bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytogenetical analyses in three fish species of the genus Pimelodus(Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from rio São Francisco: considerations about the karyotypical evolution in the genus
Authors: Garcia Caroline , Moreira Filho Orlando
Published: March 2008

Karyotypes and other chromosomal markers were investigated in three species of the catfish genus Pimelodus, namely P. fur, P. maculatus and Pimelodus sp., from municipality of Três Marias, Minas Gerais, Brazil, using differential staining techniques (C-banding, Silver nitrate and CMA3 staining). The diploid chromosome number was 2n = 56 in P. maculatus and Pimelodus sp., while in P. fur 2n = 54. The karyotype of P. fur consisted in 32M + 8SM + 6ST + 8A with fundamental number (NF) of 100, that of P. maculatus 32M + 12SM + 12A with NF = 112, and that of Pimelodus sp. had 32M + 12Sm + 6ST + 6A with NF = 106.The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in all three species were invariably detected in telomeres of longer arm of the 20th chromosome pair. These sites were also positive after CMA3 and C-banding. No heteromorphic sex chromosomes were detected and C-banding pattern was species specific. Inferences about the karyotype differentiation in Pimelodus and putative chromosomal rearrangements are hypohesized.
Selection Against Undifferentiated Human Embryonic Stem Cells by a Cytotoxic Antibody Recognizing Podocalyxin-Like Protein-1
Authors: Choo Andre B. , Tan Heng Liang , Ang Sheu Ngo , Fong Wey Jia , Chin Angela , Lo Jennifer , Zheng Lu , Hentze Hannes , Philp Robin J. , Oh Steve K.W. , Yap Miranda
Published: March 2008

Future therapeutic applications of differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESC) carry a risk of teratoma formation by contaminating undifferentiated hESC. We generated 10 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against surface antigens of undifferentiated hESC, showing strong reactivity against undifferentiated, but not differentiated hESC. The mAbs did not cross react with mouse fibroblasts and showed weak to no reactivity against human embryonal carcinoma cells. Notably, one antibody (mAb 84) is cytotoxic to undifferentiated hESC and NCCIT cells in a concentration-dependent, complement-independent manner. mAb 84 induced cell death of undifferentiated, but not differentiated hESC within 30 minutes of incubation, and immunoprecipitation of the mAb-antigen complex revealed that the antigen is podocalyxin-like protein-1. Importantly, we observed absence of tumor formation when hESC and NCCIT cells were treated with mAb 84 prior to transplantation into severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Our data indicate that mAb 84 may be useful in eliminating residual hESC from differentiated cells populations for clinical applications.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A Putative Role for RHAMM/HMMR as a Negative Marker of Stem Cell-Containing Population of Human Limbal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ahmad Sajjad , Kolli Sai , Li De-Quan , de Paiva Cintia S. , Pryzborski Stefan , Dimmick Ian , Armstrong Lyle , Figueiredo Francisco C. , Lako Majlinda
Published: March 2008

The corneal epithelium is maintained by stem cells located at the periphery of the cornea in a region known as the limbus. Depletion of limbal stem cells (LSCs) results in limbal stem cell deficiency. Treatments for this disease are based on limbal replacement or transplantation of ex vivo expanded LSCs. It is, therefore, crucial to identify cell surface markers for LSCs that can be used for their enrichment and characterization. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are enzymes which protect cells from the toxic effects of peroxidic aldehydes. In this manuscript, we show for the first time that ALDH1 is absent from the basal cells of the limbal and corneal epithelium. We separated limbal epithelial cells on the basis of ALDH activity and showed that ALDHdim cells expressed significantly higher levels of ΔNp63 and ABCG2 as well as having a greater colony forming efficiency (CFE) when compared to ALDHbright cells. Large scale transcriptional analysis of these two populations led to identification of a new cell surface marker, RHAMM/HMMR, which is located in all layers of corneal epithelium and in the suprabasal layers of the limbal epithelium but is completely absent from the basal layer of the limbus. Our studies indicate that absence of RHAMM/HMMR expression is correlated with properties associated with LSCs. RHAMM/HMMR- limbal epithelial cells are smaller in size, express negligible CK3, have higher levels of ΔNp63 and have a higher CFE compared to RHAMM/HMMR+ cells. Taken together these results suggest a putative role for RHAMM/ HMMR as a negative marker of stem cell containing limbal epithelial cells. Cell selection based on Hoechst exclusion and lack of cell surface RHAMM/HMMR expression resulted in increased colony forming efficiency compared to negative selection using RHAMM/HMMR alone or positive selection using Hoechst on its own. Combination of these two cell selection methods presents a novel method for LSC enrichment and characterization.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Properties of clinker-free mortar based on chemically bonded municipal solid waste incinerator ash
Authors: Jo B.-W. , Park S.-K. , Moon R.-G.
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to use municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ash as a cementitious material and to investigate the hydraulic activity of alkali-activated MSWI ash mortar. The properties of hardened mortar of MSWI ash were investigated under varying chemical activators, curing temperatures and curing ages. Also, reaction products of the alkali-activated MSWI ash mortar were observed, using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The highest compressive strength was 40·5 MPa at 28 days for mortar with NaOH+water glass cured at high temperature (90°C). Major products were found to be compounds in the form of C–S–H and C–A–H gels, which were similar to the hydrates of Portland cement.
Structural performance of corrosion-damaged concrete beams
Authors: Cairns J. , Du Y. , Law D.
Published: March 2008

