bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of a sensitive micro-Hall probe fabricated on chemical vapor deposited graphene over the temperature range from liquid-helium to room temperature
Authors: Tang Chiu-Chun , Li Ming-Yang , Li L. J. , Chi C. C. , Chen J. C.
Published: September 2011

We have investigated the transport and noise properties of a micron-sized Hall probe, fabricated on chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene, from 300 K to 4.2 K. The field sensitivity of the Hall probe was tunable within ∼0.031-0.12 Ω/G, while the field resolution could reach ∼0.43-0.09 G/Hz1/2 at room temperature. The characteristics of graphene Hall probes (GHPs) were found to be comparable to present Hall sensors. Our results indicate that the fundamental limitation of the field sensitivity and the field resolution are respectively restricted by intrinsic and extrinsic defects. Our study paves the way for the use of CVD GHPs for scanning Hall probe with high field sensitivity and submicron spatial resolution at room temperature.
Tetrahedral chalcopyrite quantum dots for solar-cell applications
Authors: Ojajärvi Juho , Räsänen Esa , Sadewasser Sascha , Lehmann Sebastian , Wagner Philipp , Ch. Lux-Steiner Martha
Published: September 2011

Chalcopyrite structures are candidates for efficient intermediate-band solar cells in thin-film technology. Here, we examine a material combination of CuInSe2 dots embedded in CuGaS2 matrix and show that epitaxial growth leads to distinctive tetrahedral nanostructures. Our model calculations provide us with the optimal nanodot size to reach the maximum efficiency—in principle up to 61%. The optimal quantum dot satisfies the known physical constraints, and it is in excellent qualitative agreement with our grown samples.
Stability of Al/Ti/Au contacts to N-polar n-GaN of GaN based vertical light emitting diode on silicon substrate
Authors: Liu Junlin , Feng Feifei , Zhou Yinhua , Zhang Jianli , Jiang Fengyi
Published: September 2011

The electrical characteristics of Al/Ti/Au contact to N-polar n-GaN on Si substrate are investigated. It was found that a pre-treatment to the surface with Ar plasma could significantly enhance the stability of Al/Ti/Au contact. Forward voltage of the pre-treated sample was stabilized at about 3.23 V upon 1000 h aging under 900 mA and room temperature. In contrast, forward voltage of the untreated sample increased from 3.52 V to 4 V after 24 h aging. Those differences between the Ar plasma treated sample and untreated sample were attributed to the increase of the VN concentrate near surface of n-GaN by the Ar plasma treatment.
Electron scattering in Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Lan H.-S. , Chen Y.-T. , Hsu William , Chang H.-C. , Lin J.-Y. , Chang W.-C. , Liu C. W.
Published: September 2011

The electron mobility of n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors using Ge/GeO2/Al2O3 gate stack on (001) Ge substrates is analyzed theoretically and experimentally. Phonon scattering, Coulomb scattering, and interface roughness scattering are taken into account. The Ge peak mobility exceeding Si universal in our device by a factor of 1.3 is due to the reduction of Coulomb scattering of the interface states. As compared to Si, the faster roll-off of the Ge mobility at the effective field larger than 0.3 MV/cm is due to larger interface roughness scattering.
Interrogating Oestrogen Receptor–DNA Interactions using Metallic Nanoparticles and Surface Plasmon Resonance Technique
Authors: Aung Khin Moh Moh , Tan Yen Nee , Desai Kartiki Vasant , Su Xiaodi
Published: September 2011

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is an important technique for real-time measurement of biomolecular interactions on the solid–liquid interface. Metallic nanoparticles (mNP) have unique optical properties arising from localized SPR. They can be used as elegant colorimetric probes for studying biomolecular interactions in homogenous solution. In this study, we used the two techniques in parallel to study the binding interactions of oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) with their response elements (ERE). First, we have validated the principle of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based colorimetric assay that protein–DNA complexes are able to provide more electrosteric forces than protein alone, using AuNP of a range of particle size (10, 20, and 50 nm) and examined particle size-dependent assay performance for detecting ERβ­­–DNA interactions. Second, we have demonstrated the ability of this AuNP assay to discriminate subtle binding affinity difference of ERβ to a mutated ERE containing a single base pair alternation relative to that with a perfect ERE sequence. The accuracy and sensitivity of the AuNP assay for detecting sequence dependent binding are found comparable with the golden standard SPR assay. Third, through a parallel study, we have compared the performance of the AuNP assay and SPR assay for measuring a protein–DNA binding event when the protein is partially denatured or has lower reactivity. We found that the AuNP assay can detect protein–DNA complex formation and determine sequence specificity more easily owing presumably to the homogenouse phase binding nature. With this study we conclude that the AuNP-based assay is a valuable complementary technique to SPR for interrogating sequence-specific protein–DNA interactions.
Investigative Study of Nucleic Acid-Gold Nanoparticle Interactions Using Laser-based Techniques, Electron Microscopy, and Resistive Pulse Sensing with a Nanopore
Authors: Low Michelle , Yu Sam , Han Ming Yong , Su Xiaodi
Published: September 2011

