bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hydrocolloids on Gelatinization and Structure Formation in Concentrated Waxy Maize and Wheat Starch Gels
Authors: Biliaderis C. G. , Arvanitoyannis I. , Izydorczyk M. S. , Prokopowich D. J.
Published: November 2006

Starch‐hydrocolloid interactions were studied in concentrated (40% w/w starch) aqueous dispersions by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic rheometry. At the levels commonly employed in food product formulations (1–2% w/w hydrocolloid on a starch basis), polysaccharides of varying molecular structures (xanthan, β‐glucan, arabinoxylan, guar gum) did not affect the gelatinization temperature of waxy maize and wheat starches. However, the hydrocolloids increased the phase transition temperature range (Tm‐Ti) and the melting enthalpy of starch crystallites, implying a stabilization of the granular structures during heating. There was also an enhancement in the crystallization rate of amylopection on aging gels at 5°C, the effect being more marked with the waxy maize starch gels. The most pronounced effect, however, has been the retardation of gelation kinetics of waxy maize starch by the hydrocolloids. The decrease in storage modulus (G′) development of amylopectin‐hydrocolloid gels was attributed to the interference of intermolecular associations among amylopectin molecules by the polysaccharide, which seems to be a prerequisite for establishment of a continuous network structure. In contrast, wheat starch gel rheology did not seem to be affected by the hydrocolloids.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of Starches from Dry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), Grown in Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Yañez‐Farias Grelda A. , Moreno‐Valencia J. Gerardo , Falcón‐Villa Ma. del Refugio , Barrón‐Hoyos Jesus M.
Published: November 2006

For a better understanding of the carbohydrate components of Mexican dry legumes, in an attempt to suggest alternative processing, starches from dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris var. pinto) and chickpeas (Cicer arietinum var. surutato) were isolated through sedimentation procedure. They were further characterized in their: physical characteristics of shape and size by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); chemical characteristics by proximate analyses and amylose contents; functional characteristics of gelatinization temperature, viscosity and thermal properties by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); and nutritional characteristics, % digestibility. Starch in these two legumes was firstly isolated at over 85% recovery, with an amylose content of 52.4% and 46.5% for dry beans and chickpeas, respectively. SEM and light microscopy showed starch granules with a predominantly oval shape and size in the range of 20–25μ, for both legumes. Higher gelatinization temperatures were found for dry beans than for chickpeas. Similarly, fusion enthalpies and maximum gelatinization temperature were also higher for beans, as shown by DSC. However, chickpea starch gave a slightly higher % digestibility than bean starch. These results suggested that the difference in the amylose content, in both legumes, determine the starch granule structure, their intermolecular organization and their physical and functional characteristics.
Fetal growth patterns in fetuses of women with pregestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wong S. F. , Lee‐Tannock A. , Amaraddio D. , Chan F. Y. , McIntyre H. D.
Published: November 2006

Objective

To assess the effect of glucose control on the rate of growth of fetuses in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2).

Methods

All pregestational diabetic women booked at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2002, were included. Pregnancies with congenital fetal anomalies, multiple pregnancies, and pregnancies terminated prior to 20 weeks' gestation were excluded. Dating scans were performed before 14 weeks' gestation and serial scans were performed at 18, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Fetal parameters, including biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference, were recorded. The daily growth rates for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were calculated and compared with those in a low‐risk (non‐diabetic) population. The growth rates in fetuses of women with satisfactory diabetic control (HbA1c < 6.5%) and unsatisfactory control (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) in the three trimesters were compared.

Results

A total of 174 diabetic pregnancies were included and a total of 997 ultrasound scans were performed. The growth rates for fetuses of mothers with diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than for those in the low‐risk population. The z‐scores for biparietal diameter, femur length, and fetal abdominal area were 0.18, 0.59 and 1.44, respectively. Fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the first trimester had significantly greater fetal abdominal area growth rate than those with normal HbA1c (fetal abdominal area z‐score of 1.7 vs. 0.75, P = 0.009). Although the fetal abdominal area z‐scores in fetuses of diabetic mothers with high HbA1c in the second or third trimesters were also higher than those with normal HbA1c levels, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Maternal obesity did not influence the fetal growth rate.

Conclusion

The rate of growth of fetuses of diabetic mothers differs from that of the normal population. Growth acceleration persists until the late third trimester. Moreover, periconceptional glucose control appears to have a significant effect on accelerated growth of the fetal abdominal area. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis as a tool to differentiate different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a metabolomic study
Authors: Cozzolino D. , Flood L. , Bellon J. , Gishen M. , De Barros Lopes M.
Published: November 2006

