bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pityriarubins, Novel Highly Selective Inhibitors of Respiratory Burst from Cultures of the Yeast Malassezia furfur: Comparison with the Bisindolylmaleimide Arcyriarubin A
Authors: Krämer Hans‐Joachim , Kessler Dino , Hipler Ute‐Christina , Irlinger Bernhard , Hort Wiebke , Bödeker Rolf‐Hasso , Steglich Wolfgang , Mayser Peter
Published: October 2005

Pityriasis versicolor is the most common skin mycosis in humans worldwide. Yeasts of the genus Malassezia, particularly M. furfur, a saprophyte occurring widely on human skin, are generally regarded as the causative agents. M. furfur is able to convert tryptophan into a variety of indole alkaloids, some of them showing biological properties that correlate well with certain clinical features of pityriasis versicolor. This suggests a possible role for these compounds in the pathophysiology of the disease. We here report that the novel pityriarubins A, B and C, isolated from cultures of the yeast, inhibit respiratory burst in human neutrophils, activated by various agents, in a highly selective, unexpected manner. The release of 5‐lipoxygenase products after challenge of neutrophils with the calcium ionophore A23187 is also inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner. These activities reflect the close structural relationship of pityriarubins to bisindolylmaleimides, which have recently gained great interest as protein kinase inhibitors.
Carbohydrate Array Analysis of Anti‐Tn Antibodies and Lectins Reveals Unexpected Specificities: Implications for Diagnostic and Vaccine Development
Authors: Manimala Joseph C. , Li Zhitao , Jain Amit , VedBrat Sharanjeet , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C.
Published: October 2005

The Tn antigen is a carbohydrate antigen expressed in most carcinomas, during embryogenesis, on pathogenic parasites, and on HIV. It has been evaluated extensively as a potential diagnostic marker and several Tn‐based vaccines are in clinical trials. Based on discrepancies in the literature regarding Tn expression, we began to question whether antibodies and lectins used routinely to detect the Tn antigen were providing accurate information. To investigate this possibility, a carbohydrate microarray and a highly sensitive assay were developed and three frequently used Tn receptors (HBTn1, Bric111, and VVL‐B4) were evaluated. Carbohydrate‐array analysis revealed unexpected cross‐reactivity with other human carbohydrate epitopes. VVL‐B4 bound the Tn antigen, GalNAcα1‐6Gal, and GalNAcα1‐3Gal. Bric111 bound the Tn antigen, blood group A, GalNAcα1‐6Gal, and GalNAcα1‐3Gal. HBTn1 showed the best selectivity, but still displayed moderate binding to blood group A. Implications for the development of Tn‐based diagnostics and vaccines are discussed.
Structural Preferences of Single‐Walled Silica Nanostructures: Nanospheres and Chemically Stable Nanotubes
Authors: Linnolahti Mikko , Kinnunen Niko M. , Pakkanen Tapani A.
Published: October 2005

Structural preferences of single‐walled and coordinatively saturated spherical and tubular nanostructures of silica have been determined by ab initio calculations. Two families of spherical (SiO2)n clusters derived from Platonic solids and Archimedean polyhedra are depicted, with n ranging from 4–120. The analogue of a truncated icosidodecahedron, Ih‐symmetric Si120O240, is favored in energy, closely followed by the Ih‐symmetric Si60O120‐truncated icosahedron. The silica nanotubes derived from spherical clusters are capped by Si2O2 rings, whereas the tubular section consists of single oxygen bridges. Periodic studies performed with open‐ended silica nanotubes and the α‐quartz polymorph of silica, along with a comparisons to fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, suggest that tubes with diameters of approximately 1 nm should be chemically stable.
Columnar and Smectic Liquid Crystals Based on Crown Ethers
Authors: Steinke Nelli , Frey Wolfgang , Baro Angelika , Laschat Sabine , Drees Christina , Nimtz Manfred , Hägele Constanze , Giesselmann Frank
Published: October 2005

Unsymmetrical benzo[15]crown‐5 ethers 5 with one lateral ortho‐terphenyl unit bearing alkoxy side chains of varying chain lengths (C5–C14) were prepared from 3,4‐dialkoxyphenylbromides 2. Complexation with metal salts MX (M = Na, Cs) afforded the corresponding derivatives MX⋅5. The uncomplexed crown ethers 5 h and 5 i, with dodecyloxy and tetradecyloxy side chains, respectively, exhibit liquid crystalline properties. In the series of complexed crown ethers, liquid crystal properties appeared as early as NaI⋅5 f with C9H19 side chains. Whereas the uncomplexed 5 h,i form smectic mesophases, the complexed NaI⋅5 g and NaI⋅5 h exhibit textures typical of columnar mesophases. These results were supported by X‐ray diffraction measurements (WAXS, SAXS), which revealed smectic (5 h,i), rectangular columnar (NaI⋅5 g), and hexagonal columnar (NaI⋅5 h) mesophases. As the liquid crystalline phase might retain packing features of the solid‐state structure, single‐crystal X‐ray analyses were also performed for some of the uncomplexed and complexed crown ether derivatives. The complex NaI3⋅5 a displays a sandwich‐type structure, with the crown ether cores mutually antiperiplanar and maintaining an almost perfect crown conformation. In contrast, non‐mesogenic uncomplexed crown ether 5 b displays a layer‐type ordering in the solid phase.
Polymerisationen in mikrostrukturierten Reaktoren: Ein Überblick
Authors: Hessel V. , Löwe H. , Serra C. , Hadziioannou G.
Published: October 2005

