bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-thinking wastewater landscapes: combining innovative strategies to address tomorrow's urban wastewater treatment challenges
Authors: Smith B. R.
Published: September 2009

Most major cities worldwide face urban water management challenges relating to drinking supply, stormwater and wastewater treatment, and ecological preservation. In light of climate change and finite natural resources, addressing these challenges in sustainable ways will require innovative solutions arising from interdisciplinary collaboration. This article summarizes five major urban water management strategies that bridge the fields of engineering, ecology, landscape architecture, and urban planning. A conceptual implementation of these strategies is demonstrated through a design for a small constructed wetland treatment system in San Francisco, California. The proposed decentralized system described in this article consists of a detention basin, vegetated and open free water surface wetlands, and ultraviolet disinfection. In wet weather, the system would detain and treat combined sewer discharges (CSD), and in dry weather it would treat residential greywater for toilet flushing and irrigation in a nearby neighborhood. It is designed to adapt over time to changing climatic conditions and treatment demands. Importantly, this proposal demonstrates how constructed wetland engineers can incorporate multiple benefits into their systems, offering a vision of how wastewater infrastructure can be an attractive community, educational, recreational, and habitat amenity through the integration of engineering, ecology, and landscape design.
Evaluation of microbial fuel cell coupled with aeration chamber and bio-cathode for organic matter and nitrogen removal from synthetic domestic wastewater
Authors: Cha J. , Kim C. , Choi S. , Lee G. , Chen G. , Lee T.
Published: September 2009

For simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal via single stream, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) coupled with an aeration chamber and a bio-cathode was investigated. Without catalysts and any additional buffer, the MFC produced electricity continuously and the power density reached 1.3 W/m3 at a loading rate of 1.6 kg COD/m3 d. Simultaneously, the COD and the nitrate removal rate were 1.4 kg COD/m3 d and 67 g NO3-N/m3 d, respectively. When the hydraulic retention time was changed from 6 to 0.75 hours, the power density significantly increased from 0.2 to 10.8 W/m3 due to an increase of cathodic potential. When the aeration chamber was removed and the nitrate was injected into the cathode, the power density increased to 3.7 W/m3. At a high recirculation rate of 10 ml/min, the power density and the nitrate removal rate greatly increased to 34 W/m3 and 294 g NO3−-N/m3 d, respectively.
Reply to Jonathan Carmel's Comment on Ronen Avraham: Private and Competitive Regulation of Medicine
Authors: Avraham Ronen
Published: September 2009

Ronen Avraham explains why he thinks Jonathan Carmel is taking a good thing too far by proposing to take the tort lawyers out of the system altogether.
Associations of Supported Treadmill Stepping With Walking Attainment in Preterm and Full-Term Infants
Authors: Luo Hong-Ji , Chen Pei-Shan , Hsieh Wu-Shiun , Lin Kwan-Hwa , Lu Tung-Wu , Chen Wei J. , Jeng Suh-Fang
Published: September 2009

Background

Treadmill training in supported stepping has been used as part of rehabilitation programs for children with neurodevelopmental problems to facilitate earlier onset of walking. However, information concerning the developmental continuity between supported stepping and walking is limited.

Objective

The aims of this study were to longitudinally examine supported stepping in preterm and full-term infants and to explore the step parameters associated with walking attainment.

Design

A cohort study with a longitudinal follow-up design was used.

Methods

Twenty-nine preterm infants and 20 full-term infants were examined bimonthly with supported stepping on a treadmill from 7 months of age until walking attainment or 18 months of corrected age. The associations between step variables and walking outcome were examined using Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression.

Results

Walking attainment for preterm infants was later than for full-term infants (median=12.8 versus 11 months, respectively). The percentage of alternating steps, hip-knee correlation, hip-ankle correlation, and asymmetry ratio (AR) of stance time of stepping movement from 7 to 9 months of corrected age were found to be associated with age of walking attainment in all infants. Manifestation of at least 3 of 4 step features (ie, ≥80% alternating steps, ≤.37 hip-knee correlation, ≥.73 hip-ankle correlation, and ≤1.40 AR of stance time) at 7 months predicted walking attainment prior to 11 months of corrected age (accuracy=75%–77%). Failure to achieve such competencies at 7 or 9 months of corrected age was predictive of failure in walking attainment by 15 months (accuracy=72%–98%).

Limitations

The limitations of this study included a small sample size and commencement of stepping assessment as early as 7 months of corrected age.

Conclusions

The emergence of walking may involve cooperation of alternating pattern generation, interjoint coordination, and interlimb coordination in supported stepping in preterm and full-term infants. The identified step predictors may assist clinicians in designing appropriate treadmill training programs for those infants with delayed walking.
Academic Difficulty and Program-Level Variables Predict Performance on the National Physical Therapy Examination for Licensure: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Riddle Daniel L. , Utzman Ralph R. , Jewell Dianne V. , Pearson Stephanie , Kong Xiangrong
Published: September 2009

Background

Several factors have been shown to influence first-time pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). It is unclear to what extent academic difficulty experienced by students in a physical therapist education program may affect NPTE pass rates. The effects of institutional status (public or private) and Carnegie Classification on NPTE pass rates also are unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to quantify the odds of failure on the NPTE for students experiencing academic difficulty and for institutional status and Carnegie Classification.

