bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelin‐1 Stimulates Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells via Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Pathway
Authors: Liang Li , Yu Jifeng , Zhou Wei , Liu N. , E L.L. , Wang D.S. , Liu Hongchen
Published: May 2013

Background: Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is a 21–amino acid peptide with multifunctional regulation. Initial research indicated that ET‐1 is related to the inflammatory pathogenesis of periodontitis and involved in the regulation of cytokines, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The primary aim of this study is to investigate how ET‐1 affects proinflammatory cytokine expression in human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells.

Methods: hPDL cells were obtained from both healthy (H)‐ and periodontitis (P)‐affected periodontal tissues. H‐hPDL and P‐hPDL cells were treated with ET‐1 (1, 10, and 100 nM) for 12, 24, and 48 hours. The untreated cells served as a control. To confirm the specificity of the ET‐1 effects, 100 nM of the specific endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist BQ123 and 100 nM of the specific ETB receptor antagonist BQ788, as negative control, were used. To examine the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in ET‐1–mediated cytokine expression, H‐hPDL and P‐hPDL cells were pretreated with specific inhibitors for extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK1/2) (PD98059), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (SP600125), and p38 kinase (SB203580) for 1 hour before 100 nM ET‐1 stimulation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were evaluated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results: ET‐1 dose‐ and time‐dependently induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 by H‐hPDL and P‐hPDL cells at both mRNA and protein levels. However, ETA and ETB receptor antagonists inhibited the stimulatory effects of ET‐1 on inflammatory cytokine expression in H‐hPDL and P‐hPDL cells. Furthermore, inhibitors of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) significantly reduced ET‐1–stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 expression in H‐hPDL and P‐hPDL cells.

Conclusion: ET‐1 may be involved in the inflammatory process of periodontitis, at least in part, by stimulating proinflammatory cytokine production via the MAPK pathway in hPDL cells.
Suitability of locations in the Bohai Sea, China, for the exploitation of sea ice as a freshwater resource
Authors: Li Lantao , Gu Wei , Liu Chengyu , Xu Yingjun , Chao Jinlong , Li Ying
Published: May 2013

Based on recent studies on sea ice and newly developed technologies, this paper examines the requirements and environmental factors for exploitation of sea ice as a freshwater resource. Considering the ‘mining’ of sea ice, the suitability of locations in the Bohai Sea, China, for exploitation was analysed and evaluated using GIS technology. The ice must be >10 cm thick, the intertidal zone must be narrow and the ‘mining’ area must have a water depth of at least 2 m. The sea areas with feasible resources are located mainly in the nearshore area of northern Liaodong Bay and in a narrow and long area along the coast of Bohai Bay. Most coastal areas of northern Liaodong Bay have favourable conditions, while Bohai Bay is widely constrained by unsuitable conditions. According to the status of the resources and the coastal environment conditions, the eastern and western coasts of northern Liaodong Bay are the most suitable areas for exploitation at the current technological level.
Chicken Cytochrome P450 1A5 Is the Key Enzyme for Metabolizing T-2 Toxin to 3'OH-T-2
Authors: Shang Shufeng , Jiang Jun , Deng Yiqun
Published: May 2013

The transmission of T-2 toxin and its metabolites into the edible tissues of poultry has potential effects on human health. We report that T-2 toxin significantly induces CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 expression in chicken embryonic hepatocyte cells. The enzyme activity assays of CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 heterologously expressed in HeLa cells indicate that only CYP1A5 metabolizes T-2 to 3'OH-T-2 by the 3'-hydroxylation of isovaleryl groups. In vitro enzyme assays of recombinant CYP1A5 expressed in DH5α further confirm that CYP1A5 can convert T-2 into TC-1 (3'OH-T-2). Therefore, CYP1A5 is critical for the metabolism of trichothecene mycotoxin in chickens.
Superoxide Scavenging Effects of Some Novel Bis-Ligands and Their Solvated Metal Complexes Prepared by the Reaction of Ligands with Aluminum, Copper and Lanthanum Ions
Authors: Kobayashi Shigeki , Kanai Sachi
Published: May 2013

Novel antioxidants have been synthesized and characterized by their chemical properties as antioxidants with high superoxide scavenging activity. (2R,3R)-diphenylethylenediamine is a spacer in antioxidants, and we synthesized targets 11a and 11b by conjugation with o-hydroquinone and p-hydroquinone at the two N-termini, respectively. Superoxide scavenging activities of the plant flavonoid-like 11a and 11b were compared with those of known antioxidants, and shown to increase in the following order: curcumin << ascorbic acid < Trolox < ()-epicatechin < 11a < quercetin ≤ 11b . Compound 11a also formed a solvated 11a–metal complex with metal ions. The 11a–Cu2+ complex was shown to have higher superoxide scavenging activity than that of 11a, 11b, Cu2+, and the 11a–Al3+ and 11a–La3+ complexes, whereas the 11a–Al3+ complex increased rather than decreased superoxide levels. The 11a–Al3+ complex did not abstract one electron from the SOMO of O2−. since the HOMO and LUMO phases of Al3+ do not exist in the center of the 11a–Al3+ complex. However, the SOMO of the 11a–Cu2+ complex distributed in the center of Cu2+ may abstract one electron from the SOMO of O2−.. These results suggest that 11a and 11b are powerful antioxidants.
Cession judiciaire et principes contractuels en droit OHADA
Authors: Algadi Aziber Seïd
Published: May 2013

