bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of polyspecific anti‐mitochondrion antibodies for proteomics studies on in toto tissue homogenates
Authors: Loro Emanuele , Gianazza Elisabetta , Cazzola Silvia , Malena Adriana , Wait Robin , Begum Shajna , Brizio Carmen , Dabbeni‐Sala Federica , Vergani Lodovica
Published: April 2009

We describe the characterization of polyclonal antibodies directed against the whole mitochondrial subproteome, as obtained by hyperimmunization of rabbits with an organelle fraction purified from human skeletal muscle and lysed by sonication. After 2‐DE separations with either blue native electrophoresis or IPG as first dimension and blotting, the polyspecific antibodies detect 113 proteins in human muscle mitochondria, representative of all major biochemical pathways and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes, and cross‐react with 28 proteins in rat heart mitochondria. Using as sample cryosections of human muscle biopsies lysed in urea/thiourea/CHAPS, the mitochondrial subproteome can be detected against the background of contractile proteins. When comparing with controls samples from mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke‐like episodes patients, immunoblotting shows in the latter a drastic reduction for the subunits of OXPHOS complex I as well as an increase of several enzymes, including ATP synthase. This finding is the first evidence at the proteomic level of massive up‐regulation in a number of metabolic pathways by which the affected tissues try to compensate for the deficit in the OXPHOS machinery.
Anorexia nervosa—irony, misnomer and paradox
Authors: Lask Bryan , Frampton Ian
Published: April 2009

Anorexia nervosa is a condition full of irony and paradox. Perhaps the most enigmatic of these is that professionals tend to hold the same morbid preoccupation with weight, BMI and targets as do our patients. In this article we outline why we believe that an over‐emphasis on weight/BMI and targets is inappropriate, misleading and potentially harmful. Although this view is not always greeted with enormous enthusiasm by some, others are relieved that this particular ‘holy cow’ is at last being challenged. It is important that we should all have an open mind to the possibility that one of the main tenets of our practice may actually be unhelpful. Some ancient wisdom is drawn upon to support this view. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
An efficient hybrid evolutionary algorithm based on PSO and ACO for distribution feeder reconfiguration
Authors: Niknam Taher
Published: April 2009

A new formulation based on norm2 method for the multi objective distribution feeder reconfiguration (DFR) is introduced in order to minimize the real power loss, deviation of the nodes' voltage, the number of switching operations, and to balance the loads on the feeders. In the proposed method, since the objective functions are not the same and commensurable, the objective functions are considered as a vector and the aim is to maximize the distance (norm2) between the objective function vector and the worst objective function vector while the constraints are met. The status of the tie and sectionalizing switches are considered as the control variables. The proposed DFR problem is a multi objective and non‐differentiable optimization problem so a hybrid evolutionary algorithm based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), called HPSO, is proposed to solve it. The feasibility of the HPSO algorithm and the proposed DFR is demonstrated and compared with the solutions obtained by other approaches and evolutionary methods such as genetic algorithm (GA), ACO and the original PSO, over different distribution test systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling and simulation of stator and rotor fault conditions in induction machines for testing fault diagnostic techniques
Authors: Chen Shuo , Živanović Rastko
Published: April 2009

On‐line diagnostics of induction machine faults such as broken rotor bars and shorted stator windings can be accomplished by analysing the anomalies of machine stator current. Defective rotor bars result in twice slip frequency sidebands around the fundamental frequency in the stator current, while stator winding short circuits cause changes in stator current amplitude and the occurrence of negative sequence current. This paper presents an induction machine model based on the Coupled Circuit Approach to simulate both the rotor and stator faults in an induction machine and to test fault diagnostic techniques. This model is realized in Matlab/Simulink and its construction in Simulink is explained with sufficient details. Simulation results of both the rotor and stator fault conditions are presented. A novel high‐resolution spectral analysis approach and a technique based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) for the detection of broken rotor bars are tested using the simulated data. The results confirm that the high‐resolution method overcomes drawbacks of DFT such as the requirement for long data windows. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of variation in polymer properties on the rate of burning
Authors: Stoliarov Stanislav I. , Safronava Natallia , Lyon Richard E.
Published: April 2009

The sensitivity of the burning rate to variations in physical and chemical properties of synthetic polymers has been examined in order to understand the relative importance of the knowledge of these properties. The sensitivity analysis was performed using a numerical pyrolysis model called ThermaKin, which was employed to compute the rate of burning (expressed in terms of mass loss) of a one‐dimensional material object exposed to steady radiative heat. The results of the calculations indicate that the knowledge of decomposition reaction parameters (including the Arrhenius pre‐exponential factor, activation energy, heat, and char yield) is of key importance for prediction of the peak and average burning rates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fire performance of bolted connections in laminated veneer lumber
Authors: Moss P. J. , Buchanan A. H. , Fragiacomo M. , Lau P. H. , Chuo T.
Published: April 2009

