bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinal cone topography of artiodactyl mammals: Influence of body height and habitat
Authors: Schiviz Alexandra Nathalie , Ruf Thomas , Kuebber‐Heiss Anna , Schubert Christian , Ahnelt Peter Kurt
Published: January 2008

This study addresses the correlation of retinal topography with factors such as the visual environment, life style, and behavior for a major mammalian group, the artiodactyls. To provide a broader basis for semiquantitative comparison, short‐wavelength‐sensitive (S)‐ and middle‐to‐long‐wavelength‐sensitive (M)‐opsin cone receptor populations from 25 species from five artiodactyl families and of the African elephant were labeled and sampled. The resulting topographic maps were analyzed with respect to the position and extension of high‐density regions. For better parameter differentiation, systematic relationships were statistically normalized. In all species examined, two classes of cones have been detected. In most species, the S‐cone maxima were located in the temporodorsal retina, but there are exceptions such as the roe deer with accumulation in the ventral retina. For M‐cones, as a consequence of their role in terrain/food assessment and predator detection, the standard topography is L‐shaped: a horizontal visual streak including a temporal area centralis is extended by a temporal rim. Its extension is correlated with the animal's body height (P = 0.0017): small species (pudu, mouse deer) tend to have a visual streak only, whereas the giraffe shows a complete dorsal arch of elevated densities. Furthermore, a size‐independent habitat correlation was revealed for a similar M‐cone pattern (P < 0.0001): mountainous species show a striking specialization around the dorsal retina, pointing to the importance of the inferior visual field in precipitous terrain. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1336–1350, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Singlet and Triplet Excited States and Intersystem Crossing in Free‐Base Porphyrin: TDDFT and DFT/MRCI Study
Authors: Perun Serhiy , Tatchen Jörg , Marian Christel M.
Published: January 2008

Extensive time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) and DFT/multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations are performed on the singlet and triplet excited states of free‐base porphyrin, with emphasis on intersystem crossing processes. The equilibrium geometries, as well as the vertical and adiabatic excitation energies of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states are determined. Single and double proton‐transfer reactions in the first excited singlet state are explored. Harmonic vibrational frequencies are calculated at the equilibrium geometries of the ground state and of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states. Furthermore, spin–orbit coupling matrix elements of the lowest singlet and triplet states and their numerical derivatives with respect to nuclear displacements are computed. It is shown that opening of an unprotonated pyrrole ring as well as excited‐state single and double proton transfer inside the porphyrin cavity lead to crossings of the potential energy curves of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states. It is also found that displacements along out‐of‐plane normal modes of the first excited singlet state cause a significant increase of the , , and  spin–orbit coupling matrix elements. These phenomena lead to efficient radiationless deactivation of the lowest excited states of free‐base porphyrin via intercombination conversion. In particular, the S1→T1 population transfer is found to proceed at a rate of ≈107 s−1 in the isolated molecule.
A flow cytometer for the measurement of Raman spectra
Authors: Watson Dakota A. , Brown Leif O. , Gaskill Daniel F. , Naivar Mark , Graves Steven W. , Doorn Stephen K. , Nolan John P.
Published: January 2008

Multiparameter measurements in flow cytometry are limited by the broad emission spectra of fluorescent labels. By contrast, Raman spectra are notable for their narrow spectral features. To increase the multiparameter analysis capabilities of flow cytometry, we investigated the possibility of measuring Raman signals in a flow cytometry‐based system. We constructed a Raman Spectral Flow Cytometer, substituting a spectrograph and CCD detector for the traditional mirrors, optical filters, and photomultiplier tubes. Excitation at 633 nm was provided by a HeNe laser, and forward‐angle light scatter is used to trigger acquisition of complete spectra from individual particles. Microspheres were labeled with nanoparticle surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags and measured using the RSFC. Fluorescence and Raman spectra from labeled microspheres were acquired using the Raman Spectral Flow Cytometer. SERS spectral intensities were dependent on integration time, laser power, and detector pixel binning. Spectra from particles labeled with one each of four different SERS tags could be distinguished by either a virtual bandpass approach using commercial flow cytometry data analysis software or by principal component analysis. Raman flow cytometry opens up new possibilities for highly multiparameter and multiplexed measurements of cells and other particles using a simple optical design and a single detector and light source. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Cellular volume and marker expression in human peripheral blood apheresis stem cells
Authors: Sharma Siddharth , Cabana Raquel , Shariatmadar Sherry , Krishan Awtar
Published: January 2008

