bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Variable Sugar Concentrations on Glycogen and Ethanol Content in Saccharomyces sp.
Authors: Dake Manjusha Sudhakar , Jadhav Jyoti Prafulla , Patil Narayan Bajiraw
Published: September 2011

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTCC-12) maintains two pools of glycogen, one soluble and the other cell wall bound insoluble glycogen. Effect of variable concentrations of sugar on the insoluble pool of glycogen linked to wall β-glucan component was found to be more significant than that observed for soluble pool of glycogen. The study revealed that cells exhibit exponential increase in the amount of insoluble glycogen with corresponding increase in sugar concentration from 2-10 % (w/v). Ethanol content as well as concentration of insoluble glycogen in yeast cells, which were grown in sucrose medium, shows higher values than in glucose medium. Parallel increase in glycogen and ethanol content indicates their correlation with each other. Exponential increase in insoluble glycogen content serves as a protective measure against ethanol stress created across the plasma membrane of yeast cell.
Fabrication of chelating diethylenetriaminated pan micro and nano fibers for heavy metal removal
Authors: Abdouss Majid , Shoushtari Mousavi , Haji Aminoddin , Moshref Behnam
Published: September 2011

In this study, commercial acrylic fibers were modified with
diethylenetriamine to prepare metal chelating fibers. The effects of process
parameters on the efficiency of the reaction were investigated. FTIR
spectroscopy and TGA analysis were used to confirm the chemical changes made
to the fibers during the reaction. The ability of the modified fibers for
removal of Pb (II), Cu (II) and Ce (IV) ions from aqueous media was
determined. The modified fibers showed a slight decrease in mechanical
properties compared to raw ones. Furthermore, the acrylic micro fibers were
electrospun to nanofibers and the ability of modified nanofibers for the
adsorption of the metal ions was studied.
Clinical and histologic effects of intracardiac administration of propofol for induction of anesthesia in ball pythons (Python regius)
Authors: McFadden Michael S. , Bennett R. Avery , Reavill Drury R. , Ragetly Guillaume R. , Clark-Price Stuart C.
Published: September 2011

Objective—To assess the clinical differences between induction of anesthesia in ball pythons with intracardiac administration of propofol and induction with isoflurane in oxygen and to assess the histologic findings over time in hearts following intracardiac administration of propofol.

Design—Prospective randomized study.

Animals—30 hatchling ball pythons (Python regius).

Procedures—Anesthesia was induced with intracardiac administration of propofol (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb]) in 18 ball pythons and with 5% isoflurane in oxygen in 12 ball pythons. Induction time, time of anesthesia, and recovery time were recorded. Hearts from snakes receiving intracardiac administration of propofol were evaluated histologically 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days following propofol administration.

Results—Induction time with intracardiac administration of propofol was significantly shorter than induction time with 5% isoflurane in oxygen. No significant differences were found in total anesthesia time. Recovery following intracardiac administration of propofol was significantly longer than recovery following induction of anesthesia with isoflurane in oxygen. Heart tissue evaluated histologically at 3, 7, and 14 days following intracardiac administration of propofol had mild inflammatory changes, and no histopathologic lesions were seen 30 and 60 days following propofol administration.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Intracardiac injection of propofol in snakes is safe and provides a rapid induction of anesthesia but leads to prolonged recovery, compared with that following induction with isoflurane. Histopathologic lesions in heart tissues following intracardiac injection of propofol were mild and resolved after 14 days.
Evaluation of epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of neuroaxonal dystrophy in Quarter Horses
Authors: Aleman Monica , Finno Carrie J. , Higgins Robert J. , Puschner Birgit , Gericota Barbara , Gohil Kishorchandra , LeCouteur Richard A. , Madigan John E.
Published: September 2011

Objective—To describe epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of neuroaxonal dystrophy in Quarter Horses (QHs) on a single farm.

Design—Prospective case series.

Animals—148 horses.

Procedures—Neurologic, pathological, and toxicological evaluations were completed in selected neurologically affected horses over a 2-year period. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

Results—87 QHs and 1 QH-crossbred horse were affected. Most (50/88 [56.8%]) affected horses were 1 to 2 years old (median age, 2 years [range, 2 months to 34 years]). Neurologic deficits included obtundation (53/88 [60%] horses), decreased to absent menace response (33/88 [37.5%]), proprioceptive positioning deficits, wide-based stance, ataxia, and dysmetria (88/88 [100%]). Most (78/88 [88.6%]) horses had mild ataxia, but some (10/88 [11.4%]) had moderate to severe ataxia. Low serum concentrations of vitamin E (≤ 2 mg/L) were detected in 3 index case horses and 16 of 17 randomly selected horses (13/14 affected and 3/3 unaffected) during study year 1. Dietary vitamin E supplementation did not improve neurologic deficits in affected horses; vitamin E administration in pregnant mares appeared to decrease but not prevent disease development among offspring born the following year. Lesions detected at necropsy included bilaterally symmetric neuroaxonal degeneration with axonal spheroids in the nucleus gracilis, nucleus cuneatus medialis, nucleus cuneatus lateralis, and nucleus thoracicus (5/5 horses).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Neuroaxonal dystrophy should be considered in evaluation of young horses with ataxia and proprioceptive positioning deficits. Vitamin E deficiency may contribute to disease severity.
Clenbuterol toxicosis in three Quarter Horse racehorses after administration of a compounded product
Authors: Thompson Jessica A. , Mirza Mustajab H. , Barker Steven A. , Morgan Timothy W. , Bauer Rudy W. , McConnico Rebecca S.
Published: September 2011

Case Description—3 Quarter Horse racehorses were examined for suspected clenbuterol overdose 12 to 24 hours after administration by mouth of a compounded clenbuterol product.

