bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploitation of Elite Maize (Zea mays L.) Germplasm across Maturity Zones
Authors: Steinhoff Jana , Liu Wenxin , Maurer Hans Peter , Würschum Tobias , C. Friedrich H. Longin , Ranc Nicolas , Reif Jochen C.
Published: June 2012

Transfer of elite lines across maturity zones is important because it facilitates the exploitation of indirect selection gain. The main goal of this study was to investigate strategies to guide the transfer of elite lines from Southern Europe to the U.S. Corn Belt. Testcrosses of progenies of six biparental populations derived from a diallel cross of four Southern European elite lines were evaluated together with adapted commercial checks in 10 Southern European and six U.S. Corn Belt environments in 2007 for grain yield and grain moisture when crossed to adapted testers. Moreover, the 788 genotypes were fingerprinted with 857 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and multiple‐line cross quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed. Some testcross progenies in the U.S. Corn Belt reached grain yield performance comparable to the best check, which suggests that direct use of Southern European lines is promising. The success of using grain yield or grain moisture data determined in Southern Europe to preselect Southern European lines for use in the U.S. Corn Belt is limited. Moreover, we observed a complex genetic architecture of adaptation with absence of major QTL and strong QTL by background interactions. We found evidence that epistasis influences adaptation, additionally hampering the success of marker‐guided transfer of germplasm from Southern Europe to the U.S. Corn Belt.
Effects of Abiotic Stress on Respiratory Carbon Loss of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines and Their Hybrid During Silking and Grain‐Filling
Authors: Earl Hugh J. , Liu Weidong , Bowley Stephen R. , Tollenaar Matthijs
Published: June 2012

High‐yielding commercial maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have higher seasonal dry matter accumulation (DMA) than their inbred parents, with the difference often being greater under conditions of abiotic stress. The greater DMA of high‐yielding maize genotypes has been attributed in part to maintenance of higher leaf photosynthetic capacity during the grain‐filling period, but it is possible that lower respiratory C loss also contributes to higher DMA. We compared the root and shoot dark respiration rates of a hybrid to those of its two parental inbred lines under resource‐replete conditions, and also under conditions of shade stress, water stress, and N stress. Stress treatments applied over a 3‐wk period around silking did not affect root or shoot respiration rates per unit dry weight (DW). By contrast, all three stress treatments reduced respiration per unit DW when the stresses were applied over 3 wk during the grain‐filling period. By 5 wk after silking, respiration per unit DW was significantly lower in the hybrid than in either of the inbred lines, but this may have been due to greater dilution of the respiration signal by the accumulation of structural biomass and/or storage tissues in the hybrid, rather than a lower respiration rate per se. We did not find strong evidence that the hybrid benefited from fundamentally lower respiratory requirements than its inbred parents, or that the hybrid and its parental inbreds differed in their respiratory responses to abiotic stress.
Evaluation of Population Structure within Diploid Agrostis Germplasm Based on Miniature Inverted‐Repeat Transposable Elements
Authors: Amundsen Keenan , Brown Rebecca , Jung Geunhwa , Warnke Scott
Published: June 2012

The bentgrasses (Agrostis spp.) are valuable species to the turfgrass industry. The bentgrasses have complex genomes resulting from interspecific hybridization and polyploidization events. The New England Velvet Bentgrass collection along with diploid germplasm present in the National Plant Germplasm System represent the largest collections of publicly available diploid Agrostis germplasm within the United States. In the present study, 1225 miniature inverted‐repeat transposable element (MITE)‐display genetic markers were used to assess the amount of genetic diversity within a collection of 181 diploid Agrostis selections. Structure v. 2.3.3 was used to determine population structure and suggests that five subpopulations best explain the genetic variation present within this germplasm. An analysis of molecular variance and principal coordinate analysis also supports the subgroupings defined by the Structure analysis. Nine selections were found to be genetically similar to Agrostis stolonifera L. and may be related to one of its diploid progenitors. Our improved understanding of the genetic diversity among these diploid selections, resulting from this study, will help Agrostis breeders transfer important traits from these unimproved selections for cultivar improvement.
Planned water use system in China
Authors: Shen Dajun
Published: June 2012

The basic water resources management system in China is a planned water use system which plays a very important role in managing the country's water resources. This paper describes the water resources allocation framework, which is the basis of the planned water use system framework in China. The planned water use system is developed to manage real-time water resources development and utilization, implemented through a series of water resources use plans, including annual water resources regulation plans, annual water abstraction plans and annual/seasonal water use plans at different spatial levels. Both technically and managerially, the planned water use system in China requires the establishment of spatial, temporal and water resource consistencies. Using the Yellow River as a case study, this paper demonstrates the application of the system at three levels in the basin. Finally, combined with the implementation progress, the paper provides recommendations to promote and improve planned water use system implementation in China.
On an interpolation process of Lagrange-Hermite type
Authors: Mastroianni Giuseppe , Milovanovic Gradimir , Notarangelo Incoronata
Published: June 2012

