bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The brain tissue response to implanted silicon microelectrode arrays is increased when the device is tethered to the skull
Authors: Biran Roy , Martin Dave C. , Tresco Patrick A.
Published: February 2007

The influence of tethering silicon microelectrode arrays on the cortical brain tissue reaction was compared with that of untethered implants placed in the same location by identical means using immunoflourescent methods and cell type specific markers over indwelling periods of 1–4 weeks. Compared with untethered, freely floating implants, tethered microelectrodes elicited significantly greater reactivity to antibodies against ED1 and GFAP over time. Regardless of implantation method or indwelling time, retrieved microelectrodes contained a layer of attached macrophages identified by positive immunoreactivity against ED1. In the tethered condition and in cases where the tissue surrounding untethered implants had the highest levels of ED1+ and GFAP+ immunoreactivity, the neuronal markers for neurofilament 160 and NeuN were reduced. Although the precise mechanisms are unclear, the present study indicates that simply tethering silicon microelectrode arrays to the skull increases the cortical brain tissue response in the recording zone immediately surrounding the microelectrode array, which signals the importance of identifying this important variable when evaluating the tissue response of different device designs, and suggests that untethered or wireless devices may elicit less of a foreign body response. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Chemical interaction of polyphosphoric acid with titanium and its effect on human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell behavior
Authors: Maekawa Kenji , Yoshida Yasuhiro , Mine Atsushi , Fujisawa Takuo , Meerbeek Bart Van , Suzuki Kazuomi , Kuboki Takuo
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treating titanium (Ti) with polyphosphoric acid on the attachment and proliferation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Cleaned Ti disks were immersed into three different concentrations of polyphosphoric acid solution (0.1, 1, and 10 wt %) and 10 wt % orthophosphoric acid solution for 24 h at 37°C. Ti immersed in distilled water for 24 h at 37°C served as control. The level of polyphosphoric acid that interacted with the Ti surface was determined by measuring the surface P/Ti ratio (atom%/atom%) using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Degrees of cell attachment (1, 3, 5 h after cell seed) and proliferation (1, 3, 5, and 7 days after cell seed) on each treated Ti disk were evaluated by MTS assay. The mean surface P/Ti ratios increased in a polyphosphoric acid concentration dependent manner. A significantly higher cell attachment was found on Ti treated with polyphosphoric acid in contrast to untreated Ti (control) for all three culture periods. MTS assay also revealed that cell proliferation levels significantly increased following a polyphosphoric acid dose dependency. Ti surface treatment with orthophosphoric acid did not influence the cell attachment and proliferation. It was concluded that polyphosphoric acid treatment of Ti enhanced the attachment and proliferation of hBMSCs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Factors affecting platelet yield and their impact on the platelet increment of patients receiving single donor PLT transfusion
Authors: Enein A. Aboul , Hussein E. A. , Shafie S. El , Hallouda M.
Published: February 2007

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of various donor and machine parameters on PLT yield in 127 PLT apheresis procedures, to optimize PLT yield achieving clinical and economic advantages. One hundred and twenty‐seven apheresis procedures were analyzed. Age, gender, volume processed, Hb, and PLT precounts were included as donor predicting variables. AC infusion rate, processing time, and plasma volume collected with PLTs were assessed as machine parameters. We evaluated the post‐transfusion effectiveness in 23 patients with thrombocytopenia, studying the effect of PLT dose, ABO group, and PLT storage time. Females gave higher yields, compared to males, P < 0.01. PLT yield correlated positively with PLT precount (r = 0.512), and TBV (r = 0.404), and negatively with donor preapheresis Hb (r = −0.306). Processing time and AC infusion rate had a positive impact on PLT yield. Post‐apheresis decrease in PLT count was 53.6 ± 26.3 × 1011. Donors with Hb ≥ 12 g/dl, donated safely. Most of the complications were citrate related (13.4% of all procedures). PLT increments in transfused patients correlated positively with the number of units transfused (r = 0.41), and negatively with PLT storage days (r = −0.342). PLT increments in patients receiving ABO‐compatible PLTs were 75% higher, compared to the increments in patients receiving incompatible PLTs. PLT count and volume processed were the main predictors of PLT yield. Increasing the processing time, the AC infusion rate, or the volume of plasma obtained with PLTs can increase PLT yields. High PLT dose, short storage time, as well as ABO compatibility should be considered during PLT transfusion. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007 © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation of 8‐nitroguanine and 8‐oxoguanine due to reactions of peroxynitrite with guanine
Authors: Jena N. R. , Mishra P. C.
Published: February 2007