Design

This investigation was a retrospective population-based cohort study.

Methods

Quota sampling was used to recruit a random sample of 20 professional physical therapist education programs across the United States. Individual student demographic, preadmission, and academic performance data were collected, as were data on program-level variables and data indicating pass/fail performance on the NPTE. A generalized linear mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to adjust for confounding factors and to describe relationships among the key predictor variables—academic difficulty, institutional status, and Carnegie Classification—and the dependent variable, NPTE performance.

Results

Academic difficulty during a student's professional training was an independent predictor for NPTE failure. The odds of students who had academic difficulty (relative to students who did not experience academic difficulty) failing the NPTE were 5.89 (95% confidence interval=4.06–8.93). The odds of NPTE failure also varied depending on institutional status and Carnegie Classification.

Limitations

The findings related to Carnegie Classification and institutional status should be considered preliminary.

Conclusions

Student performance on the NPTE was influenced by multiple factors, but the most important, potentially modifiable risk factor for poor NPTE performance likely is academic difficulty during professional training.
A rare case of hemangioma of infancy presenting as intraspinal hemorrhage
Authors: Ksendzovsky Alexander , Glick Roberta , Utset Manuel , Tomita Tadanori , Srinivasan Gopa
Published: September 2009

Hemangiomas of infancy (HOIs) are among the most common benign tumors of childhood and classically appear as a vascular stain or small vascular papule at birth. They are unique tumors due to their propensity to proliferate, involute, and finally regress. These lesions can be associated with visceral malformations that have been shown to affect mainly the liver and the gastrointestinal tract, but rarely the spinal cord. The authors report a rare case of a spinal HOI in a 2-month-old infant presenting with quadriplegia due to intratumoral hemorrhage. Following resection of the lesion, the child regained function. This first reported case of spinal HOI suggests another location for hemangiomatosis. Spinal HOI should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute intraspinal hemorrhage in infants.
Regression of cerebral calcifications after endovascular treatment in a case of vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Bansal Anshuman , Gailloud Philippe , Jordan Lori , Ruíz Diego San Millán
Published: September 2009

The authors present the case of an infant harboring a vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation with conspicuous cerebral calcifications that progressively regressed after staged endovascular obliteration of the lesion. The role of venous hypertension and hydrocephalus secondary to the arteriovenous shunt are discussed to explain the formation and regression of the cerebral calcifications.
Efficacy of silver-bearing external ventricular drainage catheters: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Fichtner Jens , Güresir Erdem , Seifert Volker , Raabe Andreas
Published: September 2009

Object

Catheter-related infection of CSF is a potentially life-threatening complication of external ventricular drainage (EVD). When using EVD catheters, contact between the ventricular system and skin surface occurs and CSF infection is possible. The aim of this analysis was to compare the efficacy of silver-bearing EVD catheters for reducing the incidence of infection with standard nonimpregnated EVD catheters in neurosurgical patients with acute hydrocephalus.

Methods

Two hundred thirty-one consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 164 were enrolled in the final analysis. Six patient charts were incomplete or missing, 15 patients were excluded because of catheter insertion within the previous 30 days, 6 because of a suspected CSF infection before ventriculostomy, 7 because the catheter was removed < 24 hours after insertion, and 33 patients because of the requirement of bilateral ventriculostomy. The control group with standard nonimpregnated EVD catheters consisted of 90 patients. The study group with silver-bearing EVDs consisted of 74 patients. For assessing the primary outcome, the authors recorded all CSF samples and liquor cell counts routinely obtained in sterile fashion. After removal of the catheters, they also reviewed microbiology reports of the removed catheters to assess colonization of the catheter tips.

Results

The occurrence of a positive CSF culture, colonization of the catheter tip, or liquor pleocytosis (white blood cell count > 4/μl) was ~ 2 times less in the study group with silver-bearing EVD catheters than that in the control group (18.9% compared with 33.7%, p = 0.04). Positive CSF cultures alone occurred 2 times less frequently for microorganisms in the study group (2.7% compared with 4.7%, p = 0.55). Silver-bearing catheters were 4 times less likely to become colonized as nonimpregnated EVDs (1.4% compared with 5.8%, p = 0.14). Liquor pleocytosis was half as likely in the study group (17.6% compared with 30.2%, p = 0.06).

Conclusions

Although of limited sample size and thus underpowered for subgroup analysis, this analysis indicates that EVD catheters impregnated with silver nanoparticles and an insoluble silver salt may reduce the risk of catheter-related infections in neurosurgical patients.
Radiosurgery for large-volume (> 10 cm3) benign meningiomas
Authors: Bledsoe Jonathan M. , Link Michael J. , Stafford Scott L. , Park Paul J. , Pollock Bruce E.
Published: September 2009

Object

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for many patients with intracranial meningiomas. Nevertheless, the morbidity associated with radiosurgery of larger meningiomas is poorly understood.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective review of 116 patients who underwent SRS for meningiomas (WHO Grade I) > 10 cm3 between 1990 and 2007, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients with atypical or malignant meningiomas and those who received prior radiotherapy were excluded. The average tumor volume was 17.5 cm3 (range 10.1–48.6 cm3); the average tumor margin dose was 15.1 Gy (range 12–18 Gy); and the mean follow-up duration was 70.1 months (range 12–199 months).

