bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intact ash and charred litter reduces susceptibility to rain splash erosion post‐wildfire
Authors: Zavala Lorena M. , Jordán Antonio , Gil Juan , Bellinfante Nicolás , Pain Colin
Published: June 2009

This paper describes the changes in soil water repellency and soil hydrological and erosional responses to rainfall at small‐plot scale, arising from a prescribed fire immediately following burning and one year later in a Mediterranean heathland in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar (southern Spain). Very little research has been carried out about the modifications on the ground surface after fire immediately after burning. A prescribed fire was conducted to study short‐term changes of the ground surface immediately and one year following burning. After a prescribed fire, a homogeneous charred litter layer and ash‐bed covered the mineral soil surface. This cover stayed stable on the soil surface during a period of seven days, until strong winds redistributed litter and ashes. The hydrophobicity of the exposed surface (litter and ashes) decreased considerably in relation with the litter layer properties before the fire. Ponding, runoff coefficients and soil loss were determined using simulated rainfall over the litter layer, the ash‐bed and the bare soil. Significant differences were not detected between pre‐ and post‐fire soil loss rates while a charred litter and thick ash layer were present on the ground surface. Runoff and erosion rates increased and time to ponding and runoff decreased when the charred litter and ash layers were artificially removed and the bare soil was exposed. Although wildfires will increase soil erodibility, the trends observed in this study suggest that this increased susceptibility to erosion from rainsplash processes may be limited to some degree while an intact ash and charred litter layer is still present. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of astrocytic glutamate transporters in Wernicke encephalopathy
Authors: Hazell Alan S. , Sheedy Donna , Oanea Raluca , Aghourian Meghmik , Sun Simon , Jung Jee Yong , Wang Dongmei , Wang Chunlei
Published: June 2009

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE), a neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency (TD), is characterized by structural damage in brain regions that include the thalamus and cerebral cortex. The basis for these lesions is unclear, but may involve a disturbance of glutamatergic neurotransmission. We have therefore investigated levels of the astrocytic glutamate transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 in order to evaluate their role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Histological assessment of the frontal cortex revealed a significant loss of neurons in neuropathologically confirmed cases of WE compared with age‐matched controls, concomitant with decreases in α‐internexin and synaptophysin protein content of 67 and 52% by immunoblotting. EAAT2 levels were diminished by 71% in WE, with levels of EAAT1 also reduced by 62%. Loss of both transporter sites was confirmed by immunohistochemical methods. Development of TD in rats caused a profound loss of EAAT1 and EAAT2 in the thalamus accompanied by decreases in other astrocyte‐specific proteins. Treatment of TD rats with N‐acetylcysteine prevented the downregulation of EAAT2 in the medial thalamus, and ameliorated the loss of several other astrocyte proteins, concomitant with increased neuronal survival. Our results suggest that (1) loss of EAAT1 and EAAT2 glutamate transporters is associated with structural damage to the frontal cortex in patients with WE, (2) oxidative stress plays an important role in this process, and (3) TD has a profound effect on the functional integrity of astrocytes. Based on these findings, we recommend that early treatment using a combination of thiamine AND antioxidant approaches should be an important consideration in cases of WE. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction: History, critical analysis of techniques, and current therapeutic recommendations
Authors: Patel Rajan S. , Goldstein David P. , Brown Dale , Irish Jonathan , Gullane Patrick J. , Gilbert Ralph W.
Published: June 2009

Reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defects following total pharyngolaryngectomy presents major challenges with respect to surgical morbidity and restoration of functional deficits, which are often made more demanding by the increasing trend to utilize primary chemoradiation protocols with surgery reserved for salvage cases. The present review evaluates the reconstructive techniques described in the literature, including historical techniques as well as more recent innovative methods. Each technique is critically appraised with particular reference to postoperative morbidity and functional rehabilitation. Treatment recommendations are made based on the available evidence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Approaches to measuring the effects of wake‐promoting drugs: a focus on cognitive function
Authors: Edgar Christopher J. , Pace‐Schott Edward F. , Wesnes Keith A.
Published: June 2009

Objectives

In clinical drug development, wakefulness and wake‐promotion may be assessed by a large number of scales and questionnaires. Objective assessment of wakefulness is most commonly made using sleep latency/maintenance of wakefulness tests, polysomnography and/or behavioral measures. The purpose of the present review is to highlight the degree of overlap in the assessment of wakefulness and cognition, with consideration of assessment techniques and the underlying neurobiology of both concepts.

Design

Reviews of four key areas were conducted: commonly used techniques in the assessment of wakefulness; neurobiology of sleep/wake and cognition; targets of wake promoting and/or cognition enhancing drugs; and ongoing clinical trials investigating wake promoting effects.

Results

There is clear overlap between the assessment of wakefulness and cognition. There are common techniques which may be used to assess both concepts; aspects of the neurobiology of both concepts may be closely related; and wake‐promoting drugs may have nootropic properties (andvice versa). Clinical trials of wake‐promoting drugs often, though not routinely, assess aspects of cognition.

