bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preschool‐age adopted Chinese children's sleep problems and family sleep arrangements
Authors: Tan Tony Xing , Marfo Kofi , Dedrick Robert F.
Published: July 2009

Designed to examine the relationship between family sleep arrangements and children's sleep problems in families with preschool‐age children adopted from China, this study documented types of sleep arrangements and explored the nature and sources of advice received by parents on co‐sleeping. Mothers of 480 children provided survey data on their children's night‐time sleep locations, sleep and wake schedules, and changes in sleep arrangements. Children's sleep problems were measured with the Sleep Problem Scale of the Child Behavior Checklist. Descriptive and qualitative analyses showed that most children (71.3%) had a single exclusive sleep location (e.g. solitary sleeping, sharing bedroom with a sibling, sleeping in parents' bedroom, or co‐sleeping with parents) and the rest used a combination of two or three different locations. Children with more sleep problems were more likely to have more sleep locations and to co‐sleep or share a bedroom with parents. Parents of children with more sleep problems were more likely to seek advice on co‐sleeping. When they did, paediatricians were more likely than extended family members and fellow adoptive parents to recommend against co‐sleeping. Careful integration of the descriptive and qualitative data permitted us to draw the conclusion that sleep arrangements reflected parental responsiveness to children's sleep behaviours. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
InvAluable junk: The cellular impact and function of Alu and B2 RNAs
Authors: Walters Ryan D. , Kugel Jennifer F. , Goodrich James A.
Published: July 2009

The short interspersed elements (SINEs) Alu and B2 are retrotransposons that litter the human and mouse genomes, respectively. Given their abundance, the manner in which these elements impact the host genome and what their biological functions might be is of significant interest. Finding that Alu and B2 SINEs are transcribed, both as distinct RNA polymerase III transcripts and as part of RNA polymerase II transcripts, and that these SINE encoded RNAs indeed have biological functions has refuted the historical notion that SINEs are merely “junk DNA.” This article reviews currently known cellular functions of both RNA polymerase II and RNA polymerase III transcribed Alu and B2 RNAs. These RNAs, in different forms, control gene expression by participating in processes as diverse as mRNA transcriptional control, A‐to‐I editing, nuclear retention, and alternative splicing. Future studies will likely reveal additional contributions of Alu and B2 RNAs as regulators of gene expression. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(8): 831–837, 2009
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor‐mediated effects of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin on glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in mice
Authors: Kurita Hisaka , Yoshioka Wataru , Nishimura Noriko , Kubota Naoto , Kadowaki Takashi , Tohyama Chiharu
Published: July 2009

Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggested that exposure to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) affects glucose homeostasis and increases the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. To evaluate the effects of TCDD on insulin secretion from islets of Langerhans (islets), we designed in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro experiments. For the in vivo experiment, male C57BL/6J and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐null mice were injected intraperitoneally with TCDD (10 μg kg−1 b.w.), fasted for 12 h and administered glucose 24 h post‐administration. TCDD exposure significantly decreased the plasma insulin concentration at 60 and 120 min after a glucose challenge in C57BL/6J mice but not in AhR‐null mice. In contrast, the plasma glucose concentration was not changed by TCDD exposure in both C57BL/6J and AhR‐null mice. For the ex vivo experiment, we isolated islets 24 h after TCDD administration and determined the glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion from the islets. The insulin secretion level was found to be significantly decreased by TCDD exposure at 60 min after glucose treatment. For the in vitro experiment, islets harvested from untreated C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 nM TCDD for 24 h and analyzed for glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Insulin secretion from the islets remained unchanged regardless of TCDD dose. In conclusion, TCDD exposure impaired the second phase of glucose‐stimulated secretion of insulin from the islets via the AhR signaling pathway. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo gene transfer between interacting human osteosarcoma cell lines is associated with acquisition of enhanced metastatic potential
Authors: Tome Yasunori , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Yamauchi Kensuke , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Kanaya Fuminori , Tomita Katsuro , Hoffman Robert M.
Published: July 2009

We report here in vivo gene transfer between cancer cells is associated with acquisition of high metastatic behavior. The 143B‐GFP cell line with high metastatic potential and the MNNG/HOS‐RFP cell line with low metastatic potential, both derived from the TE85 human osteosarcoma cell line, were either co‐transplanted or transplanted alone in the tibia in nude mice. Upon mixed transplantation of the two differently labeled sublines, resulting metastatic colonies are single colored either red or green, thereby demonstrating their clonality and enabling facile color‐coded quantification. When MNNG/HOS‐RFP and 143B‐GFP were co‐transplanted in the tibia, the number of lung metastases of MNNG/HOS‐RFP increased eight‐fold compared to MNNG/HOS‐RFP transplanted alone (P < 0.01). In contrast, no enhancement of MNNG/HOS‐RFP metastases occurred when MNNG/HOS‐RFP and 143B‐GFP were transplanted separately in the right and left tibiae, respectively. This result suggests that the presence of 143B‐GFP increased the metastatic potential of MNNG/HOS‐RFP within the mixed tumor. We observed transfer of the Ki‐ras gene from 143B‐GFP to MNNG/HOS‐RFP after they were co‐implanted suggesting the Ki‐ras played a role in increasing the metastatic potential of MNNG/HOS‐RFP in the presence of 143B‐GFP. These data suggest the possible role of in vivo gene transfer in enhancing the metastatic potential of cancer cells. The data also further demonstrated the power of color‐coded imaging to visualize cancer‐cell/cancer‐cell interactions in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 362–367, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical expression of MAP1LC3A and MAP1LC3B protein in breast carcinoma tissues
Authors: Othman Ekhlas Qaid Gazem , Kaur Gurjeet , Mutee Ahmad Faisal , Tengku Muhammad Tengku Sifzizul , Tan Mei Lan
Published: July 2009

