteers completed the Attitudes Toward Emotional Expression scale (AEE) and the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ).

Results

There were positive significant associations between AEE subscales and EDEQ scores. In particular, those women who scored high on the EDEQ eating, shape, and weight subscales believe that to display emotion is a sign of weakness. Although those participants with high EDEQ weight concern scores were also likely to believe that they should keep their emotions under control and that others might be rejecting or damaged should they themselves display their emotions.

Discussion

These findings require replication with a clinical sample, however, they suggest that challenging these attitudes is potentially a useful step in facilitating acceptance of emotion and the development of adaptive emotion regulation strategies in those women with high levels of eating psychopathology. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Nickel Complexes of N/O‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes as Precatalysts for Michael Reactions in Air at Room Temperature Under the Much Preferred Base‐Free Conditions
Authors: Ray Sriparna , Shaikh Mobin M. , Ghosh Prasenjit
Published: March 2009

A series of several new nickel precatalysts supported overN/O‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) for the Michael reactions of β‐dicarbonyl, β‐keto ester, β‐diester, and α‐cyano ester compounds with α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds in air at ambient temperature under the much preferred base‐free conditions are reported. Specifically, the nickel complexes, [1‐(R1‐aminocarbonylmethyl)‐3‐R2‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene]2Ni [R1 = 2‐C6H4(OMe); R2 = Me (1b), iPr (2b), CH2Ph (3b) and R1 = 2‐CH2C4H3O; R2 = Me (4b), CH2Ph (5b)] carried out the highly convenient base‐free Michael addition of the activated C–H compounds across α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds in air at room temperature. The complexes 1b–5b were synthesized by the direct reaction of the respective imidazolium chloride salt with NiCl2·6H2O in CH3CN in the presence of K2CO3 as a base. The exceptional stability of 1b–5b has been attributed to the deeply buried nickel–NHC σ‐bonding molecular orbitals as evidenced from the density functional theory (DFT) studies. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Catalyst Leaching as an Efficient Tool for Constructing New Catalytic Reactions: Application to the Synthesis of Cyclic Vinyl Sulfides and Vinyl Selenides (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 9/2009)
Authors: Ananikov Valentine P. , Gayduk Konstantin A. , Beletskaya Irina P. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Antipin Mikhail Yu.
Published: March 2009

The cover picture shows the impact of the phosphane ligand on solid metal nanoparticles, which initiates transformation of the metal species into a high‐performance catalyst. The evolution of the transition‐metal complexes was monitored by NMR spectroscopy, and the active form of the catalyst was detected in the 2D HMQC spectrum. A novel synthetic procedure to access cyclic vinyl chalcogenides was developed by utilizing an in situ designed catalyst in an E–E bond addition reaction to acetylenes (E = S, Se). Details are discussed in the article by V. P. Ananikov, I. P. Beletskaya et al. on p. 1149 ff.
Towards a New SPE Material for EDCs: Fully Automated Synthesis of a Library of Tripodal Receptors Followed by Fast Screening by Affinity LC
Authors: Van der Plas Steven E. , Van Hoeck Els , Lynen Fréderic , Sandra Pat , Madder Annemieke
Published: March 2009

A series of human estrogen receptor (hER) mimics were synthesised. On the basis of the knowledge on the structure of the hormone binding domain of the hER, three different peptide chains were constructed onto a tripodal scaffold. By using a fully automated solid‐phase synthesis protocol, 120 members with known identity were synthesised in only a week. Affinity towards estrogenic compounds was checked by affinity LC. For this purpose, ethinylestradiol was “clicked” onto a modified‐silica phase, and the obtained material was packed into an HPLC column. The results stemming from the affinity LC experiments were confirmed by clicking one library member to silica and by using this solid phase to extract different endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from aqueous media. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Redox‐ and pH‐Controlled Mechanized Nanoparticles
Authors: Khashab Niveen M. , Trabolsi Ali , Lau Yuen A. , Ambrogio Michael W. , Friedman Douglas C. , Khatib Hussam A. , Zink Jeffrey I. , Stoddart J. Fraser
Published: March 2009

