bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy, Proliferation, Migration and Apoptosis in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Tajsic Tamara , Morrell Nicholas W.
Published: November 2010

Pulmonary hypertension is a multifactorial disease characterized by sustained elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). Central to the pathobiology of this disease is the process of vascular remodelling. This process involves structural and functional changes to the normal architecture of the walls of pulmonary arteries (PAs) that lead to increased muscularization of the muscular PAs, muscularization of the peripheral, previously nonmuscular, arteries of the respiratory acinus, formation of neointima, and formation of plexiform lesions. Underlying or contributing to the development of these lesions is hypertrophy, proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis of medial cells and this article is concerned with the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these processes. In the first part of the article we focus on the concept of smooth muscle cell phenotype and the difficulties surrounding the identification and characterization of the cell/cells involved in the remodelling of the vessel media and we review the general mechanisms of cell hypertrophy, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Then, in the larger part of the article, we review the factors identified thus far to be involved in PH intiation and/or progression and review and discuss their effects on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) the predominant cells in the tunica media of PAs. © 2011 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol1:295‐317, 2011.
Recovery of motor function after stroke
Authors: Sharma Nikhil , Cohen Leonardo G.
Published: November 2010

The human brain possesses a remarkable ability to adapt in response to changing anatomical (e.g., aging) or environmental modifications. This form of neuroplasticity is important at all stages of life but is critical in neurological disorders such as amblyopia and stroke. This review focuses upon our new understanding of possible mechanisms underlying functional deficits evidenced after adult‐onset stroke. We review the functional interactions between different brain regions that may contribute to motor disability after stroke and, based on this information, possible interventional approaches to motor stroke disability. New information now points to the involvement of non‐primary motor areas and their interaction with the primary motor cortex as areas of interest. The emergence of this new information is likely to impact new efforts to develop more effective neurorehabilitative interventions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) that may be relevant to other neurological disorders such as amblyopia. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54:254‐262, 2012.
Ontogeny of ethanol intake in alcohol preferring (P) and alcohol nonpreferring (NP) rats
Authors: Pautassi Ricardo Marcos , Nizhnikov Michael E. , Truxell Eric , Varlinskaya Elena I. , Spear Norman E.
Published: November 2010

There is a scarcity of research on ethanol affinity in alcohol‐preferring (P) rats before weaning and it is unknown if neonate P rats exhibit ethanol intake preferences comparable to those observed in adult P rats. This study examined ethanol intake in P and alcohol‐nonpreferring (NP) rats 3 hr after birth (Experiment 1, surrogate nipple test), at postnatal days (PD) 8, 12, and 18 (Experiment 2, consumption from the floor procedure) and at adolescence (Experiment 3, two‐bottle choice test at PD32). The high‐preference genotype was readily expressed 3 hr after birth. P neonates drank twice as much ethanol as their NP counterparts. This heightened ethanol preference transiently reversed at P8, reemerged as weaning approached (P18) and was fully expressed during adolescence. These results help to clarify the ontogeny of genetic predisposition for ethanol. Genetic predisposition for higher ethanol intake in P than in NP rats seems to be present immediately following birth. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:234–245, 2011.
A modified cornish pasty method for ex ovo culture of the chick embryo
Authors: Nagai Hiroki , Lin Meng‐Chi , Sheng Guojun
Published: November 2010

Early stages of avian development are not well‐suited for in ovo studies. A critical limitation of ex ovo culture is the short period of growth that can be attained for explanted embryos. Here we report a modified and simplified version of an existing ex ovo culture method, the cornish pasty culture. We show that this modified method, referred to as MC culture, can be used to grow chick and quail embryos from Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) Stage 3 to at least HH18 with normal developmental morphology. The MC culture is also applicable to generate parabiosed twins. Combination of the MC culture with electroporation and labeling techniques will be a valuable new tool in cell lineage tracing and molecular functional analyses of early avian embryogenesis. genesis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Forced involution of the functionally differentiated mammary gland by overexpression of the pro‐apoptotic protein bax
Authors: Rucker Edmund B. , Hale Amber N. , Durtschi David C. , Sakamoto Kazuhito , Wagner Kay‐Uwe
Published: November 2010

The mammary gland is a developmentally dynamic, hormone‐responsive organ that undergoes proliferation and differentiation within the secretory epithelial compartment during pregnancy. The epithelia are maintained by pro‐survival signals (e.g., Stat5, Akt1) during lactation, but undergo apoptosis during involution through inactivation of cell survival pathways and upregulation of pro‐apoptotic proteins. To assess if the survival signals in the functionally differentiated mammary epithelial cells can override a pro‐apoptotic signal, we generated transgenic mice that express Bax under the whey acidic protein (WAP) promoter. WAP‐Bax females exhibited a lactation defect and were unable to nourish their offspring. Mammary glands demonstrated: (1) a reduction in epithelial content, (2) hallmark signs of mitochondria‐mediated cell death, (3) an increase in apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay, and (4) precocious Stat3 activation. This suggests that upregulation of a single pro‐apoptotic factor of the Bcl‐2 family is sufficient to initiate apoptosis of functionally differentiated mammary epithelial cells in vivo. genesis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Certified emission reductions weights for improved CDM projects
Authors: Francois Mélissa , Hamaide Bertrand
Published: November 2010

