bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced risk for placental malaria in iron deficient women
Authors: Senga Edward L , Harper Gregory , Koshy Gibby , Kazembe Peter N , Brabin Bernard J
Published: February 2011

Background

Nutritional iron deficiency may limit iron availability to the malaria parasite reducing infection risk, and/or impair host immunity thereby increasing this risk. In pregnant women, there is evidence of an adverse effect with iron supplementation, but the few reported studies are strongly confounded.

Methods

A case control study in pregnant Malawian women was undertaken in Chikhwawa southern Malawi in order to describe iron status in relation to placental malaria controlling for several confounding factors. Pregnancy characteristics were obtained and a blood sample at delivery. A full blood count was performed and serum ferritin and transferrin receptor quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay. DNA analysis was used to identify genetic polymorphisms for ABO phenotype, hemoglobin HbS, and glucose -6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Placental tissue was obtained and malaria histology classified as active, past or no malaria infection.

Results

112 cases with placental malaria were identified and 110 women with no evidence of placental infection. Iron deficiency was less frequent in women with placental Plasmodium falciparum infection. In those with acute, chronic or past placental infections the odds ratio for iron deficiency was 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8, p = 0.01; for acute and chronic infections 0.4, 0.2-0.8, p = 0.006; for acute infection 0.3, 0.1-0.7, p = 0.001. The association was greater in multigravidae.

Conclusion

Women with either acute, or acute and chronic placental malaria were less likely to have iron deficiency than women without placental malaria infection There is a priority to establish if reversing iron deficiency through iron supplementation programs either prior to or during pregnancy enhances malaria risk.
Low density lipoprotein receptor gene Ava II polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations
Authors: Long Xing-Jiang , Yin Rui-Xing , Li Ke-La , Liu Wan-Ying , Zhang Lin , Cao Xiao-Li , Miao Lin , Wu Dong-Feng , Htet Aung Lynn Htet , Hu Xi-Jiang
Published: February 2011

Background

Several common genetic polymorphisms in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene have associated with modifications of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, but the results are not consistent in different populations. Bai Ku Yao is a special subgroup of the Yao minority in China. The present study was undertaken to detect the association of LDL-R gene Ava ║ polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.

Methods

A total of 1024 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 792 participants of Han Chinese were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the LDL-R gene Ava ║ polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing.

Results

The levels of serum TC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C, apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 and the ratio of ApoA1 to ApoB were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han (P < 0.01 for all). The frequency of A- and A+ alleles was 65.5% and 34.5% in Bai Ku Yao, and 80.7% and 19.3% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. The frequency of A-A-, A-A+ and A+A+ genotypes was 42.6%, 45.9% and 11.5% in Bai Ku Yao, and 64.9%, 31.6% and 3.5% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. There was also significant difference in the genotypic frequencies between males and females in Bai Ku Yao (P <0.05), and in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between normal LDL-C (≤ 3.20 mmol/L) and high LDL-C (>3.20 mmol/L) subgroups in Bai Ku Yao (P < 0.05 for each) and between males and females in Han (P < 0.05 for each). The levels of LDL-C in males and TC and HDL-C in females were different among the three genotypes (P < 0.05 for all) in Bai Ku Yao, whereas the levels of HDL-C in males and HDL-C and ApoA1 in females were different among the three genotypes (P < 0.05-0.001) in Han. The subjects with A+A+ genotype had higher serum LDL-C, TC, HDL-C or ApoA1 levels than the subjects with A-A+ and A-A- genotypes. Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that the levels of LDL-C in Bai Ku Yao and HDL-C in Han were correlated with genotypes (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; respectively).

Conclusions

The association of LDL-R gene Ava ║ polymorphism and serum lipid levels is different between the Bai Ku Yao and Han populations. The discrepancy might partly result from different LDL-R gene Ava ║ polymorphism or LDL-R gene-enviromental interactions.
On the nature of the stretched exponential photoluminescence decay for silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Zatryb G , Podhorodecki A , Misiewicz J , Cardin J , Gourbilleau F
Published: February 2011

The influence of hydrogen rate on optical properties of silicon nanocrystals deposited by sputtering method was studied by means of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as transmission and reflection measurements. It was found that photoluminescence decay is strongly non-single exponential and can be described by the stretched exponential function. It was also shown that effective decay rate probability density function may be recovered by means of Stehfest algorithm. Moreover, it was proposed that the observed broadening of obtained decay rate distributions reflects the disorder in the samples.
Memory effects in annealed hybrid gold nanoparticles/block copolymer bilayers
Authors: Torrisi Vanna , Ruffino Francesco , Licciardello Antonino , Grimaldi Maria Grazia , Marletta Giovanni
Published: February 2011

