bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Callistemon citrinus as a gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in obese rats
Authors: Piñón-Simental Jonathan Saúl , Ayala-Ruiz Luis Alberto , Ortega-Pérez Luis Gerardo , Magaña-Rodríguez Oliver Rafid , Meléndez-Herrera Esperanza , Aguilera-Méndez Asdrubal , Rios-Chavez Patricia
Published: February 2024

Background

Obesity leads to an elevated risk of developing gastrointestinal disease such as gastric ulcers. Callistemon citrinus leaf extract has shown antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and chemoprotective effects against colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus leaf extract on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in obese rats.

Methods

Gastric ulcers were induced in female obese Wistar rats using a single oral dose of indomethacin (IND). In the first stage, the rats were fed with a high fat sugar diet (HFSD) for 15 weeks to induce obesity and, at the same time, the diet of the other group of animals included daily administration of ethanolic C. citrinus leaf extract (250 mg/kg) in addition to HFSD. In the second stage, gastric ulcers were induced with IND (30 mg/kg). The gastroprotective activity of C. citrinus, the inflammatory enzyme activities, and cytokines in the stomach were determined.

Results

C. citrinus produced a reduction of gastric lesions caused by IND. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activities also decreased. Although inflammatory biomarkers such as TNFα, IL-6, AOPP, and leptin were significantly decreased by C. citrinus, adiponectin levels increased. Moreover, C. citrinus decreased weight gain and morphological and biochemical parameters.

Conclusion

The use of indomethacin in rats fed with a high fat-sugar diet increased gastric ulcers. Gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus in obese rats is attributed to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the inflammatory enzymes.
Prognostic factors and outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a retrospective hospital-based study
Authors: Chen Wei-Che , Chen I-Chieh , Chen Jun-Peng , Liao Tsai-Ling , Chen Yi-Ming
Published: February 2024

Objective

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) affects immunocompromised hosts and is associated with higher risks of respiratory failure and mortality. However, the clinical outcomes of different IPA types have not been identified.

Methods

Between September 2002 and May 2021, we retrospectively enrolled patients with IPA in Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Cases were classified as possible IPA, probable IPA, proven IPA, and putative IPA according to EORTC/MSGERC criteria and the AspICU algorithm. Risk factors of respiratory failure, kidney failure, and mortality were analyzed by logistic regression. A total of 3-year survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test for post-hoc comparisons.

Results

We included 125 IPA patients (50: possible IPA, 47: probable IPA, 11: proven IPA, and 17: putative IPA). Comorbidities of liver cirrhosis and solid organ malignancy were risk factors for respiratory failure; diabetes mellitus and post-liver or kidney transplantation were related to kidney failure. Higher galactomannan (GM) test optical density index (ODI) in either serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was associated with dismal outcomes. Probable IPA and putative IPA had lower 3-year respiratory failure-free survival compared to possible IPA. Probable IPA and putative IPA exhibited lower 3-year renal failure-free survival in comparison to possible IPA and proven IPA. Putative IPA had the lowest 3-year overall survival rates among the four IPA groups.

Conclusion

Patients with putative IPA had higher mortality rates than the possible, probable, or proven IPA groups. Therefore, a prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are warranted for patients with putative IPA.
A comparison of forest structural methods of semiarid mangrove species using a field-based approach
Authors: Flores-de-Santiago Francisco , Flores-Verdugo Francisco
Published: February 2024

The data obtained from field-based forest inventories, mainly basal area and stem density, are relevant for the analysis of aboveground biomass and forest fragmentation. Due to its persistently flooded ground, fieldwork in mangrove forests is time-consuming and complicated. Since mangroves are sensitive to the effects of climate change, selecting a reliable field method is of utmost importance. To this end, we analyzed 4 mangrove classes: Rhizophora mangle (RM), Laguncularia racemosa (LR), Avicennia germinans (AG), and AG shrub. We georeferenced and counted all mangrove stems within four 0.04 ha (20 × 20 m square). We analyzed data from 3 circular area plots and the plotless point-centered quarter method (PCQM) based on the original square plots. Depending on the mangrove class, PCQM overestimated basal area by up to 34% and stem density by 21%. The 3 circular plot surveys underestimated basal area from –1% to –29% and stem density from –3 to –25%. Based on the results, we suggest using a circular plot of 0.04 ha (r = 11.28 m) in less dense forests (RM and AG) and a circular plot of 0.015 ha (r = 6.9 m) with forest densities greater than 3,500 stems/ha (LR and AG shrub). The advantages of using the circular plot approach over PCQM are that mangrove inventories can be quantified quickly and do not require a minimum number of sampling points.
Phytochemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Marine Green Seaweed Ulva lactuca
Authors: Ananthi G. , Bagyalakshmi
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study is to determine the presence of Ulva seaweeds, possibly by analyzing the quality of seaweed powder extracts and some organic solvents. It belongs to the order Ulvaales. Ulva lactuca is a widespread macro algae growing the Mediterranean coast phylum Chlorophyta, commonly known as “sea lettuce”. Collected from the Gulf of Mannar Tamil Nadu, India. Dry the Ulva seaweeds and grind it in a food processor until it becomes a fine powder. The powder is dried in an oven at 600c for 24 hours. Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins and Tannins. dried seaweed nutrients rich in energy 252.72kcal/mg/gm, carbohydrates 49.63mg/gm, less protein 12.21mg/gm, fat 1.04mg/gm less than gm, high crude fiber, ash15.8mg/g, high moisture 21.74mg/g. in the UV –visible spectrum of seaweed extract TLC analysis 200-800nm found a high value of0.925, to0.477, GC-MS RF value of8.014, and FTIR analysis of seaweeds Ulva found a high value of 618 to 3525cm-1 and HPLC showed retention time 2.213- 3.730. The antimicrobial studies maximum inhibition zone, minimum concentrations, minimum inhibition zone and maximum activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae, are methanol extract 10mm, Staphylococcus aureus, ethyl acetate extract11mm, Candida albicans 10.5mm were respectively.
HR Onboarding Kit
Authors: Baggyalakshmi Dr.N. , Dhanya R. , Revathi Dr.R.
Published: February 2024

