bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural studies in azolylmethanes
Authors: Anderson Nicholas H. , Branch Sarah K. , Loeffler R. S. Thomas , Mann Brian E. , Nowell Ian W. , Walker Philip E.
Published: November 2006

The crystal structures of a number of fungicidal azolylmethanes are compared. In the benzyl compounds [1‐aryl‐4,4‐dimethyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)pentan‐3‐ones, the corresponding pentan‐3‐ols, and 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)propan‐1‐one], the benzyl and tert‐butyl groups (or 4‐chlorophenyl group) are trans, whereas in the analogous phenoxy compounds [1‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)‐3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)butan‐2‐one and the corresponding butan‐2‐ol], the tert‐butyl groups are trans to the triazole and gauche to the phenoxy group. Coupling constants, determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy, suggest that for some compounds there is one dominant solution conformation. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding, observed by infrared spectroscopy in two of the compounds, supports the findings by n.m.r. For some compounds, the crystal and solution conformations appear to be very similar, whereas in others they are quite different. Published data on the relative activity of the enantiomers of the benzyl‐ and phenoxy‐compounds are discussed, but differences in the relative activity of enantiomers in the two series cannot be readily rationalised. It is concluded that different enantiomers may have different modes of binding at the active site.
Development of a packaging material using antistatic ionomer part 2: charge distributions of potassium ionomer
Authors: Maki Nobuyuki , Tajitsu Yoshiro , Sasaki Haruo
Published: November 2006

Generally, plastics and plastic films are low in moisture absorption and high in electric insulation. They are inherently easy to be charged with static and can cause a variety of static troubles. We developed a functional packaging material to solve these static problems, by using potassium ionomer. We reported good antistatic performance (e.g. short static decay time, and excellent ash test) of potassium ionomer films in a previous paper. However, a mechanism underlying the antistatic property of potassium ionomer has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we measured the space charge distributions of potassium ionomer using the pulsed electro‐acoustic method. As a result of the space charge measurements, we found characteristic charge distribution of potassium ionomer film. On the basis of the existence of this characteristic charge distribution, we speculate that the space electric charge distribution of a potassium ionomer film under a direct current electric field shows apparent electric charge movement. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient implementation of Aho–Corasick pattern matching automata using Unicode
Authors: Nieminen Janne , Kilpeläinen Pekka
Published: November 2006

We study different efficient implementations of an Aho–Corasick pattern matching automaton when searching for patterns in Unicode text. Much of the previous research has been based on the assumption of a relatively small alphabet, for example the 7‐bit ASCII. Our aim is to examine the differences in performance arising from the use of a large alphabet, such as Unicode that is widely used today. The main concern is the representation of the transition function of the pattern matching automaton. We examine and compare array, linked list, hashing, balanced tree, perfect hashing, hybrid, triple‐array, and double‐array representations. For perfect hashing, we present an algorithm that constructs the hash tables in expected linear time and linear space. We implement the Aho–Corasick automaton in Java using the different transition function representations, and we evaluate their performance. Triple‐array and double‐array performed best in our experiments, with perfect hashing, hashing, and balanced tree coming next. We discovered that the array implementation has a slow preprocessing time when using the Unicode alphabet. It seems that the use of a large alphabet can slow down the preprocessing time of the automaton considerably depending on the transition function representation used. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protection by multiple antioxidants against lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate
Authors: Chen Hao , Tappel Al
Published: November 2006

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that multiple antioxygenic nutrients provide increased protection against lipid peroxidative damage to rat liver. Rats were fed diets (i) deficient in vitamin E and selenium (Diet 1), (ii) supplemented with vitamin E and selenium (Diet 2), (iii) supplemented with (ii) and in addition trolox C,N‐acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q0, and (+)‐catechin (Diet 3), or (iv) supplemented with (iii) and in addition β‐carotene, ascorbic acid palmitate, canthaxanthin, and coenzyme Q10 (Diet 4). Liver homogenates were obtained from three rats fed each of the diets for six weeks and were incubated at 37°C up to two hours with and without exogenous tertiary‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) or Cu2+. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measurement of thiobarbituric acid substances. Diets 2 and 3 significantly protected againstin vivo hepatic lipid peroxidation, and this protection was augmented by Diet 4. Diets 2, 3, and 4 were protective against mild oxidation induced by TBHP or Cu2+. During incubations with exogenous TBHP and Cu2+, there were only small differences between diets supplemented with antioxidants in inhibition of lipid peroxidation, indicating that diets supplemented with vitamin E and selenium (Diet 2) may have provided the maximal protection for liver. The possible mechanisms of protection provided by multiple antioxidants in diets were discussed. Protection by multiple antioxidants against lipid peroxidation may translate to prevention of peroxidative damage to human tissue, a factor in human disease.
A randomized trial of visual attention of preterm infants fed docosahexaenoic acid until nine months
Authors: Werkman Susan H. , Carlson Susan E.
Published: November 2006