As currently designed and implemented, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol is a market mechanism that creates ‘offset’ credits, named CERs (certified emission reductions). These credits are issued to Annex I Parties that invest in projects both reducing emissions and contributing to sustainable development in developing countries. This paper explores how CER weights could be used to reform and improve this mechanism. On the one hand, weights strictly lower than 1, or discount factors, would improve the environmental effectiveness of the CDM, enhancing global greenhouse gas emission mitigation while addressing the additionality concern. On the other hand, weights higher than 1, or multiplication factors, could increase the competitiveness of project types and/or host countries currently underrepresented in the CDM pipeline. This paper concentrates on stimulating investment from developed nations to less developed countries and aims at reducing the disparity between the three main CDM host countries (Brazil, India and China) and less developed nations. Based on statistical data published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, our analysis then considers different policies, estimates their impacts, and shows how a sensible mix of discounting and multiplication could lead to a more equitable geographical distribution of CDM projects and possibly create atmospheric benefits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
α‐Lithiated (R,R)‐TMCDA as an Efficient Building Block for the Preparation of Chiral N,N,O Ligands by Asymmetric 1,2‐Addition
Authors: Gessner Viktoria H. , Fröhlich Benjamin , Strohmann Carsten
Published: November 2010

The chiral diamine (1R,2R)‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylcyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine [(R,R)‐TMCDA, 3] has been selectively deprotonated at one of its methyl groups by a series of alkyllithium bases. Although the enantiomerically pure compound formed a trimeric structure, direct lithiation of the racemic mixture of the amine (trans‐TMCDA) yielded a tetrameric compound. With 2 equiv. of the deprotonation reagent a mixed aggregate of the lithiated amine and tert‐butyllithium was formed. The lithiated amine was employed as a building block for the synthesis of novel nitrogen ligands. The asymmetric 1,2‐addition of α‐lithiated (R,R)‐TMCDA onto different ketones and aldehydes yielded a series of novel N,N,O ligands with different substitution patterns. Depending on the carbonyl compound used, a new stereocentre and different substituents can be introduced. The coordination behaviour of these ligands is illustrated by the formation of metal salt complexes.
Preparation and Reactions of Molybdenum and Tungsten Hydride Complexes Containing the Tetraphosphane Ligand meso‐o‐C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2
Authors: Dai Qi Xiu , Seino Hidetake , Mizobe Yasushi
Published: November 2010

The reaction of [Mo(κ2‐dppe)(κ4‐P4)] (1a) {dppe = PPh2CH2CH2PPh2, P4 = meso‐o‐C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2} with 1 atm of H2 at room temperature selectively gave [MoH2(κ2‐dppe)(κ3‐P4)] (3a). The W analogue of 1a reacted with 1 atm of H2 at 80 °C to form a mixture of [WH2(κ2‐dppe)(κ3‐P4)] and [WH4(κ4‐P4)] (5b), the latter of which could be cleanly prepared by the reduction of [WBr2(κ4‐P4)] with NaBH4 in ethanol at 50 °C. The molecular structure of complex 5b differed from that of the related complex [WH4(dppe)2] and showed much higher reactivity. Insertion into the W–H bonds took place in the reaction of 5b with CS2 at 50 °C to give the methylenedithiolate complex [W(κ2‐S2CH2)(κ4‐P4)] (6) as the sole product, and the hydride ligands in 5b were replaced by isocyanides at 80 °C to form [W(CNR)2(κ4‐P4)] {R = tBu (7), 2,6‐Me2C6H3 (8)} in moderate yields. The detailed structures were determined by X‐ray crystallography for 3a, 5b, 6, and 7, while the fluxional behavior of 3a in solution was clarified by variable‐temperature NMR (VT NMR) spectroscopic studies.
Neutral lipid production in Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 and other marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria
Authors: Manilla‐Pérez Efraín , Lange Alvin Brian , Luftmann Heinrich , Robenek Horst , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: November 2010

Triacylglycerols (TAG) and wax esters (WE) constitute together with polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) the major storage lipophilic compounds in prokaryotes. Recently, the production of neutral lipids such as TAG and WE has been reported in species of the genus Alcanivorax, which belongs to the group of obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB). We analyzed the production of such neutral lipids by different marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria growing on pyruvate or hexadecane as sole carbon source, and compared it to other bacteria such as Rhodococcus opacus strain PD630 and Acinetobacter baylyi strain ADP1, which are two well‐studied strains for production of neutral lipids. Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 synthesized mainly TAG when cells are cultivated on pyruvate, while biosynthesis and accumulation of WE was mainly observed in cells growing on hexadecane. Alcanivorax jadensis T9 synthesized and accumulated mainly WE if cells were cultivated with hexadecane, while both TAG and WE were observed if cells were cultivated with pyruvate as sole carbon source, respectively. Predominantly production as well as export of WE was observed in Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus SP17 growing on pyruvate or hexadecane as sole carbon source. The chemical structures of TAG and WE produced by A. borkumensis SK2 were analyzed by gas chromatography and/or mass spectrometry, and first studies to investigate the influence of different C/N ratio (7, 50 or 150) on the production of neutral lipids were performed.
Ionic Acylating Agents for the Enzymatic Resolution of sec‐Alcohols in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Lourenço Nuno M. T. , Monteiro Carlos M. , Afonso Carlos A. M.
Published: November 2010

