bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in chronic liver disease in northwest China
Authors: Li Xing , Hayashi Norio , Yuki Nobukazu , Katayama Kazuhiro , Kasahara Akinori , Fusamoto Hideyuki , Zhang Shulin , Kamada Takenobu
Published: March 2007

To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in northwest China, 179 chronic liver disease patients in this area were examined for antibody to hepatitis C virus core protein (anti‐HCVcore). This antibody was found in only 5 (14 percent) of 37 chronic non‐A, non‐B liver disease patients, in 11 (16%) of 67 asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers, and in 20 (27%) of 75 chronic hepatitis B patients. High titers of anti‐HCVcore (cut off index >2) were observed in 3 (60%), 5 (45%), and 9 (45%) of the anti‐HCVcore‐positive cases of these groups, respectively. We further investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B virus in the 37 chronic non‐A, non‐B liver disease patients. All 5 anti‐HCVcore‐positive cases were positive for a hepatitis B virus marker, with only 44% (14/32) of the anti‐HCVcore‐negative patients (P< 0.05). Based on these findings, it is concluded that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in chronic non‐A, non‐B liver disease is unexpectedly low in northwest China and that hepatitis B and C viruses seem to have a similar mode of infection in that area.
Small round virus excretion in long‐stay geriatric patients
Authors: Davidson Marilyn M. , Sood Vijay P. , Ho‐Yen Darrel O
Published: March 2007

The role of small round viruses (SRVs) in gastroenteritis has not been evaluated. We undertook a study to evaluate SRV excretion in 40 elderly patients over 12 months in long‐stay, geriatric wards. The 40 patients (11 male, 29 female) had an age range of 73–99 years. Samples were received monthly as long as the patients were alive. Samples were available from 30 patients (75%) for 6 months or more, and 20 (50%) patients completed the study. Ten grams of feces were collected and prepared as 10–20% suspensions, and then concentrated and examined by electron microscopy. Of 348 samples examined, 116 (33%) contained SRVs. Only 5 of 40 patients did not excrete virus. However, in 103/116 (89%) positive samples, virus was present in small amounts. These results show that excretion of SRVs in asymptomatic patients was very common. Therefore, the detection of SRVs in small amounts during an outbreak of gastroenteritis suggest that they do not have a causal role.
Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus reactivation from latency by a tat transdominant negative mutant
Authors: Balboni P. G. , Bozzini R. , Zucchini S. , Marconi P. C. , Grossi M. P. , Caputo A. , Manservigi R. , Barbanti‐Brodano G.
Published: March 2007

A BK virus (BKV) expression vector, specific for human cells, was engineered to express antisense human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) tat cDNA (tat‐AS) or a tat mutant in cysteine 22 (tat22). Cysteine residues in the cysteine‐rich domain of tat are necessary for tat transactivation of the HIV‐1 long terminal repeat (LTR). Both the AS tat and the tat mutant significantly inhibited transactivation by tat when assayed in cells cotransfected with an expression vector where the reporter gene for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase was driven by the HIV‐1 LTR. Infection of Jurkat cell clones stably expressing tat22 (Jurkat/tat22) or tat‐AS (Jurkat/tat‐AS) with HIV‐1 did not show differences in virus titer in comparsion to HIV‐1‐infected control cells. However, in two Jurkat/tat22 cell clones, entrance of HIV‐1 into latency was accelerated significantly and reactivation of HIV‐1 from latency induced by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) or tat was blocked. These results suggest that, in a combined and integrated approach to the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), anti‐tat genetic therapy could be successfully applied to maintain virus in latency, thereby extending the duration of the asymptomatic phase preceding full‐blown AIDS.
Detection of enteric adenoviruses with synthetic oligonucleotide probes
Authors: Scott‐Taylor Tim H. , Ahluwalia Gurmuk , Dawood Magdy , Hammond Gregory W.
Published: March 2007

The abilities of hybridization probes to detect all human adenovirus types and to identify enteric adenovirus types were evaluated. The efficiency of hybridization was compared to other tests currently in routine laboratory use on clinical specimens from young children with gastroenteritis, Probes were derived from various regions of the adenovirus types 2 and 41 genomes, and were evaluated by hybridization with a series of DNA quantities from 1 μg to 10 pg of one adenovirus type from each human subgenus, lambda phage, and HEp 2 cells. The sensitivity of hybridization with the HPII probe (92.7%), containing the conserved hexon gene, compared well with EM (54.6%), culture and neutralization (45.5%), and enzyme immunoassay (61.8%). The sensitivity of detection of enteric adenovirus isolates by the cloned Bg/II D fragment probe (92.9%) and by a synthetic probe (85.7%), manufactured from type‐specific sequences of the Ad41 hexon gene were comparable to Ad40/Ad41 specific enzyme immunoassay (84.6%). Hybridization was found to be a sensitive method of adenovirus detection in comparison to traditional methods of laboratory diagnosis. Synthetic oligonucleotides enable specific detection of individual enteric adenovirus types. Hybridization had additional advantages over other tests in identifying cases of infection with more than one adenovirus type and in allowing an estimate of the concentration of adenovirus in the specimen.
Cytomegalovirus/herpesvirus and carotid atherosclerosis: The aric study
Authors: Sorlie Paul D. , Adam Ervin , Melnick Sandra L. , Folsom Aaron , Skelton Thomas , Chambless Lloyd E. , Barnes Ralph , Melnick Joseph L.
Published: March 2007

