bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of an HPLC method for quantitation of BA‐TPQ, a novel iminoquinone anticancer agent, and an initial pharmacokinetic study in mice
Authors: Li Haibo , Ezell Scharri J. , Zhang Xiangrong , Wang Wei , Xu Hongxia , Rayburn Elizabeth R. , Zhang Xu , Gurpinar Evrim , Yang Xinyi , Sommers Charnell I. , Velu Sadanandan E. , Zhang Ruiwen
Published: September 2010

We herein describe the development and validation of an HPLC method for the quantitation of 7‐(benzylamino)‐1,3,4,8‐tetrahydropyrrolo [4,3,2‐de]quinolin‐8(1H)‐one (BA‐TPQ), a newly synthesized iminoquinone anticancer agent. BA‐TPQ was extracted from plasma and tissue samples by first precipitating proteins with acetonitrile followed by a liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a gradient flow rate on a Zorbax SB C18 column, and the effluent was monitored by UV detection at 346 nm. The method was found to be precise, accurate, and specific, with a linear range of 3.91–1955.0 ng/mL in plasma, 19.55–1955.0 ng/mL in spleen, brain, and liver homogenates and 19.55–3910.0 ng/mL in heart, lung and kidney homogenates. The method was stable under all relevant conditions. Using this method, we also carried out an initial study determining plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of BA‐TPQ in mice following intravenous administration. In summary, this simple and sensitive HPLC method can be used in future preclinical and clinical studies of BA‐TPQ.
Antibacterials from the Sea
Authors: Hughes Chambers C. , Fenical William
Published: September 2010

The ocean contains a host of macroscopic life in a great microbial soup. Unlike the terrestrial environment, an aqueous environment provides perpetual propinquity and blurs spatial distinctions. Marine organisms are under a persistent threat of infection by resident pathogenic microbes including bacteria, and in response they have engineered complex organic compounds with antibacterial activity from a diverse set of biological precursors. The diluting effect of the ocean drives the construction of potent molecules that are stable to harsh salty conditions. Members of each class of metabolite—ribosomal and non‐ribosomal peptides, alkaloids, polyketides, and terpenes—have been shown to exhibit antibacterial activity. The sophistication and diversity of these metabolites points to the ingenuity and flexibility of biosynthetic processes in Nature. Compared with their terrestrial counterparts, antibacterial marine natural products have received much less attention. Thus, a concerted effort to discover new antibacterials from marine sources has the potential to contribute significantly to the treatment of the ever increasing drug‐resistant infectious diseases.
A Useful, Reliable and Safer Protocol for Hydrogenation and the Hydrogenolysis ofO‐Benzyl Groups: The In Situ Preparation of an Active Pd0/C Catalyst with Well‐Defined Properties
Authors: Felpin François‐Xavier , Fouquet Eric
Published: September 2010

A simple, highly reproducible protocol for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes and for the hydrogenolysis ofO‐benzyl ethers has been developed. The method features the in situ preparation of an active Pd0/C catalyst from Pd(OAc)2and charcoal, in methanol. The mild reaction conditions (25 °C) and low catalyst loading required (0.025 mol %), as well as the absence of contamination of the product by palladium residues (<4 ppb), make this a sustainable, useful process for organic chemists. Alternatively, the protocol can be carried out under microwave activation, to shorten the reaction times, with cyclohexene as the hydrogen source.
Stereodynamics of tetramezine
Authors: Kamuf Matthias , Trapp Oliver
Published: September 2010

The antidepressant drug tetramezine [1,2‐bis‐(3,3‐dimethyldiaziridin‐1‐yl)ethane] consists of two bridged diaziridine moieties with four stereogenic nitrogen centers, which are stereolabile and, therefore, are prone to interconversion. The adjacent substituents at the nitrogen atoms of the diaziridines moieties exist only in an antiperiplanar conformation, which results in a coupled interconversion. Therefore, three stereoisomers exist (meso form and two enantiomeric forms), which epimerize when the diaziridine moieties are regarded as stereogenic units due to the coupled interconversion. Here, we have investigated the epimerization between the meso and enantiomeric forms by dynamic gas chromatography. Temperature‐dependent measurements were performed, and reaction rate constants were determined using the unified equation of chromatography implemented in the software DCXplorer. The activation barriers of the epimerization were found to be ΔG≠ = 100.7 kJ mol−1 at 25°C and ΔG≠ = 104.5 kJ mol−1 at 37°C, respectively. The activation enthalpy and entropy were determined to be ΔH≠ = 70.3 ± 0.4 kJ mol−1 and ΔS≠ = −102 ± 2 J mol−1 K−1. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytoskeletal dynamics in response to tensile loading of mammalian axons
Authors: Chetta Joshua , Kye Cecilia , Shah Sameer B.
Published: September 2010

