bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilization of Parallel Triplexes by Twisted Intercalating Nucleic Acids (TINAs) Incorporating 1,2,3‐Triazole Units and Prepared by Microwave‐Accelerated Click Chemistry
Authors: Géci Imrich , Filichev Vyacheslav V. , Pedersen Erik B.
Published: May 2007

A highly efficient method for postsynthetic modification of unprotected oligonucleotides incorporating internal insertions of (R)‐1‐O‐(4‐ethynylbenzyl)glycerol has been developed through the application of click chemistry with water‐insoluble pyren‐1‐yl azide and water‐soluble benzyl azide and acceleration by microwave irradiation. The twisted intercalating nucleic acids (TINAs) obtained in these reactions, possessing bulged insertions of (R)‐3‐O‐{4‐[1‐(pyren‐1‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl]benzyl}glycerol (7), formed parallel triplexes with thermal stabilities of 20.0, 34.0, and 40.0 °C at pH 7.2 in the cases of one, two, or three insertions of 7, respectively, separated by three nucleic bases. An oligonucleotide with four insertions of 7—each between three nucleic bases in the sequence—was unable to form complexes with complementary single‐ or double‐stranded DNAs, as a result of self‐aggregation of the pyrene moieties. This assumption was supported by the formation of a very strong excimer band at 460 nm in the fluorescence spectra. Molecular modeling of the parallel triplex with bulged insertion of the monomer 7 in the triplex‐forming oligonucleotide (TFO) showed that only the pyrene moiety was stacking between the bases of the dsDNA, whereas 1,2,3‐triazole did not participate in the triplex stabilization. Thermal denaturation studies of the duplexes and triplexes, as well as the fluorescence properties of TINA‐triazole 7, are discussed and compared with previous studies on TINA.
Manipulating the chemokine‐chemokine receptor network to treat cancer
Authors: Ruffini Pier A. , Morandi Paolo , Cabioglu Neslihan , Altundag Kadri , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: May 2007

Chemokines are chemoattractant cytokines that regulate the trafficking and activation of leukocytes and other cell types under a variety of inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions. Over the past few years, studies have increasingly shown that chemokines play an important role in several aspects of tumor progression. Tumor cells express functional chemokine receptors, which can sustain proliferation, angiogenesis, and survival and promote organ‐specific localization of distant metastases. Chemokine expression in human malignancies is associated with a leukocyte infiltration favoring the establishment of immune escape mechanisms. A literature review of relevant publications on preclinical testing of cancer therapies based on interference with the cancer chemokine network was performed. The feasibility, potential advantages, and limitations of the clinical translation of the results of such studies in treatment of different tumor types and settings are discussed. The chemokine network is a key player in the establishment of metastases. In the preclinical setting, blocking agents and antibodies directed against CXCR4 prevent metastasis of different cancers. In mouse models, overexpression of selected chemokines causes tumor infiltration by distinct leukocyte subsets, resulting in tumor regression and tumor‐specific immunity generation. Researchers have also successfully used chemokines as carriers and/or adjuvants for cancer vaccines. The cancer chemokine network is a multifaceted therapeutic target. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Use of health‐related and cancer‐specific support groups among adult cancer survivors
Authors: Owen Jason E. , Goldstein Michael S. , Lee Jennifer H. , Breen Nancy , Rowland Julia H.
Published: May 2007

BACKGROUND.

Data from the National Health Interview Survey suggest that the utilization of mental health services among cancer survivors is low and unmet needs are high for some. However, to the authors' knowledge little is known regarding the prevalence and predictors of participation in health‐related support groups.

METHODS.

A total of 9187 participants in the California Health Interview Survey Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CHIS‐CAM) study completed a telephone interview in 2003 (1844 participants with cancer and 4951 participants with other chronic health problems). Participants were asked to describe previous/ current support group use, benefits of support group use, and physician involvement in decisions regarding support groups. Weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted using SUDAAN software to examine patterns of support group use.

RESULTS.

The prevalence of support group use was found to be higher among cancer survivors (23.7%) than those with another chronic health condition (14.5%). Predictors of support group use were found to be similar across groups and included female gender, greater education, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), depression, and anxiety. Age, health insurance, and presence of depression predicted support group use differently for cancer survivors and those with other conditions. The percentages of those perceiving support groups to be beneficial varied from 35.1% for those with skin cancer to 96% for those with cervical cancer. The percentage of participants reporting that their physician recommended a support group was low (10.2%).

CONCLUSIONS.

