bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Rapid and effective method for RNA extraction from different tissues of grapevine and other woody plants
Authors: Gambino Giorgio , Perrone Irene , Gribaudo Ivana 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroduction – RNA quality and integrity are critical for many studies in plant molecular biology. High‐quality RNA extraction from grapevine and other woody plants is problematic due to the presence of polysaccharides, polyphenolics and other compounds that bind or co‐precipitate with the RNA.Objective – To develop an optimised cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)‐based protocol, to reduce the time and cost of extraction without reducing quality and yield of RNA extracted from polysaccharide‐rich tissues of several plants.Methodology – Several changes were introduced to the original CTAB protocol. All centrifugation steps were carried out at 4°C, the sample weight was decreased and the concentrations of PVP‐40 and LiCl were increased reducing incubation time prior to RNA precipitation. This rapid CTAB protocol was compared with six different RNA extraction methods from three grapevine tissues, namely, in vitro plantlets, and leaves and mature canes from actively growing field vines.Results – The rapid CTAB method gave high‐quality RNA in only 3 h at low cost with efficiency equal to or higher than that obtained with other time‐consuming and expensive protocols. The procedure was applied to RNA extraction from other grapevine tissues and other woody species including olive, lemon, poplar, chestnut, apple, pear, peach, cherry, apricot, plum and kiwi fruit. RNA of high quality could be isolated from all tissues and from all species.Conclusion – The study has shown that the improvement of a CTAB‐based protocol allows the rapid isolation of high‐quality RNA from grapevine and many woody species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety assessment of food and herbal products containing hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids: interlaboratory consistency and the importance ofN‐oxide determination
Authors: Cao Yu , Colegate Steven M. , Edgar John A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroduction – Two recent mass spectrometry‐based reports concerningSenecio scandensyielded remarkably dissimilar pyrrolizidine alkaloid constituents. In both studies, and in a related analysis ofSenecio scandensandTussilago farfarausing micellar electrokinetic chromatography, the presence of hazardousN‐oxides of the alkaloids was either not considered or was inadequately considered. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the methodologies used in these, and similar, studies in assessing the pyrrolizidine alkaloid content and the safety of food, food supplements and medicines for human use.Objective – To highlight essential analytical requirements for confident assessment of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐related safety of food and herbal products for human use.Methodology – Direct infusion‐ESI MS and HPLC‐ESI MS were used to analyse samples derived from liquid–liquid partitioning experiments and from strong cation exchange, solid‐phase extraction of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and theirN‐oxides.Results – A simple solvent partitioning experiment using pure senecionine and senecionine‐N‐oxide, two constituents reported in one of the mass spectrometry‐based studies ofS.scandens, clearly demonstrated the inadequacy of the reported method to detect and quantitate hazardous pyrrolizidine alkaloidN‐oxide components. A preliminary LCMS analysis of commercially‐prepared extracts of comfrey roots (Symphytum officinaleandS.uplandicums. l.) was used as a model to highlight the analytical importance ofN‐oxides in the safety assessment of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐containing medicinal herbs.Conclusions – This study highlighted significant differences in the reported identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the same plant species, and clearly demonstrated the inadequacy of some procedures to includeN‐oxides in the assessment of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐related safety of food and herbal products. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the extraction mode on the yield of hyperoside, vitexin and vitexin‐2′′‐O‐rhamnoside from Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (hawthorn)
