bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal Role of the Frontal Eye Field in Attention-induced Ocular Dominance Plasticity
Authors: Song Fangxing , Dong Xue , Zhao Jiaxu , Wang Jue , Sang Xiaohui , He Xin , Bao Min
Published: March 2024

Previous research has found that prolonged eye-based attention can bias ocular dominance. If one eye long-termly views a regular movie meanwhile the opposite eye views a backward movie of the same episode, perceptual ocular dominance will shift towards the eye previously viewing the backward movie. Yet it remains unclear whether the role of eye-based attention in this phenomenon is causal or not. To address this issue, the present study relied on both the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) techniques. We found robust activation of the frontal eye field (FEF) and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) when participants were watching the dichoptic movie while focusing their attention on the regular movie. Interestingly, we found a robust effect of attention-induced ocular dominance shift when the cortical function of vertex or IPS was transiently inhibited by continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), yet the effect was significantly attenuated to a negligible extent when cTBS was delivered to FEF. A control experiment verified that the attenuation of ocular dominance shift after inhibitory stimulation of FEF was not due to any impact of the cTBS on the binocular rivalry measurement of ocular dominance. These findings suggest that the fronto-parietal attentional network is involved in controlling eye-based attention in the “dichoptic-backward-movie” adaptation paradigm, and in this network, FEF plays a crucial causal role in generating the attention-induced ocular dominance shift.
A Novel Mouse Model for LAMA2-Related Muscular Dystrophy: Analysis of Molecular Pathogenesis and Clinical Phenotype
Authors: Tan Dandan , Liu Yidan , Luo Huaxia , Shen Qiang , Long Xingbo , Xu Luzheng , Liu Jieyu , Zhong Nanbert , Zhang Hong , Xiong Hui
Published: March 2024

Understanding the underlying pathogenesis of
LAMA2
-related muscular dystrophy (
LAMA2
-MD) have been hampered by lack of genuine mouse model. We created a new
Lama2
knockout mouse (dy
H
/dy
H
) and reported here its close simulation to human neuropathology and symptoms. We first established that
Lama2
was predominantly expressed within the cortical surface of normal mouse brain, specifically, highly concentrated in vascular and leptomeningeal fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells with a modest presence within astrocytes. Our
Lama2
knockout mice confirmed specific decreased
Lama2
expression in those cell types and resulted in disruption of gliovascular basal lamina assembly. This molecular pathogenesis mechanism was elucidated by a novel scRNA-seq. Furthermore, through transcriptomic investigation, these dy
H
/dy
H
mice were showed aberrant structure of muscle cytoskeletons which impaired normal muscle development and resulted in weakness. This is the first reported genuine model simulating human
LAMA2
-MD. We can use it to study the molecular pathogenesis and develop effective therapies.
Secreted antigen A peptidoglycan hydrolase is essential for Enterococcus faecium cell separation and priming of immune checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy
Authors: Klupt Steven , Fam Kyong Tkhe , Zhang Xing , Chodisetti Pavan Kumar , Mehmood Abeera , Boyd Tumara , Grotjahn Danielle , Park Donghyun , Hang Howard C.
Published: March 2024

Enterococcus faecium
is a microbiota species in humans that can modulate host immunity
1
, but has also acquired antibiotic resistance and is a major cause of hospital-associated infections
2
. Notably, diverse strains of
E. faecium
produce SagA, a highly conserved peptidoglycan hydrolase that is sufficient to promote intestinal immunity
3–5
and immune checkpoint inhibitor antitumor activity
6
. However, the essential functions of SagA in
E. faecium
were unknown. Here we report that deletion of
sagA
impaired
E. faecium
growth and resulted in bulged and clustered enterococci due to defective peptidoglycan cleavage and cell separation. Moreover, Δ
sagA
showed increased antibiotic sensitivity, yielded lower levels of active muropeptides, displayed reduced activation of the peptidoglycan pattern-recognition receptor NOD2, and failed to promote cancer immunotherapy. Importantly, plasmid-based expression of SagA, but not its catalytically-inactive mutant, restored Δ
sagA
growth, production of active muropeptides and NOD2 activation. SagA is therefore essential for
E. faecium
growth, stress resistance and activation of host immunity.
Care and Repair through Intimacy: A Live Lab Approach in the Garden City
Authors: Rodríguez Alfonzo Josymar , Roosen Barbara , Huybrechts Liesbeth
Published: March 2024

Participatory Design (PD) is increasingly interested in the repair process, motivated by the curiosity to articulate a more caring and relational attitude toward our socioecological environment. However, placing ‘repair’ centrally in PD is difficult, since the latter has been traditionally focused on ‘making together’ and less on repairing what was once made, or even ‘unmake’. While repair is part of our continuous activities (repairing clothes, bikes, marriages, and relationships), it is often a painful and challenging endeavor. Repair entails hope but also grief. This article discusses how we used a Live Lab to explore more intimate design approaches, opening pathways to explore plural relations and access embodied and emotional knowledge. Finally, based on our research experience in a garden city, we reflect upon how acting within an intimacy framework contributes to PD’s repair process, by bringing socioecological entanglements to the agenda of citizens.
Co-designing Resilience: Practical and Social Skilling through Place-based Repair
Authors: Kalantidou Eleni , Brennan Tammy
Published: March 2024

