bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
(±)3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy”) treatment modulates expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in multiple regions of adult rat brain
Authors: Hemmerle Ann M. , Dickerson Jonathan W. , Herring Nicole R. , Schaefer Tori L. , Vorhees Charles V. , Williams Michael T. , Seroogy Kim B. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract(±)3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a widely used drug of abuse, rapidly reduces serotonin levels in the brain when ingested or administered in sufficient quantities, resulting in deficits in complex route‐based learning, spatial learning, and reference memory. Neurotrophins are important for survival and preservation of neurons in the adult brain, including serotonergic neurons. In this study, we examined the effects of MDMA on the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and their respective high‐affinity receptors, tropomyosin receptor kinase (trk)B and trkC, in multiple regions of the rat brain. A serotonergic‐depleting dose of MDMA (10 mg/kg × 4 at 2‐hour intervals on a single day) was administered to adult Sprague‐Dawley rats, and brains were examined 1, 7, or 24 hours after the last dose. Messenger RNA levels of BDNF, NT‐3, trkB, and trkC were analyzed by using in situ hybridization with cRNA probes. The prefrontal cortex was particularly vulnerable to MDMA‐induced alterations in that BDNF, NT‐3, trkB, and trkC mRNAs were all upregulated at multiple time points. MDMA‐treated animals had increased BDNF expression in the frontal, parietal, piriform, and entorhinal cortices, increased NT‐3 expression in the anterior cingulate cortex, and elevated trkC in the entorhinal cortex. In the nigrostriatal system, BDNF expression was upregulated in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and trkB was elevated in the striatum in MDMA‐treated animals. Both neurotrophins and trkB were differentially regulated in several regions of the hippocampal formation. These findings suggest a possible role for neurotrophin signaling in the learning and memory deficits seen following MDMA treatment. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2459–2474, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lack of robust LGN label following transneuronal rabies virus injections into macaque area V4
Authors: Lyon David C. , Rabideau Cameron 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn primates, retinal inputs are relayed through the magno‐ and parvocells of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) indirectly to extrastriate visual cortex. The most direct pathway identified to the extrastriate cortex is a disynaptic one that provides robust magno‐ and parvocellular inputs to the middle temporal area (MT). The inclusion of parvocells in this projection is somewhat surprising because of their importance for color and form vision, whereas MT is more strictly tuned to velocity. This raises the question of whether areas more involved in color and form processing, such as V4, receive similar projections. We report here on experiments that use rabies virus injections into V4 to retrogradely label mono‐ and disynaptic inputs. We find only a small number of labeled neurons in the LGN in a pattern consistent with monosynaptic labeling of koniocells, rather than disynaptic labeling of magno‐ and parvocells. The lack of robust magno‐ and parvocellular label was not due to ineffective viral transport because in the same cases we find hundreds of neurons labeled in the thalamic reticular nucleus, a structure that can only be labeled disynaptically from the cortex. We also find a complete absence of neurons labeled in V1, but thousands in adjacent areas V2 and V3. This result helps explain the absence of labeled magno‐ and parvocells in the LGN because disynaptic transport from an extrastriate visual area should require a relay through V1. Taken together, these results suggest that ascending magno/parvocellular inputs to V4 are more hierarchically organized than the relatively direct inputs to MT. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2500–2511, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative Study of the Semiconducting Properties of Benzothiadiazole and Benzobis(thiadiazole) Derivatives Using Computational Techniques
Authors: Thomas Anup , Bhanuprakash Kotamarthi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractRecent literature reports indicate that derivatives of benzothiadiazole (BT) and benzobis(thiadiazole) (BBT), which differs from BT by an extra thiadiazole ring, exhibit good semiconducting properties, such as high electron mobility and low‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular‐orbital (LUMO) levels. In this study herein, computational techniques like density functional theory (DFT), spin‐flip DFT and valence‐bond methods are used to analyze the semiconducting properties of these molecules. Calculations at the B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ level reveal that all the BBT molecules, including the bare BBT ring, have lower lying LUMO energies (3.70–4.11 eV) compared to the BT derivatives (2.56–3.41 eV) with similar substitution. The reorganization energies (λ+/λ−) obtained at this level of theory of the BT derivatives are around (225–333)/(246–315) meV, while BBT derivatives have much smaller reorganization energies and these are in the range of (129–259)/(150–230) meV. We observe that the different behavior of BBT is due to the inherited biradicaloid character from the parent molecule tetramethylenebenzene (TMB), a disjoint non‐Kekule biradical having non‐bonding molecular orbitals (NBMOs) as the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and LUMO. Additionally, the perturbation of the orbitals of the biradical TMB to obtain BBT is the major cause for the BBT derivatives to have a larger electron affinity (EA) and a smaller HOMO–LUMO gap (HLG) compared to BT derivatives.
The Use of Environmental Policy Instruments for Urban Wastewater Control: Evidences from an International Survey
Authors: Xenarios Stefanos , Bithas Kostas 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe use of environmental policy instruments as an effective approach for wastewater management has been of increasing debate. The relevant literature is mainly directed to the role of these instruments for the mitigation of air emissions, although occasionally policy implications for wastewater are noted. Empirical evidence regarding the performance of environmental instruments in wastewater management is scarce. There is thus often a discrepancy between the design and application stages of an instrument by a failure to attain the pursued targets in wastewater policy. This paper investigates the appropriateness of major applied environmental instruments and of combinatory options for wastewater pollution control. The research is based on an international survey of experienced experts and decision‐makers in developed urban wastewater systems. The results suggest a strong preference for taxes and, to a lesser extent, for command‐and‐control approaches. The country origin of the respondents appears to be a significant factor for the preference of particular instruments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Pyridocarbazole‐Rhodium(III) Complexes as Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Dieckmann Sandra , Riedel Radostan , Harms Klaus , Meggers Eric 
Published: January 2012

AbstractInert metal complexes are sophisticated structural scaffolds for the design of enzyme inhibitors. Whereas previous work from our laboratory was predominantly based on ruthenium(II), this study evaluates the suitability of rhodium in the +3 oxidation state to serve as a structural centre for the design of inert metal‐based enzyme inhibitors. Based on our established staurosporine‐inspired metallo‐pyridocarbazole scaffold, strategies for the convenient synthesis of rhodium(III)‐pyridocarbazole complexes were developed and applied to the synthesis of protein kinase inhibitors. The structures of several rhodium complexes were investigated by X‐ray crystallography. A stability study confirmed the high kinetic inertness of such rhodium complexes under biologically relevant conditions, such as the presence of millimolar concentrations of thiols. Finally, an extremely potent, picomolar rhodium inhibitor for the protein kinase Pim1 was discovered. Thus, it can be concluded that rhodium(III) expands the toolbox for the design of inert metal complexes with biological activity.
Thermal stability of some flavonoids and phenolic acids in sheep tallow olein
Authors: Elhamirad Amir Hosein , Zamanipoor Mohammad Hasan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn this study, the thermal stability of some phenolic antioxidants including flavonoids (quercetin and catechin) and phenolic acids (gallic acid, tannic acid, ellagic acid and caffeic acid) in tallow olein was investigated. Tallow olein fractionated from sheep tallow fat was used as a medium to study the antioxidant activity at 120, 140, 160 and 180°C. In order to extract tallow olein, a three‐stage fractionation method was performed on sheep tallow fat at the constant temperatures of 25, 15 and 5°C using acetone as a solvent. The results suggested that quercetin and ellagic acid had the highest thermal stability amongst others, while gallic acid and caffeic acid exhibited the least thermal stability.Practical applications: The sheep tallow fat has been primarily used in soap manufacturing and its application as an edible fat has been limited due to its high content of saturated fatty acids. Extraction of the liquid phase of tallow fat (tallow olein) by fractionation reduces its long‐chain saturated fatty acid content to an acceptable level for edible consumption. The fractionation process, as negatively affects the stability to autoxidation, should be followed by stabilisation with antioxidants. The recent interest in natural antioxidants encouraged the authors to investigate the thermal stability of phenolic antioxidants in tallow olein. It is necessary to determine the thermal stability of antioxidants to predict their appropriateness to be used in high‐temperature applications such as deep frying. Fractionation and stabilisation with appropriate antioxidants are the important steps to utilise tallow olein as an edible oil for different applications in salad formulations, cooking and frying.
An Efficient Multigram Synthesis of Alkannin and Shikonin
Authors: Wang Rubing , Zhou Shanshan , Jiang Hudagula , Zheng Xiaogang , Zhou Wen , Li Shaoshun 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe concise and efficient total syntheses of alkannin (1) and shikonin (2), based on the resolution of a key acid intermediate, are achieved with excellent enantiomeric excesses and high overall yields (99 % ee, 15.6 % for 1 and 99.8 % ee, 11.9 % for 2). The key steps of the synthetic strategy involve the convenient synthesis and separation of a pair of amide diastereoisomers and the mild hydrolysis of the amide to remove the amine chiral auxiliary, together with an efficient deprotection sequence of the methyl protecting groups.
An Electrochemical Transducer Based on a Pentacene Double‐Gate Thin‐Film Transistor
Authors: Göllner Martin , Glasbrenner Georg , Nickel Bert 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe report an electrochemical transducer based on an organic double‐gate transistor. The bottom‐gate is given by a p‐doped silicon substrate, which is covered by 300 nm thermal oxide. A 20 nm pentacene film acts as the semiconducting layer, and a 50 nm tetratetracontane (TTC) alkane film is used as a top‐gate dielectric. An aqueous ionic solution acts as top‐gate. We record the transistor transfer characteristics by variation of the electrolyte potential via a Ag/AgCl electrode for various bottom‐gate settings. A change of the electrolyte potential results in a change of the transistor current and the characteristic behaviour of the device is in good agreement with the expected behaviour of a double‐gate transistor. The top‐gate capacitance of the alkane layer is as high as 2.6×10−8 F cm−2 determined by impedance measurements, indicating that TTC is a good choice as an organic top‐gate dielectric. The suitability of this transducer configuration for sensing in aqueous media is demonstrated by the detection of hexanoic acid and stearic acid molecules adsorbing to the alkane interface, respectively. We show that the transducer easily achieves a concentration sensitivity in the range of 100 nM.
Recent Trends for (Bio)Chemical Impedance Sensor Electronic Interfaces
Authors: Crescentini Marco , Bennati Marco , Tartagni Marco 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA large class of chemical and biological sensors have been based on electrical characterization of interfaces where sensing is often related to the characterization of interfaces between ion‐based and electron‐based conductive materials by means of typical electric variables such as voltage, current and charge. Integrated electronics has started a revolution in this field allowing very complex electronic systems to be shrunk to millimeter square sizes. This paper will introduce some recent trends in integrated sensor interface design, showing how progress in electronic devices and signal processing would enhance performance and applications of biochemical sensors.
Biofuel Cells for Self‐Powered Electrochemical Biosensing and Logic Biosensing: A Review
Authors: Zhou Ming , Wang Joseph 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article reviews recent advances and progress in developing electrochemical (EC) biosensing and logic biosensing systems based on self‐powered biofuel cells (BFCs). BFCs that exploit enzymes and microbes have attracted a considerable recent interest owing to their unique ability to provide sustainable energy from renewable fuel source under mild conditions. This review focuses on recently introduced novel concepts for using BFCs as the basic element for EC‐biosensing and especially EC‐logic biosensing applications. The fabrication and design of such self‐powered EC‐biosensing and EC‐logic biosensing are described along and different new approaches for BFCs‐based EC‐biosensing and EC‐logic biosensing involving substrate effects, inhibition effects, blocking effects and gene regulation effects. Latest advances in coupling a self‐powered diagnostic operation with logic‐activated drug release functionality are discussed. We conclude with the implications of the new self‐powered biosensing/logic‐biosensing platforms along with future prospects and challenges.
