bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separation of non‐UV‐absorbing synthetic polyelectrolytes by CE with contactless conductivity detection
Authors: Spriestersbach Karl‐Heinz , Rittig Frank , Pasch Harald
Published: October 2008

A specific method for the separation and detection of non‐UV‐absorbing polyelectrolytes has been developed. The analysis of such polyelectrolytes by liquid chromatography is nearly impossible due to strong ionic interactions and charge density effects. CE makes use of these charge density effects and thus enables for proper separation. A capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector has been applied for the detection in CE. A low molar mass poly(acrylic acid) sodium salt standard (PAA1.3k) was separated in free solution CE and detected with the contactless conductivity detector. Different amphoteric electrolytes have been tested for their applicability as BGE for the separation of polyelectrolytes with conductivity detection. It has been shown that the best detection results are obtained with an arginine‐sorbate buffer.
Application of Exchangeable Biochemical Reactors with Oxidase‐Catalase‐Co‐immobilizates and Immobilized Microorganisms in a Microfluidic Chip‐Calorimeter
Authors: Leifheit M. , Bergmann W. , Greiser J.
Published: October 2008

Several methods for the quantitative detection of different compounds, e.g., L‐amino acids, sugars or alcohols in liquid media were developed by application of an automatic measuring unit including a fluid chip‐calorimeter FCC‐21. For this purpose, enzymes were immobilized covalently on the inner and outer surface of CPG (controlled porous glass)‐spherules with an outer diameter of 100 μm and filled into a micro flow‐through reaction chamber (VR = 20 μL). The design of the measuring cell allows for easy insertion into the calorimeter device of a stored series of comfortably pre‐fabricated measuring cells. These cells can be filled with different enzyme immobilizates. Different oxidases were used and co‐immobilized with catalase for the improvement of the detection sensitivity. A signal amplification could be achieved up to a factor of 3.5 with this configuration. β‐D‐glucose, ethanol and L‐lysine could be detected in a range of 0.25–1.75 mM using glucose oxidase, alcohol oxidase and lysine oxidase. The group of oxidases in combination with the enzymatic catalysis of the intermediate H2O2 allows the quantitative detection of a large number of analytes. A good measurement and storage stability could be achieved for several weeks by this immobilization method. In addition to enzyme‐based detection reactions, it was shown that living microorganisms can be immobilized in the reaction chamber. Thus, the system can be used as a whole‐cell biosensor. The quantitative detection of phenol in the range of 10–100 μM could be performed using the actinomycete Rhodococcus sp. immobilized on glass beads by means of embedding into polymers.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Interaction of Lipopolysaccharides with Cationic Compounds
Authors: Garidel P. , Howe J. , Brandenburg K.
Published: October 2008

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram‐negative bacteria, located in the outer leaflet of their outer membrane, are called endotoxins due to their ability to induce a variety of biological effects in mammals. Their lipid moiety, lipid A, is called “the endotoxic principle” and is responsible for the toxic effects of LPS. As a result of the polyanionic character of LPS, the study of the interaction with divalent cations Mg2+ and Ca2+ and polycationic peptides such as polymyxin B (PMB) and its nonapeptide PMBN is of considerable interest, and therefore the authors have investigated the interaction of LPS/lipid A with cationic compounds by applying isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data indicate a clear binding of the divalent cations with the anionic glycolipids, leading to calorimetric reactions, such as an increase in the phase transition temperature, Tm, of the gel to the liquid crystalline phase of LPS, indicating a stabilization of the gel phase. The peptides react quite differently as assessed by DSC. In contrast to the interaction of divalent cations with the glycolipids, a destabilization of the gel phase is observed, accompanied by a decrease in the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition enthalpy for the peptide‐glycolipid interaction. The extent of this effect is peptide‐concentration‐dependent. Using ITC for the analysis of the binding reaction of the cations and the peptides with the glycolipid in the liquid crystalline phase, strong exothermic effects are observed. These are indicative of the dominance of electrostatic attractions between the reaction partners. Interestingly, Ca2+ binding to LPS leads to a slightly exothermic reaction, whereas Mg2+ binding leads to an endothermic reaction (some kJ/mol). The observed highly endothermic binding reactions for the lipid‐peptide interaction in the gel phase are mainly driven by a gain in entropy. This is explained by the fact that during binding, water molecules from the hydration shells of the components are liberated. Although the electrostatic attraction is still the driving force of the interaction, it is quantitatively of minor importance for the interaction in the gel phase. The binding results are discussed in terms of competition between electrostatic interaction and hydration forces. These data are of importance for the understanding of the reaction mechanisms of cationic compounds with LPS under physiological conditions.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Energy Transfer in Acidogenic Cultures
Authors: Bastidas‐Oyanedel J.‐R. , Aceves‐Lara C.‐A. , Ruiz‐Filippi G. , Steyer J.‐P.
Published: October 2008