Conclusions

Routine and broad assessment of cognition in the development of wake‐promoting drugs may reveal important nootropic effects, which are not secondary to alertness/wakefulness, whilst existing cognitive enhancers may have underexplored or unknown wake promoting properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling snow melt and snowcover depletion in a small alpine cirque, Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: DeBeer Christopher M. , Pomeroy John W.
Published: June 2009

Spatial and temporal patterns of areal snowcover depletion (SCD) were studied over a small (<0·6 km2) alpine cirque within the Canadian Rocky Mountains using a combined approach of daily acquisition of remotely sensed imagery, together with meteorological observations and snowmelt modelling. Digital terrestrial photographs were georeferenced using a novel software tool together with a high‐resolution digital elevation model and used to derive measurements of fractional snowcovered area (SCA) over the cirque. Manual snow surveys carried out in the pre‐melt period were used to describe the initial frequency distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) values over the cirque, and indicated a lognormal distribution of SWE when surveys were stratified by terrain features. Rates of snowmelt were simulated using a physically based snowmelt energy balance model, Snobal, driven by observed meteorological conditions at a nearby station, which were adjusted for slope orientation and exposure by making corrections to observed incoming shortwave and longwave radiation components in the cold regions hydrological model platform. Simulated melt rates were then applied to the approximated SWE distributions to model the decline in SCA over the spring. The model was found to perform well for the simulation of snowmelt based on point observations of SWE at the meteorological station, and produced a close correspondence between simulated and observed SCD curves representing two opposing slopes within the cirque. The results show that both the pre‐melt distributions of SWE and the spring melt rates exhibit considerable spatial variability between distinct slope units within the cirque, and that this variability has a significant impact on simulated SCD. Assuming a unimodal pre‐melt frequency distribution and conditions of spatially uniform snowmelt over complex terrain such as this can lead to large errors in the simulation results. It is suggested that modelling applications intended to represent snowmelt dynamics and areal SCD in similar alpine environments consider the effects of spatial variation in SWE distribution and melt energetics between slopes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
miR‐29 suppression of osteonectin in osteoblasts: Regulation during differentiation and by canonical Wnt signaling
Authors: Kapinas Kristina , Kessler Catherine B. , Delany Anne M.
Published: June 2009

The matricellular protein osteonectin, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC, BM‐40), is the most abundant non‐collagenous matrix protein in bone. Matricellular proteins play a fundamental role in the skeleton as regulators of bone remodeling. In the skeleton, osteonectin is essential for the maintenance of bone mass and for balancing bone formation and resorption in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH). It promotes osteoblast differentiation and cell survival. Mechanisms regulating the expression of osteonectin in the skeleton and in other tissues remain poorly understood. We found that the proximal region of the mouse osteonectin 3′ untranslated region (UTR) contains a well‐conserved, dominant regulatory motif that interacts with microRNAs (miRs)‐29a and ‐29c. Transfection of osteoblastic cells with miR‐29a inhibitors increased osteonectin protein levels, whereas transfection of miR‐29a precursor RNA decreased osteonectin. miR‐29a and ‐29c were increased during osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. The up‐regulation of these miRNAs correlated with decreased osteonectin protein during the matrix maturation and mineralization phases of late differentiation. In contrast, osteonectin transcript levels remained relatively constant during this process, implying repression of translation. Treatment of osteoblasts with LiCl induced miR‐29a and ‐29c expression and decreased osteonectin synthesis. When cells were treated with Dickkopf‐1 (Dkk‐1), miR‐29a and ‐29c expression was repressed. These data suggest that canonical Wnt signaling, which is increased during osteoblastic differentiation, induces expression of miR‐29. Osteonectin and miR‐29 are co‐expressed in extra‐skeletal tissues, and the post‐transcriptional mechanisms regulating osteonectin in osteoblasts are likely to be active in other cell systems. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 216–224, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eupatilin inhibits T‐cell activation by modulation of intracellular calcium flux and NF‐κB and NF‐AT activity
Authors: Kim Young‐Dae , Choi Suck‐Chei , Oh Tae‐Young , Chun Jang‐Soo , Jun Chang‐Duk
Published: June 2009

