bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swelling behavior and network structure of hydrogels synthesized using controlled UV‐initiated free radical polymerization
Authors: Lee J. Hannah , Bucknall David G.
Published: June 2008

N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (VP) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymeric gels have been synthesized using UV‐initiated photopolymerization to understand their characteristic behavior for development as a bioengineering material, specifically for tissue expansion. The properties of the gels have been investigated by systematic variation of the monomer feed composition and initiator and crosslinker concentrations as well as UV irradiation intensity, which was controlled by various photomasks. The swelling kinetics and network characteristics for the various hydrogels were investigated through the observation of gel swelling behavior in saline solutions and compression modulus determination of the fully swollen hydrogels. The equilibrium swelling ratio (qe) of the gels increased as expected with increasing VP content and decreasing crosslinker concentration. However, it was found that as the amount of initiator or UV intensity increased, unexpectedlyqealso increased, which indicates a network structure with decreasing effective crosslink density (νe) (or increasing average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc)). Based on this anomalous swelling behavior and thermal analysis of the gels, a molecular structure is proposed consisting of increasing number of dangling chain ends within the polymer network. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1450–1462, 2008
Cross‐resistance patterns to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides conferred by mutant ACCase isoforms in Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (black‐grass), re‐examined at the recommended herbicide field rate
Authors: Délye Christophe , Matéjicek Annick , Michel Séverine
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Target‐site‐based resistance to acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors in Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. is essentially due to five substitutions (Isoleucine‐1781‐Leucine, Tryptophan‐2027‐Cysteine, Isoleucine‐2041‐Asparagine, Aspartate‐2078‐Glycine, Glycine‐2096‐Alanine). Recent studies suggested that cross‐resistance patterns associated with each mutation using a seed‐based bioassay may not accurately reflect field resistance. The authors aimed to connect the presence of mutant ACCase isoform(s) in A. myosuroides with resistance to five ACCase inhibitors (fenoxaprop, clodinafop, haloxyfop, cycloxydim, clethodim) sprayed at the recommended field rate.

RESULTS: Results from spraying experiments and from seed‐based bioassays were consistent for all mutant isoforms except the most widespread, Leucine‐1781. In spraying experiments, Leucine‐1781 ACCase conferred resistance to clodinafop and haloxyfop. Some plants containing Leucine‐1781 or Alanine‐2096 ACCase, but not all, were also resistant to clethodim.

CONCLUSION: Leucine‐1781, Cysteine‐2027, Asparagine‐2041 and Alanine‐2096 ACCases confer resistance to fenoxaprop, clodinafop and haloxyfop at field rates. Leucine‐1781 ACCase also confers resistance to cycloxydim at field rate. Glycine‐2078 ACCase confers resistance to all five herbicides at field rates. Only Glycine‐2078 ACCase confers clethodim resistance under optimal application conditions. It may be that Leucine‐1781 and Alanine‐2096 ACCases may also confer resistance to clethodim in the field if the conditions are not optimal for herbicide efficacy, or at reduced clethodim field rates. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Field efficacy of azadirachtin‐A, tetrahydroazadirachtin‐A, NeemAzal® and endosulfan against key pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Authors: Dhingra Swaran , Walia Suresh , Kumar Jitendra , Singh Shivendra , Singh Gyanendra , Parmar Balraj S
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND Unlike synthetic pesticides, azadirachtin‐based neem pesticides are environmentally friendly and are well known for their diverse pest control properties. Their use is, however, limited by the instability of azadirachtin, necessitating application at short intervals. The efficacy of relatively stable tetrahydroazadirachtin‐A, therefore, needed to be established under field conditions.

RESULTS: Azadirachtin‐A (Aza‐A), its stable derivative tetrahydroazadirachtin‐A (THA) and other neem pesticides have been evaluated for their field efficacy against major insect pests of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench., during summer (kharif) 2003 and 2004. The optimum doses of Aza‐A and THA against the fruit borer, Earias vittella F., were also established. Reductions in population of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), and leafhopper (jassid), Amrasca biguttulla biguttulla Ishida, after application of THA or endosulfan was evident up to 10 days after treatment (DAT), whereas with Aza‐A and NeemAzal® (NZ) the effect was observed up to 7 DAT only. Endosulfan and THA also caused higher reduction in the larvae of shoot and fruit borer E. vittella and E. insulana Boisd., and recorded the highest yields of 4600 and 4180 kg ha−1. The efficacy of THA (0.05 g L−1 emulsion) was comparable with that of 0.5 g L−1 endosulfan emulsion in reducing fruit borer infestation, the reduction over the control being 86.0 and 87.3%, 84.9 and 94.1% and 90.2 and 92.6% at first, second and third picking. THA 0.02 g L−1 and Aza–A 0.05 g L−1 were on a par. Laboratory‐made neem oil emulsifiable concentrate was the least effective, but was superior to untreated check.