This paper describes an investigation into the fire performance of bolted tensile connections in laminated veneer lumber (LVL) made from radiata pine. The capacity of the bolted connections depends on the embedment strength of the wood and on the yield moment of the bolts. The purpose of the research was to develop a prediction method for the time to failure of the connections when exposed to fire. An experimental investigation was carried out on the axial tensile strength of three types of bolted connections that utilized either wood or steel splice plates. Some specimens were tested at ambient temperatures while similar specimens were tested in fire conditions with a constant applied load. In addition, single‐bolted connections were tested under constant elevated temperature conditions to determine the embedment strength of the LVL. Connections with no steel plates, or with steel plates slotted between the timber members, performed better than those with exposed steel. A simplified design approach is proposed, using an extension of the Johansen formulae, such that the embedment strength of the LVL depends on the temperature in the bolt. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of bubble and droplet deformation by a level set approach with surface tension in three dimensions
Authors: Croce Roberto , Griebel Michael , Schweitzer Marc Alexander
Published: April 2009

In this paper we present a three‐dimensional Navier–Stokes solver for incompressible two‐phase flow problems with surface tension and apply the proposed scheme to the simulation of bubble and droplet deformation. One of the main concerns of this study is the impact of surface tension and its discretization on the overall convergence behavior and conservation properties.

Our approach employs a standard finite difference/finite volume discretization on uniform Cartesian staggered grids and uses Chorin's projection approach. The free surface between the two fluid phases is tracked with a level set (LS) technique. Here, the interface conditions are implicitly incorporated into the momentum equations by the continuum surface force method. Surface tension is evaluated using a smoothed delta function and a third‐order interpolation. The problem of mass conservation for the two phases is treated by a reinitialization of the LS function employing a regularized signum function and a global fixed point iteration. All convective terms are discretized by a WENO scheme of fifth order. Altogether, our approach exhibits a second‐order convergence away from the free surface. The discretization of surface tension requires a smoothing scheme near the free surface, which leads to a first‐order convergence in the smoothing region.

We discuss the details of the proposed numerical scheme and present the results of several numerical experiments concerning mass conservation, convergence of curvature, and the application of our solver to the simulation of two rising bubble problems, one with small and one with large jumps in material parameters, and the simulation of a droplet deformation due to a shear flow in three space dimensions. Furthermore, we compare our three‐dimensional results with those of quasi‐two‐dimensional and two‐dimensional simulations. This comparison clearly shows the need for full three‐dimensional simulations of droplet and bubble deformation to capture the correct physical behavior. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity of shear rate in artificial grafts using automatic differentiation
Authors: Probst M. , Lülfesmann M. , Bücker H. M. , Behr M. , Bischof C. H.
Published: April 2009

An accurate numerical simulation of blood requires the solution of incompressible Navier–Stokes equations coupled with specific constitutive models. We consider a generalized Newtonian fluid model in which viscosity depends on shear rate, accounting for the shear‐thinning behavior of blood. Previous work on the design of an artificial graft indicated that there is an influence of the fluid model on the solution of the partial differential equation‐constrained shape optimization problem. Therefore, we carry out a sensitivity analysis of the actual implementation of the flow solver using automatic differentiation (AD). We compare the sensitivities of shear rate with respect to viscosity for different configurations and validate the truncation‐error‐free sensitivities obtained from AD with those based on divided differencing and, if available, with analytic derivatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microglia processes block the spread of damage in the brain and require functional chloride channels
Authors: Hines Dustin J. , Hines Rochelle M. , Mulligan Sean J. , Macvicar Brian A.
Published: April 2009

Microglia cells exhibit two forms of motility, constant movement of filopodia probing surrounding brain tissue, and outgrowth of larger processes in response to nearby damage. The mechanisms and functions of filopodia sensing and process outgrowth are not well characterized but are likely critical for normal immune function in the brain. Using two photon laser scanning microscopy we investigated microglia process outgrowth in response to damage, and explored the relationship between process outgrowth and filopodia movement. Further, we examined the roles of Cl− or K+ channel activation, as well as actin polymerization in these two distinct processes, because mechanistic understanding could provide a strategy to modulate microglia function. We found that volume sensitive Cl− channel blockers (NPPB, tamoxifen, DIDS) prevented the rapid process outgrowth of microglia observed in response to damage. In contrast, filopodia extension during sensing was resistant to Cl− channel inhibitors, indicating that these motile processes have different cellular mechanisms. However, both filopodia sensing and rapid process outgrowth were blocked by inhibition of actin polymerization. Following lesion formation under control conditions, rapidly outgrowing processes contacted the damaged area and this was associated with a 37% decrease in lesion volume. Inhibition of process outgrowth by Cl− channel block, prevention of actin polymerization, or by selectively ablating microglia all allowed lesion volume to increase and spread into the surrounding tissue. Therefore, process outgrowth in response to focal brain damage is beneficial by preventing lesion expansion and suggests microglia represent a front line defence against damage in the brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The MMSE orientation for time domain is a strong predictor of subsequent cognitive decline in the elderly
Authors: Guerrero‐Berroa Elizabeth , Luo Xiaodong , Schmeidler James , Rapp Michael A. , Dahlman Karen , Grossman Hillel T. , Haroutunian Vahram , Beeri Michal Schnaider
Published: April 2009

