bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman microspectroscopy of melanosomes: the effect of long term light irradiation
Authors: Saha Anushree , Arora Rajan , Yakovlev Vladislav V. , Burke Janice M.
Published: July 2011

Melanosomes are long lived organelles in retinal pigment epithelium cells and are primarily responsible for photoprotection. However, with aging or prolong light radiation, the function of melanosomes diminishes, which may be due to photobleaching of melanin pigments present in melanosomes. In this study, melanosomes were isolated from the retinal pigment epithelium cells and exposed to green light (532 nm), and the chemical changes were monitored using Raman microspectroscopy. Photochemical changes were recorded for different power levels and exposure times. The threshold power and the rate for irreversible photobleaching of melanosomes were calculated by fitting the experimental data with a proposed model. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
BDD anodic oxidation as tertiary wastewater treatment for the removal of emerging micro‐pollutants, pathogens and organic matter
Authors: Frontistis Zacharias , Brebou Christina , Venieri Danae , Mantzavinos Dionissios , Katsaounis Alexandros
Published: July 2011

This work reports for the first time the removal of 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen hormone, from secondary treated effluents by electrochemical oxidation. Experiments were conducted in a single compartment reactor comprising a boron‐doped diamond (BDD) anode and a zirconium cathode. EE2, in the range 100–800 µg L−1, was spiked in the post‐chlorination effluent of a municipal treatment plant and oxidized at 0.9–2.6 mA cm−2 current density. Complete degradation of 100 µg L−1 EE2 was achieved in 7 min at 2.1 mA cm−2 and inherent conditions, while the addition of 0.1 mol L−1 NaCl achieved removal in just a few seconds. The process was then tested in the pre‐chlorination effluent at 2.1 mA cm−2 and inherent conditions; complete E. coli killing and EE2 removal occurred in just 1.5 and 3.5 min, respectively, while overall estrogenicity (assessed by the YES assay) and residual organic matter (in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD)) decreased by 50% and 85% after 30 min, respectively. These results clearly show the potential of BBD electrochemical oxidation to serve as an efficient tertiary wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Identifying cognitive preferences for attractive female faces: An event‐related potential experiment using a study‐test paradigm
Authors: Zhang Yan , Kong Fanchang , Chen Hong , Jackson Todd , Han Li , Meng Jing , Yang Zhou , Gao Jianguo , Najam ul Hasan Abbasi
Published: July 2011

In this experiment, sensitivity to female facial attractiveness was examined by comparing event‐related potentials (ERPs) in response to attractive and unattractive female faces within a study‐test paradigm. Fourteen heterosexual participants (age range 18–24 years, mean age 21.67 years) were required to judge 84 attractive and 84 unattractive face images as either “attractive” or “unattractive.” They were then asked whether they had previously viewed each face in a recognition task in which 50% of the images were novel. Analyses indicated that attractive faces elicited more enhanced ERP amplitudes than did unattractive faces in judgment (N300 and P350–550 msec) and recognition (P160 and N250–400 msec and P400–700 msec) tasks on anterior locations. Moreover, longer reaction times and higher accuracy rate were observed in identifying attractive faces than unattractive faces. In sum, this research identified neural and behavioral bases related to cognitive preferences for judging and recognizing attractive female faces. Explanations for the results are that attractive female faces arouse more intense positive emotions in participants than do unattractive faces, and they also represent reproductive fitness and mating value from the evolutionary perspective. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Architecture of the hypothalamo–posthypophyseal complex is controlled by monoamines
Authors: Vacher Claire‐Marie , Grange‐Messent Valérie , St.‐Louis Ronald , Raison Danièle , Lacorte Jean‐Marc , Hardin‐Pouzet Hélène
Published: July 2011

The hypothalamo–neurohypophyseal system displays significant plasticity when subjected to physiological stimuli, such as dehydration, parturition, or lactation. This plasticity arises at the neurochemical and electrophysiological levels but also at a structural level. Several studies have demonstrated the role of monoaminergic afferents in controlling neurochemical and electrophysiological plasticity of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and of the neurohypophysis (NH), but little is known about how the changes in structural plasticity are triggered. We used Tg8 mice, disrupted for the monoamine oxidase A gene, to study monamine involvement in the architecture of the SON and of the NH. SON astrocytes in Tg8 mice displayed an active status, characterized by an increase in S100β expression and a significant decrease in vimentin expression, with no modification in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels. Astrocytes showed a decrease in glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) levels, whereas glutamine synthetase (GS) levels remained constant, suggesting a reduction in astrocyte glutamate catabolism. Tenascin C and polysialic acid‐neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) expressions were also elevated in the SON of Tg8 mice, suggesting an increased capacity for structural remodelling in the SON. In the NH, similar date were obtained with a stability in GFAP expression and an increase in PSA‐NCAM immunostaining. These results establish monoamine (serotonin and noradrenaline) involvement in SON and NH structural arrangement. Monoamines therefore appear to be crucial for the coordination of the neurochemical and structural aspects of neuroendocrine plasticity, allowing the hypothalamo–neurohypopyseal system to respond appropriately when stimulated. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The detailed palaeoecology of a mid‐Wisconsinan interstadial (ca. 32 00014C a BP) vegetation surface from interior Alaska
Authors: Wooller Matthew J. , Zazula Grant D. , Blinnikov Misha. , Gaglioti Benjamin. V. , Bigelow Nancy. H. , Sanborn Paul. , Kuzmina Svetlana. , La Farge Catherine.
Published: July 2011

