bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intestinal Permeability to Glucose after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury: Effect of Gadopentetate Dimeglumine Administration
Authors: Santos Alejandro , Gonçalves Pedro , Araújo João R. , Martel Fátima
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of mortality in individuals aged 1–44 years, and brain injury significantly contributes to the outcome in nearly one half of all deaths from trauma. At the intestinal level, traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces profound effects, including gastrointestinal mucosa ischaemia and motility dysfunction. However, nothing is known concerning the effect of TBI on the intestinal absorption of glucose. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TBI on the intestinal absorption of glucose by investigating the effect of TBI on the jejunal mucosal‐to‐serosal apparent permeability (AP‐to‐BL Papp) to two glucose model substrates,3H‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (3H‐DG) and3H‐3‐O‐methyl‐D‐glucose (3H‐OMG), and to14C‐sorbitol. Additionally, we tested if gadopentetate dimeglumine administration could prevent any of the changes observed after TBI. Traumatic brain injury induced an increase in the AP‐to‐BL Pappto3H‐DG. After a 100‐min. perfusion of the jejunum, the AP‐to‐BL Pappto3H‐DG in TBI rats was almost 70% higher than in the control rats. There was no change, however, in the AP‐to‐BL Pappto neither3H‐OMG nor14C‐sorbitol. Interestingly enough, gadopentetate dimeglumine was able to prevent the increase in the AP‐to‐BL Pappto3H‐DG observed after TBI. Given the differences in transport characteristics between3H‐DG and3H‐OMG, our results point to the possibility of the Na+‐independent glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) being activated by TBI (as the Pappto3H‐DG, a GLUT2 substrate, was increased) and the Na+‐dependent glucose co‐transporter (SGLT1) being inhibited by TBI (as the Pappto3H‐OMG, a GLUT2 and SGLT1 substrate, remained unchanged). Moreover, gadopentetate dimeglumine prevented these changes associated with TBI.
Effects of Various Combinations of Benzodiazepines with Buprenorphine on Arterial Blood Gases in Rats*
Authors: Pirnay Stéphane O. , Mégarbane Bruno , Borron Stephen W. , Risède Patricia , Monier Claire , Ricordel Ivan , Baud Frédéric J.
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Fatalities have been attributed to combinations of high‐dose buprenorphine with benzodiazepines. In rats, high‐dose buprenorphine combined with midazolam was shown to induce sustained respiratory acidosis, while buprenorphine alone did not. However, the effects of buprenorphine combined with pharmacological doses of benzodiazepines remain unknown. Our objective was to compare the acute effects of four selected benzodiazepines used intravenously at equi‐efficacious doses in rats, alone and in combination with buprenorphine on sedation, respiratory rate and arterial blood gases. Buprenorphine (30 mg/kg) did not significantly modify sedation level or respiratory rate, but induced mild and transient effects on pH and PaCO2(P < 0.05). Similarly, despite having no effects on respiratory rate, nordiazepam (10 mg/kg), bromazepam (1 mg/kg) and oxazepam (12 mg/kg) mildly and transiently altered pH and PaCO2(P < 0.05), whereas clonazepam (5 mg/kg) did not. Buprenorphine combined with each benzodiazepine induced no significant effects on respiratory rate or blood gases, in comparison with buprenorphine alone. However, combinations of oxazepam or nordiazepam with buprenorphine significantly deepened sedation. While both combinations reduced respiratory rate, buprenorphine + 30 mg/kg clonazepam significantly increased PaCO2and buprenorphine + 30 mg/kg nordiazepam decreased PaO2. In conclusion, not all benzodiazepines induce significant respiratory depression at therapeutic doses. We were unable to demonstrate significant effects on rat ventilatory parameters of buprenorphine combined with equi‐efficacious pharmacological doses of benzodiazepines in comparison with buprenorphine alone. Our results may suggest that effects of these combinations are rather mild. Respiratory failure may, however, result from the association of buprenorphine with elevated doses of benzodiazepines.
Metabolic syndrome and estimates of cardiovascular disease in cirrhotic patients
Authors: CHAVEZ‐TAPIA Norberto C , TELLEZ‐AVILA Felix I , VALDES‐ESCARCEGA Marisol , MONTAÑO‐REYES Maria A , RAMOS Martha H , LIZARDI‐CERVERA Javier , URIBE Misael
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE:  The expected survival rate in patients with liver cirrhosis has increased in recent years, putting them into a clinical scenario in which cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome could be common causes of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other risk factors and estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS:  We conducted a cross‐sectional study assessing the patients’ lifestyle, and their anthropometric and biochemical data. Their metabolic syndrome and estimates of their risk of cardiovascular disease were calculated, comparing patients with and without liver cirrhosis.