Health‐related support groups are used by nearly 1 in 4 cancer survivors, but levels of utilization differ across subgroups. An understanding of how cancer survivors use support groups highlights shortcomings in psychosocial care and suggests that additional efforts to overcome barriers to care are needed. Cancer 2007. Published 2007 by the American Cancer Society.
Rituximab in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma
Authors: Sacchi Stefano , Pozzi Samantha , Marcheselli Raffaella , Federico Massimo , Tucci Alessandra , Merli Francesco , Orsucci Loretta , Liberati Marina , Vallisa Daniele , Brugiatelli Maura ,   On behalf of the Italian Lymphoma Study Group (GISL)
Published: May 2007

BACKGROUND.

The current study was conducted to asses the safety profile and clinical activity of rituximab in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma (FL).

METHODS.

This study was a noncomparative, multicenter, phase II study. Between March 2000 and December 2002, 54 patients with recurrent FL were enrolled in the FC+R trial. Patients received fludarabine at a dose of 25 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide at a dose of 300 mg/m2 daily for 3 consecutive days, every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Rituximab was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2 beginning 2 weeks after the first course of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide and then on Day 1 of each cycle thereafter. The planned treatment duration was 10 weeks.

RESULTS.

Overall, 92% of patients completed the planned therapy in 10 to 14 weeks and 74% achieved a complete response (CR). Among patients with BCL2‒positive bone marrow, 86% obtained a molecular disease remission (MR). The median survival from treatment (SFT), the duration of disease remission (DR), and time to disease progression (TTP) had not been reached after a median follow‒up of 45 months. Of the baseline characteristics, >2 previous treatments, BCL2‒positive bone marrow, and low Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) score were found to be associated with better DR and/or TTP. Hematologic toxicity was transient and reversible, with the exception of 3 patients with severe and prolonged neutropenia. Three patients presented with infections, 1 of whom died of bronchopneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS.

The FC+R scheme, a nonanthracycline‒containing regimen lasting up to 10 weeks, was found to be relatively well‒tolerated and demonstrated significant antilymphoma activity with excellent clinical CR and molecular response rates. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Organization of the human medial preoptic nucleus
Authors: Koutcherov Yuri , Paxinos George , Mai Jürgen K.
Published: May 2007

The organization of the adult human medial preoptic nucleus was studied by using chemoarchitectonic markers for acetylcholinesterase, nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI‐32), calbindin‐D28k, neuropeptide Y (NPY), melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH), cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART), and 3‐fucosyl‐N‐acetyl‐lactosamine (CD15) to establish human homologs to the subnuclei making up MPO in the rat, where their connections and functional significance are better understood. The human MPO comprises three subnuclei, the medial MPO, the lateral MPO, and the dorsomedially positioned uncinate subnucleus. As in the rat, the human medial MPO is magnocellular and contains numerous NPY‐ and CART‐immunoreactive fibers and terminals as well as calbindin‐positive neurons. The human lateral MPO, like its homolog in the rat, distinctively features numerous MCH‐positive fibers and terminals as well as SMI‐32‐immunoreactive fibers. The uncinate subnucleus is wedged between the lateral surface of the paraventricular nucleus and the medial MPO and is characterized by variable NPY‐ and CART‐immunoreactive fibers and terminals, also seen in the rat central MPO, suggesting that the subnuclei are homologues. The intermediate nucleus was distinguished by CD15‐positive neuronal staining, whereas the majority of its neurons also contained acetylcholinesterase. The human intermediate nucleus is positioned on the lateral surface of MPO and by its chemo‐ and cytoarchitecture constitutes a distinct nucleus of the preoptic area characterized by close structural association with the MPO complex. These findings demonstrate that the human MPO is organized similarly to the rat MPO, in chemo‐ and cytoarchitectonically distinct subnuclei, which implies differences in their functional specialization, as seen in the rat. J. Comp. Neurol. 503:392–406, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple topographically organized projections connect the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus to the ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus in the gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus
Authors: Cant Nell B. , Benson Christina G.
Published: May 2007

The ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus (MGv) receives almost all of its ascending input from the ipsilateral central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CNIC). In a previous study (Cant and Benson [2006] J. Comp. Neurol. 495:511‐528), we made injections of biotinylated dextran amine into the CNIC of the gerbil and demonstrated that it can be divided into two parts. One part (zone 1) receives almost all of its ascending input from the cochlear nuclei, the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, and the main nuclei of the superior olivary complex; the other part (zone 2) receives inputs from the cochlear nuclei and nuclei of the lateral lemniscus but few or no inputs from the main olivary nuclei. Here we show that these two parts of the CNIC project differentially to the MGv. Axons labeled anterogradely by injections in zone 1 project throughout the rostral two‐thirds of the MGv, whereas axons from zone 2 project to the caudal third of the MGv. Throughout much of their extent, the terminal fields do not appear to overlap, although both parts of the CNIC project to medial and dorsal parts of the MGv, and there may be overlap in the most ventral part as well. The results indicate that two parallel pathways arising in the CNIC remain largely separate in the medial geniculate nucleus of the gerbil. It seems most likely that the neurons in the two terminal zones in the MGv perform different functions in audition. J. Comp. Neurol. 503:432–453, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimenter bias and other possible biases in psychological research
Authors: Innes John M. , Fraser Colin
Published: May 2007

