bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Th17 cytokine IL‐22 induces IL‐20 production in keratinocytes: A novel immunological cascade with potential relevance in psoriasis
Authors: Wolk Kerstin , Witte Ellen , Warszawska Katarzyna , Schulze‐Tanzil Gundula , Witte Katrin , Philipp Sandra , Kunz Stefanie , Döcke Wolf‐Dietrich , Asadullah Khusru , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Sterry Wolfram , Sabat Robert
Published: October 2009

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease. Recent studies demonstrated that IL‐20 and IL‐22, cytokines produced by keratinocytes and T cells, respectively, both inhibit keratinocyte terminal differentiation and induce psoriasis‐like epidermis alterations. Here, we investigated the relationship between these mediators. Although IL‐20 was not able to regulate IL‐22 production, IL‐22 induced IL‐20 mRNA and protein in human keratinocytes. However, IL‐22 had only a minimal effect, if any, on IL‐19 and IL‐26. Cutaneous IL‐20 was also elevated in mice following IL‐22 application. Accordingly, some of IL‐22's effects on differentiation‐regulating genes were partially mediated by an endogenous, secreted protein and attenuated by anti‐IL‐20 Ab. Like IL‐22, IL‐17A and TNF‐α induced IL‐20 in keratinocytes, whereas IFN‐γ and IL‐20 itself did not. Furthermore, IL‐17A and TNF‐α individually strengthened the IL‐22‐induced IL‐20 production. In lesional skin of psoriasis patients, highly elevated IL‐20 levels strongly correlated with IL‐22, and to a lesser extent, with IL‐17A and TNF‐α. As previously shown for IL‐22, IL‐20 blood levels correlated with the disease severity, although with a lower significance. This study demonstrates that a T‐cell mediator induces a tissue cell mediator with similar effects to its own and therefore suggests the existence of a novel type of pathogenetic cascade.
CCR6 and NK1.1 distinguish between IL‐17A and IFN‐γ‐producing γδ effector T cells
Authors: Haas Jan D. , González Frano H. Malinarich , Schmitz Susanne , Chennupati Vijaykumar , Föhse Lisa , Kremmer Elisabeth , Förster Reinhold , Prinz Immo
Published: October 2009

γδ T cells are a potent source of innate IL‐17A and IFN‐γ, and they acquire the capacity to produce these cytokines within the thymus. However, the precise stages and required signals that guide this differentiation are unclear. Here we show that the CD24low CD44high effector γδ T cells of the adult thymus are segregated into two lineages by the mutually exclusive expression of CCR6 and NK1.1. Only CCR6+ γδ T cells produced IL‐17A, while NK1.1+ γδ T cells were efficient producers of IFN‐γ but not of IL‐17A. Their effector phenotype correlated with loss of CCR9 expression, particularly among the NK1.1+ γδ T cells. Accordingly, both γδ T‐cell subsets were rare in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues, but abundant in peripheral lymphoid tissues. There, they provided IL‐17A and IFN‐γ in response to TCR‐specific and TCR‐independent stimuli. IL‐12 and IL‐18 induced IFN‐γ and IL‐23 induced IL‐17A production by NK1.1+ or CCR6+ γδ T cells, respectively. Importantly, we show that CCR6+ γδ T cells are more responsive to TCR stimulation than their NK1.1+ counterparts. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis that CCR6+ IL‐17A‐producing γδ T cells derive from less TCR‐dependent selection events than IFN‐γ‐producing NK1.1+ γδ T cells.
The Diene Effect: The Design, Development, and Mechanistic Investigation of Metal‐Catalyzed Diene‐yne, Diene‐ene, and Diene‐allene [2+2+1] Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Croatt Mitchell P. , Wender Paul A.
Published: October 2009

Metal‐catalyzed diene‐yne, diene‐ene, and diene‐allene [2+2+1] cycloaddition reactions provide new methods for the facile construction of highly functionalized five‐membered rings. These reactions can be conducted with a variety of substrate substitution patterns and functional groups and often in the absence of solvent. The special reactivity of dienes, a key to enabling or enhancing the effectiveness of the [2+2+1] and other reactions, is significantly different from that of alkynes, alkenes, or allenes. For example, the [2+2+1] reaction of a diene‐yne is accelerated compared to that of the corresponding ene‐yne. An even more dramatic “diene effect” is found with diene‐enes and diene‐allenes. While bis‐enes and ene‐allenes are not reported to yield [2+2+1] cycloadducts, the related diene‐enes and diene‐allenes undergo efficient [2+2+1] cycloadditions, providing new routes to cyclopentanones and alkylidenecyclopentanones. Mechanistic studies suggest that the unique reactivity observed with dienes arises from their participation in the putative rate‐determining reductive elimination step by providing an additional energy‐lowering coordination site for the transition metal catalyst.
Targeted radionuclide therapy in head and neck cancer
Authors: Nestor Marika V.
Published: October 2009

There is great potential for targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) in the treatment of head and neck cancer. In recent years, developments in fields such as antigen screening, protein engineering, and cancer biology have facilitated the rational design of targeted pharmaceuticals, with monoclonal antibodies forming the most rapidly expanding category. TRT may be a promising way to improve targeted treatment, especially in head and neck cancer, because of the intrinsic radiosensitivity of this tumor type. TRT may also provide a good foundation on which to build rational biologic combination therapies. In the next few years the use of TRT may offer new opportunities for further improvement of the therapeutic ratio that potentially may obviate or reduce the need for conventional cytotoxics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Morbidity and mortality of thyroidectomy for substernal goiter
Authors: Abboud Bassam , Sleilaty Ghassan , Mallak Nadine , Abou Zeid Hicham , Tabchy Bassam
Published: October 2009

Background

Our objective was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of thyroidectomy in substernal goiters and identify patients at risk for these events.

