bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological correlates to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia as studied with Bayesian regression
Authors: Lawyer Glenn , Nyman Håkan , Agartz Ingrid , Arnborg Stefan , Jönsson Erik G , Sedvall Göran C , Hall Håkan
Published: August 2006

Background

Relationships between cognitive deficits and brain morphological changes observed in schizophrenia are alternately explained by less gray matter in the brain cerebral cortex, by alterations in neural circuitry involving the basal ganglia, and by alteration in cerebellar structures and related neural circuitry. This work explored a model encompassing all of these possibilities to identify the strongest morphological relationships to cognitive skill in schizophrenia.

Methods

Seventy-one patients with schizophrenia and sixty-five healthy control subjects were characterized by neuropsychological tests covering six functional domains. Measures of sixteen brain morphological structures were taken using semi-automatic and fully manual tracing of MRI images, with the full set of measures completed on thirty of the patients and twenty controls. Group differences were calculated. A Bayesian decision-theoretic method identified those morphological features, which best explained neuropsychological test scores in the context of a multivariate response linear model with interactions.

Results

Patients performed significantly worse on all neuropsychological tests except some regarding executive function. The most prominent morphological observations were enlarged ventricles, reduced posterior superior vermis gray matter volumes, and increased putamen gray matter volumes in the patients.

The Bayesian method associated putamen volumes with verbal learning, vigilance, and (to a lesser extent) executive function, while caudate volumes were associated with working memory. Vermis regions were associated with vigilance, executive function, and, less strongly, visuo-motor speed. Ventricular volume was strongly associated with visuo-motor speed, vocabulary, and executive function. Those neuropsychological tests, which were strongly associated to ventricular volume, showed only weak association to diagnosis, possibly because ventricular volume was regarded a proxy for diagnosis. Diagnosis was strongly associated with the other neuropsychological tests, implying that the morphological associations for these tasks reflected morphological effects and not merely group volumetric differences. Interaction effects were rarely associated, indicating that volumetric relationships to neuropsychological performance were similar for both patients and controls.

Conclusion

The association of subcortical and cerebellar structures to verbal learning, vigilance, and working memory supports the importance of neural connectivity to these functions. The finding that a morphological indicator of diagnosis (ventricular volume) provided more explanatory power than diagnosis itself for visuo-motor speed, vocabulary, and executive function suggests that volumetric abnormalities in the disease are more important for cognition than non-morphological features.
Ectopic thyroid in an adrenal mass: a case report
Authors: Hagiuda Jun , Kuroda Isao , Tsukamoto Takuji , Ueno Munehisa , Yokota Chizuko , Hirose Takanori , Deguchi Nobuhiro
Published: August 2006

Background

It is difficult to explain ectopic thyroid beneath the diaphragm because during the development the thyroid descends from the tongue to the anterior of the trachea. A few cases of ectopic lesions have been reported in the literature for abdominal organs including the adrenal glands, but the mechanism by which the thyroid components migrate into the abdomen has been poorly understood.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old woman was diagnosed as having an adrenal mass. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was carried out. Microscopically, the mass was composed of normal adrenal and ectopic thyroid tissues.

Conclusion

We herein describe the fourth case reported of ectopic thyroid in the adrenal gland.
Combined determination of plasma MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 improves the non-invasive detection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Staack Andrea , Badendieck Steffen , Schnorr Dietmar , Loening Stefan A , Jung Klaus
Published: August 2006

Background

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) play a major role in the maintenance of extracellular matrix homeostasis and are involved in the process of tumour invasion and metastasis in several malignant tumour entities. The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of various circulating MMPs and TIMPs in blood plasma for a non-invasive detection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC).

Methods

In this study the concentrations of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, their inhibitors TIMP1, TIMP2, and the MMP1/TIMP1-complex (MTC1) were quantified in blood plasma with the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood plasma samples were investigated from 68 patients (non-metastasized, n = 57 and metastasized, n = 11) with TCC of the bladder and from 79 healthy controls. The mROC program was used to calculate the best two- and three- marker combinations. The diagnostic values for all single markers and the marker combinations were estimated both by the overall diagnostic performance index area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the sensitivity and specificity at cutoff limits with the highest diagnostic accuracy and at the 90% and 95% limits of sensitivity and specificity, respectively.

Results

The median MMP2 concentration was elevated in blood plasma in all patient groups with TCC in comparison to the controls (p < 0.001). The concentrations of TIMP1, TIMP2, and MTC1 in plasma probes were significantly lower from patients with non-metastasized TCC compared to the controls. MMP2 tested alone reached the highest sensitivity and specificity at 75%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity increased when tested in combination with MMP9 and TIMP1 (97%, 94%, respectively). The combination of MMP9 and TIMP1 also showed an improved sensitivity (80%) and specificity (99%) than tested alone.