Reactions of peroxynitrite with guanine were investigated using density functional theory (B3LYP) employing 6‐31G** and AUG‐cc‐pVDZ basis sets. Single point energy calculations were performed at the MP2/AUG‐cc‐pVDZ level. Genuineness of the calculated transition states (TS) was tested by visually examining the vibrational modes corresponding to the imaginary vibrational frequencies and applying the criterion that the TS properly connected the reactant and product complexes (PC). Genuineness of all the calculated TS was further ensured by intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations. Effects of aqueous media were investigated by solvating all the species involved in the reactions using the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The calculations reveal that the most stable nitro‐product complex involving the anion of 8‐nitroguanine and a water molecule i.e. 8NO2G−+ H2O can be formed according to one reaction mechanism while there are two possible reaction mechanisms for the formation of the oxo‐product complex involving 8‐oxoguanine and anion of the NO2group i.e. 8OG + NO2−. The calculated relative stabilities of the PC, barrier energies of the reactions and the corresponding enthalpy changes suggest that formation of the complex 8OG + NO2−would be somewhat preferred over that of the complex 8NO2G−+ H2O. The possible biological implications of this result are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2007
Induction of strong antitumor immunity by an HSV‐2‐based oncolytic virus in a murine mammary tumor model
Authors: Li Hongtao , Dutuor Aurelie , Fu Xinping , Zhang Xiaoliu
Published: February 2007

Oncolytic viruses have shown considerable promise for the treatment of solid tumors. In previous studies, we demonstrated that a novel oncolytic virus (FusOn‐H2), constructed by replacing the serine/threonine protein kinase (PK) domain of the ICP10 gene of type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV‐2) with the gene encoding the green fluorescent protein, can selectively replicate in and thus lyse tumor cells. 4T1 tumor cells are weakly immunogenic and the mammary tumors derived from them aggressively metastasize to different parts of body, thus providing an attractive model for evaluating anticancer agents. We thus tested the antitumor effect of FusOn‐H2 in this tumor model, in comparisons with several other oncolytic HSVs derived from HSV‐1, including a nonfusogenic HSV‐1 (Baco‐1) and a doubly fusogenic virus (Synco‐2D). Our results show that FusOn‐H2 and Synco‐2D have greater oncolytic activity in vitro than Baco‐1. Moreover, FusOn‐H2 induced strong T cell responses against primary and metastatic mammary tumors in vivo, and splenocytes adoptively transferred from FusOn‐H2‐treated mice effectively prevented metastasis in naïve mice bearing implanted mammary tumors. We conclude that the HSV‐2‐based FusOn‐H2 oncolytic virus may be an effective agent for the treatment of both primary and metastatic breast cancer. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibodies to CD11b, CD68, and lectin label neutrophils rather than microglia in traumatic and ischemic brain lesions
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroaki , Kumon Yoshiaki , Watanabe Hideaki , Ohnishi Takanori , Shudou Masachika , Ii Chisato , Takahashi Hisaaki , Imai Yoshinori , Tanaka Junya
Published: February 2007

Resident quiescent microglia have been thought to respond rapidly to various pathologic events in the brain by proliferating and producing many bioactive substances, including proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we investigated the reaction of microglia in traumatic and ischemic lesions caused by stab wounds and the transient 90‐min occlusion of middle cerebral artery in a mature rat brain. Although many Iba1+ resident microglia underwent apoptotic degeneration in the lesion core within 24 hr after the onset of the brain insult as revealed by TUNEL staining, numerous small, round, isolectin B4+/CD11b+/CD68+ cells were localized in the lesion core. These small, round cells with diameters of 7–9 μm and polymorph nuclei expressed neutrophil‐specific elastase, alkaline phosphatase, and platelet‐activating factor receptor. Accordingly, they were not activated microglia but neutrophils. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies to inducible NO synthase (iNOS) showed that most iNOS+ cells were neutrophils. The results from spatial and kinetic analyses using RT‐PCR and immunoblotting were consistent with the immunohistochemical observations. These results suggest the necessity of reevaluating the traditional view on the roles of activated microglia in severe neuropathologic events. Note that the traditional microglial markers isolectin B4, CD11b, and CD68 are not specific for microglia, particularly in a pathologic brain. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Basin‐wide warming of the Indian Ocean during El Niño and Indian Ocean dipole years
Authors: Chowdary J. S. , Gnanaseelan C.
Published: February 2007

Basin‐wide wintertime surface warming is observed in the Indian Ocean during El Niño years. The basin‐wide warming is found to be stronger when El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) co‐occur. The mechanisms responsible for the basin‐wide warming are different for the years with El Niño only (El Niño without IOD) and for the co‐occurrence (both El Niño and IOD) years. Strong westward propagation of downwelling Rossby waves is observed in the southern Indian Ocean during the IOD years. Such strong propagation is not seen in the case of the El Niño‐only years. This indicates that the ocean dynamics play an important role in winter warming of the western Indian Ocean during the IOD years. The weak easterly wind anomalies in the El Niño‐only years show no measurable impact on the Wyrtki Jets, but weakening or reversal of these jets is seen in the IOD years. This strongly suggests that the variability related to surface circulation is due to the local IOD forcing rather than El Niño induced wind anomaly. For the El Niño‐only composites, surface heat fluxes (mainly latent heat flux and short wave radiation) play an important role in maintaining the basin‐wide surface warming in the Indian Ocean. In the IOD‐only composites (when there is no El Niño in the Pacific), such basin‐wide warming is not seen because of the absence of ENSO (El Niño and Southern Oscillation) induced subsidence over the eastern Indian Ocean. For the years in which both El Niño in the Pacific and dipole in the Indian Ocean co‐occur, warming in the western Indian Ocean is due to the ocean dynamics and that in the eastern Indian Ocean is due to the anomalous latent heat flux and solar radiation. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
A full‐glacial biota from southeastern Iowa, USA
Authors: Baker Richard G. , Rhodes R. Sanders , Schwert Donald P. , Ashworth Allan C. , Frest Terrence J. , Hallberg George R. , Janssens Jan A.
Published: February 2007

Wisconsinan full‐glacial silts filling a swale exposed in Conklin Quarry, Johnson Co., Iowa, contain a large and diverse biota that includes pollen, bryophytes, vascular‐plant macrofossils, small mammals, molluscs, and insects. Radiocarbon dates on wood from the top, middle and bottom of the swale fill respectively were 16710 ± 270, 17 170 ± 205, and 18090 ± 190 yr BP. The pollen diagram is dominated byPicea(spruce),Pinus(pine), and Cyperaceae (sedge), and it records low pollen accumulation rates. Plant macrofossils include a number of tundra species along withPiceaandLarix(larch) needles and small pieces of wood. The insect fauna contains many species now confined to the forest‐tundra transition zone of northwestern Yukon and Alaska. Small mammals include the tundra indicatorsDicrostonyx(collared lemming), and probablyMicrotus miurus(singing vole) together with boreal forest taxa. The molluscs include extinct and relict species and show the widest range in present geographic distribution, but Rocky Mountain and especially northern elements predominate in the swale fill. All these lines of evidence lead to consistent palaeoclimato‐logical interpretation and palaeoecological reconstruction.

The dominant habitats represented by the biota and sedimentary environment collectively included open calcareous silty to sandy or gravelly upland sites, minerotrophic fens (wetlands), pond‐ or stream‐side clayey to sandy shores, and shallow (possibly ephemeral), cold, clear‐water ponds. Mean July temperatures were probably 11° to 13°C cooler than at present. The biota indicates that aPicea‐Larixkrummholz with extensive tundra openings was present in southeastern Iowa between 18090 and 16710 yr BP.
Associations between grain characteristics and alcohol yield among soft wheat varieties
Authors: Swanston J Stuart , Smith Pauline L , Gillespie Trudi L , Brosnan James M , Bringhurst Thomas A , Agu Reginald C
Published: February 2007

Samples of ten winter wheat varieties, grown at four locations on the eastern side of the UK were assessed for alcohol yield. There was a strong negative association between alcohol yield and grain nitrogen content, but this was strongly influenced by differences between the sites, with a range of alcohol yields observed at given nitrogen levels. Inclusion of grain size parameters, thousand grain weight and grain length:width ratio, along with nitrogen, in a multiple regression, enabled more accurate prediction of alcohol yield for most of the varieties, indicating that grain size would be a useful parameter for selecting the best samples within varieties. A small‐scale measurement of hot water extract, along with grain nitrogen content, gave a reasonable prediction of alcohol yield, but the regression equation was not consistent across seasons. Starch content and turbidity (a measure of the ease of starch release) were both shown to be significantly influenced by variety, but not to give significant correlations with alcohol yield over a range of samples. Positive expression of these characters appeared, however, to contribute to improved alcohol yield in certain of the varieties. It was concluded that different genetic mechanisms influence alcohol yield and that improved breeding lines could be developed by combining positive alcohol yield attributes from complementary parents. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of micellar and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for characterization of gallium(III) complexes of pharmaceutical significance
Authors: Timerbaev Andrei R. , Vasylenko Oksana O. , Foteeva Lidia S. , Rudnev Alexander V. , Semenova Olga , Keppler Bernhard K.
Published: February 2007

CE with conventional UV detection has recently been shown as a highly effective means to assaying cytotoxic gallium(III)‐based compounds with regard to desirable drug‐like properties such as the stability and binding to serum proteins. In this extension of that work, different CE techniques are used to further characterize a given set of gallium coordination compounds with established antiproliferating efficacy. Using free‐zone CE mode, the electrophoretic profiles of complexes are recorded in order to assess their actual charge state under physiological buffer conditions. Micellar and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatographic techniques are tested as tools for the rapid estimation of the n‐octanol–water partition coefficient (log P) that provides a rationale estimate of a drug's ability to cross biological membranes. A range of electrolyte buffer systems with varying (both in the nature and concentration) organic modifiers are examined to evaluate their effect on the relationship between experimental or calculated log P and the retention factors of compounds (log k′). Both methods were found to be better applicable for neutral than for cationic Ga complexes, the microemulsion mode demonstrating superior lipophilicity estimations as well as statistically meaningful log P versus log k′ correlations when all the complexes were included in one regression set.
Chromatographic and electrophoretic methods for the analysis of biomarkers of oxidative damage to macromolecules (DNA, lipids, and proteins)
Authors: Mateos Raquel , Bravo Laura
Published: February 2007

Free radicals and other reactive species can cause oxidative damage to biomolecules when oxidant species exceed the antioxidant defences in the body, resulting in oxidative stress. Oxidatively damaged products have been associated with aging as well as with the development of pathologies like cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, inflammation, etc. Reliable measurements of biomarkers of oxidative damage to macromolecules would afford information on the predisposition and prognosis of certain pathologies, being of utmost importance in evaluation of the effect of intervention with antioxidants on the incidence of diseases associated to oxidative stress. This review will present and compare different analytical methods, especially those involving chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques, commonly used for the analysis of biomarkers of oxidative damage to the three main macromolecules, namely oxidised DNA, lipid peroxidation products, and protein carbonyls.
The formation of pure aluminium corrosion sensing film on fiber and its electrochemical performance
Authors: Qiu Z. , Luo Y. , Song S.
Published: February 2007

Recently, more and more attention has been put on the research of taking advantages of a fiber sensor on corrosion monitoring, because of its small volume, low weight, quick response, and excellent electromagnetism disturbing resistance etc. But a report about the application of fiber optical sensor is hardly found. In this paper, with the technology of vacuum sputter, pure aluminum corrosion sensing film was directly deposited on the core of fiber corroded away clad. Metallographic Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were used to analyze the structure of the film. It shows that the thickness of the pure aluminum corrosion sensing film is about 14.65 μm, and the film is distributed even and firm. Galvanostatic step were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance in NaCl solution with different concentrations (0.001–0.1 mol/L). The result shows that the corrosion resistance of the sensing film is similar to that of industrial pure aluminum in NaCl solution with the concentration less than 0.1 mol/L. The work in this paper contributes to the research of fiber optical corrosion sensor for monitoring corrosion of aluminum.
A support theorem for quasianalytic functionals
Authors: Heinrich Tobias , Meise Reinhold
Published: February 2007

For a weight functionωand an open setGin ℝNdenote by ℰ(ω)(G) (resp.E{ω}(G)) theω‐ultradifferentiable functions of Beurling (resp. Roumieu) type onG. Using ideas of Hörmander it is shown that the functionalsuin ℰ′(ω)(G) and ℰ′{ω}(G) can be embedded into the realanalytic functionals on ℝNand that there is a smallest supporting set foruin the corresponding class which coincides with the realanalytic (hyperfunction) support ofu. Moreover, ifωis quasianalytic and if a compact subsetKofGis the union of the compact setsK1andK2then eachu∈ ℰ′{ω}(G) which is supported byKcan be decomposed asu=u1+u2, whereujis supported byKjforj= 1, 2. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Number of children and risk of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Frigerio Roberta , Breteler Monique M. B. , de Lau Lonneke M. L. , Sanft Kevin R. , Bower James H. , Ahlskog J. Eric , Grossardt Brandon R. , Mariza de Andrade  , Maraganore Demetrius M. , Rocca Walter A.
Published: February 2007

We investigated the association between number of children and Parkinson's disease (PD) in two independent studies. In a case–control study, we identified all subjects who developed PD in Olmsted County, MN, from 1976 through 1995, and matched them individually by age (±1 year) and sex to population controls (193 cases and 193 controls). The replication study was a population‐based cohort study of 6,341 subjects from Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2,610 men). In the Olmsted County study, men who fathered at least one child had an increased risk of PD (unadjusted OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2–6.1; P = 0.02), and the risk increased with increasing number of children. The findings in women were not significant. In the Rotterdam Study, the risk of PD increased significantly with increasing number of children in men (test for linear trend, unadjusted; P = 0.04), but not in women. The findings from both studies remained consistent in direction but reduced in magnitude of the association, and lost significance after simultaneous adjustment for education, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee consumption. The independent replication in two distinct populations and using different epidemiologic study designs may suggest a link between the number of children and PD restricted to men. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Simple clinical tests may predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lam Kuen , Kwai Yi Lam Florence , Kwong Lau Kwok , Kay Chan Yiu , Yee Ling Kan Elaine , Woo Jean , Kee Wong Fat , Ko Andrew
Published: February 2007

Objective: To determine if simple screening tests can predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in subjects with Parkinson's disease. Methodology: Forty‐five subjects (26 females) of average age 75 (range: 65–94) who were classified as Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 2 to 5 were enrolled. The presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia was assessed by a symptom questionnaire, 50 ml water swallowing test and videofluroscopic swallowing study. Results: Six of the subjects had severe oropharyngeal dysphagia in videofluroscopic swallowing study. Subsequent multivariate analysis showed that 3 factors could independently predict severe oropharyngeal dysphagia. These included higher Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage (P = 0.042), low Body mass index (P = 0.014), and increased difficulty in keeping food or drink in the mouth (P = 0.047). The regression model had a positive predictive power of 96% (sensitivity: 83.3%, specificity: 97.4%). Conclusion: A combination of 3 simple clinical parameters may be useful for screening for severe oropharyngeal dysphagia as shown radiologically in subjects with Parkinson's disease. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Isolated frontal disequilibrium as presenting form of anti‐Hu paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Compta Yaroslau , Valldeoriola Francesc , Urra Xabier , Gómez‐Ansón Beatriz , Rami Lorena , Tolosa Eduardo , Graus Francesc
Published: February 2007

Anti‐Hu encephalomyelitis is one of the most frequent paraneoplastic syndromes, classically presenting with diffuse neurological involvement. We report a 69‐year‐old man presenting with a three‐month isolated, progressive gait disorder with normal neurological examination, except for loss of balance and gait failure reminding frontal disequilibrium, only accompanied by a very mild rigidity of his right foot. MRI of the brain showed hyperintensities in both amygdale and left putamen. EMG study showed no abnormal continuous spontaneous fiber activity. Because of fast progression and MRI findings, anti‐Hu antibodies were tested, resulting positive. Mediastinal biopsy of two adenopathies detected by body‐PET, confirmed an oat‐cell carcinoma. The patient received oral steroids and oncological therapy. One year later, the tumor is in remission. His gait and abnormal posture of right leg are normal. Only mild residual hyperintensities persist on follow‐up MRI. A paraneoplastic syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subacute, fast progressive gait disorders. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Genetic variation at the tau locus and clinical syndromes associated with progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Williams David R. , Pittman Alan M. , Revesz Tamas , Lees Andrew J. , de Silva Rohan
Published: February 2007

A number of different clinical syndromes have been associated with progressive supranuclear (PSP) tau pathology. Previous reports have suggested that atypical clinical phenotypes of PSP occur in familial disease, and might be associated with mutations of MAPT. We examined the association of PSP‐susceptibility tau haplotypes in pathologically diagnosed PSP, separated according to initial clinical features into classic PSP and atypical PSP groups (PSP‐Parkinsonism, PSP‐P). These patients were screened for mutations in exons 1 and 10 of MAPT. No mutations were found in 75 patients (21 PSP‐P), and H1c was associated with both Richardson's syndrome and PSP‐P compared with controls. Routine screening for MAPT mutations in atypical PSP is not recommended. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Phytosterols as anticancer compounds
Authors: Bradford Peter G. , Awad Atif B.
Published: February 2007

Phytochemicals have been proposed to offer protection against a variety of chronic ailments including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. As for cancer protection, it has been estimated that diets rich in phytochemicals can significantly reduce cancer risk by as much as 20%. Phytosterols are specific phytochemicals that resemble cholesterol in structure but are found exclusively in plants. Phytosterols are absorbed from the diet in small but significant amounts. Epidemiological data suggest that the phytosterol content of the diet is associated with a reduction in common cancers including cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate. The means by which dietary phytosterols may be achieving these effects is becoming clearer from molecular studies with tumorigenic research models. Phytosterols affect host systems potentially enabling more robust antitumor responses, including the boosting of immune recognition of cancer, influencing hormonal dependent growth of endocrine tumors, and altering sterol biosynthesis. In addition, phytosterols have effects that directly inhibit tumor growth, including the slowing of cell cycle progression, the induction of apoptosis, and the inhibition of tumor metastasis. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the anticancer effects of phytosterols.
TRPV1 is involved in stretch‐evoked contractile changes in the rat autonomous bladder model: a study with piperine, a new TRPV1 agonist
Authors: Gevaert Thomas , Vandepitte Joachim , Hutchings Graham , Vriens Joris , Nilius Bernd , De Ridder Dirk
Published: February 2007

Aim

Vanilloids like capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (RTX) have been used for more than a decade in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Recently, the vanilloid molecule piperine (PIP) has been shown to have similar pharmacological properties as these drugs. In this study, we looked at PIP‐effects on autonomous bladder contractile activity, with particular interest for its selectivity for the transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPV1) receptor. Additionally, we studied the role of TRPV1 in volume‐induced contractile changes using selective and non‐selective TRPV1 antagonists.

Methods

The acute and prolonged effects of PIP were studied on rat bladders. Each bladder was excised and placed in a heated organ bath, where intravesical pressures were measured. In acute experiments, PIP was added directly to the bathing solution. For prolonged effects, animals were pre‐treated intravesically with vehicle (ethanol 5%) or PIP (10−4M) and sacrificed 72 hr later. The effects of selective (capsazepine (CZP)) and non‐selective (ruthenium red (RR)) TRPV1 antagonists on volume‐evoked contractile parameters were also studied.