Coulter volume is far more accurate measure of cell volume than forward angle light scatter. In this report, we have used Coulter volume to determine the mean cell volume and diameter of normal human peripheral blood cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells obtained by apheresis (HPC‐A) from patients with hematological malignancies. Fresh peripheral blood samples (treated with Beckman Coulter IMMUNOPrep erythrocyte lysis solution), HPC‐A samples (treated with BD Biosciences FACSLysing solution), or processed by Ficoll Hypaque sedimentation method were stained with CD45‐FITC and PE‐labeled CD34, CD90, CD117, and CD133 antibodies and analyzed for electronic volume and two color fluorescence. The mean electronic volume and diameter of mononuclear cells from fresh peripheral blood samples prepared with IMMUNOPrep were lymphocytes (191 μm3, 7.16 μm), monocytes (370 μm3, 9.91 μm), and granulocytes (328 μm3, 8.56 μm). In mononuclear cells of HPC‐A samples prepared by Histopaque‐1077 sedimentation, the lymphocytes had volume and diameter of 311 μm3, 8.4 μm, monocytes were 486 μm3, 9.76 μm, and granulocytes were 515 μm3, 9.95 μm. In contrast, HPC‐A samples prepared after lysis with FACSLysing solution had mean electronic volume and diameter of lymphocytes (414 μm3, 9.25 μm), monocytes (797 μm3, 11.5 μm), and granulocytes (670 μm3, 10.85 μm). Cell volume of mononuclear cells in the HPC‐A samples prepared by Histopaque‐1077 sedimentation method was correlated with the expression of stem cell markers CD34, CD90, CD117, and CD133. CD90 positive cells had the smallest mean electronic volume of 299.93 μm3 when compared with cells with positive expression of CD133 (322 μm3), CD117 (349 μm3), CD34 (407 μm3), and CD45 (453 μm3). Correlation of cell volume with stem cell marker expression may allow for the identification of small stem cells, which may not express the conventional markers used for the identification of stem cells in HPC‐A samples. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Recent Approaches in the Synthesis of Conformationally Restricted Nucleoside Analogues
Authors: Mathé Christophe , Périgaud Christian
Published: January 2008

This review describes some approaches in the synthesis of conformationally restricted nucleoside analogues. The focus is on the preparation of nucleosides as monomers modified only on the pentofurano sugar moiety, with an additional linkage capable of modulating the dynamic conformational equilibrium of natural nucleosides. The results of the different structural modifications in terms of pseudorotational analysis, as well as the potential use of such conformationally restricted nucleoside analogues, are briefly presented.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Microscale solution IEF combined with 2‐D DIGE substantially enhances analysis depth of complex proteomes such as mammalian cell and tissue extracts
Authors: Han Mee‐Jung , Herlyn Meenhard , Fisher Aron B. , Speicher David W.
Published: January 2008

Current gel‐based protein profiling methods such as 2‐DE and fluorescent 2‐D difference in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) evaluate small portions of complex proteomes. Hence, sample prefractionation is essential for more comprehensive proteome coverage and detection of low‐abundant proteins. In this study, we describe the combination of DIGE labeling with microscale solution IEF (MicroSol‐IEF) fractionation and subsequent analysis on slightly overlapping narrow pH range 2‐D gels. By fluorescently tagging and mixing samples and controls prior to prefractionation, complications resulting from minor run‐to‐run variations during MicroSol‐IEF separations of multiple samples are avoided. This greatly improves the reliability of quantitative comparisons. To illustrate its utility, this 3‐D DIGE strategy was applied to analysis of human melanoma cells and mouse lung tissue extracts. Approximately 1000 reproducible spots can be obtained from narrow range 2‐D gels of individual MicroSol‐IEF fractions, and approximately 6000 spots can be obtained from entire proteomes. Quantitative changes in closely related samples could be more reliably detected and the method has a greatly increased capacity to distinguish between closely related protein isoforms. Thus the 3‐D DIGE strategy produces a powerful method for more comprehensive and more reliable quantitative comparisons of protein profiles of very complex proteomes.
Determination of linear response in the detection of mixtures of aroma compounds by atmospheric pressure ionization–mass spectrometry (API–MS)
Authors: Buffo Roberto A. , Reineccius Gary A.
Published: January 2008

The linearity of atmospheric pressure ionization–mass spectrometry (API–MS) response in mixtures of aroma compounds was determined for a ‘homogeneous’ system (four esters) and a ‘heterogeneous’ system (five compounds of different chemical functionality). All combinations analysed within each system followed a saturation pattern as concentration increased. Total linear responses were determined by the linear behaviour of individual compounds. Ionization patterns within each mixture were explained by proton affinity data (i.e. the species' ability to accept protons), molecular reaction rates (defined by molecular weight), and product ion distribution (according to fragmentation of the corresponding parent ion). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributional consequences of the transition from age‐based to income‐based prescription drug coverage in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hanley Gillian E. , Morgan Steve , Hurley Jeremiah , van Doorslaer Eddy
Published: January 2008

