bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The chemistry of unusual macrolides, 2. Spectroscopic and biosynthetic investigations of the V‐type ATPase inhibitor concanamycin A
Authors: Bindseil Kai U. , Zeeck Axel
Published: July 2007

The 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra of the conformationally flexible macrolide concanamycin A (1) have been assigned by the use of 2D NMR techniques at low temperatures and have enabled biosynthetic studies on this most potent inhibitor of vacuolar ATPases. By feeding of different [13C]‐labeled precursors to Streptomyces sp. (strain Gö 22/15) the polyketide origin of the concanamycin skeleton was proved. It arises from a tetradecaketide, which is based on four acetate and seven propionate units besides one butyrate and two unusual C2 building blocks from the triose pool. In combination with former findings it is possible to predict the biogenetic assembly of several strongly related unusual macrolides, for which the group name “plecomacrolides” should be used in future. The results are discussed in the light of modern hypothesis as stated for polyketide pathways. magnified image
Synthesis of New Terpene Skeletons by Chemical Cyclization of Epoxy Olefins
Authors: Mori Kenji , Aki Shinji , Kido Masaru
Published: July 2007

Tin(IV) chloride catalyzed cyclization of the epoxy olefin (±)‐7 gave the octahydroazulene derivative (±)‐9, the structure of which was solved by X‐ray analysis of its derivative (±)‐11. Titanium(IV) chloride catalyzed cyclization of the epoxy triene (±)‐18 yielded the hydrobenz[e]indene derivative (±)‐19 as a mixture of stereoisomers. The structure of (±)‐19 was solved by X‐ray analyses of its derivatives (±)‐20 and (±)‐21. magnified image
Structure‐Odor Correlation, XIX. Synthesis and Olfactory Properties of Various Racemic Theaspirones, Ketoedulans and Edulans
Authors: Weyerstahl Peter , Meisel Thomas
Published: July 2007

Starting from the cheap isophorone derivative 1 and the alkynols 2–4, we could prepare the key intermediates 9–11 via addition reaction (→ 5–7) and hydrogenation. Ring closure of 9–11 led to the theaspirone (C) and/or ketoedulan (E) series, depending on the reaction conditions used and the steric situation at C‐2. By treatment of 9 with tosyl chloride/pyridine the theaspirone derivative 13 was formed exclusively, whereas 10a, b were converted into mixtures of 14a, b together with the ketoedulan derivatives 20a, b; the crowded 11 did not react at all. By treatment of 9–11 with hydrochloric acid/acetone 19–21 were readily obtained. Several hydrogenation and dehydration steps under various conditions led to the theaspirones 16–18, to the ketoedulans 26a, b and 27, and to the edulans 39a and 40b. – Olfactory evaluation of the theaspirones 16 (harsh, green), 17a (floral, fruity) and 18 (weak, woody) shows the drastic influence of the steric situation at C‐2. The ketoedulans 26a and 27 smell weak, woody. Evaluation of both odor and flavor of 39a and 40b exhibits mostly woody, camphoraceous and fruity tonalities. magnified image
Semicyclic 3‐Trifloxypropen‐ and Propyniminium Triflates
Authors: Reinhard Robert , Maas Gerhard , Bohrisch Jörg , Liebscher Jürgen
Published: July 2007

O‐Sulfonylation of 2‐oxomethylene‐substituted 1‐azaheterocycles 1 yields the 3‐trifloxypropeniminium triflates 2a–e in high yield. Thermal β‐elimination of triflic acid from these salts affords the propyniminium triflates (2‐ethynylcycliminium triflates) 3a–e. The treatment of semicyclic enamino ketones 1f, g with triflic anhydride yields directly the propyniminium triflates 3f, g. magnified image
Die Oxidation zweier neuer 1,3‐Dihydroxyimidazolidine – Darstellung und Struktur von Nitronylnitroxid‐Radikalen
Authors: Bätz Christof , Amann Peter , Deiseroth Hans‐Jörg , Dulog Lothar
Published: July 2007

The Oxidation of Two New 1,3‐Dihydroxyimidazolidines – Synthesis and Structure of Nitronyl Nitroxide Radicals

The two new 1,3‐dihydroxyimidazolidines 3a and 3b were prepared by condensation of 4‐formylbenzoic acid (2a) and sodium glyoxylate (2b) with 2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐butanediylbis‐(hydroxylamine) sulfate (1). The 1,3‐dihydroxyimidazolidines were oxidized with sodium periodate in water to form nitronyl nitroxide radicals. Oxidation of the 1,3‐dihydroxyimidazolidine 3a yielded the new radical 4a, whereas the product obtained from the 1,3‐dihydroxyimidazolidine 3b was, due to decarboxylation, the unsubstituted radical 4c. The crystal structure of 4a was solved by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, showing the molecules to be arranged in zigzag chains as a consequence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. magnified image
Aborycin – A Tricyclic 21‐Peptide Antibiotic Isolated from Streptomyces griseoflavus
Authors: Potterat Olivier , Stephan Holger , Metzger Jörg W. , Gnau Volker , Zähner Hans , Jung Günther
Published: July 2007