Near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has gained wide acceptance within the food and agriculture industries as a rapid analytical tool. NIR spectroscopy offers the advantage of rapid, non‐destructive analysis and routine operation is simple and opens the possibility of using spectra to obtain the ‘fingerprint’ of a sample. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of combining visible (VIS) and near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, together with multivariate analysis, in establishing the function of genes, by investigating the metabolic profiles produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion strains sourced from the EUROSCARF yeast collection. Spectra (400–2500 nm) were acquired with a FOSS NIRSystems6500 (Foss NIRSystems), in transmittance mode. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used in order to visualize graphically the relative differences and similarities of yeast deletion strains. VIS and NIR spectroscopy showed great promise as a screening tool for both discriminating between yeast strains and grouping strains with deletions in genes that disturb similar metabolic pathways. These results indicate that the methods may be useful in defining the function of genes that produce no obvious phenotype. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vacuolar sequestration of glutathione S‐conjugates outcompetes a possible degradation of the glutathione moiety by phytochelatin synthase
Authors: Grzam Anke , Tennstedt Pierre , Clemens Stephan , Hell Rüdiger , Meyer Andreas J.
Published: November 2006

Monochlorobimane was used as a model xenobiotic for Arabidopsis to directly monitor the compartmentation of glutathione‐bimane conjugates in situ and to quantify degradation intermediates in vitro. Vacuolar sequestration of the conjugate was very fast and outcompeted carboxypeptidation to the γ‐glutamylcysteine‐bimane intermediate (γ‐EC‐B) by phytochelatin synthase (PCS) in the cytosol. Following vacuolar sequestration, degradation proceeded to cysteine‐bimane without intermediate. Only co‐infiltration of monochlorobimane with Cd2+ and Cu2+ increased γ‐EC‐B formation to 4% and 25%, respectively, within 60 min. The role of PCS under simultaneous heavy metal stress was confirmed by investigation of different pcs1 null‐mutants. In the absence of elevated heavy metal concentrations glutathione‐conjugates are therefore first sequestered to the vacuole and subsequently degraded with the initial breakdown step being rate‐limiting.
The role of cystatins in cells of the immune system
Authors: Kopitar-Jerala Nataša
Published: November 2006

The cystatins constitute a large group of evolutionary related proteins with diverse biological activities. Initially, they were characterized as inhibitors of lysosomal cysteine proteases – cathepsins. Cathepsins are involved in processing and presentation of antigens, as well as several pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer. Recently, alternative functions of cystatins have been proposed: they also induce tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 10 synthesis and stimulate nitric oxide production. The aim of the present review was the analysis of data on cystatins from NCBI GEO database and the literature, and obtained in microarray and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) experiments. The expression of cystatins A, B, C, and F in macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells of the immune system, during differentiation and activation is discussed.
Application of Multivariate Statistical Analysis to STEM X-ray Spectral Images: Interfacial Analysis in Microelectronics
Authors: Kotula Paul G. , Keenan Michael R.
Published: November 2006

Multivariate statistical analysis methods have been applied to scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) energy-dispersive X-ray spectral images. The particular application of the multivariate curve resolution (MCR) technique provides a high spectral contrast view of the raw spectral image. The power of this approach is demonstrated with a microelectronics failure analysis. Specifically, an unexpected component describing a chemical contaminant was found, as well as a component consistent with a foil thickness change associated with the focused ion beam specimen preparation process. The MCR solution is compared with a conventional analysis of the same spectral image data set.
TEM Sample Preparation Using a New Nanofabrication Technique
Combining Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition and Low-Energy Ion
Milling
Authors: Mitsuishi Kazutaka , Shimojo Masayuki , Tanaka Miyoko , Takeguchi Masaki , Song Minghui , Furuya Kazuo
Published: November 2006

A new TEM sample preparation technique using electron-beam-induced
deposition combined with low-energy ion milling was used to fabricate for
two different shapes of sample, conical and plate. High-quality HREM
images can be obtained from samples prepared by this technique. A desired
sample position can be obtained with high accuracy, and the total sample
preparation time can be much less than conventional techniques. Because
the gas deposition system used can easily be integrated in a conventional
SEM, the method can be performed in any laboratory equipped with a SEM and
an ion milling machine.
Introduction: A Special Issue on Frontiers of Electron Microscopy in
Materials Science
Authors: Urban Knut , Mayer Joachim , Luysberg Martina , Tillmann Karsten
Published: November 2006

This issue of Microscopy and Microanalysis contains
contributions presented at the Frontiers of Electron Microscopy in
Materials Science (FEMMS) meeting held in Kasteel Vaalsbroek, The
Netherlands, on September 25–30, 2005. Tenth in the series of
biennial conferences, the meeting focused on the latest developments in
the field of advanced instrumentation and application of electron
microscopy in materials science. The international character of this
series of conferences was once again emphasized by the presence of over
140 delegates whose interests include academia, national laboratories, and
industry from 16 countries representing all areas of the globe.
PRODUCING THE OPERATIC CHORUS AT PARMA’S TEATRO DUCALE, 1759–1769
Authors: BUTLER MARGARET R.
Published: November 2006

