bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Use Efficiencies and Economics of Baby Corn (Zea mays. L): A Review
Authors: Lodh Paramita , Saha Abhijit , Hedayetullah Md. , Saha Debashree
Published: February 2024

A young, unfertilized, dehusked maize ear that has just started to multiply is called baby corn (the baby phase of the maize cob). It is usually harvested when the silk is between two and three cm long, two to three days following silking. Depending on the agro-climatic circumstances, baby maize can be grown three to four times a year after maturing for 60 to 75 days. As a pre-kharif crop with a brief growing phase, baby maize provides a distinct benefit by making use of fields that would otherwise stay fallow during the periods when rice and wheat are turning over. Higherearnings can be made from the early harvest and selling of baby maize ears. Additionally, untranslocated photosynthates remaining in the green stover can be used as a good source of nutrient-rich green fodder for live stock, which boosts the production of dairy products and meat.

As the crop with the highest nutritional content, baby maize needs exceptionally high-quality nutrients to be used efficiently and to increase yield. Although the production of baby corn can be increased by applying artificial fertiliser, doing so will eventually compromise the sustainability of the expanding field. Furthermore, farmers' financial stability and soil health can be preserved by replacing a portion of chemical fertilisers with organic sources of nutrients. However, the replacement of 25% and 50% of the nitrogen with organic sources (FYM/Vermicompost/Poultry Manure) had a greater positive impact on the production of baby maize, the yield of fodder, the quality and economics of the nutrient uptake, and the soil fertility status.
São Luís em Tempos de "Milagre": modernização urbanística, autoritária e inacabada sob o governo de José Sarney (1966-1970)
Authors: Costa Marcelo
Published: February 2024

O presente texto busca apresentar o debate acerca da modernização urbana em São Luís, durante o final dos anos 1960. Novos elementos como o Porto do Itaqui e o novo Plano Rodoviário, bem como as novas avenidas, sobretudo, nas áreas alagadas do centro da cidade deveriam ceder ao asfalto e ao concreto armado, numa representação do “novo”. Singo máximo da modernidade, as novas pontes, deveriam ligar a cidade antiga - dos sobradões, à cidade nova. Tais obras, elaboradas por jovens tecnocratas buscavam dar à capital uma nova fisionomia, compatível com a modernização proposta para o Maranhão e para o Brasil. Porém, essas mesmas intervenções urbanas representavam, também, a construção de uma nova narrativa, que escamoteava os muitos espaços da cidade, alheios ao movimento moderno, que por sua natureza excepcional, foi limitado.
Synthesis and Electrochemistry of Aluminum Porphycenes: Crystal and Molecular Structure of Methyl-σ-Bonded Aluminum Etioporphycene
Authors: GUILARD ROGER , PICHON-PESME VIRGINIE , LACHEKAR HASSANE , LECOMTE CLAUDE , AUKAULOO ALLY M. , BOULAS PIERRE L. , KADISH KARL M.
Published: December 2005

The synthesis and characterization of three monomeric aluminum porphycenes with anionic or σ-bonded axial ligands is reported. The investigated compounds are represented as ( EtioPc ) Al ( CH 3) and ( EtioPc ) AlX where EtioPc represents the dianion of etioporphycene and X = Cl − or OH −. Each synthesized complex was characterized by mass spectrometry. 1 H NMR, IR and UV-visible spectroscopies as well as by electrochemistry. Comparisons are made between the properties of complexes in the aluminum etioporphycene series and related chloro- or methyl σ-bonded Al ( III ) porphyrins containing octaethylporphyrin ( OEP ) or tetraphenylporphyrin ( TPP ) macrocycles. Comparisons are also made between the currently investigated compounds and a previously reported Al ( III ) μ-oxo dimer, [( EtioPc ) Al ]2 O . In addition, the crystal and molecular structure of ( EtioPc ) Al ( CH 3) was determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure of this methyl-σ-bonded aluminum etioporphycene provides the first structural data for an aluminum porphycene compound. The aluminum(III) atom in ( EtioPc ) Al ( CH 3) is pentacoordinated and is located 0.54 Å from the plane of the four N -nitrogens.
Synthesis and NMR Studies of a Single Isomer of an Alkynyl Substituted Binuclear Phthalocyanine
Authors: ISAGO HIROAKI , TEREKHOV DMITRI S. , LEZNOFF CLIFFORD C.
Published: December 2005

By a mixed condensation of 1,3-bis(3″,4″-dicyanophenoxy)-2-ethyl-2-methylpropane with a large amount of 4,5-bis(3,3-dimethyl-1-butynyl)phthalonitrile, 1,3-bis-2″-(9″,10″,16″,17″,23″,24″-hexakis(3″,3″-dimethyl-1″-butynyl)phthalocyaninoxyl)-2-ethyl-2-methylpropane, was synthesized as a binuclear phthalocyanine having a single isomer. NMR studies at various temperatures and concentrations suggested that the interactions between the phthalocyanine macrocycles were dominated by intermolecular aggregation at lower temperatures or high concentrations whereas intramolecular aggregation was predominant at higher temperatures or lower concentrations.
Hydroxy-substituted Cobalt Tetraphenylporphyrins as Electrocatalysts for the Reduction of O2
Authors: YUASA MAKOTO , STEIGER BEAT , ANSON FRED C.
Published: December 2005

