bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterização das exigências nutricionais de mudas de Pfaffia glomerata em Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico pela técnica do nutriente faltante
Authors: Skrebsky Etiane Caldeira , Nicoloso Fernando Teixeira , Maldaner Joseila , Rauber Renata , Castro Gabriel Y , Jucoski Gládis de Oliveira , Santos Danilo Rheinheimer dos
Published: May 2008

Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar as exigências nutricionais de mudas de ginseng brasileiro (Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen) em Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico pela técnica do nutriente faltante. Plantas de P. glomerata produzidas in vitro e aclimatizadas ex vitro foram usadas como material inicial para o experimento em casa de vegetação. Aos 10 dias após o transplante para o solo, através de soluções nutritivas, foram realizadas as adubações correspondentes a nove tratamentos: controle (sem adubação), adubação completa (com macro e micronutrientes) e as omissões individuais de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e dos micronutrientes (Zn, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Mo). Aos 60 dias de cultivo, avaliaram-se os parâmetros de crescimento das plantas. O número de folhas por planta foi o parâmetro de crescimento mais afetado pela ausência dos nutrientes N, K, S e P na adubação. O efeito da omissão dos nutrientes na adubação foi diferenciado quanto à partição de biomassa entre os órgãos da planta. A biomassa acumulada pela parte aérea obedeceu à seguinte ordem decrescente, em relação à omissão do nutriente: Mg @ micronutrientes > Ca @ adubação completa > P > S > K > N @ controle. Já a biomassa radicular obedeceu à seguinte ordem decrescente: Mg @ adubação completa ³ P ³ micronutrientes ³ S ³ Ca > N > K @ controle. Plantas jovens de P. glomerata cultivadas em Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico apresentaram grande redução no crescimento pela ausência de N, K, S e P na adubação. As omissões de Mg e dos micronutrientes na adubação não foram limitantes para o crescimento das plantas jovens.
Otimização de protocolo para micropropagação da figueira "Roxo de Valinhos"
Authors: Ferreira Ester Alice , Pasqual Moacir
Published: May 2008

Foram avaliados os efeitos de alterações na concentração de sacarose, do meio WPM - Wood Plant Medium - e da variação no número de gemas por segmento com diferentes doses de cinetina. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Cultura de Tecidos da Universidade Federal de Lavras, utilizando plântulas previamente estabelecidas in vitro, seguindo o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 4. Os resultados mostraram que, na multiplicação de brotações de figueira "Roxo de Valinhos", podem-se usar 100% do meio WPM com adição de 10gL-1 de sacarose. Foram obtidos brotos alongados quando foi usado o meio WPM sem adição de cinetina e segmentos com uma ou duas gemas. A adição de cinetina a 0,5mgL-1 e a utilização de segmentos com três gemas promoveu maior número de brotações.
Gestão de recursos hídricos: perspectivas do consumo per capita de água em Cuiabá
Authors: Silva Welitom Ttatom Pereira da , Silva Luciane Maria da , Chichorro José Franklim
Published: May 2008

Nesse trabalho buscou-se identificar o grau de participação das variáveis sócio-econômicas e climáticas na determinação do consumo per capita de água e propor um modelo estatístico capaz de projetar a demanda por água na região de Cuiabá. Os resultados indicaram a não interveniência das variáveis climáticas no fenômeno. Contribuíram à definição do consumo as variáveis classe sócio-econômica e o consumo per capita de energia elétrica. O modelo proposto para projeção do consumo apresentou R² de 0,7947; os resíduos não apresentaram distribuição normal, o que sugere ajustes. Essa ferramenta, associada à percepção das potencialidades e das limitações por gestores de recursos hídricos e formuladores de políticas públicas, pode ser utilizada na regulação do consumo per capita, e, desse modo, alcançar a otimização dos recursos disponíveis e, ainda, contribuir para a perspectiva sustentável dos recursos hídricos.
Influência do óleo de linhaça sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras semipesadas
Authors: Costa Fernando Guilherme Perazzo , Souza Janete Gouveia de , Silva José Humberto Vilar da , Rabello Carlos Bôa-Viagem , Goulart Cláudia de Castro , Lima Neto Raul da Cunha
Published: May 2008

