bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hazardous Apoptotic Effects of 2-Bromopropane on Maturation of Mouse Oocytes, Fertilization, and Fetal Development
Authors: Chan Wen-Hsiung
Published: November 2010

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) is used as an alternative to ozone-depleting cleaning solvents. Previously, we reported that 2-BP has cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and is associated with defects in subsequent development. Here, we further investigate the effects of 2-BP on oocyte maturation and subsequent pre- and post-implantation development, both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, 2-BP induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryonic development. Treatment of oocytes with 2-BP during in vitro maturation (IVM) resulted in increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased fetal weights. Experiments with a mouse model disclosed that consumption of drinking water containing 20 μM 2-BP led to decreased oocyte maturation in vivo and fertilization in vitro, as well as impairment of early embryonic development. Interestingly, pretreatment with a caspase-3-specific inhibitor effectively prevented 2-BP-triggered hazardous effects, suggesting that embryonic impairment by 2-BP occurs via a caspase-dependent apoptotic process. A study using embryonic stem cells as the assay model conclusively demonstrated that 2-BP induces cell death processes through apoptosis and not necrosis, and inhibits early embryo development in mouse embryonic stem cells. These results collectively confirm the hazardous effects of 2-BP on embryos derived from pretreated oocytes.
Elevated Carbon Dioxide Increases Contents of Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activities in Malaysian Young Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) Varieties
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Ali , Jaafar Hawa Z.E. , Rahmat Asmah
Published: November 2010

Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Family Zingiberaceae) is well known in Asia. The plant is widely cultivated in village gardens in the tropics for its medicinal properties and as a marketable spice in Malaysia. Ginger varieties are rich in physiologically active phenolics and flavonoids with a range of pharmacological activities. Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing levels of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, naringenin, fisetin and morin) and phenolic acid (gallic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, cinnamic acid and salicylic acid), and antioxidant activities in different parts of Malaysian young ginger varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) with CO2 enrichment in a controlled environment system. Both varieties showed an increase in phenolic compounds and flavonoids in response to CO2 enrichment from 400 to 800 µmol mol-1 CO2. These increases were greater in rhizomes compared to leaves. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most abundant flavonoid and phenolic acid in Malaysian young ginger varieties. Under elevated CO2 conditions, kaempferol and fisetin were among the flavonoid compounds, and gallic acid and vanillic acid were among the phenolic compounds whose levels increased in both varieties. As CO2 concentration was increased from 400 to 800 µmol mol-1, free radical scavenging power (DPPH) increased about 30% in Halia Bentong and 21.4% in Halia Bara; and the rhizomes exhibited more enhanced free radical scavenging power, with 44.9% in Halia Bentong and 46.2% in Halia Bara. Leaves of both varieties also displayed good levels of flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities. These results indicate that the yield and pharmaceutical quality of Malaysian young ginger varieties can be enhanced by controlled environment production and CO2 enrichment.
β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine Induces Neurological Deficits and Shortened Life Span in Drosophila
Authors: Zhou Xianchong , Escala Wilfredo , Papapetropoulos Spyridon , Zhai R. Grace
Published: November 2010

The neurotoxic non-protein amino acid, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), was first associated with the high incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) in Guam. Recently, BMAA has been implicated as a fierce environmental factor that contributes to the etiology of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, in addition to ALS. However, the toxicity of BMAA in vivo has not been clearly demonstrated. Here we report our investigation of the neurotoxicity of BMAA in Drosophila. We found that dietary intake of BMAA reduced life span, locomotor functions, and learning and memory abilities in flies. The severity of the alterations in phenotype is correlated with the concentration of BMAA detected in flies. Interestingly, developmental exposure to BMAA had limited impact on survival rate, but reduced fertility in females, and caused delayed neurological impairment in aged adults. Our studies indicate that BMAA exposure causes chronic neurotoxicity, and that Drosophila serves as a useful model in dissecting the pathogenesis of ALS/PDC.
Development of ST-246® for Treatment of Poxvirus Infections
Authors: Jordan Robert , Leeds Janet M. , Tyavanagimatt Shanthakumar , Hruby Dennis E.
Published: November 2010

ST-246 (Tecovirimat) is a small synthetic antiviral compound being developed to treat pathogenic orthopoxvirus infections of humans. The compound was discovered as part of a high throughput screen designed to identify inhibitors of vaccinia virus-induced cytopathic effects. The antiviral activity is specific for orthopoxviruses and the compound does not inhibit the replication of other RNA- and DNA-containing viruses or inhibit cell proliferation at concentrations of compound that are antiviral. ST-246 targets vaccinia virus p37, a viral protein required for envelopment and secretion of extracellular forms of virus. The compound is orally bioavailable and protects multiple animal species from lethal orthopoxvirus challenge. Preclinical safety pharmacology studies in mice and non-human primates indicate that ST-246 is readily absorbed by the oral route and well tolerated with the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) in mice measured at 2000 mg/kg and the no observable effect level (NOEL) in non-human primates measured at 300 mg/kg. Drug substance and drug product processes have been developed and commercial scale batches have been produced using Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP). Human phase I clinical trials have shown that ST-246 is safe and well tolerated in healthy human volunteers. Based on the results of the clinical evaluation, once a day dosing should provide plasma drug exposure in the range predicted to be antiviral based on data from efficacy studies in animal models of orthopoxvirus disease. These data support the use of ST-246 as a therapeutic to treat pathogenic orthopoxvirus infections of humans.
La compétition entre Moscou et Saint-Pétersbourg. Conséquences économiques et sociales
Authors: Peaucelle Irina
Published: November 2010

Résumé Moscou et Saint-Pétersbourg sont les plus grandes villes de la Russie, les deux cherchent à s’imposer sur la scène internationale comme modèle du développement économique et du progrès social. Pour tenir compte des avantages concurrentiels de ces villes, deux stratégies de recherche sont utilisées dans le présent article : 1) l’analyse critique de la littérature dans les domaines suivants : histoire économique de la ville et système russe de l’industrialisation ; 2) l’analyse empirique des variables décrivant les villes innovantes et le potentiel humain. Il est montré que la divergence liée à la tactique de développement – action de lobbying pour améliorer la compétitivité d’import-export contre la planification stratégique – donne en matière d’innovation, des avantages différenciés à l’une et à l’autre ville. Codes JEL : R11, O3, L5, D73, B14
Les entreprises sociales de base communautaire, nouveaux protagonistes pour un autre développement. Une étude sur quelques groupes productifs dans le contexte Brésilien
Authors: Baptista Eduardo , Bartholo Roberto
Published: November 2010

Résumé À travers cet article nous montrons l’émergence des entreprises sociales de base communautaire dans le passé récent de l’économie brésilienne. Notre intention est de souligner les contours de ces nouvelles entités en formation, mettant en scène leur rôle en tant qu’acteurs économiques et sociaux, aussi bien que la conformation d’un type nouveau d’institutions dans le balisage de leurs actions. Elles sont des organisations dont la construction a eu lieu à l’intérieur de réseaux sociaux à partir des structures participatives et des rapports de réciprocité, des formes organisationnelles hybrides et de la valorisation du territoire et de ses ressources. Nous cherchons à dresser un premier panorama de l’évolution de ces organisations au Brésil, à les identifier et les classer, en essayant aussi de repérer les traits d’innovation et les limites de cette forme d’économie sociale, située « à la frontière » de plusieurs enjeux. Codes JEL : L26, O54
The Tailless Complex Polypeptide-1 Ring Complex of the Heat Shock Protein 60 Family Facilitates Cross-Priming of CD8 Responses Specific for Chaperoned Peptides
Authors: Vatner Ralph E. , Srivastava Pramod K.
Published: November 2010

The tailless complex polypeptide-1 ring complex (TRiC) is a eukaryotic heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) molecule that has been shown to bind N-terminally extended precursors of OVA-derived SIINFEKL in vivo. Binding of peptides to TRiC was shown to be essential for their presentation on MHC class I. We demonstrate in this study that purified TRiC binds antigenic peptides in vitro as well; however, such binding is not restricted to N-terminally extended peptides, suggesting that the results obtained in vivo reflect the availability of peptides in vivo rather than structural constraints of TRiC-peptide binding. Immunization of mice with noncovalent complexes of peptides (derived from OVA or β-galactosidase) and TRiC results in cross-priming of CD8+ T lymphocytes specific for Kb/SIINFEKL or Ld/TPHPARIGL. Mechanistic dissection of this phenomenon shows that TRiC binds APC, and TRiC-chaperoned peptides are processed within the APC and presented on their MHC class I. Immunogenicity of TRiC purified from OVA- or β-galactosidase–expressing cells, that is, of endogenously generated TRiC-peptide complexes, was investigated, and such preparations were observed not to be immunogenic. Consistent with this observation, SIINFEKL or its precursors were not observed to be associated with TRiC purified from cells expressing a fusion GFP-OVA protein. In contrast, immunization with TRiC purified from a tumor elicited specific protection against a challenge with that tumor. These results are interpreted with respect to the cell biological properties of TRiC and suggest that in vivo, TRiC binds a limited proportion of peptides derived from a limited set of intracellular proteins.
Patient Satisfaction in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Individualized Patient-centered Communication
Authors: Yeh John , Nagel Eryn E.
Published: November 2010

Background

Patient satisfaction is becoming an increasingly prevalent topic in medicine, but little is known about patient satisfaction in women's health and other specialties. We review current methods of improving patient satisfaction in the field of obstetrics and gynecology with the intent to increase patient satisfaction even further by enhancing and combining previously used strategies.

Methods

A search from inception to June 2010 for electronic literature was performed using Medline. The search strategy used the medical subject heading terms “patient satisfaction”, “obstetrics”, “gynecology”, “patient-centered communication”, “communication training”, and “malpractice”. The company websites for Press Ganey Associates, Inc and Integrated Health Associates' were also reviewed. Studies in both general medicine and the field of obstetrics and gynecology were reviewed to emphasize disparities between patients' satisfaction in diverse medical specialties.

Results

Studies indicating the importance of patient satisfaction, the factors contributing to patient satisfaction, and an evaluation of current, evidence-based methods of increasing patient satisfaction were reviewed. The studies included suggest that current methods of assessing/improving patient satisfaction are effective, but may not be the most productive.

Conclusions

We expect that the combination of previously successful methods of improving patient satisfaction to allow physicians to employ individualized patient-centered communication may improve patient satisfaction even further. Studying the use of our proposed enhancements in physician-patient communication may be worthwhile tools to increase patient satisfaction and optimize the quality of women's healthcare.
Drainage and land use impacts on changes in selected peat properties and peat degradation in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia
Authors: Anshari G. Z. , Afifudin M. , Nuriman M. , Gusmayanti E. , Arianie L. , Susana R. , Nusantara R. W. , Sugardjito J. , Rafiastanto A.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Degradation of tropical peats is a global concern due to large Carbon emission and loss of biodiversity. The degradation of tropical peats usually starts when the government drains and clears peat forests into open peats used for food crops, oil palm and industrial timber plantations. Major properties of tropical peat forests are high in Water Contents (WC), Loss on Ignition (LOI) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC), and low in peat pH, Dry Bulk Density (DBD), and Total Nitrogen (TN). In this study, we investigated impacts of drainage and land use change on these properties. We collected peat samples from peat forests, logged over peat forest, industrial timber plantation, community agriculture, and oil palms. We used independent t-tests and oneway ANOVA to analyze mean differences of the research variables. We found that peat pH, DBD, and TN tend to increase. A significant decrease of C/N ratio in oil palm and agriculture sites importantly denotes a high rate of peat decompositions. Water contents, LOI, and TOC are relatively constants. We suggest that changes in pH, DBD, TN and atomic C/N ratio are important indicators for assessing tropical peat degradation. We infer that land use change from tropical peat forests into cleared and drained peats used for intensive timber harvesting, oil palms and industrial timber plantations in Indonesia has greatly degraded major ecological function of tropical peats as Carbon storage.
Simulation of polar stratospheric clouds in the chemistry-climate-model EMAC via the submodel PSC
Authors: Kirner O. , Ruhnke R. , Buchholz-Dietsch J. , Jöckel P. , Brühl C. , Steil B.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. The submodel PSC of the ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry model (EMAC) has been developed to simulate the main types of polar stratospheric clouds (PSC). The parameterisation of the supercooled ternary solutions (STS, type 1b PSC) in the submodel is based on Carslaw et al. (1995b), the thermodynamical approach to simulate ice particles (type 2 PSC) on Marti and Mauersberger (1993). For the formation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles (type 1a PSC) two different parameterisations exist. The first one is based on an instantaneous thermodynamical approach from Hanson and Mauersberger (1988), the second one (new implemented by Kirner, 2008) considers the growth of the NAT particles with aid of a surface growth factor based on Carslaw et al. (2002). Via namelist switches the NAT parameterisation, as well as some parameters for the NAT and ice formation can be chosen. This publication explains the background of the submodel PSC and the use of the submodel with the goal to simulate realistic PSC in EMAC.
Simultaneous Isolation of Ixodidae and Bacterial (Borrelia spp.) Genomic DNA
Authors: Jutras Brandon L. , Liu Zhiwei , Brissette Catherine A.
Published: November 2010

Tick and tick‐borne diseases have become widely distributed throughout the United States. As a result, the interest associated with tick allocation and the potential threat they may pose has increased. Efforts have expanded to understand biotic and abiotic factors which may influence tick/pathogen distribution. Thus, we have developed a procedure which allows the simultaneous isolation of both tick and bacterial DNA. Downstream applications are diverse; however, we describe the use of multiplex PCR to confirm the presence of spirochete DNA from tick samples. We suspect that this procedure is not limited to tick‐bacteria systems and may be applied to a variety of arthropod‐related endeavors. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 19:1E.2.1‐1E.2.11. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
What Happened to Ecology? John McHale and the Bucky Fuller Revival
Authors: Vidler Anthony
Published: November 2010

Since the early 20th century, the environmental impulse in architecture has waxed and waned. Anthony Vidler considers this cyclical phenomenon, particularly in relation to the Independent Group in Britain during the 1950s, which culminated in John McHale's discovery of Richard Buckminster Fuller in 1955 and the full‐blown Bucky Fuller revival of the 1960s. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of epoxy resins from alcohol‐liquefied wood and the mechanical properties of the cured resins
Authors: Kishi Hajime , Akamatsu Yuki , Noguchi Masayuki , Fujita Akira , Matsuda Satoshi , Nishida Hirofumi
Published: November 2010

New wood‐based epoxy resins were synthesized from alcohol‐liquefied wood. Wood was first liquefied by the reaction with polyethylene glycol and glycerin. The alcohol‐liquefied wood with plenty of hydroxyl groups were precursors for synthesizing the wood‐based epoxy resins. Namely, the alcoholic OH groups of the liquefied wood reacted with epichlorohydrin under alkali condition with a phase transfer catalyst, so that the epoxy groups were put in the liquefied wood. The wood‐based epoxy resins and the alcohol‐based epoxy resins as reference materials were cured with polyamide amine. The glass transition temperature (Tg), the tensile strength, and the modulus of elasticity of the wood‐based epoxy resin were higher than those of the alcohol‐based epoxy resin. Also, the shear adhesive strength of the wood‐based epoxy resin to steel plates was higher than those of the alcohol‐based epoxy resins, which was equivalent to the level of petroleum‐based bisphenol‐A type epoxy resins. The higher Tg of the wood‐based epoxy resin than that of the alcohol‐based epoxy resin is one of the evidences that the wood‐derived molecules were chemically incorporated into the network structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Ab initio Study of Mechanism of Forming Germanic Hetero‐Polycyclic Compound between Germylene Carbene (H2GeC:) and Formaldehyde
Authors: Lu Xiuhui , Che Xin , Shi Leyi , Han Junfeng
Published: November 2010

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction of forming germanic hetero‐polycyclic compound between singlet germylene carbene and formaldehyde has been investigated with MP2/6‐31G* method, including geometry optimization and vibrational analysis for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface. The energies of the different conformations are calculated by CCSD (T)//MP2/6‐31G* method. From the potential energy profile, we predict that the cycloaddition reaction of forming germanic hetero‐polycyclic compound between singlet germylene carbene and formaldehyde has two competitive dominant reaction pathways. First dominant reaction pathway consists of four steps: (1) the two reactants (R1, R2) first form an intermediate (INT1) through a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 117.5 kJ/mol; (2) intermediate (INT1) then isomerizes to a four‐membered ring compound (P2) via a transition state (TS2) with an energy barrier of 25.4 kJ/mol; (3) four‐membered ring compound (P2) further reacts with formaldehyde (R2) to form an intermediate (INT3), which is also a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 19.6 kJ/mol; (4) intermediate (INT3) isomerizes to a germanic bis‐heterocyclic product (P3) via a transition state (TS3) with an energy barrier of 5.8 kJ/mol. Second dominant reaction pathway is as follows: (1) the two reactants (R1, R2) first form an intermediate (INT4) through a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 197.3 kJ/mol; (2) intermediate (INT4) further reacts with formaldehyde (R2) to form an intermediate (INT5), which is also a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 141.3 kJ/mol; (3) intermediate (INT5) then isomerizes to a germanic bis‐heterocyclic product (P5) via a transition state (TS5) with an energy barrier of 36.7 kJ/mol.
Reforming of CH4 with CO2 over Rh/H‐Beta: Effect of Rhodium Dispersion on the Catalytic Activity and Coke Resistance
Authors: Qian Linping , Yue Bin , Pei Supeng , Zhang Li , Ye Lin , Cheng Jifang , Tsang Shik Chi , He Heyong
Published: November 2010

The effect of Rh dispersion on reforming of CH4 with CO2 over H‐Beta supported Rh catalysts has been investigated. The CH4 and CO2 conversion over the catalysts increase with increasing Rh loading from 0.5 wt% to 4.0 wt% in the reaction temperature range of 823–1123 K. The high TOF of CH4 over 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% Rh/H‐beta may be attributed to high dispersion of rhodium species. The catalysts before and after the reaction were characterized by XRD, TEM, and TG‐DTA and the results indicate the catalysts with Rh loading of 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% exhibiting high resistance to coke. Under controllable conditions, we confirm that the coke is originated from methane dissociation and can be substantially oxidized by active oxygen species dissociated from the adsorbed carbon dioxide on the catalyst with high dispersion of Rh species.
Bulk and Interfacial Properties for CO2‐SO2 Binary Mixtures
Authors: Fu Dong , Feng Jiazi , Lu Jianyi
Published: November 2010

The perturbed‐chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC‐SAFT) and density‐gradient theory (DGT) were used to construct an equation of state (EOS) for the phase behaviors of carbon dioxide (CO2)‐sulfur dioxide (SO2) binary mixtures. The p‐x diagrams at 263 and 333 K, and the p‐T diagrams corresponding to x=0.8871 and 0.6213 were satisfactorily calculated as compared to the experimental data. With the influence parameters of pure components and the equilibrium bulk properties of mixtures as input, the interfacial properties of CO2‐SO2 binary mixtures in a wide temperature range were predicted, and the influences of temperature, pressure and bulk properties on the surface tension were discussed.
Synthesis of Hollow Gold Nanospheres and Their Applications in Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering and DNA Biosensor
Authors: Meng Qi , Li Hui , Yang Haifeng , Li Hexing
Published: November 2010

Hollow gold nanospheres (HGNs) with nanopinholes were prepared by chemical reduction of HAuCl4 with aqueous KBH4 in the presence of the Bu4PBr template. The HGNs could be served as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which exhibited much higher surface enhancement than the solid gold nanoparticles in case of Rhodamine 6G as a molecule probe. Moreover, the HGNs could also be used in the modified electrode to detect DNA and superior to the solid counterpart of the similar size. Based on the detailed characterizations by transmission electron micrograph (TEM), field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) and UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy, a plausible mechanism for forming HGNs was proposed. Meanwhile, the promoting effect of the hollow gold nanospheres on the SERS was discussed briefly.
Polymerization of n‐Octylallene with Rare Earth Catalyst Composed of Ln(P204)3/Al(i‐Bu)3
Authors: Ni Xufeng , Zhu Weiwei , Shen Zhiquan
Published: November 2010

Polymerization of n‐octylallene was successfully carried out using a conventional binary rare earth catalytic system composed of rare earth tris(2‐ethylhexylphosphonate) (Ln(P204)3) and tri‐isobutyl aluminum (Al(i‐Bu)3) for the first time. The effects of catalyst, solvent, reaction time and temperature on the polymerization of n‐octylallene were studied. The resulting poly(n‐octylallene) has weight‐average molecular weight of 11000, molecular weight distribution of 1.4 and 96% yield under the moderate reaction conditions: [Al]/[Y] =50 (molar ratio), [n‐octylallene]/[Y] =100 (molar ratio), polymerized at 80°C for 20 h in bulk. The poly(n‐octylallene) obtained consisted of 1,2‐ and 2,3‐polymerized units, and was characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR and GPC. Further investigation shows that the polymerization of n‐octylallene has some living polymerization characteristics, preparing the polymer with controlled molecular weight and narrower molecular weight distribution.
Intact landmark control and angular path integration by head direction cells in the anterodorsal thalamus after lesions of the medial entorhinal cortex
Authors: Clark Benjamin J. , Taube Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2010

The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) occupies a central position within neural circuits devoted to the representation of spatial location and orientation. The MEC contains cells that fire as a function of the animal's head direction (HD), as well as grid cells that fire in multiple locations in an environment, forming a repeating hexagonal pattern. The MEC receives inputs from widespread areas of the cortical mantle including the ventral visual stream, which processes object recognition information, as well as information about visual landmarks. The role of the MEC in processing the HD signal or landmark information is unclear. We addressed this issue by neurotoxically damaging the MEC and recording HD cells within the anterodorsal thalamus (ADN). Direction‐specific activity was present in the ADN of all animals with MEC lesions. Moreover, the discharge characteristics of ADN HD cells were only mildly affected by MEC lesions, with HD cells exhibiting greater anticipation of future HDs. Tests of landmark control revealed that HD cells in lesioned rats were capable of accurately updating their preferred firing directions in relation to a salient visual cue. Furthermore, cells from lesioned animals maintained stable preferred firing directions when locomoting in darkness and demonstrated stable HD cell tuning when locomoting into a novel enclosure, suggesting that MEC lesions did not disrupt the integration of idiothetic cues, or angular path integration, by HD cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that the MEC plays a limited role in the formation and spatial updating of the HD cell signal. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth plate explants respond differently to in vitro static and dynamic loadings
Authors: Sergerie Kim , Parent Stefan , Beauchemin Pierre‐Francois , Londoño Irene , Moldovan Florina , Villemure Isabelle
Published: November 2010

This study aimed at investigating the effects of static and dynamic compression applied on growth plate explants using matched compressive strains. Growth plate explants from 4‐week‐old swine ulnae were submitted to in vitro static (10% strain) or dynamic (oscillating between 7% and 13% at 0.1 Hz) unconfined compression for 48 h. The total growth plate height, the combined proliferative and hypertrophic thickness and the resulting ratio between these two thicknesses were evaluated. Standard immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the protein expression of key components of the extracellular matrix: aggrecan, type II collagen, type X collagen, and MMP13. In the statically loaded samples, the columnar organization of the cells was preserved but with slight columns deviation from the growth axis. Decreases in all histomorphological parameters were important and a notable loss of aggrecan, type II and type X collagens expressions was denoted. In the dynamically loaded samples, a severe loss of columnar arrangement was observed in the proliferative and hypertrophic zones. However, dynamic compressive loads preserved the proliferative and hypertrophic zones ratio and contributed to the synthesis of aggrecan and type II collagen in the extracellular matrix. The exact response of the growth plate to mechanical stresses along with optimal loading parameters could help improve the current treatment approaches or develop new treatment approaches for the underlying progressive musculoskeletal deformities. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:473–480, 2011
Effects ofAporrectodea caliginosa(Savigny) on nitrogen mobilization and decomposition of elevated‐CO2Charlock mustard litter
Authors: Marhan Sven , Rempt Franziska , Högy Petra , Fangmeier Andreas , Kandeler Ellen
Published: November 2010

This study was conducted to improve our understanding of how earthworms and microorganisms interact in the decomposition of litter of low quality (high C : N ratio) grown under elevated atmospheric [CO2]. A microcosm approach was used to investigate the influence of endogeic earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosaSavigny) activity on the decomposition of senescent Charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensisL.) litter produced under ambient and elevated [CO2]. Earthworms and microorganisms were exposed to litter which had changed in quality (C : N ratio) while growing under elevated [CO2]. After 50 d of incubation in microcosms, C mineralization (CO2production) in the treatment with elevated‐[CO2] litter was significantly lower in comparison to the ambient‐[CO2] litter treatment. The input of Charlock mustard litter into the soil generally induced N immobilization and reduced N2O‐emission rates from soil. Earthworm activity enhanced CO2production, but there was no relationship to litter quality. Although earthworm biomass was not affected by the lower quality of the elevated‐[CO2] litter, soil microbial biomass (Cmic, Nmic) was significantly decreased. Earthworms reduced Cmicand fungal biomass, the latter only in treatments without litter. Our study clearly showed thatA. caliginosaused the litter grown under different [CO2] independent of its quality and that their effect on the litter‐decomposition process was also independent of litter quality. Soil microorganisms were shown to negatively react to small changes in Charlock mustard litter quality; therefore we expect that microbially mediated C and N cycling may change under future atmospheric [CO2].
Development of nanoparticle‐based magnetic resonance colonography
Authors: Sun Jihong , Zheng Weiliang , Zhang Hui , Wu Tao , Yuan Hong , Yang Xiaoming , Zhang Shizheng
Published: November 2010

This study was to develop a novel method of nanoparticle‐based MR colonography. Two types of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were synthesized with loading of (a) gadolinium (Gd) diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid to construct Gd‐SLNs as an MR T1 contrast agent and (b) otcadecylamine‐fluorescein‐isothiocyanate to construct Gd‐fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐SLNs for histologic confirmation of MR findings. Through an in vitro experiment, we first evaluated the size distribution and gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid entrapment efficiency of these SLNs. The SLNs displayed a size distribution of 50–300 nm and a gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid entrapment efficiency of 56%. For in vivo validation, 30 mice were divided into five groups, each of which was administered a transrectal enema using: (i) Gd‐SLNs (n = 6); (ii) Gd‐FITC‐SLNs (n = 6); (iii) blank SLNs (n = 6); (iv) gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (n = 6); and (v) water (n = 6). T1‐weighted fluid‐attenuated inversion‐recovery MRI was then performed on mice after transrectal infusion of Gd‐SLNs or Gd‐FITC‐SLNs, which demonstrated bright enhancement of the colonic walls, with decrease in T1 relaxation time. When Gd‐FITC‐SLNs were delivered, green fluorescent spots were visualized in both the extracelluar space and the cytoplasm through colonic walls under confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. This study establishes the “proof‐of‐principle” of a new imaging technique, called “nanoparticle‐based MR colonography,” which may provide a useful imaging tool for the diagnosis of colorectal diseases. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CulturingPhakopsora pachyrhizion Detached Leaves and Urediniospore Survival at Different Temperatures and Relative Humidities
Authors: Twizeyimana M. , Hartman G. L.
Published: November 2010

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most important foliar diseases of soybean worldwide. In a series of experiments, multiple objectives were addressed to determine the (i) longevity of detached soybean leaves, (ii) reproductive capacity of uredinia on leaves inoculated and/or incubated on the abaxial versus adaxial side of the leaf, (iii) reproductive capacity of uredinia and urediniospore germination when spores were harvested at regular intervals or all at once, and (iv) effect of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on urediniospore germination. A detached-leaf assay using agar medium amended with 6-benzylaminopurine performed better in retarding leaf chlorosis than filter paper alone among five soybean genotypes. Among the three susceptible genotypes tested, detached leaves of cv. Williams 82 had the lowest level of leaf chlorosis and often allowed for the greatest urediniospore production and germination rate. Temperature and RH played significant roles in survival of urediniospore as measured by germination rates. Viable urediniospores were harvested from infected soybean leaves maintained at room temperature (23 to 24°C at 55 to 60% RH) for up to 18 days, whereas freshly harvested urediniospores that were desiccated for 12 h before being placed in vials and maintained at room temperature remained viable for up to 30 days. Urediniospore hydration was the major factor for the dormancy reversion; thermal shock with hydration and no thermal shock with hydration treatments had consistently similar urediniospore germination rates. In the RH experiment, urediniospores harvested from inoculated leaf pieces maintained at 85% RH had the highest germination rates compared with higher and lower RH. Improvement in P. pachyrhizi cultural techniques and understanding of urediniospore survival will enhance our knowledge of the pathogen biology, host-plant relationship, and conditions that favor the infection, reproduction, and survival of the pathogen.
Australia's first fossil marsupial mole (Notoryctemorphia) resolves controversies about their evolution and palaeoenvironmental origins
Authors: Archer Michael , Beck Robin , Gott Miranda , Hand Suzanne , Godthelp Henk , Black Karen
Published: November 2010

Fossils of a marsupial mole (Marsupialia, Notoryctemorphia, Notoryctidae) are described from early Miocene deposits in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland, Australia. These represent the first unequivocal fossil record of the order Notoryctemorphia, the two living species of which are among the world's most specialized and bizarre mammals, but which are also convergent on certain fossorial placental mammals (most notably chrysochlorid golden moles). The fossil remains are genuinely ‘transitional', documenting an intermediate stage in the acquisition of a number of specializations and showing that one of these—the dental morphology known as zalambdodonty—was acquired via a different evolutionary pathway than in placentals. They, thus, document a clear case of evolutionary convergence (rather than parallelism) between only distantly related and geographically isolated mammalian lineages—marsupial moles on the island continent of Australia and placental moles on most other, at least intermittently connected continents. In contrast to earlier presumptions about a relationship between the highly specialized body form of the blind, earless, burrowing marsupial moles and desert habitats, it is now clear that archaic burrowing marsupial moles were adapted to and probably originated in wet forest palaeoenvironments, preadapting them to movement through drier soils in the xeric environments of Australia that developed during the Neogene.
Russia's Power and Alliances in the 21st Century
Authors: Tsygankov Andrei P.
Published: November 2010

