bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of mobile phone design features affecting radiofrequency power absorbed in a human head phantom
Authors: Kuehn Sven , Kelsh Michael A. , Kuster Niels , Sheppard Asher R. , Shum Mona
Published: March 2013

The US FCC mandates the testing of all mobile phones to demonstrate compliance with the rule requiring that the peak spatial SAR does not exceed the limit of 1.6 W/kg averaged over any 1 g of tissue. These test data, measured in phantoms with mobile phones operating at maximum antenna input power, permitted us to evaluate the variation in SARs across mobile phone design factors such as shape and antenna design, communication technology, and test date (over a 7‐year period). Descriptive statistical summaries calculated for 850 MHz and 1900 MHz phones and ANOVA were used to evaluate the influence of the foregoing factors on SARs. Service technology accounted for the greatest variability in compliance test SARs that ranged from AMPS (highest) to CDMA, iDEN, TDMA, and GSM (lowest). However, the dominant factor for SARs during use is the time‐averaged antenna input power, which may be much less than the maximum power used in testing. This factor is largely defined by the communication system; e.g., the GSM phone average output can be higher than CDMA by a factor of 100. Phone shape, antenna type, and orientation of a phone were found to be significant but only on the order of up to a factor of 2 (3 dB). The SAR in the tilt position was significantly smaller than for touch. The side of the head did not affect SAR levels significantly. Among the remaining factors, external antennae produced greater SARs than internal ones, and brick and clamshell phones produced greater SARs than slide phones. Assuming phone design and usage patterns do not change significantly over time, we have developed a normalization procedure and formula that permits reliable prediction of the relative SAR between various communication systems. This approach can be applied to improve exposure assessment in epidemiological research. Bioelectromagnetics. 34:479–488. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of blood glucose on neutrophil function in individuals without diabetes
Authors: Saito Yuriko , Takahashi Ippei , Iwane Kaori , Okubo Noriyuki , Nishimura Miya , Matsuzaka Masashi , Wada Naoko , Miwa Takashi , Umeda Takashi , Nakaji Shigeyuki
Published: March 2013

We assessed the association of neutrophil function with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in a Japanese general population. Participants were 809 males and females who were over 20 years old living in the Iwaki region in Aomori Prefecture located in northern Japan. Lifestyle parameters (smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise habits), HbA1c and neutrophil function such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity (PA) were measured. ROS production capability was measured before and after phagocytic stimulus to obtain basal ROS production and stimulated ROS production. Level of HbA1c had a positive correlation with basal ROS production (p=0.053), a negative correlation with stimulated ROS production (p=0.072) and PA (p=0.059) only in post‐menopausal groups, and not in pre‐menopausal groups. However, there were no correlations between levels of HbA1c and neutrophil functions in male. In conclusion, in the present study, despite the presence of diabetes, chronic hyperglycemia was found to cause an increase in daily basal ROS production of neutrophils, and increased susceptibility to infection caused by reduced neutrophilic reaction in females in their menopause. Therefore, from the oxidative point of view, strict glycemic control is necessary to prevent post‐menopausal females from developing diabetic complications in spite of the presence of diabetes.
Investigations on diffusion limitations of biocatalyzed reactions in amphiphilic polymer conetworks in organic solvents
Authors: Schoenfeld Ina , Dech Stephan , Ryabenky Benjamin , Daniel Bastian , Glowacki Britta , Ladisch Reinhild , Tiller Joerg C.
Published: March 2013

The use of enzymes as biocatalysts in organic media is an important issue in modern white biotechnology. However, their low activity and stability in those media often limits their full‐scale application. Amphiphilic polymer conetworks (APCNs) have been shown to greatly activate entrapped enzymes in organic solvents. Since these nanostructured materials are not porous, the bioactivity of the conetworks is strongly limited by diffusion of substrate and product. The present manuscript describes two different APCNs as nanostructured microparticles, which showed greatly increased activities of entrapped enzymes compared to those of the already activating membranes and larger particles. We demonstrated this on the example of APCN particles based on PHEA‐l‐PDMS loaded with α‐Chymotrypsin, which resulted in an up to 28,000‐fold higher activity of the enzyme compared to the enzyme powder. Furthermore, lipase from Rhizomucor miehei entrapped in particles based on PHEA‐l‐PEtOx was tested in n‐heptane, chloroform, and substrate. Specific activities in smaller particles were 10‐ to 100‐fold higher in comparison to the native enzyme. The carrier activity of PHEA‐l‐PEtOx microparticles was tenfold higher with some 25–50‐fold lower enzyme content compared to a commercial product. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110:2333–2342. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast and scalable purification of a therapeutic full‐length antibody based on process crystallization
Authors: Smejkal Benjamin , Agrawal Neeraj J. , Helk Bernhard , Schulz Henk , Giffard Marion , Mechelke Matthias , Ortner Franziska , Heckmeier Philipp , Trout Bernhardt L. , Hekmat Dariusch
Published: March 2013

