bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐step production of biocommodities from lignocellulosic biomass by recombinant cellulolytic Bacillus subtilis: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Zhou , Zhang Yi‐Heng P.
Published: August 2010

One‐step consolidated bioprocessing that integrates cellulase production, cellulose hydrolysis, and product fermentation into a single step for decreasing costly cellulase use, increasing volumetric productivity, and reducing capital investment is widely accepted for low‐cost production of biofuels or other value‐added biochemicals. Considering the narrow margins between biomass and low‐value biocommodities, good physiological performance of industrial microbes is crucial for economically viable production. Bacillus subtilis, the best‐characterized Gram‐positive microorganism, is a major industrial microorganism with numerous valuable features such as hexose and pentose utilization, low‐nutrient needs, fast growth rate, high protein secretion capacity, industrial safety, etc. As compared with other potential consolidated bioprocessing microorganisms such as Clostridium spp., Escherichia coli, and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, recombinant cellulolytic B. subtilis strains would be a potential platform for biocommodity production from nonfood biomass. Here, we review the advances in recombinant cellulolytic B. subtilis development and metabolic engineering for biocommodity production, and discuss the opportunities and challenges of cellulolytic B. subtilis for biocommodity production.
Annexin A1 attenuates EMT and metastatic potential in breast cancer
Authors: Maschler Sabine , Gebeshuber Christoph A. , Wiedemann Eva‐Maria , Alacakaptan Memetcan , Schreiber Martin , Custic Ivana , Beug Hartmut
Published: August 2010

Metastasis is the major cause of carcinoma‐induced death, but mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Metastasis crucially involves epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), causing loss of epithelial polarity. Here we identify Annexin A1 (AnxA1), a protein with important functions in intracellular vesicle trafficking, as an efficient suppressor of EMT and metastasis in breast cancer. AnxA1 levels were strongly reduced in EMT of mammary epithelial cells, in metastatic murine and human cell lines and in metastatic mouse and human carcinomas. RNAi‐mediated AnxA1 knockdown cooperated with oncogenic Ras to induce TGFβ‐independent EMT and metastasis in non‐metastatic cells. Strikingly, forced AnxA1 expression in metastatic mouse and human mammary carcinoma cells reversed EMT and abolished metastasis. AnxA1 knockdown stimulated multiple signalling pathways but only Tyk2/Stat3 and Erk1/2 signalling were essential for EMT.
Cellular model for sand dunes with saltation, avalanche and strong erosion: collisional simulation of barchans
Authors: Katsuki Atsunari , Kikuchi Macoto , Nishimori Hiraku , Endo Noritaka , Taniguchi Keisuke
Published: August 2010

Barchans are crescent‐shaped dunes that form under unidirectional wind in areas of limited sand supply. The recent development of flume experiments and computer simulations has renewed interest in the interaction dynamics of two or more barchans. From the flume experiment, four distinguishable types of collision patterns between two barchans have been observed: coalescence, ejection, split and reorganization. We have proposed a simple cellular model for numerical simulations of dune dynamics, in which saltation and avalanche are elementary processes. In the present paper, we first describe the model in detail. The model reproduces three types of collision patterns: coalescence, ejection, and reorganization. The largest reason for a split pattern not to occur is the lack of an effect of the flow separation at the brink line of dunes and the recirculation bubble that it produces. We then model the effect of the recirculation bubble by assuming that strong erosion occurs at the reattachment point of the separation flow. The strong‐erosion model successfully reproduces all the collision patterns. Thus, three elementary processes – saltation, avalanche and strong‐erosion – are sufficient for a phenomenological description of the interaction dynamics of aqueous barchans. It is also shown that the type of collision is determined by competition between the filling‐up of the interdune between two barchans and the change in height of each dune. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der anatolischen Flora. I
Authors: Huber‐Morath A.
Published: August 2010

L'auteur rassemle les résultats floristiques des voyages de Reese, Wall, Renz, Skřivánek, Tengwall et Huber entrepris en Anatolie en 1935–1939. Cette première publication traite des Renoncluacées aux Rutacées en suivant l'ordre de Boissier, Flora Orientalis. Les espèces nouvelles pour l'Anatolie sont les suivantes: Barbaraea longirostris var. subglabra, Erophila minima, Silene apetala, Reaumuria hypericoides et Lavatera cretica. L'auteur remet en question l'endémisme corse de l'Alyssum corsicum Duby. Il a trouvé très abondamment cette espèce (déterminée par Nyárády!) en Anatolie (Carie), et suppose que la Corse n'est qu'une localité secondaire où la plante a été introduite depuis très longemps.
Die Bedeutung der Wuchsform für die Entwicklung des natürlichen Systems der Pflanzen
Authors: Meusel Hermann
Published: August 2010

Das natürliche Pflanzensystem würde einer viel schärferen Begründung fähig sein, wenn es gelänge, vegetative Organe,. durch veränderte Methoden der Beobachtung besser zu unterscheiden. (GRISEBACH).
Emotion triggers executive attention: Anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala responses to emotional words in a conflict task
Authors: Kanske Philipp , Kotz Sonja A.
Published: August 2010