Italian opera is increasingly receiving well deserved attention. Yet the process by which the chorus in opera seria was created remains largely unexplored. Between 1759 and 1769 Tommaso Traetta and Christoph Gluck composed path-breaking, reform-inspired opere serie for Parma’s Teatro Ducale which integrated chorus, dance and stage spectacle in the French manner. In an era when operatic choruses usually comprised amateurs and chapel singers, evidence from printed librettos and documents from Parma’s Archivio di Stato reveal that many of the Teatro Ducale’s choristers were professional singers hired from neighbouring Bologna. Perhaps in response to logistical and financial difficulties in engaging skilled personnel for Traetta’s choruses, Parma established a singing school to provide choristers for theatre. Gluck’s choruses employed a combination of students from this school and professionals. The evidence from Parma shows that the wide-ranging circuit within which Italy’s opera theatres functioned embraced not only leading soloists and other personnel, but choral singers as well. It demonstrates the impact of practical circumstances surrounding the production of Parma’s operatic choruses on the success of operatic reform in Parma.
CATHERINE THE GREAT AND THE ROLE OF CELEBRATORY MUSIC AT THE COURT OF ANHALT-ZERBST
Authors: REUL BARBARA M.
Published: November 2006

As Empress of Russia, Catherine the Great (1729–1796) shaped not only history in general but also, as a member of its princely family, the history of Anhalt-Zerbst. Drawing upon little known eighteenth-century manuscripts housed at the Landeshauptarchiv of Saxony-Anhalt in Dessau and the Francisceumsbibliothek in Zerbst, this study assesses the impact of Catherine’s marriage in 1745 to Grand Duke Peter of Russia (1728–1762) on musical life at the court of Anhalt-Zerbst during and after the thirty-six-year tenure of Kapellmeister Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688–1758). First the role of music at the court prior to 1745 will be considered – specifically the ‘Concert-Stube’, an inventory of the Hofkapelle’s musical library prepared according to Fasch’s specifications in March 1743. The second section of this article focuses on the celebrations held at the court in 1745 on the occasion of Catherine the Great’s wedding. The Hofkapelle premiered a large-scale serenata by Fasch, the music to which has been lost. However, an examination of the extant libretto and of other music by Fasch that was performed at the court during the 1740s sheds light on the musical forces he would have employed and the compositional approach he might have taken. The Hofkapelle also performed a secular wedding cantata for bass solo and instruments by an anonymous composer as part of a spectacular fireworks display in three acts, the ‘Anhalt-Zerbstisches Freuden-Feuer’ (Fire of Joy), chronicled by Zerbst headmaster Johann Hoxa. Finally, it is possible to reconstruct a performance schedule of sacred music premiered in honour of Catherine the Great from 1746 to 1773. Despite Fasch’s death in 1758 and the Seven Years War, which led to the town of Zerbst being occupied by 16,000 Prussian soldiers for three years until 1761, new music was commissioned by the court from Fasch’s successor Johann Georg Röllig (1710–1790), Catherine the Great’s keyboard instructor at the court of Anhalt-Zerbst. He not only provided occasional compositions to commemorate her birthday and accession to the Russian throne but also composed a new cycle of Sunday cantatas to reflect the changing artistic priorities and practices of the Hofkapelle in the early 1760s.
Simple modification to describe the soil water retention curve between saturation and oven dryness
Authors: Khlosi Muhammed , Cornelis Wim M. , Gabriels Donald , Sin Gürkan
Published: November 2006

Prediction of water and vapor flow in porous media requires an accurate estimation of the soil water retention curve describing the relation between matric potential and the respective soil water content from saturation to oven dryness. In this study, we modified the Kosugi (1999) function to represent soil water retention at all matric potentials. This modification retains the form of the original Kosugi function in the wet range and transforms to an adsorption equation in the dry range. Following a systems identification approach, the extended function was tested against observed data taken from literature that cover the complete range of water contents from saturation to almost oven dryness with textures ranging from sand to silty clay. The uncertainty of parameter estimates (confidence intervals) as well as the correlation between parameters was studied. The predictive capability of the extended model was evaluated under two reduced sets of data that do not contain observations below a matric potential of −1500 and −100 kPa. This evaluation showed that the extended model successfully predicted the water content with acceptable uncertainty. These results add confidence into the proposed modification and suggest that it can be used to better predict the soil water retention curve, particularly under reduced data sets.
Longitudinal variation of the E‐region electric fields caused by atmospheric tides
Authors: England S. L. , Maus S. , Immel T. J. , Mende S. B.
Published: November 2006

Polarization electric fields created by the E‐ and F‐region dynamos cause the uplift of F‐region plasma. The subsequent redistribution of that plasma along the magnetic field lines creates the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA). Observations of the post‐sunset EIA made by the IMAGE and TIMED satellites are compared here with CHAMP, Ørsted and SAC‐C observations of the noontime equatorial electrojet (EEJ). During magnetically quiet periods around equinox, the EIA and EEJ show a remarkably similar four‐peaked wave‐like longitudinal variation. Its structure is consistent with the longitudinal variation in the strength of diurnal tides that drive the E‐region dynamo. This indicates a strong vertical coupling between the ionosphere and troposphere because the four‐peaked tidal structure is driven by tropospheric weather. Furthermore, the dayside ionospheric conditions are found to perform the global‐scale longitudinal structure of the post‐sunset ionosphere at low latitudes.
Controlling inflammation: the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
Authors: Pavlov V.A. , Tracey K.J.
Published: November 2006

Innate immune responses and inflammation are regulated in part by neural mechanisms. In the present paper, we summarize experimental evidence that reveals that innate immunity and inflammation are controlled by the vagus nerve, previously known as a regulator of other vital physiological functions. Activation of vagus nerve cholinergic signalling inhibits TNF (tumour necrosis factor) and other pro-inflammatory cytokine overproduction through ‘immune’ α7 nicotinic receptor-mediated mechanisms. This efferent vagus nerve-based ‘cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway’ has been elucidated as a critical regulator of inflammation in several experimental models of diseases. Our recent observations have shown that activation of central (brain) cholinergic transmission by selective muscarinic receptor ligands results in lower systemic TNF levels in rodents and indicate that the efferent vagus nerve may provide a functional brain-to-immune connection. Thus central cholinergic signalling is implicated in the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation is clinically approved for the treatment of epilepsy and depression and current knowledge suggests that it could be utilized to control inflammation. Advances in understanding the receptor and molecular mechanisms of cholinergic anti-inflammatory signalling indicate that selective α7 nicotinic receptor agonists and centrally acting cholinergic enhancers can be used in the treatment of pathological conditions characterized by cytokine overproduction.
Post-translational control of Nur77
Authors: Wingate A.D. , Arthur J.S.C.
Published: November 2006

Nur77 is a nuclear orphan receptor that has been implicated in both cell survival and apoptosis. With the exception of T-cells, translocation of Nur77 to the cytoplasm promotes cell death, while its retention in the nucleus promotes survival and proliferation. Nur77 appears to be a true orphan receptor, indicating that its activity must be controlled by ligand-independent mechanisms. Here, we discuss the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of Nur77.
Transcription factories: structures conserved during differentiation and evolution
Authors: Faro-Trindade I. , Cook P.R.
Published: November 2006

Many cellular functions take place in discrete compartments, but our textbooks make little reference to any compartments involved in transcription. We review the evidence that active RNA polymerases and associated factors cluster into ‘factories’ that carry out many (perhaps all) of the functions required to generate mature transcripts. Clustering ensures high local concentrations and efficient interaction. Then, a gene must associate with the appropriate factory before it can be transcribed. Recent results show that the density and diameter of nucleoplasmic factories remain roughly constant as cells differentiate, despite large changes in the numbers of active polymerases and nucleoplasmic volumes.
Low-lying isomers and finite temperature behavior of (H2O)6−
Authors: Sommerfeld Thomas , Gardner Suzanne D. , DeFusco Albert , Jordan Kenneth D.
Published: November 2006

( H 2 O ) 6 − appears as a “magic” number water cluster in (H2O)n− mass spectra. The structure of the (H2O)6− isomer dominating the experimental population has been established only recently [N. I. Hammer et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 109, 7896 (2005)], and the most noteworthy characteristic of this isomer is the localization of the excess electron in the vicinity of a double-acceptor monomer. In the present work, we use a quantum Drude model to characterize the low-energy isomers and the finite temperature properties of (H2O)6−. Comparison with ab initio calculations shows that the use of a water model employing distributed polarizabilities and distributed repulsive sites is necessary to correctly reproduce the energy ordering of the low-lying isomers. Both the simulations and the ab initio calculations predict that there are several isomers of (H2O)6− significantly lower in energy than the experimentally observed species, suggesting that the experimental distribution is far from equilibrium.
Computational method for the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation: Bound states in one dimension
Authors: Chou Chia-Chun , Wyatt Robert E.
Published: November 2006

An accurate computational method for the one-dimensional quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation is presented. The Möbius propagation scheme, which can accurately pass through singularities, is used to numerically integrate the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation for the quantum momentum function. Bound state wave functions are then synthesized from the phase integral using the antithetic cancellation technique. Through this procedure, not only the quantum momentum functions but also the wave functions are accurately obtained. This computational approach is demonstrated through two solvable examples: the harmonic oscillator and the Morse potential. The excellent agreement between the computational and the exact analytical results shows that the method proposed here may be useful for solving similar quantum mechanical problems.
Molecular dynamics simulation of nanodroplet spreading enhanced by linear surfactants
Authors: Kim Hye-Young , Qin Yong , Fichthorn Kristen A.
Published: November 2006

We utilize molecular dynamics simulations to probe the surfactant-mediated spreading of a Lennard-Jones liquid droplet on a solid surface. The surfactants are linear hexamers that are insoluble in the liquid and reduce the surface tension of the liquid-vapor interface. We study how the interaction of the surfactant hexamers with the solid substrate influences spreading, as well as the dependence of spreading on surfactant concentration. We find that the spreading speed is strongly influenced by the attraction of the hydrophobic surfactant tail to the solid surface. When this attraction is sufficiently strong, surfactant molecules partition to the liquid-solid interface and facilitate spreading. This partitioning can lead to an inhomogeneous distribution of surfactant over the liquid-vapor interface, which could drive the Marangoni convection. We also observe that the surfactant molecules can assemble into micelles on the solid surface. The repulsion between micelles at the liquid-solid interface can lead to break-off and migration of the micelles from the liquid-solid to the gas-solid interface and spreading is facilitated in this way. Our model system contains features that are believed to underlie superspreading in experimental studies of droplet spreading.
Electronic structure and thermal stability of nitrided Hf silicate films using a direct N plasma
Authors: Cho M.-H. , Chung K. B. , Moon D.-W.
Published: November 2006

The thermal stability and electronic structure of nitrided xHfO2(100−x)SiO2 (HfSiO) (x=30%, 55%, and 70%), prepared using a direct N plasma treatment, were investigated. N 1s spectra of nitrided Hf silicate films indicate that complex chemical states are generated. In particular, energy states with a high binding energy are stable, even after a postnitridation annealing. The quantity of N incorporated into the film is not dependent on the mole fraction of HfO2 in the film, while the thermal stability of the N in the film is significantly influenced by the fraction of HfO2 present. The thermal stability of the N in the film critically affects the composition and thickness of the film: i.e., after the postnitridation annealing, the thickness of the silicate film and the quantity of Hf and N are decreased, as the result of the dissociation of unstable Hf–N bonds.
Towards understanding performance differences between approximate density functionals for spin states of iron complexes
Authors: Rong Chunying , Lian Shixun , Yin Dulin , Shen Bin , Zhong Aiguo , Bartolotti Lee , Liu Shubin
Published: November 2006

Density functional theory has been widely used to investigate the structural and electronic properties of heme-containing proteins such as cytochrome P450. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that approximate exchange-correlation energy density functionals can incorrectly predict the stability order of spin states in, for instance, iron-containing pyridine and imidazole systems. This raises questions about the validity of earlier theoretical studies. In this work, we systematically investigate a few typical inorganic and organic iron-containing complexes and try to understand the performance difference of various density functionals. Two oxidation states of iron, Fe(II) and Fe(III), with different spin states and both adiabatic and vertical structures are considered. A different description of the outmost molecular orbital is found to play the crucial role. Local density and generalized gradient based functionals bias the lower spin state and produce a more localized frontier orbital that is higher in energy than the hybrid functionals. Energy component analysis has been performed, together with comparison of numerous structural and electronic properties. Implications of the present work to the theoretical study of heme-containing biological molecules and other spin-related systems are discussed.
Rapid single flux quantum devices with selective dissipation for quantum information processing
Authors: Hassel J. , Helistö P. , Seppä H. , Kunert J. , Fritzsch L. , Meyer H.-G.
Published: November 2006

The authors study the frequency dependent damping in rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) circuits as means to reduce dissipation and consequent decoherence in RSFQ/qubit circuits. They show by simulations and experiments that stable RSFQ operation can be achieved by shunting the Josephson junctions with an RC circuit instead of a plain resistor. The authors derive criteria for the stability of such an arrangement and discuss the effect on decoherence.
Effect of supporting layer on growth of carbon nanotubes by thermal chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Wang Yunyu , Li Bin , Ho Paul S. , Yao Zhen , Shi Li
Published: November 2006

Selective growth of vertically aligned and highly dense carbon nanotubes was achieved by using thermal chemical vapor deposition via careful selection of a thin catalyst layer and an appropriate supporting layer. It was found that carbon nanotube growth was significantly enhanced when tantalum was used as the supporting layer on which a thin iron catalyst was deposited. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed a Stranski-Krastanov mode of iron island growth on tantalum with relatively small contact angles controlled by the relative surface energies of the supporting layer, the catalyst, and their interface. The as-formed iron island morphology promoted vertical growth of carbon nanotubes.
Theoretical study of the electronic transport property of the hydrogen-Pt contact system
Authors: Qi Yuanhua , Guan Daren , Jiang Yuansheng , Liu Chengbu , Zhang Dongju
Published: November 2006

Based on the density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green’s functions method, a theoretical study of the electron transport in a hydrogen-Pt contact system is presented. The variation of the differential conductance with the bias voltage is calculated and a good consistence with that of the experiment is obtained. The transmission resonance peaks are related to the local states in the contact region. The effect of the coupling geometry on the transport properties of the system is discussed.
Psychological Stress‐Induced Oxidative Stress as a Model of Sub‐Healthy Condition and the Effect of TCM
Authors: Wang Lei , Muxin Gong , Nishida Hiroshi , Shirakawa Chieko , Sato Shinji , Konishi Tetsuya
Published: November 2006

Distress‐mediated tissue oxidative stress was examined as a model of sub‐healthy condition defined in traditional Chinese medicine theory. Mice were subjected to psychologically stressful conditions by whiskers removal. Under this condition, spontaneous locomotive activity was significantly enhanced in the dark (P < 0.05 versus the control mice in three different movements), and granulocytes/lymphocytes balance shifted to granulocytes. At the same time, peroxynitrite level in blood plasma increased to ∼180% from that of the control mice at 6 h after removal of the whiskers (P < 0.01), and was maintained even after 12 h. Both protein carbonyl formation and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased under this condition in brain, heart, liver and spleen at 6 h after removal of whiskers (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and these levels were maximized after 12 h (increased to 120–160%, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The oxidative tissue injuries observed at 12 h after the removal of the whiskers were effectively prevented by two traditional Chinese medicine formula: Shengmai San (SMS) and Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (LGZGT), when administered for 5 days before the removal of the whiskers. Therefore, this stress model is considered useful in assessing the preventive potential of antioxidants and antioxidant‐based herbal mixtures in treating the pathophysiology associated with psychological or emotional distress.
Soft tissue and cellular preservation in vertebrate skeletal elements from the Cretaceous to the present
Authors: Schweitzer Mary Higby , Wittmeyer Jennifer L , Horner John R
Published: November 2006

Soft tissues and cell-like microstructures derived from skeletal elements of a well-preservedTyrannosaurus rex(MOR 1125) were represented by four components in fragments of demineralized cortical and/or medullary bone: flexible and fibrous bone matrix; transparent, hollow and pliable blood vessels; intravascular material, including in some cases, structures morphologically reminiscent of vertebrate red blood cells; and osteocytes with intracellular contents and flexible filipodia. The present study attempts to trace the occurrence of these four components in bone from specimens spanning multiple geological time periods and varied depositional environments. At least three of the four components persist in some skeletal elements of specimens dating to the Campanian. Fibrous bone matrix is more altered over time in morphology and less likely to persist than vessels and/or osteocytes. Vessels vary greatly in preservation, even within the same specimen, with some regions retaining pliability and other regions almost crystalline. Osteocytes also vary, with some retaining long filipodia and transparency, while others present with short and stubby filipodia and deeply pigmented nuclei, or are pigmented throughout with no nucleus visible. Alternative hypotheses are considered to explain the origin/source of observed materials. Finally, a two-part mechanism, involving first cross-linking of molecular components and subsequent mineralization, is proposed to explain the surprising presence ofstill-soft elements in fossil bone. These results suggest that present models of fossilization processes may be incomplete and that soft tissue elements may be more commonly preserved, even in older specimens, than previously thought. Additionally, in many cases, osteocytes with defined nuclei are preserved, and may represent an important source for informative molecular data.
Pseudomonas moraviensis sp. nov. and Pseudomonas vranovensis sp. nov., soil bacteria isolated on nitroaromatic compounds, and emended description of Pseudomonas asplenii
Authors: Tvrzová Ludmila , Schumann Peter , Spröer Cathrin , Sedláček Ivo , Páčová Zdena , Šedo Ondrej , Zdráhal Zbyněk , Steffen Maike , Lang Elke
Published: November 2006

Two strains of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from soil by selective enrichment with nitroaromatics were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the two strains were found to belong to the genusPseudomonas, within theGammaproteobacteria. Strain 1B4Tshared the highest sequence similarity withPseudomonas koreensisDSM 16610T(99.5 %) andPseudomonas jesseniiCCM 4840T(99.3 %), and strain 2B2TwithPseudomonas aspleniiDSM 17133T(98.9 %),Pseudomonas fuscovaginaeDSM 7231T(98.9 %) andPseudomonas putidaDSM 291T(98.7 %). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotype, including chemotaxonomic characteristics, two novel species,Pseudomonas moraviensissp. nov. with the type strain 1B4T(=CCM 7280T=DSM 16007T) andPseudomonas vranovensissp. nov. with the type strain 2B2T(=CCM 7279T=DSM 16006T), are proposed. The description ofP. aspleniiwas emended on the basis of additional data obtained in this study.
‘Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii’, an endosymbiont of the tick Ixodes ricinus with a unique intramitochondrial lifestyle
Authors: Sassera Davide , Beninati Tiziana , Bandi Claudio , Bouman Edwin A. P. , Sacchi Luciano , Fabbi Massimo , Lo Nathan
Published: November 2006

An intracellular bacterium with the unique ability to enter mitochondria exists in the European vector of Lyme disease, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Previous phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the bacterium formed a divergent lineage within the Rickettsiales (Alphaproteobacteria). Here, we present additional phylogenetic evidence, based on the gyrB gene sequence, that confirms the phylogenetic position of the bacterium. Based on these data, as well as electron microscopy (EM), in situ hybridization and other observations, we propose the name ‘Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii’ for this bacterium. The symbiont appears to be ubiquitous in females of I. ricinus across the tick's distribution, while lower prevalence is observed in males (44 %). Based on EM and in situ hybridization studies, the presence of ‘Candidatus M. mitochondrii’ in females appears to be restricted to ovarian cells. The bacterium was found to be localized both in the cytoplasm and in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria of ovarian cells. ‘Candidatus M. mitochondrii’ is the first bacterium to be identified that resides within animal mitochondria.
Halorubrum orientale sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from Lake Ejinor, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Castillo A. M. , Gutiérrez M. C. , Kamekura M. , Xue Y. , Ma Y. , Cowan D. A. , Jones B. E. , Grant W. D. , Ventosa A.
Published: November 2006

