bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Präzisions-Forstwirtschaft – was ist das? | Precision forestry – what's that?
Authors: Heinimann Hans Rudolf
Published: July 2007

The term «precision forestry» was first introduced and discussed at a conference in 2001. The aims of this paper are to explore the scientific roots of the precision concept, define «precision forestry», and sketch the challenges that the implementation of this new concept may present to practitioners, educators, and researchers. The term «precision» does not mean accuracy on a small scale, but instead refers to the concurrent coordination and control of processes at spatial scales between 1 m and 100 km. Precision strives for an automatic control of processes. Precision land use differs from precision engineering by the requirements of gathering,storing and managing spatio-temporal variability of site and vegetation parameters. Practitioners will be facing the challenge of designing holistic, standardized business processes that are valid for whole networks of firms,and that follow available standards (e.g., SCOR, WoodX). There is a need to educate and train forestry professionals in the areas of business process re-engineering, computer supported management of business transactions,methods of remote sensing, sensor technology and control theory. Researchers will face the challenge of integrating plant physiology, soil physics and production sciences and solving the supply chain coordination problem (SCCP).
Waldindikatoren zur Artenvielfalt – Erkenntnisse aus LFI und BDM Schweiz | Forest structures and species diversity – Findings from the NFI and BDM
Authors: Brändli Urs-Beat , Bühler Christoph , Zangger Adrian
Published: July 2007

In order to monitor species diversity, surveying indicators in habitats has often been recommended as more cost efficient than assessing species directly. In this study data from the Swiss National Forest Inventory (NFI)and the Biodiversity Monitoring Program (BDM) were used to verify the correlation of species density for vascular plants, mosses, and molluscs with 58 variables of forest structure, site conditions and forest management. The analyses show that site factors, in particular the biogeographic regions, the altitude, slope and the soil acidity,explain 18 to 49% of the observed variance in species density, depending on the species group (taxon). Of all the factors influenced by management, only the availability of light (stand density) was found to play an important role primarily on vascular plants. In addition the density of molluscs is positively correlated to shrub cover. However, none of the regression models tested explains more than 54% of the variance of species density. Therefore, the authors conclude that the species richness of the species groups investigated can be assessed reliably only by direct survey. The analyses confirm that certain data assessed in forest inventories is ecologically very important and relevant for environmental policy.
An optical method for in situ characterization of fouling during filtration
Authors: Mendret J. , Guigui C. , Schmitz P. , Cabassud C. , Duru P.
Published: July 2007

In dead‐end ultrafiltration, in situ characterization of fouling is of great importance to be able to evaluate cake properties during filtration runs. Moreover, local information is necessary to analyze and model the basic mechanisms involved in deposit formation. Many studies have investigated cake formation on flat‐sheet membranes but there is a lack of methods suitable for confined geometries such as inside‐out hollow‐fiber membranes. This study focuses on development and validation of an optical method using a laser sheet for in situ cake characterization in a narrow channel. The method enables the measurement of time‐variations of cross‐section cake thickness ranging from 10 μm to hundreds of micrometers with a 3 μm resolution and a 2.5 μm standard deviation. The reproducibility of the results and the order of magnitude are discussed on the basis of experimental results for clay suspensions. Limitations of the method are investigated; in the range of 0–2 g/l for clay suspensions, suspension concentration has no effect. Finally, future applications of the method as a tool for dead‐end fouling characterization are considered. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Damping behavior of sandwich beam laminated with CIIR/petroleum resins blends by DMA measurement
Authors: Li Cong , Wu Guozhang , Xiao Fangyi , Wu Chifei
Published: July 2007

In this paper, we tried to develop a high damping material with chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR) and petroleum resins. It was found that the addition of petroleum resins in CIIR could largely increase the loss factor and broaden the damping range. So a sandwich beam laminated with the new developed material was prepared, and the damping behavior of this sandwich beam was measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The influence of temperature, frequency, thickness, and component of damping layer on the structural loss factor ηs determined by DMA was discussed based on a theoretical model. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Synthesis and properties of polyamide–imides containing fluorenyl cardo structure
Authors: Hu Zhiqiang , Li Shanjun , Zhang Chunhua
Published: July 2007

A series of alternating polyamide–imides (PAIs) with fluorenyl cardo having inherent viscosities of 0.38–0.88 dL/g was synthesized by one‐pot polycondensation of cardo diamines, trimellitic anhydride, and various aromatic diamines including p‐phenylene diamine, m‐phenylene diamine, 4,4'‐oxydianiline, 3,4'‐oxydianiline, 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, 2,2‐bis[4‐(3‐amino phenoxy)phenyl]propane using triphenyl phosphite as condensing agents. Most of the polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents, such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidin‐one, N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N‐dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine, and tetrahydrofuran, etc. PAIs exhibited better solubility when alkyl substituents were incorporated. Moreover, the effects of the linkage of imide/amide on the properties of PAIs were also discussed. The glass‐transition temperatures of these polymers were recorded between 235 and 448°C by DSC and 10% weight loss temperature of all polymers exceed 450°C in air. The films of the resulting PAIs could be cast from their DMAc solutions. These films had a tensile strength in the range of 43‐111 MPa, and an elongation at break in the range of 1.5–7.1%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Interrogation of “surface,” “skin,” and “core” orientation in thermotropic liquid‐crystalline copolyester moldings by near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering
Authors: Rendon Stanley , Bubeck Robert A. , Thomas Lowell S. , Burghardt Wesley R. , Hexemer Alexander , Fischer Daniel A.
Published: July 2007