In response to an applied tensile load, axons of cultured neurons exhibit a number of morphological responses. We designed and implemented a cell stretching device to study the cellular mechanisms governing these responses. Rat sensory neurons were seeded onto a flexible silicone substrate and imaged during substrate stretch. The positions of stationary mitochondria, docked to the axonal cytoskeleton, were determined before and after 10% stretch, and used to calculate the resulting “instantaneous” strain in regions of the axon. There was dramatic heterogeneity in strain along the length of the stretched axons, particularly in regions shorter than 20 μm. The substrate was then held at 10% strain and the axons imaged for 20 min during “relaxation.” Both strain magnitude and variability were larger at small lengths in stretched axons during the initial phase of relaxation, but after 14 min, decreased to levels smaller than those seen in unstretched axons. Mitochondrial pairs in stretched axons showed uncoordinated movement with each other at all lengths, suggesting that cytoskeletal cohesion is reduced after stretch. Collectively, these data present the axonal cytoskeleton as a dynamic structure, which responds to stretch rapidly and locally. Globally, the axon behaves as a viscoelastic continuum. Below a characteristic length, though, it appears to behave as a series of independent linked elements, each with unique mechanical properties which suggests a length scale within which cytoskeletal structural elements may be altered to modulate the biomechanical response of the axon. Finally, testable hypotheses of strain accomodation in the axon are suggested. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypothyroidism in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Schmidinger Manuela , Vogl Ursula M. , Bojic Marija , Lamm Wolfgang , Heinzl Harald , Haitel Andrea , Clodi Martin , Kramer Gero , Zielinski Christoph C.
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND:

Sunitinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that have important antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Hypothyroidism constitutes a commonly reported side effect of both drugs, and particularly of sunitinib. The objective of this analysis was to investigate whether the occurrence of hypothyroidism during treatment with sunitinib and sorafenib affects the outcome of patients with mRCC.

METHODS:

Eighty‐seven consecutive patients with mRCC who were to receive treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib were included in a prospective analysis. Thyroid function was assessed in each patient every 4 weeks during the first 2 months of treatment and every 2 to 4 months thereafter. Assessment included serum levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), tri‐iodthyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as an increase in TSH above the upper limit of normal (>3.77 μM/mL) with normal T3 and T4 levels.

RESULTS:

Subclinical hypothyroidism was evident in 5 patients at baseline and occurred in 30 patients (36.1%) within the first 2 months after treatment initiation. There was a statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism during treatment and the rate of objective remission (hypothyroid patients vs euthyroid patients: 28.3% vs 3.3%, respectively; P < .001) and the median duration of survival (not reached vs 13.9 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.14‐0.85; P = .016). In multivariate analysis, the development of subclinical hypothyroidism was identified as an independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio, 0.31; P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that hypothyroidism may serve as a predictive marker of treatment outcome in patients with mRCC. Thus, the interpretation of hypothyroidism during treatment with sunitinib and sorafenib as an unwanted side effect should be reconsidered. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Use of booster inoculations to sustain the clinical effect of an adjuvant breast cancer vaccine
Authors: Holmes Jarrod P. , Clifton Guy T. , Patil Ritesh , Benavides Linda C. , Gates Jeremy D. , Stojadinovic Alexander , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Ponniah Sathibalan , Peoples George E.
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND:

The authors are conducting clinical trials of the HER‐2/neu E75‐peptide vaccine in clinically disease‐free breast cancer (BC) patients. Their phase 1‐2 trials revealed that the E75 + granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) vaccine is safe and effective in stimulating clonal expansion of E75‐specific CD8+ T cells. They assessed the need for and response to a booster after completion of primary vaccination series.

METHODS:

BC patients enrolled in the E75 vaccine trials who were ≥6 months from completion of their primary vaccination series were offered boosters with E75 + GM‐CSF. Patients were monitored for toxicity. E75‐specific CD8+ T cells were quantified using the human leukocyte antigen‐A2:immunoglobulin G dimer before and after boosting.

RESULTS:

Fifty‐three patients received the vaccine booster. Median time from primary vaccination series was 9 months (range, 6‐35 months), and median residual E75‐specific immunity was 0.70% (range, 0‐3.49%) CD8+ lymphocytes. Elevated residual immunity (ERI) (CD8+ E75‐specific T cells >0.5%) was seen in 94.4% of patients at 6 months from primary vaccination series versus 48% of patients at >6 months (P = .002). The booster was well tolerated, with only grade 1 and 2 toxicity observed. Local reactions were more robust in patients receiving the booster at 6 months from primary vaccination series compared with those at >6 months (99.4 ± 6.1 mm vs 81.8 ± 4.1 mm, P = .01). In patients lacking ERI, 85% had increased ERI after vaccination (P = .0014).

