bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Diads and Triads Derived from Carotenoids and Fullerene C60
Authors: Durantini E. N. , Moore Ana , Moore Thomas A. , Gust Devens
Published: November 2008

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of supramolecules bearing carotenoids and fullerene C60 is reported. The amphipathic nature and the high yield of charge separation of these compounds make them candidates in the formation of transmembrane charge gradients.
Antiinflammatory Activity of Cinnamic Acid Esters
Authors: Godoy M. E. , Rotelli A. , Pelzer L. , Tonn C. E.
Published: November 2008

The cinnamate esters of 3-p-menthanol (trivial name, menthol) (1) and 4(8)-pmenthen-3-ol (trivial name, pulegol) (2) were prepared and their anti-inflammatory activity was measured. Some of the monoterpenoid esters displayed interesting anti-inflammatory activity.
Synthesis of a Thienothiophene Conjugated Polymer
Authors: Diez Alejandra S. , Saidman Silvana , Garay Raúl O.
Published: November 2008

A new conducting polymer was prepared by chemical and electrochemical polymerization of 3,6-dimethylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene. The galvanostatic deposition afforded uniform, adherent and dark blue films of PDMTT. Electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry showed that it can be repeatedly driven between the doped and undoped species with a coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%.
Chemical Study of the Essential Oil of Mutisia Friesiana
Authors: Viturro C. , De la Fuente J.
Published: November 2008

The composition of essential oil of Mutisia friesiana (Asteracae) was studied. The oil is a complex system in which 127 compounds were identified. The major components are monoterpenes: b-phellandrene, (Z)-β-ocimene, α and β-pinene and sabinene.
Study of the Cytotoxic and Antifungal Activities of Neolignans 8.O.4´ and Structurally Related Compounds
Authors: Enriz R. , Giannini F. , Correche E. , Carrasco M. , Zacchino S. , Matyus P.
Published: November 2008

In the present work we report the antifungal and cytotoxic activities of a neolignan 8.O.4´series. The most active antifungal compounds show a significant cytotoxic effect which might be related.
Kinetics of the Aromatic Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction Between 1-Fluoro-2,4-Dinitrobenzene and Perhydroazepine in Ethyl Acetate + Chloroform Solvent Mixtures
Authors: Mancini P. M. , Fortunato G. , Terenzani A. J.
Published: November 2008

In the present work, the kinetic behavior of the title reaction in ethyl acetate + chloroform solvent mixtures is studied. The experimental results are compared with previous findings.
Stereoselective Synthesis of 8-Trialkylstannylmenthols
Authors: Mandolesi Sandra D. , Giagante Nelda N. , Dodero Verónica , Podestá Julio C.
Published: November 2008

Trialkyltin menthones of type 2 are obtained selectively by 1,4-addition of trialkylstannyl lithium to (-)-pulegone. Reduction of 2 with borane in THF using as catalyst the reagent prepared from borane and (S)-valinol gave a mixture of the corresponding trialkyltin alcohols 3 (Me: 84%; n-Bu: 90,6%) and 4 (Me: 16% and n-Bu: 9,4%).
Enantioselective Addition of Grignard Reagents to Aldehydes
Authors: Englebienne Pablo , Schulz Hernan , Nudelman Norma
Published: November 2008

The addition of Grignard reagents to aldehydes in the presence of chiral aminoalcohols shows a moderate enantioselectivity. The study carried out with a series of ligands allows the correlation between the structural characteristics and their reactivity.
Phytochemical Study Conyza Sophiaefolia. Antiinflammatory Activity
Authors: Simirgiotis M. J. , Favier L. S. , Rossomando P. C. , Tonn C. E. , Juarez A. , Giordano O. S.
Published: November 2008

From the aerial parts of Conyza sophiaefolia a new alicyclic furan diterpene was isolated and characterized as an E-isomer in C6 of centipedic acid. In addition, the new clerodane type diterpene 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A as well as two known related diterpenoids were identified. The flavone apigenine was also isolated. Structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.
Isolation and Identification of a Strain of Aspergillus Tubingensis With Deoxynivalenol Biotransformation Capability
Authors: He Chenghua , Fan Yanhong , Liu Guofang , Zhang Haibin
Published: November 2008

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common contaminants of various foodstuffs. A biotransformation system was used in order to lessen the toxicity of DON. A strain of Aspergillus (NJA-1) was isolated from soil and cultured in an inorganic salt medium containing DON. Bt2a/Bt2b primers were used to amplify the β-tubulin gene of NJA-1. Sequence analysis the PCR product and morphology observation indicated that NJA-1 belonged to Aspergillus tubingensis (aerobic fungi). The DNA sequence information of the PCR product was deposited in GenBank (accession number DQ9025790). The DNA sequence had 99% similarity to the Aspergillus tubingensis accession number AY820009. An unknown compound in NJA-1 showed the ability to convert DON into another product. The molecular weight of the bioconversion product was 18.1 D (H2O) larger than that of DON. The analysis showed that DON could be hydrolyzed by NJA-1. The mean DON biotransformation rate was 94.4% after two weeks of cultivation. The finding presents a new method for DON biotransformation.
Fine Resolution Air Quality Monitoring from a Small Satellite: CHRIS/PROBA
Authors: Nichol Janet E. , Wong Man Sing , Chan Yuk Ying
Published: November 2008

