bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Report of two brothers with short stature, microcephaly, mental retardation, and retinoschisis—A new mental retardation syndrome?
Authors: Phadke Shubha R. , Sharda Sheetal , Urquhart Jill , Jenkinson Emma , Chawala Shobhit , Trump Dorothy
Published: December 2010

Involvement of genes on the X‐chromosome as a cause of mental retardation has been recognized for a long time. X‐linked phenotypes of mental retardation have been divided into non‐syndromic and syndromic based on associated manifestations. At present, more than 140 syndromic X‐linked mental retardation (XLMR) conditions have been reported and a causative gene mutation has been identified in almost half of these. Here, we report on two brothers with short stature, microcephaly, severe mental retardation, and retinoschisis. Results of karyotype analysis, fragile‐X and neuroimaging studies were normal. Fundus examination showed bilateral retinoschisis at variable stages in both sibs. X‐linked retinoschisis is a retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the RS1 gene at Xp22.1, which lead to splitting of the neural retina and reduced visual acuity in affected men. However, as yet there have been no reports of mental retardation in X‐linked retinoschisis although genetic loci for XLMR and short stature have been mapped to Xp22.1. Sequencing and microarray analysis failed to find any alteration of RS1 gene or copy number alteration in the region. In addition, genotype analysis of Xp22.1 provided evidence against linkage to this region. The associated findings of retinoschisis and mental retardation in two brothers suggest a new mental retardation syndrome likely to be an X linked trait. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contractions in the second polyA tract of ARX are rare, non‐pathogenic polymorphisms
Authors: Conti Valerio , Marini Carla , Mei Davide , Falchi Melania , Ferrari Anna Rita , Guerrini Renzo
Published: December 2010

Aristaless related homeobox (ARX) is a transcription factor containing highly conserved octapeptide, homeobox, acidic, and aristaless domains, as well as four polyA tracts. The most frequent ARX mutation found to date in patients with X‐linked infantile spasms, Partington syndrome or X‐linked mental retardation, is a duplication of 24 bp in exon 2, resulting in the expansion of the second polyA tract. Although the pathogenic role of this expansion has been well characterized, the effect of contractions in the same polyA tract is still debated since different reports have associated contractions to either mental retardation or a normal phenotype. Here, we report two unrelated girls with epilepsy and mental retardation who inherited from their unaffected parents, of either sex, a deletion of 24 bp (c.441_464del), resulting in a contraction of eight alanines in the second polyA tract of ARX. Segregation studies revealed the c.441_464del also in two healthy relatives of one of the patients. This finding supports the hypothesis that this contraction represents a rare, benign polymorphism. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Master curve and time–temperature–transformation cure diagram of a polyfunctional epoxy acrylic resin
Authors: Cañamero‐Martínez Pedro , de la Fuente José Luis , Fernández‐García Marta
Published: December 2010

The curing reaction of a well‐defined glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate statistical copolymer, prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, and a commercial linear diamine (Jeffamine D‐230) was studied with the objectives of constructing and discussing a time–temperature–transformation isothermal curing for this system. Thermal and rheological analyses were used to obtain the gelation and vitrification times. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed a one‐to‐one relationship between the glass‐transition temperature (Tg) and fractional conversion independent of the cure temperature. As a result, Tg was used as a measurement of conversion. We obtained a kinetically controlled master curve for isothermal curing temperatures from 50 to 100°C by shifting Tg versus the natural logarithm time data to a reference temperature of 80°C. We calculated the apparent activation energy by applying two different methods, gel time measurements versus shift factors, suggesting a good agreement between them. Isoconversion contours were calculated by the numerical integration of the kinetic model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Effect of filler on the compression set, compression stress–strain behavior, and mechanical properties of polysulfide sealants
Authors: Lu Yu , Zhang Junsheng , Chang Pengshan , Quan Yiwu , Chen Qingmin
Published: December 2010

In this work, investigations were made on the mechanical properties, stress–strain behavior during compression, swelling and compression set properties of polysulfide sealants at different carbon black and silicon dioxide loadings, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was also presented. The results reveal that carbon black filler indeed has significant effects on reinforcing mechanical properties of polysulfide sealants. Increasing carbon black loading improves the tensile strength of sealants promptly, but compression performance increases slowly. The simultaneous use of carbon black and silicon dioxide filler in polysulfide sealants hardly changes the tensile strength of sealants, whereas the ultimate elongation and compression performance of sealants are enhanced remarkably. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Crystallization and the mechanical and rheological properties of decrosslinked–crosslinked‐high‐density polyethylenes using a supercritical fluid
Authors: Cho Hang‐Kyu , Hong Soon Man , Koo Chong Min
Published: December 2010

The crystallization, and mechanical and rheological properties of decrosslinked–crosslinked‐high‐density polyethylenes using supercritical methanol were investigated by DSC, WAXS, DMTA, and UDS. Crosslinked high‐density polyethylenes were successfully decrosslinked in a supercritical methanol condition. The residual gel content of the decrosslinked samples decreased with the reaction temperature. The crystallization behavior, mechanical, and rheological properties of the decrosslinked samples were influenced considerably by the gel content. As the gel content increased, the network gel structure restricted the chain mobility of polymer molecules in the melt state and hindered their crystallization. Thus, the nonterminal yield behavior in the melt state was enhanced and the crystallinity decreased. The dynamic elastic modulus of the decrosslinked sample in solid state increased with the increase in the crystallinity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Reactive supercritical fluid extrusion for development of moisture resistant starch‐based foams
Authors: Ayoub Ali , Rizvi Syed S. H.
Published: December 2010

