bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype-by-Environment Interactions for Flavor Attributes of Breeding Lines in the Uniform Peanut Performance Test
Authors: Isleib T. G. , Tillman B. L. , Pattee H. E. , Sanders T. H. , Hendrix K. W. , Dean L. O.
Published: May 2008

Peanut flavor is influenced by several groups of factors: environmental, genetic, and interaction between them. This study evaluated the relative contributions of these factors using data from the USDA-ARS program of sensory quality testing of samples from the multi-state Uniform Peanut Performance Tests (UPPT). Data were subjected to restricted maximum likelihood estimation of variance components reflecting the main effects of year, production region, location within regions, genotype, and kernel grade within genotype, and the interactions among these main effects. Genetic variation was relatively small (0.0 to 9.5% of total variation) while environmental variation, particularly that due to years, was large. Year-by-genotype interaction was large for roast color and intensities of the roasted peanut and sweet aromatic attributes. Estimates of repeatability (R) for sensory attributes were low, even based on means measured across multiple locations and two years, except for that of the sweet attribute (R  =  0.10 for a single observation and R  =  0.34 for a mean across two years of UPPT testing). Breeders should be able to reliably identify lines with superior sweet attribute intensity, but identification of lines with intense roasted peanut attribute will be more difficult.
Introduction to Spectral Imaging, and Applications to Diagnosis of Lymph Nodes
Authors: Romeo Melissa J. , Dukor Rina K. , Diem Max
Published: May 2008

This chapter introduces the field of vibrational spectroscopic imaging and discusses the advances made to date in terms of biomedical diagnosis. The reader is introduced to the spectral signatures of typical cellular components, and the need for an objective method for cancer diagnosis is discussed. Besides an overview of typical instrumentation and components, this chapter provides a working application, namely the diagnosis of metastatic cancer in lymph nodes. Through this application methods of sample preparation, data acquisition and data preprocessing and analysis are discussed.
Antemortem Identification of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) from Serum by Mid‐infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Lasch Peter , Beekes Michael , Fabian Heinz , Naumann Dieter
Published: May 2008

This chapter describes a methodology to diagnose transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of terminally ill or preclinically infected animals from serum by a combination of Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and chemometrics. Within the scope of experimental and field studies, it could be shown that scrapie infections in hamsters and BSE infections in cattle are associated with reproducible disease‐related structural and compositional alterations in the sera of infected donors. Fingerprint analyses of the IR serum pattern by artificial neural networks allowed the identification of infected individuals with an accuracy of prediction of larger than 90%.
Spectral Histopathology of the Human Cervix
Authors: McNaughton Don , Bambery Keith , Wood Bayden R.
Published: May 2008

The use of infrared focal plane array imaging as a tool in the histopathology of the human cervix is reviewed. The discussion is centered on sample preparation, data collection, data preprocessing and processing techniques and correlation with the histology of normal and abnormal tissues.
Chromosome 5 and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: Linkage in a large pedigree and association study of six candidates in the region
Authors: Laurin Nancy , Wigg Karen G. , Feng Yu , Sandor Paul , Barr Cathy L.
Published: May 2008

Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by both motor and vocal tics. In our previous genome scan for TS we identified evidence for linkage to the centromeric region of chromosome 5 in a single large family of 32 individuals with 10 family members with TS or chronic multiple tics (CMT). In this paper we report further analyses of the 5p‐centromeric region in this pedigree. An additional 11 family members were identified and screened for TS. Using a set of 14 microsatellite markers we refined the linked region to a ∼28 Mb interval between the markers D5S1506 and D5S76. A set of six candidate genes located in this region were selected to be tested for genetic association with TS. These genes were GDNF, ITGA1, ISL1, FGF10, HCN1 and SLC1A3. The TDT statistic was used for the association tests in a sample of 171 independent nuclear families with 241 affected children with TS. We found no evidence for an association between TS and markers in these genes in this sample of families. This study represents the first efforts to narrow the linkage region in the extended pedigree and the first tests of candidate genes in the chromosome 5 region linked to TS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ranging patterns and habitat use of Sulawesi Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) in a human‐modified habitat
Authors: Riley Erin P.
Published: May 2008

The goal of this study was to investigate the ecological flexibility of Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) by examining how they respond to human‐induced habitat alteration. To do so, I observed movement patterns, forest strata use, microhabitat use, and home range use in two groups that occupied habitats with different levels of human alteration and habitat quality in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The group occupying the heavily altered habitat (Anca) spent a significantly greater proportion of time traveling on the ground than the group in minimally altered habitat (CH), and significantly more time than expected in microhabitats within their range that were characterized by greater alteration (e.g., agroforestry areas). There was no significant difference between the two groups in daily path length, despite differences in group size. The Anca group exhibited a greater home range area per individual than the CH group, and utilized a more limited area within their home range with greater intensity, relative to the CH group. Tonkean macaques therefore show considerable flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbance by adjusting their use of forest strata to facilitate travel and increase foraging opportunities and by intensively using particular areas within their home range where known resources are present and predictably available. Am. J. Primatol. 70:670–679, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variation of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene in the macaques
Authors: Nakayama Kazuhiro , Shotake Takayoshi , Takeneka Osamu , Ishida Takafumi
Published: May 2008