Coherent behavior depends on attentional control that detects and resolves conflict between opposing actions. The current functional magnetic resonance imaging study tested the hypothesis that emotion triggers attentional control to speed up conflict processing in particularly salient situations. Therefore, we presented emotionally negative and neutral words in a version of the flanker task. In response to conflict, we found activation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and of the amygdala for emotional stimuli. When emotion and conflict coincided, a region in the ventral ACC was activated, which resulted in faster conflict processing in reaction times. Emotion also increased functional connectivity between the ventral ACC and activation of the dorsal ACC and the amygdala in conflict trials. These data suggest that the ventral ACC integrates emotion and conflict and prioritizes the processing of conflict in emotional trials. This adaptive mechanism ensures rapid detection and resolution of conflict in potentially threatening situations signaled by emotional stimuli. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased expression and serum levels of the stromal cell‐secreted protein periostin in breast cancer bone metastases
Authors: Contié Sylvain , Voorzanger‐Rousselot Nathalie , Litvin Judith , Clézardin Philippe , Garnero Patrick
Published: August 2010

Periostin, a matricellular protein, is overexpressed in the stroma of several cancers. The aim of our study was to investigate more specifically whether periostin expression is associated with bone metastases from breast cancer and to determine its source in the affected bone. Nude mice were inoculated with human MDA‐B02 breast cancer cells. Bone metastases‐bearing mice were treated with zoledronic acid—an antiresorptive drug—or vehicle. Bone metastases were examined for tumor‐ and stroma‐derived periostin expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction with human‐ and mouse‐specific primers and immunohistochemistry. Serum periostin and conventional bone turnover markers were also measured. MDA‐B02 cells did not express periostin both in vitro and in vivo. However, mouse‐derived periostin was markedly overexpressed (eightfold) in metastatic legs compared to noninoculated mice. Serum periostin levels were also markedly increased in metastatic mice and correlated with in situ expression levels. Immunostaining showed that periostin derived from the environing stromal cells of bone metastasis. Bone turnover blockade by zoledronic acid markedly decreased osteolytic lesions but only slightly modulated serum periostin levels. Bone metastases from breast cancer induce overexpression of periostin by surrounding stromal cells. Periostin could be a biochemical marker of the early stromal response associated to breast cancer bone metastasis formation.
Birth order and risk of childhood cancer: A pooled analysis from five US States
Authors: Von Behren Julie , Spector Logan G. , Mueller Beth A. , Carozza Susan E. , Chow Eric J. , Fox Erin E. , Horel Scott , Johnson Kimberly J. , McLaughlin Colleen , Puumala Susan E. , Ross Julie A. , Reynolds Peggy
Published: August 2010

The causes of childhood cancers are largely unknown. Birth order has been used as a proxy for prenatal and postnatal exposures, such as frequency of infections and in utero hormone exposures. We investigated the association between birth order and childhood cancers in a pooled case‐control dataset. The subjects were drawn from population‐based registries of cancers and births in California, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Washington. We included 17,672 cases <15 years of age who were diagnosed from 1980 to 2004 and 57,966 randomly selected controls born 1970–2004, excluding children with Down syndrome. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression, adjusted for sex, birth year, maternal race, maternal age, multiple birth, gestational age and birth weight. Overall, we found an inverse relationship between childhood cancer risk and birth order. For children in the fourth or higher birth order category compared to first‐born children, the adjusted OR was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.93) for all cancers combined. When we examined risks by cancer type, a decreasing risk with increasing birth order was seen in the central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma, bilateral retinoblastoma, Wilms tumor and rhabdomyosarcoma. We observed increased risks with increasing birth order for acute myeloid leukemia but a slight decrease in risk for acute lymphoid leukemia. These risk estimates were based on a very large sample size, which allowed us to examine rare cancer types with greater statistical power than in most previous studies, however the biologic mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
Antitumor activities and on‐target toxicities mediated by a TRAIL receptor agonist following cotreatment with panobinostat
Authors: Martin Ben P. , Frew Ailsa J. , Bots Michael , Fox Stephen , Long Fenella , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Yagita Hideo , Atadja Peter , Smyth Mark J. , Johnstone Ricky W.
Published: August 2010

The recent development of novel targeted anticancer therapeutics such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and activators of the TRAIL pathway provide opportunities for the introduction of new treatment regimens in oncology. HDACi and recombinant TRAIL or agonistic anti‐TRAIL receptor antibodies have been shown to induce synergistic tumor cell apoptosis and some therapeutic activity in vivo. Herein, we have used syngeneic preclinical models of human solid cancers to demonstrate that the HDACi panobinostat can sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis mediated by the anti‐mouse TRAIL receptor antibody MD5‐1. We demonstrate that the combination of panobinostat and MD5‐1 can eradicate tumors grown subcutaneously and orthotopically in immunocompetent mice, while single agent treatment has minimal effect. However, escalation of the dose of panobinostat to enhance antitumor activity resulted in on‐target MD5‐1‐mediated gastrointestinal toxicities that were fatal to the treated mice. Studies performed in mice with knockout of the TRAIL receptor showed that these mice could tolerate doses of the panobinostat/MD5‐1 combination that were lethal in wild type mice resulting in superior tumor clearance. Given that clinical studies using HDACi and activators of the TRAIL pathway have been initiated, our preclinical data highlight the potential toxicities that could limit the use of such a treatment regimen. Our studies also demonstrate the power of using syngeneic in vivo tumor models as physiologically relevant preclinical systems to test the antitumor effects and identify potential side effects of novel anticancer regimens.
Analysis of tumor antigen‐specific T cells and antibodies in cancer patients treated with radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Widenmeyer Melanie , Shebzukhov Yuriy , Haen Sebastian P. , Schmidt Diethard , Clasen Stephan , Boss Andreas , Kuprash Dmitri V. , Nedospasov Sergei A. , Stenzl Arnulf , Aebert Hermann , Wernet Dorothee , Stevanović Stefan , Pereira Philippe L. , Rammensee Hans‐Georg , Gouttefangeas Cécile
Published: August 2010