A global thermodynamic analysis, normally used for pure cultures, has been performed for steady‐state data sets from acidogenic mixed cultures. This analysis is a combination of two different thermodynamic approaches, based on tabulated standard Gibbs energy of formation, global stoichiometry and medium compositions. It takes into account the energy transfer efficiency, ϵ, together with the Gibbs free energy dissipation, ΔGo, analysis of the different data. The objective is to describe these systems thermodynamically without any heat measurement. The results show that ϵ is influenced by environmental conditions, where increasing hydraulic retention time increases its value all cases. The pH effect on ϵ is related to metabolic shifts and osmoregulation. Within the environmental conditions analyzed, ϵ ranges from 0.23 for a hydraulic retention time of 20 h and pH 4, to 0.42 for a hydraulic retention time of 8 h and a pH ranging from 7–8.5. The estimated values of ΔGo are comparable to standard Gibbs energy of dissipation reported in the literature. For the data sets analyzed, ΔGo ranges from –1210 kJ/molx, corresponding to a stirring velocity of 300 rpm, pH 6 and a hydraulic retention time of 6 h, to –20744 kJ/molx for pH 4 and a hydraulic retention time of 20 h. For average conclusions, the combined approach based on standard Gibbs energy of formation and global stoichiometry, used in this thermodynamic analysis, allows for the estimation of Gibbs energy dissipation values from the extracellular medium compositions in acidogenic mixed cultures. Such estimated values are comparable to the standard Gibbs energy dissipation values reported in the literature. It is demonstrated that ϵ is affected by the environmental conditions, i.e., stirring velocity, hydraulic retention time and pH. However, a relationship that relates this parameter to environmental conditions was not found and will be the focus of further research.
The Dry Limit of Microbial Life in the Atacama Desert Revealed by Calorimetric Approaches
Authors: Barros N. , Feijóo S. , Salgado J. , Ramajo B. , García J. R. , Hansen L. D.
Published: October 2008

The Atacama desert in Chile is one of the driest and most lifeless environments on Earth. It rains possibly once a decade. NASA examined these soils as a model for the Martian environment by comparing their degradation activity with Martian soil and looking for “the dry limit of life”. The existence of heterotrophic bacteria in Atacama soil was demonstrated by DNA extraction and by the isolation of microorganisms. So far, however, no data have been available about the metabolic activities in these soils due to the limitations of the existing methodologies when applied to desert soils. Calorimetry was used to obtain information on the metabolic and thermal properties of eleven soil samples collected at different sites in the Atacama desert. Differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal calorimetry were employed to determine the pyrolysis properties of the carbon‐containing matter and to measure biomass and microbial metabolism. They were compared to other soil properties such as total carbon and nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio and pH. There was measurable organic matter in nine of the eleven samples and the heat of pyrolysis of those soils was correlated to the carbon content. In five of the eleven samples no biomass could be detected and the existence of basal microbial metabolism could not be established because all samples showed endothermic activity, probably from inorganic reactions with water. Six samples showed microbial activation after the addition of glucose. Carbon content, nitrogen content and the microbial activity after glucose amendment were correlated to the altitude and to the average minimum temperature of the sampling sites calculated from meteorological data. The detectable microbial metabolism was more dissipative with increasing altitude and decreasing temperature.
Novel mechanisms of gene disruption at the medulloblastoma isodicentric 17p11 breakpoint
Authors: McCabe Martin G. , Ichimura Koichi , Pearson Danita M. , Liu Lu , Clifford Steven C. , Ellison David W. , Collins V. Peter
Published: October 2008

Isodicentric 17q is the most commonly reported chromosomal abnormality in medulloblastomas. Its frequency suggests that genes disrupted in medulloblastoma formation may play a role in tumorigenesis. We have previously identified two chromosome 17 breakpoint at a 1 Mb resolution. Our aims were to accurately map the position of these breakpoints and to identify mechanisms of gene disruption at this site. CGH with a custom tiling path genomic BAC array of chromosome 17 enriched with fosmids at the breakpoint regions was used to analyze a series of 45 medulloblastomas and three medulloblastoma‐derived cell lines. In total, 17 of 45 medulloblastomas had an isodicentric 17q. Two breakpoint regions were identified and their positions were mapped. The array identified a more complex arrangement at the breakpoint than has been reported previously using lower resolution BAC arrays. The patterns observed indicated that dicentric chromosome formation occurs both via nonallelic homologous recombination between palindromically arranged low copy repeats (the previously accepted mechanism) and by recombination between nonidentical sequences. In addition, novel alternative structural alterations, a homozygous deletion and a duplication, were identified within the chromosome breakpoint region in two cases. At the resolution of the array, these structural alterations spanned the same genes as cases with dicentric 17q formation, implying that the disruption of genes at the chromosome breakpoint itself may be of greater biological significance than has previously been suspected. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reverse painting of microdissected chromosome 19 markers in ovarian carcinoma identifies a complex rearrangement map
Authors: Micci Francesca , Weimer Jörg , Haugom Lisbeth , Skotheim Rolf I. , Grunewald Regina , Abeler Vera M. , Silins Ilvar , Lothe Ragnhild A. , Trope Claes G. , Arnold Norbert , Heim Sverre
Published: October 2008

