bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benign hereditary chorea revisited: A journey to understanding
Authors: Kleiner‐Fisman Galit , Lang Anthony E.
Published: August 2007

Benign hereditary chorea (BHC) has been characterized as an autosomal dominant disorder manifesting nonprogressive chorea without dementia. However, there has been controversy regarding its existence. Diagnosis has been based solely on clinical criteria with many patients and families demonstrating “atypical” features and until recently, no diagnostic test was available for confirmation. Since 2002, mutations in the thyroid transcription factor (TITF‐1) gene have been identified as resulting in some cases of BHC. Additionally, the clinical spectrum has expanded to include abnormalities in thyroid and lung with the putative mechanism of disease resulting from gene haploinsufficiency and reduced protein product. This review summarizes both a historical perspective and our current understanding of BHC. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Autosomal dominant myoclonus‐dystonia and Tourette syndrome in a family without linkage to theSGCEgene
Authors: Orth Michael , Djarmati Ana , Bäumer Tobias , Winkler Susan , Grünewald Anne , Lohmann‐Hedrich Katja , Kabakci Kemal , Hagenah Johann , Klein Christine , Münchau Alexander
Published: August 2007

The objective of this study was to report clinical details and results of genetic testing for mutations in theε‐sarcoglycan(SGCE) gene, theSlit and Trk‐like 1(SLITRK1) gene and for linkage to theDYT15, DYT1,andDRD2gene loci in a family with autosomal dominant myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). Fourteen family members, from three generations, underwent a detailed clinical assessment and donated DNA samples. TheSGCEand theSLITRK1gene were sequenced and investigated by gene dosage analysis in selected family members. Linkage to theSGCE, DYT15,DYT1,DRD2,andSLITRK1loci was also tested.Results:We included three healthy and 11 affected family members with M‐D (n = 3), dystonia alone (n = 2), GTS (n = 1), tics (n = 1) or a combination of these with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (M‐D + OCD: n = 2; dystonia+OCD: n = 1; M‐D + GTS + OCD: n = 1). There was no linkage to theSGCE, DYT15,DYT1orDRD2loci. No changes were found in theSLITRK1gene. The presence of both M‐D and GTS in one family, in which all known M‐D loci and a recently discovered GTS locus were excluded, suggests a novel susceptibility gene for both M‐D and GTS. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Clinical differentiation of genetically proven benign hereditary chorea and myoclonus‐dystonia
Authors: Asmus Friedrich , Devlin Anita , Munz Marita , Zimprich Alexander , Gasser Thomas , Chinnery Patrick F.
Published: August 2007

Because of clinical similarities, benign hereditary chorea and myoclonus‐dystonia (DYT11) might be confused. No systematic comparisons of genetically proven cases with thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TITF‐1) and ε‐sarcoglycan (SGCE) mutations have been performed to date. Three index patients and one index patients' daughter underwent genetic analysis of the TITF‐1 and the SGCE gene. The movement disorders of all patients were assessed by video review. A new splicing mutation (376‐2A>C) of the TITF‐1 gene was detected in a mother and her daughter. Two additional patients carried a de novo SGCE nonsense mutation in exon 3 (R97X) and a novel SGCE missense mutation in exon 6 (G227V). Both TITF‐1 mutation carriers presented with infancy‐onset, nonprogressive chorea, which responded to alcohol intake. In addition, dystonia of the neck and trunk as well as fleeting jerky movements of the distal limbs could be observed. The mutually exclusive appearance of lightning‐like myoclonic jerks triggered by action in SGCE mutation carriers and of continuous chorea of all limbs in TITF‐1 mutation carriers phenotypically discriminated both genetic disorders. TITF‐1 mutations should be considered in choreiform movement disorders with onset in infancy even in the presence of dystonia and myoclonic jerks. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Automated structure verification based on a combination of 1D 1H NMR and 2D 1H13C HSQC spectra
Authors: Golotvin Sergey S. , Vodopianov Eugene , Pol Rostislav , Lefebvre Brent A. , Williams Antony J. , Rutkowske Randy D. , Spitzer Timothy D.
Published: August 2007

A method for structure validation based on the simultaneous analysis of a 1D 1H NMR and 2D 1H13C single‐bond correlation spectrum such as HSQC or HMQC is presented here. When compared with the validation of a structure by a 1D 1H NMR spectrum alone, the advantage of including a 2D HSQC spectrum in structure validation is that it adds not only the information of 13C shifts, but also which proton shifts they are directly coupled to, and an indication of which methylene protons are diastereotopic. The lack of corresponding peaks in the 2D spectrum that appear in the 1D 1H spectrum, also gives a clear picture of which protons are attached to heteroatoms. For all these benefits, combined NMR verification was expected and found by all metrics to be superior to validation by 1D 1H NMR alone. Using multiple real‐life data sets of chemical structures and the corresponding 1D and 2D data, it was possible to unambiguously identify at least 90% of the correct structures. As part of this test, challenging incorrect structures, mostly regioisomers, were also matched with each spectrum set. For these incorrect structures, the false positive rate was observed as low as 6%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of anisosmotic conditions on structural and functional integrity of cumulus–oocyte complexes at the germinal vesicle stage in the domestic cat
Authors: Comizzoli Pierre , Wildt David E. , Pukazhenthi Budhan S.
Published: August 2007

