bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting the c‐Myc coiled coil with interfering peptides
Authors: Jouaux Eva M. , Schmidtkunz Karin , Müller Kristian M. , Arndt Katja M.
Published: May 2008

c‐Myc is one of the most frequently deregulated oncogenes in human cancers, and recent studies showed that even brief inactivation of Myc can be sufficient to induce tumor regression or loss. Consequently, inactivation of Myc provides a novel therapeutic opportunity and challenge, as the dimerization of Myc with Max is crucial for its function. We applied two strategies to specifically target this coiled coil mediated interaction with interfering peptides: a dominant‐negative human Max sequence (Max) and a peptide selected from a genetic library (Mip). Both peptides form coiled coils and were fused to an acidic extension interacting with the basic DNA‐binding region of human Myc. The genetic library was obtained by semi‐rational design randomizing residues important for interaction, and selection was carried out using a protein‐fragment complementation assay. The peptides Max and Mip easily outcompeted the human Myc:Max interaction and successfully interfered with the DNA binding of the complex. Both interfering peptides exhibited higher Tm (ΔTm = 13 and 15 °C) upon interaction with Myc compared to wt Max. The inhibitory effect of the two interfering peptides on human Myc:Max activity makes them promising molecules for analytical and therapeutic Myc‐directed research. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth, clustering and morphology of intermetallic alloy core‐shell nanodroplets
Authors: Cefalas A. C. , Kobe S. , Sarantopoulou E. , Samardžija Z. , Janeva M. , Drazič G. , Kollia Z.
Published: May 2008

Sm–Fe–Ta–N core‐shell (CS) nanospheroids were fabricated from hot liquefied nanodroplets by 157 nm pulse laser deposition in nitrogen gas. The Sm13.8Fe82.2Ta4.0 intermetallic alloy was used as the target. At low laser energy (20 mJ), spherical CS of 1–35 nm radius were fabricated on a Si/Ta substrate forming uniform films. The small nanodroplets were grown in the plume from the gas phase, and the larger ones (>50 nm radius) from the target's hydrodynamic ejection. The critical radius of the droplets and their surface energy per unit area was found to be 7.5 nm and 3.8 μJ/cm2 respectively. A number of CS solidified in the plume and consist of 2.5–5 nm radius crystalline nucleus surrounded by a <35 nm radius amorphous spherical shell. This structure prevents the oxidization of the crystalline nucleus because oxidization is confined on the surface of the CS. Furthermore, multi‐crystalline nanodomains (embryos) were identified in a single CS from both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Si–SiO2 interface band‐gap transition – effects on MOS inversion layer
Authors: Markov Stanislav , Sushko Peter V. , Roy Scott , Fiegna Claudio , Sangiorgi Enrico , Shluger Alexander L. , Asenov Asen
Published: May 2008

Density functional theory simulation results of the atomic structure at the Si–SiO2 interface implies a non‐abrupt transition of the band‐gap within the oxide. The depth of the transition, 2–6 Å, is comparable to the approximately 1 nm oxide thickness in nano‐CMOS devices, and is expected to affect their characteristics. Using hierarchical simulation approach, we combine for the first time ab‐initio density functional theory simulations of the interface, with self‐consistent Poisson–Schrödinger one‐dimensional device simulations, and estimate the impact of interface band‐gap transition on the inversion layer quantisation, capacitance, and tunnelling characteristics of a metal–oxide–semiconductor structure. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of a constant electric field in cavities of nanotubes. Bloch oscillations and electron confinement
Authors: Jódar Esther , Pérez‐Garrido Antonio , Rojas Fernando
Published: May 2008

We investigate numerically the dynamical properties of electrons in cavities of nanotubes under the influence of an external electric field. In particular, the dynamical behaviour of electrons is studied when the nanostructure is connected to two electrodes at different electric potential.

Here it is shown how the phenomenon of Bloch oscillations is produced. Besides this, we study the evolution of electrons when the electric field is placed along different regions of the nanotube, showing that the electron is confined at its initial region instead of spread along the whole structure. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transparent solar cells based on dye‐sensitized nanocrystalline semiconductors
Authors: Park Nam‐Gyu , Kim Kyungkon
Published: May 2008

Low‐cost dye‐sensitized solar cells have attracted much attention because of their unique characteristics of transparency and various colors. A dye‐sensitized solar cell is composed of a dye‐coated nanocrystalline wide‐bandgap semiconductor, redox electrolyte and platinum counter‐electrode. Transparency and various colors are attributed to a 10–20 μm thick semiconductor film with particle size of about 10–20 nm and a difference in HOMO–LUMO energies of the dye molecules, respectively. A biomimetic working principle enables effective electron injection and regeneration. Recent research on dye‐sensitized solar cells has been focused on the improvement of solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency as well as long‐term stability. In this report, the recent advances of transparent solar cells based on dye‐sensitized semiconductors are reviewed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Oxidative conversion of C1–C3 alkanes by vanadium oxide catalysts. DFT results and their accuracy
Authors: Rozanska Xavier , Sauer Joachim
Published: May 2008