Injection molding thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymers (TLCPs) usually results in the fabrication of molded articles that possess complex states of orientation that vary greatly as a function of thickness. “Skin‐core” morphologies are often observed in TLCP moldings. Given that both “core” and “skin” orientation states may often differ both in magnitude and direction, deconvolution of these complex orientation states requires a method to separately characterize molecular orientation in the surface region. A combination of two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) in transmission and near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy is used to probe the molecular orientation in injection molded plaques fabricated from a 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene (DHαMS)‐based thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester. Partial electron yield (PEY) mode NEXAFS is a noninvasive ex situ characterization tool with exquisite surface sensitivity that samples to a depth of 2 nm. The effects of plaque geometry and injection molding processing conditions on surface orientation in the regions on‐ and off‐ axis to the centerline of injection molded plaques are presented and discussed. Quantitative comparisons are made between orientation parameters obtained by NEXAFS and those from 2D WAXS in transmission, which are dominated by the microstructure in the skin and core regions. Some qualitative comparisons are also made with 2D WAXS results from the literature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Polycaprolactone‐based shape memory segmented polyurethane fiber
Authors: Meng Qinghao , Hu Jinlian , Zhu Yong , Lu Jing , Liu Yan
Published: July 2007

In this article, shape memory polyurethane fibers were prepared by wet spinning. The shape memory switching temperature was the melting temperature of soft segment polycaprolactone phase at 36.20°C. The fibers' mechanical properties, especially the shape memory properties, were explicitly characterized and compared with that from some commercialized polyurethane elastic fibers. The prepared 40 denier shape memory fiber (SMF) had a tenacity of about 0.93–98 cN/dtex, and the strain at break ranged from 85–115%. At ambient temperature, the modulus of SMF was in general larger than those of the Elaspan and Newstar fibers. The SMF had a shape fixity ratio of more than 80% and recovery ratio more than 95% under thermal drawing and recovery cyclic tensile testing. The results from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to illustrate the mechanism governing the mechanical properties and shape memory effect especially. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and low density polyethylene containing aluminium: A material obtained from packaging recycling
Authors: Lopes Cristina Moniz Araujo , Gonçalves Maria do Carmo , Felisberti Maria Isabel
Published: July 2007

Composites of polyethylene and aluminium (PEAL) may be obtained from the recycling of postconsumed Tetra Pak aseptic packaging. The components of the composite are low density polyethylene (LDPE), aluminium and an ethylene‐methacrylic acid random copolymer (EMAA). The presence of metallic filler and a functionalized copolymer, which may act as a compatibilizer, suggests that blending PEAL with other thermoplastic would be a way to obtain reinforced and compatibilized blends from recycled materials. Blends of PEAL and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared in the compositions of 30, 50, and 70 wt % of PET in a twin‐screw extruder. Blends of PET/LDPE and PET/EMAA were also prepared for comparison. The morphological analysis showed that the PET/PEAL blends present an excellent interfacial adhesion, similar to the PET/EMAA blend. The improvement of adhesion in comparison with the PET/LDPE blend is a result of the interaction between polar groups of PET and EMAA. PET/PEAL blends presented lower elongation at break and impact strength than the other blends whereas Young modulus was higher. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
The relevance of preserving temporary ponds during drought: hydrological and vegetation changes over a 16‐year period in the Doñana National Park (south‐west Spain)
Authors: Serrano Laura , Zunzunegui María
Published: July 2007

Although the Doñana National Park is given the highest degree of environmental protection in Spain, it is likely that groundwater discharge to several ponds within the Biological Reserve has been damaged by abstraction to a tourist resort located less than 1 km away.

Hydrological changes were monitored over 16 years (1 October 1989 to 30 September 2005) by recording the shallow water table of six temporary ponds at 1–8‐week intervals, and the duration of pond wet phase (or hydroperiod) during each hydrological cycle.

The average rainfall for the study period was 563.2 mm, and included 6 wet, 5 moderate, and 5 dry years in a seemingly random sequence. The average rainy season extended from October until the end of March, while the dry season occupied the rest of the year.

The water table generally oscillated following this alternation of rainy and dry seasons, but this fluctuation was minimal during dry years, and even failed to occur at some ponds.

Since 1998/99, the average hydroperiod has shortened by 3 months at Charco del Toro pond, and by almost 2 months at Brezo pond, while the rest of the ponds exhibited a reduction of less than 1 month.

Vegetation changed in the ponds between May 1990 and 2005. Total plant cover increased (range of increase: 16–65%), and species richness decreased in all ponds (range of species loss: 4–18).

The reduction in the hydroperiod probably enhanced the growth of a few woody plants to the detriment of flooding‐dependent species as the cover of Pinus pinea increased nearly fourfold at Brezo pond, while that of Scirpus lacustris was halved at Charco del Toro pond.

