bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Metals in Tissues of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: Čelechovská O. , Svobodová Z. , Žlábek V. , Macharáčková B.
Published: January 2008

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of selected metals (As, Cd,Pb, Hg, Cr, Cu and Zn) in tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) grown in ponds. A total of 125 market-ready carp (aged 3 - 4 years, weight 2312 ± 583 g) from 10 fishponds in the Czech republic were analysed. The tissues analysed included muscle, liver, kidney, spleen, gills, ovaria and testes. Metal concentrations were determined by the AAS, mercury was determined using a cold-vapour AAS analyse (AMA 254). Results showed different affinities of metals to different tissues. The highest concentrations of As and Hg were in muscle tissue, Cu in the liver, and Cd and Zn in the kidneys, compared with levels in other tissues (p < 0.01). The lowest metal concentrations (particularly of Cd) were found in the spleen, gills and gonads. Lead concentrations in the individual tissues were low and practically identical. Chromium concentrations were also balanced with sporadic significant differences (p < 0.05). Significantly higher concentrations of Cu, Cr (p < 0.05) and Zn (p < 0.01) were found in the ovaria compared with the testes. The study showed that meat and gonads of pond carp in the Czech republic are safe from the point of view of contamination with the metals investigated.
Impact of Weather on Transit Ridership in Chicago, Illinois
Authors: Guo Zhan , Wilson Nigel H. M. , Rahbee Adam
Published: January 2008

This paper explores the weather–ridership relationship and its potential applications in transit operations and planning. Using the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in Illinois as a case study, the paper investigates the impact of five weather elements (temperature, rain, snow, wind, and fog) on daily bus and rail ridership and variation across modes, day types, and seasons. The resulting relationships are applied to the CTA ridership trend analysis, showing how preliminary findings may change after controlling for weather. The paper emphasizes the importance of having a theoretical framework encompassing weather and travel.
Effects of leaf litter on the growth of boreal feather mosses: Implication for forest floor development
Authors: Natalia Startsev , Lieffers Victor J. , Landhäusser Simon M.
Published: January 2008

Question:What is the effect of leaf litter on growth and mortality of feather mosses. Three experiments were conducted to isolate the shading effect from the effect of leaching of soluble compounds from the leaf litter effect on feather moss mortality and growth.

Location:Edmonton, Alberta and the northern boreal coniferous forest, west‐central Alberta, Canada.

Methods:In a field experimentPopulus tremuloides(aspen) leaf litter was applied to beds of feather mosses dominated byHylocomium splendens. Treatments were one layer of leaves held in place with netting; one layer of leaves coarsely ground, sprinkled over the moss layer; a shade cloth equivalent to one layer of leaves; and a control. In two growth chamber experiments, the application of aqueous extracts ofP. tremuloidesandPinus contortaleaf litter and the effect of shade and soluble carbohydrates were tested on the growth and mortality ofPtilium crista‐castrensis.

Results:Mortality ofHylocomiumwas greatest under the intact leaves, followed by the treatments using shade cloth and ground leaves and finally the control. The application of aqueous extracts of aspen leaf litter resulted in senescence or death of nearly allPtiliumshoots compared to no effects for the control or for similar extracts of pine needle litter. Extracts from aspen litter had greater concentrations of phenolic compounds and soluble sugars than pine extracts. Addition of sugars toPtiliumallowed it to grow and accumulate carbohydrates, even in low light conditions.

Conclusions:Results suggest that broad‐leaved deciduous overstory species can limit the growth of feather mosses through their leaf litter and by implication affect the humus form, nutrient cycling, and understory composition of these forests.
South Patagonian ombrotrophic bog vegetation reflects biogeochemical gradients at the landscape level
Authors: Kleinebecker Till , Hölzel Norbert , Vogel Andreas
Published: January 2008

Question: Which environmental variables affect the floristic composition of south Patagonian bog vegetation along a gradient of climate and biogeochemical changes with increasing distance from the Pacific ocean?

Location: Trans‐Andean transect (53° S), southern Patagonia

Material and Methods: Floristic composition, peat characteristics (water level, decomposition, pH, total nitrogen, total carbon, ash content and plant available P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Al) and climatic constraints of ombrotrophic peat‐lands were measured at 82 plots along a gradient of increasing distance from the Pacific Ocean.

Results: Climatic constraints and biogeochemical peat characteristics significantly change with increasing distance from the Pacific. Peatland vegetation shifted from hyperoceanic blanket bogs dominated by cushion forming vascular plants to the west to Sphagnum bogs to the east. Climatic and biogeochemical variables explained a large proportion of the floristic variation along the first DCA axis. The second axis represented a water level gradient. When ‘distance to the Pacific’ was defined as a covariable in partial CCA, the proportion of variance explained declined for most other variables, especially in the case of annual precipitation and exchangeable base cations and related traits. The differences in biogeochemical characteristics related to peat were mainly attributed to the input of sea‐borne cations.