The advent of a collective procedure leads very often to envisage the transfer of the elements of the company among which the contracts which are pillars. The French law, conscious of the importance of contracts, authorizes their authoritarian transfer to facilitate the recovery of the company and it to the detriment of the relativity important to any agreement. This resolution was not the one of the OHBLA law which in order to respect the contractual principles, envisages the transfer of the contracts only throught a convention. Nevertheless, the purely conventional transfer is not the most profitable solution because the creditors of the company can oppose unfounded in the transfer of their contract with the aim of hindering the recovery of the company. It is the reason for which it would be sensible to envisage a judicial transfer fitted out reconciling the respect for the contract and the objective of the recovery.
La cession de créances en droit international privé québécois
Authors: Chakroun Majdi
Published: May 2013

Malgré la complexité de l’opération de la cession de créances internationale, le droit international privé québécois ne l’a réglementé que d’une façon partielle. En effet, l’article 3120 du Code civil du Québec présente une disposition inachevée. Puisqu’elle n’offre qu’une seule solution relative à l’application de la loi du contrat initial, à la cessibilité de la créance et à la relation entre le cédant et le cessionnaire. Par contre cet article a resté silencieux sur plusieurs autres aspects de la transaction. C’est ainsi qu’il faut recourir aux règles générales de droit international privé, au droit conventionnel, et à la jurisprudence de droit comparé pour identifier les lois applicables à l’opposabilité de la cession, à la forme de la cession et au transfert de la créance y compris ses accessoires. Le contrat de cession de créances sera en effet partagé entre plusieurs sources de droit, ce qui affecte la cohérence de l’opération. En outre, la multiplication des lois applicables complique davantage les liens juridiques entre les divers intervenants. Par conséquent, la conservation de l’équilibre entre les nombreux intérêts dignes de protection est loin d’être une tâche aisée.
La bataille des conditions générales contradictoires : étude comparative
Authors: Forti Valerio
Published: May 2013

Cet article étudie l’hypothèse de l’emploi multilatéral de conditions générales contractuelles en contradiction entre elles. Le conflit qui en résulte est métaphoriquement baptisé «battle of the forms», bataille des conditions générales. En cas de dissonance des consentements, le problème qui surgit est double en ce qu’il concerne l’an et le quomodo

de l’accord : l’investigation cherche alors à savoir d’une part si le contrat est venu à l’existence, et d’autre part quel est son contenu. Afin de connaître le vainqueur de la bataille qui verra ses conditions générales intégrées au contenu du contrat, l’auteur passe en revue les différentes solutions dégagées aux niveaux législatif, jurisprudentiel et doctrinal, notamment les règles du dernier tir, du premier tir, de l’élimination des clauses contradictoires, et du tir raisonnable. Pour ce faire, il mène une comparaison en la matière en s’appuyant tant sur certains ordres juridiques nationaux (italien, anglais, néerlandais, allemand, français, américain) que sur des sources supranationales du droit (la Convention des Nations Unies sur les contrats de vente internationale de marchandises, les Principes d’Unidroit et les Principes du droit européen du contrat).
Vers une convergence des droits allemands et français des sociétés ?
Authors: Jung Peter
Published: May 2013

A convergence between the French and the German Corporate Law, still very different in various details, realizes itself on the one hand indirectly by the implementation of European Community Law and on the other hand by the spontaneous interchange of ideas. When the harmonization through EC legislation seems at first glance a reality, it allows, however, in its details a wide scope for discretion in favour of the different national Laws. The outcome concerning the spontaneous convergence by a direct exchange of basic ideas and judicial concepts between the two countries is as well ambiguous. Whereas a decrease of comparative studies and an orientation concentrating more and more on Anglo-Saxon systems is to observe, a convergence turns out regarding general tendencies and principles, which both encourage legislators while answering to certain common problems.
Le phénomène de revitalisation culturelle à Jersey : un exemple d'accompagnement symbolique à la mondialisation
Authors: Fleury Christian , Johnson Henry
Published: May 2013

Ce texte envisage le phénomène de revitalisation culturelle constaté à Jersey comme le contrepoids symbolique à un développement très lié à l’intégration de l’île à la sphère financière mondiale. La première partie explique pourquoi cette évolution a eupour conséquence, à travers l’anglicisation de l’île, le déclin de son héritage normand. La seconde montre que ce profond changement a dans un second temps déclenché une réaction à travers des actions menées dans les domaines de la culture, de la langue et de l’éducation. Dans cet objectif de mettre en évidence les liens dialectiques entre héritage culturel et évolution économique, la récente revitalisation du Jèrriais, déclinaison locale du parler normand, est ici plus particulièrement abordée.
Leveraging the Service Paradigm for Producing Next Generation E-Governance Applications
Authors: Raj Pethuru
Published: May 2013