This randomized, double‐blind trial tested the hypothesis that the addition of 0.2% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22∶6n−3) from marine oil to commercially‐available preterm and term formulas with ≥3% linolenic acid (18∶3n−3) would enhance novelty preference and visual attention of preterm infants. Among preterm infants cared for in our center, study infants were a select group considered to be at lower risk for developmental delay. Study infants received their assigned diet (control, DHA‐supplemented) from a mean postnatal age of 25 d until 9 mon past term. At 6.5, 9, and 12 mon past term, they were tested for visual recognition memory (novelty preference) and attention with the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence. The effects of DHA supplementation were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. In paired comparisons of novel and familiar stimuli, DHA‐supplemented and control infants had the same novelty preference, but supplemented infants had more discrete looks to both novel (P<0.03) and familiar (P<0.02) stimuli and a shorter overall look duration (P<0.03). These data are analogous to those from n−3‐deficient and n−3‐fed monkeys in that the group with better DHA status had shorter overall look duration. Because shorter look duration has been associated with more rapid information processing, preterm infants fed formulas with only linolenic acid may have had slower information processing than those fed DHA.
Biochemical effects of dietary linoleic/α‐linolenic acid ratio in term infants
Authors: Jensen Craig L. , Chen Huiming , Kennard Fraley J. , Anderson Robert E. , Heird William C.
Published: November 2006

Recent statements concerning linoleic (LA) and α‐linolenic acid (LNA) intakes for infants include a desirable range of LA/LNA ratios. To evaluate several dietary LA/LNA ratios, the fatty acid patterns of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fractions, as well as plasma total lipid fractions, were determined shortly after birth and at 21, 60, and 120 d of age in term infants fed formula with 16% of fat as LA and either 0.4, 0.95, 1.7, or 3.2% as LNA (LA/LNA ratios of approximately 44, 18, 10, and 5). The content of all n‐3 fatty acids in both plasma fractions was higher at all times in infants who received the highest LNA intake; however, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content was only half that shortly after birth or reported in breast‐fed infants of comparable ages. The LA content of plasma lipids of all groups was higher at all times than shortly after birth but did not differ among groups. The arachidonic acid (AA) content was higher in infants who received the lowest LNA intake, but only half that at birth or reported in breast‐fed infants. In contrast, the DHA content of the erythrocyte phospholipid fraction did not differ among groups until 120 d of age when it was higher in those who received the highest LNA intake and the AA content of this fraction did not differ among groups at any time. These data demonstrate that dietary LA/LNA ratios between 5 and 44 do not result in plasma or erythrocyte lipid levels of DHA or plasma lipid levels of AA similar to those at birth or reported by others in breast‐fed infants. However, the data indicate that the LA/LNA ratio of the formula is an important determinant of the amounts of DHA and AA required to achieve plasma and erythrocyte levels of these fatty acids similar to those of breast‐fed infants.
Effectiveness of resistant starch, compared to guar gum, in depressing plasma cholesterol and enhancing fecal steroid excretion
Authors: Levrat Marie‐Anne , Moundras Corinne , Younes Hassan , Morand Christine , Demigné Christian , Rémésy Christian
Published: November 2006

Amylase‐resistant starch (RS) represents a substrate that can be administered in substantial amounts in the diet, in contrast to gel‐forming polysaccharides, such as guar gum (GG). The aim of this work was thus to compare the effects of GG and RS on cholesterol metabolism in rats adapted to 0.4% cholesterol diets, using dietary GG or RS levels (8 or 20%, respectively) that led to a similar development of fermentations, as assessed by the degree of enlargement of the cecum. The RS diet elicited a marked rise in the cecal pool of short‐chain fatty acids, especially acetic and butyric acid, whereas the GG diet favored high‐propionic acid fermentations. Both polysaccharides markedly altered the cholesterol excretion, from 50% of ingested cholesterol in controls, up to about 70% in rats adapted to the RS or GG diets. With these diets, the fecal excretion of bile acids was enhanced (67 and 144% with the RS and GG diets, respectively). RS and GG diets were effective in lowering plasma cholesterol (about −40%) and triglycerides (−36%). There was practically no effect of the diets on cholesterol in d>1.040 lipoproteins (high density lipoproteins), whereas RS (and to a larger extent, GG) were very effective to depress cholesterol in d<1.040 lipoproteins (especially in triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins). Fermentable polysaccharides counteracted the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver, especially cholesterol esters. In parallel, liver acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase was depressed in rats fed the RS or GG diets, whereas only the GG diet counteracted the downregulation of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA by cholesterol. These data suggest that RS may be practically as effective as a gel‐forming gum, such as GG, on steroid excretion and on cholesterol metabolism.
Ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of santalbic acid and a study of triacylglycerol species inSantalum album (Linn.) seed oil
Authors: Lie Ken Jie Marcel S. F. , Pasha Mohammed Khysar , Ahmad Fasih
Published: November 2006