Alterations of chromosome bands 19p13 and 19q13 in the form of added extra material of unknown origin are among the most frequent cytogenetic changes in ovarian carcinomas. To investigate the chromosomal composition of the 19p+ and/or 19q+ markers, we selected for examination 26 ovarian carcinomas which by G‐banding had one to four 19p+ and/or 19q+, in total 37 markers. These cases were then subjected to chromosomal microdissection with subsequent reverse painting, which gave informative results on 29 markers. The breakpoints on chromosome 19 were located in both the short (p; n = 15) and the long (q; n = 10) arms, as well as in the centromeric (n = 2) and pericentromeric (n = 6) region. The analysis showed that many chromosomes added material to chromosome 19, but the chromosome arms 11q, 21q, and 22q were particularly common donors. Homogeneously staining regions (hsr) were seen in only three markers, in all of them consisting of 19p material. Eighteen markers were derived from an unbalanced translocation involving chromosome 19. In five markers, chromosome 19 was rearranged with two chromosomes. The most complex marker showed chromosome 19 rearranged with three other chromosomes, i.e., X, 13, and 16. In five markers, all of the additional material stemmed from chromosome 19 itself. This is the first large chromosome microdissection/FISH study of chromosome 19 markers in ovarian carcinomas. A detailed map of the rearrangements should provide clues to the positions of oncogenes and potential fusion genes important in ovarian carcinogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Motor threshold in transcranial magnetic stimulation: The impact of white matter fiber orientation and skull‐to‐cortex distance
Authors: Herbsman Tal , Forster Lauren , Molnar Christine , Dougherty Robert , Christie Doug , Koola Jejo , Ramsey Dave , Morgan Paul S. , Bohning Daryl E. , George Mark S. , Nahas Ziad
Published: October 2008

The electrophysiology of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of motor cortex is not well understood. In this study, we investigate several structural parameters of the corticospinal tract and their relation to the TMS motor threshold (MT) in 17 subjects, with and without schizophrenia. We obtained structural and diffusion tensor MRI scans and measured the fractional anisotropy and principal diffusion direction for regions of interest in the corticospinal tract. We also measured the skull‐to‐cortex distance over the left motor region. The anterior–posterior trajectory of principle diffusion direction of the corticospinal tract and skull‐to‐cortex distance were both found to be highly correlated with MT, while fractional anisotropy, age and schizophrenia status were not. Two parameters—skull‐to‐cortex distance and the anterior component of the principle diffusion direction of the corticospinal tract as it passes the internal capsule—are highly predictive of MT in a linear regression model, and account for 82% of the variance observed (R2 = 0.82, F = 20.27, P < 0.0001) in measurements of MT. The corticospinal tract's anterior–posterior direction alone contributes 13% of the variance explained. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual job holding general practitioners: the effect of patient shortage
Authors: Godager Geir , Lurås Hilde
Published: October 2008

In 2001, a listpatient system with capitation payment was introduced in Norwegian general practice. After an allocation process where each inhabitant was listed with a general practitioner (GP), a considerable share of the GPs got fewer persons listed than they would have preferred. We examine whether GPs who experience a shortage of patients to a larger extent than other GPs seek to hold a second job in the community health service even though the wage rate is low compared with the wage rate in general practice. Assuming utility maximization, we model the effect of patient shortage on a GP's decision to contract for a second job in the community health service. The model predicts a positive relationship between patient shortage and participation in the community health service. This prediction is tested by means of censored regression analyses, taking account of labour supply as a censored variable. We find a significant effect of patient shortage on the number of hours the GPs supply to community health service. The estimated marginal effect is 1.72 hours per week. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Third degree waiting time discrimination: optimal allocation of a public sector healthcare treatment under rationing by waiting
Authors: Gravelle Hugh , Siciliani Luigi
Published: October 2008

In many public healthcare systems treatments are rationed by waiting time. We examine the optimal allocation of a fixed supply of a given treatment between different groups of patients. Even in the absence of any distributional aims, welfare is increased by third degree waiting time discrimination: setting different waiting times for different groups waiting for the same treatment. Because waiting time imposes dead weight losses on patients, lower waiting times should be offered to groups with higher marginal waiting time costs and with less elastic demand for the treatment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequent concomitant epigenetic silencing of the stress‐responsive tumor suppressor gene CADM1, and its interacting partner DAL‐1 in nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Fu Li , Gao Zifen , Zhang Xiaohua , Tsang Ying Hung , Goh Hwee Koon , Geng Hua , Shimizu Norio , Tsuchiyama Junjiro , Srivastava Gopesh , Tao Qian
Published: October 2008

Nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma (NL) is a rare but clinically important entity of lymphoma. Its preferential incidence in Orientals but not Caucasians suggests possible genetic predisposition. 11q deletion is common in NL, indicating certain tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) at this locus involved in its pathogenesis. We investigated the expression and methylation of an 11q23.2 TSG, CADM1 (or TSLC1), and its partner DAL‐1 (or EPB41L3) in NL. Methylation and silencing of CADM1 were detected in 2 NL and 4 of 8 (50%) of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines, but not in normal NK cells and normal PBMC. Absence of CADM1 protein was also detected in NL cell lines. 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (Aza) demethylation or genetic knockout of both DNMT1 and 3B genes restored CADM1 and DAL‐1 expression. CADM1 methylation was further detected in 36 of 45 (80%) of NL tumors. Concomitantly, DAL‐1 was epigenetically inactivated in NL cell lines and virtually all the tumors with methylated CADM1. A significant correlation between the methylation of both genes was found (p < 0.0001). Homozygous deletion of CADM1 was detected in only 3 of 18 (17%) of tumors. The stress‐response of CADM1 was abolished when its promoter becomes methylated. Our results demonstrate a frequent, predominant epigenetic silencing of CADM1 and DAL‐1 in NL, which likely play a synergic role in NL pathogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mueller matrix decomposition for polarized light assessment of biological tissues
Authors: Ghosh Nirmalya , Wood Michael F. G. , Li Shu‐hong , Weisel Richard D. , Wilson Brian C. , Li Ren‐Ke , Vitkin I. Alex
Published: October 2008

The Mueller matrix represents the transfer function of an optical system in its interactions with polarized light and its elements relate to specific biologically or clinically relevant properties. However, when many optical polarization effects occur simultaneously, the resulting matrix elements represent several “lumped” effects, thus hindering their unique interpretation. Currently, no methods exist to extract these individual properties in turbid media. Here, we present a novel application of a Mueller matrix decomposition methodology that achieves this objective. The methodology is validated theoretically via a novel polarized‐light propagation model, and experimentally in tissue simulating phantoms. The potential of the approach is explored for two specific biomedical applications: monitoring of changes in myocardial tissues following regenerative stem cell therapy, through birefringence‐induced retardation of the light's linear and circular polarizations, and non‐invasive blood glucose measurements through chirality‐induced rotation of the light's linear polarization. Results demonstrate potential for both applications. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assessing the risk of skin damage due to femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Fischer Frank , Volkmer Beate , Puschmann Stefan , Greinert Rüdiger , Breitbart Eckhard , Kiefer Jürgen , Wepf Roger
Published: October 2008

We irradiated freshly excised skin biopsies with four irradiation regimes usually taken for multiphoton imaging. If there is any skin damaging, it is mainly an effect similar to the damaging effects of UV‐irradiation. Using fluorescent antibodies against cyclobutane‐pyrimidin‐dimers (CPDs) in combination with immuno‐fluorescence image analysis we quantitatively compared fs‐irradiation effects with UV‐irradiation (solar simulator). Based on these results we are giving a risk assessment. The results show that multi photon imaging using the parameters described here is in the ballpark of damaging occurring from every day sun exposure. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Radiolabelling with short‐lived PET (positron emission tomography) isotopes using microfluidic reactors
Authors: Miller Philip W
Published: October 2008

This mini‐review covers the issues concerning the application of microfluidics towards radiolabelling with short‐lived isotopes used for PET (positron emission tomography), and surveys the literature in this area. The application of microfluidic reactors to radiolabelling reactions is currently receiving a great deal of interest because of the potential advantages they have over conventional labelling systems. The volume and variety of radiolabelling reactions for PET is expected to grow markedly over the coming years due to increased demands for PET scanning. High demands and expectations for radiolabelled compounds will have to be met by exploiting new types of chemistry and technologies, such as microfluidics, to improve the production and development of PET tracers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Fermentation of enzymatic hydrolysates from olive stones by Pachysolen tannophilus
Authors: Cuevas Manuel , Sánchez Sebastián , Bravo Vicente , Cruz Nicolás , García Juan F.
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND: Olive stones were pretreated with liquid hot water (LHW or autohydrolysis) at maximum temperatures between 175 and 225 °C (severity factors, logR0, between 2.73 and 4.39) to be subjected (both liquid and solid components) afterwards to enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases from Trichoderma viride. Ethanol fermentation of hydrolysates was performed with the non‐traditional yeast Pachysolen tannophilus ATCC 32691.

RESULTS: After the enzymatic step, yields of hemicellulose solubilization reached 100%, while the cellulose was only partially hydrolysed (23%, logR0 = 4.39). The maximum yields in total reducing sugars and acetic acid, at the upper end of the severity range, was close to 0.25 and 0.04 g g−1 dry stone, respectively. During the fermentation stage, the increase in R0 reduced the maximum specific growth rate, biomass productivity, and overall biomass yield. The overall yields of ethanol and xylitol ranged, respectively, from 0.18 to 0.25 g g−1 and from 0.01 to 0.13 g g−1.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the possibility of producing ethanol from olive stones, making use of the cellulose and hemicellulose fraction of the waste. It was confirmed that the overall yield in xylitol strongly depended on severity factor, while the overall yield in ethanol remained practically constant for all the pretreatment conditions tested. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of hypoxia on glucose transport in primary equine chondrocytes in vitro and evidence of reduced GLUT1 gene expression in pathologic cartilage in vivo
Authors: Peansukmanee Siriporn , Vaughan‐Thomas Anne , Carter Stuart D. , Clegg Peter D. , Taylor Sarah , Redmond Colette , Mobasheri Ali
Published: October 2008