The screening for growth inhibitors against Bacillus subtilis revealed a peptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseoflavus TÜ 4072. Very high yields of the antibiotic named aborycin were obtained by cultivation in a medium containing soybean meal and sucrose. Isolation from the mycelium was carried out by a combination of extraction and gel chromatography. Preparative HPLC yielded the uniform antibiotic. The structure elucidation was based on GC amino acid analysis on a chiral phase, automated Edman degradation, electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and two‐dimensional NMR (TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC, HMBC). Aborycin represents a 21‐peptide that is cyclized from the side chain of Asp9 to the N‐terminus of Cys1. Two disulfide bonds Cys1 to Cys13 and Cys7 to Cys19 form a tricyclic structure consisting exclusively of protein amino acids. The peptide antibiotic aborycin was found to be identical with a HIV protease inhibitor isolated recently from Streptomyces SP 9440. magnified image
Dimethyldioxirane Oxidation of 3‐Arylidenechromanones
Authors: Adam Waldemar , Halász Judit , Lévai Albert , Nemes Csaba , Patonay Tamás , Tóth Gábor
Published: July 2007

Oxidation of the (E) and (Z) isomers of the 3‐arylidenechromanones 5 by isolated dimethyldioxirane (as acetone solution) at ambient temperature resulted in the formation of the spiro epoxides trans‐ and cis‐6, respectively, in moderate yields (23–51%), together with considerable amounts (16–40%) of the 3‐aroylchromones 7 from both (E)‐ and (Z)‐5 isomers. Minor products, namely 3‐(α‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐benzyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (8b), 1a,7a‐dihydro‐7a‐(α‐hydroxy‐4‐methylbenzyl)‐7H‐oxireno[b][1]benzopyran‐7‐one (9d), and the 1a,7a‐dihydro‐7a‐aroyl‐7H‐oxireno[b][1]‐benzopyran‐4‐ones 10a–c have also been isolated and characterized. Presumably, the formation of 3‐aroylchromones 7 can be attributed to competitive allylic oxidation with dimethyldioxirane to afford first the 3‐(α‐hydroxyarylmethyl)‐chromones 8, whose secondary alcohol functionality is subsequently oxidized by dimethyldioxirane to give the 3‐aroylchromones 7. Further oxidation of the latter by dioxirane affords the epoxides 10, as established by a control experiment. Alternatively, first oxidation of 8 to yield epoxide 9 and subsequent oxidation of the alcohol functionality to afford the overoxidized product 10 cannot be disposed of on grounds of our product data. Nonetheless, despite the moderate yields of the desirable chromanone epoxides 6, the stereoselective oxidation directly of the chromanones by dimethyldioxirane offers a convenient preparation. Relative configuration and stereochemistry of compounds 6–10 were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and AM1 calculations. magnified image
Synthese vonN‐substituierten Oxo‐ und Thioxopyrimidinen aus 1,2,4‐Dithiazoliumsalzen
Authors: Holzer Max , Dobner Bodo , Briel Detlef
Published: July 2007

Synthesis ofN‐Substituted Oxo‐ and Thioxopyrimidines from 1,2,4‐Dithiazolium Salts

2,4‐Diaryl‐substituted 1,3‐thiazine‐5‐carbonitriles5, 6, obtained by reaction of 1,2,4‐dithiazolium salts1with activated cyanoacetates, undergo ring transformations in the presence of primary and secondary amines. Thus,5and6react with primary amines under mild conditions to give hardly accessible N‐3‐substituted oxopyrimidine‐ or thioxopyrimidine‐5‐carbonitriles11, 16, with secondary amines to give N‐3‐unsubstituted pyrimidine derivates14, 19and with diamines to give imidazo[1,2‐c]pyrimidines or pyrimido[1,2‐c]pyrimidines23a, b. After alkylation of 1,3‐thiazines6, highly reactive 1,3‐thiazinium salts8can be isolated.
Stereoselective Amidoalkylation Reactions via N,O‐Acetals
Authors: Arenz Thomas , Frauenrath Herbert , Raabe Gerhard , Zorn Martin
Published: July 2007

The isomerization of N,O‐acetals 1 yields N‐acyl‐O‐vinyl acetals 2 or 2‐aminomethyl‐1,3‐butadienes 10, depending on the nature of the nitrogen substituents. In the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) the N,O‐acetals 2h–u are converted stereoselectively into β‐(N‐acylamino)aldehydes 3. The relative configurations of the products 3 have been determined by X‐ray analysis and 1H‐NMR experiments. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed. Crossover experiments indicate an intermolecular course of the rearrangement.
Derivate der Ketipinsäure, II. Ketipinsäuredilacton und verwandte Verbindungen
Authors: Stachel Hans‐Dietrich , Jungkenn Michael , Koser‐Gnoss Christiane , Poschenrieder Hermann , Redlin Jutta
Published: July 2007

Derivatives of Ketipic Acid, II. – Ketipic Acid Dilactone and Related Compounds

The highly reactive title compound 7 was prepared by thermal decomposition of the disguised oxalylbisketene 6. Ring opening of 7 with nucleophiles leads to γ‐alkylidenetetronic acids 4. α‐Substituted derivatives of 4a give rise to unsymmetrical dilactones 9a–c and the dibromodilactone 9d. The alkylidenetetronic acids are stabilized in the E configuration by hydrogen bridges. The pairs of isomeric (E)‐ and (Z)‐alkylidenetetronic acids 3 and 4 show characteristic spectral differences.
Synthesis of Carbon‐Bridged C‐Lactose and Derivatives
Authors: Dietrich Hansjörg , Schmidt Richard R.
Published: July 2007

