bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the aggregation of bilirubins using vapor pressure osmometry
Authors: Boiadjiev Stefan E. , Lightner David A.
Published: March 2009

Bilirubin and its analogs are carboxylic acids that engage in intramolecular hydrogen bonding and are thus thought to be monomelic in solution, although the evidence for the molecularity in solution is indirect. Contrastingly, the dimethyl esters favor intermolecular hydrogen bonding and are thought to be dimeric, yet they, like the bilirubin (acids), exhibit essentially no concentration dependence of their NH nmr chemical shifts upon dilution from 10−2 to 10−5 (or even 10−6) M in chloroform‐d. Vapor phase osmometry (vpo) studies of chloroform solutions of eight bilirubins and their dimethyl esters clearly indicate that the former are monomelic, while the latter are dimeric — except when a β‐methyl group (but not an α*‐methyl) is present in each methyl propionate chain. Bilirubin mono‐esters might be monomelic or dimeric in solution. Using vpo to study some seven mono‐esters or mono acids, we found that the pigments were monomelic in chloroform.
Synthesis of novel azonia Helicenes containing terminal thiophene rings
Authors: Sato Kiyoshi , Yamagishi Takamichi , Arai Sadao
Published: March 2009

The Knoevenagel condensation of the 9‐methyl derivatives of thieno[3,2‐a]‐ and thieno[2,3‐a]‐quinolizinium salts (2b and 3b) with appropriate arylaldehydes yielded 9‐(arylvinyl)thieno[3,2‐a]‐ and 9‐(arylvinyl)thieno[2,3‐a]quinolizinium salts (4a‐c and 5a‐c), respectively, which underwent photocyclization to give a series of novel hetero[5]helicenes (6a,b and 7a‐d) containing quinolizinium and thiophene rings.
An improved coupling procedure for the barton‐zard pyrrole synthesis
Authors: Bobál Pavel , Lightner David A.
Published: March 2009

An improved final step in the Barton‐Zard pyrrole synthesis uses inexpensive potassium carbonate as base in the coupling‐cyclization reaction of vic‐nitro‐acetates with isocyanides. In this modification the isolated yields of synthetically useful 2‐carboalkoxypyrroles (1a,b and 3) and 2‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)pyrroles (2a,b) consistently rise to the 78‐89% range. Conversion of 2a to 5‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)‐2‐pyrrolinone 4 is conveniently and directly achieved by reaction with 30% hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid, thus circumventing the commonly used two step procedure involving bromination followed by solvolysis.
Synthesis of 2‐amino‐4h‐thiazolo[5,4‐b]indole and characterization of its colored conversion products with protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitory activity
Authors: Breinholt Jens , Jeppesen Claus Bekker , Branner Sven , Olsen Carl Erik , Møller Niels Peter Hundahl , Nielsen Bjarne Hilmer , Andersen Henrik Sune
Published: March 2009

In DMSO‐solution 2‐amino‐4H‐thiazolo[5,4‐b]indole is converted into a complex mixture of colored products. The three major conversion end‐products, of which two are inhibitors of protein tyrosine phos‐phatases (PTPs), were isolated by chromatographic methods and their structures characterized by spectro‐scopic analysis, including NMR and MS combined with computer assisted structure elucidation, and, finally, confirmed by independent chemical synthesis. Synthesis of 2‐amino‐4H‐thiazolo[5,4‐b]indole as well as its N‐acetyl derivatives prepared from either oxindole or 2‐bromo‐1‐(2‐nitro‐phenyl)ethanone is described.
Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of 5‐arylidene‐3‐substituted tetramic acids as possible substrates for catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation
Authors: Athanasellis Giorgos , Gavrielatos Efstathios , Igglessi‐Markopoulou Olga
Published: March 2009

A new series of 5‐arylidene‐3‐substituted tetramic acids 6–19 have been synthesized by a condensation reaction of 3‐butanoyl tetramic acid 3, 3‐ethoxycarbonyl tetramic acid 4 and 3‐acetyl tetramic acid 5 with a variety of substituted benzaldehydes. The structures of the isolated compounds 6–19 have been elucidated using FT‐IR, 1H and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy, FAB‐MS spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses.
Synthesis of two novel classes of tetracycles bearing tetrahydro ring system from benzothiazole: 7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrothiazolo[5,4‐a]acridine and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐12H‐benzothiazolo[2,3‐b] quinazolin‐12‐one
Authors: Robin Maxime , Mialhe Stéphane , Pique Valérie , Faure Robert , Galy Jean‐Pierre
Published: March 2009

Novel 7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrothiazolo[5,4‐a]acridine and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐12H‐benzothiazolo[2,3‐b]‐quinazolin‐12‐one derivatives were synthesized in one step from the corresponding benzothiazoles. These two new tetracyclic skeletons were unambiguously characterized and are presently in pharmacological tests.
Formation of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles using di(imidazole‐1‐yl)methanimine
Authors: Wu Yong‐Qian , Limburg David C. , Wilkinson Douglas E. , Hamilton Gregory S.
Published: March 2009