Clinical Findings—All horses developed sinus tachycardia, muscle tremors, hyperhidrosis, and colic. Abnormalities on serum biochemical analysis included hyperglycemia, azotemia, and high creatine kinase activity. The presence of clenbuterol in the serum of all 3 horses and in the product administered was confirmed and quantified by use of liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

Treatment and Outcome—Propranolol (0.01 mg/kg [0.005 mg/lb], IV) was administered to all 3 horses for antagonism of β-adrenergic effects and caused a transient decrease in heart rate in all patients. All horses also received crystalloid fluids IV and other supportive treatment measures. Two horses were euthanatized (2 and 4 days after admission) because of complications. One horse recovered and was discharged 4 days after admission to the hospital. In the 2 nonsurviving horses, skeletal and cardiac muscle necrosis was evident at necropsy, and tissue clenbuterol concentrations were highest in the liver.

Clinical Relevance—Clenbuterol is a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist licensed for veterinary use as a bronchodilator. At doses ≥ 10 2μg/kg (4.5 μg/lb), in excess of those normally prescribed, β-adrenergic stimulation by clenbuterol may cause sustained tachycardia, muscle tremors, hyperglycemia, and cardiac and skeletal muscle necrosis. Laminitis, acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiomyopathy were fatal complications associated with clenbuterol overdose in 2 horses in the present report. At the dose administered, propranolol was effective for short-term control of sinus tachycardia, but it did not alleviate all clinical signs in patients in the present report. These cases demonstrated the risks associated with the use of nonprescribed compounded medications for which the ingredients may be unknown.
Q-fever presenting as an autoimmune disease: case report and review
Authors: Gamaletsou Maria , Gikas Achilleas , Sipsas Nikolaos
Published: September 2011

Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetti. Autoimmune phenomena associated with the disease may obscure the clinical picture, and in many reports mislead physicians to an initial diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. We present a case of chronic Q-fever, complicated by myocarditis/pericarditis, where patient’s initial signs, symptoms and laboratory findings (i.e., protracted fever, oligoarthritis, erythema nodosum, positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, monoclonal gammopathy) seemed to suggest an autoimmune disease. We also review the literature for autoimmune phenomena associated with Q-fever.
The Suicide of Adam Czerniakow
Authors: Walter Garry , Pridmore Saxby
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim of this article is to describe the circumstances surrounding the suicide of Adam Czerniakow during the Holocaust.

Method: Examination of Czerniakow's (translated) diary and other Holocaust literature.

Results: Head of the “Judenrat” (Jewish Council) in the Warsaw ghetto, Czerniakow had the impossible task of obeying oppressive German orders, while trying to serve and protect his people. Following instruction to have ready for deportation from the ghetto several thousand Jews each day, Czerniakow took his life. Although Czerniakow may not have known the precise destination of those deported (they were sent to death camps), he is believed to have held grave fears for their fate.

Conclusions: Suicide in the context of avoiding having to perform an unacceptable task is not commonly recorded, but may have applied in Czerniakow's case and was not infrequent among Judenrat members.
Development and Validation of Speed Kidney, a New Traffic-Calming Device
Authors: García Alfredo , Moreno Ana Tsui , Romero Mario Alfonso
Published: September 2011

Traffic calming has been widely applied to urban areas in recent decades to moderate speed and traffic volume. Because most measures used are physical, a vehicle must modify its path and speed. A benefit of traffic calming is improved safety from speed reduction and traffic volume reduction. However, traffic calming has disadvantages, such as emergency response delays, traffic diversion, noise, vibrations, damage to vehicles, and discomfort. Common traffic-calming devices do not consider discomfort for drivers who achieve an appropriate calmed and safe speed. Consequently, it was necessary to develop a new traffic-calming device to moderate speed and to minimize the disadvantages of the previous devices. The Highway Engineering Research Group of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, has invented, designed, and developed a new traffic-calming device, Speed Kidney. This paper provides the objectives of the Speed Kidney, a description of the new traffic-calming device, and its geometric design. The technological development of the device is described, as are the main results from preliminary tests, implementation on a campus street, and implementation on a controlled test track. Implementation criteria are also given. The Speed Kidney is a functional, feasible, sustainable, and safe solution for traffic calming.
Driver Behavior on Speed-Change Lanes at Freeway Ramp Terminals
Authors: Brewer Marcus A. , Fitzpatrick Kay , Stanley Jesse
Published: September 2011