Polymerisationen sind in jüngster Zeit als neue Anwendung für die Mikroverfahrenstechnik und Mikrofluidik erschlossen worden. Neben homogenen Polymerisationen im Bulk oder in Lösung gibt es mittlerweile auch Ansätze für heterogene Polymerisationen mittels Miniemulsionstechnik. Zudem können Polymerpartikel mit definierter Größe, Form und Morphologie hergestellt werden. Der Beitrag stellt erste Nutzungen der neuen Technik durch die polymerproduzierende Industrie im Labor‐ und sogar im Produktionsmaßstab unter Einsatz mikroverfahrenstechnischer Apparate vor.
Fluiddynamik und Stofftransport in gepackten Blasensäulen
Authors: Hölemann K. , Czapla F. , Kaibel G.
Published: October 2005

Besonders für koaleszierende Stoffsysteme sowie für Blasensäulen mit geringer Dispergierung der Gasphase führt der Einbau von Packungen zu einer deutlichen Prozessintensivierung durch einen verbesserten Stoffübergang. Bei koalesenzgehemmten Systemen ist der Vorteil geringer, aber aufgrund der speziellen Strömung in den Kanälen einer feinstrukturierten Packung immer noch nachweisbar. Auch die gleichmäßige Verweilzeit kann in einigen Fällen Vorteile gegenüber der weitgehend rückvermischten Blasensäule ohne Einbauten haben.
Extraktivdestillation mit ionischen Flüssigkeiten
Authors: Beste Y. , Eggersmann M. , Schoenmakers H.
Published: October 2005

Ionische Flüssigkeiten zeichnen sich durch interessante Lösungseigenschaften aus. Aus diesem Grund eignen sie sich gut als selektiver Hilfsstoff für thermische Trennverfahren, insbesondere bei der Trennung azeotroper oder engsiedender Gemische. Durch ihren fehlenden Dampfdruck und die große Selektivität erlauben sie die Entwicklung besserer Verfahren zur Extraktivdestillation. Anhand einer exemplarischen Trennaufgabe wird erläutert, wie eine geeignete ionische Flüssigkeit identifiziert werden kann und welche Verfahrensvarianten existieren. Durch einen Kostenvergleich wird der wirtschaftliche Vorteil der Verwendung ionischer Flüssigkeiten ermittelt.
Selective Indole‐Based ECE Inhibitors: Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation
Authors: Brands Michael , Ergüden Jens‐Kerim , Hashimoto Kentaro , Heimbach Dirk , Krahn Thomas , Schröder Christian , Siegel Stephan , Stasch Johannes‐Peter , Tsujishita Hideki , Weigand Stefan , Yoshida Nagahiro H.
Published: October 2005

Inhibition of the metalloprotease ECE‐1 may be beneficial for the treatment of coronary heart disease, cancer, renal failure, and urological disorders. A novel class of indole‐based ECE inhibitors was identified by high throughput screening. Optimization of the original screening lead structure 6 led to highly potent inhibitors such as 11, which bears a bisaryl amide moiety linked to the indole C2 position through an amide group. Docking of 11 into a model structure of ECE revealed a unique binding mode in which the Zn center of the enzyme is not directly addressed by the inhibitor, but key interactions are suggested for the central amide group. Testing of the lead compound 6 in hypertensive Dahl S rats resulted in a decrease in blood pressure after an initial period in which the blood pressure remained unchanged, most probably the result of ET‐1 already present. Indole derivative 6 also displays a cardio‐protective effect in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction after oral administration. The more potent chloropyridine derivative 9 antagonizes big‐ET‐1‐induced increase in blood pressure in rats at intravenous administration of 3 mg kg−1. All ECE inhibitors of the indole class showed high selectivity for ECE over related metalloproteases such as NEP and ACE. Therefore, these compounds might have further potential as drugs for the treatment of coronary heart diseases.
Prediction of Small‐Molecule Binding to Cytochrome P450 3A4: Flexible Docking Combined with Multidimensional QSAR
Authors: Lill Markus A. , Dobler Max , Vedani Angelo
Published: October 2005

The inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by small molecules is a major mechanism associated with undesired drug–drug interactions, which are responsible for a substantial number of late‐stage failures in the pharmaceutical drug‐development process. For a quantitative prediction of associated pharmacokinetic parameters, a computational model was developed that allows prediction of the inhibitory potential of 48 structurally diverse molecules. Based on the experimental structure of CYP3A4, possible binding modes were first sampled by using automated docking (Yeti software) taking protein flexibility into account. The results are consistent with both X‐ray crystallographic data and data from metabolic studies. Next, an ensemble of energetically favorable orientations was composed into a 4D dataset for use as input for a multidimensional QSAR technique (Raptor software). A dual‐shell binding‐site model that allows an explicit induced fit was then generated by using hydrophobicity scoring and hydrogen‐bond propensity. The simulation reached a cross‐validated r2value of 0.825 and a predictive r2value of 0.659. On average, the predicted binding affinity of the training ligands deviates by a factor of 2.7 from the experiment; those of the test set deviate by a factor of 3.8 in Ki.
Forebrain substrates of reward and motivation
Authors: Wise Roy A.
Published: October 2005

Electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle can reward arbitrary acts or motivate biologically primitive, species‐typical behaviors like feeding or copulation. The subsystems involved in these behaviors are only partially characterized, but they appear to transsynaptically activate the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Basal function of the dopamine system is essential for arousal and motor function; phasic activation of this system is rewarding and can potentiate the effectiveness of reward‐predictors that guide learned behaviors. This system is phasically activated by most drugs of abuse and such activation contributes to the habit‐forming actions of these drugs. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:115–121, 2005. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemistry of the mind: Neurochemical modulation of prefrontal cortical function
Authors: Robbins Trevor W.
Published: October 2005

The neurochemical modulation of prefrontal cortical function is reviewed with special reference to the ascending dopaminergic and serotoninergic projections. Evidence is surveyed from studies of rats, nonhuman primates, and humans to suggest that prefrontal dopamine has specific functions in attentional control and working memory, mediated mainly through the D1 receptor, whereas manipulations of serotonin are shown by contrast to affect reversal learning in monkeys and human volunteers and measures of impulsivity in rats. These findings are discussed in the context of these as well as other neurotransmitter systems (including noradrenaline and acetylcholine) having distinct roles in the neuromodulation of prefrontal cortical function. The capacity of the prefrontal cortex itself to exert top‐down regulation of these ascending neurochemical systems is also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:140–146, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive gain and the role of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system in optimal performance
Authors: Aston‐Jones Gary , Cohen Jonathan D.
Published: October 2005

Historically, the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC‐NE) system has been implicated in arousal, but recent findings suggest that this system plays a more complex and specific role in the control of behavior than investigators previously thought. We review neurophysiological, anatomical, and modeling studies in monkey that support a new theory of LC‐NE function. LC neurons exhibit two modes of activity, phasic and tonic. Phasic LC activation is driven by the outcome of task‐related decision processes and is proposed to facilitate ensuing behaviors and to help optimize task performance. When utility in the task wanes, LC neurons exhibit a tonic activity mode, associated with disengagement from the current task and a search for alternative behaviors. Monkey LC receives prominent, direct inputs from the anterior cingulate (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortices (OFC), both of which are thought to monitor task‐related utility. We propose that these prefrontal areas produce the above patterns of LC activity to optimize the utility of performance on both short and long time scales. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:99–110, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomy of the soul as reflected in the cerebral hemispheres: Neural circuits underlying voluntary control of basic motivated behaviors
Authors: Swanson Larry W.
Published: October 2005

Understanding the principles of cerebral hemisphere neural network organization is essential for understanding the biological foundations of cognition and affect—thinking and feeling. A tripartite model of cerebral structure–function organization is reviewed, with attention focused on a behavior control system differentiation that mediates voluntary influences on three fundamental classes of goal‐oriented behavior common to all animals. The model postulates just three cerebral divisions, one cortical and two nuclear (lateral or striatal, and medial or pallidal), that together generate a triple descending projection to the brainstem/cord motor system. This minimal circuit element is topographically organized and regionally differentiated, with the map of cortical areas serving as a basic starting point. Virtually all of the cerebral hemisphere projects on the upper brainstem behavior control column, atop the motor system hierarchy. The latter's rostral segment helps control ingestive (eating and drinking), defensive (fight or flight), and reproductive (sexual and parental) motivated behaviors, whereas its caudal segment helps control foraging or exploratory behavior to obtain or avoid specific goal objects associated with all classes of motivated behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:122–131, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human brain activation during sexual stimulation of the penis
Authors: Georgiadis Janniko R. , Holstege Gert
Published: October 2005

Penile sensory information is essential for reproduction, but almost nothing is known about how sexually salient inputs from the penis are processed in the brain. We used positron emission tomography to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during various stages of male sexual performance. Compared to a passive resting condition (without penile erection), sexual stimulation of the penis increased rCBF in an area of the right hemisphere encompassing the posterior insula and adjacent posterior part of the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) and decreased rCBF in the right amygdala. No activation was observed in either the thalamus, genital part of primary somatosensory cortex (SI), or hypothalamus. Based on these results we put forward the concept that during sexual performance the salience of the stimulus, represented by activation of the insula and SII, is of greater significance than the exact location of the stimulus, encoded in SI. The absence of activation in the hypothalamus indicates that this region is more important for the onset of sexual arousal than for the resulting sexual performance. Deactivation of the amygdala during sexual stimulation of the penis corresponds with a decrease of vigilance during sexual performance. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:33–38, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural mechanisms of autonomic, affective, and cognitive integration
Authors: Critchley Hugo D.
Published: October 2005

