bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global metabolic profiling of plant cell wall polysaccharide degradation by Saccharophagus degradans
Authors: Shin Min Hye , Lee Do Yup , Skogerson Kirsten , Wohlgemuth Gert , Choi In‐Geol , Fiehn Oliver , Kim Kyoung Heon
Published: October 2009

Plant cell wall polysaccharides can be used as the main feedstock for the production of biofuels. Saccharophagus degradans 2–40 is considered to be a potent system for the production of sugars from plant biomass due to its high capability to degrade many complex polysaccharides. To understand the degradation metabolism of plant cell wall polysaccharides by S. degradans, the cell growth, enzyme activity profiles, and the metabolite profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography‐time of flight mass spectrometry using different carbon sources including cellulose, xylan, glucose, and xylose. The specific activity of cellulase was only found to be significantly higher when cellulose was used as the sole carbon source, but the xylanase activity increased when xylan, xylose, or cellulose was used as the carbon source. In addition, principal component analysis of 98 identified metabolites in S. degradans revealed four distinct groups that differed based on the carbon source used. Furthermore, metabolite profiling showed that the use of cellulose or xylan as polysaccharides led to increased abundances of fatty acids, nucleotides and glucuronic acid compared to the use of glucose or xylose. Finally, intermediates in the pentose phosphate pathway seemed to be up‐regulated on xylose or xylan when compared to those on glucose or cellulose. Such metabolic responses of S. degradans under plant cell wall polysaccharides imply that its metabolic system is transformed to more efficiently degrade polysaccharides and conserve energy. This study demonstrates that the gas chromatography‐time of flight mass spectrometry‐based global metabolomics are useful for understanding microbial metabolism and evaluating its fermentation characteristics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 477–488. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancement of ethanol and biogas production from high‐crystalline cellulose by different modes of NMO pretreatment
Authors: Jeihanipour Azam , Karimi Keikhosro , Taherzadeh Mohammad J.
Published: October 2009

Pretreatment of high‐crystalline cellulose with N‐methyl‐morpholine‐N‐oxide (NMO or NMMO) to improve bioethanol and biogas production was investigated. The pretreatments were performed at 90 and 120°C for 0.5–15 h in three different modes, including dissolution (85% NMO), ballooning (79% NMO), and swelling (73% NMO). The pretreated materials were then enzymatically hydrolyzed and fermented to ethanol or anaerobically digested to biogas (methane). The pretreatment at 85% NMO, 120°C and 2.5 h resulted in 100% yield in the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis and around 150% improvement in the yield of ethanol compared to the untreated and water‐treated material. However, the best results of biogas production were obtained when the cellulose was treated with swelling and ballooning mode, which gave almost complete digestion in 15 days. Thus, the pretreatment resulted in 460 g ethanol or 415 L methane from each kg of cellulose. Analysis of the structure of treated and untreated celluloses showed that the dissolution mode can efficiently convert the crystalline cellulose I to cellulose II. However, it decreases the water swelling capacity of the cellulose. On the other hand, swelling and ballooning modes in NMO treatment were less efficient in both water swelling capacity and cellulose crystallinity. No cellulose loss, ambient pressure, relatively moderate conditions, and high efficiency make the NMO a good alternative for pretreatment of high‐crystalline cellulosic materials. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 469–476. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theoretical investigation of the sequential reductive dechlorination pathways of chlorobenzenes and chloroanilines
Authors: Okutman Tas Didem , Prytula Mark T. , Mulholland James A. , Pavlostathis Spyros G.
Published: October 2009

The distribution of product isomers during the sequential reductive dechlorination of pentachloroaniline (PCA) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) was examined based on calculated thermodynamic, chromatographic, and electronic properties and then compared to the product distribution achieved by enrichment cultures. The dechlorination pathway analysis based on free energy considerations matched 78% and 67% of the experimental results for the sequential reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes (CBs) and chloroanilines (CAs), respectively. Chromatographic properties of CBs and CAs were able to explain some but not all of the reactions in the observed dechlorination pathways. Correlations between the observed dechlorination pattern and electronic properties of the parent compounds were able to explain most of the formation of the observed products. Experimentally observed sequential reductive dechlorination of CBs and CAs were similar to predicted dechlorination pathways based on the charge differential values calculated for the carbon–chloride bonds. Chlorine atoms were removed from the carbon atom that has the highest charge differential or the second highest charge differential. However, although thermodynamic, electronic as well as chromatographic properties of the CBs and CAs are certainly important factors, they may not be sufficient to completely describe the sequential microbial reductive dechlorination. Enzymatic specificity, as well as other factors (i.e., culture acclimation, environmental factors) should be considered for the interpretation of observed sequential reductive dehalogenation pathways of haloorganic compounds. This work provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of theoretical factors that control the sequential reductive chlorination of two homologous series of single‐ring chloroaromatic species. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 574–587. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of bisoprolol in human plasma using d5‐bisoprolol as the internal standard
Authors: Liu Gang‐yi , Wang Wei , Jia Jing‐ying , Lu Chuan , Liu Yan‐mei , Zhang Meng‐qi , Liu Yun , Li Shui‐jun , Yu Chen
Published: October 2009

