bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Solid+Liquid) Equilibria in the Quaternary System Na2B4O7‐MgB4O7‐K2B4O7‐H2O at 288 K
Authors: Song Shihua , Peng Jiang
Published: June 2010

(Solid+Liquid) phase equilibria in the quaternary system Na2B4O7‐MgB4O7‐K2B4O7‐H2O at 288 K were studied experimentally using the method of isothermal solution saturation. Solubility of any single salt in the solution of the quaternary system was determined experimentally. Based on the experimental data achieved, the phase diagram and water content diagram of the quaternary system were constructed, respectively. In the phase equilibrium diagram of the quaternary system Na2B4O7‐MgB4O7‐K2B4O7‐H2O at 288 K, there are one invariant point E, three univariant curves E1E, E2E and E3E, and three fields of crystallization corresponding to Na2B4O7·10H2O, K2B4O7·4H2O and MgB4O7·9H2O. The experimental results show that potassium borate (K2B4O7·4H2O) have higher solubilities than the magnesium borate and sodium borate in the quaternary system Na2B4O7‐MgB4O7‐K2B4O7‐H2O at 288 K.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and DNA‐Binding Properties of a New Cd(II) Complex Involving 2‐(2‐1H‐Imidazolyl)‐1H‐Imdazolium Ligand
Authors: Li Yanping , Yang Pin
Published: June 2010

A new Cd(II) complex of Cd(H3biim)2(NCS)2Cl2 [H3biim=2‐(2‐1H‐imidazolyl)‐1H‐imidazolium] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT‐IR and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. In the X‐ray crystallography structure, the cadmium(II) ion is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of two 2‐(2‐1H‐imidazolyl)‐ 1H‐imdazolium, two nitrogen atoms of two thiocyanate ions and two Cl−. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA was investigated through electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, cyclic voltammetry and gel electrophoresis. These results show that the Cd(II) complex can electrostatically bind to the phosphate group of DNA backbone. Interestingly, we found that the complex can cleave the pBR322 DNA at pH=7.2 and 37°C.
Common Pathway for K562 Cells Endocytosis and Release of GaC‐Tf and Ga2‐Tf via a Transferrin Receptor
Authors: Li Yingqi , Liu Bin , Zhao Chungui , Yang Binsheng
Published: June 2010

There has been an increasing interest in the use of gallium in anticancer activity. However, whether the uptakes of two species of transferrin, including digallium transferrin (Ga2‐Tf) and the C‐terminal monogallium transferrin (GaC‐Tf) by cells, are different is not well understood. In this work the mechanism of both species passing in and out K562 cells has been established by using 125I‐labeled transferrin. There were about (1.5±0.08)×105 binding sites per cell surface. Both Ga2‐Tf and GaC‐Tf were recycled to the cell exterior with a protracted endocytic cycle compared to apotransferrin (apoTf). The cycling time from the internalization to release was calculated about t1/2= (3.15±0.055) min for apoTf, t1/2= (4.69±0.09) min for Ga2‐Tf and t1/2= (4.78±0.15) min for GaC‐Tf. The result implies that metal dissociating from transferrin in acidic endosomes was likely to be the key step. Both Ga2‐Tf and GaC‐Tf into K562 cells are transferrin receptor‐mediated process with a similar rate of endocytosis and release. Our present observations provide useful information for better targeted drugs in specific therapy.
Development of Pr(III) Selective Electrode Using 1,6,7,12‐Tetramine‐2,5,8,11‐tetraoxo‐1(12),6(7)‐di(biphenyl)‐dodecane (TATODBDD) as a Neutral Carrier
Authors: Chandra Sulekh , Singh Dev Raj
Published: June 2010

A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane based Pr(III) selective electrode was constructed using 1,6,7,12‐tetramine‐2,5,8,11‐tetraoxo‐1(12),6(7)‐di(biphenyl)dodecane (TATODBDD) as a neutral carrier. The sensor exhibits a Nernstian response for Pr(III) ions, a wide concentration range of 3.9×10−7−1.0×10−1 mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0×10−8 mol/L and slope of 19.5 mV/decade. The developed sensor revealed relatively good selectivity and high sensitivity for Pr(III) ions over the other lanthanide ions. The potentiometric response of the sensor is independent in the pH range 2.9–9.5. The advantages of sensor are low resistance, very fast response time (<10 s) with good selectivity. This sensor can be used up to 6 weeks without any divergences in potential response.
Transport of Tb3+ in Dispersion Supported Liquid Membrane System with Carrier P507
Authors: Pei Liang , Yao Binghua , Wang Liming , Zhao Nan , Liu Min
Published: June 2010