Methods

The medical records of 127 patients with substernal goiters were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The most common preoperative symptom was shortness of breath (48%). 13% of the 127 patients were asymptomatic. Preoperative imaging identified tracheal deviation in 69% and tracheal compression in 41% of the cases. Substernal goiters were resected via a cervical approach in 100% of the cases. Six patients (5%) had postoperative hoarseness, 1 had permanent vocal cord paralysis, and 19 (15%) had transient postoperative hypocalcemia. The mortality and permanent hypoparathyroidism were null. Patients with postoperative complications had larger goiters and were more likely to have tracheal compression.

Conclusions

Thyroid resection via a cervical approach for substernal goiters is associated with low rate of morbidity and no mortality. Patients with large tumors and tracheal compression are more likely to develop postoperative complications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
MicroRNA‐15b represents an independent prognostic parameter and is correlated with tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis in malignant melanoma
Authors: Satzger Imke , Mattern Anika , Kuettler Uta , Weinspach Dirk , Voelker Bernward , Kapp Alexander , Gutzmer Ralf
Published: October 2009

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs (∼22 bp) that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression. MiRNAs possess oncogenic or tumor suppressor activity in various tumors but little is known about miRNA expression pattern in malignant melanoma. We determined the expression level of 16 potentially relevant miRNAs (miR‐15a, miR‐15b, miR‐16, miR‐34a, miR‐210, let‐7I, miR‐23a, miR‐23b, miR‐24, miR‐27a, miR‐27b, miR‐100, miR‐137, miR‐222, miR‐373‐1, miR‐373*) by real‐time PCR in 6 preparations of normal melanocytes vs. 10 melanoma cell lines and in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue of 11 melanocytic nevi versus 16 melanomas. MiR‐15b and miR‐210 were significantly upregulated, miR‐34a was significantly downregulated in melanomas compared with melanocytic nevi. These 3 miRNAs were analyzed in a total of 128 primary melanomas from patients with detailed clinical follow‐up information. High expression of miR‐15b (but not miR‐210 upregulation and miR‐34a downregulation) was significantly associated with poor recurrence free survival and overall survival by univariate Kaplan‐Meier and multivariate Cox analyses. Downregulation of miR‐15b in two melanoma cell lines with high miR‐15b expression by transfection with anti‐miR‐15b siRNA was associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation, whereas apoptosis was increased. In summary, miRNA expression levels show distinct differences comparing benign and malignant melanocytic cell proliferations and can provide independent prognostic informations. MiR‐15b appears to represent a particular important miRNA in melanoma that is associated with poor prognosis and tumorigenesis.
Expression and subcellular localization of myogenic regulatory factors during the differentiation of skeletal muscle C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Ferri Paola , Barbieri Elena , Burattini Sabrina , Guescini Michele , D'Emilio Alessandra , Biagiotti Laura , Del Grande Paolo , De Luca Antonio , Stocchi Vilberto , Falcieri Elisabetta
Published: October 2009

It is known that the MyoD family members (MyoD, Myf5, myogenin, and MRF4) play a pivotal role in the complex mechanism of skeletal muscle cell differentiation. However, fragmentary information on transcription factor‐specific regulation is available and data on their post‐transcriptional and post‐translational behavior are still missing. In this work, we combined mRNA and protein expression analysis with their subcellular localization. Each myogenic regulator factor (MRF) revealed a specific mRNA trend and a protein quantitative analysis not overlapping, suggesting the presence of post‐transcriptional mechanisms. In addition, each MRF showed a specific behavior in situ, characterized by a differentiation stage‐dependent localization suggestive of a post‐translational regulation also. Consistently with their transcriptional activity, immunogold electron microscopy data revealed MRFs distribution in interchromatin domains. Our results showed a MyoD and Myf5 contrasting expression profile in proliferating myoblasts, as well as myogenin and MRF4 opposite distribution in the terminally differentiated myotubes. Interestingly, MRFs expression and subcellular localization analysis during C2C12 cell differentiation stages showed two main MRFs regulation mechanisms: (i) the protein half‐life regulation to modulate the differentiation stage‐dependent transcriptional activity and (ii) the cytoplasmic retention, as a translocation process, to inhibit the transcriptional activity. Therefore, our results exhibit that MRFs nucleo‐cytoplasmic trafficking is involved in muscle differentiation and suggest that, besides the MRFs expression level, also MRFs subcellular localization, related to their functional activity, plays a key role as a regulatory step in transcriptional control mechanisms. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1302–1317, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GSKIP, an inhibitor of GSK3β, mediates the N‐cadherin/β‐catenin pool in the differentiation of SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Lin Ching‐Chih , Chou Chia‐Hua , Howng Shen‐Long , Hsu Chia‐Yi , Hwang Chi‐Ching , Wang Chihuei , Hsu Ching‐Mei , Hong Yi‐Ren
Published: October 2009