We present a multi‐proxy reconstruction from a well‐preserved vegetation surface (ca. 32 00014C a BP) from the Fox Permafrost tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska. A thick litter layer of plant material on the vegetation surface is consistent with the vegetation lacking evidence of disturbance. Plant macrofossils and graminoid cuticle analysis show the presence of a graminoid assemblage consistent with phytolith data. The pollen data indicate that trees were not local to the site and thatArtemisiasp. was present in the region. The insect and bryophyte reconstructions are consistent with the vascular plant reconstruction, indicating the site was at least periodically wet. δ13C values from the graminoids present show a large range encompassing both the wet and dry range displayed by modern graminoids in Alaska. Sequential δ13C analyses conducted along the length of leaves attached to the vegetation surface indicate a seasonal shift towards relatively higher water use efficiency. The lower water use efficiency earlier in the growing season may have stemmed from the use of winter season meltwater by plants at the site – a scenario consistent with the site's cryostratigraphy. Our multi‐proxy reconstruction contributes to the limited palaeoecological data available for graminoid‐dominated vegetation present in Eastern Beringia and particularly the interior of Alaska during the mid‐Wisconsinan interstadial. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Holocene survival of the wild horse in Europe: a matter of open landscape?
Authors: Sommer Robert S. , Benecke Norbert , Lõugas Lembi , Nelle Oliver , Schmölcke Ulrich
Published: July 2011

The wild horse Equus ferus was one of the most frequent species of the Late Pleistocene large ungulate fauna in Eurasia and played an important role in the subsistence of human groups, especially at the end the Late Glacial. It is frequently assumed that E. ferus became extinct in Europe at the beginning of the Holocene because of the development of woodlands and loss of open habitats. Because of its preference for open habitats and in spite of its adaptability, the appearance or disappearance of the wild horse could therefore be a suitable palaeoecological indicator for the opening of the Holocene primeval woodlands. We revised the dating and reliability of the subfossil record and dated several bones by atomic mass spectrometry 14C dating. From the beginning of the Holocene (9600 cal a BC) to the end of the Atlantic Period (3750 cal a BC) there are 207 archaeological sites with wild horse records available in Europe. E. ferus survived the Pleistocene Holocene transition in Europe, but the spatiotemporal dynamics of populations fluctuated remarkably in the early and middle Holocene. Small and sparse populations increasingly became extinct during the early Holocene, until between 7100 and 5500 cal a BC the wild horse was almost absent in central parts of the European Lowlands. Particular conditions in natural open patches in the canopy forests, chalklands and floodplains may have maintained the local survival of the horse in some regions of the Lowlands, however. In the Late Atlantic, between 5500 and 3750 cal a BC the range of the wild horse was again extended. It re‐immigrated into central and western Europe, probably as a consequence of increasing landscape opening by Neolithic peoples. The data presented here may be a valuable part of the debate on the degree of openness of the early and middle Holocene landscape. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“One‐pot” preparation of basic amino acid–silica hybrid monolithic column for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Xu Hongrui , Xu Zhendong , Yang Limin , Wang Qiuquan
Published: July 2011

A novel “one‐pot” strategy was developed for the preparation of amino acid (AA)–silica hybrid monolithic column. The basic AA (L‐Arginine, L‐Lysine and L‐Histidine) was covalently incorporated into the silica hybrid skeleton via the epoxy ring‐opening reaction between the amine group and the glycidyl moiety in γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), which was confirmed by elemental analysis and FT‐IR studies, while the basic AA was also found to catalyze the polycondensation of tetramethoxysilane and GPTMS. The average mesopore and macropore sizes of the prepared basic AA–silica hybrid monolithic columns were 3.86 nm and 1.71 μm for the L‐Lysine–silica hybrid monolith, 5.38 nm and 4.24 μm for the L‐Arginine–silica hybrid monolith, and 6.38 nm and 1.24 μm for the L‐Histidine–silica hybrid monolith. The hybrid monolith afforded a zwitterionic stationary phase for CEC, the direction and magnitude of EOF can be controlled by the pH of the mobile phase used. Besides an electrophoretic mechanism, the monoliths behave in a typical hydrophilic interaction with the analytes when ACN percentage in the mobile phase is over 40%. Four polar compounds (toluene, DMF, formamide and thiourea) were tested on the three AA–silica hybrid monolithic columns, and the best separation efficiency was observed in the L‐Lysine–silica hybrid monolithic column, its theoretical plate height was down to 5.7 μm for thiourea when 20 mM HCOOH‐HCOONH4 containing 20% ACN (pH 4.1) was used as a running buffer. The corresponding theoretical plate number for toluene, DMF, formamide and thiourea were 123 385, 103 620, 121 845 and 105 345 plates/m, respectively. Effective separation of phenols and peptides on the L‐Lysine–silica hybrid monolithic column was achieved using CEC. We believe that this strategy paves a way for the easy preparation of various functional silica hybrid monolithic columns, aiming at different separation purposes.
Correlation between structure, retention and activity of cholic acid derived cis–trans isomeric bis‐steroidal tetraoxanes
Authors: Šegan Sandra , Andrić Filip , Radoičić Aleksandra , Opsenica Dejan , Šolaja Bogdan , Zlatović Mario , Milojković‐Opsenica Dušanka
Published: July 2011

