bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Intramolecular Haloetherification and Transannular Hydroxycyclization of Alkenes — A Synthetic Methodology to Obtain Polycyclic Ethers and Amines
Authors: Montana Angel M. , Batalla Consuelo , Barcia Juan A.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Combination of Biocatalysis and Chemical Catalysis for the Preparation of Pharmaceuticals Through Multi‐Step Syntheses
Authors: Gotor‐Fernandez Vicente , Brieva Rosario , Gotor Vicente
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Solventless Reactions under Microwave Activation: Safety and Efficiency at the Service of Customer‐Friendly Chemistry
Authors: Ricci Alfredo
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis Using Base Metals from Groups 10 and 11
Authors: Lipshutz Bruce H.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: New Efficient Catalytic Processes in Water — An Environmental Benign Solvent
Authors: Genet Jean‐Pierre
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: New Cyclization and Cycloaddition Reactions in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Chiou Wen‐Hua , Ojima Iwao
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Reactions in Non‐Conventional Media for Sustainable Organic Synthesis
Authors: Sheldon Roger A.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Cellulose Hydrolysis by Clostridium thermocellum: A Microbial Perspective
Authors: Lynd Lee R. , Weimer Paul J. , Wolfaardt Gideon , Zhang Yi‐Heng Percival
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Advances in the Total Synthesis of Polyketide Natural Products as Promising Anticancer Agents.
Authors: Paterson Ian , Findlay Alison D.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Naturally Occurring Nitrogen—Sulfur Compounds. The Benzothiazole Alkaloids.
Authors: Le Bozec Lucille , Moody Christopher J.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Hedgehog‐Gli Signaling Pathway Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Mahindroo Neeraj , Punchihewa Chandanamali , Fujii Naoaki
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Persistent Triplet Carbenes
Authors: Hirai Katsuyuki , Itoh Tetsuji , Tomioka Hideo
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Meroterpenoids Produced by Fungi
Authors: Geris Regina , Simpson Thomas J.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Mercury Isotope Effects in the Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry of Mercury‐Containing Compounds
Authors: Buchachenko A. L.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Techniques for the Study and Development of Microbial Fuel Cells: An Electrochemical Perspective
Authors: Zhao Feng , Slade Robert C. T. , Varcoe John R.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Application of Quantum Chemistry to Nanotechnology: Electron and Spin Transport in Molecular Devices
Authors: Kim Woo Youn , Choi Young Cheol , Min Seung Kyu , Cho Yeonchoo , Kim Kwang S.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: 2D‐IR Spectroscopy: Ultrafast Insights into Biomolecule Structure and Function
Authors: Hunt Neil T.
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Jahn—Teller Effects in Molecular Cations Studied by Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Group Theory
Authors: Woerner Hans Jakob , Merkt Frederic
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: The Synergy of Elemental and Biomolecular Mass Spectroscopy: New Analytical Strategies in Life Sciences
Authors: Becker J. Sabine , Jakubowski Norbert
Published: October 2009

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Relationship between load/unload response ratio and damage variable and its application
Authors: Zhang Lang‐Ping , Yin Xiang‐Chu , Liang Nai‐Gang
Published: October 2009

The physics‐based parameter: load/unload response ratio (LURR) was proposed to measure the proximity of a strong earthquake, which achieved good results in earthquake prediction. As LURR can be used to describe the damage degree of the focal media qualitatively, there must be a relationship between LURR and damage variable (D) which describes damaged materials quantitatively in damage mechanics. Hence, based on damage mechanics and LURR theory, taking Weibull distribution as the probability distribution function, the relationship between LURR and D is set up and analyzed. This relationship directs LURR applied in damage analysis of materials quantitatively from being qualitative earlier, which not only provides the LURR method with a more solid basis in physics, but may also give a new approach to the damage evaluation of big scale structures and prediction of engineering catastrophic failure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐Quality Covalently Grafting Hemoglobin on Gold Electrodes: Characterization, Redox Thermodynamics and Bio‐electrocatalysis
Authors: Tian Yuan , Ran Qin , Xu Jingjing , Xian Yuezhong , Peng Ru , Jin Litong
Published: October 2009