Elementary steps in the oxidative conversion of methane, ethane, and propane by supported vanadium oxide species are studied by density functional theory, specifically B3LYP. Two models are adopted, namely OV(OH)3 and OVSi7O12H7, which yield similar energy profiles. The initial and rate‐determining step is hydrogen abstraction. Within the C1–C3 series, energy barriers and reaction energies follow the same trend as the CH bond strength in the different alkanes. For methane, only methanol formation is possible whereas for ethane and propane, oxidative dehydrogenation yields the corresponding alkenes. Single point CCSD(T)/TZVP calculations are used to assess the B3LYP error. For the barrier of the initial hydrogen abstraction the B3LYP error is larger than usual, −40 to −60 kJ/mol. With the non‐hybrid BP86 and PBE functionals even larger errors occur and the potential energy surface is qualitatively different. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Characterization of fifty‐one flavonoids in a Chinese herbal prescription Longdan Xiegan Decoction by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection
Authors: Wang Yun , Yang Li , He Yu‐Qi , Wang Chang‐Hong , Welbeck Ed W. , Bligh S. W. Annie , Wang Zheng‐Tao
Published: May 2008

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry and photodiode array detection (HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MSn) was developed to identify and characterize the flavonoids in a Chinese formulated preparation, Longdan Xiegan Decoction (LXD). In total, fifty‐one flavonoids (27 flavones, 10 flavanones, 7 chalcones, 5 flavonols and 2 isoflavones) were characterized. Eighteen compounds among them including a newly detected flavonoid, naringin, from the ingredient herbs, were unambiguously determined by comparing the retention times (tR), UV spectral data and mass fragmentation behaviors with those of the reference compounds. Another thirty‐three compounds were tentatively identified by referencing to the reported data of their UV and MS spectra. The ESI‐MS/MS fragmentation behavior of flavones (OMe‐substituted, O‐glycosides, C‐glycosides), chalcones, flavonols and their appropriate characteristic pathways were proposed. In negative ion ESI‐MS all the flavonoids yielded prominent [MH]− ions in the first order mass spectra. Fragmentation with a loss of mass of 15 Da (CH3), 18 Da (H2O), 28 Da (CO), 44 Da (CO2), 56 Da (2CO) and the residues of glucose and glucuronic acid observed in the MS/MS spectra were useful for aiding the structural identification of the flavonoids investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of iodoacetic acid using liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lau Benjamin P.‐Y. , Becalski Adam
Published: May 2008

A rapid analytical method based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) using electrospray ionization in negative ion detection mode was developed for the analysis of underivatized iodoacetic acid in water. The method was applied to model reaction mixtures in the study of the formation of iodoacetic acid after chlorinated tap water was boiled in the presence of potassium iodide or iodized table salt. Samples can be directly analyzed by the LC/MS/MS system without extraction or chemical derivatization. Limit of detection was determined to be 0.3 µg/L (or 0.3 ng/mL) and limit of quantitation was about 1 µg/L (1 ng/mL). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lys Tag: an easy and robust chemical modification for improved de novo sequencing with a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Conrotto Paolo , Hellman Ulf
Published: May 2008

Mass spectrometry using a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight (TOF) instrument is a widespread technique for various types of proteomic analysis. Along with an expanding interest in proteomics, there is a strong requirement for the identification of proteins with high confidence from biological samples. Peptide modification by a wide variety of post‐translational modifications (PTMs), the existence of different protein isoforms and the presence of uncharacterized genomes of many species, make protein identification through peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) often unachievable. Peptide de novo sequencing has been proven to be a useful approach to overcome these variables, and efficient derivatization processes are important tools to achieve this goal. In the present work we describe the methodology and experimental applications of a fast, efficient and cheap lysine derivatization. This chemical modification improves the signals from lysine‐terminated peptides and can be efficiently used as a lysine‐blocking agent in combination with other derivatization techniques. Most importantly, upon peptide fragmentation it generates a neat series of predominantly y‐ions, allowing the determination of unambiguous amino acid sequences. Moreover, this chemical compound was used with target‐eluted samples, enabling a second, alternative analysis of the same sample in the MALDI mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolomic profiling using Orbitrap Fourier transform mass spectrometry with hydrophilic interaction chromatography: a method with wide applicability to analysis of biomolecules
Authors: Kamleh A. , Barrett M. P. , Wildridge D. , Burchmore R. J. S. , Scheltema R. A. , Watson D. G.
Published: May 2008