The potential of process crystallization for purification of a therapeutic monoclonal IgG1 antibody was studied. The purified antibody was crystallized in non‐agitated micro‐batch experiments for the first time. A direct crystallization from clarified CHO cell culture harvest was inhibited by high salt concentrations. The salt concentration of the harvest was reduced by a simple pretreatment step. The crystallization process from pretreated harvest was successfully transferred to stirred tanks and scaled‐up from the mL‐scale to the 1 L‐scale for the first time. The crystallization yield after 24 h was 88–90%. A high purity of 98.5% was reached after a single recrystallization step. A 17‐fold host cell protein reduction was achieved and DNA content was reduced below the detection limit. High biological activity of the therapeutic antibody was maintained during the crystallization, dissolving, and recrystallization steps. Crystallization was also performed with impure solutions from intermediate steps of a standard monoclonal antibody purification process. It was shown that process crystallization has a strong potential to replace Protein A chromatography. Fast dissolution of the crystals was possible. Furthermore, it was shown that crystallization can be used as a concentrating step and can replace several ultra‐/diafiltration steps. Molecular modeling suggested that a negative electrostatic region with interspersed exposed hydrophobic residues on the Fv domain of this antibody is responsible for the high crystallization propensity. As a result, process crystallization, following the identification of highly crystallizable antibodies using molecular modeling tools, can be recognized as an efficient, scalable, fast, and inexpensive alternative to key steps of a standard purification process for therapeutic antibodies. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110:2452–2461. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stabilization of enzymes in ionic liquids via modification of enzyme charge
Authors: Nordwald Erik M. , Kaar Joel L.
Published: March 2013

Due to the propensity of ionic liquids (ILs) to inactivate enzymes, the development of strategies to improve enzyme utility in these solvents is critical to fully exploit ILs for biocatalysis. We have developed a strategy to broadly improve enzyme utility in ILs based on elucidating the effect of charge modifications on the function of enzymes in IL environments. Results of stability studies in aqueous‐IL mixtures indicated a clear connection between the ratio of enzyme‐containing positive‐to‐negative sites and enzyme stability in ILs. Stability studies of the effect of [BMIM][Cl] and [EMIM][EtSO4] on chymotrypsin specifically found an optimum ratio of positively‐charged amine‐to‐negatively‐charged acid groups (0.39). At this ratio, the half‐life of chymotrypsin was increased 1.6‐ and 4.3‐fold relative to wild‐type chymotrypsin in [BMIM][Cl] and [EMIM][EtSO4], respectively. The half‐lives of lipase and papain were similarly increased as much as 4.0 and 2.4‐fold, respectively, in [BMIM][Cl] by modifying the ratio of positive‐to‐negative sites of each enzyme. More generally, the results of stability studies found that modifications that reduce the ratio of enzyme‐containing positive‐to‐negative sites improve enzyme stability in ILs. Understanding the impact of charge modification on enzyme stability in ILs may ultimately be exploited to rationally engineer enzymes for improved function in IL environments. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110:2352–2360. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of optically pure amines as chiral auxiliaries to develop trichloro‐s‐triazine‐based new chiral derivatizing reagents for reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of dl‐selenomethionine
Authors: Bhushan Ravi , Lal Manohar
Published: March 2013

(R)‐(+)‐naphthylethyl amine and (S)‐(+)‐1‐benzyl‐3‐aminopyrrolidine were incorporated as chiral auxiliaries, by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms, in cyanuric chloride (CC) or its 6‐butoxy derivative. There were obtained four new chiral derivatizing reagents (CDRs) as two dichloro and two monochloro triazine reagents. The CDRs so obtained were characterized and their optical purity was ascertained. Diastereomers of dl‐selenomethionine were synthesized under microwave irradiation for 60 or 90 s (at 80% power of 800 W). Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic separation of diastereomers was carried out on a C18 column using mixtures of acetonitrile with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase. The detection was made at 230 nm using a photodiode array detector. The separation behaviors in terms of retention times and resolutions were compared. The separation method was validated for limit of detection, linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomimetic Synthesis and Studies Toward Enantioselective Synthesis of Flindersial Alkaloids
Authors: Vallakati Ravikrishna , Lundy Brian J. , Jansone‐Popova Santa , May Jeremy A.
Published: March 2013

A strategy allowing both stereocontrol and control over structural isomer formation has been defined for the antimalarial flindersial alkaloids. The recently reported flinderoles were demonstrated to be derived from the natural product borrerine. The structural isomers of flinderoles, the borreverines, were also produced in vitro along with the flinderoles through the dimerization of borrerine in acidic conditions. This result is thought to replicate the biosynthesis of these compounds. Flinderoles A, B, and C, desmethylflinderole C, isoborreverine, and dimethylisoborreverine can each be synthesized in three steps from tryptamine. Furthermore, progress toward a concise enantioselective synthesis of flinderoles A, B, and C is described. This work includes enantioselective conjugate addition to an unprotected indole‐appended enone. Chirality 27:14–17, 2015. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions by N‐vinyl 2‐pyrrolidone/itaconic acid hydrogels from aqueous solutions
Authors: Evren Mümin , Acar Işıl , Güçlü Kubilay , Güçlü Gamze
Published: March 2013

