bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNAse A‐like enzymes in serum inhibit the anti‐neoplastic activity of siRNA targeting polo‐like kinase 1
Authors: Haupenthal Jörg , Baehr Christina , Zeuzem Stefan , Piiper Albrecht
Published: March 2007

Down‐modulation of target molecules in tumor cells by small interfering (si) RNAs is a promising anti‐cancer strategy. A major challenge of this approach is the loss of silencing activity of the siRNAs in vivo. Our study aimed at investigating the influence of the serum compartment on the anti‐tumor activity of siRNA directed against Polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1), a mitosis‐associated serine/threonine kinase. The data showed that siRNA‐induced suppression of Plk1 expression effectively reduced the viable cell mass and increased apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. Preincubation of the siRNA in human serum led to shortening of the siRNA as well as loss of its Plk1 silencing and anti‐tumor activity. This loss of activity was prevented by inhibition of RNAse A‐like enzymes. These data indicate that the anti‐neoplastic effect of siRNAs declines upon incubation in human serum. This loss of anti‐neoplastic activity can be prevented by inhibition of their degradation by RNAse A‐like enzymes. This may have important implications for the development of a human therapeutic application of siRNAs. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of second cancer after chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Schöllkopf Claudia , Rosendahl Ditte , Rostgaard Klaus , Pipper Christian , Hjalgrim Henrik
Published: March 2007

Smoking is not considered a risk factor for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) yet increased lung cancer risk has been reported for these patients. Little data exist on the temporal variation in lung cancer risk after CLL, or its histological composition. We investigated the occurrence of second cancers in a large cohort of CLL patients with particular emphasis on lung cancer and its major subtypes. We followed all patients diagnosed with CLL in Denmark in the period 1943–2003 (n = 12,373) for the occurrence of second cancers. The relative risk was expressed as the standardized incidence ratio (SIR), i.e. the ratio of observed to expected number of cancers, based on incidence rates for the Danish population. During follow‐up 1,105 cancers occurred among the CLL patients (SIR = 1.59 (95% CI 1.50–1.69)). SIR for all cancers combined remained elevated more than 10 years after CLL (SIR = 1.80 (1.56–2.08)). Lung cancer occurred in 141 patients (SIR = 1.61 (1.37–1.90)). The relative risk of lung cancer did not vary by gender, or time of follow‐up, but was higher in younger (SIR<60 years = 2.22 (1.62–3.06)) than in older (SIR70–79 years = 1.21 (0.88–1.68)) age‐groups. Elevated risks were observed for adenocarcinoma (SIR = 2.20 (1.57–3.08)) and squamous cell carcinoma (SIR = 1.52 (1.06–2.17)) of the lung. We speculate that shared genetic risk factors may explain the accumulation of lung and other cancers in CLL patients. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chartism and exchange rate volatility
Authors: Bask Mikael
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this paper is to implement theoretically, the observation that the relative importance of fundamental versus technical analysis in the foreign exchange market depends on the time horizon in currency trade. For shorter time horizons, more weight is placed on technical analysis, while more weight is placed on fundamental analysis for longer horizons. The theoretical framework is the Dornbusch overshooting model, where moving averages is the technical trading technique used by the chartists. The perfect foresight path near long‐run equilibrium is derived, and it is shown that the magnitude of exchange rate overshooting is larger than in the Dornbusch model. Specifically, the extent of overshooting depends inversely on the time horizon in currency trade. How changes in the model's structural parameters endogenously affect this time horizon and the magnitude of overshooting along the perfect foresight path are also derived. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Term‐structure estimation in markets with infrequent trading
Authors: Cortazar Gonzalo , Schwartz Eduardo S. , Naranjo Lorenzo F.
Published: March 2007

There are two issues that are of central importance in term‐structure analysis. One is the modelling and estimation of the current term structure of spot rates. The second is the modelling and estimation of the dynamics of the term structure. These two issues have been addressed independently in the literature. The methods that have been proposed assume a sufficiently complete price data set and are generally implemented separately. However, there are serious problems when these methods are applied to markets with sparse bond prices.

We develop a method for jointly estimating the current term‐structure and its dynamics for markets with infrequent trading. We propose solving both issues by using a dynamic term‐structure model estimated from incomplete panel‐data. To achieve this, we modify the standard Kalman filter approach to deal with the missing‐observation problem. In this way, we can use historic price data in a dynamic model to estimate the current term structure. With this approach we are able to obtain an estimate of the current term structure even for days with an arbitrary low number of price observations.

