bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adiponectin blocks multiple signaling cascades associated with leptin‐induced cell proliferation in ApcMin/+ colon epithelial cells
Authors: Fenton Jenifer I. , Birmingham Janette M. , Hursting Stephen D. , Hord Norman G.
Published: March 2008

We previously demonstrated that leptin, an adipose‐derived hormone, induces cell proliferation in a model of preneoplastic (IMCE (ApcMin/+), but not normal (YAMC (Apc+/+), colon epithelial cells by inducing autocrine IL‐6 production and trans‐IL‐6 signaling. Low serum adiponectin is associated with colon, prostate and breast cancer. Adiponectin is secreted by white adipose tissue; the levels of adiponectin in the blood decrease as body mass index (and leptin) increases. In our study, we tested whether murine recombinant globular adiponectin (gArcp30) could modulate leptin‐induced cell proliferation, autocrine IL‐6 production, trans‐IL‐6 signaling and other leptin‐induced cell signaling events previously observed in IMCE cells but not YAMC cells. Under serum‐free conditions, adiponectin (1 μg/ml) inhibited leptin‐induced autocrine IL‐6 production, soluble IL‐6 receptor shedding, trans‐IL‐6 signaling and subsequent STAT3 phosphorylation in IMCE cells. Adiponectin inhibited leptin‐induced cell proliferation in the IMCE cells and this inhibition was associated with IκB‐α phosphorylation, IκB‐α degradation and decreased NF‐κB p65 DNA activation and binding. These data indicate that adiponectin acts on preneoplastic colon epithelial cells to regulate cell growth via 2 distinct pathways inhibiting leptin‐induced NF‐κB‐dependent autocrine IL‐6 production and trans‐IL‐6 signaling. We hypothesize that adiponectin may be an important regulator of colon epithelial cell homeostasis by linking the observed reduced risk for cancer in populations with high serum adiponectin concentrations to specific mechanisms of cell number homeostasis in a model of preneoplastic colon epithelial cells. These data may have broad implications for diet and lifestyle strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity‐associated cancers. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
α‐Galactosylceramide‐loaded, antigen‐expressing B cells prime a wide spectrum of antitumor immunity
Authors: Kim Yeon‐Jeong , Ko Hyun‐Jeong , Kim Yun‐Sun , Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Kang Seock , Kim Jong‐Mook , Chung Yeonseok , Kang Chang‐Yuil
Published: March 2008

Most of the current tumor vaccines successfully elicit strong protection against tumor but offer little therapeutic effect against existing tumors, highlighting the need for a more effective vaccine strategy. Vaccination with tumor antigen‐presenting cells can induce antitumor immune responses. We have previously shown that NKT‐licensed B cells prime cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) with epitope peptide and generate prophylactic/therapeutic antitumor effects. To extend our B cell vaccine approach to the whole antigen, and to overcome the MHC restriction, we used a nonreplicating adenovirus to transduce B cells with antigenic gene. Primary B cells transduced with an adenovirus‐encoding truncated Her‐2/neu (AdHM) efficiently expressed Her‐2/neu. Compared with the moderate antitumor activity induced by vaccination with adenovirus‐transduced B cells (B/AdHM), vaccination with α‐galactosylceramide‐loaded B/AdHM (B/AdHM/αGalCer) induced significantly stronger antitumor immunity, especially in the tumor‐bearing mice. The depletion study showed that CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells were all necessary for the therapeutic immunity. Confirming the results of the depletion study, B/AdHM/αGalCer vaccination induced cytotoxic NK cell responses but B/AdHM did not. Vaccination with B/AdHM/αGalCer generated Her‐2/neu‐specific antibodies more efficiently than B/AdHM immunization. More importantly, B/AdHM/αGalCer could prime Her‐2/neu‐specific cytotoxic T cells more efficiently and durably than B/AdHM. CD4+ cells appeared to be necessary for the induction of antibody and CTL responses. Our results demonstrate that, with the help of NKT cells, antigen‐transduced B cells efficiently induce innate immunity as well as a wide range of adaptive immunity against the tumor, suggesting that they could be used to develop a novel cellular vaccine. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Freeze casting of porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds. II. Sintering, microstructure, and mechanical behavior
Authors: Fu Qiang , Rahaman Mohamed N. , Dogan Fatih , Bal B. Sonny
Published: March 2008

In Part I, the influence of processing parameters on the general microstructure of freeze‐cast hydroxyapatite (HA) constructs was explored. This work is an extension of Part I to investigate the effect of sintering conditions on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of freeze‐cast HA. For constructs prepared from aqueous suspensions (5–20 vol % HA), sintering for 3 h at temperatures from 1250°C to 1375°C produced a decrease in porosity of <5% but an increase in strength of nearly 50%. Constructs with a porosity of 52% had compressive strengths of 12 ± 1 MPa and 5 ± 1 MPa in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the freezing direction, respectively. The mechanical response showed high strain tolerance (5–10% at the maximum stress), high strain to failure (>20%), and high strain rate sensitivity. Manipulation of the freeze‐cast microstructure, achieved by additions of glycerol and 1,4‐dioxane to the aqueous suspensions, produced changes in the magnitude of the mechanical response, but little change in the general nature of the response. The favorable mechanical behavior of the porous constructs, coupled with the ability to modify their microstructure, indicates the potential of the present freeze‐casting route for the production of porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Dual ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase pathways control airway smooth muscle proliferation: Differences in asthma
Authors: Burgess Janette K. , Lee Jin Hee , Ge Qi , Ramsay Emma E. , Poniris Maree H. , Parmentier Johannes , Roth Michael , Johnson Peter R.A. , Hunt Nicholas H. , Black Judith L. , Ammit Alaina J.
Published: March 2008

Hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle (ASM) within the bronchial wall of asthmatic patients has been well documented and is likely due to increased muscle proliferation. We have shown that ASM cells obtained from asthmatic patients proliferate faster than those obtained from non‐asthmatic patients. In ASM from non‐asthmatics, mitogens act via dual signaling pathways (both ERK‐ and PI 3‐kinase‐dependent) to control growth. In this study we are the first to examine whether dual pathways control the enhanced proliferation of ASM from asthmatics. When cells were incubated with 0.1% or 1% FBS, ERK activation was significantly greater in cells from asthmatic subjects (P < 0.05). In contrast, when cells were stimulated with 10% FBS, ERK activity was significantly greater in the non‐asthmatic cells. However, cell proliferation in asthmatic cells was still significantly higher in cells stimulated by both 1% and 10% FBS. Pharmacological inhibition revealed that although dual proliferative pathways control ASM growth in cells from non‐asthmatics stimulated with 10% FBS to an equal extent ([3H]‐thymidine incorporation reduced to 57.2 ± 6.9% by the PI 3‐kinase inhibitor LY294002 and 57.8 ± 1.1% by the ERK‐pathway inhibitor U0126); in asthmatics, the presence of a strong proliferative stimulus (10% FBS) reduces ERK activation resulting in a shift to the PI 3‐kinase pathway. The underlying mechanism appears to be upregulation of an endogenous MAPK inhibitor—MKP‐1—that constrains ERK signaling in asthmatic cells under strong mitogenic stimulation. This study suggests that the PI 3‐kinase pathway may be an attractive target for reversing hyperplasia in asthma. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 673–679, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osmoprotectants enhance methane production from the anaerobic digestion of food wastes containing a high content of salt
Authors: Oh Giyang , Zhang Lei , Jahng Deokjin
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: Treatment and disposal of Korean food waste encounter technical difficulties due to a high‐salt problem. In order to increase methane production from food waste by using osmoprotectants, which are known to overcome osmotic stresses in many plants and other organisms, osmoprotectants including glycine betaine, choline, carnitine and trehalose were added to salt‐containing food wastes for anaerobic digestion.

RESULTS: For NaCl‐amended food wastes containing 10 and 35 g L−1 NaCl, glycine betaine and choline increased methane production by about twofold compared to food waste without any osmoprotectants. For non‐washed food waste containing 11.6 g L−1 NaCl, glycine betaine increased methane production by about sixfold. Among these osmoprotectants, glycine betaine was the most effective for increasing methane productivity in anaerobic digestion of food waste with salinity. Analysis of glycine betaine in cell extracts using high‐performance liquid chromatography showed that glycine betaine accumulated in the cells of anaerobic sludge.

CONCLUSION: Osmoprotectants significantly enhanced methanization of high‐salt food wastes by alleviating the salt‐induced physiological stresses in microorganisms. The application of osmoprotectants provided an effective substitute for other conventional methods to reduce inhibitory effects of high salt, such as dilution and co‐digestion. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Adeno‐associated virus‐mediated expression of kallistatin suppresses local and remote hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: Tse Lai Yin , Sun Xueying , Jiang Hongchi , Dong Xuesong , Fung Peter W.C. , Farzaneh Farzin , Xu Ruian
Published: March 2008

Background

The current treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poor, particularly for metastatic HCC. Intraportal transfusion of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) leads to long‐term and persistent transgenic expression in livers. Kallistatin, a novel angiogenesis inhibitor, exhibits anti‐tumor activity. The aim of the study was to investigate whether intraportal injection of AAV‐kallistatin could suppress local and metastatic HCC in mice.

Methods

An AAV vector encoding kallistatin was constructed, and its transduction efficiency by intraportal transfusion in livers was examined by RT‐PCR, immunohistochemical and Western blotting analysis. The anti‐tumor activity was tested in three HCC models including hepatic and subcutaneous human Hep3B HCC tumors in BALB/c athymic (nu/nu) mice, and subcutaneous mouse BNL HCC tumors in BALB/c mice. Tumor cell proliferation in situ was examined by anti‐Ki‐67 staining, and apoptosis by TUNEL.

Results

Gene transfection by rAAV‐kallistatin inhibited proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HCC cells in vitro. Intraportal injection of rAAV‐kallistatin resulted in persistent and specific expression of kallistatin in livers detected by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemical analysis, and kallistatin protein in circulation detected by Western blotting analysis. Intraportal injection of rAAV‐kallistatin significantly suppressed angiogenesis and growth of hepatic Hep3B tumors. The kallistatin released by hepatocytes into the circulation suppressed remote Hep3B and BNL tumors established subcutaneously. The rAAV‐kallistatin gene therapy significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.

