bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of nitric oxide in iron-induced rat renal injury
Authors: Kadkhodaee M , Gol A
Published: November 2004

Iron overload and enhanced hydroxyl radical (•OH) formation have been implicated as the causative factors of oxidative stress in different organs. Both pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties have been reported for nitric oxide (NO) in iron-mediated tissue injury. To determine the contribution of NO to iron-induced renal injury, eight groups of rats (eight in each group) were studied as follows: control (normal saline), L-Arg (L-arginine as a substrate of NO synthase, 400 mg/kg), L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, 8 mg/kg), Fe (iron dextran, 600 mg/kg), DFO (deferroxamine as a chelator of iron, 150 mg/kg), Fe+L-Arg, Fe+L-NAME, DFO+L-Arg. Twenty-four hours after the injections, blood samples were taken and kidneys removed for biochemical analysis. Plasma creatinine and urea were used to stimulate renal function. Renal tissue and plasma vitamin E levels, the most important endogenous fat soluble antioxidant, were measured by HPLC and UV detection. In this study, renal function was markedly reduced in the Fe group compared to controls (creatinine, 1.02± 0.05 mg/dL versus 0.78±0.04 P <0.05; urea, 49.59±1.69 mg/dL versus 40.75±0.86, P <0.01). Vitamin E levels were significantly lower in the Fe group compared to controls (plasma P <0.01; renal tissue P <0.05). Administration of L-Arg to Fe-treated groups prevented these reductions. L-NAME increased iron-induced toxicity significantly, demonstrated by further reduction in the vitamin E levels and renal function compared to the Fe group alone. We concluded that NO plays an important role in protecting the kidney from iron-induced nephrotoxicity. NO synthase blockade enhances iron-mediated renal toxicity in this model.
Zebrafish Dapper1 and Dapper2 play distinct roles in Wnt-mediated developmental processes
Authors: Waxman Joshua S. , Hocking Anne M. , Stoick Cristi L. , Moon Randall T.
Published: November 2004

Wnt signaling pathways in vertebrates use the phosphoprotein Dishevelled(Dvl). The cellular responses to Wnt signaling may in part be modulated by Dvl-associated proteins, including Dapper (Dpr). We have cloned and characterized the zebrafish Dpr paralogs Dpr1 and Dpr2. Loss-of-function studies reveal that endogenous Dpr1 but not Dpr2 is required to enhance Wnt/β-catenin activity in zebrafish embryos that are hypomorphic for Wnt8. Conversely, Dpr2 but not Dpr1 is required for normal convergence extension movements in embryos that are hypomorphic for Stbm or Wnt11,supporting a functional interaction of Dpr2 with Wnt/Ca2+-PCP signaling. In gain-of-function experiments, Dpr1 but not Dpr2 induces Wnt/β-catenin target genes. Dpr1 synergizes with zebrafish Dvl2, and with the Dvl-interacting kinases CK1ϵ, Par1 and CK2, in activating target genes. We conclude that two Dvl-associated paralogs, Dpr1 and Dpr2,participate in distinct Wnt-dependent developmental processes.
Structural, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of α-(ET)7[MnCl4]2·(1,1,2-C2H3Cl3)2 (ET = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene)
Authors: Naito Toshio , Inabe Tamotsu
Published: November 2004

A new charge-transfer salt of ET with a chloromanganate(II) complex anion has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray structural analysis, resistivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility, electron spin resonance (ESR), and an extended Hückel tight biding (EHTB) band calculation. The crystal has a sheet structure comprised of an α-type two-dimensional (2D) donor arrangement in the bc-plane and insulating sheets of discrete [MnCl4]2− anions and 1,1,2-C2H3Cl3 (TCE) molecules. Its conducting property exhibits considerable anisotropy, which is of effectively metallic along the b-axis down to 1.2 K under 2.9 kbar and higher pressure. The magnetic susceptibility is approximately reproduced by the Curie–Weiss law with a Weiss temperature of θ = −(1.35 ± 0.07) K from 2–300 K. ESR measurements revealed that the π-electron system in this salt exhibits Pauli paramagnetism at least at 3.6 to ∼50 K. The band calculation suggests that the HOMO (the highest occupied molecular orbital) band has very small dispersion, almost solely along the b*-axis.
Optical Resolution of Acyclic α-Hydroxy Ketone Derivatives by Inclusion Complexation
Authors: Matsumoto Kazutsugu , Okamoto Tomomi , Otsuka Keiko
Published: November 2004

A new method for the preparation of optically active acyclic α-hydroxy ketone derivatives by thermodynamic resolution using a chiral host compound is described. We examined the resolution of racemic 2-benzyloxy-3-pentanone with chiral host compounds in various solvents. After optimization of the reaction conditions, it has become apparent that the optical resolution could occur only under certain strict conditions about solvents, host compounds, and the concentration of the substrate. Stirring the suspension of the ketone with (−)-TADDOL bearing a cyclohexyl ring, derived from ethyl l-tartrate, in MeOH–H2O (1:1) at room temperature produces the inclusion complex with high enantioselectivity to give (S)-ketone with up to 99% ee. On the other hand, the ee of (R)-ketone obtained from the filtrate could be improved by the same procedure using (+)-TADDOL; finally, both enantiomers of the ketone as an almost optically pure form were afforded. Analysis of the formed complex by ESI-TOFMS supposed that the host–guest ratio would be 1:1. This resolution procedure was also applied to other substrates to afford the corresponding optically active ketones.
Structures of the Small-Molecule Bcl-2 Inhibitor (BH3I-2) and Its Related Simple Model in Protonated and Deprotonated Forms
Authors: Kanamori Daisuke , Okamura Taka-aki , Yamamoto Hitoshi , Shimizu Shigeomi , Tsujimoto Yoshihide , Ueyama Norikazu
Published: November 2004

