bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early steps in plastid evolution: current ideas and controversies
Authors: Bodył Andrzej , Mackiewicz Paweł , Stiller John W. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSome nuclear‐encoded proteins are imported into higher plant plastids via the endomembrane (EM) system. Compared with multi‐protein Toc and Tic translocons required for most plastid protein import, the relatively uncomplicated nature of EM trafficking led to suggestions that it was the original transport mechanism for nuclear‐encoded endosymbiont proteins, and critical for the early stages of plastid evolution. Its apparent simplicity disappears, however, when EM transport is considered in light of selective constraints likely encountered during the conversion of stable endosymbionts into fully integrated organelles. From this perspective it is more parsimonious to presume the early evolution of post‐translational protein import via simpler, ancestral forms of modern Toc and Tic plastid translocons, with EM trafficking arising later to accommodate glycosylation and/or protein targeting to multiple cellular locations. This hypothesis is supported by both empirical and comparative data, and is consistent with the relative paucity of EM‐based transport to modern primary plastids.
Flower symmetry evolution: towards understanding the abominable mystery of angiosperm radiation
Authors: Busch Andrea , Zachgo Sabine 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFlower symmetry is considered a morphological novelty that contributed significantly to the rapid radiation of the angiosperms, which already puzzled Charles Darwin and prompted him to name this phenomenon an ‘abominable mystery’. In 2009, the bicentenary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, ‘On the Origin of Species’, this question can now be more satisfactorily readdressed. Understanding the molecular control of monosymmetry formation in the model species Antirrhinum opened the path for comparative studies with non‐model species revealing modifications of this trait. TCP transcription factors, named after TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1 in maize, CYCLOIDEA in snapdragon and PCF in rice, control flower monosymmetry development and contributed to establishing this trait several times independently in higher angiosperms. The joint advances in evolutionary and developmental plant research, combined in the novel research field named Evo/Devo, aim at elucidating the molecular mechanisms and strategies to unravel the mystery of how this diversity has been generated.
Quantum‐dots‐based fluoroimmunoassay for the rapid and sensitive detection of avian influenza virus subtype H5N1
Authors: Chen Liping , Sheng Zonghai , Zhang Anding , Guo Xuebo , Li Jiakui , Han Heyou , Jin Meilin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe continuous spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 is threatening the poultry industry and human health worldwide. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods are required for the H5N1 surveillance. In this study, the fluorescent (FL) probe of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was designed using covalently linked rabbit anti‐AIV H5N1 antibody. Based on these QD–antibody conjugates, a novel sandwich FL‐linked immunosorbent assay (sFLISA) was developed for H5N1 viral antigen detection. The sFLISA allowed for H5N1 viral antigen determination in a linear range of 8.0 × 10−3 to 5.1 × 10−1 μg mL−1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5 × 10−4 μg mL−1. In comparison with virus isolation for 103 clinic samples, the sensitivity and specificity of sFLISA were found to be 93.6 and 91.1% respectively. The sFLISA supplied a novel approach to rapid and sensitive detection of AIV subtype H5N1 and showed great potential for biological applications in immunoassays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photo‐mechanical effect in luminescent polymeric materials
Authors: Karpenko A. A. , Fedorenko E. V. , Mirochnik A. G. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe photomechanical effect was found for the first time in a polymer composition on the basis of polymethylmethacrylate with embedded molecules of the luminophor dibenzoylmethanate of boron difluoride incapable of undergoing photochemical isomerization, unlike other compounds. A thermal mechanism of photochemical displacement was suggested. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regioselective hydroxylation of daidzein using P450 (CYP105D7) from Streptomyces avermitilis MA4680