Methyl ricinoleate (1) was treated with bromine and the dibromo derivative (2) was reacted with ethanolic KOH under ultrasonic irradiation to give 12‐hydroxy‐octadec‐9‐ynoic acid upon acidification with dil. HCl. The latter compound was methylated with BF3/methanol to give methyl 12‐hydroxy‐octadec‐9‐ynoate (3). Compound3 was treated with methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in CH2Cl2 to give methyl 12‐mesyloxy‐octadec‐9‐ynoate (4). Reaction of methyl 12‐mesyloxy‐octadec‐9‐ynoate with aqueous KOH under ultrasonic irradiation (20 kHz) gave (11E)‐octadecen‐9‐ynoic acid (5, santalbic acid, 40%) and (11Z)‐octadecen‐9‐ynoic acid (6, 60%) on acidification with dil. HCl. These isomers were separated by urea fractionation. The13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic properties of the methyl ester and the triacylglycerol (TAG) esters of these enynoic fatty acid isomers were studied. The carbon shifts of the unsaturated carbon nuclei of the methyl ester of theE‐isomer were unambiguously assigned as 88.547 (C‐9), 79.287 (C‐10), 109.760 (C‐11), and 143.450 (C‐12) ppm while the unsaturated carbon shifts of the (Z)‐enynoate isomer appeared at 94.277 (C‐9), 77.561 (C‐10), 109.297 (C‐11), and 142.668 (C‐12) ppm. In the13C NMR spectral analysis of the TAG molecules of type AAA containing either the (Z)‐or (E)‐enyne fatty acid, the C‐1 to C‐6 carbon atoms on the α‐ and β‐acyl positions were differentiated. The unsaturated carbon atoms in the α‐ and β‐acyl chains were also resolved into two signals except that of the C‐11 olefinic carbon. Sandal (Santalum album) wood seed oil (a source of santalbic acid) was separated by silica chromatography into three fractions. The least polar fraction (7.2 wt%) contained TAG which had a random distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, of which oleic acid (69%) was the predominant component. The second fraction (3.8 wt%) contained santalbic acid (58%) and oleic acid (28%) together with some other normal fatty acids. Santalbic acid in this fraction was found in both the α‐ and β‐acyl positions of the glycerol “backbone”. The most polar fraction (89 wt%) consisted of TAG containing santalbic acid only. The distribution of the various fatty acids on the glycerol “backbone” was supported by the results from the13C NMR spectroscopic analysis.
Trans unsaturated fatty acids in bacteria
Authors: Keweloh Heribert , Heipieper Hermann J.
Published: November 2006

The occurrence oftrans unsaturated fatty acids as by‐products of fatty acid transformations carried out by the obligate anaerobic ruminal microflora has been well known for a long time. In recent years, fatty acids withtrans configurations also have been detected in the membrane lipids of various aerobic bacteria. Besides several psychrophilic organisms, bacteria‐degrading pollutants, such asPseudomonas putida, are able to synthesize these compoundsde novo. In contrast to thetrans fatty acids formed by rumen bacteria, the membrane constituents of aerobic bacteria are synthesized by a direct isomerization of the complementarycis configuration of the double bond without a shift of the position. This system of isomerization is located in the cytoplasmic membrane. The conversion ofcis unsaturated fatty acids totrans changes the membrane fluidity in response to environmental stimuli, particularly where growth is inhibited due to the presence of high concentrations of toxic substances. Under these conditions, lipid synthesis also stops so that the cells are not able to modify their membrane fluidity by any other mechanism.
Influence of triacylglycerol structure and fatty acid profile of dietary fats on milk triacylglycerols in the rat. A two‐generation study
Authors: Jensen Merete Myrup , Sørensen Per Hvidkjær , Høy Carl‐Erik
Published: November 2006

We investigated the influence of dietary fatty acid profile and triacylglycerol structure on the fatty acid profile and triacylglycerol structure of milk lipids in two generations of rats. Three groups of rats received diets containing 20% fat of which approximately 20% was n‐3 fatty acids located in different positions of the triacylglycerol: a fish oil‐based diet [docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) predominantly in thesn‐2 position], a seal oil‐based diet (22:6n‐3) predominantly in thesn‐1/sn‐3 position or a plant oil‐based diet [α‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) distributed evenly between the three positions]. This design allowed us to investigate (i) the effect of the triacylglycerol structure of the dietary fat; (ii) the effect of receiving the n‐3 fatty acids as long‐chain derivatives or as the precursor, 18:3n‐3; and (iii) the long‐term effects over two generations. The fatty acid profiles of the milk lipids largely reflected the diets, but in the second generation, the level of medium‐chain fatty acids was higher (P<0.05) in the milk from rats fed the fish oil diet (24%) compared with the other dietary groups (15 and 18%). This suggests an increased endogenous synthesis of fatty acids in the mammary glands of the fish oil‐fed rats. The levels of long‐chain n‐3 fatty acids in milk were higher (P<0.05) in rats fed maire n‐3 fatty acids in milk were higher (P<0.05) in rats fed marie oils (8–12%) compared with rats fed vegetable oil (1%) in both generations. The level of long‐chain n‐3 fatty acids was significantly higher in the milk from the fish oil‐fed rats (12.3%) compared to the seal‐oil fed rats (8.0%) in the first generation, but not in the second generation (8.9 vs. 9.1%). The general structure of milk triacylglycerols was maintained in the three experimental groups with 16:0 acylated in thesn‐2 position and 18:1 in thesn‐1/sn‐3 positions. The triacylglycerol structure of mammalian milk appears to be conserved even during extreme dietary manipulation over two generations and an extensive enrichment with long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids requires their presence in the diet.
New unsaturated long‐chain fatty acids in the phospholipids from the axinellida spongesTrikentrion loeve andPseudaxinella cf.Lunaecharta
Authors: Barnathan Gilles , Korpnrobst Jean‐Michel , Doumenq Pierre , Miralles Joseph
Published: November 2006