During cryopreservation, the immature oocyte is subjected to anisosmotic conditions potentially impairing subsequent nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in vitro. In preparation for cryopreservation protocols and to characterize osmotic tolerance, cat cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage were exposed for 15 min to sucrose solutions ranging from 100 to 2,000 mOsm and then examined for structural integrity and developmental competence in vitro. Osmolarities ≥200 and ≤750 mOsm had no effect on incidence of oocyte nuclear maturation, fertilization success, and blastocyst formation compared to control COC (exposed to 290 mOsm). This relatively high osmotic tolerance of the immature cat oocyte appeared to arise from a remarkable stability of the GV chromatin structure as well as plasticity in mitochondrial distribution, membrane integrity, and ability to maintain cumulus–oocyte communications. Osmolarities <200 mOsm only damaged cumulus cell membrane integrity, which contributed to poor nuclear maturation but ultimately had no adverse effect on blastocyst formation in vitro. Osmolarities >750 mOsm compromised nuclear maturation and blastocyst formation in vitro via disruption of cumulus–oocyte communications, an effect that could be mitigated through 1,500 mOsm by adding cytochalasin B to the hyperosmotic solutions. These results (1) demonstrate, for the first time, the expansive osmotic tolerance of the immature cat oocyte, (2) characterize the fundamental role of cumulus–oocyte communications when tolerance limits are exceeded, and (3) reveal an interesting hyperosmotic tolerance of the immature oocyte that can be increased two‐fold by supplementation with cytochalasin B. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 345–354, 2008. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel mutation in the central rod domain of lamin A/C producing a phenotype resembling the Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy phenotype
Authors: Maioli Maria Antonietta , Marrosu Giovanni , Mateddu Anna , Solla Elisabetta , Carboni Nicola , Tacconi Paolo , Lai Carlo , Marrosu Maria Giovanna
Published: August 2007

Lamins are the principal components of the nuclear lamina, a network constituting the major structural framework of the nuclear envelope. Alterations in lamin A/C have been associated with a heterogeneous series of human disorders known as laminopathies. We report the finding of a novel deletion in the central rod domain of lamin A/C exon 3 gene in four members of the same family. This genetic alteration was likely responsible for the relatively homogeneous clinical phenotype observed in our three patients, represented by a prominent cardiac conduction‐system disease necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation, and limited skeletal involvement manifested by spinal rigidity and contractures. The findings from these cases further expand the clinical spectrum associated with mutations in the LMNA gene. Muscle Nerve, 2007
The nature of high‐pressure voiding in small boys and its relation with the influence of a transurethral catheter
Authors: Ichino Midori , Igawa Yasuhiko , Seki Satoshi , Iijima Kazuyoshi , Ishizuka Osamu , Nishizawa Osamu
Published: August 2007

Aims

To disclose the nature of the high‐pressure voiding observed in small boys and to determine the influence of a transurethral catheter on voiding urodynamic parameters and reproducibility of these parameters.

Materials and Methods

Video‐urodynamic studies (V‐UDSs) were repeated twice in a single session using two different sized, 18G (Ø1.15 mm) and 7.4Fr (Ø2.50 mm), catheters in 9 boys aged 7.3 months (2–17) and compared with the maximum voiding detrusor pressure (Pdet max) values. Separately, in 20 boys aged 8.9 (1–34) months, V‐UDSs using an 18G catheter were repeated twice, and fluoroscopic images and UDS were continuously recorded during the whole voiding phase and analyzed.

Results

There was no significant difference between the mean Pdet max measured by the 18G and 7.4Fr catheters (102.0 ± 22.5 vs. 94.7 ± 25.6 cmH2O, P = 0.42). Intermittent interruptions of the urinary stream due to detrusor–sphincter dyscoordination were observed in 92.5% (37/40) of voiding cycles. The true maximum voiding detrusor pressure (T‐Pdet max), the maximum detrusor pressure recorded only when the urinary stream was actually detected, on the first and second voiding cycles were 86.9 ± 30.3 and 89.0 ± 31.7 cmH2O, respectively. The mean difference between Pdet max and T‐Pdet max was 5.6 ± 11.4 cmH2O. The minimum detrusor pressure during voiding (33.6 ± 18.4 and 30.8 ± 16.3 cmH2O), the opening detrusor pressure and the number of stream interruptions were reproducible.

Conclusions

Small boys commonly void intermittently with a high detrusor pressure, which may be mainly due to detrusor–sphincter dyscoordination rather than the outflow obstruction caused by a transurethral catheter. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:319–323, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment with amniopatch of premature rupture of membranes after first‐trimester chorionic villus sampling
Authors: Cobo Tere , Borrell Antoni , Fortuny Albert , Hernández Sandra , Pérez Marimer , Palacio Montserrat , Pereira Artur , Coll Oriol
Published: August 2007

Objective

To assess the amniopatch procedure when premature rupture of membranes occurs after first‐trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

Study Design

From May 2001 to June 2004, the amniopatch procedure was offered in cases of premature rupture of membranes after CVS when severe oligohydramnios was present (largest vertical pocket < 2 cm) and persistent (more than 1 week).

