bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New outbred colony derived from Mus musculus castaneus to identify skin tumor susceptibility loci
Authors: Fujiwara Kyoko , Wie Benjamin , Elliott Rosemary , Nagase Hiroki
Published: May 2010

Susceptibility to tumor development varies among mice strains. Using inbred NIH and wild‐derived outbred Mus spretus backcrosses, skin cancer‐susceptibility loci were mapped [Nagase et al. 1995. Nat Genet 10: 424–429; Nagase et al. 1999. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96: 15032–15037], and Skts13 was identified as the Aurka gene using a conventional linkage in conjunction with haplotype analysis [Ewart‐Toland et al. 2003. Nat Genet 34: 403–412]. In the present study, we examined another wild‐derived outbred Mus musculus castaneus in which 10.3% of the analyzed SNPs showed heterogeneity among the colony. All mice examined were completely resistant to the two‐stage skin carcinogenesis protocol using 7.12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), and this resistant phenotype was dominant when we crossed them with the highly susceptible strain FVB. By scanning F1 backcross progeny between M. m. castaneus and FVB, we found a highly significant linkage for tumor multiplicity on Chromosome 4, which was overlapped with the Skts‐fp1 locus, found in the previous study using FVB and PWK cross [Fujiwara et al. 2007. BMC Genet 8: 39]. The linkage was observed in all pedigrees from the five F1 founders, while the linkage for papilloma size on Chromosome 4 was mapped only in pedigrees from founders 1 and 2. By scanning the whole Chromosome 4 of the five F1 founders, founders 1‐ and 2‐specific haplotype block was found between D4Mit293 (20.6 Mbp) and D4Mit171 (22.4 Mbp). In this study we exploited the outbred nature of M. m. castaneus stock to identify a haplotype contributing to papilloma size on mouse Chromosome 4. These data illustrate the strength of using outbred mice in identification of the genetic component of a mouse complex trait such as the skin cancer‐susceptibility phenotype. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nicht aus einem Guss
Authors: Hartwig Andreas
Published: May 2010

Praktisch alle natürlichen und synthetischen Materialien sind heterogen — seien es Perlmutt, Bäume, Polymere oder Hochleistungsstahl. Es stellt sich also die Frage, ob es so etwas wie ein Prinzip der Heterogenität gibt, das den Materialien ihre herausragenden Eigenschaften verleiht.
UHPLC: Verkaufsschlager oder Nischenprodukt?
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: May 2010

Gerätehersteller wetteiferten auf der Analytica darum, wessen UHPLC‐Gerät den höchsten Druck verträgt und die schnellste Analyse liefert. Gleichzeitig äußerten kritische Stimmen, dass sich die Umstellung nur in Spezialfällen lohne, und warben mit alternativen HPLC‐Säulen für eine bessere Auflösung.
Proteomic analysis of field cancerization in pharynx and oesophagus: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Roesch‐Ely Mariana , Leipold Alexandra , Nees Matthias , Holzinger Dana , Dietz Andreas , Flechtenmacher Christa , Wolf Thomas , Zapatka Marc , Bosch Franz X
Published: May 2010

‘Field cancerization’ in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is poorly understood and it may extend from the pharynx into the oesophagus. Both local recurrences and second primary carcinomas/second field tumours may originate from field cancerization. Our prospective pilot study aimed at the identification of patients suffering from field cancerization on the basis of mucosal protein profiles. Five mucosal biopsies from the oropharynx, hypopharynx and from three regions of the oesophagus were taken from 24 patients. Protein profiles were generated from the mucosal biopsies. After classifier learning, using the profiles of the patients without tumour diagnosis (n = 9), we were able to discriminate between the different mucosal sites and between healthy mucosa and HNSCC using tumour and healthy tissue samples. Mucosal biopsies of tumour patients (n = 15) revealed changes in the protein profiles similar to those in the tumours. During 42 months median follow‐up, six tumour patients experienced local recurrences and second field tumours, of which three occurred in the oesophagus. In all six cases, tumour relapse was correctly predicted by altered mucosal protein profiles (p = 0.007, Fisher's exact test, two‐tailed). Consequently, molecular field cancerization had a strong impact on progression‐free survival (p = 0.007, log‐rank test). Protein profiles of small diagnostic biopsies hold great promise to improve personalized risk assessment in HNSCC. Larger studies are needed to further substantiate these findings. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Evidence‐based medicine: the time has come to set standards for staging’. Is a radical overhaul really needed?
Authors: Sobin Leslie H , Compton Carolyn A , Gospodarowicz Mary , Greene Frederick L , Gunderson Leonard L , Jessup J Milburn , Wittekind Christian
Published: May 2010

This Invited Response addresses concerns and opinions expressed in an Invited Commentary, ‘Evidence‐based medicine: the time has come to set standards for staging’, by Quirke et al., published in this issue of The Journal of Pathology. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superhydrophobic films of UV‐curable fluorinated epoxy acrylate resins
Authors: Lin Yung‐Hsin , Liao Keng‐Huan , Huang Chih‐Kai , Chou Nai‐Kuan , Wang Shoei‐Shen , Chu Shu‐Hsun , Hsieh Kuo‐Huang
Published: May 2010