Speed-change lanes (SCLs) at freeway ramp terminals are critical elements in freeway design, as they provide the necessary access between the freeway and the adjacent local street network. Prevailing guidelines for the design of SCLs are well established and based on long-standing research about the performance characteristics of vehicles and principles of geometric design. Little is known, however, about the behavior of drivers who are making freeway entry or exit maneuvers. An NCHRP project is tasked with reviewing existing design guidelines and practices, as well as modern driver behavior and vehicle performance, to develop improved design guidance for freeway ramp terminals. This paper discusses findings from the driver behavior study of the project, which indicate that the SCL lengths on entrance ramps recommended by current guidelines are sufficient for subject drivers' typical merging maneuvers under low to moderate congestion and that exit ramps most appropriate for subject drivers may be longer than recommended by current design guidelines.
Analyzing Raised Median Safety Impacts Using Bayesian Methods
Authors: Schultz Grant G. , Thurgood Daniel J. , Olsen Andrew N. , Reese C. Shane
Published: September 2011

Because traffic safety studies are not performed in a controlled environment such as a laboratory, but rather in an uncontrolled real-world setting, traditional analysis methods often lack the capability to evaluate the effectiveness of roadway safety measures adequately. In recent years, however, advanced statistical methods have been used in traffic safety studies to determine the effectiveness of such measures more accurately. These methods, especially Bayesian statistical techniques, can account for the shortcomings of traditional methods. Hierarchical Bayesian modeling is a powerful tool for expressing rich statistical models that more fully reflect a given problem than traditional safety evaluation methods could. This paper uses a hierarchical Bayesian model to analyze the effectiveness of raised medians on overall and severe crash frequency in Utah by determining the effect each newly installed median has on crash frequency and frequency of severe crashes at study sites before and after installation of the medians. Several sites at which raised medians have been installed in the past 10 years were evaluated with available crash data. The results show that the installation of a raised median is an effective technique to reduce the overall crash frequency and frequency of severe crashes on Utah roadways, with results showing a reduction in overall crash frequency of 39% and frequency of severe crashes of 44% along corridors where raised medians were installed. The results also show that hierarchical Bayesian modeling is a useful method for evaluating effectiveness of roadway safety measures.
A Flexible Hybrid Model of Life Cycle Carbon Balance for Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Management Systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Benecke Carlos A. , Martin Timothy A. , Jokela Eric J. , Torre Rafael De La
Published: September 2011

In this study we analyzed the effects of silvicultural treatments on carbon (C) budgets in Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) plantations in the southeastern United States. We developed a hybrid model that integrated a widely used growth and yield model for loblolly pine with published allometric and biometric equations to simulate in situ C pools. The model used current values of forest product conversion efficiencies and forest product decay rates to calculate ex situ C pools. Using the model to evaluate the effects of silvicultural management systems on C sequestration over a 200 year simulation period, we concluded that site productivity (site quality), which can be altered by silviculture and genetic improvement, was the major factor controlling stand C density. On low productivity sites, average net C stocks were about 35% lower than in stands with the default average site quality; in contrast, on high quality sites, C stocks were about 38% greater than average productivity stands. If woody products were incorporated into the accounting, thinning was C positive because of the larger positive effects on ex situ C storage, rather than smaller reductions on in situ C storage. The use of biological rotation age (18 years) was not suitable for C sequestration, and extended rotation ages were found to increase stand C stock density. Stands with an 18-year-rotation length had 7% lower net C density than stands with a 22-year-rotation length; stands with a 35-year-rotation length had only 4% more C than stands harvested at age 22 years. The C sequestered in woody products was an important pool of C storage, accounting for ~34% of the average net C stock. Changes in decomposition rate, associated with possible environmental changes resulting from global climate change, affected C storage capacity of the forest. When decay rate was reduced to 10% or increased to 20%, the C stock in the dead pool (forest floor and coarse woody debris) was reduced about 11.8 MgC∙ha−1 or increased about 13.3 MgC∙ha−1, respectively, compared to the average decay rate of 15%. The C emissions due to silvicultural and harvest activities were small (~1.6% of the gross C stock) compared to the magnitude of total stand C stock. The C model, based on empirical and biological relationships, appears appropriate for use in regional C stock assessments for loblolly pine plantation ecosystems in the southern U.S.
Increasing Drought Sensitivity and Decline of Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) in the Moroccan Middle Atlas Forests
Authors: Linares Juan C. , Taïqui Lahcen , Camarero Jesús Julio
Published: September 2011

An understanding of the interactions between climate change and forest structure on tree growth are needed for decision making in forest conservation and management. In this paper, we investigated the relative contribution of tree features and stand structure on Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) radial growth in forests that have experienced heavy grazing and logging in the past. Dendrochronological methods were applied to quantify patterns in basal-area increment and drought sensitivity of Atlas cedar in the Middle Atlas, northern Morocco. We estimated the tree-to-tree competition intensity and quantified the structure in Atlas cedar stands with contrasting tree density, age, and decline symptoms. The relative contribution of tree age and size and stand structure to Atlas cedar growth decline was estimated by variance partitioning using partial-redundancy analyses. Recurrent drought events and temperature increases have been identified from local climate records since the 1970s. We detected consistent growth declines and increased drought sensitivity in Atlas cedar across all sites since the early 1980s. Specifically, we determined that previous growth rates and tree age were the strongest tree features, while Quercus rotundifolia basal area was the strongest stand structure measure related to Atlas cedar decline. As a result, we suggest that Atlas cedar forests that have experienced severe drought in combination with grazing and logging may be in the process of shifting dominance toward more drought-tolerant species such as Q. rotundifolia.
Comparative Genomics of Erwinia amylovora and Related Erwinia Species—What do We Learn?
Authors: Zhao Youfu , Qi Mingsheng
Published: September 2011

Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight disease of apples and pears, is one of the most important plant bacterial pathogens with worldwide economic significance. Recent reports on the complete or draft genome sequences of four species in the genus Erwinia, including E. amylovora, E. pyrifoliae, E. tasmaniensis, and E. billingiae, have provided us near complete genetic information about this pathogen and its closely-related species. This review describes in silico subtractive hybridization-based comparative genomic analyses of eight genomes currently available, and highlights what we have learned from these comparative analyses, as well as genetic and functional genomic studies. Sequence analyses reinforce the assumption that E. amylovora is a relatively homogeneous species and support the current classification scheme of E. amylovora and its related species. The potential evolutionary origin of these Erwinia species is also proposed. The current understanding of the pathogen, its virulence mechanism and host specificity from genome sequencing data is summarized. Future research directions are also suggested.
Genes Involved in the Production of Antimetabolite Toxins by Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars
Authors: Arrebola Eva , Cazorla Francisco M , Pérez-García Alejandro , Vicente Antonio de
Published: September 2011

Pseudomonas syringae is pathogenic in a wide variety of plants, causing diseases with economic impacts. Pseudomonas syringae pathovars produce several toxins that can function as virulence factors and contribute to disease symptoms. These virulence factors include antimetabolite toxins, such as tabtoxin, phaseolotoxin and mangotoxin, which target enzymes in the pathways of amino acid metabolism. The antimetabolite toxins are generally located in gene clusters present in the flexible genomes of specific strains. These gene clusters are typically present in blocks of genes that appear to be integrated into specific sites in the P. syringae core genome. A general overview of the genetic organization and biosynthetic and regulatory functions of these genetic traits of the antimetabolite toxins will be given in the present work.
Modeling Joint Exposures and Health Outcomes for Cumulative Risk Assessment: The Case of Radon and Smoking
Authors: Chahine Teresa , Schultz Bradley D. , Zartarian Valerie G. , Xue Jianping , Subramanian S. V. , Levy Jonathan I.
Published: September 2011

Community-based cumulative risk assessment requires characterization of exposures to multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors, with consideration of how the non-chemical stressors may influence risks from chemical stressors. Residential radon provides an interesting case example, given its large attributable risk, effect modification due to smoking, and significant variability in radon concentrations and smoking patterns. In spite of this fact, no study to date has estimated geographic and sociodemographic patterns of both radon and smoking in a manner that would allow for inclusion of radon in community-based cumulative risk assessment. In this study, we apply multi-level regression models to explain variability in radon based on housing characteristics and geological variables, and construct a regression model predicting housing characteristics using U.S. Census data. Multi-level regression models of smoking based on predictors common to the housing model allow us to link the exposures. We estimate county-average lifetime lung cancer risks from radon ranging from 0.15 to 1.8 in 100, with high-risk clusters in areas and for subpopulations with high predicted radon and smoking rates. Our findings demonstrate the viability of screening-level assessment to characterize patterns of lung cancer risk from radon, with an approach that can be generalized to multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors.
Characterization of Proteins from Grain of Different Bread and Durum Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Žilić Slađana , Barać Miroljub , Pešić Mirjana , Dodig Dejan , Ignjatović-Micić Dragana
Published: September 2011

The classical Osborne wheat protein fractions (albumins, globulins, gliadins, and glutenins), as well as several proteins from each of the four subunits of gliadin using SDS-PAGE analyses, were determined in the grain of five bread (T. aestivum L.) and five durum wheat (T. durum Desf.) genotypes. In addition, content of tryptophan and wet gluten were analyzed. Gliadins and glutenins comprise from 58.17% to 65.27% and 56.25% to 64.48% of total proteins and as such account for both quantity and quality of the bread and durum wheat grain proteins, respectively. The ratio of gliadin/total glutenin varied from 0.49 to 1.01 and 0.57 to 1.06 among the bread and durum genotypes, respectively. According to SDS-PAGE analysis, bread wheat genotypes had a higher concentration of α + β + γ-subunits of gliadin (on average 61.54% of extractable proteins) than durum wheat (on average 55.32% of extractable proteins). However, low concentration of ω-subunit was found in both bread (0.50% to 2.53% of extractable proteins) and durum (3.65% to 6.99% of extractable proteins) wheat genotypes. On average, durum wheat contained significantly higher amounts of tryptophan and wet gluten (0.163% dry weight (d.w.) and 26.96% d.w., respectively) than bread wheat (0.147% d.w. and 24.18% d.w., respectively).
Looking to the Future: Biomarkers in the Management of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Spratlin Jennifer L. , Mulder Karen E.
Published: September 2011