A mild and efficient synthesis of five‐ and six‐membered nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds, in which di(imidazole‐1‐yl)methanimine serves as a one‐carbon source, is reported.
Preparation of a clinically investigated ras farnesyl transferase inhibitor
Authors: Maligres Peter E. , Waters Marjorie S. , Weissman Steven A. , McWilliams J. Christopher , Lewis Stephanie , Cowen Jennifer , Reamer Robert A. , Volante R. P. , Reider Paul J. , Askin David
Published: March 2009

The synthesis of ras farnesyl‐protein transferase inhibitor 1 is described on a multi‐kilogram scale. Retrosynthetic analysis reveals chloromethylimidazole 2 and a piperazinone 3 as viable precursors. The 1,5‐disubstituted imidazole system was regioselectively assembled via an improved Marckwald imidazole synthesis. A new imidazole dethionation procedure has been developed to convert the Marckwald mercaptoim‐idazole product to the desired imidazole. This methodology was found to be tolerant of a variety of functional groups providing good to excellent yields of 1,5‐disubstituted imidazoles. A new Mitsunobu cycliza‐tion strategy was developed to prepare the arylpiperazinone fragment 3.
Polar effects in free‐radical reactions. A novel homolytic acylation of heteroaromatic bases by aerobic oxidation of aldehydes, catalysed by N‐hydroxyphthalimide and Co salts
Authors: Minisci Francesco , Recupero Francesco , Cecchetto Andrea , Punta Carlo , Gambarotti Cristian , Fontana Francesca , Pedulli Gian Franco
Published: March 2009

A new process for the homolytic acylation of protonated heteroaromatic bases is described; an N‐oxyl radical (PINO) generated from N‐hydroxyphthalimide by air oxygen and Co(II) abstracts a hydrogen atom from an aldehyde. The resulting nucleophilic acyl radical adds to a heteroaromatic base, which is then rearo‐matised in a chain process. Quinazoline has an anomalous behaviour, giving 3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one as the only reaction product.
Syntheses of diazadithiacrown ethers containing appended coumarin or 1‐aminonaphthalene sidearms
Authors: Song Hua‐Can , Xu Zun‐Le , Chen Yi‐Wen , Yao Jun‐Hua , Bradshaw Jerald S. , Savage Paul B. , Izatt Reed M.
Published: March 2009

Six crown ethers containing two coumarin (11, 13,14,16,17 and 19) or two 1‐aminonaphthalene (15 and 20) fragments as sidearms and two crown ethers bearing one coumarin (12 and 18) arm were synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution of the secondary macrocyclic amine function on the alkyl halide. The major products of these reactions were the diazadithiacrown ethers containing two sidearms. In some cases, one‐armed diazadithiacrown ethers were separated as minor products, although more than 2.5 mmoles of alkyl halide were used for 1.0 mmole of macrocyclic diamine.
Reactions of 3‐benzylindole‐2‐carbohydrazides: Synthesis of new 10‐Benzyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles and 3‐Benzyl‐2‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)indoles
Authors: Maddirala Shambabu Joseph , Gokak Vidya S. , Basanagoudar Linganagouda D.
Published: March 2009

3‐Benzylindole‐2‐carbohydrazides (4) on reaction with triethylorthoformate in a polar solvent like DMF yielded only 10‐benzyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles (5) while (4) on reaction with triethylorthoacetate in DMF yielded both 10‐benzyl‐4‐methyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles (5) and 3‐benzyl‐2‐(5‐methyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)indoles (6) instead of only the triazinoindoles as expected. The oxadiazolylindoles (6) were also synthesized by refluxing (4) with excess of orthoesters. The structures of the compounds formed were characterized by their analytical and spectral data.
4H‐thieno[3,4‐e]‐ and 4H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐e]‐1,2,4‐thiadiazine 1,1‐dioxides synthesis, chemical properties and evaluation of their Potential Cardiovascular Activity
Authors: Vega Salvador , Arranz María Esther
Published: March 2009

This paper deals with the synthesis of a number of new 4H‐thieno[3,4‐e] and 4H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐e]‐1,2,4‐thiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide derivatives 1, the study of their chemical behavior in some alkylation reactions and the evaluation of their vasorelaxant effects on spontaneous motility and on tension responses to increased extracellular KCl concentrations in isolated rat portal vein.
Synthesis and reactivity of some imidazo‐, triazolo‐ and tetrazolo‐isoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Deady Leslie W. , Devine Shane M.
Published: March 2009

1‐Acetylirrüno‐3‐methyl‐1H‐isochromene‐4‐carbonitrile, 1, reacts with glycine ethyl ester under basic conditions to give an imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivative, while reaction with hydrazine hydrate in 1,4‐dioxane, with further chemistry, provides access to [1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐a]isoquinoline, [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐a]isoquinoline and tetrazolo[5,1‐a]isoquinoline analogs. Benzene ring nitration and radical bromination of substituent methyl groups were investigated in the four tricycles, with some different positional reactivities being found. Two bromomethyl derivatives so produced were oxidised; ethyl 2‐bromomethyl‐6‐cyano‐5‐methylimidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐3‐carboxylate gave the anticipated ethyl 6‐cyano‐2‐formyl‐5‐methylimidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐3‐carboxylate (which reacted further with hydrazine to form a new system, 8,9‐dihydro‐6‐methyl‐8‐oxopyridazino[4′,5′:4,5]imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐5‐carbonitrile), while 5‐bromomethyl‐2‐methyl[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐a]isoquinoline‐6‐carbonitrile unexpectedly gave directly another new system, 5,6‐dihydro‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐7H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐a]isoquinolin‐7‐one.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzo[7,8]chromeno[5,6‐b][1,4]oxazin‐3‐ones
Authors: Nicolaides Demetrios N. , Gautam Daman R. , Litinas Konstantinos E. , Hadjipavlou‐Litina Dimitra J. , Kontogiorgis Christos A.
Published: March 2009

