bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change under a scenario near 1.5 °C of global warming: monsoon intensification, ocean warming and steric sea level rise
Authors: Schewe J. , Levermann A. , Meinshausen M.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. We present climatic consequences of the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) using the coupled climate model CLIMBER-3α, which contains a statistical-dynamical atmosphere and a three-dimensional ocean model. We compare those with emulations of 19 state-of-the-art atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCM) using MAGICC6. The RCPs are designed as standard scenarios for the forthcoming IPCC Fifth Assessment Report to span the full range of future greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations pathways currently discussed. The lowest of the RCP scenarios, RCP3-PD, is projected in CLIMBER-3α to imply a maximal warming by the middle of the 21st century slightly above 1.5 °C and a slow decline of temperatures thereafter, approaching today's level by 2500. We identify two mechanisms that slow down global cooling after GHG concentrations peak: The known inertia induced by mixing-related oceanic heat uptake; and a change in oceanic convection that enhances ocean heat loss in high latitudes, reducing the surface cooling rate by almost 50%. Steric sea level rise under the RCP3-PD scenario continues for 200 years after the peak in surface air temperatures, stabilizing around 2250 at 30 cm. This contrasts with around 1.3 m of steric sea level rise by 2250, and 2 m by 2500, under the highest scenario, RCP8.5. Maximum oceanic warming at intermediate depth (300–800 m) is found to exceed that of the sea surface by the second half of the 21st century under RCP3-PD. This intermediate-depth warming persists for centuries even after surface temperatures have returned to present-day values, with potential consequences for marine ecosystems, oceanic methane hydrates, and ice-shelf stability. Due to an enhanced land-ocean temperature contrast, all scenarios yield an intensification of monsoon rainfall under global warming.
Large-scale groundwater modeling using global datasets: a test case for the Rhine-Meuse basin
Authors: Sutanudjaja E. H. , van Beek L. P. H. , de Jong S. M. , van Geer F. C. , Bierkens M. F. P.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Large-scale groundwater models involving aquifers and basins of multiple countries are still rare due to a lack of hydrogeological data which are usually only available in developed countries. In this study, we propose a novel approach to construct large-scale groundwater models by using global datasets that are readily available. As the test-bed, we use the combined Rhine-Meuse basin that contains groundwater head data used to verify the model output. We start by building a distributed land surface model (30 arc-second resolution) to estimate groundwater recharge and river discharge. Subsequently, a MODFLOW transient groundwater model is built and forced by the recharge and surface water levels calculated by the land surface model. Although the method that we used to couple the land surface and MODFLOW groundwater model is considered as an offline-coupling procedure (i.e. the simulations of both models were performed separately), results are promising. The simulated river discharges compare well to the observations. Moreover, based on our sensitivity analysis, in which we run several groundwater model scenarios with various hydrogeological parameter settings, we observe that the model can reproduce the observed groundwater head time series reasonably well. However, we note that there are still some limitations in the current approach, specifically because the current offline-coupling technique simplifies dynamic feedbacks between surface water levels and groundwater heads, and between soil moisture states and groundwater heads. Also the current sensitivity analysis ignores the uncertainty of the land surface model output. Despite these limitations, we argue that the results of the current model show a promise for large-scale groundwater modeling practices, including for data-poor environments and at the global scale.
The influence of constrained fossil fuel emissions scenarios on climate and water resource projections
Authors: Ward J. D. , Werner A. D. , Nel W. P. , Beecham S.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Water resources planning requires long-term projections of the impact of climate change on freshwater resources. In addition to intrinsic uncertainty associated with the natural climate, projections of climate change are subject to the combined uncertainties associated with selection of emissions scenarios, GCM ensembles and downscaling techniques. In particular, unknown future greenhouse gas emissions contribute substantially to the overall uncertainty. We contend that a reduction in uncertainty is possible by refining emissions scenarios. We present a comprehensive review of the growing body of literature that challenges the assumptions underlying the high-growth emissions scenarios (widely used in climate change impact studies), and instead points to a peak and decline in fossil fuel production occurring in the 21st century. We find that the IPCC's new RCP 4.5 scenario (low-medium emissions), as well as the B1 and A1T (low emissions) marker scenarios from the IPCC's Special Report on Emissions Scenarios are broadly consistent with the majority of recent fossil fuel production forecasts, whereas the medium to high emissions scenarios generally depend upon unrealistic assumptions of future fossil fuel production. We use a simple case study of projected climate change in 2070 for the Scott Creek catchment in South Australia to demonstrate that even with the current suite of climate models, by limiting projections to the B1 scenario, both the median change and the spread of model results are reduced relative to equivalent projections under an unrealistic high emissions scenario (A1FI).
The surface energy balance of a polygonal tundra site in northern Siberia – Part 1: Spring to fall
Authors: Langer M. , Westermann S. , Muster S. , Piel K. , Boike J.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. In this article, we present a study on the surface energy balance of a polygonal tundra landscape in northeast Siberia. The study was performed during half-year periods from April to September in each of 2007 and 2008. The surface energy balance is obtained from independent measurements of the net radiation, the turbulent heat fluxes, and the ground heat flux at several sites. Short-wave radiation is the dominant factor controlling the magnitude of all the other components of the surface energy balance during the entire observation period. About 50% of the available net radiation is consumed by the latent heat flux, while the sensible and the ground heat flux are each around 20 to 30%. The ground heat flux is mainly consumed by active layer thawing. About 60% of the energy storage in the ground is attributed to the phase change of soil water. The remainder is used for soil warming down to a depth of 15 m. In particular, the controlling factors for the surface energy partitioning are snow cover, cloud cover, and the temperature gradient in the soil. The thin snow cover melts within a few days, during which the equivalent of about 20% of the snow-water evaporates or sublimates. Surface temperature differences of the heterogeneous landscape indicate spatial variabilities of sensible and latent heat fluxes, which are verified by measurements. However, spatial differences in the partitioning between sensible and latent heat flux are only measured during conditions of high radiative forcing, which only occur occasionally.
Characterization of the devolatilization rate of solid fuels in fluidized beds by time‐resolved pressure measurements
Authors: Solimene R. , Chirone R. , Salatino P.
Published: March 2011