Both quantitative structure–retention (QSRR) and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies have been performed to correlate the molecular characteristics of seven pairs of cis–trans isomeric bis‐steroidal tetraoxanes with their reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (RPTLC) retention as well as with their antiproliferative activity. 2D and 3D molecular descriptors as whole molecule representations together with retention parameters as well as with biological activity data were subjected to the multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis – PCA and hierarchical cluster analysis – HCA) in order to determine the most influential factors governing the retention and activity against human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and human malignant melanoma (Fem‐X) cell lines. Both QSRR and QSAR models were built by means of the partial least‐squares (PLS) statistical method. It was found that hydrogen bond donating (HBD), hydrogen bond accepting (HBAcc), hydrophilic surface percentage (%HS) and hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) exhibit the strongest influence on retention. The most prominent factors affecting antiproliferative activity of the investigated substances are those relating to the size and shape of a molecule such as: connectivity indices, refractivity (Ref), surface area (SA), molecular volume and weight, polarizability (Pol) and those regarding the ability of hydrogen bonding (HB).
New method for determination of (E)‐resveratrol in wine based on microextraction using packed sorbent and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Gonçalves João , Câmara José S.
Published: July 2011

An ultra‐fast and improved analytical methodology based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) combined with ultra‐performance LC (UPLC) was developed and validated for determination of (E)‐resveratrol in wines. Important factors affecting the performance of MEPS such as the type of sorbent material (C2, C8, C18, SIL, and M1), number of extraction cycles, and sample volume were studied. The optimal conditions of MEPS extraction were obtained using C8 sorbent and small sample volumes (50–250 μL) in one extraction cycle (extract–discard) and in a short time period (about 3 min for the entire sample preparation step). (E)‐Resveratrol was eluted by 1×250 μL of the mixture containing 95% methanol and 5% water, and the separation was carried out on a high‐strength silica HSS T3 analytical column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm particle size) using a binary mobile phase composed of aqueous 0.1% formic acid (eluent A) and methanol (eluent B) in the gradient elution mode (10 min of total analysis). The method was fully validated in terms of linearity, detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits, extraction yield, accuracy, and inter/intra‐day precision, using a Madeira wine sample (ET) spiked with (E)‐resveratrol at concentration levels ranging from 5 to 60 μg/mL. Validation experiments revealed very good recovery rate of 95±5.8% RSD, good linearity with r2 values >0.999 within the established concentration range, excellent repeatability (0.52%), and reproducibility (1.67%) values (expressed as RSD), thus demonstrating the robustness and accuracy of the MEPSC8/UPLC‐photodiode array (PDA) method. The LOD of the method was 0.21 μg/mL, whereas the LOQ was 0.68 μg/mL. The validated methodology was applied to 30 commercial wines (24 red wines and six white wines) from different grape varieties, vintages, and regions. On the basis of the analytical validation, the MEPSC8/UPLC‐PDA methodology shows to be an improved, sensitive, and ultra‐fast approach for determination of (E)‐resveratrol in wines with high resolving power within 6 min.
FARMERS' KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF AGRICULTURAL WETLAND MANAGEMENT IN RWANDA
Authors: Nabahungu N. L. , Visser S. M.
Published: July 2011

Most of Rwanda's wetlands are being reclaimed under government schemes with the aim of growing rice as the main crop. In the present study, information on farmers' knowledge and perceptions of agricultural wetland management was collected in Cyabayaga and Rugeramigozi wetlands. The two wetlands were selected as representatives for typical reclaimed wetland agriculture in Rwanda. They provide contrasts in both environmental and social terms. Three tools were used to investigate farmers' knowledge and perception of agricultural wetland management: (i) household survey; (ii) focus group discussions; and (iii) transect walk. The major constraints identified by farmers in the two wetlands were water shortage and lack of availability of improved seeds and high prices of fertilisers. The primary benefits from wetlands for farmers are income generation in Cyabayaga and food security in Rugeramigozi. The most commonly reported concern about the wetlands in the Cyabayaga and Rugerameragozi was that they are a source of malaria. Rice is an important crop in both wetlands, whereas farmers in Cyabahaga wish to continue cultivating rice, Rugeramigozi farmers prefer to grow rice only after it has been tested for its adaptability. Farmers have sufficient knowledge on the causes and the potential solutions to overcome most constraints. They know that soil suitability is closely related to relief. They classify soils by a number of criteria and choose crops accordingly. Any programme designed to address wetland management in the region will have to take account of farmers' knowledge and adopt a holistic view of wetland management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust satisfactory fault‐tolerant control of continuous‐time interval systems with time‐varying state and input delays
Authors: Zhang Dengfeng , Lu Baochun , Wang Hong , Wang Zhiquan
Published: July 2011