Results

The amniopatch was placed in five pregnancies at 12–18 weeks of gestation, resulting in amniotic fluid restoration in all but one pregnancy. In three pregnancies, fetal demise was observed at 1, 2 and 36 days after the procedure. The last procedure resulted in a healthy newborn.

Conclusion

Although the amniopatch restored normal amniotic fluid levels in all cases, 4 of the 5 cases resulted in fetal demise. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of poly[(trimethylene terephthalate)‐co‐(38 mol% ethylene terephthalate)] copolymer
Authors: Chen Ming , Wang Hui‐Chen , Ko Chi‐Yun , Chen Ren‐Yi , Wang Chuan‐Liang , Tseng I‐Min
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND: Modifications of semicrystalline polymers by copolymerization change both the crystallization kinetics and the morphology. Only a few studies concerning ethylene terephthalate (ET)/trimethylene terephthalate (TT) copolyesters have been published. This study extends the work on a series of random aromatic copolyesters.

RESULTS: The copolyester was characterized as having 62 mol% TT units and 38 mol% ET units in a random sequence as revealed by NMR. Results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) show that the complex melting behavior involves melting–recrystallization–remelting and various lamellar crystals. As the isothermal crystallization temperature increases, the contribution of recrystallization slowly declines, and finally disappears. A Hoffman‐Weeks linear plot gives an equilibrium melting temperature of 188.5 °C. The kinetic analysis of the growth rates of spherulites and the change in the morphology from regular to banded spherulites indicate that a regime II → III transition occurs at 135 °C.

CONCLUSION: Results of DSC and WAXD demonstrate that this random copolyester is crystallizable. However, its crystallinity is only about 20%. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating the amino acid CF3‐bicyclopentylglycine as a new label for solid‐state 19F‐NMR structure analysis of membrane‐bound peptides
Authors: Afonin Sergii , Mikhailiuk Pavel K. , Komarov Igor V. , Ulrich Anne S.
Published: August 2007

The conformation, alignment and dynamic behavior of membrane‐bound peptides is readily accessible by solid‐state 19F‐NMR spectroscopy, but it has been difficult to incorporate suitable 19F‐labelled amino acids into synthetic peptides. To avoid the drawbacks of previously used labels, we have rationally designed and synthesized a novel amino acid that suits all theoretical and practical requirements for peptide synthesis and subsequent 19F‐NMR structure analysis [Mikhailiuk et. al, Angew. Chem. 2006, 118, 5787–5789]. The enantiomerically pure L‐form of 3‐(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent‐[1.1.1]‐1‐ylglycine (CF3‐Bpg) carries a CF3 group that is rigidly attached to the peptide backbone and does not racemize during peptide synthesis. It could be demonstrated for several different peptides that their biological activity is usually not affected by a single label, nor the conformation, as monitored by circular dichroism. Here, we carry out a more detailed structure analysis to evaluate the potential and reliability of CF3‐Bpg for solid‐state NMR, using the well‐known α‐helical antimicrobial peptide PGLa as a test case. We have collected several orientational constraints from the anisotropic 19F19F dipolar couplings of CF3‐Bpg in various positions of PGLa embedded in lipid bilayers. These resulting structural parameters are then compared with those previously determined from 4‐CF3‐phenylglycine and 3,3,3‐d3‐alanine labels on the same peptide. The analysis confirms that CF3‐Bpg does not perturb the α‐helical conformation of PGLa. Likewise, the helix alignment is shown to follow the established concentration‐dependent pattern in realigning from a surface‐bound S‐state to an obliquely tilted T‐state. Hence, the advantages of CF3‐Bpg over all previously used 19F‐labeled side chains are evident, as they combine ease of chemical incorporation and peptide purification with high NMR sensitivity and absent background signals, allowing a straightforward analysis of the dipolar splittings with no need for chemical shift referencing without any ambiguity in the sign of the couplings. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of a positron microprobe using magnetic lenses
Authors: Maekawa M. , Yu R. S. , Kawasuso A.
Published: August 2007

We have designed a positron microbeam using magnetic lenses based on the commercial scanning electron microscope (SEM). Employing a source with a diameter of 1 mm and an immersion lenses, the diameter of primary beam can be reduced to 200 μm. This could be further reduced to less than 10 μm using the SEM optics. By introducing a beam pulsing section, positron lifetime measurement using a pulse beam will be also enabled. The extraction of positron beam from the magnetic field was simulated numerically. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Development of a Na‐22 based pulsed slow positron beam for depth‐selective PALS
Authors: Ohdaira T. , Muramatsu M. , Suzuki R. , Kobayashi Y. , Takanawa M. , Hashimoto N. , Takao K. , Kobayashi Y.
Published: August 2007