In May, 2003, British Columbia transitioned from an age‐based public drug program, with public subsidy primarily based on age, to an age‐irrelevant income‐based drug program, in which public subsidy is based primarily on household income. As one of the specific aims of the policy change was to improve fairness by increasing the extent to which payment for drugs is based on ability to pay, we measure the progressivity of pharmaceutical financing before and after the policy change in BC using Kakwani indices. Our results suggest that pharmaceutical financing became less regressive after the policy change. However, this decrease in regressivity arose primarily because high‐income seniors were making greater direct contributions to pharmaceutical financing and not because low‐income households were making smaller direct contributions. Our results also suggest that if the public financing of pharmaceuticals were maintained or increased, a change from age‐based to income‐based eligibility can unambiguously improve equity in finance. As populations in developed countries age, governments will increasingly consider reforms to publicly financed health‐care programs with age‐based eligibility. In assessing policy options, financial equity is likely to be a key consideration. These results suggest that income‐based pharmacare can improve financial equity especially when implemented with a commitment to maintain or increase public funding for prescription drugs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential effects of a low‐molecular‐weight fucoidan extracted from brown algae on bone biomaterial osteoconductive properties
Authors: Changotade S. Igondjo Tchen , Korb G. , Bassil J. , Barroukh B. , Willig C. , Colliec‐Jouault S. , Durand P. , Godeau G. , Senni K.
Published: January 2008

In this work, we first tested the influence of low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) fucoidan extracted from pheophicae cell wall on bidimensional cultured normal human osteoblasts' behaviors. Second, by impregnation procedure with LMW fucoidan of bone biomaterial (Lubboc®), we explored in this bone extracellular matrix context its capabilities to support human osteoblastic behavior in 3D culture. In bidimensionnal cultures, we evidenced that LMW fucoidan promotes human osteoblast proliferation and collagen type I expression and favors precocious alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, with LMW fucoidan, von Kossa's staining was positive at 30 days and positive only at 45 days in the absence of LMW fucoidan. In our three‐dimensional culture models with the biomaterial pretreated with LMW fucoidan, osteoblasts promptly overgrew the pretreated biomaterial. We also evidenced that osteoblasts increased proliferation with pretreated biomaterial when compared with untreated biomaterial. Osteoblasts secreted osteocalcin and expressed BMP2 receptor on control material as well as with LMW fucoidan impregnated biomaterial. In conclusion, in our experimental conditions, LMW fucoidan stimulated expression of osteoblastic markers differentiation such as alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen type I expression, and mineral deposition; furthermore, cell proliferation was favored. These findings suggest that fucoidan could be clinically useful for bone regeneration and bone substitute design. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Decreased DMT1 and increased ferroportin 1 expression is the mechanisms of reduced iron retention in macrophages by erythropoietin in rats
Authors: Kong Wei‐Na , Zhao Shu‐E , Duan Xiang‐Lin , Yang Zhe , Qian Zhong‐Ming , Chang Yan‐Zhong
Published: January 2008

Recycled iron from reticuloendothelial macrophages to erythroid precursors is important to maintain the iron homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis in macrophages are poorly understood. In this study, male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo, 500 IU/day, s.c.) for 3 days. At the fifth day, peritoneal exudate macrophages were harvested, and then 55Fe uptake and release were measured by liquid scintillation counting method. The expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin 1 (FPN1) in peritoneal exudate macrophages was detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot. In order to exclude the direct effect of rHuEpo on macrophages, the parallel experiments were performed with incubation normal peritoneal exudate macrophages with rHuEpo (2 IU/ml). Our results showed rHuEpo injection reduced the peritoneal exudate macrophages iron retention. The uptake of Fe(II) was decreased via the suppression of DMT1 (+IRE) expression and the release of Fe(II) was increased with increasing the expression of FPN1 in macrophages. Moreover, the expression of HAMP mRNA was four times lower in rHuEpo‐treated liver of rats than control group (CG). HAMP mRNA expression was increased; the synthesis of DMT1 had no significant change, whereas the FPN1 was decreased in normal peritoneal exudate macrophages after treatment with rHuEpo in vitro. We conclude that hepcidin may play a major, causative role in the change of FPN1 synthesis and that decreased the iron retention in macrophages of rHuEpo‐treated rats. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 629–641, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tieg3/Klf11 induces apoptosis in OLI‐neu cells and enhances the TGF‐β signaling pathway by transcriptional repression of Smad7
Authors: Gohla Gabriele , Krieglstein Kerstin , Spittau Björn
Published: January 2008

TGF‐β signaling is indispensible for development of the nervous system since it regulates ontogenetic cell death. The recently identified TGF‐β‐inducible zinc finger protein Tieg3/Klf11 belongs to the family of Sp1/Klf‐like transcription factors and shares all structural and functional features with other Tieg proteins. Using the established TGF‐β‐responsive oligodendroglial cell line OLI‐neu, we analyzed the role of Tieg3/Klf11 in TGF‐β signaling. In this report, we show that Tieg3/Klf 11 mimics TGF‐β effects by inducing apoptotic cell death accompanied by activation of caspase‐3. Moreover, we demonstrate that Tieg3/Klf11 enhances TGF‐β signaling by transcriptional repression of the inhibitory Smad7 and, thereby, disrupts the negative feedback loop of the TGF‐β signaling pathway. Loss of the N‐terminal repression domains of Tieg3/Klf11 abrogates the pro‐apoptotic nature of this transcription factor and abolishes the enhancement of Smad‐mediated TGF‐β responses. In conclusion, we provide evidence that the recently identified transcription factor Tieg3/Klf11 is a downstream mediator of TGF‐β‐induced apoptosis in the oligodendroglial cell line OLI‐neu. Since other signaling molecules are able to initiate transcription of members of the Tieg family, the ability of Tieg3/Klf11 to modulate TGF‐β signaling by transcriptional inhibition of Smad7 might be an important clue for the understanding of the crosstalk between different signaling pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 850–861, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perceptions of coercion in the questioning of criminal suspects
Authors: Moston Stephen , Fisher Megan
Published: January 2008

