bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carvedilol reduces exercise‐induced hyperventilation: A benefit in normoxia and a problem with hypoxia
Authors: Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Contini Mauro , Magini Alessandra , Apostolo Anna , Cattadori Gaia , Bussotti Maurizio , Veglia Fabrizio , Andreini Daniele , Palermo Pietro
Published: March 2006

Aims:

To evaluate whether carvedilol influences exercise hyperventilation and the ventilatory response to hypoxia in heart failure (HF).

Methods and results:

Fifteen HF patients participated to this double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, cross‐over study. Patients were evaluated by quality of life questionnaire, echocardiography, pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (ramp and constant workload) both in normoxia (FiO2=21%) and hypoxia (FiO2=16%, equivalent to a simulated altitude of 2000m). Carvedilol improved clinical condition and reduced left ventricle size, but had no effect on lung mechanics. In normoxia during exercise, ventilation was lower, VCO2 unchanged and PaCO2 (constant workload) or PetCO2 (ramp) higher with carvedilol, exercise capacity was unchanged (peak workload 92±22 and 90±22W for placebo and carvedilol, respectively). Abnormal VE/VCO2 slope was reduced by carvedilol. Hypoxia increased ventilation but less with carvedilol; exercise capacity decreased to 87±21W (placebo) and to 80±11W (carvedilol, p<0.01). With hypoxia, carvedilol decreased VE/VCO2 slope. At constant workload exercise with hypoxia, PaO2 decreased to 69±6 mm Hg (placebo) and to 64±5 (carvedilol, p<0.01).

Conclusion:

Carvedilol reduced hyperventilation possibly by reducing peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity as suggested by PaCO2 increase with normoxia and PaO2 decrease with hypoxia without VCO2 and VD/VT changes. Lessening hyperventilation is beneficial when breathing normally, but detrimental when hyperventilation is needed for exercise at high altitude.
Impact of obesity on quality of life and depression in patients with heart failure
Authors: Evangelista Lorraine S. , Moser Debra K. , Westlake Cheryl , Hamilton Michele A. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Dracup Kathleen
Published: March 2006

Background:

The effect of obesity on health related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in a number of disease states is well documented, but its impact in heart failure (HF) patients remains speculative. We therefore examined the relationship between obesity, HRQOL, and depression in 358 patients with HF.

Methods and results:

Comparative analyses were conducted to determine if body mass index (BMI) was associated with HRQOL and depression in three groups of patients with HF—normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n=100), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2, n=141), and obese (BMI ≤ kg/m2, n=117). Obese patients were younger than normal and overweight participants; all other demographic and clinical characteristics were similar. HRQOL and depression scores were significantly higher (worse) for obese patients. Body mass index was significantly correlated with all 3 scales of HRQOL (overall, r2=.160; physical, r2=.162; and mental, r2=.217) as well as with depression (r2=.166).

Conclusion:

Obese patients with HF are more likely to have poorer HRQOL, physical health, emotional well‐being and depressive symptoms. Poorer HRQOL is predictive of worse outcomes in patients with HF; however, given the apparent obesity paradox in HF, further investigation of the impact of obesity in HF is urgently required.
A longitudinal study of PTSD in a sample of adult mass-evacuated Kosovars, some of whom returned to their home country
Authors: Roth Göran , Ekblad Solvig , Ågren Hans
Published: March 2006

PTSD among a sample of mass-evacuated adults from Kosovo was studied using a prospective design with a baseline study and follow-ups at 3 and 6 months in Sweden, and with an additional follow-up after 1.5 years in both Sweden and Kosovo. Trauma events and PTSD-related symptoms were measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). At the additional follow-up after 1.5 years the same measure (HTQ) was used as well as clinical diagnostic interviews with the SCID instrument and measurement of saliva cortisol levels. Thirty-seven percent had PTSD-related symptoms at baseline. Morbidity increased at the three follow-ups. About 80% of the participants had PTSD at the additional follow-up after 1.5 years. The HTQ results were confirmed by clinical diagnoses and the participants diagnosed with PTSD also had low saliva cortisol levels. The results are discussed in terms of trauma, time needed to develop PTSD, post-migration stress and selection mechanisms.
Switching to amisulpride monotherapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Authors: Kontaxakis V.P. , Havaki-Kontaxaki B.J. , Ferentinos P.P. , Paplos K.G. , Soldatos C.R.
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study was to assess switching to amisulpride (AMS) in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Seven male subjects were switched to AMS and followed for 8 weeks. PANSS scores improved from 123 to 66 over this period. We conclude that AMS is of interest in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia.
Disordered domains and high surface charge confer hubs with the ability to interact with multiple proteins in interaction networks
Authors: Patil Ashwini , Nakamura Haruki
Published: March 2006