In this study, a series of crosslinked N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone–itaconic acid (NVP‐IA) hydrogels was prepared by free radical polymerisation in aqueous solution. Swelling, mechanical and adsorption properties for the removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions of these hydrogels were investigated. Metal ion adsorption capacities of hydrogels for Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions were determined as 2.1 and 0.6 mmol g −1, respectively. Adsorption processes of metal ions onto the NVP‐IA hydrogels follow pseudo‐second‐order type adsorption kinetics. The equilibrium adsorption data have been evaluated using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The results illustrated that the adsorption follows Freundlich isotherm.
Process optimisation of porous carbon preparation from date palm pits and adsorption kinetics of methylene blue
Authors: Rashid Kashif , Reddy K. Suresh Kumar , Al Shoaibi Ahmed , Srinivasakannan Chandrasekar
Published: March 2013

The present study focuses on the process optimisation of porous carbon preparation from date seed pits. The response surface methodology (RSM) technique with Box–Behnken method (BBM) was utilised with the response variables being the yield and BET surface area. The influencing parameters selected were activation temperature, impregnation ratio (IR) and activation time. The optimum conditions were identified to be an activation temperature of 500°C, IR of 2 and activation time of 75 min, with the resulting yield and BET surface area being 46% and 838 m2/g. The average pore volume and average pore diameter were 1.07 cm3/g and 1.69 nm, respectively. In order to assess the suitability of the carbon for adsorption of macromolecules, the kinetics of methylene blue (MB) adsorption were assessed by varying the initial concentration and the adsorption temperature. The kinetic parameters were evaluated applying the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model by minimising the error between the experimental data and the model prediction; it was found to represent the experimental data more aptly.
Effect of torrefaction on the density and volume changes of coarse biomass particles
Authors: Basu Prabir , Rao Shailendra , Acharya Bishnu , Dhungana Alok
Published: March 2013

This work provides preliminary data on the effect of torrefaction on the apparent density of biomass. It also examines how the shape of wood is affected by torrefaction. Experiments conducted on cylinders of poplar wood showed that torrefaction reduced both density and volume of the wood, and the extent of reduction increased with increase in severity of torrefaction. The shape of the wood appears to have some effect on the extent of density change. The shrinkage in radial direction was 3–4%, while reduction in longitudinal direction was 6.5–8.8%. The mass yield decreased with torrefaction severity. © 2013 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Investigation on alternative disposal methods for froth treatment tailings—part 1, disposal without asphaltene recovery
Authors: Xu Yuming , Dabros Tadek , Kan Jianmin
Published: March 2013

In paraffinic froth treatment, tailings from the tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU) contain a significant fraction of asphaltenes. In current commercial practice, the TSRU tailings are disposed of in a tailings pond where the large asphaltene particles and coarse tailings settle and the fines form mature fine tailings (MFT). With increasing public concern about the environmental impact of tailings ponds and stricter government regulations on tailings disposal, the oil sand industry has increased efforts to find alternatives that eliminate or reduce the use of tailings ponds. In collaboration with Total E&P Canada (TEPCA), CanmetENERGY conducted an extensive research program to explore alternatives for TSRU tailings disposal. TSRU tailings were produced from TEPCA's froth treatment pilot tests conducted at the CanmetENERGY froth treatment facility. Various processes were investigated, including flocculation and thickening, filtration, and centrifugation. A large number of bench‐scale flocculation‐thickening and filtration tests were conducted, followed by numerous pilot‐scale flocculation‐thickening tests and centrifugation tests. The experimental results demonstrate that TSRU tailings can be flocculated and thickened to produce paste‐like sediment, and the hot water can be recovered and recycled. The thickened TSRU tailings have good water drainage and deposition of the sediment on a beach would result in further dewatering. Centrifugation of the TSRU tailings or filtration of the thickener underflow can produce a cake that appears to be very dry and suitable for disposal without pond containment.
Impact of the Proline Residue on Ligand Binding of Neurotensin Receptor 2 (NTS2)‐Selective Peptide–Peptoid Hybrids
Authors: Held Cornelia , Hübner Harald , Kling Ralf , Nagel Yvonne A. , Wennemers Helma , Gmeiner Peter
Published: March 2013

To investigate the binding mode and structure–activity relationships (SARs) of selective neurotensin receptor 2 (NTS2) ligands, novel peptide–peptoid hybrids that simulate the function of the endogenous ligand were developed. Starting from our recently described NTS2 ligands of type 1, structural variants of type 2 and the metabolically stable analogues 3 a,b were developed. Replacement of the proline unit by a collection of structural surrogates and evaluation of the respective molecular probes for NTS2 affinity and selectivity indicated similar SARs as described for NT(8–13) derivatives bound to the subtype NTS1. Peptide–peptoid hybrids 2 d, 3 a,b showed substantial NTS2 binding affinity (Ki=8.1–16 nM) and 2400–8600‐fold selectivity over NTS1. The thiazolidine derivative 3 b showed metabolic stability over 32 h in a serum degradation assay. In an inositol phosphate accumulation assay, the neurotensin mimetics 3 a and 3 b displayed an inhibition of constitutive activity exceeding 1.7–2.0 times the activity of NT(8–13). The fluorinated derivative 3 a could afford attractive opportunities to detect NTS2 by 19F magnetic resonance imaging.
Fluorescence Quenching over Short Range in a Donor‐DNA‐Acceptor System
Authors: Ehrenschwender Thomas , Liang Yu , Unterreiner Andreas‐Neil , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim , Wolf Thomas J. A.
Published: March 2013