Authors: Pandey Bishnu Prasad , Roh Changhyun , Choi Kwon‐Young , Lee Nahum , Kim Eun Jung , Ko Sungghi , Kim Taejin , Yun Hyundon , Kim Byung‐Gee 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRegiospecific 3′‐hydroxylation reaction of daidzein was performed with CYP105D7 from Streptomyces avermitilis MA4680 expressed in Escherichia coli. The apparent Km and kcat values of CYP105D7 for daidzein were 21.83 ± 6.3 µM and 15.01 ± 0.6 min−1 in the presence of 1 µM of CYP105D7, putidaredoxin (CamB) and putidaredoxin reductase (CamA), respectively. When CYP105D7 was expressed in S. avermitilis MA4680, its cytochrome P450 activity was confirmed by the CO‐difference spectra at 450 nm using the whole cell extract. When the whole‐cell reaction for the 3′‐hydroxylation reaction of daidzein was carried out with 100 µM of daidzein in 100 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), the recombinant S. avermitilis grown in R2YE media overexpressing CYP105D7 and ferredoxin FdxH (SAV7470) showed a 3.6‐fold higher conversion yield (24%) than the corresponding wild type cell (6.7%). In a 7 L (working volume 3 L) jar fermentor, the recombinants S. avermitilis grown in R2YE media produced 112.5 mg of 7,3′,4′‐trihydroxyisoflavone (i.e., 29.5% conversion yield) from 381 mg of daidzein in 15 h. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010. 105: 697–704. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals.
Coaxial electrohydrodynamic spraying of plasmid DNA/polyethylenimine (PEI) polyplexes for enhanced nonviral gene delivery
Authors: Wu Yun , Fei Zhengzheng , Lee L. James , Wyslouzil Barbara E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDNA/polyethylenimine (PEI) polyplexes are an important class of nonviral vectors. Although the conventional preparation method, bulk mixing, is straightforward, the formation of the DNA/PEI polyplexes is not well controlled. This work explores coaxial electrohydrodynamic spraying (EHDS) as a novel, alternative method to produce DNA/PEI polyplexes in a more controlled manner. Both pGFP/PEI and pSEAP/PEI polyplexes were produced by EHDS with a coaxial needle setup. The size of the polyplexes was determined using dynamic light scattering, and their ability to transfect NIH 3T3 cells was observed by using an inverted fluorescence microscope (pGFP) or quantified by measuring the activity level of alkaline phosphatase (pSEAP). At nitrogen to phosphate ratio (N/P) of 6.7, the polyplexes produced by coaxial EHDS had delivery efficiencies up to 2.6 times higher than those produced by bulk mixing. The N/P ratio and the structure of the EHDS used to make the polyplexes were crucial factors in determining the delivery efficiency. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010. 105: 834–841. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of a biofilm membrane reactor and its prospects for fine chemical synthesis
Authors: Gross Rainer , Lang Karsten , Bühler Katja , Schmid Andreas 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBiofilms are known to be robust biocatalysts. Conventionally, they have been mainly applied for wastewater treatment, however recent reports about their employment for chemical synthesis are increasingly attracting attention. Engineered Pseudomonas sp. strain VLB120ΔC biofilm growing in a tubular membrane reactor was utilized for the continuous production of (S)‐styrene oxide. A biofilm specific morphotype appeared in the effluent during cultivation, accounting for 60–80% of the total biofilm irrespective of inoculation conditions but with similar specific activities as the original morphotype. Mass transfer of the substrate styrene and the product styrene oxide was found to be dependent on the flow rate but was not limiting the epoxidation rate. Oxygen was identified as one of the main parameters influencing the biotransformation rate. Productivity was linearly dependent on the specific membrane area and on the tube wall thickness. On average volumetric productivities of 24 g L day−1 with a maximum of 70 g L day−1 and biomass concentrations of 45 gBDW L have been achieved over long continuous process periods (≥50 days) without reactor downtimes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010. 105: 705–717. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidence of and potential risk factors for gallstone disease in a general population sample
Authors: Halldestam I , Kullman E , Borch K 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Several epidemiological studies have been published, but there are few reports on relations between gallstone incidence, symptomatology and risk factors.