We consider a Lagrange-Hermite polynomial, interpolating a function at the
Jacobi zeros and, with its first (r?1) derivatives, at the points ?1. We give
necessary and sufficient conditions on the weights for the uniform
boundedness of the related operator in certain suitable weighted Lp-spaces, 1
< p < 1, proving a Marcinkiewicz inequality involving the derivative of the
polynomial at ?1. Moreover, we give optimal estimates for the error of this
process also in the weighted uniform metric.
A Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate–Dependent Pathway Can Regulate Net Hepatic Glucose Uptake in Vivo
Authors: An Zhibo , Winnick Jason J. , Moore Mary C. , Farmer Ben , Smith Marta , Irimia Jose M. , Roach Peter J. , Cherrington Alan D.
Published: June 2012

We previously showed that hepatic nitric oxide regulates net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU), an effect that can be eliminated by inhibiting hepatic soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), suggesting that the sGC pathway is involved in the regulation of NHGU. The aim of the current study was to determine whether hepatic cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) reduces NHGU. Studies were performed on conscious dogs with transhepatic catheters. A hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was established in the presence of portal vein glucose infusion. 8-Br-cGMP (50 µg/kg/min) was delivered intraportally, and either the glucose load to the liver (CGMP/GLC; n = 5) or the glucose concentration entering the liver (CGMP/GCC; n = 5) was clamped at 2× basal. In the control group, saline was given intraportally (SAL; n = 10), and the hepatic glucose concentration and load were doubled. 8-Br-cGMP increased portal blood flow, necessitating the two approaches to glucose clamping in the cGMP groups. NHGU (mg/kg/min) was 5.8 ± 0.5, 2.7 ± 0.5, and 4.8 ± 0.3, whereas the fractional extraction of glucose was 11.0 ± 1, 5.5 ± 1, and 8.5 ± 1% during the last hour of the study in SAL, CGMP/GLC, and CGMP/GCC, respectively. The reduction of NHGU in response to 8-Br-cGMP was associated with increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. These data indicate that changes in liver cGMP can regulate NHGU under postprandial conditions.
Specific models for estimation of locally oriented laboratory thermal conductivity of tertiary sediments in the Niger Delta using wire line logs
Authors: Thompson Akpabio , Jimmy George , Michael Udofia
Published: June 2012

In this study, specific development of empirical models for estimation of laboratory thermal conductivities from wire line log thermal conductivity within the ambience of locally oriented wells located in the Niger Delta have been established. The laboratory thermal conductivity is characterised with high fidelity compared to wire line log thermal conductivity whose values vary as the dependence of lithology of the subsurface geomaterials, well effects, as well as the effects of the limited bed thickness of the adjacent lithological units of the Niger Delta where the study was stationed. The generalised equation kleff = 0.709 kweff + 0.188 is an empirically estimated model based on site variables (porosity, permeability and temperature) and constants (cementation factor, formation factor and tortuosity) of the locally oriented wells in the Niger Delta. It can be used to set bounds on the unstable wire line log thermal conductivity values within the 1-2.5 km depths where the oil-rich geomaterials in the Niger Delta are usually found. Equations have been established which show inter-convertibility between laboratory and wire line log thermal conductivity. These equations are considered useful in converting the available wire line log thermal conductivity data of nearby wells in the area to the usually desired and stable laboratory thermal conductivity. Various diagrams in 2-D and 3-D have been established to show the distribution of the parameters considered, and this could help the operating companies in the zone to predict the density of oil.
Histochemical and Anatomical Studies of Phloem and Xylem Cells of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Tree
Authors: Islam MA , Begum S
Published: June 2012

The localization of starch, lipid and protein, nuclei in the phloem and xylem cells of stem of Jackfruit trees (Artocarpus heterophyllus) has been studied. The optical digital images of anatomical features and localization of nuclei and reserve materials were obtained by light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Starch granules in the ray parenchyma cells were more abundant in the outer xylem close to the cambium than in the inner xylem and phloem. Radial localization of starch granules provided more clear data than transverse and tangential observations. Lipid and protein appeared as droplets and were uniformly distributed in the outer xylem. The parenchyma cells of phloem have large amount of lipid bodies but those were almost absent in cambium and xylem ray parenchyma cells. The results on the localization of storage starch, lipid droplets and proteins in phloem, cambium and xylem cells indicating that reserve materials might be important for wood formation in jackfruit trees. This data would be helpful for further study in tree breeding program and clarification of the mechanism of utilization of such reserve materials and their distribution pattern within the cells. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i1.10876 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(1): 01- 07
Process-in-Network: A Comprehensive Network Processing Approach
Authors: Urzaiz Gabriel , Villa David , Villanueva Felix , Lopez Juan Carlos
Published: June 2012

A solid and versatile communications platform is very important in modern Ambient Intelligence (AmI) applications, which usually require the transmission of large amounts of multimedia information over a highly heterogeneous network. This article focuses on the concept of Process-in-Network (PIN), which is defined as the possibility that the network processes information as it is being transmitted, and introduces a more comprehensive approach than current network processing technologies. PIN can take advantage of waiting times in queues of routers, idle processing capacity in intermediate nodes, and the information that passes through the network.
Pharmacologic Approaches to Smoking Cessation
Authors: Bailey Abby M. , Macaulay Tracy
Published: June 2012

