bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of cyanobacterial non-coding RNAs by comparative genome analysis
Authors: Axmann Ilka M , Kensche Philip , Vogel Jörg , Kohl Stefan , Herzel Hanspeter , Hess Wolfgang R
Published: August 2005

Background

Whole genome sequencing of marine cyanobacteria has revealed an unprecedented degree of genomic variation and streamlining. With a size of 1.66 megabase-pairs, Prochlorococcus sp. MED4 has the most compact of these genomes and it is enigmatic how the few identified regulatory proteins efficiently sustain the lifestyle of an ecologically successful marine microorganism. Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) control a plethora of processes in eukaryotes as well as in bacteria; however, systematic searches for ncRNAs are still lacking for most eubacterial phyla outside the enterobacteria.

Results

Based on a computational prediction we show the presence of several ncRNAs (cyanobacterial functional RNA or Yfr) in several different cyanobacteria of the Prochlorococcus-Synechococcus lineage. Some ncRNA genes are present only in two or three of the four strains investigated, whereas the RNAs Yfr2 through Yfr5 are structurally highly related and are encoded by a rapidly evolving gene family as their genes exist in different copy numbers and at different sites in the four investigated genomes. One ncRNA, Yfr7, is present in at least seven other cyanobacteria. In addition, control elements for several ribosomal operons were predicted as well as riboswitches for thiamine pyrophosphate and cobalamin.

Conclusion

This is the first genome-wide and systematic screen for ncRNAs in cyanobacteria. Several ncRNAs were both computationally predicted and their presence was biochemically verified. These RNAs may have regulatory functions and each shows a distinct phylogenetic distribution. Our approach can be applied to any group of microorganisms for which more than one total genome sequence is available for comparative analysis.
Injection-Moulded Models of Major and Minor Arteries: The Variability of Model Wall Thickness Owing to Casting Technique
Authors: O'Brien T , Morris L , O'Donnell M , Walsh M , McGloughlin T
Published: August 2005

Cardiovascular disease of major and minor arteries is a common cause of death in Western society. The wall mechanics and haemodynamics within the arteries are considered to be important factors in the disease formation process. This paper is concerned with the development of an efficient computer-integrated technique to manufacture idealized and realistic models of diseased major and minor arteries from radiological images and to address the issue of model wall thickness variability. Variations in wall thickness from the original computer models to the final castings are quantified using a CCD camera. The results found that wall thickness variation from the major and minor idealized artery models to design specification were insignificant, up to a maximum of 16 per cent. In realistic models, however, differences were up to 23 per cent in the major arterial models and 58 per cent in the minor arterial models, but the wall thickness variability remained within the limits of previously reported wall thickness results. It is concluded that the described injection moulding procedure yields idealized and realistic castings suitable for use in experimental investigations, with idealized models giving better agreement with design. Wall thickness is variable and should be assessed after the models are manufactured.
Regulation of 5′ template usage and incorporation of noncognate nucleotides by human telomerase
Authors: MORIARTY TARA J. , MARIE-EGYPTIENNE DELPHINE T. , AUTEXIER CHANTAL
Published: August 2005

Telomerase accurately synthesizes telomeric DNA by reverse transcription of a tightly defined template region in the telomerase RNA (TR). Reverse transcription past the 5′ boundary of the template can cause the incorporation of noncognate nucleotides into telomeric DNA, which can result in disruption of normal telomere function. The products synthesized by human telomerase do not contain the nucleotide cytosine, which is encoded by an hTR residue 2 nucleotides (nt) 5′ of the template boundary. We examined dCTP incorporation by a series of telomerases reconstituted with N- and C-terminally mutated human telomerase reverse transcriptases (hTERTs). We found that altering sequences in the N-terminal RNA interaction domain 1 (RID1) and C terminus caused dCTP-dependent catalytic phenotypes suggestive of reverse transcription of sequences 5′ of the template boundary. A RID1 mutant that exhibited a dCTP-dependent phenotype interacted less efficiently with a human telomerase RNA (hTR) variant in which the 5′ template boundary-defining P1b element was disrupted, whereas C-terminal mutations did not alter hTR interactions in a P1b-dependent fashion. Disruption of P1b or template linker sequences between P1b and the 5′ template boundary also impaired 5′ template usage in RID1 and C-terminal hTERT mutants. These observations identify overlapping roles for hTR sequences and structures 5′ of the template in regulating both 5′ template boundary definition and 5′ template usage, and implicate hTERT N- and C-terminal regions in 5′ template usage and suppression of noncognate nucleotide incorporation.
Mechanism of Partial Agonism at NMDA Receptors for a Conformationally Restricted Glutamate Analog
Authors: Erreger Kevin , Geballe Matthew T. , Dravid Shashank M. , Snyder James P. , Wyllie David J. A. , Traynelis Stephen F.
Published: August 2005

The NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptor is ubiquitous in mammalian central neurons. Because partial agonists bind to the same site as glutamate but induce less channel activation, these compounds provide an opportunity to probe the mechanism of activation of NMDA-type glutamate receptors. Molecular dynamics simulations and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrate that the partial agonist homoquinolinate interacts differently with binding pocket residues than glutamate. Homoquinolinate and glutamate induce distinct changes in the binding pocket, and the binding pocket exhibits significantly more motion with homoquinolinate bound than with glutamate. Patch-clamp recording demonstrates that single-channel activity induced by glutamate or by homoquinolinate has identical single-channel current amplitude and mean open-channel duration but that homoquinolinate slows activation of channel opening relative to glutamate. We hypothesize that agonist-induced conformational changes in the binding pocket control the efficacy of a subunit-specific activation step that precedes the concerted global change in the receptor-channel complex associated with ion channel opening.
Self-Conscious Modeling (Modellierung bewusster Systeme)
Authors: Bellman Kirstie L.
Published: August 2005

Summury

Increasingly diverse and complex computer-based support underlies critical human processes, such as education, commerce, medicine, science, defense, and government. These systems are fed massive amounts of data and due to the complexity and size of these systems, they are integrating and interfacing with each other with less human oversight. Soon, they will need to build, refine, and elaborate their own models and processes, making more decisions about what information to use in what manner and how to approach problems or goals. Hence, these systems must be able to reason about and report out to us their modeling and processing choices in order to help us monitor and control their operations and interactions. In this paper, we discuss our work on creating reflective systems, and how reflection coupled with “generative processes” and “cognitive instrumentation” will help enable organic computing systems. We then briefly describe our testbed for studying self-conscious modeling.
Evolutionäre Elektronikarchitektur für Kraftfahrzeuge (Evolutionary Electronic Systems for Automobiles)
Authors: Hofmann Peter E. H. , Leboch Stefan F.
Published: August 2005

Ausgehend von der Beobachtung, dass biologische Systeme über eine Vielzahl von Eigenschaften verfügen, die zu sehr widerstandsfähigen und anpassungsfähigen Systemen führen, die scheinbar mühelos mit Veränderungen jeder Art umgehen können wird in diesem Artikel ein Ansatz vorgestellt, der zeigt, wie die Prinzipien der Selbstorganisation auf technische Systeme übertragen werden können. Basierend auf der Idee von autonomen Einheiten, die sich zu einem Verbund kooperierender Einheiten zusammenschließen und so ein föderatives System bilden, welches in der Lage ist, sich dynamisch an neue Gegebenheiten anzupassen, findet dieser Forschungsansatz seine Anwendung in einem von Studenten konstruierten mechatronischen Demonstrationsfahrzeug.
Softwarelokalisierung (Software Localization)
Authors: Fissgus Ursula , Seewald-Heeg Uta
Published: August 2005

Entwicklung von Software für den globalen Markt setzt Softwarelokalisierung, d.h. die Anpassung der Software an Sprache und Kultur des Zielmarktes, voraus. Der vorliegende Artikel skizziert die Entwicklung der Softwarelokalisierung, beschreibt die daraus resultierenden Implikationen für den Softwareentwicklungsprozess, analysiert Werkzeuge und Standards und thematisiert die für eine erfolgreiche Softwarelokalisierung notwendigen Kompetenzen sowie Aus- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten.
Sorption of radiocobalt on pottery
Authors: Helal Abd-Allah A. , Aly Hisham F. , Khalifa Salah M. , Ahmad Mohammad I.
Published: August 2005

Removal of the radioactive tracer60Co from solution using pottery and its raw material (potter's clay) was studied at different conditions. The results confirmed that pottery (as a natural cheap material) has a high ability to sorb the radiotracer. The rate of sorption was found to increase with increasing surface area of the sorbent, shaking time, amount of sorbent and pH of the aqueous solution. The sorption by the potter's clay material was found to be slightly higher than the pottery, because of the presence of humic, and other organic, materials. The capacity of the sorbents for the sorption of Co2+was found 10.35, 9.68, mmole metal/g sorbent for raw and pottery, respectively. The sorption behavior is described by a Freundlich type isotherm, within the experimental Co2+concentrations used. The sorption mechanism was suggested to occurviaadsorption and ion exchange.

By using a pottery container (pot) as a filtering device, low level radioactive waste solution containing60Co +(152,154)Eu or60Co +(152,154)Eu +65Zn were completely decontaminated.
Approximations of empirical probability generating processes
Authors: Szűcs Gábor
Published: August 2005

First we polish an argument of Rémillard and Theodorescu for the weak convergence of the empirical probability generating process. Then we prove a general inequality between probability generating processes and the corresponding empirical processes, which readily implies a rate of convergence and trivializes the problem of weak convergence: whenever the empirical process or its non-parametric bootstrap version, or the parametric estimated empirical process or its bootstrap version converges, so does the corresponding probability generating process. Derivatives of the generating process are also considered.
Carbonic Anhydrase-Related Protein VIII Deficiency Is Associated With a Distinctive Lifelong Gait Disorder in Waddles Mice
Authors: Jiao Yan , Yan Jian , Zhao Yu , Donahue Leah Rae , Beamer Wesley G , Li Xinmin , Roe Bruce A , LeDoux Mark S , Gu Weikuan
Published: August 2005