Authors: Martino Emanuela , Collina Simona , Rossi Daniela , Bazzoni Deborah , Gaggeri Raffaella , Bracco Francesco , Azzolina Ornella 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroduction – The extract of Crataegus monogyna shows sedative, hypotensive, vasodilator and cardio‐tonic actions. Although several papers dealing with the extraction of metabolites from Crataegus have been published, the plant productivity in terms of bioactive compounds is not easily understandable as yet.Objective – To investigate the influence of the extraction mode on the yield of bioactive compounds from Crataegus monogyna Jacq. in order to evaluate plant productivity.Methodology – Samples were prepared by extraction of powdered material obtained from top branches, flowers and leaves. Soxhlet extraction, maceration and ultrasound‐ and microwave‐assisted extraction at different experimental conditions were investigated for the exhaustive extraction of hyperoside, vitexin and vitexin‐2′′‐O‐rhamnoside. The phytocomponents were identified and quantified by HPLC‐UV/PAD, comparing HPLC retention times and UV spectra of individual peaks with those of the standards analysed under the same conditions.Results – An easy‐to‐use HPLC isocratic method suitable for the quantification of hyperoside, vitexin and vitexin‐2′′‐O‐rhamnoside in raw plant extracts was developed. The optimised HPLC methodology was applied to evaluate different extraction procedures. The ultrasound and microwave‐assisted extraction protocols showed higher extraction efficiency than the others. In particular, the optimised microwave protocol gave rise to the highest extraction efficiency with high reproducibility.Conclusions – A microwave protocol combined with isocratic HPLC analysis is proposed for the rapid screening of plant materials collected in different environmental conditions in order to evaluate the productivity of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and to find out the best ecological conditions to cultivate hawthorn in Northern Italy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High throughput testing platform for organic Solar Cells
Authors: Riede Moritz K. , Sylvester‐Hvid Kristian O. , Glatthaar Markus , Keegan Nicholas , Ziegler Tobias , Zimmermann Birger , Niggemann Michael , Liehr Andreas W. , Willeke Gerhard , Gombert Andreas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this paper we present a high throughput testing setup for organic solar cells that is necessary for an efficient analysis of their behaviour. The setup comprises process parameter logging, automated measurement data acquisition and subsequent data management and analysis. Utilising this setup the reproducibility of solar cells and the effect of production parameter variations has been tested with a set of 360 solar cells based on the poly‐3‐hexylthiophene:1‐(3‐methoxycarbonyl)‐propyl‐1‐1‐phenyl‐(6,6)C61 bulk heterojunction. Variations in power conversion efficiency between 1 and 3% were observed on varying production parameters hardly mentioned in literature. The conditions during the vacuum deposition of the aluminium cathode turned out to have a significant effect. The key solar cell parameter affecting the performance was the fill factor (FF).As such the work exemplifies the necessity for a combined approach to analyse the complex behaviour of organic solar cells. The developed high throughput testing setup provides a basis for an efficient testing of production parameter variations and materials and additionally opens the door for statistical analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Der Mensch ändert das Klima. Vierter Sachstandsbericht des IPCC
Authors: Kohl Harald 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDas Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stellt in seinem Vierten Sachstandsbericht von 2007 mit großer Gewissheit fest: Die Erde wird messbar wärmer, weil der Mensch das Klima beeinflusst. Vor allem der messbare Anstieg der anthropogenen Treibhausgasemissionen korreliert mit der Tendenz zu wärmeren Jahrestemperaturen. Das IPCC hat erneut Zukunftsszenarien für die Klimaentwicklung aufgestellt. Sie hängen von den globalen Emissionszielen ab, die erreicht werden können. Demnach wird die globale Durchschnittstemperatur bis zum Ende des 21. Jahrhunderts um 1,8 bis 4,0 K ansteigen. Eine Erwärmung oberhalb 2 K wird dramatische langfristige Folgen für die Umwelt haben. Der neue Bericht bezieht nun die zentrale Rolle der Ozeane im Kohlenstoffkreislauf der Biosphäre ein. Er macht auch erstmals Aussagen über die Entwicklung einzelner Regionen.
Genie mit großer Bescheidenheit
Authors: Huebener Rudolf 
Published: July 2008

AbstractJohn Bardeen war ein bedeutender Pionier der Festkörperphysik. Als bisher Einziger erhielt er zwei Mal den Nobelpreis für Physik: 1956 zusammen mit Walter Brattain und William Shockley für die Entwicklung des Transistors und 1972 gemeinsam mit Leon Cooper und John Schrieffer für die quantenmechanische Deutung der Supraleitung. In diesen Tagen jährt sich sein Geburtstag zum hundertsten Mal.