Cigarette smokers experience greater rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the known health risks, use of tobacco products remains high throughout the United States (approximately 19.3% of adults). Tobacco use is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular illness, cardiovascular risk factors (ie, hypertension and atherosclerosis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and various types of cancer. Pharmacologic smoking cessation therapies have been used to facilitate abstinence from smoking. This article provides clinicians with instructions for the use of pharmacologic agents for smoking cessation, including considerations for special populations.
Four Treatment Strategies for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1
Authors: Lee Sang Ki , Yang Dae Suk , Lee Jae Won , Choy Won Sik
Published: June 2012

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) poses a dilemma for many clinicians due to its unknown etiology and largely unsuccessful treatment modalities. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of 4 treatment modalities for CRPS type 1. A total of 59 patients were divided into 4 groups based on treatment modality: group A, an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (n=10); group B, oral gabapentin (n=12); group C, intravenous (IV) 10% mannitol and steroid (n=11); group D, a combination of IV 20% mannitol and steroid with oral gabapentin (n=26). The patients remained under medical supervision after discharge and were evaluated either once a month or once every 2 months until final follow-up at a mean of 8 months. Patients in group A showed improvement in pain level, finger range of motion, swelling, and grip strength, without statistical significance (
P
=.076,
P
=.062,
P
=.312, and
P
=.804, respectively). Patients in group B showed significant improvement in pain level (
P
<.001), and patients in group C showed improvement in pain, finger range of motion, and swelling (
P
=.127), which rendered functional impairment unchanged. In comparison, patients in group D showed recovery of grip strength and improvement in pain level, finger range of motion, and (
P
<.001,
P
=.016,
P
=.031, and
P
=.047, respectively). Based on these results, a protocol including a combination of IV 20% mannitol and steroid with oral gabapentin is an acceptable and effective treatment for CRPS type 1.
Retrospective Study of Posterior Cervical Fusions With rhBMP-2
Authors: Hodges Scott D. , Eck Jason C. , Newton Danette
Published: June 2012

Posterior cervical decompression and fusion can be performed for various spinal conditions. Previous rates of pseudoarthrosis have been reported in up to 38% of patients. The use of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) has been approved for use in certain anterior lumbar interbody fusion techniques to decrease the incidence of pseudoarthrosis. Bone morphogenic protein in the anterior cervical spine carries a potential increased risk of airway complications; however, few data exist on the safety and efficacy of BMP in the posterior cervical spine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fusion success, safety, and heterotopic bone formation using BMP in posterior cervical fusion.

Twenty-nine patients who received posterior cervical fusion with BMP were followed for a minimum of 12 months. Computed tomography scans were obtained at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively to evaluate for solid arthrodesis and the presence of heterotopic bone formation. Patients’ demographic data and adverse events were evaluated. All patients underwent posterior cervical decompression and instrumented fusion of at least 1 level between 2006 and 2008. Of 37 patients eligible for the study, 29 agreed to participate. Three (10.3%) of 29 patients developed pseudoarthrosis, as found on computed tomography scan. None of these went on to further surgery. No evidence existed of heterotopic bone formation outside of the lateral masses or bone growth over the spinal canal or neuroforamen. No adverse events were related to the use of BMP in this series of posterior cervical fusions. Bone morphogenic protein can be used safely in posterior cervical spine fusion, but additional larger studies are recommended. Even with the use of bone morphogenic protein, the possibility of pseudoarthrosis exists.
Diagnostic Performance of the Urinary Deoxypyridinoline in Spinal Tuberculosis
Authors: Shi Jiandang , Wang Zili , Li Haomin , Yuan Haifeng
Published: June 2012

This study investigated the diagnostic significance of urinary deoxypyridinoline measurement as a screening tool for spinal tuberculosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were measured by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay and automated chemistry methods in patients with spinal (n=33) and pulmonary tuberculosis (n=33) and in healthy controls (n=30). Urinary deoxypyridinoline was divided by urinary creatine to exclude the factors of body mass index and urine dilution. The results underwent validity analysis. The measurements of urinary deoxypyridinoline in the spinal tuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and control groups were 14.9±9.8, 6.4±2.6, and 6.3±2.0 μmol/molCr, respectively. Compared with the other 2 groups, the urinary deoxypyridinoline level in the spinal tuberculosis group was significantly increased (
P
=.001 and
P
=.000, respectively). However, urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were not significantly different between the pulmonary tuberculosis and control groups (
P
=.751). The receiver operating characteristic curve in the spinal tuberculosis group was 0.83. For deoxypyridinoline, the sensitivity (88%) and specificity (95%) were seen at the cutoff level of 8.0 μmol/molCr. The false positive and false negative were 12% and 5%, respectively. Diagnostic validity of the method was 93%.