With the performance constraints on exponential stability, H∞ norm of disturbance attenuation and upper bound of quadratic cost performance, the satisfactory and passive fault‐tolerant control problem is investigated for a class of interval systems with time‐varying input and state delays in the case of possible actuator faults. The bounded‐varying dynamics of actuator faults is described by interval matrix, which is more general and can be dealt with by the interval system theory. The delay‐dependent satisfactory fault‐tolerant controller design is developed based on multi‐objective optimization strategy. The results are derived in the forms of linear matrix inequalities, which is convenient to be solved in practice. Simulative example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness and necessity of the proposed fault‐tolerant control strategy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and polymerization reactions of cyclic imino ethers. 5: naphthalene unit‐containing poly(ether amide)s
Authors: Kronek Juraj , Lustoň Jozef , Kleinová Angela , Janigová Ivica
Published: July 2011

Poly(ether amide)s containing naphthalene unit were prepared either by the polyaddition reaction of aromatic bis(2‐oxazoline)s with the different dihydroxynaphthalenes or by the homopolyaddition of a monomer containing an oxazoline, a hydroxy, and naphthalene moieties. First, polymerization method represents AA + BB mode where 1,4‐phenylene‐2,2′‐bis(2‐oxazoline) (A) and 1,3‐phenylene‐2,2′‐bis(2‐oxazoline) (B) were used as AA monomers and four different dihydroxynaphthalenes 1–4 were used as BB monomers. In the second case, 2‐(6‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxazoline (5) was used as AB‐type monomer in thermally induced polymerizations. The time dependences of polyadditions in bulk as well as in the solution were examined. The reduction of molar mass was observed after the initial fast increase of molar mass. This can be explained by the presence of side and degradation reactions. In both cases, polyadditions resulted in the linear poly(ether amide)s, which were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the prepared polymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Comparison of the temperatures of glass transition for polymers prepared in AA + BB mode shows the strong dependence of thermal properties on the structure of the polymers. The values were in the range of 136–171°C. The glass‐transition temperature (Tg) of poly[2‐(6‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxazoline] prepared by AB‐type polyaddition is 183°C, which corresponds to the higher contents of hard aromatic segments in the latter type of polymers compared to the polymers prepared in the AA + BB‐type polyadditions. The described polymers represent novel naphthalene unit‐containing poly(ether amide)s for different applications in material science. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐dimensional Hydrophilic Interaction/Reversed‐phase Liquid Chromatography for the Preparative Separation of Polar and Non‐polar Taxanes
Authors: Rezadoost Hassan , Ghassempour Alireza
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is one of the best‐known compounds of natural origin that has been used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is derived from taxanes extracted from different parts of yew trees (Taxaceae), cell cultures and taxane‐producing endophytic fungi. Previous work reported a semi‐preparative HPLC for the extraction of Paclitaxel (a non‐polar taxane) from Taxus baccata L. and cell culture. In other work, 10‐deacetylbaccatin III (a polar taxane) was separated from this medium at a preparative scale.

Objective

To introduce a novel on‐line two‐dimensional heart‐cut liquid chromatography using hydrophilic interaction/reversed‐phase chromatography for preparative separation of polar and non‐polar taxanes.

Methodology

To achieve this goal the system was developed from analytical to a larger preparative scale. In the first dimension of a semi‐preparative column, taxanes were separated from polar compounds using a CN column, and in the second dimension the fraction containing taxanes was transferred to a C18‐column.

Results

Using this method polar and non‐polar taxanes could be separated at analytical and semi‐preparative scales.

Conclusion

Combination of hydrophilic and reversed‐phase chromatography in two‐dimensional liquid chromatography (2D‐LC) systems is a useful method for the separation of compounds with a large polarity range such as taxanes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Phenolic Compounds in Iris dichotoma Pall
Authors: Wei Yuling , Shu Pan , Hong Junli , Qin Minjian
Published: July 2011

Introduction

The rhizome of Iris dichotoma Pall., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that contains (iso) flavonoids as the main bioactive compound, has been used to treat several disorders such as inflammation, throat disorders, asthma and coughs. However, there is a lack of suitable methods for its qualitative and quantitative analysis as well as quality control.

Objectives

To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of phenolic constituents, the identification of characteristic metabolites in the rhizomes of I. dichotoma and to compare their contents in samples from different areas of China.

Methodology

HPLC coupled with diode‐array detection (DAD) and electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in I. dichotoma samples.

Results

Twenty characteristic compounds were identified or tentatively characterised. A quantitative HPLC‐UV method allowing the simultaneous quantification of 10 phenolic compounds was optimised and validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, and limits of detection and quantification.

