bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,4-Bis(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene dihydrate
Authors: Wang Xiu-Guang , Li Jian-Hui , Ding Bin , Du Gui-Xiang
Published: July 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H8N6·2H2O, comprises half the organic species, the molecule being completed by inversion symmetry, and one water molecule. The dihedral angle between the 1,2,4-triazole ring and the central benzene ring is 32.2 (2)°. The water molecules form O—H...N hydrogen bonds with N-atom acceptors of the triazole rings. C—H...N hydrogen bonds are also observed, giving a three-dimensional framework.
Methyl 2-(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinan-2-yl)-4-nitrobenzoate
Authors: Jenkinson S. F. , Thompson A. L. , Simone M. I.
Published: July 2012

The six-membered boronate ester ring of the title compound, C13H16BNO6, adopts an envelope conformation with the C atom bearing the dimethyl substituents at the flap. The O—B—C—C torsion angles between the boronate group and the benzene ring are 72.5 (2) and 81.0 (2)°. The 4-nitrobenzoate unit adopts a slightly twisted conformation, with dihedral angles between the benzene ring and the nitrate and methyl ester groups of 17.5 (2) and 14.4 (3)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion-related pairs of molecules show weak π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 4.0585 (9) Å and interplanar spacing = 3.6254 (7) Å].
4-{[7-(Trifluoromethyl)quinolin-4-yl]amino}benzenesulfonamide–ethanol–methanol (1/0.47/0.53)
Authors: Ghorab Mostafa M. , Al-Said Mansour S. , Al-Mishari Abdullah A. , Quah Ching Kheng , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C16H12F3N3O2S·0.47C2H5OH·0.53CH3OH, the quinoline ring system is approximately planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.035 (3) Å, and makes a dihedral angle of 52.67 (9)° with the benzene ring. The F atoms of the –CF3group are disordered over two orientations, with refined site occupancies of 0.56 (2) and 0.44 (2). A single solvate site is occupied at random by ethanol or methanol, with refined site occupancies of 0.470 (6) and 0.530 (6), respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...O, N—H...N, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, thereby forming sheets lying parallel to (010).
(N-Benzoyl-N′,N′-diphenylthioureato-κ2S,O)(η4-cycloocta-1,5-diene)rhodium(I)
Authors: Warsink Stefan , Roodt Andreas
Published: July 2012

The title complex, [Rh(C20H15N2OS)(C8H12)], exhibits an essentially square-planar coordination environment around the RhIatom, which bears a bidentate cyclooctadiene ligand as well as a monoanionic bidentate benzoylthioureate ligand. The RhIatom, the S- and O-donor atoms and the alkene centroids of the cyclooctadiene ligand do not deviate by more than 0.031 Å from their least mean-squares plane.
1-Benzyl-1H-benzotriazole 3-oxide–1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (1/1)
Authors: Selvarathy Grace P. , Jebas Samuel Robinson , Ravindran Durai Nayagam B. , Schollmeyer Dieter
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C6H5N3O·C13H11N3O, the benzotriazole ring system in the 1-benzyl-1H-benzotriazole 3-oxide (A) molecule is close to being planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.011 Å); its mean plane forms a dihedral angle of 67.56 (7)° with that of the attached phenyl ring. The benzotriazole ring system in the 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (B) molecule is also close to being planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.010 Å). In the crystal, weak C—H...O and C—H...π interactions are present. TheAandBmolecules are linked by an O—H...N hydrogen bond.
(±)-trans-5-Benzoyl-4-(3-bromophenyl)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Suresh J. , Vishnupriya R. , Gunasekaran P. , Perumal S. , Lakshman P. L. Nilantha
Published: July 2012

The furan ring in the title compound, C26H17BrN2O2, adopts a twisted envelope conformation. The molecular structure is stabilized by an intramolecular C—H...O interaction which generates anS(6) ring motif. The crystal packing is stabilized by N—H...O and C—H...Br interactions, generating anR22(16) ring motif and aC(12) linear chain motif, respectively. Weak C—H...π bonding is also observed.
catena-Poly[[[bis(thiourea-κS)cadmium]-di-μ-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N] dihydrate]
Authors: Mietlarek-Kropidłowska Anna , Chojnacki Jaroslaw
Published: July 2012

The title compound, {[Cd(NCS)2(CH4N2S)2]·2H2O}n, forms a one-dimensional chain parallel to theaaxis, caused by the presence of the bridging thiocyanate groups. Two solvent molecules per complex are present in the lattice. The CdIIion is situated on an inversion centre and is coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion by two N and two S atoms from four thiocyanate ligands and by two S atoms from two thiourea molecules. Weak O—H...S, N—H...O and N—H...N interactions reinforce the structure.
catena-Poly[[tetra-μ-benzoato-κ8O:O′-dicopper(II)]-μ-[N-(pyridin-4-yl)nicotinamide]-κ2N:N′-[dibenzoato-κ2O-copper(II)]-μ-[N-(pyridin-4-yl)nicotinamide]-κ2N:N′]
Authors: Kraft Peter E. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: July 2012

