bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Structural Investigation of Endomorphins by Experimental and Theoretical Methods: Hunting for the Bioactive Conformation
Authors: Leitgeb Balazs
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: A “Tightrope‐Walk” Between Reactivity and Selectivity
Authors: von Zezschwitz Paultheo
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxidative Amidation of Phenols Through the Use of Hypervalent Iodine Reagents: Development and Applications
Authors: Ciufolini Marco A. , Braun Norbert A. , Canesi Sylvain , Ousmer Malika , Chang Jonah , Chai David
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Chalcogen—Halogen Secondary Bonds in Self‐Assembling of Supramolecular Structures
Authors: du Mont Wolf‐Walther , Hrib Cristian George
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Chalcogen—Nitrogen Chemistry
Authors: Chivers Tristram , Laitinen Risto S.
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Thiolates, Selenolates, and Tellurolates
Authors: Gimeno M. Concepcion
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Water Activation: Catalytic Hydrolysis
Authors: Berreau Lisa M.
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: The Activation of Dihydrogen
Authors: Tye Jesse W. , Darensbourg Marcetta Y. , Hall Michael B.
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Advances in Oxasteroid Chemistry
Authors: Ibrahim‐Ouali Malika
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Quinazoline Alkaloids and Related Chemistry
Authors: Eguchi Shoji
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Cardiovascular Agents: Renin Inhibitors and Factor Xa Inhibitors
Authors: Kasani Aparna , Subedi Rajendra , Stier Michael , Holsworth Daniel D. , Maiti Samarendra N.
Published: March 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Valuation effects of recent corporate dividend and income trust distribution tax changes
Authors: Amoako‐Adu Ben , Smith Brian F.
Published: March 2008

We analyze the valuation effects of the Canadian federal government's announcement on November 23, 2005 of a reduction in the taxation of corporate dividends and the announcement on October 31, 2006 of a plan to eliminate the tax‐deductibility of income trust distributions. Though high dividend stocks and income trusts reacted positively to the 2005 announcement, the abnormal returns were greater for income trusts. Conversely, both securities reacted negatively to the 2006 announcement with the decline bigger for income trusts. The larger price reactions of income trusts and the lack of statistical significance in the cross‐sectional tests of the abnormal returns suggest that the popularity of income trusts in Canada was mostly driven by their favourable income tax status. The implications of these findings for scholarship and for practice are discussed. Copyright © 2008 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precipitation Pattern Formation in the Presence of Imposed Concentration Gradients
Authors: ZHENG Ju‐Hua , WANG Qun , WANG Hai , GAO Qing‐Yu
Published: March 2008

This study explored precipitation pattern formation under conditions where the inner electrolyte was inhomogeneously distributed. Depending on the imposed concentration gradient, various new precipitation structures such as bifurcated segments, budding patterns, and Liesegang rings segregated with broken circles have been observed. The analysis illustrates that, despite the presence of an imposed concentration gradient, the location of Xn of the nth band and its time of formation tn still satisfy a simple law, but the spacing (Xn+1/Xn) of the precipitation bands departs from a linear relationship once broken rings are developed in the medium.
Amperometric Immunosensor for Prostate Specific Antigen Based on Co‐adsorption of Labeled Antibody and Mediator in Nano‐Au Modified Chitosan Membrane
Authors: LIN Jie‐Hua , ZHANG Li‐Juan , ZHANG Hui , ZHANG Shu‐Sheng
Published: March 2008

A quasi‐reagentless amperometric immunosensor for prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been developed based on co‐adsorption of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled PSA antibody (anti‐PSA) and tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) in nano‐Au modified chitosan membrane (Au‐chitosan). The immobilized TMB was used as an electron transfer mediator, which displayed a surface‐controlled process at scan rates less than 45 mV/s, and a diffusion‐controlled process at scan rates higher than 45 mV/s. The immunosensor with the co‐immobilized anti‐PSA and TMB was incubated with sample PSA antigen, and the formed immunoconjugate in the immunosensor was detected by a TMB‐H2O2‐HRP electrochemical system. Under the optimal experimental conditions, PSA could be determined in the linear range from 5.0 to 30 ng·mL−1 with a detection limit of 1.0 ng·mL−1. The prepared PSA immunosensor is not only economic due to the low‐cost ITO electrode obtained from industrial mass production, but also capable of batch fabrication with acceptable detection and storage stability.
Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of New 5‐(o‐Chlorophenyl)‐3‐(o,p‐dichlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydropyrazol‐1‐yl Oxime Ester Derivatives
Authors: LIU Xin‐Hua , SONG Bao‐An , ZHU Hai‐Liang , ZUO Ren‐Bing
Published: March 2008