In this study, we employ a range of analytical tools to study the interactions between a mixed base peptide nucleic acid (PNA, 22-mer) probe and gold nanoparticles (AuNP). The binding of charge neutral PNA to citrate capped AuNP (50 nm) causes the particles to change size and/or aggregation/dispersion status in a PNA concentration-dependent manner. Under a UV-vis spectrophotometer, AuNP aggregation can be detected at PNA concentrations as high as 400 nm. Using dynamic light scattering measurement, the changing of particle sizes can be detected at a relatively low PNA concentration of 50 nm. Using a resistive pulse sensor, i.e. nanopore-based sensing platform, a particle-by-particle measurement technique, subtle changes of the AuNP size induced by PNA at very low concentrations of 5 nm can be identified. Transmission electron microscopy measurement confirmed that at very low PNA concentration, a small population of particles form a nano-assembly of NP clusters. Based on the fact that hybridization of PNA probe with target DNA is able to retard particle aggregation, we can quantify specific DNA sequences with a limit of detection ranging from 10 nm to 1 nm, depending on the characterization tools used. With this study, we show that as a complementary technique, the resistive pulse nanopore-based sensing platform provides significant resolution advantages for metal nanoparticle measurement as compared with light-based techniques.
Soybean vegetative lipoxygenases are not vacuolar storage proteins
Authors: Turner Glenn W. , Grimes Howard D. , Lange B. Markus
Published: September 2011

The paraveinal mesophyll (PVM) of soybean is a distinctive uniseriate layer of branched cells situated between the spongy and palisade chlorenchyma of leaves that contains an abundance of putative vegetative storage proteins, Vspα and Vspβ, in its vacuoles. Soybean vegetative lipoxygenases (five isozymes designated as Vlx(A–E)) have been reported to co-localise with Vsp in PVM vacuoles; however, conflicting results regarding the tissue-level and subcellular localisations of specific Vlx isozymes have been reported. We employed immuno-cytochemistry with affinity-purified, isozyme-specific antibodies to reinvestigate the subcellular locations of soybean Vlx isozymes during a sink limitation experiment. VlxB and VlxC were localised to the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of PVM cells, whereas VlxD was present in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of mesophyll chlorenchyma (MC) cells. Label was not associated with storage vacuoles or any evident protein bodies, so our results cast doubt on the hypothesis that Vlx isozymes function as vegetative storage proteins.
Ethylene inhibits darkness-induced stomatal closure by scavenging nitric oxide in guard cells of Vicia faba
Authors: Song Xi-Gui , She Xiao-Ping , Wang Juan , Sun Yi-Chao
Published: September 2011

The plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. Despite the well-known relationship between ethylene and stress signalling, the involvement of ethylene in regulating stomatal movement is not completely explored. Here, the role and association between nitric oxide (NO) reduction and the inhibition of darkness-induced stomatal closure by ethylene was studied. Physiological data are provided that both ethylene-releasing compound 2-chloroethylene phosphonic acid (ethephon, ETH) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor of ethylene, reduced the levels of NO in Vicia faba L. guard cells, and then induced stomatal opening in darkness. In addition, ACC and ETH not only reduced NO levels in guard cells caused by exogenous NO (derived from sodium nitroprusside, SNP) in light, but also abolished NO that had been generated during a dark period and promoted stomatal opening. Interestingly, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) and hemoglobin (Hb), NO scavenger and the potent scavenger of NO/carbon monoxide (CO), respectively, also reduced NO levels by SNP and darkness. However, the above-mentioned effects of ACC and ETH were dissimilar to that of nitric oxide synthase (enzyme commission 1.14.13.39) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-Arg-methyl ester (L-NAME), which could neither reduce NO levels by SNP nor abolish NO that had been generated in the dark. Thus, it is concluded that ethylene reduces the levels of NO in V. faba guard cells via a pattern of NO scavenging, then induces stomatal opening in the dark.
Identification of chromosomes controlling abscisic acid responsiveness and transcript accumulation of Cor - Lea genes in common wheat seedlings
Authors: Iehisa Julio C. M. , Kurahashi Yumeto , Takumi Shigeo
Published: September 2011

Abiotic stresses, such as cold, drought or high salinity, seriously affect plant growth and reduce yield in crop species including common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The phytohormone ABA plays important roles in plant adaptation to abiotic stress. We compared responsiveness to exogenous ABA, based on root growth inhibition by ABA, among three common wheat cultivars. Seedlings of the cultivars Cheyenne (Cnn) and Hope showed higher ABA responsiveness and higher levels of Cor (cold-responsive)–Lea (late embryogenesis abundant) gene expression than seedlings of Chinese Spring (CS). The chromosomes involved in the regulation of ABA responsiveness and Cor–Lea expression were identified using chromosome substitution lines, in which a chromosome pair of CS was substituted for the corresponding homologous pair of Cnn or Hope. In the CS–Cnn substitution lines, chromosomes 3A, 5A, 5D and 7A increased the ABA responsiveness of CS. Chromosomes 3A and 5A were also involved in the regulation of Cor–Lea gene expression and stomatal response during leaf dehydration. Substitution of CS chromosomes 3A or 5A with the respective homologous pair from Hope also enhanced ABA responsiveness and Cor–Lea expression. In addition, the factors present on chromosomes 4D and 7B of highly responsive cultivars increased Wrab17 expression but had little or no effect on ABA responsiveness. Cultivar differences in ABA responsiveness appear to be determined by genes present on these specific chromosomes in common wheat.
Timing molecular motion and production with a synthetic transcriptional clock
Authors: Franco Elisa , Friedrichs Eike , Kim Jongmin , Jungmann Ralf , Murray Richard , Winfree Erik , Simmel Friedrich C.
Published: September 2011

