bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioral ecology of western gorillas: New insights from the field
Authors: Doran‐Sheehy Diane M. , Boesch Christophe
Published: October 2004

The papers in this issue are from a conference held in May 2002 at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. This conference brought together researchers from all current western gorilla sites for the first time with the aim of synthesizing the most current information available on western gorilla behavioral ecology. Our goal was to assess the degree of behavioral diversity in gorillas in light of our current understanding of social evolution. The articles include 1) synopses of the current information on western gorilla foraging strategy, social behavior, life history, and genetic variation; 2) more‐detailed descriptions of home‐range use and intergroup encounters across sites; and 3) the first description of the social behavior of western gorilla females. Am. J. Primatol. 64:139–143, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of ecological and social factors on ranging in western gorillas
Authors: Doran‐Sheehy Diane M. , Greer David , Mongo Patrice , Schwindt Dylan
Published: October 2004

We examined the influence of ecological (diet, swamp use, and rainfall) and social (intergroup interaction rate) factors on ranging behavior in one group of western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) during a 16‐month study. Relative to mountain gorillas, western gorillas live in habitats with reduced herb densities, more readily available fruit (from seasonal and rare fruit trees), and, at some sites, localized large open clearings (swamps and “bais”). Ranging behavior reflects these ecological differences. The daily path length (DPL) of western gorillas was longer (mean=2,014 m) than that of mountain gorillas, and was largely related to fruit acquisition. Swamp use occurred frequently (27% of days) and incurred a 50% increase in DPL, and 77% of the variation in monthly frequency of swamp use was explained by ripe fruit availability within the swamp, and not by the absence of resources outside the swamp. The annual home‐range size was 15.4 km2. The western gorilla group foraged in larger areas each month, and reused them more frequently and consistently through time compared to mountain gorillas. In contrast to mountain gorillas, intergroup encounters occurred at least four times more frequently, were usually calm rather than aggressive, and had no consistent effect on DPL or monthly range size for one group of western gorillas. High genetic relatedness among at least some neighboring males [Bradley et al., Current Biology, in press] may help to explain these results, and raises intriguing questions about western gorilla social relationships. Am J Primatol 64:207–222, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
cAMP response element‐binding protein activation in ligation preconditioning in neonatal brain
Authors: Lee Hsueh‐Te , Chang Ying‐Chao , Wang Lin‐Yu , Wang Shan‐Tair , Huang Chao‐Ching , Ho Chien‐Jung
Published: October 2004

Perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury is a major cause of permanent neurological dysfunction in children. An approach to study the treatment of neonatal HI encephalopathy that allows for neuroprotection is to investigate the states of tolerance to HI. Twenty‐four‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning established by delaying the onset of hypoxia for 24 hours after permanent unilateral carotid ligation rats markedly diminished the cerebral injury, however, the signaling mechanisms of this carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning in neonatal rats remain unknown. Ligation of the carotid artery 24 hours before hypoxia provided complete neuroprotection and produced improved performance on the Morris water maze compared with ligation performed 1 hour before hypoxia. Carotid artery ligation 6 hours before hypoxia produced intermediate benefit. The 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning was associated with a robust and sustained activation of a transcription factor, the cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB), on its phosphorylation site on Ser133. Intracerebroventricular infusions of antisense CREB oligodeoxynucleotides significantly reduced the 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation–induced neuroprotection effects by decreasing CREB expressions. Pharmacological activation of the cAMP‐CREB signaling with rolipram 24 hours before hypoxia protected rat pups at behavioral and pathological levels by sustained increased CREB phosphorylation. This study suggests that 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning provides important mechanisms for potential pharmacological preconditioning against neonatal HI brain injury. Ann Neurol, 2004
A novel endogenous erythropoietin mediated pathway prevents axonal degeneration
Authors: Keswani Sanjay C. , Buldanlioglu Ulas , Fischer Angela , Reed Nicole , Polley Michelle , Liang Hong , Zhou Chunhua , Jack Christelene , Leitz Gerhard J. , Hoke Ahmet
Published: October 2004

Clinically relevant peripheral neuropathies (such as diabetic and human immunodeficiency virus sensory neuropathies) are characterized by distal axonal degeneration, rather than neuronal death. Here, we describe a novel, endogenous pathway that prevents axonal degeneration. We show that in response to axonal injury, periaxonal Schwann cells release erythropoietin (EPO), which via EPO receptor binding on neurons, prevents axonal degeneration. We demonstrate that the relevant axonal injury signal that stimulates EPO production from surrounding glial cells is nitric oxide. In addition, we show that this endogenous pathway can be therapeutically exploited by administering exogenous EPO. In an animal model of distal axonopathy, systemic EPO administration prevents axonal degeneration, and this is associated with a reduction in limb weakness and neuropathic pain behavior. Our in vivo and in vitro data suggest that EPO prevents axonal degeneration and therefore may be therapeutically useful in a wide variety of human neurological diseases characterized by axonopathy. Ann Neurol 2004
The conservation of freshwater macroinvertebrate populations: a community‐based classification scheme
Authors: Chadd Richard , Extence Chris
Published: October 2004

A novel conservation indexing protocol is presented which aims to summarize aquatic macroinvertebrate data obtained from inland flowing‐ and still‐water sites in Great Britain. Unlike other summary expressions of conservation value, the Community Conservation Index (CCI) accounts for community richness in the final analysis, as well as the relative rarity of species present.