We investigate the structural properties of hubs that enable them to interact with several partners in protein–protein interaction networks. We find that hubs have more observed and predicted disordered residues with fewer loops/coils, and more charged residues on the surface as compared to non‐hubs. Smaller hubs have fewer disordered residues and more charged residues on the surface than larger hubs. We conclude that the global flexibility provided by disordered domains, and high surface charge are complementary factors that play a significant role in the binding ability of hubs.
Suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by 10–23 DNAzymes in murine macrophage
Authors: Chaudhury Indrajit , Raghav Sunil K. , Gautam Hemant K. , Das Hasi R. , Das Rakha H.
Published: March 2006

iNOS mRNA of J774 murine macrophage cells was cleaved by 10–23 DNAzymes. DNAzyme target site I or translation initiation site and site II have computer predicted (MFOLD) secondary structures but site III has no secondary structure. All the three DNAzymes cleaved the short transcripts generated from cloned DNA almost with equal efficiency while cleavage efficiency is higher at site III than the other two sites on isolated iNOS mRNA. Interestingly, at intracellular level, DNAzyme targeted at translation initiation codon (site I) having secondary structure cleaved iNOS mRNA, and suppressed its activity and protein expression more efficiently than that targeted at sites II and III.
Myosin light chain kinase A is activated by cGMP‐dependent and cGMP‐independent pathways
Authors: Goldberg Jonathan M. , Wolpin Eric S. , Bosgraaf Leonard , Clarkson Bryan K. , Van Haastert Peter J.M. , Smith Janet L.
Published: March 2006

Stimulation of Dictyostelium cells with the chemoattractant cAMP results in transient phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain (RLC). We show that myosin light chain kinase A (MLCK‐A) is responsible for RLC phosphorylation during chemotaxis, and that MLCK‐A itself is transiently phosphorylated on threonine‐166, dramatically increasing its catalytic activity. MLCK‐A activation during chemotaxis is highly responsive to cellular cGMP levels and the cGMP‐binding protein GbpC. MLCK‐A− cells have a partial cytokinesis defect, and do not phosphorylate RLC in response to concanavalin A (conA), but cells lacking cGMP or GbpC divide normally and phosphorylate in response to conA. Thus MLCK‐A is activated by a cGMP/GbpC‐independent mechanism activated during cytokinesis or by conA, and a cGMP/GbpC‐dependent pathway during chemotaxis.
Peroxisomal trans‐2‐enoyl‐CoA reductase is involved in phytol degradation
Authors: Gloerich J. , Ruiter J.P.N. , van den Brink D.M. , Ofman R. , Ferdinandusse S. , Wanders R.J.A.
Published: March 2006

Phytol is a naturally occurring precursor of phytanic acid. The last step in the conversion of phytol to phytanoyl‐CoA is the reduction of phytenoyl‐CoA mediated by an, as yet, unidentified enzyme. A candidate for this reaction is a previously described peroxisomal trans‐2‐enoyl‐CoA reductase (TER). To investigate this, human TER was expressed in E. coli as an MBP‐fusion protein. The purified recombinant protein was shown to have high reductase activity towards trans‐phytenoyl‐CoA, but not towards the peroxisomal β‐oxidation intermediates C24:1‐CoA and pristenoyl‐CoA. In conclusion, our results show that human TER is responsible for the reduction of phytenoyl‐CoA to phytanoyl‐CoA in peroxisomes.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Accompanying Radial Dysplasia Due to Thalidomide Embryopathy
Authors: OSHIMA Y. , OKUTSU I. , HAMANAKA I. , MOTOMURA T.
Published: March 2006

We performed endoscopic carpal tunnel release in four hands in three patients suffering from radial dysplasia due to thalidomide embryopathy. Carpal canal pressure measurements results confirmed the diagnoses. All operations were successfully performed and resulted in no complications. Tingling sensation and sensory disturbances of the hands subsided.
Meatoplasty keloid: a rare lesion treated with an unusual surgical approach
Authors: Shine N P , Lew K
Published: March 2006

Keloid scarring is a benign hyperproliferation of fibrous tissue occurring at a wound healing site. Keloid formation related to the ear is generally the result of ear-piercing, mainly causing cosmetic disfigurement. We present an unusual case of keloid formation at a previous meatoplasty incision scar in a 10-year-old Caucasian with a modified radical mastoid cavity. This lesion prevented the cavity from self-cleaning and obstructed microscopic evaluation of the cavity. Treatment was successfully performed by surgical excision, with closure of the defect using supra-keloid skin flaps, followed by serial steroid injection therapy.
Temperaments- und Charaktermerkmale jugendlicher Patientinnen mit Anorexia und Bulimia Nervosa
Authors: Hueg Anne , Resch Franz , Haffner Johann , Poustka Luise , Parzer Peter , Brunner Romuald
Published: March 2006

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Bei erwachsenen Patientinnen wurden auf der Grundlage des Persönlichkeitsmodells von Robert C. Cloninger konsistente Unterschiede zwischen Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa sowie im Vergleich zu gesunden Populationen gefunden. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht , ob sich ähnliche Unterschiede bereits bei jugendlichen essgestörten Patientinnen mit kurzer Krankheitsdauer finden lassen. Methodik: 73 konsekutiv erfasste Patientinnen mit Essstörungen im Alter zwischen 12 und 18 Jahren wurden untersucht. Die deutsche Version des Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI 12-18) wurde Patientinnen mit den Diagnosen Anorexia nervosa vom restriktiven Typus (AN-R, n = 29), Anorexia nervosa vom bulimischen Typus (AN-B, n = 16) und Bulimia nervosa (BN, n = 28) vorgelegt. Ergebnisse: Unterschiede in den Temperamentsfaktoren waren am ausgeprägtesten zwischen Patientinnen mit einer AN-R im Vergleich zu Patientinnen mit einer BN, während Patientinnen mit einer AN-B ein zwischen den anderen zwei Störungen liegendes Persönlichkeitsprofil aufwiesen. Patientinnen mit einer BN zeigten ein höheres Ausmaß an Neugierverhalten und ein geringeres Beharrungsvermögen im Vergleich zu Patientinnen mit einer AN-R. Im Kontrast zum restriktiven Typus konnte ein geringeres Ausmaß an Selbstlenkungsfähigkeit bei Patientinnen mit einer BN wie auch mit einer AN-B gefunden werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Die in der Untersuchung gefundenen differentiellen Temperamentsfaktoren in den verschiedenen Subtypen der Essstörungen bei den jugendlichen Patientinnen zeigen ein ähnliches Muster wie bei essgestörten Patientinnen im Erwachsenalter. Dieser Befund stärkt die Vermutung, dass spezifische Persönlichkeitsfaktoren den unterschiedlichen Subtypen der Essstörungen zu Grunde liegen.
Comparing Two Approaches for the Assessment of Coping
Authors: Ising Marcus , Weyers Peter , Reuter Martin , Janke Wilhelm
Published: March 2006

Stress coping inventories can be divided into trait questionnaires independent from situational factors and situation-related inventories. In a previous study, a situation-related version of the Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen (SVF120; Janke & Erdmann, 1997 ), adapted from the instructions of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ, Folkman & Lazarus, 1988 ), showed reliabilities and factor structures similar to those of the standard version. In the present study, we compared the medium-term stability over a time period of 4 weeks between the situational WCQ version and the situation-independent standard version of the SVF120. The standard version of the SVF120 was filled out by 140 subjects and the WCQ version by 132 subjects. We could confirm that both questionnaires provide similar psychometric properties when a single assessment is considered. We found, however, distinct differences in stability over time. While stability coefficients of the standard version are close to the values of the internal consistency of the scales and factors, almost all stability coefficients of the WCQ version were significantly lower. Absolute stability proved to be considerably lower for the WCQ version. It can be concluded that the WCQ test format is not appropriate for the assessment of person-environment transactions according to the objective of the Lazarus theory, since it is not insensitive to test repetition.
Timing Performance as a Predictor of Psychometric Intelligence as Measured by Speed and Power Tests
Authors: Helmbold Nadine , Rammsayer Thomas
Published: March 2006

In the present study, the relationship between timing performance and psychometric intelligence as measured by a speed and a power test of intelligence was examined. For this purpose performance on the Zahlen-Verbindungs-Test (ZVT), the Wiener Matrizen-Test (WMT), seven psychophysical temporal tasks, and the Hick reaction-time paradigm was obtained in 190 participants. Correlational and principal component analyses suggested a unitary timing mechanism referred to as temporal g. Performance on single temporal tasks and individual factor scores on temporal g were substantially related to both speed and power measures of psychometric intelligence. Temporal g exhibited higher sensitivity to the prediction of performance on the power test than on the speed test. Furthermore, stepwise multiple regression analysis and commonality analysis revealed that timing performance provides a more powerful predictor of psychometric intelligence than traditional reaction-time measures derived from the Hick paradigm. These findings support the notion that the temporal resolution capacity of the brain as assessed with psychophysical temporal tasks reflects an essential property of brain functioning, which is relevant to a wide range of intelligence-related aspects of neural information processing.
Another Look at “Look-Alikes”
Authors: Alpers Georg W. , Gerdes Antje B.M.
Published: March 2006

Popular belief and recent findings suggest that dogs look like their owner - but are such pairs necessarily look-alikes or do we recognize their affiliation based on other information? We asked judges to match automobiles with their owners. They were able to identify the pairs above chance. The correlational analyses of actual information about owners' and automobiles' characteristics and their estimations suggest that stereotypes with respect to external clues about the owner and the automobiles were available to judges. People's appearance and certain characteristics of their possessions apparently carry information beyond physiognomic resemblance and these clues help to make inferences about their affiliation. The different mechanisms that judges might use to make connections between people and their cars are discussed.
Personality Disorders and Intelligence
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: March 2006

Over 500 working adults completed two intelligence tests: the GMA (Graduate Management Assessment) and the WG (Watson-Glaser), a measure of the Big-Five personality traits (NEO-FFM), and a personality disorders measure (Hogan Development Survey). Regressing first the Big-Five personality traits, then the personality disorders, onto the two different measures of intelligence suggested evidence for the incremental validity of personality disorders, which in both studies accounted for an additional 5% of the variance. Results were slightly different in the two analyses though clearly obsessive-compulsiveness is negatively correlated with intelligence test scores.
Ab initio study of the structure, bonding, vibrational spectra, and energetics of XBS+ (where X=H, F, and Cl)
Authors: Francisco Joseph S.
Published: March 2006

High level ab initio electronic structure calculations at the CCSD(T) level with augmented correlation-consistent basis set extrapolated to complete basis set limit have been performed on XBS and XBS+ for X=H, F, and Cl. The geometries have been optimized up through the aug-cc-pV5Z level and the vibrational frequencies have been calculated with the aug-cc-pVQZ basis sets. Analysis of the bonding in XBS and XBS+ using natural bond orbital analysis shows that the BS bond in XBS is a triple bond, while in XBS+ it is a double bond. The energetic properties of XBS cation and its first excited state are reported. The calculated adiabatic ionization potential is 11.11±0.01eV as compared to the experimental value of 11.11±0.03eV for HBS. The adiabatic ionization potentials for FBS and CIBS are 10.89±0.01 and 10.57±0.01eV, respectively.
Femtosecond electronic relaxation of excited metalloporphyrins in the gas phase
Authors: Sorgues Sébastien , Poisson Lionel , Raffael Kevin , Krim Lahouari , Soep Benoit , Shafizadeh Niloufar
Published: March 2006

