bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic performance of electric transmission network under component failures
Authors: Shinozuka M. , Dong X. , Chen T. C. , Jin X.
Published: January 2007

Dealing with the transmission network of electric power systems, this paper identifies the sequential failures of receiving station components under a severe earthquake. Such failures progressively degrade the power network performance, potentially leading to a network blackout. Hence, in this paper, these components are incorporated into the network systems analysis taking their seismic vulnerability into consideration in the form of fragility curves for the evaluation of the network performance under seismic conditions. Specifically, most critical to the operation of transmission network, transformers, disconnect switches, circuit breakers and buses are integrated into the systems analysis, exploring the possibility of progressive failures of these components. The scenarios of these component failures can make it possible to estimate quantitatively direct cost of damage, emergency repair and restoration, and duration of power interruption and attendant economic losses and societal disruption. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pure aluminium shear panels as dissipative devices in moment‐resisting steel frames
Authors: De Matteis G. , Mazzolani F. M. , Panico S.
Published: January 2007

The use of energy dissipation systems for the seismic control of steel structures represents a valid alternative to conventional seismic design methods. The seismic devices currently employed are mostly based on the metallic yielding technology due to the large feasibility and efficiency they can provide. Within this context, in the current paper an innovative solution based on the adoption of low‐yield‐strength pure aluminium shear panels (SPs) for seismic protection of steel moment‐resisting frames is proposed and investigated. In order to prove the effectiveness of the system, a wide numerical study based on both static and dynamic non‐linear analyses has been carried out, considering a number of different frame‐to‐shear panel combinations, aiming at assessing the effect of the main influential parameters on the seismic response of the structure. The obtained results show that the contribution provided by aluminium SPs is rather significant, allowing a remarkable improvement of the seismic performance of the structure in terms of stiffness, strength and ductility, with the possibility to strongly limit the damage occurring in the members of moment‐resisting frames. In particular, it is clearly emphasized that the stiffening effect provided by SPs allows a more rational design procedure to be adopted, since the serviceability limit state check does not lead to unavoidable and uneconomical increase of the size of main structural members. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the dynamic rating of overhead transmission lines
Authors: Saied Mohamed M.
Published: January 2007

This paper addresses the achievable advantage of the dynamic rating of overhead power lines based on the continuous monitoring of the ambient temperature and wind speed. Starting from their measured profiles on a typical summer day, the corresponding possible current loading of the line could be determined over the 24 hours. It is then compared with the conventional line rating calculated using the maximum daily temperature and the typically assumed value of 0.6 m/s for the wind speed. The additional daily transmitted energy resulting from the dynamic line rating (DLR) could be found. The procedure is applied to lines of different conductor radii. Results indicate an achievable increase in the daily transmitted energy of about 40%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy and safety of donepezil over 3 years: an open‐label, multicentre study in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Burns A. , Gauthier S. , Perdomo C.
Published: January 2007

Objective

This 132‐week, open‐label extension study assessed the long‐term efficacy and safety of donepezil in 579 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) who had previously participated in a 24‐week double‐blind study of 5 or 10 mg/day donepezil vs placebo.

Method

Patients enrolled in the present study had a 6‐week single‐blind placebo washout period followed by treatment with donepezil 5 mg/day for 6 weeks with an optional increase in dosage to 10 mg/day between weeks 6 and 32.

Results

After 6 weeks of open‐label treatment with donepezil 5 mg/day, mean Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale—cognitive subscale scores (ADAS‐cog) improved by approximately two points, while after 12 weeks of open‐label treatment (with a majority of patients receiving 10 mg/day), the mean ADAS‐cog score was 1 point better than the score at the end of the placebo washout period. Scores then declined gradually over the remainder of the study. Mean changes in Clinical Dementia Rating‐Sum of Boxes scores showed slight improvement over the first 12 weeks of open‐label treatment and then slowly declined for the remainder of the study period. Donepezil was well tolerated over the entire 162‐week study period. Overall, 85% of patients experienced at least one adverse event (AE). The most common included diarrhoea (12%), nausea (11%), infection (11%) and accidental injury (10%). Some patients discontinued the study due to AEs (15%).

Conclusions

These results support the conclusion that donepezil is safe and effective for the long‐term treatment of patients with mild to moderate AD. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction and validation of a patient‐ and user‐friendly nursing home version of the Geriatric Depression Scale
Authors: Jongenelis K. , Gerritsen D. L. , Pot A. M. , Beekman A. T. F. , Eisses A. M. H. , Kluiter H. , Ribbe M. W.
Published: January 2007

Objective

To construct a patient‐ and user‐friendly shortened version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) that is especially suitable for nursing home patients.

Methods

The study was carried out on two different data bases including 23 Dutch nursing homes. Data on the GDS (n = 410), the Mini Mental State Examination (n = 410) and a diagnostic interview (SCAN; n = 333), were collected by trained clinicians. Firstly, the items of the GDS‐15 were judged on their clinical applicability by three clinical experts. Subsequently, items that were identified as unsuitable were removed using the data of the Assess project (n = 77), and internal consistency was calculated. Secondly, with respect to criterion validity (sensitivity, specitivity, area under ROC and positive and negative predictive values), the newly constructed shortened GDS was validated in the AGED data set (n = 333), using DSM‐IV diagnosis for depression as measured by the SCAN as ‘gold standard’.

