bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential roles of IL‐12 and dendritic cells but not IL‐23 and macrophages in lupus‐like diseases initiated by cell surface HSP gp96
Authors: Dai Jie , Liu Bei , Cua Daniel J. , Li Zihai
Published: February 2007

Proinflammatory cytokine IL‐23 but not IL‐12 is critical for the pathogenesis of organ‐specific autoimmune diseases including experimental autoimmune encephalitis and collagen‐induced arthritis. The contribution by IL‐23 in systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus is undefined. We addressed this question in a murine lupus‐like disease model, initiated by enforced cell‐surface expression of an ER HSP gp96 in C57BL/6 background. We found a significant increase of p40 in the sera in these mice that preceded the onset of diseases. However, autoimmunity was abrogated in transgenic mice expressing membrane‐bound gp96 reconstituted with p35–/– BM, but not with p19–/– BM. Moreover, we found that dendritic cells (DC) but not macrophages were the main producers of p40. To dissect the roles of DC further, we depleted DC using a diphtheria toxin‐based inducible DC depletion system. We demonstrated that the integrity of DC was essential for autoimmunity. Our results thus revealed that IL‐12 and DC are critical for the pathogenesis of lupus‐like disease precipitated by cell surface gp96. This study further highlighted the significant biological differences between IL‐12 and IL‐23.
Dinuclear and Polynuclear Bridged Azido–Nickel(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Structure Determination, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Massoud Salah S. , Mautner Franz A. , Vicente Ramon , Gallo August A. , Ducasse Elodie
Published: February 2007

Azido–NiII complexes of dinuclear, [Ni2(trpn)2(μ1,3‐N3)2](ClO4)2 (1), and monodimensional structures cis‐[Ni(abap)(μ1,3‐N3)]n(ClO4)n (2) and cis‐[Ni(Me6trien)(μ1,3‐N3)]n(ClO4)n·nH2O (3a) as well as the monomer [Ni(Me6trien)(N3)]ClO4 (3b) {trpn = tris(3‐aminopropyl)amine; abap = N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐N,N‐bis(3‐aminopropyl)amine; Me6trien = 1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyltriethylene tetramine} were synthesized and structurally characterized by spectroscopic techniques, X‐ray crystallography, and variable‐temperature magnetic measurements. In the complexes 1–3a, the ClO4– groups are counterions and the Ni2+ centers are bridged by the azido ligands in an end‐to‐end bonding fashion. The coordination geometry around the NiII ions is six‐coordinate with a distorted octahedral environment achieved by the four N atoms of the tetradentate amines and two terminal N atoms of the azide groups. Complex 1 consists of dinuclear units with doubly bridged azido groups whereas in 2 and 3a, a polymeric 1D chain is formed in which the adjacent azido groups link the NiII centers in a cis arrangement. In complex 2, the structural parameters of the two adjacent azido bridging ligands are different and an alternating 1D system with two different end‐to‐end azido bridges is produced. Complex 3a is a uniform 1D system where the strong steric hindrance imposed by the methyl groups of the Me6trien ligand [diagonal N(azide)–Ni–N(amine) bond angles] causes pronounced deviation from the ideal octahedral geometry. Complex 3b exhibits a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The complexes 1–3a show antiferromagnetic coupling. In complex 1, the exchange coupling constant was J = –64(1) cm–1, whereas in the polynuclear species 2 and 3a, the calculated values were J1 = –63.7(2) (α = 0.52) and J = –26.8(1) cm–1, respectively. The magnetic parameters have been correlated to the structural data.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
(Pentabenzylcyclopentadienyl)molybdenum Complexes: Synthesis, Structures and Redox Properties
Authors: Namorado Sónia , Cui Jinlan , de Azevedo Cristina G. , Lemos M. Amélia , Duarte M. Teresa , Ascenso José R. , Dias Alberto R. , Martins Ana M.
Published: February 2007

[MCpBz(CO)3]2 (M = Mo 3, W 4; CpBz = pentabenzylcyclopentadienyl) complexes were prepared by reaction of Li[MCpBz(CO)3] [M = Mo (1), W (2)] with FeIII. [MoCpBz(CO)2]2 (5) can be prepared by thermal elimination of CO from 3 and also by reaction of 1 with C3H5Br. The steric bulk of the CpBz ligands causes all the dimers to exist either in the solid state or in solution as the trans isomers. The hydrido complexes [MH(CpBz)(CO)3] [M = Mo (6), W (7)] were prepared by reactions of 1 and 2 with H+. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry of 5 in CH2Cl2, thf and CH3CN were performed and mechanisms for the redox behaviour are proposed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Control of Intramolecular Ether‐Oxygen Coordination in the Crystal Structure of Copper(II) Complexes With Dipicolylamine‐Based Ligands
Authors: Mikata Yuji , Fujimoto Tomomi , Sugai Yuko , Yano Shigenobu
Published: February 2007

Thirteen crystal structures of copper(II) complexes with a series of dipicolylamine (DPA)‐derived ligands, N‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (L1), N‐[2‐(2‐hydroxyethyloxy)ethyl]‐N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (L2) and N‐(3‐methoxypropyl)‐N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (L3), have been determined and the factors that control the coordination of the ether‐oxygen atom of these ligands to the copper centre are discussed. Complexes that have +1 or +2 charges exhibit coordination of the ether‐oxygen atom, whereas neutral complexes in which two anions are bound to the copper(II) centre tend to lose the oxygen coordination. Upon chelation of the oxygen atom, L3 forms a six‐membered chelate ring with respect to the 3‐aminopropyl ether moiety whereas L1 and L2 form a five‐membered chelate. This difference, especially in the nitrate and bromide complexes, determines whether the ether‐oxygen atom chelates to the metal centre to give a monocationic complex, or the second anion coordinates to the metal centre to form the ether‐free, neutral complex. The terminal anchor hydroxy group of L2 facilitates the ether‐oxygen coordination via a hydrogen bond interaction to the donor atom located trans to the aliphatic nitrogen atom in the basal plane. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Titanium, Germanium, and Tin Silazane Complexes Bearing a Cyclohexasilazanetriido Ligand
Authors: Lehnert Christian , Wagler Jörg , Kroke Edwin , Roewer Gerhard
Published: February 2007

Novel heterometallic silazane complexes were synthesized by the reaction of 1‐lithio‐2,2,4,4,6,6‐hexamethylcyclotrisilazane Li(HMCTS)H2 with the tetrachloride salts of titanium and germanium as well as by the reaction of 1,1,3,3,5,5‐hexamethylcyclotrisilazane H3(HMCTS) with tin tetrachloride and excess triethylamine. The products [H3(DMCHS)TiCl] (1), [H3(DMCHS)GeCl] (2), and [H3(DMCHS)SnCl] (3) {H3(DMCHS) = 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8,10,10,12,12‐dodecamethylcyclohexasilazane‐1,5,9‐triido} were characterized by 1H‐, 13C‐, 14N‐, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and single‐crystal X‐ray structure analyses. The complexes have a surprising and interesting structure, that of a new dodecamethylcyclohexasilazane system with the Ti, Ge, or Sn atom in the center. These metal atoms are coordinated by one chlorine atom and three nitrogen atoms. The metal centers are part of three six‐membered hetero‐silazane rings. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Constrained β‐Turn Mimetics Incorporating a Bicyclic Turn Inducer by Use of the Petasis Three‐Component Reaction on Solid Phase
Authors: Danieli Elisa , Trabocchi Andrea , Menchi Gloria , Guarna Antonio
Published: February 2007

A new set of β‐turn mimetics incorporating a bicyclic turn inducer was achieved by use of the solid‐phase Petasis reaction in a stereoselective fashion. The stereoselectivity of the reaction turned out to be dependent on the side chain of the amino acid preceding the reverse turn inducer. The β‐turn mimetics were stabilized by strong intramolecular 10‐membered ring hydrogen bonds, detected by conformational analysis by NMR and molecular modelling, whilst the turn type was controlled by the final amine component. Use of arylboronic acids provided access to chemical diversity at position i + 1, whilst the versatility of the HMBA resin allowed additional diversification to be introduced at the cleavage stage, thus providing a tool for the generation of libraries of β‐turn mimetics as privileged structures in combinatorial chemistry.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Does the Planar Aromatic Phosphorus Analogue of Pyridone Exist?
Authors: Li Wei‐Qi , Tian Wei Quan , Feng Ji‐Kang , Liu Zi‐Zhong
Published: February 2007

Density functional calculations show that the minimum of meta‐phosphanyl ketone on the potential energy surface is a planar conformation. The minima of ortho‐phosphanyl ketone and para‐phosphanyl ketone have nonplanar structures. However, according to the sum of the bonding angles about the tricoordinated phosphorus atom, the degree of planarity of the ortho‐ and para‐phosphanyl ketones is higher than that of the known phosphole and PH3. Thenucleus‐independent chemical shifts and other electronic properties show that the planar phosphorus analogues of pyridone are π aromatic. The position of the carbonyl group relative to the tricoordinate phosphorus atom affects the delocalization of the phosphorus lone pair of electrons and the aromaticity of the molecule. Introduction of a σ‐donor, π‐acceptor, and bulky substituents at the phosphorus atom can decrease the pyramidal character efficiently. We predict that planar aromatic phosphanyl ketones do exist.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Dynamic Rotational Oscillation of Cerium(IV) Bis(porphyrinate) and Its Control by Diamine Guest Binding with Positive Homotropic Allosterism
Authors: Ikeda Masato , Kubo Yohei , Yamashita Kousei , Ikeda Tomohiro , Takeuchi Masayuki , Shinkai Seiji
Published: February 2007

We have synthesized a porphyrin oscillator (1) composed of cerium(IV) bis(porphyrinate) bearing four peripheral zinc(II) porphyrinates. The rotational oscillation frequency of the porphyrin was evaluated in solution with and without the presence of diamine guest 2 by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The results established that the rotational frequency can be controlled by added guest utilizing positive homotropic allosterism. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis of Heterocyclic Systems by Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cyclization‐Migration Reactions – A Diversity‐Oriented Strategy for the Construction of Spirocyclic 3(2H)‐Furanones and 3‐Pyrrolones
Authors: Binder Jörg T. , Crone Benedikt , Kirsch Stefan F. , Liébert Clémence , Menz Helge
Published: February 2007

Two platinum(II)‐catalyzed heterocyclization‐migration reactions that provide five‐membered heterocycle products are described. With 5 mol‐% of PtCl2 as a catalyst, 2‐alkynyl‐2‐hydroxy carbonyl compounds 1 are converted into 3(2H)‐furanones 2 at 80 °C in moderate to excellent yields under very mild reaction conditions. The reaction is proposed to proceed through an oxonium ion intermediate B, which triggers a stereospecific 1,2‐shift analogous to an α‐ketol rearrangement. When exploited in a different manner, the 2‐alkynyl‐2‐hydroxy carbonyl compounds 1 afford 3‐pyrrolones 3 in 33–81 % yield. For this purpose, the starting compounds 1 are treated with primary amines in the presence of 5 mol‐% of PtCl2 at 100 °C in a convenient one‐pot process. These cyclization‐migration reactions give novel access to 3(2H)‐furanones and 3‐pyrrolones in which the 2‐position bears aryl or alkyl substituents. Synthetically challenging spirocyclic compounds can be prepared in this fashion by ring contraction. Studies that define the scope and limitations of the cyclization‐migration synthesis of heterocyclic systems are also described. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Ionic Liquids Modify the Performance of Carbon Based Potentiometric Sensors
Authors: Safavi Afsaneh , Maleki Norouz , Honarasa Fatemeh , Tajabadi Fariba , Sedaghatpour Fatemeh
Published: February 2007

A new type of potentiometric sensor based on a recently constructed carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) is described. Two kinds of ionic liquids, i.e., N‐octylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (OPFP) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazoluim hexafluorophosphate (BMFP) were tested as binder for construction of the carbon composite electrode. The characteristics of these electrodes as potentiometric sensors were evaluated and compared with those of the traditional carbon paste electrode (CPE). The results indicate that potentiometric sensors constructed with ionic liquid show an increase in performance in terms of Nernstian slope, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to CPE.
Electroanalysis of Ethanol with a Glass Carbon Electrode Comodified with Liver Tissue Homogenate and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Chen Jing , Chen Guifang , Li Dong , Jia Jianbo , Li Genxi
Published: February 2007

Liver tissue homogenate and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are comodified on a glass carbon electrode for electroanalysis of ethanol. Alcohol dehydrogenase, which is rich in liver tissue, can catalyze the oxidation of ethanol. Experimental results reveal that the catalytic peak current of ethanol is linear with ethanol concentration in the range of 2×10−8–7×10−7 mol/L. The limit of detection is 5×10−9 mol/L. The relative standard deviation for six determinations of a 0.5 μM ethanol sample is 4.0%. The optimal condition of the electrode modification has been obtained, and the best operating temperature has been known as 30 °C. The stability of the modified electrode can also be reasonably satisfactory.
Amperometric L‐Lactate Biosensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Jena Bikash Kumar , Raj C. Retna
Published: February 2007

A novel amperometric biosensor for the sensing of L‐lactate is developed using L‐lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hydroxylamine enlarged gold nanoparticles (GNPs). LDH and GNPs have been integrated with the sol–gel 3‐D silicate network derived from 3‐(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS). The biosensing of L‐lactate is based on the electrocatalytic determination of enzymatically generated NADH by GNPs of the integrated assembly. The GNPs on the network efficiently catalyze the oxidation of NADH at −0.065 V, which is ca. 915 mV less positive than on the bulk Au electrode. The biosensor was characterized in terms of the effects of enzyme loading, solution pH, and cofactor concentration. The integrated biosensor was successfully utilized for the amperometric sensing of L‐lactate and it shows excellent sensitivity with a detection limit of 100 nM. The common interfering electroactive compounds in the biological system do not interfere the amperometric measurement of L‐lactate. This biosensor linearly responds to L‐lactate in the range of 0–0.8 mM and the sensitivity of the electrode was 0.446 nA/nM. Excellent reproducibility, long time storage and operational stability have been achieved.
Cyclic Voltammetric Studies of a Pyrolytic Carbon Film Electrode and the Effect of Laser Irradiation
Authors: Hadi M. , Rouhollahi A. , Taidy F. , Yousefi M.
Published: February 2007

The effects of laser irradiation with a small N2 laser on the reactivation of a pyrolytic carbon (PC) film electrode were investigated. Cyclic voltammetry, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the electrode. The electrode response decayed during the solution exposure but could be restored to a good performance via this reactivation method. It was found that the effect of laser to promote electron transfer was desorption the physisorbed impurities to exposure more active sites on the surface. Also, the electrochemical results were compared to the results of organic solvent washing and anodization.
Enhanced Microchip Electrophoresis of Neurotransmitters on Glucose Oxidase Modified Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Wang Ai‐Jun , Xu Jing‐Juan , Chen Hong‐Yuan
Published: February 2007

In this paper, glucose oxidase (GOx) was employed to construct a functional film on the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic channel surface and apply to perform electrophoresis coupled with in‐channel electrochemical detection. The film was formed by sequentially immobilizing poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and GOx to the microfluidic channel surface via layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly. A group of neurotransmitters (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT; dopamine, DA; epinephrine, EP; dobuamine, DBA) as a group of separation model was used to evaluate the effect of the functional PDMS microfluidic devices. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) in the modified PDMS microchannel was well suppressed compared with that in the native one. Experimental conditions were optimized in detail. As expected, these analytes were efficiently separated within 110 s in a 3.7 cm long separation channel and successfully detected at a single carbon fiber electrode. Good performances were attributed to the decreased EOF and the interactions of analytes with the immobilized GOx on the PDMS surface. The theoretical plate numbers were 2.19×105, 1.89×105, 1.76×105, and 1.51×105 N/m at the separation voltage of 1000 V with the detection limits of 1.6, 2.0, 2.5 and 6.8 μM (S/N=3) for DA, 5‐HT, EP and DBA, respectively. In addition, the modified PDMS channels had long‐term stability and excellent reproducibility.
Simultaneous Determination of Quinoline and Pyridine Compounds in Gasoline and Diesel by Differential Pulse Voltammetry
Authors: Okumura Leonardo L. , Stradiotto Nelson R.
Published: February 2007