In order to identify new structures and especially those involved as biosynthetic intermediates, the fatty acid composition of whole phospholipids from two Senegalese marine sponges from the order Axinellida,Trikentrion loeve andPseudaxinella cf.lunaecharta, has been investigated by analytical gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Several new fatty acids were identified as methyl esters andN‐acyl pyrrolidies, namely 16‐eicosenoic, 11‐tetracosenoic, 5‐pentacosenoic, 11‐hexacosenoic, 11‐oxtacosenoic, 23‐triacontenoic, 17,21‐hexacosadienoic, 19,23‐octacosadienoic, 9,23‐triacontadienoic, 5,9,21‐hexacosatrienoic, and 5,9,25‐triacontatrienoic.Trikentrion loeve andP. cf.lunaecharta contain fifteen 25.7% of the total acid mixture) and thirteen (30.4%) °5,9 fatty acids, respectively. Based on gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared experiments, the double bonds were assigned the (Z) configuration. Biosynthesis of dienoic and trienoic demospongic acids possessing an n‐5 or an n‐7 terminal double bond is discussed.
The use of nicotinates and sulfoquinovosyl monoacylglycerols in the analysis of monounsaturated n‐3 fatty acids by mass spectrometry
Authors: Keusgen Michael , Curtis Jonathan M. , Ayer Stephen W.
Published: November 2006

Fatty acyl groups (16∶1 and 16∶0) liberated from purified sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerols produced by the unicellular marine microalga,Heterosigma carterae (formerlyH. akashiwo), were converted to either the corresponding alcohols or methyl esters. Nicotinate derivatives of the alcohols were examined by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the methyl esters were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy after separation by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Three different hexadecenoyl fatty acyl groups were identified, one of which wascis 13‐hexadecenoyl (16∶1n−3). Both the configuration and the n−3 position of the double bond in thecis 13‐hexadecenoyl moiety were unequivocally established by NMR analysis of the corresponding methyl ester. The nicotinate derived from the alcohol of the 16∶1n−3 fatty acyl moiety gave a characteristic fragmentation series in the electron impact msss spectrum which, by careful interpretation, was consistent with, but not unambiguous for, the assigned location of the double bond. Tandem mass spectrometry experiments on a sulfoquinovosyl monoacylglycerol containing thecis 13‐hexadecenoyl group in thesn‐2 position, using negative‐ion liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry, also gave a fragmentation pattern which was consistent with the positional assignment of the double bond.
Quantitative analysis of triglycerides using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Byrdwell Wm. Craig , Emken Edward A. , Neff William E. , Adlof Richard O.
Published: November 2006

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS) was used for quantitative analysis of triglycerides (TG) separated by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. APCI‐MS was used for analysis of mono‐acid TG standards containing deuterated internal standard, of a synthetic mixture of heterogeneous TG, of randomized and normal soybean oils and of randomized and normal lard samples. Quantitation of the TG by four approaches based on APCI‐MS were compared, and these were compared to quantitation obtained using liquid chromatography (LC) with flameionization detection (FID). The APCI‐MS methods were based on (i) calibration curves from data for mono‐acid TG standards, (ii) response factors obtained from a synthetic mixture of TG, (iii) response factors calculated from comparison of randomized samples to their statistically expected compositions, and (iv) response factors calculated from comparison of fatty acid (FA) compositions calculated from TG compositions to FA compositions obtained by calibrated gas chromatography (GC) with FID. Response factors derived from a synthetic mixture were not widely applicable to samples of disparate composition. The TG compositions obtained using APCI‐MS data without application of response factors had average relative errors very similar to those obtained using LC‐FID. Numerous TG species were identified using LC/APCI‐MS which were undetected using LC‐FID. Two quantitation methods, based on response factors calculated from randomized samples or on response factors calculated from FA compositions, both gave similar results for all samples. The TG compositions obtained using response factors calculated from FA compositions showed less average relative error than was obtained from LC‐FID data, and were in good agreement with predicted compositions for the synthetic mixture and for randomized soybean oil and lard samples.
Postparturition changes in the triacylglycerols of cow colostrum
Authors: Laakso P. , Manninen P. , Mäkinen J. , Kallio H.
Published: November 2006

The changes in the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of colostrum fat of three cows were studied. In addition to the determination of fatty acid composition by gas chromatography, the distribution of TAG according to the acyl carbon number (ACN) and molecular weight was analyzed utilizing both supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and ammonia negative‐ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (MS). Colostrum TAG contained substantially less stearic and oleic acids and more myristic and palmitic acids than the normal Finnish milk fat. The major trends in the changes of fatty acids and TAG were similar for each cow, although clear differences between individuals were found. During the first week of parturition, the proportions of short‐chain fatty acids (C4–C10) typically increased as well as those of stearic and oleic acids, whereas the relative amounts of C12–C16 acids decreased, especially those of myristic and palmitic acids. Distinct changes occurred also in TAG distributions: the proportions of molecules with ACN 38–40 increased and those with ACN 44–48 decreased. Although there were distinct differences between individuals shortly after delivery, both the fatty acid compositions and TAG distributions of the milk samples of the cows started to resemble each other after one week. The theoretical profiles of colostrum TAG calculated based on the fatty acid compositions differed clearly from the ACN distributions analyzed by SFC and MS. Thus, the analysis of TAG is essential, because the changes in molecular species composition of colostrum TAG cannot be estimated according to the fatty acid analysis alone.
Prevention of cholesterol cholelithiasis by dietary unsaturated fats in hormone‐treated female hamsters
Authors: Ayyad Nariman , Cohen Bertram I. , Ohshima Akira , Mosbach Erwin H.
Published: November 2006