Conclusion

MMP2 is a statistically significant marker in blood plasma for bladder cancer detection with an increased diagnostic value in combination with MMP9 and TIMP1. This study showed that the highest sensitivities and specificities are not obtained by testing each marker alone. As shown by the best two-marker combination, which includes MMP9 and TIMP1, the optimized combination does not always include the best single markers.
The lipoprotein lipase gene in combined hyperlipidemia: evidence of a protective allele depletion
Authors: Wung Shu-Fen , Kulkarni Medha V , Pullinger Clive R , Malloy Mary J , Kane John P , Aouizerat Bradley E
Published: August 2006

Background

Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides (TG) from TG-rich lipoproteins, and serves a bridging function that enhances the cellular uptake of lipoproteins. Abnormalities in LPL function are associated with pathophysiological conditions, including familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH). Whereas two LPL susceptibility alleles were found to co-segregate in a few FCH kindred, a role for common, protective alleles remains unexplored. The LPL Ser447Stop (S447X) allele is associated with anti-atherogenic lipid profiles and a modest reduction in risk for coronary disease. We hypothesize that significant depletion of the 447X allele exists in combined hyperlipidemia cases versus controls. A case-control design was employed. The polymorphism was assessed by restriction assay in 212 cases and 161 controls. Genotypic, allelic, and phenotypic associations were examined.

Results

We found evidence of significant allelic (447Xcontrol: 0.130 vs. 447Xcase: 0.031, χ2 = 29.085; 1df; p < 0.001) and genotypic association (SS: 0.745 vs. 0.939, and SX+XX: 0.255 vs. 0.061) in controls and cases, respectively (χ2 = 26.09; 1df; p < 0.001). In cases, depletion of the 447X allele is associated with a significant elevation in very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C, p = 0.045). Consonant with previous studies of this polymorphism, regression models predict that carriers of the 447X allele displayed significantly lower TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a role for the S447X polymorphism in combined hyperlipidemia and demonstrate the importance of evaluating both susceptibility and protective genetic risk factors.
Transcriptional control of midbrain dopaminergic neuron development
Authors: Ang Siew-Lan
Published: August 2006

Although loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is associated with one of the most common human neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, little is known about the specification of this neuronal subtype. Hence, the recent identification of major transcriptional determinants regulating the development of these neurons has brought much excitement and encouragement to this field. These new findings will help to elucidate the genetic program that promotes the generation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Importantly, these discoveries will also significantly advance efforts to differentiate stem cells into midbrain dopaminergic neurons that can be used for therapeutic use in treating Parkinson's disease.
CDC-42 and RHO-1 coordinate acto-myosin contractility and PAR protein localization during polarity establishment inC. elegansembryos
Authors: Schonegg Stephanie , Hyman Anthony A.
Published: August 2006

In C. elegans one-cell embryos, polarity is conventionally defined along the anteroposterior axis by the segregation of partitioning-defective(PAR) proteins into anterior (PAR-3, PAR-6) and posterior (PAR-1, PAR-2)cortical domains. The establishment of PAR asymmetry is coupled with acto-myosin cytoskeleton rearrangements. The small GTPases RHO-1 and CDC-42 are key players in cytoskeletal remodeling and cell polarity in a number of different systems. We investigated the roles of these two GTPases and the RhoGEF ECT-2 in polarity establishment in C. elegans embryos. We show that CDC-42 is required to remove PAR-2 from the cortex at the end of meiosis and to localize PAR-6 to the cortex. By contrast, RHO-1 activity is required to facilitate the segregation of CDC-42 and PAR-6 to the anterior. Loss of RHO-1 activity causes defects in the early organization of the myosin cytoskeleton but does not inhibit segregation of myosin to the anterior. We therefore propose that RHO-1 couples the polarization of the acto-myosin cytoskeleton with the proper segregation of CDC-42, which, in turn, localizes PAR-6 to the anterior cortex.
Snail-dependent and -independent Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Takkunen Minna , Grenman Reidar , Hukkanen Mika , Korhonen Matti , Herreros Antonio García de , Virtanen Ismo
Published: August 2006

Disappearance of E-cadherin is a milestone for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), found both in carcinomas and in some fibrotic diseases. We have studied the mechanisms of EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells isolated from primary tumor (43A) and its recurrent tumor (43B). Whereas the cells from primary carcinoma displayed a typical phenotype of squamous epithelial cells including E-cadherin and laminin-332 (laminin-5), cells from recurrent tumor expressed characteristics of dedifferentiated, EMT-experienced tumors. 43B cells expressed E-cadherin repressors ZEB-1/δEF1 and especially ZEB-2/SIP1, which therefore appear as candidates for endogenous EMT in these cells. Differences between endogenous and exogenous EMT were assessed by transfecting 43A cells with SNAIL cDNA. SNAIL-transfected cells showed complete EMT phenotype with fibroblastoid appearance, vimentin filaments, E-cadherin/N-cadherin switch, lack of hemidesmosomes and, as a new feature of EMT, lack of laminin-332 synthesis. Upregulation of ZEB-1 and ZEB-2 was evident in these cells, suggesting that SNAIL can regulate these E-cadherin repressors. New monoclonal antibodies against SNAIL showed nuclear immunoreactivity not only in the SNAIL-transfected cells but also in carcinoma cells lacking production of Lm-332 and showing signs of EMT. These results suggest that changes in the epithelial cell differentiation program and EMT in SCC cells can result from the interplay among several E-cadherin repressors; however, SNAIL alone is able to accomplish a complete EMT. (J Histochem Cytochem 54:1263-1275, 2006)
On the surjectivity of the canonical Gaussian map for multiple coverings
Authors: Ballico Edoardo , Fontanari Claudio
Published: August 2006

Here we investigate the canonical Gaussian map for higher multiple coverings of curves, the case of double coverings being completely understood thanks to previous work by Duflot. In particular, we prove that every smooth curve can be covered with degree not too high by a smooth curve having arbitrarily large genus and surjective canonical Gaussian map. As a consequence, we recover an asymptotic version of a recent result by Ciliberto and Lopez and we address the Arbarello subvariety in the moduli space of curves.
Completely regular ovals
Authors: Maschietti Antonio
Published: August 2006

The following result concerning completely regular ovals is proved: Let Π be a projective plane of even order and let 𝒪 be a completely regular oval with nucleus N. Then Π is (N,N)-transitive. Combining this result with previous results [A. Maschietti, Symplectic translation planes and line ovals. Adv. Geom.
3 (2003), 123–143. MR1967995 (2004c:51008) Zbl 1030.51002] one obtains: A projective plane of even order admits a completely regular oval if and only if the plane is dual to a symplectic translation plane.
Multiple molecular effect pathways of an environmental oestrogen in fish
Authors: Filby Amy L , Thorpe Karen L , Tyler Charles R
Published: August 2006

Complex interrelationships in the signalling of oestrogenic effects mean that environmental oestrogens present in the aquatic environment have the potential to disrupt physiological function in fish in a more complex manner than portrayed in the present literature. Taking a broader approach to investigate the possible effect pathways and the likely consequences of environmental oestrogen exposure in fish, the effects of 17β-oestradiol (E2) were studied on the expression of a suite of genes which interact to mediate growth, development and thyroid and interrenal function (growth hormone GH (gh), GH receptor (ghr ), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) (igf1), IGF-I receptor (igf1r ), thyroid hormone receptors-α (thra) and -β (thrb) and glucocorticoid receptor (gr )) together with the expression analyses of sex-steroid receptors and ten other genes centrally involved in sexual development and reproduction in fathead minnow (fhm; Pimephales promelas). Exposure of adult fhm to 35 ng E2/l for 14 days induced classic oestrogen biomarker responses (hepatic oestrogen receptor 1 and plasma vitellogenin), and impacted on the reproductive axis, feminising ‘male’ steroidogenic enzyme expression profiles and suppressing genes involved in testis differentiation. However, E2 also triggered a cascade of responses for gh, ghr, igf1, igf1r, thra, thrb and gr in the pituitary, brain, liver, gonad and gill, with potential consequences for the functioning of many physiological processes, not just reproduction. Molecular responses to E2 were complex, with most genes showing differential responses between tissues and sexes. For example, igf1 expression increased in brain but decreased in gill on exposure to E2, and responded in an opposite way in males compared with females in liver, gonad and pituitary. These findings demonstrate the importance of developing a deeper understanding of the endocrine interactions for unravelling the mechanisms of environmental oestrogen action and predicting the likely health consequences.
Global analysis of differential luminal epithelial gene expression at mouse implantation sites
Authors: Chen Ying , Ni Hua , Ma Xing-Hong , Hu Shi-Jun , Luan Li-Ming , Ren Gang , Zhao Yue-Chao , Li Shi-Jie , Diao Hong-Lu , Xu Xiu , Zhao Zhen-Ao , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: August 2006

Although implantation types differ between species, the interaction between blastocyst trophectoderm and apical surface of the uterine epithelium is a common event during the implantation process. In this study, uterine luminal epithelium at implantation and inter-implantation sites was isolated by enzymatic digestion and used for microarray analysis. In a mouse microarray containing 12 345 unigenes, we found 136 genes upregulated more than twofold at the implantation site, while 223 genes were downregulated by at least twofold. Reverse transcription-PCR was used to verify the differential expression of seven upregulated and six downregulated genes chosen randomly from our microarray analysis, and the expression trends were similar. The differential expression patterns of eight upregulated genes were verified by in situ hybridization. Compared with the inter-implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy and the uterus on day 5 of pseudopregnancy, protease, serine, 12 neurotrypsin, endothelin-1, γ-glutamyl hydrolase, Ras homolog gene family, member U, T-cell immunoglobulin, and mucin domain containing 2, proline–serine–threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 2, 3-monooxgenase/tryptophan 5-monooxgenase activation protein, γ-polypeptide, and cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) were upregulated in the luminal epithelium at implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy. These genes may be related to embryo apposition and adhesion during embryo implantation. Cyr61, a gene upregulated at the implantation site, was chosen to examine its expression and regulation during the periimplantation period by in situ hybridization. Cyr61 mRNA was specifically localized in the luminal epithelium surrounding the implanting blastocyst at day 4 midnight and on day 5 of pregnancy, and in the activated uterus, but not expressed in inter-implantation sites and under delayed implantation, suggesting a role for Cyr61 in mediating embryonic–uterine dialog during embryo attachment. Our data could be a valuable source for future study on embryo implantation.
Transcriptional regulation of human and murine 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-7 confers its participation in cholesterol biosynthesis
Authors: Ohnesorg Thomas , Keller Brigitte , de Angelis Martin Hrabé , Adamski Jerzy
Published: August 2006