Results

Tumor control was 99% at 3 years and 92% at 7 years after radiosurgery. Thirty complications after radiosurgery were noted in 27 patients (23%), including 7 cases of seizures, 6 cases of hemiparesis, 5 cases of trigeminal injury, 4 cases of headaches, 3 cases of diplopia, 2 cases each of cerebral infarction and ataxia, and 1 case of hearing loss. Patients with supratentorial tumors experienced a higher complication rate compared with patients with skull base tumors (44% compared with 18%) (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.7, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The morbidity associated with SRS for patients with benign meningiomas > 10 cm3 is greater for supratentorial tumors compared with skull base tumors. Whereas radiosurgery is relatively safe for patients with large-volume skull base meningiomas, resection should remain the primary disease management for the majority of patients with large-volume supratentorial meningiomas.
Motoneuron survival after chronic and sequential peripheral nerve injuries in the rat
Authors: Xu Qing-Gui , Forden Joanne , Walsh Sarah K. , Gordon Tessa , Midha Rajiv
Published: September 2009

Object

Surgical repair of peripheral nerves following chronic nerve injury is associated with poor axonal regeneration and outcome. An underlying possibility is that chronic injuries may increase motoneuron cell death. The hypothesis that substantial motoneuron death follows chronic and sequential nerve injuries was tested in adult rats in this study.

Methods

Thirty adult male Lewis rats underwent bilateral multistage surgeries. At initial surgery, Fast Blue (FB) tracer was injected at a nerve-crush injury site in the right control femoral motor nerve. The left femoral motor nerve was transected at the same level and either capped to prevent regeneration (Group 1), or repaired to allow axonal regeneration and reinnervation of the target quadriceps muscle (Group 2) (15 rats in each group). After 8 weeks in 6 rats/group, the left femoral nerve was cut and exposed to FB just proximal to prior nerve capping or repair and the rats were evaluated for FB-labeled motoneuron counts bilaterally in the spinal cord (this was considered survival after initial injury). In the remaining 9 animals/group, the left nerve was recut (sequential injury), exposed to FB, and repaired to a fresh distal saphenous nerve stump to permit axonal regeneration. Following another 6 weeks, Fluoro-Gold, a second retrograde tracer, was applied to the cut distal saphenous nerve. This allowed us to evaluate the number of motoneurons that survived (maintained FB labeling) and the number of motoneurons that survived but that also regenerated axons (double labeled with FB and Fluoro-Gold).

Results

A mean number of 350 and 392 FB-labeled motoneurons were found after 8 weeks of nerve injury on the right and the left sides, respectively. This indicated no significant cell death due to initial nerve injury alone. A similar number (mean 390) of motoneurons were counted at final end point at 14 weeks, indicating no significant cell death after sequential and chronic nerve injury. However, only 50% (mean 180) of the surviving motoneurons were double labeled, indicating that only half of the population regenerated their axons.

Conclusions

The hypothesis that significant motoneuron cell death occurs after chronic and or sequential nerve injury was rejected. Despite cell survival, only 50% of motoneurons are capable of exhibiting a regenerative response, consistent with our previous findings of reduced regeneration after chronic axotomy.
A Wavelet Neural Network for SAR Image Segmentation
Authors: Wen Xian-Bin , Zhang Hua , Wang Fa-Yu
Published: September 2009

This paper proposes a wavelet neural network (WNN) for SAR image segmentation by combining the wavelet transform and an artificial neural network. The WNN combines the multiscale analysis ability of the wavelet transform and the classification capability of the artificial neural network by setting the wavelet function as the transfer function of the neural network. Several SAR images are segmented by the network whose transfer functions are the Morlet and Mexihat functions, respectively. The experimental results show the proposed method is very effective and accurate.
Variation in flowering size and age of a facultative biennial, Aster kantoensis (Compositae), in response to nutrient availability
Authors: Kagaya Mitsuko , Tani Takashi , Kachi Naoki
Published: September 2009

Although the flowering of facultative biennials is size‐dependent, flowering size varies markedly within a single population as well as among populations. In this study, 15 half‐sib families of the facultative biennial Aster kantoensis were grown from seeds at three nutrient levels (low, medium, and high). A significant nutrient × family interaction effect was found for bolting size, and among‐family variation in bolting size increased with decreasing nutrient level. Growth from bolting to flowering tended to be greatest at the high nutrient level. Such responses of bolting size and growth from bolting to flowering resulted in an increase in flowering size at the high nutrient level and a significant variation in its reaction norm among families. For flowering age, there was a significant interaction of nutrient × family, and its among‐family variation increased with decreasing nutrient levels, as was the case with bolting size. These results indicate that genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity of bolting size with nutrient availability was one cause of the variation in flowering size and age in the A. kantoensis population on the floodplain with the spatially heterogeneous nutrient availability. Moreover, responses of growth from bolting to flowering to nutrient availability could enhance the variation in flowering size.
Origins of domestication and polyploidy in oca (Oxalis tuberosa; Oxalidaceae). 3. AFLP data of oca and four wild, tuber‐bearing taxa
Authors: Emshwiller Eve , Theim Terra , Grau Alfredo , Nina Victor , Terrazas Franz
Published: September 2009