We examined the effect of diet on gallstone incidence and the composition of biliary phosphatidylcholines in methyltestosterone‐treated female hamsters. These hamsters were fed a nutritionally adequate purified lithogenic diet containing 2% corn oil, 4% butterfat, 0.3% cholesterol, and 0.05% methyltestosterone, resulting in a cholesterol gallstone incidence of 86%. This incidence was lowered when mono‐and polyunsaturated fats or fatty acids were added to the diet: 2.5% oleic acid resulted in total prevention of cholesterol cholelithiasis, 2.5% linoleic acid, and 4% safflower oil (78% linoleic acid content) reduced gallstone incidence to 26 and 8%, respectively. An additional 4% butterfat (29% oleic acid content) produced gallstones in 50% of the animals. At the end of the 6‐wk feeding period, the bile of all hamsters was supersaturated with cholesterol. The major biliary phosphatidylcholine species in all groups were (sn‐1‐sn‐2): 16:0–18:2, 16:0–18:1, 18:0–18:2, 16:0–20:4, and 18:2–18:2. The safflower oil‐and linoleic acidfed hamsters exhibited an enrichment of 16:0–18:2 (16–18%); added butterfat or oleic acid increased the proportion of 16:0–18:1 (9 and 25%, respectively). We conclude that the phosphatidylcholine molecular species in female hamster bile can be altered by dietary fats/fatty acids and that mono‐and polyunsaturated fatty acids play a role in suppressing the induced cholelithiasis.
The high content of monoene fatty acids in the lipids of some midwater fishes: Family myctophidae
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Murata Masakazu
Published: November 2006

The total lipids of eleven species of Myctophids caught at depths between 20 and 700 m in the northern Pacific Ocean were analyzed using silicic acid column chromatography (lipid classes) and capillary gas chromatography (fatty acid and fatty alcohol composition). The major components in the lipid classes were triacylglycerols or wax esters; triacylglycerols were the dominant acyl neutral lipids (68.1–96.1%) in eight species, and wax esters were found as the dominant lipid (85.5–87.9%) in three species. The major fatty acids and alcohols contained in the was esters of the three fishes were 18:1n–9, 20:1n–9, 20:1n–11, and 22:1n–11 for fatty acids, and 16:0, 18:1, 20:1, and 22:1 for fatty alcohols. Fatty acids in the triacylglycerols ranging from C14 to C22 were predominantly of even chain length. The major components were 16:0, 16:1n–7, 18:1n–9, 20:1n–11, 22:1n–11, 20:5n–3 (icosapentaenoic acid), and 22:6n–3 (docosahexaenoic acid). In both the triacylglycerols and the wax esters, the major fatty components were monoenoic acids and alcohols. It is suggested from the lipid chemistry of the Myctophids that they may prey on the same organisms as the certain pelagic fishes such as saury and herring, because the large quantities of monoenoic fatty acids are similar to those of saury, herring, and sprats whose lipids originate from their prey organisms such as zooplanktons which are rich in monoenoic wax esters.
Sphingomyelin metabolism is linked to salt transport in the gills of euryhaline fish
Authors: El Babili Mohammed , Brichon Gérard , Zwingelstein Georges
Published: November 2006

Byin vivo andin vitro studies ofl‐(3‐3H)serine and [9,10(n)‐3H]palmitic acid incorporation into phospholipids, we show a change in the renewal of the ceramide moiety of sphingomyelin in the gills of euryhaline fish (sea bass and eels) when the animals were subjected to abrupt alterations in environmental salinity.In vivo, decrease of the salinity from sea water (salinity 3.7%) to diluted sea water (salinity 1%) induced an increase of label incorporation into gill sphingomyelin. The same was true when gills from sea water‐adapted sea bass or sea water‐adapted eels were incubated in diluted sea water. A decrease in free ceramides synthesis was also observed in the gills of sea water‐adapted sea bass when the salinity of the incubation medium was reduced. Direct inhibition of Na+/K+‐ATPase activity with ouabain decreased the sphingomyelin synthesis in the gills of sea bass duringin vitro incubation in diluted sea water, whereas treatment with furosemide stimulated sphingomyelin synthesis in the same gills incubated in sea water. These findings indicate that changes in Na+ fluxes modify the sphingomyelin turnover and control the production of free ceramides and sphingosine in gill cells of euryhaline fish. In view of the well‐known effects of these sphingomyelin degradation products on isolated tumor cell differentiation, we suggest that they play a very important role in modulating chloride cell distribution and metabolism of fish gills during abrupt changes in environmental salinity.
Postnatal changes in activation of polyunsaturated fatty acid, acylation of lysophosphoglyceride, and phosphorylation of diacylglycerol in cortical gray matter of rat cerebrum
Authors: Kanazawa Ayako , Watanabe Yukari , Fujimoto Kenshiro
Published: November 2006

