bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: PETRI MICHELLE , NAQIBUDDIN MOHAMMAD , CARSON KATHRYN A. , WALLACE DANIEL J. , WEISMAN MICHAEL H. , HOLLIDAY STEPHEN L. , SAMPEDRO MARGARET , NARAYANA SHALINI , FOX PETER T. , FRANKLIN CRYSTAL , PADILLA PATRICIAA. , BREY ROBIN L.
Published: December 2008

Objective

We wished to determine the prevalence of cerebral atrophy and focal lesions in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the association of these brain abnormalities with clinical characteristics.

Methods

A total of 97 patients with SLE, within 9 months of diagnosis, with 4 or more American College of Rheumatology classification criteria, were enrolled. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed.

Results

The patients were 97% female, mean age 38.1 (SD 12.2) years, education 15.1 (2.8) years; 59 Caucasian, 11 African American, 19 Hispanic, 5 Asian, and 3 other ethnicity. Cerebral atrophy was prevalent in 18% (95% CI 11%–27%): mild in 12%, moderate in 5%. Focal lesions were prevalent in 8% (95% CI 4%–16%): mild in 2%, moderate in 5%, severe in 1%. Patients with cerebral atrophy were more likely to have anxiety disorder (p = 0.04). Patients with focal lesions were more likely to be African American (p = 0.045) and had higher Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment SLEDAI scores (p = 0.02) and anti-dsDNA (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

In this population with newly diagnosed SLE, brain abnormalities were prevalent in 25% of patients. These findings suggest that the brain may be affected extremely early in the course of SLE, even before the clinical diagnosis of SLE is made. Followup of these patients is planned, to determine the reversibility or progression of these abnormalities and their association with and potential predictive value for subsequent neuropsychiatric SLE manifestations.
Circulating Dickkopf-1 and Radiological Progression in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Etanercept
Authors: GARNERO PATRICK , TABASSI NADINE CHARNI-BEN , VOORZANGER-ROUSSELOT NATHALIE
Published: December 2008

Objective

Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) regulates bone remodeling in animal models of inflammatory arthritis, but its role in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear.

Methods

Baseline circulating Dkk-1 was measured in 113 patients with RA (< 3 yrs) who received etanercept (10 or 25 mg twice/week, n = 63) or methotrexate alone (n = 40) for 1 year. Progression was assessed by changes in radiological Sharp score.

Results

Increased Dkk-1 was associated with a higher risk of progression of bone erosion, independently of age, sex, baseline radiological damage, C-reactive protein, and disease activity in patients treated with etanercept.

Conclusion

Dkk-1 may be an important mediator of bone erosion in patients with RA.
Evaluation of an Instrument Assessing Influence of Gout on Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: HIRSCH JAN D. , LEE SUSAN J. , TERKELTAUB ROBERT , KHANNA DINESH , SINGH JASVINDER , SARKIN ANDREW , HARVEY JODI , KAVANAUGH ARTHUR
Published: December 2008

Objective

To evaluate the reliability and validity of an instrument assessing the influence of gout (acute and chronic) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

Focus groups were used to examine the content of an existing Gout Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ1.0). GAQ2.0 was developed, consisting of a section describing the impact of gout on HRQOL [Gout Impact (GI)] and 4 sections describing subjects’ gout overall and demographic data. The GAQ2.0 and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Version 2 (SF-36v2) were completed by gout patients in 3 US cities. GI scales were examined using clinical judgment, review of item statistics, Rasch analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

Subjects (n = 308) were predominantly male (90.2%), Caucasian (75.9%), with a mean age 62.2 ± 11.8 years. Half the subjects (49.7%) reported ≥ 3 attacks in the past year. Two-week test-retest reliability for each scale was good (0.77 to 0.89) for all 5 GI scales. All scales achieved high sufficient (0.86 to 0.89) or excellent (0.93 to 0.97) ratings based on 10-item adjusted alpha coefficients. Correlations and tests among known groups indicated subjects with more severe gout had higher GI scores (i.e., greater gout impact). GI scores correlated more highly with patient-reported measures of gout severity than the SF-36v2 and several traditional measures of gout severity.

Conclusion

The GAQ2.0 is an instrument for measuring the impact of gout on HRQOL. The GI section exhibited acceptable reliability and validity characteristics. Future studies should assess GI responsiveness, minimally important differences, and psychometric properties in other patient populations.
Jet fires: An experimental study of the main geometrical features of the flame in subsonic and sonic regimes
Authors: Palacios A. , Muñoz M. , Casal J.
Published: December 2008

Although jet fires are usually smaller than other fires, they may lead to a destructive chain of events that can increase the scale of an accident. Therefore, their size should be predicted for accurate risk assessment. In the literature, most of the proposals for estimating jet fire size concern small jet fires (up to 2.5 m in length) or subsonic flames. In this study, experiments on relatively large propane jet fires in still air were performed. Vertical turbulent diffusion flames up to 10 m in length, with sonic and subsonic mass flow rates, were obtained using six different orifice exit diameters. The experiments were filmed with video and thermographic cameras and the resulting visible and infrared images were used to determine flame length and lift‐off distance. Expressions for estimating jet length as a function of several variables (mass flow rate, orifice exit diameter, Froude and Reynolds numbers) are also proposed. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
After the fire: benefits of reduced ground cover for vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Authors: Jaffe Karin Enstam , Isbell Lynne A.
Published: December 2008

