bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Functionalized Spiroheterocycles by Sequential Multicomponent Reaction/Metal‐Catalyzed Carbocyclizations from Simple β‐Ketoesters and Amides
Authors: Habib‐Zahmani Hadjira , Viala Jacques , Hacini Salih , Rodriguez Jean
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Enantioselective Intramolecular Copper‐Catalyzed Aziridination of Sulfamates.
Authors: Esteoule Audrey , Duran Fernando , Retailleau Pascal , Dodd Robert H. , Dauban Philippe
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Unprecedented Classes of Spiro‐β‐lactams and Azido‐β‐lactams as Acyl‐CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibitors.
Authors: Benfatti Fides , Cardillo Giuliana , Gentilucci Luca , Tolomelli Alessandra
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Formation of Cyclic Ethers — Regio‐, Stereo‐ and Enantioselectivity of the Reaction.
Authors: Zawisza Anna , Fenet Bernard , Sinou Denis
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Selective Synthesis of 1‐Vinylpyrroles Directly from Ketones and Acetylene: Modification of Trofimov Reaction.
Authors: Mikhaleva A. I. , Shmidt E. Yu. , Ivanov A. V. , Vasil'tsov A. M. , Senotrusova E. Yu. , Protsuk N. I.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Stereoselective Synthesis of 3,4‐trans‐Disubstituted γ‐Lactams by Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate Mediated Radical Cyclization of Cinnamamides.
Authors: Nair Vijay , Mohanan Kishor , Suja Tachapully D. , Biju Akkattu T.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Syntheses of Aryl‐ and Arylethynyl‐Substituted N‐Confused Porphyrins.
Authors: Ishizuka Tomoya , Yamasaki Hiroki , Osuka Atsuhiro , Furuta Hiroyuki
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and anti‐HIV Activity of New Chiral 1,2,4‐Triazoles and 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles.
Authors: Akhtar Tashfeen , Hameed Shahid , Al‐Masoudi Najim A. , Khan Khalid M.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis of Substituted Tetrahydropyrans via Intermolecular Reactions of δ‐Halocarbanions with Aldehydes.
Authors: Barbasiewicz Michal , Brud Aneta , Makosza Mieczyslaw
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
New Synthetic Method for Functionally Substituted Morpholinium 1,4‐Dihydropyridine‐2‐thiolates and Their Derivatives.
Authors: Dyachenko V. D.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
3‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehyde in the Synthesis of Aza‐ and Diazaphenanthrene Derivatives.
Authors: Kozlov N. G. , Gusak K. N.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Insect Repellent Activity of 4‐Amino‐5‐(4‐bromobenzoyl)‐3‐ethyl‐2(1H)‐pyrimidone, on Setophilus oryzae (Coleo curculeonidae).
Authors: Toche R. , Medhane V. , Desai A. , Avhale A. , Kendre D. , Jachak M.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis, Characterization and in vitro Biological Studies of Novel Cyano Derivatives of N‐Alkyl and N‐Aryl Piperazine.
Authors: Chaudhary Preeti , Nimesh Surendra , Yadav Veena , Verma Akhilesh Kr. , Kumar Rupesh
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Cyclization of Aroylacetic Acids 2‐Carboxyphenylamides (III) into 2‐[(Z)‐2‐Aryl‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐ethenyl]‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐ones (IV). Crystal and Molecular Structure of 2‐[(Z)‐2‐Hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐1‐ethenyl]‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one.
Authors: Vostrov E. S. , Novikov A. A. , Maslivets A. N. , Aliev Z. G.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis of New 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrido[3,2,1‐kl]phenoxazines.
Authors: Zhandarev V. V. , Goshin M. E. , Kazin V. N. , Smirnov A. V. , Filimonov S. I. , Plakhtinskii V. V.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Novel 1,2,4‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles and 1,2,4‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines Carrying Thioalkyl and Sulfonyl Phenoxy Moieties.
Authors: Karabasanagouda T. , Adhikari Airody Vasudeva , Shetty N. Suchetha
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Fatty Acid Hydrazides in Heterocyclic Synthesis: Synthesis of 1,2‐Diazepine and Pyridazine Derivatives.
Authors: Zaki Magdi E. A. , Yousef Elham A. A. , Hassanien Abu Zeid A.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Rearrangement of Alkynyl Sulfoxides Catalyzed by Gold(I) Complexes.
Authors: Shapiro Nathan D. , Toste F. Dean
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Two New Iridoid Glycosides from Lagotis yunnanensis
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Dong , Yang Li‐Juan , Yang Shu , Zhao Jing‐Feng , Zhang Hong‐Bin , Li Liang
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Efficient Synthesis of Brussalexin A (I), a Remarkable Phytoalexin from Brussels Sprouts.
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Zheng Qing‐An , Sarwar Mohammed G.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
MED‐SuMoLig: A New Ligand‐Based Screening Tool for Efficient Scaffold Hopping.
Authors: Sperandio Olivier , Andrieu Olivier , Miteva Maria A. , Vo Minh‐Quang , Souaille Marc , Delfaud Francois , Villoutreix Bruno O.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
General Purpose Interactive Physico‐Chemical Property Exploration.
Authors: Smellie Andrew
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Deacetylase LpxC Inhibitory Activity of Dual PDE4—TNFα Inhibitors: A Multiscreening Approach.
Authors: Kadam Rameshwar U. , Garg Divita , Chavan Archana , Roy Nilanjan
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
3D QSAR Methods: Phase and Catalyst Compared.
Authors: Evans David A. , Doman Thompson N. , Thorner David A. , Bodkin Michael J.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Stochastic Pairwise Alignments and Scoring Methods for Comparative Protein Structure Modeling.
Authors: Marko Adam C. , Stafford Kate , Wymore Troy
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis, SAR and Antibacterial Studies of Novel Chalcone Oxazolidinone Hybrids.
Authors: Selvakumar N. , Kumar G. Sunil , Azhagan A. Malar , Rajulu G. Govinda , Sharma Shikha , Kumar M. Sitaram , Das Jagattaran , Iqbal Javed , Trehan Sanjay
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Estrogen Receptor Ligands. Part 16. 2‐Aryl Indoles as Highly Subtype Selective Ligands for ERα.
Authors: Dykstra Kevin D. , et al. et al.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Monolithic Ceramic Catalysts in Different Applications: Support Materials, Incorporation Techniques and Physical Properties
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sudipta
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Fabrication of Magnetic Nanodot Arrays for Patterned Magnetic Recording Media
Authors: Sato Hirotaka , Homma Takayuki
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Physical—Chemical Properties and Reactivity of Cyanide in Water and Soil
Authors: Dzombak David A. , Ghosh Rajat S. , Young Thomas C.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Light Energy Conversion and Storage with Soft Carbonaceous Materials that Solidify Mesoscopic Electrochemical Interfaces
Authors: Miyasaka Tsutomu , Ikeda Nobuyuki , Murakami Takurou N. , Teshima Kenjiro
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Mechanisms Underlying Enhanced Vasodilator Responses to Various Vasodilator Agents Following Endothelium Removal in Rat Mesenteric Resistance Arteries
Authors: Iwatani Yukiko , Numa Hiromi , Atagi Saori , Takayama Fusako , Mio Mitsunobu , Kawasaki Hiromu
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
First‐Principles Modelling of Earth and Planetary Materials at High Pressures and Temperatures
Authors: Gillan M. J. , Alfe D. , Brodholt J. , Vocadlo L. , Price G. D.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Sensory and Chemical Analysis Methods for Earthy and Musty Odors in Drinking Water Caused by Geosmin and 2‐Methylisoborneol
Authors: Wang Z. , Suffet I. H. , Al‐Samarrai H.
Published: August 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Plasma Catecholamines and Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Slavíková Jana , Kuncová Jitka , Topolčan Ondřej
Published: August 2007

Plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured in 84 patients aged 56 ± 9 (mean ± SD) years with chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD), anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI), posterior AMI, acute or chronic IHD associated with various types of electrical instability and in the control subjects. During the first day of hospitalization, plasma epinephrine levels were higher in patients with AMI in both localizations and chronic IHD in comparison with control values. There were no significant differences in plasma epinephrine levels among these groups of patients. However, in the same time period, plasma norepinephrine concentrations in patients with chronic IHD and posterior AMI did not differ from the control values; in patients with anterior AMI they reached by ∼60% higher values than in the control group. Moreover, all myocardial lesions showing different types of electrical instability were associated with increased plasma levels of both norepinephrine and epinephrine. In conclusion, high plasma levels of epinephrine may result from sympathoadrenal activation. High plasma levels of norepinephrine in patients with anterior AMI and no change in patients with posterior AMI suggest a rather myocardial than an extramyocardial origin of plasma norepinephrine level in anterior AMI. Norepinephrine released from the ischemic area might contribute to the electrical instability of the myocardium and generation of dysrrhythmias. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A placebo‐controlled double blind trial of etanercept for the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome
Authors: Jatoi Aminah , Dakhil Shaker R. , Nguyen Phuong L. , Sloan Jeff A. , Kugler John W. , Rowland Kendrith M. , Soori Gamini S. , Wender Donald B. , Fitch Tom R. , Novotny Paul J. , Loprinzi Charles L.
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND.

Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is a putative mediator of the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome. The current study was designed to determine whether etanercept (a dimeric fusion protein consisting of the extracellular ligand‐binding portion of the human 75‐kilodalton TNF receptor linked to the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin [Ig] G1) could palliate this syndrome.

METHODS.

A total of 63 evaluable patients were randomly assigned to receive either etanercept at a dose of 25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly versus a comparably administered placebo. All patients had an incurable malignancy, acknowledged loss of weight and/or appetite as a concern, and reported a weight loss of >2.27 kg over 2 months and/or a daily intake of <20 calories/kg body weight.

RESULTS.

Over time, weight gain was found to be minimal in both treatment arms; no patient gained ≥10% of their baseline weight. Previously validated appetite questionnaires revealed negligible improvements in both treatment arms. The median survival was also comparable (175 days vs 148 days in etanercept‐treated and placebo‐exposed patients, respectively; P = .82). Finally, preliminary data regarding adverse events demonstrated that patients treated with etanercept had higher rates of neurotoxicity (29% vs 0%) but lower rates of anemia (0% vs 19%) and thrombocytopenia (0% vs 14%). Infection rates were negligible in both groups. Genotyping for TNF‐α‐238 and TNF‐α‐308 polymorphisms revealed no clinical significance for these genotypes, except for a preliminary association between presence of the −238 G/A genotype and relatively less favorable survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

Etanercept, as prescribed in the current trial, does not appear to palliate the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome in patients with advanced disease. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
The Hydra Parallel Programming System
Authors: Powers Franklin E. , Alaghband Gita
Published: August 2007

The Hydra Parallel Programming System, a new parallel language extension to Java, and its supporting software are described. It is a fairly simple yet powerful language designed to address a number of areas that have not received much attention. One of these areas is the recompilation of parallel programs at runtime to allow a parallel program to adapt to the architecture it is executing on. The first version of this software system focuses on smaller Symmetric Multiprocessing and compatible architectures which are becoming more common. This particular class of machines has a great need for more options in the area of parallel programming among the vastly popular Java language programmers. Hydra programs will run as sequential Java on machines that do not have the parallel support or do not have an implemented Hydra runtime system without requirement of any modifications to the program. This paper describes the language, compares it with other languages (specifically with JOMP, an OpenMP implementation for Java), presents a brief discussion on compiling and executing Hydra programs, presents some sample benchmarks and their performance on three platforms, and concludes with a discussion of issues and future directions for Hydra. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MSK regulate TCR‐induced CREB phosphorylation but not immediate early gene transcription
Authors: Kaiser Madlen , Wiggin Giselle R. , Lightfoot Kurt , Arthur J. Simon C. , Macdonald Andrew
Published: August 2007

Stimulation of the T cell receptor activates the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. We demonstrate that TCR stimulation also activates the mitogen‐ and stress‐activated kinases (MSK) downstream of ERK1/2 and p38 in both a T cell line and primary peripheral T cells. MSK1/2‐knockout mice were found to have normal numbers of T cells in the thymus, and development of these cells appeared unaffected. Using naive T cells and T lymphoblasts from MSK1/2‐knockout mice, it was found that MSK was the kinase responsible for phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB in response to TCR stimulation. Phosphorylation of CREB by MSK has been linked to the transcription of nur77, nor1 and c‐fos downstream of MAPK signalling in various cell types. In T cells, the TCR‐dependent transcription of these genes was found to require a MAPK‐dependent but MSK‐independent signalling pathway. Nevertheless, the number of T cells present in the spleens of MSK1/2‐knockout mice and the IL‐2‐induced proliferation of these cells was reduced compared to wild‐type mice. This correlated to a reduction in the TCR‐induced up‐regulation of the IL‐2 receptor CD25 and a requirement for MSK in IL‐2‐induced CREB phosphorylation.
Simultaneous Determination of Ranitidine and Metronidazole at Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Salimi Abdollah , Izadi Mohadeseh , Hallaj Rahman , Rashidi Manochehr
Published: August 2007