Examples are provided to show how taxonomically rich ecosystems can obtain very high values of CCI that are broadly equivalent to CCI scores obtained from other sites supporting nationally rare species. In addition, the CCI is capable of local adjustment, to accommodate nationally common species occurring outside their normal range.

Examples show typical CCI outputs from a range of riverine and still‐water habitats, and illustrate how this analysis can help in the day‐to‐day assessment and management of both lotic and lentic ecosystems. The index has already been used in legal submissions for public inquiries on Sites of Special Scientific Interest protected under British law and has contributed to the designation of such sites. It has also been used to inform management decisions on sites selected as candidate Special Areas of Conservation and as an operational tool using routinely obtained datasets.

The CCI provides an empirical basis for conservation initiatives, programmes and strategies, by producing a summary of aquatic invertebrate data over any appropriate scale of time and space. Furthermore, the final analysis need not be constrained by distribution of nationally rare species, but can indicate exceptionally rich or regionally unusual invertebrate populations.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acitretin embryopathy: A case report
Authors: Barbero Pablo , Lotersztein Vanesa , Bronberg Ruben , Perez Miriam , Alba Liliana
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND

Acitretin is an aromatic retinoid analog of vitamin A. Drugs of this group are well‐known teratogenic agents. Nevertheless, acitretin embryopathy has been described only in fetuses.

CASE

An infant was exposed to 10 mg/day of acitretin from the beginning of pregnancy until the 10th gestational week. At term, the newborn showed the following abnormalities: microcephaly, epicanthal folds, low nasal bridge, high palate, cup‐shaped ears, anteverted nostrils, atrial septal defect, and bilateral sensorineural deafness. At 18 months of age, the patient showed microcephaly and neurodevelopmental delay.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient shows a pattern of anomalies resembling that observed in isotretinoin‐ and etretinate‐exposed children. After ingestion, acitretin is partially converted into etretinate, and etretinate is partially metabolized into acitretin. A similar phenotype would therefore be expected after prenatal exposure to either drug. Moreover, in the present case, teratogenic effects were observed even though the dose was lower than in the previously reported acitretin embryopathy cases. Therefore, we propose that different retinoids, acitretin included, produce only one malformation pattern with variable phenotypic expression. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parameter oscillations in a very high gravity medium continuous ethanol fermentation and their attenuation on a multistage packed column bioreactor system
Authors: Bai F.W. , Chen L.J. , Anderson W.A. , Moo‐Young M.
Published: October 2004

The quasi‐steady‐states, marked by small fluctuations of residual glucose, ethanol, and biomass concentrations, and sustainable oscillations marked by big fluctuations of these monitored fermentation parameters were observed during the continuous ethanol fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae when very high gravity media were fed and correspondingly high ethanol concentrations reached. A high ethanol concentration was shown to be one of the main factors that incited these oscillations, although the residual glucose level affected the patterns of these oscillations to some extent. The lag response of S. cerevisiae to high ethanol stress that causes the shifts of morphology, viability loss, and death of yeast cells is assumed to be one of the probable mechanisms behind these oscillations. It was predicted that the longer the delay of this response was, the longer the oscillation periods would be, which was validated by the experimental data and the comparison with the oscillatory behaviors reported for the ethanologen bacterium, Zymomonas mobilis. Furthermore, three tubular bioreactors in series were arranged to follow a stirred tank bioreactor to attenuate these oscillations. However, exaggerated oscillations were observed for the residual glucose, ethanol, and biomass concentrations measured in the broth from these tubular bioreactors. After the tubular reactors were packed with Intalox ceramic saddle packing, these oscillations were effectively attenuated and quasi‐steady‐states were observed during which there were very small fluctuations of residual glucose, ethanol, and biomass within the entire experimental run. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative effects of thermal injury and insulin on the metabolism of the skeletal muscle using the perfused rat hindquarter preparation
Authors: Banta Scott , Yokoyama Tadaaki , Berthiaume François , Yarmush Martin L.
Published: October 2004