It was shown that coupling hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) to Orbitrap Fourier transform mass spectrometery (FT‐MS) provided an excellent tool for metabolic profiling, principally due to rapid elution of lipids in advance of most metabolites entering the mass spectrometer. We used in vitro cultivated procyclic forms of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei as a source of metabolites to test the performance of the HILIC column and the mass accuracy of MS. The mass accuracy achieved fell within 2 ppm for all the metabolites identified within samples. It was, for example, possible to identify the signature metabolite of the trypanosome, trypanothione, and also glutathione which were well retained by the HILIC column. By comparing trypanosomes grown in two different media we were able to clearly distinguish the samples in terms of the relative abundance of a number of metabolites using Sieve 1.1 software. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prioritizing removal of dams for passage of diadromous fishes on a major river system
Authors: Kocovsky Patrick M. , Ross Robert M. , Dropkin David S.
Published: May 2008

Native diadromous fishes have been extirpated from much of the Susquehanna River system for nearly a century. Recent restoration efforts have focused on removal of dams, but there are hundreds of dams and presently there is no biologically based system to assist in prioritizing their removal. We present a new method that uses existing habitat suitability index models (HSI) for American shad Alosa sapidissima, alewife A. pseudoharengus, blueback herring A. aestivalis, and American eel Anguilla rostrata to prioritize the removal of non‐hydropower dams within the Susquehanna River system. We ranked HSI scores for each of the four species, association between a landscape‐scale factor and HSIs, length of river opened by removing a dam, and distance from the mouth at Chesapeake Bay for each dam and then calculated a mean rank prioritization for dam removal by averaging the ranks for the seven criteria. This prioritization method is resistant to outliers, is not strongly affected by somewhat arbitrary decisions on metrics included in the analysis, and provides a biologically based prioritization for dam removal that can be easily amended to include other metrics or adapted to other river systems and that complements other social and economic considerations that must be included in decisions to remove dams. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of artificial woody structures on Atlantic salmon habitat and populations in a Nova Scotia stream
Authors: Floyd Trevor A. , MacInnis Charles , Taylor Barry R.
Published: May 2008

A 1‐km reach of Brierly Brook, Nova Scotia, was studied from 1995 to 2004 to determine if the addition of artificial structures mimicking large woody debris could enhance Atlantic salmon populations. In 1995, digger logs (which mimic fallen trees) and deflectors (which narrow the channel) were constructed in a 250‐m section of the brook devoid of woody debris (Old Restored Site). In 2003, 5 more digger logs and defectors were built in a previously unrestored section of the stream (New Restored Site). A third control site was left unchanged. Physical changes caused by the structures were monitored at the New Restored Site. Densities of juvenile and spawning Atlantic salmon were also monitored. At all sites, woody debris structures in the brook were important and effective in creating complex salmonid habitat. The structures narrowed the channel, scoured pools and undercut banks. They created habitat that parr used for summer and winter refuge and adult spawners used for cover and resting during upstream migration and spawning. The structures caused gravels to accumulate that spawning adults used to build redds and fry used for shelter. The reaches with structures had higher spawning densities than reaches without them; spawning increased in the New Restored Site relative to the control site. The absence of woody debris may be a bottleneck for salmonid populations in streams of the Atlantic Northeast. For streams with a small or immature riparian zone and little woody debris in the channel, woody structures may be an effective tool for restoring salmonid populations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of flood regime on tree growth in the floodplain and surrounding uplands of the Wisconsin River
Authors: Predick Katharine I. , Gergel Sarah E. , Turner Monica G.
Published: May 2008

Flood regime and vegetation flood tolerance interact to influence tree growth in riverine landscapes. We studied tree growth in floodplain and upland forests of the Wisconsin River. About a century ago, levees set back from the river were constructed on this floodplain. The levee restricts some floodplain area from overbank flood events, but leaves a portion of active floodplain still inundated by floods. We addressed two questions: (1) how do growth rates of flood‐tolerant and flood‐intolerant tree species in the floodplain differ with flood regime? (2) At the stand level, how does growth rate differ with flood regime and between floodplain and upland areas? Annual tree growth rates from 1991 to 2000 were determined from tree increment cores for both individual species and stands. Tree growth rates of individual species varied between flood regimes. The most flood‐tolerant species (Betula nigraandFraxinus pennsylvanica) grew faster in areas with active flooding, while the growth of less flood‐tolerant species (Quercus velutinaandQ. ellipsoidalis) was depressed in swales and active floodplain. However, stand‐level tree growth did not differ between the floodplain and upland, or between flood regimes within the floodplain. Therefore, variation in the growth of individual species may not scale up to create differences in stand‐level tree growth because forest community composition varies spatially with flood regime. We suggest that growth rates are similar among sites because each community comprises of species adapted to their current flood regime. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reintroducing wood to streams in agricultural landscapes: changes in velocity profile, stage and erosion rates
Authors: Lester Rebecca Elaine , Wright Wendy
Published: May 2008

Historically, perceived increases in erosion and flooding levels have been attributed to in‐stream wood and used to justify its removal from streams and rivers around the world. More recently, recognition of the adverse morphological and biological impacts caused by this removal has led to rehabilitation projects that actively reintroduce wood to streams. However, a perception remains amongst some members of the general community that wood additions increase the likelihood of flooding and erosion in the target streams.