CONCLUSIONS:

The HER‐2/neu E75 peptide vaccine E75 stimulates specific immunity in disease‐free BC patients. However, immunity wanes with time. A vaccine booster is safe and effective in stimulating E75‐specific immunity in those patients without ERI. These results suggest that the booster may be most effective at 6 months after completion of the primary vaccination series. Cancer 2011. Published 2010 by the American Cancer Society.
Flow cytometric detection of degranulated basophils in chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated phase
Authors: Stacchini Alessandra , Demurtas Anna , Godio Laura
Published: September 2010

We report a rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated phase with basophilic transformation, in which basophils exceeding 70%, were detectable only by flow cytometry because of their morphologic atypicality and degranulation. © 2010 Clinical Cytometry Society.
Electroanalysis of trimethoprim on metalloporphyrin incorporated glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Rajith Leena , Kumar Krishnapillai Girish
Published: September 2010

Trimethoprim (TMP) is a bacteriostatic antibiotic mainly used in the prophylaxis and treatment of urinary tract infections. It belongs to the class of chemotherapeutic agents known as dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors. Its use is associated with idiosyncratic reactions, including liver toxicity and agranulocytosis. In order to determine TMP electrochemically, a metalloporphyrin modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared by coating [5,10,15,20‐ tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenyl) porphyrinato]Mn (III)chloride (TMOPPMn(III)Cl) solution on the surface of the electrode. The electrochemical behaviour of TMP in Phosphate buffer solution (PBS) on TMOPPMn(III)Cl modified glassy carbon electrode (TMOPPMn(III)Cl/GCE) was explored using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The voltammograms showed enhanced oxidation response at the TMOPPMn (III)Cl/GCE with respect to the bare GCE for TMP, attributable to the electrocatalytic activity of TMOPPMn(III)Cl. Electrochemical parameters of the oxidation of TMP on the modified electrode were analyzed. The electro‐oxidation of TMP was found to be irreversible, pH dependent and adsorption controlled on the modified electrode. It is found that the oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of TMP over the range 6 × 10−8 − 1 × 10−6 M with a very low detection limit of 3 × 10−9 M at 2 min open circuit accumulation. The repeatability expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) for n = 9 was 3.2% and the operational stability was found to be 20 days. Another striking feature is that equimolar concentration of sulfamethoxazole did not interfere in the determination of TMP. Applicability to assay the drug in urine and tablet samples has also been studied. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Nitrile‐Ligated Zinc(II) Complexes Incorporating (Fluoroalkoxy)aluminates
Authors: Li Yang , Yeong Hui Yee , Herdtweck Eberhardt , Voit Brigitte , Kühn Fritz E.
Published: September 2010

Nitrile‐ligated zinc(II) complexes incorporating aluminum‐based weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) have been successfully prepared and fully characterized. An X‐ray crystal structure proves both the octahedral symmetry of the zinc(II) cation having six nitrile ligands and the non‐coordinating nature of the anion. Similar to complexes bearing boran‐based WCAs, the compounds described here can be applied to polymerize isobutylene at room temperature resulting in polyisobutylene with a high content of exo double bonds.
MMX Chains and Molecular Species Containing Rh2n+ (n = 4, 5, and 6) Units: Electrical Conductivity in Crystal Phase of MMX Polymers
Authors: Amo‐Ochoa Pilar , Jiménez‐Aparicio Reyes , Torres M. Rosario , Urbanos Francisco A. , Gallego A. , Gómez‐García Carlos J.
Published: September 2010

The control of the experimental conditions in the reaction of Rh2(O2CCH3)4 with halides allows the isolation of the noveldirhodium complexes Kx[Rh2X(O2CCH3)4]x·4xH2O (X = Br, 1·4H2O and I, 2·4H2O) [Rh2(O2CCH3)4Cl]x·xH2O (3·H2O), [Rh2(O2CCH3)Cl]x·4xH2O (3·4H2O), and [Rh2(O2CCH3)4I2]·4H2O (4·4H2O) containing Rh2n+ (n = 4, 5 and 6) units. The X‐ray structure determination of compounds 1–4 reveals the presence of dirhodium units in different oxidation states. The polyanionic complexes 1·4H2O and 2·4H2O containing Rh24+ units give zig‐zag chains. In contrast, the partially oxidized complexes 3·H2O and 3·4H2O containing Rh25+ units are linked by chloride ligands forming linear chains. The first tetracarboxylatodirhodium(III) compound 4·4H2O is also described. Its structure consists of discrete binuclear [Rh2(O2CCH3)4]2+ units with both axial positions occupied by iodide ligands. The very simple synthetic procedures presented here to achieve the partial or complete oxidation of the dirhodium(II) precursors open new perspectives in dirhodium complexes containing different oxidation states and in their potential applications in the construction of molecular devices. The electrical characterization of the polymer chains confirms conductivity in crystal phase. In addition, isolation of 1·4H2O and 2·4H2O on mica and morphological characterization of individual chains by atomic‐force microscopy have been achieved.
Coordination of Coenzyme M and Its Derivatives on NiII(tetraazacycle) Complexes: A Model for the Active Site of Methyl Coenzyme M Reductase
Authors: Nishigaki Jun‐ichi , Matsumoto Tsuyoshi , Tatsumi Kazuyuki
Published: September 2010