Current remote sensing techniques fail to address the task of air quality monitoring over complex regions where multiple pollution sources produce high spatial variability. This is due to a lack of suitable satellite-sensor combinations and appropriate aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrieval algorithms. The new generation of small satellites, with their lower costs and greater flexibility has the potential to address this problem, with customised platform-sensor combinations dedicated to monitoring single complex regions or mega-cities. This paper demonstrates the ability of the European Space Agency’s small satellite sensor CHRIS/PROBA to provide reliable AOT estimates at a spatially detailed level over Hong Kong, using a modified version of the dense dark vegetation (DDV) algorithm devised for MODIS. Since CHRIS has no middle-IR band such as the MODIS 2,100 nm band which is transparent to fine aerosols, the longest waveband of CHRIS, the 1,019 nm band was used to approximate surface reflectance, by the subtraction of an offset derived from synchronous field reflectance spectra. Aerosol reflectance in the blue and red bands was then obtained from the strong empirical relationship observed between the CHRIS 1,019 nm, and the blue and red bands respectively. AOT retrievals for three different dates were shown to be reliable, when compared with AERONET and Microtops II sunphotometers, and a Lidar, as well as air quality data at ground stations. The AOT images exhibited considerable spatial variability over the 11 x 11km image area and were able to indicate both local and long distance sources.
Bone Marrow Cell Transplant does Not Prevent or Reverse Murine Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Quintanilha L. F. , Mannheimer E. G. , Carvalho A. B. , Paredes B. D. , Dias J. V. , Almeida A. S. , Gutfilen B. , Da Fonseca L. M. Barbosa , Resende C. M. C. , Rezende G. F. M. , De Carvalho A. C. Campos , Goldenberg R. C. S.
Published: November 2008

We tested the effect of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in either preventing or reversing cirrhosis on an experimental model of chronic liver disease. Female Wistar rats were fed a liquid alcohol diet and received intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) over 15 weeks. Ten animals (cell-treated group) received five injections of BMCs during the cirrhosis induction protocol (on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks) and four animals received the cells after liver injury was established through tail vein. Nine animals (nontreated group) were submitted to the previously described protocols; however, they received vehicle injections. Analyses were performed to verify whether the infusion of cells was effective in preventing the development of cirrhosis in our model of induction, and if the cells could reverse cirrhosis once it was established. Hepatic architecture and fibrotic septa were analyzed in liver slices stained with hematoxilin & eosin and Sirius red, respectively. Fibrosis quantification was measured by Sirius red histomorphometry. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed to detect the amount of tissue transglutaminase 2. Blood analyses were performed to assess liver injury and function by the assessment of alanine aminotransferase and albumin. Ultrasound was performed to analyze the portal vein caliber and presence of ascitis. Cirrhosis features (regenerative nodules and fibrous septa) were observed in histopathology after 15 weeks of continuous hepatic injury in nontreated and cell-treated groups. Collagen content, immunofluorescence analysis, and biochemical and ultrasound parameters were similar in nontreated and cell-treated groups; however, both groups showed significant differences compared to a normal control group. Cell infusions with bone marrow-derived cells seem to be ineffective in improving morphofunctional parameters of the liver when applied to chronic cases either during or after establishment of the hepatic lesion.
Mature Adipocyte-Derived Cells, Dedifferentiated Fat Cells (DFAT), Promoted Functional Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Motor Dysfunction in Rats
Authors: Ohta Yuki , Takenaga Mitsuko , Tokura Yukie , Hamaguchi Akemi , Matsumoto Taro , Kano Koichiro , Mugishima Hideo , Okano Hideyuki , Igarashi Rie
Published: November 2008

Transplantation of mature adipocyte-derived cells (dedifferentiated fat cells) led to marked functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced motor dysfunction in rats. When mature adipocytes were isolated from rat adipose tissue and grown in ceiling culture, transformation into fibroblast-like cells without lipid droplets occurred. These fibroblast-like cells, termed dedifferentiated fat cells (DFAT), could proliferate and could also differentiate back into adipocytes. DFAT expressed neural markers such as nestin, βIII tubulin, and GFAP. Allografting of DFAT into SCI-induced rats led to significant recovery from hindlimb dysfunction. Grafted cells were detected at the injection site, and some of these cells expressed βIII tubulin. DFAT expressed neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and GDNF prior to transplantation, and grafted cells were also positive for these factors. Therefore, these neurotrophic factors derived from grafted DFAT might have contributed to the promotion of functional recovery. These findings also suggest that mature adipocytes could become a new source for cell replacement therapy to treat central nervous system disorders.
A study of determinant factors of stakeholder environmental pressure perceived by industrial companies
Authors: González‐Benito Javier , González‐Benito Óscar
Published: November 2008