Ten new 1‐(5‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydropyrazol‐1‐yl) oxime ester derivatives were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, HRMS and 1H NMR data. All the compounds have been screened for their antibacterial potential in vitro against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results show that 7c and 7f possess significant activity with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) value of 1.562 µg/mL against all the four bacteria. Compounds 7c, 7d and 7f show moderate inhibition against the DNA gyrase (IC50=1.6–2.5 µg/mL). On the basis of the biological result, the structure‐activity relationship was discussed.
Photobleaching of Hypocrellin B and 2‐Taurine Substituted Hypocrellin B in Plasma Solution
Authors: DING Hui‐Ying , ZHANG Yang , GU Ying , ZHAO Jing‐Quan
Published: March 2008

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new methodology to utilize jointly a photosensitizer and light to destroy the target tissues of diseases via some photochemical reactions. On the other hand, the photosensitizer molecules may also be photo‐bleached during PDT, furthermore, their interaction with biomolecules and the photobleaching properties in blood vessels are critical to treatments of microvascular diseases. In consideration of these, the photobleaching processes of HB and its analogue THB in plasma solutions were investigated in the current work. It was observed that the photobleaching was predominately mediated by singlet oxygen reactions in well‐oxygenated aqueous solution in the presence of plasma substrate which not only greatly enhanced the photobleaching rate but also led to different photoproducts due to distinctly different reaction mechanisms. The relative photobleaching mechanisms were proposed based on the structural information and the redox potentials of the photosensitizers.
Three New Prenylfuranoisoflavonoids from the Roots of Hedysarum scoparium
Authors: CHEN Sheng‐Gao , LI Ya , ZHAO Jie , GAO Kun
Published: March 2008

Three new prenylfuranoisoflavonoids, namely, 5‐hydroxy‐7‐(2‐hydroxyisopropyl)‐4′‐methoxy‐9‐prenylfurano [3,2‐g]isoflavone (1), 5‐hydroxy‐4′‐methoxy‐9‐prenylfurano[3,2‐g]isoflavone (2), 5‐hydroxy‐4′‐methoxy‐7‐prenyl‐furano[2,3‐h]isoflavone (3) were isolated from the roots of Hedysarum scopariu and structurally established by means of detailed spectroscopic analyses (IR, EI‐ or HR‐ESI‐MS as well as 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR), and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported for structurally related compounds.
Mechanistic Investigations of Oxidation of Some Dipeptides by Sodium N‐chloro‐p‐toluenesulfonamide in Alkaline Medium:A Kinetic Study
Authors: PUTTASWAMY  , VAZ Nirmala , RAJENAHALLY VGOWDA Jagadeesh
Published: March 2008

The kinetics of oxidation of five dipeptides (DPP) viz., glycylglycine (Gly‐Gly), L‐alanyl‐L‐alanine (Ala‐Ala), L‐valyl‐L‐valine (Val‐Val), L‐leucyl‐L‐leucine (Leu‐Leu) and phenylglycyl‐phenylglycine (Phg‐Phg) by sodium N‐chloro‐p‐toluenesulfonamide or chloramine‐T (CAT) in NaOH medium was studied at 308 K. The reactions follow identical kinetics for all the dipeptides, being first‐order dependence each on [CAT]o, [DPP]o and fractional‐order on [OH−]. Addition of p‐toluenesulfonamide or halide ions (Cl− or Br−) has no significant effect on the rate of reaction. The reaction rate was found to increase with increase in ionic strength of the medium. The solvent isotope effect was studied using D2O. The activation parameters for the reaction were computed from Arrhenius plots. Equilibrium and decomposition constants were evaluated. The oxidation products of the dipeptides were identified as their corresponding aldehydes. An isokinetic relationship was observed with β=352 K, indicating that enthalpy factors control the reaction rate. CH3C6H4SO2NCl− of the oxidant has been postulated as the reactive oxidizing species. Under comparable experimental conditions, the rate of oxidation of the dipeptides increases in the order:Phg‐Phg>Ala‐Ala>Val‐Val>Leu‐Leu>Gly‐Gly. The kinetics of oxidation of the dipeptides have also been compared with those of their corresponding monomer amino acids. The observed results have been explained by a plausible mechanism and the related rate law has been deduced.
Synthesis and Neurotrophic Activities ofN‐p‐Tolyl/phenylsulfonylL‐Amino Acid Thiolester Derivatives
Authors: YANG Zhan‐Nan , FAN Ming , YANG Xiao‐Sheng , YU Zheng‐Wen , HAO Xiao‐Jiang
Published: March 2008