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a influência da adição de óleo de linhaça em substituição ao óleo de soja em rações para poedeiras semipesadas sobre o desempenho e a qualidade interna e externa dos ovos. Utilizaram-se 192 poedeiras da linhagem Bovans Godline com 29 semanas de idade, distribuídas em seis tratamentos, que consistiram de uma dieta controle (sem óleo vegetal) e de cinco dietas contendo 0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0% de óleo de linhaça em substituição, respectivamente, a 100, 75, 50, 25 ou 0% do óleo de soja. Avaliaram-se a produção (PROD), o peso (PO) e a massa de ovo (MO), as conversões por massa (CMO) e por dúzia de ovos (CDZ), os pesos e as porcentagens de albúmen, gema e casca, a gravidade específica, os teores de matéria seca, cinzas e proteína do albúmen e da gema e o teor de colesterol e a coloração da gema. A produção, o peso do ovo, a massa de ovo e as conversões por massa e por dúzia de ovos, bem como a qualidade interna e externa dos ovos, não foram influenciados pelos níveis de óleo de linhaça na ração. Do mesmo modo, não houve efeito da inclusão de óleo de linhaça sobre a composição química dos ovos e somente a coloração da gema foi intensificada quando utilizados níveis acima de 1% de óleo de linhaça na dieta. A adição de até 2% de óleo de linhaça na ração não altera o desempenho de poedeiras semipesadas nem a qualidade interna e externa e o teor de colesterol dos ovos.
Perfil aromático e qualidade química da carne de caprinos Saanen alimentados com diferentes níveis de concentrado
Authors: Madruga Marta Suely , Galvão Mércia de Sousa , Costa Roberto Germano , Beltrão Sandra Elisabeth Santiago , Santos Neube Michel dos , Carvalho Fernanda Monteiro de , Viaro Vaneska Delgado
Published: May 2008

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito do nível de concentrado na dieta sobre a qualidade da carne de caprinos machos Saanen não-castrados. Foram utilizados 15 cabritos com peso vivo inicial de 16 ± 0,3 kg e 4 meses de idade alimentados com dietas formuladas com 80, 65 ou 50% de concentrado até que atingissem 22 kg de peso vivo médio final. As rações foram formuladas para promover ganho de peso de 150 g/animal/dia. Nas 15 paletas caprinas, foram avaliados a composição centesimal, a cor, a textura, o pH, o perfil lipídico e o perfil de componentes voláteis. Os níveis de concentrado e volumoso utilizados na alimentação dos caprinos Saanen não influenciaram os parâmetros químicos e físico-químicos de umidade, cinzas, proteínas, colesterol, fosfolipídios, pH, Aw, a*, b*, L* da carne. No entanto, a concentração de gordura, os percentuais de ácidos graxos insaturados (mono e poli) e a textura da carne diferiram significativamente entre os níveis de concentrado usados. Tanto na análise qualitativa quanto na quantitativa de componentes voláteis, o extrato da carne de caprinos alimentados com 50% de concentrado apresentou melhor qualidade aromática. A relação 50:50 volumoso:concentrado foi a mais viável para a alimentação de caprinos machos Saanen para abate aos 22 kg de peso vivo, considerando os aspectos de redução de custo e qualidade química e aromática da carne caprina produzida.
Caracterização micrográfica de próteses dentais de alumina infiltrada com vidro de lantânio e sua correlação com a resistência à flexão por três pontos
Authors: Ogasawara T. , Silva P.T.G. , Silva R.C. , Pinto V.B.B.
Published: May 2008

Estudou-se a infiltração (em diferentes condições) do vidro de lantânio em alumina parcialmente sinterizada e a sua relação com a resistência à flexão. As barras de In-Ceram Alumina, fraturadas em flexão por 3 pontos, foram lixadas, polidas e caracterizadas por microscopias ótica e eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Foram usadas 10 barras para cada condição operacional. Resultados: (a) A MEV confirma que os núcleos de barras In-Ceram Alumina (sinterizados a 1120ºC durante 2h) infiltrados a 1100ºC durante 6h contém menos vidro de lantânio do que aqueles das barras infiltradas durante 6h a 1110ºC; (b) A micrografia ótica confirma que os núcleos de barras In-Ceram Alumina (sinterizada a 1120ºC durante 2h) infiltrada durante 6h (ou 2h) nas temperaturas de 1100ºC, 1100ºC, 1120ºC e 1130ºC não se diferem notavelmente; (c) A MEV mostra que a microestrutura interna de barras In-Ceram Alumina infiltradas com vidro de lantânio a 1120ºC e 1130ºC é complexa.
Identification and biological activity of ovine and caprine calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptides 1 and 2
Authors: Charles Christopher J , Katafuchi Takeshi , Yandle Timothy G , Minamino Naoto
Published: May 2008

We have recently reported the isolation of three new members of the calcitonin (CT) gene-related peptide family of peptides, the CT receptor (CT-R)-stimulating peptides (CRSPs). We now report the sequencing and characterization of ovine/caprine CRSP-1 and caprine CRSP-2. Mature ovine and caprine CRSP-1 are identical and have strong structural homology to CRSP-1s identified to date from other species. As with other CRSP-1s, ovine/caprine CRSP-1 binds to and activates the CT-R but not the CT-like receptor (CL-R) in combination with the receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). By contrast, caprine CRSP-2 does not activate any of these receptor-RAMP complexes. Intravenous infusions of ovine CRSP-1 to normal conscious sheep induced dose-dependent reduction in plasma total Ca levels (P=0.02) and corrected Ca levels (P=0.017) associated with increases in plasma cAMP (P=0.002). CRSP-1 reduced both plasma amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide levels (P=0.006) and plasma renin activity (P=0.028). There were no significant effects observed on hemodynamic or renal indices measured. In conclusion, we have sequenced ovine/caprine CRSP-1 and caprine CRSP-2 precursors. This newly identified CRSP-1 has been shown to share the structural and biological features of CRSP-1s known to date. In vivo studies confirm that ovine CRSP-1 reduces plasma Ca levels in sheep, presumably via a cAMP-mediated mechanism. By contrast, caprine CRSP-2 did not stimulate any combination of CT-R, CL-R, and RAMPs. Accession numbers of cDNA determined in this study are caprine CRSP-1, AB364646; caprine CRSP-2, AB364647; and ovine CRSP-1, AB364648.
Histologic examination of hepatic biopsy samples as a prognostic indicator in dogs undergoing surgical correction of congenital portosystemic shunts: 64 cases (1997–2005)
Authors: Parker Jacquelyn S. , Monnet Eric , Powers Barbara E. , Twedt David C.
Published: May 2008

