bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Greek version of the Revised Person's Relating to Others Questionnaire (PROQ2‐GR): Psychometric properties and factor structure
Authors: Kalaitzaki Argyroula E. , Nestoros Joannis N.
Published: September 2003

The Revised Person's Relating to Others Questionnaire (PROQ2) is a self‐administered questionnaire of 96 items for measuring a person's negative relating. Its eight scales correspond to the eight octants of the theoretical structure called the interpersonal octagon, which is based upon the assumption that relating occurs along a horizontal, close‐distant axis and a vertical, upper‐lower axis. The present study concerns the Greek translation of the questionnaire called the PROQ2‐GR. The psychometric properties and the factor structure of the PROQ2‐GR were studied in a Greek population sample of 457. The findings were compared with those of an English population sample of 276. All scales showed good internal reliability. Four factors were extracted, representing the four main poles of the interpersonal octagon, with good psychometric properties. The positive correlations between all adjacent scales and the negative correlations between certain pairs of opposite scales are as would be expected in a model of circular ordering. The PROQ2‐GR showed a greater degree of bipolarity than the PROQ2. Women were significantly more upper close and neutral close than men. The Greeks had a higher total mean score than the English and had higher mean scores on five out of the eight scales.
Anomalous experiences and the contents of persecutory delusions during acute psychotic episodes
Authors: Startup Mike , Owen Dawn M. , Parsonage Rachel K. , Jackson Mike C.
Published: September 2003

Criteria for judging the presence of persecutory delusions, and theoretical distinctions between different kinds of persecutory delusions, depend on the identification of the contents of such delusions. The first aim of this study was to assess whether contents can be assessed reliably. It has been suggested that anomalous experiences are involved in the formation and maintenance of delusions. The second aim of this study was to assess whether independent judges could agree when persecutory delusions depend on such experiences. Twenty‐two inpatients suffering from acute psychotic episodes were recruited. Two independentraters categorized the contents of their delusions in terms of the timing, agent, intention, motivation, type, and severity of harm using information from a variety of sources. Agreement between the raters was adequate for all content areas and for judgments of associations with anomalous experiences. Using ideas of reference as evidence for the persecution was associated with believing that the harm is already very severe, that multiple types of harm are occurring, and that worse persecution is imminent. Theoretical explanations need to be elaborated to account for the variety of contents that can be identified reliably. Associations with anomalous experiences might guide such elaborations.
Family representations in relationship episodes of patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa
Authors: Benninghoven D. , Schneider H. , Strack M. , Reich G. , Cierpka M.
Published: September 2003

The influence of the family on the development and the maintenance of bulimia nervosa can be seen bothbiologically and psychosocially. Genetic influences are discussed, but their effects do not explain the aetiology exclusively. Clinical observations and research findings support the role of family dynamics, family environment, and family functioning. In particular, a low level of cohesion, a lower degree of expressiveness, and more conflicts seem to characterize the family of patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. The present study addresses the question of how patients suffering from bulimia differ from other patients in psychotherapy and from non‐clinical control subjects in the way they perceive their ongoing and their past family relationships. The Core Conflictual Relationship Theme method is applied to narrative material from patients belonging to these three groups. Results show expected differences between patients and normal control subjects and virtually no differences between the group of patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa and the group of patients with diagnoses different from bulimia.
Crystallographic report: Bis[3‐(tri‐p‐tolyl)germyl‐3‐(o‐tolyl)‐propionato]dibutyltin(IV)
Authors: Imtiaz‐ud‐Din  , Mazhar M. , Dastgir Sarim , Mahon Mary F. , Molloy Kieran C.
Published: September 2003

The crystal structure of [(p‐CH3C6H4)3GeCH(o‐CH3C6H4)CH2CO2]2Sn(C4H9)2 consists of a monomer with the atoms of tin and germanium both occupying tetrahedral geometries. However, the tin atom is distorted towards a skew trapezoidal bipyramid geometry as a result of weakly chelating carboxylate ligands. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transition‐metal‐catalyzed reactions of 5‐methylene‐2‐oxazolidinone and 5‐methylene‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2‐thione with isocyanates
Authors: Shen Yu‐Mei , Shi Min
Published: September 2003

5‐Methylene‐2‐oxazolidinone (1) and 5‐methylene‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2‐thione (4) react with various isocyanates to give the corresponding urethanes 3 and 5 in high yields in the presence of palladium(0) or palladium(II) catalyst under mild reaction conditions. A mechanism is proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some tricyclohexyltin carboxylates containing germanium: synthesis, spectral and crystallographic characterization
Authors: Imtiaz‐ud‐Din  , Molloy Kieran C. , Mazhar M. , Dastgir Sarim , Ali Saqib , Mahon Mary F.
Published: September 2003