In both humans and mice, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-7 (HSD17B7) was described as possessing dual enzymatic functionality. The enzyme was first shown to be able to convert estrone to estradiol in vitro. Later involvement of this enzyme in postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis was postulated (conversion of zymosterone to zymosterol) and could be proven in vitro. In this work, we performed a detailed analysis of the transcriptional regulation of both the human and murine genes. Despite relatively low sequence similarity, both promoters contain similar contexts of transcription factor-binding sites. The participation of these sites in transcriptional regulation of HSD17B7 was proven by electro-mobility shift assay and site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding binding sites. We describe novel involvement of vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor and provide new information on the regulation of HSD17B7 expression by sterol regulatory element-binding protein and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, the latter known from other genes of cholesterogenic enzymes. The results of our study provide unequivocal evidence for a role of HSD17B7 in cholesterol biosynthesis.
Identification and cloning of a glycoprotein hormone receptor from sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus
Authors: Freamat Mihael , Kawauchi Hiroshi , Nozaki Masumi , Sower Stacia A
Published: August 2006

A full-length transcript encoding a functional lamprey glycoprotein hormone receptor I (lGpH-R I, GenBank AY750688) was cloned from the testes of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, using the GpH-R protein fingerprint GLYCHORMONER from the PRINTS database. The present study is the first to identify a GpH-R transcript in an agnathan, which is one of the only two representatives of the oldest lineage of vertebrates. The 719-amino acid full-length cDNA encoding lGpH-R I is highly similar and is likely a homolog of the vertebrate GpH-Rs (including LH, FSH, and TSH receptors). The key motifs, sequence comparisons, and characteristics of the identified GpH-R reveal a mosaic of features common to all other classes of GpH-Rs in vertebrates. The lGpH-R I was shown to activate the cAMP signaling system using human chorionic gonadotropin in transiently transfected COS-7 cells. The highest expression of the receptor transcript was demonstrated in the testes using reverse transcriptase-PCR. Lower levels of the receptor transcript were also detected in brain, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, muscle, and thyroid. The high expression of lGpH-R I in the testis and the high similarity with gnathostome gonadotropin hormone receptors suggest that lGpH-R I functions as a receptor for lamprey gonadotropin hormones. We hypothesize from these data that there is lower specificity of gonadotropin and its receptor in agnathans and that during co-evolution of the ligand and its receptor in gnathostomes, there were increased specificities of interactions between each GpH (TSH, LH, and FSH) and its receptor.
Genetic association studies of the FOXP3 gene in Graves’ disease and autoimmune Addison’s disease in the United Kingdom population
Authors: Owen Catherine J , Eden James A , Jennings Claire E , Wilson Valerie , Cheetham Tim D , Pearce Simon H S
Published: August 2006

Regulatory T lymphocytes play a crucial role in modulating potentially self-reactive clones, and dysfunction of this cell type contributes to autoimmune disease. FOXP3 is a critical determinant of CD4+CD25+T regulatory (Treg) cell development and function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms at the FOXP3 locus predispose to autoimmune endocrinopathies. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two microsatellite polymorphisms were genotyped in our Caucasian cohorts of 633 unrelated Graves’ disease (GD) subjects, 104 autoimmune Addison’s disease (AAD) subjects and 528 healthy controls. SNP genotyping was performed by either restriction enzyme digestion or by primer-extension-MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight) assay. Microsatellites were analysed using fluorescent PCR. Case-control analysis was performed using χ2 testing on contingency tables for allele frequency. Haplotype analysis was performed using the UNPHASED package. No evidence for disease association was found with any of the seven polymorphisms in either of the GD or AAD subjects as compared with controls (P = 0.26–0.94). Haplotype analysis found a weak evidence for the association of a minor haplotype with GD; this was not significant when corrected for multiple testing. This study has found no robust evidence that FOXP3 gene polymorphism contributes to the susceptibility to GD or AAD in the UK population.
Dependence of Ammonia Emissions From Housing on the Time Cattle Spent Inside
Authors: Gilhespy Sarah , Webb J. , Retter Andrew , Chadwick David
Published: August 2006

Buildings housing cattle contribute 19% (42 kt NH3–N yr−1) of total UK ammonia (NH3) emissions. In the UK there is not usually an abrupt switch from cattle being kept inside to when they are turned out to graze 24 h a day. Moreover, during the summer dairy cows return to the farm twice a day to be milked and may spend some time inside buildings. Hence, there is uncertainty over the treatment of the transitional and summer periods when inventorying NH3 emissions. The aim of this study was to measure, under controlled and replicated conditions, the relationship between the number of hours cattle spend in buildings and the NH3 emissions from those buildings. Our results indicate that NH3 emissions decrease as the proportion of the day cattle spend in the buildings decreases, although the trend is not linear. Daily emission rates from cattle housed for 2 h ranged from 1.6 to 6.2 g NH3–N lu−1 whereas emissions from cattle housed for 24 h ranged from 8.1 to 24.1 g NH3–N lu−1 To significantly reduce NH3 emissions in comparison to those from buildings where cattle are housed for 24 h, the occupancy would have to be reduced to no more than 6 h each day. Thus, the strategy of extending the grazing season by allowing cattle to graze for c. 4 to 12 h during the winter is unlikely to reduce NH3 emissions from buildings or overall.
Nitrogen Loads through Baseflow, Stormflow, and Underflow to Rehoboth Bay, Delaware
Authors: Volk J. A. , Savidge K. B. , Scudlark J. R. , Andres A. S. , Ullman W. J.
Published: August 2006