Users can automate tasks and processes within their Office 365 workflow with Microsoft Flow, now called Power Automate. There are many of organisations that rely on the many programmes that are part of Microsoft Office 365. Common Microsoft Office applications include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive. Other Microsoft products serve their purpose, but apps typically don't talk to each other and operate independently. With Power Automate/Microsoft Flow, these apps can communicate with one another and respond to events triggered by other programmes. With Microsoft Power Automate, you can automate a wide variety of processes and tasks by integrating various apps and platforms. Whether in the cloud or on-premises, users are able to integrate Microsoft Office 365 apps with one another and a vast library of other programmes. Anyone with even a rudimentary grasp of Office 365 may build simple automations to streamline mundane tasks for their company. Power BI and Microsoft Power Apps allow advanced users to build their own unique business processes. Users may easily design the interactivity of apps using workflows, which are also called flows.
Conversion of Sunan Candlenut Oil to Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Hydrocracking Process Over Nano-HZSM-5 Catalyst
Authors: Al Muttaqii Muhammad , Marbun Maja Pranata , Sudibyo Sudibyo , Aunillah Asif , Pranowo Dibyo , Hasanudin Hasanudin , Rinaldi Nino , Bardant Teuku Beuna
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the catalysts (Nano-HZSM-5 and Fe-La/nano HZSM-5) were prepared with incipient wetness impregnation and applied for hydrocracking of Sunan candlenut oil. The hydrocracking process was conducted in a batch reactor with a pressure of 20-30 bar H2 gas for 2 h under various temperatures. The results demonstrated that hydrocracking of Sunan candlenut oil using nano HZSM-5 and Fe-La/NHZ catalysts could be converted into aromatic hydrocarbons, and the reaction temperature affected hydrocarbon production. The aromatic compounds, such as propyl-benzene, 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, heptyl-benzene, 2-ethyl-naphthalene, etc., reached 35.51% over the Fe-La/NHZ_2 catalyst. In all cases, the zeolite-based catalysts are the most suitable to produce aromatic hydrocarbons. Metal impregnated (Fe and La) on nano HZSM-5 catalyst could improve the aromatics compounds due to increased metal and acid sites. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Synthesis of β‐L‐2′‐Deoxythymidine (L‐dT)
Authors: Pierra Claire , Dukhan David , Gosselin Gilles , Sommadossi Jean‐Pierre
Published: April 2006

The “unnatural” l‐nucleoside β‐l‐2′‐deoxythymidine (L‐dT) is a potent, specific, and selective inhibitor of the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is currently in Phase III clinical trials. This unit describes, in detail, a semi‐large‐scale synthesis of l‐dT. This convenient methodology produces l‐dT in six steps starting with l‐ribose and ending with a satisfactory overall yield of l‐dT, and may be applied to other 2′‐deoxynucleosides, incorporating different heterocyclic bases.
The Importance of Biological Databases in Biological Discovery
Authors: Baxevanis Andreas D.
Published: April 2006

Biological databases play a central role in bioinformatics. They offer scientists the opportunity to access sequence and structure data for tens of thousands of sequences from a broad range of organisms. This unit provides a brief overview of major sequence databases and portals, such as GenBank, UCSC Genome Browser, and Ensembl. Model organism databases, including the TIGR Gene Indices, WormBase, and the Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) are also covered. Non‐sequence‐centric databases such as Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) are also discussed.
Searching the NCBI Databases Using Entrez
Authors: Baxevanis Andreas D.
Published: April 2006

One of the most widely‐used interfaces for the retrieval of information from biological databases is the NCBI Entrez system. Entrez capitalizes on the fact that there are pre‐existing, logical relationships between the individual entries found in numerous public databases. The existence of such natural connections, mostly biological in nature, argued for the development of a method through which all the information about a particular biological entity could be found without having to sequentially visit and query disparate databases. Two Basic Protocols describe simple, text‐based searches, illustrating the types of information that can be retrieved through the Entrez system. An builds upon the first Basic Protocol, using additional, built‐in features of the Entrez system, and providing alternative ways to issue the initial query. The reviews how to save frequently‐issued queries. Finally, Cn3D, a structure visualization tool, is also discussed.
PubSearch and PubFetch: A Simple Management System for Semiautomated Retrieval and Annotation of Biological Information from the Literature
Authors: Yoo Danny , Xu Iris , Berardini Tanya Z. , Yon Rhee Seung , Narayanasamy Vijay , Twigger Simon
Published: April 2006

