bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assembly of bioinspired helical protein fibers
Authors: Gunasekar Susheel Kumar , Haghpanah Jennifer Shorah , Montclare Jin Kim
Published: May 2008

Advances in protein and peptide technologies not only enable the study of basic folding and function of natural structures but also the design of novel scaffolds with the ability to form assemblies of varied shapes and sizes. Tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of α‐helices in nature especially in the context of the coiled‐coil. The information gleaned from investigating coiled‐ coils has been used to design novel α‐helical fibers with prescribed morphology and dimensions. This review focuses on the lessons learned from the assembly of natural coiled‐coils and how this knowledge can be used to tailor helical fibers as novel bioinspired materials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneity of kinase inhibitor resistance mechanisms in GIST
Authors: Liegl B , Kepten I , Le C , Zhu M , Demetri GD , Heinrich MC , Fletcher CDM , Corless CL , Fletcher JA
Published: May 2008

Most GIST patients develop clinical resistance to KIT/PDGFRA tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). However, it is unclear whether clinical resistance results from single or multiple molecular mechanisms in each patient. KIT and PDGFRA mutations were evaluated in 53 GIST metastases obtained from 14 patients who underwent surgical debulking after progression on imatinib or sunitinib. To interrogate possible resistance mechanisms across a broad biological spectrum of GISTs, inter‐ and intra‐lesional heterogeneity of molecular drug‐resistance mechanisms were evaluated in the following: conventional KIT (CD117)‐positive GISTs with KIT mutations in exon 9, 11 or 13; KIT‐negative GISTs; GISTs with unusual morphology; and KIT/PDGFRA wild‐type GISTs. Genomic KIT and PDGFRA mutations were characterized systematically, using complementary techniques including D‐HPLC for KIT exons 9, 11–18 and PDGFRA exons 12, 14, 18, and mutation‐specific PCR (V654A, D820G, N822K, Y823D). Primary KIT oncogenic mutations were found in 11/14 patients (79%). Of these, 9/11 (83%), had secondary drug‐resistant KIT mutations, including six (67%) with two to five different secondary mutations in separate metastases, and three (34%) with two secondary KIT mutations in the same metastasis. The secondary mutations clustered in the KIT ATP binding pocket and kinase catalytic regions. FISH analyses revealed KIT amplicons in 2/10 metastases lacking secondary KIT mutations. This study demonstrates extensive intra‐ and inter‐lesional heterogeneity of resistance mutations and gene amplification in patients with clinically progressing GIST. KIT kinase resistance mutations were not found in KIT/PDGFRA wild‐type GISTs or in KIT‐mutant GISTs showing unusual morphology and/or loss of KIT expression by IHC, indicating that resistance mechanisms are fundamentally different in these tumours. Our observations underscore the heterogeneity of clinical TKI resistance, and highlight the therapeutic challenges involved in salvaging patients after clinical progression on TKI monotherapies. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene catalyzed by tantalum and niobium complexes with chelating O‐donor ligands
Authors: Nakayama Yuushou , Maeda Naoaki , Yasuda Hajime , Shiono Takeshi
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: In comparison with group 6 transition metals, such as tungsten and molybdenum, and group 8 metal ruthenium, group 5 metal‐based catalysts for ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) have remained much less studied. The few reported ROMP catalysts of group 5 metals require multiple reaction steps to be synthesized, and are highly sensitive to air and moisture.

RESULTS: A series of pentavalent tantalum and niobium complexes having catecholato, tropolonato, hinokitiolato, biphenolato and binaphtholato ligands were prepared and their catalytic activities for the ROMP of norbornene (NBE) were studied in the presence of trialkylaluminium as a co‐catalyst. Among these complexes, the tantalum complexes showed high activity upon activation with Bui3Al. In sharp contrast, the niobium complexes were effectively activated with Me3Al. The polymers obtained with these complexes had high molecular weights (Mn > 105 g mol−1) and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≈ 2).

CONCLUSION: We found that easily accessible and relatively stable tantalum and niobium complexes with such chelating O‐donor ligands showed high catalytic activity for ROMP of NBE depending on the kind of co‐catalyst. These findings could contribute to future development of ROMP catalysts. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Understanding anger and aggression
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: May 2008

Anger and aggression are part of the human condition, but problems can arise when they run out of control. Mark Greener reports on some recent studies that are helping to increase our understanding of these behaviours and offer the prospect of developing novel treatment strategies. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Anionic alternating copolymerization of 3,4‐dihydrocoumarin and glycidyl ethers: A new approach to polyester synthesis
Authors: Uenishi Kazuya , Sudo Atsushi , Endo Takeshi
Published: May 2008

Anionic copolymerizations of 3,4‐dihydrocoumarin (DHCM) and a series of glycidyl ethers (n‐butyl glycidyl ether, tert‐butyl glycidyl ether, and allyl glycidyl ether) with 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole as an initiator proceeded in a 1:1 alternating manner to give the corresponding polyesters, whose structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analyses and reductive scission of the ester bonds in the main chain with lithium aluminum hydride, followed by detailed analyses of the resulting fragments. The polyester obtained by the copolymerization of DHCM and allyl glycidyl ether inherited the allyl groups in the side chain, whose applicability to chemical modifications of the polyester was successfully demonstrated by a platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4092–4102, 2008
Designing of dipeptide‐based oligoconjugates as potential carrier for drug delivery. Pyroglutamil‐S‐glutamic acid bisoligo‐3‐hydroxybutyrates
Authors: Buruiana Emil C. , Kowalczuk Marek , Adamus Grazyna , Jedlinski Zbigniew
Published: May 2008

In the present article, we describe the synthesis and characterization of conjugates based on pyroglutamyl‐S‐glutamic acid and bisoligo‐[R,S]‐3‐hydroxybutyrates (PyGlu‐S_‐Glu_bisOHB) using anionic ring opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone with a dipeptide bearing two carboxylate groups as potassium salt. The results indicated that the above‐mentioned reaction is accompanied of oligomerization of β‐butyrolactone yielding (3‐hydroxybutyrates) oligomers with crotonate and carboxyl end groups. We report also the end group analysis of the synthesized conjugates using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), the latter confirmed the presence of a mixture of dipeptide conjugate with β‐butyrolactone oligomer chain and β‐butyrolactone homopolymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4103–4111, 2008
Exercise and relaxation intervention for breast cancer survivors: feasibility, acceptability and effects
Authors: Rabin Carolyn , Pinto Bernardine , Dunsiger Shira , Nash Justin , Trask Peter
Published: May 2008

Objective: Although evidence mounts regarding the beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) interventions for breast cancer survivors, not all interventions have produced significant improvement in mood. Relaxation training may be a promising strategy for enhancing mood effects from these interventions. The goals of Be Calm and Move On were to assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a 12‐week combined PA and relaxation intervention for breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Twenty‐three early‐stage breast cancer survivors were enrolled and 19 were retained for the intervention and 12‐ and 24‐week follow‐ups. Participants received a theoretically grounded intervention delivered via telephone.

Results: Participant evaluations of the intervention indicated that it was feasible and acceptable (e.g. 100% would recommend it to others); objective data further supported its feasibility (e.g. 83% completed the trial, 91% of intervention calls were received). In addition, when comparing 12‐ and 24‐week follow‐up data to baseline data, participants demonstrated significantly increased PA, improved mood and sleep quality, and reduced fatigue (p's<0.05).

Conclusion: Thus, this pilot study suggests that the intervention is feasible and acceptable and produces promising effects on mood, sleep, and fatigue. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preface: phys. stat. sol. (c) 5/6
Authors: Nakamura Shuji , Mishra Umesh , DenBaars Steven , Speck James S. , Wraback Mike , Arakawa Yasuhiko , Allerman Andrew , Grandjean Nicholas , Shealy Jeff , Krames Mike , Palacios Tomas , Jena Debdeep
Published: May 2008

The 7th International Conference of Nitride Semiconductors (ICNS‐7) was held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, from 16–21 September 2007. A record number of more than 900 registered participants gathered in Las Vegas to hear the most recent developments in nitride semiconductors. A total of 694 papers, divided into more than 40 sessions, were presented at the conference covering every aspect of group‐III nitride semiconductor research. The title of the Plenary Talk given by Prof. Klaus H. Ploog, “III‐Nitrides Seem to Be Good for Everything, ” was indeed accurate.

The present issue of physica status solidi contains more than 300 peer‐reviewed scientific papers describing the state‐of‐the‐art in nitride semiconductor materials and devices, as presented at ICNS‐7. The diligent work of the many authors and referees involved in these proceedings (more than 400) has been fundamental for the successful completion of this important record of the conference.

Finally, the conference organizers would also like to acknowledge and thank the many sponsors and public agencies that have financially supported ICNS‐7. Without their help, ICNS‐7 would have never become the largest nitride conference ever. Thank you also to all the participants who, with their papers and discussions, have made ICNS‐7 a tremendous success. We look forward to new exciting developments in nitride semiconductors at ICNS‐8 in Jeju Island, Korea, in October 2009. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Sandwichelemente für den Einsatz in der Antarktis
Authors: Möller Ralf
Published: May 2008

Für die raumabschließenden Elemente der neuen Antarktisstation Neumayer III wurden – entsprechend den enormen Anforderungen aus dem antarktischen Klima – vorfabrizierte Sandwichelemente verwendet. Für den Raumabschluss der Labor‐ und Wohnbereiche kommen Sandwichelemente mit Mineralfaserkern und magnesitgebundenen glasfaserbewehrten Deckschalen zum Einsatz. Diese Technik wurde aus dem Schiffbau übertragen. Für die raumabschließenden Elemente der Außenhülle wurden Sandwichelemente mit Polyurethan‐Hartschaumkern und verzinkten, organisch beschichteten Stahldeckschalen verwendet. Für Teil bereiche wurde dabei eine neue Befestigungstechnik entwickelt.
Organisch bandbeschichtetes Stahl‐Feinblech – Ein Produkt mit besonderem Korrosionsschutz
Authors: Nabbefeld‐Arnold Erich
Published: May 2008

Organisch bandbeschichtete Stahlfeinbleche sind Halbzeuge mit einer fertigen Oberfläche, aus denen Bauteile mit einem hohen Gebrauchswert hergestellt werden. Aufgrund ihres optimierten Werkstoffaufbaus werden sowohl funktionale und als auch dekorative Aspekte realisiert. Die Flacherzeugnisse besitzen durch ihren mehrschichtigen Aufbau einen hohen Korrosionswiderstand, der die wichtige funktionale Basis für dünnwandige Bauelemente schafft. Die jeweiligen Schichten besitzen aktive und passive Eigenschaften für den Korrosionsschutz – der kathodische Schutz ist hierbei der Wichtigere. Konstruktive Maßnahmen verstärken den Schutz gegen die negativen Einflüsse des Wetters.

Infolge der DIN 55928‐8 wurde ein hohes Qualitätsniveau des Korrosionsschutzes u.a. durch die Festlegung von Eigenschaftsanforderungen sowie durch Eigen‐ und Fremdüberwachungen gesichert. Dieser Tradition folgt auch die Nachfolgenorm DIN 55634, deren Entwurf im Frühjahr 2008 veröffentlicht wird.

Durch die beständige und flexible organische Beschichtung des Flacherzeugnisses werden auch dekorative Aspekte, wie z. B. Formgebung sowie Farbe und Glanz, verwirklicht. Durch eine differenzierte Farbgestaltung erhalten riesige Baukörper von Industrieanlagen über ihre Fassade ein freundliches und lebendiges Aussehen. Leichtbauelemente aus organisch bandbeschichtetem Feinblech ermöglichen Unternehmen, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit für nachhaltiges Bauen zu betreiben.
Spontaneous compartment syndrome in a patient with diabetes and statin administration: a case report
Authors: Flamini Stefano , Zoccali Carmine , Persi Emanuele , Calvisi Vittorio
Published: May 2008

Compartment syndrome is a condition characterized by pressure increasing in the inextensible muscular compartments that leads to a decrease of capillary perfusion with consequent ischemic lesions of the logia elements. The authors report a case of an unusual compartment syndrome with spontaneous onset in a patient with type II diabetes and chronic therapy with statins (Atorvastatin). The condition was successfully treated by a fasciotomy and medical support. The importance of a correct anamnesis and a high level of suspicion is emphasized.
Transcriptional regulation of the hepatocyte growth factor gene by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate
Authors: Harrison Phillip M. , Farzaneh Farzin
Published: May 2008

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mediates cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This study characterised the down‐regulation of HGF expression by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), which markedly reduced HGF mRNA expression and protein production in MRC‐5 cells. Reporter gene studies revealed that PDTC inhibited HGF gene transcription and that the response element is located in the region −75 to +42 bp flanking the transcription initiation site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay identified three specific protein complexes binding in this region, which were abrogated by exposure of cells to PDTC. PDTC deserves further investigation as a novel therapeutic agent for HGF‐driven cancers.
The involvement of caspase‐11 in TPEN‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Lee Jong-Min , Kim Yu-Jin , Ra Hana , Kang Shin-Jung , Han SeungJin , Koh Jae-Young , Kim Yang-Hee
Published: May 2008

The depletion of intracellular zinc with N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) induces protein synthesis‐dependent apoptosis. Here we examined the involvement of caspase induction in apoptosis. Among the examined caspases, only caspase‐11 was increased by TPEN. Caspase‐11 activity also increased, which resulted in caspase‐3 activation. Cycloheximide or actinomycin D blocked caspase‐11 induction, reduced caspase‐11 and ‐3 activation, and attenuated TPEN‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Blockade of caspase‐11 by a chemical inhibitor or genetic deletion attenuated TPEN‐induced apoptosis, indicating a critical role of caspase‐11 in TPEN‐induced apoptosis. Although mitochondria‐mediated caspase‐9/‐3 activation also contributed to TPEN‐induced apoptosis, caspase‐11 is likely a key inducible apoptosis‐inducing protein.
The antioxidant properties of serum albumin
Authors: Roche Marjolaine , Rondeau Philippe , Singh Nihar Ranjan , Tarnus Evelyne , Bourdon Emmanuel
Published: May 2008

Free radicals are a normal component of cellular oxygen metabolism in mammals. However, free radical‐associated damage is an important factor in many pathological processes. Glycation and oxidative damage cause protein modifications, frequently observed in numerous diseases. Albumin represents a very abundant and important circulating antioxidant. This review brings together recent insights on albumin antioxidant properties. First, it focuses on the different activities of albumin concerning protein antioxidation. In particular, we describe the role of albumin in ligand binding and free radical‐trapping activities. In addition, physiological and pathological situations that modify the antioxidant properties of albumin are reported.
Power Structure and Regime Resilience: Contentious Politics in China
Authors: CAI YONGSHUN
Published: May 2008

Authoritarian governments may face serious uncertainties when dealing with popular resistance because of the unpredictable consequences of making concessions or repressing opposition. However, a political system with multiple levels of authority can help reduce the uncertainties by granting conditional autonomy to lower-level authorities. Such a power structure prevents excessive repression and unconditional concessions when the priorities of different levels of authority do not match. Under this political arrangement, the central authority can avoid blame when local authorities use repression. The divided power also helps reduce the uncertainties faced by the central authority because it will then have to deal with only a very limited number of instances of resistance. Using the case of China, this article shows that divided state power has allowed the party-state to maintain social stability amid numerous instances of social unrest during the reform era.
Policy Mood and Political Sophistication: Why Everybody Moves Mood
Authors: ENNS PETER K. , KELLSTEDT PAUL M.
Published: May 2008

This article presents evidence that both micro (individual level) and macro (aggregate level) theories of public opinion overstate the importance of political sophistication for opinion change. It is argued that even the least politically sophisticated segment of society receives messages about the economy and uses this information to update attitudes about political issues. To test this hypothesis, the authors have used General Social Survey data to construct a 31-item measure of policy mood, disaggregated by political sophistication, that spans from 1972 to 2004. They found that all the subgroups generally changed opinion at the same time, in the same direction, and to about the same extent. Furthermore, they show that groups at different sophistication levels change opinions for predominantly the same reasons.
Soil clay content and fire frequency affect clustering in trees in South African savannas
Authors: Groen Thomas A. , van Langevelde Frank , van de Vijver Claudius A.D.M. , Govender Navashni , Prins Herbert H.T.
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we investigate which factors determine tree clustering in Southern African savannas. This was tested by measuring clustering of trees using the T-squared sampling method in plots of the Kruger National Park experimental burning programme in South Africa. Fire return interval is the main treatment in these plots, but also several auxiliary determining parameters like clay content in the soil, diameter of tree canopies, understorey composition, tree species diversity and average annual rainfall were measured while sampling. In the Kruger National Park 48 plots distributed over four different landscape types and with three different burning treatments (never, once every 3 y and annually) were sampled. First, we related the clustering of trees to these environmental variables. When looking at the most abundant species in each plot, the analysis revealed that clustering is mainly correlated with clay content in the soil. This analysis also showed that fire frequency had a positive effect on the clustering of tree species that are not very abundant. We suggest that less abundant species might be less resistant to fire and therefore adopt a mechanism of clustering to exclude grass fires under their canopy. Finally, we tested the effect of clustering on the impact of fire on trees by analysing the relationship between the distance of a tree to its nearest neighbour and its canopy diameter. We found that clustering reduces the damaging effect of fire on trees. Our study contributes to understanding of savanna functioning by showing which processes are relevant in the distribution of savanna trees.
Differential effects of mammalian seed predators on the regeneration of five Papua New Guinean tree species and implications for sapling recruitment
Authors: Jones Elizabeth R. , Curran Lisa M. , Wright Debra D. , Mack Andrew L.
Published: May 2008

Although herbivores may account for a significant source of seed and seedling mortality in many tropical tree species, plant species differ in their response to seed damage. Here we investigate the relative effects of seed predation on the regeneration of five tree species in a mid-elevation Papua New Guinean rain forest. Exclosure treatments and shade-house experiments were monitored from November 2004 to March 2006 to assess the differential effects of seed predation on seed viability and seedling growth. Results indicate that although seed predators attack all five focal species, they influence the seedling populations in two, Cerbera floribunda and Microcos grandiflora, and minimally affect the seedling populations of Terminalia impediens, Pandanus penicillus and Endiandra latifolia in the years measured. Predation and germination frequencies were compared to the abundance of focal species at several life stage classes to explore potential correlations between species-specific seed mortality patterns and life stage distributions. We found that the species-specific influence of mammalian seed predators correlated with abundance distributions in three life stages. Species with high survivorship after seed predator attacks displayed a significant decrease in abundance from the seedling-to-sapling transition, while those species with high seed mortality demonstrated relatively even distributions of seedlings, saplings and adults (> 10 cm dbh). These contrasting patterns suggest that differential seed predation effects on regeneration may play a key role in the recruitment of individuals to the sapling stage.
Plant litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in north Queensland tropical rain-forest communities of differing successional status
Authors: Parsons Scott A. , Congdon Robert A.
Published: May 2008

Soil processes are essential in enabling forest regeneration in disturbed landscapes. Little is known about whether litterfall from dominating pioneer species in secondary rain forest is functionally equivalent to that of mixed rain-forest litter in terms of contribution to soil processes. This study used the litterbag technique to quantify the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of leaf litter characteristic of three wet tropical forest communities in the Paluma Range National Park, Queensland, Australia over 511 d. These were: undisturbed primary rain forest (mixed rain-forest species), selectively logged secondary rain forest (pioneerAlphitonia petriei) and tall open eucalypt forest (Eucalyptus grandis). Mass loss, total N, total P, K, Ca and Mg dynamics of the decaying leaves were determined, and different mathematical models were used to explain the mass loss data. Rainfall and temperature data were also collected from each site. The leaves ofA. petrieiandE. grandisboth decomposed significantly slowerin situthan the mixed rain-forest species (39%, 38% and 29% ash-free dry mass remaining respectively). Nitrogen and phosphorus were immobilized, with 182% N and 134% P remaining inE. grandis, 127% N and 132% P remaining inA. petrieiand 168% N and 121% P remaining in the mixed rain-forest species. The initial lignin:P ratio and initial lignin:N ratio exerted significant controls on decomposition rates. The exceptionally slow decomposition of the pioneer species is likely to limit soil processes at disturbed tropical rain-forest sites in Australia.
Performance of a New Protein A Affinity Membrane for the Primary Recovery of Antibodies
Authors: Boi Cristiana , Dimartino Simone , Sarti Giulio C.
Published: May 2008