We report on the use of the self-organization process of sputtered gold nanoparticles on a self-assembled block copolymer film deposited by horizontal precipitation Langmuir-Blodgett (HP-LB) method. The morphology and the phase-separation of a film of poly-n-butylacrylate-block-polyacrylic acid (Pn BuA-b-PAA) were studied at the nanometric scale by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The templating capability of the Pn BuA-b-PAA phase-separated film was studied by sputtering gold nanoparticles (NPs), forming a film of nanometric thickness. The effect of the polymer chain mobility onto the organization of gold nanoparticle layer was assessed by heating the obtained hybrid Pn BuA-b-PAA/Au NPs bilayer at T >Tg. The nanoparticles' distribution onto the different copolymer domains was found strongly affected by the annealing treatment, showing a peculiar memory effect, which modifies the AFM phase response of the Au NPs layer onto the polar domains, without affecting their surfacial composition. The effect is discussed in terms of the peculiar morphological features induced by enhanced mobility of polymer chains on the Au NPs layer.
Electrical behavior of MIS devices based on Si nanoclusters embedded in SiO
x
N
y
and SiO2 films
Authors: Jacques Emmanuel , Pichon Laurent , Debieu Olivier , Gourbilleau Fabrice
Published: February 2011

We examined and compared the electrical properties of silica (SiO2) and silicon oxynitride (SiO
x
N
y
) layers embedding silicon nanoclusters (Sinc) integrated in metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) devices. The technique used for the deposition of such layers is the reactive magnetron sputtering of a pure SiO2 target under a mixture of hydrogen/argon plasma in which nitrogen is incorporated in the case of SiO
x
N
y
layer. Al/SiO
x
N
y
-Sinc/p-Si and Al/SiO2-Sinc/p-Si devices were fabricated and electrically characterized. Results showed a high rectification ratio (>104) for the SiO
x
N
y
-based device and a resistive behavior when nitrogen was not incorporating (SiO2-based device). For rectifier devices, the ideality factor depends on the SiO
x
N
y
layer thickness. The conduction mechanisms of both MIS diode structures were studied by analyzing thermal and bias dependences of the carriers transport in relation with the nitrogen content.
Nonsynonymous substitution rate (Ka) is a relatively consistent parameter for defining fast-evolving and slow-evolving protein-coding genes
Authors: Wang Dapeng , Liu Fei , Wang Lei , Huang Shi , Yu Jun
Published: February 2011

Background

Mammalian genome sequence data are being acquired in large quantities and at enormous speeds. We now have a tremendous opportunity to better understand which genes are the most variable or conserved, and what their particular functions and evolutionary dynamics are, through comparative genomics.

Results

We chose human and eleven other high-coverage mammalian genome data–as well as an avian genome as an outgroup–to analyze orthologous protein-coding genes using nonsynonymous (Ka) and synonymous (Ks) substitution rates. After evaluating eight commonly-used methods of Ka and Ks calculation, we observed that these methods yielded a nearly uniform result when estimating Ka, but not Ks (or Ka/Ks). When sorting genes based on Ka, we noticed that fast-evolving and slow-evolving genes often belonged to different functional classes, with respect to species-specificity and lineage-specificity. In particular, we identified two functional classes of genes in the acquired immune system. Fast-evolving genes coded for signal-transducing proteins, such as receptors, ligands, cytokines, and CDs (cluster of differentiation, mostly surface proteins), whereas the slow-evolving genes were for function-modulating proteins, such as kinases and adaptor proteins. In addition, among slow-evolving genes that had functions related to the central nervous system, neurodegenerative disease-related pathways were enriched significantly in most mammalian species. We also confirmed that gene expression was negatively correlated with evolution rate, i.e. slow-evolving genes were expressed at higher levels than fast-evolving genes. Our results indicated that the functional specializations of the three major mammalian clades were: sensory perception and oncogenesis in primates, reproduction and hormone regulation in large mammals, and immunity and angiotensin in rodents.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that Ka calculation, which is less biased compared to Ks and Ka/Ks, can be used as a parameter to sort genes by evolution rate and can also provide a way to categorize common protein functions and define their interaction networks, either pair-wise or in defined lineages or subgroups. Evaluating gene evolution based on Ka and Ks calculations can be done with large datasets, such as mammalian genomes.

Reviewers

This article has been reviewed by Drs. Anamaria Necsulea (nominated by Nicolas Galtier), Subhajyoti De (nominated by Sarah Teichmann) and Claus O. Wilke.
Accurate inference of shoot biomass from high-throughput images of cereal plants
Authors: Golzarian Mahmood R , Frick Ross A , Rajendran Karthika , Berger Bettina , Roy Stuart , Tester Mark , Lun Desmond S
Published: February 2011

With the establishment of advanced technology facilities for high throughput plant phenotyping, the problem of estimating plant biomass of individual plants from their two dimensional images is becoming increasingly important. The approach predominantly cited in literature is to estimate the biomass of a plant as a linear function of the projected shoot area of plants in the images. However, the estimation error from this model, which is solely a function of projected shoot area, is large, prohibiting accurate estimation of the biomass of plants, particularly for the salt-stressed plants. In this paper, we propose a method based on plant specific weight for improving the accuracy of the linear model and reducing the estimation bias (the difference between actual shoot dry weight and the value of the shoot dry weight estimated with a predictive model). For the proposed method in this study, we modeled the plant shoot dry weight as a function of plant area and plant age. The data used for developing our model and comparing the results with the linear model were collected from a completely randomized block design experiment. A total of 320 plants from two bread wheat varieties were grown in a supported hydroponics system in a greenhouse. The plants were exposed to two levels of hydroponic salt treatments (NaCl at 0 and 100 mM) for 6 weeks. Five harvests were carried out. Each time 64 randomly selected plants were imaged and then harvested to measure the shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight. The results of statistical analysis showed that with our proposed method, most of the observed variance can be explained, and moreover only a small difference between actual and estimated shoot dry weight was obtained. The low estimation bias indicates that our proposed method can be used to estimate biomass of individual plants regardless of what variety the plant is and what salt treatment has been applied. We validated this model on an independent set of barley data. The technique presented in this paper may extend to other plants and types of stresses.
Surgical management of pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumors: A single center experience
Authors: Mondello Baldassare , Lentini Salvatore , Barone Mario , Barresi Pietro , Monaco Francesco , Familiari Dario , La Rocca Annunziata , Sibilio Michele , Acri Ignazio Eduardo , David Antonio , Monaco Maurizio
Published: February 2011