The main objective of this work was to reduce barriers that prevent the usage of starch‐based foams by understanding the effect and the sequence of dual‐modification of crosslinked (XL) and acetylated (Ac) starch in one continuous supercritical fluid reactive extrusion (SCFX) process on wetting properties, physicochemical properties, and cellular structure of solid foam. The starch was reacted with epichlorohydrin (EPI) and acetic anhydride (Ac) under alkaline conditions in a twin‐screw extruder in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2). An increase in EPI concentration from 0.00 to 3.00% increased the degree of crosslinking as measured by DSC and confirmed by the quantification of the glucose units in the solution after acid hydrolysis. We observed a reduction of the glucose units from 93.07% for 0.00% EPI to 6.73% when 3.00% EPI was added. With crosslinking/acetylation processing, contact angle was higher for modified starches, indicating that chemical treatments induced dramatic changes in their surface polarity. Compared with native, the contact angle for dual modified starch increased from 43.1° to 91.7° which indicated their lower wettability. The addition of SC‐CO2, EPI, and Ac to the formulation reduced the density of the extrudates and increased the expansion ratio. The average cell size in the extrudate determined by scanning electron microscopy was also found to decrease from 150 to 34 μm by the addition of the two reagents. Moreover, the dual‐modification of starches provided more hardness and adhesiveness to the extrudates than was observed for the unmodified starches. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Stretching‐induced percolation in polyvinylidene fluoride and nickel composites
Authors: Yu Lijia , Li Wei‐Ping
Published: December 2010

To investigate the stretching effect of polymer‐based composites, the films of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nickel (Ni) composites were stretched at 120°C. It was found there was an abrupt increase in dielectric constants and conductivities with stretching ratio (SR). In comparison to percolation effect caused by involvement of conductive particles, it was named as stretching‐induced percolation here. When SR was near the threshold, dielectric constants showed 17 times improvement and conductivities displayed four to five orders of magnitude enhancement at 100 Hz in low Ni fraction composites. And the reasons of stretching‐induced percolation were analyzed here. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Polyamides obtained by direct polycondesation of 4‐[4‐[9‐[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐3‐methyl‐phenyl] fluoren‐9‐YL]‐2‐methyl‐phenoxy]aniline with dicarboxylic acids based on a diphenyl‐silane moiety
Authors: Tundidor‐Camba Alain , Terraza Claudio A. , Tagle Luis H. , Coll Deysma
Published: December 2010

Polyamides (PAs) containing fluorene, oxyether, and diphenyl‐silane moieties in the repeating unit were synthesized in > 85% yield by direct polycondesation between a diamine and four dicarboxylic acids. Alternatively, one PA was synthesized from an acid dichloride. The diamine 4‐[4‐[9‐[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐3‐methyl‐phenyl]fluoren‐9‐yl]‐2‐methyl‐phenoxy]aniline (3) was obtained from the corresponding dinitro compound, which was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic halogen displacement from p‐chloronitrobenzene and 9,9‐bis (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐phenyl)fluorene (1). Monomers and polymers were characterized by FTIR and 1H, 13C, and 29Si‐NMR spectroscopy and the results were in agreement with the proposed structures. PAs showed inherent viscosity values between 0.14 and 0.43 dL/g, indicative of low molecular weight species, probably of oligomeric nature. The glass transition temperature (Tg) values were observed in the 188–211°C range by DSC analysis. Thermal decomposition temperature (TDT10%) values were above 400°C due to the presence of the aromatic rings in the diamine. All PAs showed good transparency in the visible region (>88% at 400 nm) due to the incorporation of the fluorene moiety. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Tailored thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy resins prepared using multiply hydrogen‐bonding reactive modifiers
Authors: Liu Jene‐Ku , Shau Shi‐Min , Juang Tzong‐Yuan , Chang Chia‐Cheng , Dai Shenghong A. , Su Wen‐Chiung , Lin Ching‐Hsuan , Jeng Ru‐Jong
Published: December 2010

In this study, we synthesized a phosphorus‐containing triply functionalized reactive modifier, DOPO‐tris(azetidine‐2,4‐dione), and a phosphorus‐free doubly functionalized reactive modifier, bis(azetidine‐2,4‐dione), and embedded them into epoxy resin systems. We characterized these synthesized reactive modifiers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. During the thermosetting processes, we reacted the epoxy curing agents 4,4‐diaminodiphenylmethane and tris(4‐aminophenyl)amine with the multiply hydrogen‐bonding reactive modifiers and epoxy monomers. The introduction of the DOPO segment, strongly hydrogen bonding malonamide linkages, and hard aromatic groups into the backbones of the synthesized reactive modifiers resulted in epoxy networks exhibiting tailorable crosslinking densities, flexibilities, glass transition temperatures, thermal decomposition temperatures, and flame retardancies. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analyses indicated that intermolecular hydrogen bonding of these reactive modifiers enhanced the thermal and physical properties of their epoxy resins through the formation of unique pseudocrosslinked polymer networks. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Asymmetric Coordination Chemistry by Chiral‐Auxiliary‐Mediated Dynamic Resolution under Thermodynamic Control
Authors: Lin Zhijie , Gong Lei , Celik Mehmet Ali , Harms Klaus , Frenking Gernot , Meggers Eric
Published: December 2010