A series of tetraazamacrocyclic nickel(II) complexes coordinated by methyl coenzyme M (MeSCoM), coenzyme M (HSCoM), and 3‐methylthiopropionate (Metp) have been synthesized as structural models of the active site of methyl coenzyme M reductase in the oxidized MCRsilent state. They include RSRS‐[Ni(tmc)(L)](OTf) {L = MeSCoM (2), HSCoM (4), and Metp (5)} (tmc = 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) and [Ni(pyc)(L)](OTf) {L = MeSCoM (6), HSCoM (7), Metp (8), pyc = 5‐oxo‐7‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane}. The X‐ray crystal analysis revealed that MeSCoM, HSCoM, and Metp are bound to Ni in an η1 manner through interactions with one O atom of each ligand. The tmc complexes assume a pentacoordinate geometry, which is in between a square pyramid and a trigonal bipyramid, while the pyc complexes are octahedral with coordination of the pendant pyridine at the site trans to the sulfonate or carboxylate ligand.
Crystallization‐Driven Asymmetric Synthesis of Pyridine‐β‐nitroalcohols via Discovery‐Oriented Self‐Resolution of a Dynamic System
Authors: Angelin Marcus , Vongvilai Pornrapee , Fischer Andreas , Ramström Olof
Published: September 2010

The study of dynamic nitroaldol systems aided the discovery of a diastereoselective crystallization process through amplification of 2‐nitro‐1‐(pyridine‐4‐yl)propan‐1‐ol. The phenomenon was further developed into an effective procedure for asymmetic synthesis of pyridine‐nitroalcohols and several substrates were screened to this end. These results demonstrate how work with larger dynamic systems facilitates and increases the likelihood of serendipitous discoveries.
A review on cyclodextrin encapsulation of essential oils and volatiles
Authors: Marques Helena Ma Cabral
Published: September 2010

Cyclodextrins (CyDs) are cyclic carbohydrates derived from starch. The parent CyDs contain six, seven and eight glucopyranose units and are referred as α‐, β‐ and γ‐CyD, respectively. The most important property of the CyDs is the ability to establish specific interactions – molecular encapsulation – with various types of molecules through the formation of non‐covalently bonded entities, either in the solid phase or in aqueous solution. These nano‐encapsulating agents may form inclusion complexes with essential oils and volatiles, or their components, in order to improve their characteristics, such as transformation of liquid compounds into crystalline form; masking unpleasant smells and tastes of some compounds; improving the physical and/or chemical stability; and stabilizing volatile compounds by reducing or eliminating any losses through evaporation. Complexation has been used to avoid the destruction of certain flavours by processing or, on storage, allowing the use of minor amounts of flavours. The guest molecule is released in the warm moisture of the mouth. Examples are spices, essential oils of vegetable origin and plant flavours, chamomile oil and extract, eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, lemon oil, onion and garlic oil, camphor, menthol, thymol, etc. There are several methods for the preparation of inclusion complexes; kneading, co‐precipitation, freeze‐drying and spray‐drying the most commonly used. Evidence for a guest inclusion into the apolar CyD cavity may be proved by various analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism, fluorescence, infrared/FT‐IR spectroscopy, thermo‐analysis, TLC, mass spectromety, and powder X‐ray diffractometry. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Network interactions explain effective encoding in the context of medial temporal damage in MCI
Authors: Protzner Andrea B. , Mandzia Jennifer L. , Black Sandra E. , McAndrews Mary Pat
Published: September 2010

Selective dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) results in a relatively circumscribed impairment in episodic memory. Previously, we found that activation extent in MTL during encoding correlated with subsequent recognition (hit rate) in controls but not in MCI patients (Mandzia et al. [2009]: Neurobiol Aging 30:717–730). Here, we examined whether functional connectivity amongst MTL and cortical regions might better explain differences in subsequent recognition success. Participants underwent fMRI scanning during picture encoding, and multivariate analysis was used to characterize the relationship between network activations and recognition. Both patients and controls activated a canonical MTL encoding network. However, this network correlated with hit rate only for controls. In MCI patients, recognition variability was best explained by the engagement of an additional network including BA 20. We propose that this pattern represents functional reorganization caused by reduced efficiency in the MTL network. Our findings suggest that understanding brain‐behavior relationships in neurological disorders requires examination of large‐scale networks, even when dysfunction is relatively focal as in MCI. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between reward‐related activation in the ventral striatum and trait reward sensitivity is moderated by dopamine transporter genotype
Authors: Hahn Tim , Heinzel Sebastian , Dresler Thomas , Plichta Michael M. , Renner Tobias J. , Markulin Falko , Jakob Peter M. , Lesch Klaus‐Peter , Fallgatter Andreas J.
Published: September 2010