A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) protocol was developed and validated for quantification of bisoprolol in human plasma. The sample was pretreated with a simple procedure of protein precipitation and an isotope‐labeled d5‐bisoprolol was used as internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell Pak C18 MG III column (100 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 µm). The protonated ion of the analyte was detected in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring mode. The mass transition pairs of m/z 326.3 → 116.3 and m/z 331.3 → 121.3 were used to detect bisoprolol and the internal standard, respectively. Linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect, dilution test and stability were evaluated during method validation over the range of 0.5–100 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze human plasma samples in a bisoprolol bioavailability study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sensitive non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometric method for multiresidue analyses of β‐agonists in pork
Authors: Anurukvorakun Oraphan , Buchberger Wolfgang , Himmelsbach Markus , Klampel Christian W. , Suntornsuk Leena
Published: October 2009

Non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (NACE‐MS) was developed for trace analyses of β‐agonists (i.e. clenbuterol, salbutamol and terbutaline) in pork. The NACE was in 18 mM ammonium acetate in methanol–acetonitrile–glacial acetic acid (66 : 33 : 1, v/v/v) using a voltage of 28 kV. The hyphenation of CE with a time‐of‐flight MS was performed by electrospray ionization interface employing 5 mM ammonium acetate in methanol–water (80 : 20, v/v) as the sheath liquid at a flow rate of 2 μL/min. Method sensitivity was enhanced by a co‐injection technique (combination of hydrodynamic and electrokinetic injection) using a pressure of 50 mbar and a voltage of 10 kV for 12 s. The method was validated in comparison with HPLC–MS‐MS. The NACE‐MS procedure provided excellent detection limits of 0.3 ppb for all analytes. Method linearity was good (r2 > 0.999, in a range of 0.8–1000 ppb for all analytes). Precision showed %RSDs of <17.7%. Sample pre‐treatment was carried out by solid‐phase extraction using mixed mode reversed phase/cation exchange cartridges yielding recoveries between 69 and 80%. The NACE‐MS could be successfully used for the analysis of β‐agonists in pork samples and results showed no statistical differences from the values reported by the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand using HPLC‐MS‐MS method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for high risk patients With severe aortic stenosis using the Edwards Sapien balloon‐expandable bioprosthesis: A single centre study with immediate and medium‐term outcomes
Authors: Osten Mark D. , Feindel Christopher , Greutmann Matthias , Chamberlain Kristeen , Meineri Massimiliano , Rubin Barry , Mezody Melitta , Ivanov Joan , Butany Jagdish , Horlick Eric M.
Published: October 2009

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TCAVI) is an emerging alternative therapy to open‐heart surgery in high‐risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Methods: Between January 2007 and May 2009, 46 patients underwent TCAVI with the 23 mm or 26 mm Edwards Sapien bioprosthesis via either the transapical (TA‐AVI) or transfemoral (TF‐AVI) approach. All patients had an estimated operative mortality risk of >15%. Results: A total of 46 patients (30 TA‐AVI, 16 TF‐AVI) with a mean aortic valve area (AVA) of 0.63 ± 0.2 cm2 and mean gradient of 54 ± 16 mm Hg were treated. Predicted operative mortality was 25.3% by logistic Euroscore and 8.7% by Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score. Procedural success was 93% in the TA‐AVI group and 88% in the TF‐AVI group. There was one intraprocedural death in the TA‐AVI group. Overall 30‐day mortality was 6.5% (2‐TA‐AVI, 1‐TF‐AVI). Four patients (9.5%) died from noncardiac causes after 30 days. Successful TCAVI was associated with a significant increase in AVA from 0.6 ± 0.1 cm2 to 1.6 ± 0.6 cm2 in the TA‐AVI group and 0.6 ± 0.1 cm2 to 1.4 ± 0.2 cm2 in the TF‐AVI group at a mean follow up of 7.4 ± 4.4 and 8.3 ± 5.0 months, respectively. At discharge, there was significant improvement in AVA (P < 0.0001), transaortic mean gradient (P < 0.0001), and mitral regurgitation (P = 0.01). At medium term follow up, the valve area was maintained and there was significant improvement in NYHA class in both groups (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: At medium term follow‐up, both transcatheter approaches demonstrated good valve durability with no cardiac‐related mortality post hospital discharge. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“Double wire” angio‐seal closure technique after balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Authors: Bui Quang T. , Kolansky Daniel M. , Bannan Amr , Herrmann Howard C.
Published: October 2009

Objectives: To report the feasibility of a collagen‐mediated closure device using a modified Angio‐Seal closure technique for access site management following percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Background: With the advent of percutaneous aortic valve replacement therapies, there has been a resurgence of interest in BAV procedures. Vascular complications, including bleeding, are a common source of morbidity post procedure as a result of the requirement for large bore femoral artery access. The use of vascular closure devices may reduce bleeding complications. Methods: We describe a new technique for vascular closure in this setting. At the conclusion of the valvuloplasty procedure, two 0.035″ wires are inserted through the femoral artery sheath. A conventional collagen‐mediated closure device (8F Angio‐Seal) is deployed over the first wire and along side the second wire. If immediate hemostasis is not achieved, a second device is loaded onto the second wire and deployed to achieve hemostasis. Results: Percutaneous BAV was performed in 21 patients. Hemostasis was successfully achieved in all patients with either a single 8F Angio‐Seal closure device (18 patients) or after placement of a second device (three patients). Conclusions: The modified “Double Wire” Angio‐Seal technique is a feasible method for hemostasis following percutaneous BAV. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrieval of an embolized amplatzer septal occluder
Authors: Chan Kam Tim , Cheng Boron Cheung Wah
Published: October 2009

Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) by various devices has been proven to be an effective and safe treatment modality for patients with congenital heart diseases. However, we have to be aware of the potential early and late complications like device embolization and formulate plan for rescue procedures. We have reported a case of successful closure of a large secundum ASD in a 23‐year‐old woman by a 40 mm Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO), which embolized into the right ventricle 4 hr after the procedure. This had caused palpitation and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Patient safety was our most important concern and after discussion with the cardiac surgeons and the patient, we would like to make a percutaneous stepwise attempt for retrieval. We first applied an endocardial biopsy forcep to grap the disk of the ASO to fix and stabilize the dislodged device. This would prevent the device from obstructing the inflow and outflow tract and causing catastrophic consequences. Then, a 15‐mm Amplatz gooseneck snare was used to catch exactly at the connecting hub of the ASO disk, and the whole apparatus could then be cautiously and safely retrieved out from her body without complications. This had saved her from an unplanned emergency open heart operation that carried significant bleeding complication. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Batch Liquid‐Liquid Extraction of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Palma M. S. A. , Shibata C. , Paiva J. L. , Zilli M. , Converti A.
Published: October 2009

The aim of this work is the study of batch liquid‐liquid extraction of phenol from aqueous solutions in a bench‐scale well‐mixed reactor. The influence of the ratio of phase volumes, temperature, and rotational speed on phenol removal (0.72–1.1 % w/w) was investigated using methyl isobutyl ketone as an extracting solvent. For this purpose, the ratio of phase volumes were set at 0.1 and 0.2, the temperature at 10, 20, and 30 °C, and the rotational speed at 300, 400, and 500 rpm. A physical model based on the material balance of the phases as well as the equation of mass flux between the phases allowed the estimation of the overall coefficient of mass transfer coupled with the superficial area. Moreover, it proved to fit, satisfactorily well, the experimental data of residual phenol concentration in the organic phase versus time under all the conditions investigated.
Design of Simulated Moving Bed Plants for Reduced Purities
Authors: Fütterer M.
Published: October 2009

Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography is an established separation technology, where chromatographic columns are interconnected to a ring. The feeding and drains are switched over cyclically, such that a continuous separation becomes possible. For a faultless operation, the volumetric flow rates and switching time must be carefully adjusted. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate these values in dependence of the model parameters exactly. In this contribution, a new method is introduced to compute operating points for dispersion‐free SMB plants and to predict the associated time trajectories of the concentrations at the drains in cyclic steady state for user‐specified purities and degree of robustness. Simulation results are presented to show the potential of this new method.
Environmentally Benign Microreaction Process Design by Accompanying (Simplified) Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Huebschmann S. , Kralisch D. , Hessel V. , Krtschil U. , Kompter C.
Published: October 2009

Continuously running microreaction technology offers novel ways of process intensification, going beyond its established features such as process safety or modularity. One current concept is to operate under rough reaction conditions to speed up conversion rates. Performing microprocess technology under rigorous reaction conditions for several applications and under utilization of different techniques is currently investigated within the German research cluster called “Novel Process Windows”. Due to the improvements obtained in synthesis performance, a positive effect on environmental impacts is expected as well. But, harsh process conditions probably require added energy input and effort concerning process control and safety. The question whether the ratio of effort and benefit is less than for alternative approaches or not can be addressed by (Simplified) Life Cycle Assessment. Such analyses will be particularly helpful, if they are already integrated into the design of the process, in order to disclose the key drivers of a deliberated design of a green chemical process.
Novel Process Windows – A Contribution to More Sustainable Chemistry?
Authors: Hempel M.
Published: October 2009

Sustainable chemistry is the attempt to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances, minimize waste and energy consumption, favor renewable resources and integrate aspects of recycling. Some technical approaches are reviewed, e.g., renewable resources, catalytic processes, novel solvent systems, and process intensification. The application of micro‐fluidic components and chemical reaction under novel process regimes, i.e., so called “novel process windows” are discussed.
Optical Coal Particle Temperature Measurement under Oxy‐Fuel Conditions: Measurement Methodology and Initial Results
Authors: Schiemann M. , Scherer V. , Wirtz S.
Published: October 2009

Coal combustion under oxy‐fuel conditions shows significant differences to combustion in air. Examinations on the single‐grain level give detailed insight into the combustion phenomena of ignition, volatile combustion, and char burnout and, therefore, provide the fundamentals for the development of large‐scale oxy‐fuel facilities. The combustion of a hard coal in a size fraction of dp = 90–125 μm was investigated in a laminar flow reactor at a temperature of 1500 K. The gaseous fuel oxidizer contained 3 % O2 by volume and CO2 or N2 as diluents. A third measurement in a CO2‐rich atmosphere containing 9 % O2 is also presented to show the influence of O2 concentration. Particle temperatures were measured for three residence times with an imaging two‐color pyrometer.
Hydrogen‐Atom Abstraction Reactions by Manganese(V)– and Manganese(IV)–Oxo Porphyrin Complexes in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Arunkumar Chellaiah , Lee Yong‐Min , Lee Jung Yoon , Fukuzumi Shunichi , Nam Wonwoo
Published: October 2009