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a G‐coupled seven‐transmembrane receptor protein, plays a key role in the regulation of melanin synthesis in mammals. Sequence variation of the MC1R gene (MC1R) has been associated with pigmentation phenotypes in humans and in several animal species. The macaques (genus Macaca) are known to show a marked inter‐specific variation in coat color although the causative genetic variation remains unclear. We investigated nucleotide sequences of the MC1R in 67 individuals of 18 macaque species with different coat color phenotypes including black and agouti. Twenty‐eight amino acid replacements were identified in the macaques, but none of these amino acid replacements could explain the black coat color of Macaca silenus and the Sulawesi macaque species. Our molecular evolutionary analysis has revealed that nonsynonymous substitution/synonymous substitution (dN/dS) ratio of the MC1R has not been uniform in the macaque groups and, moreover, their coat color and dN/dS ratio were not related. These results suggest that the MC1R is unlikely to be responsible for the coat color variation of the macaques and functions of MC1R other than pigmentation might be associated with the different selective pressures on the MC1R in macaques. Am. J. Primatol. 70:778–785, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modification of biodegradable polylactide by silica and wood flour through a sol–gel process
Authors: Wu Chin‐San , Liao Hsin‐Tzu
Published: May 2008

The aim of this work is the production of new biodegradable nanocomposites from polylactide (PLA), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and wood flour (WF) by means of an in‐situ sol–gel process and a melt blending method. Characterizations of SiO2, PLA, and hybrids were performed by FTIR, 29Si solid‐state NMR, XRD, DSC, TGA, and SEM analyses. As the results, the SiO2 can be well dispersed into the acrylic acid grafted polylactide (PLA‐g‐AA) in nanoscale sizes since the TEOS is partially compatible with PLA‐g‐AA and allows PLA‐g‐AA chains intercalating into SiO2 layers. 29Si solid‐state NMR analysis showed that Si atoms coordinated around SiO4 units were predominantly Q3 and Q4. The PLA‐g‐AA/SiO2 hybrid demonstrates dramatic enhancement in thermal and mechanical properties of PLA; for example, 80°C and 20 MPa increases in IDT and TS with the addition of 10 wt % SiO2 due to the formation of SiOC bond, and the nanoscale dispersion of silicate layers in the polymer matrix. On the basis of the consideration of thermal and mechanical properties, it is also found that 10 wt % of SiO2 content is optimal for preparation of PLA‐g‐AA/SiO2 nanocomposites. The biodegradable nanocomposites produced from our laboratory can provide a plateau tensile strength at break when the WF content is up to 50 wt %. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Influence of some additives on the performance of wood flour/polyolefin composites
Authors: Mansour S. H. , Asaad J. N. , Iskander B. A , Tawfik S. Y.
Published: May 2008

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different additives, namely, maleic anhydride, alumina trihydrate (ATH), and a mixture of both on wood flour/polyolefin (50/50) composite samples. The polyolefins used were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and a mixture of both PE and PP (50/50 w/w). The effects were studied in terms of the percentage water absorption, volumetric swelling efficiency, and mechanical and electrical properties. We found that the absorption of water and volumetric swelling were greatly retarded after 3 weeks in all of the wood flour/polyolefin composite samples containing various additives. It is also clear from the results that the mechanical properties were enhanced. The presence of ATH improved the electrical properties and enhanced the thermal stability of the wood flour composites. Generally, the PE composite samples gave better results compared to the PP ones. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Influence of cooling rate on the thermal behavior and solid‐state morphologies of polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Xie Yuping , Noda Isao , Akpalu Yvonne A.
Published: May 2008

The influence of cooling rates on the thermal behavior and solid‐state morphologies of polyhydroxyalkanoates have been investigated. The thermal behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystal structures (∼ Å), lamellar (tens of nanometers), fibrillar (several hundred nanometers), and spherulitic (∼ μm) morphologies of poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and the copolymers of poly (3‐hydroxybutyric acid‐co‐3‐hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) and poly (3‐hydroxybutyric acid‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoic acid) (PHBHx) crystallized under different cooling rates were studied using simultaneous small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X‐ray scattering, simultaneous ultra small angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS) and SAXS, and polarized optical microscopy, respectively. The experimental results showed that the lamellar and spherulitic morphologies depended strongly on cooling rates. However, there was little influence of cooling rates on the crystal structures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Characterization of an IκB‐like gene in Cotesia vestalis polydnavirus
Authors: Chen Ya‐Feng , Shi Min , Liu Peng‐Cheng , Huang Fang , Chen Xue‐xin
Published: May 2008