To test whether there was a basis for this perception, we experimentally added wood to eight streams across southwest Victoria and Gippsland, Australia. The velocity, stage and bed and bank erosion rates were compared with those of unaltered reaches. We detected localized changes in the velocity and stage parameters but that these were unlikely to operate at the reach‐scale. Bed erosion rates, where maximum erosion was assumed if pins were not recovered, showed increased erosion due to wood additions but this was not supported by channel shape analyses, which identified short‐term increases in the variability of the channel shape, followed by longer‐term stability at treatment sites.

We found no clear evidence of increased longer‐term rates of erosion or flooding associated with the introduction of wood to streams over the 18‐month study period. It remains important to carefully design rehabilitation works, but the lack of adverse effects on stream morphology and increased variability of the in‐stream environment suggests improved habitat diversity, supporting the use of wood addition as a stream rehabilitation technique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving bio‐diagnostic monitoring using simple combinations of standard biotic indices
Authors: Clews Esther , Ormerod S. J.
Published: May 2008

Invertebrate biotic indices are used widely to assess river quality. However, because reduced values can have many potential causes, general biotic indices have limited value in diagnosing reasons for impairment. Here, we investigate whether simple combinations of biotic indices can improve diagnostic capability.

In the catchment of the Welsh River Wye, invertebrates varied significantly among groups of 55 streams in taxonomic composition and in index scores representing acidification (AWIC), mild eutrophication/organic pollution (BMWP/ASPT), and flow (LIFE). Although sites impacted by different forms of pollution tended to have reduced BMWP scores, acidified and enriched sites became distinguishable from each other, and from unimpaired streams, when classified on a combination of these indices. Combined indices also differentiated among competing explanations for trends in biological quality through time by revealing how increasing BMWP at some sites reflected local reductions in eutrophication.

These data illustrate how simple univariate indices, calibrated to respond to specific pressures, have bio‐diagnostic capability when used together even in a relatively unpolluted catchment such at the Wye. In this Special Area of Conservation, they identified specific management needs in different locations—respectively to mitigate acidification in upland base‐poor tributaries and to reduce diffuse nutrients in the lower catchment. We advocate (i) the development of more pressure‐specific indices, for example to detect morphological modification, sedimentation and metal impacts; and (ii) further exploration of combined indices from one or more groups of organisms (e.g., diatoms and invertebrates) to increase bio‐diagnostic capability in river monitoring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating error rates in the classification of paired organs
Authors: Brenning Alexander , Lausen Berthold
Published: May 2008

Clinical data from paired organs present a dependence structure that has to be considered when making statistical inference or evaluating classification rules with resampling‐based techniques (bootstrap, cross‐validation). We introduce a paired cross‐validation approach for the estimation of misclassification error rates in the classification of data from paired organs. The dependence structure of the sample is honored by subject‐level cross‐validation. Theoretical considerations as well as a case–control study on glaucoma diagnosis and a simulation study show that the variance of the paired cross‐validation estimator is considerably lower than in traditional cross‐validation error estimation on one randomly selected eye per subject. The actual variance reduction is mainly controlled by the contribution of differential misclassification between both eyes to the overall error rate. By contrast, ‘ad hoc’ cross‐validation ignoring the autocorrelation of paired organs leads to biased error estimates. Using the double‐bagging technique, we also show that classification accuracy can be improved by using information from both eyes in training machine‐learning classifiers. In glaucoma detection, the reduction in misclassification error rates by training data from both eyes is equivalent to an increase in the sample size by one‐third to one‐half, which is an important achievement in clinical studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy management in buildings: A systems approach
Authors: Kouloura T.C. , Genikomsakis K.N. , Protopapas A.L.
Published: May 2008

Systems approach is used to enhance the energy performance of an existing building by holistically examining it as a ‘‘sociotechnical’’ system. A student dormitory in the city of Xanthi, Greece, is used as a case study to identify the most appropriate interventions according to the principles of sustainability. In this context, a framework is developed that could be extensively used for energy management of existing buildings as well as of new ones. The ‘‘system methodology’’ of this framework breaks through the limited scope of engineering analysis and emerges as the only available tool to implement the principles of sustainability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applications of a new portable (micro) XRF instrument having low‐Z elements determination capability in the field of works of art
Authors: Uhlir K. , Griesser M. , Buzanich G. , Wobrauschek P. , Streli C. , Wegrzynek D. , Markowicz A. , Chinea‐Cano E.
Published: May 2008

