bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and anti‐Leishmanial Activity of 5‐(5‐Nitrofuran‐2‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amines Containing N‐[(1‐Benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl] Moieties.
Authors: Tahghighi Azar , Razmi Sepideh , Mahdavi Mohammad , Foroumadi Parham , Ardestani Sussan K. , Emami Saeed , Kobarfard Farzad , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Shafiee Abbas , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: July 2012

A novel series of the title triazole derivatives (v) (14 examples) is synthesized using click chemistry.
ChemInform Abstract: Facile Synthesis of Various 4‐Carboxylic Acid Derivatives and Their Amide Analogues of Benzopyrans.
Authors: Tripathi Anil K. , Mukherjee Debaraj , Koul S. , Taneja Subhash C.
Published: July 2012

2H‐Benzopyran‐4‐carboxylic acid derivative (III) is obtained via stepwise oxidation of the corresponding 4‐methyl analogue (I).
ChemInform Abstract: Efficient Synthesis and Physical Properties of Novel H‐Shaped 2,3,7,8‐Tetraazaanthracene‐Based Conjugated Molecules.
Authors: Liu Yinque , Zhang Fan , He Chunyang , Wu Dongqing , Zhuang Xiaodong , Xue Minzhao , Liu Yangan , Feng Xinliang
Published: July 2012

A series of novel H‐shaped molecules (VII) consisting of a 2,3,7,8‐tetraazaanthracene core and thiophene arms is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Assessment of Antiplatelet Activity of 2‐Aminopyrimidines.
Authors: Giridhar Rajani , Tamboli Riyaj S. , Ramajayam R. , Prajapati Dhaval G. , Yadav M. R.
Published: July 2012

A variety of 2‐amino‐3,5‐diarylpyrimidines (III) (17 examples) are synthesized as potential antiplatelet agents by reaction of flavones (I) with guanidine hydrochloride in alkaline medium.
ChemInform Abstract: Core Scaffold‐Inspired Concise Synthesis of Chiral Spirooxindole‐Pyranopyrimidines with Broad‐Spectrum Anticancer Potency.
Authors: Jiang Xianxing , Sun Yulong , Yao Jia , Cao Yiming , Kai Ming , He Ning , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Wang Yiqing , Wang Rui
Published: July 2012

The route to the title novel spiro alkaloids involves an asymmetric organocatalyzed Michael/cyclization reaction of isatylidenemalononitriles with hydroxycoumarin or 1‐naphthol to give spiro[oxindole‐3,4′‐pyran] derivatives with excellent enantioselectivities.
ChemInform Abstract: Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution of Silyl Nucleophiles Through Si—Si Bond Activation.
Authors: Ito Hajime , Horita Yuko , Sawamura Masaya
Published: July 2012

A variety of allylic carbonates are silylated by disilane (II) to give the allylsilanes.
ChemInform Abstract: Platinum‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylations of Internal Alkynes: Harnessing Substituent Effects to Achieve High Regioselectivity.
Authors: Rooke Douglas A. , Ferreira Eric M.
Published: July 2012

The regioselectivity of the presented effective hydrosilylations of internal alkynes is predominantly governed by electronic effects.
ChemInform Abstract: Fabrication, Properties and Applications of Janus Particles
Authors: Hu Jing , Zhou Shuxue , Sun Yangyi , Fang Xiaosheng , Wu Limin
Published: July 2012

Review: 215 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Cyclopentadiene‐Based Low‐Valent Group 13 Metal Compounds: Ligands in Coordination Chemistry and Link Between Metal‐Rich Molecules and Intermetallic Materials
Authors: Gonzalez‐Gallardo Sandra , Bollermann Timo , Fischer Roland A. , Murugavel Ramaswamy
Published: July 2012

Review: 236 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Linear Encoding of Functional Groups in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds: Cycloaddition of Enyne and Alkyne Units
Authors: Ananikov V. P.
Published: July 2012

Review: 17 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Intramolecular Carbonyl Nitroso Ene Reaction: Recent Devleopments
Authors: Malkov A. V.
Published: July 2012

Review: 28 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Acetoxylation of Heterocycles: All That Glitters Is Not Palladium
Authors: Suna E.
Published: July 2012

Review: 14 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Pyrroles from Oxazoles
Authors: Babaev E. V.
Published: July 2012

Review: 51 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Palladium‐Catalyzed Carboamination in the Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Containing Heterocycles
Authors: Belov G. M. , Belov D. S. , Kurkin A. V. , Yurovskaya M. A.
Published: July 2012

Review: 31 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Rearrangements of Cyclopropenes into Five‐Membered Aromatic Heterocycles: Mechanistic Aspect
Authors: Rubin M. , Ryabchuk P. G.
Published: July 2012

Review: 55 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Novel Data for the Reaction of 3‐Cyano(thio)chromones with N‐Nucleophiles
Authors: Sosnovskikh V. Y. , Moshkin V. S.
Published: July 2012

Review: 34 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Challenges in the Syntheses of Peptidic Natural Products
Authors: Stolze Sara C. , Kaiser Markus
Published: July 2012

Review: ca. 100 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Bifunctional Organo/Metal Cooperative Catalysis with Cinchona Alkaloid Scaffolds
Authors: Stegbauer Linus , Sladojevich Filippo , Dixon Darren J.
Published: July 2012