RESULTS:  The study included 355 patients (99 cirrhotic and 256 non‐cirrhotic patients). There were no differences between them in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (39.4%vs 45.7%, P = 0.340). In patients with liver cirrhosis, the mean values of criteria for metabolic syndrome increased as the model end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score increased (P = 0.01). The mean value of a 10‐year risk for cardiovascular disease was lower in the cirrhotic patients (3.4 ± 3.5%vs 5.8 ± 6.8%, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:  Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis, but their estimated risk for cardiovascular disease is lower than in non‐cirrhotics. The MELD score is a good marker for assessing the severity of the metabolic syndrome in this group.
Development of primers to amplify mitochondrial DNA control region of Old World porcupines (subgenus Hystrix)
Authors: TRUCCHI E. , GENTILE G. , SBORDONI V.
Published: July 2008

Eight primers were developed for the amplification of mitochondrial DNA control region of Old world porcupines (subgenus Hystrix). Successful amplifications of low‐quality DNA extracted from old (12 years old) and recent quills were performed, thus facilitating field sampling. Successful cross‐species amplifications were obtained for Hystrix africaeaustralis, H. cristata and H. indica. Length and structure of mitochondrial DNA control region were analysed and its usefulness as genetic marker for interspecific and population investigation was discussed.
Microsatellite loci for laticaudine sea kraits
Authors: LANE AMANDA M. , OLDROYD BENJAMIN P. , SHINE RICHARD
Published: July 2008

We report the development of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci (three dinucleotides, one trinucleotide and seven tetranucleotides) that are useful for the detection of population subdivision and the study of philopatry, migration and mating biology in laticaudine sea kraits Laticauda saintgironsi and Laticauda laticaudata. Five loci are highly polymorphic and amplify reliably in both L. saintgironsi and L. laticaudata. An additional three are useful in L. saintgironsi and another three in L. laticaudata.
Activation of recombinant NR1/NR2C NMDA receptors
Authors: Dravid Shashank M. , Prakash Anand , Traynelis Stephen F.
Published: July 2008

TheN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors comprises both NR1 and NR2 subunits, and plays numerous roles in both physiological and pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system (CNS). NR2C‐containing NMDA receptors are most abundant in cerebellum, thalamus and olfactory bulb, and are also expressed in oligodendrocytes and hippocampal interneurons. We have used patch clamp recording to explore the activation properties of recombinant NR1/NR2C receptors expressed in HEK293 cells. NR1/NR2C receptors activated by a maximally effective concentration of glutamate and glycine had two main conductance levels of 45 pS and 28 pS when the extracellular Ca2+concentration was 0.5 mmand the holding potential was −80 mV. The occurrence of the lower subconductance state was reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The distribution of closed durations recorded from patches with a high probability of containing only one active channel were best fitted by five exponential functions; the apparent open duration histogram could be fitted by two exponential functions (n= 10 patches). The apparent mean open time of NR1/NR2C receptors was brief (0.52 ± 0.04 ms), suggesting that the stability of the open state of the NR1/NR2C receptors is lower than other NR2‐containing receptors. NR1/NR2C open probability was exceptionally low, being 0.011 ± 0.002 in patches containing a single active receptor (n= 8). Fast agonist concentration jumps were performed on outside out patches with multiple NR1/NR2C channels, which activated with a 10–90% rise time of 3.9 ± 0.4 ms, faster than other NR2‐containing receptors. The deactivation time constant after a brief (5–8 ms) application of a maximally effective concentration of agonists was 319 ± 34 ms. The majority of the patches also showed a modest level of desensitization that could be described by either a single or a double exponential time course with the fastest time constant between 15 and 47 ms. Conceptual models of activation were fitted using the maximum interval likelihood (MIL) method to the sequence of open and closed durations recorded from outside‐out patches that contained one active NR1/NR2C channel. NR1/NR2C receptor properties including modest desensitization and low open probability could be described by gating schemes similar to those previously proposed for other NMDA receptor subunit combinations.
S-Z POWER SPECTRA
Authors: REPHAELI YOEL , SADEH SHARON
Published: July 2008

There is some observational evidence for earlier evolution of clusters of galaxies than predicted in the standard ΛCDM model with a Gaussian primordial density fluctuation field, and a low value for the mass variance parameter (σ8). Particularly difficult in this model is the interpretation of possible excess CMB anisotropy on cluster scales as due to the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (S-Z) effect. We have calculated S-Z power spectra in the standard model, and in two alternative models which predict higher cluster abundance - a model with non-Gaussian PDF, and an early dark energy model. As anticipated, the levels of S-Z power in the latter two models are significantly higher than in the standard model, and in good agreement with current measurements of CMB anisotropy at high multipole values. Our results provide a sufficient basis for testing the viability of the three models by future high quality measurements of cluster abundance and the anisotropy induced by the S-Z effect.
TRANSFORMATION OF GALAXY MORPHOLOGY AND LUMINOSITY
Authors: PARK CHANGBOM , CHOI YUN-YOUNG , GOTT J. RICHARD
Published: July 2008

We studied the dependence of morphology and luminosity of the SDSS galaxies on the environmental factors. The environmental factors considered include the local density due to the nearest neighbor galaxy ρn, morphology of the nearest neighbor, and the large-scale background density. We found the local environment set up by the nearest neighbor galaxy gives strong effects on the galaxy morphology. The probability for a galaxy to have an early morphological type critically depends on whether or not ρn is above the virialization density. We conclude that the well-known morphology-density relation is basically due to the interactions between galaxy pairs. Dependence of galaxy morphology on the large-scale density is found only because there is a statistical correlation between the average pair separation and the large-scale background density. We also found that galaxy luminosity depends on ρn, and that, when the large-scale density is fixed, more isolated galaxies are more likely to be recent merger products. We propose a scenario that a series of morphology and luminosity transformation occur through a series of distant/close interactions and mergers, which results in the morphology-luminosity-local density relation.
REFINEMENT INDEPENDENT WAVELETS FOR USE IN ADAPTIVE MULTIRESOLUTION SCHEMES
Authors: JANSEN MAARTEN
Published: July 2008