The proposed methodology can be applied to a broad class of continuous‐time term‐structure models with any number of stochastic factors. To show the implementation of the approach, we estimate a three‐factor generalized‐Vasicek model using Chilean government bond price data. The approach, however, may be used in any market with infrequent trading, a common characteristic of many emerging markets. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does purchasing power parity hold in emerging markets? Evidence from a panel of black market exchange rates
Authors: Cerrato Mario , Sarantis Nicholas
Published: March 2007

We examine the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis using a unique panel of monthly data on black market exchange rates for 34 emerging market economies. We apply a large number of recent heterogeneous panel unit root and cointegration tests. Panel unit root tests reject mean reversion in black market real exchange rates for most (but not all) emerging market economies. On the other hand, all panel cointegration tests provide strong evidence of cointegration between the nominal black market exchange rate and domestic and foreign prices for both individual countries and the full panel. Since we believe that the findings from unit root tests may be affected by the imposition of the joint symmetry and proportionality restriction due to trade restrictions and measurement errors, we test for such a restriction using likelihood ratio tests and find that it is strongly rejected. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Color invariant object recognition using entropic graphs
Authors: van Gemert Jan C. , Burghouts Gertjan J. , Seinstra Frank J. , Geusebroek Jan‐Mark
Published: March 2007

We present an object recognition approach using higher‐order color invariant features with an entropy‐based similarity measure. Entropic graphs offer an unparameterized alternative to common entropy estimation techniques, such as a histogram or assuming a probability distribution. An entropic graph estimates entropy from a spanning graph structure of sample data. We extract color invariant features from object images invariant to illumination changes in intensity, viewpoint, and shading. The Henze–Penrose similarity measure is used to estimate the similarity of two images. Our method is evaluated on the ALOI collection, a large collection of object images. This object image collection consists of 1000 objects recorded under various imaging circumstances. The proposed method is shown to be effective under a wide variety of imaging conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 146–153, 2006
An application of linear predictive coding and computational geometry to iris recognition
Authors: Alipour Masoud , Farhadi Ali , Razavi Nima
Published: March 2007

The aim of this work is to present a method in computer vision for person identification via iris recognition. The method makes essential use of computational geometry and LPC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 230–233, 2006
Electrophysiological study of infant and adult rats under acute intoxication with fluoroacetamide
Authors: Kuznetsov Sergey V. , Jenkins Richard O. , Goncharov Nikolay V.
Published: March 2007

A study was conducted of acute intoxication of infant and adult Wistar rats with fluoroacetamide (FAA), an inhibitor of oxidative metabolism. FAA was administered orally to adult rats at 1/2 LD50 and subcutaneously to infant rats at LD100 or 1/10 LD50. Electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration and motor activity were registered for 7 days. Clinical analysis of ECG and the heart rate variability (HRV) was carried out to assess the state of the vegetative nervous system.

In adult rats, FAA caused marked disturbances in the activity of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including the development of a potentially lethal acute cor pulmonale. Conversely, there were no significant changes of cardiac function and respiration in infant rats; they died because of extreme emaciation accompanied by retardation of development. In adult rats, bursts of associated cardiac and respiratory tachyarrhythmia, as well as regular high amplitude spasmodic sighs having a deca‐second rhythm were observed. In both infant and adult rats, FAA caused short‐term enhancement of humoral (metabolic) and sympathetic activities, followed by a gradual and stable predominance of parasympathetic influence on HRV. Under conditions of FAA inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the observed physiological reactions may be explained by activation of alternative metabolic pathways. This is also supported by a lack of ontogenetically caused inhibition of spontaneous motor activity in infant rats poisoned with FAA, which highlights the significance of the alternative metabolic pathways for implementation of deca‐second and minute rhythms and a lack of a rigid dependence of these rhythms upon activity of neuronal networks. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of microwave assisted extraction for the simultaneous determination of isoflavonoids and saponins in Radix Astragali by high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Song Jing‐Zheng , Mo Shi‐Fu , Yip Yue‐Keung , Qiao Chun‐Feng , Han Quan‐Bin , Xu Hong‐Xi
Published: March 2007

A microwave assisted extraction (MAE) procedure was first developed for the simultaneous determination of isoflavonoids and astragalosides in Radix Astragali (RA). MAE showed the highest extraction efficiency when compared to Soxhlet, reflux, and ultrasonic extraction. It was found that flavonoid glycoside malonates were converted into their related glycosides during the prolonged conventional extraction, thus affecting the reproducibility. However, the conversion was inhibited when using MAE. After being optimized in terms of solvents, microwave power, and irradiation time, MAE was used for the simultaneous determination of isoflavonoids and astragalosides in RA with HPLC‐UV‐evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). Our results indicated that extraction by MAE was more effective than by other conventional techniques. Moreover, the MAE method followed by HPLC‐UV‐ELSD determination was a simple, rapid, and reliable method for the quality assessment of RA.
Rapid speciation of iron by on‐line coupling of short column capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with the collision cell technique
Authors: Li Bao‐Hui , Yan Xiu‐Ping
Published: March 2007

