bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogeography and evolution of the Smooth snake Coronella austriaca (Serpentes: Colubridae) in the Iberian Peninsula: evidence for Messinian refuges and Pleistocenic range expansions
Authors: Carranza  , Donaire  , Pleguezuelos  , Roca  , Santos
Published: January 2008

The European Smooth snake, Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, presents a continuous distribution range across central and northern Europe, with isolated fragmented populations in the southern European peninsulas. Up to 814 bp of mitochondrial DNA from 34 specimens were used to determine the phylogeny and biogeography of this species within the Iberian Peninsula. The results indicate that Coronella austriaca presents at least three mtDNA lineages in Iberia that may have originated during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, 5.3-5.9 Ma. Posterior range shifts within the independent clades were facilitated by climatic fluctuations that occurred during the Pleistocene Ice Ages and, in the Iberian Peninsula, created a complex scenario of refugia-within-refugia. The formation of old allopatric lineages during the Messinian followed by shifts in the distribution range during the Pleistocene coincide with what has been reported for other Iberian reptiles and amphibians and highlights the importance of the Southern European Peninsulas as “old” hotspots of biodiversity. Our results also support the more recent view that the accentuated environmental instability occurred during the Pleistocene did not lead to speciation in many animal groups. The subspecific status of C. a. acutirostris is confirmed by the mtDNA analyses.
Body growth in one montane population of Sceloporus grammicus (Sauria, Phrynosomatidae) in Central México
Authors: Méndez-de la Cruz Fausto , Cuellar Orlando , Zúñiga-Vega Jaime
Published: January 2008

We conducted an analysis of the body growth pattern of the viviparous lizard Sceloporus grammicus in one of its montane populations in Central México. We calculated 177 individual growth rates for the period comprised between June 1991 and June 1997. Von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fit to our data in comparison with logistic models. No intersexual differences were found in the growth pattern. The constructed growth curve estimated an age at maturity of 12 and a half months for females and 14 months for males. In spite of marked seasonality in the region, growth rates were not significantly different between seasons. Our results, together with previous studies on the growth ecology of other populations of S. grammicus, suggest that in the volcanic mountains of Central México body growth, and therefore age and size at maturity, are relatively more limited during the whole year in comparison with populations inhabiting northern or lower-altitude localities.
From Culture To Priming Conditions
Authors: Suh Eunkook M. , Diener ED , Updegraff John A.
Published: January 2008

Existing cross-cultural research often assumes that the independent versus interdependent self-construal process leads to different cultural behaviors, although few studies directly test this link. Extending from prior cross-cultural findings, two studies were conducted to explicitly test whether self-construal is linked with the differential use of emotions versus social information in judgments of life satisfaction. Study 1 confirmed the prediction that even among Americans, those who view themselves in interdependent terms (allocentrics) evaluate their life satisfaction in a more collectivistic manner (strong reliance on social appraisal) than those who view themselves in independent terms (idiocentrics). Study 2 replicated these findings in two cultural settings (United States and Korea) by using experimental primes of independent versus relational self-construal. Results strongly suggest that differences in self-construal processes underlie cross-cultural differences in life satisfaction judgments.
Mapping Expressive Differences Around the World
Authors: Matsumoto David , Seung Hee Yoo  , Fontaine Johnny
Published: January 2008

Despite the importance of the concept of cultural display rules in explaining cultural differences in emotional expression and despite the fact that it has been more than 30 years since this concept was coined, there is yet to be a study that surveys display rules across a wide range of cultures. This article reports such a study. More than 5,000 respondents in 32 countries completed the Display Rule Assessment Inventory. The authors examined five hypotheses concerning the relationship between display rules and individualism-collectivism (IC). The findings indicated the existence of several universal effects, including greater expression toward in-groups versus out-groups, and an overall regulation effect. Individualistic and collectivistic cultures differed on overall expressivity endorsement and in norms concerning specific emotions in in-group and out-group situations.
Relevance of Openness as a Personality Dimension in Chinese Culture
Authors: Cheung Fanny M. , Shu Fai Cheung  , Jianxin Zhang  , Leung Kwok , Leong Frederick , Kuang Huiyeh
Published: January 2008

The Openness factor was missing from the original Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory (CPAI). We used a combined emic—etic approach to generate six culturally relevant Openness scales. In Study 1, the Openness scales were added to the revised CPAI and standardized using a representative sample of 1,911 adults in China and Hong Kong. Factor analysis showed that the Openness scales merged with the original factors of the CPAI. In Study 2, 1,094 Chinese college students took the CPAI-2 and NEO-FFI. Joint factor analyses showed that four of the CPAI-2 Openness scales loaded with the Openness factor of the NEO-FFI. Implications on the meaning of Openness as a personality factor in Chinese culture were discussed.
Cultural and Evolutionary Components of Marital Satisfaction
Authors: Lucas Todd , Parkhill Michele R. , Wendorf Craig A. , Olcay Imamoglu E. , Weisfeld Carol C. , Weisfeld Glenn E. , Jiliang Shen
Published: January 2008

Couples assess their satisfaction with one another according to numerous culturally determined criteria. However, evolutionary perspectives on marriage emphasize that husbands and wives are also concerned with their adaptive fitness, and this suggests that some aspects of marital satisfaction may be cross-culturally homogenous. We examined whether marital satisfaction reflects both `culturally unique' and `adaptively universal' concerns of husbands and wives. Approximately 2000 couples from Britain, Turkey, China and the United States completed a multidimensional measure of marital satisfaction that we assessed for measurement invariance. Measures of romantic love and spousal support functioned similarly for couples within all four cultures, indicating the possibility of a ubiquitous pair-bonding component of marital satisfaction. However, invariant measurement structure was less robust across these samples, suggesting a culturally derived component of marital satisfaction. In general, results suggest that invariance analyses may be used to elucidate cultural and evolutionary perspectives on marriage.
Cultural Differences in Retrieval of Self-Defining Memories
Authors: Jobson Laura , O'Kearney Richard
Published: January 2008

Australians and Asians were asked to provide autobiographical memories of events they believe shaped who they are as individuals (self-defining memories). The authors found the anticipated cultural differences for the memories' themes. Contrary to previous suggestions, however, elaboration of personal memories occurred equally for both groups and was dependent on the content of the memory. Australians provided more elaborate autonomous memories and Asians more elaborate relatedness memories. The findings indicate that elaborating personal memories may function to enhance the dominant self-focus.
From Innovation Community to Community Innovation
Authors: van Oost Ellen , Verhaegh Stefan , Oudshoorn Nelly
Published: January 2008

The role of users in innovation processes has gained increasing attention in innovation studies, technology studies, and media studies. Scholars have identified users and use practices as a source of innovation. So far, however, little insight has been generated in innovation processes in which communities of users are the driving force in all phases of the innovation process. This article explores the conceptual vocabularies of innovation studies and actor— network theory and discusses their adequacy for describing and understanding the dynamics of user-initiated innovation processes in which community and innovation are closely intertwined. The authors introduce the concept of community innovation and argue for its relevance for understanding the full dynamics of innovations initiated and shaped by user collectives. The article elaborates a qualitative case study of Wireless Leiden, a local wireless network infrastructure in the Dutch town of Leiden initiated, designed, and maintained by a local community of users.
GeoContest
Authors: Weidmann Nils B. , Cederman Lars-Erik
Published: January 2008

The authors present GeoContest, a modeling framework for geopolitical competition among states. Building on the Geosim model, GeoContest models the evolution of state systems through conquest. However, instead of hard wiring the strategic behavior of states, GeoContest allows for their decision-making mechanism to be plugged into the simulation as a module. Thus, experiments with states' strategic behavior can be performed. This article gives a nontechnical introduction to GeoContest, outlining the design and illustrating application. The authors start with tournaments using simple aggressive and peaceful strategies showing that greed for conquest does not pay off and successful attackers have to carefully examine their own and the opponents' capabilities. They also demonstrate that relying on nonaggression pacts can successfully compete against a cautious aggressor strategy. In a final series of experiments, the authors examine the question of whether artificial state actors overestimating their military capabilities have a selective advantage in the international competition, as suggested in the literature.
A personality-based simulation of bargaining in e-commerce
Authors: Nassiri-Mofakham Faria , Ghasem-Aghaee Nasser , Ali Nematbakhsh Mohammad , Baraani-Dastjerdi Ahmad
Published: January 2008

Distributed Artificial Intelligence techniques have evolved toward multi-agent systems (MASs) where agents solve specific problems. Bargaining is a challenging area well-explored in both MAS and economics. To make agents more human-like and to increase their flexibility to reach an agreement, the authors investigated the role of personality behaviors of participants in a multi-criteria bilateral bargaining in a single-good e-marketplace, where both parties are OCEAN agents based on the five-factor (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Negative emotions) model of personality. The authors simulate a computational approach based on a heuristic bargaining protocol and personality model on artificial stereotypes. The results suggest compound behaviors appropriate to gain the best overall utility in the role of buyer and seller and with regard to social welfare and market activeness. This generic personality-based approach can be used as a predictive or descriptive model of human behavior to adopt in areas involving negotiation and bargaining.
PD-1–PD-1 ligand interaction contributes to immunosuppressive microenvironment of Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Nishikori Momoko , Kitawaki Toshio , Sakai Tomomi , Hishizawa Masakatsu , Tashima Masaharu , Kondo Tadakazu , Ohmori Katsuyuki , Kurata Masayuki , Hayashi Takamasa , Uchiyama Takashi
Published: January 2008

Programmed death-1 (PD-1)–PD-1 ligand (PD-L) signaling system is involved in the functional impairment of T cells such as in chronic viral infection or tumor immune evasion. We examined PD-L expression in lymphoid cell lines and found that they were up-regulated on Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and several T-cell lymphomas but not on B-cell lymphomas. PD-L expression was also demonstrated in primary Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells. On the other hand, PD-1 was elevated markedly in tumor-infiltrating T cells of HL, and was high in the peripheral T cells of HL patients as well. Blockade of the PD-1 signaling pathway inhibited SHP-2 phosphorylation and restored the IFN-γ–producing function of HL-infiltrating T cells. According to these results, deficient cellular immunity observed in HL patients can be explained by “T-cell exhaustion,” which is led by the activation of PD-1–PD-L signaling pathway. Our finding provides a potentially effective immunologic strategy for the treatment of HL.
Erythroid defects in TRα−/− mice
Authors: Kendrick Tulene S. , Payne Christine J. , Epis Michael R. , Schneider Jessica R. , Leedman Peter J. , Klinken S. Peter , Ingley Evan
Published: January 2008

Thyroid hormone and its cognate receptor (TR) have been implicated in the production of red blood cells. Here, we show mice deficient for TRα have compromised fetal and adult erythropoiesis. Erythroid progenitor numbers were significantly reduced in TRα−/− fetal livers, and transit through the final stages of maturation was impeded. In addition, immortalized TRα−/− erythroblasts displayed increased apoptosis and reduced capacity for proliferation and differentiation. Adult TRα−/− mice had lower hematocrit levels, elevated glucocorticoid levels, and an altered stress erythropoiesis response to hemolytic anemia. Most TRα−/− animals contained markedly altered progenitor numbers in their spleens. Strikingly, 20% of TRα−/− mice failed to elicit a stress erythropoiesis response and recovered very poorly from hemolytic anemia. We conclude that an underlying erythroid defect exists in TRα−/− mice, demon-strating the importance of TRα to the erythroid compartment.
VAMP-8 segregates mast cell–preformed mediator exocytosis from cytokine trafficking pathways
Authors: Tiwari Neeraj , Wang Cheng-Chun , Brochetta Cristiana , Ke Gou , Vita Francesca , Qi Zeng , Rivera Juan , Soranzo Maria Rosa , Zabucchi Giuliano , Hong Wanjin , Blank Ulrich
Published: January 2008

Inflammatory responses by mast cells are characterized by massive exocytosis of prestored granular mediators followed by cytokine/chemokine release. The vesicular trafficking mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Vesicular-associated membrane protein-8 (VAMP-8), a member of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family of fusion proteins initially characterized in endosomal and endosomal-lysosomal fusion, may also function in regulated exocytosis. Here we show that in bone marrow–derived mast cells (BMMCs) VAMP-8 partially colocalized with secretory granules and redistributed upon stimulation. This was associated with increased SNARE complex formation with the target t-SNAREs, SNAP-23 and syntaxin-4. VAMP-8–deficient BMMCs exhibited a markedly reduced degranulation response after IgE+ antigen-, thapsigargin-, or ionomycin-induced stimulation. VAMP-8–deficient mice also showed reduced plasma histamine levels in passive systemic anaphylaxis experiments, while cytokine/chemokine release was not affected. Unprocessed TNF accumulated at the plasma membrane where it colocalized with a VAMP-3–positive vesicular compartment but not with VAMP-8. The findings demonstrate that VAMP-8 segregates secretory lysosomal granule exocytosis in mast cells from cytokine/chemokine molecular trafficking pathways.
Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C activation is required for CCR5-dependent, NF-kB–driven CCL2 secretion elicited in response to HIV-1 gp120 in human primary macrophages
Authors: Fantuzzi Laura , Spadaro Francesca , Purificato Cristina , Cecchetti Serena , Podo Franca , Belardelli Filippo , Gessani Sandra , Ramoni Carlo
Published: January 2008

CCL2 (MCP-1) has been shown to enhance HIV-1 replication. The expression of this chemokine by macrophages is up-modulated as a consequence of viral infection or gp120 exposure. In this study, we show for the first time that the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) is required for the production of CCL2 triggered by gp120 in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Using a combination of pharmacologic inhibition, confocal laser-scanner microscopy, and enzymatic activity assay, we demonstrate that R5 gp120 interaction with CCR5 activates PC-PLC, as assessed by a time-dependent modification of its subcellular distribution and a concentration-dependent increase of its enzymatic activity. Furthermore, PC-PLC is required for NF-kB–mediated CCL2 production triggered by R5 gp120. Notably, PC-PLC activation through CCR5 is specifically induced by gp120, since triggering CCR5 through its natural ligand CCL4 (MIP-1β) does not affect PC-PLC cellular distribution and enzymatic activity, as well as CCL2 secretion, thus suggesting that different signaling pathways can be activated through CCR5 interaction with HIV-1 or chemokine ligands. The identification of PC-PLC as a critical mediator of well-defined gp120-mediated effects in MDMs unravels a novel mechanism involved in bystander activation and may contribute to define potential therapeutic targets to block Env-triggered pathologic responses.
Determination of surface tissue factor thresholds that trigger coagulation at venous and arterial shear rates: amplification of 100 fM circulating tissue factor requires flow
Authors: Okorie Uzoma M. , Denney William S. , Chatterjee Manash S. , Neeves Keith B. , Diamond Scott L.
Published: January 2008

Protein microarrays presenting spots of collagen and lipidated tissue factor (TF) allowed a determination of the critical surface concentration of TF required to trigger coagulation under flow. Whole blood supplemented with corn trypsin inhibitor (to inhibit factor XIIa) was perfused over microarrays for 5 minutes. Immunofluorescence staining of platelet glycoprotein GPIbα and fibrin(ogen) revealed a critical TF concentration (EC50) of 3.6, 8.4, and 10.2 molecules-TF/μm2 at wall shear rates of 100, 500, and 1000 s−1, respectively. For collagen arrays where only the center lane of spots (in the direction of flow) contained TF, a downstream distance of 14 mm was required for the thrombus to widen enough to reach across a 300-micrometer gap to the adjacent TF-free lanes of collagen spots, in agreement with numerical simulation. To investigate the effect of low levels of circulating TF, whole blood (± 100 fM added TF) was tested under static and flow conditions. After 5 minutes, the addition of 100 fM TF to whole blood had negligible effect under static conditions, but caused a 2.5-fold increase in fibrin formation under flow. This report defines the threshold concentrations of surface TF required to trigger coagulation under flow.
Cognate CD4+ T-cell–dendritic cell interactions induce migration of immature dendritic cells through dissolution of their podosomes
Authors: Nobile Cinzia , Lind Marianne , Miro Francesc , Chemin Karine , Tourret Marie , Occhipinti Giovanni , Dogniaux Stéphanie , Amigorena Sebastian , Hivroz Claire
Published: January 2008

Dendritic cells (DCs) control T cell–based immunity. To do so they need to mature and migrate to sites of T-cell priming. We have previously shown that cognate interactions of human CD4+ T cells with DCs induce DC maturation. We show here that CC chemokines produced during antigen-specific T-DC interactions also induce strong morphologic modifications and migration of immature DCs. These modifications are required for efficient T-cell activation. Moreover, we show that CC chemokines produced during antigen-specific DC–T-cell interactions induce the dissolution of structures involved in cell motility and present on immature DCs (ie, podosomes). We thus propose a model in which chemokines secreted during Ag-specific contact between T cells and DCs induce disassembly of interacting and neighboring immature DC podosomes, leading to recruitment of more immature DCs toward sites of antigenic stimulation and to amplification of T-cell responses.
Spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma: a case report
Authors: Singh Arvind , Ofo Enyi , Cumberworth Vincent
Published: January 2008

Introduction

Spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma is an unusual condition. It has multiple aetiological factors and can present to a number of specialists including the otolaryngologist.

Case presentation

We describe a case of spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma which demonstrates the dramatic presentation and emphasises the need for a conservative approach.

Conclusion

It is important to be aware of this unusual condition with its distinct presentation. Surgical intervention should be resisted unless a treatable aetiological factor is found or airway compromise occurs. Most cases will resolve with conservative management.
Diagnostic utility of the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with bilateral lung infiltrates
Authors: Huh Jin Won , Lim Chae-Man , Koh Younsuck , Oh Yeon Mok , Shim Tae Sun , Lee Sang Do , Kim Woo Sung , Kim Dong Soon , Kim Won Dong , Hong Sang-Bum
Published: January 2008

Background

Differential diagnosis of patients with bilateral lung infiltrates remains a difficult problem for intensive care clinicians. Here we evaluate the diagnostic role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens from patients with bilateral lung infiltrates.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study on 80 patients with bilateral lung infiltrates with clinical suspicion of infectious pneumonia. Patients were categorized into three groups: bacterial or fungal infection, intracellular or viral infection, and noninfectious inflammatory disease. sTREM-1 concentrations were measured, and BAL fluid and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) were analyzed.

Results

The sTREM-1 concentration was significantly increased in patients with bacterial or fungal pneumonia (n = 29, 521.2 ± 94.7 pg/ml), compared with that in patients with viral pneumonia, atypical pneumonia or tuberculosis (n = 14, 92.9 ± 20.0 pg/ml) or noninfectious inflammatory disease (n = 37, 92.8 ± 10.7 pg/ml). The concentration of sTREM-1 in BAL fluid, but not CPIS, was an independent predictor of bacterial or fungal pneumonia, and a cutoff value of more than 184 pg/ml yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 90%.

Conclusion

The sTREM-1 level in BAL fluid from patients with bilateral lung infiltrates is a potential marker for the differential diagnosis of pneumonia due to extracellular bacteria.
CPSARST: an efficient circular permutation search tool applied to the detection of novel protein structural relationships
Authors: Lo Wei-Cheng , Lyu Ping-Chiang
Published: January 2008

Circular permutation of a protein can be visualized as if the original amino- and carboxyl termini were linked and new ones created elsewhere. It has been well-documented that circular permutants usually retain native structures and biological functions. Here we report CPSARST (Circular Permutation Search Aided by Ramachandran Sequential Transformation) to be an efficient database search tool. In this post-genomics era, when the amount of protein structural data is increasing exponentially, it provides a new way to rapidly detect novel relationships among proteins.
Natural and recombinant human glycodelin activate a proapoptotic gene cascade in monocyte cells
Authors: Tee Meng Kian , Vigne Jean-Louis , Yu Jie , Taylor Robert N
Published: January 2008

Glycodelin-A (GdA) is a member of the superfamily of lipocalins and the predominant glycoprotein secreted by human and primate endometrium in the secretory and early pregnancy phases. GdA can inhibit NK cell activity, T cell proliferation, and chemotaxis of monocytes. Its physiological function is thought to mediate immunotolerance at the fetomaternal interface. In the present studies, we engineered recombinant Gd (rGd) in yeast and tested its biological effects on monocyte viability. rGd, like the natural, purified endometrial GdA, is glycosylated and secreted, and they both induced apototic changes in monocytic U937 cells and primary human monocytes. Trypan blue exclusion, nucleosome release, DNA laddering, and immunocytochemistry to detect free 3′-OH DNA ends were used to characterize the effects of GdA and rGd. Using U937 cells as a model, cDNA microarray analyses revealed several pro- and antiapoptotic genes that were up- and down-regulated, respectively, in accordance with the kinetics of rGd-induced monocyte cell death. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed that Bad, Bax, and TNF-R1 gene expression were increased, whereas Bcl-2A1 and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) were reduced by rGd. Transfection assays in U937 cells indicated that the immunomodulatory actions of rGd were associated with NF-κB inhibition. Western blotting of U937 and primary monocyte lysates demonstrated that rGd activated caspase-8, -2, and -3 to execute programmed cell death in these cells. We postulate that infiltrating monocytes and potentially other innate immune cells of the decidua might be manipulated by this glycoprotein to enhance embryonic implantation rates or conversely, to develop novel contraceptive strategies.
Platelet factor 4/CXCL4-stimulated human monocytes induce apoptosis in endothelial cells by the release of oxygen radicals
Authors: Woller Geske , Brandt Ernst , Mittelstädt Jessica , Rybakowski Christian , Petersen Frank
Published: January 2008

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represents a pivotal element of phagocyte defense against microbial invaders. However, oxidative stress also participates in pathophysiological processes of vascular damage leading to cell death of endothelial cells (EC). Currently, ROS-producing cells involved in this process as well as the corresponding extracellular signals required for their activation are ill-defined. In this study, we investigate the impact of the platelet-derived CXC chemokine platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) on the interaction of human monocytes and EC. We can show for the first time that PF4-activated monocytes become cytotoxic for EC but not epithelial cells. Cytotoxicity was time- and dose-dependent, and earliest effects were seen after 15 h of culture and at a concentration from 0.125 μM PF4 up. By performing transwell experiments and by using specific inhibitory antibodies, we could show that direct cell contact between effector and target cells, mediated by β2integrins as well as their corresponding ligand ICAM-1, is essential for the cytotoxic effect. Investigations of the cellular mechanisms of cytotoxicity revealed that in the presence of EC, PF4-activated monocytes are capable of releasing high amounts of ROS for more than 2 h following stimulation. This causes programmed cell death in EC, as inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin) effectively blocked PF4-induced monocyte oxidative burst and protected EC from undergoing apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest a role for platelet-derived PF4 in oxidative stress-mediated vascular disorders, as observed during atherosclerosis or ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Effect of Glutathione Depletion on Leydig Cell Steroidogenesis in Young and Old Brown Norway Rats
Authors: Chen Haolin , Pechenino Angela S. , Liu June , Beattie Matthew C. , Brown Terry R. , Zirkin Barry R.
Published: January 2008

Changes in the oxidant/antioxidant environment of aging Leydig cells have been shown to be correlated with the reduced ability of these cells to produce testosterone. With this in mind, we hypothesized that the experimental depletion of glutathione (GSH), an abundant Leydig cell intracellular antioxidant, might result in reduced testosterone production. Incubation of Leydig cells isolated from the testes of adult Brown Norway rats with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) reduced GSH content by more than 70% and testosterone production by about 40%. The antioxidants vitamin E, N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone and Trolox countered BSO’s effect on steroidogenesis but not on GSH depletion. Together, BSO and glutathione ethyl ester maintained intracellular GSH and also testosterone production, whereas 1,2-dithiole-3-thione, which increases intracellular GSH, increased testosterone production. In vivo studies also were conducted. Young (4 month old) and old (24 month old) rats were injected with BSO twice a day for 7 d, after which Leydig cells were isolated and analyzed in vitro. BSO treatment reduced Leydig cell GSH content by 70% and the ability of the Leydig cells to produce testosterone by more than 50%. As with aging, decreases were seen in LH-stimulated cAMP production, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase. The results of these studies, taken together, are consistent with the hypothesis that alteration in the oxidant/antioxidant environment may play a significant, causative role in the age-related reduced ability of Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
Minireview: Mitochondrial Energetics and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Civitarese Anthony E. , Ravussin Eric
Published: January 2008

Obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and aging are associated with impaired skeletal muscle oxidation capacity, reduced mitochondrial content, and lower rates of oxidative phosphorylation. Several studies have reported ultrastructural abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology and reductions in mitochondrial mass in insulin-resistant individuals. From lower organisms to rodents, mitochondrial membrane structure, function, and programmed cell death are regulated in part by the balance between the opposing forces of mitochondrial fusion and fission, suggesting they may also play an important role in human physiology.
Evolutionarily Conserved Glucocorticoid Regulation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Expression
Authors: Yao Meng , Schulkin Jay , Denver Robert J.
Published: January 2008

Glucocorticoids (GCs) exert feedback regulation on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in mammals. The nature of GC actions is cell-type specific, being either inhibitory (e.g. paraventricular nucleus) or stimulatory (e.g. amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis). Nothing is known about differential regulation of CRF gene expression by GCs in nonmammalian vertebrates. We studied the actions of GCs on CRF expression in discrete brain regions of the frog Xenopus laevis. Treatment with corticosterone (CORT) decreased, whereas the corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone increased CRF expression in the anterior preoptic area (homolog of the mammalian paraventricular nucleus), as measured by CRF primary transcript, mRNA, and CRF immunoreactivity (ir) (by immunocytochemistry). By contrast to the preoptic area, CORT increased CRF-ir in the medial amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, whereas metyrapone decreased CRF-ir in the medial amygdala. CRF-ir and glucocorticoid receptor-ir were colocalized in cells in the frog brain. In transient transfection assays in PC-12 cells, GCs decreased forskolin-induced activation of the frog CRF promoters. Treatment with CORT also reduced CRF promoter activity in transfected tadpole brain in vivo. Frog glucocorticoid receptor bound with high-affinity in vitro to regions in the proximal promoters of frog CRF genes that are homologous with the human CRF gene. Our findings suggest that the neural cell-type specificity and molecular mechanisms of GC-dependent regulation of CRF are phylogenetically ancient, and that the limbic pathways mediating behavioral and physiological responses to stressors were likely present in the earliest land-dwelling vertebrates.
Calibration Procedures and Uncertainty in Wind Power Anemometers
Authors: Coquilla Rachael V. , Obermeier John , White Bruce R.
Published: January 2008

Accurate wind measurements are critical in evaluating wind turbine power performance and site assessment. In a turbine power performance evaluation, wind speed readings are matched with corresponding turbine power measurements to produce a power curve for the turbine. For site assessment, the distribution of measured wind speed is used to determine the predicted annual energy production from the wind. Since wind power is proportional to the cube of the wind speed, a small error in the wind measurement could translate to a much greater error in the predicted wind power, which emphasizes the importance of having accurate wind speed readings. To acquire such precision in wind data, it is recommended that individually calibrated anemometers be employed. With these calibrations, it is also recommended that the uncertainty in the calibration be reported so that it may be used not only in the overall uncertainty for turbine power curves and site assessments, but also in improving the performance of an anemometer. A method of presenting calibration uncertainty is defined in the standard IEC 61400-12-1. However, the standard only refers to the measurement uncertainty of the reference wind speed from the particular test facility. It does not include the uncertainty in the anemometer linear transfer function and the errors directly made by the anemometer signal. This paper will discuss: 1) the details of uncertainty reporting as defined by IEC 61400-12-1, 2) a method of extending the uncertainty to include the errors when using the linear transfer function, and 3) a qualitative description of how to determine the uncertainty in a wind speed measurement in the field.
PNPase is a key player in the regulation of small RNAs that control the expression of outer membrane proteins
Authors: Andrade José M. , Arraiano Cecília M.
Published: January 2008

In this report, we demonstrate that exonucleolytic turnover is much more important in the regulation of sRNA levels than was previously recognized. For the first time, PNPase is introduced as a major regulatory feature controlling the levels of the small noncoding RNAs MicA and RybB, which are required for the accurate expression of outer membrane proteins (OMPs). In the absence of PNPase, the pattern of OMPs is changed. In stationary phase, MicA RNA levels are increased in the PNPase mutant, leading to a decrease in the levels of its target ompA mRNA and the respective protein. This growth phase regulation represents a novel pathway of control. We have evaluated other ribonucleases in the control of MicA RNA, and we showed that degradation by PNPase surpasses the effect of endonucleolytic cleavages by RNase E. RybB was also destabilized by PNPase. This work highlights a new role for PNPase in the degradation of small noncoding RNAs and opens the way to evaluate striking similarities between bacteria and eukaryotes.
Functional domains of Drosophila UNR in translational control
Authors: Abaza Irina , Gebauer Fátima
Published: January 2008

Translational repression of male-specific-lethal 2 (msl-2) mRNA by Sex-lethal (SXL) is an essential regulatory step of X chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila. Translation inhibition requires that SXL recruits the protein upstream of N-ras (UNR) to the 3′ UTR of msl-2 mRNA. UNR is a conserved, ubiquitous protein that contains five cold-shock domains (CSDs). Here, we dissect the domains of UNR required for translational repression and complex formation with SXL and msl-2 mRNA. Using gel-mobility shift assays, the domain involved in interactions with SXL and msl-2 was mapped specifically to the first CSD (CSD1). Indeed, excess of a peptide containing this domain derepressed msl-2 translation in vitro. The CSD1 of human UNR can also form a complex with SXL and msl-2. Comparative analyses of the CSDs of the Drosophila and human proteins together with site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that three exposed residues within CSD1 are required for complex formation. Tethering assays showed that CSD1 is not sufficient for translational repression, indicating that UNR binding to SXL and msl-2 can be distinguished from translation inhibition. Repression by tethered UNR requires residues from both the amino-terminal Q-rich stretch and the two first CSDs, indicating that the translational effector domain of UNR resides within the first 397 amino acids of the protein. Our results identify domains and residues required for UNR function in translational control.
The Cech Symposium: A celebration of 25 years of ribozymes, 10 years of TERT, and 60 years of Tom
Authors: Vicens Quentin , Allen Mary Ann , Gilbert Sunny D. , Reznik Boris , Gooding Anne R. , Batey Robert T.
Published: January 2008

The Cech Symposium was held in Boulder, Colorado, on July 12–13, 2007, to celebrate a triple anniversary: 25 years since the first publication reporting RNA self-splicing, 10 years since the identification of reverse transcriptase motifs in the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and 60 years since the birth of Thomas R. Cech. Past and present members of the Cech laboratory presented on their current research, which branched into many categories of study including RNA-mediated catalysis, telomerase and telomeres, new frontiers in nucleic acids, alternative splicing, as well as scientific research with direct medical applications.
Ein unbekanntes Ehrenmonument des Kaisers Phokas aus Synada bei Akronion (Afyon)
Authors: Asutay Neslihan
Published: January 2008

Im Garten des Museums von Afyon, dem antiken Akronion, befinden sich zwei Teile eines monumentalen Kapitells. Seine beträchtlichen Maße und das Kaisermonogramm (s.u.) lassen in ihm den Rest eines Ehrenmonuments erkennen (Höhe ca. 1.00 m, obere Breite ca. 1.00 m). Nach Auskunft der Museumsleitung wurde es Mitte der 80er Jahre in Huhut (das antike Synada, 26 km südlich von Akronion/Afyon) bereits beschädigt entdeckt und war während des Transports ins Museum in zwei Teilen zerbrochen. Weitere Schäden enstanden an der Halspartie, an zwei Schauseiten sowie an der oberen Platte. Auf der Oberseite befinden sich keinerlei Einlassungen für eine Statue oder einen Kämpfer. Das Kapitell wurde aus „synadischem Marmor” gefertigt, der tatsächlich in den Marmorbrüchen des phrygischen Dokimaion (heutige Isçehisar, 21 km nordöstlich von Afyon) gewonnen wird. Der weiße Marmor von Dokimaion wird im heutigen türkischen Sprachgebrauch als „Afyon-Kaymak/Afyon-Sahne”, „Afyon-Beyaz/Afyon-Weiss” oder „Afyon-Şeker/Afyon-Zucker” bzw. als „Afyon-Çizgisiz-Şeker/Afyon-Zucker ohne Linien” bezeichnet.
G. DEMETROKALLES, Bυζαντινή ναοδομία στην Νάξο…
Authors: Altripp Michael
Published: January 2008

Der schmale, aber großformatige Band stellt den Neuabdruck eines Beitrages des Verfassers in der Beilage Eπtά ημέϱες der Tageszeitung Kαθημεϱινή vom 13.2.1997 dar. Vorangestellt ist ein Vorwort, dem sich nach einer kurzen Einführung die Kapitel über die frühchristliche und byzantinische Zeit anschließen. Die mittelalterlichen Kirchen gliedert der Autor nach typologischen Gesichtspunkten und unterscheidet die Bauten vom Typus des freistehenden Kreuzes, mit eingeschriebenem Kreuz, mit trikonchalem Naos sowie die einschiffigen Anlagen. Zuletzt folgt ein Kapitel über die architektonische Morphologie, worunter Mauerwerk, Bauformen und Bauausstattung zusammengefaßt werden. Eine Bibliographie rundet den Band ab.
L. DOĞER, Izmir Arkeoloji Müzesi Örnekleriyle Kazιma Dekorlu Ege-Bizans Seramikleri
Authors: Böhlendorf-Arslan Beate
Published: January 2008

Im Archäologischen Museum in Izmir sind 227 Gefäße inventarisiert, die einen der größten Bestände von Unterwasserfunden byzantinischer Keramik in der Türkei bilden. Aus dieser Sammlung stellt Lale Doğer in dem vorliegenden Band, einem Ausschnitt ihrer Doktorarbeit, 123 dieser Vasen vor. Die Keramiken des Museums Izmir wurden zwischen 1967 und 1974 im Kunsthandel gekauft bzw. als illegales Gut beschlagnahmt. 166 Gefäßen wurden aus anderen türkischen Museen nach Izmir überwiesen (Vorwort S. 1-2) und stammen wohl ebenso aus ungeklärten Fundzusammenhängen. Eine genauere Fundortangabe besitzt daher keines der Stücke. Die Autorin verbindet die Exponate in ihrem Schlusswort (S. 74) mit einem unmittelbar vor der türkischen Küste gesunkenen Boot oder aber auch dem bekannten Schiffswrack bei der wenig vor der türkischen Küste gelegenen griechischen Insel Kastellorizo (neu auch bei: D. Papanikola-Bakirtzi (Hrsg.), Byzantine Glazed Ceramics. The Art of Sgraffito, Athen 1999). Die größte Gruppe bildet die von Megaw definierte Ägäische Ware (A. H. S. Megaw in: G. Robertson u. G. Henderson (Hrsg.), Studies in Memory of David Talbot Rice, Edinburgh 1975, 34-45) mit 114 Stücken. Andere Vasen gehören zur Engobebemalten Ware („Slip Painted Ware”) oder zu mit Farboxyden bemalten Warengruppen (S. 2). In der vorliegenden Abhandlung behandelt Doğer ausschließlich die Ägäische Ware.
J. KODER u.a., Das Register des Patriarchats von Konstantinopel, 3. Teil. Edition und Übersetzung der Urkunden aus den Jahren 1350–1363
Authors: Tinnefeld Franz
Published: January 2008

Sechs Jahre nach dem 2. Teil (vgl. die Rezensionen in BZ 90, 1997, 125f. von C. Mango und ByzSlav 57, 1996, 399–401 von F. T.) ist nun der 3. Teil des Patriarchatsregisters von Konstantinopel (PRK) erschienen. Er enthält die Urkunden Nr. 176–271, die mit wenigen Ausnahmen (s. u.) dem ersten Patriarchat des Kallistos, dem ersten Patriarchat des Philotheos und dem zweiten Patriarchat des Kallistos entstammen.
W. TREADGOLD, A History of the Byzantine State and Society
Authors: Brandes Wolfram
Published: January 2008

To review a book that deals with 1000 years of Byzantine history is just as bold an undertaking as the writing of the book itself. Treadgold (henceforth T.) took this challenge on, and we should be grateful to him for doing so. The reviewer admits that he is not informed equally well over all periods of the history of the Byzantine empire – there is probably no-one on the planet who could with a clear conscience assert that they were. In this respect the reviewer admires T. for his lack of reserve in expressing his views on problems and periods of Byzantine history with which he is clearly less familiar than with those of the eighth and ninth centuries.
J. WITT (Hrsg.), Staatliche Museen zu Berlin-Preußischer Kulturbesitz. Bestandskataloge, Band 2. Werke der Alltagskultur, Teil 1: Menasampullen.
Authors: Elbern Victor H.
Published: January 2008

Mit dem «Catalogue raisonné» von Oskar Wulff: „Altchristliche und mittelalterliche Bildwerke“ (1909 bzw. 1911) war die Erforschung und Präsentation der in den Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin gesammelten einschlägigen Kunst seinerzeit mit einem Schlage in die vorderste Reihe wissenschaftlicher Kataloge in Europa gerückt worden. Abgesehen von einer Neubearbeitung durch Wolfgang Fritz Volbach (1950) ist entsprechend Umfassendes für die ehemalige „Frühchristlich-Byzantinische Sammlung“ der Berliner Museen seither nicht wieder geleistet worden. Mit dem beträchtlichen zeitlichen Abstand zu den älteren Katalogen erscheint es verständlich und begrüßenswert, wenn – nach der Zusammenführung der seit 1945 zwischen Ost und West geteilten musealen Bestände – eine neue Bestandsaufnahme unternommen wird. Das anspruchsvolle, dem Geleitwort von Arne Effenberger zufolge auf 10 Bände (mit Unterteilungen) angelegte Vorhaben verspricht noch umfassender und auf seine Art vorbildlich zu werden, wie es die Kataloge von Wulff waren. Inzwischen ist ein erster Teil von Band 1 über die Textiliensammlung erschienen. Wie dieser ist auch der 2. Band über „Werke der Alltagskultur“ auf mehrere Teilbände angelegt, deren eben erschienener erster Part ausschließlich den sog. Menasampullen gewidmet ist. Es handelt sich dabei um die bekannten Pilgerandenken aus dem unweit Alexandria in der Mariotis gelegenen Wüstenheiligtum des hl. Menas. Es geht freilich nicht um die erste Bearbeitung dieser kleinformatigen, auch von Privatsammlern hochgeschätzten Objekte: es sei verwiesen auf ältere Arbeiten von C.M. Kaufmann, dem Ausgräber von Abu Mina, sowie aus jüngster Zeit auf die Veröffentlichungen von C. Metzger zu den Sammlungen des Louvre (1981) und G. Kaminski-Menssen zu den Beständen des Liebieg-Hauses in Frankfurt (1997). Berlin nimmt mit 63 Menas-Ampullen immerhin einen bedeutenden Platz ein.
Two-dimensional homo- and hetero-correlation technique applied to NIR and py-MBMS spectra of wood
Authors: Labbé Nicole , André Nicolas , Rials Timothy G. , Kelley Stephen S.
Published: January 2008

In this work, near infrared (NIR) and pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectra (MBMS) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) were studied by means of generalized two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy in order to assign specific contributions of cellulose in the two spectral domains. Homo- and hetero-correlation techniques were employed to analyze the concentration-dependent spectral variations of cellulose. Specific bands of cellulose were assigned in the NIR and MBMS spectra, and moreover two masses m/z at 114 and 173, commonly assigned to cellulose fragments, were found to not originate from the pyrolysis of cellulose.
Adhesive bond strength of end grain joints in softwood with varying density
Authors: Follrich Jürgen , Teischinger Alfred , Gindl Wolfgang , Müller Ulrich
Published: January 2008

Norway spruce wood specimens covering a wide density range, including density samples between 300 kg m-3 (low density wood) and 750 kg m-3 (high-density compression wood), were joined at end grain surfaces and tested in tension perpendicular to the bonded surface to estimate the effect of mechanical interlocking on the adhesive bond strength. It was hypothesised that the higher the density of the specimens the lower will be the mechanical interlocking of the adhesive joints due to a reduced penetration of the adhesive into the cell cavities. An increase of tensile strength was observed with increasing density. These results demonstrate that in the specific case investigated here the cross-sectional cell wall area available for adhesive bonding, which correlates with density, is probably more important than mechanical interlocking.
Laccase-catalyzed functionalization with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylurea significantly improves internal bond of particle boards
Authors: Fackler Karin , Kuncinger Thomas , Ters Thomas , Srebotnik Ewald
Published: January 2008

Enzymatic functionalization is an attractive tool to provide a reactive interface for further processing of lignocellulosic materials, such as wood particles and fibers. Here, spruce wood particles have been functionalized by fungal laccase combined with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylamine (HMBA) or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylurea (HMBU). The expectation was crosslinking with resins in subsequent glueing processes, which should improve strength properties of particle boards. Essential process parameters, such as liquid to solid mass ratio and treatment time, were optimized on a laboratory scale resulting in HMBA and HMBU binding yields of 90% and above as determined by radiochemical mass balance analysis. We employed a multifactorial experimental design for board production from treated wood particles and urea/formaldehyde resin. Mechanical testing and multivariate data analysis revealed, for the first time, an increase of internal bond (IB) as a result of functionalization with HMBU. HMBA was not successful. Variance analysis of relevant parameters and their interactions demonstrated a highly significant difference (P>99.99%) between boards treated with laccase/HMBU versus untreated wood particles. Due to positive interactions, functionalization was most effective at high bulk density (750 kg m-3) and high resin content (10%) resulting in a calculated IB improvement of 0.12 N m-2 (21%).
The Comical Scene: Perspective and Civility on the Renaissance Stage
Authors: Womack Peter
Published: January 2008

Neo-Aristotelian "unity" is often represented as a set of rules in restraint of theatrical invention. In Serlio's drawing of the "comical scene," we can see the stage the rules imply, and so imagine "unity," not just as a negation of diversity, but as a positive theatrical form, with its own logic, energy, and politics. This in turn suggests what is at stake when Ben Jonson refuses the "Shakespearean" fluidity of the English theater.