Articular chondrocytes exist in an environment lacking in oxygen and nutrients due to the avascular nature of cartilage. The main source of metabolic energy is glucose, which is taken up by glucose transporters (GLUTs). In diseased joints, oxygen tensions and glucose availability alter as a result of inflammation and changes in vascularisation. Accordingly, in this study we examined the effects of hypoxia and the hypoxia mimetic cobalt chloride (CoCl2) on glucose transport in equine chondrocytes and compared expression of the hypoxia responsive GLUT1 gene in normal and diseased cartilage. Monolayers of equine chondrocytes were exposed to 20% O2, 1% O2, CoCl2 (75 µM), or a combination of 1% O2 and CoCl2. Glucose uptake was measured using 2‐deoxy‐D‐[2,6‐3H] glucose. GLUT1 protein and mRNA expression were determined by FACS analysis and qPCR, respectively. GLUT1 mRNA expression in normal and diseased cartilage was analyzed using explants derived from normal, OA, and OCD cartilage. Chondrocytes under hypoxic conditions exhibited a significantly increased glucose uptake as well as upregulated GLUT1 protein expression. GLUT1 mRNA expression significantly increased in combined hypoxia‐CoCl2 treatment. Analysis of clinical samples indicated a significant reduction in GLUT1 mRNA in OA samples. In OCD samples GLUT1 expression also decreased but did not reach statistical significance. The increase in glucose uptake and GLUT1 expression under hypoxic conditions confirms that hypoxia alters the metabolic requirements of chondrocytes. The altered GLUT1 mRNA expression in diseased cartilage with significance in OA suggests that reduced GLUT1 may contribute to the failure of OA cartilage repair. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 529–535, 2009
Systemic human minidystrophin gene transfer improves functions and life span of dystrophin and dystrophin/utrophin‐deficient mice
Authors: Wang Bing , Li Juan , Fu Freddie H. , Xiao Xiao
Published: October 2008

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and lethal genetic muscle disease, caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. No efficacious treatment is currently available. Here we report AAV vector systemic delivery and therapeutic benefits of the functional human minidystrophin gene in a severe and more reliable DMD mouse model, the dystrophin/utrophin double deficiency mouse (dys−/−:utrn−/−, dKO). These mice show many pathologic and phenotypic signs typical of DMD in humans including kyphosis and shorter life span, all of which are not seen in the mdx mice due to their utrophin upregulation that partially compensates the loss of dystrophin functions and leads to mild phenotypes. The therapeutic value of this new approach was demonstrated in both mdx and dKO murine models, in which we observed highly efficient minidystrophin gene expression, ameliorated muscle pathologies, improvement in growth and motility, inhibition of spine and limb deformation, and prolongation of life span. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 421–426, 2009
Novel application of HA‐TCP biomaterials in distraction osteogenesis shortened the lengthening time and promoted bone consolidation
Authors: Wang Yan , Ni Ming , Tang Pei‐Fu , Li Gang
Published: October 2008

This study tested the hypothesis that use of biomaterials in distraction osteogenesis (DO) would reduce the treatment time and enhance bone formation quality. A 1.0‐cm tibial shaft was removed in the left tibia of 36 rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A, the defect gap was reduced with the tibia shortened for 1.0‐cm; group B, the defect gap was filled with 1.0‐cm restorable porous hydroxyapatite and Tri‐calcium phosphates cylindrical block (HA/TCP block, diameter is 0.5‐cm); group C, The 1.0‐cm defect gap was reduced 0.5 cm and the remaining 0.5‐cm defect gap was filled with the 0.5‐cm HA/TCP block. The tibia was then fixed with unilateral lengthener; for groups A and C; lengthening started 7 days after surgery at a rate of 1.0 mm/day, in two steps. Group A received lengthening for 10 days and group C for 5 days, there was no lengthening for group B. All animals were terminated at day 37 following surgery. The excised bone specimens were subject to microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), mechanical testing, and histological examinations. Bone mineral density and content and tissue mineral density and content, as well as the mechanical properties of the regenerates were significantly higher in group C compared to groups A and B. Micro‐CT and histological examinations also confirmed that the regenerates in Group C had most advanced bone formation, consolidation, and remodeling compared to other groups. In conclusion, the combined use of biomaterials and DO technique can reduce the treatment time and enhance bone consolidation in bone defect management. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 477–482, 2009
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from synovium, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament, and articular chondrocytes share similar gene expression profiles
Authors: Segawa Yuko , Muneta Takeshi , Makino Hatsune , Nimura Akimoto , Mochizuki Tomoyuki , Ju Young‐Jin , Ezura Yoichi , Umezawa Akihiro , Sekiya Ichiro
Published: October 2008

