bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical and Phase Transfer Catalyzed Synthesis of 6‐Methoxytryptamine.
Authors: Kuang Yunyan , Huang Jian , Chen Fener
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐ and (‐)‐Nigellamine A2.
Authors: Bian Jianwei , Van Wingerden Matthew , Ready Joseph M.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Structural Defects Induced in ETS‐10 by Postsynthesis Treatment with H2O2 Solution.
Authors: Pavel Claudiu C. , Park So‐Hyun , Dreier Axel , Tesche Bernd , Schmidt Wolfgang
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Properties of Nb3Sn and Their Variation with A15 Composition, Morphology and Strain State
Authors: Godeke A.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Modeling Anticancer Drug—DNA Interactions via Mixed QM/MM Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Spiegel Katrin , Magistrato Alessandra
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Kinetics, Thermodynamics and the Problem of Selectivity: The Maturation of an Idea
Authors: Berson Jerome A.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
A solution to the dynamic range problem in MRI using a parallel image acquisition
Authors: Otake Yosuke , Kose Katsumi , Haishi Tomoyuki
Published: October 2006

A parallel image acquisition system has been developed to solve the dynamic range problem in MRI. The parallel receiver system was tested using 3D large matrix spin echo and gradient echo images. The dynamic range of the receiver system was extended to about 80 dB, which was sufficient for a large‐matrix (256 × 256 × 512) 3D gradient echo image acquisition at a voxel resolution of 60 μm3. Our method can be a simple and efficient technique for solving the dynamic range problem in MRI. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 29B: 161–167, 2006.
A system for open‐access 3He human lung imaging at very low field
Authors: Ruset I.C. , Tsai L.L. , Mair R.W. , Patz S. , Hrovat M.I. , Rosen M.S. , Muradian I. , Ng J. , Topulos G.P. , Butler J.P. , Walsworth R.L. , Hersman F.W.
Published: October 2006

We describe a prototype system built to allow open‐access very‐low‐field MRI of human lungs using laser‐polarized 3He gas. The system employs an open four‐coil electromagnet with an operational B0 field of 4 mT, and planar gradient coils that generate gradient fields up to 0.18 G/cm in the x and y direction and 0.41 G/cm in the z direction. This system was used to obtain 1H and 3He phantom images and supine and upright 3He images of human lungs. We include discussion on challenges unique to imaging at 50–200 kHz, including noise filtering and compensation for narrow‐bandwidth coils. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 29B: 210–221, 2006.
A case series of patients with Tourette's syndrome in the United Kingdom treated with aripiprazole
Authors: Davies Lisa , Stern Jeremy S. , Agrawal Niruj , Robertson Mary M.
Published: October 2006

Objective

These cases illustrate that a new neuroleptic, aripiprazole, may be an effective treatment for the motor and vocal tics of Tourette Syndrome (TS), even in younger people.

Method

A case series of 11 consecutive patients with TS (age range 7–50 years; M = 7) who were felt to require neuroleptic medication, were treated with aripiprazole, the majority of whom had been refractory to treatment with other neuroleptics, and in one case, Habit Reversal Training as well.

Results

Ten out of the 11 patients who were treated with aripiprazole improved, although to differing degrees. The only individual who showed no response was treated for only 1 month with a low dose (5 mg). Eight of the patients had been treated with many typical and atypical neuroleptics without success, and which had also given unacceptable side effects, resulting in them being unable to function at times. One was also unresponsive to previous Habit Reversal Training. The response to aripiprazole was dramatic and quick in five patients; in the rest (5/10) the response was less dramatic. In the majority of patients, response was sustained. The successful aripiprazole doses were between 10–20 mg daily. Side effects were mild and transient. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first case series of patients with TS successfully treated with aripiprazole in the United Kingdom, and one of the few to date in the English Scientific literature. Our patients are also the first cases reported, in which the patients were assessed and whose improvement was monitored using standardised schedules and rating scales, such as the Yale Global Tic Severity Rating Scale and MOVES. Aripiprazole was licensed for use in patients with schizophrenia in the European Union in June 2004. We discuss possible reasons for these dramatic and idiosyncratic responses to aripiprazole.

Conclusion

We suggest that aripiprazole may well be useful for individuals with TS as response to it is often quick, dramatic, sustained and with few generally mild and transient side effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis induced by all‐trans retinoic acid in N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V repressed human hepatocarcinoma cells is mediated through endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Xu Ying‐Ying , Lu Yi , Fan Kai‐Yi , Shen Zong‐Hou
Published: October 2006