The characterization of volatile matter (VM) release from solid fuel particles during fluidized‐bed combustion/gasification is relevant to the assessment of the reactor performance, as devolatilization rate affects in‐bed axial fuel segregation and VM distribution across the reactor. An experimental technique for the characterization of the devolatilization rate of solid fuels in fluidized beds is proposed. It is based on the analysis of the time series of pressure measured in a bench‐scale fluidized‐bed reactor as VM is released from a batch of fuel particles. A remarkable feature of the technique is the possibility to follow fast devolatilization with excellent time‐resolution. A mathematical model of the experiment has been developed to determine the time‐resolved devolatilization rate, the devolatilization time and the volume‐based mean molecular weight of the emitted volatile compounds. Devolatilization kinetics has been characterized for different solid fuels over a broad range of particle sizes. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Exploring flux representations of complex kinetics networks
Authors: He Kaiyuan , Ierapetritou Marianthi G. , Androulakis Ioannis P.
Published: March 2011

To extract meaningful information from complex kinetic models involving a large number of species and reactions, advanced computational techniques are required. In this work, new approaches have been proposed based on element flux calculations for systematic kinetic analysis of complex reaction models. These approaches quantify element transformation flux between species to determine a metric that accurately captures the production and consumption of species. Furthermore, a graph searching procedure is employed to retrieve all possible reaction pathways from the highly complex reaction networks. Element fluxes involved in these pathways provide an indicator to quantitatively evaluate pathway activities. Based on pathway activities, a novel approach is proposed to project the totality of the information contained in pathway weights onto a single scalar, reactivity status indicator, which enables a compact representation of local chemistry. The proposed approaches are illustrated with highly complex kinetic mechanisms describing oxidation of n‐pentane, n‐heptane, and a biodiesel surrogate methyl‐butanoate. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Reproduction, aging, and body shape by three‐dimensional photonic scanning in Thai men and women
Authors: Wells Jonathan C.K. , Charoensiriwath Supiya , Treleaven Philip
Published: March 2011

Objectives: Aging and reproduction have been independently associated with body shape in women, with redistribution of body fat from lower to upper body regions. This may be interpreted as a life history strategy for allocating energy between competing peripheral fat depots for reproduction, and central fat depots for maintenance and survival. It remains unclear whether men show similar life history strategy in shape. The objectives of this study were to investigate associations between shape, age, and number of offspring in both men and women from Thailand.

Methods: We analyzed data on body shape from three‐dimensional photonic scanning, and number of reported offspring, available for 5,889 men and 6,449 women aged 16–90 years from the Thai National Sizing Survey.

Results: Bearing children was associated with increased upper body girths and decreased lower body girths in women, independent of age, weight and height. Unlike motherhood, fatherhood was not associated with shape outcomes indexing adiposity, but was associated with arm girth, which may represent an index of sexual attractiveness. In those without children, aging was associated with greater upper body girths and reduced lower body girths, in both sexes.

Conclusions: Life history strategy in body shape is apparent in both sexes, with aging associated with a shift of tissue away from the lower limb to the upper body. Such strategy may reflect age‐changes in the relative costs and benefits of different regional tissue masses. Changes in fat distribution related to aging and reproduction may contribute to the life‐course development of cardiovascular risk. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in transplant recipients
Authors: Mateen Farrah J. , Muralidharan RajaNandini , Carone Marco , van de Beek Diederik , Harrison Daniel M. , Aksamit Allen J. , Gould Mary S. , Clifford David B. , Nath Avindra
Published: March 2011

Objective:

Transplant recipients are at risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare demyelinating disorder caused by oligodendrocyte destruction by JC virus.