Rock fall dynamics and deposition: an integrated analysis of the 2009 Ahwiyah Point rock fall, Yosemite National Park, USA
Authors: Zimmer Valerie L. , Collins Brian D. , Stock Greg M. , Sitar Nicholas 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWe analyzed a combination of airborne and terrestrial LiDAR, high‐resolution photography, seismic, and acoustic data in order to gain insights into the initiation, dynamics, and talus deposition of a complex rock fall. A large (46 700 m3) rock fall originated from near Ahwiyah Point in eastern Yosemite Valley and fell a total of 730 m to the valley floor on 28 March 2009. Analyses of remote sensing, seismic, and acoustic data were integrated to reconstruct the rock fall, which consisted of (1) the triggering of a 25 400 m3 rock block in an area of intersecting and sometimes highly weathered joint planes, (2) the sliding and subsequent ballistic trajectory of the block from a steeply dipping ledge, (3) dislodging of additional rock from the cliff surface from beneath the rock fall source area, (4) a mid‐cliff ledge impact that detached a volume of rock nearly equivalent in volume to the initial block, (5) sliding of the deteriorating rock mass down the remainder of the cliff, and (6) final impact at the base of the cliff that remobilized the existing talus downward and outward and produced an airblast that knocked down hundreds of trees. The depositional geomorphology indicates that the porosity of the fresh talus is significantly lower than that expected for typical blocky talus slopes, likely because the rock debris from this event was pulverized into smaller, more poorly sorted fragments and densified via dynamic compaction when compared to less energetic, fragmental‐type rock falls. These results suggest that accumulation of individual rock‐fall boulders tends to steepen talus slopes, whereas large, energetic rock falls tend to flatten them. Detachment and impact signals were recorded by seismic and acoustic instruments and highlight the potential use of this type of instrumentation for generalized rock fall monitoring, while LiDAR and photography data were able to quantify the cliff geometry, rock fall volume, source and impact locations, and geomorphological changes to the cliff and talus. Published in 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Adrenocortical dysfunction in liver disease: A systematic review
Authors: Fede Giuseppe , Spadaro Luisa , Tomaselli Tania , Privitera Graziella , Germani Giacomo , Tsochatzis Emmanuel , Thomas Michael , Bouloux Pierre-Marc , Burroughs Andrew K. , Purrello Francesco 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

In patients with cirrhosis, adrenal insufficiency (AI) is reported during sepsis and septic shock and is associated with increased mortality. Consequently, the term “hepato-adrenal syndrome” was proposed. Some studies have shown that AI is frequent in stable cirrhosis as well as in cirrhosis associated with decompensation other than sepsis, such as bleeding and ascites. Moreover, other studies showed a high prevalence in liver transplant recipients immediately after, or some time after, liver transplantation. The effect of corticosteroid therapy in critically ill patients with liver disease has been evaluated in some studies, but the results remain controversial. The 250-μg adreno-cortico-tropic-hormone stimulation test to diagnose AI in critically ill adult patients is recommended by an international task force. However, in liver disease, there is no consensus on the appropriate tests and normal values to assess adrenal function; thus, standardization of normal ranges and methodology is needed. Serum total cortisol assays overestimate AI in patients with cirrhosis, so that direct free cortisol measurement or its surrogates may be useful measurements to define AI, but further studies are needed to clarify this. In addition, the mechanisms by which liver disease leads to adrenal dysfunction are not sufficiently documented. This review evaluates published data regarding adrenal function in patients with liver disease, with a particular focus on the potential limitations of these studies as well as suggestions for future studies. (Hepatology 2012)
Two‐photon confocal imaging study: Cell uptake of two photon dyes‐labeled PAMAM dendrons in HeLa cells