We developed a Na‐22 based pulsed slow positron beam system for depth‐selective positron‐annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The use of high‐efficiency moderator and high‐compression beam bunchers enable practical measurements with using a relatively low activity positron source. An initial performance test showed timing resolution less than 250 ps and count rate of 1k counts/s with use of 0.5 GBq Na‐22. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Implementation of the Munich scanning positron microscope at the positron source NEPOMUC
Authors: Piochacz C. , Egger W. , Hugenschmidt C. , Kögel G. , Schreckenbach K. , Sperr P. , Dollinger G.
Published: August 2007

The Munich scanning positron microscope (Spm) permits positron lifetime measurements with a lateral resolution down to 2 µm within an energy range of 1‐20 keV. One practical limitation of the Spm is set by the long measurement times of several days per a 2D‐scan due to the low intensity positron beam produced by standard 22Na sources. This disadvantage will be overcome by installing the Spm at the high intense positron beam facility Nepomuc at the research reactor FRM II in Garching. Thus the time for one measurement will be shortened by a factor of 60. In addition it is expected to reduce the lateral resolution to about 100 nm. Due to the beam characteristics of the Nepomuc facility an interface is needed, which enhances the phase space density of the beam. The requirements, which have to be fulfilled by the interface, will be described and an overview of the different components such as bunching units, remoderation stages and rf‐elevator will be given. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Age‐hardening in a commercial Mg‐based alloy
Authors: Macchi C. E. , Somoza A. , Nie J. F.
Published: August 2007

Age‐hardening phenomena induced by thermal and thermo‐mechanical treatments in the commercial Mg‐based alloy WE54 were studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and Vickers microhardness. To this aim, samples were plastically deformed and subsequently aged at 250 °C for times ranging from 0 to 1000 hours. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the role of vacancies in the solute transport and therefore they contribute to the discussion on the vacancy‐solute clusters (and/or intermediate precipitates) interactions during the precipitation sequence of the WE54. Besides, we show that cold work previous aging not only accelerates but increases the hardening response of the alloy. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Detection of formation and annihilation process of point defects produced by three deformation modes using Cu precipitation behavior in Fe‐Cu alloy
Authors: Sato Koichi , Kai Mototaka , Mitoma Kotaro , Xu Qiu , Yoshiie Toshimasa
Published: August 2007

Specimens of pure Fe, Fe‐0.15wt.%Cu and Fe‐0.6wt.%Cu were deformed with 10% strain by three deformation modes (rolling, compression and tension), and were measured using positron annihilation spectroscopy after annealing from 373 K to 873 K per 100 K for 1 hour. The positron annihilation lifetime of vacancies after deformation was about 135 psec, and most of the vacancies produced by deformation were expected to be trapped at the dislocation core, and were released from it at 573 K. In Fe‐0.15%Cu, Cu precipitates were not produced, and the formation and annihilation behavior of vacancies was similar to pure Fe. In each deformation, cell structures were different, so, in the Fe‐0.6%Cu, growth of Cu precipitates was different. The tension, rolling and compression were ranked in a descending order of degree of contribution of the vacancies released from the dislocations to the growth of Cu precipitation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of radiation stability of Generation IV structural materials by positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Zeman Andrej , Debarberis Luigi , Kočík Jan , Slugeň Vladimír
Published: August 2007

The issue concerning the structural integrity of materials is still playing a dominant role due to the degradation mechanisms, such as hardening, phase instability and embrittlement, which must be understood in order to estimate the component lifetime. In this paper we present some interesting results on few structural materials pre‐selected for Generation IV reactor concepts. The study is based on the application of non‐destructive spectroscopic techniques, in particular positron annihilation spectroscopy combined with transmission electron microscopy to investigate advanced steels, as P91, T91 and. Analysis of experimental results confirmed that P91 has indicated lower radiation stability than T91 and EUROFER 97 respectively. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Positron characterization of metastable phases in yttria stabilized zirconia
Authors: Damonte L. C. , Caracoche M. C. , Lamas D.
Published: August 2007

The thermal evolution of positron annihilation parameters in nanosized 10 mol% Y2O3 doped ZrO2 powders is presented. Three positron lifetimes have been determined up to 900 °C annealing temperature. The two major ones have been interpreted, one as a mean between positron annihilation in the bulk and in vacancy‐like open volume defects and the other, as due to annihilation in higher sized volume defects. The intensity ratio between the two defect structures depends on temperature and could be reflecting the thermal t″‐ to cubic metastable transformation known to occur in the studied system. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exactly solvable Schrödinger equations with a position‐dependent mass: Null potential
Authors: Peña J. J. , Ovando G. , Morales J. , García‐Ravelo J. , Pacheco‐García C.
Published: August 2007

In this work, an alternative approach for finding exact solutions of Schrödinger equations with a position‐dependent mass is presented. Essentially, the method consists in transforming the position‐dependent mass Schrödinger equation into a standard constant mass Schrödinger equation. The constant mass equation is formulated in terms of a new variable and includes, as effective potential, a term related to the position‐dependent mass and another term connected with the original potential. For exactly solvable potentials, our proposal leads to a Riccati equation for an equivalent Witten superpotential, which means that this kind of problems can be studied within the quantum supersymmetric framework with the aim to find the explicit solutions and the energy spectra. To show the usefulness of the proposed approach, we consider the particular case of exactly solvable Schrödinger equations for different position‐dependent mass situations in a null potential. However, the method can directly be applied to other effective potentials as well as to find isospectral potentials for specific position‐dependent mass distributions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Study of the phase I and phase II metabolism of a mixture containing multiple tanshinones using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Jie , Wu Jianlin , Wang Xiaoru , Cai Zongwei
Published: August 2007