Herein, we report a versatile surface chemistry methodology to covalently immobilize ligands and proteins to self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode. The strategy is based on two steps: 1) the coupling of soluble azido‐PEG‐amimo ligand with an alkynyl‐terminated monolayer via click reaction and 2) covalent immobilization hemoglobin (Hb) to the amine‐terminated ligand via carbodiimide reaction. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR) and cyclic voltammetry are used to characterize the model interfacial reactions. We also demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of the interface for Hb immobilization and reliable application of the proposed method for H2O2 biosensing. Moreover, the redox thermodynamics of the Fe3+/Fe2+ couple in Hb is also investigated.
The Use of Natural Materials in Nanocarbon Synthesis
Authors: Su Dang Sheng
Published: October 2009

Nanomaterials are shifting from laboratory‐scale preparation to industrial production. The energy costs and starting materials (feedstock, catalyst, and support) consumed or used in the mass production of nanomaterials are issues that limit their broad application. Natural materials, such as sand, rock, and lava, contain small or trace amounts of metals or metal oxides of nanometer‐scale sizes and have been recently used as catalysts for the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), providing an interesting way to lower the production cost of CNTs. However, the sustainability of the whole production process still needs to be explored. Layered minerals (e.g., clays) are used to produce CNT–clay hybrids, which can be further used to synthesize polymer–CNT–clay nanocomposites. Natural materials and some byproducts of industrial production processes have been explored as carbon sources for nanocarbon synthesis. This Minireview highlights some recent promising work and prospects for the use of natural materials in the synthesis of CNTs, carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and nanocomposites, and their applications in catalysis and in materials science.
Variability of CD3 membrane expression and T cell activation capacity
Authors: El Hentati Fatima‐Zahra , Gruy Frederic , Iobagiu Cristina , Lambert Claude
Published: October 2009

Background:

αβT cells have a wide distribution of CD3 membrane density. The aim of this article was to evaluate the significance of the CD3 differential expression on T cell subsets. Analysis was performed on healthy donors and renal transplant patients by flow cytometry. The results obtained are: (1) CD3 expression was widely distributed (CV = 38.3 ± 3.1 to 43 ± 2.3%). (2) The CD4, CD8, CD45 and forward scatter were similarly distributed. (3) The diversity of CD3 expression was directly related to the clonotypes: γ9, non γ9 from γδT cells and Vβ clonotype from αβT cells (e.g., Vβ3FITC 7,980 ± 1,628 Vβ8PE: Vβ20‐FITC 11,768 ± 1,510). (4) Using a computer simulation, we could confirm differential kinetics of T cell activation according to the initial parameters. Finally, in vitro activation was significantly higher on Vβ8 and Vβ9 (high CD3) compared with Vβ2 and Vβ3 (low CD3, P = 0.040–0.0003).

In conclusion, T cells have highly heterogeneous CD3 expression, possibly predetermined and with clear functional significance. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society
CD146+ T lymphocytes are increased in both the peripheral circulation and in the synovial effusions of patients with various musculoskeletal diseases and display pro‐inflammatory gene profiles
Authors: Dagur Pradeep Kumar , Tatlici Gulnaz , Gourley Mark , Samsel Leigh , Raghavachari Nalini , Liu Poching , Liu Delong , McCoy J. Philip
Published: October 2009

Twenty‐eight synovial effusions (SE) were obtained from 24 patients, paired samples of peripheral blood (PB) from 10 of these patients, and PB from 36 healthy individuals for analysis of CD146 on T‐lymphocytes by flow cytometry. CD146+ or CD146− T‐lymphocytes were sorted from three SE to study gene expression profiles and selected genes revalidated using QPCR assays. We found more CD3+CD146+ and CD4+CD146+ T‐lymphocytes in PB from patients compared with PB of healthy individuals (4.71% ± 2.48% vs. 2.53% ± 1.08%, P = 0.028) and (6.29% ± 2.74% vs. 2.41% ± 0.96%, P = 0.0017), respectively, whereas CD8+CD146+ T‐lymphocytes were not significantly different (2.55% ± 1.65% vs. 3.18% ± 2.59%, P = 0.5008). SE displayed CD146 staining on 16.32% ± 6.06% of CD3+ cells. This expression was skewed toward CD4+ T‐lymphocytes, with CD146 present on 24.06% ± 8.20% of the CD4+ T‐lymphocytes compared with 6.19% ± 5.22% of the CD8+ T‐lymphocytes. CD146 on CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes in SE was significantly higher compared with PB in patients (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0036, respectively). Gene expression profiles of sorted CD146+CD4+CD3+ vs. CD146−CD4+CD3+ T‐lymphocytes (n = 2) and CD2+CD146+ vs. CD2+CD 146− (n = 1) from SE, displayed increased CD146, LAIR2, CXCL13, CD109, IL6ST, IL6R, TNFRsf18, and TNFRsf4 genes, whereas decreased CCR7, CCL5, and cytotoxicity‐associated genes including granzymes b, h, and k, perforin were found with the CD146− T‐lymphocytes. By QPCR higher mRNA expression of CXCL13, CD146 and CD109 was also noted in the CD146+ subset, compared with the CD146− subset, in PB of healthy individuals and in PB and SE from patients. Our study establishes increased CD146+ T‐lymphocytes in diseases with joint effusions, and demonstrates pro‐inflammatory gene profiles in these cells. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of Oligosaccharide Mimetics with Glycoaminoxy Acids
Authors: Gong Yanchun , Sun Hongbin , Xie Juan
Published: October 2009