Injury from a severe burn or trauma can propel the body into a hypermetabolic state that can lead to the significant erosion of lean muscle mass. Investigations describing this process have been somewhat limited due to the lack of adequate experimental models. Here we report the use of a perfused rat hindquarter preparation to study the consequences of a moderate burn injury (≈ 20% total body surface area), with or without the addition of exogenous insulin (12.5 mU/mL), on the fluxes of major metabolites across the isolated skeletal muscle. The metabolic flux data was further analyzed using metabolic flux analysis (MFA), which allows for the estimation of the impact of these conditions on the intracellular muscle metabolism. Results indicate that this model is able to capture the increased rate of proteolysis, glutamine formation, and the negative nitrogen balance associated with the burn‐induced hypermetabolic state. The inclusion of exogenous insulin resulted in significant changes in several fluxes, including an increase in the metabolism of glucose and the flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, as well as a reduction in the metabolism of glutamine, alanine, and leucine. However, insulin administration did not affect the nitrogen balance or the rate of proteolysis in the muscle, as has been suggested using other techniques. The use of the perfused hindquarter model coupled with MFA is a physiologically relevant and experimentally flexible platform for the exploration of skeletal muscle metabolism under catabolic conditions, and it will be useful in quantifying the specific metabolic consequences of other therapeutic advances. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential gene expression shows natural brominated furanones interfere with the autoinducer‐2 bacterial signaling system of Escherichia coli
Authors: Ren Dacheng , Bedzyk Laura A. , Ye Rick W. , Thomas Stuart M. , Wood Thomas K.
Published: October 2004

The quorum sensing disrupter (5Z)‐4‐bromo‐5‐(bromomethylene)‐3‐butyl‐2(5H)‐furanone (furanone) of the alga Delisea pulchra was previously found by us (Environ Microbiol 3:731–736, 2001) to inhibit quorum sensing in Escherichia coli via autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2, produced by LuxS). In this study, DNA microarrays were used to study the genetic basis of this natural furanone inhibition of AI‐2 signaling (significant values with p < 0.05 are reported). Using DNA microarrays, the AI‐2 mutant Escherichia coli DH5α was compared with the AI‐2 wild‐type strain, E. coli K12, to determine how AI‐2 influenced gene expression. Escherichia coli K12 was also grown with 0 and 60 μg/mL furanone to study the inhibition of quorum sensing gene expression. It was found that 166 genes were differentially expressed by AI‐2 (67 were induced and 99 were repressed) and 90 genes were differentially expressed by furanone (34 were induced and 56 were repressed). Importantly, 79% (44 out of 56) of the genes repressed by furanone were induced by AI‐2, which indicated that furanone inhibited AI‐2 signaling and influenced the same suite of genes as a regulon. Most of these genes have functions of chemotaxis, motility, and flagellar synthesis. Interestingly, the aerotaxis genes aer and tsr were discovered to be induced by AI‐2 and repressed by furanone. Representative microarray results were confirmed by RNA dot blotting. Furthermore, the E. coli air–liquid interface biofilm formation was repressed by furanone, supporting the results that taxis and flagellar genes were repressed by furanone. The autoinducer bioassay indicated that 100 μg/mL furanone decreased the extracellular concentration of AI‐2 2‐fold, yet luxS and pfs transcription were not significantly altered. Hence, furanone appeared to alter AI‐2 signaling post‐transcriptionally. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of cancer history and comorbid conditions on mortality and healthcare use among older cancer survivors
Authors: Seo Pearl H. , Pieper Carl F. , Cohen Harvey Jay
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND

Older cancer survivors use healthcare services to an increased extent relative to their counterparts who have no history of malignant disease. In the current study, the authors set out to assess the effects of cancer history and comorbid conditions on healthcare use and mortality.

METHODS

Using information from the 1992 North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly database, study participants were classified as having no history of malignant disease or as having a recent (cancer diagnosed < 1 year earlier), intermediate (cancer diagnosed 1–6 years earlier), or remote (cancer diagnosed > 6 years earlier) history of malignancy. Overall, 15 different comorbid conditions were ascertained. Logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, tobacco and alcohol use, and functional measures were used to determine the risk of emergency room, hospital, and nursing home (NH) admission in 1992 and also in 1996 according to history of malignancy and presence of comorbid conditions. Using data from the National Death Registry, a similar controlled analysis of 7‐year mortality also was performed.

RESULTS

There were 2567 participants in the current study (mean age, 79 years; range, 71–102 years); 69% of all participants were women, 55% were African American, and 14% reported having a history of malignancy. Participants with a history of malignancy had an average of 3 comorbid conditions, and differences across groups in terms of cardiovascular and lung disease incidence were noted. Controlled analyses revealed that recent cancer history (odds ratio [OR], 15.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0–34.2) and intermediate cancer history (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4–3.3) were associated with same‐year hospital admission. In addition, having a recent history of malignancy in 1992 was found to be correlated with NH admission 4 years later (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1–9.1). History of malignancy was not associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer history had limited influence on healthcare use and mortality. Efforts aimed at improving health‐related outcomes in older cancer survivors should continue to focus on attenuating the impact of comorbid conditions. Cancer 2004. Published 2004 by the American Cancer Society.
The prevention of invasive breast carcinoma
Authors: Cady Blake , Chung Maureen A.
Published: October 2004