Conclusions: While variation in vegetation composition along a longitudinal gradient crossing the southern Andes was attributed to climatic constraints as expected, vegetation composition was also strongly affected by the biogeochemical characteristics of peat. Sea spray was of high ecological importance to peat chemistry and, consequently, to floristic composition. Presumably, south Patagonian peat bogs represent a glimpse of pre‐industrial environments, so that these peat bogs may act as reference systems with respect to atmospheric inputs in mire ecology research.
Vocal cord dysfunction in former World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers and volunteers
Authors: de la Hoz Rafael E. , Shohet Michael R. , Bienenfeld Laura A. , Afilaka Aboaba A. , Levin Stephen M. , Herbert Robin
Published: January 2008

Background

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a condition characterized by paradoxical partial adduction of the vocal cords on inspiration. It has been associated with exposures to irritants, as well as with psychological illnesses and conditions. Workers who participated in the recovery of the WTC disaster site were exposed to a large amount of irritants as well as considerable psychological stressors. We describe the clinical characteristics of 10 symptomatic former WTC workers diagnosed with this condition, as well as the frequency of spirometric findings suggestive of variable extrathoracic obstruction.

Methods

Workers who became symptomatic after their WTC work experience have been evaluated clinically by a multidisciplinary team at an academic medical center. The evaluation included history, physical examination, chest radiograph, blood tests, and pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator spirometry in all patients. Additional evaluations and diagnostic tests included otolaryngological evaluation with flexible rhinolaryngoscopy and stroboscopy, gastroenterological and psychiatric evaluations. A randomly selected sample of 172 spirometry results were reviewed for evidence of inspiratory flow limitation.

Results

Variable extrathoracic obstruction was found in 18.6% of the spirometries. Ten patients were diagnosed with VCD. In addition to symptoms suggestive of co‐morbid conditions (particularly rhinitis and acid reflux disease), most of the 10 patients had (1) hoarseness, (2) dyspnea that was not associated with bronchial hyperreactivity, or (3) dyspnea associated with asthma, with either mild bronchial hyperreactivity and/or poor response to asthma treatment.

Conclusions

VCD appears to be part of the spectrum of airway disorders caused by occupational exposures at the WTC disaster site. Further study of this association is warranted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:161–165, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship between induced sputum cytology and inflammatory status with lung structural and functional abnormalities in asbestosis
Authors: Setta José Henrique , Neder José Alberto , Bagatin Ericson , Terra‐Filho Mario , Nápolis Lara Maris , Corso Simone Dal , Amorin Maria Marta Ferreira , Rodrigues Reynaldo Tavares , Fernandes Ana Luísa Godoy , Nery Luiz Eduardo
Published: January 2008

Background

Asbestosis is associated with lung cellular and immunological abnormalities. Induced sputum cytology and local and systemic markers of inflammation may be helpful to characterize disease status and progression in these patients.

Methods

Thirty‐nine ex‐workers with asbestosis on high‐resolution CT (HRCT) and 21 non‐exposed controls were evaluated. Sputum cytology and IL‐8 in serum and sputum were related to lung function impairment.

Results

Subjects with asbestosis had reduced sputum cellularity but higher macrophage/neutrophil ratio and % macrophage as compared with controls. Sputum and serum IL‐8 were also higher in patients with asbestosis (P < 0.05). In addition, evidence of lung architectural distorption on HRCT was associated with increased levels of serum IL‐8. Interestingly, absolute macrophage number was negatively correlated with total lung capacity (r = −0.40; P = 0.04) and serum IL‐8 to lung diffusing capacity (r = −0.45; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Occupationally exposed subjects with asbestosis on HRCT have cytologic abnormalities in induced sputum and increased local and systemic pro‐inflammatory status which are correlated to functional impairment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:186–194, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased lung function among employees at Norwegian smelters
Authors: Johnsen H. Laier , Kongerud J. , Hetland S.M. , Benth J. Šaltytė , Søyseth V.
Published: January 2008

Background

In the smelting industry airborne pollutants are emitted into the workplace atmosphere during the production process. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between production and lung function among employees at Norwegian smelters.

Methods

Spirometry was performed on 3,924 employees, who also completed a standardized questionnaire. The employees were classified by job functions: (i) line operators were employed full‐time on the production line, (ii) non‐exposed employees did not work in production, and (iii) the remainder of the employees were classified as non‐line operators.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 38.6 (range 20.0–55.0) years, 88.5% were males. The multivariate analyses showed that, compared to the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in non‐exposed employees, the FEV1 (95% confidence interval) was 87 (33–141) ml and 65 (12–118) ml lower in line and non‐line operators, respectively. The prevalence of airflow limitation (FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) below the 5th percentile of the predicted value) was 4.7% in non‐exposed employees, 7.5% in non‐line operators and 8.3% in line operators.