Six tricyclohexyltin triorganogermyl (substituted) propionates have been synthesized and their structures characterized by IR, multinuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 119Sn) and Mössbauer spectroscopies. Three of them have been characterized crystallographically by X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structures of [(p‐CH3C6H4)3GeCH(p‐CH3C6H4)CH2COOSn(C6H11)3] (1) and [(C6H5)3GeCH(C6H5)CH(CH3)COOSn(C6H11)3] (3) indicate that the tin possesses a tetrahedral geometry. The crystal structure of [(p‐CH3C6H4)3GeCH(p‐CH3OC6H4)CH2COOSn(C6H11)3]H2O (2) shows trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the tin with water of hydration enhancing the coordination sphere of the metal. Some of these compounds demonstrated positive antibacterial, antifungal and lethality bioassays. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: [(Pyridine)(1,2‐bis(2‐pyrazinecarboxamido)‐4,5‐dimethylbenzene)zinc(II)] monohydrate
Authors: Ryu Ji Young , Lee Jun Yong , Seo Jin Soo , Kim Cheal , Kim Youngmee
Published: September 2003

The N4 donor ligand, Me2bpzb2− and a pyridine molecule are coordinated to the Zinc(II) so that the coordination geometry closely resembles a square‐pyramidal environment with a nitrogen atom of the pyridine ligand occupying the apical position. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: A coordination polymer containing [Zn(NO3)(H2O)2(btp)2]+ units bridged by btp ligands (btp = 2,6‐bis(N′‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)pyridine)
Authors: Ryu Ji Young , Lee Jun Yong , Seo Jin Soo , Kim Cheal , Kim Youngmee
Published: September 2003

A zinc(II) coordination polymer has been formed from Zn(NO3)2 and 2,6‐bis(N′‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)pyridine (btp) ligands in which each zinc(II) atom is coordinated by three nitrogen donor atoms from btp and three oxygen donor atoms from a nitrate and two water molecules. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: Diiodo[tris(2‐pyridyl)amine]mercury(II), [(C5H4N)3N]HgI2
Authors: Xie Yongshu , Liu Xueting , Ni Jia , Jiang Hui , Liu Qingliang
Published: September 2003

In mononuclear HgI2[(C5H4N)3N], mercury is tetrahedrally coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of a tris(2‐pyridyl)amine ligand and two iodides. The coordination moieties are connected by weak intermolecular Hg(II)···I interactions to give a one‐dimensional structure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses and crystal structures of diorganotin(IV) bis(2‐pyridinethiolato‐N‐oxide) complexes
Authors: Ma Chunlin , Zhang Junhong
Published: September 2003

The complexes di‐n‐butyldi(2‐pyridinethiolato‐N‐oxide)tin(IV) (1), diphenyldi(2‐pyridinethiolato‐N‐oxide)tin(IV) (2) and dibenzyldi(2‐pyridinethiolato‐N‐oxide)tin(IV) (3) are synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR spectroscopy, and their structures are determined by X‐ray crystallography. In complex 1 the coordination geometry at tin is a skew‐trapezoidal bipyramid, with cis‐S,S and cis‐O,O atoms occupying the trapezoidal plane and two n‐butyl groups occupying the apical positions, which also exhibits strong π–π stacking interactions. In complexes 2 and 3 the geometry at tin is distorted cis‐octahedral, with cis‐O,O and cis‐C,C atoms occupying the equatorial plane and trans‐S,S atoms occupying the apical positions. Their in vitro cytotoxicity against two human tumour cell lines, MCF‐7 and WiDr is reported. The ID50 values found are comparable to those found for cis‐platin, but lower than for many other diorganotin compounds. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: [1,3‐Di(mestityl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene]gallium iodide dihydride
Authors: Baker Robert J. , Jones Cameron
Published: September 2003

The structure of the N‐heterocyclic gallium hydride complex, [GaH2I{CN(Mes)C2H2N(Mes)}], Mes = mesityl, shows both hydride ligands to be bonded to the distorted tetrahedral gallium centre. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: N,N′‐Dimethylimidazolium tris(selenocyanate) cadmium(II), [Me2Im][Cd(SeCN)3] (Me2Im = N,N′‐dimethylimidazolium)
Authors: Liu Daojie , Li Dacheng
Published: September 2003

The title structure, [Me2Im][Cd(SeCN)3] (Me2Im = N,N′‐dimethylimidazolium), comprises triply bridged one‐dimensional cadmium‐selenocyanate chains in which the cadmium atoms are octahedrally coordinated within 3Se3N geometries. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: p‐Bis(N‐methylimidazolyl)xylylene tetra (selenocyanate)cadmium(II), [XylIm2][Cd(SeCN)4]
Authors: Liu Daojie , Li Dacheng
Published: September 2003

The title compound [XylIm2][Cd(SeCN)4] [XylIm2 = p‐bis(N‐methylimidazolyl)xylylene] comprises discrete p‐bis(N‐methylimidazolyl)xylylene cations and [Cd(SeCN)4]2− anions in which the cadmium atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated by four selenium atoms. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: Tris(N,N‐dimethyldithiocarbamato)arsenic(III) dichloromethane solvate
Authors: Chen Danlin , Lai Chian Sing , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: September 2003