The realization of artificial biochemical reaction networks with unique functionality is one of the main challenges for the development of synthetic biology. Due to the reduced number of components, biochemical circuits constructed in vitro promise to be more amenable to systematic design and quantitative assessment than circuits embedded within living organisms. To make good on that promise, effective methods for composing subsystems into larger systems are needed. Here we used an artificial biochemical oscillator based on in vitro transcription and RNA degradation reactions to drive a variety of “load” processes such as the operation of a DNA-based nanomechanical device (“DNA tweezers”) or the production of a functional RNA molecule (an aptamer for malachite green). We implemented several mechanisms for coupling the load processes to the oscillator circuit and compared them based on how much the load affected the frequency and amplitude of the core oscillator, and how much of the load was effectively driven. Based on heuristic insights and computational modeling, an “insulator circuit” was developed, which strongly reduced the detrimental influence of the load on the oscillator circuit. Understanding how to design effective insulation between biochemical subsystems will be critical for the synthesis of larger and more complex systems.
Persian Local Histories: Views from the Wings
Authors: Melville Charles
Published: September 2011

The history of Iran is still told very much in terms of events on center stage. A common enough lament: the intrigues at court, the deeds—edifying or otherwise—of the ruler and his entourage, the marching of armies and squashing of revolts, the rise and fall of dynasties, these seem to be the main stuff of history. When recognized for what it is, the tossing of waves, we blame the sources for the fact that we can't see below the stormy surface. There is some truth in this, of course; the main narrative histories are notoriously palace-centered or, later, camp-followers. The regions of Iran tend to come into focus only when they are, in fact, briefly transformed into centers. An example of this is Sistan, one of the few provinces to be the subject of detailed modern studies. Even then, it tends to be the same sort of story, writ small.
Riza Shah and the Disintegration of Bakhtiyari Power in Iran, 1921–1934
Authors: Cronin Stephanie
Published: September 2011

During the years of the constitutional revolution and the Great War, Iran experienced a widespread and general reassertion of tribal power and by 1921 much of the country was under tribal control. Riza Khan's seizure of power, however, inaugurated a transformation in the relationship between the center and periphery in Iran. For the new regime and for the nationalist elite which supported it, the suppression of the tribes was an indispensable element of their larger project: the construction of a modern, centralized state, with a culturally homogeneous population. Their agenda was clear: the destruction of the autonomy and feudal authority of the tribal leaderships was to be closely followed by the subjection of the tribal populations to the unmediated power of the modernized state and their integration into settled society. From the very moment of seizing power in Tehran, the new regime embarked on a sustained effort to establish its military and administrative hegemony over the tribes.
Parafoveal Processing in Word Recognition
Authors: Kennedy Alan
Published: September 2011

Two experiments investigated the degree to which properties of a word presented in the parafovea influenced the time to process a word undergoing concurrent foveal inspection. In Experiment 1, subjects viewed a set of five-letter words at a fixed point, with words in parafoveal vision varying in length, word frequency, and both the type and token frequency of occurrence of their initial three letters. The results showed that the frequency of the target and the type frequency of its initial letters influenced foveal fixation time. In Experiment 2, subjects executed a sequence of saccades before initial fixation on the experimental items. Under these circumstances, fixation time was shorter overall. Lexical properties of parafoveal words had no effect on foveal processing, but the length and the type frequency of their initial letters exerted a strong influence. Parafoveal-on-foveal effects of this form are incompatible with models of reading in which attention is allocated sequentially to successive words. The data are more consistent with the proposition that foveal and parafoveal processing occurs in parallel, with processing distributed over a region larger than a single word. Subsidiary analyses showed little influence of any of the manipulated variables on saccade extent.
Age of Acquisition and Word Frequency in Written Picture Naming
Authors: Bonin Patrick , Fayol Michel , Chalard Marylène
Published: September 2011

This study investigates age of acquisition (AoA) and word frequency effects in both spoken and written picture naming. In the first two experiments, reliable AoA effects on object naming speed, with objective word frequency controlled for, were found in both spoken (Experiment 1) and written picture naming (Experiment 2). In contrast, no reliable objective word frequency effects were observed on naming speed, with AoA controlled for, in either spoken (Experiment 3) or written (Experiment 4) picture naming. The implications of the findings for written picture naming are briefly discussed.
Mental planning and the Tower of London task
Authors: Phillips L. H. , Wynn V. E. , McPherson S. , Gilhooly K. J.
Published: September 2011