Results

Acute administration of PIP 10−4M significantly increased amplitude of bladder contractions (P < 0.05). These effects were significantly antagonized (P < 0.05) by the TRPV1‐selective antagonist CZP (10−5M) and the non‐selective TRP‐antagonist RR (10−5M). Intravesical pre‐treatment with PIP induced shorter contractions with more periods of non‐activity (P < 0.05) compared to controls. Inhibition of TRPV1 with CZP and RR significantly reduced the volume‐evoked rise in contractile amplitude in isolated bladders (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

We found evidence for acute and prolonged effects of PIP on bladder contractility, which seem to be mediated through TRPV1. Furthermore, we found evidence for involvement of TRPV1 in afferent signaling of mechanical stimuli. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:440–450, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteoarthritis revisited: a contemporary review of aetiology
Authors: Weiss E. , Jurmain R.
Published: February 2007

Osteoarthritis is among the most common pathological conditions in skeletal collections and is the most frequent musculoskeletal disorder in contemporary populations. Jurmain (1991) has previously published in this journal a brief review of skeletal perspectives on osteoarthritis. Subsequent studies by osteologists and medical researchers have added considerably to understanding of the aetiology and patterning of osteoarthritis. Thus, it is timely to present an updated review that expands and supports conclusions discussed in the earlier review. In short, osteoarthritis aetiology is multifactorial, with age being the main influence on the onset and severity of osteoarthritis. Genetic influences also play a large role in the severity of osteoarthritis, especially in the lower limbs. Weight, although playing a significant role for modern populations, seems to have had very minimal effects on prehistoric populations. Sex differences may often be a consequence of hormones, body size and anatomy, rather than activity related. Finally, intense activity starting at a young age still may influence osteoarthritis, especially in the upper limbs. Future directions discussed include within‐body comparisons, animal studies, and examining patterns in large populations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of a unique epigenetic sub‐microenvironment in prostate cancer
Authors: Rodriguez‐Canales J , Hanson JC , Tangrea MA , Erickson HS , Albert PS , Wallis BS , Richardson AM , Pinto PA , Linehan WM , Gillespie JW , Merino MJ , Libutti SK , Woodson KG , Emmert‐Buck MR , Chuaqui RF
Published: February 2007

The glutathione S‐transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene promoter is methylated in tumour cells in more than 90% of prostate carcinomas. Recently, GSTP1 promoter methylation was identified in tumour‐associated stromal cells in addition to the tumour epithelium. To define the extent and location of stromal methylation, epigenetic mapping using pyrosequencing quantification of GSTP1 promoter methylation and an anatomical three‐dimensional reconstruction of an entire human prostate specimen with cancer were performed. Normal epithelium and stroma, tumour epithelium, and tumour‐associated stromal cells were laser capture‐microdissected from multiple locations throughout the gland. As expected, the GSTP1 promoter in both normal epithelium and normal stromal cells distant from the tumour was not methylated and the tumour epithelium showed consistently high levels of promoter methylation throughout. However, tumour‐associated stromal cells were found to be methylated only in a localized and distinct anatomical sub‐field of the tumour, revealing the presence of an epigenetically unique microenvironment within the cancer. Morphologically, the sub‐field consisted of typical, non‐reactive stroma, representing a genomic alteration in cells that appeared otherwise histologically normal. Similar epigenetic anatomical mapping of a control prostate gland without cancer showed low background methylation levels in all cell types throughout the specimen. These data suggest that stromal cell methylation can occur in a distinct sub‐region of prostate cancer and may have implications for understanding tumour biology and clinical intervention. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small pituitary size in children with Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Sherafat‐Kazemzadeh Rosa , Mehta Sanjeev N. , Care Marguerite M. , Kim Mi‐Ok , Williams David A. , Rose Susan R. ,   and the Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Center
Published: February 2007

Background

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder associated with multiple congenital anomalies, bone marrow failure, and pituitary hypofunction including hypogonadism, thyroid dysfunction, and growth hormone (GH) deficiency.

Procedure

Among 44 patients with FA referred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) between 1975 and 2005, 33 had neuroimaging studies, including 11 cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Two separate measurements per patient from these MRIs were used to evaluate pituitary height compared to on‐site control data of similar measurements of cranial MRIs on 22 age and gender‐matched children without any pathology involving the hypothalamic‐pituitary system. Growth pattern and endocrine studies were reviewed to assess potential correlation with pituitary size.

Results

When compared to the age‐gender matched on‐site control sample, the mean pituitary height of FA patients was significantly smaller (P < 0.0001; mean ± SE from mixed effects model with age and gender as covariates: 3.96 ± 0.32 vs. 5.76 ± 0.24). Upon further adjusting for the effect of the small head size by including bi‐parietal diameter (BPD) as a covariate, the difference remained statistically significant (P = 0.0013). Findings on the growth pattern and endocrinological measurements are as follows: 50% of patients with small pituitary gland were short. GH and adrenal function tests were normal in all tested patients. Thyroid, pubertal status, and glucose regulation were abnormal in 30, 50, and 75% of patients tested.

Conclusions

Children with FA tend to have unsuspected small pituitary glands beyond what is expected from the effects of their stunted growth. Further studies are required to reveal the clinical implications of this finding. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:166–170. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship between the α‐ and β‐relaxation processes in amorphous polymers: Insight from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of 1,4‐polybutadiene melts and blends
Authors: Smith Grant D. , Bedrov Dmitry
Published: February 2007

Amorphous polymers exhibit a primary (glass, or α‐) relaxation process and a low‐temperature relaxation process associated with polymer backbone motion usually referred to as the β‐relaxation process. The latter process can be observed below the glass transition temperature of the polymer and usually merges with the α‐relaxation process at temperatures somewhat above the glass transition temperature. While it is widely held that both the α‐relaxation and β‐relaxation processes are engendered by localized (segmental) motions of the polymer backbone, and that there is a strong mechanistic connection between them, the molecular mechanisms of the α‐relaxation and β‐relaxation processes in amorphous polymers are not well understood. Recently, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of melts and blends of 1,4‐polybutadiene have provided insight into the relationship between the α‐ and β‐relaxation processes in glass‐forming polymers and an improved understanding of their molecular origins. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 627–643, 2007
Ifosfamide neuropsychiatric toxicity in patients with cancer
Authors: Alici‐Evcimen Yesne , Breitbart William S.
Published: February 2007

Ifosfamide is a chemotherapy agent commonly used in the treatment of several solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Common ifosfamide toxicities are bone marrow suppression, alopecia, nausea and vomiting. Less common, but striking, are the rare but dramatic neuropsychiatric toxicities with discrete neurological symptoms and delirium. We report here a case of ifosfamide neuropsychiatric toxicity which presented with an isolated psychotic disorder with delusions, and was successfully treated with methylene blue. Current literature on treatment and prophylaxis of this clinically challenging chemotherapy‐induced complication is presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a world circulation provided by the measurements of helium and water vapour distribution in the stratosphere
Authors: Brewer A. W.
Published: February 2007

Information is now available regarding the vertical distribution of water vapour and helium in the lower stratosphere over southern England. The helium content of the air is found to be remarkably constant up to 20 km but the water content is found to fall very rapidly just above the tropopause, and in the lowest 1 km of the stratosphere the humidity mixing ratio falls through a ratio of 10—1.

The helium distribution is not compatible with the view of a quiescent stratosphere free from turbulence or vertical motions. The water‐vapour distribution is incompatible with a turbulent stratosphere unless some dynamic process maintains the dryness of the stratosphere. In view of the large wind shear which is normally found just above the tropopause it is unlikely that this region is free from turbulence.

The observed distributions can be explained by the existence of a circulation in which air enters the stratosphere at the equator, where it is dried by condensation, travels in the stratosphere to temperate and polar regions, and sinks into the troposphere. The sinking, however, will warm the air unless it is being cooled by radiation and the idea of a stratosphere in radiative equilibrium must be abandoned. The cooling rate must lie between about 0.1 and 1.1°C per day but a value near 0.5°C per day seems most probable. At the equator the ascending air must be subject to heating by radiation.

The circulation is quite reasonable on energy considerations. It is consistent with the existence of lower temperatures in the equatorial stratosphere than in polar and temperate regions, and if the flow can carry ozone from the equator to the poles then it gives a reasonable explanation of the high ozone values observed at high latitudes. The dynamic consequences of the circulation are not considered. It should however be noted that there is considerable difficulty to account for the smallness of the westerly winds in the stratosphere, as the rotation of the earth should convert the slow poleward movement into strong westerly winds.
A potential‐theory formulation of radiant‐heat transfer
Authors: King Jean I. F.
Published: February 2007

The radiant‐heat flux in a homogeneous atmosphere constitutes an irrotational vector field. As a consequence, the flux can be represented as the gradient of a suitably‐defined radiant‐heat potential. This potential is shown to be a functional of the product of the radiant‐source function at all points in the atmosphere and an attenuation factor to allow for the absorption of the intervening medium.

The formalism is independent of the choice of coordinate system. The familiar equations of radiant transfer, such as the Milne‐Schwarzschild equilibrium equation, are deducible as special cases for the particular geometry of the plane‐parallel atmosphere. Most importantly, the radiant heating at an arbitrary point is expressed as a functional of the second derivative of the Planck intensity. This radiant‐heat flow equation will form the basis for the construction of a new atmospheric radiation chart.
Secular changes of east‐coast rainfall regimes
Authors: Kraus E. B.
Published: February 2007

The mean rainfall along the east coasts of North America and Australia is shown to have decreased abruptly at the end of the 19th century, in conformity with results for the tropics obtained in an earlier paper. A simultaneous decrease of the rainfall in the semi‐arid western parts of New South Wales also conforms to conditions in other dry regions such as Arabia. In terms of seasons, the change appears to have been largest in autumn and summer for North America and in autumn and spring for Australia. Reasons for this are discussed.

A sudden decrease of rainfall at the end of the last century may have occurred also in East Asia and on the east coast of South Africa though it was much less pronounced than in Australia and North America. In South America the amplitude of the change was large, but did not extend far south of the Equator.

Dynamic causes and possible implications for research into long‐range forecasting are discussed in a concluding section.
Some measurements of heat flux at large negative Richardson number
Authors: Taylor R. J.
Published: February 2007

Some measurements of heat flux, H, at large negative Richardson number confirm and add precision to the conclusion of Priestley (1955) that heat is transported effectively by a process of free convection over a wide range of conditions. In this range H ∝ (∂θ/∂z)3/2 and the measurements lend weight to the suggestion that this regime exists when —RI1.5 m exceeds about 0.02.
The southern westerlies: A preliminary survey; main characteristics and apparent associations
Authors: Lamb H. H.
Published: February 2007

Provisional figures can now be given for the ratio of momentum in the southern circumpolar westerlies to the momentum of the better known northern system. This ratio appears to be 1·5, or rather more, over the year as a whole and rises to over 4 in the northern summer‐southern winter.

The preponderance of the southern system is such that it may be regarded as the ‘flywheel’ of the general atmospheric circulation and there are indications that changes in the southern westerlies entail world‐wide adjustments.

Preliminary survey at the 500 mb level shows the main trough south of 40°S centred about 100°–110°E at most seasons of the year and the principal ridge in the neighbourhood of the outer reaches of the Ross Sea. The mean troughs and ridges have notably smaller amplitude than in the northern hemisphere. Control of trough and ridge positions appears to be thermal rather than orographic, associated with the position of the broadest part of the Antarctic cooling surface. Little seasonal movement of the troughs and ridges in longitude is discerned and no very great change of circulation intensity, but there is an intensification of flow and increase of amplitude in the Indian Ocean trough from summer to late winter.

The pattern of glaciation, as well as available data on depression tracks and anticyclone distribution over the Southern Ocean, support the pattern of ridges and troughs at 500 mb here described and throw light upon the occurrence of blocking in various sectors of the southern hemisphere.

This study suggests that it may be the momentum and energy of the southern westerlies which are ultimately responsible for maintaining the meteorological equator on average north of the geographical equator, at least over the oceans.

In any climatic epoch when the southern westerlies were (i) farther south than now, and/or (ii) weaker than now, the meteorological equator should under this proposition have been nearer the true equator than is now the case. The work of other investigators has suggested that the equatorial low‐pressure belt should also be wider at times when the circumpolar westerlies weaken in either hemisphere. The changes here postulated appear to fit in with what is known of conditions around, and since, the culminating phase of the ‘Little Ice Age’ in the northern hemisphere about a century and a half ago.
The diabatic wind profile
Authors: Panofsky H. A. , Blackadar A. K. , McVehil G. E.
Published: February 2007

Wind profiles observed at various locations are compared with wind profiles predicted by Ellison on the basis of similarity theory. It is shown that theory and observations agree well for near‐neutral and unstable air; however, in stable air, factors not considered in the similarity theory may become important.

The range of usefulness of the log‐linear wind profile is shown to be small.
Some experiments in the objective analysis of contour charts
Authors: Corby G. A.
Published: February 2007

The quality of a series of objective analyses of synoptic charts has been examined and it has been found that statistically the discrepancies from manual analyses are of the same order as the variations which arise amongst conventional analyses by different individuals. A systematic fault in the computed analyses of surface maps (viz. an underestimation of the depth of intense depressions over the ocean) was found to be due to the use of the geostrophic approximation and to other limitations of the interpolation system. Modifications designed to overcome this shortcoming have raised the standard of the analysis of depressions to that of the analyses as a whole.
Observations on the Aitken nuclei in Atlantic air
Authors: O'Connor T. C. , Sharkey W. P. , Flanagan V. P.
Published: February 2007

The concentration, size and distribution of charges on Aitken nuclei in air from the Atlantic Ocean were measured at a station on the western coast of Ireland where man‐made pollution was most unlikely. The results are examined in relation to the meteorological elements and human activities. Some sources of the nuclei observed in maritime air are discussed.
Heat‐balance measurements from an earth satellite ‐ an analysis of some possibilities
Authors: Bignell K. J.
Published: February 2007

A detailed discussion of the basic ‘black’ and ‘white’ sphere experiment designed by Suomi, and successfully launched in more elaborate form in Explorer VII in October 1959, is presented. It is concluded that this experiment is in almost every respect well suited for making heat‐balance measurements from a simple unstabilized satellite, but that it suffers from the serious disadvantage of any such system that the sampling rate is inadequate for giving the daily or short‐term heat balance of any region of the earth. Other main conclusions are: the magnitude of the possible error incurred by employing a spherical detector to measure the vertical intensity of a diffuse, anisotropic radiation stream is estimated to be a few per cent only; corrections for heat transfer by conduction and radiation to the spheres from the main body of the satellite can be reduced to negligible proportions, but heating due to high velocity impacts with gas molecules may be considerable for low orbits (0.16 cal cm−2 min−1 at 200 km); the time constant of the detector is shown to be not less than about two minutes; the sensitivity is of the order of 1°K per 0·01 cal cm−2 min−1; the prospects of checking the calibration of the equipment in flight seem reasonable.