Many reports and trials focus on pharmacologic methods of preventing breast carcinoma. However, currently existing data strongly suggest that the majority of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) arises from preexisting ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and therefore implies that excision of DCIS is the best technique for the prevention of IDC.
Natural history of disease progression in patients who fail to achieve an undetectable prostate‐specific antigen level after undergoing radical prostatectomy
Authors: Rogers Craig G. , Khan Masood A. , Craig Miller M. , Veltri Robert W. , Partin Alan W.
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, the natural history of disease progression to distant metastasis is unknown in men who fail to achieve an undetectable prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP),. The authors assessed the clinical outcome of men with a persistently detectable PSA level after RRP for clinically localized prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

Between 1989 and 2002, 160 men failed to achieve an undetectable PSA level (≥ 0.1 ng/mL) after undergoing RRP for clinically localized prostate carcinoma. No patient received adjuvant therapy before documented metastasis. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate distant metastasis‐free survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the ability of clinical and pathologic variables to predict distant metastasis‐free survival.

RESULTS

The probability of distant metastasis‐free survival at 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years was reported to be 68%, 49%, and 22%, respectively. Seventy‐five men (47%) developed distant metastases after RRP (median time to metastases of 5.0 years; range, 0.5–13 years). The combination of RRP Gleason score, seminal vesicle status, and lymph node status resulted in 3 risk groups for the prediction of distant metastasis‐free survival (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.6; P < 0.01). The slope of PSA changes approximately 3–12 months after RRP at a cutoff value ≥ 0.05 was found to be even more predictive of distant metastasis‐free survival (HR = 2.9; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients remained free of metastatic disease for an extended period despite failing to achieve an undetectable PSA level after undergoing RRP for clinically localized prostate carcinoma. However, other patients experienced rapid disease progression to distant metastasis. The authors defined clinical (PSA slope) and pathologic (Gleason score) prognostic variables to help identify those patients with a higher risk of developing distant metastasis after undergoing RRP. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A renal mass in the setting of a nonrenal malignancy
Authors: Sánchez‐Ortiz Ricardo F. , Madsen Lydia T. , Bermejo Carlos E. , Wen Sijin , Shen Yu , Swanson David A. , Wood Christopher G.
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND

Frequently, a renal mass is identified when patients with cancer undergo studies for staging or surveillance. In determining whether it represents a metastasis, patients are frequently subjected to percutaneous renal biopsies. The authors evaluated their experience with this dilemma to formulate management guidelines.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the medical records of 100 consecutive patients with nonrenal malignancies diagnosed with renal masses at presentation or follow‐up. Renal mass histology was available for all patients after nephrectomy or biopsy. Clinical characteristics were assessed to identify factors predictive for a renal metastasis versus a primary renal neoplasm.

RESULTS

The only factors predictive of a metastasis to the kidney were progression of the nonrenal malignancy and lack of enhancement of the renal mass (P < 0.0001). Forty‐six patients (46%) had evidence of progression of their nonrenal malignancy in addition to the renal mass. In these patients, the probability of a metastasis to the kidney was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.2–98.2%) without renal mass enhancement and 32% (95% CI, 14–55%) with enhancing renal masses. None of the 54 patients without signs of progression of their nonrenal malignancy proved to have metastases to the kidney, regardless of the imaging characteristics of the mass (zero probability; 95% CI, 0–7%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients presenting with renal masses and another clinically localized malignancy, renal mass biopsies were not indicated, as the mass rarely represented a metastasis. These patients may opt for close surveillance or extirpation based on the prognosis of their nonrenal malignancy. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Synthesis, Properties, and Structural Characterization of Bromo‐ and Iodotetracarboxylatodiruthenium(II,III) Compounds
Authors: Barral M. Carmen , González‐Prieto Rodrigo , Jiménez‐Aparicio Reyes , Priego J. Luis , Torres M. Rosario , Urbanos Francisco A.
Published: October 2004

The synthesis and characterization of the compounds [Ru2X(μ‐O2CPh)4]n [X = Br (1), I (2)] and [Ru2X(μ‐O2CC6H4‐p‐OMe)4(H2O)] [X = Br (3) and I (4)] is described. The structures of these compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structures of [Ru2Br(μ‐O2CCMePh2)4(EtOH)·0.5EtOH] (5·0.5EtOH) and [Ru2I(μ‐O2CCMePh2)4(MeOH)·0.5H2O] (6·0.5H2O) are also reported. Complexes 1 and 2 show a zigzag polymeric arrangement with the diruthenium units linked by bromide and iodide ligands, respectively. The molecular nature of compounds 3 and 4 shows the influence of the axial ligand in the arrangement in the solid state, which contrasts with the polymeric structure found in all chlorodiruthenium(II,III) derivatives with arenecarboxylate bridging ligands. The Ru−Ru bond lengths for all complexes range from 2.2756(17) to 2.2906(7) and 2.273(3) to 2.2965(6) Å for the bromide and iodide derivatives, respectively. This study demonstrates that the nature of the axial ligand plays an important role in the arrangement in the solid state and in the electronic properties of the halotetracarboxylatodiruthenium(II,III) complexes. Thus, the iodo derivatives show an intense solvatochromism, whereas the solvatochromism is slight in the bromo derivatives and is not observed in the chloro complexes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Selected‐Control Solvothermal Synthesis of Nanoscale Hollow Spheres and Single‐Crystal Tubes of PbTe
Authors: Zou Guifu , Liu Zhaopin , Wang Debao , Jiang Changlong , Qian Yitai
Published: October 2004

