bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyano‐ and nitro‐containing compounds from the roots of Semiaquilegia adoxoides
Authors: Zhang Hua , Liao Zhi‐Xin , Yue Jian‐Min
Published: September 2010

Four cyano‐containing compounds, (1E,4α,5β,6α)4,5,6‐trihydroxy‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐ylideneacetonitrile (1), lithospermoside (2), 4‐hydroxy‐2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oxyphenylacetonitrile (3) and 4‐[β‐D‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oxy]phenylacetonitrile (4), and a nitro‐containing one, 4‐[β‐D‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy]‐1‐(2‐nitroethyl)benzene (5), as well as eleven other types of compounds, were isolated from the roots of Semiaquilegia adoxoides. Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods. Among them, 1 and 4 are new isolated compounds. The cyano‐ and niawcontaining compounds are very rare in plants and their isolation from one traditional Chinese medicine is really interesting.
Nafion‐induced metal‐metal interactions in a platinum(II) terpyridyl acetylide complex: A luminescent sensor for detection of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Tong Qing‐Xiao , Li Xiao‐Hong , Wu Li‐Zhu , Yang Qing‐Zheng , Zhang Li‐Ping , Tung Chen‐Ho
Published: September 2010

The platinum(II) terpyridyl acetylide complex [Pt(terpy)(CCR)]ClO4 (terpy=2,2′ : 6′2″‐terpyridine, R=CH2CH2CH3) (1) was incorporated into Nafion membranes. At high loading the dry membranes exhibit intense photoluminescence with λmax at 707 nm from the 3MMLCT state. which was not observed in fluid solution. Upon exposure to the vapor of polar volatile organic compounds (VOC), this photoluminescence was significantly red‐shifed. This process was fully reversible when the VOC‐incorporated membrane was dried in air. The dramatic and reversible changes in the emission spectra made the Nafion‐supported complex as an interesting sensor candidate for polar VOC.
Synthesis and crystal structure of macrocyclic cavitand Cu‐curbit[5]uril and its supramolecular adduct with Cu(II)
Authors: Liu Si‐Min , Huang Zi‐Xiang , Wu Xiao‐Jun , Liang Feng , Wu Cheng‐Tai
Published: September 2010

The first supramolecular adduct (H3O)2[Cu(H2O)4](SO4)2·2(C30H30N20O10)·24(H2O) based on cucurbit[5]uril was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In the adduct, copper ion is coordinated by four oxygen atoms from H2O. The latter links two cucurbit[5]uril molecules due to a complicated hydrogen bonding containing lattice water molecules.
Simultaneous separation and determination of four bioactive constituents in traditional chinese medicinal tablet Xinkeshu by HPLC‐DAD
Authors: He Jian‐Tao , Shi Zhi‐Hong , Yan Jin , Zhao Mei‐Ping , Chang Wen‐Bao
Published: September 2010

A reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of four bioactive constituents was established for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicinal tablet Xinkeshu. Danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, puerarin and daidzein were successfully separated on a Diamonsil C18 column (150×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with a guard column (12.5×2.1 mm i.d., 5 μm) packed with the same material at 25 °C. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.02 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate employing gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Detection was accomplished with a diode‐array detector and detection wavelength was set at 280 nm before 22 min, then it was varied to 250 nm. The four constituents were identified by comparing their retention time and W spectra in the range of 190–400 nm with those of authentic standards. The linear calibration ranges were 15.4–123.2, 3.11–25.22, 21.6–172.8, and 0.26–3.47 μg/mL for danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, puerarin and daidzein, respectively. The detection limits were 0.03, 0.04, 0.10, 0.03 μg/mL for danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, puerarin, and daidzein, respectively. The contents of these four bioactive constituents in Xinkeshu tablet were successfully determined by the proposed method.
Theoretical study on adsorption and diffusion of N atoms on Cu low‐index surface
Authors: Diao Zhao‐Yu , Zhang Xiao‐Ming , Wang Ze‐Xin , Han Ling‐Li
Published: September 2010

The adsorption and diffusion of N atoms on the three low‐index Cu planes were studied using 5‐parameter Morse potential (5‐MP) method, and the best theory‐experiment agreement was obtained. N atom of Cu(100) surface sit on the fourfold hollow site with the vertical height of 0.018 nm closely coplanar with the topmost copper layer, and the four CuN bond lengths are 0.182 nm and the fifth CuN distance is 0.199 nm. For Cu(111) system, the existence of aberrant Cu(100) reconstructed structure is approved at higher coverage, and at low coverage the structure is almost an ideal Cu(111) surface structure. With respect to Cu(110) system, the N atoms are adsorbed at LB and H3 sites, not at SB site. The diffusion passage and diffusion barrier of adsorbed N atoms were also studied.
Electrolytic fixation of CO2 by electrocarboxylation of rx on nanocrystalline TiO2‐Pt cathode
Authors: Chu Dao‐Bao , Li Xiao‐Hua , Liu Xin‐Yuan , Yao Wen‐Li
Published: September 2010