The 21st century is aptly being termed as e-age. This is with the arrival of a suite of path-breaking and trend-setting computational and communication technologies and tools besides the grand and global installation of wired as well as wireless network infrastructures. As many of yesterday’s concepts, ideas, dreams, vision and desires are being translated into reality today through a host of resilient and robust software, hardware, networking, sensing, perception, and decision-enabling technologies and best practices, it is natural for the total human society to embrace IT and enjoy its direct as well as indirect fruits in a big way with a tinge of assurance. In this context, e-governance methods, platforms, processes and practices also became the cornerstone for effective, efficient, energetic, fast, timely, transparent, and people-centric governance. In this chapter, the author brings forth a new promising, matured, proven, dependable and easy-to-use service technology for designing, developing, deploying, and delivering applications for many of the tasks associated with digitally inspired e-governance. The author has zeroed down on service and cloud technologies as the major drivers for new-generation digital governance. This chapter throws more light on these technologies. Services are stimulating the process-centric approach for application development, modifiability and sustainability. Further on, all kinds of programming models, methods and mechanisms (agile, aspect, component, composite, and event model building blocks) are easily gelling with the supple service paradigm and principles in articulating and actuating dynamic, real-time, instant-on, smart and sophisticated systems.
Tweeting the Spill
Authors: Sutton Jeannette , Spiro Emma , Butts Carter , Fitzhugh Sean , Johnson Britta , Greczek Matt
Published: May 2013

Informal online communication channels are being utilized for official communications in disaster contexts. Channels such as networked microblogging enable public officials to broadcast messages as well as engage in direct communication exchange with individuals. Here the authors investigate online information exchange behaviors of a set of state and federal organizations during the Deepwater Horizon 2010 oil spill disaster. Using data from the popular microblogging service, Twitter, they analyze the roles individual organizations play in the dissemination of information to the general public online, and the conversational aspects of official posts. The authors discuss characteristics and features of the following networks including actor centrality and differential mixing, as well as how structural features may affect information exchange in disasters. This research provides insight into the use of networked communications during an event of heightened public concern, describes implications of conversational features, and suggests directions for future research.
Multilingual Analysis of Twitter News in Support of Mass Emergency Events
Authors: Bügel Ulrich , Zielinski Andrea
Published: May 2013

Social media are increasingly becoming a source for event-based early warning systems in the sense that they can help to detect natural disasters and support crisis management during or after disasters. In this article the authors study the problems of analyzing multilingual twitter feeds for emergency events. Specifically, they consider tsunami and earthquakes as one possible originating cause of tsunami. Twitter messages provide testified information and help to obtain a better picture of the actual situation. Generally, local civil protection authorities and the population are likely to respond in their native language. Therefore, the present work focuses on English as “lingua franca” and on under-resourced Mediterranean languages in endangered zones, particularly Turkey, Greece, and Romania. The authors investigated ten earthquake events and defined four language-specific classifiers that can be used to detect earthquakes by filtering out irrelevant messages that do not relate to the event. The final goal is to extend this work to more Mediterranean languages and to classify and extract relevant information from tweets, translating the main keywords into English. Preliminary results indicate that such a filter has the potential to confirm forecast parameters of tsunami affecting coastal areas where no tide gauges exist and could be integrated into seismographic sensor networks.
Ro60 Requires Y3 RNA for Cell Surface Exposure and Inflammation Associated with Cardiac Manifestations of Neonatal Lupus
Authors: Reed Joanne H. , Sim Soyeong , Wolin Sandra L. , Clancy Robert M. , Buyon Jill P.
Published: May 2013