The Tower of London (TOL) task has been used extensively as a test of planning ability in neuropsychological patients and normal populations. Participants are asked to preplan mentally a sequence of moves to match a start set of discs to a goal, and then to execute the moves one by one. The mental preplanning stage has been identified as critical to efficient performance. The current experiments examined whether manipulations of mental preplanning influence performance on the TOL. In Experiment 1, the effect of different planning instructions was examined. Those told to make full mental plans spent considerably longer in planning than participants given no specific planning instructions, yet there was no effect of instruction condition on the efficiency of executing plans. Experiment 2 investigated whether people were able to plan mentally, by looking at their ability to identify intermediate states of an optimum mental plan. Results indicated that most individuals could make accurate preplans up to two subgoals ahead, but not three. However, making an efficient preplan did not result in better subsequent execution of moves to solve the TOL trial. It is concluded that people can make effective mental plans for a limited number of moves. However, on the TOL task, mental preplanning does not offer benefits in terms of quicker performance, or more accurate solution. The nature of planning in the TOL task is therefore questioned.
Relative Importance of Perceptual and Mnemonic Variance in Human Temporal Bisection
Authors: Rodríguez-Gironés Miguel A. , Kacelnik Alex
Published: September 2011

We investigated the relative contributions of perception and reference memory to behavioural variability in a temporal discrimination with human subjects. We used two temporal bisection tasks. In both tasks each trial consisted of a sequential presentation of three intervals, two standards, and a probe, and subjects were asked to judge the similarity of each probe against the two standards. In a “single bisection”, the standards’ duration was constant across trials. In a “roving bisection”, the two standards were trial unique. We compared our results with the predictions from a model related to Scalar Expectancy Theory, with the added assumption that the decision process minimizes the expected number of errors given the information available. The model shows that if errors in reference memory were dominant the psychometric function should be identical for single and roving tasks, and if perceptual errors were dominant the psychometric function should be steeper for the single than for the roving bisection. As we found that psychometric functions were steeper for the single than for the roving tasks, we concluded that perceptual errors are dominant.
Spectroscopic measurement of temperatures in pulsed TIG welding arcs
Authors: Ma Shuiliang , Gao Hongming , Zheng Senmu , Wu Lin
Published: September 2011

Time resolved plasma temperatures in a pulsed tungsten-inert-gas (TIG) welding arc have been measured using optical emission spectroscopy. The peak and base pulse-averaged plasma temperatures both decrease with time after the arc ignition, and the plasma temperature decreases during the peak pulse period and increases during the base pulse period when the arc reaches the steady state. The decrease in the plasma temperature is associated with the increase in the cathode surface temperature and the decrease in the arc voltage and vice versa. The importance of the cathode surface temperature on the arc properties has been discussed.
Secondary reverse streamer observed in an ester insulating liquid under negative impulse voltage
Authors: Liu Q , Wang Z D
Published: September 2011

The so-called ‘secondary reverse streamer (SRS)’ in this study depicts a newly observed streamer-in-liquid phenomenon which subsequently occurs well after the extinction of the primary streamer (PS) propagation within a single shot of negative impulse voltage and has reverse polarity to the PS. Tests were carried out in a synthetic ester liquid at a 50 mm needle–plane gap under negative impulse voltages up to 140 kV. Based on the current and light waveforms as well as the photographic images, two types of SRS were found: one has a bright trunk with a high velocity of 9.79 km s−1 belonging to the 3rd mode streamer; and the other has a weak tree-like channel with a low velocity of 1.28 km s−1 resembling the 2nd mode streamer. It should be emphasized that SRS under negative impulse voltages has positive polarity being opposite to the negative PS, which is believed to be due to the reverse electric field induced by the residual space charges left by the PS. This has been confirmed by further verification tests under tail-chopped impulse voltages, for SRSs are significantly enhanced in both axial and lateral directions after the early removal of the external applied field.
Tunable magnetism and half-metallicity in bulk and (1 0 0) surface of quaternary Co2MnGe1−xGax Heusler alloy
Authors: Wu Bo , Yuan Hongkuan , Kuang Anlong , Feng Yu , Chen Hong
Published: September 2011

The structural, magnetic and half-metallic properties of the bulk and (1 0 0) surface of quaternary Heusler alloy Co2MnGe1−x
Ga
x
are investigated from the first-principles calculations. For the bulk, the lattice constant and total magnetic moment follow the Vegard law and Slater–Pauling rule well, respectively. Except for Co2MnGa, the Co2MnGe1−x
Ga
x
series are half-metallic. Because the Fermi level of Co2MnGe0.5Ga0.5 is just located at the middle of the minority-spin gap, we predict that it bears the most robust half-metallicity as against remnant doped alloys. As for the Co2MnGe1−x
Ga
x
(1 0 0) surface, the analyses on relaxed atomic positions and surface energies reveal that Co–Ge and Co–Ga bonding are more favourable than Co–Mn bonding and the terminations involving surface Mn atoms are more stable than CoCo terminations. By comparing with the bulk values, the surface Co and Mn magnetic moments are enhanced obviously. The calculated PDOS of all accessible ‘ideal’ surfaces show that the half-metallicity observed in bulk has been destroyed by the surface states, which is a possible reason why the tunnel magnetoresistence steeply drops as temperature increases. However, in the pure atomic terminations the surface properties can be slightly adjusted by the Ga-doped concentrations in bulk through the dipolar interaction. As a result, in the MnMn termination of Co2MnGe0.5Ga0.5(1 0 0) the spin polarization of 1 0 0% is detected, indicating that in the pure Mn atomic termination the half-metallicity of the (1 0 0) surface can remain if the corresponding bulk presents excellent half-metallic stability. Thus we predict that this thin film will present a higher potential for applications in ferromagnetic electrodes.
Study of signal treatment for a pulsed electro-acoustic measurement cell: a way of improving the transfer matrix condition number
Authors: Arnaout M , Baudoin F , Berquez L , Payan D
Published: September 2011

