bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local formation of angiotensin peptides with paracrine activity by adipocytes
Authors: Weiland Felix , Verspohl Eugen J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA local paracrine angiotensin (ANG) system influences the insulin sensitivity and cell differentiation of adipose tissue. The limited view of a merely systemic renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone‐system with ANG II (1–8) as the main mediator of ANG‐related effects may oversimplify the situation. The aim was to analyze the degradation of ANG by using capillary electrophoresis (CE) techniques. The supernatant of cultured 3T3‐L1 adipocytes was used directly, and some data on degraded peptides were combined with a biological effect. The formation of several peptides such as ANG II (1–8), —III (2–8), —IV (3–8), and ANG (1–7) as degradation products is demonstrated; in addition low levels of ANG (3–7) are identified. The concentrations of the peptides ANG III (2–8) and ANG IV (3–8) (both are AT4receptor agonists) are modified in the vicinity of adipose tissue cells by amino‐terminal degradation which resulted in ANG (3–8), —(4–8) and —(5–8). ANG IV (3–8) and ANG II (1–8) were biologically highly effective in inhibiting IRAP (insulin regulated aminopeptidase, part of the AT4receptor). It is observed that ANG (1–7) is the main degradation product derived from ANG I via ANG (1–9) and that ANG III (2–8) is one important regulated peptide for IRAP. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and receptor binding of opioid peptide analogues containing β3‐homo‐amino acids
Authors: Wilczyńska Dominika , Kosson Piotr , Kwasiborska Maria , Ejchart Andrzej , Olma Aleksandra 
Published: September 2009

Abstractβ‐Amino acids containing hybrid peptides and β‐peptides show great potential as peptidomimetics. In this paper we describe the synthesis and affinity toward the µ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors of β‐peptides, analogues of Leu‐enkephalin, deltorphin I, dermorphin and α,β‐hybrides, analogues of deltorphin I. Substitution of α‐amino acid residues with β3‐homo‐amino acid residues, in general resulted in decrease of affinity to opioid receptors. However, the incorporation β3h‐D‐Ala in position 2 or β3hPhe in position 3 of deltorphin I resulted in potent and selective ligand for δ‐opioid receptor. The NMR studies of β‐deltorphin I analogue suggest that conformational motions in the central part of the peptide backbone are partially restricted and some conformational preferences can be expected. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ghrelin—a novel generation of anti‐obesity drug: design, pharmacomodulation and biological activity of ghrelin analogues
Authors: Chollet Constance , Meyer Karolin , Beck‐Sickinger Annette G. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractGhrelin is a unique bioactive peptide with respect to both the structure and its biological function. This 28‐amino acid peptide is modified with ann‐octanoyl group at serine‐3, and accordingly is the only lipidated biologically active peptide hormone known so far. Ghrelin binds to the so‐called ghrelin or GHS receptor, a member of the class A of G‐protein coupled receptors, which leads to Ca2+release intracellularly due to the activation of the Gq‐system. Interestingly, the ghrelin receptor shows a significant constitutive activity which means that in addition to agonists and antagonists, inverse agonists play an important role in receptor modulation. In this review, the major activities of ghrelin are summarized with a strong focus on the regulation of food intake. So far reported agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists are shown and structure activitiy relationships are discussed. Furthermore, the application of ghrelin ligands as novel anti‐obesity drugs is outlined and the state of the art in this field is summarized. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient method of circumventing insolubility problems with fully protected peptide carboxylates via in situ direct thioesterification reactions
Authors: Flemer Stevenson 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA straightforward and convenient protocol is presented for the direct thioesterification of fully protected peptide C‐terminal carboxylates synthesized by Fmoc strategy. This methodology specifically serves to overcome the frequent insolubility problem of these fully protected carboxolate isolates during the thioesterification process by carrying out the reaction as an in situ procedure on the freshly cleaved 1% TFA/DCM solution of carboxylate. The direct thioesterification of a number of insolubility prone peptide systems is explored and compared with some control systems for ease of conversion to the corresponding thioesters. It is shown that although the fully protected carboxylates are indeed insoluble to varying degrees in the thioesterification reactions carried out using the classical approach, full dissolution is maintained and complete conversion is evident using the in situ methodology. This protocol serves to remove a frequent stumbling block in the preparation of peptide thioesters via the direct approach, allowing for facile entry into previously difficult systems traditionally unapproachable through this method. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality assurance program for spent radioactive sealed sources in Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Yasser T. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractEffective implementation of the Hot Laboratories Center Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is dependent on the efforts at all levels of all participants. Management is responsible for defining quality, developing appropriate plans to attain quality, and supporting the workers in the pursuit of quality. QA organizations of the program participants are responsible for verifying the achievement of quality in the implementation of the Hot Laboratories Center QA program. A written QAP shall be developed, implemented, and maintained. The QAP describes the organizational structure, functional responsibilities, levels of authority, and interfaces for those managing, performing, and assessing the work. The QAP shall describe the management processes, including planning, scheduling, and resource considerations. The organization, responsibilities/authorities of all participants, internal and external interfaces, and lines of communication should be established during the conceptual phase. Quality Assurance (QA) as an essential management tool is being strongly applied in the area of predisposal of Spent Radioactive Sealed Sources (SRSS). Quality Control is now considered as part of the planning and systematic actions of QA. To ensure compliance with the requirements, and to assure the envisaged behavior of the SRSS package and disposal system, a QAP for all stages of SRSS management, including SRSS conditioning, transportation, storage, and disposal are required. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality assurance management system for spent radioactive sealed sources in Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Yasser T. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTo achieve the overall protection goals set by the regulatory authorities, Quality Assurance (QA) has to take place in every phase of a waste management system. It is the duty of the Hot Laboratories Center (HLC), to develop a quality system starting from the Quality Assurance Management System (QAMS) for all activities concerned with the management and safety of radioactive waste to be confident that the work will be accomplished according to written and approved procedures to protect the public, employees and the environment from any mismanagement of radioactive waste. It is intended that this QAMS document is closely integrated with system planning. As work scope is adjusted to reflect schedule adjustments, resource limitations, or other scope changes due to programmatic considerations, changes or revisions of QA requirements that result will be accomplished by revisions of this QAMS and its subordinate quality plans. The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is described in planning documents and implementing procedures that contain detailed instructions for each process or activity. The QAP serves as a resource for the technical staff to ensure that the results of the compliance assessment are traceable and reproducible, that accountability is maintained, and that conclusions are based on sound practices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opportunities, challenges and benefits of using HACCP as a quality risk management tool in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Dahiya Saurabh , Khar Roop K. , Chhikara Aruna 
Published: September 2009

AbstractEffective quality risk management can facilitate better and more informed decisions, provide regulators with greater assurance of a company's ability to deal with potential risks and can beneficially affect the extent and level of direct regulatory oversight. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) method is now a recognized and useful tool in the pharmaceutical industry to meet the primary principles of quality risk management. Global perspective, forward‐looking view, open communication, integrated management, continuous process, shared product vision and teamwork are the principles, which provide a framework to accomplish effective risk management.The quality risk management process includes risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation. Control and reduction of the risk focuses on processes for mitigation or avoidance of quality risk when it exceeds an acceptable level. The quality risk management tools provide documented, transparent and reproducible methods to accomplish the steps of the quality risk management process.The HACCP methodology aims to prevent known hazards and reduce the risk that they will occur at specific points in the pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. It covers both the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the safety of the personnel engaged in the manufacturing processes. HACCP is the systematic method (comprised of seven principles) for the identification, assessment and control of safety hazards associated with physical, chemical and biological hazards. The problems associated with the implementation of HACCP may be overcome by training and education in the HACCP system for the personnel engaged in pharmaceutical industry. The HACCP system benefits all, the consumers, industry and the government as it focuses on prevention rather than relying mainly on end product testing. This scientific and systematic system is cost‐effective and leads to reduced product loss and wastage, and assures the safety of pharmaceutical products. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Principal component analysis applied to filtered signals for maintenance management
Authors: García Márquez Fausto Pedro , García‐Pardo Isidro Peña 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper presents an approach for detecting and identifying faults in railway infrastructure components. The method is based on pattern recognition and data analysis algorithms. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to reduce the complexity of the data to two and three dimensions. PCA involves a mathematical procedure that transforms a number of variables, which may be correlated, into a smaller set of uncorrelated variables called ‘principal components’. In order to improve the results obtained, the signal was filtered. The filtering was carried out employing a state–space system model, estimated by maximum likelihood with the help of the well‐known recursive algorithms such as Kalman filter and fixed interval smoothing. The models explored in this paper to analyse system data lie within the so‐called unobserved components class of models. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing mold changing time by implementing Lean Six Sigma