The pumping area for the nearby tourist resort should be relocated, and a specific management strategy should be developed in order to prevent further damage to the ponds.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population-based study of local surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Folkesson J , Johansson R , Påhlman L , Gunnarsson U
Published: July 2007

Background

The aim was to determine long-term survival and recurrence rates after local excision of rectal cancer from a prospectively registered population-based database.

Methods

Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry data from 1995 to 2001, including 10 181 patients of whom 643 (6·3 per cent) had a local excision, were analysed. Complete 5-year follow-up data from 1995 to 1998 were available. Cumulative relative and cancer-specific survival rates, and rates of local recurrence and distant metastases, were calculated by actuarial methods.

Results

The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate for 256 patients with stage I disease who had local excision was 95·3 (95 per cent confidence interval 91·5 to 99·1) per cent. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 7·2 per cent. After adjustment for age, sex, tumour stage and preoperative radiotherapy, the relative risk of death from cancer was the same as that after major resection.

Conclusion

Population-based results after local excision of rectal cancer are the same as those reported in controlled series for early-stage tumours after abdominal resection. A low relative survival and a high median age indicate the use of local excision in patients with a high level of co-morbidity. To achieve acceptable long-term results, optimal preoperative and postoperative staging is needed.
Probing Phospholipase A2 with Fluorescent Phospholipid Substrates
Authors: Wichmann Oliver , Gelb Michael H. , Schultz Carsten
Published: July 2007

The Foerster resonance energy transfer‐based sensor, PENN, measures intracellular phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in living cells and small organisms. In an attempt to modify the probe for the detection of particular isoforms, we altered the sn‐2 fatty acid in such a way that either one or three of the Z double bonds in arachidonic acid were present in the sensor molecule. Arachidonic‐acid‐mimicking fatty acids were prepared by copper‐mediated coupling reactions. Probes with a single double bond in the 5‐position exhibited favorable substrate properties for secretory PLA2s. In vitro experiments with the novel unsaturated doubly labeled phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives showed preferred cleavage of the sensor PENN2 (one double bond) by the physiologically important group V sPLA2, while the O‐methyl‐derivative PMNN2 was accepted best by the isoform from hog pancreas. For experiments in living cells, we demonstrated that bioactivation via S‐acetylthioethyl (SATE) groups is essential for probe performance. Surprisingly, membrane‐permeant versions of the new sensors that contained double bonds, PENN2 and PENN3, were only cleaved to a minor extent in HeLa cells while the saturated form, PENN, was well accepted.
Identifying potential biomarkers in LC‐MS data
Authors: Daszykowski M. , Wu W. , Nicholls A.W. , Ball R.J. , Czekaj T. , Walczak B.
Published: July 2007

In this paper an application of the uninformative variable elimination–partial least squares (UVE‐PLS) method extended by the Monte Carlo approach for selection of possible biomarkers from the liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) data is reported. The main challenge consists not in the chemometrics analysis of LC‐MS data, but in the data organization. However, as demonstrated in our study, the selected variables are similar regardless of the data organization strategy. The best results are obtained for the standard normal variate (SNV) transformed data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares incorporating 13C‐NMR information for monitoring epoxy resins reactions
Authors: Garrido M. , Larrechi M. S. , Rius F. X.
Published: July 2007

This paper describes how data from two instrumental techniques—near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR)—are combined by means of multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS) to obtain concentration and spectral profiles for the reaction between phenylglycidylether and aniline. The reaction, in stoichiometric proportions, was monitored by both spectroscopic techniques at 95°C. The concentration values obtained by 13C‐NMR were used as an equality constraint during the multivariate curve resolution of the near infrared data. The results obtained were recovered without ambiguities: that is to say, there was a unique solution. The goodness of the results was tested by comparing the recovered concentration profiles with the values obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference technique. The statistical tests showed that there were no significant differences between the results of both methods (α = 5%). Also, the recovered spectra were compared with the experimentally recorded spectra for the reagents (i.e. phenylglycidylether and aniline) and the final product and the correlation coefficients were, in all cases, higher than 0.998. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral Macrocyclic Aliphatic Oligoimines Derived from trans‐1,2‐Diaminocyclohexane
Authors: Kwit Marcin , Plutecka Agnieszka , Rychlewska Urszula , Gawroński Jacek , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Kozhushkov Sergei I. , Rauch Karsten , de Meijere Armin
Published: July 2007

Aliphatic dialdehydes of rigid structures having a cyclohexane, a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane or a [7]triangulane skeleton, have been condensed with enantiomerically pure trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane to give [3+3] or [2+2] macrocyclization products. Unlike acyclic aliphatic imines, these macrocyclic oligoimines show enhanced stabilities and their structures in the crystals could be determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The enantiomerically pure [7]triangulane dialdehyde showed remarkable diastereoselectivity in the condensation with the two enantiomers of trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane: only one of the enantiomers gave a [2+2] macrocyclization product. Circular dichroism measurements combined with computational analysis show that the lowest energy electronic transition in these cyclic oligoimines is of n–π* type.
Assessing the Mechanical Properties of a Molecular Spring
Authors: Berni Emanuela , Kauffmann Brice , Bao Chunyan , Lefeuvre Julien , Bassani Dario M. , Huc Ivan
Published: July 2007