Authors: Tsai Hsieh‐Chih , Imae Toyoko , Calderó Gabriela , Solans Conxita 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA two‐photon excitation difluoroboron dye activated in the near infrared region for biological image analysis was synthesized in this study. Cell affinity, membrane interaction, and the endocytosis pathway of PAMAM dendrons were investigated using only covalent two‐photon dyes (TPD) at the periphery of the PAMAM dendrons. Generation 3 TPD‐labeled PAMAM dendrons (BG3) exhibited multivalency binding on the HeLa cell membranes from the cell affinity study in the fixation of HeLa cells. Photo‐stimulation on the membrane of the living HeLa cell was observed by confocal optical imaging in situ, using the two‐photon model, when incubated with BG3. Analyses of cell membrane integrity via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay confirmed membrane damage at two photon excitation model. However, no variation in the cell was observed using the one‐photon excitation model. These results indicated a high degree of dendrons uptake by cells through binding to the cell membrane following the endocytotic pathway. Furthermore, the wide excitation fluorescence spectrum of difluoroboron dye provides dual imaging with which to study the endocytosis of TPD‐labeled PAMAM dendrons using a single near infrared laser. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation to PEGylated polymers with covalently linked RGD peptides
Authors: Wang Xin , Heath Daniel E. , Cooper Stuart L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA nonfouling peptide grafted polymer was synthesized that can promote endothelial cell (EC) binding. The polymer was composed of hexyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, and CGRGDS peptide. The peptide was incorporated into the polymer system either by a chain transfer reaction or by coupling to an acrylate‐PEG‐N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) comonomer. The introduction of PEG chains minimizes protein adsorption. Human umbilical vein ECs and endothelial colony forming cells were cultured on these surfaces in short term and long‐term studies. A difference in number and morphology of ECs was observed depending on the method of peptide incorporation. Both cell types adhered better to polymer films containing NHS coupled RGD peptide after 2 h even in the presence of albumin but significant cell detachment occurred after 4 days. Polymer solutions were electrospun into fibrous scaffolds. Both nonfouling and peptide binding characteristics were retained after processing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Intrathymic injection of lentiviral vector curtails the immune response in the periphery of normal mice
Authors: Gottrand Gaëlle , Taleb Kahina , Ragon Isabelle , Bergot Anne‐Sophie , Goldstein Jérémie D. , Marodon Gilles 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundGene transfer in the thymus, based on HIV‐derived lentiviral vectors, is a promising avenue for modulation of T cell selection and autoimmunity. However, the impact of intrathymic (IT) injections on an antigen‐specific immune response elicited in the periphery of normal mice has not been investigated yet.MethodsHighly concentrated stocks of lentiviral vectors expressing the soluble form of hemaglutinin of the influenza virus (LvHA) were injected in the thymus of normal BALB/c mice. The CD4 and CD8‐mediated immune responses to HA after peripheral immunization were measured by various parameters.ResultsWe first show that a lentiviral vector expressing the luciferase was detected for at least 2 months after IT‐injections. We then show that the LvHA vector could elicit a functional CD4‐ and CD8‐T cell‐mediated immune responses in the peripheral lymphoid organs of BALB/c mice. IT‐injection of the LvHA vector significantly curbed this response: lower numbers of transferred HA‐specific CD4+ T cells were found in LvHA‐injected compared to control animals. Furthermore, lower frequencies of HA‐specific CD8+ T cells, interferon γ‐producing cells and cytotoxic cells were detected from 3 weeks to 3 months in LvHA‐injected mice compared to controls. However, these reduced CD8‐mediated responses were not increased after depletion of CD25+ cells in vitro or in vivo.ConclusionsThe results obtained in the present study show that injection of the LvHA lentiviral vector significantly curtailed the immune response to the same antigen in the periphery. Increased selection of HA‐specific regulatory T cells and negative selection of HA‐specific CD8+ T cell precursors may explain the results. Our work establish the feasibility of IT‐injections of lentiviral vectors to manipulate T cell tolerance in the thymus of normal mice, for basic and pre‐clinical research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.