A detailed study of water and nitrogen (N) discharge from a small, representative subwatershed of Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, was conducted to determine total N loads to the bay. The concentrations of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate + nitrite (NO3− + NO2−), and dissolved and particulate organic N were determined in baseflow and storm waters discharging from Bundicks Branch from October 1998 to April 2002. A novel hydrographic separation model that accounts for significant decreases in baseflow during storm events was developed to estimate N loads during unsampled storms. Nitrogen loads based on gauged flows alone (7100–19 100 kg/yr) significantly underestimated those based on land use–land cover (LULC) and estimated N export factors from different classes of LULC (32 000–40 600 kg/yr). However, when ungauged underflow and associated N loads were included in the total loads (25500–33800 kg/yr), there was much better agreement with LULC export models. This suggests that in permeable coastal plain sediments, underflow contributes significantly to N fluxes to estuarine receiving waters, particularly in drier years. Based on the similarity in LULC, N loads from the Bundicks Branch subwatershed were used to estimate upland loads to the entire Rehoboth Bay Watershed (259 000–316000 kg/yr). These N loads from the watershed were much greater than those from direct atmospheric deposition (49000–64 500 kg/yr) and from a local wastewater treatment plant (9700–13700 kg/yr). While the watershed was the principal source of N at all times during the year, the relative contributions from the watershed, wastewater, and direct atmospheric deposition varied predictably with season.
The Current Status and Environmental Impacts of Glyphosate‐Resistant Crops
Authors: Cerdeira Antonio L. , Duke Stephen O.
Published: August 2006

Glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl) glycine]‐resistant crops (GRCs), canola (Brassica napusL.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.), maize (Zea maysL.), and soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] have been commercialized and grown extensively in the Western Hemisphere and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere. Glyphosate‐resistant cotton and soybean have become dominant in those countries where their planting is permitted. Effects of glyphosate on contamination of soil, water, and air are minimal, compared to some of the herbicides that they replace. No risks have been found with food or feed safety or nutritional value in products from currently available GRCs. Glyphosate‐resistant crops have promoted the adoption of reduced‐ or no‐tillage agriculture in the USA and Argentina, providing a substantial environmental benefit. Weed species in GRC fields have shifted to those that can more successfully withstand glyphosate and to those that avoid the time of its application. Three weed species have evolved resistance to glyphosate in GRCs. Glyphosate‐resistant crops have greater potential to become problems as volunteer crops than do conventional crops. Glyphosate resistance transgenes have been found in fields of canola that are supposed to be non‐transgenic. Under some circumstances, the largest risk of GRCs may be transgene flow (introgression) from GRCs to related species that might become problems in natural ecosystems. Glyphosate resistance transgenes themselves are highly unlikely to be a risk in wild plant populations, but when linked to transgenes that may impart fitness benefits outside of agriculture (e.g., insect resistance), natural ecosystems could be affected. The development and use of failsafe introgression barriers in crops with such linked genes is needed.
Nitrous Oxide Fluxes in Turfgrass
Authors: Bremer Dale J.
Published: August 2006

Urban ecosystems are rapidly expanding and their effects on atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) inventories are unknown. Our objectives were to: (i) measure the magnitude, seasonal patterns, and annual emissions of N2O in turfgrass; (ii) evaluate effects of fertilization with a high and low rate of urea N; and (iii) evaluate effects of urea and ammonium sulfate on N2O emissions in turfgrass. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied to turfgrass: (i) urea, high rate (UH; 250 kg N ha−1 yr−1); (ii) urea, low rate (UL; 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1); and (iii) ammonium sulfate, high rate (AS; 250 kg N ha−1 y−1); high N rates were applied in five split applications. Soil fluxes of N2O were measured weekly for 1 yr using static surface chambers and analyzing N2O by gas chromatography. Fluxes of N2O ranged from −22 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 during winter to 407 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 after fall fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization increased N2O emissions by up to 15 times within 3 d, although the amount of increase differed after each fertilization. Increases were greater when significant precipitation occurred within 3 d after fertilization. Cumulative annual emissions of N2O‐N were 1.65 kg ha−1 in UH, 1.60 kg ha−1 in AS, and 1.01 kg ha−1 in UL. Thus, annual N2O emissions increased 63% in turfgrass fertilized at the high compared with the low rate of urea, but no significant effects were observed between the two fertilizer types. Results suggest that N fertilization rates may be managed to mitigate N2O emissions in turfgrass ecosystems.
Modeling the Environmental Fate of Cadmium in a Large Wastewater Irrigation Area
Authors: Ingwersen Joachim , Streck Thilo
Published: August 2006

The fate of cadmium in soils is governed by spatially heterogeneous processes that proceed from decades to centuries. This study aimed at modeling the fate of Cd within the wastewater irrigation area (WIA) of Braunschweig (Germany). The sandy soils (mainly Dystric Cambisol or Typic Haplumbrept) at this site (28 km2) have received considerable loads of heavy metals by irrigation of municipal wastewater for up to 40 yr. The soils of the WIA are in agricultural use. The main crops are sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). As a result of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) cropping, about 15% of the soils have been converted to Rigosols. In 1996, we measured the vertical distribution (0 to 1.2 m) of soil pH, organic carbon content, and the EDTA–extractable content and the solution phase concentration of Cd at 153 sites. At sites not used for asparagus cultivation, Cd has migrated on average to a depth of about 0.5 m. Due to deep plowing, which accelerates migration, Cd has been displaced on average to about 0.7 m at the Rigosol sites. To model the fate of Cd at the scale of the WIA, we used different parallel soil column approaches. In each column the local model SEFAH was used to simulate both displacement and plant uptake of Cd. The model was fed with measured or randomly generated soil data. The results of retrospective simulations from 1957 to 1996 agreed well with observed Cd profiles. The better the spatial variability of sorption was described, the better the performance. Our simulation results show that Cd pollution of soil at first affects the soil‐plant pathway. The breakthrough of Cd to the groundwater is dampened and is delayed for many decades.
Sorption Dynamics of Organic and Inorganic Phosphorus Compounds in Soil
Authors: Berg A. S. , Joern B. C.
Published: August 2006

Phosphorus retention in soils is influenced by the form of P added. The potential impact of one P compound on the sorption of other P compounds in soils has not been widely reported. Sorption isotherms were utilized to quantify P retention by benchmark soils from Indiana, Missouri, and North Carolina when P was added as inorganic P (Pi) or organic P (β‐D‐glucose‐6‐phosphate, G6P; adenosine 5′‐triphosphate, ATP; and myoinositol hexaphosphate, IP6) and to determine whether soil P sorption by these organic P compounds and Pi was competitive. Isotherm supernatants were analyzed for pH and total P using standard protocols, while Pi and organic P compounds were assayed using ion chromatography. Under the controlled conditions of this study, the affinity of all soils for P sources followed the order IP6 > G6P > ATP > Pi. Each organic P source had a different potential to desorb Pi from soils, and the order of greatest to least Pi desorption was G6P > ATP > IP6 Glucose‐6‐phosphate and ATP competed more directly with Pi for sorption sites than IP6 at greater rates of P addition, but at the lesser rates of P addition, IP6 actually desorbed more Pi. Inositol hexaphosphate was strongly sorbed by all three soils and was relatively unaffected by the presence of other P sources. Decreased total P sorption due to desorption of Pi can be caused by relatively small additions of organic P, which may help explain vertical P movement in manured soils. Sorption isotherms performed using Pi alone did not accurately predict total P sorption in soils.
Assessment of the Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Tracer Technique for Measuring Enteric Methane Emissions from Cattle
Authors: McGinn S. M. , Beauchemin K. A. , Iwaasa A. D. , McAllister T. A.
Published: August 2006

A commonly used method of measuring enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants is the SF6 tracer technique that measures respired and eructated CH4 However, within the animal, a small proportion of CH4 is produced post‐ruminally and some of this may escape through the rectum. The comparison of emissions using a chamber technique that measures all enteric CH4 losses, and the SF6 tracer technique, could give some insight into the magnitude of post‐ruminal emission. The objective of our study was to assess the precision and accuracy of the SF6 tracer technique against a chamber technique for cattle fed a range of diets. Using a repeated‐measures design, eight beef heifers were offered a high grain or high forage diet for ad libitum or restricted (65% of ad libitum) feed intake to vary the site of digestion within the gastrointestinal tract (n = 24). The SF6 tracer technique underestimated CH4 emissions on average by 4% relative to the chamber technique. This difference was not significant (P > 0.05) and suggests low post‐ruminal CH4 emissions. There was a trend for greater accuracy and precision of the SF6 tracer technique when used with cattle fed a high forage diet at a restricted level of intake. The high forage diet corresponds to the conditions of cattle grazing pasture, suggesting the SF6 tracer technique is most reliable for the grazing system.
Land Application of Carbonatic Lake‐Dredged Materials
Authors: Sigua Gilbert C. , Coleman Samuel W. , Holtkamp Mike L.
Published: August 2006

The ability to reuse carbonatic lake‐dredged materials (CLDM) for agricultural purposes is important because it reduces offshore disposal and provides an alternative to disposal of the materials in landfills that are already overtaxed. A four‐year (2001 to 2005) study on land application of CLDM as an option for disposal was conducted on a beef cattle pasture in south central Florida. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess CLDM as a soil amendment to improve quality of sandy soils in most subtropical beef cattle pastures and (ii) to determine the effect of CLDM on productivity and nutritive values of bahiagrass (BG, Paspalum notatum Flügge) in subtropical beef cattle pasture. The five treatment combinations arranged in randomized complete block design were represented by plots with different ratios (R) of natural soil (NS) to CLDM: R1 (1000 g kg−1:0 g kg−1); R2 (750 g kg−1:250 g kg−1); R3 (500 g kg−1:500 g kg−1); R4 (250 g kg−1:750 g kg−1); and R5 (0 g kg−1:1000 g kg−1). Addition of CLDM had significant (p ≤ 0.001) effects on soil quality and favorable influence on forage establishment and nutritive values. Compared with the control plots (0 g kg−1), the soils in plots amended with CLDM exhibited (i) lower penetration resistance, (ii) an increase in soil pH and exchangeable cations (Ca and Mg), and (iii) decrease in the levels of soil trace metals (Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Si). Results disclosed consistently and significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher BG biomass production (forage yield = −106.3x2 + 1015.8x − 39.2; R2 = 0.99**) and crude protein content (CP = 1.24x + 6.48; R2 = 0.94**) from plots amended with CLDM than those of BG planted on plots with no CLDM treatment.
QSPR study on pKa values of N-methoxy-polynitroaniline derivatives
Authors: Beteringhe Adrian
Published: August 2006