The waddles (wdl) mouse is a unique animal model that exhibits ataxia and appendicular dystonia without pathological abnormalities of either the central or the peripheral nervous systems. A 19-bp deletion in exon 8 of the carbonic anhydrase-related protein VIII gene (Car8) was detected by high-throughput temperature-gradient capillary electrophoresis heteroduplex analysis of PCR amplicons of genes and ESTs within the wdl locus on mouse chromosome 4. Although regarded as a member of the carbonic anhydrase gene family, the encoded protein (CAR8) has no reported enzymatic activity. In normal mice, CAR8 is abundantly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells as well as in several other cell groups. Compatible with nonsense-mediated decay of mutant transcripts, CAR8 is virtually absent in mice homozygous for the wdl mutation. These data indicate that the wdl mouse is a Car8 null mutant and that CAR8 plays a central role in motor control.
Disentangling Linkage Disequilibrium and Linkage From Dense Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Trio Data
Authors: Clarke Geraldine M , Cardon Lon R
Published: August 2005

Parent-offspring trios are widely collected for disease gene-mapping studies and are being extensively genotyped as part of the International HapMap Project. With dense maps of markers on trios, the effects of LD and linkage can be separated, allowing estimation of recombination rates in a model-free setting. Here we define a model-free multipoint method on the basis of dense sequence polymorphism data from parent-offspring trios to estimate intermarker recombination rates. We use simulations to show that this method has up to 92% power to detect recombination hotspots of intensity 25 times background over a region of size 10 kb typed at density 1 marker per 2.5 kb and almost 100% power to detect large hotspots of intensity >125 times background over regions of size 10 kb typed with just 1 marker per 5 kb (α = 0.05). We found strong agreement at megabase scales between estimates from our method applied to HapMap trio data and estimates from the genetic map. At finer scales, using Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) pedigree data across a 10-Mb region of chromosome 20, a comparison of population recombination rate estimates obtained from our method with estimates obtained using a coalescent-based approximate-likelihood method implemented in PHASE 2.0 shows detection of the same coldspots and most hotspots: The Spearman rank correlation between the estimates from our method and those from PHASE is 0.58 (p < 2.2−16).
Measurements of FRET in a Glucose‐sensitive Affinity System with Frequency‐domain Lifetime Spectroscopy
Authors: Liang Feng , Pan Tianshu , Sevick‐Muraca Eva M.
Published: August 2005

We report measurements of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for glucose sensing in an established concanavalin A–dextran affinity system using frequency‐domain lifetime spectroscopy. A dextran (MW 2000000) labeled with a small fluorescent donor molecule, Alexa Fluor 568, was used to competitively bind to a sugar‐binding protein, concanavalin A, labeled with acceptor molecule, Alexa Fluor 647, in the presence of glucose. The FRET‐quenching kinetics of the donor were analyzed from frequency‐domain measurements as a function of both glucose and acceptor‐protein concentrations using a Förster‐type decay kinetics model. The results show that the frequency‐domain measurements and donor decay kinetics can quantitatively indicate changes in the competitive binding of 0.09 μM dextran to labeled concanavalin A at a solution concentration of 10.67 μM in the presence of glucose at concentrations ranging from 0 to 224 mg/dL.
Air travel in pregnancy
Authors: Kingman Charlotte EC , Economides Demetrios L
Published: August 2005

Air travel is becoming increasingly popular and, as a result, the number of pregnant women travelling on long‐haul flights has increased. There are a number of factors that pregnant women should consider when deciding whether to travel by air. This review highlights the different factors that should be discussed when advising patients whether it is safe for them to travel by air during pregnancy. General considerations include insurance, appropriate vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. However, there are also more specific considerations relating to particular risks such as preterm labour and venous thromboembolism.
HIV and pregnancy
Authors: Moore Antonia L , Madge Sara , Johnson Margaret A
Published: August 2005

The number of HIV‐positive heterosexuals in the UK is rising and there are increasing numbers of HIV‐positive individuls wishing to start families. Without intervention, the risk of mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is between 15‐25%, yet with anti‐retroviral therapy, elective caesarean section delivery and avoidance of breastfeeding this can be reduced to under 2%. It is, therefore, important that patients are aware of their HIV status and that obstetricians are aware of the advances in anti‐retroviral therapy and other measures that can minimise the risk of HIV infection in the neonate.
Post IVF syndrome? Psychological implications of failed IVF
Authors: Bryson Caroline A , Traub Anthony I
Published: August 2005

The number of couples, of childbearing age, seeking assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatment is increasing. This has led to a growing interest in the psychological impact of ART, both during and following treatment. A large number of factors contribute to psychological morbidity following failed ART treatment, which makes it difficult to quantify and study. It has been demonstrated that couples can experience psychological dysfunction several years after the cessation of unsuccessful treatment. It is, therefore, important that couples are counselled with regard to coping with treatment failure and long‐term childlessness in addition to aspects relating to fertility treatment.
A clinical approach to heart disease in pregnancy; Part 2: specific considerations in management
Authors: Chia Patrick , Chia Hendrick , Subramaniam Raman
Published: August 2005

Part 1 of this article discussed the classification, physiological changes in pregnancy, investigations and some general aspects in the management of heart disease in pregnancy. Part 2 will now discuss the specific management with reference to each classification in terms of their risks, giving examples of clinical cases.
Soil–geotextile filter interaction under high stress levels in the gradient ratio test
Authors: Palmeira E. M. , Gardoni M. G. , Bessa da Luz D. W.
Published: August 2005

This paper presents the results of gradient ratio tests on different soil–geotextile systems under normal stresses up to 2000 kPa. Different types of soil and geotextiles were tested, and the soil particles that passed through the geotextile and those retained in it were collected for particle size analyses. The results obtained show that the use of definitions of gradient ratio based on the measurement of water heads close to the geotextile layer can be useful for a better identification of geotextile-clogging mechanisms. The entrapment of soil particles in the geotextile increases its retaining capacity and alters the conditions for further clogging. The dimensions of the entrapped soil particles can be greater than the geotextile pore dimensions under unconfined conditions and are controlled by soil and geotextile characteristics and by the soil sample preparation technique employed. The results suggest that current retention and permeability criteria for geotextile filters can be excessively conservative. Discussions on geotextile performance in the test and under field conditions are also presented as well as limitations and new proposals for the interpretation of the gradient ratio test.
Equations for calculating the rate of liquid flow through geomembrane defects of uniform width and finite or infinite length
Authors: Giroud J. P. , Touze-Foltz N.
Published: August 2005

This paper presents equations for calculating the rate of liquid flow through defects in the geomembrane component of a composite liner. The considered defects have a uniform width and have a length that is finite or infinite. Two types of defects are considered: narrow defects such as tears, cuts and defective seams, and wide defects, such as damaged wrinkles. As a first step, the paper presents a new expression for a previously published equation for the rate of liquid flow through an infinitely long defect in the geomembrane component of a composite liner. This new expression is significantly simpler than the original equation. The new expression is then combined with empirical equations for the rate of liquid flow through a circular defect in the geomembrane component of a composite liner to obtain equations for the rate of liquid flow through a defect of finite length in the geomembrane component of a composite liner. The rate of flow through defects of finite length comprises two components: flow that takes place over the length of the defect and flow that takes place at the two ends of the defect. A parametric study shows that, in most cases, a large fraction of the flow takes place at the ends of defects of finite length. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to do a two-dimensional calculation, thereby neglecting flow at the ends of the defect. Examples of use of the proposed equations are presented.
Properties of self-compacting and conventional concrete – differences and similarities
Authors: Leemann A. , Hoffmann C.
Published: August 2005

The self-compacting concrete (SCC) used in Switzerland usually has a relatively low binder content and its rheological properties are characterised by a low viscosity and a high yield stress. Up to the present it has been mainly used for walls. An important condition for its application is a knowledge of the resulting properties and how they compare with conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC). In this study nine different SCC mixtures having the volume of paste and the ratio between sand and gravel as variables were compared with four different mixtures of CVC. Compressive strength, flexural strength, E-modulus, gas permeability, shrinkage and creep were measured. The relative amount of paste caused differences in the properties of the two types of concrete. SCC displayed a lower E-modulus, a higher shrinkage and higher creep rate at an identical compressive strength. Properties that are mainly controlled by the water: binder ratio such as compressive strength, flexural strength and oxygen permeability were similar for SCC and CVC.
Flow Cytometric Sorting of Fresh and Frozen‐Thawed Spermatozoa in the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Authors: O'Brien J.K. , Stojanov T. , Crichton E.G. , Evans K.M. , Leigh D. , Maxwell W.M.C. , Evans G. , Loskutoff N.M.
Published: August 2005

We adapted flow cytometry technology for high‐purity sorting of X chromosome‐bearing spermatozoa in the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Our objectives were to develop methodologies for liquid storage of semen prior to sorting, sorting of liquid‐stored and frozen‐thawed spermatozoa, and assessment of sorting accuracy. In study 1, the in vitro sperm characteristics of gorilla ejaculates from one male were unchanged (P>0.05) after 8 hr of liquid storage at 15°C in a non‐egg yolk diluent (HEPES‐buffered modified Tyrode's medium). In study 2, we examined the efficacy of sorting fresh and frozen‐thawed spermatozoa using human spermatozoa as a model for gorilla spermatozoa. Ejaculates from one male were split into fresh and frozen aliquots. X‐enriched samples derived from both fresh and frozen‐thawed human semen were of high purity, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH; 90.7%±2.3%, overall), and contained a high proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (86.0%±1.0%, overall). In study 3, we processed liquid‐stored semen from two gorillas for sorting using a modification of methods for human spermatozoa. The sort rate for enrichment of X‐bearing spermatozoa was 7.3±2.5 spermatozoa per second. The X‐enriched samples were of high purity (single‐sperm PCR: 83.7%) and normal morphology (79.0%±3.9%). In study 4 we examined frozen‐thawed gorilla semen, and the sort rate (8.3±2.9 X‐bearing sperm/sec), purity (89.7%), and normal morphology (81.4%±3.4%) were comparable to those of liquid‐stored semen. Depending on the male and the type of sample used (fresh or frozen‐thawed), 0.8–2.2% of gorilla spermatozoa in the processed ejaculate were present in the X‐enriched sample. These results demonstrate that fresh or frozen‐thawed gorilla spermatozoa can be flow cytometrically sorted into samples enriched for X‐bearing spermatozoa. Am. J. Primatol. 66:297–315, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of male residency and intergroup transfer in gray‐cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena)
Authors: Olupot William , Waser Peter M.
Published: August 2005