We report on the dramatic effect of increasing helix diameter on the hybridization of oligopyridine‐dicarboxamide strands into double helices. Upon replacing a single pyridine by a 1,8‐diazaanthracene unit within an oligomeric strand, a 4.7 Å enlargement of the helix diameter occurs parallel to the long anthracene axis. This structure change results in a spectacular stabilization of the double helical hybrids derived from these strands (factors of over 107). Detailed investigations of the hybridization process using X‐ray crystallography, NMR, fluorescence measurements and molecular mechanics calculations allowed us to assign the duplex stabilization to two enthalpic effects. First, the increase in diameter results in an augmented surface, involved in intermolecular π–π stacking. Second, the enlarged diameter leads to a lower tilt angle of the helical strand, with respect to the helix axis, which in turn results in smaller dihedral angles at the aryl–amide linkages and thus a considerably lowered enthalpic cost of the spring‐like extension of the strands during the hybridization process. These results provide novel insights into how subtle tuning of molecular components may result in considerable and rationalizable changes in double helical supramolecular architectures.
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, behaviorally oriented intervention for cancer‐related fatigue
Authors: Armes Jo , Chalder Trudie , Addington‐Hall Julia , Richardson Alison , Hotopf Matthew
Published: July 2007

BACKGROUND.

It has been shown that nonpharmacologic interventions are effective management techniques for cancer‐related fatigue (CRF) in cancer survivors. However, few studies have investigated their effectiveness in patients who are receiving chemotherapy. In this study, the authors tested the effectiveness of a brief behaviorally oriented intervention in reducing CRF and improving physical function and associated distress in individuals who were receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS.

For this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with cancer were recruited and received either usual care or the intervention. The intervention was delivered on an individual basis on 3 occasions over a period from 9 weeks to 12 weeks, and the objective of the intervention was to alter fatigue‐related thoughts and behavior. Primary outcomes were assessed as follows: CRF using the Visual Analogue Scale‐Global Fatigue; physical functioning using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality‐of‐Life Core 30 Questionnaire, and CRF‐associated distress using the Fatigue Outcome Measure. Assessments were made on 4 occasions: at baseline (T0), at the end of chemotherapy (T1), 1 month after chemotherapy (T2), and 9 months after recruitment (T3). Normally distributed data were analyzed usingttests and random‐slope/random‐intercept mixed models.

RESULTS.

The intervention demonstrated a trend toward improved CRF, although this effect was reduced once confounders had been controlled statistically. There was a significant improvement in physical functioning (coefficient, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.5–17.5;P= .009), and this effect remained once the confounding effects of mood disturbance and comorbid disorders were controlled statistically. No decrease in fatigue‐related distress was detected.

CONCLUSIONS.

The behaviorally oriented intervention brought about significant improvements in physical functioning, indicated a trend toward improved CRF, but detected no effect for fatigue‐related distress. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Dkk3‐Cre BAC transgenic mouse line: a tool for highly efficient gene deletion in retinal progenitor cells
Authors: Sato Shigeru , Inoue Tatsuya , Terada Koji , Matsuo Isao , Aizawa Shinichi , Tano Yasuo , Fujikado Takashi , Furukawa Takahisa
Published: July 2007

To establish the genetic tools for conditional gene deletion in mouse retinal progenitors, we generated a Dkk3‐Cre transgenic mouse line using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis. Cre recombination efficiency in vivo was assayed by crossing this transgenic line, termed BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre, with the CAG‐CAT‐Z reporter line. This BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre line showed Cre recombinase activity in most retinal progenitors. Cre activity was detectable from embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) and generally restricted to the retina during embryogenesis. To verify that BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre mice successfully circumvented lethality, we generated Otx2flox/flox/BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre+ mice as Otx2 conditional knockout mice. The Otx2flox/flox/BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre+ mice were viable, and their retina showed loss of mature cell‐type markers of photoreceptor cells, bipolar cells, and horizontal cells, in contrast, amacrine‐like cells noticeably increased. Thus, the BAC‐Dkk3‐Cre transgenic mouse line provides a powerful tool for generating conditional knockout mouse lines for studying loss of gene functions in the developing retina. genesis 45:502–507, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insights into function and regulation of small heat shock protein 25 (HSPB1) in a mouse model with targeted gene disruption
Authors: Huang Lei , Min Jin‐Na , Masters Shane , Mivechi Nahid F. , Moskophidis Demetrius
Published: July 2007

The mammalian small heat shock protein (sHSPs) family is comprised of 10 members and includes HSPB1, which is proposed to play an essential role in cellular physiology, acting as a molecular chaperone to regulate diverse cellular processes. Whilst differential roles for sHSPs are suggested for specific tissues, the relative contribution of individual sHSP family members in cellular and organ physiology remains unclear. To address the function of HSPB1 in vivo and determine its tissue‐specific expression during development and in the adult, we generated knock‐in mice where the coding sequence ofhspb1is replaced by alacZreporter gene.Hspb1expression marks myogenic differentiation with specific expression first confined to developing cardiac muscles and the vascular system, and later in skeletal muscles with specific expression at advanced stages of myoblast differentiation. In the adult,hspb1expression was observed in other tissues, such as stratified squamous epithelium of skin, oronasal cavity, tongue, esophagus, and uterine cervix but its expression was most prominent in the musculature. Interestingly, in cardiac musclehsbp1expression was down‐regulated during the neonatal period and maintained to a relatively low steady‐level throughout adulthood. Despite this widespread expression,hspb1−/−mice were viable and fertile with no apparent morphological abnormalities in tissues under physiological conditions. However, at the cellular level and under stress conditions (heat challenge), HSPB1 act synergistically with the stress‐induced HSPA1 (HSP70) in thermotolerance development, protecting cells from apoptosis. Our data thus indicate a nonessential role for HSPB1 in embryonic development and for maintenance of tissues under physiological conditions, but also shows that it plays an important role by acting synergistically with other HSPs during stress conditions to exert cytoprotection and anti‐apoptotic effects. genesis 45:487–501, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The TGF‐β pseudoreceptor gene Bambi is dispensable for mouse embryonic development and postnatal survival
Authors: Chen Jianquan , Bush Jeffrey O. , Ovitt Catherine E. , Lan Yu , Jiang Rulang
Published: July 2007

The Bambi (Bmp and activin membrane‐bound inhibitor) gene encodes a transmembrane protein highly similar in amino acid sequence to transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β receptors, however, the Bambi intracellular domain is short and lacks a serine/threonine‐kinase domain that is essential for transducing TGF β signaling. Previous biochemical assays showed that Bambi interacts directly with BMP receptors and antagonizes BMP signaling. Interestingly, the expression of Bambi largely overlaps, both temporally and spatially, with that of Bmp4 during early embryonic development in Xenopus, zebrafish, and mice, which led to the hypothesis that Bambi may function to regulate BMP signaling during embryogenesis. To directly analyze the roles of Bambi during embryonic development, we generated mice carrying a conditional allele of Bambi, Bambiflox, with loxP sequences flanking the first exon that encodes the N‐terminus and signal peptide region of the Bambi protein. Mice homozygous for this targeted conditional allele appear normal and fertile. We crossed the Bambiflox/+ mice to the EIIa‐Cre transgenic mice and generated mice carrying deletion of the first exon of the Bambi gene. Surprisingly, mice homozygous for the deleted allele were viable, fertile and did not exhibit any discernible developmental defect. Our data exclude an essential role for Bambi in mouse embryonic development and postnatal survival. genesis 45:482–486, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and Catalytic Applications of Chiral Hydridoiridium(III) Complexes with Diamine/Bis(monophosphane) and Diamine/Diphosphane Coordination
Authors: Dahlenburg Lutz , Menzel Ralf , Heinemann Frank W.
Published: July 2007

The P2/N2‐coordinated cis‐dihydridoiridium(III) chelate complexes (OC‐6‐13)‐[IrH2(H2N∩NH2)(PR3)2]BF4 [PR3 = PPh3, H2N∩NH2 = 1,2‐(H2N)2C6H4 (1a); (1R,2R)‐(H2N)2C6H10 {(R,R)‐dach} (1b); (R)‐2,2′‐diamino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl {(R)‐dabin} (1c); PR3 = PiPr3, H2N∩NH2 = (R,R)‐dach (2a), (R)‐dabin (2b); PR3 = PCy3, H2N∩NH2 = (R)‐dabin (3)] were obtained by treating the respective diamine ligands with labile precursors such as [IrH2(OCMe2)2(PPh3)2]BF4, [(η4‐1,5‐C8H12)Ir(PPh3)2]BF4, or [IrH5(PR3)2]/HBF4 (R = iPr, Cy). While oxidative addition of HCl to [(η4‐1,5‐C8H12)Ir{(S,S)‐bdpcp}]BF4 [(S,S)‐bdpcp = (1S,2S)‐(Ph2P)2C5H8] yields the usual mononuclear adduct [(η4‐1,5‐C8H12)Ir(H)(Cl){(S,S)‐bdpcp}]BF4 (4), similar treatment of [(η4‐1,5‐C8H12)Ir{(R)‐binap}]BF4 furnishes the triply chlorido‐bridged diiridium complex [{(R)‐binap}2Ir2H2(μ‐Cl)3]BF4 (5). Opening of the μ‐Cl bridges of 5 by N,N nucleophiles was used to synthesise the three diamine/(R)‐binap complexes [Ir(H)(Cl)(H2N∩NH2){(R)‐binap}]BF4 [H2N∩NH2 = (1R,2R)‐H2NCH(Ph)CH(Ph)NH2 {(R,R)‐dpen} (6a), (R,R)‐dach (6b), and H2NCMe2CMe2NH2 {tmen} (6c). Whereas the dihydrides [IrH2{(R,R)‐dach}(PR3)2]BF4 and [IrH2{(R)‐dabin}(PR3)2]BF4 (R = iPr, Ph) are only poor (pre)catalysts for the enantioselective hydrogenation of acetophenone, complexes 6a–c catalyze the formation of 1‐phenylethanol in good enantiomeric excess [eemax = 82–84 % (S)] in the presence of base. The crystal structures of 1a, 4, and 5 have been determined. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Unprecedented Rearrangement of Molybdenum(VI) Oxide to (μ2‐Oxido)bis[dioxidomolybdenum(VI)] Hexamolybdate
Authors: Pedrosa María R. , Aguado Rafael , Díez Virginia , Escribano Jaime , Sanz Roberto , Arnáiz Francisco J.
Published: July 2007

MoO2(acac)2 reacts with water, amides, sulfoxides, and phosphane oxides in aqueous methanol, under mild conditions, to afford a new family of molybdates of composition [Mo2O5L6][Mo6O19] (L = H2O, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dibutyl sulfoxide, tributylphosphane oxide, triphenylphosphane oxide, hexamethylphosphoramide). The crystal and molecular structures of the two first structurally characterized (μ2‐oxido)bis[dioxidomolybdenum(VI)] hexamolybdates were established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
A Convenient Route to 2‐Hydroxy‐ and 2,15‐Dihydroxyhexahelicene
Authors: Teplý Filip , Stará Irena G. , Starý Ivo , Kollárovič Adrian , Luštinec Daniel , Krausová Zuzana , Šaman David , Fiedler Pavel
Published: July 2007

2‐Hydroxy‐ and 2,15‐dihydroxyhexahelicene were synthesised from simple benzene and naphthalene building blocks by intramolecular CoI‐ or Ni0‐catalysed [2+2+2] cycloisomerisation of CH3O‐substituted aromatic triynes. This approach avoids vexing photodehydrocyclisation of stilbene‐type precursors, providing thus a useful alternative to classical procedures. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Carbon Electrodes Modified by Nanoscopic Iron(III) Oxides to Assemble Chemical Sensors for the Hydrogen Peroxide Amperometric Detection
Authors: Hrbac Jan , Halouzka Vladimir , Zboril Radek , Papadopoulos Kyriakos , Triantis Theodor
Published: July 2007

In this study we show that nanoparticles of various ferric oxides (hematite, maghemite, amorphous Fe2O3, β‐Fe2O3 and ferrihydrite) incorporated into carbon paste exhibit electro‐catalytic properties towards hydrogen peroxide reduction. The modified paste electrode performances were evaluated and compared with those obtained with Prussian Blue‐modified carbon paste electrode, which represents an excellent chemical mediator towards the H2O2 redox reaction (as widely described in literature). The best catalytic activity was found for carbon paste modified by amorphous ferric oxide with 2–4 nm particle size, which was further tested for possible application as hydrogen peroxide sensor. At pH 7, the limit of detection was 2×10−5 M H2O2 (S/N=3), the calibration curves were linear upto 8.5 mM H2O2 (R2=0.998), the measurement reproducibility (RSD=97%, n=4), the interelectrode reproducibility (RSD=16%, nelectrodes=5) and <3 s response time.
Evaluation of enantioselective binding of basic drugs to plasma by ACE
Authors: Martínez‐Gómez María Amparo , Villanueva‐Camañas Rosa María , Sagrado Salvador , Medina‐Hernández Maria José
Published: July 2007

The present paper deals with the evaluation of the stereoselective binding of antihistamines (brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, orphenadrine and phenindamine), phenothiazines (promethazine and trimeprazine) and a local anesthetic (bupivacaine) to human plasma proteins. Since all of them are drugs highly bound to proteins, a methodology to determine the bound fraction of each drug enantiomer was proposed. This methodology includes the incubation of samples containing plasma and racemic drug, ultrafiltration of the mixture and the chiral separation of enantiomers in the bound drug fraction using affinity EKC (AEKC)‐partial filling technique and HSA as chiral selector. The results shown in this paper represent the first evidence of the enantioselective binding of some antihistamines such as brompheniramine, hydroxyzine, orphenadrine and phenindamine and the phenothiazines, promethazine and trimeprazine, to human plasma proteins. The binding of phenindamine to plasma presented the highest enantioselectivity (ES) (ES = 2.5) followed by trimeprazine (ES = 1.5) and promethazine (ES = 1.4).
IFN‐γ‐induced IDO and WRS expression in microglia is differentially regulated by IL‐4
Authors: Yadav Manisha C. , Burudi E. M. E. , Alirezaei Mehrdad , Flynn Claudia C. , Watry Debbie D. , Lanigan Caroline M. , Fox Howard S.
Published: July 2007

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), a tryptophan catabolizing enzyme, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. IDO expression is induced by IFN‐γ and leads to neurotoxicity by generating quinolinic acid. Additionally, it inhibits the immune response through both tryptophan depletion and generating other tryptophan catabolites. IL‐4 and IL‐13 have been shown to control IDO expression by antagonizing the effects of IFN‐γ in different cell types. Here, we investigated the effects of these cytokines on IDO expression in microglia. Interestingly, we observed that both IL‐4 and IL‐13 greatly enhanced IFN‐γ‐induced IDO expression. However, tryptophanyl‐tRNA synthetase (WRS), which is coinduced with IDO by IFN‐γ, is downregulated by IL‐4 and IL‐13. The effect of IL‐4 and IL‐13 was independent of STAT‐6. Modulation of IDO but not WRS was eliminated by inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway further differentiated the regulation of these two enzymes, as inhibiting the PI3K pathway eliminated IFN‐γ induction of IDO, whereas such inhibition greatly enhanced WRS expression. These findings show discordance between modulations of expression of two distinct enzymes utilizing tryptophan as a common substrate, and raise the possibility of their involvement in regulating immune responses in various neurological disorders. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Innate immune response to double-stranded RNA in biliary epithelial cells is associated with the pathogenesis of biliary atresia
Authors: Harada Kenichi , Sato Yasunori , Itatsu Keita , Isse Kumiko , Ikeda Hiroko , Yasoshima Mitsue , Zen Yoh , Matsui Akira , Nakanuma Yasuni
Published: July 2007

Infections of Reoviridae consisting of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome are a possible cause of biliary atresia (BA). The aim of the present study is to clarify the pathophysiological function of dsRNA viruses in the pathogenesis of BA. The expression of dsRNA pattern-recognizing receptors, Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA-5), and dsRNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) was constitutively detected in cultured human biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of viral dsRNA] induced the activation of transcription factors [nuclear factor (NF)-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)] and the production of interferon-β1 (IFN-β1) and MxA as potent antiviral responses. Moreover, poly(I:C) up-regulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and both poly(I:C) and TRAIL reduced the viability of cultured human BECs by enhancing apoptosis. Experiments

in vivo

using tissue sections of extrahepatic bile ducts from patients with BA and controls (choledochal cysts and nonbiliary diseases) showed that the activation of NF-κB, interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3), and PKR, and the enhancement of TRAIL and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)–positive apoptosis were significant in BA, although extrahepatic bile ducts diffusely and constantly expressed TLR3 in all diseases.

Conclusion

: dsRNA viruses could directly induce the expression of TRAIL and apoptosis in human biliary epithelial cells as a result of the biliary innate immune response, supporting the notion that Reoviridae infections are directly associated with the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies in cases of BA. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
The effects of 48 weeks of rosiglitazone on hepatocyte mitochondria in human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Caldwell Stephen H. , Patrie James T. , Brunt Elizabeth M. , Redick Jan A. , Davis Christine A. , Park Sang H. , Neuschwander-Tetri Brent A.
Published: July 2007

Rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand, reduces disease activity in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease associated with hepatocyte mitochondrial crystalline inclusions that are not seen in animal models of NASH. In human and animal studies of adipose tissue, thiazolidinediones may induce mitochondrial biogenesis and associated morphological changes. To determine if rosiglitazone alters the hepatocyte mitochondrial morphology in human NASH, we prospectively and systematically examined liver biopsies from human subjects with NASH before and after 48 weeks of rosiglitazone by transmission electron microscopy. Twenty patients (body mass index = 34 ± 7) were studied. Four coded sections from each of 20 pretherapy biopsies and each of 20 posttherapy biopsies were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The total hepatocyte mitochondria and crystal-containing mitochondria were counted, and semiquantitative scoring was performed for macrosteatosis, microsteatosis, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, apoptosis, Mallory bodies, and hepatocyte enlargement. The total mitochondria count was unchanged after therapy, but there was a significant increase in crystal-containing mitochondria from 4.0% (95% confidence interval = 1.8-8.8) to 7.2% (95% confidence interval = 3.9-12.6; odds ratio = 1.80;

P

= 0.04) after the treatment with rosiglitazone. Macrosteatosis (

P

< 0.001) and Mallory bodies (

P

= 0.05) significantly decreased, but no change was evident in microsteatosis, cellular enlargement, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, or apoptosis.

Conclusion:

Rosiglitazone therapy of NASH is associated with increased crystalline inclusions in hepatocyte mitochondria. Whether these are adaptive or pathological remains unknown, and further studies are warranted to assess hepatic mitochondrial function during thiazolidinedione therapy for NASH. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Influence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors STI571 (Glivec®), lavendustin A and genistein on human mast cell line (HMC‐1560) activation
Authors: Löber Kristin , Alfonso Amparo , Escribano Luis , Botana Luis M.
Published: July 2007