The possible effects of the electron-donating properties of p-hydroxyphenyl groups on the catalytic activity of cobalt porphyrins toward the electro-reduction of O 2 were explored with three cobalt porphyrins having p-hydroxyphenyl substituents in the meso position of the porphyrin ring. The porphyrins were examined as electrocatalysts adsorbed on the surfaces of pyrolytic graphite electrodes in aqueous solution and as homogeneous catalysts dissolved in methanolic solutions. The adsorbed molecules exhibited a higher catalytic activity than those in solution and accomplished the reduction of a portion of the O 2 molecules reaching the electrode to H 2 O . However, the four-electron reduction was indirect, with H 2 O 2 being formed as an intermediate that was subsequently reduced. Although the introduction of the electron-donating p-hydroxyphenyl substituents on the porphyrin ring altered the catalytic activity of the cobalt porphyrins, the effect was not as great as can be obtained by coordinating ruthenium (II) complexes to π-accepting ligands in the meso position of the porphyrin ring.
Approaches to β-Fused Porphyrinoporphyrins: Pyrrolo- and Dipyrromethaneporphyrins
Authors: GROS CLAUDE P. , JAQUINOD LAURENT , KHOURY RICHARD G. , OLMSTEAD MARILYN M. , SMITH KEVIN M.
Published: December 2005

Reaction of (2-nitro-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)nickel(II) 3 or its copper(II) complex 4 with α-isocyanoacetic esters in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.O]undec-7-ene accomplishes the first syntheses of β-fused pyrroloporphyrins (e.g. 5–10). The removal of the fused pyrrole ester protecting groups to give the di-α-free pyrroloporphyrins 2a and 13 is described, as well as some pyrrole-type chemistry. Unsymmetrical fused dipyrromethanoporphyrins (16–18) were synthesized by reacting 5-acetoxymethylpyrrole-2-carboxylates (14,15) with mono-α-free pyrroloporphyrins (5–8) in the presence of Montmorillonite clay. A symmetrical bis-porphyrinyl dipyrromethane 19 was also prepared by condensation of the β-fused methyl ester pyrroloporphyrin 7 with dimethoxymethane in ethanol and concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies on Oxaporphyrins and Oxathiaporphyrins
Authors: SRIDEVI B. , NARAYANAN S. JEYAPRAKASH , SRINIVASAN A. , REDDY M. V. , CHANDRASHEKAR T. K.
Published: December 2005

The synthesis and characterization of oxaporphyrins ( OTPP and O 2 TPP ) containing one and two furan rings in place of pyrrole and a mixed oxathiaporphyrin ( OSTPP ) is reported. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies reveal that oxaporphyrins exhibit optical and emission characteristics closer to the parent H 2 TPP , while their electrochemical behaviour parallels that reported for mono and dithiaporphyrins. However the characteristics of the mixed oxathia derivative resemble that of monothiaporphyrin. Protonation studies reveal weaker resonance interaction between the β-hydrogens and meso-phenyl substituents in sharp contrast to thiaporphyrins. The reduction potentials for OSTPP and O 2 TPP indicate stabilization and destabilization of their LUMOs relative to the parent H 2 TPP in the ground and excited states, respectively.
Photosensitization of Thin SnO2 Nanocrystalline Semiconductor Film Electrodes with Metalloporphyrins and Alkyl-substituted Metalloporphyrins
Authors: OTERO LUIS , OSORA HIROYUKI , LI WEIJIN , FOX MARYE ANNE
Published: December 2005

Modest fill factors (~0.2) and efficiencies for sensitized photocurrent generation are observed with porphyrins adsorbed to saturation on a nanocrystalline SnO 2 thin film employed as the working electrode in a photoelectrochemical cell. No dye aggregation is observed at the metal oxide/adsorbate interface, and no advantage in the photosensitization efficiency is seen with two porphyrins that exhibit a stable liquid crystalline phase over another porphyrin that does not.
Mechanism of the trickle‐to‐pulse flow transition in fixed‐bed reactors
Authors: Anadon Laura D. , Sederman Andrew J. , Gladden Lynn F.
Published: December 2005

The formation of local instabilities, identified as isolated pulsing events, in the gas‐liquid distribution within a trickle‐bed reactor is shown to be central to the mechanism of the hydrodynamic transition from trickle‐to‐pulsing flow. The evolution of these instabilities as the bed moves through the transition is imaged in 3‐D using ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The reactor was of internal dia. 43 mm and packed with cylindrical packing elements of length and diameter 3 mm, operating under conditions of air‐water, cocurrent downflow. Superficial gas and liquid velocities in the range 25–300 and 0.9–13.0 mm s−1, respectively, were used. For a given gas velocity, the transition point is defined to be the liquid velocity at which the maximum number of isolated pulses occurs. The transition point determined using this approach is critically compared with the predictions of existing correlations and theoretical models. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Novel splicing mutation in the NEMO (IKK‐gamma) gene with severe immunodeficiency and heterogeneity of X‐chromosome inactivation
Authors: Ørstavik Karen Helene , Kristiansen Marianne , Knudsen Gun Peggy , Storhaug Kari , Vege Åshild , Eiklid Kristin , Abrahamsen Tore G , Smahi Asma , Steen‐Johnsen Jon
Published: December 2005