Background

The mini‐mental state exam (MMSE) has been used to address questions such as determination of appropriate cutoff scores for differentiation of individuals with intact cognitive function from patients with dementia and rate of cognitive decline. However, little is known about the relationship of performance in specific cognitive domains to subsequent overall decline.

Objective

To examine the specific and/or combined contribution of four MMSE domains (orientation for time, orientation for place, delayed recall, and attention) to prediction of overall cognitive decline on the MMSE.

Methods

Linear mixed models were applied to 505 elderly nursing home residents (mean age = 85, > 12 years education = 27%; 79% F, mean follow‐up = 3.20 years) to examine the relationship between baseline scores of these domains and total MMSE scores over time.

Results

Orientation for time was the only domain significantly associated with MMSE decline over time. Combination of poor delayed recall with either attention or orientation for place was associated with significantly increased decline on the MMSE.

Conclusions

The MMSE orientation for time predicts overall decline on MMSE scores over time. A good functioning domain added to good functioning delayed recall was associated with slower rate of decline. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for an association of the big five personality factors with recurrence of depressive symptoms in later life
Authors: Steunenberg Bas , Braam Arjan W. , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Kerkhof Ad J. F. M.
Published: April 2009

Objectives

Although it is well known that recurrence of late‐life depression is very common, little is known about the characteristics of older people who are vulnerable for recurrence. In order to identify characteristics of those who are at risk, the present study aimed to investigate the strength of the associations of the big five personality factors with recurrence in later life. Secondly, we studied whether there are gender and age differences in the strength of these associations.

Methods

Using data from the longitudinal aging study Amsterdam (LASA) a subsample with clinically relevant depressive symptoms at one or more of the first three LASA‐cycles, but who had recovered at the fourth cycle, was approached to participate in a fifth cycle to determine recurrence (n = 92). Respondents completed self‐report questionnaires on personality (NEO‐FFI) and depression (CES‐D). By means of logistic regression analyses the associations between the Big Five and recurrence of depression at fifth cycle was investigated.

Results

58 (63%) had a recurrence of depressive symptoms. A high level of neuroticism was significantly associated with recurrence. No gender differences or age‐related differences in strength of the associations of personality with recurrence were found.

Conclusion

In later life, neuroticism still is associated with the recurrence of depression. Efforts to prevent recurrence of late‐life depression should focus on those with high levels of neuroticism and future research should aim at further unravelling the association between depression and personality in later life. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smoking initiation in Germany: the role of intergenerational transmission
Authors: Göhlmann Silja , Schmidt Christoph M. , Tauchmann Harald
Published: April 2009

This paper analyzes the decision to start smoking using data from theGerman Socio‐Economic Panel(GSOEP). Our focus is on the role that parental smoking behavior plays for children's smoking initiation. The data used are a combination of retrospective information on the age individuals started smoking and, by tracing back these individuals within the panel structure up to that point, information on characteristics at the age of smoking initiation. In contrast to the previous literature it is possible to control for the environment at the time of smoking onset that might have influenced the decision to start. Our preferred specification of a discrete time hazard model indicates that parental smoking significantly increases the offspring's hazard to start smoking. While this effect is most prominent for currently smoking parents, it is also found for parents who have given up smoking already. However, an ambiguous effect of the timing of parental smoking cessation is found, arguing against role‐model effects being a key determinant for smoking initiation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐parametric methods for cost‐effectiveness analysis: the central limit theorem and the bootstrap compared
Authors: Nixon Richard M. , Wonderling David , Grieve Richard D.
Published: April 2009

Cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEA) alongside randomised controlled trials commonly estimate incremental net benefits (INB), with 95% confidence intervals, and compute cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves and confidence ellipses. Two alternative non‐parametric methods for estimating INB are to apply the central limit theorem (CLT) or to use the non‐parametric bootstrap method, although it is unclear which method is preferable. This paper describes the statistical rationale underlying each of these methods and illustrates their application with a trial‐based CEA. It compares the sampling uncertainty from using either technique in a Monte Carlo simulation. The experiments are repeated varying the sample size and the skewness of costs in the population. The results showed that, even when data were highly skewed, both methods accurately estimated the true standard errors (SEs) when sample sizes were moderate to large (n>50), and also gave good estimates for small data sets with low skewness. However, when sample sizes were relatively smallandthe data highly skewed, using the CLT rather than the bootstrap led to slightly more accurate SEs. We conclude that while in general using either method is appropriate, the CLT is easier to implement, and provides SEs that are at least as accurate as the bootstrap. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fixing the game: are between‐silo differences in funding arrangements handicapping some interventions and giving others a head‐start?
Authors: Segal Leonie , Dalziel Kim , Mortimer Duncan
Published: April 2009