We previously demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was triggered in human hepatocarcinoma 7721 cells transfected with antisense cDNA of N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT‐V‐AS/7721) which were more susceptible to apoptosis induced by all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In the present study, we report that ATRA‐induced apoptosis in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells is mediated through ER stress. We show here that ER stress is enhanced in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells with 80 µM ATRA treatment for 24 h, which is evidenced by the increase of GRP78/Bip, C/EBP‐homologous protein‐10 (CHOP, also known as GADD153) and spliced XBP1. Additionally, activation of caspase‐12, caspase‐9, and ‐3 was detected, and apoptosis morphology was observed in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells with ATRA treatment. These results suggest that ATRA enhances the ER stress triggered in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells, which represents a novel mechanism of ATRA to induce apoptosis. We further observed that GnT‐V was significantly repressed and the structure of N‐glycans was changed in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells with 80 µM ATRA treatment for 24 h, suggesting that repression of GnT‐V by ATRA causes the enhanced ER stress and ER stress‐mediated apoptosis in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 773–782, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prostaglandin E2 downregulates TNF‐α‐induced production of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 in HCS‐2/8 chondrocytes by inhibiting Raf‐1/MEK/ERK cascade through EP4 prostanoid receptor activation
Authors: Fushimi Kazunari , Nakashima Shigeru , You Fukka , Takigawa Masaharu , Shimizu Katsuji
Published: October 2006

Matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1, collagenase‐1) plays a pivotal role in the process of joint destruction in degenerative joint diseases. We have examined the regulation of MMP‐1 production in human chondrocytic HCS‐2/8 cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). In response to TNF‐α, MMP‐1 is induced and actively released from HCS‐2/8 cells. The induction of MMP‐1 expression correlates with activation of ERK1/2, MEK, and Raf‐1, and is potently prevented by U0126, a selective inhibitor of MEK1/2 activation. In contrast, SB203580, a selective p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor, had no effects on TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐1 release. A serine/threonine kinase, Akt was not activated in TNF‐α‐stimulated HCS‐2/8 cells. TNF‐α stimulated the production of PGE2 in addition to MMP‐1 in HCS‐2/8 cells. Exogenously added PGE2 potently inhibited TNF‐α‐induced both MMP‐1 production and activation of ERK1/2. The effects of PGE2 were mimicked by ONO‐AE1‐329, a selective EP4 receptor agonist but not by butaprost, a selective EP2 agonist. In contrast, blockade of endogenously produced PGE2 signaling by ONO‐AE3‐208, a selective EP4 receptor antagonist, enhanced TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐1 production. Furthermore, the suppression of MMP‐1 production by exogenously added PGE2 was reversed by ONO‐AE3‐208. Activation of EP4 receptor resulted in cAMP‐mediated phosphorylation of Raf‐1 on Ser259, a negative regulatory site, and blocked activation of Raf‐1/MEK/ERK cascade. Taken together, these findings indicate that Raf‐1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the production of MMP‐1 in HCS‐2/8 cells in response to TNF‐α, and that the produced PGE2 downregulates the expression of MMP‐1 by blockage of TNF‐α‐induced Raf‐1 activation through EP4‐PGE2 receptor activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 783–793, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis as a possible mechanism of infertility in Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts
Authors: Paredes R. , Jiménez V. , Cabrera G. , Iragüen D. , Galanti N.
Published: October 2006

Echinococcus granulosus is a parasitic cestode causing hydatidosis in intermediate hosts (human and herbivorous). Most symptoms of the disease occur by the pressure exerted on viscera by cysts that are formed upon ingestion of the parasite eggs excreted by definitive hosts (canines). Protoscoleces, the developmental form of the parasite infective to definitive hosts, are formed in the germinal nucleated layer of fertile hydatid cysts. For unknown reasons, some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces (infertile hydatid cysts). In this study, analysis of DNA fragmentation using TUNEL and agarose gel electrophoresis showed higher levels of apoptosis in infertile cysts as compared to fertile cysts. Additionally, caspase 3 was detected both in fertile and infertile cysts; the activity of this enzyme was found to be higher in infertile cysts. We conclude that apoptosis may be involved in hydatid cyst infertility. This is the first report on the presence of programmed cell death in E. granulosus. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1200–1209, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
European Alpine moisture variability for 1800–2003
Authors: van der Schrier G. , Efthymiadis D. , Briffa K. R. , Jones P. D.
Published: October 2006

Moisture availability for the European Greater Alpine region (GAR) (43°N–49°N and 4°E–19°E) for the period 1800–2003 is analyzed on the basis of maps of monthly self‐calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) with a 10′ × 10′ spatial resolution.

To represent the impact of seasonal snow cover on the water budget, a simple snow‐accumulation and snowmelt model is added to the water balance calculations on which the (self‐calibrating) Palmer Drought Severity Index is based.

Over the region as a whole, the late 1850s into the 1870s and the 1940s to the early 1950s stand out as persistent and exceptionally dry periods, whereas the first two decades of the nineteenth century and the 1910s were exceptionally wet periods. Dividing the Greater Alpine Region into four subregions, with the subregions based on coherence of precipitation variability, we find a large degree of heterogeneity in the behavior of the drought index over the subregions. The driest summers on record, in terms of the amplitude of the index averaged over the Alpine region, are 1865 and 2003. In these years, 75.6% and 85.1% of the region was suffering from a moderate drought (or worse). The areas northwest of the high mountains were affected most severely in the 1865 drought, whereas the 2003 drought impacted all subregions more equally.