Electrolytic fixation of CO2 was investigated by electrocarboxylation of organic halides (a), and four esters (I, II, III, IV) were obtained in moderate yields. Electrochemical reduction esterifications of RX in the presence of CO2 were carried out on nanocrystalline TiO2‐Pt electrode. The electrochemical behavior of RX in the presence of CO2 was investigated by the technique of cyclic voltammetry, and the probable reaction mechanism was proposed.
n‐dodecane hydroconversion over nickel supported on different mesoporous aluminosilicates
Authors: Fang Ke‐Gong , Ren Jie , Sun Yu‐Han
Published: September 2010

Several 2.0 wt% nickel catalysts supported on nanometer bimodal mesoporous aluminosilicate (NBMAS), AlHMS and AlMCM‐41 were prepared by means of the wetness impregnation method. The characterization techniques such as Py‐FTIR and H2 chemisorption showed that the amount of Brönsted acid sites decreased in the order of Ni/AlHMS > Ni/AlMCM‐41> Ni/NBMAS, while the nickel dispersion differed a little. In the catalytic n‐dodecane hydroconversion, the highest conversion was obtained over Ni/NBMAS, and the lowest isomerization selectivity occurred over Ni/AIHMS. For the cracked products, the symmetrical carbon number distribution centered at C6 was obtained on the Ni/AlMCM‐41 catalyst due to the well balanced metall/acid functions, whereas the Ni/AlHMS and Ni/NBMAS catalysts led to more C3‐C5 and C1+C11 products, respectively.
DFT study of dimethylaluminum azide clusters: Structures, energies, frequencies and thermodynamic properties
Authors: Xia Qi‐Ying , Xiao He‐Ming , Ju Xue‐Hai , Gong Xue‐Dong
Published: September 2010

DFT/B3LYP method with SDD basis set has been applied to the systems of (Me2AlN3). (n = 1–3). (Me2AlN3)2 was found to exhibit the planar Al2N2 ring structure. (Me2AlN3)3 involving a six‐membered Al3N3 ring was found to exhibit two minima with very similar binding energies (‐265.52 and −256.10 kJ*mol−1). Compared to the monomer, both the structural changes and charge & transfers for the clusters are large. Frequency calculations were carried out on each optimized structure and its JR spectra were discussed. Thermodynamic properties reveal that the dimer is the main component in the systems of the (Me2AlN3)n (n= 1–3).
Hartree‐Fock‐Roothaan calculations for ground states of some atoms using minimal basis sets of integer and noninteger n‐STOs
Authors: Sedat Gümüş , Özdoǧan Telhat
Published: September 2010

Hartree‐Fock‐Roothaan (HFR) calculations for ground states of some atoms, i.e. He, Be, Ne, Ar, and Kr have been performed using minimal basis sets of Slater type orbitals (STOs) with integer and noninteger principal quantum numbers (integer n‐STOs and noninteger n‐STOs). The obtained total energies for these atoms using minimal basis sets of integer n‐STOs are in good agreement with those in the previous literature. On the other hand, for the case of minimal basis sets of noninteger n‐STOs, although the calculated total energies of these atoms agree well with the results in Literature, some striking results have been obtained for atoms Ar and Kr. Our computational results for the energies of atoms Ar and Kr are slightly better than those in literature. by amount of 0.00222 and 0.000054 a.u., respectively. The improvement in the energies of atoms Ar and Kr may result from the efficient calculations of one‐center two‐electron integrals over noninteger n‐STOs. For some atomic ions in their ground state, HFR calculations have been carried out using minimal basis sets of noninteger n‐STOs. The obtained total energies for these atomic ions are substantially lower than those available in literature.
Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of new mono‐ and binuclear copper(I) complexes with substituted 2,2′‐bipyridine
Authors: Cao Qian‐Yong , Gan Xin , Fu Wen‐Fu
Published: September 2010

The mono‐ and binuclear Cu(I) complexes with substituted 2,2‐bipyridine and iodide ligands, [CuL2]BF4 (L= 4‐methoxycarbonyl‐6–(4‐methylphenyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (a), 6–(4‐hydroxymethylphenyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (b) and 6–(4methoxylphenyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine (c)) and [Cu2(μ‐I)2L2] were prepared, and the crystal structures of the complexes were obtained from signal‐crystal X‐ray diffractional analysis. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes in dichloromethane are dominated by low energy MLCT bands from 360 to 650 nm. The electrochemical studies of mononuclear complexes reveal that the complexes have stable copper(I) state.
Rapid synthesis of lead oxide nanorods by one‐step solid‐state chemical reaction at room temperature
Authors: Cao Ya‐Li , Jia Dian‐Zeng , Liu Lang , Luo Jian‐Min
Published: September 2010

A simple and facile method was reported to synthesize lead oxide nanorods. Nanorods of lead oxide were obtained directly from grinding solid metal salt and sodium hydroxide in agate mortar with the assistance of a suitable nonionic surfactant in only one step, which is different from the result of hydroxide in solution. The product has been characterized by XRD, TEM and SEM. The formation mechanism of rod‐like morphology is discussed and the surfactant plays an important soft‐template role in modifying the interface of solid‐state reaction and according process of rod‐formation.
Synthesis, crystal structure, properties and thermoanalysis of complexes of Cu(ll) and Ni(ll) with taurine‐5‐chlorosalicylaldelyde schiff base
Authors: Zhang Shu‐Hua , Jiang Yi‐Min , Zhou Zhong‐Yuan
Published: September 2010