Methods:

Reports of PML following transplantation were found using PubMed Entrez (1958–July 2010). A multicenter, retrospective cohort study also identified all cases of PML among transplant recipients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Washington University, and Amsterdam Academic Medical Center. At 1 institution, the incidence of posttransplantation PML was calculated.

Results:

A total of 69 cases (44 solid organ, 25 bone marrow) of posttransplantation PML were found including 15 from the 4 medical centers and another 54 from the literature. The median time to development of first symptoms of PML following transplantation was longer in solid organ vs bone marrow recipients (27 vs 11 months, p = 0.0005, range of <1 to >240). Median survival following symptom onset was 6.4 months in solid organ vs 19.5 months in bone marrow recipients (p = 0.068). Case fatality was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.3–92.4%) and survival beyond 1 year was 55.7% (95% CI, 41.2–67.2%). The incidence of PML among heart and/or lung transplant recipients at 1 institution was 1.24 per 1,000 posttransplantation person‐years (95% CI, 0.25–3.61). No clear association was found with any 1 immunosuppressant agent. No treatment provided demonstrable therapeutic benefit.

Interpretation:

The risk of PML exists throughout the posttransplantation period. Bone marrow recipients survive longer than solid organ recipients but may have a lower median time to first symptoms of PML. Posttransplantation PML has a higher case fatality and may have a higher incidence than reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients on highly‐active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) or multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Gum acacia as a facile reducing, stabilizing, and templating agent for palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Devi D. Keerthi , Pratap S. Veera , Haritha R. , Sivudu K. Samba , Radhika P. , Sreedhar B.
Published: March 2011

This article presents the findings of a facile and effective nanoparticle synthesis approach based on aqueous solutions of gum acacia (GA), also known as gum arabic without the addition of any toxic reagents either for the reduction or capping for the effective stabilization of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (with a H2PdCl4/GA ratio of 1:29.411, the solution the average diameter was 9.1 nm, and the standard deviation was ±0.3 nm). In this approach, the particle size was controlled by the manipulation of the temperature, time, and concentration of GA. The synthesized Pd nanoparticles were well characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis. This route was very simple and reproducible, and further study on the application of these nanoparticles for various organic transformations is underway. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation and properties of castor oil‐based polyurethane/α‐zirconium phosphate composite films
Authors: Ma Jun , Liu Changhua , Li Rui , Wu Haixia , Zhu Lina , Yang Yajuan
Published: March 2011

Novel castor oil‐based polyurethane/α‐zirconium phosphate (PU/α‐ZrP) composite films with different α‐ZrP loading (0–1.6 wt %) and different NCO/OH molar ratios were synthesized by a solution casting method. The characteristic properties of the PU/α‐ZrP composite films were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and tensile testing. The results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding formed between α‐ZrP and PU, XRD and SEM results revealed that the α‐ZrP particles were uniformly distributed in the PU matrix at low loading, and obvious aggregation existed at high loading. Because of hydrogen bonding interactions, the maximum values of tensile strength were obtained with 0.6 wt % α‐ZrP loading and 1.5 of NCO/OH molar ratio in the matrix. Evidence proved that the induced α‐ZrP used as a new filler material can affect considerably the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
The clf2 gene has an epigenetic role in the multifactorial etiology of cleft lip and palate in the A/WySn mouse strain
Authors: Plamondon Jenna A. , Harris Muriel J. , Mager Dixie L. , Gagnier Liane , Juriloff Diana M.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND

The A/WySn mouse strain with 15 to 20% penetrance of cleft lip and palate (CLP) is an animal model for human multifactorial CLP. The CLP is due to two unlinked genes that interact epistatically, Wnt9bclf1 and clf2, plus a maternal effect. The Wnt9bclf1 mutation is an IAP transposon insertion. The clf2 gene, with unknown function, was located in a 13.6 Mb region of chromosome 13 containing 145 genes.

METHODS

To reduce the clf2 candidate region, 1146 mice segregating for A/WySn and C57BL/6J alleles at clf2 were screened for recombinants by simple sequence‐length polymorphism haplotypes; recombinants' testcross progeny were typed for CLP and simple‐sequence length polymorphisms. To identify the function of clf2, the effect of clf2 genotype on risk of CLP was tested in Wnt9bnull/null knockouts and in compound mutants (Wnt9bclf1/null), and the methylation of the IAP at Wnt9b was assayed in the Wnt9bclf1/null mutants by combined bisulfite restriction analysis.

RESULTS

The location of clf2 was redefined to 3.0 Mb between Cntnap3 and AK029746 containing 48 genes, of which 30 are Zfp genes. The clf2 genotype had no detectable effect on Wnt9bnull/null embryos, but strongly affected risk of CLP and methylation of the IAP in Wnt9bclf1/null embryos. CLP was associated with low levels of methylation of the IAP.

