bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Aza‐[3+3] Annulations. A New Unified Strategy in Alkaloid Synthesis
Authors: Buchanan Grant S. , Feltenberger John B. , Hsung Richard P.
Published: December 2010

Review: 321 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Ionic Liquids and Water as “Green” Solvents in Organophosphorus Synthesis
Authors: Odinets I. L. , Matveeva E. V.
Published: December 2010

Review: 124 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Synthesis of Marine Natural Products with Antihypertensive Activity
Authors: Dighe Nachiket S. , Pattan Shashikant R. , Musmade Deepak S. , Chavan Prerana A. , Tambe Snehalata K. , Sanap Manjusha S. , Gaware Vinayak M.
Published: December 2010

Review: 10 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Inclusion and Optical Resolution of Guest Molecules by Selected Synthetic Dihydroxy‐ and Trihydroxy‐Host Compounds Containing Heterocyclic Scaffolds
Authors: Caira Mino R. , Tanaka Koichi
Published: December 2010

Review: 39 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Stability of Supramolecular Compounds under Heating. Thermal and Kinetic Aspects
Authors: Logvinenko V.
Published: December 2010

Review: 34 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Trends in Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy and Their Relevance for Bioanalytics
Authors: Paasch Silvia , Brunner Eike
Published: December 2010

Review: 138 refs.
Study of stereoselective interactions of carbamoylated quinine and quinidine with 3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl α‐amino acids using VCD spectroscopy in the region of CH stretching vibrations
Authors: Julínek Ondřej , Lindner Wolfgang , Urbanová Marie
Published: December 2010

The stereoselective complexation of tert‐butylcarbamoyl quinine and tert‐butylcarbamoyl quinidine selectors (SOs) with 3,5‐dinitrobenzoyl (DNB) derivatives of D‐ and L‐alpha amino acids (DNB‐Ala, DNB‐Val, DNB‐Leu, and DNB‐Ile) as well as achiral DNB‐Gly has been studied by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy in the spectral region of CH stretching vibrations. All the complexes of SOs and sterically compatible enantiomers of derivatized amino acid selectands (SAs) showed induced circular dichroism (ICD) bands in the region of aromatic CH stretching vibrations, indicating the occurrence of a π–π interaction between the aromatic moieties of SA and SO. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which a π–π interaction was observed by VCD spectroscopy in this spectral region. No ICD bands were disclosed in the spectra of the sterically incompatible SA and SO complexes. The spectral pattern in the region of aliphatic CH stretching vibrations showed interaction‐induced conformational adaptations in sterically favorable SA and SO complexes. No such spectral changes were observed for any of the sterically incompatible complexes. The DNB‐Gly complexes exhibited spectral patterns similar to those observed for sterically favorable pairs of SOs and chiral SAs. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exchangeable Characteristics of Potassium in Five Important Soils of Taiwan
Authors: Lin Yong‐Hong
Published: December 2010

The application of potassium fertilizer by farmers is often not appropriate and causing environmental pollution. By understanding the adsorptive characteristics of potassium (K) on different soils, we can prevent excessive application of K‐fertilizer that can cause environmental impact. The Gapon exchange coefficient (KG), for exchange between K and Ca, was considered as an important factor influencing the adsorption of K. This study was conducted to compare the constantKGof five important farm soils in Taiwan. TheKGand CEC were then used to predict K buffering capacity (PBC). Finally, the relationship between exchangeable K ratio (EP) and K adsorption ratio (PAR) was examined. The results show that five soils have same trends, indicating thatKGdecreases with increase in K saturation. The CEC andKGof Liuying (Ly) soil are both high, so that their K buffering capacity is high. TheKGand CEC of Chanjing (Cj) and Sanhua (Sh) soil show moderate values. The CEC of Erling (El) soil is high, but itsKGis low, so that its K buffering capacity is moderate. On the other hand, theKGof Newniaokang (Nnk) soil is high but its CEC is low, so its K buffering capacity is also moderate. The correlations betweenEPand PAR of five soil show linear relationship at three treatments of CaCl2concentration. This study may provide an important clue to the fertilization management of K‐fertilizer on the different soil properties in Taiwan.
Chromosomal aberrations +1q21 and del(17p13) predict survival in patients with recurrent multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone
Authors: Klein Ulrike , Jauch Anna , Hielscher Thomas , Hillengass Jens , Raab Marc S. , Seckinger Anja , Hose Dirk , Ho Anthony D. , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Neben Kai
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

In the era of novel agents such as lenalidomide and bortezomib, risk stratification by chromosomal abnormalities may enable a more rational selection of therapeutic approaches in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS:

The authors analyzed the prognostic value of deletion del(13q14), del(17p13), +1q21, translocation t(4;14), t(11;14), and t(14;16) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in a series of 92 patients with recurrent MM who were treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (len/dex) at the study center.