Autophagy is a protein degradation process within the cell and its deregulation has been linked to various diseases and the formation of cancer. One of the important proteins involved in the autophagy process is microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1LC3). The aims of this study were to determine the MAP1LC3A and MAP1LC3B protein expression in both normal and cancer breast tissues and to determine the relationship between the expression of these proteins and type of tissues. Immunohistochemistry assessments were carried out on tissue microarrays consisting of breast tissues. MAP1LC3A expression was detected in 52/56 of normal breast tissue cores and 65/67 of breast cancer tissue cores. MAP1LC3B expression was detected in 55/56 of normal breast tissue cores and 67/67 of breast cancer tissue cores. MAP1LC3A and MAP1LC3B protein are expressed in the majority of normal and cancer breast tissues. A large number of MAP1LC3A and MAP1LC3B positive breast cancer tissues cores have high proportion of stained cells (81–100%) as compared with normal breast tissues. However, a significantly higher number of breast cancer tissues were found to express the MAP1LC3A protein with strong immunoreactivity as compared with the normal tissues, suggesting that MAP1LC3A may play a role in breast cancer development. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:249–258, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous use of direct and indirect diagnostic techniques in atypical respiratory infections from Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Pignanelli S. , Shurdhi A. , Delucca F. , Donati M.
Published: July 2009

In 2008, 50 samples (BAL), coming from hospital patients, with acute respiratory symptoms have been investigated using two real‐time PCR methods: one assay for the single detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA and one commercially available real‐time duplex PCR assay for the detection of C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae DNA. Both techniques used here showed compliant results, with 100% concordance for detection of C. pneumoniae and 98% for detection of M. pneumoniae. The positive results obtained agreed with the clinical suspicion of such infections in some cases and with the presence of IgM specific for C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae in all cases of acute infection. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:206–209, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oocyte hydration in the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) during meiosis resumption and ovulation
Authors: Kagawa Hirohiko , Horiuchi Yasuhiro , Kasuga Yosuke , Kishi Takafumi
Published: July 2009

In this study, to elucidate the mechanisms of oocyte hydration in the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), we examined the in vivo and in vitro morphological changes and hydration process occurring during oocyte maturation and ovulation. We also investigated the effects of the presence of ovarian follicles, aquaporin water permeability (HgCl2), and yolk proteolysis (bafilomycin A1) inhibitors, gap junction uncouplers (carbenoxolone and 1‐octanol), a 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor (trilostane), and a P450 antagonist (aminoglutethimide) on oocyte hydration during in vitro oocyte maturation and ovulation. The oocytes underwent more than threefold increase in volume during maturation and ovulation, which was artificially induced by injecting salmon pituitary extracts and 17,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (DHP). Wet and dry weight measurements indicated that water accumulation during oocyte maturation is the major factor contributing to the follicular diameter increase, suggesting that follicular diameter measurements can be used as a hydration index. In the in vitro experiments, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and DHP caused an increase in the diameter of follicle‐enclosed oocytes but not defolliculated oocytes. Addition of HgCl2 and bafilomycin A1 to the incubation media inhibited the HCG‐ and DHP‐induced increase in the follicular diameter in a dose‐dependent manner. Neither carbenoxolone nor 1‐octanol influenced the HCG‐induced increase in the follicular diameter. Trilostane and aminoglutethimide slightly but significantly inhibited HCG‐induced oocyte hydration. Consequently, we concluded that ovarian follicles are essential for HCG‐ and DHP‐induced oocyte hydration. Furthermore, aquaporin facilitates water uptake by acting as a water channel, and yolk proteolysis is essential for water influx into oocytes via osmotic mechanisms. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:752–762, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Living on the bottom: Kinematics of benthic station‐holding in darter fishes (Percidae: Etheostomatinae)
Authors: Carlson Rose L. , Lauder George V.
Published: July 2009