For most systems in biology, a large body of literature exists that describes the complexity of the system based on experimental results. Manual review of this literature to extract targeted information into biological databases is difficult and time consuming. To address this problem, we developed PubSearch and PubFetch, which store literature, keyword, and gene information in a relational database, index the literature with keywords and gene names, and provide a Web user interface for annotating the genes from experimental data found in the associated literature. A set of protocols is provided in this unit for installing, populating, running, and using PubSearch and PubFetch. In addition, we provide support protocols for performing controlled vocabulary annotations. Intended users of PubSearch and PubFetch are database curators and biology researchers interested in tracking the literature and capturing information about genes of interest in a more effective way than with conventional spreadsheets and lab notebooks.
Raw Materials and Energy
Authors: Kola Rolf , von Elsner Otto , Riepe Wolfgang , Reuter Knud
Published: April 2006

The article contains sections titled:

1.Introduction2.Mineral Raw Materials2.1.Formation of Deposits2.2.Mineralogy and Raw Material Groups2.3.Development of Deposits2.4.Exploitation of Raw Materials2.5.Availability of Mineral Raw Materials2.6.Environmental Factors in the Processing of Raw Materials2.7.Secondary Raw Materials3.Oil, Gas, and Coal3.1.Introduction3.2.Oil3.2.1.Exploration3.2.2.Production3.2.3.Transportation3.2.4.Loading and Storage3.2.5.Processing3.2.6.Uses3.2.7.Cost3.3.Gas3.3.1.Processing3.3.2.Transportation3.3.3.Storage3.3.4.Uses3.3.5.Cost3.4.Coal3.4.1.Mining Engineering3.4.2.Processing3.4.3.Utilization4.Renewable Resources4.1.Significance4.2.Important Renewable Resources4.3.Industrial Use4.3.1.Natural Fats and Oils4.3.2.Cellulose and Its Derivatives4.3.2.1.Cellulose4.3.2.2.Cellulose Esters4.3.2.3.Cellulose Ethers4.3.3.Starch4.3.4.Low‐Molecular Carbohydrates – Sugars4.3.5.Other Renewable Resources4.3.5.1.Polyisoprene4.3.5.2.Natural Resins4.3.5.3.Plant Polysaccharides (“Gums”)4.3.5.4.Active Substances Based on Renewable Resources4.3.5.5.Flavors and Fragrances4.4.Energy Use4.4.1.Biofuels4.4.2.Biogas4.4.3.Heat from Biomass4.5.Appraisal4.5.1.Ecobalancing of Renewable Resources4.5.2.Opportunities and Limits of Use of Renewable Resources
Inside Front Cover: Trilayered Ceramic–Metal–Polymer Microcantilevers with Dramatically Enhanced Thermal Sensitivity (Adv. Mater. 9/2006)
Authors: Lin Y.‐H. , McConney M. E. , LeMieux M. C. , Peleshanko S. , Jiang C. , Singamaneni S. , Tsukruk V. V.
Published: April 2006

A novel trilayered (ceramic–metal–polymer) design for highly sensitive, thermally responsive microcantilever arrays is reported on p. 1157 by Tsukruk and co‐workers. In this design, the topmost nanocomposite layer, reinforced with carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles, acts as a strong thermal‐stress‐driven actuator to enhance conventional biomaterial performance. These polymer–metal–ceramic microcantilevers with enhanced (fourfold) thermal sensitivity may serve as a basis for the next generation of uncooled thermal microsensor arrays because of outstanding thermal and spatial resolution.
Enantiophore modeling in 3D‐QSAR. A data mining application on Whelk‐O1 chiral stationary phase
Authors: Rio Alberto Del , Piras Patrick , Roussel Christian
Published: April 2006

A combination of the enantiophore concept described in a previous study and a quantitative structure enantioselective relationship (QSER) based on partial least squares (PLS) analysis is presented. In the present study, a comprehensive approach for describing the enantioselective binding properties of the Whelk‐O1 chiral HPLC receptor is achieved using molecular descriptors calculated by the GRID program. The GRID descriptors allow us to describe the molecules in terms of their ability to form favorable interactions with independent chemical groups (probes) that can be related to receptor sites. For each molecule, we compute 120 enantiophore descriptors representing the energy contributions from all possible pairwise combinations of probes. The overall procedure was simplified by considering only the most energetically favorable locations and converting selected grid‐point energies into alignment‐independent descriptors. By using a training set of 143 diverse chiral compounds, an optimal PLS model requiring seven components was chosen by using the cross‐validation method resulting in a correlation coefficient R2 = 0.88 and a cross validated correlation coefficient Q2 = 0.85. An interpretation of the model is proposed based upon a visual inspection of the regression coefficient plots. From these plots, the influence of particular molecular features for selective binding of solutes was estimated and used to outline the chiral recognition sites in the Whelk‐O1 receptor. The predictive power of our model has been estimated by means of an external data set emphasizing the suitability of the procedure also for predictive aims. Chirality 18:498–508, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vancomycin as chiral selector for enantioselective separation of selected profen nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs incapillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Kafková Boz̆ena , Bosáková Zuzana , Tesar̆ová Eva , Coufal Pavel , Messina Antonella , Sinibaldi Massimo
Published: April 2006