VariousN‐p‐tolyl/phenylsulfonylL‐amino acid thiolester derivatives were designed and synthesized according to combination of functional groups. The synthesized compounds were identified by spectral methods (1H NMR,13C NMR, MS and HRMS). Preliminary bioassays indicated that the compounds4a,4b,4d,5c,5d,5g,6band6dshowed remarkable activities and the compounds4c,5band6cshowed moderate activities to inhibit anoxic damage of PC12 cells at 10 µg/mL, but the compounds4dand6donly showed moderate protective activities against PC12 cells at 5 µg/mL. Preliminary bioassays also indicated that the compounds4c,5a,5c,5d,5eand6bshowed moderate activities to induce PC12‐differentiation at 10 µg/mL.
Synthesis and NLO Properties of Chromophores with 1,8‐Dimethoxy‐9,10‐dihydroanthracene and Thiobarbituric acid Moieties
Authors: WU De‐Lin , JIA Zhao‐Li , SHI Jie‐Ping , SHI Zheng‐Wei , LU Guo‐Yuan
Published: March 2008

The new chromophore molecules with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were prepared by Knoevenagel condensation from 4,5‐diformyl‐1,8‐dimethoxy‐9,10‐dihydroanthracene and thiobarbituric acid derivatives in the presence of piperidine and acetic acid. In these chromophores, the ring‐locked triene employed as a conjugation bridge and the thiobarbituric acid moiety was as an electron acceptor in a D‐π‐A units. The solvatochromism and UV spectra indicate that they have higher second‐order nonlinear polarizabilityμβvalues than the corresponding reference compound, without causing a large red shift of the charge transfer band.
A simplex model for layered niche networks
Authors: Fraundorf Philip
Published: March 2008

The standing crop of correlations in metazoan communities may be assessed by an inventory of niche structures focused inward and outward from the physical boundaries of skin (self), gene‐pool (family), and meme‐pool (culture). We consider tracking the progression from three and four correlation layers in many animal communities, to five of six layers for the shared adaptation of most humans, with an attention‐slice model that maps the niche‐layer focus of individuals onto the 6‐variable space of a 5‐simplex. The measure puts questions about the effect, on culture and species, of policy and natural events into a common context, and may help explore the impact of electronically mediated codes on community health. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2008.
ASCOT Modelling of Ripple Effects on Toroidal Torque
Authors: Salmi A. , Johnson T. , Parail V. , Heikkinen J. , Hynönen V. , Kiviniemi T. P. , Kurki‐Suonio T. , JET EFDA Contributors
Published: March 2008

Toroidal field ripple, δ =(Bmax ‐Bmin )/(Bmax +Bmin ), in ITER will be relatively large, about 0.5% at the outer midplane. Due to the importance of toroidal rotation on plasma stability and confinement it is important to understand the consequences of a non‐negligible ripple field on rotation. Guiding centre following Monte Carlo code ASCOT is used to evaluate the torque on plasma from co‐current NBI in presence of toroidal magnetic field ripple. Simulations are made for a JET discharge from 2007 Ripple Campaign aimed to clarify the effect of ripple on fusion plasmas in preparation for ITER. ASCOT results show large reduction of torque from co‐NBI and negative torque from thermal ions, which together could create a counter rotating edge plasma. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ion Particle Transport in the Tokamak Edge Plasma
Authors: Stacey W. M.
Published: March 2008

A generalized pinch‐diffusion transport relation previously derived from momentum conservation is combined with the continuity equation to derive a “generalized diffusion theory” for ion particle transport in the tokamak plasma edge inside the separatrix. The resulting generalized diffusion coefficients are evaluated for a representative experiment. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3D Edge Transport Studies with EMC3‐EIRENE for the Dynamic Ergodic Divertor (DED) at TEXTOR
Authors: Harting D. , Reiter D. , Feng Y. , Schmitz O. , Reiser D. , Frerichs H.
Published: March 2008

In this paper we introduce some model extensions to the energy balances of the 3D fluid Monte‐Carlo code EMC3 and study their influence on the simulation results for TEXTOR‐DED. We implemented local kinetic corrections to the classical parallel heat conductivity of electrons (heat flux limit). Depending on the DED configuration, a cooling effect in the outermost SOL region, resulting from the heat flux limit, can be observed. In addition, also the adiabatic cooling term $1 \over 2$mnV2$\vec V$, which was neglected before, was implemented into the energy iterations. This term causes a localized cooling of the ions in front of the wall, where the plasma is accelerated towards the first wall. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Self‐Consistent Simulations of the Plasma‐Wall Transition Layer
Authors: Tskhakaya D. , Kuhn S. , Tomita Y. , Matyash K. , Schneider R. , Taccogna F.
Published: March 2008

In the present work we develop a 1d3v (1D in space and 3D in velocity) kinetic Particle‐in‐cell model of the magnetised plasma‐wall transition layer, where the charged and neutral particle dynamics and interaction between them is included in a fully self‐consistent way. The plasma‐surface interactions are described via fixed emission coefficients for the secondary particles. We obtained different profiles of plasma and neutral particles and cross‐checked classical boundary conditions, which are usually formulated inside the PWT. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modeling of Hydrogen Lyman Line Profiles for Radiation Transport Studies in Edge Plasmas
Authors: Rosato J. , Capes H. , Godbert‐Mouret L. , Koubiti M. , Marandet Y. , Rosmej F. , Stamm R.
Published: March 2008