We report on a family with three stillborn males, three affected males who were small for gestational age and died within 8 months, and one male who died at age 5 years. This boy had cone‐shaped teeth and oligoodontia. He had serious bacterial infections and inflammatory bowel disease. Mutations in the NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO) gene have recently been shown to be the cause of a group of ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency disorders (EDA‐ID). Analysis of the NEMO gene revealed a nucleotide change in the consensus sequence of the splicing donor site of exon 6 IVS6 + 5G → A(1027 + 5G → A), which has not previously been described in EDA‐ID. RT‐PCR analysis of fibroblast RNA from an aborted affected male fetus demonstrated a skipping of exons 4, 5, and 6 which resulted in a truncated protein of about 35 kDa revealed by NEMO antibody. The skipping of exons 4, 5, and 6 did not affect the ORF of the C‐terminal of NEMO encoded by exons 7, 8, 9, and 10, which contains a coiled‐coil motif (CC2), a leucin‐zipper (LZ), and a zinc finger motif (ZF) sub‐domains of NEMO. IκBα degradation was strongly impaired in the fetal fibroblasts, suggesting an impaired NF‐κB signaling. One healthy carrier had a completely skewed X‐inactivation pattern with the normal X active, whereas the two other carriers had a random X‐inactivation pattern. This family may represent a new phenotype within the EDA‐ID disorders. From the heterogeneity in X‐inactivation phenotype, we conclude that this mutation is not deleterious enough to be lethal for peripheral blood cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Breakpoint mapping in a case of mosaicism with partial monosomy 9p23 → pter and partial trisomy 1q41 → qter suggests neo‐telomere formation in stabilizing the deleted chromosome
Authors: Kulikowski Leslie D. , Christ Laurie A. , Nogueira Sintia I. , Brunoni Decio , Schwartz Stuart , Melaragno Maria I.
Published: December 2005

We report on a clinical and molecular cytogenetic study of a patient who presents a complex chromosomal rearrangement with two different cell lines. Using high‐resolution GTG banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with several probes, including bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), the karyotype was defined as 46,XX,del(9)(p23)[54]/46,XX,der(9)t(1;9)(q41;p23)[46], indicating the presence of monosomy 9p23 in all cells and trisomy 1q41 in approximately 50% of the cells. The patient studied presents most of the manifestations of the 9p deletion and 1q duplication syndromes. The breakpoint was mapped at 9p23 with a loss of approximately 13.9‐Mb of DNA. The duplicated segment consists of approximately 35 Mb from 1q41‐qter region. We also suggest that a mechanism for telomere capture and interstitial telomeric sequences (ITs) is involved in a neo‐telomere formation in one of the cell lines. This study highlights the importance of combining high‐resolution chromosome and FISH with BACs in order to make genotype–phenotype correlations and to understand the mechanisms involved chromosomal aberrations. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Origin of the prevalent SFTPB indel g.1549C > GAA (121ins2) mutation causing surfactant protein B (SP‐B) deficiency
Authors: Tredano Mohammed , Cooper David N. , Stuhrmann Manfred , Christodoulou John , Chuzhanova Nadia A. , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise , Boëlle Pierre‐Yves , Elion Jacques , Jeanpierre Marc , Feingold Josué , Couderc Rémy , Bahuau Michel
Published: December 2005

The SFTPB gene indel g.1549C > GAA (121ins2) accounts for about 2/3 of the mutant alleles underlying complete surfactant protein B deficiency. It is unclear, however, whether its prevalence is due to recurrent mutation or a founder effect. The underlying mutational mechanism was therefore sought through the analysis of local DNA sequence complexity. A relatively complex two‐step process was proposed: the first step involving slipped mispairing mediated by a direct repeat and generating an AGAA micro‐insertion, the second step involving hairpin loop resolution resulting in a CA micro‐deletion. The possibility of a founder effect was then assessed by typing 8 intragenic SNPs in 17 independent 121ins2 chromosomes from 10 probands, with parental non‐121ins2 chromosomes serving as controls. The 121ins2 chromosomes were assigned to three discrete haplotypes, whilst control chromosomes were distributed between 10 of the 11 observed parental haplotypes. The 121ins2 mutation was in strong and significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the tightly linked marker g.1580T/C (|D'| = 1; P ≈ 0.024), although only moderate LD was found with the rest of the locus (|D'| ≈ 0.54; P ≈ 0.136). Data on haplotype structure and the locus LD pattern, obtained from 81 independent Western‐European chromosomes, were consistent with the three mutation‐bearing haplotypes having originated from a common ancestor by recombination. Interestingly, all families harboring the 121ins2 indel had ancestors from a region of Northwestern Europe populated by Frankish/Saxon migration. Taken together, these data are consistent with the view that an indel mutation occurred on a relatively common SFTPB haplotype and now accounts for the majority of (and possibly all) extant 121ins2 chromosomes. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A large interstitial deletion of 17p13.1p11.2 involving the Smith–Magenis chromosome region in a girl with multiple congenital anomalies
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Ueda Hideaki , Kawataki Motoyoshi , Yamanaka Michiko , Asou Toshihide , Kondoh Yuki , Harada Naoki , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kurosawa Kenji
Published: December 2005

A 6‐month‐old girl had multiple congenital anomalies, including dysmorphic face; tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia and patent ductus arteriosus; congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the right upper lung, and hemilateral kidney defect. Chromosome analysis as well as flurorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymorphic marker analyses in the girl and her parents revealed a de novo large interstitial deletion of 17p13.1‐p11.2 of the paternally derived chromosome 17. The deletion involved the Smith–Magenis chromosome region (SMCR). Lack of involvement of the Miller–Dieker syndrome region at 17p13.3 was confirmed by both FISH analysis and radiological examinations that showed no migrational abnormality. The girl died at age 7 months. This is the first report of a patient with a large interstitial deletion of 17p. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of the phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) with smoking initiation and nicotine dependence
Authors: Zhang Lan , Kendler Kenneth S. , Chen Xiangning
Published: December 2005