Conclusion

Compared with non‐exposed employees, impairment of lung function among employees at Norwegian smelters was significantly related to the job categories of line operator and non‐line operator. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:296–306, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The National study to prevent blood exposure in paramedics: Exposure reporting
Authors: Boal Winifred L. , Leiss Jack K. , Sousa Sara , Lyden Jennifer T. , Li Jia , Jagger Janine
Published: January 2008

Background

This survey was conducted to provide national incidence rates and risk factors for exposure to blood among paramedics. The present analysis assesses reporting of exposures to employers.

Methods

A questionnaire was mailed in 2002–2003 to a national sample of paramedics selected using a two‐stage design. Information on exposure reporting was obtained on the two most recent exposures for each of five routes of exposure.

Results

Forty‐nine percent of all exposures to blood and 72% of needlesticks were reported to employers. The main reason for under‐reporting was not considering the exposure a “significant risk.” Females reported significantly more total exposures than males. Reporting of needlesticks was significantly less common among respondents who believed most needlesticks were due to circumstances under the worker's control. Reporting was non‐significantly more common among workers who believed reporting exposures helps management prevent future exposures. Reporting may have been positively associated with workplace safety culture.

Conclusions

This survey indicates there is need to improve the reporting of blood exposures by paramedics to their employers, and more work is needed to understand the reasons for under‐reporting. Gender, safety culture, perception of risk, and other personal attitudes may all affect reporting behavior. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:213–222, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple OPR genes influence personality traits in substance dependent and healthy subjects in two American populations
Authors: Luo Xingguang , Zuo Lingjun , Kranzler Henry , Zhang Huiping , Wang Shuang , Gelernter Joel
Published: January 2008

Personality traits are among the most complex quantitative traits. Certain personality traits are associated with substance dependence (SD); genetic factors may influence both. Associations between opioid receptor (OPR) genes and SD have been reported. This study investigated the relationship between OPR genes and personality traits in a case–control sample. We assessed dimensions of the five‐factor model of personality in 556 subjects: 250 with SD [181 European‐Americans (EAs) and 69 African‐Americans (AAs)] and 306 healthy subjects (266 EAs and 40 AAs). We genotyped 20 OPRM1 markers, 8 OPRD1 markers, and 7 OPRK1 markers, and 38 unlinked ancestry‐informative markers in these subjects. The relationships between OPR genes and personality traits were examined using MANCOVA, controlling for gene–gene interaction effects and potential confounders. Associations were decomposed by Roy–Bargmann Stepdown ANCOVA. We found that personality traits were associated as main or interaction effects with the haplotypes, diplotypes, alleles and genotypes at the three OPR genes (0.002 < P < 0.046 from MANCOVA; 0.0004 < P < 0.049 from ANCOVA). Diplotype TTAGGA/TTCAGA at OPRM1 had main effects on Extraversion (P = 0.008), and diplotypes OPRM1⁁TTCAGA/TTCAGA and OPRD1⁁CAC/TAC had interaction effects on Openness (P = 0.010) after conservative correction for multiple testing. The present study demonstrates that the genes encoding the mu‐, delta‐, and kappa‐opioid receptors may contribute to variation in personality traits. Further, the three OPR genes have significant interaction effects on personality traits. This work provides additional evidence that personality traits and SD have a partially overlapping genetic basis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Change of chemical composition and hydrogen bonding behavior due to chlorination of crosslinked polyamide membranes
Authors: Kwon Young‐Nam , Tang Chuyang Y. , Leckie James O.
Published: January 2008

The effect of membrane exposure to hypochlorite oxidant on property changes (chemical composition and hydrogen bonding behavior) of four FilmTec© thin film composite crosslinked polyamide membranes has been investigated. Crosslinking densities of the membranes were about 25–35%, with about 3–4 chlorines bound to the repeating unit of the polyamide membranes. This was equivalent to ∼ 39% of all nitrogens being chlorinated in the polyamide membranes assuming the amide nitrogen is the dominant reaction site with chlorine. FTIR spectra showed the amide I band (CO stretching peak at 1663 cm−1) of polyamide membranes shifted to higher wave‐numbers and the peak intensity of the amide II band (NH bending peak at 1541 cm−1) decreased after chlorination. The peak shift and decrease of peak intensity resulted from breakage of hydrogen bonds between CO and NH groups within the polymers. The XPS and FTIR analytical analysis showed that there is no difference in the chlorine attack of polyamide membranes of higher or lower crosslinking density, and that the chlorination breaks and weakens hydrogen bonding. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Thermally stable poly(propylene carbonate) synthesized by copolymerizing with bulky naphthalene containing monomer
Authors: Gao L. J. , Xiao M. , Wang S. J. , Meng Y. Z.
Published: January 2008

