bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Synthesis of Bi2O3/TiO2−xNx and its Direct Solar‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Selective Hydroxylation of Phenol
Authors: Naik Brundabana , Parida K. M. , Behera G. C.
Published: November 2010

Mesoporous Bi2O3/TiO2−xNx nanocomposites (BiNT) have been synthesized by using a template‐free homogeneous coprecipitation technique. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence studies are adapted to characterize the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the composites. The photocatalytic activities of the catalysts are evaluated for the hydroxylation of phenol under direct solar irradiation. The BiNT materials show excellent catalytic activity for selective phenol hydroxylation without using any oxidant. Notably, one of the nanocomposites shows a very high activity and results in a phenol conversion of 99 % in aqueous medium with 100 % selectivity towards hydroquinone and, in general, excellent selectivity is found for dihydroxybenzene compounds. The heterogeneous catalysts exhibit a successive slight decrease in catalytic activity if reused for five or more times.
Substituent Effect on Catalytic Activities of [{η5‐Ar4C4COC(O)Ar}Ru(CO)2Cl] in Racemization and DKR of Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Lee Jin Hee , Kim Namdu , Kim Mahn‐Joo , Park Jaiwook
Published: November 2010

The derivatives of [{η5‐Ph4C4COC(O)Ph}Ru(CO)2Cl] were synthesized to investigate the substituent effect of the ruthenium complexes on the racemization and the chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of secondary alcohols, in which the phenyl rings are substituted with several different groups. Derivatives with electron‐donating substituents showed better activities than those with electron‐deficient ones, both in the racemization and in the DKR. The ruthenium complex, [{η5‐Ar4C4COC(O)Ar}Ru(CO)2Cl] (Ar=4‐methoxyphenyl), showed an activity about 14 times higher than that of [{η5‐Ph4C4COC(O)Ph}Ru(CO)2Cl] in the racemization of 1‐phenylethanol.
Self‐Organized Polymer Nanocomposite Inverse Opal Films with Combined Optical Properties
Authors: Ma Hongmin , Cui Jiwei , Chen Jingfei , Hao Jingcheng
Published: November 2010

Inverse opal films with unique optical properties have potential as photonic crystal materials and have stimulated wide interest in recent years. Herein, iridescent hybrid polystyrene/nanoparticle macroporous films have been prepared by using the breath‐figure method. The honeycomb‐patterned thin films were prepared by casting gold nanoparticle‐doped polystyrene solutions in chloroform at high relative humidity. Highly ordered hexagonal arrays of monodisperse pores with an average diameter of 880 nm are obtained. To account for the observed features, a microscopic phase separation of gold nanoparticles is proposed to occur in the breath‐figure formation. That is, individual gold nanoparticles adsorb at the solution/water interface and effectively stabilize condensed water droplets on the solution surface in a hexagonal array. Alternatively, at high nanoparticle concentrations the combination of breath‐figure formation and nanoparticle phase separation leads to hierarchical structures with spherical aggregates under a honeycomb monolayer. The films show large features in both the visible and NIR regions that are attributed to a combination of nanoparticle and ordered‐array absorptions. Organic ligand‐stabilized CdSe/CdS quantum dots or Fe3O4 nanoparticles may be loaded into the honeycomb structure to further modify the films. These results demonstrate new methods for the fabrication and functionalization of inverse opal films with potential applications in photonic and microelectronic materials.
Modeling of Heavy‐Atom–Ligand NMR Spin–Spin Coupling in Solution: Molecular Dynamics Study and Natural Bond Orbital Analysis of HgC Coupling Constants
Authors: Zheng Shaohui , Autschbach Jochen
Published: November 2010

Ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) and relativistic density functional NMR methods were applied to calculate the one‐bond HgC NMR indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants (J) of [Hg(CN)2] and [CH3HgCl] in solution. The MD averages were obtained as J(199Hg13C)=3200 and 1575 Hz, respectively. The experimental HgC spin–spin coupling constants of [Hg(CN)2] in methanol and [CH3HgCl] in DMSO are 3143 and 1674 Hz, respectively. To deal with solvent effects in the calculations, finite “droplet” models of the two systems were set up. Solvent effects in both systems lead to a strong increase of the HgC coupling constant. From a relativistic natural localized molecular orbital (NLMO) analysis, it was found that the degree of delocalization of the Hg 5dσ nonbonding orbital and of the HgC bonding orbital between the two coupled atoms, the nature of the trans HgC/Cl bonding orbital, and the s character of these orbitals, exhibit trends upon solvation of the complexes that, when combined, lead to the strong increase of J(HgC).
Synthesis and Application of Isocyanates Radiolabeled with Carbon‐11
Authors: Wilson Alan A. , Garcia Armando , Houle Sylvain , Sadovski Oleg , Vasdev Neil
Published: November 2010

Carbon‐11 labeled isocyanates are efficiently prepared by dehydration of [11C]carbamate salts, which in turn are easily formed from cyclotron‐produced [11C]CO2 and amines in the presence of a CO2 fixation agent. The [11C]isocyanates are useful radiosynthons for the synthesis of a variety of [carbonyl‐11C]‐labeled asymmetrical ureas and carbamate esters. The method is well suited to incorporate any isotope of carbon, and is especially useful for positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers for in vivo imaging. This is demonstrated by using the method to make [carbonyl‐11C]‐6‐hydroxy‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3‐yl cyclohexylcarbamate which is a novel radiotracer for PET imaging of fatty acid amide hydrolase.
Enzymatically Catalyzed Fixed Bed Reactions – Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Leipold M. , Fieg G.
Published: November 2010