RESULTS:

Patients carrying del(13q14) or t(14;16) were found to have a shorter median time to disease progression (TTP) of 5.1 months (vs 14.4 months; P = .009) and 2.0 months (vs 10.5 months; P <.001), respectively. However, no effect on TTP was observed in patients harboring del(13q14) as an exclusive chromosomal aberration without the concomitant presence of t(4;14) or del(17p13). The median overall survival (OS) for patients with del(17p13) or +1q21 was 6.7 months (P = .002) and 8.3 months (P < .001), respectively, whereas the median OS for patients carrying none of these abnormalities was not reached. Multivariate analysis revealed that the effects of del(17p13) and +1q21 on OS were independent of patient age as well as the type and number of regimens administered before len/dex.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the current study suggest that the prognostic significance of t(4;14) may be ameliorated or eliminated in patients treated with len/dex, whereas the presence of del(17p13) or +1q21 is still associated with a dismal OS. The presence of t(11;14) and del(13q14) as exclusive chromosomal aberrations indicates no impact on outcome. Because of its rarity in MM, a confirmation of the prognostic role of the t(14;16) aberration is still pending. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The interleukin‐7 receptor α chain contributes to altered homeostasis of regulatory T cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Haas Jürgen , Korporal Mirjam , Schwarz Alexander , Balint Bettina , Wildemann Brigitte
Published: December 2010

Treg homeostasis is disturbed in multiple sclerosis (MS). Frequencies of recent thymic emigrant (RTE)‐Treg are reduced and the disparity between RTE‐Treg and long‐lived memory Treg coincides with the MS‐associated Treg defect, as shown previously. Recent studies demonstrate that IL‐7 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are critical for Treg maturation. Therefore, altered signaling through their receptors (IL‐7R, TSLP receptor (TSLPR)), sharing the IL‐7Rα‐chain (IL‐7Rα), might contribute to impaired Treg development. Using blood samples from 56 patients with MS and 33 healthy controls, we assessed IL‐7Rα‐expression on conventional T cells; frequencies, phenotypes and suppressive activities of Treg, plasma levels of IL‐7 and soluble IL‐7Rα; and screened for MS‐associated IL‐7RA gene polymorphism rs6897932. Moreover, we determined Treg expressing two different TCR Vα‐chains designating thymus‐originated cells. As TSLP/TSLPR signaling in thymic myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) promotes Treg differentiation, we measured TSLPR expression on peripheral MDCs to indirectly test whether altered TSLPR expression might add to compromised Treg neogenesis. We found reduced IL‐7Rα expression on conventional T cells and upregulated IL‐7 plasma levels together with reduction of RTE‐Treg frequencies and Treg function in MS, without clear genetic influence. Decreased IL‐7Rα expression in MS correlated with declined dual‐receptor‐Treg and reduced MDC TSLPR expression, indicating contracted thymic Treg output. We suggest that altered IL‐7R/TSLPR signaling contributes to impaired Treg neogenesis in MS, which is compensated by expanded memory‐Treg and finally results in dysfunctional Treg.
Reactions of Selected Aromatic Thioketones with Dodecarbonyltriiron
Authors: Daraosheh Ahmad Q. , Görls Helmar , El‐khateeb Mohammad , Mloston Grzegorz , Weigand Wolfgang
Published: December 2010

Dodecacarbonyltriiron reacts with 3,3,5,5‐tetraphenyl‐1,2,4‐trithiolanes (1e) to give the ortho‐metalated complex Fe2(CO)6[κ,μ‐S,η2‐(C13H10S)] (9a), complexes of the type (Ph2C)S2Fe2(CO)6 and the well known trinuclear complex Fe3S2 (CO)9 as by‐products. Complex 9a can also be obtained from the reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with thiobenzophenone (2a). In a similar way, 4,4′‐bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone (2b) reacts with Fe3(CO)12 to give Fe2(CO)6[κ,μ‐S,η2‐(C17H20N2S)] (9b). The cyclic aromatic thioketones such as dibenzosuberenethione (2c) and xanthione (2d) react with Fe3(CO)12 to give the cyclometalated products Fe2(CO)6[κ,μ‐S,η2‐(C15H12S)] (9c) and Fe2(CO)6[κ,μ‐S,η2‐(C13H8OS)] (9d), respectively, and a small amount of Fe3S2(CO)9. Complexes 9a–d have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopies, elemental analyses, and X‐ray single crystal structure analyses.
Water‐Soluble and Biocompatible Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes: Synthesis, Luminescence and Sensing Application
Authors: Li Mei‐Jin , Jiao Pengchong , He Weiwen , Yi Changqing , Li Cheuk‐Wing , Chen Xi , Chen Guo‐Nan , Yang Mengsu
Published: December 2010

Two new iridium(III) complexes with good water‐solubility and biocompatibility have been synthesized and characterized. These two iridium(III) complexes showed strong luminescence with high quantum efficiency. Preliminary experiments demonstrated the feasibility of sensing lectin by formation of iridium(III) complexes. These new iridium(III) complexes might open up new applications in biosensor and chemosensor.
Using NMR and ESI‐MS to Probe the Mechanism of Silane Dehydrocoupling Catalyzed by Wilkinson's Catalyst
Authors: Jackson Sarah M. , Chisholm Danielle M. , McIndoe J. Scott , Rosenberg Lisa
Published: December 2010

The reaction of Wilkinson's catalyst Rh(PPh3)3Cl (1) with 1–2 equiv. of di‐n‐hexylsilane gives rise to a complex mixture of products, which has been analyzed by 31P{1H} NMR and shown to include the hydrido complex Rh(PPh3)3H (3). Continuous sampling of the 1:1 reaction mixture by ESI‐MS provided time‐dependent speciation that tracks the formation of 3 at the expense of the initial silane oxidative addition product [Rh(PPh3)2(Cl)(H){Si(nHex)2H}] (2), the subsequent 1st order disappearance of 3, and the formation of other, minor side‐products. Our results provide insight into established activity of 1 for catalytic dehydrocoupling of di‐n‐hexylsilane, and implicate complex 3 as the active species in this catalysis.
Racemic and Optically Pure Heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic Acid: Its Synthesis and Self‐Assembly into Nanowire‐Like Aggregates
Authors: Rybáček Jiří , Huerta‐Angeles Gloria , Kollárovič Adrian , Stará Irena G. , Starý Ivo , Rahe Philipp , Nimmrich Markus , Kühnle Angelika
Published: December 2010

Heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid was effectively synthesised from suitably functionalised naphthalene building blocks. Methoxy‐substituted 1,1′‐ethyne‐1,2‐diylbis(2‐but‐3‐yn‐1‐ylnaphthalene) was cyclised in the presence of CpCo(CO)2/PPh3 to 2‐methoxy‐7,8,11,12‐tetrahydroheptahelicene, which was converted into heptahelicen‐2‐yl trifluoromethanesulfonate. This reactive intermediate underwent Pd(OAc)2/dppp‐catalysed methoxycarbonylation reaction to provide, after hydrolysis, heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid. The racemate was resolved into enantiomers by semipreparative HPLC on a chiral column. The helicity of (+)‐(P)‐heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid was assigned by correlating its CD spectrum to that of the known (+)‐(P)‐heptahelicene. Racemic heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid was deposited on calcite (10‐14) to undergo self‐assembly into nanowire‐like aggregates as demonstrated by noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC‐AFM).
Synthesis and Application of Diphenyl Sulfide Linked Bis(imidazoline) Ligands: Dramatic Electronic Effect of Ligands on Catalytic Behavior
Authors: Du Xian , Liu Han , Du Da‐Ming
Published: December 2010

Diphenyl sulfide linked bis(imidazoline) ligands with electron‐withdrawing N‐Ts substitution and electron‐donating N‐alkyl or N‐H substitutions were synthesized through different routes. The electronic effects of the ligands were tuned rationally, and dramatic variation in their catalytic behavior was observed. N‐Alkyl and N‐H ligands demonstrated much higher catalytic activity and improved enantioselectivity than N‐Ts ligands in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions.
New challenges for tafoni research. A new approach to understand processes and weathering rates
Authors: Brandmeier M. , Kuhlemann J. , Krumrei I. , Kappler A. , Kubik P.W.
Published: December 2010

Cavernous tafoni‐type weathering is a common and conspicuous global feature, creating artistic sculptures, which may be relevant for geochemical budgets. Weathering processes and rates are still a matter of discussion. Field evidence in the type locality Corsica revealed no trend of size variability from the coast to subalpine elevations and the aspect of tafoni seems to be governed primarily by the directions of local fault systems and cleavage, and only subordinately by wind directions or the aspect of insulation. REM analysis of fresh tafone chips confirmed mechanical weathering by the crystallization of salts, as conchoidal fracturing of quartz is observed. The salts are only subordinately provided by sea spray, as calcium and sodium sulfates rather than halite dominate even close to the coast. Characteristic element ratios compare well with aerosols from mixed African and European air masses. Sulfates are largely derived from Sahara dust, indicated by their sulfur isotopic composition. Salt crystals form by capillary rise within the rock and subsequent crystallization in micro‐cracks and at grain boundaries inside rain‐protected overhangs. Siderophile bacteria identified by raster electron microscopy (REM) analysis of tafone debris contribute to accelerated weathering of biotite and tiny sulfide ore minerals. By applying 10Be‐exposure dating, weathering rates of large mature tafone structures were found to be about an order of magnitude higher than those on the exposed top of the affected granite blocks. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
STATCOM modeling impacts on performance evaluation of distance protection of transmission lines
Authors: Khederzadeh Mojtaba , Ghorbani Amir
Published: December 2010

In this paper, the impact of STATCOM on the apparent impedance seen by conventional distance relay protecting a transmission line is investigated. Analytical results are presented, and verified by detailed simulations. It is shown that the implications of applying STATCOM on distance relay are highly dependent on the sophisticated modeling of STATCOM especially its control system considering practical constraints. Accurate modeling of the distance relay, particularly the analog input signals are also important in extracting reliable results. Practical constraints of the STATCOM are modeled in full details. It is demonstrated that when the STATCOM's limits are modeled in detail, i.e., the STATCOM is not considered an ideal reactive‐power source the STATCOM's impact on the performance of distance protection is less severe than in the case where limits are ignored and thus ideal controllers are applied. This is a remarkable point for the utilities as not to overestimate the severity of the impact of STATCOM on conventional distance protection of transmission lines. Six different phase‐to‐phase and phase‐to‐ground measuring units of the distance relay are simulated to resemble the behavior of the relay. Different power system operating conditions, STATCOM control system settings and fault scenarios are investigated. The STATCOM effects on distance relay tripping characteristics are also analyzed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intensity‐dependent constitutional MLH1 promoter methylation leads to early onset of colorectal cancer by affecting both alleles
Authors: Auclair Jessie , Vaissière Thomas , Desseigne Françoise , Lasset Christine , Bonadona Valérie , Giraud Sophie , Saurin Jean‐Christophe , Joly Marie‐Odile , Leroux Dominique , Faivre Laurence , Audoynaud Carole , Montmain Gilles , Ruano Eric , Herceg Zdenko , Puisieux Alain , Wang Qing
Published: December 2010