4‐C‐Formylglucopyranoside 9 was readily obtained from 4‐O‐unprotected glucose derivative 4 in four steps, each step giving a high product yield. Reaction with 1‐C‐lithiated 2‐phenylsulfinyl‐D‐galactal 10 as nucleophile furnished C‐disaccharide intermediates 11a and 11b as diastereoisomers. Ensuing removal of the phenylsulfinyl group with Raney nickel and regio‐ and diastereospecific 2b‐hydrogen and 3b‐hydroxy transfer afforded β(1–4)‐connected C‐lactosides 13a and 13b, respectively; their structures were deduced from derivatives 14a, b and 16a, b on the basis of 1H‐NMR data. Hydrogenolytic O‐debenzylation of 13a and 13b afforded hydroxymethylene‐bridged C‐lactose 2a and 2b, respectively. Regioselective O‐benzylation of 13a gave preferentially 1b‐O‐unprotected derivative 17aa which furnished upon oxidation carbonyl‐bridged C‐lactose derivative 19. Deoxygenation at C‐1b of 17aa and subsequent hydrogenolytic O‐debenzylation furnished methylene‐bridged C‐lactose 1.
Synthesen von 20‐Carbaldehyden und 20‐Carbonitrilen der Pregnanreihe aus (20S)‐20‐Hydroxymethylpregna‐1,4‐dien‐3‐on
Authors: Krieg Reimar , Schönecker Bruno
Published: July 2007

Synthesis of 20‐Carbaldehydes and 20‐Carbonitriles of the Pregnane Series Starting with (20S)‐20‐Hydroxymethylpregna‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one

An efficient six‐step approach to 3‐protected (20S)‐3β‐hydroxypregna‐1,5‐diene‐20‐carbaldehydes8with potential importance in the synthesis of vitamin D analogues was developed starting with (20S)‐20‐hydroxymethylpregna‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one (1). Oxidation of the 22‐hydroxy group of1by means of periodinane2(Dess‐Martin reagent) furnished the aldehyde3without epimerization.3was protected selectively at C‐22 as dimethyl acetal5. Isomerization to6and subsequent reduction of the 3‐carbonyl group with calcium borohydride furnished the 3β‐alcohol7awith high stereoselectivity. Cleavage of the acetal to8aoccurred in a homogeneous solution of acetic acid in the presence of small amounts of water and trifluoroacetic acid. After protection of the 3‐OH group8b–dwere obtained in 54% overall yield. The in situ generated aldehydeN,N‐dimethylhydrazones of3, 8a, and8bwere converted in high yields with excellent chemoselectivity into the nitriles12, 15a, and15bwith magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate. The uniform (20S) stereochemistry of3and8a–dwas elucidated by1H‐NMR investigations.
A Short Synthesis of Vicine and Convicine, the Causative Agents of Favism
Authors: Kunesch Nicole , Miet Christine , Poisson Jacques
Published: July 2007

Vicine (1) and convicine (2) (Vicia faba), causative of the human disease favism, have been conveniently prepared in good yields by a three‐step synthesis starting from ethyl glyoxylate. The key step is the reaction of a suitable tetra‐O‐acetylglucopyranoside with a large excess of guanidine with causes simultaneously deacetylation and coupling.
Biologically Active Metabolites from Fungi, 4. Palmarumycins CP1–CP4 from Coniothyrium palmarum: Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Activity
Authors: Krohn Karsten , Michel Andreas , Flörke Ulrich , Aust Hans‐Jürgen , Draeger Siegfried , Schulz Barbara
Published: July 2007

Four new penta‐ and hexacyclic antifungal and antibacterial metabolites, the palmarumycins CP1–CP4 (1–4), were isolated from Coniothyrium palmarum. In these structurally unique antibiotics, a 1,8‐dihydroxynaphthalene unit is connected by a spiroacetal to another partially reduced naphthalene unit. The structure of the pentacyclic palmarumycin CP3 (3) was confirmed by X‐ray structure analysis.
Synthesis of 13‐O‐β‐D‐Glucopyranosylgibberellin A5 β‐D‐Glucopyranosyl Ester
Authors: Schneider Gernot , Schmidt Jürgen
Published: July 2007

13‐O‐β‐D‐Glucopyranosylgibberellin A5 β‐D‐glucopyranosyl ester (2a) was synthesized by base‐catalyzed (triethylamine) reaction of gibberellin A5 13‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4a) with α‐acetobromoglucose followed by mild sodium methanolate deacetylation. Structures of the gibberellin A5 glucosyl conjugates were established by LSI‐MS, ESI‐MS, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy.
Syntheses and Reactions of Crown Ether‐Bridged Stilbenes
Authors: Merz Andreas , Karl Andreas , Futterer Thomas , Stacherdinger Natascha , Schneider Oliver , Lex Johann , Luboch Elzbieta , Biernat Jan F.
Published: July 2007

A high‐yield synthesis of o, o′ crown ether‐bridged stilbenes 3b–e by reductive McMurry condensation of (2‐formylphenyl)oligoethylene glycols 2b–e with facile (E/Z) diastereomer separation by selective cation complexation is described. Derivatization of the stilbene double bonds of (E)‐ or (Z)‐3b–e affords dihydroxy crown ethers 4c, d and 5c, d diastereo‐ and enantioselectively. Likewise, trans‐ and cis‐epoxides 11b–d and 12b–d are stereospecifically obtained. A crown ether‐bridged diphenylacetaldehyde 13 is formed by rearrangement of 11c or 12c. Photocyclization of 3e yields large‐ring 1,8‐phenanthrene crown ether 18. The crystal structures of racemic 5c and of 12d are presented. A high caesium selectivity compared to the other alkali metal and alkaline earth cations is found for ion exchange membranes with incorporated crown ether (Z)‐3c.
Nitro Ketones in Organic Synthesis: A New, Short Synthesis of Racemic trans‐2‐methyl‐1,7‐dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, trans, trans‐ and trans, cis‐2,8‐dimethyl‐1,7‐dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane by Henry reaction
Authors: Ballini Roberto , Bosica Giovanna , Schaafstra Robert
Published: July 2007