Darters represent a substantial radiation of freshwater fishes that live in close association with the substrate in North American streams and rivers. A key feature of any darter species is therefore its ability to stay in place or to “hold station” in flowing water. Here, we quantify the station‐holding performance of two morphologically divergent darter species, the fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare and the Missouri saddled darter Etheostoma tetrazonum. We also characterize the primary kinematic responses of the two species when holding station in flow speeds ranging from 4 to 56 cm s−1 in a flow tank on either plexiglas or small rock substrate. We then present a series of hypotheses about the potential hydrodynamic and functional consequences of the observed postural changes and the links among morphology, posture, and station‐holding performance. On both substrates, E. tetrazonum was able to hold station at higher flow speeds than E. flabellare. On rocks, E. tetrazonum slipped at an average speed of 55.7 cm s−1 whereas E. flabellare slipped at 40.2 cm s−1. On plexiglas, E. tetrazonum slipped at an average speed of 24.7 cm s−1 whereas E. flabellare slipped at 23.1 cm s−1. We measured body and fin positions of the two species from individual frames of high‐speed video while holding station on rocks and plexiglas. We found that on both substrates, the two species generally exhibited similar kinematic responses to increasing flow: the head was lowered and angled downward, the back became more arched, and the median and caudal fin rays contracted as water flow speed increased. The ventral halves of the pectoral fins were also expanded and the dorsal halves contracted. These changes in posture and fin position likely increase negative lift forces thereby increasing substrate contact forces and reducing the probability of downstream slip. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The comparative anatomy of the abdominal gastrointestinal tract of six species of African mole‐rats (Rodentia, Bathyergidae)
Authors: Kotzé Sanet H. , Van Der Merwe Elizabeth L. , Bennett Nigel C. , O'Riain M. Justin
Published: July 2009

The gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of six species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae) were compared. The aim was to provide a comprehensive anatomical comparison between the different species. The relative shape, length, and surface areas were taken into account to determine whether the GITs are phylogenetically constrained or exhibit anatomical adaptations in response to diets. In all six species the stomach was simple and glandular. With the exception of Heterocephalus glaber, the caecum was coiled in a flat spiral, the ascending colon was arranged in a loop of varying lengths, and a mucosal colonic papillary‐lined groove was present in the ascending colon in all species. By contrast, the caecum in H. glaber was uncoiled, the ascending colon was not looped, and the groove was not papillated. A caeco‐appendix was observed only in Bathyergus suillus and Georychus capensis. Hierarchical multivariate cluster analysis on the presence/absence of nine anatomical structures associated with the GIT of mole‐rats revealed that H. glaber was anatomically the least similar of the six species (77.6% similarity) with respect to the nine GIT variables included. All Cryptomys species were the same (100% similarity), and two species B. suillus and G. capensis grouped together and were more similar to the Cryptomys genus (95% similarity) than they were to H. glaber. These findings support previous phylogenetic classifications. The voluminous caeco‐colon in B. suillus may be explained by its ingestion of grasses in addition to below‐ground storage organs of plants. We conclude that phylogeny and diet affect the GIT anatomy of the African mole rats studied here. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Losartan reduces the onset of type 2 diabetes in hypertensive Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Arase Yasuji , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Akuta Norio , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Yatsuji Hiromi , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Hirakawa Miharu , Saito Satoshi , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu , Kobayashi Tetsuro
Published: July 2009

The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to assess the cumulative development incidence and predictive factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in HCV positive and hypertensive patients treated with losartan. Eighty Japanese patients were given 50 mg of losartan per day after diagnosis of hypertension (losartan group). Another 160 treated with spironolactone were selected as control (spironolactone group). Patients in spironolactone group were matched 1:2 with losartan group for age and sex. The mean observation period was 5.2 years in losartan group and 5.4 years in spironolactone group. An overnight (12 hr) fasting blood sample or a casual blood sample was taken for routine analyses during follow‐up. The primary goal is the onset of T2DM. Evaluation was performed by using the Kaplan–Meier method and the cox proportional hazards analysis. Three patients in losartan group and 20 in spironolactone group developed T2DM. The 5th year cumulative appearance rates of T2DM were 5.4% in losartan group and 14.4% in spironolactone group. Multivariate cox proportional hazards analysis showed that T2DM development after the initiation of anti‐hypertensive drugs occurred when anti‐hypertensive drug was spironolactone (hazard ratio: 6.10; 95% confidence interval = 1.78–20.84; P = 0.004), histological staging was advanced (hazard ratio: 4.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.94–9.60; P < 0.001), fatty liver was present (hazard ratio: 3.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.47–7.27; P = 0.004), and patient had pre‐diabetes (hazard ratio: 2.47; 95% confidence interval = 1.08–5.63; P = 0.032). Our results indicate losartan causes about 60% reduction of the onset of T2DM compared to patients treated with spironolactone. J. Med. Virol. 81:1584–1590, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of concurrent hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen with hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Jang Ji Sun , Kim Hyoung Su , Kim Ha Jung , Shin Woon Geon , Kim Kyung Ho , Lee Jin Heon , Kim Hak Yang , Kim Dong Joon , Lee Myung Seok , Park Choong Kee , Jeong Byung‐Hoon , Kim Yong‐Sun , Jang Myoung Kuk
Published: July 2009

Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (anti‐HBs) can exist in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To date, little is known about the association of concurrent HBsAg and anti‐HBs (concurrent HBsAg/ anti‐HBs) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs with preS deletion mutations and HCC in chronic HBV infection. A total of 755 patients with chronic HBV infection were included consecutively at a tertiary center. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for HCC, and serum HBV DNA was amplified, followed by direct sequencing to detect preS deletions. The prevalence of concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs was 6.4% (48/755) and all HBVs tested were genotype C. HCC occurred more frequently in the concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs group than in the HBsAg only group [22.9% (11/48) vs. 7.9% (56/707), P = 0.002]. In multivariate analyses, age >40 years [odds ratio (OR), 14.712; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.365–49.579; P < 0.001], male gender (OR 2.431; 95% CI, 1.226–4.820; P = 0.011), decompensated cirrhosis (OR, 3.642; 95% CI, 1.788–7.421; P < 0.001) and concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs (OR, 4.336; 95% CI, 1.956–9.613; P < 0.001) were associated independently with HCC. In molecular analysis, preS deletion mutations were more frequent in the concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs and HCC groups than in the HBsAg without HCC group (42.3% and 32.5% vs. 11.3%; P = 0.002 and 0.012, respectively). In conclusion, concurrent HBsAg/anti‐HBs is associated with preS deletion mutations and may be one of the risk factors for HCC in chronic HBV infection with genotype C. J. Med. Virol. 81:1531–1538, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An in‐house‐anti‐hepatitis A virus (HAV)‐specific immunoglobulin M capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay: Evaluation and application to an HAV outbreak
Authors: Kiyohara Tomoko , Ouchi Yoshimi , Hasegawa Yoshiko , Sato Tomoko , Yoneyama Tetsuo , Ishii Koji , Ito Toshihiro , Wakita Takaji
Published: July 2009

An anti‐hepatitis A virus (HAV)‐specific immunoglobulin M capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (anti‐HAV IgM ELISA) kit was re‐designed for laboratory use and compared with a commercial anti‐HAV IgM detection system using 58 serum samples collected from patients, vaccines, and healthy individuals. Because concordance between the two systems was high (r = 0.93,P < 0.05), 19 sets of serum and fecal samples obtained from individuals exposed to an HAV outbreak were also examined. Serum levels of anti‐HAV IgM were determined using the in‐house ELISA kit and the HAV genome in fecal samples was detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the 19 sets of sample, 14 were positive for both anti‐HAV IgM and the HAV genome. All of those whose serum samples were anti‐HAV IgM negative were also negative for the HAV genome in fecal samples. The results of the in‐house IgM ELISA were consistent with those of the HAV genome detected by PCR and with the commercial IgM ELISA. The in‐house anti‐HAV IgM ELISA kit was therefore proven suitable for laboratory use and applicable to epidemiological studies of HAV infection. J. Med. Virol. 81:1513–1516, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype and growing environment influence chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed composition
Authors: Frimpong Adams , Sinha Anupam , Tar'an Bunyamin , Warkentin Tom D , Gossen Bruce D , Chibbar Ravindra N
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: As a first step towards genetic improvement of seed quality in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), seven desi and nine kabuli varieties were grown at multiple sites to assess the affect of environment on seed yield, weight and selected seed constituents. The sites were chosen to represent a range of environments in chickpea production areas of the Canadian prairies.

RESULTS: Genotype × environment interaction effects on starch, amylose and protein (desi only) concentrations and seed yield were significant, suggesting that the varieties did not perform consistently relative to each other in the different environments. Starch concentration was negatively correlated (rkabuli = −0.25, P < 0.05; rdesi = −0.16, P < 0.05) with protein concentration in both chickpea market classes. However, repeatability estimates of starch, amylose and protein concentrations were low and inconsistent across chickpea market classes, possibly owing to complex biosynthetic pathways for these constituents.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that testing for seed constituent traits over a range of environments will be required to improve seed quality in individual chickpea varieties. The best selection strategies for seed constituent improvement in chickpea will be influenced by genotype and genotype × environment interaction for these traits. The negative relationship between seed constituents and yield indicates that selection for chickpea cultivars with desired seed composition may require compromise and indirect selection. Copyright © 2009 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DSC enthalpic transitions during starch gelatinisation in excess water, dilute sodium chloride and dilute sucrose solutions
Authors: Ratnayake Wajira S , Otani Chika , Jackson David S
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Starch phase transition characteristics were studied by pre‐treating starch samples in excess water, dilute sodium chloride and dilute sucrose solutions and subjecting them to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Unmodified maize, wheat and potato starches were held at specific temperatures between 30 and 90 °C for 30 min and promptly cooled to 25 °C. Treated samples were then analysed in situ by DSC.

RESULTS: It was found that the progression of the phase transition behaviour differed among the three starches and was dependent on the solvent. It was also revealed that phase transition‐related enthalpic changes started to occur at low temperatures and that this process involved a continuous sequence of structural changes, resulting in progressive differences in endothermic patterns from low to high temperatures.