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) were dispersed into DMSO, and a SWCNTs‐film coated glassy carbon electrode was achieved via evaporating the solvent. The results indicated that CNT modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited efficiently electrocatalytic reduction for ranitidine and metronidazole with relatively high sensitivity, stability and life time. Under conditions of cyclic voltammetry, the potential for reduction of selected analytes is lowered by approximately 150 mV and current is enhanced significantly (7 times) in comparison to the bare glassy carbon electrode. The electrocatalytic behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection scheme for these analytes determinations by hydrodynamic amperometry. Under optimized condition in amperometric method the concentration calibration range, detection limit and sensitivity were about, 0.1–200 μM, detection limit (S/N=3) 6.3×10−8 mol L−1 and sensitivity 40 nA/μM for metronidazole and 0.3–270 μM 7.73×10−8 mol L−1 and 25 nA/μM for ranitidine. In addition, the ability of the modified electrode for simultaneous determination of ranitidine and metronidazole was evaluated. The proposed method was successfully applied to ranitidine and metronidazole determination in tablets. The analytical performance of this sensor has been evaluated for detection of these analytes in serum as a real sample.
Widening the Voltammetric Window Using Regular Arrays of Microdisk Electrodes
Authors: Chevallier Francois G. , Compton Richard G.
Published: August 2007

This work explores, through mathematical modeling and numerical simulation, the use of regular arrays of microdisk electrodes wired in parallel as a means to increase the width of the electrochemical window in which one can carry out electrochemical experiments.
Computational and rapid expected annual loss estimation methodologies for structures
Authors: Solberg Kevin M. , Dhakal Rajesh P. , Mander John B. , Bradley Brendon A.
Published: August 2007

Expected annual loss (EAL), which can be expressed in dollars, is an effective way of communicating the seismic vulnerability of constructed facilities to owners and insurers. A simplified method for estimating EAL without conducting time‐consuming non‐linear dynamic analyses is presented. Relationships between intensity measures and engineering demand parameters resulting from a pushover analysis and a modified capacity‐spectrum method are combined with epistemic and aleatory uncertainties to arrive at a probabilistic demand model. Damage measures are established to determine thresholds for damage states from which loss ratios can be defined. Financial implications due to damage can then be quantified in the form of EAL by integrating total losses for all likely earthquake scenarios. This rapid loss estimation method is verified through the computationally intensive incremental dynamic analysis, with the results processed using a distribution‐free methodology. To illustrate the application of the proposed method, the seismic vulnerability of two highway bridge piers is compared; one bridge is traditionally designed for ductility while the other is based on an emerging damage avoidance design (DAD) philosophy. The DAD pier is found to have a clear advantage over the conventional pier; the EAL of the DAD pier is less than 20% of its ductile counterpart. This is shown to be primarily due to its inherent damage‐free behaviour for small to medium earthquake intensities, whose contribution to EAL is significantly more than that of very rare events. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin-6 inhibits oxidative injury and necrosis after extreme liver resection
Authors: Jin Xiaoling , Zhang Zongxiu , Beer-Stolz Donna , Zimmers Teresa A. , Koniaris Leonidas G.
Published: August 2007

Extreme hepatectomy or resection of more than 80% of liver mass often leads to liver failure and death and is a major limitation to therapeutic liver resection for patients with liver tumors. We sought to define the mechanisms leading to liver failure and to determine the utility of interleukin-6 (IL-6) administration to improve outcomes. Mice were injected with Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human IL-6 or no recombinant protein, or were administered recombinant IL-6 or carrier by osmotic mini-pump. Mice were then subjected to 70% or 87% hepatectomy. Light and electron microscopy of liver sections after 87% hepatectomy showed ballooning hepatocytes, vacuolar changes, and mitochondrial abruption, with absence of anoikic nuclei. No significant activation of executor caspases or DNA laddering was observed, although a dramatic decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stores was measured, suggesting cell death was by a necrotic pathway involving mitochondrial dysfunction. A large increase in protein oxidation was observed, indicative of significant oxidative stress. IL-6 treatment before 87% hepatectomy resulted in less biochemical and histological evidence of liver injury as well as earlier proliferating chain nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and accelerated recovery of liver mass. IL-6 pretreatment induced the antioxidative injury proteins, ref-1 and GPX1, decreased protein oxidation, vacuolar changes and leakage of mitochondrial products, improved ATP stores, and maintained cellular ultrastructure after 87% hepatectomy.

Conclusion:

Massive oxidative injury and mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in the liver after extreme hepatectomy. IL-6 improves recovery and survival from extreme liver resection by enhancing pro-growth pathways, reducing oxidative stress, and maintaining mitochondrial function. (Hepatology 2007.)
Effect of the interleukin-6 C174G gene polymorphism on treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients
Authors: Nattermann Jacob , Vogel Martin , Berg Thomas , Danta Mark , Axel Baumgarten , Mayr Christoph , Bruno Raffaele , Tural Christina , Klausen Gerd , Clotet Bonaventura , Lutz Thomas , Grünhage Frank , Rausch Michael , Nischalke Hans Dieter , Schewe Knud , Bienek Bernhard , Haerter Georg , Sauerbruch Tilman , Rockstroh Juergen K. , Spengler Ulrich
Published: August 2007

