bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography‐CT evaluation for recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma: Meta‐analysis and literature review
Authors: Miller Mia E. , Chen Qiaolin , Elashoff David , Abemayor Elliot , St. John Maie
Published: July 2010

Background

Sensitivity and specificity data regarding positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT for surveillance of well‐differentiated thyroid cancer does not evaluate subtypes separately. Papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma may have different characteristics on PET/CT imaging and so should be investigated individually.

Methods

This is a systematic meta‐analysis of studies using PET for surveillance in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Results

Using different statistical models, combined sensitivity of PET and PET/CT for papillary thyroid carcinoma was 77% by the fixed effect model and 82% by the random‐effects model, specificity was calculated as 85% and 84%, respectively. Meta‐regression was performed to evaluate whether I‐131 negativity affected PET positivity; no correlation between I‐131 negativity and PET sensitivity or specificity was found.

Conclusion

PET and PET/CT are useful modalities in surveillance of papillary thyroid carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine papillary thyroid carcinoma independently of other subtypes of well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Mandibular cuniculatum carcinoma: Apropos of 3 cases and literature review
Authors: Pons Yoann , Kerrary Siham , Cox Amanda , Guerre Agnès , Bertolus Chloé , Gruffaz Françoise , Capron Frédérique , Goudot Patrick , Ruhin‐Poncet Blandine
Published: July 2010

Background

Cuniculatum carcinoma is a well‐differentiated form of squamous cell carcinoma that shares histologic characteristics with papillary squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. Cuniculatum carcinoma usually occurs on the plantar region, and only 16 cases involving the oral cavity have been described in the literature.

Methods

The authors have reported 3 cases of mandibular cuniculatum carcinoma. All of the patients were in a great deal of pain. Histologic diagnosis was difficult due to the presence of few cellular atypies. Clinical criteria, osseous lysis, and the coexistence of multiple intraosseous well‐differentiated, hyperkeratotic papillomatous lesions with few cellular atypies sign the diagnosis.

Results

No local recurrence has been reported after treatment with radical surgery alone.

Conclusion

The diagnosis is often delayed. Although cuniculatum carcinoma displays aggressive behavior locally, lymph node infiltration and metastasis are rare. The therapy of choice is surgical removal with free margins, after which the prognosis is excellent. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Carbohydrate‐based Biomedical Copolymers for Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: David Ayelet
Published: July 2010

A variety of strategies and carrier molecules have been used to direct therapeutic agents to tumor sites. The incorporation of a specific targeting moiety to drug carrier may result in active drug uptake by malignant cells. Carbohydrates are important mediators of cell–cell recognition events and have been implicated in related processes such as cell signaling regulation, cellular differentiation, and immune response. The biocompatibility of carbohydrates and their ability to be specifically recognized by cell‐surface receptors indicate their potential utility as ligands in targeted drug delivery for therapeutic applications. Yet, carbohydrates are not ideal targeting ligands because they are difficult to synthesize, bind weakly to carbohydrate receptors, and are prone to suffer from enzyme degradation due to labile glycosidic linkages. This review describes the design and development of HPMA‐based biomedical copolymers to facilitate the selective delivery of drugs to tumor tissues via carbohydrate–endogenous lectin interactions. Various carbohydrate‐decorated HPMA copolymer–drug conjugates are presented and the application of the copolymers for drug delivery is discussed. Current efforts to increase the affinity of carbohydrate ligands for their target receptors through multivalent display are also discussed. These novel HPMA copolymer carbohydrate conjugates hold promise as clinically relevant drug delivery systems for cancer therapy.
The effect of an electrically conductive carbon nanotube/collagen composite on neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells
Authors: Cho Youngnam , Borgens Richard Ben
Published: July 2010

We report the preparation of an electrically conductive composite composed of collagen and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and its use as a substrate for the in vitro growth of PC12 cells. Morphological observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the homogenous dispersion of CNTs in the collagen matrix. Four‐point probe and cyclic voltammogram studies demonstrated the enhanced electroactivity and a lowered electrical resistivity of the resulting composites even at low loadings (<5%) of CNTs. Cellular metabolic activity was evaluated by the MTT assay. Cell viability was systematically related to the amount of CNTs embedded in the collagen matrix. SEM and immunofluorescent images have indicated that the morphological features of PC12 cells were dominantly influenced by electrical potential. Greater neurite extension was preferentially induced on the exposure of electrical stimulation by facilitating the differentiation of PC12 cells into neurons indicated by more significant filopodium extension. These electrically conductive, biocompatible CNT/collagen composites could be of benefit for the development of novel neural electrodes, enhancing the growth, differentiation, and branching of neurons in an electrically driven way. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Effects of carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose on the differentiation and activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts
Authors: Agis Hermann , Beirer Benedict , Watzek Georg , Gruber Reinhard
Published: July 2010