Results

The eight‐item GDS that resulted from stage 1 showed good internal consistency in both the Assess data set (α = 0.86) and the AGED dataset (α = 0.80). In the AGED dataset, high sensitivity rates of 96.3% for major depression and 83.0% for minor depression were found, with a specificity rate of 71.7% at a cut‐off point of 2/3.

Conclusion

The GDS‐8 has good psychometric properties. Given that the GDS‐8 is less burdening for the patient, more comfortable to use and less time consuming, it may be a more feasible screening test for the frail nursing home population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive performance in elderly women: significance of the 19bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5′ flank of the dopamine beta‐hydroxylase gene, educational level, body fat measures, serum triglyceride, alcohol consumption and age
Authors: Togsverd Mads , Werge Thomas M. , Tankó Laszlo B. , Bagger Yu Z. , Qin George G. , Hansen Thomas , Christiansen Claus , Rasmussen Henrik B.
Published: January 2007

Background

Genetic and environmental factors influence cognitive aging. The gene encoding dopamine beta‐hydroxylase (DBH) could be one such factor since this hydroxylase converts dopamine to norepinephrine both of which are involved in cognition regulation.

Objective

To assess the effect of the 19bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5′ flank of the DBH gene on cognitive performance in elderly women relative to other factors of cognitive aging.

Methods

We examined a cross‐sectional sample of 1371 postmenopausal women. Cognitive abilities were assessed by the 6‐item orientation‐memory‐concentration test. The 19bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of the DBH gene was genotyped and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele status was determined. In addition blood pressure, body fat mass and blood lipids were measured. Information was also obtained by personal interviews. Data were analyzed by regression analysis.

Results

Cognition was univariately associated with DBH genotype (p = 0.04). A univariate association of borderline significance was observed for APOE ε4 allele status (p = 0.07). Exclusion of women with severe cognition impairment did not alter the strength of the association with the DBH gene polymorphism markedly (p = 0.06) but obliterated the weak association between APOE ε4 allele status and cognition. The association of the DBH gene polymorphism with cognition persisted after adjustment for other variables (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

The 19bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of the DBH gene influences cognition in elderly women and might have a stronger effect than APOE ε4 allele status on mild cognitive impairment. Both genetic polymorphisms had a significantly smaller impact on cognition than age, education, alcohol consumption and body fat measures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visible‐laser desorption/ionization on gold nanostructures
Authors: Chen L. C. , Yonehama J. , Ueda T. , Hori H. , Hiraoka K.
Published: January 2007

In this report, we describe the visible‐laser desorption/ionization of biomolecules deposited on gold‐coated porous silicon and gold nanorod arrays. The porous silicon made by electrochemical etching was coated with gold using argon ion sputtering. The gold nanorod arrays were fabricated by electrodepositing gold onto a porous alumina template, and the subsequent partial removal of the alumina template. A frequency‐doubled/tripled Nd : YAG laser was used to irradiate the gold nanostructured substrate, and the desorbed molecular ions were mass‐analyzed by a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. The desorption/ionization of biomolecules for both substrates was favored by the use of the 532‐nm visible‐laser, which is in the range of the localized surface plasmon resonance of the gold nanostructure. The present technique offers a potential analytical method for low‐molecular‐weight analytes that are rather difficult to handle in the conventional matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photobleaching of Ga2S3-GeS2 films prepared with pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Tverjanovich A , Kotikova A , Borisov E N
Published: January 2007

Influence of the illumination with energy above band gap on optical properties of the thin (x)(Ga2S3)(1-x)(GeS2) films prepared with Pulsed Laser Deposition was investigated. Observed photo-induced bleaching is due to photo-oxidation of Ge and possible Ga atoms. Increasing of Ga content in the film results in increasing of the bleaching effect. This process is limited by the rate of diffusion of oxygen.
Assembly of Polyaniline Nanostructures
Authors: Wang Jixiao , Wang Junsheng , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Zhi
Published: January 2007

Polyaniline nanostructures (nanosheets, nanofibers, and nanoparticles) can be assembled at the organic/aqueous interface or in solution by controlling the diffusion rate and the polymerization induction time of aniline. The quality of polyaniline nanostructures is determined by the polymerization solution conditions. Polyaniline nanosheets formation mechanism was proposed. Under certain polymerization conditions, polyaniline nanofibers or/and nanoparticles were obtained.