CONCLUSION: Three consecutive sprays of THA, a neem‐based biopesticide, and endosulfan have been found to be superior in controlling field pests of okra to Aza‐A and NZ, which were on a par. THA thus holds potential as a component of pest management strategies against okra pests. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Metabolite identification of a new antitumor agent icotinib in rats using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Guan Zhongmin , Chen Xiaoyan , Wang Yinxiang , Zhong Dafang
Published: June 2008

Icotinib, 4‐[(3‐ethynylphenyl)amino]‐6,7‐benzo‐12‐crown‐4‐quinazoline, is a new antitumor agent. The metabolic pathway of icotinib in rats was studied using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSn) analysis. Full scan and selected ion monitoring modes were used to profile the possible metabolites of icotinib in rat urine, feces and bile samples. Four phase I metabolites (M1–M4) and two phase II metabolites (M5, M6) were detected and characterized. Multiple‐stage mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry were employed to elucidate structures of metabolites. Icotinib was metabolized to open the crown ether ring to form the main phase I metabolites. During metabolism, a reactive metabolite was formed. Using semicarbazide as a trapping agent, an intermediate arising from opening of the crown ether ring was detected as an aldehyde product by LC/MS/MS. These data indicated that ring opening of the crown ether was triggered by hydroxylation at the 8″‐position of the ring to form a hemiacetal intermediate, which was further oxidized or reduced. Finally, the metabolic pathway of icotinib in rats was proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of vanadyl porphyrins and sulfur‐containing vanadyl porphyrins in a petroleum asphaltene by atmospheric pressure photonionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Qian Kuangnan , Mennito Anthony S. , Edwards Kathleen E. , Ferrughelli Dave T.
Published: June 2008

Vanadyl (VO) porphyrins and sulfur‐containing vanadyl (VOS) porphyrins of a wide carbon number range (C26 to C52) and Z‐number range (−28 to −54) were detected and identified in a petroleum asphaltene by atmospheric pressure photonionization (APPI) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR‐MS). APPI provides soft ionization of asphaltene molecules (including VO and VOS porphyrins), generating primarily molecular ions (M+.). The ultra‐high mass resolving power (m/ΔmFWHM ∼500 K) of FTICR‐MS enabled resolution and positive identification of elemental formulae for the entire family of VO and VOS porphyrins in a complicated asphaltene matrix. Deocophylerythro‐etioporphyrin (DPEP) is found to be the most prevalent structure, followed by etioporphyrins (etio)‐ and rhodo (benzo)‐DPEP. The characteristic Z‐distribution of VO porphyrins suggests benzene and naphthene increment in the growth of porphyrin ring structures. Bimodal carbon number distributions of VO porphyrins suggest possible different origins of low and high molecular weight species. To our knowledge, the observation of VOS porphyrins in a petroleum product has not previously been reported. The work is also the first direct identification of the entire vanadyl porphyrin family by ultra‐high resolution mass spectrometry without chromatographic separation or demetallation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidation of Methyl Linoleate in Oil‐in‐Water Micro‐ and Nanoemulsion Systems
Authors: Imai Haruka , Maeda Tetsuzo , Shima Motohiro , Adachi Shuji
Published: June 2008

Oxidation of methyl linoleate in O/W emulsions having droplets of median diameters ranging from 17 nm to 8.0 μm was carried out at 40°C. The oxidation process was analyzed on the basis of a kinetic equation of the autocatalytic type. The induction period was found to be shorter and the oxidation rate constant lower for emulsions with smaller oil droplets. The stoichiometry between methyl linoleate and oxygen was observed to be independent of both the size of oil droplet and the type of the surfactant and was found to be unity during the early stage of the oxidation. However, more oxgen was consumed in the oxidation of the methyl linoleate in the later half of the oxidation process.
Rerouting of fibroblast growth factor 2 to the classical secretory pathway results in post‐translational modifications that block binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans
Authors: Wegehingel Sabine , Zehe Christoph , Nickel Walter
Published: June 2008

FGF‐2 is a proangiogenic growth factor secreted by unconventional means. It is unknown why FGF‐2 takes an ER/Golgi‐independent secretory route. We find that secretion of FGF‐2 via the ER/Golgi system causes post‐translational modifications that prevent binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), an interaction that is critically important for both FGF‐2 storage and signal transduction. This loss of function is due to artificial O‐glycosylation mainly resulting in the addition of glycosaminoglycan chains of the chrondroitin sulfate type. Our findings suggest that the unconventional mechanism of FGF‐2 export is an ancient pathway of protein secretion that, in the course of evolution, has been kept due to the inability of the classical secretory pathway to export FGF‐2 in a functional form.
Structural and functional mapping of the archaeal multi‐aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase complex
Authors: Hausmann Corinne D. , Ibba Michael
Published: June 2008

MINT‐6551032:

EF1A (uniprotkb:O27132) physically interacts (MI:0218) with LeuRS (uniprotkb:O27552) by surface plasmon resonance (MI:0107)
Calicium sequoiae, a new lichen species from north-western California, USA
Authors: WILLIAMS Cameron B. , TIBELL Leif
Published: June 2008

