bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel design of multicapillary arrays for high‐throughput DNA sequencing
Authors: Tsupryk Andriy , Gorbovitski Michael , Kabotyanski Evgeni A. , Gorfinkel Vera
Published: June 2006

A novel approach to design and optimize linear multicapillary arrays (LMCAs) for high‐throughput DNA sequencing is proposed. A significant increase in the number of capillary lanes is obtained due to the use of composite insertions alternately placed between working capillaries of the array and a specific combination of refractive indices of the DNA separation matrix, capillary glass, the insertions and a medium which surrounds the capillary array. Theoretical and experimental studies showed that in conjunction with a dual‐side laser illumination scheme, the proposed LMCA design allows a simultaneous uniform irradiation of as many as 550 working capillaries.
Highly sensitive determination of lanthanides by capillary electrophoresis with direct visible detection after precapillary complexation with aromatic polyaminocarboxylate and additionally applying dynamic ternary complexation with nitrilotriacetic acid
Authors: Saito Shingo , Danzaka Naoki , Hoshi Suwaru
Published: June 2006

A newly synthesized aromatic polyaminocarboxylate (NBD‐ABEDTA, H4L) was applied to precapillary derivatizing capillary electrophoresis as a chelating reagent for lanthanide ions (Ln3+). The Ln‐L complexes provide both kinetic stability on dissociation due to their methyl‐EDTA coordinating structure, and high light absorptivity (εmax = 2.4×104 cm−1 mol−1 dm3) in the visible region at 469 nm thanks to their nitrobenzofurazan moiety. A ligand was employed for capillary zone electrophoresis based on a unique concept: both precapillary and dynamic on‐capillary complexation were carried out on one center‐metal ion to achieve high resolution. As a ternary complex‐formation agent, iminodiacetate (IDA), bound to the mother complex (Ln‐L), was added to the carrier buffer solution. The carrier buffer solution of 9.5 mmol·dm−3 (pH 9.45) borate and 33.5 mmol·dm−3 IDA, drastically improved the resolution among Ln3+ ions. Each of the Ln complexes was effectively separated, except for Pr‐Sm. Furthermore, the absence of L from the carrier solution, which stabilizes the baseline fluctuation, provided low LOD (typically 4.2×10−7 mol·dm−3). This strongly suggests that Ln‐L complexes are kinetically stable even with a large excess of IDA. Quite unexpectedly, the order of migration differs from that of the atomic number, inverting at Nd. This is due to the effect of the cavity size of the residual coordination sites on the ternary complexation and the electronic density of Ln3+.
Characterization of human monocyte‐derived microglia‐like cells
Authors: Leone Cathie , Le Pavec Gwenaelle , Même William , Porcheray Fabrice , Samah Boubekeur , Dormont Dominique , Gras Gabriel
Published: June 2006

Microglial cells are central to brain immunity and intervene in many human neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to develop a convenient cellular model for human microglial cells, suitable for HIV studies. Microglia derive from the hematogenous myelomonocytic lineage, possibly as a distinct subpopulation but in any case able to invade the CNS, proliferate, and differentiate into ameboid and then ramified microglia in the adult life. We thus attempted to derive microglia‐like cells from human monocytes. When cultured with astrocyte‐conditioned medium (ACM), monocytes acquired a ramified morphology, typical of microglia. They overexpressed substance P and the calcium binding protein Iba‐1 and dimly expressed class II MHC, three characteristics of microglial cells. Moreover, they also expressed a potassium inward rectifier current, another microglia‐specific feature. These monocyte‐derived microglia‐like cells (MDMi) were CD4+/CD14+, evocative of an activated microglia phenotype. When treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), MDMi lost their overexpression of substance P, which returned to untreated monocyte‐derived macrophage (MDM) level. Compared with MDM, MDMi expressed higher CD4 but lower CCR5 levels; they could be infected by HIV‐1BaL, but produced less virus progeny than MDM did. This model of human microglia may be an interesting alternative to primary microglia for large scale in vitro HIV studies and may help to better understand HIV‐associated microgliosis and chronic inflammation in the brain. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monodispersed and Oriented Microspheres of Polyaniline
Authors: Ding Hangjun , Zhu Changjin , Zhou Zhiming , Wan Meixiang , Wei Yen
Published: June 2006

Summary: A template‐free method associated with a deposition process was used to prepare monodispersed and oriented microspheres of polyaniline on various substrates (e.g., silicon wafer, mica, and glass slice) in the presence of salicylic acid as a dopant. It is found that polymerization conditions such as polymerization time and lift rate of the substrates strongly affect the color, morphology, and electrical properties of the deposited spheres on the substrates. Moreover, a specific arrangement of the monodispersed and oriented microspheres on the substrates can be induced by an oriented surface structure of the substrates (e.g., silicon wafer or PTFE‐modified glass slice).

SEM image of PANI‐SA spheres deposited on a silicon wafer.