The structure of As(S2CNMe2)3 has approximate threefold symmetry and features essentially monodentate dithiocarbamate ligands, so that the geometry is trigonal pyramidal. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: Dimethylammonium phenylphosphonate·2(phenylphosphonic acid)
Authors: Beckmann Jens , Dakternieks Dainis , Duthie Andrew
Published: September 2003

Individual molecules of NH2Me2(HO)O2PPh·2PhPO(OH)2 are associated by hydrogen bonding, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular array. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: Tetraphenylphosphonium nitratobis (chlorodiphenylstannate)methane, [Ph4P]+[(Ph2ClSn)2CH2 ·NO3]−
Authors: Jurkschat Klaus , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: September 2003

The nitrate anion coordinates to the SnCH2Sn unit of the title phosphonium stannate, [Ph4P]+ [(Ph2ClSn)2CH2 ·NO3]−, to give a six‐membered ring having the penta‐coordinated tin atoms in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multicriteria ranking of organotin(IV) compounds with fungicidal properties
Authors: Ayoko Godwin A. , Bonire Josiah J. , Abdulkadir Shettima S. , Olurinola Philip F. , Ehinmidu Joseph O. , Kokot Serge , Yiasel Stephen
Published: September 2003

The application of multicriteria decision‐making methods to the results of in vitro antifungal properties of organotin compounds of the type PhxSnXz (x = 2 or 3; X = O2CC6H4OH, O2CC6H4OCOCH3, Cl or O2CCH3; z = 1 or 2) and of free 2‐hydroxybenzoic and 2‐acetoxybenzoic acids against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Penicillium citrinum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton violaceum have been described. Ranking information necessary to select one toxicant in preference to others and to assess the properties influencing the preference has been obtained. Patterns in the multivariate analyses suggest that cationic and anionic moieties of the toxicant play some roles in their fungicidal activities. The triphenyltin compounds were generally more active than their diphenyltin analogues, but the acetoxybenzoates were more active than the corresponding hydroxybenzoates, acetates or chlorides. Thus, triphenyltin acetoxybenzoate is up to 7.5 times as active as the corresponding acetate, which is commercially marketed as a fungicide. The results of the analyses have been discussed in the light of the mechanism of antifungal activity of organotin compounds and the potential of multivariate data analysis techniques to facilitate the screening and ranking of antifungal agents. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Butyltins biomagnification from macroalgae to green sea urchin: a field assessment
Authors: Mamelona Jean , Pelletier Émilien
Published: September 2003

Biomagnification of butyltins (BTs) was examined in a simple food web including seawater, macroalgae (Alaria esculenta, Laminaria longicruris, Ulvaria obscura) and green urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). The study was conducted in shallow waters of the St Lawrence Estuary (Canada) adjacent to two areas potentially contaminated by BTs. Levels of tri‐ (TBT), di‐ (DBT) and mono‐BT (MBT) were determined in seawater, green urchin (including faecal matter after sampling) and macroalgae surrounding the urchins at each sampling site. The concentrations of TBT in seawater from all stations were relatively low (3–7 ngSn l−1), and both the TBT and the total BTs (∑BT = MBT + DBT + TBT) concentrations decreased with increase in distance from the BT sources. The concentrations of TBT in algae were 0.35 ngSn g−1 dry weight (DW) in A. esculenta, 0.40 ngSn g−1 DW in L. longicruris and 3.58 ngSn g−1 DW in U. obscura. Following their location, green urchins feeding mainly on these algae accumulated BTs at levels ranging from 4 to 85 ngSn g−1 DW in gonads and from 35 to 334 ngSn g−1 DW in gut. The mean bioconcentration factor (BCF) calculated from seawater to algae ranged from 17 in A. esculenta to 151 in U. obscura, whereas the biomagnification factor (BMF) from algae to urchins ranged from 2 to 17 in gonads and from 10 to 67 in gut. The overall bioaccumulation factor of TBT between seawater and internal organs of urchins reached an average value of 1.2 × 103. These results are the first to illustrate high BT BCFs and BMFs in human‐edible macroalgae and urchins sampled from northern coastal areas with a low TBT contamination level. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: The two‐dimensional crystal structure of bis(trimethyltin)succinate, [(Me3Sn)2(O2CCH2CH2CO2)]∞
Authors: Cisse Ibrahima , Gueye Omar , Mahieu Bernard , Tinant Bernard , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: September 2003

A two‐dimensional layer structure is found in the title compound comprising interconnected 22‐membered rings and trans‐C3O2 trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometries for tin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex: Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions
Authors: Gurbuz Nevin , Özdemir İsmail , Çetinkaya Bekir , Seçkin Turgay
Published: September 2003