Ubiquitous viruses such as members of the human herpes virus group, particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV), have been proposed to be clinically important agents in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Antibodies to CMV and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and type 2 (HSV2) were determined in 340 matched case‐control pairs from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Cases were defined by B‐mode ultrasonography as persons with thickened carotid artery walls consistent with early atherosclerosis but without a history of cardiovascular disease. Controls were defined as persons without thickened walls or history of cardiovascular disease. The case‐control odds ratio for CMV antibodies was 1.55 (P = 0.03), for HSV 1.41 (P = 0.07), and for HSV2 0.91 (P = .63). When adjustment was made for potential con‐founders, the odds ratios were 1.36 for CMV (P=.24), 1.21 for HSV1 (P = .45), and 0.61 (P = .05) for HSV2. These results suggest a modest association between CMV and asymptomatic carotid wall thickening consistent with early atherosclerosis. © 1994 Wiiey‐Liss, Inc.
Polymerase chain reaction can resolve some undefined cases of Hepatitis B virus antigenic subtyping
Authors: Echevarría Juan E. , Tenorio A. , Couroucé A. M. , León P. , Echevarría J. M.
Published: March 2007

HBsAg subtypes were defined by means of adsorbed polyclonal antisera; however, HBsAg subtyping is currently usually carried out with monoclonal antibodies (Mab). We developed a complementary subtyping method based on the polymerase chain reaction. Reference samples belonging to all known HBsAg subtypes could be detected and grouped into four different categories (ayw1/ayw4/ayr, ayw2/ayw3, adw2/adrq+/adrq‐, adw4). Thirteen HBsAg‐positive serum samples previously subtyped as ad by means of monoclonal antibodies fell into the adw2/adrq+/adrq‐ group, as well as 13 ay samples into the ayw2/ayw3 group. These results could be confirmed by means of reference polyclonal antisera in nine ad cases (all adw2) and in seven ay cases (all ayw3); the remaining seven were below the detection limit of the polyclonal assay. Four samples which were not recognized by any of the d/y subtype‐specific Mab were shown to contain ayw2/ayw3 sequences. Only one contained sufficient HBsAg to be confirmed as ayw3 by means of reference antisera. Three of five sera showing simultaneous reactivity both for d and y‐specific Mab were classified as adw4 by PCR, as was one by reference polyclonal antisera. The y‐specific monoclonal antibody cross‐reacted with the adw4 subtype. Single adw2 sequences were amplified in one of the remaining two cases, as well as single ayw2/ayw3 sequences in the other, suggesting that they showed true coexistence of two strains of different subtype, only one of which was in active replication state. It is concluded that the method described is useful in the solution of some undefined cases obtained with the monoclonal‐based assays. © 1994 W iley‐Liss, Inc.
Typing of human papillomaviruses in condylomata acuminata from Greece
Authors: Labropoulou Vassiliki , Balamotis Alexandros , Tosca Androniki , Rotola Antonella , Mavromara‐Nazos Penelope
Published: March 2007

DNA samples from recurrent condylomata acu‐minata biopsies of Greek males and females were examined for the presence of human papil‐lomavirus (HPV) DNA using high‐stringency Southern blot hybridization analysis. Of the twenty‐six biopsies, 25 were positive for the HPV 6/11‐related DNA sequences, and when further analyzed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the HPV‐negative biopsy was also positive for HPV 6/11 DNA. Nineteen specimens were further characterized based on their Pstl restriction endonuclease hybridization pattern. Twelve biopsies were positive for HPV 6a, one biopsy was positive for HPV 11a, and one biopsy was positive for HPV 6c DNA. Three specimens contained HPV 6/11 related DNA that gave an unusual Pstl pattern, and one specimen appeared to represent a multiple HPV infection containing HPV 6/11‐ and HPV 31/35/39‐related sequences. Finally, one sample contained a mixture of HPV 6a DNA and an HPV 6a‐like genome. Biopsies were also taken from adjacent apparently normal tissue, 0.5 cm away from the lesion, in 19 of the patients. Only one of these was found to be positive for HPV 6a DNA by Southern blot analysis. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of the antigenicity and reactogenicity of varying formulations of the rhesus rotavirus‐based quadrivalent and the M37 rotavirus vaccine candidates
Authors: Perez‐Schael Irene , Blanco Mario , Garcia Dorys , White Laura , Alfonzo Edgar , Crespo Ilirie , Cunto Walter , Pittman Annie L. , Kapikian Albert Z. , Flores Jorge
Published: March 2007