3-Bromo-5-chloro-N-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide (BCNCPB–OH) was synthesized as a model compound of the small-molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor (BH3I-2) and characterized by 1H NMR and IR measurements. The structures of BCNCPB–OH and its deprotonated form (BCNCPB–O–NEt4) were determined by X-ray analysis. BCNCPB–OH has an intramolecular OH···O=C hydrogen bond and BCNCPB–O–NEt4 has an intramolecular NH···O(oxyanion) hydrogen bond in the solid and solution states. The solution structures of protonated and deprotonated BH3I-2′ (BH3I-2 analogue) were determined by 1H NMR, NOESY, and IR measurements. They have similar conformations to those of the corresponding model compounds. A pKa value of BCNCPB–OH of 5.1 is considered a very low value for phenol derivatives, suggesting the possibility that BH3I-2 binds to protein in the deprotonated form having an intramolecular NH···O(oxyanion) hydrogen bond.
The Carbon–Silicon Bond Cleavage of Organosilicon Compounds in Supercritical Water
Authors: Itami Kenichiro , Terakawa Koji , Yoshida Jun-ichi , Kajimoto Okitsugu
Published: November 2004

Arylsilanes, alkenylsilanes, allylic silanes, and alkylsilanes were found to undergo extremely facile and rapid C–Si bond cleavage in supercritical water. Rapid C–Si bond cleavage occurred even with robust unactivated tetraalkylsilanes. The control experiments revealed the dramatic difference between the supercritical and subcritical conditions, and that between supercritical water and supercritical methanol, attesting to a unique reactivity of supercritical water in C–Si bond cleavage. It was also found that acids, such as HCl, HBr, and H2SO4, promote C–Si bond cleavage in supercritical water.
Substituent Effects on Configurational Stabilities at Tetrahedral Boron Atoms in Intramolecular Borane–Amine Complexes: Structures, Enantiomeric Resolution, and Rates of Enantiomerization of [2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]phenylboranes
Authors: Toyota Shinji , Ito Fumiko , Nitta Naoya , Hakamata Tomohiro
Published: November 2004

The structures and stereochemistries of the five borane–amine complexes, (N–B)-{2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4}BPhX (X = Cl, F, Me, –OCOCF3, and –OCOC2F5), were studied by some spectroscopic methods. The Cl complex prepared by the standard method was converted to each of the other complexes by the treatment with an appropriate reagent (MeLi or AgX). The enantiomers of the two perfluoroacyloxy complexes were resolved by chiral HPLC as a novel intramolecular borane–amine complex with a chiral center at the tetrahedral boron atom, and their chiroptical properties were investigated by optical rotations and CD spectra. The classical kinetics or the saturation transfer measurements revealed that the barriers to enantiomerization via the dissociation of the B–N coordination bond were enhanced from 94 to 116 kJ mol−1 in the following order of X: F < Me < –OCOCF3 ≈ Cl < –OCOC2F5. The substituent effects on the configurational stability, which is closely related to the Lewis acidity of boron atoms, are discussed on the basis of the X-ray structures of the three complexes.
An Improved Method for Synthesizing Cyclic Bis(3′–5′)diguanylic Acid (c-di-GMP)
Authors: Hyodo Mamoru , Hayakawa Yoshihiro
Published: November 2004

This paper describes a new method for synthesizing biologically important cyclic bis(3′–5′)diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) in a higher yield than that previously reported to be available by our synthetic method. In the new synthesis, the following two means, in place of those used in the previously reported synthesis, are employed as main strategies to obtain an increase in product yield. One is the use of di-tert-butylsilanediyl protection for 3′- and 5′-hydroxy groups of guanosine; this method allows regioselective production of a 2′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)guanosine derivative that is a key intermediate for the synthesis. The other is the use of a dimethylformamidine group as a protector for the 2-NH2 function of the guanine base, which can be easily introduced and results in an excellent yield.
Sequential Olefinations on 2-Arylmethylidene-2-phosphonoacetates: A One-Pot Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,2,3-Trisubstituted 1,3-Butadienes
Authors: Date Sonali M , Ghosh Sunil K
Published: November 2004

An efficient one-pot synthetic protocol for the preparation of 1,2,3-trisubstituted dienes by a sequential addition of 2-arylmethylidene-2-phosphonoacetates and various aldehydes to trimethylsulfonium iodide/sodium dimsylate in DMSO–THF has been developed. The dienes were produced with very high stereoselectivity preferring for the (Z)-isomer.
Knowledge and Performance in Knowledge-Worker Teams: A Longitudinal Study of Transactive Memory Systems
Authors: Lewis Kyle
Published: November 2004