The presence of trace basic organonitrogen compounds such as quinoline and pyridine in derivative petroleum fuels plays an important role in maintaining the engines of vehicles. However, these substances can contaminate the environment and so must be controlled because most of them are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. For these reasons, a reliable and sensitive method was developed for the determination of basic nitrogen compounds in fuel samples such as gasoline and diesel. This method utilizes preconcentration on an ion–exchange resin (Amberlyte IR–120 H) followed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on a glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical behavior of quinoline and pyridine as studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) suggests that their reduction occurs via a reversible electron transfer followed by an irreversible chemical reaction. Very well resolved diffusion‐controlled voltammetric peaks were obtained in dimethylformamide (DMF) with tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBAF4 0.1 mol L−1) for quinoline (−1.95 V) and pyridine (−2.52 V) vs. Ag|AgCl|KClsat reference electrode. The proposed DPV method displayed a good linear response from 0.10 to 300 mg L−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.05 and 0.25 μg L−1 for quinoline and pyridine, respectively. Using the method of standard additions, the simultaneous determination of quinoline and pyridine in gasoline samples yielded 25.0±0.3 and 33.0±0.7 mg L−1 and in diesel samples yielded 80.3±0.2 and 131±0.4 mg L−1, respectively. Spike recoveries were 94.4±0.3% and 101±0.5% for quinoline and pyridine, respectively, in the fuel determinations. This proposed method was also compared with UV‐vis spectrophotometric measurements. Results obtained for the two methods agreed well based on F and t student's tests.
Sequences with low total squared asynchronous correlation for chip‐unaligned CDMA systems
Authors: Vanhaverbeke Frederik , Moeneclaey Marc
Published: February 2007

We examine some properties of Chip‐unaligned (Cu) CDMA systems with sequences that are obtained by means of an eigen update algorithm. We briefly refer to these systems as ‘Cu systems with low total squared asynchronous correlation (TSAC)’. The notion of TS(A)C, which is well‐known for Chip‐aligned (Ca) systems, is extended to the Cu case. It is found that the TSAC of Cu systems with low TSAC is a non‐sensitive function of the time shift set of the Cu system, but it is strongly dependent on the chip pulse. Similar to the Ca case, for high channel loads, the TSAC of some Cu systems with low TSAC appears to be proportional to the channel load and the number of users in the system, while the equally good property is valid. An examination of the maximum common signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) target level κmax indicates that particular types of Cu systems with low TSAC allow for a significantly higher value of κmax than achievable in Ca systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal prediction with nonstationary ARFIMA model
Authors: Boutahar Mohamed
Published: February 2007

We propose two methods to predict nonstationary long‐memory time series. In the first one we estimate the long‐range dependent parameterdby using tapered data; we then take the nonstationary fractional filter to obtain stationary and short‐memory time series. In the second method, we take successive differences to obtain a stationary but possibly long‐memory time series. For the two methods the forecasts are based on those obtained from the stationary components.  Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Traditional versus unobserved components methods to forecast quarterly national account aggregates
Authors: Marrero Gustavo A.
Published: February 2007

We aim to assess the ability of two alternative forecasting procedures to predict quarterly national account (QNA) aggregates. The application of Box–Jenkins techniques to observed data constitutes the basis of traditional ARIMA and transfer function methods (BJ methods). The alternative procedure exploits the information of unobserved high‐ and low‐frequency components of time series (UC methods). An informal examination of empirical evidence suggests that the relationships between QNA aggregates and coincident indicators are often clearly different for diverse frequencies. Under these circumstances, a Monte Carlo experiment shows that UC methods significantly improve the forecasting accuracy of BJ procedures if coincident indicators play an important role in such predictions. Otherwise (i.e., under univariate procedures), BJ methods tend to be more accurate than the UC alternative, although the differences are small. We illustrate these findings with several applications from the Spanish economy with regard to industrial production, private consumption, business investment and exports.  Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On estimating contemporaneous quarterly regional GDP
Authors: Pavía‐Miralles Jose Manuel , Cabrer‐Borrás Bernardí
Published: February 2007

Subnational regional jurisdictions rarely have at their disposal a reasonable array of timely statistics to monitor their economic condition. In light of this, we develop a procedure that simultaneously estimates a quarterly time series for all regions of a country based upon quarterly national and annual regional data. While other such techniques exist, we suggest a temporal error structure that eliminates possible spurious jumps. Using our approach, regional analysts should now be able to distribute national growth among regions as soon as quarterly national figures are released. In a Spanish application, we detail some practicalities of the process and show that our proposal produces better estimates than the uniregional methods often used.  Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons. Ltd.
Why all the fuss about information systems? or information systems as golden anchors in higher education
Authors: Gorr William , Hossler Don
Published: February 2007

The importance and attention given to information systems are relatively new phenomena in the history of higher education. This chapter documents the ascendancy of information systems in the scheme of institutional priorities and considers the strengths and weaknesses associated with vended and homegrown systems.
Costs of enterprise resource planning system implementation—and then some
Authors: Babey Evelyn R.
Published: February 2007

According to any accounting method, ERP investments are among the largest single concentrated investments in dollars and human resources ever made by higher education in any area.
Shunting and hyperpolarizing GABAergic inhibition in the high‐potassium model of ictogenesis in the developing rat hippocampus
Authors: Isaev Dmytro , Isaeva Elena , Khazipov Rustem , Holmes Gregory L.
Published: February 2007