Three phase l trials of the rhesus rotavirus (RRV) based quardrivalent vaccine [composed of sero‐type 3 (RRV), and serotypes 1 (D × RRV), 2 (DS1 × RRV), and 4 (ST3 × RRV) human rotavirus × RRV reassortants] and the M37 (nursery strain) rotavirus vaccine candidates were conducted in an attempt to find a safe and optimally antigenic formulation. Infants 10‐20 weeks old received, in trial I, 1) the quadrivalent vaccine as two separate bivalent doses (1 × 104PFUeachof D × RRV and RRV, followed 4 weeks later by 1 × 104 PFU each of DS1 × RRV and ST3 × RRV) or 2) placebo; in trial II, 1) one dose of quadrivalent vaccine (104 PFU of each component), or 2) two doses of quadrivalent vaccine, or 3) a 104 PFU dose of M37 vaccine, or 4) M37 vaccine followed by the quadrivalent vaccine, or 5) placebo; in trial III, 1) a dose of a higher‐titered quadrivalent vaccine (105 PFU of each component), or 2) two doses of higher titered quadrivalent vaccine, or 3) a dose of higher titered M37 vaccine (105 PFU) or 4) two doses of M37 vaccine (105 PFU), or 5) M37 vaccine (105 PFU) followed by the higher titered quadrivalent vaccine, or 6) placebo. A mild, transient fever during the first week post‐vaccination was associated with the bivalent or quadrivalent vaccines but not with the M37 vaccine. Fourfold or greater serum IgA ELISA responses to rotavirus were observed in 48‐92% of the infants receiving quadrivalent vaccine and in 32‐50% of those receiving M37 vaccine. Neutralization seroresponses to human rotaviruses in infants receiving quadrivalent vaccine ranged from 9% (to serotype 3 in recipients of the first dose of bivalent vaccine in trial I) to 68% (to serotype 1 in recipients of two doses of higher titered quadrivalent vaccine in trial III). M37 vaccine induced homologous neutralization responses in 33‐78% of the infants and responses to human strains sharing its VP7 (Wa) or VP4 (ST3) serotype in 13‐35% of the infants. Overall, both vaccine candidates induced a greater number of antibody responses when two doses or a higher titered preparation was administered. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver
Authors: Nakamoto Yasunari , Kaneko Shuichi , Honda Masao , Unoura Masashi , Cheong Jaehun , Harada Akihisa , Matsushima Kouji , Kobayashi Kenichi , Murakami Seishi
Published: March 2007

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV‐infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV‐infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV‐specific antibody anti‐C100‐3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti‐C100‐3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antigenic diversity of respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B strains circulating during a community outbreak of infection
Authors: Mlinaric‐Galinovic Gordana , Chonmaitree Tasnee , Cane Patricia A. , Pringle Craig R. , Ogra Pearay L.
Published: March 2007

The epidemiological characteristics and relationship between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroup and virulence during an outbreak of RSV infection occurring in Southeast Texas in the winter season 1991/92 are described. Fiftytwo infants and children were diagnosed with RSV infection by rapid viral antigen detection and/or viral isolation. Subgrouping of the isolates was carried out using 11‐monoclonal antibodies. Ten isolates were found to be subgroup B, and 8 isolates were subgroup A. The subgroup B strains showed 3 different patterns of reaction with monoclonal antibodies; one of these subgroups was examined further by restriction analysis of parts of its nucleocapsid and attachment protein genes. The peak of RSV outbreak was in December 1991. Both subtypes A and B circulated simultaneously in the same territory, and caused lower respiratory tract infections in similar proportions. The more frequent occurrence of the B subgroup and the diversity of its simultaneously circulated RSV strains have made this outbreak unusual. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectrum of hepatitis E virus infection in India
Authors: Khuroo Mohammed Sultan , Rustgi Vinod K. , Dawson George J. , Mushahwar Isa K. , Yattoo Ghulam Nabi , Kamili Saleem , Khan Bashir Ahmad
Published: March 2007

A solid phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects IgM and IgG to hepatitis E virus (HEV) was used to study seroepidemiology in 40 healthy subjects and 227 consecutive patients with liver diseases in an endemic area. Fifty‐two of the liver diseases patients (22.9 percent) had acute hepatitis E. In contrast, none of the 40 healthy subjects were positive for IgM anti‐HEV, validating the ELISA assay. Twenty‐three of 25 (92%) patients with epidemic non‐A, non‐B hepatitis were confirmed as having acute hepatitis E. Only 1 of the 10 patients with sporadic, fulminant hepatic failuire of non‐A, non‐B, non‐C etiology was positive for IgM anti‐HEV. Five (31.2%) of the 16 patients with acute hepatitis in HBsAg carriers were positive for IgM anti‐HEV. One patient with acute hepatitis B wascoinfected with acute hepatitis E. Acute hepatitis was a disease of the adult population, with peak attack rates in the second and third decades of life. This disease was seen in only 4 (16%) of the 25 patients with acute viral hepatitis occurring below 14 years of age. Cholestasis was predominant in 25% of patients, enzyme elevation was monophasic, and all patients had clinical and biochemical recovery from the disease. The data suggest that the majority of patients with acute sporadic non‐A, non‐B, non‐C hepatitis in India have hepatitis E. However, fulminant hepatic failure to sporadic nature is rarely from hepatitis E. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A thymidine kinase deficient HSV‐2 strain causes acute keratitis and establishes trigeminal ganglionic latency, but poorly reactivates in vivo
Authors: Stroop William G. , Careene Banks M. , Qavi Hamida , Chodosh James , Moira Brown S.
Published: March 2007