Constitutional epimutation is one of the causes for MLH1 gene inactivation associated with hereditary non‐polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome. Here we investigate MLH1 promoter hypermethylation in 110 sporadic early‐onset colorectal cancer patients. Variable levels of hypermethylation were detected in 55 patients (50%). Importantly a reduced MLH1 gene expression was found in patients with high‐level methylation, with the association of microsatellite instability (MSI) in their tumor cells. Such high‐level methylation accounts for 7.4% of all patients included in this study. Furthermore, we found that in one case constitutional methylation affected both alleles, indicating a post‐zygotic methylation dysregulation. Our findings suggest that constitutional epimutation is a mechanism underlying early‐onset colorectal cancer, although it is involved in only a small proportion of patients, who require appropriate surveillance. Our findings provide further insight into the role of aberrant constitutional methylation in colon carcinogenesis and raise the question of whether prevalent low‐level methylation constitutes a potential risk factor for cancer development. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synergistic action of hypoosmolarity and glutamine in inducing acute swelling of retinal glial (Müller) cells
Authors: Karl Anett , Wurm Antje , Pannicke Thomas , Krügel Katja , Obara‐Michlewska Marta , Wiedemann Peter , Reichenbach Andreas , Albrecht Jan , Bringmann Andreas
Published: December 2010

High blood ammonia, elevated glutamine, and hyponatremia are pathogenic factors contributing to astrocytic swelling and brain edema in liver failure. We investigated the effects of hypoosmolarity, ammonia, and glutamine on the induction of glial cell swelling in freshly isolated slices of the rat retina. Glutamine, but not ammonia or hypoosmolarity per se, evoked a rapid (within one minute) swelling of retinal glial (Müller) cell bodies under hypoosmotic conditions. Under isoosmotic conditions, glutamine evoked a delayed swelling after 10 min of exposure. The effect of glutamine was concentration‐dependent, with half‐maximal and maximal effects at ∼ 0.1 and 0.5 mM. Glutamine in hypoosmotic solution induced a dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The effects on the mitochondrial membrane potential and the glial soma size were reduced by (i) agents which inhibit the transfer of glutamine into mitochondria and its hydrolysis there, (ii) inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition, (iii) inhibitors of oxidative‐nitrosative stress, and (iv) inhibitors of phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase. Glutamine‐induced glial swelling was also prevented by ATP and adenosine, acting at adenosine A1 receptors. The data suggest that hypoosmolarity accelerates the swelling‐inducing effect of glutamine on retinal glial cells, and that swelling induction by glutamine is mediated by inducing oxidative‐nitrosative stress, inflammatory lipid mediators, and mitochondrial dysfunction. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Public and private health‐care financing with alternate public rationing rules
Authors: Cuff Katherine , Hurley Jeremiah , Mestelman Stuart , Muller Andrew , Nuscheler Robert
Published: December 2010

We develop a model to analyze parallel public and private health‐care financing under two alternative public sector rationing rules: needs‐based rationing and random rationing. Individuals vary in income and severity of illness. There is a limited supply of health‐care resources used to treat individuals, causing some individuals to go untreated. Insurers (both public and private) must bid to obtain the necessary health‐care resources to treat their beneficiaries. Given individuals' willingnesses‐to‐pay for private insurance are increasing in income, the introduction of private insurance diverts treatment from relatively poor to relatively rich individuals. Further, the impact of introducing parallel private insurance depends on the rationing mechanism in the public sector. We show that the private health insurance market is smaller when the public sector rations according to need than when allocation is random. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oncogenic osteomalacia from nasal cavity giant cell tumor
Authors: Battoo Azhar Jan , Salih Surij , Unnikrishnan Ambika Gopalakrishnan , Jojo Annie , Bahadur Sudhir , Iyer Subramania , Kuriakose Moni Abraham
Published: December 2010

Background

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by osteomalacia, which occurs as a result of excess renal phosphate excretion caused by fibroblast growth factor–23 secreted by mesenchymal tumors. This entity is rare in head and neck cancers. We report a rare case of oncogenic osteomalacia in a patient with an anterior skull base giant cell tumor.

Methods and Results

A 34‐year‐old woman presented with a 5‐year history of progressive weakness in both lower limbs and the trunk. Hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia had been noted by a local physician, but her symptoms persisted despite receiving calcium and vitamin D supplements. A recent onset of epistaxis and nasal blockage led to referral to the head and neck services. Nasal endoscopy revealed a left nasal cavity mass. Further evaluation with imaging studies revealed a mass in the nasal cavity with intracranial extension. Biopsy of the lesion suggested a neurogenic tumor. A putative diagnosis of anterior skull base neurogenic tumor with paraneoplastic hypophosphatemia was made. After the biochemical parameters were corrected, the patient underwent craniofacial resection. The final histopathologic study suggested the lesion as a “giant cell tumor.” During the postoperative period the patient's biochemical and clinical symptoms improved dramatically, allowing her to regain normal mobility.

Conclusions

Clinicians and pathologists must be aware of the clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, and pathologic features of oncogenic osteomalacia, which may be caused by tumors in the head and neck and thus make an exhaustive effort to diagnose the same. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
In vivo performance of a phospholipid‐coated bioerodable elastomeric graft for small‐diameter vascular applications
Authors: Soletti Lorenzo , Nieponice Alejandro , Hong Yi , Ye Sang‐Ho , Stankus John J. , Wagner William R. , Vorp David A.
Published: December 2010

There remains a great need for vascular substitutes for small‐diameter applications. The use of an elastomeric biodegradable material, enabling acute antithrombogenicity and long‐term in vivo remodeling, could be beneficial for this purpose. Conduits (1.3 mm internal diameter) were obtained by electrospinning biodegradable poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU), and by luminally immobilizing a non‐thrombogenic, 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) copolymer. Platelet adhesion was characterized in vitro after contact with ovine blood. The conduits were implanted as aortic interposition grafts in the rat for 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. Surface treatment resulted in a 10‐fold decrease in platelet adhesion compared to untreated material. Patency at 8 weeks was 92% for the coated grafts compared to 40% for the non‐coated grafts. Histology at 8 and 12 weeks demonstrated formation of cellularized neotissue consisting of aligned collagen and elastin. The lumen of the grafts was confluent with cells qualitatively aligned in the direction of blood flow. Immunohistochemistry suggested the presence of smooth muscle cells in the medial layer of the neotissue and endothelial cells lining the lumen. Mechanically, the grafts were less compliant than rat aortas prior to implantation (4.5 ± 2.0 × 10−4 mmHg−1 vs. 14.2 ± 1.1 × 10−4 mmHg−1, respectively), then after 4 weeks in vivo they approximated native values, but subsequently became stiffer again at later time points. The novel coated grafts exhibited promising antithrombogenic and mechanical properties for small‐diameter arterial revascularization. Further evaluation in vivo will be required to demonstrate complete remodeling of the graft into a native‐like artery. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Honokiol inhibits LPS‐induced maturation and inflammatory response of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells
Authors: Li Chia‐Yang , Chao Louis Kuoping , Wang Shu‐Chi , Chang Hon‐Zu , Tsai Min‐Lung , Fang Shih‐Hua , Liao Pei‐Chun , Ho Chen‐Lung , Chen Shui‐Tein , Cheng Wei‐Chung , Chiang Chi‐Shiun , Kuo Yueh‐Hsiung , Hua Kuo‐Feng , Hsu Ian C.
Published: December 2010

Honokiol (HNK) is a phenolic compound isolated from the bark of houpu (Magnolia officinalis), a plant widely used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. While substantial evidence indicates that HNK possesses anti‐inflammatory activity, its effect on dendritic cells (DCs) during the inflammatory reaction remains unclear. The present study investigates how HNK affects lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated human monocyte‐derived DCs. Our experimental results show that HNK inhibits the inflammatory response of LPS‐induced DCs by (1) suppressing the expression of CD11c, CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, and MHC‐II on LPS‐activated DCs, (2) reducing the production of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐12p70 but increasing the production of IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 by LPS‐activated DCs, (3) inhibiting the LPS‐induced DC‐elicited allogeneic T‐cell proliferation, and (4) shifting the LPS‐induced DC‐driven Th1 response toward a Th2 response. Further, our results show that HNK inhibits the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, JNK1/2, IKKα, and IκBα in LPS‐activated DCs. Collectively, the findings show that the anti‐inflammatory actions of HNK on LPS‐induced DCs are associated with the NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2338–2349, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mospd1, a new player in mesenchymal versus epidermal cell differentiation
Authors: Thaler R. , Rumpler M. , Spitzer S. , Klaushofer K. , Varga F.
Published: December 2010

Mospd1 codes for a small protein with unknown physiological function, which is part of a family of genes, including Mospd2 and Mospd3, defined by the presence of the major sperm protein domain and two transmembrane domains. This work characterizes the Mospd1 gene, the intracellular location of the protein and its expression in different mouse tissues and mesenchymal cell lines during differentiation. The role of Mospd1 in mesenchymal cellular differentiation was studied by siRNA knockdown experiments in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. Transfection experiments of the targeted cDNA show MOSPD1 located in the endoplasmatic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus. Removal of the last exon of the gene resulted in localization of the protein in the nucleus, which was attributed to a nuclear export sequence in the N‐terminal part. In mouse tissues the gene was generally strongly expressed while mesenchymal tissues showed the highest expression. In mesenchymal cell lines Mospd1 mRNA was higher expressed in cells with advanced differentiation status. In osteoblastic, myoblastic, and adipocytic cell lines Mospd1 was up‐regulated during differentiation. Genome‐wide gene expression analysis after knockdown of Mospd1 by siRNA in MC3T3‐E1 cells revealed a shift in the gene expression pattern from mesenchymal to epithelial genes featuring up‐regulation of the epithelial cadherin Cdh1 and down‐regulation of its inhibitors Snail1 and 2 and the mesenchymal cadherin Cdh11, suggesting a mesenchymal to epithelial transition. From these data we conclude that Mospd1 plays a pivotal role in the developmental regulation at the switch between mesenchymal and epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2505–2515, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of butanol in the development of sustainable fuel technologies
Authors: Harvey Benjamin G. , Meylemans Heather A.
Published: December 2010

OVERVIEW: The development of innovative methods to efficiently convert biomass to fuels and industrial chemicals is one of the grand challenges of the current age. n‐Butanol is a versatile and sustainable platform chemical that can be produced from a variety of waste biomass sources. The emergence of new technologies for the production of fuels and chemicals from butanol will allow it to be a significant component of a necessarily dynamic and multifaceted solution to the current global energy crisis.

IMPACT: The production of butanol from biomass and its utilization as a precursor to a diverse set of fuel products has the potential to reduce petroleum use worldwide. In concert with other emerging renewable technologies, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions may be realized. The rapid incorporation of renewables into the world fuel supply may also help to offset predicted increases in transportation fuel prices as the supply of oil declines.

APPLICATIONS: Recent work has shown that butanol is a potential gasoline replacement that can also be blended in significant quantities with conventional diesel fuel. These efforts have transitioned to research focused on the development of viable methods for the production of an array of oxygenated and fully saturated jet and diesel fuels from butanol. The technologies discussed in this paper will help drive the commercialization and utilization of a spectrum of butanol based sustainable fuels that can supplement and partially displace conventional petroleum derived fuels. Published 2010 by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Human activity and anomalously warm seasons in Europe
Authors: Christidis Nikolaos , Stott Peter A. , Jones Gareth S. , Shiogama Hideo , Nozawa Toru , Luterbacher Jürg
Published: December 2010

Seasonal mean temperatures averaged over the European region have warmed at a rate of 0.35–0.52 K/decade since 1980. The last decade has seen record‐breaking seasonal temperatures in Europe including the summer of 2003 and the spring, autumn, and winter of 2007. Previous studies have established that European summer warming since the early twentieth century can be attributed to the effects of human influence. The attribution analysis described here employs temperature data from observations and experiments with two climate models and uses optimal fingerprinting to partition the climate response between its anthropogenic and natural components. These responses are subsequently combined with estimates of unforced climate variability to construct distributions of the annual values of seasonal mean temperatures with and without the effect of human activity. We find that in all seasons, anthropogenic forcings have shifted the temperature distributions towards higher values. We compute the associated change in the likelihood of having seasons whose temperatures exceed a pre‐specified threshold. We first set the threshold equal to the seasonal temperature observed in a particular year to assess the effect of anthropogenic influences in past seasons. We find that in the last decade (1999–2008) it is extremely likely (probability greater than 95%) that the probability has more than doubled under the influence of human activity in spring and autumn, while for summer it is extremely likely that the probability has at least quadrupled. One of the two models employed in the analysis indicates it is extremely likely the probability has more than doubled in winter too. We also compute the change in probability over a range of temperature thresholds which enables us to provide updates on the likely change in probability attributable to human influence as soon as observations become available. Such near‐real time information could be very useful for adaptation planning. © Crown Copyright 2010. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal and interannual variability of surface heat and freshwater fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea: budgets and exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar
Authors: Criado‐Aldeanueva Francisco , Soto‐Navarro F. Javier , García‐Lafuente Jesús
Published: December 2010

Several NCEP climatological datasets have been combined to analyse the seasonal and interannual variations of the heat and water budgets in the Mediterranean Sea, and compare the long‐term means with direct measurements in the Strait of Gibraltar. The seasonal cycle of the net heat is positive (toward the ocean) between March and September with maximum in June and negative the rest of the year with minimum in December. Although subject to inherent uncertainty, we obtain a practically neutral budget of 0.7 Wm−2 in a yearly basis. The net heat budget is positive for the western Mediterranean (∼12 Wm−2) and negative for the eastern Mediterranean (∼− 6.4 Wm−2) mainly due to the high latent heat losses of this basin. The evaporation minus precipitation (E–P) freshwater deficit has a seasonal cycle with a range of variation about 600 mm·y−1, maximum in August–September and minimum in May. The long‐term mean of the basin‐averaged deficit is 680 ± 70 mm·y−1 but it is almost 70% greater in the eastern Mediterranean due to higher E and lower P in this basin. Combining the climatological values with in situ measurements in Espartel sill, a mean inflow through the Strait of Gibraltar of 0.82 ± 0.05 Sv is obtained and a salinity ratio Sin/Sout = 0.956. A heat advection Qa = 3.2 ± 1.5 Wm−2 through the Strait of Gibraltar has been obtained that, combined with the long‐term averaged surface heat flux, implies that the net heat content of the Mediterranean Sea would have increased in the last decades. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
General expression for the depolarization ratio for first‐order collision‐induced light scattering
Authors: Senchuk A. , Tabisz G. C.
Published: December 2010

A general expression that involves only the ranks of the molecular polarizabilties of the two molecules involved in a pair interaction yielding translational and rotational collision‐induced light scattering (CILS) is obtained. It may be used to investigate the behaviour of individual interactions that contribute to the incremental collision‐induced pair polarizability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry‐based metabolic profiling to elucidate chemical differences of tobacco leaves between Zimbabwe and China
Authors: Li Qinghua , Zhao Chunxia , Li Yong , Chang Yuwei , Wu Zeming , Pang Tao , Lu Xin , Wu Yi , Xu Guowang
Published: December 2010

An approach was developed for extracting and analyzing the chemical components of tobacco leaves based on solvent extraction and rapid & resolution liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis. Two solvents with different polarities were used to extract hydrophilic components and hydrophobic components, respectively, the combined analytical data can provide a “global” view of metabolites. Based on the evaluation of parallel samples, it was found that this approach provided good repeatability, accurate and reliable profiling data, and is suitable for the metabolomics study of tobacco leaves. In order to find the chemical component differences of tobacco leaves, 56 samples from Zimbabwe and China were analyzed using the developed method. The metabolite data were processed by multivariate statistic technique; an obvious group classification between Zimbabwe and China was observed, 14 significantly changed compounds were found, and 9 of them were identified.
ISIDA Property‐Labelled Fragment Descriptors
Authors: Ruggiu Fiorella , Marcou Gilles , Varnek Alexandre , Horvath Dragos
Published: December 2010