This work is focused on the improvement of the condition number of the transfer function matrix in a pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) cell. A numerical electro-acoustic model is developed with the software COMSOL. This model is one-dimensional and the system of equations with partial differential functions is solved using a finite element method in non-stationary situations. Using this model, we can establish the output voltage of the piezoelectric sensor and acoustic pressure at each point of the calculation domain. Our approach consists in recovering the charge distribution within the sample using a deconvolution method between the simulated output voltage and the transfer function of the PEA cell. Results show why some changes of the PEA cell such as the nature of materials or sensor geometry involve an ill-posed problem or ill-conditioned problem, and why other arrangements lead to a well-conditioned problem, more amenable to giving the appropriate solution.
Silent ships do not always encounter more fish (revisited): comparison of acoustic backscatter from walleye pollock recorded by a noise-reduced and a conventional research vessel in the eastern Bering Sea
Authors: De Robertis Alex , Wilson Christopher D.
Published: September 2011

De Robertis, A., and Wilson, C. D. 2011. Silent ships do not always encounter more fish (revisited): comparison of acoustic backscatter from walleye pollock recorded by a noise-reduced and a conventional research vessel in the eastern Bering Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 2229–2239. Vessel-induced avoidance behaviour is potentially a major source of error in surveys of fish populations. Noise-reduced research vessels have been constructed in an effort to minimize fish reactions to auditory stimuli produced by survey vessels. Here, measurements of acoustic backscatter from walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) made on the eastern Bering Sea Shelf from the conventional NOAA ship “Miller Freeman” (MF) are compared with similar measurements made on the noise-reduced NOAA ship “Oscar Dyson” (OD). As in a previous study, acoustic abundance measurements from these vessels were equivalent during daylight, when large-scale acoustic surveying is conducted. However, significant differences were observed at night: on average, 44% more pollock backscatter was observed from OD than MF. Observations with a free-drifting echosounder buoy suggest that the night-time discrepancy is attributable to a stronger behavioural response to the passage of the louder MF, and a resulting decrease in pollock target strength. Pollock did not exhibit a strong reaction to the passage of OD. These observations are consistent with previous comparisons of these vessels, which show that with vessel differences, the noise-reduced OD detects more pollock.
Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Patel Meera , Cairns Vaux , Takhar Arun S. , Stephenson James A.
Published: September 2011

Oesophageal cancer is a common malignancy with an increasing incidence and often poor prognosis. Symptoms can be non-specific which can lead to late presentation or delayed referral. To improve patient outcomes, GPs need to be aware of the key clinical features of oesophageal cancer and the pivotal role that early referral can play in the patient's management and prognosis.
QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 induces apoptosis through topoisomerase II in human non‐small‐cell lung cancer A549 cells
Authors: Chen Mei‐Chuan , Pan Shiow‐Lin , Shi Qian , Xiao Zhiyan , Lee Kuo‐Hsiung , Li Tsai‐Kun , Teng Che‐Ming
Published: September 2011

Agents that cause DNA damage have been widely used as anticancer drugs because DNA lesions can initiate DNA checkpoints that induce cell death. The results presented here indicate that QS‐ZYX‐1‐61, a derivative of VP‐16, was significantly more potent than VP‐16 in suppressing the viability of A549 cells. Treatment of cells with QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 led to a DNA damage response and a dramatic increase of apoptosis. Our results also suggest that QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 may be a topoisomerase (topo) II targeting agent, as evidenced by relaxation assay and induction of reversible cleavable complexes. Moreover, blocking of p53, topo IIα, and topo IIβ greatly protected against caspase‐3 activation, poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase cleavage, and cell growth inhibition, indicating that QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 acts through these proteins. These results support our conclusion that QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 has potential as an anticancer agent because it causes accumulation of DNA cleavable complexes, with downstream consequences that include double‐strand breaks and DNA damage response signaling for apoptosis. Taken together, our results indicate that QS‐ZYX‐1‐61 is a novel DNA damaging agent and displays an outstanding activity that could be worthy of further investigation. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 80–87)
Seeking Safety treatment for male veterans with a substance use disorder and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology
Authors: Boden Matthew Tyler , Kimerling Rachel , Jacobs‐Lentz Jason , Bowman Dan , Weaver Christopher , Carney Diane , Walser Robyn , Trafton Jodie A.
Published: September 2011

Aims  To determine whether substituting Seeking Safety (SS), a manualized therapy for comorbid substance use disorders (SUD) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for part of treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) improves substance use outcomes.

Design  Randomized controlled effectiveness trial.

Settings  Out‐patient Veterans Administration Health Care System SUD clinic.

Participants  Ninety‐eight male military Veterans with a SUD and co‐occurring PTSD symptomatology.

Measurements  Drug and alcohol use and PTSD severity, measured on the first day of treatment, and 3 (i.e. the planned end of SS sessions) and 6 months following the baseline assessment. Treatment attendance and patient satisfaction were measured following treatment (3‐month follow‐up). Active coping was measured at treatment intake and following treatment.