Conclusion

The methodology developed proved to be effective for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in the rhizomes of I. dichotoma. Samples were classified into three groups according to their geographical origin based on their phenolic composition using principal component analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous Determination of Plant Growth Regulators 1‐Naphthylacetic Acid and 2‐Naphthoxyacetic Acid in Fruit and Vegetable Samples by Room Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Murillo Pulgarín José A. , García Bermejo Luisa F. , Sánchez‐Ferrer Robles Ignacio , Becedas Rodríguez Sonia
Published: July 2011

Introduction

1‐Naphthylacetic and 2‐naphthoxyacetic acids belong to the synthetic branch of auxins. Auxins have attracted considerable interest as a subject of study by virtue of their biological and physiological significance. Their broad use as plant growth regulators has raised the need for simple, rapid, sensitive and selective analytical methods for their determination in real samples.

Objective

The primary aim of this work was to develop an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 1‐naphthylacetic acid and 2‐naphthoxyacetic acid in commercial technical formulations, tomato and various fruit types (apple, strawberry, orange and plum) by room temperature phosphorescence.

Methodology

Filtrated solutions of aqueous slurries from ecological fruit and tomato samples are acidified and then extracted with dichloromethane. Once the solvent is evaporated, the dried residue is dissolved in sodium dodecyl sulphate (a micellar agent), and supplied with thallium (I) nitrate as an external heavy atom source and sodium sulphite as deoxygenation agent to enhance the ensuing phosphorescence.

Results

The broad‐band overlapping spectra for the two analytes were resolved by first‐ and second‐derivative phosphorescence spectrometry. Zero‐crossing measurements at 488.5 nm in the first‐derivative spectrum and 469.5 nm in the second derivative spectrum exhibited a linear dependence on the 2‐naphthoxyacetic acid and 1‐naphthylacetic acid concentration, respectively. The detection limits as determined in accordance with the error propagation theory were 11.5 ng/mL for 1‐naphthylacetic acid and 15.6 ng/mL for 2‐naphthoxyacetic acid.

Conclusion

The proposed method affords the determination of 1‐naphthylacetic acid and 2‐naphthoxyacetic acid in real samples with near‐quantitative recoveries from agricultural products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of combined, stepwise sequential, contingent, and integrated screening in 7292 high‐risk pregnant women
Authors: Guanciali‐Franchi Paolo , Iezzi Irene , Palka Chiara , Matarrelli Barbara , Morizio Elisena , Calabrese Giuseppe , Benn Peter
Published: July 2011

Objective

To compare the efficacy of combined, stepwise sequential, and contingent screening versus the integrated test in detecting fetal aneuploidies.

Study design

First trimester combined test, sequential second trimester, and contingent risks were retrospectively calculated for 7292 unselected pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who had received integrated screening. The first trimester testing was based on nuchal translucency, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A, and free‐beta‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (free β‐hCG) and the second trimester tests were alpha‐fetoprotein, hCG, and unconjugated estriol. A second trimester risk of 1:250 defined a positive result for all protocols with the contingent protocol based on additional second trimester testing for those with risks between 1:30 and 1:1200.

Results

Among the population submitted for the integrated test, the detection rate was 19/21 (90%) for Down syndrome (DS) and 6/6 (100%) for Edwards syndrome (ES) and the DS false‐positive rate (FPR) was 247/7271 (3.4%). Provision of the first trimester combined test alone would have resulted in a 17/21 (81%) detection rate for DS, that of 4/6 (67%) for ES and a DS FPR of 292/7271 (4.0%). The sequential and contingent approaches had the same final detection rates as the integrated test but potentially allowed a high proportion of the affected pregnancies to be detected in the first trimester. The lowest net DS FPR was seen with the contingent approach (2.6%) and using this protocol only 12.7% of women would have required second trimester testing.

Conclusions

Integrated, sequential, and contingent screenings are all more efficacious than the combined test. Overall, the contingent approach was the most efficient with a high‐detection rate, the lowest FPR, and the least amount of testing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The thermal C2–C6 (Schmittel)/ene cyclization of enyne–allenes – crossing the boundary between classical and nonstatistical kinetics
Authors: Schmittel Michael , Vavilala Chandrasekhar , Cinar Mehmet Emin
Published: July 2011

The thermal C2–C6/ene cyclization of enyne–allenes has become an exciting venue for both mechanistic and synthetic studies. While at first most efforts were aimed at establishing the diradical nature of the thermal process and to derive therefrom efficient protocols for synthetic schemes, recent evidence has disclosed the C2–C6 cyclization as a unique reaction heavily influenced by nonstatistical dynamic effects. Depending on the substituents at the enyne–allene, one can readily identify transitions between classical and nonstatistical behaviors on the basis of experimental data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanostructured hybrid polymer networks from in situ self‐assembly of RAFT‐synthesized POSS‐based block copolymers
Authors: Deng Yuanming , Bernard Julien , Alcouffe Pierre , Galy Jocelyne , Dai Lizong , Gérard Jean‐François
Published: July 2011

A series of well‐defined hybrid block copolymers PMACyPOSS‐b‐PMMA and PMAiBuPOSS‐b‐PMMA exhibiting high POSS weight contents have been synthesized by RAFT polymerization and further studied as modifiers for epoxy thermosets based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. The hybrid block copolymers self‐assembled within the epoxy precursors into micelles possessing an inorganic core and a PMMA corona. Thanks to the presence of the PMMA blocks that remain miscible until the end of the reaction, curing of the resulting blends afforded nanostructured hybrid organic/inorganic networks with well‐dispersed inorganic‐rich nanodomains with diameters on the order of 20 nm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Kinetic study of semifluorinated arylene vinylene ether polymers
Authors: Buquoi John Q. , Smith Dennis W. , Iacono Scott T.
Published: July 2011