ISIDA Property‐Labelled Fragment Descriptors (IPLF) were introduced as a general framework to numerically encode molecular structures in chemoinformatics, as counts of specific subgraphs in which atom vertices are coloured with respect to some local property/feature. Combining various colouring strategies of the molecular graph – notably pH‐dependent pharmacophore and electrostatic potential‐based flagging – with several fragmentation schemes, the different subtypes of IPLFs may range from classical atom pair and sequence counts, to monitoring population levels of branched fragments or feature multiplets. The pH‐dependent feature flagging, pursued at the level of each significantly populated microspecies involved in the proteolytic equilibrium, may furthermore add some competitive advantage over classical descriptors, even when the chosen fragmentation scheme is one of the state‐of‐the‐art pattern extraction procedures (feature sequence or pair counts, etc.) in chemoinformatics. The implemented fragmentation schemes support counting (1) linear feature sequences, (2) feature pairs, (3) circular feature fragments a.k.a. “augmented atoms” or (4) feature trees. Fuzzy rendering – optionally allowing nonterminal fragment atoms to be counted as wildcards, ignoring their specific colours/features – ensures for a seamless transition between the “strict” counts (sequences or circular fragments) and the “fuzzy” multiplet counts (pairs or trees). Also, bond information may be represented or ignored, thus leaving the user a vast choice in terms of the level of resolution at which chemical information should be extracted into the descriptors. Selected IPLF subsets were – tree descriptors, in particular – successfully tested in both neighbourhood behaviour and QSAR modelling challenges, with very promising results. They showed excellent results in similarity‐based virtual screening for analogue protease inhibitors, and generated highly predictive octanol‐water partition coefficient and hERG channel inhibition models.
Clinical and pathological features in 15 Chinese patients with calpainopathy
Authors: Luo Su‐Shan , Xi Jian‐Ying , Lu Jia‐Hong , Zhao Chong‐Bo , Zhu Wen‐Hua , Lin Jie , Wang Yin , Ren Hui‐Min , Yin Bo , Andoni Urtizberea J.
Published: December 2010

Background: Calpainopathy is comprised of a group of myopathies caused by deficiency in calcium‐activated, neutral protease (calpain‐3). In this study we identify calpainopathy in a cohort of Chinese patients with unclassified myopathy and analyze its clinical and pathological features. Methods: Sixty‐six muscle biopsies were selected for combined Western blotting of dysferlin and calpain‐3 after immunohistochemical staining. Clinical and pathological parameters of 15 confirmed calpainopathy cases were determined. Results: The diagnosis of calpainopathy in 15 Chinese patients was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Fourteen subjects had progressive proximal muscle weakness; 1 presented with bilateral distal muscle atrophy of the lower extremities. Scapular winging was observed in 12 patients (80%), and joint contractures were found in 10 others (66.7%). Histopathological studies showed a high prevalence of lobulated fibers (66.7%). Conclusions: Chinese patients with calpainopathy share some common clinical and pathological features with the reported characteristics of non‐Chinese patients. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Prognostic impact of MYCN, DDX1, TrkA, and TrkC gene transcripts expression in neuroblastoma
Authors: Souza Daniela Raguer Valadão de , Sanabani Sabri Saeed , Souza Ana Carolina Mamana Fernandes de , Odone Vicente Filho , Epelman Sidnei , Bendit Israel
Published: December 2010

Background

The aims of this study were to define the mRNA expression profiles of MYCN, DDX1, TrkA, and TrkC in biopsy tumor samples from 64 Brazilian patients with neuroblastomas of different risk stages and to correlate altered expression with prognostic values.

Procedure

Patients were retrospectively classified into low‐ (n = 11), intermediate‐ (n = 18), and high‐risk (n = 35) groups using standard criteria. The mRNA levels of the above genes were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Univariate analyses were performed and survival curves were plotted by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Of the 64 patients, 53% were female and 62.5% were older than 18 months. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 40.3%, with inferior median OS in patients identified in the intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups. A significant difference in OS with respect to TrkA mRNA expression was found for the high‐risk group vs. either the low‐ or intermediate‐risk groups (P < 0.01, log rank test). Within the intermediate‐risk group, neuroblastoma patients with positive TrkA mRNA expression had better clinical outcomes than patients with no TrkA transcript expression (P = 0.004). Another difference in OS was only found between the intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups (P < 0.027, log rank test). No significant correlation of mRNA expression and survival outcome could be detected for the MYCN, DDX1.

Conclusions

Positive expression of TrkA mRNA may be a clinically useful addition to the current risk classification system, allowing the identification of NB tumors with favorable prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:749–756. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valproate attenuates the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with epilepsy: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Olesen Jonas Bjerring , Hansen Peter Riis , Abildstrøm Steen Zabell , Andersson Charlotte , Weeke Peter , Schmiegelow Michelle , Erdal Jesper , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar Hilmar
Published: December 2010

Purpose

Patients with epilepsy have increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Valproate can exert anti‐atherosclerotic effects. We therefore examined the risk of MI in patients with epilepsy receiving valproate.