Given resource scarcity, not all potentially beneficial health services can be funded. Choices are made, if not explicitly, implicitly as some health services are funded and others are not. But what are the primary influences on those choices? We sought to test whether funding decisions are linked to cost effectiveness and to quantify the influence of funding arrangements and community values arguments. We tested this via empirical analysis of 245 Australian health‐care interventions for which cost‐effectiveness estimates had been published. The likelihood of government funding was modelled as a function of cost effectiveness, patient/target group characteristics, intervention characteristics and publication characteristics, using multiple regression analysis. We found that higher cost effectiveness ratios were a significant predictor of funding rejection, but that cost effectiveness was not related to the level of funding. Intervention characteristics linked to funding and delivery arrangements and community values arguments were significant predictors of funding outcomes. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that funding and delivery arrangements influence both whether an intervention is funded and funding level; even after controlling for community values and cost effectiveness. It suggests that adopting partial priority setting processes without regard to opportunity cost can have the perverse effect of compounding allocative inefficiencies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social interactions and smoking: evidence using multiple student cohorts, instrumental variables, and school fixed effects
Authors: Fletcher Jason M.
Published: April 2009

In this paper, I use a social interactions framework to detect whether individual smoking decisions are influenced by classmate smoking decisions. There are several large challenges in addressing this question, including the endogeneity of school (and thus classmates) through residential location choices, ‘third factors’ such as school‐level unobservables that influence individual and classmate choices simultaneously, and the difficulty of the identification of parameters in empirical models of social interactions. In order to address these issues, I use an instrumental variables/fixed effects methodology that compares students in different grades within the same high school who face a different set of classmates and classmates' decisions. Preferred specifications suggest that increasing the proportion of classmates who smoke by 10% will increase the likelihood an individual smokes by approximately 3 percentage points. I compare these results with previous findings that are unable to use school fixed effects and/or use potentially invalid instruments and find that the current results suggest smaller social interactions in adolescent smoking decisions than some previous work. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of orally administered lavender essential oil on responses to anxiety‐provoking film clips
Authors: Bradley Belinda F. , Brown Stephen L. , Chu Simon , Lea Robert W.
Published: April 2009

Background

Lavender odour is commonly used to alleviate mild anxiety. Double blind studies are difficult to conduct with odours, and there are few reliable investigations of lavender's efficacy.

Method

Orally administered lavender capsules (placebo, 100, 200 µl) were tested in a randomised between‐subjects (n = 97) double‐blind study. Film clips were used to elicit anxiety. Measures included anxiety, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), mood, positive and negative affect scale (PANAS), heart rate (HR), galvanic skin response (GSR), and heart rate variation (HRV). Following baseline measurements capsules were administered. Participants viewed a neutral film clip, then an anxiety‐provoking and light‐hearted recovery film clip.

Results

For the 200 µl lavender dose during the neutral film clip there was a trend towards reduced state anxiety, GSR and HR and increased HRV. In the anxiety‐eliciting film, lavender was mildly beneficial in females but only on HRV measures. In males sympathetic arousal increased during the anxiety film (GSR). HRV significantly increased at 200 µl during all three film clips in females, suggesting decreased anxiety.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that lavender has anxiolytic effects in humans under conditions of low anxiety, but these effects may not extend to conditions of high anxiety. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MAOA gene polymorphisms and response to mirtazapine in major depression
Authors: Tzeng Dong‐Sheng , Chien Chia‐Chang , Lung For‐Wey , Yang Chun‐ Yuh
Published: April 2009

Background

Polymorphisms in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene may influence treatment outcomes in major depression disorder (MDD).

Objective

To investigate the association of MAOA genetic polymorphisms and response to mirtazapine in patients with MDD.

Method

Fifty‐eight adult patients in Taiwan who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM‐IV) diagnostic criteria for MDD were given mirtazapine for 7 weeks and evaluated on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 49 using the 24‐item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Remission was defined as a final HRSD ≤ 10 and a 50% reduction in baseline HRSD score. Patients provided venous blood for DNA testing. The patients' response to mirtazapine treatment was compared between those who had the long‐form polymorphism in the MAOA gene promoter and the short‐form polymorphism.

Result

The total HRSD scores after mirtazapine treatment were significantly lower than baseline (p < 0.001). There were 10 cases (38.5%) in short from and 6 (18.8%) in long from group touched the remission stage. Patients with the short‐form group had a greater response to mirtazapine (p < 0.001) than those with the long‐form polymorphism after controlling for age, sex, and apolipoprotein E genetic (APOE) polymorphism.