The chiral selector vancomycin was used either as mobile phase additive or bound as a chiral stationary phase (CSP) for the stereoselective separation of seven racemic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), fenoprofen, carprofen, flurbiprofen, indoprofen, flobufen, ketoprofen, and suprofen, by capillary liquid chromatography. The effect of the type of stationary phase, the chiral column Chirobiotic V or the achiral stationary phases Nucleosil 100 C8 HD and Nucleosil 100 C18 HD, and the concentration of vancomycin in the mobile phase on separation of the drug enantiomers were evaluated. All the drugs, except flobufen, were successfully enantioseparated on Nucleosil 100 C8 HD with 4 mM vancomycin present in the mobile phase (composed of methanol and buffer) in the reversed phase mode. On the vancomycin‐bonded chiral stationary phase, it was difficult to get enantioseparations of the profen NSAIDs. However, flobufen gave better enantioseparation on the vancomycin CSP. The better enantioresolution of the majority of profen derivatives on the achiral columns with vancomycin added to the mobile phase can be attributed in particular to the higher separation efficiency of this capillary chromatographic system. In addition, vancomycin dimers, formed in the mobile phase, seem to offer a better steric arrangement for stereoselective interaction to these analytes than the vancomycin bonded on the CSP. These substantial differences in the CS structure significantly influence the chiral discrimination mechanism. Chirality 18:531–538, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Smoking affects treatment outcome in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Tsao Anne S. , Liu Diane , Lee J. Jack , Spitz Margaret , Hong Waun Ki
Published: April 2006

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether smoking during chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) affects treatment outcome.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the medical records of patients with NSCLC (AJCC Stage III or IV) who were treated with frontline chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1993 and December 2002. Treatment type, response, progression‐free survival, and overall survival (OS) were correlated with patient demographic characteristics, clinical features, and smoking habits at the time of diagnosis and during therapy.

RESULTS

Of 1370 patients who were eligible for analysis, 497 received chemoradiation therapy and 873 received chemotherapy. In the chemoradiation group, 6% of patients were never‐smokers, 45% were former smokers, and 49% were current smokers. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no prognostic effect of smoking status on treatment response or OS rates in the chemoradiation therapy group. In the chemotherapy group, 16% of patients were never‐smokers, 42% were former smokers, and 42% were current smokers; 20% of patients continued to smoke during therapy. Never‐smokers had higher response rates (19% vs. 8% vs. 12%; P = .004) and lower rates of progressive disease (49% vs. 65% vs. 66%; P = .002) than former and current smokers, respectively. The OS rates were found to be higher among never‐smokers (P <.0001), women (P = .002), and those with a better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (P <.0001). The multivariate Cox model indicated that with adjustment for age, gender, stage of disease, and ECOG performance status, the hazard ratio was 1.47 for former smokers (P = .003) and 1.55 for current smokers (P = .0004). Active smoking during therapy did not appear to impact outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Never‐smokers were found to have an improved outcome over smokers when treated with chemotherapy. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Associations between juvenile delinquency and weight‐related variables: Analyses from a national sample of high school students
Authors: Ho Ching‐hua , Kingree J. B. , Thompson Martie P.
Published: April 2006

Objective:

This study examined direct and conditional associations between juvenile delinquency and weight‐related variables in a national sample of high school students.

Method:

Data from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of 12,713 high school students aged 14 to 17 were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results:

Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that juvenile delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to use fasting, vomiting, and drugs to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight. Multivariate analyses also showed that delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to perceive themselves as overweight, but the two groups did not differ in regard to actual overweight status. Tests of interactions in multivariate analyses indicated that the associations between delinquent status and specific, weight‐related variables were stronger among younger than among older adolescents, as well as among female than among male adolescents.

