bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticancer Potential of Euphorbia helioscopia L Extracts Against Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Zhe Yuan , Liu Hai Peng , Zhang You Cheng , Guo Liu Qing , Li Zhong Xin , Shi Xiao Feng 
Published: December 2011

AbstractEuphorbia helioscopia L is considered a traditional Chinese herb which is widely distributed in China. The active anticancer fractions and anticancer mechanism of the herb are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the growth inhibitory effects of Euphorbia helioscopia L extracts on five different human cancer cell lines for screening the main active fraction with antitumor effect. In this regard, the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) was found to markedly inhibit the proliferation of SMMC‐7721 cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. EAE treatment arrested cell cycle in G‐1 phase and EAE used at the concentration range of 100–200 μg/mL induced a marked increase of subdiploid peak. After EAE treatment at the concentrations of 150 and 200 μg/mL, the percentage of apoptotic cells was increased. At the EAE concentration of 200 μg/mL, the typical morphology of early apoptotic change was observed in SMMC‐7721 cells. Since tumorigenesis is often defined by an uncontrolled proliferation and transplantability, we also determined the anti‐invasive effects of EAE. The EAE treatment displayed a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on tumor cell invasion and MMP‐9 expression. Also, the major active fraction was assayed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data showed that the flavonoids could be the main constituents of EAE. Based on the evidence from these data, we inferred that the EAE of Euphorbia helioscopia L could have chemopreventive potential against the human cancer. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass casualty incident training in a resource-limited environment
Authors: Leow J J , Brundage S I , Kushner A L , Kamara T B , Hanciles E , Muana A , Kamara M M , Daoh K S , Kingham T P 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
A mass casualty incident (MCI) occurs when a disaster involves a large number of injured people, overwhelming the capacity of local emergency medical services. This article describes the planning and execution of a MCI workshop created for use in Sierra Leone, a low-income country.

Methods
Surgeons OverSeas (SOS), an international non-governmental organization, partnered with the Sierra Leone Office of National Security and Connaught Hospital to develop a 2-day MCI workshop designed to meet needs specific to their resource-limited environment. Pre- and post-course questionnaires were completed. Day 1 consisted of didactic teaching focused on triage principles, resource deployment, communication/operations and tabletop drills. On day 2 a mock MCI with performance assessments by independent observers was staged, followed by post-event debriefing.

Results
Pre-course questionnaires identified the following deficits: lack of triage training (29 per cent), and transportation (19 per cent) and communication (17 per cent) shortfalls. Only 11 per cent could define MCI. During the drill, on-scene and hospital triage was accurate in 28 (93 per cent) and 23 (77 per cent) of 30 casualties respectively. Systematic deficiencies identified included: transport issues, no accurate system for tracking victims, and undersized triage areas. Participants identified interagency coordination (63 of 136 responses; 46·3 per cent) and triage (32 of 136; 23·5 per cent) as the most valuable lessons learned.

Conclusion
Pre-existing MCI programmes based on first-world logistics do not account for challenges encountered when caring for casualties in resource-constrained settings. Logistical training, rather than medical skills or knowledge, was identified as the educational priority.
Current practice of carotid endarterectomy in the UK
Authors: Rudarakanchana N , Halliday A W , Kamugasha D , Grant R , Waton S , Horrocks M , Naylor A R , Rudd A G , Cloud G C , Mitchell D 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces the risk of stroke in patients with internal carotid stenosis of 50–99 per cent. This study assessed national surgical practice through audit of CEA procedures and outcomes.

Methods
This was a prospective cohort study of UK surgeons performing CEA, using clinical audit data collected continuously and reported in two rounds, covering operations from December 2005 to December 2007, and January 2008 to September 2009.