Metabolism of a mixture containing four dominant components in lipid solubles of Danshen was studied both in vitro and in vivo. The parent compounds and their metabolites were simultaneously detected by using liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry. The results indicated that oxidation was the major pathway in phase I metabolism. O‐Glucuronidation of the hydroxylated tanshinones was identified in the rat urine samples collected after the oral administration of the tanshinone components. The metabolic rates obtained from the in vitro metabolism study of each individual component were significantly different from those obtained from the incubation study of the four components in a cassette. Metabolite identification showed that tanshinone IIA and tanshinone I were the major metabolites of cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone I, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated the metabolic change between the active components in Danshen and suggested the need to study the multiple components or even the extract from the herbal medicines. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A predictive control strategy for norm‐bounded LPV discrete‐time systems with bounded rates of parameter change
Authors: Casavola Alessandro , Famularo Domenico , Franzè Giuseppe
Published: August 2007

A novel predictive control strategy for input‐saturated norm‐bounded linear parameter varying discrete‐time systems is proposed. The solution is computed by minimizing an upper bound to the ‘worst‐case’ infinite horizon quadratic cost under the constraint of steering the future state evolutions, emanating from the current state, into a feasible and positive invariant set. It will be shown that the ‘size’ of this terminal set depends on the rate of change of the scheduling parameter, which is assumed to be bounded and measurable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limit theory for the random on‐line nearest‐neighbor graph
Authors: Penrose Mathew D. , Wade Andrew R.
Published: August 2007

In the on‐line nearest‐neighbor graph (ONG), each point after the first in a sequence of points in ℝdis joined by an edge to its nearest neighbor amongst those points that precede it in the sequence. We study the large‐sample asymptotic behavior of the total power‐weighted length of the ONG on uniform random points in (0,1)d. In particular, ford= 1 and weight exponentα> 1/2, the limiting distribution of the centered total weight is characterized by a distributional fixed‐point equation. As an ancillary result, we give exact expressions for the expectation and variance of the standard nearest‐neighbor (directed) graph on uniform random points in the unit interval. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2008
Smooth bootstrap methods for analysis of longitudinal data
Authors: Li Yue , Wang You‐Gan
Published: August 2007

In analysis of longitudinal data, the variance matrix of the parameter estimates is usually estimated by the ‘sandwich’ method, in which the variance for each subject is estimated by its residual products. We propose smooth bootstrap methods by perturbing the estimating functions to obtain ‘bootstrapped’ realizations of the parameter estimates for statistical inference. Our extensive simulation studies indicate that the variance estimators by our proposed methods can not only correct the bias of the sandwich estimator but also improve the confidence interval coverage. We applied the proposed method to a data set from a clinical trial of antibiotics for leprosy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Responding for brain stimulation reward in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in alcohol‐preferring rats following alcohol and amphetamine pretreatments
Authors: Eiler William J.A. , Hardy Lathen , Goergen Josuha , Seyoum Regat , Mensah‐Zoe Boikai , June Harry L.
Published: August 2007

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been reported to release increased levels of extracellular dopamine (DA) following the systemic administration of abused drugs in outbred rats. This study examined the BNST as a novel locus for supporting operant responding for brain stimulation reward (BSR) in rats bred for alcohol preference while determining any potentiating effects of ethanol (EtOH) (0.125–1.25 g/kg, i.p.) and amphetamine (0.25–1.60 mg/kg, i.p.) on BSR within the BNST. Also examined was the capability of D1 receptor blockade to attenuate any observed potentiation. Following surgical implantation, alcohol‐preferring (P) and nonpreferring (NP) rats responded to a range of descending frequencies (300–20 Hz) as evaluated by a rate‐frequency paradigm. The results revealed that the BNST was capable of supporting BSR in P but not NP rats. Also, amphetamine pretreatment produced a significant leftward shift in the rate‐frequency function in P rats with significant reductions observed in three other measures of reward threshold, while EtOH only lowered the minimum frequency needed to produce responding. The effects of systemic amphetamine were successfully attenuated by the unilateral infusion of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (5.0 μg) into the contralateral nucleus accumbens. The results suggest the BNST is capable of supporting BSR performance in P, but not NP rats, possibly due to increased sensitivity to the electrical stimulation‐induced DA release of BSR in the innately DA “deficient” limbic system of P rats. Synapse 61:912–924, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal stress alters limbo‐corticostriatal homer protein expression
Authors: Ary Alexis W. , Aguilar Valerie R. , Szumlinski Karen K. , Kippin Tod E.
Published: August 2007