CONCLUSION: These findings are in agreement with recent evidence suggesting that starch gelatinisation occurs over a wider temperature range rather than as a sudden order–disorder transition taking place within a narrow temperature range. The phase transition mechanism is determined by starch type and solvent combination. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of 1‐methylcyclopropene on oxidative damage, phospholipases and chilling injury in loquat fruit
Authors: Cao Shifeng , Zheng Yonghua , Wang Kaituo , Rui Huaijing , Tang Shuangshuang
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Low‐temperature storage is commonly used for loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruit to inhibit decay and extend postharvest life, but it also increases the severity of chilling injury (CI) in red‐fleshed fruit. 1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) has been used to reduce the development of CI in cold‐stored loquat. However, the effects of 1‐MCP on changes in antioxidant system and phospholipase activity and their relation to CI have not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether the 1‐MCP‐induced modification in antioxidant system and phospholipase activity is linked to the reduced CI in cold‐stored loquat fruit.

RESULTS: 1‐MCP treatment significantly alleviated CI in ‘Fuyang’ loquat fruit. The treatment markedly inhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde, superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide and the increase in electrolyte leakage. In addition, 1‐MCP‐treated fruit exhibited significantly higher catalase activity and lower lipoxygenase (LOX) and phospholipase C (PLC) activities than control fruit during storage.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LOX and PLC are associated with the induction of CI in loquat fruit. 1‐MCP might reduce CI by inhibiting LOX and PLC activities and alleviating oxidative damage. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Solvability and regularity results to boundary‐transmission problems for metallic and piezoelectric elastic materials
Authors: Buchukuri T. , Chkadua O. , Natroshvili D. , Sändig A.‐M.
Published: July 2009

We investigate three‐dimensional transmission problems related to the interaction of metallic and piezoelectric ceramic bodies. We give a mathematical formulation of the physical problem when the metallic and ceramic sub‐domains are bonded along some proper parts of their boundaries. The corresponding nonclassical mixed boundary‐transmission problem is reduced by the potential method to an equivalent nonselfadjoint strongly elliptic system of pseudo‐differential equations on manifolds with boundary. We investigate the solvability of this system in different function spaces. On the basis of these results we prove uniqueness and existence theorems for the original boundary‐transmission problem. We study also the regularity of the electrical and mechanical fields near the curves where the boundary conditions change and where the interfaces intersect the exterior boundary. The electrical and mechanical fields can be decomposed into singular and more regular terms near these curves. A power of the distance from a reference point to the corresponding edge‐curves occurs in the singular terms and describes the regularity explicitly. We compute these complex‐valued exponents and demonstrate their dependence on the material parameters (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Global continuation for first order systems over the half‐line involving parameters
Authors: Evéquoz Gilles
Published: July 2009

Let X be one of the functional spaces W1,p ((0, ∞), ℝN ) or C01 ([0, ∞), ℝN ), we study the global continuation in λ for solutions (λ, u, ξ) ∈ ℝ × X × ℝk of the following system of ordinary differential equations:
equation image
where ℝN = X1 ⊕ X2 is a given decomposition, with associated projection P: ℝN → X1.

Under appropriate conditions upon the given functions F and φ, this problem gives rise to a nonlinear Fredholm operator which is proper on the closed bounded subsets of ℝ × X × ℝk and whose zeros correspond to the solutions of the original problem. Using a new abstract continuation result, based on a recent degree theory for proper Fredholm mappings of index zero, we reduce the continuation problem to that of finding a priori estimates for the possible solutions (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Combinatorial Energy Transfer between an End‐Capped Conjugated Polyelectrolyte and Chromophore‐Labeled PNA for Strand‐Specific DNA Detection
Authors: Dishari Shudipto Konika , Pu Kan‐Yi , Liu Bin
Published: July 2009

We report a macromolecular end‐capping approach to improve the detection sensitivity of cationic conjugated polymer (CCP) based DNA detection. A phenylethynyl anthracene (PEA) end‐capped cationic polyfluorene (PF) derivative (P1) is synthesized via Suzuki coupling. Due to efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the polymer backbone to the end‐capper PEA units, the polymer (P1) fluorescence is dominated by the emission from PEA even in dilute aqueous solution. P1 emission has a better spectral overlap with fluorescein (Fl) absorption compared to that for uncapped PF (P2). In addition, the intra and intermolecular energy transfer for P1 is more efficient in the presence of DNA due to complexation‐induced polymer aggregation. These impart a combinatorial FRET between P1 and an Fl‐labeled probe which is more efficient than that between P2 and the same probe. P1 thus offers a better DNA detection sensitivity relative to P2 and opens up new opportunities to improve the performance of CCP based biosensors involving FRET.

magnified image
Free water elimination and mapping from diffusion MRI
Authors: Pasternak Ofer , Sochen Nir , Gur Yaniv , Intrator Nathan , Assaf Yaniv
Published: July 2009

