bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photo Gel–Sol/Sol–Gel Transition and Its Patterning of a Supramolecular Hydrogel as Stimuli‐Responsive Biomaterials
Authors: Matsumoto Shinji , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Ueno Shiori , Komatsu Harunobu , Ikeda Masato , Ishizuka Koji , Iko Yuko , Tabata Kazuhito V. , Aoki Hiroyuki , Ito Shinzaburo , Noji Hiroyuki , Hamachi Itaru
Published: March 2008

In a focused library of glycolipid‐based hydrogelators bearing fumaric amide as a trans–cis photoswitching module, several new photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogelators were discovered, the gel–sol/sol–gel transition of which was pseudo‐reversibly induced by light. Studying the optimal hydrogel by NMR spectroscopy and various microscopy techniques showed that the trans–cis photoisomerization of the double bond of the fumaric amide unit effectively caused assembly or disassembly of the self‐assembled supramolecular fibers to yield the macroscopic hydrogel or the corresponding sol, respectively. The entanglement of the supramolecular fibers produced nanomeshes, the void space of which was roughly evaluated to be 250 nm based on confocal laser scanning microscopy observations of the size‐dependent Brownian motion of nanobeads embedded in the supramolecular hydrogel. It was clearly shown that such nanomeshes become a physical obstacle that captures submicro‐ to micrometer‐sized substrates such as beads or bacteria. By exploiting the photoresponsive property of the supramolecular nanomeshes, we succeeded in off/on switching of bacterial movement and rotary motion of bead‐tethered F1‐ATPase, a biomolecular motor protein, in the supramolecular hydrogel. Furthermore, by using the photolithographic technique, gel–sol photopatterning was successfully conducted to produce sol spots within the gel matrix. The fabricated gel–sol pattern not only allowed regulation of bacterial motility in a limited area, but also off/on switching of F1‐ATPase rotary motion at the single‐molecule level. These results demonstrated that the photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogel and the resulting nanomeshes may provide unique biomaterials for the spatiotemporal manipulation of various biomolecules and live bacteria.
Complexation of L‐Lactate with Boronic Acids: A Solution and Holographic Analysis
Authors: Sartain Felicity K. , Yang Xiaoping , Lowe Christopher R.
Published: March 2008

Boronic acids have been used as receptors for the detection of diols and α‐hydroxy acids. The incorporation of 3‐acrylamide phenyl boronic acid (3‐APB) into a hydrogel generates a suitably responsive and fully reversible holographic sensor for L‐lactate. However, it was also found that the use of 3‐APB resulted in the sensor being responsive towards a number of other compounds containing two hydroxy groups. This report details the further investigation into the reaction between L‐lactate and three boronic acid‐based receptors, both in the holograms and in solution, in order to establish the mechanism of binding. A novel boronate receptor is proposed based on this understanding.
Three‐Dimensional Mesoporous Gallosilicate with Pm3n Symmetry and its Unusual Catalytic Performances
Authors: Srinivasu Pavuluri , Vinu Ajayan
Published: March 2008

Three‐dimensional, mesoporous‐cage‐type, GaSBA‐1 materials with different nSi/nGa ratios have been successfully prepared for the first time by using a low hydrochloric acid to silicon (nHCl/nSi) molar ratio in the synthesis gel by templating with cetyltriethylammonium bromide as the structure‐directing agent in a highly acidic medium. The obtained materials have been unambiguously characterized in detail by several sophisticated techniques including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, elemental mapping, and 29Si magic‐angle‐spinning NMR spectroscopy. XRD and nitrogen adsorption results reveal that the structures of the GaSBA‐1 materials resemble that of SBA‐1, which possesses a cubic, three‐dimensional, cage‐type structure with open windows. In addition, the specific surface area and the specific pore volume of the GaSBA‐1 materials are much higher than those of the SBA‐1 silica, which are very important for the catalytic applications. The amount of Ga cation in the SBA‐1 silica framework has been found to play a critical role in controlling the morphology and the pore diameter of the materials. Finally, the catalytic activity in the tert‐butylation of phenol with tert‐butanol as the alkylating agent has been investigated and the results are compared with those of other mesoporous catalysts such as AlMCM‐41, FeMCM‐41, FeAl‐MCM‐41, and FeSBA‐1. Moreover, the effect of various reaction parameters such as the reaction temperature, reactant feed ratio, and time‐on‐stream on the phenol conversion in the tert‐butylation of phenol over GaSBA‐1 catalysts has been demonstrated. Among the catalysts examined, GaSBA‐1(17), in which the number in the parenthesis denotes the nSi/nGa ratio, showed remarkable activity with a high conversion of phenol and selectivity to 4‐tert‐butylphenol; it was found to be superior over other mesoporous catalysts used in the study.
Fast generation of nonresonant and resonant optical rotatory dispersion curves with the help of circular dichroism calculations and Kramers‐Kronig transformations
Authors: Rudolph Mark , Autschbach Jochen
Published: March 2008