Russia's power resources have recovered significantly since the start of the twenty-first century and with that recovery the Kremlin has become more assertive in pursuing its great power ambitions. To remain a great power, however, even a regional one, Russia has to recover its economy and learn to exploit its comparative advantages, such as expertise in energy and military affairs and memberships in international organisations.
Surface Diffusion‐Controlled Neck Growth Kinetics in Early Stage Sintering of Zirconia, with and without Applied DC Electrical Field
Authors: Cologna Marco , Raj Rishi
Published: November 2010

We report on the measurements of neck growth in early stage sintering of yttria‐stabilized zirconia powders with and without the application of electrical fields. It is concluded that surface diffusion kinetics are not influenced by the application of DC electrical fields and currents. These measurements are in contrast to the influence of electrical fields on grain growth, where weak applied fields have been shown to significantly retard grain growth. The activation energy for surface diffusivity obtained in this way is in the range that is expected from literature values. Together, these results provide further insights into relationships between electrical fields and interfacial phenomena in the sintering and grain growth of ceramic materials.
Novel Approaches to the Treatment of Intracerebral Haemorrhage
Authors: Staykov Dimitre , Huttner Hagen B. , Köhrmann Martin , Bardutzky Juergen , Schellinger Peter D.
Published: November 2010

Intracerebral haemorrhage is the most devastating subtype of stroke. It affects approximately two million patients worldwide every year and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. After decades of research, we still face the fact that there is no evidence-based treatment strategy for this disease. However, research has contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of intracerebral haemorrhage and also to the identification of new treatment targets. Several novel aspects of treatment of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage are reviewed in the present article.
Reflections by Contrarians on the Post-CREST Evaluation of Carotid Stenting for Stroke Prevention
Authors: Barnett Henry J. M. , Pelz David M. , Lownie Stephen P.
Published: November 2010

Carotid angioplasty and stenting has become a popular alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of carotid stenosis in stroke. Evidence from early randomized controlled trials comparing these interventions revealed mixed results. The largest such trial, the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial recently showed equivalence of the procedures in a mixed cohort of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. These results have been heralded in North America as definitively demonstrating the safety and efficacy of carotid angioplasty and stenting, making it an attractive alternative to carotid endarterectomy. It is therefore probable that many more asymptomatic patients will be subjected to Carotid angioplasty and stenting, perceived by many to be less invasive than carotid endarterectomy. The authors argue that the design of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial was flawed by the mixture of two dissimilar patient groups, thus violating the principle of ceteris paribus, essential for the validity of a randomized controlled trials. The evidence for any invasive treatment of asymptomatic carotid disease is weak, with recent data favouring purely medical management. The authors believe that carotid angioplasty and stenting in asymptomatic patients should cease until better evidence is available.
Out of the Mist
Authors: Vince Gaia
Published: November 2010

Water-starved communities are betting that a fog-harvesting forest will one day quench their thirst.
Genetic and Phylogenetic Analyses of Influenza A H1N1pdm Virus in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Barrero P. R. , Viegas M. , Valinotto L. E. , Mistchenko A. S.
Published: November 2010

An influenza pandemic caused by swine-origin influenza virus A/H1N1 (H1N1pdm) spread worldwide in 2009, with 12,080 confirmed cases and 626 deaths occurring in Argentina. A total of 330 H1N1pdm viruses were detected from May to August 2009, and phylogenetic and genetic analyses of 21 complete genome sequences from both mild and fatal cases were achieved with reference to concatenated whole genomes. In addition, the analysis of another 16 hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix (M) gene sequences of Argentinean isolates was performed. The microevolution timeline was assessed and resistance monitoring of an NA fragment from 228 samples throughout the 2009 pandemic peak was performed by sequencing and pyrosequencing. We also assessed the viral growth kinetics for samples with replacements at the genomic level or special clinical features. In this study, we found by Bayesian inference that the Argentinean complete genome sequences clustered with globally distributed clade 7 sequences. The HA sequences were related to samples from the northern hemisphere autumn-winter from September to December 2009. The NA of Argentinean sequences belonged to the New York group. The N-4 fragment as well as the hierarchical clustering of samples showed that a consensus sequence prevailed in time but also that different variants, including five H275Y oseltamivir-resistant strains, arose from May to August 2009. Fatal and oseltamivir-resistant isolates had impaired growth and a small plaque phenotype compared to oseltamivir-sensitive and consensus strains. Although these strains might not be fit enough to spread in the entire population, molecular surveillance proved to be essential to monitor resistance and viral dynamics in our country.
Genetic Analysis of B55α/Cdc55 Protein Phosphatase 2A Subunits: Association with the Adenovirus E4orf4 Protein
Authors: Zhang Zhiying , Mui Melissa Z. , Chan Francine , Roopchand Diana E. , Marcellus Richard C. , Blanchette Paola , Li Suiyang , Berghuis Albert M. , Branton Philip E.
Published: November 2010

The human adenovirus E4orf4 protein is toxic in both human tumor cells and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Previous studies indicated that most of this toxicity is dependent on an interaction of E4orf4 protein with the B55 class of regulatory subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and in yeast with the B55 homolog Cdc55. We have found previously that E4orf4 inhibits PP2A activity against at least some substrates. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of this inhibition, we used a genetic approach to identify residues in the seven-bladed β-propeller proteins B55α and Cdc55 required for E4orf4 binding. In both cases, amino-terminal polypeptides composed only of blade 1 and at least part of blade 2 were found to bind E4orf4 and overexpression blocked E4orf4 toxicity in yeast. Furthermore, certain amino acid substitutions in blades 1 and 2 within full-length B55α and Cdc55 resulted in loss of E4orf4 binding. Recent mutational analysis has suggested that segments of blades 1 and 2 present on the top face of B55α form part of the “substrate-binding groove.” Additionally, these segments are in close proximity to the catalytic C subunit of the PP2A holoenzyme. Thus, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that E4orf4 binding could affect the access of substrates, resulting in the failure to dephosphorylate some PP2A substrates.
Alvar seed bank germination responses to variable soil moisture
Authors: Lundholm Jeremy T. , Stark Kaeli E.
Published: November 2010

Environmental heterogeneity can create differential opportunities for seedling recruitment among plant species. We collected soil seed banks from alvar habitats in southern Ontario and exposed them to three soil moisture treatments. Density and species richness of germinants were greatest in treatments kept moist compared with treatments where soil was either saturated with standing water at the soil surface or where drought was imposed. Contrary to previous studies, the drought treatment did not stimulate the germination of species that remained ungerminated in other treatments, but did increase the germination of five species that also germinated in wetter soils. Although 12 of the 40 species germinated in only one of the three treatments, overall community composition among watering treatments was relatively consistent; few species showed evidence of differential responses to soil moisture conditions. Variability in soil moisture in this system can alter population and community properties by rarefaction effects, as opposed to niche differences among species.
Analysis of phenotypic selection among locations in Impatiens pallida and Impatiens capensis
Authors: Brassard Jonathan T. , Schoen Daniel J.
Published: November 2010

Selection analysis of a set of quantitative traits was carried out in environmentally similar quadrats within natural populations of Impatiens capensis and Impatiens pallida to examine whether spatially heterogeneous directional selection is detectable when the range of environmental variation is restricted. While 25 of 96 different estimates of directional selection were significantly different from zero, there was only one instance in which directional selection of a quantitative trait was spatially heterogeneous among quadrats within species. The discovery of a low level of spatially heterogeneous selection supports previous results showing that spatially heterogeneous selection in these species is likely due to heterogeneity in abiotic features of the habitat, such as water and light availability, or to environmental factors correlated with these features. Measurements of the same set of characters examined in the selection analysis for 33 self-sib families of I. pallida indicate significant among-family variation in all instances. The evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed. Key words: natural selection, environmental heterogeneity, genetic variation, Impatiens pallida, Impatiens capensis.
A late Quaternary vegetation history from Lily Lake, Chilkat Peninsula, southeast Alaska
Authors: Cwynar Les C.
Published: November 2010

Pollen and plant macrofossil analyses of a radiocarbon-dated core from Lily Lake on the Chilkat Peninsula, southeast Alaska, provide evidence for the history of the Pacific Coastal Forest. A Pinus contorta woodland with an abundance of herbs and ferns initially became established after deglaciation (10 870 years BP). By 10 330 years BP, Alnus viridis had become a significant component of the pine woodland while herbs and other shrubs declined. At 9480 years BP, Picea sitchensis and Populus were locally present and P. contorta populations declined. Tsuga heterophylla, which dominates the modern vegetation, became locally established at 7880 years BP. The last major component, Tsuga mertensiana, joined the vegetation about 6710 years BP. The modern closed forest, dominated by T. heterophylla and P. sitchensis, became established about 2870 years BP. The arrival times for the dominant species are compatible with dates from other studies that suggest a northward migration along the coast. Key words: fossil pollen, Alaska, Quaternary, plant migration, coastal forest.
Normality of Composite Analytic Functions and Sharing an Analytic Function
Authors: Wu Qifeng , Xiao Bing , Yuan Wenjun
Published: November 2010

A result of Hinchliffe (2003) is extended to transcendental entire function, and an alternative proof is given in this paper. Our main result is as follows: let "Equation missing" be an analytic function, "Equation missing" a family of analytic functions in a domain "Equation missing", and "Equation missing" a transcendental entire function. If "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" share "Equation missing" IM for each pair "Equation missing", and one of the following conditions holds: (1) "Equation missing" has at least two distinct zeros for any "Equation missing"; (2) "Equation missing" is nonconstant, and there exists "Equation missing" such that "Equation missing" has only one distinct zero "Equation missing", and suppose that the multiplicities "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" of zeros of "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" at "Equation missing", respectively, satisfy "Equation missing", for each "Equation missing", where "Equation missing"; (3) there exists a "Equation missing" such that "Equation missing" has no zero, and "Equation missing" is nonconstant, then "Equation missing" is normal in "Equation missing".