A method for rapid speciation analysis of iron was developed by on‐line coupling of short column capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The collision cell technique was used to eliminate argon‐based polyatomic interferences and a Micromist nebulizer was employed to increase the nebulization efficiency. Rapid speciation analysis of Fe(II) and Fe(III) was achieved within 1 min by short column capillary electrophoresis in a 14 cm×50 μm id capillary at 28 kV voltage with a mixture of 15 mmol/L tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane + 1 mmol/L 1,10‐phenanthroline + 1 mmol/L EDTA (pH 8.6) as running electrolyte. The precisions (RSD, n = 5) of migration time and peak area for Fe(II) and Fe(III) were in the range of 1.0–2.6 and 1.9–3.9%, respectively. The limits of detection (3σ) of Fe(II) and Fe(III) were 10.0 and 8.3 μg/L, respectively.
Computing the complexity of the relation of isometry between separable Banach spaces
Authors: Melleray Julien
Published: March 2007

We compute here the Borel complexity of the relation of isometry between separable Banach spaces, using results of Gao, Kechris [2], Mayer‐Wolf [5], and Weaver [8]. We show that this relation is Borel bireducible to the universal relation for Borel actions of Polish groups. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Non‐standard analysis in ACA0 and Riemann mapping theorem
Authors: Yokoyama Keita
Published: March 2007

This research is motivated by the program of reverse mathematics and non‐standard arguments in second‐order arithmetic. Within a weak subsystem of second‐order arithmetic ACA0, we investigate some aspects of non‐standard analysis related to sequential compactness. Then, using arguments of non‐standard analysis, we show the equivalence of the Riemann mapping theorem and ACA0 over WKL0. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Categorical abstract algebraic logic: The Diagram and the Reduction Operator Lemmas
Authors: Voutsadakis George
Published: March 2007

The study of structure systems, an abstraction of the concept of first‐order structures, is continued. Structure systems have algebraic systems as their algebraic reducts and their relational component consists of a collection of relation systems on the underlying functors. An analog of the expansion of a first‐order structure by constants is presented. Furthermore, analogs of the Diagram Lemma and the Reduction Operator Lemma from the theory of equality‐free first‐order structures are provided in the framework of structure systems. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A topology induced by uniformity on BL‐algebras
Authors: Haveshki Masoud , Eslami Esfandiar , Borumand Saeid Arsham
Published: March 2007

In this paper, we consider a collection of filters of a BL‐algebra A. We use the concept of congruence relation with respect to filters to construct a uniformity which induces a topology on A. We study the properties of this topology regarding different filters. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Uniform domain representations of ℓp‐spaces
Authors: Køber Petter K.
Published: March 2007

The category of Scott‐domains gives a computability theory for possibly uncountable topological spaces, via representations. In particular, every separable Banach‐space is representable over a separable domain. A large class of topological spaces, including all Banach‐spaces, is representable by domains, and in domain theory, there is a well‐understood notion of parametrizations over a domain. We explore the link with parameter‐dependent collections of spaces in e. g. functional analysis through a case study of ℓp ‐spaces. We show that a well‐known domain representation of ℓp as a metric space can be made uniform in the sense of parametrizations of domains. The uniform representations admit lifting of continuous functions and are effective in p. Dependent type constructions apply, and through the study of the sum and product spaces, we clarify the notions of uniformity and uniform computability. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Contamination of nuclear fractions with plasma membrane lipid rafts
Authors: Say Yee‐How , Hooper Nigel M.
Published: March 2007

Subcellular fractionation is central to a range of cell biological, biochemical and proteomic studies. Purification of nuclear‐enriched fractions is critical for studies on nuclear structure and function. Here we show that detergent‐based nuclear isolation methods cause the redistribution of proteins associated with plasma membrane lipid rafts into nuclear fractions. The glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored prion protein (PrPC) and a GPI‐anchored construct of angiotensin converting enzyme (GPI‐ACE), as well as the lipid raft markers flotillin‐1 and ‐2, were present in the nuclear fractions derived using three different subcellular fractionation protocols. Incubation of intact cells with bacterial phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC), which cleaves GPI‐anchored proteins from the cell surface, significantly reduced the amount of PrPC and GPI‐ACE in the nuclear fraction. Buoyant sucrose density gradient centrifugation in the presence of Triton X‐100 of the nuclear fraction resulted in a significant proportion of the GPI‐anchored proteins being recovered in the low density lipid raft fractions. These data indicate that the nuclear fraction isolated using such subcellular fractionation protocols is contaminated with components of plasma membrane lipid rafts and raises questions as to the integrity of the nuclear fraction isolated by such protocols for use in detailed cell biological studies and proteomics analysis.
A comparative computational study of the homolytic and heterolytic bond dissociation energies involved in the activation step of ATRP and SET‐LRP of vinyl monomers
Authors: Guliashvili Tamaz , Percec Virgil
Published: March 2007

A quantum‐chemical calculation of the homolytic and heterolytic bond dissociation energies of the model compounds of the monomer and dimer is reported. These model compounds include the dormant chloride, bromide, and iodide species for representative activated and nonactivated monomers containing electron‐withdrawing groups as well as for a nonactivated monomer containing an electron‐donor group. Two examples of sulfonyl and N‐halide initiators are also reported. The homolytic inner‐sphere electron‐transfer bond dissociation is known as atom transfer and is responsible for the activation step in ATRP. The heterolytic outer sphere single electron transfer bond dissociation is responsible for the activation step in single electron transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP). The results of this study demonstrated much lower bond dissociation energies for the outer sphere single electron transfer processes. These results explain the higher rate constant of activation, the higher apparent rate constant of propagation, and the lower polymerization temperature for both activated and nonactivated monomers containing electron‐withdrawing groups in SET‐LRP. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1607–1618, 2007
Physician‐diagnosed asthma and acute chest syndrome: Associations with NOS Polymorphisms
Authors: Duckworth Laurie , Hsu Lewis , Feng Hua , Wang Jianwei , Sylvester James E. , Kissoon Niranjan , Sandler Eric , Lima John J.
Published: March 2007

The main objectives of this paper were to test the hypothesis that polymorphisms in NOS1 and NOS3 genes associate with ACS in SCD patients and to characterize the association between physician‐diagnosed asthma and acute chest syndrome (ACS). Case–control study of sickle cell disease patients ≥5 years old with ACS (cases; n = 86) and those without ACS (controls; n = 48) was carried out. Associations between ACS and the AAT repeat in intron 13 (formerly intron 20) of the NOS1, and with NOS3 T‐786C polymorphism were explored. Physician‐diagnosed asthma was determined by chart review, patient‐ or parent (guardian)‐reported asthma, and drug use. Eighty five percent of participants with asthma had at least one episode of ACS compared to14.6% of controls: adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95%CI) 5.46 (2.20,13.5), P = <0.0001. Asthma correlated with the number of episodes of ACS (P < 0.001). NOS1 AAT repeat polymorphism associated with the risk of ACS (P = 0.001) in patients without physician‐diagnosed asthma. No associations were found between the genotype of the NOS3 T‐786C SNP and ACS. Physician‐diagnosed asthma is a major risk factor for ACS. NOS1 AAT repeat polymorphism may contribute to ACS in patients without physician‐diagnosed asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:332–338. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exciton and antisite defect‐related luminescence in Lu3Al5O12 and Y3Al5O12 garnets
Authors: Zorenko Yu. , Voloshinovskii A. , Savchyn V. , Voznyak T. , Nikl M. , Nejezchleb K. , Mikhailin V. , Kolobanov V. , Spassky D.
Published: March 2007

Intrinsic emission of complex oxides with garnet structure was studied by means of the analyses of the time‐resolved luminescence spectra and decay kinetic for single crystals (SC) and single‐crystalline films (SCF) of Y3Al5O12 (YAG) and Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG) garnets under excitation by the pulse X‐ray and synchrotron radiation at 8–300 K. YAG and LuAG SC and SCF are characterized by significantly different concentration of the YAl and LuAl antisite defects (AD) due to the substantial difference in the conditions of their crystallization. For this reason, LuAG and YAG SC and SCF are very useful model objects for the study of nature of the intrinsic emission of these oxides, consisting of the excitons and AD luminescence. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Handling drop‐out in longitudinal clinical trials: a comparison of the LOCF and MMRM approaches
Authors: Lane Peter
Published: March 2007

This study compares two methods for handling missing data in longitudinal trials: one using the last‐observation‐carried‐forward (LOCF) method and one based on a multivariate or mixed model for repeated measurements (MMRM). Using data sets simulated to match six actual trials, I imposed several drop‐out mechanisms, and compared the methods in terms of bias in the treatment difference and power of the treatment comparison. With equal drop‐out in Active and Placebo arms, LOCF generally underestimated the treatment effect; but with unequal drop‐out, bias could be much larger and in either direction. In contrast, bias with the MMRM method was much smaller; and whereas MMRM rarely caused a difference in power of greater than 20%, LOCF caused a difference in power of greater than 20% in nearly half the simulations. Use of the LOCF method is therefore likely to misrepresent the results of a trial seriously, and so is not a good choice for primary analysis. In contrast, the MMRM method is unlikely to result in serious misinterpretation, unless the drop‐out mechanism is missing not at random (MNAR) and there is substantially unequal drop‐out. Moreover, MMRM is clearly more reliable and better grounded statistically. Neither method is capable of dealing on its own with trials involving MNAR drop‐out mechanisms, for which sensitivity analysis is needed using more complex methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Juvenile masu salmon in a regulated river
Authors: Nagayama Shigeya , Nakamura Futoshi
Published: March 2007

We examined the relationship between the physical environment and habitat use of juvenile masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, in the Nobori River in Hokkaido, Japan to provide a perspective for the conservation of fish habitat in regulated streams. The study was undertaken during the autumn and winter, with an emphasis on the hierarchy of three spatial scales: microhabitat, channel‐unit and reach scales. The microhabitat‐scale analysis indicated juvenile masu salmon preferred a midstream habitat type, with a greater depth (Avg. ± SD: 35.4 ± 14.2 cm) and high (43.4 ± 23.1 cm s−1) and uniform current velocities during the autumn, and a channel margin habitat type with a moderate current (about 20 cm s−1) and submerged cover during winter. In addition, different cover types have different roles in determining juvenile salmon distributions during winter. Grass cover had extremely high carrying capacities, whereas coarse substrate cover provided winter habitat for larger juvenile salmon. Channel‐unit scale analyses showed that abundance of juvenile salmon tended to be higher in pools than runs in the autumn through winter. Reach‐scale analysis showed that abundance and mean body length of juvenile salmon significantly differed between differently regulated reaches during winter, associated with the dominant cover type in each reach. This study demonstrated that the habitat conditions determining juvenile masu salmon distribution differ according to the season and scale of analysis. Therefore, for conservation of fish communities, it is important to evaluate and conserve or create fish habitats in regulated reaches, with a focus on the hierarchy of spatial scales and seasonal differences. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unintended consequences: How science professors discourage women of color
Authors: Johnson Angela C.
Published: March 2007

This study examined how 16 Black, Latina, and American Indian women science students reacted to their undergraduate science classes. I focused on the meanings they made of the common features of university science documented by Seymour and Hewitt (1997), including large, competitive, fast‐paced classes, poor teaching, and an unsupportive culture. I also explored their responses to the values manifested in their science classes and laboratories. The research took place at a large, predominantly White research university; participants were recruited from a science enrichment program for high‐achieving students. I interviewed the participants and attended science classes and laboratories with them. I analyzed the data using J. Spradley's semantic structural analysis method (1979, 1980) and validated it through triangulation and member‐checking. The women in the study found three features of science classes particularly discouraging: the size of the lecture classes, asking and answering questions in class, and (in some cases) engaging in undergraduate research. They were negatively impacted by two cultural values: a narrow focus on decontextualized science and the construction of science as a gender‐, ethnicity‐ and race‐neutral meritocracy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed91:805–821, 2007
A covariate adjusted two‐stage allocation design for binary responses in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Uttam , Biswas Atanu , Bhattacharya Rahul
Published: March 2007

In the present work, we develop a two‐stage allocation rule for binary response using the log‐odds ratio within the Bayesian framework allowing the current allocation to depend on the covariate value of the current subject. We study, both numerically and theoretically, several exact and limiting properties of this design. The applicability of the proposed methodology is illustrated by using some data set. We compare this rule with some of the existing rules by computing various performance measures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practical ultra‐reliability for abstract data types
Authors: Nikolik Borislav , Hamlet Dick
Published: March 2007

The Term Redundancy Method (TRM) is a novel approach for obtaining ultra‐reliable programs through specification‐based testing. Current specification‐based testing schemes need a prohibitively large number of test cases for estimating ultra‐reliability. They assume the availability of an accurate program‐usage distribution prior to testing, and they assume the availability of a test oracle. This paper shows how to obtain ultra‐reliable abstract data types specified with equational specifications, with a practical number of test cases, without an accurate usage distribution, and without the usual test oracle. The effectiveness of the TRM in failure detection and recovery is demonstrated on the aircraft collision avoidance system TCAS. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global protein expression profiling of budding yeast in response to DNA damage
Authors: Lee Min‐Woo , Kim Beom‐Jun , Choi Hyun‐Kyung , Ryu Min‐Jung , Kim Sang‐Bae , Kang Kyung‐Min , Cho Eun‐Jung , Youn Hong‐Duk , Huh Won‐Ki , Kim Seong‐Tae
Published: March 2007

Exposure to DNA‐damaging agents can activate cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair processes to ensure genetic integrity. Such exposures also can affect the transcription of many genes required for these processes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, changes of global gene expression as a result of a DNA‐damaging agent were previously identified by using DNA chip technology. DNA microarray analysis is a powerful tool for identifying genes whose expressions are changed in response to environmental changes. Transcriptional levels, however, do not necessarily reflect cellular protein levels. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been widely used as a reporter of gene expression and subcellular protein localization. We have used 4156 yeast strains expressing full‐length, chromosome‐tagged GFP fusion proteins to monitor changes of protein levels in response to the DNA‐damaging agent, methyl methanesulphonate (MMS). Through flow cytometry, we identified 157 proteins whose levels were increased at least three‐fold following treatment with MMS. Of 157 responsible genes, transcriptions of 57 were previously not known to be induced by MMS. Immunoblot experiments with tandem affinity‐tagged yeast strains under the same experimental conditions confirmed these newly found proteins as inducible. These results suggest, therefore, that the 57 protein expressions are regulated by different mechanisms, such as post‐translational modifications, and not by transcriptional regulation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational identification of novel microRNAs and targets in Brassica napus
Authors: Xie Fu Liang , Huang Si Qi , Guo Kai , Xiang An Ling , Zhu Yi Yong , Nie Li , Yang Zhi Min
Published: March 2007