The Tb3+ transport in dispersion supported liquid membrane (DSLM) consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane (PVDF) as the liquid membrane support and dispersion solution including HCl solution as the stripping solution and 2‐ethyl hexyl phosphonic acid‐mono‐2‐ethyl hexyl ester (P507) dissolved in kerosene as the membrane solution, has been studied. The effects of pH value, initial concentration of Tb3+ and different ionic strength in the feed phase, volume ratio of membrane solution and stripping solution, concentration of HCl solution, concentration of carrier, different stripping agents in the dispersion phase on transport of Tb3+ has also been investigated, respectively. As a result, the optimum transport conditon of Tb3+ was that concentration of HCl solution was 4.0 mol/L, concentration of P507 was 0.10 mol/L, and volume ratio of membrane solution and stripping solution was 1.0 in the dispersion phase, and pH value was 5.2 in the feed phase. Ionic strength had no obvious effect on transport of Tb3+. Under the optimum condition studied, when initial concentration of Tb3+ was 1.0×10−4 mol/L, the transport rate of Tb3+ was up to 95.2% during the transport time of 95 min. The kinetic equation was developed in terms of the law of mass diffusion and the theory of interface chemistry. The results were in good agreement with the literature data.
Templated Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Carbons with Tailored Structures and Morphologies
Authors: Wang Xiufang , Tian Yong
Published: June 2010

Due to the excellent biocompatibility and the capability to load and release drugs, ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) have been highly prospective and valuable in drug delivery system. In this contribution, synthesis of OMCs with tailored pore sizes from 4.1 to 3.4 nm was achieved by employing SBA‐15 as template and furfuryl alcohol (FA) as carbon precursors. An array of OMCs with controlled structures and morphologies by incipient wetness with FA was analyzed by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The resulting carbon replicas retained the hexagonal symmetry of the silica templates SBA‐15 with p6mm space group, although the framework suffered shrinkage in the replicated process. The pore size distribution, uniformity and pore volume of the mesopores in the OMCs were affected by structural properties of the SBA‐15 templates as shown by N2 sorption and XRD pattern analysis. The process had the advantage that the textural parameters of the obtained OMCs were tunable simply by varying aging temperature of the silica template and the ratio of carbon precursor.
Tautomerism and Magnesium Chelation of HIV‐1 Integrase Inhibitors: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Liao Chenzhong , Nicklaus Marc C.
Published: June 2010

The tautomerism and corresponding transition states of four authentic HIV‐1 integrase (IN) inhibitor prototype structures, α,γ‐diketo acid, α,γ‐diketotriazole, dihydroxypyrimidine carboxamide and 4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylic acid, were investigated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level in vacuum and in aqueous solvent models. To study the possible chelating modes of these tautomers with two magnesium ions—a process important for inhibition—we modeled an assembly of three formic acids, four water molecules and two Mg2+ ions as a template mimicking the binding site of IN. The DFT calculation results show that deprotonated enolized or phenolic hydroxy groups of specific tautomers in water lead to the most stable complexes, with the two magnesium ions separated by a distance of approximately 3.70 to 3.74 Å, and with each magnesium ion at the center of an octahedron. The drug candidate GS‐9137 (Gilead), based on the 4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylic acid scaffold, and its analogues form similar but different chelating modes. When one water molecule in the complex is replaced by a methanol molecule, which mimics the terminal 3′‐OH of viral DNA, a good chelating complex is retained. This supports the hypothesis that, in the binding site of IN after 3′‐processing, the terminal 3′‐OH of viral DNA interacts with one Mg2+ by chelation.
Prognostic factors in cutaneous desmoplastic melanoma
Authors: Murali Rajmohan , Shaw Helen M. , Lai Kenneth , McCarthy Stanley W. , Quinn Michael J. , Stretch Jonathan R. , Thompson John F. , Scolyer Richard A.
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare subtype of melanoma that is characterized by malignant spindle cells separated by prominent, fibrocollagenous stroma. Primary melanomas either may be entirely desmoplastic or almost entirely desmoplastic (pure DM [pDM]) or may exhibit a desmoplastic component admixed with a nondesmoplastic component (combined DM [cDM]).

METHODS:

Patients who were diagnosed between 1993 and 2007 at a single institution with clinically localized, primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) that contained a desmoplastic component and who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy were identified. Clinical and pathologic features of the primary tumors were correlated with DM type, SLN status, and patient outcome.

RESULTS:

Two hundred fifty‐two patients (167 men, 85 women) were identified (median age, 61 years). The median tumor thickness was 2.0 mm. One hundred twenty‐three patients (48.8%) had pDM, and 129 patients (51.2%) had cDM. Overall, 17 patients (6.7%) had positive SLN status, including 12 patients with cDM and 5 patients with pDM. Because of the low SLN‐positive rate, a statistically significant difference in SLN status between patients with cDM (8.5%) and patients with pDM (4.9%; P = .25) could not be demonstrated. Older patient age, being a man, positive SLN status, and increasing tumor thickness were associated significantly with poorer disease‐free survival (P < .05), although only the latter 2 variables were independently predictive. In addition, cDM type (P = .017) was associated significantly and independently with a shorter time to recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this largest study to date of patients with DM who underwent SLN biopsy, the SLN‐positive rate in patients with DM was lower than that in patients with conventional melanoma. The results indicated that DM type is associated significantly and independently with the time to recurrence and should be evaluated routinely in all patients with PCM. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Prognostic factors derived from a prospective database dictate clinical biology of anal cancer
Authors: Ajani Jaffer A. , Winter Kathryn A. , Gunderson Leonard L. , Pedersen John , Benson Al B. , Thomas Charles R. , Mayer Robert J. , Haddock Michael G. , Rich Tyvin A. , Willett Christopher G.
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

Only 4 prospective randomized phase 3 trials have been reported for anal cancer. A prognostic factor analysis for anal cancer from a prospective database has been published from only 1 study (N = 110). To confirm and uncover new prognostic factors, we analyzed the prospective database of intergroup RTOG 98‐11.