Photopolymerization processes are often used in industrial applications because of their solvent‐free formulations and various advantages over conventional thermal processes. Fluorinated monomers and oligomers yield coatings of great interest because of the peculiar characteristics of fluorine atoms: these coatings show hydrophobicity, chemical stability, weathering resistance, etc. Novel UV‐curable fluorinated epoxy acrylate oligomers were synthesized from 1H,1H‐perfluorohexan‐1‐ol, 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and epoxy acrylate (EA). The HDI plays the role of a spacer group in the side chain between the EA backbone chain and the fluorinated segment. This new spacer containing a urethane moiety with long alkyl groups can exhibit a self‐organization effect through the formation of strong hydrogen bonding. This resulted in a stiffening of the whole HDI urethane–perfluoalkyl chain to form nanostructure surface segregation. The designed fluorinated EA with fluoroalkyl (C5F11) units in the side chain exhibited a contact angle of about 151°, which is in the superhydrophobic range. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Ozone stress‐induced proteomic changes in leaf total soluble and chloroplast proteins of soybean reveal that carbon allocation is involved in adaptation in the early developmental stage
Authors: Ahsan Nagib , Nanjo Yohei , Sawada Hiroko , Kohno Yoshihisa , Komatsu Setsuko
Published: May 2010

Considerable soybean yield losses caused by ozone (O3) stress have been demonstrated by large‐scale meta‐analyses of free‐gas concentration enrichment systems. In this study, comparative proteomic approach was employed to explore the differential changes of proteins in O3 target structures such as leaf and chloroplasts of soybean seedlings. Acute O3 exposure (120 parts‐per‐billion) for 3 days did not cause any visible symptoms in developing leaves. However, higher amounts of ROS and lipid peroxidation indicated that severe oxidative burst occurred. Immunoblot analysis of O3‐induced known proteins revealed that proteins were modulated before symptoms became visible. Proteomic analysis identified a total of 20 and 32 differentially expressed proteins from O3‐treated leaf and chloroplast, respectively. Proteins associated with photosynthesis, including photosystem I/II and carbon assimilation decreased following exposure to O3. In contrast, proteins involved in antioxidant defense and carbon metabolism increased. The activity of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism increased following exposure to O3, which is consistent with the decrease in starch and increase in sucrose concentrations. Taken together, these results suggest that carbon allocation is tightly programmed, and starch degradation probably feeds the tricarboxylic acid cycle while the photosynthesis pathway is severely affected during O3 stress.
Viruses and atypical bacteria associated with asthma exacerbations in hospitalized children
Authors: Maffey Alberto F. , Barrero Paola R. , Venialgo Carolina , Fernández Francisco , Fuse Valentina A. , Saia Mariana , Villalba Analía , Rodríguez Fermepin Marcelo , Teper Alejandro M. , Mistchenko Alicia S.
Published: May 2010

Objectives and Working Hypothesis

To evaluate the prevalence of respiratory viruses Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae and gain insight into their seasonal circulation pattern in children with acute asthma exacerbations in a temperate southern hemisphere region.

Study Design

Patients hospitalized between 3 months and 16 years of age were included in a 1‐year prospective, observational, cross‐sectional study. Respiratory secretions were collected and the presence of different viruses and atypical bacteria analyzed by immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Two hundred nine patients (118 females) aged (mean ± SD) 4.4 ± 4 years were included. A potential causative agent was detected in 78% of the patients. The most frequently detected viruses were respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) (n = 85; 40%) and rhinovirus (HRV) (n = 52; 24.5%); M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae were detected in 4.5% and 2% of the cases, respectively. Patients with HRSV (vs. HRV) were hospitalized for a longer time (6.7 vs. 5.2 days, P = 0.012), required more days of oxygen supply (5.1 vs. 3.4, P = 0.005), had a longer duration of the exacerbation before hospitalization (3.6 vs. 1.9 days, P = 0.001) and were younger (3.7 vs. 5.1 years, P = 0.012). Three peaks of admissions were observed. A first peak (early autumn) caused by HRV, a second peak (winter) caused mainly by HRSV and a third one (spring), caused by HRSV, an increase in HMPV together with a second outbreak of HRV.

Conclusions

Children with an acute asthma exacerbation presented a high prevalence of respiratory viruses. Most hospitalizations corresponded to seasonal increases in prevalence of HRV and HRSV. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:619–625. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical examination of the mTORC1 pathway in high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCa): A tissue microarray study (TMA)
Authors: Evren Sevan , Dermen Arthur , Lockwood Gina , Fleshner Neil , Sweet Joan
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase and a key regulator of protein synthesis and growth and is upregulated in many cancers. mTOR is activated by AKT phosphorylation (p‐mTOR). p‐mTOR associates with regulatory‐associated protein of TOR (RAPTOR), forming the mTORC1 complex. mTORC1 promotes the activation of p70 ribosomal protein s6 kinase 1 (p70S6K1) and ribosomal protein s6 (RPS6). Upregulation of this pathway can lead to an aberrant increase in cell growth and metabolism characteristic of malignant transformation.