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SEM image of PANI‐SA spheres deposited on a silicon wafer.
Evaluation of the Effect of Melt Memory on Shear‐Induced Crystallization of Low‐Density Polyethylene
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Martins José António
Published: June 2006

Summary: The effect of melt memory on shear‐induced crystallization of a low‐density polyethylene melt is evaluated with a new shear DTA instrument. A critical strain is identified as the controlling factor for saturating the crystallization. Variation of this strain with the temperature of the sheared melt is established, and the melt state responsible for saturating the crystallization is identified by shear‐stress growth experiments at the steady‐state. Reptation times have been evaluated in both viscoelastic nonlinear and linear regimes, and it is shown that small‐angle oscillatory shear experiments cannot be used to probe effectively the effect of shear flow on the overall crystallization kinetics.

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Chitosan‐Hydroxybenzotriazole Aqueous Solution: A Novel Water‐Based System for Chitosan Functionalization
Authors: Fangkangwanwong Juthathip , Akashi Mitsuru , Kida Toshiyuki , Chirachanchai Suwabun
Published: June 2006

Summary: A chitosan‐hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) aqueous solution prepared by simply mixing chitosan and HOBt in water provides an effective system to functionalize chitosan in an aqueous environment. This aqueous solution in combination with water‐soluble carbodiimide (WSC) allows the conjugation of functional groups onto chitosan under mild conditions without requiring any organic solvents or acid and heat. In this contribution, a series of model reactions that use a novel water‐based system of chitosan to functionalize the polymer with boc‐L‐phenylalanine, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether, and dicarboxylated poly(ethylene glycol) is demonstrated.

Chitosan‐HOBt is effectively conjugated with R‐COOH via a water‐soluble carbodiimide (WSC) conjugating agent.

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Chitosan‐HOBt is effectively conjugated with R‐COOH via a water‐soluble carbodiimide (WSC) conjugating agent.
Block‐Copolymer‐Assisted Solubilization of Carbon Nanotubes and Exfoliation Monitoring Through Viscosity
Authors: Cotiuga Irina , Picchioni Francesco , Agarwal Uday S. , Wouters Daan , Loos Joachim , Lemstra Piet J.
Published: June 2006

Summary: The use of the block copolymers polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) is described to assist the direct solubilization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into water under ultrasonic irradiation. As compared to surfactants and homopolymers, the block copolymer systems may offer the potential of additional unique morphologies through self‐assembly. TEM and AFM analyses of solution‐cast samples indicate exfoliation and wetting of the SWNTs by the block copolymer. With increasing duration of ultrasonic irradiation, an increase in solution viscosity is initially found, which suggests that it is a convenient indicator of the progress of exfoliation of the SWNTs. With continued intense ultrasonic irradiation, the solution viscosity may decrease apparently because of damage/breakage of the SWNTs.

Schematic of the interaction of the PMMA‐b‐PEO block copolymer with the single‐walled carbon nanotubes and the specific viscosity of the system in aqueous solution as a function of sonication time: results from using an ultrasound bath (‐‐‐‐▪‐‐‐‐) or an ultrasound horn (—▴—).

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Schematic of the interaction of the PMMA‐b‐PEO block copolymer with the single‐walled carbon nanotubes and the specific viscosity of the system in aqueous solution as a function of sonication time: results from using an ultrasound bath (‐‐‐‐▪‐‐‐‐) or an ultrasound horn (—▴—).
Comparative Study of patient individual implants from β‐tricalcium phosphate made by different techniques based on CT data
Authors: Peters F. , Groisman D. , Davids R. , Hänel Th. , Dürr H. , Klein M.
Published: June 2006

Bone substitution or bone augmentation with synthetic materials (e. g. β‐tricalcium phosphate materials, β‐TCP) is usually done by standardized material shapes: block materials can be individually shaped by the surgeon for the specific defect situation. Granular materials are used for more complicated and hardly accessible defect situations. The granulate is mixed with blood. Also injectable putty materials are available.

The disadvantage is that none of these material modifications can guarantee a complete and strong press fit contact to the surrounding bone in complicated defect situations, which is essential for a complete and successful bone regeneration. The treatment of complicated defects where mechanical stability is necessary but not viable with a granular material (e. g. large mandibular defects) is therefore difficult.

Especially defects where surgeries have a longer planning horizon (e. g. bone tumours, cysts) can be treated with custom made patient individual implants. CT data can be converted to three dimensional CAD/CAM data for shaping or prototyping the implant.

For a manufacturer of bone augmentation materials also economical questions are necessary to solve for the decision, whether this technology can be an interesting possibility for the treatment of defect situations as described above.

Two different techniques for making patient individual implants from β‐tricalcium phosphate with three‐dimensional fabrication methods were experimentally realised and estimated.