To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), the terpolymers were synthesized from carbon dioxide, propylene oxide, and a third monomer, [(2‐naphthyloxy)methyl]oxirane (NMO) using supported zinc glutarate as catalyst. The structure of these terpolymers was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity, molecular weight, carbonate unit content, as well as thermal and mechanical properties were investigated extensively. The experimental results showed that the catalytic activity, molecular weight, and carbonate unit content decreased with the incorporation of NMO. DSC measurements indicated that the introduction of NMO increased the glass transition temperature from 38 to 42°C. TGA tests revealed that the thermal decomposition temperature (Tg−5%) of the synthesized terpolymer increased significantly, being 34°C higher than that of pure PPC. Accordingly, the mechanical properties proved also to be enhanced greatly as evidenced by tensile tests. These thermal and mechanical improvements are of importance for the practical process and application of PPC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis, characterization, and comparative study of conducting polyaniline/lead titanate and polyaniline–dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid/lead titanate composites
Authors: Basavaraja C. , Pierson R. , Huh Do Sung
Published: January 2008

To study the effect of a surfactant on the properties of polyaniline (PANI)/metal oxide composites, PANI/lead titanate (PbTiO3) composites were synthesized with different weight percentages (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt %) of PbTiO3 in both the absence and presence of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) by the polymerization of aniline with ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The structural characteristics and stability, surface characteristics, and electric properties of PANI/PbTiO3 and PANI–DBSA/PbTiO3 were studied and compared. The interfacial interactions and thermal stability of these composites were characterized with X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry techniques. The results indicate significant changes in the physicochemical properties of the composites with the incorporation of DBSA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers based on silicone rubber and an ethylene–octene copolymer by dynamic vulcanization
Authors: Basuli U. , Chaki T. K. , Naskar K.
Published: January 2008

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a special class of thermoplastic elastomers that are generally produced by the simultaneous mixing and crosslinking of a rubber with a thermoplastic polymer at an elevated temperature. Novel peroxide‐cured TPVs based on blends of silicone rubber and the thermoplastic Engage (an ethylene–octene copolymer) have been developed. These TPVs exhibit very good overall mechanical and electrical properties. With an increasing concentration of dicumyl peroxide, the tensile strength, modulus, and hardness of the TPVs increase, whereas the elongation at break decreases. Significant correlations have been obtained from oscillating disc rheometer torque values with various physical properties, such as the modulus and tension set of the TPVs. The aging characteristics and recyclability of the silicone‐based TPVs are also excellent. Scanning electron microscopy photomicrographs of the TPVs have confirmed a dispersed phase morphology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Grafting of glycidyl methacrylate onto high‐density polyethylene with reaction time in the batch mixer
Authors: Cho Kuk Young , Eom Ji‐Yong , Kim Chang‐Hyeon , Park Jung‐Ki
Published: January 2008

The melt grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) in the presence of free radical initiators was investigated in the batch mixer. The graft content was determined with the titration and FTIR spectroscopy. The graft content increased with the increase of peroxide and initially introduced GMA concentration. Increase of the grafted GMA content resulted in decrease of the melt index. Interestingly, there was a sudden drop of GMA grafting content with the reaction time. It is assumed that depolymerization of GMA have taken place over the ceiling temperature. The crystallinity of the prepared glycidyl methacrylate grafted high density polyethylene (HDPE‐g‐GMA) was determined by the measurement of the heat of fusion. GMA grafted site acted as defect and crystallinity of the HDPE‐g‐GMA decreased with the increase of grafting reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Polymer dispersed liquid crystals based on poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene oxide), poly(bisphenol a carbonate) or poly(methylphenylsiloxane), and 4′‐(hexyloxy)‐4‐biphenyl‐carbonitrile: Analysis of phase diagrams and morphologies generated
Authors: Tercjak Agnieszka , Serrano Elena , Larrañaga Maider , Mondragon Iñaki
Published: January 2008

Thermodynamic phase behavior was studied for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films consisting of blends of different thermoplastics such as poly (bisphenol A carbonate) (PC), poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (PMPLSi), poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene oxide) (PSEO) block copolymer, and low‐molecular weight 4′‐(hexyloxy)‐4‐biphenyl‐carbonitrile (HOBC) liquid crystals. The phase diagrams of these PDLC systems were built up using thermal transitions determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission optical microscopy (TOM), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Final morphology of these PDLC films generated by temperature induced phase separation was monitored by TOM. The final morphology of HOBC blends with PC, PSEO, or PMPLSi could be modified by controlling the relative compositions resulting in PDLC systems with small and narrow size‐distribution of nematic droplets, suitable for use in thermo‐optical devices. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Middle Cranial Fossa Anatomy and the Origin of Modern Humans
Authors: Bastir Markus , Rosas Antonio , Lieberman Daniel E. , O'Higgins Paul
Published: January 2008