The O‐methylmonoximes 2,3 of stenocarpoquinone‐A and β‐lapachone reacted with methyl phenylacetate to give 1,4‐benzoxazine derivatives 8a, 8b and oxazole 11a. Compound 8a was transformed to compounds 13I, 13II, 14. Treatment of compound 14 with osmium tetroxide afforded compounds 15, 16 and esterification of the latter gave the bis‐ and mono‐ esters 17I, 17II, 18. All products are strongly fluorescent. Compounds 8a,b, 11a, 13–18 (azabenzo analogues of khellactones) were tested for their ability to interact with DPPH, to compete with dimethylsulfoxide for hydroxyl radicals, to inhibit soybean lipoxygenase and trypsin activities in vitro. Compounds 16 and 17II were found to compete significantly with dimethylsulfoxide for hydroxyl radicals, whereas compounds 8a, 11a, 14 and 17I were found to inhibit strongly soybean lipoxygenase.
Synthesis of dihydrothieno[2,3‐b]pyridines based on titanium(IV) chloride‐mediated michael reactions of 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐thiophenecarbonitriles with α,β‐unsaturated ketones
Authors: Maruoka Hiroshi , Yamazaki Motoyoshi , Tomioka Yukihiko
Published: March 2009

2‐Arnino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐thiophenecarbonitriles 1a‐c reacted with α,β‐unsaturated ketones (e.g. methyl vinyl ketone 2 and benzalacetone 3) in the presence of titanium(IV) chloride to give the corresponding Michael adducts 4a‐c and 5a‐c. Thermal treatment of compounds 4a‐c and 5a‐c with titanium(IV) chloride caused intramolecular cyclocondensation to yield the corresponding tetrahydrothieno[2,3‐b]pyridines 6a‐c and 7a‐c. Aromatization of 6a‐c and 7a‐c with potassium tert‐butoxide in refluxing tert‐butyl alcohol pro ceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding dihydrothieno[2,3‐b]pyridines 8a‐c and 9a‐c.
New many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives
Authors: Al‐Smadi Mousa , Ratrout Samer
Published: March 2009

The many fold aromatic ketones 2a‐d are versatile compounds for the synthesis of the many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives 5a‐d. The preparation starts with the reaction between the many fold bromomethylene benzene derivatives 1a‐d and 4‐hydroxyacetophenone, which are transformed through the reaction with semicarbazide hydrochloride or ethylhydrazine carboxylate into the corresponding semicarbazones derivatives 3a‐d or hydrazones 4a‐d. The reaction with selenium dioxide leads to regiospecific ring closure of semicarbazones or hydrazones to give the many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives in high yield.
A novel synthesis of 1‐substituted 2H‐isoquinolin‐3‐ones
Authors: Cánepa Alicia S. , Bravo Rodolfo D.
Published: March 2009

The intramolecular cyclization of 2‐acylphenylacetonitriles 1 under strongly acidic conditions easily affords 1‐substituted 2H‐isoquinolin‐3‐ones 2 in excellent yields.
Effect of reconstitution of sorghum with or without enzymes on production performance and immunocompetence in broiler chicken
Authors: Manwar Satish J , Mandal Asit B
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: The presence of tannins and phytic acid in sorghum causes anti‐nutritional effects that include reduced growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicken. Therefore, in the present investigation efforts were made to reveal the effect of reconstitution of sorghum with or without enzymes on production performance and immunocompetence in broiler chicken.

RESULTS: The body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, energy and protein utilization efficiency were better in birds fed reconstituted sorghum in comparison to those fed untreated sorghum. The intake of feed in different treatments did not vary in comparison to the control group. The feed cost per unit weight gain or meat yield apparently reduced due to reconstitution. There was significant improvement in nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of diets containing reconstituted sorghum. The serum biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were not affected due to dietary treatments. The cell‐mediated immune response to phytohaemagglutinin‐P was better in sorghum‐fed groups. However, the humoral response to sheep red blood cells remained unaffected owing to the substitution of the maize by sorghum or its processed form.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the reconstitution of sorghum was beneficial in improving the growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chicken. However, supplementation of enzymes to raw sorghum‐based diets or addition of enzymes during reconstitution of sorghum did not further improve the growth performance of broilers. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Stability and antioxidative properties of acylated anthocyanins in three cultivars of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. f. rubra)
Authors: Pliszka Barbara , Huszcza‐Ciołkowska Grażyna , Mieleszko Emilia , Czaplicki Sylwester
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Red cabbage is rich in acylated anthocyanins. The aim of the experiment has been to determine the stability of anthocyanins in extracts of red cabbage cultivars and examine their antioxidative properties. The (high‐performance liquid chromatographic) HPLC profile of anthocyanins characteristic of each red cabbage cultivar has also been determined.