Here we describe changes in ranging behavior and other activities of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) after a wildfire eliminated grass cover in a large area near the study group's home range. Soon after the fire, the vervets ranged farther away from tall trees that provide refuge from mammalian predators, and moved into the burned area where they had never been observed to go before the fire occurred. Visibility at vervet eye‐level was 10 times farther in the burned area than in unburned areas. They traveled faster, and adult females spent more time feeding and less time scanning bipedally in the burned area than in the unburned area. The burned area's greater visibility may have lowered the animals' perceived risk of predation there, and may have provided them with an unusual opportunity to eat acacia ants. Am. J. Primatol. 71:252–260, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthese und Reaktivität von Phosphor‐Selen‐Ringen
Authors: Hua Guoxiong , Woollins J. Derek
Published: December 2008

Lawesson‐Reagens für Selenfreunde: Phosphor‐Selen‐Ringe und besonders das Woollins‐Reagens [PhPSe2]2 sind wertvolle Reagentien für die Synthese von Heterocyclen und die Insertion von Selen in organische Substrate. Durch den Einbau von Phosphor‐ und Selenatomen sind Produkte mit überraschend vielfältigen Strukturen erhältlich.

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Die Entwicklung der Chemie von P‐Se‐Ringen umfasst die Synthese einiger interessanter neuer Strukturmotive und ein neues Reagens: [PhPSe2]2 ist in der organischen Chemie als Woollins‐Reagens bekannt.
Formation and Reactivity of Phosphorus–Selenium Rings
Authors: Hua Guoxiong , Woollins J. Derek
Published: December 2008

Lawesson reagent for selenium fans: Phosphorus selenium heterocycles and, in particular, [PhPSe2]2 (known as Woollins' reagent) are proving valuable in the synthesis of new heterocycles and for the insertion of selenium into organic substrates. Incorporation of phosphorus and selenium atoms into the products leads to a surprising variety of structures.

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Phosphorus–selenium ring chemistry has developed to include the synthesis of some exciting new motifs and provided organic chemists with a new reagent, [PhPSe2]2, which has become known as Woollins’ reagent.
Self‐Assembly of One‐ and Two‐Dimensional Hemoprotein Systems by Polymerization through Heme–Heme Pocket Interactions
Authors: Kitagishi Hiroaki , Kakikura Yasuaki , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Oohora Koji , Harada Akira , Hayashi Takashi
Published: December 2008

Supramolecular protein polymers: When a heme moiety was introduced to the surface of an apo‐cytochrome b562(H63C) mutant, supramolecular polymers formed through noncovalent heme–heme pocket interactions. The incorporation of a heme triad as a pivot molecule in the protein polymer further led to a two‐dimensional protein network structure, which was visualized by tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy (see picture).

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Uniformly sized molecularly imprinted polymers for on‐line concentration, purification, and measurement of nimodipine in plasma
Authors: Fu Qiang , He Langchong , Zhang Qianqian , Amut Elijan , Fang Qi , Chang Chun
Published: December 2008

Uniformly sized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for nimodipine have been prepared in an aqueous system by multi‐step swelling and polymerization method, utilizing 4‐vinylpyridine (4‐VPY) or methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross‐linking agent. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify the structure features of the obtained polymers. Further, the influences of some chromatographic conditions were examined to explore the possible recognition mechanism. The results reveal that stable molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres with good size monodispersity were obtained, and the polymer beads showed specific recognition for the template molecule and some other dihydropyridine calcium antagonists (DHPs). Besides hydrophobic interaction, the molecular shape complementation of DHPs and the MIPs seems to play an important role in the retention and recognition of DHPs. The Scatchard analysis showed that two kinds of binding sites existed in the MIPs. The MIPs was then used as a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation medium to simultaneously concentrate and purify nimodipine in plasma. The results reveal that the obtained MIPs could be used for on‐line concentration, purification, and measurement of nimodipine in biological samples. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
A new strategy for controlling shrinkage of DGEBA resins cured by cationic copolymerization with hydroxyl‐terminated hyperbranched polymers and ytterbium triflate as an initiator
Authors: Fernández‐Francos Xavier , Salla Josep Maria , Cadenato Ana , Morancho Josep Maria , Serra Angels , Mantecón Ana , Ramis Xavier
Published: December 2008

We report a novel strategy for preparing epoxy thermosetting systems with low shrinkage and improved flexibility and degradability. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin was cured with different proportions of hydroxyl‐terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP), using ytterbium triflate as a cationic initiator. The curing process was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis. Characterization of the resulting materials was evaluated using DSC, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and the fracture surface was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When DGEBA is modified with HBP, it shows a homogeneous morphology and the HBP is incorporated chemically into the network, because hydroxyl groups can react with epoxides under cationic conditions. Higher proportions of HBP reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability and increase the flexibility. When the proportion of HBP in the curing mixture is increased, the degree of shrinkage is reduced significantly and expansion can be observed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Stability and activity of chymotrypsin immobilized on magnetic nanogels covered with carboxyl groups
Authors: Hong Jun , Huang Jin , Liu Shunying , Yu Jiahui , Luo Shufang
Published: December 2008

