bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of oxidative stress response by hydroxyl substituted chalcones and cyclic chalcone analogues in mitochondria
Authors: Guzy J. , Vašková-Kubálková J. , Rozmer Z. , Fodor K. , Mareková M. , Poškrobová M. , Perjési P.
Published: December 2009

We investigated the effect of hydroxyl substituted chalcone (1a) and some chalcone analogues (1b–d) on isolated rat liver mitochondria to gain new insights into the cytotoxic mechanism of these compounds. We observed an inhibitory effect on phosphorylation and the partial uncoupling of compounds 1a and 1d. Increased radical generation and possible covalent interaction of the compounds with cellular thiols resulted in glutathione (GSH) depletion and modulation of the investigated mitochondrial activities. Disruption of interconnected mechanisms as electron transport chain and energetic metabolism, ROS production and insufficiency of antioxidant defensive system could lead to induction of cell death.
Tolerance of arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides and their prebiotic activity in healthy subjects: a randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over study
Authors: Cloetens Lieselotte , Broekaert Willem F. , Delaedt Yasmine , Ollevier Frans , Courtin Christophe M. , Delcour Jan A. , Rutgeerts Paul , Verbeke Kristin
Published: December 2009

The tolerance and prebiotic effect following oral intake by healthy human subjects of arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS), produced by partial enzymic hydrolysis of the wheat fibre arabinoxlyan, were studied. A total of twenty healthy subjects participated in the present randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over study. They consumed 10 g AXOS or placebo per d each for 3 weeks with a 4-week wash-out period in between. Before and immediately after each intake period, blood samples were taken to measure haematological and clinical chemistry parameters and the subjects completed a questionnaire about gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, urine was collected over 48 h for analysis ofp-cresol and phenol content by GC–MS, and faeces were collected over 72 h for analysis of microbiota using real-time PCR. Of the subjects, ten also performed a urine and faeces collection 2 weeks after the start of intake (during intervention). A limited number of tested blood parameters were influenced in a statistically significantly way by either AXOS or placebo intake, but these changes remained within the normal range. Blood lipids remained unchanged. AXOS had no statistically significant effect on the range of gastrointestinal symptoms, except for a mild increase in flatulence. Urinaryp-cresol excretion, an indicator of protein fermentation, was significantly decreased after 2 weeks of AXOS intake. The levels of bifidobacteria were significantly increased after 2 and 3 weeks of AXOS intake as well as after 3 weeks of placebo. However, the effect of AXOS on bifidobacteria was more pronounced than that of placebo. In conclusion, AXOS are a well-tolerated prebiotic at the dose of 10 g/d. AXOS intake increases faecal bifidobacteria and reduces urinaryp-cresol excretion.
Effect of dietary sodium phytate and microbial phytase on the lipase activity and lipid metabolism of broiler chickens
Authors: Liu Ning , Ru Yingjun , Wang Jianping , Xu Tingsheng
Published: December 2009

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary phytate and microbial phytase on the lipase activity, lipid metabolism and mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and leptin in broiler chickens. The study was conducted as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with phytate phosphorus at 0·20 and 0·40 % (added as the sodium phytate) and supplemental microbial phytase at 0, 500, or 1000 phytase units/kg. The results showed that phytase improved (P < 0·05) the growth performance and ileal digestibility of nutrients of broilers, but phytate had no effect (P>0·05) on these parameters, except the decrease (P < 0·01) in the digestibility of Ca. Phytate decreased (P < 0·05) the lipase activity, serum total cholesterol (T-CHO) and hepatic TAG, and elevated (P < 0·01) serum NEFA and HDL cholesterol. Phytase decreased (P < 0·05) serum NEFA, but increased (P < 0·01) serum T-CHO and hepatic TAG. Phytate and phytase also influenced (P < 0·01) the mRNA expressions of leptin in the liver. There were significant (P < 0·05) interactions of phytate and phytase on the concentrations of serum TAG and LDL cholesterol, hepatic NEFA and T-CHO, and the mRNA expressions of FASN. The results suggest that phytate and phytase can affect lipase activity and lipid metabolism of broiler chickens.
Flow regimes for the immiscible liquid–liquid displacement in capillary tubes with complete wetting of the displaced liquid
Authors: SOARES EDSON J. , THOMPSON RONEY L.
Published: December 2009

The motion of two immiscible liquids in a capillary tube is analysed, theoretically and numerically, for the case in which a residual film confines the displacing liquid to the core of this tube. The theoretical analysis has shown that the three flow regimes predicted by Taylor (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 10, 1961, pp. 161–165), for the case of gas-displacement, can only be achieved when the ratio of the viscosity of the displaced fluid to that of the displacing one is greater than 2. An elliptic mesh generation technique, coupled with the Galerkin finite-element method, is used to compute the velocity field and the configuration of the interface between the two fluids. A map of cases in the Cartesian space defined by the capillary number (Ca) and the viscosity ratio (Nμ) is constructed in order to locate the different flow patterns the problem exhibits. The critical capillary number at which the flow enters the transition range between the bypass regime and the full-recirculating one is given. While a decrease of the fraction of mass attached to the wall is achieved by decreasing Ca or increasing Nμ, bypass flow patterns are formed as a consequence of high values of the capillary number and viscosity ratio.
Expanding theQ–Rspace to three dimensions
Authors: LÜTHI BEAT , HOLZNER MARKUS , TSINOBER ARKADY
Published: December 2009

