bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pheromone Synthesis, CLXV. A New Synthesis of (3S,7R,8E,10E)‐3,7,9‐Trimethyl‐8,10‐dodecadien‐6‐one, the Major Component of the Sex Pheromone of the Maritime Pine Scale
Authors: Mori Kenji , Furuuchi Takeshi , Kiyota Hiromasa
Published: July 2007

(3S,7R,8E,10E)‐3,7,9‐Trimethyl‐8,10‐dodecadien‐6‐one (1), the major component of the female‐produced sex pheromone of the maritime pine scale (Matsucoccus feytaudi), was synthesized by starting from epoxide 2, which was obtained from meso‐epoxy diacetate (F) by employing enzyme‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrolysis as the key step.
Reaktionen von 1,3‐Dipolen mit Heterocyclen, 9. Umsetzungen von Nitriliminen mit Pyrazinen, Pyrimidinen und 1H‐Pyrimidinthionen
Authors: Grubert Lutz , Pätzel Michael , Jugelt Werner , Riemer Beate , Liebscher Jürgen
Published: July 2007

Reactions of 1,3‐Dipoles with Heterocycles, 9. – Reactions of Nitrilimines with Pyrazines, Pyrimidines and 1H‐Pyrimidinethiones

Analogous to the synthesis of 1,3‐diaryl‐1,8a‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]pyridines by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of diarylnitrilimines with pyridines, the C=N bonds of pyrazine and pyrimidine regio‐ and stereoselectively react as heterodipolarophiles with nitrilimines 2, generated in situ by dehydrohalogenation of corresponding hydrazonoyl chlorides 1. Whereas in the reaction with pyrazine the biscycloadducts 1,10,10a,10b‐tetrahydrodi[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a:3′,4′‐c] pyrazines 4 were obtained, the interaction of 2 with pyrimidines gave rise to stable monocycloadducts 5, 6 and 7 (1,8a‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidines). Furthermore a study of the cycloaddition behaviour of a series of pyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thiones and ‐4(1H)‐thiones with nitrilimines has been carried out. From the different kinds of potentially reactive sites under normal reaction conditions exclusively the semicyclic C=S bond of pyrimidinethiones shows a cycloaddition reaction to give the corresponding spiro[pyrimidine‐4(1H),2′(3′H)‐[1,3,4]thiadiazoles] 8 and 9. Using a large excess of nitrilimine in the cycloaddition with pyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thiones 2:1‐cycloadducts 10 were formed.
Enzymes in organic synthesis, 21. Lipase‐catalyzed conversion of (±)‐2‐methylglutaric anhydride into (S)‐2‐methyl‐ and (R)‐4‐methyl‐δ‐valerolactone via a regio‐ and enantioselective sequential esterification
Authors: Ozegowski Rüdiger , Kunath Annamarie , Schick Hans
Published: July 2007

The enzyme‐catalyzed sequential esterification of (±)‐2‐methylpentanedioic anhydride (rac‐1) with 2‐methylpropanol in diethyl ether afforded a 1:1 mixture of 1‐(2‐methylpropyl) 5‐hydrogen (S)‐4‐methylpentanedioate (ent‐2) with an enantiomeric excess of 88% and 1‐(2‐methylpropyl) 5‐hydrogen (R)‐2‐methylpentanedioate (3) with an e.e. of 99% besides a considerable amount of the diester ent‐4. Exploiting the ability of the enzymes Novozym and SP 382 to differentiate between the two enantiomers and to catalyze the alcoholysis of both enantiomers with opposite regioselectivity, we reduced the resolution of rac‐1 to a simple chromatographic separation of enantiomerically enriched regioisomeric monoesters. The high optical purity of monoester 3 could be achieved due to the fast conversion of its enantiomer into the diester ent‐4. Via reduction with lithium borohydride the monoesters ent‐2 and 3 were converted into the corresponding δ‐valerolactones ent‐5 and 6.
Selektive Acylierungen von 3(5)‐Alkyl‐5(3)‐amino‐1H‐pyrazolen und eine neue Pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazol‐Synthese
Authors: Kirschke Klaus , Wolff Erich , Ramm Matthias , Lutze Gerhard , Schulz Burkhard
Published: July 2007

Selective Acylations of 3(5)‐Alkyl‐5(3)‐amino‐1H‐pyrazoles and a New Pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazole Synthesis

(Z)‐5‐Amino‐1‐[1‐(hydroximino)alkyl]‐1H‐pyrazoles 3 have been synthesized by acylation of 3(5)‐alkyl‐5(3)‐amino‐1H‐pyrazoles 1 with nitrile oxides. The tosylation of the hydroxyimino group of 3 to (Z)‐5‐amino‐1‐[1‐(p‐tosyloximino)alkyl]‐1H‐pyrazoles 4 and the subsequent acetylation of the 5‐amino group give (E)‐ and (Z)‐5‐acetamido‐1‐[1‐(p‐tosyloximino)alkyl]‐1H‐pyrazoles 5, which undergo cyclization under basic conditions to pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazoles 6, 7 or 8.
Supramolekulare Phosphoryl‐Übertragungsreaktionen, vermittelt durch Amidinium‐Phosphat‐Ionenpaarkomplexe
Authors: Müller Gilbert , Dürner Gerd , Bats Jan W. , Göbel Michael W.
Published: July 2007