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) serve as carriers for growth factors and bone substitutes. Although both carriers are placed into the defect sites, their impacts on bone regeneration are unclear. Herein, we examined whether CMC and HPMC affect the differentiation of bone marrow progenitors into osteoclasts and osteoblasts. We therefore induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis in murine bone marrow progenitors in the presence of CMC and HPMC, respectively. Measures of osteoclastogesis were based on the number and activity of tartrate‐resistant acid‐phosphatase‐positive (TRAP+) multinucleated cells and expression of marker genes. Osteoblastogenesis was determined by the number and activity of alkaline‐phosphatase‐positive (AP+) colonies and relevant marker genes. Viability was assessed by colorimetric measurement of formazan formation. We report that CMC at 1% caused a significant reduction in the number and activity of TRAP+ multinucleated cells. Changes in viability were not responsible for the observed effects. HPMC showed no remarkable impact on osteoclastogenesis; however, the concentration was limited to 0.5% because of the high viscosity. The ability of bone marrow progenitors to form AP+ colonies was not affected by either of the two carriers. Together, these results suggest that CMC and possibly also HPMC can decrease osteoclastogenesis while osteoblastogenesis remains unchanged in vitro. These observations raise the possibility that these carriers might affect the cellular process of bone regeneration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
PLGA nanofiber‐coated silk microfibrous scaffold for connective tissue engineering
Authors: Sahoo Sambit , Lok Toh Siew , Hong Goh James Cho
Published: July 2010

A modified degumming technique, involving boiling in 0.25% Na2CO3with addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate and intermittent ultrasonic agitation, was developed for knitted silk scaffolds. Sericin was efficiently removed, while mechanical and structural properties of native silk fibroin were preserved. Biocompatible and mechanically robust hybrid nano‐microscaffolds were fabricated by coating these degummed silk scaffolds with an intervening adhesive layer of silk solution followed by electrospun poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA) nanofibers. Cell proliferation on the hybrid silk scaffolds was improved by seeding cells on both surfaces of the flat scaffolds. Rolling up and continued culture of the cell‐seeded hybrid scaffolds yielded cylindrical constructs that permitted cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and generated ligament/tendon graft analogs. Although PLGA‐based hybrid scaffolds have earlier been proposed for dense connective tissue engineering, rapid biodegradation of PLGA was a drawback. In contrast, the underlying strong and slowly‐degrading microfibrous silk scaffold used in this study ensured that the hybrid scaffold maintained adequate mechanical properties for longer periods, which is vital for continued support to the injured ligament/tendon throughout its healing period. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Fabrication and evaluation of a biodegradable cohesive plug based on reconstituted collagen/γ‐polyglutamic acid
Authors: Hsu Fu‐Yin , Cheng Ya‐Yun , Tsai Shiao‐Wen , Tsai Wei‐Bor
Published: July 2010

In the past decade, numerous studies have been devoted to developing natural bioadhesives that have the notable capacity to adhere to wet surfaces. Collagen and γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA) are well‐known natural hydrophilic polymers that have both been utilized for their versatility in a wide range of biomedical applications. The aim of this study was the construction and characterization of a cohesive plug composed of γ‐PGA and reconstituted collagen fibrils crosslinked with water‐soluble carbodiimide. Transmission electron microscopy examinations confirmed that the collagen fibrils in the reconstituted collagen/γ‐PGA gel retained their native specific D‐period structure. This unique D‐pattern structure of collagen plays a major role in hemostasis and is also related to several cellular behaviors. The bonding strength of the reconstituted collagen/γ‐PGA adhesive was approximately 42.9 ± 4.0 KPa after 5 min of application and increased to 76.5 ± 15.1 KPa after 24 h. This was much stronger than the fibrin adhesive, whose bonding strength was 30.9 ± 0.2 KPa. Furthermore, the reconstituted collagen/γ‐PGA gel degraded gradually after subcutaneous implantation in the backs of rats over a period of 8 weeks, without any severe inflammatory response. On the basis of the histological analysis, fibroblasts migrated into the gel while it degraded, which indicates that the gel is not harmful to cellular activity. Together, these findings demonstrate that using reconstituted collagen with retained D‐periodicity as a component of the bioadhesive is a possibly better option to formulate effective adhesiveness and is promising as a scaffold for tissue repair. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Asian ginseng extract inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of mouse lewis lung carcinoma via modulation of ERK‐p53 and NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Wong Vincent Kam Wai , Cheung Simon Shiu Fai , Li Ting , Jiang Zhi‐Hong , Wang Jing‐Rong , Dong Hang , Yi Xiao Qin , Zhou Hua , Liu Liang
Published: July 2010

Asian ginseng (AG) is the most commonly used medicinal herb in Asian countries. It is often prescribed for cancer patients as a complementary remedy. However, whether AG in fact benefits cancer patients remains unknown because some studies reported that AG facilitates tumor growth, which contradicts its usage as a dietary remedy to cancer patients. In addition, most of research works on ginseng for anti‐cancer were using single ginsenoside rather than whole root extracts used in clinics. Thus, intensive studies using the type of ginseng as its clinical form are necessary to validate its benefits to cancer patients. In this study, anti‐tumor potency and underlying molecular mechanisms of the ethanol extract of AG (EAG) were examined in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC‐1). We showed that EAG significantly suppressed tumor growth in LLC‐1‐bearing mice with concomitant down‐regulation of PCNA proliferative marker, and it exhibited specific cytotoxicity to cancer cells. EAG also induced MAPK and p53 signaling in LLC‐1 cells, which suppressed cyclin B–cdc2 complex and in turn induced G2–M arrest and apoptosis. Although EAG could activate NF‐κB signaling, the proteasome inhibitor of MG‐132 could effectively prevent NF‐κB targeted gene expression induced by EAG and then sensitize LLC‐1 cells to induce EAG‐mediated apoptosis. Collectively, EAG in a relatively high dose significantly suppressed tumor growth in LLC‐1‐bearing mice, indicating that AG may benefit lung cancer patients as a dietary supplement. This is the first report demonstrating possible combination of EAG with proteasome inhibitors could be a novel strategy in anti‐cancer treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 899–910, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic and redox‐proteomic evaluation of homogentisic acid and ascorbic acid effects on human articular chondrocytes
Authors: Braconi Daniela , Laschi Marcella , Taylor Adam M. , Bernardini Giulia , Spreafico Adriano , Tinti Laura , Gallagher James A. , Santucci Annalisa
Published: July 2010