Relating brain tissue properties to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is limited when an image voxel contains partial volume of brain tissue with free water, such as cerebrospinal fluid or edema, rendering the DTI indices no longer useful for describing the underlying tissue properties. We propose here a method for separating diffusion properties of brain tissue from surrounding free water while mapping the free water volume. This is achieved by fitting a bi‐tensor model for which a mathematical framework is introduced to stabilize the fitting. Applying the method on datasets from a healthy subject and a patient with edema yielded corrected DTI indices and a more complete tract reconstruction that passed next to the ventricles and through the edema. We were able to segment the edema into areas according to the condition of the underlying tissue. In addition, the volume of free water is suggested as a new quantitative contrast of diffusion MRI. The findings suggest that free water is not limited to the borders of the brain parenchyma; it therefore contributes to the architecture surrounding neuronal bundles and may indicate specific anatomical processes. The analysis requires a conventional DTI acquisition and can be easily merged with existing DTI pipelines. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in skeletal muscle of patients with sleep disorders
Authors: Wåhlin‐Larsson Britta , Ulfberg Jan , Aulin Karin Piehl , Kadi Fawzi
Published: July 2009

An increased capillary network has been observed in skeletal muscle of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This finding could be due to upregulation of growth factors responsible for angiogenesis. The aim of the study was to examine the occurrence and localization of VEGF and capillary proliferation in skeletal muscle of RLS (n = 12) and OSAS (n = 12) patients and controls (n = 11). Double‐immunofluorescence staining for capillaries (CD31) and VEGF, and proliferating cells (Ki‐67), was carried out on biopsies taken from the tibialis anterior. The percentage of capillaries expressing VEGF (CD31,VEGF+) was significantly higher in OSAS and RLS patients compared with controls. The percentage of proliferating capillaries (CD31,Ki‐67+) was significantly higher in OSAS patients compared with controls. Our study shows the occurrence of proliferation of endothelial cells in skeletal muscle in RLS and OSAS, supporting an upregulation of VEGF located in capillaries, probably due to local hypoxia. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Transcriptional regulation of the myosin heavy chain IIB gene in inactive rat soleus
Authors: McCall Gary E. , Haddad Fadia , Roy Roland R. , Zhong Hui , Edgerton V. Reggie , Baldwin Kenneth M.
Published: July 2009

The myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition of skeletal muscle is dependent, in part, on the functional demands of the muscle. The rat soleus muscle primarily expresses the slow‐contracting type I MHC; however, chronic inactivity increases expression of the faster‐contracting type II MHC isoforms. The purpose of this study was to identify the type IIb MHC promoter region(s) that regulate de novo transcription during chronic inactivity of the soleus induced by spinal cord isolation (SI; complete mid‐thoracic and high sacral spinal cord transections plus deafferentation). Seven days after SI, transcription of IIb MHC was evidenced by increases in IIb pre‐mRNA and mRNA. The activity of an ≈2.2‐kb IIb promoter‐firefly luciferase reporter plasmid increased in SI soleus over control as compared to that of a promoterless plasmid. Deletion analyses indicated that the regions encompassing −2237 to −1431, −1048 to −461, and −192 to −161 basepairs (bp) each contributed to the increase in transcriptional activity. Moreover, deletions or mutations of AT‐rich regions in the proximal −192 bp region abolished the increased promoter activity. These results provide important insights related to how proximal IIb MHC promoter elements regulate the increased expression of the IIb MHC gene in response to inactivity of a predominantly slow postural muscle as it undergoes a remodeling of its phenotype and functional characteristics. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Isolated posterior femoral cutaneous neuropathy following intragluteal injection
Authors: Kim Jee‐Eun , Kang Ji‐Hoon , Chol Choi Jay , Seok Lee Jung , Kang Sa‐Yoon
Published: July 2009

Isolated posterior femoral cutaneous nerve lesions are rarely encountered. Electrophysiological documentation has only been made in a few cases. In this study we evaluated a 22‐year‐old woman with sensory loss and pain in the lower buttock and posterior thigh after left gluteal intramuscular injection. We assessed the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve using an accepted conduction technique. The results showed a normal response on the asymptomatic side, but no response on the symptomatic side. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Utility of cystatin C to monitor renal function in duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Viollet Laurence , Gailey Susan , Thornton David J. , Friedman Neil R. , Flanigan Kevin M. , Mahan John D. , Mendell Jerry R.
Published: July 2009

Creatinine as a marker of renal function has limited value in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) because of reduced muscle mass. Alternative methods of assessing renal function are sorely needed. Cystatin C, a nonglycosylated protein unaffected by muscle mass, is potentially an ideal biomarker of nephrotoxicity for this population but requires validation. In all, 75 subjects were recruited: 35 DMD (mean age 10.8 ± 5.4 years, corticosteroids n = 19, ambulatory n = 26), 29 healthy controls, 10 with renal disease, and one DMD with renal failure. Cystatin C levels in DMD were normal irrespective of age, ambulation, or corticosteroid treatment. Serum cystatin C was 0.67 ± 0.11 mg/l compared to normal controls 0.69 ± 0.09. mg/l. In these same individuals serum creatinine was severely reduced (0.27 ± 0.12 mg/dl) versus normals (0.75 ± 0.15 mg/dl, P < 0.01). In one DMD subject in renal failure, cystatin C was elevated. This study demonstrates the potential value of cystatin C as a biomarker for monitoring renal function in DMD. Its applicability extends to other neuromuscular diseases. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Antidepressant use and colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Coogan Patricia F. , Strom Brian L. , Rosenberg Lynn
Published: July 2009

Purpose

A previous epidemiologic study reported a 30% reduced risk of colorectal cancer among users of high doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We assessed the association of colorectal cancer risk with SSRI and tricyclic antidepressant use in our hospital‐based Case Control Surveillance Study.

Methods

For the SSRI analyses, we used data collected on 529 colorectal cancer cases and 1955 hospitalized controls collected from 1995 to 2008. For the tricyclic antidepressant analyses, we used data on 2889 cases and 7122 controls collected from 1976 to 2008. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association of regular SSRI use and regular tricyclic antidepressant use (daily use for at least 3 continuous months) with colorectal cancer risk.

Results

The odds ratio for regular SSRI use was 0.55 (95% CI 0.35–0.88) and it did not differ by duration of use. The odds ratio was 0.47 (95% CI 0.26–0.85) for colon cancer and 0.72 (95% CI 0.37–1.41) for rectal cancer. The odds ratio for regular use of tricyclic antidepressants was 0.77 (95% CI 0.52–1.16)

Conclusions

We found an association of reduced risk of colorectal cancer with regular use of SSRIs. In light of laboratory data indicating that SSRIs may inhibit colon cancer and one previous epidemiologic study that also observed a decreased risk, further investigation of the effect of SSRIs on the risk of colorectal cancer is warranted. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local anaesthetic drugs: adverse effects as reported through the ADROIT system in the UK
Authors: Nazir Muhummad Sohaib , Holdcroft Anita
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to local anaesthetic drugs are reported voluntarily through the Adverse Drug Reporting On Line Tracking system (ADROIT). We aimed to determine hazards associated with drugs commonly used in anaesthesia including ropivacaine and levobupivacaine.

Methods

The ADROIT database was queried for all ADRs to local anaesthetics used in anaesthesia and surgery between 1967 and 2005. Details of age, sex, suspect drug, date and reaction details were analysed.

Results

There were 985 reports analysed, 797 for lidocaine, 160 for bupivacaine, 16 for ropivacaine and 12 for levobupivacaine. The female to male ratio was 1.6:1 and age was not a factor determining the frequency of reactions. A vasoconstrictor was included in the lidocaine formulation in 27% of reports. When methylprednisolone (Depo‐Medrone®) or prilocaine (as EMLA™ cream) were used in combination with lidocaine, the frequency of allergic reports increased significantly (p < 0.0001). Levobupivacaine demonstrated a hazard signal for cardiovascular symptoms. Fatality rate within the reports was higher for bupivacaine (11%) than for lidocaine (3%).

Conclusions

The patient's age and sex were not found to influence the type of reactions reported. Lidocaine with methylprednisolone or prilocaine (as EMLATM cream) generated the largest number of reports of allergic phenomena. Fatalities were most frequently reported in association with bupivacaine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of conductive polypyrrole with improved conductivity and processability
Authors: Wu Tzong‐Ming , Chang Hsiang‐Ling , Lin Yen‐Wen
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: The solubility and conductivity of chemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPy) are dependent on the synthesis procedure and composition. Enhanced processability of PPy with high conductivity can be achieved using the anionic polyelectrolyte poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS).

RESULTS: High‐conductivity PPy with better processability was successfully synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization using various concentrations of PSS. Elemental analysis results show that the C/S and N/S molar ratios of the PPy fabricated in the presence of PSS are in good agreement with theoretical values for PPy–SO4. The S/N ratio increases with increasing PSS content, indicating the high doping level for PPy as the PSS content increases. Scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that the fabricated PPy has spherical structures with the average particle size for the pure PPy being about 250 nm and markedly decreasing to 20–40 nm with the addition of PSS.

CONCLUSION: The conductivities of PPy synthesized with a PSS/pyrrole monomer weight ratio of 0.25 are about five times higher than that of PPy matrix. These results are perhaps due to the part played by PSS serving as a dopant to be incorporated into the PPy structure to improve the conductivity of the fabricated PPy. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Wear Mechanism, Wear Rate and Contact Pressure in PIII Nitrided CoCr Alloys
Authors: Lutz Johanna , Mändl Stephan
Published: July 2009

Nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) into CoCr alloys in the temperature range from 300 to 600 °C leads to the formation of thick diffusion layers of up to 5 µm, consisting of an expanded austenitic phase at lower temperatures and CrN precipitates, dissolved in a matrix, at higher temperatures. In addition, a large increase of the wear resistance by up to a factor of 10 is observed, with the wear rate nearly independent of the alloy's composition and process temperature. No significant difference in the wear behaviour was observed for a 10 µm diameter diamond ball and a 4.8 mm diameter alumina employed as counterbody in the oscillating wear tests.
Epigenetic regulation of Myc on retinoic acid receptor beta and PDLIM4 in RWPE1 cells
Authors: He Meilan , Vanaja Donkena Krishna , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Young Charles Y.F.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND

Hypermethylation of CpG islands is a common epigenetic alteration associated with cancer. Tumor suppressor genes retinoic acid receptor beta (RARβ) and PDLIM4 are hypermethylated and silenced in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues and PCa cell lines compared to normal prostate cells.