Conclusions

Intraportal injection of rAAV‐kallistatin suppressed hepatic and subcutaneous HCC tumors, relying on its anti‐angiogenic and anti‐proliferative activities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neoadjuvant gene delivery of feline granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor using magnetofection for the treatment of feline fibrosarcomas: a phase I trial
Authors: Hüttinger Cornelia , Hirschberger Johannes , Jahnke Anika , Köstlin Roberto , Brill Thomas , Plank Christian , Küchenhoff Helmut , Krieger Stefan , Schillinger Ulrike
Published: March 2008

Despite aggressive pre‐ or postoperative treatment, feline fibrosarcomas have high recurrence rates. Immunostimulatory gene therapy is a promising approach in veterinary oncology. This phase I dose‐escalation study was performed to determine toxicity and feasibility of gene therapy with feline granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (feGM‐CSF) in cats with fibrosarcomas. Twenty cats were treated with plasmid coding for feGM‐CSF attached to magnetic nanoparticles in doses of 50, 250, 750 and 1250 µg. Two preoperative intratumoral injections followed by magnetofection were given. Four control cats received only surgical treatment. Adverse events were recorded and correlated according to the veterinary co‐operative oncology group toxicity scale. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect plasma feGM‐CSF concentrations. No significant treatment related toxicity was observed. Preliminary recurrence results were encouraging as, on day 360, ten of 20 treated cats were recurrence‐free. In conclusion, 1250 µg of feGM‐CSF plasmid DNA applied by magnetofection is safe and feasible for phase II testing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved synthesis of [24‐14C]cholic acid, and its application to the synthesis of [14C]SCH 209702 (Syn3). Synthesis of [2H8]SCH 209702
Authors: Ren Sumei , McNamara Paul , Koharski David
Published: March 2008

An efficient synthesis of [24‐14C]cholic acid from potassium [14C]cyanide has been developed. The key intermediate, 23‐chloro‐3α, 7α, 12α‐triformyloxynorcholane, was synthesized by degradation of triformyl protected cholic acid. Different degradation conditions were explored. The synthesis of [14C]SCH 209702 from 23‐chloro‐3α, 7α, 12α‐triformyloxynorcholane and potassium [14C]cyanide is described. The synthesis of [2H8]SCH 209702 from [2H4]cholic acid is also presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular biology changes associated with LRRK2 mutations in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lu Yi Wei , Tan Eng‐King
Published: March 2008

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. The recent discovery of leucine‐rich‐repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) mutations in PD is significant because these mutations are the most common cause of autosomal dominant PD. Furthermore, a common recurrent mutation (G2019S) is associated with a significant proportion of nonfamilial PD, and a polymorphic variant (G2385R) has been found to increase the risk in the Asian race. The large LRRK2 protein of 280 kD contains three protein–protein interaction domains and two enzymatic domains, the Ras‐related GTPase and the kinase. Mutations in these domains have been described in PD patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that some types of LRRK2 mutations increase the kinase activity, and this is associated with significantly higher apoptotic cell death in dopaminergic cell lines and primary neurons; abolishing the kinase function ameliorates this cellular toxicity. It also appears that its GTPase domain can be activated independently, whereas the kinase activity strictly requires the GTPase activation. Mutations in the LRRK2 have displayed notable pleomorphic pathologies that might indicate an upstream role of LRRK2 in cellular signaling pathways. The identification of physiological substrates (likely to be involved in signaling and apotoptic pathways) of LRRK2 remains an important step in our understanding of the role of LRRK2 in the disease process. Further in vitro and in vivo studies will unravel the role of LRRK2 in cell signaling and its impact on proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neurons. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibitors of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase enhance proliferation of mouse neural stem cells
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Hamanoue Makoto , Takamatsu Ken
Published: March 2008

The p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) is induced in response to environmental stress. Although p38 MAPK has been implicated in diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival of differentiated cells in the central nervous system (CNS), the expression profile and roles of p38 MAPK in the developing brain remain largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that p38 MAPK is expressed predominantly in nestin‐positive cells in the cerebral cortex in embryonic day 10 (E10) brain and that expression of the protein decreases gradually during development. To investigate the roles of p38 MAPK in the embryonic brain, two selective p38 MAPK inhibitors, SB202190 and SB203580, were added to the primary neuronal cultures from E10–E14 brains. After 7 days of exposure to these inhibitors, but not SB202474, a negative analog of SB203580, numerous large neurospheres were present. MAPK inhibitors also selectively increased the growth rate of neural stem cells (NSCs) purified from secondary neurospheres and the number of bromodeoxyuridine‐positive NSCs. Thus, p38 MAPK inhibitors are potent stimulators of NSC proliferation, and p38 MAPK may be an intrinsic negative regulator of NSC proliferation during early brain development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Climate, agricultural production and hydrological balance in the North China Plain
Authors: Wang Enli , Yu Qiang , Wu Dingrong , Xia Jun
Published: March 2008