Fluorinated arylene vinylene ether (FAVE) polymers were prepared from the base‐promoted addition of commercial 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6F bisphenol A) to aryl trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE), 2,2′‐bis(4‐trifluorovinyloxybiphenyl)‐1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropane. The step‐growth polymerization kinetics by using stoichiometric NaH and catalytic Cs2CO3 were investigated by monitoring the 19F NMR signals of the aryl TFVEs. The nth order kinetic model was used to determine rate constants over a series of programmed temperatures. Polymerization using stoichiometric NaH resulted in second‐order kinetics with an activation energy of 59 kJ/mol. This model kinetic study provided insight into the mechanistic pathways of the FAVE polymer system that has recently shown a lot of interest in many areas of materials science. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Thermal and ion transport properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymerized styrenic imidazolium ionic liquids
Authors: Weber Ryan L. , Ye Yuesheng , Banik Steven M. , Elabd Yossef A. , Hickner Michael A. , Mahanthappa Mahesh K.
Published: July 2011

Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) are a platform for fundamental studies of structure‐property relationships in single ion conductors, with potential applications in energy storage and conversion. The synthesis, thermal properties, and ionic conductivities of homologous, narrow dispersity styrenic PILs are described. Hydrophilic poly(4‐vinylbenzyl alkylimidazolium chloride) (PVBn(alkyl)ImCl) homopolymers with constant average degrees of polymerization were synthesized by post‐synthetic functionalization of a poly(4‐vinylbenzyl chloride) (Mn = 15.9 kg/mol, Mw/Mn = 1.34) master batch with N‐alkylimidazoles (alkyl = CH3 (Me), C4H9 (Bu), and C6H13 (Hex)). The chloride counterions of PVBnHexImCl were exhaustively metathesized with BF, PF, and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI−) to yield a series of hydrophobic PILs. Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that PVBn(alkyl)ImCl homopolymers are unstable above 220 °C, whereas the hydrophobic PILs remain stable up to 290 °C. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) decrease with both increasing alkyl side‐chain length and increasing counterion size, exemplified by Tg = 9 °C for PVBnHexImTFSI. Hydrophilic PILs exhibit high ionic conductivities (as high as ∼0.10 S cm−1) that depend on the relative humidity, water uptake, and the PIL side chain length. The hydrophobic PILs exhibit lower conductivities (up to ∼5 × 10−4 S cm−1) that depend predominantly on the polymer Tg, however, counterion size and symmetry also contribute. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1287–1296, 2011
Effect of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 on the proteome of hearts with ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Cadete Virgilio J. J. , Sawicka Jolanta , Polewicz Dorota , Doroszko Adrian , Wozniak Mieczyslaw , Sawicki Grzegorz
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 4377–4385, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000393
A systems biology analysis of metastatic melanoma using in‐depth three‐dimensional protein profiling
Authors: Han Mee‐Jung , Wang Huan , Beer Lynn A. , Tang Hsin‐Yao , Herlyn Meenhard , Speicher David W.
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 4450–4462, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900549
Proteomic analysis of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and ischemic preconditioning in rats reveals the protective role of aldose reductase
Authors: Liu Ke‐Xuan , Li Cai , Li Yun‐Sheng , Yuan Bao‐long , Xu Miao , Xia Zhengyuan , Huang Wen‐Qi
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 4463–4475, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000078
Peripheral profiling analysis for bipolar disorder reveals markers associated with reduced cell survival
Authors: Herberth Marlis , Koethe Dagmar , Levin Yishai , Schwarz Emanuel , Krzyszton Natalia D. , Schoeffmann Stephanie , Ruh Hermelindis , Rahmoune Hassan , Kranaster Laura , Schoenborn Torsten , Leweke Markus F. , Guest Paul C. , Bahn Sabine
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 94–105, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000291
Identification of proteins associated with ligand‐activated estrogen receptor α in human breast cancer cell nuclei by tandem affinity purification and nano LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Tarallo Roberta , Bamundo Angela , Nassa Giovanni , Nola Ernesto , Paris Ornella , Ambrosino Concetta , Facchiano Angelo , Baumann Marc , Nyman Tuula A. , Weisz Alessandro
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 172–179, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000217
Proteomic analysis of mesenchymal stem‐like cells derived from ovarian teratoma: Potential role of glutathione S‐transferase M2 in ovarian teratoma
Authors: Han Ihn , Jeong Soo‐Jin , Lee Hyo‐Jung , Koh Wonil , Lee Hyo‐Jeong , Lee Eun‐Ok , Kim Hyun Seok , Lee Soo Jin , Chen Chang‐Yan , Jung Min‐Hyung , Kim Sung‐Hoon
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 352–360, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000475
Subcellular proteomics revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition phenotype in lung cancer
Authors: Li Li‐Ping , Lu Chun‐Hua , Chen Zhi‐Peng , Ge Feng , Wang Tong , Wang Wei , Xiao Chuan‐Le , Yin Xin‐Feng , Liu Langxia , He Jian‐Xing , He Qing‐Yu
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 429–439, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900819
Energy matters: Mitochondrial proteomics for biomedicine
Authors: Gianazza Elisabetta , Eberini Ivano , Sensi Cristina , Barile Maria , Vergani Lodovica , Vanoni Maria Antonietta
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 657–674, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000412
Conditioned media from cell lines: A complementary model to clinical specimens for the discovery of disease‐specific biomarkers
Authors: Dowling Paul , Clynes Martin
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 794–804, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000530
Renal fibrosis: Insight from proteomics in animal models and human disease
Authors: Klein Julie , Kavvadas Panagiotis , Prakoura Niki , Karagianni Fani , Schanstra Joost P. , Bascands Jean‐Loup , Charonis Aristidis
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2011, 11, 805–815, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000380
Comprehensive analysis of low‐abundance proteins in human urinary exosomes using peptide ligand library technology, peptide OFFGEL fractionation and nanoHPLC‐chip‐MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Li Yanyan , Qiu Feng , Qiu Zongyin
Published: July 2011