Many crops are polyploids, and it can be challenging to untangle the often complicated history of their origins of domestication and origins of polyploidy. To complement other studies of the origins of polyploidy of the octoploid tuber crop oca (Oxalis tuberosa) that used DNA sequence data and phylogenetic methods, we here compared AFLP data for oca with four wild, tuber‐bearing Oxalis taxa found in different regions of the central Andes. Results confirmed the divergence of two use‐categories of cultivated oca that indigenous farmers use for different purposes, suggesting the possibility that they might have had separate origins of domestication. Despite previous results with nuclear‐encoded, chloroplast‐expressed glutamine synthetase suggesting that O. picchensis might be a progenitor of oca, AFLP data of this species, as well as different populations of wild, tuber‐bearing Oxalis found in Lima Department, Peru, were relatively divergent from O. tuberosa. Results from all analytical methods suggested that the unnamed wild, tuber‐bearing Oxalis found in Bolivia and O. chicligastensis in NW Argentina are the best candidates as the genome donors for polyploid O. tuberosa, but the results were somewhat equivocal about which of these two taxa is the more strongly supported as oca's progenitor.
Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae): Branching, vasculature and histology in juvenile stages
Authors: Tomlinson P. Barry , Murch Susan J.
Published: September 2009

We present a preliminary description of the morphology and anatomy of contrasted axes in the recently discovered conifer Wollemia nobilis, based on clonally propagated material. The novelty of this discovery and the tree's size and rarity has led to global interest and a comprehensive and successful conservation program. Our results should serve as a model on which future studies of this tree and other members of the Araucariaceae can be based. The specimens studied are mimics of the architecture of the mature tree, with precise distinction between orthotropic (= trunk) axes, which have radial symmetry (spiral phyllotaxy) and plagiotropic (= branch) axes with dorsiventral symmetry (as a modified decussate phyllotaxy). Trunk axes develop irregular pseudowhorls of branches that originate within the terminal bud by syllepsis, their extension coincident with that of the parent axis. The two kinds of axes show considerable anatomical differences, but are still based on the common feature of a single stelar‐derived trace to each leaf that becomes subdivided in the cortex, a feature of the whole family. Trunk axes include extended cortical leaf and branch traces associated with abundant sclerenchyma, but branches have short cortical leaf traces, no branch traces, and limited sclerenchyma. Reiteration is limited and largely involves the formation of basal suckers on the trunk. Branches normally remain unbranched, but can do so most often when damaged. This study thus emphasizes the phenomenon of axis differentiation in conifers, which has been little investigated anatomically, but could be very important in the identification of fossils.
Complex interactions between a legume and two grasses in a subalpine meadow
Authors: Marty Charles , Pornon André , Escaravage Nathalie , Winterton Peter , Lamaze Thierry
Published: September 2009

Interactions between plants are a complex combination of positive and negative interactions, with the net outcome depending on environmental contexts. The more frequent association of Trifolium alpinum (legume) with Festuca eskia than with Nardus stricta (grasses) in many Pyrenean subalpine meadows suggests a differential ability to use nitrogen (N) derived from N2 fixation. In the field, we investigated the interactions between the legume and grasses and, in the glasshouse, the transfer of 15N from the legume to the grasses. In one grass–Trifolium mixture, the legume had a strong positive effect on the biomass and N content of the grass as compared to pure grass stands. When both grasses grew together with the legume, only Festuca benefited from the presence of Trifolium but, surprisingly, the benefit decreased with increasing Trifolium abundance. Leaf labeling experiments with 15N‐NH4+ revealed a higher transfer of 15N from Trifolium to Festuca than to Nardus, suggesting a more direct N pathway between the two species. This more direct pathway could prevent Nardus from benefiting from the legume N in the three‐species mixtures. Thus, the positive interactions between N‐fixers and nonfixers appear to be largely species‐specific and to depend strongly on the species in the plant assemblage.
Differential expression of candidate salt‐tolerance genes in the halophyte Helianthus paradoxus and its glycophyte progenitors H. annuus and H. petiolaris (Asteraceae)
Authors: Edelist Cécile , Raffoux Xavier , Falque Matthieu , Dillmann Christine , Sicard Delphine , Rieseberg Loren H. , Karrenberg Sophie
Published: September 2009