Recovery of antibodies with Protein A affinity chromatography columns has become the standard for the biotechnology industry. Membrane affinity chromatography has not yet experienced extensive application due to the lower capacity of membrane supports compared to chromatographic beads. In this work, new affinity membranes endowed with an interesting binding capacity for human IgG are studied in view of their application in the capturing step of a monoclonal antibody production process. The membranes have been extensively tested with pure IgG solutions and with a cell culture supernatant containing IgG1. The effects of feed flow rate and IgG concentration on the separation performances have been studied in detail, considering in particular binding capacity, selectivity and recovery. These new high capacity affinity membranes appear good candidates to avoid the throughput limitations and other well‐known drawbacks of traditional bead‐based chromatographic columns.
Psychiatrische Erkrankungen bei Verwandten von Patienten mit Anorexia nervosa und Bulimia nervosa
Authors: Wagner Angela , Wöckel Lars , Bölte Sven , Radeloff Daniel , Lehmkuhl Gerd , H. Schmidt Martin , Poustka Fritz
Published: May 2008

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Im deutschen Raum gibt es kaum Familienuntersuchungen von Patienten mit Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa. Methodik: In einer Multizenter Studie wurde das Auftreten psychiatrischer Erkrankungen bei Familienangehörigen 1., 2. und 3. Grades von 65 anorektischen (n = 746) und 21 bulimischen Patienten (n = 265) mit denen von 37 gesunden Kontrollen (n = 480) sowie 11 depressiven Patienten (n = 157) verglichen. Messinstrumente waren u.a. das Diagnostische Interview für Genetische Studien bzw. das Familien Interview für Genetische Studien. Ergebnisse: Die Prävalenz von Anorexia nervosa (signifikant) sowie von depressiven Störungen (Trend) war bei Verwandten 1. und 2. Grades von Patienten mit Essstörungen gegenüber der gesunden Gruppe erhöht. Die meisten Ergebnisse waren eher bei den Familien bulimischer Patienten ausgeprägt. Die Prävalenzraten für psychiatrische Erkrankungen waren insgesamt prozentual niedriger als in vergleichbaren US amerikanischen Stichproben. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse könnten für eine familiäre Vulnerabilität bzw. genetisches Risiko von Patienten mit Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa sprechen. Der Zusammenhang des niedrigen Alters der Indexpatienten auf die geringeren Prävalenzraten wird diskutiert.
20-Jahres-Katamnese der kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen und psychosomatischen Klinik Haus Vogt
Authors: Fleischhaker Christian , Bock Karin , Hennighausen Klaus , Horwath Daniela , Kuhn-Hennighausen Christiane , Rauh Reinhold , Wewetzer Gunilla , Drömann Sebastian , Schulz Eberhard
Published: May 2008

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Die vorliegende Studie behandelt die Frage, wie sich Patienten nach einer stationären psychotherapeutischen Behandlung in einer jugendpsychiatrischen Klinik im Langzeitverlauf entwickelt haben. Methodik: Im Rahmen dieser Studie wurde eine Stichprobe ehemaliger Patienten (N = 104) interviewt, die im Zeitraum von 1983 bis 1988 einen mindestens halbjährigen stationären Aufenthalt im Haus Vogt hatten. Bei der Durchführung der Nachuntersuchung wurden folgende Instrumente eingesetzt: Freiburger Strukturiertes Interview (FrStI), World Health Organisation Quality of Life Interview - Kurzversion (WHOQOL-BREF), Symptom-Checkliste von Derogatis - Deutsche Version (SCL-90-R) und Fragebögen zur Beurteilung der Behandlung (FBB). Ergebnisse: Die Lebenszufriedenheit (entsprechend WHOQOL-BREF) der ehemaligen Patienten ist auf allen relevanten Skalen signifikant schlechter als in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die psychische Gesundheit (entsprechend SCL-90-R) der untersuchten Stichprobe muss im Vergleich mit der Allgemeinbevölkerung als unter dem Durchschnitt eingestuft werden. Die im Rückblick erhobene Behandlungszufriedenheit ergibt anhand des FBB deutliche Unterschiede zu einer Vergleichsstichprobe einer jugendpsychiatrischen, universitären Versorgungsklinik. Die größten Unterschiede der Behandlungszufriedenheit bestehen auf der Skala «Beziehung zum Therapeuten», die in dieser Katamnese als sehr viel negativer eingeschätzt werden als in der Vergleichspopulation. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie zeigt positive Langzeitergebnisse bzgl. der später erreichten Schul- und Berufsausbildung. Gleichzeitig zeigen die ehemaligen Patienten zu einem erheblichen Anteil fortbestehende psychiatrische Symptome und deutliche Einschränkungen der Lebensqualität.
Increased Pain Sensitivity in Low Blood Pressure
Authors: Duschek S. , Schwarzkopf W. , Schandry R.
Published: May 2008

There is broad evidence for a functional interaction between the cardiovascular and pain regulatory systems. One result of this interaction is the reduced sensitivity to acute pain in individuals with elevated blood pressure, which has been established in numerous studies. In contrast to this, possible alterations in pain perception related to the lower range of blood pressure have not yet been investigated. In the present study pain sensitivity was assessed in 30 hypotensive women (mean blood pressure 95/56 mmHg) and 30 normotensive control persons (mean blood pressure 119/77 mmHg) based on a cold pressor test. Possible effects on pain perception of hypotension-related impairment of subjective state were controlled for by including a mood-scale. The hypotensive as compared to the normotensive group displayed lower pain threshold and pain tolerance levels, as well as increased sensory and affective experiences of pain. Moreover, a slight negative correlation was found, both in hypotensive and control persons, between pain sensitivity and the degree of blood pressure increase during the execution of the cold pressor test. In accordance with the previous findings on hypertension-related hypoalgesia, the present results suggest an inverse relationship between blood pressure and pain sensitivity across the total blood pressure spectrum. Different degrees of pain attenuation through afferent input from the arterial baroreceptor system are discussed as a physiological mechanism mediating this relationship.
Autonomic Stress Response Modes and Ambulatory Heart Rate Level and Variability
Authors: Ottaviani Cristina , Shapiro David , Davydov Dmitry M. , Goldstein Iris B.
Published: May 2008

The major goals of this study were (1) to determine consistency of autonomic response modes to different laboratory stressors, and (2) to evaluate the strength of the association between autonomic response modes and ambulatory heart rate and variability. The sample consisted of 45 healthy participants. Parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) reactivity to and recovery from laboratory stressors (handgrip, logical-mathematical, mirror-tracing, and rumination tasks) were estimated by high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), preejection period (PEP), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Ambulatory HR was measured for 24 h on a work and a nonwork day, counterbalanced. As BRS was less reliable compared to PEP and HF-HRV, the latter two parameters were selected for the computation of SNS/PNS patterns. Autonomic modes were consistent across tasks and more stable during the recovery periods. Moreover, recovery appeared to be sensitive to the emotionality of tasks. Reactivity and recovery patterns differed as a function of gender, with women showing higher vagal tone at baseline, higher HR reactivity to the logical task, greater BRS decrease during the rumination task, and a larger decrease in vagal tone during recovery after the rumination task. After controlling for gender and baseline HR and variability, autonomic profiles during reactivity and recovery periods captured substantially different ambulatory information. Specifically, autonomic profiles during reactivity significantly predicted ambulatory HR level during waking hours, whereas autonomic profile during recovery was linked with ambulatory HRV. Coactivation of SNS and PNS activity was associated with the highest ambulatory HR levels and variability. Findings from the laboratory were consistent with a dimensional autonomic model viewing SNS and PNS contributions to heart rate on orthogonal axes and individual stress response stereotypy. Laboratory task-related autonomic reactivity and recovery may reflect parallel differences in HR level and variability in everyday life.
Event-Related Brain Potentials of Spider Phobics to Disorder- Relevant, Generally Disgust- and Fear-Inducing Pictures
Authors: Schienle Anne , Schäfer Axel , Naumann Ewald
Published: May 2008

This investigation covered the disgust and fear reactivity of patients suffering from spider phobia. We analyzed event-related brain potentials and affective responses to pictures depicting spiders, as well as generally fear-inducing, disgust-inducing, and neutral content, and compared them between 18 phobic and 18 nonphobic female participants. The patients rated the spider scenes as more fear- and disgust-inducing than the controls. This was accompanied by enhanced amplitudes of the P300 and the late positive potential (LPP). The other picture types elicited comparable electrocortical and affective responses in both groups. Separate group analyses showed that the patients were characterized by larger ERP positivity (P300, LPP) for phobic than for nonphobic material. Control subjects’ P300s were equally enhanced for spider, disgust and fear pictures relative to neutral scenes. Their LPPs were smaller for spiders compared to disgust and fear. Taken altogether, motivated attention in emotional picture processing is reflected by P300 and LPP modulation.
(Un)Reachable? *Susanne Scheibe is now at Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, CA, USA.
Authors: Mayser Sabine , Scheibe Susanne , Riediger Michaela
Published: May 2008

Through the selection and pursuit of goals, people are assumed to actively influence their own development. More recently, the construct of life longings (Sehnsucht) has been proposed as playing an equally important role in developmental regulation. This study investigated whether both constructs can be differentiated empirically. Eighty-one participants aged 20 to 69 years reported their most important personal goals and life longings, and evaluated these with respect to their cognitive, emotional, and action-related characteristics. Results indicate that goals, in comparison to life longings, are perceived as being more closely linked to everyday actions, more strongly related to the future, and more controllable (particularly in terms of their attainability). Life longings, in contrast to goals, were evaluated as being more emotionally ambivalent, more long-term oriented, more strongly related to the past, and as involving a stronger sense of incompleteness. Differences between the two constructs further emerged in their specific contents and in their relationship with overall life satisfaction. Findings justify the distinction between both constructs. Implications for theories of self-regulation are discussed.
New Motion Illusion Caused by Pictorial Motion Lines
Authors: Kawabe Takahiro , Miura Kayo
Published: May 2008

Motion lines (MLs) are a pictorial technique used to represent object movement in a still picture. This study explored how MLs contribute to motion perception. In Experiment 1, we reported the creation of a motion illusion caused by MLs: random displacements of objects with MLs on each frame were perceived as unidirectional global motion along the pictorial motion direction implied by MLs. In Experiment 2, we showed that the illusory global motion in the peripheral visual field captured the perceived motion direction of random displacement of objects without MLs in the central visual field, and confirmed that the results in Experiment 1 did not stem simply from response bias, but resulted from perceptual processing. In Experiment 3, we showed that the spatial arrangement of orientation information rather than ML length is important for the illusory global motion. Our results indicate that the ML effect is based on perceptual processing rather than response bias, and that comparison of neighboring orientation components may underlie the determination of pictorial motion direction with MLs.
Why Does Language Interfere with Vision-Based Tasks?
Authors: Almor Amit
Published: May 2008

Conversation with a remote person can interfere with performing vision-based tasks. Two experiments tested the role of general executive resources and spatial attentional resources in this interference. Both experiments assessed performance in vision-based tasks as participants engaged in a language task involving a virtual remote speaker. In both experiments, the language task interfered with the vision task more when participants were speaking or planning what to say next than when they were listening. In Experiment 1, speaking or planning what to say next were also associated with higher interference from a visual distractor than listening, indicating that preparing to speak and speaking pose higher executive requirements than listening. In both experiments, localizing the voice of the remote speaker to the front of participants slightly reduced interference in comparison to other directions. This suggests that remote conversation requires spatial attention resources for representing the position of the remote person.
Validation of the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder ClO measurements
Authors: Santee M. L. , Lambert A. , Read W. G. , Livesey N. J. , Manney G. L. , Cofield R. E. , Cuddy D. T. , Daffer W. H. , Drouin B. J. , Froidevaux L. , Fuller R. A. , Jarnot R. F. , Knosp B. W. , Perun V. S. , Snyder W. V. , Stek P. C. , Thurstans R. P. , Wagner P. A. , Waters J. W. , Connor B. , Urban J. , Murtagh D. , Ricaud P. , Barret B. , Kleinböhl A. , Kuttippurath J. , Küllmann H. , von Hobe M. , Toon G. C. , Stachnik R. A.
Published: May 2008

We assess the quality of the version 2.2 (v2.2) ClO measurements from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Earth Observing System Aura satellite. The MLS v2.2 ClO data are scientifically useful over the range 100 to 1 hPa, with a single‐profile precision of ∼0.1 ppbv throughout most of the vertical domain. Vertical resolution is ∼3–4 km. Comparisons with climatology and correlative measurements from a variety of different platforms indicate that both the amplitude and the altitude of the peak in the ClO profile in the upper stratosphere are well determined by MLS. The latitudinal and seasonal variations in the ClO distribution in the lower stratosphere are also well determined, but a substantial negative bias is present in both daytime and nighttime mixing ratios at retrieval levels below (i.e., pressures larger than) 22 hPa. Outside of the winter polar vortices, this negative bias can be eliminated by subtracting gridded or zonal mean nighttime values from the individual daytime measurements. In studies for which knowledge of lower stratospheric ClO mixing ratios inside the winter polar vortices to better than a few tenths of a ppbv is needed, however, day − night differences are not recommended and the negative bias must be corrected for by subtracting the estimated value of the bias from the individual measurements at each affected retrieval level.
Using the GOES Sounder to monitor upper level SO2 from volcanic eruptions
Authors: Ackerman Steven A. , Schreiner Anthony J. , Schmit Timothy J. , Woolf Harold M. , Li Jun , Pavolonis Michael
Published: May 2008

This study explores the sensitivity of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounder observations to atmospheric loadings of SO2.from volcanic eruptions. The GOES Sounder offers a more rapid refresh rate than similar instruments on board polar‐orbiting satellites, such as the High‐Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) carried on the NOAA and MetOp spacecraft. One of the GOES Sounder's 19 channels is in an SO2 absorption band. Simulations demonstrate that this channel, centered at approximately 7.4 mm, when combined with other channels, can detect the presence of large amounts of SO2 (e.g., greater than 50 DU) in the upper atmosphere (e.g., above 8 km). The GOES Sounder can also provide upper limits of the amount of upper level SO2, provided the atmospheric altitude of the SO2 is known. The sensitivity is demonstrated on two volcanic eruptions of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat. Through use of the GOES Sounder measurements, the advection and rapid spreading of the plume are easily observed. Efforts to fully characterize the plume size and transport are hampered by the limited spatial coverage of the current GOES Sounder.
Hydrocarbon lakes on Titan: Distribution and interaction with a porous regolith
Authors: Hayes A. , Aharonson O. , Callahan P. , Elachi C. , Gim Y. , Kirk R. , Lewis K. , Lopes R. , Lorenz R. , Lunine J. , Mitchell K. , Mitri G. , Stofan E. , Wall S.
Published: May 2008

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of Titan's north polar region reveal quasi‐circular to complex features which are interpreted to be liquid hydrocarbon lakes. We investigate methane transport in Titan's hydrologic cycle using the global distribution of lake features. As of May 2007, the SAR data set covers ∼22% of the surface and indicates multiple lake morphologies which are correlated across the polar region. Lakes are limited to latitudes above 55°N and vary from <10 to more than 100,000 km2. The size and location of lakes provide constraints on parameters associated with subsurface transport. Using porous media properties inferred from Huygens probe observations, timescales for flow into and out of observed lakes are shown to be in the tens of years, similar to seasonal cycles. Derived timescales are compared to the time between collocated SAR observations in order to consider the role of subsurface transport in Titan's hydrologic cycle.
Dust‐rainfall feedbacks in the West African Sahel
Authors: Hui Wanching Jacquie , Cook Benjamin I. , Ravi Sujith , Fuentes José D. , D'Odorico Paolo
Published: May 2008

Dust aerosols can suppress rainfall by increasing the number of cloud condensation nuclei in warm clouds and affecting the surface radiation budget and boundary layer instability. The extent to which atmospheric dust may affect precipitation yields and the hydrologic cycle in semiarid regions remains poorly understood. We investigate the relationship between dust aerosols and rainfall in the West African Sahel where the dust‐rainfall feedback has been speculated to contribute to sustained droughts. We find that the amount of dust loadings is negatively correlated with rainfall values, suggesting that dust entrained in the atmosphere can significantly inhibit rainfall in this region.
Estimating the size of the human interactome
Authors: Stumpf Michael P. H. , Thorne Thomas , de Silva Eric , Stewart Ronald , An Hyeong Jun , Lappe Michael , Wiuf Carsten
Published: May 2008

After the completion of the human and other genome projects it emerged that the number of genes in organisms as diverse as fruit flies, nematodes, and humans does not reflect our perception of their relative complexity. Here, we provide reliable evidence that the size of protein interaction networks in different organisms appears to correlate much better with their apparent biological complexity. We develop a stable and powerful, yet simple, statistical procedure to estimate the size of the whole network from subnet data. This approach is then applied to a range of eukaryotic organisms for which extensive protein interaction data have been collected and we estimate the number of interactions in humans to be ≈650,000. We find that the human interaction network is one order of magnitude bigger than the
Drosophila melanogaster
interactome and ≈3 times bigger than in
Caenorhabditis elegans
.
Evidence for the aldo-keto reductase pathway of polycyclic aromatic
trans
-dihydrodiol activation in human lung A549 cells
Authors: Park Jong-Heum , Mangal Dipti , Tacka Kirk A. , Quinn Amy M. , Harvey Ronald G. , Blair Ian A. , Penning Trevor M.
Published: May 2008

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are tobacco carcinogens implicated in the causation of human lung cancer. Metabolic activation is a key prerequisite for PAHs to cause their deleterious effects. Using human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells, we provide evidence for the metabolic activation of (±)-
trans
-7,8dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[
a
]pyrene (B[
a
]P-7,8-
trans
-dihydrodiol) by aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) to yield benzo[
a
]pyrene-7,8-dione (B[
a
]P-7,8-dione), a redox-active
o
-quinone. We show that B[
a
]P-7,8-
trans
-dihydrodiol (AKR substrate) and B[
a
]P-7,8-dione (AKR product) lead to the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (measured as an increase in dichlorofluorescin diacetate fluores-cence) and that similar changes were not observed with the regioisomer (±)-
trans
-4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-dihydrobenzo[
a
]pyrene or the diol-epoxide, (±)-
anti
-7,8-dihydroxy-9α,10β-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-B[
a
]P. B[
a
]P-7,8-
trans
-dihydrodiol and B[
a
]P-7,8-dione also caused a decrease in glutathione levels and an increase in NADP
+
/NADPH ratios, with a concomitant increase in single-strand breaks (as measured by the comet assay) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo). The specificity of the comet assay was validated by coupling it to human 8-oxo-guanine glycosylase (hOGG1), which excises 8-oxo-Gua to yield single-strand breaks. The levels of 8-oxo-dGuo observed were confirmed by an immunoaffinity purification stable isotope dilution ([
15
N
5
]-8-oxo-dGuo) liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MRM/MS) assay. B[
a
]P-7,8-
trans
-dihydrodiol produced DNA strand breaks in the hOGG1-coupled comet assay as well as 8-oxo-dGuo (as measured by LC-ESI/MRM/MS) and was enhanced by a catechol
O
-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, suggesting that COMT protects against
o
-quinone-mediated redox cycling. We conclude that activation of PAH-
trans
-dihydrodiols by AKRs in lung cells leads to ROS-mediated genotoxicity and contributes to lung carcinogenesis.
The tight junction protein complex undergoes rapid and continuous molecular remodeling at steady state
Authors: Shen Le , Weber Christopher R. , Turner Jerrold R.
Published: May 2008

The tight junction defines epithelial organization. Structurally, the tight junction is comprised of transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins that are thought to assemble into stable complexes to determine function. In this study, we measure tight junction protein dynamics in live confluent Madin–Darby canine kidney monolayers using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and related methods. Mathematical modeling shows that the majority of claudin-1 (76 ± 5%) is stably localized at the tight junction. In contrast, the majority of occludin (71 ± 3%) diffuses rapidly within the tight junction with a diffusion constant of 0.011 μm2s−1. Zonula occludens-1 molecules are also highly dynamic in this region, but, rather than diffusing within the plane of the membrane, 69 ± 5% exchange between membrane and intracellular pools in an energy-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that the tight junction undergoes constant remodeling and suggest that this dynamic behavior may contribute to tight junction assembly and regulation.