A novel mesoporous silica‐nanotube‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex was prepared and characterized. 3‐4,5‐Dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) and mesoporous silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) were tested for catalytic activity for Heck coupling reactions between styrene and several aryl halides and Suzuki coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
M. Nath, S. Phokaria, X. Song, G. Eng, M. Gielen, M. Kemmer, M. Biesemans, R. Willem and D. de Vos, ‘New organotin(IV) derivatives of dipeptides as models for metal–protein interactions: in vitro anti‐tumour activity’ Applied Organometallic Chemistry 2003; 17(5): 305–314
Authors: Nath Mala , Pokharia Sandeep , Song Xueqing , Eng George , Gielen Marcel , Kemmer Martine , Biesemans Monique , Willem Rudolph , de Vos Dick
Published: September 2003

The original article to which these Errata refer was published in the journal Applied Organometallic Chemistry 2003; 17(5): 305–314. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomics spawns novel approaches to mosquito control
Authors: Justice Robin W. , Biessmann Harald , Walter Marika F. , Dimitratos Spiros D. , Woods Daniel F.
Published: September 2003

In spite of advances in medicine and public health, malaria and other mosquito‐borne diseases are on the rise worldwide. Although vaccines, genetically modified mosquitoes and safer insecticides are under development, herein we examine a promising new approach to malaria control through better repellents. Current repellents, usually based on DEET, inhibit host finding by impeding insect olfaction, but have significant drawbacks. We discuss how comparative genomics, using data from the Anopheles genome project, allows the rapid identification of members of three protein classes critical to insect olfaction: odorant‐binding proteins, G‐protein‐coupled receptors, and odorant‐degrading enzymes. A rational design approach similar to that used by the pharmaceutical industry for drug development can then be applied to the development of products that interfere with mosquito olfaction. Such products have the potential to provide more complete, safer and longer lasting protection than conventional repellents, preventing disease transmission by interrupting the parasite life cycle. BioEssays 25:1011–1020, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Challenging the dogma: the hidden layer of non‐protein‐coding RNAs in complex organisms
Authors: Mattick John S.
Published: September 2003

The central dogma of biology holds that genetic information normally flows from DNA to RNA to protein. As a consequence it has been generally assumed that genes generally code for proteins, and that proteins fulfil not only most structural and catalytic but also most regulatory functions, in all cells, from microbes to mammals. However, the latter may not be the case in complex organisms. A number of startling observations about the extent of non‐protein‐coding RNA (ncRNA) transcription in the higher eukaryotes and the range of genetic and epigenetic phenomena that are RNA‐directed suggests that the traditional view of the structure of genetic regulatory systems in animals and plants may be incorrect. ncRNA dominates the genomic output of the higher organisms and has been shown to control chromosome architecture, mRNA turnover and the developmental timing of protein expression, and may also regulate transcription and alternative splicing. This paper re‐examines the available evidence and suggests a new framework for considering and understanding the genomic programming of biological complexity, autopoietic development and phenotypic variation. BioEssays 25:930–939, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Searching for sleep mutants of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Cirelli Chiara
Published: September 2003

The functions of sleep are still unknown, but are probably related to cellular and molecular aspects of neural function. To better understand the benefits that sleep may bring at the cellular level, recent studies have employed Drosophila melanogaster as a model system and shown that fruit flies share the fundamental features of mammalian sleep. As in mammals, sleep in Drosophila is characterized by increased arousal threshold and by changes in brain electrical activity. Fly sleep is homeostatically regulated independent of the circadian clock, is modulated by stimulants and hypnotics, and is affected by age. Also, fly sleep is associated with changes in brain gene expression similar to those observed in mammals. While Drosophila neurobiology is sufficiently complex to permit meaningful generalizations to mammals and humans, Drosophila genetics is simple enough to allow a rapid mutagenesis screening. An ongoing mutagenesis study has screened ∼5000 mutant Drosophila lines and found that sleep amount, sleep pattern, and the homeostatic regulation of sleep are highly conserved phenotypes in flies. So far, this study has identified 10 short sleeper lines and 4 lines that show no sleep rebound after sleep deprivation. Ultimately, the characterization of these lines should help identifying crucial cellular pathways involved in the regulatory mechanisms of sleep and its functional consequences. BioEssays 25:940–949, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A perspective for understanding the modes of juvenile hormone action as a lipid signaling system
Authors: Wheeler Diana E. , Nijhout H. F.
Published: September 2003