Custom made porous scaffolds were produced by using conventional shaping techniques as well as rapid prototyping methods.
Growth of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells on RGD‐Grafted Thermoreversible (NiPAM) Polymers
Authors: Jiang X. , Bai J. , Gittens S. A. , Uludağ H.
Published: June 2006

Thermoreversible polymers based on N‐isopropylacrylamide (NiPAM) are being explored for tissue engineering applications. The polymers exhibit a solubility change as a function of temperature, which could be utilized for convenient delivery of proteins and cells. Being synthetic, however, the polymer does not allow direct cell attachment. To overcome this limitation, Arginine‐Glycine‐Aspartic Acid (RGD)‐containing peptides were grafted to the polymers in this study. Attachment of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) on NiPAM‐based polymers was increased by RGD‐grafting, but long‐term cell growth was not as robust as the BMSC grown on tissue culture polystyrene. However, the expression of specific alkaline phosphate activity (ALP/cell; an osteogenic marker) was elevated for cells grown on polymer films and RGD‐grafting was not beneficial in this regard. Whereas basic Fibroblast Growth Factor suppressed the ALP/cell activity, Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2 stimulated ALP/cells activity for cells grown on polymer films. These results were in line with our previous studies on the osteogenic response of a cell line (C2C12) and stressed the need to improve cell proliferation on NiPAM surfaces, while preserving the beneficial effect of the polymer on osteogenic markers.
Cartilage repair on magnesium scaffolds used as a subchondral bone replacement
Authors: Witte F. , Reifenrath J. , Müller P.P. , Crostack H.‐A. , Nellesen J. , Bach F.W. , Bormann D. , Rudert M.
Published: June 2006

Despite the availability of surgical and non‐surgical techniques, the repair of articular cartilage lesions remains a current clinical problem. Especially for the treatment of large osteochondral cartilage defects, the replacement of the subchondral bone plate is a crucial step for optimal cartilage repair. However, no artificial implant material can yet fully restore the properties of the subchondral bone plate. For optimal cartilage tissue repair, mechanical stability for the first two months is essential. Subsequently, a rapid degradation process of the implant material would allow optimal supply of nutrition to the regenerating tissue. To this end, we investigated whether the implantation of an open porous degradable scaffold made of a magnesium alloy (AZ91) could serve as a sufficient temporary replacement of the subchondral bone plate. The results show that this alloy degrades too rapid in vivo to allow sufficient cartilage repair above the scaffold. However, the surrounding cartilage tissue was not negatively affected by the rapid degradation process and new bone formation was observed at the rim of the degrading implant. In conclusion, magnesium scaffolds degrade in vivo but the initial high corrosion rate must be reduced to allow the formation of an appropriate cartilage tissue. Future research will therefore be directed to optimized alloys and additional coating with magnesium fluorides or calcium phosphates like hydroxyapatite.
Postnatal respiratory distress in a dichorial twin with congenital thoracic neuroblastoma after assisted reproduction by intracytoplasmatic sperm injection
Authors: Langer Thorsten , Deeg Karl‐Heinz , Hümmer Peter , Paulides Marios , Beck Jörn‐Dirk , Klinge Jens
Published: June 2006

We report on the case of a female twin with congenital thoracic neuroblastoma after conception via intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI). Birth occurred at 37 + 1‐week gestation per primary sectio caesarea. Acute respiratory distress necessitated intubation and mechanical ventilation. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the right upper thorax compressing the trachea. The tumor was subtotally excised and histological analysis revealed neuroblastoma. No further treatment was given. The residual primary tumor regressed spontaneously. Four years after diagnosis, both twins are healthy and normally developed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:358–360. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
General practice management of people with diabetes requiring insulin
Authors: Sandeman D , Holt R , Chester P
Published: June 2006

The care of patients with diabetes using insulin in the UK is moving inexorably to primary care. To ensure that the service provided is of the highest quality, and meets the needs of patients and the requirements of the National Service Framework, it is important that primary carers are provided with the support they need. While some general practitioners and practice nurses have developed specialist skills, little is known about the needs of general practice to manage the delivery of this service. There is an abundance of available support including training, national and local guidelines and information. How much of this is known to general practice and is designed to accommodate the increasingly busy lives of health care providers in general practice is not clear.

This paper presents the results from a survey of general practices in the New Forest Primary Care Trust and identifies needs that GPs and nurses have stated as important for the management of people with diabetes using insulin. Although awareness of the requirements for high quality care is high among GPs and practice nurses, there is a lack of confidence in managing insulin. Both GPs and nurses identified training, simplified guidelines and improved information on insulin products as their priority needs for supporting the service for patients on insulin. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sweets, fluids and foods in the treatment of mild hypoglycaemia
Authors: Baldwin EJ , Feher MD
Published: June 2006

Mild hypoglycaemia is a common complication in the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Studies suggest that the standard oral dose to correct mild hypoglycaemia is 20g of carbohydrate in the form of glucose or sucrose. We quantified the portion size and glycaemic index ranking of foods and fluids frequently used to treat hypoglycaemia. These data are presented as a handy measure (‘ user guide’) of foods and fluids suitable for the treatment of mild hypoglycaemia. Many of these foods are readily available. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assembly of transmembrane helices of simple polytopic membrane proteins from sequence conservation patterns
Authors: Park Yungki , Helms Volkhard
Published: June 2006