By substituting climatological monthly mean temperatures, from the period 1961–1990, for the actual monthly means in the parameterization for potential evaporation, an estimate is made of the direct effect of temperature on drought. It is observed that a major cause for the vast areal extent of the area affected by the summer drought in the last decade is the high temperatures. Temperatures in the 12 months preceding and including the summer of 2003 explain an increase in the area percentage with moderate (or worse) drought of 31.2%. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Bidirectional operation and gyroscopic properties of
passively mode-locked Nd:YVO4 ring laser
Authors: Liu Y , Sun L , Qiu H , Wang Y , Tian Q , Ma X
Published: October 2006

A simple LD-end-pumped, passively mode-locked
Nd:YVO4 ring laser with bidirectional outputs was demonstrated,
and the gyroscopic properties of the ring laser was studied. The
laser was continuous wave mode-locked by use of a semiconductor
saturable absorber mirror (SESAM), and both clockwise and
counter-clockwise outputs are stable laser pulse trains with pulse
duration of 64 ps. The continuous wave mode-locking was obtained
under pump power as low as 540 mW. The average output power is
50 mW for the counter-clockwise laser and 52mW for the clockwise
laser under pump power of 1378 mW. The whole slope efficiency of
the ring laser is about 9.4%. The two output pulse trains of the
ring laser were combined to study its gyroscopic properties. The
beat frequency of the pulsed solid-state laser gyro versus the
rotation rates follows the Sagnac formula. The laser gyro has a
large dead band of 6-8 dec/s, which was believed to be caused by
the long pulse duration and the colliding of the opposite pulses
on the SESAM.
Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rates After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Evaluation of Cystatin C–Based Equations
Authors: Gerhardt Thomas , Pöge Uwe , Stoffel-Wagner Birgit , Ahrendt Manuela , Wolff Martin , Spengler Ulrich , Palmedo Holger , Sauerbruch Tilman , Woitas Rainer P.
Published: October 2006

Early detection of renal dysfunction in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation is important. Creatinine-based equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were found to be less accurate in liver transplant recipients than in their original populations. Since cystatin C (CysC) is independent from muscle mass and hepatic biosynthesis, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 3 CysC-based equations (Larson, Hoek, and Filler formulae) that are based on the same CysC method as that of our center in comparison to the abbreviated creatinine-based modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula in 59 liver transplant recipients. “True GFR” was measured by 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) clearance. Neither correlation with the GFR (correlation coefficients: 0.594–0.640) nor precision (root mean square error: 15.7–18.17 mL/min/1.73 m2) differed significantly between the tested formulae. The biases of the Hoek and Larsson formulae were significantly smaller than those of the MDRD and Filler equations (−0.1 and −2.3 vs. 10.1 and 7.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; P ≤ 0.0023). Mean estimates of MDRD (61.9 ± 21.4 mL/min/1.73 m2) and Filler (61.2 ± 22.1 mL/min/1.73 m2) differed significantly from the measured GFR (52.3 ± 17.5 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < 0.005), whereas Larsson and Hoek did not (49.5 ± 20.2 and 51.4 ± 17.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Accuracy within 30% and 50% of the true GFR was best for the Hoek (76.3% and 93.2%) formula, albeit not significantly different from MDRD (64.4% and 83.1%). Taken together, these data show the best overall performance for GFR estimates derived from the Hoek equation with respect to bias, precision, and accuracy.
Liver Transpl, 2006.

© 2006 AASLD.
Recent computational developments in Krylov subspace methods for linear systems
Authors: Simoncini Valeria , Szyld Daniel B.
Published: October 2006

Many advances in the development of Krylov subspace methods for the iterative solution of linear systems during the last decade and a half are reviewed. These new developments include different versions of restarted, augmented, deflated, flexible, nested, and inexact methods. Also reviewed are methods specifically tailored to systems with special properties such as special forms of symmetry and those depending on one or more parameters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meshing of domains with complex internal geometries
Authors: Holm Randi , Kaufmann Roland , Heimsund Bjørn‐Ove , Øian Erlend , Espedal Magne S.
Published: October 2006

This paper presents a meshing algorithm for domains with internal boundaries. It is an extension of the gridding algorithm presented by Persson and Strang. The resulting triangulation matches all boundaries, and the triangles are all nearly equilateral. Equilateral triangles are beneficial for a finite volume discretization, as fluid flow between elements of very different size is only possible at small timesteps. The mesh generator is compared with the well regarded Triangle programme, where both element quality and simulation performance are checked. It is shown that our mesh generator consistently delivers better meshes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of macroporous polymer rods based on an acrylamide derivative monomer
Authors: Arrua Ruben Dario , Serrano Daniel , Pastrana Gustavo , Strumia Miriam , Igarzabal Cecilia I. Alvarez
Published: October 2006

New macroporous polymer rods were prepared by free‐radical crosslinking copolymerization from N‐acryloyl‐tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent with different porogenic mixtures and with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The porous properties of these materials were controlled through changes in the proportions of the porogenic mixture, the polymerization temperature, or the concentration of the crosslinking agent. Pore size distribution profiles that shifted toward a larger pore size were obtained in the following cases: when the percentage of the coporogen was increased, when the copolymerization reactions were carried out at a low temperature (55 °C), and when the crosslinking concentration was reduced. Alternatively, a porogenic mixture formed from dimethyl sulfoxide and a 1:1 combination of tetradecanol and poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 as coporogens yielded a polymer rod with a high porosity and pore size. These hydrophilic materials are promising as base supports for different chromatographic processes and as throughput bioreactors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6616–6623, 2006
In vivo imaging of prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model
Authors: Kundra Vikas , Ng Chaan S. , Ma Jingfei , Bankson James A. , Price Roger E. , Cody Dianna D. , Do Kim‐Anh , Han Lin , Navone Nora M.
Published: October 2006

Background

We compared the abilities of clinically relevant imaging modalities to quantify prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model. Such non‐invasive methods are needed pre‐clinically to understand tumor biology and to evaluate therapy.