Activation of polyunsaturated fatty acid, acylation of lysophosphoglyceride, and phosphorylation of diacylglycerol in postnatal developing rat cerebrum were studiedin vitro, using cortical gray matter homogenates. The rate of n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acid activation was maximal at ten days after birth and minimal at adulthood. Acylation of lysophosphoglyceride was most active at the neonatal stage and gradually decreased with age. In addition, the amount of phosphatidic acid formed from 1, 2‐dioleoyl‐glycerol was also maximum at the neonatal stage, and then gradually decreased. These results suggest that the specific activity of glycerolipid synthesis in cortical gray matter declines during postnatal development.
The effects of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase inhibition on tissue levels of carnitine and carnitine acyltransferase activity in the rabbit
Authors: Bhuiyan Jalaluddin , Seccombe David W.
Published: November 2006

Recently, a new class of lipid lowering agents [3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl (HMG)‐CoA reductase inhibitors] was introduced into clinical practice. The use of these agents could lead to a secondary deficiency in carnitine, which may manifest clinically as a myalgia/myositis—a side effect that is occasionally seen with this class of drugs. In the present study, we examined the effect of an HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor (lovastatin) on serum and tissue levels of carnitine and carnitine acyltransferase activities in the rabbit. Rabbits (n=6) were fed chow containing lovastatin (30 mg/d) for 16 wk. Blood was collected and tissues (liver, heart, and skeletal muscle) harvested at sacrifice. Free and total carnitine were measured in serum and tissues by a radioenzymatic method. Carnitine acetyltransferase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activities were determined and expressed relative to DNA. Serum free (24.0±2.6 vs. 29.4±3.1 μM) and total (35.1±4.7 vs. 52.8±8.8 μM) carnitine levels increased significantly with 16 wk of treatment. This increase in total carnitine was mainly due to an increase in the levels of serum acylcarnitine (12.7±3.1 vs 26.5±5.7 μM). Tissue levels of total carnitine were significantly decreased by the treatment. Carnitine acetyltransferase was unaffected by the treatment, whereas there was a significant increase in the activity of CPT in the liver and heart.
Salivary lipid profiles of the leech (Hirudo medicinalis)
Authors: Rabinowitz Joseph L.
Published: November 2006

Saliva was collected from sixteen leeches (Hirudo medicinalis). The saliva was analyzed for its total lipid content (3.26±0.31 mg of total lipids per 100 mL saliva). The lipids were separated into polar and nonpolar by chromatographic techniques. The neutral fraction was approximately 2/3 of the total, and the polar fraction was approximately 1/3 of the total lipids. Thin‐layer chromatography was used to obtain the individual profiles of the polar and nonpolar lipids. Of the identified lipids, phosphatidic acids and free fatty acids represented the largest percentage. These results suggest that the leech contains a unique lipid distribution, and that some of these components may be potent phospholipases and lipases that probably are present in its saliva for the purpose of preventing plugging or healing of the wound in the attacked organism.
Abundance, body size, and morphology of bumblebees in an area where an exotic species, Bombus terrestris, has colonized in Japan
Authors: Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Kenta Tanaka , Inari Naoki , Kato Etsushi , Hiura Tsutom
Published: November 2006

An exotic bumblebee species, Bombus terrestris, has colonized in Japan and becomes dominant in some local communities. We examined the effects of land use and bumblebee abundance on the number and body size of bumblebees collected using window traps in a lowland area in the southern Ishikari district, Hokkaido. In 2004, we collected 922 bumblebees of six species using 70 traps at 17 sites. A statistical model fitted to the data demonstrated that dispersion from commercial B. terrestris colonies used in greenhouses positively affected the number of B. terrestris caught by each trap. This exotic species was abundant in sites where paddy fields were prevalent, but three native species, B. hypocrita, B. ardens, and B. diversus, were abundant in sites where farms and woodlands were widespread. The local abundance of B. terrestris was not associated negatively with the number and body size of native bumblebees. Thus, we did not find any competitive interactions between exotic and native bumblebees although habitat conditions seem to be common determinants of the bumblebee populations. A morphological analysis showed that B. terrestris had intermediate tongue length between B. hypocrita and B. ardens.
Remote functionalization of the steroid side‐chain
Authors: Parish Edward J. , Aksara Nida , Boos Terrence L.
Published: November 2006

By using classical methods of organic synthesis, the introduction of chemical modifications into the saturated sidechains of steroids usually requires a multistep synthesis to construct new side‐chains to be added to the steroid nucleus. In order to circumvent these earlier methods, new procedures have been developed to directly introduce functionality onto the steroid side‐chain to produce useful products. These initial products may also provide an entry toward the further modification of the side‐chain to produce steroids which could previously be obtained only with great difficulty.
Special Issues in Contraception: Caring for Women With Disabilities
Authors: Kaplan Clair
Published: November 2006

Women with disabilities make up a diverse population of underserved clients needing skilled, sensitive, and culturally‐competent contraceptive care. Barriers to care for these women are structural, attitudinal, and informational, and lack of attention to their needs is also reflected in limited research and clinical guidelines. Special techniques for a modified gynecologic examination can be employed, and disabled women can work in partnership with providers to promote comfort, respect, and safety. There are specific considerations for the use of different contraceptive methods in women with movement limitations, sensory impairments, seizure disorders, developmental disability, and emotional and psychiatric disorders. A climate of welcoming respect as well as clinical expertise in issues specific to this population can enhance the ability to provide contraception to these women.
Early results of titanium ossiculoplasty using the Kurz titanium prosthesis – a UK perspective
Authors: Siddiq M A , Raut V V
Published: November 2006