Findings  SS compared to TAU was associated with better drug use outcomes (P < 0.05), but alcohol use and PTSD severity decreased equally under both treatments (P's < 0.01). SS versus TAU was associated with increased treatment attendance, client satisfaction and active coping (all P's < 0.01). However, neither these factors nor decreases in PTSD severity mediated the effect of treatment on drug use.

Conclusions  The manualized treatment approach for substance use disorder, Seeking Safety, is well received and associated with better drug use outcomes than ‘treatment as usual’ in male veterans with post‐traumatic stress disorder. However, the mechanism of its effect is unclear.
Sildenafil treatment attenuates lung and kidney injury due to overproduction of oxidant activity in a rat model of sepsis: a biochemical and histopathological study
Authors: Cadirci E , Halici Z , Odabasoglu F , Albayrak A , Karakus E , Unal D , Atalay F , Ferah I , Unal B
Published: September 2011

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil (SLD) is a selective and potent inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase PDE5. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of sildenafil on caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in rats. Four groups of rats were used, each composed of 10 rats: (i) 10 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (ii) 20 mg/kg SLD-treated CLP group; (iii) CLP group; and (iv) sham-operated control group. A CLP polymicrobial sepsis model was applied to the rats. All groups were killed 16 h later, and lung, kidney and blood samples were analysed histopathologically and biochemically. Sildenafil increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased the activation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and of lipid peroxidase (LPO) and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the septic rats. We observed a significant decrease in LPO and MPO and a decrease in SOD activity in the sildenafil-treated CLP rats compared with the sham group. In addition, 20 mg/kg sildenafil treatment in the sham-operated rats improved the biochemical status of lungs and kidneys. Histopathological analysis revealed significant differences in inflammation scores between the sepsis group and the other groups, except the CLP + sildenafil 10 mg/kg group. The CLP + sildenafil 20 mg/kg group had the lowest inflammation score. Sildenafil treatment decreased the serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α level when compared to the CLP group. Our results indicate that sildenafil is a highly protective agent in preventing lung and kidney damage caused by CLP-induced sepsis via maintenance of the oxidant–anti-oxidant status and decrease in the level of TNF-α.
Differential responses to related hosts by nesting and non‐nesting parasites in a brood‐parasitic duck
Authors: JAATINEN KIM , ÖST MARKUS , GIENAPP PHILLIP , MERILÄ JUHA
Published: September 2011

Host–parasite relatedness may facilitate the evolution of conspecific brood parasitism, but empirical support for this contention remains inconclusive. One reason for this disparity may relate to the diversity of parasitic tactics, a key distinguishing feature being whether the parasite has a nest of her own. Previous work suggests that parasites without nests of their own may be of inferior phenotypic quality, but because of difficulties in identifying these parasitic individuals, little is known about their host selection criteria. We used high‐resolution molecular maternity tests to assign parasitic offspring to known parasites with and without their own nests in a population of Barrow’s goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica). We determined whether parasite nesting status, host–parasite relatedness and distance between host and parasite nests affected the probability of parasitizing a host and the number of eggs laid per host. We also investigated whether nesting parasites, conventionally nesting females and non‐nesting parasites differed regarding their age, structural size, body condition, nesting phenology or total brood size. The probability of engaging in parasitism increased with host–parasite relatedness and spatial proximity to host nests for nesting and non‐nesting females alike. However, nesting parasites increased the number of eggs donated with relatedness to the host, while non‐nesting parasites did not do so. Non‐nesting parasites laid fewer eggs in total, but did not differ by any of the other quality measures from conventional nesters or nesting parasites. Our study provides the first demonstration that nesting and non‐nesting parasites from the same population may use different host selection criteria.
The coenzyme A disulphide reductase of Borrelia burgdorferi is important for rapid growth throughout the enzootic cycle and essential for infection of the mammalian host
Authors: Eggers Christian H. , Caimano Melissa J. , Malizia Robert A. , Kariu Toru , Cusack Brian , Desrosiers Daniel C. , Hazlett Karsten R. O. , Claiborne Al , Pal Utpal , Radolf Justin D.
Published: September 2011