The transmembrane (TM) domains of most membrane proteins consist of helix bundles. The seemingly simple task of TM helix bundle assembly has turned out to be extremely difficult. This is true even for simple TM helix bundle proteins, i.e., those that have the simple form of compact TM helix bundles. Herein, we present a computational method that is capable of generating native‐like structural models for simple TM helix bundle proteins having modest numbers of TM helices based on sequence conservation patterns. Thus, the only requirement for our method is the presence of more than 30 homologous sequences for an accurate extraction of sequence conservation patterns. The prediction method first computes a number of representative well‐packed conformations for each pair of contacting TM helices, and then a library of tertiary folds is generated by overlaying overlapping TM helices of the representative conformations. This library is scored using sequence conservation patterns, and a subsequent clustering analysis yields five final models. Assuming that neighboring TM helices in the sequence contact each other (but not that TM helices A and G contact each other), the method produced structural models of Cα atom root‐mean‐square deviation (CA RMSD) of 3–5 Å from corresponding crystal structures for bacteriorhodopsin, halorhodopsin, sensory rhodopsin II, and rhodopsin. In blind predictions, this type of contact knowledge is not available. Mimicking this, predictions were made for the rotor of the V‐type Na+‐adenosine triphosphatase without such knowledge. The CA RMSD between the best model and its crystal structure is only 3.4 Å, and its contact accuracy reaches 55%. Furthermore, the model correctly identifies the binding pocket for sodium ion. These results demonstrate that the method can be readily applied to ab initio structure prediction of simple TM helix bundle proteins having modest numbers of TM helices. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural models of the snake venom factor V activators from Daboia russelli and Daboia lebetina
Authors: Segers Kenneth , Rosing Jan , Nicolaes Gerry A.F.
Published: June 2006

Blood coagulation factor V (FV) is a multifunctional protein that circulates in human plasma as a precursor molecule which can be activated by thrombin or activated factor X (FXa) in order to express its cofactor activity in prothrombin activation. FV activation is achieved by limited proteolysis after Arg709, Arg1018, and Arg1545 in the FV molecule. The venoms of Daboia russelli and Daboia lebetina contain a serine protease that specifically activates FV by a single cleavage at Arg1545. We have predicted the three‐dimensional structure of these enzymes using comparative protein modeling techniques. The plasminogen activator from Agkistrodon acutus, which shows a high degree of homology with the venom FV activators and for which a high‐quality crystallographic structure is available, was used as the molecular template. The RVV‐V and LVV‐V models provide for the first time a detailed and accurate structure of a snake venom FV activator and explain the observed sensitivity or resistance toward a number of serine protease inhibitors. Finally, electrostatic potential calculations show that two positively charged surface patches are present on opposite sides of the active site. We propose that both FV activators achieve their exquisite substrate specificity for the Arg1545 site via interactions between these exosites and FV. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrical and optical properties of ZnO films deposited by ECR‐PECVD
Authors: Choi S. Y. , Kang M. J. , Park T. J. , Tap R. , Schoemaker S. , Willert‐Porada M.
Published: June 2006

The effect of bias voltage on characteristics of ZnO thin films deposited by the electron cyclotron resonance plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (ECR‐PECVD) method was investigated. The structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films were studied as a function of O2/dielthylzinc ratio and applied bias voltage. Applying –600 V bias voltage on the substrate during deposition can reduce the sheet resistance by a magnitude of 104 without deteriorating the optical transmittance. The optical band gap was increased from 3.36 to 3.54 eV with bias voltage increase. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Solvent effects on the relative stability of radicals derived from artemisinin: DFT study using the PCM/COSMO approach
Authors: De Araujo M. T. , De M. Carneiro J. W. , Taranto A. G.
Published: June 2006

The PCM/COSMO approach was employed to calculate the relative stability of radicals derived from the antimalarial artemisinin. The calculations were performed in polar (water) and apolar (THF) solvent at the density functional level [B3LYP/6‐31g(d)]. Relative stabilities were calculated by means of isodesmic equations using artemisinin as reference. Replacement of oxygen atoms by CH2 unities was found to decrease the relative stability of the anionic radical intermediates. The degree of destabilization is reduced in the presence of solvent, being less in water than in THF. The dipole moment and the corresponding solvation free energies of these species modulate this effect. Derivatives with inverted stereochemistry are more stable than those with the artemisinin‐like stereochemistry, although the solvent attenuates this stabilization effect. As was found in the in vacuo calculations, the radicals centered on carbon are always more stable than the corresponding radicals centered on oxygen. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Theoretical conformational study of poly(trans‐1, 2‐di(2‐thienyl) ethylene): Effects on the electronic structure and optical properties
Authors: Marçal Nei , Laks Bernardo , Santos Ricardo Paupitz Barbosa Dos
Published: June 2006

In the present study, we investigate the monomer ethylene‐bridged‐bithiophene (TET) and the dimer ethylene‐bridged‐bithiophene (TET)2 to find the more probable conformations of the oligomer and their electronic properties. Geometrical optimizations were carried out at semiempirical level using the Austin method one (AM1) and parametric method 3 (PM3). The electronic transition energies and their associated oscillator strength values are calculated for neutral oligomers. The calculations are conducted using the intermediate neglect of differential overlap Hamiltonian (INDO) in combination with a single configuration–interaction technique in order to include correlation effects. We also employ the negative factor counting (NFC) technique to obtain the electronic density of states (DOS). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
The association of depression and painful physical symptoms–a review of the European literature
Authors: Garcia-Cebrian A. , Gandhi P. , Demyttenaere K. , Peveler R.
Published: June 2006

Objective:

The presence of painful physical symptoms may confound the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and may worsen patient prognosis. Epidemiological literature was reviewed to investigate the association between depression and painful physical symptoms.