From readily available di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D‐glucose, a D‐ribofuranoid glycoaminoxy acid and its tBu ester have been efficiently prepared as a new family of sugar building blocks by introducing the phthalimido aminoxy group by a Mitsunobu reaction. We found that the tBu ester can be selectively deprotected with 13.7 % TFA in CH2Cl2 at 0 °C in the presence of the 1,2‐O‐isopropylidene acetal. This selective deprotection has made possible the synthesis of homo‐oligomers of glycoaminoxy acids (up to six sugar units) as a novel type of oligosaccharide mimetics. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Wavelet formulation of the polarizable continuum model
Authors: Weijo Ville , Randrianarivony Maharavo , Harbrecht Helmut , Frediani Luca
Published: October 2009

The first implementation of a wavelet discretization of the Integral Equation Formalism (IEF) for the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) is presented here. The method is based on the application of a general purpose wavelet solver on the cavity boundary to solve the integral equations of the IEF‐PCM problem. Wavelet methods provide attractive properties for the solution of the electrostatic problem at the cavity boundary: the system matrix is highly sparse and iterative solution schemes can be applied efficiently; the accuracy of the solver can be increased systematically and arbitrarily; for a given system, discretization error accuracy is achieved at a computational expense that scales linearly with the number of unknowns. The scaling of the computational time with the number of atoms N is formally quadratic but a N1.5 scaling has been observed in practice. The current bottleneck is the evaluation of the potential integrals at the cavity boundary which scales linearly with the system size. To reduce this overhead, interpolation of the potential integrals on the cavity surface has been successfully used. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Finding a serial burglar's home using distance decay and conditional origin–destination patterns: a test of empirical Bayes journey‐to‐crime estimation in the Hague
Authors: Block Richard , Bernasco Wim
Published: October 2009

Can we tell where an offender lives from where he or she commits crimes? Journey‐to‐crime estimation is a tool that uses crime locations to tell us where to search for a serial offender's home. In this paper, we test a new method: empirical Bayes journey‐to‐crime estimation. It differs from previous methods because it utilises an ‘origin–destination’ rule in addition to the ‘distance decay’ rule that prior methods have used. In the new method, the profiler not only asks ‘what distances did previous offenders travel between their home and the crime scenes?’ but also ‘where did previous offenders live who offended at the locations included in the crime series I investigate right now?’. The new method could not only improve predictive accuracy, it could also reduce the traditional distinction between marauding and commuting offenders. Utilising the CrimeStat software, we apply the new method to 62 serial burglars in The Hague, The Netherlands, and show that the new method has higher predictive accuracy than methods that only exploit a distance decay rule. The new method not only improves the accuracy of predicting the homes of commuters—offenders who live outside their offending area—it also improves the search for marauders—offenders who live inside their offending area. After presenting an example of the application of the technique for prediction of a specific burglar, we discuss the limitations of the method and offer some suggestions for its future development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and sodium nitrite as silage additives
Authors: Knický Martin , Spörndly Rolf
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND: The hygienic quality of silage is important for animal health, animal production and food quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of five silage additive mixtures on yeast, mould, and clostridia growth and other silage quality criteria. The additives, composed of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and/or potassium sorbate, were used to treat a grass forage crop before ensiling. The silages were compared with untreated silage and silages treated with two commercial additives: Promyr NF (PNF), which is based on formic and propionic acid, and Kofasil Ultra (KU), a mixture of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, sodium propionate and hexamine.