Die Entwicklung neuer Prozesse im Bereich der enzymatischen Synthesen verläuft aufgrund einer noch unvollständigen Wissensbasis und des Fehlens geeigneter Simulationsprogramme zurzeit nur langsam. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, die vorhandene Lücke mit dem Simulationswerkzeug STEP (Simulation Tool for Enzymatic Processes) zu schließen. Durch eine rigorose, instationäre Modellierung dient STEP einer beschleunigten Prozessentwicklung auf Basis fundierter Simulationsergebnisse. Die Entwicklung und Validierung des Werkzeugs wird vorgestellt.
Color constancy, color‐mixing ability, and color inference
Authors: Lin Ta‐Wei , Sun Chun‐Wang
Published: November 2010

In the laboratory, the performance of color constancy has always been unstable. The variables posed by the subjects themselves tend to be neglected. In this study, a simple color‐mixing test was used to sort subjects into three groups. They were also provided with hue and brightness in a fixed color order as guidance during experimental tasks in an attempt to observe any changes in cognitive skills among subjects of varying color‐mixing abilities under changed illuminations. Three hypotheses were proposed: (1) Matching hypothesis: people remember and apply the spatial locations of color surrounds to the target color to achieve color constancy; (2) Comparing hypothesis: people identify the relative difference between color surrounds to achieve color constancy; and (3) Reasoning hypothesis: people compare the color surrounds and refer to color knowledge accumulated in the past to achieve color constancy through reasoning. The experimental results were as follows if the Comparing hypothesis is taken into account, (a) when hue guidance is hidden the subjects' identification rate (IR) performance supported the Reasoning hypothesis; (b) when hue guidance was shown, the IR performance of subjects in all three groups supported the Matching hypothesis. Based on these results, this study offers two recommendations: (a) color surrounds with a fixed relative location should be avoided because spatial location memory leading to people using matching skills and (b) subjects should be screened based on their color‐mixing ability because significant differences in color constancy performance exist between people with varying levels of color‐mixing ability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010
Paramerism and reliable parameric correction
Authors: Peyvandi Shahram , Amirshahi Seyed Hossein
Published: November 2010

In this article, the parameric decomposition method is considered as a technique for batch correction using three process primaries. It is proved that the parameric decomposition technique using optimal process primaries is a suitable method for reliable batch correction. Besides, the evaluation of parameric correction error for estimation of metamerism index is discussed. The creation of optimal spectral dataset to derive the appropriate process primaries is presented and the estimation of optimal statistical colorants for color reproduction of paint system is also developed. A set of pigments as primaries is used to generate three sets of batches using Kubelka–Munk theory; each set includes 10,000 paramer samples. Three sets of batches are generated to have different distributions around the match sample of target. The performance of process primaries derived from the Munsell dataset is compared with the optimal estimated statistical colorants for reliable parameric correction. To achieve greater success in estimation of appropriate metamerism index and make the estimated index more reliable, the statistical colorants used for parameric correction should be achieved from the spectral dataset generated by real primaries being used for matching of the target color. The outcome of parameric correction for pairs having miscellaneous mismatches is investigated to find out if it is sensible to just consider mismatch threshold for pairs being corrected. Finally, the conceptual subject of paramerism is developed to verify which spectral essence could be called as the paramer of an individual target color being matched. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010
Restriction of Photoinduced Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer
Authors: Qian Yan , Cai Min‐Min , Xie Ling‐Hai , Yang Guo‐Qiang , Wu Shi‐Kang , Huang Wei
Published: November 2010

An intensive investigation of structure–property relationships in the aggregation‐induced enhanced emission (AIEE) of luminescent compounds is essential for the rational design of highly emissive solid‐state materials. In the AIEE‐active compounds N,N′‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)phenyl]isophthalamide and N,N′‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)phenyl]‐5‐tert‐butylisophthalamide, fast photoinduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) of the enol excited state is found to be mainly responsible for the weak emission of their dilute solutions. The photoinduced TICT enol excited state is formed with a greatly distorted configuration, due to the large rotation about the CN single bond. This facilitates nonradiative TICT decay from the normal enol excited state to the highly twisted enol excited state, rather than proton‐transfer decay to the keto excited state. In aggregates, photoinduced nonradiative deactivation of TICT is strongly prohibited, so that excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) becomes the dominant decay, and hence contributes greatly to the subsequent emission enhancement of the keto form. Molecular design and investigation of analogous single‐armed compounds further verifies this kind of AIEE mechanism.
Tropos Biphenol Derived Chiral Thiophosphoramide Catalysed Highly Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Michael Addition of Cyclic Ketones to Nitro Olefins
Authors: Lu Aidang , Wu Ronghua , Wang Youming , Zhou Zhenghong , Wu Guiping , Fang Jianxin , Tang Chuchi
Published: November 2010

Chirality transfer from (S)‐2‐(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine to the tropos biphenyl skeleton has been observed in the preparation of a chirally flexible biphenol‐derived novel chiral thiophosphoramide to afford exclusively the thermodynamically favoured diastereomer. This novel secondary amine–thiophosphoramide has proven to be an effective bifunctional organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclohexanone to both aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted nitro olefins. The corresponding adducts were obtained with excellent diastereo‐ (up to >99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee).
Anionic Cascade Reaction Followed by Silylative Dieckmann Cyclization: A Straightforward Route to Tricyclic Fused Ring Systems Starting from Alkynyl Esters Tethered to Bicyclo[n.2.0]alkanones
Authors: Rietsch Vincent , Miesch Laurence , Yamashita Daisuke , Miesch Michel
Published: November 2010

The successive addition of sodium ethoxide and TBSOTf (or TMSOTf) to alkynyl esters tethered to bicyclo[n.2.0]alkanones (n = 3–5) promoted a domino anionic reaction and a Dieckmann condensation, respectively, which led to 5‐6‐5, 6‐6‐5, and 7‐6‐5 tricyclic fused ring systems. These systems represent relevant substructures of numerous bioactive compounds.
Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Alkylation of Indoles with Tertiary Propargylic Alcohols: Scope and Limitations
Authors: Sanz Roberto , Miguel Delia , Martínez Alberto , Gohain Mukut , García‐García Patricia , Fernández‐Rodríguez Manuel A. , Álvarez Estela , Rodríguez Félix
Published: November 2010

Direct alkylation of indoles with a wide variety of tertiary propargylic alcohols under Brønsted acid catalysis conditions has been studied. A general and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of 3‐propargylated indoles with quaternary carbon atoms at their propargylic positions has been developed. The reactions are highly regioselective with regard both to the indole and to the alkynol components. Only with N‐unsubstituted 2‐arylindoles do competitive SN′ reactions take place to afford 3‐dienyl‐ or 3‐allenylindoles, depending on the alkynol moiety. The reactions were carried out in air with undried solvents, and water was the only side product.
Click Chemistry Based Method for the Preparation of Maleinimide‐Type Thiol‐Reactive Labels
Authors: Link Martin , Li Xiaohua , Kleim Jana , Wolfbeis Otto S.
Published: November 2010

Maleinimides are widely used to label proteins and to derivatize thiols. The so‐called click reaction was shown to allow the efficient introduction of the maleinimido group into azido‐modified fluorophores (benzoxazines) by reacting them with an alkyne‐modified maleinimide to yield new thiol‐reactive fluorescent labels 5–7. The reaction proceeds under mild experimental conditions and provides a new strategy with which to introduce the maleimide group, as exemplified here for fluorophores. Conceivably, it may be extended to radioactive, electro‐active, isotopic, or spin labels. Previously reported methods for the formation of such maleinimides starting from open‐ring precursors require rather harsh conditions. The new benzoxazines 5–7 are characterized by a fairly long and flexible linker between the chromophore and the maleinimide functional group, and their fluorescence can be photoexcited with diode lasers (which are preferred light sources in fluorometry). They were conjugated to: (a) the aminothiol cysteamine, (b) the peptide glutathione, and (c) to human serum albumin. The fluorescence of the phenoxazinone 5 is strongly solvatochromic, which suggests its use as a polarity‐sensitive probe.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Preparation of N‐Alkylated Tacrine and Huprine Compounds
Authors: Ronco Cyril , Jean Ludovic , Outaabout Hakim , Renard Pierre‐Yves
Published: November 2010

An efficient preparation of N‐alkylated tacrine and huprine compounds using palladium‐catalyzed amination was developed. Cross‐coupling reactions with chloroquinolines and primary amines were achieved in good to excellent yields (50–95 %) following microwave irradiation. This method was found particularly useful for functionalized substrates which undergo degradation under SNAr conditions and for the synthesis of tacrine‐ and huprine‐based heterodimeric inhibitors, examples of which are described.
Total Synthesis of (+)‐Bourgeanic Acid Utilizing Desymmetrization Strategy
Authors: Yadav Jhillu S. , Rao K. V. Raghavendra , Ravindar K. , Reddy B. V. Subba
Published: November 2010

A highly stereoselective total synthesis of an aliphatic depside (+)‐bourgeanic acid via (–)‐hemibourgeanic acid and bourgeanic lactone is described. The key steps involved in this synthesis are desymmetrization of bicyclic olefin with Brown's asymmetric hydroboration, Gillman's reaction, TEMPO‐BAIB mediated selective oxidation of 1,3‐diol, Yamaguchi macro‐lactonization and LiOH‐mediated partial hydrolysis of unusually stable eight‐membered cyclic dilactone.
Clinical utility of PET/CT in the evaluation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with an unknown primary: A prospective clinical trial
Authors: Rudmik Luke , Lau Harold Y. , Matthews T. Wayne , Bosch J. Douglas , Kloiber Reinhard , Molnar Christine P. , Dort Joseph C.
Published: November 2010

Background

Metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with an unknown primary is an uncommon but important problem. PET/CT, as an adjunct to diagnosis, is potentially useful but has never been studied in a prospective, single‐blinded clinical trial.

Methods

In all, 20 subjects with cervical metastases from an unknown head and neck primary were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. A standard protocol was used in both clinic and operating room (OR). Study surgeons were blinded to the PET/CT result upon completion of the standard work‐up.