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly discovered class of non‐protein‐coding small RNAs with roughly 22 nucleotide‐long. Increasing evidence has shown that miRNAs play multiple roles in biological processes, including development, cell proliferation and apoptosis and stress responses. In this research, several approaches were combined to make computational prediction of potential miRNAs and their targets in Brassica napus. We used previously known miRNAs from Arabidopsis, rice and other plant species against both expressed sequence tags (EST) and genomic survey sequence (GSS) databases to search for potential miRNAs in B. napus. A total of 21 potential miRNAs were detected following a range of strict filtering criteria. Using these potential miRNA sequences, we could further blast the mRNA database and found 67 potential targets in this species. According to the mRNA target information provided by NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), most of the target mRNAs appeared to be involved in plant growth, development and stress responses. To validate the prediction of miRNAs in B. napus, we performed a RT‐PCR based assay of mature miRNA expression. Five miRNAs were identified in response to auxin, cadmium stress and phosphate starvation. So far, little is known about experimental or computational identification of miRNA in B. napus species. To improve efficiency for blast search, we developed an implementation (miRNAassist) that can identify homologs of miRNAs and their targets, with high sensitivity and specificity. The program is allowed to be run on Windows Operation System platform. miRNAassist is freely available if required.
Antidiabetic effect of long-term supplementation with Siraitia grosvenori on the spontaneously diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rat
Authors: Suzuki Yasushi A. , Tomoda Mayuko , Murata Yuji , Inui Hiroshi , Sugiura Masaki , Nakano Yoshihisa
Published: March 2007

Siraitia grosvenori Swingle (SG) is a traditional Chinese fruit used as a folk medicine. Its extract (SG-ex) contains potent sweet elements with a sweetness several hundred times higher than table sugar. We investigated the antidiabetic effect of SG-ex in the type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rat. Diabetic 7-week-old GK rats were fed a diet supplemented with 0·4 % of the SG-ex for 13 weeks, and its antidiabetic effects were evaluated. SG-ex had no effect on food intake or body weight. In oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), SG-ex supplementation improved the insulin response at 15 min (control, 63 (sem 6) pm; SG-ex, 107 (sem 20) pm; P < 0·05) and reduced the plasma glucose level at 120 min after the glucose administration (control, 18·5 (sem 0·8) mm; SG-ex, 14·8 (sem 0·7) mm; P < 0·05). The total amount of insulin in whole pancreas taken from fasting rats was higher in the SG-ex-supplemented group, which may explain the greater capacity to secrete insulin during the OGTT. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in both the liver and the plasma were lower in the SG-ex-supplemented group, suggesting that an absorbable component in SG-ex has an antioxidative effect on lipid peroxidation, thereby counteracting the oxidative stress caused by a diabetic state. Excreted urine volume and urinary albumin level for 24 h were both reduced in the SG-ex-supplemented group, suggesting the attenuation of kidney damage that is caused by diabetes. These data indicate that SG-ex supplementation may prevent complications and attenuate pathological conditions for type 2 diabetes, along with its sweet characteristics.
Effects of dietary soyabean meal, inulin and oxytetracycline on intestinal microbiota and epithelial cell stress, apoptosis and proliferation in the teleost Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Bakke-McKellep Anne Marie , Penn Michael H. , Salas Patricia Mora , Refstie Ståle , Sperstad Sigmund , Landsverk Thor , Ringø Einar , Krogdahl Åshild
Published: March 2007

Soyabean meal (SBM)-induced enteritis in the distal intestine of the teleost Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and other salmonids may be considered a model for diet-related mucosal disorders in other animals and man. The role of the intestinal microbiota in its pathogenesis was explored. Compared to diets containing fishmeal (FM) as the sole protein source, responses to extracted SBM or the prebiotic inulin, with or without oxytetracycline (OTC) inclusion, were studied following a 3-week feeding trial. Intestinal microbiota, organosomatic indices and histology, as well as immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and caspase-3-positive cells in the distal intestine, were studied. Distal intestine somatic indices (DISI) were higher in inulin and lower in SBM compared to FM-fed fish. The low DISI caused by SBM corresponded with histological changes, neither of which was affected by OTC, despite a significant decrease in adherent bacteria count. Image analysis of PCNA-stained sections showed a significant increase in the proliferative compartment length in SBM-fed fish, accompanied by apparent increases in reactivity to HSP70 and caspase-3 along the mucosal folds, indicating induction of cellular repair and apoptosis, respectively. Fish fed the SBM diet had higher total number as well as a more diverse population composition of adherent bacteria in the distal intestine. Thus SBM-induced enteritis is accompanied by induction of distal intestinal epithelial cell protective responses and changes in microbiota. Putative involvement of bacteria in the inflammatory response merits further investigation.
Serum percentage undercarboxylated osteocalcin, a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and its relationship to bone health indices in Danish girls
Authors: O'Connor Eibhlis , Mølgaard Christian , Michaelsen Kim F. , Jakobsen Jette , Lamberg-Allardt Christel J. E. , Cashman Kevin D.
Published: March 2007

Recent cross-sectional data suggest that better vitamin K status in young girls (aged 3–16 years) is associated with decreased bone turnover, even though it is not associated with bone mineral content (BMC). The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum percentage of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC), as an index of vitamin K status, and BMC and biochemical indices of bone turnover in peri-pubertal Danish girls. This peri-pubertal stage is a dynamic period of bone development, and as such, may represent an important window of opportunity for vitamin K status to modulate childhood bone health. Serum %ucOC and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) were measured at baseline in a study of 223 healthy girls aged 11–12 years. Urinary pyridinium crosslinks of collagen and serum total osteocalcin as markers of bone resorption and formation, respectively, as well as BMC (total body and lumbar spine) were also measured. Serum %ucOC (median 21·9 %) was not associated with markers of bone resorption or with total osteocalcin. Serum %ucOC was inversely correlated with serum 25 (OH) D (r− 0·143;P < 0·05). Serum %ucOC was negatively associated with BMC of the total body (β − 0·045;P < 0·001) and lumbar spine (β − 0·055;P < 0·05), after adjustment for potential confounders including vitamin D status. Better vitamin K status was associated with increased BMC, but not bone turnover, in healthy peri-pubertal Danish girls. There is a need for well-designed, randomized phylloquinone supplementation trials in children and adolescents to confirm epidemiological findings of an association between vitamin K status and bone health.
TheAPOB-516C/T polymorphism is associated with differences in insulin sensitivity in healthy males during the consumption of diets with different fat content
Authors: Pérez-Martínez Pablo , Pérez-Jiménez Francisco , Ordovás José María , Moreno Juan Antonio , Moreno Rafael , Fuentes Francisco , Ruano Juan , Gómez Purificación , Marín Carmen , López-Miranda José
Published: March 2007

Several apo B polymorphic sites have been studied for their potential use as markers for CHD in the population and for potential gene–diet interactions. Our aim was to determine whether the presence of the -516C/T polymorphism in theAPOBgene promoter modifies insulin sensitivity to dietary fat. We studied fifty-nine healthy volunteers (thirty men and twenty-nine women, thirty-six homozygotes for the -516C allele (C/C) (nineteen males and seventeen females) and twenty-three heterozygotes for the -516T allele (C/T) (eleven males and twelve females)). Subjects consumed three diets during the feeding study, 4 weeks each: an SFA-rich diet (38 % fat, 20 % SFA), followed by a carbohydrate (CHO)-rich diet (30 % fat, 55 % CHO) or a MUFA-rich diet (38 % fat, 22 % MUFA) following a randomised cross-over design. For each diet, we investigated peripheral insulin sensitivity with the insulin suppression test. Male carriers of the -516T allele showed a significantly greater decrease in steady-state plasma glucose concentrations when changing from the SFA-rich diet (9·18 (sd1·35) mmol/l) to the MUFA (6·55 (sd0·74) mmol/l) or the CHO (6·31 (sd0·93) mmol/l) diets than did those who were homozygous for the C allele (P = 0·040). Furthermore, C/T subjects presented higher plasma NEFA values after consumption of the SFA diet compared with the MUFA and CHO diets (P = 0·001). This effect was not observed in females (P = 0·908). Our findings show that male carriers of the -516T allele, C/T, have a significant increase in insulin resistance after consumption of all diets, but the difference is more exaggerated after the SFA diet compared with the MUFA- and CHO-rich diets.
PROPERTIUS 4.10 AND THE END OF THE AENEID: AUGUSTUS, THE SPOLIA OPIMA AND THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
Authors: INGLEHEART JENNIFER
Published: March 2007

The tenth poem of Propertius Book 4 is the most remarkable in a collection full of surprises for its readers, and appears to mark a significant departure from his previous work. If Propertius had never written his final book of poetry, we might characterize him on the basis of his earlier books as the quintessential Latin love elegist: he rejects not only a military career, but even the less demanding task of celebrating Augustus' victories, in favour of the love elegist's self-indulgent life of leisure: cf. e.g. Prop. 2.1.39–46. In the first poem of Book 4, however, Propertius announces what appears to be a wholly different poetic programme; in place of the erotic elegies of the previous books is a new ‘serious’ purpose: Propertius will sing about national, religious and antiquarian themes, as the ‘Roman Callimachus’ (Propertius 4.1a.63–4). However, as soon as the next poem, Propertius is commanded to return to his usual theme of obsessive elegiac love for one woman, a topic described as haec tua castra (‘this is your sphere of operations’, 4.1b.135). The poems which follow in Propertius 4 tend to strike a balance between antiquarian seriousness and elegiac frivolity. For example, in 4.4, Propertius relates the Vestal Virgin Tarpeia's betrayal of Rome, connecting several contemporary urban landmarks with the poem's heroine, but he remains true to his earlier colours by presenting Tarpeia as an elegiac lover who falls in love at first sight and betrays her city out of passion.
Privileging the Machines: American Engineers, Indentured Chinese and White Workers in South Africa's Deep-Level Gold Mines, 1902–1907
Authors: Higginson John
Published: March 2007