In the polymeric title compound, [Cu3(C7H5O2)6(C11H9N3O)2]n, square-planar-coordinated CuIIions on crystallographic inversion centres are bound by two monodentate benzoate anions. The resulting [Cu(benzoate)]2fragments are joined to centrosymmetic [Cu2(benzoate)4] paddlewheel clusters [Cu...Cu = 2.6331 (5) Å] by means of bridgingN-(pyridin-4-yl)nicotinamide (4-pna) ligands [dihedral angle between the aromatic rings = 39.18 (12)°], thereby forming [Cu3(benzoate)6(4-pna)2]ncoordination-polymer chains that are arranged parallel to the [30-1] crystal direction. These polymeric chains are anchored into supramolecular layers by N—H...O hydrogen bonding between neighboring 4-pna ligands. These layers aggregate by crystal packing forces to afford the crystal structure of the title compound.
N-[(E)-4-Fluorobenzylidene]-3,4-dimethylaniline
Authors: Jin Yue-Bao , Chang Yong-Kang , Zhang Ying , Lei Ke-Wei
Published: July 2012

In the title Schiff base, C15H14FN, the N=C bond length of 1.263 (2) Å is shorter than the N—C bond [1.426 (2) Å], indicating a typical imine double bond. Moreover, the C—N—C angle is 118.5 (2)°. The benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 51.22 (5)°.
4-(Diphenylamino)benzaldehyde 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone
Authors: Mendoza-Meroño Rafael , Menéndez-Taboada Laura , García-Granda Santiago
Published: July 2012

The title molecule, C26H22N4S, is composed of three main parts,viz.a triphenylamine group is connected to a phenyl ring by a thiosemicarbazone moiety. The C= N double bond has anEconformation. The crystal packing is dominated by strong hydrogen bonds through the thiosemicarbazone moiety, with pairs of N—H...S hydrogen bonds linking the molecules to form inversion dimers with anR22(8) ring motif. An intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond is also present, generating anS(5) ring motif. Although the structure contains four phenyl rings, π–π stacking interactions are not formed between them, probably due to the conformation adopted by the triphenylamine group. However, a weak π–π stacking interaction is observed between the phenyl ring and the delocalized thiosemicarbazone moiety.
[N,N′-Bis(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′]dibromidomercury(II)
Authors: Khalaji Aliakbar Dehno , Dušek Michal , Fejfarová Karla
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, [HgBr2(C22H28N2O6)], the HgIIion is bonded to two Br−ions and two N atoms of the chelating Schiff base ligand in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The Schiff base ligand adopts anE,Econformation. The dihedral angle between the planes of the two halves of the centralN,N′-dimethylethylenediamine part of the ligand is 2.3 (11)°. The crystal studied was twinned by pseudomerohedry [twin law (0-10/-100/00-1)]; the contribution of the minor twin component refined to 0.208 (3).
Diethyl 2,2′-(1,4-phenylenedioxy)diacetate
Authors: Husson Jérôme , Knorr Michael , Rousselin Yoann , Kubicki Marek M.
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C14H18O6, a crystallographic center at the centroid of the aromatic ring generates the complete molecule which is planar within 0.085 (1) Å for the non-H atoms. In the crystal, weak C—H...O and C—H...π interactions link the molecules.
2-Chloro-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Quah Ching Kheng , Shetty Divya N. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K.
Published: July 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H7ClO2, consists of two independent molecules, with comparable geometries. Both molecules are approximately planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.040 and 0.064 Å for the 11 non-H atoms). In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaintermolecular O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains two molecules thick along (-101).
Regulation of the Arabidopsis anther transcriptome by DYT1 for pollen development
Authors: Feng Baomin , Lu Dihong , Ma Xuan , Peng Yiben , Sun Yujin , Ning Gang , Ma Hong
Published: July 2012

Several genes encoding transcription factors have been shown to be essential for male fertility in plants, suggesting that transcriptional regulation is a major mechanism controlling anther development in Arabidopsis. DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM 1 (DYT1), a putative bHLH transcription factor, plays a critical role in regulating tapetum function and pollen development. Here, we compare the transcriptomes of young anthers of wild‐type and the dyt1 mutant, demonstrating that DYT1 is upstream of at least 22 genes encoding transcription factors and regulates the expression of a large number of genes, including genes involved in specific metabolic pathways. We also show that DYT1 can bind to DNA in a sequence‐specific manner in vitro, and induction of DYT1 activity in vivo activated the expression of the downstream transcription factor genes MYB35 and MS1. We generated DYT1–SRDX transgenic plants whose fertility was dramatically reduced, implying that DYT1 probably acts as a transcriptional activator. Furthermore, we used yeast two‐hybrid assays to show that DYT1 forms homodimers and heterodimers with other bHLH transcription factors. Our results demonstrate the important role of DYT1 in regulating anther transcriptome and function, and supporting normal pollen development.
Identification of single gene deletions at 15q13.3: further evidence that CHRNA7 causes the 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome phenotype
Authors: Hoppman‐Chaney N , Wain K , Seger PR , Superneau DW , Hodge JC
Published: July 2012