Ajter a brief discussion of work on experimenter‐bias, it is suggested that the possibility of less well documented biases should be considered. A number of such biases are suggested. They are presented in terms of their source, namely the political ideologies, cultural backgrounds, biographical characteristics and personal characteristics of scientists. In considering implications of biases, three reactions are discussed: ignoring, controlling and understanding them. In particular, it is proposed that understanding the operation of bias might be furthered by working towards a taxonomy of biases, organized in terms of the sources of biases and the points in the research process at which they intrude.
An investigation of the diagnostic processing of contradictory information
Authors: Cohen Rudolf
Published: May 2007

In three parallel experiments, subjects rated their impressions of hypothetical 20‐year‐old males described by means of single or combined personality trait adjectives on 36 bipolar (Semantic Differential) scales. These ratings were a) intercorrelated across the scales (Q‐technique) and factor analyzed separately for each subject, and b) submitted to an analysis of variance separately for each scale. It was shown that 1) when contradictory adjectives were combined the major portion of the variance of judgments fell on dimensions independent of that which characterized the contradiction; 2) there were substantial inter‐individual consistencies in the direction of the deviation from that dimension; and 3) the utility of a linear model for the prediction of judgments of combined adjectives increases with increases in the extent to which the subject experiences the combination as consistent. However, the utility of the linear model decreases considerably and consistently if the combined adjectives are experienced as non‐consistent.
Some models of balance applied to children's perceptions of international relations
Authors: B. Johnson Nicholas
Published: May 2007

Data obtained from four national samples of 6–11 year old children are presented, showing preference for four countries, perceived friendship of these countries with the subject's own country and perceived relationships among the target‐countries. Two quantitative analogues of Heider's balance theory are used to examine the relations between these sets of data, one employing a multiplicative and the other a distance approach. Both models were found to fit the data adequately, further research being needed to discriminate between them. An explanation in terms of ‘ethnocentric correspondence’ is given to explain why prediction is noticeably better for British and Austrian than for Belgian and Greek samples.
Is there a position bias in the learning of influence structures?
Authors: Poitou Jean Pierre , Kreveld David Van
Published: May 2007

An experiment was conducted to determine the nature of position biases in the cognitive representation of hierarchical social structures. A position in such a structure reflects the relative influence of its occupants. Using DeSoto's technique, 24 Dutch and 24 French Ss learned either a completely ordered or incompletely ordered structure. No significant differences were found between countries. The completely ordered structure was found easier to learn than the incomplete ones. According to the results of previous studies (Van Kreveld and Zajonc, 1966; Poitou, 1970) the learning curves for completely and incompletely ordered structures were expected to be respectively curvilinear and monotonic. The results did not support this expectation.
Conceptual complexity, environment complexity, communication salience and attitude change
Authors: Hewitt David
Published: May 2007

Hypotheses derived from the Harvey, Hunt and Schroder personality organization system were tested in an attitude change situation. Female subjects selected for extremeness of conceptual structure and negative attitude toward women's equality were subjected to a sensory deprivation, a normal control or an overstimulation environment in which a high salience (HS) or a low salience (LS) communication was presented. The main prediction of a three‐way interaction among conceptual structure, communication salience and environmental complexity received some support. Concrete individuals who received the HS communication showed significantly more change than those who received the LS communication. The expected reversal of this effect for abstract individuals was not found. The HS communication produced significantly greater change than the LS communication, and this difference was significantly related to environmental complexity. These findings were discussed in terms of McGuire's and Berlyne's respective proposals concerning comprehension‐yielding, and arousal reduction.
Factors limiting the generality of the risky‐shift phenomenon
Authors: Lamm Helmut , Ochsmann Randolph
Published: May 2007

While a considerable amount of research has centered on explaining the risky shift (enhancement of risk acceptance through group discussion; see, for example, Dion, Baron, and Miller, 1970), few studies have investigated the generality of the phenomenon. Three of several ways in which the laboratory context is usually lacking of reality are: (a) The decision consequences are imaginary, as in the ‘Choice‐Dilemma’ situations used in most of the risky‐shift research; (b) the decision consequences ‐ even if they are real (e.g. money) ‐ are slight; and (c) the decisions are made for oneself (whereas in real life many decisions involve agents acting on behalf of others).