Supramolecular Phosphoryl Transfer Reactions Mediated by Amidinium Phosphate Ion‐Pair Complexes

In order to build up simplified synthetic models of staphylococcal nuclease two derivatives of 8‐phenylnaphthalene‐1‐carboxamidine equipped with nucleophilic side chains have been prepared (1,2). After protonation these amidinium alcohols bind phosphodiester anions via hydrogen bonds and react within the ion‐pair complexes to give zwitterionic products 27 and 28. The rate accelerations (DMF, 30°C) compared to the phosphorylation of noncharged alcohols are 2700‐fold (2) and 930‐fold (1).
Total Synthesis of Angucyclines, 4. Synthesis of rac‐Tetrangomycin
Authors: Krohn Karsten , Khanbabaee Karamali
Published: July 2007

The synthesis of racemic tetrangomycin (11) is reported. In the key step the hexahydrobenz[α]anthraquinone 8 is generated in a regioselective Diels‐Alder reaction of diene 5 with bromonaphthoquinone 7. The conversion of 8 into 11 involves only three operations: treatment with diethyl ether–boron trifluoride, hydrogen peroxide and photooxygenation.
Pheromone Synthesis, CLXVII. Synthesis of All of the Eight Stereoisomers of Methyl 2,6,10‐Trimethyltridecanoate, the Male‐Produced Pheromone of the Stink Bugs, Euschistus heros and E. obscurus
Authors: Mori Kenji , Murata Noriaki
Published: July 2007

All of the eight possible stereoisomers of methyl 2,6,10‐trimethyltridecanoate (1), the male‐produced attractant pheromone of the South American soybean pest, Euschistus heros, and that of E. obscurus, are synthesized by starting from the enantiomers of citronellol (2) and methyl 3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoate (9).
Longiside, a Novel Digalactosylceramide from the Caribbean Sponge Agelas longissima
Authors: Cafieri Francesco , Fattorusso Ernesto , Mahajnah Yosef , Mangoni Alfonso
Published: July 2007

The Caribbean sponge Agelas longissima produces large amounts of (2S,3S,4R)‐O‐(β‐D‐galactofuranosyl)‐(1→4)‐(α‐D‐galactopyranosyl)‐(1→1)‐[(R)‐2‐hydroxytetracosylamido]‐1,3,4‐hexadecanetriol (longiside, 1), a glycosphingolipid with an unprecedented carbohydrate moiety containing a galactose unit in the unusual β‐furanose form. The structure of longiside was determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation.
Supramolekulare Phosphorylierung kationischer Alkohole mit 3‐Arylindol‐4‐carboxamidin‐Struktur
Authors: Reckenbeil Dieter , Bats Jan W. , Dürner Gerd , Göbel Michael W.
Published: July 2007

Supramolecular Phosphorylation of Cationic Alcohols with a 3‐Arylindole‐4‐carboxamidine Framework

Recently we reported on the synthesis of 8‐phenylnaphthalene‐1‐carboxamidines equipped with nucleophilic side chains (1, 2). In the protonated state these compounds were able to coordinate phosphoric acid diesters as ion‐pair complexes and to react with them in a quasi‐intramolecular way. In comparison with noncharged alcohols high‐rate enhancements of phosphorylation could be achieved. Now we describe the synthesis of analogous amidinium alcohols constructed from a 3,4‐disubstituted indole framework. Due to the five‐membered ring of the indole the angle between the substituents of 4 and 5 is extended compared to the naphthalene derivatives 1 and 2. As a result from this structural change a slight increase of the phosphorylation rate of 4 is observed.
A modelling investigation into the economic and environmental values of ‘perfect’ climate forecasts for wheat production under contrasting rainfall conditions
Authors: Yu Qiang , Wang Enli , Smith Chris J.
Published: July 2007

With increased investment in improving climate forecasting techniques, it is essential to find ways of quantifying the maximum benefit of climate forecasts for a given industry. This paper describes an approach to quantify the value of ‘perfect’ climate forecasts to direct nitrogen management in a wheat‐cropping system at two Australian locations with contrasting annual rainfall. For annual wheat‐cropping systems, and compared with the N management based on optimal N rate derived from long‐term climatic conditions, N management based on ‘perfect’ climate forecasts can lead to an average benefit of $ 65.2/ha/year at Walbundrie (annual rainfall 560.0 mm) and $ 66.5/ha/year at Wanbi (annual rainfall 314.5 mm). Generally, the economic benefit is highest in extreme (wet and dry) years and lowest in normal years. At the high rainfall site Walbundrie, where average N‐application rate is high, the maximum yearly benefit was from significant saving through reduction in N application in driest years. At the low rainfall site Wanbi, where average N rates are low, the highest benefit was from both yield increases in the wettest years and saving of management and fertilizer cost in the driest years. Such optimized nitrogen management has little impact on excess drainage, but it can have significant impact on reduction of excess nitrogen, especially in high rainfall areas. An excess N reduction of 1314 kg N/ha at Wanbi and 1538 kg N/ha at Walbundrie can be achieved in 114 years. The significant reduction in N excess at Walbundrie may have profound environmental implications. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
ENSO history recorded in Agathis australis (kauri) tree rings. Part A: kauri's potential as an ENSO proxy
Authors: Fowler A. M. , Boswijk G. , Gergis J. , Lorrey A.
Published: July 2007