Cotesia vestalis (Braconidae, Hymenoptera) depends mainly on 3 regulatory factors to manipulate its host's development and immune response, including polydnavirus, venom, and teratocytes, among which polydnavirus plays a key role in suppressing the host immune system. In the present work, we cloned the full sequence of gene CvBV‐ank2, encoding an IκB‐like protein in C. vestalis polydnavirus (CvBV). The full sequence of CvBV‐ank2 is 955 bp, encoding 162 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 18,355 Da. CvBV‐ank2 shares high similarity with the exon I and exon II of CvBV‐ank1, which is on the same segment with CvBV‐ank2. This result suggests that gene duplication might occur in CvBV‐ank1 and CvBV‐ank2. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that CvBV‐ank2 and CvBV‐ank1, both on segment CvBV‐S2, are, respectively, closely related with CcBV―26.3 and CcBV―26.2, both on segment Circle26 of C. congregata polydnavirus (CcBV). BLAST search using the sequence of segment CvBV‐S2 as a query revealed that segment CvBV‐S2 shares 90% max identity with segment Circle26 of CcBV over 67% query coverage. These results demonstrate that there is not only gene similarity, but also segment similarity between CvBV and CcBV. Transcripts of CvBV‐ank2 were detected as early as 0.5 h post‐parasitization and continued to be detected for 6 days, indicating that CvBV‐ank2 might be involved in the early protection of the parasitoid egg. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and validation of a novel bioreactor system for load‐ and perfusion‐controlled tissue engineering of chondrocyte‐constructs
Authors: Schulz Ronny M. , Wüstneck Nico , van Donkelaar Corrinus C. , Shelton Julia C. , Bader Augustinus
Published: May 2008

Osteoarthritis is a severe socio‐economical disease, for which a suitable treatment modality does not exist. Tissue engineering of cartilage transplants is the most promising method to treat focal cartilage defects. However, current culturing procedures do not yet meet the requirements for clinical implementation. This article presents a novel bioreactor device for the functional tissue engineering of articular cartilage which enables cyclic mechanical loading combined with medium perfusion over long periods of time, under controlled cultivation and stimulation conditions whilst ensuring system sterility. The closed bioreactor consists of a small, perfused, autoclavable, twin chamber culture device with a contactless actuator for mechanical loading. Uni‐axial loading is guided by externally applied magnetic fields with real‐time feedback‐control from a platform load cell and an inductive proximity sensor. This precise measurement allows the development of the mechanical properties of the cultured tissue to be monitored in real‐time. This is an essential step towards clinical implementation, as it allows accounting for differences in the culture procedure induced by patient‐variability. This article describes, based on standard agarose hydrogels of 3 mm height and 10 mm diameter, the technical concept, implementation, scalability, reproducibility, precision, and the calibration procedures of the whole bioreactor instrument. Particular attention is given to the contactless loading system by which chondrocyte scaffolds can be compressed at defined loading frequencies and magnitudes, whilst maintaining an aseptic cultivation procedure. In a “proof of principle” experiment, chondrocyte seeded agarose gels were cultured for 21 days in the bioreactor system. Intermittent medium perfusion at a steady flow rate (0.5 mL/min) was applied. Sterility and cell viability (ds‐DNA quantification and fluorometric live/dead staining) were preserved in the system. Flow induced shear stress stimulated sGAG (sulfated glycosaminoglycan) content (DMMB assay) after 21 days, which was confirmed by histological staining of Alcian blue and by immunostaining of Aggrecan. Experimental data on mechanotransduction and long‐term studies on the beneficial effects of combined perfusion and different mechanical loading patterns on chondrocyte seeded scaffolds will be published separately. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 714–728. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved reactor performance and operability in the biotransformation of carveol to carvone using a solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactor
Authors: Morrish Jenna L.E. , Daugulis Andrew J.
Published: May 2008

In an effort to improve reactor performance and process operability, the microbial biotransformation of (−)‐trans‐carveol to (R)‐(−)‐carvone by hydrophobic Rhodococcus erythropolis DCL14 was carried out in a two phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) with solid polymer beads acting as the partitioning phase. Previous work had demonstrated that the substrate and product become inhibitory to the organism at elevated aqueous concentrations and the use of an immiscible second phase in the bioreactor was intended to provide a reservoir for substrates to be delivered to the aqueous phase based on the metabolic rate of the cells, while also acting as a sink to uptake the product as it is produced. The biotransformation was previously undertaken in a two liquid phase TPPB with 1‐dodecene and with silicone oil as the immiscible second phase and, although improvement in the reactor performance was obtained relative to a single phase system, the hydrophobic nature of the organism caused the formation of severe emulsions leading to significant operational challenges. In the present work, eight types of polymer beads were screened for their suitability for use in a solid–liquid TPPB for this biotransformation. The use of selected solid polymer beads as the second phase completely prevented emulsion formation and therefore improved overall operability of the reactor. Three modes of solid–liquid TPPB operation were considered: the use of a single polymer bead type (styrene/butadiene copolymer) in the reactor, the use of a mixture of polymer beads in the reactor (styrene/butadiene copolymer plus Hytrel® 8206), and the use of one type of polymer beads in the reactor (styrene/butadiene copolymer), and another bead type (Hytrel® 8206) in an external column through which fermentation medium was recirculated. This last configuration achieved the best reactor performance with 7 times more substrate being added throughout the biotransformation relative to a single aqueous phase benchmark reactor and 2.7 times more substrate being added relative to the best two liquid TPPB case. Carvone was quantitatively recovered from the polymer beads via single stage extraction into methanol, allowing for bead re‐use. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A model predicting delivery of saquinavir in nanoparticles to human monocyte/macrophage (Mo/Mac) cells
Authors: Ece Gamsiz D. , Shah Lipa K. , Devalapally Harikrishna , Amiji Mansoor M. , Carrier Rebecca L.
Published: May 2008