Cardiac neonatal lupus (NL) is presumed to arise from maternal autoantibody targeting an intracellular ribonucleoprotein, Ro60, which binds noncoding Y RNA and only becomes accessible to autoantibodies during apoptosis. Despite the importance of Ro60 trafficking in the development of cardiac NL, the mechanism underlying cell surface exposure is unknown. To evaluate the influence of Y RNA on the subcellular location of Ro60 during apoptosis and activation of macrophages, stable Ro60 knockout murine fibroblasts expressing wild-type or mutated FLAG-Ro60 were assessed. FLAG3-Ro60(K170A R174A) binds Y RNA, whereas FLAG3-Ro60(H187S) does not bind Y RNA; fibroblasts expressing these constructs showed equivalent intracellular expression of Ro60. In contrast, apoptotic fibroblasts containing FLAG3-Ro60(K170A R174A) were bound by anti-Ro60, whereas FLAG3-Ro60(H187S) was not surface expressed. RNA interference of mY3 RNA in wild-type fibroblasts inhibited surface translocation of Ro60 during apoptosis, whereas depletion of mY1 RNA did not affect Ro60 exposure. Furthermore, Ro60 was not exposed following overexpression of mY1 in the mY3-depleted fibroblasts. In an in vitro model of anti-Ro60–mediated injury, Y RNA was shown to be an obligate factor for TLR-dependent activation of macrophages challenged with anti-Ro60–opsonized apoptotic fibroblasts. Murine Y3 RNA is a necessary factor to support the surface translocation of Ro60, which is pivotal to the formation of immune complexes on apoptotic cells and a TLR-dependent proinflammatory cascade. Accordingly, the Y3 RNA moiety of the Ro60 ribonucleoprotein imparts a critical role in the pathogenicity of maternal anti-Ro60 autoantibodies.
Diagnosing the average spatio-temporal impact of convective systems – Part 1: A methodology for evaluating climate models
Authors: Johnston M. S. , Eriksson P. , Eliasson S. , Zelinka M. D. , Forbes R. M. , Wyser K.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. A~method to determine the mean response of upper tropospheric water to localised deep convective (DC) events is improved and applied to the EC-Earth climate model. Following Zelinka and Hartmann (2009), several fields related to moist processes and radiation are composited with respect to local maxima in rain rate to determine their spatio-temporal evolution with deep convection in the central Pacific Ocean. Major improvements to the above study are the isolation of DC events in time so as to prevent multiple sampling of the same event, and a revised definition of the mean background state that allows for better characterization of the DC-induced anomalies. The DC events observed in this study propagate westward at ~ 4 m s−1. Both the upper tropospheric relative humidity and outgoing longwave radiation are substantially perturbed over a broad horizontal extent during peak convection and for long periods of time. Cloud fraction anomaly increases throughout the upper troposphere, especially in the 200–250 hPa layer, reaching peak coverage following deep convection. Cloud ice water content anomaly confined to pressures greater than about 250 hPa and peaks near 450 hPa within a few hours of the DC event but remain enhanced following the DC event. Consistent with the large increase in upper tropospheric cloud ice, albedo increases dramatically and persists for sometime following the DC event. Applying the method to the model demonstrates that it is able to capture the large-scale responses to DC events, most notably for outgoing longwave radiation, but there are a number of important differences. For example, the DC signature of upper tropospheric humidity consistently covers a broader horizontal area than what is observed. In addition, the DC events move eastward in the model, but westward in the observations, and exhibit an unrealistic 24 h repeat cycle. Moreover, the modeled upper tropospheric cloud fraction anomalies – despite being of comparable magnitude and exhibiting similar longevity – are confined to a thinner layer that is closer to the tropopause and peak earlier than in observations. Finally, the modeled ice water content anomalies at pressures greater than about 350 hPa are about twice as large as in the observations and do not persist as long after peak convection.
Discontinuities and Alfvénic fluctuations in the solar wind
Authors: Paschmann G. , Haaland S. , Sonnerup B. , Knetter T.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. We examine the Alfvénicity of a set of 188 solar wind directional discontinuities (DDs) identified in the Cluster data from 2003 by Knetter (2005), with the objective of separating rotational discontinuities (RDs) from tangential ones (TDs). The DDs occurred over the full range of solar wind velocities and magnetic shear angles. By performing the Walén test in the de Hoffmann–Teller (HT) frame, we show that 77 of the 127 crossings for which a good HT frame was found had plasma flow speeds exceeding 80% of the Alfvén speed at an average angular deviation of 7.7°; 33 cases had speeds exceeding 90% of the Alfvén speed at an average angle of 6.4°. We show that the angular deviation between flow velocity (in the HT frame) and the Alfvén velocity can be obtained from a reduced form of the Walén correlation coefficient. The corresponding results from the Walén test expressed in terms of jumps in flow speed and corresponding jumps in Alfvén speed are similar: 66 of the same 127 cases had velocity jumps exceeding 80% with average angular deviation of 5.8°, and 22 exceeding 90% of the jump in Alfvén speed, with average angular deviation 6.2°. We conclude that a substantial fraction of the 127 events can be identified as RDs. We present further evidence for coupling across the DDs by showing that, for most of the 127 crossings, the HT frame velocities, evaluated separately on the two sides of the DD, are nearly the same – a result required for RDs but not for TDs. We also show that the degree of Alfvénicity is nearly the same for the DDs and fluctuations in which the DDs are embedded. Whatever process causes deviations from ideal Alfvénicity appears to operate equally for the DDs as for the surrounding fluctuations. Finally, our study has established a unique relation between the strahl electron pitch angle and the sign of the Walén slope, implying antisunward propagation in the plasma frame for all 127 cases.
Frontal Sinus Surgery Anterior to the Ethmoid Bulla
Authors: Ji Junfeng , Zhou Mei , Li Zeqing , Wang Tianyou , Cheng You , Wang Qiuping
Published: May 2013

The frontal sinus surgery is difficult to perform but the ethmoid bulla is a relative, constant landmark in the middle turbinate that can improve the surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity, security, and predominance of approaches to the frontal sinus via the route anterior to the ethmoid bulla. The data from 370 endoscopic frontal sinus surgery cases from our center were integrated and retrospectively analyzed. Three hundred twenty-nine patients underwent frontal sinus surgery via the route anterior to the ethmoid bulla. An additional 27 patients underwent frontal sinus surgery with mini-trephination, 13 patients with the Draf II procedure, and 1 patient had applied MELP (modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure). No serious complications occurred; however, there were 3 cases of eyelid ecchymosis and 1 case of anterior ethmoid artery bleeding. In all, 319 patients (86.2%) were cured, an improvement was noted in 36 of the patients (9.7%), and there was no improvement in 15 patients (4.1%). Frontal sinus surgery via the route anterior to the ethmoid bulla is valid, relatively safe, and can be applied in most cases involving frontal disease.
CHARACTERIZATION OF HOVI‐MEH1, A MICROSOMAL EPOXIDE HYDROLASE FROM THE GLASSY‐WINGED SHARPSHOOTER Homalodisca vitripennis
Authors: Kamita Shizuo G. , Oshita Grant H. , Wang Peng , Morisseau Christophe , Hammock Bruce D. , Nandety Raja Sekhar , Falk Bryce W.
Published: May 2013