Eupatilin, one of the pharmacologically active ingredients of Artemisia princeps, exhibits a potent anti‐ulcer activity, but its effects on T‐cell immunity have not been investigated. Here, we show that eupatilin has a profound inhibitory effect on IL‐2 production in Jurkat T cells as well as in human peripheral blood leukocytes. Eupatilin neither influenced clustering of CD3 and LFA‐1 to the immunological synapse nor inhibited conjugate formation between T cells and B cells in the presence or absence of superantigen (SEE). Eupatilin also failed to inhibit T‐cell receptor (TCR) internalization, thereby, suggesting that eupatilin does not interfere with TCR‐mediated signals on the membrane proximal region. In unstimulated T cells, eupatilin significantly induced apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by an increased population of annexin V+/PI+ cells and cleavage of caspase‐3 and PARP. To our surprise, however, once cells were activated, eupatilin had little effect on apoptosis, and instead slightly protected cells from activation‐induced cell death, suggesting that apoptosis also is not a mechanism for eupatilin‐induced T‐cell suppression. On the contrary, eupatilin dramatically inhibited I‐κBα degradation and NF‐AT dephosphorylation and, consequently, inhibited NF‐κB and NF‐AT promoter activities in PMA/A23187‐stimulated T cells. Interestingly, intracellular calcium flux was significantly perturbed in cells pre‐treated with eupatilin, suggesting that calcium‐dependent cascades might be targets for eupatilin action. Collectively, our results provide evidence for dual regulatory functions of eupatilin: (1) a pro‐apoptotic effect on resting T cells and (2) an immunosuppressive effect on activated T cells, presumably through modulation of Ca2+ flux. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 225–236, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zebrafish blood stem cells
Authors: Chen Aye T. , Zon Leonard I.
Published: June 2009

Within the past two decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become an excellent model to study the development of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). All vertebrates including zebrafish have primitive and definitive waves of hematopoiesis, but self‐renewing pluripotent HSCs are only produced by the definitive wave. The primitive wave occurs in two intraembryonic locations called the intermediate cell mass (ICM) and the anterior lateral mesoderm (ALM). Primitive erythropoiesis is in the ICM, whereas myelopoiesis initiates in the ALM. After circulation starts at 24 h post‐fertilization, hematopoiesis shifts to the posterior blood island (PBI) for a brief period. The definitive wave starts in the aorta‐gonad‐mesonephros (AGM). There are three different HSC migration and colonization events that begin 2 days post‐fertilization: AGM progenitor cells migrate to (1) the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT), which is an intermediate site of blood development; (2) the thymus, which is a site of lymphocyte maturation; and (3) the developing kidney marrow, which is the larval and adult location for production of all hematopoietic cell types, and is comparable to the bone marrow of mammals. Many of the transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate the formation of HSCs in a zebrafish are conserved with mammals. Large‐scale forward and reverse genetic screens have identified zebrafish blood and HSC mutants that represent models for known human diseases. Along with the technological advancements in the field of zebrafish research, future HSC studies in zebrafish will help us illuminate the genetic network controlling the development and function of stem cells in all vertebrates. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 35–42, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA methylation and histone modification regulate silencing of OPG during tumor progression
Authors: Lu Tung‐Ying , Kao Cheng‐Fu , Lin Chin‐Tarng , Huang Dah‐Yeou , Chiu Chien‐Yu , Huang Yu‐Shin , Wu Han‐Chung
Published: June 2009

The identification of molecules that are down‐regulated in malignant phenotype is important for understanding tumor biology and their role in tumor suppression. We compared the expression profile of four normal nasal mucosal (NNM) epithelia and a series of nasopharyngeal cancinoma (NPC) cell lines using cDNA microarray and confirmed the actual expression of the selected genes, and found osteoprotegerin (OPG) to be ubiquitously deficient in NPC cells. We also found OPG to be down‐regulated in various cancer cell lines, including oral, cervical, ovarian, lung, breast, pancreas, colon, renal, prostate cancer, and hepatoma. Administration of recombinant OPG (rOPG) brought about a reduction in cancer cell growth through apoptotic mechanism. We generated eleven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against OPG to study OPG's expression and biological functions in cancer cells. OPG was detected in the tumor stromal regions, but not in the cancer cell per se in surgical specimens of liver cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (Q‐RT‐PCR) revealed that OPG was down‐regulated in NPC tissues compared with normal nasal polyp (NNP) tissues. In addition, we showed OPG silencing to be associated with promoter methylation as well as histone modifications. In OPG‐silenced cancer cell lines, the OPG gene promoter CpG dinucleotides were highly methylated. Compared to normal cells, silenced OPG gene in cancer cells were found to have reduced histone 3 lysine 4 tri‐methylation (H3K4me3) and increased histone 3 lysine 27 tri‐methylation (H3K27me3). Taken together, these results suggest that OPG silencing in carcinoma cancer cells occurs through epigenetic repression. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 315–325, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Threonine 393 of β‐catenin regulates interaction with Axin
Authors: Wu Hao , Symes Karen , Seldin David C. , Dominguez Isabel
Published: June 2009

CK2 is a regulatory kinase implicated in embryonic development and in cancer. Among the CK2 substrates is β‐catenin, a protein with dual function in Wnt signaling and cell adhesion. Previously, we reported that CK2 activity is required for β‐catenin stability and we identified threonine (T) 393 as a major CK2 phosphorylation site in β‐catenin. However, it is not known whether phosphorylation at T393 increases β‐catenin stability and if so, what is the mechanism. In this study we investigate the molecular mechanism of β‐catenin stabilization through phosphorylation at T393. We found that pseudophosphorylation of β‐catenin at T393 resulted in a stable activated form of β‐catenin with decreased affinity for Axin in vitro. This phosphomimetic mutant also displayed decreased regulation by Axin in vivo in a bioassay in Xenopus laevis embryos. In contrast, the binding of T393 pseudophosphorylated β‐catenin to E‐cadherin was unaffected. Further analysis showed that pseudophosphorylation at T393 did not prevent β‐catenin phosphorylation by GSK3β. Interestingly, we found that in the presence of pseudophophorylated β‐catenin and another activated form of β‐catenin, the recruitment of GSK3β to Axin is enhanced. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of T393 by CK2 may affect the stability of β‐catenin through decreased binding to Axin. In addition, the increased recruitment of GSK3β to the destruction complex in the presence of activated β‐catenin mutants could be a feedback mechanism to suppress overactive Wnt signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 52–63, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypoxia‐induced expression of bradykinin type‐2 receptors in endothelial cells triggers NO production, cell migration, and angiogenesis
Authors: Liesmaa Inka , Leskinen Hanna K. , Kokkonen Jorma O. , Ruskoaho Heikki , Kovanen Petri T. , Lindstedt Ken A.
Published: June 2009

Bradykinin receptors are differentially expressed in the coronary vascular endothelium of rat and human hearts during the pathogenesis of heart failure, but the mechanisms responsible for this regulation have remained vague. Here we show by quantitative real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry, that hypoxia triggers the expression of bradykinin type‐2 receptors (BK‐2Rs) in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), in isolated rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs), and in rat hearts subjected to ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Mild hypoxia (5% O2) induced a fourfold temporal increase in BK‐2R mRNA expression in HCAECs, which was also observed at the protein level, whereas severe hypoxia (1% O2) slightly inhibited the mRNA expression of BK‐2Rs. In addition, HOE‐140, a BK‐2R antagonist, inhibited mRNA and protein expression of BK‐2Rs. The BK‐2Rs induced by mild hypoxia were biologically active, that is, capable of inducing intracellular production of nitric oxide (NO) upon activation of HCAECs with bradykinin (BK), a response attenuated by HOE‐140. In rat hearts recovering from myocardial infarction, BK‐2Rs were upregulated in the endothelium of vessels forming at the border zone between fibrotic scar tissue and healthy myocardium. Furthermore, in an in vitro wound‐healing assay, RCMEC migration was increased under mild hypoxic culture conditions in the presence of BK and was attenuated with HOE‐140. Our present results show that mild hypoxia triggers a temporal expression of functional BK‐2Rs in human and rat endothelial cells and support a role for BK‐2Rs in hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 359–366, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimization of C:N ratio and minimal initial carbon source for poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) production by Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Faccin Débora Jung Luvizetto , Martins Ivana , Cardozo Nilo Sérgio Medeiros , Rech Rosane , Ayub Marco Antônio Záchia , Alves Tito Lívio Moitinho , Gambetta Rossano , Resende Secchi Argimiro
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was the optimization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)—P(3HB)—production in submerged cultures of Bacillus megaterium in a mineral medium using sucrose as carbon source and nitrogen as the limiting substrate. Small‐scale experiments were carried out in shake flasks at 30 °C and 160 rpm in order to evaluate the best initial sucrose concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio to maximize biomass accumulation and biopolymer production. An objective function in terms of residual sucrose and P(3HB) production was proposed in order to optimize the amount of carbon source used and the production of P(3HB).

RESULTS: High production of P(3HB) was obtained, with approximately 70% (CDW) accumulation in cells without nitrogen limitation and strongly correlated with the pH of the culture. Scaling‐up the system to cultures in a bioreactor, with or without pH control, a reduction of P(3HB) accumulation (around 30% CDW) was observed when compared with shaker cultures, suggesting a possible role of oxygen limitation as a stress signaling for P(3HB) synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Results of our experiments showed that Bacillus megaterium was able to produce P(3HB) at one of the highest production rates so far reported for this bacterium, making this microorganism very interesting for industrial applications. Comparisons of shaker and bench‐scale bioreactor experiments show both the importance of pH and aeration strategies. It is likely that complex aeration strategies linked to cell metabolism will be necessary for further developments using this bacterium. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
A systematic study of the function of the human β‐globin introns on the expression of the human coagulation factor IX in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Haddad‐Mashadrizeh Aliakbar , Zomorodipour Alireza , Izadpanah Mehrnaz , Sam Mohammad Reza , Ataei Fariba , Sabouni Farzaneh , Hosseini Seyed Javad
Published: June 2009

Background

Intronic sequences have the potential to improve gene expression in eukaryotes by a variety of mechanisms. In this context, human β‐globin (hBG) introns were inserted into the human factor IX (hFIX) cDNA in cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐regulated plasmids. The resulting construct was then used for further expression analysis in vitro.

Methods

Seven hFIX‐expressing plasmids with different combinations of the two hBG introns and the Kozak element were constructed and used for a systematic expression analysis in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In parallel, the hBG intronic sequences were analysed for the presence of possible regulatory elements.

Results

All the constructed plasmids resulted in transient expression of the hFIX. However, the coagulation activities varied according to the particular constructs used. Based on the hFIX antigenic assay, a wide range of variation was observed during persistent expression. The second hBG intron appears to be more effective than the first one. The expression level was further increased upon the inclusion of the Kozak element. Sequence analysis has detected several transcription factor binding (TFB) motifs in both of the introns, but with a higher frequency in the second one.

Conclusions

Potentials of hBG introns as enhancer‐like elements for the expression of the hFIX in cultured CHO cells and a higher activity with respect to the second hBG intron compared to the first one were demonstrated. The larger number of TFBs in the second hBG intron reflects its stronger effect. The results obtained suggest possible synergistic functions of the hBG introns and Kozak on the expression level of hFIX in vitro. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal desorption counter‐flow introduction atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for direct mass spectrometry of ecstasy tablets
Authors: Inoue Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Hiroaki , Watanabe Susumu , Iwata Yuko T. , Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Miyaguchi Hajime , Tsujikawa Kenji , Kuwayama Kenji , Tachi Noriyuki , Uetake Naohito
Published: June 2009

A novel approach to the analysis of ecstasy tablets by direct mass spectrometry coupled with thermal desorption (TD) and counter‐flow introduction atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (CFI‐APCI) is described. Analytes were thermally desorbed with a metal block heater and introduced to a CFI‐APCI source with ambient air by a diaphragm pump. Water in the air was sufficient to act as the reactive reagent responsible for the generation of ions in the positive corona discharge. TD‐CFI‐APCI required neither a nebulizing gas nor solvent flow and the accompanying laborious optimizations. Ions generated were sent in the direction opposite to the air flow by an electric field and introduced into an ion trap mass spectrometer. The major ions corresponding to the protonated molecules ([M + H]+) were observed with several fragment ions in full scan mass spectrometry (MS) mode. Collision‐induced dissociation of protonated molecules gave characteristic product‐ion mass spectra and provided identification of the analytes within 5 s. The method required neither sample pretreatment nor a chromatographic separation step. The effectiveness of the combination of TD and CFI‐APCI was demonstrated by application to the direct mass spectrometric analysis of ecstasy tablets and legal pharmaceutical products. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elucidation of phototransformation reactions of the X‐ray contrast medium iopromide under simulated solar radiation using UPLC‐ESI‐QqTOF‐MS
Authors: Pérez Sandra , Eichhorn Peter , Ceballos Vanesa , Barceló Damià
Published: June 2009

The highly polar, nonionic X‐ray contrast agent iopromide (C18H24N3O8I3; 791 Da) is resistant to microbial degradation during the activated sludge process in wastewater treatment plants and hence is released into the aquatic environment. Against this background, the present study was conducted to evaluate the phototransformation, potentially constituting the most relevant removal mechanism in rivers and streams. The photolysis of the iodinated aromatic compound was investigated in a Suntest solar simulator using aqueous solutions. Following a 120‐min irradiation period, an almost complete primary degradation of iopromide gave rise to a series of photoproducts that were chromatographed on a reversed‐phase UPLC and subsequently characterized by a combination of accurate mass measurements on a ESI‐QqToF‐MS instrument and H/D‐exchange experiments. This analytical approach facilitated confident identification of eight prominent products with the following elemental compositions and molecular weights: C18H25N3O9I2 (681 Da); C18H25N3O8I2 (665 Da); C17H23N3O8I2 (651 Da); C18H24N3O9I (553 Da); C17H24N3O8I (525 Da); C15H20N3O6I (465 Da); C14H18N3O6I (451 Da); and C18H25N3O9 (427 Da). Their formation was the result of four principal photoreactions: (1) gradual, and eventually complete, deiodination of the aromatic ring; (2) substitution of the halogen by a hydroxyl group; (3) N‐dealkylation of the amide in the hydroxylated side chain; and (4) oxidation of a methylene group in the hydroxylated side chain to the corresponding ketone. In conclusion, the findings of the artificial sunlight irradiation experiments indicated that in real environmental settings iopromide might suffer partial or even complete deiodination. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 enhances autophagy activation and cell death induced by mitochondrial dysfunction in rat striatum
Authors: Zhang Xing‐Ding , Wang Ye , Wu Jun‐Chao , Lin Fang , Han Rong , Han Feng , Fukunaga Kohji , Qin Zheng‐Hong
Published: June 2009

In vivo administration of the mitochondrial inhibitor 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP) produces striatal pathology mimicking Huntington's disease (HD). However, the mechanisms of cell death induced by metabolic impairment are not fully understood. Previous studies showed that 3‐NP triggered p53‐depedent autophagy activation and cell death. The present study investigated the contribution of the Bcl‐2 signaling pathway to autophagy activation and cell death induced by 3‐NP. Rat striatum was intoxicated with 3‐NP by stereotaxic injection. 3‐NP up‐regulated the expression of the autophagic protein beclin 1 but down‐regulated the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2. Pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) significantly inhibited the 3‐NP‐induced alterations in beclin 1 and Bcl‐2 protein levels. Similarly, the 3‐NP‐induced decline in Bcl‐2 was also prevented by the lysosomal inhibitor E64, indicating degradation of Bcl‐2 by lysosomes. In agreement with the time course of 3‐NP‐induced cell death, an increase in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was observed. 3‐MA also attenuated the 3‐NP‐induced release of cytochrome c. On the other hand, 3‐NP‐induced elevations in proapoptotic protein Bax and autophagic protein beclin 1 and LC3‐II were significantly enhanced by the Bcl‐2‐specific inhibitor HA14‐1. Furthermore, HA14‐1 increased the release of cytochrome c and 3‐NP‐induced striatal damage. These results suggest that induction of autophagy leads to degradation of Bcl‐2. Meanwhile, down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 amplifies autophagy activation and apoptotic signaling. Bcl‐2 thus plays important roles in mitochondria dysfunction‐induced apoptotic death of stritatal neurons by modulating both autophagic and apoptotic processes. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spinal anterior horn has the capacity to self‐regenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model mice
Authors: Miyazaki Kazunori , Nagai Makiko , Morimoto Nobutoshi , Kurata Tomoko , Takehisa Yasushi , Ikeda Yoshio , Abe Koji
Published: June 2009

The exact host environment necessary for neural regeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has not yet been fully elucidated. We first focused on the extracellular matrix proteins in ALS model mice during development of the disease and then attempted to examine whether regeneration occurs in the ALS spinal cord under regenerative conditions. A progressive increase in γ1 laminin (a promoter of regeneration) and a progressive decrease in semaphorin3A (Sema3A; an inhibitor of regeneration) were observed, mainly in the neuropil of the spinal anterior horn from 15 to 18 weeks, when astrocytes began to express both γ1 laminin and Sema3A. On the other hand, a progressive increase in growth‐associated protein 43 (GAP43; synaptic regeneration site) and a progressive decrease in synaptotagmin1 (actual synaptic bouton) were observed in the same areas of the spinal anterior horn from 15 to 18 weeks. Thus, the present data suggest that, although the spinal anterior horn in ALS models loses motor neurons, it initially possesses the capacity to self‐regenerate but displays a progressive loss of ability to regenerate new effective synapses. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential clustering of Caspr by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells
Authors: Eisenbach Menahem , Kartvelishvily Elena , Eshed‐Eisenbach Yael , Watkins Trent , Sorensen Annette , Thomson Christine , Ranscht Barbara , Barnett Susan C. , Brophy Peter , Peles Elior
Published: June 2009

Formation of the paranodal axoglial junction (PNJ) requires the presence of three cell adhesion molecules: the 155‐kDa isoform of neurofascin (NF155) on the glial membrane and a complex of Caspr and contactin found on the axolemma. Here we report that the clustering of Caspr along myelinated axons during development differs fundamentally between the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. In cultures of Schwann cells (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, membrane accumulation of Caspr was detected only after myelination. In contrast, in oligodendrocytes (OL)/DRG neurons cocultures, Caspr was clustered upon initial glial cell contact already before myelination had begun. Premyelination clustering of Caspr was detected in cultures of oligodendrocytes and retinal ganglion cells, motor neurons, and DRG neurons as well as in mixed cell cultures of rat forebrain and spinal cords. Cocultures of oligodendrocyte precursor cells isolated from contactin‐ or neurofascin‐deficient mice with wild‐type DRG neurons showed that clustering of Caspr at initial contact sites between OL processes and the axon requires glial expression of NF155 but not of contactin. These results demonstrate that the expression of membrane proteins along the axolemma is determined by the type of the contacting glial cells and is not an intrinsic characteristic of the axon. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the novel calcium antagonist NP04634 on kainic acid‐induced seizures in rats
Authors: Morales‐Garcia Jose A. , Luna‐Medina Rosario , Martinez Ana , Santos Angel , Perez‐Castillo Ana
Published: June 2009

Kainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus (SE) is a well‐characterized model of excitotoxic neuronal injury. Excitotoxicity results from activation of specific glutamate receptors, with resultant elevation of intracellular Ca2+. The CA1 and CA3 subregions of the hippocampus are especially vulnerable to KA, and this pattern of neuronal injury resembles that occurring in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Calcium plays an essential role in excitotoxicity, and accordingly calcium channel inhibitors have been shown to have protective effects in various experimental models of epilepsy and brain injury. Moreover, they also potentiate the antiseizure efficacy of conventional antiepileptic drugs. This study was undertaken to determine whether NP04634, a novel compound, reported as a non‐L‐type voltage‐sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) inhibitor, could prevent the entrance in SE and the neuronal loss evoked by intraperitoneal injection of KA. Our results show that intragastrical administration of NP04634 reduced the percentage of rats that entered SE after KA injection, increased the latency of SE entry, and significantly reduced the mortality of rats that entered SE. Also, NP04634 prevented the loss of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and reduced the gliosis induced by KA. These results point to a potential anticonvulsant and neuroprotective role for NP04634. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homogeneity of average annual air temperature time series for Croatia
Authors: Pandžić Krešo , Likso Tanja
Published: June 2009