The North China Plain (NCP) is the largest agricultural production area in China. The extensive use of groundwater for irrigation agriculture under variable climatic conditions has resulted in the rapid decline of the groundwater table especially in areas north of the Yellow River, leading to hydrological imbalance and unsustainable agricultural production. This article analyses the sustainable level of vegetation/crop water use under the NCP climate by mimicking the evapotranspiration of a natural forest ecosystem. Such a system would have a mean annual evapotranspiration ranging from 470 mm/year in the northern to 910 mm/year in the southern part of the plain, leading to a mean annual water excess (rainfall minus evapotranspiration) ranging from 21 to 124 mm/year. The natural forest ecosystem would use less water than the current wheat/maize double cropping system. To mimic the water use of the natural system, dryland farming has to be practiced, and wheat and maize crops would have a water deficit of 90–435 and 0–257 mm/year, respectively. Under average conditions, this would mean that all the areas north of the 36°N line have to abandon winter wheat production. Stopping irrigation will lead to significantly lower wheat yields (average yield 0.8 t/ha in the north to 5.2 t/ha in the south) and increased variability in wheat and maize yield both interannually and spatially. Better management practices, such as opportunity cropping (what and when to crop depending on climate and soil conditions rather than a set annual cycle), better use of climate forecast information to direct decision making, are required in order to achieve maximum return in good years while minimising cost in bad years. Analysis on rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET) from 1961 to 2000 shows that there has been an increasing trend in crop water deficit in the northern part, but a decreasing trend in the southern part of the plain. It remains to be further studied whether this reflects long‐term climate change or only a part of the climate variability. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Susceptibility to global consumer culture: A three‐dimensional scale
Authors: Zhou Lianxi , Teng Lefa , Poon Patrick S.
Published: March 2008

Prior research shows the existence of the construct “global consumer culture” and its related strategic implications for brand positioning strategies. However, the potential contribution of global consumer culture and associated positioning strategy to brand value would depend on consumers' susceptibility to global consumer culture (SGCC), a general trait of consumers that varies across individuals and is reflected in the consumer's desire or tendency for the acquisition and use of global brands. This study develops and validates a three‐dimensional scale that can be used to measure the conceptual domain of SGCC across cultures. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in China and Canada, and a three‐step structural equation modeling analysis was used to test the proposed scale for the two sample groups. Results indicate that SGCC is composed of three dimensions: conformity to consumption trend, quality perception, and social prestige. This scale could be used for empirical studies of aspects of global consumption behaviors. It may also help marketing managers develop a more focused positioning and communication strategy for global brands. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vertical equity consequences of very high cigarette tax increases: If the poor are the ones smoking, how could cigarette tax increases be progressive?
Authors: Colman Gregory J. , Remler Dahlia K.
Published: March 2008

Cigarette smoking is concentrated among low‐income groups. Consequently, cigarette taxes are considered regressive. However, if poorer individuals are much more price sensitive than richer individuals, then tax increases would reduce smoking much more among the poor and their cigarette tax expenditures as a share of income would rise by much less than for the rich. Warner (2000) said this phenomenon would make cigarette tax increases progressive. We test this empirically. Among low‐, middle‐, and high‐income groups, we estimate total price elasticities of _0.37, _0.35, and _0.20, respectively. We find that cigarette tax increases are not close to progressive, using both tax expenditure‐based and traditional welfare measures. This finding is robust to cross‐border purchasing, generic cigarettes, and substantial external effects. However, we find that taxes can be progressive under some behavioral economic models (Gruber & Koszegi, 2004) but that these may only apply to a small share of smokers. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Systematic interpretation of cyclic nucleotide binding studies using KinetXBase
Authors: Schweinsberg Sonja , Moll Daniela , Burghardt Nicole C. G. , Hahnefeld Claudia , Schwede Frank , Zimmermann Bastian , Drewianka Stephan , Werner Lars , Kleinjung Frank , Genieser Hans‐Gottfried , Schuchhardt Johannes , Herberg Friedrich W.
Published: March 2008

Functional proteomics aims to describe cellular protein networks in depth based on the quantification of molecular interactions. In order to study the interaction of adenosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), a general second messenger involved in several intracellular signalling networks, with one of its respective target proteins, the regulatory (R) subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA), a number of different methods was employed. These include fluorescence polarisation (FP), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay (ALPHA‐screen), radioligand binding or activity‐based assays. Kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium binding data of a variety of cAMP derivatives to several cAMP binding domains were integrated in a single database system, we called KinetXBase, allowing for very distinct data formats. KinetXBase is a practical data handling system for molecular interaction data of any kind, providing a synopsis of data derived from different technologies. This supports ongoing efforts in the bioinformatics community to devise formal concepts for a unified representation of interaction data, in order to enable their exchange and easy comparison. KinetXBase was applied here to analyse complex cAMP binding data and highly site‐specific cAMP analogues could be identified. The software package is free for download by academic users.
Detailed proteome analysis of growing cells of the planctomycete Rhodopirellula baltica SH1T
Authors: Hieu Cao Xuan , Voigt Birgit , Albrecht Dirk , Becher Dörte , Lombardot Thierry , Glöckner Frank Oliver , Amann Rudolf , Hecker Michael , Schweder Thomas
Published: March 2008