Methods
Of 621 randomly selected individuals aged 35–85 years in a general population who had been screened previously with ultrasonography and found to have no gallbladder stones, 503 (81·0 per cent) were re-examined after a minimum interval of 5 years. At baseline and re-examination, heredity for gallstone disease was explored and body mass index, digestive symptoms including abdominal pain, quality of life, alcohol and smoking habits, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oestrogen, parity and blood lipid levels were recorded.

Results
Forty-two (8·3 per cent) of the 503 subjects developed stones. Subjects were followed for a total of 3025·8 person-years, yielding an incidence for newly developed gallstones of 1·39 per 100 person-years. A positive association for gallstone development was found only for length of follow-up and plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels at baseline. Weekly alcohol consumption was inversely related to gallstone development.

Conclusion
The incidence of gallstones in this population was 1·39 per 100 person-years. Gallstone development was related to length of follow-up and LDL-cholesterol levels, and inversely related to alcohol consumption.
Abdominosacral resection for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Ferenschild F T J , Vermaas M , Verhoef C , Dwarkasing R S , Eggermont A M M , de Wilt J H W 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
The results of resection of locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancers, including sacral resection, were analysed critically.

Methods
Between 1987 and 2007, 353 patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer, all treated in a tertiary referral centre, were identified from a prospective database. Twenty-five patients (eight primary and 17 recurrent tumours) underwent en bloc sacral resection.

Results
A mid-sacral resection was carried out in 12 patients (level S3) and a low sacral resection in 13 (level S4/S5). Nineteen patients had an R0, four an R1 and two an R2 resection. There was no postoperative mortality. Median follow-up was 32 months. Incomplete resection had an independent negative influence on local control (5-year local recurrence rate 42 versus 0 per cent in those with and without incomplete resection; P &lt; 0·001). The 5-year overall survival rate was 30 per cent. Five patients with recurrent tumour had pathological invasion into the sacral bone and none survived beyond 1 year.

Conclusion
Abdominosacral resection can be performed in patients with locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer. Patients who cannot undergo a complete resection or have clear evidence of cortical invasion have a poor prognosis.
Non-viral Smad7 gene delivery and attenuation of postoperative peritoneal adhesion in an experimental model
Authors: Guo H , Leung J C K , Cheung J S , Chan L Y Y , Wu E X , Lai K N 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Smad7, a protein that occupies a strategic position in fibrogenesis, inhibits the transforming growth factor (TGF) β/Smad signalling pathway. In this study the therapeutic potential of exogenous Smad7 in preventing fibrogenesis in postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion was investigated.

Methods
Intra-abdominal adhesion was induced in a rodent model by peritoneal abrasion. Smad7 was delivered into the peritoneal cavity by a non-viral ultrasound–microbubble-mediated naked gene transfection system. The effect of Smad7 transgene on adhesion formation was studied by measuring changes in TGF-β, fibrogenic factors, α-SMA and Smad2/3 activation in the anterior abdominal wall.

Results
Four weeks after surgical abrasion, all rats developed significant peritoneal adhesion with enhanced TGF-β expression, increased levels of extracellular matrix components and activated myofibroblasts, accompanied by decreased Smad7 expression and increased Smad2/3 activation. In rats treated with the Smad7 transgene, the incidence and severity of peritoneal adhesion were significantly reduced, with biochemical downregulation of fibrogenic factors and inhibition of Smad2/3 activation. Serial quantitation using magnetic resonance imaging revealed a significant reduction in adhesion areas from day 14 onwards.

Conclusion
Ultrasound–microbubble-mediated gene transfection provides timely targeted gene delivery for the treatment of postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
Long-term weight change after oesophageal cancer surgery
Authors: Martin L , Lagergren P 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Malnutrition is common after oesophageal cancer surgery. This study investigated weight changes and the risk of malnutrition among long-term survivors.

Methods
A nationwide cohort study was conducted in Sweden in 2001–2004, with follow-up to 2008. Weight was assessed before oesophagectomy, after 6 months and at 3 years. Logistic regression was performed with adjustment for confounders. Odds ratios (ORs) for postoperative weight loss of at least 15 per cent were estimated.

Results
Some 203 patients survived at least 3 years after oesophagectomy. Continuous weight loss occurred for up to 3 years. Women and men had a similar risk of malnutrition after 3 years (OR 0·85 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·24 to 2·98)). In overweight patients (preoperative body mass index at least 25 kg/m2) the risk of malnutrition was increased almost fivefold at 6 months (OR 4·90 (2·27 to 10·59)) and 3 years (OR 4·60 (1·80 to 11·78)). There was no difference in weight loss at 6 months between survivors and those who died between 6 months and 3 years after surgery (OR 1·11 (0·64 to 1·94)).