Homogeneity of the mean annual air temperature values at 2 m above ground for 22 stations in Croatia, in the period 1961–2000, is considered. The standard normal homogeneity test (SNHT) has been applied for this purpose, detecting both abrupt and gradual linear trend homogeneity breaks. For a group of lower‐rank weather stations (poorer data quality), the results indicating inhomogeneity are sometimes difficult to explain. It has been shown that homogeneity breaks in multiannual averages are not higher than 0.5 °C, which could influence the natural trend analysis as well as some other statistical structures such as climatological normals, correlation functions or smoothed time series. Because of this, homogenization has usually to be adapted to the newest situation. On the other hand, the first principal component amplitude, describing more than 90% of the considered air temperature field variance, indicates that the spatial average of the mean annual temperature for the whole territory of Croatia is not dependent on inhomogeneities present in a particular time series. This result is in accordance with those previously obtained for Sweden and Switzerland as well as with some similar results obtained for larger continental and global scales. [‘However, Easterling and Peterson (1995a, b) found that on very large spatial scales (half a continent to global), positive and negative homogeneity adjustments in individual station's maximum and minimum temperature time series largely balance out so when averaged into a single time series, the adjusted and unadjusted trend were similar.’–cited by Peterson et al. (1998)]. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Eighty years of meteorological observations at Wageningen, the Netherlands: precipitation and evapotranspiration
Authors: Jacobs A. F. G. , Heusinkveld B. G. , Holtslag A. A. M.
Published: June 2009

Annual and seasonal characteristics of precipitation and evapotranspiration were analysed of an 80‐year data record (1928–2008) at Wageningen (the Netherlands). The precipitation series shows a mean annual rainfall of 765 ± 130 mm with a relatively high interannual variability [coefficient of variation (CV) = 17.0%]. Both the annual and seasonal rainfall trends show a small but statistically insignificant increase. Potential evapotranspiration was estimated by Makkink's formula, using observations of incoming solar radiation and air temperature as inputs. This provides a mean evapotranspiration of (525 ± 50) mm annum−1 with a relatively low interannual variability (CV = 9.5%). The annual and seasonal trends appear to be statistically significant, except for the summer season. In addition, since 1992, actual evapotranspiration is measured by the eddy‐covariance technique and these results were found to be highly correlated with the potential evapotranspiration (Eact ≈ 0.75Epot). A comparison is made with a class A evaporation pan operating between 1984 and 1989. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Long‐term changes and regional differences in temperature and precipitation in the metropolitan area of Hamburg
Authors: Schlünzen K. H. , Hoffmann P. , Rosenhagen G. , Riecke W.
Published: June 2009

Climate changes and the urban climate of the ‘green city’ Hamburg and its metropolitan region are analyzed using observational data for temperature and precipitation. Values for Hamburg's synoptic site HH‐Fuhlsbüttel start in 1891 and are used to determine climate changes. Additional data from up to 45 climate stations are used to analyze the different aspects of the regional climate and urban effects on the temperature [urban heat island (UHI)] and precipitation [urban precipitation impact (UPI)]. The analysis of the long‐term data shows that the climate has already changed. Annual precipitation significantly increases ∼0.8 mm/year when focusing on years 1891–2007 and ∼1.3 mm/year for 1948–2007. Precipitation increases are largest in November through March and March as well as June for 1978–2007. For April and July of this period, a precipitation decrease is found. The precipitation distribution shows that moderate daily precipitation amounts (≤10 mm/day) have increased by about 10% between 1948–1977 and 1978–2007. Precipitation amounts > 10 mm/day have increased by 20% in the same period. Average temperatures significantly increase by 0.07 K/decade (1891–2007), 0.19 K/decade (1948–2007), 0.6 K/decade (1978–2007) with largest significant increases in fall. For the UHI, it is found that the average temperature is higher up to 1.1 K in the densely build‐up city area than outside. Values are about halved for more green urban areas but also depend on more local impacts. The minimum temperatures are up to 3 K higher and maximum temperatures slightly lower in the inner city than in the rural during summer. The winter temperatures are higher throughout the urban area. The UHI differences depend on wind speed; this dependence is best described by using the inverse square root of the wind speed. Classification using different wind directions shows that the precipitation is significantly higher (5–20%) for downwind of urban areas compared with the upwind side. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Increased expression of hyaluronic acid binding protein 1 is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Chen Yan‐Bo , Jiang Chuan‐Tao , Zhang Guo‐Qiang , Wang Jin‐Song , Pang Da
Published: June 2009

Background and Objectives

Hyaluronic acid binding protein 1 (HABP1), a family of proteins interacting with hyaluronan (HA), had been associated with cell adhesion and tumor invasion. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between clinicopathologic factors and patient survival time with the expression of HABP1 in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Expression of HABP1 mRNA and protein were detected with real‐time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining in 63 breast cancer and non‐cancerous matched tissues.