For the first time, hollow PbTe nanospheres with diameters of 80−140 nm have been prepared in an ether/glycerol microemulsion system and PbTe single‐crystalline nanotubes with diameters of 60−80 nm have been synthesised in a homogeneous ethanol/glycerol system. They can be facilely controlled via a solvothermal process without any additional catalysts and templates. Two different template mechanisms are discussed herein. The Raman and far infrared spectra of the samples have been investigated at room temperature. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Photoadducts of Metallic Compounds with Nucleic Acids − Role Played by the Photoelectron Transfer Process and by the TAP and HAT Ligands in the RuII Complexes
Authors: Blasius Romain , Moucheron Cécile , Kirsch‐De Mesmaeker Andrée
Published: October 2004

The properties that are characteristic of TAP (1,4,5,8‐tetraazaphenanthrene) and HAT (1,4,5,8,9,12‐hexaazatriphenylene) RuII complexes under illumination are highlighted and compared with those of other metallic complexes. In particular, the photo‐oxidizing power of their 3MLCT states leads to a quenching of luminescence accompanied by a photoreaction when they are in presence of nucleic acids. The proton‐coupled photoinduced electron transfer with the guanine nucleobases produces metallic adducts on DNA guanine units. The mechanism of formation, structure, and possible applications of these photoadducts are discussed and compared with other DNA metallic adducts currently in the literature. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Cover Picture: Palladium Complexes with Chiral Diphospholane Ligands: Comparative Catalytic Properties and Analysis of (η3‐Allyl)palladium Species (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 20/2004)
Authors: Malaisé Grégory , Ramdeehul Shailesh , Osborn John A. , Barloy Laurent , Kyritsakas Nathalie , Graff Roland
Published: October 2004

The cover picture shows the low‐temperature 31P NMR signals and simplified 3D representations of exo and endo isomers of an (η3‐1,3‐diphenylallyl)palladium(II) complex in which the metal center is coordinated by a chiral xanthene‐derived diphospholane ligand. Such complexes are intermediates in palladium‐catalyzed allylic substitution, and their structures determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy allow for the interpretation of the enantioselectivities of the catalytic process in terms of preferential rotation of the allyl group. Key methyl groups of the chiral ligand that govern this rotation are represented by yellow spheres in the background. Details on these complexes and others and on asymmetric catalysis can be found in the article by J. A. Osborn, L. Barloy et al. on p. 3987 ff. The authors are indebted to Bernard Lafleuriel (CURRI‐Visu) for his help concerning the artwork of the cover picture.
Markers of individual susceptibility and DNA repair rate in workers exposed to xenobiotics in a tire plant
Authors: Vodicka Pavel , Kumar Rajiv , Stetina Rudolf , Musak Ludovit , Soucek Pavel , Haufroid Vincent , Sasiadek Maria , Vodickova Ludmila , Naccarati Alessio , Sedikova Jana , Sanyal Somali , Kuricova Miroslava , Brsiak Viliam , Norppa Hannu , Buchancova Jana , Hemminki Kari
Published: October 2004

Workers employed in tire plants are exposed to a variety of xenobiotics, such as 1,3‐butadiene (BD), soots containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other organic chemicals (e.g., styrene). In the present study, we investigated markers of genotoxicity [chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and single‐strand breaks (SSBs)] in a cohort of 110 tire plant workers engaged in jobs with different levels of xenobiotic exposure in relation to various polymorphisms in genes coding for biotransformation enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP2E1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1) and in genes involved in DNA repair (XPD exon 23, XPG exon 15, XPC exon 15, XRCC1 exon 10, and XRCC3 exon 7). In addition, the expression of CYP2E1, a gene playing a key role in BD metabolism, was determined by real‐time PCR in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the capacity of lymphocytes to repair γ‐ray‐induced SSBs and to convert 8‐oxoguanine in HeLa cell DNA into SSBs was assessed using in vitro assays. No positive associations were detected between the CA frequency or SSB induction and levels of workplace exposure; however, a nonsignificant twofold higher irradiation‐specific DNA repair rate was found among highly exposed workers. In evaluations conducted with the markers of individual susceptibility, workers with low‐EPHX1‐activity genotypes exhibited a significantly higher CA frequency as compared to those with medium and high‐EPHX1‐activity genotypes (P = 0.050). CA frequencies were significantly lower in individuals homozygous for the XPD exon 23 variant allele in comparison to those with the wild‐type CC genotype (P = 0.003). Interestingly, CAs were higher in individuals with higher CYP2E1 expression levels, but the association was nonsignificant (P = 0.097). The results from this study suggest the importance of evaluating markers of individual susceptibility, since they may modulate genotoxic effects induced by occupational exposure to xenobiotics. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 44: 283–292, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of genetic polymorphisms on biomarkers of exposure and genotoxic effects in styrene‐exposed workers
Authors: Godderis Lode , De Boeck Marlies , Haufroid Vincent , Emmery Muriel , Mateuca Raluca , Gardinal Sophie , Kirsch‐Volders Micheline , Veulemans Hendrik , Lison Dominique
Published: October 2004

A study on 44 workers exposed to styrene and 44 matched referents was performed in order to examine the influence of genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation and DNA repair enzymes on the levels of N‐terminal hemoglobin adducts and genotoxicity biomarkers. Urinary mandelic acid concentration averaged 201.57 mg/g creatinine ±148.32 in exposed workers, corresponding to a calculated average airborne styrene exposure of 9.5 ppm ±9.6. Individuals with a high level of N‐terminal valine adducts had higher levels of DNA damage, as evaluated by the Comet assay (r = 0.29, P = 0.008). Frequencies of micronucleated mononucleated lymphocytes (MNMC) (0.71 ± 0.88 vs 0.11 ± 0.20, P<0.0001), micronucleated binucleated lymphocytes (MNBC) (3.93 ± 2.75 vs 2.65 ± 1.94, p = 0.02) and micronucleated nasal epithelial cells (0.52 ± 0.49 vs 0.23 ± 0.31, p = 0.04) differed significantly between the exposed and referent groups. In the whole group of 88 individuals, higher frequencies of MNMC were found in individuals possessing the XRCC3 Met241 allele and those individuals with the XRCC1 Gln allele showed higher frequencies of MNMC and MNCB. In vitro DNA repair capacity, as measured by residual DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood leukocytes after a styrene oxide challenge, was also influenced by styrene exposure, with an apparent induction of early repair mechanisms associated with the intensity of recent exposure and a reduction of late (24 h) repair capacity that was associated with the duration of employment. After 1 h of repair, lower levels of residual DNA damage were found in individuals possessing GSTT1 (P = 0.043). After 24 h of repair, lower residual DNA damage was found in individuals homozygous for XRCC1 Arg194 (P = 0.013). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the duration of exposure, smoking habits and polymorphisms of XRCC1 at codon 399 were important variables affecting the genotoxic responses. Our data suggest that DNA damage is formed in workers exposed to low concentrations of styrene, and that genotypes of metabolising and DNA‐repair genes are important for the assessment of individual genotoxic risk to styrene. The in vitro DNA repair phenotype assay might be a valuable method to estimate the susceptibility of workers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 44:293–303, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
k–l based hybrid LES/RANS approach and its application to heat transfer simulation
Authors: Zhong Bowen , Tucker Paul G.
Published: October 2004

To improve the compatibility of a k–l based hybrid LES/RANS approach, a controllable transitional zone is introduced to bridge the RANS and LES zones. This allows blending of the very different modelled turbulence length scales in these regions. To obtain a smooth variation of the length scales and transitional zone parameters different weighting functions are proposed. Results show the ‘RANS’ region has significant coherent unsteadiness. For Unsteady RANS (URANS) theoretical correctness, a favourable spectral gap between the modelled and resolved scales is required. The use of unsteadiness damping and time step filtering to ensure this is explored. Approaches are tested for a plane channel flow and the flow over a matrix of surface mounted cubes. The capability of the new hybrid LES/RANS method in improving heat transfer prediction in a conjugate heat transfer problem is examined. Numerical tests show that, compared to the RANS simulation, the proposed hybrid LES/RANS scheme performs well for the flow with large scale unsteadiness. It is also effective for improving the prediction of heat transfer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Responses of human keratocytes to micro‐ and nanostructured substrates
Authors: Teixeira Ana I. , Nealey Paul F. , Murphy Christopher J.
Published: October 2004

We have previously shown that human corneal epithelial cells respond to synthetic topographic features with dimensions similar to those found in the native human corneal basement membrane. Epithelial cells integrated inputs from substrate topography and soluble factors in the culture medium to generate alignment responses to substrate topographic anisotropies. Human keratocytes are the main cellular components of the stroma, the tissue that underlies the corneal epithelium. Here we report that keratocytes aligned more strongly than epithelial cells along topographic patterns of grooves and ridges. On patterns with pitches of 800 nm and larger approximately 70% of keratocytes were aligned along the patterns compared to 35% for epithelial cells. On 70 nm‐wide ridges on a 400‐nm pitch, keratocyte alignment dropped to 45%, whereas epithelial cell alignment remained constant. Similarly to epithelial cells, focal adhesions and associated stress fibers in keratocytes were aligned mainly along the substrate topographies, although oblique orientations were also observed. Furthermore, keratocytes cultured on the nanoscale patterns had fewer stress fibers and focal adhesions than cells cultured on microscale patterns or on smooth substrates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 71A: 369–376, 2004
The potential calcification of octacalcium phosphate on intraocular lens surfaces
Authors: Guan Xiangying , Tang Ruikang , Nancollas George H.
Published: October 2004

Recently, calcification was observed on implanted intraocular lens (IOL) surfaces when viscoelastic substances were applied during surgery. To elucidate the mechanisms of mineral formation, the crystallization of calcium phosphates on IOL surfaces was studied in vitro with nanomolar sensitivity using a constant composition method. Three different commercial viscoelastic materials (Viscoat®, OcuCoat®, and Amvisc® Plus) were investigated and it was found that some IOLs treated with Viscoat® or Amvisc® Plus induced the nucleation and growth of octacalcium phosphate crystallites under biological conditions. After treatments, the IOL surfaces became more hydrophilic probably because of the high viscoelastic phosphate and carboxylate contents. In contrast to Viscoat®, the use of OcuCoat® during surgery resulted in virtually no octacalcium phosphate nucleations. Calcification studies of IOL surfaces treated with fatty acids, which are present in human aqueous humor, suggest that hydrophobic cyclic silicones adsorbed on the IOL surfaces interact strongly with hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains of the fatty acids, creating a layer of amphiphiles oriented with functional carboxylate groups exposed to the aqueous solution and serving as active calcification sites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 71A: 488–496, 2004
An efficient hybrid explicit/implicit solvent method for biomolecular simulations
Authors: Lee Michael S. , Salsbury Freddie R. , Olson Mark A.
Published: October 2004

We present a new hybrid explicit/implicit solvent method for dynamics simulations of macromolecular systems. The method models explicitly the hydration of the solute by either a layer or sphere of water molecules, and the generalized Born (GB) theory is used to treat the bulk continuum solvent outside the explicit simulation volume. To reduce the computational cost, we implemented a multigrid method for evaluating the pairwise electrostatic and GB terms. It is shown that for typical ion and protein simulations our method achieves similar equilibrium and dynamical observables as the conventional particle mesh Ewald (PME) method. Simulation timings are reported, which indicate that the hybrid method is much faster than PME, primarily due to a significant reduction in the number of explicit water molecules required to model hydration effects. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1967–1978, 2004
Enthalpies of formation of monoderivatives of hydrocarbons: Interaction of polar groups with an alkyl group
Authors: Exner Otto , Böhm Stanislav
Published: October 2004

Energies of hydrocarbon monoderivatives CH3X, C2H5X, n‐C4H9X, and n‐C5H11X with 16 different substituents X were calculated at the levels B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p). The results were used to test the validity of the additive rule that has served commonly for estimating the enthalpies of formation ΔfH(T). The exact additivity corresponds to zero reaction energy ΔE of the isodesmic reaction, in which the substituent X is transferred from one alkyl group R to another. Additivity is approximately fulfilled for butyl and pentyl derivatives with the differences less than 0.3 kJ mol−1 (except charged groups X). Methyl derivatives deviated from the additive rule up to 22 kJ mol−1 for dipolar groups X and 45 kJ mol−1 for charged group, in agreement with the available experiments and with the anticipation of all suggested empirical schemes. In addition, smaller deviations of ethyl derivatives (3 or 20 kJ mol−1, respectively) were observed here for the first time. There is no correlation between the deviations of methyl and ethyl derivatives; they are also not related to steric effects, and only partly to polarization. Deviations of methyl derivatives are proportional to the electronegativity of the first atom of the substituent; even when the definition of electronegativity is somewhat questionable, one can say in any case that it is controlled by the first atom. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1979–1986, 2004
Introduction to the special issues on the unified theory
Authors: Henriques Gregg R. , Cobb Harriet C.
Published: October 2004

A unified theory of psychology has recently been proposed (Henriques, 2003), and the next two issues of the Journal of Clinical Psychology are devoted to its elaboration and evaluation. The current issue consists of a target article, “Psychology Defined,” which adds to the existing formulation and specifies how the theory can be used to effectively define the science of psychology. Distinguished experts in psychology contribute 13 commentaries offering a wide variety of perspectives on the proposed model. These are followed by two full‐length articles in which one author articulates the need for the unified theory and the other offers a different but compatible approach at integrating psychotherapy and personality. In the next special issue, authors either elaborate on or critique elements of the unified theory. How the new theory lays the foundation for the development of a useful mass movement that could transform the discipline of psychology in a manner that unleashes its constructive potential is the subject of the concluding article. When viewed as a whole, the two issues show that the unified theory provides fertile ground for scientific and philosophical inquiry on multiple levels of analysis, and that it may play a central role in helping the discipline of psychology fulfill its constructive potential. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Psychology defined
Authors: Henriques Gregg R.
Published: October 2004