RESULTS: All tested additives significantly (P < 0.001) reduced butyric acid and ammonia‐N formation in low‐dry‐matter (DM) silages compared to the control. Only KU and the mixtures of 600 g sodium nitrite, 250 g sodium propionate, 750 g sodium benzoate (A1) and 250 g sodium nitrite with 1000 g sodium benzoate and 500 g potassium sorbate (A5) ton−1 of fresh forage were found to reduce (P < 0.001) the presence of clostridia spores in low‐DM silages. In high‐DM silages, treatments A1, A5 and A2 (250 g sodium nitrite and 1000 g sodium benzoate) contained less (P < 0.02) yeast than the control and PNF, but not KU. All treated silages were aerobically stable. The concentrations of nitrate‐N in all silages and nitrite‐N in low‐DM were below the threshold level for feed at the end of storage.

CONCLUSIONS: The additive mixtures A1 and particularly A5 improved silage quality at least to the same extent as commercial products, even though they contained no hexamine and less nitrite. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Genomic expression, chemotherapy response, and molecular targets in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: Promising strategies for treatment selection
Authors: Aguiar Samuel , da Cunha Isabela Werneck , Lopes Ademar
Published: October 2009

Neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy in soft tissue sarcomas is still controversial, especially in regards to the use of chemotherapy. The identification of predictive factors is crucial to avoid the use of chemotherapy in patients with tumors that carry genetic characteristics associated with resistance. Focusing on gene expression data, we performed a review of the actual state of knowledge in molecular predictive factors for chemotherapy response and new targets of therapy in extremity sarcomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;101:92–96. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Second harmonic generation microscopy: principles and applications to disease diagnosis
Authors: Campagnola P.J. , Dong C.‐Y.
Published: October 2009

In this review, the authors discuss the underlying principles of SHG and specific factors that affect the generation properties and describe the essential components of a SHG instrument. In addition, results on the recent progress and impact SHG microscopy has made in different areas of biology and medicine are presented. In particular, the authors focus on disease diagnosis and basic research associated with connected tissues, musculo‐skeletal disorders, and epithelial cancers. The presentation is concluded by offering a perspective on the future technical development of SHG microscopy and additional forefronts to be addressed.
Energy‐stepping integrators in Lagrangian mechanics
Authors: Gonzalez M. , Schmidt B. , Ortiz M.
Published: October 2009

We present a class of integration schemes for Lagrangian mechanics, referred to as energy‐stepping integrators, that are momentum and energy conserving, symplectic and convergent. In order to achieve these properties we replace the original potential energy by a piecewise constant, or terraced approximation at steps of uniform height. By taking steps of diminishing height, an approximating sequence of energies is generated. The trajectories of the resulting approximating Lagrangians can be characterized explicitly and consist of intervals of piecewise rectilinear motion. We show that the energy‐stepping trajectories are symplectic, exactly conserve all the momentum maps of the original system and, subject to a transversality condition, converge to trajectories of the original system when the energy step is decreased to zero. These properties, the excellent long‐term behavior of energy‐stepping and its automatic time‐step selection property, are born out by selected examples of application, including the dynamics of a frozen Argon cluster, the spinning of an elastic cube and the collision of two elastic spheres. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid domain decomposition algorithms for compressible and almost incompressible elasticity
Authors: Dohrmann Clark R. , Widlund Olof B.
Published: October 2009

Overlapping Schwarz methods are considered for mixed finite element approximations of linear elasticity, with discontinuous pressure spaces, as well as for compressible elasticity approximated by standard conforming finite elements. The coarse components of the preconditioners are based on spaces, with a number of degrees of freedom per subdomain which are uniformly bounded, which are similar to those previously developed for scalar elliptic problems and domain decomposition methods of iterative substructuring type, i.e. methods based on nonoverlapping decompositions of the domain. The local components of the new preconditioners are based on solvers on a set of overlapping subdomains.

In the current study, the dimension of the coarse spaces is smaller than in recently developed algorithms; in the compressible case all independent face degrees of freedom have been eliminated while in the almost incompressible case five out of six are not needed. In many cases, this will result in a reduction of the dimension of the coarse space by about one half compared with that of the algorithm previously considered. In addition, in spite of using overlapping subdomains to define the local components of the preconditioner, values of the residual and the approximate solution need only to be retained on the interface between the subdomains in the iteration of the new hybrid Schwarz algorithm. The use of discontinuous pressures makes it possible to work exclusively with symmetric, positive‐definite problems and the standard preconditioned conjugate gradient method.