Emerging evidence has shown that GSK3β plays a pivotal role in regulating the specification of axons and dendrites. Our previous study has shown a novel GSK3β interaction protein (GSKIP) able to negatively regulate GSK3β in Wnt signaling pathway. To further characterize how GSKIP functions in neurons, human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells treated with retinoic acid (RA) to differentiate to neuron‐like cells was used as a model. Overexpression of GSKIP prevents neurite outgrowth in SH‐SY5Y cells. GSKIP may affect GSK3β activity on neurite outgrowth by inhibiting the specific phosphorylation of tau (ser396). GSKIP also increases β‐catenin in the nucleus and raises the level of cyclin D1 to promote cell‐cycle progression in SH‐SY5Y cells. Additionally, overexpression of GSKIP downregulates N‐cadherin expression, resulting in decreased recruitment of β‐catenin. Moreover, depletion of β‐catenin by small interfering RNA, neurite outgrowth is blocked in SH‐SY5Y cells. Altogether, we propose a model to show that GSKIP regulates the functional interplay of the GSK3β/β‐catenin, β‐catenin/cyclin D1, and β‐catenin/N‐cadherin pool during RA signaling in SH‐SY5Y cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1325–1336, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PDEF is a negative regulator of colon cancer cell growth and migration
Authors: Moussa Omar , Turner David P. , Feldman Ron J. , Sementchenko Victor I. , McCarragher Brent D. , Desouki Mohamed M. , Fraig Mostafa , Watson Dennis K.
Published: October 2009

ETS is a family of transcriptional regulators with functions in most biological processes. Dysregulated ETS factor function leads to altered expression of multiple genes that play critical roles in many of the processes required for cancer progression. While the Ets family gene, prostate‐derived ETS factor (PDEF), is expressed in epithelial tissues including prostate, breast, and colon, PDEF protein expression has been found to be reduced or lost during prostate and breast cancer progression. The goal of this study was to examine the expression and biologic impact of altered PDEF expression in colon cancer. PDEF mRNA and protein are not detectable in several colon‐cancer‐derived cell lines. Re‐expression of PDEF in colon cancer cells inhibits growth and migration. Growth affects are due to altered cellular proliferation, indicated by increased altered cell population in G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, as well as increased apoptosis. Relevant to its modulation of growth and migration phenotypes, PDEF expression resulted in altered expression of genes with established roles in cell cycle, motility, and invasion. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation studies show that p21 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) are direct PDEF transcriptional targets. While non‐tumor colon epithelium expresses PDEF mRNA and protein, the majority of tumors showed decreased mRNA and/or protein expression. In human tumor tissue samples, PDEF expression was inversely correlated with the expression levels of uPA. Collectively, the data support the model that PDEF is a negative regulator of tumor progression by modulating the expression of growth and migration promoting genes. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1389–1398, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intramolecular electronic communication in a dimethylaminoazobenzene–fullerene C60 dyad: An experimental and TD‐DFT study
Authors: Senthil Kumar K. , Patnaik Archita
Published: October 2009

An electronically push–pull type dimethylaminoazobenzene–fullerene C60 hybrid was designed and synthesized by tailoring N,N‐dimethylaniline as an electron donating auxochrome that intensified charge density on the β‐azonitrogen, and on N‐methylfulleropyrrolidine (NMFP) as an electron acceptor at the 4 and 4′ positions of the azobenzene moiety, respectively. The absorption and charge transfer behavior of the hybrid donor‐bridge‐acceptor dyad were studied experimentally and by performing TD‐DFT calculations. The TD‐DFT predicted charge transfer interactions of the dyad ranging from 747 to 601 nm were experimentally observed in the UV‐vis spectra at 721 nm in toluene and dichloromethane. A 149 mV anodic shift in the first reduction potential of the NN group of the dyad in comparison with the model aminoazobenzene derivative further supported the phenomenon. Analysis of the charge transfer band through the orbital picture revealed charge displacement from the n(NN) (nonbonding) and π (NN) type orbitals centered on the donor part to the purely fullerene centered LUMOs and LUMO+n orbitals, delocalized over the entire molecule. The imposed electronic perturbations on the aminoazobenzene moiety upon coupling it with C60 were analyzed by comparing the TD‐DFT predicted and experimentally observed electronic transition energies of the dyad with the model compounds, NMFP and (E)‐N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐(p‐tolyldiazenyl)aniline (AZNME). The n(NN) → π*(NN) and π(NN) → π*(NN) transitions of the dyad were bathochromically shifted with a significant charge transfer character. The shifting of π(NN) → π*(NN) excitation energy closer to the n → π*(NN) in comparison with the model aminoazobenzene emphasized the predominant existence of charge separated quinonoid‐like ground state electronic structure. Increasing solvent polarity introduced hyperchromic effect in the π(NN) → π*(NN) electronic transition at the expense of transitions involved with benzenic states, and the extent of intensity borrowing was quantified adopting the Gaussian deconvolution method. On a comparative scale, the predicted excitation energies were in reasonable agreement with the observed values, demonstrating the efficiency of TD‐DFT in predicting the localized and the charge transfer nature of transitions involved with large electronically asymmetric molecules with HOMO and LUMO centered on different parts of the molecular framework. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Small maximal matchings of random cubic graphs
Authors: Assiyatun H. , Duckworth W.
Published: October 2009