Results

PET/CT increased the detection of a primary site from 25% to 55% (5 vs 11 subjects). This difference was statistically and clinically significant (p = .03, McNemar's test). There was 1 false negative PET/CT scan.

Conclusions

An unknown primary should be diagnosed only after a complete head and neck examination, flexible endoscopy, and CT or MRI. PET/CT performed prior to panendoscopy will increase the diagnostic yield in the unknown head and neck primary population, leading to more targeted, and less morbid, treatment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Characteristics of Killian–Jamieson diverticula mimicking a thyroid nodule
Authors: Kim Hee Kyung , Lee Ji In , Jang Hye Won , Bae So Young , Lee Jun Haeng , Kim Young‐sun , Shin Jung Hee , Kim Sun Wook , Chung Jae Hoon
Published: November 2010

Background

Killian–Jamieson (K–J) diverticula have been incidentally detected on neck ultrasonography and could be misdiagnosed as thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to define the clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of K–J diverticula.

Methods

We analyzed 13 patients with K–J diverticula mimicking thyroid nodules including 4 of our patients and 11 previously reported cases between 1984 and August 2009.

Results

Seven patients (54%) were women, and all patients were asymptomatic. The average lesion's diameter was 1.5 cm (range, 0.5–4.0). Most of the lesions (92%) were located in the left thyroid lobe. Ultrasonography showed heterogeneous echogenic masses with echogenic foci and hypoechoic rims. A connection with the adjacent esophageal wall was found in 7 diverticula (54%) at the time of initial diagnosis.

Conclusion

The K–J diverticula had unique ultrasonographic findings. Awareness of the fact that K–J diverticula can be misdiagnosed as thyroid nodules is important to avoid unnecessary interventions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Polymorphisms in oxidative stress‐related genes and postmenopausal breast cancer risk
Authors: Seibold Petra , Hein Rebecca , Schmezer Peter , Hall Per , Liu Jianjun , Dahmen Norbert , Flesch‐Janys Dieter , Popanda Odilia , Chang‐Claude Jenny
Published: November 2010

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer type among women in western countries. In addition to established risk factors like hormone replacement therapy, oxidative stress may play a role in carcinogenesis through an unbalanced generation of reactive oxygen species that leads to genetic instability. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes related to oxidative stress on postmenopausal breast cancer risk. We genotyped 109 polymorphisms (mainly tagging SNPs) in 22 candidate genes in 1,639 postmenopausal breast cancer cases and 1,967 controls (set 1) from the German population‐based case‐control study “MARIE”. SNPs showing association in set 1 were tested in further 863 cases and 2,863 controls from MARIE (set 2) using a joint analysis strategy. Six polymorphisms evaluated in the combined set showed significantly modified breast cancer risk per allele in the joint analysis, including SNPs in CYBA (encoding a subunit of the NADPH oxidase: rs3794624), MT2A (metallothionein 2A: rs1580833), TXN (thioredoxin: rs2301241), and in TXN2 (thioredoxin 2: rs2267337, rs2281082, rs4821494). Associations with the CYBA rs3794624 (OR per allele: 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–0.99) and TXN rs2301241 variants (OR per allele: 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.10) were confirmed in the summary risk estimate analysis using up to three additional studies. We found some evidence for association of polymorphisms in genes of the thioredoxin system, CYBA, and MT2A with postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Summary evidence including independent datasets indicated moderate effects in CYBA and TXN that warrant confirmation in large independent studies.
ERK2 is essential for the growth of human epithelioid malignant mesotheliomas
Authors: Shukla Arti , Hillegass Jedd M. , MacPherson Maximilian B. , Beuschel Stacie L. , Vacek Pamela M. , Butnor Kelly J. , Pass Harvey I. , Carbone Michele , Testa Joseph R. , Heintz Nicholas H. , Mossman Brooke T.
Published: November 2010

Members of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) family may have distinct roles in the development of cell injury and repair, differentiation and carcinogenesis. Here, we show, using a synthetic small‐molecule MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) and RNA silencing of ERK1 and 2, comparatively, that ERK2 is critical to transformation and homeostasis of human epithelioid malignant mesotheliomas (MMs), asbestos‐induced tumors with a poor prognosis. Although MM cell (HMESO) lines stably transfected with shERK1 or shERK2 both exhibited significant decreases in cell proliferationin vitro, injection of shERK2 cells, and not shERK1 cells, into immunocompromised severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice showed significant attenuated tumor growth in comparison to shControl (shCon) cells. Inhibition of migration, invasion and colony formation occurred in shERK2 MM cellsin vitro, suggesting multiple roles of ERK2 in neoplasia. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR analyses revealed gene expression that was significantly increased (CASP1,TRAF1andFAS) or decreased (SEMA3E, RPS6KA2, EGFandBCL2L1) in shERK2‐transfected MM cells in contrast to shCon‐transfected MM cells. Most striking decreases were observed in mRNA levels of Semaphorin 3 (SEMA3E), a candidate tumor suppressor gene linked to inhibition of angiogenesis. These studies demonstrate a key role of ERK2 in novel gene expression critical to the development of epithelioid MMs. After injection of sarcomatoid human MM (PPMMill) cells into SCID mice, both shERK1 and shERK2 lines showed significant decreased tumor growth, suggesting heterogeneous effects of ERKs in individual MMs.
In vivo efficacy of the recombinant anti‐CD64 immunotoxin H22(scFv)‐ETA′ in a human acute myeloid leukemia xenograft tumor model
Authors: Tur Mehmet Kemal , Huhn Michael , Jost Edgar , Thepen Theo , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Barth Stefan
Published: November 2010

Target‐specific acute myeloid leukemia (AML) immunotherapy requires selective cell‐surface antigens on AML blast cells. CD64 is a promising candidate antigen because it is abundantly expressed on monocytoid differentiated AML subtypes. In previous studies, a chemically linked full‐length anti‐CD64 immunotoxin based on ricin A showed promising results in several animal models, but further development has been hindered by its substantial, dose‐limiting off‐target effects. We recently constructed the recombinant immunotoxin H22(scFv)‐ETA′, comprising a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) and a humanized scFv antibody against CD64. This molecule was shown to kill CD64+ AML‐derived tumor cell lines and primary patient‐derived AML cells specifically, both in vitro and ex vivo. Here we describe the in vivo efficiency of H22(scFv)‐ETA′ in the U937/SCID mouse xenograft model for human AML, by providing immunohistochemical evidence for the elimination of human CD64+ tumor cells in mouse organs. H22(scFv)‐ETA′ showed potent antitumor activity against myeloid tumor cells and significantly prolonged the overall survival of AML xenograft animals. In conclusion, H22(scFv)‐ETA′ is efficacious against AML with monocytoid differentiation in vitro and in animal models in vivo, providing the basis for a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AML patients.
Effects of interferon treatment on development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic virus infection: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Chuan‐Hai , Xu Ge‐Liang , Jia Wei‐Dong , Li Jian‐Sheng , Ma Jin‐Liang , Ge Yong‐Sheng
Published: November 2010

Available literature on the effects of interferon (IFN) treatment on development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic virus infection reports controversial results. The primary objective of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effect of IFN on HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; IFN's efficacy on local tumor progression and survival of advanced HCC patients was also assessed. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IFN with no antiviral treatment were selected. Finally, we identified 11 RCTs including 1,772 patients, who met our inclusion criteria to perform this meta‐analysis. Our analysis results showed that IFN significantly decreased the overall HCC incidence in HCV‐infected patients [relative risk (RR) = 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26–0.59; p = 0.000], subgroup analysis indicated that IFN decreased HCC incidence in HCV‐related cirrhotic patients evidently (RR = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.28–0.68; p = 0.000); but HCC incidence in nonresponders to initial antiviral therapy did not reduce by maintenance IFN therapy (RR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.59–1.56; p = 0.864). Analysis results also demonstrated that IFN did not significantly affect the overall rate of HCC in HBV‐infected patients although there was a trend favoring IFN therapy (RR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.05–1.04; p = 0.056). Besides, IFN did not improve one‐year overall survival of advanced HCC patients significantly (RR = 1.61; 95% CI = 0.96–2.69; p = 0.072); however, a quantitative analysis on local tumor progression could not be performed owing to lack of unified definitions among trials included in our study. By this meta‐analysis, we conclude that IFN therapy is effective in reducing overall HCC risk in chronic HCV‐infected patients; using it in this subpopulation seems promising, but its administration in other subpopulations still requires further exploration.
MicroRNA miR‐196a controls melanoma‐associated genes by regulating HOX‐C8 expression
Authors: Mueller Daniel W. , Bosserhoff Anja‐Katrin
Published: November 2010

Resulting from a screening for microRNAs differentially regulated in melanocytes and melanoma cells, we found expression of miR‐196a to be significantly down‐regulated in malignant melanoma cell lines and tissue samples. As it was stated before that miR‐196a might negatively regulate expression of the transcription factor HOX‐C8, we analyzed HOX‐C8 levels in NHEMs and melanoma cells and found a strong up‐regulation of HOX‐C8 expression in malignant melanoma cell lines and tissue samples compared with melanocytes. Several HOX‐C8 target genes are known to be involved in processes such as oncogenesis, cell adhesion, proliferation and apoptosis. We, therefore, aimed to further investigate a potential “miR‐196a → HOX‐C8 → HOX‐C8 target gene” relationship. Stable transfection with an miR‐196a expression plasmid led to strong down‐regulation of HOX‐C8 expression in melanoma cells. Luciferase assays using reporter plasmids containing different fragments of the HOX‐C8 3′UTR confirmed direct interactions of miR‐196a with the HOX‐C8 mRNA. Focusing on target genes of HOX‐C8, which might play an important role in melanomagenesis, we identified three genes (cadherin‐11, calponin‐1 and osteopontin) that are up‐ or down‐regulated, respectively, by altered HOX‐C8 expression in miR‐196a expressing cell clones and are thus indirectly regulated by this microRNA. As those target genes are closely related to important cellular mechanisms such as cell adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling, tumor formation and invasive behavior of tumor cells, altered miR‐196a expression exerts strong effects contributing to tumor cell transformation and formation and progression of malignant melanoma. This fact is underlined by a strongly reduced invasive behavior of melanoma cells re‐expressing miR‐196a in vitro.
In silico prediction of potential metallothioneins and metallohistins in actinobacteria
Authors: Schmidt Andre , Hagen Matthias , Schütze Eileen , Schmidt Astrid , Kothe Erika
Published: November 2010

Metallothioneins and metallohistins are short peptides with a high cysteine and/or histidine content able to coordinate metals intracellularly, thereby increasing the tolerance against elevated concentrations of metals. Because of their features, they can be detected by in silico prediction from proteomes annotated from sequenced genomes. Here, we analyzed 73 sequenced actinobacterial genomes for peptides (≤100 amino acids) with a high content of cysteine and histidine (≥15%) and identified 103 putative metallothioneins and metallohistins. For 45 of these peptides, we found similarities to metal binding protein domains, including zinc fingers, heavy metal transporters or eukaryotic metallothioneins, which can serve as proof‐of‐principle in underscoring a potential function as metal binding peptides. An evolutionary origin from metal containing domains of enzymes is discussed and metallohistins not containing cysteine are described for the first time for bacteria. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bacterial tolerance to silver nanoparticles (SNPs): Aeromonas punctata isolated from sewage environment
Authors: Sudheer Khan S. , Bharath Kumar E. , Mukherjee Amitava , Chandrasekaran N.
Published: November 2010

Use of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) is increasing in a large number of consumer products. Thus, the possible build‐up of the nanoparticles in the environment is becoming a major concern. Aeromonas punctata isolated from sewage showed tolerance to 200 μg/ml SNPs. The growth kinetics data for A. punctata treated with nanoparticles were similar to those in the absence of nanoparticles. There was a reduction in the amount of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in bacterial culture supernatant after nanoparticle‐supernatant interaction. EPS capping of the nanoparticles was confirmed by UV‐visible, XRD and comparative FTIR analysis. The EPS‐capped SNPs showed less toxicity to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus compared to the uncapped ones. The study suggests capping of nanoparticles by bacterially produced EPS as a probable physiological defense mechanism. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diversity and phylogeny of plant growth‐promoting bacilli from moderately acidic soil
Authors: Yadav Subhash , Kaushik Rajeev , Saxena Anil K. , Arora Dilip K.
Published: November 2010

The molecular diversity of aerobic endospore‐forming bacteria, typically Bacillus and its derived genera, has been investigated in various environments. However, there have been few investigations concerning Bacillus in acidic soils. In this study, the genotypic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among plant growth‐promoting (PGP) bacilli isolated from the rice rhizosphere growing in acidic soils of Kerala (pH varying from 6.3 to 6.8) were investigated. For assessing their biocontrol potential and PGP attributes, 115 isolates were randomly selected and 49 isolates that were positive for multiple traits were selected. Metabolic characterization of representative strains, using the Biolog GP2 (Gram Positive) MicroPlateTM, revealed a large versatility with respect to carbohydrate utilization. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis revealed 13 clusters at 65% similarity level, which consisted of 1–21 strains. 16S rDNA partial sequencing assigned all the isolates, except for one, to the Bacillus genus, with close relatedness to Bacillus humi, B. megaterium, B. drentensis, B. pocheonensis, B. aestuarii, B. arbutinivorans, B. niacini, and Brevibacterium casei. The Bacillus species with different metabolic capabilities, PGP abilities, and genetic diversity found in this study are likely to have ecological relevance. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Phylogenetic analysis and antimicrobial activities of Streptomyces isolates from mangrove sediment
Authors: Satheeja Santhi V. , Jebakumar Solomon R. D.
Published: November 2010

The phylogeny of members of Streptomyces bacteria isolated from mangrove sediments in the Manakudi estuary near the Arabian Sea, India, was analyzed in the present study. Among the 35 different isolates, five organisms, JS‐9, JS‐11, JS‐12, JS‐13 and JS‐20, exhibited potent antimicrobial effects against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate) and methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus MTCC 3160 and Salmonella typhi MTCC 733; all other isolates displayed intermediate antimicrobial effects. RFLP analysis of HaeIII and BstUI double‐digested 16S rRNA gene fragments of the isolates were distinguished into 20 distinct RFLP types, with the genetic similarity coefficient varying from 0.57 to 0.97. On average, 17 RFLP markers were observed from approximately 50 to 350 bp size and all the RFLP types showed significant genetic polymorphism by clustering into three major clusters. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 20‐member Streptomyces isolates were divided into three major clusters and they shared 97.2–99.8% sequence identity to the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the Streptomyces taxons of marine origin. The distribution of the isolates revealed that the distinct Streptomyces groups were clustered in the phylogenetic tree and there was a good correlation between the diversity of the antimicrobial phenotype and that of the 16S rRNA gene. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and their differential toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera populations
Authors: Anitha Deepak , Kumar Nachimuthu Senthil , Vijayan Deepu , Ajithkumar Kunhikrishnan , Gurusubramanian Guruswami
Published: November 2010