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Autophagy, organelles and ageing
Authors: Terman A , Gustafsson B , Brunk UT
Published: January 2007

As a result of insufficient digestion of oxidatively damaged macromolecules and organelles by autophagy and other degradative systems, long‐lived postmitotic cells, such as cardiac myocytes, neurons and retinal pigment epithelial cells, progressively accumulate biological ‘garbage’ (‘waste’ materials). The latter include lipofuscin (a non‐degradable intralysosomal polymeric substance), defective mitochondria and other organelles, and aberrant proteins, often forming aggregates (aggresomes). An interaction between senescent lipofuscin‐loaded lysosomes and mitochondria seems to play a pivotal role in the progress of cellular ageing. Lipofuscin deposition hampers autophagic mitochondrial turnover, promoting the accumulation of senescent mitochondria, which are deficient in ATP production but produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species. Increased oxidative stress, in turn, further enhances damage to both mitochondria and lysosomes, thus diminishing adaptability, triggering mitochondrial and lysosomal pro‐apoptotic pathways, and culminating in cell death. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproductive ageing in women
Authors: Djahanbakhch O , Ezzati M , Zosmer A
Published: January 2007

The traditional view in respect to female reproduction is that the number of oocytes at birth is fixed and continuously declines towards the point when no more oocytes are available after menopause. In this review we briefly discuss the embryonic development of female germ cells and ovarian follicles. The ontogeny of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis is then discussed, with a focus on pubertal transition and normal ovulatory menstrual cycles during female adult life. Biochemical markers of menopausal transition are briefly examined. We also examine the effects of age on female fertility, the contribution of chromosomal abnormalities of the oocyte to the observed decline in female fertility with age and the possible biological basis for the occurrence of such abnormalities. Finally, we consider the effects of maternal age on obstetric complications and perinatal outcome. New data that have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of mammalian oogenesis and follicular formation, and of the female reproductive ageing process, are also briefly considered. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Pullulanase Debranching of Sago (Metroxylon sagu) Starch at Subgelatinization Temperature on the Yield of Resistant Starch
Authors: Leong Yin H. , Karim Alias A. , Norziah Mond H.
Published: January 2007

The effects of pullulanase debranching of sago (Metroxylon sagu) starch in the granular state and subsequent physical treatments on the formation and yield of type III resistant starch (RS 3) have been investigated. Sago starch was enzymatically debranched with pullulanase at 60°C and at pH 5.0 using different enzyme concentrations (24, 30, 40, 50 PUN/g dry starch) which was added to 20% (w/v) starch slurry and incubated for 0 to 48 h. Optimum enzyme concentration of 40 PUN/g dry starch and three debranching times (8, 16 and 24 h) have been selected for subsequent preparation of RS. Granule morphology and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the debranched and resistant starch were examined. Debranched starch samples showed blurred birefringence patterns, a decrease in amylopectin fraction, an increase in low molecular weight fraction and a broadening of MWD. Debranched starch samples with a maximum RS yield of 7% were obtained at 8 h debranching time. Temperature cycling and incubation at certain temperature and storage time enhanced the formation of RS. Under the conditions used in this study, the optimum conditions to obtain the highest RS yield (11.6%) were 8 h of debranching time, followed by incubation at 80°C for seven days. The MWD analysis showed that RS consisted of material with relatively low degree of polymerization. This study showed that pullulanase treatment of starch in the granular state resulted in limited debranching of amylopectin but the subsequent physical treatments (incubation time/temperature) can be manipulated to promote crystallization and enhance formation of RS 3.
Synthesis, Molecular Structure and Coordination Chemistry of the First 1‐Aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes
Authors: Karasik Andrey A. , Naumov Roman N. , Spiridonova Yulia S. , Sinyashin Oleg G. , Lönnecke Peter , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: January 2007

The first representatives of a novel type of cyclic bis‐phosphines, namely, 1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes (4, 5), were synthesized by condensation of 1,3‐bis(arylphosphino)propanes (2, 3; aryl = phenyl or mesityl), formaldehyde and 5‐aminoisophthalic acid. Only the meso isomers were obtained, in good to satisfactory yield. The cyclic bis‐phosphines readily form P,P chelate complexes (6, 7) with [PtCl2(cod)] (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene). The bisphosphine 4 and the corresponding complex 6 are soluble in water in the presence of two equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide. The molecular structures of 1‐(meta‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐3,7‐dimesityl‐1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes (5) and cis‐{P,P‐1‐(meta‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐3,7‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctane}dichloroplatinum(II) (6) are reported.
Synthese und Struktur der basischen Erdalkalinitrate Sr2(OH)3NO3 und Ba2(OH)3NO3
Authors: Dill Simone , Gibson Katharina , Glaser Jochen , Tragl Sonja , Meyer H.‐Jürgen
Published: January 2007

Synthesis and Structure of the Basic Alkaline Earth Nitrates Sr2(OH)3NO3 and Ba2(OH)3NO3