The impact of individual differences on human reward processing has been a focus of research in recent years, particularly, as they are associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases including addiction and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Studies exploring the neural basis of individual differences in reward sensitivity have consistently implicated the ventral striatum (VS) as a core component of the human reward system. However, the mechanisms of dopaminergic neurotransmission underlying ventral striatal activation as well as trait reward sensitivity remain speculative. We addressed this issue by investigating the triadic interplay between VS reactivity during reward anticipation using functional magnetic resonance imaging, trait reward sensitivity, and dopamine (DA) transporter genotype (40‐bp 3′VNTR of DAT, SLC6A3) affecting synaptic DA neurotransmission. Our results show that DAT variation moderates the association between VS‐reactivity and trait reward sensitivity. Specifically, homozygote carriers of the DAT 10‐repeat allele exhibit a strong positive correlation between reward sensitivity and reward‐related VS activity whereas this relationship is absent in the DAT 9‐repeat allele carriers. We discuss the possibility that this moderation of VS‐trait relation might arise from DAT‐dependent differences in DA availability affecting synaptic plasticity within the VS. Generally, studying the impact of dopaminergic gene variations on the relation between reward‐related brain activity and trait reward sensitivity might facilitate the investigation of complex mechanisms underlying disorders linked to dysregulation of DA neurotransmission. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Within‐limb somatotopic representation of acute muscle pain in the human contralateral dorsal posterior insula
Authors: Henderson Luke A. , Rubin Troy K. , Macefield Vaughan G.
Published: September 2010

It is well established that the insular cortex processes noxious information. We have previously shown that noxious inputs from the arm and leg are coarsely organized somatotopically within the dorsal posterior insula. The same has been shown for inputs from C tactile afferents, which mediate affective touch, and it has been suggested that the insula may be responsible for the localization of some somatosensory stimuli. Knowing the degree of spatial detail may have significant implications for the potential role of the dorsal posterior insula in the processing of noxious stimuli. Using high‐resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we compared insula activation patterns in 13 subjects during muscle pain induced by injection of hypertonic saline (5%) into three muscles within the same limb: shoulder (deltoid), forearm (flexor carpi radialis), and hand (first dorsal interosseous). Mapping the maximally activated voxels within the contralateral dorsal posterior insula in each individual subject during each pain stimulus revealed a clear somatotopy of activation within the contralateral dorsal posterior insula. Shoulder pain was represented anterior to forearm pain and medial to hand pain. This fine somatotopic organization may be crucial for pain localization or other aspects of the pain experience that differ depending on stimulation site. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE USE OF HYDRAULIC MODELS TO OPTIMIZE THE REHABILITATION OF AN OPEN CHANNEL IRRIGATION SYSTEM: THE EXAMPLE OF THE SENEGAL RIVER DELTA IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Authors: Bouisse Thomas , Baume Jean‐Pierre , Gassama Mahamoud
Published: September 2010

For more than 30 years, important investments have been made in hydro‐agricultural schemes in the Senegal River Delta. Indeed, the river's distributaries form a complex network of natural side channels with a high potential in terms of land suitable for irrigation. However, the current configuration of these channels and the lack of maintenance prevent this feeder system from conveying the flows required to meet the region's agricultural production potential. Consequently their rehabilitation has started. This takes into account the future water demand, the network's geometrical characteristics, the actual practice of irrigation, as well as the type of control used for managing the system, and has led to the use of a mathematical model for design purposes: the Simulation of Irrigation Canals (SIC) software, developed by Cemagref. The SIC software has been chosen because it accommodates the simulation of automatic gates and performs transient state runs particularly well. Steady‐state runs do not take into account decisive factors like diurnal irrigation or the significant storage capacity of the system, and would lead to a flawed design of the system. This article illustrates the advantages of using the transient regime for the design of a networked feeder system with substantial storage capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Latex use as an occlusive membrane for guided bone regeneration
Authors: Ereno Cibele , Guimarães Sérgio A. Catanzaro , Pasetto Silvana , Herculano Rondinelli Donizetti , Silva Cecília Pereira , Graeff Carlos F. O. , Tavano Orivaldo , Baffa Oswaldo , Kinoshita Angela
Published: September 2010

Latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis was used as an occlusive membrane for guided bone regeneration. Twenty‐four rabbits were divided in two groups: treated and control group. Critical size bone defects (2 cm × 1 cm) were surgically made in the rabbit calvarium. Two latex membranes were implanted in each animal of the treated group, whereas the control defect was filled only with autogenous blood clot. After 15, 30, 60, and 120 days, animals from each group were euthanized, and the samples with regenerated bone were removed. No signs of allergy or rejection were noticed around the calvarial bone defect of the treated group. In the histological analysis, no foreign body inflammatory reaction was observed in the adjacent tissues in contact with the membranes demonstrating that latex can be used at injured sites as an aid in the healing process. Histological analysis, digital radiography, and electron spin resonance were used to evaluate the progress of bone repair. The results show significant differences between groups (p < 0.05) suggesting that latex membranes accelerates healing in critical bone defects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
In vivo behavior of trimethylene carbonate and ε‐caprolactone‐based (co)polymer networks: Degradation and tissue response
Authors: Bat Erhan , Plantinga Josée A. , Harmsen Martin C. , van Luyn Marja J. A. , Feijen Jan , Grijpma Dirk W.
Published: September 2010