Results
Some 352 (92·6 per cent) of 380 eligible surgeons contributed data. Of 19 935 CEAs recorded by Hospital Episode Statistics, 12 496 (62·7 per cent) were submitted to the audit. A total of 10 452 operations (83·6 per cent) were performed for symptomatic carotid stenosis; among these patients, the presenting symptoms were transient ischaemic attack in 4507 (43·1 per cent), stroke in 3572 (34·2 per cent) and amaurosis fugax in 1965 (18·8 per cent). The 30-day mortality rate was 1·0 per cent (48 of 4944) in round 1 and 0·8 per cent (50 of 6151) in round 2; the most common cause of death was stroke, followed by myocardial infarction. The rate of death or stroke within 30 days of surgery was 2·5 per cent (124 of 4918) in round 1 and 1·8 per cent (112 of 6135) in round 2.

Conclusion
CEA is performed less commonly in the UK than in other European countries and probably remains underutilized in the prevention of stroke. Increasing the number of CEAs done in the UK, together with reducing surgical waiting times, could prevent more strokes.
Adapting to Substrate Challenges: Peptides as Catalysts for Conjugate Addition Reactions of Aldehydes to α,β‐Disubstituted Nitroolefins
Authors: Duschmalé Jörg , Wennemers Helma 
Published: December 2011

AbstractConjugate addition reactions of aldehydes to α,β‐disubstituted nitroolefins are important because they provide synthetically useful γ‐nitroaldehydes bearing three consecutive stereogenic centers. Such reactions are challenging due to the drastically lower reactivity of α,β‐disubstituted nitroolefins compared to, for example, β‐monosubstituted nitroolefins. The testing of a small collection of peptides of the type Pro‐Pro‐Xaa (Xaa=acidic amino acid) led to the identification of H‐Pro‐Pro‐D‐Gln‐OH and H‐Pro‐Pro‐Asn‐OH as excellent stereoselective catalysts for this transformation. In the presence of 5 mol % of these peptides different combinations of aldehydes and α,β‐disubstituted nitroolefins react readily with each other providing γ‐nitroaldehydes in good yields and diastereoselectivities as well as excellent enantioselectivities. Chiral pyrrolidines as well as fully substituted γ‐butyrolactams and γ‐amino acids are easily accessible from the γ‐nitroaldehydes. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the configuration at all three stereogenic centers is induced by the peptidic catalysts. Only a minimal amount of products from homo‐aldol reactions is observed demonstrating the high chemoselectivity of the peptidic catalysts.
Practical Azidation of 1,3‐Dicarbonyls
Authors: Harschneck Tobias , Hummel Sara , Kirsch Stefan F. , Klahn Philipp 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAn operationally simple, direct azidation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds has been developed. The reaction proceeds readily under ambient conditions using sodium azide and an iodine‐based oxidant such as I2 or 2‐iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX)‐SO3K/NaI. In particular, the latter method, as a new and well‐balanced oxidizing agent, shows excellent functional group tolerance and substrate scope and thus allows access to a variety of tertiary 2‐azido and 2,2‐bisazido 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds that would be more difficult to access by using traditional methods. Because the azide‐containing products easily undergo 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with alkynes, our report represents a novel route to analogues of sensitive complex molecules.
Analysis and implementation of a high‐efficiency zero‐voltage‐zero‐current‐switching DC–DC converter
Authors: Do Hyun‐Lark 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYA high‐efficiency zero‐voltage‐zero‐current‐switching DC–DC converter with ripple‐free input current is presented. In the presented converter, the ripple‐free boost cell provides ripple‐free input current and zero‐voltage switching of power switches. The resonant flyback cell provides zero‐voltage switching of power switches and zero‐current switching of the output diode. Also, it has a simple output stage. The proposed converter achieves high efficiency because of the reduction of the switching losses of the power switches and the output diode. Detailed analysis and design of the proposed converter are carried out. A prototype of the proposed converter is developed and its experimental results are presented for validation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The POU‐domain protein Pdm3 regulates axonal targeting of R neurons in the Drosophila ellipsoid body
Authors: Chen Chien‐Kuo , Chen Wei‐Yu , Chien Cheng‐Ting 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe ability of axons to project correctly to the target is essential for the formation of complex neural networks. The intrinsic regulation of this process is still unclear. Here, we show that POU domain motif 3 (Pdm3) is required in ring (R) neurons to control precise axon targeting to the Drosophila ellipsoid body (EB). Pdm3 is expressed in neurons of the central nervous system in larvae and adults and required for the normal development of the EB of the central complex in the adult brain. The normal EB structure is abolished in pdm3 mutants, and this phenotype is rescued by pdm3 expression in R neurons, suggesting that the defect in axonal targeting of R neurons is the major cause in EB malformation in pdm3 mutants. We show that cell fate determination, dendritic arborization, and initial axon projection of R neurons are normal while the axonal targeting to the EB is defective in pdm3 mutants. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Proton Sponge Phosphanes: Reversibly Chargeable Ligands for ESI‐MS Analysis
Authors: Farrer Nicola J. , Vikse Krista L. , McDonald Robert , McIndoe J. Scott 
Published: December 2011