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 3797–3807, DOI 10.1002/elps.201000401
Prediction and Comparison of Shelf Life of Solid Rocket Propellants Using Arrhenius and Berthelot Equations
Authors: Shekhar Himanshu
Published: July 2011

The Arrhenius equation and the Berthelot equation for the prediction of shelf life of composite propellant formulations are compared. The elongation has a measurable variation with time and is taken as the fastest degrading parameter for HTPB/AP/Al based composite solid rocket propellants. An HTPB based aluminized composite propellant with 85 % solid loading and an initial elongation of 63.24 % is prepared. It is kept at an elevated temperature of 60 °C to achieve a higher rate of degradation for a prolonged time period (1 year). The elongation is monitored at regular intervals using JANNAF class C dog bone specimen in uni‐axial tensile mode. A reduction of the elongation to less than 50 % is taken as the end‐of‐shelf life of the propellant. The shelf life of the propellant is calculated to be 1.2 years at 60 °C. For the extrapolation of the shelf life at 60 °C to the shelf life at 27 °C, the results of both the Arrhenius equation and the Berthelot equation are compared. The activation energy (E) in the Arrhenius equation is obtained as 72.8 kJ mol−1 and the 10 °C reaction rate rise factor (γ10) is found to be 2.4. This comparison is independent of the propellant formulation and other researchers have reported a similar range of values for these parameters. The shelf life of this propellant formulation at 27 °C is conservatively predicted to be 20 years using both equations. In addition to estimation of shelf life by both equations using elongation as control parameter, this paper gives scaling curves, which are valid universally for predicting shelf life at 27 °C from data of shelf life at 60 °C. The use of scaling curves is independent of properties, propellant formulation and degradation mechanism considered for analysis.
Human Dickkopf‐1 (huDKK1) protein: Characterization of glycosylation and determination of disulfide linkages in the two cysteine‐rich domains
Authors: Haniu Mitsuru , Horan Tom , Spahr Chris , Hui John , Fan Wei , Chen Ching , Richards William G. , Lu Hsieng S.
Published: July 2011

Human Dickkopf‐1 (huDKK1), an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt‐signaling pathway that has been implicated in bone metabolism and other diseases, was expressed in engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells and purified. HuDKK1 is biologically active in a TCF/lef‐luciferase reporter gene assay and is able to bind LRP6 coreceptor. In SDS‐PAGE, huDKK1 exhibits molecular weights of 27–28 K and 30 K at ∼ 1:9 ratio. By MALDI‐MS analysis, the observed molecular weights of 27.4K and 29.5K indicate that the low molecular weight form may contain O‐linked glycans while the high molecular weight form contains both N‐ and O‐linked glycans. LC‐MS/MS peptide mapping indicates that ∼ 92% of huDKK1 is glycosylated at Asn225 with three N‐linked glycans composed of two biantennary forms with 1 and 2 sialic acid (23% and 60%, respectively), and one triantennary structure with 2 sialic acids (9%). HuDKK1 contains two O‐linked glycans, GalNAc (sialic acid)‐Gal‐sialic acid (65%) and GalNAc‐Gal[sialic acid] (30%), attached at Ser30 as confirmed by β‐elimination and targeted LC‐MS/MS. The 10 intramolecular disulfide bonds at the N‐ and C‐terminal cysteine‐rich domains were elucidated by analyses including multiple proteolytic digestions, isolation and characterization of disulfide‐containing peptides, and secondary digestion and characterization of selected disulfide‐containing peptides. The five disulfide bonds within the huDKK1 N‐terminal domain are unique to the DKK family proteins; there are no exact matches in disulfide positioning when compared to other known disulfide clusters. The five disulfide bonds assigned in the C‐terminal domain show the expected homology with those found in colipase and other reported disulfide clusters.
Activation of the human nuclear xenobiotic receptor PXR by the reverse transcriptase‐targeted anti‐HIV drug PNU‐142721
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Redinbo Matthew R.
Published: July 2011