Ontogenesis of GABAergic signaling may play an important role in developmental changes in seizure susceptibility in the high‐potassium model of ictogenesis in vitro. The age‐dependent effects of [K+]o on the reversal potential of the GABA(A)‐mediated responses and membrane potential in hippocampal slices in vitro were compared with the effect of GABA(A)‐receptors antagonists and GABA(A) modulators on high‐potassium induced seizures in the CA3 pyramidal layer of rat hippocampus in vivo. GABA(A) responses were depolarizing at P8–12 and hyperpolarizing at P17–21. In P8–12 rats, GABA(A) responses switch their polarity from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing upon elevation of extracellular potassium. At ∼10 mM [K+]o, activation of GABA(A) receptors produced an isoelectric, purely shunting response characterized by no changes in the membrane potential but an increase in the membrane conductance. In P17–21 rats, the hyperpolarizing GABA(A) driving force progressively increased with elevation of [K+]o. In P8–12 rats in vivo, GABA(A)‐receptor antagonists did not affect the occurrence of ictal discharges induced by intrahippocampal injection of 10 mM [K+]o, but significantly increased seizure duration. Diazepam and isoguvacine completely prevented seizures induced by 10 mM [K+]o. In P17–21 rats, GABA(A)‐receptor antagonists strongly increased the occurrence of ictal activity induced both by 10 mM [K+]o. Taken together, these results suggest that anticonvulsive effects of GABA are because of the combination of shunting and hyperpolarizing actions of GABA. Although shunting GABA is already efficient in the young age group, a developmental increase in the hyperpolarizing GABA(A) driving force likely contributes to the increase in the GABAergic control of seizures upon maturation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NY‐ESO‐1 protein expression in primary breast carcinoma and metastases—correlation with CD8+ T‐cell and CD79a+ plasmacytic/B‐cell infiltration
Authors: Theurillat Jean‐Philippe , Ingold Fabienne , Frei Claudia , Zippelius Alfred , Varga Zsuzsanna , Seifert Burkhardt , Chen Yao‐Tseng , Jäger Dirk , Knuth Alexander , Moch Holger
Published: February 2007

NY‐ESO‐1 is a cancer testis antigen expressed in various malignancies and testicular germ cells. Because of its capacity to induce specific humoral and cellular immunity in patients with NY‐ESO‐1‐positive carcinomas, it represents a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. In breast cancer, NY‐ESO‐1‐mRNA was reported in up to 42%, but protein expression has not been determined to larger extent. In the present tissue microarray‐based study, primary breast cancers (n = 1,444), in situ lesion (n = 148), recurrences (n = 88), lymph node (n = 525) and distant metastases (n = 91) were studied for NY‐ESO‐1 expression by immunohistochemistry. NY‐ESO‐1‐protein expression was compared with mRNA expression by real‐time PCR. NY‐ESO‐1‐protein was detected in 3.1% (4/128) in situ lesions and in 2.1% (28/1355) invasive breast cancer. There were 1.8% (9/493) NY‐ESO‐1‐positive lymph node and 5.1% (4/78) positive distant metastases. NY‐ESO‐1 was more frequently expressed in grade 3 (4.9%) than in grade 2 (0.8%) and grade 1 (0.5%) carcinomas (p < 0.0001). Presence of tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T‐cells correlated with NY‐ESO‐1 (p < 0.0001) on the tissue microarray. On randomly selected large sections, 4 out of 9 NY‐ESO‐1‐positive tumors displayed a brisk infiltrate of CD79a+ plasmocytes/B‐cells, but none of 10 NY‐ESO‐1‐negative tumors (p < 0.05). NY‐ESO‐1‐mRNA expression was detected in frozen samples of NY‐ESO‐1‐protein positive (n = 6) and negative breast cancers (n = 8) and in normal testis. Comparison between mRNA and protein expression revealed that only breast cancers with NY‐ESO‐1‐mRNA levels comparable or higher than testis expressed NY‐ESO‐1‐protein. These findings suggest that NY‐ESO‐1‐positive breast cancers represent a small subset of poorly differentiated tumors with evidence of cellular and humoral immune response. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intratumoral injection of dendritic cells in combination with local hyperthermia induces systemic antitumor effect in patients with advanced melanoma
Authors: Guo Jun , Zhu Jun , Sheng Xinan , Wang Xiaopei , Qu Li , Han Yan , Liu Yuexiang , Zhang Hui , Huo Ling , Zhang Shuhui , Lin Baohe , Yang Zhi
Published: February 2007