High‐valent manganese(IV or V)–oxo porphyrins are considered as reactive intermediates in the oxidation of organic substrates by manganese porphyrin catalysts. We have generated MnV– and MnIV–oxo porphyrins in basic aqueous solution and investigated their reactivities in CH bond activation of hydrocarbons. We now report that MnV– and MnIV–oxo porphyrins are capable of activating CH bonds of alkylaromatics, with the reactivity order of MnV–oxo>MnIV–oxo; the reactivity of a MnV–oxo complex is 150 times greater than that of a MnIV–oxo complex in the oxidation of xanthene. The CH bond activation of alkylaromatics by the MnV– and MnIV–oxo porphyrins is proposed to occur through a hydrogen‐atom abstraction, based on the observations of a good linear correlation between the reaction rates and the CH bond dissociation energy (BDE) of substrates and high kinetic isotope effect (KIE) values in the oxidation of xanthene and dihydroanthracene (DHA). We have demonstrated that the disproportionation of MnIV–oxo porphyrins to MnV–oxo and MnIII porphyrins is not a feasible pathway in basic aqueous solution and that MnIV–oxo porphyrins are able to abstract hydrogen atoms from alkylaromatics. The CH bond activation of alkylaromatics by MnV– and MnIV–oxo species proceeds through a one‐electron process, in which a MnIV–‐oxo porphyrin is formed as a product in the CH bond activation by a MnV–oxo porphyrin, followed by a further reaction of the MnIV–oxo porphyrin with substrates that results in the formation of a MnIII porphyrin complex. This result is in contrast to the oxidation of sulfides by the MnV–oxo porphyrin, in which the oxidation of thioanisole by the MnV–oxo complex produces the starting MnIII porphyrin and thioanisole oxide. This result indicates that the oxidation of sulfides by the MnV–oxo species occurs by means of a two‐electron oxidation process. In contrast, a MnIV–oxo porphyrin complex is not capable of oxidizing sulfides due to a low oxidizing power in basic aqueous solution.
Mechanistic Studies of CC Bond Cleavage of Nitriles by Dinuclear Metal Cryptates
Authors: Yang Li‐Zi , Li Yu , Zhuang Xiao‐Mei , Jiang Long , Chen Jia‐Mei , Luck Rudy L. , Lu Tong‐Bu
Published: October 2009

We previously reported that dinuclear copper(II) cryptate [Cu2L]4+ cleaves the CC bond of acetonitrile at room temperature to produce a cyano‐bridged dinuclear cryptate and methanol, whereby the reaction mechanism has not yet become clear. We have now systemically investigated this reaction, and four cryptates, [Cu2L](ClO4)4 (1), [Zn2L](ClO4)4 (2), [Cu2L(H2O)2](CF3SO3)4 (5), and [Cu2L(OH)(OH2)](ClO4)3 (6) are reported here. Cryptates 1 and 2 can cleave the CC bonds of acetonitrile, propionitrile, and benzonitrile at room temperature under open atmospheric conditions to give cyano‐bridged cryptates [Cu2L(CN)](ClO4)3 (3) and [Zn2L(CN)](ClO4)3 (4), respectively, and the corresponding alcohol. In contrast, 5 and 6 do not show any CC bond activation of nitriles, as the interior axial positions of CuII in 5 and 6 are occupied by water/OH−. The CC bond cleavage of (S)‐(+)‐2‐methylbutyronitrile by 2 produced (R)‐(−)‐2‐butanol only; that is, the cleavage reaction proceeds through an SN2 pathway (Walden inversion).
Modelling Atypical Small‐Molecule Mimics of an Important Stem Cell Cytokine, Thrombopoietin
Authors: Tarasova Anna , Winkler David A.
Published: October 2009

We report the first comprehensive 3D QSAR study of a large, structurally diverse set of compounds that act as atypical thrombopoietin (TPO) mimics by interacting with the transmembrane domain of the TPO receptor, c‐MPL. These agonists of c‐MPL were superimposed according to a pharmacophore hypothesis, resulting in 3D QSAR models of high statistical significance. The pharmacophore‐based superimposition and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were used to derive the QSAR models relating structure to the published in vitro bioactivities of the TPO mimics. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models gave high correlation coefficients of the bioactivities with the derived fields, resulting in robust prediction of agonist activity of the superimposed compounds. The models have been interpreted in terms of the requirements for binding to the transmembrane domain of the TPO receptor.
A functional network to predict fresh and hardened properties of self‐compacting concretes
Authors: Tomasiello Stefania
Published: October 2009