The 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome (OMIM #612001) is characterized by a wide range of phenotypic features, including intellectual disability, seizures, autism, and psychiatric conditions. This deletion is inherited in approximately 75% of cases and has been found in mildly affected and normal parents, consistent with variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. The common deletion is approximately 2 Mb and contains several genes; however, the gene(s) responsible for the resulting clinical features have not been clearly defined. Recently, four probands were reported with small deletions including only the CHRNA7 gene. These patients showed a wide range of phenotypic features similar to those associated with the larger 15q13.3 microdeletion. To further correlate genotype and phenotype, we queried our database of >15,000 patients tested in the Mayo Clinic Cytogenetics Laboratory from 2008 to 2011 and identified 19 individuals (10 probands and 9 family members) with isolated heterozygous CHRNA7 gene deletions. All but two infants displayed multiple features consistent with 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. We also identified the first de novo deletion confined to CHRNA7 as well as the second known case with homozygous deletion of CHRNA7 only. These results provide further evidence implicating CHRNA7 as the gene responsible for the clinical findings associated with 15q13.3 microdeletion.
Evaluation of implementation of sentinel node biopsy in Australia
Authors: Morris Trenna , Wetzig Neil , Sinclair Sue , Kollias James , Zorbas Helen
Published: July 2012

Background:  Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has been a major change in surgical technique for the management of early breast cancer. In June 2008, the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) released evidence‐based guidelines for the use of SNB in Australia. During 2010, NBOCC undertook a cohort study to identify the extent to which clinical practice in Australia reflected the recommendations for use of SNB in the 6 months after release of the guidelines.

Methods:  Records obtained from four datasets, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons National Breast Cancer Audit, New South Wales Central Cancer Registry, Victorian Cancer Registry and Medicare Benefits Schedule records, were analysed to determine the extent to which the four key guideline recommendations had been implemented. This was supplemented by an audit of written SNB protocols of a sample of pathology laboratories in Australia.

Results:  Across all cohorts, between 78 and 83% of women in Australia with tumours ≤3 cm had an SNB. Data were not available to indicate whether nodes were clinically negative. The likelihood of women having an SNB decreased outside the metropolitan regions, for women treated as public patients compared with private patients and as the size of the tumour increased. In 90% of procedures both preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with isotope and blue dye were used.

Conclusion:  The findings from the study confirm that best practice recommendations from the NBOCC guidelines for SNB were largely being implemented for women with early breast cancer in Australia within 6 months of their release.
Patients' perception of surgical training in private hospitals
Authors: Koirala Rhiannon , Mattern Owen , Danne Peter , Murray Spencer
Published: July 2012

Introduction:  Surgical training is traditionally a public hospital‐based practice. At Epworth Private Hospital, Richmond, Victoria, there are three accredited surgical training positions and one fellowship position. We conducted a patient survey to review the patients' perspective of surgical trainees in private hospitals.

Methods:  Over 6 weeks, 100 patients admitted under the surgical units with full‐time surgical registrars were given a survey to complete in two parts on the training of surgeons in private hospitals.

Results:  Seventy per cent of surveys were returned completed. Ninety per cent of respondents agreed that private hospitals should be involved in surgical training and 85.7% of patients were agreeable to having trainees involved in their operation. Only 1.4% of patients were not in agreement with surgical training in private and 8.6% of patients were neutral in their opinion.

Conclusion:  Our results clearly show that private hospital patients are generally favourably disposed to the presence and participation of surgical trainees in the private hospital setting.
Single‐fulcrum laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single‐incision and multi‐port technique
Authors: Choi Sung Hoon , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Kang Chang Moo , Lee Woo Jung
Published: July 2012

Background:  Single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still technically demanding and usually requires specially designed instruments. This article describes our own technique, a single‐fulcrum LC using only standard ports and instruments.

Methods:  Between March 2009 and December 2010, 130 consecutive patients, all scheduled to undergo elective LC, underwent this single‐fulcrum LC for benign gallbladder disease. Perioperative surgical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.

Results:  One hundred and ten patients (84.6%) underwent successful single‐fulcrum LC, and 20 patients (15.4%) were converted to conventional surgery (n= 18) or required additional trocars (n= 2) during the procedure because of umbilical hernia (n= 3), severe inflammation or adhesion (n= 9), impacted cystic duct stone (n= 3), anatomical anomaly (n= 3) and iatrogenic injury (n= 2). Two intraoperative complications (iatrogenic injury) were securely managed using additional trocars and there was no post‐operative morbidity or mortality. This single‐fulcrum LC could be performed with comparable cost to conventional LC, and the sequential operative time showed reasonable learning curve.

