bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic anorexia nervosa: A Delphi study to explore practitioners' views
Authors: Tierney Stephanie , Fox John R.E.
Published: July 2008

Objective:

Anorexia nervosa (AN) can be an enduring condition. Increasing interest in the treatment of long‐term cases has occurred over the recent years. This study explored healthcare practitioners' views of what constitutes a case of chronic AN and their opinions of its treatment.

Method:

A Delphi study was conducted, involving members of specialist groups for professionals with an interest in eating disorders and delegates from a conference about enduring AN.

Results:

Participants reached agreement and consensus on factors relating to weight, behaviors, and cognitions in cases of chronic AN, but did not for the importance of duration and number of treatment attempts. Adopting a supportive, co‐ordinated, and eclectic approach was considered important in the care of these patients.

Conclusion:

Results suggest that chronic AN is not an easy term to define and that a rehabilitative model for working with this patient group may be required. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Factors associated with improvements in readiness for change: Low vs. normal BMI eating disorders
Authors: Geller Josie , Cassin Stephanie E. , Brown Krista E. , Srikameswaran Suja
Published: July 2008

Objective:

To examine factors associated with improvements in readiness for change as a function of body mass index (BMI) in individuals assessed for eating disorders treatment.

Method:

Participants (n = 128) completed the Readiness and Motivation Interview (RMI) and measures of psychiatric and eating disorder symptoms, quality of life, and self‐esteem at baseline and at 5‐month follow‐up.

Results:

Participants whose readiness for change showed improvements in psychiatric symptom severity, global self‐esteem, and in the importance of friendships as a determinant of self‐esteem. Only those with a normal baseline BMI (20 kg/m2 or greater) improved in eating disorder symptoms and quality of life, and reported increased importance of personal development and decreased importance of shape and weight as determinants of self‐esteem.

Conclusion:

Correlates of readiness differed between low and normal BMI participants, suggesting that weight status may be an important variable to consider in preparing highly ambivalent individuals for treatment. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Fundamental study of the development of a transformer with low‐viscosity silicone liquid
Authors: Yamagishi Akira , Kojima Hiroaki , Morooka Hisashi , Sugawa Osami , Sampei Hiroyuki , Miyagi Katsunori
Published: July 2008

Silicone liquid is less flammable and produces less environmental pollution compared with mineral oil. Applicability of 20‐cSt silicone liquid to transformers was investigated from the viewpoints of insulation, cooling performance, and the less‐flammability evaluation. The results showed that the basic characteristics of 20‐cSt silicone liquid were verified in application to a less‐flammable transformer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 21–28, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20483
Information filtering using latent semantics
Authors: Yokoi Takeru , Yanagimoto Hidekazu , Omatu Sigeru
Published: July 2008

We propose an information filtering system using latent semantics obtained by Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Document vectors usually have too many elements. Thus, we are obliged to spend much time applying the ICA for the document vectors. To solve this problem, the present method combines the SVD which is often used for decreasing dimension and the ICA. Before applying the ICA, we represent documents with singular vectors obtained by the SVD. We measure processing times to carry out the ICA without the SVD and the proposed method for comparison of these methods. In addition, we construct a user profile in space consisting of latent semantics obtained by the present method, and discuss accuracy of recommendation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 53–59, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20564
Unusual Reactions Between Aromatic Carbon Supernucleophiles and 1,2‐Diazabuta‐1,3‐dienes: Useful Routes to New Pyrazolone and Cinnoline Derivatives
Authors: Forlani Luciano , Attanasi Orazio A. , Boga Carla , De Crescentini Lucia , Del Vecchio Erminia , Favi Gianfranco , Mantellini Fabio , Tozzi Silvia , Zanna Nicola
Published: July 2008

Reactions between 1,3,5‐tris(dialkylamino)benzenes and 1,2‐diazabuta‐1,3‐dienes produce semicarbazone derivatives through attack of the supernucleophile aromatic carbon atom at the terminal carbon atom of the heterodiene reagent. The strong activation of the aromatic ring due to the presence of the three amino groups in a symmetrical relationship promotes electrophilic aromatic substitution by the neutral carbon atom of the electrophile. The resulting semicarbazones, in methanol in the presence of sodium methoxide, mainly afford pyrazolone derivatives, whereas in THF in the presence of sodium methoxide an unusual cyclization reaction produces cinnoline derivatives as the major products. Both cyclization reaction mechanisms are discussed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Why NH3 is not a candidate reagent for ambient CO2 fixation: A response to “Alternative solution to global warming arising from CO2 emissions—Partial neutralization of tropospheric H2CO3 with NH3”
Authors: Johnson Martin T. , Vaughan Naomi E. , Goodwin Philip , Goldblatt Colin , Roudesli Sonia , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: July 2008