We describe Calicium sequoiae as a new species of lichenized Ascomycota from north-western California, USA. The species is distinguished morphologically from other known members of Calicium by its stalks that react I+ blue, mature ascospores that are ornamented with spiral ridges, and apothecia that produce prominent white pruina. It is also the only Calicium known to produce thamnolic acid as a major secondary substance. Sequences from the ITS-region showed C. sequoiae to be unique among calicioid Physciaceae, and phylogenetic analysis positioned it close to C. adspersum, C. chlorosporum, C. lenticulare, Cyphelium notarisii, and C. tigillare. Thus far, Calicium sequoiae has been collected only from old-growth redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests, where it occurred on thick, fibrous bark of large redwood trees. A key to the 12 species of Calicium known from the Pacific Northwest is provided.
Epiphytic lichen biomass in a boreal Norway spruce forest
Authors: GAUSLAA Yngvar , LIE Marit , OHLSON Mikael
Published: June 2008

Alectorioid and foliose lichens were weighed from full-size branches of Picea abies cut at two canopy heights in 100 trees in an old subalpine forested area in eastern Norway. The mean lichen biomass per branch decreased from 46 to 37 g moving upwards from 2–3 to 5–6 m canopy height. The lichen biomass correlated strongly with branch size variables, branch diameter alone explaining 48 of the variation in lichen biomass per branch (n=200). The alectorioid/foliose biomass ratio increased from 0·149 at 2–3 m to 0·316 at 5–6 m. Site factors reflecting openness of the canopy were computed for the branch at 2–3 m in all trees. The alectorioid/foliose biomass ratio increased significantly with the indirect site factors, suggesting that light, or factors associated with light, determine the balance between these two growth forms in tree canopies. Within the alectorioid biomass component, genera with usnic acid (Alectoria, Usnea) decreased with height, whereas the genus Bryoria with melanic pigments increased. According to the literature, dark melanic pigments have higher visible light screening efficiency than the yellowish usnic acid. Such patterns suggest a functional role for cortical pigments in the niche differentiation of alectorioid lichens.
Heat sources for mantle plumes
Authors: Beier C. , Rushmer T. , Turner S. P.
Published: June 2008

Melting anomalies in the Earth's upper mantle have often been attributed to the presence of mantle plumes that may originate in the lower mantle, possibly from the core‐mantle boundary. Globally, mantle plumes exhibit a large range in buoyancy flux that is proportional to their temperature and volume. Plumes with higher buoyancy fluxes should have higher temperatures and experience higher degrees of partial melting. This excess heat in mantle plumes could reflect either (1) an enrichment of the heat‐producing elements (HPE: U, Th, K) in their mantle source leading to an increase of heat production by radioactive decay, (2) material transport from core to mantle (either advective or diffusive), or (3) conductive heat transport across the core‐mantle boundary. The advective/diffusive transport of heat may result in a physical contribution of material from the core to the lower mantle. If core material is incorporated into the lower mantle, mantle plumes with a higher buoyancy flux should have higher core tracers, e.g., increased 186Os, 187Os, and Fe concentrations. Geophysical and dynamic modeling indicate that at least Afar, Easter, Hawaii, Louisville, and Samoa may all originate at the core‐mantle boundary. These plumes encompass the whole range of known buoyancy fluxes from 0.9 Mg s−1 (Afar) to 8.7 Mg s−1 (Hawaii), providing evidence that the buoyancy flux is largely independent of other geophysical parameters. In an effort to explore whether the heat‐producing elements are the cause of excess heat we looked for correlations between fractionation‐corrected concentrations of the HPE and buoyancy flux. Our results suggest that there is no correlation between HPE concentrations and buoyancy flux (with and without an additional correction for variable degrees of partial melting). As anticipated, K, Th, and U are positively correlated with each other (e.g., Hawaii, Iceland, and Galapagos have significantly lower concentrations than, e.g., Tristan da Cunha, the Canary Islands, and the Azores). We also find no correlation between Fe and buoyancy flux. The apparent lack of correlations suggests that excess heat may be a result of conductive heat contribution from the core or from the adjacent boundary layer. Thus, the formation of mantle plumes along the core‐mantle boundary may be largely controlled by distance of enriched material from the core‐mantle boundary.
Effect of time‐varying tropospheric models on near‐regional and regional infrasound propagation as constrained by observational data
Authors: McKenna Mihan H. , Stump Brian W. , Hayward Chris
Published: June 2008

The Chulwon Seismo‐Acoustic Array (CHNAR) is a regional seismo‐acoustic array with co‐located seismometers and infrasound microphones on the Korean peninsula. Data from forty‐two days over the course of a year between October 1999 and August 2000 were analyzed; 2052 infrasound‐only arrivals and 23 seismo‐acoustic arrivals were observed over the six week study period. A majority of the signals occur during local working hours, hour 0 to hour 9 UT and appear to be the result of cultural activity located within a 250 km radius. Atmospheric modeling is presented for four sample days during the study period, one in each of November, February, April, and August. Local meteorological data sampled at six hour intervals is needed to accurately model the observed arrivals and this data produced highly temporally variable thermal ducts that propagated infrasound signals within 250 km, matching the temporal variation in the observed arrivals. These ducts change dramatically on the order of hours, and meteorological data from the appropriate sampled time frame was necessary to interpret the observed arrivals.
Comparative study of mixing and biological activity of the Benguela and Canary upwelling systems
Authors: Rossi V. , López C. , Sudre J. , Hernández‐García E. , Garçon V.
Published: June 2008