Economists and historians have identified the period between 1870 and 1914 as one marked by the movement of capital and labor across the globe at unprecedented speed. The accompanying spread of the gold standard and industrial techniques contained volatile and ambiguous implications for workers everywhere. Industrial engineers made new machinery and industrial techniques the measure of human effort. The plight of workers in South Africa's deep-level gold mines in the era following the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902 provides a powerful example of just how lethal the new benchmarks of human effort could be. When by 1904 close to 50,000 Africans refused to return to the mines, mining policy began to coalesce around solving the “labor shortage” problem and dramatically reducing working costs. Engineers, especially American engineers, rapidly gained the confidence of the companies that had made large investments in the deep-level mines of the Far East Rand by bringing more than 60,000 indentured Chinese workers to the mines to make up for the postwar shortfall in unskilled labor in late 1904. But the dangerous working conditions that drove African workers away from many of the deep-level mines persisted. Three years later, in 1907, their persistence provoked a bitter strike by white drill-men.
Connecting Migration and World History: Demographic Patterns, Family Systems and Gender
Authors: Page Moch Leslie
Published: March 2007

The history of migration is the history of human connections. Migration, then, is a powerful element in world history precisely because it identifies points of contact among peoples and nations and thus provides a deeper understanding of the human experience than institutional or diplomatic perspectives. Here, I seek to connect the global history of migration to family systems, demographic patterns and gender relations – those most intimate connections that bring life to our analyses of the past. A global perspective on historical migrations offers a fascinating challenge to the Europeanist, familiar with the rhythms of European migration and the social and economic systems that gave rise to them. In response to Adam McKeown's observations about Asia in world migrations, I focus on Chinese family and gender relations.
Regionalizing World Migration
Authors: McKeown Adam
Published: March 2007

An insistence on the broad similarities and structural linkages of migrations across the globe since the 1840s is important because it can clear the ground for more effective comparisons. Only after questioning the a priori distinction that privileges “modern” transatlantic migrations as categorically distinct from those in the rest of the world can we begin to understand each migrant and migrant flow as emerging from a distinct nexus of global, regional, local, and historical processes. I think I am in agreement with all of the participants in this forum on this basic point. Rather than quibble over numbers and definitions, all of the contributions have attempted to refine our historical comparisons and question some of the interpretive frameworks that are rooted in depictions of the Atlantic migrations as a norm. Once this global foundation is established, we can engage in the detailed empirical and conceptual work that will better address the sticky problems of numbers and categories. Who and what is actually being counted and not counted? When and why should we distinguish between long and short distance, or between international and domestic migration? How should we deal with return and repeat migrations? What is revealed or obscured by taking individuals, families or more extended networks as the basic units of migration? What is the practical or discursive significance of “free” migration?
The aging eye
Authors: Ah-Chan John J , Downes Susan
Published: March 2007

Age has been identified as the single most impor-tant demographic predictor of blindness and visual impairment. Visual impairment is the second most prevalent physical disability in the elderly population. The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment after 60 years of age increases significantly. Furthermore, the number of older people with functional vision impairment is expected to double in the next decade. Visual impairment in the elderly population is commonly due either to localized ocular pathology (cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration) or systemic disease with associated ocular or visual pathway involvement (hypertension, diabetes and cerebrovascular disease). Physicians involved in the care of older people play a crucial role in the recognition, prevention and management of morbidity related to visual impairment in this population. Timely screening, referral, intervention and visual rehabilitation is thought to be capable of reducing new blindness and visual impairment by at least one-third.
Cognitive Therapy for Low Self-Esteem in the Treatment of Depression in an Older Adult
Authors: Chatterton Lynne , Hall Pauline L. , Tarrier Nicholas
Published: March 2007

Low self-esteem is an underlying component of depression and psychological therapy may first need to address deeply entrenched negative self-evaluations in order to challenge and reduce the rigidity of core beliefs (Fennell, 1997). Hall and Tarrier (2003) developed an effective brief intervention aimed at reducing low self-esteem in patients with psychosis. Subsequent anecdotal evidence suggested that this intervention may also provide positive results in an older adult population with depression. In this case study, the intervention was implemented with a 79-year-old woman who was experiencing anxiety symptoms and depression with suicidal thoughts. Following implementation of the self-esteem intervention, significant improvements were obtained. This paper offers preliminary evidence that this novel intervention can be used successfully with older age clients and provides a positive and engaging therapy for depression.
Massed Exposure and Fast Remission of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia: A Case Example
Authors: Lang Thomas , Hoyer Jürgen
Published: March 2007

This case example demonstrates the role of massed exposure in optimizing treatment outcome in panic disorder with agoraphobia. Treatment of a 28-year-old male patient in a clinical routine setting is described. Full remission was achieved after an 8 day period of intensive treatment and proved to be stable at follow-up (6 months). More systematic research including controlled studies comparing massed and spaced exposure is suggested.