Adaptation to different habitats is considered to be a major force in the generation of organismal diversity. Understanding the genetic mechanisms that produce such adaptations will provide insights into long‐standing questions in evolutionary biology and, at the same time, improve predictions of plant responses to changing environmental conditions. Here we used semiquantitative RT‐PCR to study the expression of eight candidate salt‐tolerance genes in leaves of the highly salt‐tolerant diploid hybrid species Helianthus paradoxus and its salt‐sensitive progenitor species H. annuus and H. petiolaris. Samples were collected after germination and growth under four different treatments: nonsaline (control), near‐natural saline, saline with increased K+, and saline with decreased Mg2+ and Ca2+. Three individuals from three populations per species were used. The hybrid species H. paradoxus constitutively under‐ or overexpressed genes related to potassium and calcium transport (homologues of KT1, KT2, ECA1), suggesting that these genes may contribute to the adaptation of H. paradoxus to salinity. In two other genes, variation between populations within species exceeded species level variation. Furthermore, homologues of the potassium transporter HAK8 and of a transcriptional regulator were generally overexpressed in saline treatments, suggesting that these genes are involved in sustained growth under saline conditions in Helianthus.
Characterization of Aurintricarboxylic Acid as a Potent Hepatitis C Virus Replicase Inhibitor
Authors: Chen Ye , Bopda-Waffo Alain , Basu Amartya , Krishnan Ramalingam , Silberstein Erica , Taylor Deborah R , Talele Tanaji T , Arora Payal , Kaushik-Basu Neerja
Published: September 2009

Background:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B is an essential component of the viral replication machinery and an important target for antiviral intervention. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, was evaluated and characterized for its anti-NS5B activity in vitro and in HCV replicon cells.

Methods:

Recombinant NS5B, HCV replicase and Huh-7 cells harbouring the subgenomic HCV replicon of genotype 1b were employed for biochemical and mechanistic investigations.

Results:

Analysis of ATA activity in vitro yielded equipotent inhibition of recombinant NS5B and HCV replicase in the submicromolar range (50% inhibition concentration [IC50] approximately 150 nM). Biochemical and mechanistic studies revealed a bimodal mechanism of ATA inhibition with characteristics of pyrophosphate mimics and non-nucleoside inhibitors. Molecular modelling and competition displacement studies were consistent with these parameters, suggesting that ATA might bind to the benzothiadiazine allosteric pocket 3 of NS5B or at its catalytic centre. Kinetic studies revealed a mixed mode of ATA inhibition with respect to both RNA and UTP substrates. Under single-cycle assay conditions, ATA inhibited HCV NS5B initiation and elongation from pre-bound RNA, but with ≥fivefold decreased potency compared with continuous polymerization conditions. The IC50value of ATA for the native replicase complex was 145 nM. In HCV replicon cells, ATA treatment ablated HCV RNA replication (50% effective concentration =75 nM) with concomitant decrease in NS5B expression and no apparent cytotoxic effects.

Conclusions:

This study identified ATA as a potent anti-NS5B inhibitor and suggests that its unique mode of action might be exploited for structural refinement and development of novel anti-NS5B agents.
Protumor vs Antitumor Functions of IL-17
Authors: Murugaiyan Gopal , Saha Bhaskar
Published: September 2009

Inflammation appears to be a necessity for both metastasis and elimination of tumor cells. IL-17, a proinflammatory cytokine produced by Th17 cells, contributes to both the processes by playing a dual role in the antitumor immunity. On one hand, IL-17 promotes an antitumor cytotoxic T cell response leading to tumor regression. On the other hand, by facilitating angiogenesis and egress of tumor cells from the primary focus, IL-17 promotes tumor growth. Thus, the therapeutic application that uses IL-17 needs to be refined by minimizing its protumor functions.
Cutting Edge: Contribution of Lung-Resident T Cell Proliferation to the Overall Magnitude of the Antigen-Specific CD8 T Cell Response in the Lungs following Murine Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: McGill Jodi , Legge Kevin L.
Published: September 2009

Following influenza virus infection, CD8 T cells encounter mature, Ag-bearing dendritic cells within the draining lymph nodes and undergo activation, programmed proliferation, and differentiation to effector cells before migrating to the lungs to mediate viral clearance. However, it remains unclear whether CD8 T cells continue their proliferation after arriving in the lungs. To address this question, we developed a novel, in vivo, dual-label system using intranasal CFSE and BrdU administration to identify virus-specific CD8 T cells that are actively undergoing cell division while in the lungs. With this technique we demonstrate that a high frequency of virus-specific CD8 T cells incorporate BrdU while in the lungs and that this lung-resident proliferation contributes significantly to the magnitude of the Ag-specific CD8 T cell response following influenza virus infection.
Cutting Edge: HLA-DM Functions through a Mechanism That Does Not Require Specific Conserved Hydrogen Bonds in Class II MHC-Peptide Complexes
Authors: Zhou Zemin , Callaway Kari A. , Weber Dominique A. , Jensen Peter E.
Published: September 2009