METHODS:

Univariate and multivariate analyses of the baseline characteristics for 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were carried out. Various combinations of tumor diameter and clinically positive nodes (N+) were analyzed to identify subgroups.

RESULTS:

A total of 644 were assessable and analyzed. Tumor diameter >5 cm was associated with poorer 5‐year DFS (P = .0003) and poorer 5‐year OS (P = .0031), and N+ was associated with poorer 5‐year DFS (P ≤ .0001) and poorer 5‐year OS (P = ≤ .0001) in the multivariate analysis. In stratified analyses, N+ had more adverse influence on DFS and OS than did tumor diameter. Patients with >5‐cm tumor and N+ had the worst DFS (only 30% at 3 years compared with 74% for the best group; <5 cm primary and N0) and OS (only 48% at 4 years compared with 81% for the best group; <5 cm primary and N0). Men had worse DFS (P = .02) and OS (P = .016). These factors maintained their influence in each treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS:

This prospective prognostic factor analysis establishes tumor diameter as an independent prognosticator of poorer 5‐year DFS and OS and confirms N+ and male sex as poor prognostic factors. This analysis also uncovers novel subgroups (derived from combining prognostic factors) with incremental worsening of DFS and OS. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Population‐based analysis of occult primary breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis
Authors: Walker Gary V. , Smith Grace L. , Perkins George H. , Oh Julia L. , Woodward Wendy , Yu Tse‐Kuan , Hunt Kelly K. , Hoffman Karen , Strom Eric A. , Buchholz Thomas A.
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

Single‐institution data suggest that treatment with radiation and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be an appropriate alternative to mastectomy for T0N+ breast cancer. Population‐based multi‐institutional data supporting this approach are lacking.

METHODS:

The cause‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) of women with T0N+M0 ductal, lobular, or mixed breast cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1983 to 2006 were analyzed. Groups were defined as: 1) no ALND, mastectomy, or RT (observation); 2) ALND only; 3) mastectomy plus ALND with or without postmastectomy radiation (Mast); and 4) breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) with ALND and radiation (BCT).

RESULTS:

In total, 750 of 770,030 patients with breast cancer had T0N+M0 disease (incidence, 0.10%), and 596 of those patients underwent ALND (79.5%). Patients who underwent Mast or BCT (n = 470) had a 10‐year OS rate of 64.9% compared with 58.5% for patients who underwent ALND only (n = 126; P = .02) and 47.5% for patients who underwent observation only (n = 94; P = .04). The 10‐year CSS rate was 75.7% for patients who underwent BCT versus 73.9% for patients who underwent Mast (P = .55). In multivariate analysis of CSS for patients who underwent Mast or BCT, the following factors were correlated with an unfavorable outcome: positive estrogen receptor status (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24‐0.96; P = .04), ≥10 positive lymph nodes (HR, 5.7; 95%CI, 2.4‐13.4; P ≤ .01), and <10 resected lymph nodes (HR, 42.9; 95%CI, 1.2‐7.1; P = .02). Mast did not improve CSS compared with BCT (HR, 1.09; 95%CI, 0.57‐2.1; P = .79).

CONCLUSIONS:

Definitive locoregional treatment with either Mast or BCT improved the outcome of patients with T0N+breast cancer, and no difference in survival was observed between the treatments. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Severe neutropenia at time of port insertion is not a risk factor for catheter‐associated infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Junqueira Beatriz L. P. , Connolly Bairbre , Abla Oussama , Tomlinson George , Amaral Joao G.
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to determine whether severe neutropenia on the day of port‐a‐catheter (PORT) insertion was a risk factor for catheter‐associated infection (CAI) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective study of children with ALL who had a PORT insertion between January 2005 and August 2008. Early (≤30 days) and late (>30 days) postprocedure complications were reviewed. The length of follow‐up ranged between 7 months and 42 months.

RESULTS:

In total, 192 PORTs were inserted in 179 children. There were 43 CAIs (22%), and the infection rate was 0.35 per 1000 catheter‐days. The CAI rate (15%) in children who had severe neutropenia on the day of the procedure did not differ statistically from the CAI rate (24%) in children who did not have severe neutropenia (P = .137). Conversely, patients with severe neutropenia who had a CAI were more likely to have their PORT removed (P = .019). The most common organisms to cause catheter removal were coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Patients with high‐risk ALL had a statistically significant higher incidence of late CAI than patients with standard‐risk ALL (P = .012). Age (P = .272), positive blood culture preprocedure (P = 1.0), and dexamethasone use (P = .201) were not risk factors for CAI. Patients who had an early CAI did not have a greater chance of having a late CAI. The catheter infection‐free survival rate at 1 year was 88.6%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that severe neutropenia on the day of PORT insertion does not increase the risk of CAI in children with ALL. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Correlation of [18F]‐2‐fluoro‐deoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography standard uptake values with the cellular composition of stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Christensen Jared D. , Colby Tom V. , Patz Edward F.
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

The aim of the current study was to determine whether the [18F]‐2‐fluoro‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) standardized uptake value (SUV) in patients with a new diagnosis of stage I lung cancer correlates with a specific cellular component in the primary tumor.

METHODS:

This study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant and approved by our Institutional Review Board with a waiver of informed consent. Forty patients with stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent FDG‐PET imaging at the time of diagnosis followed by surgical resection were retrospectively identified. Histologic sections of the primary tumor were reviewed by a pathologist without any clinical data and scored according to the percentage of each cellular component (tumor cells, normal stroma, inflammatory cells, necrosis, fibrosis, and other). Each component was compared with maximal (SUVmax) and mean (SUVmean) SUVs using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis.

RESULTS:

The mean SUVmax and SUVmean values for 40 stage I NSCLC tumors were 8.8 and 5.4, respectively. The mean histologic composition of tumor specimens in order of frequency was as follows: tumor cells (38.9%), fibrosis (30.8%), inflammatory cells (14.8%), normal stroma (5.2%), necrosis (5.8%), and other components (4.5%); however, there was considerable variation noted among individual tumors. There was no statistically significant correlation between SUVmax (r = .19; P = .24) or SUVmean (r = .017; P = .29) and the proportion of tumor cells in the tumor mass or any other cellular components.

CONCLUSIONS:

The cellular composition of stage I NSCLC appears to be highly variable, with no correlation noted between a specific tumor cellular component and FDG activity. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Phase 2 trial of preoperative irinotecan plus cisplatin and conformal radiotherapy, followed by surgery for esophageal cancer
Authors: Knox Jennifer J. , Wong Rebecca , Visbal Antonio L. , Horgan Anne M. , Guindi Maha , Hornby Jennifer , Xu Wei , Ringash Jolie , Keshavjee Shaf , Chen Eric , Haider Masoom , Darling Gail
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND:

Esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) is associated with limited survival. Trimodality therapy yields a small survival advantage, with cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil regimens most frequently studied. Newer regimens may impact these poor outcomes. This phase 2 trial assessed the feasibility and efficacy of induction chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan followed by esophagectomy.

METHODS:

Patients with LAEC of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction underwent chemotherapy with preoperative irinotecan (65 mg/m2) plus cisplatin (30 mg/m2) on Weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 with concurrent conformal radiotherapy (40 grays [Gy]/20 fractions during Weeks 4‐7) and external beam boost (10 Gy/5 fractions at Week 8). Esophagectomy was performed between Weeks 12 and 16. Pathologic response was the primary endpoint with follow‐up data on progression, survival, and toxicity as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS:

Fifty‐two patients were enrolled from November 2002 to October 2005. Nineteen patients had American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II, 22 had stage III, and 11 had stage IVA disease. Grade 3 to 4 toxicity (graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 2.0) during induction included neutropenia (36%), febrile neutropenia (8%), diarrhea (10%), and esophagitis (4%). Three patients withdrew from treatment due to toxicity. There was 1 treatment‐related death. Clinical responses included complete response in 2%, partial response in 30%, stable disease in 62%, and progressive disease in 6% of patients. Dysphagia improved/resolved in 72% of patients during induction. Forty‐three patients underwent esophagectomy and 7 (16%) achieved pathologic complete responses. Median and 3‐year overall survival for patients receiving trimodality therapy was 36 months and 51%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

In LAEC, concurrent irinotecan/cisplatin and radiotherapy followed by esophagectomy is reported to be associated with dysphagia improvement in 72% of patients, a significant but manageable toxicity profile, and encouraging survival compared with historic controls. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A review on the current state of urine cytology emphasizing the role of fluorescence in situ hybridization as an adjunct to diagnosis
Authors: Caraway Nancy P. , Katz Ruth L.
Published: June 2010

Urinary cytology has a significant role in the detection and surveillance of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC), which has a high morbidity rate in the United States. Examination of the urine is a comprehensive screen of both the upper and lower urinary tract and is ideal for detecting both primary bladder UC and synchronous or metachronous, multifocal UCs that commonly occur because of a “field effect.” This field effect is the result of both clonal and random genetic abnormalities that have resulted from exposure to carcinogens (most frequently in tobacco smoke) in conjunction with the individual's ability to repair DNA damage. Although urinary cytology has high specificity for the detection of UC, its sensitivity is relatively low, especially for more prevalent low‐grade tumors. Consequently, several urine‐based tests have been investigated, some of which are available commercially and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, these tests also have their limitations and often have lower specificity than urinary cytology. Consequently, urinary cytology, which is a noninvasive, cost‐effective test, continues in mainstream use because of its ability to detect high‐grade, flat lesions that can be difficult to detect clinically and that often have more aggressive biologic behavior. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Utility of flow cytometry immunophenotyping in multiple myeloma and other clonal plasma cell‐related disorders
Authors: Paiva Bruno , Almeida Julia , Pérez‐Andrés Martin , Mateo Gema , López Antonio , Rasillo Ana , Vídriales María‐Belén , López‐Berges María‐Consuelo , Miguel Jesús F. San , Orfao Alberto
Published: June 2010

In recent years, multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) immunophenotyping has become mandatory in the clinical management of hematological malignancies, both for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Multiple myeloma (MM) and other clonal plasma cell‐related (PC) disorders should be no exception to this paradigm, but incorporation of immunophenotypic studies in the management of patients with PC disorders is still far from being routinely established in many diagnostic flow cytometry laboratories. For clonal PC disorders, MFC is of clear and established clinical relevance in: (1) the differential diagnosis between MM and other PC‐related disorders; (2) the identification of high‐risk MGUS and smoldering MM; (3) minimal residual disease investigation after therapy; additionally it may also be useful for (4) the definition of prognosis‐associated antigenic profiles; and (5) the identification of new therapeutic targets. In this article, we review the clinical value of MFC in the study of PC disorders, with specific emphasis in those areas where consensus exists on the need to incorporate MFC into routine evaluation of MM and other clonal PC‐related disorders. © 2010 Clinical Cytometry Society
Unique Supramolecular Assembly of Wheel‐Shaped Nanoscale Polyanions with a Hydrophobic Core
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Tianbo , Mal Sib Sankar , Kortz Ulrich
Published: June 2010

The unique self‐assembly behavior of the amphiphilicwheel‐shaped polyanion [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p‐cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27– (1) in binary mixed solvents of water and various organic solvents is reported. Polyanion 1 does not undergo supramolecular assembly formation in water/acetone solutions with acetone contents below 55 vol.‐%. However, in solutions with acetone contents of 55–80 vol.‐%, vesicle‐like structures were observed by light scattering and further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The average size of the vesicles decreases with increasing acetone contents. Similar results were found in water/THF and water/acetonitrile binary solvents. This relation between assembly size and solvent composition contradicts the self‐assembly of all other polyanions reported to date, which all follow the charge–regulation mechanism. However, for various binary solvents containing 75 vol.‐% organic solvents (acetonitrile, ethanol, 2‐propanol, THF, dioxane), the assembly sizes of 1 decrease with increasing dielectric constants of the solvents, which is again consistent with the charge–regulation mechanism. This unique solution behavior of 1 could be partially due to possible involvement of the hydrophobic organic p‐cymene ligands in the self‐assembly process.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Imidazole‐4‐Carboxylates by Microwave‐Assisted 1,5‐Electrocyclization of Azavinyl Azomethine Ylides
Authors: Preti Lisa , Attanasi Orazio A. , Caselli Emilia , Favi Gianfranco , Ori Claudia , Davoli Paolo , Felluga Fulvia , Prati Fabio
Published: June 2010

Diversely functionalized imidazole‐4‐carboxylates were synthesized by microwave‐assisted 1,5‐eletrocyclization of 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐diene‐derived azavinyl azomethine ylides. 1,2‐Diaza‐1,3‐dienes were treated with primary aliphatic or aromatic amines and subjected to microwave irradiation in the presence of aldehydes. 3‐Alkyl‐ and 3‐arylimidazole‐4‐carboxylates were prepared in good yields through a one‐pot multicomponent procedure. Modulation of the substituents at C‐2, N‐3, and C‐5 was possible, and 2‐unsubstituted imidazoles were obtained when paraformaldehyde was used.
Primary Amine Catalyzed Biginelli Reaction for the Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones
Authors: Ding Derong , Zhao Cong‐Gui
Published: June 2010

Several chiral primary amines, mainly those derived from cinchona alkaloids, were evaluated as organocatalysts for the asymmetric Biginelli reaction. With quinine‐derived amine catalyst 1 and after extensive optimization of the reaction conditions, 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones were obtained in moderate to good yields and 51–78 % ee from a three‐component reaction of aryl and aliphatic aldehydes, urea, and acetoacetate.
Chan–Lam–Evans Coupling of Cbz‐Protected Histidines
Authors: DalZotto Christophe , Michaux Julien , Martinand‐Lurin Elodie , Campagne Jean‐Marc
Published: June 2010

Direct functionalization of protected histidines with arylboronic acids is described under Chan–Lam–Evans conditions to give the corresponding N(τ)‐arylhistidines in moderate to good yields (12 examples, up to 83 % yield) under mild conditions.
Probing Fluorine Interactions in a Polyhydroxylated Environment: Conservation of a C–F···H–C Recognition Motif in Presence of O–H···O Hydrogen Bonds (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 18/2010)
Authors: Mehta Goverdhan , Sen Saikat
Published: June 2010

The cover picture shows, with a wordplay of the famous phrase “To be or not to be ?” from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the ambivalent nature of fluorine – the most electronegative element and known to form some of the strongest hydrogen bonds, as in [F–H···F]–. Notwithstanding this, “organic” fluorine makes some of the weakest hydrogen bonds (or none at all) known in molecular crystals. Our study, in this context, utilizes specially designed fluorinated polycyclitols to probe the capability of covalently bonded fluorine to engage itself in H‐bonding even in the presence of its isostere – the hydroxy group. Details are discussed in the article by G. Mehta and S. Sen on p. 3387 ff.
Controls on at‐a‐station hydraulic geometry in steep headwater streams, Colorado, USA
Authors: David Gabrielle C. L. , Wohl Ellen , Yochum Steven E. , Bledsoe Brian P.
Published: June 2010

Detailed hydraulic measurements were made in nine step‐pool, five cascade and one plane‐bed reach in Fraser Experimental Forest, Colorado to better understand at‐a‐station hydraulic geometry (AHG) relations in these channel types. Average values for AHG exponents, m (0·49), f (0·39), and b (0·16), were well within the range found by other researchers working in steep gradient channels. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compare the combined variations in all three exponents against five potential control variables: wood, D84, grain‐size distribution (σ), coefficient of variation of pool volume, average roughness‐area (projected wetted area) and bed gradient. The gradient and average roughness‐area were found to be significantly related to the PCA axis scores, indicating that both driving and resisting forces influence the rates of change of velocity, depth and width with discharge. Further analysis of the exponents showed that reaches with m > b + f are most likely dominated by grain resistance and reaches below this value (m < b + f) are dominated by form resistance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improvement of UMTS LTE 64QAM performance
Authors: Lüders H. , Minwegen A. , Eschbach B. , Vary P.
Published: June 2010

In this contribution we investigate the performance of the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)long‐term evolution(LTE) physical layer using turbo coding and 64QAM with Gray mapping. We show how the mapping of systematic and parity bits to the six different bit positions defining one complex 64QAM symbol influences the convergence of the turbo decoder and thereby the bit error rate (BER) performance as well as number of necessary decoding iterations. Exploiting theunequal error protection(UEP) property of Gray mapped 64QAM results in an signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) performance gain of approximately 2 dB for the non‐iterative system and leads to goodput gains especially in regions of low SNR. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erratum: Microbial transformation of isopinocampheol and caryophyllene oxide
Authors: Noma Yoshiaki , Hashimoto Toshihiro , Uehara Shinya , Asakawa Yoshinori
Published: June 2010

The biotransformation of (+)‐isopinocampheol and (−)‐isopinocampheol and (6R)‐(−)‐caryophyllene oxide was carried out by Aspergillus niger TBUYN‐2. A. niger converted (+)‐isopinocampheol to give (+)‐5‐hydroxyisopinocampheol and (+)‐1‐hydroxyisopinocampheol. On the other hand, (−)‐isopinocampheol was converted to (−)‐5‐hydroxyisopinocampheol, (−)‐1‐hydroxyisopinocampheol and (+)‐2‐hydroxyisopinocampheol. In the case of (6R)‐(−)‐caryophyllene oxide, (−)‐caryophyllene‐12‐oic acid and (−)‐caryophyllene‐6,7,12‐triol were obtained as new compounds. Clovandiol, which is a component of Salvia canariensis, was also obtained from (6R)‐(−)‐caryophyllene oxide following incubation for 4 days with shaking in medium without microorganisms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large‐scale discrete element modeling in a fluidized bed
Authors: Sakai Mikio , Yamada Yoshinori , Shigeto Yusuke , Shibata Kazuya , Kawasaki Vanessa M. , Koshizuka Seiichi
Published: June 2010

The discrete element method (DEM) is widely used in calculating powder systems. The DEM makes it possible to determine the complicated phenomena related to particle flowability. However, DEM has a fatal problem, which is that the number of calculated particles is restricted due to excessive calculation costs. Consequently, we have developed a large‐scale model of the DEM, which is called the coarse grain model. The coarse grain particle represents a group of the original particles. Therefore, a large‐scale DEM simulation can be performed using an extremely small number of the calculated particles. In our previous studies, the coarse grain model was applied in gas–solid and solid–liquid flow systems. It is anticipated that the coarse grain model will be used in various powder systems. In the current study, the coarse grain model has been applied to a two‐dimensional bubbling fluidized bed. The adequacy of the coarse grain model was proved by a comparison with the original particle behavior. The simulation results obtained using the coarse grain model showed good agreement with the results for the original system. Moreover, the calculation speed with the coarse grain model was shown to be much faster than the calculation speed of the original model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidemiology and management of lymphoma in low‐income countries
Authors: Zucca Emanuele , Rohatiner Ama , Magrath Ian , Cavalli Franco
Published: June 2010

Our current knowledge of the epidemiology and treatment outcome of lymphoma in low‐income countries is very limited. In the poorest countries only a small proportion of patients have access to treatment while clinical research is almost non‐existent. In order to address these problems and discuss potential solutions a Workshop on ‘Epidemiology and Management of Lymphoma in Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities for International Collaborations’ was held during the 10th International Conference on Malignant lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland in June 2008 under the sponsorship of UICC, ESMO and ESO. We report here a summary of the discussed issues with some reflections on this workshop. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time stability and variability of Electronically Scanned Thinned Array Radiometer soil moisture during Southern Great Plains hydrology experiments
Authors: Jacobs Jennifer M. , Hsu En‐Ching , Choi Minha
Published: June 2010

Variability and time‐stability analysis for field‐scale (800 m) Electronically Scanned Thinned Array Radiometer soil moisture within a satellite scale footprint (∼ 50 km) were quantified using observations from the Southern Great Plains Hydrology Experiment 1997 and 1999 (SGP97 and SGP99). The pixels' time‐stability properties were examined with respect to soil, vegetation and topographic parameters in order to determine which physical parameters can be used to identify good candidate observation locations for validating soil moisture from satellite observations and global‐scale model output. The results show that the time‐stability concept remains valid at the satellite scale. The root mean square error values were 1·47, 1·51, 1·93 and 2·32% for the 1st, 2nd, 50th and 100th most stable fields, respectively. The most stable locations had sand and clay percentages consistent with sandy loam soils and moderate to high normalized difference vegetation index values. Neither land cover nor topography properties could be used to identify potentially stable fields in the study region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial and temporal variability of annual and seasonal precipitation over the desert region of China during 1951–2005
Authors: Xu Ligang , Zhou Hongfei , Liang Chuan , DU Li , Li Hui
Published: June 2010