We describe the movements and fates of 36 collared gray‐cheeked male mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena) that resided in seven social groups in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The male mangabeys were captured, radiotagged, and then contacted regularly over a period of up to 8 years. Individuals varied considerably in how tightly they were associated with their groups. “Central” males were usually found in close spatial association with their own groups, but they sometimes visited others. “Peripheral” males were often found several hundred meters away from their own groups. Most adult males were characterized by repeated intergroup transfers, manifested as “visits” and “dispersals.” Visits were transfers that did not result in mating. The visits were brief, and ranged from a few minutes to a few days before the male returned to his previous group, moved on to another group, or returned to solitary life. The term “dispersal” refers to a transfer that results in mating, after which the male remains in the new group. Young males began to drift away from their natal groups in early subadulthood, but the timing of first associations with estrous females in other groups was highly variable. Natal dispersers were generally solitary for a month or more, and at least half moved into nonadjacent groups. Secondary dispersal was common. After they immigrated, adult males remained in a group for a median of 19 months before they emigrated again, with the probability of departure being approximately constant in time. Secondary dispersal was usually made into an adjacent group and lasted less than 7 days. Emigration and immigration were not seasonal, and males emigrated singly and apparently independently; however, immigrations were clumped in time, and male dispersal contributed to considerable heterogeneity of group composition.L. albigenadispersal patterns are intermediate between those described forPapiobaboons and forestCercopithecus, and models that predict demographic consequences of dispersal for baboons can be refined to apply to mangabeys. Am. J. Primatol. 66:331–349, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of anogenital swelling size and their endocrine correlates during ovulatory cycles and early pregnancy in free‐ranging barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) of Gibraltar
Authors: Möhle U. , Heistermann M. , Dittami J. , Reinberg V. , Hodges J.K.
Published: August 2005

In macaques and other cercopithecoid primates, large anogenital swellings (AS) are generally found only in those species in which reproduction is not seasonally restricted. In this respect, the Barbary macaque is unusual because while it shows a marked degree of reproductive seasonality, it also exhibits a striking, exaggerated swelling of the circumanal region and labia. Information on the characteristics of AS in female Barbary macaques is limited in that it is largely based on semiquantitative assessments of swelling size, and there are no data on endocrine parameters associated with AS during ovulatory cycles or early pregnancy. In the present study, we combined quantitative measurements of four swelling size parameters (AS width, height, and depth, and labial width) using a video‐imaging technique with fecal estrogen and progestagen determinations in free‐ranging females of the Gibraltar Barbary macaque population to 1) characterize the pattern of AS throughout the mating season and early gestation, and 2) examine the relationships among changes in swelling size and endocrine parameters. The patterns of all four swelling parameters correlated significantly with one another, although measures of AS depth and labial width were difficult to obtain. Using the product of AS height and width, the data demonstrate that the occurrence of AS is highly seasonal, with pronounced cyclical changes during the mating season and early pregnancy. Furthermore, the swelling cycles are characterized by progressive size increases from the early to the late follicular phase, in association with an elevated estrogen:progestagen (E:P) ratio, with ovulation occurring during the maximum swelling phase. The results also demonstrated a conspicuous postconception increase in swelling between days 18–30 of gestation. The postconception swellings were on average 80% of the size of that of the conception cycles, and were preceded by a large increase in fecal estrogen levels and the E:P ratio. This is the first study to characterize swelling patterns and their endocrine correlates during ovarian cycles and early pregnancy in naturally reproducing female Barbary macaques. The data provide a solid basis for further studies to explore sociosexual behavioral patterns and the functional significance of AS in this species. Am. J. Primatol. 66:351–368, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leaping behavior of Pithecia pithecia and Chiropotes satanas in eastern Venezuela
Authors: Walker Suzanne E.
Published: August 2005