This paper constructs a class of semi-orthogonal and bi-orthogonal wavelet transforms on possibly irregular point sets with the property that the scaling coefficients are independent from the order of refinement. That means that scaling coefficients at a given scale can be constructed with the configuration at that scale only. This property is of particular interest when the refinement operation is data dependent, leading to adaptive multiresolution analyses. Moreover, the proposed class of wavelet transforms are constructed using a sequence of just two lifting steps, one of which contains a linear interpolating prediction operator. This operator easily allows extensions towards directional offsets from predictions, leading to an edge-adaptive nonlinear multiscale decomposition.
EVALUATION OF ECA GESTURE STRATEGIES FOR ROBUST HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION
Authors: MENCÍA BEATRIZ LÓPEZ , TRAPOTE ÁLVARO HERNÁNDEZ , DE VERA DAVID DÍAZ PARDO , GÓMEZ LUIS HERNÁNDEZ , GANCEDO MARÍA DEL CARMEN RODRÍGUEZ , GIL JOSÉ RELAÑO
Published: July 2008

Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) offer us the possibility to design pleasant and efficient human-machine interaction. In this paper we present an evaluation scheme to compare dialogue-based speaker authentication and information retrieval systems with and without ECAs on the interface. We used gestures and other visual cues to improve fluency and robustness of interaction with these systems. Our tests results suggest that when an ECA is present users perceive fewer system errors, their frustration levels are lower, turn-changing goes more smoothly, the interaction experience is more enjoyable, and system capabilities are generally perceived more positively than when no ECA is present. However, the ECA seems to intensify the users' privacy concerns.
DESIGNING HAND GESTURE VOCABULARIES FOR NATURAL INTERACTION BY COMBINING PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL AND RECOGNITION FACTORS
Authors: STERN HELMAN I. , WACHS JUAN P. , EDAN YAEL
Published: July 2008

A need exists for intuitive hand gesture machine interaction in which the machine not only recognizes gestures, but also the human feels comfortable and natural in their execution. The gesture vocabulary design problem is rigorously formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. Psycho-physiological measures (intuitiveness, comfort) and gesture recognition accuracy are taken as the multi-objective factors. The hand gestures are static and recognized by a vision based fuzzy c-means classifier. A meta-heuristic approach decomposes the problem into two sub-problems: finding the subsets of gestures that meet a minimal accuracy requirement, and matching gestures to commands to maximize the human factors objective. The result is a set of Pareto optimal solutions in which no objective may be increased without a concomitant decrease in another. Several solutions from the Pareto set are selected by the user using prioritized objectives. Software programs are developed to automate the collection of intuitive and stress indices. The method is tested for a simulated car — maze navigation task. Validation tests were conducted to substantiate the claim that solutions that maximize intuitiveness, comfort, and recognition accuracy performance measures can be used as proxies for the minimization task time objective. Learning and memorability were also tested.
Expression and hepatobiliary transport characteristics of the concentrative and equilibrative nucleoside transporters in sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes
Authors: Govindarajan Rajgopal , Endres Christopher J. , Whittington Dale , LeCluyse Edward , Pastor-Anglada Marçal , Tse Chung-Ming , Unadkat Jashvant D.
Published: July 2008

We previously reported that both the concentrative (hCNT) and equilibrative (hENT) nucleoside transporters are expressed in the human liver ( 21 ). Here we report a study that investigated the expression of these transporters (transcripts and proteins) and their role in the hepatobiliary transport of nucleosides/nucleoside drugs using sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. In the hepatic tissue, the rank order of the mRNA expression of the transporters was hCNT1 ≈ hENT1 > hENT2 ≈ hCNT2 > hCNT3. In sandwich-cultured hepatocytes, the mRNA expression of hCNT2 and hENT2 was comparable to that in hepatic tissue, whereas the expression of corresponding transporters in the two-dimensional hepatocyte cultures was lower. Colocalization studies demonstrated predominant localization of these transporters at the sinusoidal membrane and of hENT1, hCNT1, and hCNT2 at the canalicular membrane. In the sandwich-cultured hepatocytes, ENTs were the major contributors to the transport of thymidine (hENT1, 63%; hENT2, 23%) or guanosine (hENT1, 53%; hENT2, 24%) into the hepatocytes followed by hCNT1 (10%) for thymidine or hCNT2 (23%) for guanosine. Although ribavirin was predominately transported (89%) into the hepatocytes by hENT1, fialuridine (FIAU) was transported by both hENT1 (30%) and hCNTs (61%). The extensively metabolized natural nucleosides were not effluxed into the bile, whereas significant biliary-efflux was observed of FIAU (19%), ribavirin (30%), and formycin B (35%). We conclude that the hepatic activity of hENT1 and hCNT1/2 transporters will determine the in vivo hepatic distribution and therefore the efficacy and/or toxicity of nucleoside drugs used to treat hepatic diseases.
One Hundred Years of Anatomical Terminology
Authors: O'Rahilly R.
Published: July 2008