Bone metabolism alteration occurs during the progression of spinal tuberculosis, which can be reflected by the sensitivity and specificity of urinary deoxypyridinoline. The detection of urinary deoxypyridinoline is a benefit of screening patients with pulmonary tuberculosis for spinal tuberculosis.
Postoperative Incentive Spirometry Use
Authors: Hassanzadeh Hamid , Jain Amit , Tan Eric W. , Stein Benjamin E. , Van Hoy Megan L. , Stewart Nadine N. , Lemma Mesfin A.
Published: June 2012

The authors hypothesized that the use of incentive spirometry by orthopedic patients is less than the recommended level and is affected by patient-related factors and type of surgery. To determine its postoperative use, the authors prospectively surveyed all patients in their institution’s general orthopedic ward who had undergone elective spine surgery or total knee or hip arthroplasty during a consecutive 3-month period in 2010, excluding patients with postoperative delirium or requiring a monitored bed. All 182 patients (74 men, 108 women; average age, 64.5 years; range, 32–88 years; spine group, n=55; arthroplasty group, n=127), per protocol, received preoperative spirometry education by a licensed respiratory therapist (recommended use, 10 times hourly) and reinforcement education by nurses. Patients were asked twice daily (morning and evening) regarding their spirometry use during the previous 1-hour period by a registered nurse on postoperative days 1 through 3. All data were collected by the same 2 nurses using the same standardized questionnaire. Spirometry use was correlated with surgery type, postoperative day/time, and patient’s age and sex. Student’s
t
test, Spearman test, and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare differences (
P
<.05). Spirometry use averaged 4.1 times per hour (range, 0–10 times). No statistical correlations were found between spirometry use and age. Sex did not influence spirometry use. The arthroplasty group reported significantly higher use than did the spine group: 4.3 and 3.5 times per hour, respectively. Mean use increased significantly between postoperative days 1, 2, and 3.
Posttraumatic Focal Dystonia of the Shoulder
Authors: Vasileiadis Georgios I. , Sakellariou Vasileios I. , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J. , Zoubos Aristeides B.
Published: June 2012

Focal posttraumatic shoulder dystonia is a rare and not easily identifiable entity. Its true pathophysiologic nature, predisposing factors, and disease course remain debatable.

This article describes a rare case of a 40-year-old man with late symptoms of focal shoulder dystonia after peripheral trauma of his left shoulder girdle. The shoulder was indirectly injured from the impact of a fall off his motorbike 3 years earlier. He was referred to the authors’ institution because remarkable reduction of arm abduction, muscle spasms, and circumscribed hypertrophy of the trapezius muscle were noted while his head and neck were in neutral position and had a full range of motion. The left shoulder had a fixed elevated posture compared with the contralateral shoulder. A continuous burning pain was localized over the area of the hypertrophied trapezius muscle, radiating to the ipsilateral side of the head and neck. Dystonic movements of the trapezius, rhomboid, and supraspinatus muscles were observed. The abduction of the shoulder was significantly decreased, and any repetitive effort for arm abduction induced an exaggeration of his movement disorder, leading to a more pronounced shoulder elevation.

Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of the left shoulder revealed a suprascapular tendinitis with no other abnormalities. Repeated needle electromyography of the left trapezius muscle and neurography of the accessory nerve on both sides were normal. Injections of botulinum toxin A were effective in the resolution of muscle hypertrophy and abnormal posture.
Optic Disc and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Parameters of Eyes With Keratoconus
Authors: Cankaya Ali Bulent , Beyazyildiz Emrullah , Ileri Dilek , Yilmazbas Pelin
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate optic nerve head (ONH) characteristics and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements in patients with nonglaucomatous keratoconus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional, observational study in which 46 patients with keratoconus and 74 healthy subjects were included. Analysis of ONH and RNFL imaging were performed by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography, respectively.

RESULTS:

Eyes with keratoconus had larger disc area (2.37 ± 0.5 vs 2.17 ± 0.36 mm
2
) (
P
= .013), larger cup area (0.65 ± 0.53 vs 0.49 ± 0.28 mm
2
) (
P
= .035) and deeper cup depths (for mean cup depth 0.24 ± 0.09 vs 0.20 ± 0.07 mm,
P
= .008 and for maximum cup depth 0.69 ± 0.27 vs 0.60 ± 0.17 mm,
P
= .037) than control group eyes. Height variation contour also differed in the two groups (
P
= .007) but RNFL measurements did not.