We present a comparative study of the horizontal mixing properties, from satellite derived data of the surface velocity field, of the two eastern boundary Canary and Benguela upwelling systems, based on a Finite Size Lyapunov Exponents analysis. Each area can be subdivided into two subsystems attending to their mixing activity values. These coincide nicely with distinct biological signatures. When investigating links with chlorophyll as a proxy for biological activity in these two upwelling systems, results show that surface horizontal stirring and mixing vary inversely with chlorophyll standing stocks. Ekman‐transport induced upwelling exhibits a positive correlation with chlorophyll. These two findings are complementary since spatial structure in plankton distributions results from both dynamics of the 3D turbulent medium and of the marine ecosystem.
Potential predictability of rapid changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Authors: Hawkins Ed , Sutton Rowan
Published: June 2008

We explore the potential predictability of rapid changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) using a coupled global climate model (HadCM3). Rapid changes in the temperature and salinity of surface water in the Nordic Seas, and the flow of dense water through Denmark Strait, are found to be precursors to rapid changes in the model's MOC, with a lead time of around 10 years. The mechanism proposed to explain this potential predictability relies on the development of density anomalies in the Nordic Seas which propagate through Denmark Strait and along the deep western boundary current, affecting the overturning. These rapid changes in the MOC have significant, and widespread, climate impacts which are potentially predictable a few years ahead. Whilst the flow through Denmark Strait is too strong in HadCM3, the presence of such potential predictability motivates the monitoring of water properties in the Nordic Seas and Denmark Strait.
Off‐response property of an acid‐activated cation channel complex PKD1L3–PKD2L1
Authors: Inada Hitoshi , Kawabata Fuminori , Ishimaru Yoshiro , Fushiki Tohru , Matsunami Hiroaki , Tominaga Makoto
Published: June 2008

Ligand‐gated ion channels are important in sensory and synaptic transduction. The PKD1L3–PKD2L1 channel complex is a sour taste receptor candidate that is activated by acids. Here, we report that the proton‐activated PKD1L3–PKD2L1 ion channels have the unique ability to be activated after the removal of an acid stimulus. We refer to this property as the off‐response (previously described as a delayed response). Electrophysiological analyses show that acid‐induced responses are observed only after the removal of an acid solution at less than pH 3.0. A small increase in pH is sufficient for PKD1L3–PKD2L1 channel activation, after exposure to an acid at pH 2.5. These results indicate that this channel is a new type of ion channel—designated as an ‘off‐channel’—which is activated during stimulus application but not gated open until the removal of the stimulus. The off‐response property of PKD1L3–PKD2L1 channels might explain the physiological phenomena occurring during sour taste sensation.
Demographic analysis of the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni in the coastal waters of eastern Australia
Authors: Powter David Mark , Gladstone William
Published: June 2008

Demographic analyses are used to assess the status and vulnerability of elasmobranchs but their accuracy is often affected by limited basic biological information. Although the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni (Meyer) is currently not considered at threat, there is insufficient data for eastern Australia to assess this rigorously. The present study determined vital demographic rates of adult and juvenile H. portusjacksoni at four locations on the central and southern coast of New South Wales, Australia from January 2002 to December 2005 using underwater visual census, tag–recapture and samples obtained from a commercial fishery. Natural mortality was low in adults (0.063–0.074 year–1) and juveniles (0.225 year–1), but substantial at the embryonic stage (0.783–0.896 year–1). Adult growth rates (31.4–32.7 mm year–1) were slightly less than that of juveniles (36.8–37.5 mm year–1). Males at both stages grew slightly faster than females. However, H. portusjacksoni had slower growth rates than many other elasmobranch species. Having a low intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.069 year–1), long generation times (μ1 = 22.5 year) and a low rebound potential, adults are the stage with the greatest impact on population growth. Hence, their life history strategy makes them susceptible to serious decline under exploitation, and management should strive to maintain the adult reproductive stock as a priority.
Hyperbolic SOM-based clustering of DNA fragment features for taxonomic visualization and classification
Authors: Martin Christian , Diaz Naryttza N. , Ontrup Jörg , Nattkemper Tim W.
Published: June 2008

Motivation: Modern high-throughput sequencing technologies enable the simultaneous analysis of organisms in an environment. The analysis of species diversity and the binning of DNA fragments of non-sequenced species for assembly are two major challenges in sequence analysis. To achieve reasonable binnings and classifications, DNA fragment structure has to be represented appropriately, so it can be processed by machine learning algorithms.