The reactions of transition metal salts with taurine 5‐chlorosalicylaldelyde Schiff base gave two complexes [Ni(TCSSB)(H2O)3].H2O (1) and [Cu(TCSSB)(H2O)2]2[Cu(TCSSB)2].6H2O (2) (TCSSB=taurine‐5‐chlorosalicylaldelyde Schiff base), which were characterized by elemental analysis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The complex 1 crystallized in monoclinic system with space group P2 1/c, and a=1.4816(2) nm, b=1.3953(2) nm, c= 0.7466(1) nm, β= 100.499(3)°, V=1.5176(4) nm3, Z=4, and an infinite 3‐D network structure was formed by hydrogen bonds among sulfo group, crystal water and coordinated water. Complex 2 crystallized in triclinic system with space group P1, with the cell parameters: a = 0.6413(2) nm, b= 1.4596(3) nm, c= 1.6188(4) nm, a= 102.473(5)°, β= 98.979(4)°, γ=101.739°, V=1.4165(6) nm3, Z=1. The coordination environment between Cu(1) and Cu(2) is different. Cu(1) is slightly distorted square pyramidal while Cu(2) is distorted square‐plane. The complex 1 is mononuclear while the complex 2 is made up of two coordinated subunits, namely [Cu(TCSSB)2] and [CU(TCSSB)(H2O)2]2. Besides that the TG‐DTG of the complex 1 was analyzed, the thermal decomposition reaction of the complex was studied under a non‐isothermal condition by TG‐DTG. The TG and DTG curves indicate that the complex was decomposed in three stages:

.
Palladium‐catalyzed oxidation of dihydromyrcene to citronellal in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Ran Xue‐Guang , Jiang Huan‐Feng , Zhu Xin‐Hai
Published: September 2010

Citronellal was the major product of catalytic oxidation of dihydromyrcene with oxygen using the catalyst comprised of (MeCN)2PdClNO2 and CuCl2 in a tertiary alcohol in supercritical carbon dioxide. It was found that the chemoselectivity of the reaction and the yield of citronellal were greatly affected by the pressure of carbon dioxide, the reaction temperature and the molar ratio of Pd/Cu.
The first intramolecular charge transfer transition based on 2‐ureido‐4[1 H]‐pyrimidinone binding module
Authors: Zhao Chun‐Chang , Li Zhan‐Tng , Wu Li‐Zhu , Zhang Li‐Ping , Tung Chen‐Ho
Published: September 2010

The first intramolecular charge transfer transition based on 2‐ureido‐ 4[1H]‐pyrimidinone binding module was reported.
Clean SEA‐TROW experiments to map solvent exposed amides in large proteins
Authors: Lin Dong‐Hai
Published: September 2010

It is well known that the SEA‐TROSY experiment could alleviate some of the problems of resonance overlap in 15N/2H labeled proteins as it was designed to selectively map solvent exposed amide protons. However, SEA‐TROSY spectra may be contaminated with exchange‐relayed NOE contributions from fast exchanged hydroxyl or amine protons and contributions from longitudinal relaxation. Also, perdeuteration of the protein sample is a prerequisite for this experiment. In this communication, a modified version, clean SEA‐TROSY, was proposed to eliminate these artifacts and to allow the experiment to be applied to protonated or partially deuterated proteins and protein complexes.
1,3‐dipolar addition of methyl α‐diazoacetoacetate to enamines: A new synthetic route to 5‐amino‐4,5‐dihydrofurans
Authors: Huang Dan , Yan Ming , Zhao Wei‐Jie , Shen Qi
Published: September 2010

The reaction of methyl a‐diazoacetoacetate with enamines catalyzed by dirhodium and copper complexes underwent formal 1,3‐dipolar addition to give 5‐amino‐4,5‐dihydrofurans in moderate yields. The reaction was suggested to proceed via a nucleophilic addition of enamines to metal‐carbenes and a subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the resulting zwitterionic intermediates.
A new initiator cholesteryl chloroformate for cupper‐based atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Cao Jian , Chu Juan , Zhang Ke‐Da
Published: September 2010

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was studied in detail by use of CuCl/L as a catalyst and cholesteryl chloroformate (CC) as an initiator. It was found that the atom transfer radical polymerization of MMA could proceed when L equals to a multidentate aliphatic amine ligand, N,N,N',N″,N″‐penta(methyl acrylate)diethylenetriamine (MA5‐DETA), and no polymerization was occurred while L=2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline. The linear proportionality of the molecular weights to the conversions and straight lines observed in In[M]0/[M] versus time plots indicated that the present polymerization system bad the typical controlled polymerization characteristics.
Fabrication of zeolite A rods with irregular macropores by self‐assembly of zeolite A microcrystals using microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Cheng Zhi‐Lin , Wan Hui‐Lin , Liu Zan
Published: September 2010