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the above three factors ‐ type of incentive, magnitude of stake and decision target ‐ using a betting task as the decision situation.
Attractiveness, cost and dependency in the exchange of unlike behaviors
Authors: Lefebvre Luc M. , McNeel Steven P.
Published: May 2007

A research project was conducted to extend social exchange theory to a situation of exchanging unlike behaviors. In the present study, female judges rated the performance of males (accomplices of E) in a creativity task. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design manipulated the variables of cost to the judge for inaccurate ratings, attractiveness of the male performer and dependency of the performer's outcomes on the judge's ratings. The basic expectations were generated from social exchange theory and significantly supported. Under low cost, and to a lesser extent also under high cost, higher creativity ratings would be given to highly attractive than to less attractive performers. This result pattern was not affected by the dependency manipulation as could tentatively be expected on the basis of the altruism and ingratiation phenomena. These findings are discussed in relation to those of a previous study using male judges and female performers and differences are interpretated in terms of the appropriateness of the behavior according to sex role prescriptions. The discussion suggests the need for research directed toward determining the conditions which predispose people to choose one social exchange rule over another.
Group versus individual performance on tasks requiring ideational proficiency (brainstorming): A review
Authors: Lamm Helmut , Trommsdorff Gisela
Published: May 2007

In the experiments reviewed in this article the subjects are asked to produce ideas that are relevant to a given task request (e.g., possible consequences of a hypothetical event). After describing the specific task material and the performance measures used in the relevant research studies, some analytic background is given by outlining the cognitive resources required in this kind of experimental task and by listing the various factors that may come into play when subjects perform in groups (with discussion) instead of individually. We then review the studies comparing individual and group performance. In all of these experiments the subjects were asked to work according to the rules of brainstorming, which prescribe that participants refrain from evaluating their ideas. This procedure purportedly results in superior group, relative to individual, performance. However, the empirical evidence clearly indicates that subjects brainstorming in small groups produce fewer ideas than the same number of subjects brainstorming individually. Less clear evidence is available on measures of quality, uniqueness and variety. The discussion considers factors that may be responsible for this inferiority of groups. The role of social inhibition receives particular attention also in terms of suggestions for research. Apart from the group‐individual comparison we review the existing research concerning factors that may influence group performance on idea‐generation tasks.
Studies in social influence: II. Instrumental and symbolic influence
Authors: Moscovici Serge , Néve Patricia
Published: May 2007

In this article we have dealt with a critical analysis pertaining to the notion of the informational influence. We hereby show that in every inter‐actionary situation, the judgments emitted by the source (influence agent) appear to contain informations on the judged objects from their elementary content and, at the same time, from their organisation, like indications on the source itself, on its purpose. In this manner, we have come to distinguish the instrumental influence from the symbolical influence. An experiment where the subjects have to judge the number of points appearing on the slides shows that this distinction reveals what happens in the process of influence.
The focusing of responsibility: An alternative hypothesis in help‐demanding situations
Authors: Misavage Robert , Richardson James T.
Published: May 2007

The ‘diffusion of responsibility’ hypothesis as an explanation of helping behavior (or lack of same) is qualified by suggesting that the hypothesis applies only in non‐interacting situations. It is hypothesized that interacting groups who are aware of a help‐demanding situation actually focus the responsibility and, therefore, take action as a group more rapidly than will a non‐interacting group. Evidence is gathered in a contrived help‐demanding situation employing a 2 × 3 (sex × condition) in which three conditions — alone, non‐interacting (pseudo) groups, and interacting groups — are used. The evidence substantiates the major hypothesis. Speculation is also presented concerning the relationship of the ‘alone’ condition to the interacting and non‐interacting groups and concerning sex effects.
The meaning of five patterns of gaze
Authors: Argyle Michael , Lefebvre Luc , Cook Mark
Published: May 2007

Subjects had five encounters with trained confederates, who each displayed five patterns of gaze with different subjects, in a graeco‐latin square design. The patterns of gaze were: Zero, looking while talking, looking while listening, normal and continuous. Two conditions were used: Subjects were either getting acquainted with the confederates or assessing them while they behaved in an ingratiating manner. Subjects and confederates were either both male or both female. Subjects rated the confederates on fifteen rating scales; a principle components analysis produced five main components, the first two being liking/evaluation and activity/potency. Gaze affected scores on these components as predicted: Ratings of liking/evaluation increased from zero gaze to normal and were lower for continuous — confirming the affiliative balance theory; and the more gaze the higher the ratings on activity/potency. The predicted effects of ingratiation on the interpretation of gaze were not obtained, though ingratiators were seen as less intelligent. Decoders responded to amount of gaze, and not to its relation to talking and listening.
Preference of dissonance reduction modes as a function of their order, familiarity and reversibility
Authors: Götz‐Marchand Bettina , Götz Jochen , Irle Martin
Published: May 2007

Two central hypotheses of the original version of the theory of cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957) (1) that dissonance is to be conceived of as a primary drive and (2) that in order to reduce dissonance less resistant cognitions will be changed more than highly resistant ones led to hypotheses which were confirmed by two experiments.

