bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the impact of the T877A mutation on ligand‐induced helix‐12 positioning of the androgen receptor resulted in design and synthesis of novel antiandrogens
Authors: Zhou Jinming , Liu Bing , Geng Guoyan , Wu Jian Hui 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAntiandrogen flutamide, an antagonist of the wild‐type androgen receptor (AR), is used in the clinics for treating metastatic prostate cancer. However, the T877A mutated AR is paradoxically activated by hydroxyflutamide, an active form of flutamide. Despite of crystallographic studies, how the T877A mutation results in antagonist‐agonist conversion of hydroxyflutamide remains a puzzle. Here, started from a structural model of the apo form of AR ligand‐binding domain (AR‐LBD), we have investigated the impact of the T877A mutation on ligand‐induced helix‐12 positioning by replica‐exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations with an unique protocol, which is capable of simulating the H12 dynamics and keeping the main body of AR‐LBD unchanged. Specifically, (i) we have computationally demonstrated that on the binding of hydroxyflutamide, the apo form of H12 rearranges into the agonistic form in the T877A mutant, but into the antagonistic forms in the wild‐type receptor, shedding light on hydroxyflutamide agonism/antagonism; (ii) By REMD simulations, we have predicted antiandrogen SC184 is a non‐agonist of the T877A mutant. This was confirmed by luciferase assays; and (iii) on the basis of the binding modes of hydroxyflutamide and SC184 from the simulations, we designed a novel flutamide derivative called SC333, which was subsequently predicted to be a pure antagonist of the T877A mutant. We then synthesized and experimentally confirmed SC333 is a pan‐antiandrogen effective against the wild‐type and the T877A and W741C mutated ARs, showing low micromolar cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells. Importantly, we demonstrated that distribution of the H12 conformations from REMD simulations is correlated with ligand agonist/antagonist activity. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanism of shear transformation in Ge–Bi–Te alloys
Authors: Sun Chang Woo , Lee Jeong Yong , Kim Yong Tae 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSince the rhombohedral unit cell in the NaCl lattice is caused by distortion along the 〈111〉 NaCl direction, the same phenomenon is expected during phase transition of Ge–Bi–Te (GBT). With this assumption, we performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies on the phase transition in GBT alloys annealed at temperatures between the two crystallization temperatures. Atomic‐scale TEM images show the formation of a GBT intermediate structure during the phase transition. Using the obtained results, we developed a new phase transition model in which the Ge/Bi layers are ordered in the 〈111〉 direction; further, continuous shearing and dilation occur in the {111} plane in 〈110〉 direction. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Shine a light with nitrides
Authors: Schnick Wolfgang 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe Expert Opinion is written by a distinguished scientist and presents his personal view on important and relevant new results of research, highlighting their significance and putting the work into perspective for a broader audience. Please send comments to pss.rapid@wiley‐vch.de or to the author.The text by Wolfgang Schnick refers to the Rapid Research Letter by R. Mueller‐Mach et al., published in this issue of Phys. Status Solidi RRL 3, 215 (2009). (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A new subspace method for blind estimation of selective MIMO‐STBC channels
Authors: Vía Javier , Santamaría Ignacio , Pérez Jesús , Vielva Luis 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn this paper, a new technique for the blind estimation of frequency and/or time‐selective multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) channels under space‐time block coding (STBC) transmissions is presented. The proposed method relies on a basis expansion model (BEM) of the MIMO channel, which reduces the number of parameters to be estimated, and includes many practical STBC‐based transmission scenarios, such as STBC‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), space‐frequency block coding (SFBC), time‐reversal STBC, and time‐varying STBC encoded systems. Inspired by the unconstrained blind maximum likelihood (UML) decoder, the proposed criterion is a subspace method that efficiently exploits all the information provided by the STBC structure, as well as by the reduced‐rank representation of the MIMO channel. The method, which is independent of the specific signal constellation, is able to blindly recover the MIMO channel within a small number of available blocks at the receiver side. In fact, for some particular cases of interest such as orthogonal STBC‐OFDM schemes, the proposed technique blindly identifies the channel using just one data block. The complexity of the proposed approach reduces to the solution of a generalized eigenvalue (GEV) problem and its computational cost is linear in the number of sub‐channels. An identifiability analysis and some numerical examples illustrating the performance of the proposed algorithm are also provided. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Choledochal Cysts in Children and Adults with Contrasting Profiles: 11‐Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Center in Kashmir
Authors: Shah Omar J. , Shera Altaf H. , Zargar Showkat A. , Shah Parveen , Robbani Irfan , Dhar Sunil , Khan Athar B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackgroundCholedochal cyst is a surgical problem usually related to infancy and childhood. Despite advancements in management, a large number of cases still present during adulthood. The clinical course and outcome in children varies from that in adults. This study focuses on these variations in terms of presentation, management, histopathology, and outcome.MethodsAn in‐depth retrospective analysis was carried out on 79 patients presenting with choledochal cysts between December 2007 and January 1997. The patients were segregated into two groups: group A comprising 32 children and group B with 47 adults. The presentation, clinical evaluation, radiologic, and biochemical findings; operative details; pathologic findings; and early and long‐term complications in the two groups were studied on a comparative basis.ResultsThe male/female ratios were 1:3 and 1.0:2.3 in groups A and B, respectively. A history of previous biliary surgery, pancreatitis, cholangitis, peroperative difficulties, and early and late postoperative complications were 5.1, 5.4, 6.4, 5.4, 2.0, and 3.3 times more common in group B than in group A. However, the classic triad of jaundice, abdominal pain, and a mass was 6.7 times more common in group A than in group B. The classic triad and cholangitis were the only parameters that were statistically significant. Rare presentations of spontaneous perforation of the cyst or cachexia manifested only in group A patients. The methods of detection and operative treatment were identical for both groups. Histologically, fibrosis of the cyst wall was a feature peculiar to group A, whereas signs of inflammation and hyperplasia were predominantly seen in group B. In the group B series, one patient had cholangiocarcinoma and another gallbladder carcinoma; one more patient developed malignancy during follow‐up. Long‐term complications were seen in 29.7% of patients in group B versus 9.3% in group A; the most rampant complication was a type IVa cyst, seen in 68.7% of patients.ConclusionsCholedochal cysts present differently in adults and children; whereas children present with the classic triad, adults present with common biliary or infective complications. Although the methods of detection and surgical treatment are similar for the two groups, the type IVa cyst typically seen in the adult group creates a marked deviation with respect to long‐term complications such as ascending cholangitis, anastomotic strictures, stone formation, and development of cholangiocarcinoma. These are areas of grave concern that can be addressed to a large extent by providing an access loop during the initial surgery especially for type IVa cysts. The glaring differences in terms of presentation, histologic picture, and outcome urges us to consider choledochal cysts in children as a separate entity.
Synergistic Effect of Functionalized Nickel Nanoparticles and Quercetin on Inhibition of the SMMC-7721 Cells Proliferation
Authors: Guo Dadong , Wu Chunhui , Li Jingyuan , Guo Airong , Li Qingning , Jiang Hui , Chen Baoan , Wang Xuemei 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The effect of functionalized nickel (Ni) nanoparticles capped with positively charged tetraheptylammonium on cellular uptake of drug quercetin into hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SMMC-7721) has been explored in this study via microscopy and electrochemical characterization as well as MTT assay. Meanwhile, the influence of Ni nanoparticles and/or quercetin on cell proliferation has been further evaluated by the real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) study. Our observations indicate that Ni nanoparticles could efficiently improve the permeability of cancer cell membrane, and remarkably enhance the accumulation of quercetin in SMMC-7721 cells, suggesting that Ni nanoparticles and quercetin would facilitate the synergistic effect on inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells.
Nitro‐fatty Acids Occur in Human Plasma in the Picomolar Range: a Targeted Nitro‐lipidomics GC–MS/MS Study
Authors: Tsikas Dimitrios , Zoerner Alexander A. , Mitschke Anja , Gutzki Frank‐Mathias 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFirst studies on the occurrence of nitrated fatty acids in plasma of healthy subjects revealed basal concentrations of 600 nM for free/nonesterified nitro‐oleic acid (NO2‐OA) as measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). We recently showed by a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) method the physiological occurrence of two isomers, i.e., 9‐NO2‐OA and 10‐NO2‐OA, at mean basal plasma concentrations of 880 and 940 pM, respectively. In consideration of this large discrepancy we modified our originally reported method by replacing solid‐phase extraction (SPE) by solvent extraction with ethyl acetate and by omitting the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) step for a more direct detection and with the potential for lipidomics studies. Intra‐assay imprecision and accuracy of the modified method in human plasma were 1–34% and 91–221%, respectively, for added NO2‐OA concentrations in the range 0–3,000 pM. This method provided basal plasma concentrations of 306 ± 44 pM for 9‐NO2‐OA and 316 ± 33 pM for 10‐NO2‐OA in 15 healthy subjects. Nitro‐arachidonic acid and nitro‐linolenic acid were not detectable in the plasma samples. In summary, our studies show 9‐NO2‐OA and 10‐NO2‐OA as endogenous nitrated fatty acids in human plasma in the pM range; HPLC is recommendable as a sample clean‐up step for reliable quantification of nitro‐oleic acids by GC–MS/MS.
Cholesterol, Lipid Content, and Fatty Acid Composition of Different Tissues of Farmed Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from China
Authors: Liu Shu Cheng , Li De Tao , Hong Peng Zhi , Zhang Chao Hua , Ji Hong Wu , Gao Jia Long , Zhang Li 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMarine fishes are rich in n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are extremely important for human health. The objective of our work was to determine the content and composition of lipids and fatty acids in the different tissues of cobia from China and to evaluate their nutritional value. The results showed that cobia from China was rich in lipids; the neutral lipid content was above 82%; the content of cholesterol and phospholipid was low. Eighteen fatty acids were identified. Myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic acids (C18:0) were the main saturated acids; palmitoleic (C16:1n‐7) and oleic acid (C18:1n‐9) were the main monounsaturated fatty acids. EPA and DHA were the main PUFA; n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA were present as 12–18% and 2.6–3.2% of the total fatty acids, respectively. The n‐6/n‐3 ratio was in the range from 0.18 to 0.22, which was far lower than that (5:1) recommended by WHO/FAO. Therefore, cobia lipids from China have a high nutritional value.
Enzyme‐Assisted Aqueous Extraction of Kalahari Melon Seed Oil: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Nyam Kar Lin , Tan Chin Ping , Lai Oi Ming , Long Kamariah , Man Yaakob B. Che 
Published: August 2009

AbstractEnzymatic extraction of oil from Kalahari melon seeds was investigated and evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). Two commercial protease enzyme products were used separately: Neutrase® 0.8 L and Flavourzyme® 1000 L from Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark). RSM was applied to model and optimize the reaction conditions namely concentration of enzyme (20–50 g kg−1 of seed mass), initial pH of mixture (pH 5–9), incubation temperature (40–60 °C), and incubation time (12–36 h). Well fitting models were successfully established for both enzymes: Neutrase 0.8 L (R2 = 0.9410) and Flavourzyme 1000 L (R2 = 0.9574) through multiple linear regressions with backward elimination. Incubation time was the most significant reaction factor on oil yield for both enzymes. The optimal conditions for Neutrase 0.8 L were: an enzyme concentration of 25 g kg−1, an initial pH of 7, a temperature at 58 °C and an incubation time of 31 h with constant shaking at 100 rpm. Centrifuging the mixture at 8,000g for 20 min separated the oil with a recovery of 68.58 ± 3.39%. The optimal conditions for Flavourzyme 1000 L were enzyme concentration of 21 g kg−1, initial pH of 6, temperature at 50 °C and incubation time of 36 h. These optimum conditions yielded a 71.55 ± 1.28% oil recovery.