Conclusions:

Future research should examine risk and protective factors for unhealthy weight control behaviors and perceptions among delinquents. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Oxidation of Electrodeposited Copper on Boron Doped Diamond in Acidic Solution: Manipulating the Size of Copper Nanoparticles Using Voltammetry
Authors: Welch Christine M. , Simm Andrew O. , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2006

The in situ deposition of copper, in acidic solution onto a Boron Doped Diamond electrode, using cyclic voltammetry is explored and produced surfaces are imaged using Atomic Force Microscopy. A uniformly dense covering of copper nanoparticles is produced when the potential of a freshly polished BDD electrode is swept from 0 V in a negative direction. For example, in 1 M H2SO4 with a Cu(II) concentration of 1 mM, nanoparticles of height 10.1 nm, diameter 74.6 nm and a density of 16.1 particles per μm2 are created when the potential is swept to −0.35 V. The higher the concentration of Cu(II) in solution or the larger the magnitude of the end potential the larger the nanoparticles are and the more densely they are spread. When the direction of the scan is reversed and a positive potential sweep carried out evidence from the observed cyclic voltammograms and AFM images shows that copper is being incompletely stripped from the electrode surface. If the potential is then cycled continuously ten times, as would happen when the process is used for electroanalytical purposes, then an irregular and irreproducible deposit is observed. One can infer from this evidence that the incompletely stripped copper is electrochemically active and therefore adversely affecting subsequent deposition processes. Comparison to existing literature shows that the discrete application of particular deposition and stripping potentials is a much better way to produce a deposit of copper nanoparticles than application of potential through cyclic voltammetry.
Electrolytic removal of 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water streams
Authors: Pauwels Bram , Deconinck Sam , Verstraete Willy
Published: April 2006

The electrolytic removal of ethinylestradiol (EE2), the most potent synthetic estrogen, in effluent of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating hospital sewage and in drinking water, was studied at dosed concentrations of about 1 mg EE2 L−1. Removal efficiencies of up to 98% were obtained with supplemental efficient eradications of bacteria (up to 3.4 log units). Residual effects were observed when a treated flow was mixed with an untreated flow. An increasing concentration of NaCl resulted in an enhanced EE2 removal. This effect was more pronounced in MBR effluent than in drinking water. To approach more environmentally realistic concentrations, an experiment with initial concentration of 10 µg EE2 L−1 drinking water was set up, still resulting in an EE2 removal of 85%. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of a photocatalytic reaction in a continuous‐flow recirculation reactor system
Authors: Shiraishi Fumihide , Nagano Mayumi , Wang Shinpon
Published: April 2006

A continuous‐flow recirculation mode, generally called a recycle mode, is known to be practically meaningless except when the reactant is separated from the product at the reactor exit or when the reaction is autocatalytic, because when simply circulating a small amount of the fluid containing a reactant, the reactant concentration in this mode is lowered due to mixing of the fluid at the reactor entrance, leading to a decrease in the conversion at the reactor exit. This mode may, however, be meaningful in photocatalytic reactions with very large film‐diffusional resistance. To indicate the validity of this estimation, therefore, characteristics of a continuous‐flow recirculation reactor have been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. As a result, it is found that by increasing the circulation flow rate the conversion and productivity in this reactor is higher than that in a continuous‐flow reactor because the film‐diffusional resistance is remarkably reduced. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Attenuation of a vaccine strain of vaccinia virus via inactivation of interferon viroceptor
Authors: Dénes Béla , Gridley Daila S. , Fodor Nadja , Takátsy Zsuzsanna , Timiryasova Tatyana M. , Fodor István
Published: April 2006

Background

Interferons (IFNs) play an important role in host antiviral responses, but viruses, including vaccinia viruses (VV), employ mechanisms to disrupt IFN activities, and these viral mechanisms are often associated with their virulence. Here, we explore an attenuation strategy with a vaccine strain of VV lacking a virus‐encoded IFN‐γ receptor homolog (viroceptor).

Methods

To facilitate the monitoring of virus properties, first we constructed a Lister vaccine strain derivative VV‐RG expressing optical reporters. Further, we constructed a VV‐RG derivative, VV‐RG8, which lacks the IFN‐γR viroceptor (B8R gene product). Replication, immunological and pathogenic properties of the constructed strains were compared.

Results

Viruses did not show significant differences in humoral and cellular immune responses of immune‐competent mice. Replication of constructed viruses was efficient both in vitro and in vivo, but showed marked difference in kinetics of propagation. In cultured CV‐1 epithelial cells, the VV‐RG8 strain retained the propagation potential of the parental virus, while, in the C6 glial cells, significant delay was observed in the kinetics of the VV‐RG8 replication cycle compared to VV‐RG. The pathogenesis of the viruses was tested by survival assay and biodistribution in nude mice. High dose inoculation of nude mice with VV‐RG8 caused less pronounced virus dissemination, improved weight gain, and increased survival rate, as compared with the VV‐RG strain.

Conclusions

The replication‐competent virus VV‐RG8 carrying a mutation at the B8R gene is less pathogenic for mice than the parental vaccine virus. We anticipate that step‐wise inactivation of VV vaccine genes involved in evasion of host immune response may provide an alternative approach for generation of hyper‐attenuated replication‐competent vaccines. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immobilization of gene vectors on polyurethane surfaces using a monoclonal antibody for localized gene delivery
Authors: Mei Lin , Jin Xu , Song Cunxian , Wang Manyan , Levy R. J.
Published: April 2006

Background

Conventional strategies of gene therapy using viral vectors result in suboptimal localization and potentially dangerous distal spread of vector. We hypothesized that localized delivery of adenoviral gene vectors could be achieved from a polyurethane (PU) film through a mechanism involving anti‐viral antibody tethering.