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic disease associated with the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) and its oxidized/polymerized products in connective tissues up to the deposition of melanin‐like pigments (ochronosis). Since little is known on the effects of HGA and its metabolites on articular cells, we carried out a proteomic and redox‐proteomic analysis to investigate how HGA and ascorbic acid (ASC) affect the human chondrocytic protein repertoire. We settled up an in vitro model using a human chondrocytic cell line to evaluate the effects of 0.33 mM HGA, alone or combined with ASC. We found that HGA and ASC significantly affect the levels of proteins with specific functions in protein folding, cell organization and, notably, stress response and cell defense. Increased protein carbonyls levels were found either in HGA or ASC treated cells, and evidences produced in this paper support the hypothesis that HGA‐induced stress might be mediated by protein oxidation. Our finding can lay the basis towards the settling up of more sophisticated models to study AKU and ochronosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 922–932, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fullerene–polyvinylpyrrolidone clathrate localizes in the cytoplasm to prevent Ultraviolet‐A ray‐induced DNA‐fragmentation and activation of the transcriptional factor NF‐kappaB
Authors: Xiao Li , Aoshima Hisae , Saitoh Yasukazu , Miwa Nobuhiko
Published: July 2010

By Western blot and immunostaining we proved that polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐wrapped fullerene molecules (PVP–fullerene) could combine the 8‐ and 53‐kb proteins which localize in the membrane of human skin keratinocytes HaCaT. Only fullerene molecules are able to cross the lipid membrane and conjugate 53‐kb proteins in the cytosol. There are no fullerene molecules detectable in the nucleus or cytoskeleton. Ultraviolet‐A (UVA)‐irradiation on HaCaT or normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM) caused nuclear fragmentations, lowering of intracellular DNA‐contents below diploidy, concurrently with the repressed DNA synthesis and the increased DNA‐3′OH cleavage terminals, all of which were repressed by PVP–fullerene, as shown by flow cytometry and PI‐ or TUNEL‐stain fluorography. Translocation of the transcriptional factor NF‐kappaB in the cytoplasm to the nucleus of the keratinocytes was caused with UVA and repressed by PVP–fullerene with cytoprotective effects. Thus, the PVP–fullerene may be developed as a UV‐protective agent with DNA‐preservative effects owing to its combinative ability to molecules in the cytoplasm and cytomembrane, and then represses cellular oxidative stress and blocks abnormal signal pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 955–966, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ZD6474 enhances paclitaxel antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in breast carcinoma cells
Authors: Sarkar Siddik , Mazumdar Abhijit , Dash Rupesh , Sarkar Devanand , Fisher Paul B. , Mandal Mahitosh
Published: July 2010

Chemotherapy employing paclitaxel and docetaxel is widely used for treating early‐stage breast cancer and metastasis, which is frequently associated with overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and resistance to apoptosis. ZD6474, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR and VEGFR, inhibits cell proliferation of solid tumors, including breast. Phase III clinical trials using ZD6474 in non‐small cell lung carcinoma when combined with standard chemotherapy appear promising. In order to improve the antineoplastic activity of paclitaxel, we presently investigated the effects of ZD6474 in combination with paclitaxel in EGFR and VEGFR expressing human breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231. ZD6474 synergistically decreased cell viability when used in combination with paclitaxel. ZD6474 inhibited cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression and induced p53 expression when combined with paclitaxel. The combination of ZD6474 with paclitaxel versus either agent alone also more potently down‐regulated the antiapoptotic bcl‐2 protein, up‐regulated pro‐apoptotic signaling events involving expression of bax, activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐7 proteins, and induced poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase resulting in apoptosis. ZD6474 combined with paclitaxel inhibited anchorage‐independent colony formation and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro as compared to either single agent, indicating a potential involvement of altered expression and reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins in combinatorial treated breast cancer cells. Collectively, our studies indicate that incorporating an anti‐EGFR plus VEGFR strategy (ZD6474) with chemotherapy (paclitaxel), where clinical studies of dose‐intensive paclitaxel therapy are currently in progress, may be more effective in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer than either approach alone. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 375–384, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel anti‐apoptotic role for apolipoprotein L2 in IFN‐γ‐induced cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Liao Wupeng , Goh Fera Y. , Betts Richard J. , Kemeny D. Michael , Tam John , Bay Boon‐Huat , Wong W.S. Fred
Published: July 2010

Airway epithelium functions not only as a physical barrier, but also a regulator of lung inflammation. IFN‐γ plays a critical role in airway inflammation associated with respiratory viral infection. We investigated differential protein profiling in IFN‐γ‐stimulated normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) using a 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS. IFN‐γ markedly stimulated apolipoprotein L2 (ApoL2) protein expression in normal HBEC. ApoL2 mRNA expression was also elevated in normal human lung fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells stimulated with IFN‐γ, in lung tissues from an IFN‐γ‐predominant influenza A virus‐infected mouse lung injury model, and in cancer lung tissues from human patients. Normal HBEC showed strong resistance to IFN‐γ‐induced cytotoxicity. ApoL2 knockdown by siRNA promoted IFN‐γ‐induced cytotoxicity as revealed by a significant drop in cell viability using MTT and CyQUANT NF cell proliferation assays, and a marked increase in hypodiploid sub‐G1 cell population in cell cycle analysis. Furthermore, depletion of ApoL2 facilitated IFN‐γ‐induced membrane damage and chromatin condensation as observed in Hoechst and propidium iodide‐double staining and in transmission electron microscopy, and DNA fragmentation using a DNA laddering assay, in a caspase‐dependent manner. Our results reveal a novel function for ApoL2 in conferring anti‐apoptotic ability of human bronchial epithelium to the cytotoxic effects of IFN‐γ, in maintaining airway epithelial layer integrity. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 397–406, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
OC‐116, the chicken ortholog of mammalian MEPE found in eggshell, is also expressed in bone cells
Authors: Bardet Claire , Vincent Christine , Lajarille Marie‐Claire , Jaffredo Thierry , Sire Jean‐Yves
Published: July 2010

In chicken, ovocleidin 116 (OC‐116) is found in the eggshell matrix and its encoding gene, OC‐116, is expressed in uterine cells. In mammals, its orthologue MEPE encodes the matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), which has been shown to be involved in bone mineralization. Using RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization on sections, we have checked whether OC‐116 was also expressed in osteoblasts and osteocytes during bone development and mineralization in chicken embryos. We monitored OC‐116 expression in the tibia and mandible of a growth series of chicken embryos from E3 to E19. Transcripts were identified in the osteoblasts as early as E5 in the tibia and E7 in the mandible, before matrix mineralization, then from these stages onwards in both the osteoblasts lining the mineralized bone matrix and the osteocytes. Therefore, early in chicken ontogeny and as soon as osteogenesis begins, OC‐116 is involved. Its function, which remains still unknown, is maintained during further bone growth and mineralization, and later in adult, in which it is recruited for eggshell formation. We hypothesize that the ancestral OC‐116/MEPE in a stem amniote was involved in these two functions and that the loss of eggshell in the mammalian lineage has probably favored the recruitment of some MEPE domains toward new functions in osteogenesis and mineralization, and in phosphatemia regulation. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:653–662, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Grb7 binds to Hax‐1 and undergoes an intramolecular domain association that offers a model for Grb7 regulation
Authors: Siamakpour‐Reihani Sharareh , Peterson Tabitha A. , Bradford Andrew M. , Argiros Haroula J. , Haas Laura Lowell , Lor Siamee N. , Haulsee Zachary M. , Spuches Anne M. , Johnson Dennis L. , Rohrschneider Larry R. , Shuster Charles Brad , Lyons Barbara A.
Published: July 2010

Adaptor proteins mediate signal transduction from cell surface receptors to downstream signaling pathways. The Grb7 protein family of adaptor proteins is constituted by Grb7, Grb10, and Grb14. This protein family has been shown to be overexpressed in certain cancers and cancer cell lines. Grb7‐mediated cell migration has been shown to proceed through a focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Grb7 pathway, although the specific participants downstream of Grb7 in cell migration signaling have not been fully determined. In this study, we report that Grb7 interacts with Hax‐1, a cytoskeletal‐associated protein found overexpressed in metastatic tumors and cancer cell lines. Additionally, in yeast 2‐hybrid assays, we show that the interaction is specific to the Grb7‐RA and ‐PH domains. We have also demonstrated that full‐length Grb7 and Hax‐1 interact in mammalian cells and that Grb7 is tyrosine phosphorylated. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements demonstrate the Grb7‐RA‐PH domains bind to the Grb7‐SH2 domain with micromolar affinity, suggesting full‐length Grb7 can exist in a head‐to‐tail conformational state that could serve a self‐regulatory function. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Future climate of the Caribbean from a regional climate model
Authors: Campbell Jayaka D. , Taylor Michael A. , Stephenson Tannecia S. , Watson Rhodene A. , Whyte Felicia S.
Published: July 2010