The synthesis of spiroketals from nitro ketones is described. Racemic trans‐2‐Methyl‐1,7‐dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (1a), and 2,8‐dimethyl‐1,7‐dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (1b) are synthesized as a mixture of trans, trans and trans, cis isomers in a ratio of 6.5:3.5 (separable by flash chromatography) by nitroaldol reaction (Henry reaction) of 6‐nitro‐2‐hexanone (2) with THP‐protected hydroxy aldehydes 3 on Amberlyst A21. Subsequent dehydration of the obtained nitro alkanols 4 with Ac2O/DMAP affords the nitro alkenes 5 which can be directly converted into 1 by sodium tetrahydridoborate reduction, and refluxing of the reaction mixture after acidification with 2 N HCl.
The intestine as a possible target for fumonisin toxicity
Authors: Bouhet Sandrine , Oswald Isabelle P.
Published: July 2007

Fumonisins constitute a family of toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides (formerly F. moniliforme), a common fungal contaminant of corn. Contamination with fumonisin B1 (FB1) is of concern as this mycotoxin causes various animal diseases. The gastrointestinal tract represents the first barrier against ingested chemicals, food contaminants, and natural toxins. Following ingestion of fumonisin‐contaminated food or feed, intestinal epithelial cells could be exposed to a high concentration of toxin. In this review, we have summarized the data dealing with the impact of FB1 on the intestine. Although FB1 is poorly absorbed and metabolized in the intestine, it induces intestinal disturbances (abdominal pain or diarrhea) and causes extra‐intestinal organ pathologies (pulmonary edema, leukoencephalomalacia, or neural tube defects). The main toxicological effect of FB1 reported in vivo and in vitro is the accumulation of sphingoid bases associated with the depletion of complex sphingolipids. This disturbance of the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway could explain the other observed toxicological effects such as an alteration in intestinal epithelial cell viability and proliferation, a modification of cytokine production, and a modulation of intestinal physical barrier function.
Characterization of antioxidant compounds of red and white rice and changes in total antioxidant capacity during processing
Authors: Finocchiaro Franca , Ferrari Barbara , Gianinetti Alberto , Dall'Asta Chiara , Galaverna Gianni , Scazzina Francesca , Pellegrini Nicoletta
Published: July 2007

Although most rice cultivars have whitish kernel, some varieties have a red testa. Aim of this work was to compare the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the antioxidant chemical composition (namely tocols, γ‐oryzanols, and polyphenols) of red and white rices. In addition, the effect of milling and cooking on antioxidants was investigated in both rices. Dehulled red rice showed a TAC more than three times greater than dehulled white rice and its high TAC was essentially characterized by the presence of proanthocyanidins (PA) and associated phenolics. Milling caused a significant loss of TAC, even if red rice maintained a higher TAC. Cooking caused a further loss of antioxidants, but when there was a full uptake of cooking water by the grains (“risotto”) this loss was limited. Thus, the consumption of whole or partially milled rice cooked as risotto would be preferred to preserve its nutritional properties.
Complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of α‐ and β‐adenosine, 2′‐deoxyadenosine and their acetate derivatives
Authors: Ciuffreda P. , Casati S. , Manzocchi A.
Published: July 2007

1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of α‐ and β‐anomers of adenosine, 2′‐deoxyadenosine and their acetate derivatives were completely and definitely assigned using the concerted application of one‐ and two‐dimensional experiments (gCOSY, gNOESY, gHSQC and gHMBC). The influence of the stereochemistry of the purine base on the NMR data of the hydrogen and carbon atoms of the furanose moiety was estimated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the anomeric configuration in carbohydrates by longitudinal cross‐correlated relaxation studies: application to mono‐ and disaccharides
Authors: Pichumani Kumar , Zou Xiang , Chandra Tilak , Brown Kenneth L.
Published: July 2007

The role of cross‐correlated relaxation between the anomeric proton chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and its dipolar relaxation with nearby proton on the longitudinal relaxation in mono‐ and disaccharides at two magnetic field strengths has been investigated and shown to directly report the identity of their anomeric configuration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capture and analysis of quantitative proteomic data
Authors: Lau King Wai , Jones Andrew R. , Swainston Neil , Siepen Jennifer A. , Hubbard Simon J.
Published: July 2007

Whilst the array of techniques available for quantitative proteomics continues to grow, the attendant bioinformatic software tools are similarly expanding in number. The data capture and analysis of such quantitative data is obviously crucial to the experiment and the methods used to process it will critically affect the quality of the data obtained. These tools must deal with a variety of issues, including identification of labelled and unlabelled peptide species, location of the corresponding MS scans in the experiment, construction of representative ion chromatograms, location of the true peptide ion chromatogram start and end, elimination of background signal in the mass spectrum and chromatogram and calculation of both peptide and protein ratios/abundances. A variety of tools and approaches are available, in part restricted by the nature of the experiment to be performed and available instrumentation. Currently, although there is no single consensus on precisely how to calculate protein and peptide abundances, many common themes have emerged which identify and reduce many of the key sources of error. These issues will be discussed, along with those relating to deposition of quantitative data. At present, mature data standards for quantitative proteomics are not yet available, although formats are beginning to emerge.
Methods for the detection and analysis of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Berggård Tord , Linse Sara , James Peter
Published: July 2007

A large number of methods have been developed over the years to study protein–protein interactions. Many of these techniques are now available to the nonspecialist researcher thanks to new affordable instruments and/or resource centres. A typical protein–protein interaction study usually starts with an initial screen for novel binding partners. We start this review by describing three techniques that can be used for this purpose: (i) affinity‐tagged proteins (ii) the two‐hybrid system and (iii) some quantitative proteomic techniques that can be used in combination with, e.g., affinity chromatography and coimmunoprecipitation for screening of protein–protein interactions. We then describe some public protein–protein interaction databases that can be searched to identify previously reported interactions for a given bait protein. Four strategies for validation of protein–protein interactions are presented: confocal microscopy for intracellular colocalization of proteins, coimmunoprecipitation, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and spectroscopic studies. Throughout the review we focus particularly on the advantages and limitations of each method.
Affinity reagent resources for human proteome detection: Initiatives and perspectives
Authors: Stoevesandt Oda , Taussig Michael J.
Published: July 2007

Essential to the ambition of characterising fully the human proteome are systematic and comprehensive collections of specific affinity reagents directed against all human proteins, including splice variants and modifications. Although a large number of affinity reagents are available commercially, their quality is often questionable and only a fraction of the proteome is covered. In order for more targets to be examined, there is a need for broad availability of panels of affinity reagents, including binders against proteins of unknown functions. The most familiar affinity reagents are antibodies and their fragments, but engineered forms of protein scaffolds and nucleic acid aptamers with similar diversity and binding properties are becoming viable alternatives. Recent initiatives in Europe and the USA have been established to improve both the availability and quality of reagents for affinity proteomics, with the ultimate aim of creating standardised collections of well‐validated binding molecules for proteome analysis. As well as coordinating affinity reagent production through existing resources and technology providers, these projects aim to benchmark key molecular entities, tools, and applications, and establish the bioinformatics framework and databases needed. The benefits of such reagent resources will be seen in basic research, medicine and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Crop proteomics: Aim at sustainable agriculture of tomorrow
Authors: Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini , Komatsu Setsuko
Published: July 2007

The advent of proteomics has made it possible to identify a broad spectrum of proteins in living systems. This capability is especially useful for crops as it may give clues not only about nutritional value, but also about yield and how these factors are affected by adverse conditions. In this review, we describe the recent progress in crop proteomics and highlight the achievements made in understanding the proteomes of major crops. The major emphasis will be on crop responses to abiotic stresses. Rigorous genetic testing of the role of possibly important proteins can be conducted. The increasing ease with the DNA, mRNA and protein levels can be conducted and connected suggests that proteomics data will not be difficult to apply to practical crop breeding.
Input‐to‐state stabilizing sub‐optimal NMPC with an application to DC–DC converters
Authors: Lazar M. , Heemels W. P. M. H. , Roset B. J. P. , Nijmeijer H. , van den Bosch P. P. J.
Published: July 2007

This article focuses on the synthesis of computationally friendly sub‐optimal nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) algorithms with guaranteed robust stability. To analyse the robustness of the MPC closed‐loop system, we employ the input‐to‐state stability (ISS) framework. To design ISS sub‐optimal NMPC schemes, a new Lyapunov‐based method is proposed. ISS is ensured via a set of constraints, which can be specified as a finite number of linear inequalities for input affine nonlinear systems. Furthermore, the method allows for online optimization over the ISS gain of the resulting closed‐loop system. The potential of the developed theory for the control of fast nonlinear systems, with sampling periods below 1 ms, is illustrated by applying it to control a Buck‐Boost DC–DC converter. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational aerodynamic analysis of a blunt trailing‐edge airfoil modification to the NREL Phase VI rotor
Authors: Chao D. D. , van Dam C. P.
Published: July 2007

The effects of modifying the inboard portion of the experimental NREL Phase VI rotor using a thickened, blunt trailing‐edge (or flatback) version of the S809 design airfoil are studied using a compressible, three‐dimensional, Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes method. A motivation for using such a thicker airfoil design coupled with a blunt trailing edge is to alleviate structural constraints while reducing blade weight and maintaining the power performance of the rotor. The numerical results for the baseline Phase VI rotor are benchmarked against wind tunnel measurements obtained at freestream velocities of 5, 7 and 10ms−1. The calculated results for the modified rotor are compared against those of the baseline rotor. The results of this study demonstrate that a thick, blunt trailing‐edge blade profile is viable as a bridge to connect structural requirements with aerodynamic performance in designing future wind turbine rotors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diet quality of young people in southern Spain evaluated by a Mediterranean adaptation of the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I)
Authors: Mariscal-Arcas M. , Romaguera D. , Rivas A. , Feriche B. , Pons A. , Tur J. A. , Olea-Serrano F.
Published: July 2007

The aim of this study was to assess whether the recently developed Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was useful to evaluate the diet quality of a young Mediterranean population. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in southern Spain (Granada-Andalucia) from 2002 to 2005. Dietary information (24 h recall and FFQ) and socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected from a representative sample of the population (n288, 44·1 % females and 55·9 % males) aged 6–18 years (mean 12·88 (sd2·78) years). DQI-I was designed according to the method of Kimet al.modified by Turet al.for Mediterranean populations. It focused on four main characteristics of a high-quality diet (variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance). This young population from southern Spain obtained 56·31 % of the total DQI-I score, indicating a poor-quality diet. A higher score was associated with a longer breakfast and greater physical activity. The DQI-I may require further modification for application in Mediterranean populations, differentiating between olive oil and saturated fats, among other changes. Further research is needed to develop a new diet quality index adapted to the Mediterranean diet.
β-Carotene and canthaxanthin alter the pro-oxidation and antioxidation balance in rats fed a high-cholesterol and high-fat diet
Authors: Shih Chun-Kuang , Chang Jui-Hung , Yang Shwu-Huey , Chou Tsui-Wei , Cheng Hsing-Hsien
Published: July 2007

This study investigated the effects of β-carotene and canthaxanthin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activities in rats fed a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Negative control group (group NC) received a high-fat (150 g/kg) diet; cholesterol control group (group CC) received a high-cholesterol (10 g/kg), high-fat diet. The other four groups were fed a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet supplemented with crystal β-carotene (group BC), β-carotene beadlet (group BB), canthaxanthin beadlet (group CX) or α-tocopherol (group AT). Blood and livers were collected for analysis after 6 weeks of feeding. Group BB had significantly lower hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and conjugated diene concentrations, whereas group CX had a significantly lower plasma TBARS concentration than did group CC. In erythrocytes, glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly greater in groups BC, BB and CX than in group CC. Moreover, compared with group CC, catalase activities were significantly greater in groups BB and CX, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly greater in group BB. In livers, SOD activities were significantly greater in groups BC, BB and CX, and glutathione reductase activities were significantly greater in groups BB and CX than in group CC. Compared with group CC, hepatic retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly greater in groups BC, BB and CX, whereas plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in group BC. These findings suggest that β-carotene and canthaxanthin altered the pro-oxidation and antioxidation balance and suppressed cholesterol-induced oxidative stressviamodulation of antioxidant system and cholesterol metabolism.
Influence of body composition, muscle strength, diet and physical activity on total body and forearm bone mass in Chinese adolescent girls
Authors: Huat Foo Leng , Zhang Qian , Zhu Kun , Ma Guansheng , Greenfield Heather , Fraser David R.
Published: July 2007

The aim of the present study was to determine association between body composition, muscle strength, diet and physical exercise with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) in 283 Chinese adolescent girls aged 15 years in Beijing, China. Body composition, pubertal stage, physical activity and dietary intakes were assessed using standard validated protocols. Total body and forearm bone, lean body mass (LBM) and fat body mass (FBM) were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Multivariate linear regression analyses were carried out to examine the predictors of BMC and BA, after controlling for potential confounders. The subjects had a mean age of 15·0 (sd 0·9) years and 99·6 % of them had reached menarche. Multivariate analyses showed that LBM, FBM, handgrip muscle strength and milk intake were significant independent determinants of BMC and BA of the total body and/or forearm sites. LBM was found to be a stronger independent determinant than FBM of BMC and BA, whereas handgrip muscle strength was only found as significant determinant of BMC and BA at the forearm sites than in total body BMC and BA. Further, total physical activity level had a significant positive association with handgrip and LBM. This suggested that greater muscle strength and higher LBM may reflect higher levels of physical activity. Therefore, continuous healthy lifestyle practices such as adequate intake of milk and continuous participation in physical activity should be encouraged throughout adolescence to optimise bone growth during this period.
Influence of lycopene and vitamin C from tomato juice on biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Jacob Karin , Periago María J. , Böhm Volker , Berruezo Gaspar Ros
Published: July 2007

A human study was carried out to investigate whether tomato juice, rich in natural lycopene and fortified with vitamin C, is able to reduce several biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation and whether the effect can be attributed to lycopene, vitamin C or any other micronutrient. Following a 2-week depletion phase, volunteers were assigned randomly to ingest either tomato juice with (LC) or without (L) vitamin C fortification for 2 weeks (daily dose 20·6 mg lycopene and 45·5/435 mg vitamin C). Plasma and urine were analysed for carotenoids and vitamin C, lipid status, antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-epi-PGF2α, protein carbonyls, cytokines IL-1β and TNFα and C-reactive protein (CRP). The consumption of tomato juice led to a reduction in total cholesterol levels (L: 157·6v. 153·2 mg/dl,P = 0·008; LC: 153·4v. 147·4 mg/dl,P = 0·002) and that of CRP (L: 315·6v. 262·3 μg/l,P = 0·017; LC: 319·2v. 247·1 μg/l,P = 0·001) in both groups. The vitamin C-fortified juice slightly raised the antioxidant capacity in urine and decreased TBARS in plasma and urine. All other markers were affected to a lesser extent or remained unchanged. Cholesterol reduction was correlated with lycopene uptake (P = 0·003), whereas the other effects could not be related with particular micronutrients. Any beneficial effects of tomato consumption for human health cannot be attributed only to lycopene and, as the additional supplementation with ascorbic acid indicates, a variety of antioxidants might be needed to optimize protection against chronic diseases.
Echinococcus granulosus from Mexican pigs is the same strain as that in Polish pigs
Authors: Cruz-Reyes A. , Constantine C.C. , Boxell A.C. , Hobbs R.P. , Thompson R.C.A.
Published: July 2007

Samples of Echinococcus granulosus from seven pigs from Mexico were compared with isolates of the parasite from pigs in Poland and representative strains and species of Echinococcus. Isolates from pigs in Mexico were found to be genetically identical to E. granulosus from Polish pigs and distinct from other major genotypes by sequencing part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA locus, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 using five different enzymes, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. These results were complemented by data on hook morphology and together strengthen the view that Echinococcus maintained in a cycle involving pigs and dogs is a distinct strain that is conserved genetically in different geographical areas. The present study supports the close relationship of the cervid, camel and pig strains and raises the question of their taxonomic status.
Extracranial glomus faciale tumour
Authors: Connor S E J , Gleeson M J , Odell E
Published: July 2007

Objectives:

To describe a unique presentation of a predominantly extracranial glomus faciale tumour. To discuss the role of imaging in the differential diagnosis and evaluation of a hypervascular parotid mass. To review the previous literature concerning the glomus faciale tumour.

Case report:

A 54-year-old woman presented with a six-month history of facial weakness, pain and a parotid mass. Ultrasound revealed a hypervascular parotid mass and pre-operative core biopsy suggested a paraganglioma. Computed tomography defined its deep extent and demonstrated involvement of the petrous temporal bone along the descending portion of the facial nerve canal with a pattern of permeative lucency. A tumour was surgically removed which arose from the facial nerve from the second genu to the proximal divisions within the parotid gland and histology confirmed a paraganglioma.

Conclusions:

A facial nerve glomus faciale tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a hypervascular parotid mass and may present in a predominantly extracranial location. Computed tomography will prove helpful in such a case in order to limit the differential diagnosis and to define the extent of skull base involvement.
Neo- and epitypifications to fix the application of the names Parmelina carporrhizans and P. quercina
Authors: Argüello Arturo , Crespo Ana , Hawksworth David L.
Published: July 2007

Argüello et al. (2007) found that Parmelina quercina, as circumscribed by Hale (1976), comprised four phylogenetic species which could also be distinguished by morphological features and also had different distributions: P. carporrhizans (usually rhizinate apothecia, and distinct effigurate maculae; oceanic Europe and Macaronesia), P. coleae (usually rhizinate apothecia, narrow ascospores, and fenestrate maculae; North America), P. elixia (non-rhizinate apothecia, larger ascospores, smaller conidia, and not or faintly maculate; Australia), and P. quercina (apothecia rhizinate or not, and less distinct more rounded maculae; continental Europe).
The Changing Ecology of Foreign Policy-Making in China: The Ascension and Demise of the Theory of “Peaceful Rise”
Authors: Glaser Bonnie S , Medeiros Evan S
Published: July 2007

China's rapidly proliferating global interests and evolving political environment have begun to change the international and domestic context for its foreign policy-making. This article explores the changing inputs into and processes associated with foreign policy-making in China today. It does this by analysing the shifting fortunes of “peaceful rise,” one of the first new foreign policy concepts to be introduced under the Hu Jintao administration. The authors draw several implications from this narrow debate for understanding contemporary foreign policy-making in China. It provides an example of how new foreign policy ideas and strategies can come from outside the formal, central government bureaucracy, and underscores the growing relevance of think-tank analysts and university-based scholars. Finally, the authors argue that the Chinese leadership's decision to eschew “peaceful rise” in favour of “peaceful development” was fundamentally a question of terminology and thus preserved China's strategy of reassuring other nations.
Building China's Telecommunications Network: Industrial Policy and the Role of Chinese State-Owned, Foreign and Private Domestic Enterprises
Authors: Harwit Eric
Published: July 2007

This article uses theories of industrial policy to analyse the growth of China's telecommunications equipment industry over the past 20 years. It highlights the role of the Chinese government in shaping the sector, by first utilizing imported equipment, then promoting Sino-foreign joint ventures and finally fostering domestic companies. Significantly, the government encouraged market competition, and avoided the pitfall of monopoly state control. Today, key telecommunications players include joint ventures, state-owned companies and even a major Chinese private corporation. The article concludes that the government's fiscal and regulatory industrial polices were successful, in that they rapidly built a modern communications network while promoting a vibrant free-market competitive environment.
China's “New Remembering” of the Anti-Japanese War of Resistance, 1937–1945
Authors: Coble Parks M.
Published: July 2007

In today's China, memory of the Sino-Japanese War of 1937–45 is often a front page issue, a source of diplomatic friction between Beijing and Tokyo. Yet in Mao's era, public memory of this conflict virtually disappeared. Only the role of communist forces under Chairman Mao was commemorated; other memories were consigned to historical oblivion. This article examines the process by which memory of the war re-appeared in the reform era. Because the government has emphasized nationalism, the new memory of the war has stressed a patriotic nationalist narrative of heroic resistance. At the same time, a second major theme has been the emphasis on Japanese atrocities, virtually a “numbers game” in historical writing. Thus despite the voluminous publications which have appeared since the 1980s, the new writing on the war has stressed certain themes while neglecting others.
Embodied Masculinity: Sex and Sport in a (Post) Colonial Chinese City
Authors: Zheng Tiantian
Published: July 2007

This article examines the historical formation of local masculine identity in the city of Dalian in north-east China. I argue that the experiences of Dalian-Chinese men under Japanese colonialism (1905–45) established a model of masculine identity based on bodily resistance. The article explores Dalian men's encounter with colonialism by comparing two different forms of bodily experience: military calisthenics in Japanese-run schools for Chinese boys and street soccer. On the one hand, military calisthenics impressed Chinese schoolboys with a sense of subjugation focused on the body. Bodily movements were performed under the strict scrutiny of Japanese drill masters and formed an integral part of everyday rituals of obedience. On the other hand, street soccer emerged as a popular and potentially creative activity among Chinese schoolboys. In contrast with the controlled motions of military calisthenics, soccer offered a sense of freedom in its unrestricted and improvised movements. Matches against Japanese teams even more explicitly infused soccer with a spirit of nationalistic resistance. In conclusion, I argue that these bodily experiences are crucial to understanding the historical reformations of Dalian male gender identity.
The ageing photoreceptor
Authors: CUNEA ALEXANDER , JEFFERY GLEN
Published: July 2007