HLA-DM catalyzes peptide dissociation and exchange in class II MHC molecules through a mechanism that has been proposed to involve the disruption of specific components of the conserved hydrogen bond network in MHC-peptide complexes. HLA-DR1 molecules with alanine substitutions at each of the six conserved H- bonding positions were expressed in cells, and susceptibility to DM catalytic activity was evaluated by measuring the release of CLIP. The mutants αN62A, αN69A, αR76A, and βH81A DR1 were fully susceptible to DM-mediated CLIP release, and βN82A resulted in spontaneous release of CLIP. Using recombinant soluble DR1 molecules, the amino acid βN82 was observed to contribute disproportionately in stabilizing peptide complexes. Remarkably, the catalytic potency of DM with each β-chain mutant was equal to or greater than that observed with wild-type DR1. Our results support the conclusion that no individual component of the conserved hydrogen bond network plays an essential role in the DM catalytic mechanism.
Cutting Edge: CD4-Independent Development of Functional FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Blache Céline , Adriouch Sahil , Calbo Sébastien , Drouot Laurent , Dulauroy Sophie , Arnoult Christophe , Le Corre Stéphanie , Six Adrien , Seman Michel , Boyer Olivier
Published: September 2009

The CD4 coreceptor is mandatory for the differentiation and function of conventional MHC class II-restricted T cells, but little is known about its contribution in regulatory T cells (Tregs). We thus investigated the Treg compartment in mice lacking CD4. CD3+CD8−FoxP3+ cells were readily detected in the periphery of CD4−/− mice, where their percentages were even increased as compared with wild-type animals. These cells had a classical CD25+CD152+GITR+ Treg phenotype, were enriched in memory-type Tregs, and displayed a diversified TCR repertoire. Functionally, CD4−/− Tregs were equally as suppressive as CD4+/+ Tregs in vitro as well as in vivo. Hence, the CD4 coreceptor is dispensable for the generation and function of FoxP3+ Tregs. Furthermore, CD3+CD8−FoxP3+ Tregs were also found to develop in the absence of both CD4 and MHC-II molecules, demonstrating that the generation of Tregs can occur independently of MHC-II recognition.
For a meta‐ethics as good as our practice
Authors: Weston Anthony
Published: September 2009

Ethical issues in adult education are often open‐ended, complex, problematic situations. The real question is not which side is right, or to which moral choice principle we must appeal, but simply how we can engage those situations intelligently and constructively.
Applied ethics in adult and continuing education literature
Authors: Sork Thomas J.
Published: September 2009

This chapter surveys the growing body of literature on ethics and adult education, makes some critical observations about efforts to increase ethical sensitivity among practitioners, and offers guidance in how to deal with ethical dilemmas.
Ethical issues in mentoring adults in higher education
Authors: Hansman Catherine A.
Published: September 2009

This chapter examines practical problems encountered in mentoring adult learners in higher education through stories of ethical dilemmas.
Reflecting on reflecting on practice
Authors: Wilson Arthur L.
Published: September 2009

This chapter discusses three broad themes—reflection, power, and negotiation—that are evidenced in all of the practitioner chapters.
Doing “good work”: Negotiating possibilities in ethical challenges
Authors: Burge Elizabeth J.
Published: September 2009

In explaining their decision making and confronting their doubts, reflective and courageous practitioners show their critical and constructive thinking for handling the intellectual and interpersonal complexities of ethical analysis.
Perfluorinated Subphthalocyanine as a New Acceptor Material in a Small‐Molecule Bilayer Organic Solar Cell
Authors: Gommans Hans , Aernouts Tom , Verreet Bregt , Heremans Paul , Medina Anaïs , Claessens Christian G. , Torres Tomas
Published: September 2009

The complex refractive index of fluorinated subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) deposited by vacuum sublimation is determined by spectral ellipsometry. Their performance as acceptor material is characterized in a range of donor/acceptor heterojunctions in organic photovoltaic cells (OPVCs) by current–voltage measurements under 1 sun AM 1.5D simulated solar illumination and spectral response. Both electron and hole transfer between donor and acceptor materials is demonstrated. Power conversion efficiencies of 0.96% are found with an open‐circuit bias of 940 mV. Hence, it is shown that fluorinated SubPcs can be considered as an acceptor material in OPVCs with an absorption in the visible comparable to that of well‐known metallophthalocyanines.
Charge storage performance of polyetherimide Ultem®1000—Influence of secondary antioxidants and purification
Authors: Erhard Dominik P. , Giesa Reiner , Altstädt Volker , Schmidt Hans‐Werner
Published: September 2009

The performance of a polymeric electret material depends on many parameters, and besides chemical structure, charging conditions, and application temperature, other factors, such as grade, manufacturer, processing history, and additive package, are critical. Commercial polyetherimide (PEI) Ultem®1000 films exhibited satisfying electret properties as revealed by an isothermal potential decay (ITPD) to 75% of the initial surface charge after 24 h at 90°C. It was found that after purification by reprecipitation this value drops to 34% and that the same PEI synthesized by two different methods revealed to be a very poor electret with charge retention of almost zero. Assuming that an additive in the commercial material might be responsible for this behavior, we identified an organophosphonite which is commonly used as antioxidant in high‐temperature polymers. We incorporated this additive by melt compounding into purified PEI and found a dramatic increase in charge retention to 79% of the initial charge at an additive load level of 0.5 wt %. By immersing Ultem®1000 films in water, the electret behavior was further improved and almost 100% charge retention was achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Three‐Dimensional Serial Section Computer Reconstruction of the Arrangement of the Structural Components of the Parabronchus of the Ostrich, Struthio Camelus Lung
Authors: Maina John N. , Woodward Jeremy D.
Published: September 2009