The environmental and social injustices stemming from consumer culture have made evident the necessity to rediscover repair, as a means against growing precarity. This article presents such effort through a pilot program that took place in regional Queensland, aiming to re-engage at-risk youth by exposing them to practices of creative repair. The program provided opportunities for the youth participants to repair preloved items and reuse materials while collaborating with mentors, creatives, and peers. The stakeholders’ lived experience was documented via a co-design workshop, which was based on findings derived from interviews and visual data. According to its outcomes, practical and social skilling can enact self-confidence, communities of repair, and resource preservation. These, along with the program’s blueprint, were included in a toolkit to support other regional communities facing similar challenges. To conclude, the program’s learnings demonstrated repair as a place-based approach responding to a global condition, pragmatically addressing environmental and social emergencies.
Analysis of the Ecological Value of Pioneer Plants in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Jing Huang , Jingqi Sun , Yongqing Li , Lihua Jiang , Qiuyue He , Jing Li
Published: March 2024

Pioneer plants are plant species that appear early in the community succession or show strong adaptability, which can improve the local ecological environment and create conditions for the succession and recovery of other plants and animals. After analyzing the general situation in the Yellow River Basin, this paper explores the main ecological values of pioneer plants, such as treatment of salt-alkali land, soil and water conservation, improvement of soil quality, community succession and biodiversity promotion. Also, typical cases of pioneer plants used for treatment and restoration in ecologically fragile areas such as Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia Pisha sandstone area, coastal saline-alkali land, abandoned mine pits in Yellow River Basin are introduced and analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for further embodying the ecological function of pioneer plants in the Yellow River Basin.
Evaluation of In vitro Antioxidant Activities and In vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Hygrophila schulli (Buch.-Ham.) Leaf Extract
Authors: Ahmed Md. Sohan , Ashhab Md. Atiq , Haque Md. Muhaimanul , Raji Md. Mehebub Al , Rohman Mokhleshur , Juthi Zakia Sultana , Islam Mohammad Amirul
Published: March 2024

Background: Hygrophila schulli, a medicinal herb, has traditionally been used to treat a wide range of ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery, and cough. The aim of this experiment was to seek the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of the methanolic extract of H. schulli leaf (MEHL) by in vitro and in vivo study.

Methods: Methanol was used as a solvent to extract H. schulli leaves. In vitro antioxidant activity of MEHL was determined by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assay and in vitro antidiabetic activity was revealed by α-amylase inhibition assay and α-glucosidase inhibition assay. To explore in vivo antidiabetic properties, diabetes was induced in Swiss albno mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight. Swiss albino mice were separated into five groups (normal and diabetic) and orally treated with normal pellet diet, water (normal control and diabetic control), glibenclamide (5 mg/kg BW), and MEHL (100 and 200 mg/kg BW).

Results: MEHL showed significant scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assay (IC 50 value is 105.80 µg/mL and 27.47 µg/mL respectively). In the α-amylase inhibition assay, MEHL at a concentration of 120 g/mL inhibited α-amylase activity by 23.13%, furthermore, at 100 g/mL concentration of MEHL, 55.62% inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was detected. Diabetic mice treated with MEHL exhibited a significant decrease in blood glucose levels by 12.66%-33.45% from the 5th to the 21st day in the in vivo assay at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight. MEHL significantly reduced the activity of serum SGPT and SGOT in diabetic mice as compared to the control group. In diabetic mice, the extract improved TG, TC, LDL, HDL, and VLDL levels as compared to untreated mice.

Conclusion: The current study indicated that H. schulli leaf extract is a natural source of antioxidants, has substantial antidiabetic effects and enhances lipid profile markers in diabetic mice and may be utilized as an alternate therapy for diabetes control.
Development and Characterization of Multi-Nutrient Formulations for Organic Farming
Authors: Taki Lucy , Joseph Biju , Gladis R.  , Rani B.  , Sajitha Rani T.  , Rafeekher M.
Published: March 2024

The study was to develop multi-nutrient formulations for organic farming containing all the essential macro and micronutrients. The experimental design selected was completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala between Jan 2021-May 2021. Multi-nutrient formulations were developed using various organic nutrient sources like blood meal, soybean meal, rock phosphate, steamed bone meal, potassium sulfate, langbeinite, epsom salt, and borax permitted by National Programme for Organic Production. Formulations were prepared by mixing nutrient sources considering the nutrient requirement of nendran banana (N:P2O5:K2O @ 300:115:450 g plant-1) and the soil fertility status. The formulations were characterized for their physical, chemical and biochemical properties. On the basis of character analysis and principal component analysis the formulation F1 containing blood meal, rock phosphate, potassium sulfate, epsom salt and borax was found superior to other formulations. This was followed by F3 which contains blood meal, steamed bone meal, potassium sulfate, epsom salt and borax. Formulation F1 had 3.73 g cm-3 bulk density, 2.67% moisture content, 6.5 pH, 3.23 dSm-1 EC, 29.43% OC, 7.21% N, 2.71% P, 10.78% K, 5.98% Ca, 0.35% Mg, 4.45% S, 1174.11 mg kg-1 Fe, 4.53 mg kg-1 Mn, 13.55 mg kg-1 Zn, 8.65 mg kg-1 Cu and 93.67 mg kg-1 B. It also contained 45.04% crude protein, 2.95% humic acid and 3.55% fulvic acid. The formulation F3 had 7.47 pH, 3.37 dSm-1 EC, 28.34% OC, 7.11% N, 2.68% P, 10.68% K, 2.05% Ca, 0.32% Mg, 4.37% S, 1163.41 mg kg-1 Fe, 4.87 mg kg-1 Mn, 14.52 mg kg-1 Zn, 9.05 mg kg-1 Cu and 96.33 mg kg-1 B. Hence multi-nutrient formulation F1 based on its nutrient supplying capacity can be recommended as a nutrient source for organic farming.
Treatment Outcomes of Retinoblastoma in Children Less than 6 Months of Age
Authors: Khaqan Hussain Ahmad , Rehman Hafiz Ateeq ur , Hassan Laraib , Jabran Aamna , Fauzan Ahmad , Akram Nabeel , Khan Asad Mahmood
Published: March 2024