A new class of mechanized silica nanoparticles, which exploits the stability of the inclusion complexes formed between ferrocenedicarboxylic acid and both cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), are described. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles, capable of storing a payload of small molecules and releasing it following particular activation processes, have been designed and decorated with ferrocenecarboxylic acid stalks. The storage and release of the payload is controlled by the host–guest interaction between the ferrocene moiety (guest) and the ring moiety (CB7 or β‐CD). Ferrocene‐based Mechanized NanoParticles (FMNPs) were efficiently prepared, loaded with Rhodamine dye, and then tested under different activation procedures. The systems operated successfully under redox control (oxidation of ferrocenedicarboxylic acid) in the presence of β‐CD and under pH control (deprotonation of ferrocenedicarboxylic acid pH > 4) in the presence of CB7.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Synthesis of Enantiopure α‐Chlorocyclobutanones and Cyclobutanols as Scaffolds for the Diverted Synthesis of Serine Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Yang Gaoqiang , Ghosez Léon
Published: March 2009

Synthetic paths towards highly functionalized α‐chlorocyclobutanone scaffolds susceptible to lead to serine proteases inhibitors were explored. The syntheses started from bicyclic α‐chlorocyclobutanones 3, which are readily available from Seebach's oxazolines. It was found that the carbonyl group of the bicyclic α‐chlorocyclobutanones was highly electrophilic and readily reacted with a hydroxy group to give, for example, cyclized compound 4. Also, the presence of this reactive carbonyl group did not allow the regeneration of the protected amine and hydroxy groups. Thus, the functional manipulation of these bicyclic α‐chlorocyclobutanones required prior reduction of the carbonyl group to the corresponding cyclobutanol. Accordingly, enantiopure cyclobutanone 3d was stereoselectively reduced to exo‐cyclobutanol 15. Allylation of the alcohol followed by TEMPO‐catalyzed oxidation of the primary alcohol of the side chain and benzylation of the resulting carboxylic acid yielded compound 19. Cleavage of the oxazolidine ring occurred smoothly to yield densely functionalized cyclobutanol scaffold 20. A similar route allowed the efficient preparation of cyclobutanol scaffolds 14 and 25a–d in 25–27 % yields. TEMPO‐catalyzed oxidation of the cyclobutanol gave an excellent yield of corresponding cyclobutanones 26a,b(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Mnemic neglect is not an artifact of expectancy: The moderating role of defensive pessimism
Authors: Newman Leonard S. , Nibert Jeffrey A. , Winer E. Samuel
Published: March 2009

Research supporting the mnemic neglect model finds that people more easily recall positive than negative personality feedback, even when only asked to imagine that the feedback is real. The same bias is not found when people are asked to recall information about other people. Despite evidence that these findings reflect self‐enhancement motives, more research is needed to rule out the possibility that they instead simply reflect expectancies. Results supported the mnemic neglect model, and revealed that expectancies predicted recall only for a subgroup of participants who did not demonstrate the self–other recall bias characteristic of mnemic neglect: defensive pessimists, who are more likely than other people to process social information by comparing it to their expectancies. These findings suggest that mnemic neglect is not an artifact of expectancies, and is not driven by other self‐evaluation motives (such as self‐verification or self‐assessment). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The BRCA1‐dependent ubiquitin ligase, γ‐tubulin, and centrosomes
Authors: Parvin Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2009

Mutation of the breast and ovarian cancer specific tumor suppressor, BRCA1, results in supernumerary and hyperactive centrosomes, which in turn likely contribute to the aneuploidy evident in breast cancer cells. The BRCA1‐dependent ubiquitin ligase activity is required for the regulation of centrosome function, and among its substrates is γ‐tubulin. Data suggest that during S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, the normal function of BRCA1 directs the ubiquitination of γ‐tubulin, resulting in inhibition of centrosome microtubule nucleation function and blocking of centrosome reduplication. Loss of BRCA1 activity, as occurs in breast cancer cells, would result in centrosomes that are unrestrained, leading to the hyperactive and over‐duplicated centrosomes often observed in breast cancer cells. The current knowledge of BRCA1 regulation of centrosomes will be discussed in this focused review, and it will be suggested that this function is important for the tumor suppression phenotype of BRCA1. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.