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficirency virus (HIV) coinfection poses a difficult therapeutic problem. Response to HCV-specific therapy is variable but might be influenced by host genetic factors, including polymorphisms of cytokine genes. Here, we studied whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) C174G gene polymorphism affects the response to antiviral treatment in HCV-infected HIV-positive subjects. We determined IL-6 genotypes in HIV-positive patients with acute (n = 52) and chronic (n = 60) hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-α. Two hundred ten HCV monoinfected, 197 HIV monoinfected, and 100 healthy individuals were studied as controls. Patients were classified into high and low producers according to IL-6 genotypes. Rates of sustained virological responses (SVRs) were compared between the IL-6 genotypes. Signal transducer and activator of transcription three phosphorylation was analyzed by Western blot in HCV core-transfected human hepatoma cell line (HUH7) cells. Distribution of IL-6 genotypes did not differ significantly between the study groups. SVR was achieved in 63% of HIV/HCV coinfected patients. Carriers of the IL-6 high producer (HP) genotype had significantly higher SVR rates than patients with an IL-6 low producer genotype (70.1% versus 52%;

P

< 0.002). This effect was seen in both HIV-positive patients with acute (74% versus 33%;

P

< 0.05) and chronic (66% versus 33%;

P

< 0.05) hepatitis C. Multivariate analysis confirmed IL-6 HP carriage as an independent positive predictor for SVR (Odd′s ratio 6.1;

P

= 0.004). This effect corresponds to the

in vitro

observation that in HCV core-transfected HUH7 cells, IL-6 overcomes the HCV core-mediated inhibition of STAT3 activation.

Conclusion:

Response rates to HCV-specific treatment are higher in HCV/HIV-positive patients carrying the IL-6 HP genotype, which might be because of IL-6 mediated STAT3 activation. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Features associated with treatment failure in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and predictive value of the model of end-stage liver disease
Authors: Montano-Loza Aldo J. , Carpenter Herschel A. , Czaja Albert J.
Published: August 2007

Autoimmune hepatitis may fail to respond to corticosteroid therapy, but the frequency and bases for this outcome are uncertain. We aimed to determine the frequency and nature of treatment failure in patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, define features associated with its occurrence, and assess if the model for end-stage liver disease can predict this outcome. Patients failing conventional corticosteroid regimens were compared to patients who responded to similar regimens. Fourteen of 214 patients (7%) failed corticosteroid treatment. Patients who failed therapy were younger (33 ± 3 years versus 48 ± 1 years,

P

= 0.0008), had higher serum levels of bilirubin at accession (4.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL versus 2.3 ± 0.2 mg/dL,

P

= 0.02), presented acutely more frequently (43% versus 14%,

P

= 0.01), and had a higher frequency of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) DRB1*03 (93% versus 53%,

P

= 0.004) than did patients who achieved remission. An alternative disease (fatty liver disease) emerged in only 1 patient who failed therapy (7%). Scores determined by the model of end-stage liver disease at presentation of patients who failed treatment were higher than those of who achieved remission (16 ± 1 versus 10 ± 0.3 points,

P

< 0.0001), and score greater than 12 points had greater sensitivity (97%) and specificity (68%) for treatment failure than did HLA DRB1*03 or other features.

Conclusion:

Onset at an early age, acute presentation, hyperbilirubinemia, and presence of HLA DRB1*03 characterize patients who fail corticosteroid treatment. The model for end-stage liver disease may be a useful instrument for identifying patients prone to this outcome. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Hepatitis C treatment in “difficult-to-treat” psychiatric patients with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin
Authors: Schaefer Martin , Hinzpeter Axel , Mohmand Ariane , Janssen Gesa , Pich Maurice , Schwaiger Markus , Sarkar Rahul , Friebe Astrid , Heinz Andreas , Kluschke Michael , Ziemer Marlene , Gutsche Juri , Weich Viola , Halangk Juliane , Berg Thomas
Published: August 2007

We investigated and compared the results of treating the chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection of different groups of psychiatric-risk patients and controls with pegylated interferon alpha (pegIFN-α) plus ribavirin. Seventy patients were prospectively screened for psychiatric disorders. Seventeen patients without psychiatric diseases or drug addiction (controls), 22 patients with psychiatric disorders, 18 patients who had received methadone substitution treatment and 13 patients who were former drug users were treated with pegIFN-α plus ribavirin. Sustained virological response (SVR), adherence, and psychiatric side effects (using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) in the groups were compared. An SVR was found in 58.6% of all patients: 58.8% of the controls, 50% of psychiatric patients, 72.2% of methadone patients, and 53.8% of former drug users. Methadone-substituted patients and former drug users had significantly higher dropout rates. Scores for neither depressive nor psychotic symptoms differed significantly between groups during treatment. However, the controls had lower pretreatment scores, followed by a significant higher increase to maximum scores. A stepwise logistic regression model showed that only genotype, not group (control, psychiatric, methadone, or former drug abuse), type of psychiatric diagnosis (affective disorder, personality disorder, or schizophrenic disorder), depression scores before and during treatment, change in depression score, antidepressive treatment, sex, or liver enzymes before treatment, was associated with SVR.