A QSPR study is presented for acidities of thirteen N-methoxy-polynitroaniline derivatives. Hammett σ values are known for meta and para substituents, and in the present study values are introduced for ortho-substituents in these N-methoxy-polynitroaniline derivatives. Hammett σ values for ortho-substituents in these N-methoxy-polynitroaniline derivatives were obtained by multiplying para values with 0.65.
A convenient synthesis of long-chain 4-substituted benzyloxycarbonyl alkanethiols for the formation of self assembled monolayers on metal substrates
Authors: Angelova Polina , Kostova Kalina , Hinrichs Karsten , Tsankov Dimiter
Published: August 2006

New 4-substituted benzyl esters of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid were prepared by developing a practicable synthetic procedure and using readily available staring materials. The compounds synthesized have been characterized by NMR, MS, IR spectra and elemental analysis. The mercapto derivatives are precursors for the formation of self-assembled monolayers on metal substrates.
Laser assisted selective chemical metalization of Al2O3 films
Authors: Krumov Emil , Popov Dimitar , Starbov Nikolay
Published: August 2006

Thick aluminum oxide films are prepared on Al plates by anodizing. On the ceramic surface thus obtained a very thin Ag film is deposited via vacuum thermal evaporation. The Ag/Al2O3/Al samples prepared are irradiated by Nd:YAG laser through a suitable metal mask in order to remove the top metal film in the exposed areas. Thus, a negative silver image of the copied mask is obtained. Further, the samples are processed in Ni electroless chemical bath activated by the rest of silver. All processing steps are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EDS X-ray mapping is applied to study the final distribution of Al and Ni in the processed areas. In addition, the DC conductivity of the fabricated Ni wires obtained is measured. The proposed new method for selective chemical deposition of electroconductive Ni onto laser microstructured Ag/Al2O3/Al samples is simple, versatile and not restricted to the metal/ceramic system studied as well as to the electroless deposited metal.
Oxidative polymerization of acrylamide in the presence of thioglycolic acid
Authors: Özeroğlu Cemal , Erdoğan Sacide
Published: August 2006

Chemical polymerization of acrylamide at room temperature was examined by using thioglycolic acid-cerium (IV) sulfate and thioglycolic acid-KMnO4 redox systems in acid aqueous medium. Water soluble polyacrylamides containing thioglycolic acid end groups were synthesized. The effects of the molar ratio of acrylamide to Ce(IV) nAAm/nCe(IV), the polymerization time, the temperature, the monomer concentration, the molar ratio of cerium (IV) sulfate to thioglycolic acid and the concentration of sulfuric acid on the yield and molecular weight of polymer were investigated. Lower molar ratios of acrylamide/Ce(IV) at constant monomer concentration resulted in an increase in the yield but a decrease in molecular weight of polymer. The increase of reaction temperature from 20 to 70°C resulted in a decrease in the yield but generally resulted in a constant value for the molecular weight of polymer. With increasing polymerization time, the yield and molecular weight of polymer did not change substantially. Ce(IV) and Mn(VII) ions are reduced to Ce(III) and Mn(II) ions respectively in the polymerization reaction. The existence of Ce(III) ion bound to polymer was investigated by UV-visible spectrophotometry and fluoresce measurements. The amount of Mn(II) incorporated into the polymer was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The mechanism of this phenomenon is discussed.
The influence of temperature and photoinitiator concentration on photoinitiated polymerization of diacrylate monomer
Authors: Macarie Lavinia , Ilia Gheorghe
Published: August 2006

The behavior of p-methoxybenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, previously synthesized, as a photoinitiator for the polymerization of diacrylate monomer, in the presence of 3% (w/w) tertiary amine (triethyl amine) as synergist additive, was studied. The influence of temperature in the range 30–90°C at 3% (w/w) photoinitiator concentration and the influence of the photoinitiator concentration in the range 0.5–3.5% (w/w) at 30°C was investigated by differential scanning photocalorimetry (photo-DSC). In all experiments the photopolymerization was performed at constant light intensity (3 mW cm−2). The maximum conversion was obtained at temperature of 90°C at 3% (w/w) photoinitiator concentration and 3% (w/w) triethyl amine. The optimal concentration of photoinitiator to obtain maximum conversion was 3% (w/w), at 30°C. No thermal polymerization occurred at higher temperature.
SVD-based principal component analysis of geochemical data
Authors: Praus Petr
Published: August 2006

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for the mapping of geochemical data. A testing data matrix was prepared from the chemical and physical analyses of the coals altered by thermal and oxidation effects. PCA based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of the standardized (centered and scaled by the standard deviation) data matrix revealed three principal components explaining 85.2% of the variance. Combining the scatter and components weights plots with knowledge of the composition of tested samples, the coal samples were divided into seven groups depending on the degree of their oxidation and thermal alteration.