Anatomical terminology was codified 100 years ago in Basel under the aegis of Wilhelm His, and it is fitting that this important event be commemorated in an international anatomical journal founded and published in the same illustrious city.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition during Trophoblast Differentiation
Authors: Vićovac L. , Aplin J.D.
Published: July 2008

Embryo implantation in higher primates is mediated by trophoblast: in the earliest phases by syncytiotrophoblast, then by both cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. In the course of placentation three main trophoblast populations can be identified: cytotrophoblast stem cells and two differentiated derivative cell types: the syncytiotrophoblast and the extravillous cytotrophoblast. The syncytiotrophoblast remains mainly epithelial while the extravillous cytotrophoblast undergoes an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), initially forming multi-layered cell columns and then, in human, infiltrating deeply the maternal decidual stroma and blood vessels. Finally, some infiltrating cells differentiate further to become giant cells of the placental bed and myometrium. During the course of these events the extravillous cytotrophoblast acquires a distinct phenotype, losing some typical epithelial components (e.g. E-cadherin, integrin a6(34), but retaining others (e.g. cytokeratins). The signals that trigger this EMT are not well understood but its realisation is of critical importance for pregnancy success.
Antimanic potency of typical neuroleptic drugs and affinity for dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors — a new analysis of data from the archives and implications for improved antimanic treatments
Authors: Harrison-Read PE
Published: July 2008

Datasets of antimanic potency ratings and receptor-binding affinities [inhibition constants (Ki)] at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A brain receptors were accessed from published literature for a large series (n = 24) of typical neuroleptic drugs, many of which are now obsolete and unobtainable. There was a strong positive association between antimanic potency and affinity for D2 receptors, in support of a ‘dopamine-blockade hypothesis’ of antimanic drug action. Taking the series of neuroleptics as a whole, there was no association between antimanic potency and affinity for 5-HT2A receptors. Despite this, within a subsample of typical neuroleptics with low affinity for D2 receptors resembling new generation atypical antipsychotics, a positive association between antimanic potency and affinity for 5-HT2A receptors emerged. This suggests that blockade of brain 5-HT2A receptors plays at least a subsidiary role in the antimanic effects of some typical neuroleptics. Other considerations also suggest that combining drugs to achieve high affinity for and blockade of both dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, possibly with additional direct or indirect stimulation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, might maximize antimanic efficacy.
Overexpression of cathepsin K in mice decreases collagen deposition and lung resistance in response to bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Srivastava Mrigank , Steinwede Kathrin , Kiviranta Riku , Morko Jukka , Hoymann Heinz-Gerd , Länger Florian , Buhling Frank , Welte Tobias , Maus Ulrich A
Published: July 2008

Background

Lung fibrosis is a devastating pulmonary disorder characterized by alveolar epithelial injury, extracellular matrix deposition and scar tissue formation. Due to its potent collagenolytic activity, cathepsin K, a lysosomal cysteine protease is an interesting target molecule with therapeutic potential to attenuate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. We here tested the hypothesis that over-expression of cathepsin K in the lungs of mice is protective in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

Wild-type and cathepsin K overexpressing (cathepsin K transgenic; cath K tg) mice were challenged intratracheally with bleomycin and sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-treatment followed by determination of lung fibrosis by estimating lung collagen content, lung histopathology, leukocytic infiltrates and lung function. In addition, changes in cathepsin K protein levels in the lung were determined by immunohistochemistry, real time RT-PCR and western blotting.

Results

Cathepsin K protein levels were strongly increased in alveolar macrophages and lung parenchymal tissue of mock-treated cathepsin K transgenic (cath K tg) mice relative to wild-type mice and further increased particularly in cath K tg but also wild-type mice in response to bleomycin. Moreover, cath K tg mice responded with a lower collagen deposition in their lungs, which was accompanied by a significantly lower lung resistance (RL) compared to bleomycin-treated wild-type mice. In addition, cath K tg mice responded with a lower degree of lung fibrosis than wild-type mice, a process that was found to be independent of inflammatory leukocyte mobilization in response to bleomycin challenge.

Conclusion

Over-expression of cathepsin K reduced lung collagen deposition and improved lung function parameters in the lungs of transgenic mice, thereby providing at least partial protection against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis.
Crucial role of vHNF1 in vertebrate hepatic specification
Authors: Lokmane Ludmilla , Haumaitre Cécile , Garcia-Villalba Pilar , Anselme Isabelle , Schneider-Maunoury Sylvie , Cereghini Silvia
Published: July 2008

Mouse liver induction occurs via the acquisition of ventral endoderm competence to respond to inductive signals from adjacent mesoderm, followed by hepatic specification. Little is known about the regulatory circuit involved in these processes. Through the analysis of vHnf1(Hnf1b)-deficient embryos, generated by tetraploid embryo complementation, we demonstrate that lack of vHNF1 leads to defective hepatic bud formation and abnormal gut regionalization. Thickening of the ventral hepatic endoderm and expression of known hepatic genes do not occur. At earlier stages, hepatic specification of vHnf1-/- ventral endoderm is disrupted. More importantly, mutant ventral endoderm cultured in vitro loses its responsiveness to inductive FGF signals and fails to induce the hepatic-specification genes albumin and transthyretin. Analysis of liver induction in zebrafish indicates a conserved role of vHNF1 in vertebrates. Our results reveal the crucial role of vHNF1 at the earliest steps of liver induction: the acquisition of endoderm competence and the hepatic specification.
Forty Years From Markers to Genes
Authors: Mulley John C.
Published: July 2008

There have been incredible advances made in human genetics over the past 40 years. I have set out in the next few pages to describe just some of these changes and to illustrate how they unfolded through my own experiences.
Why is α-Actinin-3 Deficiency So Common in the General Population? The Evolution of Athletic Performance
Authors: North Kathryn
Published: July 2008

‘We can now explain how this common genetic variation influences athletic performance as well as why it has become so common in the general population. There is a fascinating link between factors that influence survival in ancient humans and the factors that contribute to athletic abilities in modern man.’