α‐chymotrypsin as model enzyme was anchored to the carboxyl‐functionalized magnetic nanogels prepared by in situ photochemical polymerization. Furthermore, to explore the optimum immobilization, the effects of immobilization time, pH of the reaction mixture, and proportion of enzyme to the magnetic nanogels were studied. The immobilized enzyme was stable in the presence of enzyme denaturation surfactants, and maintained their activity against protein‐digesting enzyme. The immobilized enzyme exhibited hydrolysis activity against the substrate of casein, and cleaved the substrate into small fragments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of hydrogenated natural rubber/natural rubber blends
Authors: Hinchiranan N. , Lertweerasirikun W. , Poonsawad W. , Rempel G. L. , Prasassarakich P.
Published: December 2008

The cure characteristics and mechanical properties of blends consisting of hydrogenated natural rubber (HNR) and natural rubber (NR) blends were investigated. The HNR/NR blends at 50/50 wt ratio were vulcanized using various cure systems: peroxide vulcanization, conventional vulcanization with peroxide, and efficient vulcanization with peroxide. The HNR/NR vulcanizates cured by the combination of peroxide and sulfur donor (tetramethylthiuram disulfide, TMTD) in the efficient vulcanization with peroxide exhibited the best mechanical properties. It was also found that the hydrogenation level of HNR did not affect the tensile strength of the vulcanizates. The tensile strength of the blends decreased with increasing HNR content because of the higher incompatibility to cause the noncoherency behavior between NR and HNR. However, the HNR/NR vulcanizate at 50/50 wt ratio showed the maximum ultimate elongation corresponding to a co‐continuous morphology as attested to by scanning electron micrographs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Porous acrylonitrile/itaconic acid copolymers prepared by suspended emulsion polymerization
Authors: Yu Mengmeng , Chen Hou , Liang Ying , Cui Hengli , Zhou Wenying , Cui Xianqiang , Li Dongmei
Published: December 2008

Porous acrylonitrile (AN)/itaconic acid (IA) copolymers were successfully prepared by suspended emulsion polymerization for the first time, with potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as an initiator, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a dispersant agent, and Span80 as an emulsifier. The effects of the water/monomer mass ratio, agitation conditions, KPS concentration, PVA concentration, Span80 concentration,s and IA concentration on the average particle size and size distribution, particle morphology, and porosity of the AN/IA copolymers were investigated. The results show that the final AN/IA copolymers formed with agglomerates of primary particles had a porous structure, low particle density, and uniform particle size and did not agglomerate easily between the particles. The preparation conditions for the AN/IA copolymers were optimized as follows: (1) the water/monomer mass ratio was 0.3 : 1; (2) the concentrations of KPS, IA, PVA, and Span80 were 0.5, 12.4, 0.1, and 0.5 wt %, respectively, based on the weight of AN separately; (3) the agitation rate was 400 rpm; (4) the polymerization temperature was 70°C; and (5) the reaction time was 3 h. The size of the final AN/IA copolymer particles was in the range 200–400 μm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Sequence distribution, thermal properties, and crystallization studies of poly(trimethylene terephthalate‐co‐1,4‐cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) copolyesters
Authors: Yang Jian , Li Wengang , Yu Aifang , Xi Peng , Huang Xiang'an , Li Suming
Published: December 2008

A series of novel poly(trimethylene terephthalate‐co‐1,4‐cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (PTCT) with various compositions were synthesized by melt polycondensation of 1,3‐propanediol, 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol and dimethyl terephthalate. The resulting copolyesters were characterized using 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The average length of both trimethylene terephthalate (TT) and cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (CT) sequences varies from 1 to 10, and the chain structure is statistically random. The crystallization was investigated using wide angle X‐ray diffractometer (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimeter. The WAXD patterns can be divided in two groups according to the composition: copolyesters with less than 35 mol % CT content exhibit PTT‐type lattice, and those with CT unit content higher than 42 mol % crystallize with the PCT‐type lattice. The crystallizability of CT sequence is higher than that of TT sequence. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the comonomer is excluded from the PTT‐type or PCT‐type crystal of the copolyesters. The thermal decomposition temperature of copolyesters increases with increasing CT content, and their thermal stability is improved as compared to that of PTT. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Controlling jumps in correlated processes of Poisson counts
Authors: Weiß Christian H.
Published: December 2008