Although many of the main characteristics of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon have been established, uncertainties remain concerning its multidecadal‐ to millennial‐scale evolution. Because of the shortness of the instrumental record, we need to resort to proxy‐based reconstructions to investigate ENSO's history prior to the mid 19th century, but the available proxy data is limited in both time and space. Here we investigate the potential for ENSO reconstruction from the tree rings of Agathis australis (kauri). Kauri is a long‐lived endemic New Zealand conifer and grows in an ENSO teleconnection region not previously represented in ENSO multi‐proxy studies. A high quality 423 year kauri regional master chronology (AD 1580–2002) is constructed. Statistical analysis of the period AD 1876–2002 confirms previous findings that kauri tree rings carry a strong regional‐scale climate signal and that ENSO is a significant contributor (predominantly via the western pole of the Southern Oscillation). Kauri carries a signal of both ENSO phases, but with a slight El Niño bias. Growth sensitivity is primarily registered through a five‐season window, extending from March (prior to growth initiation in September) through to the following May, with strongest relationships across the middle three seasons (June–February). Relationships appear to be stationary. We conclude that kauri has sufficient ENSO event capture skill to make it a useful addition to future multi‐proxy ENSO reconstruction efforts. It may also have potential for stand‐alone reconstruction of multidecadal‐ to millennial‐scale evolution of ENSO activity, especially ENSO robustness. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Anti‐inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of nutraceuticals from Sasha's Blend in a cartilage explant model of inflammation
Authors: Pearson Wendy , Orth Michael W. , Karrow Niel A. , MacLusky Neil J. , Lindinger Michael I.
Published: July 2007

New Zealand green lipped mussel (NZGLM), abalone (AB), and shark cartilage (SC) are extensively used for treatment of and/or as preventatives for arthritis, despite a relative paucity of scientific evidence for efficacy. This research integrated a simulated digestion protocol with ultrafiltration and cartilage explants to generate new information on the anti‐inflammatory and chondroprotective properties of NZGLM, SC, and AB. Each nutraceutical was artificially digested using simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, and the crude digest was ultrafiltered (50 kDa). Each filtrate was applied individually to cartilage explants before the explants were stimulated with IL‐1 to induce an acute inflammatory response. Media were collected daily for 48 h and analyzed for prostaglandin E2(PGE2), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and nitric oxide (NO), and cartilage tissue was differentially stained to determine the relative proportion of live and dead cells. SC and NZGLM significantly inhibited IL‐1‐induced PGE2synthesis and IL‐1‐induced GAG release, and AB was an effective inhibitor of IL‐1‐induced NO production. The three test nutraceuticals affect at least three major pathways involved in the catabolic cycle of arthritis and may prove important treatments and/or preventatives for the pain and degradation associated with this condition. The methodology and results describe a useful model for evaluating dietary nutraceuticalsin vitro.
Structural determination of kochiosides A–C, new steroidal glucosides from Kochia prostrata, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Ahmed Ejaz , Malik Abdul
Published: July 2007

Kochiosides A–C, three new steroidal glucosides, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Kochia prostrata and their structures assigned from its 1H and 13C NMR spectra, DEPT and by 2D COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignments of three new lanostanoid triterpenes with unprecedented Δ16, 17 double bond from Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Guan Shu‐Hong , Yang Min , Wang Xiao‐Ming , Xia Jia‐Meng , Zhang Zhi‐Ming , Liu Xuan , Guo De‐An
Published: July 2007

Three new lanostanoid triterpenes named 3β,7β‐di‐ hydroxy‐11,15,23‐trioxo‐lanost‐8,16‐dien‐26‐oic acid (1), 3β,7β‐dihydroxy‐11,15,23‐trioxo‐lanost‐8,16‐dien‐26‐oic acid methyl ester (2), and 12β‐acetoxy‐3β,7β‐dihydroxy‐11,15,23‐trioxo‐lanost‐8,16‐dien‐26‐oic acid (3) were isolated from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. They all show a Δ16, 17 double bond unprecedented in such types of lanostanoid triterpenes possessing the side chain at C‐17. The complete NMR assignments for these compounds were carried out using 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY NMR experiments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data of nine surfactin isomers
Authors: Tang Jin‐Shan , Gao Hao , Hong Kui , Yu Yang , Jiang Miao‐Miao , Lin Hai‐Peng , Ye Wen‐Cai , Yao Xin‐Sheng
Published: July 2007

A new surfactin isomer (1) was isolated from a mangrove bacteria strain ‘Bacillus sp’. Its structure was identified, and full assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data were achieved for the first time by a combination of mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR experiments including DEPT, 1H1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, TOCSY, ROESY, and HSQC‐TOCSY. The NMR spectral data of eight known analogs (2–9) are also reported. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An increase in DNA double‐strand breaks, induced by Ku70 depletion, is associated with human papillomavirus 16 episome loss and de novo viral integration events
Authors: Winder DM , Pett MR , Foster N , Shivji MKK , Herdman MT , Stanley MA , Venkitaraman AR , Coleman N
Published: July 2007

Integration of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is a common event in cervical carcinogenesis, although mechanisms of integration are poorly understood. We have tested the hypothesis that an increased number of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) affect HPV16 episome maintenance and integration in cervical keratinocytes. Increased DSBs were generated over prolonged periods of up to 50 population doublings in the unique polyclonal cervical keratinocyte cell line W12, which stably maintains HPV16 episomes. This was achieved using repeated treatments with short interfering RNA to obtain sustained depletion of Ku70, a key mediator of DNA non‐homologous end joining. An increase in DSBs was seen shortly after commencement of Ku70 depletion. Continuous depletion was reproducibly associated with loss of HPV16 episomes and also with a new viral integration event, which was rapidly selected in outgrowing W12 cells. Despite the prolonged presence of DSBs, high‐level chromosomal instability (detected by marked changes in genomic copy number) was not observed until cells containing the new integrant were almost fully selected, with no evidence of such chromosomal instability prior to integration. Our data show that increased DNA DSBs are associated with HPV16 episomal loss and integration in cervical keratinocytes. We found no evidence to support the notion that major chromosomal instability precedes HPV16 integration, although such instability is an important consequence of the integration event. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A la carte proteomics with an emphasis on gel‐free techniques
Authors: Gevaert Kris , Van Damme Petra , Ghesquière Bart , Impens Francis , Martens Lennart , Helsens Kenny , Vandekerckhove Joël
Published: July 2007

Since the introduction of the proteome term somewhat more than a decade ago the field of proteomics witnessed a rapid growth mainly fueled by instrumental analytical improvements. Of particular notice is the advent of a diverse set of gel‐free proteomics techniques. In this review, we discuss several of these gel‐free techniques both for monitoring protein concentration changes and protein modifications, in particular protein phosphorylation, glycosylation, and protein processing. Furthermore, different approaches for (multiplexed) gel‐free proteome analysis are discussed.
Protein abundance ratios for global studies of prokaryotes
Authors: Xia Qiangwei , Hendrickson Erik L. , Wang Tiansong , Lamont Richard J. , Leigh John A. , Hackett Murray
Published: July 2007

The use of multidimensional capillary HPLC combined with MS/MS has allowed high qualitative and quantitative proteome coverage of prokaryotic organisms. The determination of protein abundance change between two or more conditions has matured to the point that false discovery rates can be very low and for smaller proteomes coverage is sufficiently high to explicitly consider false negative error. Selected aspects of using these methods for global protein abundance assessments are reviewed. These include instrumental issues that influence the reliability of abundance ratios; a comparison of sources of nonlinearity, errors, and data compression in proteomics and spotted cDNA arrays; strengths and weaknesses of spectral counting versus stable isotope metabolic labeling; and a survey of microbiological applications of global abundance analysis at the protein level. Proteomic results for two organisms that have been studied extensively using these methods are reviewed in greater detail. Spectral counting and metabolic labeling data are compared and the utility of proteomics for global gene regulation studies are discussed for the methanogenic Archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis. The oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is discussed as an example of an organism where a large percentage of the proteome differs in relative abundance between the intracellular and extracellular phenotype.
Advanced Geometrical Modeling of Focused Beam Reflectance Measurements (FBRM)
Authors: Kail Norbert , Briesen Heiko , Marquardt Wolfgang
Published: July 2007

In the past decade the use of focused beam reflectance measurements (FBRM) has been established as an on line and in situ particle characterization technique. However, a model is required to obtain full information from the FBRM signal and to compare the results to other measurement techniques. Different modeling approaches can be found in the literature. All of these assume a laser focus of zero extension, motionless particles and fully opaque particles. It is shown in this work that these assumptions do not hold even for ideally spherical particles. For large, opaque particles, the particle velocity and a depth dependent laser velocity have to be considered. For highly transparent particles, backscattering only occurs near the edges of a crystal. Consequently, two more refined modeling approaches – the velocity model and the edge scattering model – based on Monte‐Carlo techniques are developed and verified in this work.
An NMA‐guided path planning approach for computing large‐amplitude conformational changes in proteins
Authors: Kirillova Svetlana , Cortés Juan , Stefaniu Alin , Siméon Thierry
Published: July 2007

This paper presents a new method for computing macromolecular motions based on the combination of path planning algorithms, originating from robotics research, and elastic network normal mode analysis. The low‐frequency normal modes are regarded as the collective degrees of freedom of the molecule. Geometric path planning algorithms are used to explore these collective degrees of freedom in order to find possible large‐amplitude conformational changes. To overcome the limits of the harmonic approximation, which is valid in the vicinity of the minimum energy structure, and to get larger conformational changes, normal mode calculations are iterated during the exploration. Initial results show the efficiency of our method, which requires a small number of normal mode calculations to compute large‐amplitude conformational transitions in proteins. A detailed analysis is presented for the computed transition between the open and closed structures of adenylate kinase. This transition, important for its biological function, involves large‐amplitude domain motions. The obtained motion correlates well with results presented in related works. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Special Issue: Frontiers in Molecular‐Beam Epitaxy toward Novel Devices
Authors: Grahn Holger T. , Koch Reinhold , Trampert Achim
Published: July 2007

This special issue of physica status solidi (b) entitled “Frontiers in Molecular‐Beam Epitaxy toward Novel Devices” with 27 contributions from leading semiconductor scientists has been prepared to honor Klaus H. Ploog, Paul Drude Institute for Solid State Electronics Berlin, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

The cover picture shows an azimuthal reflection high‐energy electron diffraction (RHEED) scan of a 6.5 monolayer thick MnAs film on GaAs [1] overlaid on a GaAs wafer. The diffraction pattern is a cut through the reciprocal lattice of the epitaxial MnAs film, reflecting the hexagonal structure of MnAs. The growth of MnAs by molecular‐beam epitaxy and its structural and magnetic properties have been extensively studied under Klaus Ploog's directorship of the Paul Drude Institute. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimal combination of wind power forecasts
Authors: Nielsen Henrik Aa. , Nielsen Torben S. , Madsen Henrik , Pindado Maria J. San Isidro , Marti Ignacio
Published: July 2007

We consider wind power forecasts based on a number of different meteorological forecasts originating from three different global meteorological models. Wind power forecasts based on these meteorological forecasts have fairly similar performance. However, in the paper, we show that the wind power forecast errors are relatively uncorrelated. For this reason, we can combine the forecasts and obtain a final forecast which performs better than any of the individual forecasts. Optimal weights are found based on the bias of the individual forecasts and the variance–covariance matrix of the individual forecast errors. In the paper, we show that quite significant improvements can be obtained using only a few different meteorological forecasts. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term follow‐up study of patients with phenylketonuria detected by the newborn screening programme in Japan
Authors: Aoki K. , Ohwada M. , Kitagawa T.
Published: July 2007

The objective of this report is to determine the need for and value of the long‐term follow‐up study of phenylketonuria (PKU) patients detected by newborn screening (NBS) in Japan. NBS was started in 1977 and the nationwide follow‐up study of the identified patients was introduced into the NBS system. Outcome data from the continuous follow‐up study showed in 1993 that IQ of PKU patients was inversely correlated with blood phenylalanine levels. Accordingly, in 1995, new treatment guidelines were issued that involved more stringent restriction of phenylalanine levels. Follow‐up data confirmed that mean blood phenylalanine levels decreased after the introduction of the new guidelines, which included the recommendation to start dietary treatment within 20 days postpartum. Follow‐up data also confirmed that dietary treatment did in fact commence earlier after the guidelines were issued. The need for lifelong dietary treatment is a difficult issue and the number of patients who stop dietary treatment was found to increase gradually with age. At present 60% of PKU patients born between 1977 and 1981 have stopped their dietary restriction of phenylalanine. The data gained from NBS and the long‐term follow‐up study were found to be valuable for the improvement of blood phenylalanine levels for patients with PKU, indicating the need for parties responsible for NBS and the follow‐up study of the identified patients to work cooperatively. Further, the evaluations of the effectiveness of the two initiatives as well as the treatment guidelines issued should be based on outcome data, which depend on the continuation of the follow‐up study of patients with PKU.
Use of functional foods among Swedish consumers is related to health-consciousness and perceived effect
Authors: Landström Eva , Koivisto Hursti Ulla-Kaisa , Becker Wulf , Magnusson Maria
Published: July 2007

The aim of the present study was to survey attitudes to and use of functional foods and to investigate which demographic variables and attitudes to diet and health predict consumption of functional foods among Swedish consumers. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 2000 randomly selected Swedish citizens aged between 17 and 75 years. A total of 972 (48 %) responded, 53 % were female and 44 % male. Mean age was 45 years. The results revealed that 84 % of respondents were familiar with the concept of functional foods; 83 % had consumed/purchased at least one of the seven functional food products presented in the questionnaire. Of those who had consumed a functional food, 25 % had perceived effect of it. Positive correlations were seen between consumers perceiving a personal reward from eating functional foods, having an interest in natural products and an interest in general health. Consumption/purchase of functional foods was related to beliefs in the effects of the products, having consumed nutraceuticals or dietary supplements, having a diet-related problem personally or in the family, and a high level of education. The characteristic Swedish functional food consumer has a high level of education, is health-conscious and interested in healthy foods and believes in the health effect of functional foods. Thus, factors other than demographics better explain consumption of FF. However, the study population may represent a more health-conscious segment of the Swedish population in general. Additional studies are therefore required to elucidate the attitudes and use of FF in different consumer groups.
RURAL–URBAN MIGRATION AND CHILD SURVIVAL IN URBAN BANGLADESH: ARE THE URBAN MIGRANTS AND POOR DISADVANTAGED?
Authors: ISLAM M. MAZHARUL , AZAD KAZI MD ABUL KALAM
Published: July 2007