In Experiment I, a 2 × 3 factorial design, order and familiarity of dissonance reduction modes were manipulated. After receiving a dissonant information the subjects were offered a relatively low and a relatively high resistant cognition for dissonance reduction, each being placed first (series I, high‐low resistance) or last (series II, low‐high resistance) respectively. Subjects did (known) or did not (unknown) read these modes before reacting to them. Under the unknown condition dissonance will be reduced more with a specific mode if it is placed first than last. With known reduction modes the order of presentation does not have an effect. Under series I condition the first‐placed, higher‐resistant cognition will be changed more in the unknown condition than in the known condition. Under the series II condition the first‐placed, lower‐resistant cognition will be changed equally in the known and unknown condition. In short, the higher‐resistant cognition will be changed more, only when it is placed first and when the following modes are not known.

Two explanations for these results are possible: (1) The more dissonance is reduced by changing a more or a less resistant congnition, the less further reduction is necessary; (2) dissonance will be reduced in an internally consistent way. Experiment II excluded the first explanation. Subjects were allowed to revise their original way of reducing dissonance. First, subjects in one condition received series I unknown and subjects in the other condition received series II unknown. Reacting to the dissonance reduction modes the second time, there was more revision when the high‐resistant congition was placed first (series 1 revision) than when placed last (series II revision). These results support the hypothesis that dissonance reduction by changing a less‐resistant congnition more and changing a high‐resistant one less is preferred.

Implications of the results of the two experments for the stability of dissonance reduction, the method and interpretation of dissonance experiments are discussed.
Responses to within‐group criticism: does past adherence to group norms matter?
Authors: Tarrant Mark , Campbell Ewan
Published: May 2007

Two studies tested the hypothesis that responses to within‐group criticism are influenced by perceptions of a critic's prior adherence to ingroup norms. Participants responded to criticism which originated from ingroup members who either had previously adhered to or deviated from a group norm. Across both studies, criticising the ingroup yielded more negative group evaluations for antinormative members than it did for normative members. Participants also reported highest levels of sensitivity overall to communication (whether critical or praising of the ingroup) which came from antinormative members. Mediational analyses (Study 2) indicated that these effects were driven by perceptions of whether the communication violated a group expectation, and also perceptions of the critic's identification with the group. Study 1 also provided evidence that reactions to criticism are made in response to social identity concerns: the effects of prior norm adherence were observed only in participants who were highly identified with the ingroup. The research integrates previous work on group deviance and responses to criticism by elaborating the conditions under which criticism originating from within a group is most and least likely to be tolerated by its members. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of electrophoresis in disease biomarker discovery
Authors: Issaq Haleem J. , Veenstra Timothy D.
Published: May 2007

There has been increased activity in the last few years in the search for disease markers using fractionation of complex biological fluids combined with MS. While electrophoretic and chromatographic separations have played a major role in this endeavor, this manuscript is limited to a review of electrophoretic methods that have been established for disease biomarker discovery. These methods include 2‐DE, difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE), and CE. We define what constitutes a biomarker, identify the steps required for establishing a biomarker, and describe the parameters needed in the design of an ideal diagnostic test. The application, advantages, and limitations of CE, DIGE, and 2‐DE in meeting the goal of discovering novel biomarkers is discussed in detail, along with a few selected examples that illustrate the search for biomarkers for cancer and neurological diseases.
Passive‐roof thrusting in the Messinian Vena del Gesso Basin (Northern Apennines, Italy): constraints from field data and analogue models
Authors: Montanari Domenico , Del Ventisette Chiara , Bonini Marco , Sani Federico
Published: May 2007

We present the results of a study of the Vena del Gesso Basin (Romagna Apennines, Italy) integrating field analyses and analogue modelling. This basin represents one of the best‐preserved top‐thrust basins in the Northern Apennines foreland and is one of the few examples where primary evaporites, related to the Messinian salinity crisis of the Mediterranean, widely crop out. The structural style affecting the Messinian gypsum is examined to get insights into the mechanism responsible for the overall deformation features recognizable in the area. The evaporites are completely detached at the base and widespread back‐thrusts, repeatedly doubling these deposits, strongly contrast with the regional forelandward vergence of structures in the Apennines. On the basis of the comparison between field data and experimental results, the features characterising this area can be described as the result of the deformation linked to the sequential activation of an obliquely propagating passive‐roof duplex. Analogue models evidenced the major role played (1) by syntectonic erosion that promoted the development of passive‐roof duplex style, as well as (2) the role of décollement level pinch‐out that determined an oblique progression of deformation. Finally our data lead to reconsider the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction concerning the onset of the Messinian salinity crisis in the Mediterranean. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of the anterior thalamic nuclei to conditional learning in rats
Authors: Sziklas V. , Petrides M.
Published: May 2007