An analytical expression for the Lyman α line profile is proposed, for the purpose of radiation transport studies in divertor plasmas. It is shown that the coupling between Zeeman and Stark broadening has to be retained so as to describe accurately the line shape. This is confirmed by comparison to numerical simulations. The latter furthermore allow to quantify the accuracy of the Stark broadening model for the whole range of conditions encountered in divertors. Lyman α and Lyman β lines are investigated in details. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Integrated Modelling of Nitrogen Seeded JET Discharges
Authors: Zagórski R. , Telesca G. , Rapp J. , JET‐EFDA Contributors
Published: March 2008

In this paper we present results of numerical simulations of nitrogen seeded JET discharges. In particular, we have benchmarked the code against the type III ELMy JET pulses. In addition to recovering the main discharge parameters, the interplay between seeded nitrogen and intrinsic carbon is also reproduced. Predictions for the JET discharges with higher plasma current Ip = 3.5 MA and different input powers (14 < Paux < 23 MW) demonstrate that it is possible to achieve high radiation fractions (> 80%) and simultaneously reduce both the plasma collisionality and Zeff. Extrapolation to ITER shows compatibility of strongly radiative plasmas with the power amplification in excess of 10. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Integrated Modelling with COCONUT of Type‐I ELMs at JET
Authors: Wiesen S. , Parail V. , Corrigan G. , Fundamenski W. , Loarte A. , Lönnroth J. , Saibene G. , Sartori R. , JET EFDA Contributors
Published: March 2008

When modelling ELMy H‐mode plasmas the strong interaction between the core plasma and the scrape‐offlayer (SOL) must be accounted for. The 1.5D core code JETTO [1] and the 2D SOL fluid‐code EDGE2D [2] have been combined to provide a consistent picture of the transport across the separatrix, resulted in the coupled code COCONUT [3]. The ELM‐crash itself is modelled in an ad hoc manner, by which the perpendicular diffusive transport within the ETB is enhanced for a short time (≈ few 100 μs). An ELM is triggered if the normalised pressure gradient exceeds a critical threshold, αc , specified by the MHD‐stability analysis [4]. COCONUT simulations indicate that the neutral penetration changes the ETB transport behaviour qualitatively such as it reduces convection [5]. But since the same power enters the ETB from the core, a reduction in the convected out.ux to the SOL leads to a peak in the radial pressure gradient profile earlier in the ELM cycle. As a consequence, the ELM frequency increases, a tendency which is indeed seen in experiment. This paper concentrates on the modelling of type‐I ELMy H‐mode, pure‐D JET plasmas, seeking to match experimental results for different scans of gas‐puff, pedestal parameters (such as nped , Tped and ν *ped ). The effects on ELM frequency, power‐exhaust, a detailed analysis of the time‐dependence of ELM‐crashes and the reformation of the pedestal are discussed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Progress in Kinetic Simulation of Edge Plasmas
Authors: Cohen R. H. , Xu X. Q.
Published: March 2008

Kinetic codes are required for quantitative simulation of edge plasmas of most tokamaks, because orbit widths can be comparable to radial scale lengths and because mean free paths can be comparable to scale lengths along the magnetic field. However, the edge presents special challenges for edge simulation, both in terms of formulation and implementation. There are two major approaches to kinetic simulation, namely particle‐based and continuum‐ (high‐dimensional fluid‐) based. The edge presents challenges common to both approaches as well as ones that are unique to each approach. In this paper we review these challenges, and survey how they are being addressed in current edge kinetic simulation projects, as well as the status and accomplishments of those projects. We discuss in some detail the status and recent accomplishments of the U.S. Edge Simulation Laboratory (ESL), a project based on the continuum approach. The ESL currently consists of a main‐line effort to develop a code based on high‐order conservative finite‐volume discretization, as well as two prototype activities, TEMPEST and EGK. These prototype codes are exploring issues attached to energy‐magnetic moment and parallel velocity‐magnetic moment representations, respectively, as well as physics issues associated with simulation in a steep radial gradient region and a domain that includes both open field lines and closed flux surfaces. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Hydrogen Isotope Injection into Graphene
Authors: Nakamura H. , Takayama A. , Ito A.
Published: March 2008