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen‐presenting cells that can present tumor antigens chaperoned by heat shock proteins (HSPs), while local hyperthermia (LHT) can increase the expression of HSPs. In this study, we determine if intratumoral injection of immature DC after LHT (LHT+IT‐DC) induces systemic antitumor immunity in patients with advanced melanoma, and investigate the potential immunological mechanisms involved in the treatments. Patients were randomly assigned to intratumoral administration of autologous immature DC triweekly, with (LHT+IT‐DC, arm A, n = 9) or without (IT‐DC, arm B, n = 9) LHT. Our results showed that there were no grade 3/4 toxicities. The time to progress (TTP) of arm A was 5 months, significantly longer than that in arm B (2 months, p < 0.05). However, the overall survival time had no statistical difference (13 months vs. 6 months, p > 0.05) between the 2 groups. Our ELISPOT assay showed a significantly increased melanoma‐specific IFN‐γ production in arm A, suggesting that LHT+IT‐DC was more effective in the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) than IT‐DC alone. Furthermore, we detected an increased HSPs expression 4 hr after the first LHT, an enhanced Th1/Th2 chemokines production 24 hr after the first LHT+IT‐DC treatment, a promoted migration of DC to afferent lymph nodes, and a decreased infiltration of regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+) and an increased infiltration of active CTL (CD8+CD28+) 48 hr after the third DC injection in arm A patients. Therefore, LHT+IT‐DC can induce effective specific antitumor immunity and facilitate a Th1‐polarized immune response in patients with advanced melanoma. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blockade of natural killer cell‐mediated lysis by NCAM140 expressed on tumor cells
Authors: Jarahian Mostafa , Watzl Carsten , Issa Yasmin , Altevogt Peter , Momburg Frank
Published: February 2007

Expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) on malignant cells of neuroendocrine, epithelial and hematopoeitic origin has been reported, but its role for tumor cell recognition by the immune system remained uncertain so far. We have studied the cytotoxicity of the natural killer (NK) cell line NK92 and polyclonal NK cells from different donors, against NCAM‐deficient and NCAM‐transfected tumors. While the pancreatic carcinoma PANC‐1 and the glioblastoma T98G showed no enhanced susceptibility to NK lysis after NCAM transfection, de novo NCAM expression in HeLa cervical carcinoma, SHEP neuroblastoma and the multiple myeloma lines RPMI‐8226 and LP‐1 was associated with significantly decreased lysis by NK cells. Binding of an NCAM‐specific monoclonal antibody to NCAM‐positive target cells was able to reverse the reduced lysis susceptibility. Conjugate formation of NCAM‐expressing tumor cells with NK cells was blocked and could be restored by anti‐NCAM. NK cell‐expressed NCAM molecules which might engage in homotypic cis‐ or trans‐interactions had no apparent inhibitory function. The known cis‐ligands of NCAM, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and L1‐CAM, were also not directly involved in NK inhibition. ICAM‐1 mRNA and cell surface expression was downmodulated in NCAM‐transfected HeLa cells. ICAM‐1 is involved in killer cell immune synapse formation. Its downmodulation may therefore contribute to the reduced lysis of NCAM‐expressing target cells. We conclude that aberrant expression of NCAM on tumor cells of different histogenetic origin can lead to inhibition of target cell recognition and lysis by NK cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural and hormonal changes in the pineal–testicular axis following arecoline administration in rats
Authors: Saha Indraneel , Chatterji Urmi , Chaudhuri‐Sengupta Santasri , Nag Tapas C. , Nag Debabrata , Banerjee Samir , Maiti B.R.
Published: February 2007

Arecoline is an alkaloid of betel nut of Areca catechu. Betel nut is chewed by millions of people in the world and it causes oral and hepatic cancers in human. It has therapeutic value for the treatment of Alzheimer and schizophrenia. Arecoline has immunosuppressive, mutagenic and genotoxic effects in laboratory animals. It also affects endocrine functions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of arecoline on pineal–testicular axis in rats. Since pineal activity is different between day and night, the current study is undertaken in both the photophase and scotophase. The findings were evaluated by ultrastructural and hormonal studies of pineal and testicular Leydig cells, with quantitations of fructose and sialic acid of sex accessories. Arecoline treatment (10 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days) caused suppression of pineal activity at ultrastructural level by showing dilatation of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), large autophagosome‐like bodies with swollen mitochondrial cristae, numerous lysosomes, degenerated synaptic ribbons and reduced number of synaptic‐like microvesicles. Moreover, pineal and serum N‐acetylserotonin and melatonin levels were decreased with increased serotonin levels in both the gland and serum. In contrast, testicular Leydig cell activity was stimulated with abundance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), electron‐dense core vesicles and vacuolated secretory vesicles, and increased testosterone level in the arecoline recipients. Consequently, the testosterone target, like prostate, was ultrastructurally stimulated with abundance of RER and accumulation of secretory vesicles. Fructose and sialic acid concentrations were also significantly increased respectively in the coagulating gland and seminal vesicle. These results were more significant in the scotophase than the photophase. The findings suggest that arecoline inhibits pineal activity, but stimulates testicular function (testosterone level) and its target organs presumably via muscarinic cholinergic receptor in rats. J. Exp. Zool. 307A:187–198, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of breed‐specific DNA polymorphisms for a simple and unambiguous screening system in germline chimeric chickens
Authors: Choi Jin Won , Lee Eun Young , Shin Ji Hye , Zheng Yinghui , Cho Byung Wook , Kim Jin‐kyoo , Kim Heebal , Han Jae Yong
Published: February 2007

In the chicken, Dominant white is one of the major loci affecting feather color. Germline chimeric chickens are identified by testcross analysis using this genetic marker. The testcross, however, is a time‐consuming and laborious procedure, resulting in the need for a faster and simpler molecular method. A recent study showed that Dominant white was exclusively associated with a 9‐bp insertion in the PMEL17 gene. We searched for breed‐specific sequence polymorphisms in the PMEL17 gene among White Leghorn (WL) (white feather), Korean Ogol Chicken (KOC) (black feather), and Barred Plymouth Rock (grayish‐white, each feather regularly crossed with parallel blue‐black bars). In addition to the 9‐bp insertion, WLs and KOCs have unique bases in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 1,777th and 3,118th bases in the PMEL17 gene. To detect these sequence polymorphisms, allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (AS‐PCR) was performed, which successfully distinguished the different breeds. We confirmed the ability of the AS primers to detect germline chimerism. This simple method can be widely used for the screening of germline chimeric chickens. J. Exp. Zool. 307A:241–248, (2007). © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A quantitative and qualitative assessment of mung bean (Vigna mungo (L.) Wilczek) seed in response to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide: potential changes in fatty acid composition
Authors: Ziska Lewis H , Palowsky Robert , Reed Danielle R
Published: February 2007

The effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on seed production and the fatty acid profiles of mung bean (Vigna mungo L. Wilczek) were studied under field conditions. Increased [CO2] (ca 250 ppm above ambient) resulted in significant increases in pod number, pod weight and total seed weight, but also significantly increased the percentage of immature pods at harvest. Qualitatively, increased [CO2] significantly decreased the percentages of palmitic and omega‐6 fatty acids, but increased the percentage of omega‐3 fatty acids and the relative proportion of omega‐3 to omega‐6 fatty acids in mature seed. Overall, increased carbon dioxide may significantly increase quantity and alter quality in mung bean seed, a recognized alternative source of fatty acids in the human diet. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Oromandibular dystonia involving the lateral pterygoid muscles: Four cases with different complexity
Authors: Møller Eigild , Bakke Merete , Dalager Torben , Werdelin Lene M.
Published: February 2007

The report describes oromandibular dystonia (OMD) in four women with involuntary activity of the lateral pterygoid muscles (LP), causing incapacitating protrusive and lateral jaw movements and displacements, and treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BTX). For initial survey and treatment control, OMD was analyzed with several, independent, and standardized methods. OMD severity and functional difficulties were evaluated subjectively and scored from videotapes. Jaw movements were assessed graphically with a magnetic tracking system, and electromyographical activity (EMG) of LP was recorded with needle electrodes using an intraoral approach, whereas activity of masseter muscles was recorded with surface electrodes. EMG‐guided BTX injections (25–40 units Botox per muscle) into the muscles were performed with cannula electrodes. Compared with reference values for LP, OMD was associated with a markedly increased level of spontaneous activity, but almost normal level of maximum voluntary activity. The central pattern generator for mastication seemed to override the dystonic activity, as all patients were able to chew despite some distortion. BTX reduced both the spontaneous and the maximum activity for 3–9 months. Concomitantly, a marked reduction of the OMD severity, mandibular movements and functional disturbances were also present with the best effect in localized OMD with late onset. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Higher nigrostriatal dopamine neuron loss in early than late onset Parkinson's disease?—A [99mTc]‐TRODAT‐1 SPECT study
Authors: Shih Ming Chi , Franco de Andrade Luiz Augusto , Amaro Edson , Felicio Andre Carvalho , Ferraz Henrique Ballalai , Wagner Jairo , Hoexter Marcelo Queiroz , Lin Li Fu , Fu Ying Kai , Mari Jair Jesus , Tufik Sergio , Bressan Rodrigo Affonseca
Published: February 2007

Early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is distinct from the classic late‐onset PD (LOPD) because of its slower disease progression. The aim of this study was to compare dopamine neuronal loss in EOPD with that of LOPD with the same disease duration, through dopamine transporter (DAT) estimation. Fourteen patients, seven EOPD (<50 years) and seven LOPD, matched for disease duration were scanned with [99mTc]‐TRODAT‐1‐SPECT (INER‐Taiwan), and were assessed with standard PD scales. EOPD patients had 34% lower striatal DAT binding potential (BP) compared with that of LOPD patients (BP = 0.29 ± 0.12, BP = 0.44 ± 0.12, P < 0.02) with similar PD severity. These results suggest that EOPD patients have greater dopamine density loss than LOPD patients without motor‐symptom worsening. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome: Intrafamilial variability and the size of the FMR1 premutation CGG repeat
Authors: Capelli Leonardo P. , Gonçalves Márcia R. R. , Kok Fernando , Leite Cláudia C. , Nitrini Ricardo , Barbosa Egberto R. , Vianna‐Morgante Angela M.
Published: February 2007

Fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurological progressive disorder associated with the FMR1 gene premutation. We report on variable presentation of findings associated with FXTAS in 3 brothers aged 68, 74, and 73 years, carrying premutation alleles of (CGG)123, (CGG)109, and (CGG)91 triplets, respectively. Based on previously proposed diagnostic criteria for the syndrome, clinical and radiological data allowed establishing a “definite” diagnosis of FXTAS in the two carriers of the longest (CGG)n. The carrier of the (CGG)91 allele, although presenting a major radiological sign of the syndrome (symmetrical white‐matter lesions in the middle cerebellar peduncles), did not have any significant neurological manifestation at 73 years of age. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The effect of injecting botulinum toxin type a into the calf muscles on freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: A double blind placebo‐controlled pilot study
Authors: Gurevich Tanya , Peretz Chava , Moore Orna , Weizmann Nina , Giladi Nir
Published: February 2007

Objective

To assess the effect on freezing of gait (FOG) of botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) injections in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Method

BTX‐A 150 IU or normal saline was injected into each leg's calf muscles by a blinded investigator. FOG severity was assessed at set intervals (6‐month follow‐up).

Results

Eleven age‐ and disease severity‐matched PD patients with disabling FOG participated. Six patients received BTX‐A and 5 received saline. No improvement was observed in either group over time. Leg weakness and falls lead to early termination.

Conclusion

BTX‐A injections to the legs did not improve FOG and might increase fall risk. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Exploring Reaction Kinetics of a Multi‐Site Ziegler‐Natta Catalyst Using Deconvolution of Molecular Weight Distributions for Ethylene‐Hexene Copolymers
Authors: Thompson Duncan E. , McAuley Kim B. , McLellan P. James
Published: February 2007

Industrial ethylene‐hexene copolymer samples produced using a supported Ti‐based Ziegler‐Natta catalyst were deconvoluted into five Flory molecular weight distributions (MWDs). Relationships between reactor operating conditions and deconvolution parameters confirmed that temperature and hydrogen and hexene concentrations influenced the MWD. The two sites that produced low‐molecular‐weight polymer responded similarly to changes in reactor operating conditions, as did the three sites that produce high‐molecular‐weight polymer. Increasing hexene concentration resulted in relatively more polymer being produced at the two low‐molecular‐weight sites and less at the high‐molecular‐weight sites. The information obtained will be useful for making simplifying assumptions during kinetic model development.

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Recent Advances in the Study of Multifunctional Initiators in Free Radical Polymerizations
Authors: Scorah Matthew J. , Dhib Ramdhane , Penlidis Alexander
Published: February 2007

An overview of a systematic investigation of a tetrafunctional peroxide initiator's behaviour is presented. The study focuses on three main areas of research: kinetic experiments, polymer characterization and modelling efforts. The kinetic investigation compared the behaviour of the tetrafunctional initiator (JWEB50) to that of a monofunctional counterpart (TBEC) for a variety of monomers. Although higher rates of polymerization were generated with JWEB50 for all monomers investigated, switching from a mono‐ to a tetrafunctional initiator actually decreased the polymer molecular weight for methyl methacrylate. While chromatographic characterization methods were able to detect branching in polystyrene samples produced with JWEB50, this was not the case for poly(methyl methacrylate). However, evidence of branching was clearly observed for both polystyrene and PMMA when rheological methods were employed. In order to explain the experimental results, a mathematical model was developed. Through its use, the concentration and chain length of various polymer structures (i.e., linear, star or coupled stars) was found to depend upon monomer type and reaction conditions.

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Preparation and characterization of poly[(butylene succinate)‐co‐(butylene adipate)]/carbon nanotube‐coated silk fiber composites
Authors: Kim Hun‐Sik , Park Byung Hyun , Yoon Jin‐San , Jin Hyoung‐Joon
Published: February 2007

Biodegradable composites consisting of aliphatic polyesters (poly[(butylenes succinate)‐co‐(butylenes adipate)] (PBSA)) and Bombyx mori silk fibers coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by melt compression molding. The mechanical properties of PBSA were enhanced by the incorporation of a small amount (3 wt%) of CNT‐coated silk fibers, while allowing its potential biodegradability to be retained, which could make these composites good candidates for commodity materials such as general‐purpose plastics. This improvement is attributed to the interactions between PBSA and CNT‐coated silk fibers in the composites. The average interfacial shear strength of the composites consisting of CNT‐coated silk fibers and PBSA matrix was 1.7 MPa, as measured by the microbond droplet test, while that of composites consisting of pure silk fibers and PBSA was only 1.1 MPa. The morphology of the CNT‐coated silk fiber‐reinforced composites was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Theoretical studies of ethylene addition to transition metal compounds with carbene and oxo groups LnM(CH2)(O)
Authors: Haunschild Robin , Loschen Christoph , Tüllmann Sandor , Cappel Daniel , Hölscher Markus , Holthausen Max C. , Frenking Gernot
Published: February 2007

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory at the B3LYP level in combination with relativistic effective core potentials for the metals and TZ2P valence basis sets have been carried out for elucidating the reaction pathways of ethylene addition to MeReO2(CH2) (C1). The results are compared with our previous studies of ethylene addition to OsO2(CH2)2 (A1) and OsO3(CH2) (B1). Significant differences have been found between the ethylene additions to the osmium compounds A1 and B1 and the rhenium compound C1. Seven pathways for the reaction C1+C2H4 were studied, but only the [2+2]Re,C addition yielding rhenacyclobutane C5 is an exothermic process with a high activation barrier of 48.9 kcal mol−1. The lowest activation energy (27.7 kcal mol−1) is calculated for the [2+2]Re,C addition, which leads to the isomeric form C5′. Two further concerted reactions [3+2]O,C, [3+2]O,O, and [2+2]Re,O and the addition/hydrogen migration of ethylene to one oxo ligand are endothermic processes which have rather high activation barriers (>35 kcal mol−1). Four isomerization processes of C1 have very large activation energies of >65 kcal mol−1. The ethylene addition to the osmium compounds A1 and B1 are much more exothermic and have lower activation barriers than the C2H4 addition to C1. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A computational study into the reactivity of epichlorohydrin and epibromohydrin under basic conditions in the gas phase and solution
Authors: Merrill G. N.
Published: February 2007

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were carried out on epibromohydrin (EBH) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) in an attempt to elucidate their reactivity with respect to a hard nucleophile, hydroxide. These systems were modeled in both the gas phase and a polar solvent under basic conditions. In the gas phase, it was determined that a direct displacement mechanism (nucleophilic attack at the C1 position) was operative for EBH, while an indirect pathway (nucleophilic attack at the C3 position and subsequent intramolecular displacement) was followed for ECH. In an acetone solution, only the indirect displacement mechanism was found to occur. An electrostatic argument is advanced to account for this behavior in polar solution. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.