Processes of autocorrelated Poisson counts can often be modelled by a Poisson INAR(1) model, which proved to apply well to typical tasks of SPC. Statistical properties of this model are briefly reviewed. Based on these properties, we propose a new control chart: the combined jumps chart. It monitors the counts and jumps of a Poisson INAR(1) process simultaneously. As the bivariate process of counts and jumps is a homogeneous Markov chain, average run lengths (ARLs) can be computed exactly with the well‐known Markov chain approach. Based on an investigation of such ARLs, we derive design recommendations and show that a properly designed chart can be applied nearly universally. This is also demonstrated by a real‐data example from the insurance field. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A scenario‐based stochastic programming model for the control or dummy wafers downgrading problem
Authors: Chung Shu‐Hsing , Yang Yi‐Shu
Published: December 2008

The subject of this paper is to study a realistic planning environment in wafer fabrication for the control or dummy (C/D) wafers problem with uncertain demand. The demand of each product is assumed with a geometric Brownian motion and approximated by a finite discrete set of scenarios. A two‐stage stochastic programming model is developed based on scenarios and solved by a deterministic equivalent large linear programming model. The model explicitly considers the objective to minimize the total cost of C/D wafers. A real‐world example is given to illustrate the practicality of a stochastic approach. The results are better in comparison with deterministic linear programming by using expectation instead of stochastic demands. The model improved the performance of control and dummy wafers management and the flexibility of determining the downgrading policy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On a class of renewal risk model with random income
Authors: Yang Hu , Zhang Zhimin
Published: December 2008

In this paper, we consider a renewal risk process with random premium income based on a Poisson process. Generating function for the discounted penalty function is obtained. We show that the discounted penalty function satisfies a defective renewal equation and the corresponding explicit expression can be obtained via a compound geometric tail. Finally, we consider the Laplace transform of the time to ruin, and derive the closed‐form expression for it when the claims have a discrete Km distribution (i.e. the generating function of the distribution function is a ratio of two polynomials of order m∈ℕ+). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zur rechnerischen Nachweisführung des Langzeitverhaltens von profilierten Kunststoffrohren unter eingebetteten Bedingungen
Authors: Hu Yifeng , Hoch Albert
Published: December 2008

Mit Hilfe der Methode der Finiten Elemente wird das Langzeit‐Tragverhalten von eingebetteten, profilierten Kunststoffrohren im Hinblick auf Standsicherheit und Gebrauchstauglichkeit, insbesondere das Profilbeulen bzw. dessen Auswirkung auf die Beulstabilität des Rohres, untersucht. Dabei kommen drei numerische Rechenmodelle (M1, M2 und M3) und der ATV‐Rechenansatz (Stand der Technik, als Referenz) anhand eines ausgewählten Kunststoffrohres mit trapezförmigen Profilen zur Anwendung. Die Aussagekraft der Ringflexibilitätsversuche (eine der Eignungsprüfungen gemäß dem europäischen Normentwurf prEN13476) wird rechnerisch überprüft. Aufgrund der Untersuchungsergebnisse wird ein numerisches Rechenmodell als Alternative für die statische Eignungsprüfung von profilierten Kunststoffrohren unter eingebetteten Bedingungen vorgeschlagen. Auf dieser Basis wird eine Empfehlung für die statische Nachweisführung zur Erteilung allgemeiner bauaufsichtlicher Zulassung für erdverlegte profilierte Kunststoffrohre gemacht.
Mono‐ und biaxiale Spannungszustände in geokunststoffbewehrten Erdbauwerken und ihre Bemessungsrelevanz
Authors: Detert Oliver , Hangen Hartmut
Published: December 2008

In früheren Veröffentlichungen wurde berichtet, dass sich bestimmte Geokunststoffe infolge eines biaxialen Spannungszustands, sowohl kurz‐ als auch langzeitig, deutlich dehnsteifer verhalten als bei einem rein monoaxialen Spannungszustand.

Im Hinblick auf die Fragestellung, welche Konsequenzen sich aus der Übertragung eines solchen Materialverhaltens für die Bemessung von geokunststoffbewehrten Erdkörpern ergeben können, werden im Rahmen des vorliegenden Beitrags typische geokunststoffbewehrte Konstruktionen hinsichtlich ihrer Spannungszustände analysiert. Hierzu werden sowohl generelle Überlegungen als auch Ergebnisse aus umfangreichen numerischen Studien, Labor‐ und Feldversuchen dargestellt und diskutiert.

Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen führen zu der Erkenntnis, dass rein biaxiale Spannungszustände, wie sie im Labor untersucht wurden, in geokunststoffbewehrten Erdbauwerken selbst unter idealen Randbedingungen nur sehr lokal begrenzt auftreten. Sie besitzen somit keine Relevanz für die Bemessung von geokunststoffbewehrten Erdbauwerken.
Conceptualising dimensions of quality of life in poverty
Authors: Skevington Suzanne M.
Published: December 2008