Bounds are established for the condition number of the preconditioned operators. The bound for the almost incompressible case grows in proportion to the square of the logarithm of the number of degrees of freedom of individual subdomains and the third power of the relative overlap between the overlapping subdomains, and it is independent of the Poisson ratio as well as jumps in the Lamé parameters across the interface between the subdomains. Numerical results illustrate the findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case of treponematosis from pre‐Columbian Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
Authors: Marden K. , Ortner D. J.
Published: October 2009

Although numerous cases of treponemal infection have been identified in prehispanic New World skeletal remains, none has been reported from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Chaco Canyon was the epicentre of a broad culture system that spanned the Four Corners region of the pre‐Columbian Southwestern United States. A burial recovered from the central Great House of Chaco Canyon, Pueblo Bonito, exhibits lesions indicative of treponematosis. However, the pathological condition of this individual has heretofore been only tentatively diagnosed because the skeleton was collected from a commingled context and distributed across four separate catalogue numbers. Now reassociated, these remains exhibit a pattern of pathological changes strongly indicative of treponemal disease. This case not only adds to the growing body of literature on the clinical expression and geographic distribution of pre‐Columbian treponematosis, but also demonstrates the utility of painstaking reassociation of commingled human remains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization and thermal properties of novel epoxy/expandable graphite composites
Authors: Chiang Chin‐Lung , Hsu Shu‐Wei
Published: October 2009

Epoxy resins are widely used as coatings, adhesives and primers and in semiconductor encapsulation. A requirement that has recently gained importance is that of flame resistance, and imparting flame retardancy to epoxy resins has attracted much attention. Expandable graphite (EG) can improve flame‐retardant properties of polymers. Due to poor compatibility between polymer matrix and EG, flame‐retardant performance will be impaired. EG can be functionalized using a coupling agent. This gives rise to covalent bonding between organic and inorganic phases. This will improve the compatibility between filler and polymer to enhance the thermal stability of composites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to characterize the functionalizing reaction between coupling agent and EG. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) were used to calculate the thermal stability of composites. The results show that functionalized EG can improve the thermal stability of the composites. TGA/mass spectroscopy (MS) shows that the amount of toxic gases liberated from the composites is less than that from pure epoxy. Novel epoxy/EG composites were prepared successfully via the sol–gel method. The results of TGA, IPDT and TGA/MS showed that functionalized EG can enhance the thermal stability of composites and can suppress the production of toxic gases. The composite materials could provide a safer choice. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Histone post‐translational modifications by HPLC‐ESI‐MS after HT29 cell treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors
Authors: Naldi Marina , Calonghi Natalia , Masotti Lanfranco , Parolin Carola , Valente Sergio , Mai Antonello , Andrisano Vincenza
Published: October 2009

The goal of the present work is to establish a correlation between the degree of histone post‐translational modifications and the effects caused by treatment of HT29 colon cancer cells with class I‐selective (MS‐275 and MC1855), class II‐selective (MC1568), and non‐selective (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). This correlation could afford a mean to better understand the mechanism of action of new, more potent, and selective HDACi directly on the cells. To this end, LC coupled to MS was applied in studies of time and concentration‐dependent treatment with HDACi in HT29 cells. The results were correlated to their potency of histone deacetylase inhibition and to their effects on the cell cycle. The results indicate that the four tested inhibitors show a different pattern of time‐ and concentration‐dependent modification after treatment of HT29 cells. At the selected concentrations, they cause different histone hyperacetylation and different cell cycle effects. In particular, SAHA (non‐selective HDACi) affected hyperacetylation of all histones and caused massive cell death. MC1855 (class I‐selective HDACi, hydroxamate) proved to be more potent and less toxic (cell arrest in G2/M phase) than SAHA. MS‐275 (class I‐selective HDACi, benzamide) exhibited a higher degree of hyperacetylation of H4 and a lower degree of H2A, H2B, and H3 acetylation, causing a cell arrest in G0/G1 phase. On the contrary, MC1568 (class II‐selective HDACi) produced only a modest hyperacetylation of H4, was ineffective on the other histones, and showed no effect on cell cycle in HT29 cells.
PeptideDepot: Flexible relational database for visual analysis of quantitative proteomic data and integration of existing protein information
Authors: Yu Kebing , Salomon Arthur R.
Published: October 2009