Conclusion

The genetic polymorphisms in the MAOA promoter region may be associated with treatment response to mirtazapine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ungauged catchment contributions to Lake Tana's water balance
Authors: Wale A. , Rientjes T. H. M. , Gieske A. S. M. , Getachew H. A.
Published: April 2009

Lake Tana's flow system is governed by four main components: the inflow from surrounding river catchments into the lake, the outflow at Bahir Dar through the Blue Nile, the direct rainfall on the lake and the direct evaporation from the lake. While recent studies applied simple pragmatic approaches to estimate runoff from ungauged catchments, here emphasis is placed on more advanced approaches based on regionalization and spatial proximity principles. In the regionalization approach, model parameters of the conceptual HBV (Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning) rainfall‐runoff modelling of gauged catchments are transferred to ungauged catchments to allow runoff simulation. Parameter transfer was attempted through regression, proximity procedures and catchment size. This yielded 42, 47 and 46%, respectively, of the total river inflow for the three procedures. Lake areal rainfall is estimated by interpolation of the rain gauges around the lake, open water evaporation is estimated by the Penman‐combination equation while observed inflows and outflow data are directly used in the lake water balance. The water balance closure term was established by comparing the measured lake levels with the calculated levels. Results show that runoff from ungauged catchments is around 880 mm per year for the simulation period 1995–2001 with a water balance closure error of 5%. In addition, use is made of river and lake water chemistry to arrive at an estimate of the unknown inflow and outflow components through the mixing cell approach. The results obtained with this method also provide independent information with regard to the errors in the individual water balance components. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resample or not?! Effects of resolution of DEMs in watershed modeling
Authors: Dixon B. , Earls J.
Published: April 2009

Resolution of data is a sensitive issue in environmental modeling. Professionals from diverse background use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for environmental modeling. Availability of GIS software and publicly available digital data make modeling more accessible to anyone, but without proper understanding of the resampling and resolution of the digital database, model results are of little practical significance. It is imperative that the government agencies and their contractors responsible for using GIS‐based modeling to implement regulatory goals must have strong foundational knowledge of resolution of data and their implications. This study utilizes the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model integrated with ArcView to examine how sensitive the SWAT model was to the resolution of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) while predicting the streamflow. This research uses a case study to demonstrate to the modeling community that resolution of data matters when predicting flow. If there were no effect of resolution on the modeled results then the original 90 m DEM and the original 30 m DEM resampled to 90 m would show similar trends. Initial input layers into SWAT were: DEMs, soils, landuse (LU) and meteorological data. The model‐predicted streamflow was validated against USGS (US Geological Survey) stream gauge data. DEMs are available at 30, 90 and 300 m resolution originally; therefore, this study analysed the sensitivity of the predicted streamflow at 30, 90 and 300 m resolution. Results indicated that SWAT is indeed sensitive to the resolution of the DEMs: original 90 and 30 m DEM resampled to 90 m did not show the same trend. Therefore, the effects of resolution cannot be ignored and resampling may not be adequate in modeling stream flows using a distributed watershed model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A tale of two isotopes: differences in hydrograph separation for a runoff event when using δD versus δ18O
Authors: Lyon Steve W. , Desilets Sharon L. E. , Troch Peter A.
Published: April 2009

It is often assumed that stable water isotopes (δD and δ18O) provide redundant information for a given sample of water. In this note we illustrate that the choice of isotope used may influence the resultant hydrograph separation. This is especially true in light of the spatial and temporal variability in the isotopic composition of rainfall water at the catchment scale. We present several possible hydrograph separations based on both δD and δ18O observed in rainfall for a single runoff event occurring in the southwest USA. This study demonstrates the potential of using both stable water isotopes by showing that δD and δ18O may provide unique information for catchment hydrologists. We also report on the utility of new technology capable of simultaneous measurements of both δD and δ18O using off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA‐ICOS) methods. This may be of interest to catchment hydrologists seeking to incorporate this type of equipment into their laboratory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytoglycoprotein (75 kDa) isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau inhibits expression of interleukin‐4 in the presence of di (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate via modulation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase in primary‐cultured mouse thymocytes
Authors: Oh Phil‐Sun , Lim Kye‐Taek
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this study is to determine the inhibitory effect of a glycoprotein isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (CTB glycoprotein) on di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)‐induced differentiation of T helper (Th) type 2 cells in primary cultured thymocytes. The results obtained from this study revealed that the CTB glycoprotein in the presence of DEHP produces an antioxidative activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species production in cells. In addition, the activities of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and GATA‐binding protein 3 were decreased by treatment with the CTB glycoprotein (100 µg ml−1). The CTB glycoprotein also has an inhibitory effect on the expressions of interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 induced by DEHP in thymocytes. Hence, we speculate that the CTB glycoprotein might be one component for preparation of health supplements for prevention of Th2 cell response‐related immune diseases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Inhibition of constitutive activity of nuclear transcription factor kappaB sensitizes doxorubicin‐resistant cells to apoptosis
Authors: Gangadharan Charitha , Thoh Maikho , Manna Sunil K.
Published: April 2009

Retraction: The following article from the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, “Inhibition of Constitutive Activity of Nuclear Transcription Factor kappaB Sensitizes Doxorubicin‐Resistant Cells to Apoptosis” by Charitha Gangadharan, Maikho Thoh, and Sunil K. Manna, published online on February 25, 2009, in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Gary S. Stein, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The authors have requested the retraction as some of the data was not properly documented as per the norms of good laboratory practice.
HIF‐1α regulates hypoxia‐induced EP1 expression in osteoblastic cells
Authors: Genetos Damian C. , Lee Christina M. , Wong Alice , Yellowley Clare E.
Published: April 2009

Changes in regional oxygen tension that occur during skeletal development and fracture stimulate local bone cell activity to regulate bone formation, maintenance, and repair. The adaptive responses of bone cells to hypoxia are only beginning to be understood. The transcription factor hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) is activated under hypoxia and promotes expression of genes required for adaptation and cell survival, and also regulates both bone development and fracture repair. We have previously demonstrated that hypoxic osteoblasts increase PGE2release and expression of the PGE2receptor EP1. In the present studies, we investigated the impact of altered HIF‐1α activity and expression on EP1 expression in osteoblasts. HIF‐1α stabilization was induced in cells cultured in 21% oxygen by treatment with dimethyloxaloglycine (DMOG) or siRNA targeted against PHD2. To implicate HIF‐1α in hypoxia‐induced EP1 expression, osteoblastic cells were treated with siRNA targeted against HIF‐1α prior to exposure to hypoxia. EP1 expression was significantly increased in cells cultured in 21% oxygen with DMOG or PHD2 siRNA treatment compared to controls. Hypoxia responsive element (HRE) activation in hypoxia was attenuated in cells treated with HIF‐1α siRNA compared to controls, indicating HIF‐1α as the functional HIF‐α isoform in this system. Furthermore, hypoxic cells treated with HIF‐1α siRNA demonstrated reduced EP1 expression in hypoxia compared to controls. Inhibition of SAPK/JNK activity significantly reduced hypoxia‐induced EP1 expression but had no impact on HIF‐1α expression or activity. These data strongly implicate a role for HIF‐1α in hypoxia‐induced EP1 expression and may provide important insight into the mechanisms by which HIF‐1α regulates bone development and fracture repair. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 233–239, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Artificial neural networks‐based approach to design ARIs using QSAR for diabetes mellitus
Authors: Patra Jagdish C. , Singh Onkar
Published: April 2009

In this article, in the first part, we propose an artificial neural network‐based intelligent technique to determine the quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) among known aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) for diabetes mellitus using two molecular descriptors, i.e., the electronegativity and molar volume of functional groups present in the main ARI lead structure. We have shown that the multilayer perceptron‐based model is capable of determining the QSAR quite satisfactorily, with highR‐value. Usually, the design of potent ARIs requires the use of complex computer docking and quantum mechanical (QM) steps involving excessive time and human judgement. In the second part of this article, to reduce the design cycle of potent ARIs, we propose a novel ANN technique to eliminate the computer docking and QM steps, to predict the total score. The MLP‐based QSAR models obtained in the first part are used to predict the potent ARIs, using the experimental data reported by Hu et al. (J Mol Graph Mod 2006, 24, 244). The proposed ANN‐based model can predict the total score with anR‐value of 0.88, which indicates that there exists a close match between the predicted and experimental total scores. Using the ANN model, we obtained 71 potent ARIs out of 6.25 million new ARI compounds created by substituting different functional groups at substituting sites of main lead structure of known ARI. Finally, using high bioactivity relationship and total score values, we determined four potential ARIs out of these 71 compounds. Interestingly, these four ARIs include the two potent ARIs reported by Hu et al. (J Mol Graph Mod 2006, 24, 244) who obtained these through the complex computer docking and QM steps. This fact indicates the effectiveness of our proposed ANN‐based technique. We suggest these four compounds to be the most promising candidates for ARIs to prevent the diabetic complications and further recommend for wet bench experiments to find their potential against ARin vitroandin vivo. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Refinement of the primary hydration shell model for molecular dynamics simulations of large proteins
Authors: Hamaneh Mehdi Bagheri , Buck Matthias
Published: April 2009

A realistic representation of water molecules is important in molecular dynamics simulation of proteins. However, the standard method of solvating biomolecules, that is, immersing them in a box of water with periodic boundary conditions, is computationally expensive. The primary hydration shell (PHS) method, developed more than a decade ago and implemented in CHARMM, uses only a thin shell of water around the system of interest, and so greatly reduces the computational cost of simulations. Applying the PHS method, especially to larger proteins, revealed that further optimization and a partial reworking was required and here we present several improvements to its performance. The model is applied to systems with different sizes, and both water and protein behaviors are compared with those observed in standard simulations with periodic boundary conditions and, in some cases, with experimental data. The advantages of the modified PHS method over its original implementation are clearly apparent when it is applied to simulating the 82 kDa protein Malate Synthase G. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
All‐electron LCAO calculations of the LiF crystal phonon spectrum: Influence of the basis set, the exchange‐correlation functional, and the supercell size
Authors: Evarestov R. A. , Losev M. V.
Published: April 2009

For the first time the convergence of the phonon frequencies and dispersion curves in terms of the supercell size is studied in ab initio frozen phonon calculations on LiF crystal. Helmann–Feynman forces over atomic displacements are found in all‐electron calculations with the localized atomic functions (LCAO) basis using CRYSTAL06 program. The Parlinski–Li–Kawazoe method and FROPHO program are used to calculate the dynamical matrix and phonon frequencies of the supercells. For fcc lattice, it is demonstrated that use of the full supercell space group (including the supercell inner translations) enables to reduce essentially the number of the displacements under consideration. For Hartree–Fock (HF), PBE and hybrid PBE0, B3LYP, and B3PW exchange‐correlation functionals the atomic basis set optimization is performed. The supercells up to 216 atoms (3 × 3 × 3 conventional unit cells) are considered. The phonon frequencies using the supercells of different size and shape are compared. For the commensurate with supercell k‐points the best agreement of the theoretical results with the experimental data is found for B3PW exchange‐correlation functional calculations with the optimized basis set. The phonon frequencies at the most non‐commensurate k‐points converged for the supercell consisting of 4 × 4 × 4 primitive cells and ensures the accuracy 1–2% in the thermodynamic properties calculated (the Helmholtz free energy, entropy, and heat capacity at the room temperature). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
Use of PAT principles for the open‐loop control of laboratory and pilot‐scale chromatography columns
Authors: Chhatre S. , Bou‐Habib G. , Smith M.P. , Hoare M. , Bracewell D.G. , Titchener‐Hooker N.J.
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been increased interest in employing process analytical technologies (PAT) that combine an understanding of how operating parameters affect product quality together with real‐time analysis to achieve efficient process manipulation during operation and thereby ensure that product outputs meet specifications. Primarily intended as the basis of control strategies for full‐scale manufacturing systems, such techniques can bring significant benefits for steps such as chromatographic separations. Rapid at‐line monitoring of a target product can also enable the design of more sophisticated development trials than are generally used at present, whereby data gathered during development can be used to initiate the use of control techniques that drive a process to achieve target values for outputs such as yield or purity. Furthermore, the acquisition of rapid at‐line data also frees the operator from having to perform potentially laborious off‐line assays.

RESULTS: To demonstrate the value of such an approach, a target product (alcohol dehydrogenase) produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and purified by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was monitored in real time by stopped‐flow analysis (SFA) every 45 s. The at‐line monitoring system of the HIC step used in both packed and expanded bed modes provided a visual description of product levels, facilitating a real‐time representation of yield.

CONCLUSION: This PAT information enabled process control wherein the load cycle was regulated successfully to a pre‐specified set‐point to achieve a desired level of breakthrough and so ensure that the product met its target specification. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Solvent extraction of uranium from acidic sulfate media by Alamine® 336: computer simulation and optimization of the flow‐sheets
Authors: Collet Solène , Chagnes Alexandre , Courtaud Bruno , Thiry Jacques , Cote Gérard
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: A series of nine conventional and non‐conventional flow‐sheets have been considered for the recovery of uranium from acidic sulfate solution by liquid–liquid extraction with 0.146 mol L−1 Alamine® 336 in kerosene modified with 5% w/w 1‐tridecanol and stripping with a 199 g L−1 Na2CO3 solution. The reference flow‐sheet was a classical counter‐current configuration with four mixers–settlers in the extraction stage and three mixers–settlers in the stripping stage. The others flow‐sheets possessing a total of eight mixers–settlers are unusual combined solvent extraction flow‐sheets with one or two independent extraction stripping loops and with one or two feed inlets.

RESULTS: The configuration of the flow‐sheets strongly influences the extraction performance of the process depending on the working conditions (feed, stripping and solvent flow rates). The presence of two independent extraction–stripping loops may allow the delay of the saturation phenomenon encountered in the conventional flow‐sheet and thus, to operate at higher feed flow rates without loss of performance, as far as the residual fraction in the raffinate and the concentration factor in the stripping solution are concerned. Furthermore, the presence of a modification in the non‐conventional flow‐sheets with two independent extraction–stripping loops and two feed inlets leads to interesting configurations for uranium recovery from less concentrated solutions, such as heap leach solutions.

CONCLUSION: The use of non‐conventional flow‐sheets is interesting as it allows the process of uranium (VI) recovery by liquid–liquid extraction to be improved. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of basidiomycetous fungi for pretreatment of contaminated soil
Authors: Valentín Lara , Kluczek‐Turpeinen Beata , Oivanen Pekka , Hatakka Annele , Steffen Kari , Tuomela Marja
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: For most dioxin‐contaminated sawmill soils, combustion is recommended. However, the process may be inefficient if the soil has a high organic matter content. The use of saprotrophic basidiomycetous fungi is an alternative for pretreatment of this kind of soil. A total of 147 fungi were evaluated for their ability to grow in sawmill soil. From this screening, the best soil colonizing fungi were selected to study their enzyme activities and degradation of soil organic matter. Pine (Pinus sylvestris) bark was used as a co‐substrate to propagate the fungi into the soil. The activities of manganese peroxidase (MnP), laccase, endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase, endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase, and endo‐1,4‐β‐mannanase were analysed from the inocula and fungal treated soil.

RESULTS: The screening revealed that 56 out of 147 fungi were able to grow in non‐sterile soil, and most of them were litter‐decomposing fungi (LDF). In pine bark cultures, the highest enzyme activities were observed with Phanerochaete velutina, which produced 5 U g−1 of MnP. The activity of endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase was generally higher than that of other hydrolytic enzymes. The highest carbon loss from soil with a high organic matter content was achieved by P. velutina (3.4%) and Stropharia rugosoannulata (2.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: Many LDF, and in addition the white‐rot fungus P. velutina, are potential degraders of soil organic matter since they showed good growth and respiratory activity. Pine bark was a suitable lignocellulosic co‐substrate and a good promoter of MnP activity. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural characterization of the regioisomers of di(hydroxybutyl) ether by GC‐EI MS and theoretical calculations
Authors: Staccioli Serena , Altamura Maria , Giorgi Gianluca , Triolo Antonio
Published: April 2009

Di(hydroxybutyl) ether (DHBE), a liver protecting drug, is composed of a mixture of three regioisomers: 4‐(3‐hydroxybutoxy)‐2‐butanol (1), 3‐(4‐hydroxy‐2‐butoxy)‐1‐butanol (2), and 3‐(3‐hydroxybutoxy)‐1‐butanol (3). Unequivocal differentiation of each regioisomer of DHBE was rapidly obtained without isolation of the single components, using GC‐MS with electron ionization (EI).

The mass spectrum of 1 showed a rearrangement ion at m/z 118, characteristic of the 3‐hydroxybutyl chain, deriving from loss of acetaldehyde from the molecular ion, whereas 2 and 3 were characterized by the ion at m/z 117, expected from α‐cleavage of the 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butyl chain. The species at m/z 118, in turn, loses a water molecule via a mechanism involving both alcohol hydrogens, as shown by deuterium exchange experiments. Both this finding and theoretical calculations support a mechanism in which the loss of acetaldehyde in 1 occurs via a cyclic intermediate, stabilized by a strong hydrogen bond between the alcohol oxygen bearing the charge and the other alcohol oxygen, and involves initial hydrogen transfer from the former to the latter.

The EI spectrum of 2, having two 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butyl chains, showed the fragmentations expected from classical fragmentation rules of aliphatic ethers and alcohols, whereas the EI spectrum of 3, bearing one 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butyl and one 3‐hydroxybutyl chain, showed essentially the characteristic fragments of both chains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient neural network approach for nanoscale FinFET modelling and circuit simulation
Authors: Alam M. S. , Kranti A. , Armstrong G. A.
Published: April 2009

The present paper demonstrates the suitability of artificial neural network (ANN) for modelling of a FinFET in nano‐circuit simulation. The FinFET used in this work is designed using careful engineering of source–drain extension, which simultaneously improves maximum frequency of oscillation ƒmaxbecause of lower gate to drain capacitance, and intrinsic gainAV0 = gm/gds, due to lower output conductancegds. The framework for the ANN‐based FinFET model is a common source equivalent circuit, where the dependence of intrinsic capacitances, resistances and dc drain currentIdon drain–sourceVdsand gate–sourceVgsis derived by a simple two‐layered neural network architecture. All extrinsic components of the FinFET model are treated as bias independent. The model was implemented in a circuit simulator and verified by its ability to generate accurate response to excitations not used during training. The model was used to design a low‐noise amplifier. At low power (Jds∼10 µA/µm) improvement was observed in both third‐order‐interceptIIP3(∼10 dBm) and intrinsic gainAV0(∼20 dB), compared to a comparable bulk MOSFET with similar effective channel length. This is attributed to higher ratio of first‐order to third‐order derivative ofIdwith respect to gate voltage and lowergdsin FinFET compared to bulk MOSFET. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.