Method:

MEDLINE and EMBASE database searches were conducted. Studies where a definable organic basis for pain was given were excluded. The search was unrestricted by language but limited to European studies and countries. After filters were applied, 70 eligible studies were reviewed.

Results:

The majority of studies reviewed showed an association between depression and painful physical symptoms. Over 40% of all studies examining the association between pain and depression were carried out in pain clinics in secondary care. Very few studies were conducted in psychiatric settings.

Conclusion:

The findings of this review suggest that painful physical symptoms may be an important part of the depressive syndrome. Although the relationship between depression and painful physical symptoms is not yet fully understood, findings suggest that diagnosis and treatment of depression should involve investigating and treating the full spectrum of symptoms (emotional and physical). Further research in psychiatric and generalist settings is needed to elucidate the relationship between depression and painful physical symptoms as experienced by patients and at the clinical level.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil in the treatment of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Subanalysis of the active branch from Czech extended double blind study
Authors: Pérez M. , Tůma I. , Pytela O. , Kadlecová E. , Zemanová M. , Lenderová Z.
Published: June 2006

The article mentions the conclusions of most evidential works investigating donepezil in the treatment of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. It focuses on an analysis of a sub-group of 20 patients receiving treatment of the donepezil in an extended Czech double-blind placebo controlled study.
Amyloid excess in Alzheimer's disease: What is cholesterol to be blamed for?
Authors: Ledesma Maria Dolores , Dotti Carlos G.
Published: June 2006

A link between alterations in cholesterol homeostasis and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is nowadays widely accepted. However, the molecular mechanism/s underlying such link remain unclear. Numerous experimental evidences support the view that changes in neuronal membrane cholesterol levels and/or subcellular distribution determine the aberrant accumulation of the amyloid peptide in the disease. Still, this view comes from rather contradictory data supporting the existence of either high or low brain cholesterol content. This is of particular concern considering that therapeutical strategies aimed to reduce cholesterol levels are already being tested in humans. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms proposed and discuss the perspectives they open.
Overexpression of E2A proteins induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells suggesting a potential role in renal fibrosis
Authors: Slattery Craig , McMorrow Tara , Ryan Michael P.
Published: June 2006

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process whereby renal tubular epithelial cells lose phenotype and gain fibroblast‐like characteristics, has been demonstrated to contribute significantly to the development of renal fibrosis. The immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CsA) has been shown to induce renal fibrosis, a major complication of CsA therapy. The mechanisms that drive CsA‐induced fibrosis remain undefined, however, CsA has been demonstrated to induce EMT in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC). E2A transcription factors were identified as being upregulated by CsA treatment. To further examine the role of E2A proteins in EMT, E12 and E47 were overexpressed, alone and in combination, in human RPTEC. Both E12 and E47 elicited EMT effects on tubular epithelial cells with E47 more potent in inducing the fibroblast‐like phenotype. These results indicate the important role of the E2A gene products in the progression of CsA‐induced EMT and provide novel insights into CsA‐induced renal fibrosis.
Enhancement of sapovirus recombinant capsid protein expression in insect cells
Authors: Hansman Grant S. , Oka Tomoichiro , Katayama Kazuhiko , Takeda Naokazu
Published: June 2006

Human sapovirus (SaV) is uncultivable, but expression of the recombinant capsid protein (rVP1) in insect cells results in the formation of virus‐like particles (VLPs) that are morphologically similar to the native viruses. However, the SaV rVP1 expression levels are considerably low. We have found that inclusions of short foreign nucleotide sequences inserted directly upstream from the predicted rVP1 AUG start codon lead to increased yield of VLPs. This method allowed us to express a SaV rVP1, which could not have been expressed to measurable or practical levels otherwise.
Growth and population parameters of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard, Norway, 2002–2004
Authors: Krafft Bjørn A. , Kovacs Kit M. , Frie Anne Kirstine , Haug Tore , Lydersen Christian
Published: June 2006

Samples were collected in Svalbard, Norway, during April and May 2002–2004 from 272 ringed seals (Pusa hispida; 62.5% males, 37.5% females) to study growth and population parameters. The age of the animals ranged from 1 to 32 years. Asymptotic values for standard length and body mass were 127.7 ± 1.6 (s.e.) cm and 69.0 ± 2.7 kg for males (maxima: 144 cm and 92 kg) and 127.6 ± 2.3 cm and 68.9 ± 2.5 kg for females (maxima: 141 cm and 91 kg). All animals were sexually mature at an age ≥6 years and the ovulation rate was 0.86. Mean Age at Maturity (MAM) was 4.2 ± 0.2 years for males and 3.5 ± 0.3 years for females, values significantly lower than calculated for ringed seals from the same area 20 years ago. This change in MAM suggests that either the prey base for ringed seals in the area has increased or alternatively that the density of ringed seals has declined, such that more resources are available per capita. If the climate of the Arctic changes in the manner predicted by a host of climate-change scenarios, it is likely to have a strong impact on ringed seal populations in future, although there are no data to suggest that dramatic changes have taken place yet in fish and invertebrate populations in the Svalbard area. Although cause-and-effect cannot be firmly established, there is a possibility that the substantial increase in the number of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) over the past 20 years, since hunting the species in Svalbard ceased in 1973, may have played a role in the observed change in the ringed seal population.
Seabird numbers and prey consumption in the North Atlantic
Authors: Barrett Robert T. , Chapdelaine Gilles , Anker-Nilssen Tycho , Mosbech Anders , Montevecchi William A. , Reid James B. , Veit Richard R.
Published: June 2006

We compared seasonal composition, abundance, and biomass of seabirds between the Northeast (ICES region) and Northwest (NAFO region) Atlantic fisheries regions to identify differences in community assemblage and prey consumption. Seabirds were more abundant in the Northwest Atlantic, but biomass was greater in the Northeast. This disparity resulted from enormous numbers of little auks Alle alle breeding in West Greenland and of Leach's storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa breeding in Newfoundland, plus large numbers of non-breeding shearwaters Puffinus spp. entering southern NAFO areas in summer. The Northeast Atlantic communities were dominated numerically by northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis, large auks Uria spp., and the Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica. Seabirds occupying the North Atlantic consume approximately 11 × 106 t of food annually. Overall consumption rates peak during summer as a result of increased breeding activity and seasonal movements of birds into the North Atlantic. Because of the greater biomass of birds in the northeast, consumption (mainly by piscivores) in ICES areas was approximately 20% higher than that in NAFO areas, where planktivores dominate. NAFO areas had, however, a much greater consumption rate per unit area than ICES areas. Comparative studies such as these could prove informative in assessing large predator responses to the influence of fishing and ocean-scale climate change.
Life history of a short-lived squid (Sepioteuthis australis): resource allocation as a function of size, growth, maturation, and hatching season
Authors: Pecl Gretta T. , Moltschaniwskyj Natalie A.
Published: June 2006

Many cephalopods continue growing while laying multiple egg batches over the adult life, with repro-somatic allocation continuing beyond attainment of reproductive maturity. Many species show extreme individual variation in reproductive investment. Factors driving this variation in adult Sepioteuthis australis were evaluated by examining allocation of energy to somatic and reproductive growth as a function of body shape, growth rate, maturation, and hatching season. Hatching season influence was sex-specific; males hatched in warmer months had greater reproductive investment, faster growth, and better somatic and reproductive condition, whereas females hatched in spring and summer had less reproductive investment. Seasonal impacts on life history resulted in an “alternation of generations”, with slow-growing squid in poor condition and with high levels of reproductive investment producing a generation with completely different life-history characteristics. This suggests that abiotic and biotic conditions that change seasonally could play a large role in determining energy allocated to reproduction. However, this was not driving trade-offs between size and number of offspring. Life-history trade-offs should be detectable as negative correlations between relevant traits. However, in Sepioteuthis australis there was little evidence of trade-offs between reproduction and growth or condition of individuals, suggesting a “live for today” lifestyle.
Behavioral and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal responses to anterodorsal thalami nuclei lesions and variable chronic stress in maternally separated rats
Authors: Molina Sandra M. , Suárez Marta M. , Rivarola María A.
Published: June 2006

In maternally separated rats, variable chronic stress decreased the emotional reactivity and provoked a state of hypoactivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal system at 3 months old but increased its activity after the open field test. The anterodorsal thalami nuclei control of the endocrine response under stress conditions was not manifested however its seems activate grooming behavior.

The development of behavioral and endocrine response to stress is influenced by early postnatal environment. On the other hand, the anterodorsal thalami nuclei exert an inhibitory influence on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal system under basal and stressful conditions. The aim of this work is to determine the magnitude of behavioral and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal responses to variable chronic stress in adult female rats with anterodorsal thalami nuclei lesions, previously isolated for 4.5 h daily during the first 3 weeks of life. The groups were: non‐maternally separated sham and lesioned, maternally separated sham and lesioned with variable chronic stress with and without open field test.

At 3 months old, under variable chronic stress, maternal separation provoked an increase in ambulation in sham and lesioned animals (P < 0.01) but this parameter was not modified by lesion in either non‐maternally separated or maternally separated groups. Neither the lesion nor the maternal separation changed the defecation and rearing parameter. Grooming behavior was lower in maternally separated lesioned rats (P < 0.05). Under variable chronic stress maternal separation decreased adrenocorticotrophin hormone in comparison with non‐maternally separated (P < 0.001) and the lesion did not alter this response. Regarding corticosterone concentrations, maternal separation did not affect this hormone under variable chronic stress conditions and after the open field test there was an increase of this in both non‐maternally separated and maternally separated sham and lesioned (P < 0.001).
Second‐trimester double or triple screening for Down syndrome: A comparison of Chinese and Caucasian populations
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Luo Jun , Zhu Ming‐Wei , Liu Lan‐Nv , Ma Xu
Published: June 2006

Objectives: To compare the performance of double screening (measuring maternal serum levels of α‐fetoprotein [AFP] and total βhuman chorionic gonadotrophin [hCG] as markers for Down syndrome) with that of triple screening (also measuring levels of unconjugated estriol [uE3]) in the second trimester of pregnancy, and to compare ethnic variance between Chinese and Caucasian populations. Methods: The study investigated 15096 normal singleton pregnancies and 24 pregnancies affected with Down syndrome. Frequency distributions of AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels were analyzed. Likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated using the multiple of median value (MoM) of AFP, hCG, and uE3 as variables. After multiplying maternal age risk by the LR values for the markers used in double and triple screening, the specific risks obtained with double and triple screening were estimated. The detection rate (DR) and false‐positive rate (FPR) were calculated at different cut‐off points. The serum markers' levels were also compared with those of Caucasian women. Results: The median MoM value of hCG was higher in women with affected pregnancies (1.40) than those with unaffected pregnancies (1.00). However, the median MoMs of AFP and uE3 (0.79 and 0.68) were lower in affected than in unaffected pregnancies. At a FPR of 5%, the detection rates reached with double and triple screening were 50% and 66.7%, respectively. Ratios of the 3 serum markers' medians to those in a study with Caucasian women were 1.06 (range = 1.04–1.09) for AFP, 1.14 (range = 1.10–1.17) for hCG, and 1.28 (range = 1.23–1.41) for uE3 for the relevant gestational weeks. Conclusion: Triple screening performed better than double screening in the second trimester. Ethnic variance should be taken into account in Down syndrome screening.
Vertical coarse aerosol fluxes in the atmospheric surface layer over the North Polar Waters of the Atlantic
Authors: Petelski Tomasz , Piskozub Jacek
Published: June 2006

Sea spray emission fluxes were calculated on the basis of vertical gradients of the aerosol concentration data collected with a laser particle counter during four polar scientific cruises carried out in the summers of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. The calculated flux values are the first obtained with a gradient method from data measured on the open ocean; such a method has a much better physical basis than any involving calculating fluxes from concentrations measured at one level only. The sea spray generation function we obtained was compared with other functions from the literature. We show that most literature sea spray generation functions are underestimated for the 1–8 μm radius range, some of them by a factor of 6.
Revised atmospheric excitation function series related to Earth's variable rotation under consideration of surface topography
Authors: Zhou Y. H. , Salstein D. A. , Chen J. L.
Published: June 2006

The atmospheric angular momentum is closely related to variations in the Earth rotation. The atmospheric excitation function (AEF), known also as the atmospheric effective angular momentum function, is introduced in studying the atmospheric excitation of the Earth's variable rotation. It may be separated into two portions, i.e., the “wind” terms due to the atmospheric motion relative to the mantle and the “pressure” terms due to the variations of atmospheric mass distribution evident through surface pressure changes. The AEF wind terms during the period of 1948–2004 are reprocessed from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis 6‐hourly wind and pressure fields. Some previous calculations were approximate, in that the wind terms were integrated from an isobaric lower boundary of 1000 hPa. To consider the surface topography effect, however, the AEF is computed by integration using the winds from the Earth's surface to 10 hPa, the top atmospheric model level, instead of from 1000 hPa. For these two cases, only a minor difference, equivalent to ∼0.004 ms in length‐of‐day variation, exists with respect to the axial wind term. However, considerable differences, equivalent to 5∼6 milliseconds of arc in polar motion, are found regarding equatorial wind terms. We further compare the total equatorial AEF (with and without the topography effect) with the polar motion excitation function (PMEF) during the period of 1980–2003. The equatorial AEF gets generally closer to the PMEF, and improved coherences are found between them when the topography effect is included.
Recent increase of Saharan dust transport over the Mediterranean Sea, as revealed from ocean color satellite (SeaWiFS) observations
Authors: Antoine D. , Nobileau D.
Published: June 2006

An algorithm was previously developed and validated, which is capable of detecting blue‐absorbing aerosols from near infrared and visible remote‐sensing observations, as they are in particular collected by satellite ocean color sensors. This algorithm has been applied to 7 years (1998–2004) of Sea‐Viewing Wide Field‐of‐View Sensor (SeaWiFS) observations over the Mediterranean Sea, on the one hand to further illustrate the appropriateness of ocean color observations to provide relevant information about aerosol types and in particular absorbing aerosols, and, on the other hand, to describe the seasonal and interannual variability of Saharan dust over the Mediterranean Sea during the SeaWiFS era. This extensive application allowed the validation of the retrieved aerosol optical thickness to be more thoroughly performed, thanks to data from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). The results of this validation and the mapping of dust aerosols and of the associated optical thickness demonstrate the skill of the algorithm. These results are in agreement with, and provide a complement to, the results of previous studies based on other remote sensing techniques, which were applied to data from the 1980s and early 1990s. They also show an increase of the dust transport over the Mediterranean over the 1998‐to‐2004 time period.
Deletion of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1receptor gene reveals a regulatory role of NPY on catecholamine synthesis and secretion
Authors: Cavadas Cláudia , Céfai Daniel , Rosmaninho-Salgado Joana , Vieira-Coelho Maria Augusta , Moura Eduardo , Busso Nathalie , Pedrazzini Thierry , Grand Daniela , Rotman Samuel , Waeber Bernard , Aubert Jean-François , Grouzmann Eric
Published: June 2006

The contribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY), deriving from adrenal medulla, to the adrenosympathetic tone is unknown. We found that in response to NPY, primary cultures of mouse adrenal chromaffin cells secreted catecholamine, and that this effect was abolished in cultures from NPY Y1receptor knockout mice (Y1−/−). Compared with wild-type mice (Y1+/+), the adrenal content and constitutive release of catecholamine were increased in chromaffin cells from Y1−/− mice. In resting animals, catecholamine plasma concentrations were higher in Y1−/− mice. Comparing the adrenal glands of both genotypes, no differences were observed in the area of the medulla, cortex, and X zone. The high turnover of adrenal catecholamine in Y1−/− mice was explained by the enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, although no change in the affinity of the enzyme was observed. The molecular interaction between the Y1receptor and TH was demonstrated by the fact that NPY markedly inhibited the forskolin-induced luciferin activity in Y1receptor-expressing SK-N-MC cells transfected with a TH promoter sequence. We propose that NPY controls the release and synthesis of catecholamine from the adrenal medulla and consequently contributes to the sympathoadrenal tone.
B7-H4 expression in renal cell carcinoma and tumor vasculature: Associations with cancer progression and survival
Authors: Krambeck Amy E. , Thompson R. Houston , Dong Haidong , Lohse Christine M. , Park Eugene S. , Kuntz Susan M. , Leibovich Bradley C. , Blute Michael L. , Cheville John C. , Kwon Eugene D.
Published: June 2006

B7-H4 is a recently described B7 family coregulatory ligand that has been implicated as an inhibitor of T cell-mediated immunity. Although expression of B7-H4 is typically limited to lymphoid cells, aberrant B7-H4 expression has also been reported in several human malignancies. To date, associations of B7-H4 with clinical outcomes for cancer patients are lacking. Therefore, we examined B7-H4 expression in fresh-frozen tumor specimens from 259 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with nephrectomy between 2000 and 2003 and performed correlative outcome analyses. We report that 153 (59.1%) RCC tumor specimens exhibited B7-H4 staining and that tumor cell B7-H4 expression was associated with adverse clinical and pathologic features, including constitutional symptoms, tumor necrosis, and advanced tumor size, stage, and grade. Patients with tumors expressing B7-H4 were also three times more likely to die from RCC compared with patients lacking B7-H4 (risk ratio = 3.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.51–6.14;
P
= 0.002). Additionally, 211 (81.5%) specimens exhibited tumor vasculature endothelial B7-H4 expression, whereas only 6.5% of normal adjacent renal tissue vessels exhibited endothelial B7-H4 staining. Based on these findings, we conclude that B7-H4 has the potential to be a useful prognostic marker for patients with RCC. In addition, B7-H4 represents a target for attacking tumor cells as well as tumor neovasculature to facilitate immunotherapeutic treatment of RCC tumors. Last, we demonstrate that patients with RCC tumors expressing both B7-H4 and B7-H1 are at an even greater risk of death from RCC.
Folding of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase suggests structural hotspots for gain of neurotoxic function in ALS: Parallels to precursors in amyloid disease
Authors: Nordlund Anna , Oliveberg Mikael
Published: June 2006

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to misfolding of the ubiquitous enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD). In contrast to other protein-misfolding disorders with similar neuropathogenesis, ALS is not always associated with the
in vivo
deposition of protein aggregates. Thus, under the assumption that all protein-misfolding disorders share at primary level a similar disease mechanism, ALS constitutes an interesting disease model for identifying the yet-mysterious precursor states from which the cytotoxic pathway emerges. In this study, we have mapped out the conformational repertoire of the apoSOD monomer through analysis of its folding behavior. The results allow us to target the regions of the SOD structure that are most susceptible to unfolding locally under physiological conditions, leading to the exposure of structurally promiscuous interfaces that are normally hidden in the protein’s interior. The structure of this putative ALS precursor is strikingly similar to those implicated in amyloid disease.
Isolation of the Cdc45/Mcm2–7/GINS (CMG) complex, a candidate for the eukaryotic DNA replication fork helicase
Authors: Moyer Stephen E. , Lewis Peter W. , Botchan Michael R.
Published: June 2006

The protein Cdc45 plays a critical but poorly understood role in the initiation and elongation stages of eukaryotic DNA replication. To study Cdc45's function in DNA replication, we purified Cdc45 protein from
Drosophila
embryo extracts by a combination of traditional and immunoaffinity chromatography steps and found that the protein exists in a stable, high-molecular-weight complex with the Mcm2–7 hexamer and the GINS tetramer. The purified Cdc45/Mcm2–7/GINS complex is associated with an active ATP-dependent DNA helicase function. RNA interference knock-down experiments targeting the GINS and Cdc45 components establish that the proteins are required for the S phase transition in
Drosophila
cells. The data suggest that this complex forms the core helicase machinery for eukaryotic DNA replication.