Background

The pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIP) is a rare disease. It is still debated whether it represents an inflammatory lesion characterized by uncontrolled cell growth or a true neoplasm. PIP is characterized by a cellular polymorphism.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 8 patients with PIP treated by surgery between 2001 and 2009. Preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all cases. All patients underwent preoperative bronchoscopy with washing and brushing and/or transbronchial biopsy and preoperative cytology examination

Results

There were 5 men and 3 women, aged between 38 and 69 years (mean of 58 years). 3 patients (37%) were asymptomatic. The others had symptoms characterized by chest pain, shortness of breath and persistent cough or hemoptysis. 5 patients had neutrophilic leucocytosis. CT scan demonstrated solitary nodules (maximum diameter <3 cm) in 5 patients (62%) and lung masses (maximum diameter >3 cm) in 3 patients (37%). In 2 patients there were signs of pleural infiltration. Distant lesions were excluded in all cases. A preoperative histology examination failed to reach a definitive diagnosis in all patients. At surgery, we performed two lobectomies, one segmentectomy and five wedge resections, these being performed with videothoracoscopy (VATS), except for one patient where open surgery was used. Complete tumor resection was obtained in all patients. According to the Matsubara classification, there were 2 cases of organizing pneumonia, 5 cases of fibrous histiocytoma and one case of lymphoplasmacytoma. All patients were discharged alive from hospital between 4 and 7 days after surgery. At follow-up CT scan performed annually (range 11 to 112 months) (mean 58 months), there were no residual lesions, neither local nor distant recurrences.

Conclusions

PIP is a rare disease. Many synonyms have been used for this disease, usually in relation to the most represented cell type. The true incidence is unclear. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult to reach, despite performing a bronchoscopy or a transparietal needle aspiration. Different classifications have been proposed for PIP. Either medical, radiation or surgical therapy has been used for PIP. Whenever possible, surgery should be considered the standard treatment. Complete surgical resection is advocated to prevent recurrence.
Chemical fingerprinting and quantitative analysis of a Panax notoginseng preparation using HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS
Authors: Yao Hong , Shi Peiying , Shao Qing , Fan Xiaohui
Published: February 2011

Background

Xuesaitong (XST) injection, consisting of total saponins from Panax notoginseng, was widely used for the treatment of cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases in China. This study develops a simple and global quality evaluation method for the quality control of XST.

Methods

High performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was used to identify and quantify the chromatographic fingerprints of the XST injection. Characteristic common peaks were identified using HPLC with photo diode array detection/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA/ESI-MSn).

Results

Representative fingerprints from ten batches of samples showed 27 'common saponins' all of which were identified and quantified using ten reference saponins.

Conclusion

Chemical fingerprinting and quantitative analysis identified most of the common saponins for the quality control of P. notoginseng products such as the XST injection.
Extracellular domain of CD98hc is required for early murine development
Authors: Sato Yukiyasu , Heimeier Rachel A , Li Cuiling , Deng Chuxia , Shi Yun-Bo
Published: February 2011

Background

The multifunctional protein CD98 heavy chain (CD98hc, Slc3a2) associates with integrin β1 through its cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains and the CD98hc-mediated integrin signaling is required for maintenance of ES cell proliferation. CD98hc-null mice exhibit early post-implantation lethality similar to integrin β1-null mice, supporting the importance of its interaction with integrin β1. On the other hand, the extracellular domain of CD98hc interacts with L-type amino acid transporters (LATs) and is essential for appropriate cell surface distribution of LATs. LATs mediate the transport of amino acids and other molecules such as thyroid hormone. In this respect, CD98hc may also affect development via these transporters.

Results

In this study, mice were generated from embryonic stem (ES) cell line (PST080) harboring a mutant CD98hc allele (CD98hcΔ/+). Expression of the CD98hc mutant allele results in ΔCD98hc-β geo fusion protein where extracellular C-terminal 102 amino acids of CD98hc are replaced with β geo. Analyses of PST080 ES cells as well as reconstituted frog oocytes demonstrated that ΔCD98hc-β geo fusion protein preserved its ability to interact with integrin β1 although this mutant protein was hardly localized on the cell surface. These findings suggest that ΔCD98hc-β geo protein can mediate integrin signaling but cannot support amino acid transport through LATs. CD98hcΔ/+mice were normal. Although some of the implantation sites lacked embryonic component at E9.5, all the implantation sites contained embryonic component at E7.5. Thus, CD98hcΔ/Δembryos are likely to die between E7.5 and E9.5.

Conclusions

Considering that CD98hc complete knockout (CD98hc-/-) embryos are reported to die shortly after implantation, our findings suggest potential stage-specific roles of CD98hc in murine embryonic development. CD98hc may be essential for early post-implantation development by regulating integrin-dependent signaling, while the other function of CD98hc as a component of amino acid transporters may be required for embryonic development at later stages.
Change in CD3 positive T-cell expression in psoriatic arthritis synovium correlates with change in DAS28 and magnetic resonance imaging synovitis scores following initiation of biologic therapy - a single centre, open-label study
Authors: Pontifex Eliza K , Gerlag Danielle M , Gogarty Martina , Vinkenoog Marjolein , Gibbs Adrian , Burgman Ilse , Fearon Ursula , Bresnihan Barry , Tak Paul Peter , Gibney Robin G , Veale Douglas J , FitzGerald Oliver
Published: February 2011

Introduction

With the development of increasing numbers of potential therapeutic agents in inflammatory disease comes the need for effective biomarkers to help screen for drug efficacy and optimal dosing regimens early in the clinical trial process. This need has been recognized by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) group, which has established guidelines for biomarker validation. To seek a candidate synovial biomarker of treatment response in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), we determined whether changes in immunohistochemical markers of synovial inflammation correlate with changes in disease activity scores assessing 28 joints (ΔDAS28) or magnetic resonance imaging synovitis scores (ΔMRI) in patients with PsA treated with a biologic agent.

Methods

Twenty-five consecutive patients with PsA underwent arthroscopic synovial biopsies and MRI scans of an inflamed knee joint at baseline and 12 weeks after starting treatment with either anakinra (first 10 patients) or etanercept (subsequent 15 patients) in two sequential studies of identical design. DAS28 scores were measured at both time points. Immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD68 and Factor VIII (FVIII) was performed on synovial samples and scored by digital image analysis (DIA). MRI scans performed at baseline and at 12 weeks were scored for synovitis semi-quantitatively. The ΔDAS28 of the European League Against Rheumatism good response definition (>1.2) was chosen to divide patients into responder and non-responder groups. Differences between groups (Mann Whitney U test) and correlations between ΔDAS28 with change in immunohistochemical and MRI synovitis scores (Spearman's rho test) were calculated.

Results

Paired synovial samples and MRI scans were available for 21 patients (8 anakinra, 13 etanercept) and 23 patients (8 anakinra, 15 etanercept) respectively. Change in CD3 (ΔCD3) and CD68 expression in the synovial sublining layer (ΔCD68sl) was significantly greater in the disease responders compared to non-responders following treatment (P = 0.005 and 0.013 respectively). ΔCD3, but not ΔCD68 or ΔFVIII, correlated with both ΔDAS28 (r = 0.49, P = 0.025) and ΔMRI (r = 0.58, P = 0.009).

Conclusions

The correlation of ΔCD3 with ΔDAS28 and ΔMRI following biologic treatment in this cohort contributes to the validation of ΔCD3 as a synovial biomarker of disease response in PsA, and supports the further evaluation of ΔCD3 for predictive properties of future clinical outcomes.
Endotoxemia related to cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased risk of infection after cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Klein David J , Briet Francoise , Nisenbaum Rosane , Romaschin Alexander D , Mazer C David
Published: February 2011

Introduction

Previous studies have documented a high frequency of endotoxemia associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Endotoxemia may be responsible for some of the complications associated with cardiac surgery. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of endotoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass supported aortocoronary bypass grafting surgery (ACB) using a new assay, the Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA), and explore the association between endotoxemia and post-operative infection.

Methods

The study was a single center prospective observational study measuring EAA during the perioperative period for elective ACB. Blood samples were drawn at induction of anesthesia (T1), immediately prior to release of the aortic cross-clamp (T2), and on the first post-operative morning (T3). The primary outcome was the prevalence of endotoxemia. Secondary outcomes assessed included infection rates, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. An EAA of < 0.40 units was interpreted as "low", 0.41 to 0.59 units as "intermediate", and ≥0.60 units as "high".

Results

A total of 57 patients were enrolled and 54 patients were analyzable. The mean EAA at T1 was 0.38 +/- 0.14, at T2 0.39 +/- 0.18, and at T3 0.33 +/- 0.18. At T2 only 13.5% (7/52) of patients had an EAA in the high range. There was a positive correlation between EAA and duration of surgery (P = 0.02). In patients with EAA ≥0.40 at T2, 26.1% (6/23) of patients developed post-operative infections compared to 3.5% (1/29) of those that had a normal EAA (P = 0.0354). Maximum EAA over the first 24 hours was also strongly correlated with risk of post-operative infection (P = 0.0276).

Conclusions

High levels of endotoxin occur less frequently during ACB than previously documented. However, endotoxemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of the development of post-operative infection. Measuring endotoxin levels during ACB may provide a mechanism to identify and target a high risk patient population.
Upregulation of programmed death-1 on T cells and programmed death ligand-1 on monocytes in septic shock patients
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Jinbao , Lou Jingsheng , Zhou Ying , Bo Lulong , Zhu Jiali , Zhu Keming , Wan Xiaojian , Cai Zailong , Deng Xiaoming
Published: February 2011

Introduction

Studies on the role of programmed death-1(PD-1) and its main ligand (PD-L1) during experimental models of sepsis have shown that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a pathologic role in altering microbial clearance, the innate inflammatory response and accelerated apoptosis in sepsis. However, the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 and their role during the development of immune suppression in septic patients have not been elucidated. The present study was designed to determine whether the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 is upregulated in septic shock patients and to explore the role of this pathway in sepsis-induced immunosuppression.

Methods

Nineteen septic shock patients and 22 sex-matched and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Apoptosis in lymphocyte subpopulations and PD-1/PD-L1 expression on peripheral T cells, B cells and monocytes were measured using flow cytometry. Apoptosis of T cells induced by TNFα or T-cell receptor ligation in vitro and effects of anti-PD-L1 antibody administration were measured by flow cytometry. CD14+ monocytes of septic shock patients were purified and incubated with either lipopolysaccharide, anti-PD-L1 antibody, isotype antibody, or a combination of lipopolysaccharide and anti-PD-L1 antibody or isotype antibody. Supernatants were harvested to examine production of cytokines by ELISA.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, septic shock induced a marked increase in apoptosis as detected by the annexin-V binding and active caspase-3 on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. Expression of PD-1 on T cells and of PD-L1 on monocytes was dramatically upregulated in septic shock patients. PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade in vitro with anti-PD-L1 antibody decreased apoptosis of T cells induced by TNFα or T-cell receptor ligation. Meanwhile, this blockade potentiated the lipopolysaccharide-induced TNFα and IL-6 production and decreased IL-10 production by monocytes in vitro.

Conclusions

The expression of PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1 on monocytes was upregulated in septic shock patients. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway might play an essential role in sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Ral GTPase promotes asymmetric Notch activation in the Drosophila eye in response to Frizzled/PCP signaling by repressing ligand-independent receptor activation
Authors: Cho Bomsoo , Fischer Janice A.
Published: February 2011

Ral is a small Ras-like GTPase that regulates membrane trafficking and signaling. Here, we show that in response to planar cell polarity (PCP) signals, Ral modulates asymmetric Notch signaling in the Drosophila eye. Specification of the initially equivalent R3/R4 photoreceptor precursor cells in each developing ommatidium occurs in response to a gradient of Frizzled (Fz) signaling. The cell with the most Fz signal (R3) activates the Notch receptor in the adjacent cell (R4) via the ligand Delta, resulting in R3/R4 cell determination and their asymmetric positions within the ommatidium. Two mechanisms have been proposed for ensuring that the cell with the most Fz activation sends the Delta signal: Fz-dependent transcriptional upregulation in R3 of genes that promote Delta signaling, and direct blockage of Notch receptor activation in R3 by localization of an activated Fz/Disheveled protein complex to the side of the plasma membrane adjacent to R4. Here, we discover a distinct mechanism for biasing the direction of Notch signaling that depends on Ral. Using genetic experiments in vivo, we show that, in direct response to Fz signaling, Ral transcription is upregulated in R3, and Ral represses ligand-independent activation of Notch in R3. Thus, prevention of ligand-independent Notch activation is not simply a constitutive process, but is a target for regulation by Ral during cell fate specification and pattern formation.
RACK1 is a novel interaction partner of PTK7 that is required for neural tube closure
Authors: Wehner Peter , Shnitsar Iryna , Urlaub Henning , Borchers Annette
Published: February 2011

RACK1 is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular adaptor protein that is involved in a wide range of processes including cell adhesion and migration; however, its role in vertebrate development is largely unknown. Here, we identify RACK1 as a novel interaction partner of PTK7, a regulator of planar cell polarity that is necessary for neural tube closure. RACK1 is likewise required for Xenopus neural tube closure. Further, explant assays suggest that PTK7 and RACK1 are required for neural convergent extension. Mechanistically, RACK1 is necessary for the PTK7-mediated membrane localization of Dishevelled (DSH). RACK1 facilitates the PTK7-DSH interaction by recruiting PKCδ1, a known effector of DSH membrane translocation. These data place RACK1 in a novel signaling cascade that translocates DSH to the plasma membrane and regulates vertebrate neural tube closure.
The endoderm specifies the mesodermal niche for the germline in Drosophila via Delta-Notch signaling
Authors: Okegbe Tishina C. , DiNardo Stephen
Published: February 2011

Interactions between niche cells and stem cells are vital for proper control over stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. However, there are few tissues where the initial establishment of a niche has been studied. The Drosophila testis houses two stem cell populations, which each lie adjacent to somatic niche cells. Although these niche cells sustain spermatogenesis throughout life, it is not understood how their fate is established. Here, we show that Notch signaling is necessary to specify niche cell fate in the developing gonad. Surprisingly, our results indicate that adjacent endoderm is the source of the Notch-activating ligand Delta. We also find that niche cell specification occurs earlier than anticipated, well before the expression of extant markers for niche cell fate. This work further suggests that endoderm plays a dual role in germline development. The endoderm assists both in delivering germ cells to the somatic gonadal mesoderm, and in specifying the niche where these cells will subsequently develop as stem cells. Because in mammals primordial germ cells also track through endoderm on their way to the genital ridge, our work raises the possibility that conserved mechanisms are employed to regulate germline niche formation.
The fibronectin leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein Flrt2 is required in the epicardium to promote heart morphogenesis
Authors: Müller Pari-Sima , Schulz Ramona , Maretto Silvia , Costello Ita , Srinivas Shankar , Bikoff Elizabeth , Robertson Elizabeth
Published: February 2011

The epicardium, the outermost tissue layer that envelops the developing heart and provides essential trophic signals for the myocardium, derives from the pro-epicardial organ (PEO). Two of the three members of the Flrt family of transmembrane glycoproteins, Flrt2 and Flrt3, are strongly co-expressed in the PEO. However, beginning at around day 10 of mouse development, following attachment and outgrowth, Flrt3 is selectively downregulated, and only Flrt2 is exclusively expressed in the fully delaminated epicardium. The present gene-targeting experiments demonstrate that mouse embryos lacking Flrt2 expression arrest at mid-gestation owing to cardiac insufficiency. The defects in integrity of the epicardial sheet and disturbed organization of the underlying basement membrane closely resemble those described in Flrt3-deficient embryos that fail to maintain cell-cell contacts in the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) signalling centre that normally establishes the A-P axis. Using in vitro and in vivo reconstitution assays, we demonstrate that Flrt2 and Flrt3 are functionally interchangeable. When acting alone, either of these proteins is sufficient to rescue functional activities in the AVE and the developing epicardium.
Ribeye is required for presynaptic CaV1.3a channel localization and afferent innervation of sensory hair cells
Authors: Sheets Lavinia , Trapani Josef G. , Mo Weike , Obholzer Nikolaus , Nicolson Teresa
Published: February 2011

Ribbon synapses of the ear, eye and pineal gland contain a unique protein component: Ribeye. Ribeye consists of a novel aggregation domain spliced to the transcription factor CtBP2 and is one of the most abundant proteins in synaptic ribbon bodies. Although the importance of Ribeye for the function and physical integrity of ribbon synapses has been shown, a specific role in synaptogenesis has not been described. Here, we have modulated Ribeye expression in zebrafish hair cells and have examined the role of Ribeye in synapse development. Knockdown of ribeye resulted in fewer stimulus-evoked action potentials from afferent neurons and loss of presynaptic CaV1.3a calcium channel clusters in hair cells. Additionally, afferent innervation of hair cells was reduced in ribeye morphants, and the reduction was correlated with depletion of Ribeye punctae. By contrast, transgenic overexpression of Ribeye resulted in CaV1.3a channels colocalized with ectopic aggregates of Ribeye protein. Overexpression of Ribeye, however, was not sufficient to create ectopic synapses. These findings reveal two distinct functions of Ribeye in ribbon synapse formation – clustering CaV1.3a channels at the presynapse and stabilizing contacts with afferent neurons – and suggest that Ribeye plays an organizing role in synaptogenesis.
Studies of the chemoenzymatic modification of cellulosic pulps by the laccase-TEMPO system
Authors: Patel Ilabahen , Ludwig Roland , Haltrich Dietmar , Rosenau Thomas , Potthast Antje
Published: February 2011

The chemoenzymatic modification of cellulosic pulps by the laccase-mediator system (LMS) consisting of laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) has been investigated. The reaction proceeds under mild aqueous conditions (sodium citrate buffer pH 6, 30°C) and introduces primarily aldehyde groups into cellulose so that carboxyl groups amount to one-third to one-fifth of the carbonyl groups only. LMS treatment caused uniform oxidation of the material, also in the high-molecular weight area, which is a non-typical behavior compared to other chemical oxidations of cellulose. Treatment of the pulp only with TEMPO or only with laccase caused no changes whatsoever, whereas treatment with the TEMPO-derived oxoammonium ion (in the absence of laccase) introduced carbonyl groups into the pulp, but no carboxyls. This chemoenzymatic approach was compared to the well-known chemical approach by means of TEMPO and hypohalite. Both approaches yielded comparable distributions of functional groups at the low oxidation degrees studied, indicating a similar reaction mechanism with the TEMPO-derived oxoammonium ion being the actual oxidant. The laccase is able to generate this oxoammonium ion, which in turn oxidized the 6-hydroxymethyl group into the corresponding aldehyde.
Determination of pectin content of eucalyptus wood
Authors: Coetzee Berdine , Schols Henk A. , Wolfaardt Francois
Published: February 2011

Very little is known about the occurrence of pectin in wood and it is speculated that between 10 mg g-1and 40 mg g-1of wood consists of pectin. The present study aimed to quantify pectin in eucalyptus wood and to determine the influence of tree species, yield potential of the site, tree age class and wood tissue type on its occurrence. Wood was hydrolysed using the Saeman procedure and the neutral and acidic monosaccharides quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thed-galacturonic acid was the predominant pectic monosaccharide followed byd-galactose,l-arabinose andl-rhamnose. Through the addition of all pectic monosaccharides, it was determined that eucalyptus wood contained between 15.2 mg g-1and 25.8 mg g-1pectin. Wood tissue type had a major influence on the total pectin content of the samples. The cambium contained the highest concentration of pectin, reflecting more active growth. These results contribute to the understanding of wood biochemistry and can be useful in the industries producing biofuels or paper.
Lastmanagementpotential Elektrofahrzeuge
Authors: Agsten Michael , Schlegel Steffen , Westermann Dirk
Published: February 2011

Die Einführung von Elektrofahrzeugen bietet die Möglichkeit den Anteil fossiler Energieträger gegenüber erneuerbaren Energieformen wie Wind, Sonne und Wasserkraft durch gesteuertes Laden zu minimieren. Untersuchungen zeigen, zusätzliche Lastspitzen sind zu Zeiten zu erwarten, die ohnehin bereits die höchste elektrische Last aufweisen. Dies kann zu Überlastungssituationen im Verteilnetz führen und den Anteil fossiler Energieträger am Gesamtmix elektrischer Energie erhöhen. Zusätzliche Spitzenlastkraftwerke müssen eingesetzt werden, um den Bedarf zu decken. Die Steuerung von Ladevorgängen kann genutzt werden um Netzüberlastungen zu verhindern und zu Zeiten zu laden in denen der Beitrag regenerativer Einspeiser besonders hoch ist, insbesondere wenn deren Anteil deutlich gewachsen ist und Überangebot vorliegt. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich daher mit der Modellierung und Herausstellen des Optimierungspotentials von Ladevorgängen aus Sicht von Verteilnetzen.
Mode Selective Damping of Electromechanical Oscillations in Power Systems Considering Time Delay Uncertainty of Input Signals
Authors: Hashmani Ashfaque A. , Erlich István
Published: February 2011

This paper presents the design of an H
∞-based local decentralized power system stabilizer (PSS) controllers, using selected suitable remote signals from the whole system as supplementary inputs, for a separate better damping of specific inter-area modes, considering uncertainty in time delay. The wide area or global signals are taken from suitable remote network locations where the oscillations are well observable. The PSS controller uses only those local and remote input signals in which the assigned single inter-area mode is most observable and is located at a generator which is most effective.
Influence of humic acid on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite
Authors: Křepelová A. , Sachs Susanne , Bernhard Gert
Published: February 2011

The sorption of americium(III), (Am(III)), onto kaolinite was studied in batch experiments in the absence and presence of humic acid (HA) ([Am(III)]0=1×10−6ߙM, [HA]0=0 or 10ߙmg/L,I=0.01ߙM NaClO4, pH=3–10,pCO2=10−3.5ߙatm, solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L)=1 or 4ߙg/L). The results show that the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite is influenced by S/L, the presence of HA and the pH value. In the absence of HA, Am(III) exhibits a very strong and almost pH independent sorption onto kaolinite at the S/L ratio of 4ߙg/L. In the presence of HA, there are small differences in the Am(III) sorption compared to the HA free system. At pH values 5, HA very slightly enhances the sorption of Am(III). Conversely, at pH values ≥5.5, the presence of HA decreases the sorption of Am(III) due to the formation of dissolved Am(III) humate complexes. The decrease of S/L from 4 to 1ߙg/L has a significant effect on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite. A sorption edge occurs at pH 6 and the influence of carbonate on the Am(III) sorption at higher pH values becomes evident. Furthermore, the influence of HA on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite is more pronounced. The Am(III) sorption results are compared to literature data and to those of U(VI) sorption onto kaolinite obtained under the same experimental conditions.
A novel synthesis of the N-13 labeled atmospheric trace gas peroxynitric acid
Authors: Bartels-Rausch Thorsten , Ulrich Thomas , Huthwelker Thomas , Ammann Markus
Published: February 2011

Radioactively labeled trace gases have been successfully used to study heterogeneous chemistry of atmospheric relevance. Here we present a new synthesis of gas-phase peroxynitric acid labeled with 13N (H13NO4) to study the interaction of HNO4 with ice and snow surfaces. A yield of about 30% for HNO4 was determined. The main by-products were HNO3 and HNO2. Exposure of an ice packed bed flow tube to these species revealed that the interaction with the surface scale in the order HNO3ߙ>ߙHNO4ߙ=ߙHNO2ߙ>ߙNO2.
Electrochemical Patterning of Polyaniline on Insulating Substrates
Authors: Gaponik Nikolai , Shchukin Dmitry G. , Sviridov Dmitry V.
Published: February 2011

A facile method of patterning of various dielectric substrates (glass, quartz, and polyimide) with thin films of conducting polyaniline with at least 10 μm resolution is demonstrated. This method can be applied for the fabrication of functional conducting polymer interconnections between microelectrode arrays separated by dielectric gaps. Such interconnections may find applications in microelectrochemical sensors and electrocatalytic systems.
Synthesis and Agglomeration of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with 5-R-Tetrazoles
Authors: Ziegler Christoph , Klose Markus , Voitekhovich Sergei V. , Gaponik Nikolai , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: February 2011

In this work we present a simple method to obtain silver sols stabilized by tetrazole derivatives. The well established metal precursor silver nitrate and the reductant sodium borohydride have been combined with 5-R-tetrazoles (R=CH3, NH2) acting as stabilizing ligands. Depending on the utilized tetrazole, different agglomeration kinetics could be observed. Long term stability and agglomeration processes have been in situ investigated by the use of UV/Vis- and Raman-spectroscopy.
Solubility Enhancement of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using Synergistically Interacting Gemini-Conventional Surfactant Systems
Authors: Panda Manorama , Shafi Sheikh Mohmad , ud-Din Kabir
Published: February 2011

The aqueous solubility of otherwise slightly soluble organic substances can be enhanced by the incorporation of surfactant micelles. In this research, the water solubility enhancements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) viz. naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene, by micellar solutions at 30 ºC using gemini-conventional (ionic and nonionic) surfactants in their single and binary systems have been measured and compared. The solubilization capabilities of gemini surfactant butanediyl-1,4-bis(dimethylcetylammonium bromide) (G4) with cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), anionic sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and nonioinic polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (Brij 58) have been quantified in terms of molar solubilization ratio (MSR), partition coefficient (K
m) and free energy of solubilization (ΔG
s
0) of the PAHs. The order of solubilizing power of pure surfactants is Brij 58 > G4 > CTAB > AOT and in binary systems G4-Brij 58 > G4-CTAB > G4-AOT.
SERS Study and DFT Simulation of the Interaction of Cytosine with Copper Electrode
Authors: Li Xianchang , Liu Shuanjiang , Li Wei , Mo Yujun , Hu Jiming
Published: February 2011

In order to obtain a deeper insight into the interaction between cytosine and copper electrode, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study and density functional theory (DFT) simulation have been used. The experimental result shows that a decrease of relative intensity of the band at around 1315 cm−1 is accompanied by a considerable increase of relative intensity of the bands in the 1490∼1600 cm−1 region when the potential is below −0.7 V, and it is explained by the chemical effect (CE). Simultaneously, the geometry and Raman spectra of neutral and cationic Cu-cytosine complexes are calculated and simulated using the B3LYP/lanl2dz basis. The simulation shows that the relative intensities of Raman spectra depend strongly on the molecular active sites involved in the interaction between the copper electrode and the cytosine molecule. Combining the experimental results with theoretical calculations, we conclude that the adsorptive orientation of cytosine on the copper electrode occurs on the N3 site and the carbonyl site when the potential is above and below −0.7 V, respectively. This study also indicates that a combination of SERS and DFT simulations is a valuable tool for studying interactions of biomolecules with metal.
Approach-related morbidity in transthoracic anterior spine surgery: a clinical study and review of literature
Authors: Zenner Juliane , Koller Heiko , Hempfing Axel , Hutter Jörg , Hitzl Wolfgang , Resch Herbert , Tauber Mark , Meier Oliver , Ferraris Luis
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Anterior access to the thoracic spine is done by open thoracotomy (OTC) or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). VATS is known as the method which results in lower morbidity rates, but there is little evidence of its less invasiveness. Objective: The current study yielded for outcome data concerning patients' perception of approach-related morbidity (ArM) following OTC for spinal surgery and that of a control group having a chest tube thoracotomy (CTT). METHODS: We performed a questionnaire assessment of ArM after OTC and CTT. Applying strict inclusion criteria, we compared outcomes in terms of percentage morbidity (Morbidity %) of 43 patients that underwent OTC for instrumented scoliosis correction to 30 patients that had CTT for minor thoracic pathologies (e.g., pneumothorax). RESULTS: Mean age in CTT and OTC Group was 50.2 and 16.5 years old, follow-up was of 32.2 and 58.4 months, and mean incision length was 2.5 and 25.5 cm, respectively. Mean number of levels fused in the OTC Group was 5.8. Mean morbidity (0% delineating no cases, 100% delineating highest morbidity) for the CTT Group was 10.8±15.4% (0-59.5%), 42% of patients had no morbidity. Signs of intercostal neuralgia (ICN) were present in 16.7%. A total of 35.5% had a morbidity >10% (mean: 27.5%), and 10% of morbidity cases were defined as having a chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPP). In the OTC Group, mean morbidity was 7.0±12.7% (0-52.1%), 44% had no morbidity. Out of the sample, 18.6% had morbidity >10% (mean: 28.6%). Signs of ICN were present in 14%. In both groups, the presence of ICN had a significant impact on and showed correlation with morbidity (p<0.0001). In terms of clinical judgement, the severity of the ArM after a CTT or OTC was generally mild except for one patient in each group. Age and follow-up were significantly different between groups (p<0.0001, p=0.02), but the intergroup difference in morbidity was not significant (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: ArM after open thoracic spinal surgery or VATS procedures can be assessed using the questionnaire. To put ArM of OTC into perspective, a Control Group with simple CTT was selected, demonstrating that morbidity was not different between the OTC and CTT groups. Patients with increased signs of ICN do worse which was reflected by increased morbidity in both groups. The study demonstrates that not only the cosmesis is not a concern for patients undergoing OTC, but neither is the ArM a concern, equalling that of a simple CTT.