METHODS

In this study, a benign prostate epithelial cell line RWPE1 was used as a model to study the epigenetic regulation of Myc on the RARβ and PDLIM4 promoters. Forced Myc overexpression inhibited the RARβ and PDLIM4 expression.

RESULTS

Pyrosequencing study showed that Myc overexpression increased methylation in several CpG sites of both promoters. A DNA methylation inhibitor 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine reversed the epigenetic alteration effect of Myc on both RARβ and PDLIM4.

CONCLUSION

The epigenetic regulation of Myc may be related to its up‐regulation of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3a and DNMT3b. Prostate 69: 1643–1650, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling the possible conformations of the extracellular loops in G‐protein‐coupled receptors
Authors: Nikiforovich Gregory V. , Taylor Christina M. , Marshall Garland R. , Baranski Thomas J.
Published: July 2009

This study presents the results of a de novo approach modeling possible conformational dynamics of the extracellular (EC) loops in G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), specifically in bovine rhodopsin (bRh), squid rhodopsin (sRh), human β‐2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), turkey β‐1 adrenergic receptor (β1AR), and human A2 adenosine receptor (A2AR). The approach deliberately sacrificed a detailed description of any particular 3D structure of the loops in GPCRs in favor of a less precise description of many possible structures. Despite this, the approach found ensembles of the low‐energy conformers of the EC loops that contained structures close to the available X‐ray snapshots. For the smaller EC1 and EC3 loops (6–11 residues), our results were comparable with the best recent results obtained by other authors using much more sophisticated techniques. For the larger EC2 loops (25–34 residues), our results consistently yielded structures significantly closer to the X‐ray snapshots than the results of the other authors for loops of similar size. The results suggested possible large‐scale movements of the EC loops in GPCRs that might determine their conformational dynamics. The approach was also validated by accurately reproducing the docking poses for low‐molecular‐weight ligands in β2AR, β1AR, and A2AR, demonstrating the possible influence of the conformations of the EC loops on the binding sites of ligands. The approach correctly predicted the system of disulfide bridges between the EC loops in A2AR and elucidated the probable pathways for forming this system. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of the protein‐structure refinement category in CASP8
Authors: MacCallum Justin L. , Hua Lan , Schnieders Michael J. , Pande Vijay S. , Jacobson Matthew P. , Dill Ken A.
Published: July 2009

Here, we summarize the assessment of protein structure refinement in CASP8. Twenty‐four groups refined a total of 12 target proteins. Averaging over all groups and all proteins, there was no net improvement over the original starting models. However, there are now some individual research groups who consistently do improve protein structures relative to a starting starting model. We compare various measures of quality assessment, including (i) standard backbone‐based methods, (ii) new methods from the Richardson group, and (iii) ensemble‐based methods for comparing experimental structures, such as NMR NOE violations and the suitability of the predicted models to serve as templates for molecular replacement. On the whole, there is a general correlation among various measures. However, there are interesting differences. Sometimes a structure that is in better agreement with the experimental data is judged to be slightly worse by GDT‐TS. This suggests that for comparing protein structures that are already quite close to the native, it may be preferable to use ensemble‐based experimentally derived measures of quality, in addition to single‐structure‐based methods such as GDT‐TS. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure of the heme/hemoglobin outer membrane receptor ShuA from Shigella dysenteriae: Heme binding by an induced fit mechanism
Authors: Cobessi David , Meksem Ahmed , Brillet Karl
Published: July 2009

Shigella dysentriae and other Gram‐negative human pathogens are able to use iron from heme bound to hemoglobin for growing. We solved at 2.6 Å resolution the 3D structure of the TonB‐dependent heme/hemoglobin outer membrane receptor ShuA from S. dysenteriae. ShuA binds to hemoglobin and transports heme across the outer membrane. The structure consists of a C‐terminal domain that folds into a 22‐stranded transmembrane β‐barrel, which is filled by the N‐terminal plug domain. One distal histidine ligand of heme is located at the apex of the plug, exposed to the solvent. His86 is situated 9.86 Å apart from His420, the second histidine involved in the heme binding. His420 is in the extracellular loop L7. The heme coordination by His86 and His420 involves conformational changes. The comparisons with the hemophore receptor HasR of Serratia marcescens bound to HasA‐Heme suggest an extracellular induced fit mechanism for the heme binding. The loop L7 contains hydrophobic residues which could interact with the hydrophobic porphyring ring of heme. The energy required for the transport by ShuA is derived from the proton motive force after interactions between the periplasmic N‐terminal TonB‐box of ShuA and the inner membrane protein, TonB. In ShuA, the TonB‐box is buried and cannot interact with TonB. The structural comparisons with HasR suggest its conformational change upon the heme binding for interacting with TonB. The signaling of the heme binding could involve a hydrogen bond network going from His86 to the TonB‐box. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.