Since PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) has elevated expression in rat brain (amygdala) after chronic administration of nicotine and the PTEN gene is located in the vicinity of the chromosome 10q23 linkage peak in a genome‐scan study of nicotine dependence, PTEN seems a plausible candidate gene for smoking behavior. To test this hypothesis, we use a three‐group case‐control design and genotype five SNPs in the PTEN gene. We compare allele and genotype frequencies between the smokers and nonsmokers and between the low nicotine dependent and high nicotine dependent subjects. Three SNPs in the PTEN gene are significantly associated with smoking initiation (rs1234221, P = 0.0311; rs1234213, P = 0.0002; and rs2735343, P = 0.0028). Rs1234213 also shows association with nicotine dependence (P = 0.0278). Haplotype analyses indicate that a major haplotype, 1‐1‐2‐2‐1 for rs1234221‐rs2299939‐rs1234213‐rs2735343‐rs70184, is associated with smoking initiation. A minor haplotype (about 3%), 1‐2‐2‐2‐1 for the same five SNPs, is observed only in the high nicotine dependence group. These results suggest that the PTEN gene may be involved in the etiology of both smoking initiation and nicotine dependence. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genomewide scan for real‐word reading subphenotypes of dyslexia: Novel chromosome 13 locus and genetic complexity
Authors: Igo Robert P. , Chapman Nicola H. , Berninger Virginia W. , Matsushita Mark , Brkanac Zoran , Rothstein Joseph H. , Holzman Ted , Nielsen Kathleen , Raskind Wendy H. , Wijsman Ellen M.
Published: December 2005

Dyslexia is a common learning disability exhibited as a delay in acquiring reading skills despite adequate intelligence and instruction. Reading single real words (real‐word reading, RWR) is especially impaired in many dyslexics. We performed a genome scan, using variance components (VC) linkage analysis and Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) joint segregation and linkage analysis, for three quantitative measures of RWR in 108 multigenerational families, with follow up of the strongest signals with parametric LOD score analyses. We used single‐word reading efficiency (SWE) to assess speed and accuracy of RWR, and word identification (WID) to assess accuracy alone. Adjusting SWE for WID provided a third measure of RWR efficiency. All three methods of analysis identified a strong linkage signal for SWE on chromosome 13q. Based on multipoint analysis with 13 markers we obtained a MCMC intensity ratio (IR) of 53.2 (chromosome‐wide P < 0.004), a VC LOD score of 2.29, and a parametric LOD score of 2.94, based on a quantitative‐trait model from MCMC segregation analysis (SA). A weaker signal for SWE on chromosome 2q occurred in the same location as a significant linkage peak seen previously in a scan for phonological decoding. MCMC oligogenic SA identified three models of transmission for WID, which could be assigned to two distinct linkage peaks on chromosomes 12 and 15. Taken together, these results indicate a locus for efficiency and accuracy of RWR on chromosome 13, and a complex model for inheritance of RWR accuracy with loci on chromosomes 12 and 15. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complete maternal uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 4 in a subject with major depressive disorder detected by high density SNP genotyping arrays
Authors: Middleton Frank A. , Trauzzi Marco G. , Shrimpton Antony E. , Gentile Karen L. , Morley Christopher P. , Medeiros Helena , Pato Michele T. , Pato Carlos N.
Published: December 2005

Uniparental isodisomy (iUPD) is a rare genetic condition caused by non‐disjunction during meiosis that ultimately leads to a duplication of either the maternal or paternal chromosome in the affected individual. Two types of disorders can result, those due to imprinted genes and those due to homozygosity of recessive disease‐causing mutations. Here, we describe the third known case of complete chromosome 4 iUPD of maternal origin. This condition became apparent during whole genome linkage studies of psychiatric disorders in the Portuguese population. The proband is an adult female with normal fertility and no major medical complaints, but a history of major depressive disorder and multiple suicide attempts. The proband's siblings and parents had normal chromosome 4 genotypes and no history of mood disturbance. A brief review of other studies lends support for the possibility that genes on chromosome 4 might confer risk for mood disorders. We conclude that chromosome 4 maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) is a rare disorder that may present with a major depressive phenotype. The lack of a common disease phenotype between this and two other cases of chromosome 4 iUPD [Lindenbaum et al. [1991] Am J Med Genet 49(Suppl 285):1582; Spena et al. [2004] Eur J Hum Genet 12:891–898) would suggest that there is no vital maternal gene imprinting on chromosome 4. However, since there is no reported case of paternal chromosome 4 UPD, paternal gene imprinting on chromosome 4 cannot be excluded. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Foot bones from Omo: Implications for hominid evolution
Authors: Gebo Daniel L. , Schwartz Gary T.
Published: December 2005

We reanalyze a hominid talus and calcaneus from Omo dating to 2.2 mya and 2.36 mya, respectively. Although both specimens occur at different localities and times, both tarsals articulate well together, suggesting a single taxon on the basis of size and function. We attribute these foot bones to early Homo on the basis of their morphology. The more modern‐like tarsal morphology of these Omo foot bones makes them very similar to a talus from Koobi Fora (KNM‐ER 813), a specimen attributed to Homo rudolfensis or Homo erectus. Although the Omo tarsals are a million years younger than the oldest known foot bones from Hadar, both localities demonstrate anatomical differences representing two distinct morphological patterns. Although all known hominid tarsals demonstrate clear bipedal features, the tarsal features noted below suggest that biomechanical changes did occur over time, and that certain features are associated with different hominid lineages (especially the robust australopithecines). Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical properties of swelled vulcanizates of polar diene elastomers
Authors: Magryta Jacek , Dębek Cezary , Dębek Dariusz
Published: December 2005