Although several articles have studied the effect that stakeholder pressure has on the environmental behavior of firms, little research has attempted to identify the contingencies that explain such pressure. This article investigates the effects of six relevant variables on stakeholder environmental pressure perceived by industrial companies: size, internationalization, location of manufacturing activities, position in the supply chain, industrial sector, and managerial values and attitudes. The effect is theoretically determined by distinguishing between pressure intensity and perception capacity and empirically tested with a sample of 186 Spanish manufacturers. The analyses reveal two dimensions of stakeholder pressure, governmental and nongovernmental, and show that variables such as environmental awareness among managers, internationalization, industrial sector and company size play important roles in determining both dimensions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Effect of cerebrocrast on body and organ weights, food and water intake, and urine output of normal rats
Authors: Briede Janina , Stivrina Mara , Stoldere Dzintra , Vigante Brigita , Duburs Gunars
Published: November 2008

Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperphagia, polyuria, body weight gain, excessive secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs), thymus involution, adrenal gland hypertrophy, diabetic nephropathy, etc. We examined the effect of cerebrocrast, a new antidiabetic agent (synthesized in the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis), on body weight, food and water intake, urine output, and on changes of organ weight: that is, kidney, thymus, adrenal gland of normal rats. Cerebrocrast was administered at doses of 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg−1 per os (p.o.) once a day for three consecutive days, and its effects were observed from 3 to 27 days after the last administration. Cerebrocrast, during the experimental period, decreased body weight by an average of approximately 32.3%, food intake by about 10–15% at the beginning of the experiments and by 22.6% at the end of the experiments, especially at a dose of 0.5 mg kg−1. Water intake and urine output in comparison with controls were decreased. The daily food intake decreased about 1.0 and 2.1 g by administering single cerebrocrast doses of 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg−1 body weight (b.w.), respectively, but by administering for three consecutive days, food intake decreased by about 2.2 and 3.4 g, respectively. The weekly body weight gain decreased by administering a single dose of cerebrocrast by 2.61 and 2.51 g, respectively, and by triple administration it decreased by 4.36 and 3.07 g, respectively. Cerebrocrast has long‐lasting effects on these parameters and on thymus and adrenal gland weight. As cerebrocrast decreased glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats, it also promoted glucose uptake by the brain, intensified insulin action and formation de novo of insulin receptors. We can conclude that cerebrocrast may regulate food intake and body weight through glucose sensing by proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, that are involved in control of glucose homeostasis, stimulation of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) secretion, activation of MC4‐Rs and inhibition of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the ARC of the hypothalamus, affecting the kidney, and causing decreased urine output and water intake. Moreover, it could stimulate secretion of vasopressin. By administration of cerebrocrast thymus mass was increased, thereby preventing the action of GCs. As cerebrocrast inhibited L‐ and T‐type calcium channels, it can prevent vasoconstriction of kidney arterioles and aldosterone secretion that have significant roles in the development of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. These properties of cerebrocrast are important for treatment of Type 2 diabetes and its consequent development of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The elimination of Anaplasma phagocytophilum requires CD4+ T cells, but is independent of Th1 cytokines and a wide spectrum of effector mechanisms
Authors: Birkner Katharina , Steiner Birte , Rinkler Christina , Kern Yvonne , Aichele Peter , Bogdan Christian , von Loewenich Friederike D.
Published: November 2008

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram‐negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that exhibits a striking tropism for neutrophils. When we depleted mice of neutrophils, we found that murine susceptibility to anaplasmal infection was dependent on their presence. While serving as sites of bacterial replication, neutrophils do not seem to act as efficient killer cells in A. phagocytophilum infection, because mice deficient for antimicrobial effectors of neutrophils such as myeloperoxidase, granulocyte elastase, and cathepsin G were fully competent in pathogen elimination. To identify components of the immune system other than neutrophils that control A. phagocytophilum, we studied the course of infection in several gene‐deficient mouse strains. IFN‐γ production by NK cells was important for initial defense, but not critical for pathogen elimination. In contrast, bacterial clearance was strictly dependent on CD4+ T cells, but unexpectedly achieved in the absence of perforin, Fas/FasL and major Th1 cytokines such as IL‐12, IFN‐γ, and MCP‐1. These findings provide a novel paradigm for the control of an intracellular pathogen, which appears to be strikingly different from the CD4+ T cell‐, IL‐12‐, and IFN‐γ‐dependent immunity to other intracellular bacteria.
Topological Diversification in Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Secondary Ligand and Metal Effects
Authors: Liu Jian‐Qiang , Wang Yao‐Yu , Zhang Ya‐Nan , Liu Ping , Shi Qi‐Zhen , Batten Stuart R.
Published: November 2008