Conclusion:  Single‐fulcrum LC is feasible, safe and quite reproducible. The surgical wound can be dramatically reduced at a similar cost to conventional LC. It may be an alternative procedure for most uncomplicated benign gallbladder disease.
Disruption of neuropsin mRNA expression via RNA interference facilitates the photoinduced increase in thyrotropin‐stimulating subunit β in birds
Authors: Stevenson Tyler J. , Ball Gregory F.
Published: July 2012

It has long been known that the avian brain is capable of light detection independently of the eyes. The photoreceptive molecule neuropsin (OPN5) was identified in mammalian and avian brains, and shown to respond to biologically relevant light wavelengths. Whether OPN5 is functionally involved in light detection is unknown. Daylength plays a critical role in regulating the neuroendocrine control of reproduction in birds. The presence of light during a ‘photoinducible’ phase of the circadian cycle, which occurs 12–16 h after dawn, results in marked changes in hypothalamic gene expression. These changes ultimately control gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland that, in turn, stimulates gonadal development. In this study, we first measured OPN5 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) in border canaries during the photoinducible period in relation to thyrotropin (TSH) β‐subunit mRNA expression, which is implicated in the control of avian reproduction. Second, the knockdown of OPN5 via small interfering RNA antisense in the MBH revealed that there is an inhibitory input in the photoinduced regulation of TSHβ mRNA expression. Our data indicate that a decrease in OPN5 mRNA expression is associated with the facilitation in TSHβ mRNA expression in the MBH, a critical step for the light‐induced increase in gonadal recrudescence. We hypothesise that the removal of an inhibitory input by OPN5 in birds may be a step that occurs during the photoinducible period. Given the distribution of OPN5 in the brain and periphery, this suggests a possible multifunctional role for light information in regulating other physiological processes.
Structural and behavioral correlates of abnormal encoding of money value in the sensorimotor striatum in cocaine addiction
Authors: Konova Anna B. , Moeller Scott J. , Tomasi Dardo , Parvaz Muhammad A. , Alia‐Klein Nelly , Volkow Nora D. , Goldstein Rita Z.
Published: July 2012

Abnormalities in frontostriatal systems are thought to be central to the pathophysiology of addiction, and may underlie the maladaptive processing of the highly generalizable reinforcer, money. Although abnormal frontostriatal structure and function have been observed in individuals addicted to cocaine, it is less clear how individual variability in brain structure is associated with brain function to influence behavior. Our objective was to examine frontostriatal structure and neural processing of money value in chronic cocaine users and closely matched healthy controls. A reward task that manipulated different levels of money was used to isolate neural activity associated with money value. Gray matter volume measures were used to assess frontostriatal structure. Our results indicated that cocaine users had an abnormal money value signal in the sensorimotor striatum (right putamen/globus pallidus) that was negatively associated with accuracy adjustments to money and was more pronounced in individuals with more severe use. In parallel, group differences were also observed in both the function and gray matter volume of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex; in the cocaine users, the former was directly associated with response to money in the striatum. These results provide strong evidence for abnormalities in the neural mechanisms of valuation in addiction and link these functional abnormalities with deficits in brain structure. In addition, as value signals represent acquired associations, their abnormal processing in the sensorimotor striatum, a region centrally implicated in habit formation, could signal disadvantageous associative learning in cocaine addiction.
Dependency‐Free Parallel Progressive Meshes
Authors: Derzapf E. , Guthe M.
Published: July 2012

The constantly increasing complexity of polygonal models in interactive applications poses two major problems. First, the number of primitives that can be rendered at real‐time frame rates is currently limited to a few million. Secondly, less than 45 million triangles—with vertices and normal—can be stored per gigabyte. Although the rendering time can be reduced using level‐of‐detail (LOD) algorithms, representing a model at different complexity levels, these often even increase memory consumption. Out‐of‐core algorithms solve this problem by transferring the data currently required for rendering from external devices. Compression techniques are commonly used because of the limited bandwidth. The main problem of compression and decompression algorithms is the only coarse‐grained random access. A similar problem occurs in view‐dependent LOD techniques. Because of the interdependency of split operations, the adaption rate is reduced leading to visible popping artefacts during fast movements. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for real‐time view‐dependent rendering of gigabyte‐sized models. It is based on a neighbourhood dependency‐free progressive mesh data structure. Using a per operation compression method, it is suitable for parallel random‐access decompression and out‐of‐core memory management without storing decompressed data.
Texting, textese and literacy abilities: a naturalistic study
Authors: Drouin Michelle , Driver Brent
Published: July 2012

In this study, we examined texting behaviours, text message characteristics (textese) of actual sent text messages and the relationships between texting, textese and literacy abilities in a sample of 183 American undergraduates. As compared to previous naturalistic and experimental studies with English‐speaking adults, both texting frequency and textism density (proportion of textese) were greater, but category density analyses were similar to a recent experimental study with undergraduates. Interestingly, whilst overall textism density was negatively related to reading and spelling, some textism categories (e.g., omitted apostrophes) were negatively related to literacy skills, while others (e.g., accent stylisation) were positively related to literacy skills. The use of predictive texting was a moderator in this relationship. Our results may help explain the discordant findings between children and adults with regard to textese use and literacy skills, and also highlight the importance of conducting analyses of category density and predictive texting in studies of texting and literacy.
A TRUTHMAKING ACCOUNT OF REALISM AND ANTI‐REALISM
Authors: ASAY JAMIN
Published: July 2012