Rubber elements, which usually form a major part of different isolators of vibrations, are generally easily swelled by oils, greases, or fuels. This leads to meaningful changes of their mechanical characteristics and shortening of durability of rubber components in service. The influence of the semisynthetic motor oil on mechanical and, particularly, dynamic properties of swelled vulcanizates of the polar diene rubber, chloroprene (CR) and acrylonitrile‐butadiene (NBR), is estimated in this article. These elastomers, as is widely known, are resistant to the mineral oils absorption. However, our investigations showed that even a small degree of swelling of the vulcanizates causes decrease of their mechanical properties and considerable changes of the dynamic characteristics of the samples. The obtained results have shown the need to take into account the environment in which isolators of vibrations and dampers have worked, while designing the suitable composition of rubber compounds. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Effects of rosin‐type clarifying agent on the crystallization and compatibility of polypropylene and low density polyethylene
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Chun‐Cheng , Ke Yu‐Cai , Zhang Dong , Li Zhen‐Yi
Published: December 2005

In this article, the influence of rosin‐type clarifying agent Nu‐(K + Na) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) on the crystallization process of polypropylene (PP) from the melt state was studied by differential scanning calorimeter and polarization microscope, and the effect of rosin‐type clarifying agent Nu‐(K + Na) on the compatibility of PP and LDPE was also investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscope. It was found that Nu‐(K + Na) decreased the fold surface energy and promoted the nucleation and crystallization of PP. With the cooperation of LDPE and Nu‐(K + Na) in PP, the chain fold free energy of PP was further decreased substantially, the crystallization rate of PP was increased more markedly, and the spherulites of PP became much smaller and dispersed more uniformly. At the same time, Nu‐(K + Na) improved the compatibility of PP and LDPE, and the LDPE was dispersed in PP more uniformly. Thus, the light scattering originating from the spherulites of PP and the LDPE disperse phase was reduced to great extent, and the transparency of PP was improved evidently. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1568–1575, 2006
A study of LLDPE functionalized through ultraviolet irradiation and interfacial interaction of PA66/functionalized LLDPE blends
Authors: Wu Shishan , Chi Bo , Yan Han , Shen Jian
Published: December 2005

Some oxygen‐containing groups, such as COC, COH, CO, C(O)O, and C(O)OH, were introduced onto linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) chains during ultraviolet irradiation under air, without adding any monomers and auxiliaries and without environmental pollution. After ultraviolet irradiation, the molecular weight of LLDPE decreased and its distribution became wider. The melting temperature and crystallinity of irradiated LLDPE decreased with irradiation time. The copolymer LLDPE‐g‐PA66 was formed by reaction between oxygen‐containing groups of irradiated LLDPE and amine or carboxyl end groups and amide linkage of polyamide 66 (PA66) during preparation of PA66/irradiated LLDPE blends. Compared with PA66/LLDPE blend, the mechanical properties of PA66/irradiated LLDPE blends were improved greatly because of the improved interface interaction and dispersion. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Synthesis of copolyamides containing octadecanedioic acid: An investigation of nylon 6/6,18 in various ratios
Authors: Bennett Carl , Zeng Jijun , Kumar Satish , Mathias Lon J.
Published: December 2005

A series of copolyamides of various compositions of nylon 6 and nylon 6,18 were produced. Increased resistance to organic solvents resulted from greater incorporation of nylon 6,18, as shown by decreasing solubility. High‐resolution solution NMR indicated there were four amide carbonyls that corresponded to the four possible pairs of comonomer units, allowing detailed composition determination. The melting points of the comonomers decreased as the ratio of hydrogen bonding amide units to methylene groups increased, going from nylon 6 to copolymers with an increasing number of nylon 6,18 repeat units. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Polysaccharide‐based artificial extracellular matrix: Preparation and characterization of three‐dimensional, macroporous chitosan and chondroitin sulfate composite scaffolds
Authors: Peng Chih‐Kang , Yu Shu‐Huei , Mi Fwu‐Long , Shyu Shin‐Shing
Published: December 2005