It can be computationally expensive to compute smooth, well resolved, optical rotation (OR) dispersion (ORD) curves from first principles theory. Instead of computing the OR at a large number of frequency points, similar results can be obtained by combined use of a computed circular dichroism (CD) spectrum along with a few OR calculations by using subtractive Kramers‐Kronig transformations. We have tested various subtractive schemes for simulated (analytical) CD/ORD and for time‐dependent density functional computations for dimethyloxirane, fenchone, and [4]triangulane. Nonresonant ORD can be obtained with as few as two OR and one CD calculation. For resonant ORD we found that between 7 and 15 OR computations plus the CD spectrum were typically sufficient, depending on the number of excitations within the frequency window of interest. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
First ex‐vivo MRI co‐localization of two LIPOCEST agents
Authors: Terreno Enzo , Castelli Daniela Delli , Milone Luciano , Rollet Simona , Stancanello Joseph , Violante Elisabetta , Aime Silvio
Published: March 2008

One of the major advantages of the CEST methodology deals with the possibility of visualizing more probes in the same MR image voxels. This is a unique property within the contrast media that act on the 1H‐NMR signal of water protons, and it might considerably improve the potential of the technique. In addition to displaying sufficiently different resonance frequencies of their mobile protons, it is also important that the CEST agents designed for this application are highly sensitive. LIPOCEST agents represent the most sensitive class of CEST systems developed so far. On this basis, two LIPOCEST samples, a spherical one and an osmotically shrunken nonspherical one, endowed with markedly different resonance frequencies of their intraliposomal water protons, 3 ppm and 15 ppm, respectively, were prepared and tested both in vitro and in ex‐vivo on a bovine muscle used as tissue‐surrogate. The response of the two agents did not interfere each other, thus allowing the multiple visualization of the two agents present at nanomolar concentrations in the same image voxels. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental expression of NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits in vestibular nuclear neurons that encode gravity‐related horizontal orientations
Authors: Tse Yiu‐Chung , Lai Chun‐Hong , Lai Suk‐King , Liu Jian‐Xiang , Yung Ken K.L. , Shum Daisy K.Y. , Chan Ying‐Shing
Published: March 2008

We examined the expression profile of subunits of ionotropic glutamate receptors [N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐proprionate (AMPA)] during postnatal development of connectivity in the rat vestibular nucleus. Vestibular nuclear neurons were functionally activated by constant velocity off‐vertical axis rotation, a strategy to stimulate otolith organs in the inner ear. These neurons indicated Fos expression as a result. By immunodetection for Fos, otolith‐related neurons that expressed NMDA/AMPA receptor subunits were identified as early as P7, and these neurons were found to increase progressively up to adulthood. Although there was developmental invariance in the percentage of Fos‐immunoreactive neurons expressing the NR1, NR2A, GluR1, or GluR2/3 subunits, those expressing the NR2B subunit decreased from P14 onward, and those expressing the GluR4 subunit decreased in adults. These double‐immunohistochemical data were corroborated by combined immuno‐/hybridization histochemical data obtained from Fos‐immunoreactive neurons expressing NR2B mRNA or GluR4 mRNA. The staining of both NR2B and GluR4 in the cytoplasm of these neurons decreased upon maturation. The percentage of Fos‐immunoreactive neurons expressing the other ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits (viz. NR1, NR2A, GluR1, and GluR2/3) remained relatively constant throughout postnatal maturation. Triple immunofluorescence further demonstrated coexpression of NR1 and NR2 subunits in Fos‐immunoreactive neurons. Coexpression of NR1 subunit with each of the GluR subunits was also observed among the Fos‐immunoreactive neurons. Taken together, the different expression profiles of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits constitute the histological basis for glutamatergic neurotransmission in the maturation of central vestibular connectivity for the coding of gravity‐related horizontal head movements. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:343–364, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identity of myelinated cutaneous sensory neurons projecting to nocireceptive laminae following nerve injury in adult mice
Authors: Woodbury C. Jeffery , Kullmann Florenta A. , McIlwrath Sabrina L. , Koerber H. Richard
Published: March 2008

It is widely thought that, after peripheral injury, some low‐threshold mechanoreceptive (LTMR) afferents “sprout” into pain‐specific laminae (I–II) of the dorsal horn and are responsible for chronic pain states such as mechanical allodynia. Although recent studies have questioned this hypothesis, they fail to account for a series of compelling results from single‐fiber analyses showing extensive projections from large‐diameter myelinated afferents into nocireceptive layers after nerve injury. Here we show that, in the thoracic spinal cord of naïve adult mouse, all myelinated nociceptors gave rise to terminal projections throughout the superficial dorsal horn laminae (I–II). Most (70%) of these fibers had large‐diameter axons with recurving flame‐shaped central arbors that projected throughout the dorsal horn laminae I–V. This morphology was reminiscent of that attributed to sprouted LTMRs described in previous studies. After peripheral nerve axotomy, we found that LTMR afferents with narrow, uninflected somal action potentials did not sprout into superficial laminae of the dorsal horn. Only myelinated noiceptive afferents with broad, inflected somal action potentials were found to give rise to recurving collaterals and project into superficial “pain‐specific” laminae after axotomy. We conclude that the previously undocumented central morphology of large, myelinated cutaneous nociceptors may very well account for the morphological findings previously thought to require sprouting of LTMRs. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:500–509, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modified equilibrium on line method for imposition of Neumann boundary conditions in meshless collocation methods
Authors: Sadeghirad A. , Kani I. Mahmoudzadeh
Published: March 2008

A modified version of the equilibrium on line method (ELM) for imposition of Neumann boundary conditions in collocation methods is presented. In the ELM, equilibrium on lines in the local coordinate systems on the Neumann boundary is satisfied as Neumann boundary condition equations. In other words, integration domains are straight lines for nodes located on the Neumann boundary. Furthermore, the Heaviside function is used as a weight in these integrals. In this paper, a modified procedure for choosing the integration domains is proposed. Also, application of different test functions is examined. The performance of the modified version of the ELM is studied for collocation methods based on two different methods to construct meshless shape functions: moving least‐squares approximation and radial basis point interpolation. Also, the effects of these two meshless interpolation parameters are investigated. Numerical examples of two‐dimensional linear and generalized nonlinear Poisson's equation, linear elasticity and elasto‐plastic analysis are presented to demonstrate the stability, accuracy and convergence of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 1D arterial blood flow model incorporating ventricular pressure, aortic valve and regional coronary flow using the locally conservative Galerkin (LCG) method
Authors: Mynard J. P. , Nithiarasu P.
Published: March 2008

There is an important interaction between the pumping performance of the ventricle, arterial haemodynamics and coronary blood flow. While previous non‐linear 1D models have focused only on one of these components, the model presented in this study includes coronary and systemic arterial circulations, as well as ventricular pressure and an aortic valve that opens and closes ‘independently’ and based on local haemodynamics. The systemic circulation is modelled as a branching network of elastic tapering vessels. The terminal element applied at the extremities of the network is a single tapering vessel which is shown to adequately represent the input characteristics of the downstream vasculature. The coronary model consists of left and right coronary arteries which both branch into two ‘equivalent’ vessels that account for the lumped characteristics of subendocardial and subepicardial flows. As contracting heart muscle causes significant compression of the subendocardial vessels, a time‐varying external pressure proportional to ventricular pressure is applied to the distal part of the equivalent subendocardial vessel. The aortic valve is modelled using a variable reflection coefficient with respect to backward‐running aortic waves, and a variable transmission coefficient with respect to forward‐running ventricular waves. A realistic ventricular pressure is the input to the system; however, an afterload‐corrected ventricular pressure is calculated and results in pressure gradients between the ventricle and aorta that are similar to those observed in vivo. The 1D equations of fluid flow are solved using the locally conservative Galerkin method, which provides explicit element‐wise conservation, and can naturally incorporate vessel branching. Each component of the model is verified using a number of tests to ensure accuracy and reveal the underlying processes that give rise to complex pressure and flow waveforms. The complete model is then implemented, and simulations are performed with input parameters representing ‘at rest’ and exercise states for a normal adult. The resulting waveforms contain all of the important features seen in vivo, and standard measures of haemodynamic state are found to be normal. In addition, one or several characteristics of some common diseases are imposed on the model and are found to produce haemodynamic changes that agree with experimental observations in the published literature. Using a patient‐specific carotid bifurcation geometry, 1D velocity waveforms are also compared with waveforms obtained from a three‐dimensional model. The 1D and 3D results show good agreement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytologic features of endocervical glandular lesions: Comparison of SurePath, ThinPrep, and conventional smear specimen preparations
Authors: Belsley Nicole A. , Tambouret Rosemary H. , Misdraji Joseph , Muzikansky Alona , Russell Donna K. , Wilbur David C.
Published: March 2008

The cytologic features of endocervical neoplasia have been well‐described for conventional and ThinPrep, but not for SurePath, methods. This study is designed to ascertain if cytological features are similar in SurePath specimens. Conventional, ThinPrep and SurePath specimens with either endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ or invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma were evaluated for architectural and cytological features previously described for endocervical neoplasia. A generalized linear model was used to assess the differences of ordinal multinomial data. Of 18 evaluated, the only features showing statistical differences were architectural: large groups of cells and single cells were more frequent in SurePath preparations and conventional smears. Feathering was more frequently noted in conventional smears. Individual cytological features were identical across all groups. Mitoses and apoptotic debris were seen with equal frequency in all preparations. The architectural and cytologic features of endocervical glandular neoplasia in liquid‐based specimens show only subtle architectural differences when compared with conventional smears. Keeping these differences in mind, virtually the same criteria can be used to identify endocervical glandular lesions in all three specimen types. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:232–237. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parathyroid hormone assay in fine‐needle aspirate is useful in differentiating inadvertently sampled parathyroid tissue from thyroid lesions
Authors: Owens Christopher L. , Rekhtman Natasha , Sokoll Lori , Ali Syed Z.
Published: March 2008