Methods

PU films were formulated with a collagen coating. Anti‐adenoviral monoclonal antibodies were covalently bound to the collagen surface. These antibodies enabled tethering of replication‐defective adenoviruses [Ad‐GFP (encoding green fluorescent protein)] through highly specific antigen‐antibody affinity. The binding stability and in vitro delivery of virus bound on PU films were investigated. Cell culture studies with rat arterial smooth muscle cells (A10) assessed transduction on or near the PU matrix. In vivo experiments with collagen‐coated PU films investigated atrial epicardial implant and subdermal implant models in Yorkshire swine.

Results

We report for the first time successful PU film‐based gene delivery using antibody‐tethered adenovirus encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP), demonstrating efficient and highly localized gene delivery to arterial smooth muscle cells in cell culture and pig implant. In comparison, direct injections of viral vectors into subcutaneous sites gave sparse, needle‐track‐oriented GFP expression patterns.

Conclusion

We conclude that PU film is a suitable platform for a localizable viral vector delivery system that also prevents systemic spread of vector. Gene delivery using PU film‐based anti‐viral antibody tethering of vectors should be suitable for a wide array of single or multiple therapeutic gene strategies, and for further device‐based gene delivery therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the silanol‐suppressing potency of ionic liquids
Authors: Marszałł Michał Piotr , Baczek Tomasz , Kaliszan Roman
Published: April 2006

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the use of ionic liquids for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis. In the present study, the silanol‐suppressing potency of ionic liquids was evaluated by HPLC using the two‐retention site model proposed previously by Nahum and Horváth (J. Chromatogr. 1981, 203, 53–63). The binding constant, KA, in that approach has been demonstrated to reliably reflect the ability of the ionic liquids to block the silanols of the silica support material of the stationary phase. The determinations were carried out for ionic liquids of the 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium group with the use of a series of basic drugs as the test analytes. Comparison of ionic liquids with standard mobile phase additives such as triethylamine showed the former to possess advantages as silanol suppressors in HPLC. The main advantage of the method is that it provides a simple and fast determination of the silanol complex stability, which allowed comparison of the suppressing efficiency of several ionic liquids.
Determination of calibration function in thermal field flow fractionation under thermal field programming
Authors: Pasti Luisa , Ventosa Edgar A. , Mingozzi Ines , Dondi Francesco
Published: April 2006

A new procedure for determining the calibration function able to relate retention and operative parameters to molecular weight of the species in thermal field flow (ThFFF) under thermal field programming (TFP) conditions is presented. The procedure involves determining the average values of retention parameters under TFP and determining a numerical function related to the temperature variations that occur during TFP. The calibration parameters are obtained by a procedure fitting the retention and operative parameters that hold true at the beginning of the TFP. The procedure is closely related to the one previously developed to calibrate the retention time axis under TFP ThFFF and, together, they constitute a full calibration procedure. Experimental validation was performed with reference to polystyrene (PS)‐decalin and PS‐THF systems. The calibration functions here obtained were compared to those derived by the classical procedure at constant thermal field ThFFF to obtain the calibration function at variable cold wall temperatures. Excellent agreement was found in all cases proving “universality” of the ThFFF calibration concept, i. e. it is independent of the particular system on which it was determined and can thus be extended to ThFFF operating under TFP. The new procedure is simpler than the classical one since it requires less precision in setting the instrumentation and can be obtained with fewer experiments. The potential applications for the method are discussed.
Fair‐trade beliefs, attitudes and buying behaviour of Belgian consumers
Authors: Pelsmacker Patrick De , Janssens Wim , Sterckx Ellen , Mielants Caroline
Published: April 2006

A survey of 858 Belgians (615 people drawn from the general public and 243 visitors to Oxfam World Shops), examined the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of consumers with respect to fair‐trade issues. The results showed that the respondents' knowledge and attitudes generally supported the fair‐trade concept. However, many of the people questioned believed that fair‐trade organizations should provide more and better information on fair‐trade products, especially in shops and on the items themselves. In addition, fair‐trade products should be more readily available in regular supermarkets, and their price should be lowered. The most interesting socio‐demographic target group for non‐profit fair‐trade organizations appears to be older people with higher education and income. Consumers from the south (French‐speaking) part of Belgium in general have a more positive attitude towards fair trade.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical properties of plastic‐bonded explosive binder materials as a function of strain‐rate and temperature
Authors: Cady C.M. , Blumenthal W.R. , Gray G.T. , Idar D.J.
Published: April 2006

Compression measurements were conducted on three explosive formulation binders, extruded Estane, plasticized Estane, and plasticized hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene, as a function of temperature and strain rate. The mechanical response of the Estane was found to exhibit the strongest dependency on strain rate and temperature and higher flow strength for similar test conditions of the three materials tested. Plasticized Estane was less sensitively dependent on strain rate and temperature, followed by the plasticized HTPB. The visco‐elastic recovery of all three binders is seen to dominate the mechanical behavior at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Tg). There is a pronounced shift in the apparentTgto higher temperatures as the strain rate is increased. Two distinct behaviors are observed in the binders below theTg. At low strain rates, the binders exhibit a yield behavior, followed by a drop in the flow stress, which may or may not recover. At high strain rates, the load drop does not occur and the flow stresses either gradually increase, as in plasticized HTPB, or it levels out as seen in the Estane‐based binders. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:812–819, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Stimulation of bone healing in new fractures of the tibial shaft using interferential currents
Authors: Fourie J A , Bowerbank P
Published: April 2006