Sr2(OH)3NO3 and Ba2(OH)3NO3 were synthesized from mixtures of freshly prepared strontium or barium hydroxides and their corresponding nitrates in evacuated quartz glass ampoules at 420 °C and 360 °C, respectively. Single crystals of Sr2(OH)3NO3 were obtained in a solidified Sr(NO3)2 melt after subsequent heating and cooling cycles in air up to 600 °C. The crystal structure of the strontium compound was refined from single crystal and powder X‐ray data. Sr2(OH)3NO3 crystallizes hexagonally in the space group $\rm P{\bar 6}\rm 2m$ (No. 189) with Z = 1 and the lattice parameters a = 6.624(2) Å and c = 3.560(1) Å (single crystal data). The powder pattern of Ba2(OH)3NO3 was indexed isotypically to Sr2(OH)3NO3 with the lattice parameters a = 6.9260(1) Å and c = 3.8086(1) Å, and the crystal structure was refined from powder X‐ray data. Alkaline earth ions in the structures are surrounded trigonal‐prismatically by six hydroxide ions. These prisms are sharing their trigonal faces along [001] building up columns. These columns are connected in the ab‐plane by shared edges, and form hexagonal tunnels with the nitrate groups stacked inside. Infrared and thermoanalytical data of Sr2(OH)3NO3 are presented.
Adducts of NaOSiMePh2 Oligomers with THF and Cyclopentadienyl Iron Dicarbonyl Dimer
Authors: Kückmann Theresa I. , Bolte Michael , Wagner Matthias , Lerner Hans‐Wolfram
Published: January 2007

The sodium siloxide NaOSiMePh2 is accessible from the reaction of Ph2MeSiOH with sodium. The crystal structures of three hexameric double heterocubane compounds containing NaOSiMePh2, one without additional donors and one each supported by THF and [CpFe(CO)2]2 are described. Using an excess of THF results in the formation of tetrameric sodium siloxide NaOSiMePh2. The structures of (NaOSiMePh2)4·(THF)4 (Aba2) and (NaOSiMePh2)4·2[CpFe(CO)2]2 (I41/acd) feature a heterocubane structure.
Extraction of Lipids from Municipal Wastewater Plant Microorganisms for Production of Biodiesel
Authors: Dufreche Stephen , Hernandez R. , French T. , Sparks D. , Zappi M. , Alley E.
Published: January 2007

Municipal wastewater treatment plants in the USA produce over 6.2 × 106 t of dried sewage sludge every year. This microorganism‐rich sludge is often landfilled or used as fertilizer. Recent restrictions on the use of sewage sludge, however, have resulted in increased disposal problems. Extraction of lipids from sludge yields an untapped source of cheap feedstock for biodiesel production. Solvents used for extraction in this study include n‐hexane, methanol, acetone, and supercritical CO2. The gravimetric yield of oil was low for nonpolar solvents, but use of polar solvents gave a considerably increased yield; however, the percentage of saponifiable material was less. Extraction of lipids with a mixture of n‐hexane, methanol, and acetone gave the largest conversion to biodiesel compared with other solvent systems, 4.41% based on total dry weight of sludge. In situ transesterification of dried sludge resulted in a yield of 6.23%. If a 10% dry weight yield of fatty acid methyl esters is assumed, the amount of biodiesel available for production in the USA is 1.4 × 106 m3/year. Outfitting 50% of municipal wastewater plants for lipid extraction and transesterification could result in enough biodiesel production to replace 0.5% of the national petroleum diesel demand (0.7 × 106 m3).
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Films Based on Hydroxylated Soybean Oils
Authors: Brasil Márcia Campos , Gerbase Annelise Engel , de Luca Maria Augusta , Gregório José Ribeiro
Published: January 2007

Hybrid organic–inorganic films were prepared using four different hydroxylated soybean oils (HSO) or epoxidized soybean oil as organic precursor and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as inorganic precursor in a mass ratio of HSO:TEOS of 90:10. The films were macroscopically homogeneous and were characterized by swelling and extraction in solvent, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), adhesion and hardness. Their properties varied as a function of the number of OH groups present in the HSO. The best hybrid system was HSOF198/TEOS, with an OH value of 198 mg of KOH/g, which presents lower swelling coefficient, very good adhesion on aluminium surface and good hardness.
Trauma and defense style as response predictors of pharmacological treatment in panic patients
Authors: Kipper Letícia , Blaya Carolina , Wachleski Cláudia , Dornelles Marina , Salum Giovanni Abrahão , Heldt Elizeth , Manfro Gisele G.
Published: January 2007

Background

As panic disorder (PD) has a chronic course, it is important to identify predictors that might be related to non-remission. The aim of this study is to verify whether history of trauma and defense style are predictors to pharmacological treatment response in PD patients.

Method

The sample was composed by 47 PD patients according to DSM-IV who were treated with sertraline for 16 weeks. Evaluations were assessed by the C.G.I. (Clinical Global Impression), the Hamilton-Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton-Depression Scale, the Panic Inventory and the DSQ-40 (Defense Style Questionnaire) at baseline and after treatment.