Anatomically, modern humans differ from archaic forms in possessing a globular neurocranium and a retracted face and in cognitive functions, many of which are associated with the temporal lobes. The middle cranial fossa (MCF) interacts during growth and development with the temporal lobes, the midface, and the mandible. It has been proposed that evolutionary transformations of the MCF (perhaps from modification of the temporal lobes) can have substantial influences on craniofacial morphology. Here, we use three‐dimensional (3D) geometric morphometrics and computer reconstructions of computed tomography‐scanned fossil hominids, fossil and recent modern humans and chimpanzees to address this issue further. Mean comparisons and permutation analyses of scaled 3D basicranial landmarks confirm that the MCF of Homo sapiens is highly significantly different (P < 0.001) from H. neanderthalensis, H. heidelbergensis, and Pan troglodytes. Modern humans have a unique configuration with relatively more anterolateral projection of the MCF pole relative to the optic chiasm and the foramen rotundum. These findings are discussed in the context of evolutionary changes in craniofacial morphology and the origins of modern human autapomorphies. In particular, the findings of this study point to variations in the temporal lobe, which, through effects on the MCF and face, are central to the evolution of modern human facial form. Anat Rec, 291:130–140, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell Signal Transduction Mechanism for Nitric Oxide Regulating Lymphatic Stomata and its Draining Capability
Authors: Li Yan‐Yuan , Li Ji‐Cheng
Published: January 2008

We have previously demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the regulation of the lymphatic stomata. However, the related mechanisms are still unknown. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that NO–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) ‐mediated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) signaling may contribute to the regulation of the lymphatic stomata and lymph drainage. Using trypan blue as a tracer, the effects of NO‐cGMP‐Ca2+ signal cascade on the lymphatic stomata and lymph absorption were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Then, the role of NO in cGMP and [Ca2+]i of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs) was measured by radioimmunoassay and a confocal laser scanning microscope. Our results showed that NO‐donor spermine/nitric oxide complex (Sper/NO) could broaden the opening area of the lymphatic stomata and enhance lymph absorption in a dose‐dependent manner. These NO‐mediated changes could be blocked by 1H‐[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3‐a] quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), a specific inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and mimicked by calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Furthermore, Sper/NO enhanced the cGMP level and lessened [Ca2+]i in RPMCs, which was completely abrogated at the presence of ODQ. Nifedipine induced an immediate and marked decrease of [Ca2+]i in the RPMCs, which was not attenuated by addition of Sper/NO, indicating that the Sper/NO‐cGMP signaling system induced [Ca2+]i change was related to the L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel in the RPMCs. Our results suggest that NO enlarges the opening area of the lymphatic stomata to strengthen the lymph drainage of tracer by means of NO‐cGMP‐[Ca2+]i signal transduction pathway in the RPMCs. Anat Rec, 291:216–223, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the conformational quality of recombinant proteins within inclusion bodies
Authors: Doglia Silvia Maria , Ami Diletta , Natalello Antonino , Gatti‐Lafranconi Pietro , Lotti Marina
Published: January 2008

The solubility of recombinant proteins produced in bacterial cells is considered a key issue in biotechnology as most overexpressed polypeptides undergo aggregation in inclusion bodies, from which they have to be recovered by solubilization and refolding procedures. Physiological and molecular strategies have been implemented to revert or at least to control aggregation but they often meet only partial success and have to be optimized case by case. Recent studies have shown that proteins embedded in inclusion bodies may retain residual structure and biological function and question the former axiom that solubility and activity are necessarily coupled. This allows for a switch in the goals from obtaining soluble products to controlling the conformational quality of aggregated proteins. Central to this approach is the availability of analytical methods to monitor protein structure within inclusion bodies. We describe here the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the structural analysis of inclusion bodies both purified from cells and in vivo. Examples are reported concerning the study of kinetics of aggregation and structure of aggregates as a function of expression levels, temperature and co‐expression of chaperones.
Bruce Merrifield and solid‐phase peptide synthesis: A historical assessment
Authors: Mitchell Alexander R.
Published: January 2008

Bruce Merrifield, trained as a biochemist, had to address three major challenges related to the development and acceptance of solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The challenges were (1) to reduce the concept of peptide synthesis on a insoluble support to practice, (2) overcome the resistance of synthetic chemists to this novel approach, and (3) establish that a biochemist had the scientific credentials to effect the proposed revolutionary change in chemical synthesis. How these challenges were met is discussed in this article. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 175–184, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Thermodynamics and mechanism of cutinase stabilization by trehalose
Authors: Baptista Ricardo P. , Pedersen Shona , Cabrita Gonçalo J. M. , Otzen Daniel E. , Cabral Joaquim M. S. , Melo Eduardo P.
Published: January 2008