It has been proposed that application of urea, or ammonium sulfate (plus lime) to nonagricultural land to evolve ammonia may provide a “solution” to increasing CO2 concentrations by neutralizing atmospheric carbonic acid to ammonium bicarbonate at ambient concentrations and subsequent storage in the surface ocean (Apak [2007]: Environmental Progress 26, 355–359). We identify a series of major flaws in this hypothesis, which indicate that the approach is unfeasible and would not succeed if attempted at any scale: (i) The phenomenal energy cost associated with breaking the NN bond and evolving H2 for NH3 production (and associated fossil fuel CO2 emissions under the current energy generation market); (ii) the radiative forcing associated with substantially increasing the concentration of ammonia in the atmosphere, and (iii) a number of unwanted indirect effects, including eutrophication, enhanced N2O emissions, and the inhibition of the oxidation of strong greenhouse gases such as methane in the atmosphere. We strongly urge future efforts to be directed away from this approach and suggest that engagement with the climate, earth‐system, and biogeochemistry communities is essential when putting forward ideas for potential geoengineering approaches to mitigate global climate change. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008
Dynamic force control with hydraulic actuators using added compliance and displacement compensation
Authors: Sivaselvan Mettupalayam V. , Reinhorn Andrei M. , Shao Xiaoyun , Weinreber Scot
Published: July 2008

A new approach to dynamic force control of mechanical systems, applicable in particular to frame structures, over frequency ranges spanning their resonant frequencies is presented. This approach is implemented using added compliance and displacement compensation. Hydraulic actuators are inherently velocity sources, that is, an electrical signal regulates their velocity response. Such systems are therefore by nature high‐impedance (mechanically stiff) systems. In contrast, for force control, a force source is required. Such a system logically would have to be a low‐impedance (mechanically compliant) system. This is achieved by intentionally introducing a flexible mechanism between the actuator and the structure to be excited. In addition, in order to obtain force control over frequencies spanning the structure's resonant frequency, a displacement compensation feedback loop is needed. The actuator itself operates in closed‐loop displacement control. The theoretical motivation, as well as the laboratory implementation of the above approach is discussed along with experimental results. Having achieved a means of dynamic force control, it can be applied to various experimental seismic simulation techniques such as the effective force method and the real‐time dynamic hybrid testing method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of the lattice Boltzmann method to flow in aneurysm with ring‐shaped stent obstacles
Authors: Xu X. , Lee J. S.
Published: July 2008

To resolve the characteristics of a highly complex flow, a lattice Boltzmann method with an extrapolation boundary technique was used in aneurysms with and without transverse objects on the upper wall, and results were compared with the non‐stented aneurysm. The extrapolation boundary concept allows the use of Cartesian grids even when the boundaries do not conform to Cartesian coordinates. To ease the code development and facilitate the incorporation of new physics, a new scientific programming strategy based on object‐oriented concepts was developed. The reduced flow, smaller vorticity magnitude and wall shear stress, and smaller du/dy near the dome of the aneurysm were observed when the proposed stent obstacles were used. The height of the stent obstacles was more effective to reduce the vorticity near the dome of the aneurysm than the width of the stent. The rectangular stent with 20% height‐of‐vessel radius was observed to be optimal and decreased the magnitude of the vorticity by 21% near the dome of the aneurysm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined haplotype relative risk (CHRR): a general and simple genetic association test that combines trios and unrelated case‐controls
Authors: Guo Chao‐Yu , Lunetta Kathryn L. , DeStefano, Anita L. , Cupples L. Adrienne
Published: July 2008

In some genetic association studies, samples contain both parental and unrelated controls. Under such scenarios, instead of analyzing only trios using family‐based association tests or only unrelated subjects using a case‐control study design, Nagelkerke et al. ([2004] Eur. J. Hum. Genet. 12:964–970) and Epstein et al. ([2005] Am. J. Hum. Genet. 76:592–608) proposed methods that implemented a likelihood ratio test to combine the two different types of data. In this article, we put forward a more powerful and simplified strategy to combine trios with unrelated subjects based on the haplotype relative risk (HRR) (Falk and Rubinstein [1987] Ann. Hum. Genet. 51:227–233). The HRR compares parental marker alleles transmitted to an affected offspring to those not transmitted as a test for association, a strategy that is similar to a case‐control study that compares allele frequencies in diseased cases to those of unrelated controls. We prove that affected offspring can be pooled with diseased cases and that parental controls can be treated as unrelated controls when the trios and unrelated subjects are randomly sampled from the same population. Therefore, unrelated subjects can be incorporated into the HRR intuitively and effortlessly. For trios without complete parental genotypes, we adopted the strategy proposed by (Guo et al. [2005a] BMC Genet. 6:S90; [2005b] Hum. Hered. 59: 125–135), which is more feasible than the one proposed by Weinberg ([1999] Am. J. Hum. Genet. 64:1186–1193). In addition, simulation results suggest that the combined haplotype relative risk is more powerful than Epstein et al.'s method regardless of the disease prevalence in a homogeneous population. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Obtaining the steady‐state drawdown solutions of constant‐head and constant‐flux tests
Authors: Wang Chih‐Tse , Yeh Hund‐Der
Published: July 2008