This paper describes experimental work to investigate the effect of reinforcement corrosion on the behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with plain round bars. Particular attention is paid to the bond between reinforcement and concrete. Four groups of beam specimens were tested, each designed to investigate specific aspects of structural performance including stiffness and deflection under service loads, ultimate flexural and shear strengths and deformation capacity at failure. Beams were conditioned to induce loss of cross-sectional reinforcement of up to 10% owing to corrosion, equivalent to 0·3 mm corrosion penetration, and longitudinal crack widths of 1·0 mm. Flexural stiffness of specimens detailed for a flexural mode of failure was not impaired by corrosion. Strength of beams with corroded bars equalled or exceeded that of companion non-corroded specimens in all cases, despite loss of bar section. It is concluded that an enhancement of anchorage capacity, believed to be associated principally with increased radial stresses on the bar–concrete interface in the vicinity of the end reactions, was able to offset loss of bar section.
Connectivity Prediction in Fractured Reservoirs With Variable Fracture Size: Analysis and Validation
Authors: Masihi M. , King P. R.
Published: March 2008

Uncertainty in geometrical properties of fractures, when they are considered as the conductive paths for flow movement, affects all aspects of flow in fractured reservoirs. The connectivity of fractures, embedded in low-permeability zones, can control fluid movement and influence field performance. This can be analyzed using percolation theory. This approach uses the hypothesis that the permeability map can be split into either permeable (i.e., fracture) or impermeable (i.e., matrix) portions and assumes that the connectivity of fractures controls the flow. The analysis of the connectivity based on finite-size scaling assumes that fractures all have the same sizes. However, natural fracture networks involve a relatively wide range of fracture lengths, modeled by either scale-limited laws (e.g., log normal) or power laws.

In this paper, we extend the applicability of the percolation approach to a system with a distribution of size. For scale-limited distributions, we use the hypothesis seen in the literature that the connectivity of fractures of variable size is identical to the connectivity of fractures of the same size whose length is given by an appropriate effective length. It is then necessary to define the percolation probability based on the excluded area arguments. In this research work, we also validate the applicability of this idea to fracture networks having a uniform, Gaussian, exponential, and log-normal length distribution. However, in the case of the power-law length distribution, we have found that the scaling parameters (e.g., correlation length exponent) have to be modified. The main contribution is to show how the critical exponents vary as a function of the power-law exponent.

To validate the approach, we used outcrop data of mineralized fractures (vein sets) exposed on the southern margin of the Bristol Channel basin. We show that the predictions from the percolation approach are in good agreement with the results calculated from field data with the advantage that they can be obtained very quickly. As a result, they may be used for practical engineering purposes and may aid decision-making for real field problem.
A New Practical Method for Upscaling in Highly Heterogeneous Reservoir Models
Authors: Zhang Pinggang , Pickup Gillian , Christie Mike
Published: March 2008

Geologists often generate highly heterogeneous descriptions of reservoirs, containing complex structures which are likely to give rise to very tortuous flow paths. However, these models contain too many grid cells for multiphase flow simulation, and the number of cells must be reduced by upscaling for reservoir simulation. Conventional upscaling methods often have difficulty in the representation of tortuous flow paths, mainly because of the inappropriate assumptions concerning the boundary conditions. An accurate and practical upscaling method is therefore required to preserve the flow features caused by highly heterogeneous fine scale geological description.

In this paper, the problems encountered in routinely used upscaling approaches are outlined, and a more accurate and practical way of performing upscaling is proposed. The new upscaling method, Well Drive Upscaling (WDU), employs the wells and the actual reservoir boundary conditions (e.g., faults and physical boundaries of the geological model). The main advantage of this method is that the dominant flow paths can be preserved, and thus the geological knowledge can be assimilated appropriately. The new method has firstly been applied to a synthetic model with a tortuous channel, and is shown to have significant improvement over the traditional approach. The sensitivity study on the scale-up factor using a benchmark model shows the advantage of the method with various scale-up factors. The method was then applied to a model of a field in the central North Sea, which involves three-phase flow. In the cases studied, the WDU method produced a comparable result to the dynamic Pore Volume Weighted approach, which involves running the fine grid simulation and computing appropriate relative permeabilities and interblock transmissibilities. The new method makes the upscaling process practical, and our tests show it to be more accurate than traditional methods.
Adaptive Multiscale Streamline Simulation and Inversion for High-Resolution Geomodels
Authors: Stenerud V. R. , Kippe V. , Lie K. -A. , Datta-Gupta A.
Published: March 2008

A particularly efficient reservoir simulator can be obtained by combining a recent multiscale mixed finite-element flow solver with a streamline method for computing fluid transport. This multiscale-streamline method has shown to be a promising approach for fast flow simulations on high-resolution geologic models with multimillion grid cells. The multiscale method solves the pressure equation on a coarse grid while preserving important fine-scale details in the velocity field. Fine-scale heterogeneity is accounted for through a set of generalized, heterogeneous basis functions that are computed numerically by solving local flow problems. When included in the coarse-grid equations, the basis functions ensure that the global equations are consistent with the local properties of the underlying differential operators. The multiscale method offers a substantial gain in computation speed, without significant loss of accuracy, when basis functions are updated infrequently throughout a dynamic simulation.