A new donor‐DNA‐acceptor system has been synthesized containing Nile red‐modified 2′‐deoxyuridine as charge donor and 6‐N,N‐dimethylaminopyrene‐modified 2′‐deoxyuridine as acceptor to investigate the charge transfer in DNA duplexes using fluorescence spectroscopy and time‐resolved femtosecond pump‐probe techniques. Fluorescence quenching experiments revealed that the quenching efficiency of Nile red depends on two components: 1) the presence of a charge acceptor and 2) the number of intervening CG and AT base pairs between donor and acceptor. Surprisingly, the quenching efficiency of two base pairs (73 % for CG and the same for AT) is higher than that for one base pair (68 % for CG and 37 % for AT), while at a separation of three base pairs less than 10 % quenching is observed. A comparison with the results of time‐resolved measurements revealed a correlation between quenching efficiency and the first ultrafast time constant suggesting that quenching proceeds via a charge transfer from the donor to the acceptor. All transients are satisfactorily described with two decays: a rapid charge transfer with 600 fs (∼1012 s−1) that depends strongly and in a non‐linear fashion on the distance between donor and acceptor, and a slower time constant of a few picoseconds (∼1011 s−1) with weak distance dependence. A third time constant on a nanosecond time scale represents the fluorescence lifetime of the donor molecule. According to these results and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations a combination of single‐step superexchange and multistep hopping mechanisms can be proposed for this short‐range charge transfer. Furthermore, significantly less quenching efficiency and slower charge transfer rates at very short distances indicate that the direct interaction between donor and acceptor leads to a local structural distortion of DNA duplexes which may provide some uncertainty in identifying the charge transfer rates in short‐range systems.
Theoretical Shaping of Femtosecond Laser Pulses for Ultrafast Molecular Photo‐Dissociation with Control Techniques Based on Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory
Authors: Castro Alberto
Published: March 2013

The combination of time‐dependent density functional theory and quantum optimal control formalism is used to optimize the shape of ultra‐short laser pulses in order to achieve the photodissociation of the hydrogen molecule. The very short pulse durations used in this work (a few femtoseconds) do not allow for significant nuclear movement during irradiation, and thus the dissociation mechanism is sequential. During pulse irradiation, a large sudden momentum is communicated which can be understood in terms of population of excited, bound or unbound, dissociative electronic states. The target is defined in terms of the average opposing force during the action of the pulse, or equivalently, in terms of the final dissociative velocity.
Morphologic features of endometriosis in various types of cytologic specimens
Authors: Barkan Güliz A. , Naylor Bernard , Gattuso Paolo , Küllü Sevgi , Galan Kristine , Wojcik Eva M.
Published: March 2013

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. This study evaluates the cytomorphologic features of endometriosis in various cytologic specimen types [fine‐needle aspiration (FNA), effusion cytology (EF), touch imprint (ToP), and cervical smear (PAP)], and assesses the key elements helpful in recognizing this lesion. A total of 18 cases (8 FNA, 4 EF, 5 ToP, and 1 PAP) of cytologically diagnosed and histologically/clinically confirmed endometriosis diagnosed between 1988 and 2006 comprises the material for this study. The morphologic features evaluated of the three components included: cellularity, presence of sheets of glandular cells, three‐dimensional (3D) glandular clusters, tubular structures, single cells, syncytial groups of stromal cells, stromal cells entrapped within basement membrane (BM)‐like material, cytologic atypia, presence of mitotic figures, and hemosiderin‐laden histiocytes. Endometrial glands, stroma, and hemosiderin‐laden histiocytes were all identified in 14/18 (77.8%) cases. FNA specimens were more cellular than that of both EF and ToP specimens. Tubular structures, 3D glandular clusters, stromal cells entrapped in BM and syncytial stromal groups were more common in FNAs, and ToPs compared with the EFs. The ratio of the endometrial glandular and stromal cells was similar in all specimen types. Atypia and mitotic figures were rarely encountered. Diagnosis of endometriosis could be made independently on either smears/ThinPrep™ slides or on cell blocks in all cases where these preparations were available. On follow up, none of the patients developed malignancy. Endometriosis can be reliably and safely diagnosed in various cytologic materials. Cytologic atypia is uncommon. Components of endometriosis could show minor morphologic alterations in different specimen types. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:936–942. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ocean currents influence the genetic structure of an intertidal mollusc in southeastern Australia – implications for predicting the movement of passive dispersers across a marine biogeographic barrier
Authors: Miller Adam D. , Versace Vincent L. , Matthews Ty G. , Montgomery Steven , Bowie Kate C.
Published: March 2013