Realism and anti‐realism about a domain of thought are metaphysical theses that involve the natures of the truthmakers in that domain and the truthmaking relation that is operant in the domain. Truthmaker theory is not exclusive territory for realists: anti‐realist views are also best understood in terms of how they understand truthmakers and truthmaking. In particular, I explore the possibility of projectivist truthmaking, and show how it makes sense of quasi‐realism. In addition to critically examining some extant accounts of the relationship between realism and truthmaking, I offer an account that best captures the nature of the various realism debates.
Expanding Research Capacity at United States Universities: a Study of Academic Research and Development Investment from 1990–2005
Authors: Cantwell Brendan , Mathies Charles F.
Published: July 2012

Growing emphasis has been placed on universities to contribute to the innovation process and as a result academic research and development expenditures have increased in recent years. Nevertheless, little is known about the specific ways in which universities have expanded their research capacity. This paper examines how universities in the United States (US) have expanded research capacity as research funding has increased. Specifically, it identifies what type of research infrastructure, including various categories of human capital and research equipment, are most closely associated with increased academic research funding. Using data from 375 US universities spanning the period 1990–2005, through multiple regression analysis this study finds that ‘traditional’ and new ‘market’ based elements of research capacity are associated with increased research funding. The implications of this study extend beyond the US since many countries are both investing in expanding research capacity and transforming the way research is organised within universities.
The SYK side of TLR4: signalling mechanisms in response to LPS and minimally oxidized LDL
Authors: Miller Yury I , Choi Soo‐Ho , Wiesner Philipp , Bae Yun Soo
Published: July 2012

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is the best known for its involvement in immune receptor signalling, mediated by binding of SYK tandem Src‐homology 2 domains to tandem phosphotyrosine in immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motifs (ITAMs). ITAM adaptors or ITAM‐containing receptor tails mediate signalling from B‐ and T‐cell receptors, Fc receptors and many C‐type lectins, including dectin‐1. Recent data point to constitutive binding of SYK to the cytoplasmic domain of toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4). This SYK‐TLR4 binding increases upon TLR4 dimerization and phosphorylation, and SYK plays a prominent role in TLR4 signalling in response to LPS in neutrophils and monocytes. SYK also plays an important role in TLR4‐mediated macrophage responses to minimally oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (mmLDL), which is a form of oxidized LDL relevant to development of human atherosclerosis. Interestingly, mmLDL‐induced effects in macrophages, which occur via TLR4, are predominantly MyD88 independent. This unmasks the role of the SYK branch of TLR4 signalling, which mediates modest cytokine release via activation of AP‐1 transcription and robust reactive oxygen species generation and cytoskeletal rearrangements. The latter results in extensive membrane ruffling and macropinocytosis, leading to lipoprotein uptake and foam cell formation, a hallmark of atherosclerotic lesions. Because inhibitors of SYK activity, such as fostamatinib, are in advanced clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, understanding the role of SYK in signalling via TLR4 is of immediate importance. This signalling pathway seems to be particularly important in TLR4 activation by host‐derived, damage‐associated molecular pattern ligands, such as mmLDL, relevant to development of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Pharmacological characterization of the peripheral FAAH inhibitor URB937 in female rodents: interaction with the Abcg2 transporter in the blood‐placenta barrier
Authors: Moreno‐Sanz G , Sasso O , Guijarro A , Oluyemi O , Bertorelli R , Reggiani A , Piomelli D
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

URB937 is a peripherally restricted inhibitor of the anandamide‐deactivating enzyme fatty‐acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Despite its limited access to the CNS, URB937 produces marked antinociceptive effects in rodents. URB937 is actively extruded from the CNS by the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter, Abcg2. Tissue Abcg2 levels are markedly different between males and females, and this transporter is known to limit the access of xenobiotics to the fetoplacental unit in gestating female rodents. In the present study, we investigated the tissue distribution and antinociceptive properties of URB937 in female mice and rats.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We studied the systemic disposition of URB937 in female mice and the antinociceptive effects of this compound in models of visceral (acetic acid‐induced writhing) and inflammatory nociception (carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia) in female mice and rats. Furthermore, we evaluated the interaction of URB937 with the blood‐placenta barrier in gestating mice and rats.

KEY RESULTS

Abcg2 restricted the access of URB937 to the CNS of female mice and rats. Nevertheless, URB937 produced a high degree of antinociception in female mice and rats in models of visceral and inflammatory pain. Moreover, the compound displayed a restricted access to placental and fetal tissues in pregnant mice and rats.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Peripheral FAAH blockade with URB937 reduces nociception in female mice and rats, as previously shown for males of the same species. In female mice and rats, Abcg2 limits the access of URB937, not only to the CNS, but also to the fetoplacental unit.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.167.issue‐8
Long‐Term Outcomes of Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) Establishment
Authors: Luken James O.
Published: July 2012

Determining the success or failure of rare plant establishment requires long‐term monitoring, but such monitoring is seldom conducted. A 2004 census of Venus flytrap populations created by seeding and transplanting was compared to a similar census in 2010. Of the 18 original populations, three were destroyed by logging operations, 12 decreased and three increased. Venus flytraps face several limitations keeping populations small. Consistent soil moisture and the presence of population remnants improved the long‐term management outcomes.
The Liquidity Crisis: The 2007–2009 Market Impacts on Municipal Securities
Authors: Martell Christine R. , Kravchuk Robert S.
Published: July 2012