With age many retinal neurons are lost. In humans the rod
photoreceptor population in the perimacular region is subject to
approximately 30% loss over life. Those that remain have been reported to
suffer from extensive convolutions and localized swellings of their outer
segments abnormally increasing their disc content and outer segment
length. Here we examine quantitatively age-related changes in rat rod
photoreceptors. The rat retina is ∼97% rod dominated. Here, aged rods
showed significant reductions in outer segment length. The discs in their
outer segments had a similar density, irrespective of whether they were
young or old, however, in aged animals a higher proportion were
misregistered. Surprisingly, in all of the tissue examined, we found no
evidence for any convolution of outer segments or localized swelling as
reported in humans, rather all remained straight. There are methodological
differences between the research reported here and that undertaken on
human retinae. There are also major differences in overall retinal
architecture between humans and rodents that could contribute to
differences in the aging process of individual cells. If it is the case
that individual photoreceptors age differently in rodents compared to
humans, it may pose significant problems for the use of this animal model
in studies of ageing and age related outer retinal disease.
Degradation of the non-palmitoylated invertebrate visual guanine-nucleotide binding protein, iGqα(C3,4A), by the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway is regulated by its activation and translocation to the cytoplasm
Authors: GO LYNLE , MITCHELL JANE
Published: July 2007

Light-dependent translocation of invertebrate visual guanine-nucleotide binding protein, iGqα, from rhabdomeric membranes to the cytoplasm is one of many mechanisms that contribute to light adaptation in the invertebrate eye. We have previously cloned iGqα from aLoligo pealeiphotoreceptor cDNA library and shown that when expressed in HEK 293T cells it is palmitoylated. In this study we compared the activation, cytoplasmic translocation, and turnover of iGqα with that of a non-palmitoylated mutant, iGqα(C3,4A). In the HEK 293T cells, muscarinic M1 receptors coupled equally well to iGqα and iGqα(C3,4A) to activate phospholipase C. Activation of iGqα(C3,4A), but not iGqα, induced translocation of the α subunit from the membrane to cytosol with rapid degradation of the soluble protein resulting in a decreased half-life for iGqα(C3,4A) of 10 hours compared to 20 hours for iGqα. Degradation of iGqα(C3,4A) was inhibited by proteasomal inhibitors but not by inhibitors of lysosomal proteases or calpain. The presence of the proteasomal inhibitor led to the accumulation of polyubiquitinated species of either iGqα or iGqα(C3,4A). Our results suggest that palmitoylation of iGqα is required to maintain membrane association of the protein in its active conformation, and whereas membrane-bound and soluble iGqα can be polyubiquitinated, membrane association protects the protein from rapid degradation by the proteasomal pathway.
Depth from shading and disparity in humans and monkeys
Authors: ZHANG YING , WEINER VERONICA S. , SLOCUM WARREN M. , SCHILLER PETER H.
Published: July 2007

A stimulus display was devised that enabled us to examine how
effectively monkeys and humans can process shading and disparity cues for
depth perception. The display allowed us to present these cues separately,
in concert and in conflict with each other. An oddities discrimination
task was used. Humans as well as monkeys were able to utilize both shading
and disparity cues but shading cues were more effectively processed by
humans. Humans and monkeys performed better and faster when the two cues
were presented conjointly rather than singly. Performance was
significantly degraded when the two cues were presented in conflict with
each other suggesting that these cues are processed interactively at
higher levels in the visual system. The fact that monkeys can effectively
utilize depth information derived from shading and disparity indicates
that they are a good animal model for the study of the neural mechanisms
that underlie the processing of these two depth cues.
Ancient imperial heritage and Islamic universal historiography: al-Dīnawarī’s secular perspective
Authors: Yücesoy Hayrettin
Published: July 2007

This article examines the historical work of the ninth-century Muslim scholar Abūanīfa al-Dīnawarī. Adopting the format of universal history, al-Dīnawarī constructed a historical narrative beginning with the first human Adam, continuing through the rise of Islam and culminating in the Caliphate. This paper argues that al-Dīnawarī’s work, appropriately entitled Longer narratives, represented an attempt to configure Islamic polity into world history through a reorientation of Sasanian imperial ideology and geographical consciousness in order to fit Islamic sensibilities. As an early example of belles-lettres (adab) oriented (belletrist, adabī) universal historiography, al-Dīnawarī’s work comes across as a perceptive outlook on history, which proved relevant to dynasties of diverse origins struggling to carve a space for themselves in the Persianate political landscape of the late and post-‘Abbāsid world.
Literacy and the ‘great divide’ in the Islamic world, 1300–1800
Authors: Hanna Nelly
Published: July 2007

The study proposes an approach to the history of literacy in the Islamic world that uses a flexible and gradated definition of literacy. It goes on to propose some factors that lay behind the acquisition of certain forms of literacy and of the way that they were put into practical use. Among these factors were the religious factor, which had consequences on a broad region; commercial conditions, which were an impetus to make use of the written word; and the development of a legal culture.