The anterior thalamic region is intimately linked anatomically and functionally with the hippocampus, which is critical for various forms of spatial learning. Rats with lesions to the anterior thalamic nuclei and a control group were trained on a visual–spatial conditional associative learning task in which they had to learn to go to one of two locations depending on the particular visual cue presented on each trial; the rats approached the cues from different directions. The animals were subsequently tested on a spatial working memory task, the eight‐arm radial maze. Performance on both these tasks had previously been shown to be impaired by hippocampal lesions. Rats with anterior thalamic damage were able to acquire the conditional associative task at a rate comparable to that of the control animals, but were impaired on the radial maze task. The finding of a dissociation between the effects of lesions of the anterior thalamic nuclei on two different classes of behavior known to be associated with hippocampal function suggest that while different neural stations within the extended hippocampal circuit may all play a role in spatial learning, the role of each of these regions in such learning may be more selective than previously considered. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic relevance of circulating matrix metalloproteinase‐2 in acute myeloid leukaemia patients
Authors: Aref Salah , Osman E. , Mansy S. , Omer N. , Azmy E. , Goda T. , El‐Sherbiny M.
Published: May 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were postulated to have important implication in progression and invasiveness of many malignant disorders. On the other hand the biological role of MMP‐2 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is not fully clear. Serum samples from 37 adult patients with AML had been taken before chemotherapy was administered. In addition 20 out of the 37 patients were analysed again after achieving complete remission (CR). Ten samples from healthy volunteers were evaluated as the control. Total MMP‐2 levels were measured using ELISA Kit obtained from R&D system. MMP‐2 serum levels were significantly lower in pretreatment AML patients than that in the normal controls (p = 0.000) and in CR (p = 0.007). No significant correlations were detected between pretreatment sMMP‐2 levels and FAB subtypes, peripheral blood blast cell counts, peripheral blood WBCs, bone marrow blast cell counts or blast cell distribution ratio. The prognostic value of MMP‐2 was evaluated by dividing AML patients into high and low MMP‐2 groups using the pretreatment median MMP‐2 level of the AML group as the cut‐off. The authors found that patients in the high group survived for a significantly shorter time than those patients in the lower MMP‐2 group. High pretreatment levels of sMMP‐2 among AML patients were associated with poor survival. Prospective studies are recommended to establish the clinical value of longitudinal sMMP‐2 measurement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human variability in hepatic and renal elimination: implications for risk assessment
Authors: Dorne J. L. C. M.
Published: May 2007

Hepatic metabolism and renal excretion constitute the main routes of xenobiotic elimination in humans. Improving human risk assessment for threshold contaminants requires the incorporation of quantitative data related to their elimination (toxicokinetics) and potential toxic effects (toxicodynamics). This type of data provides a scientific basis to replace the standard uncertainty factor (UF = 10) allowing for the consideration of human variability in toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. This review focuses on recent research efforts aiming to incorporate human variability in hepatic and renal elimination (toxicokinetics) into the risk assessment process. A therapeutic drug database was developed to quantify pathway‐related variability in human phase I and phase II hepatic metabolism as well as renal excretion in subgroups of the population (healthy adults, neonates and the elderly), using data on compounds cleared primarily through each route (> 60% dose). For each subgroup of the population and elimination route, pathway‐related UFs were then derived to cover 95–99% of each subgroup. Overall, the default toxicokinetic UFs would not cover neonates, the elderly for most elimination routes and any subgroup of the population for compounds metabolized via polymorphic isozymes (such as CYP2C19 and CYP2D6). These pathway‐related UFs allow the incorporation of in vivo metabolism and toxicokinetic data in the risk assessment process and provide a flexible intermediate option between the default UF and chemical‐specific adjustment factors (CSAFs) derived from physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. Implications of human variability in hepatic metabolism and renal excretion for chemical risk assessment are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteins combination on PHBV microsphere scaffold to regulate Hep3B cells activity and functionality: A model of liver tissue engineering system
Authors: Zhu Xin Hao , Gan Seng Keat , Wang Chi‐Hwa , Tong Yen Wah
Published: May 2007

The synergistic effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein combinations on Hep3B cell proliferation and functions are studied herein. Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microspheres were covalently conjugated with three types of proteins, collagen (type I), laminin, and fibronectin, using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysuccinimide cross linkers. Successful conjugations of protein molecules were verified by the presence of nitrogen peaks in X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The densities of grafted proteins were quantified using Micro‐BCA kit. A human hepatoma cell line, Hep3B, was then cultured in vitro on the ECM proteins‐modified microspheres for 2 weeks. Cell proliferation was estimated using MTT method, and two hepatic functions, albumin secretion and P‐450 activity, were evaluated using ELISA and EROD assays, respectively. The results indicated that combination of the three ECM proteins on microsphere surfaces has a significant effect on the proliferation of Hep3B cells, thus better mimicking the in vivo environment for liver tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Evaluation of cellular organization and axonal regeneration through linear PLA foam implants in acute and chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Cai Jie , Ziemba Kristine S. , Smith George M. , Jin Ying
Published: May 2007