Potential acylating agents containing pendant ionic groups have been screened for the enzymatic kinetic resolution of rac‐secondary alcohols in ionic liquids with CAL‐B as biocatalyst. This study has allowed the identification of the 1‐methyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium cation attached to a carboxylate group through a C10‐alkyl chain as an efficient acylating agent for this transformation. This strategy was applied to the resolution of 2‐hydroxycyclohexanecarbonitrile in which the 1R,2S enantiomer was isolated in 35 % ee (73 % yield) and the 1S,2R enantiomer in 97 % ee (23 % yield).
Sodium Hydride Catalyzed Tishchenko Reaction
Authors: Werner Thomas , Koch Juliane
Published: November 2010

A convenient and practical method for the dimerization of aldehydes is described. The conversion of aromatic and even heteroaromatic aldehydes in the presence of catalytic amounts of sodium hydride leads to the corresponding Tishchenko esters in high yields (up to 95 %). The reaction can be performed under standard laboratory conditions and on a multigram scale (up to 10 g).
Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Ene and Aldol Reactions with Isatins, Keto Esters, and Diketones: Reliable Approach to Chiral Tertiary Alcohols
Authors: Aikawa Kohsuke , Mimura Shunsuke , Numata Yukinobu , Mikami Koichi
Published: November 2010

Chiral dicationic Pd‐complex‐catalyzed enantioselective ene and aldol reactions with various isatin derivatives are shown to produce the corresponding 3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindole products in good yields with high enantioselectivities. These catalytic processes are effective not only with isatins but also with keto esters and diketones derivatives. Even with unprotected isatin, high yields and enantioselectivities were obtained to produce convolutamydine A as a naturally occurring compound. Sequentially, α‐oxidation by m‐CPBA and α‐fluorination by selectfluor of the ene product could be achieved to give the corresponding α‐hydroxy and α‐fluoro ketones, respectively.
Sensitized phosphorescence as detection method for the enantioseparation of bupropion by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Castro‐Puyana María , Lammers Ivonne , Buijs Joost , Gooijer Cees , Ariese Freek
Published: November 2010

A new CE detection method was developed for the chiral drug bupropion (a second‐generation antidepressant), based on phosphorescence both in the direct and in the sensitized mode using pulsed laser excitation at 266 nm. Electrokinetic chromatography using 5 mM sulfated‐α‐CD as chiral selector in 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 3 allowed the separation of bupropion enantiomers with a high chiral resolution (Rs>3). In the sensitized phosphorescence detection mode, excitation energy is transferred from the analyte to an acceptor (1‐bromo‐4‐napthhalenesulfonic acid or biacetyl) followed by time‐resolved phosphorescence detection under deoxygenated buffer conditions. Using 2×10−4 M biacetyl as the acceptor an LOD of 2×10−7 M was obtained for each enantiomer, about 40 times better than in the direct mode. Under these separation conditions, no significantly different phosphorescence lifetimes (measured on‐line) were obtained for the two bupropion enantiomers. The suitability of the method was demonstrated with the quantification of bupropion in a pharmaceutical formulation and its determination in a spiked urine sample.
Air‐Stable Bifunctional HASPO Preligands for Metal‐Catalyzed Cross‐Couplings and Direct C–H Bond Arylations
Authors: Ackermann Lutz
Published: November 2010

Progress in the use of heteroatom‐substituted secondary phosphine oxides (HASPO) as bifunctional preligands in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions as well as C–H bond functionalizations with challenging substrates is summarized herein until July 2010.
Selective improvement of tumor necrosis factor capture in a cytokine hemoadsorption device using immobilized anti‐tumor necrosis factor
Authors: DiLeo Morgan V. , Fisher James D. , Burton Brianne M. , Federspiel William J.
Published: November 2010

Sepsis is a harmful hyper‐inflammatory state characterized by overproduction of cytokines. Removal of these cytokines using an extracorporeal device is a potential therapy for sepsis. We are developing a cytokine adsorption device (CAD) filled with porous polymer beads which efficiently depletes middle‐molecular weight cytokines from a circulating solution. However, removal of one of our targeted cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), has been significantly lower than other smaller cytokines. We addressed this issue by incorporating anti‐TNF antibodies on the outer surface of the beads. We demonstrated that covalent immobilization of anti‐TNF increases overall TNF capture from 55% (using unmodified beads) to 69%. Passive adsorption increases TNF capture to over 99%. Beads containing adsorbed anti‐TNF showed no significant loss in their ability to remove smaller cytokines, as tested using interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). We also detail a novel method for quantifying surface‐bound ligand on a solid substrate. This assay enabled us to rapidly test several methods of antibody immobilization and their appropriate controls using dramatically fewer resources. These new adsorbed anti‐TNF beads provide an additional level of control over a device which previously was restricted to nonspecific cytokine adsorption. This combined approach will continue to be optimized as more information becomes available about which cytokines play the most important role in sepsis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
MRI and histologic analysis of collagen type II sponge on repairing the cartilage defects of rabbit knee joints
Authors: Chen Honghui , Yang Xiaohong , Liao Yingyang , Zeng Xuwen , Liang Peihong , Kang Ning , Tan Jianrong , Liang Zhiping
Published: November 2010