A series of interesting coordination polymers have been prepared by the combination of a V‐shaped 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (H2oba) and neutral organonitrogen ligands with different metal ions, namely, {[M(oba)(bpe)]·H2O}n [M = Mn (1), Co (2)], [M(oba)(N3)]n [N3 = dipyridin‐2‐ylamine; M = Cd (3), Cu (4)] and {[Zn(oba)(N5)]·2H2O}n (5) [bpe = 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethene, N5 = bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)pyridine‐2,6‐diamine]. The framework structures of these neutral polymeric complexes have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Compound 1 has a threefold pcu‐type network structure. Although 2 has the same ligands and coordination modes as 1, it consists of corrugated 2D layers formed of a series of squares, which allows the sheets to interpenetrate in an unusual 2D → 3D parallel fashion. Polymers 3 and 4 exhibit double‐helical chains formed by π–π stacking interactions from the phenyl rings of the N3 ligands. Compound 5 forms a 2D supramolecular architecture directed by hydrogen bonding between the NH groups of the N5 ligand, the uncoordinated carboxylate oxygens, and the intercalated water molecules. This work markedly indicates that the effect of auxiliary ligands is significant in the construction of these network structures, which are also well regulated by the metal centers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and XRPD results for compound 1 as well as luminescent properties for compounds 3 and 5 are discussed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Residual income, non‐earnings information, and information content
Authors: Tsay Ruey S. , Lin Yi‐Mien , Wang Hsiao‐Wen
Published: November 2008

We extend Ohlson's (1995) model and examine the relationship between returns and residual income that incorporate analysts' earnings forecasts and other non‐earnings information variables in the balance sheet, namely default probability and agency cost of a debt covenant contract. We further divide the sample based on bankruptcy (agency) costs, earnings components and growth opportunities of a firm to explore how these factors affect the returns–residual income link. We find that the relative predictive ability for contemporaneous stock price by considering other earnings and non‐earnings information is better than that of models without non‐earnings information. If the bankruptcy (agency) cost of a firm is higher, its information role in the firm's equity valuation becomes more important and the accuracy of price prediction is therefore higher. As for non‐earnings information, if bankruptcy (agency) cost is lower, the information role becomes more relevant, and the earnings response coefficient is hence higher. Moreover, the decomposition of unexpected residual income into permanent and transitory components induces more information than that of the unexpected residual income alone. The permanent component has a larger impact than the transitory component in explaining abnormal returns. The market and industry properties and growth opportunity also have incremental explanatory power in valuation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chasing mosquitoes: An exploration of the relationship between economic growth, poverty and the elimination of malaria in Southern Europe in the 20th century
Authors: Bowden Sue , Michailidou Domna Maria , Pereira Alvaro
Published: November 2008

This paper explores how the elimination of malaria could provide an escape from poverty with reference to the timing of the decline in malaria and its implications in terms of the labour force, the implications for the agricultural sector and the growth of the tourist industry in Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy in the first half of the twentieth century. The paper finds that whilst the control of malaria did have an economic effect, the escape from poverty was encouraged but not explained by malaria elimination. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal predictability of daily rainfall statistics over Indramayu district, Indonesia
Authors: Robertson Andrew W. , Moron Vincent , Swarinoto Yunus
Published: November 2008

The seasonal predictability of rainfall over a small rice‐growing district of Java, Indonesia is investigated in terms of its daily characteristics during the September–December monsoon‐onset season. The seasonal statistics considered include rainfall frequency, mean daily intensity, median length of dry spells, as well as the onset date of the rainy season. General circulation model retrospective seasonal forecasts initialized on August 1 are downscaled to a set of 17 station locations using a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model. Large ensembles of stochastic daily rainfall sequences are generated at each station, from which the seasonal statistics are calculated and compared against observations using deterministic and probabilistic skill metrics. The retrospective forecasts are shown to exhibit moderate skill in terms of rainfall frequency, seasonal rainfall total, and especially monsoon onset date. Some skill is also found for median dry‐spell length, while mean wet‐day persistence and daily rainfall intensity are not found to be predictable. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Screening for triploidy by the risk algorithms for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 at 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation
Authors: Kagan Karl O. , Anderson James M. , Anwandter Gabriel , Neksasova Katya , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: November 2008

Objectives

To examine the effectiveness in screening for triploidy at 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation by the combined use of the risk algorithms for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 based on maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A.

Methods

Prospective screening for trisomy 21, including 56 376 normal singleton pregnancies and 31 cases with triploidy (24 digynic and 7 diandric). Patient‐specific risks for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 were calculated by multiplying the age related risk for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 with the likelihood ratio (LR) for fetal NT and with a combined LR for FHR, free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A, respectively. Detection rates (DRs) and false positive rates (FPRs) for triploidy were calculated by taking the proportion with risks above a given risk threshold and standardized for maternal age according to the distribution of pregnancies in England and Wales in 2000 to 2002.

Results

In digynic triploidy, free β‐hCG was 0.16 (range 0.02–0.95) MoM and PAPP‐A was 0.06 (range 0.02–0.47) MoM and the respective values for diandric triploidy were 8.74 (range 2.83–47.0) and 0.74 (range 0.32–1.51) MoM. Use of the trisomy 21 algorithm identified 5 of the 7 diandric cases and 3 of the 24 digynic ones at a 3% FPR. Combined use of the risk algorithms for trisomies 18 and 13 identified 20 of the 24 cases with the digynic triploidy at the FPR of 0.2%. When screen positivity was defined by a 3% FPR using the algorithm for trisomy 21 and an additional 0.2% FPR using the algorithms for trisomies 18 and 13, the total FPR was 3.1% and the DR was 84%.

Conclusions

A beneficial side‐effect of first trimester combined screening for trisomies is the detection of a high proportion of fetuses with triploidy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Centrifuge modelling of solifluction processes: displacement profiles associated with one‐sided and two‐sided active layer freezing
Authors: Kern‐Luetschg Martina , Harris Charles
Published: November 2008

Two sets of small‐scale centrifuge experiments were undertaken to simulate solifluction processes associated with one‐sided freezing (with no permafrost) and two‐sided freezing (with permafrost) within an active layer 0.8–0.9 m thick at the prototype scale. Models were frozen on the laboratory floor under normal acceleration due to gravity and thawed in the centrifuge under an acceleration of 10 gravities. In the one‐sided freezing experiment, ice segregation was concentrated near the surface, whereas in the two‐sided model it also caused an ice‐rich transition zone to form near the base of the active layer. After repeated freeze‐thaw cycles the one‐sided experiment revealed concave downslope profiles of movement with shear strain decreasing with depth, whereas in the two‐sided experiment, convex downslope profiles indicated the greatest shear strain in the basal part of the active layer. Although smaller surface velocities were measured in the two‐sided experiment, higher volumetric velocities developed. The centrifuge experiments showed displacement rates similar to field measurements and analogous to full‐scale laboratory experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pesticidal seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A: release kinetics, storage life and performance
Authors: Nisar Keyath , Kumar Jitendra , Arun Kumar MB , Walia Suresh , Shakil Najam A , Parsad Rajender , Parmar Balraj S
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Infestation of seeds by pests during storage leads to deterioration in quality. Seed coating is an effective option to overcome the menace. Unlike synthetic fungicidal seed coats, little is known of those based on botanicals. This study aims at developing azadirachtin‐A‐based pesticidal seed coats to maintain seed quality during storage.

RESULTS: Polymer‐ and clay‐based coats containing azadirachtin‐A were prepared and evaluated for quality maintenance of soybean seed during storage. Gum acacia, gum tragacanth, rosin, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethyl methacrylate, methyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and Agrimer VA 6 polymers and the clay bentonite were used as carriers. The time for 50% release (t1/2) of azadirachtin‐A into water from the seeds coated with the different coats ranged from 8.02 to 21.36 h. The half‐life (T1/2) of azadirachtin‐A in the coats on seed ranged from 4.37 to 11.22 months, as compared with 3.45 months in azadirachtin‐A WP, showing an increase by a factor of nearly 1.3–3.3 over the latter. The coats apparently acted as a barrier to moisture to reduce azadirachtin‐A degradation and prevented proliferation of storage fungi. Polyethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were significantly superior to the other polymers. Azadirachtin‐A showed a significant positive correlation with seed germination and vigour, and negative correlation with moisture content.

CONCLUSION: Effective polymeric carriers for seed coats based on azadirachtin‐A are reported. These checked seed deterioration during storage by acting as a barrier to moisture and reduced the degradation of azadirachtin‐A. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel derivative for the assessment of urinary and salivary nitrate using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Jackson Sarah J. , Siervo Mario , Persson Emma , McKenna Louise M. , Bluck Leslie J. C.
Published: November 2008

Previous gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods for determining nitrate in biological samples involve either hazardous chemicals or produce multiple isomers that can be difficult to quantitate. Modification of these methods, by the nitration of mesitylene instead of benzene and in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride rather than sulphuric acid, should enable simple isotopic quantitation for use in tracer studies, for example, in the measurement of nitric oxide production. Desiccated urine and saliva samples, in addition to aqueous labelled and unlabelled nitrate standards, were treated with trifluoroacetic anhydride and mesitylene at 70°C for 1 h, cooled, then sequentially washed with deionised water and aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The solution of nitromesitylene in mesitylene was separated, dried and analysed by GC/MS. The full mass spectra exhibited abundant ions at m/z 165 and 166 corresponding to the unlabelled and labelled molecular species of nitromesitylene, respectively. Selected ion monitoring of these masses for a series of gravimetrically prepared standards indicated good agreement with isotopic enrichments in the range 0.0625–5 mole % excess, and at nitrate concentrations within the physiological range of 0.078–2 mmol/L. Derivatised samples were stable with respect to isotopic enrichments and nitrate concentrations at −20°C for up to 21 days and exhibited excellent repeatability. Nitration of mesitylene proved to be a simple and rapid method for the measurement of isotope ratios in aqueous nitrates by GC/MS, which has applications in tracer studies and in concentration determinations by isotope dilution techniques for nitric oxide production. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caf1A usher possesses a Caf1 subunit-like domain that is crucial for Caf1 fibre secretion
Authors: Yu Xiaodi , Visweswaran Ganeshram R. , Duck Zoe , Marupakula Srisailam , MacIntyre Sheila , Knight Stefan D. , Zavialov Anton V.
Published: November 2008

The chaperone/usher pathway controls assembly of fibres of adhesive organelles of Gram-negative bacteria. The final steps of fibre assembly and fibre translocation to the cell surface are co-ordinated by the outer membrane proteins, ushers. Ushers consist of several soluble periplasmic domains and a single transmembrane β-barrel. Here we report isolation and structural/functional characterization of a novel middle domain of the Caf1A usher from Yersinia pestis. The isolated UMD (usher middle domain) is a highly soluble monomeric protein capable of autonomous folding. A 2.8 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution crystal structure of UMD revealed that this domain has an immunoglobulin-like fold similar to that of donor-strand-complemented Caf1 fibre subunit. Moreover, these proteins displayed significant structural similarity. Although UMD is in the middle of the predicted amphipathic β-barrel of Caf1A, the usher still assembled in the membrane in the absence of this domain. UMD did not bind Caf1M–Caf1 complexes, but its presence was shown to be essential for Caf1 fibre secretion. The study suggests that UMD may play the role of a subunit-substituting protein (dummy subunit), plugging or priming secretion through the channel in the Caf1A usher. Comparison of isolated UMD with the recent structure of the corresponding domain of PapC usher revealed high similarity of the core structures, suggesting a universal structural adaptation of FGL (F1G1 long) and FGS (F1G1 short) chaperone/usher pathways for the secretion of different types of fibres. The functional role of two topologically different states of this plug domain suggested by structural and biochemical results is discussed.
Thermodynamic insights into the structural basis governing the donor substrate recognition by human β1,4-galactosyltransferase 7
Authors: Daligault Franck , Rahuel-Clermont Sophie , Gulberti Sandrine , Cung Manh-Thong , Branlant Guy , Netter Patrick , Magdalou Jacques , Lattard Virginie
Published: November 2008

Human β1,4-GalT (galactosyltransferase)7 is involved in the biosynthesis of the tetrasaccharide linker protein region (GlcAβ1→3Galβ1→3Galβ1→4Xylβ1) (where GlcA is glucuronic acid and Xyl is xylose) of proteoglycans, by catalysing the transfer of Gal (galactose) from the uridine 5′-diphosphogalactose to a Xyl residue. This reaction is rate-limiting in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. In the present study, we established a large-scale production system of β1,4-GalT7 fused with the maltose-binding protein to study substrate recognition. Calorimetric binding studies showed that the binding of the donor substrate UDP-Gal largely promoted binding of the acceptor substrate. To identify the structural basis governing substrate recognition, we used a fragment-based approach involving the artificial breakdown of the donor substrate into smaller fragments and characterization of their respective binding to the enzyme by isothermal titration calorimetry. The β-phosphate, and to a lesser extent the α-phosphate, largely contributed to the binding energy. However, the uridine moiety was found to be essential for the optimal positioning of the donor substrate within the binding site. Unexpectedly, the contribution of the Gal moiety in substrate recognition was found to be negligible. Indeed, UDP-Gal, but also various UDP-sugars, could bind to β1,4-GalT7. Surprisingly, in contrast with other GalTs, soluble β1,4-GalT7 was able to transfer Glc (glucose), Xyl and, to a lesser extent GlcA and GlcNAc (N-acetyl glucosamine), to acceptor sugars, whereas UDP-Man (mannose) and UDP-GalNAc (N-acetyl galactosamine) were not substrates.
Role of Mdm2 acid domain interactions in recognition and ubiquitination of the transcription factor IRF-2
Authors: Pettersson Susanne , Kelleher Michael , Pion Emmanuelle , Wallace Maura , Ball Kathryn L.
Published: November 2008

Mdm2 (murine double minute 2)-mediated ubiquitination of the p53 tumour suppressor requires interaction of the ligase at two distinct binding sites that form general multiprotein-docking sites for the p53 protein. The first Mdm2-binding site resides in the transactivation domain of p53 and is an allosteric effector site for Mdm2-mediated p53 ubiquitination; the second site requires the acid domain of Mdm2 to recognize a ‘ubiquitination signal’ within p53's DNA-binding core. In order to expand on fundamental requirements for a protein to function as an Mdm2 substrate and the role of the acid domain in recognition, we have carried out a bioinformatics search for open reading frames that have homology with the Mdm2-docking sites in p53. IRF-2 [IFN (interferon) regulatory factor-2], an IFN-regulated transcription factor, has been identified as an Mdm2-binding protein and substrate requiring interactions with both the hydrophobic pocket and the acid domain of Mdm2. Mutation of either of the two Mdm2-binding sites on IRF-2 can attenuate substrate ubiquitination, confirming the requirement of a dual-site substrate interaction mechanism. Ligands that bind to the hydrophobic pocket are not sufficient to inhibit Mdm2 E3-ligase activity. Rather, acid domain-binding ligands act as E3-ligase inhibitors, lending additional support to the idea that the acid domain of Mdm2 is key to understanding its mechanism of action. The ability of Mdm2 and IRF-2 to form a complex in cells complements the biochemical assays and together establishes a novel substrate with which to develop insights into E3-ubiquitin ligase–substrate interactions in vitro and in cells.
Mandibular Angle Fractures: A Clinical and Biomechanical Comparison—the Works of Ellis and Haug
Authors: Haug Richard H. , Serafin Bethany L.
Published: November 2008