Despite the popular perception that criminal investigations are often solved through the collection of objective or scientific evidence, most cases submitted for prosecution rely on confessions by suspects. Surprisingly, very little is known about which techniques are effective at eliciting admissions from guilty suspects, and in turn, which might be considered to be coercive. In the current study, 200 mock jurors (in Australia) were asked to rate the acceptability of 13 common police interviewing techniques (such as pointing out contradictions, minimisation, silence, etc.). Subjects read one of four versions of a transcript of an interrogation with a suspected sex offender. The transcripts only differed in one detail, the final outcome of the interrogation, with each subject reading one of four different endings (suspect confessed, made a partial admission, denied, or used their right to silence). The results showed that the majority of the strategies were perceived to be coercive, but acceptable. Further, the ‘ends do not justify the means’, in that perceptions of coercion were consistent regardless of the outcome of the interview. The findings are discussed in relation to existing laws and procedures governing police interrogation of suspects, including the ambiguities over the definitions of coercion, oppression, and torture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immortalized human neural progenitor cells from the ventral telencephalon with the potential to differentiate into GABAergic neurons
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Wang Yisong , Zhao Yongmei , Yin Yanling , Xu Qiuyan , Xu Qunyuan
Published: January 2008

Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) are believed to have important potential in clinical applications and basic neuroscience research. In the present study, we created a new immortalized human neural cell line, hSN12W‐TERT, derived from human fetal ventral telencephalon, using IRES‐based retroviral overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase. We showed that after more than 40 passages, hSN12W‐TERT cells possess high telomerase activity, maintain a normal diploid karyotype, and retain the characteristics of hNPCs. Under proliferative conditions, these cells remained undifferentiated, expressing the neural progenitor cell markers nestin, vimentin, and Sox2. The cells were able to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes after a significant decrease in the level of telomerase following withdrawal of growth factors. The neurons were postmitotic and achieved electrophysiologic competence. Furthermore, we showed that most neurons were GABAergic, especially on differentiation induced by bone morphogenetic protein–2 (BMP2). RT‐PCR analysis also confirmed that hSN12W‐TERT cells expressed mammalian achaete‐scute homolog 1 (Mash1) and Dlx2, genes associated with the development of GABAergic cortical interneurons. BMP2 exposuremay activate a positive‐feedback loop of BMP signaling in hSN12W‐TERT cells. Our data indicated that this hSN12W‐TERT cell line could be a valuable experimental tool with which to study the regulatory roles of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in human neural stem cell biology and that it would be useful in basic research and in research seeking to discover novel drug targets for clinical candidates. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of neurosteroids on hydrogen peroxide‐ and staurosporine‐induced damage of human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Leskiewicz M. , Regulska M. , Budziszewska B. , Jantas D. , Jaworska‐Feil L. , Basta‐Kaim A. , Kubera M. , Jagla G. , Nowak W. , Lason W.
Published: January 2008

Neurosteroids are important regulators of central nervous system function and may be involved in processes of neuronal cell survival. This study was undertaken to test the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), pregnenolone (PGL), pregnenolone sulfate (PGLS), and allopregnanolone (Allo) on hydrogen peroxide‐ and staurosporine‐induced toxicity in SH‐SY5Y cells. It has been found that DHEAS inhibited the hydrogen peroxide toxicity in a concentration‐dependent manner, whereas DHEA was active only at higher doses. PGL and PGLS showed neuroprotective effects only at the lowest concentration. Allo had no significant effect on hydrogen peroxide‐evoked lactate dehydrogenase release and at the highest concentration aggravated its toxic effects. Next part of this study evaluated neurosteroid effects on staurosporine‐induced apoptosis. DHEAS, DHEA, and PGL significantly antagonized effects of staurosporine on both caspase‐3 activity and mitochondrial membrane potential. PGLS and Allo inhibited the staurosporine‐induced changes in both apoptotic parameters only at the lowest concentration. Antiapoptotic properties of neurosteroids were positively verified by Hoechst staining. Furthermore, as shown by calcein assay, DHEA, DHEAS, and PGL increased viability of staurosporine‐treated cells, and these effects were attenuated by specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K) and extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK)‐mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). These data indicate that neurosteroids prevent SH‐SY5Y cell damage related to oxidative processes and activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Moreover, neuroprotective effects of DHEA, DHEAS seem to depend on PI3‐K and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. It can be suggested that, at physiological concentrations, all studied neurosteroids participate in the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, but with various potencies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signal transduction pathways involved in interaction of galactosylceramide/sulfatide‐containing liposomes with cultured oligodendrocytes and requirement for myelin basic protein and glycosphingolipids
Authors: Boggs Joan M. , Gao Wen , Hirahara Yukie
Published: January 2008