The aim of this research was to establish whether interferential currents (IFC) could significantly reduce the healing time for fractures of the tibia and thereby prevent nonunion. Males between the ages of 12 and 86, who had sustained fractures of the tibiae, were entered into this double blind clinical trial. According to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, a final sample of 227 cases (208 subjects) were entered by block randomization into two groups; an experimental group (n=41) and placebo group (n=35). A further group was entered retrospectively – control group (n=151). IFCs were applied to the experimental group via suction electrodes for 30 minutes per day for 10 days, using a beat frequency of 10 – 25 Hz and a swing mode of 6 ∫ 6. The placebo group had only suction electrodes applied, the intermittent mode produced a rhythmical massage effect; subjects in this group commented on pain relief which resulted in the addition of the control group as a check on the possible effect of intermittent suction. The control group received no intervention. The data were analysed using analysis of covariance which resulted in a finding of no significant difference in the time taken to union for the three groups. This means that to date there is no reason to believe that IFCs (using the parameters of this trial) can reduce the healing time for new fractures of the tibia or prevent nonunion. However, further investigation is recommended. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Flight path control of small unmanned air vehicle
Authors: Kumon Makoto , Nagata Masanobu , Kohzawa Ryuichi , Mizumoto Ikuro , Iwai Zenta
Published: April 2006

In this paper, a path following control system for a small and light unmanned air vehicle (UAV), called Kiteplane, was proposed. The aircraft contains a large delta‐shaped main wing and exhibits stable flying dynamics. Because of this feature, a simple proportional integral differential control method could be implemented since attitude control to stabilize the motion was not needed. Devices installed on board the aircraft were developed for the autopilot system and the proposed control method was implemented. Results of numerical simulations and experiments showed the effectiveness of the approach. This paper also provides an algorithm for using the aircraft to estimate wind direction based on Kiteplane dynamics under the wind effect. A numerical estimation method was proposed and it was implemented on the autopilot system. The experimental results also supported the proposed wind estimating method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐organization of periodically structured single‐crystalline zinc branches by electrodeposition
Authors: Liu Tao , Wang Sheng , Wang Mu , Peng Ru‐Wen , Ma Guo‐Bin , Hao Xi‐Ping , Ming Nai‐ben
Published: April 2006

We report here the electrodeposition of periodically structured single‐crystalline zinc branches from an ultrathin aqueous electrolyte layer of ZnSO4. The main trunk and side branches of electrodeposits are regularly angled, and each branch is made of periodic bead‐like structures. Layered morphology has been observed on each bead. During electrodeposition, spontaneous oscillation of electric current occurs when constant voltage is applied across the electrodes, and the oscillation leads to periodic patterns on deposit branches. According to electron diffraction of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the whole branch of electrodeposits has the same crystallographic orientation despite the fact that the branch looks like an assembly of beads. We interpret this unique growth behavior to the epitaxial nucleation in the transport‐limited growth system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite element analysis of V‐shaped cantilevers for atomic force microscopy under normal and lateral force loads
Authors: Müller Matthias , Schimmel Thomas , Häußler Pascal , Fettig Heiko , Müller Ottmar , Albers Albert
Published: April 2006

For the quantitative investigation of surface properties such as elasticity, friction and wear by atomic force microscopy (AFM), a quantitative determination of the forces acting on the probe during its motion along the sample surface is essential. In this article, a fully parameterized finite element model for V‐shaped cantilevers is presented and the three‐dimensional mechanical deformations of the AFM cantilever are investigated. Force constants and detection angles for tip displacements in the three spatial directions are calculated for widely used cantilevers. The limits of linearity according to Hook's law are studied. It is found that the AFM contact cantilevers investigated here show a linear bending behavior for tip displacements within a range below approx. 10 nm in lateral directions and 100 nm in the normal direction. Displacements within this range are typical for many AFM applications including force modulation techniques. For higher loads as used e.g. for surface modification, a significant deviation from linear behavior is observed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth and magnetism of self‐organized Co nanoplatelets on Si(111) surface
Authors: He Ke , Pan Ming‐Hu , Wang Jun‐Zhong , Liu Hong , Jia Jin‐Feng , Xue Qi‐Kun
Published: April 2006