The solutions of constant‐head and constant‐flux tests are commonly used to predict the temporal or spatial drawdown distribution or to determine aquifer parameters. Theis and Thiem equations, for instance, are well‐known transient and steady‐state drawdown solutions, respectively, of the constant‐flux test. It is known that the Theis equation is not applicable to the case where the aquifer has a finite boundary or the pumping time tends to infinity. On the other hand, the Thiem equation does not apply to the case where the aquifer boundary is infinite. However, the issue of obtaining the Thiem equation from the transient drawdown solution has not previously been addressed. In this paper, the drawdown solutions for constant‐head and constant‐flux tests conducted in finite or infinite confined aquifers with or without consideration of the effect of the well radius are examined comprehensively. Mathematical verification and physical interpretation of the solutions to these two tests converging or not converging to the Thiem equation are presented. The result shows that there are some finite‐domain solutions for these two tests that can converge to the Thiem equation when the time becomes infinitely large. In addition, the time criteria to give a good approximation to the finite‐domain solution by the infinite‐domain solution and the Thiem equation are investigated and presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mercury transport in response to storm events from a northern forest landscape
Authors: Bushey Joseph T. , Driscoll Charles T. , Mitchell Myron J. , Selvendiran Pranesh , Montesdeoca Mario R.
Published: July 2008

Concentrations and fluxes of mercury (Hg) species in surface waters of forested watersheds are affected by hydrological events. The mechanisms of Hg transport during these events are poorly understood and yet may influence Hg bioavailability and exposure to aquatic biota. Three storm events with varying magnitude and intensity were investigated (June, September and November 2005) at a forested watershed in the Adirondack region of New York State, USA. Concentrations of Hg species increased during these events, both above and downstream of wetlands in the watershed. While Hg flux was higher from wetland drainage, the Hg flux from the upland site exhibited a greater relative increase to elevated runoff. Hg flux was controlled by discharge; however, Hg species concentrations were not well correlated with discharge, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), or total suspended solids (TSS) through the duration of events. A counter‐clockwise hysteresis response of DOC with increasing runoff contrasted with the clockwise response for total Hg, suggesting different contributions from source areas for these solutes. Correspondence with elevated total K and NO3− (α < 0·05) during the rising limb of the hydrograph suggests rapid delivery of throughfall Hg, potentially enhanced by hillslope hollows, to the stream channel. As the watershed saturated, stream Hg appears to be derived from the soil Hg pool. Results suggest that particulate Hg did not contribute substantially to total Hg flux during events (<25%). These results emphasize the role of watershed attributes and storm characteristics in Hg transport and bioavailability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field and regional scale evaluation of irrigation efficiency in paddy fields case study: Guilan, Iran
Authors: Parsinejad Masoud , Yazdani Mohammad Reza , Ebrahimian Hamed
Published: July 2008

Limitations on available water have caused increased attention toward research on techniques to use water more efficiently. In this study, the actual water application efficiency of rice paddy fields for 13 different sites throughout the province of Guilan, Iran, was investigated. Based on field measurements of water inflow and outflow, deep percolation and calculation of evapotranspiration, water application efficiency was determined for cases where the outflow was considered as a loss, i.e. at field scale, and for cases where a percentage of the outflow was considered as recoverable water, i.e. regional scale. The results show that, at field scale, the application water efficiency for the western, central and eastern section of the Sefidrood Irrigation Network was 38, 41 and 34%, respectively. On the other hand, at regional scale, if 80% of the outflow were considered as recoverable water, the above values were found to be 52, 51 and 46%, respectively. More recent proposed definitions on water management, such as consumed fraction (CF) and recoverable fraction (RF = 1 − CF) are also evaluated. Calculation of CF and RF values indicate that water potentially available for reuse is about 60% for the entire network. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights into functional modulation of catalytic RNA activity
Authors: Vourekas Anastassios , Stamatopoulou Vassiliki , Toumpeki Chrisavgi , Tsitlaidou Marianthi , Drainas Denis
Published: July 2008

RNA molecules play critical roles in cell biology, and novel findings continuously broaden their functional repertoires. Apart from their well‐documented participation in protein synthesis, it is now apparent that several noncoding RNAs (i.e., micro‐RNAs and riboswitches) also participate in the regulation of gene expression. The discovery of catalytic RNAs had profound implications on our views concerning the evolution of life on our planet at a molecular level. A characteristic attribute of RNA, probably traced back to its ancestral origin, is the ability to interact with and be modulated by several ions and molecules of different sizes. The inhibition of ribosome activity by antibiotics has been extensively used as a therapeutical approach, while activation and substrate‐specificity alteration have the potential to enhance the versatility of ribozyme‐based tools in translational research. In this review, we will describe some representative examples of such modulators to illustrate the potential of catalytic RNAs as tools and targets in research and clinical approaches. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(10): 669–683, 2008.
DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures
Authors: Simoniello M. F. , Kleinsorge E. C. , Scagnetti J. A. , Grigolato R. A. , Poletta G. L. , Carballo M. A.
Published: July 2008

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops but represent at the same time a potential risk to farmers and environment. The aim of this work is the evaluation of 54 subjects occupationally exposed to pesticides and 30 subjects as a control group using the quantification of DNA damage level by means of the alkaline Comet assay and the evaluation of repair processes. Damage index Comet assay (DICA) and damage index repair assay (DIRA) were studied in 27 pesticide applicator workers, 27 non‐pesticide applicators and controls. Our results show that both exposed groups revealed significant increase in DICA when compared with controls (P < 0.0001), as well as in DIRA (P < 0.0001). However, the spraying group exhibited a marginally significant difference in DICA (P = 0.05) when years of exposure are considered and a significant difference (P < 0.05) when the personal protective equipment used by individuals was taken as a comparison factor. The influence of confounding factors on the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to pesticides was investigated and no significant differences were observed considering age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption in relation to DICA and DIRA. Since DNA damage is an important step in events leading from carcinogen exposure to cancer disease, our study highlights the potential health risk associated with agrochemical exposure in developing countries with vast cultivated areas, such as Argentina. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro evaluation of the chemoprotective action mechanisms of leontopodic acid against aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol‐induced cell damage
Authors: Costa Stefano , Schwaiger Stefan , Cervellati Rinaldo , Stuppner Hermann , Speroni Ester , Guerra Maria Clelia
Published: July 2008

Several in vitro studies showed that free radical scavengers possess chemopreventive properties against mycotoxin‐induced cell damage which are at least partially associated with the induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes like glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The aim of this project was to study the chemopreventive effects of leontopodic acid (LA), a potent natural occurring free radical scavenger isolated from the aerial parts of Leontopodium alpinum. Different mycotoxins were evaluated in two different cell lines on the basis of their specific toxicity: aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on HepG2 cells and deoxynivalenol (DON) on U937 cells. Cell viability and reactive oxygen species concentration were determined, and the effects of pre‐treatment with LA on these parameters were investigated together with the GST and GPx activity as well as the concentration of reduced glutathione. The results show that LA protects U937 cells from DON‐induced cell damage but not HepG2 cells from AFB1. Moreover LA is able to enhance GPx activity in U937, but not GST activity in HepG2. We hypothesize that the increase in detoxifying enzymes is probably the main mechanism of antioxidant mediated chemoprevention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Annexin II/Annexin II receptor axis regulates adhesion, migration, homing, and growth of prostate cancer
Authors: Shiozawa Yusuke , Havens Aaron M. , Jung Younghun , Ziegler Anne M. , Pedersen Elisabeth A. , Wang Jingcheng , Wang Jianhua , Lu Ganwei , Roodman G. David , Loberg Robert D. , Pienta Kenneth J. , Taichman Russell S.
Published: July 2008

One of the most life‐threatening complications of prostate cancer is skeletal metastasis. In order to develop treatment for metastasis, it is important to understand its molecular mechanisms. Our work in this field has drawn parallels between hematopoietic stem cell and prostate cancer homing to the marrow. Our recent work demonstrated that annexin II expressed by osteoblasts and endothelial cells plays a critical role in niche selection. In this study, we demonstrate that annexin II and its receptor play a crucial role in establishing metastasis of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cell lines migrate toward annexin II and the adhesion of prostate cancer to osteoblasts and endothelial cells was inhibited by annexin II. By blocking annexin II or its receptor in animal models, short‐term and long‐term localization of prostate cancers are limited. Annexin II may also facilitate the growth of prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo by the MAPK pathway. These data strongly suggest that annexin II and its receptor axis plays a central role in prostate cancer metastasis, and that prostate cancer utilize the hematopoietic stem cell homing mechanisms to gain access to the niche. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 370–380, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway by cPLA2α and PPARδ
Authors: Han Chang , Lim Kyu , Xu Lihong , Li Guiying , Wu Tong
Published: July 2008

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) is a rate‐limiting key enzyme that releases arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipid for the production of biologically active lipid mediators including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet‐activating factor. cPLA2α is translocated to nuclear envelope in response to intracellular calcium increase and the enzyme is also present inside the cell nucleus; however, the biological function of cPLA2α in the nucleus remains unknown. Here we show a novel role of cPLA2α for activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐δ (PPARδ) and β‐catenin in the nuclei. Overexpression of cPLA2α in human cholangiocarcinoma cells induced the binding of PPARδ to β‐catenin and increased their association with the TCF/LEF response element. These effects are inhibited by the cPLA2α siRNA and inhibitors as well as by siRNA knockdown of PPARδ. Overexpression of PPARδ or treatment with the selective PPARδ ligand, GW501516, also increased β‐catenin binding to TCF/LEF response element and increased its reporter activity. Addition of AA and GW501516 to nuclear extracts induced a comparable degree of β‐catenin binding to TCF/LEF response element. Furthermore, cPLA2α protein is present in the PPARδ and β‐catenin binding complex. Thus the close proximity between cPLA2α and PPARδ provides a unique advantage for their efficient functional coupling in the nucleus, where AA produced by cPLA2α becomes immediately available for PPARδ binding and subsequent β‐catenin activation. These results depict a novel interaction linking cPLA2α, PPARδ and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways and provide insight for further understanding the roles of these key molecules in human cells and diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 534–545, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship between the methylation status of dietary flavonoids and their growth‐inhibitory and apoptosis‐inducing activities in human cancer cells
Authors: Landis‐Piwowar Kristin R. , Milacic Vesna , Dou Q. Ping
Published: July 2008

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Compelling research indicates that flavonoids have important roles in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy possibly due to biological activities that include action through anti‐inflammation, free radical scavenging, modulation of survival/proliferation pathways, and inhibition of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Plant polyphenols including the green tea polyphenol (‐)‐epigallocatechin gallate or (‐)‐EGCG, and the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and chrysin have been shown to inhibit proteasome activity and induce apoptosis in human leukemia cells. However, biotransformation reactions to the reactive hydroxyl groups on polyphenols could reduce their biological activities. Although methylated polyphenols have been suggested to be metabolically more stable than unmethylated polyphenols, the practical use of methylated polyphenols as cancer preventative agents warrants further investigation. In the current study, methylated and unmethylated flavonoids were studied for their proteasome‐inhibitory and apoptosis‐inducing abilities in human leukemia HL60 cells. Methylated flavonoids displayed sustained bioavailability and inhibited cellular proliferation by arresting cells in the G1 phase. However, they did not act as proteasome inhibitors in either an in vitro system or an in silico model and only weakly induced apoptosis. In contrast, unmethylated flavonoids exhibited inhibition of the proteasomal activity in intact HL60 cells, accumulating proteasome target proteins and inducing caspase activation and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage. We conclude that methylated flavonoids lack potent cytotoxicity against human leukemia cells and most likely have limited ability as chemopreventive agents. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 514–523, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of Runx2 transcription factor in non‐skeletal tissues, sperm and brain
Authors: Jeong Jae‐Hwan , Jin Jung‐Sook , Kim Hyun‐Nam , Kang Sang‐Min , Liu Julie C. , Lengner Christopher J. , Otto Florian , Mundlos Stefan , Stein Janet L. , van Wijnen Andre J. , Lian Jane B. , Stein Gary S. , Choi Je‐Yong
Published: July 2008

Runx2 is a master transcription factor for chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However expression of Runx2 (by RT‐PCR), has been reported in non‐skeletal tissues such as breast, T cells and testis. To better define Runx2 activity in non‐skeletal tissues, we examined transgenic (Tg) mice expressing LacZ gene under control of 3.0 kb (3 kb Tg) or 1.0 kb (1 kb Tg) of the Runx2 distal (P1) promoter, Runx2 LacZ knock‐in (Runx2+/LacZ) and Runx2/P1 LacZ knock‐in (Runx2/P1+/LacZ). In the Runx2 3 kb Tg mouse, β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) expression appeared in various non‐skeletal tissues including testis, skin, adrenal gland and brain. β‐gal expression from both 3 kb and 1 kb Tg, reflecting activity of the Runx2 promoter, was readily detectable in seminiferous tubules of the testis and the epididymis. At the single cell level, β‐gal was detected in spermatids and mature sperms not in sertoli or Leydig cells. We also detected a positive signal from the Runx2+/LacZ and Runx2/P1+/LacZ mice. Indeed, Runx2 expression was observed in isolated mature sperms, which was confirmed by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Runx2, however, was not related to sex determination and sperm motility. Runx2 mediated β‐gal activity is also found robustly in the hippocampus and frontal lobe of the brain in Runx2+/LacZ. Collectively, these results indicate that Runx2 is expressed in several non‐skeletal tissues particularly sperms of testis and hippocampus of brain. It suggests that Runx2 may play an important role in male reproductive organ testis and brain. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 511–517, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histological and ultrastructural investigation of early gonad development and sex differentiation in Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii, Acipenseriformes, Chondrostei)
Authors: Grandi Gilberto , Chicca Milvia
Published: July 2008

Gonad development and sex differentiation from embryos to 594‐day‐old individuals were investigated in farmed Acipenser naccarii using light and transmission electron microscopy. The migrating primordial germ cells first appear along the dorsal wall of the body cavity in embryos 1.5 days before hatching. The gonadal ridge, containing a few primary primordial germ cells (PGC‐1) surrounded by enveloping cells, appears in 16‐day‐old larvae. At 60 days, the undifferentiated gonad is lamellar and PGC‐1 multiply, producing PGC‐2. In 105‐day‐old juveniles, a distinct germinal area with advanced PGC‐2 appears on the lateral side near the mesogonium and the first blood vessels are visible. At 180 days, putative ovaries with a notched gonadal epithelium and putative testes with a smooth one appear, together with adipose tissue on the distal side. In 210‐day‐old juveniles, active proliferation of germ cells begins in the putative ovaries, whereas putative testes still contain only a few germ cells. The onset of meiosis and reorganization of stromal tissue occurs in ovaries of 292‐day‐old individuals. Ovaries with developed lamellae enclosing early oocyte clusters and follicles with perinucleolar oocytes occur at 594 days. Meiotic stages are never found, even in anastomozing tubular testes of 594‐day‐old individuals. Steroid producing cells are detected in the undifferentiated gonad and in the differentiated ones of both sexes. Anatomical differentiation of the gonad precedes cytological differentiation and female differentiation largely precedes that of the male. Gonad development and differentiation are also associated with structural changes of connective tissue, viz. collagen‐rich areas are massive in developing testes and reduced in ovaries. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does information about the source of functional ingredients influence consumer perception of functional milk desserts?
Authors: Ares Gastón , Giménez Ana , Gámbaro Adriana
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to study the influence of information about the source of two functional ingredients (antioxidants and fibre) on consumer perception of functional milk dessert concepts and to evaluate whether this influence depends on consumer attitudes towards health and hedonic characteristics of foods.

RESULTS: Scores for expected liking decreased when information about the source of fibre or antioxidants was incorporated, which could be explained considering that when consumers knew the source of the functional ingredient they imagine the flavour of the source in the milk concept. This decrease in expected liking led to a decrease in consumer willingness to purchase, showing the importance of hedonic expectations on the acceptance of functional foods. Consumers with different attitudes towards health and hedonic characteristics of foods reacted differently towards information about the source of functional ingredients.

CONCLUSION: Providing information about the source of functional ingredients would not be recommended as it might create negative taste expectations to consumers and a concomitant decrease in their willingness to purchase. These show that consumers would not compromise on the taste of milk desserts for health. Thus, the development of functional foods that taste worse than conventional ones may be a risky option. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Complexes of Cationic Block Copolymer Micelles with DNA: Histone/DNA Complex Mimetics
Authors: Talelli Marina , Pispas Stergios
Published: July 2008

The formation of complexes between cationic polymeric micelles of PS‐b‐PQ2VP amphiphilic block copolymers and DNA molecules in aqueous solutions is investigated at pH = 7. The physicochemical characteristics of the “polyplexes” at different DNA/polymer ratios were characterized in terms of mass, size and charge using static, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering and AFM. The complexes are spherical and assume their maximum size and mass around the charge stoichiometric ratio. After addition of increased amounts of salt in the solutions, partial dissociation of the systems was observed. The present systems can be considered as mimetics of histone/DNA complexes formed under physiological conditions in living cells.

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Core‐Shell Nanoblends from Soy Protein/Polystyrene by Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Liu Dagang , Tian Huafeng , Zeng Jian , Chang Peter R.
Published: July 2008

Novel soy protein/polystyrene nanoblends with core‐shell structures were successfully prepared by introducing nano‐sized PS into soy protein through emulsion polymerization. The nanoblends showed core‐shell structures, with the core being of PS and the shell of sodium dodecane sulfonate and soy protein polypeptides, when investigated by electron microscopy. Nanoblends containing high levels of PS (>30%) exhibited characteristic infrared spectrum bands, X‐ray diffraction peak, and glass transition, since PS microsphere aggregated to form independent PS domains. Mechanical strength and water resistance were effectively improved by introducing PS. An effective structure‐performance relationship was thereby established to describe the nanoblends.

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Developing anticancer chemotherapy services in a developing country: Hodgkin lymphoma experience
Authors: Chandra Jagdish , Naithani Rahul , Singh Varinder , Saxena Y.K. , Sharma Manoj , Pemde Harish
Published: July 2008

Background and Objective

Reporting on how the cancer treatment facilities were developed at a medical college hospital in India and the profile and outcome of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at this new center were the objectives of the study.

Methods

Patients under 18 years with a diagnosis of HL were evaluated using abdominal ultrasonography, CT scan examination of chest, abdomen and pelvis and bone marrow examination. Most patients were treated with combination chemotherapy. Departments of Radiodiagnosis and Pathology were involved for evaluation. Radiotherapy when required was made available at a nearby hospital.

Results

Thirty‐five patients between 1.2 and 18 years (median age 7 years) were diagnosed as HL during the study period. Advanced disease (Stage IIb or more) was present in 83% cases. Mixed cellularity was the commonest histological subtype (50.5%). Primary therapy used was COPP in 29 (83%) cases. Of the 34 patients who received treatment 30 showed initial good response to therapy. One patient responded to ABVD after having progression on COPP. Of 31 responders, 4 relapsed. Twenty‐seven patients (80%) are surviving free of disease for a median follow up of 4.5 years (range 1.5–18 years). Chemotherapy was well tolerated. Febrile neutropenia occurred in four cases.