In this paper, we propose to combine the multiscale-streamline method with a recent "generalized travel-time inversion" method to derive a fast and robust method for history matching high-resolution geocellular models. A key point in the new method is the use of sensitivities that are calculated analytically along streamlines with little computational overhead. The sensitivities are used in the travel-time inversion formulation to give a robust quasilinear method that typically converges in a few iterations and generally avoids much of the time-consuming trial-and-error seen in manual history matching. Moreover, the sensitivities are used to enforce basis functions to be adaptively updated only in areas with relatively large sensitivity to the production response. The sensitivity-based adaptive approach allows us to selectively update only a fraction of the total number of basis functions, which gives substantial savings in computation time for the forward flow simulations.

We demonstrate the power and utility of our approach using a simple 2D model and a highly detailed 3D geomodel. The 3D simulation model consists of more than 1,000,000 cells with 69 producing wells. Using our proposed approach, history matching over a period of 7 years is accomplished in less than 20 minutes on an ordinary workstation PC.
Approximate Pore-Level Modeling for Apparent Viscosity of Polymer-Enhanced Foam in Porous Media
Authors: Huh C. , Rossen W. R.
Published: March 2008

Foam is used in the oil industry in a variety of applications, and polymer is sometimes added to increase foam's stability and effectiveness. A variety of surfactant and polymer combinations have been employed to generate polymer-enhanced foam (PEF), typically anionic surfactants and anionic polymers, to reduce their adsorption in reservoir rock. While addition of polymer to bulk foam is known to increase its viscosity and apparent stability, polymer addition to foams for use in porous media has not been as effective.

In this pore-level modeling study, we develop an apparent viscosity expression for PEF at fixed bubble size, as a preliminary step to interpret the available laboratory coreflood data. To derive the apparent viscosity, the pressure-drop calculation of Hirasaki and Lawson (1985) for gas bubbles in a circular tube is extended to include the effects of shear-thinning polymer in water, employing the Bretherton's asymptotic matching technique. For polymer rheology, the Ellis model is employed, which predicts a limiting Newtonian viscosity at the low-shear limit and the well-known power-law relation at high shear rates. While the pressure drop caused by foam can be characterized fully with only the capillary number for Newtonian liquid, the shear-thinning liquid requires one additional grouping of the Ellis-model parameters and bubble velocity.

The model predicts that the apparent viscosity for PEF shows behavior more shear-thinning than that for polymer-free foam, because the polymer solution being displaced by gas bubbles in pores tends to experience a high shear rate. Foam apparent viscosity scales with gas velocity (Ug) with an exponent [−α/(α+2)], where α, the Ellis-model exponent, is greater than 1 for shear-thinning fluids. With a Newtonian fluid, for which α = 1, foam apparent viscosity is proportional to the (−⅓) power of Ug as derived by Hirasaki and Lawson.

A simplified capillary-bundle model study shows that the thin-film flow around a moving foam bubble is generally in the high-shear, power-law regime. Because the flow of polymer solution in narrower, water-filled tubes is also governed by shear-thinning rheology, it affects foam mobility as revealed by plot of pressure gradient as a function of water and gas superficial velocities. The relation between the rheology of the liquid phase and that of the foam is not simple, however. The apparent rheology of the foam depends on the rheology of the liquid, the trapping and mobilization of gas as a function of pressure gradient, and capillary pressure, which affects the apparent viscosity of the flowing gas even at fixed bubble size.
Cellularity and the structure of pseudo-trees
Authors: Brown Jennifer
Published: March 2008

Let T be an infinite pseudo-tree. In [2], we showed that the cellularity of the pseudo-tree algebra Treealg(T) was the maximum of four cardinals cT, lT, ϕT, and μT: roughly, cT is the “tallness” of T: lT is the “width” of T, ϕ is the number of “points of finite branching” in T: and μ is the number of “sections of no branching” in T. Here we ask: which inequalities among these four cardinals may be satisfied, in some sense, by a pseudo-tree? We show that the possible inequalities among cT, lT, ϕT, and μT attained by pseudo-trees T are closely related to the existence of generalized Suslin trees.
Winning the pressing down game but not Banach-Mazur
Authors: Kellner Jakob , Pauna Matti , Shelah Saharon
Published: March 2008

Let S be the set of those α ∈ ω2 that have cofinality ω1. It is consistent relative to a measurable that the nonempty player wins the pressing down game of length ω1, but not the Banach-Mazur game of length ω + 1 (both games starting with S).
Individuals Who Report Being Abducted by Aliens: Investigating the Differences in Fantasy Proneness, Emotional Intelligence and the Big Five Personality Factors
Authors: Hough Peter , Rogers Paul
Published: March 2008