Influential theoretical models propose a central role for afferent information from the body in the expression of emotional feeling states. Feedback representations of changing states of bodily arousal influence learning and facilitate concurrent and prospective decision‐making. Functional neuroimaging studies have increased understanding of brain mechanisms that generate changes in autonomic arousal during behavior and those which respond to internal feedback signals to influence subjective feeling states. In particular, anterior cingulate cortex is implicated in generating autonomic changes, while insula and orbitofrontal cortices may be specialized in mapping visceral responses. Independently, ventromedial prefrontal cortex is recognized to support processes of internal (self‐) reference that predominate in states of rest and disengagement and which putatively serve as a benchmark for dynamic interactions with the environment. Lesion data further highlight the integrated role of these cortical regions in autonomic and motivational control. In computational models of control, forward (efference copies) and inverse models are proposed to enable prediction and correction of action and, by extension, the interpretation of the behavior of others. It is hypothesized that the neural substrate for these processes during motivational and affective behavior lies within the interactions of anterior cingulate, insula, and orbitofrontal cortices. Generation of visceral autonomic correlates of control reinforce experiential engagement in simulatory models and underpin concepts such as somatic markers to bridge the dualistic divide. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:154–166, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ventromedial medulla: Pain modulation and beyond
Authors: Mason Peggy
Published: October 2005

The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventromedial medulla (VMM) are generally viewed as the core of an endogenous descending modulatory system. However, available data demonstrate that PAG and VMM do not specifically target nociceptive transmission and that activation of either structure affects numerous homeostatic physiological processes. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a useful tracer that is retrogradely and transynaptically transported. PRV injections into homeostatic effector organs invariably label VMM neurons, both serotonergic and nonserotonergic. Studies in anesthetized rats have implicated two types of nonserotonergic VMM neurons in nociceptive modulation: ON cells are thought to facilitate nociception and OFF cells to inhibit nociception. Yet, in the unanesthetized animal, the discharge of VMM neurons changes in response to innocuous stimuli and during situations unrelated to nociception. In particular, VMM cells appear to modulate the timing of micturition, with ON cells promoting the initiation of voiding and OFF cells promoting urine storage. VMM cells also modulate sensory transmission. During both micturition and sleep, OFF cells discharge and sensory responsiveness is depressed. In sum, the VMM is hypothesized to modulate spinal sensory, autonomic, and motor circuits in order to maintain homeostasis. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:2–8, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional imaging and the central control of the bladder
Authors: Kavia Rajesh Bharat Chhaganlal , Dasgupta Ranan , Fowler Clare Juliet
Published: October 2005

The central control of the bladder is a complex, multilevel process. Recent advances in functional brain imaging have allowed research into this control in humans. This article reviews the functional imaging studies published to date and discusses the regions of the brain that have been implicated in the central control of continence. Brain regions that have been implicated include the pons (pontine micturition center, PMC), periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, insula, anterior cingulate gyrus, and prefrontal cortices. The PMC and the PAG are thought to be key in the supraspinal control of continence and micturition. Higher centers such as the insula, anterior cingulate gyrus, and prefrontal regions are probably involved in the modulation of this control and cognition of bladder sensations, and in the case of the insula and anterior cingulate, modulation of autonomic function. Further work should aim to examine how the regions interact to achieve urinary continence. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:27–32, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A proposed hypothalamic–thalamic–striatal axis for the integration of energy balance, arousal, and food reward
Authors: Kelley Ann E. , Baldo Brian A. , Pratt Wayne E.
Published: October 2005

We elaborate herein a novel theory of basal ganglia function that accounts for why palatable, energy‐dense foods retain high incentive value even when immediate physiological energy requirements have been met. Basal ganglia function has been studied from the perspective of topographical segregation of processing within parallel circuits, with primary focus on motor control and cognition. Recent findings suggest, however, that the striatum can act as an integrated unit to modulate motivational state. We describe evidence that the striatal enkephalin system, which regulates the hedonic impact of preferred foods, undergoes coordinated gene expression changes that track current motivational state with regard to food intake. Striatal enkephalin gene expression is also downregulated by an intrastriatal infusion of a cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, a manipulation that greatly suppresses food intake. To account for these findings, we propose that signaling through a hypothalamic–midline thalamic–striatal axis impinges on the cholinergic interneurons of the striatum, which via their large, overlapping axonal fields act as a network to modulate enkephalin‐containing striatal output neurons. A key relay in this circuit is the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, which receives convergent input from orexin‐coded hypothalamic energy‐sensing and behavioral state‐regulating neurons, as well as from circadian oscillators, and projects to cholinergic interneurons throughout the striatal complex. We hypothesize that this system evolved to coordinate feeding and arousal, and to prolong the feeding central motivational state beyond the fulfillment of acute energy needs, thereby promoting “overeating” and the consequent development of an energy reserve for potential future food shortages. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:72–85, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homeostatic, circadian, and emotional regulation of sleep
Authors: Saper Clifford B. , Cano Georgina , Scammell Thomas E.
Published: October 2005