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive technique routinely applied for the treatment of primary and secondary liver tumors. It induces cell death by thermal coagulative necrosis of tumor tissues, whereas cellular metabolism can still take place in a transition zone surrounding the necrotic area. An increase in heat shock protein expression occurs shortly after treatment, suggesting that the induction of activating signals may stimulate the host immune system. In addition, various effects on immune effectors have also been observed, including stimulation of tumor‐directed T lymphocytes. Here, we prospectively assessed the activation of tumor antigen‐specific antibodies, as well as antigen‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients suffering from primary or secondary malignancies and treated by RF ablation with or without concomitant chemotherapy. An increase of antibodies (in 4 patients of 49), CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells (in 2 patients of 49) could be detected several weeks to months following intervention. These findings suggest that in addition to the local control of tumor growth, RF ablation can provide the appropriate conditions for activating tumor‐antigen specific immune responses.
Transcriptional characteristics of familial non‐BRCA1/BRCA2 breast tumors
Authors: Fernández‐Ramires Ricardo , Gómez Gonzalo , Muñoz‐Repeto Iván , de Cecco Loris , Llort Gemma , Cazorla Alicia , Blanco Ignacio , Gariboldi Manuela , Pierotti Marco Alessandro , Benítez Javier , Osorio Ana
Published: August 2010

To better understand the alterations present in the group of the so‐called BRCAX tumors, we have used a cDNA microarray containing genes related to tumorigenesis and analyzed a series of 49 tumors consisting of 13 BRCA1, 14 BRCAX and 22 sporadic. We have confirmed that the BRCAX tumors are heterogeneous and can be divided in at least two main subgroups, so‐called A and B, transcriptionally distinguishable and with different altered pathways within each of the groups. We have found that BRCAX‐A and B subgroups, can be classified as Luminal A and Luminal B, respectively, taking into account the intrinsic phenotypes defined for the sporadic breast tumors. We have found that, at the somatic level, the BRCAX‐B tumors are identical to their sporadic Luminal B counterparts, whereas BRCAX‐A, despite having a Luminal A phenotype, shows additional genomic alterations. We have found 21 deregulated genes in the BRCAX‐A group that we have called “the BRCAX susceptibility pathway” and suggested it as a candidate to search for new genes involved in the inherited susceptibility underlying the disease in this group.
The B cell antigen receptor in atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia with t(14;19)(q32;q13) demonstrates remarkable stereotypy
Authors: Schweighofer Carmen D. , Huh Yang O. , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Sargent Rachel L. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Knudson Ryan A. , Barron Lynn L. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Keating Michael J. , Abruzzo Lynne V.
Published: August 2010

The t(14;19)(q32;q13) is a recurrent chromosomal translocation reported in a variety of B‐cell leukemias and lymphomas, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL cases associated with t(14;19) often have atypical morphologic and immunophenotypic features and unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) variable region (V) genes, associated with an aggressive clinical course. We analyzed IGHV somatic mutation status and gene use in 11 patients with t(14;19)‐positive CLL. All cases were unmutated, and the IGHV genes in 10 cases showed minimal deviation from germline sequences. In 7 of 11 patients, we found homologous heavy chain rearrangements using IGHV4‐39; light chain analysis revealed identical IGKV1‐39 use. Corresponding V‐(D)‐J sequences demonstrated remarkable stereotypy of the immunoglobulin heavy and kappa light chain complementarity determining region 3 (H/K CDR3) genes. These findings raise the possibility that specific antigen drive is involved in the clonal development and/or selection of t(14;19)(q32;q13)‐positive CLL cells. Our findings support the hypothesis that stimulatory signals through specific antigen receptors may promote the expansion of either CLL precursor cells or CLL clones that harbor distinct chromosomal abnormalities.
The role of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor (HAI)‐1 and HAI‐2 in endometrial cancer
Authors: Nakamura Keiichiro , Hongo Atsushi , Kodama Junichi , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: August 2010

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI‐1 and HAI‐2) are Kunitz‐type serine protease inhibitors that have a broad inhibitory spectrum against serine proteases. This is the first study to investigate the role of HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 in endometrial cancer. We investigated the biological functions of HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 using KLE and HEC‐251 endometrial cancer cell lines, thus HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 were examined in uterine normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry. HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 showed potential inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration and cellular invasion by reduction of matriptase and hepsin expression. This in turn led to an increase in the levels of E‐cadherin and Slug, and a reduction in the levels of Vimentin, SIP1, Snail and Twist, and hence ER and PR signal transduction in endometrial cancer cells. The levels of HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 expression were significantly decreased in endometrial cancer specimens relative to the corresponding normal endometrium specimens. Low HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 expression was a significant predictor for a poor prognosis compared with high HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 expression. These findings indicate that HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 could be considered as therapeutic targets and used as favorable prognosis markers for endometrial cancer.
Pattern and clinical significance of cancer‐testis gene expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cuffel Cyril , Rivals Jean‐Paul , Zaugg Yannick , Salvi Suzanne , Seelentag Walter , Speiser Daniel E. , Liénard Danielle , Monnier Philippe , Romero Pedro , Bron Luc , Rimoldi Donata
Published: August 2010

Cancer‐testis (CT) antigens comprise families of tumor‐associated antigens that are immunogenic in patients with various cancers. Their restricted expression makes them attractive targets for immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of several CT genes and evaluate their prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The pattern and level of expression of 12 CT genes (MAGE‐A1, MAGE‐A3, MAGE‐A4, MAGE‐A10, MAGE‐C2, NY‐ESO‐1, LAGE‐1, SSX‐2, SSX‐4, BAGE, GAGE‐1/2, GAGE‐3/4) and the tumor‐associated antigen encoding genes PRAME, HERV‐K‐MEL, and NA‐17A were evaluated by RT‐PCR in a panel of 57 primary HNSCC. Over 80% of the tumors expressed at least 1 CT gene. Coexpression of three or more genes was detected in 59% of the patients. MAGE‐A4 (60%), MAGE‐A3 (51%), PRAME (49%) and HERV‐K‐MEL (42%) were the most frequently expressed genes. Overall, the pattern of expression of CT genes indicated a coordinate regulation; however there was no correlation between expression of MAGE‐A3/A4 and BORIS, a gene whose product has been implicated in CT gene activation. The presence of MAGE‐A and NY‐ESO‐1 proteins was verified by immunohistochemistry. Analysis of the correlation between mRNA expression of CT genes with clinico‐pathological characteristics and clinical outcome revealed that patients with tumors positive for MAGE‐A4 or multiple CT gene expression had a poorer overall survival. Furthermore, MAGE‐A4 mRNA positivity was prognostic of poor outcome independent of clinical parameters. These findings indicate that expression of CT genes is associated with a more malignant phenotype and suggest their usefulness as prognostic markers in HNSCC.
Tumor infiltration by FcγRIII (CD16)+ myeloid cells is associated with improved survival in patients with colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Sconocchia Giuseppe , Zlobec Inti , Lugli Alessandro , Calabrese Diego , Iezzi Giandomenica , Karamitopoulou Eva , Patsouris Efstratios S. , Peros George , Horcic Milo , Tornillo Luigi , Zuber Markus , Droeser Raoul , Muraro Manuele G. , Mengus Chantal , Oertli Daniel , Ferrone Soldano , Terracciano Luigi , Spagnoli Giulio C.
Published: August 2010

The prognostic significance of macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell infiltration in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) microenvironment is unclear. We investigated the CRC innate inflammatory infiltrate in over 1,600 CRC using two independent tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Survival time was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in a multivariable setting. Spearman's rank correlation tested the association between macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration. The Basel study included over 1,400 CRCs. The level of CD16+ cell infiltration correlated with that of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes but not with NK cell infiltration. Patients with high CD16+ cell infiltration (score 2) survived longer than patients with low (score 1) infiltration (p = 0.008), while no survival difference between patients with score 1 or 2 for CD56+ (p = 0.264) or CD57+ cell (p = 0.583) infiltration was detected. CD16+ infiltrate was associated with improved survival even after adjusting for known prognostic factors including pT, pN, grade, vascular invasion, tumor growth and age [(p = 0.001: HR (95% CI) = 0.71 (0.6–0.9)]. These effects were independent from CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration [(p = 0.036: HR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.7–0.9)] and presence of metastases [(p = 0.002: HR (95% CI) = 0.43 (0.3–0.7)]. Phenotypic studies identified CD16+ as CD45+CD33+CD11b+CD11c+ but CD64− HLA‐DR‐myeloid cells. Beneficial effects of CD16+ cell infiltration were independently validated by a study carried out at the University of Athens confirming that patients with CD16 score 2 survived longer than patients with score 1 CRCs (p = 0.011). Thus, CD16+ cell infiltration represents a novel favorable prognostic factor in CRC.
Thermal processes in red blood cells exposed to infrared laser tweezers (λ = 1064 nm)
Authors: Krasnikov Ilya , Seteikin Alexey , Bernhardt Ingolf
Published: August 2010

Continuous‐wave laser micro‐beams are generally used as diagnostic tools in laser scanning microscopes or in the case of near‐infrared (NIR) micro‐beams, as optical traps for cell manipulation and force characterization. Because single beam traps are created with objectives of high numerical aperture, typical trapping intensities and photon flux densities are in the order of 106 W/cm2 and 103 cm–2 s–1, respectively. The main idea of our theoretical study was to investigate the thermal reaction of RBCs irradiated by laser micro‐beam. The study is supported by the fact that many experiments have been carried out with RBCs in laser NIR tweezers. In the present work it has been identified that the laser affects a RBC with a density of absorbed energy at approximately 107 J/cm3, which causes a temperature rise in the cell of about 7–12 °C. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of vertical trabeculae on the compressive strength of the human vertebra
Authors: Fields Aaron J , Lee Gideon L , Liu X Sherry , Jekir Michael G , Guo X Edward , Keaveny Tony M
Published: August 2010

Vertebral strength, a key etiologic factor of osteoporotic fracture, may be affected by the relative amount of vertically oriented trabeculae. To better understand this issue, we performed experimental compression testing, high-resolution micro–computed tomography (µCT), and micro–finite-element analysis on 16 elderly human thoracic ninth (T9) whole vertebral bodies (ages 77.5 ± 10.1 years). Individual trabeculae segmentation of the µCT images was used to classify the trabeculae by their orientation. We found that the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of just the vertical trabeculae accounted for substantially more of the observed variation in measured vertebral strength than did the bone volume fraction of all trabeculae (r2 = 0.83 versus 0.59, p < .005). The bone volume fraction of the oblique or horizontal trabeculae was not associated with vertebral strength. Finite-element analysis indicated that removal of the cortical shell did not appreciably alter these trends; it also revealed that the major load paths occur through parallel columns of vertically oriented bone. Taken together, these findings suggest that variation in vertebral strength across individuals is due primarily to variations in the bone volume fraction of vertical trabeculae. The vertical tissue fraction, a new bone quality parameter that we introduced to reflect these findings, was both a significant predictor of vertebral strength alone (r2 = 0.81) and after accounting for variations in total bone volume fraction in multiple regression (total R2 = 0.93). We conclude that the vertical tissue fraction is a potentially powerful microarchitectural determinant of vertebral strength. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Elevated cytokine production restores bone resorption by human Btk-deficient osteoclasts
Authors: Danks Lynett , Workman Sarita , Webster David , Horwood Nicole J
Published: August 2010

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) cause the B-cell disorder X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) in humans, but the effect of Btk deficiency in human bone health has not been investigated previously. In this study, we show that human Btk-deficient osteoclasts are defective at resorption activity in vitro owing to a dysregulation of the actin cytoskeletal function. Contrary to expectation, XLA patients did not exhibit increased bone density or alterations in serum markers of bone turnover, indicating that a potential compensation mechanism normalizes bone homeostasis. In contrast to the bone turnover markers, the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were significantly elevated in XLA patients' serum compared with control individuals. Supplementation of osteoclast cultures from normal and XLA subjects with serum from XLA patients or recombinant inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α resulted in a stimulation of osteoclast activity in vitro, whereas the addition of cytokine-neutralizing antibodies inhibited this stimulatory effect, confirming that elevated inflammatory cytokines in XLA serum heightened osteoclast activity in vitro. This study provides novel evidence that Btk signaling is crucial for optimal actin cytoskeletal organization and lacunar resorption in isolated osteoclasts. In XLA patients, however, these inherent osteoclast defects are corrected by increased inflammatory cytokine levels, restoring osteoclast activity and leading to the normalization of bone density. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Isolated sleep paralysis and fearful isolated sleep paralysis in outpatients with panic attacksb
Authors: Sharpless Brian A. , McCarthy Kevin S. , Chambless Dianne L. , Milrod Barbara L. , Khalsa Shabad‐Ratan , Barber Jacques P.
Published: August 2010

Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) has received scant attention in clinical populations, and there has been little empirical consideration of the role of fear in ISP episodes. To facilitate research and clinical work in this area, the authors developed a reliable semistructured interview (the Fearful Isolated Sleep Paralysis Interview) to assess ISP and their proposed fearful ISP (FISP) episode criteria in 133 patients presenting for panic disorder treatment. Of these, 29.3% met lifetime ISP episode criteria, 20.3% met the authors' lifetime FISP episode criteria, and 12.8% met their recurrent FISP criteria. Both ISP and FISP were associated with minority status and comorbidity. However, only FISP was significantly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, body mass, anxiety sensitivity, and mood and anxiety disorder symptomatology. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:1–15, 2010.
A comparison of the millon behavioral medical diagnostic and millon behavioral health inventory with medical populations
Authors: Wise Edward A. , Streiner David L.
Published: August 2010

There is a lack of normative data on broadband omnibus types of personality tests with medical populations. In fact, the only two tests normed on medical populations are the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) and the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI). The internal consistency, test‐retest reliabilities, and validity studies of these instruments are reviewed and compared in an effort to aid clinicians in discerning their relative psychometric strengths and weaknesses. Due to the lack of validity studies with the MBMD and the fact that reliability limits the ceiling of validity coefficients, the MBMD has yet to meet the challenges it was designed to meet. Implications for practice are addressed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:1–11, 2010.
Kinetics and modeling of fructo‐oligosaccharide synthesis by immobilized fructosyltransferase from Rhodotorula sp.
Authors: Alvarado‐Huallanco Mónica B. , Maugeri‐Filho Francisco
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Fructosyltransferase synthesizes fructo‐oligosaccharides from sucrose. Data used in this work were obtained by an enzyme produced by Rhodotorula sp., a microorganism isolated from fruit samples from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which was immobilized in an inorganic support, consisting of a niobium and graphite alloy.

RESULT: All essays were conducted using enzymes at two purification grades, highly and partially purified enzymes, as comparison. The results were not significantly different between the two enzyme grades, mainly concerning the final fructo‐oligossacharides yield, which were around 46%. Concerning the kinetics, the enzyme follows the Michaelis–Menten equation with inhibition by sucrose (above 60%). Also, a competitive inhibition by glucose was observed on sucrose, kestose and nystose uptakes. The immobilization of the enzyme was by ion exchange on the surface of the particles, since the support is a charged and compact solid, with negligible porosity. The mathematic model includes mass balances, considering the resistance to external mass transfer. A parameter sensitivity analysis and parameter fitting were performed by simulations and the model was validated by comparison with experimental data.

CONCLUSION: The model fitted experimental data well, with deviations lower than 5% concerning FOS concentrations, indicating that it can be used in the design and control of bioreactors, either using purified or partially purified enzyme. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of a low profile ultrasound transducer for coronary sinus cannulation: A pilot study
Authors: Chandraratna Premindra A. , Kosar Erol , Gajanayaka Ranil , Makkena Surendra M. , Gupta Anjlie , Ranasinghe Sachini
Published: August 2010

Background.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with biventricular pacing has been shown to be beneficial in improving heart failure in patients with prolonged QRS duration (≥120 ms) and low ejection fraction (≤35%). Unsuccessful cannulation of the coronary sinus (CS) has been reported in up to 10% of cases. The feasibility of the transthoracic continuous cardiac imaging for coronary sinus cannulation has not been previously demonstrated.

Methods and Results.

We developed a 2.5‐MHz hemi‐spherical continuous cardiac imaging transducer (CONTISON), mounted in an external housing, to permit steering in 360°. The transducer was attached to the chest wall using an adhesive ring. The CS was easily imaged by echocardiography by placing the transducer just medial to the apex and tilting it dorsally. The feasibility study was done in 11 patients. CS ostium and body were imaged in all patients. Cannulation was successfully achieved in nine patients with a mean cannulation time of 1 minute 16 seconds. In two patients, poor image quality precluded adequate visualization of CS. Fluoroscopy was not used for cannulation.

Conclusion.

We demonstrated the feasibility of using the CONTISON echography transducer for the guidance CS cannulation. This technique could expedite CS cannulation and reduce radiation exposure. Further studies comparing ultrasound versus fluoroscopy for CS cannulation appear warranted. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 38:426–429, 2010
Enhanced gene transfection with addition of a cell‐penetrating peptide in substrate‐mediated gene delivery
Authors: Chen Si , Zhuo Ren‐Xi , Cheng Si‐Xue
Published: August 2010

Background

To overcome extracellular barriers in gene therapy, controlled release technology has been adapted to protect DNA from degradation and maintain elevated DNA concentration. Although cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely utilized to enhance the transfection efficiency of solution‐based transfections, as far as we are aware, the effect of these peptides on substrate‐mediated transfection has not yet been reported.

Methods

In the present study, the effect of a CPP, KALA, on the substrate‐mediated gene delivery was studied. A fast degrading cholic acid functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) was used to fabricate Ca‐P/DNA/KALA co‐precipitates‐deposited films and Ca‐P/DNA/KALA co‐precipitates‐encapsulated films for mediating substrate‐mediated transfection. The in vitro gene transfections in HEK293T and HepG2 cells mediated by the different films were investigated. The effect of KALA content on gene transfection was studied.

Results

Gene expression of film‐mediated transfections could be significantly enhanced by the addition of KALA at a quite low content with a DNA/KALA ratio of 10 : 1. As a result of the surface erosion mechanism of the functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide), our substrate‐mediated transfection system could rapidly release Ca‐P/DNA/KALA to mediate efficient gene expression. During the transfection, the degradation of the polymer films could be observed and the degradation did not show any unfavorable effects on gene expression.

Conclusions

The presence of a CPP could significantly enhance the gene expression of substrate‐mediated transfections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermally induced plasticity of body shape in adult zebrafish Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822)
Authors: Georga Ioanna , Koumoundouros George
Published: August 2010