Das Hochspannungskarussell
Authors: Müller Andreas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn einem sehr guten Handbuch für Schulexperimente wird eine Art Hochspannungskarussell gezeigt. Es beginnt sich zu drehen, wenn es an den negativen Pol einer Hochspannungsquelle angeschlossen wird, wobei eine Styroporunterlage der besseren Isolation gegenüber der Erde dient. Als Erklärung wird vorgeschlagen: “An den Spitzen strömt die negative Ladung heraus und erzeugt einen Rückstoß.” Oft wird als Analogie zudem die Rückstoßbewegung beim Rasensprenger (Segnersches Wasserrrad) genannt. Kann das sein?
Farben im Eis und anderswo
Authors: Schlichting H. Joachim 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEine gesprungene Eisschicht auf einem zugefrorenen See macht manchmal durch intensive Farben auf sich aufmerksam. Auch in anderen transparenten Medien wie einer Glasscheibe oder einem Bergkristall lassen sich derartige Farben beobachten.
Improved image analysis workflow for 2‐D gels enables large‐scale 2‐D gel‐based proteomics studies – COPD biomarker discovery study
Authors: Bandow Julia E. , Baker John D. , Berth Matthias , Painter Cory , Sepulveda Osvaldo J. , Clark Kelly A. , Kilty Iain , VanBogelen Ruth A. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract2‐D gel electrophoresis has been used for more than three decades to study the protein complement of organisms, tissues, and cells. Three issues are holding back large‐scale proteomics studies: low‐throughput, high technical variation, and study designs lacking statistical power. We identified image analysis as the central factor connecting these three issues. By developing an improved image analysis workflow we shortened project timelines, decreased technical variation, and thus enabled large‐scale proteomics studies that are statistically powered. Rather than detecting protein spots on each gel image and matching spots across gel images, the improved workflow is based on aligning images first, then creating a consensus spot pattern and finally propagating the consensus spot pattern to all gel images for quantitation. This results in a data table without gaps. As an example we show here a study aimed at discovering circulating biomarkers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eight candidate biomarkers were identified by comparing plasma from 24 smokers with COPD and 24 smokers without COPD. Among the candidates are proteins such as plasma retinal‐binding protein (RETB) and fibrinogen that had previously been linked to the disease and are frequently monitored in COPD patients, as well as other proteins such as apolipoprotein E (ApoE), inter‐α‐trypsininhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4), and glutathione peroxidase.
Binding of ciguatera toxins to the voltage‐gated Kv1.5 potassium channel in the open state. Docking of gambierol and molecular dynamics simulations of a homology model
Authors: Pietra Francesco 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCiguatera poisoning is a toxinological syndrome from ingestion of seafood contaminated by dinoflagellate toxins which has serious social and economic consequences from the Indo‐Pacific to the Caribbean. These polyannealed ethereal‐ring toxins, which comprise ciguatoxins, maitotoxin, and gambierol, are known to affect ion channels. Reported here are the first indications at molecular level as to the mode of interaction of these toxins with ion channels. The study concerns gambierol, an eight‐ring ladder polyether which is known to affect TRPV1‐type of thermal and pain sensation channels, as well as to inhibit voltage‐gated currents in K+ channels of mouse taste cells. Automated docking of gambierol on a homology model of the voltage‐gated Kv1.5 potassium ion channel in implicit solvent is followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the complex in a POPC membrane solvated with water. It is found that gambierol binds to the internal helices of the channel, unequally to the different subunits of the tetramer. Such unequal binding is a novel observation that should stimulate and aid developing a much demanded medical treatment of ciguatera poisoning. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3H‐1,2‐Dithiole‐3‐thione derivatives as novel solvatochromic dyes