Results

Full remission was observed in 61.7% of the sample. The predictors significantly associated with non-remission were: severity of PD (p = 0.012), age of onset (p = 0.02) and immature defenses (p = 0.032). In addition, the history of trauma was associated with early onset of PD (p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Panic patients had as predictors of worse response to pharmacological treatment the early onset and the severity of PD symptoms as well as the use of immature defenses at baseline. This finding corroborates the relevance of the evaluation of factors that might affect the response so as to enable the development of appropriate treatment for each patient.
Two distinct modes of myosin assembly and dynamics during epithelial wound closure
Authors: Tamada Masako , Perez Tomas D. , Nelson W. James , Sheetz Michael P.
Published: January 2007

Actomyosin contraction powers the sealing of epithelial sheets during embryogenesis and wound closure; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. After laser ablation wounding of Madin–Darby canine kidney cell monolayers, we observed distinct steps in wound closure from time-lapse images of myosin distribution during resealing. Immediately upon wounding, actin and myosin II regulatory light chain accumulated at two locations: (1) in a ring adjacent to the tight junction that circumscribed the wound and (2) in fibers at the base of the cell in membranes extending over the wound site. Rho-kinase activity was required for assembly of the myosin ring, and myosin II activity was required for contraction but not for basal membrane extension. As it contracted, the myosin ring moved toward the basal membrane with ZO-1 and Rho-kinase. Thus, we suggest that tight junctions serve as attachment points for the actomyosin ring during wound closure and that Rho-kinase is required for localization and activation of the contractile ring.
Yeast Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Assay
Authors: Tansey William P.
Published: January 2007

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes a method for the detection of proteins bound to specific regions of chromatin in yeast. There are many variations of this assay.
Introduction of Caged Peptide/Protein into Cells Using Bead Loading: Figure 1.
Authors: Humphrey David , Rajfur Zenon , Imperiali Barbara , Marriott Gerald , Roy Partha , Jacobson Ken
Published: January 2007

INTRODUCTION

Activation and inactivation of proteins using photoactivation of caged peptides or proteins offers insights into cellular dynamics not achievable using genetic means. The ability to selectively alter the activity of a specific protein at a defined time and location inside a cell allows the correlation of changes in protein activity and cellular behavior. A caged compound, peptide, or protein is prepared by covalently linking it to a photolabile, protecting group via a limited number of critical functional groups in the biomolecules. Under carefully defined conditions, a brief irradiation with UV light (320-400 nm) can lead to an intramolecular photoisomerization reaction that induces the cleavage of the chemical bond between the cage group and the unmodified, biologically active species. Three strategies can be used to introduce caged compounds into cells: cell-permeant peptide vectors, bead loading, and microinjection. In bead loading, cells are bathed in a medium containing the peptide/protein of interest. Glass beads are then sprinkled onto the cells. The beads create temporary holes in the cell membranes, allowing some of the peptide molecules to enter cells at random. Due to the low efficiency of this technique, a large amount of protein or peptide is needed to label a relatively small number of cells. If the peptides or proteins are not fluorescent, it is useful to co-load the cells with an inert fluorescent marker, such as rhodamine dextran, to indicate successful loading. A representative bead-loading protocol using fish keratocytes is given here.
Extraction of Total Protein from Arabidopsis
Authors: Larkin Rob
Published: January 2007

INTRODUCTION

The functions of most Arabidopsis genes cannot be understood simply by studying the expression patterns of their mRNAs. The level of a protein may not be closely correlated with the level of the corresponding mRNA, or a protein may need to be modified to be active. Furthermore, the function of proteins often depends on specific subcellular localization, so knowledge of this can exclude some hypotheses about possible function. The simplest way to analyze proteins is in unfractionated extracts. However, it is often desirable to fractionate proteins, e.g, by size. This procedure extracts total protein from Arabidopsis samples. Typical yields are ~2-3 mg/ml (using rosette leaves) or 6-8 mg/ml (using young seedlings).
Protein Coimmunoprecipitation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Serino Giovanna , Deng Xing-Wang
Published: January 2007

INTRODUCTION

Coimmunoprecipitation is one of the most useful techniques for revealing protein-protein interactions. Briefly, it can be divided into three steps: (1) preparation of cell extracts without disruption of protein interactions; (2) formation of the antibody-antigen complexes; and (3) affinity purification of the protein complexes and subsequent detection. Good negative controls to verify the specificity of the coimmunoprecipitation procedure are (1) performing the same immunoprecipitation experiment using beads coupled to the preimmune serum and (2) probing the Western blot with antibodies against protein known not to interact with the coimmunoprecipitated proteins under physiological conditions.
Does mini‐incision donor nephrectomy improve quality of life in living kidney donors?
Authors: Schnitzbauer Andreas A. , Hornung Matthias , Seidel Ulrike , Krüger Bernd , Krämer Bernhard K. , Schlitt Hans J. , Obed Aiman
Published: January 2007

Abstract: Background:  Living kidney donation helps to avoid or reduce the time period of dialysis and on waiting lists in patients requiring a new organ. Mini‐incision donor nephrectomy (MIDN) shows to result in better clinical outcome in comparison with traditional open donor nephrectomy (ODN). This study was performed to evaluate the impact of different surgical procedures on the quality of life (QoL) in patients that underwent donor nephrectomy.

Methods:  The aim of the study was to detect differences in QoL assessed with the Short Form‐36 Version 2 (SF‐36v2) questionnaire between MIDN (n = 34) and ODN (n = 36). Furthermore, the development of QoL from prior to surgery until one yr afterwards, as well as outcomes of QoL in comparison with norm‐based scores was investigated.