X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is a powerful tool for nondestructive analysis of chemical elements present in art and archeological material. Nevertheless, investigations of objects possessing a glassy matrix still offer some problems using XRF because of the absorption in air of the low‐energy characteristic fluorescence radiation of light elements. With the design of a XRF instrument equipped with a vacuum chamber housing both, the x‐ray optics and the detector snout inside, a new attempt to solve this problem was made. The Conservation Science Department of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM) had the opportunity to test this instrument on different objects of art. An overview of some results from these measurements, together with a short discussion of the experiences gained during the investigations, is presented in this article. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Simultaneous Probit Model of Crime and Employment for Black and White Teenage Males
Authors: Good David H. , Pirog-Good Maureen A.
Published: May 2008

This study examines the relationships between the employability and criminality of white and black male teenagers. A disequilibrium model of employment and crime is formulated and estimated as a simultaneous probit equation system. Our results show that black teenagers who are employed engage in fewer criminal activities. Thus, it appears that blacks view employment and crime as alternative income-generating activities. On the other hand, the criminal behavior of white male teenagers is unaffected by their employment status. The evidence that we provide indicates that whites tend to use employment as a cover for crime or to moonlight in crime. The differences in the behaviors of whites and blacks can be explained, in part, by different legitimate opportunity structures for whites and blacks. One of the more important policy implications is that job opportunities targeted to high risk, black teenage populations will have the additional beneficial effect of reducing crime rates.
Unemployment and Racial Differences in Imprisonment
Authors: Myers Samuel L. , Sabol William J.
Published: May 2008

Conventional wisdom about the criminal justice system suggests that extralegal factors such as race or employment status should not affect sentencing outcomes. In this paper we examine an alternative model of the relationship between imprisonment and unemployment and race. The model suggests that penal practices are shaped by the labor market conditions of a system of production and that prisons, as part of a larger set of institutions providing support for economically-dependent populations, help to regulate the most superfluous group of workers in the industrial economy of the Northern states of the United States—unemployed black workers who comprise a large fraction of the pool of “reserve” workers necessary for price stability and economic expansion. We find support for the structural model that links black imprisonment (and Northern imprisonment in general) to manufacturing output and black unemployment.
Safety of emulsifiers in fats and oils
Authors: Artman Neil R.
Published: May 2008

Consumers have come to expect many foods that can be served with minimum effort. Such convenience foods frequently require the use of emulsifiers in their formulations. Emulsifiers enable fatty and aqueous phases to be combined. Various emulsifiers have been developed to meet specific needs and have been judged adequately safe for their intended uses. Safety evaluation programs may include both feeding studies and metabolic studies. Feeding studies establish the levels at which a compound can be fed to experimental animals with no detectable ill effects. From this information, it is possible to estimate quantities that may be consumed safely by humans. Metabolic studies tell how a compound is handled by the body—whether it is burned for energy, stored, or excreted. The choice of studies to use in evaluating a specific compound depends upon the chemical nature of the compound, its similarity to familiar materials, and its intended use. Studies carried out with polysorbates and with monoglycerides are reviewed to illustrate these points and to show how safety testing programs yield the information needed for making sound safety judgments.
Looking beyond the basal ganglia: The spectrum of MRI changes in methylmalonic acidaemia
Authors: Harting I. , Seitz A. , Geb S. , Zwickler T. , Porto L. , Lindner M. , Kölker S. , Hörster F.
Published: May 2008

We report imaging abnormalities from 5 brain MR examinations in 4 children with methylmalonic acidaemia between the ages of 20 days and 31 months. In addition to bilateral basal ganglia lesions (pallidum) observed in 3 of 4 children, we found signs of delayed brain maturation (myelination delay, immature gyral pattern, incomplete opercularization) in all children and signs of a white matter disorder in the 3 older children. Unexpectedly, brainstem and cerebellar changes were present in all children. Reviewing the brain imaging changes reported for methylmalonic acidaemia, we discuss the findings and patterns observed in our patients. We postulate that delayed myelination and signs of a white matter disorder as well as brainstem and cerebellar involvement are common findings and may be due to a chronic neurotoxic effect on the developing and ageing brain.
Baicalein 5,6,7‐trimethyl ether activates peroxisomal but not mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation
Authors: Morita M. , Kanai M. , Mizuno S. , Iwashima M. , Hayashi T. , Shimozawa N. , Suzuki Y. , Imanaka T.
Published: May 2008