This study examined how transactive memory systems (TMSs) emerge and develop to affect the performance of knowledge-worker teams. Sixty-four MBA consulting teams (261 members) participated in the study. I proposed that the role and function of TMSs change to meet different task and knowledge demands during a project. Hypotheses predicting that TMSs emerge during a project-planning phase as a function of a team's initial conditions, and later develop and mature as a function of the nature and frequency of communication were generally supported, as were hypothesized relationships between TMSs and team performance and viability. Findings suggest that teams with initially distributed expertise and familiar members are more likely to develop a TMS. Frequent face-to-face communication also led to TMS emergence, but communication via other means had no effect. Teams with more established TMSs later benefited from face-to-face communication, but they were less helped by frequent communication via other means, suggesting that transactive retrieval processes may have been triggered during face-to-face communication and suppressed during other types of communication. TMSs were positively related to team viability and team performance, suggesting that developing a TMS is critical to the effectiveness of knowledge-worker teams.
Process Management Instead of Operations Management
Authors: Silver Edward A.
Published: November 2004

In this article a challenge is provided to the operations management community to broaden our perspective from the traditional, functional one to the cross-functional (interdisciplinary) view of process management. At the same time, the challenge is to de-emphasize mathematical optimization and instead seek improvements through better representations of problems or situations of real interest to management. I believe that adoption of these suggestions will enhance the opportunities and reputation of our research and educational activities.
A Decomposition Approach for the Inventory-Routing Problem
Authors: Campbell Ann Melissa , Savelsbergh Martin W. P.
Published: November 2004

In this paper, we present a solution approach for the inventory-routing problem. The inventory-routing problem is a variation of the vehicle-routing problem that arises in situations where a vendor has the ability to make decisions about the timing and sizing of deliveries, as well as the routing, with the restriction that customers are not allowed to run out of product. We develop a two-phase approach based on decomposing the set of decisions: A delivery schedule is created first, followed by the construction of a set of delivery routes. The first phase utilizes integer programming, whereas the second phase employs routing and scheduling heuristics. Our focus is on creating a solution methodology appropriate for large-scale real-life instances. Computational experiments demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach are presented.
A Robust Solution Approach to the Dynamic Vehicle Scheduling Problem
Authors: Huisman Dennis , Freling Richard , Wagelmans Albert P. M.
Published: November 2004

This paper presents a solution approach to the dynamic vehicle scheduling problem. This approach consists of solving a sequence of optimization problems, where we take into account different scenarios for future travel times. We discuss the potential benefit of our approach compared to the traditional one, where the vehicle scheduling problem is solved only once for a whole period and the travel times are assumed to be fixed. Because in the multiple-depot case we cannot solve the problem exactly within reasonable computation time, we use a “cluster-reschedule” heuristic where we first assign trips to depots by solving the static problem and then solve dynamic single-depot problems. We use new mathematical formulations of these problems that allow fast solution by standard optimization software. Results of a computational study with real-life data are presented, in which we compare different variants of our approach and perform a sensitivity analysis with respect to deviations of the actual travel times from estimated ones.
Dynamical Models in the Two‐Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy of Peptides
Authors: Rubtsov Igor V. , Kim Yung S. , Hochstrasser Robin M.
Published: November 2004

A brief description of the signals in multidimensional infrared spectroscopy is given with emphasis on the various types of experiments that can be done, what they measure, and their relationship to other kinds of resonant nonlinear optical experiments. The predictions from Bloch dynamics and responses including spectral diffusion are discussed. Experiments with the amide‐I transitions of N‐methylacetamide and the alanine dipetide show that Bloch dynamics are inadequate, but for small values of waiting times can give a reasonable description of the 2D spectra. Both single frequency and dual frequency 2D experiments that excite both the amide‐I and amide‐II modes are reported.
Shell Effects in the Relaxation Energy of 2s‐Core Ionization of Atoms from B through Xe
Authors: Maruani Jean , Kuleff Alexander I. , Delchev Yavor I. , Bonnelle Christiane
Published: November 2004

In this paper we investigate the variation, along the periodic table, of 2s‐core ionization energies, using both relativistic and non‐relativistic calculations. We show that electron relaxation energies display variations typical of the shell‐filling process, while their relativistic contributions show specifically distorted shell features. Just as for the 1s‐core ionization energies, investigated earlier, the sensitivity of these differential properties to the shell‐filling process may be used as a probe of the accuracy of calculations of core ionization energies. Discrepancies with experimental results are critically analyzed.
Intriguing Examples of Inhomogeneous Broadening
Authors: Ancilotto Francesco , Calbi M. Mercedes , Cole Milton W. , Gatica Silvina M. , Hernández E. Susana
Published: November 2004

Three problems are considered in which inhomogeneous broadening can yield unusual consequences. One problem involves the energy levels of atoms moving within nanopores of nearly cylindrical cross section. A second involves atomic or molecular motion in a quasi‐one‐dimensional interstitial channel within a bundle of carbon nanotubes. The third problem involves motion within a groove between two nanotubes at the surface of such a bundle. In each case, the density of states at low energy is qualitatively different from that occurring in the perfectly homogeneous case.
Photoexcitation‐Based Nano‐Explorers: Chemical Analysis inside Live Cells and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Xu Hao , Buck Sarah M. , Kopelman Raoul , Philbert Martin A. , Brasuel Murphy , Ross Brian D. , Rehemtulla Alnawaz
Published: November 2004