There are limited treatment options for cartilage defects in clinical practice because of the lack of suitable biomaterials. Here, we evaluated the effects of collagen type II sponge on the articular cartilage repairing process using a cartilage injury of a rabbit knee joint model. We showed that the home‐made collagen type II sponges appeared to have a suitable pore size of 93.26 ± 38.4 μm for chondrocyte growth. MRI with H&E staining results demonstrated that the effusion absorption in the collagen type II sponge treated group was quicker than that of the control group. Moreover, sporadic cartilage signals first appeared at 6 weeks in the collagen type II sponge treated group. Safranin O staining and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the newly formed cartilage expresses glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen matrix. Using Sirius red polarized light staining, we showed that the newly formed cartilage‐like areas from the collagen type II treated group are significantly greater than those of the control group. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the home‐made collagen type II sponge is able to promote cartilage repair in the cartilage injury of a rabbit knee joint model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Acquisition speed comparison of microscope software programs
Authors: Biehlmaier Oliver , Hehl Joachim , Csucs Gabor
Published: November 2010

Reliable software is a prerequisite for successful operation of a modern wide field fluorescence microscope. When used for live cell imaging, acquisition speed is of particular interest. This is both because biological processes can be highly‐dynamic, and to avoid unnecessary photobleaching and phototoxicity of living samples. This article shows that besides the hardware (microscope) components themselves, the acquisition control software is an important influencing factor of speed performance. We tested and compared the speed performance of five different generic applications (Image‐Pro Plus, MetaMorph, Micro‐Manager, SlideBook, and Volocity) using typical experimental setups involving a single specific state‐of‐the‐art fluorescence microscope configuration. The test measurements included multichannel experiments, z‐stacking, burst acquisition, as well as combinations of these measurements with time‐lapse acquisitions. The measured data provided values for guiding the testing and analysis of other microscope systems with similar configurations. Despite the identical hardware settings, significant and surprisingly large speed differences were evident among the various software applications. Additionally, no application was identifiable as the fastest in all tests. Our work pinpoints the importance of the control software in determining a system's “real” maximal imaging speed. The study could serve as basis for further tests, eventually influencing the system selection criteria for speed‐sensitive applications. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphology and histochemistry of the intramandibular glands in Attini and Ponerini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) species
Authors: Martins Luiza Carla Barbosa , Serrão José Eduardo
Published: November 2010

An understanding of the internal morphology of the ant mandible is important in explaining the relationship between the exocrine system and the behavioral and phylogenetic characteristics of different subfamilies of Formicidae. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of intramandibular glands in ants from the Ponerini (Ponerinae) and Attini (Myrmicinae). These ants possess glands from classes I and III, and secretory epithelial cells with a reservoir. The intramandibular glands show a distinct histology in the studied species, varying in their location, degree of development, and chemical content. Using this information, it is possible to hypothesize that the glands from different tribes produce different substances, which may indicate a variety of functions, depending on the chemical nature of the cellular constituents. A cladistic analysis using the characters of the intramandibular glands separated both tribes, suggesting that structural differences in the intramandibular glands may contribute to future phylogenetic studies of the Formicidae. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The distribution of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and dendritic‐like cells of the anal tonsil in the laboratory shrew, Suncus murinus
Authors: Sakai Kazuyoshi , Isomura Genzoh , Shinzato Masanori , Imada Hideki , Yamada Keiki
Published: November 2010

We investigated the distribution of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and S‐100 protein‐immunoreactive dendritic‐like in the anal tonsil of the laboratory shrew, Suncus murinus. In adult animals, T lymphocytes were located mainly at the periphery of the anal tonsil, especially around small blood vessels. B lymphocytes were located in the central and subepithelial region of the anal tonsil, which includes primary lymphoid follicles, and in which there are small numbers of scattered T lymphocytes. B and T lymphocytes were distributed over 72.7 and 27.3% of the tonsillar area, respectively. However, their areas of distribution were not clearly distinguished. The areas containing B lymphocytes were enriched in S‐100 protein antibody‐immunoreactive cells, which exhibited a dendritic shape. These S‐100‐positive cells appeared to be identical to the follicular dendritic cells (FDC) seen in the follicles of lymphoid organs. These results suggest that the anal tonsils constitute one of the gut‐associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), and that a function of the anal tonsil includes the capture of intruding antigens that would generate protective antibody responses. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Child poverty, well‐being and agency: What does a ‘3‐D well‐being’ approach contribute?
Authors: Sumner Andy
Published: November 2010