CONCLUSION:

RNFL thickness between patients with keratoconus and healthy subjects seems to be more comparable than ONH parameters.
23-Gauge Vitrectomy for Retained Lens Material
Authors: Bhandari Ramanath , Ernst Benjamin J. , Stafeeva Ksenia , Mandava Naresh , Quiroz-Mercado Hugo
Published: June 2012

A technique for removal of retained lens material is described with a three-port 23-gauge vitrectomy system. Removal of the core vitreous is first performed, followed by removal of the cortical vitreous. All vitreous adhesions to the lens are cleared. The cut rate is then decreased to 1,500 cuts per minute, and vacuum increased to 600 mm Hg. The cortical lens material is cleared first, and then the nuclear material is taken with the same vitrectomy probe using the light pipe to assist in crushing the nuclear fragments. With this technique, even large dense nuclear and cortical retained lens material can be removed from the vitreous chamber without the need for a fragmatome.
Neurological Manifestation of Colonic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sio Terence T. , Paredes Mercedes , Uzair Chaudhary
Published: June 2012

Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are extremely rare in cancer patients and are most commonly associated with certain tumors, such as ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer. We report here a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in a 53-year-old man with colonic adenocarcinoma with a solitary liver metastasis. His paraneoplastic syndrome was successfully treated by methylprednisolone and primary oncologic therapies including neoadjuvant chemotherapy and definitive surgery. This is also the first documented case of simultaneous manifestation of a sensory neuropathy and limbic encephalitis with colon cancer.
The Australian bush fires of February 2009: MIPAS observations and GEM-AQ model results
Authors: Glatthor N. , Höpfner M. , Semeniuk K. , Lupu A. , Palmer P. I. , McConnell J. C. , Kaminski J. W. , von Clarmann T. , Stiller G. P. , Funke B. , Kellmann S. , Linden A. , Wiegele A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. On 7 February 2009, and the following days Southeast Australia was devastated by large bush fires, which burned an area of about 3000 km2. This event was extraordinary, because a large number of combustion products was transported into the uppermost troposphere and lower stratosphere within a few days. Various biomass burning products released by the fire were observed by the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on the ENVISAT satellite. We track the plume using MIPAS C2H2, HCN and HCOOH single-scan measurements on a day-to-day basis. The measurements are compared with a high-resolution model run of the Global Environmental Multiscale-Air Quality (GEM-AQ) model. Generally there is very good agreement between the spatial distribution of measured and modelled pollutants during the first two weeks after the outbreak of the fire even over intercontinental distances. Both MIPAS and GEM-AQ show a fast south-eastward transport of the pollutants to New Zealand within one day. During the following 3–4 days the plume was located north and eastward of New Zealand and centered at altitudes of 15 to 18 km. Thereafter its eastern part was transported eastward at altitudes of 15–16 km, followed by westward transport of its western part at somewhat higher altitudes. On 17 February the eastern part had reached Southern South America and on 20 February the South African west coast. On the latter day a second relic of the plume was observed moving eastward above the Southern Pacific, whereas the westward transported pollutants were located above Australia at altitudes of 18–20 km. First evidence for entry of the pollutants into the stratosphere was found in MIPAS data of 11 February, followed by larger amounts on 17 February and the days thereafter. Between 20 February and the first week of March the stratospheric pollutants above Australia were transported further westward over the Indian Ocean towards Southern Africa.
Improving the Accuracy of Eyewitnesses in the Presence of Misinformation with the Plurality Option
Authors: Luna Karlos , Martín‐Luengo Beatriz
Published: June 2012

Misinformation has negative effects in the accuracy of eyewitnesses' reports. We investigated whether those negative effects could be reduced when participants are allowed to decide how many answers to include in their answers, that is, to regulate the plurality option. Participants watched a slideshow and received misinformation through a narrative. In the recognition memory test, participants had to select, out of five alternatives, one (single) and then three alternatives (plural answer) and to indicate which one they preferred to report if they were in a courtroom. Perceived likelihood ratings were also collected. Results showed that the regulation of the plurality option increased accuracy even in the presence of misinformation and highlighted the importance of the perceived likelihood ratings in the decision to select a single or plural answer. In general, the results suggest that better testimonies could be obtained if witnesses are given some control over their answers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemiluminescent and Antioxidant Micelles as Theranostic Agents for Hydrogen Peroxide Associated‐Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Cho Sujin , Hwang On , Lee Iljea , Lee Gayoung , Yoo Donghyuck , Khang Gilson , Kang Peter M. , Lee Dongwon
Published: June 2012

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of essential oxygen metabolites in living organisms, but is generated in large amounts during inflammatory responses. Therefore, H2O2 has great potential as diagnostic and therapeutic markers of several inflammatory and life‐threatening diseases. Here, chemiluminescent and antioxidant micelles are reported as novel theranostic agents for H2O2‐associated inflammatory diseases. The chemiluminescent micelles composed of amphiphilic block copolymer Pluronic F‐127, hydroxybenzyl alcohol‐incorporated copolyoxalate (HPOX) and fluorescent dyes perform peroxalate chemiluminescence reactions to detect H2O2 as low as 100 nM and image H2O2 generated in inflamed mouse ankles. The micelles encapsulating HPOX reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated macrophages by scavenging overproduced H2O2 and releasing antioxidant hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA). They also exert inhibitory effects on H2O2‐induced apoptosis. HPOX‐based chemiluminescent and antioxidant micelles have great potential as a theranostic agent for H2O2‐associated inflammatory diseases.
An aging program at the systems level?
Authors: Han Jing‐Dong Jackie
Published: June 2012