Results: Hierarchically growing hyperbolic Self-Organizing maps (H 2SOMs) are trained to cluster small variable-length DNA fragments (0.2–50 kb) of 350 prokaryotic organisms at six taxonomic ranks Superkingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Genus and Species in the Tree of Life. DNA fragments are mapped to three different types of feature vectors based on the genomic signature: basic features, features considering the importance of oligonucleotide patterns as well as contrast enhanced features. The H 2SOM classifier achieves high classification rates while at the same time its visualization allows further insights into the projected data and has the potential to support binning of short sequence reads, because DNA fragments can be grouped into phylogenetic groups.

Availability: An implementation of the H 2HSOM classifier in Matlab is provided at www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/ags/ani/projects/HHSOMSeqData

Contact:  christian.martin@uni-bielefeld.de

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dumb holes: analogues for black holes
Authors: Unruh W.G
Published: June 2008

The use of sonic analogues to black and white holes, called dumb or deaf holes, to understand the particle production by black holes is reviewed. The results suggest that the black hole particle production is a low-frequency and low-wavenumber process.
Cosmic superstrings
Authors: Sakellariadou Mairi
Published: June 2008

Cosmic superstrings are expected to be formed at the end of brane inflation, within the context of brane-world cosmological models inspired from string theory. By studying the properties of cosmic superstring networks and comparing their phenomenological consequences against observational data, we aim to pin down the successful and natural inflationary model and get an insight into the stringy description of our Universe.
Femoral nerve block using ropivacaine 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%: effects on the rehabilitation programme following total knee arthroplasty: a pilot study
Authors: Paauwe J. J. , Thomassen B. J. , Weterings J. , Van Rossum E. , Ausems M. E.
Published: June 2008

Femoral nerve blockade is recommended for analgesia following total knee arthroplasty. Following implementation of this type of postoperative analgesia in our hospital we found that active mobilization the day after surgery, may be difficult due to insufficient quadriceps muscle strength. We therefore designed a pilot study comparing the effect of ropivacaine 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.025% on the patient’s postoperative rehabilitation and analgesia. Three groups of 12 patients received bolus doses of ropivacaine via their femoral nerve catheters for postoperative analgesia. The ability to actively mobilize, quadriceps muscle strength, pain VAS‐scores and patient’s satisfaction were measured during in the first three postoperative days. There were no significant differences in the patient’s ability to actively mobilize and the pain VAS‐scores. The overall satisfaction of the patients with the pain treatment was significantly better (p = 0.049) in the 0.1% compared with the 0.025% group. This pilot‐study demonstrated no advantage associated with the use of a ropivacaine concentration less than 0.1%.
Deep‐seated rectal/anal basaloid carcinoma: useful immunocytochemistry in rare squamous cell carcinoma variants
Authors: Ghigna M. R. , Drak Alsibai K. , Porras J. , Palazzo L. , Godchaux J. M. , Fabre M.
Published: June 2008

Objectives:  To report the cytological aspects of ano‐rectal basaloid carcinoma (BC) variant in endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) conventional and liquid‐based cytology (LBC), in a series of 10 cases of deep‐seated squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and to discuss the diagnostic difficulties in interpreting the morphology and immunocytochemical findings.

Methods:  Ten cases of EUS‐FNA smears and LBC specimens of deep‐seated pelvic masses were retrospectively collected from January 2001 to November 2006.

Results:  Ten EUS‐FNA specimen cases were SCC, eight corresponding to usual SCC and two to BC‐variant. Of these two cases, only one was correctly diagnosed by EUS‐FNA specimen, whereas in the second case, the initial cytological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and the final diagnosis of basaloid carcinoma variant was established on surgical resection. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) using CK7, CK20 and CK34βe12 on FNA specimens confirmed the diagnosis retrospectively.

Conclusion:  The diagnosis of basaloid variant of SCC in a rectal location can be very difficult, both on account of the uncommon location and because of the low specificity of morphological aspects on EUS‐FNA smears. The immunocytochemical technique, including a limited spectrum of keratins (CK7, CK20, CK34βe12, and p63) is necessary to avoid this diagnostic pitfall.
Structural analysis of factor IX protein variants to predict functional aberration causing haemophilia B
Authors: MUKHERJEE S. , SAHA A. , BISWAS P. , MANDAL C. , RAY K.
Published: June 2008

Summary.  Factor IX (FIX) is a component protein of blood coagulation pathway, which activates factor X through interaction with factor VIII and Ca2+. Defective FIX protein resulting from mutation in the corresponding gene causes an X‐linked bleeding disorder known as haemophilia B. The aim of the present study was to speculate the potential detrimental effects of the FIX mutations upon the functionality of the protein, which could contribute to the comprehension of the mechanism underlying haemophilia B. In this report, we examined the effect of point mutation on the crystal structure of the native factor IX by measuring the change in the hydrogen‐bonding pattern and electrostatic potential and explored the possibility of any correlation of the clinical severity of haemophilia B with the structural perturbation, by plotting the mutations of varying phenotype (severe and mild) on the crystal structure of FIX. Out of a total of 16 severe mutations 14 (88%) showed changes of hydrogen‐bonding pattern to variable extent. Among the nine mild haemophilia B mutations, six (i.e. 66.66%) showed no change in hydrogen‐bonding pattern. Our data suggest that there is a statistically significant correlation between the two groups of mutations as measured by change in the hydrogen‐bonding pattern. Our study truly represents an initiation of an effort that would provide a framework for first evaluation of suspected mutations by in silico approaches, which might be further validated by other experimental techniques.
Patterns of liver infiltration in lymphoproliferative disease
Authors: Baumhoer D , Tzankov A , Dirnhofer S , Tornillo L , Terracciano L M
Published: June 2008

Aims:  Liver involvement is a common finding in patients suffering from lymphoproliferative disease, and histopathological patterns of infiltration vary according to lymphoma subtype. Data correlating the form of liver involvement with distinct lymphoma subtypes is, however, scarce. The aim was to review 89 liver biopsies diagnosed with lymphoma infiltration and evaluate the infiltration patterns.

Methods and results:  In equivocal cases, additional immunohistochemical and molecular pathology analyses were performed to differentiate between neoplastic and reactive cell infiltrates and to classify the lymphoma subtypes. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) were the most prevalent subtypes in our series, which included 14 different lymphoma entities in total. Whereas DLBCL and BL predominantly demonstrated tumour nodules deranging the normal hepatic architecture, CLL and HL mostly showed infiltration of the portal fields. Interestingly, distinct lymphoma entities, particularly marginal zone B‐cell lymphomas (MZL) and HL, commonly revealed lympho‐epithelial lesions of bile ducts, which were observed in 10% of all investigated cases. Four cases, initially interpreted as T‐cell lymphomas, proved to be reactive T‐cell lesions.

Conclusions:  Distinct lymphoma subtypes show characteristic patterns of liver infiltration. Additional molecular analyses can support diagnosis by verification of clonality or detection of characteristic genetic aberrations.
Massive interleukin‐12‐induced interferon‐γ production by interleukin‐15‐stimulated lamina propria lymphocytes followed by down‐regulation of the interleukin‐12 receptor
Authors: Ebert Ellen C. , Jabri Bana
Published: June 2008

The intestinal mucosal immune response must differentiate between harmless foreign antigens and pathogens, a distinction that may depend upon changes in the cytokine milieu. A key cytokine in the adaptive immune response is interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), secreted by antigen‐presenting cells (APC) immediately after encounter with a pathogen. IL‐12 is important in the priming and polarization of naïve T cells. Here, we show that IL‐12 and IL‐15 direct human intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) in the absence of T‐cell receptor engagement to secrete extremely high amounts of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), greater than with any other stimulus. The functional synergy of IL‐12 with IL‐15 surprisingly operates independently of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, STAT4, or STAT5 phosphorylation and occurs during transcription. Four‐colour immunofluorescence showed that IL‐12 receptor β1 is found on the CD4+ T cells expressing intracytoplasmic IFN‐γ. Importantly, IL‐12 receptors β1 and β2 are not up‐regulated by IL‐12, unlike findings using antigen‐specific T cells, and are lost over time. This study demonstrates the early and massive IFN‐γ response of LPL to IL‐12 and IL‐15, providing the tools to deal with a pathogen. The down‐regulation of IL‐12 receptors may curtail any excess damaging inflammation.
Gamma‐linolenic extraction from seed by SCF and several solvent systems
Authors: Guil‐Guerrero José Luis , López‐Martínez Juan Carlos , Campra‐Madrid Pablo
Published: June 2008

Several oil sources of gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) were extracted from their corresponding seeds using several extracting systems: A, supercritical fluid extraction (CO2‐SFE); B, methanol/acetyl chloride/hexane (1:0.05:0.5, v/v/v); C, chloroform/methanol/water (1:2:0.8, v/v); D, hexane/diethyl ether (1:1.5, v/v); E, hexane/ethanol (96%) (1:0.9, v/v); F, hexane/ethanol (96%) (1:2.5, v/v); G, 1‐butanol; H, ethanol (96%); I, ethanol (96%)/water (1:1, v/v); J, potassium hydroxide/ethanol (96%) (0.0223:1, p/v). It is noticeable that the total fatty acids extracted by the solvent system I was significantly lower than the amounts obtained by the other extracting systems (P < 0.05), while the highest GLA purity for the majority of the seeds was obtained by using the system J.
Freezing‐thawing effects on the colour and texture of European catfish flesh
Authors: Hallier Arnaud , Chevallier Sylvie , Serot Thierry , Prost Carole
Published: June 2008

The freezing‐thawing effect on the colour of raw fillets and on the texture of cooked fillets of European catfish (Silurus glanis) was studied. European catfish coming from two rearing conditions occurring in France were analysed by sensory and instrumental measurements. Fillets of European catfish became lighter, yellower and less bright after a freezing‐thawing cycle. An increase in hardness and a decrease in resilience, disintegration and shear resistance were also highlighted after a freezing‐thawing cycle. We could make the hypothesis that these variations of colour and texture were due either to mechanical damage or muscle protein denaturation. Fillets also became less juicy after a freezing‐thawing cycle because of a loss of water‐holding capacity.
On being the right size: food‐limited feedback on optimal body size
Authors: Anthony R.E Sinclair , John P Parkes
Published: June 2008