The in vivo erosion behavior of crosslinked (co)polymers based on trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and ε‐caprolactone (CL) was investigated. High molecular weight poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) homopolymer‐ and copolymer films were crosslinked by gamma irradiation. To adjust the in vivo erosion rate of the (co)polymer films, both the irradiation dose (25, 50, or 100 kGy) for PTMC and composition (100–70 mol % TMC) at a constant irradiation dose of 25 kGy were varied. After subcutaneous implantation of irradiated films in rats, their in vivo behavior was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. When the irradiation dose for PTMC was increased from 25 to 100 kGy, the erosion rate of nonextracted PTMC films (determined at day 5) decreased from 39.7 ± 16.0 μm day−1 to 15.1 ± 2.5 μm day−1, and the number of lymphocytes in the tissue surrounding the films decreased from 235 ± 114 cells mm−2 to 64 ± 33 cells mm−2. The number of macrophages and giant cells at the tissue–polymer interface also decreased with increasing irradiation dose. All (co)polymer films eroded completely within 28 days of implantation. Variation of the TMC content of gamma irradiated (co)polymer films did not affect the tissue response to the gamma irradiated (co)polymer films and their in vivo erosion behavior much. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Binding of proteins to ultra high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles as a possible mechanism of macrophage and lymphocyte activation
Authors: Zolotarevová E. , Hudeček J. , Špundová M. , Entlicher G.
Published: September 2010

Binding of five human plasma proteins (IgG, serum albumin, α1–acid glycoprotein, holo‐transferrin, α1–antitrypsin) to ultra high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles (0.1–10 μm) isolated from hip periprosthetic tissues was studied in vitro. All tested plasma proteins were bound to wear particles in a similar way indicating irreversible binding. Analogous interaction was found also between GUR 4120 particles (diameter ∼250 μm) and two tested plasma proteins (human serum albumin and α1–acid glycoprotein). The binding was not affected by pH of a buffer or the isoelectric point of bound proteins; thus it was apparently of clearly hydrophobic nature. We hypothesize that the binding causes some unfolding of the bound proteins, thus exposing new determinants with which sensitive cells may react. This could be a mechanism by which polyethylene wear particles trigger, for example, macrophages activity and thence initiate aseptic inflammation and cause the failure of total joint replacements. Results can contribute to the choice of a convenient construction type of prostheses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Enhancement of bone formation by BMP‐7 transduced MSCs on biomimetic nano‐hydroxyapatite/polyamide composite scaffolds in repair of mandibular defects
Authors: Li Jihua , Li Yubao , Ma Sancheng , Gao Ying , Zuo Yi , Hu Jing
Published: September 2010

This study was to evaluate enhanced bone formation by bone morphogenetic protein‐7 (BMP‐7) transduced MSCs on nano‐hydroxyapatite/polyamide (n‐HA/PA) composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in repair of mandibular defect. n‐HA/PA scaffolds were prepared and rabbit MSCs were separated and expanded; and then infected with adenoviral‐mediated BMP‐7 in vitro. The MSCs‐BMP‐7 and MSCs were seeded on the porous scaffolds. Scaffold/MSCs‐BMP‐7 constructs and scaffold/MSCs constructs were implanted in the defects of rabbits' mandible as the experimental groups A (n = 18) and groups B (n = 18), respectively, the pure scaffolds were implanted as controls (group C, n = 18). Six animals were sacrificed at 4‐, 8‐, and 16‐week postimplantation, respectively. Their mandibles were removed and processed for radiographic, biomechanical tests, histological, and histomorphometric analysis. Group A animals showed greater bone formation and earlier mineralization than group B at 4‐ and 8‐week postimplantation and similarly group B more than group C. However, no difference was found among three groups at 16‐week postimplantation. The results of this study suggest that BMP‐7 transduced MSCs‐n‐HA/PA composite could significantly accelerate bone formation in the implant at early stage. BMP‐7 mediated ex vivo gene transfer based on MSCs as seed cells, combined with porous n‐HA/PA as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering might be an alternative or supplemental approach to repair the mandibular defects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
A TD‐DFT study on the cyanide‐chemosensing mechanism of 8‐formyl‐7‐hydroxycoumarin
Authors: Li Guang‐Yue , Zhao Guang‐Jiu , Han Ke‐Li , He Guo‐Zhong
Published: September 2010

Proton transfer (PT) and excited‐state PT process are proposed to account for the fluorescent sensing mechanism of a cyanide chemosensor, 8‐formyl‐7‐hydroxycoumarin. The time‐dependent density functional theory method has been applied to investigate the ground and the first singlet excited electronic states of this chemosensor as well as its nucleophilic addition product with cyanide, with a view to monitoring their geometries and spectrophotometrical properties. The present theoretical study indicates that phenol proton of the chemosensor transfers to the formyl group along the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the first singlet excited state. Correspondingly, the nucleophilic addition product undergoes a PT process in the ground state, and shows a similar structure in the first singlet excited state. This could explain the observed strong fluorescence upon the addition of the cyanide anion in the relevant fluorescent sensing mechanism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
On the effects of fair trade on the welfare of the poor
Authors: Baumann Florian , Oschinski Matthias , Stähler Nikolai
Published: September 2010