CONCLUSIONS

The clf2 gene is the first identified polymorphism that affects the epigenetic methylation and silencing of IAP retrotransposons. This CLP model raises the question of whether parallel epigenetic factors are involved in risk and environmental sensitivity of human CLP. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glucose biosensor based on nanohybrid material of gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase on a bioplatform
Authors: Zhang Yan , Jia Wenjuan , Cui Miao , Dong Chuan , Shuang Shaomin , Kwan Yuen , Choi Martin M. F.
Published: March 2011

A simple and relatively cheap glucose biosensor based on a combination of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized on a bioplatform eggshell membrane was established. Scanning electron microscopy showed successful immobilization of Au NPs/GOx on the eggshell membrane. The effects of pH, phosphate buffer concentration, and temperature on the glucose biosensor were studied in detail. The biosensor shows a linear response at a glucose concentration range of 5–525 μM. The detection limit of the biosensor is 2.5 μM (S/N = 3). The biosensor exhibits good repeatability with RSD = 3.6% (n = 6), good operational stability with over 300 measurements and long‐term storage stability with a shelf life of at least 6 months. The response time is less than 60 s. The glucose level in commercial food samples has been successfully determined. The proposed work shows potential to develop cost‐effective biosensors for biotechnological, biomedical and industrial use.
HSP70 expression: does it a novel fatigue signalling factor from immune system to the brain?
Authors: Heck Thiago Gomes , Schöler Cinthia Maria , de Bittencourt Paulo I. Homem
Published: March 2011

Integrative physiology studies have shown that immune system and central nervous system interplay very closely towards behavioural modulation. Since the 70‐kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70s), whose heavy expression during exercise is well documented in the skeletal muscle and other tissues, is also extremely well conserved in nature during all evolutionary periods of species, it is conceivable that HSP70s might participate of physiologic responses such as fatigue induced by some types of physical exercise. In this way, increased circulating levels of extracellular HSP70 (eHSP70) could be envisaged as an immunomodulatory mechanism induced by exercise, besides other chemical messengers (e.g. cytokines) released during an exercise effort, that are able to binding a number of receptors in neural cells. Studies from this laboratory led us to believe that increased levels of eHSP70 in the plasma during exercise and the huge release of eHSP70 from lymphocytes during high‐load exercise bouts may participate in the fatigue sensation, also acting as a danger signal from the immune system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endovascular approach to treat ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm in a patient with previous CABG and very high surgical risk
Authors: Zago Alexandre C. , Saadi Eduardo K. , Zago Alcides J.
Published: March 2011

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is an uncommon pathology and a challenge in high‐risk patients who undergo conventional surgery because of high operative morbidity and mortality. Endovascular exclusion of an aortic pseudoaneurysm using an endoprosthesis is a less invasive approach, but few such cases have been reported. Moreover, the use of this approach poses unique therapeutic challenges because there is no specific endoprosthesis for ascending aortic repair, particularly to treat patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). We describe the case of a 74‐year‐old patient who had undergone CABG and later presented with an iatrogenic ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm that occurred during an angiography. This patient was at very high risk for surgical treatment and, therefore, an endovascular approach was adopted: percutaneous coronary intervention for the left main coronary artery, left anterior descending and left circumflex native coronary arteries followed by endovascular endoprosthesis deployment in the ascending aorta to exclude the pseudoaneurysm. Both procedures were successfully performed, and the patient was discharged without complications 4 days later. At 5 months' clinical follow‐up, his clinical condition was good and he had no complications. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DFT Comparison of N‐Nitrosodimethylamine Decomposition Pathways Over Ni and Pd
Authors: Ranea V. A. , Strathmann T. J. , Shapley J. R. , Schneider W. F.
Published: March 2011

Recent experimental studies report rapid and efficient reduction of N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and related aquatic micropollutants mediated by palladium (Pd) and nickel (Ni) surfaces, but differing mechanisms have been reported for the surface reactions. Here, NDMA adsorption and fragmentation on Ni and Pd surfaces has been studied using supercell slab density functional theory (DFT) calculations. NDMA adsorbs in two stable configurations on each surface. Upright binding through the NO fragment is slightly preferred energetically and provides entrance to an exothermic NO dissociation pathway with moderately high activation barriers. Flat binding through the NNO plane is somewhat less favorable but leads to a facile and exothermic dissociation across the NN bond. These results suggest that both mechanisms are in competition and may contribute to the observed catalytic reduction of NDMA over these metals in aqueous solution.
Synthesis of Stable Silicon Heterocycles by Reaction of Organic Substrates with a Chlorosilylene [PhC(NtBu)2SiCl]
Authors: Khan Shabana , Sen Sakya S. , Kratzert Daniel , Tavčar Gašper , Roesky Herbert W. , Stalke Dietmar
Published: March 2011

Heteroleptic chlorosilylene (PhC(NtBu)2SiCl) (1) reacts with unsaturated organic compounds under oxidative addition. Reactions of 1 with cyclooctatetraene (COT) and a diimine afford [1+4]‐cycloaddition products 3 and 6, respectively. In the case of COT, one SiN bond of the amidinato ligand is cleaved, resulting in tetracoordinate silicon, whereas with a diimine a pentacoordinate silicon is formed. Treatment of 1 with ArNCNAr (Ar=2,6‐iPr2C6H3) yields silaimine complex 4 with cleavage of one of the CN bonds. The facile isolation of silaimine complexes is probably due to the kinetic protection afforded by the bulky Ar moiety. When 1 is treated with tert‐butyl isocyanate, cleavage of the CO bond is observed, which leads to formation of the four‐membered Si2O2 cycle 5. The same product is formed when 1 is allowed to react with trimethylamine N‐oxide. When 1 is treated with diphenyl disulfide, cleavage of the SS bond occurs to form 7. All products have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, EI mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. In addition, the molecular structures of 3–6 have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Collectively, these results suggest that owing to the presence of the lone pair of electrons, the propensity of 1 to undergo oxidative addition is very high.
Mesoporous α‐Fe2O3 Nanospheres: Structural Evolution and Investigation of Magnetic Properties
Authors: Li Guang , Liu Mingyang , Kou Hui‐Zhong
Published: March 2011

A solvothermal route is adopted to produce mesoporous α‐Fe2O3 nanospheres by using polyethylene glycol as soft template and n‐butanol/H2O as mixed solvent. The mesoporous α‐Fe2O3 nanospheres are subjected to calcination at different temperatures, and the specific surface area, pore size, and magnetic properties of the as‐prepared nanospheres are investigated. The studies reveal that the pore sizes of the mesoporous α‐Fe2O3 nanospheres increase with higher calcination temperature, and high‐temperature calcination brings about tightness of the pore wall. Magnetic studies show that aggregation of the small particles raises the Morin transition temperature.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Bioactivity Evaluation of Pyrazolone Derivatives.
Authors: Mariappan G. , Saha B. P. , Sutharson L. , Haldar A.
Published: March 2011

Some of the products show promising antiinflammatory and/or analgesic properties.
ChemInform Abstract: Beliefs and Facts in Permanganate Chemistry ‐ An Overview on the Synthesis and the Reactivity of Simple and Complex Permanganates
Authors: Kotai Laszlo , Gacs Istvan , Sajo Istvan E. , Sharma Pradeep K. , Banerji Kalyan K.
Published: March 2011

Review: 602 refs.
An ungrouped plant kinesin accumulates at the preprophase band in a cell cycle‐dependent manner
Authors: Malcos Jennelle L. , Cyr Richard J.
Published: March 2011

Past phylogenic studies have identified a plant‐specific, ungrouped family of kinesins in which the motor domain does not group to one of the fourteen recognized families. Members of this family contain an N‐terminal motor domain, a C‐terminal armadillo repeat domain and a conserved destruction box (D‐BOX) motif. This domain architecture is unique to plants and to a subset of protists. Further characterization of one representative member from Arabidopsis, Arabidopsis thaliana KINESIN ungrouped clade, gene A (AtKINUa), was completed to ascertain its functional role in plants. Fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed an accumulation of ATKINUA:GFP at the preprophase band (PPB) in a cell cycle‐dependent manner in Arabidopsis epidermal cells and tobacco BY‐2 cells. Fluorescence accumulation was highest during prophase and decreased after nuclear envelope breakdown. A conserved D‐BOX motif was identified through alignment of AtKINU homologous sequences. Mutagenesis work with D‐BOX revealed that conserved residues were necessary for the observed degradation pattern of ATKINUA:GFP, as well as the targeted accumulation at the PPB. Overall results suggest that AtKINUa is necessary for normal plant growth and/or development and is likely involved with PPB organization through microtubule association and specific cell cycle regulation. The D‐BOX motif may function to bridge microtubule organization with changes that occur during progression through mitosis and may represent a novel regulatory motif in plant microtubule motor proteins. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of telomere dynamics in peripheral blood cells from patients with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Bozzao Cristina , Lastella Patrizia , Ponz de Leon Maurizio , Pedroni Monica , Di Gregorio Carmela , D'Ovidio Francesco D. , Resta Nicoletta , Prete Fernando , Guanti Ginevra , Stella Alessandro
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

In patients with Lynch syndrome, germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes cause a high risk of developing a broad spectrum of cancers. To date, the management of patients with Lynch syndrome has represented a major challenge because of large variations in age at cancer onset. Several factors, including genetic anticipation, have been proposed to explain this phenotypic heterogeneity, but the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Telomere shortening is a common event in tumorigenesis and also has been observed in different familial cancers. In this study, the authors investigated the possibility of a relation between telomere length and cancer onset in patients with Lynch syndrome.

METHODS:

The mean telomere length was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood samples from a control group of 50 individuals, from 31 unaffected mutation carriers, and from 43 affected patients, and the results were correlated with both gene mutation and cancer occurrence. In affected patients, telomere attrition was correlated with age at cancer onset. In all patients, a t test was used to assess the linearity of the regression.

RESULTS:

A significant correlation between telomere length and age was observed in both affected and unaffected mutation carriers (P = .0016 and P = .004, respectively) and in mutS homolog 2 (MSH2) mutation carriers (P = .0002) but not in mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) mutation carriers. Telomere attrition was correlated significantly with age at onset in MSH2 carriers (P = .004), whereas an opposite trend toward longer telomeres in patients with delayed onset was observed in MLH1 carriers.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current data suggested that telomere dynamics differ between MLH1 and MSH2 mutation carriers. It is possible that subtle, gene‐specific mechanisms can be linked to cancer onset and anticipation in patients with Lynch syndrome. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
D9S168 microsatellite alteration predicts a poor prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and correlates with the down‐regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor delta
Authors: Li Xiaopan , Tan Xiaojie , Yu Yongwei , Chen Haitang , Chang Wenjun , Hou Jianguo , Xu Danfeng , Ma Liye , Cao Guangwen
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

The role of microsatellite alterations in surgically excised tumors in predicting the prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains largely unknown.

METHODS:

Specimens from 93 patients with sporadic ccRCC were used to screen microsatellite alterations using 12 markers on chromosomes 3p, 9p, and 14q according to disease stage. Survival was evaluated by using the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regression analysis. The expression of targeted genes was examined using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS:

Of the markers that were screened, D9S168 (9p23‐22) had the highest frequency (36.9%) of microsatellite alteration in the specimens. D9S168 alterations were frequent in high‐stage tumors. Seventy‐eight patients who had ccRCC without distant metastasis at the time of surgery were followed for a median of 31.7 months. Overall survival and disease‐free survival were poorer for patients with D9S168 alteration than for those without alteration (P < .001 for each; log‐rank test). Cox regression analysis indicated that D9S168 alteration was associated independently with cancer‐related death (P = .010). The D9S168 alteration, which was located at the 5′‐untranslated region of a gene that encodes protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) receptor delta (PTPRD), was associated significantly with low expression of PTPRD at the messenger RNA level (P = .001). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of PTPRD was strong in normal kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells, from which ccRCC originated, and was greatly down‐regulated in ccRCC (P < .001; Wilcoxon rank‐sum test).

CONCLUSIONS:

D9S168 microsatellite alteration in tumors predicted a poor prognosis for patients with ccRCC after curative nephrectomy. The authors concluded that PTPRD is a putative tumor suppressor in ccRCC and has therapeutic potential. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Dasatinib combined with docetaxel for castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Araujo John C. , Mathew Paul , Armstrong Andrew J. , Braud Edward L. , Posadas Edwin , Lonberg Mathew , Gallick Gary E. , Trudel Géralyn C. , Paliwal Prashni , Agrawal Shruti , Logothetis Christopher J.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

To determine the potential efficacy of targeting both the tumor and bone microenvironment in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (PC), the authors conducted a phase 1‐2 trial combining docetaxel with dasatinib, an oral SRC inhibitor.

METHODS:

In phase 1, 16 men received dasatinib 50 to 120 mg once daily and docetaxel 60 to 75 mg/m2 every 21 days. In phase 2, 30 additional men received dasatinib 100 mg once daily/docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 21 days. Efficacy endpoints included changes in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), measurable disease, bone scans, and markers of bone metabolism. Safety and pharmacokinetics were also studied.

RESULTS:

Combination dasatinib and docetaxel therapy was generally well tolerated. Thirteen of 46 patients (28%) had a grade 3‐4 toxicity. Drug‐drug interactions and a maximum tolerated dose were not identified. Durable 50% PSA declines occurred in 26 of 46 patients (57%). Of 30 patients with measurable disease, 18 (60%) had a partial response. Fourteen patients (30%) had disappearance of a lesion on bone scan. In bone marker assessments, 33 of 38 (87%) and 26 of 34 (76%) had decreases in urinary N‐telopeptide or bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase levels, respectively. Twenty‐eight patients (61%) received single‐agent dasatinib after docetaxel discontinuation and had stabilization of disease for an additional 1 to 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

The high objective response rate and favorable toxicity profile are promising and justify randomized studies of docetaxel and dasatinib in castration‐resistant PC. Parallel declines in levels of PSA and bone markers are consistent with cotargeting of epithelial and bone compartments of the cancer. Treatment with single‐agent dasatinib following docetaxel cessation warrants further study. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Electroluminescent Properties of an Electrochemically Cross‐Linkable Carbazole Peripheral Poly(Benzyl Ether) Dendrimer
Authors: Park Jin Young , Kim Dong‐Eun , Ponnapati Ramakrishna , Kim Jong‐Min , Kwon Young‐Soo , Advincula Rigoberto C.
Published: March 2011