Objective: To assess the results of children who have been diagnosed with retinoblastoma in less than 6 months of age in terms of globe saving and the need for chemoreduction (CRD).
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study from 2018 to 2021 that includes 8 eyes of 4 infants. Of the 4 patients, 01 (25%) patient was male and 03 (75%) were females. All patients had bilateral disease with no positive family history. The 4 patients were classified according to the International Classification System for Retinoblastoma. Group A disease was diagnosed in 1 (12.5%) eye, Group B in 2 (25%), Group C in 1 (12.5%), Group D in 1 (12.5%), and Group E in 3 (37.5%) eyes. A performa was made that included; patient’ name, date of birth, date of diagnosis, gender, laterality of retinoblastoma, family history, systemic chemotherapy agents used with the number of cycles and details of local therapy, complications, development of secondary malignancies and deaths. Primary outcome measures were the need for CRD and globe salvage.
Results: Three (75%) of the four infants having retinoblastoma in less than six months needed CRD to save their globes. 62.5 percent (5/8) of eyes had their globes saved, whereas three eyes (37.5 percent) were enucleated due to Group E illness. There were no CRD-related hospitalization and all patients survived.
Conclusion: Collectively the targeted modalities and reduced-dose CRD, children having retinoblastoma with less than six months have more chances of globe saving comparable to those of older age groups. The saving of globe of two-thirds of the infants required CRD. A diagnosis of Group D or E in at least one eye initially or both eyes later on, increased the risk of requiring CRD (p 0.0001 and p 0.016, respectively).
Chlamydia Infection among Women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Association with Socio-Demographic Factors
Authors: Ikpeama Roseanne Adah , Ogbonnie Enyinnaya Stella , Nyenke Clement Ugochukwu , Nwankwo Lovina , Onosakponome Evelyn Orevaoghene
Published: March 2024

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacterium invades "wet" (mucous membranes) bodily parts such as the epididymis and genital tracts. It can also infect the throat, anus and rectum. In addition, it can infect the eyes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chlamydia infection among women and its association with socio-demographic factors in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) , Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out using the samples of randomly selected 450 female participants of reproductive age to assay for chlamydial infection using ELISA method. The participants were classified into four groups; HIV patients (HP), pregnant women (PTW), out-patient (OP) and healthy volunteer (HV). Socio-demographic data (age, education, occupation and marital status) were obtained from well-structured questionnaires that were distributed to the participants who volunteered to partake in the study. The questionnaires entailed questions on selected sociodemographic characteristics. The result showed there no significant association (p>0.05) between chlamydiosis and age. Similarly, there was no significant relationship between education and chlamydiosis. Again, there was no connection between occupation and chlamydiosis. Finally, there was no link between marital status and chlamydiosis. This study has shown that there is no association between selected socio-demographic factors and chlamydial infection among women attending RSUTH.
Distribution of water quality parameters in two cross‐sections of the river Elbe measured with high local, temporal, and analytic resolution
Authors: Böhme Michael
Published: May 2006

The river Elbe is a large eutrophic lowland river with high primary production and high phytoplankton biomass in the growing season. The objective of the study was to gain basic knowledge of the role of dead zones for phytoplankton distribution and the oxygen balance of the river Elbe. At two sampling stations water temperature, oxygen concentration, conductivity, pH value, turbidity, and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured with high precision to learn about the distribution of these parameters across the cross‐sections. The structures indicate differences in the intensity of physical and biological processes between the shallow waters near the shores, which are characterized by groyne fields, and the deep bulk flow. The conductivity clearly shows the high transverse mixing intensity in the groyne fields in contrast to the bulk flow. Groyne fields and the first, the groyne head near margin lamella of the bulk flow can be regarded as a unit. Groyne field results indicate higher primary production of phytoplankton, oxygen release, and higher pH. The turbidity of water entering the groyne fields decreases rapidly because of sedimentation within a short time. The groyne head lamella of the bulk flow sometimes shows higher chlorophyll fluorescence than the central lamella of the bulk flow and the water of the groyne field. The processes which contribute to the observed distribution are discussed, but could not yet be quantified. A modification of the dead zone model is proposed.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection for initially irresectable colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Capussotti L , Muratore A , Mulas M M , Massucco P , Aglietta M
Published: May 2006

Background

Hepatic surgery is the treatment of choice for resectable colorectal liver metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can downstage the tumour and enable surgery in up to 38 per cent of patients whose tumours were initially considered irresectable.

Methods

This prospective study included 150 patients who underwent hepatic resection over a 4-year period. One hundred and sixteen patients had resection without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (group 1) and 34 had chemotherapy before liver surgery (group 2). Perioperative features, survival and pattern of recurrence were compared.

Results

Median follow-up was 35·1 months. The in-hospital mortality rate was zero. Three-year overall survival in the two groups was comparable (P = 0·232). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 21 per cent in the neoadjuvant group compared with 50·5 per cent in the immediate resection group (P < 0·001). Recurrence rates were 94 per cent (32 of 34) in group 1 and 66·4 per cent in group 2 (P = 0·001); extrahepatic recurrence, alone or associated with recurrence in the liver, was significantly more common in group 2 than in group 1 (78 versus 55 per cent; P = 0·016). Multivariate analysis revealed that resection of the recurrence was the most important independent prognostic factor for improved disease-free survival (relative risk 0·2; P < 0·001). Patients in group 2 had reduced disease-free survival (RR 1·8; P = 0·012).

Conclusion

The recurrence rate among patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for initially irresectable liver metastases was extremely high. Re-resection should be attempted whenever feasible.
Nicotine modulation of stress‐related peptide neurons
Authors: Loughlin Sandra E. , Islas Michelle I. , Cheng Michelle Y. , Lee Alex G. , Villegier Anne‐Sophie , Leslie Frances M.
Published: May 2006

Nicotine has been shown to activate stress‐related brain nuclei, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA), through complex mechanisms involving direct and indirect pathways. To determine the neurochemical identities of rat brain neurons which are activated by a low dose (0.175 mg/kg) of nicotine given 30 minutes before sacrifice, we have used single‐ and double‐label in situ hybridization. Neuronal activation was quantified by localization of 35S‐labeled probe for the immediate early gene, c‐fos. Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), enkephalin (ENK), and dynorphin (DYN) mRNAs were colocalized using a colorimetric, digoxigenin‐labeled probe. Film autoradiographic studies showed that nicotine significantly increased c‐fos mRNA expression in both PVN and CEA. Pretreatment with the centrally acting nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine (1 mg/kg), blocked nicotine's effects, whereas pretreatment with the peripherally acting antagonist, hexamethonium (5 mg/kg), did not, indicating that c‐fos induction was mediated by a central nicotinic receptor. Double labeling studies showed that nicotine induced c‐fos expression within CRF cells in the PVN, as well as in a small population of ENK cells, but not in PVN DYN cells. In contrast, there was no significant nicotine‐induced increase in c‐fos expression in CEA CRF or DYN cells, whereas nicotine treatment did increase c‐fos expression within CEA ENK cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 497:575–588, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Volatile constituents of Dorema aucheri Boiss., Seseli libanotis (L.) W. D. Koch var. armeniacum Bordz. and Conium maculatum L. three Umbelliferae herbs growing wild in Iran
Authors: Masoudi Shiva , Esmaeili Akbar , Ali khalilzadeh Mohammad , Rustaiyan Abdolhossein , Moazami Nasrin , Akhgar Mohammad Reza , Varavipoor Maryam
Published: May 2006

The composition of the essential oils from three Umbelliferae species of Iran—Dorema aucheri Boiss., which is endemic to Iran, Seseli libanotis (L.) W. D. Koch var. armeniacum Bordz. and Conium maculatum L.—obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC and GC[sol ]MS. α‐Eudesmol (31.2%) and δ‐cadinene (10.9%) were the main components among the 35 constituents characterized in Dorema aucheri, representing 89.2% of the total components detected. Twenty‐five compound were identified in the oil of Seseli libanotis, repesenting 90.6% of the total oil with acorenone (35.5%) as the major constituents. The oil of Conium maculatum was characterized by higher amount of germacrene D (46.1%), β‐caryophyllene (15.3%) and (E,E)‐α‐farnesene (10.1%) among the 17 components comprising 91.0% of the total oil detected. All oils were richer in sesquiterpenes than monoterpenes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversity patterns of Carboniferous and Permian rugose corals in South China
Authors: Xiang‐Dong Wang , Xiao‐Juan Wang , Feng Zhang , Hua Zhang
Published: May 2006