PEBBLEs (Probes Encapsulated By Biologically Localized Embedding) are submicron‐sized optical sensors designed specifically for minimally invasive analyte monitoring in viable single cells, with applications for real‐time analysis of drug, toxin, and environmental effects on cell function. PEBBLE nanosensor is a general term that describes a family of matrices and nano‐fabrication techniques used to miniaturize many existing optical sensing technologies. The main classes of PEBBLE nanosensors are based on matrices of cross‐linked polyacrylamide, cross‐linked poly(decyl methacrylate), and sol‐gel silica. These matrices have been used to fabricate sensors for H+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cl−, O2, NO, and glucose that range from 20 nm to 600 nm in diameter. A number of delivery techniques have been used successfully to deliver PEBBLE nanosensors into mouse oocytes, rat alveolar macrophages, rat C6‐glioma, and human neuroblastoma cells. PEBBLEs with several newly emerging directions in design and applications, going from intracellular imaging to in vivo actuating and targeting, are also described. They include photonic, magnetic, and stochastic control and modulation of photo‐excitation, and also targeted nano‐platforms for photodynamic therapy of brain cancers, as well as contrast enhancement of the MRI for monitoring such therapy.
Determination of bubble size distributions in bubble columns using LDA
Authors: Kulkarni Amol A. , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B. , Ramkrishna Doraiswami
Published: November 2004

A new method is developed for the determination of bubble size distributions from experimental laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) data through simultaneous measurement of only two orthogonal velocity components and the intermittent time gaps arising out of bubbles passing through the measurement point. An experimentally verifiable assumption of axisymmetry allowed the calculation of the three‐dimensional velocity distributions from the two‐dimensional measurement through the elegant use of a mathematical transform called Abel's transform. In conjunction with the use of probability theory, it allows calculation of the chord length distribution. The bubble size distribution is obtained by an inversion procedure, which facilitates the transformation of chord lengths to bubble sizes. The inversion procedure is successfully tested with Monte Carlo simulations, in which bubbles of prescribed size distribution were generated for obtaining synthetic data on subtended chord lengths at any given point in the column. It is unambiguously demonstrated that assumptions that do not account for correlation between bubble size and direction of motion can yield highly erroneous size distributions from chord length data. The procedure was then used on experimental chord length distributions obtained using LDA to estimate local bubble size distributions in our bubble column. It is particularly interesting to observe that the mean bubble size estimated from the calculated bubble size distributions were consistent with an estimation based on slip velocity information in accord with the Zuber–Findlay drift flux model. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 3068–3084, 2004
Bayesian estimation of NIG models via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Karlis Dimitris , Lillestöl Jostein
Published: November 2004

The normal inverse Gaussian (NIG) distribution is a promising alternative for modelling financial data since it is a continuous distribution that allows for skewness and fat tails. There is an increasing number of applications of the NIG distribution to financial problems. Due to the complicated nature of its density, estimation procedures are not simple. In this paper we propose Bayesian estimation for the parameters of the NIG distribution via an MCMC scheme based on the Gibbs sampler. Our approach makes use of the data augmentation provided by the mixture representation of the distribution. We also extend the model to allow for modelling heteroscedastic regression situations. Examples with financial and simulated data are provided. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prostate carcinoma incidence in relation to prediagnostic circulating levels of insulin‐like growth factor I, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 3, and insulin
Authors: Chen Chu , Lewis S. Kay , Voigt Lynda , Fitzpatrick Annette , Plymate Stephen R. , Weiss Noel S.
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

There have been several epidemiologic studies investigating the association between circulating levels of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3), and insulin in relation to the risk of prostate carcinoma, with conflicting results. To examine this issue further, the authors conducted a nested case–control study within the Cardiovascular Health Study cohort.

METHODS

In men who were diagnosed with prostate carcinoma (cases) between 1990 and 1999 (n = 174), the levels of IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, and insulin were measured on blood samples that were obtained 1–9 years prior to diagnosis (mean, 3.4 years). Similar measurements were made on 174 male participants without prostate carcinoma (controls) who were matched to cases based on the year blood was drawn, survival until the date of diagnosis, race, and age.

RESULTS

Relative to the men with IGF‐I levels in the first (lowest) quartile of the distribution, the risk of prostate carcinoma for men in the second, third, and fourth (upper) quartiles were 0.77 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.43–1.38), 0.73 (95% CI, 0.41–1.30), and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.37–1.25), respectively. The results were influenced little by adjustment for levels of IGFBP‐3 or, instead, by evaluating the molar IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio. An analysis that was restricted to men who had plasma prostate‐specific antigen levels < 4 ng/mL at the time of the blood draw yielded similar results. The corresponding relative risks for IGFBP‐3 were 0.91 (95% CI, 0.49–1.68), 0.47 (95% CI, 0.25–0.94), and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.35–1.20), respectively. The distribution of serum insulin levels in cases and controls were nearly identical.

CONCLUSIONS

The IGF‐I level was not associated positively with the risk of prostate carcinoma; however, an increase in the IGFBP‐3 level was associated with a modest decrease in risk. Cancer 2005. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Early loss of the glutamate transporter splice‐variant GLT‐1v in rat cerebral cortex following lateral fluid‐percussion injury
Authors: Yi Jae‐Hyuk , Pow David V. , Hazell Alan S.
Published: November 2004

Glutamate transporter proteins are essential for the control of interstitial glutamate levels, with an impairment of their function or levels being a major potential contributor to excitotoxicity. We have investigated the effects of lateral fluid percussion on the levels of the glutamate transporter proteins GLT‐1α, its splice variant GLT‐1v, GLAST, and EAAC1 in the rat in order to evaluate their pathogenetic role in this model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Immunoblot analysis revealed neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex was accompanied by a 54% decrease in GLT‐1v 6 h following the insult which progressed to an 83% loss of the transporter after 24 h. No changes in GLT‐1α, GLAST, or EAAC1 were observed in this brain region at either time point. GLT‐1v content was also decreased by 55% and 68% in the hippocampus and thalamus, respectively, at 6 h post‐injury, but recovered fully after 24 h in both brain regions. In contrast, levels of GLT‐1α were increased in the hippocampus at 6 h and 24 h post‐TBI. These alterations in transporter protein content were also confirmed using immunohistochemical methods. Our results show for the first time a pattern of early, dynamic changes in the levels of GLT‐1 transporter splice variants in different brain regions in this trauma model. In addition, correlation of GLT‐1v levels with both neuronal cell loss and α‐internexin content in the injured cortex suggests that loss of this novel glutamate transporter may be a key factor in determining cerebral vulnerability following this type of brain injury. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lymphoproliferative responses to hepatitis C virus core, E1, E2, and NS3 in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection treated with interferon alfa
Authors: Leroux-Roels G , Esquivel C A , DeLeys R , Stuyver L , Elewaut A , Philippé J , Desombere I , Paradijs J , Maertens G
Published: November 2004

The quality of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T-cell response may greatly determine the course of an HCV infection. An adequate T-cell response may contribute to a successful clearance of the virus and a rapid recovery from the disease. An inadequate response may lead to viral persistence and may eventually contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular damage in chronic disease. The effect of interferon alfa (IFN-α), presently the most popular therapeutic agent for chronic HCV infections, on HCV-specific T-cell responses is completely unknown. To demonstrate the presence of HCV-specific T lymphocytes during chronic HCV infections, to know their antigenic specificities, and to examine possible effects of IFN-α treatment on their presence and antigen recognition patterns, we have stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 35 chronic HCV patients with nine pools of synthetic peptides representing the HCV Core, E1, and E2 proteins as well as with a recombinant NS3 protein. The proliferative responses of PBMC from 16 healthy control subjects toward these antigens were measured for comparison. Lymphoproliferative responses of patients with chronic HCV infections were assayed either before (in 10 patients), during (in 13 patients), or after (in 21 patients) treatment with IFN-α. The analysis showed that PBMC from most HCV patients consistently recognized the COOH-terminal part of the core protein. E1, E2, and NS3 were recognized less frequently. This recognition pattern was not related to the therapy with IFN-α nor to the clinical response of the patient toward this therapy. The response to the Core protein could be fine-mapped to the COOH-terminal region encompassing amino acids (aa) 73 to 92, 121 to 140, 145 to 164, and 157 to 176.
Aberrant expression of serine/threonine kinase Pim‐3 in hepatocellular carcinoma development and its role in the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines
Authors: Fujii Chifumi , Nakamoto Yasunari , Lu Peirong , Tsuneyama Koichi , Popivanova Boryana K. , Kaneko Shuichi , Mukaida Naofumi
Published: November 2004

Most cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma develop after persistent chronic infection with human hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, and host responses are presumed to have major roles in this process. To recapitulate this process, we have developed the mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma using hepatitis B virus surface antigen transgenic mice. To identify the genes associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in this model, we compared the gene expression patterns between pre‐malignant lesions surrounded by hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and control liver tissues by using a fluorescent differential display analysis. Among the genes that were expressed differentially in the pre‐malignant lesions, we focused on Pim‐3, a member of a proto‐oncogene Pim family, because its contribution to hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. Moreover, the unavailability of the nucleotide sequence of full‐length human Pim‐3 cDNA prompted us to clone it from the cDNA library constructed from a human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. The obtained 2,392 bp human Pim‐3 cDNA encodes a predicted open reading frame consisting of 326 amino acids. Pim‐3 mRNA was selectively expressed in human hepatoma cell lines, but not in normal liver tissues. Moreover, Pim‐3 protein was detected in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines but not in normal hepatocytes. Furthermore, cell proliferation was attenuated and apoptosis was enhanced in human hepatoma cell lines by the ablation of Pim‐3 gene with RNA interference. These observations suggest that aberrantly expressed Pim‐3 can cause autonomous cell proliferation or prevent apoptosis in hepatoma cell lines. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flood control and land use management in Mengwa retention area, Huai River Basin
Authors: Ruiguang Han , Suryadi F. X.
Published: November 2004

Retention areas have a very important role in flood alleviation in the Huai River Basin. With economic and societal development the former retention areas have been developed and some of them even became very important urban areas. When floods come, there is a lot of damage.

The government has realized that the flood control standards in the whole river basin are low and has made a plan to increase flood control standards for the Mengwa retention area. The design water level will be 28.00 m+MSL at Runheji. In light of this the use of the Mengwa retention area needs to be considered. To arrive at decisions that reduce flood damage, one should take into account the following uncertainties: the river discharge, the flood damage given the discharge, the downstream water level given the discharge, and the costs of constructing embankments and dredging the river. By using the DUFLOW model and a GIS model, the present situation and the alternative development options have been analysed. How to use the Mengwa retention area is also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surge flow irrigation under short field conditions in Egypt
Authors: Ismail Saleh M. , Depeweg Herman , Schultz Bart
Published: November 2004

Several studies carried out in long furrows have shown that surge flow irrigation offers the potential of increasing the efficiency of irrigation. The effects of surge flow in short fields, such as in Egypt, are still not well known, however.

To investigate the effect of surge flow irrigation in short fields a series of experiments have been carried out at two different locations in Egypt. The first location with a clay soil was situated at the Agriculture Experimental Station, Assiut University, Assiut. The second location with a sandy soil was situated at the Assiut University Experimental Station for Desert Land, El‐Wadi El‐Assuity, Assiut. The blocked end furrow lengths and widths were 70 and 0.70 m respectively. Three discharges were selected for each soil type, namely 0.46, 0.74 and 0.90 l s−1 for clay soil and 0.73, 1.0 and 1.4 l s−1 for sandy soil. For each discharge two cycle times were investigated, namely 16 and 24 minutes. For each cycle time three cycle ratios were chosen, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 for the 16‐minute and 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 for the 24‐minute cycle time. The water content was measured at three locations, namely at the beginning, middle and end of the furrow. In each location three points were measured in a vertical line at a depth of 0–0.1, 0.1–0.3 and 0.3–0.7 m.

The results show that surge flow irrigation leads to a more uniform water distribution along the furrows than continuous flow. This uniformity is more pronounced in clay soil than in sandy soil. Surge flow irrigation decreases the advance time in comparison to continuous flow. The reduction in advance time was more pronounced with the discharges of 0.74 and 1.0 l s−1 in clay and sandy soil respectively. The 24‐minute cycle time is better than the 16‐minute cycle time. The reduction in advance time with a cycle time of 24 minutes is due to the effect of the off‐time. Different cycle ratios can be used but the 1/3 cycle ratio may be the best. In conclusion, surge flow irrigation under the short field conditions as prevailing in Egypt decreases the advance time, increases uniformity and efficiency by decreasing deep percolation and reduces applied water volume by 15–35%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methodological optimization of polyethylenimine (PEI)‐based gene delivery to the lungs of mice via aerosol application
Authors: Rudolph C. , Ortiz A. , Schillinger U. , Jauernig J. , Plank C. , Rosenecker J.
Published: November 2004

Background

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been successfully used for gene delivery to the lungs of mice via aerosol application using a whole body nebulization device. In this report we optimized the design of such an aerosol device.

Methods

Aerosol devices were constructed as either serial inhalation apparatus or as a whole body nebulization chamber connected to an aerosol spacer placed in a horizontal or vertical position. PEI‐based gene vectors were nebulized using a standard jet nebulizer and luciferase gene expression of various tissues was examined.

Results

Using a whole body aerosol device resulted in luciferase gene expression in the lungs of mice at the same level as compared with a serial inhalation apparatus. Whereas gene expression was enhanced in the presence of 5% CO2‐in‐air, anesthesia of mice strongly decreased gene expression even when mice were intubated with an intravascular cannula. Reduction of the median mass aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of the aerosol from 3.4 to 0.27 µm by interposition of an aerosol spacer increased gene expression significantly 3‐fold. Drying of the aerosol by silica gel additionally increased gene delivery significantly 3‐fold. Reporter gene expression mediated by branched PEI 25 kDa was 9‐ and 15‐fold higher as compared with linear PEIs of 22 and 25 kDa, respectively, and was dependent on the DNA concentration. Gene expression was detectable as soon as 6 h after gene vector application and reached a maximum after 72 h but was still detectable after 14 days. The presence of Zn2+ did not increase gene expression.

Conclusion

We propose aerosol drying as a novel and simple method of optimizing PEI‐based gene delivery to the lungs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel chimeric ribozyme vector produces potent inhibition of ICAM‐1 expression on ischemic vascular endothelium
Authors: Sonnenday Christopher J. , Warren Daniel S. , Cooke Sara K. , Dietz Harry C. , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: November 2004

Background

Inhibition of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression can ameliorate the inflammation induced by ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) in animal models. However, current strategies to reduce ICAM‐1 expression have been limited by the lack of stability, poor specificity, and the transient nature of synthesized regulatory molecules (antisense/ribozyme).