The electroluminescent (EL) properties of a cross‐linkable carbazole‐terminated poly(benzyl ether) dendrimer, G3‐cbz DN, doped into a PVK:PBD host matrix with a double‐layer device configuration are investigated. Different concentrations of the guest material can control device efficiency, related to chromaticity of white emission and the origin of excited‐state complexes occurring between hole‐transporting carbazole units (PVK or G3‐cbz DN) and electron‐transporting oxadiazole (PBD). Two excited states (exciplex and electroplex) generated at the interfaces of PVK/G3‐cbz DN and PBD result in competitive emission, exhibiting a broad band in the EL spectra.
Histoplasmosis presenting as bilateral adrenal masses: Cytomorphological diagnosis of three cases
Authors: Ahuja Arvind , Mathur Sandeep R. , Iyer Venkateshwaran K. , Sharma Surendra K. , Kumar Narender , Agarwal Shipra
Published: March 2011

Histoplasmosis is a worldwide infectious disease caused by inhalation of spores of a fungus, called Histoplasma capsulatum. Adrenals can be involved as a part of disseminated infection in immunocompromized patients. However, histoplasmosis presenting primarily as a bilateral adrenal masses in an immunocompetent patient is very unusual and rare. We encountered three such cases in which fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) performed under ultrasonographic (USG) guidance from bilateral adrenal masses primarily established the diagnosis. This report emphasizes the importance of considering localized fungal infection as differential diagnoses of mass lesions involving bilateral adrenals even if the patients are immunocompetent, along with the commoner lesions at these sites. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of TCF7L2 SNPs with age at onset of type 2 diabetes and proinsulin/insulin ratio but not with glucagon‐like peptide 1
Authors: Silbernagel Guenther , Renner Wilfried , Grammer Tanja B. , Hügl Sigrun R. , Bertram Julia , Kleber Marcus E. , Hoffmann Michael M. , Winkelmann Bernhard R. , März Winfried , Boehm Bernhard O.
Published: March 2011

Background

Variants in TCF7L2 have been associated with the age at onset of type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans. However, there is a lack of data on this relationship in Caucasians. Furthermore, risk alleles in TCF7L2 have been suggested to account for decreased conversion of proinsulin to insulin and decreased expression of GLP‐1. We investigated the effect of the allelic variants rs1225537 and rs7903146 in TCF7L2 on the age at onset of type 2 diabetes, the plasma concentrations of proinsulin and GLP‐1, and the ratio of proinsulin to insulin in a German cohort.

Methods

We studied 3185 participants of the LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular health (LURIC) study. Among these, 1021 subjects had type 2 diabetes. Data on age at onset of diabetes were available in 925 subjects. OGTTs were performed in a subgroup not previously known to have diabetes.

Results

Carriers of the risk alleles in rs1225537 and rs7901346 had increased risk of type 2 diabetes and elevated HbA1c (all p < 0.001). The risk alleles were also associated with early onset of type 2 diabetes, decreased insulin secretion and markedly increased proinsulin and proinsulin to insulin ratio (all p < 0.03). GLP‐1 was not significantly related to the TCF7L2 genotype.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that TCF7L2 variants are associated with an early age of onset of type 2 diabetes in Caucasians and affects the conversion of proinsulin to insulin. However, TCF7L2 is not consistently associated with fasting GLP‐1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HMGB factors are required for posterior digit development through integrating signaling pathway activities
Authors: Itou Junji , Taniguchi Noboru , Oishi Isao , Kawakami Hiroko , Lotz Martin , Kawakami Yasuhiko
Published: March 2011

The chromatin factors Hmgb1 and Hmgb2 have critical roles in cellular processes, including transcription and DNA modification. To identify the function of Hmgb genes in embryonic development, we generated double mutants of Hmgb1;Hmgb2 in mice. While double null embryos arrest at E9.5, Hmgb1−/−; Hmgb2+/− embryos exhibit a loss of digit5, the most posterior digit, in the forelimb. We show that Hmgb1−/−; Hmgb2+/− forelimbs have a reduced level of Shh signaling, as well as a clear downregulation of Wnt and BMP target genes in the posterior region. Moreover, we demonstrate that hmgb1 and hmgb2 in zebrafish embryos enhance Wnt signaling in a variety of tissues, and that double knockdown embryos have reduced Wnt signaling and shh expression in pectoral fin buds. Our data show that Hmgb1 and Hmgb2 function redundantly to enhance Wnt signaling in embryos, and further suggest that integrating Wnt, Shh, and BMP signaling regulates the development of digit5 in forelimbs. Developmental Dynamics 240:1151–1162, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Budding behaviors: Growth of the limb as a model of morphogenesis
Authors: Hopyan Sevan , Sharpe James , Yang Yingzi
Published: March 2011

Questions regarding morphogenesis have played second fiddle to those pertaining to pattern formation among the limb development set for some time. A recent series of publications has reinvigorated the search for mechanisms by which the limb bud arises, elongates and acquires its peculiar shape. While there are stage‐specific variations, the theme that resonates across these studies is that mesoderm and cartilage cells in the limb bud exhibit polarity that drives directional movement and oriented division. Noncanonical Wnt signalling is important for these cell behaviors at all stages of limb development. While the emerging morphogenetic mechanisms underlying limb bud outgrowth are partly analogous to those of other developing structures, insights from the limb have the potential to reveal intriguing new mechanisms by which three dimensional mesoderm changes shape. Developmental Dynamics 240:1054–1062, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Summary of ‘Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease’
Authors: Editorial Office Evidence‐Based Child Health
Published: March 2011

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Geary DF, Hodson EM, Craig JC. Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD008327. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008327. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Commentary on ‘Topical fluoride and dental fluorosis’
Authors: Quiñonez Carlos R.
Published: March 2011

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Wong MCM, Glenny AM, Tsang BWK, Lo ECM, Worthington HV, Marinho VCC. Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007693. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007693.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Summary of ‘Vaccines for preventing rotavirus diarrhoea: vaccines in use’
Authors: Editorial Office Evidence‐Based Child Health
Published: March 2011

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Soares‐Weiser K, MacLehose H, Ben‐Aharon I, Goldberg E, Pitan F, Cunliffe N. Vaccines for preventing rotavirus diarrhoea: vaccines in use. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008521. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008521. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Summary of ‘Short versus standard duration antibiotic therapy for acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children’
Authors: Editorial Office Evidence‐Based Child Health
Published: March 2011

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Altamimi S, Khalil A, Khalaiwi KA, Milner RA, Pusic MV, Al Othman MA. Short versus standard duration antibiotic therapy for acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004872. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004872.pub2. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Biological and water quality responses to hydrologic disturbances in third‐order forested streams
Authors: Danehy Robert J. , Bilby Robert E. , Langshaw Russell B. , Evans Daniel M. , Turner Ted R. , Floyd William C. , Schoenholtz Stephen H. , Duke Steven D.
Published: March 2011

We compared stream ecosystem responses to two types of disturbances: flood and debris flows. A large storm in February 1996 disturbed four similarly sized sub‐watersheds of the Calapooia River, in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, USA. All sub‐watersheds had flood and in two, 31 and 81% of the perennial channel, a debris flow affected the channel. For 8 years, we used a suite of approaches: stream temperature, nutrient regime, periphyton and macroinvertebrate assemblages, and resident trout abundance and habitat to evaluate the persistence of instream impacts. Differences in stream temperatures and nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations were evident, probably, due to the removal of vegetation and modification of riparian soils at the debris flow sites. Instream biological responses varied. After the event, fish, including trout, were rare with no fish at the debris flow sites. Within 6 years, trout densities (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Oncorhynchus clarki) were similar and young‐of‐the‐year trouts were common. In contrast, periphyton and macroinvertebrate assemblages differed. Periphyton biomass was lower and nitrogen‐fixing periphyton was more abundant at the debris flow sites. Macroinvertebrate assemblage diversity was higher at the debris flow sites due to fewer dominant taxa. Macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups also differed with fewer gatherers and more scrapers at the debris flow sites. Debris flow impacts related to loss of riparian canopy will probably persist until mature red alder stands are re‐established along stream‐reaches affected by debris flows to provide nitrogen input and shade. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absence of Rac1 and Rac3 GTPases in the nervous system hinders thymic, splenic and immune‐competence development
Authors: Basso Veronica , Corbetta Sara , Gualdoni Sara , Tonoli Diletta , Poliani Pietro Luigi , Sanvito Francesca , Doglioni Claudio , Mondino Anna , de Curtis Ivan
Published: March 2011

The nervous system influences organ development by direct innervation and the action of hormones. We recently showed that the specific absence of Rac1 in neurons (Rac1N) in a Rac3‐deficient (Rac3KO) background causes motor behavioural defects, epilepsy, and premature mouse death around postnatal day 13. We report here that Rac1N/Rac3KO mice display a progressive loss of immune‐competence. Comparative longitudinal analysis of lymphoid organs from control, single Rac1N or Rac3KO, and double Rac1N/Rac3KO mutant animals showed that thymus development is preserved up to postnatal day 9 in all animals, but is impaired in Rac1N/Rac3KO mice at later times. This is evidenced by a drastic reduction in thymic cell numbers. Cell numbers were also reduced in the spleen, leading to splenic tissue disarray. Organ involution occurs in spite of unaltered thymocyte and lymphocyte subset composition, and proper mature T‐cell responses to polyclonal stimuli in vitro. Suboptimal thymus innervation by tau‐positive neuronal terminals possibly explains the suboptimal thymic output and arrested thymic development, which is accompanied by higher apoptotic rates. Our results support a role for neuronal Rac1 and Rac3 in dictating proper lymphoid organ development, and suggest the existence of lymphoid‐extrinsic mechanisms linking neural defects to the loss of immune‐competence.