The human mast cell line (HMC‐1560) was used to study the effects of tyrosine kinase (TyrK) inhibition on histamine release in consequence of intracellular Ca2+ or pH changes. This is important since the TyrK inhibitor STI571 (Glivec®) inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in HMC‐1560. HMC‐1560 cells have a mutation in c‐kit, which leads to a permanent phosphorylation of the KIT protein and their ligand‐independent proliferation. The TyrK inhibitors STI571, lavendustin A and genistein decrease spontaneous histamine release in 24‐h pre‐incubated cells. Results are compared with those of the mast cell stabiliser cromoglycic acid, which also drops spontaneous histamine release. When exocytosis is stimulated by alkalinisation, STI571 pre‐incubated cells release more histamine than non‐pre‐incubated cells. Alkalinisation‐induced histamine release reaches still higher levels in STI571 cells with activated protein kinase C (PKC) by PMA. We do not observe modifications on histamine release in cells, treated with PKC inhibitors (rottlerin, Gf109203 or Gö6976). Lavendustin A‐ and genistein 24‐h incubated cells behave similar to STI571 cells, whereas cromoglycic acid does not show effects after stimulation with alkalinisation. Stimulation of exocytosis with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin does not modify histamine response in TyrK inhibited cells. Ca2+ and pH changes are observed after long‐time incubation with STI571. Results show that pH is still higher in STI571 pre‐incubated cells after alkalinisation with NH4Cl, whereas intracellular Ca2+ concentration remains stable. This work further strength the importance of pHi as a cell signal and suggest that STI571 has transduction pathways in common with other TyrKs. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1076–1088, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal sonographic features of trisomy 1q
Authors: Wax Joseph R. , Carpenter Molly , Chard Renée , Cartin Angelina , Pinette Michael G. , Blackstone Jacquelyn
Published: July 2007

We describe the sonographic features of trisomy 1q in 2 affected fetuses and identify 17 other published reports of this entity in the literature. Four of 5 (80%) diagnoses made at ≤14 weeks' gestation demonstrated increased nuchal translucency or cystic hygroma colli. During the second and third trimesters, findings included cerebral ventriculomegaly (n = 8 [57%]), nuchal skin fold ≥6 mm or cystic hygroma colli (n = 5 [36%]), urinary anomalies (n = 5 [36%]), digit malformations (n = 5 [36%]), and abnormal amniotic fluid volume (n = 6 [40%]). Findings in trisomy 1q may be influenced by coexisting chromosomal deletions or mosaicism. Sonographic features generally reflect the location and size of the 1q duplication. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Plantar keratoderma as a presenting sign of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ulla Jose Luis , Garcia‐Doval Ignacio , Posada Celia , Soto Santiago , Alvarez Carlos , Ledo Luis , Vazquez‐Astray Enrique
Published: July 2007

A 76‐year‐old woman presented with a 1‐year history of back pain and sudden onset of plantar keratoderma. Her serum carbohydrate antigen (CA 19.9) levels were elevated. Endoscopic radial sonographic examination led to the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, in a stage not detectable with helical CT yet amenable to surgical therapy. Cutaneous lesions disappeared after distal pancreatectomy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Cell‐permeant cytoplasmic blue fluorophores optimized for in vivo two‐photon microscopy with low‐power excitation
Authors: Hayek Ali , Grichine Alexei , Huault Thomas , Ricard Clément , Bolze Frédéric , Van Der Sanden Boudewijn , Vial Jean‐Claude , Mély Yves , Duperray Alain , Baldeck Patrice Lilian , Nicoud Jean‐François
Published: July 2007

Because of the spreading of nonlinear microscopies in biology, there is a strong demand for specifically engineered probes in these applications. Herein, we report on the imaging properties in living cells and nude mice brains of recently developed water soluble blue fluorophores that show efficient diffusion through cell membranes and blood–brain barriers. They are characterized by two‐photon absorption cross‐sections of 100–150 Goeppert‐Mayer range in the near IR and fluorescence efficiencies of up to 72% in water. They were found to stain homogeneously the cytoplasm of cultured living cells within minutes. Moreover, their diffusion times and fluorescence characteristics in the cytoplasm suggest a hydrophobic association with intracellular membranes. Their intracellular fluorescent decays were found to be almost mono‐exponential, a very favorable feature for fluorescence lifetime imaging. Two photon images of living cells were obtained with a good signal to noise ratio using laser powers in the sub‐milliwatt range. This allows continuous imaging without significant photobleaching for tens of minutes. In addition, these fluorophores allowed in vivo three‐dimensional two‐photon imaging of mice cortex vasculatures and extra vasculature structures, with no sign of toxicity. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In situ hybridization studies confirming recent findings of the existence of a local nonneuronal catecholamine production in human patellar tendinosis
Authors: Danielson Patrik , Alfredson Håkan , Forsgren Sture
Published: July 2007

We have in recent studies presented unexpected immunohistochemical evidence favoring the existence of a local production of catecholamines, and an occurrence of adrenergic receptors on the tendon cells (tenocytes), in the human patellar tendon. This was particularly noticed for tendons from patients suffering from tendinosis (chronic tendon pain), which has led us to propose an involvement of this autocrine/paracrine system in the development of tendinosis, especially since catecholamines have been reported to be modulators of tissue remodeling and pain processes. However, the findings concerning catecholamine production have so far only been noted at the level of protein detection, and for this reason, the aim of the present study was to confirm the previous immunohistochemical results by using in situ hybridization (ISH) technique. A ssDNA probe detecting human mRNA for the catecholamine‐synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was applied. The ISH results revealed that there were clear reactions indicating the existence of mRNA for TH in tenocytes of tendinosis specimens. It was generally noted that disfigured tenocytes were the ones with the most distinct reactions, while normally looking tenocytes hardly displayed any reactions at all. In conclusion, this study presents the first evidence at the mRNA level of the existence of a local nonneuronal production of catecholamines in human patellar tendon tissue. The findings add to recent observations of the occurrence of a local production in tendons of signal substances traditionally related to neurons. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.