Review: 121 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: New Insights into the Biological and Synthetic Fixation of Nitrogen
Authors: Scheibel Markus G. , Schneider Sven
Published: July 2012

Review: 28 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Heterocyclic Diuretics
Authors: Ukrainets I. V. , Bereznyakova N. L.
Published: July 2012

Review: 77 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Metal—Organic Frameworks as Scaffolds for the Encapsulation of Active Species: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Juan‐Alcaniz Jana , Gascon Jorge , Kapteijn Freek
Published: July 2012

Review: 186 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Review of Chemical Reactions in the NO Reduction by CO on Platinum/Alumina Catalysts
Authors: Srinivasan Anand , Depcik Christopher
Published: July 2012

Review: 77 refs.
Modeling of Mass Transfer at Overflowed Stable Interfaces during Zinc Extraction
Authors: Klapper Peter , Raatz Simone
Published: July 2012

Für die Zinkextraktion mit Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphorsäure über eine planare Phasengrenze wird zunächst die Unzulänglichkeit der häufig verwendeten Filmtheorie dargestellt und die Notwendigkeit der Modellierung des Stoffübergangs durch einen instationären Diffusionsprozess verdeutlicht. Durch die Einführung der strömungsabhängigen Anzahl der Phasenkontakte als Funktion der Reynolds‐Zahl wird die Phasenkontaktdauer theoretisch beschrieben und die analytische Lösung der approximativen Gleichungen nach der Penetrationstheorie und der Filmpenetrationstheorie ermittelt. Anschließend werden die Modellgleichungen anhand experimenteller Daten validiert.
Theoretical Study of Energetic Complexes (III): Bis‐(5‐nitro‐2H‐tetrazolato‐N2)tetraammine Cobalt(III) Perchlorate (BNCP) and Its Transition Metal (Ni/Fe/Cu/Zn) Perchlorate Analogues
Authors: Shang Jing , Zhang Jianguo , Zhang Tonglai , Huang Huisheng , Zhang Shaowen , Shu Yuanjie
Published: July 2012

The geometric conformation and electronic structure of bis‐(5‐nitro‐2H‐tetrazolato‐N2)tetraammine cobalt(III) perchlorate and its Ni/Fe/Cu/Zn analogues are studied under the TPSS (Tao‐Perdew‐Staroverov‐Scuseria) levels of density functional theory in order to throw light on the relationship between their energy gaps and impact sensitivity. While the perchlorate ions are coordinated with the copper cation, which is different from the other four compounds. NBO (Natural bond orbital) analyses indicated that the metal‐ligand interaction in the Co complex is covalent, while the others are ionic. The analysis of the electrostatic potential demonstrated that the O atoms from the nitro‐tetrazole ring and perchlorate were primarily negative, while the other atoms were positive. The study was also conducted to gain a better understanding of the correlation of the energy gap and impact sensitivity.
Results from AMBER, a randomized phase 2 study of bevacizumab and bortezomib versus bortezomib in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: White Darrell , Kassim Adetola , Bhaskar Birbal , Yi Jing , Wamstad Karen , Paton Virginia E.
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND.

Newer systemic therapies have significantly advanced the treatment of multiple myeloma, but additional agents are needed. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with efficacy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma that inhibits tumor angiogenesis, a process that has been implicated in multiple myeloma pathogenesis.

METHODS.

In AMBER(“A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo‐Controlled, Multicenter, Phase II Study of Bevacizumab in Combination With Bortezomib in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma”), patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma were randomized to receive bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of each 21‐day cycle) and either placebo or bevacizumab (15 mg/kg on day 1 of each cycle) for up to 8 cycles. At completion, patients in the bortezomib‐plus‐bevacizumab arm could continue bevacizumab until they developed progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS).

RESULTS.

The stratified hazard ratio of PFS for the bevacizumab‐containing arm (n = 49) relative to the bortezomib monotherapy arm (n = 53) was 0.743 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43‐1.28; P = .2804); the median PFS was 6.2 months (95% CI, 4.4‐8.5 months) and 5.1 months (95% CI, 4.2‐7.2 months), respectively; the overall response rates were 51% and 43.4% (P = .4029), respectively; and the median response duration was 6.9 months (95% CI, 4.73‐11.83 months) and 6.0 months (95% CI, 4.86‐8.31 months), respectively. Frequent adverse events occurred at similar rates across treatment arms, but hypertension, fatigue, and neuralgia occurred more frequently in the bevacizumab‐containing arm.

CONCLUSIONS.

The addition of bevacizumab to bortezomib in unselected patients with pretreated multiple myeloma did not result in significant improvements in efficacy outcomes. The combination was well tolerated, and no new safety concerns for either agent were identified. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Gray and grayness—its complexities in color appearance of surface colors
Authors: Nayatani Yoshinobu , Sakai Hideki
Published: July 2012