The spatial and temporal variations of precipitation in the desert region of China (DRC) from 1951 to 2005 were investigated using a rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF), the precipitation concentration index (PCI) and the Mann–Kendall trend test method (M‐K method). In addition, the association between variation patterns of precipitation and large‐scale circulation were also explored using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data. The results indicated that the spatial pattern of precipitation was primarily the local climate effect significant type, with the first three EOFs explaining a total of 55·3% of the variance, and the large‐scale climate system effect type, which explained 9·8% of the variance. Prior to the 1970s, the East Asian summer monsoon was stronger, which resulted in abundant precipitation in the Inner Mongolia region. Conversely, the climate of the Xinjiang region was controlled by westerly circulation and had lower precipitation. However, this situation has been reversed since the 1980s. It is predicted that precipitation will decrease by 15–40 and 0–10 mm/year in the Inner Mongolia plateau and southern Xinjiang, respectively, whereas it will likely increase by 10–40 mm/year in northern Xinjiang. Additionally, 58–62% of the annual rainfall occurred during summer in the DRC, with precipitation increasing during spring and summer and decreasing in winter. The intra‐annual precipitation is becoming uniform, but the inter‐annual variability in precipitation has been increasing in the western portions of the DRC. The probability of precipitation during the study period increased by 30% and 22·2% in the extreme‐arid zones and arid zones, respectively. Conversely, the probability of precipitation during the study period decreased by 18·5% and 37·5% in the semi‐arid zones and semi‐wet zones, respectively. It is predicted that the northwest portion of the DRC will become warmer and wetter, while the central portion will become warmer and drier and the northeast portion will be subjected to drought. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unusual Features of the Unusual Ribosomal Elongation Factor EF4 (LepA)
Authors: Pech Markus , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Karim Zhala , Nierhaus Knud H.
Published: June 2010

Bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts contain the highly conserved elongation factor EF4; they have in common that the intracellular ionic strength can change dramatically, in contrast to that of archaea and eukaryotic cytoplasm, where EF4 is absent. This factor has the unique function of back‐translocating ribosomes, viz., it exerts the opposite function as EF‐G. Under unfavorable growth conditions which increase the intracellular ionic strength, such as high salts, low pH, or low temperature, wild‐type cells effectively overgrow strains lacking the EF4 gene lepA. Under these conditions most of EF4 is present in the cytoplasm, and only small amounts in the membrane fraction; the opposite is true under optimal conditions, indicating that the membrane is a storage organ for EF4. This factor tunes bacteria for fitness at high ionic strength by (i) improving the active fraction by reactivating unscheduled stalled ribosomes, and (ii) increasing significantly the rate of protein synthesis.
Comparison study of Doppler ultrasound surveillance of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent versus bare stent in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: Huang Qian , Wu Xingjiang , Fan Xinxin , Cao Jianmin , Han Jianming , Xu Lin , Li Ning
Published: June 2010

Objective.

This prospectively randomized controlled study aimed to assess with Doppler ultrasound (US) the shunt function of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)‐covered transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent versus bare stent and to evaluate the usefulness of routine TIPS follow‐up of ePTFE‐covered stents.

Methods.

Sixty consecutive patients were randomized for bare or covered transjugular TIPS stenting in our institution between April 2007 and April 2009. Data of follow‐up Doppler US, angiography, and portosystemic pressure gradient measurements were collected and analyzed.

Results.

The follow‐up period was 8.34 ± 4.42 months in the bare‐stent group and 6.16 ± 3.89 months in the covered‐stent group. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Two hundred three US studies were performed in 60 patients, with a mean of 3.4 per patient, and demonstrated abnormalities in 28 patients (21 bare stents, 7 ePTFE‐covered stents), 19 of them (13 in bare‐stent group, 6 in covered‐stent group) showing no clinical evidence of recurrence. Ten of 13 patients in the bare‐stent group underwent balloon angioplasty or additional stent placement, whereas only one of six patients in the covered‐stent group needed reintervention for intimal hyperplasia. The average peak velocity in the midshunt of ePTFE‐covered stent was 139 ± 26 cm/s after TIPS creation and 125 ± 20 cm/s during follow‐up, which was significantly higher than the bare‐stent group (p < 0.05). The main portal vein and hepatic artery showed higher flow velocities in the ePTFE‐covered stent group than in the bare‐stent group. ePTFE‐covered stents maintained lower portosystemic pressure gradient than bare stents (9.5 ± 2.9 versus 13.2 ± 1.5 mmHg, p < 0.05).