Epoxide hydrolase (EH) is an enzyme in the α/β‐hydrolase fold superfamily that uses a water molecule to transform an epoxide to its corresponding diol. In insects, EHs metabolize among other things critical developmental hormones called juvenile hormones (JHs). EHs also play roles in the detoxification of toxic compounds that are found in the insect's diet or environment. In this study, a full‐length cDNA encoding an epoxide hydrolase, Hovi‐mEH1, was obtained from the xylem‐feeding insect Homalodisca vitripennis. H. vitripennis, commonly known as the glassy‐winged sharpshooter, is an economically important vector of plant pathogenic bacteria such as Xylella fastidiosa. Hovi‐mEH1 hydrolyzed the general EH substrates cis‐stilbene oxide and trans‐diphenylpropene oxide with specific activities of 47.5 ± 6.2 and 1.3 ± 0.5 nmol of diol formed min−1 mg−1, respectively. Hovi‐mEH1 metabolized JH III with a Vmax of 29.3 ± 1.6 nmol min−1 mg−1, kcat of 0.03 s−1, and KM of 13.8 ± 2.0 μM. These Vmax and kcat values are similar to those of known JH metabolizing EHs from lepidopteran and coleopteran insects. Hovi‐mEH1 showed 99.1% identity to one of three predicted EH‐encoding sequences that were identified in the transcriptome of H. vitripennis. Of these three sequences only Hovi‐mEH1 clustered with known JH metabolizing EHs. On the basis of biochemical, phylogenetic, and transcriptome analyses, we hypothesize that Hovi‐mEH1 is a biologically relevantJH‐metabolizing enzyme in H. vitripennis.
Influence of Glucuronidation and Reduction Modifications of Resveratrol on its Biological Activities
Authors: Lu Dong‐Liang , Ding De‐Jun , Yan Wen‐Jing , Li Ran‐Ran , Dai Fang , Wang Qi , Yu Sha‐Sha , Li Yan , Jin Xiao‐Ling , Zhou Bo
Published: May 2013

Resveratrol (3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene, RES), a star among dietary polyphenols, shows a wide range of biological activities, but it is rapidly and extensively metabolized into its glucuronide and sulfate conjugates as well as to the corresponding reduced products. This begs the question of whether the metabolites of RES contribute to its in vivo biological activity. To explore this possibility, we synthesized its glucuronidation (3‐GR and 4′‐GR) and reduction (DHR) metabolites, and evaluated the effect of these structure modifications on biological activities, including binding ability with human serum albumin (HSA), antioxidant activity in homogeneous solutions and heterogeneous media, anti‐inflammatory activity, and cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. We found that 1) 4′‐GR, DHR and RES show nearly equal binding to HSA, mainly through hydrogen bonding, whereas 3‐GR adopts a quite different orientation mode upon binding, thereby resulting in reduced ability; 2) 3‐GR shows comparable (even equal) ability to RES in FRAP‐ and AAPH‐induced DNA strand breakage assays; DHR, 3‐GR, and 4′‐GR exhibit anti‐hemolysis activity comparable to that of RES; additionally, 3‐GR and DHR retain some degree activity of the parent molecule in DPPH.‐scavenging and cupric ion‐initiated oxidation of LDL assays, respectively; 3) compared to RES, 4′‐GR displays equipotent ability in the inhibition of COX‐2, and DHR presents comparable activity in inhibiting NO production and growth of SMMC‐7721 cells. Relative to RES, its glucuronidation and reduction metabolites showed equal, comparable, or some degree of activity in the above assays, depending on the specific compound and test model, which probably supports their roles in contributing to the in vivo biological activities of the parent molecule.
Experimental evaluation of pharmacokinetic profile and biological effect of a novel paclitaxel microcrystalline balloon coating in the iliofemoral territory of swine
Authors: Buszman Piotr P. , Milewski Krzysztof , Żurakowski Aleksander , Pajak Jacek , Jelonek Michał , Gasior Paweł , Peppas Athanasios , Tellez Armando , Granada Juan F. , Buszman Paweł E.
Published: May 2013

Background

New paclitaxel coated balloons (PCB) developments have been proposed to maintain therapeutic levels of drug in the tissue while decreasing particle release. In this series of studies, we evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile and biological effects after paclitaxel delivery via novel microcrystalline PCB coating (mcPCB, Pax®, Balton) in porcine iliofemoral arteries. Methods: Ten domestic swine were enrolled yielding 24 iliofemoral segments for evaluation. In the pharmacokinetic study, nine mcPCBs were dilated for 60 sec and animals sacrificed after 1 hr, 3 and 7 days. Studied segments were harvested and tissue paclitaxel concentration was analyzed utilizing HPLC. In the biological response evaluation, self‐expandable stents were implanted followed by post dilation with either mcPCB (n = 10) or POBA (n = 5). After 28 days, angiography was performed, animals were sacrificed and stented segments harvested for histopathological evaluation. Results: The 1‐hr, 3 and 7 days vessel paclitaxel concentrations were 152.9 ± 154.5, 36.5 ± 49.5, and 0.9 ± 0.7 ng/mg respectively. In the biological response study, stents in the mcPCB group presented lower angiographic measures of neointimal hyperplasia as expressed by late loss when compared to POBA (−0.43 ± 0.9 vs. 0.23 ± 1.2; P = 0.24) at 28 days. In the histopathological evaluation, percent area of stenosis (%AS) was reduced by 42% in the mcPCB group (P < 0.05). The healing process in mcPCB group was comparable to POBA with regard to fibrin deposition (0.7 vs. 0.7; P = ns), neointimal maturity (1.97 vs. 1.93; P = ns), inflammation score (0.92 vs. 1; P = ns) and endothelialization score (1.77 vs. 1.73; P = ns). The mcPCB group did however display a greater tendency of medial cell loss and mineralization (60% vs. 0; P = 0.08). Conclusions: Delivery of paclitaxel via a novel mcPCB resulted in low long‐term tissue retention of paclitaxel. However, this technological approach displayed reduced neointimal proliferation and favorable healing profile. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ChemInform Abstract: BiN3O9, a Metastable Perovskite Phase with Bi/Vacancy Ordering: Crystal Structure and Dielectric Properties.
Authors: Mumme William G. , Grey Ian E. , Edwards Bryce , Turner Christopher , Nino Juan , Vanderah Terrell A.
Published: May 2013