Scaffold‐guided tissue engineering based on synthetic and natural occurring polymers has gained much interest in recent years. In this article, the development of a polysaccharide‐based artificial extracellular matrix (AECM) is reported. Three‐dimensional, macroporous composite AECMs composed of chondroitin sulfate (ChS) and chitosan (Chito) were prepared by an interpolyelectrolyte complex/lyophilization method. The ChS–Chito composite AECMs were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and calcium ions (Ca2+) and cocrosslinked with N,N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethyl carbodiimide (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The crosslinking reactions were examined with Fourier transform infrared analysis. Glutaraldehyde and Ca2+ crosslinked with Chito and ChS, respectively, to produce different types of ChS–Chito semi‐interpenetrated networks. In contrast, EDC/NHS crosslinked with both Chito and ChS to produce ChS–Chito connected networks. In physiological buffer solutions, the Ca2+‐crosslinked ChS–Chito composite AECMs showed a lower swelling ratio than their EDC/NHS‐ and glutaraldehyde‐crosslinked counterparts. The ChS–Chito composite AECMs showed excellent antibacterial capability and biocompatibility according to the results of the in vitro antibacterial test and cytotoxic assay. This result suggested that the ChS–Chito composite AECMs might be a potential biomaterial for scaffold‐guided tissue‐engineering applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Occult popliteal artery stenosis masquerading as atheroemboli in a patient with previous knee replacement
Authors: Bates Mark C. , Crotty Bradley H.
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this article is to report the unusual presentation of a 63‐year‐old patient with Rutherford grade 2, category 5 tissue ischemic changes involving the right foot secondary to an occult popliteal stenosis that was obscured behind a prosthetic knee on diagnostic angiograms. Conventional abdominal angiography with bilateral lower extremity runoff showed no evidence of significant disease and the patient was misdiagnosed with atheroemboli syndrome secondary to ipsilateral common femoral access following recent catheterization. Ultimately, a meticulous physical examination disclosed a bruit in the right popliteal fossa and selective right leg angiography with oblique views confirmed eccentric complex luminal encroachment in the right popliteal artery that was eclipsed by a prosthetic knee on antecedent nonselective angiography. The lesion responded favorably to endovascular treatment with durable clinical improvement. This case illustrates the importance of a meticulous physical examination and noninvasive studies prior to angiography in patients with ischemic tissue changes and emphasizes the importance of oblique views to image any vessel that may be obscured by a metal prosthesis. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2005; © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infection control guidelines for the cardiac catheterization laboratory: Society guidelines revisited
Authors: Chambers Charles E. , Eisenhauer Michael D. , McNicol Lynn B. , Block Peter C. , Phillips William J. , Dehmer Gregory J. , Heupler Frederick A. , Blankenship James C.
Published: December 2005

In the early years of diagnostic cardiac catheterization, strict sterile precautions were required for cutdown procedures. Thirteen years ago, when the original guidelines were written, the brachial arteriotomy was still frequently utilized, femoral closure devices were uncommon, “implantables,” such as intracoronary stents and PFO/ASD closure devices, were in their infancy, and percutaneous valve replacement was not a consideration. In 2005, the cardiac catheterization laboratory is a complex interventional suite with percutaneous access routine and device implantation standard. Despite frequent device implantation, strict sterile precautions are often not observed. Reasons for this include a decline in brachial artery cutdown, limited postprocedure follow‐up with few reported infections, limited use of hats and masks in televised cases, and lack of current guidelines. Proper sterile technique has the potential to decrease the patient infection rate. Hand washing remains the most important procedure for preventing infections. Caps, masks, gowns, and gloves help to protect the patient by maintaining a sterile field. Protection of personnel may be accomplished by proper gowning, gloving, and eye wear, disposal of contaminated equipment, and prevention and care of puncture wounds and lacerations. With the potential for acquired disease from blood‐borne pathogens, the need for protective measures is as essential in the cardiac catheterization laboratory as is the standard Universal Precautions, which are applied throughout the hospital. All personnel should strongly consider vaccination for hepatitis B. Maintenance of the cardiac catheterization laboratory environment includes appropriate cleaning, limitation of traffic, and adequate ventilation. In an SCAI survey, members recommended an update on guidelines for infection control in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The following revision of the original 1992 guidelines is written specifically to address the increased utilization of the catheterization laboratory as an interventional suite with device implantation. In this update, infection protection is divided into sections on the patient, the laboratory personnel, and the laboratory environment. Additionally, specific CDC recommendation sections highlight recommendations from other published guidelines. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are there clinical benefits with early erythropoietic intervention for chemotherapy‐induced anemia?
Authors: Lyman Gary H. , Glaspy John
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND

In recent years there has been an increasing debate regarding the benefits of initiating erythropoietic treatment in patients with cancer when anemia is still relatively mild. To address this, a systematic review of studies was conducted that answered the following question: Is there a clinical benefit associated with early erythropoietic intervention (hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL) for chemotherapy‐induced anemia?

METHODS

A systematic review of published literature and meeting abstracts was undertaken to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted from studies meeting prespecified eligibility criteria. For outcome measures not associated with significant heterogeneity, summary measures of relative risk associated with early erythropoietic intervention were estimated using the method of Mantel and Haenszel.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were eligible and were included in the review. Erythropoietic treatment effectively decreased transfusion incidence and the proportion of patients with hemoglobin < 10 g/dL compared with no treatment, with relative risk reductions of 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43, 0.59; 7 studies, P < 0.0001) and 0.40 (95% CI, 0.19, 0.83; 4 studies, P = 0.147), respectively. The findings from both prospective studies and planned subset analyses in which early and late intervention were compared also indicated a reduction in the relative risk of both transfusions and hemoglobin < 10 g/dL after early intervention (0.55 [95% CI, 0.42, 0.73; 5 studies, P < 0.0001] and 0.44 [95% CI, 0.33, 0.57; 2 studies, P < 0.0001], respectively).