METHODS

This study presents the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of the mTORC1 pathway in prostate neoplasia. The expression of p‐mTOR and RAPTOR and p‐p70S6K1 and p‐RPS6 were examined in HGPIN and PCa using tissue microarrays (TMA). Since each case in our TMAs was represented by three tissue cores, we quantified the IHC intratumoral heterogeneity of mTOR expression. This extensive analysis is the first detailed assessment documenting the IHC heterogeneity of mTOR expression in HGPIN and prostate cancer and represents the first IHC description of the mTORC1 pathway in HGPIN and PCa.

RESULTS

A Cochran‐Armitage analysis demonstrated decreasing p‐mTOR activity progressing from PIN through GL6 and GL7 to HG PCa. There was considerable intratumoral IHC heterogeneity within an individual patient. However, a statistically significant correlation was observed between p‐mTOR, p‐p70S6K1, and p‐RPS6 in each representative core.

CONCLUSION

mTOR inhibitors may be an effective treatment for HGPIN and PCa. The extent of mTOR expression in an individual patient would determine the effective use of mTOR inhibitors as a potential therapeutic strategy. Prostate 70: 1429–1436, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric barrier composition GaN/(Ga,In)N/(Al,Ga)N quantum wells for yellow emission
Authors: Damilano Benjamin , Huault Thomas , Brault Julien , Lefebvre Denis , Massies Jean
Published: May 2010

It is shown that by using asymmetric barrier composition GaN ‐ (Ga,In)N (GaInN) ‐ (Al, Ga)N (AlGaN) multiple quantum wells it is possible to redshift the room temperature photoluminescence wavelength from 503 nm (blue‐green) to 577 nm (yellow) when the Al composition in the AlGaN barrier increases from 0 to 0.15. This is obtained without modifying the GaInN QW composition and thickness. This effect is attributed to an increase of the internal electric field inside the GaInN QW originating to additional polarization charges at the AlGaN ‐ GaN and GaInN ‐ AlGaN interfaces. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of two‐dimensional electron gas in AlGaN channel HEMTs with high crystalline quality
Authors: Hashimoto Shin , Akita Katsushi , Tanabe Tatsuya , Nakahata Hideaki , Takeda Kenichiro , Amano Hiroshi
Published: May 2010

Epitaxial structures of AlGaN channel high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were grown on sapphire and AlN substrates. Reduction in the full width at half maximum of X‐ray rocking curve for (10‐12) peak of the AlGaN channel layer owing to the reduction of threading dislocation densities resulted in a sharp decrease in the sheet resistance of 2‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG). In the case of AlGaN channel HEMTs, it was found that improvement of the crystalline quality of AlGaN channel layers is essential to the reduction of the sheet resistance of 2DEG. The use of AlN substrates resulted in improved crystalline quality of the AlGaN layer and lower 2DEG resistance, suggesting the high potential of AlN substrates for AlGaN channel HEMTs (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carrier relaxation dynamics in InN investigated by femtosecond pump‐probe technique
Authors: Nargelas Saulius , Aleksiejūnas Ramūnas , Vengris Mikas , Jarašiūnas Kęstutis
Published: May 2010

We have investigated the relaxation processes of excess carriers in MBE‐grown InN layers by means of femtosecond pump‐probe technique. In contrast to other studies, photon energy of the probe was varied below and above the bandgap Eg of InN samples. We observed a change in the sign of optical nonlinearity from the induced bleaching to induced absorption. The nonlinearities observed in different spectral regions had different decay constants, thus we attributed them to different relaxation processes. Induced absorption originated from free carrier absorption (FCA) and its decay reflected a lifetime of excess carriers, while the bleaching transient followed the repopulation dynamics of the probed states in the conduction band. Dependence of the FCA decay rate on excess carrier density in N = 1018 ‐ 1020 cm‐3 range pointed out to a nonlinear recombination mechanism, which was attributed to trap‐assisted Auger recombination. Its decay rate 1/τ = B *N provided different B * values, equal to 4 ×10‐10 and 3×10‐9 cm3s‐1 for layers with lower and higher electron density. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation and re‐growth of p‐GaN on nano‐patterned GaN on sapphire substrate
Authors: Nariyuki Yuji , Matsumoto Masakazu , Noda Takeshi , Nishino Katsushi , Naoi Yoshiki , Sakai Shiro , Fukano Atsuyuki , Tanaka Satoru
Published: May 2010

p‐GaN were grown on a nano‐patterned n‐GaN fabricated by nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Originality of this paper is to grow the p‐GaN layer on a nano‐patterned GaN. The regrowth mechanism of p‐GaN on nano‐processing n‐GaN was identified. The carrier concentrations by capacitance‐voltage characteristics of GaN p‐n junction are measured, and the high in 1018 cm‐3 is measured in the nano‐processed sample, while it is in the middle of 1017 cm‐3 in the un‐processed one. The reason comes from the dangling bonds on the tilted planes from the c‐axis. Therefore, a GaN p‐n nano‐structured sample is not a good idea, but the n‐n or p‐p nano‐structure is a very promising, because it can improve the crystal quality by the nano‐processing (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Eigenvectors of random graphs: Nodal Domains
Authors: Dekel Yael , Lee James R. , Linial Nathan
Published: May 2010

We initiate a systematic study of eigenvectors of random graphs. Whereas much is known about eigenvalues of graphs and how they reflect properties of the underlying graph, relatively little is known about the corresponding eigenvectors. Our main focus in this article is on the nodal domains associated with the different eigenfunctions. In the analogous realm of Laplacians of Riemannian manifolds, nodal domains have been the subject of intensive research for well over a hundred years. Graphical nodal domains turn out to have interesting and unexpected properties. Our main theorem asserts that there is a constant c such that for almost every graph G, each eigenfunction of G has at most two large nodal domains, and in addition at most c exceptional vertices outside these primary domains. We also discuss variations of these questions and briefly report on some numerical experiments which, in particular, suggest that almost surely there are just two nodal domains and no exceptional vertices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 39, 39–58, 2011
A stable hyperparameter selection for the Gaussian RBF kernel for discrimination
Authors: Ahn Jeongyoun
Published: May 2010

Kernel‐based classification methods, for example, support vector machines, map the data into a higher‐dimensional space via a kernel function. In practice, choosing the value of hyperparameter in the kernel function is crucial in order to ensure good performance. We propose a method of selecting the hyperparameter in the Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernel by considering the geometry of the embedded feature space. This method is independent of the choice of the discrimination algorithm and also computationally efficient. Its classification performance is competitive with existing methods including cross‐validation. Using simulated and real‐data examples, we show that the proposed method is stable with respect to sampling variability. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 3: 142‐148, 2010
Evaluation of laser cleaning of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins
Authors: Drakaki E. , Klingenberg B. , Serafetinides A. A. , Kontou E. , Katsikosta N. , Tselekas P. , Evgenidou D. , Boukos N. , Zanini A.
Published: May 2010

Laser cleaning tests were performed on ancient coins, which belong to the collection of the Numismatic Museum of Athens, Greece. Silver and copper alloy coins with various types of surface corrosion and ground deposits were studied, using Q‐switched (QS), long pulse (LP) and free‐running (FR) Nd:YAG lasers and a range of laser‐pulsing parameters on wet surfaces. A comparison among the different laser types was made, cleaning with an optical fibre delivery system and an optical focusing subassembly, or with the help of x‐y microadjustable stage. It was discovered that the results of laser cleaning was influenced by the type of corrosion and the corrosion products or the ground deposits on the surface of the coins. The results, evaluated by objective and SEM‐EDX observations, indicated that on silver alloy coins, different wavelengths could achieve a successful laser cleaning for several types of corrosion. On the other hand, laser cleaning could result in loss of the original surface in various cases of copper alloy coins, followed by frequent appearance of the oxidation layer underneath and partial removal of corrosion products and ground deposits. The optimum laser cleaning procedure was associated with the different types of coin corrosions. Special emphasis was stressed on the side effects of the procedures and, in particular, on the minimization of any chemical modifications and thermal results induced to the original surface of the coins. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diverse Morphologies of Self‐Assemblies from Homoditopic 1,18‐Nucleotide‐Appended Bolaamphiphiles: Effects of Nucleobases and Complementary Oligonucleotides
Authors: Iwaura Rika , Iizawa Tomohiko , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Ohnishi‐Kameyama Mayumi , Shimizu Toshimi
Published: May 2010

The synthesis of 1,18‐nucleotide‐appended bolaamphiphiles (1, 2, 4, and 6) is reported, in which a 3′‐phosphorylated guanidine, adenosine, thymidine, or cytidine is connected to each end of an octadecamethylene chain. Single‐component self‐assemblies and binary self‐assemblies with the complementary oligonucleotides dC20, dT20, dA20, and dG20 are studied by atomic force microscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, temperature‐dependent UV absorption, circular dichroism, and attenuated total‐reflection Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The single‐component self‐assembly of 1 forms a two‐dimensional sheet, whereas the binary self‐assembly 1/dC20 gives helical nanofibers. Non‐helical nanofibers are observed for the single‐component self‐assemblies of 2 and 4, and helical nanofibers form from the binary self‐assembly 2/dT20. Interestingly, helical nanorod structures are obtained from the binary self‐assembly 4/dA20, and the aligned nanorods form a nematic phase. The single‐component and binary self‐assemblies from 6 give unilamellar vesicles owing to a lack of stacking interaction between the cytosine moieties.
Relationship model: a network model for integrating human expertise with systematic distributed processes
Authors: Alaghband Gita
Published: May 2010