There are few studies of neural implants in spinal cord injury (SCI) focused on supporting directed axon growth. In this study, we fabricated a macroporous poly (lactic acid) (PLA) foam with oriented inner channels. Amorphous foam without linear channels served as a control in an acute SCI injury model, and the effectiveness of foam with linear channels was further investigated in a chronic SCI model. Implants were placed into a 2 mm hemisection lesion cavity at the T8 spinal cord level in adult rats. Two weeks post‐implantation, tissue sections including the implants were examined using antibodies against GFAP, p75, ED‐1, laminin, GAP‐43, and CGRP. Foam implants were well‐integrated with the host spinal cord. In linear foams, numerous DAPI‐stained cells were found within the inner channels. Schwann cells but not astrocytes had migrated within the channels. Intense laminin staining was observed throughout the extracellular matrix substrate. GAP‐43‐ and CGRP‐positive axons grew through the implants following the linear channels. In the amorphous control foams, DAPI staining distributed evenly through the pores. However, the growth of GAP‐43 or CGRP‐positive axons was misguided and impeded at the entrance area of the foam. Higher numbers of GAP‐43 and CGRP‐positive axons grew into linear foam implants after chronic SCI than acute SCI. These results suggest the potential application of linear foam implants in cell and axon guidance for SCI repair, especially for chronic SCI. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Systematic study of the boundary composition in Poisson Boltzmann calculations
Authors: Kar Parimal , Wei Yanjie , Hansmann Ulrich H. E. , Höfinger Siegfried
Published: May 2007

We describe a three‐stage procedure to analyze the dependence of Poisson Boltzmann calculations on the shape, size and geometry of the boundary between solute and solvent. Our study is carried out within the boundary element formalism, but our results are also of interest to finite difference techniques of Poisson Boltzmann calculations. At first, we identify the critical size of the geometrical elements for discretizing the boundary, and thus the necessary resolution required to establish numerical convergence.

In the following two steps we perform reference calculations on a set of dipeptides in different conformations using the Polarizable Continuum Model and a high‐level Density Functional as well as a high‐quality basis set. Afterwards, we propose a mechanism for defining appropriate boundary geometries. Finally, we compare the classic Poisson Boltzmann description with the Quantum Chemical description, and aim at finding appropriate fitting parameters to get a close match to the reference data. Surprisingly, when using default AMBER partial charges and the rigorous geometric parameters derived in the initial two stages, no scaling of the partial charges is necessary and the best fit against the reference set is obtained automatically. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Site‐specific CGRP innervation coincides with bone formation during fracture healing and modeling: A study in rat angulated tibia
Authors: Li Jian , Kreicbergs Andris , Bergström Jonas , Stark Andreas , Ahmed Mahmood
Published: May 2007

Sensory neuropeptide involved in local bone turnover is known, but poorly understood. In the present study, we analyze the occurrence of neuronal CGRP during healing and modeling of straight and angular tibial fractures in 74 rats. Bone healing and modeling was assessed by radiography and reinnervation by semi‐quantitative immunohistochemistry method at fracture site between 1–12 weeks postfracture. The regenerating nerve fibers containing CGRP were observed in fracture callus as well as in close proximity to chondrocytes, with woven bone in both fractures already at week 1. Notably, it located predominantly on the concave side of angulated fracture in the manner of sprouting into bone from weeks 3 to 5 postfracture. In both fractures, fracture calluses peaked radiographically at week 3 postfracture. In angulated fracture, a reduction of 11% in callus thickness on convex side and an increase of 365% on concave side were noted from weeks 3 to 12. A 27‐fold increase in total neuronal CGRP in straight fracture and 38‐fold increases in angular fracture compared to intact bone was observed at week 3. In both types of fracture, neuronal CGRP was greater on the concave side than the convex; this difference was more pronounced in the angulated fracture. CGRP immunoreactivity clearly coincides with amount of new bone formation especially on the concave side of angulated fracture. The combined results suggest that fracture evokes an intense, localized in‐growth of new nerve fibers containing CGRP, which may prove to be a prerequisite of fracture healing and modeling. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1204–1212, 2007
Modeling the physico‐chemistry of acid sulfate waters through Raman spectroscopy of the system FeSO4H2SO4H2O
Authors: Sobron P. , Rull F. , Sobron F. , Sanz A. , Medina J. , Nielsen C. J.
Published: May 2007