I observed leaping behavior in the white‐faced saki (Pithecia pithecia) and the black‐bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas satanas) for 15 and 10 months, respectively, as part of a larger study of positional behavior in the tribe Pitheciini. I used focal animal instantaneous sampling to observe the two species on separate islands in their natural habitat at Guri Lake, Venezuela. Leaping behavior correlates with patterns of forest use and body size, and differences between the species relate more to habitat preferences than to habitat differences per se. Pithecia usually chose vertical or highly angled supports of lower tree portions for take‐off and landing, and took off from a stationary posture. Chiropotes took off from the main crown or terminal branches, gaining momentum from locomotor movement before performing a leaping take‐off. Pithecia's vertical body orientation and longer leap distance allowed it to assume a mid‐flight tuck to prepare for a hindlimb‐first landing onto a solid support, and to absorb landing forces with its relatively longer hindlimbs. Chiropotes remained more pronograde throughout its leaps, and minimized landing forces by landing on all four limbs onto numerous flexible supports in the terminal branches. The smaller‐bodied P. pithecia is specialized for vertical clinging and leaping, and exhibits behavioral and morphological parallels with other vertical clingers and leapers. The larger C. satanas is a generalized leaper that lacks morphological specializations for leaping. Pithecia's use of solid supports in the lower tree portions allows it to move quietly through the forest–one of a suite of behaviors related to predator avoidance. This example of variation within one behavioral category has implications for devising locomotor classifications and interpreting fossil remains. Am. J. Primatol. 66:369–387, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Titelbild: Catalytic Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Aldehydes on Pt(111): Understanding the Selectivity from First‐Principles Calculations (Angew. Chem. 33/2005)
Authors: Loffreda David , Delbecq Françoise , Vigné Fabienne , Sautet Philippe
Published: August 2005

Die selektive Hydrierung von ungesättigten Aldehyden wie Propenal an einer Pt(111)‐Oberfläche ist beispielhaft für eine heterogenkatalysierte Reaktion, die zwei konkurrierende Produkte liefert: Propenol und Propanal. Die Selektivität der Reaktion beruht auf einem Wechselspiel zwischen den Hydrierungsschritten an der Oberfläche und der Produktdesorption. D. Loffreda et al. beschreiben auf S. 5413 ff. ihre Untersuchungen der Reaktionspfade mithilfe von Dichtefunktionaltheorie und einem mikrokinetischen Modell.
Combined chemotherapy and teratogenicity
Authors: Paskulin Giorgio Adriano , Gazzola Zen Paulo Ricardo , de Camargo Pinto Louise Lapagesse , Rosa Rafael , Graziadio Carla
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

The concomitant occurrence of breast cancer and pregnancy is relatively uncommon. We report the case of a patient with syndactyly, cleft hands, and absence of distal finger phalanges associated with maternal exposure to chemotherapeutic agents during the first trimester of pregnancy. These associations have not been previously described.

CASE

The patient was born by normal delivery after 38 weeks of pregnancy. His mother became pregnant while receiving chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, 5‐fluorouracil, and adriamycin) for breast cancer, and the fetus was exposed to these drugs from conception to the 16th week of pregnancy. At birth, anomalies were observed, including a high‐arched palate, microcephaly, a flat nasal bridge, bilateral syndactyly in the first and second fingers with a hand cleft between the second and third fingers and hypoplasia of the fifth fingers, and dystrophic nail of the fourth finger of the left hand. The patient's growth and development were deficient.

CONCLUSIONS

The malformations associated with in utero exposure to these chemotherapeutic agents are highly variable, but growth deficiency and anomalies of the craniofacial region and limbs are the most common. The pattern of malformations in children who were congenitally exposed to chemotherapeutic agents appears to be directly related to the age at and duration of exposure, rather than to the specific drug itself. Effective contraception is essential for the safe use of a potential teratogen in nonpregnant women of reproductive age. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of isoniazid using the lucigenin–periodate system
Authors: Du Jianxiu , Lu Jiuru
Published: August 2005

A weak chemiluminescence (CL) signal was observed during the mixing of isoniazid with lucigenin in alkaline aqueous solution. The CL signal was enhanced more than 100 times in the presence of potassium periodate. This CL system was developed for the determination of isoniazid using a flow injection mode. The CL intensity is proportional to the concentration of isoniazid in the range 0.005–1.0 mg/L. The limit of detection is 0.0034 mg/L and the relative standard deviation is 2.0% for 0.2 mg/L isoniazid solution in 11 repeated measurements. The method was applied to the determination of isoniazid in pharmaceutical preparations and satisfactory results were obtained. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flow‐injection determination of streptomycin residues in milk using the luminol–periodate–Mn2+ chemiluminescence system
Authors: Wan Guo‐Hui , Cui Hua , Zheng Hai‐Song , Pang Yong‐Qiang , Liu Li‐Juan , Yu Xiao‐Feng
Published: August 2005

A novel flow‐injection method with chemiluminescence detection was developed for the determination of streptomycin residues in milk, based on the enhancement by streptomycin of the luminol–potassium periodate–Mn2+ chemiluminescence system. The assay allowed analysis of streptomycin residues in whole milk samples (∼3.5% fat) after sample work‐up procedures. The limit of detection was 5.16 × 10−9 mol/L for milk, and was far below the regulations of maximum residue limits (MRLs). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 8.66 × 10−8 mol/L streptomycin was 1.94% (n = 15) in milk. The results obtained for the assay of streptomycin residues in milk was comparable with those obtained by the official methods (ELISA) and demonstrated good accuracy and precision. The possible mechanism is briefly discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anion–π Interactions in Cyanuric Acids: A Combined Crystallographic and Computational Study
Authors: Frontera Antonio , Saczewski Franciszek , Gdaniec Maria , Dziemidowicz‐Borys Ewa , Kurland Aleksandra , Deyà Pere M. , Quiñonero David , Garau Carolina
Published: August 2005

Several structures of π complexes of isocyanuric acid and of several thio derivatives with anions have been computed by using high level ab initio calculations. The nature of the complexes has been studied by means of the method of molecular interaction potential with polarization (MIPp) and Bader's theory of atoms‐in‐molecules. These molecules form favorable complexes with anions and can be used as binding units for building receptors for the molecular recognition of anions. In several cases, the anion–π interaction has been demonstrated experimentally by means of X‐ray crystallography.
Chiral aminonaphthol‐catalyzed enantioselective carbonyl addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes high‐throughput screened by CD‐HPLC analysis
Authors: Xu Ling , Shen Xiumin , Zhang Cong , Mikami Koichi
Published: August 2005

Optically active aminonaphthols derivatives 1a–d are obtained by condensation of 2‐naphthol, substituted benzaldehyde, and (S)‐methylbenzylamine under mild conditions, without side products. Their absolute configurations are determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes is considerably accelerated by the presence of a catalytic amount of crystalline 1a–d to give, after hydrolysis, the corresponding 1‐phenylpropanol in good enantiomeric purity, as determined by CD‐HPLC analysis as HTPS (high‐throughput screening). © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Chirality 17:476–480, 2005.
Consumption of vegetables and fruits and risk of ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Mommers Monique , Schouten Leo J. , Goldbohm R. Alexandra , van den Brandt Piet A.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, only a few prospective studies to date have investigated the correlation between vegetable and fruit consumption and the risk of ovarian carcinoma and their results have been inconclusive.

METHODS

Vegetable and fruit intake was assessed in relation to ovarian carcinoma, among 62,573 postmenopausal women participating in The Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer. Women reported on dietary habits and on other risk factors for cancer in a self‐administered questionnaire in 1986. Follow‐up of cancer was implemented by annual record linkage with The Netherlands Cancer Registry and a pathology register. After 11.3 years of follow‐up, data regarding 252 incident invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma cases and of 2216 subcohort members were available for case–cohort analyses.

RESULTS

Multivariable‐adjusted rate ratios (RR) of ovarian carcinoma for women in the highest compared with the lowest quintile of intake (RRQ5 vs. Q1) were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.61–1.58) for total vegetables and 1.11 (95% CI, 0.70–1.78) for total fruit. The RRQ5 vs. Q1values of ovarian carcinoma with intake of cooked vegetables, raw vegetables, brassicas, legumes, cooked leafy vegetables, and raw leafy vegetables were 1.35 (95% CI, 0.83–2.21), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.48–1.18), 1.42 (95% CI, 0.88–2.29), 0.93 (95% CI, 0.60–1.44), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.66–1.67), and 1.23 (95% CI, 0.75–2.02), respectively. With the exception of raw endive (multivariable‐adjusted RR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07–0.78), none of the individual vegetable or fruit items showed a statistically significant association with ovarian carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study did not support a significant association between vegetable or fruit consumption and ovarian carcinoma risk in a cohort of postmenopausal women. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Incidence and risk factors for the occurrence of non‐AIDS‐defining cancers among human immunodeficiency virus‐infected individuals
Authors: Burgi Alina , Brodine Stephanie , Wegner Scott , Milazzo Mark , Wallace Mark R. , Spooner Katherine , Blazes David L. , Agan Brian K. , Armstrong Adam , Fraser Susan , Crum Nancy F.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the rates and predictors of non‐AIDS‐defining cancers (NADCs) among a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective study of 4144 HIV‐infected individuals who had 26,916 person‐years of follow‐up and who had open access to medical care at 1 of the United States military HIV clinics during the years 1988–2003. Cancer incidence rates were race specific and were adjusted for age; these were compared with national rates using logistic regression to assess predictors of NADC development.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty‐three NADCs were diagnosed with a rate of 980 diagnoses per 100,000 person‐years. The most frequent NADCs were skin carcinomas (basal cell and squamous cell), Hodgkin disease, and anal carcinoma. The results showed that there were higher rates of melanoma, basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas, anal carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, and Hodgkin disease among the HIV‐infected cohort compared with age‐adjusted rates for the general United States population. Predictors of NADCs included age older than 40 years (odds ratio [OR], 12.2; P < 0.001), Caucasian/non‐Hispanic race (OR, 2.1; P < 0.001), longer duration of HIV infection (OR, 1.2; P < 0.001), and a history of opportunistic infection (OR, 2.5; P < 0.001). The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was associated with lower rates of NADCs (OR, 0.21; P < 0.001). A low CD4 nadir or CD4 count at diagnosis (< 200 cells/mL) was not predictive of NADCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The most frequent NADCs were primary skin malignancies. Melanoma, basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas, anal carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, and Hodgkin disease occurred at higher rates among HIV‐infected individuals. The implementation of screening programs for these malignancies should be considered. Most risk factors for the development of NADCs are nonmodifiable; however, the use of HAART appeared to be beneficial in protecting against the development of malignant disease. Cancer 2005. Published 2005 by the American Cancer Society.
Time to stationarity for general Markov fluid models
Authors: Nabli Hédi
Published: August 2005