This study explores individual differences in people claiming to have been abducted by aliens. A sample of 26 alien abductee experiencers (AAErs) plus 26 non-AAEr controls completed self-report measures of fantasy proneness, emotional intelligence, and the big five personality factors. Analysis of Covariance controlling of participants' level of educational attainment revealed no group differences in any of the three fantasy sub-scales (the vividness/realism of fantasies, escapist fantasies, and make-believe fantasies), any of the four EI sub-scales (optimism/mood regulation, the appraisal of emotions, social skills, and the utilization of emotions) or in four of the big five personality factors examined. However, AAErs did rate themselves to be more conscientious than controls, possibly in an attempt to portray themselves as trustworthy and reliable witnesses. Implications for the psychological study of alien abduction experiences are discussed.
The Caspase Selective Inhibitor EP1013 Augments Human Islet Graft Function and Longevity in Marginal Mass Islet Transplantation in Mice
Authors: Emamaullee Juliet A. , Davis Joy , Pawlick Rena , Toso Christian , Merani Shaheed , Cai Sui-Xiong , Tseng Ben , Shapiro A.M. James
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE—Clinical islet transplantation can provide insulin independence in patients with type 1 diabetes, but chronic graft failure has been observed. This has been attributed in part to loss of ≥60% of the transplanted islets in the peritransplant period, resulting in a marginal implant mass. Strategies designed to maximize survival of the initial islet mass are likely to have major impact in enhancing long-term clinical outcomes. EP1013 (N-benzyloxycabonyl-Val Asp-fluoromethyl ketone [zVD-FMK]), is a broad-spectrum caspase selective inhibitor with no observed toxicity in rodents.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The therapeutic benefit of EP1013 was examined in a syngeneic rodent islet transplant model using deceased donor human islets to determine whether the amount of tissue required to restore euglycemia in diabetic animals could be reduced.

RESULTS—EP1013 (combined pretransplant islet culture for 2 h and in vivo treatment for days 0–5 posttransplant) significantly improved marginal islet mass function following syngeneic islet transplantation in mice, even at lower doses, compared with previous studies using the pan-caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycabonyl-Val Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (zVAD-FMK). EP1013 supplementation in vitro improved human islet yields following prolonged culture and reversed diabetes following implantation of a marginal human islet mass (80–90% reduction) into mice.

CONCLUSIONS—Our data suggest that EP1013 therapy will markedly reduce the islet mass required in clinical islet transplantation, improving insulin independence rates following single-donor infusion.
Dapagliflozin, a Selective SGLT2 Inhibitor, Improves Glucose Homeostasis in Normal and Diabetic Rats
Authors: Han Songping , Hagan Deborah L. , Taylor Joseph R. , Xin Li , Meng Wei , Biller Scott A. , Wetterau John R. , Washburn William N. , Whaley Jean M.
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE—The inhibition of gut and renal sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of diabetes. We have identified dapagliflozin as a potent and selective inhibitor of the renal sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT2 in vitro and characterized its in vitro and in vivo pharmacology.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Cell-based assays measuring glucose analog uptake were used to assess dapagliflozin's ability to inhibit sodium-dependent and facilitative glucose transport activity. Acute and multi-dose studies in normal and diabetic rats were performed to assess the ability of dapagliflozin to improve fed and fasting plasma glucose levels. A hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study was performed to assess the ability of dapagliflozin to improve glucose utilization after multi-dose treatment.

RESULTS—Dapagliflozin potently and selectively inhibited human SGLT2 versus human SGLT1, the major cotransporter of glucose in the gut, and did not significantly inhibit facilitative glucose transport in human adipocytes. In vivo, dapagliflozin acutely induced renal glucose excretion in normal and diabetic rats, improved glucose tolerance in normal rats, and reduced hyperglycemia in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats after single oral doses ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg. Once-daily dapagliflozin treatment over 2 weeks significantly lowered fasting and fed glucose levels at doses ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg and resulted in a significant increase in glucose utilization rate accompanied by a significant reduction in glucose production.

CONCLUSIONS—These data suggest that dapagliflozin has the potential to be an efficacious treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Intrahepatic Glucose Flux as a Mechanism for Defective Intrahepatic Islet α-Cell Response to Hypoglycemia
Authors: Zhou Huarong , Zhang Tao , Bogdani Marika , Oseid Elizabeth , Parazzoli Susan , Vantyghem Marie-Christine , Harmon Jamie , Slucca Michela , Robertson R. Paul
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE— Glucagon responses to hypoglycemia from islets transplanted in the liver are defective. To determine whether this defect is related to intrahepatic glycogen, islets from inbred Lewis rats were transplanted into the hepatic sinus (H group), peritoneal cavity (P group), omentum (O group), and kidney capsule (K group) of recipient Lewis rats previously rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Glucagon responses to hypoglycemia were obtained before and after transplantation under fed conditions and after fasting for 16 h and 48 h to deplete liver glycogen.

RESULTS— Glucagon (area under the curve) responses to hypoglycemia in the H group (8,839 ± 1,988 pg/ml per 90 min) were significantly less than in normal rats (40,777 ± 8,192; P < 0.01). Fasting significantly decreased hepatic glycogen levels. Glucagon responses in the H group were significantly larger after fasting (fed 8,839 ± 1,988 vs. 16-h fasting 24,715 ± 5,210 and 48-h fasting 29,639 ± 4,550; P < 0.01). Glucagon response in the H group decreased after refeeding (48-h fasting 29,639 ± 4,550 vs. refed 10,276 ± 2,750; P < 0.01). There was no difference in glucagon response to hypoglycemia between the H and the normal control group after fasting for 48 h (H 29,639 ± 4,550 vs. control 37,632 ± 5,335; P = NS). No intragroup differences were observed in the P, O, and K groups, or normal control and STZ groups, when comparing fed or fasting states.

CONCLUSIONS— These data suggest that defective glucagon responses to hypoglycemia by intrahepatic islet α-cells is due to dominance of a suppressive signal caused by increased glucose flux and glucose levels within the liver secondary to increased glycogenolysis caused by systemic hypoglycemia.
Assessment of longitudinal tissue Doppler imaging of the left ventricular septum and free wall as an indicator of left ventricular systolic function in dogs
Authors: Hori Yasutomo , Sato Shingo , Hoshi Fumio , Higuchi Sei-ichi
Published: March 2008

Objective—To evaluate tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the left ventricular (LV) free wall (FW) and ventricular septum (VS) as an indicator of LV systolic function in dogs.

Animals—7 healthy Beagles.

Procedures—Doses of dobutamine (5 and 10 μg/kg/min) and esmolol (50 and 100 μg/kg/min) were infused into the LV of each dog. With each dose, heart rate; myocardial performance index (MPI); transmitral inflow and ejection time (determined via pulsed-wave Doppler [PWD] echocardiography); and FW and VS velocities of the mitral valve annulus (determined via TDI during systole [S’], early diastole [E’], and late diastole [A’]) were assessed.

Results—With each dose, dobutamine significantly increased heart rate and the first derivatives of LV pressure (+dP/dt and –dP/dt), whereas esmolol significantly decreased the +dP/dt and –dP/dt values, compared with baseline. Esmolol (100 μg/kg/min) significantly decreased the VS-TDI–derived S’ velocity and FW-TDI–derived E’ velocity; dobutamine significantly increased transmitral inflow and TDI velocities. Regression coefficient between VS-TDI–derived S’ velocity and +dP/dt was higher than that between FW-TDI–derived S’ velocity and +dP/dt. Compared with baseline, the PWD- and VS-TDI–derived MPI were significantly decreased by dobutamine and significantly increased by esmolol at each dose. Values of FW-TDI–derived MPI were higher than values derived via the other techniques. Correlation between +dP/dt and VS-TDI–derived MPI was greater than that between +dP/dt and FW-TDI– or PWD-derived MPI.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In healthy dogs, the VS-TDI–derived S’ velocity and MPI appear to be reliable assessments for evaluating LV systolic function.
Effects of oral administration of furosemide and torsemide in healthy dogs
Authors: Hori Yasutomo , Takusagawa Fumihiko , Ikadai Hiromi , Uechi Masami , Hoshi Fumio , Higuchi Sei-ichi
Published: March 2008

Objective—To investigate the diuretic effects, tolerability, and adverse effects of furosemide and torsemide after short- and long-term administration in healthy dogs.

Animals—8 mixed-breed dogs.

Procedures—In a crossover study, furosemide (2 mg/kg), torsemide (0.2 mg/kg), or placebo (bifidobacterium [1 mg/kg]) was administered orally to each dog every 12 hours for 14 days. Blood and urine samples were collected before the study (baseline data) and at intervals on the 1st (short-term administration) and 14th day (long-term administration) of treatment for assessment of urine volume and specific gravity and selected clinicopathologic variables including BUN, creatinine, and aldosterone concentrations, and creatinine clearance.

Results—Compared with the baseline value, short-term administration of furosemide or torsemide immediately increased urine volume significantly; after long-term administration of either drug, urine specific gravity decreased significantly. Compared with the effect of placebo, the 24-hour urine volume was significantly increased after short-term administration of furosemide or torsemide. In addition, it was significantly increased after long-term administration of torsemide, compared with that of short-term administration. Long-term administration of furosemide or torsemide increased the BUN and plasma creatinine con-centrations, compared with the baseline value. Compared with the baseline value, plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly increased after long-term administration of either drug and was significantly higher after torsemide treatment than after furosemide treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs, diuretic resistance developed after 14 days of furosemide, but not torsemide, administration; however, both loop diuretics were associated with increased BUN and plasma creatinine concentrations, compared with values before treatment.
Associations between genotypes at codon 171 and 136 of the prion protein gene and production traits in market lambs
Authors: Evoniuk Jessica M. , Berg Paul T. , Johnson Mary L. , Larson Daniel M. , Maddock Travis D. , Stoltenow Charles L. , Schauer Chris S. , O’Rourke Katherine I. , Redmer Dale A.
Published: March 2008

Objective—To determine whether selection for the homozygous A136R171 genotype that confers resistance to classic scrapie infection negatively affects production traits in sheep.

Animals—996 commercial lambs obtained from 2 flocks at separate locations across 3 consecutive years.

Procedures—Genotyping at codon 136 and 171 was performed by use of commercially available testing or a single-nucleotide polymorphism assay. Carcass data were collected without knowledge of genotype approximately 24 hours after slaughter by an experienced grader. The model to analyze associations between prion protein (PRNP) genotype and production traits was based on genotype, breed, or both as fixed effects and days on feed as a covariate.

Results—Average daily gain was significantly associated with only combined codons 136 and 171. In flock 1, weaning average daily gain was significantly greater in AA136 sheep than heterozygotes; the difference between QR171 and RR171 sheep, compared with QQ171 sheep, were not significant although QR171 and RR171 sheep had higher values. However, in flock 2, average daily gain was significantly greater in AV136 sheep than AA136 sheep and in QR171 sheep than QQ171 sheep.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest there is an advantage for average daily gain in lambs with an arginine allele at codon 171, but there were no other genotype effects on production traits. Thus, selection for the resistant arginine allele at codon 171 to comply with USDA scrapie eradication guidelines should not be detrimental to lamb production in commercial flocks. Effects of codon 136 on average daily gain were ambiguous.
Biochemical and genetic evaluation of the role of AMP-activated protein kinase in polysaccharide storage myopathy in Quarter Horses
Authors: Dranchak Patricia K. , Leiper Fiona C. , Valberg Stephanie J. , Piercy Richard J. , Carling David , McCue Molly E. , Mickelson James R.
Published: March 2008

Objective—To evaluate whether biochemical or genetic alterations in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) play a role in the development of polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in Quarter Horses.

Animals—30 PSSM-affected and 30 unaffected (control) Quarter Horses.

Procedures—By use of an established peptide phosphotransfer assay, basal and maximal AMPK activities were measured in muscle biopsy samples obtained from 6 PSSM-affected and 6 control horses. In 24 PSSM-affected and 24 control horses, microsatellite markers identified from the chromosomal locations of all 7 AMPK subunit genes were genotyped with a fluorescent DNA fragment analyzer. Alleles of 2 of the AMPK γ subunit genes were genotyped via DNA sequencing. Allele frequencies of DNA markers in or near the AMPK subunit genes were measured in isolated genomic DNA.

Results—No differences in basal or maximal muscle AMPK enzyme activities between PSSM-affected and control horses were detected. There were also no differences in allele frequencies for microsatellite markers near any of the 7 AMPK subunit genes between the 2 groups. Furthermore, previously known and newly identified alleles of 2 equine AMPK γ subunit genes were also not associated with PSSM.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—These results have provided no evidence to indicate that AMPK plays a causative role in PSSM in American Quarter Horses.
Efficacy of tinidazole for treatment of cats experimentally infected with Tritrichomonas foetus
Authors: Gookin Jody L. , Stauffer Stephen H. , Coccaro Maria R. , Poore Matthew F. , Levy Michael G. , Papich Mark G.
Published: March 2008

Objective—To determine the efficacy of tinidazole for treatment of cats with experimentally induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection.

Animals—8 specific-pathogen-free kittens.

Procedures—Tinidazole was tested for activity against a feline isolate of T foetus in vitro. Kittens were infected orogastrically with the same isolate and treated or not with tinidazole (30 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 14 days). Amoxicillin was administered 28 weeks after completion of tinidazole administration to induce diarrhea. Feces were repeatedly tested for T foetus by use of PCR assay and microbial culture for 33 weeks.

Results—Tinidazole killed T foetus at concentrations ≥ 10 μg/mL in vitro. In experimentally induced infection, tinidazole administered at 30 mg/kg decreased T foetus below the limit of molecular detection in 2 of 4 cats. Recrudescent shedding of T foetus, as elicited by amoxicillin-induced diarrhea, was diminished in cats that received prior treatment with tinidazole.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although tinidazole decreased the detection of T foetus and treated cats were resistant to later efforts to incite the infection, inability of tinidazole to eradicate infection in many cats poses a serious impediment to the drug’s effectiveness in practice.
Accuracy of asymmetry indices of ground reaction forces for diagnosis of hind limb lameness in dogs
Authors: Fanchon Laurent , Grandjean Dominique
Published: March 2008

Objective—To determine the accuracy of asymmetry indices of ground reaction forces (GRF) for diagnosis of hind limb lameness in dogs.

Animals—36 healthy dogs and 13 dogs with naturally acquired cranial cruciate ligament rupture or hip dysplasia.

Procedures—Lameness for affected dogs ranged from not detectable to minor and constant. While dogs trotted on an instrumented treadmill, GRF variables were recorded and analyzed with asymmetry indices. Each index was tested for its ability to discriminate between healthy and affected dogs. Combinations of several indices were also assessed.

Results—Vertical force variables had better accuracy than craniocaudal force variables. Peak vertical force was the most accurate variable. Partial asymmetry during trotting was detected in healthy dogs. A multivariate approach that used peak vertical force and maximal rising slope yielded the optimum combination to distinguish between healthy and affected dogs. In addition, sensitivity of 92% or specificity of 95% may be achieved with 2 cutoff values while simultaneously maintaining specificity or sensitivity, respectively, at > 85%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Asymmetry indices of GRFs were accurate for detection of hind limb lameness in dogs. This is particularly relevant for study designs in which only a single gait evaluation is possible.
Isolation and characterization of bone marrow–derived equine mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Arnhold Stefan J. , Goletz Iris , Klein Helmut , Stumpf Gerald , Beluche Lisa A. , Rohde Carsten , Addicks Klaus , Litzke Lutz F.
Published: March 2008

Objective—To isolate and characterize bone marrow–derived equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for possible future therapeutic applications in horses.

Sample Population—Equine MSCs were isolated from bone marrow aspirates obtained from the sternum of 30 donor horses.

Procedures—Cells were cultured in medium (alpha-minimum essential medium) with a fetal calf serum content of 20%. Equine MSC features were analyzed to determine selfrenewing and differentiation capacity. For potential therapeutic applications, the migratory potential of equine MSCs was determined. An adenoviral vector was used to determine the transduction rate of equine MSCs.

Results—Equine MSCs can be culture-expanded. Equine MSCs undergo cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen without altering morphologic characteristics. Furthermore, equine MSCs maintain their ability to proliferate and differentiate after thawing. Immunocytochemically, the expression of the stem cell marker CD90 can be detected on equine MSCs. The multilineage differentiation potential of equine MSCs was revealed by their ability to undergo adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Our data indicate that bone marrow–derived stromal cells of horses can be characterized as MSCs. Equine MSCs have a high transduction rate and migratory potential and adapt to scaffold material in culture. As an autologous cell population, equine MSCs can be regarded as a promising cell population for tissue engineering in lesions of the musculoskeletal system in horses.
Lead-Discovery of bis-Aromatic Alkynes: A Novel Class of Herbicides
Authors: Glock Jutta , Grootenhuis Peter D. J. , Bondy Steven , Comer Daniel D. , Cheng Soan , Steiger Arthur , Zeller Martin , Laue Grit , Friedmann Adrian , Jacob Olivier , Nina Mafalda , Widmer Hans-Jürg , Kreuz Klaus , Penzotti Julie E. , Brunner Hans , Allen James , Niderman Thierry , Haas Hans Ulrich , Chollet Renold , Eberle Martin , Renold Peter , Lutz William , Ehrler Jürg , Valentini Marian , Walti Markus , Sieger Evelyne , Vettiger Thomas , Craig G. Wayne
Published: March 2008

The search for new active molecules with novel modes of action and desirable physical properties is an ongoing endeavour. This publication describes the follow-up chemistry of a biological hit discovered in the screening system of Novartis Crop Protection, the legacy agrochemical parent
of Syngenta Crop Protection. This chemistry was optimized through classical synthetic methods and automated parallel synthesis with coverage of important physical properties such as lipophilicity or Clog P and solubility. Preliminary biological activity from the greenhouse and field data with
symptomology is presented.
Thermal Runaway of Dried Sewage Sludge Granules in Storage Tanks
Authors: Poffet Martine S. , Käser Kurt , Jenny Titus A.
Published: March 2008

Elimination of the sewage sludge from urban wastewater occurs exclusively by incineration in Switzerland, because recycling as fertilizer in agriculture has been banned since October 2006. Two options exist for elimination, either thermal elimination of a thickened sludge in a household
waste incineration plant, or drying of the thickened sludge to yield a granular material fit for storage and transport. The high organic content of this material makes it a valuable alternative fuel for the cement industry. This elimination route is hampered, however, by the tendency of this
material to self-heating and occasional thermal runaway resulting in fire. This research project deals with the investigation of the characteristics of these dried sewage sludge granules and the possible reasons for the observed self-heating phenomenon. It was found that a cascade of reactions
and a series of circumstances are responsible for the thermal runaway, where each of them isolated would not lead to an event. Mainly responsible for triggering the initial temperature raise is the oxidation of Fe(II) compounds, added to the wastewater as FeClSO4 for
phosphate precipitation, and present in this lower oxidation state due to the reducing conditions in the digesters. Sulfate reduction to sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) presents an additional source of latent heat in the final product once brought in contact with air as demonstrated
by the observed formation of the high temperature allotrope ?-sulfur.
Asymmetric Catalysis with Chiral Lewis Bases: A New Frontier in Main Group Chemistry
Authors: Denmark Scott E.
Published: March 2008

The concept of the electron pair bond formulated by G. N. Lewis provides the foundation for our understanding of chemical structure and reactivity. The consequences of the donor–acceptor interactions between bases and acids are manifest in the spectacular diversity of transformations
that form the basis for chemical synthesis. By systematic analysis of the origins of these phenomena, it is possible to gain a unified picture of how electron pair donors (Lewis bases) can modulate and influence chemical reactions by enhancing either (or both) electrophilic or (and) nucleophilic
character. This article provides a brief overview of the conceptual basis and theoretical foundation for these phenomena and illustrates a number of reactions primarily in Group 14 that are susceptible to catalysis by Lewis bases.
Social psychological processes in family and school: more evidence on their relative etiological significance for bullying behavior
Authors: Idsoe Thormod , Solli Elin , Cosmovici Elena Maria
Published: March 2008

This study looked at students' perceptions of the three socialization processes of connection, regulation, and autonomy with their parents and teachers, and the relation of these issues to bullying peers. Self‐reported data were collected from a representative sample of Norwegian eighth graders (N=2,083, 1,010 boys, and 1,073 girls). Findings partially confirm our hypotheses that we generated from earlier research into general antisocial behavior. For both genders, parent regulation and teacher regulation had a direct impact on bullying behavior. Parent connection and teacher connection also had an impact on bullying behavior, but these effects were indirect and were mediated by regulation and autonomy from parents and teachers. Some of the socialization processes had different impacts on bullying behavior for boys and girls. Parent autonomy and teacher autonomy had impact (although weak) on bullying behavior for boys only. In general, the variables related to the parents were of more importance for bullying behavior than the variables related to the teachers. Aggr. Behav. 34:460–474, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immune recognition of exposed xenoantigens on the surface of PEGylated bovine red blood cells
Authors: Gundersen Sharon I. , Kennedy Melanie S. , Palmer Andre F.
Published: March 2008