Conclusions

Pediatric HL in India was characterized by advanced disease at presentation. Mixed‐cellularity was the predominant histological subtype. An effective program was developed with initial attention to patients with HL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:485–488. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutritional status at diagnosis of children with malignancies in Casablanca
Authors: Tazi Illias , Hidane Zakia , Zafad Saadia , Harif Mhamed , Benchekroun Said , Ribeiro Raul
Published: July 2008

Introduction

Nutritional assessment is an essential component of the initial assessment of children with cancer. Malnutrition may be present at diagnosis due to the effects of the malignancy or, in low income countries (LIC), due to poverty and an inadequate diet.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition at diagnosis in children with cancer in Morocco.

Procedure

Nutritional status of 100 children aged less than 18 years with newly diagnosed malignancy between January 2005 and January 2006 was evaluated by anthropometric and biochemical parameters before initiating therapy. We measured weight, height, weight‐for‐height using z‐scores index for children and body mass index for adolescents, triceps skinfold thickness and mid‐upper arm circumference, and serum albumin.

Results

A total of 100 patients were included. The mean age was 7 years (range 1 to 18 years). Sixty percent were boys. The diagnosis was: Burkitt lymphoma (n = 19), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (n = 18), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n = 14), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 13), Ewing sarcoma (n = 7), nephroblastoma (n = 6), Hodgkin disease (n = 5), osteosarcoma (n = 5), retinoblastoma (n = 4), neuroblastoma (n = 3), germ cell tumor (n = 3), orbital lymphoma (n = 1), cerebral lymphoma (n = 1), ependymoma (n = 1). Incidence of malnutrition ranged from 20 to 50%, depending upon the measurement used.

Conclusion

The prevalence of malnutrition in this study was high, so interventions are being implemented to improve the nutritional status of these patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:495–498. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐ionic surfactants for enhancing electrospinability and for the preparation of electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Wang Shu‐Qiang , He Ji‐Huan , Xu Lan
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: Electrospinning is widely used to produce nanofibers; however, not every polymer can be electrospun into nanofibers. To enhance electrospinability, much effort has been made in designing new apparatus, such as vibration‐electrospinning, magneto‐electrospinning and bubble‐electrospinning.

RESULTS: A representative non‐ionic surfactant, TritonR X‐100, is used to enhance electrospinability. The surfactant is added to an electrospun poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) polymer solution, and a dramatic reduction in surface tension is observed. As a result, a moderate voltage is needed to produce fine nanofibers, which are commonly observed during the conventional electrospinning procedure only at elevated voltage.

CONCLUSION: The novel strategy produces smaller nanofibers than those obtained without surfactants, and the minimum threshold voltage is much decreased. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics and thermomechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube‐reinforced poly(ε‐caprolactone) composites
Authors: Xu Guoyong , Du Longchao , Wang Hu , Xia Ru , Meng Xiangchun , Zhu Qingren
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: The technological development of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) is limited by its short useful lifespan, low modulus and high crystallinity. There are a few papers dealing with the crystallization behavior of carbon nanotube‐reinforced PCL composites. However, little work has been done on the crystallization kinetics of melt‐compounded PCL/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites. In this study, PCL/MWNT nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a simple melt‐compounding method, and their morphology and mechanical properties as well as their crystallization kinetics were studied.

RESULTS: The MWNTs were observed to be homogeneously dispersed throughout the PCL matrix. The incorporation of a very small quantity of MWNTs significantly improved the storage modulus and loss modulus of the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites. The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites exhibits strong dependencies of the degree of crystallinity (Xc), peak crystallization temperature (Tp), half‐time of crystallization (t1/2) and Avrami exponent (n) on the MWNT content and cooling rate. The MWNTs in the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites exhibit a higher nucleation activity. The crystallization activation energy (Ea) calculated with the Kissinger model is higher when a small amount of MWNTs is added, then gradually decreases; all the Ea values are higher than that of pure PCL.

CONCLUSION: This paper reports for the first time the preparation of high‐performance biopolymer PCL/MWNT nanocomposites prepared by a simple melt‐compounding method. The results show that the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites can broaden the applications of PCL. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Silica encapsulating lanthanum complexes using the sol–gel technique
Authors: Cazacu Maria , Vlad Angelica , Airinei Anton , Alexandru Mihaela
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: Because of its properties, silica gel is an excellent host for different compounds. Many types of chemical species (organics, organometallics, proteins, enzymes, etc.) can be encapsulated in xerogels, and the sol–gel technique has been shown to be very useful for this aim.

RESULTS: Some host–guest systems based on silica and complexed lanthanum were prepared in order to develop fluorescence properties. Three pathways were used to prepare such systems: (1) obtaining the lanthanum complex with a dimethylsiloxane‐based ligand and its incorporation into a silica network; (2) preparation of a silica network having hydroxyazomethine groups and in situ lanthanum complexation; and (3) preparation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/silica composites that possess hydroxyazomethine groups on the silica and in situ lanthanum complexation. The sol–gel technique was used in all cases.

CONCLUSION: The photophysical properties of the prepared compounds were evaluated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The investigations revealed that the systems belonging to the second series are the most fluorescent. In the third series, the presence of PDMS provokes a decrease of the fluorescence intensity, until its complete quenching when the PDMS content exceeds a certain threshold value. However, there is a range of silica/PDMS ratio for which fluorescent free‐standing films can be obtained. The presence of complexed lanthanum induces changes in the morphology of the silica/PDMS matrix, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy studies. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Formation of pyrazol‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles through 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of 3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazepin‐5‐one with nitrilimines: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Esseffar M. , Messaoudi M. El , Azzouzi S. , Jalal R. , Sáez J. A. , Domingo L. R. , Latorre J. , Liu‐González M.
Published: July 2008

In this work the experimental results and the computational study of the title compounds and some ancillary compounds are reported. Two bicyclic pyrazol‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives were synthezised by reaction between 6‐dimethylaminomethylene‐3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazepin‐5‐one 1 and several nitrilimines 2a–f to give corresponding spirocycloadducts 3a–f, which undergo a rapid rearrangement leading to the new bicyclic compounds, 4a–f and 5a–f. These obtained bicyclic products were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and finally by X‐ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations have been carried out using DFT methods to rationalize the formation of the two new bicyclic compounds. Two reaction types are involved in the formation of the compounds 4a–f and 5a–f. The first one is a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (13DC) reaction between 1 acting as dipolarophile and 2a–f as dipoles. The results indicate that the cycloaddition between 1 and 2g, as model of 2a–c, takes place via a high asynchronous bond‐formation process. The regioselectivity obtained from the calculations is in complete agreement with the formation of the unique spirocycloadducts 3a–f. The second reaction leading to the formation of the final products is a domino process that is initiated by the quick and irreversible cleavage in a catalytic acid environment of triazepenic ring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometric constraints for porphyrin binding in helical protein binding sites
Authors: Negron Christopher , Fufezan Christian , Koder Ronald L.
Published: July 2008

Helical bundles which bind heme and porphyrin cofactors have been popular targets for cofactor‐containing de novo protein design. By analyzing a highly nonredundant subset of the protein databank we have determined a rotamer distribution for helical histidines bound to heme cofactors. Analysis of the entire nonredundant database for helical sequence preferences near the ligand histidine demonstrated little preference for amino acid side chain identity, size, or charge. Analysis of the database subdivided by ligand histidine rotamer, however, reveals strong preferences in each case, and computational modeling illuminates the structural basis for some of these findings. The majority of the rotamer distribution matches that predicted by molecular simulation of a single porphyrin‐bound histidine residue placed in the center of an all‐alanine helix, and the deviations explain two prominent features of natural heme protein binding sites: heme distortion in the case of the cytochromes C in the m166 histidine rotamer, and a highly prevalent glycine residue in the t73 histidine rotamer. These preferences permit derivation of helical consensus sequence templates which predict optimal side chain‐cofactor packing interactions for each rotamer. These findings thus promise to guide future design endeavors not only in the creation of higher affinity heme and porphyrin binding sites, but also in the direction of bound cofactor geometry. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Permeation of water through the KcsA K+ channel
Authors: Furini Simone , Beckstein Oliver , Domene Carmen
Published: July 2008

Previous studies have reported that the KcsA potassium channel has an osmotic permeability coefficient of 4.8 × 10−12 cm3/s, giving it a significantly higher osmotic permeability coefficient than that of some membrane channels specialized in water transport. This high osmotic permeability is proposed to occur when the channel is depleted of potassium ions, the presence of which slow down the water permeation process. The atomic structure of the potassium‐depleted KcsA channel and the mechanisms of water permeation have not been well characterized so far. Here, all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, in conjunction with an umbrella sampling strategy and a nonequilibrium approach to simulate pressure gradients are employed to illustrate the permeation of water in the absence of ions through the KcsA K+ channel. Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations (95 ns combined total length) identified a possible structure of the potassium‐depleted KcsA channel, and umbrella sampling calculations (160 ns combined total length) revealed that this structure is not permeable by water molecules moving along the channel axis. The simulation of a pressure gradient across the channel (30 ns combined total length) identified an alternative permeation pathway with a computed osmotic permeability of ∼(2.7 ± 0.9) × 10−13 cm3/s. Water fluxes along this pathway did not proceed through collective water motions or transitions to vapor state. All of the major results of this study were robust against variations in a wide set of simulation parameters (force field, water model, membrane model, and channel conformation). Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.