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings suggest that optimal clinical benefit from erythropoietic treatment of chemotherapy‐induced anemia may be achieved through early intervention. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Single‐Molecule Studies on DNA and RNA
Authors: Greulich Karl Otto
Published: December 2005

DNA and RNA are the most individual molecules known. Therefore, single‐molecule experiments with these nucleic acids are particularly useful. This review reports on recent experiments with single DNA and RNA molecules. First, techniques for their preparation and handling are summarised including the use of AFM nanotips and optical or magnetic tweezers. As important detection techniques, conventional and near‐field microscopy as well as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) are touched on briefly. The use of single‐molecule techniques currently includes force measurements in stretched nucleic acids and in their complexes with binding partners, particularly proteins, and the analysis of DNA by restriction mapping, fragment sizing and single‐molecule hybridisation. Also, the reactions of RNA polymerases and enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair are dealt with in some detail, followed by a discussion of the transport of individual nucleic acid molecules during the readout and use of genetic information and during the infection of cells by viruses. The final sections show how the enormous addressability in nucleic acid molecules can be exploited to construct a single‐molecule field‐effect transistor and a walking single‐molecule robot, and how individual DNA molecules can be used to assemble a single‐molecule DNA computer.
Cover Picture: Oxidation of Formic Acid and Carbon Monoxide on Gold Electrodes Studied by Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and DFT (ChemPhysChem 12/2005)
Authors: Beltramo Guillermo L. , Shubina Tatyana E. , Koper Marc T. M.
Published: December 2005

The cover picture shows an artistic impression of a formate anion adsorbed on a gold electrode, as probed by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). By a combination of SERS and density functional theory calculations, the surface‐bonded formate anion is shown to be the key intermediate in formic acid oxidation on gold electrodes. Formic acid oxidation activity on gold is also compared to the remarkable electro‐oxidation properties of gold towards carbon monoxide. Find out more in the Article by Beltramo et al. on p. 2597.
Recapitulation of human βB1‐crystallin promoter activity in transgenic zebrafish
Authors: Hou Hsin‐Han , Kuo M. Yen‐Ping , Luo Ya‐Wen , Chang Bei‐En
Published: December 2005

Development of the eye is morphologically similar among vertebrates, indicating that the underlying mechanism regulating the process may have been highly conserved during evolution. Herein we analyzed the promoter of the human βB1‐crytallin gene in zebrafish by transgenic experiments. To delineate the evolutionarily conserved regulatory elements, we performed serial deletion assays in the promoter region. The results demonstrated that the −90/+61‐bp upstream proximal promoter region is sufficient to confer lens‐tissue specificity to the human βB1‐crystallin gene in transgenic zebrafish. Through phylogenetic sequence comparisons and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), a highly conserved cis‐element of a six–base pair sequence TG(A/C)TGA, the consensus sequence for the Maf protein binding site, within the proximal promoter region was revealed. Further, a site‐mutational assay showed that this element is crucial for promoter activity. These data suggest that the fundamental transcriptional regulatory mechanism of the βB1‐crystallin gene has been well conserved between humans and zebrafish, and plausibly among all vertebrates, during evolution. Developmental Dynamics 235:435–443, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myeloid dendritic cell precursors generated from bone marrow suppress T cell responses via cell contact and nitric oxide production in vitro
Authors: Rößner Susanne , Voigtländer Constanze , Wiethe Carsten , Hänig Jens , Seifarth Christian , Lutz Manfred B.
Published: December 2005

Tolerogenic activity of myeloid dendritic cells (DC) has so far been attributed mostly to immature or semi‐mature differentiation stages but never to their precursor cells. Although myeloid suppressor cells (MSC) have been isolated ex vivo, their developmental relationship to DC and their precise phenotype remained elusive. Here, we describe the generation of MSC as myeloid DC precursors with potent suppressive activity on allogeneic and OVA‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in vitro. These MSC appear transiently in DC cultures of bone marrow (BM) cells after 8–10 days under low GM‐CSF conditions or after 3–4 days under high GM‐CSF conditions. They represent CD11c– myeloid precursor cells with ring‐shaped nuclei and are Gr‐1low (i.e. Ly‐6C+, Ly‐6Glow), CD11b+, CD31+, ER‐MP58+, asialoGM1+ and F4/80+. Sorted MSC develop into CD11c+ DC within 6 days. Their suppressor activity partially depends on IFN‐γ stimulation. Suppression is mediated through mechanisms requiring cell contact and nitric oxide but is independent of TNF, CD1d and TGF‐β. Together, our data describe the generation of MSC with distinct suppressor mechanisms in vitro preceding their development into immature DC.
An Experimental and Theoretical (DFT) Investigation of the Coordination Mode of 2,4‐Dithiouracil (2,4‐dtucH2) in Copper(I) Complexes with1,2‐Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)benzene (dppbz): The Crystal Structures of [Cu(μ‐Br)(dppbz)]2 and [CuBr(dppbz)(2,4‐dtucH2)]
Authors: Aslanidis Paraskevas , Cox Philip J. , Kaltzoglou Andreas , Tsipis Athanasios C.
Published: December 2005