Recently, we reported that baicalein 5,6,7‐trimethyl ether (BTM), a flavonoid, is capable of activating fatty acid β‐oxidation in X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) fibroblasts (FEBS Lett. 2005; 579: 409–414). The objective of this study was to clarify whether BTM activates peroxisomal and/or mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation. We first analysed the effect of BTM on fatty acid β‐oxidation in fibroblasts derived from healthy controls as well as patients with X‐ALD, mitochondrial carnitine‐acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) deficiency, and peroxisome biogenesis disorder, Zellweger syndrome. Lignoceric acid (C24:0) β‐oxidation in the fibroblasts was stimulated by treatment with BTM, except for Zellweger fibroblasts. In contrasts, palmitic acid (C16:0) β‐oxidation was increased (2.8‐fold) only in CACT‐deficient fibroblasts. In U87 glioblastoma cells, C24:0 β‐oxidation was also activated by treatment with BTM but C16:0 β‐oxidation was not. The C16:0 β‐oxidation was, however, significantly increased in the presence of 2‐[5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxirane‐2‐carboxylate (POCA), a carnitine palmitoyltransferase I inhibitor. These results indicate that BTM activates peroxisomal but not mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation. In addition, we found that BTM did not upregulate the expression of ABCD2/ALDR, ABCD3/PMP70, ACOX1 and FATP4 genes but slightly increased ACSVL1 gene expression.
Maintenance of luminal NADPH in the endoplasmic reticulum promotes the survival of human neutrophil granulocytes
Authors: Kardon Tamás , Senesi Silvia , Marcolongo Paola , Legeza Balázs , Bánhegyi Gábor , Mandl József , Fulceri Rosella , Benedetti Angelo
Published: May 2008

The present study demonstrates the expression of hexose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in human neutrophils, and the presence and activity of these enzymes in the microsomal fraction of the cells. Their concerted action together with the previously described glucose‐6‐phosphate transporter is responsible for cortisone–cortisol interconversion detected in human neutrophils. Furthermore, the results suggest that luminal NADPH generation by the cortisol dehydrogenase activity of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 prevents neutrophil apoptosis provoked by the inhibition of the glucose‐6‐phosphate transporter. In conclusion, the maintenance of the luminal NADPH pool is an important antiapoptotic factor in neutrophil granulocytes.
Tissue‐specific expression of ALA synthase‐1 and heme oxygenase‐1 and their expression in livers of rats chronically exposed to ethanol
Authors: Zheng Jianyu , Tian Qing , Hou Weihong , Watts John A. , Schrum Laura W. , Bonkovsky Herbert L.
Published: May 2008

5‐Aminolevulinic acid synthase‐1 (ALAS1) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) are the rate‐controlling enzymes for heme biosynthesis and degradation, respectively. Expression of these two genes showed tissue‐specific expression pattern at both mRNA and protein levels in selected non‐treated rat tissues. In the livers of rats receiving oral ethanol for 10 weeks, ALAS1 mRNA levels were increased by 65%, and the precursor and mature ALAS1 protein levels were increased by 1.8‐ and 2.3‐fold, respectively, while no changes were observed in HO‐1 mRNA and protein levels, compared with pair‐fed controls. These results provide novel insights into the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on hepatic heme biosynthesis and porphyrias.
Both upstream and downstream intergenic regions are critical for the mob as tumor suppressor gene activity in Drosophila
Authors: Yang Yongfei , Gupta Vikas , Ho Li-Lun , Zhou Bo , Fan Qichang , Zhu Zuoyan , Zhang Wenxia , Lai Zhi-Chun
Published: May 2008

The Drosophila mats gene plays a critical role in growth control. Using molecular genetic approaches we investigated how mats is regulated in development. A 2236‐bp genomic sequence that contains entire mats including upstream and downstream intergenic regions can rescue mats mutant phenotypes, indicating that regulatory elements necessary for proper mats expression are mostly retained. However, constructs without the upstream or downstream intergenic region failed to rescue mats mutants, demonstrating the functional importance of these sequences. Moreover, mats expression is reduced in mats
e17, a mats allele with over one‐third of the downstream intergenic region deleted. Consistent with a model that the downstream intergenic region is critical for mats activity, this sequence contains evolutionarily conserved elements and has enhancer activities.
Gum arabic establishes prebiotic functionality in healthy human volunteers in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: Calame Wim , Weseler Antje R. , Viebke Christer , Flynn Cal , Siemensma André D.
Published: May 2008

The present study was undertaken to determine the prebiotic efficacy of gum arabic upon consumption by man for up to 4 weeks and, if any, to establish the dose–effect relationship. Human healthy volunteers consumed various daily doses (5, 10, 20, 40 g) of gum arabic (EmulGold®) in water for up to 4 weeks. Daily consumption of water was taken as the negative control and that of 10 g inulin as the positive control. At 0, 1, 2 and 4 weeks quantification of bacterial numbers in stool samples was performed via real time-PCR techniques and questionnaires were filled in to account for potential drawbacks. The genera of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli were taken as potentially beneficial bacteria and those of Bacteroides,Clostridium difficileand Enterococci as potentially non-beneficial, this distinction was dependent on the issue of these numbers being or becoming out of balance in the host. Compared with the negative control the numbers of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli 4 weeks after consumption were significantly higher for gum arabic: the optimal dose being around 10 g. Moreover, at this dose the numbers of Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli and Bacteroides were significantly higher for gum arabic than for inulin. No significant drawback was encountered during the study. It is concluded that gum arabic establishes prebiotic efficacy, at least as good as inulin. The optimal daily dose was found to be 10 g.
Association between dietary saccharide intake and self-reported memory performance in middle-aged adults
Authors: Best Talitha , Kemps Eva , Bryan Janet
Published: May 2008