In a series of articles spanning 8 years, Ed Ellis reviewed the clinical results of the treatment of 478 mandibular angle fractures managed by eight different techniques. During a series of benchtop investigations employing polyurethane synthetic mandible replicas, Rich Haug investigated the biomechanical behavior of approximately 15 different techniques designed to reconstruct mandibular angle fractures. This article reviews these two series of investigations in an attempt to gain insight into the biomechanical and biological factors that affect the successful reconstruction of mandibular angle fractures. It appears that the current techniques used to reconstruct mandibular angle fractures are sound from the standpoint of biomechanics within a range of forces encountered during clinical function. It also appears that an unsuccessful reconstruction is based on a biological result of a behavioral issue such as noncompliance, substance abuse, and/or nutritional or immune compromise.
Search for Synchrotron Emission from Secondary Leptons in Dense Cold Starless Cores
Authors: Jones D. I. , Protheroe R. J. , Crocker R. M.
Published: November 2008

We report radio continuum observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array of two molecular clouds. The impetus for these observations is a search for synchrotron radiation by cosmic-ray secondary electrons/positrons in a region of enhanced density and possibly high magnetic field. We present modelling which shows that there should be an appreciable flux of synchrotron above the more diffuse, galactic synchrotron background.

The starless core G333.125–0.562 and infrared source IRAS15596–5301 were observed at 1384 and 2368 MHz. For G333.125–0.562, we find no significant levels of radio emission from this source at either frequency, nor any appreciable polarisation: we place an upper limit on the radio continuum flux from this source of 0.5 mJy beam−1 at both 1384 and 2368 MHz. Due to the higher than expected flux density limits, we also obtained archival ATCA data at 8640 MHz for this cloud and place an upper limit on the flux density of 50 μJy beam−1. Assuming the cosmic ray spectrum is similar to that near the Sun and given the cloud's molecular density and mass, we place an upper limit on the magnetic field of 500 μG.

IRAS 15596–5301, with an RMS of 50 μJy beam−1 at 1384 MHz, shows an HII region consistent with optically thin free–free emission already detected at 4800 MHz. We use the same prescription as G333 to constrain the magnetic field from this cloud to be less than 500 μG. We find that these values are not inconsistent with the view that magnetic field values scale with the average density of the molecular cloud.
Stem cell bioprocessing: fundamentals and principles
Authors: Placzek Mark R , Chung I-Ming , Macedo Hugo M , Ismail Siti , Mortera Blanco Teresa , Lim Mayasari , Min Cha Jae , Fauzi Iliana , Kang Yunyi , Yeo David C.L , Yip Joan Ma Chi , Polak Julia M , Panoskaltsis Nicki , Mantalaris Athanasios
Published: November 2008

In recent years, the potential of stem cell research for tissue engineering-based therapies and regenerative medicine clinical applications has become well established. In 2006, Chung pioneered the first entire organ transplant using adult stem cells and a scaffold for clinical evaluation. With this a new milestone was achieved, with seven patients with myelomeningocele receiving stem cell-derived bladder transplants resulting in substantial improvements in their quality of life. While a bladder is a relatively simple organ, the breakthrough highlights the incredible benefits that can be gained from the cross-disciplinary nature of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) that encompasses stem cell research and stem cell bioprocessing. Unquestionably, the development of bioprocess technologies for the transfer of the current laboratory-based practice of stem cell tissue culture to the clinic as therapeutics necessitates the application of engineering principles and practices to achieve control, reproducibility, automation, validation and safety of the process and the product. The successful translation will require contributions from fundamental research (from developmental biology to the ‘omics’ technologies and advances in immunology) and from existing industrial practice (biologics), especially on automation, quality assurance and regulation. The timely development, integration and execution of various components will be critical—failures of the past (such as in the commercialization of skin equivalents) on marketing, pricing, production and advertising should not be repeated. This review aims to address the principles required for successful stem cell bioprocessing so that they can be applied deftly to clinical applications.
Symmetrical Taylor impact studies of copper
Authors: Forde L.C , Proud W.G , Walley S.M
Published: November 2008

An integrated investigation of rod-on-rod (symmetric Taylor) impact of annealed copper was conducted using the single-stage gas-gun facility at the Cavendish Laboratory as a validation study of the Armstrong–Zerilli constitutive model, as modified by Goldthorpe. Two main techniques were used for obtaining data from the experiments: high-speed photography (up to 20 million frames s−1framing rate) and a velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR). The symmetric configuration was used to minimize friction effects and eliminate target indentation seen in classic Taylor tests, where a rod is fired against a massive target block. However, the need for coaxial alignment of the two rods made the experiments considerably more challenging to perform than the classic case. The propagation of plasticity along the rods was monitored using high-speed photography and VISAR. It was found to propagate with a logarithmically decelerating velocity. The rod profiles and VISAR traces can be understood in terms of material properties such as strain hardening. No asymmetry between the responses of the two rods involved (moving and stationary) was observed within the resolution of the techniques employed. A modified Armstrong–Zerilli material model for copper predicted intermediate profiles well, but slightly overestimated the material strength.
Gourds afloat: a dated phylogeny reveals an Asian origin of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and numerous oversea dispersal events
Authors: Schaefer Hanno , Heibl Christoph , Renner Susanne S
Published: November 2008