Trehalose has been widely used to stabilize cellular structures such as membranes and proteins. The effect of trehalose on the stability of the enzyme cutinase was studied. Thermal unfolding of cutinase reveals that trehalose delays thermal unfolding, thus increasing the temperature at the midpoint of unfolding by 7.2°. Despite this stabilizing effect, trehalose also favors pathways that lead to irreversible denaturation. Stopped‐flow kinetics of cutinase folding and unfolding was measured and temperature was introduced as experimental variable to assess the mechanism and thermodynamics of protein stabilization by trehalose. The main stabilizing effect of trehalose was to delay the rate constant of the unfolding of an intermediate. A full thermodynamic analysis of this step has revealed that trehalose induces the phenomenon of entropy–enthalpy compensation, but the enthalpic contribution increases more significantly leading to a net stabilizing effect that slows down unfolding of the intermediate. Regarding the molecular mechanism of stabilization, trehalose increases the compactness of the unfolded state. The conformational space accessible to the unfolded state decreases in the presence of trehalose when the unfolded state acquires residual native interactions that channel the folding of the protein. This residual structure results into less hydrophobic groups being newly exposed upon unfolding, as less water molecules are immobilized upon unfolding. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 538–547, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Synthesis and Electronic Properties of Monodisperse Oligophenothiazines
Authors: Sailer Markus , Franz Adam W. , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: January 2008

Starting from N‐hexylphenothiazine, a versatile construction kit of brominated and borylated phenothiazines can be easily prepared by a sequence of bromination, bromo–lithium exchange/borylation, and Suzuki coupling. Subsequent Suzuki arylation of the building blocks gives soluble, monodisperse, and structurally well defined oligophenothiazines in good yields. The molecular weights at the peak maximum (Mp), obtained by GPC (gel permeation chromatography), and the actual molecular weights of the oligomer series, obtained by mass spectrometry, show excellent correlation. A QM/MM conformational analysis for the complete series reveals that the obvious butterfly‐shaped phenothiazine structure multiplies and significantly reduces the hydrodynamic volume of the oligomers. The electronic properties (absorption and emission spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) give reasonable correlations with the chain length. With regard to the emission maxima, the effective conjugation length is already reached with the hexamer. Oligophenothiazines are highly fluorescent, with high fluorescence quantum yields, and are simultaneously highly electroactive, with low oxidation potentials.
Visualizing the Crystal Structure and Locating the Catalytic Activity of Micro‐ and Mesoporous ZSM‐5 Zeolite Crystals by Using In Situ Optical and Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Kox Marianne H. F. , Stavitski Eli , Groen Johan C. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier , Kapteijn Freek , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: January 2008

A combination of optical and fluorescence microscopy was used to study the morphology of micro‐ and mesoporous H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite crystals (17×4×4 μm) and to evaluate, in a spatially resolved manner, the effect of mesoporosity, introduced via desilication, on catalytic performance. For this purpose, the oligomerization of various styrene molecules was used as a model reaction, in which the carbocation intermediates formed in the zeolite pores act as reporter molecules. In situ confocal fluorescence measurements after the template removal process showed that the crystals generally consist of three different subunits that have pyramidal boundaries with each other. Examination of these crystals during styrene oligomerization revealed differences in the catalytic activity between the purely microporous and the combined micro‐ and mesoporous crystals. The introduction of intracrystalline mesoporosity limits the formation to dimeric carbocation intermediates and facilitates the transport of styrene molecules inside the zeolite volume. This leads to a more uniform coloration and fluorescence pattern of the crystals. Moreover, the oligomerization of various styrene compounds, which differ in their reactivity, provides a good way of estimating the Brønsted acid strength in a spatially resolved manner, showing a nonhomogeneously distributed Brønsted acidity over the volume of the crystals. More detailed information on the structure of the ZSM‐5 crystals was revealed for mesoporous crystals during the oligomerization of 4‐methoxystyrene. This reaction induced an “explosion” of the crystal leading to the formation of a complex system with at least eight different subunits. Finally, polarized‐light microscopy was used to unravel the pore geometry in these individual building blocks. The observed differences in catalytic behavior between micro‐ and mesoporous ZSM‐5 crystals are strengthened by the microspectroscopic techniques employed, which show that upon desilication the crystal morphology is affected, the product distribution is changed towards less conjugated carbocation intermediates, and that a gradient in Brønsted acid strength appears to be present.
Cost‐effectiveness of temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Lamers Leida M. , Stupp Roger , van den Bent Martin J. , Al Maiwenn J. , Gorlia Thierry , Wasserfallen Jean‐Blaise , Mittmann Nicole , Jin Seung Soo , Crott Ralph , Uyl‐de Groot Carin A.
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND.

The study aimed to compare the cost‐effectiveness of concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme versus initial radiotherapy alone from a public health care perspective.

METHODS.

The economic evaluation was performed alongside a randomized, multicenter, phase 3 trial. The primary endpoint of the trial was overall survival. Costs included all direct medical costs. Economic data were collected prospectively for a subgroup of 219 patients (38%). Unit costs for drugs, procedures, laboratory and imaging, radiotherapy, and hospital costs per day were collected from the official national reimbursement lists based on 2004. For the cost‐effectiveness analysis, survival was expressed as 2.5 years restricted mean estimates. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was constructed. Confidence intervals for the ICER were calculated using the Fieller method and bootstrapping.

RESULTS.