Complexities on the roles of reference color gray and grayness are reviewed. They are essential in color appearance, but gray is an implicit color. Although “grayness” is not explicitly used in visual color assessment of surface colors or color order systems, gray can be combined with any colors having six primary‐color components using the term “grayish,” for example, grayish red and grayish yellow. However, the existing region of grayness is limited in a part of color‐appearance space. Illuminance dependency of gray perception is also clarified. Existence of two kinds of psychometric quantities are suggested: one is the attribute of grayness based on its psychological amount in a grayish color under study, and the other is the attribute of brightness of the grayish color under a specified illuminance, psychophysical quantity. The Nayatani‐Theoretical color order system, which uses three opponent‐colors axes, can clarify the above complexities of gray and grayness. Its importance is the same as six primary colors, red–green, yellow–blue, and white–black. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 37–44, 2014
New Nanocomposite Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Proton‐Conducting Membranes Based on Functionalized Silica and PTFE
Authors: Di Noto Vito , Piga Matteo , Giffin Guinevere A. , Negro Enrico , Furlan Claudio , Vezzù Keti
Published: July 2012

Two types of new nanocomposite proton‐exchange membranes, consisting of functionalized and pristine nanoparticles of silica and silicone rubber (SR) embedded in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix, were prepared. The membrane precursor was obtained from a mechanical rolling process, and the SiO2 nanoparticles were functionalized by soaking the membranes in a solution of 2‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)ethyl trichlorosilane (CSPhEtCS). The membranes exhibit a highly compact morphology and a lack of fibrous PTFE. At 125 °C, the membrane containing the functionalized nanoparticles has an elastic modulus (2.2 MPa) that is higher than that of pristine Nafion (1.28 MPa) and a conductivity of 3.6×10−3 S cm−1 despite a low proton‐exchange capacity (0.11 meq g−1). The good thermal and mechanical stability and conductivity at T>100 °C make these membranes a promising low‐cost material for application in proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells operating at temperatures higher than 100 °C.
Genome‐wide and molecular evolution analysis of the Poplar KT/HAK/KUP potassium transporter gene family
Authors: He Caiyun , Cui Kai , Duan Aiguo , Zeng Yanfei , Zhang Jianguo
Published: July 2012

As the largest K
+ transport gene family, KT/HAK/KUP family plays an important role in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. However, there is limited information about this family in woody plant species. In this study, with genome‐wide in‐depth investigation, 31 Poplar KT/HAK/KUP transporter genes including six pairs of tandem duplicated and eight pairs of segmental duplicated paralogs have been identified, suggesting segmental and tandem duplication events contributed to the expansion of this family in Poplar. The combination of phylogenetic, exon structure and splice site, and paragon analysis revealed 11 pairs of Poplar KT/HAK/KUP duplicates. For these 11 pairs, all pairs are subject to purify selection, and asymmetric evolutionary rates have been found to occur in three pairs. This study might provide more insights into the underlying evolution mechanisms of trees acclimating to their natural habitat.
Detection of AMP‐activated protein kinase α1 by isoelectric focusing in sera of patients with metabolic diseases
Authors: Malvoisin Etienne
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study is to determine by isoelectric focusing the level of AMPKα1, an energy sensor, in sera of patients who are in energy‐demanding situation. After Western blotting, detection was performed with specific antibodies against AMPKα and its phosphorylated form. To evaluate the effect of weight loss on AMPK, sera from 24 patients were collected before and after intragastric balloon insertion over a 16‐week follow‐up period. Compared to baseline, all patients showed postoperatively an increase of AMPK. Patients with ischemic heart, with inflammatory bowel disease, with chronic undernutrition or with hepatic diseases were examined. Compared to control subjects, the majority of them showed a significant increase of AMPK. These results suggest that serum AMPK may have a potential for diagnosis of several metabolic diseases. However, this has to be confirmed by further studies with additional biomarkers and with more specific techniques.
Proteome profiling of tolbutamide‐treated rat primary hepatocytes using nano LC‐MS/MS and label‐free protein quantitation
Authors: Cho Young‐Eun , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Baek Moon‐Chang
Published: July 2012

Tolbutamide is used as a first line oral antihyperglycemic drug for type 2 diabetes. One side effect of this drug, hepatotoxicity, is well recognized; however, the precise mechanisms underlying tolbutamide‐induced hepatotoxicity remain unclear. In this respect, proteomics techniques were used to gain further insight into the mechanistic processes of the hepatotoxicity induced by this drug. In this study, we aimed to identify molecular pathways based on proteins responding to cellular toxicity in tolbutamide‐treated primary hepatocytes, using nano UPLC‐MS/MS analysis. Rat primary hepatocytes were treated with an IC20 concentration for 24 h to study the hepatotoxic effects of tolbutamide. For high‐throughput label‐free quantitation, tryptic‐digested peptides of proteins from cell lysates were analyzed using LC‐MS/MS and quantitated using the IDEAL‐Q software, in which several parameters, such as assisted sequence, elution time, and mass‐to‐charge ratio were included. We quantified a total of 330 distinct proteins from the tolbutamide‐treated hepatocytes and identified 55 upregulated and 82 downregulated proteins with expression changes. Among these differentially expressed proteins, we focused mainly on the 18 upregulated proteins belonging to xenobiotic cytochrome P450 (CYP), drug metabolism/detoxification, oxidative stress/antioxidant response, and cell damage pathway. CYP2D1, CYP2C11, UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 2B (UGT2B), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), 60 kDa heat shock protein (HSPD1), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and catalase (CAT) were confirmed by Western blot analysis. In addition, various xenobiotic CYP proteins upregulated in the tolbutamide‐treated group, CYP2D1, CYP2C13, and CYP2C11 were confirmed by reverse transcriptase‐PCR analysis. Our results offer important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of tolbutamide‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of nanostructured CeO2/clinoptilolite for catalytic total oxidation of xylene at low temperature
Authors: Asgari Nazli , Haghighi Mohammad , Shafiei Sirous
Published: July 2012