RESULTS: We have used three red cabbage cultivars: cv. Koda, Haco POL and Kissendrup SWE. The HPLC assays enabled us to distinguish nine anthocyanin compounds, which were all classified as cyanidin derivatives. These compounds occurred in different proportions in the three culitvars of red cabbage. The differences were observed in the degradation index of anthocyanins in extracts from the red cabbage cultivars examined, both stored at + 2 °C and frozen. The highest trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was attained for anthocyanins from cv. Haco POL red cabbage, whereas the lowest value was determined for cv. Koda.

CONCLUSION: There were differences in the stability and antioxidative properties of anthocyanin compounds in red cabbage extracts among the cultivars evaluated (Koda, Haco POL and Kissendrup SWE). The highest stability and strongest antioxidative properties were assigned to anthocyanins in extracts from cv. Haco POL. The HPLC profiles imply differences in proportions of anthocyanin compounds present in the three red cabbage cultivars. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Biomimetic carbocationic polymerizations III: Investigation of isoprene polymerization initiated by dimethyl allyl bromide
Authors: Puskas Judit E. , Peruch Frédéric , Deffieux Alain , Dabney David E. , Wesdemiotis Chrys , Li Haibo , Lindsay Allia
Published: March 2009

Natural rubber (poly(1,4‐cis‐isoprene), NR) is a polymer of considerable industrial importance due to its exceptional properties. It is mostly produced from the cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis, and to a limited extent from Parthenium argentatum. Till date none of the synthetic equivalent of NR exists. Recently we suggested that the mechanism of NR biosynthesis is based on carbocationic polymerization, similarly to that of natural oligoisoprenoids forming by enzyme‐catalyzed prenylation. In this article we present proof of concept of a new bio‐inspired synthetic route towards the synthesis of polyisoprenes based on carbocationic polymerization initiated by dimethyl allyl bromide (DMABr)/TiCl4. It is shown that using this strategy, 1,4‐oligoisoprene carrying a dimethyl allyl head group is produced in both cis and trans configurations, together with cyclized sequences. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2172–2180, 2009
Soluble narrow‐band‐gap copolymers containing novel cyclopentadithiophene units for organic photovoltaic cell applications
Authors: Li Kuang‐Chieh , Hsu Ying‐Chan , Lin Jiann‐T'Suen , Yang Chang‐Chung , Wei Kung‐Hwa , Lin Hong‐Cheu
Published: March 2009

Five novel conjugated copolymers (P1–P5) containing coplanar cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) units (incorporated with arylcyanovinyl and keto groups in different molar ratios) were synthesized and developed for the applications of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Polymers P1–P5 covered broad absorption ranges from UV to near infrared (400–900 nm) with narrow optical band gaps of 1.38–1.70 eV, which are compatible with the maximum solar photon reflux. Partially reversible p‐ and n‐doping processes of P1–P5 in electrochemical experiments were observed, and the proper molecular design for highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of P1–P5 induced the highest photovoltaic open‐circuit voltage in the PSC devices, compared with those previously reported CPDT‐based narrow‐band‐gap polymers. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses suggested that these copolymers formed self‐assembled π‐π stacking and pseudobilayered structures. Under 100 mW/cm2 of AM 1.5 white‐light illumination, bulk heterojunction PSC devices containing an active layer of electron donor polymers P1–P5 mixed with electron acceptor [6,6]‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in the weight ratio of 1:4 were investigated. The PSC device containing P1 gave the best preliminary result with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.84 V, a short‐circuit current of 2.36 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 0.38, offering an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.77% as well as a maximal quantum efficiency of 23% from the external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2073–2092, 2009
Synthesis, characterization, and properties of regioregular conjugated polymers containing quaterthiophene and an acceptor repeating units
Authors: Chen Hui , Lu Yong , Ong Teng‐Teng , Hu Xiao , Ng Siu‐Choon
Published: March 2009

Novel donor–acceptor type polymers consisting of alternating quaterthiophene and an electron withdrawing moiety, pyrazinyl or pyridinyl, have been prepared using Stille coupling approach with moderate yields. The polymers were highly soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. The structure and optical properties of the polymers were characterized by NMR, UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The polymer having pyrazine unit exhibited a red‐shift in both absorption and emission in comparison with those analogs containing pyridine because of strong electron withdrawing character of the pyrazinyl group. The polymer containing pyrazinyl as acceptor units also depicted decrease in its optical and electrochemical bandgap relative to those polymers containing 2,5‐ or 2,6‐pyridine moieties. The electrochemical behavior showed facile n‐doping and p‐doping properties of those polymers consisting of alternating quaterthiophene and the acceptor moiety. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2163–2171, 2009
Genotype–environment interactions affect flower and fruit herbivory and plant chemistry ofArabidopsis thalianain a transplant experiment
Authors: Mosleh Arany A. , de Jong T. J. , Kim H. K. , van Dam N. M. , Choi Y. H. , van Mil H. G. J. , Verpoorte R. , van der Meijden E.
Published: March 2009

Large differences exist in flower and fruit herbivory between dune and inland populations of plants ofArabidopsis thaliana(Brassicaceae). Two specialist weevilsCeutorhynchus atomusandC. contractus(Curculionidae) and their larvae are responsible for this pattern in herbivory. We test, by means of a reciprocal transplant experiment, whether these differences reflect environmental influences or genetic variation in plant defense level. All plants suffered more damage after being transplanted to the dune site than after being transplanted to the inland site. Plants of inland origin suffered more flower and fruit herbivory than plants of dune origin when grown at the dune transplant site, but differences were much smaller at the inland site. Both flower damage by adult weevils and fruit damage by their larvae were subject to significant genotype × environment interactions. The observed pattern in herbivory is a strong indication for local adaption of plant defense to the level of herbivory byCeutorhynchus.In order to identify the mechanism of defense, a quantitative analysis of glucosinolates was performed on the seeds with HPLC. Highly significant differences were found in glucosinolate types and total concentration. These patterns were mainly determined by the origin of the plants (dune or inland) and by a genotype × environment interaction. Herbivory was not significantly correlated to the concentration of glucosinolates in seeds. We therefore analyzed the total metabolic composition of seeds, using NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. Major differences in chemical composition were found in the water–methanol fractions: more glucosinolate and sucrose in the dune and more fatty acids, lipids and sinapoylmalate in the inland populations. We discuss which of these chemical factors could explain the marked differences in damage between populations.
Scale‐dependent automatic shifts in brand evaluation standards
Authors: Dimofte Claudiu V. , Johansson Johny K.
Published: March 2009

Different schema‐based expectations for competing brands can produce shifting evaluative standards in consumers' relative ratings of these brands. This shift in standards differentially affects objective (number‐based) and subjective (word‐based) rating scales. Several studies support the proposition that a brand rated as objectively inferior to another can be subjectively perceived as equivalent to—or even better than—the same brand. Such anomalous response inconsistency originates in consumers' recourse to different expectations for the competing brands and their automatic adjustment of expectations for the inferior brand when responding to subjective measures. The implicit relaxing of evaluative standards for the objectively dominated brand leads to an unconscious upward bias in its subjective ratings. The effect is moderated by consumer expertise and is asymmetric—it is not accompanied by an escalation of evaluative standards for objectively dominating brands.
A Third Wave, Not a Third Way? New Labour, Human Rights and Mental Health in Historical Context
Authors: Carpenter Mick
Published: March 2009

This historically situated, UK-based review of New Labour's human rights and mental health policy following the 1998 Human Rights Act (HRA) and 2007 Mental Health Act (MHA), draws on Klug's identification of three waves of human rights. These occurred around the American and French Revolutions, after World War II, and following the collapse of state communism in 1989, and the article assesses impacts on mental health policy up to and including the New Labour era. It critiques current equality and rights frameworks in mental health and indicates how they might be brought into closer alignment with third wave principles.
Genetic description of a divergent selection experiment in Angora rabbits with overlapping generations
Authors: Rafat S.A. , Allain D. , De Rochambeau H.
Published: March 2009

The chief aims of this paper were the following: (i) to describe the demography and genetic structure in two divergent selected lines for total fleece weight (TFW) of French Angora rabbits with overlapping generations; (ii) to describe the effects of inbreeding during an experiment of divergent selection. A study of longevity with the survival kit showed that there was no significant difference in the risk of death or culling between the low line (LL) and high line (HL). A significant effect of inbreeding (p < 0.05) was observed with a 30% higher risk factor in the highest class of inbreeding coefficient compared with the other classes. The means of generation interval were 562 and 601 days in LL and HL, respectively. The numbers of generations for LL and HL were 3.90 and 3.64, respectively. Generation intervals decreased significantly from 1995 to 2000 (p < 0.05). The number of daughters in HL was very variable. The number of animals per generation was higher in HL than in LL. Each buck left nearly three daughters to the next generation (2.52 in LL, 3.24 in HL). In both lines, the effective number of ancestor genomes still present in the genetic pool of the generation was around eight from the reference population of 1995 to that of 2001. Inbreeding in HL was always higher than in LL. The effect of inbreeding was also significant (p < 0.05) on TFW and live weight. The animals with the lowest inbreeding category produced a higher TFW (p < 0.05) than the others. The observed selection differentials were lower than that expected owing to the breeding animal management rules in order to control inbreeding increase.
Phyllosticta sp. nov., a New Pathogenic Species from Buxus sincia
Authors: Liu Qiu , Yu Jicheng , Hu Yingchang , Yan Jianfang , Cheng Hao , Qi Xiaohui
Published: March 2009

In a study of pathogenic fungi infecting Buxus sincia, an interesting Phyllosticta species was isolated. The morphological characteristics of this species, such as slow growing mycelia, large conidia each with a long flagellum tag on diagnostic media, plus phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA ITS sequences indicated that the fungus is a distinct new species which is described.
Polygalacturonase, Pectate Lyase and Pectin Methylesterase Activity in Pathogenic Strains of Phytophthora capsici Incubated under Different Conditions
Authors: Jia Yong Jian , Feng Bao Zhen , Sun Wen Xiu , Zhang Xiu Guo
Published: March 2009

Pectolytic enzymes are found mainly in fungi and bacteria. The most widely occurring enzymes are polygalacturonase (PGs), pectin methylesterase (PMEs) and pectate lyase (PLs) produced during the infection process and during culturing. The secretion of these enzymes results in the disorganization of the plant cell walls, which is responsible for the pathogenicity of the pathogens. These enzymes degrade the pectin of plants causing maceration of plant tissues and the enzyme activity increases under favourable environmental conditions. We have found that Phytophthora capsici, a pathogenic oomycete, produces levels of these three enzymes equal to those produced by soft‐rotting Erwinia chrysanthemi. The activity of PGs, PLs and PMEs was investigated at the optimum temperature, pH and ionic strength in highly pathogenic P. capsici strains cultivated in two kinds of liquid medium containing either crude pepper extracts plus pectin or pectin as the carbon source. Virulence tests and enzymes activity showed that there was a high correlation between the enzyme activity and the pathogenicity of P. capsici. The effects of different carbon sources on the enzyme activity showed that pepper extract plus pectin was the best source for the carbon source.
Alfalfa germplasm from a Sahara oasis: characterization by means of bio‐agronomic traits and SSR markers
Authors: Carelli M. , Gnocchi G. , Scotti C.
Published: March 2009

In North African oases Medicago sativa ssp. sativa is likely to have been cultivated for long time without contacts with ssp. falcata. In order (i) to verify the genetic distinctiveness of the alfalfa germplasm of the oasis and (ii) to examine their internal variation, 17 farm landraces were collected in Siwa oasis (Egypt) and studied with four Egyptian and three Italian cultivars (120 plants/population) by means of bio‐agronomic characters in 2 years cultivation and SSR markers in ‘bulk’ samples. Siwa germplasm was similar to the cultivars for dry matter yield but differed for plant form, earliness and reaction to fall conditions; SSR analysis based on 31 polymorphic DNA fragments distinguished Siwa landraces from the two groups of varieties. The variation within Siwa group was of continuous type based on bio‐agronomic traits; average genetic similarity was high (0.8959) and UPGMA dendrogram suggests poor isolation among the landraces, although all, except two, were uniquely fingerprinted. The use of putative ‘pure’ subspecies of high agronomic value in the alfalfa variety construction process is discussed.
Application of surveillance programs for hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia–Pacific Region
Authors: Amarapurkar Deepak , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Ueno Yoshiyuki ,   The Asia‐Pacific Working Party on Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published: March 2009

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a potential target for cancer surveillance (or screening) as it occurs in well‐defined, at‐risk populations and curative therapy is possible only for small tumors. Surveillance has been recommended by regional liver societies and is practiced widely, but its benefits are not clearly established. Hepatic ultrasonography with or without alpha fetoprotein (AFP) performed every 6 months is the preferred program. Surveillance of HCC has been well shown to detect small tumors for curative treatment, which may be translated to improved patient survival. However, most studies are limited by lead‐time bias, length bias for early diagnosis of small HCC, different tumor growth rates and poor compliance with surveillance. Cost‐effectiveness of surveillance programs depends on the rate of small HCC detected ‘accidentally’ (routine imaging) in a comparator group, annual incidence of HCC with various etiologies, patient age and the availability of liver transplantation. The incremental cost‐effectiveness for 6‐monthly AFP and ultrasound has been estimated from approximately $US26 000–74 000/quality adjusted life years (QALY). All cirrhotic patients are therefore recommended for HCC surveillance unless the disease is too advanced for any curative treatment. As chronic hepatitis B can develop into HCC without going through liver cirrhosis, high‐risk non‐cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B patients are also recommended for HCC surveillance. In conclusion, HCC surveillance could be effective at reducing disease‐specific mortality with acceptable cost‐effectiveness among selected patient groups, provided it is a well‐organized program.
M3 muscarinic receptor expression on suburothelial interstitial cells
Authors: Grol Simone , Essers Paul B.M. , Van Koeveringe Gommert A. , Martinez‐Martinez Piluca , De Vente Jan , Gillespie James I.
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE

To identify the cells expressing the M3 muscarinic receptor subtype in the lamina propria of the bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The bladders from five normal guinea pigs were isolated and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Tissues sections (10 µm) were then cut and stained with antibodies to the type 3 muscarinic receptor (M3), the interstitial cell marker vimentin and the nonspecific nerve marker PGP 9.5. The specificity of the antibody to the M3 receptor was established using the complementary blocking peptide and Western blot analysis of human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells transfected to express the M3 receptor protein.

RESULTS

The M3 antibody pre‐incubated with its blocking peptide showed no immunohistochemical staining. Investigating this antibody using HEK cells transfected to express the M3 receptor protein and control HEK cells showed a single band in the transfected cells and no band in the control cells. M3 receptor immunoreactivity (M3‐IR) was detected primarily on a dense network of vimentin‐positive (vim+) cells lying immediately below the urothelium, i.e. the suburothelial interstitial cells (Su‐ICs). The M3‐IR was punctate and appeared to be located on the cell surface. The diffuse network of cells in the remaining regions of the lamina propria showed no M3‐IR. Few nerve fibres were associated with the M3‐IR Su‐ICs. The M3‐IR Su‐ICs were most numerous and prominent in the lateral wall. The number of M3‐IR/vim+ cells diminished towards the bladder base and were absent in the bladder urethral junction. In the base and urethral junction there were vim+ cells that were not M3‐IR. A population of umbrella cells in the lateral wall also showed weak punctate M3‐IR.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a well‐characterized M3 antibody, these results show for the first time that the M3 muscarinic receptor in the lamina propria is located specifically on the Su‐ICs. The physiological role of these cells is unknown and consequently the significance of what appears to be a cholinergic signalling system is unclear. Previously published data showed that these cells respond to nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide with an increase in cGMP and possibly prostaglandin. All of these observations, taken together, suggest that the Su‐ICs receive multiple inputs and that they must be part of a complex signalling system in this region of the bladder wall.
Long‐term changes in bone mineral density and predicted fracture risk in patients receiving androgen‐deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, with stratification of treatment based on presenting values
Authors: Wadhwa Vivek K. , Weston Robin , Mistry Rahul , Parr Nigel J.
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE

To study the long‐term effects of androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) using luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists or antiandrogen therapy with bicalutamide on bone mineral density (BMD) of selected groups of patients with newly diagnosed advanced prostate cancer, stratified by BMD at presentation and to predict alterations in fracture risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 618 men with a mean (sd, range) age of 73 (7.1, 49–94) years, initiating ADT for prostate cancer were prospectively recruited and followed from October 1999 to January 2007. BMD was measured by forearm dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) before ADT and repeated annually. Patients with osteoporosis (T‐score ≤−2.5) were commenced on bicalutamide; patients with osteopenia (T‐score between −1.0 and −2.5) and normal BMD (T‐score > −1.0) were commenced on an LHRH agonist. Patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis received calcium and vitamin D supplements.

RESULTS

Over 7 years, 1690 DEXA scans were performed. In all, 41% of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were osteoporotic, 39% were osteopenic and 20% had normal BMD. In the normal group, treated with an LHRH agonist, there were significant decreases in BMD (1 year 1.2%; 2 year 3.7%; 3 year 6.5%; 4 year 8.9%; 5 year 9.9%; 6 year 12.7%), which also occurred in the patients with osteopenia with 60% developing osteoporosis after 2 years (1 year 1.8%; 2 year 5.1%; 3 year 8.0%; 4 year 8.2%; 5 year 11.5%; 6 year 14.1%). By contrast, the osteoporotic group maintained BMD (1 year 0.5%; 2 year 0%; 3 year +1.2%; 4 year 0.5%; 5 year 1.7%; 6 year 2.2%).

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with an LHRH agonist have significant and sustained decreases in BMD, whereas bicalutamide maintains BMD. We advocate routine assessment of BMD before ADT, with surveillance thereafter.
Risk Management and Social Visibility in Ghana*
Authors: Vanderpuye‐Orgle Jacqueline , Barrett Christopher B.
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  In this paper we test for risk pooling within and among social networks to see if the extent of informal insurance available to individuals in rural Ghana varies with their social visibility. We identify a distinct subpopulation of socially invisible individuals who tend to be younger, poorer, engaged in farming, recent arrivals into the village who have been fostered and are not members of a major clan. While we cannot reject the null hypothesis that individual shocks do not affect individual consumption and that individual consumption tracks network and village consumption one‐for‐one among the socially visible, risk pooling fails for the socially invisible subpopulation. These results have important implications for the design of social protection policy.
Health and Productivity: Panel Data Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Kedir Abbi M.
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  Neoclassical growth models and endogenous growth theories show the positive contribution of human capital to growth. Using household panel data (1994–2000) on individuals who reported their wages in urban Ethiopia, we estimated a relationship between health measures (i.e. proxied by height and BMI) and wages (which proxies productivity/growth). Our findings from the IV quantile regression estimates indicate that productivity is positively and significantly affected by education, height and BMI. The return to BMI is important both at the lower and upper end of the wage distribution. The return to height is significant only at the end of the wage distribution. The substantive content of the results (i.e. the high‐nutrition and high‐productivity equilibrium story) does not change even if we did not control for endogeneity of schooling. Non‐parametric evidence also supports the strong and positive relationship between productivity and our indicators of human capital.
Impact of different patterns of nonadherence on the outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Knobel H , Urbina O , González A , Sorlí ML , Montero M , Carmona A , Guelar A
Published: March 2009

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of different patterns of nonadherence on treatment outcomes in patients with long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

This cohort study included patients who began highly active antiretroviral therapy during 1996–1999, with the last follow‐up in 2007. Adherence was evaluated every 2 months by monitoring of pharmacy refills and by using self‐reports. Patients were considered nonadherent at a specific visit when less than 90% of the prescribed drugs had been taken. Adherence was categorized as follows. (A) Continuous adherence: a patient had to be adherent in all of the evaluations throughout the period of follow‐up. (B) Treatment interruption: drugs were not taken for more than 3 days, for any reason. Treatment failure was defined as viral load >500 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL or death. Cox proportional risk models were used to calculate adjusted relative hazards (ARHs) of treatment failure.

Results

A total of 540 patients were included in the study, with a median follow‐up of 8.3 years. Only 32.78% of patients achieved and maintained continuous adherence, and 42.78% of patients had treatment interruptions. Noncontinuous adherence [ARH 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.14] and treatment interruptions (ARH 1.39; 95% CI 1.04–1.85) were associated with treatment failure for the overall cohort; however, for patients with more than 3 years of follow‐up, only treatment interruptions were independently associated with treatment failure.