Despite the rising importance of fair trade (FT), a relatively small amount of academic research has been done in this area so far. Advocates of FT claim that it will ultimately improve the living conditions of the poor. Opponents hold that it will worsen their situation. More often than not, public discussion is affected by dogmatic views, prejudices and emotional charges. This paper aims to contribute to an objective discussion of the topic. We present a matching model to analyse the welfare effects of FT in an agricultural market. Our results show that producers obtaining FT certification are better off. All others will lose if incentives for importers to enter the market decline. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to the special issue: Implicit measures of consumer response—the search for the Holy Grail of marketing research
Authors: Nevid Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2010

The advent of measures of implicit cognition provides marketing researchers with tools they can use to probe automatic processes that do not rely on conscious deliberation. Attempts by marketing researchers to probe unconscious or automatic processes underlying consumer attitudes and purchase decisions date back at least as far as the work of motivation researchers in the early to mid‐twentieth century. These newer methods, principally the Implicit Association Test, emerged from work of psychologists concerned with studying implicit attitudes toward the self and social issues. These measures have more recently been applied to marketing studies of implicit attitudes of consumers toward particular brands and products. This special issue of Psychology & Marketing features contributions in which contemporary researchers in the field review applications of implicit measurement to consumer cognition, consumer persuasion, and nonverbal communication in the retailing context. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can you trust a customer's expression? Insights into nonverbal communication in the retail context
Authors: Puccinelli Nancy M. , Motyka Scott , Grewal Dhruv
Published: September 2010

Synthesizing knowledge from psychology and marketing research, an understanding of nonverbal communication can help address when and how customers express their underlying feelings in retail interactions that are not evident in direct verbal expressions. Examining nonverbal behavior as an indirect measure of consumer response can enable retailers to better understand the needs of their customers. Nonverbal communication theory is used to develop a conceptual framework that builds on prior research on the situation, expressivity, social status, display rules, and their effects on customer expression. Lay wisdom suggests that customer expression should be revealing (e.g., “the eyes are the windows to the soul”). However, research reveals a myriad of situational factors that may lead customers to mask their true feelings. This paper offers nine theoretical propositions and summarizes research evidence related to these pro‐positions from various substantive domains for marketing research. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Semi‐parametric time‐domain quantification of HR‐MAS data from prostate tissue
Authors: Ratiney Helene , Albers Mark J. , Rabeson Herald , Kurhanewicz John
Published: September 2010

High Resolution – Magic Angle Spinning (HR‐MAS) spectroscopy provides rich biochemical profiles that require accurate quantification to permit biomarker identification and to understand the underlying pathological mechanisms. Meanwhile, quantification of HR‐MAS data from prostate tissue samples is challenging due to significant overlap between the resonant peaks, the presence of short $T_{2}^{*} $ metabolites such as citrate or polyamines (T2 from 25 to 100 msec) and macromolecules, and variations in chemical shifts and $T_{2}^{*} $s within a metabolite's spin systems. Since existing methods do not address these challenges completely, a new quantification method was developed and optimized for HR‐MAS data acquired with an ultra short TE and over 30,000 data points. The proposed method, named HR‐QUEST (High Resolution – QUEST), iteratively employs the QUEST time‐domain semi‐parametric strategy with a new model function that incorporates prior knowledge from whole and subdivided metabolite signals. With these features, HR‐QUEST is able to independently fit the chemical shifts and $T_{2}^{*} $s of a metabolite's spin systems, a necessity for HR‐MAS data. By using the iterative fitting approach, it is able to account for significant contributions from macromolecules and to handle shorter T2 metabolites, such as citrate and polyamines. After subdividing the necessary metabolite basis signals, the root mean square (RMS) of the residual was reduced by 52% for measured HR‐MAS data from prostate tissue. Monte Carlo studies on simulated spectra with varied macromolecular contributions showed that the iterative fitting approach (6 iterations) coupled with inclusion of long T2 macromolecule components in the basis set improve the quality of the fit, as assessed by the reduction of the RMS of the residual and of the RMS error of the metabolite signal estimate, by 27% and 71% respectively. With this optimized configuration, HR‐QUEST was applied to measured HR‐MAS prostate data and reliably quantified 16 metabolites and reference signals with estimated Cramér Rao Bounds ≤5%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic in vivo mapping of model moisturiser ingress into human skin by GARfield MRI
Authors: Ciampi Elisabetta , van Ginkel Michael , McDonald Peter J. , Pitts Simon , Bonnist Eleanor Y. M. , Singleton Scott , Williamson Ann‐Marie
Published: September 2010