The aims of the present study were to assess dietary intake of saccharides in middle-aged adults, and to determine whether intakes of these sugar nutrients were related to self-reported memory performance. A population-based sample of 1183 men and women (aged 40–60 years) completed questionnaires assessing everyday memory function. Dietary intake status of saccharides was estimated using a self-completed, quantified FFQ. After controlling for demographic and health measures (for example, time spent exercising, smoking and alcohol consumption), saccharide intake was related to better self-reported memory functioning. Thus, longer-term intakes of saccharides through the usual diet may be positively related to perceived memory performance in mid-life.
A HUMAN RIGHTS CRITIQUE OF EUROPEAN JUDICIAL REVIEW: COUNTER-TERRORISM SANCTIONS
Authors: Almqvist Jessica
Published: May 2008

Litigation involving individuals and entities whose financial assets have been frozen and whose names have been blacklisted in the fight against terrorism is on the rise around the world. However, the global ‘securitization’ of terrorism has rendered court performance of judicial review and the provision of remedies in these cases more difficult. What the main judicial challenges are, the need to overcome them, and how they can be overcome, are identified in this article as questions of central concern in an effort to secure the human right of effective access to justice for persons subjected to counter-terrorism sanctions. Special attention is given to the specific challenges facing the Court of Justice in the European Communities, the manner in which it has responded, and outstanding issues.
INVESTMENT TREATIES AND GENERAL INTERNATIONAL LAW
Authors: McLachlan Campbell
Published: May 2008

The huge rise in the settlement of investment disputes by treaty has provoked an underlying question of great practical and theoretical importance: the relationship between the substantive standards protected in such treaties and general international law. This paper argues that the relationship is symbiotic: custom informing the content of the treay right; and State practice under investment treaties contributing to the development of general international law. It is the structured process of treaty interpretation which determines when and how reference to general international law may be made. Practice in this field supports a broader modern phenomenon, in which ‘general principles of law common to civilized nations’ may be informed not only by common principles of domestic law, but also by general principles of international law itself.
FAITH AND CHILD SURVIVAL: THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION IN NIGERIA
Authors: ANTAI DIDDY
Published: May 2008

This study assessed the role of mother’s religious affiliation in child immunization status of surviving children 12 months of age and older in Nigeria, using data from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Guided by two competing hypotheses – the ‘characteristics hypothesis’ and the ‘particularized theology hypothesis’ – variations in the risks of child immunization in Nigeria were examined using logistic regression analysis. The results indicate that religion plays a role in the risk of non-immunization; religion was not associated with the risk of partial immunization; however, religion was significantly associated with the reduced risk of full immunization.
Detection of mastitis in the bovine mammary gland by flow cytometry at early stages
Authors: Koess Cordula , Hamann Joern
Published: May 2008

Subclinical mastitis is a costly disease and its diagnosis is difficult. Besides the somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteriology, the differential inflammatory cell count (DICC) is a meaningful tool for mastitis detection. As microscopy is very subjective because of the low number of events to be counted, flow cytometry has often been proposed for the differentiation of milk cells. The objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to identify subclinical mastitis in cattle at an early stage by a simple and fast flow cytometric method. The aim was to identify the main leucocyte populations in flow cytometric dotplots (polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), lymphocytes and macrophages) and, with these, to elaborate a method of mastitis prognostics. Milk from 15 German Holstein cows was sampled in cross-sectional studies and SCC determined. After preparation, the milk cells were incubated with different specific antibodies that bind to different cell types and also to propidium iodide (PI), which differs between viable and non-viable cells. This procedure made it possible to localize cell types in a flow cytometric dot plot and to differentiate between viable and non-viable PMN. Percentages of viable PMN can be determined by a procedure consisting of a simple centrifugation, incubation with PI, and flow cytometric measurement. So it is possible to quickly determine the stage of the inflammation even in quarters with a low SCC.
Self-focusing of electromagnetic beams in the ionosphere considering Earth's magnetic field
Authors: SODHA MAHENDRA SINGH , SHARMA ASHUTOSH
Published: May 2008

In this paper the focusing/defocusing of (i) a single Gaussian electromagnetic beam and (ii) a number of coaxial Gaussian electromagnetic beams, propagating in the extraordinary mode along the Earth's magnetic field in the ionosphere has been investigated in the paraxial approximation. The growth of a sinusoidal instability on account of self-focusing has also been studied. The nonlinearity in the dielectric function, responsible for the focusing/defocusing arises from the redistribution of the electron density, caused by the non-uniform distribution of the electron temperature. The electron temperature is determined by the energy balance for electrons/ions taking into account the Ohmic heating, the collisions and the radiation from the sun. The wave frequency has been assumed to be greater than the plasma frequency. The electron cyclotron frequency due to the Earth's magnetic field in the ionosphere is much larger than the electron collision frequency. This is specifically true for a height of 150 km. Numerical results have been presented for a range of parameters and a discussion of the same has been presented.
Influence of trait anxiety on brain activity during the acquisition and extinction of aversive conditioning
Authors: Barrett J. , Armony J. L.
Published: May 2008

Background

We examined how individual differences in trait anxiety (TA) influence the neural responses associated with the acquisition and extinction of anticipatory anxiety elicited through a context conditioning paradigm, with particular focus on the amygdala and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC).