The incidence and mortality of pancreas cancer converge. There has been little advancement in the treatment of pancreas cancer since the acceptance of gemcitabine as the standard therapy. Unfortunately, the efficacy of gemcitabine is dismal. While there is much discussion for the development of biomarkers to help direct therapy in this area, there is little action to move them into clinical practice. Herein, we review potential pancreatic cancer biomarkers and discuss the limitations in their implementation.
Menelloides C and D, New Sesquiterpenoids from the Gorgonian Coral Menella sp.
Authors: Kao Shih-Yao , Su Jui-Hsin , Hwang Tsong-Long , Sheu Jyh-Horng , Wen Zhi-Hong , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: September 2011

Two new metabolites, including a lindenane-type sesquiterpenoid, menelloide C (1), and a germacrane-type sesquiterpenoid, menelloide D (2), were isolated from a Formosan gorgonian coral identified as Menella sp. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods and 2 displayed a weak inhibitory effect on the release of elastase by human neutrophils.
Chemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Investigations of Pinus cembra L. Bark and Needles
Authors: Apetrei Cristina Lungu , Tuchilus Cristina , Aprotosoaie Ana Clara , Oprea Adrian , Malterud Karl Egil , Miron Anca
Published: September 2011

The chemical constituents and biological activity of Pinus cembra L. (Pinaceae), native to the Central European Alps and the Carpathian Mountains, are not well known. The aim of the present work was to examine the phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of hydromethanolic extracts of Pinus cembra L. bark and needles. Bark extract had higher concentrations of total phenolics (299.3 vs. 78.22 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract), flavonoids (125.3 vs. 19.84 mg catechin equivalents/g extract) and proanthocyanidins (74.3 vs. 12.7 mg cyanidin equivalents/g extract) than needle extract and was more active as a free radical scavenger, reducing agent and antimicrobial agent. The EC50 values in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and reducing power assays were 71.1, 6.3 and 26 mg/mL for bark extract and 186.1, 24 and 104 mg/mL for needle extract, respectively. In addition, needle extract showed ferrous ions chelating effects (EC50 = 1,755 μg/mL). The antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were assessed by the agar diffusion method. Both extracts (4 mg/well) were active against all the microorganisms tested; bark extract showed higher inhibition on all strains. These results indicate that Pinus cembra L. bark and needles are good sources of phytochemicals with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Camptothecin-20(s)-O-[N-(3’α,12’α-dihydroxy-24’-carbonyl-5’β-cholan)]-lysine, a Novel Camptothecin Analogue, Induces Apoptosis towards Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC-7721 Cells
Authors: Li Qingyong , Qiu Wei , Zhu Qiaochu , Zu Yuangang , Deng Xiaoqiu , Zhao Tengfei , Jiang Chunfei , Zhang Li
Published: September 2011

Camptothecin-20(s)-O-[N-(3’α,12’α-dihydroxy-24’-carbonyl-5’β-cholan)]-lysine (B2) is a novel camptothecin analogue. Our previous study had shown that it displayed higher cytoxicity activity towards hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells than camptothecin (CPT) in vitro. In this paper, the underlying mechanism of anti-proliferation of B2 towards SMMC-7721 cells was further examined. Cell growth inhibition of B2 was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; morphological changes were observed under Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM); cell cycle distribution, apoptotic population, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured, and the expression level of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were analyzed by Western blot. The results suggested that B2 inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth by causing cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases, and induced apoptosis involving a mitochondrial pathway. B2 appears to cause a high induction of apoptosis on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro, which suggests it might be a potential drug for cancer therapy.
Gold-Catalyzed Cyclizations of Alkynol-Based Compounds: Synthesis of Natural Products and Derivatives
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Alonso José M.
Published: September 2011

The last decade has witnessed dramatic growth in the number of reactions catalyzed by gold complexes because of their powerful soft Lewis acid nature. In particular, the gold-catalyzed activation of propargylic compounds has progressively emerged in recent years. Some of these gold-catalyzed reactions in alkynes have been optimized and show significant utility in organic synthesis. Thus, apart from significant methodology work, in the meantime gold-catalyzed cyclizations in alkynol derivatives have become an efficient tool in total synthesis. However, there is a lack of specific review articles covering the joined importance of both gold salts and alkynol-based compounds for the synthesis of natural products and derivatives. The aim of this Review is to survey the chemistry of alkynol derivatives under gold-catalyzed cyclization conditions and its utility in total synthesis, concentrating on the advances that have been made in the last decade, and in particular in the last quinquennium.
Studies on Log Po/w of Quinoxaline di-N-Oxides: A Comparison of RP-HPLC Experimental and Predictive Approaches
Authors: Moreno Elsa , Gabano Elisabetta , Torres Enrique , Platts James A. , Ravera Mauro , Aldana Ignacio , Monge Antonio , Pérez-Silanes Silvia
Published: September 2011