Results:  Sixty‐one of 70 patients, which is 87% (MIDN: 86%, ODN: 88%) resent a whole set questionnaires. QoL was similar at all time‐points (prior to surgery, one wk, three months and one yr) in both groups. A tendency of better QoL in MIDN (Bodily Pain) after one wk was detectable (p = 0.075). Physical Component Summaries (PCS) significantly decreased from prior to surgery until one wk after surgery (p = 0.001) and improved significantly until three months (MIDN: p = 0.006, ODN: p = 0.001) and also until one yr after surgery (p = 0.002). Mental Component Summaries (MCS) were stable throughout the whole investigated time period. In comparison with norm‐based scores, MIDN (p = 0.005) and ODN (p = 0.001) showed significantly higher PCS prior to, lower scores one wk after (p = 0.001), similar scores three months after and better scores (MIDN: p = 0.023, ODN: 0.015) one yr after surgery. Mental Component Scores were similar in both prior to and one wk after surgery. After three months and one yr scores were significantly better in MIDN (three months: p = 0.049, one yr: p = 0.037) and ODN (three months: 0.020, one yr: 0.073).

Conclusion:  Quality of life after living donor nephrectomy is not influenced by the surgical technique. Nevertheless the standardized instrument of the SF‐36v2 Health Survey is a useful, practicable and universally interpretable tool to gain and estimate recovery from surgical procedures in the perioperative period and its development thereafter.
Nateglinide improves postprandial hyperglycemia and insulin secretion in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Voytovich Monica Hagen , Haukereid Cecilie , Hjelmesæth Jøran , Hartmann Anders , Løvik Astrid , Jenssen Trond
Published: January 2007

Abstract: Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) frequently occurs among renal transplant recipients (RTR). Reduced early insulin response (EIR) after a meal leads to impaired suppression of endogenous glucose production and subsequently PPHG, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Nateglinide is a rapid acting insulin secretagogue inducing an EIR after a meal. Our main objective was to investigate the safety and effect of nateglinide treatment on postprandial plasma glucose excursions and insulin secretion in RTR with PPHG.

Patients and methods: A total of 14 Caucasian RTR with new‐onset diabetes mellitus (NODM; n = 6) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 8) were included. The insulin response and glucose excursions were measured for 240 min after a standardized liquid meal at baseline and after two‐wk treatment with nateglinide.

Results: Treatment with nateglinide was followed by a significant decrease in mean two‐h plasma glucose from 10.5 mmol/L (3.1) to 7.6 mmol/L (2.1; p < 0.001) and a decline in total postprandial area under the curve (AUC) of glucose concentration (p < 0.001). Both estimated EIR and the late insulin response increased significantly (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003, respectively). No serious adverse event was observed during the study period.

Conclusions: Treating RTR with nateglinide for two‐wk significantly improved PPHG, increased the insulin response following a standardized meal and was well tolerated.
Longer survival of liver transplant recipients with hepatitis virus coinfections
Authors: Rifai Kinan , Wedemeyer Heiner , Rosenau Jens , Klempnauer Jürgen , Strassburg Christian P. , Manns Michael P. , Tillmann Hans L.
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  Hepatitis virus coinfections [HBV plus HCV coinfection (HBV/HCV) or HBV plus HDV coinfection (HBV/HDV)] may progress more rapidly to cirrhosis than hepatitis B or C monoinfections in immunocompetent patients. Only limited information is available on the outcome of coinfected patients after liver transplantation. We studied survival rates of 204 patients with viral hepatitis transplanted at our center between 1972 and 1997. HBV/HDV and HBV/HCV coinfections were present in 23 and nine individuals, respectively, while 97 patients had monoinfection by HCV and 75 had HBV monoinfection. Survival of coinfected patients was significantly longer than that of monoinfected patients (14.4 ± 0.9 vs. 8.5 ± 0.6 yr; p = 0.0003). The same was true for graft survival (p = 0.0002). In Cox's regression, viral coinfection (p = 0.0001), absence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (p = 0.00001) and no retransplantation (p = 0.02) were independently associated with patient survival. After exclusion of patients with HCC (n = 62), survival of coinfected patients was still significantly longer than that of monoinfected individuals (p = 0.002). The improved outcome was similar for both HBV/HDV and HBV/HCV coinfections. In contrast to immunocompetent patients, individuals with multiple hepatitis virus infections had an improved outcome after liver transplantation. Thus, viral coinfections may be associated with ameliorated courses of diseases under certain conditions.
Political Economy and the Study of Britain and European Integration: A Global-National Perspective
Authors: Gifford Chris
Published: January 2007

An extensive range of evidence and analysis has been employed to understand the complex relationship between Britain and the process of European integration. This article builds on a body of work within the study of European integration that examines British economic interests in European policy-making. However, I show that a comprehensive explanation of this relationship requires the application of a politico-economic analysis on national articulations of global and transnational processes. It is, I propose, Britain's distinctive insertion into the global economy that enables us to understand and explain Britain's problematic relationship to the processes of European integration. This is explored through an analytic narrative of Britain's historical relationship to the process of European integration. From a broad comparative perspective, I emphasise the exceptional character of Britain's globalised political economy.
Identifying Cutaneous Allodynia in Chronic Migraine Using a Practical Clinical Method
Authors: Ashkenazi A , Sholtzow M , Shaw JW , Burstein R , Young WB
Published: January 2007