This paper analyses the levels and trends of childhood mortality in urban Bangladesh, and examines whether children’s survival chances are poorer among the urban migrants and urban poor. It also examines the determinants of child survival in urban Bangladesh. Data come from the 1999–2000 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The results indicate that, although the indices of infant and child mortality are consistently better in urban areas, the urban–rural differentials in childhood mortality have diminished in recent years. The study identifies two distinct child morality regimes in urban Bangladesh: one for urban natives and one for rural–urban migrants. Under-five mortality is higher among children born to urban migrants compared with children born to life-long urban natives (102 and 62 per 1000 live births, respectively). The migrant–native mortality differentials more-or-less correspond with the differences in socioeconomic status. Like childhood mortality rates, rural–urban migrants seem to be moderately disadvantaged by economic status compared with their urban native counterparts. Within the urban areas, the child survival status is even worse among the migrant poor than among the average urban poor, especially recent migrants. This poor–non-poor differential in childhood mortality is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The study findings indicate that rapid growth of the urban population in recent years due to rural-to-urban migration, coupled with higher risk of mortality among migrant’s children, may be considered as one of the major explanations for slower decline in under-five mortality in urban Bangladesh, thus diminishing urban–rural differentials in childhood mortality in Bangladesh. The study demonstrates that housing conditions and access to safe drinking water and hygienic toilet facilities are the most critical determinants of child survival in urban areas, even after controlling for migration status. The findings of the study may have important policy implications for urban planning, highlighting the need to target migrant groups and the urban poor within urban areas in the provision of health care services.
The occurrence of severe infections with Rhabditis axei in AIDS patients in Iran
Authors: Meamar A.R. , Kia E.B. , Zahabiun F. , Jafari-mehr A. , Moghadam A. , Sadjjadi S.M.
Published: July 2007

During an investigation on strongyloidiasis in AIDS patients from Iran, direct smears of stools revealed many eggs and larvae of Rhabditis axei, which were subcultured to confirm identification.
Familial carotid body tumours: is there a role for genetic screening?
Authors: Jani P , Qureshi A A , Verma S , Walker L
Published: July 2007

Objective:

Carotid body tumours are rare lesions which are familial in 10 per cent of cases. In this paper, we demonstrate the clinical applicability of predictive genetic testing for familial carotid body tumours.

Methods:

We report a case manifesting with multiple carotid body tumours, in which subsequent genetic testing demonstrated a germline mutation which could be traced across generations. We review the diagnosis and management of carotid body tumours in the familial setting, together with the strategies presently available to screen individuals from susceptible families.

Conclusions:

The recent advent of a predictive genetic test for familial carotid body tumours offers a novel means of pre-selecting those at risk, so as to minimise screening costs and patient morbidity. Early diagnosis of lesions is essential to allow early intervention, reducing surgical morbidity and progression to malignancy.
Cysticercosis of the oral cavity: an often misdiagnosed entity
Authors: Subramanian B , Krishnaraj S , Agrawal K , Soundararagavan J
Published: July 2007

We present a case report of a single lesion of cysticercosis cellulosae, a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), presenting as a soft tissue swelling of the lower lip. We stress the importance of knowledge about oral manifestations of parasitic infections.
An aberrant internal carotid artery in the temporal bone presenting as a middle-ear mass: a case report
Authors: Eryilmaz A , Dagli M , Cayonu M , Dursun E , Gocer C
Published: July 2007

Objective:

To draw attention to the possibility of an aberrant internal carotid artery behind an intact tympanic membrane presenting as a middle-ear mass.

Case:

A 48-year-old female patient presented with a hearing impairment in her right ear that had started 10 years ago. Otoscopic examination revealed a retro-tympanic mass. A high resolution computed tomography scan of the temporal bone was performed that showed protrusion of the internal carotid artery into the middle ear. Magnetic resonance angiography provided excellent visualisation of the internal carotid artery. Finally, a diagnosis of an aberrant internal carotid artery was made and the patient was evaluated with a conservative approach.

Conclusion:

All retro-tympanic masses should ideally be visualised with a computed tomography scan of the temporal bone before any middle-ear surgery, such as tympanotomy and biopsy, and it is essential for every otologist who undertakes myringotomy and middle-ear surgery to know about this rare entity.
Llimonaea sorediata, a new lichen (Ascomycota), widely distributed in western Europe
Authors: van den BOOM P. P. G. , BRAND A. M.
Published: July 2007

The first sorediate species in the genus Llimonaea, L. sorediata is described from coastal areas of western Europe. This new species is easily mistaken for Dirina massiliensis f. sorediata with which it often co-occurs. It grows on vertical or overhanging acidic cliffs. Fertile specimens were recently collected in Portugal. A description of the species together with notes on distribution, ecology and chemistry are provided and a key to the species of Llimonaea is also provided.
Reproductive strategy and the compositional dynamics of crustose lichen communities on aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Scotland
Authors: ELLIS Christopher J. , COPPINS Brian J.
Published: July 2007

Ecological studies are essential in understanding the response of crustose lichens to habitat dynamics and developing effective conservation strategy. While the combined response of individual crustose species within a community will be tremendously complex, the overall result of individualistic change can be simplified using trait-based analyses. In this paper we examine the response of crustose species with contrasting reproductive traits (predominantly sexual vs asexual reproduction) and which occur within a closely defined habitat (as epiphytes on the lower bole of aspen) to environmental drivers measured at two different scales, i.e. between and within aspen stands. Our results point to the important effect of tree age and subsequent shifts in bark quality (pH) on the composition of the crustose community. However, shifts in community composition putatively controlled by bark quality comprise a change from a community dominated by sexual species to a community with mostly asexual crusts. Our results suggest therefore that variation within this crustose community may be driven by the combined effects of allogenic change (tree age and bark quality) and autogenic processes that are related to a species’ adaptive life-history traits.
Nematicidal effects of cysteine proteinases against sedentary plant parasitic nematodes
Authors: STEPEK G. , CURTIS R. H. C. , KERRY B. R. , SHEWRY P. R. , CLARK S. J. , LOWE A. E. , DUCE I. R. , BUTTLE D. J. , BEHNKE J. M.
Published: July 2007

Cysteine proteinases from the fruit and latex of plants, such as papaya, pineapple and fig, have previously been shown to have substantial anthelmintic efficacy,in vitroandin vivo, against a range of animal parasitic nematodes. In this paper, we describe thein vitroeffects of these plant extracts against 2 sedentary plant parasitic nematodes of the generaMeloidogyneandGlobodera. All the plant extracts examined caused digestion of the cuticle and decreased the activity of the tested nematodes. The specific inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, E-64, blocked this activity completely, indicating that it was essentially mediated by cysteine proteinases.In vitro, plant cysteine proteinases are active against second-stage juveniles ofM. incognitaandM. javanica, and some cysteine proteinases also affect the second-stage juveniles ofGlobodera rostochiensis. It is not known yet whether these plant extracts will interfere with, or prevent invasion of, host plants.
Lee Teng-hui and the Idea of “Taiwan”
Authors: Jacobs J. Bruce , Ben Liu I-Hao
Published: July 2007

Lee Teng-hui, president of Taiwan from 1988 to 2000, played an important role in launching the widespread nationalism in Taiwan today. Since the end of his presidency, Lee has pushed very hard for a separate Taiwan nation, but during his terms of office he moved very cautiously and only announced his “special state-to-state” relationship to describe Taiwan's relations with China after China repeatedly refused to negotiate. Although Lee's efforts at democratization have received widespread affirmation in Taiwan, his efforts in creating Taiwan nationalism have proven more controversial.
Mao's Parades: State Spectacles in China in the 1950s
Authors: Hung Chang-Tai
Published: July 2007

Political parades in the People's Republic of China are a rich and complex cultural text from which historians can gain a deeper understanding of the nature and policies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP's state spectacles, primarily the parades during the May Day and National Day (1 October) celebrations held in Tiananmen Square in the 1950s, were a well-organized political ritual with multiple purposes: festivals of iconoclasm, demolishing the old order and embracing the new era of socialism; a legitimation of the CCP's authority; a display of myriad achievements under communism; an affirmation of the centrality of Mao's role in modern Chinese revolutionary history; and an announcement of China's presence in the international socialist camp. The parades, although influenced by the Soviet Union, exhibited strong native colours. They also reflected a nation undergoing political and economic changes. In the end, Mao Zedong and his senior Party leaders, acting both as actors and directors, carefully controlled and choreographed the paraders, who were themselves the audience, in Tiananmen Square to heap praise on the achievements of the Party and its chairman.
Comparing Poverty Among Older People in Urban China Internationally
Authors: Saunders Peter
Published: July 2007

The decline in China's overall poverty rate in recent decades reflects the success of the economic reforms, but it is also important to examine the structure of poverty. Its incidence among older people can highlight where and how pension schemes and other mechanisms succeed in providing income adequacy in old age. This article compares poverty rates among the aged living by themselves (or with their spouse) in urban China with those existing in a range of other, mainly richer industrial countries. It uses data from a national survey of the aged in China conducted in 2000 and estimates derived from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS), an international project that has set the standards for comparative research on economic well-being, poverty and inequality. The results provide a robust assessment of how well China has performed in reducing poverty among older people. Using poverty lines set at one-half of median and mean income, the analysis indicates that while relative poverty among older people in urban China exceeds that in other countries, the gap varies with living arrangements, where the poverty line is set and how older people are defined, but is far smaller than the underlying differences in per capita income.
Women as State-Builders in Qinghai Province: Evidence from the 2000 Census
Authors: Rohlf Greg
Published: July 2007

During the Qing dynasty, the expansion of the Chinese empire was led by male-dominated institutions. This pattern continued into the first decades of the People's Republic of China. Qinghai province was on the receiving end of largely male population transfers beginning in the 1950s. In the 1960s and 1970s, in-migration continued at lower levels but the gender balance of in- and out-migration shifted. Official population figures show that the population of Han women grew faster than Han men in the 1960s and 1970s despite ongoing male resettlement and sex ratios at birth that favoured males. The faster rate of growth for Han women is therefore most likely to be the result of population transfers to Qinghai, rather than births or deaths. One can also see evidence of population transfers of women in the 1960s and 1970s in two middle-aged cohorts of Qinghai's urban population in 2000 that are dominated by females. It is likely that this bulge in the numbers of middle-aged women in Qinghai's municipalities has been produced by population transfers and that it reflects a state policy to adjust the imbalanced gender ratios it had created in the 1950s.
Alteration of retinal intrinsic survival signal and effect of
α2–adrenergic receptor agonist in the retina of the chronic
ocular hypertension rat
Authors: KIM HWA SUN , CHANG YONG IK , KIM JIE HYUN , PARK CHAN KEE
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine the retinal expression of
intrinsic cell survival molecules and to elucidate the effect of an
α2-adrenergic receptor agonist in the chronic ocular hypertensive rat
model. Chronic ocular hypertension was induced in both eyes of each rat by
episcleral vein cauterization. Two five-microliter drops of the selective
α2-adrenoceptor agonist brimonidine 0.2% (Alphagan; Allergan Inc.,
Irvine, CA, USA) were topically administered twice daily for up to eight
weeks in one eye. The fellow eye received balanced salt solution as a
control. Protein and mRNA expression were evaluated at 1, 4, and 8 weeks
after injury. Retinal expression of BDNF, Akt, and GFAP was assessed using
immunohistochemistry. Retinal levels of mRNA for BDNF, bcl-2, and bcl-xL
were determined using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Retinal ganglion cell
(RGC) density was evaluated after retrograde labeling with 4-Di-10-ASP
(DiA). A significant decrease in RGC density was observed in ocular
hypertensive eyes. Cauterized eyes showed an increase in GFAP expression
from one week after injury, and the expression of bcl-2, bcl-xL, and BDNF
mRNA was also increased. Treatment of ocular hypertensive eyes with
brimonidine resulted in a reduction in RGC loss, a decrease in the level
of GFAP immunoreactivity, and an increment in BDNF mRNA and p-Akt
expression. Brimonidine appears to protect RGCs from neurodegeneration
through mechanisms involving α2-adrenergic receptor mediated survival
signal activation and up-regulation of endogenous neurotrophic factor
expression in the chronic ocular hypertensive rat retina.
Test of the paired-flash electroretinographic method in mice lacking
b-waves
Authors: DERWENT JENNIFER J. KANG , SASZIK SHANNON M. , MAEDA HIDETAKA , LITTLE DEBORAH M. , PARDUE MACHELLE T. , FRISHMAN LAURA J. , PEPPERBERG DAVID R.
Published: July 2007