We reveal the hydrogen isotope effect of three interactions, i.e, the reflection, the adsorption and the penetration ratios, by classical molecular dynamics simulation with a modified Brenner's reactive empirical bond order (REBO) potential potential. We find that the reflection by π ‐electron does not depend on the mass of the incident isotope, but the peak of the reflection by nuclear moves to higher side of incident energy. In addition to the reflection, we also find that the adsorption ratio in the positive z side of the graphene becomes larger, as the mass of the incident isotope becomes larger. On the other hand, the adsorption ratio in the negative z side of the graphene becomes smaller. Last, it is found that the penetration ratio hardly depends on the mass of the incident isotope because the graphene potential is not affected by the mass. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Simulation of Hydrocarbon Redeposition on Plasma Shadowed Areas
Authors: Inai K. , Ohya K.
Published: March 2008

In order to investigate tritium co‐deposition in the gaps between divertor tiles and the shadowed areas from the step structure of neighboring tiles, a hydrocarbon transport code is combined with castellated structure surface models. The hydrocarbons are easily reflected on the surface and transported in the plasma, with some reaching the gap between the tiles where it is difficult for them to escape, even if they are reflected at the side surfaces. The tile surface is inclined to vary the shadowed area. At a high plasma temperature with increasing inclination angle, the co‐deposition in the gap is strongly suppressed whereas most hydrocarbons are deposited on the shadowed area of the tile, which gradually increases. Consequently, there is an inclination angle for which the co‐deposition is minimized. Furthermore the net redeposition rate of hydrocarbons released from the tile surface in the gaps is estimated for different gap widths and tile areas. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ghrelin: a new peptide regulating the neurohormonal system, energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism
Authors: Pusztai Peter , Sarman Beatrix , Ruzicska Eva , Toke Judit , Racz Karoly , Somogyi Aniko , Tulassay Zsolt
Published: March 2008

Identification of ghrelin started with the discovery of growth hormone secretagogues, continued with the description of ghrelin receptors and ended with the elucidation of the chemical structure of ghrelin. However, several issues concerning the role of ghrelin in physiological and pathophysiological processes are still under investigation. Most of the ghrelin produced in the body is secreted in the stomach, but it is also expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas, intestine, kidney, heart and gonads. Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone secretion via growth hormone secretagogue receptors. Ghrelin secretion in the stomach depends on both acute and chronic changes in nutritional status and energy balance. Current data support the hypothesis that the stomach, in addition to its important role in digestion, not only influences pituitary hormone secretion but, via ghrelin production, it also sends orexigenic (appetite increasing) signals to hypothalamic nuclei involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. In addition to these main effects, ghrelin influences insulin secretion and glucose metabolism and it may exert potentially important effects on cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions. Because of its effects on a large number of physiological functions, ghrelin may be involved in the pathomechanism of several human disorders, including disturbances of appetite, energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism. Further research might lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ghrelin and might provide more effective therapy for the above disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viruses induce high expression of BAFF by salivary gland epithelial cells through TLR‐ and type‐I IFN‐dependent and ‐independent pathways
Authors: Ittah Marc , Miceli‐Richard Corinne , Gottenberg Jacques‐Eric , Sellam Jérémie , Eid Pierre , Lebon Pierre , Pallier Coralie , Lepajolec Christine , Mariette Xavier
Published: March 2008

B cell activating factor (BAFF) plays a key role in promoting B lymphocyte activation. We investigated whether danger signals induce BAFF secretion by cultured salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC), which are the target of primary Sjögren's syndrome, a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. SGEC cultures were established from minor salivary glands obtained from ten patients with pSS or sicca symptoms. BAFF mRNA and protein were measured after stimulation of the different Toll‐like receptors (TLR) by agonists or viruses. The expression of TLR2, –3, and –7 was detected in SGEC. Poly (I:C) (a synthetic TLR3 agonist) and reovirus‐1 (a dsRNA virus) induced high expression of BAFF mRNA (multiplied by a factor of 246 ± 39 (SEM) and 347 ± 66, respectively) and of BAFF protein secretion (58.49 ± 4.34 pg/mL and 69.73 ± 5.67). Inhibition of both the endosomal (by chloroquine) and IFN (by anti‐IFNAR antibody) pathways partly inhibited BAFF expression. Treatment with both dsRNA virus and poly (I:C) induced high levels of BAFF mRNA and protein expression by SGEC, through pathways dependent on and independent of TLR and dependent on and independent of IFN. BAFF induction by target organs of autoimmune diseases after viral infection may be a link between innate immunity and autoimmunity.
AMP‐activated protein kinase regulates lymphocyte responses to metabolic stress but is largely dispensable for immune cell development and function
Authors: Mayer Alice , Denanglaire Sébastien , Viollet Benoit , Leo Oberdan , Andris Fabienne
Published: March 2008