The perovskite BiNb3O9 is a metastable phase in the Bi2O3—Nb2O5 system that forms only when cooled from a liquid phase.
ChemInform Abstract: Star‐Shaped Polymers with the Fullerene C60 Branching Center
Authors: Vinogradova L. V.
Published: May 2013

Review: syntheses, functionalization and properties; 92 refs.
Comparison of Chiral Separations of Aminophosphonic Acids and Their Aminocarboxylic Acid Analogs Using a Crown Ether Column
Authors: Barnhart Wesley W. , Xia Xiaoyang , Jensen Randy , Gahm Kyung H.
Published: May 2013

Crown ethers are capable of complexing with primary amines and have been utilized in chromatography to separate amino acid racemates. This application has been extended to resolve (1‐amino‐1‐phenylmethyl)phosphonic acid and (1‐aminoethyl)phosphonic acid racemates, along with their aminocarboxylic acid analogs (2‐phenylglycine and alanine, respectively), via a ChiroSil RCA crown ether based chiral stationary phase. Effects of the organic modifier, temperature, and acid type and concentration on retention and selectivity were also investigated. Trends in retention and selectivity varied between aminophosponic acids and their aminocarboxylic analogs. Computer modeling and 1H NMR analyses were performed to potentially gain a better understanding of interactions of the aforementioned molecules with the ChiroSil RCA chiral stationary phase. Theoretical predictions of the most stable conformations for (R)‐ and (S)‐enantiomers were compared to elution order; it was found that the elution order agreed with molecular modeling such that the longest retention correlated with the predicted most stable complex between the enantiomer and crown ether. 1H NMR demonstrated interactions of aminophosphonic and aminocarboxylic racemates with (+)‐(18‐crown‐6)‐2,3,11,12‐tetracarboxylic acid in solution and was utilized to determine enantiomeric excess of (1‐amino‐1‐phenylmethyl)phosphonic acid after its enantioenrichment via crystallization through diastereomeric salt formation with the crown ether followed by filtration. Chirality 25:369–378, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pilot Tests in Organophilic Pervaporation: Membrane, Module and Simulation – An Overall Concept
Authors: Matuschewski Heike , Schiffmann Patrick , Notzke Heiko , Wolff Thorsten , Schedler Uwe , Brinkmann Torsten , Repke Jens‐Uwe
Published: May 2013

Die kontinuierlich wachsenden Anforderungen an Produktreinheit und ansteigende Energiekosten erfordern neue, energieeffiziente technologische Ansätze in der chemischen Industrie. Speziell die selektive Abtrennung von organischen Verbindungen aus wässrigen und organischen Mischungen wird in Zukunft eine bedeutende Rolle spielen. Die organophile Pervaporation ist eine innovative Technologie für diese Trennaufgaben. Ein Gesamtkonzept für das Design eines Membranmoduls für die Pervaporation wird präsentiert. Dieses Konzept beinhaltet die Entwicklung einer hoch‐selektiven Membran und das Design eines neuen Membranmoduls. Für die strukturierte Simulation der Trennleistung der Membran und des Membranmoduls werden drei sequentielle Modelle erstellt und in einem benutzerfreundlichen Software‐Tool implementiert.
Mapping Protein Conformational Energy Landscapes Using NMR and Molecular Simulation
Authors: Guerry Paul , Mollica Luca , Blackledge Martin
Published: May 2013

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides detailed understanding of the nature and extent of protein dynamics on physiologically important timescales. We present recent advances in the combination of NMR with state‐of‐the‐art molecular simulation that are providing unique new insight into the motions on timescales from nanoseconds to milliseconds. In particular, we focus on methods based on residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) that allow for detailed mapping of the protein conformational energy landscape. A novel combination of RDCs with accelerated molecular dynamics allows for the development of ensemble representations of the underlying Boltzmann ensemble.
Selection on the Drosophila seminal fluid protein Acp62F
Authors: Wong Alex , Rundle Howard
Published: May 2013

Sperm competition and sexual conflict are thought to underlie the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins in many taxa. While comparative data are generally consistent with these hypotheses, few manipulative tests have been conducted and those that have provided contradictory results in some cases. Here, we use both comparative and experimental techniques to investigate the evolution of the Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid protein Acp62F, a protease inhibitor for which extensive functional tests have yielded ambiguous results. Using between‐species sequence comparisons, we show that Acp62F has been subject to recurrent positive selection. In addition, we experimentally evolved populations polymorphic for an Acp62F null allele over eight generations, manipulating the opportunities for natural and sexual selection. We found that the Acp62F null allele increased in frequency in the presence of natural selection, with no effect of sexual selection.
Design and Synthesis of Oligoamide‐Based Double α‐Helix Mimetics
Authors: Kulikov Oleg V. , Thompson Sam , Xu Hai , Incarvito Christopher D. , Scott Richard T. W. , Saraogi Ishu , Nevola Laura , Hamilton Andrew D.
Published: May 2013

An extensive series of bis‐oligobenzamides and bis‐oligopyridylamides have been efficiently prepared and studied by X‐ray analysis and computational methods. A modular synthesis led to double α‐helix mimics bearing between two and ten branched side‐chains. The inter‐helix angle and distance can be tuned by varying the length and rigidity of the spacer, thereby reproducing the recognition domains of a range of super‐secondary structures.
BODIPY Dyes Functionalized with Pendant Cyclic and Acyclic Polyamines
Authors: Volkova Yulia A. , Brizet Bertrand , Harvey Pierre D. , Averin Alexey D. , Goze Christine , Denat Franck
Published: May 2013

The synthesis and characterization of a series of BODIPY derivatives substituted with acyclic and cyclic polyamines, in particular, cyclen and homocyclen, are reported. The 19F NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopic data of these compounds are discussed. One compound was found to be very selective for CuII ions, which makes it a very promising system for CuII detection.
Onset of Darcy‐Brinkman Convection in a Binary Viscoelastic Fluid‐Saturated Porous Layer with Internal Heat Source
Authors: Gaikwad S.N. , Kouser Shaheen
Published: May 2013

The onset of Darcy‐Brinkman convection in a binary viscoelastic fluid‐saturated sparsely packed porous layer with an internal heat source is studied using both linear and nonlinear stability analyses. The Oldroyd‐B model is employed to describe the rheological behavior of binary fluid. An extended form of the Darcy‐Oldroyd law incorporating Brinkman's correction and time derivative is used to describe the flow through a porous layer. The onset criterion for stationary, oscillatory, and finite amplitude convection is derived analytically. There is a competition between the processes of thermal diffusion, solute diffusion, and viscoelasticity that causes the convection to set in through an oscillatory mode rather than a stationary mode. The effect of internal Rayleigh number, relaxation and retardation parameters, solute Rayleigh number, Darcy number, Darcy‐Prandtl number, and Lewis number on the stability of a system is investigated and is shown graphically. The nonlinear theory based on the truncated representation of the Fourier series method is used to find heat and mass transfer. The transient behavior of the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers is obtained using numerical methods. Some known results are recovered for the particular cases of the present study. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 42(8): 676–703, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21056
Biocompatibility of functionalized designer self‐assembling nanofiber scaffolds containing FRM motif for neural stem cells
Authors: Zou Zhenwei , Liu Ting , Li JingFeng , Li Pindong , Ding Qian , Peng Gang , Zheng Qixin , Zeng Xianlin , Wu Yongchao , Guo Xiaodong
Published: May 2013

Peptide self‐assembling scaffolds have been widely used in tissue engineering. Much work has been focused on modifying the self‐assembling scaffolds with functional motifs for desired biological activities. We report here the development of a biological material designed specifically for neural tissue engineering (NTE). Using RADA‐16 (AcN–RADARADARADARADA–CONH2) as a base scaffold, we synthesized a 31 amino acid peptide RADA‐FRM (AcN–RADARADARADARADAGGSIDRVEPYSSTAQ–CONH2) containing the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)‐derived mimetic peptide FRM (SIDRVEPYSSTAQ), which could undergo self‐assembly into a nanofiber scaffold. We tested the characterization of the nanofiber scaffold using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and accessed the rheological properties of FRM‐containing nanofiber scaffold (FRM‐NS). Then we examined its biocompatibility on neural stem cells (NSCs) from neonatal rats. Regrettably, we found that FRM‐NS had no effect on differentiation of NSCs. However, we tested that FRM‐NS was noncytotoxic. Furthermore, compared to pure RADA‐16 scaffold, we found that the designer self‐assembling peptide scaffold containing FRM motif could significantly promote NSCs proliferation and stimulate NSCs migration into the three‐dimensional scaffold. Our results indicate that the novel designer peptide scaffold containing FRM had excellent biocompatibility with NSCs and may be useful for central nervous tissue repair. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1286–1293, 2014.
Rheological studies of polysaccharides for skin scaffolds
Authors: Almeida Nalinda , Mueller Anja , Hirschi Stanley , Rakesh Leela
Published: May 2013

Polysaccharide hydrogels are good candidates for skin scaffolds because of their inherent biocompatibility and water transport properties. In the current study, hydrogels were made from a mixture of four polysaccharides: xanthan gum, konjac gum, iota‐carrageenan, and kappa‐carrageenan. Gel formation, strength, and structure of these polysaccharides were studied using rheological and thermal techniques. All gel samples studied were strong gels at all times because of the gradual water loss. However, after 12 h of storage, elastic (G') and loss (G'') moduli of hydrogel mixture containing all the ingredients is of one to two orders of magnitude greater than that of mixtures not containing either xanthan gum or iota‐carrageenan, which confirmed the varied levels of gel strength. This is mainly due to the rate of water loss in each of these mixtures, resulting in gels of varying structures and dynamic moduli over a period of time. Iota‐carrageenan and xanthan gum differ in their effect on gel strength and stability in combination with konjac gum and kappa‐carrageenan. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1510–1517, 2014.
Kidney Stones: A Fetal Origins Hypothesis
Authors: Howles Sarah A , Edwards Mark H , Cooper Cyrus , Thakker Rajesh V
Published: May 2013