Characteristics of Oil from Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Bran from Tibet
Authors: Qian Junwei , Jiang Siping , Su Wentao , Gao Ping 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe bran of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) from Tibet was investigated. This paper reports on the physicochemical characteristics, lipid classes and fatty acids of the oil from the bran. The petroleum (60–90 °C) extract of hulless barley bran was found to be 8.1%. The investigated physiochemical parameters included density at 40 °C (0.96 g/cm3), refractive index at 40 °C (1.41), melting point (30.12 °C), acid value (11.6 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (19.41 μg/g), saponification value (337.62 mg KOH/g), iodine value (113.51 mg iodine/g) and unsaponifiable matter (4.5% of total lipids).The amount of neutral lipids in the crude oil was the highest (94.55% of total lipids), followed by glycolipids (4.20% of the total lipid) and phospholipids (1.25% of the total lipid). Linoleic acid (75.08% of total fatty acids) followed by palmitic acid (20.58% of total fatty acids), were the two major fatty acids in the oil. The results show that the oil from the hulless barley bran could be a good source of valuable essential fatty acids.
An age- and sex-matched comparative study on both-bone diaphyseal paediatric forearm fracture
Authors: Teoh Kar Hao , Chee Yu-Han , Shortt Nicholas , Wilkinson Graham , Porter Daniel E. 
Published: August 2009

Purpose Intramedullary (IM) nailing and plating are recognised fixation methods for both-bone midshaft forearm fractures. Although both methods are effective, IM nailing has recently been the accepted operative treatment for the paediatric population. The aim of the study was to compare the differences in the radiographic and functional outcomes of an age- and sex-matched cohort of children following treatment by IM fixation or plate fixation with screws for an unstable both-bone diaphyseal fracture. Methods A retrospective study was conducted and 17 age- and sex-matched pairs of patients returned for a research review clinic. The average age of our patients was 11.6 years at follow up, with 11 boys and six girls in each group. The mean follow up was similar in both groups (IM 31.5 months, plating 31.8 months). Results Plating and IM nailing result in good or excellent functional and radiological outcomes. Radiographs at the review clinic showed complete healing in the plating group, with reconstitution of the radial bow. Three patients in the IM group did not regain the natural radial bow radiographically. There were no significant differences between both groups for maximum radial bow and its location ( P > 0.05). However, the maximum radial bow was significantly different from normative values in both groups ( P = 0.003 plate, P = 0.005 IM). No non-union or malunion was observed. There were no significant differences in the loss of forearm motion and grip strength between both groups. There was no difference in the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) scores between both groups. The plating group had a significantly worse Manchester scar score than the IM group ( P = 0.012). One major complication was observed in each group: osteomyelitis for IM fixation and ulnar never palsy for plating. Conclusion Our study suggests that functional outcome is likely to be equivalent, regardless of which method of internal fixation is used.
“I Am Wholly Your Own”: Liturgical Piety and Community among the Nuns of Helfta
Authors: Harrison Anna 
Published: August 2009

When William James long ago characterized the God of the thirteenth-century Cistercian cloister of Helfta, in Saxony, as “full of partiality for his individual favorites,” he might have illustrated his claim with any number of passages from three of the surviving works composed by the nuns of Helfta, theBook of Special Grace, associated with Mechtild of Hackeborn (1241–ca. 1298/99), theHerald of Divine Love, associated with Gertrude of Helfta (1256–ca. 1301/02), and theSpiritual Exercises, written by Gertrude. James drew his readers' attention to the following account from theHerald:Suffering from a headache, she [Gertrude] sought, for the glory of God, to relieve herself by holding certain odoriferous substances in her mouth, when the Lord appeared to her to lean over towards her lovingly, and to find comfort himself in these odors. After having gently breathed them in, He arose, and said with a gratified air to the Saints, as if contented with what he had done: “See the new present which my betrothed has given Me!”