Conclusion
Weight loss can be long lasting after oesophagectomy; overweight patients are at particularly increased risk of malnutrition.
Randomized clinical trial of the effect of glucocorticoids on peritoneal inflammation and postoperative recovery after colectomy
Authors: Zargar-Shoshtari K , Sammour T , Kahokehr A , Connolly A B , Hill A G 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundRecent data have suggested a relationship between postoperative fatigue and the peritoneal cytokine response after surgery. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that preoperative administration of glucocorticoids before surgery would decrease fatigue and enhance recovery, by reducing the peritoneal production of cytokines.MethodsIn a double-blind randomized controlled study, patients undergoing elective, open colonic resection were administered 8 mg dexamethasone or normal saline. Patients were treated within an enhanced recovery after surgery programme. Primary outcomes were cytokine levels in peritoneal drain fluid and fatigue as measured by the Identity–Consequence Fatigue Scale (ICFS).ResultsBaseline parameters were similar for 29 patients in the dexamethasone group and 31 in the placebo group. Patients who received dexamethasone had lower ICFS scores on days 3 and 7. Dexamethasone was associated with significantly lower peritoneal fluid interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-13 concentrations on day 1, and these correlated with changes in the ICFS score. There was no significant increase in adverse events in the dexamethasone group.ConclusionPreoperative administration of dexamethasone resulted in a significant reduction in early postoperative fatigue, associated with an attenuated early peritoneal cytokine response. Peritoneal production of cytokines may therefore be important in postoperative recovery. Registration number: ACTRN12607000066482 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).
Leucocyte depletion of perioperative blood transfusion does not affect long-term survival and recurrence in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (Br J Surg 2009; 96: 734–740)
Authors: Nash G 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Increased Enantioselectivity by Engineering Bottleneck Mutants in an Esterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Schließmann Anna , Hidalgo Aurelio , Berenguer José , Bornscheuer Uwe T. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFour hydrophobic and bulky amino acid residues (F126, F144, F159, and I225) were identified to form a bottleneck guarding the entrance to the active site of an esterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PFE I). Hence, a range of nonpolar amino acids were introduced into PFE I to broaden the substrate range and to increase enantioselectivity while preserving the hydrophobicity of the tunnel. First, single variants were created and then the most enantioselective ones were combined to find cooperative effects. This resulted in several mutants, which showed substantially enhanced enantioselectivity; for instance, in the kinetic resolution of 1‐phenyl‐1‐propyl acetate, with which the wild type only showed E=1.2, two mutants gave E>46. For 1‐phenyl‐1‐ethyl acetate enantioselectivity increased from ∼50 to >100 for all mutants studied. Furthermore, higher conversions could be found at shorter reaction times; this indicates that the mutations not only enhanced selectivity, but that also the entrance into the active site was indeed facilitated by these mutations. The experimental results could be explained by computer modeling.
Auto‐Tandem Catalysis: A Single Catalyst Activating Mechanistically Distinct Reactions in a Single Reactor
Authors: Shindoh Naoya , Takemoto Yoshiji , Takasu Kiyosei 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDomino reactions have received great attention as efficient synthetic methodologies for the construction of structurally complex molecules from simple materials in a single operation. Catalysts in domino reactions have also been well studied. In these reactions, a catalyst activates the substrate(s) only once, and the structure of the product is delineated at that time. Recently, the new concept of “tandem catalysis” in domino reactions, in which catalyst(s) sequentially activate more than two mechanistically distinct reactions, has been proposed. Tandem catalysis is categorized into three subclasses: orthogonal‐, auto‐, and assisted‐tandem catalyses. Auto‐tandem catalysis is defined as a process in which one catalyst promotes more than two fundamentally different reactions in a single reactor. An overview of recent and significant achievements in auto‐tandem catalysis is presented in this paper.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Alkyl Zinc Halides for the Formation of C(sp2)C(sp3) Bonds: Scope and Mechanism
Authors: Phapale Vilas B. , Guisán‐Ceinos Manuel , Buñuel Elena , Cárdenas Diego J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractOptimal conditions for a general Ni‐catalysed Negishi cross‐coupling of alkyl zinc halides with aryl, heteroaryl and alkenyl halides have been determined. These conditions allow the reaction to take place smoothly, with low catalyst loading, and in the presence of a wide variety of functional groups to afford products in good yields at room temperature. DFT studies on the mechanism support the occurrence of a catalytic cycle involving transmetalation of the alkyl zinc halide to NiI followed by oxidative addition of the haloarene and CC reductive elimination.
Theoretical Investigation on the Effect of Different Nitrogen Donors on Intramolecular Se⋅⋅⋅N Interactions
Authors: Sarma Bani Kanta , Mugesh Govindasamy 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe effect of different donor nitrogen atoms on the strength and nature of intramolecular Se⋅⋅⋅N interactions is evaluated for organoselenium compounds havingN,N‐dimethylaminomethyl (dime), oxazoline (oxa) and pyridyl (py) substituents. Quantum chemical calculations on three series of compounds [2‐(dime)C6H4SeX (1 a–g), 2‐(oxa)C6H4SeX (2 a–g), 2‐(py)C6H4SeX (3 a–g); X=Cl, Br, OH, CN, SPh, SePh, CH3] at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level show that the stability of different conformers depends on the strength of intramolecular nonbonded Se⋅⋅⋅N interactions. Natural bond orbital (NBO), NBO deletion and atoms in molecules (AIM) analyses suggest that the nature of the Se⋅⋅⋅N interaction is predominantly covalent and involves nN→σ*SeXorbital interaction. In the three series of compounds, the strength of the Se⋅⋅⋅N interaction decreases in the order3>2>1for a particular X, and it decreases in the order Cl>Br>OH>SPh≈CN≈SePh>CH3for all the three series1–3. However, further analyses suggest that the differences in strength of Se⋅⋅⋅N interaction in1–3is predominantly determined by the distance between the Se and N atoms, which in turn is an outcome of specific structures of1,2and3, and the nature of the donor nitrogen atoms involved has very little effect on the strength of Se⋅⋅⋅N interaction. It is also observed that Se⋅⋅⋅N interaction becomes stronger in polar solvents such as CHCl3, as indicated by the shorterrSe⋅⋅⋅Nand higherESe⋅⋅⋅Nvalues in CHCl3compared to those observed in the gas phase.
Decision making in depression: differences in decisional conflict between healthy and depressed individuals
Authors: van Randenborgh Annette , de Jong‐Meyer Renate , Hüffmeier Joachim 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis study investigated differences in the emergence of decisional conflict in healthy and depressed participants. The two groups of interest were questioned about their experience of decisional conflict and ongoing thoughts and impressions during decision making. As predicted, depressed participants experienced more decisional conflict than healthy participants. Furthermore, the diverse processes hypothesis was supported: In healthy participants, preoccupation with the task was the only predictor of decisional conflict. In depressed participants, decisional conflict was predicted by a combination of depression‐related processes (e.g., low self‐efficacy, lack of concentration, rumination, etc.). This research reduces the gap between the relevance of the symptom of indecisiveness (e.g., for diagnostic purposes) and the lack of knowledge in this realm of psychopathology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message:

Depressed inpatients report more every day decisional conflict than healthy people. Practitioners should be aware of this symptom of depression that has not received much attention in research and practice yet.
Beyond this quantitative difference, there is also a qualitative difference between the decisional conflict experienced by depressed and healthy individuals: While healthy individuals' decisional conflict revolves around a thorough consideration of the decision task, depressed individuals' decisional conflict seems to be characterized by an inward focus of attention. They engage in an evaluation of their personal resources and competences as a decision maker.
Improving self‐efficacy and reducing feelings of helplessness related to decision making should alleviate decisional conflict in depressed people. These means may thus constitute a powerful intervention to reduce every day stress for patients and enhance recovery from depression.
This research highlights the detrimental effects of self‐focused thinking in depression. Decision making seems to be another task that is negatively affected by this type of depressogenic thinking. Interventions tackling depressive rumination appear beneficial in the light of this study.