Conclusion:

In an interdisciplinary treatment setting psychiatric diseases and/or drug addiction did not negatively influence psychiatric tolerability of and antiviral response rate to HCV treatment with pegIFN-α and ribavirin. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
The oncofetal gene glypican 3 is regulated in the postnatal liver by zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 and in the regenerating liver by alpha-fetoprotein regulator 2
Authors: Morford Lorri A. , Davis Christina , Jin Lin , Dobierzewska Aneta , Peterson Martha L. , Spear Brett T.
Published: August 2007

The

Glypican 3

(

Gpc3

) gene is expressed abundantly in the fetal liver, is inactive in the normal adult liver, and is frequently reactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This reactivation in HCC has led to considerable interest in Gpc3 as a diagnostic tumor marker and its possible role in tumorigenesis. Despite this interest, the basis for

Gpc3

regulation is poorly understood. On the basis of the similarities between

Gpc3

and

alpha
-
fetoprotein

expression in the liver, we reasoned that common factors might regulate these 2 genes. Here we identify zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2) as a regulator of

Gpc3

. Mouse strain–specific differences in adult liver

Gpc3

messenger RNA levels and transgenic mouse studies indicate that Zhx2 represses Gpc3 expression in the adult liver. We also demonstrate that

Gpc3

is activated in the regenerating liver following a carbon tetrachloride treatment and that the level of

Gpc3

induction is controlled by alpha-fetoprotein regulator 2 (Afr2).

Conclusion:

We show that Zhx2 acts as a repressor of

Gpc3

in the adult liver, and this raises the interesting possibility that Zhx2 might also be involved in

Gpc3

reactivation in HCC. We also show that

Gpc3

is activated in the regenerating liver in an Afr2-dependent manner. Zhx2 and Afr2 represent the first known regulators of

Gpc3

.
Efficacy and safety of high-dose pravastatin in hypercholesterolemic patients with well-compensated chronic liver disease: Results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial
Authors: Lewis James H. , Mortensen Mary Ellen , Zweig Steven , Fusco Mary Jean , Medoff Jeffrey R. , Belder Rene
Published: August 2007

The hepatotoxic potential of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors in patients with underlying chronic liver disease remains controversial. We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial that compared pravastatin (80 mg) to a placebo administered once daily to hypercholesterolemic subjects greater than 18 years of age with at least a 6-month history of compensated chronic liver disease and with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL and a triglyceride (TG) level lower than 400 mg/dL. The efficacy was determined by the percentage change in LDL-C [along with the total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TG] from the baseline to week 12. The safety was analyzed by the proportion of subjects who developed at least 1 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value greater than or equal to 2 times the upper limit of normal for those with normal ALT at the baseline or a doubling of the baseline ALT for those with elevated ALT at the baseline during 36 weeks of treatment. A total of 630 subjects were screened, and 326 subjects were randomized; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was present in 64%, and chronic hepatitis C was present in 23%. In the intent-to-treat population, pravastatin (80 mg/day) significantly lowered the mean LDL-C, TC, and TG values at week 12 and at other times (weeks 4, 8, 24, and 36) in comparison with the placebo. The incidence of subjects who met the primary prespecified ALT event definition was lower in the pravastatin group at all times over the 36 weeks of therapy in comparison with the placebo group, although the difference was not statistically significant. No differences were seen on the basis of the baseline ALT values or among the different liver disease groups.