This article surveys developments in the municipal debt market for their practical and conceptual implications for public financial managers and scholars. It provides an overview of the market crisis of 2007–9, focusing on what fiscal stress reveals about debt costs, the incidence of risk, and management methods. The first part focuses on the systemic factors—highly leveraged subprime mortgage instruments and collateralized debt obligations—that affected credit availability, interest costs, and the changing risk profiles of the debt instruments. The second part emphasizes the new institutional architecture of the borrowing environment: the collapse of the market for variable‐rated securities, the withdrawal from the market of traditional bond insurers, the diminished availability of credit enhancement instruments from banks, the demise of the standby bond purchase agreement, and the introduction of Build America Bonds. The article presents an agenda for practitioners and scholars as they face a borrowing future that differs markedly from that of the past.
Low Rate of Secondary Prevention ICDs in the General Population: Multiple‐Year Multiple‐Source Surveillance of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study
Authors: HAVMOELLER RASMUS , REINIER KYNDARON , TEODORESCU CARMEN , UY‐EVANADO AUDREY , MARIANI RONALD , GUNSON KAREN , JUI JONATHAN , CHUGH SUMEET S.
Published: July 2012

Sudden Cardiac Death. Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a large public health problem that warrants on‐going evaluation in the general population. While single‐year community‐based studies have been performed there is a lack of studies that have extended evaluation to multiple years in the same community.

Methods and Results: From the on‐going Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, we analyzed prospectively identified SCD cases in Multnomah County, Ore, (population ≈700,000) from February 1, 2002 to January 31, 2005. Detailed information ascertained from multiple sources (first responders, clinical records, and medical examiner) was analyzed. A total of 1,175 SCD cases were identified (61% male) with a mean age of 65 ± 18 years for men versus 70 ± 20 for women (P < 0.001). The overall incidence rate for the period was 58/100,000 residents/year. One‐quarter (24.6%) was ≤55 years of age. The most common initial rhythm was ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (39% of cases, survival 27%) followed by asystole (36%, survival 0.7%) and pulseless electrical activity (23%, survival 6%). Among subjects that underwent resuscitation, the rate of survival to hospital discharge was 12% and overall survival to hospital discharge irrespective of resuscitation was 8%. Of the 68 survivors, 16 (24%) received a secondary prevention ICD.

Conclusion: We report annualized SCD incidence from a multiple‐year, multiple‐source community‐based study, with higher than expected rates of women and subjects age ≤55 years. The low implantation rate of secondary prevention ICDs is likely to be multifactorial, but there are potential implications for recalibration of the projected need for ICD implantation; larger and more detailed studies are warranted.
(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 60‐65, January 2013)
Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of the Involvement of Cardiac Valves and Chambers in Carcinoid Disease
Authors: Dumaswala Bhavin , Bicer Elif Ijlal , Dumaswala Komal , Donmez Cevdet , Bhagatwala Kunal D. , Karia Nidhi , McKay Joshua , Joshi Deepak , Sadat Kamel , Nanda Navin C.
Published: July 2012

We present an adult with metastatic carcinoid disease affecting the heart, in whom live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) provided incremental value over two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE). Initial 2DTTE was able to demonstrate severe pulmonic and tricuspid regurgitation, but was unable to visualize the posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve or the right (right anterior) leaflet of the pulmonic valve. Further analysis with 3DTTE demonstrated thickening, restricted mobility, and noncoaptation of all three leaflets of both the tricuspid and the pulmonary valves. En face viewing of tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation vena contractas permitted more reliable quantification of regurgitation severity. In addition, localized, linear, echogenic areas consistent with carcinoid deposits were noted along the inner walls of the right atrium, atrial septum, and inferior vena cava. To the best of our knowledge, endocardial carcinoid deposits have never been reported by 2D or 3D echocardiography. En face viewing of these deposits by 3DTTE enabled measurement of their dimensions and areas. Subcostal examination also identified large circumscribed hepatic lesions consistent with metastatic disease. Neither the carcinoid deposits nor the metastatic lesions were detected by 2DTTE. This case demonstrates the usefulness of 3DTTE as a supplement to 2DTTE in more comprehensively assessing carcinoid involvement of the heart. (Echocardiography 2012;29:751‐756)
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Separately Ni‐Doped and Ni/Sr‐Codoped LaCoO3 Nanocomposites
Authors: Li Fu , Li Jing‐Feng
Published: July 2012