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a phylogenetically conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, represents an energy sensor able to adapt cellular metabolism in response to nutritional environmental variations. TCR stimulation activates AMPK, a regulatory event that is known to stimulate ATP‐producing processes, possibly in anticipation of the increased energetic needs associated with cell division and expression of effector function. Taking advantage of the selective expression of the AMPKα1 catalytic subunit in lymphoid cells, we have analyzed the in vitro and in vivo capacity of lymphocytes lacking AMPK activity (AMPKα1‐KO cells) to respond to metabolic stress and to initiate and sustain an immune response. AMPKα1‐KO cells displayed increasing sensitivity to energetic stress in vitro, and were found unable to maintain adequate ATP levels in response to ATP synthase inhibition. These cells were, however, able to respond to antigen stimulation in vitro, as shown by optimal proliferation and cytokine production. Similarly, AMPKα1‐KO mice were fully immunocompetent in vivo and displayed normal cell proliferation, humoral, cytotoxic and delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses following antigen injection. In conclusion, AMPK represents an important enzyme allowing lymphocytes to resist a mild energy crisis in vitro, but is largely dispensable for activation and expression of effector function in response to antigen stimulation.
Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, stimulates an atypical M2 activation program in human macrophages
Authors: Benoit Marie , Barbarat Bernadette , Bernard Alain , Olive Daniel , Mege Jean‐Louis
Published: March 2008

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium, responsible for Q fever, which survives in macrophages by interfering with their microbicidal competence. As functional polarization of macrophages is critical for their microbicidal activity, we studied the activation program of monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM) stimulated with C. burnetii. This program was markedly distinct from that induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a canonical inducer of M1 polarization. Indeed, C. burnetii up‐regulated the expression of genes associated with M2 polarization, including TGF‐β1, IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra), CCL18, the mannose receptor and arginase‐1, and only up‐regulated the expression of two genes associated with M1 polarization, namely IL‐6 and CXCL8. In contrast, C. burnetii down‐regulated the expression of genes associated with M1 polarization such as TNF, CD80, CCR7 and TLR‐2. Functional analyses showed that C. burnetii‐stimulated MDM produced high levels of TGF‐β1 and CCL18, and expressed the mannose receptor and arginase‐1, the latter being associated with the prevention of nitric oxide production by MDM. Finally, C. burnetii induced the release of IL‐6 and CXCL8 at a lower level than LPS‐stimulated MDM. Our results suggest that C. burnetii stimulated an atypical M2 activation program that may account for the persistence of C. burnetii in macrophages.

Supporting Information for this article is available at http://www.wiley‐vch.de/contents/jc_2040/2008/37917_s.pdf
Electrochemical Biosensors for Medical and Food Applications
Authors: Ahmed Minhaz Uddin , Hossain Mohammad Mosharraf , Tamiya Eiichi
Published: March 2008

Sensing and quantification of DNA and proteins are becoming increasingly important in biochemistry, medicine and biotechnology. Traditional analytical techniques are lagging behind the demand for more information in less time, at a lower cost. An important step forward in this pursuit is to identify an analyte using its electrochemical behavior and to convert its presence and concentration into perceivable and distinct electrical signals. This review covers the strategies for electrochemical sensing of biomolecules, mainly, DNA and proteins by label‐based and label‐free approaches using disposable electrochemical printed chips and carbon nanotube based field effect transistors. Issues, such as ease of preparation, robustness, sensitivity, and realization of mass production of the detection strategies are also considered. A good coverage of the published literature, mostly, a wide treatment of original research articles reporting novel principles has been made. Finally, this review may help the researchers in developing an understanding of miniaturized electrochemical biosensors and their possible applications in medical and food science, with directions for future research.
Determination of organic anions in atmospheric aerosol samples by capillary electrophoresis after reversed pre‐electrophoresis
Authors: Blanco‐Heras Gustavo A. , Turnes‐Carou M. Isabel , López‐Mahía Purificación , Muniategui‐Lorenzo Soledad , Prada‐Rodríguez Darío , Fernández‐Fernández Esther
Published: March 2008

This work presents the determination of low‐molecular‐mass (LMM) organic acids by CE after extraction with MeOH and preconcentration by evaporation. The interference arising from the simultaneous concentration of fast mobile anions (chloride, nitrate, and sulfate) at levels 200 times higher than those of LMM organic acids was reduced by the application of reversed pre‐electrophoresis (RPE) as clean‐up technique. This methodology allows for an effective elimination of high levels of fast mobile anions from the capillary before the separation has taken place, although analytes are also partially eliminated according to their electrophoretic velocities. In order to achieve an accurate quantification of organic anions, the use of a mathematical correction based on the linear relation between the analyte's effective volume removed during RPE and its mobility is proposed. Methods based on the use of one and two internal standards are discussed and evaluated. The proposed method is applied to the determination of organic acids in atmospheric particulate matter samples.
Multiphase non‐Newtonian effects on pulsatile hemodynamics in a coronary artery
Authors: Kim Yong Hyun , VandeVord Pamela J. , Lee Joon Sang
Published: March 2008