Early environmental stress influences developmental processes resulting in alterations in behavior and brain function, including abnormalities in glutamate neurotransmission. Here, we assessed the influence of prenatal stress on limbo‐corticostriatal expression of Homer proteins that are critical elements in glutamatergic signaling. Pregnant, female Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to either no treatment or to restraint stress 3 times per day for the last 7 days of gestation. At 21 d of age, offspring were sacrificed and brain tissue was rapidly extracted. Immunoblotting revealed regionally specific increases in certain Homer protein isoforms within prefrontal cortex and limbic structures, whereas the striatum exhibited a reduction in Homer 1a levels. These findings indicate that stress during development can produce enduring perturbations in Homer protein expression that likely contribute to glutamatergic and behavioral abnormalities observed following early environmental stress. Synapse 61:938–941, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Current Status and Future Perspective of General Surgical Trainees in the Netherlands
Authors: Wijnhoven Bas P. L. , Watson David I. , van den Ende Esther D.
Published: August 2007

Background

The opinions of general surgical trainees about their current training program and their future career plans are important because such information can inform any redesign of surgical training programs as well as future surgical manpower planning.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was sent to 392 general surgical trainees in the Netherlands in 2005.

Results

A total of 239 (61%) questionnaires were returned by 66 (28%) women and 173 (72%) men, mean age 31.3 years. On average, trainees worked in the hospital 55 hours per week (range: 22–80 h). The mean number of operative cases performed per year was 195 (range 35–450), and this had been stable since the year 2000. The quality of the supervision by staff surgeons was rated satisfactory. The vast majority of the trainees are also satisfied with the current single year of differentiation/specialized training into one of the subspecialties, although most trainees (83%) would like to enroll in a fellowship before taking a job as a consultant. There was also a desire to take maternity/paternity leave during training. Both male and female trainees expressed the wish to work an average of 52 hours per week as a consultant, and they want these hours to occur in 4.1 days of work per week.

Conclusions

Dutch general surgery trainees are satisfied with their training. They expressed a strong wish for specialization during and after their training. All trainees favored reduced working hours and days of work per week as fully qualified surgeons in the future.
High-calcium diet with whey protein attenuates body-weight gain in high-fat-fed C57Bl/6J mice
Authors: Pilvi Taru K. , Korpela Riitta , Huttunen Minna , Vapaatalo Heikki , Mervaala Eero M.
Published: August 2007

An inverse relationship between Ca intake and BMI has been found in several studies. It has been suggested that Ca affects adipocyte metabolism via suppressing 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2-D3) and decreases fat absorption. We studied the effect of Ca and milk proteins (whey and casein) on body weight in C57Bl/6J mice. Male mice, age 9 weeks, were divided into three groups (ten mice per group) receiving modified high-fat (60 % of energy) diets. Two groups received a high-Ca diet (1·8 % calcium carbonate (CaCO3)), with casein or whey protein (18 % of energy), and one group received a low-Ca diet (0·4 % CaCO3) with casein for 21 weeks. Food intake was measured daily and body weight twice per week. Body fat content (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) of all mice and faecal Ca and fat excretion of seven mice/group were measured twice during the study. Final body weight (44·1 (sem 1·1) g) and body fat content (41·6 (sem 0·6) %) were significantly lower (P < 0·05) in the high-Ca whey group than in the low-Ca casein group (48·1 (sem 0·8) g and 44·9 (sem 0·8) %). Body weight and body fat content of the high-Ca casein group did not differ significantly from the low-Ca casein group even though serum 1,25(OH)2-D3 levels were significantly lower (P < 0·001) in both high-Ca groups than in the low-Ca casein group. Thus changes in serum 1,25(OH)2-D3 do not seem to affect body weight in this animal model. There was a significant difference in fat excretion between the high-Ca whey and low-Ca casein groups (3·9 (sem 0·9) % in the high-Ca whey v. 1·4 (sem 0·2) % in the low-Ca casein group; P < 0·05), which may partly explain the effect on body weight.
Convenience food in the diet of children and adolescents: consumption and composition
Authors: Alexy Ute , Sichert-Hellert Wolfgang , Rode Tabea , Kersting Mathilde
Published: August 2007

Despite an increasing trend towards the use of convenience food, there is to date little debate on it in the nutritional sciences. In the present study, we present and evaluate data on consumption frequencies and composition of savoury convenience food in German families using data from the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study. The DONALD Study is an ongoing, longitudinal (open cohort) study (started 1985), collecting detailed data on diet, development, and metabolism in infants, children and adolescents. Dietary intake was measured by yearly repeated 3 d weighed dietary records (n 1558) in 554 subjects (278 boys; 276 girls), 3–18 years old, between 2003 and 2006. A total of 1345 (86%) 3 d dietary records mentioned consumption of at least one convenience food. Convenience food consumption (percentage of total food intake, g/d) increased with age from approximately 3% in the 3–8 year olds to 7% in 14–18-year-old boys and 5% in 14–18-year-old girls (P < 0·0001) but remained constant during the study period. Convenience foods contributed more to total fat (g/d) (P < 0·001) and less to total carbohydrate (P < 0·0001) than to total energy (kJ/d) intake. The 700 convenience-food products recorded by our sample had on average fourteen ingredients; 4% were flavourings and 16% were food additives. In conclusion, convenience foods were widely consumed by our sample of German children and adolescents and their consumption increased with age. The composition of convenience food was characterised by a high fat content and a high number of flavourings and food additives.
Free fucose is a danger signal to human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Chow Wai Ling , Lee Yuan Kun
Published: August 2007