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates were characterized in rhizospheric cotton soils by using acetate selection process from eight different locations in South India. The fact that B. thuringiensis indices were higher in proportion in soil samples taken from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka than from Andhra Pradesh, indicates the abundance of B. thuringiensis populations in the cotton rhizosphere. Biochemical typing of the isolates designated eight local isolates (BtNg13, BtCo1, BtHyb7, BtAm2, BtRm5, BtWr3, BtPl 4, BtN 9), which belong to subspecies kurstaki, the most prevalent subspecies. Toxicity assays on American boll worm larval (F1) populations collected from the Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore and Coimbatore regions, with a susceptible insect strain against different isolates of B. thuringiensis kurstaki spore‐crystal mix, revealed distinct susceptibility patterns and specificity. The highest susceptibility was observed in the F1 populations of Coimbatore, followed by Bangalore and Hyderabad populations, in comparison with the susceptible insect strain. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.0005 and CD = 5.3975) among Btk local isolates, H. armigera biotypes, Btk spore‐crystal mix concentration and their interactions, through the Multifactorial ANOVA analysis. The toxicity of local B. thuringiensis isolates was higher than that of HD‐1 (reference B.t.k strain). Indigenous Btk isolates have an enormous potential for the management of H. armigera in terms of development of resistance to HD‐1. The present study would serve as a baseline data for future resistance monitoring of B. thuringiensis strains in H. armigera in Southern India. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Development and applications of single‐drop microextraction for pesticide residue analysis: A review
Authors: Pakade Yogesh B. , Tewary Dhananjay Kumar
Published: November 2010

Single‐drop microextraction (SDME) has become more popular than other microextraction techniques because it is simple, cost‐effective, easy to operate and nearly solvent‐free. The technique has been employed successfully for trace analysis in environmental, biomedical and food applications. In view of the increasingly stringent regulatory limits for many pesticides, which are below the LOD of the existing instruments, SDME may provide a cost‐effective solution for reducing the LOD of pesticides. The present review focuses on recent development in SDME technique, and its application coupled with various analytical techniques, such as GC‐MS, GC and HPLC for pesticide residue analysis in different matrices. The advantages, limitations and outlook on the future of SDME technique for its wider applications are also discussed.
Quality assessment of a formulated Chinese herbal decoction, Kaixinsan, by using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry: A chemical evaluation of different historical formulae
Authors: Zhu Kevin Y. , Fu Q. , Xie Heidi Q. , Xu Sherry L. , Cheung Anna W. H. , Zheng Ken Y. Z. , Luk Wilson K. W. , Choi Roy C. Y. , Lau David T. W. , Dong Tina T. X. , Jiang Zhi Y. , Chen Ji J. , Tsim Karl W. K.
Published: November 2010

Kaixinsan is an ancient Chinese herbal decoction mainly prescribed for patients suffering from mental depression. This decoction was created by Sun Si‐miao of Tang Dynasty (A.D. 600) in ancient China, and was composed of four herbs: Radix and Rhizome Ginseng, Radix Polygalae, Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii and Poria. Historically, this decoction has three different formulations, each recorded at a different point in time. In this study, the chemical compositions of all three Kaixinsan formulae were analyzed. By using rapid resolution LC coupled with a diode‐array detector and an ESI triple quadrupole tandem MS (QQQ‐MS/MS), the Radix and Rhizome Ginseng‐derived ginsenosides including Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg1, the Radix Polygalae‐derived 3,6′‐disinapoyl sucrose, the Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii‐derived α‐ and β‐asarone and the Poria‐derived pachymic acid were compared among the three different formulations. The results showed variations in the solubility of different chemicals between one formula and the others. This systematic method developed could be used for the quality assessment of this herbal decoction.
Determination of phthalate esters in soil by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography coupled with accelerated solvent extraction
Authors: Lin Zian , Zhang Jianhua , Cui Huimin , Zhang Lan , Chen Guonan
Published: November 2010

A novel method using microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography combining accelerated solvent extraction was developed for quantitative analysis of six phthalate esters (PAEs) including dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, as well as dioctyl phthalate. The effect of each individual component within the microemulsions, i.e. oil phase, surfactant and co‐surfactant on resolution of the analytes was systematically studied. Baseline separation of six PAEs was achieved within 26 min by using the microemulsion buffer containing a 60 mmol/L borate buffer at pH 9.0, 0.5% v/v n‐octane as oil droplets, 100 mmol/L sodium cholate as surfactant and 5.0% v/v 1‐butanol as co‐surfactant. The purposed accelerated solvent extraction‐microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amount of PAEs in soil samples collected from three different fields in areas of Fujian Province and the contents of dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate and dioctyl phthalate were 0.63–0.68, 0.32–0.63, 2.53–3.96, 0–1.75, 7.32–11.7 and 0–3.46mg/kg, respectively. It was validated that the results were consistent with those obtained by GC‐MS method.
CAMT in a female with developmental delay, facial malformations and central nervous system anomalies
Authors: Martinón‐Torres Nazareth , Vázquez‐Donsión Manuel , Loidi Lourdes , Couselo Jose Miguel
Published: November 2010

Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT) is a rare disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia and absence or decline in the number of megakaryocytic precursors in the bone marrow. It is caused by mutations in the thrombopoietin receptor gene, c‐mpl, involved in the proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes and platelets. The association between CAMT and central nervous system (CNS) anomalies has been reported in the literature, albeit not very frequently. Here we present a unique case where CAMT appeared associated to cerebellum agenesis, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and brainstem, facial malformations, and developmental delay. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:452–453. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localisation of the benzimidazole fungicide binding site of Gibberella zeae β2‐tubulin studied by site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Qiu JianBo , Xu JianQiang , Yu JunJie , Bi ChaoWei , Chen ChangJun , Zhou MingGuo
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of benzimidazole fungicides is often limited by resistance, and this is the case with the use of carbendazim for controlling Fusarium head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Recent studies have shown that carbendazim resistance in field strains of G. zeae is associated with mutations in the β2‐tubulin gene. The aims of the present study were to validate this mechanism and research the binding sites of carbendazim on β2‐tubulin.