Hemodynamic stresses are involved in the development and progression of vascular diseases. This study investigates the influence of mechanical factors on the hemodynamics of the curved coronary artery in an attempt to identify critical factors of non‐Newtonian models. Multiphase non‐Newtonian fluid simulations of pulsatile flow were performed and compared with the standard Newtonian fluid models. Different inlet hematocrit levels were used with the simulations to analyze the relationship that hematocrit levels have with red blood cell (RBC) viscosity, shear stress, velocity, and secondary flow. Our results demonstrated that high hematocrit levels induce secondary flow on the inside curvature of the vessel. In addition, RBC viscosity and wall shear stress (WSS) vary as a function of hematocrit level. Low WSS was found to be associated with areas of high hematocrit. These results describe how RBCs interact with the curvature of artery walls. It is concluded that although all models have a good approximation in blood behavior, the multiphase non‐Newtonian viscosity model is optimal to demonstrate effects of changes in hematocrit. They provide a better stimulation of realistic blood flow analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and Characterisation of Electrically Conductive Polymeric‐Based Blends for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates
Authors: Bouatia S. , Mighri F. , Bousmina M.
Published: March 2008

The main objective of this work was to develop films with controlled dimensions for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates (BPPs) using the twin‐screw extrusion process. These films consisted of a low‐viscosity polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in which a mixture of high specific surface area carbon black (CB) and synthetic flake graphite (GR) were dispersed. A third conductive additive, consisting of silver‐coated glass particles (SCG) or multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), was also added at a low concentration (5 wt.‐%) in order to study its synergistic effect on the PET‐based blend electrical conductivity. As the developed blends had to meet properties suitable for PEMFC bipolar plate applications, they were characterised for their electrical through‐plane resistivity, mechanical properties and oxygen permeability. Through‐plane electrical resistivity of about 0.3 Ω·cm and oxygen permeation rate of 3.5 × 10–8 cc cm–2 s–1 were obtained for only 30 wt.‐% of a 60:40 mixture of CB/GR conductive additives. Although the substitution of 5 wt.‐% of CB/GR by the same amount of MWCNT had no significant effect on BPPs' electrical resistivity, it helped to improve their mechanical properties and especially their oxygen permeation, which was decreased from 3.5 × 10–8 cc cm–2 s–1 to around 0.6 × 10–8 cc cm–2 s–1.
Development of a two‐dimensional finite element model for inundation processes in the Tonle Sap and its environs
Authors: Hai Pham Thanh , Masumoto Takao , Shimizu Katsuyuki
Published: March 2008

A hydrodynamic model, which covers the floodplains of the Mekong River from Kratie in Cambodia to near the Vietnamese border, was developed using a finite element method (FEM) with 2D shallow‐water equations. The model was applied to typical flows of recent largest (2000) and smallest (2003) flood years. Main roads, dikes, colmatages, and road‐opening works in the study area, which may influence flow regimes, were introduced into the simulation. Moving boundary problems were accommodated by applying a threshold technique in which nodes having a thin water depth were reset to dry ones in all moving boundary elements at every time increment. Simulated results and available observed water levels and discharges were compared to validate the model. The simulated results produced a lot of hydrologic data for the basin areas, without gauging, and these data can be used to evaluate the effects of basin management on flooding and agricultural water use. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular immune response from chagasic patients to CRA or FRA recombinant antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Lorena Virginia M.B. , Verçosa Alinne F.A. , Machado Raquel C.A. , Moitinho‐Silva Lucas , Cavalcanti Maria G.A. , Silva Edimilson D. , Ferreira Antonio G.P. , Correa‐Oliveira Rodrigo , Pereira Valéria R.A. , Gomes Yara M.
Published: March 2008

We propose to analyze the relation between the cellular immune response of Chagas' disease patients after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with recombinant antigens cytoplasmatic repetitive antigen (CRA) or flagellar repetitive antigen (FRA) of T. cruzi and the chronic clinical forms of disease. Cells were stimulated using phytohemagglutinin, CRA, FRA, or a soluble antigen of Epimastigota (Ag‐Epi) for 24 hr, 72 hr, or 6 days. The proliferation of cells was evaluated after 6 days of culture by quantification of incorporated 3H‐thymidine. Cytokines were measured in the supernatants obtained after 24 hr (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]‐α and interleukin [IL]‐4), 72 hr (IL‐10), and 6 days (interferon [IFN]‐γ) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cells of the Chagas patients stimulated with the recombinant antigens exhibited higher proliferation responses compared with that of non‐Chagas (NC) individuals. However, when proliferation was compared between patients with the cardiac form (CF) or indeterminate form (IF), it was not possible to establish a difference in the response. So far as the cytokines secreted in the culture supernatants after stimulation in vitro with T. cruzi antigens were concerned, the results showed that CRA, as well as Epi‐Ag, were able to stimulate the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in Chagas patients as compared with NC individuals. However, the cytokine levels after stimulation with the T. cruzi antigens were not different between the patients with CF and IF. CRA was capable of inducing a T helper type 1 (Th1) immune response, with elevated production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in Chagas patients that are carriers of CF and IF clinical forms. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:91–98, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does cigarette smoking affect the diagnostic reliability of hemoglobin α2δ2 (HbA2)?
Authors: Tarazi Issa S. , Sirdah Mahmoud M. , El Jeadi Hesham , Al Haddad Rami M.
Published: March 2008