A good night's sleep is one of life's most satisfying experiences, while sleeplessness is stressful and causes cognitive impairment. Yet the mechanisms that regulate the ability to sleep have only recently been subjected to detailed investigation. New studies show that the control of wake and sleep emerges from the interaction of cell groups that cause arousal with other nuclei that induce sleep such as the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO). The VLPO inhibits the ascending arousal regions and is in turn inhibited by them, thus forming a mutually inhibitory system resembling what electrical engineers call a “flip‐flop switch.” This switch may help produce sharp transitions between discrete behavioral states, but it is not necessarily stable. The orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus may help stabilize this system by exciting arousal regions during wakefulness, preventing unwanted transitions between wakefulness and sleep. The importance of this stabilizing role is apparent in narcolepsy, in which an absence of the orexin neurons causes numerous, unintended transitions in and out of sleep and allows fragments of REM sleep to intrude into wakefulness. These influences on the sleep/wake system by homeostatic and circadian drives, as well as emotional inputs, are reviewed. Understanding the pathways that underlie the regulation of sleep and wakefulness may provide important insights into how the cognitive and emotional systems interact with basic homeostatic and circadian drives for sleep. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:92–98, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomy and neurochemistry of the pair bond
Authors: Young Larry J. , Murphy Young Anne Z. , Hammock Elizabeth A.D.
Published: October 2005

Studies in monogamous rodents have begun to elucidate the neural circuitry underlying the formation and maintenance of selective pair bonds between mates. This research suggests that at least three distinct, yet interconnected, neural pathways interact in the establishment of the pair bond. These include circuits involved in conveying somatosensory information from the genitalia to the brain during sexual activity, the mesolimbic dopamine circuits of reward and reinforcement, and neuropeptidergic circuits involved specifically in the processing of socially salient cues. Here we present an integrated description of the interaction of these circuits in a model of pair bond formation in rodents with a discussion of the implications of these findings for evolution, individual variation, and human bonding. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:51–57, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Romantic love: An fMRI study of a neural mechanism for mate choice
Authors: Fisher Helen , Aron Arthur , Brown Lucy L.
Published: October 2005

Scientists have described myriad traits in mammalian and avian species that evolved to attract mates. But the brain mechanisms by which conspecifics become attracted to these traits is largely unknown. Yet mammals and birds express mate preferences and make mate choices, and data suggest that this “attraction system” is associated with the dopaminergic reward system. It has been proposed that intense romantic love, a cross‐cultural universal, is a developed form of this attraction system. To determine the neural mechanisms associated with romantic love we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and studied 17 people who were intensely “in love” (Aron et al. [2005] J Neurophysiol 94:327–337). Activation specific to the beloved occurred in the right ventral tegmental area and right caudate nucleus, dopamine‐rich areas associated with mammalian reward and motivation. These and other results suggest that dopaminergic reward pathways contribute to the “general arousal” component of romantic love; romantic love is primarily a motivation system, rather than an emotion; this drive is distinct from the sex drive; romantic love changes across time; and romantic love shares biobehavioral similarities with mammalian attraction. We propose that this attraction mechanism evolved to enable individuals to focus their mating energy on specific others, thereby conserving energy and facilitating mate choice—a primary aspect of reproduction. Last, the corticostriate system, with its potential for combining diverse cortical information with reward signals, is an excellent anatomical substrate for the complex factors contributing to romantic love and mate choice. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:58–62, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micturition and the soul
Authors: Holstege Gert
Published: October 2005

There is a close connection between micturition and emotion. Several species use micturition to signal important messages as territorial demarcation and sexual attraction. For this reason, micturition is coordinated not in the spinal cord but in the brainstem, where it is closely connected with the limbic system. In cat, bladder afferents terminate in a cell group in the lateral dorsal horn and lateral part of the intermediate zone. Neurons in this cell group project to supraspinal levels, not to the thalamus but to the central periaqueductal gray (PAG). Neurons in the lateral PAG, not receiving direct sacral cord afferents, project to the pontine micturition center (PMC). The PMC projects directly to the parasympathetic bladder motoneurons and to sacral GABA‐ergic and glycinergic premotor interneurons that inhibit motoneurons in Onuf's nucleus innervating the external striated bladder sphincter. Thus, PMC stimulation causes bladder contraction and bladder sphincter relaxation, i.e., complete micturition. Other than the PAG, only the preoptic area and a cell group in the caudal hypothalamus project directly to the PMC. The ventromedial upper medullary tegmentum also sends projections to the PMC, but they are diffuse and also involve structures that adjoin the PMC. Neuroimaging studies in humans suggest that the systems controlling micturition in cat and human are very similar. It seems that the many structures in the brain that are known to influence micturition use the PAG as relay to the PMC. This basic organization has to be kept in mind in the fight against overactive bladder (OAB) and urge‐incontinence. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:15–20, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identifying hypothalamic pathways controlling food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis
Authors: Elmquist Joel K. , Coppari Roberto , Balthasar Nina , Ichinose Masumi , Lowell Bradford B.
Published: October 2005