Results

The mRNA expression level of HABP1 was unrelated to the patient's age, tumor size, histological grade, TNM stage. However, it proved to be positively related to axillary nodes metastasis (P = 0.008). Furthermore, it was shown that the survival rate of patients with low HABP1 expression was significantly higher than that of patients with high HABP1 expression (P = 0.025). Multivariate analysis revealed that HABP1 mRNA expression level was a significant factor for predicting prognosis (P = 0.022). The immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression level of HABP1 in breast cancer cells was higher than that in normal breast cells.

Conclusion

HABP1 might be an independent predictive factor for breast cancer prognosis and up‐regulation of HABP1 might play an important role in the metastasis of breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:382–386. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physico‐chemical changes in bauxite residue following application of spent mushroom compost and gypsum
Authors: Courtney R. G. , Jordan S. N. , Harrington T.
Published: June 2009

Physical properties exhibited by unvegetated mine wastes pose limitations to vegetation establishment and growth. In an attempt to promote vegetation cover on bauxite residue, a field trial was established to determine the effect of spent mushroom compost (SMC) and gypsum amendment on enhancing the physical properties of the residue. SMC was incorporated at rates of 0, 60, 80 and 120 t ha−1 with gypsum at 0, 40 and 90 t ha−1 and Holcus lanatus sown at a rate of 80 kg ha−1.

The addition of SMC and gypsum was beneficial in improving the physical properties of the residue and promoting growth. Principally increasing organic content of the residue decreased bulk density and particle density whilst improving substrate porosity. Residue pH, EC and sodicity of the residue were also affected by the amendments, which positively impacted on microaggregate stability and preventing clay dispersion. Pearson correlations demonstrate that the most significant parameters in determining clay dispersion potential are the pH and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of the residue. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Salinity‐related desertification and management strategies: Indian experience
Authors: Singh G.
Published: June 2009

High concentration of salts in the rootzone soil limits the productivity of nearly 953 million ha of productive land in the world. Australia, followed by Asia, has the largest area under salinity and sodicity. Most of the salt‐affected soils and brackish ground water resources are confined to arid and semiarid regions and are the causative factors for triggering the process of desertification. The problem of salinity and sodicity has degraded about 6·73 million ha area in India. Secondary salinization associated with introduction of irrigation in dry areas like Thar desert in the western part of the country and Sharda Sahayak in Central India have caused desertification due to rise of salts with the rise in ground water level. Large scale cultivation of prawns using sea water in coastal Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere rendered about 2.1 million ha area unfit for agriculture. Similarly, 30–84 per cent ground water in north‐western states of the country is either saline and /or brackish and is unfit for irrigation. Use of marginal quality water for irrigation has rendered several thousand ha of productive land unfit for cultivation. The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute was established in 1969 at Karnal to develop sustainable and eco‐friendly technologies for reclamation and management of salt‐affected soils and judicious use of marginal quality waters. The institute has developed location‐specific techniques for reversion of salinity related desertification in India. Salient findings of research during the last three decades and more are presented in this review. This paper deals with (a) classification, nature and extent of salt‐affected soils and poor quality water in India, (b) case studies/socio‐economic concerns of salinity related desertification, (c) chemical, hydrological and biological approaches in use for rehabilitation of salt‐affected soils, (d) guidelines for safe and productive use of marginal quality ground water through cyclic and mixed mode and precision irrigation techniques, (e) successful rehabilitation case studies, (f) alternate land use practices such as raising forest plantations, horticulture, agroforestry, high value medicinal, aromatic and flowering crops, etc., (g) technological, social, economic and environmental impacts and (h) future line of research. Issues requiring policy initiatives to halt salinity‐related desertification are also discussed in this review paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Periodic, quasi‐periodic, and random quadratic nonlinear photonic crystals
Authors: Arie A. , Voloch N.
Published: June 2009

Quadratic nonlinear photonic crystals are materials in which the second order susceptibility χ(2) is spatially modulated while the linear susceptibility remains constant. These structures are significantly different than the more common photonic crystals, in which the linear susceptibility is modulated. Nonlinear processes in nonlinear photonic crystals are governed by the phase matching requirements, which are determined by the reciprocal lattice of these crystals. Therefore, the modulation of the nonlinear susceptibility enables to engineer the spatial and spectral response in various three‐wave mixing processes. It enables to support the efficient generation of new optical frequencies at multiple directions. We analyze three wave mixing processes in nonlinear photonic crystals in which the modulation is either periodic, quasi‐periodic, radially symmetric or even random. We discuss both one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional modulations. In addition to harmonic generations, we outline several new possibilities for all‐optical control of the spatial and polarization properties of optical beams in specially designed nonlinear photonic crystals.