In this paper we offer an integrated flexible system in which two inter‐related models interact. One: the systems environment model that is inherent in all large enterprises and defines the logical enterprise organizations, units, division of work and responsibilities. Two: the Relationship model, which is a dynamic network derived from the data provided by the distributed expertise of the systems environment model representing several types of relationships among the units. This network model can be probed to produce related units with specific relationships to efficiently initiate a change, plan a change, adjudicate and implement a change. Each unit of the network can initiate a proposal for a new change by exploring its effect on the rest of the network; once a proposal for change is explored, its implications are evaluated and approved, a coordinated change is planned and implemented in a timely and organized manner while every constituency has been prepared for the planned change. While the proposed model can easily be adapted for organizations with well‐defined systems environment models, this paper focuses on the design, integration and implementation of the Relationship network and its processes for information technology (IT) within a large telecommunication company with an existing systems environment model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neubau der Waschmühltalbrücke – Harmonische Symbiose Baudenkmal‐Neubau
Authors: Eilzer Wolfgang , Lutz Richard , Priebe Volker , Angelmaier Volkhard , Stockmann Rico
Published: May 2010

Im Zuge des sechsstreifigen Ausbaus der BAB A 6 Mannheim–Saarbrücken muss die unter Denkmalschutz stehende Waschmühltalbrücke instandgesetzt und verbreitert werden. Dabei soll neben der historischen Sandsteinbogenbrücke ein neues Bauwerk errichtet werden. Aufgrund der besonderen Situation und der gestalterischen Bedeutung der von Paul Bonatz entworfenen Waschmühltalbrücke, wurde ein Einladungswettbewerb zur Gestaltung der neuen Brücke ausgelobt. Über die Ergebnisse des Wettbewerbes und den Entwurf der neuen Brücke wird in diesem Aufsatz berichtet.

New building of the Waschmühl Viaduct – Harmonically symbiosis historical building/new building. In the course of the expansion of the federal motorway A 6 between Mannheim and Saarbrücken up to six lanes the existing Waschmühl Viaduct, classified as historic monument, has to be refurbished and widened. Therefore a new bridge shall be built next to the historic sandstone arch bridge. Due to this specific situation and the artistically importance of the Waschmühl Viaduct designed by Paul Bonatz, a design competition for the new bridge has been organized. This article reports on the results of the competition and the final design of the new bridge.
Astrocytes are crucial for survival and maturation of embryonic hippocampal neurons in a neuron‐glia cell‐insert coculture assay
Authors: Pyka Martin , Busse Claudia , Seidenbecher Constanze , Gundelfinger Eckart D. , Faissner Andreas
Published: May 2010

Synapses represent specialized cell–cell contact sites between nerve cells. These structures mediate the rapid and efficient transmission of signals between neurons and are surrounded by glial cells. Previous investigations have shown that astrocytes are important for the formation, maintenance, and function of CNS synapses. To study effects of glial‐derived molecules on synaptogenesis, we have established an in vitro cell‐insert coculture system for E18 rat hippocampal neurons and various glial cell types. Neurons were cultured without direct contact with glial cells for distinct time periods. First, it was confirmed that astrocytes are essential to promote survival of E18 hippocampal neurons. Beginning with 10 days in culture, the concurrent expression of pre‐ and postsynaptic proteins was observed. Moreover, the colocalization of the presynaptic marker Bassoon and the postsynaptic protein ProSAP1/Shank2 indicated the formation of synapses. A technique was developed that permits the semiautomated quantitative determination of the number of synaptic puncta per neuron. The culture system was used to assess effects of pharmacological treatments on synapse formation by applying blockers and activators of small GTPases. In particular, treatment with lysophosphatidic acid enhanced synaptogenesis in the coculture system. Synapse 65:41–53, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of polyhydramnios on perinatal outcome in pregestational diabetic pregnancies
Authors: Idris N. , Wong S. F. , Thomae M. , Gardener G. , McIntyre D. H.
Published: May 2010

Objective

This study was carried out to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of pregnancy with pregestational diabetes mellitus complicated by polyhydramnios.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies, with an antepartum diagnosis of polyhydramnios, seen at the maternal fetal medicine department of Mater Mothers' Hospital, a tertiary‐level facility. All pregnancies in women with pregestational diabetes with a singleton pregnancy beyond 24 weeks of gestation, from 1996 to 2006, were reviewed (n = 314), and pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios were identified (n = 59). Pregnancy outcomes of women whose pregnancy was complicated with polyhydramnios were compared to those without this complication.

Results

The incidence of polyhydramnios in the study population was 18.8%. Women with polyhydramnios had increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels throughout the pregnancy, and the difference was significant during the prepregnancy period and in the third trimester (P = 0.003 and P = 0.025, respectively). Significantly more mothers in the polyhydramnios group delivered preterm (54.2% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.004), the majority of which were iatrogenic preterm deliveries (44.1%). More pregnancies with polyhydramnios were delivered by Cesarean section (83.0% vs. 62%; P = 0.006), with the majority being performed electively in both groups (79.6% and 70.3%, respectively). Regardless, there were no significant differences in perinatal mortality rates, congenital abnormality rates, the incidences of low Apgar score, acidemia, hypoglycemia requiring intravenous therapy, phototherapy and ventilatory needs between the babies of the two groups.