Mine waters containing extremely high concentrations of sulfuric acid and dissolved iron are found in the Rio Tinto (Spain) area. In this study, Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the speciation of the system iron(II)–sulfuric acid–water as an approach to study Rio Tinto's stream water. Several solutions of aqueous sulfuric acid containing iron(II) sulfate in the range 0–1.65 mol/kg were prepared, and qualitative and quantitative analyses of the ions present in the solutions were carried out using Raman spectroscopy. The intrinsic features of Raman spectroscopy allowed the identification of the species present in solution and calculation of the species concentration through band‐fitting of the Raman spectra. The activity coefficient product of the system iron(II) sulfate–sulfuric acid–water as a function of salt concentration is reported. Previous findings on the formation of iron(II) hexahydrate complexes in the mentioned system have been corroborated by means of Raman spectroscopy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The bacteriocin producer Lactobacillus amylovorus DCE 471 is a competitive starter culture for type II sourdough fermentations
Authors: Leroy Frédéric , De Winter Tom , Remedios Maria , Moreno Foulquié , De Vuyst Luc
Published: May 2007

Type II sourdoughs were prepared using Lactobacillus amylovorus DCE 471, a producer of the bacteriocin amylovorin L. The strain was used as a starter culture for rye and wheat sourdoughs on laboratory scale (10 L), and in rye sourdough on pilot scale (100 L). The sourdoughs were acidified to a pH of around 3.5 within 15 h (laboratory dough) to 25 h (pilot‐scale dough). Final amylovorin L titres of 0.3–0.4 (laboratory scale) and 0.2 (pilot scale) MAU kg−1 of sourdough were detected. After baking of wheat dough that was supplemented with the pilot‐scale sourdough, no amylovorin L activity was recovered from the breadcrumbs. On laboratory scale, aeration or the addition of complex carbohydrates hardly affected growth or amylovorin L production. Rye and wheat sourdough fermentation were rather similar despite differences in sugar concentrations. The persistence of L. amylovorus DCE 471 during rye sourdough fermentation, both on laboratory and pilot scale, was confirmed by repetitive sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction (rep‐PCR) and by testing isolates towards an amylovorin L‐sensitive organism. Further, rep‐PCR indicated that the background microbiota of the flour—probably responsible for the production of low amounts of acetic acid—grew poorly and were overgrown by L. amylovorus DCE 471 during the pilot‐scale fermentation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging of wild strawberries
Authors: Almenar Eva , Del‐Valle Valeria , Hernández‐Muñoz Pilar , Lagarón José M , Catalá Ramón , Gavara Rafael
Published: May 2007

Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca L.) are high‐added‐value fruits but their marketing is complex owing to their short postharvest life. In this work, equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) technology was used to maintain their quality and consequently to extend their life. Fresh strawberries were packaged with two continuous and three microperforated films (with different gas permeabilities) with the purpose of obtaining equilibrium atmospheres of diverse compositions. Weight loss, pH and acidity, solid content, colour, firmness, fungal decay and development of off‐flavours were selected to monitor fruit quality during 6 days at 10 °C. Among the five packages tested, microperforated films with one and three perforations provided adequate CO2 and O2 equilibrium concentrations in view of the evolution of chemical and physical quality parameters. These results were confirmed by sensory analysis. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
At‐destination visitor information search and venue decision strategies
Authors: DiPietro Robin B. , Wang Youcheng , Rompf Paul , Severt Denver
Published: May 2007

Numerous studies have been conducted on consumers' information search prior to arrival at a destination. This study attempts to continue to fill a research gap focusing on travellers' information search behaviour for services not only before the trip but in transit to the destination and once at a destination. In particular, the research explores service‐related decisions before and during a trip, the sources of information utilised, which include locals residing at a destination, and how demographic and trip purpose characteristics influence decision‐making. Using the results of this study, practitioners and academics alike can design effective strategies for marketing to travellers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative quantification of alcohol exposure as risk factor for global burden of disease
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Klotsche Jens , Patra Jayadeep
Published: May 2007

Alcohol has been identified as one of the most important risk factors in the burden experienced as a result of disease. The objective of the present contribution is to establish a framework to comparatively quantify alcohol exposure as it is relevant for burden of disease. Different key indicators are combined to derive this quantification. First, adult per capita consumption, composed of recorded and unrecorded consumption, yields the best overall estimate of alcohol exposure for a country or region. Second, survey information is used to allocate the per capita consumption into sex and age groups. Third, an index for detrimental patterns of drinking is used to determine the additional impact on injury and cardiovascular burden. The methodology is applied to estimate global alcohol exposure for the year 2002. Finally, assumptions and potential problems of the approach are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.