As reported in our previous papers, a series of quinoxaline-2-carboxamide 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives were synthesized and studied as anti-tuberculosis agents. Here, the capability of the shake-flask method was studied and the retention time (expressed as log K) of 20 compounds were determined by RP-HPLC analysis. We found that the prediction of log P by the RP-HPLC analysis can result in a high accuracy and can replace the shake-flask method avoiding the experimental problems presented by quinoxaline di-N-oxides. The studied compounds were subjected to the ALOGPS module with the aim of comparing experimental log Po/w values and predicted data. Moreover, a preliminary in silico screening of the QSAR relationship was made confirming the influence of reduction peak potential, lipophilicity, H-bond donor capacity and molecular dimension descriptors on anti-tuberculosis activity.
Allicin Reduces the Production of α-Toxin by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Leng Bing-Feng , Qiu Jia-Zhang , Dai Xiao-Han , Dong Jing , Wang Jian-Feng , Luo Ming-Jing , Li Hong-En , Niu Xiao-Di , Zhang Yu , Ai Yong-Xing , Deng Xu-Ming
Published: September 2011

Staphylococcus aureus causes a broad range of life-threatening diseases in humans. The pathogenicity of this micro-organism is largely dependent upon its virulence factors. One of the most extensively studied virulence factors is the extracellular protein α-toxin. In this study, we show that allicin, an organosulfur compound, was active against S. aureus with MICs ranged from 32 to 64 μg/mL. Haemolysis, Western blot and real-time RT-PCR assays were used to evaluate the effects of allicin on S. aureus α-toxin production and on the levels of gene expression, respectively. The results of our study indicated that sub-inhibitory concentrations of allicin decreased the production of α-toxin in both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the transcriptional levels of agr (accessory gene regulator) in S. aureus were inhibited by allicin. Therefore, allicin may be useful in the treatment of α-toxin-producing S. aureus infections.
Gamma-Ray Sterilization Effects in Silica Nanoparticles/γ-APTES Nanocomposite-Based pH-Sensitive Polysilicon Wire Sensors
Authors: Lin Jing-Jenn , Hsu Po-Yen
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we report the γ-ray sterilization effects in pH-sensitive polysilicon wire (PSW) sensors using a mixture of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ-APTES) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-treated hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles (NPs) as a sensing membrane. pH analyses showed that the γ-ray irradiation-induced sensitivity degradation of the PSW pH sensor covered with γ-APTES/silica NPs nanocomposite (γ-APTES+NPs) could be restored to a condition even better than prior to γ-ray irradiation by 40-min of post-sterilization room-temperature UV annealing. We found that the trapping charges caused by γ-ray sterilization primarily concentrated in the native oxide layer for the pH sensor covered with γ-APTES, but accumulated in the γ-APTES+NPs layer for the γ-APTES+NPs-covered sensor. It is believed that mixing the PDMS-treated silica NPs into g-APTES provides many g-APTES/SiO2 interfaces for the accumulation of trapping charges and for post-sterilization UV oxidation, thus restoring γ-ray-induced sensor degradation. The PDMS-treated silica NPs not only enhance the sensitivity of the pH-sensitive PSW sensors but are also able to withstand the two-step sterilization resulting from γ-ray and UV irradiations. This investigation suggests γ-ray irradiation could be used as a highly-efficient sterilization method for γ-APTES-based pH-sensitive biosensors.
Detailed Study of Amplitude Nonlinearity in Piezoresistive Force Sensors
Authors: Paredes-Madrid Leonel , Emmi Luis , Garcia Elena , De Santos Pablo Gonzalez
Published: September 2011

This article upgrades the RC linear model presented for piezoresistive force sensors. Amplitude nonlinearity is found in sensor conductance, and a characteristic equation is formulated for modeling its response under DC-driving voltages below 1 V. The feasibility of such equation is tested on four FlexiForce model A201-100 piezoresistive sensors by varying the sourcing voltage and the applied forces. Since the characteristic equation proves to be valid, a method is presented for obtaining a specific sensitivity in sensor response by calculating the appropriate sourcing voltage and feedback resistor in the driving circuit; this provides plug-and-play capabilities to the device and reduces the start-up time of new applications where piezoresistive devices are to be used. Finally, a method for bypassing the amplitude nonlinearity is presented with the aim of reading sensor capacitance.
Organic Pollution in Surface Waters from the Fuglebekken Basin in Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic
Authors: Polkowska Żaneta , Cichała-Kamrowska Katarzyna , Ruman Marek , Kozioł Krystyna , Krawczyk Wiesława Ewa , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: September 2011

The Fuglebekken basin is situated in the southern part of the island of Spitsbergen (Norwegian Arctic), on the Hornsund fjord (Wedel Jarlsberg Land). Surface water was collected from 24 tributaries (B1–B24) and from the main stream water in the Fuglebekken basin (25) between 10 July 2009 and 30 July 2009. The present investigation reveals the results of the analysis of these samples for their PAH and PCB content. Twelve of 16 PAHs and seven PCBs were determined in the surface waters from 24 tributaries and the main stream. Total PAH and PCB concentrations in the surface waters ranged from 4 to 600 ng/L and from 2 to 400 ng/L respectively. The highest concentrations of an individual PCB (138–308 ng/L and 123 ng/L) were found in samples from tributaries B9 and B5. The presence in the basin (thousands of kilometres distant from industrial centres) of PAHs and PCBs is testimony to the fact that these compounds are transported over vast distances with air masses and deposited in regions devoid of any human pressure.
Using Small-Scale Adaptation Actions to Address the Food Crisis in the Horn of Africa: Going beyond Food Aid and Cash Transfers
Authors: Munang Richard , Nkem Johnson N.
Published: September 2011