The humanACTN3gene encodes the protein α-actinin-3, a component of the contractile apparatus in fast skeletal muscle fibers. In 1999, we identified a common polymorphism inACTN3(R577X) that results in absence of α-actinin-3 in more than one billion people worldwide, despite theACTN3gene being highly conserved during human evolution. In 2003, we demonstrated thatACTN3genotype influences elite athletic performance, and the association betweenACTN3genotype and skeletal muscle performance has since been replicated in athletes and non-athlete cohorts. We have also studied the evolution of the R577X allele during human evolution and demonstrated that the null (X) allele has undergone strong, recent positive selection in Europeans and Asian populations. We have developed anActn3knockout mouse model that replicates α-actinin-3 deficiency in humans and has already provided insight into the role of α-actinin-3 in the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism, fibre size, muscle mass and contractile properties. In particular, mouse muscle lacking α-actinin-3 uses energy more efficiently, with the fast fibers displaying metabolic and contractile properties of slow oxidative fibers. While this favors endurance activities, the trade off is that the muscle cannot generate the rapid contractions needed to excel in sprinting. We propose that the shift towards more efficient aerobic muscle metabolism associated with α-actinin-3 deficiency also underlies the adaptive benefit of the 577X allele. Our future studies will focus on the effect ofACTN3genotype on response to exercise and ageing, and the onset and severity of muscle disease phenotype.
Künstliches Neuronales Netz zur Regelung von Montageprozessen im Flugzeugbau (Artificial Neural Network for the Control of Assembly-processes in Aircraft Construction)
Authors: Schneider Michael , Lehmann Ulrich , Langbein Peter , Krone Jörg , Ament Christoph , Otto Peter , Stark Ulrich
Published: July 2008

Das Materialverhalten der Seitenschale einer Flugzeugrumpfsektion wird mit Künstlichen Neuronalen Netzen (KNN) modelliert. Des Weiteren wird zur Regelung des Montageprozesses ein Neuro-I-Regler mit der inversen nichtlinearen Kennlinie des Materialverhaltens der Seitenschale entwickelt, damit die Geometrie der Seitenschale auch bei einer Abweichung aus der Sollposition in die optimale Montageposition geregelt werden kann.
Contact, Encounter, and Exchange at Esalen: A Window onto Late Twentieth-Century American Spirituality
Authors: Wood Linda Sargent
Published: July 2008

Approximately 20 percent of Americans today resist traditional religious classification and practice a personalized, eclectic faith. California's Esalen Institute reflects this development. Since its inception in 1962, this human potential center, which drew on San Francisco's vibrant East-West scene, has offered a cornucopia of spiritual possibilities. Leaders and participants from around the world shared religious beliefs and scientific theories there. Through these exchanges, Esalen, both a physical and spiritual borderland along the Pacific Rim, served as an experimental hothouse for germinating a variety of religious hybrids and contributed to the changing nature of religion in late twentieth-century America. In the process, it helped revitalize religious notions within a scientific culture. By highlighting this cross-fertilization of ideas and practices, this article adds to our understanding of the dynamic process in which religion is made, remade, and rejuvenated by combining and adding beliefs and practices.
Pragmatic Thinking about Self, Society, and Natural Environment: Mead, Carson, and Beyond
Authors: Weigert Andrew J.
Published: July 2008

An interactionist approach provides a relevant point of view on human—natural environment relations. This essay draws on an interactionist approach from a Meadian, pragmatic, social constructionist perspective. In the context of grounded distinctions for interpreting “natural environment,” this discussion considers instances of human intervention and levels of responses, for example, individual, social, cultural, historical, and utopian, as variant, even conflicting, reconstructions of the foundational relationship of human—natural environment interaction. Incorporating a pragmatic model derived from Rachel Carson, the work at hand focuses on knowledge and ethical claims, as discourse and action shift from preventing to mitigating and adjusting environmental outcomes.
‘An Inexhaustible Supply of Fresh Literature on the Civil War’
Authors: Ross Daniel J.J.
Published: July 2008

Common assumptions on Civil War book publishing, both in general and by scholars, are tested by an examination of the rates of publication and scholarly book reviews in three five-year periods: 1960–64, 1980–84, and 2000–2004.
Feline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures
Authors: De La Puerta B. , Trayhorn D. , Moores A. P. , Langley-Hobbs S. J. , Wallace A. M.
Published: July 2008