In this paper, we analyse the buffer content behaviour for general Markov fluid models. Departing from a uniformization‐based solution in transient regime, we deduce the steady‐state buffer content distribution and we give a simple expression measuring a time to stationarity. Moreover, for a fixed period of time, an upper bound for the absolute difference between the transient solution and the asymptotic one is proposed. As an application example, a heterogeneous fluid‐flow model is considered and analysed with our proposed method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of multilevel‐turbo codes with blind/non‐blind equalization over WSSUS multipath channels
Authors: N. Ucan Osman , Buyukatak Kenan , Gose Ersin , Osman Onur , Odabasioglu Niyazi
Published: August 2005

In this paper, in order to improve error performance, we introduce a new type of turbo codes, called ‘multilevel‐turbo codes (ML‐TC)’ and we evaluate their performance over wide‐sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) multipath channels. The basic idea of ML‐TC scheme is to partition a signal set into several levels and to encode each level separately by a proper component of the turbo encoder. In the considered structure, the parallel input data sequences are encoded by our multilevel scheme and mapped to any modulation type such as MPSK, MQAM, etc. Since WSSUS channels are very severe fading environments, it is needed to pass the received noisy signals through non‐blind or blind equalizers before turbo decoders. In ML‐TC schemes, noisy WSSUS corrupted signal sequence is first processed in equalizer block, then fed into the first level of turbo decoder and the first sequence is estimated from this first Turbo decoder. Subsequently, the other following input sequences of the frame are computed by using the estimated input bit streams of previous levels. Here, as a ML‐TC example, 4PSK 2 level‐turbo codes (2L‐TC) is chosen and its error performance is evaluated in WSSUS channel modelled by COST 207 (Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology, Project #207). It is shown that 2L‐TC signals with equalizer blocks exhibit considerable performance gains even at lower SNR values compared to 8PSK‐turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM). The simulation results of the proposed scheme have up to 5.5 dB coding gain compared to 8PSK‐TTCM for all cases. It is interesting that after a constant SNR value, 2L‐TC with blind equalizer has better error performance than non‐blind filtered schemes. We conclude that our proposed scheme has promising results compared to classical schemes for all SNR values in WSSUS channels. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Familial clustering of β‐cell autoimmunity in initially non‐diabetic children
Authors: Kukko Marika , Toivonen Anna , Kupila Antti , Korhonen Sari , Keskinen Päivi , Veijola Riitta , Virtanen Suvi M. , Ilonen Jorma , Simell Olli , Knip Mikael
Published: August 2005

Background

Type 1 diabetes is characterised by familial aggregation. We set out to explore whether β‐cell autoimmunity, which is considered to precede clinical disease, also shows familial clustering.

Methods

Tests for HLA DQB1 alleles (*02, *0301, *0302, *0602) and islet cell autoantibodies (ICA) were performed on 5836 children from 2283 families. When a child tested positive for ICA, all his/her previous or subsequent samples that were available were also tested for insulin autoantibodies (IAA), antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) and antibodies to the IA‐2 protein (IA‐2A).

Results

Forty‐four families were observed to have two or more children positive for at least ICA. This proportion (1.9%) was almost five times higher than expected (0.4%; p < 0.001). The frequency of multiple (≥2) autoantibodies also showed familial aggregation, the observed proportion (0.39%) being three times that expected (0.13%; p < 0.001). In 72.7% of the families with at least two ICA‐positive siblings, the children with autoantibodies had the same HLA DQB1 genotype. The median age difference between the ICA‐positive children within the same family was 3.3 years (range 0.0‐10.5 years), and the median time interval in the appearance of ICA within the family was 1.6 years (range 0.0‐3.2).

Conclusions

β‐cell autoimmunity, as defined by the appearance of ICA, demonstrates familial aggregation, although the antibodies do not appear in close temporal proximity or at an identical age within the same family. The HLA‐DQB1 genotypes are more often identical in siblings with autoantibodies than in other siblings. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Assembling of Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Authors: Shavel Alexey , Gaponik Nikolai , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: August 2005

Recent accomplishments in arranging semiconductor nanoparticles in a desired manner are reviewed. Coupling mechanisms utilized for this purpose include electrostatic and covalent interactions, methods like layer‐by‐layer assembly, solvent‐controlled precipitation and surface amination for covalent attachment of nanoparticles are employed. Dipole–dipole interactions are operative in nanocrystal solids and fast Förster energy transfer is observed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Highly Efficient Procedure for Ruthenium Tetroxide Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclizations of 1,5‐Dienes
Authors: Roth Stefanie , Göhler Sabrina , Cheng Huan , Stark Christian B. W.
Published: August 2005

We report a highly efficient procedure for the oxidative cyclization of 1,5‐dienes, which generally allows for high yields and selectivities. A solid‐supported terminal oxidant and a finely tuned solvent mixture have both been identified as critical factors for this high efficiency. As little as 0.2 mol‐% ruthenium(III) chloride as a pre‐catalyst for the ruthenium tetroxide generated in situ is required to accomplish oxidative cyclization. This exceptionally low catalyst loading, high diastereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and a simple workup procedure are key features of this process. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)