To assess the utility of chemical analysis for parathyroid hormone in the rinse (PTH‐r) obtained via fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in the setting of inadvertently sampled parathyroid tissue or lesions (PTL) during “thyroid” or “neck” FNA, the authors review their experience at a large, tertiary care academic medical center. All cases of inadvertent sampling of PTL during “thyroid” or “neck” FNA were identified by computer search. The cytologic and histologic material was reviewed and pertinent clinical data including patient demographics, serum calcium, intact serum PTH (PTH‐s), and intact PTH‐r was recorded. The cytologic interpretations and histologic diagnoses were also recorded. Of 3,521 cases of total thyroid and neck FNA during the study 21 (0.59%) cases of histologically confirmed sampling of PTL were identified. In all 10 cases with PTH‐r the level was markedly elevated (range 248–240,075 pg/mL) and in every case PTH‐r/PTH‐s was elevated (range 3.67–458.3). In all 10 cases with PTH‐r the cytologic diagnosis was PTL or included PTL in the differential. In 4/11 cases without PTL‐r diagnoses of thyroid neoplasm or suspicious for thyroid neoplasm were rendered, each resulting in thyroidectomy. PTH‐r has utility in differentiating PTL from thyroid lesions in the setting of inadvertent sampling of PTL during thyroid or neck FNA. Cellular specimens with features not typical for thyroid lesions should be triaged for PTL‐r. Routine use of PTH‐r will result in appropriate triage of patients to less aggressive excisional biopsies rather than unnecessary thyroidectomy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:227–231. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How accurate is cytological diagnosis of cervical glandular lesions?
Authors: Moreira Marise A. R. , Longatto Filho Adhemar , Castelo Adauto , de Barros Maria Rita Evangelista , Silva Ana Paula da , Thomann Patrícia , Mattosinho de Castro Ferraz Maria da Gloria , Dores Gerson Botacini das
Published: March 2008

Gynecological cytology has some inaccurate morphological categorization and poor interobserver reproducibility especially for glandular lesions. Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) preparations are presumed to reduce artifacts that interfere in diagnosis performance, but its value to correctly identify glandular alterations has not been sufficiently reported. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of LBC and conventional Pap smear to identify histologically confirmed glandular lesions according to five cytologists. Sensitivity ranged from 55.8 to 73.1% and 32.7 to 48.1% for Pap smear and LBC, respectively. Specificity ranged from 66.1 to 87.1% and 69.4 to 94.4%, respectively. In general, agreement between pairs of cytologists was poor with κ‐values around 0.45. In conclusion, relying entirely on cervical cytology to rule out glandular lesions may be risky. The use of HPV DNA test alone or combined to screening glandular lesions may contribute to minimize the limitations of both conventional and LBC preparations to diagnose glandular abnormalities. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:270–274. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Marked for life? Effects of early cage‐cleaning frequency, delivery batch, and identification tail‐marking on rat anxiety profiles
Authors: Burn Charlotte C. , Deacon Robert M.J. , Mason Georgia J.
Published: March 2008

Daily handling of preweanling rats reduces their adult anxiety. Even routine cage‐cleaning, involving handling, reduces adult anxiety compared with controls. Cage‐cleaning regimes differ between animal breeders, potentially affecting rodent anxiety and experimental results. Here, 92 adult male rats given different cage‐cleaning rates as pups, were compared on plus‐maze, hyponeophagia, corticosterone, and handling tests. They were pair‐housed and half were tail‐marked for identification. Anxiety/stress profiles were unaffected by cage‐cleaning frequency, suggesting that commercial‐typical differences in husbandry contribute little variance to adult rat behavior. However, delivery batch affected some elevated plus‐maze measures. Also, tail‐marked rats spent three times longer on the plus‐maze open arms than their unmarked cagemates, suggesting reduced anxiety, yet paradoxically they showed greater chromodacryorrhoea responses to handling, implying increased aversion to human contact. A follow‐up study showed that rats avoided the odor released from the marker pen used. Thus, apparently trivial aspects of procedure can greatly affect experimental results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 266–277, 2008.
Physiological responses to social and cognitive challenges in 8‐year olds with a history of prenatal cocaine exposure
Authors: Kable Julie A. , Coles Claire D. , Lynch Mary Ellen , Platzman Kathy
Published: March 2008