Feline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures were reviewed in a retrospective study of cases that were admitted to two university teaching hospitals. A high incidence of complications was noted, with 6/26 (23.1%) of cases requiring revision surgery. Open fractures were significantly more likely to require revision surgery. The two main repair methods were external skeletal fixation (ESF) or radial plating. The success rate was greater for radial plating, with only 1/10 (10%) cases requiring revision versus 4/14 (28.6%) for ESF. However, ESF tended to be applied to the more complicated fractures. Stabilisation of both bones proved to be an effective repair strategy with only 1/8 cases (12.5%) requiring revision versus 5/18 cases (27.8%) where only one bone was stabilised. Synostoses and radiohumeral luxation were noted as complications associated with the fractures stabilised by ESF. Final limb function following recovery was assessed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 93.3% of cases.
Ankyrin‐linked hereditary spherocytosis in an African–American kindred
Authors: Sangerman Jose , Maksimova Yelena , Edelman E. Jennifer , Morrow Jon S. , Forget Bernard G. , Gallagher Patrick G.
Published: July 2008

Mutations of ankyrin‐1 are the most frequent cause of the inherited hemolytic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis (HS), in people of European ancestry. Ankyrin‐1, which provides the primary linkage between the erythrocyte membrane skeleton and the plasma membrane, has numerous isoforms generated by alternative splicing, alternate polyadenylation, use of tissue‐specific promoters, and alternate NH2 or COOH‐termini. Mutation detection in erythrocyte membrane protein genes, including ankyrin, has been a challenge, primarily due to the large size of these genes, and the apparent frequent occurrence of HS‐associated null alleles. Using denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), we screened the ankyrin gene of the proband of a large, three generation African–American kindred with ankyrin‐deficient HS. DHPLC yielded an abnormal chromatogram for exon 1. Examination of the corresponding exon 1 sequence in genomic DNA from the proband revealed heterozygosity for a mutation of the initiator methionine (ATG to ATA Met 1 Ile). Coupled in vitrotranscription/translation studies with rabbit reticulocyte lysates demonstrated that the wild‐type ankyrin erythroid cDNA initiates only from the known initiator methionine, indicating that the use of alternate initiator methionine is not a mechanism of isoform diversity in erythroid cells. The mutant ankyrin allele, unlike some initiator methionine mutations that utilize downstream codons for translation initiation, was associated with a null allele. This is the first report describing ankyrin‐linked HS in an African–American kindred. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bubble‐free oxygenation of a bi‐enzymatic system: effect on biocatalyst stability
Authors: Van Hecke Wouter , Ludwig Roland , Dewulf Jo , Auly Markus , Messiaen Tom , Haltrich Dietmar , Van Langenhove Herman
Published: July 2008

The effect of bubble‐free oxygenation on the stability of a bi‐enzymatic system with redox mediator regeneration for the conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid was investigated in a miniaturized reactor with bubbleless oxygenation. Earlier investigations of this biocatalytic oxidation have shown that the dispersive addition of oxygen can cause significant enzyme inactivation. In the process studied, the enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) oxidizes lactose at the C‐1 position of the reducing sugar moiety to lactobionolactone, which spontaneously hydrolyzes to lactobionic acid. 2,2′‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt was used as electron acceptor for CDH and was continuously regenerated (reoxidized) by laccase, a blue multi‐copper oxidase. Oxygen served as the terminal electron acceptor of the reaction and was fully reduced to water by laccase. The overall mass transfer coefficient of the miniaturized reactor was determined at 30 and 45°C; conversions were conducted both in the reaction‐limited and diffusion‐limited regime to study catalyst inactivation. The bubbleless oxygenation was successful in avoiding gas/liquid interface inactivation. It was also shown that the oxidized redox mediator plays a key role in the inactivation mechanism of the biocatalysts unobserved during previous studies. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 122–131. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direction and speed of microtubule movements driven by kinesin motors arranged on catchin thick filaments
Authors: Taba Toshiki , Edamatsu Masaki , Toba Shiori , Shibata Keitaro , Imafuku Yasuhiro , Toyoshima Yoko Yano , Tawada Katsuhisa , Yamada Akira
Published: July 2008

Conventional kinesin (Kinesin‐1) is a microtubule‐based molecular motor that supports intracellular vesicle/organelle transport in various eukaryotic cells. To arrange kinesin motors similarly to myosin motors on thick filaments in muscles, the motor domain of rat conventional kinesin (amino acid residues 1‐430) fused to the C‐terminal 829 amino acid residues of catchin (KHC430Cat) was bacterially expressed and attached to catchin filaments that can attach to and arrange myosin molecules in a bipolar manner on their surface. Unlike the case of myosin where actin filaments move toward the center much faster than in the opposite direction along the catchin filaments, microtubules moved at the same speed in both directions. In addition, many microtubules moved across the filaments at the same speed with various angles between the axes of the microtubule and catchin filament. Kinesin/catchin chimera proteins with a shorter kinesin neck domain were also prepared. Those without the whole hinge 1 domain and the C‐terminal part of the neck helix moved microtubules toward the center of the catchin filaments significantly, but only slightly, faster than in the opposite direction, although the movements in both directions were slower than those of the KHC430Cat construct. The results suggest that kinesin has substantial mechanical flexibility within the motor domain, possibly within the neck linker, enabling its interaction with microtubules having any orientation. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heterometallic CoIII–LnIII (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) Complexes on a p‐Sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene Platform Exhibiting Redox‐Switchable Metal‐to‐Metal Energy Transfer
Authors: Skripacheva Viktoriya , Mustafina Asiya , Rusakova Nataliya , Yanilkin Vitaliy , Nastapova Nataliya , Amirov Rustem , Burilov Vladimir , Zairov Rustem , Kost Svetlana , Solovieva Svetlana , Korovin Yuriy , Antipin Igor , Konovalov Alexander
Published: July 2008

Nuclear magnetic relaxation along with pH metric data have been used to reveal pH‐dependent heterometallic CoIII–LnIII (Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy) complex formation on a p‐sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene (TCAS) platform in aqueous solution. The previously obtained 1D and 2D 1H NMR spectroscopic and X‐ray data prove the outer sphere binding of the CoIII block with the upper rim of TCAS, whereas the LnIII ion is coordinated with the phenolate groups of the lower rim of TCAS. The inclusive outer‐sphere binding of CoIII tris(dipyridyl) and tris(ethylendiaminate) complexes with the upper rim of TCAS favors binding of the inner‐sphere lanthanide ions through the lower rim of TCAS, whereas noninclusive binding of CoIII bis(histidinate) provides no effect on the binding of lanthanide ions. The emission properties of [Co(dipy)3]3+–LnIII (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes indicate the quenching of 4f luminescence by the 3d block. This quenching can be switched off by electrochemical CoIII/CoII reduction with further switching on by reoxidation. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Estimation of change point and compound Poisson process parameters for the earthquake data in Turkey
Authors: Aktas Serpîl , Konsuk Hande , Yîḡîter Ayten
Published: July 2008

The existence of change point in the Turkish earthquake data is investigated. For this purpose, the 218 earthquake data of magnitude 5 and higher, between the north (39.00–42.00°) and the east (26.00–45.00°) coordinates in Turkey from 12 July 1900 to 28 February 2007 are used. The characteristic function of the magnitude is derived. Poisson distribution is used to describe the recurrence times. In addition, using the compound Poisson process, the expected value and variance are estimated and computed for the loss of life and damaged buildings after the change point. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictive value for malignancy in the finding of microcalcifications on ultrasonography of thyroid nodules
Authors: Chammas Maria Cristina , de Araujo Filho Vergilius José F. , Moysés Raquel A. , Brescia Marília D. G. , Mulatti Grace C. , Brandão Lenine G. , Cerri Giovanni G. , Ferraz Alberto R.
Published: July 2008

Background.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value for malignancy of microcalcifications determined by ultrasonography in thyroid nodules.

Methods.

One hundred seventy‐seven nodules were prospectively studied by ultrasonography and compared with their fine‐needle aspirative biopsy. The association between the presence and type of calcification and cytologic findings was verified through the chi‐square test or likelihood ratio.

Results.

Thirty nodules showed calcification, of which 17 had fine calcifications, 3 had fine and gross calcifications, and 10 had only coarse calcification. Seven (41.18%) of 17 fine calcified nodules were malignant on cytology, 8 (47.06%) were benign, 1 (5.88%) was indeterminate, and 1 was suspect for malignancy. We found statistical significance between the presence of fine calcifications and malignancy (p = .001) and, in the 13 malignant nodule group, 8 (61.50%) had fine calcifications.

Conclusion.

This study suggests that microcalcifications were highly specific for malignancy and were present in 61% of the malignant nodules. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2008
Comparison of pullout strength of resorbable screws in human cadaveric laryngeal cartilage using different drill diameters
Authors: Lewis Andrea F. , Jordan J. Randall , Parsell Doug E. , Kosko Mark
Published: July 2008

Background.

In a previous study at our institution, it was determined that resorbable screws with untapped drill holes resulted in the highest resistance forces to linear load when compared with titanium screws. The 1.1‐mm drill diameter/2.0‐mm screw diameter and 1.5/2.0 drill/screw combinations were superior to the 1.1/1.5 combinations; however, there was no conclusion as to the best screw size to drill bit diameter. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the pullout strength of resorbable screws in fresh frozen cadaveric laryngeal cartilage. The importance of drill hole diameter will also be determined.

Methods.

After debridement of connective tissue and perichondrium, 12 cartilage specimens were tested. Linear pullout strength of screws was measured using a load cell. Resorbable screws of size 2.0 mm were tested using drill hole diameters of 0.0 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.5 mm. All tested screws were 6 mm in length or greater.

Results.

We found no strong evidence that the means for the 0.8/2.0 and 1.5/2.0 differ or that the 0.0/2.0 and 0.8/2.0 means differ. There is evidence that the 0.0/2.0 and 1.5/2.0 means differ (adjusted p value .0108), with the 0.0/2.0 combination having a smaller mean.

Conclusions.

Resorbable screws without predrilled holes result in less resistance to linear loads than either the resorbable screws with the 0.8/2.0 or the 1.5/2.0 drill/screw combinations. The 1.5/2.0 drill/screw combination had the strongest pullout force, though this was not statistically significant. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Sensitive determination of norepinephrine, synephrine, and isoproterenol by capillary electrophoresis with indirect electrochemiluminescence detection
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ming , Cao Jun‐Tao , Zheng Yan‐Li , Chen Yong‐Hong
Published: July 2008

A new and sensitive method for the determination of norepinephrine (NE), synephrine, and isoproterenol was developed by CE separation and indirect electrochemiluminescence detection (ECL) based on their quenching effects on the tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)‐ruthenium(II)/tripropylamine (TPA) system. The conditions for CE separation and ECL detection were investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the three analytes were well separated within 9 min. The LODs (S/N = 3) in standard solution are 2.6×10–8 mol/L for NE, 6.6×10–9 mol/L for synephrine and 8.4×10–8 mol/L for isoproterenol, respectively. The precisions of intraday and interday are less than 4.4 and 6.1%, respectively. The LOQs (S/N = 10) in real human urine samples are 2.6×10–7 mol/L for NE, 8.8×10–8 mol/L for synephrine, and 8.8×10–7 mol/L for isoproterenol, respectively. The applicability of the proposed method was illustrated in the determination of 20 human urine samples from diabetic patients and healthy persons. The results obtained indicated that the level of NE in patients (mean value 0.41 μmol/L) was higher than that in healthy persons (mean value 0.24 μmol/L).
Use of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐based ionic liquids as background electrolytes in capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of inorganic anions
Authors: Mo Hongbing , Zhu Linying , Xu Weijian
Published: July 2008

Separation of inorganic anions in CE is often a challenging task because the electrophoretic mobilities of inorganic anions are comparable to or even greater than the EOF mobility. In this study, we present the use of ionic liquids (ILs) as background electrolytes (BGEs) in CE of inorganic anions. The 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐based ILs as BGEs dynamically coated the capillary wall and induced a reversed EOF. This allowed the anions to comigrate with the EOF and yielded a rapid separation. Increasing the alkyl chain length of the ILs and BGE concentration can significantly improve the separation resolution. With 40 mM 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as BGE, good separations of five model anions (Br–, I–, NO2–, NO3–, and SCN–) were achieved in a range of buffer pH values. The separation efficiency was as high as 34 600–155 000, and the RSDs of the migration times were less than 0.8% (n = 5).
Syntheses of Special Monomers for π‐Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Výprachtický Drahomír , Cimrová Věra , Pavlačková Petra , Kmínek Ivan
Published: July 2008

Summary: Tailored monomers based on the activated esters of 2,5‐dibromo‐benzoic and 2,5‐dibromobenzene‐1‐sulfonic acids or 3‐substituted 2,5‐dibromothiophene suitable for the Suzuki, Yamamoto or Grignard metathesis (GRIM) coupling reactions were synthesized and characterized by the melting point, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, FT IR, and TLC. The Horner‐Wadsworth‐Emmons reaction was utilized for the preparation of 3‐(arylvinyl)‐2,5‐dibromothiophenes and the 4‐nitrophenol or N‐hydroxysuccinimide for the preparation of activated esters. A monomer with β‐diketone active structure was prepared and characterized as well.
Less is more, or almost as much: A 15‐item quality‐of‐life instrument for myasthenia gravis
Authors: Burns Ted M. , Conaway Mark R. , Cutter Gary R. , Sanders Donald B. ,   The Muscle Study Group
Published: July 2008

We describe the process whereby a recently developed myasthenia gravis (MG)‐specific quality‐of‐life (QOL) instrument was reduced from 60 items to 15 items while maintaining potential usefulness in the clinic and in prospective treatment trials. In data from a recently completed prospective trial of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in MG, the MG‐QOL15 correlated as highly as the 60‐item MG‐QOL for physical and social domains of the 36‐item health survey of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF‐36). Correlation coefficients for the MG‐QOL15 were similar to the 60‐item MG‐QOL for the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG), MG‐specific Manual Muscle Testing (MG‐MMT), and the MG‐specific Activities of Daily Living (MG‐ADL) scores at week 0 and for change in scores from week 0 to week 12 in the MMF trial. Using the physician global impression at week 12 of the trial as the “gold standard,” the MG‐QOL15 demonstrated high sensitivity. Because the MG‐QOL15 instrument can be quickly and easily administered and interpreted, it is a potential QOL measure for treatment trials and the clinical evaluation of patients with MG. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Structure–activity relationships of αIIb 313–320 derived peptide inhibitors of human platelet aggregation
Authors: Stanica Ruxandra Maria , Benaki Dimitra , Rodis Foteini I. , Mikros Emmanuel , Tsoukatos Dimokritos , Tselepis Alexandros , Tsikaris Vasilios
Published: July 2008

The αIIbβ3 receptor, which is the most abundant receptor on the surface of platelets, can interact with a variety of adhesive proteins including fibrinogen, fibronectin and the von Willebrand factor. Fibrinogen binding on αIIbβ3 is an event essential for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Mapping of the fibrinogen‐binding domains on αIIb subunit suggested the sequence 313–332 as a possible binding site. This region was restricted to sequence αIIb 313–320 (Y313MESRADR320) using synthetic octapeptides overlapping by six residues. The YMESRADR octapeptide inhibits ADP‐stimulated human platelets aggregation and binds to immobilized fibrinogen. In this study, we used the Ala scanning methodology within the sequence 313–320 aiming to evaluate the contribution of each amino acid in inhibiting platelet aggregation. It was found that the substitution of Y313, M314, E315 or S316 by A does not affect the activity of the parent octapeptide. The–RADR‐motif seems to be the most essential for the biological activity of the αIIb 313–320 site. The conformational analysis of the YAESRADR, YMESAADR and YMESRAAR analogs by using NMR spectroscopy and distance geometry calculations revealed significant differences in their conformational states in DMSO‐d6. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.