The countries Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are facing the worst food crisis of the 21st century as a result of devastating droughts. The crisis is causing starvation and leading to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation for over 12 million people. Not only are the direct drought effects endured now by the population, but they have weakened response capacity and created diminished prospects of ever achieving future water and food security. Over the coming decades, temperatures in this region will continue to rise and rainfall patterns will change. This will create major problems for food production and availability. Thus, building resilience in communities is indispensable as we adapt our farming systems to the challenges of climate change. This will require practical solutions that can build on processes involving adaptation to climate change. The lessons learned from the UN-led project in Uganda, demonstrate the value of small scale innovative interventions, carried out using democratic approaches to help support adaptation to climate change whilst progressing to achieve food security and chart a new Path to eliminate hunger. These lessons should be our guiding vision as we address the current droughts plaguing the Horn of East Africa and elsewhere.
How HIV-1 Takes Advantage of the Cytoskeleton during Replication and Cell-to-Cell Transmission
Authors: Lehmann Martin , Nikolic Damjan S. , Piguet Vincent
Published: September 2011

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infects T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells and can manipulate their cytoskeleton structures at multiple steps during its replication cycle. Based on pharmacological and genetic targeting of cytoskeleton modulators, new imaging approaches and primary cell culture models, important roles for actin and microtubules during entry and cell-to-cell transfer have been established. Virological synapses and actin-containing membrane extensions can mediate HIV-1 transfer from dendritic cells or macrophage cells to T cells and between T cells. We will review the role of the cytoskeleton in HIV-1 entry, cellular trafficking and cell-to-cell transfer between primary cells.
Nanostructured, mesoporous Au/TiO2 model catalysts – structure, stability and catalytic properties
Authors: Roos Matthias , Böcking Dominique , Gyimah Kwabena Offeh , Kucerova Gabriela , Bansmann Joachim , Biskupek Johannes , Kaiser Ute , Hüsing Nicola , Behm R Jürgen
Published: September 2011

Aiming at model systems with close-to-realistic transport properties, we have prepared and studied planar Au/TiO2 thin-film model catalysts consisting of a thin mesoporous TiO2 film of 200–400 nm thickness with Au nanoparticles, with a mean particle size of ~2 nm diameter, homogeneously distributed therein. The systems were prepared by spin-coating of a mesoporous TiO2 film from solutions of ethanolic titanium tetraisopropoxide and Pluronic P123 on planar Si(100) substrates, calcination at 350 °C and subsequent Au loading by a deposition–precipitation procedure, followed by a final calcination step for catalyst activation. The structural and chemical properties of these model systems were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption, inductively coupled plasma ionization spectroscopy (ICP–OES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic properties were evaluated through the oxidation of CO as a test reaction, and reactivities were measured directly above the film with a scanning mass spectrometer. We can demonstrate that the thin-film model catalysts closely resemble dispersed Au/TiO2 supported catalysts in their characteristic structural and catalytic properties, and hence can be considered as suitable for catalytic model studies. The linear increase of the catalytic activity with film thickness indicates that transport limitations inside the Au/TiO2 film catalyst are negligible, i.e., below the detection limit.
Koch–Haaf reaction of adamantanols in an acid-tolerant hastelloy-made microreactor
Authors: Fukuyama Takahide , Mukai Yu , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: September 2011

The Koch–Haaf reaction of adamantanols was successfully carried out in a microflow system at room temperature. By combining an acid-tolerant hastelloy-made micromixer, a PTFE tube, and a hastelloy-made microextraction unit, a packaged reaction-to-workup system was developed. By means of the present system, the multigram scale synthesis of 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid was achieved in ca. one hour operation.
Third-generation cephalosporin resistance in clinical isolate of Shigella sonnei in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
Authors: Bhattacharya Debdutta , Bhattacharjee Haimanti , Ramanathan Thamizhmani , Sudharma Sayi Devrajan , Singhania Munni , Sugunan Attayoor P , Roy Subarna
Published: September 2011

This item has no abstract. Follow the link below to access the full text.
T-cell response to bacterial agents
Authors: D'Elios Mario Milco , Benagiano Marisa , Della Bella Chiara , Amedei Amedeo
Published: September 2011

T-cell responses are crucial for the outcome of any infection. The type of effector T-cell reaction is determined by a complex interaction of antigen-presenting cells with naive T cells and involves genetic and environmental factors, including the type of antigen, cytokines, chemokines, co-stimulatory molecules, and signalling cascades. The decision for the immune response to go in a certain direction is based not on one signal alone, but rather on many different elements acting both synergistically and antagonistically, and through feedback loops leading to activation or inhibition of T cells. In the course of evolution different types of T cells have developed, such as T helper 1 (Th1) cells, which protect against intracellular bacteria; Th2 cells, which play a role against parasites; and Th17 cells, which face extracellular bacteria and fungi
Clinical manifestations of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the ambulatory setting
Authors: Duque Vítor , Vaz João , Mota Vanda , Morais Célia , Da Cunha Saraiva , Meliço-Silvestre António
Published: September 2011