Recently, dramatic progress has been achieved in expanding the sensitivity, resolution, mass accuracy, and scan rate of mass spectrometers able to fragment and identify peptides through MS/MS. Unfortunately, this enhanced ability to acquire proteomic data has not been accompanied by a concomitant increase in the availability of flexible tools allowing users to rapidly assimilate, explore, and analyze this data and adapt to various experimental workflows with minimal user intervention. Here we fill this critical gap by providing a flexible relational database called PeptideDepot for organization of expansive proteomic data sets, collation of proteomic data with available protein information resources, and visual comparison of multiple quantitative proteomic experiments. Our software design, built upon the synergistic combination of a MySQL database for safe warehousing of proteomic data with a FileMaker‐driven graphical user interface for flexible adaptation to diverse workflows, enables proteomic end‐users to directly tailor the presentation of proteomic data to the unique analysis requirements of the individual proteomics lab. PeptideDepot may be deployed as an independent software tool or integrated directly with our high throughput autonomous proteomic pipeline used in the automated acquisition and post‐acquisition analysis of proteomic data.
A highly sensitive near‐infrared fluorescent detection method to analyze signalling pathways by reverse‐phase protein array
Authors: Dupuy Laurence , Gauthier Christophe , Durand Guillaume , Musnier Astrid , Heitzler Domitille , Herledan Adrien , Sakanyan Vehary , Crépieux Pascale , Reiter Eric
Published: October 2009

The comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the protein phosphorylation patterns in different cellular context is of considerable and general interest. The ability to quantify phosphorylation of discrete signalling proteins in large collections of biological samples would greatly favour the development of systems biology in the field of cell signalling. Reverse‐phase protein array (RPPA) potentially represents a very attractive approach to map signal transduction networks with high throughput. In the present report, we describe an improved detection method for RPPA combining near‐infrared with one or two rounds of tyramide‐based signal amplification. The LOQ was lowered from 6.84 attomoles with a direct detection protocol to 0.21 attomole with two amplification steps. We validated this method in the context of intracellular signal transduction triggered by follicle‐stimulating hormone in HEK293 cells. We consistently detected phosphorylated proteins in the sub‐attomole range from less than 1 ng of total cell extracts. Importantly, the method correlated with Western blot analysis of the same samples while displaying excellent intra‐ and inter‐slide reproducibility. We conclude that RPPA combined with amplified near‐infrared detection can be used to capture the subtle regulations intrinsic to signalling network dynamics at an unprecedented throughput, from minute amounts of biological samples.
Interactive learning: Lessons from two hybrids over two decades
Authors: Fields Stanley
Published: October 2009

The initial yeast two‐hybrid experiment – published in 1989 – described an approach to detecting protein–protein interactions that has flourished over the last two decades, leading to the assembly of large‐scale data sets of these interactions. Yet the yeast assay originated because of the laboratory's interests in technology development, not because of its need to identify partners of any protein then under study. In addition to such motivating forces, other features of the process of originating a technology can be revealed by considering the lessons of the two‐hybrid approach. These include the value of timeliness in a method's development, the willingness of an investigator to try experimental approaches that prove fruitless, the ability of biological macromolecules to display surprising attributes, the benefits of a community expending efforts to expand the uses of a technology platform, and the role of scientific training of those who work in technology.
The structural analysis of protein–protein interactions by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: O'Connell Mitchell R. , Gamsjaeger Roland , Mackay Joel P.
Published: October 2009

A comprehensive understanding of protein–protein interactions is an important next step in our quest to understand how the information contained in a genome is put into action. Although a number of experimental techniques can report on the existence of a protein– protein interaction, very few can provide detailed structural information. NMR spectroscopy is one of these, and in recent years several complementary NMR approaches, including residual dipolar couplings and the use of paramagnetic effects, have been developed that can provide insight into the structure of protein–protein complexes. In this article, we review these approaches and comment on their strengths and weaknesses.
Protein composition of Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial membranes
Authors: Acestor Nathalie , Panigrahi Aswini K. , Ogata Yuko , Anupama Atashi , Stuart Kenneth D.
Published: October 2009

Mitochondria consist of four compartments, outer membrane, intermembrane space, inner membrane, and matrix; each harboring specific functions and structures. In this study, we used LC‐MS/MS to characterize the protein composition of Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial (mt) membranes, which were enriched by different biochemical fractionation techniques. The analyses identified 202 proteins that contain one or more transmembrane domain(s) and/or positive GRAVY scores. Of these, various criteria were used to assign 72 proteins to mt membranes with high confidence, and 106 with moderate‐to‐low confidence. The sub‐cellular localization of a selected subset of 13 membrane assigned proteins was confirmed by tagging and immunofluorescence analysis. While most proteins assigned to mt membrane have putative roles in metabolic, energy generating, and transport processes, ∼50% have no known function. These studies result in a comprehensive profile of the composition and sub‐organellar location of proteins in the T. brucei mitochondrion thus, providing useful information on mt functions.
Isatin‐binding proteins of rat and mouse brain: Proteomic identification and optical biosensor validation
Authors: Buneeva Olga , Gnedenko Oksana , Zgoda Victor , Kopylov Arthur , Glover Vivette , Ivanov Alexis , Medvedev Alexei , Archakov Alexander
Published: October 2009