Many genes and pathways are known to modulate lifespan in various organisms, but it remains unclear whether there exists a common aging program, and how individual variations of lifespan can occur in an isogenic population. Recent studies on aging regulation at the systems and epigenetic levels point to the possibility of regulating and potentially reversing the aging epigenome and transcriptome, resulting in differential aging status and aging rate in different individuals. Here, the author summarize some of these findings and discuss the possibility of integrating multiple layers of aging regulation at the systems level, to identify an aging program that can explain lifespan variations introduced by environmental and developmental history. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 96:206–211, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assembling models of embryo development: Image analysis and the construction of digital atlases
Authors: Castro‐González Carlos , Ledesma‐Carbayo María J. , Peyriéras Nadine , Santos Andrés
Published: June 2012

Digital atlases of animal development provide a quantitative description of morphogenesis, opening the path toward processes modeling. Prototypic atlases offer a data integration framework where to gather information from cohorts of individuals with phenotypic variability. Relevant information for further theoretical reconstruction includes measurements in time and space for cell behaviors and gene expression. The latter as well as data integration in a prototypic model, rely on image processing strategies. Developing the tools to integrate and analyze biological multidimensional data are highly relevant for assessing chemical toxicity or performing drugs preclinical testing. This article surveys some of the most prominent efforts to assemble these prototypes, categorizes them according to salient criteria and discusses the key questions in the field and the future challenges toward the reconstruction of multiscale dynamics in model organisms. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 96:109–120, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computational models for mechanics of morphogenesis
Authors: Wyczalkowski Matthew A. , Chen Zi , Filas Benjamen A. , Varner Victor D. , Taber Larry A.
Published: June 2012

In the developing embryo, tissues differentiate, deform, and move in an orchestrated manner to generate various biological shapes driven by the complex interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Mechanics plays a key role in regulating and controlling morphogenesis, and quantitative models help us understand how various mechanical forces combine to shape the embryo. Models allow for the quantitative, unbiased testing of physical mechanisms, and when used appropriately, can motivate new experimentaldirections. This knowledge benefits biomedical researchers who aim to prevent and treat congenital malformations, as well as engineers working to create replacement tissues in the laboratory. In this review, we first give an overview of fundamental mechanical theories for morphogenesis, and then focus on models for specific processes, including pattern formation, gastrulation, neurulation, organogenesis, and wound healing. The role of mechanical feedback in development is also discussed. Finally, some perspectives aregiven on the emerging challenges in morphomechanics and mechanobiology. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 96:132–152, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parameter redundancy in mark‐recovery models
Authors: Cole Diana J. , Morgan Byron J. T. , Catchpole Edward A. , Hubbard Ben A.
Published: June 2012

We provide a definitive guide to parameter redundancy in mark‐recovery models, indicating, for a wide range of models, in which all the parameters are estimable, and in which models they are not. For these parameter‐redundant models, we identify the parameter combinations that can be estimated. Simple, general results are obtained, which hold irrespective of the duration of the studies. We also examine the effect real data have on whether or not models are parameter redundant, and show that results can be robust even with very sparse data. Covariates, as well as time‐ or age‐varying trends, can be added to models to overcome redundancy problems. We show how to determine, without further calculation, whether or not parameter‐redundant models are still parameter redundant after the addition of covariates or trends.
Essential State Model for Two‐Photon Absorption Spectra of Polymethine Dyes
Authors: Sissa Cristina , Jahani Peyman Mohamadzadeh , Soos Zoltán G. , Painelli Anna
Published: June 2012

A four essential‐state model is proposed for a detailed description of optical spectra of a family of anionic polymethine dyes. Extensive spectroscopic data from the literature are quantitatively described within a model that accounts for non‐adiabatic electron‐vibration coupling and for polar solvation.
Antidepressant use during pregnancy and serotonin transporter genotype (SLC6A4) Affect newborn serum reelin levels
Authors: Brummelte S. , Galea L.A.M. , Devlin A.M. , Oberlander T.F.
Published: June 2012

This study was undertaken to determine whether altered early serotonin signaling either via gestational serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) exposure or genetic variations in the serotonin transporter promoter region (SLC6A4) alters levels of reelin, an important glycoprotein in neurodevelopment, in mothers and their neonates. Serum reelin protein expression was quantified by immunoblot from maternal and neonatal blood collected at delivery from women taking either an SRI during gestation or controls. SRI‐exposed mothers had higher levels of one reelin fragment, while SRI‐exposed neonates had lower total reelin levels, particularly in females and reelin levels differed with SLC6A4 genotype. Lower neonatal reelin levels predicted less time spent sleeping and more irritability during neonatal behavioral assessment on Day 6 of life. Our results suggest that prenatal SRI exposure and the SLC6A4 genotype influences reelin protein expression in both the mother and newborn and that this may be reflected in neonatal behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 518–529, 2013
Altered social hedonic processing in eating disorders
Authors: Tchanturia Kate , Davies Helen , Harrison Amy , Fox John R.E. , Treasure Janet , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: June 2012

Objective:

Exploring social anhedonia in eating disorders (ED) was the main objective of this study. Social anhedonia relates to a reduced feeling of pleasure from social stimulation. Researching the exact nature of problems in interpersonal relationships is an important topic for clinicians and researchers in the field.