Previous studies of rod photoreceptors in vivo have employed
a paired-flash electroretinographic (ERG) technique to determine rod
response properties. To test whether absence versus presence of
the ERG b-wave affects the photoreceptor response derived by the
paired-flash method, we examined paired-flash-derived responses obtained
from nob mice, a mutant strain with a defect in signal
transduction between photoreceptors and ON bipolar cells that causes a
lack of the b-wave. Normal littermates of the nob mice
served as controls. The normalized amplitude-intensity relation of the
derived response determined in nob mice at the near-peak time of
86 ms was similar to that determined for the controls. The full time
course of the derived rod response was obtained for test flash strengths
ranging from 0.11 to 17.38 scotopic cd s m−2 (sc cd s
m−2). Time-course data obtained from nob and
control mice exhibited significant but generally modest differences. With
saturating test flash strengths, half-recovery times for the derived
response of nobversus control mice differed by ∼60
ms or less about the combined (nob and control) average
respective values. Time course data also were obtained before
versus after intravitreal injection of
l-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB) (which blocks transmission
from photoreceptors to depolarizing bipolar cells) and of cis
2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) (which blocks transmission to OFF
bipolar cells, and to horizontal, amacrine and ganglion cells). Neither
APB nor PDA substantially affected derived responses obtained from
nob or control mice. The results provide quantitative information
on the effect of b-wave removal on the paired-flash-derived
response in mouse. They argue against a substantial skewing effect of the
b-wave on the paired-flash-derived response obtained in normal
mice and are consistent with the notion that, to good approximation, this
derived response represents the isolated flash response of the
photoreceptors in both nob and normal mice.
Metacontrast, target recovery, and the magno- and parvocellular systems: A perspective
Authors: SKOTTUN BERNT C. , SKOYLES JOHN R.
Published: July 2007

In metacontrast a masking stimulus reduces the visibility of an adjacent target stimulus. This effect has been interpreted in terms of magno-/parvocellular interactions. It has also been found that a second masking stimulus, which precedes the primary mask by about 90 ms reduces the masking effect. This reduction, which is termed “target recovery,” has been hypothesized to reflect parvocellular inhibition of the magnocellular system. However, this is problematic because the time course of this effect is much larger than would be expected from magno-/parvocellular interactions. For this and other reasons, it is difficult to understand metacontrast in terms of magno- and parvocellular mechanisms.
Visual contrast sensitivity alterations in inferred magnocellular pathways and anomalous perceptual experiences in people at high-risk for psychosis
Authors: KÉRI SZABOLCS , BENEDEK GYÖRGY
Published: July 2007

Evidence suggests that patients with schizophrenia show impaired performances on tests assessing the magnocellular (M) visual pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate M pathway functioning in persons at high-risk of psychosis. Sixteen high-risk persons at the prodromal phase of psychosis and 20 healthy controls participated. Two types of contrast sensitivity measurements were used, during which participants were asked to detect a briefly presented target Gabor patch. In the pulsed-pedestal paradigm, the luminance of the background field was decreased to saturate M pathways and to bias information processing to parvocellular (P) pathways. In the steady-pedestal paradigm, the luminance of the background field was constant and briefly presented targets were processed by the M pathway. Anomalous perceptual experiences were assessed using the Structured Interview for Assessing Perceptual Anomalies (SIAPA). Results revealed that the high-risk persons showed elevated contrast sensitivity during the M pathway test, and normal sensitivity during the P pathway test. The visual SIAPA scores showed significant positive correlations with the M pathway sensitivity values. These results suggest that the high-risk mental state is associated with hyper-reactive M pathways, which may be responsible for some anomalous perceptual experiences, including abnormal intensity of environmental stimuli, feelings of being flooded and inundated, and inability to focus attention to relevant details.