Due to potential problems that can occur during blood transfusion and increasing blood shortages, our group engineered methoxypolyethylene glycol conjugated bovine red blood cells (mPEG‐bRBCs) as a potential universal oxygen therapeutic. This current work investigates the immunological properties of mPEG‐bRBCs incubated with human plasma (hP) and correlates these properties to exposed Galα(1,3)Gal xenoantigens. After mPEG‐bRBCs were incubated with hP, the amount of bound IgG and IgM was assessed via flow cytometry. Flow cytometry also assessed the amount of GS‐IB4 bound to exposed Galα(1,3)Gal xenoantigens. The results of this study demonstrate that most hP samples strongly promote agglutination of mPEG‐bRBCs regardless of the extent of mPEG surface coverage or donor blood type. IgG and IgM from hP bound strongly to mPEG‐bRBCs. In general, the Galα(1,3)Gal xenoantigen remains exposed at all levels of PEG surface coverage. PEGylation did block some of the xenoantigens as the amount of exposed Galα (1,3)Gal decreased with increased mPEG surface coverage. However, this was not sufficient to prevent a strong agglutination reaction. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the current strategy for PEGylating bRBCs is unsatisfactory for the development of immunologically silent oxygen therapeutics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 337–344. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Renewable Chemicals Industry
Authors: Christensen Claus Hviid , Rass‐Hansen Jeppe , Marsden Charlotte C. , Taarning Esben , Egeblad Kresten
Published: March 2008

The possibilities for establishing a renewable chemicals industry featuring renewable resources as the dominant feedstock rather than fossil resources are discussed in this Concept. Such use of biomass can potentially be interesting from both an economical and ecological perspective. Simple and educational tools are introduced to allow initial estimates of which chemical processes could be viable. Specifically, fossil and renewables value chains are used to indicate where renewable feedstocks can be optimally valorized. Additionally, C factors are introduced that specify the amount of CO2 produced per kilogram of desired product to illustrate in which processes the use of renewable resources lead to the most substantial reduction of CO2 emissions. The steps towards a renewable chemicals industry will most likely involve intimate integration of biocatalytic and conventional catalytic processes to arrive at cost‐competitive and environmentally friendly processes.
Genotoxic effects of formaldehyde in the human lung cell line A549 and in primary human nasal epithelial cells
Authors: Speit Günter , Schmid Oliver , Neuss Simone , Schütz Petra
Published: March 2008

The alkaline comet assay was used to further characterize the induction of DNA‐protein crosslinks (DPX) by formaldehyde (FA) and their removal in the human lung cell line A549 and in primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC). DPX were indirectly measured as the reduction of γ ray – induced DNA migration. FA induced DPX in A549 cells in a concentration‐related manner in the range of 100–300 μM. This result is in agreement with previous studies using different mammalian cell lines. The main new findings of the present study are: (i) Determination of cytotoxicity in relation to genotoxicity strongly depend on the method used. Cytotoxicity measured as the reduction in cell counts 48 hr after addition of FA to the cultures occurred parallel to the induction of DPX while colony forming ability was already reduced at 10 times lower FA concentrations; (ii) DPX induced by a 1‐hr FA treatment were completely removed within 8 hr cultivation in fresh medium while in the presence of FA in the medium DPX levels remained unchanged for 24 hr; (iii) Induction and removal of DPX did not fundamentally differ between exponentially growing and confluent A549 cultures; (iv) Slowly proliferating HNEC showed the same sensitivity towards FA‐induced DPX as A549 cells (i.e. the same FA concentrations induced DPX under the same experimental conditions) and removed DPX with a similar efficiency. In summary, these results contribute to a better understanding of the genotoxic activity of FA in vitro and indicate that the tested cultured primary and permanent human cells do not differ fundamentally with regard to the processing of FA‐induced primary genotoxic effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Waste elimination processes of iron oxide red
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Xu Jinhua , Xiao Ding , Chen Sili
Published: March 2008

A new process of mixing acid iron oxide red was studied. The process uses an inoculating seed of sulfuric acid method after purification and enrichment, followed by addition of ferrous nitrate in a two‐step oxidization. The benefits of the new process were good quality, safe operation, and less pollution. The wastewater treatment of the highly concentrated ammonium‐nitrogen of iron oxide red production was also studied. The method of chemical precipitation, which uses MgSO4 and Na2HPO4 to form guano, was applied. It was defined that the optimal conditions are as follows: the pH was about 10, and the mole ratio of Mg:N:P was 1.1:1.0:1.3. In the wastewater of iron oxide red production, the concentrated ammonium‐nitrogen was reduced from 417.5 to 1.9 mg/L, and the removal efficiency was up to 99.5%. At the same time, MgNH4PO4·6H2O can be used as compound‐fertilizer. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008