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be obtained from various tissues, and contain common features. However, an increasing number of reports have described variant properties dependent of cell sources. We examined (1) whether MSCs existed in several intraarticular tissues, (2) whether gene expression profiles in intraarticular tissue MSCs closely resembled each other, and (3) whether identified genes were specific to intraarticular tissue MSCs. Human synovium, meniscus, intraarticular ligament, muscle, adipose tissue, and bone marrow were harvested, and colony‐forming cells were analyzed. All these cells showed multipotentiality and surface markers typical of MSCs. Gene profiles of intraarticular tissue MSCs and chondrocytes were closer to each other than those of extraarticular tissues MSCs. Among three characteristic genes specific for intraarticular tissue MSCs, we focused on proline arginine‐rich end leucine‐rich repeat protein (PRELP). Higher expression of PRELP was confirmed in chondrocytes and intraarticular tissue MSCs among three elderly and three young donors. Synovium MSCs stably expressed PRELP, contrarily, bone marrow MSCs increased PRELP expression during in vitro chondrogenesis. In conclusion, MSCs could be isolated from various intraarticular tissues including meniscus and ligament, gene expression profiles of intraarticular tissue MSCs closely resembled each other, and the higher expression of PRELP was characteristic of intraarticular tissue MSCs. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 435–441, 2009
What is the attraction for exchange students: the host destination or host university? Empirical evidence from a study of an Australian university
Authors: Llewellyn‐Smith Catherine , McCabe Vivienne S.
Published: October 2008

This paper presents findings from an exploratory study of students who completed an international exchange programme at an Australian university. Through the use of the push–pull typology and a structured questionnaire, the student motivations and factors in their selection of a university exchange programme are explored. Results indicate that students' desire to travel and the opportunity for fun and excitement are the primary motivators for undertaking an educational exchange, along with the host country's weather, natural environment and tourist attractions. Factors that influence selection of a host university are outlined, as well as students' levels of satisfaction with the experience. The findings have implications for destination and university managers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Participatory monitoring of biodiversity in East African grazing lands
Authors: Oba G. , Byakagaba P. , Angassa A.
Published: October 2008

There are disagreements on the use of standard biodiversity monitoring methods to promote community participation. This study combined three methods to investigate questions why monitor biodiversity, what biodiversity to monitor and how participatory biodiversity monitoring can be promoted in central Uganda in East Africa. The question of why biodiversity should be monitored concerns the justification for monitoring, while the question of what to monitor concerns the choice of biodiversity variables, and the question of how to monitor biodiversity concerns the links between the data generated from monitoring and problems associated particularly with regard to community participation. The study selected landscape and sampling scales (i.e. plots) for participatory monitoring of biodiversity. Herders identified main landscape patches and plant species. Herder value‐weighted indicators, such as invasive species and range condition scores (i.e. composite indicators representing species palatability, composition, cover, density and richness) were used for measuring biodiversity in their grazing lands. To understand what biodiversity to monitor, we interpreted the correlation between biodiversity indicators and herder value‐weighted range conditions. Herders defined biodiversity from a utilitarian perspective, which is inconsistent with the conventional scientific goals of biodiversity conservation which focus on preservation of the total species pool. To address the question of how to monitor biodiversity, evidence from the folk taxonomy of sampled plant species and other proxy biodiversity indicators, including herder value‐weighted range condition scores, were compared to understand scale dependence. We inferred that the landscape scale monitoring was more sensitive to measuring biodiversity than the conventional scales of plots. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry as a powerful tool in biomarker discovery and clinical diagnosis: An update of recent developments
Authors: Mischak Harald , Coon Joshua J. , Novak Jan , Weissinger Eva M. , Schanstra Joost P. , Dominiczak Anna F.
Published: October 2008

Proteome analysis has emerged as a powerful technology to decipher biological processes. One of the main goals is to discover biomarkers for diseases from tissues and body fluids. However, the complexity and wide dynamic range of protein expression present an enormous challenge to separation technologies and mass spectrometry (MS). In this review, we examine the limitations of proteomics, and aim towards the definition of the current key prerequisites. We focus on capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE–MS), because this technique continues to show great promise. We discuss CE–MS from an application point of view, and evaluate its merits and vices for biomarker discovery and clinical applications. Finally, we present several examples on the use of CE–MS to determine urinary biomarkers and implications for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy evaluation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:703–724, 2009
Polyporenic acid C induces caspase‐8‐mediated apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 cells
Authors: Ling Hui , Zhou Liang , Jia Xiaobin , Gapter Leslie A. , Agarwal Rajesh , Ng Ka‐yun
Published: October 2008

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. This warrants the search for new and effective agents against lung cancer. We and others have recently shown that lanostane‐type triterpenoids isolated from the fungal species Poria cocos (P. cocos) can inhibit cancer growth. However, the mechanisms responsible for the anticancer effects of these triterpenoids remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of polyporenic acid C (PPAC), a lanostane‐type triterpenoid from P. cocos, on the growth of A549 nonsmall cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC). The results demonstrate that PPAC significantly reduced cell proliferation via induction of apoptosis as evidenced by sub‐G1 analysis, annexin V‐FITC staining, and increase in cleavage of procaspase‐8, ‐3, and poly(ADP‐ribose)‐polymerase (PARP). However, unlike our previously reported lanostane‐type triterpenoid, pachymic acid, treatment of cells with PPAC was not accompanied by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in cleavage of procaspase‐9. Further, PPC‐induced apoptosis was inhibited by caspase‐8 and pan caspase inhibitors but not by a caspase‐9 inhibitor. Taken together, the results suggest that PPAC induces apoptosis through the death receptor‐mediated apoptotic pathway where the activation of caspase‐8 leads to the direct cleavage of execution caspases without the involvement of the mitochondria. Furthermore, suppressed PI3‐kinase/Akt signal pathway and enhanced p53 activation after PPAC treatment suggests this to be an additional mechanism for apoptosis induction. Together, these results encourage further studies of PPAC as a promising candidate for lung cancer therapy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serotonin and dopamine transporter genes do not influence depression in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Dissanayaka Nadeeka N.W. , Silburn Peter A. , O'Sullivan John D. , Mellick George D.
Published: October 2008

Altered levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are observed in both Parkinson's disease (PD) and depression. Therefore, the neurotransmitter transporter genes, SLC6A3 (dopamine) and SLC6A4 (serotonin) are candidates for depression in PD. We genotyped 24 tagging SNPs together with VNTRs and the SLC6A4 LPR polymorphism in 190 PD patients categorised according to lifetime history of depression. Log‐additive, dominant and recessive statistical models were constructed. No significant genotype or haplotype associations were observed suggesting that common genetic variables around the dopamine and serotonin transporter genes do not play a significant role in the etiology of depression in PD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Gait and balance disorders in Parkinson's disease: Impaired active braking of the fall of centre of gravity
Authors: Chastan Nathalie , Do Manh Cuong , Bonneville Fabrice , Torny Frédéric , Bloch Frédéric , Westby G. W. Max , Dormont Didier , Agid Yves , Welter Marie‐Laure
Published: October 2008

Gait and balance disorders are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), but its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. Step length, antero‐posterior, and vertical velocities of the center of gravity (CG) during gait initiation were analyzed in 32 controls and 32 PD patients, with and without levodopa, using a force platform. Brain volumes and mesencephalic surface area were measured in PD patients. During the swing limb period, controls showed a fall in the CG, which was reversed before foot‐contact indicating active braking of the CG fall. In PD patients, without levodopa, step length and velocity were significantly reduced and no braking occurred before foot‐contact in 22 patients. With levodopa, step length and velocity increased in all patients and 7 patients improved their braking capacity. PD patients with normal braking (n = 17) had significantly lower gait and balance disorder scores and higher normalized‐mesencephalic surface areas compared to patients with impaired braking (n = 15). The decreased step length and velocity, characteristic of PD, mainly result from degeneration of central dopaminergic systems. The markedly decreased braking capacity observed in half the PD patients contributes to their gait disorders and postural instability, perhaps as a result of nondopaminergic lesions, possibly at the mesencephalic level. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in a rural community in Japan
Authors: Nomura Takashi , Inoue Yuichi , Kusumi Masayoshi , Uemura Yusuke , Nakashima Kenji
Published: October 2008

To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a Japanese population, we carried out a community‐based survey in a rural area of Japan. We sent questionnaires requesting information on demographics, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, the Short Form‐8, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the National Institutes of Health/International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) consensus questionnaire, and the IRLSSG severity scale for RLS (IRLS) to 5,528 eligible adult residents in the town of Daisen in the Tottori prefecture of Japan. Next, we performed telephone interviews to identify subjects with probable RLS. Of the 2,812 subjects (51.1%) who gave complete answers on the IRLSSG questionnaire, 50 (1.8%) were judged as RLS positive. The prevalence of RLS was significantly higher in women than in men, and significantly lower in individuals 60 years of age or older. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the existence of RLS was significantly associated with depression, lowered mental quality of life, and sleep disturbances. The prevalence of RLS in adult Japanese populations may be lower than that reported in Caucasian populations. However, in a group of Japanese subjects, RLS had a significant impact on daytime functioning as well as subjective sleep quality. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Walking stability using harmonic ratios in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lowry Kristin A. , Smiley‐Oyen Ann L. , Carrel Andrew J. , Kerr John P.
Published: October 2008

Kinematic changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) gait are well documented; however, upper body dynamics are less understood. Harmonic ratios (HRs) measure the rhythm of trunk accelerations and can be examined in the vertical, anterior‐posterior, and mediolateral planes, providing an indication of global walking stability (lower HR indicates poorer stability). We examined differences in HRs between persons with PD and healthy older adults and relationships between HRs and stride parameters. Eleven people with PD and 11 older adults walked over ground at their preferred pace. A triaxial accelerometer measured trunk accelerations. HRs and spatiotemporal parameters were calculated and standardized to remove the influence of gait velocity. The PD group exhibited lower HRs in all three planes, with the most pronounced differences in the mediolateral and anterior‐posterior planes. Greater stride time variability was most closely associated with a lower anterior‐posterior HR in PD and the presence of disease with the mediolateral HR. By demonstrating decreased walking stability in medial‐lateral and anterior‐posterior planes, we conclude that HRs offer unique information beyond that of typical stride parameters, and stride time variability is most closely associated with these direct measures of global walking stability. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Covalent bonding of azoles to quaternary protoberberine alkaloids
Authors: Grycová Lenka , Hulová Dagmar , Maier Lukáš , Standara Stanislav , Nečas Marek , Lemière Filip , Kareš Radovan , Dostál Jiří , Marek Radek
Published: October 2008

Adducts of the quaternary protoberberine alkaloids (QPA) berberine, palmatine, and coptisine were prepared with nucleophiles derived from pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, and 1,2,4‐triazole. The products, 8‐substituted 7,8‐dihydroprotoberberines, were identified by mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including 1H15N shift correlations at natural abundance. In addition, two adducts of QPA with chloroform and methanethiolate were characterized by using NMR data. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 8‐pyrrolyl‐7,8‐dihydroberberine, 8‐pyrazolyl‐7,8‐dihydroberberine, and 8‐imidazolyl‐7,8‐dihydroberberine are also presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroacridines: part 29.15N NMR chemical shifts of 9‐substituted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroacridines and theirN‐oxides—Taft, Swain–Lupton, and other types of linear correlations
Authors: Potmischil Francisc , Marinescu Maria , Nicolescu Alina , Deleanu Călin , Hillebrand Mihaela
Published: October 2008

The15N NMR chemical shifts of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroacridine, 12 of its 9‐substituted derivatives, and of the correspondingN‐oxides were measured and examined in terms of the 9‐substituent effects and the effects ofN‐oxidation. For the 9‐substituent effects, good linear correlations were found with the Taft and Swain‐Lupton substituent constants, for both octahydroacridines and theirN‐oxides. The15N chemical shifts of both octahydroacridines and theirN‐oxides also correlate well, linearly with the13C chemical shifts of thepara‐carbons in analogously substituted benzene derivatives.

Within the studied compounds, the magnitudes of theN‐oxidation effects range from − 16.4 to − 27.4 ppm (shielding), and also correlate linearly with the Taft and Swain–Lupton substituent constants, as well as with the bond orders of the N+O−bonds in the correspondingN‐oxides. Furthermore, a very good linear correlation is found between the15N chemical shifts of octahydroacridines and those of the correspondingN‐oxides. From the15N chemical shifts data, the Taft and Swain‐Lupton substituent constants for the diacetylamino group (NAc2) were evaluated in the present paper, as follows: σR= 0.07 and σI= 0.15;${{\cal R}} = 0.08$and${{\cal F}} = 0.20$. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging the tissue distribution of glucose in livers using a PARACEST sensor
Authors: Ren Jimin , Trokowski Robert , Zhang Shanrong , Malloy Craig R. , Sherry A. Dean
Published: October 2008

Noninvasive imaging of glucose in tissues could provide important insights about glucose gradients in tissue, the origins of gluconeogenesis, or perhaps differences in tissue glucose utilization in vivo. Direct spectral detection of glucose in vivo by 1H NMR is complicated by interfering signals from other metabolites and the much larger water signal. One potential way to overcome these problems is to use an exogenous glucose sensor that reports glucose concentrations indirectly through the water signal by chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). Such a method is demonstrated here in mouse liver perfused with a Eu3+‐based glucose sensor containing two phenylboronate moieties as the recognition site. Activation of the sensor by applying a frequency‐selective presaturation pulse at 42 ppm resulted in a 17% decrease in water signal in livers perfused with 10 mM sensor and 10 mM glucose compared with livers with the same amount of sensor but without glucose. It was shown that livers perfused with 5 mM sensor but no glucose can detect glucose exported from hepatocytes after hormonal stimulation of glycogenolysis. CEST images of livers perfused in the magnet responded to changes in glucose concentrations demonstrating that the method has potential for imaging the tissue distribution of glucose in vivo. Magn Reson Med 60:1047–1055, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fiber tracking of human brain using fourth‐order tensor and high angular resolution diffusion imaging
Authors: Jayachandra M.R. , Rehbein N. , Herweh C. , Heiland S.
Published: October 2008

The accuracy of fiber tracking on the basis of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) is affected by many parameters. To increase accuracy of the tracking algorithm, we introduce DTI with a fourth‐order tensor. Tensor elements comprise information obtained by high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). We further developed the flattened high rank tensor (FLAHRT) method and applied it to the measured fourth‐order tensor. We then compared FLAHRT with: 1) the standard tracking algorithm using a second‐order tensor; and 2) existing techniques involving the representation of conventional second‐order tensor components as a weighted average of fourth‐order tensor elements. Such techniques have been formulated in recent DT studies to link high‐rank to low‐rank Cartesian diffusion tensors (DTs). Diagonalization of the second‐order tensor decomposes the tensor into three eigenvalues and three eigenvectors, which in turn are used to describe the diffusivity profile of a particular voxel. Diagonalization after application of the FLAHRT method reveals six eigenvalues and six eigentensors, resulting in a more accurate description of the anisotropy. We performed fiber tracking based on the eigenvalues and eigentensors calculated with the FLAHRT and standard methods. We could show that the FLAHRT technique gives more consistent and more accurate results even with a data set acquired in 15 directions only. The decomposition of the fourth‐order tensor into six eigentensors has the potential to describe six different fiber orientations within a voxel. Magn Reson Med 60:1207–1217, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.