The past decade has greatly increased our understanding and appreciation of the ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate food intake and body weight. This was spearheaded by the discovery of key molecules regulating body weight homeostasis. It is now also apparent that the CNS, especially the hypothalamus, plays a primary role in directly regulating glucose homeostasis, independently of effects on body weight. These discoveries are important given the increasing incidences of obesity and type II diabetes in Western societies. In this article, we will highlight recent data from genetically modified mice. These data and other models have helped to dissect the CNS pathways regulating body weight and glucose homeostasis. Finally, although these studies have been illustrative, they also underscore our relative lack of knowledge and highlight the need for more definitive approaches to unravel the functional significance of these pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:63–71, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Guidance and differentiation of maternally directed orienting behaviors: Probing the origins of filial attachment
Authors: Polan H. Jonathan
Published: October 2005

Newborn rats seek and attain contact with their mothers by orienting and primitive locomotor behaviors called maternally‐directed orienting behaviors (MDOBs). By 2 days of age MDOBs are elicited specifically by maternal features and are heightened by a period of acute separation from the mother. This behavioral regulation by the mother's presence suggests an early form of filial attachment. To probe for other evidence of filial attachment, two aspects of the controls of MDOBs were investigated: (1) whether MDOBs are goal‐corrected in relation to the dam's position and (2) whether the performance of MDOBs can be separated from that of suckling. It was found that, during the first 2 days after birth, MDOBs maintained the pup's ventrum‐to‐ventrum contact with the dam regardless of her position, suggesting that they are goal‐corrected. Evidence was not found for independent controls of nipple grasping (NG), the behavior that initiates suckling, and MDOBs during the first two postnatal days. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 47: 278–287, 2005.
Mother and newborn baby: Mutual regulation of physiology and behavior— A selective review
Authors: Winberg Jan
Published: October 2005

This article reviews 30 years of work demonstrating that interactions between mother and newborn infant in the period just after birth influence the physiology and behavior of both. Close body contact of the infant with his/her mother helps regulate the newborn's temperature, energy conservation, acid–base balance, adjustment of respiration, crying, and nursing behaviors. Similarly, the baby may regulate—i.e., increase—the mother's attention to his/her needs, the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, and the efficiency of her energy economy through vagus activation and a surge of gastrointestinal tract hormone release resulting in better exploitation of ingested calories. The effects of some of these changes can be detected months later. Parallels to animal research and possible mechanisms are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 47: 217–229, 2005.
Fishing for the secrets of vertebrate evolution in threespine sticklebacks
Authors: Peichel Catherine L.
Published: October 2005

The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is rapidly emerging as a new model genetic system to study questions at the interface of evolution and development. The relatively rapid and recent diversification of this small teleost fish, combined with the development of genetic and genomic tools for this fish, provides an unprecedented opportunity to identify the genetic and molecular basis of morphological variation in natural populations of vertebrates. Recently, the genes underlying two different adaptive morphological traits in stickleback have been identified. This work has provided answers to four longstanding questions in the field of evolution and development: (1) How many genes underlie morphological variation in natural populations? (2) What are the genes that underlie morphological variation in natural populations? (3) Do coding or regulatory mutations underlie morphological evolution? (4) What is the molecular and genetic basis of parallel morphological evolution? Because stickleback populations also display natural variation in morphology, life history, physiology, and behavior, extending the approaches used to identify the genetic basis of morphological variation in sticklebacks to other phenotypes is sure to yield further important insights into the genetic and developmental basis of diversity in natural populations. Developmental Dynamics 234:815–823, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Massive gastric dilatation after a single binge in an anorectic woman
Authors: Barada Kassem A. , Azar Cecilio R. , Al‐Kutoubi Aghiad O. , Harb Rami S. , Hazimeh Youssef M. , Abbas Jaber S. , Khani Munir K. , Al‐amin Hassen A.
Published: October 2005

Objective

Massive gastric dilatation is a very serious condition that is extremely rare in patients with no history of gastrointestinal disease. Several cases have been reported in patients with eating disorders, particularly after a binge. We report here the case of a young woman who developed severe gastric dilatation after a single binge.

Methods

A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the abdomen was done and a psychiatric evaluation was performed.