An insular population of white‐tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

introduced in 1896 to predator‐free Anticosti Island, Quebec, has caused long‐term changes in the plant community. Food quality declined as did body weight. Although different parameters of reproduction changed, overall reproductive rates remained similar, thus maintaining deer density and promoting further change in habitat. These results show (i) long‐term feedbacks on carrying capacity, (ii) the mechanism for reduction of body mass, and (iii) the lack of strong reduction in reproductive rates to regulate the population at high density, a feature of Eutherians. They are relevant to mechanisms determining the evolution of vertebrate body sizes.
Short‐Term Anorexigenic Effects of Central Neuropeptide VF are Associated with Hypothalamic Changes in Chicks
Authors: Cline M. A. , Bowden C. N. , Calchary W. A. , Layne J. E.
Published: June 2008

The present study was designed to measure food and water intake, changes in hypothalamic chemistry, and other behaviour modifications after central injection of neuropeptide (NP) VF in broiler type chicks. In Experiment 1, chicks responded to central NPVF with a reduction in food intake for up to 90 min post injection. Water intake was unaffected. In Experiment 2, NPVF exerted a less potent and shorter duration of attenuated food intake than did the structurally related NPFF. In Experiment 3, 16.0 nmol NPVF reversed the prolactin‐releasing peptide induced orexigenic effect. In Experiment 4, central NPVF treatment was associated with decreased c‐Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamus, whereas c‐Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsomedial nucleus, infundibular nucleus (homologue to the mammalian arcuate nucleus) and ventromedial nucleus was increased. In Experiment 5, behaviours unrelated to ingestion including sit, stand, deep rest and locomotion were affected by central NPVF injection. Some of these behaviours are incompatible with ingestion and may contribute to hypothalamic associated perception of satiety after central NPVF. In conclusion, NVPF is a short‐term regulator of appetite and its effects are associated with hypothalamic and behaviour changes in chicks.
Characterization of rat bone marrow dendritic cells initially primed by Trichinella spiralis antigens
Authors: ILIC N. , COLIC M. , GRUDEN‐MOVSESIJAN A. , MAJSTOROVIC I. , VASILEV S. , SOFRONIC‐MILOSAVLJEVIC LJ.
Published: June 2008

Pathogen‐derived products have the capacity to induce maturation of bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) into populations of effectors cells that polarize Th cells toward Th1 or Th2 phenotype via different mechanisms. Since those mechanisms are not entirely clear for helminths, and almost completely unknown for Trichinella spiralis (TS), we started an investigation of the effects of TS antigens (four different antigens isolated from all three life‐cycle stages of parasite) on maturation of BMDCs and their potential to present TS antigens. The expression of MHC class II, costimulatory molecules CD86, CD54, IL‐10 and IL‐12p70 cytokine production were measured after 2 days of BMDCs cultivation with TS antigens. While parasitic antigens did not significantly alter the expression of MHC II, most of them, except crude muscle larvae antigens, up‐regulated the expression of costimulatory molecules. BMDCs, primed with all TS antigens, released increased amounts of IL‐10 and decreased amounts of IL‐12 p70. BMDCs, primed with TS antigens, induced significant proliferation of syngeneic TS sensitized lymph nodes cells and also stimulated the production of IL‐4 by T cells purified from of TS infected DA rats. The results indicate that TS stimulated BMDCs leads to the polarization of the immune response towards regulatory and Th2 type.
Genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese people
Authors: Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Tsang Steven Woon‐Choi , Hui Alex Yui , Chan Anthony Wing‐Hong , Choi Paul Cheung‐Lung , So Wing‐Yee , Tse Ada Mei‐Ling , Chan Francis Ka‐Leung , Sung Joseph Jao‐Yiu , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen
Published: June 2008

Background and Aim:  Hypoadiponectinemia and high tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels are associated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin and TNF‐α in Chinese NAFLD patients and their association with disease severity.

Methods:  Seventy‐nine patients with histology‐proven NAFLD (61 with simple steatosis and 18 with stage 2–4 fibrosis) and 40 controls were tested for the nucleotide polymorphisms at adiponectin −11 391, −11 377, +45, and +276 and TNF‐α promoters −863, −308, and −238.

Results:  There was no significant deviation in the adiponectin and TNF‐α gene polymorphisms between NAFLD patients and controls, or between patients with simple steatosis and those with stage 2–4 fibrosis. NAFLD patients with −11377G and +45G at the adiponectin gene were more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia. On multivariate analysis, older age, higher body mass index, and higher fasting glucose were independent factors associated with stage 2–4 fibrosis in NAFLD patients.