Zeolite A rods by self‐assembly of zeolite A microcrystal were successfully synthesized by microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The average size of zeolite crystals consisting of self‐assembling materials was about 300 nm and the length of zeolite rods was in the range of 15–30 μm.
Synthesis of diphosphites fromtrans, trans‐spiro[4.4]nonane‐l,6‐diol and their application in rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene
Authors: Xue Song , Jiang Yao‐Zhong
Published: September 2010

Chiral diphosphite ligands were prepared by the reaction of (1R,5S,6R)‐(trans, trans)‐spiro[4.4]nonane‐1,6‐diol with chlorophosphites. The rhodium(I) complexes containing these ligands were tested in the asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 49%ee) was obtained. A pair of diastereomers 5a and 5b gave the opposite configuration of the product, which implies that the sense of enantioface selection is mainly dictated by the configuration of the terminal group on the ligand.
Treatment recommendations for primary extradural meningiomas
Authors: Mattox Austin , Hughes Betsy , Oleson James , Reardon David , McLendon Roger , Adamson Cory
Published: September 2010

Primary extradural meningiomas (PEMs) represent about 2% of all meningiomas and are often encountered by non‐neurosurgeons. These lesions typically present as enlarging, painless, benign masses that can be surgically cured. Imaging is critical for defining involvement of adjacent structures; however, diagnosis depends on classic histologic patterns. Treatment for benign PEMs (WHO I) consists of resection with wide margins, whereas adjuvant therapy after resection of atypical (WHO II) or malignant (WHO III) PEMs should be considered. By using the collective experience from our comprehensive cancer center, including neuro‐oncologists, neuroradiologists, and neurosurgeons, in addition to a complete literature review, the authors have established treatment guidelines not previously reported. This manuscript describes key features of these challenging tumors to aid in diagnosis, presents the largest published review of all reported PEMs (n = 163), and provides salient treatment guidelines to surgeons unfamiliar with these challenging tumors. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Implementation of pigment‐dispersing factor‐immunoreactive neurons in a standardized atlas of the brain of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae
Authors: Wei Hongying , el Jundi Basil , Homberg Uwe , Stengl Monika
Published: September 2010

The cockroach Leucophaea maderae is an established model in circadian rhythm research. Its circadian clock is located in the accessory medulla of the brain. Pigment‐dispersing factor‐immunoreactive (PDF‐ir) neurons of the accessory medulla act as circadian pacemakers controlling locomotor activity rhythms. To characterize the neuronal network of the circadian system in L. maderae, the PDF‐ir neurons were implemented into a standardized three‐dimensional atlas of the cockroach brain. Serial confocal images from 20 wholemount brains were used for the construction of the atlas comprising 21 neuropils. Two different standardization protocols were employed: the iterative shape averaging (ISA) procedure using an affine transformation followed by iterative non‐rigid registrations, and the virtual insect brain (VIB) protocol employing local non‐rigid transformations after global and local rigid transformations. Quantitative analysis of the 20 brains revealed that volumes of the accessory medulla are directly correlated with the volumes of the medulla, the protocerebral bridge, and the upper division of the central body, suggesting functional connections among these neuropils. For a standardized reconstruction of the circadian pacemaker network, the ISA protocol was used to register PDF‐ir neurons in the standard cockroach brain. The registration revealed that two PDF‐ir arborization areas in the brain are highly interconnected with other PDF‐ir projection sites and appear to be contacted both by fibers in the posterior and the anterior optic commissures. The distances between PDF‐ir branching areas show specific numerical relationships that might be physiologically relevant for temporal encoding. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:4113–4133, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐resolved microscopy for imaging lanthanide luminescence in living cells
Authors: Gahlaut Nivriti , Miller Lawrence W.
Published: September 2010

Time‐resolved luminescence (TRL) microscopy can image signals from lanthanide coordination complexes or other probes with long emission lifetimes, thereby eliminating short‐lifetime (<100 ns) autofluorescence background from biological specimens. However, lanthanide complexes emit far fewer photons per unit time than conventional fluorescent probes, making it difficult to rapidly acquire high quality images at probe concentrations that are relevant to live cell experiments. This article describes the development and characterization of a TRL microscope that employs a light‐emitting diode (LED, λem = 365 nm) for pulsed epi‐illumination and an intensified charge‐coupled device (ICCD) camera for gated, widefield detection. Europium chelate‐impregnated microspheres were used to evaluate instrument performance in terms of short‐lifetime fluorescence background rejection, photon collection efficiency, image contrast, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). About 200 nm microspheres were imaged within the time resolution limit of the ICCD (66.7 ms) with complete autofluorescence suppression. About 40 nm microspheres containing ∼400 chelate molecules were detected within ∼1‐s acquisition times. A luminescent terbium complex, Lumi4‐Tb®, was introduced into the cytoplasm of cultured cells at an estimated concentration of 300 nM by the method of osmotic lysis of pinocytic vesicles. Time‐resolved images of the living, terbium complex‐loaded cells were acquired within acquisition times as short as 333 ms, and the effects of increased exposure time and frame summing on image contrast and SNR were evaluated. The performance analyses show that TRL microscopy is sufficiently sensitive and precise to allow high‐resolution, quantitative imaging of lanthanide luminescence in living cells under physiologically relevant experimental conditions. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Fc block treatment, dead cells exclusion, and cell aggregates discrimination concur to prevent phenotypical artifacts in the analysis of subpopulations of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ myelomonocytic cells
Authors: Kuonen Francois , Touvrey Cedric , Laurent Julien , Ruegg Curzio
Published: September 2010