A new form of knowledge technology is used to diagnose psychology's epistemological woes and provide a solution to the difficulties. The argument presented is that psychology has traditionally spanned two separate but intimately related problems: (a) the problem of animal behavior and (b) the problem of human behavior. Accordingly, the solution offered divides the field into two broad, logically consistent domains. The first domain is psychological formalism, which is defined as the science of mind, corresponds to animal behavior, and consists of the basic psychological sciences. The second domain is human psychology, which is defined as the science of human behavior at the individual level and is proposed as a hybrid that exists between psychological formalism and the social sciences. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Psychology's dilemma: An institutional neurosis?
Authors: Katzko Michael W.
Published: October 2004

The term psychology refers both to an institutional discipline and to a subject matter. Henriques, in his article “Psychology Defined” (this issue) , emphasizes the second reference, and its focus can be sharpened by taking into account the first reference. On the one hand, epistemic progress in science is a dynamic process, which, as often as not, cuts across institutional divisions. However, on the other hand there are some problems of disunity that solely concern the institution. That the latter falls within the scope of the Tree of Knowledge is illustrated in how Henriques' “Justification Hypothesis” sheds light on the nature of institutional disunity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Defining psychology: Is it worth the trouble?
Authors: Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: October 2004

Henrique's thoughtful effort (this issue) to define psychology suffers from at least three shortcomings: (a) “psychology” is almost certainly an inherently fuzzy concept that resists precise definition; (b) attempts to define psychology are likely to hamper rather than foster consilience across scientific disciplines; and (c) Henriques incorrectly diagnoses the cause of the scientist–practitioner gap and hence offers an incorrect prescription. The sources of this gap lie not in intractable definitional disputes, but in fundamentally different approaches to acquiring knowledge. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Rooting the tree of knowledge: A response to Henriques' “Psychology Defined”
Authors: Presbury Jack
Published: October 2004

Neither science nor culture could exist without a participant–observer and a conceiving human mind. Being‐in‐the‐world, or “Dasein,” as Heidegger termed it, is fundamental to any conceptual understanding we have of how things work in the universe. There is no view from nowhere. Psychology is the primordial ground in which the tree of knowledge has its roots. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Unifying psychology: Epistemological act or disciplinary maneuver?
Authors: Stam Henderikus J.
Published: October 2004

Two arguments with attempts to unify psychology are adumbrated in this commentary. First, the unification of psychology is largely a disciplinary maneuver and not primarily an epistemological act. Second, the discipline of psychology has been unified for some time around a series of methodological and functional categories that have served to support its institutional projects but hide metaphysical problems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Metarepresentation and the great cognitive divide: A commentary on Henriques' “Psychology Defined”
Authors: Stanovich Keith E.
Published: October 2004

I locate the discontinuity between humans and other animals a bit differently than Henriques (this issue)—in metarepresentational abilities. However, I do think that the justification process might have played a critical role in the development of these metarepresentational abilities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
The unification of psychology and psychological organizations
Authors: Stricker George
Published: October 2004

The Tree of Knowledge is an imaginative attempt to construct a metatheoretical system that proposes to unify the discipline of psychology. However, it is limited in its appreciation of political factors, and so an optimistic view of the possibility of the system overlooks the power issues that beset the field. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Beyond the justification hypothesis: A broader theory of the evolution of self‐consciousness
Authors: Vazire Simine , Robins Richard W.
Published: October 2004

We evaluate Henriques' Justification Hypothesis (JH; this issue) and argue that his explanation for the evolution of self‐consciousness is overly narrow and the evolutionary sequence of events is backwards. Instead, we propose a broader theory of the evolution of self‐consciousness, with four categories of adaptive functions: (a) self‐regulation, (b) selective information processing, (c) understanding others, and (d) identity formation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Pluralism in the sciences is not easily dismissed
Authors: Viney Wayne
Published: October 2004

The unification scheme proposed by Henriques in his article “Psychology Defined” (this issue) holds promise as a coherent and comprehensive approach to psychology and as a helpful way to think about the relation of psychology to other sciences. There is, nevertheless, room for concern that there is no concept of unification to date that does not neglect important dimensions of human experience. It is argued that the disunities in psychology need not result in a sense of disciplinary inferiority. In fact, many leading scholars now challenge the belief that other sciences are models of integration and unity. It is also argued that there are not true type identities between levels of organization (e.g., experience and underlying neurological processes). Accordingly, there are serious questions about the kind of unity that can be achieved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
How does psychotherapy influence personality? A theoretical integration
Authors: Mayer John D.
Published: October 2004

A given type of psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic) is associated with a set of specific change techniques (e.g., interpreting defenses, identifying relationship themes). Different change techniques can be conceived of as influencing different parts of personality (e.g., interpreting defense increases conscious awareness). An integrated model of personality is presented. Then, change techniques from different theoretical perspectives are assigned by judges to areas of personality the techniques are believed to influence. The results suggest that specific change techniques can be reliably sorted into the areas of personality. Thinking across theoretical perspectives leads to important new opportunities for assessment, therapy outcome research, and communication with patients concerning personality change. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.