Titanium has been shown to be a highly biocompatible material and recently interest has been raised by its use as a prosthetic material in the ear. Our objective was to prospectively assess the early results of titanium partial and total ossicular replacement prostheses in chronic ear disease. Thirty-three consecutive patients (20 titanium partials and 13 total ossicular replacement prostheses) were analysed and data from pre and post-operative pure tone audiograms were collected and compared at six months over a four frequency range (0.5–4 kHz) as well as using the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery criteria (0.5–3 kHz). Closure of the air-bone gap and improvement in air conduction at six months was also calculated. 69% of patients obtained an air-bone gap of ≤20 dB, with titanium partial ossicular replacement prostheses (85 per cent) doing better than total ossicular replacement prostheses (46 per cent). There have been no cases of sensorineural hearing loss or extrusion. In conclusion, titanium prostheses are easy to use, allow good visibility and have shown good short-term results in our hands.
Group Therapy for Self-Esteem, Using Creative Approaches and Metaphor as Clinical Tools
Authors: Rigby Liz , Waite Sandy
Published: November 2006

This was a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) group for formulation and treatment of low self-esteem, with emphasis on the use of creative approaches (stories, metaphors and experiential exercises) to enhance memory and learning. Evaluation of outcome for 72 clients attending these groups indicates that this is a successful intervention in terms of self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Qualitative feedback has been very positive and there has been a steady and increasing demand in terms of referrals.
Toxisches Megakolon – Internistische Sicht
Authors: Vogt
Published: November 2006

Das toxische Megakolon ist eine seltene aber typische Komplikation der Colitis ulcerosa. Aber auch andere entzündliche Erkrankungen des Dickdarms können zu einem toxischen Megakolon führen. Neben der Crohn-Kolitis ist hier noch die pseudomembranöse Kolitis zu nennen, deren Häufigkeit in den letzten Jahren zugenommen hat. Das toxische Megakolon wird definiert durch klinische, radiologische und laborchemische Parameter. Neben der Dilatation des Kolons (> 6 cm) gehen in die Definition mit ein: Fieber, Tachykardie, Hypotonie, Elektrolytstörungen, Leukozytose und Anämie. Die Therapie erfolgt primär konservativ unter engmaschiger klinischer Kontrolle auf einer Intensivstation. Bei der Colitis ulcerosa ist eine hochdosierte parenterale Steroidtherapie die Therapie der Wahl. Bei fehlendem klinischen Ansprechen nach 48–72 Stunden ist die Kolektomie indiziert. Über den zusätzlichen Einsatz alternativer Therapien wie Cyclosporin oder Infliximab sollte bei schweren Verläufen einer Colitis ulcerosa möglichst vor Auftreten eines toxischen Megakolons entschieden werden.
The Flysch Trough thrust imbricate (Betic Cordillera): A key element of the Gibraltar Arc orogenic wedge
Authors: Luján María , Crespo‐Blanc Ana , Balanyá Juan Carlos
Published: November 2006

Within the Betic‐Rif orogenic system, the Flysch Trough units are formed mainly by siliciclastic rocks, upper Jurassic to lower Miocene in age. In the Gibraltar Arc area, they are presently deformed as an accretionary prism, sandwiched between the fold‐and‐thrust belt derived from the South Iberian paleomargin sedimentary series and the metamorphic rocks of the Alboran Domain, on top. In the northern branch of the Gibraltar Arc, the main tectonic unit of the Flysch Complex is the Aljibe unit, which shows a well‐organized structure of thrust imbricates, post lower Burdigalian in age. In this unit, various domains separated by major accommodation zones are characterized by their structural style and vergence. This change in structural style can be explained as a consequence of the variations of rock type along the basal décollement. Finally, these thrust systems were affected by extensional, low‐ to medium‐angle faults and large‐scale very open folds, successively. The organization of the Aljibe unit fits a push‐from‐behind mechanism for its emplacement, in which the relatively “rigid” back stop would be represented by the Alboran Domain. With the data presented in this paper, it is definitely shown that the Aljibe unit is not “chaotic” as claimed in previous papers and that the tectonic transport direction around the Gibraltar Arc swings from a northwestward to a westward direction along its northern branch, in the vicinity of the straits.
Bell-type inequalities for nonlocal resources
Authors: Brunner Nicolas , Scarani Valerio , Gisin Nicolas
Published: November 2006

We present bipartite Bell-type inequalities which allow the two partners to use some nonlocal resource. Such inequalities can only be violated if the parties use a resource which is more nonlocal than the one permitted by the inequality. We introduce a family of N-input nonlocal machines, which are generalizations of the well-known PR (Popescu-Rohrlich) box. Then we construct Bell-type inequalities that cannot be violated by strategies that use one of these new machines. Finally we discuss implications for the simulation of quantum states.
Second-order optical nonlinearity in thermally poled borosilicate glass
Authors: An Honglin , Fleming Simon
Published: November 2006

Borosilicate glass was thermally poled to induce second-order optical nonlinearity. The obtained second-order nonlinearity was proportional to the applied voltages with a d33=0.22pm∕V achieved at 1.8kV. The nonlinearity was in a narrow layer ∼0.8μm beneath the anode surface. It was found that K+ ions were depleted from the nearest region under the anode and then accumulated in a region ∼7.6μm beneath the anode. The more mobile Na+ ions could cross the glass surface and were reduced at the cathode, resulting in the formation of sodium related crystals on the cathode surface. Intense stress was developed in the poled region due to compositional changes to the poled glass.
Comparative study of the (0001) and (0001¯) surfaces of ZnO
Authors: Chevtchenko S. A. , Moore J. C. , Özgür Ü. , Gu X. , Baski A. A. , Morkoç H. , Nemeth B. , Nause J. E.
Published: November 2006