Methods

Human prostate cancer cells (MDA PCa 2b) or vehicle were injected into the right or left femur of SCID mice (n = 8). Radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed 5 and 8 weeks later (n = 7). Bone scintigraphy (n = 6) was also performed at week 8. Imaging findings were compared with histology and correlated with contemporaneous serum prostate‐specific antigen levels.

Results

Among the modalities evaluated, only MR imaging delineated prostate tumors involving bone. Tumor volume assessed by MR imaging correlated with PSA levels (R2 = 0.87, P < 0.001). MR imaging of tumors corresponded with histology. Imaging of mineralized bone by CT corresponded with histology.

Conclusion

In a mouse model, prostate tumors involving bone can be quantified using MR imaging. Prostate 67:50–60, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear quantitative feedback theory
Authors: Baños Alfonso
Published: October 2006

This work revises the original nonlinear quantitative feedback theory (QFT) techniques of Prof. Horowitz, trying to contribute to the systematization of the field and reviewing some of the contributions made over the last three decades. The material is presented in a tutorial style, simplifying the exposition to mathematics, and using very simple examples that are expected to reveal the internal mechanisms of nonlinear QFT, basically based on a clever application of Schauders principle. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative feedback design for systems with probabilistic parameterizations
Authors: Boje Edward
Published: October 2006

This paper examines the feedback design possibilities for uncertain plants where the underlying parameterization is described by a probabilistic rather than a deterministic set membership. The design perspective is Horowitz' quantitative feedback theory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compensatory Constitutionalism: The Function and Potential of Fundamental International Norms and Structures
Authors: PETERS ANNE
Published: October 2006

The article conceives international (or global) constitutionalism as a legal argument which recommends and strengthens efforts (legal and political) to compensate for ongoing de-constitutionalization on the domestic level. Although the notions ‘international constitution’ and ‘international constitutionalism’ have in recent years served as buzzwords in various discourses, the many meanings of those concepts have not yet been fully explored and disentangled. This paper suggests a specific understanding of those concepts. It highlights various aspects and elements of micro- and macro-constitutionalization in international law, and identifies anti-constitutionalist trends. On this basis, the paper finds that, although no international constitution in a formal sense exists, fundamental norms in the international legal order do fulfil constitutional functions. Because those norms can reasonably be qualified as having a constitutional quality, they may not be summarily discarded in the event of a conflict with domestic constitutional law. Because the relevant norms form a transnational constitutional network, and cannot be aligned in an abstract hierarchy, conflict resolution requires a balancing of interests in concrete cases. Finally, because constitutionalism historically and prescriptively means asking for a legitimate constitution, a constitutionalist reading of the international legal order provokes the question of its legitimacy. This question is pressing, because state sovereignty and consent are – on good grounds – no longer accepted as the sole source of legitimacy of international law. International constitutionalism – as understood in this paper – does not ask for state-like forms of legitimacy of a world government, but stimulates the search for new mechanisms to strengthen the legitimacy of global governance.
New evidence for a relationship between Atlantic tropical cyclone activity and African dust outbreaks
Authors: Evan Amato T. , Dunion Jason , Foley Jonathan A. , Heidinger Andrew K. , Velden Christopher S.
Published: October 2006

It is well known that Atlantic tropical cyclone activity varies strongly over time, and that summertime dust transport over the North Atlantic also varies from year to year, but any connection between tropical cyclone activity and atmospheric dust has been limited to a few case studies. Here we report new results that demonstrate a strong relationship between interannual variations in North Atlantic tropical cyclone activity and atmospheric dust cover as measured by satellite, for the years 1982–2005. While we cannot conclusively demonstrate a direct causal relationship, there appears to be robust link between tropical cyclone activity and dust transport over the Tropical Atlantic.
Mechanisms underlying lysophosphatidylcholine‐induced potentiation of vascular contractions in the Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat aorta
Authors: Matsumoto T , Kobayashi T , Kamata K
Published: October 2006

Background and purpose:

The effect of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) on aortic contractions in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a type 2 diabetic model, was studied.

Experimental approach:

Using OLETF rats and control (Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO)) rats, the effects of LPC on the contractions induced by high‐K+(10‐40 mM), UK14,304 (10∼100 nM; a selective α2‐adrenoceptor agonist) and sodium orthovanadate (SOV; 10 μM∼3 mM) in endothelium‐denuded aortae were compared. Aortic ERK activity and the mRNA expression for GPR4 (a putative LPC receptor) were also measured.

Key results:

OLETF rats exhibited (vs. age‐matched LETO rats): (1) greater potentiation of high‐K+‐induced contraction by 10 μM LPC – a potentiation attenuated by 10 μM genistein, protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, (2) greater potentiation of UK14,304 (10∼100 nM)‐induced contractions by LPC (1 μM∼10 μM) – a potentiation attenuated by 10 μM genistein, 50 μM tyrphostin A23 (PTK inhibitor) or 10 μM PD98059 (MEK 1/2 inhibitor), (3) greater basal and LPC (1 μM)‐induced ERK activities, (4) greater basal and 100 nM UK14,304‐stimulated ERK2 activities in both the absence and presence of 10 μM LPC, (5) greater SOV (10 μM∼3 mM)‐induced contractions, (6) greater potentiation of SOV‐induced contractions by 10 μM LPC – a potentiation suppressed by 10 μM PD98059 or 10 μM genistein, (7) upregulation of GPR4 mRNA.

Conclusions and implications:

These results suggest that the LPC‐induced potentiation of contractions in the OLETF rat aorta may be attributable to increased PTKs or ERK activity and/or to receptor upregulation.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2006)149, 931–941. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706937
Unified theory of annihilation-creation operators for solvable (“discrete”) quantum mechanics
Authors: Odake Satoru , Sasaki Ryu
Published: October 2006

The annihilation-creation operators a(±) are defined as the positive/negative frequency parts of the exact Heisenberg operator solution for the “sinusoidal coordinate”. Thus a(±) are hermitian conjugate to each other and the relative weights of various terms in them are solely determined by the energy spectrum. This unified method applies to most of the solvable quantum mechanics of single degree of freedom including those belonging to the “discrete” quantum mechanics.
Coregulation of vascular tube stabilization by endothelial cell TIMP-2 and pericyte TIMP-3
Authors: Saunders W. Brian , Bohnsack Brenda L. , Faske Jennifer B. , Anthis Nicholas J. , Bayless Kayla J. , Hirschi Karen K. , Davis George E.
Published: October 2006

The endothelial cell (EC)–derived tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and pericyte-derived TIMP-3 are shown to coregulate human capillary tube stabilization following EC–pericyte interactions through a combined ability to block EC tube morphogenesis and regression in three-dimensional collagen matrices. EC–pericyte interactions strongly induce TIMP-3 expression by pericytes, whereas ECs produce TIMP-2 in EC–pericyte cocultures. Using small interfering RNA technology, the suppression of EC TIMP-2 and pericyte TIMP-3 expression leads to capillary tube regression in these cocultures in a matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)–, MMP-10–, and ADAM-15 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-15)–dependent manner. Furthermore, we show that EC tube morphogenesis (lumen formation and invasion) is primarily controlled by the TIMP-2 and -3 target membrane type (MT) 1 MMP. Additional targets of these inhibitors include MT2-MMP and ADAM-15, which also regulate EC invasion. Mutagenesis experiments reveal that TIMP-3 requires its proteinase inhibitory function to induce tube stabilization. Overall, these data reveal a novel role for both TIMP-2 and -3 in the pericyte-induced stabilization of newly formed vascular networks that are predisposed to undergo regression and reveal specific molecular targets of the inhibitors regulating these events.
Effects of Age and Time on Energy and Macronutrient Intake in German Infants and Young Children
Authors: Hilbig Annett , Kersting Mathilde
Published: October 2006

Objectives:

To describe effects of age and time on the intake of energy and macronutrients in infants and young children.

Patients and Methods:

The energy and macronutrient intake of 720 DONALD study participants between 1989 and 2003 was evaluated by analysing 3027 three‐day weighed dietary records (including test weighing of breast milk consumption) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Mixed models and logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the effects of age and time on intake.

Results:

Age affected macronutrient patterns (percentage of energy intake, E%) more often in infants than in young children. The percentage of full and partial breast‐fed infants increased between 1989 and 2003. Almost no time trends were found for energy intake. Macronutrient patterns changed with time; for example, protein intake decreased throughout infancy (between −0.05 and −0.17 E%/y). An increase in fat intake (0.23 and 0.40 E%/y) was compensated by a decrease in carbohydrates (−0.18 and −0.29 E%/y) in young infants (3 and 6 months). Opposite trends in macronutrient patterns were observed in infants and young children.

Conclusions:

Increasing breast milk consumption over time was the most obvious factor influencing long‐term trends in macronutrient patterns. In all of the age groups examined here, macronutrient patterns have come closer to the references over time.
Intestinal Cytokine mRNA Expression in Delayed‐type Cow's Milk Allergy
Authors: Paajanen Laura , Kokkonen Jorma , Karttunen Tuomo J. , Tuure Tuula , Korpela Riitta , Vaarala Outi
Published: October 2006

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of intestinal immune activation (ie, a chemokine receptor and cytokine expression profile) in delayed‐type cow's milk allergy (CMA) appearing in the form of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Patients and Methods:

In all biopsy samples taken from the duodenum and/or the terminal ileum, 30 were studied for the expression of interferon‐gamma, transforming growth factor‐beta, chemokine receptor (CCR)‐4, CCR‐5, IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐12p35, IL‐12p40 and IL‐18 specific mRNA by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction in 26 children ages 3 to 15 years: 10 with untreated delayed‐type CMA, 6 with celiac disease (CD) and 10 controls.