Cutaneous allodynia is common in migraine. In the majority of previous studies on allodynia in migraine, only patients with episodic migraine (EM) were included. Little is known on patterns of allodynia in chronic migraine (CM). Since the presence of allodynia is associated with a poor response to triptans, a clinically practical method to test migraine patients for allodynia would be useful to the clinician. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dynamic mechanical (brush) allodynia (BA) in CM, using a clinically practical method. Eighty-nine CM patients were prospectively recruited. Patients were given a structured questionnaire regarding demographic data and migraine characteristics. Allodynia was tested using a 10 x 10-cm gauze pad to brush various areas of the skin lightly. The prevalence of BA in the entire study population and in different patient subgroups was calculated. BA was present in 42.7% (38/89) of the patients. The presence of allodynia was unrelated to age, disease duration or to the occurrence of an acute headache exacerbation at the time of testing. Allodynia was positively associated with a history of migraine aura. BA was most common in the cephalic area, but was also seen in cervical dermatomes. BA is common in CM and, unlike in EM, is not significantly affected by the occurrence of an acute headache exacerbation. This suggests that central trigeminovascular neurons are chronically sensitized in patients experiencing migraine headache >15 days per month. The testing of BA in the clinical setting is possible using a simple and brief approach. It allows the clinician to determine whether the patient is sensitized, a diagnosis that affects treatment decisions.
Mitogenic bovine whey extract modulates matrix metalloproteinase‐2, ‐9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 levels in chronic leg ulcers
Authors: Varelias Antiopi , Cowin Allison J. , Adams Damian , Harries Richard H. C. , Cooter Rodney D. , Belford David A. , Fitridge Robert A. , Rayner, PhD Timothy E.
Published: January 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors play important roles in the wound‐healing process. An imbalance in the expression of these molecules is thought to contribute to the failure of chronic ulcers to heal. We investigated whether a mitogenic bovine whey extract enriched with growth factors modulated the expression and activity of MMP‐2 and ‐9, and the tissue inhibitor of MMP‐2 (TIMP‐2) in chronic leg ulcers. Wound fluids and biopsies were collected from chronic leg ulcer patients whose ulcers were treated topically for 4 weeks with placebo or mitogenic bovine whey extract at concentrations of 2.5, 10, and 20 mg/mL. The levels of MMP‐2 and ‐9 in wound fluid samples was assessed by gelatin zymography and showed a decrease in active MMP‐2 in the 2.5 and 10.0 mg/mL mitogenic bovine whey extract‐treated ulcers compared with placebo (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of ulcer biopsies for MMP‐2, ‐9, and TIMP‐2 expression showed a reduction in the number of MMP‐2–positive dermal fibroblasts in the mitogenic bovine whey extract‐treated ulcers compared with pretreatment biopsies (p<0.05) that persisted over the course of the study. In contrast, a transient increase in the number of MMP‐9– and TIMP‐2–positive cells was observed in mitogenic bovine whey extract treated ulcer biopsies compared with pretreatment levels (p<0.05). These results show that topical application of mitogenic bovine whey extract was able to modulate the expression of MMP‐2, ‐9, and TIMP‐2 in chronic leg ulcers and that its constituent growth factors may have the potential to redress the proteolytic imbalance observed in nonhealing chronic ulcers.
Therapeutic Use of Citrulline in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Romero Maritza J. , Platt Daniel H. , Caldwell Ruth B. , Caldwell R. William
Published: January 2007

L‐citrulline is the natural precursor of L‐arginine, substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the production of NO. Supplemental administration L‐arginine has been shown to be effective in improving NO production and cardiovascular function in cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, diabetic vascular disease and ischemia‐reperfusion injury, but the beneficial actions do not endure with chronic therapy. Substantial intestinal and hepatic metabolism of L‐arginine to ornithine and urea by arginase makes oral delivery very ineffective. Additionally, all of these disease states as well as supplemental L‐arginine enhance arginase expression and activity, thus reducing the effectiveness of L‐arginine therapy. In contrast, L‐citrulline is not metabolized in the intestine or liver and does not induce tissue arginase, but rather inhibits its activity. L‐citrulline entering the kidney, vascular endothelium and other tissues can be readily converted to L‐arginine, thus raising plasma and tissue levels of L‐arginine and enhancing NO production. Supplemental L‐citrulline has promise as a therapeutic adjunct in disease states associated with L‐arginine deficiencies.
The Good, the Bad, and the Unfamiliar: The Challenges of Reputation Formation Facing New Firms
Authors: Fischer Eileen , Reuber Rebecca
Published: January 2007