Fucose is present in foods, and it is a major component of human mucin glycoproteins and glycolipids.l-Fucose can also be found at the terminal position of many cell-surface oligosaccharide ligands that mediate cell-recognition and adhesion-signalling pathways. Mucin fucose can be released through the hydrolytic activity of pathogens and indigenous bacteria, leading to the release of free fucose into the intestinal lumen. The immunomodulating effects of free fucose on intestinal epithelial cells (enterocyte-like Caco-2) were investigated. It was found that the presence ofl-fucose up regulated genes and secretion of their encoded proteins that are involved in both the innate and adaptive immune responses, possibly via the toll-like receptor-2 signalling pathway. These include TNFSF5, TNFSF7, TNF-α, IL12, IL17 and IL18.Besides modulating immune reactions in differentiated Caco-2 cells, fucose induced a set of cytokine genes that are involved in the development and proliferation of immune cells. These include the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) BMP2, BMP4, IL5, thrombopoietin and erythropoietin. In addition, the up regulated gene expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 may help to promote epithelial cell restitution in conjunction with the enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-β mRNA. Since the exogenous fucose was not metabolised by the differentiated Caco-2 cells as a carbon source, the reactions elicited were suggested to be a result of the direct interaction of fucose and differentiated Caco-2 cells. The presence of free fucose may signal the invasion of mucin-hydrolysing microbial cells and breakage of the mucosal barrier. The intestinal epithelial cells respond by up regulation and secretion of cytokines, pre-empting the actual invasion of pathogens.
Effect of folic acid on prenatal alcohol-induced modification of brain proteome in mice
Authors: Xu Yajun , Tang Yunan , Li Yong
Published: August 2007

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can induce central nervous system abnormalities in the fetus, and folic acid supplementation can reverse some of the effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate prenatal alcohol exposure-induced fetal brain proteome alteration and the protective effect of folic acid using proteomic techniques. Alcohol (5·0 g/kg) was given intragastrically from gestational day (GD) 6 to15, with or without 60·0 mg folic acid/kg given intragastrically during GD1–16 to pregnant Balb/c mice. The control group received distilled water only. Results of litter evaluation on GD18 showed that supplementation of folic acid reversed the prevalence of microcephaly induced by alcohol. Proteomic analysis indicated that, under the dosage of the present investigation, folic acid mainly reversed the alcohol-altered proteins involved in energy production, signal pathways and protein translation, which are all important for central nervous system development.
Biodiversity, distribution and patterns of extinction of the last odontopleuroid trilobites during the Devonian (Givetian, Frasnian)
Authors: FEIST RAIMUND , McNAMARA KENNETH J.
Published: August 2007

Biostratigraphical ranges and palaeogeographical distribution of mid-Givetian to end-Frasnian odontopleurids are investigated. The discovery of Leonaspis rhenohercynica sp. nov. in mid-Givetian strata extends this genus unexpectedly up to the late Middle Devonian. New material of Radiaspis radiata (Goldfuss, 1843) and the first koneprusiine in Britain, Koneprusia? sp., are described from the famous Lummaton shell-bed, Torquay, Devon. New taxa of Koneprusia, K. serrensis, K. aboussalamae, K. brevispina, and K. sp. A and K. sp. B are defined. Ceratocephala (Leonaspis) harborti Richter & Richter, 1926, is revised and reassigned to Gondwanaspis Feist, 2002. Two new species of Gondwanaspis, G. dracula and G. spinosa, plus three others left in open nomenclature, are described from the late Frasnian of Western Australia. A further species of Gondwanaspis, G. prisca, is described from the early Frasnian of Montagne Noire. Species of Gondwanaspis are shown to possess a number of paedomorphic features. A functional analysis suggests that, unlike other odontopleurids, Gondwanaspis actively fed and rested with the same cephalic orientation. The sole odontopleurid survivors of the severe terminal mid-Givetian biocrisis (‘Taghanic Event’) belong to the koneprusiine Koneprusia in the late Givetian and Frasnian, and, of cryptogenic origin, the acidaspidine Gondwanaspis in the Frasnian. Whereas the former became extinct in the late Frasnian at the Lower Kellwasser Event, the latter disappeared, and with it the entire Odontopleuroidea, at the terminal Frasnian Upper Kellwasser global biocrisis.
Marble dykes emanating from marble layers in an amphibolite-facies, multiply-deformed carbonate succession, Troms, northern Norway
Authors: ROBERTS DAVID , BOUKE ZWAAN KLAAS
Published: August 2007