We consider the expected size of a smallest maximal matching of cubic graphs. Firstly, we present a randomized greedy algorithm for finding a small maximal matching of cubic graphs. We analyze the average‐case performance of this heuristic on random n‐vertex cubic graphs using differential equations. In this way, we prove that the expected size of the maximal matching returned by the algorithm is asymptotically almost surely (a.a.s.) less than 0.34623n. We also give an existence proof which shows that the size of a smallest maximal matching of a random n‐vertex cubic graph is a.a.s. less than 0.3214n. It is known that the size of a smallest maximal matching of a random n‐vertex cubic graph is a.a.s. larger than 0.3158n. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 62: 293–323, 2009
Communication and information deficits in patients discharged to rehabilitation facilities: An evaluation of five acute care hospitals
Authors: Gandara Esteban , Moniz Thomas , Ungar Jonathan , Lee Jason , Chan‐Macrae Myrna , O'Malley Terrence , Schnipper Jeffrey L
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND:

The quality of discharge documentation in patients discharged to rehabilitation centers and other subacute facilities is less well studied than that of patients discharged home.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the quality of information transfer among patients discharged from acute hospitals to subacute facilities across an integrated healthcare delivery system.

DESIGN:

Retrospective evaluation of discharge documentation packets of selected patients.

SETTING:

Five acute care hospitals of the Partners Healthcare System.

MEASUREMENTS:

We measured the presence of specific data elements required to safely care for patients after discharge, including all data elements required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (TJC).

RESULTS:

A total of 1501 discharge documentation packets were reviewed from March 2005 through June 2007. Only 1055 (70.3%) discharge summaries had all the information required by TJC, with physical examination at admission and condition at discharge most often missing (in 11.4% and 14.2% of cases, respectively). Other deficiencies not mandated by TJC included a list of preadmission medications (missing in 20.3%) and reasons for changes in these medications at discharge (35.3%), mention of pending test results (47.2%), and postdischarge management and follow‐up plans (11.1%).

CONCLUSIONS:

We found room for improvement in the inclusion of data elements required for the safe transfer of patients from acute hospitals to subacute facilities, especially in areas such as medication reconciliation, pending test results, and adequate follow‐up plans. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E28–E33. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Implementation and evaluation of an alphanumeric paging system on a resident inpatient teaching service
Authors: Wong B.M. , Quan S. , Shadowitz S. , Etchells E.
Published: October 2009

BACKGROUND:

Numeric pagers are commonly used communication devices in healthcare, but cannot convey important information such as the reason for or urgency of the page. Alphanumeric pagers can display both numbers and text, and may address some of these communication problems.

OBJECTIVE:

Our primary aim was to implement an alphanumeric paging system.

DESIGN:

Continuous quality improvement study using rapid‐cycle change methods.

SETTING:

General Internal Medicine (GIM) inpatient wards at 1 tertiary care academic teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS:

All residents, attending physicians, nurses, and allied health staff working on the general medicine (GM) wards.

MEASUREMENTS:

We measured: (1) the proportion of pages sent as text pages, (2) the source of the pages, (3) the content of the text pages, (4) the pages that disrupted scheduled education activities, and (5) satisfaction with the alphanumeric paging system.

RESULTS:

After implementation, 52% of pages sent from physicians or the GM wards were sent as text pages (P < 0.001). 93% of pages between physicians were text pages, compared to 27% of pages from the GM wards to physicians (P < 0.001). The most common reason for text paging among physicians was to arrange work or teaching rounds (33%). The most common reason for text paging from the GM wards was to request a patient assessment or for notification of a patient's clinical status (25%). There was a 29% reduction in disruptive pages sent during scheduled educational rounds (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

We successfully implemented an alphanumeric paging system that reduced disruptive pages on a GM inpatient service. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E34–E40. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Hospitalist involvement in internal medicine residencies
Authors: Beasley Brent W. , McBride Jennifer , McDonald Furman S.
Published: October 2009

CONTEXT:

The ways hospitalists interact with and contribute to internal medicine residencies in the United States have been described locally, but have not been documented on a national level.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the penetration of hospitalists into medicine residency faculty nationally, and document their contributions to teaching activities.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Survey of all 386 internal medicine residency directors in the United States in 2005 (272 respondents) and 2007 (236 respondents).

MEASUREMENTS:

Number of teaching hospitals utilizing hospitalists, number of programs utilizing hospitalists to teach, hospitalist teaching duties, and number with hospitalist tracks.

RESULTS:

In 2005, program directors recalled 54% of teaching hospitals employed hospitalists before and 73% after implementation of work‐hour limitations. Of those employing hospitalists, 92% of programs in the Northeast and West used them to teach. Two years later, the Midwest (78%) and South (76%) continued to lag behind in the proportion of teaching hospitalists. Specific teaching activities of hospitalists included: attending on teaching service (92%), conducting rounds (81%), observation of clinical skills (67%), lectures (68%), and morning report (52%). Seven percent of program directors reported other duties of hospitalists, including: supervising procedures, reviewing night float patients, serving as associate program directors, and writing curricula. Eleven percent of training programs had hospitalist tracks.

CONCLUSIONS:

As hospitalists have become prevalent and have become efficient clinicians in community and university hospitals, the majority of internal medicine residencies have enlisted them to provide rounds, lectures, and bedside teaching. A small number of residencies are beginning to develop tracks to facilitate this new career option for graduates. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:471–475. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Bayesian journey‐to‐crime modelling of juvenile and adult offenders by gender in Manchester
Authors: Levine Ned , Lee Patsy
Published: October 2009

This study tested the Bayesian journey‐to‐crime (JTC) model by gender and age for serial offenders from Manchester, England. The data were 4056 crimes committed by 171 serial offenders between 2003 and 2006. The data were subdivided by gender and age group to examine whether accuracy and precision varied by these subgroups. In general, the centre of minimum distance was found to be the most accurate measure, but the Bayesian risk and product measures were found to be the most precise measurements. The traditional ‘distance decay’ type of JTC function did not produce estimates that are as accurate nor as precise as the Bayesian approach. Tests were conducted on whether specific gender and age group JTC functions and origin–destination matrices improved predictability. With the exception of juvenile male offenders, the general functions were more accurate and precise. In terms of building an accurate and precise geographical profiling methodology, the results point to the need to include information on the likely predisposition of neighbourhoods to produce offenders as well as information on the crime opportunities available to offenders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional morphology of the radialis muscle in shark tails
Authors: Flammang Brooke E.
Published: October 2009

The functional morphology of intrinsic caudal musculature in sharks has not been studied previously, though the kinematics and function of body musculature have been the focus of a great deal of research. In the tail, ventral to the axial myomeres, there is a thin strip of red muscle with fibers angled dorsoposteriorly, known as the radialis. This research gives the first anatomical description of the radialis muscle in sharks, and addresses the hypothesis that the radialis muscle provides postural stiffening in the tail of live swimming sharks. The radialis muscle fibers insert onto the deepest layers of the stratum compactum, the more superior layers of which are orthogonally arrayed and connect to the epidermis. The two deepest layers of the stratum compactum insert onto the proximal ends of the ceratotrichia of the caudal fin. This anatomical arrangement exists in sharks and is modified in rays, but was not found in skates or chimaeras. Electromyography of the caudal muscles of dogfish swimming steadily at 0.25 and 0.5 body lengths per second (Ls−1) exhibited a pattern of anterior to posterior activation of the radialis muscle, followed by activation of red axial muscle in the more anteriorly located ipsilateral myomeres of the caudal peduncle; at 0.75 L s−1, only the anterior portion of the radialis and white axial muscle of the contralateral peduncular myomeres were active. Activity of the radialis muscle occurred during periods of the greatest drag incurred by the tail during the tail beat and preceded the activity of more anteriorly located axial myomeres. This nonconformity to the typical anterior to posterior wave of muscle activation in fish swimming, in combination with anatomical positioning of the radialis muscles and stratum compactum, suggests that radialis activity may have a postural function to stiffen the fin, and does not function as a typical myotomal muscle. J. Morphol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of antioxidants in insulation cladding of copper wire: a comparison of different mass spectrometric techniques (ESI–IT, MALDI–RTOF and RTOF–SIMS)
Authors: Schnöller Johannes , Pittenauer Ernst , Hutter Herbert , Allmaier Günter
Published: October 2009

Commercial copper wire and its polymer insulation cladding was investigated for the presence of three synthetic antioxidants (ADK STAB AO412S, Irganox 1010 and Irganox MD 1024) by three different mass spectrometric techniques including electrospray ionization–ion trap–mass spectrometry (ESI–IT–MS), matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization reflectron time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MALDI–RTOF–MS) and reflectron TOF secondary ion mass spectrometry (RTOF–SIMS). The samples were analyzed either directly without any treatment (RTOF–SIMS) or after a simple liquid/liquid extraction step (ESI–IT–MS, MALDI–RTOF–MS and RTOF–SIMS). Direct analysis of the copper wire itself or of the insulation cladding by RTOF–SIMS allowed the detection of at least two of the three antioxidants but at rather low sensitivity as molecular radical cations and with fairly strong fragmentation (due to the highly energetic ion beam of the primary ion gun). ESI–IT‐ and MALDI–RTOF–MS‐generated abundant protonated and/or cationized molecules (ammoniated or sodiated) from the liquid/liquid extract. Only ESI–IT–MS allowed simultaneous detection of all three analytes in the extract of insulation claddings. The latter two so‐called ‘soft’ desorption/ionization techniques exhibited intense fragmentation only by applying low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID) tandem MS on a multistage ion trap‐instrument and high‐energy CID on a tandem TOF‐instrument (TOF/RTOF), respectively. Strong differences in the fragmentation behavior of the three analytes could be observed between the different CID spectra obtained from either the IT‐instrument (collision energy in the very low eV range) or the TOF/RTOF‐instrument (collision energy 20 keV), but both delivered important structural information. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microglial/macrophage cells in mammalian olfactory nerve fascicles
Authors: Smithson Laura J. , Kawaja Michael D.
Published: October 2009

This is the first description of a population of Iba1‐ and annexin A3‐immunopositive cells residing in the peripheral olfactory nerves of adult rats and adult cats. Based on their ramified appearance, positive immunostaining for the monocytic markers Iba1 and annexin A3, and reactivity to bulbectomy (in adult rats), these cells found within the olfactory nerve fascicles of both mammalian species meet several important criteria for their designation as microglia/macrophages. These Iba1‐/annexin A3‐immunopositive cells may be uniquely positioned to protect against the potential spread of dangerous environmental xenobiotics (such as viruses and toxins) into the brain, where such pathogens may contribute to the development of neurological diseases, such Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental and age‐related changes of peptidylarginine deiminase 2 in the mouse brain
Authors: Shimada Nobuko , Handa Setsuko , Uchida Yoshiaki , Fukuda Mitsugu , Maruyama Naoki , Asaga Hiroaki , Choi Eun‐Kyoung , Lee Jaewon , Ishigami Akihito
Published: October 2009

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a group of posttranslational modification enzymes that citrullinate (deiminate) protein arginine residues in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. Enzymatic citrullination abolishes positive charges of native protein molecules, inevitably causing significant alterations in their structure and functions. Among the five isoforms of PADs, PAD2 and PAD4 are proved occupants of the central nervous system (CNS), and especially PAD2 is a main PAD enzyme expressed in the CNS. We previously reported that abnormal protein citrullination by PAD2 has been closely associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and prion disease. Protein citrullination in these patients is thought to play a role during the initiation and/or progression of disease. However, the contribution of changes in PAD2 levels, and consequent citrullination, during developmental and aging processes remained unclear. Therefore, we used quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical methods to measure PAD2 expression and localization in the brain during those processes. PAD2 mRNA expression was detected in the brains of mice as early as embryonic day 15, and its expression in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum increased significantly as the animals aged from 3 to 30 months old. No citrullinated proteins were detected during that period. Moreover, we found here, for the first time, that PAD2 localized specifically in the neuronal cells of the cerebral cortex and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. These findings indicate that, despite PAD2's normally inactive status, it becomes active and citrullinates cellular proteins, but only when the intracellular Ca2+ balance is upset during neurodegenerative changes. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Divergent role for MMP‐2 in myelin breakdown and oligodendrocyte death following transient global ischemia
Authors: Walker Espen J. , Rosenberg Gary A.
Published: October 2009

Transient global ischemia causes delayed white matter injury to the brain with oligodendrocyte (OLG) death and myelin breakdown. There is increasing evidence that hypoxia may be involved in several diseases of the white matter, including multiple sclerosis, vascular dementia, and ischemia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are increased in rat and mouse models of hypoxic hypoperfusion and have been associated with OLG death. However, whether the MMPs act on myelin or OLGs remains unresolved. We hypothesized that delayed expression of MMPs caused OLG death and myelin breakdown. To test the hypothesis, adult mice underwent hypoxic hypoperfusion with transient bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. After 3 days of reperfusion, ischemic white matter had increased reactivity of astrocytes and microglia, MMP‐2 localization in astrocytes, and increased protein expression and activity of MMP‐2. In addition, there was a significant loss of myelin basic protein (MBP) by Western blot and caspase‐3‐ mediated OLG death. Treatment with the broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitor, BB‐94, significantly decreased astrocyte reactivity and MMP‐2 activity. More importantly, it reduced MBP breakdown. However, MMP inhibition had no effect on OLG loss. Our results implicate MMPs released by reactive astrocytes in delayed myelin degradation, while OLG death occurs by an MMP‐independent mechanism. We propose that MMP‐mediated myelin loss is important in hypoxic injury to the white matter. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cocaine withdrawal‐induced anxiety in females: Impact of circulating estrogen and potential use of delta‐opioid receptor agonists for treatment
Authors: Ambrose‐Lanci Lisa M. , Sterling R.C. , Van Bockstaele Elisabeth J.
Published: October 2009

Sex differences in cocaine addiction warrants further research focused on examining the growing population of female cocaine addicts. As demonstrated in both clinical and preclinical research, females are more susceptible to drug relapse with anxiety being a contributing factor. In support of this, a recent clinical study from our laboratory highlights the importance of menstrual cycle phase and anxiety at treatment admission for cocaine addiction on treatment retention. In support of these trends in the clinical population, the purpose of the present study was to design an animal model to directly test the role of circulating hormone levels during cocaine withdrawal. To directly measure the influence of estrogen on anxiety‐like behavior during early stages of withdrawal, both ovariectomized and intact female rodent models were employed. The elevated‐plus maze and elevated‐zero maze were used to assess anxiety‐like behavior. Recent evidence in male rodents highlights a potential role for the delta opioid‐receptor (DOR) system in the modulation of cocaine withdrawal‐induced anxiety. In addition to the evaluation of hormonal effects, a potential anxiolytic specific for DOR was tested for its efficacy in females withdrawn from cocaine. Our results support the use of DOR agonists as a potential anxiolytic in females and highlight the importance of estrogen and other circulating hormones during all phases of cocaine addiction. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Snow trends in Northern Spain: analysis and simulation with statistical downscaling methods
Authors: Pons M. R. , San‐Martín D. , Herrera S. , Gutiérrez J. M.
Published: October 2009

In this study we analyze and simulate (with statistical downscaling techniques) the snow trends observed in the Northern Iberian Peninsula using daily snow occurrence (DSO) data from a network of 33 stations ranging from 60 to 1350 m. We first analyze the annual snow frequency measured as the annual number of snow days (NSD), obtaining a significant decreasing trend since the mid‐seventies with a NSD reduction of about 50%; moreover, this magnitude is similar for low and high stations and for winter and spring separately. Then, we analyze the existing correlations with mean temperature and precipitation occurrence obtaining different relationships depending on the season and elevation. Finally, we simulate the observed trends using the connection of DSO with large‐scale fields simulated by a General Circulation Model; for this purpose we apply an analog‐based statistical downscaling method to obtain an estimation of DSO, working in perfect prognosis conditions using reanalysis data. On the one hand, the downscaling method is able to estimate/predict the DSO with typical values of hit and false alarm rates around 60% and 2%, respectively. On the other hand, the annual frequency obtained by averaging the DSO estimations reproduces very well both the observed trends and the high inter‐annual variability. These promising results open the possibility to future research in seasonal or climate change projections of snow frequency. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
How companies reduce the downside of downsizing
Authors: LaMarsh Jeanenne
Published: October 2009

Workforce reductions are sometimes inevitable, but the accompanying pain is not. Careful planning by senior leaders and attentive implementation by managers, with a focus on all the groups affected by the action, can speed individuals' and the organization's transition to the future state. The author discusses the negative ramifications of downsizing, the three core groups of employees most affected, and the types of resistance to change that prolong their emotional pain and pose barriers to moving forward. She also presents a change management plan for minimizing the pain and details the communication, learning, and rewards and reinforcement elements important for effectively managing downsizing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interpreting the behavior of laterally loaded drilled shaft from measured deflection data
Authors: Yamin Mohammad M. , Liang Robert Y.
Published: October 2009

The drilled shafts have been widely used to support lateral loads (active load case) or as a means to stabilize an unstable slope (passive load case) due to their large lateral load resistance and structural capacity for shear and bending moments. However, there is a need to develop an analytical procedure that can use the actual measured deflection data of a drilled shaft subject to either active or passive load case to interpret the soil‐drilled shaft interaction behavior. The mathematical formulation and the accompanied numerical procedure based on the principle of superposition were developed in this paper to allow for deducing the relevant soil‐drilled shaft interaction behavior under the applied lateral load (i.e. net soil reaction force on the drilled shaft, the shear and bending moment in the shaft) from the measured deflection data. Both compatibility and force equilibrium conditions were utilized in formulating the mathematical equations for common single drilled shaft boundary conditions (free head and fixed bottom). The current application is limited to small deformation to meet the requirement that the drilled shaft responds in a linear elastic range. A total of three theoretical cases, along with two actual field cases, were used to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method and its engineering applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comments on ‘An efficient iterative method for solving the matrix equation AXB+CYD=E’
Authors: Wu Ai‐Guo , Tong Lin , Zhang Ying , Duan Guang‐Ren
Published: October 2009

In this note, a technical error is pointed out in the proof of a lemma in the above paper. A correct proof of this lemma is given. In addition, a further result on the algorithm in the above paper is also given. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of sexual dimorphism of craniofacial traits using geometric morphometric techniques
Authors: Gonzalez P. N. , Bernal V. , Perez S. I.
Published: October 2009

This work deals with the assessment of cranial sexual dimorphism in human skeletal samples applying geometric morphometric techniques. The purpose of this research is to apply such techniques to quantitatively describe in craniofacial traits the degree and pattern of shape and size sexual dimorphism. Likewise, we evaluate the precision and accuracy of semilandmark‐based techniques for sex estimation. We employ a sample of 125 adult skulls of known sex from the Coimbra collection. A set of coordinate points was selected to describe glabella, mastoid, frontal and zygomatic processes. The results of intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) show excellent intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement (ICC > 0.96) in the location of the coordinates of points employed. The principal component analysis (PCA) performed on shape variables shows a large superposition of both sexes, suggesting a relatively low degree of dimorphism in shape. As a consequence, the average percentages of correct sex estimations based on these variables were of 60.12 and 68.90%, obtained by discriminant analysis with leave‐one‐out cross validation and k‐means clustering respectively. Conversely, when centroid size is included in PCA, females and males exhibit large separation along the first component. The highest values of correct assignment (77.86 and 72.15%) were found using shape–size variables with discriminant and k‐means clustering analysis, indicating that the traits analysed display marked sex differences related to the larger size and more robust features of males. Finally, the advantages of geometric morphometric techniques are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in Japan
Authors: Ohga Shouichi , Kudo Kazuko , Ishii Eiichi , Honjo Satoshi , Morimoto Akira , Osugi Yuko , Sawada Akihisa , Inoue Masami , Tabuchi Ken , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Ishida Yasushi , Imashuku Shinsaku , Kato Shunichi , Hara Toshiro
Published: October 2009

Background

Post‐transplant outcomes of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) patients were analyzed in Japan where Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated severe forms are problematic.

Methods

Fifty‐seven patients (43 familial HLH [12 FHL2, 11 FHL3, 20 undefined], 14 EBV‐HLH) who underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT) between 1995 and 2005 were enrolled based on the nationwide registration.

Results

Fifty‐seven patients underwent 61 SCTs, including 4 consecutive SCTs. SCTs were employed using allogeneic donors in 93% of cases (allo 53, twin 1, auto 3). Unrelated donor cord blood transplantation (UCBT) was employed in half of cases (21 FHL, 7 EBV‐HLH). Reduced intensity conditioning was used in 26% of cases. The 10‐year overall survival rates (median ± SE%) were 65.0 ± 7.9% in FHL and 85.7 ± 9.4% in EBV‐HLH patients, respectively. The survival of UCBT recipients was >65% in both FHL and EBV‐HLH patients. Three out of four patients were alive with successful engraftment after second UCBT. FHL patients showed a poorer outcome due to early treatment‐related deaths (<100 days, seven patients) and a higher incidence of sequelae than EBV‐HLH patients (P = 0.02). The risk of death for FHL patients having received an unrelated donor bone marrow transplant was marginally higher than that for a related donor SCT (P = 0.05) and that for UCBT (P = 0.07).

Conclusions

EBV‐HLH patients had a better prognosis after SCT than FHL patients. FHL patients showed either an equal or better outcome even after UCBT compared with the recent reports. UCB might therefore be acceptable as an alternate SCT source for HLH patients, although the optimal conditioning remains to be determined. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:299–306. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermoplastic polyurethane and nitrile butadiene rubber blends with layered double hydroxide nanocomposites by solution blending
Authors: Kotal Moumita , Srivastava Suneel K , Bhowmick Anil K
Published: October 2009

Polymer blending coupled with nanofillers has been widely accepted as one of the cheaper methods to develop high‐performance polymeric materials for various applications. In the present work, dodecyl sulfate intercalated MgAl‐based layered double hydroxide (DS‐LDH) was used as nanofiller in the synthesis of polyurethane blended with nitrile butadiene rubber (PU/NBR; 1:1 w/w) nanocomposites, which were subsequently characterized. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the partial dispersion of MgAl layers in PU/NBR blends at lower filler content followed by aggregation at higher filler loading. In comparison to the neat PU/NBR blend, the tensile strength (156%) and elongation at break (21%) show maximum improvement for 1 wt% filler loading. The storage and loss moduli, thermal stability and limiting oxygen index of the nanocomposites are higher compared to the neat PU/NBR blend. Glass transition temperature and swelling measurements increase up to 3 wt% DS‐LDH loading in PU/NBR compared to either neat PU/NBR or its other corresponding nanocomposites. XRD and TEM analyses indicate the partial distribution of DS‐LDH in PU/NBR blends suggesting the formation of partially exfoliated nanocomposites. The improvements in mechanical, thermal and flame retardancy properties are much greater compared to the neat blend confirming the formation of high‐performance polymer nanocomposites. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
AB‐ and ABC‐type di‐ and triblock copolymers of poly[styrene‐block‐(ε‐caprolactone)] and poly[styrene‐block‐(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐lactide]: synthesis, characterization and thermal studies
Authors: Parthiban Anbanandam , Likhitsup Asawin , Yu Han , Chai Christina LL
Published: October 2009

Polystyrene terminated with benzyl alcohol units was employed as a macroinitiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide to yield AB‐ and ABC‐type block copolymers. Even though there are many reports on the diblock copolymers of poly(styrene‐block‐lactide) and poly(styrene‐block‐lactone), this is the first report on the poly(styrene‐block‐lactone‐block‐lactide) triblock copolymer consisting of two semicrystalline and degradable segments. The triblock copolymers exhibited twin melting behavior in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis with thermal transitions corresponding to each of the lactone and lactide blocks. The block derived from ε‐caprolactone also showed crystallization transitions upon cooling from the melt. In the DSC analysis, one of the triblock copolymers showed an exothermic transition well above the melting temperature upon cooling. Thermogravimetric analysis of these block copolymers showed a two‐step degradation curve for the diblock copolymer and a three‐step degradation for the triblock copolymer with each of the degradation steps associated with each segment of the block copolymers. The present study shows that it is possible to make pure triblock copolymers with two semicrystalline segments which also consist of degradable blocks. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry