bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of reward‐predictive value in learning‐related hippocampal neural activity
Authors: Okatan Murat
Published: January 2009

Temporal difference learning (TD) is a popular algorithm in machine learning. Two learning signals that are derived from this algorithm, the predictive value and the prediction error, have been shown to explain changes in neural activity and behavior during learning across species. Here, the predictive value signal is used to explain the time course of learning‐related changes in the activity of hippocampal neurons in monkeys performing an associative learning task. The TD algorithm serves as the centerpiece of a joint probability model for the learning‐related neural activity and the behavioral responses recorded during the task. The neural component of the model consists of spiking neurons that compete and learn the reward‐predictive value of task‐relevant input signals. The predictive‐value signaled by these neurons influences the behavioral response generated by a stochastic decision stage, which constitutes the behavioral component of the model. It is shown that the time course of the changes in neural activity and behavioral performance generated by the model exhibits key features of the experimental data. The results suggest that information about correct associations may be expressed in the hippocampus before it is detected in the behavior of a subject. In this way, the hippocampus may be among the earliest brain areas to express learning and drive the behavioral changes associated with learning. Correlates of reward‐predictive value may be expressed in the hippocampus through rate remapping within spatial memory representations, they may represent reward‐related aspects of a declarative or explicit relational memory representation of task contingencies, or they may correspond to reward‐related components of episodic memory representations. These potential functions are discussed in connection with hippocampal cell assembly sequences and their reverse reactivation during the awake state. The results provide further support for the proposal that neural processes underlying learning may be implementing a temporal difference‐like algorithm. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does the cingulate cortex contribute to spatial conditional associative learning in the rat?
Authors: St‐Laurent Marie , Petrides Michael , Sziklas Viviane
Published: January 2009

Rats with lesions to the anterior or posterior (retrosplenial) region of the cingulate cortex and rats with lesions that included both the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex were tested on a visual–spatial conditional task in which they had to learn to approach one of the two objects depending on the spatial context within which they were embedded. Lesions restricted to either the anterior or the retrosplenial cingulate region did not impair learning of this task which is known to be very sensitive to the effects of hippocampal lesions. Complete lesions of the cingulate cortex gave rise to only a minor retardation in learning. In contrast, lesions to the retrosplenial cortex impaired performance on a spatial navigation task and the classic radial maze. These results suggest that the retrosplenial portion of the cingulate region forms part of a hippocampal circuit underlying learning about spatial responses. The dissociation between the effects of lesions of the cingulate region on different classes of behavior known to be associated with hippocampal function suggests that, although this neural structure does play a role in an extended hippocampal circuit underlying spatial learning, its role in such learning may be a selective one. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐dependent enhancement of inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons via GluR5 kainate receptors
Authors: Xu Changqing , Cui Changhai , Alkon Daniel L.
Published: January 2009

Changes in hippocampal synaptic networks during aging may contribute to age‐dependent compromise of cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Previous studies have demonstrated that GABAergic synaptic transmission exhibits age‐dependent changes. To better understand such age‐dependent changes of GABAergic synaptic inhibition, we performed whole‐cell recordings from pyramidal cells in the CA1 area of acute hippocampal slices on aged (24–26 months old) and young (2–4 months old) Brown‐Norway rats. We found that the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSCs) were significantly increased in aged rats, but the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs were decreased. Furthermore, the regulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission by GluR5 containing kainate receptors was enhanced in aged rats, which was revealed by using LY382884 (a GluR5 kainate receptor antagonist) and ATPA (a GluR5 kainate receptor agonist). Moreover, we demonstrated that vesicular glutamate transporters are involved in the kainate receptor dependent regulation of sIPSCs. Taken together, these results suggest that GABAergic synaptic transmission is potentiated in aged rats, and GluR5 containing kainate receptors regulate the inhibitory synaptic transmission through endogenous glutamate. These alterations of GABAergic input with aging could contribute to age‐dependent cognitive decline. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical simulation of flow characteristics in a subway station
Authors: Jia Li , Huang Peng , Yang Lixin
Published: January 2009

Transient simulation on the process of subway trains pulling in and out of a station was carried out to investigate the air flow characteristics in a subway station in various situations by utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. The influence of the piston effect on the flow field in the station and its role in natural ventilation are discussed. The results indicate that the piston effect has significant influence on the flow field in the station and it plays an important role in natural ventilation. The ventilation shafts established at both ends of the station can effectively enhance natural ventilation while reducing the velocity of airflow in the station. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20239
Five reasons for publishing in human_ontogenetics
Authors: Harder Thomas , Schulz Jörg
Published: January 2009

In autumn 2007, the Editorial Office of human_ontogenetics received the first manuscripts for publication and made the first experiences with the editorial and production process. Since then, the start of our new journal was very successful: We received a number of manuscripts and many more requests. Some of the articles published during the last months in human_ontogenetics were downloaded by our readers more than 1,000 times.

Against the background of one year of human_ontogenetics, we would like to briefly summarize the advantages of publishing in human_ontogenetics, to stimulate even more potential authors from the entire field of human life sciences to submit their papers. In essence, we see at least the following five major reasons for publishing papers related to the development of human beings in our journal.
The obstetrician's perspective on cesarean section on maternal request
Authors: Dudenhausen Joachim W.
Published: January 2009

Percentages of cesarean section world‐wide have increased substantially over the past two decades. Maternal request for abdominal delivery may have contributed to this development. The wish to be delivered by C‐section for personal reasons without medical indication should be discussed from the medical point of view as well as from the legal perspectives of mother and child. Today, mortality in primarily indicated and performed cesarean section is not substantially higher than in vaginal delivery. The consequences of cesarean section are important for succeeding pregnancies. Besides the risk of scar rupture, the drastic increase in the incidences of placental detachment (placenta accreta/increta/percreta) and placenta previa in succeeding pregnancies are of relevance. However, this risk should be weighed against fetal risk in vaginal delivery, especially intrauterine death and encephalopathy caused by intrapartum hypoxia as well as cerebral palsy amounting to 1/500. Pelvic floor damage after vaginal delivery can probably be reduced but not necessarily avoided by primary cesarean section. In summary, advantages and disadvantages of vaginal and abdominal delivery have to be weighed up carefully. Cesarean section performed by an experienced team with optimal equipment is accompanied by rather low risk. The obstetrician has to consider possible unlawfulness in cases of maternal request for cesarean section.
Abstinence‐only sex education: potential developmental effects
Authors: Diamond Milton , Beh Hazel G.
Published: January 2009

In the United States the federal government has spent over $170 million annually to subsidize states and community organizations that provide abstinence‐only sex education or abstinence until marriage sex education programs. Such an education not only stresses that abstinence until marriage is to be practiced but that any sexual activity outside of a monogamous heterosexual marriage is not only morally wrong but is the only way to prevent pregnancy or avoid developing a sexually transmitted disease. Any other method except for abstinence is said to fail. The government's decision was based on politics rather than science. Those who argue against abstinence‐only instruction and for comprehensive sex education programs claim the current programs are not only ineffective but also dangerous to the children it is supposed to help and bad for society as a whole. Comprehensive sex education has been shown to increase preventive behaviors against unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other sex‐related complications. Many professional organizations have testified against continued funding for abstinence‐only programs and for comprehensive instruction. Also, the large majority of parents of junior and senior high school students believe it is important that sex education be complete and cover such topics as birth control use, prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually‐transmitted diseases, and contraception use and skills. It has evolved into a political debate to define American values. This essay is a commentary on this governmental conservative policy and the negative effect it has on students' mature development. The positive influences of comprehensive sex‐education are presented.
Impact of ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole on the north‐east monsoon rainfall of Tamil Nadu State in India
Authors: Geethalakshmi V. , Yatagai Akiyo , Palanisamy K. , Umetsu Chieko
Published: January 2009

Tamil Nadu State in south‐eastern India receives most of its rainfall from October through December, a phenomenon known as north‐east monsoon rainfall (NEMR). Tamil Nadu's south‐west monsoon rainfall (SWMR), received between June and September, correlates positively with the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), whereas NEMR correlates negatively. We undertook a study to investigate the relationship between global teleconnection indicators, namely the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and precipitation over Tamil Nadu during NEMR. The results showed that NEMR had significant positive correlation with Niño‐3 sea‐surface temperatures (SST) in July. The statistical relationships between the IOD and NEMR were much weaker than those between ENSO and NEMR.

To understand the relationship and/or local dynamic structure, composites of the circulation field for the extreme El Niño/La Niña years were compared with the mean state for July, September and November. Composite circulation analysis clearly showed that in extreme El Niño years, the Bay of Bengal exhibited a positive sea‐level pressure (SLP) anomaly, and the Arabian Sea exhibited a negative SLP anomaly, which resulted in strong north‐easterly winds, bringing moisture and precipitation to the southern part of India in November. The reverse was also true: A strong negative anomaly was observed in the Bay of Bengal during La Niña years, which resulted in a weak NE monsoon. However, local circulation anomalies (Bay of Bengal through Arabian Sea) did not continue from July to November. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rotamer optimization for protein design through MAP estimation and problem‐size reduction
Authors: Hong Eun‐Jong , Lippow Shaun M. , Tidor Bruce , Lozano‐Pérez Tomás
Published: January 2009

The search for the global minimum energy conformation (GMEC) of protein side chains is an important computational challenge in protein structure prediction and design. Using rotamer models, the problem is formulated as a NP‐hard optimization problem. Dead‐end elimination (DEE) methods combined with systematic A* search (DEE/A*) has proven useful, but may not be strong enough as we attempt to solve protein design problems where a large number of similar rotamers is eligible and the network of interactions between residues is dense. In this work, we present an exact solution method, named BroMAP (branch‐and‐bound rotamer optimization using MAP estimation), for such protein design problems. The design goal of BroMAP is to be able to expand smaller search trees than conventional branch‐and‐bound methods while performing only a moderate amount of computation in each node, thereby reducing the total running time. To achieve that, BroMAP attempts reduction of the problem size within each node through DEE and elimination by lower bounds from approximate maximum‐a‐posteriori (MAP) estimation. The lower bounds are also exploited in branching and subproblem selection for fast discovery of strong upper bounds. Our computational results show that BroMAP tends to be faster than DEE/A* for large protein design cases. BroMAP also solved cases that were not solved by DEE/A* within the maximum allowed time, and did not incur significant disadvantage for cases where DEE/A* performed well. Therefore, BroMAP is particularly applicable to large protein design problems where DEE/A* struggles and can also substitute for DEE/A* in general GMEC search. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Charge transport in stacking metal and metal‐free phthalocyanine iodides. Effects of packing, dopants, external electric field, central metals, core modification, and substitutions
Authors: Chen Shuang , Ma Jing
Published: January 2009

The charge‐transport properties of the one‐dimensional stacking metal phthalocyanine iodides (M(Pc)I, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and metal‐free phthalocyanine iodide (H2(Pc)I) have been theoretically investigated. On the basis of the tight‐binding approximation and two‐state theory, both the site‐energy corrected energy splitting in dimer and Fock‐matrix‐based methods are used to calculate the transfer integral. The intermolecular motions, including interplanar translation, rotation, slip, and tilt, exert remarkable impacts on the transfer integral. The order/disorder of the dopant stack and the long‐range electrostatic interactions are also demonstrated to be crucial factors for modulation of charge‐transport properties. The transfer integral undergoes slight changes under an applied electric field along the stacking direction in the range of 106− 107V cm−1. The change of central metals in MPc has little effect on the transfer integrals, but significantly affects the reorganization energies. The extension of the π‐conjugation in macrocyclic ligand brings about considerable influence on the transfer integrals. Peripheral substitutions by animo, hydroxyl, and methyl lead to deviations from planarity of macromolecular rings, and hence affect the valence bands significantly. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Spiritually oriented psychodynamic psychotherapy
Authors: Shafranske Edward P.
Published: January 2009

Spiritually oriented psychodynamic psychotherapy pays particular attention to the roles that religious and spiritual beliefs, practices, and experiences play in the psychological life of the client. Contemporary psychoanalytic theorists offer multiple approaches to understand the functions of religious experience. Spirituality provides a means to address existential issues and provide a context to form personal meaning. Religious narratives present schemas of relationship and models of experiences salient to mental health, such as hope. God images or other symbolic representations of the transcendent have the power to evoke emotions, which in turn, influence motivation and behavior. While employing theories and techniques derived from psychodynamic psychotherapy, this therapeutic approach encourages the analysis of the functions religion and spirituality serve, while respecting the client's act of believing in faith. Psychotherapists address a client's spirituality by exploring the psychological meaning of such personal commitments and experiences and refrain from entering into discussion of faith claims. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65:1–11, 2009.
Between Peirce (1878) and James (1898): G. Stanley Hall, the origins of pragmatism, and the history of psychology
Authors: Leary David E.
Published: January 2009

This article focuses on the 20‐year gap between Charles S. Peirce's classic proposal of pragmatism in 1877–1878 and William James's equally classic call for pragmatism in 1898. It fills the gap by reviewing relevant developments in the work of Peirce and James and by introducing G. Stanley Hall, for the first time, as a figure in the history of pragmatism. In treating Hall and pragmatism, the article reveals a previously unnoted relation between the early history of pragmatism and the early history of the “new psychology” that Hall helped to pioneer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emulation vs. indigenization in the reception of western psychology in Republican China: An analysis of the content of Chinese psychology journals (1922–1937)
Authors: Blowers Geoffrey , Cheung Boris Tat , Ru Han
Published: January 2009

The present study examines the practice of empirical psychology in China during the Republican period using a content analysis of its journals. By seeking answers to questions of what kinds of psychology from the West first attracted the Chinese; whether they found a way of developing a psychology more in tune to their own cultural assumptions of selfhood; and to what uses they felt the new discipline could be put, it shows the extent to which its journal content adopted a Western or an indigenous orientation. It thus contributes to the recent debate about indigenization of psychology globally and situates the origins of these issues in China much earlier than has been envisaged by contemporary Chinese indigenous psychologists. Throughout this period, indigenous concerns informed the research agenda, the dominant practice being psychometrics. But because of a lack of social support, they remained largely confined to the pages of psychology journals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A light and electron microscopic study on the organization of the testis and the semicystic spermatogenesis of the genus Scorpaena (Teleostei, Scorpaenidae)
Authors: Sàbat Maria , Lo Nostro Fabiana , Casadevall Margarida , Muñoz Marta
Published: January 2009

The testicular organization and semicystic spermatogenesis of Scorpaena porcus and Scorpaena scrofa are analyzed by means of optic and electron microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques. The testicular structure of S. porcus and S. scrofa belongs to the unrestricted spermatogonial type, but has typical features of the restricted type. Moreover, the structure presents an epithelioid arrangement of Sertoli and germ cells rather than the germinal epithelium that appears in the majority of teleosts. After the cysts open, Sertoli cells hypertrophy and remain on the basement membrane, linked by interdigitations and tight junctions and bordering the lumen of the lobule, which at this moment works as an efferent duct. Secretions of Sertoli cells usually function in the nutrition of germ cells, and they seem to contribute in it even in this kind of spermatogenesis in which the free lumen spermatids do not have any connection with Sertoli cells. In addition, Sertoli cells can divide after the cysts have broken apart and hypertrophied, suggesting that they are still important for the final maturation of spermatozoa and seminal fluid formation. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological specializations of the buccal cavity in relation to the food and feeding habit of a carp Cirrhinus mrigala: A scanning electron microscopic investigation
Authors: Yashpal Madhu , Kumari Usha , Mittal Swati , Mittal Ajay Kumar
Published: January 2009

The buccal cavity of an herbivorous fish, Cirrhinus mrigala, was investigated by scanning electron microscopy to determine its surface ultrastructure. The buccal cavity shows significant adaptive modifications in relation to food and feeding ecology of the fish. The buccal cavity of the fish is of modest size and limited capacity, which is considered an adaptation with respect to the small‐sized food items primarily consumed by the fish that could be accommodated in a small space. Modification of surface epithelial cells, on the upper jaw, into characteristic structures—the unculi—is considered an adaptation to browse or scrap, to grasp food materials, e.g., algal felts, and to protect the epithelial surface against abrasions, likely to occur during their characteristic feeding behavior. Differentiation of the highly specialized lamellar organ on the anterior region of the palate could be an adaptation playing a significant role in the selection, retention, and sorting out of palatable food particles from the unpalatable items ingested by the fish. The filamentous epithelial projections and the lingulate epithelial projections on the palatal organ in the posterior region of the palate are considered to serve a critical function in final selection, handling, maneuvering, and propelling the food particles toward the esophagus. The abundance of different categories of taste buds in the buccal cavity suggests that gustation is well developed and the fish is highly responsive in the evaluation and the selection of the preferred palatable food items. The secretions of mucous cells in the buccal cavity are associated with multiple functions—particle entrapment, lubrication of the buccal epithelium and food particles to assist smooth passage of food, and to protect the epithelium from possible abrasion. These morphological characteristics ensure efficient working of the buccal cavity in the assessment of the quality and palatability of ingested food, their retention and transport toward the esophagus. Such an adaptation may be essential in conducting the function most basic to the survival of the individuals and species—feeding. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The comparative morphology of pit organs in elasmobranchs
Authors: Peach M.B. , Marshall N.J.
Published: January 2009

The pit organs of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) are free neuromasts of the mechanosensory lateral line system. Pit organs, however, appear to have some structural differences from the free neuromasts of bony fishes and amphibians. In this study, the morphology of pit organs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy in six shark and three ray species. In each species, pit organs contained typical lateral line hair cells with apical stereovilli of different lengths arranged in an “organ‐pipe” configuration. Supporting cells also bore numerous apical microvilli taller than those observed in other vertebrate lateral line organs. Pit organs were either covered by overlapping denticles, located in open grooves bordered by denticles, or in grooves without associated denticles. The possible functional implications of these morphological features, including modification of water flow and sensory filtering properties, are discussed. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental stages until hatching of the Lake Victoria cichlid Haplochromis piceatus (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
Authors: de Jong Ilse M.L. , Witte Frans , Richardson Michael K.
Published: January 2009

Because little is known about embryonic developmental stages in any haplochromine cichlid, we describe here a series of normal stages of the Lake Victoria cichlid Haplochromis piceatus. We collected 273 embryos and scored them for 47 morphological characters. The result was an illustrated series of 12 stages from embryonic shield until hatching based on live, fixed, and histological material. We defined each stage according to a single “key” character that applied to all embryos of that stage. Other characters forming part of the stage descriptions were not necessarily present in all embryos of a stage. We compare our findings with published studies of other freshwater teleosts and find wide variation in staging systems. Our data will form a baseline for further research on cichlid development. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroanatomy of the calf brain as revealed by high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Schmidt Martin J. , Pilatus Ulrich , Wigger Antje , Kramer Martin , Oelschläger Helmut A.
Published: January 2009

Here, we want to assess the benefit of high‐resolution and high‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed documentation of internal brain morphology in formalin‐fixed whole head specimens of the full‐term calf brain (Bos taurus). Imaging was performed on a Siemens 1.5 T scanner. Optimum contrast was achieved using a 3D sequence with a flip angle of 30°, repetition time (TR) of 20 ms, echo time (TE) of 6.8 ms, and an interpolated matrix of 1024 × 1024. In plane resolution was 0.25 mm. Computer‐generated three‐dimensional images were reconstructed from the original scans in the coronal plane. This study shows that MRI is capable to identify delicate structures in immature brain specimens. The use of MRI in comparative morphology facilitates the examination of series of brains or brain samples in a reasonable time. The comprehensive description of species‐ and group‐specific brain features in MRI scans of Bos taurus will complement existing data for diagnostic imaging and neuromorphological research, in general, as well as for phylogenetic reconstructions. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative estimates of visual performance features in fossil birds
Authors: Schmitz Lars
Published: January 2009

Eyeball structures such as the lens diameter (LD) and axial length are generally assumed to be highly correlated with optically meaningful parameters. However, these optical constraints on eyeball macroanatomy have never been tested explicitly. Tradeoffs between benefits of improved visual performance and cost of adaptation from an increase of tissue production predict that when eyeball size increases, optical parameters such as posterior nodal distance and maximum entrance pupil diameter should increase isometrically with eyeball axial length and LD, respectively. Here I show quantitatively that the interspecific allometry of the avian eye largely follows this predicted isometry. Additionally, I elaborate a method to estimate optically significant eyeball soft‐tissue dimensions from scleral ring and orbit morphology based on analyses of interspecific allometry in Aves. The stringent correlations between avian eyeball morphology and optical function render this system ideal for the analysis of form–function relationships and allow for an accurate estimate of optically significant eyeball soft‐tissue dimensions such as diameter, axial length, and LD in fossil species. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental changes in the ultrastructure of the lamprey lateral line nerve during metamorphosis
Authors: Gelman S. , Cohen A.H. , Sanovich E.
Published: January 2009

The ultrastructure of the trunk lateral line nerve of larval and adult lampreys was studied with transmission electron microscopy. We confirmed that lampreys' lateral line nerve lacks myelin. Nevertheless, all axons were wrapped by Schwann cell processes. In the larval nerve, gaps between Schwann cells were observed, where the axolemma was covered only by a basal lamina, indicating an earlier developmental stage. In the adult nerve, glial (Schwann cell) ensheathment was mostly complete. Additionally, we observed variable ratios of axons to Schwann cells in larval and adult preparations. In the larval nerve, smaller axons were wrapped by one Schwann cell. Occasionally, a single Schwann cell surrounded two axons. Larger axons were associated with two to five Schwann cells. In the adult nerve, smaller axons were surrounded by one, but larger axons by three to eight Schwann cells. The larval epineurium contained large adipose cells, separated from each other by single fibroblast processes. This layer of adipose tissue was reduced in adult preparation. The larval perineurium was thin, and the fibroblasts, containing large amounts of glycogen granules, were arranged loosely. The adult perineurium was thicker, consisting of at least three layers of fibroblasts separated by collagen fibrils. The larval and adult endoneurium contained collagen fibrils oriented orthogonally to each other. Both larval and adult lateral line nerves possessed a number of putative fascicles weakly defined by a thin layer of perineurial fibroblasts. These results indicate that after a prolonged larval stage, the lamprey lateral line nerve is subjected to additional maturation processes during metamorphosis. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of parity on pelvic size and shape dimorphism in Mus
Authors: Schutz Heidi , Donovan Edward Robert , Hayes Jack P.
Published: January 2009

The pelvis is a sexually dimorphic structure and although the causes of that dimorphism have long been studied, relatively little is known regarding the effects of partuitive events on the magnitude of that dimorphism. Here, we use a sample of Mus musculus domesticus to contrast dimorphism in body length and os coxae size and shape between males and parous and nulliparous females. We also test for correlations between relative litter size (L/M) and relative offspring size (O/M) with body length and os coxae size and shape in parous females. Males had greater body length than nulliparous females but were not different from parous females. Females as a whole had the largest os coxae, with parous females having the largest and males the smallest. Os coxae shape was also significantly different between groups and was most divergent between parous females and males than between nulliparous females and males. Os coxae shape differences between females are associated with differences in body length between females and O/M is correlated with os coxae shape in parous females such that females with the largest offspring have the most divergent shapes along the relative warp one axis. Pelvic shape differences between males and females were consistent with previous findings in other taxa which identify the pubo‐ischial complex as the primary region of dimorphism. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of multiple chondroitinase ABC applications on tissue engineered articular cartilage
Authors: Natoli Roman M. , Responte Donald J. , Lu Benjamin Y. , Athanasiou Kyriacos A.
Published: January 2009

Increasing tensile properties and collagen content is a recognized need in articular cartilage tissue engineering. This study tested the hypothesis that multiple applications of chondroitinase ABC (C‐ABC), a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degrading enzyme, could increase construct tensile properties in a scaffold‐less approach for articular cartilage tissue engineering. Developing constructs were treated with C‐ABC at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or both 2 and 4 weeks. At 4 and 6 weeks, construct sulfated GAG composition, collagen composition, and compressive and tensile biomechanical properties were assessed, along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for collagens type I, II, and VI, and the proteoglycan decorin. At 6 weeks, the tensile modulus and ultimate tensile strength of the group treated at both 2 and 4 weeks were significantly increased over controls by 78% and 64%, reaching values of 3.4 and 1.4 MPa, respectively. Collagen concentration also increased 43%. Further, groups treated at either 2 weeks or 4 weeks alone also had increased tensile stiffness compared to controls. Surprisingly, though GAG was depleted in the treated groups, by 6 weeks there were no significant differences in compressive stiffness. IHC showed abundant collagen type II and VI in all groups, with no collagen type I. Further, decorin staining was reduced following C‐ABC treatment, but returned during subsequent culture. The results support the use of C‐ABC in cartilage tissue engineering for increasing tensile properties. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 949–956, 2009
Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the elderly
Authors: Kaibori Masaki , Matsui Kosuke , Ishizaki Morihiko , Saito Takamichi , Kitade Hiroaki , Matsui Yoichi , Kwon A‐Hon
Published: January 2009

Background and Objectives

Aging of the population has significantly increased the number of elderly patients undergoing surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the results of hepatectomy for HCC in patients ≥70 years old with those for younger patients.

Methods

Clinicopathological data and outcomes for 155 elderly patients and 333 younger patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy between 1992 and 2007 were retrospectively compared.

Results

The elderly group had a higher incidence of associated diseases, but had better preoperative liver function. Although postoperative delirium was more common in the elderly group, there were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to operative morbidity, hospital death, disease‐free survival, and overall survival. The overall recurrence rate was significantly higher in the elderly patients with alcohol abuse than in younger patients with alcohol abuse. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative alcohol abuse was a prognostic factor for elderly patients.

Conclusions

The short‐term and long‐term outcomes of surgery for HCC were similar in elderly and younger patients. Elderly patients with preoperative alcohol abuse should be followed closely, even after R0 surgery, because alcohol abuse is strongly correlated with postoperative recurrence and worse survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99: 154–160. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous separation of anionic, cationic, and neutral components in capillary liquid chromatography using mixed‐bed column of hydrophilic and anion‐exchange stationary phases
Authors: Igawa Naoki , Kitagawa Shinya , Ohtani Hajime
Published: January 2009

A simultaneous separation of anionic, cationic, and neutral compounds was carried out in capillary LC using a mixed‐bed column of zwitterionic hydrophilic and anion‐exchange stationary phases. The combination in stationary phases was suitable to retain anionic, cationic, and neutral analytes. The retentions of anionic compounds were suppressed with the increase in the buffer concentration in the mobile phase whereas those for the cationic and neutral compounds were almost constant, i.e., the anionic analytes were mainly retained by anion‐exchange mode and the other compounds by the hydrophilic interaction. Both hydrophilic and electrostatic retentions were successfully controlled by the ACN content in the mobile phase. The gradient elution of increasing water content in the mobile phase achieved good separation for eight compounds found in metabolome analysis within 6 min. Both intra‐ (n = 7) and inter‐day (n = 3) precisions (%RSD) of elution time for every eight compounds were less than 3 and 5%, respectively.
Non‐electromagnetically induced transparency mechanisms for slow light
Authors: Agarwal G.S. , Dey T.N.
Published: January 2009

We show how the pump‐induced sharp holes in homogeneously or inhomogeneously broadened absorption line shapes can be used for the production of ultra‐slow light. We present a detailed discussion of underlying concepts and results on the pump power dependences of the group index and the bandwidth–delay product. Further, we discuss experimental results, which are in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Photoswitches: Key molecules for subdiffraction‐resolution fluorescence imaging and molecular quantification
Authors: Heilemann M. , Dedecker P. , Hofkens J. , Sauer M.
Published: January 2009

Optical microscopes, often referred to as ‘light microscopes’, use visible light and a system of lenses to provide us with magnified images of small samples. Combined with highly sensitive fluorescence detection techniques and efficient fluorescent probes they allow the non‐invasive 3D study of subcellular structures even in living cells or tissue. However, optical microscopes are subject to the diffraction barrier of light which imposes an optical resolution limit of approximately 200 nm in the imaging plane. In the recent past new techniques emerged that break the diffraction barrier and enable structural investigations with so far unmatched resolution. They are all based on the selective switching of fluorophores between a fluorescent and a nonfluorescent state and are therefore generalized under the denotation “Photoswitching Microscopy”. Here we review recent progress in subdiffraction‐resolution fluorescence imaging microscopy using various photoswitchable fluorophores and strategies. Special emphasis will be placed on the design and development of photoswitches and the requirements photoswitches have to fulfill for successful use in photoswitching microscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate how photoswitches can be used advantageously for molecular quantification, i.e. the determination of densities and absolute numbers of proteins located in specific subcellular compartments and discuss concepts how standard organic fluorophores can be used successfully for photoswitching microscopy.
Spindle misorientation in tumors from APCmin/+ mice
Authors: Fleming Elizabeth S. , Temchin Maura , Wu Qian , Maggio‐Price Lillian , Tirnauer Jennifer S.
Published: January 2009

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene is mutated in the majority of colon cancers, and its mutation may initiate cancer by multiple mechanisms. Recently, abnormal mitotic spindle orientation was shown in normal‐appearing tissues from mice heterozygous for APC mutation. To determine the effect of APC mutation on spindle orientation in tumors, and to better understand its mechanism, we measured mitotic spindle orientation in intestinal tumors from APC mutant mice, with three‐dimensionally reconstructed confocal stacks of microtubule immunofluorescence images. We found spindle angles were increased in crypts heterozygous for the APCmin mutation, and further increased in tumors. Astral microtubules of these spindles were clearly evident, suggesting astral microtubule loss is not a major mechanism of spindle misorientation in intestinal cells lacking wild‐type APC. β‐Catenin staining was markedly abnormal in crypts and tumors from the mutant mice, suggesting a possible role in spindle orientation. Spindle angles in colon tumors with wild‐type APC were equivalent to those in wild‐type mice, showing that spindle misorientation is specific to APC mutation and not a general feature of tumors. We suggest spindle misorientation may contribute to the loss of normal tissue organization during tumor formation and could offer new insights into early carcinogenic events. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Models for chromosomal replication‐independent non‐B DNA structure‐induced genetic instability
Authors: Wang Guliang , Vasquez Karen M.
Published: January 2009

Regions of genomic DNA containing repetitive nucleotide sequences can adopt a number of different structures in addition to the canonical B‐DNA form: many of these non‐B DNA structures are causative factors in genetic instability and human disease. Although chromosomal DNA replication through such repetitive sequences has been considered a major cause of non‐B form DNA structure‐induced genetic instability, it is also observed in non‐proliferative tissues. In this review, we discuss putative mechanisms responsible for the mutagenesis induced by non‐B DNA structures in the absence of chromosomal DNA replication. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reprogramming of the transcriptome in a novel chromosome 3 transfer tumor suppressor ovarian cancer cell line model affected molecular networks that are characteristic of ovarian cancer
Authors: Quinn Michael C.J. , Filali‐Mouhim Abdelali , Provencher Diane M. , Mes‐Masson Anne‐Marie , Tonin Patricia N.
Published: January 2009

Tumor suppression as a consequence of the transfer of chromosome 3p fragments was previously observed in a novel epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) OV‐90 cell line model harboring loss of 3p. Microarray analysis revealed that tumor suppression was associated with a modified transcriptome. To investigate the relevance of the altered transcriptome, the differentially expressed genes identified by Affymetrix analysis in the 3p transfer studies, were integrated with a comparative microarray analysis of normal ovarian surface epithelial (NOSE) cells and malignant ovarian (TOV) cancers. Data from 219 significantly differentially expressed genes exhibited patterns in the direction predicted by the analysis of 3p transfer study. The 30 genes with the highest statistically significant differences (P < 1 × 10−8) in expression were found consistently differentially expressed between NOSE and TOV samples. The investigation of these genes in benign serous ovarian tumors and EOC cell lines also exhibited predictable expression patterns. Within the group of differentially expressed genes were SPARC, DAB2, CP, EVI1, ELF3, and EHD2, known to play a role in ovarian cancer, genes implicated in other cancers, such as GREM1 and GLIPR1, as well as genes not previously reported in a cancer context such as AKAP2 and ATAD4. A number of the differentially expressed genes are implicated in the TGF‐beta signaling pathway. These findings suggest that the reprogramming of the transcriptome that occurred as a consequence of the chromosome 3 transfer and tumor suppression affected molecular networks that are characteristic of ovarian carcinogenesis thus validating our novel ovarian cancer cell line model. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Academic entrepreneurship
Authors: Lacetera Nicola
Published: January 2009

This paper proposes a model of the choice to commercialize research, of the amount and type of pre‐commercial research to perform, and of the timing of commercialization by an academic scientist, and analyzes the returns and costs of these choices. The behavior and performance of the academic scientist is compared with that of an industrial researcher. Unlike the industrial researcher, the academic scientist receives direct benefit from performing research, e.g. in the form of publication and peer recognition. However, the type of research that is more effective in reducing commercialization costs may not be the one generating the highest scientific benefit. It is shown that, while in some cases the academic scientist is more reluctant to commercialize research, in other cases she may commercialize faster than a solely profit‐seeking agent would—and perform less research. Academic and non‐academic scientists also select different projects, and this may explain the good performance of academic entrepreneurs found in several empirical studies. The model offers a unified framework to interpret the mixed evidence on the success of, and the arguments in favor and against, the involvement of universities into commercial activities. Managerial and public policy implications are also examined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examination of the Lille Apathy Rating Scale in Parkinson disease
Authors: Zahodne Laura B. , Young Shamar , Kirsch‐Darrow Lindsey , Nisenzon Anne , Fernandez Hubert H. , Okun Michael S. , Bowers Dawn
Published: January 2009

Apathy is a unique, multidimensional syndrome commonly encountered in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Recently, the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS), a semistructured interview yielding a global score, and composite subscores for different domains of apathy (i.e., cognitive, behavioral, affective, self awareness), was developed and given to a sample of patients with PD in France. This study is the first outside of its original developers to examine the English language version of the LARS in PD. We found the LARS to be a coherent instrument demonstrating both convergent and divergent validity, as compared to the Apathy Scale (AS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II). Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis comparing the LARS to the AS, a validated and widely‐used measure, we identified a cut‐off score (sensitivity = 64%, specificity = 92%, PPV = 88%, NPV = 75%) that was higher than that proposed by the original authors, who derived their cut‐off by comparing LARS global scores to clinical judgments of apathy. Although the present study does not compare the LARS to a diagnostic gold standard or promote its utility for diagnosing apathy, it provides further support for the LARS as a promising instrument to examine apathy in PD. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Traditional Chinese medicine on four patients with Huntington's disease
Authors: Satoh Takashi , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Iwasaki Koh , Tago Hideaki , Seki Takashi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Tobita Muneshige , Arai Hiroyuki
Published: January 2009

Four Huntington's disease (HD) patients were treated with traditional Chinese medicines Yi‐Gan San (YGS) and Chaihu‐Jia‐Longgu‐Muli Tan (CLMT) in a cross‐over manner. Two patients took YGS for 8 weeks first, and after 4 weeks of washing out, they took CLMT for 8 weeks. Two other patients took these medicines in reverse order. All patients showed a decrease in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale—motor assessment (from 106.3 ± 4.7 to 89.6 ± 5.8 as mean ± SD, P = 0.0004) by YGS treatment with no extrapiramidal symptoms or changes of cognition or ADL. Our study suggests a possibility of a new treatment for involuntary movements. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Targeting of cancer energy metabolism
Authors: Rodríguez‐Enríquez Sara , Marín‐Hernández Alvaro , Gallardo‐Pérez Juan Carlos , Carreño‐Fuentes Liliana , Moreno‐Sánchez Rafael
Published: January 2009

The main purpose of this review is to update and analyze the effect of several antineoplastic drugs (adriamycin, apoptodilin, casiopeinas, cisplatin, clotrimazole, cyclophosphamide, ditercalinium, NSAIDs, tamoxifen, taxol, 6‐mercaptopurine, and α‐tocopheryl succinate) and energy metabolism inhibitors (2‐DOG, gossypol, delocalized lipophilic cations, and uncouplers) on tumor development and progression. The possibility that these antineoplastic drugs currently used inin vitrocancer models, in chemo‐therapy, or under study in phase I to III clinical trials induce tumor cellular death by altering also metabolite concentration (i.e., ATP), enzyme activities, and/or energy metabolism fluxes is assessed. It is proposed that the use of energy metabolic therapy, as an alternative or complementary strategy, might be a promising novel approach in the treatment of cancer.