Objective—To determine whether results of histologic examination of hepatic biopsy samples could be used as an indicator of survival time in dogs that underwent surgical correction of a congenital portosystemic shunt (PSS).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—64 dogs that underwent exploratory laparotomy for an extrahepatic (n = 39) or intrahepatic (25) congenital PSS.

Procedures—All H&E-stained histologic slides of hepatic biopsy samples obtained at the time of surgery were reviewed by a single individual, and severity of histologic abnormalities (ie, arteriolar hyperplasia, biliary hyperplasia, fibrosis, cell swelling, lipidosis, lymphoplasmacytic cholangiohepatitis, suppurative cholangiohepatitis, lipid granulomas, and dilated sinusoids) was graded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine whether each histologic feature was associated with survival time.

Results—Median follow-up time was 35.7 months, and median survival time was 50.6 months. Thirty-eight dogs were alive at the time of final follow-up; 15 had died of causes associated with the PSS, including 4 that died immediately after surgery; 3 had died of unrelated causes; and 8 were lost to follow-up. None of the histologic features examined were significantly associated with survival time.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that results of histologic examination of hepatic biopsy samples obtained at the time of surgery cannot be used to predict long-term outcome in dogs undergoing surgical correction of a PSS.
Interrater Reliability of the Extended ICF Core Set for Stroke Applied by Physical Therapists
Authors: Starrost Klaus , Geyh Szilvia , Trautwein Anke , Grunow Jutta , Ceballos-Baumann Andres , Prosiegel Mario , Stucki Gerold , Cieza Alarcos
Published: May 2008

Background and Purpose

The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is gaining recognition in physical therapy. The Extended ICF Core Set for Stroke is a practical tool that represents a selection of categories from the whole classification and can be used along with the ICF qualifier scale to describe patients’ functioning and disability following stroke. The application of the ICF qualifier scale poses the question of interrater reliability. The primary objective of this investigation was to study the agreement between physical therapists’ ratings of subjects’ functioning and disability with the Extended ICF Core Set for Stroke and with the ICF qualifier scale. Further objectives were to explore the relationships between agreement and rater confidence and between agreement and physical therapists’ areas of core competence.

Subjects and Methods

A monocentric, cross-sectional reliability study was conducted. A consecutive sample of 30 subjects after stroke participated. Two physical therapists rated the subjects’ functioning in 166 ICF categories.

Results

The interrater agreement of the 2 physical therapists was moderate across all judgments (observed agreement=51%, kappa=.41). Interrater reliability was not related to rater confidence or to the physical therapists’ areas of core competence.

Discussion and Conclusion

The present study suggests potential improvements to enhance the implementation of the ICF and the Extended ICF Core Set for Stroke in practice. The results hint at the importance of the operationalization of the ICF categories and the standardization of the rating process, which might be useful in controlling for rater effects and increasing reliability.
Information Needs of Women At Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: Paisley Judy , Brown Catherine M. , Greenberg Marlene
Published: May 2008

Purpose: Information needs and current information sources related to healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight were examined in women attending breast cancer risk assessment clinics.

Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 257 women over 20 years old. The women completed a selfadministered survey (52.8% response rate) containing both closed- and open-ended questions. Most respondents were 49 or younger, were English-speaking, reported annual family incomes over $140,000, and resided in urban communities.

Results: Participants reported a need for general information concerning healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight. For example, they wanted information on reading food labels (51.0%), healthy recipes (51.0%), activities for increasing overall fitness (52.5%), and achieving healthy body weights (48.6%). They also wanted information concerning the relationships between cancer risk and specific foods and nutrients, such as antioxidants (65.0%), supplements (60.7%), phytochemicals (47.5%), and omega-3 fatty acids (45.5%). Participants most often turned to magazines, friends, and family members when they wanted information on healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight.