Knowing the geographical origin of economically important plants is important for genetic improvement and conservation, but has been slowed by uneven geographical sampling where relatives occur in remote areas of difficult access. Less biased species sampling can be achieved when herbarium collections are included as DNA sources. Here, we address the history of Cucurbitaceae, one of the most economically important families of plants, using a multigene phylogeny for 114 of the 115 genera and 25 per cent of the 960 species. Worldwide sampling was achieved by using specimens from 30 herbaria. Results reveal an Asian origin of Cucurbitaceae in the Late Cretaceous, followed by the repeated spread of lineages into the African, American and Australian continents via transoceanic long-distance dispersal (LDD). North American cucurbits stem from at least seven range expansions of Central and South American lineages; Madagascar was colonized 13 times, always from Africa; Australia was reached 12 times, apparently always from Southeast Asia. Overall, Cucurbitaceae underwent at least 43 successful LDD events over the past 60 Myr, which would translate into an average of seven LDDs every 10 Myr. These and similar findings from other angiosperms stress the need for an increased tapping of museum collections to achieve extensive geographical sampling in plant phylogenetics.
Psb28 Protein Is Involved in the Biogenesis of the Photosystem II Inner Antenna CP47 (PsbB) in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Dobáková Marika , Sobotka Roman , Tichý Martin , Komenda Josef
Published: November 2008

The role of the Psb28 protein in the structure and function of the photosystem II (PSII) complex has been studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The protein was localized in the membrane fraction and, whereas most of the protein was detected as an unassembled protein, a small portion was found in the PSII core complex lacking the CP43 antenna (RC47). The association of Psb28 with RC47 was further confirmed by preferential isolation of RC47 from the strain containing a histidine-tagged derivative of Psb28 using nickel-affinity chromatography. However, the affinity-purified fraction also contained a small amount of the unassembled PSII inner antenna CP47 bound to Psb28-histidine, indicating a structural relationship between Psb28 and CP47. A psb28 deletion mutant exhibited slower autotrophic growth than wild type, although the absence of Psb28 did not affect the functional properties of PSII. The mutant showed accelerated turnover of the D1 protein, faster PSII repair, and a decrease in the cellular content of PSI. Radioactive labeling revealed a limitation in the synthesis of both CP47 and the PSI subunits PsaA/PsaB in the absence of Psb28. The mutant cells contained a high level of magnesium protoporphyrin IX methylester, a decreased level of protochlorophyllide, and released large quantities of protoporphyrin IX into the medium, indicating inhibition of chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis at the cyclization step yielding the isocyclic ring E. Overall, our results show the importance of Psb28 for synthesis of Chls and/or apoproteins of Chl-binding proteins CP47 and PsaA/PsaB.
Structural changes in nanocrystalline mackinawite (FeS) at high pressure
Authors: Ehm L. , Michel F. M. , Antao S. M. , Martin C. D. , Lee P. L. , Shastri S. D. , Chupas P. J. , Parise J. B.
Published: November 2008

The high-pressure behavior of nanocrystalline mackinawite (FeS) with particle sizes of 6, 7 and 8 nm has been investigated by high-energy X-ray total scattering and pair distribution function analysis. An irreversible first-order structural phase transition from tetragonal mackinawite to orthorhombic FeS-II was observed at about 3 GPa. The transition is induced by the closure of the van der Waals gap in the layered mackinawite structure. A grain size effect on the transition pressure and the compressibility was observed.
Spontaneous and cytokine induced expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases in human colonic epithelium
Authors: Pedersen G , Saermark T , Kirkegaard T , Brynskov J
Published: November 2008

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in tissue damage associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As the role of the intestinal epithelium in this process is unknown, we determined MMP expression and enzyme activity in human colonic epithelial cells (CEC). MMP mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells and in CEC isolated from biopsies from IBD and control patients. Total MMP activity in the cells was measured by a functional assay, based on degradation of a fluorescent synthetic peptide containing the specific bond for MMP cleavage. HT-29 and DLD-1 expressed several MMPs and levels of MMP-3, -10 and -13 mRNA expression were increased significantly by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α exposure. Transcripts of MMP-1, -3, -7, -9, -10 and -12 were detected in CECs and all, except MMP12, at significantly increased levels in cells from inflamed IBD mucosa. MMP-2 and -8 mRNA were expressed inconsistently and MMP-11, -13 and -14 mRNA undetectable. Proteolytic MMP activity was detected in CEC supernatants and the level was increased significantly in inflamed IBD epithelium. The enzyme activity was inhibited strongly by a specific MMP inhibitor (GM 6001). A significant TNF-α-mediated increase in MMP enzyme activity was also detected in HT-29 cells in vitro. In conclusion, the expression of several MMPs as well as the level of functional MMP activity is increased in CEC from patients with active IBD. The results suggest that MMPs released by the intestinal epithelium may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD by promoting local mucosal damage.