How do new firms first develop reputations among their stakeholders? Past studies offer insights on positive signals that a new firm can send, but say little about how stakeholder group members process such signals and come to share beliefs that a new firm possesses a desirable set of attributes. This process is particularly important to understand given that both negative and positive signals are often received about new firms. Our article draws on social cognition theories to develop insights regarding the process by which stakeholder groups develop reputational beliefs about new firms and to identify factors that facilitate or impede the development of reputations.
Inertial Motions during the Transient Adjustment of a Density Anomaly in the Equatorial Ocean with Application to the Western Pacific Warm Pool
Authors: Le Sommer J. , Scherer E. , Zeitlin V.
Published: January 2007

This paper is focused on the spontaneous transient adjustment of a buoyant lens of water with uniform density, initially at rest in the vicinity of the equator. For parameters typical of the western Pacific warm pool, the adjustment is shown to generate finite-amplitude wave motions with period ∼8 days, which are not covered by the standard theory of linear equatorial waves. This mechanism may be at the origin of inertial motions at the early stages of ENSO events in the western Pacific Ocean. The lens adjustment is studied within the 11/2-layer reduced-gravity approximation on the equatorial β plane, using the high-resolution finite-volume numerical methods that are specially designed to handle outcropping isopycnals. Under the reduced-gravity approximation, a buoyant region of light water with outcropping boundaries in the vicinity of the equator is described by two parameters: the meridional-to-zonal scale aspect ratio δ and the ratio γ of the Coriolis force to the pressure force on its meridional boundary. For realistic parameters (δ ∼ 10−1; γ ∼ 1), the lens, initially at rest, spreads eastward in accord with nonrotating gravity current dynamics, whereas its westward extrusion is arrested so that the western edge splits into two anticyclonic vortices. Meanwhile finite-amplitude westward-propagating inertial wave motions develop at the interface between the spreading current and the ambient fluid. The inertial wave structure is shown to be consistent with the structure of stable wave modes predicted by linear analysis of small amplitude perturbations superimposed on a zonally symmetric equatorial current with outcropping isopycnals. A Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin–Jeffreys ray-tracing analysis indicates that the inertial wave is emitted during the early stage of the gravity current evolution and then dispersed on the spreading current.
Algorithms for Density, Potential Temperature, Conservative Temperature, and the Freezing Temperature of Seawater
Authors: Jackett David R. , McDougall Trevor J. , Feistel Rainer , Wright Daniel G. , Griffies Stephen M.
Published: January 2007

Algorithms are presented for density, potential temperature, conservative temperature, and the freezing temperature of seawater. The algorithms for potential temperature and density (in terms of potential temperature) are updates to routines recently published by McDougall et al., while the algorithms involving conservative temperature and the freezing temperatures of seawater are new. The McDougall et al. algorithms were based on the thermodynamic potential of Feistel and Hagen; the algorithms in this study are all based on the “new extended Gibbs thermodynamic potential of seawater” of Feistel. The algorithm for the computation of density in terms of salinity, pressure, and conservative temperature produces errors in density and in the corresponding thermal expansion coefficient of the same order as errors for the density equation using potential temperature, both being twice as accurate as the International Equation of State when compared with Feistel’s new equation of state. An inverse function relating potential temperature to conservative temperature is also provided. The difference between practical salinity and absolute salinity is discussed, and it is shown that the present practice of essentially ignoring the difference between these two different salinities is unlikely to cause significant errors in ocean models.
Incremental Analysis Update Implementation into a Sequential Ocean Data Assimilation System
Authors: Ourmières Y. , Brankart J-M. , Berline L. , Brasseur P. , Verron J.
Published: January 2007

This study deals with the enhancement of a sequential assimilation method applied to an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). A major drawback of sequential assimilation methods is the time discontinuity of the solution resulting from intermittent corrections of the model state. The data analysis step can induce shocks in the model restart phase, causing spurious high-frequency oscillations and data rejection. A method called Incremental Analysis Update (IAU) is now recognized to efficiently tackle these problems.

In the present work, an IAU-type method is implemented into an intermittent data assimilation system using a low-rank Kalman filter [Singular Evolutive Extended Kalman (SEEK)] in the case of an OGCM with a 1/3° North Atlantic grid. A 1-yr (1993) experiment has been conducted for different setups in order to evaluate the impact of the IAU scheme. Results from all of the different tests are compared with a specific interest in high-frequency output behaviors and solution consistency. The improvements brought up by the IAU implementation, such as the disappearance of spurious high-frequency oscillations and the time continuity of the solution, are shown. An overall assessment of the impact of this new approach on the assimilated runs is discussed. Advantages and drawbacks of the IAU method are pointed out.
Remote Sensing of Ocean Waves by Polarimetric SAR
Authors: He Yijun , Shen Hui , Perrie William
Published: January 2007

A new method to measure ocean wave slope spectra using fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) data was developed without the need for a complex hydrodynamic modulation transform function. There is no explicit use of a hydrodynamic modulation transfer function. This function is not clearly known and is based on hydrodynamic assumptions. The method is different from those developed by Schuler and colleagues or Pottier but complements their methods. The results estimated from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) C-band polarimetric SAR data show that the ocean wavelength, wave direction, and significant wave height are in agreement with buoy measurements. The proposed method can be employed by future satellite missions such as RADARSAT-2.