Rhodopirellula baltica SH1T, which was isolated from the water column of the Kieler Bight, a bay in the southwestern Baltic Sea, is a marine aerobic, heterotrophic representative of the ubiquitous bacterial phylum Planctomycetes. We analyzed the R. baltica proteome by applying different preanalytical protein as well as peptide separation techniques (1‐D and 2‐DE, HPLC separation) prior to MS. That way, we could identify a total of 1115 nonredundant proteins from the intracellular proteome and from different cell wall protein fractions. With the contribution of 709 novel proteins resulting from this study, the current comprehensive R. baltica proteomic dataset consists of 1267 unique proteins (accounting for 17.3% of the total putative protein‐coding ORFs), including 261 proteins with a predicted signal peptide. The identified proteins were functionally categorized using Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs), and their potential cellular locations were predicted by bioinformatic tools. A unique protein family that contains several YTV domains and is rich in cysteine and proline was found to be a component of the R. baltica proteinaceous cell wall. Based on this comprehensive proteome analysis a global schema of the major metabolic pathways of growing R. baltica cells was deduced.
Proteomic analysis of hearts from frataxin knockout mice: Marked rearrangement of energy metabolism, a response to cellular stress and altered expression of proteins involved in cell structure, motility and metabolism
Authors: Sutak Robert , Xu Xiangcong , Whitnall Megan , Kashem Mohammed Abul , Vyoral Daniel , Richardson Des R.
Published: March 2008

A frequent cause of death in Friedreich's ataxia patients is cardiomyopathy, but the molecular alterations underlying this condition are unknown. We performed 2‐DE to characterize the changes in protein expression of hearts using the muscle creatine kinase frataxin conditional knockout (KO) mouse. Pronounced changes in protein expression profile were observed in 9 week‐old KO mice with severe cardiomyopathy. In contrast, only several proteins showed altered expression in asymptomatic 4 week‐old KO mice. In hearts from frataxin KO mice, components of the iron‐dependent complex‐I and ‐II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and enzymes involved in ATP homeostasis (creatine kinase, adenylate kinase) displayed decreased expression. Interestingly, the KO hearts exhibited increased expression of enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle, catabolism of branched‐chain amino acids, ketone body utilization and pyruvate decarboxylation. This constitutes evidence of metabolic compensation due to decreased expression of electron transport proteins. There was also pronounced up‐regulation of proteins involved in stress protection, such as a variety of chaperones, as well as altered expression of proteins involved in cellular structure, motility and general metabolism. This is the first report of the molecular changes at the protein level which could be involved in the cardiomyopathy of the frataxin KO mouse.
Nanoenergetic Composites of CuO Nanorods, Nanowires, and Al‐Nanoparticles
Authors: Shende Rajesh , Subramanian Senthil , Hasan Shameem , Apperson Steven , Thiruvengadathan Rajagopalan , Gangopadhyay Keshab , Gangopadhyay Shubhra , Redner Paul , Kapoor Deepak , Nicolich Steven , Balas Wendy
Published: March 2008

This paper reports on the synthesis of the nanoenergetic composites containing CuO nanorods and nanowires, and Al‐nanoparticles. Nanorods and nanowires were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycol) templating method and combined with Al‐nanoparticles using ultrasonic mixing and self‐assembly methods. Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) was used for the self‐assembly of Al‐nanoparticles around the nanorods. At the optimized values of equivalence ratio, sonication time, and Al‐particle size, the combustion wave speed of 1650 m s−1 was obtained for the nanorods‐based energetics. For the composite of nanowires and Al‐nanoparticles the speed was increased to 1900 m s−1. The maximum combustion wave speed of 2400 m s−1 was achieved for the self‐assembled composite, which is the highest known so far among the nanoenergetic materials. It is possible that in the self‐assembled composites, the interfacial contact between the oxidizer and fuel is higher and resistance to overall diffusional process is lower, thus enhancing the performance.
Highly sensitive optical probe for uniaxial strain in GaN epitaxial films
Authors: Toda Y. , Ishiguro T. , Adachi S. , Hoshino K. , Tadatomo K.
Published: March 2008

We have previously demonstrated that a spectrally‐resolved four‐wave mixing highlights the anisotropically polarized excitons in the uniaxially strained GaN films [1], where the enhancement of sensitivity for an uniaxial strain was achieved by nonlinear response of the exciton polarization. In this work, we have applied this technique to the GaN films on various substrates including isotropic ones, and have examined the sensitivity of the technique. The results show distinct polarizations and energy variations originating from the uniaxial strain, the magnitude of which depends on the sample and its position. The minimum changes of the polarized FWM intensity and exchange energy splittings correspond to a uniaxial strain of 5.0 × 10–5, which currently gives a lower resolution limit of this technique. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Local microstructure of amorphous Al2O3
Authors: Hung P. K. , Vinh L. T.
Published: March 2008