A method is presented for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral ruthenium polypyridyl complexes that starts from racemic cis‐[Ru(pp)2Cl2] (pp=2,2′‐bipyridine or 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands). The chiral bidentate ligands (R)‐2‐(isopropylsulfinyl)phenol, (R)‐SO, and preferably the more electron‐rich derivative (R)‐2‐(isopropylsulfinyl)‐4‐methoxyphenol, (R)‐A, serve as convenient chiral auxiliaries for the conversion of racemic starting complexes (1a: pp=2,2′‐bipyridine; 1b: pp=5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine; 1c: pp=1,10‐phenanthroline) into single diastereomers Λ‐[Ru(pp)2{(R)‐SO}]PF6 (Λ‐(S)‐2a, 2b, 2c) or Λ‐[Ru(pp)2{(R)‐A}]PF6 (Λ‐(S)‐2a′) under a thermodynamically controlled dynamic transformation. The complexes Λ‐(S)‐2a, 2b, 2c and Λ‐(S)‐2a′ themselves are direct precursors for the generation of optically active ruthenium–polypyridyl complexes by trifluoroacetic‐acid‐induced replacement of the sulfinylphenolate auxiliaries with bidentate pp ligands under retention of configuration, thereby affording Λ‐[Ru(pp)3](PF6)2 (3a, 3b, 3c) complexes with high enantiomeric ratios of ≥98:2. In particular, by employing the methoxy‐modified chiral auxiliary (R)‐A, enantiomeric ratios of >99:1 were reached. In the strategy introduced here, the high steric crowding of an octahedral coordination sphere was exploited by placing a sulfur‐based stereocenter in direct proximity to the ruthenium stereocenter, thereby leading to a large difference in the stabilities of the intermediate Λ‐S and Δ‐S diastereomers and thus providing the opportunity to find suitable reaction conditions for conversion of the destabilized diastereomer into the thermodynamically more‐stable one. This method should be of high practical value for the asymmetric synthesis of ruthenium–polypyridyl complexes because it allows one to use readily available racemic ruthenium complexes as starting materials.
Design of non‐fragile guaranteed‐cost repetitive‐control system based on two‐dimensional model
Authors: Wu Min , Lan Yonghong , She Jinhua , He Yong
Published: December 2010

This paper concerns a new method of repetitive control based on two‐dimensional (2D) system theory. First, a 2D model is presented that enables the independent adjustment of control, which happens within a repetition period, and learning, which happens between periods. Next, the problem of designing a repetitive‐control law is formulated as a state‐feedback design problem for the 2D model. An existence condition and a method of designing a robust repetitive‐control law for a plant containing time‐invariant structured uncertainties are established by combining 2D system theory with linear matrix inequalities. Then, based on those results, a non‐fragile guaranteed‐cost repetitive‐control law is derived. The controller gain to be designed is assumed to have additive gain variations. It guarantees that the value of a quadratic performance function is less than a specified upper bound for all admissible uncertainties. The main feature of this approach is that it enables the control action and the learning process to be adjusted independently by the direct tuning of the weighting matrices in the quadratic cost function. Finally, a numerical example demonstrates the validity of this approach.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
The membrane transport of flavonoids fromCrossostephium chinenseacross the Caco‐2 monolayer
Authors: Wang Ying , Wu Qi , Yang Xiu‐Wei , Yang Xiaoda , Wang Kui
Published: December 2010

The permeation and efflux of six polysubstituted flavonoids isolated fromCrossostephium chinense, a Chinese traditional and herbal drug for the treatment of diabetes, were investigated using the Caco‐2 cell monolayer. The six flavonoids (selagin, apometzgerin, tricetin‐3′,4′,5′‐trimethylether, quercetagetin‐3,6,7‐trimethylether, hispidulin and quercetagetin) sharing a similar parent skeleton structure with varied substituents in the heterocyclic ring B were selected for the study. Quercetagetin exhibited a low bi‐directional permeability comparable to that of atenolol, suggesting a paracellular diffusion mechanism. The remaining compounds exhibited time‐ and concentration‐ dependent permeation with apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) values in the range 10−6–10−5 cm/s, suggesting transcellular diffusion pathways. Selagin exhibited significantly larger basolateral to apicalPappthan that of the reverse direction, suggesting the existence of efflux mechanisms. ATP‐depletion and probenecid pretreatment led to a significant inhibition of the efflux of selagin, whereas verapamil had no effect on the basolateral to apical transport of selagin, suggesting that multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) and not P‐glycoprotein play a role in the intestinal efflux of selagin. Based on present and previous results, the structure–permeation relationship and the role of MRPs in mediating the efflux of flavonoids are discussed. Experimental results in this study provide useful information for pharmacological applications of the flavonoids fromC. chinense. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental, scanning electron and optical microscope image analysis software for determining volume and occupied area of solid‐state fermentation fungal cultures
Authors: Osma Johann F. , Toca‐Herrera José L. , Rodríguez‐Couto Susana
Published: December 2010

Here we propose a software for the estimation of the occupied area and volume of fungal cultures. This software was developed using a Matlab platform and allows analysis of high‐definition images from optical, electronic or atomic force microscopes. In a first step, a single hypha grown on potato dextrose agar was monitored using optical microscopy to estimate the change in occupied area and volume. Weight measurements were carried out to compare them with the estimated volume, revealing a slight difference of less than 1.5%. Similarly, samples from two different solid‐state fermentation cultures were analyzed using images from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an environmental SEM (ESEM). Occupied area and volume were calculated for both samples, and the results obtained were correlated with the dry weight of the cultures. The difference between the estimated volume ratio and the dry weight ratio of the two cultures showed a difference of 10%. Therefore, this software is a promising non‐invasive technique to determine fungal biomass in solid‐state cultures.
Adaptation yields a highly efficient xylose‐fermenting Zymomonas mobilis strain
Authors: Agrawal Manoj , Mao Zichao , Chen Rachel Ruizhen
Published: December 2010

Zymomonas mobilis is a superb ethanol producer with productivity exceeding yeast strains by several fold. Although metabolic engineering was successfully applied to expand its substrate range to include xylose, xylose fermentation lagged far behind glucose. In addition, xylose fermentation was often incomplete when its initial concentration was higher than 5%. Improvement of xylose fermentation is therefore necessary. In this work, we applied adaptation to improve xylose fermentation in metabolically engineered strains. As a result of adaptation over 80 days and 30 serial transfers in a medium containing high concentration of xylose, a strain, referred as A3, with markedly improved xylose metabolism was obtained. The strain was able to grow on 10% (w/v) xylose and rapidly ferment xylose to ethanol within 2 days and retained high ethanol yield. Similarly, in mixed glucose–xylose fermentation, a total of 9% (w/v) ethanol was obtained from two doses of 5% glucose and 5% xylose (or a total of 10% glucose and 10% xylose). Further investigation reveals evidence for an altered xylitol metabolism in A3 with reduced xylitol formation. Additionally xylitol tolerance in A3 was increased. Furthermore, xylose isomerase activity was increased by several times in A3, allowing cells to channel more xylose to ethanol than to xylitol. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that altered xylitol metabolism is key to improved xylose metabolism in adapted A3 strain. This work further demonstrates that adaptation and metabolic engineering can be used synergistically for strain improvement. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:777–785. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and validation of a multiresidue method for determination of 37 pesticides in soil using GC‐NPD
Authors: Park Jong Hyouk , Iqbal Rouf Mamun Md. , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Na Tae Woong , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Ghafar M. W. , Kim Kap Soon , Kim Sang Don , Shim Jae‐Han
Published: December 2010

In this study, a multiresidue analytical method for the detection of 37 pesticides in a soil matrix was developed and validated. The soil sample was fortified with a known quantity of pesticides at two different concentration levels (0.1 and 0.01 µg/g) and the analytes were extracted via a liquid–solid extraction method. The pesticides were separated on an HP5 capillary column and were analyzed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a nitrogen–phosphorous detector (GC‐NPD). Method validation was accomplished with good linearity (r2 = 0.994–0.999) within a considerable range of concentrations. Satisfactory recoveries (70.5–110.4%) were obtained with 32 pesticides at both spiking concentration levels, whereas five pesticides—dimepiperate, buprofezin, prometryn, pirimicarb, and fludioxonil—were recovered at relatively low levels (43.6–61.8%). The applicability of the method was demonstrated by analyzing field samples collected from 24 different sites around Yeongsan and Sumjin rivers in the Republic of Korea. No residues of the selected pesticides were detected in any of the samples. The developed method could be employed as a simple and cost‐effective method for the routine detection and analysis of 37 pesticides in soil samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An LC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of vincristine and verapamil in rat plasma after oral administration of a dual agent formulation
Authors: Ling Guixia , Zhang Peng , Sun Jin , Zhang Wenping , Fu Qiang , Zhang Tianhong , Deng Yihui , He Zhonggui
Published: December 2010

A rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of vincristine and verapamil in rat plasma was first developed and validated, using high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI). The method, which required a small sample volume (25 µL) of plasma, was linear in the concentration range of 0.5–500 ng/mL for vincristine and 0.1–100.0 ng/mL for verapamil. Finally, the method was successfully employed in a pharmacokinetic study of vincristine and verapamil in rats after an oral administration of a dual‐agent formulation containing vincristine and verapamil. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capsular perstraction as a novel methodology for the recovery and purification of geldanamycin
Authors: Whelehan Micheal , Marison Ian W.
Published: December 2010

The molecular complex “Heat shock protein 90” has become a novel target for anticancer drugs in recent times on account of its ability to perform as a chaperone toward proteins involved in cancer progression. The geldanamycin binds to this complex with high affinity and prevents it from performing correctly, which results in tumor destruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of applying liquid‐core microcapsules as a novel technique (termed “capsular perstraction”), for the recovery and purification of geldanamycin from culture media. Results demonstrated how this procedure was capable of rapidly extracting >70% of geldanamycin from culture media using a liquid‐core volume to medium ratio of only 1%. Optimum conditions for removal, including agitation speed, microcapsule size, and membrane thickness were examined, and it was shown how the stagnant aqueous film around the microcapsules was the main resistance to mass transfer. A volumetric mass transfer coefficient of 5.66 × 10−6m/s was obtained for the highest agitation speed (400 rpm), which was considerable greater compared to the value of 0.88 × 10−6m/s achieved for the lowest speed of 100 rpm. Removal of geldanamycin from microcapsules was also examined to fully investigate the potential of such particles for in situ product recovery, and it was demonstrated how the methodology can be used as a simple mechanism for purifying the compound (>99%) through solvent extraction and crystallization. The results of this work demonstrate the novel use of capsular perstraction as a methodology for the recovery and purification of geldanamycin from culture environments. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Determining the mechanical properties of yeast cell walls
Authors: Stenson John D. , Hartley Peter , Wang Changxiang , Thomas Colin R.
Published: December 2010

The intrinsic cell wall mechanical properties of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells were determined. Force–deformation data from compression of individual cells up to failure were recorded, and these data were fitted by an analytical model to extract the elastic modulus of the cell wall and the initial stretch ratio of the cell. The cell wall was assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic, and incompressible. A linear elastic constitutive equation was assumed based on Hencky strains to accommodate the large stretches of the cell wall. Because of the high compression speed, water loss during compression could be assumed to be negligible. It was then possible to treat the initial stretch ratio and elastic modulus as adjustable parameters within the analytical model. As the experimental data fitted numerical simulations well up to the point of cell rupture, it was also possible to extract cell wall failure criteria. The mean cell wall properties for resuspended dried Baker's yeast were as follows: elastic modulus 185 ± 15 MPa, initial stretch ratio 1.039 ± 0.006, circumferential stress at failure 115 ± 5 MPa, circumferential strain at failure 0.46 ± 0.03, and strain energy per unit volume at failure 30 ± 3 MPa. Data on yeast cells obtained by this method and model should be useful in the design and optimization of cell disruption equipment for yeast cell processing. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Density Functional Characterization of Pure and Alkaline Earth Metal‐Doped Bi12GeO20, Bi12SiO20, and Bi12TiO20 Photocatalysts
Authors: Lu Jibao , Dai Ying , Zhu Yingtao , Huang Baibiao
Published: December 2010

Bi12MxO20±δ (hereafter BMO; M=Ti, Si, Ge) materials, which have been used as ferroelectric materials, actuators, capacitors, and dielectric and photorefractive materials, have attracted attention as photocatalysts and exhibit high photocatalytic activities in many reactions. However, seldom has work been performed on the geometric and electronic properties of the BMO structures and little is known about the effect of alkaline earth metal (AE) doping on them. In this study, the pure and AE‐doped BMO structures are investigated systematically for the first time by performing first‐principles calculations. The electronic structures of the three BMO species show that they should have high diffusion and low recombination rates of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Alkaline earth ions could easily be doped into the three BMO structures under O‐rich growth conditions, and the doping red‐shifts the absorption edge of the BMO with its reduction ability unchanged. These new AE‐doped materials could be excellent candidates for visible‐light‐activated photocatalysis.
Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Heavy Hydrocarbons
Authors: Navarro Yerga Rufino. M. , Álvarez‐Galván M. Consuelo , Mota Noelia , Villoria de la Mano Jose A. , Al‐Zahrani Saeed M. , Fierro Jose L. G.
Published: December 2010

Sustainable hydrogen production is a key target in the development of future alternative energy systems for providing a clean and affordable energy supply. Nowadays, the lack of widely available sources of H2 dictates the use of logistic fuels, multicomponent mixtures containing a large number of hydrocarbons, in the near term as a way to facilitate the introduction of hydrogen in energy systems, as this option entails no extra capital cost for developing the infrastructure and so relieves the economic pressure on moving to a hydrogen economy. A further advantage is that developments in the field of hydrogen generation from conventional fuels could be applied to the extraction of hydrogen from other liquid fuels that contain heavy hydrocarbons produced from biomass, thereby providing a bridge for the transition of hydrogen production from fossil fuels to renewable production from biomass. Catalysts for hydrogen production from heavy hydrocarbons have made remarkable progress in recent years, but there are various technical challenges, mainly low activity and durability, that need to be addressed for future improvement. This Review provides an overview of the research progress on hydrogen production from logistic hydrocarbons. The challenges for catalysts applied to the reforming of logistic hydrocarbons are discussed in detail to reveal the specific needs for each of the main reforming processes used with such hydrocarbons: Steam reforming, partial oxidation, and autothermal reforming. The four challenges for each process are activity, sulfur poisoning, carbon formation, and sintering. An overview is provided of the research strategies and approaches adopted in search of catalysts that respond to the above challenges; that is, selection of active phase, promoters, and supports and control of the synthesis of materials for customizing the crystallinity, electronic structure and morphology of catalysts at the nanoscale.
Gaussian mixture models for the classification of high‐dimensional vibrational spectroscopy data
Authors: Jacques Julien , Bouveyron Charles , Girard Stéphane , Devos Olivier , Duponchel Ludovic , Ruckebusch Cyril
Published: December 2010

In this work, a family of generative Gaussian models designed for the supervised classification of high‐dimensional data is presented as well as the associated classification method called High‐Dimensional Discriminant Analysis (HDDA). The features of these Gaussian models are as follows: i) the representation of the input density model is smooth; ii) the data of each class are modeled in a specific subspace of low dimensionality; iii) each class may have its own covariance structure; iv) model regularization is coupled to the classification criterion to avoid data over‐fitting. To illustrate the abilities of the method, HDDA is applied on complex high‐dimensional multi‐class classification problems in mid‐infrared and near‐infrared spectroscopy and compared to state‐of‐the‐art methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maximum Derivative of Left Ventricular Pressure Predicts Cardiac Mortality After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Suzuki Hirohiko , Shimano Masayuki , Yoshida Yukihiko , Inden Yasuya , Muramatsu Takashi , Tsuji Yukiomi , Tsuboi Naoya , Hirayama Haruo , Shibata Rei , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: December 2010

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been reported to improve cardiac performance. However, CRT in patients with advanced heart failure is not always accompanied by an improvement in survival rates. We investigated the association between hemodynamic studies and long‐term prognosis after CRT.

Methods

A total of 68 consecutive patients receiving CRT devices due to advanced heart failure were assessed by hemodynamic study and long‐term outcome after implantation of the device. Hemodynamic parameters were measured both with the CRT on and off.

Results

Patients demonstrated significant improvement in the maximum first derivative of left ventricular (LV) pressure (LV dP/dtmax) and QRS duration after periods with the CRT on. During the follow‐up period of 34.9 ± 17.6 months, basal LV dP/dtmax and isovolemic LV pressure half‐time (T1/2), but not percent change in LV dP/dtmax, were independent predictors of cardiac mortality or hospitalization due to heart failure after multivariate Cox regression analysis. The Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed that patients in the lowest basal LV dP/dtmax tertile or the longest basal T1/2 tertile exhibited a significantly higher cardiac‐caused mortality or heart failure hospitalization.

Conclusions

Lower LV dP/dtmax or longer T1/2 independently predicts cardiac mortality or heart failure hospitalization in patients receiving CRT. The assessment of the basal LV dP/dtmax and T1/2 could provide useful information in long‐term prognosis after CRT. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This work was supported by grant from the Grant‐in‐Aid for Young Scientists, the Nakashima Foundation, and the Kowa Life Science Foundation to RS.

Hirohiko Suzuki, MD and Masayuki Shimano, MD equally contributed to the work.
Slow Cardiac Myosin Regulatory Light Chain 2 (MYL2) was Down‐Expressed in Chronic Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Li Yuanhong , Wu Gang , Tang Qizhu , Huang Congxin , Jiang Hong , Shi Lisong , Tu Xin , Huang Jinqi , Zhu Xiaoqing , Wang Hongli
Published: December 2010

Background

Genetic studies have shown that many slow cardiac myosin regulatory light chain 2 (MYL2) gene mutations can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is one of the most common causes of heart failure (HF). But until now there has been no pathological or histological evidence that MYL2 may be associated with HF development. Recent microarray studies indicated that myosin heavy chain expression changed in the pathological process of HF. Because MYL2 is a regulatory component of myosin heavy polypeptide, the role of MYL2 protein in HF needs to be studied.

Hypothesis

The level of expression of MYL2 may change in the heart tissue of patients with chronic HF.

Methods

We collected 28 human right auricle samples, 16 from chronic HF patients and 12 from healthy control subjects. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to observe the tissue‐expression pattern of the MYL2 protein and Western blot methods were performed to quantify the relative MYL2 expression level.

Results

In chronic HF patients, the MYL2 protein level decreased significantly compared with normal controls (t test P < 0.05). Among the 16 HF patients, MYL2 expression in the severe HF group (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV) was even lower than that of the moderate HF group (NYHA class II) (t test P < 0.05).

Conclusions

MYL2 was down‐expressed in HF tissues, and our findings suggested that MYL2 may play a role in the development and progression of chronic HF. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The first two authors contributed equally to this work. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30800457, 30900803) and the Natural Science Program of Hubei Province (2009CDZ013). This study has no relationship with any kind of industry. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Coupled hard–soft tissue simulation with contact and constraints applied to jaw–tongue–hyoid dynamics
Authors: Stavness Ian , Lloyd John E. , Payan Yohan , Fels Sidney
Published: December 2010

We present an open‐source physical simulation system suitable for efficient modeling of anatomical structures composed of both hard and soft tissue components, interconnected by point‐wise attachments, contact, and other constraints. Specific attention is paid to the computational formulation needed for the coupled simulation of rigid and deformable structures, and a constraint‐based mechanism is described for attaching these together. As an application of this system, we then present a novel 3D dynamic model of the jaw–tongue–hyoid complex, consisting of an FEM model of the tongue, rigid jaw, and hyoid structures, point‐to‐point muscle actuators, and constraints for bite contact and the temporomandibular joints. Several simulations are presented showing combined jaw–tongue actions and demonstrating the effects of coupled jaw–tongue–hyoid dynamics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A GEIL flow cytometry consensus proposal for quantification of plasma cells: Application to differential diagnosis between MGUS and myeloma
Authors: Frébet Elise , Abraham Julie , Geneviève Franck , Lepelley Pascale , Daliphard Sylvie , Bardet Valérie , Amsellem Sophie , Guy Julien , Mullier Francois , Durrieu Francoise , Venon Marie‐Dominique , Leleu Xavier , Jaccard Arnaud , Faucher Jean‐Luc , Béné Marie C. , Feuillard Jean ,   for the GEIL (Groupe d'Etude Immunologique des Leucémies) Study Group
Published: December 2010

Background:

Flow cytometry is the sole available technique for quantification of tumor plasma‐cells in plasma‐cell disorders, but so far, no consensus technique has been proposed. Here, we report on a standardized, simple, robust five color flow cytometry protocol developed to characterize and quantify bone marrow tumor plasma‐cells, validated in a multicenter manner.

Methods:

CD36 was used to exclude red blood cell debris and erythroblasts, CD38 and CD138 to detect plasma‐cells, immunoglobulin light chains, CD45, CD56, CD19, and CD117 + CD34 to simultaneously characterize abnormal plasma‐cells and quantify bone marrow precursors. This approach was applied in nine centers to 229 cases, including 25 controls.

Results:

Tumor plasma‐cells were detected in 96.8% of cases, all exhibiting an immunoglobulin peak over 1g/L. Calculation of a plasma‐cells/precursors (PC/P) ratio allowed quantification of the plasma‐cell burden independently from bone marrow hemodilution. The PC/P ratio yielded the best results in terms of sensitivity (81%) and specificity (84%) for differential diagnosis between MGUS and myeloma, when compared with other criteria. Combination of both the PC/P ratio and percentage of abnormal plasma‐cells allowed the best differential diagnosis, but these criteria were discordant in 25% cases. Indirect calculation of CD19 negative PC/R ratio gave the best results in terms of sensitivity (87%).

Conclusion:

This standardized multiparameter flow cytometric approach allows for the detection and quantification of bone marrow tumor plasma‐cell infiltration in nearly all cases of MGUS and myeloma, independently of debris and hemodilution. This approach may also prove useful for the detection of minimal residual disease. © 2010 International Clinical Cytometry Society
A comprehensive review of oral glucosamine use and effects on glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic individuals
Authors: Simon R. R. , Marks V. , Leeds A. R. , Anderson J. W.
Published: December 2010

Glucosamine (GlcN) is a widely utilized dietary supplement that is used to promote joint health. Reports that oral GlcN supplementation at usual doses adversely affects glucose metabolism in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance have raised concerns that GlcN should be contraindicated in individuals with diabetes and those at risk for developing it. This review addresses its potential, when used at typical doses, to affect glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals and those with diabetes or ‘pre‐diabetes’. Publicly available scientific information and data on GlcN were systematically compiled using the electronic search tool, Dialog®, and reviewed with special emphasis on human studies. In long‐term clinical trials, including those containing subjects with type 2 diabetes or ‘pre‐diabetes’, GlcN produced a non‐significant lowering of fasting blood glucose concentrations in all groups of subjects treated for periods of up to 3 years. Owing to limitations in study design, conclusions based on studies that report adverse affects of GlcN on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in pre‐diabetic subjects are suspect. However, no definitive long‐term studies of GlcN use for individuals with pre‐diabetes are available. Nevertheless, based on available evidence, we conclude that GlcN has no effect on fasting blood glucose levels, glucose metabolism, or insulin sensitivity at any oral dose level in healthy subjects, individuals with diabetes, or those with impaired glucose tolerance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐step knockin for inducible expression in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Choi Yong Jun , Son Mi Young , Hasty Paul
Published: December 2010

Transgenesis enables the elucidation of gene function; however, constant transgene expression is not always desired. The tetracycline responsive system was devised to turn on and off transgene expression at will. It has two components: a doxycycline (dox)‐controlled transactivator (TA) and an inducible expression cassette. Integration of these transgenes requires two transfection steps usually accomplished by sequential random integration. Unfortunately, random integration can be problematic due to chromatin position effects, integration of variable transgene units, and mutation at the integration site. Therefore, targeted transgenesis and knockin were developed to target the TA and the inducible expression cassette to a specific location, but these approaches can be costly in time, labor, and money. Here, we describe a one‐step Cre‐mediated knockin system in mouse embryonic stem cells that positions the TA and inducible expression cassette to a single location. Using this system, we show dox‐dependent regulation of eGFP at the DNA topoisomerase 3β promoter. Because Cre‐mediated recombination is used in lieu of gene targeting, this system is fast and efficient. genesis 49:92–97, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutation of the BAFF furin cleavage site impairs B‐cell homeostasis and antibody responses
Authors: Bossen Claudia , Tardivel Aubry , Willen Laure , Fletcher Carrie A. , Perroud Mai , Beermann Friedrich , Rolink Antonius G. , Scott Martin L. , Mackay Fabienne , Schneider Pascal
Published: December 2010

B‐cell‐activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF)/BLyS contributes to B‐cell homeostasis and function in the periphery. BAFF is expressed as a membrane‐bound protein or released by proteolytic cleavage, but the functional importance of this processing event is poorly understood. Mice expressing BAFF with a mutated furin consensus cleavage site, i.e. furin‐mutant BAFF (fmBAFF), were not different from BAFF‐deficient mice with regard to their B‐cell populations and responses to immunization. It is however noteworthy that an alternative processing event releases some soluble BAFF in fmBAFF mice. Mild overexpression (∼5‐fold) of fmBAFF alone generated intermediate levels of B cells without improving humoral responses to immunization. Processed BAFF was however important for B‐cell homeostasis, as peripheral B‐cell populations and antibody responses were readily restored by administration of soluble BAFF trimers in BAFF‐deficient mice. However, the rescue of CD23 expression in B cells of BAFF‐deficient mice required both soluble BAFF trimers and fmBAFF, or a polymeric form of soluble BAFF (BAFF 60‐mer). These results point to a predominant role of processed BAFF for B‐cell homeostasis and function, and indicate possible accessory roles for membrane‐bound BAFF.
Lymph node stromal cells strongly influence immune response suppression
Authors: Buettner Manuela , Pabst Reinhard , Bode Ulrike
Published: December 2010

Many pathogens are initially encountered in the gut, where the decision is made to mount an immune response or induce tolerance. The mesentric lymph node (mLN) has been shown to be involved in immune response and much more in oral tolerance induction. Furthermore, using an in vivo transplantation model, we showed recently that lymph node (LN) stromal cells can affect T‐cell function and influence the IgA response by supporting a site‐specific environment. To elucidate the importance of LN stromal cells for tolerance induction, mLN or peripheral LN were transplanted into mice (mLNtx or pLNtx) and oral tolerance was induced via ovalbumin. A reduced delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was detected in pLNtx compared to mLNtx mice. Reduced IL‐10 expression, reduced percentages of Tregs, and increased proportions of B cells were identified within the pLNtx. The increase of B cells resulted in a specific immunoglobulin production undetectable in mLNtx. Moreover, transferred IgG+ cells of tolerized peripheral LN induced a strong reduction of the delayed‐type hypersensitivity response, whereas CD4+ cells were less efficient. Thus, stromal cells have a high impact on creating a unique environment. Furthermore, the environment of pLNtx induces a tolerogenic phenotype by B‐cell accumulation and antibody production.
PD‐L1 expression on tolerogenic APCs is controlled by STAT‐3
Authors: Wölfle Sabine J. , Strebovsky Julia , Bartz Holger , Sähr Aline , Arnold Caroline , Kaiser Claus , Dalpke Alexander H. , Heeg Klaus
Published: December 2010

During infection, TLR agonists are released and trigger mature as well as differentiating innate immune cells. Early encounter with TLR agonists (R848; LPS) blocks conventional differentiation of CD14+ monocytes into immature dendritic cells (iDCs) resulting in a deviated phenotype. We and others characterized these APCs (TLR‐APC) by a retained expression of CD14 and a lack of CD1a. Here, we show in addition, expression of programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1). TLR‐APCs failed to induce T‐cell proliferation and furthermore were able to induce CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). Since PD‐L1 is described as a key negative regulator and inducer of tolerance, we further analyzed its regulation. PD‐L1 expression was regulated in a MAPK/cytokine/STAT‐3‐dependent manner: high levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10 that signal via STAT‐3 were produced by TLR‐APCs. Blocking of STAT‐3 activation prevented PD‐L1 expression. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed direct binding of STAT‐3 to the PD‐L1 promoter. Those findings indicate a pivotal role of STAT‐3 in regulating PD‐L1 expression. MAPKs were indirectly engaged, as blocking of p38 and p44/42 MAPKs decreased IL‐6 and IL‐10 thus reducing STAT‐3 activation and subsequent PD‐L1 expression. Hence, during DC differentiation TLR agonists induce a STAT‐3‐mediated expression of PD‐L1 and favor the development of tolerogenic APCs.
The role of Syk/CARD9 coupled C‐type lectins in antifungal immunity
Authors: Drummond Rebecca A. , Saijo Shinobu , Iwakura Yoichiro , Brown Gordon D.
Published: December 2010

Fungal infections are affecting an increasing number of people, and the failure of current therapies in treating systemic infection has resulted in an unacceptably high mortality rate. It is therefore of importance that we understand immune mechanisms operating during fungal infections, in order to facilitate development of adjunctive immunotherapies for the treatment of these diseases. C‐type lectin receptors (CLRs) are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are critical for immune responses to fungi. Many of these receptors are coupled to Syk kinase, which allows these receptors to signal via CARD9 leading to NF‐κB activation, which in turn contributes to the induction of both innate and adaptive immunity. Dectin‐1, Dectin‐2 and Mincle are all CLRs that share this common signalling mechanism and have been shown to play key roles in antifungal immunity. This review aims to update existing paradigms and summarise the most recent findings on these CLRs, their signal transduction mechanisms and the collaborations between these CLRs and other PRRs.