The diversity and changing patterns of rugose corals in the Carboniferous and Permian of South China are analysed by statistical analyses of 45 families, 284 genera, and 1979 species from 14 consecutive time intervals. The ancestors of Carboniferous rugose corals originated early and underwent preliminary radiation in the late Famennian, but were eliminated by the Hangenberg global regressive event, which marks the Devonian—Carboniferous boundary. Radiation of typical Carboniferous rugose corals began in the late Tournaisian, when they were represented by an abundance of columellate taxa such asKueichouphyllumand a significant diversification ofKeyserlingophyllum. A decrease in the diversity of rugose genera occurred in the Serpukhovian, followed by a change in the composition of the rugose coral assemblages at the Mid‐Carboniferous Serpukhovian—Bashkirian boundary, where large dissepimented taxa with complex axial structures disappeared. In the Bashkirian the Serpukhovian taxa were replaced by compound rugosan taxa of the Geyerophyllidae, Kepingophyllidae and Waagenophyllidae. This compositional change was associated with a global regressive event, recognized in South China by the absence of upper Serpukhovian strata in many places and by several erosional surfaces in carbonate sequences in the Lower Yangtze region. This regressive event was probably caused by an episode of glaciation in Gondwana. Subsequent transgression occurred in South China during the early Bashkirian, where a wide, uniform shallow‐water platform developed in South China, on which were deposited tidal‐flat dolostone and pure limestone containing compound rugose corals. Another change in the rugose coral assemblages, at the Sakmarian‐Artinskian boundary, resulted in the absence from the Artinskian of representatives of typical Pennsylvanian and Early Permian families such as the Bothrophyllidae, Lithostrotionidae, Cyathopsidae, and Petalaxidae. Families uniquely typical of the Permian, characterized by Waagenophyllidae and Kepingophyllidae, dominate post‐Sakmarian strata. This faunal change may be related to a major, worldwide regression, recognized at the end of the Sakmarian. Extinction of rugose corals at the end of the Permian occurred in two phases in South China. The first phase occurred at the end of the Capitanian and eliminated 47% of the families and 45% of the genera. Extrusion of the Omeishan Basalt, which is widely distributed in the western part of South China, and/or a global regression at the end of the Guadalupian could be the principal causes of this first phase of mass extinction. The second phase, which occurred at the end of the Changhsingian and is the largest extinction event in Earth's history, eliminated all remaining rugose corals. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of suitable immobilized metal chelates for adsorption of monoclonal antibodies against mutant amidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Martins Sónia , Andrade Jorge , Karmali Amin , Serralheiro Maria Luísa
Published: May 2006

The chromatographic behaviour of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of IgM class against mutant (T103I) amidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. The effect of ligand concentration, the length of spacer arm and the nature of metal ion were investigated on immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC). MAbs against mutant amidase adsorbed to Cu (II), Ni (II), Zn (II), Co (II) and Ca (II)‐IDA agarose columns. The adsorption of MAbs onto immobilized metal chelates was pH dependent because an increase in the binding of MAbs was observed as the pH was raised from 6.0 to 8.0. The adsorption of MAbs to metal chelates was due to coordination of histidine residues which are available in the 3rd constant domain of heavy chain (CH3) of immunoglobulins since the presence of imidazole in the equilibration buffer abolished the adsorption of MAbs to the column packed with commercial IDA‐Zn(II) agarose at pH 8.0. The combination of tailor‐made stationary phases for IMAC and a correct choice of the adsorption conditions permitted to design a one‐step purification procedure for MAbs of IgM class. Culture supernatants containing MAbs of IgM class against mutant amidase (T103I) were chromatographed by IMAC Co (II) column at pH 8.0. The results strongly suggest that one‐step purification of MAbs of IgM class by IMAC is a cost‐effective and process‐compatible alternative to the other purification procedures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative palaeotemperature records inferred from fossil pollen and chironomid assemblages from Lake Gilltjärnen, northern central Sweden
Authors: Antonsson Karin , Brooks Stephen J. , Seppä Heikki , Telford Richard J. , Birks H. John B.
Published: May 2006

Palaeotemperature reconstructions based on radiocarbon‐dated fossil pollen and chironomid stratigraphies obtained from Lake Gilltjärnen provide evidence of climate changes during the last 11 000 years in the boreal zone of northern central Sweden. The records show consistent trends during the early and mid‐Holocene, indicating low temperatures at 11 000–10 000 cal. yr BP, followed by a rising trend and a period of maximum values from about 7000 to 4000 cal. yr BP. At 3000 cal. yr BP the chironomid‐inferred temperature values rise abruptly, deviating from the late‐Holocene cooling trend indicated by the pollen‐based reconstruction and most of the other palaeotemperature records from central Scandinavia, probably as a result of local limnological changes in Lake Gilltjärnen and its catchment. Comparison of the present results with a lake‐level reconstruction from Lake Ljustjärnen, ca. 100 km southwest of Lake Gilltjärnen, shows that the low early‐Holocene temperatures were associated with high lake‐levels at 10 500–8500 cal. yr BP, whereas low lake‐levels and dry conditions prevailed during the period of high temperatures at between 7500 and 5000 cal. yr BP, probably due to high summer evapotranspiration and lower precipitation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insight into variability of apparent endoxylanase and endoxylanase inhibitor levels in wheat kernels
Authors: Dornez Emmie , Joye Iris J , Gebruers Kurt , Lenartz Jonathan , Massaux Carine , Bodson Bernard , Delcour Jan A , Courtin Christophe M
Published: May 2006

The influence of wheat variety, harvest year and harvest date on the levels of wheat kernel‐associated endogenous and microbial endoxylanases and wheat endogenous endoxylanase inhibitors was investigated using ten winter wheat varieties grown in 2002 and 2003. Three of the varieties were harvested on five different dates in a 1 month period spanning the optimal harvest period. Introductory experiments indicated that endoxylanase activity was very heterogeneously distributed among the different wheat kernels, necessitating the use of relatively large amounts of kernels, i.e. 100 g, to obtain representative wholemeal samples. Apparent endoxylanase activities in these samples largely depended on variety and weather conditions prior to harvesting. In contrast, apparent endoxylanase inhibitor levels were less dependent on climatological circumstances and were mainly determined by genetic factors. The data derived from this study may contribute to explaining the differences observed in functionality between wheats. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Distribution Function and Thermodynamic Potentials of a Self‐Avoiding Chain
Authors: Drozdov Aleksey D.
Published: May 2006

Summary:An explicit expression is derived for the distribution function of end‐to‐end vectors for a flexible self‐avoiding chain. Based on this relation, analytical formulas are developed for the free and internal energies of a chain with excluded‐volume interactions. Force–stretch relations are obtained at uniaxial tension and compression. The effects of strength of segment interactions on the shapes of the distribution function and the force‐displacement diagram, as well as on the mean‐square end‐to‐end distance and stiffness of a chain are studied numerically.