Methods

A chimeric expression vector was generated by fusing a ribozyme targeting sequence against ICAM‐1 to stabilizing stem‐loop structures and nuclear localization signals that are components of endogenous U1 small nuclear RNA. Oligonucleotide scanning was used to predict accessible sites for targeting within the rat ICAM‐1 transcript. Efficacy of the chimeric ribozyme vector was tested by transfection of rat aortic endothelial (RAE) cells (in vitro) and intraportal delivery in a rat hepatic IRI model (in vivo).

Results

Transfection of RAE cells with the chimeric ribozyme vector produced potent and specific inhibition of ICAM‐1 mRNA and protein levels by >65%. This reduction in ICAM‐1 expression was accompanied by a proportional decrease in neutrophil adhesion to RAE cells. In vivo intraportal delivery of the chimeric targeting vector to rats sustaining hepatic IRI produced a marked reduction in ICAM‐1 expression on liver endothelium after reperfusion.

Conclusions

A chimeric ribozyme vector effectively inhibited ICAM‐1 expression in vascular endothelial cells and in rat liver following IRI, demonstrating a novel gene targeting technique that may be ideally suited to clinical applications aimed at ameliorating IRI. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The contributions of Csaba Horváth to liquid chromatography
Authors: Greibrokk Tyge
Published: November 2004

This article is not a biographic description of the life of Csaba Horváth, but an attempt to describe his most important contributions to liquid chromatography, as viewed by an author who himself started with HPLC in 1973. With the introduction of columns packed with rigid pellicular particles, which could withstand high pressures, the combination of fast separations with high efficiency was designated high pressure liquid chromatography about 35 years ago. The contribution of Horváth to the birth of modern LC was to imagine the potential for high‐speed separations in LC by transferring ideas and technology from gas chromatography. From this time, his strong participation in understanding and describing the processes of separation science made him a leading scientist in fundamental studies of separation principles until his passing away in April 2004. In addition to being one of the forefathers of modern liquid chromatography, Csaba Horváth described both the ionic interactions and the hydrophobic interactions on ion exchangers as well as on reversed phase materials and developed a theoretical basis for understanding these processes. If one person should be mentioned as the inventor of ion‐pair chromatography of organic compounds, of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and of the theoretical basis for reversed phase chromatography, this person is Csaba Horváth. Throughout the last 30 years he also had a strong interest in studying proteins in separation processes, and in the last decade he made valuable contributions to capillary electrochromatography, particularly for separation of proteins on monolithic columns. For this author is difficult to find another person who has had a greater impact on liquid chromatography than Csaba Horváth.
Blends of a Main Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Polyester with a Diepoxide and with a Diepoxide/Amine Mixture Prepared in a Twin‐Screw Extruder
Authors: Mormann Werner , Pokropski Tomasz
Published: November 2004

Summary: Blending of the commercial LC‐polyester Rodrun LC‐3000 with the bisphenol‐A‐diglycidyl ether based diepoxide DOW D.E.R.330 alone and with the mixture of the diamine (MCDEA) and D.E.R.330 by means of a twin‐screw extruder has been investigated. Conditions to suppress curing of epoxide and amine during blending have been established. Due to the very low solubility of Rodrun in the diepoxide only LCP‐rich blends with a minimum content of 60 wt.‐% Rodrun could be obtained. The blends were investigated by SEM and thermal analysis (DSC, DMTA). Binary blends are immiscible while ternary blends appear miscible from DMTA up to 30 wt.‐% of epoxy/amine.

SEM micrograph of Rodrun moulded at 230 °C.

magnified image

SEM micrograph of Rodrun moulded at 230 °C.
Homogenization of a viscoelastic matrix in linear frictional contact
Authors: Gilbert Robert P. , Panchenko Alexander , Xie Xuming
Published: November 2004

The paper is devoted to study of acoustic wave propagation in a partially consolidated composite material containing loose particles. Friction of particles against the consolidated part of the material causes mechanical energy dissipation. This situation is modelled by assuming that the medium has a periodic microstructure changing rapidly on the small scale ε. Each of the periodic microscopic cells is composed of a viscoelastic matrix containing a rigid particle in frictional contact with the matrix. We use the methods of two‐scale convergence to obtain effective acoustic equations for the homogenized material. The effective equations are history‐dependent and contain the body force term, reminiscent of the well‐known Stokes drag force. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Paychex formula for talent: Hire attitude, teach skills
Authors: Kuchta Will , Berg Susan
Published: November 2004

The founder of Paychex built a high‐performing organization on an unconventional premise at the time: Hire people with the right “attitude” and then teach them the skills to do the job. But rapid growth in the 1990s showed Paychex that it needed a more systematic approach to reliably execute this philosophy throughout its geographically dispersed operations, especially at the important front line of customer service. The resulting solution—one that includes more sophisticated hiring practices, more extensive training and development, and multiple reinforcement mechanisms—still serves the company well today. © 2004 Paychex, Inc.
Dimeric galectin‐1 induces IL‐10 production in T‐lymphocytes: an important tool in the regulation of the immune response
Authors: van der Leij Judith , van den Berg Anke , Blokzijl Tjasso , Harms Geert , van Goor Harry , Zwiers Peter , van Weeghel Rob , Poppema Sibrand , Visser Lydia
Published: November 2004

Galectin‐1, a β‐galactoside binding protein that can occur as both a monomer and a homodimer, binds to leucocyte membrane antigens such as CD7, CD43, and CD45, and has immune‐regulatory functions in several animal models of autoimmune disease. However, its mechanism of action is only partially understood. In this study, a marked increase in IL‐10 mRNA and protein levels was demonstrated in non‐activated and activated CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cells, following treatment with a high concentration (dimeric form), but not a low concentration (monomeric form), of recombinant galectin‐1 protein. IL‐10 is known to suppress TH1 type immune responses and upregulation of IL‐10 may thus contribute to the immune‐regulatory function of galectin‐1. Galectin‐1 was strongly expressed on the endothelial cells of human kidney allografts, suggesting a role in the regulation of immune responses in transplantation. Administration of high concentrations of galectin‐1 may be a useful tool in the treatment of T‐cell‐mediated diseases. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐tert‐butyl methacrylate‐methacrylic acid terpolymers having amino sugar or bioactive amino side compounds
Authors: Martínez Gerardo , Fernández‐García Marta , Sánchez‐Chaves Manuel
Published: November 2004

Free‐radical copolymerization of N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with tert‐butyl methacrylate (TBMA) was carried out in bulk at 50 °C, using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. From copolymer composition determined by 1H‐NMR analysis and using the modified Kelen–Tüdos equation, the monomer reactivity ratios were determined. After acidic hydrolysis, the modification reaction of some N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐tert‐butyl methacrylate‐methacrylic acid (VP‐TBMA‐MAA) terpolymers with several model bioactive amino compounds (benzocaine, phenethylamine, tyramine) and a model amino sugar (2‐amino‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (glucosamine)) was studied in the homogeneous phase. Interaction experiments between glucosamine‐carrying VP‐TBMA‐MAA terpolymers and Concanavalin A (Con A) in a phosphate buffer (pH = 7.2) at room temperature showed that VP‐TBMA‐MAA terpolymer interacts with Con A. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 18–27, 2005
Trends in the structure and bonding of neutral and charged noble metal clusters
Authors: Fernández E. M. , Soler J. M. , Garzón I. L. , Balbás L. C.
Published: November 2004

We present a systematic study of the electronic and geometric structure of neutral and charged noble metal clusters X (X = Cu, Ag, Au; n ≤ 13; ν = –1,0,+1), obtained from first principles GGA density functional calculations based on norm‐conserving pseudopotentials and a numerical atomic basis set. We determined that the maximum number of atoms forming planar structures with charge ν = (–1,0,+1) are (12, 11, 7) for gold, (5, 6, 5) for silver, and (5, 6, 4) for copper clusters. These results are compared with previous experimental and theoretical estimates. We argue that the tendency to planarity of gold clusters, which is much larger than in copper and silver, is strongly favored by relativistic effects, which decrease the s‐d electron promotion energy and lead to hybridization of the half‐filled 6s orbital with the occupied 5dz2 orbital. Trends for the calculated cohesive energy, average bond lengths, hardness (ionization potential minus electron affinity), and fragmentation energy of the X cluster are presented and discussed in comparison with available experiments and other calculations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
A new isidiate species of Graphis from India
Authors: ADAWADKAR Bharati , MAKHIJA Urmila
Published: November 2004

A new isidiate species in the genus Graphis Adans. (sensu Staiger 2002), Graphis isidiza (Graphidaceae, ascomycetes) is described from the Western Ghats of India.
Environmental change provokes rapid macromolecular reallocations within the photosynthetic system in a static population of photobionts in the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria
Authors: MACKENZIE Tyler D. B. , JOHNSON Jeanette , CAMPBELL Douglas A.
Published: November 2004

Lobaria pulmonaria is an epiphytic lichen that, in south-eastern Canada, inhabits deciduous forests where it must acclimate to large seasonal changes in temperature and in light caused by closing and opening of the leaf canopy. On a seasonal timescale, this acclimation occurs via large shifts in the macromolecular complexes of the photosynthetic system, within a photobiont population that shows no seasonal change in cell numbers. In this study, samples of L. pulmonaria were harvested in February and in May from a natural population near Sackville, New Brunswick, and subjected to two simulated intense seasonal changes: (1) early spring warming, simulated by a shift from high light at 5°C to high light at 16°C (February shift), and (2) late spring canopy closure, simulated by a shift from high light at 16°C to low light at 16°C (May shift). Thallus samples were collected daily throughout each week-long shift. There were no significant changes in photobiont cell population size or in the fraction of cells dividing during either shift. During the first day of the February temperature shift, there were, however, large changes in the pools of chlorophyll, the major light capture molecule in the photobionts, the PsbA (D1) core protein of photosystem II whose turnover is highly responsive to changing light and temperature, and the RbcL major subunit of the carbon-fixing RUBISCO enzyme whose levels correlate strongly with achieved photosynthesis in lichens. A static population of photobionts was therefore able to perform large and rapid macromolecular reallocations to cope with rapid environmental change. No significant changes were seen in the chlorophyll, photosystem II or RUBISCO pools across the May light shift, although seasonal-scale macromolecular reallocation does occur in response to decreased light in the summer.