Literature offers several examples of application of neural networks to predict fresh and hardened properties of conventional and self‐compacting concretes. In this paper, these issues are addressed to a relatively recent computational scheme given by the functional networks, by proposing an initial simple application. The algorithm with some appropriate assumptions, reveals a quick convergence and an interesting generalization capability even if the training data set is poor. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FT Raman and DFT Study on a Series of All‐anti Oligothienoacenes End‐Capped with Triisopropylsilyl Groups
Authors: Malavé Osuna Reyes , Hernández Víctor , López Navarrete Juan T. , Aragó Juan , Viruela Pedro M. , Ortí Enrique , Suzuki Yoshitake , Yamaguchi Shigehiro , Henssler John T. , Matzger Adam J.
Published: October 2009

Herein, we study the π‐conjugational properties of a homologous series of all‐anti oligothienoacenes containing four to eight fused thiophene rings by means of FT Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The theoretical analysis of the spectroscopic data provides evidence that selective enhancement of a very limited number of Raman scatterings is related to the occurrence in these oligothienoacenes of strong vibronic coupling between collective ν(CC) stretching modes in the 1600–1300 cm−1 region and the HOMO/LUMO frontier orbitals (HOMO=highest occupied molecular orbital; LUMO=lowest unoccupied molecular orbital). The correlation of the Raman spectroscopic data and theoretical results for these all‐anti oligothienoacenes with those previously collected for a number of all‐syn oligothienohelicenes gives further support to the expectation that cross‐conjugation is dominant in heterohelicenes. Fully planar all‐anti oligothienoacenes display linear π conjugation which seemingly does not reach saturation with increasing number of annulated thiophene rings in the oligomeric chain at least up to the octamer.
Influence of Confined Water on the Photophysics of Dissolved Solutes in Reverse Micelles
Authors: Satpati Ashis Kumar , Kumbhakar Manoj , Nath Sukhendu , Pal Haridas
Published: October 2009

The photophysical parameters of two probes with largely different hydrophobic character, namely, coumarin 1 and coumarin 343, are investigated in sodium bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)/hexane/water reverse micelles at various water/AOT molar ratio w0. Correlation of photophysical parameters such as fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, and emission maxima with w0 indicate distinctly different trends below and above w0≈7 for both probes. The variation of the average rotational correlation times obtained from fluorescence anisotropy decays for both probes in reverse micelles further corroborate the above observation. Similar studies were also performed in nonaqueous reverse micelles with acetonitrile as polar solvent. Similar to aqueous reverse micelles, breaks in the photophysical parameters with increasing acetonitrile/AOT molar ratios w′0 were also observed in these cases, although at a much lower w′0 value of 3. The present results indicate that around w0≈7 for aqueous reverse micelles (and around w′0≈3 for nonaqueous reverse micelles) a distinct change occurs in the probe microenvironment, which is rationalized on the basis of the relative populations of interfacial and core water. We propose that until the ionic head groups and counterions are fully solvated by polar solvents, that is, up to w0≈7 (or w′0≈3), the interfacial water population dominates. Above these molar ratios coalescence of excess water molecules with each other to form truncated H‐bonded water clusters leads to a sizable population of core water. This is further substantiated by changes in the IR absorption spectra for the OD stretching mode of diluted D2O in reverse micelles with varying w0. Critical comparison of the present results with relevant literature reports provide clear support for the proposals made on water structure in reverse micelles. The role of relative size of the probe and the reverse micelles for differences in polar solvent to AOT ratios (w0=7 and w′0=3) in the observed breaks in the two types of reverse micelles is also discussed.
Teile II und III der Zulassungsgrundsätze für die Bewertung der Auswirkungen von Bauprodukten auf Boden und Grundwasser
Authors: Strathmann Brigitte
Published: October 2009

Nachdem in den DIBt Mitteilungen 4/2009 der Teil I der Grundsätze zur Bewertung der Auswirkungen von Bauprodukten auf Boden und Grundwasser (DIBt‐Grundsätze) veröffentlicht wurde, werden in diesem Heft die Teile II und III vorgestellt. In Teil II wird das allgemeine Bewertungskonzept an ausgewählten Bauprodukten konkretisiert. Hierzu gehört, dass in Abhängigkeit der Anwendungsfälle (s. Tabelle I.1 des Teils I der DIBt‐Grundsätze) die Elutionsverfahren, ggf. die zu untersuchenden Parameter im Eluat sowie die Umrechnung der im Eluat gemessenen Werte auf die Realität festgelegt werden. In Teil III werden die Analyseverfahren aufgelistet, die bei der Bewertung von Bauprodukten nach den DIBt‐Grundsätzen herangezogen werden sollen.
Thrombopoietin and thrombocytopenia in anorexia nervosa with severe liver dysfunction
Authors: Yoshiuchi Kazuhiro , Takimoto Yoshiyuki , Moriya Junko , Inada Shuji , Akabayashi Akira
Published: October 2009

Objective/Method:

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) display various physical complications. One such problem is thrombocytopenia. However, no studies have investigated links between AN and thrombopoietin (TPO), which is the primary regulator of megakaryocyte and platelet production produced mainly in the liver, although TPO has been recently reported to play a role in thrombocytopenia in liver diseases. We therefore clarified temporal relationships between platelet counts and TPO level in a woman with AN and severe liver dysfunction in whom platelet count decreased to 53 × 109/L.