Novel copper(I) mixed‐ligand complexes containing 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)benzene (dppbz) and 2,4‐dithiouracil (2,4‐dtucH2) ligands have been synthesised by addition of the thione ligand to the dinuclear [Cu(μ‐X)(dppbz)]2 intermediate in acetonitrile/methanol or acetone solution. The molecular structures of both the precursor [Cu(μ‐Br)(dppbz)]2 and the [CuBr(dppbz)(2,4‐dtucH2)] complexes were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Interestingly, the structure of the thione‐free dimer involves two diphosphane‐chelated CuI centres bridged by two bromide ligands, thus forming a non‐planar Cu2Br2 core. The structure of [CuBr(dppbz)(2,4‐dtucH2)] corresponds to a four‐coordinate CuI centre in a tetrahedral coordination environment with the heterocyclic dithione ligand being coordinated to the metal centre in a unidentate fashion through its exocyclic sulfur donor atom. The structural, bonding and electronic properties of the model complexes [Cu(μ‐X)(dppbz)]2 and [CuX(dppbz)(2,4‐dtucH2)] (X = Cl, Br, or I) are adequately described by DFT/B3LYP computational techniques. All model dinuclear [Cu(μ‐X)(dppbz)]2 complexes exhibit π‐type MOs delocalised over the entire four‐membered Cu(μ‐X)2Cu ring, thereby accounting for the near equivalency of the Cu–X bonds. Moreover, the [Cu(μ‐X)(dppbz)]2 dimers possess a σ‐type MO corresponding to weak Cu···Cu bonding interactions, which further stabilize the Cu(μ‐X)2Cu ring. According to our calculations, the interaction energies of the 2,4‐dtucH2 ligand with the CuI centre are predicted to be about 13–16 kcal mol–1. The coordination of the 2,4‐dtucH2 ligand is further stabilized by an X···H–N hydrogen bond that is perpendicular to the plane of the dppbz ligand. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthesis and Properties of Fluorescent cycloSal Nucleotides Based on the Pyrimidine Nucleoside m5K and Its 2′,3′‐Dideoxy Analog dm5K
Authors: Jessen Henning J. , Fendrich Wolfgang , Meier Chris
Published: December 2005

The synthesis of the fluorescent thymidine nucleoside analog 5‐methyl‐pyrimidin‐2‐one nucleoside 1 (m5K) and that of its 2′,3′‐dideoxy derivative 2 (dm5K) are described. Moreover, the conversion of 1 and 2 into the corresponding 3‐methyl‐cycloSal‐phosphate triesters 11 and 12 or an enzyme‐cleavable prodrug 5‐acetoxymethylpropionate‐cycloSal‐phosphate triester 13, and the fluorescence and hydrolysis properties of these new lipophilic triesters are reported. Finally, the suitability of these cycloSal pronucleotides as probes is demonstrated in a cell‐extract hydrolysis experiment and a model study for cell uptake. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthesis of Some New Substituted Photochromic N,N′‐Bis(spiro[1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐indolyl])diazacrown Systems with Substituent Control over Ion Chelation
Authors: Roxburgh Craig J. , Sammes Peter G.
Published: December 2005

The reversible photochemical ion chelation of the newly synthesised substituted N,N′‐bis(spiro[1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐indolyl])diazacrown systems 15a–c and the subsequent molecular electronic control of this process using appropriately placed substituent groups on the spiro‐benzopyran skeleton is reported. The principle of molecular electronic control of ion chelation is demonstrated by comparing the behaviour of the newly synthesised nitro‐substituted and pyrido‐annulated spiro‐benzopyran system 9b with that of the unsubstituted compound 9a. Electronic substituent control over ion chelation is then exemplified for the new N,N′‐bis(5′‐nitrospiro[1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐indolyl])diazacrown system 15c and further exemplified for the corresponding 5′‐trifluoromethyl derivative 15b, which contains the photochemically more robust trifluoromethyl group. The crown system 15a, unsubstituted in the spiro‐indole moiety, is also reported. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Stereocontrolled Formation of Three Contiguous Stereogenic Centers by Free Radical Cyclization – Synthesis of (+)‐Iridomyrmecin and (–)‐Iso‐iridomyrmecin – Formal Synthesis of δ‐Skythantine
Authors: Schöllhorn Bernd , Mulzer Johann
Published: December 2005

A synthesis of (+)‐iridomyrmecin (1), a naturally occurring insecticide with antibiotic properties, via free radical cyclization is described. In this key step, three contiguous stereogenic centers are generated with a high level of stereocontrol. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Polyols as Templates for the Synthesis of Macrocycles from Boronic Acid Building Blocks
Authors: Lüthje Sonja , Bornholdt Claudia , Lüning Ulrich
Published: December 2005

By using a norbornane tetraol 2 as a template, a bis(alkenyloxy)‐substituted boronic acid 5 was bound twice, and the resulting bis(boronic acid ester) 6 was cyclized by ring‐closing metathesis. The product bimacrocycle 7, or its hydrogenated analogue 8, are starting materials for subsequent reactions which give different endo‐functionalized macrocycles as diboronic acids or diphenols. The bis(boronic acid) 12 proved to be a receptor for polyols. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Capillary electrophoresis determination of biogenic amines by field‐amplified sample stacking and in‐capillary derivatization
Authors: García‐Villar Natividad , Saurina Javier , Hernández‐Cassou Santiago
Published: December 2005

A sensitive CE method for determining biogenic amines in wines based on in‐capillary derivatization with 1,2‐naphthoquinone‐4‐sulfonate is presented. In this method, reagent and buffer solutions are introduced hydrodynamically into the capillary whereas the sample is injected electrokinetically, thus, allowing a selective preconcentration of the analytes by field‐amplified sample stacking. Amines are labeled inside the capillary using a zone‐passing derivatization approach in mixed tandem mode. The most relevant variables influencing on the derivatization and separation as well as significant interactions have been evaluated using experimental design. Multicriteria decision making is utilized for the simultaneous optimization of interacting variables through overall desirability response surfaces. The validation of the method has proven an excellent separation performance and accuracy for the determination of biogenic amines such as histamine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine, agmatine, ethanolamine, serotonin, cadaverine, and putrescine in red wines. Detection limits range from 0.02 mg/L for ethanolamine to 0.91 mg/L for serotonin. The RSDs for migration time and peak area are around 1.2 and 6.2%, respectively. Red wines from different Spanish regions have been analyzed using the proposed method.