The incidence of herpetic keratitis following in‐tranasal or direct ocular infection with thymidine kinase‐negative (TK−) strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐2 has not been well studied, and the role of the TK gene in the establishment of latency and virus reactivation is controversial. To determine whether a TK− strain of HSV‐2 could establish trigeminal ganglionic latency and be reactivated in vivo to produce recurrent keratitis or nervous system infection, an animal model of acute and recurrent infection was utilized. Rabbits were infected by the intranasal or ocular routes, and latency was reactivated by immuno‐suppression. Virus shedding in nasal and ocular secretions was monitored, and the eyes were examined for the presence of corneal epithelial lesions during acute and reactivated infections. Central nervous system (CNS) and trigeminal ganglionic tissues were assayed by histologic, virologic, and in situ hybridization techniques. All rabbits intranasally infected shed virus in both ocular and nasal secretions, whereas only 30% of rabbits infected in the eyes shed virus in nasal secretions. Virus was recovered from co‐cultivation cultures, but not from cell‐free ho‐mogenates, of trigeminal ganglionic and CNS tissues from animals inoculated by both routes. The incidence of keratitis was much greater after direct ocular inoculation, although both routes of inoculation produced CNS and ganglionic inflammatory lesions. Keratitis healed in 92% of the animals infected by the ocular route by 26 days post infection. Of rabbits initially infected in the eyes and then subjected to drug‐induced reactivation, only 30% shed virus, which was limited to a 24 hour period; there was no reappearance of epithelial keratitis, no animal became blind, and none died. In contrast, latently infected control rabbits uniformly reactivated. These studies show that this TK− HSV‐2 strain (i) replicates in the eye, (ii) is neuroinvasive but non‐neurovirulent following intranasal and direct ocular infection; (iii) sheds in the eye more frequently and for longer periods after ocular than after intranasal inoculation; (iv) induces epithelial keratitis that usually heals spontaneously; (v) establishes latency in trigeminal ganglionic neurons, but no other ganglionic cells; and, (vi) reactivates in a small proportion of animals, but does not produce recurrent ocular lesions following drug‐induced immunosuppres‐sion. Thus, the TK gene appears directly involved in HSV latency and reactivation in vivo. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raman spectroscopy of the joaquinite minerals
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Pinto Caroline
Published: March 2007

Selected joaquinite minerals have been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The minerals are categorised into two groups depending upon whether bands occur in the 3250 to 3450 cm−1 region and in the 3450 to 3600 cm−1 region, or in the latter region only. The first set of bands is attributed to water stretching vibrations and the second set to OH stretching bands. In the literature, X‐ray diffraction could not identify the presence of OH units in the structure of joaquinite. Raman spectroscopy proves that the joaquinite mineral group contains OH units in their structure, and in some cases both water and OH units. A series of bands at 1123, 1062, 1031, 971, 912 and 892 cm−1 are assigned to SiO stretching vibrations. Bands above 1000 cm−1 are attributable to the νas modes of the (SiO4)4− and (Si2O7)6− units. Bands that are observed at 738, around 700, 682 and around 668, 621 and 602 cm−1 are attributed to OSiO bending modes. The patterns do not appear to match the published infrared spectral patterns of either (SiO4)4− or (Si2O7)6− units. The reason is attributed to the actual formulation of the joaquinite mineral, in which significant amounts of Ti or Nb and Fe are found. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct enantiomeric separations of tris(2‐phenylpyridine) iridium (III) complexes on polysaccharide derivative‐based chiral stationary phases
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Okamoto Yoshio , Yano Tomohiro , Otsuki Joe
Published: March 2007

A convenient method is presented for the first time for the direct separation of enantiomers of a tris(2‐phenylpyridine) iridium (III) and an analog substituted with long alkoxy chains on polysaccharide derivative‐based chiral stationary phases by HPLC. Tris(2‐phenylpyridine) iridium (III) was separated on the immobilized amylose 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralpak IA) using hexane/CHCl3/CH2Cl2 (75:20:5) as an eluent, and the analog could be separated on the coated cellulose 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD) and cellulose 4‐methylbenzoate (Chiralcel OJ) using hexane/2‐propanol (96:4) as the eluent. CD spectra of the eluted HPLC fractions were also recorded, and the observed mirror image patterns confirm their enantioseparations.
Differential expression of multiple anti‐apoptotic proteins in epidermis of IGF‐1 transgenic mice as revealed by 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Shen Jianjun , Riggs Penny K. , Hensley Sean C. , Schroeder Lisa J. , Traner Angelina R. , Kochan Kelli J. , Person Maria D. , DiGiovanni John
Published: March 2007