Method

During two sessions of echo-planar functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 18 healthy volunteers completed a decision-making task with two randomly alternating 28-s to 32-s background screen colour blocks. One of the colours was associated with the presentation of an aversive noise (CTX+) and the other colour was ‘safe’ (CTX−). In the first session (Acquisition), 33% of CTX+ colour blocks were paired with noise and in the second session (Extinction) no noise was presented.

Results

The amygdala displayed an increased response to CTX+ compared to CTX− colour blocks during the Acquisition and Extinction sessions and the ACC displayed an increased response to CTX+ compared to CTX− colour blocks during Extinction only. In addition, a greater conditioned response (CTX+ minus CTX−) was observed in the ACC when comparing the Extinction and Acquisition sessions. Correlation analyses further showed that higher levels of TA were associated with a higher conditioned response in the amygdala during Extinction as well as a greater differential conditioned response (i.e. Extinction>Acquisition) in the ACC.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea that individuals with high levels of anxiety-relevant traits and vulnerable to developing an anxiety disorder display a more resilient anxiety response during extinction that is characterized by hyper-responsivity in the amygdala.
THE THEATRE AS A SELF-CONSUMING ART
Authors: MacKay Ellen
Published: May 2008

In order to lay the groundwork for the link I mean to make between ashes and the theatre archive, let me start by recollecting a few disasters.
SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN THEATRE: (UN/RE-)PAINTING THE TOWN BROWN
Authors: Chatterjee Sudipto
Published: May 2008

In his second year at the University of California, Berkeley, Arthur William Ryder (1877–1938), the Ohio-born Harvard scholar of Sanskrit language and literature, collaborated with the campus English Club and Garnet Holme, an English actor, to stage Ryder's translation of the Sanskrit classic Mrichchhakatikam, by Shudraka, as The Little Clay Cart. The 1907 production was described as “presented in true Hindu style. Under the direction of Garnet Holme, who … studied with Swamis of San Francisco … [and] the assistance of many Indian students of the university.” However, in the twenty-five-plus cast, there was not a single Indian actor with a speaking part. The intended objective was grandeur, and the production achieved that with elaborate sets and costumes, two live zebras, and elephants. Seven years later, the Ryder–Holme team returned with Ryder's translation of Kalidasa's Shakuntala, “bear cubs, a fawn, peacocks, and an onstage lotus pool with two real waterfalls.” While the archival materials do not indicate the involvement of any Indian actors (barring one Gobind B. Lal, who enacted the Prologue), its importance is evinced by the coverage it received in the Oakland Tribune, the Overland Monthly and Out West Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times.
Contact patterns and their implied basic reproductive numbers: an illustration for varicella-zoster virus
Authors: EFFELTERRE T. VAN , SHKEDY Z. , AERTS M. , MOLENBERGHS G. , DAMME P. VAN , BEUTELS P.
Published: May 2008

The WAIFW matrix (Who Acquires Infection From Whom) is a central parameter in modelling the spread of infectious diseases. The calculation of the basic reproductive number (R0) depends on the assumptions made about the transmission within and between age groups through the structure of the WAIFW matrix and different structures might lead to different estimates forR0and hence different estimates for the minimal immunization coverage needed for the elimination of the infection in the population. In this paper, we estimateR0for varicella in Belgium. The force of infection is estimated from seroprevalence data using fractional polynomials and we show how the estimate ofR0is heavily influenced by the structure of the WAIFW matrix.
CANONS OF MAYA PAINTING
Authors: Loughmiller-Newman Jennifer A.
Published: May 2008

This paper presents an analysis of the size and spatial organization of text segments and anthropomorphic figures on Classic Maya polychrome vases. Based on a sample of 110 vases that contain both text and images and are complete enough to measure the relevant variables, I demonstrate that a single set of canons for the sizes and placements of text segments and images, separately and with respect to one another, characterizes vessels throughout the polychrome-producing area. Both texts and images exhibit a three-level hierarchy of sizes, with standardized ratios of the primary-to-secondary level and of the secondary-to-tertiary level. Concurrently, significance is added to these sizes through vertical and horizontal arrangement on the vessel surface. This analysis confirms statistically what visual analysis has broadly speculated about in terms of proportion, scale, and similarities between styles. Data are also provided that illuminate issues in the method and meaning of scene layout and the representation of active and inactive figure illustration.