We examined the effect of temperature during the early development on the phenotypic plasticity of Danio rerio. The effect of temperature was examined during two different early developmental periods of 280°d (the product of days × temperature) each, 28‐308°d or 280‐560°d, by subjecting the experimental populations to three different water temperatures (22°C, 28°C, and 32°C). Before and after the end of the 280°d period of the different thermal exposure, all populations were cultured in standard temperature (28°C). Five to 10 months after exposure to the different thermal regimes, the body shape of the adults was analyzed by geometric morphometrics. In both ontogenetic windows and experimental repetitions, the results showed that developmental temperature and sex significantly affected the body shape of adult zebrafish. Thermally induced shape variation discriminated the fish that developed at 22°C from those developed at 28°C–32°C. In the early developmental period (DP1, 28–308°d postfertilization), dorsal, anal, and caudal fin structures differed between the animals that developed at 22°C and 28°C–32°C. In the later developmental period (DP2, 280–560°d postfertilization), caudal, anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins, as well as the gill cover and lower jaw, were affected when animals developed at different temperatures. These results show that thermal history during a short period of embryonic and larval life affects the body form of adult zebrafish with potentially functional consequences. Based on previous data on the effects of temperature on fish development, we suggest thermally induced muscle and bone remodelling as possible mechanism underlying the observed plasticity. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uterine and eggshell structure and histochemistry in a lizard with prolonged uterine egg retention (Lacertilia, Scincidae, Saiphos)
Authors: Stewart James R. , Mathieson Ashley N. , Ecay Tom W. , Herbert Jacquie F. , Parker Scott L. , Thompson Michael B.
Published: August 2010

The eggshell of lizards is a complex structure composed of organic and inorganic molecules secreted by the oviduct, which protects the embryo by providing a barrier to the external environment and also allows the exchange of respiratory gases and water for life support. Calcium deposited on the surface of the eggshell provides an important nutrient source for the embryo. Variation in physical conditions encountered by eggs results in a tradeoff among these functions and influences eggshell structure. Evolution of prolonged uterine egg retention results in a significant change in the incubation environment, notably reduction in efficiency of gas exchange, and selection should favor a concomitant reduction in eggshell thickness. This model is supported by studies that demonstrate an inverse correlation between eggshell thickness and length of uterine egg retention. One mechanism leading to thinning of the eggshell is reduction in size of uterine shell glands. Saiphos equalis is an Australian scincid lizard with an unusual pattern of geographic variation in reproductive mode. All populations retain eggs in the uterus beyond the embryonic stage at oviposition typical for lizards, and some are viviparous. We compared structure and histochemistry of the uterus and eggshell of two populations of S. equalis, prolonged egg retention, and viviparous to test the hypotheses: 1) eggshell thickness is inversely correlated with length of egg retention and 2) eggshell thickness is positively correlated with size of shell glands. We found support for the first hypothesis but also found that eggshells of both populations are surprisingly thick compared with other lizards. Our histochemical data support prior conclusions that uterine shell glands are the source of protein fiber matrix of the eggshell, but we did not find a correlation between size of shell glands and eggshell thickness. Eggshell thickness is likely determined by density of uterine shell glands in this species. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are abdominal prolegs serially homologous with the thoracic legs in panorpidae (Insecta: Mecoptera)? embryological evidence
Authors: Yue Chao , Hua Baozhen
Published: August 2010

It is a long standing question whether the abdominal prolegs of holometabolous insect larvae are serially homologous with their thoracic legs. The histology and ultrastructure of proleg embryonic development in the scorpionfly Panorpa magna were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. During the early embryonic development, paired primary abdominal appendages appeared laterally in line with the thoracic legs. Several hours later, a pair of proleg primordia arose along the midventral line on each of the first eight abdominal segments mesial to the primary abdominal appendages, which then ceased to grow and eventually degenerated into flat vestiges. Histological observation showed that the thoracic legs were obviously connected with lateral thoracic muscle cells, whereas the abdominal prolegs resembled secondary outgrowths. No apparent contact was observed between the lumen of abdominal prolegs and the hemocoel. After dorsal closure, each thoracic segment bore a pair of well‐developed five‐jointed legs, whereas the prolegs were unjointed, fleshy structure. The remnants of the primary abdominal appendages could still be clearly seen in the mature embryo. On the basis of the histological and morphological observation of the embryonic development, we confirm that the abdominal prolegs of Panorpidae lack the characters of the primary appendages; hence they are not serially homologous with the thoracic legs. The reasons why the primary abdominal legs are reduced in scorpionflies are briefly discussed. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Revisited vibrational assignments of imidazolium‐based ionic liquids
Authors: Grondin Joseph , Lassègues Jean‐Claude , Cavagnat Dominique , Buffeteau Thierry , Johansson Patrik , Holomb Roman
Published: August 2010

Imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) involving anions of variable coordinating strength have been investigated using infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and selective deuteration of the imidazolium CH groups. Particular emphasis has been placed on the vibrational assignments of the anion and cation internal vibrations, a prerequisite before any interpretation of spectral changes due to ion–ion interactions in these unconventional liquids. The vibrations of highly symmetric and weakly coordinating anions, such as PF6−, have unperturbed wavenumbers, but unexpected IR or Raman activity for some modes, showing that the anion is subjected to an anisotropic electric field. The stretching as well as the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane bending modes of the imidazolium CH groups are anharmonic. They give broad bands that reflect a large distribution of interactions with the surrounding anions. All the bending modes are mixed with ring vibrations and the stretching modes are complicated by Fermi resonance interactions with overtones and combination of in‐plane ring modes. However, the stretching vibration of the quasi‐diatomic C(2)D bond appears to be a good spectroscopic probe of the increasing cation–anion interactions when the coordinating strength of the anion increases. The broad absorption observed in the far IR with weakly coordinating anions remains practically unchanged when the acidic C(2)H imidazolium bond is methylated and even when the imidazolium cation is substituted by tetra‐alkyl ammonium or pyrrolidinium cations. It is concluded that this absorption is a general feature of any IL, coming from the relative translational and librational motions of the ions without needing to invoke C(2)H anion hydrogen bonds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polarized IR and Raman spectra, temperature dependence of phonons and lattice dynamic calculations for M′2M″Ge2O7 pyrogermanates (M′ = Sr, Ba; M″ = Mg, Zn)
Authors: Hanuza J. , Ma̧czka M. , Ptak M. , Lorenc J. , Hermanowicz K. , Becker P. , Bohatý L. , Kaminskii A. A.
Published: August 2010