The human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand‐regulated transcription factors. PXR responds to a structurally diverse variety of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds, and coordinates the expression of genes central to the metabolism and excretion of potentially harmful chemicals, including human therapeutics. The reverse transcriptase inhibitor PNU‐142721 has been designed to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although this compound has anti‐HIV activity, it was established using cell‐based assays that PNU‐142721 is an efficacious PXR agonist. We present here the 2.8 Å resolution crystal structure of the human PXR ligand‐binding domain in complex with PNU‐142721. PXR employs one hydrogen bond and fourteen van der Waals contacts to interact with the ligand, but allows two loops adjacent to the ligand‐binding pocket to remain disordered in the structure. These observations highlight the role structural flexibility plays in PXR's promiscuous responses to xenobiotics. The crystal structure also explains why PNU‐173575, a thiomethyl metabolite of PNU‐142721, exhibits enhanced PXR activation relative to the unmodified compound and why PNU‐142721 can also activate rat PXR. Taken together, the results presented here elucidate the structural basis for PXR activation by PNU‐142721 and related chemicals.
GFP‐based evaluation system of recombinant expression through the secretory pathway in insect cells and its application to the extracellular domains of class C GPCRs
Authors: Ashikawa Yuji , Ihara Makoto , Matsuura Noriko , Fukunaga Yuko , Kusakabe Yuko , Yamashita Atsuko
Published: July 2011

Applications of the GFP‐fusion technique have greatly facilitated evaluations of the amounts and qualities of sample proteins used for structural analyses. In this study, we applied the GFP‐based sample evaluation to secreted protein expression by insect cells. We verified that a GFP variant, GFPuv, retains proper folding and monodispersity within all expression spaces in Sf9 cells, such as the cytosol, organelles, and even the extracellular space after secretion, and thus can serve as a proper folding reporter for recombinant proteins. We then applied the GFPuv‐based system to the extracellular domains of class C G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and examined their localization, folding, and oligomerization upon insect cell expression. The extracellular domain of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) exhibited good secreted expression by Sf9 cells, and the secreted proteins formed dimer with a monodisperse hydrodynamic state favorable for crystallization, consistent with the results from previous successful structural analyses. In contrast, the extracellular domains of sweet/umami taste receptors (T1R) almost completely remained in the cell. Notably, the T1R and mGluR1 subfractions that remained in the cellular space showed polydisperse hydrodynamic states with large aggregated fractions, without forming dimers. These results indicated that the proper folding and oligomerization of the extracellular domains of the class C GPCR are achieved through the secretory pathway.
The Friedrichs model and its use in resonance phenomena
Authors: Gadella M. , Pronko G.P.
Published: July 2011

We present here a relation of different types of Friedrichs models and their use in the description and comprehension of resonance phenomena. We first discuss the basic Friedrichs model and obtain its resonance in the case that this is simple or doubly degenerated. Next, we discuss the model with N levels and show how the probability amplitude has an oscillatory behavior. Two generalizations of the Friedrichs model are suitable to introduce resonance behavior in quantum field theory. We also discuss a discrete version of the Friedrichs model and also a resonant interaction between two systems both with continuous spectrum. In an appendix, we review the mathematics of rigged Hilbert spaces.
Combined Impact of Ultraviolet and Chemical Fluids on High‐density Polyethylene Packaging Material
Authors: Geburtig Anja , Goedecke Thomas , Wachtendorf Volker
Published: July 2011

To investigate the ageing behaviour of filled plastic containers outdoors, square cuts of the wall of two high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) types were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at their front side and to specific liquid chemicals (de‐ionized water, surfactant or White Spirit) at their back. The UV radiant exposure at the front side was 80 MJ/m².

To compare the actions of the different exposures, separate dark backside fluid exposures were performed, in parallel. Besides, UV weathering was carried out until a UV radiant exposure of 325 MJ/m², being roughly comparable to outdoor exposure of one year in Northern Australia.

An unpigmented HDPE included in the investigation gave no sufficient protection for the White Spirit. In addition, it showed clear degradation after several of these exposures. In combination with the White Spirit, an increase of carbonyl bonds was measured, presumably assignable to degradation products of the White Spirit.

For a pigmented HDPE material, with the implemented combined exposures, no relevant damage was observed, within applied the exposure period. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐unit semicircles curve: A compact 3D graphical representation of DNA sequences based on classifications of nucleotides
Authors: Li Yushuang , Qin Yufang , Zheng Xiaoqi , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2011

A new three‐dimensional graphical representation of DNA sequences, three‐unit semicircles (TUS)‐curve, which maps a given sequence into a dot sequences embedded in three‐unit semicircles, is proposed based on three biclassifications of nucleotides. TUS‐curve has the merit of compactness and could avoid the degeneracy and loss of information. The geometrical center of the curve, which indicates the distribution of base frequencies of the corresponding DNA sequence, is extracted and applied to analyze the similarity of various species. Phylogenetic tree of 11 species based on their first exons of β‐globin genes showed that the TUS‐curve is a powerful tool to get valuable biological information. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011