A composite structure with two separately doped phases was introduced into Ni‐doped LaCoO3 ceramics to enhance its electrical conductivity while keeping low thermal conductivity. LaCo0.9Ni0.1O3−δ nanoparticles were dispersed in the sol solution of La0.9Sr0.1Co0.9Ni0.1O3−δ and separated from the solution by centrifugation, which were then calcined and consolidated using normal sintering in air. The electrical conductivity of the coated samples was obviously increased, although the Seebeck coefficient was slightly decreased by the above particle‐ coating method, resulting in a great improvement of power factor. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are strongly dependent on the concentration of La0.9Sr0.1Co0.9Ni0.1O3−δ sol, which affects the coating content, but the thermal conductivity is less affected by its concentration especially at room temperature. The power factor was increased to 2.58 × 10−4 Wm−1 K−2 at room temperature, resulting in a twofold enhancement in a peak ZT value at 373 K for the coated sample as compared with that without coating.
Thermodynamics of Nanocrystalline Sn0.586Ti0.414O2 Rutile Solid Solution: Comparison with Nanocrystalline SnO2 and TiO2 and with Bulk Materials
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: July 2012

Nanocrystalline
Sn

x

Ti

1−x

O

2 rutile solid solutions are important materials for a variety of gas sensors and catalysts. Although thermodynamic data are available for nanocrystalline
SnO

2 and
TiO

2 and for bulk (coarse‐grained)
Sn

x

Ti

1−x

O

2 solid solutions, there is a lack of experimental thermochemical data on the energetics of
Sn

x

Ti

1−x

O

2 nanoparticles. In this work,
Sn

0.586

Ti

0.414

O

2 rutile solid solution nanoparticles were synthesized. The surface energies of anhydrous and hydrated nanoparticles were measured by combining high‐temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry molten 2PbO·B2O3 at 800°C and water adsorption calorimetry. The surface energy of the anhydrous surface is 2.02 ± 0.03 J·m−2, and that of the hydrated surface is 1.68 ± 0.03 J·m−2. These values lie between the previously reported surface energies of rutile SnO2 and TiO2. The integral heat of water adsorption is −80 kJ·mol−1, with a chemisorbed maximum coverage of ~6 H2O·nm−2. These values are also between those for TiO2 and SnO2 (rutile) reported previously. The strongly positive (unfavorable) energetics of mixing in SnO2–TiO2 bulk solid solutions are predicted to change little at the nanoscale, and the extensive solid solution seen in the nanophase system prepared near room temperature reflects kinetic hindrance to exsolution of an initially homogeneous precipitate rather than thermodynamic stability.
History of non‐fatal cardiovascular disease in a cohort of Dutch and British patients with haemophilia
Authors: Fransen van de Putte Dietje E. , Fischer Kathelijn , Makris Michael , Tait R. Campbell , Chowdary Pratima , Collins Peter W. , Meijer Karina , Roosendaal Goris , Schutgens Roger E. G. , Mauser‐Bunschoten Eveline P.
Published: July 2012

Objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is reported to be lower in haemophilia patients than in the general population, but information on the occurrence of non‐fatal CVD is lacking. The aim of our study was to assess CVD history in a cohort of living haemophilia patients.

Methods

Retrospective data on the occurrence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, ischaemic stroke and intracranial bleeding in 709 living Dutch and British haemophilia patients aged 30 yr or older were analysed and compared with the general age‐matched male population.

Results

There was a trend towards a lower cumulative incidence of myocardial infarction (1.7% vs. 4.0%) and ischaemic stroke (0% vs. 1.5%) in patients with severe haemophilia than in the general population, while the occurrence of angina pectoris was similar (3.2 vs. 3.7%). As expected, the cumulative incidence of intracranial bleeding was, on the other hand, significantly increased in haemophilia patients (1.6% vs. 0.4% in the general population).

Conclusion

Our results suggest a protective effect of severe haemophilia against acute ischaemic CVD.
The Cyrilian Solution: Cyril of Jerusalem and Saul Kripke on Naming
God
Authors: English Adam C.
Published: July 2012

Cyril of Jerusalem's proposed theology of the Trinity has been labeled
generic. That is, the term “God” identifies not so much a species of being
or an individual being, but a unique, sui generis
genus. Within the genus of God there are three species or ways of being God,
though not three discrete individual beings. The article will attempt to
defend and renew Cyril's theology by an appeal to the contemporary
philosopher, Saul Kripke, and his notion of rigid designators. One way to
contemporize and perhaps better understand Cyril's position is to interpret
the term “God” as a Kripkean natural kind rigid designator with the
properties of Fatherhood, Sonship, and Spiration.
Enhancement of Properties and Performance of MoSi2‐based Heating Elements via Low Temperature Sintering
Authors: Gao Jianying , Wang Lianjun , Jiang Wan
Published: July 2012

Investigation on properties and performance of MoSi2‐based heating elements was carried out using high temperature sintering (HT), low‐high temperature sintering (LHT), and low temperature sintering (LT) processes. Flexural strength depends proportionally on the thickness of protective surface scale, which is determined by the sintering temperature. The performance, indicated as critical damage temperature, is significantly correlated with the degree of densification, embodying dramatic deterioration with increasing porosity. LHT is more promising in industrially producing high‐performance MoSi2‐based heating elements because of advantages in densification and efficiency compared with HT and LT.
Antinociceptive activity of carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) in mice
Authors: Cavalcante Melo Francisca Helvira , Rios Emiliano Ricardo Vasconcelos , Rocha Nayrton Flávio Moura , Citó Maria do Carmo de Oliveira , Fernandes Mariana Lima , de Sousa Damião Pergentino , de Vasconcelos Silvânia Maria Mendes , de Sousa Francisca Cléa Florenço
Published: July 2012

Objectives

Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a monoterpenic phenol which is present in the essential oil of oregano and thyme. We have investigated the behavioural effects of carvacrol in animal models of pain, such as acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice. The spontaneous motor activity of animals treated with carvacrol was investigated using open-field and rotarod tests.