A series of nanostructured CeO2/Clinoptilolite catalysts with different loadings of ceria were prepared by redox reaction followed by wet impregnation method and tested for oxidation of xylene. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, BET, FTIR, and TG‐DTG analysis. XRD data confirmed the formation of CeO2 as the crystalline phase with an average crystallite size of about 11.6 nm for three ceria loading of 10, 20, and 30%. FESEM and size distribution analyses showed that nanocatalysts have nanometric particles with an average size of 37.46 nm. Specific surface analysis revealed that the synthesized nanocatalysts had large enough surface area for catalytic oxidation of p‐xylene. Furthermore, the results showed that the catalytic performance of the supported CeO2 catalysts was much higher than that of treated clinoptilolite, in particular, CeO2 (30%)/Clinoptilolite exhibited the highest conversion, 98% at 350°C. It is observed that increasing both the xylene concentration and GHSV results in decreasing of the xylene conversion; however, even at higher concentrations of xylene (3000 ppm), the nanostructured catalyst has still enough destruction ability to reduce the pollutant. A simplified reaction mechanism was proposed with respect to the behavior of adsorbed species on the catalyst surface to clarify the path through which the reaction components interact with each other. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 587–597, 2013
Wind direction and complex sediment transport response across a beach–dune system
Authors: Bauer Bernard O. , Davidson‐Arnott Robin G. D. , Walker Ian J. , Hesp Patrick A. , Ollerhead Jeff
Published: July 2012

Evidence from a field study on wind flow and sediment transport across a beach–dune system under onshore and offshore conditions (including oblique approach angles) indicates that sediment transport response on the back‐beach and stoss slope of the foredune can be exceedingly complex. The upper‐air flow – measured by a sonic anemometer at the top of a 3·5 m tower located on the dune crest – is similar to regional wind records obtained from a nearby meteorological station, but quite different from the near‐surface flow field measured locally across the beach–dune profile by sonic anemometers positioned 20 cm above the sand surface. Flow–form interaction at macro and micro scales leads to strong modulation of the near‐surface wind vectors, including wind speed reductions (due to surface roughness drag and adverse pressure effects induced by the dune) and wind speed increases (due to flow compression toward the top of the dune) as well as pronounced topographic steering during oblique wind approach angles.

A conceptual model is proposed, building on the ideas of Sweet and Kocurek (Sedimentology 37: 1023–1038, 1990), Walker and Nickling (Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 28: 111–1124, 2002), and Lynch et al. (Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 33: 991–1005, 2008, Geomorphology 105: 139–146, 2010), which shows how near‐surface wind vectors are altered for four regional wind conditions: (a) onshore, detached; (b) onshore‐oblique, attached and deflected; (c) offshore, detached; and (d) offshore‐oblique, attached and deflected. High‐frequency measurements of sediment transport intensity during these different events demonstrate that predictions of sediment flux using standard equations driven by regional wind statistics would by unreliable and misleading. It is recommended that field studies routinely implement experimental designs that treat the near‐surface wind field as comprising true vector quantities (with speed and direction) in order that a more robust linkage between the regional (upper air) wind field and the sediment transport response across the beach–dune profile be established. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress‐induced reduction in hippocampal volume and connectivity with the ventromedial prefrontal cortex are related to maladaptive responses to stressful military service
Authors: Admon Roee , Leykin Dmitry , Lubin Gad , Engert Veronika , Andrews Julie , Pruessner Jens , Hendler Talma
Published: July 2012

Previous studies have shown that people who develop psychopathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following stress exposure are characterized by reduced hippocampal (HC) volume and impaired HC functional connectivity with the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Nevertheless, the exact interrelationship between reduced HC volume and HC‐vmPFC connectivity deficits in the context of stress has yet to be established. Furthermore, it is still not clear whether such neural abnormalities are stress induced or precursors for vulnerability. In this study, we combined measurements of MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to prospectively study 33 a priori healthy Israeli soldiers both pre‐ and post‐exposure to stress during their military service. Thus, we were able to assess the contributions of structural and functional features of the HC and its connectivity to the onset and progression of maladaptive response to stress (i.e., increased PTSD symptoms post‐exposure). We found that soldiers with decreased HC volume following military service (i.e., post‐exposure) displayed more PTSD‐related symptoms post‐exposure as well as reduced HC‐vmPFC functional and structural connectivity post‐exposure, compared to soldiers with increased HC volume following military service. In contrast, initial smaller HC volume pre‐exposure did not have an effect on any of these factors. Our results therefore suggest that reduction in HC volume and connectivity with the vmPFC together mark a maladaptive response to stressful military service. As stress‐induced HC volume reductions were previously shown to be reversible, these localized biological markers may carry valuable therapeutic potential. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2808–2816, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of a novel‐reinforced bone substitute and Colloss®E on bone defect healing in sheep
Authors: Ding Ming , Røjskjær Jesper , Cheng Liming , Theilgaard Naseem , Overgaard Søren
Published: July 2012

Hydroxyappatite‐β‐tricalciumphosphate (HA/β‐TCP) was reinforced with poly(D,L)‐lactic acid (PDLLA) to overcome its weak mechanical properties. Two substitutes with porosities of 77% and 81% HA/β‐TCP reinforced with 12 wt % PDLLA were tested in compression. The effects of allograft, substitute (HA/β‐TCP‐PDLLA), Colloss®E, and combination of substitute with Colloss®E on bone formation in vivo were evaluated. Cylindrical critical size defects were created at distal femoral condyles bilaterally in sheep. Titanium implant with concentric gap filling with one of the four materials was inserted. After 9 weeks, the sheep were sacrificed. Implants with surrounding bone were harvested and sectioned into two parts: one for microcomputed tomography scanning and push‐out test, and one for histomorphometry. The 77% HA/β‐TCP reinforced with PDLLA had similar mechanical properties to human cancellous bone and was significantly stronger than the HA/β‐TCP without PDLLA. Microarchitecture of gap mass was significantly changed after implantation for all groups. Allograft had stronger shear mechanical properties than the other three groups, whereas there were no significant differences between the other three groups. Significant new bone formation could be seen in vivo in all four groups and there were no significant differences between them. The PDLLA‐reinforced substitute seems to be good alternative substitute material for bone healing in sheep. Further investigations should be performed to validate this novel substitute material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
The New LOCI Digoxin Assay on the Vista 1500 Analyzer Is Virtually Free From Interferences of Herbal Supplements Hawthorn and Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng)
Authors: Dasgupta Amitava , Johnson Myrtle J. , Wahed Amer
Published: July 2012

Herbal supplements hawthorn and ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) are indicated for cardiac illnesses and may be taken by patients receiving digoxin therapy. Because both hawthorn and ashwagandha are known to interfere with serum digoxin measurements using certain digoxin immunoassays, we investigated potential interference of these two herbal supplements with the new homogenous sequential chemiluminescent assay for digoxin based on the luminescent oxygen channeling technology (LOCI digoxin) for application on the Dimension and Vista platform. When aliquots of a drug‐free serum pool were supplemented with various amounts of hawthorn (three different commercial preparations) or ashwagandha (two different commercial preparations) and apparent digoxin values were measured using LOCI digoxin assay on Dimension Vista 1500 analyzer we observed none‐detected values except when aliquots were supplemented with very high amounts of the herbal extracts. When aliquots of a serum digoxin pool (prepared by pooling specimens from patients receiving digoxin) where further supplemented with various amounts of these supplements and digoxin concentrations were remeasured, statistically significant falsely higher digoxin values were observed only in specimens containing very high amounts of these supplements. Such interference may not be clinically significant. We conclude that new LOCI digoxin assay is virtually free from interferences of herbal supplements, hawthorn, and ashwagandha. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:227‐231, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk of Overestimation of Kidney Function Using GFR‐Estimating Equations in Patients with Low Inulin Clearance
Authors: Nakata Junichiro , Ohsawa Isao , Onda Kisara , Tanimoto Mitsuo , Kusaba Gaku , Takeda Yukihiko , Kobayashi Noriyoshi , Asanuma Katsuhiko , Tanaka Yuichi , Sato Michiko , Inami Yuko , Suzuki Hitoshi , Suzuki Hiyori , Masuda Atsumi , Nonaka Kanae , Sasaki Yu , Hisada Atsuko , Hamada Chieko , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: July 2012

Background

Accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is very important in clinical practice. Although renal inulin clearance (Cin) is the gold standard for measuring GFR, the procedure for Cin measurement is complicated. Use of GFR‐estimating equations has been increasing recently due to their simplicity. The objectives of the present study are to analyze the correlation between Cin and other GFR‐estimating parameters and to investigate their clinical usefulness and limitation.

Methods

Seventy‐two Japanese patients were enrolled in this study. Cin was measured by the continuous infusion method. Serum creatinine (s‐Cr), cystatin C, uric acid (UA), and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured. The Japanese formula of estimated GFR (eGFR) was as follows: eGFR (ml/min/1.73m2) = 194 × s‐Cr−1.094 × Age−0.287 × 0.739 (if female). The endogenous creatinine clearance test was also performed.

Results

Levels of Cin were highly correlated with those of endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr) (R2 = 0.7585) and eGFR (R2 = 0.5659). However, patients with lower Cin showed unexpectedly elevated levels of endogenous Ccr and eGFR. Moreover, the levels of eGFR tended to be unexpectedly increased in patients with low body surface area.

Conclusion

Although GFR‐estimating equations are useful for estimating GFR accurately, they pose a risk of overestimation of kidney function in patients with decreased GFRor a poor physique. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:248‐253, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extended depth from focus reconstruction using NIH ImageJ plugins: Quality and resolution of elevation maps
Authors: De Oliveira Hein Luis Rogerio , De Oliveira José Alberto , De Campos Kamila Amato , De Oliveira Caltabiano Pietro Carelli Reis
Published: July 2012

In this work, NIH ImageJ plugins for extended depth‐from‐focus reconstructions (EDFR) based on spatial domain operations were compared and tested for usage optimization. Also, some preprocessing solutions for light microscopy image stacks were evaluated, suggesting a general routine for the ImageJ user to get reliable elevation maps from grayscale image stacks. Two reflected light microscope image stacks were used to test the EDFR plugins: one bright‐field image stack for the fracture of carbon‐epoxy composite and its darkfield corresponding stack at same (x,y,z) spatial coordinates. Image quality analysis consisted of the comparison of signal‐to‐noise ratio and resolution parameters with the consistence of elevation maps, based on roughness and fractal measurements. Darkfield illumination contributed to enhance the homogeneity of images in stack and resulting height maps, reducing the influence of digital image processing choices on the dispersion of topographic measurements. The subtract background filter, as a preprocessing tool, contributed to produce sharper focused images. In general, the increasing of kernel size for EDFR spatial domain‐based solutions will produce smooth height maps. Finally, this work has the main objective to establish suitable guidelines to generate elevation maps by light microscopy. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SOCIAL EXCLUSION, SOCIAL COHESION: DEFINING NARRATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
Authors: de Roldán Karem Sánchez
Published: July 2012

This paper analyzesThe Social Panorama of Latin America, an overview of the social scene in Latin America provided by Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, as a development narrative. In it, there are two interwoven and competing stories, the economic and the social. The gradual appearance and disappearance of key ideas for development, such as social exclusion/inclusion and social cohesion, in the context of concurrent trends in common social indicators, suggest the subordination of the social story to the economic one. Social dimensions of development deserve renewed attention for complete overviews of the social panorama of Latin America. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BEYOND SUBJECTIVE WELL‐BEING: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE STIGLITZ REPORT APPROACH TO SUBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVES ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Authors: White Sarah C. , Gaines Stanley O. , Jha Shreya
Published: July 2012

This paper welcomes the Stiglitz Report's placing of wellbeing at the centre of policy discussions of measuring economic performance and social progress. However, the paper critiques the identification of subjective perspectives on quality of life solely with subjective well‐being. The paper locates subjective well‐being within psychological wellbeing, happiness and quality of life studies more broadly. It argues for attention to concepts, not just techniques, and more engagement with social and political perspectives. It draws on empirical research in Zambia and India to show that context matters and qualitative research is needed to complement quantitative measures of wellbeing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular cloning, structural analysis and mass spectrometric identification of native dioscorins of various yam species
Authors: Tsai Wei‐Yi , Jheng Yi‐Jyun , Chen Kuo‐Hsuan , Lin Kuo‐Wei , Ho Yen‐Pen , Yang Ching‐Chi , Lin Kuo‐Chih
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: Dioscorins are the major storage proteins of yam tubers. However, the molecular nature of their heterogeneity in tubers has not been fully elucidated. In this study the authors isolated the dioscorin gene families of Dioscorea japonica and Dioscorea pseudojaponica, performed matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and elucidated which dioscorin isoforms are the major constituents in tubers.

RESULTS: The dioscorin gene families of D. japonica (Dj‐dioA1‐Dj‐dioA4, Dj‐dioB1 and Dj‐dioB2) and D. pseudojaponica (Dp‐dioA1‐Dp‐dioA5 and Dp‐dioB1) were cloned from cDNA libraries of yam tubers. The dioscorins isolated from Dioscorea alata (Da‐dioscorins), D. japonica (Dj‐dioscorins) and D. pseudojaponica (Dp‐dioscorins) were mainly monomers, with a few dimers. The monomers contained one intramolecular disulfide bond (Cys28‐Cys187) and belonged to Class A dioscorins with two cysteine residues. The dimers consisted of Class B dioscorins with one intermolecular disulfide bond (Cys40‐Cys40). Results of MALDI‐TOF‐MS revealed that the Da‐dioscorins were mainly encoded by Da‐dioA2, Da‐dioA3 and Da‐dioA4. The majority of the Dj‐dioscorins were encoded by Dj‐dioA1, Dj‐dioA2, Dj‐dioA3 and Dj‐dioB2. The Dp‐dioscorins mainly comprised proteins encoded by Dp‐dioA1, Dp‐dioA3, Dp‐dioA4, Dp‐dioB1 and Dp‐dioB2.

CONCLUSION: Determination of the constituents of dioscorin isoforms in yam tubers provides a basis for future studies of their physiological and biomedical functions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Functional and antioxidative properties of protein hydrolysates from Cape hake by‐products prepared by three different methodologies
Authors: Pires Carla , Clemente Teresa , Batista Irineu
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: The production of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) is a convenient technology for upgrading fish by‐products. The aim of this work was to study three different methods of FPH preparation from Cape hake by‐products to improve yield and quality. Functional and antioxidative properties of all FPHs were determined.

RESULTS: The protein content of hake FPH was in the range 807–860 g kg−1 and the degree of hydrolysis was between 19% and 22%. The maximum yield (71.9%) was achieved by methodology B but the hydrolysate was darker. The peptide profile of all FPHs was very similar. FPH prepared by methodology C had significantly higher emulsifying activity index and hydrolysate prepared by methodology B had the highest foaming capacity. The solubility of FPH was in the range 71–76% and increased the water‐holding capacity of minced fish by about 9%. The fractionation of FPH obtained by methodologies A and B allowed concentrating peptides with higher radical scavenging activity and reducing power.

CONCLUSION: The properties of the FPH prepared indicated that they can be used in food systems as natural additives, particularly to improve their water‐holding capacity. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for extremity soft tissue sarcomas: Systematic review of clinical efficacy and quality assessment of reported trials
Authors: Trabulsi N.H. , Patakfalvi L. , Nassif M.O. , Turcotte R.E. , Nichols A. , Meguerditchian A.N.
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives

Extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are managed with radiotherapy and limb‐sparing surgery however aggressive or recurrent cases require amputation. Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) has been proposed as an alternative. Our aim was to systematically review phase II HILP trials, assess tumor response, limb salvage (LS), and quality of scientific publications on this technique.

Methods

We conducted a literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library) and clinical trial registries for phase II HILP trials on non‐resectable extremity STS. Outcomes of interest were complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and LS rates. Quality of published trials was assessed using a quality checklist.

Results

Of 518 patients across 12 studies, 408 had some response (CR or PR), and 428 had the limb spared. Median CR, PR, and LS rates were 31%, 53.5%, and 82.5%, respectively. Median Wieberdink loco‐regional toxicity rates were 3.8%, 45.5%, 17%, 1%, and 0% for levels 1–5, respectively. No trial fulfilled either all ideal or essential quality criteria. Seven trials did not include statistical methodology.

Conclusion

HILP seems effective in treating advanced extremity STS. However, poor publication quality hinders results validity. Technical and methodological standardization, well‐designed, multi‐institutional trials are warranted. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106: 921–928. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Primary aldosteronism
Authors: Carey Robert M.
Published: July 2012

Primary aldosteronism is the most common form of secondary hypertension. Case detection is based on an abnormal plasma aldosterone:plasma renin activity ratio and the diagnosis must be confirmed with an aldosterone suppression test. Subtype differentiation should be performed using adrenal venous sampling. Approximately 50% of patients with primary aldosteronism will have a unilateral aldosterone‐producing adenoma; laparoscopic adrenalectomy results in cure of hypertension in 60% and improvement in blood pressure control in the remainder. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:575–579. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fully automatable two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–reversed phase liquid chromatography with online tandem mass spectrometry for shotgun proteomics
Authors: Zhao Yun , Kong Ricky P. W. , Li Guohui , Lam Maggie P. Y. , Law C. H. , Lee Simon M. Y. , Lam Herman C. , Chu Ivan K.
Published: July 2012

We have developed a fully automatable two‐dimensional liquid chromatography platform for shotgun proteomics analyses based on the online coupling of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) – using a nonionic type of TSKgel Amide 80 at either pH 6.8 (neutral) or 2.7 (acidic) – with conventional low‐pH reversed‐phase chromatography. Online coupling of the neutral‐pH HILIC and reversed phase chromatography systems outperformed the acidic HILIC–reversed phase chromatography combination, resulting in 18.4% (1914 versus 1617 nonredundant proteins) and 41.6% (12,989 versus 9172 unique peptides) increases in the number of identified peptides and proteins from duplicate analyses of Rat pheochromocytoma lysates. Armed with this optimized HILIC–reversed phase liquid chromatography platform, we identified 2554 nonredundant proteins from duplicate analyses of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysate, with the detected protein abundances spanning from approximately 41 to 106 copies per cell, which contained up to approximately 2092 different validated protein species with a dynamic range of concentrations of up to approximately 104. This present study establishes a fully automated platform as a promising methodology to enable online coupling of different hydrophilic HILIC and reversed phase chromatography systems, thereby expanding the repertoire of multidimensional liquid chromatography for shotgun proteomics.
Using Nanosilica to Fine‐Tune Morphology and Properties of Polyamide 6/Poly(propylene) Blends
Authors: Laoutid Fouad , François Damien , Paint Yoann , Bonnaud Leila , Dubois Philippe
Published: July 2012

The effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanosilica on the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide 6 (PA) and poly(propylene) (PP) blends is investigated by extrusion compounding. Depending on the difference between the polymer/nanoparticle interfacial tensions, different morphologies are obtained as highlighted by TEM and SEM. Hydrophobic nanosilica migrates mainly at the PA/PP interface, which leads to a clear refinement of PP droplet size. The macroscopic properties of the hybrid blends are discussed and interpreted in relation with the blend morphology and melt‐mixing procedure. The control over coalescence allows a morphology refinement of the blends and improves mechanical properties.

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Highly efficient unsymmetrical doherty power amplifier with DPD for LTE application
Authors: Xia Jing , Zhu Xiaowei
Published: July 2012

This article presents a highly efficient Doherty power amplifier (DPA) with 4.4% relative signal bandwidth for long‐term evolution (LTE) application at frequency band of 450–470 MHz.To maintain high efficiency at large back‐off power (BOP), the DPA is unsymmetrical and the carrier and peaking amplifiers are implemented to show unequal saturation power. Experimental results using continuous wave signal indicate a power‐added efficiency (PAE) of 64.3% at saturation power of 49.9 dBm and a PAE of 62% at about 6‐dB BOP. For 20 MHz LTE signal, the adjacent channel leakage ratio is −30 dBc and can be improved to −49 dBc by using the digital predistortion technique at an average output power of 41.5 dBm with a PAE of 51%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2352–2356, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27043
Simple efficient resonant coupling wireless power transfer system operating at varying distances between antennas
Authors: Park Jongmin , Lee Sungho , Tak Youndo , Nam Sangwook
Published: July 2012

We found the optimal conditions for an efficient wireless power transfer system (WPTS).In addition, we found that a class‐D power amplifier (PA) has an advantage as a source when the input resistance changes with the position of the receiving antenna. Finally, the proposed WPTS was verified through the experimental results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27062
Development of UWB bandpass filter with reconfigurable notches to suppress IEEE 802.11 a/b services
Authors: Thirumalaivasan K. , Nakkeeran R.
Published: July 2012

This letter presents a developed ultrawideband bandpass filter with reconfigurable notches to suppress the interference from wireless local area network services.The filter with discrete tuning provision is built in microstrip line that consists of ring resonator, interdigital coupling, and embedded open stubs (EOS). The reconfiguration is realized using a pair of fast switching diodes that are placed between EOS and strip line. The filter provides an excellent wide bandwidth (from 1.8 to 7.8 GHz) and rejection performance of −41 dB at 2.6 GHz and −24 dB at 5.3 GHz. The total size of the developed filter with the above features is 39.2 × 6 mm2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2423–2426, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27065
A novel butterfly‐shaped multilayer backward microstrip hybrid coupler for ultrawideband applications
Authors: Ahmed Osama M. H. , Sebak Abdel‐Razik , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: July 2012

In this letter, the numerical analysis and design of aperture‐coupled backward microstrip hybrid coupler for ultrawideband (UWB) multilayer microwave circuits are introduced. The proposed coupler is composed of two microstrip patches located on two stacked substrate layers. This coupler uses a broadside coupling via a rectangular‐shaped slot in the common ground plane (mid‐layer). To achieve broadband characteristics for UWB operation, butterfly‐shaped patches are used. The numerically simulated results using two simulation programs with two different numerical techniques show that the proposed coupler have good insertion losses (both through S21
and coupled S31) variation (less than ±2 dB) and high return loss S11 (greater than 14 dB) with acceptable isolation S41 (about 14 dB) over most of the 3.1–10.6‐GHz frequency band. A 3dB/90°‐backward hybrid coupler prototype is fabricated and then tested experimentally using Agilent E8364B PNA Network Analyzer. Experimental results agree well with the simulated ones. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2231–2237, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27092
Spontaneous and pronase‐induced HER2 truncation increases the trastuzumab binding capacity of breast cancer tissues and cell lines
Authors: Recupero Daniele , Daniele Lorenzo , Marchiò Caterina , Molinaro Luca , Castellano Isabella , Cassoni Paola , Righi Alberto , Montemurro Filippo , Sismondi Piero , Biglia Nicoletta , Viale Giuseppe , Risio Mauro , Sapino Anna
Published: July 2012

A subgroup of HER2‐overexpressing breast tumours co‐expresses p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$, a truncated HER2 receptor that retains a functional HER2 kinase domain but lacks the extracellular domain, thus impairing trastuzumab binding. We evaluated p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$ expression in 99 frozen breast carcinoma samples by western blot analysis. The HER2‐positive cell line BT474 treated with pervanadate or pronase was used as a positive control for p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$ expression. Immunohistochemistry was performed on parallel formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections of the same case series using antibodies directed against either the intra‐ or extra‐cellular binding domain of HER2. In particular, biotinylated trastuzumab (BiotHER) was used to evaluate the binding capacity of the humanized antibody. To avoid a subjective evaluation of the score values and the percentage of immunostained cells, the slides were scanned and automatically analysed. The number of cases with HER2 overexpression (score 3+) and HER2 gene amplification was higher in the p185$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐positive/p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐positive samples than in the p185$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐positive/p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐negative group. Automated analysis confirmed a significantly higher percentage of 3+ scored cells in p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐positive cases. Conversely, the percentage of 2+ scored cells was higher in p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$‐negative cases. The status of the HER2 extracellular domain was then studied using flow cytometry on BT474 cells after pronase enzymatic digestion using trastuzumab and pertuzumab, while the presence of HER2‐HER3 dimers was studied using a proximity‐ligation assay. In vitro experiments showed that short‐term pronase digestion of BT474 cells produced two HER2 fragments (of 95 and 150 kDa, detectable in tissue specimens as well), increased the binding affinity of trastuzumab, reduced the rate of HER2–HER3 dimers, and did not interfere with pertuzumab‐binding capacity. In conclusion, the presence of p95$^{{\rm{HER2}}}$ as detected by western blot analysis does not compromise the immunohistochemical detection of HER2. Our data suggest that a reduction of the receptor steric hindrance as induced by enzymatic shedding may facilitate the binding capacity of trastuzumab. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased circulating apoptotic lymphocytes in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Gemen Eugenie F.A. , Verstegen Ruud H.J. , Leuvenink Jacqueline , de Vries Esther
Published: July 2012

Down syndrome (DS) resembles immunodeficiency with increased infections, auto‐immune diseases, and hematological malignancies. Until now, immunological studies in DS mainly focused on T‐lymphocytes. We recently described a profound B‐lymphocytopenia in children with DS. This could be caused by increased apoptosis. Therefore, we determined expression of flowcytometric markers for apoptosis [Annexin‐V (AV) and propidium iodide (PI)] on peripheral lymphocytes in 72 children with DS and 32 age‐matched controls (AMC). Within the total lymphocyte compartment, apoptosis was more pronounced in DS; it increased with age. Moreover, apoptosis was highest within the B‐lymphocyte compartment which may be a contributing factor to the B‐lymphocytopenia found in DS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1310–1312. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.