The PCA findings were verified by other multivariate methods. The relationships among geochemical variables were successfully confirmed by Factor Analysis (FA). The data structure was also described by the Average Group dendrogram using Euclidean distance. The found sample clusters were not defined so clearly as in the case of PCA. It can be explained by the PCA filtration of the data noise.
Inclusion-dependent mechanism of modification of cyclodextrins with heterocycles
Authors: Musiol Robert , Girek Tomasz
Published: August 2006

Mono(6-deoxy-dimethylpyridinium)-β-cyclodextrins have been synthesized in reaction of mono (p-toluenesulfonyl) derivative of β cyclodextrin with the appropriate lutidine under microwave irradiation and conventional conditions. The results indicate that the mechanism consists of inclusion complex formation.
Investigation of the extraction equilibrium of ion-association complexes of molybdenum (VI) with some polyphenols and thiazolyl blue. extraction-spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum
Authors: Dimitrov Atanas , Lekova Vania , Gavazov Kiril , Boyanov Boyan
Published: August 2006

The extraction process of ternary ion-association complexes of molybdenum (VI) with some polyphenols (4-nitrocatechol, 2,3-dihydroxy naphthalene) and thiazolyl blue has been investigated by using an extraction-spectrophotometric method. The optimum conditions for their quantitative preparation in aqueous medium and subsequent extraction into an organic solvent have been found. The extraction, distribution and association constants, and the recovery factors have been calculated. The composition of the complexes has been determined. A precise, sensitive and simple extraction-spectrophotometric method for determination of molybdenum in products from ferrous metallurgy has been developed.
Preparation of a set of selectively protected disaccharides for modular synthesis of heparan sulfate fragments: toward the synthesis of several O-sulfonated [β-D-GlcUA-(1→4)-β-D-GlcNAc]OPr types
Authors: Hassan Hammed
Published: August 2006

A concise method for a stereocontrolled synthesis of a set of selectively protected disaccharides is reported. Coupling of the donor 11 onto acceptors 23 and 24, promoted by trimethylsilyl triflate-N-iodosuccinimide (TMSOTf-NIS), generated the disaccharides 25 and 26. Under typical conditions, condensation of the fully protected donor 12 onto acceptors 23 and 24 produced the disaccharides 27 and 28. The building blocks 25–28 were prepared in moderate yields having exclusive β-stereoselectivity. A unique pattern of protecting groups distinguished clearly between positions to be sulfated and functional groups remaining as free hydroxyl groups. Acetyl and/or levulinoyl esters temporarily protected the positions to be sulfated, while benzyl ethers were used for permanent protection. The anomeric positions were protected as allyl ethers, whereas the 4′-positions were masked as p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) ethers. The orthogonality of the PMB and allyl groups can then be used for further elongation of the chain by recurrent deprotection and activation steps. The hydroxyl group, OH-6, of glucosamine moieties was protected as a TBDPS ether to avoid oxidation. A five-step deprotection/sulfonation sequence was applied to the disaccharide 27 to generate the corresponding sulfated [β-D-GlcUA-2-OSO3Na-(1→4)-β-D-Glc pNAc]-(1→O-Pro) 34.
The effect of flame coal oxidation on the solid and soluble products of its extraction
Authors: Pietrzak Robert , Wachowska Helena , Nowicki Piotr
Published: August 2006

Solid and soluble products of THF and CH2Cl2 extraction of flame coal oxidised by four different oxidising agents (peroxyacetic acid (PAA), 5% HNO3, O2/Na2CO3, air/125 °C) were studied by elemental analysis and FTIR. The extraction yield with THF was much higher than that with CH2Cl2 for all samples. The greatest changes in elemental composition were in the extracts from coal oxidised by nitric acid. The sulphur content was lowest in extracts from coal oxidised with 5% HNO3 and PAA. FTIR confirmed that coal treatment with nitric acid incorporates nitrogen into the coal structure.
Nonadaptive search problem with sets of equal sum
Authors: Kolev Emil
Published: August 2006

Consider the set A={1,2,3,…,2n}, n≥3 and let x∈ A be unknown element. For given natural number S we are allowed to ask whether x belongs to a subset B of A such that the sum of the elements of B equals S. We investigate for which S it is possible to find x using a nonadaptive search.
Smooth approximations without critical points
Authors: Hájek Petr , Johanis Michal
Published: August 2006

In any separable Banach space containing c
0 which admits a C
k-smooth bump, every continuous function can be approximated by a C
k-smooth function whose range of derivative is of the first category. Moreover, the approximation can be constructed in such a way that its derivative avoids a prescribed countable set (in particular the approximation can have no critical points). On the other hand, in a Banach space with the RNP, the range of the derivative of every smooth bounded bump contains a set residual in some neighbourhood of zero.
Decompositions of the category of noncommutative sets and Hochschild and cyclic homology
Authors: Słomińska Jolanta
Published: August 2006

In this note we show that the main results of the paper [PR] can be obtained as consequences of more general results concerning categories whose morphisms can be uniquely presented as compositions of morphisms of their two subcategories with the same objects. First we will prove these general results and then we will apply it to the case of finite noncommutative sets.