We present a microstructure study of different amorphous states of Al2O3, which are constructed by compressing the original glass to different pressure and then decompressing. The local microstructure of these states is analyzed through the coordination number, bond‐angle statistics, the characteristics of voids and void aggregations. The simulation results indicate the possibility of amorphous–amorphous phase transition from low‐density to high‐density Al2O3 with gradual variation in density and other structural properties. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High brightness near‐ultraviolet resonant LEDs
Authors: Corbett B. , Zhu D. , Roycroft B. , Maaskant P. , Akhter M. , McAleese C. , Kappers M. J. , Humphreys C. J.
Published: March 2008

Planar near‐ultraviolet 385 nm emitting resonant LEDs containing three quantum wells have been investigated as a function of the separation between the wells and a reflective and injecting metal mirror. The output power and far‐field extracted through the substrate of the LEDs depend on the precise positions of the wells with each well having a significant individual influence on these properties. A doubling of the output power is obtained when the wells are located around the antinode position of the standing wave while narrower far‐fields are obtained with other placement of the wells. A power of 0.4 mW into a numerical aperture of 0.5 is obtained for a current of 30 mA into a 50 μm diameter contact. Calibration of the growth rate along with accurate knowledge of the material properties of the semiconductor and metal mirrors is required for controlled and enhanced emission from planar UV LEDs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of InGaN/GaN MQW microdisk arrays on GaN/Si(111) template
Authors: Lee Kang Jea , Oh Tae Su , Suh Eun Kyung , Shim Kyu Hwan , Young Lim Kee
Published: March 2008

We report the fabrication of InGaN/GaN multi quantum well (MQW) microdisk arrays on Si(111) substrates. InGaN/GaN MQWs were grown on highly tensile‐strained GaN films on Si(111) substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Microdisk resonators were fabricated using a combination of optical lithography, a dry GaN‐etching process, and Si undercut etching by acid chemical solution. The evidence of whispering‐gallery modes in optically pumped microdisk cavities have been observed by photoluminescence. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The opposing effects of the flavonoids isoquercitrin and Sissotrin, isolated from Pterospartum tridentatum, on oral glucose tolerance in rats
Authors: Paulo Alexandra , Martins Sofia , Branco Pedro , Dias Teresa , Borges Carlos , Rodrigues Ana Isabel , do Céu Costa Maria , Teixeira Adriano , Mota‐Filipe Hélder
Published: March 2008

The effect of an aqueous extract of Pterospartum tridentatum on the blood glucose levels of normal Wistar rats was investigated in a situation of oral glucose challenge. The extract at 300 mg/kg showed an antihyperglycaemic effect in the first 30 min after glucose challenge but then the blood glucose levels rose above those of the control group, indicating the presence of compounds with different effects on glucose tolerance. Nine compounds of isoflavone and flavonol skeletons were identified in the extract by HPLC‐ESI‐MSn, four of them being identified for the first time in this species. The isoflavone sissotrin and the flavonol derivative, isoquercitrin, were selected for the oral glucose tolerance test. Isoquercitrin (100 mg/kg) showed time‐dependent antihyperglycaemic activity by delaying the post‐oral glucose load glycaemic peak at 30 min, as did the sodium‐dependent glucose transporter inhibitor phloridzin (100 mg/kg). In contrast, sissotrin (100 mg/kg) showed an opposite effect, impairing glucose tolerance. In conclusion, these preliminary results indicate that the effect of the extract on blood glucose may be either antihyperglycaemic or hyperglycaemic. Additionally, as far as is known, these are the first in vivo results on the acute antihyperglycaemic potential of isoquercitrin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subtotal and Near Total Versus Total Thyroidectomy for the Management of Multinodular Goiter
Authors: Vaiman Michael , Nagibin Andrey , Hagag Philippe , Buyankin Alexey , Olevson Julian , Shlamkovich Nathan
Published: March 2008

Background

The purpose of the present work was to compare rates of postsurgical complications following thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter through a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

Methods

All cases of thyroidectomy (total—TT; near total—NT; and bilateral subtotal—ST) performed in two hospitals from 1990 to 2005 were studied to determine the incidence of complications after each procedure. Follow‐up checked injury of laryngeal nerves, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, pathology recurrence, and appearance of neoplasm.

Results

There were 6,223 cases: TT, n = 3,834 (61.6%); ST, n = 2,238 (36%); and NT, n = 151 (2.4%) NT). Of this total, 2,758 (44.3%) patients were men and 3,465 (55.7%) were women with a mean age of 48.7. Postoperative mean follow‐up was 7 years, 2 months. Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was observed in 1.4% in the TT group, 1.2% in the ST group, and 1.1% in the NT group (p > 0.1). Permanent hypocalcemia was observed in 2% in TT group, 1.9% in the ST group, and 2% in the NT group (p > 0.1). Permanent hypothyroidism occurred in all patients in the TT and NT groups, compared to 91% of the patients in the ST group (p > 0.1). Recurrence of benign disease was noted in 491 patients (20.5% of ST and NT cases combined; p < 0.05), n = 482 (21.5%) after ST and n = 9 (5.9%) after NT. Of the patients with recurrence, 173 needed a completion thyroidectomy. Malignant transformation was observed in 28 cases.