Results:

The children with delayed‐type CMA showed lower IL‐2 and IL‐18 mRNA expression in the duodenum (both P = 0.055) and higher CCR‐4 and IL‐6 mRNA expression in the terminal ileum (P = 0.055, P = 0.016) compared with the controls. The children with CD exhibited slightly higher expression of interferon‐gamma and CCR‐4 mRNA (P = 0.054, P = 0.053) and lower expression of IL‐18 mRNA (P = 0.004) in the duodenal samples compared with the controls. The mRNA expression levels of regulatory cytokines, transforming growth factor‐beta and IL‐10 remained similar in all 3 groups.

Conclusions:

The children with delayed‐type gastrointestinal CMA showed a unique pattern of local intestinal hypersensitivity with Th2 response‐related characteristics, a profile differing clearly from the children with CD.
Patient‐reported Symptoms After Pediatric Outpatient Colonoscopy or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Steiner Steven J. , Pfefferkorn Marian D. , Fitzgerald Joseph F.
Published: October 2006

Objectives:

Endoscopic examination of the colon is indicated in children with diarrhea, hematochezia and suspected inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of patient‐reported symptoms after colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy under general anesthesia in children.

Patients and Methods:

This prospective study included patients 18 years of age and younger who underwent colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy during a 1‐year period. At least 30 days after the endoscopy, an interview was conducted regarding symptoms after colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Results:

Eighty‐eight children were eligible, and 68 (77%) were available for follow‐up. Ten (15%) reported symptoms after their endoscopy. The most common symptoms reported were diarrhea, excessive gas and sore throat. The frequency of reported symptoms was similar between colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. The frequency of symptoms was not affected by intubation of terminal ileum, polypectomy or the number of prior colonoscopies or flexible sigmoidoscopies.

Conclusions:

Outpatient colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy under general anesthesia are well tolerated by children. A minority of children reports mild symptoms that spontaneously resolve.
Molecular analysis of duck hepatitis virus type 1 reveals a novel lineage close to the genus Parechovirus in the family Picornaviridae
Authors: Kim Min-Chul , Kwon Yong-Kuk , Joh Seong-Joon , Lindberg A. Michael , Kwon Jun-Hun , Kim Jae-Hong , Kim Sun-Joong
Published: October 2006

Duck hepatitis virus type 1 (DHV-1) was previously classified as an enterovirus, based primarily on observed morphology and physicochemical properties of the virion. The complete nucleotide sequences of two strains (DRL-62 and R85952) of DHV-1 have been determined. Excluding the poly(A) tail, the genomes are 7691 and 7690 nt, respectively, and contain a single, large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 2249 aa. The genome of DHV-1 is organized as are those of members of the family Picornaviridae: 5′ untranslated region (UTR)–VP0–VP3–VP1–2A1–2A2–2B–2C–3A–3B–3C–3D–3′ UTR. Analysis of the genomic and predicted polyprotein sequences revealed several unusual features, including the absence of a predicted maturation cleavage of VP0, the presence of two unrelated 2A protein motifs and a 3′ UTR extended markedly compared with that of any other picornavirus. The 2A1 protein motif is related to the 2A protein type of the genus Aphthovirus and the adjacent 2A2 protein is related to the 2A protein type present in the genus Parechovirus. Phylogenetic analysis using the 3D protein sequence shows that the two DHV-1 strains are related more closely to members of the genus Parechovirus than to other picornaviruses. However, the two DHV-1 strains form a monophyletic group, clearly distinct from members of the genus Parechovirus.
The 5′ non-translated region of Varroa destructor virus 1 (genus Iflavirus): structure prediction and IRES activity in Lymantria dispar cells
Authors: Ongus Juliette R. , Roode Els C. , Pleij Cornelis W. A. , Vlak Just M. , van Oers Monique M.
Published: October 2006

Structure prediction of the 5′ non-translated region (NTR) of four iflavirus RNAs revealed two types of potential internal ribosome entry site (IRES), which are discriminated by size and level of complexity, in this group of viruses. In contrast to the intergenic IRES of dicistroviruses, the potential 5′ IRES structures of iflaviruses do not have pseudoknots. To test the activity of one of these, a bicistronic construct was made in which the 5′ NTR ofVarroa destructorvirus 1 (VDV-1) containing a putative IRES was cloned in between two reporter genes, enhanced green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase (Fluc). The presence of the 5′ NTR of VDV-1 greatly enhanced the expression levels of the second reporter gene (Fluc) inLymantria disparLd652Y cells. The 5′ NTR was active in a host-specific manner, as it showed lower activity inSpodoptera frugiperdaSf21 cells and no activity inDrosophila melanogasterS2 cells.
Phylogeography of Ustilago maydis virus H1 in the USA and Mexico
Authors: Voth Peter D. , Mairura Linah , Lockhart Ben E. , May Georgiana
Published: October 2006