Methods

Two cohorts of patients with valproate‐treated epilepsy and sex‐ and age‐matched individuals (controls) from the general Danish population were identified by individual‐level‐linkage of nationwide registries and followed for 10 years. The two cohorts comprised patients treated with valproate at baseline and valproate‐naïve patients initiating treatment in the study period, respectively. The hazard ratios (HR) of MI and all‐cause death were estimated by two different Cox proportional‐hazard models; valproate treatment was analysed as a baseline categorical covariate in the first cohort and as a time‐dependent exposure covariate in the second cohort.

Results

The two cohorts comprised 53 086 and 102 003 individuals, respectively. In the first cohort, the risk of MI was decreased (HR 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.59−0.97) while the risk of all‐cause death was increased (HR 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.95−2.28), compared to the controls. In the second cohort, the risk of MI was decreased (HR 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.53−0.73) while the risk of all‐cause death was similar to the controls (HR 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.97−1.07).

Conclusions

In this nationwide pharmacoepidemiological study, we found a consistent association between valproate treatment and a reduced risk of MI in patients with epilepsy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics of silicon nanocrystals for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Moore D. , Krishnamurthy S. , Chao Y. , Wang Q. , Brabazon D. , McNally P. J.
Published: December 2010

Over the last decade the progress in amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon (nc‐Si) for photovoltaic applications received significant interest in science and technology. Advances in the understanding of these novel materials and their properties are growing rapidly. In order to realise nc‐Si in the solar cell, a thicker intrinsic layer is required. Due to the indirect band gap in the crystallites, the absorption coefficients of nc‐Si are much lower. In this work we have used electrochemical etching techniques to produce silicon nanocrystals of the sizes 3–5 nm. Viable drop cast deposition of Si nanocrystals to increase the thickness without compromising the material properties was investigated by atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy and optical absorption methods.
Microwave behavior in CoFe‐based single‐ and two‐phase magnetic microwires
Authors: El Kammouni Rhimou , Infante Germán , Torrejón Jacob , Britel Mohammed Reda , Brigui Jamal , Vázquez Manuel
Published: December 2010

The ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), spectra in the frequency range up to 12 GHz has been investigated as a function of applied DC magnetic field (up to 80 kA/m) for single‐phase CoFe‐based Pyrex‐coated microwire as well as for biphase microwires after depositing an outer shell, with hard (CoNi) and soft (FeNi) magnetic character, respectively. In addition, a parallel study on the low‐frequency magnetic hysteresis loop of all these samples has been performed. In particular, we have focused on the influence of the thickness of the insulating Pyrex layer and magnetic character of the outer magnetic phase. For single‐phase microwires, the increase of the Pyrex thickness results in a continuous strengthening of the circular magnetoelastic anisotropy of the CoFe‐based core as deduced from FMR and confirmed by low‐frequency measurements. For biphase microwires three absorption peaks are observed: two of them can be ascribed to each magnetic phase since FMR frequencies obey the Kittel condition for a thin film. A third absorption peak is observed at lower frequencies that does not follow such an equation and can be ascribed to a pure geometrical effect of these biphase microwires.
Evaluation of use of magnetically bistable microwires for magnetic labels
Authors: Gudoshnikov Sergey , Usov Nikolai , Zhukov Arcady , Zhukova Valentina , Palvanov Pavel , Ljubimov Boris , Serebryakova Olga , Gorbunov Sergey
Published: December 2010

The dynamics of the magnetization reversal by means of head‐to‐head domain‐wall propagation is investigated both experimentally and theoretically for magnetic labels made from Fe‐rich bistable glass‐coated microwires. It is shown that the amplitudes of the electromagnetic harmonics generated by bistable Fe‐rich magnetic labels of the length 1–4 cm with metallic nuclear diameter of 10–20 µm are more than 5 times larger than that of similar labels made of Co‐rich microwires having high permeability and low coercive force. The electromagnetic harmonics can be detected at the distances up to 15–20 cm from the magnetic label at the signal‐to‐noise ratio not lower than 2.0.
Mathematical Modeling of VOD Oxygen Nozzle Jets
Authors: Song Zhili , Ersson Mikael , Jönsson Pär
Published: December 2010

This study has focused on numerically exploring the oxygen flow in the convergent‐divergent De Laval nozzle. The De Laval nozzle has been commonly used as oxygen outlet at the lance tip in the vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) process. The nozzle geometry used in an active VOD plant was investigated by isentropic nozzle theory as well as by numerical modeling. Since an optimal nozzle design is only valid for a certain ambient pressure, one VOD nozzle will be less efficient for a large part of the pressure cycle. Different ambient pressures were used in the calculations that were based on the De Laval nozzle theory. Flow patterns of the oxygen jet under different ambient pressures were studied and the flow information at different positions from the nozzle was analyzed. In addition, the study compared the effects of different ambient temperatures on jet velocity and dynamic pressure. The predictions revealed that the modeling results obtained with the CFD modeling showed incorrect flow expansion, which agreed well with the results from the De Laval theory. Moreover, a little under‐expansion is somewhat helpful to improve the dynamic pressure. The jet dynamic pressure and its width for the specific nozzle geometry have also been studied. It has been observed that an altering ambient pressure can influence the jet momentum and its width. In addition, a high ambient temperature has a positive effect on the improvement of the jet dynamic pressure.