Conclusion

Pregestational diabetic pregnancy with polyhydramnios is associated with poor diabetic control. Despite this, there is no significant increase in adverse perinatal outcome in these pregnancies, apart from a higher iatrogenic preterm birth rate. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biogenesis and function of endogenous and exogenous siRNAs
Authors: Snead Nicholas M. , Rossi John J.
Published: May 2010

RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence‐specific gene silencing, or ‘knockdown’, mechanism facilitated by short duplex strands of RNA with sequence complementarity to target mRNAs. RNAi has many different forms, including posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS), and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). Here, we review the biogenesis and function of an endogenous set of small RNA gene regulators, called microRNAs, as well as the mechanism of exogenously delivered small interfering RNAs. The potential applications of RNAi‐based therapeutics are also highlighted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Viruses and the cellular RNA decay machinery
Authors: Gaglia Marta Maria , Glaunsinger Britt A.
Published: May 2010

The ability to control cellular and viral gene expression, either globally or selectively, is central to a successful viral infection, and it is also crucial for the host to respond and eradicate pathogens. In eukaryotes, regulation of message stability contributes significantly to the control of gene expression and plays a prominent role in the normal physiology of a cell as well as in its response to environmental and pathogenic stresses. Not surprisingly, emerging evidence indicates that there are significant interactions between the eukaryotic RNA turnover machinery and a wide variety of viruses. Interestingly, in many cases viruses have evolved mechanisms not only to evade eradication by these pathways, but also to manipulate them for enhanced viral replication and gene expression. Given our incomplete understanding of how many of these pathways are normally regulated, viruses should be powerful tools to help deconstruct the complex networks and events governing eukaryotic RNA stability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
RNase MRP and disease
Authors: Mattijssen Sandy , Welting Tim J. M. , Pruijn Ger J. M.
Published: May 2010

The human RNase MRP complex consists of a catalytic RNA and several protein components. RNase MRP is a ubiquitously expressed eukaryotic endoribonuclease that cleaves various RNAs, including ribosomal, messenger, and mitochondrial RNAs, in a highly specific fashion. In several autoimmune diseases autoantibodies targeting RNase MRP have been found. These so‐called anti‐Th/To autoantibodies, which most frequently can be detected in the sera of scleroderma patients, are directed to several protein components of the RNase MRP and the evolutionarily related RNase P complex. It is not yet known whether the anti‐Th/To immune response is an epiphenomenon or whether these autoantibodies play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. The gene encoding the RNase MRP RNA was the first nuclear non‐coding RNA gene demonstrated to be associated with a genetic disease. Mutations in this gene are causing the highly pleiotropic disease cartilage‐hair hypoplasia (CHH). CHH patients are characterized by a short stature, hypoplastic hair, and short limbs. In addition, they show a predisposition to lymphomas and other cancers and suffer from defective T‐cell immunity. Since the identification of the first CHH‐associated mutations in 2001, many distinct mutations have been found in different patients. These mutations either affect the structure of the RNase MRP RNA or are located in the promoter region and reduce the expression levels. In this review article we will, after describing the biochemical aspects of RNase MRP, discuss the targeting of RNase MRP in autoimmunity and the role of mutations in the RNase MRP RNA gene in CHH. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

RNA-Based Catalysis > RNA‐Mediated Cleavage

Translation > Ribosome Biogenesis

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
2,6‐Bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine as Meridional Capping Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of the First Corresponding Hexanuclear Iron(III) Complex
Authors: Plaul Daniel , Spielberg Eike T. , Plass Winfried
Published: May 2010

Based on the 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine ligand (H2bpp) the hexanuclear iron(III) complex [Fe6(bpp)4(μ3‐O)2(μ‐OMe)3(μ‐OH)Cl2] (1) was synthesized. The reaction with iron(II) chloride and additional pyridine leads to the exclusive formation of the complex through self‐assembly process. Six octahedrally coordinated iron atoms are linked through the pyrazolido groups of four H2bpp ligands. These are further linked through bridging hydroxido, methoxido, and oxido groups. The complex has been characterized by IR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystallography. Temperature‐dependent magnetic measurements indicate strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the high‐spin iron(III) ions within the complex, which leads to an S = 0 spin ground state. As a result of the two Fe3(μ3‐O) fragments two frustrated exchange pathways are present. In addition the properties of H2bpp as a potential capping ligand for the synthesis of heteroleptic trinuclear complexes based on the triaminoguanidine core is investigated.
Perioperative change in white blood cell count predicts outcome of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fujiwara Yuki , Shiba Hiroaki , Furukawa Kenei , Iida Tomonori , Sakamoto Taro , Gocho Takeshi , Wakiyama Shigeki , Hirohara Shoichi , Ishida Yuichi , Misawa Takeyuki , Ohashi Toya , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: May 2010

Background

In spite of improvements in surgical management, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still recurs after operation in 60–70% of patients. Therefore, we investigated the relation between perioperative change in white blood cell count (WBC) and tumor recurrence as well as survival in patients with HCC after hepatic resection.

Methods

Subjects were 53 patients who underwent elective hepatic resection for HCC. We retrospectively examined the relation between perioperative change in WBC and recurrence of HCC as well as overall survival.