The juvenile hormones of insects regulate an unusually large diversity of processes during postembryonic development and adult reproduction. It is a long‐standing puzzle in insect developmental biology and physiology how one hormone can have such diverse effects. The search for molecular mechanisms of juvenile hormone action has been guided by classical models for hormone–receptor interaction. Yet, despite substantial effort, the search for a juvenile hormone receptor has been frustrating and has yielded limited results. We note here that a number of lipid‐soluble signaling molecules in vertebrates, invertebrates and plants show curious similarities to the properties of juvenile hormones of insects. Until now, these signaling molecules have been thought of as uniquely evolved mechanisms that perform specialized regulatory functions in the taxon where they were discovered. We show that this array of lipid signaling molecules share interesting properties and suggest that they constitute a large set of signal control and transduction mechanisms that include, but range far beyond, the classical steroid hormone signaling mechanism. Juvenile hormone is the insect representative of this widespread and diverse system of lipid signaling molecules that regulate protein activity in a variety of ways. We propose a synthetic perspective for understanding juvenile hormone action in light of other lipid signaling systems and suggest that lipid activation of proteins has evolved to modulate existing signal activation and transduction mechanisms in animals and plants. Since small lipids can be inserted into many different pathways, lipid‐activated proteins have evolved to play a great diversity of roles in physiology and development. BioEssays 25:994–1001, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Paroxysms of excitement: sodium channel dysfunction in heart and brain
Authors: Head Cathy , Gardiner Mark
Published: September 2003

Inherited disorders of ion‐channels are associated with paroxysmal dysfunction of excitable tissues and manifest as diseases of the brain, heart and skeletal muscle. These so‐called channelopathies have now been described for most of the major categories of voltage‐dependent ion‐channels including those selectively permeable to sodium. Sodium channelopathies affecting the heart and brain are reviewed in this essay. They show striking differences and similarities including, for example, their responsiveness to changes in body temperature and sleep state. They represent a paradigm for efforts to trace disturbed behaviour of physiological systems back to its molecular origins and understanding their molecular basis may provide clues to important health issues such as cardiac side effects of drugs and response to medication used to treat epilepsy. BioEssays 25:981–993, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motor protein control of ion flux is an early step in embryonic left–right asymmetry
Authors: Levin Michael
Published: September 2003

The invariant left–right asymmetry of animal body plans raises fascinating questions in cell, developmental, evolutionary, and neuro‐biology. While intermediate mechanisms (e.g., asymmetric gene expression) have been well‐characterized, very early steps remain elusive. Recent studies suggested a candidate for the origins of asymmetry: rotary movement of extracellular morphogens by cilia during gastrulation. This model is intellectually satisfying, because it bootstraps asymmetry from the intrinsic biochemical chirality of cilia. However, conceptual and practical problems remain with this hypothesis, and the genetic data is consistent with a different mechanism. Based on wide‐ranging data on ion fluxes and motor protein action in a number of species, a model is proposed whereby laterality is generated much earlier, by asymmetric transport of ions, which results in pH/voltage gradients across the midline. These asymmetries are in turn generated by a new candidate for “step 1”: asymmetric localization of electrogenic proteins by cytoplasmic motors. BioEssays 25:1002–1010, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Cdx1 homeodomain protein: an integrator of posterior signaling in the mouse
Authors: Lohnes David
Published: September 2003

The vertebrate Cdx genes (Cdx1 Cdx2 and Cdx4 in the mouse) encode homeodomain transcription factors related to the Drosophila caudal gene. The vertebrate Cdx gene products have been implicated in the development of the posterior embryo. In particular, loss‐ and gain‐of‐function experiments suggest that Cdx members are direct regulators of Hox genes and likely impart posterior information, in part, through this mechanism. Several signaling molecules, notably retinoic acid (RA*) and members of the Wnt (wingless) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families, are also implicated in patterning of the posterior vertebrate embryo. Interestingly, recent work indicates that members of the Cdx family are targets of Wnt, RA and FGF signaling, suggesting that Cdx factors act to convey the activity of these signaling molecules to Hox genes. This article will briefly review Cdx expression and function, with particular emphasis on vertebrate model systems. BioEssays 25:971–980, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apical meristems: the plant's fountain of youth
Authors: Bäurle Isabel , Laux Thomas
Published: September 2003

During postembryonic development, all organs of a plant are ultimately derived from a few pluripotent stem cells found in specialized structures called apical meristems. Here we discuss our current knowledge about the regulation of plant stem cells and their environments with main emphasis on the shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana. Recent studies suggest that stem cells are localized in specialized niches where signals from surrounding cells maintain their undifferentiated state. In the shoot meristem, initiation of stem cells during embryogenesis, regulation of stem‐cell homeostasis and termination of stem‐cell maintenance during flower development appear to primarily involve regulation of the stem‐cell niche. BioEssays 25:961–970, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detecting functional interactions in a gene and signaling network by time‐resolved somatic complementation analysis
Authors: Marwan Wolfgang
Published: September 2003