Major disjunctions among marine communities in southeastern Australia have been well documented, although explanations for biogeographic structuring remain uncertain. Converging ocean currents, environmental gradients, and habitat discontinuities have been hypothesized as likely drivers of structuring in many species, although the extent to which species are affected appears largely dependent on specific life histories and ecologies. Understanding these relationships is critical to the management of native and invasive species, and the preservation of evolutionary processes that shape biodiversity in this region. In this study we test the direct influence of ocean currents on the genetic structure of a passive disperser across a major biogeographic barrier. Donax deltoides (Veneroida: Donacidae) is an intertidal, soft‐sediment mollusc and an ideal surrogate for testing this relationship, given its lack of habitat constraints in this region, and its immense dispersal potential driven by year‐long spawning and long‐lived planktonic larvae. We assessed allele frequencies at 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci across 11 sample locations spanning the barrier region and identified genetic structure consistent with the major ocean currents of southeastern Australia. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicated no evidence of genetic structuring, but signatures of a species range expansion corresponding with historical inundations of the Bassian Isthmus. Our results indicate that ocean currents are likely to be the most influential factor affecting the genetic structure of D. deltoides and a likely physical barrier for passive dispersing marine fauna generally in southeastern Australia.
Spatio‐temporal habitat selection shifts in brown trout populations under contrasting natural flow regimes
Authors: Ayllón Daniel , Nicola Graciela G. , Parra Irene , Elvira Benigno , Almodóvar Ana
Published: March 2013

Understanding the links between instream ecology and hydrology has become a critical task in contemporary river research and management. Habitat selection behaviour is a central dimension in applied ecology because it is a primary way that mobile organisms adapt to changing environmental conditions. Here, we analyzed brown trout habitat selection during two consecutive years in rivers presenting contrasting flow conditions to test the following hypotheses: (1) given that adaptation to flow regimes occurs as a response to the interaction between frequency, magnitude and predictability of mortality‐causing events, habitat selection would vary across populations subject to different disturbance regimes; (2) because adaptations are directed towards enduring both intra‐annual and interannual variations in flow, habitat selection would shift across years as a response to changing flow conditions and (3) such responses to yearly flow fluctuations would depend on the historical long‐term hydrologic regime. We found that trout from rivers with highly variable flow and more frequent, longer and stronger extreme flow events were more willing to occupy positions in high‐velocity habitats and showed stronger requirements for velocity refuges, whereas trout inhabiting more stable and benign flow environments selected visually‐covered habitats to minimize biotic interactions. Results also revealed that trout shifted habitat selection patterns across years differing in flow conditions irrespective of river typology, but this shift was markedly stronger in rivers with higher flow variability and extremity. Overall, observed ecological patterns have strong implications for predicting the consequences of flow alteration for species adapted to particular flow regimes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of Diiron Azadithiolate Complexes Containing a Subphthalocyanine Moiety as Biomimetic Models for [FeFe]‐Hydrogenases
Authors: Song Li‐Cheng , Luo Fei‐Xian , Tan Hao , Sun Xiao‐Jing , Xie Zhao‐Jun , Song Hai‐Bin
Published: March 2013

The first two model compounds for [FeFe]‐hydrogenases that contain a subphthalocyanine (SubPc) macrocycle, namely, [{(μ‐SCH2)2N(CH2)2CO2‐3‐C6H4S2C6H4‐3′‐O(SubPc)}Fe2(CO)6] (5) and [{(μ‐SCH2)2NC6H4‐4‐O(SubPc)}Fe2(CO)6] (8), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The treatment of chlorosubphthalocyanine (SubPc‐Cl, 1) with (3‐HOC6H4S)2 in toluene gave the corresponding phenoxy‐substituted SubPc derivative 3‐HOC6H4S2C6H4‐3′‐O(SubPc) (2) in 78 % yield, whereas the reaction of in‐situ‐generated [(μ‐HOCH2S)2Fe2(CO)6] (3) with β‐alanine afforded diiron complex [{(μ‐CH2S)2N(CH2)2CO2H}Fe2(CO)6] (4) in 53 % yield. Further treatment of 2 with 4 in the presence of N,N′‐dicyclocarbodiimide (DCC) and N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐aminopyridine (DMAP) in CH2Cl2 resulted in the formation of model compound 5 in 86 % yield. Model compound 8 could be prepared by two methods. One method involves the reaction of in‐situ‐generated 3 with 4‐aminophenol in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to give diiron complex [{(μ‐CH2S)2NC6H4OH‐4}Fe2(CO)6] (6) in 61 % yield and further treatment of SubPc‐Cl (1) with 6 in toluene to give 8 in 13 % yield. The other method involves the reaction of SubPc‐Cl (1) with silver triflate (AgOTf) followed by treatment of the resulting intermediate SubPc‐OTf (7) with 6 in the presence of Et3N to produce 8 in a much higher yield (59 %). All the new precursors (2, 4, and 6) and the model compounds 5 and 8 have been fully characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopy techniques, as well by X‐ray crystallography for 2, 4, 6, and 8. In addition, the photoinduced H2 production catalyzed by model 8 was preliminarily investigated.
A Feast of Polyoxometalate Chemistry
Authors: Hindson Karen
Published: March 2013

EurJIC comes to you with a double issue on polyoxometalates, which reflects the energy and prolific output of the polyoxometalate community. As Guest Editors, Ulrich Kortz and Tianbo Liu gave us unlimited time and expert knowledge to make this issue a treasure trove of polyoxometalate chemistry.
Rapid direct PCR for forensic genotyping in under 25 min
Authors: Aboud Maurice , Oh Hye Hyun , McCord Bruce
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a rapid thermal cycling procedure is combined with a direct amplification from a paper punch, permitting a high‐speed amplification of a 7‐locus multiplex that requires no extraction step. When coupled with a short 1.8 cm microfluidic electrophoresis system, the entire procedure from paper punch to genotype can be completed in under 25 min. The paper describes selection and optimization of enzyme, direct amplification conditions, the reproducibility of the procedure, and concordance with standard forensic genotyping methods. The procedure utilizes a small high‐speed thermal cycler and microfluidic device along with a small laptop and is highly portable. Overall, this technique should provide a useful and reliable procedure for rapid determination of identity of individuals retained at checkpoints as well as a quick method for preliminary identification of individuals at remote locations following mass disasters.
Microfluidic isotachophoresis: A review
Authors: Smejkal Petr , Bottenus Danny , Breadmore Michael C. , Guijt Rosanne M. , Ivory Cornelius F. , Foret František , Macka Mirek
Published: March 2013

Electromigration methods including CE and ITP are attractive for incorporation in microfluidic devices because they are relatively easily adaptable to miniaturization. After its popularity in the 1970s, ITP has made a comeback in microfluidic format (μ‐ITP, micro‐ITP) driven by the advantages of the steady‐state boundary, the self‐focusing effect, and the ability to aid in preconcentrating analytes in the sample while removing matrix components. In this review, we provide an overview of the developments in the area of μ‐ITP in a context of the historic developments with a focus on recent developments in experimental and computational ITP and discuss possible future trends. The chip‑ITP areas and topics discussed in this review and the corresponding sections include: PC simulations and modeling, analytical μ‐ITP, preconcentration ITP, transient ITP, peak mode ITP, gradient elution ITP, and free‐flow ITP, while the conclusions provide a critical summary and outlook. The review also contains experimental conditions for μ‐ITP applications to real‐world samples from over 50 original journal publications.
Shear velocity estimates in rough‐bed open‐channel flow
Authors: Bagherimiyab Fereshteh , Lemmin Ulrich
Published: March 2013

Shear velocity u* is an important parameter in geophysical flows, in particular with respect to sediment transport dynamics. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of applying five standard methods [the logarithmic mean velocity profile, the Reynolds stress profile, the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) profile, the wall similarity and spectral methods] that were initially developed to estimate shear velocity in smooth bed flow to turbulent flow over a loose bed of coarse gravel (D50 = 1·5 cm) under sub‐threshold conditions. The analysis is based on quasi‐instantaneous three‐dimensional (3D) full depth velocity profiles with high spatial and temporal resolution that were measured with an Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (ADVP) in an open channel. The results of the analysis confirm the importance of detailed velocity profile measurements for the determination of shear velocity in rough‐bed flows. Results from all methods fall into a range of ± 20% variability and no systematic trend between methods was observed. Local and temporal variation in the loose bed roughness may contribute to the variability of the logarithmic profile method results. Estimates obtained from the TKE and Reynolds stress methods reasonably agree. Most results from the wall similarity method are within 10% of those obtained by the TKE and Reynolds stress methods. The spectral method was difficult to use since the spectral energy of the vertical velocity component strongly increased with distance from the bed in the inner layer. This made the choice of the reference level problematic. Mean shear stress for all experiments follows a quadratic relationship with the mean velocity in the flow. The wall similarity method appears to be a promising tool for estimating shear velocity under rough‐bed flow conditions and in field studies where other methods may be difficult to apply. This method allows for the determination of u* from a single point measurement at one level in the intermediate range (0·3 < h < 0·6). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurophysiological and behavioural effects of lavender oil in rats with experimentally induced anxiety
Authors: Tsang Hector W. H. , Lo Samuel C. L. , Chan Chetwyn C. H. , Ho Timothy Y. C. , Fung Kelvin M. T. , Chan Alan H. L. , Au Doreen W. H.
Published: March 2013

This study examined anxiolytic effects of lavender oil on brain serotonin levels and anxiety‐related behaviours of rats. The experimental rats were divided into five groups, which respectively received inhalation of saline, 1.25% lavender oil, 2.5% lavender oil, chlordiazepoxide (CDP), and 2.5% lavender oil co‐administered with CDP. Anxiety was induced in rats using animal models including Elevated Plus Maze and Open Field. The levels of serotonin in the pre‐frontal cortex and striatum of the rats, the anxiolytic effects of lavender oil and its augmentation effect as to co‐administration with CDP were evaluated. The neurophysiological findings showed that groups receiving lavender oils, CDP, and 2.5% lavender oils co‐administered with CDP had significantly higher level of serotonin in the pre‐frontal cortex. However, the anxiolytic behavioural effects of lavender oil were found to have mixed results. This study provided preliminary evidence that inhalation of lavender oil paralleled effects of CDP in up‐regulating synthesis of serotonin in rat pre‐frontal cortex, and the co‐administration of CDP with 2.5% lavender oil tended to augment effect of CDP on serotonin in their pre‐frontal cortex and striatum. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinct lateral variations of upper mantle anisotropy beneath eastern China revealed by shear‐wave splitting
Authors: Huang Hui , Xu Mingjie , Wang Liangshu , Huang Zhouchuan , Wang Pan , Mi Ning , Li Hua , Yu Dayong
Published: March 2013

A dense seismic array consisting of 28 temporary stations was deployed to study the crustal and upper‐mantle deformations beneath eastern China. We measured the splitting parameters in the crust and mantle by analyzing P‐to‐S phases converted at the Moho discontinuity (called PmS phases) and the core‐mantle boundary (i.e., core phases), respectively. The splitting parameters of core phases are retrieved at most stations while that of the PmS phases are retrieved at only a few stations. Distinct lateral variations of the fast polarization directions analyzed with the core phases are found in different tectonic blocks in eastern China. The delay times in the mantle and crust are moderately large (~1 s) and averagely smaller than 0.3 s, respectively. By the Fresnel‐zone analysis, the laterally variant lithospheric anisotropy is revealed between the two sub‐blocks (Southeast China Orogenic Belt and Yangtze Craton) of the eastern South China Block. In contrast, in the southeastern North China Craton, the anisotropy in a relatively deep layer contributes to the splitting observations.
Changes to environmental parameters that control tropical cyclone genesis under global warming
Authors: Murakami Hiroyuki , Li Tim , Peng Melinda
Published: March 2013

This study uses the Meteorological Research Institute high‐resolution Atmospheric Climate Model to determine whether environmental parameters that control tropical cyclone genesis in the Western North Pacific (WNP) and North Atlantic (NA) may differ in the global warming state. A box difference index was computed to quantitatively assess the role of environmental controlling parameters. The diagnosis of the model outputs shows that in the WNP, dynamic variables are of primary importance for separating developing and nondeveloping disturbances in the present‐day climate, and such a relationship remains unchanged in a future warmer climate. This is in contrast to the NA, where box difference index increases for all dynamic variables investigated while it shows little change for thermodynamic variables. This implies that, when compared with the present‐day climate in which thermodynamic variables have a major control on tropical cyclone genesis, dynamic and thermodynamic variables have equal control in the NA under the future warmer climate.
Initial‐value predictability of Antarctic sea ice in the Community Climate System Model 3
Authors: Holland Marika M. , Blanchard‐Wrigglesworth Edward , Kay Jennifer , Vavrus Steven
Published: March 2013

We assess initial‐value predictability characteristics of Antarctic sea ice from climate simulations. The integrations are initialized on 1 January with identical ice‐ocean‐terrestrial conditions and integrated forward for two years. We find that the initialized ice‐ocean state provides predictive capability on the ice‐edge location around Antarctica for the first several months of integration. During the ice advance season from April to September, significant predictability is retained in some locations with an eastward propagating signal. This is consistent with previous work suggesting the advection of sea ice anomalies with the mean ocean circulation. The ice‐edge predictability is then generally lost during the ice retreat season after October. However, predictability reemerges during the next year's ice advance starting around June in some locations. This reemergence is associated with ocean heat content anomalies that are retained at depth during the austral summer and resurface during the following autumn as the ocean mixed layers deepen.
Chronic plus binge ethanol feeding synergistically induces neutrophil infiltration and liver injury in mice: A critical role for E-selectin
Authors: Bertola Adeline , Park Ogyi , Gao Bin
Published: March 2013

Chronic plus binge ethanol feeding acts synergistically to induce liver injury in mice, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Here, we show that chronic plus binge ethanol feeding synergistically up-regulated the hepatic expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha and induced neutrophil accumulation in the liver, compared with chronic or binge feeding alone.

In vivo

depletion of neutrophils through administration of an anti-Ly6G antibody markedly reduced chronic-binge ethanol feeding-induced liver injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that hepatic E-selectin expression was up-regulated 10-fold, whereas expression of other neutrophil infiltration-related adhesion molecules (e.g., P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) was slightly up- or down-regulated in this chronic-binge model. The genetic deletion of E-selectin prevented chronic-binge ethanol-induced hepatic neutrophil infiltration as well as elevation of serum transaminases without affecting ethanol-induced steatosis. In addition, E-selectin-deficient mice showed reduced hepatic expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules, compared to wild-type mice, after chronic-binge ethanol feeding. Finally, the expression of E-selectin was highly up-regulated in human alcoholic fatty livers, but not in alcoholic cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

Chronic-binge ethanol feeding up-regulates expression of proinflammatory cytokines, followed by the induction of E-selectin. Elevated E-selectin plays an important role in hepatic neutrophil infiltration and injury induced by chronic-binge feeding in mice and may also contribute to the pathogenesis of early stages of human alcoholic liver disease. (Hepatology 2013;58:1814–1823)
Mutual Interaction Between Yap And Creb Promotes Tumorigenesis in Liver Cancer
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Ma Lifang , Weng Wenhao , Qiao Yongxia , Zhang Yue , He Jiangtu , Wang Hongmei , Xiao Weifan , Li Lanlan , Chu Qinghua , Pan Qiuhui , Yu Yongchun , Sun Fenyong
Published: March 2013