Introduction: In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic associated with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 strain. It was summer in the northern hemisphere, and therefore travelling and vacation time, which also provided an increased opportunity for the dissemination of respiratory diseases. Methodology: We reviewed the paper case report forms from all the patients with influenza-like illnesses with nasopharyngeal samples submitted for laboratory diagnosis of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection during the first wave of pandemic influenza that occurred between June and August 2009, in the central region of Portugal. Results: From all the patients with influenza-like illnesses, one third was found positive for pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Individuals under the age of 29 (75%) were the most affected. Most of the patients (91%) presented with fever. A group of symptoms were positively correlated with the probability of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection: cough, epistaxis, lack of dyspnea or vomiting, fever, headache and myalgia. Conclusions: During the first wave of the pandemic influenza, young individuals were the most affected, and in the ambulatory setting, presentation was of a mild febrile illness without complications.
Developing live vaccines against plague
Authors: Sun Wei , Roland Kenneth L , Curtiss III Roy
Published: September 2011

Three great plague pandemics caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis have killed nearly 200 million people and it has been linked to biowarfare in the past. Plague is endemic in many parts of the world. In addition, the risk of plague as a bioweapon has prompted increased research to develop plague vaccines against this disease. Injectable subunit vaccines are being developed in the United States and United Kingdom.  However, the live attenuated Y. pestis-EV NIIEG strain has been used as a vaccine for more than 70 years in the former Soviet Union and in some parts of Asia and provides a high degree of efficacy against plague.  This vaccine has not gained general acceptance because of safety concerns.  In recent years, modern molecular biological techniques have been applied to Y. pestis to construct strains with specific defined mutations designed to create safe, immunogenic vaccines with potential for use in humans and as bait vaccines to reduce the load of Y. pestis in the environment.  In addition, a number of live, vectored vaccines have been reported using attenuated viral vectors or attenuated Salmonella strains to deliver plague antigens. Here we summarize the progress of live attenuated vaccines against plagu
Apropos “Antibiotic screening of urine culture as a useful quality audit”.
Authors: Arya Subhash C , Agarwal Nirmala
Published: September 2011

This item has no abstract. Follow the link below to access the full text.
Tenter l'aventure par la Mauritanie : migrations transsahariennes et recompositions urbaines
Authors: Oumar Ba Cheikh , Choplin Armelle
Published: September 2011

Résumé Par sa position charnière entre les deux rives du Sahara, la République Islamique de Mauritanie assure la transition entre l’Afrique noire et le Maghreb. Pour les candidats à l’émigration, elle constitue un immense territoire désertique à traverser. Les flux remontent depuis le fleuve Sénégal ou par la frontière malienne à l’Est jusqu’au port de Nouadhibou situé à l’extrémité Nord, via la capitale Nouakchott. Nouadhibou, deuxième ville du pays, s’impose désormais comme un véritable carrefour migratoire : nombreux sont les subsahariens qui gagnent la ville, ayant entendu dire que l’on y passait aisément. Or, sur place, la rumeur est vite démentie par les nombreuses arnaques et les passeurs qui profitent largement de ces populations mal renseignées. Les enquêtes menées prouvent que les espoirs sont bien souvent déçus : du mythe à la réalité, le point de passage annoncé s’avère être un cul-de-sac. Autrefois simple espace traversé, la Mauritanie devient aujourd’hui un espace travaillé et recomposé puisque les migrants finissent par s’installer en ville et modifient ainsi réseaux de sociabilité et manières d’habiter. Par les flux migratoires, le Sahara se « sahélise ».
Aménageurs et migrants dans les villes du Grand Sud algérien
Authors: Spiga Sassia
Published: September 2011

Résumé À l’instar du Sahara, les options de développement du Grand Sud algérien se sont concrétisées par la mise en place d’une armature urbaine où émergent des villes qui se structurent et se développent par la convergence de flux de migrations internes et subsahariens. Certaines de ces villes offrent des lieux où le migrant est « mis en condition » pour développer des stratégies de circulation entre la région de départ et les villes qui le connectent à l’Europe. Ces lieux, enclaves subsahariennes que l’on veut mettre en relief par les désignations, de quartiers africains à Tamanrasset, de Bniouskout à Adrar, de Bniouskoun à Djanet... sont pour les migrants des espaces identitaires car l’appartenance à une fraction présente dans la ville, leur donne un droit de fait de séjourner temporairement voire de se stabiliser. Un double jeu d’organisation de surface et d’organisation discrète de la ville révèle une présence admise de la composante subsaharienne de la population urbaine. Parallèlement à ce jeu du découvert et de la clandestinité des migrants subsahariens, s’exprime une vocation africaine en devenir de la ville du Grand Sud.