In a microarray analysis of the RpoS regulon in mammalian host‐adapted Borrelia burgdorferi, bb0728 (cdr) was found to be dually transcribed by the sigma factors σ70 and RpoS. The cdr gene encodes a coenzyme A disulphide reductase (CoADR) that reduces CoA‐disulphides to CoA in an NADH‐dependent manner. Based on the abundance of CoA in B. burgdorferi and the biochemistry of the enzyme, CoADR has been proposed to play a role in the spirochaete's response to reactive oxygen species. To better understand the physiologic function(s) of BbCoADR, we generated a B. burgdorferi mutant in which the cdr gene was disrupted. RT‐PCR and 5′‐RACE analysis revealed that cdr and bb0729 are co‐transcribed from a single transcriptional start site upstream of the bb0729 coding sequence; a shuttle vector containing the bb0729‐cdr operon and upstream promoter element was used to complement the cdr mutant. Although the mutant was no more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide than its parent, it did exhibit increased sensitivity to high concentrations of t‐butyl‐hydroperoxide, an oxidizing compound that damages spirochetal membranes. Characterization of the mutant during standard (15% oxygen, 6% CO2) and anaerobic (< 1% O2, 9–13% CO2) cultivation at 37°C revealed a growth defect under both conditions that was particularly striking during anaerobiosis. The mutant was avirulent by needle inoculation and showed decreased survival in feeding nymphs, but displayed no survival defect in unfed flat nymphs. Based on these results, we propose that BbCoADR is necessary to maintain optimal redox ratios for CoA/CoA‐disulphide and NAD+/NADH during periods of rapid replication throughout the enzootic cycle, to support thiol‐disulphide homeostasis, and to indirectly protect the spirochaete against peroxide‐mediated membrane damage; one or more of these functions are essential for infection of the mammalian host by B. burgdorferi.
Absence of CD38 delays arrival of neutrophils to the liver and innate immune response development during hepatic amoebiasis by Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: ESTRADA‐FIGUEROA L. A. , RAMÍREZ‐JIMÉNEZ Y. , OSORIO‐TRUJILLO C. , SHIBAYAMA M. , NAVARRO‐GARCÍA F. , GARCÍA‐TOVAR C. , TALAMÁS‐ROHANA P.
Published: September 2011

To define the role of CD38 in the migration of neutrophils to the liver and consequently in the induction of an innate immune response during murine hepatic amoebiasis by Entamoeba histolytica, we examined amoebic liver abscess development (ALA), presence of amoebae and neutrophils, and expression levels of cytokines and other inflammation mediators mRNA, in infected wild‐type and CD38 Knockout (CD38KO) C57BL/6J mice. Results showed that CD38KO mice undergo a delay in ALA development in comparison with the wild‐type strain. The presence of amoebae lasted longer in CD38−/−, and although neutrophils arrived to the liver in both strains, there was a clear difference in the time between the two strains; whereas in the wild‐type strain, neutrophils arrived at early times (6–12 h), in the CD38KO strain, neutrophils arrived later (48–72 h). Cytokines profile during the innate immune response development (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6) was, for WT mice concomitant with, and preceded, for CD38KO mice, the time in which neutrophils were present in the liver lesion. In conclusion, CD38 is important for neutrophils migration during hepatic amoebiasis, and in turn, these cells play an important role in the innate immune response.
Novel ZFPM2/FOG2 variants in patients with double outlet right ventricle
Authors: Tan Z‐P , Huang C , Xu Z‐B , Yang J‐F , Yang Y‐F
Published: September 2011

Tan Z‐P, Huang C, Xu Z‐B, Yang J‐F, Yang Y‐F. Novel ZFPM2/FOG2 variants in patients with double outlet right ventricle.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur in about 0.5–1% of all newborns and are the most common birth defects. Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) accounts for approximately 1–3% of all CHDs. Similar to Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), DORV is a subtype of contruncal heart defects (CTDs) and is anatomically characterized by a malposition of the great arteries. We described a boy with chromosomal translocation: 46, XY t (8; 18) (q22; q21) that may disrupts the ZFPM2/FOG2 locus. The coding sequences of ZFPM2/FOG2 were determined in 38 patients with sporadic DORV, 95 patients with TOF, and 12 patients with transposition of the great arteries. Five DNA sequence variants affecting variably conserved residues of ZFPM2/FOG2 were identified in patients with TOF type or ventricular septal defect type of DORV. Three novel mutations (p.V339I, p.K737E, and p.A611T) were reported for the first time. The other two mutations (p.M703L and p.Q889E) were reported in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia but not in patients with CHD. Our finding suggests that variants of the ZFPM2/FOG2 gene might be a common cause of DORV.
Meso‐Rex shunt for immediate portal revascularization in pediatric liver transplantation: First report
Authors: Rivera Jairo , Fusaro Fabio , de Magnée Catherine , Clapuyt Philippe , Reding Raymond
Published: September 2011

Rivera J, Fusaro F, de Magnée C, Clapuyt P, Reding R. Meso‐Rex shunt for immediate portal revascularization in pediatric liver transplantation: First report.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  We describe the case of a 13‐month‐old girl transplanted for biliary atresia with PV hypoplasia. She received the left liver lobe of her mother and presented intraoperative portal thrombosis. Because of technical reasons, the opportunity to have conventional PV reconstruction using the donor left PV stump was lost. Immediate conversion to a meso‐Rex shunt, using the recipient jugular vein as a bridge between the superior mesenteric vein and the graft Rex recessus, allowed excellent portal revascularization of the transplant. We suggest that synchronous meso‐Rex shunt may constitute a valid alternative to truncal PV anastomosis during pediatric LT.
Calcium and calcium receptor CAS promote Arabidopsis thaliana de‐etiolation
Authors: Huang Shan‐Shan , Chen Juan , Dong Xue‐Jun , Patton Janet , Pei Zhen‐Ming , Zheng Hai‐Lei
Published: September 2011