Infrared and Raman spectra of the polycrystalline samples and single crystals of Sr2ZnGe2O7, Ba2ZnGe2O7, Ba2MgGe2O7 and Sr2MgGe2O7 were measured. The temperature dependence of phonons was studied in the range 4–295 K. The discussion of the results is based on the factor group approach for the tetragonal $P\overline{4}2_{1} m (D_{2d}^{3})$ space group with Z = 2. The discussion of the internal vibrations of the Ge2O7 unit and external modes is made on the basis of the literature data and phonon calculations. The results obtained for the spontaneous Raman scattering were used in the discussion of the stimulated Raman spectra of the studied materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fusarium mycotoxins in various barley cultivars and their transfer into malt
Authors: Malachova Alexandra , Cerkal Radim , Ehrenbergerova Jaroslava , Dzuman Zbynek , Vaculova Katerina , Hajslova Jana
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Fusarium toxins, secondary metabolites of toxinogenic Fusarium species, are found in a range of cereal grains. In this study the occurrence of the most commonest Fusarium toxins, namely nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), deoxynivalenol‐3‐glucoside, fusarenon‐X, 3‐ and 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, HT‐2 and T‐2 toxins and zearalenone, in various barley cultivars harvested in 2005–2008 was monitored. The impact of weather, locality, fungicide treatment and barley cultivar (hulless or covered) on contamination was evaluated. The transfer of these mycotoxins into malt was assessed.

RESULTS: The most prevalent toxin was DON, which was found in 83% of samples (maximum level 180 µg kg−1), while HT‐2 was detected in 62% of samples (maximum level 716 µg kg−1). Using analysis of covariance, weather was found to be the key factor in all years (P < 0.001). A relationship between cultivar and contamination was confirmed only for HT‐2 (P < 0.001) and T‐2 (P = 0.037), with higher levels of these toxins being observed in hulless cultivars. With the exception of NIV (P = 0.008), no significant relationship was found between fungicide treatment and contamination. No distinct trend regarding DON levels in malt was found, with both decreases and increases occurring.

CONCLUSION: The results show an inter‐annual variation in mycotoxin occurrence in barley cultivars as well as differences in contamination of malt produced from fungicide‐treated and untreated barley. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Simultaneous analysis of seven alkaloids in Coptis‐Evodia herb couple and Zuojin pill by UPLC with accelerated solvent extraction
Authors: Gao Xin , Yang Xiu‐Wei , Marriott Philip J.
Published: August 2010

A rapid, sensitive, and accurate ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐UV detection method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of seven active alkaloids, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine, in the Coptis‐Evodia herb couple and the Zuojin pill preparation. The original validated method had a total time of about 11 min, which was reduced to 4.7 min by further optimization of gradient elution conditions with eluent A comprising water/methanol/formic acid (v/v/v, 90:10:0.1) and eluent B ACN. An accelerated solvent extraction method was used for the rapid extraction of herb products and pill preparations. Linear behavior over the investigated concentration ranges was observed, with values of r2 greater than 0.9987 for all analytes. Experiment results were satisfactory for both intra‐day and inter‐day precision, and method accuracy. Method recovery ranged from 95.7 to 103.5% based on pure reference standards. The validated method was successfully applied to determine amounts of bioactive alkaloid compounds in five samples, in the Coptis‐Evodia herb couple, and the commercial Zuojin pill products. The developed method achieved baseline resolution for all seven main basic compounds and is suitable for use as a routine procedure for the rapid identification and quantification of basic compounds in the Coptis‐Evodia herb couple and related products.
Preparation of high‐selective HPLC packing materials based on alternating copolymer‐grafted silica
Authors: Mallik Abul K. , Sawada Tsuyoshi , Takafuji Makoto , Ihara Hirotaka
Published: August 2010

Three alternating copolymer‐grafted silica stationary phases for use in high‐selective RP‐HPLC were prepared from two vinyl monomers selected from styrene, N‐methylmaleimide, N‐octadecylmaleimide, and octadecyl acrylate; they were characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and 13C cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Aspects of molecular‐shape selectivity were evaluated for three different columns using Standard Reference Material 869b, Column Selectivity Test Mixture for Liquid Chromatography. The best selectivity for isomer separations was obtained for the stationary phase prepared with a copolymer of octadecyl acrylate and N‐octadecylmaleimide, which was able to separate 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Standard Reference Material 1647e) in an isocratic elution. In this paper, the effectiveness of this phase is also demonstrated by separation of tocopherol isomers.