The difference in 2.5 years restricted mean survival between the treatment arms was 0.25 life‐years and the ICER was €37,361 per life‐year gained with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from €19,544 to €123,616. The area between the survival curves of the treatment arms suggests an increase of the overall survival gain for a longer follow‐up. An extrapolation of the overall survival per treatment arm and imputation of costs for the extrapolated survival showed a substantial reduction in ICER.

CONCLUSIONS.

The ICER of €37,361 per life‐year gained is a conservative estimate. We concluded that despite the high TMZ acquisition costs, the costs per life‐year gained are comparable to accepted first‐line treatment with chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Babylon: middleware for distributed, parallel, and mobile Java applications
Authors: van Heiningen Willem , MacDonald Steve , Brecht Tim
Published: January 2008

Babylon is a collection of tools and services that provide a 100% Java‐compatible environment for developing, running and managing parallel, distributed and mobile Java applications. It incorporates features such as object migration, asynchronous method invocation, and remote class loading, while providing an easy‐to‐use interface. Additionally, Babylon enables Java applications to seamlessly create and interact with remote objects, while protecting those objects from other applications by implementing access restrictions and separate namespaces. The implementation of Babylon centers around dynamic proxies, a feature first available in Java 1.3, that allow proxy objects to be created at runtime. Dynamic proxies play a key role in achieving the goals of Babylon. The potential cluster computing benefits of the system are demonstrated with experimental results, which show that sequential Java applications can achieve significant performance benefits from using Babylon to parallelize their work across a cluster of workstations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of erythroid‐enriched gene expression in the mouse embryonic yolk sac using microdissected cells
Authors: Redmond Latasha C. , Dumur Catherine I. , Archer Kellie J. , Haar Jack L. , Lloyd Joyce A.
Published: January 2008

Little is known about the genes that control the embryonic erythroid program. Laser capture microdissection was used to isolate primitive erythroid precursors and epithelial cells from frozen sections of the embryonic day 9.5 yolk sac. The RNA samples were amplified and labeled for hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Genome 430A 2.0 arrays. Ninety‐one genes are expressed significantly higher in erythroid than in epithelial cells. Ingenuity pathway analysis indicates that many of these erythroid‐enriched genes cluster in highly significant biological networks. One of these networks contains RBTN2/LMO2, SCL/TAL1, and EKLF/KLF1, three of the very few genes required for primitive erythropoiesis. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to verify that platelet factor 4, reelin, thrombospondin‐1, and muscleblind‐like 1 mRNA is erythroid‐enriched. These genes have established roles in development or differentiation in other systems, and are, therefore, good candidates for regulating primitive erythropoiesis. These results provide a catalog of genes expressed during primitive erythropoiesis. Developmental Dynamics 237:436–446, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q): Norms for undergraduate women
Authors: Luce Kristine H. , Crowther Janis H. , Pole Michele
Published: January 2008

Objective:

This research presents normative data on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (Fairburn and Beglin, Int J Eat Disorder, 16, 363‐370, 1994) (EDE‐Q) for samples of undergraduate women in the United States.

Method:

College women (N = 723), ages 18–25, completed the EDE‐Q as part of a larger assessment battery.

Results:

Average scores, standard deviations, and percentile ranks for the raw Restraint, Eating Concern, Shape Concern, and Weight Concern subscales and the Global score are reported. Data on the occurrence of objective and subjective bulimic episodes and compensatory behaviors are presented.

Conclusion:

These results are helpful for clinicians and researchers in the interpretation of the EDE‐Q scores of undergraduate women in the United States. Comparisons are drawn between the results for this sample and those of a United Kingdom sample of young adolescent females, an Australian community sample, and an Australian community age‐matched sample. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Novel N,N,O Scorpionate Ligands and Transition Metal Complexes Thereof Suitable for Polymerisation
Authors: Hübner Eike , Türkoglu Gazi , Wolf Marion , Zenneck Ulrich , Burzlaff Nicolai
Published: January 2008

Esterification of 2,2‐bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)‐3‐hydroxypropionic acid (2) with methacryloyl chloride led to the new κ3‐N,N,O ligand 2,2‐bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)‐3‐methacrylato‐propionic acid (Hbdmpzmp) (3). The κ3‐N,N,O coordination as known from bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)acetic acid (Hbdmpza, 1) was proven by syntheses of the complexes [Mn(bdmpzmp)(CO)3] (4) and [Re(bdmpzmp)(CO)3] (5) and the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of 4. The methacrylic ester functionality makes 3, 4 and 5 suitable for polymerisation. Thus, copolymerisation of 3 with methyl methacrylate (MMA), a combination of MMA and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) or pure EGDMA led to various solid phases (P1a–P1c, P2, P3a, P3b) with incorporated ligand. Polymer‐bound manganese and rhenium tricarbonyl complexes could be obtained by copolymerisation of 4 and 5 with MMA as well as by a polymer analogous reaction of P1a with appropriate metal salts. In both cases, the facial tripodal binding behaviour was evidenced by IR spectra of the polymer supported transition metal complexes and the uptake of manganese was proven by AAS measurements. Reaction of the soluble deprotonated solid phase P1a with copper(II) chloride led to a deep‐blue solid phase (P‐Cu‐I). The UV/Vis absorption maximum at 715 nm indicates the copper centres to act as crosslinking agent by a similar binding behaviour as in [Cu(bdmpza)2]. In contrast, the heterogeneous reaction of P1b with copper(II) chloride formed a lime‐green solid phase (P‐Cu‐II). The bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum by 78 nm suggests one‐sided bound copper centres. EPR spectra do not show exchange narrowing between the copper centres indicating the metal centres to be far enough apart from each other to prevent magnetic interactions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Modulation of cell growth and apoptosis response in human prostate cancer cells supplemented with tocotrienols
Authors: Nesaretnam Kalanithi , Koon Teoh Hoon , Selvaduray Kanga Rani , Bruno Richard S. , Ho Emily
Published: January 2008