It is well established that cancer cells can recruit CD11b+ myeloid cells to promote tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Increasing interest has emerged on the identification of subpopulations of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ myeloid cells using flow cytometry techniques. In the literature, however, discrepancies exist on the phenotype of these cells (Coffelt et al., Am J Pathol 2010;176:1564–1576). Since flow cytometry analysis requires particular precautions for accurate sample preparation and trustable data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, some discrepancies might be due to technical reasons rather than biological grounds. We used the syngenic orthotopic 4T1 mammary tumor model in immunocompetent BALB/c mice to analyze and compare the phenotype of CD11b+ myeloid cells isolated from peripheral blood and from tumors, using six‐color flow cytometry. We report here that the nonspecific antibody binding through Fc receptors, the presence of dead cells and cell doublets in tumor‐derived samples concur to generate artifacts in the phenotype of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ subpopulations. We show that the heterogeneity of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ subpopulations analyzed without particular precautions was greatly reduced upon Fc block treatment, dead cells, and cell doublets exclusion. Phenotyping of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ cells was particularly sensitive to these parameters compared to circulating CD11b+ cells. Taken together, our results identify Fc block treatment, dead cells, and cell doublets exclusion as simple but crucial steps for the proper analysis of tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+ cell populations. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Asiatic acid preserves beta cell mass and mitigates hyperglycemia in streptozocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Liu Jun , He Ting , Lu Qian , Shang Jing , Sun Hongbin , Zhang Luyong
Published: September 2010

Background

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin due to the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells. This study investigated the beneficial effects of asiatic acid—a triterpenoid compound—preserved beta mass and mitigated hyperglycemia in streptozocin‐induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Diabetes mellitus was induced in adult male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (60 mg/kg body weight). The diabetic rats were divided into untreated and asiatic acid (25 mg/kg) groups. Controls were intraperitoneal injection with citrate buffer. Blood glucose level, plasma insulin, and pancreas immunohistochemistry analysis were examined after a 2‐week experimental period. AKT and Bcl‐xL expression in the pancreatic islets of rats were evaluated by Western blot methods.

Results

Blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in rats receiving asiatic acid after streptozocin administration. Asiatic acid concomitantly increased serum insulin levels in diabetic rats. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a marked preservation by asiatic acid of insulin‐producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets of the diabetic rats. Furthermore, asiatic acid in vivo induced pro‐survival Akt kinase activation and Bcl‐xL expression in the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats.

Conclusions

These results suggest that asiatic acid exerts its glucose‐lowering effects, in part through influences on beta‐cell mass. Asiatic acid administration resulted in preservation and restoration of beta‐cell mass and function in diabetic rodent models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteoprotegerin and biomarkers of vascular inflammation in type 2 diabetes
Authors: O'Sullivan Eoin P. , Ashley David T. , Davenport Colin , Devlin Niamh , Crowley Rachel , Agha Amar , Thompson Christopher J. , O'Gorman Donal , Smith Diarmuid
Published: September 2010

Background

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) and tumour necrosis factor–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) are newly discovered members of the tumour necrosis factor‐alpha receptor superfamily. While their role in bone metabolism is well described, their function within the vasculature is poorly understood. OPG inhibits vascular calcification in vitro and high serum levels have been demonstrated in type 2 diabetes, but serum RANKL and TRAIL and their potential correlation with well‐established biomarkers of subclinical vascular inflammation such as high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) have not been described.

Methods

Sixty‐two patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes and an age, gender and body mass index‐matched group of 58 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum OPG, RANKL and TRAIL were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, as were hsCRP and IL‐6.

Results

Serum OPG, IL‐6 and hsCRP levels, but not RANKL or TRAIL, were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls, after adjustment for age and gender. After exclusion of diabetes patients with a history of micro‐ or macrovascular disease, OPG remained significantly higher in those with diabetes, but IL‐6 and hsCRP levels were no longer elevated. There was a positive correlation between OPG and IL‐6 in the group as a whole, but no correlation was found between RANKL or TRAIL and either hsCRP or IL‐6.

Conclusion

OPG, but not RANKL or TRAIL, is significantly increased in type 2 diabetes. Higher OPG (but not IL‐6 or hsCRP) in those without vascular disease suggests these biomarkers reflect separate pathophysiological processes in the vasculature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy and safety of saxagliptin in combination with metformin compared with sitagliptin in combination with metformin in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Scheen André J. , Charpentier Guillaume , Östgren Carl Johan , Hellqvist Åsa , Gause‐Nilsson Ingrid
Published: September 2010

Background

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used as monotherapy or in combination with other anti‐diabetic drugs (metformin, sulphonylurea, or thiazolidinedione). This 18‐week, phase 3b, multicentre, double‐blind, noninferiority trial compared the efficacy and safety of two dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, saxagliptin and sitagliptin, in patients whose glycaemia was inadequately controlled with metformin.