Kidney stones are common, with a multifactorial etiology involving dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. In addition, patients with nephrolithiasis are at greater risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis, although the basis for this is not fully understood. All of these renal stone–associated conditions have also been linked with adverse early-life events, including low–birth weight, and it has been suggested that this developmental effect is due to excess exposure to maternal glucocorticoids in utero. This is proposed to result in long-term increased hypothalamic-pituitary-axis activation; there are mechanisms through which this effect could also promote urinary lithogenic potential. We therefore hypothesize that the association between renal stone disease and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis may be related by a common pathway of programming in early life, which, if validated, would implicate the developmental origins hypothesis in the etiology of nephrolithiasis. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Heuristic control of kinetic energy in dynamic reaction coordinate calculations
Authors: Hellweg Arnim
Published: May 2013

For the understanding and prediction of chemical reactions, detailed knowledge of the minimum energy path between reactants and transition state is of utmost importance. Stewart et al. (J. Comput. Chem. 1987, 8, 1117) proposed the usage of molecular trajectories calculated from Newton's equations of motion for an efficient reaction path following. Two operational modes are possible thereby: intrinsic (IRC) and dynamic reaction coordinate calculations (DRC). The technical difference between these modes is that in an IRC calculation the kinetic energy of the nuclei is quenched while the total energy is conserved in DRC calculations. In this work, a heuristic control methodology of atomic kinetic energies in DRC calculations using fuzzy logic is proposed. A diversified test set of 10 reactions has been collected to examine the performance of this approach. Fuzzy rule‐based models are found to be a convenient way to make the determination of accessible paths of chemical reactions computationally efficient. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential effect of hypoxia on etoposide‐induced DNA damage response and p53 regulation in different cell types
Authors: Sermeus Audrey , Rebucci Magali , Fransolet Maude , Flamant Lionel , Desmet Déborah , Delaive Edouard , Arnould Thierry , Michiels Carine
Published: May 2013

Among the main causes of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy are p53 mutation and hypoxic tumor microenvironment. However, the effect of hypoxia can be very different from one cell type to the other. We studied the effect of hypoxia on the etoposide‐induced cell death in two cancer cell lines, HepG2 and A549 cells. Hypoxia decreased etoposide‐induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells but not in A549 cells. Here, we evidenced two pathways, known to play important roles in cancer cell resistance, that are differently affected by hypoxia in these two cell types. First, in HepG2 cells, hypoxia decreased p53 protein level and activity by acting post‐transcriptionally and independently of HIF‐1. The results suggest an effect of hypoxia on p53 translation. On the other hand, in A549 cells, no effect of hypoxia was observed on p53 level. Secondly, hypoxia decreased DNA damage response in HepG2 cells while this was not the case in A549 cells. Indeed, a decrease in the phosphorylation level of CHK2 and H2AX with a decrease in ATM activity was observed. Importantly, these results evidenced that hypoxia can prevent cancer cell apoptosis by acting at different levels in the cell and that these effects are strongly cell‐type dependent. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2365–2376, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MicroRNAs support the monophyly of enteropneust hemichordates
Authors: Peterson Kevin J. , Su Yi‐Hsien , Arnone Maria Ina , Swalla Billie , King Benjamin L.
Published: May 2013

Understanding the evolutionary history of deuterostomes requires elucidating the phylogenetic interrelationships amongst the constituent taxa. Although the monophyly and interrelationships among the three principal groups—the chordates, the echinoderms, and the hemichordates—are well established, as are the internal relationships among the echinoderm and chordate taxa, the interrelationships among the principal groups of hemichordates—the harrimaniid enteropneusts, the ptychoderid enteropneusts, and the pterobranchs—remain unresolved. Depending on the study some find enteropneusts paraphyletic with pterobranchs (e.g.,Cephalodiscus) more closely related to the harrimaniid enteropneusts (e.g.,Saccoglossus) than either are to the ptychoderid enteropneusts (e.g.,Ptychodera), whereas other studies support a monophyletic Enteropneusta. To try and resolve between these two competing hypotheses, we turned to microRNAs, small ∼22 nt non‐coding RNA genes that have been shown to shed insight into particularly difficult phylogenetic questions. Using deep sequencing we characterized the small RNA repertoires of two hemichordate species,Cephalodiscus hodgsoniandPtychodera flava, and the crinoid echinodermAntedon mediterranea, and combined our results with the described complements of the hemichordateSaccoglossus kowalevskii, the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus purpuratus, and the starfishPatiria miniata. Our data unambiguously support the monophyly of Enteropneusts asS. kowalevskiishares 12 miRNA sequences withP. flavathat are not present in theC. hodgsoniorA. mediterranealibraries, and have never been reported from another metazoan taxon. Thus, these data resolve the phylogenetic position of pterobranchs, ultimately allowing for a better understanding of body plan evolution throughout the deuterostomes.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B: 368–374, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.