Methods

Carvacrol was administered orally, at single doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg while indometacin (5 mg/kg), morphine (7.5 mg/kg) and diazepam (2 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs. Naloxone (1 mg/kg) and l-arginine (150 mg/kg) were used to elucidate the possible antinociceptive mechanism of carvacrol on acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin tests.

Key findings

The results showed that carvacrol produced significant inhibitions on nociception in the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, formalin and hot-plate tests. In the open-field and rotarod tests carvacrol did not significantly impair the motor performance. The effect of the highest dose of carvacrol in mice in the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin tests were not reversed by naloxone or l-arginine.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it has been suggested that carvacrol presents antinociceptive activity that may not act through the opioid system nor through inhibition of the nitric oxide pathway.
Effects of St John's wort and its active constituents, hypericin and hyperforin, on isolated rat urinary bladder
Authors: Valeri Aurora , Capasso Raffaele , Valoti Massimo , Pessina Federica
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To investigate the effect of St John's wort (SJW) and its active constituents hypericin and hyperforin on detrusor smooth muscle contractility and their possible neuroprotective role against ischaemic-like conditions, which could arise during overactive bladder disease.

Methods

In whole bladders, intrinsic nerves underwent electrical field stimulation (EFS). The effect of drugs on the contractile response and its recovery in reperfusion phase (R) was monitored at different concentrations during 1 or 2 h of anoxia-glucopenia (A-G) and the first 30 min of R. The effects of the drugs were also investigated on rat detrusor muscle strips contracted with carbachol, KCl and electrically.

Key findings

SJW has spasmolytic activity, which increases with increasing concentration and it worsens the damage induced by A-G/R on rat urinary bladder. Hypericin and hyperforin had no effect during ischemic-like conditions but they both exert a dual modulation of rat detrusor strips contraction. At high micromolar concentrations they showed a relaxing effect, but at submicromolar range hypericin increased the plasma membrane depolarisation and hyperforin showed a stimulatory effect on the cholinergic system.

Conclusions

The results of our study showed that SJW and its constituents could modulate urinary bladder contractility and even worsen A-G/R injury.
Impact of Particulate Deposition on the Thermohydraulic Performance of Metal Foam Heat Exchangers: A Simplified Theoretical Model
Authors: Hooman K. , Tamayol A. , Malayeri M. R.
Published: July 2012

Assuming uniform particulate deposit layer, with deposition layer thickness in the range of 10–400 μm, on the ligaments of a metal foam heat sink, the effects of airborne particle deposition on the steady-state thermohydraulic performance of a metal foam heat sink are examined theoretically. Using a cubic cell model, changes in the foam internal structure, due to deposition, have been theoretically related to the increased pressure drop due to partial blockage of the pores. Our results suggest that the fouled to clean pressure drop ratio is only a function of the ligament to pore diameter ratio. Another interesting observation is that, compared to clean foams, the pressure drop can increase by orders of magnitude depending on the extent to which the pores are blocked. To examine the fouling effects on heat transfer from the foams, a thermal resistance network has been used. Moreover, the heat transfer from metal foams is more affected by fouling at higher fluid velocities. For example, when air is pushed through foams which their ligaments are uniformly covered by particles at 3 m/s, up to 15% decrease in the total heat transfer from the heated surface is predicted.
Effect of Flow Pulsation on the Heat Transfer Performance of a Minichannel Heat Sink
Authors: Persoons Tim , Saenen Tom , Van Oevelen Tijs , Baelmans Martine
Published: July 2012

Heat sinks with liquid forced convection in microchannels are targeted for cooling electronic devices with a high dissipated power density. Given the inherent stability problems associated with two-phase microchannel heat transfer, this paper investigates experimentally the potential for enhancing single-phase convection cooling rates by applying pulsating flow. To this end, a pulsator device is developed which allows independent continuous control of pulsation amplitude and frequency. For a single minichannel geometry (1.9 mm hydraulic diameter) and a wide range of parameters (steady and pulsating Reynolds number, Womersley number), experimental results are presented for the overall heat transfer enhancement compared to the steady flow case. Enhancement factors up to 40% are observed for the investigated parameter range (Reynolds number between 100 and 650, ratio of pulsating to steady Reynolds number between 0.002 and 3, Womersley number between 6 and 17). Two regimes can be discerned: for low pulsation amplitude (corresponding to a ratio of pulsating to steady Reynolds number below 0.2), a small heat transfer reduction is observed similar to earlier analytical and numerical predictions. For higher amplitudes, a significant heat transfer enhancement is observed with a good correspondence to a power law correlation. This work establishes a reference case for future studies of the effect of flow unsteadiness in small scale heat sinks.