The Ostrich, Struthio camelus is the largest extant bird. The arrangement of the airway and the vascular components of the parabronchus of its lung were investigated by 3D serial section reconstruction. Modestly developed atrial muscles, shallow atria, paucity of infundibulae with preponderant origination of the air capillaries (ACs) from the atria and lack of interparabronchial septa, structural features that epitomize lungs of most highly derived metabolically active volant birds were observed. Intertwined very closely, the ACs and the blood capillaries (BCs) are not straight, blind‐ended tubules that run in contact, counter and parallel to each other as has been claimed and/or modeled. Crosscurrent (perpendicular = orthogonal) orientation between the centripetal (inward) flow of the venous blood (VB) from the periphery of the parabronchus and the flow of air in the parabronchial lumen occur. Also, a countercurrent‐like arrangement between the ACs which convey air centrifugally (outwards = radially) and the BCs that transport venous blood centripetally (inwards) was identified. The VB is conveyed to the parabronchus by the interparabronchial arteries and delivered to the exchange tissue by the intraparabronchial arterioles: it is then arterialized at the infinitely many points where the ACs and the BCs contact. Functionally, the crosscurrent arrangement grants a multicapillary serial arterialization arrangement which extends the time that the respiratory media, air and blood, are exposed to each other. The contribution that the countercurrent‐like arrangement makes to the gas exchange process remains obscure. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunolocalization of G‐Protein Alpha Subunits in the Olfactory System of the Cartilaginous Fish Scyliorhinus Canicula
Authors: Ferrando Sara , Gambardella Chiara , Ravera Silvia , Bottero Sergio , Ferrando Tiziana , Gallus Lorenzo , Manno Valentina , Salati Amir P. , Ramoino Paola , Tagliafierro Grazia
Published: September 2009

In the olfactory and vomeronasal systems of vertebrates, the morphology of the receptor neurons, the receptor gene family they express, the G‐protein coupled with the receptor (in particular the G‐protein alpha subunit), and their projection to the olfactory bulb are correlated. Much information about this complicated system have been collected in different groups, but nothing is known about Chondrichthyes. In this work, the presence and distribution of immunoreactivity for different types of G‐protein alpha subunit (Gαo, Gαq and Gαs/olf) were investigated in the olfactory mucosa and olfactory bulb of the shark Scyliorhinus canicula. Only Gαo‐like immunoreactivity was detected in the olfactory mucosa and bulb, both in tissues and homogenates. Its distribution was partially similar to that found in other vertebrates: it was localized in the microvillous receptor neurons, in numerous axon bundles of the fila olfactoria, in the stratum nervosum and in the most of glomeruli in the stratum glomerulosum. No immunoreactivity was instead observed in the crypt neurons, the second type of olfactory neurons present in cartilaginous fish. The projections of crypt neurons to olfactory bulb probably correspond to the few ventrally‐located glomeruli which were negative to the antiserum against Gαo. These data suggest, in S. canicula, different olfactory neuron types send projections to the olfactory bulb with a segregated distribution, as observed in other vertebrates. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Normal Morphology and Hormone Receptor Expression in the Male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) Genital Tract
Authors: Colegrove Kathleen M. , Gulland Frances M.D. , Naydan Diane K. , Lowenstine Linda J.
Published: September 2009

Histomorphology and estrogen α (ER α), and progesterone receptor (PR) expression were evaluated in free‐ranging stranded male California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Hormone receptor expression was evaluated using an immunohistochemical technique with monoclonal antibodies. Estrogen and PRs were identified in the efferent ductules, prostate gland, corpus cavernosa, corpus spongiosium, penile urethra, and in the epithelium and stroma of both the penis and prepuce. In some tissues, ER α expression was more intense in the stroma, emphasizing the importance of the stroma in hormone‐mediated growth and differentiation of reproductive organs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to localize ER α and PR to the epithelium of the glans penis. The results of this investigation add to the general knowledge of male California sea lion reproduction and suggest that estrogens could have a role in the function of the male reproductive tract. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Silica‐Coated Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Shuhua , Han Ming‐Yong
Published: September 2009

The advanced high‐quality synthesis of dense and porous silica‐coated nanostructures is enjoying ever‐increasing research interests for their important properties and diverse applications, especially for catalytic, controlled release, colorimetric diagnostics, photothermal therapy, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection, and so forth. In this timely Focus Review, we summarize the up‐to‐date synthesis strategies, improved properties, and emerging applications of silica‐coated metal nanoparticles. In particular, the large scale synthesis of silica‐coated metal nanoparticles and the recent development of hollowed‐out silica‐coated metal nanoparticles by silica dissolution are emphasized for new and practical applications.
A comparison of uptake of metformin and phenformin mediated by hOCT1 in human hepatocytes
Authors: Sogame Yoshihisa , Kitamura Atsushi , Yabuki Masashi , Komuro Setsuko
Published: September 2009

Metformin, a biguanide that has been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, is reportedly transported into human hepatocytes by human organic cation transporter 1 (hOCT1). The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the hepatic uptake of metformin and phenformin, a biguanide derivative similar to metformin. Special focus was on the role of active transport into cells. Experiments were therefore performed using human cryopreserved hepatocytes and hOCT1 expressing oocytes. Both biguanides proved to be good substrates for hOCT1. However, phenformin exhibited a much higher affinity and transport activity, with a marked difference in uptake kinetics compared with metformin. Both biguanides were transported actively by hOCT1, with the active transport components much greater than passive transport components in both cases, suggesting that functional changes in hOCT1 might affect the transport of both compounds to the same degree. This study for the first time produced detailed comparative findings for uptake profiles of metformin and phenformin in human hepatocytes and hOCT1 expressing oocytes. It is considered that hOCT1 may not be the only key factor that determines the frequency of metformin and phenformin toxicity, considering the major contribution of this transporter to the total hepatic uptake and comparable width of their therapeutic concentrations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heating‐induced conformational change of a novel β‐(1→3)‐D‐glucan from Pleurotus geestanus
Authors: Zhang Mei
Published: September 2009

Recently, we isolated and purified a neutral polysaccharide (PGN) from edible fungus Pleurotus geestanus. Its structure was characterized by a range of physical–chemical methods, including high performance anion exchange chromatography, uronic acid, and protein analyses, size exclusion chromatography with ultraviolet, refractive index and light scattering detectors, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Our results revealed that PGN is a novel β‐(1→3)‐D‐glucan with glucose attached to every other sugar residues at Position 6 in the backbone. It has a degree of branching of 1/2. Such structure is different from typical β‐(1→3)‐D‐glucans schizophyllan and lentinan in which DB is 1/3 and 2/5, respectively. Rheological study showed a very interesting melting behavior of PGN in water solution: heating PGN in water leads to two transitions, in the range of 8–12.5°C and 25–60°C, respectively. The melting behavior and conformational changes were characterized by rheometry, micro‐differential scan calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, static and dynamic light scattering at different temperatures. The first heating‐induced transition corresponds to the disintegration of polymer bundles into small helical clusters, resembling the heating‐induced dissociation of SPG in water at 7°C; the second one might correspond to the dissociation of helical strands to individual chains. The ability of PGN to undergo a conformation/viscosity transition in water upon heating is very valuable to immobilize cells or enzymes or therapeutic DNA/RNA, which makes PGN a potentially useful biomaterial. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 121–131, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Interplay between protein homeostasis networks in protein aggregation and proteotoxicity
Authors: Douglas Peter M. , Cyr Douglas M.
Published: September 2009

The misfolding and aggregation of disease proteins is characteristic of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Particular neuronal populations are more vulnerable to proteotoxicity while others are more apt to tolerate the misfolding and aggregation of disease proteins. Thus, the cellular environment must play a significant role in determining whether disease proteins are converted into toxic or benign forms. The endomembrane network of eukaryotes divides the cell into different subcellular compartments that possess distinct sets of molecular chaperones and protein interaction networks. Chaperones act as agonists and antagonists of disease protein aggregation to prevent the accumulation of toxic intermediates in the aggregation pathway. Interacting partners can also modulate the conformation and localization of disease proteins and thereby influence proteotoxicity. Thus, interplay between these protein homeostasis network components can modulate the self‐association of disease proteins and determine whether they elicit a toxic or benign outcome. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 229–236, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
The effect of deuterium oxide on the stability of the collagen model peptides H‐(Pro‐Pro‐Gly)10‐OH, H‐(Gly‐Pro‐4(R)Hyp)9‐OH, and Type I collagen
Authors: Mizuno Kazunori , Bächinger Hans Peter
Published: September 2009

The collagen triple helix has a larger accessible surface area per molecular mass than globular proteins, and therefore potentially more water interaction sites. The effect of deuterium oxide on the stability of collagen model peptides and Type I collagen molecules was analyzed by circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. The transition temperatures (Tm) of the protonated peptide (Pro‐Pro‐Gly)10 were 25.4 and 28.7°C in H2O and D2O, respectively. The increase of the Tm of (Pro‐Pro‐Gly)10 measured calorimetrically at 1.0°C min−1 in a low pH solution from the protonated to the deuterated solvent was 5.1°C. The increases of the Tm for (Gly‐Pro‐4(R)Hyp)9 and pepsin‐extracted Type I collagen were measured as 4.2 and 2.2°C, respectively. These results indicated that the increase in the Tm in the presence of D2O is comparable to that of globular proteins, and much less than reported previously for collagen model peptides [Gough and Bhatnagar, J Biomol Struct Dyn 1999, 17, 481–491]. These experimental results suggest that the interaction of water molecules with collagen is similar to the interaction of water with globular proteins, when the ratio of collagen to water is very small and collagen is monomerically dispersed in the solvent. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 93–101, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com