A motile, pleomorphic, red-pigmented archaeon, strain EJ-52T, was isolated from water from Lake Ejinor, a saline lake in Inner Mongolia, China. Analysis of the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate was phylogenetically related to species of the genus Halorubrum, being most closely related to Halorubrum saccharovorum ATCC 29252T (96.1 % sequence similarity), Halorubrum lacusprofundi JCM 8891T (95.9 %), Halorubrum tibetense AS 1.3239T (95.2 %), Halorubrum alcaliphilum AS 1.3528T (95.2 %) and Halorubrum vacuolatum JCM 9060T (95.1 %). The polar lipids of strain EJ-52T were C20C20 derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol phosphate and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and a sulfated diglycosyl diether. Strain EJ-52T requires at least 2.5 M NaCl for growth and grows optimally at 3.4 M NaCl. The strain grows at 25–50 °C, with optimal growth occurring at 35–45 °C. Mg2+ is not required. The DNA G+C content is 64.2 mol%. On the basis of the data obtained in this study, strain EJ52T represents a novel species, for which the name Halorubrum orientale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EJ-52T (=CECT 7145T=JCM 13889T=CGMCC 1.6295T).
Time-Lapse Cinematography in LivingDrosophilaTissues: Preparation of Material
Authors: Davis Ilan , Parton Richard M.
Published: November 2006

INTRODUCTION

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been an extraordinarily successful model organism for studying the genetic basis of development and evolution. It is arguably the best-understood complex multicellular model system, owing its success to many factors. Recent developments in imaging techniques, in particular sophisticated fluorescence microscopy methods and equipment, now allow cellular events to be studied at high resolution in living material. This ability has enabled the study of features that tend to be lost or damaged by fixation, such as transient or dynamic events. Although many of the techniques of live cell imaging in Drosophila are shared with the greater community of cell biologists working on other model systems, studying living fly tissues presents unique difficulties in keeping the cells alive, introducing fluorescent probes, and imaging through thick hazy cytoplasm. This protocol outlines the preparation of major tissue types amenable to study by time-lapse cinematography and different methods for keeping them alive.
Reciprocal Leaf and Root Expression ofAtAmt1.1and Root Architectural Changes in Response to Nitrogen Starvation
Authors: Engineer Cawas B. , Kranz Robert G.
Published: November 2006

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and survival. Here, the temporal and spatial sensing of nitrogen starvation is analyzed in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The promoter for the high-affinity ammonium transporter, AtAmt1.1, is shown to be a valid indicator for nitrogen status in leaves and roots. An AtAmt1.1-Gal4 transgene using three 5× upstream activating sequence-driven reporters (luciferase, green fluorescent protein, and β-glucuronidase) facilitated in vivo profiling at the whole-plant and cellular levels. The effects of nitrogen supply, light duration, light intensity, and carbon on the expression of the AtAmt1.1 gene in the roots and aerial tissues are reported. Under nitrogen starvation, high expression is observed in the roots and, under nitrogen-sufficient conditions, high expression is observed in the leaves. This reciprocal regulation of AtAmt1.1 was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, which was also used to quantitate expression of the five other Amt genes in Arabidopsis. Although some of these show tissue specificity (roots or leaves), none exhibit reciprocal regulation like the AtAmt1.1-encoded high-affinity transporter. This robust reciprocal expression suggests that Arabidopsis undergoes rapid resource reallocation in plants grown under different nitrogen supply regimens. Ultimately, nitrogen starvation-mediated reallocation results in root architectural restructuring. We describe the precise timing and cellular aspects of this nitrogen limitation response.
Manganese Deficiency in Chlamydomonas Results in Loss of Photosystem II and MnSOD Function, Sensitivity to Peroxides, and Secondary Phosphorus and Iron Deficiency
Authors: Allen Michael D. , Kropat Janette , Tottey Stephen , Del Campo José A. , Merchant Sabeeha S.
Published: November 2006

For photoheterotrophic growth, a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell requires at least 1.7 × 107 manganese ions in the medium. At lower manganese ion concentrations (typically <0.5 μ  m), cells divide more slowly, accumulate less chlorophyll, and the culture reaches stationary phase at lower cell density. Below 0.1 μ  m supplemental manganese ion in the medium, the cells are photosynthetically defective. This is accompanied by decreased abundance of D1, which binds the Mn4Ca cluster, and release of the OEE proteins from the membrane. Assay of Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) indicates loss of activity of two isozymes in proportion to the Mn deficiency. The expression of MSD3 through MSD5, encoding various isoforms of the MnSODs, is up-regulated severalfold in Mn-deficient cells, but neither expression nor activity of the plastid Fe-containing superoxide dismutase is changed, which contrasts with the dramatically increased MSD3 expression and plastid MnSOD activity in Fe-deficient cells. Mn-deficient cells are selectively sensitive to peroxide but not methyl viologen or Rose Bengal, and GPXs, APX, and MSRA2 genes (encoding glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and methionine sulfoxide reductase 2) are slightly up-regulated. Elemental analysis indicates that the Mn, Fe, and P contents of cells in the Mn-deficient cultures were reduced in proportion to the deficiency. A natural resistance-associated macrophage protein homolog and one of five metal tolerance proteins were induced in Mn-deficient cells but not in Fe-deficient cells, suggesting that the corresponding gene products may be components of a Mn2+-selective assimilation pathway.
Identification of DFNA5 as a target of epigenetic inactivation in gastric cancer
Authors: Akino Kimishige , Toyota Minoru , Suzuki Hiromu , Imai Takashi , Maruyama Reo , Kusano Masanobu , Nishikawa Noriko , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Sasaki Yasushi , Abe Tamaki , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Tarasawa Isao , Sonoda Tomoko , Mori Mitsuru , Imai Kohzoh , Shinomura Yasuhisa , Tokino Takashi
Published: November 2006