Results:

While international normalized ratio (INR) was low, serum TPO level was relatively low despite low platelet counts. After INR and liver enzymes improved in conjunction with improved nutritional status, a rapid increase in TPO was observed and platelet count began to rise.

Discussion:

These findings thus suggest that decreased TPO production accompanying liver dysfunction may be related to thrombocytopenia besides myelosuppression in AN with malnutrition. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010;)
Use of coated capillaries for the electrophoretic separation of stereoisomers of a growth hormone secretagogue
Authors: Nehmé Reine , Perrin Catherine , Guerlavais Vincent , Fehrentz Jean‐Alain , Cottet Hervé , Martinez Jean , Fabre Huguette
Published: October 2009

The diastereoisomeric separation of peptidomimetics of hexarelin, a strong growth hormone secretagogue, in CE has been studied. Highly sulfated‐γ‐CD was found to be an appropriate selector for the separation of the stereoisomers. However, non‐repeatable analyses were obtained on bare fused silica capillary due to the progressive adsorption of the analytes on the capillary wall. Two types of polyelectrolyte coating agents were tested to prevent this phenomenon. Coating with neutral polyethylene oxide was found to be efficient but resulted in a very long analysis time (about 40 min). Coating with cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride was found both to prevent analyte adsorption, reduce analysis time and alter separation selectivity. EOF measurement revealed that the highly sulfated‐γ‐CDs were strongly adsorbed on the poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride coating surface yielding a stable strong cathodic EOF, which considerably reduced analysis time (about 12 min). Very good repeatability of analysis was obtained (RSDmigration time<1%).
SNaPshot minisequencing to resolve mitochondrial macro‐haplogroups found in Africa
Authors: Schlebusch Carina M. , Naidoo Thijessen , Soodyall Himla
Published: October 2009

African mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are divided into seven macro‐haplogroups (L0′1′2′3′4′5′6), while the rest of the world's lineages are classified as subgroups of macro‐haplogroups M, N and R. The most common approach to characterizing mtDNA variation is the sequencing of hypervariable segments I and II of the non‐coding control region of the molecule. Given the higher mutation rate within the control region compared with the coding regions of the molecule, recurrent mutations in the former can sometimes hide possible phylogenetic structure. The incorporation of haplogroup‐defining coding region mutations has helped in overcoming this limitation. By judiciously selecting 14 coding region SNPs and incorporating them into a multiplex minisequencing assay we were able to resolve mtDNA sequences from some sub‐Saharan African populations into ten macro‐haplogroups (L0–L6, M, N and R). We tested the efficacy of the panel by screening 699 individuals, consisting mostly of Khoe‐San, Bantu speakers and individuals with mixed ancestries (Coloreds) and found no inconsistencies compared with hypervariable segment sequencing results. The panel provided a fast and efficient means of classifying mtDNA into the ten mitochondrial macro‐haplogroups and provided a reliable screening to distinguish African from non‐African‐derived mtDNA lineages.
Electrophoretic exclusion for the selective transport of small molecules
Authors: Meighan Michelle M. , Keebaugh Michael W. , Quihuis Alicia M. , Kenyon Stacy M. , Hayes Mark A.
Published: October 2009

A novel method capable of differentiating and concentrating small molecules in bulk solution termed “electrophoretic exclusion” is described and experimentally investigated. In this technique, the hydrodynamic flow of the system is countered by the electrophoretic velocity to prevent a species from entering into the channel. The separation can be controlled by changing the flow rate or applied electric field in order to exclude certain species selectively while allowing others to pass through the capillary. Proof of principle studies employed a flow injection regime of the method and examined the exclusion of Methyl Violet dye in the presence of a neutral species. Methyl Violet was concentrated almost 40 times the background concentration in 30 s using 6 kV. Additionally, a threshold voltage necessary for exclusion was determined. The establishment of a threshold voltage enabled the differentiation of two similar cationic species: Methyl Green and Neutral Red.
Study on the chemical composition variability of some processed bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oils
Authors: Costa Rosaria , Dugo Paola , Navarra Michele , Raymo Vilfredo , Dugo Giovanni , Mondello Luigi
Published: October 2009

Bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia) is mainly employed in the perfumery and cosmetic industries and also, in a smaller amount, in the pharmaceutical and food industries, for its fragrant notes, fixative and antimicrobial properties. Due to the presence of some phototoxic compounds in its composition, it has become a common practice to reduce or sometimes completely eliminate these substances before using the oil. Samples of treated bergamot oils have been investigated in this study (terpeneless, furocoumarin‐ and bergapten‐free) by means of GC–FID, GC–MS, enantio‐GC–FID and HPLC. The results are reported in terms of either peak areas or g/100 g. Some considerations are made in order to discuss the technologies used for treating bergamot oil. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparisons of multi‐marker association methods to detect association between a candidate region and disease
Authors: Ballard David H. , Cho Judy , Zhao Hongyu
Published: October 2009