As a second messenger, the free cytosolic calcium ion (Ca2+) plays important roles in many biochemical and physiological processes including photosynthesis in plants. In this study, we investigated morphological changes, chlorophyll accumulation and chloroplast development during early photomorphogenesis in etiolated seedlings of both Arabidopsis thaliana wild type (WT) and those with the antisense of CAS, a calcium sensor (CASas). Seedlings were grown at high, medium and low Ca2+ concentrations to identify the roles of Ca2+ and CAS in de‐etiolation and chloroplast development. The results demonstrated that Ca2+ and CAS are correlated with de‐etiolation of A. thaliana after light exposure. High Ca2+ significantly increased chlorophyll content and improved chloroplast development in both A. thaliana WT and CASas etiolated seedlings during de‐etiolation. The analysis by western blot and real‐time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that the expression levels of CAS mRNA and protein were upregulated by white light and external Ca2+ significantly. Etiolated CASas plants showed much lower chlorophyll content and delay of chloroplast development as compared with WT plants, indicating that CAS functions in de‐etiolation. All together, we concluded that the de‐etiolation in A. thaliana was promoted by the high Ca2+ concentration and CAS expression to a certain extent.
Anatomical Study of the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Pudu (Pudu puda) Using Contrast‐Enhanced Abdominal Computed Tomography
Authors: Henning B. C. , Gómez M. A. , Mieres L. M. , Freeman L. , Herzberg D. E. , Aleuy O. A.
Published: September 2011

With 6 figures

The pudu (Pudu puda), which is the smallest deer in the world and inhabits central and southern Chile and Argentina, is a ruminant and a browsing herbivore. The aim of this study was to provide a reference for interpretation of the normal anatomy of the pudu’s gastrointestinal tract as imaged by abdominal computed tomography (CT). For the study, one adult female pudu was used. After a 24‐h fast, the pudu was anaesthetized and positioned in sternal recumbency at the CT table. Image acquisition began immediately after intravenous injection of contrast media (MD‐76®; 370 mgI/ml) into the cephalic vein. Injection of contrast material was administered as a biphasic protocol. First, a manual bolus of contrast material was injected at a rate of 4 ml/s. Then, an additional continuous infusion injection (0.1 ml/min) was performed for adequate opacification of vascular structures. Transverse images of 5 mm thickness and 5 mm interval were obtained with a fourth‐generation CT scanner, from the ninth thoracic vertebra (T9) until the first sacral (S1) vertebrae. CT images were labelled and compared with anatomical reference images for ruminants. Structures that were identified in the abdominal cavity included the stomach with its four compartments (rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum), the small and large intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys and some major blood vessels (aorta, caudal vena cava). The distal loop of the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the pancreas and lymph nodes could not be identified. The resulting CT images provide a reference for normal cross‐sectional abdominal anatomy of the adult pudu.
Goat Oocyte Production by Standard or One‐shot FSH Treatments and Quantitative Analysis of Transcripts for EGF Ligands and its Receptor after In Vitro Maturation
Authors: Pereira AF , Alcântara Neto AS , Albuquerque ES , Luciano MCS , Teixeira DIA , Freitas VJF , Melo LM
Published: September 2011

Contents

Hormonal ovarian stimulation may affect the success of embryo production by regulating transcripts in recovered cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs). Here, in parallel to morphological classification and in vitro maturation (IVM) rate analysis, we investigated the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in oocytes and cumulus cells from goat COCs recovered by laparoscopy after standard [multi‐dose follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)] or one‐shot (single dose FSH plus eCG) treatments. No differences were observed among the number of recovered and morphologically graded COCs or the IVM rates for both gonadotropic treatments. However, the standard protocol produced COCs with higher EGFR expression in the cumulus cells than the one‐shot treatment. Additionally, EGF mRNA levels were less than EGFR mRNA levels, and they did not differ among COCs from both treatments. However, during maturation, the EGF transcripts increased in oocytes derived only from the standard protocol. Interestingly, IVM strikingly increased EGFR expression in oocytes and cumulus cells but not in oocytes that fail in first polar body extrusion, irrespective of hormonal treatment. These results appear to be related to the resumption of meiosis and suggest that EGF may act through the cumulus cells or directly on the oocyte receptor.
In situ expression of the CCL20–CCR6 axis in lymphocyte‐rich gastric cancer and its potential role in the formation of lymphoid stroma
Authors: Ohtani Haruo , Nakayama Takashi , Yoshie Osamu
Published: September 2011

Lymphocyte‐rich gastric cancer (Ly‐rich GC) is characterized by lymphoid stroma. To understand its formation, we studied the expression of a chemokine ligand (CCL)20 and its receptor CCR6 in 36 and 37 cases of Ly‐rich‐ and conventional GC, respectively. Lymphoid tissues in the alimentary tract were studied in parallel. By quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Ly‐rich GC contained CCL20 and CCR6 mRNAs at higher levels than conventional GC. By immunohistochemistry, CCL20 was expressed by cancer cells more frequently in Ly‐rich GC than in conventional GC. This was comparable with its expression in epithelial cells of the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues. CCR6 was mostly expressed by dendritic cells (DC) and B cells in Ly‐rich GC, which was also comparable with its expression in the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues. Cancer cells also expressed CCR6. However, its expression did not differ between Ly‐rich‐ and conventional GC, nor was it related to the stage of cancer. Given that the CCL20–CCR6 axis is involved in the formation of alimentary tract lymphoid tissue, the similarity between the lymphoid stroma of Ly‐rich GC and the alimentary tract lymphoid tissues supports the notion that it plays a significant role in the formation of lymphoid stroma in Ly‐rich GC.