Childhood poverty and well‐being are distinct from adult poverty and well‐being both in quality and quantity. A 3‐dimensional well‐being approach is a means to capture that distinctiveness in a holistic way and thus complement more traditional ways of conceptualising and measuring child poverty and well‐being. This paper discusses what a 3‐dimensional (3‐D) well‐being approach contributes to understanding child poverty and child agency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intended and unintended consequences of social protection on school dropout in post‐crisis Indonesia
Authors: Ha Wei , Mendoza Ronald
Published: November 2010

The paper uses data from the Village Potential Surveys (PODES) (63 000 villages, surveyed in 1996 and 2000) to show the lessons that can be learned in responding to economic crisis from Indonesia's Social Safety Net Program or Jaring Pengaman Sosial (JPS). It focuses on the JPS scholarship component, analysing its impact on primary and secondary school dropout at the community level. It finds that the scholarship program reduces the chance of dropout in primary school but not in junior secondary school. Participation in the government's employment creation programs is significantly and positively correlated with dropout, suggesting that given the opportunity junior secondary school students will drop out to support their families. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety nets or investment in the future: Does food aid have any long‐term impact on children's growth?
Authors: Porter Catherine
Published: November 2010

This article investigates child nutrition in rural Ethiopia, examining anthropometric information collected on children aged below 5 years in 1995, and again almost 10 years later for the now young adults in 2004. It finds that children who were malnourished in their early years are far more likely to be stunted 10 years later on. The article examines the role that food aid plays in mitigating the impact of adverse events and finds that it does have a lasting effect and could have even more impact if well targeted and delivered. The findings underline the importance of investing in early childhood nutrition and tailoring public programmes to meet the needs of children. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medium‐term effects of household poverty on child well‐being: A study in a subsample of pre‐school children in rural Mexico
Authors: Valadez Laura
Published: November 2010

This paper examines the medium‐term effects of poverty and infant care practices on well‐being indicators of pre‐school children in rural Mexico. The results of a survey that used Structural Equation Modelling show that household poverty adversely affects cognitive outcomes. Care, proxied by breast feeding and vaccinations, has significant positive effects on cognitive outcomes and it is positively affected maternal education. When socio‐demographic controls are included, ethnicity is a stronger predictor of well‐being than early household poverty, evoking the long‐term systemic deprivation associated with having an indigenous background. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poverty, adolescent well‐being and outcomes later in life
Authors: Tomlinson Mark , Walker Robert
Published: November 2010

This paper investigates the impact of various factors in childhood (such as poverty, parental guidance, educational orientation, self‐esteem and delinquent behaviour) on outcomes later in life. Using data from the British Household Panel Survey which incorporates a survey of children aged 11–15 years (also known as the British Youth Panel (BYP)) the technique of Structural Equation Modelling is employed to show the relative impact of these factors on educational attainment and employment status when the respondents were in their late 20s. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The logical consequence relation of propositional tense logic
Authors: Thomason S. K.
Published: November 2010

This work concerns the model theory of propositional tense logic with the Kripke relational semantics. It is shown (i) that there is a formula y whose logical consequences form a complete II set, and (ii) that for 0 ≦ m < ω+ ω there are formulas γm such that all models of γm are isomorphic and have cardinality xm, where x0 = χ0, xm+1 = 2xm, and xω = lim{xm < | m ω}. Familiarity with the relational semantics for modal and tense logic ([1] or [3], for example) will be presumed. A knowledge of recursion theory would be helpful, although some background material will be provided.
Computability of Self‐Similar Sets
Authors: Kamo Hiroyasu , Kawamura Kiko
Published: November 2010

We investigate computability of a self‐similar set on a Euclidean space. A nonempty compact subset of a Euclidean space is called a self‐similar set if it equals to the union of the images of itself by some set of contractions. The main result in this paper is that if all of the contractions are computable, then the self‐similar set is a recursive compact set. A further result on the case that the self‐similar set forms a curve is also discussed.
A Labelled Deductive System for Relational Semantics of the Lambek Calculus
Authors: Kolowska‐Gawiejnowicz Miroslawa
Published: November 2010

We present a labelled version of Lambek Calculus without unit, and we use it to prove a completeness theorem for Lambek Calculus with respect to some relational semantics.
Weak Hausdorff Gaps and the 𝔭 ≤ t Problem
Authors: Keremedis Kyriakos
Published: November 2010

We find topological characterizations of the pseudointersection number 𝔭 and the tower number t of the real line and we show that 𝔭 < t iff there exists a compact separable T2 space X of π‐weight < 𝔭 that can be covered by < t nowhere dense sets iff there exists a weak Hausdorff gap of size K < t, i. e., a pair ({A : i ≠ k}, {BJ : j ε K}) C [W]W X [U]W such that A = {Ai : i ε K} is a decreasing tower, B = {Bj : j ε K) is a family of pseudointersections of A, and there is no pseudointersection S of A meeting each member of B in an infinite set.
Towards a Problem of E. van Douwen and A. Miller
Authors: Zhang Yi
Published: November 2010

We discuss a problem asked by E. van Douwen and A. Miller [5] in various forcing models.
Existentially Incomplete Tame Models and a Conjecture of Ellentuck
Authors: McLaughlin Thomas G.
Published: November 2010

We construct a recursive ultrapower F/U such that F/U is a tame 1‐model in the sense of [6, §3] and FU is existentially incomplete in the models of II2 arithmetic. This enables us to answer in the negative a question about closure with respect to recursive fibers of certain special semirings Γ of isols termed tame models by Barback. Erik Ellentuck had conjuctured that all such semirings enjoy the closure property in question. Our result is that while many do, some do not.
Exact Pairs for Abstract Bounded Reducibilities
Authors: Merkle Wolfgang
Published: November 2010

In an attempt to give a unified account of common properties of various resource bounded reducibilities, we introduce conditions on a binary relation ≤rbetween subsets of the natural numbers, where ≤ris meant as a resource bounded reducibility. The conditions are a formalization of basic features shared by most resource bounded reducibilities which can be found in the literature. As our main technical result, we show that these conditions imply a result about exact pairs which has been previously shown by Ambos‐Spies [2] in a setting of polynomial time bounds: given some recursively presentable ≤r‐idealIand some recursive ≤r‐hard setBforIwhich is not contained inI, there is some recursive setC, whereBandCare an exact pair forI, that is,Iis equal to the intersection of the lower ≤r‐cones ofBandC, whereCis not inI. In particular, if the relation ≤ris in addition transitive and there are least sets, then every recursive set which is not in the least degree is half of a minimal pair of recursive sets.
Special Model Axiom in Nonstandard Set Theory
Authors: Kanovei Vladimir , Reeken Michael
Published: November 2010

We demonstrate that the special model axiom SMA of Ross admits a natural formalization in Kawai's nonstandard set theory KST but is independent of KST. As an application of our methods to classical model theory, we present a short proof of the consistency (with ZFC) of the existence of a k+ like k‐saturated model of PA for a given cardinal k.
Reconstructible and Half‐Reconstructible Tournaments: Application to Their Groups of Hemimorphisms
Authors: Boudabbous Youssef
Published: November 2010

Let T and T1 be tournaments with n elements, E a basis for T, E′ a basis for T′, and k ≥ 3 an integer. The dual of T is the tournament T” of basis E defined by T(x, y) = T(y, x) for all x, y ε E. A hemimorphism from T onto T′ is an isomorphism from T onto T” or onto T. A k‐hemimorphism from T onto T′ is a bijection f from E to E′ such that for any subset X of E of order k the restrictions T/X and T1/f(X) are hemimorphic. The set of hemimorphisms of T onto itself has group structure, this group is called the group of hemimorphisms of T. In this work, we study the restrictions to n – 2 elements of a tournament with n elements. In particular, we prove: Let k ≥ 3 be an integer, T a tournament with n elements, where n ≥ k + 5. Then the following statements are equivalent: (i) All restrictions of T to subsets with n – 2 elements are k‐hemimorphic. (ii) All restrictions of T to subsets with n – 2 elements are 3‐hemimorphic. (iii) All restrictions of T to subsets with n – 2 elements are hemimorphic. (iv) All restrictions of T to subsets with n – 2 elements are isomorphic, (v) Either T is a strict total order, or the group of hemimorphisms of T is 2‐homogeneous.
Lp‐Computability
Authors: Zhong Ning , Zhang Bing‐Yu
Published: November 2010

In this paper we investigate conditions for Lp‐computability which are in accordance with the classical Grzegorczyk notion of computability for a continuous function. For a given computable real number p ≥ 1 and a compact computable rectangle I ⊂ ℝq, we show that an Lp function f ∈ Lp(I) is LP‐computable if and only if (i) f is sequentially computable as a linear functional and (ii) the Lp‐modulus function of f is effectively continuous at the origin of ℝq.
On Finite Model Property for Admissible Rules
Authors: Rybakov Vladimir V. , Kiyatkin Vladimir R. , Oner Tahsin
Published: November 2010

Our investigation is concerned with the finite model property (fmp) with respect to admissible rules. We establish general sufficient conditions for absence of fmp w. r. t. admissibility which are applicable to modal logics containing K4: Theorem 3.1 says that no logic λ containing K4 with the co‐cover property and of width > 2 has fmp w. r. t. admissibility. Surprisingly many, if not to say all, important modal logics of width > 2 are within the scope of this theorem–K4 itself, S4, GL, K4.1, K4.2, S4.1, S4.2, GL.2, etc. Thus the situation is completely opposite to the case of the ordinary fmp–the absolute majority of important logics have fmp, but not with respect to admissibility. As regards logics of width ≤ 2, there exists a zone for fmp w. r. t. admissibility. It is shown (Theorem 4.3) that all modal logics A of width ≤ 2 extending S4 which are not sub‐logics of three special tabular logics (which is equipotent to all these λ extend a certain subframe logic defined over S4 by omission of four special frames) have fmp w.r.t. admissibility.
Pluronics as crosslinking agents for collagen: novel amphiphilic hydrogels
Authors: Homenick Christa M , de Silveira Glynis , Sheardown Heather , Adronov Alex
Published: November 2010

A series of Pluronic samples (L61, L121, F68, F108) were investigated as collagen crosslinking agents to determine their ability to improve the Young's modulus of a collagen hydrogel, while simultaneously serving as surfactants for single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The crosslinked collagen matrices were prepared by blending type I bovine collagen with either Pluronics or SWNTs dispersed in an aqueous Pluronic solution and crosslinked utilizing carbodiimide chemistry. The resulting material was a crosslinked collagen hydrogel with sufficient mechanical strength to be manipulated and transferred without damaging the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed a change in the denaturation temperature for hydrogels prepared using Pluronic or Pluronic/SWNT solutions. Water uptake analysis confirmed the crosslinked matrices to be hydrogels. These collagen hydrogels produced with Pluronics as the crosslinking agents exhibited a Young's modulus 3 to 9 times greater than collagen hydrogels produced in the absence of any crosslinking agent, regardless of polymer molecular weight. However, non‐covalent incorporation of SWNTs was not found to affect the Young's modulus of the resulting collagen hydrogels at the incorporation levels achieved with the Pluronics surfactants. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Aminolytic depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste in a microwave reactor
Authors: Achilias Dimitris S , Tsintzou Georgia P , Nikolaidis Alexandros K , Bikiaris Dimitris N , Karayannidis George P
Published: November 2010

The aminolytic depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) taken from waste soft‐drink bottles, under microwave irradiation, is proposed as a recycling method with possible substantial energy savings. The reaction was carried out with ethanolamine and without the use of any other catalyst in a sealed microwave reactor in which the pressure and temperature were controlled and recorded. Experiments under constant temperature or microwave power were carried out for several time periods. The main product, bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide, was identified from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and DSC measurements. It was found that PET depolymerization is favoured by increasing temperature, time and microwave power. The average molecular weight of the PET residues, determined using viscosity measurements, was found to decrease with the percentage of PET degradation, indicating a random chain scission mechanism to some extent. From a simple kinetic model, the activation energy of the reaction was evaluated. Complete depolymerization was found to occur in less than 5 min when the irradiation power applied was 100 W or the temperature was 260 °C. These results support the use of microwave‐assisted aminolytic degradation as a very beneficial method for the recycling of PET wastes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Longitudinal measures of lung function in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Filbrun Amy G. , Popova Antonia P. , Linn Marisa J. , McIntosh Nancy A. , Hershenson Marc B.
Published: November 2010

We previously demonstrated that infants with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) exhibit airflow obstruction and air trapping. The purpose of this study was to assess longitudinal changes in pulmonary function in infants with a history of BPD over the first 3 years of life, and the relationship to somatic growth. Spirometry was measured using the raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique, and lung volumes measured by plethysmography. Eighteen infants (mean gestational age ± SD 27.3 ± 2.2 weeks, birthweight 971 ± 259 g) underwent two lung function studies. Average age at first test was 58.8 weeks. Spirometry demonstrated significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 0.5 sec (FEV0.5, 76.0 ± 15.9% predicted, Z‐score −2.13 ± 1.69), forced expiratory flow at 75% of expired forced vital capacity (FEF75, 54.8 ± 31.1%, −3.58 ± 2.73), and FEF25–75 (67.8 ± 33.3%, −1.79 ± 1.76). Group mean total lung capacity (TLC) was in the low normal range (82.9 ± 13.5% predicted) and residual volume (RV)/TLC was mildly elevated (122.4 ± 38.2% predicted). Repeat testing was performed an average of 32.7 weeks after initial testing. At re‐evaluation, group mean lung volumes and flows tracked at or near their previous values; thus, in general, there was a lack of catch‐up growth. However, compared to infants with below average or average somatic growth (as represented by g/day), infants with above average growth showed significantly greater improvements in percent predicted FVC, FEV0.5, TLC, and RV/TLC (all P < 0.05, ANOVA). We conclude that longitudinal measures of pulmonary function in infants and young children with BPD demonstrate significant airflow obstruction and modest restriction, which tends to persist with time. On the other hand, infants with above average somatic growth showed greater lung growth than their peers. Additional studies examining the effects of various nutritional regimens on lung function are warranted. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:369–375. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the factors determining the dynamics of different protein folds
Authors: Hollup S. M. , Fuglebakk E. , Taylor W. R. , Reuter N.
Published: November 2010

Normal mode analyses of homologous proteins at the family and superfamily level show that slow dynamics are similar and are preserved through evolution. This study investigates how the slow dynamics of proteins is affected by variation in the protein architecture and fold. For this purpose, we have used computer‐generated protein models based on idealized protein structures with varying folds. These are shown to be protein‐like in their behavior, and they are used to investigate the influence of architecture and fold on the slow dynamics. We compared the dynamics of models having different folds but similar architecture and found the architecture to be the dominant factor for the slow dynamics.
Loss of recognition by cross‐reactive T cells and its relation to a C‐terminus‐induced conformational reorientation of an HLA‐B*2705‐bound peptide
Authors: Loll Bernhard , Rückert Christine , Hee Chee Seng , Saenger Wolfram , Uchanska‐Ziegler Barbara , Ziegler Andreas
Published: November 2010

The human major histocompatibility complex class I antigen HLA‐B*2705 binds several sequence‐related peptides (pVIPR, RRKWRRWHL; pLPM2, RRRWRRLTV; pGR, RRRWHRWRL). Cross‐reactivity of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) against these HLA‐B*2705:peptide complexes seemed to depend on a particular peptide conformation that is facilitated by the engagement of a crucial residue within the binding groove (Asp116), associated with a noncanonical bulging‐in of the middle portion of the bound peptide. We were interested whether a conformational reorientation of the ligand might contribute to the lack of cross‐reactivity of these CTL with a peptide derived from voltage‐dependent calcium channel α1 subunit (pCAC, SRRWRRWNR), in which the C‐terminal peptide residue pArg9 could engage Asp116. Analyses of the HLA‐B*2705:pCAC complex by X‐ray crystallography at 1.94 Å resolution demonstrated that the peptide had indeed undergone a drastic reorientation, leading it to adopt a canonical binding mode accompanied by the loss of molecular mimicry between pCAC and sequence‐related peptides such as pVIPR, pLMP2, and pGR. This was clearly a consequence of interactions of pArg9 with Asp116 and other F‐pocket residues. Furthermore, we observed an unprecedented reorientation of several additional residues of the HLA‐B*2705 heavy chain near the N‐terminal region of the peptide, including also the presence of double conformations of two glutamate residues, Glu63 and Glu163, on opposing sides of the peptide binding groove. Together with the Arg‐Ser exchange at peptide position 1, there are thus multiple structural reasons that may explain the observed failure of pVIPR‐directed, HLA‐B*2705‐restricted CTL to cross‐react with HLA‐B*2705:pCAC complexes.
Selenoprotein‐P is down‐regulated in prostate cancer, which results in lack of protection against oxidative damage
Authors: Gonzalez‐Moreno Oscar , Boque Noemi , Redrado Miriam , Milagro Fermin , Campion Javier , Endermann Tobias , Takahashi Kazuhiko , Saito Yoshiro , Catena Raul , Schomburg Lutz , Calvo Alfonso
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a role in prostate cancer (PrCa) initiation and development. Selenoprotein‐P (SepP; a protein involved in antioxidant defence) mRNA levels are down‐regulated in PrCa. The main goal of our study was to assess whether SepP protects prostate cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prostate carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Modification of SepP levels and ROS conditions in C3(1)/Tag‐derived cell lines representing prostate epithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions (Pr‐111, with high SepP expression); and invasive tumors (Pr‐14, with very low SepP expression).

RESULTS

Both Pr‐111 and Pr‐14 cells express ApoER2 (SepP receptor), which suggests that they may uptake SepP. Pr‐14 cells had much higher ROS levels than Pr‐111 cells and were highly sensitive to H2O2‐mediated cytotoxicity. When SepP mRNA levels were knocked down with siRNAs in Pr‐111 cells, a significant increase in ROS and cell growth inhibition upon H2O2 exposure was found. Subsequent administration of purified SepP in the culture medium of these cells was able to rescue the original phenotype. Similarly, administration of SepP to Pr‐14 cells was able to reduce ROS concentrations. Administration of flutamide decreased SepP mRNA levels whereas dihydrotestosterone or synthetic androgens induced SepP expression, indicating the importance of androgens for SepP expression. Immunohistochemical analysis using a PrCa tissue microarray further revealed that SepP protein was reduced in 60.8% prostate tumors compared to benign prostates.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of SepP in prostate cells determine basal ROS levels and sensitivity to H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity. Deregulation of SepP during prostate carcinogenesis may increase free radicals, thus promoting tumor development and de‐differentiation. Prostate 71:824–834, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GWAS SNP Replication among African American and European American men in the North Carolina–Louisiana prostate cancer project (PCaP)
Authors: Xu Zongli , Bensen Jeannette T. , Smith Gary J. , Mohler James L. , Taylor Jack A.
Published: November 2010

Background Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous common SNPs associated with prostate cancer (CaP) risk in men of European descent. This study evaluates GWAS SNPs associated with CaP in African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EA).

METHODS

Eight hundred SNPs were genotyped, including 32 from European‐based GWAS and 35 flanking SNPs, in 417 AA and 455 EA cases from the NC‐LA Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP) and compared to 925 AA and 1,687 EA controls from Illumina's iControlDB. The 32 GWAS SNPs were evaluated for their predictive power to discriminate between cases and controls using ROC curves.

RESULTS

Of the 32 GWAS SNPs, 13 were significant at P < 0.05 in EA and 4 in AA (rs6983267, rs7017300, rs1859962, rs6501455). Three of 35 flanking SNPs, all from chromosome 8q, reached study‐wide significance (P < 3.5 × 10−5); 2 in AA (rs10505476 rs6985504) and 1 in EA (rs16901970). Among the remaining 656 SNPs, 2 were associated with CaP (P < 3.5 × 10−5): rs1472606 (OR: 1.43 in EA) and rs9351265 (OR: 1.48 in AA) both in intergenic regions. For the 32 GWAS SNPs, ROC plots yielded AUC estimates too low for clinical use (EA AUC = 0.60 and AA AUC = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a large proportion of CaP associated regions implicated by European‐based GWAS and provides evidence that some regions may be important in AA CaP risk. Despite the identification of a large panel of GWAS replicated SNPs for CaP, this panel is not appropriate for clinical screening. Prostate 71:881–891, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.