The dimensionless distribution functionPversus the dimensionless end‐to‐end vectorQ*for self‐repellent chains with χ = 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6, from top to bottom, respectively.

magnified image

The dimensionless distribution functionPversus the dimensionless end‐to‐end vectorQ*for self‐repellent chains with χ = 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6, from top to bottom, respectively.
Centrosome abnormalities are frequently observed in non‐small‐cell lung cancer and are associated with aneuploidy and cyclin E overexpression
Authors: Koutsami MK , Tsantoulis PK , Kouloukoussa M , Apostolopoulou K , Pateras IS , Spartinou Z , Drougou A , Evangelou K , Kittas C , Bartkova J , Bartek J , Gorgoulis VG
Published: May 2006

Centrosome abnormalities are observed in human cancers and have been associated with aneuploidy, a driving force in tumour progression. However, the exact pathways that tend to cause centrosome abnormalities have not been fully elucidated in human tumours. Using a series of 68 non‐small‐cell lung carcinomas and an array of in vitro experiments, the relationship between centrosome abnormalities, aneuploidy, and the status of key G1 to S‐phase transition cell‐cycle molecules, involved in the regulation of centrosome duplication, was investigated. Centrosome amplification and structural abnormalities were common (53%), were strongly related to aneuploidy, and, surprisingly, were even seen in adjacent hyperplastic regions, suggesting the possibility that these are early lesions in lung carcinogenesis. Cyclin E and E2F1 overexpression, but not p53 mutation, was observed to correlate with centrosome abnormalities in vivo (p = 0.029 and p = 0.015, respectively). This was further strengthened by the observation that cyclin E was specifically present in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of the cells that contained centrosome aberrations. The cytoplasmic cyclin E signal may be attributed, in part, to the presence of truncated low‐molecular‐weight isoforms of cyclin E. In order to isolate the effect of cyclin E on the appearance of centrosome abnormalities, a U2OS tetracycline‐repressible cyclin E cell line that has a normal centrosome profile by default was used. With this system, it was confirmed in vitro that persistent cyclin E overexpression is sufficient to cause the appearance of centrosome abnormalities. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust protein quantitation in chromatographic fractions using MALDI‐MS of tryptic peptides
Authors: Bublitz Renate , Kreusch Stefan , Ditze Günther , Schulze Margarete , Cumme Gerhard A. , Fischer Christine , Winter Adrienne , Hoppe Horst , Rhode Heidrun
Published: May 2006

A method is introduced to evaluate protein concentrations using the height sum of all MALDI‐MS peaks that unambiguously match theoretic tryptic peptide masses of the protein sought after. The method uses native chromatographic protein fractionation prior to digestion but does not require any depletion, labeling, derivatization, or preparation of a compound similar to the analyte. All peak heights of tryptic peptides are normalized with the peak height of a unique standard peptide added to the MALDI‐MS samples. The sum of normalized peak heights, Sn, or the normalized mean peak height, Mn, reflects the concentration of the respective protein. For fractions containing various proteins, Sn and Mn can be used to compare concentrations of a protein between different fractions. For fractions with one predominating protein, they can be used to estimate concentration ratios between fractions, or to quantify the fractional protein concentration after calibration with pure protein solutions. Initial native fractionation retains the possibility to apply all conventional analytic procedures. Moreover, it renders the method relatively robust to MS mass accuracy. The method was validated with albumin, transferrin, α1‐antitrypsin, and immunoglobulin G within highly complex chromatographic fractions of pathological and normal sera, which contained the respective intact native protein in dominating as well as minor concentrations. The correlation found between Sn and the protein concentration as determined with ELISA showed that the method can be applied to select markers for distinguishing between normal and pathological serum samples.
Case histories and recent developments to improve safety assessments during process development
Authors: Khan A.A.
Published: May 2006

Prevention of chemical processing disasters largely depends on assessment of thermal stability, mutual compatibility, and decomposition characteristics of materials used in the process. Such studies also facilitate a priori evaluation of vulnerability in operations and can be conveniently organized in the “process development studies” phase of the selected process. However, investigations conducted after the accidents invariably reveal that almost all the major incidents could have been avoided. This suggests an inadequate safety assessment and the vulnerability of a chosen process.

Recent literature indicates that, in addition to the areas previously discussed, specific attention should be paid to the behavior of process materials under critical conditions.