The authors compare the surface and optical properties of the Zn-polar (0001) and O-polar (0001¯) surfaces of bulk ZnO samples. For optical characterization, steady-state photoluminescence using a He–Cd laser was measured at 15 and 300K. At room temperature, the (0001¯) surface demonstrates nearly double the near-band-edge emission intensity seen for the (0001) surface. Using scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, the authors have measured surface contact potentials of 0.39±0.05 and 0.50±0.05V for the (0001) and (0001¯) surfaces, respectively. The resulting small difference in band bending for these two surfaces indicates that charge transfer between the surfaces is not a dominant stabilizing mechanism. Conductive atomic force microscopy studies show enhanced reverse-bias conduction in localized regions on the (0001¯) vs (0001) surface. The differences in surface conduction and band bending between the two polar surfaces can be attributed to their chemical interactions with hydrogen and water in the ambient.
Transgenic soybeans expressing siRNAs specific to a major sperm protein gene suppress Heterodera glycines reproduction
Authors: Steeves Ryan M. , Todd Tim C. , Essig Juliane S. , Trick Harold N.
Published: November 2006

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the major disease-causing agent limiting soybean production in the USA. The current management strategy to reduce yield loss by SCN involves the deployment of resistant soybean cultivars and rotation to non-host crops. Although this management scheme has shown some success, continued yearly yield loss estimates demonstrate the limitations of these techniques. As a result, new control strategies are needed to complement the existing methods. Reported here is a novel method of SCN control that utilises RNA interference (RNAi). Transgenic soybeans were generated following transformation with an RNAi expression vector containing inverted repeats of a cDNA clone of the major sperm protein (MSP) gene from H. glycines. The accumulation of MSP-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules were detected by northern blot analysis of transgenic soybeans. T0 plants displaying MSP siRNA accumulation were deployed in a bioassay to evaluate the effects of MSP interfering molecules on H. glycines reproduction. Bioassay data has shown up to a 68% reduction in eggs g–1 root tissue, demonstrating that MSPi transgenic plants significantly reduced the reproductive potential of H. glycines. An additional bioassay evaluating progeny nematodes for maintenance of reproductive suppression indicated that progeny were also impaired in their ability to successfully reproduce, as demonstrated by a 75% reduction in eggs g–1 root tissue. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of an RNAi-based strategy for control of the soybean cyst nematode. In addition, these results may have important implications for the control of other plant parasitic nematodes.
Hagfish and lancelet fibrillar collagens reveal that type II collagen-based cartilage evolved in stem vertebrates
Authors: Zhang GuangJun , Cohn Martin J.
Published: November 2006

The origin of vertebrates was defined by evolution of a skeleton; however, little is known about the developmental mechanisms responsible for this landmark evolutionary innovation. In jawed vertebrates, cartilage matrix consists predominantly of type II collagen (Col2α1), whereas that of jawless fishes has long been thought to be noncollagenous. We recently showed that Col2α1 is present in lamprey cartilage, indicating that type II collagen-based cartilage evolved earlier than previously recognized. Here, we investigate the origin of vertebrate cartilage, and we report that hagfishes, the sister group to lampreys, also have Col2α1-based cartilage, suggesting its presence in the common ancestor of crown-group vertebrates. We go on to show that lancelets, a sister group to vertebrates, possess an ancestral clade A fibrillar collagen (
ColA
) gene that is expressed in the notochord. Together, these results suggest that duplication and diversification of
ColA
genes at the chordate–vertebrate transition may underlie the evolutionary origin of vertebrate skeletal tissues.
Genetic basis for natural variation in seed vitamin E levels in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gilliland Laura U. , Magallanes-Lundback Maria , Hemming Cori , Supplee Andrea , Koornneef Maarten , Bentsink Leónie , DellaPenna Dean
Published: November 2006

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for humans and is obtained primarily from food, especially oil, derived from the seed of plants. Genes encoding the committed steps in vitamin E synthesis in plants (
VTE
, loci 1–5) have been isolated and used for tocopherol pathway engineering with various degrees of success. As a complement to such approaches we have used quantitative trait loci analysis with two sets of
Arabidopsis thaliana
recombinant inbred lines and have identified 14
QVE
(
quantitative vitamin E
) loci affecting tocopherol content and composition in seeds. Five
QVE
intervals contain
VTE
loci that are likely
QVE
gene candidates. Nine
QVE
intervals do not contain
VTE
loci and therefore identify novel loci affecting seed tocopherol content and composition. Several near-isogenic lines containing introgressions of the accession with increased vitamin E levels were shown to confer significantly elevated tocopherol levels compared with the recurrent parent. Fine-mapping has narrowed
QVE7
(a γ-tocopherol quantitative trait loci) to an 8.5-kb interval encompassing two genes. Understanding the basis of the
QVE
loci in
Arabidopsis
promises to provide insight into the regulation and/or metabolism of vitamin E in plants and has clear ramifications for improving the nutritional content of crops through marker-assisted selection and metabolic engineering.