Magnetic nanodots have great potential for applications in ultrahigh‐density information storage, quantum computing and many other fields. In this work, Co nanoplatelets with uniform size, height and shape were fabricated by ultrahigh vacuum metal evaporation on the Si(111)‐(7 × 7) surface, using a two‐dimensional identical Al cluster array as the template and spacer. The Al clusters reduce Si dangling bonds significantly and prevent the reaction between Si and the ferromagnetic metal Co. Almost all Co nanoplatelets appear as equilateral triangles with a side length of 5.4 nm and a magic thickness of 2 ML, pointing in the [211] direction. In situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to determine the atomic structure and atomistic formation process of the Co nanoplatelets. Magnetic properties of the Co platelets were measured by SQUID at 5 K. Such quantum dots exhibit unusually high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The present study demonstrates a promising pathway to directly integrate magnetic nanostructures with Si‐based electronic devices. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesoscopic phases and characteristics of nano‐structured interfaces
Authors: Yamazaki Yoshitake , Gleiter Herbert , Ou‐Yang Zhong‐can , Zhu Xing , Zhang Zhaohui , Shi Qing‐fan , Shen Diang‐hong , Lu Kun‐quan
Published: April 2006

Mesoscopic phases and characteristics of nano‐structured interfaces are derived using renormalizing methods. Many mesoscopic phases arise, and properties for each mesoscopic phase are represented with universal homogeneous functions and characteristic exponents. It may be possible to control the characteristics of nano‐structured interfaces by external fields. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoscale lines of supported nanogold particles and lysozyme–nanogold conjugates generated by atomic force microscopy in aqueous solution
Authors: Wiechmann Matthias , Enders Oliver , Leisten Frank , Becker Jörg Michael , Haug Rolf Johann , Kolb Hans‐Albert
Published: April 2006

The line‐scan mode is applied in aqueous suspensions of NHS–nanogold and NHS—nanogold–lysozyme conjugates to generate tip‐induced linelike pattern with a width in the nanometer scale. With increasing ionic strength the spontaneous adsorption of the particles to the mica surface can be reduced. The reduction causes an increase in the processing time, which is necessary to form a continuous line composed of the respective particles. The line width increases with increasing loading force. For NHS–nanogold, a minimal line width of about 40 nm could be achieved. The results were used to connect two opposite macroscopic gold contacts about 5 µm apart by a line of NHS–nanogold, which appeared to be of continuous structure down to the nanometer scale, according to the corresponding topography. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbivory damage does not indirectly influence the composition or excretion of aphid honeydew
Authors: Hembry David H. , Katayama Noboru , Hojo Masaru K. , Ohgushi Takayuki
Published: April 2006

Recent research has shown that extrafloral nectar secretion by plants, which also attracts ants, is a defense inducible by herbivory damage. Our research addresses the question of whether plants can manipulate the honeydew secretions of homopterans as an inducible defense in response to herbivory in the same manner as extrafloral nectaries. We investigated changes in honeydew composition and excretion rate by the facultatively ant‐attended aphidChaitophorus salinigerShinji (Homoptera: Aphididae) depending on the presence or absence of herbivory by caterpillars (Clostera anastomosisL.; Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) on their host plant, the willowSalix gilgianaSeemen. Our results found no evidence to suggest that herbivory damage to the aphid's host plant causes significant changes in aphid population growth, honeydew droplet volume, volume of honeydew excreted per aphid per hour, or composition of three abundant sugars in aphid honeydew as a result of herbivory damage to the aphids’ host plant, suggesting that, in this particular system, the plant is not manipulating the aphids’ honeydew output for its own benefit.
Macrophage‐stimulating protein differently affects human alveolar macrophages from smoker and non‐smoker patients: evaluation of respiratory burst, cytokine release and NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Gunella Gabriele , Bardelli Claudio , Amoruso Angela , Viano Ilario , Balbo Piero , Brunelleschi Sandra
Published: April 2006

Macrophage activation is a key feature of inflammatory reactions occurring during bacterial infections, immune responses and tissue injury. We previously demonstrated that human macrophages of different origin express the tyrosine kinase receptor recepteur d'origine nantaise, the human receptor for MSP (RON) and produce superoxide anion (O2−) when challenged with macrophage‐stimulating protein (MSP), the endogenous ligand for RON.

This study was aimed to evaluate the role of MSP in alveolar macrophages (AM) isolated from healthy volunteers and patients with interstitial lung diseases (sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), either smokers or non‐smokers, by evaluating the respiratory burst, cytokine release and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) activation. MSP effects were compared with those induced by known AM stimuli, for example, phorbol myristate acetate, N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine, lipopolysaccharide.

MSP evokes O2− production, cytokine release and NF‐κB activation in a concentration‐dependent manner. By evaluating the respiratory burst, we demonstrate a significantly increased O2− production in AM from healthy smokers or smokers with pulmonary fibrosis, as compared to non‐smokers, thus suggesting MSP as an enhancer of cigarette smoke toxicity.

Besides inducing interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) production, MSP triggers an enhanced tumor necrosis factor‐alpha release, especially in healthy and pulmonary fibrosis smokers. On the contrary, MSP‐induced IL‐10 release is higher in AM from healthy non‐smokers.

MSP activates the transcription factor NF‐κB; this effect is more potent in healthy and fibrosis smokers (2.5‐fold increase in p50 subunit translocation). This effect is receptor‐mediated, as it is prevented by a monoclonal anti‐human MSP antibody.

The higher effectiveness of MSP in AM from healthy smokers and patients with pulmonary fibrosis is suggestive of its role in these clinical conditions.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 478–489. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706751