Results

Advanced tumor stage and increasing of WBC on postoperative day (POD) 1 were positively associated with worse disease‐free survival rate on both univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Advanced tumor stage, increasing of WBC on POD 1, and blood transfusion were positively associated with worse overall survival rate on univariate analysis (p < 0.05), while change in WBC was the only independent factor on multivariate analysis (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Perioperative change in WBC after elective hepatic resection for HCC is positively associated with recurrence and worse survival.
Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders: clinical presentation of long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects before and after newborn screening
Authors: Spiekerkoetter Ute
Published: May 2010

The different long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects present with similar heterogeneous clinical phenotypes of different severity. Organs mainly affected comprise the heart, liver, and skeletal muscles. All symptoms are reversible with sufficient energy supply. In some long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects, disease‐specific symptoms occur. Only in disorders of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) complex, including long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency, neuropathy and retinopathy develop that are progressive and irreversible despite current treatment measures. In most long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects, no clear genotype–phenotype correlation exists due to molecular heterogeneity. However, some isolated mutations have been identified to be associated with only mild phenotypes, e.g., the V243A mutation in very‐long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. LCHAD deficiency is due to the prevalent homozygous 1528G>C mutation and presents with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes, suggesting the importance of other environmental and genetic factors. For some disorders, it was shown that residual enzyme activity measured in fibroblasts or lymphocytes correlated with severity of clinical phenotype. Implementation of newborn screening has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality of long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects. However, the severest forms of TFP deficiency are still highly associated with neonatal death. Newborn screening also identifies a great number of mildly affected patients who may never develop clinical symptoms throughout life. However, later‐onset exercise‐induced myopathic symptoms remain characteristic clinical features of long‐chain fatty acid oxidation defects. Disease prevalence has increased with newborn screening.
An Analysis of Nursing Diagnoses for Patients Undergoing Procedures in a Brazilian Interventional Radiology Suite
Authors: Viegas Liza de Souza , Turrini Ruth Natalia Teresa , da Silva Bastos Cerullo Josinete Aparecida
Published: May 2010

Innovations in minimally invasive surgery have led to more procedures being performed in the interventional radiology suite. It, therefore, is essential that nurses in radiology departments be competent to care for all types of patients. Use of nursing classification systems can improve care by providing standardized language for documentation. We conducted a project that involved 25 patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures between August and October 2006 in São Paulo, Brazil, to identify the most frequent North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) nursing diagnoses used and then compared the NANDA diagnoses to Perioperative Nursing Data Set diagnoses. The most frequent nursing diagnoses in the participants were anxiety, chronic pain, inefficient tissue perfusion–peripheral, deficient knowledge, and risk for falls. These results are similar to diagnoses that have been reported in outpatient centers. The NANDA and Perioperative Nursing Data Set diagnoses were found to be similar.
Best Practices for Minimally Invasive Procedures
Authors: Ulmer Brenda C.
Published: May 2010

Techniques and instrumentation for minimally invasive surgical procedures originated in gynecologic surgery, but the benefits of surgery with small incisions or no incisions at all have prompted the expansion of these techniques into numerous specialties. Technologies such as robotic assistance, single‐incision laparoscopic surgery, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, and video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery have led to the continued expansion of minimally invasive surgery into new specialties. With this expansion, perioperative nurses and other members of the surgical team are required to continue to learn about new technology and instrumentation, as well as the techniques and challenges involved in using new technology, to help ensure the safety of their patients. This article explores the development of minimally invasive procedures and offers suggestions for increasing patient safety.
The Power of Pause
Authors: Gerdes Susan J.
Published: May 2010

The Power of Pause Nance Guilmartin 2010, Jossey‐Bass 232 pages, $24.95 hardcover
Measuring practitioner/therapist effects in randomised trials of low back pain and neck pain interventions in primary care settings
Authors: Lewis Martyn , Morley Stephen , van der Windt Danielle A.W.M. , Hay Elaine , Jellema Petra , Dziedzic Krysia , Main Chris J.
Published: May 2010

In psychological health treatment studies it has been shown that differences between therapists account for some of the non‐specific effect of treatment but this phenomenon has not so far systematically been investigated in musculoskeletal disorders. In this study we evaluated and compared the size and potential influence of the ‘practitioner effect’ (or ‘therapist effect’) in three randomised treatment trials of low back pain and neck pain patients in primary care. We calculated the proportion of variance in outcomes attributable to differences across practitioners, i.e. the practitioner–variance partition coefficient (p–vpc). As measures of outcome, we focused on self‐reported disability as the primary outcome, but we also investigated assessed psychological outcomes. The p–vpc for the disability measures ranged from 2.6% to 7.1% across trials and time points (post treatment and follow up). Estimates differed between treatment subgroups within trials; being highest in treatment subgroups assigned to psychosocial‐based interventions. A ‘practitioner effect’ does exist and is more pronounced in treatments involving greater psychosocial emphasis. This has implications for both practice and research in this clinical area. It highlights the importance of patient–practitioner interactions, and the need to address practitioner effects in designing and analysing outcome studies in low back pain and neck pain in primary care.
Statistical challenges for genome-wide association studies of suicidality using family data
Authors: Lasky-Su J. , Lange C.
Published: May 2010