Modeling the influence of a technology such as nanoparticle systems on drug delivery is beneficial in rational formulation design. While there are many studies showing drug delivery enhancement by nanoparticles, the literature provides little guidance regarding when nanoparticles are useful for delivery of a given drug. A model was developed predicting intracellular drug concentration in cultured cells dosed with nanoparticles. The model considered drug release from nanoparticles as well as drug and nanoparticle uptake by the cells as the key system processes. Mathematical expressions for these key processes were determined using experiments in which each process occurred in isolation. In these experiments, intracellular delivery of saquinavir, a low solubility drug dosed as a formulation of poly(ethylene oxide)‐modified poly(epsilon‐ caprolactone) (PEO–PCL) nanoparticles, was studied in THP‐1 human monocyte/macrophage (Mo/Mac) cells. The model accurately predicted the enhancement in intracellular concentration when drug was administered in nanoparticles compared to aqueous solution. This simple model highlights the importance of relative kinetics of nanoparticle uptake and drug release in determining overall enhancement of intracellular drug concentration when dosing with nanoparticles. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Transfection Activity of New Cationic Phosphoramidate Lipids: High Efficiency of an Imidazolium Derivative
Authors: Mével Mathieu , Breuzard Gilles , Yaouanc Jean‐Jacques , Clément Jean‐Claude , Lehn Pierre , Pichon Chantal , Jaffrès Paul‐Alain , Midoux Patrick
Published: May 2008

In an effort to enhance the gene‐transfer efficiencies of cationic lipids and to decrease their toxicities, a series of new phosphoramidate lipids with chemical similarity to cell membrane phospholipids was synthesised. These lipids contained various cationic headgroups, such as arginine methyl ester, lysine methyl ester, homoarginine methyl ester, ethylenediamine, diaminopropane, guanidinium and imidazolium. Their transfection abilities, either alone or with the co‐lipid DOPE, were evaluated in HEK293–T7 cells. We found that imidazolium lipophosphoramidate7 a/DOPE lipoplexes gave the most efficient transfection with low toxicity (15 %). The luciferase activity was 100 times higher than that obtained with DOTAP/DOPE lipoplexes. The size,ζpotential, pDNA–liposome interactions and cellular uptakes of the lipoplexes were determined. No definitive correlation between theζpotential values and the transfection efficiencies could be established, but the uptake of lipoplexes by the cells was correlated with their final transfection efficiencies. Our results show that imidazolium phosphoramidate lipids constitute a potential new class of cationic lipids for gene transfer.
13C Direct‐detection biomolecular NMR
Authors: Bermel Wolfgang , Felli Isabella C. , Kümmerle Rainer , Pierattelli Roberta
Published: May 2008

Carbon‐13 direct‐detection NMR is becoming increasingly used to complement 1H‐detected experiments in biomolecular applications. Here we describe the novel aspects that were addressed to convert 13C direct‐detection into a useful routinely applicable tool, a selection of the most useful 13C direct‐detection protonless NMR experiments and how they can be exploited for the study of proteins. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 183–200, 2008.
Determination of Some Heavy Metal Ions with a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified by Poly(glycidylmethacrylate‐methylmethacrylate‐divinylbenzene) Microspheres Functionalized by 2‐Aminothiazole
Authors: Şar Erdem , Berber Hale , Aşçı Bürge , Cankurtaran Hüsnü
Published: May 2008

A carbon paste electrode modified with 2‐aminothiazole functionalized poly(glycidylmethacrylate‐methylmethacrylate‐divinylbenzene) microspheres was used for trace determination of mercury, copper and lead ions. After the open‐circuit accumulation of the heavy metal ions onto the electrode, the sensitive anodic stripping peaks were obtained by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV)). Many parameters such as the composition of the paste, pH, preconcentration time, effective potential scan rate and stirring rate influence the response of the measurement. The procedures were optimized for most sensitive and reliable determinations of the desired species. For a 10‐min preconcentration time in synthetic solutions at optimum instrumental and experimental conditions, the detection limit (LOD) was 12.3, 2.8 and 4.5 μg L−1 for mercury, copper and lead, respectively. The limits of detection may be enhanced by increasing the preconcentration time. For example, LOD of mercury and copper was 4.9 and 1.0 μg L−1 for fifteen minutes preconcentration time. The sensitivity may also considered to be increased by using a more suitable electrode composition targeting the more conductive electrode with lesser amount of modified polymer for sub‐μg L−1 levels of heavy metal ions. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of copper in tap water and waste water samples by means of standard addition procedure. The copper content found was comparable with the certified concentration of the waste water sample. The calibration plots for mercury and lead spiked real samples were also drawn.
Resting in peace or noise: Scanner background noise suppresses default‐mode network
Authors: Gaab Nadine , Gabrieli John D.E. , Glover Gary H.
Published: May 2008

Studies have identified specific brain regions that increase activation during rest relative to attention‐demanding tasks; these regions subserve the “default mode of brain function”. Most of these studies have been conducted in the presence of scanner background noise (SBN). This noise has been shown to lead to altered attentional demands, and thus may modulate the default‐mode network. Twelve subjects were examined during a rest condition that was contrasted with an auditory task. Words were presented either with SBN employing a conventional acquisition or without SBN using a sparse sampling approach. The number of experimental and resting trials was equated between the designs. Selecting the images in the condition with SBN that corresponded in time with the images in the condition without SBN made a direct comparison of the default‐mode network (rest contrasted with active task) possible. There was typical activation of the default‐mode network during rest versus task for both designs. However, SBN suppressed major components of the default‐mode network, including medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, and precuneus. Our results suggest that the default mode of brain function differs when assessed in the presence compared to the absence of scanner noise, with the presence of scanner noise perhaps adding attentional demands that diminish activation changes between rest and task in a nonlinear way within the default network. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the use of a sparse sampling technique might enhance clinical utilities that have been proposed for analysis of the default‐mode network. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Murine cirrhosis induces hepatocyte epithelial mesenchymal transition and alterations in survival signaling pathways
Authors: Nitta Takashi , Kim Jae-Sung , Mohuczy Dagmara , Behrns Kevin E.
Published: May 2008

Hepatocytes that reside in a chronically-injured liver have altered growth responses compared to hepatocytes in normal liver. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is upregulated in the cirrhotic liver, and cirrhotic hepatocytes, unlike normal hepatocytes exposed to this cytokine, exhibit decreased apoptosis. In fetal hepatocytes, TGFβ also induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and signaling changes in cell survival pathways. Here, chronic murine liver injury was induced by twice-weekly carbon tetrachloride administration for 8 weeks. Normal liver-derived hepatocytes (NLDH) and cirrhotic liver-derived hepatocytes (CLDH) were examined for EMT and the small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K/Akt), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were investigated. Immunofluorescence imaging of cirrhotic livers demonstrated increased vimentin expression, which was confirmed by immunoblot analysis.

In vitro

, CLDH exhibited increased vimentin and type 1 collagen expression within cellular extensions consistent with EMT. Treatment with TGFβ augmented the EMT response in CLDH. In contrast, untreated NLDH did not display features of EMT but responded to TGFβ with increased vimentin expression and EMT characteristics. In response to PI3K/Akt inhibition, CLDH had decreased basal and insulin-stimulated p-Akt expression and decreased apoptosis compared to NLDH. In both NLDH and CLDH, vimentin expression was dependent on PI3K/Akt activity. CLDH demonstrated increased basal p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression that was independent of Smad and PI3K/Akt signaling. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway produced a marked increase in CLDH apoptosis.

Conclusion:

CLDH have increased vimentin and type 1 collagen expression and morphologic features consistent with EMT. In addition, compared to NLDH, the cellular signaling phenotype of CLDH changes from a MAPK-independent pathway to a MAPK-dependent cell survival pathway. These findings may have clinical implications for chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver. (Hepatology 2008.)
Integrated water assessment model for water budgeting under future development scenarios in Qiantang River basin of China
Authors: Mu Jianxin , Khan Shahbaz , Gao Zhanyi
Published: May 2008

Since conjunctive water use for agriculture is turning out to be a major environmental challenge in some river basins, there is an urgent need to quantify future water availability and water demand to identify whether there is a surplus or deficit of water. This is of great importance in developing water management plans for a basin or a state. In this paper, the Basin‐wide Holistic Integrated Water Assessment (BHIWA) model developed at the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) was used in an attempt to simulate the water balance of the study basin, the Qiantang River basin in China, as well as to analyse the impacts of land and water use on return flows of this basin. The model was run on a monthly basis, and was calibrated by comparing the calculated and observed data. Furthermore, the BHIWA model was applied to simulate historic conditions of the basin dating back to 1980 and for future scenarios to analyse the effects of water policies and multiple demands on water resources. The results calculated from this model indicated how the model could be a useful tool for basin‐level integrated water assessment, particularly in small river basins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Placenta accreta in the first trimester of pregnancy: Sonographic findings
Authors: Wong Hong Soo , Zuccollo Jane , Tait John , Pringle, Kevin Craig
Published: May 2008

In a case of histologically confirmed placenta increta, decidual protrusion into the myometrium was observed sonographically at 6 weeks' gestation, corresponding to placental protrusion from a disrupted placental–uterine wall interface seen in the later part of the first and second trimester. It is hypothesized that the histologic finding of decidual scarcity in placenta accreta is not a cause but rather an end result of the recruitment of trophoblasts across the decidual–placental interface in a maternal attempt at healing and/or repair in the presence of uterine injury, disease, or malformation that accounts for the associated factors and course of the condition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Interactive compact device modelling using Qucs equation‐defined devices
Authors: Jahn S. , Brinson M. E.
Published: May 2008

Recent trends in compact device modelling and circuit simulation suggest a growing movement towards standardization of Verilog‐A as a vehicle for semiconductor device specification and model interchange among commercial and open source simulators. This paper introduces a nonlinear equation‐defined device (EDD) characterized by current, voltage and charge equations with a similar syntax to Verilog‐A. The EDD has been implemented in Qucs and used extensively as a central feature in an interactive modelling system that allows straightforward prototyping of compact device models prior to translation into Verilog‐A. To illustrate the properties and the use of the Qucs EDD a number of examples centred on well‐known SPICE models are described. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchronous and metachronous cancers in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Eom Bang Wool , Lee Hyuk‐Joon , Yoo Moon‐Won , Cho Jae Jin , Kim Woo Ho , Yang Han‐Kwang , Lee Kuhn Uk
Published: May 2008

Background and Objectives

The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of synchronous and metachronous cancer in gastric cancer and to suggest appropriate methods of treatment management.

Methods

We reviewed 4,593 patients who underwent operations for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Hospital from 1999 to 2005. We selected those patients who had also been diagnosed with another primary cancer and classified patients into three groups according to the date of detection of another primary cancer. We analyzed their clinicopathological features.

Results

The incidence of synchronous or metachronous cancer in addition to gastric cancer was 3.4%. The most common another primary cancer was colorectal cancer (20.1%), followed by lung cancer and liver cancer. The majority of synchronous cancers were operated on at the same time as gastric cancer. Eighty‐five percent of the synchronous group and 45% of the post‐metachronous group were detected by a routine checkup, without prior symptoms. There was no postoperative mortality and the overall 5‐year survival rate was 69.4%.

Conclusion

Synchronous cancer should be considered in the preoperative workup and combined resection should be applied whenever possible. Periodic examination for metachronous cancer is necessary during the postoperative period. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:106–110. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polyacrylamide‐based material for electrospun humidity‐resistant, water‐soluble nanofilters
Authors: Vetcher Alexandre A. , Gearheart Ryan , Morozov Victor N.
Published: May 2008

A new approach for the collection of aerosol particles is described in which the particles are first collected on a water‐soluble filter and then liberated into an aqueous solution. The filter was manufactured by electrospinning a polyacrylamide (PAA) gel solution containing 2,2′‐(bisacrylamino) diethyl disulfide (BAC) cross‐links after gel dissolution in a water solution of β‐mercaptoethanol. The morphology of the P(AA–BAC) nanofibers was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical microscopy. The filters were characterized for their ability to capture aerosol particles, their stability at high humidity, and their ability to release captured particles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid protein is unnecessary in children with leukemia
Authors: Barber Ashley , Lovato James , Hill Garick , McLean Thomas W.
Published: May 2008

To determine the incidence and importance of abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein in children with acute leukemia, we performed a retrospective chart review. On 160 pediatric patients a total of 2,172 LPs were performed (median per patient = 15; range 1–38). Overall, 314 (14%) of CSF protein measurements were abnormal: 141 (7%) were abnormally low (<15 mg/dL) and 158 (7%) were abnormally high (>45 mg/dL). In no case did an abnormal CSF protein impact patient management. We conclude that routine measurement of CSF protein is not indicated in children with acute leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:428–430. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic analysis of proteins associated with body mass and length in yellow perch, Perca flavescens
Authors: Reddish John Mark , St‐Pierre Normand , Nichols Andy , Green‐Church Kari , Wick Macdonald
Published: May 2008

The goal of commercial yellow perch aquaculture is to increase muscle mass which leads to increased profitability. The accumulation and degradation of muscle‐specific gene products underlies the variability in body mass (BM) and length observed in pond‐cultured yellow perch. Our objective was to apply a combination of statistical and proteomic technologies to identify intact and/or proteolytic fragments of muscle specific gene products involved in muscle growth in yellow perch. Seventy yellow perch randomly selected at 10, 12, 16, 20, and 26 wk of age were euthanized; BM and length were measured and a muscle sample taken. Muscle proteins were resolved using 5–20% gradient SDS‐PAGE, stained with SYPRO® Ruby and analyzed using TotalLab™ software. Data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression with the dependent variables, BM and length and proportional OD of each band in a sample as a potential regressor. Eight bands associated with BM (R2 = 0.84) and nine bands with length (R2 = 0.85) were detected. Protein sequencing by nano‐LC/MS/MS identified 20 proteins/peptides associated with BM and length. These results contribute the identification of gene products and/or proteolytic fragments associated with muscle growth in yellow perch.
Proteomic analyses of Fusarium graminearum grown under mycotoxin‐inducing conditions
Authors: Taylor Rebecca D. , Saparno Audrey , Blackwell Barbara , Anoop Valar , Gleddie Steve , Tinker Nicholas A. , Harris Linda J.
Published: May 2008

Non‐gel‐based quantitative proteomics technology was used to profile protein expression differences when Fusarium graminearum was induced to produce trichothecenes in vitro. As F. graminearum synthesizes and secretes trichothecenes early in the cereal host invasion process, we hypothesized that proteins contributing to infection would also be induced under conditions favouring mycotoxin synthesis. Protein samples were extracted from three biological replicates of a time course study and subjected to iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) analysis. Statistical analysis of a filtered dataset of 435 proteins revealed 130 F. graminearum proteins that exhibited significant changes in expression, of which 72 were upregulated relative to their level at the initial phase of the time course. There was good agreement between upregulated proteins identified by 2‐D PAGE/MS/MS and iTRAQ. RT‐PCR and northern hybridization confirmed that genes encoding proteins which were upregulated based on iTRAQ were also transcriptionally active under mycotoxin producing conditions. Numerous candidate pathogenicity proteins were identified using this technique. These will provide leads in the search for mechanisms and markers of host invasion and novel antifungal targets.
Overhauser field‐induced electron transport through weakly coupled double quantum dots
Authors: Iñarrea Jesús , MacDonald Allan H. , Lopez‐Monis Carlos , Platero Gloria
Published: May 2008

In this work the tunneling current through a weakly coupled double quantum dot in an external magnetic field is analyzed. We propose a model which includes Hyperfine interaction. The time evolution for electronic charge occupations and for the nuclei polarizations in each dot is obtained by means of rate equations which are self‐consistently solved.

We analyze the current in the spin blockade region as a function of magnetic field and observe hysteretic behavior for magnetic fields corresponding to the crossings between triplet and singlet states. Bistability is also produced for the induced nuclei spin polarizations within each quantum dot. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Testing monotonicity over graph products
Authors: Halevy Shirley , Kushilevitz Eyal
Published: May 2008

We consider the problem of monotonicity testing over graph products. Monotonicity testing is one of the central problems studied in the field of property testing. We present a testing approach that enables us to use known monotonicity testers for given graphs G1, G2, to test monotonicity over their product G1 × G2. Such an approach of reducing monotonicity testing over a graph product to monotonicity testing over the original graphs, has been previously used in the special case of monotonicity testing over [n]d for a limited type of testers; in this article, we show that this approach can be applied to allow modular design of testers in many interesting cases: this approach works whenever the functions are boolean, and also in certain cases for functions with a general range. We demonstrate the usefulness of our results by showing how a careful use of this approach improves the query complexity of known testers. Specifically, based on our results, we provide a new analysis for the known tester for [n]d which significantly improves its query complexity analysis in the low‐dimensional case. For example, when d = O(1), we reduce the best known query complexity from O(log 2n/ε) to O(log n/ε). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2008
Learning science through inquiry in kindergarten
Authors: Samarapungavan Ala , Mantzicopoulos Panayota , Patrick Helen
Published: May 2008

This paper examines the nature of kindergarten students' science learning from an inquiry unit in which they investigated the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. The unit was implemented in a public school serving a socioeconomically, ethnically, and linguistically diverse student population. The paper provides descriptive data on children's science learning from their investigations. The descriptive data were collected during the implementation of the inquiry unit using an electronic portfolio system. A second set of data on science learning was collected using an objective, researcher‐designed instrument called the Science Learning Assessment (SLA). These data were collected from children in the intervention who completed the inquiry unit and from a comparison group of kindergarten students that was similar in demographic characteristics but did not receive systematic science instruction. The comparison group provides baseline data about kindergarten students' science concepts in the absence of targeted science instruction. There were 100 participants (65 intervention and 35 comparison students). Results indicate that intervention students demonstrated a functional understanding of scientific inquiry processes and of important life science concepts during their investigations. Statistical analyses of SLA data indicate that the intervention group showed significantly better understanding of scientific inquiry processes than the comparison group. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed92:868–908, 2008
The lipids of various fungi grown on an artificial medium
Authors: Farag R. S. , Youssef A. M. , Khalil F. A. , Taha R. A.
Published: May 2008

The lipids extracted from various fungi belonging to the generaAspergillus, Fusarium andPenicillium cultivated on Davis medium were studied. The fatty acids from fungal lipids were fractionated by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and the main fatty acids were palmitoleic, oleic, stearic, linoleic and arachidic. The results demonstrated that the fatty acid composition of various fungi could be used as criteria for fungal taxonomy. The unsaponifiable matter of the fungi could be divided into two fractions, i.e., hydrocarbons and sterols. The hydrocarbon fraction constitutes an important part because its amount ranged from 30.14 to 80.97% according to the fungal species. The sterol fraction of the unsaponifiable part of fungal lipids was much simpler in composition. Analysis by GLC indicated that sterol composition could be used to differentiate among fungi belonging to different genera as well as among species belonging to one genus.
Comparison of the direct and indirect wide‐line nuclear magnetic resonance methods for determining solid fat content
Authors: Mills B. L. , van de Voort F. R.
Published: May 2008

A direct method of measuring the solid fat content by wide‐line nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was compared with the conventional indirect wide‐line NMR procedure. The direct method is based on the use of variable gate widths available on the Newport Analyser Mk IIIA. The results obtained for four different fats using the direct method did not differ significantly from those of the indirect method. As the direct method required additional measurements, was somewhat more complex theoretically and gave more variable results because of the weaker signal obtained at the wide gate, no real advantage could be found for its use.
Physicochemical characterization of galactosyldiglycerides and their quantitation in wheat flour lipids by high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Tweeten T. N. , Wetzel D. L. , Chung O. K.
Published: May 2008

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for analyzing digalactosyldiglycerides (DGDG) and monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDG) in polar lipids fractionated from lipid extracts of wheat or flour. Wheat lipid samples were prepared by solvent extraction, then fractionated on a silica gel packed open column. A Spherisorb ODS (octadecyl silane) column with methanol/water elution system was used for separation of glycolipids in the polar lipid fractions. The detection limit of the refractive index detector with interferometric optics was 0.25µg for both DGDG and MGDG. Separating on nonpolar bonded phase columns permitted us to differentiate, based on fatty acid composition and position, among components within the specific glycolipid classes. Semipreparative HPLC on analytical columns was used to subfractionate the polar lipids. The glycolipids were collected for functional group characterization. Approximately 35% of each DGDG subfraction was accounted for as carbohydrate. The absence of phosphorus precluded phospholipids. Fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography showed the first DGDG to be linoleic acid, whereas the second DGDG peak was composed of linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids. Mass spectrometric analysis of the first DGDG peak showed linoleic acid in both the SN‐1 and 2 positions. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed that palmitic or oleic acid in the second peak was preferentially located on the SN‐1 position; linoleic acid was on the SN‐2 position.
Flavor perceptibility of straight chain, unsaturated aldehydes as a function of double‐bond position and geometry
Authors: Meijboom P. W. , Jongenotter G. A.
Published: May 2008

The mean threshold values for odor and taste of straight‐chain mono‐ and diunsaturated aldehydes are determined in solutions of paraffin oil. The threshold values lie at low concentrations and display interesting odor and taste aspects. Special attention is given to the influence of chain length, double‐bond position, number of double bonds andcis/trans geometry.
Detection of palm oil in vanaspati by thin layer chromatography
Authors: Sengupta P. , Sil S. , Chattarjea J. N.
Published: May 2008

Palm oil (raw or refined), as such, or the unsaponifiable matter of palm oil and vanaspati (mostly hydrogenated soybean oil containing 5% sesame oil), when separated on a silver nitrate impregnated Silica Gel G plate or a Silica Gel G plate using (a) hexane/ether/acetic acid (80:20:1.5) or (b) chloroform, respectively, for development showed distinct differences. On the basis of this, two systems have been suggested for the detection of palm oil in vanaspati. About 5% adulteration can be detected by the first method and 10% by the second.
TLC‐FID assessment of lipid oxidation as applied to fish lipids rich in triglycerides
Authors: Kaitaranta Jukka K. , Ke Paul J.
Published: May 2008

Changes in the polar lipid content of fatty fish oils were studied by quantitative thin layer chromatography‐flame ionization detection (TLC‐FID) during an accelerated oxidation test. There was a direct linear correlation between increase in polar lipids and increase in weight of the oil samples. Comparison of increases in polar lipids with thiobarbituric acid values gave a hyperbolic correlation curve. However, a linear correlation was obtained in a semilogarithmic system. The simple and time‐saving TLC‐FID method for the analysis of the polar lipid content of oils as compared to a column chromatographic method suggests that this new method could be used in quality control of edible oils.
Chemical examination ofClitoria ternatea seeds
Authors: Joshi S. S. , Shrivastava R. K. , Shrivastava D. K.
Published: May 2008

Fatty acid composition determined by paper, thin layer and gas liquid chromatography revealed the presence of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids in the weight ratio of 18.5, 9.5, 51.4, 16.8 and 3.8%, respectively, inClitoria ternatea seed oil. Protein constitutes 38.4% and consists of 18 amino acids. Essential amino acid pattern is (%): lysine (6.55), histidine (2.03), threonine (3.13), phenylalanine+tyrosine (5.5), valine (5.8), methionine+cystine (1.16) and leucine+isoleucine (15.4). The seeds have been found to be rich in calories (500.5 cal/100 g).