Epigenetic gene inactivation plays a key role in the development of various types of cancer. Using methylated CpG island amplification coupled with representational difference analysis to identify genes inactivated by DNA methylation in gastric cancer, we identified seven DNA fragments corresponding to the 5′ CpG islands of the affected genes. One of the clones recovered was identical to the 5′ flanking region of DFNA5, a gene previously shown to be associated with deafness and induced by DNA damage. Further analysis revealed that DFNA5 is expressed in normal tissues but is downregulated in gastric cancer cell lines due to methylation of the region around its transcription start site. Treating gastric cancer cells that lacked DFNA5 expression with a methyltransferase inhibitor, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine, restored the gene's expression. Methylation of DFNA5 was detected in 50% of primary gastric tumors, and was correlated with positivity for Epstein–Barr virus and the absence of metastasis. Moreover, introduction of exogenous DFNA5 into silenced cells suppressed colony formation. Taken together, these data suggest that the silencing of DFNA5 occurs frequently in gastric cancer and may play a key role in development and progression of the disease. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 88–95)
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression and proliferation in canine brain tumours
Authors: Long S. , Argyle D. J. , Nixon C. , Nicholson I. , Botteron C. , Olby N. , Platt S. , Smith K. , Rutteman G. R. , Grinwis G. C. M. , Nasir L.
Published: November 2006

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme complex that synthesizes telomere DNA. It is detected in 85–90% of malignant tumours in humans, but not in most somatic cells. Because telomerase plays a critical role in cell immortality, it represents an important target for anticancer therapies. We have previously shown that the dog is a potentially useful model for evaluating telomerase‐based therapeutics. In this present study we analysed 93 canine brain tumours for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression by immunohistochemistry. TERT immunoreactivity was detected in 16 of 50 grade 1 (32%) and 29 of 43 grade 2 tumours (67.4%), demonstrating a statistically significant association with histological grade (P = 0.00012). A subset of 51 tumours was also assessed for MIB‐1 expression. The MIB‐1 labelling index (LI) was found to correlate significantly with tumour grade, with a mean MIB‐1 LI of 1.5% for grade 1 tumours, as compared with a mean MIB‐1 LI of 21.7% for grade 2 tumours (P << 0.001). The MIB‐1 LI was also significantly associated with TERT expression in all brain tumours (P << 0.001). These data further support the dog as a model for the preclinical development of telomerase‐based therapeutics in brain tumours.
One year follow‐up on the SPARC sling system for the treatment of female urodynamic stress incontinence
Authors: PRIMUS GUENTER
Published: November 2006

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the SPARC sling in women with urinary incontinence.

Methods: Women who presented with urinary incontinence symptoms were included in this prospective study. In total, 103 women underwent evaluation of subjective and objective cure rates, quality of life and urodynamic parameters following the SPARC procedure.

Results: The objective cure rate, defined as a pad weight test less than 1 g and negative cough stress test, was 84.4% at 12 months. Subjective cure rates, defined as no usage of pads/no urine loss during daily activities, were also encouraging: 75.0% at 12 months. Quality of life evaluation included asking patients to rate the amount of bother caused by their incontinence symptoms on a scale from 0 to 100. Preoperatively, the average was 76.7, dropping to 15.9 at 12 months. At 6 months, 93.7% (75/79) were ‘very satisfied’ and 5.1% (4/79) were ‘satisfied;’ one patient was ‘dissatisfied’ (1.2%, 1/79). Seventy‐eight of 79 patients (98.7%) would recommend the procedure to a friend and undergo the procedure again. Patients returned to inside work an average of 1.4 days and to outside work 5.4 days after the procedure. The maximum flow rate decreased from a mean of 43.4 mL/s preoperatively to 37.08 mL/s at 12 months postoperatively (P = 0.049). Detrusor pressure at maximum flow and maximal urethral closure at rest increased from 16.94 and 50.85 cmH2O preoperatively to 21.69 and 60.61 cmH2O at 12 months, respectively (P = 0.015; P < 0.001). There were few postoperative complications, with no reported infections, erosions or hematomas.

Conclusions: This prospective study demonstrates that the SPARC suprapubic sling is a safe and effective treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. Both objective and subjective measures of success were achieved, with low complication rates. Quality of life and urodynamic parameters were improved. The SPARC method provides safe and highly effective treatment for female stress urinary incontinence at one year.