Quantitation of hemoglobin α2δ2 (HbA2) is a basic and confirmatory test in diagnosing the carrier state of β‐thalassemia. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the diagnostic reliability of HbA2. A total of 2,867 (654 smokers and 2,213 never smokers) male subjects were involved in the present study. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to their laboratory findings: β‐thalassemia minor, iron deficient, and normal groups. Complete blood count (CBC) parameters and HbA2 levels were compared between smokers and never smokers of each group according to the independent‐samples t‐test using the SPSS® program, significance results were reported at P<0.05. The results showed a significant increase in red blood cell (RBC) mass (RBC count and hematocrit [Hct]) and Hb concentration in smokers of all groups; however, no significant differences were reported in the HbA2 level between smokers and never smokers in all groups. It was concluded that cigarette smoking does not affect the diagnostic reliability of the HbA2 test. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:119–122, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An optimized nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach allows detection and characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) env and gag genes from clinical samples
Authors: Locateli Dayse , Stoco Patricia H. , Zanetti Carlos R. , Pinto Aguinaldo R. , Grisard Edmundo C.
Published: March 2008

The needs for development and/or improvement of molecular approaches for microorganism detection and characterization such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are of high interest due their sensitivity and specificity when compared to traditional microbiological techniques. Considering the worldwide importance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infection, it is essential that such approaches consider the genetic variability of the virus, the heterogeneous nature of the clinical samples, the existence of contaminants and inhibitors, and the consequent needs for standardization in order to guarantee the reproducibility of the methods. In this work we describe a nested PCR assay targeting HIV‐1 virus gag and env genes, allowing specific and sensitive diagnosis and further direct characterization of clinical samples. The method described herein was tested on clinical samples and allowed the detection of HIV‐1 presence in all samples tested for the gag gene and 90.9% for the env gene, revealing sensitivities of 1 fg and 100 fg, respectively. Also, no cross‐reactions were observed with DNA from infected and noninfected patients and the method allowed detection of the env and gag genes on an excess of 108 and 104 of human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), respectively. Furthermore, it was possible to direct sequence all amplified products, which allowed the sub typing of the virus in clinical samples. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:106–113, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preliminary clinical measurement of the expression of TNF‐related apoptosis inducing ligand in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Zai‐Xing Yang , Yan Liang , Hao Wang , Ye Zhu , Chang Li , Ren‐Qian Zhong
Published: March 2008

It has recently been reported that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) plays various roles in such autoimmune diseases as diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it has still remained unclear whether there is a close relationship between TRAIL and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this study, we investigated the association between the expression of TRAIL and AS. The specific messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of TRAIL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum sTRAIL, and TNF‐α concentrations from 60 AS patients, 20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 30 healthy controls were determined by real‐time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that the expression levels of TRAIL mRNA, and serum sTRAIL were significantly elevated in AS patients, compared with RA patients and healthy controls, and there was a close association between TRAIL mRNA and sTRAIL levels. However, there was no significant difference between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B27‐positive and ‐negative AS patients. In HLA‐B27‐positive patients, TRAIL mRNA and sTRAIL closely correlated with serum TNF‐α and C‐reactive protein (CRP), but did not correlate in HLA‐B27‐negative patients. In conclusion, upregulated expression of TRAIL might be somewhat specific for evaluation of AS. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:138–145, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Installing the communities that care prevention system: implementation progress and fidelity in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Quinby Rose K. , Hanson Koren , Brooke‐Weiss Blair , Arthur Michael W. , Hawkins J. David , Fagan Abigail A.
Published: March 2008

This article describes the degree to which high fidelity implementation of the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention operating system was reached during the first 18 months of intervention in 12 communities in the Community Youth Development Study, a 5‐year group randomized controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of the CTC system. CTC installation in these communities included the delivery of six CTC trainings from certified CTC trainers at each site, the active involvement of locally selected and community‐based CTC community coordinators, ongoing monitoring of progress using the CTC milestones and benchmarks, and proactive technical assistance and coaching. CTC implementation fidelity ratings averaged across three groups of raters show that between 89% and 100% of the CTC milestones in the first four phases of CTC implementation were “completely met” or “majority met” in the 12 intervention communities, indicating that the first four phases of the CTC system have been well implemented in the communities in this trial. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.