Results

The diagnosis of acute gastric dilatation was confirmed and superior mesenteric artery syndrome was excluded. The patient responded to nasogastric drainage and bowel rest. She was also found to have situational anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as a nonspecified eating disorder.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the serious sequel of even a single binge in any patient with abnormal dietary habits, and demonstrates the useful role of the CT scan in the diagnosis. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Photoluminescence of Mercury(II) Complexes with Two Homologous Novel Functional Rigid Ligands
Authors: Zhou Hong‐Ping , Tian Yu‐Peng , Wu Jie‐Ying , Zhang Ju‐Zhou , Li Dong‐Mei , Zhu Yong‐Min , Hu Zhang‐Jun , Tao Xu‐Tang , Jiang Min‐Hua , Xie Yi
Published: October 2005

Two novel functional rigid ligands, 2,2′‐ and 4,4′‐bipyridyl‐based “building blocks”, 9‐ethyl‐3,6‐bis[2‐(4‐pyridyl)ethenyl]carbazole (L1) and 9‐ethyl‐3,6‐bis[2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethenyl]carbazole (L2), were synthesized. Treatment of L1,2 as “building blocks” with Hg(SCN)2 or HgI2 afforded helixes, macrocycles, and chains, which can be further self‐assembled by a π–π stacking interaction, hydrogen bond, and interatomic force in the solid state to form two‐dimensional networks. In complexes 1–4, HgII centers all adopt four‐coordination modes in different coordination environments, but they present different architectures with slightly adjusted structures of the ligands and counteranions, indicating that the nature of the ligand and anion plays an important role in the coordination networks. The luminescent properties of compounds 1–4 have been studied.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Facile Synthesis of Vicinal Diamines Promoted by Low‐Valent Niobium: Preparation of Chiral Octahydrobiisoquinolines and Their Application to Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis
Authors: Arai Shigeru , Takita Satoshi , Nishida Atsushi
Published: October 2005

An efficient homocoupling of imines to give vicinal diamines promoted by low‐valent niobium, generated by treatment of NbCl5 with zinc powder, is described. The desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields. Dihydroisoquinoline derivatives also gave the coupling products with good diastereoselectivities (D,L/meso). Optical resolution of the racemic octahydrobiisoquinolines was achieved and their complexes with CuI used in the catalytic asymmetric oxidative coupling of β‐naphthols. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Asymmetric Reduction of Ketones Under Mild Conditions Using NaBH4 and TarB‐NO2: An Efficient and Unusual Chiral Acyloxyborohydride Reducing System
Authors: Cordes David B. , Nguyen Thao M. , Kwong Tracey J. , Suri Jeff T. , Luibrand Richard T. , Singaram Bakthan
Published: October 2005

High enantioselectivities are obtained for the reduction of a series of ketones using the inexpensive and mild reducing agent NaBH4 with TarB‐NO2 (1). This easily prepared tartaric acid‐based reagent combines a Lewis acid with carboxylic acids in a single bifunctional reagent. When combined with NaBH4, the resulting chiral acyloxyborohydride mediates the reduction of aromatic ketones to provide the product alcohols in enantiomeric excesses of 93–98 %. Several aliphatic ketones were also reduced with moderate to excellent enantioselectivity. A unique mechanism is provided with supporting calculations for the proposed active species and transition state. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
The Effect of a Host–Guest Hydrogen Bond on the Inclusion of Alcoholic Guests in the Host Cavities of Cholamide
Authors: Yoswathananont Nungruethai , Sada Kazuki , Nakano Kazunori , Aburaya Kazuaki , Shigesato Masashi , Hishikawa Yukio , Tani Kanae , Tohnai Norimitsu , Miyata Mikiji
Published: October 2005

Fifty eight inclusion crystals of cholamide (CAM) with aliphatic alcohols have been systematically investigated by X‐ray crystallography. The host frameworks of the inclusion crystals can be categorized into three structural types: bilayer, herringbone, and crossing structures. Most of the guests are included in bilayer structures, which can be further divided into four sub‐types. The host frameworks isomerize depending on the size and shape of the guest molecules. This dependence is clearly evaluated by the relationship between the volume of the guest molecules and the packing coefficient of the void space in the host frameworks. Although the host frameworks with the cavities and the structural isomerization are very similar to those of the inclusion crystals of cholic acid (CA), the inclusion behavior of aliphatic alcohols in the two hosts is completely different: fifty four alcohols can be included in the bilayer‐type structures of CAM, but only two in those of CA. This is attributed to their different functional groups, which lead to different hydrogen‐bond networks with the guest alcohols. The result in the two hosts is a good example to understand the effect of host–guest hydrogen bonds on guest inclusion in cavities that are identical in size and shape. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Heck‐Type Coupling for the Synthesis of Novel Bridged Metallochlorin–Fullerene C60 Dyads
Authors: Katterle Martin , Holzwarth Alfred R. , Jesorka Aldo
Published: October 2005