Authors: Fracaroli Alejandro M. , Silva O. Fernando , Granados Alejandro M. , de Rossi Rita H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe UV–Vis spectrum of 5‐(1‐butylthio)‐3H‐1,2‐dithiole‐3‐thione (1a) and that of the chromium pentacarbonyl complex of 5‐methyl‐3H‐1,2‐dithiole‐3‐thione (3) present significant changes with the solvent polarity. The two absorption bands shown by the compounds in the region above 300 nm were identified by theoretical calculations. For Compound 1a these are n→π* and →π* transitions and for Compound 3 the longest wavelength absorption corresponds to a charge transfer band and shows a remarkably negative solvatochromism. Not only has the wavelength of maximum absorption changed with the solvent but also the ratio of the absorbances at the two wavelengths. The effect of solvents was correlated with solvatochromic parameters such as π* and α. The spectrum of 5‐(1‐butylthio)‐3H‐1,2‐dithiole‐3‐one (2) was also measured in different solvents but in this case the changes observed are less significant than for the other two compounds. The spectra of 1a and 3 were also determined in the presence of anionic (SDS), cationic (CTAB), and neutral surfactants (Brig‐35) and it is shown that these compounds can be used as probes for the polarity of the binding sites of organized assemblies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nano‐Structured Cell‐Adhesive and Cell‐Repulsive Plasma‐Deposited Coatings: Chemical and Topographical Effects on Keratinocyte Adhesion
Authors: Sardella Eloisa , Detomaso Loredana , Gristina Roberto , Senesi Giorgio S. , Agheli Hossein , Sutherland Duncan S. , d'Agostino Riccardo , Favia Pietro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCell‐adhesive and cell‐repulsive coatings have been plasma‐deposited on poly(ethylene terephthalate) surfaces previously structured with nano‐metric conical features by means of colloidal lithography. Surface analysis revealed that both coatings are conformal on nano‐structured substrates, with their wettability depending on the substrate morphology. The effect of surface chemistry and surface topography on cell adhesion has been investigated and clarified. The adhesion of a human keratinocyte cell‐line was found to be strongly dependent on the surface topography for plasma‐deposited acrylic acid (cell‐adhesive), and on the surface chemistry for poly(ethylene oxide)‐like (cell‐repulsive) coatings.magnified image
Global Model of He/O2 and Ar/O2 Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharges
Authors: Park Ganyoung , Lee Hyunwoo , Kim Gyoocheon , Lee Jae Koo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAtmospheric pressure glow discharges (APGDs) have widespread applications, including sterilization, cancer cell treatment, deposition, and surface modification due to their rather simple configurations, thanks to no need for vacuum system and their great capability to generate reactive species such as radical oxygen species. Helium and argon are widely used as feeding gases, achieving stable operations for wide ranges of parameters in atmospheric pressure, and oxygen is added into these gases to generate more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a significant role in sterilization. As the measurements of species densities and electron temperature in APGDs are difficult, we have developed the zero‐dimensional global model of He/O2 and Ar/O2 APGDs to calculate the densities of several kinds of species and electron temperature. It was shown that even though small fraction of oxygen less than 1% was added to helium or argon, electrons dissipated most of their energy through collisions with oxygen molecules rather than helium or argon atoms. The densities of electron, atomic oxygen, and ozone of Ar/O2 were higher than those of He/O2; however, the electron temperature of He/O2 was higher than that of Ar/O2. When the pulsed power is applied, the time‐averaged electron temperature for the shorter pulse period and the larger duty ratio increased, and the electron density decreased as the duty ratio increased.magnified image
Modeling High‐Pressure Microplasmas: Comparison of Fluid Modeling and Particle‐in‐Cell Monte Carlo Collision Modeling
Authors: Hong Yong Jun , Lee Seung Min , Kim Gyoo Cheon , Lee Jae Koo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe results of simulations using a fluid model and a PIC‐MCC model are compared, and the PIC‐MCC is used to explore the kinetics of energetic ions and electrons in microplasmas. The kinetics are studied under helium discharges at 760 Torr and Ne/Xe DBD discharges at 300 Torr with various driving currents and geometries. While EEPFs of microplasmas at high pressure show strong nonequilibrium behavior near the sheath region, EEDFs on the powered and grounded electrodes have qualitatively different features depending on input power. The effective temperature and energy flux of charged particles can be obtained from the slopes in EEPFs and IEPFs. The effects of input power, discharge length, and mixture gas concentration on the IEDFs on each electrode are discussed.magnified image
States of Biological Components in Bacteria and Bacteriophages during Inactivation by Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharges
Authors: Yasuda Hachiro , Hashimoto Mai , Rahman Md. Masudur , Takashima Kazunori , Mizuno Akira 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAtmospheric DBD has been applied to the wet state of Escherichia coli and bacteriophage‐λ. Upon DBD treatment, both E.coli and λphage were immediately inactivated. The states of different biological components were monitored during the course of inactivation. Only minor and slow degradation of proteins, DNA, and membranes was observed, a remarkable degradation was seen only after the completion of sterilization. Analysis of GFP recombinantly introduced into E.coli cells proved that the DBD has a prominent protein denaturation activity without affecting peptide bonds. The irreversible denaturation of proteins, seen in the early stage of DBD application, may play a central role in inactivation of both the bacteria and bacteriophages.magnified image
An uncommon cause of a vascular mass in the left lung in neonate: A case report with a brief review of literature
Authors: Reddy Sreenivas , Kumar Rohit 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA 20‐day‐old female child presented with mild respiratory distress since first week of life. On examination there was an ejection systolic murmur at left sternal border. Chest x‐ray revealed well‐defined mass in the left lung. Echocardiogram showed features suggestive tetrology of fallot with absent pulmonary valve with massively dilated main and left pulmonary artery. We report a rare cause of vascular mass in a neonate due to tetrology fallot with absent pulmonary valve. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:822–823. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel sidestream ultrasonic flow sensor for multiple breath washout in children
Authors: Fuchs Susanne I. , Sturz J. , Junge S. , Ballmann M. , Gappa M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveInert gas multiple breath washout (MBW) for measuring Lung Clearance Index using mass spectrometry and 4% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as the tracer gas has been shown to be sensitive for detecting early Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, mass spectrometry requires bulky equipment and is expensive to buy and maintain. A novel sidestream ultrasonic device may overcome this problem. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and clinical validity of measuring lung volume (functional residual capacity, FRC) and the LCI using the sidestream ultrasonic flow sensor in children and adolescents with CF in relation to spirometry and plain chest radiographs.Patients and MethodsMBW using the sidestream ultrasonic device and conventional spirometry were performed in 26 patients with CF and 22 healthy controls.ResultsIn the controls (4.7–17.7 years) LCI was similar to that reported using mass spectrometry (mean (SD) 6.7 (0.5)). LCI was elevated in 77% of the CF children (6.8–18.9 years), whereas spirometry was abnormal in only 38.5%, 61.5%, and 26.9% for FEV1, MEF25, and FEV1/FVC, respectively. This was more marked in children <10 years. LCI correlated with the Crispin‐Norman score, whereas FEV1 did not.ConclusionsSidestream ultrasonic MBW is a valid and simple alternative to mass spectrometry for assessing ventilation homogeneity in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:731–738. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of bacterial filter on measurement of interrupter resistance in preschool and school‐aged children
Authors: Thamrin C. , Frey U. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe interrupter technique is increasingly used in preschool children to assess airway resistance (Rint). Use of a bacterial filter is essential for prevention of cross‐infection in a clinical setting. It is not known how large an effect this extra resistance and compliance exert upon interrupter measurements, especially on obstructive airways and in smaller children. We aim to determine the contribution of the filter to Rint, in a sample of children attending lung function testing at an asthma clinic.MethodsInterrupter measurements were performed according to ATS/ERS guidelines during quiet normal breathing at an expiratory flow trigger of 200 ml s−1, with the child seated upright with cheeks supported and wearing a nose clip. A minimum of 10 interrupter measurements was made with and without a bacterial filter. Spirometric and plethysmographic tests were also performed.ResultsA small but significant difference (0.12 (95% CI 0.06–0.17) kPa s L−1, P = 0.0002) with 2× SD of 0.34 kPa s L−1 was observed between Rint with and without filter in 39 children, with a large spread. This difference was not dependent on Rint magnitude, age or height, nor on lung function parameters (effective resistance, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, and maximal expiratory flow at 50% of expired vital capacity).ConclusionsA bacterial filter causes a small difference but is not clinically significant, with a wide spread comparable to the variability of the technique and recommended cut‐offs for assessing repeatability and bronchodilation. Age, height or severity of obstruction need not be corrected for in general. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:781–787. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.