Cocaine‐exposed infants have been found to have altered arousal responses but little is known about such responses in later childhood. Physiological responses to stressors were used to assess the arousal modulation of school‐aged, cocaine‐exposed children (n = 73) and two contrast groups, socioeconomically‐matched controls (n = 58) and children with behavioral disturbance (n = 35). The behaviorally disturbed group had the highest heart rate across conditions but demonstrated a pattern of hyporesponsiveness to the stressors. They had the smallest decrement in skin conductance response at baseline and the least recovery of skin conductance response following exposure to stressors. Cocaine‐exposed children demonstrated greater acceleratory responses to the stressors as indexed by their skin conductance level and were intermediate between the socioeconomically‐matched controls and children with behavioral disturbance in recovery of skin conductance response following stressors. Altered arousal responses associated with prenatal cocaine exposure persisted into middle childhood but were different from those found in behaviorally disturbed children. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 251–265, 2008.
Relationship between age and activity varies by sex in titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus)
Authors: Mayeaux Darryl J.
Published: March 2008

Motor activity increases during development and typically peaks before reproductive maturity. Males may become more active than do females, and this sex difference in activity may be a mechanism contributing to sex‐biased dispersal. The generality of the link between sex differences in activity and sex differences in dispersal would be strengthened with evidence of greater female, as compared to male, activity during development in a species with a female bias in dispersal. Titi monkeys are a good model for such an investigation because subadult females leave their natal group at an earlier age than do subadult males. This study examines whether developing female titi monkeys become more active with age than do developing male titi monkeys. Locomotor activity of 13 female and 8 male captive titi monkeys was measured as they matured from initial ambulatory independence (6 months of age) to reproductive maturity (24 months). Increased activity of females was associated most strongly with increasing age. Increased activity of males, however, was associated most strongly with repeated testing. Compared to maturing males, greater activity of maturing females may underlie the earlier dispersal of female titi monkeys that has been reported. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 288–297, 2008.
Timing of fetal exposure to stress hormones: Effects on newborn physical and neuromuscular maturation
Authors: Ellman Lauren M. , Schetter Christine Dunkel , Hobel Calvin J. , Chicz‐DeMet Aleksandra , Glynn Laura M. , Sandman Curt A.
Published: March 2008

The purpose of the study was to determine the specific periods during pregnancy in which human fetal exposure to stress hormones affects newborn physical and neuromuscular maturation. Blood was collected from 158 women at 15, 19, 25, and 31 weeks' gestation. Levels of placental corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and maternal cortisol were determined from plasma. Newborns were evaluated with the New Ballard Maturation Score. Results indicated that increases in maternal cortisol at 15, 19, and 25 weeks and increases in placental CRH at 31 weeks were significantly associated with decreases in infant maturation among males (even after controlling for length of gestation). Results also suggested that increases in maternal cortisol at 31 weeks were associated with increases in infant maturation among females, although these results were not significant after controlling for length of gestation. Findings suggest that stress hormones have effects on human fetal neurodevelopment that are independent of birth outcome. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 232–241, 2008.
Studies on the kinetics ofin situepoxidation of vegetable oils
Authors: Cai Chuanshang , Dai Honghai , Chen Rongsheng , Su Caixia , Xu Xiaoya , Zhang Shi , Yang Liting
Published: March 2008

In the present work, the kinetics of the epoxidation of soybean oil (SBO) by peroxyacetic acid (PAA) generatedin situin the presence of sulfuric acid as the catalyst was studied at various temperatures (45, 65 and 75 °C). It was found that epoxidation with almost complete conversion of unsaturated carbon and negligible oxirane cleavage can be attained by thein situtechnique. The rate constant for epoxidation of SBO was found to be of the order of 10–6 mol–1s–1and the activation energy of epoxidation is 43.11 kJ/mol. Some thermodynamic parameters: enthalpy, entropy and free activation energy of 40.63 kJ/mol, –208.80 J/mol and 102.88 kJ/mol, respectively, were obtained for the epoxidation of SBO. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of epoxidation obtained from this study indicate that an increase in the process temperature would increase the rate of epoxide formation. The epoxidation of corn oil and sunflower oil were also investigated under the same conditions. The results show that the reaction rate is in the order of soybean oil > corn oil > sunflower oil.
The olive oil oxygen radical absorbance capacity (DPPH assay) as a quality indicator
Authors: Zullo Biagi Angelo , Ciafardini Gino
Published: March 2008

The antioxidant properties of some single components and the total antioxidant activity of extra‐virgin olive oil have been evaluated by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. The total ORAC of the extra‐virgin olive oil was found to be positively correlated with the concentration of total polyphenols, which are important to the shelf life of the product. Among the single phenolic compounds studied, gallic acid showed a higher ORAC than caffeic acid and oleuropein, while among the derivates of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol was found to be the most active compound among all the phenols studied. The total ORAC of commercial olive oils differed according to the concentration of total polyphenols. The total ORAC of extra‐virgin olive oil was constant during 1 year of storage in rational conditions, whereas it worsened dramatically in olive oil damaged by the lipase‐producing yeast Williopsis californica or by lipase from Pseudomonas spp. The study accomplished on the oily fraction of the fruits before harvesting demonstrated that the total ORAC of the oil of under‐ripe green olives is higher compared to that shown by mature fruits; therefore, through the choice of the harvesting time, it is possible to define also the future content of polyphenols of the oil. The total ORAC test, together with other analyses, can be considered as a qualitative parameter that can contribute to the expression of technological and health virtues of extra‐virgin olive oil.
Effects of Aramchol on in vitro bile cholesterol crystallization and bile acid detergency
Authors: de Bruin Gijs J. , Petruzzelli Michele , Venneman Niels G. , van Minnen L. Paul , Portincasa Piero , Konikoff Fred M. , van Erpecum Karel J.
Published: March 2008

The hydrophilic bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid may dissolve cholesterol gallstones and is beneficial in cholestatic liver diseases. The C20 fatty acid‐bile acid conjugate arachidyl amido cholanoic acid (Aramchol) could be a more effective option. We therefore studied its effects on cholesterol crystallization and on bile salt‐induced cytotoxicity. Effects of Aramchol at therapeutically relevant concentrations on crystallization in supersaturated model biles (by microscopy and chemical measurement), on the ternary cholesterol‐taurocholate‐phosphatidylcholine phase diagram, and on micelle ↔ vesicle transitions (by serial dilution or by incubation of cholesterol‐phosphatidylcholine vesicles with taurocholate) were evaluated. Effects on bile salt‐induced cytotoxicity were determined in erythrocytes and CaCo2 cells. Incorporation of Aramchol in model biles did not change micellar cholesterol solubilization, induced a small rightward shift of crystal‐containing zones of the ternary phase diagram, exerted no appreciable effects on vesicle ↔ micelle transitions and had only minor effects on cholesterol crystallization. Bile salt‐induced cytotoxicity was increased by Aramchol in all models. Since Aramchol does not affect cholesterol crystallization, its previously reported beneficial effects in animal gallstone models should relate to other mechanisms. Since Aramchol increases bile salt detergency, it is not likely to be beneficial in cholestatic liver disease.
Identification of PAX3‐FKHR‐regulated genes differentially expressed between alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: Focus on MYCN as a biologically relevant target
Authors: Mercado Gabriela E. , Xia Shujuan J. , Zhang Chune , Ahn Eun Hyun , Gustafson Donna M. , Laé Marick , Ladanyi Marc , Barr Frederic G.
Published: March 2008

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a family of myogenic soft tissue tumors subdivided into two main subtypes: alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS). ARMS is characterized by a frequent 2;13 chromosomal translocation that creates a PAX3‐FKHR fusion transcription factor. To identify downstream targets of PAX3‐FKHR, we introduced an inducible form of PAX3‐FKHR into human RD ERMS cells. Microarray analysis identified 39 genes (29 upregulated and 10 downregulated) that are modulated by PAX3‐FKHR in RD cells and differentially expressed between ERMS and PAX3‐FKHR‐positive ARMS tumors. Functional annotation demonstrated that genes involved in regulation of transcription and development, particularly neurogenesis, are represented in this group. MYCN was one notable neural‐related transcription factor‐encoding gene identified in this set, and its regulation by PAX3‐FKHR was further confirmed at the RNA and protein levels. The findings of cycloheximide inhibition and time‐course studies are consistent with the hypothesis that the PAX3‐FKHR protein acts directly on the MYCN gene at the transcriptional level. Functional studies established that MYCN cooperates with PAX3‐FKHR to enhance oncogenic activity. In conclusion, we identified a selected set of biologically relevant genes modulated by PAX3‐FKHR, and demonstrated that PAX3‐FKHR contributes to the expression of MYCN and in turn MYCN collaborates with PAX3‐FKHR in tumorigenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A PCR/restriction digestion assay for the detection of the transcript variants 1 and 2 of POU5F1
Authors: Panagopoulos Ioannis , Möller Emely , Isaksson Margareth , Mertens Fredrik
Published: March 2008

POU5F1 has two alternatively spliced transcripts: a long (variant 1, NM_002701) and a short (variant 2, NM_203289) transcript. Only variant 1 is a key regulator of pluripotency. Hence, it is important to be able to distinguish this transcript from variant 2 and from the many pseudogenes present in the genome. Previous studies on the expression of POU5F1 were, however, usually carried out without considering the existence of the two transcripts and the pseudogenes which could be the source of false positive RT‐PCR amplification. Here, we establish an RT‐PCR/restriction digestion analysis to distinguish variant 1 of POU5F1 from variant 2 and all its currently known pseudogenes. Variant 1 has ApaI and Tsp45I restriction sites, which are not present in the pseudogenes or in variant 2. Thus, ApaI‐ and Tsp45I‐ digestions of POU5F1 PCR fragment, amplified with primers flanking these sites, are sufficient to identify the true variant 1 of POU5F1. To study the expression of variant 2 of POU5F1, two forward primers in the 5′‐region that are not present in variant 1 were combined with reverse primers located in exon 3 of POU5F1 common to both transcripts. The assay was applied on 10 samples from peripheral blood leukocytes and commercially available ready‐cDNAs from leukocytes and testis. We found that only variant 2 was expressed in leukocytes and testis and that the extracted RNA was not completely DNA free, despite DNAse treatment. This trace amount of DNA is a source of false positive RT‐PCR amplifications. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution genomic and expression analyses of copy number alterations in breast tumors
Authors: Haverty Peter M. , Fridlyand Jane , Li Li , Getz Gad , Beroukhim Rameen , Lohr Scott , Wu Thomas D. , Cavet Guy , Zhang Zemin , Chant John
Published: March 2008

Analysis of recurrent DNA amplification can lead to the identification of cancer driver genes, but this process is often hampered by the low resolution of existing copy number analysis platforms. Fifty‐one breast tumors were profiled for copy number alterations (CNAs) with the high‐resolution Affymetrix 500K SNP array. These tumors were also expression‐profiled and surveyed for mutations in selected genes commonly mutated in breast cancer (TP53,CDKN2A,ERBB2,KRAS,PIK3CA,PTEN). Combined analysis of common CNAs and mutations revealed putative associations between features. Analysis of both the prevalence and amplitude of CNAs defined regions of recurrent alteration. Compared with previous array comparative genomic hybridization studies, our analysis provided boundaries for frequently altered regions that were approximately one‐fourth the size, greatly reducing the number of potential alteration‐driving genes. Expression data from matched tumor samples were used to further interrogate the functional relevance of genes located in recurrent amplicons. Although our data support the importance of some known driver genes such asERBB2, refined amplicon boundaries at other locations, such as 8p11‐12 and 11q13.5‐q14.2, greatly reduce the number of potential driver genes and indicate alternatives to commonly suggested driver genes in some cases. For example, the previously reported recurrent amplification at 17q23.2 is reduced to a 249 kb minimal region containing the putative driverRPS6KB1as well as the putative oncogenic microRNAmir‐21. High‐resolution copy number analysis provides refined insight into many breast cancer amplicons and their relationships to gene expression, point mutations and breast cancer subtype classifications. This article contains Supplementary Material available athttp://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carboniferous continental margin deposits in southern Tuscany, Italy: results from geological mapping of the geotopes Farma Valley and San Antonio Mine Area
Authors: Engelbrecht H.
Published: March 2008

Relics of the Carboniferous shelf, slope and basin margin section occur as intensely tectonized slices within the middle Tertiary Monticiano‐Roccastrada metamorphic core complex in southern Tuscany. These sedimentary successions are interpreted as predominantly siliciclastic second‐order sequence stratigraphic cycles, deposited in a successor basin (Farma Basin) established near the Southern Convergence Front of the westmediterranean Hercynides. The units developed as highstand systems tracts above a downlap surface and buried pelagites of a starved, moderately deep‐water basin (Risanguigno Basin). The Risanguigno Basin was characterized by dys‐ and anoxic conditions and underwent partial tectonic inversion during the early Carboniferous. Detailed mapping has revealed that Carboniferous turbidites deposited on the slope, base of slope and Farma Basin margin are present in the eastern part of the Farma Valley and in the San Antonio Mine Area. Coeval lithologies—storm influenced deposits of the inner shelf and lower shoreface—crop out in the western part of the Farma Valley. Both units, considered to be related to storm‐triggered offshore bottom currents bypassing the outer shelf, are covered by offlapping shallow marine and littoral clastics probably of Permian age. Subsequent tectonic uplift and partial inversion of the Farma Basin resulted in subaerial exposure, erosion of the upper part of the basin fill and deposition of the terrestrial Verrucano Group (middle Triassic), which sealed these early Carboniferous to late Permian sequences considered to represent a late Palaeozoic preligurian failed rift. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HR practices perceptions, emotional exhaustion, and work outcomes: A conservation‐of‐resources theory in the Chinese context
Authors: Sun Li‐Yun , Pan Wen
Published: March 2008

The conservation‐of‐resources theory provided the theoretical underpinning for the relationship among HR practices perceived by employees, emotional exhaustion, and work outcomes ( job satisfaction and job performance). To fully understand the underlying mechanism of the relationship, the study examined (1) the main and interactive effects of HR practices and employee age on emotional exhaustion and (2) the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between emotional exhaustion and job performance. Data were obtained from manufacturing workers in a privately owned company in the People's Republic of China. Empirical results lent strong support for the main, moderated, and mediated effects mentioned previously. However, contrary to our hypotheses the research result indicated that the relationship between low‐commitment HR practices and emotional exhaustion was stronger for older employees than for younger ones. This contrasting finding demonstrated the criticality of an organization's commitment to employees, particularly to older employees, which further supported and enriched the conservation‐of‐resources theory in the Chinese context.
Infrastructure effects on floods in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam
Authors: Hoa Le Thi Viet , Shigeko Haruyama , Nhan Nguyen Huu , Cong Tran Thanh
Published: March 2008

The Mekong River Delta (MRD) is one of two primary rice‐growing areas in Vietnam. Flooding in the Mekong River is a recurrent event and is not only one of the most destructive natural disasters but also a natural resource in this area. The cultivated surface soil layer in the Mekong Delta has a thickness of only about 50 cm, and is heavily polluted by acidic water infiltrating from deeper soil layers during the dry season. The annual floods carry fertile silt to farmland and fresh water to wash away the acidic water and provide the water needed to grow vast rice fields. The flood water carries with it various fish species that facilitate aquaculture development in the area. The floods also wash away polluted water and provide the whole delta with clean water.

Owing to these different factors, the flooding in this area has a positive impact on agriculture and a negative impact on regional planning. Recent infrastructural changes designed to mitigate flood damage and protect crops and residents' lives make the inundation regime more complicated. To understand the role of infrastructure in the flood regime in this area as well as the mechanism of the flood regime, it is necessary to apply an integrated method of study including numerical modelling, a geographic information system (GIS), and statistical analyses. This study includes a brief presentation of the measured data analysis of flood variation trends over the 43‐year period from 1961 to 2004 and an analysis of the hydrological effects of infrastructure changes associated with human activities in the period from 1996 to 2001 based on the integrated hydraulic model known as HydroGis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atmospheric chloride deposition in continental Spain
Authors: Alcalá F. J. , Custodio E.
Published: March 2008

The atmospheric bulk deposition rate of chloride in continental Spain was studied to get basic information in order to help in the evaluation of diffuse recharge to aquifers through an environmental chemical balance. Both new, recent data and bibliographic data have been used. Most sampling records are less than 5 years long and often only 1 year long. This means that the calculated mean yearly bulk deposition rate of chloride is quite uncertain by 30% on average, and larger than the values derived form records up to 15 years long. A map of atmospheric bulk deposition of chloride has been drawn using ordinary kriging. The mean bulk deposition rate of chloride varies from 1 to 30 g m−2 year−1 in coastal areas, with strong negative landward gradients between 0·1 and 1 g m−2 year−1 km−1. In the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, chloride deposition rates vary from 0·2 to 0·5 g m−2 year−1, with gradients around or less than 5 × 10−3 g m−2 year−1 km−1. The coefficient of variation of the mean bulk atmospheric deposition rate of chloride, for any place, ranges from 0·1 to 1. Values larger than ∼0·5 are not a good indicator of natural uncertainty for this series of data that has a skewed distribution. The map of bulk deposition rate and its error is one of the terms needed for aquifer recharge estimation by means of the chloride ion balance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconciling theory with observations: elements of a diagnostic approach to model evaluation
Authors: Gupta Hoshin V. , Wagener Thorsten , Liu Yuqiong
Published: March 2008

This paper discusses the need for a well‐considered approach to reconciling environmental theory with observations that has clear and compelling diagnostic power. This need is well recognized by the scientific community in the context of the ‘Predictions in Ungaged Basins’ initiative and the National Science Foundation sponsored ‘Environmental Observatories’ initiative, among others. It is suggested that many current strategies for confronting environmental process models with observational data are inadequate in the face of the highly complex and high order models becoming central to modern environmental science, and steps are proposed towards the development of a robust and powerful ‘Theory of Evaluation’. This paper presents the concept of a diagnostic evaluation approach rooted in information theory and employing the notion of signature indices that measure theoretically relevant system process behaviours. The signature‐based approach addresses the issue of degree of system complexity resolvable by a model. Further, it can be placed in the context of Bayesian inference to facilitate uncertainty analysis, and can be readily applied to the problem of process evaluation leading to improved predictions in ungaged basins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A spatial assessment of hydrologic alteration caused by dam construction in the middle and lower Yellow River, China
Authors: Yang Tao , Zhang Qiang , Chen Yongqin David , Tao Xin , Xu Chong‐yu , Chen Xi
Published: March 2008

The ‘range of variability approach’ (RVA) and mapping technique are used to investigate the spatial variability of hydrologic alterations (HA) due to dam construction along the middle and lower Yellow River, China, over the past five decades. The impacts of climate variability on hydrological process have been removed during wet and dry periods and the focus is on the impacts of human activities, such as dam construction, on hydrological processes. Results indicate the following: (1) The impacts of the Sanmenxia reservoir on the hydrologic alteration are relatively slight with a mean HA value of 0·48, ranking in the last place among the four large reservoirs. (2) Xiaolangdi reservoir has significantly changed the natural flow regime downstream with mean HA value of 0·56, ranking it in first place among the large reservoirs. (3) The results of ranked median degrees of 33 hydrologic alteration indicators for 10 stations in the Yellow River show that the hydrologic alteration of Huayuankou ranks the highest among 10 stream gauges. (4) Impacts of reservoirs on hydrological processes downstream of the dams are closely associated with the regulating activities of the reservoirs. At the same time, alterations of streamflow regimes resulting from climatic changes (e.g. precipitation variability) make the situation more complicated and more hydrological observations will be necessary for further analysis. The results of the current study will be greatly beneficial to the regional water resources management and restoration of eco‐environmental systems in the middle and lower Yellow River characterized by intensified dam construction under a changing environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.