We showed previously that the addition to cultured oligodendrocytes (OLs) of multivalent carbohydrate in the form of liposomes containing the two major glycosphingolipids (GSLs) of myelin, galactosylceramide (GalC) and cerebroside sulfate (Sulf), or galactose conjugated to bovine serum albumin caused clustering of GalC on the extracellular surface and myelin basic protein (MBP) on the cytosolic surface. Multivalent carbohydrate also caused depolymerization of actin microfilaments and microtubules, indicating that interaction of the carbohydrate with the OL surface transmits a transmembrane signal to the cytoskeleton. In the present study we show that inhibition of GSL synthesis with fumonisin B1 prevents clustering of MBP in GalC/Sulf‐negative oligodendrocytes, suggesting that GSLs are required for the effect. Because the effects of multivalent carbohydrate resemble those caused by the addition of anti‐GalC/Sulf antibodies to OLs and because GalC and Sulf can interact with each other by trans carbohydrate–carbohydrate interactions across apposed membranes, these results support the conclusion that the OL receptor for GalC/Sulf in liposomes is GalC/Sulf in the OL membrane. Inhibition of MBP expression using MBP siRNA inhibited GalC clustering, suggesting that MBP is required for the effect. We also investigate the signal transduction pathways involved using a number of enzyme inhibitors. These indicated that the Akt and p42/p44 MAPK pathways, Rho GTPases, and GSK‐3β are involved, consistent with their known involvement in regulation of the cytoskeleton. These interactions between GalC/Sulf‐containing liposomes and the OL membrane may mimic interactions between GalC/Sulf‐enriched signaling domains when OL cell membranes or the extracellular surfaces of compact myelin come into contact. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectroscopic study of polyynes obtained by laser ablation in liquids
Authors: Compagnini Giuseppe , Mita Valentina , D'Urso Luisa , Cataliotti Rosario Sergio , Puglisi Orazio
Published: January 2008

Short polyyne chains (⩽C8H2) were produced by laser ablation of graphite rods in water. The results are compared with those obtained by ablation in acetonitrile using vibrational and UV absorption spectroscopy. Since silver surfaces are able to stabilize the obtained sp‐hybridized molecules, surface‐enhanced Raman spectra were recorded and are discussed in terms of surface–molecule interactions. The degradation of the produced species are also considered to support the conclusions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of surface morphology on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4‐aminobenzenethiol adsorbed on gold substrates
Authors: Shin Kuan Soo
Published: January 2008

The substrate‐dependent surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4‐aminobenzenethiol (4‐ABT) adsorbed on Au surfaces has been investigated. 4‐ABT is one of the very unique adsorbate molecules whose SERS spectral patterns are known to be noticeably dependent on the relative contribution of chemical enhancement mechanism vs electromagnetic enhancement mechanism. The SERS spectral patterns of 4‐ABT adsorbed on gold substrates with various surface morphology have thus been analyzed in terms of the symmetry types of the vibrational modes. Almost invisibly weak b2 type vibrational bands were observed in the SERS spectra of the 4‐ABT adsorbed on Au colloidal sol nanoparticles or commercially available Au micro‐powders because of the weak contribution of the chemical enhancement. However, greatly enhanced b2 vibrational bands were observed in the spectra of the 4‐ABT molecules adsorbed on the synthesized Au(Zn) sponge or the electrochemically roughened Au(ORC) foil caused by the strong contribution of the chemical enhancement mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics and mechanism of myristic acid and isopropyl alcohol esterification reaction with homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Yalçinyuva Tuncer , Deligöz Hüseyin , Boz İsmail , Ali Gürkaynak Mehmet
Published: January 2008

The reaction of myristic acid (MA) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was carried out by using both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. For a homogeneously catalyzed system, the experimental data have been interpreted with a second order, using the power‐law kinetic model, and a good agreement between the experimental data and the model has been obtained. In this approach, it was assumed that a protonated carboxylic acid is a possible reaction intermediate. After a mathematical model was proposed, reaction rate constants were computed by the Polymath* program. For a heterogeneously catalyzed system, interestingly, no pore diffusion limitation was detected. The influences of initial molar ratios, catalyst loading and type, temperature, and water amount in the feed have been examined, as well as the effects of catalyst size for heterogeneous catalyst systems. Among used catalysts, p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) gave highest reaction rates. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor were determined from model fitting. Experimental K values were found to be 0.54 and 1.49 at 60°C and 80°C, respectively. Furthermore, activation energy and frequency factor at forward were calculated as 54.2 kJ mol−1 and 1828 L mol−1 s−1, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 136–144, 2008
Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of benzohydrazide by bromate catalyzed by vanadium(IV) in aqueous acidic medium
Authors: Shewale S. A. , Phadkule A. N. , Gokavi G. S.
Published: January 2008

The reaction between benzohydrazide and potassium bromate catalyzed by vanadium(IV) was studied under pseudo‐first‐order condition keeping large excess of hydrazide concentration over that of the oxidant. The initiation of the reaction occurs through oxidation of the catalyst vanadium(IV), VO2+, to vanadium(V), VO, which then reacts with hydrazide to give N,N′‐diacylhydrazine and benzoic acid as the products. The order in [H+] is found to be two, and its effect is due to protonation and hydrolysis of oxidized form of the catalyst to form HVO3. The oxidized form of the catalyst, VO, forms a complex with the protonated hydrazide as evidenced by the occurrence of absorption maxima at 390 nm. The rate of the reaction remains unaffected by the increase in the ionic strength. The activation parameters were determined, and data support the mechanism. The detailed mechanism and the rate equation are proposed for the reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 151–159, 2008
Diode-pumped passively Q-switched mode-locked YVO4/Nd:YVO4 composite crystal laser with LT-GaAs saturable absorber mirror
Authors: Li T , Zhuo Z , Zhao S
Published: January 2008

A passively Q-switched mode-locked all-solid-state YVO4/Nd:YVO4 composite crystal laser with a low-temperature (LT)-GaAs saturable absorber mirror was realized. Q-switched mode-locking pulses laser with about 100% modulation depth was obtained at the pump power of 3 W and the mode-lock pulse trains inside the Q-switch pulse envelope have a repetition rate of ∼ 110 MHz. An average output power of 4 W was achieved at the pump power of 18 W, corresponding to an optical slope efficiency of 22.2%. The instability of the laser was 0.12% at the pump power of 15 W.
Wide-band Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes comb lasing in a BaF2 single crystal under picosecond pumping
Authors: Kaminskii A A , Rhee H , Eichler H J , Bohatý L , Becker P , Takaichi K
Published: January 2008

We report on the first observation of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in a crystal of cubic BaF2. All registered Stokes and anti-Stokes lasing sidebands in the visible and near-IR (up to the 41st order) are identified to the single χ(3)-promoting vibration mode (ωSRS ≈ 238 cm-1) of the crystal. The recorded very broad nonlinear lasing comb (more than one octave spanning) in BaF2 opens the possibility for experiments on femtosecond waveform synthesis and other laser comb applications.
Early caries naked-eyed examination
Authors: Bakhmutov D , Gonchukov S , Kharchenko O , Voytenok O , Zubov B
Published: January 2008

In view of its potential for dental diagnostics, noninvasive optical methods have been the object of research for the last years. Different techniques (spectroscopy, microscopy, and tomography) are used to discriminate between caries and sound enamel. The main aim of this paper is to determine a simple way to see incipient caries with the naked eye.
Radiation‐Induced Reaction of Sulfonamide‐Containing Polymers in the Film State for Color Imaging
Authors: Maekawa Yasunari , Kato Jun , Katakai Masashi , Ishihara Masaaki , Enomoto Kazuyuki , Hagiwara Tokio , Ishii Tatsuhito , Itoh Kazuo , Koshikawa Hiroshi , Yoshida Masaru
Published: January 2008

A polysulfonamide and copolymers consisting of sulfonamides and amides underwent Fries rearrangement and scission, forming amino groups upon EB irradiation. The EB irradiation of these films with a dose of 500 µC · cm−2, followed by the color forming reaction provided the color imaging of line/space patterns with a resolution of 300 nm.

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The effects of visual and verbal information on attitudes and purchase intentions in internet shopping
Authors: Kim Minjeong , Lennon Sharron
Published: January 2008

The present study investigated how different product presentation formats (visual vs. verbal) influence consumer attitudes toward product and purchase intentions in Internet shopping. The overall results from two Web experiments simulating Internet apparel shopping showed that both visual and verbal information had significant effects on affective and cognitive attitudes toward apparel products, but only verbal information had a significant effect on purchase intention. Though the superiority of visual information was predicted based on prior literature, the results of the study supported verbal superiority. This finding provides an important implication for Internet retailers who tend to pay more attention to visual product presentation. Although visual product presentation is also found to be important, detailed product descriptions are critical to positively influence consumer shopping experience in Internet shopping. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deep brain stimulation hardware complications: The role of electrode impedance and current measurements
Authors: Farris Sierra , Vitek Jerrold , Giroux Monique L.
Published: January 2008

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease patients. Successful DBS outcomes depend on appropriate patient selection, surgical placement of the lead, intact hardware systems, optimal programming, and medical management. Despite its importance, there is little guidance in reference to hardware monitoring, hardware troubleshooting, and patient management. Technical manuals produced by the hardware manufacturer (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) are not presented in an applied clinical format, making impedance and current measurements difficult to interpret when the results are not straightforward. We present four patients with evolving DBS hardware complications that occurred during long‐term follow‐up, that shaped our clinical protocol for long‐term care management and hardware troubleshooting. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Hide‐and‐seek games on a tree to which Eulerian networks are attached
Authors: Alpern Steve
Published: January 2008

We analyze the hide‐and‐seek game Γ(G) on certain networks G. The hider picks a hiding point yin Gand the searcher picks a unit speed path S(t) in G, starting at any point S(0). The payoff in this zero‐sum game is the capture time T = T(S,y) = min{t: S(t) = y}. Such games have been studied before, but mainly with the simplifying assumption that the searcher's starting point S(0) is specified and known to the hider. We call a network partly Eulerian if it consists of a tree (of length aand radius r) to which a finite number of disjoint Eulerian networks (of total length b) are attached, each at a single point. We show that for such networks, a strategy consisting equiprobably of a minimal (Chinese Postman) covering path and its reverse path is optimal for the searcher, while the optimal hider strategy is to assume that the searcher must start at the center of the tree, and to optimize in that (known) game. The value of the game Γ(G) is a+b/2 ‐r. This simplifies and extends a similar result of Dagan and Gal for search games on trees. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Examining the relationship between treatment outcomes for academic achievement and social skills in school‐age children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Rutherford Laura E. , Dupaul George J. , Jitendra Asha K.
Published: January 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between treatment‐induced changes in academic achievement and social skills in elementary school‐age children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. A sample of 123 children in grades 1 through 4 with symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, and significant achievement problems in math or reading were identified for participation. Participants were exposed to academic interventions mediated by their teachers, parents, peers, computers, or the student themselves. Data were collected on academic competence using the Woodcock‐Johnson III Test of Achievement and the Academic Competence Evaluation Scales; social skills were assessed using the Social Skills Rating System. Correlations between changes in academic competence and social skills from preintervention to approximately 10 months later were calculated. Results showed that as teacher ratings of reading improved, there were corresponding improvements in social skills. For students in peer‐mediated math interventions, increases in math fluency were correlated with improvements in self‐control. Results are discussed in the context of possible reasons for these findings and implications for practice and future research. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical application of proteomics approaches in vascular diseases
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Li , Fu Alex , Spiro Craig , Lee Hon‐Chi
Published: January 2008

Cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite modern advances in science and medicine, our understanding of the factors that contribute to the development of vascular dysfunction is incomplete. Progress in treatment will depend on elucidating the complex interactions of hormones, growth factors, inflammatory agents, and oxidative stress on cell proliferation, migration, and death both in the vasculature and in circulation. Recent developments in proteomic techniques provide a promising approach for determining protein changes associated with complex diseases and permitting thorough evaluation of molecular changes associated with vascular dysfunction. Proteomic studies have revealed novel, dynamic, complex, and subtle changes of intracellular processes that are associated with the abnormal regulation of vascular function. This review provides an overview on the progress of applying proteomics to vascular diseases. We will describe the application of proteomics to clinically important vascular conditions and highlight the potential of using proteomics to advance our understanding on the mechanisms that underlie vascular diseases.
Observation of peptide differences between cancer and control in gastric juice
Authors: Chang Wei‐Chao , Hsu Ping‐I , Chen Yuan‐Yan , Hsiao Michael , Lu Pei‐Jung , Chen Chung‐Hsuan
Published: January 2008

Biomarkers for various diseases have been extensively searched for the past 5 years. Nevertheless, most efforts were focused on the search for protein biomarkers from serum samples. In this work, we tried to look for peptide biomarkers from gastric juice samples with MALDI‐TOF‐MS. More than 200 gastric juice samples from healthy people, gastric ulcer patients, duodenal ulcer patients, and cancer patients were examined. There were clear pattern differences of mass spectra among samples from healthy people and patients with different gastric diseases. We found five peptides for gastric cancer diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Sequences of these five peptides, including two pepsinogen fragments, leucine zipper protein fragment, albumin fragment, and α‐1‐antitrypsin fragment, have been identified by mass spectrometric analysis and immuno‐deplete assay with antibodies.
Proteome alterations induced in human white blood cells by consumption of Brussels sprouts: Results of a pilot intervention study
Authors: Hoelzl Christine , Lorenz Olga , Haudek Verena , Gundacker Nina , Knasmüller Siegfried , Gerner Christopher
Published: January 2008

Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation of cruciferous vegetables consumption with reduced incidence of cancer. This study was designed to investigate molecular mechanisms, which may help to understand the beneficial effects of Brussels sprout consumption. In order to avoid the limitations of in vitro model systems, we performed a dietary intervention study with five participants. We investigated, whether sprout consumption affects the proteome profile of primary white blood cells. In order to achieve maximal sensitivity in detecting specific adaptive proteome alterations, we metabolically labelled freshly isolated cells in the presence of 35S‐methionine/cysteine and performed autoradiographic quantification of protein synthesis. Proteins were separated by 2‐DE and spots of interest were cut out, digested and identified by MS. After the intervention, we found a significant up‐regulation of the synthesis of manganese superoxide dismutase (1.56‐fold) and significant down‐regulation of the synthesis of heat shock 70 kDa protein (hsp70; 2.27‐fold). Both proteins play a role in malignant transformation of cells. Hsp‐70 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, which leads to elimination of cancer cells, while SOD plays a key role in protection against reactive oxygen species mediated effects. Our findings indicate that the alteration of the synthesis of these proteins may be involved in the anticarcinogenic effects of cruciferous vegetables, which was observed in earlier laboratory studies with animals.
Statistical geometry based prediction of nonsynonymous SNP functional effects using random forest and neuro‐fuzzy classifiers
Authors: Barenboim Maxim , Masso Majid , Vaisman Iosif I. , Jamison D. Curtis
Published: January 2008

There is substantial interest in methods designed to predict the effect of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) on protein function, given their potential relationship to heritable diseases. Current state‐of‐the‐art supervised machine learning algorithms, such as random forest (RF), train models that classify single amino acid mutations in proteins as either neutral or deleterious to function. However, it is frequently the case that the functional effect of a polymorphism on a protein resides between these two extremes. The utilization of classifiers that incorporate fuzzy logic provides a natural extension in order to account for the spectrum of possible functional consequences. We generated a dataset of single amino acid substitutions in human proteins having known three‐dimensional structures. Each variant was uniquely represented as a feature vector that included computational geometry and knowledge‐based statistical potential predictors obtained though application of Delaunay tessellation of protein structures. Additional attributes consisted of physicochemical properties of the native and replacement amino acids as well as topological location of the mutated residue position in the solved structure. Classification performance of the RF algorithm was evaluated on a training set consisting of the disease‐associated and neutral nsSNPs taken from our dataset, and attributes were ranked according to their relative importance. Similarly, we evaluated the performance of adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The utility of statistical geometry predictors was compared with that of traditional structural and evolutionary attributes employed by other researchers, revealing an equally effective yet complementary methodology. Among all attributes in our feature set, the statistical geometry predictors were found to be the most highly ranked. On the basis of the AUC (area under the ROC curve) measure of performance, the ANFIS and RF models were equally effective when only statistical geometry features were utilized. Tenfold cross‐validation studies evaluating AUC, balanced error rate (BER), and Matthew's correlation coefficient (MCC) showed that our RF model was at least comparable with the well‐established methods of SIFT and PolyPhen. The trained RF and ANFIS models were each subsequently used to predict the disease potential of human nsSNPs in our dataset that are currently unclassified (http://rna.gmu.edu/FuzzySnps/). Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The temporal pattern of captan residues on apple leaves and fruit under field conditions in relation to weather and canopy structure
Authors: Xu Xiang‐Ming , Murray Roy A , Salazar Jose D , Hyder Kieran
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: Captan is an important fungicide for controlling diseases in horticultural crops. Understanding its dissipation is important for estimating dietary risks and optimising pesticide application. Field experiments were conducted on apple leaves and fruit to investigate (1) the temporal variability of captan residues, (2) the contribution of several factors to the variability in residues and (3) the relationship between residues and climatic conditions.

RESULTS: Initial captan deposits and subsequent residues on fruit and leaves were closer to a lognormal than to a normal distribution. The unit‐to‐unit variation contributed most to the observed variability in the initial deposit and subsequent residues. Variability due to orchards or trees or tree–zone interactions was also frequently important, but there was no discernable trend in the effects. The variability in residues did not appear to decrease over time. Canopy structure affected greatly the initial deposition but had little direct effect on subsequent captan loss. Fruit and leaves on the outside of the tree canopy received more deposit than those on the inside, but these differences gradually decreased over time. Captan loss resulted mainly from the first rainfall after an application.

CONCLUSIONS: Captan loss is mainly due to rain, and the loss is negligible under dry conditions. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Kissper, a kiwi fruit peptide with channel‐like activity: Structural and functional features
Authors: Ciardiello M. Antonietta , Meleleo Daniela , Saviano Gabriella , Crescenzo Roberta , Carratore Vito , Camardella Laura , Gallucci Enrico , Micelli Silvia , Tancredi Teodorico , Picone Delia , Tamburrini Maurizio
Published: January 2008

Kissper is a 39‐residue peptide isolated from kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa). Its primary structure, elucidated by direct protein sequencing, is identical to the N‐terminal region of kiwellin, a recently reported kiwi fruit allergenic protein, suggesting that kissper derives from the in vivo processing of kiwellin. The peptide does not show high sequence identity with any other polypeptide of known function. However, it displays a pattern of cysteines similar, but not identical, to those observed in some plant and animal proteins, including toxins involved in defence mechanisms. A number of these proteins are also active on mammalian cells. Functional characterization of kissper showed pH‐dependent and voltage‐gated pore‐forming activity, together with anion selectivity and channeling in model synthetic PLMs, made up of POPC and of DOPS:DOPE:POPC. A 2DNMR analysis indicates that in aqueous solution kissper has only short regions of regular secondary structure, without any evident similarity with other bioactive peptides. Comparative analysis of the structural and functional features suggests that kissper is a member of a new class of pore‐forming peptides with potential effects on human health. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.