Quantification of a potential hazard, before an accident, often leads to modifications in design of the equipment and operating conditions, for example, to avoid serious accidents. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006
Protein‐protein interaction screening with the Ras‐recruitment system
Authors: Kruse Claudia , Hanke Sabine , Vasiliev Sergey , Hennemann Hanjo
Published: May 2006

The fast paced progress in genomics yielded a multitude of novel identified genes. Therefore reliable and up scalable methods are required to identify the functions of the encoded proteins. By using protein‐protein interaction screening technologies, the function of many proteins has successfully been assigned, and proved in combination with other techniques. We describe the application of an in vivo screening system for protein‐protein interactions, the Ras‐recruitment system (RRS). The RRS has been used extensively to identify novel interaction partners, also in cases where common systems failed. Therefore we propose the RRS as a valuable alternative interaction screening method that can widely be used among protein classes and that has been further developed by our group into a high‐throughput screening system.
Maternal alcohol use disorder and offspring ADHD: disentangling genetic and environmental effects using a children-of-twins design
Authors: KNOPIK VALERIE S. , HEATH ANDREW C. , JACOB THEODORE , SLUTSKE WENDY S. , BUCHOLZ KATHLEEN K. , MADDEN PAMELA A. F. , WALDRON MARY , MARTIN NICHOLAS G.
Published: May 2006

Background. Children of alcoholics are significantly more likely to experience high-risk environmental exposures, including prenatal substance exposure, and are more likely to exhibit externalizing problems [e.g. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)]. While there is evidence that genetic influences and prenatal nicotine and/or alcohol exposure play separate roles in determining risk of ADHD, little has been done on determining the joint roles that genetic risk associated with maternal alcohol use disorder (AUD) and prenatal risk factors play in determining risk of ADHD.

Method. Using a children-of-twins design, diagnostic telephone interview data from high-risk families (female monozygotic and dizygotic twins concordant or discordant for AUD as parents) and control families targeted from a large Australian twin cohort were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results. Offspring of twins with a history of AUD, as well as offspring of non-AUD monozygotic twins whose co-twin had AUD, were significantly more likely to exhibit ADHD than offspring of controls. This pattern is consistent with a genetic explanation for the association between maternal AUD and increased offspring risk of ADHD. Adjustment for prenatal smoking, which remained significantly predictive, did not remove the significant genetic association between maternal AUD and offspring ADHD.

Conclusions. While maternal smoking during pregnancy probably contributes to the association between maternal AUD and offspring ADHD risk, the evidence for a significant genetic correlation suggests: (i) pleiotropic genetic effects, with some genes that influence risk of AUD also influencing vulnerability to ADHD; or (ii) ADHD is a direct risk-factor for AUD.
Diagnostik somatoformer Beschwerden im Alter
Authors: Hessel Aike , Brähler Elmar , Gunzelmann Thomas , Rief Winfried , Geyer Michael
Published: May 2006

Zusammenfassung: Somatoforme Beschwerden und Störungen im Alter erhalten mit der Entwicklung einer psychosomatischen Sicht auf den alternden Körper wachsende Bedeutung. Die Diagnostik somatoformer Beschwerdebilder ist deshalb aus klinischer Sicht, für die Grundlagenforschung und im Hinblick auf gesundheitspolitische Fragestellungen relevant. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Vergleichsdaten zur Diagnostik somatoformer Beschwerden und Störungen bei über 60jährigen Personen dargestellt, die mit Hilfe des SOMS-7T im Rahmen einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Befragung ermittelt wurden (n = 744, 380 Frauen, 364 Männer, Altersrange 61-99 Jahre, Ø 69.8 Jahre). Der SOMS-7T weist in der Anwendung bei älteren Menschen eine sehr gute Reliabilität (Cronbach's α) von α = .95 auf. Die Ausprägung somatoformer Symptome ist in mittlerem Ausmaß mit Aspekten der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität korreliert. Die Befunde stützen die Forderung der Einbeziehung des Körpererlebens Älterer in die psychosoziale Arbeit sowie in die medizinische Grundversorgung. Über 60jährige berichten mehr somatoforme Symptome als unter 60jährige, über 70jährige mehr somatoforme Beschwerden als unter 70jährige. Deshalb sollten bei der Diagnostik somatoformer Beschwerden und Störungen bei älteren Menschen altersspezifische Vergleichswerte als Referenz verwendet werden. Das SOMS-7T stellt hierfür ein zuverlässiges diagnostisches Instrument dar.
Quantitative und qualitative Diagnostik von Belastungen und Belastungsverarbeitung bei pflegenden Angehörigen
Authors: Wilz Gabriele , Kalytta Tanja , Küssner Christine
Published: May 2006