Previous studies have shown that tocotrienols are powerful growth inhibitors and potent inducers of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. The objective of the current study was to examine effects of tocotrienols on apoptotic signals in androgen‐independent PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells. We investigated the effects of the tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) from palm oil, α‐tocopherol (αT), α‐tocotrienol (αT3), γ‐tocotrienol (γT3) and δ‐tocotrienol (δT3) on PC‐3 cell growth. TRF inhibited PC‐3 growth with a nonlinear response, with complete growth suppression at 10 µg/mL. δT3 and γT3 showed complete cell inhibition at 8 µg/mL whilst αT had no effect. δT3 and γT3 showed the most promise in the cell growth assays, and all subsequent experiments were performed with δT3, TRF and αT. TRF and δT3 at 8 µg/mL induced apoptosis in PC‐3 cells after 48 h of treatment. In addition, TRF and δT3 treatments were able to affect the cell cycle, with accumulation in the S phase, G2 phase block and increases in SubG1 by 72 h. We then proceeded to investigate the expression levels of Fas receptor and Fas ligand, caspase 8, caspase 3 and bax in PC‐3 cells following treatment with tocotrienols using real‐time PCR and Western blot methods. TRF and δT3 at 8 µg/mL increased Fas ligand expression levels by 368 and 456%, respectively, after 24 h and Fas receptor expression levels by 210% and 356%, respectively, after 48 h. TRF‐ and δT3‐treated PC‐3 cells overexpressed caspase 8 and bax protein after 24 h, and caspase 3 after 48 h. In conclusion, tocotrienols are able to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in PC‐3 cells, with increased expression of Fas receptor, Fas ligand, caspase 8, caspase 3 and bax, suggesting a potential role in chemoprevention of prostate cancer.
Separation of aromatic acids by wide‐bore electrophoresis with nanoparticles prepared by electrospray as pseudostationary phase
Authors: Liu Dan‐ning , Wang Jing , Guo Yu‐gao , Yuan Rui‐juan , Wang Huai‐feng , Bao James J.
Published: January 2008

A model mixture of six aromatic acids has been separated using a laboratory‐made wide‐bore electrophoretic device with aminopropyl‐modified nanoparticles used as pseudostationary phase. Optimization of preparation of nanoparticles by an electrospray (ES) method is described. With the optimized electrophoretic method, 30 mmol/L acetate running buffer, pH 4.5, containing 1.0 mg/mL of nanoparticles as an additive was used, and 3.0 kV applied potential, improved resolution was achieved. The average theoretical plate number obtained was above 5.0×104 theoretical plates per meter with the highest value achieved in certain runs exceeding 1.0×105 theoretical plates per meter, which was better than previously reported results (∼6.7×104 theoretical plates per meter). Furthermore, repeatabilities of 2, 6.5, and 6% were obtained for the migration time, peak areas, and peak height, respectively. Additionally, sample capacity and sensitivity were improved by hundredfold using the novel wide‐bore electrophoresis system compared to traditional CE.
Separation of very hydrophobic analytes by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. III. Characterization and optimization of the composition of the separation electrolyte using carbon number equivalents
Authors: Huhn Carolin , Pütz Michael , Pyell Ute
Published: January 2008

Four coefficients are suggested to characterize the separation properties of separation electrolytes in MEKC. These coefficients are the electrophoretic mobility of the pseudostationary phase (PSP), the electroosmotic mobility, and two parameters which can be obtained via the Martin equation using the retention data of the members of a suitable homologous series. These four coefficients are used for the characterization of separation electrolytes applicable to the separation of very hydrophobic analytes (log POW = 3–4) with SDS as PSP and to quantitatively describe the influence of the buffer additives ACN and urea for the fine‐tuning of retention factors and the additive calcium chloride for the fine‐tuning of the width of the migration time window. Together with carbon number equivalents (NC*) as analyte descriptors the suggested coefficients provide a tool for the fast optimization of the composition of the separation electrolyte. The proposed method optimization scheme is applied to the separation of ingredients of essential oils. Predicted resolutions are compared to experimental results.