Conclusion:

High-dose pravastatin (80 mg/day) administered to hypercholesterolemic subjects with chronic liver disease significantly lowered LDL-C, TC, and TGs in comparison with the placebo and was safe and well tolerated. The concern over an increased potential for statin-induced hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic liver disease appears to be lessened on the basis of these results.
The strength and difficulties questionnaire: Scale validation with Russian adolescents
Authors: Ruchkin Vladislav , Koposov Roman , Schwab‐Stone Mary
Published: August 2007

The study aimed at confirming factor structure of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a general population of Russian adolescents. The SDQ and other psychopathology measures were administered to a representative sample of 13–18‐year‐old adolescents from Arkhangelsk, Russia (N = 2892). The original factor structure was examined on two randomly selected split‐halves of the sample, using structural equation modeling techniques. The fit for all models was good, and when applying increasing constraints across the models, there was not a significant decrease in fit for the random split model. However, the factor loadings and, correspondingly, the scale reliabilities were low. The study concluded that although the Russian SDQ scales do conform reasonably well to a five‐factor oblique model, the scales are unsatisfactory in other respects; in its present form, the Russian version of the instrument has inadequate psychometric characteristics. Future research is needed for further scale development. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 861–869, 2007.
Effectiveness of an integrated, trauma‐informed approach to treating women with co‐occurring disorders and histories of trauma: The Los Angeles site experience
Authors: Gatz Margaret , Brown Vivian , Hennigan Karen , Rechberger Elke , O'Keefe Maura , Rose Tara , Bjelajac Paula
Published: August 2007

Effectiveness of an integrated trauma‐informed approach to treating women with co‐occurring disorders and histories of trauma was evaluated. Baseline and 12‐month assessments were completed by 136 intervention‐ and 177 comparison‐group women. The intervention group received Seeking Safety, a trauma‐specific group treatment focusing on safety and coping skills, in the context of integrated substance abuse and mental health services. The comparison group received similar services but not trauma‐specific group treatment. Intervention women showed significantly better treatment retention over three months and greater improvement on posttraumatic stress symptoms and coping skills. On most outcomes, those who completed treatment improved more than those who discontinued. Improvements on symptoms of distress and drug problem severity were partially mediated by gains in coping skills. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 863–878, 2007.
Experimental evaluation of executive skills in an EU country
Authors: Litos Charalambos I. , Moustakis Vassilis S.
Published: August 2007

Corporate executives constitute the highest echelon of the managerial hierarchy, responsible for implementing the strategic plans and policies established by the board of directors on an operational basis. Often the inquiry about executive skills evolves around the search for managerial skills. Executive skills form a distinct category of skills; however, they are often conceived as a set of managerial skills. This article presents the results of an extended survey concerning executive skills based in empirical measurements among executives in Greece. International literature suggests a wide range of executive skills. Based on this, a list of 42 skills, divided into six categories, was created. This list was evaluated by 110 executives of the larger corporations in Greece. Using a structured assessment methodology, skills and categories were assessed and validated. Then, factor analysis was applied to these results and a set of 11 executive skills synthesized from this work. Findings are discussed and compared with those of other surveys, and topics for further research are set out.
Functional morphology of the sonic apparatus in the fawn cusk‐eel Lepophidium profundorum (Gill, 1863)
Authors: Fine Michael L. , Lin Hsung , Nguyen Brian B. , Rountree Rodney A. , Cameron Timothy M. , Parmentier Eric
Published: August 2007

Recent reports of high frequency sound production by cusk‐eels cannot be explained adequately by known mechanisms, i.e., a forced response driven by fast sonic muscles on the swimbladder. Time to complete a contraction‐relaxation cycle places a ceiling on frequency and is unlikely to explain sounds with dominant frequencies above 1 kHz. We investigated sonic morphology in the fawn cusk‐eel Lepophidium profundorum to determine morphology potentially associated with high frequency sound production and quantified development and sexual dimorphism of sonic structures. Unlike other sonic systems in fishes in which muscle relaxation is caused by internal pressure or swimbladder elasticity, this system utilizes antagonistic pairs of muscles: ventral and intermediate muscles pull the winglike process and swimbladder forward and pivot the neural arch (neural rocker) above the first vertebra backward. This action stretches a fenestra in the swimbladder wall and imparts strain energy to epineural ribs, tendons and ligaments connected to the anterior swimbladder. Relatively short antagonistic dorsal and dorsomedial muscles pull on the neural rocker, releasing strain energy, and use a lever advantage to restore the winglike process and swimbladder to their resting position. Sonic components grow isometrically and are typically larger in males although the tiny intermediate muscles are larger in females. Although external morphology is relatively conservative in ophidiids, sonic morphology is extremely variable within the family. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HPLC for stress‐free screening of potential prostate cancer marker catechol estrogens in urine using a diamond‐electrode electrochemical and a fluorescence detector
Authors: Katayama Masatoki , Takamatsu Kiyoshi , Kaneko Satoru , Miyaji Keisuke , Ishikawa Hiromichi , Matsuda Yoshifumi
Published: August 2007