Conclusions:  Adiponectin and TNF‐α gene polymorphisms were not shown to be associated with NAFLD or significant fibrosis in Chinese people. The adiponectin −11377G and +45G alleles were associated with hypertriglyceridemia in NAFLD patients. Since the current study is not adequately powered to detect smaller differences in allele frequencies, larger‐sized studies in different ethnic groups are required.
Understanding the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B virus: An Asian prospective
Authors: Tan Anthony Tanoto , Koh Sarene , Goh Vera , Bertoletti Antonio
Published: June 2008

The study of hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity has been mainly focused on understanding the differences between subjects who are able to control HBV infection and patients with persistent infection. These studies have been instrumental in increasing our knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease caused by HBV. However, it is possible that heterogeneity of host and virus factors which segregate in ethnically distinct HBV infected populations might modify important aspects of the immune response against HBV. In this review, we reexamine the kinetics and the pattern of HBV‐specific immunity associated with control or persistence of infection. We then discuss how the epidemiological, genetic and viral characteristics peculiar to Asian patients can impact the profile of HBV‐specific immunity.
The risk of prostate cancer amongst South Asian men in southern England: the PROCESS cohort study
Authors: Metcalfe Chris , Patel Biral , Evans Simon , Ibrahim Fowzia , Anson Ken , Chinegwundoh Francis , Corbishley Cathy , Dorling Danny , Thomas Bethan , Gillatt David , Kirby Roger , Muir Gordon , Nargund Vinod , Popert Rick , Persad Raj , Ben‐Shlomo Yoav ,   the PROCESS Study Group
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVE

To reinvestigate whether South Asian men in the UK are at lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in a UK‐based retrospective cohort study and to examine possible reasons that may explain this.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The catchment areas were predefined in four areas of southern England, and age‐ and race‐specific populations for those areas taken from census data. Cases were ascertained through review of multiple hospital sources, while race, other demographic factors, and medical history were determined using questionnaires sent to the men, hospital records review and death certificates. The South Asian group included men of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin.

RESULTS

There was modest evidence of lower prostate cancer rates in South Asian men compared with their White neighbours (age‐adjusted rate ratio 0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.65–1.00). This difference did not reflect less use of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing or differences in clinical features at presentation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence of a lower incidence of prostate cancer amongst South Asian men living in England, in comparison with their White counterparts. If anything, South Asian men presented with clinical features of earlier disease suggesting that the reduced risk is unlikely to be an artefact of poorer access to health care.
618. IMPATIENS FORRESTII
Authors: Grey‐Wilson Christopher
Published: June 2008

Summary The south‐western Chinese balsam Impatiens forrestii Hook.f. & W.W. Sm, endemic to NW Yunnan and SW Sichuan, is described and illustrated. Its taxonomy, ecology, pollination and cultivation requirements are briefly discussed.
INCOMPLETE CONTRACTS MODELLING
Authors: Basile Liliana , Trani Raffaele
Published: June 2008

Contractual incompleteness has been understood in the literature as the conditions under which contracts are insufficiently state contingent due to non‐observable and/or non‐verifiable states of the world. The term incomplete contracts has been used in different meanings: to denote both proper contractual incompleteness (in a complete contracts context) due to various types of information problems, which can be contractually solved through a suitably designed mechanism and a context (an incomplete contracting context) whereex antestates of nature that are too expensive to describe prevent a contractual mechanism being designed. We examine these significantly different interpretations in both methodological and formal terms. We argue that, as long as relationship‐specific investment conditions occur, an incomplete contracting context is an innovative paradigm to the extent that it permits analysis of issues that in a complete contract context cannot even be broached, namely the recognition of non‐contractible inefficiencies and the possibility of non‐contractual solutions to such inefficiencies.
NEOLITHIC ZOOMORPHIC VESSELS FROM EASTERN MACEDONIA, GREECE: ISSUES OF FUNCTION*
Authors: MARANGOU C. , STERN B.
Published: June 2008

Five fragments of Late Neolithic clay zoomorphic vessels from northern Greece have been analysed for organic residues by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The results showed that the containers had been used in connection with a number of substances, in particular lower terpenoids, an oil or fat, possibly fossil fuel and in one case possibly beeswax. The paper considers likely interpretations of such combinations of materials in relation to possible functions of these symbolically enhanced artefacts. It appears that substances may have been used in the vessels because of their aromatic and/or medicinal and combustible properties, possibly in order to produce light, fragrance and/or smoke.
Metal salt azo pigments
Authors: Christie Robert M , Mackay Jennifer L
Published: June 2008

Historically, metal salt azo pigments have evolved from products referred to as ‘lakes’, which were prepared from established water‐soluble textile dyes, rendered insoluble by precipitation on to colourless inorganic substrates. The first azo lake pigment, Lithol Red, was reported in 1899. The majority of the current range of industrial metal salt azo pigments no longer contains the insoluble substrate as an integral constituent. Structurally, they may be considered as being derived from sodium salts of anionic azo dyes containing sulphonate and/or carboxylate groups by replacement of the sodium cation, usually with a divalent cation of an alkaline earth (calcium, strontium or barium) or the transition metal manganese. This review provides an account of the historical development of metal salt azo pigments and an overview of the chemical structural types of the current range of commercially important products in relation to their properties and application performance. An overview of the patent literature associated with the development of the products is also given. Importantly, the structural investigations which have been reported on this group of pigments, using a variety of microscopic, spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques, are reviewed.