Conclusions

There is no statistically significant difference in complications among TT, NT, and ST groups. Partial thyroidectomies provide no decisive advantage over total thyroidectomies in terms of subsequent requirements of supplemental hormone therapy. The rate of reoperation in cases of recurrent pathology and incidental carcinoma was high.
Neglected patellar tendon rupture: a case of reconstruction without quadriceps lengthening
Authors: Bek D. , Demiralp B. , Kömürcü M. , Şehirlioğlu A.
Published: March 2008

Neglected rupture of the patellar tendon is a rare, can be easily missed in a group of patients. We present a 24 year old, male patient who sustained right femoral diaphyseal and tibial plateau fractures and a patellar tendon rupture following a motor vehicle accident. The fractures were treated by open reduction internal fixation but the patellar tendon rupture was missed and the diagnosis was delayed by 7 months. Patella was migrated proximally. It was moved distally to the original location and neglected patellar tendon rupture treated successfully with modified Ecker technique. Neither preoperative traction nor additional intraoperative procedures were performed to relocate the patella to its anatomic position in the extended knee and good functional result was achieved with intensive rehabilitation.
Leukoencephalopathies associated with inborn errors of metabolism in adults
Authors: Sedel F. , Tourbah A. , Fontaine B. , Lubetzki C. , Baumann N. , Saudubray J.‐M. , Lyon‐Caen O.
Published: March 2008

The discovery of a leukoencephalopathy is a frequent situation in neurological practice and the diagnostic approach is often difficult given the numerous possible aetiologies, which include multiple acquired causes and genetic diseases including inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). It is now clear that IEMs can have their clinical onset from early infancy until late adulthood. These diseases are particularly important to recognize because specific treatments often exist. In this review, illustrated by personal observations, we give an overview of late‐onset leukoencephalopathies caused by IEMs.
Scoliotic curve patterns in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Glard Yann , Launay Franck , Edgard-Rosa Grégory , Collignon Patrick , Jouve Jean-Luc , Bollini Gérard
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Cases of “non-idiopathic” scoliosis are deemed atypical. These require a comprehensive work-up in order to choose the best treatment (and to determine an extent of fusion if needed). Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disease often marked with the presence of scoliosis, which is poorly described in the literature. Knowing that the clinical diagnosis of MFS is not always obvious, we investigated how atypical the scoliosis associated with MFS was when compared with that of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

In our series, we included 30 patients diagnosed with MFS. Each patient was proposed to undergo a plain radiographic examination of the spine. Scoliotic patients were classified according to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) curve pattern classification. Curve patterns with a very low rate of occurrence in historic control were defined as “atypical”.

Results

A total of 19 patients were defined as scoliotic. In 9 cases, the curve pattern was atypical. In the other 10, the curve pattern was typical, but a fine analysis revealed some atypical features in the position of the apex and end vertebrae.

Conclusions

Scoliosis associated with MFS was found to be atypical in all cases. This supports the idea that an atypical curve pattern should be considered as an argument in favour of a non-idiopathic aetiology and, therefore, an appropriate work-up should be performed before deciding treatment.
Evidence that the COMTVal158Met Polymorphism Moderates Subclinical Psychotic and Affective Symptoms in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: van Winkel Ruud , Isusi Pilar , Galdos Paloma , Echevarria Elena , Bilbao José Ramón , Martin-Pagola Ainhoa , Castaño Luis , Papiol Sergi , Mengelers Ron , Krabbendam Lydia , van Os Jim , Myin-Germeys Inez
Published: March 2008

Objectives.

Psychotic patients with COMTVal158Met Met alleles were recently found to display more intense psychotic and affective responses to daily life stressors. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the Met allele is implicated in the development of affective and psychotic symptomatology in subjects genetically at risk for schizophrenia, by testing if unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia who share a Met allele have greater concordance of symptomatology than relatives not sharing a Met allele.

Methods.

Unaffected relatives (n = 38) were arranged in as many genetically related pairs as possible (n = 26), and Met-sharing between Index Unaffected Subject (IUS) and Related Unaffected Subject (RUS) was assessed. Symptomatology was assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total score.

Results.

Multilevel regression revealed an interaction between RUS BPRS score and Met-sharing in the model of IUS BPRS score (interaction χ2 = 3.78, p = 0.05). Stratified analyses revealed that IUS–RUS total BPRS scores were significantly associated in the case of Met-sharing (B = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22–0.93, p = 0.002), but were not when there was no Met-sharing.

Conclusion.

These findings support the hypothesis that the Met allele may be involved in the causation of psychopathology, at least in populations with a genetic predisposition to psychosis.
Schistosoma reflexum in a cat: Insights into aetiopathogenesis
Authors: Mateo Isidro , Camón Joaquín
Published: March 2008

A foetal cat exhibiting multiple congenital malformations and meeting the criteria for being considered as a case of true schistosoma reflexum (SR) is described. SR in animals is briefly compared with relatively similar malformation entities in humans. Murine gene mutations producing severe ventral body wall defects associated with anomalies of internal organs and other structures are briefly reviewed. New insights into aetiopathogenic mechanisms possibly implicated in the development of SR are suggested. This is probably the first case of true SR reported in the cat.
Presumed primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in four cats
Authors: Bianco Domenico , Armstrong P. Jane , Washabau Robert J.
Published: March 2008

Feline primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (pIMT) is a rare hematological disorder. Platelet-bound antibody assays for cats have variable specificity and sensitivity and are not widely available. Diagnosis of pIMT is made on the basis of exclusion of other identifiable causes of thrombocytopenia and the response to immunosuppressive therapy. This report describes four cats with severe thrombocytopenia and no detectable underlying disease. One cat was euthanased because of pulmonary hemorrhage, while the other cats had frequent relapses, two of these cats developed diabetes mellitus due to long-term corticosteroid therapy. In these cats IMT had a chronic course and responded poorly to therapy with prednisolone. Alternative immunomodulatory drugs may be considered in the treatment of feline IMT.
Reading the Qur'an in Bangladesh: The Politics of ‘Belief’ Among Islamist Women
Authors: HUQ MAIMUNA
Published: March 2008

While much has been written about resurgent Islamic movements in recent decades, the proliferation of religious reading circles has received little attention. Few studies delineate the specifics of audience engagement with authoritative Islamic texts on the ground. This paper is a small attempt at such an inquiry in the context of Bangladesh. It investigates a particular Islamist Qur'anic study session conducted in Dhaka in 2003. Such reading sessions are routinely conducted within Bangladesh Islamic Chatri Sangstha (BICSa), the leading Islamic organization of women students in Bangladesh. I suggest that BICSa reading sessions embody spaces of both deliberation and discipline. In analysing a group discussion of a set of Qur'anic verses widely assigned for study within BICSa, particularly in relation to the central Islamist notion of ‘belief’, this paper argues that reading circles play a primary role in the production of a uniquely disciplined and devout, yet modern Islamist subjectivity in Bangladesh. A study circle familiarizes a lay Bangladeshi with specific kinds of religious literature and teaches them to understand and shape contemporary realities via scriptural injunctions. However, this inculcation process is not linear: The mastery of the Qur'anic literature enables both devotion to and contestation of BICSa precepts.
Modality and representation in analogy
Authors: Linsey J.S. , Wood K.L. , Markman A.B.
Published: March 2008

Design by analogy is a powerful part of the design process across the wide variety of modalities used by designers such as linguistic descriptions, sketches, and diagrams. We need tools to support people's ability to find and use analogies. A deeper understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underlying design and analogy is a crucial step in developing these tools. This paper presents an experiment that explores the effects of representation within the modality of sketching, the effects of functional models, and the retrieval and use of analogies. We find that the level of abstraction for the representation of prior knowledge and the representation of a current design problem both affect people's ability to retrieve and use analogous solutions. A general semantic description in memory facilitates retrieval of that prior knowledge. The ability to find and use an analogy is also facilitated by having an appropriate functional model of the problem. These studies result in a number of important implications for the development of tools to support design by analogy. Foremost among these implications is the ability to provide multiple representations of design problems by which designers may reason across, where the verb construct in the English language is a preferred mode for these representations.
A grammar-based multiagent system in dynamic design
Authors: Ślusarczyk Grażyna
Published: March 2008

This paper deals with the system of agents treated as a concurrent modular system, which is able to support the designer in solving complex design tasks. The behavior of design agents is modeled by sets of grammar rules. Each agent manages a graph grammar and a database of facts concerning the subtask for which it is responsible. The course of designing is determined by the interaction between cooperating specialized agents. The design context is expressed by the environment in which agents act and predicates describing design criteria. The organization, design methodology, and a semantic model of a grammar-based multiagent design system are presented. The notions of a valid design solution and a design solution consistent with the design criteria are also introduced. The proposed approach is illustrated by the example of designing a house estate.
A review of function modeling: Approaches and applications
Authors: Erden M.S. , Komoto H. , van Beek T.J. , D'Amelio V. , Echavarria E. , Tomiyama T.
Published: March 2008

This work is aimed at establishing a common frame and understanding offunction modeling(FM) for our ongoing research activities. A comparative review of the literature is performed to grasp the various FM approaches with their commonalities and differences. The relations of FM with the research fields of artificial intelligence, design theory, and maintenance are discussed. In this discussion the goals are to highlight the features of various classical approaches in relation to FM, to delineate what FM introduces to these fields, and to discuss the applicability of various FM approaches in these fields. Finally, the basic ideas underlying our projects are introduced with reference to the general framework of FM.
Zoroastrian motifs in non-Zoroastrian traditions
Authors: SUNDERMANN WERNER
Published: March 2008

We owe to Zoroaster one of the oldest religions of mankind. We cannot call Zoroaster's doctrine a world religion in the strict sense, for it did not spread far beyond the limits of the Iranian world, nor did its followers spread over the world as the Parsis do now and the Manichaeans once did. But many ideas first expressed by Zoroaster or his followers, such as the all-encompassing dualism of good and evil, light and darkness, or the resurrection of the dead in the flesh, or the responsibility of mankind for the fate of this world and the world beyond, have influenced, from the middle of the first millennium BCE on, the spirituality of the near eastern peoples and so also the religions of Judaism, and by way of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, too. This is sufficient to grant the religion of Zoroaster a most important position in the history of human religiosity.