Yes-associated protein (YAP), the downstream effecter of the Hippo-signaling pathway as well as cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB), has been linked to hepatocarcinogenesis. However, little is known about whether and how YAP and CREB interact with each other. In this study, we found that YAP-CREB interaction is critical for liver cancer cell survival and maintenance of transformative phenotypes, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, both CREB and YAP proteins are highly expressed in a subset of human liver cancer samples and are closely correlated. Mechanistically, CREB promotes YAP transcriptional output through binding to −608/−439, a novel region from the YAP promoter. By contrast, YAP promotes protein stabilization of CREB through interaction with mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14/p38) and beta-transducin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (BTRC). Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that phosphorylation of CREB by MAPK14/p38 at ser133 ultimately leads to its degradation. Such effects can be enhanced by BTRC through phosphorylation of MAPK14/p38 at Thr180/Tyr182. However, YAP negatively controls phosphorylation of MAPK14/p38 through inhibition of BTRC expression. Conclusion: There is a novel positive autoregulatory feedback loop underlying the interaction between YAP and CREB in liver cancer, suggesting that YAP and CREB form a nexus to integrate the protein kinase A, Hippo/YAP, and MAPK14/p38 pathways in cancer cells and thus may be helpful in the development of effective diagnosis and treatment strategies against liver cancer. (Hepatology 2013;53:1011–1020)
Mir-148A Plays A Pivotal Role in the Liver by Promoting the Hepatospecific Phenotype And Suppressing the Invasiveness of Transformed Cells
Authors: Gailhouste Luc , Gomez-Santos Laura , Hagiwara Keitaro , Hatada Izuho , Kitagawa Noriyuki , Kawaharada Kazushi , Thirion Muriel , Kosaka Nobuyoshi , Takahashi Ryou-u , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Miyajima Atsushi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: March 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of target genes. To date, the role of miRNAs in liver development is not fully understood. By using an experimental model that allows the induced and controlled differentiation of mouse fetal hepatoblasts (MFHs) into mature hepatocytes, we identified miR-148a as a hepatospecific miRNA highly expressed in adult liver. The main finding of this study revealed that miR-148a was critical for hepatic differentiation through the direct targeting of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, a major enzyme responsible for epigenetic silencing, thereby allowing the promotion of the “adult liver” phenotype. It was also confirmed that the reduction of DNMT1 by RNA interference significantly promoted the expression of the major hepatic biomarkers. In addition to the essential role of miR-148a in hepatocyte maturation, we identified its beneficial effect through the repression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell malignancy. miR-148a expression was frequently down-regulated in biopsies of HCC patients as well as in mouse and human HCC cell lines. Overexpressing miR-148a led to an enhancement of albumin production and a drastic inhibition of the invasive properties of HCC cells, whereas miR-148a silencing had the opposite consequences. Finally, we showed that miR-148a exerted its tumor-suppressive effect by regulating the c-Met oncogene, regardless of the DNMT1 expression level. Conclusion: miR-148a is essential for the physiology of the liver because it promotes the hepatospecific phenotype and acts as a tumor suppressor. Most important, this report is the first to demonstrate a functional role for a specific miRNA in liver development through regulation of the DNMT1 enzyme. (Hepatology 2013;53:1153–1165)
To binge or not to binge: Binge drinking disrupts glucose homeostasis by impairing hypothalamic but not liver insulin signaling
Authors: Garcia-Ruiz Carmen , Fernandez-Checa José C.
Published: March 2013

Individuals with a history of binge drinking have an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Whether binge drinking impairs glucose homeostasis and insulin action is unknown. To test this, we treated Sprague-Dawley rats daily with alcohol (3 g/kg) for three consecutive days to simulate human binge drinking and found that these rats developed and exhibited insulin resistance even after blood alcohol concentrations had become undetectable. The animals were resistant to insulin for up to 54 hours after the last dose of ethanol, chiefly a result of impaired hepatic and adipose tissue insulin action. Because insulin regulates hepatic glucose production and white adipose tissue lipolysis, in part through signaling in the central nervous system, we tested whether binge drinking impaired brain control of nutrient partitioning. Rats that had consumed alcohol exhibited impaired hypothalamic insulin action, defined as the ability of insulin infused into the mediobasal hypothalamus to suppress hepatic glucose production and white adipose tissue lipolysis. Insulin signaling in the hypothalamus, as assessed by insulin receptor and AKT phosphorylation, decreased after binge drinking. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed increased hypothalamic inflammation and expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a negative regulator of insulin signaling. Intracerebroventricular infusion of CPT-157633, a small-molecule inhibitor of PTP1B, prevented binge drinking-induced glucose intolerance. These results show that, in rats, binge drinking induces systemic insulin resistance by impairing hypothalamic insulin action and that this effect can be prevented by inhibition of brain PTP1B.