The two-dimensional space spanned by the velocity gradient invariantsQandRis expanded to three dimensions by the decomposition ofRinto its strain production −1/3sijsjkskiand enstrophy production 1/4ωiωjsijterms. The {Q;R} space is a planar projection of the new three-dimensional representation. In the {Q; −sss; ωωs} space the Lagrangian evolution of the velocity gradient tensorAijis studied via conditional mean trajectories (CMTs) as introduced by Martínet al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 10, 1998, p. 2012). From an analysis of a numerical data set for isotropic turbulence ofReλ~ 434, taken from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) turbulence database, we observe a pronounced cyclic evolution that is almost perpendicular to theQ–Rplane. The relatively weak cyclic evolution in theQ–Rspace is thus only a projection of a much stronger cycle in the {Q; −sss; ωωs} space. Further, we find that the restricted Euler (RE) dynamics are primarily counteracted by the deviatoric non-local part of the pressure Hessian and not by the viscous term. The contribution of the Laplacian ofAij, on the other hand, seems the main responsible for intermittently alternating between low and high intensityAijstates.
Reflections of men and women in advanced old age on being born the other sex
Authors: ALÉX LENA , LUNDMAN BERIT , HAMMARSTRÖM ANNE
Published: December 2009

The study reported in this paper is part of the Umeå 85+ project in Sweden. The aim was to investigate gender perspectives among ‘the oldest old’, by asking men and women in advanced old age living in a sparsely populated area of northern Sweden to reflect on how life might have been if they had been born the other sex. Thematic narratives from nine men and seven women were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The content of these narratives was resolved into eight categories in two domains, respectively men's and women's reflections about being born the opposite sex. The narratives of both the men and women indicated that they were satisfied with their actual birth sex. The men were aware that if they had been born female, they would probably have experienced more hard work and had a more restricted life, and they were conscious of both women's relative powerlessness and their greater ability to manage and organise work within the home. The women's narratives described a femininity characterised by longing for a state of being unconcerned when young, and their narratives also displayed awareness of women's physical strength and that men's lives had also been hard.
Colloquium – Alternative approaches to second language acquisition
Authors: Atkinson Dwight
Published: December 2009

Presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA; 23 March 2009.
A research update from CILT, the National Centre for Languages, London
Authors: Han Youping , Lund Anne Davidson
Published: December 2009

In the past decade or so there has been a well-documented decline in language take-up among secondary school pupils of Years 10 and 11 in England (14–16-year-olds, also referred to as Key Stage 4 in the national curriculum for England and Wales) and there have been fewer UK-domiciled undergraduates or postgraduates studying for a languages degree (a decrease of 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively in the academic year 2005–06 by comparison with 2002–03 (CILT 2009). However, having tracked trends in language learning for over a decade and in the light of our various research initiatives, at CILT, the National Centre for Languages, we believe that there are reasons for restrained optimism about the future of the UK's national capability in languages.
A reconfigurable modular robotic endoluminal surgical system: vision and preliminary results
Authors: Harada Kanako , Oetomo Denny , Susilo Ekawahyu , Menciassi Arianna , Daney David , Merlet Jean-Pierre , Dario Paolo
Published: December 2009

Miniaturized surgical devices are promising for the future development of minimally invasive and endoluminal surgery. However, the dexterity and therapeutic functions of these devices are limited. In this paper, a reconfigurable modular robotic system is proposed to perform screening and interventions in the gastrointestinal tract. In the proposed system, millimeter-sized robotic modules are ingested and tasked to assemble into an articulated mechanism in the stomach cavity. The modules are assembled according to the target location to perform precise intervention. Based on this concept, a preliminary report is presented covering the robotic schemes for the endoluminal reconfigurable platform, the design with structural functions, the control strategy, and the interval-based constraint satisfaction algorithm to determine the suitable topologies of the reconfigurable robot for the given task.
Physician Refusal of Requests for Futile or Ineffective Interventions
Authors: Paris John J. , Reardon Frank E.
Published: December 2009

Several recent articles raise an issue long unaddressed in the medical literature: physician compliance with patient or family requests for futile or ineffectice therapy. Although they agree philosophically that such treatment ought not be given, most physicians have followed the course described by Stanley Fiel, in which a young patient dying of cystic fibrosis was accepted “for evaluation” by a transplant center even though he has already passed the threshold of viability as a candidate for a heart-lung transplant. Dr. Fiel reported this action was taken not in the hope of doing the transplant but so that the family could assure themselves they had done “everything possible.” The patient, after a long and stressful cross-country flight, arrived at the hospital in respiratory failure. He died soon thereafter far from home and familiar surroundings.
Willful Death and Painful Decisions: A Failed Assisted Suicide
Authors: Iserson Kenneth V. , Gregory Dorothy Rasinski , Christensen Kate , Ofstein Marc R.
Published: December 2009

The patient was a woman in her 30s who, until the rapid progression of an ultimately fatal neurologic disease, had been a very successful professional, enjoying athletics and an active social life. In the 6 months of swift deterioration, she had gone from being extremely vibrant and energetic to being totally unable to care for her personal needs. There had been no loss of intellectual capacity. Her sister later recounted to Dr. J., the emergency department physician, that she had found the patient unconscious and unresponsive at home and had immediately called the patient's neurologist in a neighboring city. He directed her to call the paramedics.
Healthcare Professionals, Roles and Virtue
Authors: Heubel Friedrich
Published: December 2009

Mrs. J. is a 76-year-old woman who had been in good health. When she was brought to the hospital 10 days after being involved in an automobile accident, she was found to have severe brain injury and, despite vigorous treatment, has neverregained consciousness. The consulting neurologist feels that she has no chance to recover completely and the “best case scenario” is that she may regain some consciousness without ever being able to take care of herself or probably without ever being able to interact with her environment in a meaningful fashion. She and her husband have been very close and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary when the accident occurred. After long deliberation, her husband states that his wife had often said that “she would never want to live like this” and that she had always had a fear of being a burden to anyone. He wants active treatment stopped and asks that she only be kept comfortable and allowed to die. Their daughter agrees with this decision, although their son who lives in a distant state, feels that all treatment should continue and that she “certainly wouldn’t be a burden.” Among other considerations brought up by the husband is the fact that there are no financial arrangements to take care of long-term care in a nursing home.
Hospital Ethics
Authors: Thompson Dennis F
Published: December 2009

Hospital ethics, familiar enough in practice but surprisingly neglected in the literature, deals with the ethical problems that arise distinctively or typically in hospitals. More precisely, it consists of the ethical principles that shouldgovern 1) the conduct of healthcare professionals and other staff in their capacities as members of the hospital as an institution, and 2) the conduct of the hospital itself as an institution. It is a species of institutional ethics, which focuses on the ethical problems created or significantly shaped by the institutional setting in which they occur.
Ethics Consults at a University Medical Center
Authors: Thomasma David C.
Published: December 2009

Ethics consults at a university medical center share many qualitites with those in other settings. What makes them different, if at all, is a difference of degree, not kind. All consult services share the tasks of exploring cases for possible recommendation, contributing to the development of institutional and public policy, and educating colleagues and patients about medical ethics dimensions. Nonetheless, the university setting, devoted as it is to teaching, research, and public service, brings a slightly different focus to these tasks and adds other, peripheral ones.
From Quinlan to Today
Authors: Teel Karen W.
Published: December 2009

I come to bioethics without any particular training or credentials, except for those qualifications that any reasonably observant and thoughtful general clinician might bring. I probably also share with most clinicians the willingness, sometimes even without a specific invitation, to share with others what is on my mind.
Towards a Bioethics in Post-Communist Russia
Authors: Tichtchenko Pavel D. , Yudin Boris G.
Published: December 2009

In the last 7 years, Russia has seen deep changes in all spheres of political and economic life. Some new realities have appeared in Russian medicine as well. This paper tells the story of how these changes came about, what kind of unusal situation were created, and how these situation are recognized in professional and public debates.
A Hospital Ethics Committee at War: The Hospital Ship Mercy Experience during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm
Authors: Kiser William Robert
Published: December 2009

During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) was one of two American hospital ships deployed to the Persian Gulf. She arrived in the Gulf on 15 September 1990, following a 12,000-mile transit from her homeport of Oakland, California, and remained on station until 18 March 1991, when she passed through the Straits of Hormuz on her return voyage home. During the height of her deployment, Mercy was staffed with nearly 1,200 men and women, including physicians, nurses, dentists, representatives of affiliated health-care disciplines (including physical therapy, pharmacy, clinical psychology, social work, dietetics, and environmental health), hospital corpsmen, dental technicians, healthcare administrators, chaplains, and various nonmedical support personnel. The staff included a mix of active duty military providers and recalled reservists.
Making Patients Pay for Their Life-Style Choices
Authors: Schwartz Robert L.
Published: December 2009

Smokers impose a terrible cost on all of the rest of us. Those who choose to smoke are more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from cancer, heart disease, and a host of other diseases that require intensive and expensive medical intervention. Although they may suffer these diseases, we all pay for their habit through higher healthcare costs, which are reflected in higher insurance premiums, higher taxes, and fewer healthcare resources available for nonsmokers. It is simply unfair for smokers to impose this cost on the rest of us; they should bear this self-induced cost themselves.
The Complexity of Evidence: Reflections on Research Utilisation in a Heavily Politicised Policy Area
Authors: Monaghan Mark
Published: December 2009

Exploring evidence utilisation in a heavily politicised policy area, this paper suggests that established models of research utilisation provide inadequate grounds to conceptualise the evidence and policy relationship in this context. This is because they operate at too high a level of abstraction and have a narrow understanding of the association. Using recent developments in UK drug classification policy as a case study, a newer ‘processual model’ is (tentatively) advocated. This highlights the complexity and nuance of the policy process and its accompanying use of evidence which, it is claimed, more accurately depicts the evidence and policy relationship in this particular scenario.
Does the British State's Categorisation of ‘Mixed Race’ Meet Public Policy Needs?
Authors: Aspinall Peter J.
Published: December 2009

The England and Wales 2001 Census was the first to include ‘Mixed’ categories which have now been adopted across government. The four ‘cultural background’ options were highly prescriptive, specifying combinations of groups. This paper assesses how satisfactorily these analytical categories captured self-ascribed cultural affiliation based on the criteria of validity, reliability and utility of the data for public services. Finally, the paper asks whether we now need a census question on ethnic origin/ancestry in addition to – or instead of – ethnic group or whether multi-ticking or a focus on family origins might give more useful public policy data and better measure the population's ethnic diversity.
Disciplining Difference – Introduction
Authors: Nixon Judy , Prior David
Published: December 2009

Addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been a major policy priority of New Labour since it came to power in 1997. This is reflected in a series of legislative powers enabling a range of agencies to take legal action to tackle ASB (e.g. Crime and Disorder Act 1998; Police Reform Act 2002; Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003; Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005) and in a number of national policy initiatives (e.g. the Home Office ‘Together’ Campaign, 2003; the Respect Action Plan, 2006; the Youth Task Force Action Plan, 2007). These developments are the subject of a growing body of academic analysis and critique, much of which has focused on the use of the ASB powers in the regulation of particular neighbourhoods and communities, especially social housing areas of predominantly White working-class residents (Burney, 2005; Flint, 2006), and of young people, again mostly White and working class (Squires and Stephen, 2005). Specific service or practice developments arising out of ASB policy have also been analysed, for example, Family Intervention Projects (Nixon et al., 2006, 2008), Anti-Social Behaviour Teams (Prior et al., 2006), and the use of ASBOs (Squires, 2006; Matthews et al., 2007) and Dispersal Orders (Crawford and Lister, 2007).
Disciplining the Multicultural Community: Ethnic Diversity and the Governance of Anti-Social Behaviour
Authors: Prior David
Published: December 2009

This article examines the relationship between the characterisation of and response to anti-social behaviour issues in areas of high ethnic diversity and emerging ‘post-multicultural’ policies of integration, cohesion and citizenship. It draws on a small study of the views and perceptions of members of local community safety and anti-social behaviour teams in three areas of England with very ethnically diverse populations. The analysis distinguishes between responses to ASB issues within ‘settled’ minority communities, among young people from those communities and within the ‘new’ immigrant communities. While these responses vary, the article argues that each can be seen as supporting national policy goals of community cohesion and responsible citizenship based on the assertion of ‘shared values’.
A FORMAL SYSTEM FOR EUCLID’SELEMENTS
Authors: AVIGAD JEREMY , DEAN EDWARD , MUMMA JOHN
Published: December 2009

We present a formal system,E, which provides a faithful model of the proofs in Euclid’sElements, including the use of diagrammatic reasoning.
The stable isotope amount effect: New insights from NEXRAD echo tops, Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico
Authors: Scholl Martha A. , Shanley James B. , Zegarra Jan Paul , Coplen Tyler B.
Published: December 2009

The stable isotope amount effect has often been invoked to explain patterns of isotopic composition of rainfall in the tropics. This paper describes a new approach, correlating the isotopic composition of precipitation with cloud height and atmospheric temperature using NEXRAD radar echo tops, which are a measure of the maximum altitude of rainfall within the clouds. The seasonal differences in echo top altitudes and their corresponding temperatures are correlated with the isotopic composition of rainfall. These results offer another factor to consider in interpretation of the seasonal variation in isotopic composition of tropical rainfall, which has previously been linked to amount or rainout effects and not to temperature effects. Rain and cloud water isotope collectors in the Luquillo Mountains in northeastern Puerto Rico were sampled monthly for three years and precipitation was analyzed for δ18O and δ2H. Precipitation enriched in 18O and 2H occurred during the winter dry season (approximately December–May) and was associated with a weather pattern of trade wind showers and frontal systems. During the summer rainy season (approximately June–November), precipitation was depleted in 18O and 2H and originated in low pressure systems and convection associated with waves embedded in the prevailing easterly airflow. Rain substantially depleted in 18O and 2H compared to the aforementioned weather patterns occurred during large low pressure systems. Weather analysis showed that 29% of rain input to the Luquillo Mountains was trade wind orographic rainfall, and 30% of rainfall could be attributed to easterly waves and low pressure systems. Isotopic signatures associated with these major climate patterns can be used to determine their influence on streamflow and groundwater recharge and to monitor possible effects of climate change on regional water resources.
Grain‐boundary effects in Brillouin scattering at ambient and high pressure
Authors: Gleason A. E. , Chen B. , Jeanloz R.
Published: December 2009

Although refraction of light at grain boundaries can significantly alter Brillouin spectra–hence inferred acoustic velocities–of powder samples, we demonstrate that the effects of (multiple) elastic scattering can be eliminated through 1) use of refractive index‐matching oils or 2) application of high pressures (≥1 GPa). In this manner, we determine the acoustic‐wave velocities of soda‐lime glass powder to pressures of 13 GPa, finding good agreement with previous measurements on bulk samples. Our results provide a baseline for reliable acoustic‐wave velocity measurements at high pressures via Brillouin spectroscopy on polycrystalline samples.
Ripple morphology under oscillatory flow: 1. Prediction
Authors: Pedocchi F. , García M. H.
Published: December 2009

Recent laboratory and field experiments have shown the inability of existing oscillatory flow ripple predictors to accurately predict both ripple size and ripple planform geometry. However, at this time, only partial adaptations of these predictors have been proposed to account for the observed discrepancies with new experimental data. The present work starts by presenting a comprehensive data set compiled from 27 literature studies and our own experimental data, which are presented in a companion paper. Dimensional analysis is used both to clarify the importance of the different variables involved in the development of ripples and to generate the basic dimensionless framework for the study of ripple morphology under oscillatory flow. Several ripple size and planform geometry predictors are contrasted against the compiled data set. Afterward, a new ripple wavelength and height predictor and a new planform geometry predictor are proposed, which overcome several of the limitations found in the earlier formulations. The new predictors emphasize the existence of local and global sediment transport mechanisms over a ripple bed, each of them acting at different scales. In particular, sediment size is found to have an important effect on the size and geometry of bed forms that can be generated by oscillatory flows.
Ripple morphology under oscillatory flow: 2. Experiments
Authors: Pedocchi F. , García M. H.
Published: December 2009

Recent large‐scale laboratory experiments on the formation of ripples under oscillatory flow are presented. The experiments were performed in the Large Oscillatory Water‐Sediment Tunnel (LOWST) at University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, using 250 μm silica sand as sediment. The dimensions of the ripples formed under a wide range of flow conditions are compared with some of the existing predictors and with a new predictor presented in a companion paper. For a given near‐bed water excursion the size of the ripples is observed to initially decrease with the increase of the maximum orbital velocity, as has been suggested before. However, an abrupt change of the ripple size and the transition to large round‐crested ripples is observed when the maximum orbital velocity becomes larger than 0.5 m/s. Above this value the size of these round‐crested ripples continuously increased with the increase of the maximum orbital velocity. Additionally, anorbital ripples were never formed despite the long water excursions used in several of our experiments, confirming that anorbital ripples are only formed in fine sands. Finally, the performance of the existing planform geometry predictors and a newly proposed predictor is evaluated using our new experimental data. The results confirm that the bed planform geometry is controlled by the wave Reynolds number and the particle size. The comparison or the new data with previous results from narrow facilities shows that the facility width can restrict the development of bed form three‐dimensionality.
Molecular detection of anammox bacteria in terrestrial ecosystems: distribution and diversity
Authors: Humbert Sylvia , Tarnawski Sonia , Fromin Nathalie , Mallet Marc-Philippe , Aragno Michel , Zopfi Jakob
Published: December 2009

Anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (anammox) is recognized as an important process in the marine nitrogen cycle yet nothing is known about the distribution, diversity and activity of anammox bacteria in the terrestrial realm. In this study, we report on the detection of anammox sequences of Candidatus ‘Brocadia’, ‘Kuenenia’, ‘Scalindua’ and ‘Jettenia’ in marshes, lakeshores, a contaminated porous aquifer, permafrost soil, agricultural soil and in samples associated with nitrophilic or nitrogen-fixing plants. This suggests a higher diversity of anammox bacteria in terrestrial than in marine ecosystems and could be a consequence of the larger variety of suitable niches in soils. Anammox bacteria were not ubiquitously present but were only detected in certain soil types and at particular depths, thus reflecting specific ecological requirements. As opposed to marine water column habitats where Candidatus ‘Scalindua’ dominates anammox guilds, ‘Kuenenia’ and ‘Brocadia’ appear to be the most common representatives in terrestrial environments.
Serum 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration, Life Factors and Obesity in Mexican Children
Authors: Elizondo‐Montemayor Leticia , Ugalde‐Casas Patricia A. , Serrano‐González Mónica , Cuello‐García Carlos A. , Borbolla‐Escoboza José R.
Published: December 2009

Although current evidence emphasizes a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and an inverse association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OHD) concentration and obesity, no studies have been conducted in Mexican children. The objective was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with obesity and lifestyle factors in a sample of school‐aged Mexican children. A cross‐sectional study of 99 obese and 99 nonobese 6–12 year‐old children, skin phototypes III–V, from six public schools was conducted during summer at latitude 25°40′, in northeastern Mexico. Anthropometric measurements were determined. Serum 25‐OHD was measured by immunoluminometric direct assay. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin D, sunscreen use and vitamin consumption were assessed through applied questionnaires. 62.1% of the subjects had insufficiency of 25‐OHD (21–29 ng/ml) and 20.2% had deficiency (<20 ng/ml). Obese subjects (BMI ≥95th percentile for age and gender) had significantly lower concentration of 25‐OHD than nonobese. Predictors of 25‐OHD concentration were, in order of significance: percentage of body fat, BMI, triceps skin fold, and waist circumference (WC). A significantly higher rate of 25‐OHD deficiency was observed in children with inadequate milk/yoghurt consumption, but no difference was found for other foods, physical activity (PA) or screen‐time. In a multivariate model, being obese was significantly associated with the risk of 25‐OHD deficiency, after adjustment for PA, screen‐time, skin phototype, ingestion of milk/yoghurt, fish, cheese, and carbonated beverages. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and an inverse association between serum 25‐OHD concentration and obesity was found.
Lack of Evidence for the Role of Human Adenovirus‐36 in Obesity in a European Cohort
Authors: Goossens Valère J. , de Jager Steve A. , Grauls Gert E. , Gielen Marij , Vlietinck Robert F. , Derom Catherine A. , Loos Ruth J.F. , Rensen Sander S. , Buurman Wim A. , Greve Jan W. , van Baak Marleen A. , Wolffs Petra F. , Bruggeman Cathrien A. , Hoebe Christian J.P.A.
Published: December 2009

Adenovirus infection has been shown to increase adiposity in chickens, mice, and nonhuman primates. Adenovirus type 36 (Ad‐36) DNA was detected in adipose tissues in these animal trials. In the United States, Ad‐36 significantly correlates with obesity as illustrated by an Ad‐36 seroprevalence of 30% in obese individuals and 11% in nonobese individuals. We investigated the possibility of a similar correlation of Ad‐36 in Dutch and Belgian persons. In total, 509 serum samples were analyzed for Ad‐36 antibodies using a serum neutralization assay. In addition, PCR was used to detect adenoviral DNA in visceral adipose tissue of 31 severely obese surgical patients. Our results indicated an overall Ad‐36 seroprevalence of 5.5% increasing with age. BMI of Ad‐36 seropositive humans was not significantly different from seronegative humans. No adenoviral DNA could be found using PCR on visceral adipose tissue. In conclusion, this first Ad‐36 study in the Netherlands and in Belgium indicates that Ad‐36 does not play a role as a direct cause of BMI increase and obesity in humans in Western Europe.
Binary and ternary crystal structure analyses of a novel inhibitor with 17β-HSD type 1: a lead compound for breast cancer therapy
Authors: Mazumdar Mausumi , Fournier Diane , Zhu Dao-Wei , Cadot Christine , Poirier Donald , Lin Sheng-Xiang
Published: December 2009

Oestradiol is a well-characterized sex hormone that stimulates breast cancer and other oestrogen-related diseases. 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) catalyses the last step in the synthesis of oestradiol and androstenediol in breast tumour tissue. The enzyme's high expression and activity after simultaneous blockade of oestrogen receptors and inhibition of aromatase in the tumour shows the necessity for its inhibition as a requirement for breast cancer therapy. In the present paper, we report structures of the binary and ternary complexes of 17β-HSD1 with a new inhibitor E2B {3-[3′,17′β-dihydroxyestra-1′,3′,5′(10′)-trien-16′β-methyl]benzamide}, and the enzyme inhibition by the later. The IC50 value for E2B was determined to be 42 nM in T47D cells. Multiple interactions between E2B and the enzyme include hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, as well as π–π interactions. A kinetic study demonstrated that E2B inhibits the enzyme's reduction forming oestradiol from oestrone, with a Ki of 0.9±0.15 nM. Such strong inhibition is in agreement with its extensive interaction with the enzyme, suggesting its potential as a lead compound for breast cancer therapy. In fact, this possibility is enhanced by its capacity for cell penetration similar to natural steroids. Such inhibitors that block oestrogen synthesis to suppress the sulfatase pathway producing oestradiol can be used in adjuvant therapies with oestrogen receptor blockade, opening a new orientation of breast cancer treatment.
The Arabidopsis thaliana NAC transcription factor family: structure–function relationships and determinants of ANAC019 stress signalling
Authors: Jensen Michael K. , Kjaersgaard Trine , Nielsen Michael M. , Galberg Pernille , Petersen Klaus , O'Shea Charlotte , Skriver Karen
Published: December 2009