Scenarios of rainfall and temperature changes for the period 2071–2100 under the A2 and B2 Special Report on Emissions scenarios are examined using the Hadley Centre Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies regional climate model. The model simulates ‘present‐day’ (1979–1990) rainfall and temperature climatologies reasonably well, capturing the characteristic bimodality of Caribbean rainfall and the boreal summer maximum and winter minimum temperatures. Seasonal spatial patterns are also reproduced, but rainfall amounts are underestimated over the northern Caribbean island masses, including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. Temperatures over the region are also overestimated by 1–3 °C. For the period 2071–2100, temperatures are projected to increase across the region by 1–4 °C for all months irrespective of the scenario. The rainfall response varies with season with one of the more robust changes being an intensification of a gradient pattern in November–January, in which the northern Caribbean (i.e. north of 22°N) gets wetter and the southern Caribbean gets drier. There is also a robust June–October drying signal. The results point to changes in the regional circulation patterns due to the human‐induced climate change and warrants further investigation. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
An examination of urban heat island characteristics in a global climate model
Authors: Oleson K. W. , Bonan G. B. , Feddema J. , Jackson T.
Published: July 2010

A parameterization for urban surfaces has been incorporated into the Community Land Model as part of the Community Climate System Model. The parameterization allows global simulation of the urban environment, in particular the temperature of cities and thus the urban heat island. Here, the results from climate simulations for the AR4 A2 emissions scenario are presented. Present‐day annual mean urban air temperatures are up to 4 °C warmer than surrounding rural areas. Averaged over all urban areas resolved in the model, the heat island is 1.1 °C, which is 46% of the simulated mid‐century warming over global land due to greenhouse gases. Heat islands are generally largest at night as evidenced by a larger urban warming in minimum than maximum temperature, resulting in a smaller diurnal temperature range compared to rural areas. Spatial and seasonal variability in the heat island is caused by urban to rural contrasts in energy balance and the different responses of these surfaces to the seasonal cycle of climate. Under simulation constraints of no urban growth and identical urban/rural atmospheric forcing, the urban to rural contrast decreases slightly by the end of the century. This is primarily a different response of rural and urban areas to increased long‐wave radiation from a warmer atmosphere. The larger storage capacity of urban areas buffers the increase in long‐wave radiation such that urban night‐time temperatures warm less than rural. Space heating and air conditioning processes add about 0.01 W m−2 of heat distributed globally, which results in a small increase in the heat island. The significant differences between urban and rural surfaces demonstrated here imply that climate models need to account for urban surfaces to more realistically evaluate the impact of climate change on people in the environment where they live. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Identification of reddish pigments in octocorals by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Maia Lenize F. , Fleury Beatriz G. , Lages Bruno G. , Barbosa Jussara P. , Pinto Ângelo C. , Castro Harlem V. , de Oliveira Vanessa E. , Edwards Howell G. M. , de Oliveira Luiz F. C.
Published: July 2010

The nature of the pigments in octocorals has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy, where laser excitation at 632.8 and 1064 nm were used to characterize the colored components present in the skeleton of the exotic pink‐yellow soft coral Chromonephthea braziliensis, the reddish purple sea fan Leptogorgia punicea and the endemic deep violet red Leptogorgia violacea from the southeastern coast of Brazil. The observed positions of two major Raman bands at ca 1500 cm−1 [ν(CC)] and 1130 [ν(CC)] for all specimens strongly suggest the presence of a mixtureof conjugated polyenes belonging to a class of compounds named parrodienes. The hemiketal steroidal feeding deterrent, 23‐keto‐cladiellin‐A, isolated from C. braziliensis was identified in the crude extracts by the Raman analysis using 1064 nm excitation. The observation of the most important vibrational bands of this compound can be useful in future investigations to monitor its presence in crude extracts of C. braziliensis and or other species. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecotourism impacts in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Authors: Almeyda Angelica M. , Broadbent Eben N. , Wyman Miriam S. , Durham William H.
Published: July 2010

Ecotourism promotes responsible travel to natural areas, environmental conservation and the well‐being of local communities. Eco‐lodges are an important component of ecotourism ventures but an infrequently researched component of this field. Considering their influence on the natural environment (design and operation) and local communities (employment practices and purchases), the success of ecotourism depends, in part, on the performance of eco‐lodges. This project studies the effects of the Punta Islita (PI) eco‐lodge on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. An interdisciplinary nested‐scale analysis, combining guest and household interviews with multi‐temporal remote sensing analysis of forest cover change of the lodge and surrounding areas, is used to evaluate the environmental, economic and social impacts of ecotourism in the region. Our results show significant positive contributions of the PI eco‐lodge on forest cover, environmental conservation, and local economic incomes within the surrounding communities. For local livelihoods, the PI eco‐lodge was seen as having positive social, cultural and economic impacts for nearly all societal variables for both employees and their neighbours. The PI eco‐lodge was also perceived as reducing alcoholism, drug addiction and prostitution, where conventional tourism on the Peninsula was shown to increase these ‘societal ills’. Land value and product pricing were the few variables believed to have increased as a result of tourism on the Peninsula. For conservation, the PI eco‐lodge property had the highest rates of reforestation within the Nicoya Peninsula and remains the scale most reforested in both forest cover change and total forest cover. In fact, at the landscape scale, we find that the Pacific coast of the Nicoya, where the bulk of ecotourism occurs, has undergone reforestation, whereas forest interiors have been deforested. Historically, reforestation occurred as cattle ranching credit programs were halted by the government and households in the area left to find better job opportunities. The PI eco‐lodge, as a source of good employment, resulted in worker migration back to the surrounding area, resulting, in some cases, in increased deforestation. Overall, we feel that the PI eco‐lodge serves as an example of successful ecotourism. However, increasing development in the region, in particular by standard hotel operations and large condo developments, seeks to capitalise on the region's natural beauty and may reverse land cover trends if they are not accompanied by adequate forest conservation strategies and stresses the importance of monitoring and assessing the impacts of accommodations tied to nature‐based tourism operations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pretransplant serum troponin levels are highly predictive of patient and graft survival following liver transplantation
Authors: Watt Kymberly D.S. , Coss Elizabeth , Pedersen Rachel A. , Dierkhising Ross , Heimbach Julie K. , Charlton Michael R.
Published: July 2010