Improvement of the sensitivity and specificity of a simultaneous stress‐free screening method for catechol estrogens as a potential prostate cancer marker in urine has been accomplished by HPLC with a diamond‐electrode electrochemical detector and a fluorescence detector. Since taking urine samples generates less stress (or pain) than the drawing of blood, the method can readily be applied to almost any patient, and will also assist in improving the sensitivity and specificity of the prostatic specific antigen test. Catechol estrogens (2‐hydroxyestrone, 4‐hydroxyestrone, 2‐methoxyestrone, 2‐hydroxyestradiol, 4‐hydroxyestradiol, 2‐methoxyestradiol, and 2‐hydroxyestriol) and estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol) were separated on an Inertsil ODS‐II column with acetonitrile–potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0). The diamond‐electrode electrochemical detector used had the great advantage of being a maintenance‐free system, and could sequentially analyze hundreds of samples. Fluorescence detection improved the sensitivity 10–500 times (e. g., the LOD of 2‐hydroxyestriol was improved 250 times) compared to previous electrochemical detection reports, and dual detection improved peak identification in the urine samples. The proposed method was applied to the simultaneous determination of catechol estrogens in spiked urine in a preliminary study on estrogens and PSA values in biopsy and prostate cancer patients.
Rapid and reliable detection of exon rearrangements in various movement disorders genes by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification
Authors: Djarmati Ana , Gužvić Miodrag , Grünewald Anne , Lang Anthony E. , Pramstaller Peter P. , Simon David K. , Kaindl Angela M. , Vieregge Peter , Nygren Anders O. H. , Beetz Christian , Hedrich Katja , Klein Christine
Published: August 2007

Because of the occurrence of different types of mutations, comprehensive genetic testing for Parkinson's disease (PD), dopa‐responsive dystonia (DRD), and myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) should include screening for small sequence changes and for large exonic rearrangements in disease‐associated genes. In diagnostic and research settings, the latter is frequently omitted or performed by laborious and expensive quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). Our study aimed to evaluate the utility of a novel method, multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA), in molecular diagnostics of movement disorders. We have analyzed, by MLPA, genomic DNA from 21 patients affected with PD, DRD, or M‐D, in which the presence of exon rearrangement(s) (n = 20) or of a specific point mutation (detectable by MLPA, n = 1) had been established previously by qPCR or sequencing. In parallel, we have studied, in a blinded fashion, DNA from 49 patients with an unknown mutational status. Exon rearrangements were evident in 20 samples with previously established mutations; in the 21st sample the known specific point mutation was detected. We conclude that MLPA represents a reliable method for large‐scale and cost‐effective gene dosage screening of various movement disorders genes. This finding reaches far beyond a simple technical advancement and has two major implications: (1) By improving the availability of comprehensive genetic testing, it supports clinicians in the establishment of a genetically defined diagnosis; (2) By enabling gene dosage testing of several genes simultaneously, it significantly facilitates the mutational analysis of large patient and control populations and thereby constitutes the prerequisite for meaningful phenotype–genotype correlations. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Early Carboniferous ammonoid faunas and stratigraphy of the Montagne Noire (France)
Authors: Korn D. , Feist R.
Published: August 2007

Abstract. The early Carboniferous (Mississippian) sedimentary succession of the Montagne Noire is subdivided into three major lithostratigraphic units, in ascending order the Montagne Noire Griotte Group (Devonian to Early Tournaisian), the Tournaisian to Viséan Saint-Nazaire Group (with the Lydiennes, Faugères, Colonnes, and Puech Capel Formations, the latter new), and the Laurens Flysch Group (late Viséan). The ammonoid assemblages in these rock units are reviewed. A total of 29 Early Carboniferous ammonoid taxa at species level are determined. The new genus Nigrocyclus n. gen., and the new species Gattendorfia nazairensis n. sp., Globimitoceras albaillei n. sp., and Neogoniatites canovasi n. sp. are described. Die unterkarbonische Abfolge von Sedimentgesteinen in der Montagne Noire wird in drei lithostratigraphische Einheiten untergliedert, von unten nach oben die Montagne Noire Griotte Gruppe (Oberdevon bis Untertournai), die Saint-Nazaire Gruppe des Tournaisium und Viséum (mit den Lydiennes Faugères, Colonnes und Puech Capel Formationen, von denen die letzte neu ist), und der Laurens Flysch Gruppe (Oberviséum). Die Ammonoideen-Vergesellschaftungen in diesen Gesteinen werden revidiert. Insgesamt werden 29 unterkarbonische Ammonoideen-Taxa auf Artebene aufgeführt; neu beschrieben werden die Gattung Nigrocyclus n. gen. sowie die Arten Gattendorfia nazairensis n. sp., Globimitoceras albaillei n. sp. und Neogoniatites canovasi n. sp. doi:10.1002/mmng.200700002