Methods

Adult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (N = 801) with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 6.5–10% on stable metformin doses (1500–3000 mg/day) were randomized 1 : 1 to add‐on 5 mg saxagliptin or 100 mg sitagliptin once daily for 18 weeks. The primary efficacy analysis was a comparison of the change from baseline HbA1c at week 18 in per‐protocol patients. Noninferiority was concluded if the upper limit of the two‐sided 95% confidence interval of the HbA1c difference between treatments was < 0.3%.

Results

The adjusted mean changes in HbA1c following the addition of saxagliptin or sitagliptin to stable metformin therapy were − 0.52 and − 0.62%, respectively. The between‐group difference was 0.09% (95% confidence interval, − 0.01 to 0.20%), demonstrating noninferiority. Both treatments were generally well tolerated; incidence and types of adverse events were comparable between groups. Hypoglycaemic events, mostly mild, were reported in approximately 3% of patients in each treatment group. Body weight declined by a mean of 0.4 kg in both groups.

Conclusions

Saxagliptin added to metformin therapy was effective in improving glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by metformin alone; saxagliptin plus metformin was noninferior to sitagliptin plus metformin, and was generally well tolerated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Msx1 and Dlx5 function synergistically to regulate frontal bone development
Authors: Chung Il‐Hyuk , Han Jun , Iwata Junichi , Chai Yang
Published: September 2010

The Msx and Dlx families of homeobox proteins are important regulators for embryogenesis. Loss of Msx1 in mice results in multiple developmental defects including craniofacial malformations. Although Dlx5 is widely expressed during embryonic development, targeted null mutation of Dlx5 mainly affects the development of craniofacial bones. Msx1 and Dlx5 show overlapping expression patterns during frontal bone development. To investigate the functional significance of Msx1/Dlx5 interaction in regulating frontal bone development, we generated Msx1 and Dlx5 double null mutant mice. In Msx1−/−;Dlx5−/− mice, the frontal bones defect was more severe than that of either Msx1−/− or Dlx5−/− mice. This aggravated frontal bone defect suggests that Msx1 and Dlx5 function synergistically to regulate osteogenesis. This synergistic effect of Msx1 and Dlx5 on the frontal bone represents a tissue specific mode of interaction of the Msx and Dlx genes. Furthermore, Dlx5 requires Msx1 for its expression in the context of frontal bone development. Our study shows that Msx1/Dlx5 interaction is crucial for osteogenic induction during frontal bone development. genesis 48:645–655, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a time‐synchronized wireless sensor network
Authors: Uchimura Yutaka , Takahashi Motoichi , Nasu Tadashi
Published: September 2010

Network‐based wireless sensing has become an important area of research and various new applications for remote sensing are expected to emerge. One of the promising applications is structural health monitoring of buildings or civil engineering structures, which often requires vibration measurement. For vibration measurement via a wireless network, time synchronization is indispensable. In this paper we introduce a newly developed time‐synchronized wireless sensor network system. The system employs an IEEE 802.11 standard‐based TSF counter and sends the measured data with the counter value. It makes possible consistency on a common clock among different wireless nodes. We describe the accuracy evaluation by simulation studies as the size of the nodes is increased. The hardware and software specifications of the developed wireless system are presented. The experiments were conducted in a three‐story reinforced concrete building and the results showed that the system performance significantly exceeds requirements. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 173(4): 46–53, 2010; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21020
Orientation of Second‐Harmonic‐Generation‐Active Phenylsulfonyl Chromophores Attached on Layered Lead(II) Phosphonates
Authors: Du Zi‐Yi , Sun Yu‐Hui , Xu Xiang , Xu Guo‐Hai , Xie Yong‐Rong
Published: September 2010

The hydrothermal reactions of PbCl2 or PbBr2 with diethyl [(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]phosphonate afforded two lead(II) phosphonates with the formula [Pb3(Ph–SO2–CH2–PO3)2X2(H2O)] [X = Cl (1) and Br (2)]. The two compounds are isostructural and exhibit a lamellar structure in which the phenylsulfonyl chromophores orient unilaterally on the inorganic layer of [Pb3(PO3)2X2(H2O)]. The acentric stacking of such layers results in their crystallization in the noncentrosymmetric Cc space group, and both compounds show second harmonic generation responses comparable to that of KDP (KH2PO4).
Response Characteristics of Copper‐Selective Polymer Membrane Electrodes Based on a Newly Synthesized Macrocyclic Calix[4]arene Derivative as a Neutral Carrier Ionophore
Authors: Kamel Ayman H. , Mahmoud Wagiha H. , Mostafa Marwa S.
Published: September 2010

A novel macrocyclic calix[4]arene derivative was examined as an ionophore for ion‐selective polymeric membrane electrode toward Cu+2 ions. The sensor showed a near Nernstian response for Cu(II) ions over a concentration range from 8.1×10−6 to 1.0×10−2 mol L−1 with a slope of 34.2±0.4 mV per concentration decade in an acidic solution (pH 5). The limit of detection was 0.47 µg mL−1. It had a response time of <20 s and can be used for at least 3 months without any divergence in potentials. The influence of plasticizer as well as the amount of lipophilic anionic site additive in the sensing membrane was discussed. It was shown that membrane electrodes formulated with the ionophore and appropriate anionic additive exhibited enhanced potentiometric response toward Cu2+ over all other cations tested. Since selectivity toward Cu2+ ions is decreased in the presence of high amount of the anionic additive, the ionophore can function as neutral carriers within the organic membrane phase. Validation of the assay method revealed good performance characteristics, including long life span, good selectivity for Cu2+ ions over a wide variety of other metal ions, long term response stability, and high reproducibility. The sensors were used for direct measurement of copper content in different rocks collected from different geological zones. The results agreed fairly well with data obtained using atomic absorption spectrometry.
Analytical Potentialities of Carbon Nanotube/Silicone Rubber Composite Electrodes: Determination of Propranolol
Authors: Santos Sidney Xavier dos , Cavalheiro Éder T. G. , Brett Christopher M. A.
Published: September 2010

A new composite electrode based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silicone‐rubber (SR) was developed and applied to the determination of propranolol in pharmaceutical formulations. The effect of using MWCNT/graphite mixtures in different proportions was also investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for electrochemical characterization of different electrode compositions. Propranolol was determined using MWCNT/SR 70 % (m/m) electrodes with linear dynamic ranges up to 7.0 µmol L−1 by differential pulse and up to 5.4 µmol L−1 by square wave voltammetry, with LODs of 0.12 and 0.078 µmol L−1, respectively. Analysis of commercial samples agreed with that obtained by the official spectrophotometric method. The electrode is mechanically robust and presented reproducible results and a long useful life.
Highly Sensitive Nitric Oxide Sensing Using Three‐Dimensional Graphene/Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite
Authors: Ng Shu Rui , Guo Chun Xian , Li Chang Ming
Published: September 2010

A nanocomposite gel with a uniform porous structure and well‐controlled compositions prepared by mixing three‐dimensional graphene material with an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, is used for nitric oxide detection. It shows a fast response of less than 4 seconds, an excellent sensitivity of 11.2 µA cm−2 (µmol/L)−1 and an extremely low detection limit of 16 nM with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 (S/N=3), a performance superior to that of reported works based on carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. The high sensitivity is attributed to the large electroactive surface area of the graphene gel nanocomposite towards nitric oxide oxidation. The electrochemical behavior of the gel nanocomposite is investigated and explained.
Development and application of a flexible controller in yeast fermentations using pO2 cascade control
Authors: Vanags Juris , Hrynko Viachaslau , Viesturs Uldis
Published: September 2010

The development and application of a flexible process controller in fed‐batch yeast fermentations using pO2 cascade control was performed. A new algorithm for fed‐batch fermentations using pO2 cascade control was developed, the concept of which could be used as a realizable solution in fermentation systems equipped according to the basic configuration. The algorithm is based on the combined influence of pO2 and pH on the substrate feeding intensity. To test and develop this algorithm, Saccharomyces cerevisiae DY 7221 and Candida tropicalis CK‐4 fermentations were carried out. As a result of the use of the combined algorithm, the specific growth rate and productivity grew in both fermentations. In this case, the effect of the use of the algorithm was most pronounced in the C. tropicalis fermentation.
Time—frequency iterative multiuser detection in time—frequency‐domain spread multicarrier DS‐CDMA systems over Nakagami‐mfading channels
Authors: Pan P. , Yang L.‐L. , Zhang Y.
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we propose and study a novel Time—frequency‐domain iterative multiuser detector (TF‐IMUD) for the multicarrier direct‐sequence code‐division multiple‐access (DS‐CDMA) systems employing both time (T)‐domain and frequency (F)‐domain spreading, which, for brevity, are referred to as the TF/MC DS‐CDMA systems. This novel TF‐IMUD consists of a set of T‐domain soft‐input soft‐output MUDs (SISO‐MUDs) and a set of F‐domain SISO‐MUDs, where information is exchanged between the T‐domain and F‐domain through two multiuser interference (MUI) cancellation units. The T‐domain and F‐domain SISO‐MUDs are operated under the maximum likelihood (ML) principles, and they are facilitated to be implemented using parallel signal processing techniques. In this paper, the complexity of the TF‐IMUD and the bit error rate (BER) performance of the TF/MC DS‐CDMA systems employing the proposed TF‐IMUD are investigated and also compared with the other existing MUD schemes, including the optimum ML‐MUD and the joint/separate minimum mean‐square error (MMSE)‐MUDs. Our study and simulation results show that the TF‐IMUD is capable of achieving nearly the same BER performance as the optimum ML‐MUD, but at significantly lower complexity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of the haemodynamics in end‐to‐side anastomoses
Authors: Do Hung , Owida Amal A. , Yang William , Morsi Yos S.
Published: September 2010