The joint use of information from multiple markers may be more effective to reveal association between a genomic region and a trait than single marker analysis. In this article, we compare the performance of seven multi‐marker methods. These methods include (1) single marker analysis (either the best‐scoring single nucleotide polymorphism in a candidate region or a combined test based on Fisher's method); (2) fixed effects regression models where the predictors are either the observed genotypes in the region, principal components that explain a proportion of the genetic variation, or predictors based on Fourier transformation for the genotypes; and (3) variance components analysis. In our simulation studies, we consider genetic models where the association is due to one, two, or three markers, and the disease‐causing markers have varying allele frequencies. We use information from either all the markers in a region or information only from tagging markers. Our simulation results suggest that when there is one disease‐causing variant, the best‐scoring marker method is preferred whereas the variance components method and the principal components method work well for more common disease‐causing variants. When there is more than one disease‐causing variant, the principal components method seems to perform well over all the scenarios studied. When these methods are applied to analyze associations between all the markers in or near a gene and disease status for an inflammatory bowel disease data set, the analysis based on the principal components method leads to biologically more consistent discoveries than other methods. Genet. Epidemiol. 34: 201–124, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Executive functioning in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
Authors: McGuinness B. , Barrett S. L. , Craig D. , Lawson J. , Passmore A. P.
Published: October 2009

Objective

To compare performance of patients with mild‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) on tests of executive functioning and working memory.

Methods

Patients with AD (n = 76) and VaD (n = 46) were recruited from a memory clinic along with dementia free participants (n = 28). They underwent specific tests of working memory from the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) battery and pen and paper tests of executive function including CLOX 1 & 2, EXIT25 and a test of verbal fluency (COWAT). All patients had a CT brain scan which was independently scored for white matter change/ischaemia.

Results

The AD and VaD groups were significantly impaired on all measures of working memory and executive functioning compared to the disease free group. There were no significant differences between the AD and VaD groups on any measure. Z‐scores confirmed the pattern of impairment in executive functioning and working memory was largely equivalent in both patient groups. Small to moderate correlations were seen between the MMSE and the neurocognitive scores in both patient groups and the pattern of correlations was also very similar in both patient groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates sizeable executive functioning and working memory impairments in patients with mild‐moderate AD and VaD but no significant differences between the disease groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
With a little help from my friends: maternal social support, via parenting, promotes willingness to share in preschoolers born to young mothers
Authors: Ensor Rosie , Hughes Claire
Published: October 2009

Little is known about prosocial behaviours in children of young mothers. This longitudinal study involved 44 young mother (age <20 years at birth of first child) families and 44 older mother families, who were carefully matched for child age and gender, as well as for family structure (number of children, lone‐parent status) and socio‐economic background (maternal education, head‐of‐household unemployment, low family income). At the first time‐point (M child age = 2.45 years), mothers listed family members or friends who provided practical and/or emotional support; videos of mother–child interaction in play and tidy‐up were coded for positive and negative parenting. Two years later (M child age = 4.32 years), children's prosocial behaviours were assessed via (i) an experimental task of willingness to share and (ii) video‐based ratings of sharing and helping during dyadic play with friends. T‐tests showed few group differences in prosocial behaviours. Regression analyses showed that, for young mother families only, reduced negative parenting mediated associations between support from friends and preschoolers' willingness to share. Support from friends, via parenting, may promote willingness to share in children born to young mother families. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resveratrol enhances p53 acetylation and apoptosis in prostate cancer by inhibiting MTA1/NuRD complex
Authors: Kai Li , Samuel Shirley K. , Levenson Anait S.
Published: October 2009

Dietary compounds and epigenetic influences are well recognized factors in cancer progression. Resveratrol (Res), a dietary compound from grapes, has anticancer properties; however, its epigenetic effects are understudied. Metastasis‐associated protein 1 (MTA1) is a part of the nucleosome remodeling deacetylation (NuRD) corepressor complex that mediates posttranslational modifications of histones and nonhistone proteins resulting in transcriptional repression. MTA1 overexpression in prostate cancer (PCa) correlates with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. In this study, we have identified a novel MTA1‐mediated mechanism, by which Res restores p53‐signaling pathways in PCa cells. We show, for the first time, that Res causes down‐regulation of MTA1 protein, leading to destabilization of MTA1/NuRD thus allowing acetylation/activation of p53. We demonstrated that MTA1 decrease by Res was concomitant with accumulation of Ac‐p53. MTA1 knockdown further sensitized PCa cells to Res‐dependent p53 acetylation and recruitment to the p21 and Bax promoters. Furthermore, MTA1 silencing maximized the levels of Res‐induced apoptosis and pro‐apoptotic Bax accumulation. HDAC inhibitor SAHA, like MTA1 silencing, increased Res‐dependent p53 acetylation and showed cooperative effect on apoptosis. Our results indicate a novel epigenetic mechanism that contributes to Res anticancer activities: the inhibition of MTA1/NuRD complexes due to MTA1 decrease, which suppresses its deacetylation function and allows p53 acetylation and subsequent activation of pro‐apoptotic genes. Our study identifies MTA1 as a new molecular target of Res that may have important clinical applications for PCa chemoprevention and therapy, and points to the combination of Res with HDAC inhibitors as an innovative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PCa.
Salivary gland and nasopharyngeal cancers in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in United States
Authors: Shebl Fatma M. , Bhatia Kishor , Engels Eric A.
Published: October 2009

Individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) manifest an increased risk of cancer, particularly cancers caused by oncogenic viruses. Because some salivary gland and nasopharyngeal cancers are associated with Epstein Barr virus, the impact of AIDS on these cancers needs further evaluation. We used linked U.S. AIDS and cancer registry data (N = 519,934 people with AIDS) to derive standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) comparing risk of salivary gland and nasopharyngeal cancers to the general population. For salivary gland cancers (N = 43 cases), individuals with AIDS had strongly elevated risks for lymphoepithelial carcinoma (SIR 39, 95% CI 16–81) and squamous cell carcinoma (SIR 4.9, 95% CI 2.5–8.6). Among nasopharyngeal cancers (N = 39 cases), risks were elevated for both keratinizing and nonkeratinizing carcinomas (SIR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5–3.7 and SIR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.4, respectively). The elevated risks of salivary gland and nasopharyngeal cancers among people with AIDS suggest that immunosuppression and oncogenic viral infections are etiologically important.
A specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte epitope presentation system for antitumor immunity
Authors: Wu Ying , Liu Changzhen , Sun Meiyi , Shen Hexiao , Guo Deyin , Gao Bin
Published: October 2009

The magnitude of CTL‐mediated immunity response is highly dependent on the density of antigenic peptide–MHC I complexes at the cell surface. In this study, we adopt a novel strategy to promote the surface level of specific peptide–MHC I complexes. The strategy combines the inhibition of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) with the delivery of specific peptide into endoplasmic reticulum directly without the help of TAP. First, RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to inhibit TAP expression for blocking endogenous epitope‐assembled MHC class I on cell surface. Second, a peptide epitope of interest was covalently linked onto human beta‐2‐microglobulin (β2m). Both TAP‐specific siRNA and the peptide‐linked β2m were delivered into antigen‐presentation cells sequentially or simultaneously using a retrovirus delivery system. The combined strategy produces a significant amount of MHC I loaded with specific epitopes on the surface while reducing endogenously peptide‐assembled MHC class I both in vitro and in vivo. The efficacy of induction of specific immune response with the strategy against tumor cells is demonstrated in both tumor cell lines and a syngenic graft tumor model.
Effect of low level capacitive‐coupled pulsed electric field stimulation on mineral profile of weight‐bearing bones in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Manjhi Jayanand , Mathur Rashmi , Behari Jitendra
Published: October 2009

Mineral content, mineral composition, and crystalline pattern of bone in osteoporosis are different from those of normal individuals. Present management of bone mineral loss is rather unsatisfactory primarily because of socioeconomic factors and untoward effects of the treatment drugs. We report the efficacy of capacitive‐coupled pulsed electric field (CCPEF) to prevent bone loss in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. One month postsurgery either leg was stimulated with CCPEF, whereas the other leg did not receive any stimulation (sham exposed). The treatment was given in 60 sessions each of 2 h/d (5 days a week). The control group of rats was sham operated. At the end of the observation period, femur and tibia bones were removed. Their bone mineral content (BMC), calcium, phosphorus, and carbon contents were analyzed and bone mineral density (BMD) was calculated. The BMC data were supported by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) method. In sham‐exposed bones, a statistically significant decrease in BMC, BMD, calcium, and phosphorus contents were obtained as compared to the control. Although in CCPEF bones, there was an attenuation of decrement in the noted parameters except phosphorus. XRD pattern supported these observations. The results suggest that chronic, 60 sessions of 2 h/d, 5 d/wk CCPEF (14 MHz with 16 Hz modulation 16 Hz and 10 V peak to peak) is effective in attenuating the ovariectomy‐induced bone mineral loss in rats. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2010
Can bone healing in distraction osteogenesis be accelerated by local application of IGF‐1 and TGF‐β1?
Authors: Bernstein Anke , Mayr Hermann O. , Hube Robert
Published: October 2009

Because complications of distraction osteogenesis are largely related to the long duration of therapy, increasing efforts were reached to shorten treatment by using osteoconductive replacement materials incorporating bioactive molecules such as IGF‐1 andTGF‐β1. The controlled release of IGF‐1 and TGF‐β1 from coated biodegradable poly(D,L‐lactide) implants could stimulate fracture healing locally. We investigated the effect of locally applied IGF‐1 and TGF‐β1 from IGF‐1/TGF‐β1‐enriched polylactide membranes on fracture healing in a sheep model of delayed callus formation. Twenty‐eight sheep were used for this study. Callus distraction of 1 mm/day by means of a unilateral fixator was continued for 30 days. At the beginning of the subsequent consolidation phase, either growth factors were applied locally or the defect was packed with cancellous bone, or both. The groups treated with growth factors were compared to a control group. The consolidation phase lasted for 60 days and both tibiae were dissected for histological and histomorphometric analyses. This investigation found a reduced absolute callus area in the lengthening zone in all treatment groups. The two treatment groups that received a membrane coated with growth factors showed distinctly higher relative bone areas than the groups treated with an uncoated membrane or packing of the osteotomy defect with cancellous bone. The differences in bone areas were not statistically significant. Application of the growth factors accelerated bone healing and achieved results comparable with those of established treatment methods (packing with autologous cancellous bone). The best results were achieved with a combination of both methods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2010