The etiology of suicide is complex in nature with both environmental and genetic causes that are extremely diverse. This extensive heterogeneity weakens the relationship between genotype and phenotype and as a result, we face many challenges when studying the genetic etiology of suicide. We are now in the midst of a genetics revolution, where genotyping costs are decreasing and genotyping speed is increasing at a fast rate, allowing genetic association studies to genotype thousands to millions of SNPs that cover the entire human genome. As such, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are now the norm. In this article we address several statistical challenges that occur when studying the genetic etiology of suicidality in the age of the genetics revolution. These challenges include: (1) the large number of statistical tests; (2) complex phenotypes that are difficult to quantify; and (3) modest genetic effect sizes. We address these statistical issues in the context of family-based study designs. Specifically, we discuss several statistical extensions of family-based association tests (FBATs) that work to alleviate these challenges. As our intention is to describe how statistical methodology may work to identify disease variants for suicidality, we avoid the mathematical details of the methodologies presented.
P4 ATPases – The physiological relevance of lipid flipping transporters
Authors: Paulusma Coen C. , Oude Elferink Ronald P.J.
Published: May 2010

P4 ATPases are integral transmembrane proteins implicated in phospholipid translocation from the exoplasmic to the cytosolic leaflet of biological membranes. Our present knowledge on the cellular physiology of P4 ATPases is mostly derived from studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where P4 ATPases play a pivotal role in the biogenesis of intracellular transport vesicles, polarized protein transport and protein maturation. In contrast, the physiological and cellular functions of mammalian P4 ATPases are largely unexplored. P4 ATPases act in concert with members of the CDC50 protein family, which are putative β‐subunits for P4 ATPases. This review highlights the current status of a slowly emerging research field and emphasizes the contribution of P4 ATPases to the vesicle‐generating machinery.
Study of Completed Archaeal Genomes and Proteomes: Hypothesis of Strong Mutational AT Pressure Existed in Their Common Predecessor
Authors: Khrustalev Vladislav V. , Barkovsky Eugene V.
Published: May 2010

The number of completely sequenced archaeal genomes has been sufficient for a large-scale bioinformatic study. We have conducted analyses for each coding region from 36 archaeal genomes using the original CGS algorithm by calculating the total GC content (G+C), GC content in first, second and third codon positions as well as in fourfold and twofold degenerated sites from third codon positions, levels of arginine codon usage (Arg2: AGA/G; Arg4: CGX), levels of amino acid usage and the entropy of amino acid content distribution. In archaeal genomes with strong GC pressure, arginine is coded preferably by GC-rich Arg4 codons, whereas in most of archaeal genomes with G+C<0.6, arginine is coded preferably by AT-rich Arg2 codons. In the genome of Haloquadratum walsbyi, which is closely related to GC-rich archaea, GC content has decreased mostly in third codon positions, while Arg4>>Arg2 bias still persists. Proteomes of archaeal species carry characteristic amino acid biases: levels of isoleucine and lysine are elevated, while levels of alanine, histidine, glutamine and cytosine are relatively decreased. Numerous genomic and proteomic biases observed can be explained by the hypothesis of previously existed strong mutational AT pressure in the common predecessor of all archaea.
KaKs_Calculator 2.0: A Toolkit Incorporating Gamma-Series Methods and Sliding Window Strategies
Authors: Wang Dapeng , Zhang Yubin , Zhang Zhang , Zhu Jiang , Yu Jun
Published: May 2010

We present an integrated stand-alone software package named KaKs_Calculator 2.0 as an updated version. It incorporates 17 methods for the calculation of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates; among them, we added our modified versions of several widely used methods as the gamma series including γ-NG, γ-LWL, γ-MLWL, γ-LPB, γ-MLPB, γ-YN and γ-MYN, which have been demonstrated to perform better under certain conditions than their original forms and are not implemented in the previous version. The package is readily used for the identification of positively selected sites based on a sliding window across the sequences of interests in 5’ to 3’ direction of protein-coding sequences, and have improved the overall performance on sequence analysis for evolution studies. A toolbox, including C++ and Java source code and executable files on both Windows and Linux platforms together with a user instruction, is downloadable from the website for academic purpose at https://sourceforge.net/projects/kakscalculator2/.
Planning, Proposing and Presenting Science Effectively
Authors: Hailman Jack P. , Strier Karen B.
Published: May 2010

This concise guide to planning, writing, and presenting research is intended for biology students of all levels, especially those in behavioral ecology, The reader is guided through a discussion of the nature of scientific research, how to plan research, and how to obtain funding. The authors give advice and guidelines for presenting results at research seminars and scientific meetings, and also provide useful tips on preparing abstracts and posters for scientific meetings. They discuss how to write an effective C.V. and give general tips on how to write clearly. The book is illuminated throughout with personal examples from the authors' own experiences and emphasis is placed on problems associated with field studies. All biologists will find this a valuable resource and guide for the early years of their scientific careers and established faculty will find it an essential instructional tool.