Are existing health‐related quality of life (QoL) measures adequate for use in poverty? Focus groups of development researcher‐practitioners were convened to discuss QoL in the low–middle‐income countries of Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Peru and Thailand. Newly elicited themes were mapped onto the QoL concept consisting of 25 original facets from the WHOQOL‐100, plus 24 additional facets derived from five subsequent WHOQOL modules (49 facets) organized in seven domains. Qualitative themes and importance ratings were used to identify seven novel themes that relate to poverty in these countries. Most are not included in QoL instruments: physical fitness & survival, social status, community relations, family life, work opportunity and environment, fairness and equality, and perception of political institutions. Community relations extended the social domain, and a political rights and freedoms domain was consolidated as a seventh domain. This cross‐national study provides a new conceptual foundation for the international assessment of QoL in poverty. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerase Amplification, Cloning, and Gene Expression of Benzo‐Homologous “yDNA” Base Pairs
Authors: Chelliserrykattil Jijumon , Lu Haige , Lee Alex H. F. , Kool Eric T.
Published: December 2008

A widened DNA base‐pair architecture is studied in an effort to explore the possibility of whether new genetic system designs might possess some of the functions of natural DNA. In the “yDNA” system, pairs are homologated by addition of a benzene ring, which yields (in the present study) benzopyrimidines that are correctly paired with purines. Here we report initial tests of ability of the benzopyrimidines yT and yC to store and transfer biochemical and biological information in vitro and in bacterial cells. In vitro primer extension studies with two polymerases showed that the enzymes could insert the correct nucleotides opposite these yDNA bases, but with low selectivity. PCR amplifications with a thermostable polymerase resulted in correct pairings in 15–20 % of the cases, and more successfully when yT or yC were situated within the primers. Segments of DNA containing one or two yDNA bases were then ligated into a plasmid and tested for their ability to successfully lead the expression of an active protein in vivo. Although active at only a fraction of the activity of fully natural DNA, the unnatural bases encoded the correct codon bases in the majority of cases when singly substituted, and yielded functioning green fluorescent protein. Although the activities with native polymerases are modest with these large base pairs, this is the first example of encoding protein in vivo by an unnatural DNA base pair architecture.
Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationships of Ferrocenyl Tamoxifen Derivatives with Modified Side Chains
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Top Siden , Pigeon Pascal , Vessières Anne , Hillard Elizabeth A. , Plamont Marie‐Aude , Huché Michel , Rigamonti Clara , Jaouen Gérard
Published: December 2008

We report here the synthesis and cell‐proliferation properties of derivatives of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen, in which the O(CH2)2N(CH3)2side chain, responsible for the drug's antiestrogenic properties, has been modified by a ferrocenyl moiety. We recently reported the diphenol compound5, in which this amino chain had been replaced with an acyl‐ferrocenyl (O(CH2)2C(O)[(η5‐C5H4)FeCp]) group, and which showed antiproliferative effects against both the hormone‐dependent MCF‐7 and ‐independent MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines. We now report the results of a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study, in which the lateral chain length has been varied, the ketone group has been omitted, and the number of phenol groups has been varied. Compounds1–4, with a side chain lacking the carbonyl function (O(CH2)n[(η5‐C5H4)FeCp],n=1–4) and which show a decreasing affinity for ERα (ER=estrogen receptor) with increasing chain length, act as estrogens on MCF‐7 cells, and mild cytotoxics on PC‐3 prostate cancer cells, with IC50values around 10 μM. The two monophenolic derivatives of2,2 aand2 b, which show a reduced affinity for ERα compared to2, are also estrogenic, but are only slightly cytotoxic. Finally, we have reexamined compound5and discovered that its antiproliferative effect against the MCF‐7 cell line does not arise from antiestrogenicity as we had originally suspected, but by means of a cytotoxic pathway. This compound is also sensitive to the number of phenol groups as cell death is diminished when one of the hydroxyl groups is omitted (5 aand5 b). Molecular modeling studies of the ligand–ERα binding stability are broadly consistent with the experimental binding affinity results for compounds2,2 a,2 b,5,5 a, and5 b. Electrochemical experiments show that1–4,2 a, and2 bare stable to oxidation on the electrochemical timescale, unlike5,5 a, and5 b, and that cytotoxicity is related to less positive phenol oxidation potentials. The SAR study shows that the presence of a ketone group and two phenol groups is necessary for strong receptor binding and cytotoxic effects, and that all compounds are estrogenic, despite the presence of a bulky side chain.
Multifunctional G‐Quadruplex Aptamers and Their Application to Protein Detection
Authors: Li Tao , Shi Lili , Wang Erkang , Dong Shaojun
Published: December 2008

Two significant G‐quadruplex aptamers named AGRO100 and T30695 are identified as multifunctional aptamers that can bind the protein ligands nucleolin or HIV‐1 integrase and hemin. Besides their strong binding to target proteins, both AGRO100 and T30695 exhibit high hemin‐binding affinities comparable to that of the known aptamer (termed PS2M) selected by the in vitro evolution process. Most importantly, their corresponding hemin–DNA complexes reveal excellent peroxidase‐like activities, higher than that of the reported hemin–PS2M DNAzyme. This enables these multifunctional aptamers to be applied to the sensitive detection of proteins, which is demonstrated by applying AGRO100 to the chemiluminescence detection of nucleolin expressed at the surface of HeLa cells. Based on the specific AGRO100–nucleolin interaction, the surface‐expressed nucleolin of HeLa cells is labeled in situ with the hemin–AGRO100 DNAzyme, and then determined in the luminol–H2O2system. Through this approach, the sensitive detection of total nucleolin expressed at the surface of about 6000 HeLa cells is accomplished. Our results suggest that exploiting new functions of existing aptamers will help to extend their potential applications in the biochemical field.
Discrimination of G‐Quadruplexes from Duplex and Single‐Stranded DNAs with Fluorescence and Energy‐Transfer Fluorescence Spectra of Crystal Violet
Authors: Kong De‐Ming , Ma Yong‐E. , Wu Jing , Shen Han‐Xi
Published: December 2008

G‐rich nucleic acid sequences with the potential to form G‐quadruplex structures are common in biologically important regions. Most of these sequences are present with their complementary strands, so the development of a sensitive biosensor to distinguish G‐quadruplex and duplex structures and to determine the competitive ability of quadruplex to duplex structures has received a great deal of attention. In this work, the interactions between two triphenylmethane dyes (malachite green (MG) and crystal violet (CV)) and G‐quadruplex, duplex, or single‐stranded DNAs were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and energy‐transfer fluorescence spectroscopy. Good discrimination between quadruplexes and duplex or single‐stranded DNAs can be achieved by using the fluorescence spectrum of CV or the energy‐transfer fluorescence spectra of CV and MG. In addition, by using energy‐transfer fluorescence titrations of CV with G‐quadruplexes, the binding‐stoichiometry ratios of CV to G‐quadruplexes can be determined. By using the fluorescence titrations of G‐quadruplex–CV complexes with C‐rich complementary strands, the fraction of G‐rich oligonucleotide that engages in G‐quadruplex structures in the presence of the complementary sequence can be measured. This study may provide a simple method for discrimination between quadruplexes and duplex or single‐stranded DNAs and for measuring G‐quadruplex percentages in the presence of the complementary C‐rich sequences.
Chirality in the Absence of Rigid Stereogenic Elements: The Absolute Configuration of Residual Enantiomers of C3‐Symmetric Propellers
Authors: Benincori Tiziana , Marchesi Andrea , Mussini Patrizia Romana , Pilati Tullio , Ponti Alessandro , Rizzo Simona , Sannicolò Francesco
Published: December 2008

Two new tris(aryl)phosphane oxides existing as configurationally stable residual enantiomers have been synthesised and their racemates resolved by semipreparative HPLC on a chiral stationary phase (CSP HPLC). One of them, recognised as a conglomerate, could be resolved by fractional crystallisation at a preparative scale level. In this case, the absolute configuration of the propeller‐shaped molecule was determined by anomalous X‐ray scattering. The problem of the correlative assignment of the absolute configuration to all known C3‐symmetric three‐bladed propeller‐shaped molecules existing as stable residual enantiomers is discussed. The configurational stability of the new chiral phosphane oxides and of the corresponding phosphanes was evaluated by CD signal decay kinetics and dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopy. The racemisation barriers in phosphanes were found about 10 kcal mol−1 lower than those found for the corresponding oxides, though geometry and inter‐ring gearing would be very similar in the two series. Configurational stability of residual tris(aryl)phosphanes was found to be influenced by the electronic availability of the phosphorus centre, as evaluated by electrochemical CV experiments.
Metal Nitride Cluster Fullerene M3N@C80 (M=Y, Sc) Based Dyads: Synthesis, and Electrochemical, Theoretical and Photophysical Studies
Authors: Pinzón Julio R. , Cardona Claudia M. , Herranz Maria Ángeles , Plonska‐Brzezinska Marta E. , Palkar Amit , Athans Andreas J. , Martín Nazario , Rodríguez‐Fortea Antonio , Poblet Josep M. , Bottari Giovanni , Torres Tomás , Gayathri S. Shankara , Guldi Dirk M. , Echegoyen Luis
Published: December 2008

The first pyrrolidine and cyclopropane derivatives of the trimetallic nitride templated (TNT) endohedral metallofullerenes Ih‐Sc3N@C80 and Ih‐Y3N@C80 connected to an electron‐donor unit (i.e., tetrathiafulvalene, phthalocyanine or ferrocene) were successfully prepared by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides and Bingel–Hirsch‐type reactions. Electrochemical studies confirmed the formation of the [6,6] regioisomers for the Y3N@C80‐based dyads and the [5,6] regioisomers in the case of Sc3N@C80‐based dyads. Similar to other TNT endohedral metallofullerene systems previously synthesized, irreversible reductive behavior was observed for the [6,6]‐Y3N@C80‐based dyads, whereas the [5,6]‐Sc3N@C80‐based dyads exhibited reversible reductive electrochemistry. Density functional calculations were also carried out on these dyads confirming the importance of these structures as electron transfer model systems. Furthermore, photophysical investigations on a ferrocenyl–Sc3N@C80‐fulleropyrrolidine dyad demonstrated the existence of a photoinduced electron‐transfer process that yields a radical ion pair with a lifetime three times longer than that obtained for the analogous C60 dyad.
Synthesis of Diacetylene‐Containing Peptide Building Blocks and Amphiphiles, Their Self‐Assembly and Topochemical Polymerization in Organic Solvents
Authors: Jahnke Eike , Weiss Jan , Neuhaus Sonja , Hoheisel Tobias N. , Frauenrath Holger
Published: December 2008

A series of functional iodoacetylenes was prepared and converted into the corresponding diacetylene‐substituted amino acids and peptides via Pd/Cu‐promoted sp–sp carbon cross‐coupling reactions. The unsymmetrically substituted diacetylenes can be incorporated into oligopeptides without a change in the oligopeptide strand's directionality. Thus, a series of oligopeptide‐based, amphiphilic diacetylene model compounds was synthesized, and their self‐organization as well as their UV‐induced topochemical polymerizability was investigated in comparison to related polymer‐substituted macromonomers. Solution‐phase IR spectroscopy, gelation experiments, and UV spectroscopy helped to confirm that a minimum of five N‐H⋅⋅⋅OC hydrogen‐bonding sites was required in order to obtain reliable aggregation into stable β‐sheet‐type secondary structures in organic solvents. Furthermore, the non‐equidistant spacing of these hydrogen‐bonding sites was proven to invariably lead to β‐sheets with a parallel β‐strand orientation, and the characteristic IR‐spectroscopic signatures of the latter in organic solution was identified. Scanning force micrographs of the organogels revealed that compounds with six hydrogen‐bonding sites gave rise to high aspect ratio nanoscopic fibrils with helical superstructures but, in contrast to the related macromonomers, did not lead to uniform supramolecular polymers. The UV‐induced topochemical polymerization within the β‐sheet aggregates was successful, proving parallel β‐strand orientation and highlighting the effect of the number and pattern of N‐H⋅⋅⋅OC hydrogen‐bonding sites as well as the hydrophobic residue in the molecular structure on the formation of higher structures and reactivity.
Total Synthesis of (+)‐Neomarinone
Authors: Peña‐López Miguel , Martínez M. Montserrat , Sarandeses Luis A. , Pérez Sestelo José
Published: December 2008

The first total synthesis of (+)‐neomarinone has been achieved by following a concise and convergent route using methyl (R)‐lactate and (R)‐3‐methylcyclohexanone as chiral building blocks. Key steps of the synthesis are the stereocontrolled formation of the two quaternary stereocenters by diastereoselective 1,4‐conjugate addition and enolate alkylation reactions, and the construction of the furanonaphthoquinone skeleton by regioselective Diels–Alder reaction between a 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyloxy)‐1,3‐diene and a bromoquinone. The synthesis proves the relative and absolute stereochemistry of natural neomarinone.
ChemInform Abstract: Polymorphism in PbBiOXO4 Compounds (X: V, P, As). Part 1. Crystal Structures of α‐ and β‐PbBiOVO4.
Authors: Labidi Olfa , Roussel Pascal , Porcher Florence , Drache Michel , Vannier Rose‐Noelle , Wignacourt Jean‐Pierre
Published: December 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: Chiral N‐Phosphonyl Imine Chemistry: Asymmetric Addition of Ketone‐Derived Enolates for the Synthesis of β‐Amino Ketones.
Authors: Han Jianlin , Ai Teng , Li Guigen
Published: December 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: Synthesis of New Aminophosphine Complexes and Their Catalytic Activities in C—C Coupling Reactions.
Authors: Biricik Nermin , Durap Feyyaz , Kayan Cezmi , Guemguem Bahattin , Guerbuez Nevin , Oezdemir Ismail , Ang Wee Han , Fei Zhaofu , Scopelliti Rosario
Published: December 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: Vanadium Schiff Base Complexes: Chemistry, Properties, and Possible Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Pessoa Joao Costa , Cavaco I. , Correia I. , Tomaz I. , Adao P. , Vale I. , Ribeiro V. , Castro M. M. C. A. , Geraldes C. C. F. G.
Published: December 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: Design of Gold Nanoparticle‐Based Colorimetric Biosensing Assays
Authors: Zhao Weian , Brook Michael A. , Li Yingfu
Published: December 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.
Prevalence and prediction of re‐experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion: a prospective study
Authors: van Emmerik Arnold A. P. , Kamphuis Jan H. , Emmelkamp Paul M. G.
Published: December 2008

Objective: This study investigated short‐term re‐experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion. In addition, it was prospectively investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation and pre‐abortion dissociative tendencies and alexithymia predict re‐experiencing and avoidance. Method: In a prospective observational design, Dutch‐speaking women presenting for first trimester elective surgical abortion completed self‐report measures for dissociative tendency and alexithymia. Peritraumatic dissociation was measured immediately post‐abortion. Re‐experiencing and avoidance were measured 2 months post‐abortion. Results: Participants reported moderately elevated levels of re‐experiencing and avoidance that exceeded a clinical cut‐off point for 19.4% of the participants. Peritraumatic dissociation predicted intrusion and avoidance at 2 months. In addition, avoidance was predicted by the alexithymic aspect of difficulty describing feelings. Conclusions: Re‐experiencing and avoidance after elective surgical abortion represent a significant clinical problem that is predicted by peritraumatic dissociation and alexithymia. Psychological screening and intervention might be a useful adjunct to elective abortion procedures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Zn2GeO4 Nanorods for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water
Authors: Huang Jianhui , Ding Kaining , Hou Yidong , Wang Xinchen , Fu Xianzhi
Published: December 2008