RESULTS: This work used site‐directed mutagenesis followed by gene replacement to change the β2‐tubulin gene of a carbendazim‐sensitive field strain of G. zeae at residues 50, 167, 198 or 200. The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim. All the mutants were resistant to carbendazim, but the level of resistance differed depending on the mutation. Biological characteristics did not differ between the field strain and the site‐directed mutants. A three‐dimensional model of β2‐tubulin was constructed, and the possible carbendazim binding site was analysed.

CONCLUSION: Mutations at codons 50, 167, 198 and 200 of G. zeae β2tub could cause resistance to carbendazim, and these codons may form a binding pocket. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of strategies for monitoring indoxacarb and gel bait susceptibility in the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)
Authors: Gondhalekar Ameya D , Song Cheol , Scharf Michael E
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:Advion®cockroach gel bait (6 g kg−1indoxacarb) is in widespread use forBlattella germanica(L.) control in the United States. However, baseline susceptibility levels to indoxacarb in German cockroach field populations are not known. Hence, this research sought to develop monitoring strategies to estimate the susceptibility of German cockroach populations to indoxacarb.

RESULTS:Four bioassays were evaluated: topical lethal dose (LD), formulated gel bait lethal time (LT), vial lethal concentration (LC) and gel bait matrix LD. Of these methods, the vial LC and gel bait matrix LD bioassays were the most economical and relevant assessment strategies. For indoxacarb susceptibility monitoring, a two‐tiered approach was developed that utilizes diagnostic concentrations and doses in vial LC (30 and 60 µg vial−1) and gel bait matrix LD (1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 µg insect−1) formats.

CONCLUSIONS:A two‐tiered susceptibility monitoring strategy was developed that includes testing field populations at diagnostic concentrations and doses in first‐tier vial LC bioassays and second‐tier gel bait matrix LD bioassays. The vial method facilitates rapid identification of field strains with reduced susceptibility. The feeding bioassay effectively simulates field exposure to Advion®and therefore has utility for secondary confirmation of susceptibility shifts and identification of behavioral resistance (i.e. bait aversion). Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Excitation density, diffusion‐drift, and proportionality in scintillators
Authors: Williams R. T. , Grim Joel Q. , Li Qi , Ucer K. B. , Moses W. W.
Published: November 2010

Stopping of an energetic electron produces a track of high excitation density, especially near its end, and consequent high radial concentration gradient. The effect of high excitation density in promoting nonlinear quenching is generally understood to be a root cause of nonproportionality in scintillators. However, quantitative data on the kinetic rates of nonlinear quenching processes in scintillators are scarce. We report experimental measurements of second‐order dipole–dipole rate constants governing the main nonlinear quenching channel in CsI, CsI:Tl, NaI, and NaI:Tl. We also show that the second of the extreme conditions in a track, i.e., radial concentration gradient, gives rise to fast (≤picoseconds) diffusion phenomena which act both as a competitor in reducing excitation density during the relevant time of nonlinear quenching, and as a determiner of branching between independent and paired carriers, where the branching ratio changes with dE/dx along the primary electron track. To investigate the interplay of these phenomena in determining nonproportionality of light yield, we use experimentally measured rate constants and mobilities in CsI and NaI to carry out quantitative modeling of diffusion, drift, and nonlinear quenching evaluated spatially and temporally within an electron track which is assumed cylindrical Gaussian in this version of the model.
Effect of mollugin on apoptosis and adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Jun Do Youn , Han Cho Rong , Choi Myung Sook , Bae Myung Ae , Woo Mi Hee , Kim Young Ho
Published: November 2010

The effect of mollugin, isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L., on cell viability, apoptosis and adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes was investigated. The inhibitory effect of mollugin (40–60 µm) on cell viability was more significant in differentiated adipocytes than in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. In 3T3‐L1 cells, the cytotoxicity of mollugin was accompanied by apoptotic events including mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) loss and activation of caspase‐9, ‐3 and ‐7, leading to PARP degradation. Although the presence of 20 µm mollugin during induced adipocytic differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cells for 6 days failed to affect the cell viability, it could almost completely abrogate the differentiation‐associated morphology change and intracellular lipid accumulation. A similar level of inhibition was observed, when 20 µm mollugin was present during the early stage (D0–D2) of the differentiation period. In addition, the expression of C/EBPα, PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 was significantly down‐regulated. The presence of 20 µm mollugin during either middle stage (D2–D4) or late stage (D4–D6) of the differentiation period, however, caused the inhibition to a lesser extent. These results indicated that mollugin at high concentrations (40–60 µm) exerted cytotoxicity via inducing apoptosis, whereas mollugin at a low concentration (20 µm) suppressed adipocytic differentiation without exerting cytotoxicity in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.