Ustilago maydis virus H1(Umv-H1) is a mycovirus that infectsUstilago maydis, a fungal pathogen of maize. AsZea mayswas domesticated, it carried with it many associated symbionts, such that the subsequent range expansion and cultivation of maize should have affected maize symbionts' evolutionary history dramatically. Because transmission of Umv-H1 takes place only through cytoplasmic fusion during mating ofU. maydisindividuals, the population dynamics ofU. maydisand maize are expected to affect the population structure of the viral symbiont strongly. Here, the impact of changes in the evolutionary history ofU. maydison that of Umv-H1 was investigated. The high mutation rate of this virus allows inferences to be made about the evolution and divergence of Umv-H1 lineages as a result of the recent changes inU. maydisgeographical and genetic structure. The phylogeographical history and genetic structure of Umv-H1 populations in the USA and Mexico were determined by using analyses of viral nucleotide sequence variation. Infection and recombination frequencies, genetic diversity and rates of neutral evolution were also assessed, to make inferences regarding evolutionary processes underlying the population genetic structure of ancestral and descendent populations. The results suggest that Mexico represents the ancestral population of Umv-H1, from which the virus has been carried withU. maydispopulations into the USA. Thus, the population dynamics of one symbiont represent a major evolutionary force on the co-evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic partners.
Genome of the most widely used viral biopesticide: Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Oliveira Juliana Velasco de Castro , Wolff José Luiz Caldas , Garcia-Maruniak Alejandra , Ribeiro Bergmann Morais , de Castro Maria Elita Batista , de Souza Marlinda Lobo , Moscardi Flavio , Maruniak James Edward , Zanotto Paolo Marinho de Andrade
Published: October 2006

The genome of Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate 2D (AgMNPV-2D), which is the most extensively used virus pesticide in the world, was completely sequenced and shown to have 132 239 bp (G+C content 44.5 mol%) and to be capable of encoding 152 non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs). Three ORFs were unique to AgMNPV-2D, one of which (ag31) had similarity to eukaryotic poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases. The lack of chiA and v-cath may explain some of the success and growth of the AgMNPV biological control programme, as it may explain the high recovery of polyhedra sequestered inside dead larvae in the field, which are collected and used for further application as biological pesticides in soybean fields. The genome organization was similar to that of the Choristoneura fumiferana defective MNPV (CfDefNPV). Most of the variation between the two genomes took place near highly repetitive regions, which were also closely associated with bro-coding regions. The separation of the NPVs into groups I and II was supported by: (i) a phenogram of the complete genomes of 28 baculovirus and Heliothis zea virus 1, (ii) the most parsimonious reconstruction of gene content along the phenograms and (iii) comparisons of genomic features. Moreover, these data also reinforced the notion that group I of the NPVs can be split further into the AgMNPV lineage (AgMNPV, CfDefNPV, Epiphyas postvittana NPV, Orgyia pseudotsugata MNPV and C. fumiferana MNPV), sharing eight defining genes, and the Autographa californica MNPV (AcMNPV) lineage (AcMNPV, Rachiplusia ou NPV and Bombyx mori NPV), sharing nine defining genes.
An iterated sequence in the genome of Banana bunchy top virus is essential for efficient replication
Authors: Herrera-Valencia Virginia A. , Dugdale Benjamin , Harding Robert M. , Dale James L.
Published: October 2006

Banana bunchy top virus(BBTV) has a multi-component genome of circular, single-stranded DNA. BBTV replicates via a rolling-circle mechanism, probably involving sequence-specific interaction of the replication initiation protein (Rep) with iterated sequences (iterons) within the viral genome. Three putative iterons (designated F1, F2 and R), with the sequence GGGAC, have been identified in the intergenic region of each BBTV component. To investigate their role in replication, each of the iterons was mutated, singularly and in tandem, in a BBTV DNA-N 1.1mer and the ability of these molecules to be replicated by the BBTV ‘master’ Rep was evaluated in banana cells using transient biolistic assays. All iteron mutants were replicated less efficiently than the native DNA-N. Mutation of the F1 and R iterons caused a 42 and 62 % reduction in DNA-N replication, respectively, whereas mutation of the F2 and combined F1F2 iteron virtually abolished DNA-N replication.
Direct repeats in the 3′ untranslated regions of mosquito-borne flaviviruses: possible implications for virus transmission
Authors: Gritsun T. S. , Gould E. A.
Published: October 2006

Direct repeats (DRs) of 20–45 nucleotide conserved sequences (CS) and repeated CS (RCS), separated by non-conserved sequences up to 100 nucleotides long, were previously described in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of the three major mosquito-borne flavivirus (MBFV) subgroups, represented by Japanese encephalitis virus, Yellow fever virus and Dengue virus. Each subgroup exhibits a specific pattern of DRs, the biological significance of which has not yet been adequately addressed. The DRs were originally identified using conventional alignment programs based on the assumption that genetic variation is driven primarily by nucleotide substitutions. Since there are no recognized alignment programs that can adequately accommodate very divergent sequences, a method has been devised to construct and analyse a substantially improved 3′UTR alignment between these highly divergent viruses, based on the concept that deletions and/or insertions, in addition to substitutions, are important drivers of 3′UTR evolution. This ‘robust alignment’ approach demonstrated more extensive homologies in the 3′UTR than had been recognized previously and revealed the presence of similar DRs, either intact or as sequence ‘remnants’, in all the MBFV subgroups. The relevance of these observations is discussed in relation to (i) the function of DRs as elements of replication enhancement, (ii) the evolution of RNA secondary structures and (iii) the significance of DRs and secondary structures in MBFV transmissibility between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
Arabidopsis tonoplast proteins TIP1 and TIP2 interact with the cucumber mosaic virus 1a replication protein
Authors: Kim Min Jung , Kim Hwa Ran , Paek Kyung-Hee
Published: October 2006

The cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) replication complex has previously been shown to associate with cellular membranes. However, it remains unknown whether any host factors participate in this process. In this study, five groups of Arabidopsis tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) genes were isolated and the proteins they encoded were evaluated with regard to their interactions with CMV proteins. TIP1 and TIP2 were found to interact with the CMV 1a protein in the Sos recruitment system, whereas no interactions with the other three TIP subgroups were observed in this assay. The interaction of CMV 1a with the TIP1 and TIP2 proteins was confirmed via co-immunoprecipitation assays. Additionally, CMV 1a co-localized with TIP1 and TIP2 in transfected Arabidopsis protoplasts. The findings of this study suggest that members of two TIP subfamilies might affect CMV replication via interaction with CMV 1a in the tonoplasts.
Production of plum pox virus HC-Pro functionally active for aphid transmission in a transient-expression system
Authors: Goytia Elisa , Fernández-Calvino Lourdes , Martínez-García Belén , López-Abella Dionisio , López-Moya Juan José
Published: October 2006

Potyviruses are non-persistently transmitted by aphid vectors with the assistance of a viral accessory factor known as helper component (HC-Pro), a multifunctional protein that is also involved in many other essential processes during the virus infection cycle. A transientAgrobacterium-mediated expression system was used to produce Plum pox virus (PPV) HC-Pro inNicotiana benthamianaleaves from constructs that incorporated the 5′ region of the genome, yielding high levels of HC-Pro in agroinfiltrated leaves. The expressed PPV HC-Pro was able to assist aphid transmission of purified virus particles in a sequential feeding assay, and to complement transmission-defective variants of the virus. Also, HC-Pro of a second potyvirus,Tobacco etch virus(TEV), was expressed and found to be functional for aphid transmission. These results show that this transient system can be useful for production of functionally active HC-Pro in potyviruses, and the possible uses of this approach to study the mechanism of transmission are discussed.
Functional roles of immature dendritic cells in impaired immunity of solid tumour and their targeted strategies for provoking tumour immunity
Authors: Kim R , Emi M , Tanabe K
Published: October 2006

Dendritic cells play a crucial role in initiating tumour immunity as well as in the immune response for invading foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. For bacterial and viral infections, the immature dendritic cells (iDCs) residing in peripheral tissues are efficiently activated and matured by pathogen signals for performing the immune response. In contrast, for self-antigens, the naive T cells are not activated by iDCs but proceed to anergy/deletion, and the generation of regulatory T cells for immune tolerance. The induction of immune response and tolerance is regulated strictly by iDCs as the sensor for homeostasis of immune response in the host. Despite the identification of some tumour antigens, tumour immunity is not provoked successfully. Even though there are some critical obstacles to inhibit effective tumour immunity, tumour cells are able to exploit the functional roles of iDCs for tumour progression, which are induced by tumour-derived soluble factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and functionally modulated in the microenvironment. The iDCs still remain as the critical target for provoking tumour immunity. In this review, the functional roles of tumour-associated iDCs and the strategy for targeting iDCs in effective tumour immunity for the cancer patient are discussed.
Impact of postprandial lipaemia on low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) size and oxidized LDL in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Granér M. , Kahri J. , Nakano T. , Sarna S. J. , Nieminen M. S. , Syvänne M. , Taskinen M. R.
Published: October 2006

Background  Remnant lipoprotein particles (RLPs) and oxidative stress are components of postprandial state. We investigated the concentrations of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs), RLPs, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) size, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) during alimentary lipaemia, and evaluated whether changes among these variables could be associated with the severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and methods  Eighty men and 27 women with clinically suspected CAD underwent quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). TRLs were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation before and 6 h after an oral fat load. RLPs were measured by an immunoseparation method, oxLDL by ELISA, and LDL size by gradient gel electrophoresis.

Results  Triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo) B‐48, and apoB‐100 concentration in Swedberg flotation units (Sf) > 400 and in Sf 12–400 fractions were markedly increased at 6 h. Postprandial cholesterol content of RLPs (RLP‐C) correlated with respective triglycerides in Sf > 400 (r = 0·737) and Sf 12–400 (r = 0·857), apoB‐48 in Sf > 400 (r = 0·710) and Sf 12–400 (r = 0·664), apoB‐100 in Sf > 400 (r = 0·812) and Sf 12–400 (r = 0·533). RLP‐C correlated with oxLDL both in fasting and in fed state (r = 0·482 and r = 0·543, respectively) and inversely with LDL size (r = –0·459 and r = −0·442, respectively). (P < 0·001 for all). OxLDL was elevated postprandially (P < 0·001). In multivariate analysis, oxLDL was a determinant of severity and extent of CAD.

Conclusion  Postprandial state is associated with oxidative stress. The magnitude of oxLDL increases during alimentary lipaemia and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis.