bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How important is consent in maternal serum screening for Down syndrome in France? Information and consent evaluation in maternal serum screening for Down syndrome: a French study
Authors: Favre Romain , Duchange Nathalie , Vayssière Christophe , Kohler Monique , Bouffard Nicole , Hunsinger Marie‐Chrsitine , Kohler Anne , Mager Cécile , Neumann Muriel , Vayssière Christine , Viville Brigitte , Hervé Christian , Moutel Grégoire
Published: January 2007

Objectives

To evaluate the level of information and informed consent for maternal serum screening (MSS) for Down syndrome (DS) in the second trimester of pregnancy and analyse the exercise of autonomy towards the test by the women concerned.

Methods

We studied the population of pregnant women attending obstetric consultations in two French hospitals over a 3‐month period. The women were assigned to three groups according to MSS results for DS: women at high risk of having a child with DS (group 1), women at low risk (group 2) and women who did not undergo the test (group 3). A questionnaire was completed before the medical consultation, to assess the quality of consent before amniocentesis for the group at high risk and before the second‐trimester ultrasound scan for the other two groups.

Results

We analysed 305 questionnaires for 89, 137 and 79 women belonging to groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In total, 123 women (40.3% [IC 95%, 35–46%]) were considered to be well informed; 33 (10%, [IC 95%, 8–12%]) had a high level of knowledge, but made choices not consistent with their stated attitude, and 149 (49.7% [IC 95%, 45–56%]) were considered uninformed. Logistic regression analysis showed that maternal consent depended on three independent components:

The score attributed to the doctor for information about MSS (t = 4.216, p < 0.001).

Whether the patient belonged to group 1 (t = −2.631, p < 0.009).

Educational level (< high‐school diploma, high‐school diploma or at least two years of higher education after high school) (t = 2.324, p < 0.02).

The rate of consent increased with educational level and was highest for the women in group 1 and for those whose doctor had a high information score.

Conclusions

Our findings clearly show that women are provided with insufficient information concerning MSS screening for DS in the second trimester of pregnancy for real and valid consent to be obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Standard molar enthalpies of formation of methylbenzophenones
Authors: Ribeiro da Silva Manuel A. V. , Amaral Luísa M. P. F. , Guedes Filipa C. R. , Gomes José R. B.
Published: January 2007

The standard (po = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation of 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐methylbenzophenone were derived from the standard molar energies of combustion, in oxygen, at T = 298.15 K, measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry. The Calvet high temperature vacuum sublimation technique was used to measure the enthalpies of vaporization or sublimation of the three isomers. The standard molar enthalpies of formation of the three isomers of methylbenzophenone, in the gaseous phase and at T = 298.15 K have been derived from the corresponding standard molar enthalpies of formation in the condensed phase and standard molar enthalpies for phase transition. The results obtained are (27.2 ± 3.7) kJ · mol−1, (22.7 ± 4.0) kJ · mol−1, and (20.4 ± 3.0) kJ · mol−1 for 2‐methyl, 3‐methyl, and 4‐methylbenzophenones, respectively. Standard molar enthalpies of formation were also estimated by employing two different methodologies, one based on the Cox scheme and one other based on DFT computations. The agreement between experimental and estimated results is very good. Two possible conformations were found for the 2‐methyl and 3‐methylbenzophenones, one with the CO bond pointing in the same direction of the PhCH3 bond and another one with these bonds pointing in different directions. The former conformations are most stable by 5.1 and 0.9 kJ · mol−1 for 2‐methyl and 3‐methyl isomers, respectively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Room Temperature Growth of Indium‐Tin Oxide on Organic Flexible Polymer Substrates Using a New Reactive‐Sputter Deposition Technology
Authors: Anguita Jose V. , Thwaites Michael , Holton Barry , Hockley Peter , Rand Stuart , Haughton Stuart
Published: January 2007

The ability to grow good quality transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) such as indium‐tin oxide (ITO) at room temperature on flexible organic substrates is of increasing importance to industry. This is fuelled mainly by emerging technologies such as flexible flat panel displays (FFPDs) and organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Standard growth techniques often require elevated substrate temperatures, rendering them unsuitable for growth on heat‐sensitive polymers. In this paper, we have used a new sputtering technology to reactively sputter‐deposit good quality ITO on a flexible polymer substrate that was maintained at less than 50 °C. The system is inherently stable and does not require closed‐loop feedback mechanisms to control the oxygen flow, such as the ones often found in commercial magnetron systems dedicated to ITO deposition. The electrical resistivity of the ITO we obtained was 5 × 10−4 Ωcm, and the absorption coefficient was around 4 000 cm−1 in the visible range. We also investigate the fundamental issues involved in the oxidation reaction process.

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Study of the Cathode Potential in a Sputtering Discharge by Pulsing the Reactive Gas: Case of a W Target in an Ar‐O2 Atmosphere
Authors: Parreira Nuno M.G. , Polcar Tomáš , Cavaleiro Albano
Published: January 2007

The process we used was d.c. magnetron sputtering, and we studied both the conventional process, using a constant flow of oxygen, and the process in which we pulsed the reactive gas. Square regulation signal with different pulsing periods (T) and oxygen injection time (ton) was used in the reactive gas pulsing (RGP), while the partial argon pressure was kept constant for all depositions. The oxygen flow rate during the injection time was sufficient to switch the process to compound sputtering mode, while the oxygen flow was stopped in the rest of period to allow cleaning of target. Sputtering experiments have shown that the instability phenomena, typical of the reactive sputtering process and known as the “hysteresis effect”, are relatively weak due to the small reactivity of tungsten. The influence of the pulsing period and of the oxygen injection time on the deposition parameters is discussed in relation to the poisoning effect. It has been shown that d.c. magnetron sputtering with the oxygen pulsing is a suitable method to prepare tungsten oxide films. This process is very stable, leads to multilayered W‐O coatings, and the deposition rates are slightly lower than those of obtained during the conventional process.

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Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Methylphenylsilane‐Hydrogen RF Plasmas
Authors: Kuritka Ivo , Broza Pavel , Prycek Jiri , Schauer Frantisek
Published: January 2007

The plasmochemistry of methylphenylsilane diluted with hydrogen in radio frequency discharges during the deposition of thin films of plasmatic polysilane is investigated. The plasma reaction system has been examined under conditions identified from previous studies to give the best material. Mass spectrometry is used to follow the monomer fragmentation and to directly (on‐line) analyze the plasma composition under the static and dynamic regimes. The effect of input power is described. The products of the plasma‐induced reactions are collected in a cryogenic trap and then separated and analyzed by gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry analyzer. Organosilicon precursors for the plasma polymerization of one‐dimensional polysilanes are identified together with prevailing reaction pathways in the plasma. A simple method of monomer conversion efficiency is introduced.

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Ultrathin Fluoropolymer Films Deposited on a Polyimide (Kapton®) Surface by RF Magnetron Sputtering of Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)
Authors: Wang Wen‐Cai
Published: January 2007

PI surfaces were modified by RF plasma sputtering of a PTFE target. Ultrathin fluoropolymer films of 10–50 nm thickness were deposited. The sputter‐deposited polymeric films were characterized by XPS, ToF‐SIMS and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the chemical composition and molecular structure of the films depended strongly on the type of the sputtering gas used. Water contact angle measurements showed that the sputter‐deposited PTFE film could effectively passivate the PI surface. The topography of the modified PI surface was investigated by AFM. The 180°‐peel adhesion test results suggested that all the sputter‐deposited films adhered strongly to the PI substrates.

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Characteristic amino acid combinations in olfactory G protein‐coupled receptors
Authors: Samsonova Elena V. , Krause Peter , Bäck Thomas , IJzerman Ad P.
Published: January 2007

The human olfactory subgenome has recently been fully characterized with over 1000 genes. Although as many as two thirds of them are expected to be pseudogenes, it still leaves us with about half of all human G protein‐coupled receptors being olfactory. It is therefore of great interest to characterize olfactory receptors with high precision. Usually it is done through sequence motifs that are not fully conserved, making an exact characterization difficult. In this paper, we propose a rule‐based characterization of olfactory receptors derived from a multiple sequence alignment of human GPCRs. We show that just seven alignment sites are sufficient to characterize 99% of human olfactory GPCRs with one feature, a tyrosine at site 7.41, being of particular importance. We also show dependencies between sites near the extracellular and intracellular region of a membrane‐embedded receptor, indicating that olfactory receptors are characterized by a combination of important residues in these two areas, whereas nonolfactory receptors tend to have residues of lower importance at the same sites. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acid‐induced loss of functional properties of bacterial cell division protein FtsZ: Evidence for an alternative conformation at acidic pH
Authors: Santra Manas K. , Panda Dulal
Published: January 2007

Several types of bacteria live in highly acidic environments. Since the assembly of FtsZ is important for bacterial cytokinesis, the effects of pH on the assembly and structural properties of FtsZ were examined. FtsZ retained GTP binding ability but lost GTPase activity at pH 2.5. In the presence of GTP, FtsZ formed protofilaments at pH 7 while it formed aggregates instead of protofilaments at pH 2.5, indicating that GTP hydrolysis is important for the assembly of FtsZ into protofilaments. Further, the acid‐inactivated state of FtsZ recovered its structural and functional properties upon refolding at pH 7, indicating that the cellular functions of FtsZ may be restored after removal of the external stress. In addition, the affinity of 1‐anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulfonic acid (ANS) binding to FtsZ was found to be higher at pH 2.5 than at pH 7. FtsZ‐ANS complex had a higher quantum yield and lifetime at pH 2.5 than at pH 7. However, the secondary structures of FtsZ were similar at pH 7 and 2.5, indicating that FtsZ attained an alternatively folded state (A) at pH 2.5, which has some characteristics of a molten‐globule–like state. The A state was more stable than the native state (N) against urea‐induced unfolding. The transition from N to A state involves the formation of aggregates of FtsZ (I). The association of FtsZ monomers occurred in the narrow pH range (3.2–2.8) and it was found to be a fully reversible process. The results suggest that a productive intermediate (I) forms in the acid‐induced unfolding pathway of FtsZ and that the unfolding pathway may be minimally described as N ⇆ I ⇆ A. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the regulation mechanisms of PAF receptor by agonists and antagonists: Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Gui Chunshan , Zhu Weiliang , Chen Gang , Luo Xiaomin , Liew Oi W. , Puah Chum M. , Chen Kaixian , Jiang Hualiang
Published: January 2007

Platelet‐activating factor receptor (PAFR) is a member of G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Understanding the regulation mechanisms of PAFR by its agonists and antagonists at the atomic level is essential for designing PAFR antagonists as drug candidates for treating PAF‐mediated diseases. In this study, a 3D model of PAFR was constructed by a hierarchical approach integrating homology modeling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Based on the 3D model, regulation mechanisms of PAFR by agonists and antagonists were investigated via three 8‐ns MD simulations on the systems ofapo‐PAFR, PAFR‐PAF and PAFR‐GB. The simulations revealed that binding of PAF to PAFR triggers the straightening process of the kinked helix VI, leading to its activated state. In contrast, binding of GB to PAFR locks PAFR in its inactive state. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Invariant Ser211 is involved in the catalysis of PD‐L4, type I RIP from Phytolacca dioica leaves
Authors: Chambery Angela , Pisante Marianna , Di Maro Antimo , Di Zazzo Erika , Ruvo Menotti , Costantini Susan , Colonna Giovanni , Parente Augusto
Published: January 2007

Multiple sequence alignment analysis of ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) has revealed the occurrence of an invariant seryl residue in proximity of the catalytic tryptophan. The involvement of this seryl residue in the catalytic mechanism of RIPs was investigated by site‐directed mutagenesis in PD‐L4, type 1 RIP isolated from Phytolacca dioica leaves. We show that the replacement of Ser211 with Ala apparently does not influence the N‐β‐glycosidase activity on ribosomes (determined as IC50 in a cell‐free system), but it reduces the adenine polynucleotide glycosylase activity (APG), assayed spectrophotometrically on other substrates such as DNA, rRNA, and poly(A). The ability of PD‐L4 to deadenylate polynucleotides appears more sensitive to the Ser211Ala replacement when poly(A) is used as substrate, as only 33% activity is retained by the mutant, while with more complex and heterogeneous substrates such as DNA and rRNA, its APG activity is 73% and 66%, respectively. While the mutated protein shows a conserved secondary structure by CD, it also exhibits a remarkably enhanced tryptophan fluorescence. This indicates that, although the overall protein tridimensional structure is maintained, removal of the hydroxyl group locally affects the environment of a Trp residue. Modelling and docking analyses confirm the interaction between Ser211 and Trp207, which is located within the active site, thus affecting RIP adenine polynucleotide glycosylase activity. Data accumulated so far confirm the potential involvement of Ser211 in the catalytic mechanism of type 1 RIP PD‐L4 and a possible role in stabilizing the conformation of Trp207 side chain, which participates actively in the protein enzymatic activity. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atomic resolution crystal structures of HIV‐1 protease and mutants V82A and I84V with saquinavir
Authors: Tie Yunfeng , Kovalevsky Andrey Y. , Boross Peter , Wang Yuan‐Fang , Ghosh Arun K. , Tozser Jozsef , Harrison Robert W. , Weber Irene T.
Published: January 2007

Saquinavir (SQV), the first antiviral HIV‐1 protease (PR) inhibitor approved for AIDS therapy, has been studied in complexes with PR and the variants PRI84V and PRV82A containing the single mutations I84V and V82A that provide resistance to all the clinical inhibitors. Atomic resolution crystal structures (0.97–1.25 Å) of the SQV complexes were analyzed in comparison to the protease complexes with darunavir, a new drug that targets resistant HIV, in order to understand the molecular basis of drug resistance. PRI84V and PRV82A complexes were obtained in both the space groups P21212 and P212121, which provided experimental limits for the conformational flexibility. The SQV interactions with PR were very similar in the mutant complexes, consistent with the similar inhibition constants. The mutation from bigger to smaller amino acids allows more space to accommodate the large group at P1′ of SQV, unlike the reduced interactions observed in darunavir complexes. The residues 79–82 have adjusted to accommodate the large hydrophobic groups of SQV, suggesting that these residues are intrinsically flexible and their conformation depends more on the nature of the inhibitor than on the mutations in this region. This analysis will assist with development of more effective antiviral inhibitors. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Convergence of molecular dynamics simulations of membrane proteins
Authors: Grossfield Alan , Feller Scott E. , Pitman Michael C.
Published: January 2007

The central question in evaluating almost any result from a molecular dynamics simulation is whether the calculation has converged. Unfortunately, assessing the ergodicity of a single trajectory is very difficult to do. In this work, we assess the sampling of molecular dynamics simulations of the membrane protein rhodopsin by comparing the results from 26 independent trajectories, each run for 100 ns. By examining principal components and cluster populations, we show that rhodopsin's fluctuations are not well described by 100 ns of dynamics, and that the sampling is not fully converged even for individual loops. The results serve as a reminder of the caution required when interpreting molecular dynamics simulations of macromolecules. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of progression‐free survival in oncology trials: some common statistical issues
Authors: Carroll Kevin J.
Published: January 2007

With the advent of ever more effective second and third line cancer treatments and the growing use of ‘crossover’ trial designs in oncology, in which patients switch to the alternate randomized treatment upon disease progression, progression‐free survival (PFS) is an increasingly important endpoint in oncologic drug development. However, several concerns exist regarding the use of PFS as a basis to compare treatments. Unlike survival, the exact time of progression is unknown, so progression times might be over‐estimated and, consequently, bias may be introduced when comparing treatments. Further, it is not uncommon for randomized therapy to be stopped prior to progression being documented due to toxicity or the initiation of additional anti‐cancer therapy; in such cases patients are frequently not followed further for progression and, consequently, are right‐censored in the analysis. This article reviews these issues and concludes that concerns relating to the exact timing of progression are generally overstated, with analysis techniques and simple alternative endpoints available to either remove bias entirely or at least provide reassurance via supportive analyses that bias is not present. Further, it is concluded that the regularly recommended manoeuvre to censor PFS time at dropout due to toxicity or upon the initiation of additional anti‐cancer therapy is likely to favour the more toxic, less efficacious treatment and so should be avoided whenever possible. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry based metabolomics of raw and steamed Panax notoginseng
Authors: Chan Eric C. Y. , Yap Swee‐Lee , Lau Aik‐Jiang , Leow Pay‐Chin , Toh Ding‐Fung , Koh Hwee‐Ling
Published: January 2007

At present, metabolite profiling is of growing importance in herbal medicine fields such as breeding, formulation, quality control and clinical trials. This preliminary study indicated that ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/TOFMS)‐based metabolomics allows direct detection of down‐stream derivatives of metabolites, arising from the herbal formulation process. This analytical approach allows the discrimination and tentative authentication of unique biomarkers related to different herbal extracts using unsupervised multivariate principal component analysis (PCA). The tentative identification of biomarkers is complemented significantly by the accurate mass measurement of TOFMS and the high resolution and high retention time reproducibility rendered by UPLC. The application of this approach in herbal extract discrimination and ginsenoside biomarker discovery of raw and steamed Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is demonstrated and discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing inquiry kit curriculum: Obstacles, adaptations, and practical knowledge development in two middle school science teachers
Authors: Jones Mark T. , Eick Charles J.
Published: January 2007

Two elementary certified middle school science teachers are studied for changes in practical knowledge supporting the implementation of kit‐based inquiry as part of a schoolwide reform effort. Emphasis is placed on studying how these two pilot teachers enact guided inquiry within their unique pedagogical and curricular interests, and what adaptations they make in their use of Science and Technology for Children™ and Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School™ curriculum. Case study results support the notion that reform is complex and personal, and teachers as professionals need collective and individual support in the classroom as they make incremental changes in practice toward becoming inquiry‐oriented teachers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 91:492–513, 2007
A comparison of the statistical power of different methods for the analysis of cluster randomization trials with binary outcomes
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: January 2007

Cluster randomization trials are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which intact clusters of subjects are randomized to either the intervention or to the control. Cluster randomization trials require different statistical methods of analysis than do conventional randomized controlled trials due to the potential presence of within‐cluster homogeneity in responses. A variety of statistical methods have been proposed in the literature for the analysis of cluster randomization trials with binary outcomes. However, little is known about the relative statistical power of these methods to detect a statistically significant intervention effect. We conducted a series of Monte Carlo simulations to examine the statistical power of three methods that compare cluster‐specific response rates between arms of the trial: the t‐test, the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and the permutation test; and three methods that compare subject‐level response rates: an adjusted chi‐square test, a logistic‐normal random effects model, and a generalized estimating equations (GEE) method. In our simulations we allowed the number of clusters, the number of subjects per cluster, the intraclass correlation coefficient and the magnitude of the intervention effect to vary. We demonstrated that the GEE approach tended to have the highest power for detecting a statistically significant intervention effect. However, in most of the 240 scenarios examined, the differences between the competing statistical methods were negligible. The largest mean difference in power between any two different statistical methods across the 240 scenarios was 0.02. The largest observed difference in power between two different statistical methods across the 240 scenarios and 15 pair‐wise comparisons of methods was 0.14. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tetrahydrobiopterin availability, nitric oxide metabolism and glutathione status in the hph‐1 mouse; implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency states
Authors: Lam A. A. J. , Hyland K. , Heales S. J. R.
Published: January 2007

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for all isoforms of nitric oxide synthase. While it is well established that BH4 deficiency states are associated with impairment of dopamine, serotonin and phenylalanine metabolism, less is known with regard to the effects of deficiency of the cofactor upon nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of partial BH4 deficiency upon (a) tissue availability of the antioxidant glutathione, (b) basal NO production and (c) NO generation following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is known to increase expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase. Using the hph‐1 mouse, which displays a partial BH4 deficiency owing to impaired activity of GTP cyclohydrolase, we report decreased levels of glutathione in brain and kidney and evidence for decreased basal generation of nitric oxide in the periphery (as judged by the plasma nitrate plus nitrite concentration). Following LPS administration, peripheral NO generation increases. However, the concentration of plasma nitrate plus nitrite achieved was significantly decreased in the hph‐1 mouse. Furthermore, LPS administration caused loss of glutathione in both wild‐type and hph‐1 liver and kidney. It is concluded that cofactor replacement, sufficient to fully correct a cellular BH4 deficiency, may be of benefit to patients with inborn errors of BH4 metabolism.
Seasonal adaptations of the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) following its invasion of Japan
Authors: Gomi Tadashi
Published: January 2007

The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), invaded Japan from North America about 60 years ago. Immediately after its invasion – and for the first three decades – its life cycle was bivoltine, two generations per year throughout its entire distribution in Japan. Thereafter, its life cycle shifted to trivoltine in the southwestern areas of Japan. In the present study we examined the life‐history traits proposed to be implicated in this event with the aim of clarifying the mechanism of this life‐cycle shift. The critical photoperiod for diapause induction, as defined by the photoperiod at which 50% of individuals enter diapause, was shorter in the trivoltine populations than in their bivoltine counterparts. The temperature sensitivity of the photoperiodic response, as defined by the difference in the critical photoperiod between 20 and 25°C, was greater in the trivoltine populations than in the bivoltine ones. The geographic variation in larval and pupal periods was positively correlated to the latitude of the original localities of the populations. The change in the number of larval instars would be one of the main factors accounting for the regional differences in the developmental period. These results suggest that some life‐history traits of H. cunea have changed following its invasion of Japan as an adaptive response to local climates.
Rediscovery of Cerebrosterol
Authors: Björkhem Ingemar
Published: January 2007

24S‐hydroxycholesterol was identified more than half a century ago and was initially given the name “cerebrosterol” due to the fact that it was abundant in the brain. A decade ago, we showed that the most important mechanism by which cholesterol is eliminated from the mammalian brain involves a hydroxylation into cerebrosterol followed by diffusion of this steroid over the blood–brain barrier. Using an 18O2 inhalation technique, we showed that about two‐thirds of the cholesterol synthesis in rat brain is balanced by conversion into cerebrosterol. The hydroxylase responsible for the reaction was found to be dependent upon NADPH and oxygen, consistent with involvement of a species of cytochrome, P‐450. The gene coding for the cytochrome P‐450 responsible for the reaction was later cloned by the group of David Russell in Dallas and the enzyme was found to be located to neuronal cells in the brain. Recent studies by us and others on this new pathway for elimination of cholesterol from the brain have given new insights into the mechanisms by which cholesterol homeostasis is maintained in this organ. In addition, these studies have resulted in new diagnostic and prognostic tools in connection with neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. An overview of the studies is presented here and the possibility is discussed that the cholesterol 24S‐hydroxylase in the brain may be a new drug target in connection with neurodegenerative diseases.
Lymphatic Absorption and Deposition of Various Plant Sterols in Stroke‐Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats, a Strain Having a Mutation in ATP binding cassette transporter G5
Authors: Hamada Tadateru , Egashira Nami , Nishizono Shoko , Tomoyori Hiroko , Nakagiri Hideaki , Imaizumi Katsumi , Ikeda Ikuo
Published: January 2007

ATP binding cassette transporter G5 (ABCG5) and ATP binding cassette transporter G8 (ABCG8) have been suggested to transport absorbed plant sterols and cholesterol from enterocytes to the intestinal lumen and from hepatocytes to bile. It has been thought that mutations of ABCG5 or ABCG8 cause the deposition of plant sterols in the body. In the present study, lymphatic absorption of various plant sterols and their deposition in various tissues was investigated in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), having a mutation in Abcg5 and depositing plant sterols in the body. The order of lymphatic 24‐h recovery of plant sterols was as follows: campesterol > sitosterol > brassicasterol > stigmasterol = sitostanol. When SHRSP were fed a diet containing one of the plant sterols, the depositions of campesterol and sitosterol were comparatively higher than those of brassicasterol, stigmasterol and sitostanol. Highly positive correlations were obtained between lymphatic recovery of plant sterols and their levels in plasma, liver, adipose tissue and heart. The tendency of differential absorption of plant sterols to the lymph in SHRSP was similar to that in normal Wistar rats previously reported by us (Hamada et al. Lipids 41:551–556, 2006). These observations suggest that differential absorption of various plant sterols is kept in SHRSP in spite of a mutation in Abcg5.
Binary Phase Behavior of 1,3‐Dipalmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycerol and 1,2‐Dioleoyl‐3‐palmitoyl‐rac‐glycerol
Authors: Zhang L. , Ueno S. , Miura S. , Sato K.
Published: January 2007

1,3‐Dipalmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycerol (POP) and 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐palmitoyl‐rac‐glycerol (OOP) are two major molecular species that account for roughly half of the total triacylglycerols in palm oil. The binary phase behavior of a POP/OOP mixture plays an important role in the crystallization of palm oil. We conducted thermodynamic and kinetic studies of OOP and its mixtures with POP using differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction with a conventional generator and synchrotron radiation. We found that OOP has two polymorphs, α as a metastable form and β′ as the most stable form, and that the two forms are stacked in a triple‐chain‐length structure. The POP/OOP mixtures exhibited immiscible eutectic natures in both their metastable and their most stable states, in contrast to POP/1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐3‐oleoyl‐rac‐glycerol and POP/1,3‐dioleoyl‐2‐palmitoyl‐sn‐glycerol mixtures, in which molecular compounds of a double‐chain‐length structure were formed. A time‐resolved synchrotron radiation X‐ray diffraction study undertaken during the cooling and heating processes indicated that the α and β′ forms of the POP and OOP fractions crystallized and melted in separate manners, and that crystallization of the β′ form and the polymorphic transformation from α to β′ of POP and OOP are promoted in the presence of another component. The absence of molecular compound crystals in the binary mixtures of POP/OOP is explained by taking into account the molecular interactions of acyl chain packing, glycerol conformation, and methyl end stacking, among which glycerol conformation appeared to be most influential.
A polysaccharide of the marine alga Capsosiphon fulvescens induces apoptosis in AGS gastric cancer cells via an IGF‐IR‐mediated PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Kwon Mi‐Jin , Nam Taek‐Jeong
Published: January 2007

Because seaweed extracts have recently been found to have antioxidant and anti‐tumor activities, we analyzed a hot‐water‐soluble polysaccharide (PS) of the marine alga Capsosiphon fulvescens for its potential as a functional foodstuff by determining its effects on cell growth and DNA synthesis. MTS assays showed that the C. fulvescens PS (Cf‐PS) significantly inhibited the proliferation of cultured human cancer cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Cf‐PS‐treated AGS cells exhibited a marked increase in caspase‐3 activation and a decrease in Bcl‐2 expression. In addition, phosphorylation of insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) was decreased in Cf‐PS‐treated AGS cells as compared to non‐treated control cells, which is consistent with PI3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt activation. Cf‐PS also decreased IGF‐I‐stimulated recruitment of p85 to IGF‐IR and IRS‐1. These results indicate that Cf‐PS inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting IGF‐IR signaling and the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Ectopic osteogenesis and chondrogenesis of bone marrow stromal stem cells in alginate system
Authors: Cai Xiaoxiao , Lin Yunfeng , Ou Guomin , Luo En , Man Yi , Yuan Quan , Gong Ping
Published: January 2007

In orthopedics, the regeneration and repair of cartilage or bone defects after trauma, cancer, or metabolic disorders is still a major clinical challenge. Through developmental plasticity, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSSCs) are important seed cells for the musculoskeletal tissue engineering approach. The present study sought to determine the ectopic osteogenic and chondrogenic ability of BMSSCs in combination with a scaffolding material made from alginate gel. After isolation from the bone marrow of BALB/C mice, BMSSCs were expanded in vitro and induced to chondrogenesis or osteogenesis for 14 days, respectively. Subsequently, these induced cells were seeded into alginate gel, and the constructs implanted into BALB/C nude mice subcutaneously for up to 8 weeks. In the histological analysis, the transmission electron microscopy of the retrieved specimens at various intervals showed obvious trends of ectopic cartilage or bone formation along with the alteration of the cellular phenotype. Simultaneously, the results of the immunohistochemical staining and RT‐PCR both confirmed the expression of specific extracellular matrix (ECM) markers for cartilaginous tissue, such as collagen type II (Col‐II), SOX9, and aggrecan, or alternatively, markers for osteoid tissue, such as osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), and collagen type I (Col‐I). During subcutaneous implantation, the elevating production of ECM and the initiation of the characteristic structure were closely correlated with the increase of time. In contrast, there was an apparent degradation and resorption of the scaffolding material in blank controls, but with no newly formed tissues. Finally, the constructs that were made of non‐induced BMSSCs nearly disappeared during the 8 weeks after implantation. Therefore, it is suggested that alginate gel, which is combined with BMSSCs undergoing differentiation into skeletal lineages, may represent a useful strategy for the clinical reconstruction of bone and cartilage defects.
Proteomic analysis of Tiam1‐mediated metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Li , Zhao Liang , Zhang Yanfei , Zhang Qinling , Ding Yanqing
Published: January 2007

Tiam1 (T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates Rac, was recently identified as a novel colorectal cancer metastasis‐related gene. To better understand the mechanism underlying Tiam1‐mediated metastasis, we applied two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins between Tiam1 transfected and mock transfected colorectal cancer HT29 cells. Eleven differentially expressed proteins were identified and further validated by Western blot and/or real‐time PCR. The results revealed that Tiam1 transfection in colorectal cancer cells could upregulate the expression of Fascin‐1, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), glutathione S‐transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) and downregulate the expression of annexin IV. These differentially expressed proteins may be directly or indirectly regulated by Tiam1 and be helpful in studying mechanisms that lead to the function of Tiam1. These results give some clues to elucidate the mechanism of Tiam1‐mediated metastasis for colorectal cancer.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor endocytosis is accompanied by reorganization of microtubule system in HeLa cells
Authors: Kharchenko Marianna V. , Aksyonov Alexander A. , Melikova Maria M. , Kornilova Elena S.
Published: January 2007

Translocation of endosomes along microtubules (MTs) from the cell periphery toward the juxtranuclear region proximal to MTOC is well established. During this translocation the radial MT system is believed to retain its organization. Here we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) endocytosis in HeLa cells is accompanied by dramatic remodeling of the MT system. Synchronized endocytosis was stimulated by warming the cells after EGF prebinding to EGFR on ice. Soon after that MTs were fully reestablished and EGFR was found in EE aligned along peripheral MTs. By the beginning of EE‐to‐LE sorting, the number of long MTs decreased and MTs appeared like an entangled meshwork of disorientated fragments and were partially depolymerized. Simultaneously, tubulin staining increased in juxtranuclear region, and at the time of LE‐Lys interaction, enlarged EGFR‐containing endosomes were localized there. Radial MTs were re‐established when EGF‐EGFR degradation started in lysosomes. In EGF absence, no alterations occurred upon MTs re‐establishment. We conclude that MT remodeling is endocytosis‐dependent.
Definition of a direct extracellular interaction between Met and E‐cadherin
Authors: Reshetnikova Galina , Troyanovsky Sergei , Rimm David L.
Published: January 2007

High levels of the Met tyrosine kinase receptor expression are associated with metastatic disease. Met activation by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is associated with decreased E‐cadherin‐dependent cell—cell contacts. The molecular mechanism underlying this process remains unclear. To better understand the relationship between E‐cadherin and Met, we assessed Met localization in cells which form mature E‐cadherin‐dependent adhesion HT‐29 and cells which have lost E‐cadherin expression BT‐549. Met colocalized with E‐cadherin at the site of cell—cell adhesion in HT‐29 cells, but Met was distributed in an intracellular compartment in BT‐549 cells. Forced expression of E‐cadherin in BT‐549 cells recruited Met to the membrane. Cross‐linking studies suggested that Met and E‐cadherin interact in the extracellular domain in HT‐29 cells. This is the first evidence of a physical interaction between Met and E‐cadherin. We suggest that this receptor/cadherin pairing may be a mechanism for cellular presentation of receptors in a manner that localizes them optimally for interaction with ligand.
Branched‐chain amino acids accumulating in maple syrup urine disease induce morphological alterations in C6 glioma cells probably through reactive species
Authors: de Lima Pelaez Priscila , Funchal Cláudia , Loureiro Samanta Oliveira , Heimfarth Luana , Zamoner Ariane , Gottfried Carmem , Latini Alexandra , Wajner Moacir , Pessoa‐Pureur Regina
Published: January 2007

In the present study, we investigated the effects of the branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), which accumulate in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), on C6 glioma cell morphology and cytoskeletal reorganization by exposing the cultured cells to 1 and 5 mM BCAA. We observed that cells showed a fusiform shape with processes after 3 h treatment. Cell death was also observed when cells were incubated in the presence of the BCAA for 3 and 24 h. Val‐treated cells presented the most dramatic morphological alterations. Immunocytochemistry with anti‐actin and anti‐GFAP antibodies revealed that all BCAA induced reorganization of actin and GFAP cytoskeleton. Although phosphorylation regulates intermediate filament (IF) assembly/disassembly, we verified that the BCAA did not change the in vitro phosphorylation of IF proteins either in C6 cells or in slices of cerebral cortex of rats during development (9‐, 12‐, 17‐ and 21‐day‐old). Furthermore, we observed that 3 h cell exposure to 5 mM of each BCAA resulted in a marked reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and significantly increased nitric oxide production. Finally, we observed that the morphological features caused by the BCAA on C6 cells were prevented by the use of the antioxidants GSH (1 mM) and Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 0.5 mM). On the basis of the present results, we conclude that free radical attack might be involved in the cell morphological alterations, as well as, in the cytoskeletal reorganization elicited by the BCAA. It is therefore presumed that these findings could be involved in the neuropathological features observed in patients affected by MSUD.
The therapeutic implications of locking up children*
Authors: Millham Spencer
Published: January 2007

The number of juveniles admitted to secure institutions has increased considerably during the last decade. The reasons for this are complex. While there are long historical antecedents for such interventions, there is also clear evidence that our approach to difficult adolescents has become less benign. The therapeutic implications of placing young people in security are discussed in relation to the clients themselves, to their care givers and to the wider provision of services for troubled juveniles.
Transition from education to working life: Pointers from the European Communities' Action Programme*
Authors: Maitland‐Edwards J. , McMullen T. , Welbers G. , Woolthuis T.
Published: January 2007

Twenty‐eight pilot studies have been established with the support of the European Communities as part of an action programme to investigate ways of improving the transition of young people from education to working life. In the light of this we consider the near universal problems met by young people in their transition from school to work and then look at specific approaches derived from these and other experiments which might be co‐ordinated within a comprehensive programme.
Gestalt therapy with hospitalized adolescents
Authors: Serok S.
Published: January 2007

This article presents a Gestalt therapy model of group work and describes its application to a group of young schizophrenic patients. These adolescents were hospitalized in “Shalvata”, a psychiatric hospital in the central part of Israel. The theoretical concepts are presented first, a description of the process follows and a summary statement concludes the paper.
Notes and observations on the practice of Multiple Family Therapy in an adolescent unit
Authors: Singh Neville
Published: January 2007

This paper describes aspects of Multiple Family Therapy as practised by nurses in an adolescent unit. It is employed to improve and repair family relationships during the adolescents' struggles with their maturational tasks. The paper also contains observations on staff support, supervision and the on‐going development of skills in Multiple Family Therapy.
Children at risk: A repertory grid study of intermediate treatment group members' images of self and others
Authors: Crawford A. , McAllister J.
Published: January 2007

Eleven adolescent members of a group nearing the end of its “effective” life at an Intermediate Treatment (IT) Unit took part in a repertory grid study. Contrary to the expressed aims of IT, the members appeared to have a low opinion of both self and others. They did not however, identify with delingquent figures.
Family consultation in a school setting
Authors: Taylor D.
Published: January 2007

This paper describes a type of brief, focused intervention involving the family, which has been found useful with pupils in secondary schools referred to an educational psychologist. This “family consultation” runs parallel to the “school consultation’ which the educational psychologist will engage in with teachers and educational welfare officers, and sometimes overlaps when joint sessions are arranged.

The consultation is, usually limited to one full interview with the family and takes place at school. School staff remain fully involved with the referral and follow‐up is facilitated by the psychologist's regular contact with the school. Two examples are given illustrating different degrees of enmeshment between family and school systems. Some intervention techniques are described.
Psychological aspects of unemployment: an investigation into the emotional and social adjustment of school leavers
Authors: Donovan Andrew , Oddy Michael
Published: January 2007

Young people are particularly vulnerable to unemployment and the consequences of this for psychosocial development and mental health are not well understood.

This study is an investigation of some of these consequences.

The psychological well‐being and mental health of employed and unemployed school‐leavers of both sexes was investigated.

Those school‐leavers who were unemployed were found to be more depressed and more anxious than those in work and showed a higher incidence of minor psychiatric morbidity. Unemployed young people had lower self‐esteem than their employed peers and poorer subjective wellbeing. They were also found to be less well socially adjusted. Young women showed poorer psychological well‐being than young men, irrespective of employment status.

The psychological impact of unemployment for young people is discussed in relation to individual and sex differences and the question of whether poor mental health is a cause or a consequence of unemployment is considered.
Touch and action in group therapy of younger adolescents
Authors: Dunne Carol , Bruggen Peter , O'Brian Charles
Published: January 2007

A nursing assistant with another view of how to use an hour in the afternoon, introduced to Hill End Adolescent Unit the new therapies of bioenergetics, gestalt, massage and psychodrama.

After a period of intense staff training, and gradual introduction to the adolescents, those methods became part of the Unit's culture, the institutional taboo against touch was crossed, there was a reduction in violence and a greater expression of caring feelings.
A self‐report questionnaire about social difficulty for adolescents
Authors: Lindsay William R. , Lindsay Isobel S.
Published: January 2007

This study reports the development, standardisation and validation of a questionnaire about social difficulty for adolescents. The questionnaire is split into three sections dealing with peer relationships, adult relationships and general social difficulty. A group of 132 school children provide means and standard deviations for the questionnaire. A group of 33 adolescent patients referred for relationship problems is included in the study for comparison. It is clear that the questionnaire differentiates between the groups with highly significant differences on all sections.
The development of conceptions of unempolyment among adolescents
Authors: Webley Paul , Wrigley Vanessa
Published: January 2007

Although children's economic concepts and young people's experience of unemployment are being increasingly investigated, as yet there is very little work on adolescents' understanding of unemployment. The research that has been carried out in this are is not developmental research. In this study children's ideas about unemployment were investigated by interviewing 40 children from two age groups (11 to 12 years and 15 to 16 years). The children were asked to defined unemployment, to indicate if and how unemployed people differed from those with a job and asked if they would like to be unemployed. The results showed that, with age, understanding of unemployment became more abstract and more global. Compared with the younger children, the adolescents offered more global. Compared with the younger children, the adolescents offered more societal and fatalistic explanations for unemployment, saw the unemployed as fundamentally similar to the employed and regarded the principal undesirable effects of unemployment as social‐psychological rather than economic.