In this paper, the commercial CFD package Ansys workbench 11 was used to analyse the three‐dimensional haemodynamics of a typical stenotic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Two end‐to‐side CABG configurations with anastomosis angle of 20∘ and 40∘ and graft–artery diameter ratios of 1/0.6, 1/1 and 1/1.6 were examined. The flow measurements from in vitro Doppler guide wire technique acquired in left interior mammary artery (LIMA) and grafted to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) were used to impose the physiologically flow conditions at proximal and distal CABG inlet and outlet, respectively. The blood flow was considered to be incompressible, pulsatile, Newtonian, and laminar rheology. The main objective was to determine the effect of anastomosis angle and graft–artery diameter ratio on the flow patterns and the long‐term functionality of the graft. In analysing the results, the distributions of temporal and spatial wall shear stress (WSS) gradient and oscillating shear index (OSI) in the critical regions of CABG such as heel, toe and the centre of the junction were presented and the vortex motions and the occurrence of recirculation zones were examined. The findings showed asymmetrically disturbed flows in the localized regions of the proximal and distal host artery for all models considered and the movement of the recirculation zones from heel to toe was found to depend on the time at the cardiac cycle. These regions are known as susceptible sites to thrombosis and re‐stenosis due to their association with low values of WSS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracapsular tumor extension in cervical lymph nodes: Reconciling the literature and seer data
Authors: Brannan Amber G. , Johnstone Peter A. S. , Cooper Jay
Published: September 2010

Background.

Extracapsular extension (ECE) of disease from cervical lymph nodes (LNs) is an important prognostic factor for head and neck cancers; moreover, the presence of ECE has been shown to be a criterion for the addition of chemotherapy to postoperative radiation.

Methods.

We reviewed the frequency of ECE in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database, particularly as it related to nodal size. Our objective was to compare these findings with the literature.

Results.

SEER data suggest that the likelihood of ECE does not increase linearly with LN size, whereas most reports in the literature suggest that the likelihood of ECE does increase with increasing LN size.

Conclusions.

SEER data and the literature are not consistent in describing the relationship between ECE and LN size. These results suggest the need for better standardization in the assessment and reporting of ECE. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Postsurgical thyroid remnant estimation by 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy predicts radioiodine ablation effectiveness in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Suriano Sergio , Ricci Riccardo , Ceriani Luca , Anton Verburg Frederik
Published: September 2010

Background.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postsurgical neck 99mtechnetium (99mTc)‐pertechnetate uptake and the rate of successful remnant ablation after radioiodine treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods.

Retrospectively enrolled were 232 patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and fixed activity ablation with 3.7 GBq 131I. The 99mTc scans were performed on all patients before 131I administration. Thyroid ablation was assessed after 6 to 12 months by thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)‐stimulated 131I‐WBS and thyroglobulin measurement. The rate of successful ablation, occurrence of radioiodine‐induced thyroiditis, and length of hospitalization were correlated with the 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy results.

Results.

A 99mTc uptake was significantly lower in ablated versus nonablated patients (p < .001). High 99mTc‐pertechnetate uptake, especially greater than 1.4%, predicted a high‐risk of unsuccessful ablation. Higher 99mTc‐pertechnetate uptake was also related to prolonged hospitalization and the occurrence of radioiodine‐induced thyroiditis.

Conclusion.

The 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy is a simple and feasible tool to evaluate thyroid remnants and to predict radioiodine ablation results in patients with DTC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Silver Carl E. , Owen Randall P. , Rodrigo Juan P. , Rinaldo Alessandra , Devaney Kenneth O. , Ferlito Alfio
Published: September 2010

A number of histologic variants of well‐differentiated papillary carcinoma have been found to be associated with more aggressive tumor behavior. Tall cell, columnar cell, diffuse sclerosing, solid/trabecular, and insular variants of well‐differentiated papillary thyroid cancer are all potentially more aggressive than conventional papillary thyroid cancer. When subjected to multivariate analysis, however, evidence that the histologic subtype of tumor is an independent predictor of outcome is weak. Rather, the aggressive variants tend to present with features recognized by other staging systems as associated with a worse prognosis, including higher histologic grade, extracapsular spread, large tumor size, and the presence of distant metastases. Prognosis is directly related to the presence of these features. The state of our knowledge is limited by the relatively small number of cases that have been studied. The presence of an aggressive variant of papillary carcinoma should alert the surgeon that he is dealing with a potentially aggressive tumor. Clinical treatment decisions should be based on the stage of the disease, influenced by the knowledge that the aggressive variants tend to be associated with higher risk factors. The surgeon must be prepared to perform at the first, or second stage, a total thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, additional lymphadenectomy, and/or resection of invaded surrounding structures, and search for distant metastasis. Postoperative radioactive iodine should generally be administered for these variants as they will generally be intermediate to advanced tumors. The tall cell variant is often refractory to such treatment but may be susceptible to treatment targeted against BRAF mutation. External beam irradiation may be used in cases of incomplete resection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011