AbstractProton sponge phosphanes are unusual ligands in that they possess two basic sites with very different functions: the phosphorus binds to a metal center, while the 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene binds protons strongly. Both groups are selective for their target, and the binding of the proton iseasily reversible by controlling the pH of the solution. Proton sponge phosphanes therefore make useful chargeable ligands for the purposes of electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of the complexes in which they are bound. However, where the 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene is functionalized with the phosphane is critical, and the 1‐dimethylamino group can become involved in binding to the metal when diphenylphosphane is in the 2‐position. This behavior is undesirable from the point of view of keeping proton and metal binding segregated, and we introduce an efficient synthesis of the 4‐substituted proton sponge phosphane in which the two functional groups are on opposite sides of the naphthalene ring. This precaution solves the problem of the molecule acting as a bidentate ligand, but caution is still needed when using the ligand, because ionization pathways such as halide dissociation to form [M – X]+ ions and oxidation of electron‐rich metal complexes to form [M]·+ can be competitive with protonation.
A Novel MALDI‐MS Approach for the Analysis of Neutral Metallosupramolecular Architectures
Authors: Même Aurélie , Stefankiewicz Artur R. , Harrowfield Jack , Cao Xiao‐Yu , Huuskonen Juhani , Rissanen Kari , Lehn Jean‐Marie , Nierengarten Hélène , Leize Emmanuelle 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMatrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) methods have been developed for the characterisation of neutral [2×2] metallogrids derived fromdiimine, dihydrazone and diacylhydrazone ligands. Such grids may be protonated in solution to give cationic species but in most cases these are labile, so that rather delicate conditions are required for observation of the intact metallogrids as monoprotonated derivatives in the gas phase. As a MALDI matrix, 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP) is sufficiently acidic to enable monoprotonation of the grids unaccompanied by dissociation, and if the grid sample is initially deposited by a layering technique to avoid any preliminary dissociation in solution the mass spectrum of the intact monoprotonated grid is readily obtainable. The stoichiometry of 24 grids obtained from several different ligands and metals was confirmed with this optimized protocol. The deposition technique used means that the best signal‐to‐noise ratio in the spectra is obtained with only a small number of laser shots (ca. 5) to volatilise the sample. This MALDI‐MS protocol can be applied to the study of grid dissociation in solution and in the case of CuII grids, in particular, has revealed the formation of various unusual clusters. The crystal structure is reported of one such cluster that was isolated and contains a nonionisable ligand that is related to that incorporated within the grids analysed by the MALDI‐MS protocol.
Acute and chronic toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl 126 to Tigriopus japonicus: Effects on survival, growth, reproduction, and intrinsic rate of population growth
Authors: Guo Feng , Wang Lei , Wang Wen-Xiong 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus has a wide geographical distribution and is considered as a suitable model species for the assessment of toxicity of marine pollutants. The aim of the present study was to test the impacts of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) on the growth, development, and reproduction of T. japonicus in two successive generations. We first quantified the 96-h 50% lethal concentration (2.83 mg/L; all reported concentrations are nominal values), the no-observed-effect concentration (0.6 mg/L), and the lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC; 1.2 mg/L) of PCB126 in the nauplii. Nauplii were more sensitive than the adults, which still survived at the highest tested PCB126 concentration (8 mg/L). In the chronic toxicity testing, 10 life history traits were quantified for T. japonicus. No obvious effect on any of these traits was observed in the first generation (F0) at tested concentrations (&lt;100 µg/L) lower than the LOEC. During the second generational life-cycle exposure (F1), however, PCB126 had an obvious toxic effect on the reproduction (&gt;1 µg/L) and growth (&gt;0.1 µg/L). Thus, copepods became more sensitive to PCB126 exposure as generations developed. Among the different traits tested, body size was the most sensitive parameter. Reproduction (fecundity, number of clutches, nauplii/clutch) and intrinsic population growth were also significantly impacted by PCB exposure. The survivorship, sex ratio, hatching time, and development were not affected. Environmental risk assessment of contaminants must therefore be based on a long-term multigenerational exposure to provide a realistic measurement of the influences of pollutants on aquatic life. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:639–645. © 2011 SETAC