Conclusions.

ePTFE‐covered stents resulted in higher patency rates and better hemodynamics than bare stents. Routine US surveillance may not be necessary in patients with ePTFE‐covered TIPS stent. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 38:353‐360, 2010
One‐pot synthesis of functionalized fused 4H‐pyran systems
Authors: Bayat Mohammad , Shiraz Nader Zabarjad , Asayesh Soheila Shafei
Published: June 2010

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Cyclohexyl isocyanides react with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of CH‐acids such as cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione or N,N′‐dimethylbarbituric acid in one‐pot to afford 4H‐pyran annulated heterocyclic systems in fairly high yields. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010)
Culture and branding are at the heart of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' growth strategy
Authors: Grossman Ross , Renton George
Published: June 2010

A strategic partnership required that this successful biotech company add, in just one year, nearly 50 percent more employees, including top‐notch scientific talent, and then do it again just two years later. A key challenge was to preserve, in the midst of high organizational growth, the unique cultural DNA that has been part of the company's code for success. The authors describe a major employment branding initiative, which included a cultural assessment based on Jungian archetypes, that enabled the company to position its culture as the key differentiator in its recruitment strategy. They discuss the surfacing and articulation of five key cultural attributes that exemplify the culture and how they are used to attract and select new employees for a strong cultural fit; engage existing employees around the defining values and behaviors needed for success; and define the company's external brand. They also describe how HR practices have been implemented or modified to sustain these characteristics as part of the organizational fabric. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Labile soil organic carbon, soil fertility, and crop productivity as influenced by manure and mineral fertilizers in the tropics
Authors: Prasad Datta Siba , Kumar Rattan Raj , Chandra Suresh
Published: June 2010

In recent years, organic agriculture has been receiving greater attention because of the various problems like deterioration in soil health and environmental quality under conventional chemical‐intensive agriculture. However, little information is available on the comparative study related to the impact of use of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on the soil quality and productivity. A long‐term field experiment was initiated in 2001 to monitor some of the important soil‐quality parameters and productivity under soybean–wheat crop rotation. The treatments consisted of 0, 30, and 45 kg N ha–1for soybean and of 0, 120, and 180 kg N ha–1for wheat. The entire amount of N was supplied to both the crops through urea and farmyard manure (FYM) alone or in combination at 1:1 ratio. Results indicated that Walkley‐and‐Black C (WBC; chromic acid–oxidizable) exhibited a marginal increase under only organic treatments as compared to control treatment (without fertilizers and manure) after completion of five cropping cycles. In case of labile‐C (KMnO4‐oxidizable) content in soil, relatively larger positive changes were recorded under organic, mixed inputs (integrated) and mineral fertilizers as compared to WBC. Maximum improvement in the values of C‐management index (CMI), a measure of soil quality was recorded under organic (348–362), followed by mixed inputs (268–322) and mineral fertilizers (198–199) as compared to the control treatment after completion of five cropping cycles. Similarly there was a substantial increase in KCl‐extractable N; in Olsen‐P; as well as in DTPA‐extractable Zn, Fe, and Mn under organic treatments. Although labile soil C positively contributed to the available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents in soil, it did not show any relationship with the grain yield of wheat. After completion of the sixth cropping cycle, organic treatments produced 23% and 39% lower grain yield of wheat as compared to that under urea‐treated plots. Relatively higher amount of mineral N in soil at critical growth stages and elevated N content in plant under mineral‐fertilizer treatments compared to FYM treatments were responsible for higher yield of wheat under mineral fertilizers.
Alterations in total microbial activity and nitrification rates in soil due to amoxicillin‐spiked pig manure
Authors: Kotzerke Anja , Fulle Melanie , Sharma Shilpi , Kleineidam Kristina , Welzl Gerhard , Lamshöft Marc , Schloter Michael , Wilke Berndt‐Michael
Published: June 2010

Most veterinary drugs enter the environment via manure application. However, ecotoxic effects of antibiotics are varying as a function of their physicochemical characteristics and for most antibiotics it is still unclear how these substances interact with soil biota. It was the aim of the present study to investigate effects of manure containing different concentrations of the antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) on microbial‐community function in two different soils over an incubation time of 18 d. Therefore, soil respiration, potential nitrification, and the products of N turnover were measured. We could show that CaCl2‐extractable amounts of AMX in soil are low, even shortly after the application of high doses together with manure. Thus, not surprisingly basal respiration in soil was not influenced by the addition of the antibiotic with manure. In contrast, mainly shortly after manure addition the kinetic of substrate‐induced respiration was clearly shifted by the treatments depending on the presence of AMX in the manure. Potential nitrification rates in the two different soils were not significantly affected when data were related to the overall incubation time by the application of AMX to the manure. However, shortly after the addition of the manure containing AMX, a tendency to lower turnover rates was visible compared to the application of pure manure.
Effects of silver nanoparticles on the microbiota and enzyme activity in soil
Authors: Hänsch Mathias , Emmerling Christoph
Published: June 2010

To assess the impact of silver nanoparticles (SNP) on soil microbial biomass, microbial activity, and enzyme activities, a medium‐term experiment over four months was performed in which soil was applied with increasing SNP‐application rates compared to a control. The treatments included a single SNP‐application dose analogous to 3.2 (SNP‐1), 32 (SNP‐10), and 320 (SNP‐100) μg Ag (kg dry soil)–1 and a control without SNP application, respectively. At the end of the experiment, clear evidence was found that microbial biomass was significantly decreased with increasing SNP‐application rate, while basal respiration was increased in this direction. In addition, metabolic quotients were increased in the SNP treatments compared to the control. This is at least circumstantial evidence that the efficiency of substrate use was lowered in SNP‐treated soils. Another suggestion might be that after four months microbial‐community composition was changed due to SNP. No treatment effects were found for microbial biomass N, fluorimetric enzymes, and the abiotic soil parameters pH and soil organic C.