Isatin (indole‐2,3‐dione) is an endogenous indole that has a distinct and discontinuous distribution in the brain and in other mammalian tissues and body fluids. Its output is increased under conditions of stress and anxiety. Isatin itself and its analogues exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities but its specific biological targets still are not well characterized. Affinity chromatography of Triton X‐100 lysates of soluble and particulate fractions of mouse and rat whole brain homogenates on 5‐aminocaproyl‐isatin‐Sepharose followed by subsequent proteomic analysis resulted in identification of 65 and 64 individual proteins, respectively. Isatin‐binding capacity of some of the identified proteins has been validated in an optical biosensor study using a Biacore 3000 optical biosensor, 5‐aminocarproyl‐isatin, and 5‐aminoisatin as the affinity ligands. The Kd values (of 0.1–20 μM) obtained during the optical biosensor experiments were consistent with the range of Kd values recently reported for [3H]isatin binding to brain sections. Although the number of isatin‐binding proteins identified in the mouse and rat brain was similar, only 21 proteins (about one‐third) were identical in the two species. This may be one reason for the differences in isatin effects in rats and mice reported in the literature.
Isolation and 2‐D‐DIGE proteomic analysis of intracellular and extracellular forms of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Van de Velde Sébastien , Delaive Edouard , Dieu Marc , Carryn Stéphane , Van Bambeke Françoise , Devreese Bart , Raes Martine , Tulkens Paul M.
Published: October 2009

The pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes is related to its ability of invading and multiplying in eukaryotic cells. Its main virulence factors are now well characterized, but limited proteomic data is available concerning its adaptation to the intracellular environment. In this study, L. monocytogenes EGD (serotype 1/2a) grown in human THP‐1 monocytes (24 h) were successfully separated from host organelles and cytosolic proteins by differential and isopycnic centrifugation. For control, we used cell homogenates spiked with bacteria grown in broth. Proteomes from both forms of bacteria were compared using a 2‐D‐DIGE approach followed by MALDI‐TOF analysis to identify proteins. From 1684 distinct spots, 448 were identified corresponding to 245 distinct proteins with no apparent contamination of host proteins. Amongst them, 61 show underexpression (stress defense; transport systems, carbon metabolism, pyrimidines synthesis, D‐Ala‐D‐Ala ligase) and 22 an overexpression (enzymes involved in the synthesis of cell envelope lipids, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate, pyruvate and fatty acids). Our proteomic analysis of intracellular L. monocytogenes (i) suggests that bacteria thrive in a more favorable environment than extracellularly, (ii) supports the concept of metabolic adaptation of bacteria to intracellular environment and (iii) may be at the basis of improved anti‐Listeria therapy.
Improved reproducibility of reverse‐phase protein microarrays using array microenvironment normalization
Authors: Anderson Troy , Wulfkuhle Julia , Liotta Lance , Winslow Raimond L. , Petricoin Emanuel
Published: October 2009

We introduce a novel experimental methodology for the reverse‐phase protein microarray platform which reduces the typical measurement CV as much as 70%. The methodology, referred to as array microenvironment normalization, increases the statistical power of the platform. In the experiment, it enabled the detection of a 1.1‐fold shift in prostate specific antigen concentration using approximately six technical replicates rather than the 37 replicates previously required. The improved reproducibility and statistical power should facilitate clinical implementation of the platform.
Study of TATP: Spontaneous Transformation of TATP to DADP – Full Paper
Authors: Matyáš Robert , Pachman Jiri , Ang How‐Ghee
Published: October 2009