Conclusions

Only one‐third of patients managed to achieve continuous adherence, and almost half of the patients had treatment interruptions, which have a particularly marked effect on treatment outcomes over the long term.
How does early developmental assessment predict academic and attentional–behavioural skills at group and individual levels?
Authors: VALTONEN RIITTA , AHONEN TIMO , TOLVANEN ASKO , LYYTINEN PAULA
Published: March 2009

The main aim of the study was to explore the ability of a brief developmental assessment to predict teacher‐rated learning and attentional and behavioural skills in the first grade of school at both the group and individual levels. A sample of 394 children (181 males, 213 females) aged 4 years were followed to the age of 6 years, and 283 of the children (145 males, 138 females; mean age 7y 11 mo) were followed further to the first grade (age 7y) at school. The children were administered a brief but comprehensive developmental assessment (Lene – a neurodevelopmental screening method) at their local child health‐care centres at ages 4 and 6 years. In the first grade, teachers completed a detailed questionnaire (JLD Teacher Questionnaire) on the children’s (mean age 7y 11mo, SD 3.1mo, range 7y 3mo–8y 4mo) performance and behaviour. Structural equation modelling showed that no single developmental area predicted development during the follow‐up. Instead, a comprehensive developmental outcome at age 4 years significantly predicted skills in the first grade at the group level. Developmental status at age 4 and 6 years together explained 66% of the variance of academic skills and 40% of the variance of attentional and behavioural skills in the first grade. Age‐specific logistic regression analyses were constructed to produce the risk indices. At the individual level it was possible to reach acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity for academic skills at age 4 and age 6 years. Identification of attentional and behavioural problems at the individual level was possible at age 6 years, but the number of false positives was high.
Expression of extracellular matrix genes in cultured hepatic oval cells: an origin of hepatic stellate cells through transforming growth factor beta?
Authors: Wang Ping , Liu Tianhui , Cong Min , Wu Xiaoning , Bai Yanfeng , Yin Chenghong , An Wei , Wang Baoen , Jia Jidong , You Hong
Published: March 2009

Background: Hepatic oval cells, progenitor cells in the liver, can differentiate into hepatocytes and bile duct cells both in vitro and in vivo. Although hepatic stellate cells are another important cell component in the liver, less attention has been focused on the relationship between hepatic oval cells and hepatic stellate cells.

Methods: Hepatic oval cells were isolated from rats fed a choline‐deficient diet supplemented with 0.1% ethionine for 6 weeks and characterized by electron microscopy, flow cytometry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and bi‐direction differentiation. After treatment with transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), changes in cell viability, morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) expression and immune phenotype were analysed in these cultured and adherent hepatic oval cells.

Results: The primary cultured hepatic oval cells were positive for the oval cell‐specific markers OV‐6, BD‐1/BD‐2 and M2PK as well as the hepatocyte markers albumin and α‐foetoprotein. These hepatic oval cells differentiated bipotentially into hepatocytes or bile duct‐like cells under appropriate conditions. It is noteworthy that these bipotential hepatic oval cells expressed ECM genes stably, including collagens, matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of mellatoproteinase. Furthermore, except for growth inhibition and morphological changes in the hepatic oval cells after exposure to TGF‐β1, there was an increased expression of ECM genes, the onset expression of snail and loss expression of E‐cadherin. During this process, TGF‐β1 treatment induced an upregulation of marker genes for hepatic stellate cells in hepatic oval cells, such as desmin and GFAP.

Conclusion: Except for the expression of ECM, the cultured hepatic oval cells could induce an increased expression of hepatic stellate cell markers by TGF‐β1 through an epithelial–mesenchymal transition process, which might indicate the contribution of hepatic oval cells to liver fibrosis.
A history of neuroimaging in epilepsy 1909–2009
Authors: Shorvon Simon D.
Published: March 2009

Profound advances in the field of clinical imaging in epilepsy occurred between 1909 and 2009, the century of the International League Against Epilepsy, and these are reviewed briefly in this paper. Initially imaging was carried out with plain x‐ray, air encephalography, and angiography, and these techniques had a relatively minor role in epilepsy. Computerized tomographic (CT) scanning was introduced in 1971, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a decade or so later, and both these technologies had an immediate and far‐reaching impact on epilepsy. MRI techniques continued to evolve during the 1990s and profoundly influenced many aspects of epilepsy clinical practice. These structural imaging techniques revealed pathological lesions in large numbers of patients with hitherto cryptogenic epilepsy, widened the indications for surgical therapy, and improved our understanding of the pathogenesis and etiology of epilepsy. In recent years, the research focus has turned to fMRI but its impact on epilepsy currently is relatively small. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) also have had a limited impact on clinical practice in epilepsy.
International Linkages and National Innovation Rates: An Exploratory Probe1
Authors: Taylor Mark Zachary
Published: March 2009

The conventional wisdom among political economists holds that domestic institutions determine national innovation rates. However, after decades of research, there is still no agreement on precisely which domestic institutions matter or exactly how they affect innovation rates. Anecdotal observations within the research on institutions suggest that international linkages may be the missing piece to the national innovation rate puzzle. An exploratory probe is therefore performed here using regression analysis of various measures of innovation, domestic institutions, and international linkages. The results suggest that countries' relationships with the lead innovator strongly affect their innovation rates. The probe further suggests that research should move beyond institutions and linkages, and should focus instead on their political origins. That is, the current focus on institutions or linkages studies effects, not causes. It fails to get at the politics of technological change: the fundamental choices which nations must make in order to innovate successfully in the long run.