Environmental risk assessment for ancillary substances in biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals
Authors: Straub Jürg Oliver , Gysel Daniel , Kastl Ursula , Klemmer Jürgen , Sonderegger Marco , Studer Martin 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
An increasing number of pharmaceutical active substances are produced through biotechnological processes. For sustained and safe growth of the host organisms as well as optimal expression, purification, and formulation of the product, biotechnological manufacturing processes need optimal and robust environmental conditions, which are attained through the use of buffers, chelators, and antibiotics, beside nutrients. These ancillary substances are drained with the wastewater to a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and are released after treatment with the effluent to receiving waters. The potential risks of such substances to WWTPs and surface waters were investigated. Three common buffers (morpholinoethane sulfonic acid [MES], morpholinopropanesulfonic acid [MOPS], 1,4-piperazine (diethanesulfonic acid) [PIPES]), one chelator (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA]), and one antibiotic (gentamycin) were searched in the literature for environmental data or tested for biodegradability and inhibition of activated sludge as well as acute toxicity to algae, daphnids, and fish. Amounts of the ancillary substances used in the European biotechnological production plants of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in Basle (Switzerland) and Penzberg (Germany), and actual wastewater fluxes through the respective WWTP, as well as realistic dilution factors for the local receiving water, were documented. Based on this information, site-specific predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) for the WWTPs and surface waters in Basle and Penzberg were extrapolated. These PECs were compared with predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) for the WWTP and surface waters, derived from sludge inhibition and ecotoxicity results, respectively. For all five ancillary substances investigated, all PEC/PNEC risk characterization ratios are &lt;1, indicating no significant risk to the WWTPs or the receiving waters at both sites. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:681–687. © 2011 SETAC
Postrelapse survival rate correlates with first‐line treatment strategy with thalidomide in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Lida , Cui Jingying , liu Liping , Sheng Zhixin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTo define whether or not thalidomide exposure upfront to newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma would adversely impact postrelapse survival (PRS), we performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medline, Embase, the Cochrane controlled trials register and the Science Citation Index were searched. Thirteen trials were identified, covering a total of 6097 subjects, and PRS data were available from eight trials. The summary hazard ratio (thalidomide vs control) of all those trials for PRS was 1.23 [95% CI, 1.05–1.45]. The HRs of thalidomide maintenance subgroups were 0.90 [0.57–1.41] for PRS, 0.61 [0.44–0.83] for progression‐free survival ( PFS) and 0.54 [0.36–0.80] for overall survival, respectively. The corresponding ratios of thalidomide induction and maintenance subgroups were 1.41 [1.13–1.76] for PRS, 0.68 [0.59–0.79] for PFS and 0.87 [0.73–1.04] for overall survival, respectively. In conclusion, thalidomide exposed upfront correlated with shorter PRS that partially compensated for prolonged initially PFS and resulted in no survival benefit when it is given as both induction pre‐autologous and maintenance post‐autologous stem cell transplantation; shorter PRS was not observed, and survival was improved when it is given only during maintenance phase following autologous stem cell transplantation in the patients with myeloma and who are eligible for transplant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