Conclusions: These findings present an opportunity for dietitians to enhance their leadership role in creating and disseminating evidence-based information to meet the expressed needs of women who may be at increased risk for breast cancer.
Access to Secret Police Files, Justice, and Vetting in East Germany since 1989
Authors: Bruce Gary
Published: May 2008

In order to situate the current debate on whether the Federal Commission for the Files of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic (the Stasi Archive) should cease to be an autonomous institution in the larger context, this article traces the history of the Stasi Archive and of the Stasi Files Law since 1989. Key to understanding the Stasi Archive and access to its files is the 1989 revolution which saw demonstrators demand access to information gathered by the secret police. Although the research quasimonopoly that the Stasi Archive enjoys would be ended by integration into the federal archives, file access for Stasi victims-the raison d'être of the archive-would be jeopardized. Calls for the dismantling of the Stasi archive are, therefore, premature. Some criticism can be directed at the vetting and trial process in East Germany since 1989, but it is important to remember that the Stasi Archive acted only in a support capacity for those activities.
Youth Politics in the Postwar Germanies
Authors: Stehle Maria
Published: May 2008

Ruff, Mark Edward. The Wayward Flock: Catholic Youth in Postwar West Germany, 1945-1965 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2005)

McDougall, Alan. Youth Politics in East Germany: The Free German Youth Movement 1946-1968 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2004)
Do herbivores exert top‐down effects in Neotropical savannas? Estimates of biomass consumption by leaf‐cutter ants
Authors: Costa Alan N. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Vieira‐Neto Ernane H.M. , Bruna Emilio M.
Published: May 2008

Question:

Plant communities in Paleotropical savannas are regulated by a combination of bottom‐up and top‐down effects. However, the paucity of ungulates and other large herbivores in Neotropical savannas has led to speculation that these communities are primarily structured by physical factors such as fire, precipitation and soil chemistry. We addressed the following question: How much plant biomass is consumed by leaf‐cutter ants in Neotropical savannas, and is it comparable to the amount of biomass consumed by herbivores in Paleotropical savanna sites?

Location:

Our study was conducted at the Estação Ecológica do Panga, located 30 km south of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. All field work was conducted in the vegetation type known as cerrado sensu stricto.

Methods and Results

Using direct measurements of herbivory, coupled with estimates of plant productivity and ant colony density, we found that leaf‐cutter ants (Atta spp.) consume 13–17% of the foliar biomass produced annually by woody plants in a Neotropical savanna (Brazilian cerrado). Although comparisons with other savanna systems are complicated by methodological differences among studies, the proportion of biomass consumed by Atta species is about 25% of that consumed by the entire ungulate community in some African savannas and greater than or comparable to the total herbivory observed in some terrestrial ecosystems.

Conclusions:

We hypothesize that this intense biomass consumption by Atta will have important ecological consequences for the cerrado ecosystem, because leaf‐cutter abundance increases in fragmented or degraded habitats. These effects are likely to be exacerbated as anthropogenic pressure in this biodiversity hotspot increases.
Physical properties, crystalline textures and c-axis fabrics of the Siple Dome (Antarctica) ice core
Authors: Gow Anthony J. , Meese Debra
Published: May 2008

The quality of the ice core from Siple Dome, West Antarctica, varied widely, with significant fracturing below 400 m. Bubbly ice persisted to the ice–rock interface at 1004 m and constituted the brittle zone. The core has undergone minimal relaxation and has remained brittle and prone to fracturing more than 5 years after it was drilled. This behavior is attributed to unrelieved stresses from Kamb and Bindschadler Ice Streams (former Ice Streams C and D) flanking the dome. Melt layers were identified sporadically throughout the core, as were inclined layers tilted at angles that occasionally exceeded 10°. Structurally, the ice was characterized by extensive recrystallization including grain-size changes from 0.074 cm2 at 59 m to >50 cm2 at 992 m, and major transitions in c-axis fabrics. Unusual fabrics included vertical c-axis clusters superimposed on vertical girdles that may reflect vertical compression acting in conjunction with horizontal tension. The sudden appearance of a shear-type fabric at 700–800 m appears closely linked to the occurrence of abundant tephra particles embedded in the ice. The occurrence of dispersed sediment in the bottom 2 m is attributed to freeze-on of basal meltwater.
The surface accumulation and ablation of a coastal blue-ice area near Cap Prudhomme, Terre Adélie, Antarctica
Authors: Genthon Christophe , Lardeux Pierre , Krinner Gerhard
Published: May 2008

A record of accumulation and ablation from a network of 47 stakes at a coastal blue-ice area in Terre Adélie, Antarctica, is presented and analyzed. The record covers early 2004 to early 2006, from 25 field surveys including some in austral winter. The two years are very different, with a virtually null surface mass balance during the 2004 winter but large accumulation during the 2005 winter. A snow/ice energy- and mass-balance model is used to reproduce the accumulation and ablation record. A parameterization for snow erosion by wind is included. Input meteorology is from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses and forecasts, corrected using 1 year of local meteorological observations from an automatic weather station. Model results agree reasonably well with the observations. Wind erosion is the largest contributor to ablation, removing much of the precipitation. Sublimation and, to a lesser extent, melt/runoff together account for >60 cm w.e. of ablation in 2 years, mainly in summer. Although the record is short, it confirms high interannual variability and thus high sensitivity to meteorology and climate. Monitoring and understanding the mass balance of such coastal blue-ice areas may help monitor and detect climate change in the Antarctic coastal regions.
A structural glaciological analysis of the 2002 Larsen B ice-shelf collapse
Authors: Glasser N.F. , Scambos T.A.
Published: May 2008

This study provides a detailed structural glaciological analysis of changes in surface structures on the Larsen B ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula prior to its collapse in February–March 2002. Mapped features include the ice-shelf front, rifts, crevasses, longitudinal linear surface structures and meltwater features. We define domains on the ice shelf related to glacier source areas and demonstrate that, prior to collapse, the central Larsen B ice shelf consisted of four sutured flow units fed by Crane, Jorum, Punchbowl and Hektoria/Green/Evans glaciers. Between these flow units were ‘suture zones’ of thinner ice where the feeder glaciers merged. Prior to collapse, large open-rift systems were present offshore of Foyn Point and Cape Disappointment. These rifts became more pronounced in the years preceding break-up, and ice blocks in the rifts rotated because of the strong lateral shear in this zone. Velocity mapping of the suture zones indicates that the major rifts were not present more than about 20 years ago. We suggest that the ice shelf was preconditioned to collapse by partial rupturing of the sutures between flow units. This, we believe, was the result of ice-shelf front retreat during 1998–2000, reducing the lateral resistive stress on the upstream parts of the shelf and glacier flow units, ice-shelf thinning and pre-shelf-break-up glacier acceleration.
Criteria for validating mouse models of psychiatric diseases
Authors: Chadman Kathryn K. , Yang Mu , Crawley Jacqueline N.
Published: May 2008

Animal models of human diseases are in widespread use for biomedical research. Mouse models with a mutation in a single gene or multiple genes are excellent research tools for understanding the role of a specific gene in the etiology of a human genetic disease. Ideally, the mouse phenotypes will recapitulate the human phenotypes exactly. However, exact matches are rare, particularly in mouse models of neuropsychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the current strategies for optimizing the validity of a mouse model of a human brain dysfunction. We address the common question raised by molecular geneticists and clinical researchers in psychiatry, “what is a ‘good enough’ mouse model”11 Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PPP2R2B CAG repeat length in the Han Chinese in Taiwan: Association analyses in neurological and psychiatric disorders and potential functional implications
Authors: Chen Chiung‐Mei , Hou Yi‐Ting , Liu Ju‐Yun , Wu Yih‐Ru , Lin Chih‐Hsin , Fung Hon‐Chung , Hsu Wen‐Chuin , Hsu Yuying , Lee Shen‐Hung , Hsieh‐Li Hsiu‐Mei , Su Ming‐Tsan , Chen Shui‐Tein , Lane Hsien‐Yuan , Lee‐Chen Guey‐Jen
Published: May 2008

PPP2R2B, a protein widely expressed in neurons throughout the brain, regulates the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity for the microtubule‐associated protein tau and other substrates. Altered PP2A activity has been implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia 12, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other tauopathies. Through a case‐control study and a reporter assay, we investigated the association of PPP2R2B CAG repeat polymorphism with Taiwanese AD, essential tremor (ET), Parkinson's disease (PD), and schizophrenia and clarified the functional implication of this polymorphism. The distribution of the alleles was not significantly different between patients and controls, with 68.6–76.1% alleles at lengths of 10, 13, and 16 triplets. No expanded alleles were detected in either group. However, the frequency of the individuals carrying the short 5‐, 6‐, and 7‐triplet alleles was notably higher in patients with AD (5/180 [2.8%], Fisher's exact test, P = 0.003; including 2 homozygotes) and ET (4/132 [3.0%], Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001) than in the controls (1/625 [0.2%]). The PPP2R2B transcriptional activity was significantly lower in the luciferase reporter constructs containing the (CAG)5–7 allele than in those containing the common 10‐, 13‐, and 16‐triplet alleles in both neuroblastoma and embryonic kidney cells. Therefore, our preliminary results suggest that the PPP2R2B gene CAG repeat polymorphism may be functional and may, in part, play a role in conferring susceptibility to AD and ET in Taiwan. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wasserstoffabstraktion und Elektronentransfer mit Aminoxylradikalen: Synthesen und Mechanismen
Authors: Galli Carlo , Gentili Patrizia , Lanzalunga Osvaldo
Published: May 2008

Aminoxylradikale (R2NO.) sind eine wertvolle Klasse reaktiver Zwischenstufen mit interessanten Synthese‐ und Reaktivitätseigenschaften. Dieser Kurzaufsatz fasst einige bemerkenswerte Synthesen zusammen, die auf einer radikalischen Oxidation mit Aminoxylradikalen beruhen, und geht auf Fragen zur Reaktivität ein, die jüngste Literaturberichte aufgeworfen haben. Mit den Struktur‐ und Reaktivitätseigenschaften des Aminoxylradikals und des Substrats kann eine mögliche Doppelreaktivität der Aminoxylradikale erklärt werden. Diese “mechanistische Dichotomie” zwischen H‐Atomabstraktion und Elektronenabstraktion steht im Vordergrund dieses Kurzaufsatzes.
Maternal periconceptional smoking and alcohol consumption and risk for select congenital anomalies
Authors: Grewal Jagteshwar , Carmichael Suzan L. , Ma Chen , Lammer Edward J. , Shaw Gary M.
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between maternal smoking and alcohol use (including binge drinking) during the periconceptional period (i.e., 2 months before through 2 months after conception) and the risk of orofacial clefts, NTDs, and conotruncal heart defects in offspring. METHODS: Data were drawn from a population‐based case‐control study of fetuses and live‐born infants among a cohort of California births between July 1999 and June 2003. The 1,355 cases comprised of 701 orofacial clefts, 337 NTDs, and 323 conotruncal heart defects. Information on smoking and alcohol consumption was obtained via telephone interviews with mothers of 1,355 (80% of eligibles) cases and 700 (77% of eligibles) nonmalformed, live‐born controls. RESULTS: Maternal smoking of five cigarettes or less per day was associated with reduced risks of NTDs (OR 0.7; 95% CI: 0.3, 1.4), whereas the risk associated with higher cigarette consumption was lower for conotruncal heart defects (OR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.2). Maternal intake of alcohol less than 1 day per week was associated with a 1.6‐ to 2.1‐fold higher risk of NTDs (95% CI: 0.9, 2.6), d‐transposition of the great arteries (95% CI: 1.1, 3.2), and multiple cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) (95% CI: 0.8, 4.5). Risks associated with more frequent alcohol intake were 2.1 for NTDs (95% CI: 1.1, 4.0) and 2.6 for multiple CLP (95% CI: 1.1, 6.1). CONCLUSIONS: This study observed that maternal alcohol intake increased the risk for d‐transposition of the great arteries, NTDs, and multiple CLP in infants. By contrast, smoking was associated with a lower risk of NTDs and conotruncal heart defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunogenically optimized peptides derived from natural mutants of HIV CTL epitopes and peptide combinatorial libraries
Authors: Blondelle Sylvie E. , Moya‐Castro Rosa , Osawa Keiko , Schroder Kim , Wilson Darcy B.
Published: May 2008

Two strategies were aimed at identifying immunogenically optimized peptides for the potential use in the formulation of an effective prophylactic or therapeutic HIV‐1 vaccine. Three CTL epitopes were investigated: Gag p2419‐27 TV9, Gag p1777‐85 SL9, and RT309‐317 IV9. The first strategy derives from the hypothesis that a number of rare mutant CTL epitopes of HIV‐1 may be more immunogenic than the common ones. As such, these rare mutant sequences might be highly effective in generating cross reactive anti‐HIV‐1 CTL responses against a range of mutant sequences. As anticipated, several rare mutant peptide sequences were identified that generated strong CTL responses against both the consensus sequences and several naturally occurring mutants in human PBL cultures primed ex vivo and in HLA‐A2 transgenic mice immunized in vivo. Finally, to reach beyond the sequence diversity of the “natural” library of mutated sequences, a synthetic combinatorial peptide library was screened with a TV9 specific T‐cell line; this resulted in the identification of an immunogenically optimized mimic peptide sequence that provoked highly effective CTL immune responses against TV9 and mutants. Sequence homologies between the natural mutants and synthetic mimic may provide insight into key contact positions in the MHC/TCR/peptide complex. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 683–694, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation of a CYP106A2 Low Homology Model and Production of Mutants with Changed Activity and Selectivity of Hydroxylation
Authors: Lisurek Michael , Simgen Birgit , Antes Iris , Bernhardt Rita
Published: May 2008

Steroids are important pharmaceutically active compounds. In contrast to the liver drug‐metabolising cytochrome P450s, which metabolise a variety of substrates, steroid hydroxylases generally display a rather narrow substrate specificity. It is therefore a challenging goal to change their regio‐ and stereoselectivity. CYP106A2 is one of only a few bacterial steroid hydroxylases and hydroxylates 3‐oxo‐Δ4‐steroids mainly in 15β‐position. In order to gain insights into the structure and function of this enzyme, whose crystal structure is unknown, a homology model has been created. The substrate progesterone was then docked into the active site to predict which residues might affect substrate binding. The model was substantiated by using a combination of theoretical and experimental investigations. First, numerous computational structure evaluation tools assessed the plausibility of its protein geometry and its quality. Second, the model explains many key properties of common cytochrome P450s. Third, two sets of mutants have been heterologously expressed, and the influence of the mutations on the catalytic activity towards deoxycorticosterone and progesterone has been studied experimentally: the first set comprises six mutations located in the structurally variable regions of this enzyme that are very difficult to predict by cytochrome P450 modelling (K27R, I86T, E90V, I71T, D185G and I215T). For these positions, no participation in the active‐site formation was predicted, or could be experimentally demonstrated. The second set comprises five mutants in substrate recognition site 6 (S394I, A395L, T396R, G397P and Q398S). For these residues, participation in active‐site formation and an influence on substrate binding was predicted by docking. These mutants are based on an alignment with human CYP11B1, and in fact most of these mutants altered the active‐site structure and the hydroxylation activity of CYP106A2 dramatically.
Rational Design of Highly Active and Selective Ligands for the α5β1 Integrin Receptor
Authors: Heckmann Dominik , Meyer Axel , Laufer Burkhardt , Zahn Grit , Stragies Roland , Kessler Horst
Published: May 2008

The inhibition of integrin function is a major challenge in medicinal chemistry. Potent ligands are currently in different stages of clinical trials for the antiangiogenic therapy of cancer and age‐related macula degeneration (AMD). The subtype α5β1 has recently been drawn into the focus of research because of its genuine role in angiogenesis. In our previous work we could demonstrate that the lack of structural information about the receptor could be overcome by a homology model based on the X‐ray structure of the αvβ3 integrin subtype and the sequence similarities between both receptors. In this work, we describe the rational design and synthesis of high affinity α5β1 binders, and the optimisation of selectivity against αvβ3 by means of extensive SAR studies and docking experiments. A first series of compounds based on the tyrosine scaffold resulted in affinities in the low and even subnanomolar range and selectivities of 400‐fold against αvβ3. The insights about the structure–activity relationship gained from tyrosine‐based ligands could be successfully transferred to ligands that bear an aza‐glycine scaffold to yield α5β1 ligands with affinities of ∼1 nm and selectivities that exceed 104‐fold. The ligands have already been successfully employed as selective α5β1 ligands in biological research and might serve as lead structures for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
Synthesis, Fluorescence, and Two‐Photon Absorption of Bidentate Phosphane Oxide Derivatives: Complexation with Pb2+ and Cd2+ Cations
Authors: Ha‐Thi Minh‐Huong , Penhoat Maël , Drouin Delphine , Blanchard‐Desce Mireille , Michelet Véronique , Leray Isabelle
Published: May 2008

A series of fluorescent phosphane oxide derivatives based on diphenylphosphanoethane (DPPE) and diphenylphosphanomethane (DPPM) skeletons has been prepared by means of Grignard reactions and Sonogashira cross‐couplings. The photophysical properties and the linear and nonlinear spectra of these compounds have been investigated. An edge‐to‐face conformation resulting in the formation of an excimer was confirmed by fluorescence lifetime measurements of these multichromophoric derivatives. Upon complexation with heavy metal ions such as Pb2+ and Cd2+, a red shift of the one‐ and two‐photon excitation spectra was observed in the absorption and emission spectra. Furthermore, enhancement of the electron‐withdrawing character of the phosphane oxide resulted in a significant enhancement of the two‐photon absorption cross‐section, leading to the first biphotonic Cd2+ sensors combining high affinity for Cd2+, large two‐photon absorption cross‐sections, and significant enhancement of the two‐photon excited fluorescence in the presence of the cation. Such derivatives are highly promising for incorporation into devices for the detection of heavy metal ions in water and effluents.
Fluorescent, Synthetic Amphiphilic Heptapeptide Anion Transporters: Evidence for Self‐Assembly and Membrane Localization in Liposomes
Authors: You Lei , Gokel George W.
Published: May 2008

Synthetic anion transporters (SATs) of the general type (n‐C18H37)2N‐COCH2OCH2CO‐(Gly)3‐Pro‐(Gly)3‐O‐n‐C7H15, 1, are amphiphilic peptides that form anion‐conducting pores in bilayer membranes. To better understand membrane insertion, assembly and aggregation dynamics, and membrane penetration, four novel fluorescent structures were prepared for use in both aqueous buffer and phospholipid bilayers. The fluorescent residues pyrene, indole, dansyl, and NBD were incorporated into 1 to give 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Assembly of peptide amphiphiles in buffer was confirmed by monitoring changes in the pyrene monomer/excimer peaks observed for 2. Solvent‐dependent fluorescence changes that were observed for indole (3) and dansyl (4) side‐chained SATs in bilayers showed that these residues experienced an environment between ε=9 (CH2Cl2) and ε=24 (EtOH) in polarity. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between 2 and 3 demonstrated aggregation of SAT monomers within the bilayer. This self‐assembly led to pore formation, which was detected as Cl− release from the liposomes. The results of acrylamide quenching of fluorescent SATs supported membrane insertion. Studies with NBD‐labeled SAT 5 showed that peptide partition into the bilayer is relatively slow. Dithionite quenching of NBD‐SATs suggests that the amphiphilic peptides are primarily in the bilayer's outer leaflet. Images obtained by using a fluorescence microscope revealed membrane localization of a fluorescent SAT. Taken together, this study helps define the insertion, membrane localization, and aggregation behavior of this family of synthetic anion transporters in liposomal bilayers.
Aggregation Behavior and Dynamics of Synthetic Amphiphiles That Self‐Assemble to Anion Transporters
Authors: Elliott Elizabeth K. , Daschbach Megan M. , Gokel George W.
Published: May 2008

The amphiphilic heptapeptides—referred to as synthetic anion transporters (SATs)—mediate chloride transport in planar lipid bilayer membranes, synthetic liposomes, and mammalian cells. The SATs described have the general formula R12NCOCH2OCH2CO‐(Gly)3‐Pro‐(Gly)3‐OR2. Substitution at R1 and R2 with various aliphatic or aromatic groups alters the ability of SATs to transport chloride through a phospholipid bilayer membrane. Despite extensive structure‐activity relationship studies concerning Cl−‐mediated transport by SATs, relatively little was known about the mechanism of insertion and pore‐formation in the membrane. In the current study, the mechanistic behavior of SATs was investigated in aqueous solution and at the air–water interface. In the latter case, Langmuir trough studies and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) revealed the extent of monolayer stability and organization for SATs. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed these results and defined the aggregation behavior of SATs in solution. SAT derivatives that showed low chloride transport activity organized into stable monolayers at the air–water interface, while more active SATs formed less stable monolayers. The relationship between intermolecular organization of SATs and pore‐formation in the membrane is discussed along with its implications for chloride transport.
ChemInform Abstract: Novel Trigonal ZrWMoO8 Structure and Its Transformations.
Authors: Deng Xuebin , Tao Juzhou , Yang Xiaojing , Ma Hui , Richardson James W. Jr. , Zhao Xinhua
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Thermodynamic Study of LiF—BeF2—ZrF4—UF4 System.
Authors: Benes O. , Konings R. J. M.
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Electrochemical Performances of Amorphous Carbon‐Coated Sn—Sb Particles as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries.
Authors: Wang Zhong , Tian Wenhuai , Liu Xiaohe , Yang Rong , Li Xingguo
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: A New Rare‐Earth Metal(III) Fluoride Oxoselenate(IV): YF[SeO3].
Authors: Lipp Christian , Schleid Thomas
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: The Lanthanumiodideethanide o‐La5I9(C2) — The Orthorhombic High Temperature Modification.
Authors: Mattausch Hansjuergen , Hoch Constantin , Simon Arndt
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Rapid Solid‐State Synthesis of Binary Group 15 Chalcogenides Using Microwave Irradiation.
Authors: Mastrovito Christine , Lekse Jonathan W. , Aitken Jennifer A.
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon‐ and Nitrogen‐Centered (Z) Trigonal Prismatic Tungsten Clusters of the Formula Type A[W6ZCl18].
Authors: Weisser Martina , Burgert Ralf , Schnoeckel Hansgeorg , Meyer H.‐Juergen
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Site‐ and Enantioselective Cu‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions with Easily Accessible Vinylaluminum Reagents.
Authors: Lee Yunmi , Akiyama Katsuhiro , Gillingham Dennis G. , Brown M. Kevin , Hoveyda Amir H.
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Palladium‐Catalyzed Domino‐Wacker‐Carbonylation Reaction for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Chromans and Benzodioxins.
Authors: Tietze Lutz F. , Zinngrebe Julia , Spiegl Dirk A. , Stecker Florian
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Noncovalently Supported Heterogeneous Chiral Amine Catalysts for Asymmetric Direct Aldol and Michael Addition Reactions.
Authors: Luo Sanzhong , Li Jiuyuan , Zhang Long , Xu Hui , Chen Jin‐Pei
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Iridium‐Catalyzed Consecutive and Enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Tetraynes and Hexaynes for the Construction of an Axially Chiral Biaryl System.
Authors: Shibata Takanori , Yoshida Shiho , Arai Yoshikazu , Otsuka Maiko , Endo Kohei
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: An Expedient Synthesis of β‐Phenyl‐Substituted Baylis—Hillman and Aza‐Baylis—Hillman Adducts
Authors: Kim Seong Jin , Lee Hyun Seung , Kim Jeong Mi , Kim Jae Nyoung
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Lanthanide Formamidinates as Improved Catalysts for the Tishchenko Reaction.
Authors: Zuyls Agustino , Roesky Peter W. , Deacon Glen B. , Konstas Kristina , Junk Peter C.
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Ni‐Catalyzed Mild Arylation of α‐Halocarbonyl Compounds with Arylboronic Acids.
Authors: Liu Chao , He Chuan , Shi Wei , Chen Mao , Lei Aiwen
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Steric Tuning of Silylacetylenes and Chiral Phosphine Ligands for Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Alkynylation of Enones.
Authors: Nishimura Takahiro , Guo Xun‐Xiang , Uchiyama Nanase , Katoh Taisuke , Hayashi Tamio
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Ketone Super Silyl Enol Ethers in Sequential Reactions: Diastereoselective Generation of Tertiary Carbinols in One‐Pot.
Authors: Boxer Matthew B. , Akakura Matsujiro , Yamamoto Hisashi
Published: May 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.