Zusammenfassung: Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die diagnostische Erfassung von subjektivem Belastungserleben und Belastungsverarbeitung bei pflegenden Angehörigen von älteren Menschen, die insbesondere für die Interventionsforschung eine hohe Relevanz besitzt. Statt der Verwendung globaler Belastungsmaße wird eine multidimensionale Erfassung des Belastungserlebens und der Belastungsverarbeitung mittels standardisierter Messinstrumente empfohlen. Anhand von Daten zur Belastung von Angehörigen von Demenz- und Schlaganfallpatienten wird demonstriert, dass eine reliable Erfassung des Belastungserlebens mittels allgemein-klinischer Verfahren (BDI, GBB-24, SF-12, WHOQOL-BREF) bei diesen spezifischen Gruppen möglich ist. Die Daten können somit als Referenzwerte für diese Subgruppen angesehen werden. Im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung diagnostischer Standards zur multimodalen Erfassung von Belastungserleben sollten sie jedoch ergänzt werden durch Daten an größeren Stichproben einerseits und durch Stichproben von Angehörigen anderer Patientengruppen andererseits. Es wird außerdem gezeigt, dass mittels halbstrukturierter Interviews qualitative Maße des subjektiven Belastungserlebens und der Belastungsverarbeitung gewonnen werden können und eine wichtige Ergänzung zu den quantitativen Belastungsmaßen darstellen.
Frictional strength heterogeneity and surface heat flow: Implications for the strength of the creeping San Andreas fault
Authors: d'Alessio M. A. , Williams C. F. , Bürgmann R.
Published: May 2006

Heat flow measurements along much of the San Andreas fault (SAF) constrain the apparent coefficient of friction (μapp) of the fault to <0.2, much lower than laboratory‐derived friction values for most geologic materials. However, heat flow data are sparse near the creeping section of the SAF, a frictional “asperity” where the fault slips almost exclusively by aseismic creep. We test the hypothesis that the creeping section has a substantially higher or lower μapp than adjacent sections of the SAF. We use numerical models to explore the effects of faults with spatially and temporally heterogeneous frictional strength on the spatial distribution of surface heat flow. Heat flow from finite length asperities is uniformly lower than predicted by assuming an infinitely long fault. Over geologic time, lateral offset from strike‐slip faulting produces heat flow patterns that are asymmetric across the fault and along strike. We explore a range of asperity sizes, slip rates, and displacement histories for comparing predicted spatial patterns of heat flow with existing measurements. Models with μapp ∼ 0.1 fit the data best. For most scenarios, heat flow anomalies from a frictional asperity with μapp > 0.2 should be detectable even with the sparse existing observations, implying that μapp for the creeping section is as low as the surrounding SAF. Because the creeping section does not slip in large earthquakes, the mechanism controlling its weakness is not related to dynamic processes resulting from high slip rate earthquake ruptures.
North African soil dust and European pollution transport to America during the warm season: Hidden links shown by a passive tracer simulation
Authors: Gangoiti Gotzon , Alonso Lucio , Navazo Marino , García José Antonio , Millán Millán M.
Published: May 2006

A mesoscale atmospheric model coupled with a dispersion model is used to establish source‐receptor relationships between the European‐North African aerosol episodes observed over the Caribbean every year during summer and their main sources. The simulation period extends from 15 July to 16 August 1991, concurrent with the flight campaign of the European Project RECAPMA (Millán et al., 1997; Gangoiti et al., 2001). We now extend the simulations to reach the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean, and we make use of the TOMS aerosol index data (Nimbus 7 satellite) to substantiate the simulations at the regional‐to‐continental scale. Our simulations, based on passive tracer release from selected source regions, show that emissions from southern Europe can either take a full‐Atlantic shortcut to the American coasts or enter the Mediterranean basin eastward to turn back to America following a longer pathway: The emissions cross the southern Mediterranean coast to northern Africa, and then they are vented to the middle troposphere (2000–6000 m MSL), mixed within the Saharan air layer (SAL) and transported westward to the tropical Atlantic (TA) and America. Recirculations around the Atlas Mountains and perturbed conditions over the area modulate the export of the European tracer (and soil dust) into America. We found transit times of 11–12 days for the full Atlantic shortcut and 20–26 days for the longer pathway across northern Africa. Under the simulated conditions, southern Europe can contribute with more than the 50% of its emissions to America, while northern Europe shows longer transit times and less transport efficiency.
Near‐surface retrieval of air temperature and specific humidity using multisensor microwave satellite observations
Authors: Jackson Darren L. , Wick Gary A. , Bates John J.
Published: May 2006

A new method for instantaneous retrievals of near‐surface specific humidity (Qa) and air temperature (Ta) over the oceans was developed by combining satellite microwave observations from Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit‐A (AMSU‐A), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and Special Sensor Microwave Temperature Sounder (SSM/T‐2). Several retrieval methods based on linear regression are presented that include both single‐sensor and multisensor approaches. The most accurate linear regression algorithms combined AMSU‐A and SSM/I observations. The Qa and Ta retrieval methods had RMS differences of 0.83 g/kg and 1.53°C, respectively, relative to direct surface observations. These differences were found to be significantly lower than those computed from previously published algorithms applied to daily values. An independent validation data set showed that the current Qa retrieval method led to a reduction in RMS error of 0.5 g/kg and reduced bias at the lowest and highest Qa values. Likewise, the current Ta retrieval method had a reduction in RMS errors of 1.0°C from previously published methods. Improvements in both retrievals can be attributed to inclusion of the AMSU‐A 52.8 GHz channel, which helps distinguish variations near the surface from those at higher levels of the atmosphere. Selection of a retrieval approach represents a trade‐off between accuracy, coverage, and temporal extent. Global coverage every 6 hours is approximately 80% using two NOAA satellites; however, such coverage would rely on use of a single‐sensor AMSU‐A approach with somewhat degraded accuracy. A multisensor approach using AMSU‐A and SSM/I on the current NOAA and DMSP satellites will at best provide global coverage over 1 day.