Optimizing the utility of liver transplantation requires the identification of factors that confer increased risk of posttransplant mortality. Elevated serum troponin (TN) levels are strongly predictive of posttransplant mortality after kidney transplantation. We sought to determine whether pretransplant TN levels were predictive of mortality and graft loss after liver transplantation in 236 liver transplant recipients from 1998 to 2001 with 8.2 years of follow-up. Elevated TN levels [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.19, P = 0.004] and a pretransplant history of cardiovascular disease (CVD; HR = 1.90, P = 0.031) were predictive of patient mortality. Elevated TN levels (HR = 2.44, P < 0.001), a history of CVD (HR = 1.83, P = 0.031), and a combination of elevated TN levels and CVD (HR = 2.75, P = 0.027) were associated with increased graft loss. Multivariate analysis confirmed TN and CVD as independent predictors of mortality and graft loss. CVD (HR = 2.39, P = 0.032) and a combination of elevated TN levels and a history of CVD (HR = 6.67, P < 0.001) were predictive of graft loss within 1 year. Age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, creatinine levels, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores were not predictive of posttransplant mortality or graft loss. In summary, elevated pretransplant serum TN levels are strongly predictive of mortality and graft loss after liver transplantation and may be helpful in risk stratification of potential liver transplant recipients. Liver Transpl 16:990-998, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Synthesis of Narrowly Distributed ω‐Telechelic Hyperbranched Polyethylenes by Efficient End‐Capping of Pd‐Diimine‐Catalyzed Ethylene “Living” Polymerization with Styrene Derivatives
Authors: Li Shiyun , Ye Zhibin
Published: July 2010

We report herein a quantitative end‐capping chemistry for the efficient synthesis of monotelechelic hyperbranched polyethylenes containing various ω‐end functionalities by quenching Pd‐diimine catalyzed ethylene “living” polymerization with styrene derivatives. This chemistry utilizes the unique reaction of styrene derivatives with cationic Pd‐diimine species to form stable π‐benzyl intermediate complexes, which are inactive for ethylene polymerization. In the synthesis, “living” hyperbranched polyethylene chains were grown with a Pd‐diimine catalyst. Subsequent end‐quenching of the “living” chains with three styrene derivatives renders narrowly distributed telechelic hyperbranched polyethylenes containing different functional ω‐terminal groups.

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A Polymeric Drug Depot Based on 7‐(2′‐Methacryloyloxyethoxy)‐4‐methylcoumarin Copolymers for Photoinduced Release of 5‐Fluorouracil Designed for the Treatment of Secondary Cataracts
Authors: Sinkel Carsten , Greiner Andreas , Agarwal Seema
Published: July 2010

The synthesis of a polymeric, photoresponsive drug‐delivery system on the basis of 4‐methylcoumarin‐side‐chain‐functionalized methacrylic copolymers with different degrees of functionalization is reported. Drug‐release experiments in solution indicated a maximum release of 22 µg of 5‐fluorouracil per 1 mg of polymer. Polymer analogous photochemical drug immobilization does not lead to observable intermolecular cross‐linking. Miscibility experiments with PMMA suggest that the bulk polymerization of homogeneous, transparent polymer sheets for intraocular lens fabrication, using MMA as the matrix monomer and incorporating the polymer‐drug conjugates as a functional component, is possible.

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Functionalized MWNT‐Doped Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Aerospace Coating Applications
Authors: Zhao Wenming , Li Mei , Peng Hua‐Xin
Published: July 2010

Targeting specific aerospace coating applications, highly conductive carbon nanotubes were rigorously dispersed into a commercial topcoat PU matrix to produce nanocomposites for electrostatic dissipation and/or de‐icing coatings. Systematic evaluation on a range of properties that are pertaining to the targeted applications showed that, comparing with pure PU film, an addition of 1 wt.‐% functionalized MWNTs resulted in a significant improvement in the tensile strength and modulus; a 6.5 °C shift in glass transition temperature; a six orders of magnitude decrease in electrical resistivity and 24% improvement in thermal diffusivity. The durable, light color, and flexible nanocomposite with sufficiently low surface resistivity meet the requirements for aerospace coating applications.

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Structural Properties and Enzymatic Degradation Behavior of PLLA and Stereocomplexed PLA Nanofibers
Authors: Fundador Noreen Grace V. , Takemura Akio , Iwata Tadahisa
Published: July 2010

PLLA and stereocomplexed polylactide (sc‐PLA) nanofibers were formed by electrospinning solutions of the polymers in HFIP. A highly semi‐crystalline sc‐PLA nanofiber having only sc crystallites was confirmed by WAXD analysis. The diameters of the nanofibers of both polymers decreased slightly when they were annealed at 60 °C, which was near Tg. Enzyme degradation of both as‐spun PLLA and sc‐PLA nanofibers by proteinase K from Tritirachium album was carried out. The rate of degradation of the nanofibers can be controlled by varying annealing conditions, hence the extent of crystallinity.

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Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Proton Exchange Membranes Containing the Semisquaric Acid Group
Authors: Yoshimura Ken , Liebeskind Lanny S.
Published: July 2010

We focus our attention here on semisquaric acid, which is known to show high acidity, as a new proton dissociating group for proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The introduction of a squaric acid group into aromatic polymers was conducted by the reaction of lithiated aromatic polymers and diisopropoxy squarate, followed by treatment with hydrochloric acid. A resulting polyphenylsulfone membrane with the squaric acid group introduced (PPSf‐SQ, IEC = 4.1 meq·g−1) showed proton conductivity of 1.0 × 10−1 S·cm−1 at 80 °C under 95% relative humidity, which indicates that the semisquaric acid has the potential to become an alternative proton‐conducting group for PEMs.

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Practical aspects of liquid‐state NMR with inductively coupled solenoid coils
Authors: Tang Joel A. , Jerschow Alexej
Published: July 2010

Sensitivity enhancement by the use of inductively coupled milli‐ and microcoils has been demonstrated in solid‐state as well as liquid‐state NMR. In this work, we discuss the practical aspects of using inductively coupled solenoid coils of different sizes in a liquid‐state NMR spectrometer. The sensitivity and resolution enhancements from these resonant coils, with sizes ranging between 3.0 and 0.75 mm i.d., are measured for 23Na single‐pulse and multidimensional imaging experiments and compared to the results obtained with the conventional liquids NMR 5.0‐mm saddle coil. Enhancements in voxel‐based sensitivity (SNR per √scans) were measured in multidimensional MR images and were found to be as large as 20.4 with the 0.75‐mm coil. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A heme fusion tag for protein affinity purification and quantification
Authors: Asher Wesley B. , Bren Kara L.
Published: July 2010

We report a novel affinity‐based purification method for proteins expressed inEscherichia colithat uses the coordination of a heme tag to anL‐histidine‐immobilized sepharose (HIS) resin. This approach provides an affinity purification tag visible to the eye, facilitating tracking of the protein. We show that azurin and maltose binding protein are readily purified from cell lysate using the heme tag and HIS resin. Mild conditions are used; heme‐tagged proteins are bound to the HIS resin in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and eluted by adding 200–500 mMimidazole or binding buffer at pH 5 or 8. The HIS resin exhibits a low level of nonspecific binding of untagged cellular proteins for the systems studied here. An additional advantage of the heme tag‐HIS method for purification is that the heme tag can be used for protein quantification by using the pyridine hemochrome absorbance method for heme concentration determination.
Evaluation and ranking of enzyme designs
Authors: Kiss Gert , Röthlisberger Daniela , Baker David , Houk K. N.
Published: July 2010

In 2008, a successful computational design procedure was reported that yielded active enzyme catalysts for the Kemp elimination. Here, we studied these proteins together with a set of previously unpublished inactive designs to determine the sources of activity or lack thereof, and to predict which of the designed structures are most likely to be catalytic. Methods that range from quantum mechanics (QM) on truncated model systems to the treatment of the full protein with ONIOM QM/MM and AMBER molecular dynamics (MD) were explored. The most effective procedure involved molecular dynamics, and a general MD protocol was established. Substantial deviations from the ideal catalytic geometries were observed for a number of designs. Penetration of water into the catalytic site and insufficient residue‐packing around the active site are the main factors that can cause enzyme designs to be inactive. Where in the past, computational evaluations of designed enzymes were too time‐extensive for practical considerations, it has now become feasible to rank and refine candidates computationally prior to and in conjunction with experimentation, thus markedly increasing the efficiency of the enzyme design process.
Crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis SPP1 phage gp23.1, a putative chaperone
Authors: Veesler David , Blangy Stéphanie , Lichière Julie , Ortiz‐Lombardía Miguel , Tavares Paulo , Campanacci Valérie , Cambillau Christian
Published: July 2010

SPP1 is a siphophage infecting the gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The SPP1 tail electron microscopy (EM) reconstruction revealed that it is mainly constituted by conserved structural proteins such as the major tail proteins (gp17.1), the tape measure protein (gp18), the Distal tail protein (Dit, gp19.1), and the Tail associated lysin (gp21). A group of five small genes (22–24.1) follows in the genome but it remains to be elucidated whether their protein products belong or not to the tail. Noteworthy, an unassigned EM density accounting for ∼245 kDa is present at the distal end of the SPP1 tail‐tip. We report here the gp23.1 crystal structure at 1.6 Å resolution, a protein that lacks sequence identity to any known protein. We found that gp23.1 forms a hexamer both in the crystal lattice and in solution as revealed by light scattering measurements. The gp23.1 hexamer does not fit well in the unassigned SPP1 tail‐tip EM density and we hypothesize that this protein might act as a chaperone.
L‐Arginine hydrochloride increases the solubility of folded and unfolded recombinant plasminogen activator rPA
Authors: Tischer Alexander , Lilie Hauke , Rudolph Rainer , Lange Christian
Published: July 2010

L‐Arginine hydrochloride (L‐ArgHCl) was found to be an effective enhancer for in vitro protein refolding more than two decades ago. A detailed understanding of the mechanism of action, by which L‐ArgHCl as co‐solvent is capable to effectively suppress protein aggregation, while protein stability is preserved, has remained elusive. Concepts for the effects of co‐solvents, which have been established over the last decades, were found to be insufficient to completely explain the effects of L‐ArgHCl on protein refolding. In this article, we present data, which clearly establish that L‐ArgHCl acts on the equilibrium solubility of the native model protein recombinant plasminogen activator (rPA), while for S‐carboxymethylated rPA (IAA‐rPA) that served as a model protein for denatured protein states, equilibrium solubilities could not be obtained. Solid to solute free transfer energies for native rPA were lowered by up to 14 kJ mol‐1 under the tested conditions. This finding is in marked contrast to a previously proposed model in which L‐ArgHCl acts as a neutral crowder which exclusively has an influence on the stability of the transition state of aggregation. The effects on the apparent solubility of IAA‐rPA, as well as on the aggregation kinetics of all studied protein species, that were observed in the present work could tentatively be explained within the framework of a nucleation‐aggregation scheme, in which L‐ArgHCl exerts a strong effect on the pre‐equilibria leading to formation of the aggregation seed.
Two glutathione S‐transferase inhibitors from Radix Angelicae sinensis
Authors: Huang Feng , Li Shaojing , Lu Xinhua , Liu Ailin , Du Guanhua , Shi Ganggang
Published: July 2010

Chemotherapy for malignant tumors fails because of multidrug resistance (MDR). The overexpression of glutathione S‐transferase (GST) with MDR is considered one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. High‐throughput screening was performed to search for inhibitors of GST from natural products. Two compounds isolated from Radix Angelicae sinensis had an inhibitory effect on GST, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 16.80 and 7.30μm. Kinetic analyses showed that the two compounds acted as reversible noncompetitive inhibitors of GST. They also increased apoptosis of B‐MD‐C1 (ADR+/+) cells induced by adriamycin with low cytotoxic activity. Radix Angelicae sinensis may be a potential source of GST inhibition for pharmaceutical use. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Augmented state–extended Kalman filter combined framework for topology estimation in large‐area underwater mapping
Authors: Elibol Armagan , Gracias Nuno , Garcia Rafael
Published: July 2010

Over the past few years, underwater vehicles have greatly improved as a tool for undersea exploration and navigation. In particular, autonomous navigation, localization, and mapping through optical imaging have become topics of interest for researchers in both underwater robotics and marine science. Underwater imagery can be used to construct image composites (photomosaics) used in many different application areas such as underwater surveying and navigation. For surveying operations with a low‐cost robot limited to a down‐looking camera and a sonar altimeter, it is common practice to ensure that there is enough overlap between time‐consecutive images as this is the only data source of navigation. When the robot revisits a previously surveyed area, it is essential to detect and match the non‐time‐consecutive images to close a loop and, thus, improve trajectory estimation. While creating the mosaic, most of the existing algorithms try to match all image pairs to detect the non‐time‐consecutive overlapping images when there is no additional navigation information. We present a framework to obtain a two‐dimensional mosaic with minimum image matching attempts and simultaneously get the best possible trajectory estimation by exploring the contribution of the image pairs matching to the whole system. Different strategies for choosing match candidates have been tested, and the results are given in different challenging underwater image sequences. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface characterization of dead microalgae‐based biomass using methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Tsai Wen‐Tien , Chen Huei‐Ru , Kuo Kuan‐Chi
Published: July 2010

To examine the surface characterization of dead chlorella biomass, the chlorella‐manufacturing residue was used as an adsorbent for removal of cationic dye (i.e. methylene blue) from aqueous solutions at low concentrations (less than 5 mg dm−3). It could be elucidated by considering the ion‐exchange adsorption phenomena on the negative‐charged surface of the adsorbent based on the characterization of functional groups by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. On the basis of monolayer dye adsorption capacity, the specific surface area of this spherical biomass powder was estimated as 11.8 m2 g−1, which was consistent with the rigid cell wall structure of the dead chlorella particles as shown in the SEM observation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of Ni(II) ion on the properties of NiOAl2O3 catalyst prepared by impregnation method
Authors: Kiurski Jelena S. , Obadović Dušanka Ž. , Marinković‐Nedučin Radmila P. , Cvetinov Miroslav J.
Published: July 2010

The behavior of the NiOAl2O3 catalysts is strongly dependent on the preparation method and pretreatment conditions. In the present work, we investigate the influence of Ni(II) content and various treatment temperatures on the properties of NiOAl2O3 catalysts prepared by impregnation method. On the basis of experimental diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data of electronic d–d transitions of Ni(II) promoter ion, the energies of electronic states in spinel‐like structure were calculated and the most probable scheme of molecular orbital have been proposed. The results of studying the system model allowed the conclusion that the type of contact between the starting phases has a decisive influence on the coordination of Ni(II) ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.