We describe the development of in vivo one‐dimensional MRI (profiling) using a GARField (Gradient At Right angles to Field) magnet for the characterisation of side‐of‐hand human skin. For the first time and in vivo, we report measurements of the NMR longitudinal and transverse relaxation parameters and self‐diffusivity of the upper layers of human skin with a nominal spatial resolution better than 10 µm. The results are correlated with in vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy measurements of water concentration and natural moisturiser factors, and discussed in terms of known skin biology and microstructure of the stratum corneum and viable epidermis. The application of model moisturiser solutions to the skin is followed and their dynamics of ingress are characterised using the MRI methodology developed. Selected hydrophilic and lipophilic formulations are studied. The results are corroborated by standard in vivo measurements of transepidermal water loss and hydration status. A further insight into moisturisation mechanisms is gained. The effect of two different penetration enhancers on a commonly used skin care oil is also discussed, and different timescales of oil penetration into the skin are reported depending on the type of enhancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the circumference at the nutrient foramen of the tibia of value to sex determination on human osteological collections? Testing a new method
Authors: Garcia S.
Published: September 2010

This paper tests the validity of the circumference at the nutrient foramen of the tibia for sex determination on two human osteological collections: the Lisbon Collection of Identified Skeletons (n = 160) and the São Martinho medieval archaeological collection from Leiria, Portugal (n = 57). The methodological approach chosen to conduct the test was the sectioning point method. The overall accuracy (males and females combined) in the Lisbon Collection was 78% and in the São Martinho Collection it reached 90%. In both series, females were more accurately classified than males. This paper advocates the importance of developing and using sample specific methods for sex determination in modern and in archaeological human osteological assemblages. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular design and density functional theory investigation of novel low‐band‐gap benzobisthiadiazole‐based systems: from monomer to polymer
Authors: Fu Yangwu , Shen Wei , Li Ming
Published: September 2010

The electronic structure and properties of benzobisthiadiazole‐based alternating donor–acceptor conjugated oligomers and their periodic copolymers of donor and acceptor units with ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 were investigated systematically using the density functional theory method. The donors include thiophene, thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene and pyrrole. The ratio of donor to acceptor units (D:A ratio) plays a very important role in the geometric and electronic properties. The intramolecular charge transfer increases and the bond length alternation decreases with an increase in the D:A ratio for these oligomers and polymers. Moreover, an increase in D:A ratio can greatly reduce the band gap and effective mass of holes and electrons for these alternating donor‐acceptor conjugated copolymers. The unusually large intramolecular charge transfer caused by intramolecular hydrogen bonds reveals that pyrrole is not only a strong electron donor but also a potential hydrogen bond donor. The theoretical results suggest those copolymers possessing a D:A ratio of 2:1 are better candidates for conducting materials compared to those with a D:A ratio of 1:1. The almost zero band gap, large bandwidth and small effective mass of holes and electrons of poly(4,8‐bis(thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole) indicate that it is a very good candidate for an electrically conductive material. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Blue–green luminescence and SERS study of carbon‐rich hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide films with multiphase structure
Authors: Li Zhe , Zhang Jun , He Haiyan , Bian Juncao , Zhang Xiwen , Han Gaorong
Published: September 2010

The carbon‐rich hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a‐Si1−xCx:H) films were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using silane (diluted to 10% in hydrogen) and ethylene as the gas sources. To observe surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), some samples were prepared on sputtered Ag films on Si substrates. A variety of techniques including ellipsometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to characterize the grown films. With enormous enhancement in Raman spectral intensity of carbon related phases and SiC bonds, SERS is proved to be a powerful method to investigate carbon‐rich a‐Si1−xCx:H films. Multiphase structure of the grown a‐Si1−xCx:H films is confirmed which possesses hydrogenated sp3 SiC network and sp2 amorphous carbon clusters. Blue–green multiband PL are observed at room temperature. A possible PL mechanism is suggested: the PL originates from exciton‐like and geminate recombination of excited electron–hole pairs through localized tail states within sp2 clusters and gap states related to sp3 SiC network.
Anisotropic macrostructures formed of single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Arutyunyan N. R. , Chernov A. I. , Obraztsova E. D.
Published: September 2010

The present investigation is focused on the formation of anisotropic macrostructures via a self‐assembly process of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in a liquid. During the liquid evaporation, the nanotubes can be deposited on the substrate, submerged vertically in the enriched SWNT suspension. This procedure results in formation of the SWNT parallel alignment on the substrate in the area of few millimeters. To estimate the degree of the SWNT alignment, the intensity of Raman scattering in polarizations parallel (VV) and perpendicular (VH) to the incident light has been detected. Orientation‐dependent measurements have revealed a high anisotropy for G‐band and radial breathing modes (RBM) of nanotubes. The width of the angular nanotube distribution is less than 15°.
Effect of mono vacancy on electron and positron properties of 3C SiC
Authors: Rubaszek Anna
Published: September 2010

First principle calculation of the electron and positron band structure in the perfect and defected 3C silicon carbide (SiC) is performed within the linear muffin‐tin orbital (LMTO) method in the atomic spheres approximation (ASA). For Si and C vacancy the insulator‐metal transition is observed. Effect of the electron–positron interaction on the resulting positron distribution is studied. Theoretical electron and electron–positron momentum densities for Si and C mono vacancies, obtained within various approximations to the electron–positron correlations, are discussed in comparison with the relevant characteristics in the perfect 3C SiC.