M&A failures: Receivables and inventory may be key
Authors: Sagner James S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractResearchers estimate that at least 75 percent of all merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) deals fail to meet the expectations of the acquirer, of the acquiree, or of investment bankers. The reasons cited include incompatible management cultures, marketing strategies that do not mesh, overly optimistic financial projections, and more. But one critical factor in M&A—too often overlooked—is the accuracy of important current asset accounts, particularly accounts receivable and inventory. These concerns are often forgotten as investment bankers, accountants, and attorneys focus their attention on the “big picture” of the deal. This article examines these two current asset accounts, provides examples of problems that occurred in publicly held and private companies, and suggests specific metrics you can use to monitor receivables and inventory in takeover candidates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
trans–cisandtrans–cis–transMicrostructure Evolution of Azobenzene Liquid‐Crystal Polymer Networks
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Lee Kyung Min , White Timothy J. , Oates William S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe photomechanics of azobenzene LCNs is modeled using a nonlinear continuum mechanics approach that couples photoisomerization of liquid crystal domain structures with light absorption and deformation of a glassy polymer network. The effects during UV‐stimulatedtrans–cisphotomechanical deformation versus blue‐green light (trans–cis–trans) photomechanical deformation are simulated. Different bending deformation is predicted by assuming liquid‐crystal order/disorder behavior duringtrans–cisphotoisomerization in comparison to light‐polarization‐driven reorientation of thetransphase during potentialtrans‐cis‐transphotoisomerization. Light‐controlled deformation mechanisms offer support for improved control of photo‐responsive morphing structures with a single blue‐green polarized light source.magnified image
Three‐dimensional water/fat separation and T estimation based on whole‐image optimization—Application in breathhold liver imaging at 1.5 T
Authors: Berglund Johan , Kullberg Joel 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe chemical shift of water and fat resonances in proton MRI allows separation of water and fat signal from chemical shift encoded data. This work describes an automatic method that produces separate water and fat images as well as quantitative maps of fat signal fraction and T from complex multiecho gradient‐recalled datasets. Accurate water and fat separation is challenging due to signal ambiguity at the voxel level. Whole‐image optimization can resolve this ambiguity, but might be computationally demanding, especially for three‐dimensional data. In this work, periodicity of the model fit residual as a function of the off‐resonance was used to modify a previously proposed formulation of the problem. This gives a smaller solution space and allows rapid optimization. Feasibility and accurate separation of water and fat signal were demonstrated in breathhold three‐dimensional liver imaging of 10 volunteer subjects, with both acquisition and reconstruction times below 20 s. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simple method for MR gradient system characterization and k‐space trajectory estimation
Authors: Addy Nii Okai , Wu Holden H. , Nishimura Dwight G. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractFast imaging trajectories are used in MRI to speed up the acquisition process, but imperfections in the gradient system create artifacts in the reconstructed images. Artifacts result from the deviation between k‐space trajectories achieved on the scanner and their original prescription. Measuring or approximating actual k‐space trajectories with predetermined gradient timing delays reduces the artifacts, but are generally based on a specific trajectory and scan orientation. A single linear time‐invariant characterization of the gradient system provides a method to predict k‐space trajectories scanned in arbitrary orientations through convolution. This is done efficiently, by comparing the Fourier transforms of the input and measured waveforms of a single high‐bandwidth test gradient waveform. This new method is tested for spiral, interleaved echo‐planar, and three‐dimensional cones imaging, demonstrating its ability to reduce reconstructed image artifacts for various k‐space trajectories. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.