Authors: Lee Kuo‐Liang , Wei Chun‐Chin 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSix Sigma is a well‐structured methodology that focuses on reducing variation, measuring defects and improving the quality of products, processes and services. Lean Production is an approach that focuses on reducing the cycle time and eliminating waste in processes. Combining the principles of Six Sigma and Lean can achieve synergistic results that neither system can achieve alone. This paper presents a case study at a printed circuit board company in China illustrating how the company effectively applied a Lean Six Sigma project. The mold changing time in In‐circuit test process is examined. Numerous improvement actions and a control plan are developed and implemented to sustain and enhance the efficiency of the mold changing process. Finally, the benefits, experience and extensions of the Lean Six Sigma project are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Revisiting the foundations of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules: The subsystem variational procedure and the finite nuclear models
Authors: Nasertayoob Payam , Shahbazian Shant 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe role of finite nuclear models (FNMs) is scrutinized within the context of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIMs). It is demonstrated that the newly proposed analytic‐algebraic definition of the topological atoms is consistently extendable to the cases where a FNM is employed to construct the molecular hamiltonian. The whole variational procedure is reconsidered, and the insensitivity of final results relative to the employed FNMs is explicitly demonstrated. The analysis once again clearly demonstrates that the analytic‐algebraic condition is an independent axiom that must be added to the subsystem variational procedure to construct the QTAIMs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Mechanisms for H2O decomposition on the Si(111)‐7 × 7 surface: A DFT cluster model study
Authors: Peng Xinyu , Wang Xueye , Liu Liming , Wang Yanling , Tan Yuanqiang 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe mechanisms for the complete decomposition of water molecules on the Si (111)‐7 × 7 surface were investigated theoretically. The reaction pathways for dissociation of four water molecules over the adatom and rest atom sites were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with the B3LYP functional. The calculated results demonstrated that the initial OH bond dissociation from the first H2O to form the adsorbed OH species is more preferential on the adatom site (Sia) than the rest atom site (Sir) of Si (111)‐7 × 7. Four water molecules dissociate successively over the adatom site, backbonds of adatoms which are saturated by OH species can reasonably be the place of insertion of oxygen atoms, yielding a tetrahedral SiO4 structure with one on top and three inserted oxygen atoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Theoretical studies on geometry, solvent effect, and photochromic mechanism of two bis‐heterocyclic compounds containing pyrazolone ring
Authors: Liu Anjie , Wu Dongling , Jia Dianzeng , Liu Lang 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTwo bis‐heterocyclic compounds containing pyrazolone ring, 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐(6‐hydro‐4‐amino‐5‐sulfo‐2,3‐pyrazine)‐pyrazole‐5‐one and 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐(6‐hydro‐4‐methylamino‐5‐sulfo‐2,3‐pyrazine)‐pyrazole‐5‐one, are investigated to gain a deeper insight into their geometries and photochromic mechanism by applying density functional theory. The solvent effects are simulated using the polarizable continuum model of the self‐consistent reaction field theory. Bader's atom‐in‐molecule theory is used to investigate the nature of hydrogen bonds. The data of energy, dipole moments, and the condensed Fukui functions have been calculated to assess the stability and reactivity of the title compounds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Measuring hydrogen–deuterium exchange in protein monolayers
Authors: Smith Jack R. , Cicerone Marcus T. , Meuse Curtis W. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy assay to measure hydrogen–deuterium exchange (HDX) in surface‐adsorbed protein monolayers is developed to provide information on protein tertiary structure, because the typical secondary structural analysis of our surface and solution protein samples proved to be very similar. Adsorbed protein HDX is quantified by exposing the protein to a 50% deuterated NaPO4 buffer solution and then measuring the normalized intensity change of the amide II band in the FTIR reflection spectrum. When collected as a function of exchange time, this intensity follows the kinetics of the exposure of the protein amides to solvent. HDX kinetics have been obtained for bovine serum albumin (BSA) in solution and adsorbed to gold surfaces. Using experiments designed to allow comparisons between protein in solution and on surfaces, the extent of HDX was found to increase over that observed for BSA in solution, consistent with an increase in the exposure of albumin amide groups and protein unfolding upon adsorption. We also show that BSA adsorbs to the surface of gold in multilayers and that the increase in amide exposure is present only in the first adsorbed monolayer. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault‐driven stress testing of distributed real‐time software based on UML models
Authors: Garousi Vahid 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn a previous article, a stress testing methodology was reported to detect network traffic‐related Real‐Time (RT) faults in distributed RT systems based on the design UML model of a System Under Test (SUT). The stress methodology, referred to as Test LOcation‐driven Stress Testing (TLOST), aimed at increasing the chances of RT failures (violations in RT constraints) associated with a given stress test location (an network or a node under test). As demonstrated and experimented in this article, although TLOST is useful in stress testing different test locations (nodes and network, it does not guarantee to target (test) all RT constraints in an SUT. This is because the durations of message sequences bounded by some RT constraints might never be exercised (covered) by TLOST. A complementary stress test methodology is proposed in this article, which guarantees to target (cover) all RT constraints in an SUT and detect their potential RT faults (if any). Using a case study, this article shows that the new complementary methodology is capable of targeting the RT faults not detected by the previous test methodology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxicity profiles of four metals and 17 xenobiotics in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and the protozoa Tetrahymena pyriformis—A comparison
Authors: Rudzok Susanne , Krejči Sebastian , Graebsch Carolin , Herbarth Olf , Mueller Andrea , Bauer Mario 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe performed an interspecies comparison for the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and the eukaryotic single cell organism Tetrahymena
pyriformis (T. pyriformis) for 17 xenobiotics with diverse structures and four metals. The cytotoxicity was assessed by four different cell viability assays (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction (MTT), neutral red uptake (NRU), resazurin dye (AlamarBlue), 5‐carboxyfluorescein diacetate acetoxymethyl ester (CFDA‐AM)) for the HepG2 and by cell count and MTT for T. pyriformis. For HepG2 cells, the results revealed interassay variations depending on the compound. The highest assay conformity was found for the metal Hg2+ and the fungicide prochloraz. The AlamarBlue assay was the most sensitive assay according to low‐effect concentrations. By contrast, the NRU assay was comprised of more frequent whole concentration response relationships and was more susceptible to EC50. For T. pyriformis the EC50 values of the two applied assays displayed a high conformity (R2 = 0.97). Comparing the EC50 values obtained by the MTT assay for the two cell models, a direct correlation was absent for the xenobiotics and only present for the metals (Cd2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+). Moreover, the protozoa T. pyriformis displayed a 20 times higher sensitivity than the cell line. The highest interspecies difference of three log degrees was obtained for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene. In addition, a correlation of the EC50 values and octanol‐water partition coefficient (log KOW) of the xenobiotics was performed. No correlation was found for HepG2, and a weak one for T. pyriformis. Interestingly, the interspecies difference of logarithmized EC50 correlated positive with the log KOW (R2 = 0.65). In conclusion, to obtain reliable evidence for human cytotoxicity, more than one viability/cytotoxicity assay had to be applied for cell lines. Second, the human hepatoma cell line was less affected by the organic compounds than the eukaryotic single‐cell organism and was also less dependent on the log KOW of the xenobiotic. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 171–186, 2011.
Treatment of early prostate cancer: radiotherapy, including brachytherapy
Authors: Tree Alison , Khoo Vincent 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe authors discuss the radical treatment of early localised prostate cancer by external beam radiotherapy and interstitial therapy, also called prostate brachytherapy. They outline the different techniques available and emphasise the importance of discussing the relative advantages and disadvantages of each with the patient. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Phosphorylated insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 in cervical secretions and sonographic cervical length in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Paternoster D. , Riboni F. , Vitulo A. , Plebani M. , Dell'Avanzo M. , Battagliarin G. , Surico N. , Nicolini U. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the test for the decidual phosphorylated isoform of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 (phIGFBP‐1) in endocervical secretions in predicting preterm delivery in women with uterine contractions.MethodsThe study included 210 women with a singleton pregnancy with documented uterine contractions and intact membranes at between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation who underwent the cervicovaginal phIGFBP‐1 test and transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length. A receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the most useful cut‐off point for cervical length. A multivariate logistic regression model was used in order to analyze the combination of significant predictive variables for preterm delivery following univariate analysis.ResultsROC curves indicated that 26 mm was the optimal cut‐off value for cervical length in predicting preterm delivery. A cervical length of < 26 mm and the presence of phIGFBP‐1 were statistically significant in univariate logistic regression analyses (P < 0.0001) with odds ratios of 16.18 and 9.29 for preterm delivery, respectively. Multivariate analysis of cervical length and phIGFBP‐1 showed that they were independent and therefore useful in combination for predicting preterm delivery.ConclusionsCervical length and the phIGFBP‐1 test are independent variables that can be used together to predict preterm delivery in women with uterine contractions. A sonographically measured cervical length of > 26 mm with a negative phIGFBP‐1 test in a patient with regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks' gestation seems to indicate a low risk of preterm delivery and may therefore allow avoidance of unnecessary therapies. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.