Zn2GeO4 nanorods were prepared by a surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal method and used as photocatalysts for the decomposition of organic pollutants in water. The physicochemical properties of the Zn2GeO4 photocatalysts were characterized by several techniques, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the decomposition of methyl orange, salicylic acid, and 4‐chlorophenol in aqueous solution. The results revealed that the Zn2GeO4 nanorods have a much higher photocatalytic activity for decomposing organic pollutants in aqueous solution than both Zn2GeO4 prepared by a conventional solid‐state reaction and widely used TiO2 (Degussa P25). There is no obvious deactivation of Zn2GeO4 nanorods in the photocatalytic reactions. The intermediates of the photocatalytic reactions were monitored by LC‐MS, and possible photocatalytic reaction pathways as to how Zn2GeO4 nanorods degrade organic dyes were proposed.
Performance evaluation for asynchronous MC‐CDMA systems with a symbol timing offset
Authors: Park Myonghee , Ko Kyunbyoung
Published: December 2008

This paper models a symbol timing offset (STO) with respect to the guard period and the maximum access delay time for asynchronous multicarrier‐code division multiple access systems over frequency‐selective multipath fading channels. Analytical derivation shows that STO causes desired signal power degradation and generates self‐interferences. This effect of the STO on the average bit error rate (BER) and the effective signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is evaluated using the semi‐analytical method, and the approximated BER and the SNR loss caused by STO are then obtained as closed‐form expressions. The tightness between the semi‐analytical result and the approximated one is verified for the different STOs and SNRs. Furthermore, the derived analytical results are verified via Monte Carlo simulations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Versatile Bisporphyrinoid Motif for Supramolecular Chirogenesis
Authors: Borovkov Victor , Inoue Yoshihisa
Published: December 2008

During the last decade there has been continuously growing interest in the phenomenon of supramolecular chirogenesis, which is a smart combination of chirality and supramolecular chemistry effectively used for investigations of various aspects of living organisms, modern physical and naturalsciences, and also for technological applications. Thanks to their spectral, chemical, and physicochemical properties, porphyrinoids have been found to be one of the best suited classes of compounds for study of this subject. Out of a vast number of the porphyrinoid‐based supramolecular systems employed for this purpose, a bisporphyrinoid motif has been shown to be the simplest, yet widely applicable, structural element that satisfies the requirements for the desired chirogenic properties and ease of synthetic methodology. The aim of this microreview is to highlight the advantages and versatility of this type of chromophoric arrangement for supramolecular chirogenesis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Novel quasi‐interpenetrating network/functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes double‐network composite matrices for DNA sequencing by CE
Authors: Zhou Dan , Yang Liping , Yang Runmiao , Song Weihua , Peng Shuhua , Wang Yanmei
Published: December 2008

Poly(N, N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA)‐functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐PDMA) were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization and then added into quasi‐interpenetrating network (quasi‐IPN) composed of linear polyacrylamide (3.3 MDa) and PDMA to form polymer/nanotube double‐network composite sieving matrices for DNA sequencing by CE. The CE results show that, compared with quasi‐IPN, the novel composite matrices can improve ssDNA sequencing performances due to the formation of a double‐network consisting of a flexible quasi‐IPN polymer network and a rigid MWNT network based on a unique tubular structure, which makes the total sieving networks more restricted and stable and increases the apparent molecular weight of the matrices. The effects of MWNT‐PDMA concentration in matrices and molecular weight of PDMA side chains in MWNT‐PDMA on ssDNA sequencing performances were studied in detail. Furthermore, these double‐network composite matrices were also compared with other matrices and the results indicate that they are promising ones for DNA sequencing. The separation provided with high resolution, speediness, excellent reproducibility and easy loading owing to the addition of MWNT‐PDMA is likely to achieve full automation, especially for capillary array electrophoresis and microchip electrophoresis.
New applications and developments in the use of multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification
Authors: Kozlowski Piotr , Jasinska Anna J. , Kwiatkowski David J.
Published: December 2008

Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is a commonly used technique for determining relative DNA sequence dosage (or copy number) in a complex DNA sample. Originally MLPA was designed as a copy number analysis tool for detecting disease‐causing genomic mutations and has been successfully applied in the testing and identification of hundreds of genomic mutations in numerous genes including DMD, BRCA1, NF1, and TSC2. More recently, several modifications of the original technique have been implemented. Arguably the most important enhancement of MLPA has been probe generation by chemical synthesis, enabling the facile creation of novel probe sets for any desired application. Other newer applications of MLPA include methylation status determination, copy number analysis in segmentally duplicated regions, expression profiling, and transgene genotyping. MLPA has a potential major role in the analysis of common copy number variation in genome‐wide association analyses, which may be enhanced by future improvements to increase throughput and lower costs, such as array‐MLPA.