Method:

The revised social anhedonia scale was completed by 148 participants: anorexia nervosa (AN) n = 72; bulimia nervosa (BN) n = 19; recovered AN n = 14; healthy controls (HC) n = 43. Participants also completed mood related measures and the Toronto Alexythimia scale.

Results:

People with AN and BN had higher self‐reported social anhedonia than people without ED. Recovered AN had an intermediate profile in between AN and HC. Clinical severity and alexithymia were strongly associated with social anhedonia scores.

Discussion:

Difficulty identifying and expressing feelings could be related to this diminished drive for social pleasure. Tackling these interpersonal maintaining factors in treatment is likely to be a worthwhile endeavor. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)
The endemic gastropod fauna of Lake Titicaca: correlation between molecular evolution and hydrographic history
Authors: Kroll Oliver , Hershler Robert , Albrecht Christian , Terrazas Edmundo M. , Apaza Roberto , Fuentealba Carmen , Wolff Christian , Wilke Thomas
Published: June 2012

Lake Titicaca, situated in the Altiplano high plateau, is the only ancient lake in South America. This 2‐ to 3‐My‐old (where My is million years) water body has had a complex history that included at least five major hydrological phases during the Pleistocene. It is generally assumed that these physical events helped shape the evolutionary history of the lake's biota. Herein, we study an endemic species assemblage in Lake Titicaca, composed of members of the microgastropod genusHeleobia, to determine whether the lake has functioned as a reservoir of relic species or the site of local diversification, to evaluate congruence of the regional paleohydrology and the evolutionary history of this assemblage, and to assess whether the geographic distributions of endemic lineages are hierarchical. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Titicaca/AltiplanoHeleobiafauna (together with few extralimital taxa) forms a species flock. A molecular clock analysis suggests that the most recent common ancestor (MRCAs) of the Altiplano taxa evolved 0.53 (0.28–0.80) My ago and the MRCAs of the Altiplano taxa and their extralimital sister group 0.92 (0.46–1.52) My ago. The endemic species of Lake Titicaca are younger than the lake itself, implying primarily intralacustrine speciation. Moreover, the timing of evolutionary branching events and the ages of two precursors of Lake Titicaca, lakes Cabana and Ballivián, is congruent. Although Lake Titicaca appears to have been the principal site of speciation for the regionalHeleobiafauna, the contemporary spatial patterns of endemism have been masked by immigration and/or emigration events of local riverine taxa, which we attribute to the unstable hydrographic history of the Altiplano. Thus, a hierarchical distribution of endemism is not evident, but instead there is a single genetic break between two regional clades. We also discuss our findings in relation to studies of other regional biota and suggest that salinity tolerance was the most likely limiting factor in the evolution of Altiplano species flocks.
Synthesis of Trisaccharides by Hetero‐Diels–Alder Welding of Two Monosaccharide Units
Authors: Himanen Jatta A. , Pihko Petri M.
Published: June 2012

A new strategy for the synthesis of di‐ and trisaccharides based on the de novo synthesis of the linking saccharide unit is presented. In this strategy, functionalized monosaccharide building blocks already incorporating the glycosidic linkages are welded together using a metal‐catalyzed hetero‐Diels–Alder (HDA) reaction to generate a new monosaccharide unit between them. The highest yields and selectivities in the HDA reaction were obtained by using chiral Schiff base chromium complexes. Disaccharide products were accessible by reaction of Danishefsky's diene with acetyl‐ and benzyl‐protected galactoside aldehydes. For the synthesis of trisaccharide products, acetyl‐protected glucose or galactose‐derived dienes were fused with monosaccharide‐derived aldehydes using chromium catalysts for the HDA reaction. The desired trisaccharide products were obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivity. The central pyranulose‐ring generated in the process possessed an L‐cis‐enulose configuration according to NMR spectroscopy and modeling studies.
StableN‐Heterocyclic Carbenes:N‐Alkyl‐N′‐phosphanylbenzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes
Authors: Marchenko Anatoliy P. , Koidan Heorgiy N. , Hurieva Anastasiia N. , Pervak Igor I. , Shishkina Svitlana V. , Shishkin Oleg V. , Kostyuk Aleksandr N.
Published: June 2012

Three original approaches to the synthesis ofN‐alkyl‐N′‐phosphanylbenzimidazolium salts, which are precursors of the corresponding carbenes, were developed. New stableN‐alkyl‐N′‐phosphanylbenzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes were prepared in good yields. X‐ray analysis of a carbene was made and the chemical properties of the carbenes were studied. The reactions with O‐, N‐, and C‐nucleophiles were found to proceed with or without cleavage of the P–N bond. Thermal rearrangement of the carbenes afforded 2‐phosphorylated benzimidazoles.
Azide‐ and Alkyne‐Derivatised α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Johansson Henrik , Pedersen Daniel Sejer
Published: June 2012