Process evaluation of schistosomiasis control in Uganda, 2003 to 2006: perceptions, attitudes and constraints of a national programme
Authors: FLEMING F. M. , FENWICK A. , TUKAHEBWA E. M. , LUBANGA R. G. N. , NAMWANGYE H. , ZARAMBA S. , KABATEREINE N. B. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYSchistosomiasis is widespread in Uganda along large lakes and rivers with approximately 4 million people infected. Hookworm infections also prevalent throughout the country, while infections withAscaris lumbricoidesandTrichuris trichiuraare mainly found in south-western Uganda. A national programme aimed at controlling morbidity due to these infections was launched in 2003. This article describes the perceptions, attitudes, constraints and experiences of those implementing the programme and those receiving the treatment. The study used qualitative data collected largely in two districts but also from 18 other districts implementing the programme. Results showed that mass treatment was perceived to be beneficial because the drugs make people feel better. However, side-effects of praziquantel (PZQ), the smell and size of the tablets and the use of height, not weight, to determine dose were raised as major factors discouraging people from taking the drug. Generally, most of the end-users were appreciative of the programme and were beginning to demand regular treatment. Nevertheless, intensive and sustained health education is still vital for improvement of treatment coverage, especially among the non-compliers. It was repeatedly highlighted that there is a need to stock PZQ in all health facilities in endemic areas. Provision of incentives to drug distributors and to involve as many stakeholders as possible in the planning phase were also raised by respondents. Lessons learned for the development and success of a helminth control programme at a national scale are discussed.
Crossing boundaries: The nexus of time, space, person, and place in narrative
Authors: SCHIFFRIN DEBORAH 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTRecent research on narrative has widened the scope of analysis, suggesting the value of reexamining the canonical Labovian view of the structure and function of personal-experience narrative. This article suggests that narrative is not simply a way of evoking and shaping experience in time. Rather, narrative can evoke and shape cultural “chronotopes” (Bakhtin 1981) or nexuses of time, space, and identity. To illustrate this, I analyze a narrative from an oral history related in 1972 by a young woman whose volunteer work in the mid-1960s led to the rehabilitation of a small African American enclave in a middle-class White suburb. Analysis of clause types, constructed dialogue, existentialthere, deixis, verb chains, and referring expressions shows that the narrative is a blend of genres evoking place as well as personal identity linked to complex coordinates of time and space, and dependent intertextually on other parts of a larger story. (Narrative, oral history, chronotope, space, place, identity, genre)*
Dizque, evidentiality, and stance in Valley Spanish
Authors: BABEL ANNA M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTWhile information sources have largely been treated as transparent categories in the literature on evidentiality, understandings of information source can be culturally and situationally variable. This article proposes that the strictly linguistic information encoded in reportative evidentials cannot be cleanly separated from social influences. Defining an information source, especially when referring to information reported by another person, serves social purposes, such as casting doubt, framing gossip, distancing oneself, or indicating empathy. Using the concept of speaker stance, this study explores the relationship of information source to the interpersonal relationships and interactions that are encoded in this linguistic form. Data from a contact variety of Spanish spoken in central Bolivia provide evidence thatdiz(que), a Spanish word, has undergone influence from Quechua to become a systematic reportative evidential marker in this variety of Bolivian Spanish. Speakers use information source marking in order to shade subtleties of relationships and authority. (Evidentiality, speaker stance, Andean Spanish, Bolivian Spanish, language contact, linguistic anthropology)*
Histological and stereological characterization of brown trout (Salmo trutta) trunk kidney
Authors: Resende A. D. , Lobo-da-Cunha A. , Malhão F. , Franquinho F. , Monteiro R. A. F. , Rocha E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe large macro- and microscopic variability in kidney morphology among fish makes it difficult to build a “universal” understanding on its function and structure. Species-specific studies are thus needed. Thus, morphological study of brown trout trunk kidney was performed, considering potential seasonal and gender effects.
Structural insights on melanocortin 5 receptor targeting to cell surface
Authors: Rodrigues A. R. , Almeida H. , Gouveia A. M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) with a typical seventransmembrane-domain structure. It is assumed that all GPCRs undergo several post-transcriptional modifications during synthesis and folding until finally target to the cell membrane. The available information about the specific domains responsible for the correct targeting of the melanocortin receptors to the cell surface is scarce. Regarding MC5R, it was shown that the first 20 aminoacids of the human receptor can be deleted without affecting the ligand binding affinity, but further deletions of the N terminus resulted in total loss of binding. These results were not directly correlated with the cell surface expression levels of the receptor. Thus, we aim to define the specific MC5R domains important to its correct trafficking and signaling, and preliminary results are here presented.