TFs (transcription factors) are modular proteins minimally containing a DBD (DNA-binding domain) and a TRD (transcription regulatory domain). NAC [for NAM (no apical meristem), ATAF, CUC (cup-shaped cotyledon)] proteins comprise one of the largest plant TF families. They are key regulators of stress perception and developmental programmes, and most share an N-terminal NAC domain. On the basis of analyses of gene expression data and the phylogeny of Arabidopsis thaliana NAC TFs we systematically decipher structural and functional specificities of the conserved NAC domains and the divergent C-termini. Nine of the ten NAC domains analysed bind a previously identified conserved DNA target sequence with a CGT[GA] core, although with different affinities. Likewise, all but one of the NAC proteins analysed is dependent on the C-terminal region for transactivational activity. In silico analyses show that the NAC TRDs contain group-specific sequence motifs and are characterized by a high degree of intrinsic disorder. Furthermore, ANAC019 was identified as a new positive regulator of ABA (abscisic acid) signalling, conferring ABA hypersensitivity when ectopically expressed in plants. Interestingly, ectopic expression of the ANAC019 DBD or TRD alone also resulted in ABA hypersensitivity. Expression of stress-responsive marker genes [COR47 (cold-responsive 47), RD29b (responsive-to-desiccation 29b) and ERD11 (early-responsive-to-dehydration 11)] were also induced by full-length and truncated ANAC019. Domain-swapping experiments were used to analyse the specificity of this function. Chimaeric proteins, where the NAC domain of ANAC019 was replaced with the analogous regions from other NAC TFs, also have the ability to positively regulate ABA signalling. In contrast, replacing the ANAC019 TRD with other TRDs abolished ANAC019-mediated ABA hypersensitivity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the biochemical and functional specificity of NAC TFs is associated with both the DBDs and the TRDs.
Effect of mitoxantrone on proliferation dynamics and cell-cycle progression
Authors: Khan Shahper N. , Lal Sunil K. , Kumar Purnima , Khan Asad U.
Published: December 2009

MTX (mitoxantrone), an anti-tumour antibiotic, is known to cause cell death by intercalating the DNA bases. But how it interferes with the cellular proliferation is not well known. Hence, in the present study, we have tried to evaluate the interaction of this drug using proliferation dynamics to gain a better understanding of MTX's antineoplastic action. Inhibition of proliferation by these drugs was detected by evaluating its effect on cell proliferation and growth curve of the cells. MTX was also found to affect the cell viability and, thereby, cell physiology. Typical apoptotic morphologies such as condensation of nuclei and membrane permeabilization were observed through CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy) and fluorescence spectroscopy, which implicates commitment to cell death. Cell-cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometric measurements. The analysis demonstrated significant cell-cycle arrest on MTX treatment. Inhibition of lacZ gene expression was also observed on drug treatment, which implicates its interaction with gene expression.
Countervailing vascular effects of rosiglitazone in high cardiovascular risk mice: role of oxidative stress and PRMT-1
Authors: Savoia Carmine , Ebrahimian Talin , Lemarié Catherine A. , Paradis Pierre , Iglarz Marc , Amiri Farhad , Javeshgani Danesh , Schiffrin Ernesto L.
Published: December 2009

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the PPARγ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ) activator rosiglitazone improves vascular structure and function in aged hyperhomocysteinaemic MTHFR (methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase) gene heterozygous knockout (mthfr+/−) mice fed a HCD (high-cholesterol diet), a model of high cardiovascular risk. One-year-old mthfr+/− mice were fed or not HCD (6 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1) and treated or not with rosiglitazone (20 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1) for 90 days and compared with wild-type mice. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of carotid arteries was significantly impaired (−40%) only in rosiglitazone-treated HCD-fed mthfr+/− mice. Carotid M/L (media-to-lumen ratio) and CSA (cross-sectional area) were increased (2-fold) in mthfr+/− mice fed or not HCD compared with wild-type mice (P<0.05). Rosiglitazone reduced M/L and CSA only in mthfr+/− mice fed a normal diet. Superoxide production was increased in mthfr+/− mice fed HCD treated or not with rosiglitazone, whereas plasma nitrite was decreased by rosiglitazone in mice fed or not HCD. PRMT-1 (protein arginine methyltransferase-1), involved in synthesis of the NO (nitric oxide) synthase inhibitor ADMA (asymmetric ω-NG,NG-dimethylarginine), and ADMA were increased only in rosiglitazone-treated HCD-fed mthfr+/− mice. Rosiglitazone had both beneficial and deleterious vascular effects in this animal model of high cardiovascular risk: it prevented carotid remodelling, but impaired endothelial function in part through enhanced oxidative stress and increased ADMA production in mice at high cardiovascular risk.
Quantum geometry from phase space reduction
Authors: Conrady Florian , Freidel Laurent
Published: December 2009

In this work, we give an explicit isomorphism between the usual spin network basis and the direct quantization of the reduced phase space of tetrahedra. The main outcome is a formula that describes the space of SU(2) invariant states by an integral over coherent states satisfying the closure constraint exactly or, equivalently, as an integral over the space of classical tetrahedra. This provides an explicit realization of theorems by Guillemin–Sternberg and Hall that describe the commutation of quantization and reduction. In the final part of the paper, we use our result to express the Freidel–Krasnov spin foam model as an integral over classical tetrahedra, and the asymptotics of the vertex amplitude is determined.
Translational and internal energy distributions of methyl and hydroxyl radicals produced by 157nm photodissociation of amorphous solid methanol
Authors: Hama Tetsuya , Yokoyama Masaaki , Yabushita Akihiro , Kawasaki Masahiro , Wickramasinghe Piyumie , Guo Wei , Loock Hans-Peter , Ashfold Michael N. R. , Western Colin M.
Published: December 2009

Methanol is typically observed within water-rich interstellar ices and is a source of interstellar organic species. Following the 157nm photoexcitation of solid methanol at 90K, desorbed CH3(v=0) and OH(v=0,1) radicals have been observed in situ, near the solid surface, using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection methods. Time-of-flight and rotationally resolved REMPI spectra of the desorbed species were measured, and the respective fragment internal energy and kinetic energy distributions were obtained. Photoproduction mechanisms for CH3 and OH radicals from solid methanol are discussed. The formation of O(D1andP3) atoms and H2O was investigated, but the yield of these species was found to be negligible. CH3 products arising following the photoexcitation of water-methanol mixed ice showed similar kinetic and internal energy distributions to those from neat methanol ice.
Recovery of polyhedral scatterers by a single electromagnetic far-field measurement
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Zhang Hai , Zou Jun
Published: December 2009

We prove that a polyhedral obstacle in R3 consisting of finitely many polyhedra with mixed perfect electric conductor and perfect magnetic conductor boundary conditions can be uniquely determined by a single electric or magnetic far-field measurement, namely, the far-field pattern corresponding to a single incident wave. A unique novelty of our new technique for proving the uniqueness is to realize that the existence of an “unbounded” perfect plane implies certain symmetries of the underlying scatterer.
Needleless electrospinning: Electrically driven instability and multiple jetting from the free surface of a spherical liquid layer
Authors: Miloh T. , Spivak B. , Yarin A. L.
Published: December 2009

The following work deals with the electrically driven instability of a viscous leaky dielectric layer on a spherical surface subjected to an initially spherically symmetric electric field. It is shown that, at a certain critical voltage value, the layer becomes unstable since surface tension can no longer sustain the static equilibrium situation. As a result, radial protrusions are formed at the leaky dielectric surface, which can be beneficial in needleless electrospinning, where the formation of multiple jets originating from a single surface is desirable.
Nucleation of boron clusters in implanted silicon
Authors: Cojocaru-Mirédin O. , Mangelinck D. , Blavette D.
Published: December 2009

Laser-assisted wide angle tomographic atom probe was employed to investigate clustering of boron in highly doped implanted silicon (B11, 10 keV, 5×1015 atoms/cm2) at room temperature and at different annealing temperatures (600 °C/h, 800 °C/h, and 900 °C/5 h). The implantation profile shows a maximum of 1021 atoms/cm3 at a distance close to 30 nm. The evolution of microstructural features (cluster and matrix composition, cluster size, molar fraction of clusters, and density) was studied as a function of depth. As expected, the number density of clusters shows a maximum (2×1018 and 1.7×1018 cm−3 for 600 and 800 °C, respectively) at the implantation peak where the driving force for nucleation is the highest. As expected, the overall number density of clusters decreases when increasing temperature (lower supersaturation). The boron concentration in clusters as well as that in the parent boron-depleted phase was found to follow the same trend as the implantation profile. The boron level in clusters was found higher close to the implantation peak (8.9 at. % at 600 °C, 12 at. % at 800 °C). The increasing concentration of boron in clusters as a function of temperature suggests the clusters are metastable nuclei of a transient phase, the composition approaches that of equilibrium borides as given by phase diagram (SiB3). This equilibrium boride SiB3 is detected after a heat treatment at 900 °C for 5 h. Experiments were confronted to predictions as given by classical nucleation theory. Reasonable agreement was observed.
Electrical response of highly ordered organic thin film metal-insulator-semiconductor devices
Authors: Ullah Mujeeb , Taylor D. M. , Schwödiauer R. , Sitter H. , Bauer S. , Sariciftci N. S. , Singh Th. B.
Published: December 2009

We report a detailed investigation of the electrical properties of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors formed from highly ordered thin films of C60 as the active semiconductor and divinyltetramethyl disiloxane-bis(benzocyclobutene) (BCB) as the gate dielectric. Current-voltage measurements show the OFETs to be n-channel devices characterized by a high electron mobility (∼6 cm2/V s). An equivalent circuit model is developed which describes well both the frequency and voltage dependences of the small-signal admittance data obtained from the corresponding MIS capacitors. By fitting the circuit response to experimental data, we deduce that increasing gate voltages increases the injection of extrinsic charge carriers (electrons) into the C60. Simultaneously, the insulation resistance of the BCB decreases, presumably by electron injection into the insulator. Furthermore, the admittance spectra suggest that the capacitance-voltage (C-V) behavior originates from a parasitic, lateral conduction effect occurring at the perimeter of the capacitor, rather than from the formation of a conventional depletion region.