Overexpression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) has been associated with a number of human tumors, including breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers. In previous studies, we found that mice overexpressing human IGF‐1 in the basal layer of the epidermis (BK5.IGF‐1 mice) developed skin tumors following treatment with the skin tumor initiator, 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, indicating that IGF‐1 can act as a skin tumor promoter. In the present study, we employed a proteomics approach of two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to profile differentially expressed proteins in skin epidermis between BK5.IGF‐1 transgenic and nontransgenic littermates. Two‐D gels from each of three transgenic and three age/sex matched wild‐type littermates were compared at two different pH ranges. Differentially expressed protein spots were identified by Bio‐Rad's PDQuest image analysis, in‐gel digested, and analyzed on a MALDI‐TOF MS system. A total of 23 proteins were identified as differentially expressed, 17 of them overexpressed in transgenic mice. These proteins included 14‐3‐3 sigma, galectin‐7, an apoptosis‐related protein, three heat shock proteins, four calcium binding proteins, three proteases or protease inhibitors, one actin regulatory capping protein, and translation initiation factor 5A. The differential expression of GRP78, alpha enolase, and galectin‐7 was verified by 1‐D western blot analysis. Two‐D western blot analyses of alpha enolase and galectin‐7 further revealed that alpha enolase had more than one protein spot dependent on charge. The current data suggest that some of the differentially expressed proteins may play a role in the tumor promoting action of IGF‐1 in mouse skin. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic intracellular survivin in oral squamous cell carcinoma: underlying molecular mechanism and potential as an early prognostic marker
Authors: Engels K , Knauer SK , Metzler D , Simf C , Struschka O , Bier C , Mann W , Kovács AF , Stauber RH
Published: March 2007

Survivin functions as an apoptosis inhibitor and a regulator of cell division in many tumours. The intracellular localization of survivin in tumours has been suggested as a prognostic marker. However, current reports are inconsistent and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. The present study has examined the localization and prognostic value of nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin in the pre‐therapeutic biopsies from 71 oral and oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Statistical analysis indicated that preferential nuclear versus cytoplasmic survivin correlated with favourable versus unfavourable disease outcome. Uni‐ and multi‐variate analysis showed that in contrast to total survivin expression, the difference between nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin was a strong predictor for relapse‐free survival (p = 0.0003). As a potential underlying molecular mechanism, it is shown in OSCC cell lines that predominantly cytoplasmic survivin mediates protection against chemo‐ and radio‐therapy‐induced apoptosis. Importantly, the cytoplasmic localization of survivin is regulated by its nuclear export signal (NES), and export‐deficient nuclear survivin is not cytoprotective. This study suggests that the difference between cytoplasmic and nuclear survivin is an indicator for survivin activity in tumour cells. Thus, this difference may serve as a predictive marker of outcome in OSCC patients undergoing multi‐modality therapy. The pharmacogenetic interference with survivin's cytoplasmic localization is also to be pursued as a potential therapeutic strategy. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epoxidized natural rubber‐bonded para rubber wood particleboard
Authors: Thongnuanchan B. , Nokkaew K. , Kaesaman A. , Nakason C.
Published: March 2007

Para rubber wood particleboard (PB) was prepared using NR based adhesives and hot pressing processes. Two types of NR based adhesives were used; epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and unmodified NR. The ENR latex was prepared using in situ performic epoxidation. Molecular weight of the ENR molecules was then reduced by incorporating of a reducing agent; sodium nitrite solution. A chain scission reaction and epoxidation simultaneous occurred via a chain‐scission parallel epoxidation mechanism. Sulphur and multifunctional amine (i.e., hexamethoxymethylmelamine) curing systems were used to cure the adhesives. It was found that the hexamethoxymethylmelamine gave the PB with higher tensile strength than that of the sulphur vulcanization system. Furthermore, the tensile strength increased with increasing concentration of citric acid in the compounding formulation. Adhesion of the ENR adhesive with Parawood sawdust was observed to imporve by reducing molecular weight of the ENR molecules. That is, the highest tensile strength of the PB was observed for the ENR adhesive with the lowest
$ {\overline {M}_{n}} $
(i.e., 1.10 × 105). This may be attributed to the adhesive with lower molecular weight exhibited greater ability to wet or cover the wood particle surfaces. As a consequence, greater chemical interaction between the adhesive and the wood particles was observed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:421–428, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Surface and interfacial properties of poly(amic acid)s and polyimides
Authors: Ioan Silvia , Cosutchi Andreea Irina , Hulubei Camelia , Macocinschi Doina , Ioanid Ghiocel
Published: March 2007

The correlation between surface tension parameters and the chemical composition of poly(amic acid) and polyimide films, before and after plasma treatment, was investigated. Calculations are based on the geometric mean approach according to Owens, Wendt, Rabel, and Kälble, on the Lifshitz‐van der Waals acid/base approach according to Van Oss, Good, and Chaudhury, as well as on the theoretical method which implies the quantitative structure–property relationships. The polar components for all films investigated contribute significantly to the total surface tensions, as due to the large electron‐donor interactions. Plasma treatment alters the surface energy of samples, changing their surface polarity and wettability. Surface wettability and hydrophilicity trends for poly(amic acid)s and their polyimides were also studied by means of the free energy of hydration between compounds and water. These properties recommend the polyimides as excellent materials for electrical compounds and biomaterials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:381–389, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Surface segregation of siloxane containing component in polysiloxane‐block‐polyimide and s‐BPDA/ODA polyimide blends
Authors: Rimdusit Sarawut , Benjapan Wanpen , Assabumrungrat Suttichai , Takeichi Tsutomu , Yokota Rikio
Published: March 2007

Surface segregation in polymer blend systems between 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride/4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (s‐BPDA/ODA) polyimide and block copolymer based on polysiloxane‐block‐polyimide (SPI) has been investigated. These polyimide blends, having various compositions of the SPI, were processed by a solution casting method. The glass substrate used in the film‐casting process shows significant effect on the migration of surface segregated species to enrich the air‐exposed surface, whereas the more polar s‐BPDA/ODA tends to remain close to the polar glass substrate. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that even at low SPI concentration, the siloxane moieties in the block copolymer tend to segregate into the air side surface. Contact angle measurement evidently indicates an enrichment of the hydrophobic siloxane fraction on the blend film surface. The average water contact angle of glass side surface is 77°C whereas that of the air side is about 102°C in every blend ratio. This behavior confirms the surface segregation phase separation in these polymer blends. Finally, the surface morphology observed by atomic force microscopy also suggests segregation type of phase separation in these blend systems. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:489–498, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Role of reactive compatibilization in preparation of nanosilica/polypropylene composites
Authors: Zhou Hong Jun , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu , Ruan Wen Hong , Friedrich Klaus
Published: March 2007

The effect of reactive compatibilization on the mechanical properties of nanosilica filled polypropylene (PP) composites was studied in this work. First, the nanoparticles were grafted with poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) by solution free‐radical polymerization, and then melt blended together with PP matrix and aminated PP (PP‐g‐NH2) that acts as reactive compatibilizer. The reaction between epoxide groups of the grafted PGMA on the nanoparticles and amine groups of PP‐g‐NH2 during compounding greatly improved interfacial interaction in the composites. As a result, tensile strength, Young's modulus, and notch impact strength of PP composites were increased at rather low filler content. The experimental results indicated that the reinforcing and toughening effects were controlled by flexibility of the grafted polymer as well as processing methods. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:499–509, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Series resistance characterization of industrial silicon solar cells with screen‐printed contacts using hotmelt paste
Authors: Mette A. , Pysch D. , Emanuel G. , Erath D. , Preu R. , Glunz S. W.
Published: March 2007

This work presents the results of a detailed series resistance characterization of silicon solar cells with screen‐printed front contacts using hotmelt silver paste. Applying the hotmelt technology energy conversion efficiencies up to 18·0% on monocrystalline wafers with a size of 12·5 cm × 12·5 cm have been achieved, an increase of 0·3% absolute compared to cells with conventional screen‐printed contacts. This is mainly due to the reduction in the finger resistance to values as low as 14 Ω/m, which reduces the series resistance of the solar cell significantly. To retrieve the lumped series resistance as accurately as possible under the operating condition, different determination methods have been analyzed. Methods under consideration were fitting of the two‐diode equation function to a dark IV‐curve, integration of the area A under an IV‐curve, comparison of ajsc–Vocwith a one‐sun IV‐curve, comparison of thejscandVocpoints of a shaded curve with the one‐sun IV‐curve as well as comparison of a dark IV‐curve with a one‐sun IV‐curve, and comparison of IV‐curves measured at different light intensities. The performed investigations have shown that the latter four methods all resulted in reliable series resistance values. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A moving screw dislocation interacting with an imperfect piezoelectric bimaterial interface
Authors: Wang X. , Pan E.
Published: March 2007

Closed‐form solutions in terms of exponential integrals are derived for a constantly moving screw dislocation in a piezoelectric bimaterial with an imperfect interface. The imperfect interface discussed here is mechanically compliant and dielectrically weakly (or highly) conducting. The electroelastic fields due to the moving dislocation, such as stresses, strains, electric displacements and electric fields, are obtained for this bimaterial. The solutions derived here are valid when the moving velocity of the screw dislocation is below the Bleustein–Gulyaev wave speeds of the two piezoelectric half‐planes. This restriction is different from that in a perfectly bonded bimaterial where the moving velocity of the screw dislocation is below the piezoelectrically stiffened bulk shear wave speeds of the two piezoelectric half‐planes. Numerical results are also presented to demonstrate the influence of the interface imperfection and the velocity of the moving dislocation on the electroelastic fields in the piezoelectric bimaterial. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Signal transduction in vestibular adaptation to microgravity – A still unsolved problem
Authors: Horn Eberhard R.
Published: March 2007

In men and monkeys as well as adult and developing fish (Fundulus heteroclictus, Opsanus tau, Xiphophorus helleri), amphibian (Rana catesbeiana, Xenopus laevis) and rodents, microgravity cause significant behavioral, physiological and psychophysical sensitivity changes within the vestibular system. Some of these observations point to sensitization of the vestibular system during exposure to weightlessness. The review presents mechanisms that might contribute to vestibular sensitization during microgravity adaptation. They include (1) stimulus transduction within vestibular hair cells, (2) activation of immediate early genes within central afferent and efferent vestibular nuclei, and (3) modifications of cellular transcription factors' activity during early development.
NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) interacts with and is regulated by calmodulin
Authors: Tirone Fabiana , Cox Jos A.
Published: March 2007

Superoxide generation by NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) is regulated by Ca2+ through intramolecular activation of the C‐terminal catalytic domain by the EF‐hand‐containing N‐terminal regulatory domain. The C terminus contains a consensus calmodulin‐binding domain (CaMBD), which, however, is not the binding site of the N‐terminal regulatory domain. Here we show by pull down, cross‐linking, fluorimetry and by enzymatic assays, that calmodulin binds to this CaMBD in a Ca2+‐dependent manner, changes its conformation and increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of the N terminus‐regulated enzymatic activity. This mechanism represents an additional sophistication in the regulation of superoxide production by NOX5.
Glu 69 is essential for the high sensitivity of muscle fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase inhibition by calcium ions
Authors: Zarzycki Marek , Maciaszczyk Ewa , Dzugaj Andrzej
Published: March 2007

Muscle fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (FBPase) is highly sensitive toward inhibition by AMP and calcium ions. In allosteric inhibition by AMP, a loop 52–72 plays a decisive role. This loop is a highly conservative region in muscle and liver FBPases. It is feasible that the same region is involved in the inhibition by calcium ions. To test this hypothesis, chemical modification, limited proteolysis and site directed mutagenesis Glu69/Gln were employed. The chemical modification of Lys71–72 and the proteolytic cleavage of the loop resulted in the significant decrease of the muscle FBPase sensitivity toward inhibition by calcium ions. The mutation of Glu69
→ Gln resulted in a 500‐fold increase of muscle isozyme I
0.5 vs. calcium ions. These results demonstrate the key role that the 52–72 amino acid loop plays in determining the sensitivity of FBPase to inhibition by AMP and calcium ions.
Asian dust initiated early spring bloom in the northern East/Japan Sea
Authors: Jo Chun Ok , Lee Jae‐Young , Park Kyung‐Ae , Kim Young Ho , Kim Kyung‐Ryul
Published: March 2007

Data for the TOMS aerosol index and SeaWiFS chlorophyll a clearly indicate that an early spring bloom in the northern East/Japan Sea can be initiated during the Asian dust event in association with precipitation. Spring bloom is normally initiated in this area as the surface mixed layer becomes shallower than critical depth, in accordance with Sverdrup's critical depth hypothesis. However, after the passage of Asian dust accompanied by precipitation, spring bloom was initiated about one month earlier than the bloom during non‐dust event years. We found that deepening of critical depth coincided with the early spring bloom observed during wet‐dust events. This early initiation of spring bloom indicates that the supply of bio‐available nutrients such as iron through wet deposition induces deepening of the critical depth, which results in such an early initiation of the bloom in the area.
Property loss potentials for European midlatitude storms in a changing climate
Authors: Leckebusch Gregor C. , Ulbrich Uwe , Fröhlich Luise , Pinto Joaquim G.
Published: March 2007

Winter storms of the midlatitudes are an important factor for property losses caused by natural hazards over Europe. The storm series in early 1990 and late 1999 led to enormous economic damages and insured claims. Although significant trends in North Atlantic/European storm activity have not been identified for the last few decades, recent studies provide evidence that under anthropogenic climate change the number of extreme storms could increase, whereas the total number of cyclones may be slightly reduced. In this study, loss potentials derived from an ensemble of climate models using a simple storm damage model under climate change conditions are shown. For the United Kingdom and Germany ensemble‐mean storm‐related losses are found to increase by up to 37%. Furthermore, the interannual variability of extreme events will increase leading to a higher risk of extreme storm activity and related losses.
Specificity and Evolvability in Eukaryotic Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Beltrao Pedro , Serrano Luis
Published: March 2007

Progress in uncovering the protein interaction networks of several species has led to questions of what underlying principles might govern their organization. Few studies have tried to determine the impact of protein interaction network evolution on the observed physiological differences between species. Using comparative genomics and structural information, we show here that eukaryotic species have rewired their interactomes at a fast rate of approximately 10?5 interactions changed per protein pair, per million years of divergence. For Homo sapiens this corresponds to 103 interactions changed per million years. Additionally we find that the specificity of binding strongly determines the interaction turnover and that different biological processes show significantly different link dynamics. In particular, human proteins involved in immune response, transport, and establishment of localization show signs of positive selection for change of interactions. Our analysis suggests that a small degree of molecular divergence can give rise to important changes at the network level. We propose that the power law distribution observed in protein interaction networks could be partly explained by the cell's requirement for different degrees of protein binding specificity.
Molecular dynamics simulation study on substrate temperature dependence of sputtering yields for an organic polymer under ion bombardment
Authors: Yamashiro Masashi , Yamada Hideaki , Hamaguchi Satoshi
Published: March 2007

Substrate temperature dependence of sputtering yields in organic polymer etching processes has been examined with the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulation results indicate that structural weakness arising from high substrate temperatures alone is not sufficient to account for the experimentally observed strong dependence of sputtering yields on substrate temperatures. In other words, thermal desorption is likely to increase significantly at high substrate temperatures in reactive ion etching processes of organic polymers.
Radial and poloidal particle and energy fluxes in a turbulent non-Ohmic plasma: An ion-cyclotron resonance heating case
Authors: Pometescu N. , Weyssow B.
Published: March 2007

The combined effect of the turbulence and of the external radio-frequency heating on the radial and poloidal components of the ion particle and energy fluxes in magnetically confined plasma is analyzed analytically from the drift kinetic equation. These two components of the transport are derived in terms of the thermodynamic forces and of correlations of fluctuating quantities using the methodology of neoclassical transport theory based on the tokamak standard model of confining magnetic field. The ion cyclotron heating is specifically considered since, to first order, the electron dynamics may be neglected. The formalism is applied to different types of instabilities in order to quantify the role of the heating versus turbulence on the transport.
Spectroscopic properties and Judd-Ofelt theory analysis of Dy3+ doped oxyfluoride silicate glass
Authors: Duan Zhongchao , Zhang Junjie , Hu Lili
Published: March 2007

Dy 3 + doped oxyfluoride silicate glass was prepared and its optical absorption, 1.3μm emission, and upconversion luminescence properties were studied. Furthermore, the Judd-Ofelt [Phys. Rev. 127, 750 (1962); J. Chem. Phys. 37, 511 (1962)] intensity parameters, oscillator strengths, spontaneous transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and radiative lifetime were calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory, while stimulated emission cross section of H9∕26+F11∕26→H15∕26 transition was calculated by McCumber theory [Phys. Rev. A. 134, 299 (1964)]. According to the obtained Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2=2.69×10−20cm2, Ω4=1.64×10−20cm2, and Ω6=1.64×10−20cm2, the radiative lifetime was calculated to be 810μs for 1.3μm emission, whose full width at half maximum and σe were 115nm and 2.21×10−20cm2, respectively. In addition, near infrared to visible upconversion luminescence was observed and evaluated. The results suggest that Dy3+ doped oxyfluoride silicate glass can be used as potential host material for developing broadband optical amplifiers and laser applications.
Stimulated trapped electron acoustic wave scattering, electromagnetic soliton and ion vortices in intense laser interaction with subcritical plasmas
Authors: Li Baiwen , Ishiguro S. , Škorić M. M. , Sato T.
Published: March 2007

Stimulated trapped electron acoustic wave scattering by a linearly polarized intense laser in a subcritical plasma is studied by particle simulation. The scattering process is a three-wave parametric decay of the laser pump into a critical Stokes electromagnetic sideband wave and the trapped electron acoustic wave. As the ion acoustic wave grows in time, it breaks locally, followed by a large relativistic electromagnetic soliton. A new phenomenon, MeV ion vortex in ion phase space, forms by local electromagnetic and electrostatic fields inside the soliton. It is found that the electron acoustic wave mode is similar to the kinetic electrostatic electron nonlinear waves.
Experimental verification of nonconstant potential and density on magnetic surfaces of helical nonneutral plasmas
Authors: Himura H. , Wakabayashi H. , Yamamoto Y. , Isobe M. , Okamura S. , Matsuoka K. , Sanpei A. , Masamune S.
Published: March 2007

For the first time, nonconstant space potential ϕs and electron density ne on magnetic surfaces of helical nonneutral plasmas are observed experimentally. The variation of ϕs grows with increasing electron injection energy, implying that thermal effects are important when considering the force balance along magnetic field lines. These observations confirm the existence of plasma equilibrium having nonconstant ϕs and ne on magnetic surfaces of helical nonneutral plasmas.
Theoretical study of the double Renner effect for ÃΠ2 MgNC∕MgCN: Higher excited rovibrational states
Authors: Odaka Tina Erica , Melnikov Vladlen V. , Jensen Per , Hirano Tsuneo , Lang Bruno , Langer Peter
Published: March 2007

The authors report here the implementation of a newly developed, highly efficient matrix diagonalization routine in the DR program [T. E. Odaka et al., J. Mol. Struct. 795, 14 (2006)]. The DR program solves the rovibronic Schrödinger equation for a triatomic molecule with a double Renner effect, i.e., with two accessible linear arrangements of the nuclei at which the electronic energy is doubly degenerate. With the new routines, the authors can extend the DR calculations of rovibronic energies for ÃΠ2 MgNC/MgCN by considering a much larger set of rovibronic states, in particular, states at higher J values, than the authors were able to access previously.
Systematic investigation of two-dimensional static array sums
Authors: McPhedran R. C. , Botten L. C. , Nicorovici N. A. , Zucker I. J.
Published: March 2007

We discuss general properties of doubly periodic sums over the square lattice, linking phased, Bloch-type sums in the direct lattice with displaced sums in the reciprocal lattice using the Poisson summation formula. We discuss cardinal points, where the sums reduce to a single product of Dirichlet L functions, and exhibit all cardinal points for the square lattice. We introduce a new method for evaluating lattice sums and illustrate this by solving low order systems of sums of integer order 2,3,4,5. For the last case, the analytic expressions for the sums involve complementary L functions, or alternatively L functions with complex characters.
In-plane rigid-body vibration mode characterization with a nanometer resolution by stroboscopic imaging of a microstructured pattern
Authors: Sandoz Patrick , Friedt Jean-Michel , Carry Emile
Published: March 2007

This article introduces an improved approach for the characterization of in-plane rigid-body vibration, based on digital processing of stroboscopic images of the moving part. The method involves a sample preparation step, in order to pattern a periodic microstructure on the vibrating device, for instance, by focused ion beam milling. An image processing method has then been developed to perform the optimum reconstruction of this a priori known object feature. In-plane displacement and rotation are deduced simultaneously with a high resolution (10−2 pixel and 0.5×10−3 rad, respectively). The measurement principle combines phase measurements—that provide the high resolution—with correlation—that unwraps the phase with the proper phase constants. The vibration modes of a tuning fork are used for demonstrating the capabilities of the method. For applications allowing the sample preparation, the proposed methodology is more convenient than common interference methods or image processing techniques for the characterization of the vibration modes, even for amplitudes in the nanometer range.