A systematic study of the ultrafast decay of metalloporphyrins containing various transition metals with partially filled 3d shells and zinc (3d filled) is reported here after excitation in the second excited state of the system (Soret band). Both time-of-flight mass spectrometry and velocity map imaging have been used for detection. A general biexponential decay with a short time constant τ1∼100fs is observed for the transition metal porphyrins, followed by a τ2∼1ps time decay. This evolution is interpreted as a porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer, τ1, followed by a back transfer, τ2, which leads to an excited state (d,d*) localized on the metal. These conclusions stem from the different behaviors of zinc and the transition metal porphyrins. A porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer model is chosen to describe the relaxation mechanism, based upon the fact that transition metalloporphyrins can accept electrons on the metal site, in contrast to zinc porphyrins.
Estimated MP2 and CCSD(T) interaction energies of n-alkane dimers at the basis set limit: Comparison of the methods of Helgakeret al.and Feller
Authors: Tsuzuki Seiji , Honda Kazumasa , Uchimaru Tadafumi , Mikami Masuhiro
Published: March 2006

The MP2 (the second-order Møller-Plesset calculation) and CCSD(T) (coupled cluster calculation with single and double substitutions with noniterative triple excitations) interaction energies of all-trans n-alkane dimers were calculated using Dunning's [J. Chem. Phys. 90, 1007 (1989)] correlation consistent basis sets. The estimated MP2 interaction energies of methane, ethane, and propane dimers at the basis set limit [EMP2(limit)] by the method of Helgaker et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 106, 9639 (1997)] from the MP2∕aug-cc-pVXZ (X=D and T) level interaction energies are very close to those estimated from the MP2∕aug-cc-pVXZ (X=T and Q) level interaction energies. The estimated EMP2(limit) values of n-butane to n-heptane dimers from the MP2∕cc-pVXZ (X=D and T) level interaction energies are very close to those from the MP2∕aug-cc-pVXZ (X=D and T) ones. The EMP2(limit) values estimated by Feller's [J. Chem. Phys. 96, 6104 (1992)] method from the MP2∕cc-pVXZ (X=D, T, and Q) level interaction energies are close to those estimated by the method of Helgaker et al. from the MP2∕cc-pVXZ (X=T and Q) ones. The estimated EMP2(limit) values by the method of Helgaker et al. using the aug-cc-pVXZ (X=D and T) are close to these values. The estimated EMP2(limit) of the methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, and n-decane dimers by the method of Helgaker et al. are −0.48, −1.35, −2.08, −2.97, −3.92, −4.91, −5.96, −6.68, −7.75, and −8.75kcal∕mol, respectively. Effects of electron correlation beyond MP2 are not large. The estimated CCSD(T) interaction energies of the methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane dimers at the basis set limit by the method of Helgaker et al. (−0.41, −1.22, −1.87, and −2.74kcal∕mol, respectively) from the CCSD(T)∕cc-pVXZ (X=D and T) level interaction energies are close to the EMP2(limit) obtained using the same basis sets. The estimated EMP2(limit) values of the ten dimers were fitted to the form m0+m1X (X is 1 for methane, 2 for ethane, etc.). The obtained m0 and m1 (0.595 and −0.926kcal∕mol) show that the interactions between long n-alkane chains are significant. Analysis of basis set effects shows that cc-pVXZ (X=T, Q, or 5), aug-cc-pVXZ (X=D, T, Q, or 5) basis set, or 6-311G** basis set augmented with diffuse polarization function is necessary for quantitative evaluation of the interaction energies between n-alkane chains.
Transparent flexible organic thin-film transistors that use printed single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes
Authors: Cao Qing , Zhu Zheng-Tao , Lemaitre Maxime G. , Xia Ming-Gang , Shim Moonsub , Rogers John A.
Published: March 2006

Electrodes based on printed networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are integrated with ultrathin layers of the organic semiconductor pentacene to produce bendable, transparent thin-film transistors on plastic substrates. The physical and structural properties of the SWNTs lead to the remarkably good electrical contacts with the pentacene. Optical transmittances of ∼70%, device mobilities >0.5cm2V−1s−1, ON/OFF ratios >105 and tensile strains as large as 1.8% are achieved in devices of this type. These characteristics indicate promise for applications in power conserving flexible display systems and other devices.
Physical chromaticity of colorant resist of color filter prepared by inkjet printing technology
Authors: Koo Horng-Show , Pan Po-Chuan , Kawai Tomoji , Chen Mi , Wu Feng-Mei , Liu Yu-Ting , Chang Shinn-Jen
Published: March 2006

A color filter with stripe-type pattern of bluish colorant film has been manufactured by the emerging inkjet printing technology. The injected colorant film in subpixel cells increases its thickness with increasing amount of bluish ink droplets with nanoparticles pigment during the processing of inkjet printing. The specified magnitude of bluish colorant ink for color filter in chromatic characteristics can be achieved in the neighboring region of x=0.149±0.04, y=0.152±0.04 and a brightness of Y=21.4. The visible light transmittance ratio of the prepared color filter samples with bluish colorant ink can nearly achieve 100% over the wavelength of 450–500nm, this is due to the reduction of light scattering in colorant film with particle size in nanometer.
Spin-wave eigenmodes of an infinite thin film with periodically modulated exchange bias field
Authors: Bayer C. , Kostylev M. P. , Hillebrands B.
Published: March 2006

We calculate semianalytically the spin-wave eigenmodes and frequencies of an infinite thin film with periodically modulated exchange bias field. We show that both localized and propagating modes exist in this system and that band gaps exist at the edges of the Brillouin zone. The spin-wave frequencies and band gaps can be tailored by changing the period of the superlattice. This method is of technological relevance as the modification of the spin-wave spectrum can be achieved without any change in topography.
Microstructure and phase control in Bi–Fe–O multiferroic nanocomposite thin films
Authors: Murakami M. , Fujino S. , Lim S.-H. , Salamanca-Riba L. G. , Wuttig M. , Takeuchi I. , Varughese Bindhu , Sugaya H. , Hasegawa T. , Lofland S. E.
Published: March 2006

We report on the controlled multiphase thin film growth in the Bi–Fe–O system. By varying the deposition oxygen pressure, the dominant phase formed in the film continuously changes from ferroelectric BiFeO3 to a mixture of α-Fe2O3 and ferromagnetic γ-Fe2O3. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy have revealed that epitaxial multiferroic nanocomposites consisting of BiFeO3 and Fe2O3 are formed when the deposition pressure is ≈5mTorr. In order to investigate the previously reported anomalous enhancement in magnetization in BiFeO3, we have fabricated a thickness gradient pure BiFeO3 film. The out-of-plane lattice constant was found to increase continuously as the thickness is decreased from 300 to 5nm, but no significant enhancement in magnetization was observed.
Generation of speckle-reduced phase images from three complex parts for synthetic aperture radar interferometry
Authors: Yu Qifeng , Fu Sihua , Mayer Helmut , Liu Xiaolin , Yang Xia , Lei Zhihui
Published: March 2006

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has applications in many fields. However, decorrelation speckle noise hinders the wider application of InSAR. In this letter, we propose an innovative method termed contoured correlation interferometry to generate speckle-noise-reduced phase images. This method only needs three part images of the two complex images instead of four for the conventional method, which is a significant advantage if processing synthetic aperture radar images on satellites. It proves an efficient tool that reduces speckle noise while preserving the phase derived, which is one of most difficult problems in InSAR data processing. The proposed method can serve as an alternative to generate better InSAR interferograms, whose physical meaning is clearer.
Catalyst-free two-step growth of quasialigned ZnMgO nanorods and their properties
Authors: Zhu Liping , Zhi Mingjia , Ye Zhizhen , Zhao Binghui
Published: March 2006

Quasialigned ZnMgO ternary nanorods with sharp single-crystal tips were prepared by using thermal evaporation without a catalyst. The growth process included two steps: the formation of ZnO droplets and then the formation of ZnMgO nanorods. The obtained ZnMgO nanorods with abruptly sharpened tips crystallized well as hexagonal phase, with preferred orientation along the c axis. The nanorods are about 200nm in diameter and the tips are 50nm. With the Mg incorporation, the ultraviolet near-band-edge emission shows a clear blueshift. The possible growth mechanism of the ZnMgO nanorods is discussed.
Arginase modulates myocardial contractility by a nitric oxide synthase 1-dependent mechanism
Authors: Steppan Jochen , Ryoo Sungwoo , Schuleri Karl H. , Gregg Chris , Hasan Rani K. , White A. Ron , Bugaj Lukasz J. , Khan Mehnaz , Santhanam Lakshmi , Nyhan Daniel , Shoukas Artin A. , Hare Joshua M. , Berkowitz Dan E.
Published: March 2006

Cardiac myocytes contain two constitutive NO synthase (NOS) isoforms with distinct spatial locations, which allows for isoform-specific regulation. One regulatory mechanism for NOS is substrate (l-arginine) bioavailability. We tested the hypothesis that arginase (Arg), which metabolizesl-arginine, constrains NOS activity in the cardiac myocyte in an isoform-specific manner. Arg activity was detected in both rat heart homogenates and isolated myocytes. Although both Arg I and II mRNA and protein were present in whole heart, Arg II alone was found in isolated myocytes. Arg inhibition withS-(2-boronoethyl)-l-cysteine (BEC) augmented Ca2+-dependent NOS activity and NO production in myocytes, which did not depend on extracellularl-arginine. Arg II coimmunoprecipited with NOS1 but not NOS3. Isolation of myocyte mitochondrial fractions in combination with immuno-electron microscopy demonstrates that Arg II is confined primarily to the mitochondria. Because NOS1 positively modulates myocardial contractility, we determined whether Arg inhibition would increase basal myocardial contractility. Consistent with our hypothesis, Arg inhibition increased basal contractility in isolated myocytes by a NOS-dependent mechanism. Both the Arg inhibitorsN-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine and BEC dose-dependently increased basal contractility in rat myocytes, which was inhibited by both nonspecific and NOS1-specific NOS inhibitorsNG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester andS-methyl-l-thiocitrulline, respectively. Also, BEC increased contractility in isolated myocytes from WT and NOS3 but not NOS1 knockout mice. We conclude that mitochondrial Arg II negatively regulates NOS1 activity, most likely by limiting substrate availability in its microdomain. These findings have implications for therapy in pathophysiologic states such as aging and heart failure in which myocardial NO signaling is disrupted.
Enzymatic aminoacylation of tRNA with unnatural amino acids
Authors: Hartman Matthew C. T. , Josephson Kristopher , Szostak Jack W.
Published: March 2006

The biochemical flexibility of the cellular translation apparatus offers, in principle, a simple route to the synthesis of drug-like modified peptides and novel biopolymers. However, only ≈75 unnatural building blocks are known to be fully compatible with enzymatic tRNA acylation and subsequent ribosomal synthesis of modified peptides. Although the translation system can reject substrate analogs at several steps along the pathway to peptide synthesis, much of the specificity resides at the level of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) enzymes that are responsible for charging tRNAs with amino acids. We have developed an AARS assay based on mass spectrometry that can be used to rapidly identify unnatural monomers that can be enzymatically charged onto tRNA. By using this assay, we have found 59 previously unknown AARS substrates. These include numerous side-chain analogs with useful functional properties. Remarkably, many β-amino acids,
N
-methyl amino acids, and α,α-disubstituted amino acids are also AARS substrates. These previously unidentified AARS substrates will be useful in studies of the specificity of subsequent steps in translation and may significantly expand the number of analogs that can be used for the ribosomal synthesis of modified peptides.
A mouse model for human short-stature syndromes identifies
Shox2
as an upstream regulator of
Runx2
during long-bone development
Authors: Cobb John , Dierich Andrée , Huss-Garcia Yolande , Duboule Denis
Published: March 2006

Deficiencies or mutations in the human pseudoautosomal
SHOX
gene are associated with a series of short-stature conditions, including Turner syndrome, Leri–Weill dyschondrosteosis, and Langer mesomelic dysplasia. Although this gene is absent from the mouse genome, the closely related paralogous gene
Shox2
displays a similar expression pattern in developing limbs. Here, we report that the conditional inactivation of
Shox2
in developing appendages leads to a strong phenotype, similar to the human conditions, although it affects a different proximodistal limb segment. Furthermore, using this mouse model, we establish the cellular etiology of these defects and show that
Shox2
acts upstream the
Runx2
gene, a key regulator of chondrogenesis.
High-dose oral
N
-acetylcysteine, a glutathione prodrug, modulates inflammation in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Tirouvanziam Rabindra , Conrad Carol K. , Bottiglieri Teodoro , Herzenberg Leonore A. , Moss Richard B. , Herzenberg Leonard A.
Published: March 2006

Neutrophilic airway inflammation is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). As high oxidant producers, airway neutrophils contribute largely to the systemic redox imbalance seen in CF. In turn, this chronic and profound imbalance can impact circulating neutrophils before their migration into airways. Indeed, in 18 CF patients with stable disease, blood neutrophils were readily deficient in the pivotal antioxidant glutathione (
P
= 0.003, compared with 9 healthy controls). In a phase 1 study, this deficiency was improved (
P
= 0.025) by the glutathione prodrug
N
-acetylcysteine, given orally in high doses (0.6 to 1.0 g three times daily, for 4 weeks). This treatment was safe and markedly decreased sputum elastase activity (
P
= 0.006), the strongest predictor of CF pulmonary function. Consistently, neutrophil burden in CF airways was decreased upon treatment (
P
= 0.003), as was the number of airway neutrophils actively releasing elastase-rich granules (
P
= 0.005), as measured by flow cytometry. Pulmonary function measures were not improved, as expected with short-term treatment. After excluding data from subjects without baseline airway inflammation, positive treatment effects were more pronounced and included decreased sputum IL-8 levels (
P
= 0.032). Thus, high-dose oral
N
-acetylcysteine has the potential to counter the intertwined redox and inflammatory imbalances in CF.
Reduced nitrate leaching and enhanced denitrifier activity and efficiency in organically fertilized soils
Authors: Kramer Sasha B. , Reganold John P. , Glover Jerry D. , Bohannan Brendan J. M. , Mooney Harold A.
Published: March 2006

Conventional agriculture has improved in crop yield but at large costs to the environment, particularly off-site pollution from mineral N fertilizers. In response to environmental concerns, organic agriculture has become an increasingly popular option. One component of organic agriculture that remains in question is whether it can reduce agricultural N losses to groundwater and the atmosphere relative to conventional agriculture. Here we report reduced N pollution from organic and integrated farming systems compared with a conventional farming system. We evaluated differences in denitrification potential and a suite of other soil biological and chemical properties in soil samples taken from organic, integrated, and conventional treatments in an experimental apple orchard. Organically farmed soils exhibited higher potential denitrification rates, greater denitrification efficiency, higher organic matter, and greater microbial activity than conventionally farmed soils. The observed differences in denitrifier function were then assessed under field conditions after fertilization. N
2
O emissions were not significantly different among treatments; however, N
2
emissions were highest in organic plots. Annual nitrate leaching was 4.4–5.6 times higher in conventional plots than in organic plots, with the integrated plots in between. This study demonstrates that organic and integrated fertilization practices support more active and efficient denitrifier communities, shift the balance of N
2
emissions and nitrate losses, and reduce environmentally damaging nitrate losses. Although this study specifically examines a perennial orchard system, the ecological and biogeochemical processes we evaluated are present in all agroecosystems, and the reductions in nitrate loss in this study could also be achievable in other cropping systems.
Altered sleep–wake characteristics and lack of arousal response to H3receptor antagonist in histamine H1receptor knockout mice
Authors: Huang Zhi-Li , Mochizuki Takatoshi , Qu Wei-Min , Hong Zong-Yuan , Watanabe Takeshi , Urade Yoshihiro , Hayaishi Osamu
Published: March 2006

Histaminergic neurons play an important role in the regulation of sleep–wake behavior through histamine H1receptors (H1R). Blockade of the histamine H3receptor (H3R) is proposed to induce wakefulness by regulating the release of various wake-related transmitters, not only histamine. In the present study, we characterized sleep–wake cycles of H1R knockout (KO) mice and their arousal responses to an H3R antagonist. Under baseline conditions, H1R KO mice showed sleep–wake cycles essentially identical to those of WT mice but with fewer incidents of brief awakening (<16-sec epoch), prolonged durations of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep episodes, a decreased number of state transitions between NREM sleep and wakefulness, and a shorter latency for initiating NREM sleep after an i.p. injection of saline. The H1R antagonist pyrilamine mimicked these effects in WT mice. When an H3R antagonist, ciproxifan, was administered i.p., wakefulness increased in WT mice in a dose-dependent manner but did not increase at all in H1R KO mice.In vivomicrodialysis revealed that the i.p. application of ciproxifan increased histamine release from the frontal cortex in both genotypes of mice. These results indicate that H1R is involved in the regulation of behavioral state transitions from NREM sleep to wakefulness and that the arousal effect of the H3R antagonist completely depends on the activation of histaminergic systems through H1R.
Inhibitor-binding mode of homobelactosin C to proteasomes: New insights into class I MHC ligand generation
Authors: Groll Michael , Larionov Oleg V. , Huber Robert , de Meijere Armin
Published: March 2006

Most class I MHC ligands are generated from the vast majority of cellular proteins by proteolysis within the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway and are presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules. Here, we present the crystallographic analysis of yeast 20S proteasome in complex with the inhibitor homobelactosin C. The structure reveals a unique inhibitor-binding mode and provides information about the composition of proteasomal primed substrate-binding sites. IFN-γ inducible substitution of proteasomal constitutive subunits by immunosubunits modulates characteristics of generated peptides, thus producing fragments with higher preference for binding to MHC class I molecules. The structural data for the proteasome:homobelactosin C complex provide an explanation for involvement of immunosubunits in antigen generation and open perspectives for rational design of ligands, inhibiting exclusively constitutive proteasomes or immunoproteasomes.
Regulatory T cells inhibit stable contacts between CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells in vivo
Authors: Tadokoro Carlos E. , Shakhar Guy , Shen Shiqian , Ding Yi , Lino Andreia C. , Maraver Antonio , Lafaille Juan J. , Dustin Michael L.
Published: March 2006

Regulatory T (T reg) cells exert powerful down-modulatory effects on immune responses, but it is not known how they act in vivo. Using intravital two-photon laser scanning microscopy we determined that, in the absence of T reg cells, the locomotion of autoantigen-specific T cells inside lymph nodes is decreased, and the contacts between T cells and antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) are of longer duration. Thus, T reg cells can exert an early effect on immune responses by attenuating the establishment of stable contacts during priming of naive T cells by DCs.
Oral tolerance originates in the intestinal immune system and relies on antigen carriage by dendritic cells
Authors: Worbs Tim , Bode Ulrike , Yan Sheng , Hoffmann Matthias W. , Hintzen Gabriele , Bernhardt Günter , Förster Reinhold , Pabst Oliver
Published: March 2006

Oral tolerance induction is a key feature of intestinal immunity, generating systemic nonresponsiveness to ingested antigens. In this study, we report that orally applied soluble antigens are exclusively recognized in the intestinal immune system, particularly in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Consequently, the initiation of oral tolerance is impeded by mesenteric lymphadenectomy. Small bowel transplantation reveals that mesenteric lymph nodes require afferent lymph to accomplish the recognition of orally applied antigens. Finally, oral tolerance cannot be induced in CCR7-deficient mice that display impaired migration of dendritic cells from the intestine to the mesenteric lymph nodes, suggesting that immunologically relevant antigen is transported in a cell-bound fashion. These results demonstrate that antigen transport via afferent lymphatics into the draining mesenteric lymph nodes is obligatory for oral tolerance induction, inspiring new therapeutic strategies to exploit oral tolerance induction for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Targeting coagulation factor XII provides protection from pathological thrombosis in cerebral ischemia without interfering with hemostasis
Authors: Kleinschnitz Christoph , Stoll Guido , Bendszus Martin , Schuh Kai , Pauer Hans-Ulrich , Burfeind Peter , Renné Christoph , Gailani David , Nieswandt Bernhard , Renné Thomas
Published: March 2006

Formation of fibrin is critical for limiting blood loss at a site of blood vessel injury (hemostasis), but may also contribute to vascular thrombosis. Hereditary deficiency of factor XII (FXII), the protease that triggers the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in vitro, is not associated with spontaneous or excessive injury-related bleeding, indicating FXII is not required for hemostasis. We demonstrate that deficiency or inhibition of FXII protects mice from ischemic brain injury. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, the volume of infarcted brain in FXII-deficient and FXII inhibitor–treated mice was substantially less than in wild-type controls, without an increase in infarct-associated hemorrhage. Targeting FXII reduced fibrin formation in ischemic vessels, and reconstitution of FXII-deficient mice with human FXII restored fibrin deposition. Mice deficient in the FXII substrate factor XI were similarly protected from vessel-occluding fibrin formation, suggesting that FXII contributes to pathologic clotting through the intrinsic pathway. These data demonstrate that some processes involved in pathologic thrombus formation are distinct from those required for normal hemostasis. As FXII appears to be instrumental in pathologic fibrin formation but dispensable for hemostasis, FXII inhibition may offer a selective and safe strategy for preventing stroke and other thromboembolic diseases.
In vivo sites and cellular mechanisms of T reg cell–mediated suppression
Authors: Rudensky Alexander Y. , Campbell Daniel J.
Published: March 2006

Regulatory CD4 T (T reg) cells control immune responses to self-antigens and pathogens. However, where T reg cells act to curtail effector T cells in vivo and what stage of effector T cell activation or differentiation is targeted by T reg cells remain unknown. Furthermore, a requirement for direct effector T cell–T reg cell contact in vivo has not been ascertained. Varying answers to these important questions have been provided by several new studies.
Are hemostasis and thrombosis two sides of the same coin?
Authors: Colman Robert W.
Published: March 2006

Factor XII (FXII), a clotting enzyme that can initiate coagulation in vitro, has long been considered dispensable for normal blood clotting in vivo because hereditary deficiencies in FXII are not associated with spontaneous or excessive bleeding. However, new studies show that mice lacking FXII are protected against arterial thrombosis (obstructive clot formation) and stroke. Thus, FXII could be a unique drug target that could be blocked to prevent thrombosis without the side effect of increased bleeding.
Mesenteric lymph nodes at the center of immune anatomy
Authors: Macpherson Andrew J. , Smith Karen
Published: March 2006

The surface of the intestinal mucosa is constantly assaulted by food antigens and enormous numbers of commensal microbes and their products, which are sampled by dendritic cells (DCs). Recent work shows that the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are the key site for tolerance induction to food proteins and that they also act as a firewall to prevent live commensal intestinal bacteria from penetrating the systemic immune system.
Risk of Hospital-Acquired Legionnaires' Disease in Cities Using Monochloramine Versus Other Water Disinfectants
Authors: Heffelfinger James D. , Kool Jacob L. , Fridkin Scott , Fraser Victoria J. , Hageman Jeffrey , Carpenter Joseph , Whitney Cynthia G. ,   Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Published: March 2006

Objective:

To measure the association between the disinfection of municipal drinking water with monochloramine and the occurrence of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease (LD).

Setting:

One hundred sixty-six U.S. hospitals.

Design:

Survey of 459 members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) for hospital features; endemic- and outbreak-related, hospital-acquired LD; the source of the hospital water supply; and the methods of disinfection used by the hospitals and municipal water treatment plants.

Results:

SHEA members representing 166 (36%) of 459 hospitals responded; 33 (20%) reported one or more episodes of hospital-acquired LD during the period from 1994 to 1998 and 23 (14%) reported an outbreak of hospital-acquired LD during the period from 1989 to 1998. Hospitals with an occurrence of hospital-acquired LD had a higher census (median, 319 vs 221;P= .03), more acute care beds (median, 500 vs 376;P= .04), and more intensive care unit beds (median, 42 vs 24;P= .009) than did other hospitals. They were also more likely to have a transplant service (74% vs 42%;P= .001) and to perform surveillance for hospital-acquired disease (92% vs 61%;P= .001). After adjustment for the presence of a transplant program and surveillance for legionnaires' disease, hospitals supplied with drinking water disinfected with monochloramine by municipal plants were less likely to have sporadic cases or outbreaks of hospital-acquired LD (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.56) than were other hospitals.

Conclusion:

Water disinfection with monochloramine by municipal water treatment plants significantly reduces the risk of hospital-acquired LD.
Surveillance for Hospital-Acquired Infections on Surgical Wards in a Dutch University Hospital
Authors: Kamp-Hopmans Titia E. M. , Blok Hetty E. M. , Troelstra Annet , Gigengack-Baars Ada C. M. , Weersink Annemarie J. L. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M. J. E. , Verhoef Jan , Mascini Ellen M.
Published: March 2006

Objectives:

To determine incidence rates of hospital-acquired infections and to develop preventive measures to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Methods:

Prospective surveillance for hospital-acquired infections was performed during a 5-year period in the wards housing general and vascular, thoracic, orthopedic, and general gynecologic and gynecologic-oncologic surgery of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were collected from patients with and without infections, using criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results:

The infection control team recorded 648 hospital-acquired infections affecting 550 (14%) of 3,845 patients. The incidence density was 17.8 per 1,000 patient-days. Patients with hospital-acquired infections were hospitalized for 19.8 days versus 7.7 days for patients without hospital-acquired infections.

Prolongation of stay among patients with hospital-acquired infections may have resulted in 664 fewer admissions due to unavailable beds. Different specialties were associated with different infection rates at different sites, requiring a tailor-made approach. Interventions were recommended for respiratory tract infections in the thoracic surgery ward and for surgical-site infections in the orthopedic and gynecologic surgery wards.

Conclusions:

Surveillance in four surgical wards showed that each had its own prominent infection, risk factors, and indications for specific recommendations. Because prospective surveillance requires extensive resources, we considered a modified approach based on a half-yearly point-prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections in all wards of our hospital. Such surveillance can be extended with procedure-specific prospective surveillance when indicated.