The TATP prepared in the presence of catalysts such as methanesulfonic, perchloric, or sulfuric acid, has been found to undergo spontaneous transformation to DADP. This transformation, however, does not occur if TATP is purified or prepared using hydrochloric acid. Using nitric acid or tin(IV) chloride for catalysis results in TATP that transforms to DADP only to a small extent (max. 1%). The rate of transformation depends on the storage temperature and on the molar ratio of catalyst to acetone (nc/na) used during the preparation of TATP. The faster rate of the transformation was observed at high temperatures and higher molar ratio nc/na.
The stability and degradation of a new biological pesticide, pyoluteorin
Authors: Zhang Jingfang , Wang Wei , Lu Xiaohui , Xu Yuquan , Zhang Xuehong
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND: Pyoluteorin (Plt) is a polyketide metabolite produced by fluorescent Pseudomonas. It controls a wide range of pests, including bacteria, epiphytes and weeds. It could become widely used as a new biological pesticide. However, ignorance of the stability of Plt is an obstacle to its use. This work studied the stability of Plt and its degradation under different conditions, including temperature, pH and UV–visible light irradiation.

RESULTS: Degradation of Plt followed first‐order reaction kinetics. The degradation rate increased with increased temperature. The derived activation energy was 11.06 J mol−1 K−1. Plt was relatively stable in neutral solutions, in contrast to acid and alkaline solutions. Visible irradiation had no obvious effect on Plt stability, while UV irradiation greatly decreased its half‐life to 3–4 days, in contrast to its half‐life of 25 days in the dark.

CONCLUSION: Plt is relatively stable in pure water solutions and at room temperature, with a half‐life of more than 20 days. However, UV irradiation and acidic or alkaline solutions will enhance its degradation, reducing its half‐life by a factor of 0.1–0.3. Before Plt is widely used as a pesticide, it might be necessary to modify the structure of Plt to make it more stable. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Positron annihilation study in inorganic‐polymer nano‐composites
Authors: Chen H. M. , Jean Y.C. , Lee L. James , Yang Jintao , Huang James
Published: October 2009

Positron annihilation lifetime experiments in a series of polystyrene (PS) nano‐composites of different wt% of SiO2 as a function of temperature have been performed and the glass transition temperatures are determined. Previously, in PS/CNF(carbon nanofiber), a system with strong interfacial bonding, we found single glass transition temperature (Tg), which increases with wt% of CNF. Currently, in PS/SiO2 nano‐composites, a weak interfacial interaction system, we found that there are two Tgs, one at 57 oC, which is lower than the PS bulk Tg (= 91 °C). The lower Tg is interpreted from the free volume in the weak bonding interface between PS and SiO2. This result is consistent with our previous slow positron beam results of PS on Si substrate, which shows a significant lower Tg in the interface than in the bulk PS. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nano scale free volume study of 70 MeV carbon C5+ ion induced modification in Makrofol‐KL polycarbonate by positron annihilation
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Prasad Rajendra
Published: October 2009

Latent ion tracks produced in the polymers due to the damage produced by the passage of swift heavy ions (SHI) contain amorphous material with highest degree of disorder, resulting in to the change of free volume properties which have strong correlation with the macroscopic properties of the material. To study the modification induced by heavy ions through Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) 30 μm thin Makrofol‐KL polycarbonate (PC) films were irradiated with C5+ ions of energy 70 MeV to the fluences of 106, 107 and 108 ions/cm2 from 15 UD Pelletron accelerator, N. Delhi. From the o‐Ps lifetime, mean free volume hole radius, micro‐void volume and fractional free volume have been computed which are found to increase with the fluence of the ions. Increase in free volume has been attributed to chain scission. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Li3+ ion irradiation effects on polyamide nylon6,6 studied by positron annihilation lifetime and Doppler broadening spectroscopy
Authors: Prasad Rajendra , Kumar Rajesh , Nambissan P. M. G. , Singh Fouran , Ali S. Asad
Published: October 2009

Swift Heavy ion (SHI) irradiation of polymeric materials changes their free volume properties which are strongly correlated to their macroscopic structure. 250 μm thick Polyamide Nylon‐6,6(PN‐6,6) polymer films were irradiated with 50 MeV Li3+ ions from Pelletron accelerator to the fluences of 5 x 1010, 1011, 5 x 1011, 1 x 1012, 5 x 1012, 1013 and 3.5 x 1013 ions/cm2. The effect of heavy ion irradiation on the free volume was studied by Positron Annihilation Lifetime (PAL) and Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy (DBS). Mean free volume hole radius, free volume and fractional free volume of micro‐voids, obtained from o‐Ps lifetime decrease with fluence and is attributed to cross linking. S parameter which is supposed to change due to vacancies type defects created due to SHI irradiation also decreases. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)