In one of the higher nappes of the Caledonides of Troms, northern Norway, rare thin dykes of calcite marble lie subparallel to the axial surfaces of folds in multilayered marble beds. The dykes emanate from pure calcite marble layers mostly in or close to the hinge zones of these flat-lying, tight to sub-isoclinal, F3 folds. In many cases, they appear to penetrate along the axial surfaces of these same folds, and there is an up to 10° angular disparity between dyke orientation and axial surfaces. The dykes are considered to have originated, and been expelled, from parent calcite marble layers either at or shortly after the peak of amphibolite-facies metamorphism between the D2 and D3 deformation phases of the Scandian orogeny. The dykes display a dyke-parallel, dark grey to white, colour banding, the origin of which is uncertain at present. In thin-section, an equigranular texture is dominated by 2–3 mm, equant, unstrained, calcite grains with straight boundaries and low-T twin lamellae, denoting a late-stage recrystallization. A weak, oblique, calcite grain-shape orientation fabric curves into a dyke-parallel alignment along the finer-grained margins, reflecting the simple-shear deformation imposed on the host rock. Regarding the initiation of these marble dykes, it seems likely that a combination of P–T conditions and possibly partial melting processes was conducive to generating extreme ductility/superplasticity, at least locally, and that this led to the sudden expulsion of a partially molten carbonate aggregate which had momentarily attained a critical pressure and intruded preferentially along available, transient fractures prior to the imposition of the D3 simple-shear regime.
Type I and type II fatty acid biosynthesis inEimeria tenella: enoyl reductase activity and structure
Authors: LU J. Z. , MUENCH S. P. , ALLARY M. , CAMPBELL S. , ROBERTS C. W. , MUI E. , McLEOD R. L. , RICE D. W. , PRIGGE S. T.
Published: August 2007

Apicomplexan parasites of the genusEimeriaare the major causative agent of avian coccidiosis, leading to high economic losses in the poultry industry. Recent results show thatEimeria tenellaharbours an apicoplast organelle, and that a key biosynthetic enzyme, enoyl reductase, is located in this organelle. In related parasites, enoyl reductase is one component of a type II fatty acid synthase (FAS) and has proven to be an attractive target for antimicrobial compounds. We cloned and expressed the mature form ofE. tenellaenoyl reductase (EtENR) for biochemical and structural studies. Recombinant EtENR exhibits NADH-dependent enoyl reductase activity and is inhibited by triclosan with an IC50value of 60 nm. The crystal structure of EtENR reveals overall similarity with other ENR enzymes; however, the active site of EtENR is unoccupied, a state rarely observed in other ENR structures. Furthermore, the position of the central beta-sheet appears to block NADH binding and would require significant movement to allow NADH binding, a feature not previously seen in the ENR family. We analysed theE. tenellagenomic database for orthologues of well-characterized bacterial and apicomplexan FAS enzymes and identified 6 additional genes, suggesting thatE. tenellacontains a type II FAS capable of synthesizing saturated, but not unsaturated, fatty acids. Interestingly, we also identified sequences that appear to encode multifunctional type I FAS enzymes, a feature also observed inToxoplasma gondii, highlighting the similarity between these apicomplexan parasites.
Contribution to the modeling of nonsmooth multipoint contact dynamics of biped locomotion—Theory and experiments
Authors: Rodić Aleksandar , Vukobratović Miomir , Addi Khalid , Dalleau Georges
Published: August 2007

This paper suggests a generalized approach to the mathematical modeling of biped locomotion systems (humans or humanoid robots) with special attention paid to impact and contact dynamics. Instead of the usual inductive approach that starts from the analysis of different situations of real motion (walking, running, jumping, climbing the stairs, etc.) and tries to make a generalization, a deductive approach is pursued, whereby an entirely general problem is considered. Impact dynamics is modeled applying the linear complementarity problem (LCP) formulation. General methodology is explained and demonstrated via the synthesis of a spatial biped model. The validity of the modeling approach is proved by experimental measurements on a human subject in the laboratory conditions. Plenty of graphic presentations illustrating experimental results, as well as the results of the corresponding simulation tests are shown.
Modified Newton's method applied to potential field-based navigation for nonholonomic robots in dynamic environments
Authors: Ren Jing , McIsaac Kenneth A. , Patel Rajni V.
Published: August 2007

This paper is to investigate inherent oscillations problems of potential field methods (PFMs) for nonholonomic robots in dynamic environments. In prior work, we proposed a modification of Newton's method to eliminate oscillations for omnidirectional robots in static environment. In this paper, we develop control laws for nonholonomic robots in dynamic environment using modifications of Newton's method. We have validated this technique in a multi-robot search-and-forage task. We found that the use of the modifications of Newton's method, which applies anywhere C2 continuous navigation functions are defined, can greatly reduce oscillations and speed up the robot's movement, when compared to the standard gradient approaches.
Infant mortality in the Canbury area of Kingston upon Thames, 1872–1911
Authors: FRENCH CHRISTOPHER , WARREN JULIET
Published: August 2007

This article examines aspects of infant mortality in a discrete part of Kingston upon Thames – the Canbury area – in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It highlights the concentration of infant mortality in this area, which was characterized – especially in the 1890s – by an increasingly overcrowded and unhealthy environment, made worse by the proximity of animals to living space. Animal manure attracted flies which, particularly during hot summer months, transmitted disease to infant foodstuffs, especially milk, increasing the incidence of summer diarrhoea. Poor feeding and child-care practices contributed to high levels of infant mortality, a situation acknowledged by Kingston's Medical Officer of Health.