With the emergence of the copper‐catalysed Huisgen cycloaddition the use of azide‐ and alkyne‐derivatised α‐amino acids has found widespread use within most chemistry disciplines. Despite a growing interest in these building blocks researchers are struggling to identify the best way for their synthesis. In this review we have compiled available methods for synthesising optically active azide‐ and alkyne‐derivatised α‐amino acids that can be prepared from readily available α‐amino acids. We highlight a number of commonly overlooked problems associated with existing methods and direct attention to unexplored possibilities.
Separation and determination of B vitamins and essential amino acids in health drinks by CE‐LIF with simultaneous derivatization
Authors: Zhao Danyue , Lu Minghua , Cai Zongwei
Published: June 2012

An efficient and sensitive method for the separation and determination of three essential amino acids and three B vitamins by CE‐LIF with a simultaneous derivatization procedure was developed. The conditions for derivatization and separation of these micronutrients were investigated. FITC was used as the reagent for fluorescence tagging of arginine (Arg), valine (Val), tryptophan (Trp), folic acid (FA), and niacinamide (NA). Riboflavin (RF) was detected without derivatization. Derivatization of analytes dissolved in borate solution was performed by successive introduction of fluorescence reagent and analytes followed by water bathing at 43°C. The molar ratio of sample/reagent (S/R), derivatization temperature, and incubation time significantly influenced the efficiency of derivatization. To maximize the fluorescence yield, a high S/R (≥20) was required. The nonderivatized RF and five derivatized analytes were separated in the optimized CE‐LIF system with the application of 22 kV voltage and 25 mM borate buffer at pH 9.85. Validation of the method showed good linearity for the corrected peak areas versus standard concentrations for the six analytes. The RSDs (n = 3) of the migration time and the peak area obtained for the analytes ranged from 0.4 to 1.1% and from 1.9 to 4.4%, respectively. The developed method, with the lowest LOD of 0.5 nM, was successfully applied for the efficient derivatization and determination of B vitamins in four health drink samples.
Rapid and sensitive analysis of three polyphenols in tobacco by CE using homemade C4D with a mini detection cell
Authors: Xie Fuwei , Zhang Yanhao , Zheng Bo , Xu Feifei , Su Jianpo , Lu Yanyan , Zeng Fanya , Zhang Bin , Guo Yaxiao , Zhang Shusheng
Published: June 2012

A rapid, sensitive, and practical CE with C4D detection was developed for the analysis of three polyphenols (rutin, scopoletin, and chlorogenic acid) in tobacco samples. The constructed mini detection cell (12 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm) of C4D featured with small inner cell volume (∼2 nL), smaller noise (<0.9 mV), repeatability, high strength and durableness. Three polyphenols were ultrasonically extracted with methanol–water (70:30, v/v) solution following SPE cleanup. The CE method was optimized with the running buffer of 150 mmol L−1 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol (pH 11.2), and the applied separation voltage of +20 kV over a capillary of 50 μm id × 375 μm od × 50 cm (38 cm to the C4D window, 41.5 cm to the UV detector window), which gave a baseline separation of three polyphenols within ca. 6 min. The method provided the limits of quantification (S/N = 10) at about 0.08–0.15 μg g−1 for three polyphenols, whereas the overall recoveries ranged from 82% to 88%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to measure three polyphenols in the actual tobacco samples, and their contents were calculated and evaluated.
Groundwater mineralisation processes in Mediterranean semi‐arid systems (Cap‐Bon, North east of Tunisia): hydrogeological and geochemical approaches
Authors: Zghibi Adel , Zouhri Lahcen , Tarhouni Jamila , Kouzana Lamia
Published: June 2012

The groundwater of the Korba plain represents major water resources in Tunisia. The Plio‐Quaternary unconfined aquifer of the Cap‐Bon (north‐east Tunisia) is subject to the intensive agricultural activities and high groundwater pumping rates due to the increasing of the groundwater extraction. The degradation of the groundwater quality is characterized by the salinization phenomena. Groundwater were sampled and analysed for physic‐chemical parameters: Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl‐, SO42‐, HCO3‐, NO3‐, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and the temperature (T°). The hydrochemical analysis is coupled with the calculation of the saturation indexes (SI gypsum, SI halite, SI calcite and SI dolomite), ionic derivation and with the ion correlations compared to chloride concentrations: Na+/ Cl‐, Ca2+/ Cl‐ and Mg2+/ Cl‐ ratios. Seawater fractions in the groundwater were calculated using the chloride concentration. Those processes can be used as indicators of seawater intrusion progression. EC methods were also conducted to obtain new informations on the spatial scales and dynamics of the fresh water–seawater interface of coastal groundwater exchange. The mixing zone between freshwater and saltwater was clearly observed from the EC profile in the investigated area where a strong increase in EC with depth was observed, corresponding to the freshwater and saltwater interface. Results of hydrochemical study revealed the presence of direct cation exchange linked to seawater intrusion and dissolution processes associated with cations exchange. These results, together with EC investigation, indicated that the groundwater is affected by seawater intrusion and is still major actor as a source of salinization of the groundwater in Korba coastal plain. Further isotopic and hydrological investigations will be necessary to identify and more understood the underlying mechanisms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.