Somatic complementation by fusion of two mutant cells and mixing of their cytoplasms occurs when the genetic defect of one fusion partner is cured by the functional gene product provided by the other. We have found that complementation of mutational defects in the network mediating stimulus‐induced commitment and sporulation of Physarum polycephalum may reflect time‐dependent changes in the signaling state of its molecular building blocks. Network perturbation by fusion of mutant plasmodial cells in different states of activation, and the time‐resolved analysis of somatic complementation effects can be used to systematically probe network structure and dynamics. Time‐resolved somatic complementation quantitatively detects regulatory interactions between the functional modules of a network, independent of their biochemical composition or subcellular localization, and without being limited to direct physical interactions. BioEssays 25:950–960, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron: a dynamic, niche‐adapted human symbiont
Authors: Comstock Laurie E. , Coyne Michael J.
Published: September 2003

The coevolution of humans with their intestinal microflora has resulted in cooperative relationships that have shaped the biology and the genomes of these symbiotic partners. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is one such bacterial symbiont that is a dominant member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and other mammals. The recent report of the genome sequence of B. thetaiotaomicron1 is the first reported for an abundant Gram‐negative organism of the human colonic microbiota and, as such, provides the first glimpse on a genomic scale of the genetic arsenal used by a Gram‐negative symbiont to dominate in this ecosystem. The genome has revealed large expansions of many paralogous groups of genes that encode products essential to the organism's ability to successfully compete in this environment. Most noteable is the organism's abundant machinery for utilizing a large variety of complex polysaccharides as a source of carbon and energy. The proteome also reveals the organism's extensive ability to adapt and regulate expression of its genes in response to the changing ecosystem. These factors, as well as others highlighted below, suggest an incredibly flexible and adaptable organism that is exquisitely equipped to dominate in its challenging and competitive niche. BioEssays 25:926–929, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell diversity in the retina: more than meets the eye
Authors: Cook Tiffany
Published: September 2003

Over 10 years ago, Pax‐6 was shown to play an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling eye formation from Drosophila to humans.1 Since then, the identification of an entire cascade of conserved eye determination genes has brought a new understanding to the developmental relationship between the insect compound eye and the vertebrate camera eye.2 Additional studies are now beginning to suggest that even late aspects of eye development, including cell type specification, also share common molecular machinery. In this commentary, I will discuss some of these findings, with a particular focus on the recent study by Dyer et al.3 describing a novel role for the Prox1 transcription factor in specifying horizontal cells in the mouse retina. As Prospero, the Drosophila homolog of Prox1, also participates in retinal cell specification, these data provide a forum for asking new questions concerning pathways that may regulate retinogenesis across evolution. BioEssays 25:921–925, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trends in sustainability reporting by the Fortune Global 250
Authors: Kolk Ans
Published: September 2003

Against the background of critique on the negative social and environmental implications of globalization, multinational enterprises have become active in reporting on activities undertaken to prevent these ‘externalities’ of international trade and production. This article analyses to what extent and in what form the trend towards non‐financial reporting, which started in the 1990s, has continued in the 21st century. It presents both trend and panel data of the Fortune Global 250 in 1998 and 2001, showing a continued and significant rise of sustainability reporting to approximately half of these multinationals, with some sector and country variations. One‐third of the reports are externally verified. Especially in Europe and Japan, the ‘sustained’ nature of sustainability reporting is accompanied by regulatory requirements and government encouragements. The number of reports that includes social (and sometimes also financial) issues has increased considerably. The article also shows that in these reports the more ‘traditional’ topics, on the environment, corporate philanthropy and employees, receive much more attention than the broader external societal issues. It concludes with a reflection on the extent to which current forms of disclosure might address the concerns raised about multinationals' behaviour. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
A typology of stakeholder participation for company environmental decision‐making
Authors: Green Abigail Oxley , Hunton‐Clarke Lynsey
Published: September 2003

Companies now recognise the need to identify and address the concerns of their stakeholders to ensure their decisions and business activities are more socially acceptable. However, despite stakeholder participation being widely accepted in the public sector and used to a limited extent within some business management processes, there is no accepted understanding of what stakeholder participation actually constitutes and certainly no systematic method for its application within companies and company decision‐making. In order to support the development of such a method, stakeholder participation must first be defined in the ‘company’ context. Drawing from previous typologies of participation outlined in the literature, particularly relating to the public sector, this paper proposes a typology of stakeholder participation for companies, with particular relevance to environmental issues. It also outlines the needs and problems associated with developing a method of stakeholder participation for use in company decision‐making. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Capability building through adversarial relationships: a replication and extension of Clarke and Roome (1999)
Authors: Heugens Pursey P. M. A. R.
Published: September 2003

Cooperative interorganizational relationships are seen by many as indispensable vehicles for accessing external knowledge and accumulating capabilities. Surprisingly, the question of whether companies can also build capabilities through adversarial relationships has received little attention. This paper reports a study of the learning–action network of a major Anglo‐Dutch food and personal care company. The firm's present relationships with consumer representatives and environmental activists are strongly adversarial, due to the recent introduction of genetically modified ingredients. The study shows that companies can still build capabilities in a hostile environment, but that adversity influences capability building processes as well as capability content. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
End of life vehicle management in areas of low technology sophistication. A case study in Greece
Authors: Sakkas N. , Manios T.
Published: September 2003

This paper was based on the findings of a study aimed at identifying and evaluating appropriate investment strategies in the area of end of life vehicle management (ELVM), especially against the emerging policy framework, as outlined by the recent EU legislation (2000/53 EG directive). The study was carried out for OMPM SA (Organisation for the Management of Public Material), a Greek organization, with many years' involvement in the management of ELVs. The departure point of the work was the critical review of available best practices, mostly compiled by means of a considerable number of on the spot visits to diverse ELVM processing facilities in the Northern EU. These experiences and practices were critically adapted to the very different local circumstances, characterized by an underdeveloped market and a low operational sophistication. In this way, the recommendations of the study, also reported in this work, are of a wider relevance to areas where the main priority is rather the development and rationalization of the ELVM business itself, before getting on to the subtler fine tuning and optimization issues that may be on the agenda in more mature environments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Environmental reporting within the forest and paper industry
Authors: Sinclair Penny , Walton Julia
Published: September 2003

Research on environmental reporting within individual sectors and industries is limited. Generic studies have typically focused on the reporting practices of the world's largest corporates. Some industries and sectors are under‐represented within these studies, limiting the potential for industry‐ or sector‐specific analysis. Forest and paper is one industry frequently under‐represented.
 This study examines environmental reporting amongst the top 100 forest and paper companies. The scale of environmental report publication is investigated, and the breadth and depth of reporting on the key industry issues of forest management and fibre procurement examined. The results show reporting is more prevalent amongst larger corporates but marked regional variations are evident. Most noticeably, Scandinavian companies are reporting more extensively, both in terms of the number of levels at which they report and the depth of information included on forest management and fibre procurement. Reasons for the marked regional variations in reporting are considered and markets for forest products and preferences within those markets for specific certification schemes identified as potential influencing factors. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Isolation of mast cell secretory lysosomes using flow cytometry
Authors: Rajotte Daniel , Stearns Carol D. , Kabcenell Alisa K.
Published: September 2003

Background

Mast cells are specialized secretory cells of the immune system. Through exocytosis of their secretory lysosomes and secretory granules, mast cells release biologically active substances such as histamine and proteases. Mast cell secretory granules have been studied extensively but much less attention has been given to secretory lysosomes. Studies on mast cell secretory lysosomes are limited by the lack of selective markers and the difficulty to isolate this organelle from conventional lysosomes. Our goal was to develop better tools to study secretory lysosomes.

Methods

We engineered a rat mast cell line over expressing a rat mast cell protease (RMCP) tagged with a red fluorescent protein (RMCP‐DsRed). We used single organelle flow analysis (SOFA) to detect fluorescently labeled secretory lysosomes. The labeled organelles were then sorted using the fluorescence‐assisted organelle sorting (FAOS) method.

Results

We show that the RMCP‐DsRed fusion protein selectively localizes to the lysosomal compartment and is exocytosed upon activation, confirming its localization in secretory lysosomes. Lysosomal fractions from cells expressing the RMCP‐DsRed fusion were analyzed by SOFA and a specific population of secretory lysosome was identified. Finally, we sorted secretory lysosomes and showed that the sorted material had a higher specific activity for the compartment marker hexosaminidase than a sample obtained by conventional methods.

Conclusions

Our work further demonstrates the usefulness of flow cytometry to study cellular organelles, and provides new tools to better understand the physiology of secretory lysosomes. Cytometry Part A 55A:94–101, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytometric analysis of protein expression and apoptosis in human primary cells with a novel microfluidic chip‐based system
Authors: Chan Samuel D. H. , Luedke Gerd , Valer Marc , Buhlmann Carsten , Preckel Tobias
Published: September 2003

Background

Work with primary cells is inherently limited by source availability and life span in culture. Flow cytometry offers extensive analytical opportunities but generally requires high cell numbers for an experiment.

Methods

We have developed assays on a microfluidic system, which allow flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis and protein expression with a minimum number of fluorescently stained primary cells. In this setup, the cells are moved by pressure‐driven flow inside a network of microfluidic channels and are analyzed individually by two‐channel fluorescence detection. For some assays the staining reactions can be performed on‐chip and the analysis is done without further washing steps.

Results

We have successfully applied the assays to evaluate (a) activation of E‐selectin (CD62E) expression by interleukin‐1β in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), (b) induction of CD3 by phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate in freshly prepared human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and (c) staurosporine‐induced apoptosis in HUVEC and normal human dermal fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Results obtained with the microfluidic system are in good correlation with data obtained using a standard flow cytometer, but demonstrate new dimensions in low reagent and cell consumption. Cytometry Part A 55A:119–125, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantification of stretch‐induced cytoskeletal remodeling in vascular endothelial cells by image processing
Authors: Yoshigi Masaaki , Clark Edward B. , Yost H. Joseph
Published: September 2003

Background

Reorientation of the cell axis induced by cyclic stretching is an early response to mechanical forces in vitro. However, quantitative assay for this phenomenon has been difficult due to lack of robust methods. We hypothesized that cell orientation may be redefined by the orientation of actin fibers. We developed image processing methods to quantitate the orientation and density of actin fibers.

Methods

A convolution filter using Sobel kernels was adapted to determine the orientation and density of actin fibers in human endothelial cells. Unidirectional stretching (10%, 0.5 Hz) was applied to induce cytoskeletal remodeling by varying the duration of stimulation (control, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 h). Actin fibers were visualized by fluorescent phalloidin. The image processing method was compared with the manual method for reproducibility. Both confluent and subconfluent cells were tested to assess the efficacy of the methods.

Results

Cyclic stretch‐induced dense and uninterrupted actin cabling formed across the cell body and, later, the actin fibers became aligned perpendicular to the stretch direction. The variance of actin fiber orientation became smaller after 2 h of stretch (F < 0.01). The actin fiber density index, a derived parameter related to the density of actin fibers, increased as early as 30 min of stretching (P < 0.05) and decreased after 10 h of stretching. Reproducibility of our method was extremely good. Applicability of the method was not compromised by cell density.

Conclusions

Our method is reliable for quantifying cytoskeletal remodeling induced by mechanical force. Cytometry Part A 55A:109–118, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early detection of apoptosis by staining of acid‐treated apoptotic cells with FITC‐labeled lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Authors: Heyder Petra , Gaipl Udo S. , Beyer Thomas D. , Voll Reinhard E. , Kern Peter M. , Stach Christian , Kalden Joachim R. , Herrmann Martin
Published: September 2003

Background

Exposure of anionic phospholipids and modified carbohydrates are main parts of the apoptotic death program. Cells undergoing apoptosis can be identified by various methods, detecting surface changes or modifications of their organelles, respectively. We describe a method for the detection of early apoptosis by staining of cells with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–labeled lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus (NPn).

Methods

Apoptosis in cells or in cell lines was induced by various stimuli. To detect apoptosis the cells were stained with FITC‐labeled lectin of NPn. After a short‐term acid treatment they were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

The instability of the cytoplasmic membrane against acid and the binding of NPn were very early features of apoptotic cell death. The NPn lectin staining procedure detected apoptosis with high sensitivity. The staining was stable for at least 12 h.

Conclusions

The method described in this study is suitable for the detection of the very early phases of apoptosis. The NPn lectin staining after short‐term acid treatment can, therefore, be added to the list of reliable tools for the research of cell death. Cytometry Part A 55A:86–93, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacogenomics of schizophrenia: Towards personalized psychiatry
Authors: Gurwitz David
Published: September 2003

Psychiatry is among the primary medical disciplines to focus on the potential benefits from the cloning of the human genome and the subsequent implementation of personalized medicine. This viewpoint reflects the evident difficulties of current psychiatric practice compared with other disciplines, most notably the limited understanding of disease etiologies, the lack of reliable and objective diagnostic tools, and the paucity of relevant animal models. These aspects of psychiatry face major changes as a consequence of the recent identification of several schizophrenia risk genes. The reviews presented in this issue illustrate the potential for innovative drug discovery and personalized pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia. Drug Dev. Res. 60:71–74, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overview: Towards individualized treatment in schizophrenia
Authors: Müller Daniel J. , De Luca Vincenzo , Kennedy James L.
Published: September 2003

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder involving distortions of thinking or perception, inappropriate or blunted affect, and cognitive deficits may evolve in the course of time. Antipsychotics are the first choice for treatment; however, interindividual variability in response and side effects are commonly observed. To avoid time‐consuming, cost‐intensive, and potentially hazardous drug treatments, clinicians should ideally anticipate which antipsychotic is the most effective and less harmful for a given patient. This form of “individualised treatment” can only succeed if specific characteristics are identified as highly associated with the favourable response. Demographical, clinical, or physiological characteristics by themselves have not been shown to predict antipsychotic drug response to a clinically meaningful extent. As genetic factors are likely to contribute substantially to the efficacy and toxicity of drugs, numerous pharmacogenetic studies have searched for associations between gene variants and antipsychotic drug response. The first generation of pharmacogenetic studies yielded mainly negative and often inconsistent findings that are most likely the result of substantial heterogeneity among studies generally using small samples. Perhaps the most robust associations were found between polymorphisms of the serotonin 2A or the dopamine 2 receptor genes with response to clozapine or conventional antipsychotics, respectively. However, effect sizes are rather small and, therefore, further research is needed that integrates recent advances in genomics, proteomics, and biostatistics. Nonetheless, these findings are consistent with the dopamine/serotonin hypothesis in schizophrenia. The continuous discovery of new gene variants and progressive methodological improvements will help elucidate the molecular pathological mechanisms in schizophrenia, and reveal new avenues for drug development research. Drug Dev. Res. 60:75–94, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.