bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Thermal Analysis to Elucidate Water‐Repellency Changes in Heated Soils
Authors: Dlapa Pavel , Simkovic Ivan , Doerr Stefan H. , Simkovic Ivan , Kanka Robert , Mataix-Solera Jorge
Published: January 2008

It is well established that during wildfires, the volatilization and condensation of hydrophobic compounds, as well as the thermal energy input itself, can markedly change the wettability of soils. This study evaluated the effects of thermal energy input on soil water repellency of sandy forest soils from Slovakia and explored the processes underlying the changes observed using thermal analysis. Initial sample water drop penetration time values ranged from <1 to >43,200 s. Heating induced distinct increases in water repellency to >3600 s in most samples, with its elimination occurring at 175°C or higher. The thermal analysis allowed evaluation of the relationship between the destruction of soil water repellency and thermal changes affecting soil organic matter (SOM). Differences in the thermal resistance of soil water repellency correspond to the thermal stability of SOM. Kinetic analysis showed that water repellency elimination due to soil heating is linked with thermal decomposition of a more thermally labile pool of SOM. The results suggest that under nonisothermal conditions, the degree of SOM decomposition depends on both the soil temperature reached and the soil heating rate. The temperature at which a certain level of SOM decomposition is reached increases with increasing heating rate. Heating experiments and the kinetic evaluation of thermogravimetric data for isothermal conditions also demonstrated an exponential relationship between heating durations and temperature thresholds.
Soil Scarification and Wildfire Interactions and Effects on Microbial Communities and Carbon
Authors: Jiménez Esquilín Aida E. , Stromberger Mary E. , Shepperd Wayne D.
Published: January 2008

Nutrient availability is an important constraint on sustainable forest productivity, and it is crucial to understand the long‐term effects of management practices, including soil scarification, on soil microbial communities because they store and cycle nutrients. In addition, because forests are subject to wildfires, it would be useful to understand potential interactive effects of wildfire and management practice on forest soil ecosystems. We studied the individual and combined effects of soil scarification and a subsequent wildfire on microbial community structure of a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson) forest soil in the central Rocky Mountains. Experimental plots were scarified by rototilling in 1981, and in 2002, some of the plots were burned during a mixed‐severity wildfire. In 2005, mineral soil samples (0–10‐cm depth) were collected and assayed for soil chemical properties, fungal and bacterial biomass, C mineralization potential, and microbial community fatty acid composition. Compared with undisturbed soil, soil from scarified‐only plots was relatively high in pH, low in total C and organic matter (OM) concentrations, low in fungal and bacterial biomass, and enriched with Gram‐positive biomarkers. Regardless of scarification treatment, soil from burned plots was relatively high in pH and extractable P, low in fungal but not bacterial biomass, and enriched with Gram‐negative bacterial biomarkers. Compared with scarified‐only plots, scarified‐plus‐burned plots had greater soil C and OM concentrations. Carbon mineralization rates were not different among the plot soils. While scarification is a positive practice for aiding seedling establishment, we found long‐term effects on soil C reserves and microbial communities.
Management Effects on Soil Carbon Dioxide Fluxes under Semiarid Mediterranean Conditions
Authors: Álvaro-Fuentes J. , López M. V. , Arrúe J. L. , Cantero-Martínez C.
Published: January 2008

Losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) have contributed to CO2 emissions from soils to the atmosphere and to global climate change. We hypothesized that in semiarid agroecosystems of the Mediterranean region, a shift from the traditional management system (including conventional tillage [CT] and a cereal–fallow rotation) to a more conservative system, including no‐till (NT) and continuous cropping, could reduce CO2 emissions during the cropping season. Thus, in this study, we studied the effects of tillage and cropping systems on C inputs and soil CO2 fluxes during three cropping seasons at three different sites in the Ebro River valley (northeast Spain). Carbon inputs ranged from 650 to 6000 kg ha−1 and seasonal average CO2 flux ranged from 0.10 to 1.76 g CO2 m−2 h−1 Differences in rainfall led to marked differences in C inputs and soil fluxes among growing seasons. Although differences among tillage treatments were weak, CO2 fluxes under NT were always lower. Intensification of cropping systems led to an increase in C input. A move from CT to NT together with cropping intensification is suitable to increase C inputs and to reduce soil CO2 fluxes in semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystems.
Probabilistic Approach to the Identification of Input Variables to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Lilly A. , Nemes A. , Rawls W. J. , Pachepsky Ya. A.
Published: January 2008

Soil hydrologic data are required for catchment‐scale modeling but these data are often difficult and costly to obtain. Although pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been used to generate these data, they are not easily transferable to other bioclimatic zones. As climate influences the development of soil structure, the incorporation of soil structure assessments may improve the effectiveness of pedotransfer functions. The objective of this study was to examine which types of categorical texture and structure data would be most useful in either improving current PTFs to estimate saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) or allowing PTFs to be developed in areas where measured particle‐size distribution, organic matter (OM) content, and bulk density (Db) are lacking. As soil structure is categorical data, regression trees were used to determine which input data derived from the HYPRES database would be most useful in deriving new PTFs. Jackknife cross‐validation was used to generate randomized subsets of the data and the optimal size of the developmental (n = 411) and test (n = 91) data sets was derived experimentally. The relative importance of input variables was evaluated by considering the probability that the data were partitioned by each variable. The best model utilized field‐based information on soil horizon, soil structure (ped size), and soil textural class and, although the accuracy was no better than existing continuous PTFs, it has the added benefit of utility in data‐poor environments.
The Effect of Long‐Term Annual Application of Biosolids on Soil Properties, Phosphorus, and Metals
Authors: Schroder J. L. , Zhang H. , Zhou D. , Basta N. , Raun W. R. , Payton M. E. , Zazulak A.
Published: January 2008

The USEPA Part 503 rule did not directly specify the amount of sludge‐borne P that can be applied but allowed application rates based on the recommended N requirement of a crop. Monitoring of long‐term application of biosolids is important to protect both soil and water quality. Biosolids and ammonium nitrate were annually applied for 13 yr to winter wheat at six plant available N (PAN) rates: 0, 45, 90, 180, 269, 536 kg N ha−1 yr−1 Biosolids application did not increase soil pH but increased levels of total C, total N, NH4–N, NO3–N, and electrical conductivity (EC). Soil concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, and Zn were greater in biosolid‐treated plots but were <24% of their respective cumulative pollutant loading rates. Application of biosolids increased plant micronutrient B, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations. The addition of biosolids to the Norge soil (fine‐silty, mixed, active, thermic Udic Paleustoll) increased Mehlich 3 plant available P (M3P) and water soluble P (WSP) and these P levels were well correlated with biosolids application rate. Application of biosolids at rates of ≥2 times the recommended agronomic rate of 90 kg PAN ha−1 resulted in M3P concentrations that exceeded an environmental threshold of 200 mg kg−1 established by the USDA‐NRCS for the land application of manures in Oklahoma non‐nutrient limited watersheds. Significant relationships were found between the ammonium oxalate P saturation index (PSIox) and M3P as well as between PSIox and WSP. It appears the repeated long‐term application of biosolids above the N agronomic rate should be avoided and application should be based on other criteria such as an agronomic P threshold, an environmental P threshold, or a P site index.
Mapping Soil Organic Carbon Concentration for Multiple Fields with Image Similarity Analysis
Authors: Chen Feng , Kissel David E. , West Larry T. , Adkins W. , Rickman Doug , Luvall J. C.
Published: January 2008

Remotely sensed imagery with high spatial resolution has been used to map soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations at a field scale with greatly increased accuracy and reduced cost compared with grid sampling. The procedure, however, requires each crop field to be sampled and mapped separately. The purpose of this study was to determine if cost could be reduced further by grouping a number of crop fields based on their image similarity, and then mapping them together as one group. Ten crop fields with a bare soil surface were selected from a 2000 NASA ATLAS image. The similarity among these fields was examined with the Ward neural network system (WNNS) using the image histogram features extracted from the image for each field. Seven fields were placed into two groups based on the coefficient of determination (R2) values computed from WNNS, with one group consisting of three fields and the second consisting of four fields. Soil samples were taken from the seven fields along with their global positioning system locations and were divided into two data sets, with one for model development and the other for result checking. Models for mapping SOC concentrations were developed for each group of fields using a single procedure. The resulting maps were checked based on soil sample sets that were not used in model development and showed good agreement between mapped values and lab‐determined values, withr2values of 0.80 for one group of fields and 0.77 for the second group of fields. The models were greatly improved compared with the model developed for all seven fields (R2was 0.87 and 0.91 for two groups vs. 0.63 for all fields and RMSE was 0.108 and 0.143 vs. 0.219 of SOC percentage). The model developed with similarity grouping was also compared with the model for field‐by‐field mapping and showed close agreement (R2was 0.87 for Group 1 vs. 0.89 for Field 2 only in Group 1 and RMSE was 0.108 vs. 0.119 for the same field).
Soil Aggregation and Biochemical Properties following the Application of Fresh and Composted Organic Amendments
Authors: Bipfubusa M. , Angers D. A. , N'Dayegamiye A. , Antoun H.
Published: January 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh and composted paper sludge on macroaggregate stability of a silt loam under field conditions, and to assess the possible role of carbohydrate fractions and humic substances. The treatments included fresh paper mill sludge (PMS) and its compost (CPMS) applied at a rate of 40 Mg ha−1 with or without a mineral N fertilizer (120 kg N ha−1), N fertilizer only (recommended rate of 160 kg N ha−1), and an unamended control. Measurements of total and amino sugars and humic substances were made on slaking‐resistant aggregates 2 yr after the last of three successive annual applications of the treatments. Compared with the treatments that received no organic amendment, the PMS and CPMS applications increased macroaggregate stability by an average of 45%. The effects of fresh vs. composted amendments on soil macroaggregates and their organic C contents were similar but differences in C composition were observed. Humic acid content of aggregates >2 mm was significantly higher (50%) with CPMS than PMS, although part of this effect could be attributed to the slightly greater C application rate with CPMS. Conversely, glucosamine content, an indicator of fungi abundance, was significantly greater following PMS than CPMS application. We concluded that microorganisms, in particular fungi, were a more important factor of stable macroaggregation in the soil amended with fresh sludge, while humic substances played a greater role in compost‐amended soil. These effects were long lasting in the field since they were still noticeable 2 yr after the last application.
Kinetics of Nonenzymatic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide by Torrifluvents
Authors: Elprince Adel M. , Mohamed Wafaa H. , El-Wakil Ekhlas M.
Published: January 2008

Peroxide application has been proposed as a method to control soil aeration. The objectives of this study were to formulate the rate law, identify the inorganic catalyst, identify preferred active centers, and hypothesize a mechanism for the H2O2decomposition reaction in Torrifluvents. The rate of decomposition of H2O2(aq) by Torrifluvents (10 locations in the Nile Delta) and synthetic Mn oxides was determined by measuring with a gas burette the volume of O2(g) given off. Heat pretreatment showed that the catalytic activity of the air‐dried soil is essentially nonenzymatic on the time scale of the reaction. Pretreatment of the soil samples by NH2OH–HCl (pH 2), designed for selectively dissolving MnO2(s), completely deactivated their catalytic capacity. The pseudo‐first‐order rate coefficient,k*, for Torrifluvents was expressed by the equation:k* =ko[MnO2(s)](10−pH/4), wherekois a constant. Contrary to cryptomelane and pyrolusite, values ofk* for birnessite satisfied the above equation, indicating that pedogenic birnessite was the active catalyst in Torrifluvents. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was found to be a more effective inhibitor than ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). A high value of the activation energy (E) was connected with a high value of the pre‐exponential factor (A) of the Arrhenius equation. It was suggested that the birnessite surface has two kinds of active centers: MnIII/MnIIand MnIV/MnIIIWhile the former is less numerous (lnA= 37 ± 4) with low activation energy (E= 75 ± 4 kJ mol−1), the latter is numerous (lnA= 62 ± 3) and of high activation energy (E= 144 ± 17 kJ mol−1). The Habes and Weiss mechanism explained the experimental results obtained.
Tropical Soils and Landmine Detection—An Approach for a Classification System
Authors: Preetz Holger , Altfelder Sven , Igel Jan
Published: January 2008

Electromagnetic induction is the most common technique used in landmine detection. In soils exhibiting high magnetic susceptibility, metal detectors based on this method may become useless for landmine detection. Currently, no soil classification system exists that allows a prediction of negative effects on metal detectors. A total of 511 tropical soil samples from 15 different countries were investigated with regard to their susceptibility and some basic chemical parameters. Samples were separated into six classes based on their chemistry and their parent material. Soils derived from ultrabasic to basic parent material, on average, exhibited the highest susceptibilities because both rock types often contain a large amount of weathering‐resistant magnetite. Independent of the origin, the variance of the susceptibilities is large. Even in soils derived from rocks initially low in magnetite, high susceptibilities may develop with pedogenesis. This may be due to either the enrichment of residual magnetite or the formation of maghemite. In addition to a soil's parent material, its degree of weathering should also be considered in a proper classification scheme. We used a coefficient based on soil chemistry that correlates with the degree of weathering. Based on this coefficient and the soil parent material, we determined the median and the 90th percentile of the corresponding distribution of soil susceptibilities for each combination of the classification factors. The resulting classification scheme has the form of a matrix and may serve as a first approximation of expected susceptibilities when only parent material and degree of weathering are known.
Phosphorus Solubility in Response to Acidification of Dairy Manure Amended Soils
Authors: Penn C. J. , Bryant R. B.
Published: January 2008

Manure additions beyond crop P needs result in accumulated soil Ca phosphate (Ca‐P). Although stable near neutral pH levels, there is concern about the solubility of accumulated soil Ca‐P when soil pH conditions become acidic, potentially releasing water‐soluble P (WSP). The purpose of this study was to examine changes in WSP among non‐acidic, Ca‐P‐accumulated soils in response to six levels of acidification and acidification timing. Two soils that historically received excessive dairy manure were incubated for 8 wk with pH adjusted by single‐point or gradual acid additions. After 8 wk, acid additions ceased and WSP, Mehlich‐3 P (M3‐P), and pH were determined before continuing the incubation for two additional weeks. Soil pH had little effect on M3‐P, while acidification timing interacted with the effect of pH on WSP concentrations. After 8 wk, single‐point acidification resulted in WSP decreases with decreasing pH, but gradual acidification showed the opposite effect in the pH range 4.5 to 6.5. This effect disappeared after two additional weeks of incubation, resulting in overall decreased WSP concentrations. Results suggested that among the high‐P (Ca‐P) soils used in this study, which contained significant Fe and Al, acidification did not increase WSP beyond the original concentrations since dissolved Ca‐P was resorbed onto soil Fe and Al. This subsequent resorption of P was not immediate, however, and was dependent on kinetics. Overall decreases in soil WSP resulting from acidification is beneficial to water quality through prevention of nonpoint dissolved P losses from soils to surface waters.
The Common −866G>A Variant in the Promoter of UCP2 Is Associated With Decreased Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Men
Authors: Cheurfa Nadir , Dubois-Laforgue Danièle , Ferrarezi Daniela A.F. , Reis André F. , Brenner Guilherme M. , Bouché Clara , Le Feuvre Claude , Fumeron Frédéric , Timsit José , Marre Michel , Velho Gilberto
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE—Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a physiological downregulator of reactive oxygen species generation and plays an antiatherogenic role in the vascular wall. A common variant in the UCP2 promoter (−866G>A) modulates mRNA expression, with increased expression associated with the A allele. We investigated association of this variant with coronary artery disease (CAD) in two cohorts of type 2 diabetic subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We studied 3,122 subjects from the 6-year prospective Non–Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, Hypertension, Microalbuminuria, Cardiovascular Events, and Ramipril (DIABHYCAR) Study (14.9% of CAD incidence at follow-up). An independent, hospital-based cohort of 335 men, 52% of whom had CAD, was also studied.

RESULTS—We observed an inverse association of the A allele with incident cases of CAD in a dominant model (hazard risk 0.88 [95% CI 0.80–0.96]; P = 0.006). Similar results were observed for baseline cases of CAD. Stratification by sex confirmed an allelic association with CAD in men, whereas no association was observed in women. All CAD phenotypes considered—myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and sudden death—contributed significantly to the association. Results were replicated in a cross-sectional study of an independent cohort (odds ratio 0.47 [95% CI 0.25–0.89]; P = 0.02 for a recessive model).

CONCLUSIONS—The A allele of the −866G>A variant of UCP2 was associated with reduced risk of CAD in men with type 2 diabetes in a 6-year prospective study. Decreased risk of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, CABG, and sudden death contributed individually and significantly to the reduction of CAD risk. This association was independent of other common CAD risk factors.
Adiponectin, Change in Adiponectin, and Progression to Diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Mather Kieren J. , Funahashi Tohru , Matsuzawa Yuji , Edelstein Sharon , Bray George A. , Kahn Steven E. , Crandall Jill , Marcovina Santica , Goldstein Barry , Goldberg Ronald ,   for the Diabetes Prevention Program
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE— To determine whether baseline adiponectin levels or intervention-associated change in adiponectin levels were independently associated with progression to diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of adiponectin and treatment-related change in adiponectin to risk of progression to diabetes.

RESULTS— Baseline adiponectin was a strong independent predictor of incident diabetes in all treatment groups (hazard ratio per ∼3 μg/ml higher level; 0.61 in the lifestyle, 0.76 in the metformin, and the 0.79 in placebo groups; all P < 0.001, P = 0.13 comparing groups). Baseline differences in adiponectin between sexes and race/ethnicity groups were not reflected in differences in diabetes risk. DPP interventions increased adiponectin levels ([means ± SE] 0.83 ± 0.05 μg/ml in the lifestyle group, 0.23 ± 0.05 μg/ml in the metformin group, and 0.10 ± 0.05 μg/ml in the placebo group; P < 0.001 for increases versus baseline, P < 0.01 comparing groups). These increases were associated with reductions in diabetes incidence independent of baseline adiponectin levels in the lifestyle and placebo groups but not in the metformin subjects (hazard ratio 0.72 in the lifestyle group (P < 0.001), 0.92 in the metformin group (P = 0.18), and 0.89 in the placebo group; P = 0.02 per ∼1 μg/ml increase, P = 0.02 comparing groups). In the lifestyle group, adjusting for change in weight reduced, but did not remove, the effect of increased adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS— Adiponectin is a powerful marker of diabetes risk in subjects at high risk for diabetes, even after adjustment for weight. An increase in adiponectin in the lifestyle and placebo groups was associated with a reduction in diabetes risk. However, these changes in adiponectin were comparatively small and less strongly related to diabetes outcome than baseline adiponectin levels.
Registration of ‘Clearwater’ Low‐Phytate Hulless Spring Barley
Authors: Bregitzer P. , Raboy V. , Obert D. E. , Windes J. , Whitmore J. C.
Published: January 2008

‘Clearwater’ (Reg. No. CV‐335; PI 647080) is a spring two‐rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) developed by the USDA‐ARS and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Clearwater was selected and released on the basis of competitive agronomic performance in combination with low‐phytate (LP), hulless grain. Clearwater derives from an BC1F3:4 selection from the cross ‘Baronesse’*2/Pmut640//HB317. It was tested under the experimental designation 01ID435H. The parent Pmut640 is a sodium‐azide generated mutant induced in the two‐rowed malting cultivar Harrington. The mutation conferring reduced phytate in Pmut640 is believed to be allelic to lpa2‐1, which results in a reduction of phytate (myo‐inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexakisphosphate) of approximately 40 to 50% and an increase in inorganic P of greater than 400%. Studies have shown that these changes are associated with increased feed quality and reduced environmental impacts when fed to non‐ruminant animals, based on increased P digestibility and reduced fecal P content.
Registration of ‘Juniper’ Wheat
Authors: Souza E. J. , Guttieri M. J. , O'Brien K. M. , Zemetra R. S.
Published: January 2008

‘Juniper’ (Reg. No. CV‐1021, PI 639951) is a hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) developed by the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station and released in February 2006. Juniper was tested under the experimental numbers A91013W‐1 and IDO575. It is a full‐stature wheat released for very low rainfall, crop‐fallow rotations of the Intermountain West and was released for its improved resistance to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend) and dwarf bunt (Tilletia controversa Kühn in Rabenh) and bread‐baking quality compared with current full‐stature cultivars. Juniper had an average yield in rainfed trials of 3290 kg ha−1, compared with the other tall cultivars for this region, ‘Weston’ and ‘Bonneville’, which had grain yields of 3050 and 3180 kg ha−1, respectively. Weston has undesirable baking quality due to short dough mixing time. Juniper has nearly a full minute longer mixograph mixing time compared with Weston (p < 0.01). Juniper also has similar snow mold tolerance (causal organism Typhula spp.) to Bonneville without the undesirable characteristic of late heading date and maturity. Juniper heads 3 d earlier than Bonneville.
Registration of ‘L 97‐128’ Sugarcane
Authors: Gravois K. A. , Bischoff K. P. , Milligan S. B. , Martin F. A. , Hoy J. W. , Reagan T. E. , Kimbeng C. A. , LaBorde C. M. , Hawkins G. L.
Published: January 2008

‘L 97‐128’ (Reg. No. CV‐129, PI 650858) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum officinarum L., S. barberi Jeswiet, S. spontaneum L., and S. sinense Roxb. amend. Jeswiet) was released on 5 May 2004 by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in cooperation with the USDA‐ARS and the American Sugarcane League, Inc. L 97‐128 has early high sucrose content, high cane yield potential, and resistance to common brown rust disease (Puccinia melanocephala H. and P. Syd.). Both the cross and the early stage clonal selection were made at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center's Sugar Research Station, St. Gabriel; permanent cultivar assignment was done in 1997. The cross was made on 25 Sept. 1992. Early stage clonal selection was done as single stools in 1994 followed by first clonal line trial selection in 1995 and second clonal line trial stage selection in 1996. Testing in replicated yield trials was conducted through the sugarcane growing area in south Louisiana from 1998 through 2003. Plant patent 17,636 was issued on 24 Apr. 2007.
Highly Enantioselective Allylation of Aromatic α‐Keto Phosphonates Catalyzed by Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide‐Indium(III) Complexes
Authors: Huang Jinglun , Wang Jing , Chen Xiaohong , Wen Yuehong , Liu Xiaohua , Feng Xiaoming
Published: January 2008

The ramipril derivative N,N′‐dioxide 3g‐indium(III) complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for the allylation of the aromatic α‐keto phosphonates. The corresponding α‐hydroxy phosphonates were obtained with high yields (up to 98 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 91 % ee). A bifunctional catalyst system was described with an N‐oxide as Lewis base activating tetraallyltin and indium as Lewis acid activating aromatic α‐keto phosphonates. A possible catalytic cycle has been proposed to explain the mechanism of the reaction.
A scoring system for the classification of β‐thalassemia/Hb E disease severity
Authors: Sripichai Orapan , Makarasara Wattanan , Munkongdee Thongperm , Kumkhaek Chutima , Nuchprayoon Issarang , Chuansumrit Ampaiwan , Chuncharunee Suporn , Chantrakoon Nawarat , Boonmongkol Piathip , Winichagoon Pranee , Fucharoen Suthat
Published: January 2008

β‐Thalassemia intermediate patients show a remarkable clinical heterogeneity. We examined the phenotypic diversity of 950 β‐thalassemia/Hb E patients in an attempt to construct a system for classifying disease severity. A novel scoring system based on six independent parameters, hemoglobin level, age at disease presentation, age at receiving first blood transfusion, requirement for transfusion, spleen size, and growth and development, was able to separate patients into three distinctive severity categories: mild, moderate, and severe courses. This system, therefore, can increase the accuracy of studies of genotype–phenotype interactions and facilitate decisions for appropriate patient management. Am. J. Hematol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diabetes and overweight associate with non‐APOE4 genotype in an alzheimer's disease population
Authors: Profenno Louis A. , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: January 2008

Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), and studies suggest that pathogenic effects of diabetes and insulin resistance may be associated with non‐APOE4 AD. Therefore, we examined association of the APOE4 allele with diabetes in an AD population. Retrospective and cross‐sectional clinical and APOE‐genotype data on 465 cases with probable or definite AD previously ascertained by the National Institute of Mental Health Genetics Initiative were analyzed by regression analysis. Dependent variables included presence of APOE4 alleles and AD onset age. Diabetes was the independent variable and covariates included gender, hypertension, and other potentially confounding variables. We also examined for interactions involving weight status as overweight and obesity are independent risk factors for insulin resistance, diabetes and AD. Prevalence of diabetes was 13% among AD cases without an APOE4 allele and 5–6% among AD cases with one or two APOE4 alleles. Odds ratio for diabetes was 0.26 [95% CI: 0.09–0.73; P = 0.011] by APOE4 status after adjusting for all covariates. Diabetes did not associate with AD onset age. Among other independent variables included in the model, APOE4 and diuretic medication treatment were associated with AD onset age. In a subset of cases with body mass index determinations, overweight also exhibited an inverse association with APOE4 and associated with decreased non‐APOE4 AD onset age. Pathogenic mechanisms associated with diabetes and overweight are enriched in AD cases without an APOE4 allele. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geographic access to cancer care in the U.S.
Authors: Onega Tracy , Duell Eric J. , Shi Xun , Wang Dongmei , Demidenko Eugene , Goodman David
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND

Although access to cancer care is known to influence patient outcomes, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding geographic access to cancer care, and how it may vary by population characteristics. This study estimated travel time to specialized cancer care settings for the continental U.S. population and calculated per capita oncologist supply.

METHODS

The closest travel times were estimated using a network analysis of the road distance weighted by travel speeds from the population or geographic centroid of every ZIP area in the continental U.S. to that of the nearest cancer care setting under consideration: National Cancer Institute (NCI)‐designated Cancer Centers, academic medical centers, and oncologists. Alaska and Hawaii were excluded because travel in these states is often not road‐based. Population and geographic characteristics including race/ethnicity, income, education, and region were derived from U.S. Census 2000 data and from rural‐urban commuting area classifications. Oncologist supply per 100,000 residents in Hospital Referral Regions (pHRRs) was estimated by region.

RESULTS

Travel times of ≤1 hour were estimated for 45.2% of the population to the nearest NCI Cancer Center, 69.4% to the nearest academic‐based care, and 91.8% to any specialized cancer care. Native Americans, nonurban dwellers, and residents in the South had the longest travel times to the nearest NCI Cancer Center compared with the overall U.S. population (median [interquartile range (IQR)] in minutes: 155 [62–308], 173 [111–257], and 164 [70–272], vs 78 [27–172], respectively). Travel burdens persisted for Native Americans and nonurban populations across all 3 cancer care settings. For all population strata, travel times markedly increased as the degree of cancer care specialization increased. The median oncologist supply for pHRRs was 2.83 per 100,000 individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

There are population groups with limited access to the most specialized cancer care settings. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Dispersive Effects in Chemomechanical Reactions with Polyallylamine‐Derived Hydrogels
Authors: Kato Kazuaki , Schneider Hans‐Jörg
Published: January 2008

Volume changes of polyallylamine‐derived hydrogels crosslinked with glutaraldehyde are determined with a large variety of effector compounds. Monocarboxylic effectors lead to smaller contractions, in contrast to dicarboxylate structures, which allow more effective non‐covalent crosslinking between the positively charged nitrogen centers of the polymer backbone. Electroneutral compounds lead to negligible changes, whereas effectors with either a large p‐moiety like in naphthoic acid or phenyl derivatives with polarizable substituents induce large contractions. This finding is in line with significant contributions of van der Waals interactions between the effectors within the hydrogel. Chemomechanical differences between regioisomeric effectors such as p‐ and o‐nitrobenzoic acid are in agreement with independent results of dispersive interactions in related complexes. The volume decrease corresponds almost entirely to the gravimetrically determined water content of the gels. The acidity profile shows a strong contraction above pH 10, which is consistent with the known pK value of such polyamines. NMR spectra of the gels indicate strong binding of the effectors by line broadening, which is significant only for the chemomechanically active compounds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
(Dimethoxy‐ and Dihalopyridyl)boronic Acids and Highly Functionalized Heteroarylpyridines by Suzuki Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Smith Amy E. , Clapham Kate M. , Batsanov Andrei S. , Bryce Martin R. , Tarbit Brian
Published: January 2008

We report the synthesis of (2,6‐dimethoxy‐3‐pyridyl)boronic acid (2), (2,3‐dimethoxy‐4‐pyridyl)boronic acid (4), (2,6‐difluoro‐3‐pyridyl)boronic acid (6), (2,6‐dichloro‐3‐pyridyl)boronic acid (8) and (2,3‐dichloro‐4‐pyridyl)boronic acid (10) by directed ortho‐metalation reactions on the corresponding disubstituted pyridine precursor, followed by the reaction with triisopropyl borate (TPB) or trimethyl borate. Thereactivity of the pyridylboronic acids with heteroaryl halides in Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions has been evaluated. New highly functionalized heteroarylpyridine derivatives have thereby been obtained in moderate to high yields. The reaction of 8 and 3‐amino‐2‐chloropyridine yielded the rare 5H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b:4,5‐b′]dipyridine (i.e. 1,5‐diazacarbazole) ring system by sequential cross‐coupling and intramolecular cyclisation reactions. The X‐ray crystal structures are reported for the pyridylboronic acids 2, 4, 8 and 10. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
High‐resolution 2‐DE for resolving proteins, protein adducts and complexes in plasma
Authors: Candiano Giovanni , Santucci Laura , Petretto Andrea , Pavone Barbara , Del Boccio Piero , Musante Luca , Bruschi Maurizio , Federici Giorgio , Gusmano Rosanna , Urbani Andrea , Ghiggeri Gian M.
Published: January 2008

A 2‐DE system has been devised in which proteins are first separated in their native state followed by separation according to mass under denaturing conditions (Nat/SDS‐PAGE). Hydrophilic properties of the gel and the presence of dihydroxybisacrylamide in the first dimension allowed a good resolution for high‐molecular‐weight proteins and maintained interactions. With this method 252 plasma spots have been resolved and 140 have been characterized by MS as isoforms of 60 proteins, a relevant part of which (12) were not detected by traditional 2‐D gels or by other nondenaturing 2‐D techniques. The list includes complement factors (C4d, C7), coagulation factors (coagulation factor II, fibrin β), apolipoproteins (apolipoprotein B) and cell debris (vinculin, gelsolin, tropomyosin, dystrobrevin β, fibrinectin I). Nat/SDS PAGE also allowed separation of nicked forms of albumin, Apo B100 and α2‐macroglobulin and showed the presence of atypical albumin adducts corresponding to post‐translational and oxidation products. Our system provides therefore new tools for resolving proteins, protein aggregates and complexes and amplifies the potentiality of traditional electrophoretic analysis.
Biofiltration of a methanol containing air stream in a dry tubular biofilm reactor using ceramic rings as carrier
Authors: Omil F. , Rojas H. , Thalasso F. , Lema J.M.
Published: January 2008

A 13.4 L dry tubular biofilm reactor (DTB), with ceramics rings as carrier, was used to treat a polluted air stream using methanol as a model pollutant. The design of this reactor was based on the creation of a mist by contacting the waste gas and a liquid nutrient solution inside an atomizing nozzle. The liquid was supplied intermittently (16 s every 3 min) in order to minimize water addition (91% of reactor operational time corresponded to “dry” conditions). The reactor was operated at empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 42 s and volumetric loading rates of 1.5–3.0 kg/m3/d. Biofilm growth was observed first on the walls of the reactor, and subsequently growth developed on the surface of the rings. Methanol was completely removed from the gas phase at low loading rates and the removal efficiency was around 83–93% at a loading of 3.0 kg/m3/d. Organic carbon mass balances showed that, in the presence of the carrier, up to 73% methanol was biodegraded; nondegraded methanol and other metabolites constituted the remaining fraction in the liquid and gas effluent. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008
Modulation of several waves of gene expression during FGF‐1 induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of carcinoma cells
Authors: Billottet Clotilde , Tuefferd Marianne , Gentien David , Rapinat Audrey , Thiery Jean‐Paul , Broët Philippe , Jouanneau Jacqueline
Published: January 2008

During epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), epithelial cells are converted into isolated motile and invasive mesenchymal cells. In model systems, EMT is induced most often by the activation of tyrosine kinase receptors through signaling pathways involving translational and post‐translational regulation. In this study, we have used the NBT‐II bladder carcinoma cell system to investigate in vitro Fibroblast Growth Factor‐1 (FGF‐1)‐induced EMT. Transcriptome analyses were performed on NBT‐II cells stimulated for 2, 6, 24, and 48 h with FGF‐1. As some phenotypic changes occurred around 6 h post‐stimulation, a supervised analysis was designed to identify transcript variations across defined time‐periods. Our results clearly indicate that immediately after FGF‐1 stimulation a set of genes assigned to transcriptional regulation (e.g., jun‐B and v‐ets) and to EMT induction (e.g., Notch 1) is transiently up‐regulated. A set of genes involved in proteolytic systems (e.g., MMP‐13 and uPAR) is immediately up‐regulated but subsequently maintained throughout FGF‐1 stimulation. Then follows a second wave of gene expression that includes a strong but transient up‐regulation of ephrin B1 and arginase I. Finally, a third group of genes is stably modulated over 48 h which consists primarily of down‐regulated genes specifically associated with the EMT‐based loss of the epithelial phenotype and maintenance of the mesenchymal and invasive phenotype of carcinoma cells. Using genome‐wide oligoarray technology, we have identified novel expressions of immediate, immediate‐early and later EMT biomarkers that are specifically activated downstream of the FGF/FGFR pathway and which might be significant prognostic factors for tumor progression of carcinoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 826–839, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MicroRNAs play a role in the development of human hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Liao Rongxia , Sun Jianguo , Zhang Liang , Lou Guiyu , Chen Min , Zhou Dujin , Chen Zhengtang , Zhang Shaoxiang
Published: January 2008

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of recently discovered noncoding RNA genes that post‐transcriptionally regulate gene expression. It is becoming clear that miRNAs play an important role in the regulation of gene translation during development. However, in mammals, expression data are principally based on whole tissue analysis and are still very incomplete. We isolated CD34+CD38− hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from human umbilical cord blood, on the basis of cell‐surface markers using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS). Also, CD34+ subpopulation was FACS isolated as the control. Next, using microarray containing oligonucleotides corresponding to 517 miRNAs from human, mouse, and rat genomes, we obtained miRNA gene expression profiles of both subpopulations. We focused on the HSCs correlative miRNAs with comparison to the control. The miRNAs of particular interest were confirmed by real‐time RT‐PCR. HSCs‐overexpressed hsa‐miR‐520h and underexpressed hsa‐miR‐129 were selected for target prediction and analysis. The result showed that EIF2C3 and CAMTA1, genes related to miRNAs processing or transcription regulation, were proved to be real targets for hsa‐miR‐129. And ABCG2, involved in stemness maintaining, a real target for hsa‐miR‐520h. Finally, we chose hsa‐miR‐520h, enriched in HSCs but low in CD34+ cells, for functional characterization, because of its possible role in differentiation of HSCs by regulating ABCG2. As a result, hsa‐miR‐520h transduction into CD34+ cells greatly increased number of different progenitor colonies in Colony‐Forming‐Cell assays, suggesting that hsa‐miR‐520h may promote differentiation of HSCs into progenitor cells by inhibiting ABCG2 expression. This study paves the way for identifying HSC‐specific miRNAs and their roles in HSC development. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 805–817, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
γ‐Hydroxybutyrate binds to the synaptic site recognizing succinate monocarboxylate: A new hypothesis on astrocyte–neuron interaction via the protonation of succinate
Authors: Molnár Tünde , Barabás Péter , Héja László , Fekete Erzsébet Kútiné , Lasztóczi Bálint , Szabó Pál , Nyitrai Gabriella , Simon‐Trompler Edit , Hajós Ferenc , Palkovits Miklós , Kardos Julianna
Published: January 2008

Succinate (SUC), a citrate (CIT) cycle intermediate, and carbenoxolone (CBX), a gap junction inhibitor, were shown to displace [3H]γ‐hydroxybutyrate ([3H]GHB), which is specifically bound to sites present in synaptic membrane subcellular fractions of the rat forebrain and the human nucleus accumbens. Elaboration on previous work revealed that acidic pH‐induced specific binding of [3H]SUC occurs, and it has been shown to have a biphasic displacement profile distinguishing high‐affinity (Ki,SUC = 9.1 ± 1.7 μM) and low‐affinity (Ki,SUC = 15 ± 7 mM) binding. Both high‐ and low‐ affinity sites were characterized by the binding of GHB (Ki,GHB = 3.9 ± 0.5 μM and Ki,GHB = 5.0 ± 2.0 mM) and lactate (LAC; Ki,LAC = 3.9 ± 0.5 μM and Ki,LAC = 7.7 ± 0.9 mM). Ligands, including the hemiester ethyl‐hemi‐SUC, and the gap junction inhibitors flufenamate, CBX, and the GHB binding site‐selective NCS‐382 interacted with the high‐affinity site (in μM: Ki,EHS = 17 ± 5, Ki,FFA = 24 ± 13, Ki,CBX = 28 ± 9, Ki,NCS‐382 = 0.8 ± 0.1 μM). Binding of the Na+,K+‐ATPase inhibitor ouabain, the proton‐coupled monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)‐specific α‐cyano‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), and CIT characterized the low‐affinity SUC binding site (in mM: Ki,ouabain = 0.13 ± 0.05, Ki,CHC = 0.32 ± 0.07, Ki,CIT = 0.79 ± 0.20). All tested compounds inhibited [3H]SUC binding in the human nucleus accumbens and had Ki values similar to those observed in the rat forebrain. The binding process can clearly be recognized as different from synaptic and mitochondrial uptake or astrocytic release of SUC, GHB, and/or CIT by its unique GHB selectivity. The transient decrease of extracellular SUC observed during epileptiform activity suggested that the function of the synaptic target recognizing protonated succinate monocarboxylate may vary under different (patho)physiological conditions. Furthermore, we put forward a hypothesis on the synaptic activity‐regulated signaling between astrocytes and neurons via SUC protonation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
6‐Hydroxydopamine lesion in the ventral tegmental area fails to reduce extracellular dopamine in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Devoto Paola , Flore Giovanna , Saba Pierluigi , Castelli M. Paola , Piras A. Paola , Luesu William , Viaggi M. Cristina , Ennas M. Grazia , Gessa Gian Luigi
Published: January 2008

Dopamine and noradrenaline are both involved in modulation of superior cognitive functions that are mainly dependent on frontal cortex activity. Experimental evidence points to parallel variations in extracellular concentrations of catecholamines in the cerebral cortex, which leads us to hypothesize their corelease from noradrenergic neurons. This study aimed to verify this hypothesis, by means of cerebral microdialysis following destruction of dopaminergic innervation in rats. The unilateral injury of dopaminergic neurons, by 6‐hydroxydopamine injection in the ventral tegmental area, dramatically reduced the immunoreactivity for dopamine transporter in the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to the lesion. Tissue dopamine content in the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal and parietal cortex was also profoundly decreased, whereas noradrenaline was only slightly affected. Despite the lower tissue content in the denervated side, the extracellular dopamine level was not changed in the cortex, although it was markedly decreased in the nucleus accumbens ipsilateral to the lesion. The effect of drugs selective for D2‐dopaminergic (haloperidol) or α2‐noradrenergic (RS 79948) receptors was verified. Haloperidol failed to modify extracellular dopamine in either cortex but increased it in the nucleus accumbens, such an increase being greatly reduced in the denervated side. On the other hand, RS 79948 increased extracellular dopamine and DOPAC in all areas tested, the increases being of the same degree in both intact and lesioned sides. The results strongly support the hypothesis that the majority of extracellular dopamine in the cortex, unlike that in the nucleus accumbens, originates from noradrenergic terminals. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SPIDER: A decade of measuring ultrashort pulses
Authors: Anderson M E , Monmayrant A , Gorza S-P , Wasylczyk P , Walmsley I A
Published: January 2008

It was ten years ago in Rochester, New York that the first SPIDER was built. This simple acronym belies the subtleties of its inner workings; Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric-field Reconstruction (the ``f'' in field conveniently missed the cut) is a device that measures ultrashort pulses, utilizing spectral shearing interferometry and directly recovering the spectral phase. The very first SPIDER apparatus occupied nearly half an optical table, used a scanning monochromator, and had no computerized inversion routine. In the intervening decade, SPIDER has grown up. It has found a strong foothold in ultrafast laboratories throughout the world. Multiple groups have found useful new applications with this vital measurement tool, while others have contributed to the improvement of SPIDER itself, reaching to ever shorter pulses, new wavelength regimes, and making devices more sensitive, robust, smaller and faster. It also adapts to a field of research that changes rapidly. It was first designed to track and quantify the remaining spectral phase in a pulse to perfect its compression. In ten years, with the advent of pulse shapers, the real benefits of field diagnostics are becoming apparent. We have shifted away from the race towards the shortest IR pulse to a wide use of complex shaped pulses in almost every spectral range from far IR to XUV. But the quest of the shortest pulse is not over and new compression techniques utilize really broad spectra that are highly structured. All these applications provide new challenges for characterization techniques.