A short and convenient synthesis of metallochlorin–C60 dyads based on a Heck‐type hetero coupling at the 32 position of a chlorin is described. p‐Bromobenzaldehyde was treated with Zn‐metalated 132‐demethoxycarbonylmethylpheophorbide a, using a palladium acetate/LiCl catalyst mixture under phase‐transfer conditions in DMF at 70 °C. The resulting asymmetric olefin was obtained in a high trans/cis ratio. The desired trans isomer was separated and subsequently transformed into a donor–acceptor dyad by a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition to C60 in the presence of sarcosine in refluxing toluene. The resulting dyads are expected to undergo efficient photoinduced electron transfer and can potentially be utilized in solar energy conversion devices. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Dimethyldioxirane and Acetone Are Not in Equilibrium
Authors: Zeller Klaus‐Peter , Kowallik Meike , Schuler Paul
Published: October 2005

The potential transfer of an oxygen atom from dioxiranes to a ketonic carbonyl group is disproved by appropriate D‐ and 13C‐labelling. As shown by 13C NMR spectroscopy bis(trideuteriomethyl)dioxirane and [carbonyl‐13C]acetone are not in equilibrium with [D6]acetone and [3‐13C]dimethyldioxirane. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
An alternative approach using artificial neural networks for power transformer protection
Authors: Coury D. V. , Segatto E. C.
Published: October 2005

This work presents an alternative approach using the differential logic associated to artificial neural networks (ANNs) in order to distinguish between inrush currents and internal faults for the protection of power transformers. The radius basis function (RBF) neural network is proposed as an alternative approach in order to distinguish the situations described, using a smaller amount of data for training purposes, in some cases, if compared with networks such as the multi‐layer perceptron (MLP). The ANN results are then compared to those obtained by the traditional differential protection algorithm. An ANN approach for correction of saturated current signals is also presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction of largest equivalent systems for power system simulator
Authors: Kim Y. H. , Cha S. T. , Lee J. W. , Kim T. K. , Choo J. B. , Nam H. K.
Published: October 2005

This paper presents the dynamic reduction algorithm including network reduction for large‐scale power systems to develop the largest equivalent systems. In particular, the proposed reduction algorithm is suitable for the real time digital simulator. The load angle of the synchronous machine is used as a state variable to identify or aggregate the coherent synchronous machine groups. In this paper, the equivalent systems that preserve the desired property of the original systems are evaluated to verify the algorithm with dynamic simulation for given power system faults. The results of comparison between the original systems and equivalent systems are described to provide the accuracy and reliability. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study and control of two two‐level PWM rectifier—clamping bridge–seven‐level NPC VSI cascade: application to PMSM speed control
Authors: Talha Abdelaziz , Berkouk El‐Madjid , Boucherit Mohamed Seghir
Published: October 2005

In this paper, the authors present a study of the stability problem of the input DC voltages of the seven‐level neutral point clamping (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI). In the first part, they develop a knowledge model of this converter by using connection functions. In the second part, the authors propose a PWM strategy which uses six bipolar carriers to control this converter. In this part, the inverter is fed by constant input DC voltages. In the last part of this paper, the authors study the stability problem of the input DC voltages of the inverter. Thus, they study a cascade made up of two two‐level PWM rectifier—seven‐level NPC VSI. The results obtained show that the input DC voltages of the inverter are not stable but are better than the ones obtained with a cascade which uses one PWM rectifier. To improve the performance of the proposed cascade and stabilize the input DC voltages, the authors propose in this paper a solution which uses a clamping bridge.

This study allows a solution to be found for the instability problem of the input DC voltages of the inverter. The results obtained with this solution confirm the good performances of the proposed solution. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ferritin light chain down‐modulation generates depigmentation in human metastatic melanoma cells by influencing tyrosinase maturation
Authors: Maresca Vittoria , Flori Enrica , Cardinali Giorgia , Briganti Stefania , Lombardi Daniela , Mileo Anna Maria , Paggi Marco G. , Picardo Mauro
Published: October 2005

Recently, after the identification of ferritin light chain (L‐ferritin) gene and protein over‐expression in human metastatic melanoma cells, we engineered, starting from the LM metastatic melanoma cell line, clones in which L‐ferritin gene expression was down‐regulated by the stable expression of a specific antisense construct. The present investigation started from the observation that L‐ferritin down‐regulated LM cells displayed a less pigmented phenotype, confirmed by a major decrease of total melanin, when compared to control LM cells. This finding was accompanied by a dramatic decrease in tyrosinase activity, which was not paralleled by a concomitant reduction of the amount of tyrosinase specific mRNA. Western blot analysis of tyrosinase in control LM cells displayed a pattern, which corresponds to the progressive glycosylation of the native protein up to the 80 kDa form, considered the functional one. Tyrosinase pattern assayed in L‐ferritin down‐regulated LM cells showed the remarkable absence of the 80 kDa form and a prevalence of endoglycosidase H (endo H)‐sensitive immature (70 kDa) tyrosinase, accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as confirmed by confocal microscopy analysis. These results demonstrate that, in a human metastatic melanoma cell line, the stress condition promoted by L‐ferritin down‐modulation, can substantially influence proper maturation of tyrosinase. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.