bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of Bcl‐XL in human neural stem cells promotes graft survival and functional recovery following transplantation in spinal cord injury
Authors: Lee Seung I. , Kim Byung G. , Hwang Dong H. , Kim Hyuk M. , Kim Seung U.
Published: June 2009

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has shown promise for improving functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). The inhospitable milieu of injured spinal cord, however, does not support survival of grafted NSCs, reducing therapeutic efficacy of transplantation. The present study sought to examine whether overexpression of antiapoptotic gene Bcl‐XL in NSCs could promote graft survival and functional recovery following transplantation in rat contusive SCI model. A human NSC line (HB1.F3) was transduced with a retroviral vector encoding Bcl‐XL to generate Bcl‐XL‐overexpressing NSCs (HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL). Overexpression of Bcl‐XL conferred resistance to staurosporine‐mediated apoptosis. The number of HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL cells was 1.5‐fold higher at 2 weeks and 10‐fold higher at 7 weeks posttransplantation than that of HB1.F3 cells. There was no decline in the number of HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL cells between 2 and 7 weeks, indicating that Bcl‐XL overexpression completely blocked cell death occurring between these two time points. Transplantation of HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL cells improved locomotor scores and enhanced accuracy of hindlimb placement in a grid walk. Approximately 10% of surviving NSCs differentiated into oligodendrocytes. Surviving NSCs produced brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the level of BDNF was significantly increased only in the HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL group. Transplantation of HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL cells reduced cavity volumes and enhanced white matter sparing. Finally, HB1.F3.Bcl‐XL grafts enhanced connectivity between the red nucleus and the spinal cord below the lesion. These results suggest that enhancing graft survival with antiapoptotic gene can potentiate therapeutic benefits of NSC‐based therapy for SCI. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serotonin transporter, 5‐HT1Areceptor, and behavior in DBA/2J mice in comparison with four inbred mouse strains
Authors: Popova Nina K. , Naumenko Vladimir S. , Tibeikina Marina A. , Kulikov Alexander V.
Published: June 2009

Prepulse inhibition (PPI), the reduction in acoustic startle produced when it is preceded by a weak prepulse stimulus, is impaired in schizophrenic patients. The DBA/2J mouse strain displayed deficient PPI and is therefore suggested as an experimental animal model for the loss of sensorimotor gating in schizophrenia. Brain serotonin (5‐HT) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. In the present study, behavior, 5‐HT transporter (5‐HTT) mRNA level, 5‐HT1Areceptor mRNA level, and 5‐HT1Areceptor density in the brain regions were studied in DBA/2J mice in comparison with four inbred mouse strains (CBA/Lac, C57BL/6, BALB/c, and ICR). A decrease in 5‐HTT mRNA level in the midbrain and a reduced density of 5‐HT1Areceptors in the frontal cortex without significant changes in 5‐HT1Areceptor mRNA level in DBA/2J mice were found. It was shown that, along with decreased PPI, DBA/2J mice demonstrated considerably reduced immobility in the tail suspension test and in the forced swim test. No significant interstrain differences in intermale aggression, or in light‐dark box and elevated plus‐maze tests, were found. The results suggested the involvement of decreased 5‐HTT gene expression and 5‐HT1Areceptor density in genetically defined PPI deficiency and showed a lack of any association between PPI deficiency and predisposition to aggressive, anxiety, and depressive‐like behaviors. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cannabinoid modulation of cortical adrenergic receptors and transporters
Authors: Reyes B.A.S. , Rosario J.C. , Piana P.M.T. , Van Bockstaele E.J.
Published: June 2009

We previously reported that administration of the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212‐2 causes an increase in norepinephrine (NE) efflux in the frontal cortex (FC). The present study examined the expression levels of α2‐ and β1‐adrenergic receptors (ARs) as well as the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the FC of rats following exposure to WIN 55,212‐2. Rats received systemic injection of WIN 55,212‐2 (3 mg/kg) acutely or for 7 days. Another group of rats received repeated WIN 55,212‐2 treatment followed by a period of abstinence. Control rats received vehicle injections. Rats were euthanized 30 min after the last WIN 55,212‐2 injection, the FC was microdissected, and protein extracts were probed for α2‐AR, β1‐AR, and NET. Results showed that β1‐AR expression was significantly decreased following repeated WIN 55,212‐2 treatment but significantly increased following a period of abstinence. α2‐AR expression showed no significant change in all groups examined. NET expression was significantly decreased following acute WIN 55,212‐2 treatment, with no changes following chronic administration or a period of abstinence. Alterations in NET may arise from modulation of cannabinoid receptors (CB1) that are localized to noradrenergic axon terminals as we demonstrate colocalization of CB1 receptor and NET in the same cortical axonal processes. The present findings support significant alterations in adrenergic receptor and NET expression in the FC after WIN 55,212 exposure that may underlie the reported changes in attention, cognition, and anxiety commonly observed after cannabinoid exposure. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The need for work: Jahoda's latent functions of employment in a representative sample of the German population
Authors: Paul Karsten I. , Batinic Bernad
Published: June 2009

Marie Jahoda's latent deprivation model was tested with a representative sample of the German population (N = 998). As expected, employees reported high levels of time structure, social contact, collective purpose, and activity not only in comparison to unemployed persons but also in comparison to persons who are out of the labor force (i.e., students, homemakers, retirees). Even unskilled manual workers reported more access to these “latent functions” than persons without employment. For the fifth of Jahoda's dimensions, identity/status, no significant differences between employed persons and persons who are out of the labor force could be identified. However, unemployed persons reported less status than all other groups did. Thus, Jahoda's model was clearly endorsed for four of the five latent functions of employment and partly endorsed for the fifth function. All variables in the model correlated significantly with distress, as expected. Demographic correlates of the manifest and latent functions were also analyzed: Access to the latent functions was best among young men from higher social classes who lived in an intimate relationship in a comparatively large household with children. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cadaveric flatfoot model: Ligament attenuation and Achilles tendon overpull
Authors: Blackman Andrew J. , Blevins Joanna J. , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Ledoux William R.
Published: June 2009

Flatfoot deformity is characterized by loss of the medial longitudinal arch, forefoot abduction, hindfoot eversion, and often Achilles tendon contracture. Our objectives were to validate a cadaveric flatfoot model that involves selective ligament attenuation and to determine if Achilles tendon overpull is associated with increased pes planus severity. We measured the three‐dimensional (3D) orientation of the bones of interest in the unloaded, loaded, and Achilles tendon overpull conditions. A flatfoot model was created by attenuating ligaments involved in the pes planus deformity followed by cyclic axial loading, and bone orientations were acquired in the three conditions. Significant differences seen between normal feet and flat feet were consistent with those seen with the pes planus deformity. The first metatarsal dorsiflexed and abducted relative to the talus. The navicular abducted relative to the talus. The calcaneus everted relative to the tibia. The talus plantar flexed and adducted. Achilles overpull resulted in first metatarsal‐to‐talus dorsiflexion and navicular‐to‐talus abduction. Thus, selective ligament attenuation followed by cyclic axial loading can create a cadaveric flatfoot model consistent with the in vivo deformity. Longitudinal arch depression, hindfoot eversion, talonavicular joint abduction, forefoot abduction, and talar plantar flexion were seen. Simulated Achilles tendon contracture increased the severity of the deformity, particularly in arch depression and forefoot abduction. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1547–1554, 2009
Climates of the past: evidence from natural and documentary archives
Authors: Robertson Iain , Froyd Cynthia A. , Gagen Mary , Hicks Sheila
Published: June 2009

This special issue of the Journal of Quaternary Science contains a set of 12 papers based upon a thematic session aimed at reconstructing climate of the last 1000 years from multi‐proxy archives, held at the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) XVII Congress in Cairns, Australia. New techniques are presented to enable the extraction of proxy climatic data from natural and documentary archives with the aim of preserving environmental information across all temporal scales. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of uncertainty using Bayesian and bootstrap models to simulate the impact of nitrogen fertilisation on β‐glucan levels in barley
Authors: Fontana Marta , Cummins Enda , Buiatti Stefano , Sensidoni Alessandro
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: β‐Glucans have enjoyed renewed interest as a functional food ingredient, with current attention focused on optimising β‐glucan levels in finished products without compromising final product quality. In order to measure the uncertainty about the level of β‐glucans in barley, two different statistical methods (Bayesian inference and Bootstrap technique) were applied to measured levels of β‐glucan in three different varieties of barley grain (n = 83).

RESULTS: The resulting probability density distributions were similar for the full data set and also when applied to smaller sample sizes, highlighting the potential for either method in quantifying the total uncertainty in β‐glucan levels. Bayesian inference was used to model the effect of nitrogen treatment on β‐glucan and protein contents in barley. The model found that a low level of fertilisation (50 kg N ha−1) did not have a significant effect on β‐glucan or protein content. However, fertilisation above this level did result in an increase in β‐glucan and protein levels, the effect seeming to plateau at 100 kg N ha−1. In addition, the uncertainty distributions were significantly different for two consecutive years of data, highlighting the potential environmental influence on β‐glucan content.

CONCLUSION: The model developed in this study could be a useful tool for processors to quantify the uncertainty about the initial level of β‐glucan in barley and to evaluate the influence of environmental factors, thus enabling them to formulate their ingredient base to optimise levels of β‐glucan without compromising final product quality. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of lipoxygenase activity and red seed coat on rice bran deterioration
Authors: Zhang Ying , He Chengfang , Wu Yuejin , Yang Jianbo , Xuan Hong , Zhu Xuegui
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Many studies have suggested that the main reason for rice bran deterioration is the effect of lipase, but there have been fewer reports about the effect of lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and red seed coat on rice bran deterioration. In this study, several rice bran materials with white or red coat and different LOX isozyme activities and near isogenic lines about the colour of coat and LOX isozymes were subjected to accelerated aging experiments, during which their fatty acid values were monitored.

RESULTS: Rice bran materials with different LOX isozyme activities and colour of coat showed different changes in fatty acid value during aging. Red coat with high LOX‐1,2 and low LOX‐3 activity caused the fatty acid value to increase at a lower rate than white coat with low LOX‐1,2 and high LOX‐3 activity, while the latter caused the fatty acid value to increase at a lower rate than white coat with low LOX‐1,2,3 activity. The results for the near isogenic line further confirmed the role of LOX isozyme activity and the colour of coat in rice bran deterioration.

CONCLUSION: It can be inferred that high LOX isozyme activity is beneficial to delay rice bran deterioration; for example, high LOX‐1,2 activity is essential for red rice bran storage, while high LOX‐3 activity is essential for white rice bran storage. The results of this investigation may be helpful in further studies of the mechanism of rice bran deterioration. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Value of multidetector‐row computed tomography in the preoperative T and N staging of gastric carcinoma: A large‐scale Chinese study
Authors: Yan Chao , Zhu Zheng‐Gang , Yan Min , Zhang Huan , Pan Zi‐Lai , Chen Jun , Xiang Min , Chen Ming‐Min , Liu Bing‐Ya , Yin Hao‐Ran , Lin Yan‐Zhen
Published: June 2009

Objectives

To investigate the value of multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative T and N staging of gastric carcinoma and to further investigate the clinicopathological factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

Seven hundred ninety gastric carcinoma patients underwent preoperative MDCT examination. The results of MDCT were compared with surgical and pathological findings.

Results

Early gastric carcinoma patients whose primary tumor was detected by MDCT had higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, larger tumor size, and deeper invasion. The overall accuracy of MDCT in determining T stage of gastric carcinoma was 73.80% (T1 45.93%, T2 53.03%, T3 86.49%, and T4 85.79%). The overall accuracy of MDCT in preoperative N staging was 75.22% (N0 76.17%, N1 68.81%, and N2 80.63%). The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCT for determining lymph node metastasis was 86.26%, 76.17%, and 82.09%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the diagnostic sensitivity of MDCT in determining lymph node metastasis related with tumor size, N stage, and number of metastatic lymph nodes.

Conclusions

The clinical value of MDCT in the preoperative T and N staging of gastric carcinoma is relatively high. MDCT can be the first choice for the preoperative evaluation of patients with gastric carcinoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:205–214. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of low intensity laser irradiation during healing of skin lesions in the rat
Authors: Nussbaum Ethne L. , Mazzulli Tony , Pritzker Kenneth P.H. , Heras Facundo Las , Jing Fang , Lilge Lothar
Published: June 2009

Objective

To determine whether laser light can improve healing of skin wounds by killing wound bacteria while simultaneously accelerating host tissue activity.

Materials and Methods

Wounds on the rat dorsum were irradiated or sham‐irradiated three times weekly from days 1 to 19 using 635 or 808 nm diode lasers at 1 or 20 J/cm2. Wound area and bacterial growth were evaluated three times weekly. Histological analysis was performed on days 8 and 19. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on day 19.

Results

Wounds that were irradiated using 635 nm light at 1 J/cm2 healed similarly to controls. Wounds that were irradiated using 808 nm (1 and 20 J/cm2, P≤0.05) and 635 nm light (20 J/cm2, P≤0.05) were worse in wound maximum area at day 3 compared with controls. Further, 635 nm light at 20 J/cm2 delayed wound closure at day 19 (ASL = 0.0127). Bacterial colonization of wounds was altered using 635 nm (20 J/cm2, P<0.0001) and 808 nm light (1 J/cm2, P<0.0001; 20 J/cm2, P = 0.02). In particular, the presence of normal skin flora decreased (P<0.0001–0.0002) and, when using 808 nm light, the presence of S. aureus increased (P = 0.0001). There was histological evidence of advanced repair using 635 nm at 1 J/cm2 at day 8 (ASL<0.04). In contrast, markers of acute repair were increased and of late repair were decreased at day 19 using 635 nm at 20 J/cm2 (ASL<0.04).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that while clearing wounds of certain bacteria is feasible it does not necessarily translate into a healing advantage. When normal flora are disturbed, environmental organisms more readily colonize the wound surface. It is not clear when using 808 nm light whether the loss of normal flora in the wound alone is responsible for the proliferation of S. aureus or whether the light adds to the effect by stimulating S. aureus growth. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:372–381, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discriminant analysis of autofluorescence spectra for classification of oral lesions in vivo
Authors: Jayanthi J.L. , Mallia Rupananda J. , Shiny Sara Thomas , Baiju Kamalsanan V. , Mathews Anitha , Kumar Rejnish , Sebastian Paul , Madhavan Jayaprakash , Aparna G.N. , Subhash Narayanan
Published: June 2009

Background and Objectives

Low survival rate of individuals with oral cancer emphasize the significance of early detection and treatment. Optical spectroscopic techniques are under various stages of development for diagnosis of epithelial neoplasm. This study evaluates the potential of a multivariate statistical algorithm to classify oral mucosa from autofluorescence spectral features recorded in vivo.

Study Design/Methods

Autofluorescence spectra were recorded in a clinical trial from 15 healthy volunteers and 34 patients with diode laser excitation (404 nm) and pre‐processed by normalization, mean‐scaling and its combination. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on leave‐one‐out (LOO) method of cross validation was performed on spectral data for tissue characterization. The sensitivity and specificity were determined for different lesion pairs from the scatter plot of discriminant function scores.

Results

Autofluorescence spectra of healthy volunteers consists of a broad emission at 500 nm that is characteristic of endogenous fluorophores, whereas in malignant lesions three additional peaks are observed at 635, 685, and 705 nm due to the accumulation of porphyrins in oral lesions. It was observed that classification design based on discriminant function scores obtained by LDA‐LOO method was able to differentiate pre‐malignant dysplasia from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), benign hyperplasia from dysplasia and hyperplasia from normal with overall sensitivities of 86%, 78%, and 92%, and specificities of 90%, 100%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

The application of LDA‐LOO method on the autofluorescence spectra recorded during a clinical trial in patients was found suitable to discriminate oral mucosal alterations during tissue transformation towards malignancy with improved diagnostic accuracies. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:345–352, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo diagnosis of oral dysplasia and malignancy using optical coherence tomography: Preliminary studies in 50 patients
Authors: Wilder‐Smith Petra , Lee Kenneth , Guo Shuguang , Zhang Jun , Osann Kathryn , Chen Zhongping , Messadi Diana
Published: June 2009

Background

In vivo, non‐invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits high‐resolution imaging of tissue surfaces and subsurfaces, with the potential capability for detection and mapping of epithelial pathologies.

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical capability of non‐invasive in vivo OCT for diagnosing oral dysplasia and malignancy.

Experimental Design

In 50 patients with oral lesions, conventional clinical examination was followed by OCT imaging, then standard biopsy and histopathology. Two blinded, pre‐standardized investigators separately diagnosed each lesion based on (1) OCT and (2) histopathology.

Results

Intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement between diagnoses based on histopathology and imaging data was excellent, with κ values between 0.844 and 0.896. Sensitivity and specificity were also very good.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate the excellent capability of in vivo OCT for detecting and diagnosing oral premalignancy and malignancy in human subjects. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:353–357, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface Coating with a Thermoresponsive Copolymer for the Culture and Non‐Enzymatic Recovery of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Loh Xian Jun , Gong Jiansheng , Sakuragi Makoto , Kitajima Takashi , Liu Mingzhe , Li Jun , Ito Yoshihiro
Published: June 2009

A thermoresponsive substrate based on a triblock copolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate]‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm‐PHB‐PNIPAAm), co‐coated with gelatin, was developed for the culture and non‐enzymatic recovery of mouse embryonic stem cells. After culture, the cells could be detached by cooling at 4 °C for 20 min without trypsin digestion. The embryonic stem cells remained undifferentiated after culture on the gelatin/copolymer‐coated surfaces, similar to standard culture techniques. Overall, the triblock copolymer coating was superior to the PNIPAAm homopolymer coating in terms of supporting better cell growth, being more stable, presenting a more homogeneous surface coating, and maintaining pluripotency of the embryonic stem cells.

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Preparation and Characterization of Polyolefin‐Based Nanocomposite Blown Films for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Botta Luigi , La Mantia Francesco Paolo
Published: June 2009

Polyolefin‐based films were prepared in the presence of two different organo‐modified clays and characterized. The influence of organo‐modifier and matrix composition on film morphology and properties were investigated using SEM, XRD, UV‐Vis, FT‐IR, contact‐angle measurements and mechanical tests. The filler increased the films' rigidity and tear strength. Transparencies were almost unchanged in the visible range, but were reduced for harmful radiation. The presence of the clay increases the greenhouse effect, i.e. it hinders the passage of thermal emission from the soil to the outer part of the greenhouse during the night. The wettability of the materials was not influenced by the presence of the clay.

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Synthesis of Well‐Defined Polybenzamide‐block‐Polystyrene by Combination of Chain‐Growth Condensation Polymerization and RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Masukawa Tomohiro , Yokoyama Akihiro , Yokozawa Tsutomu
Published: June 2009

Well‐defined diblock copolymers composed of poly(N‐octylbenzamide) and polystyrene were synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene with a polyamide chain transfer agent (CTA) prepared via chain‐growth condensation polymerization. Synthesis of a dithioester‐type macro‐CTA possessing the polyamide segment as an activating group was unsatisfactory due to side reactions and incomplete introduction of the benzyl dithiocarbonyl unit. On the other hand, a dithiobenzoate‐CTA containing poly(N‐octylbenzamide) as a radical leaving group was easily synthesized, and the RAFT polymerization of styrene with this CTA afforded poly(N‐octylbenzamide)‐block‐polystyrene with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity.

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An Ionic Molecular Glass as Electron Injection Layer for Efficient Polymer Light‐Emitting Diode
Authors: Liu Gang , Li Ai‐Yuan , An Ding , Wu Hong‐Bin , Zhu Xu‐Hui , Li Yuan , Miao Xin‐Rui , Deng Wen‐Li , Yang Wei , Cao Yong , Roncali Jean
Published: June 2009

An ionic molecular glass based on a dendronized monoammonium salt has been facilely synthesized and utilized as an interfacial electron‐injection layer in a light‐emitting diode (LED). The characterization of a yellow‐green LED that involves an Al cathode and a thin layer of the new compound spin cast from a methanol solution has shown device performances comparable to those obtained with a Ba/Al cathode. Photovoltaic measurements under white light irradiation reveal that a thin layer of the new compound can significantly increase the built‐in potential and thus facilitate electron injection from an Al cathode. Furthermore, it is interesting to observe that the new ionic salt could undergo reorganization on the emissive conjugated polymer layer, which leads to the formation of nearly uniform nanoaggregates.

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Principal–principal–agency relationships and the role of external governance
Authors: Ward Damian , Filatotchev Igor
Published: June 2009

This paper explores agency problems associated with mutual and joint stock organizational forms. It examines whether the independent mode of distribution acts as a governance factor that reduces principal–agent and principal–principal costs. By analyzing a 1990–1997 panel of life insurance companies this paper provides evidence that mutuals have higher principal–agent costs, but lower principal–principal costs, compared with stocks. Independent distribution mitigates both agency problems by reducing managerial expenses while safeguarding interests of policyholders. These relationships are positively moderated by product complexity and free cash flow. This is consistent with the assumption that companies that use independent agents exhibit lower levels of manager and shareholder opportunism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
External knowledge sourcing: science, market and the value of patented inventions
Authors: Schneider Cédric
Published: June 2009

This paper analyzes the choice between alternative sources of knowledge in patented inventions. Inventors can use scientific and/or market‐oriented sources of knowledge. We formally test whether these two types of knowledge acquisition are complementary or substitutable in the value of patented inventions. The results suggest that simultaneous exploitation of different knowledge inputs is ‘subadditive’ since inventors would have to manage assimilation and integration of disparate items of external knowledge stemming from distant technological contexts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiovascular risk factors in restless legs syndrome
Authors: Schlesinger Ilana , Erikh Ilana , Avizohar Ophir , Sprecher Elliot , Yarnitsky David
Published: June 2009

We conducted a population‐based cross‐sectional study to assess prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with and without restless legs syndrome (RLS). Adults attending their annual checkup completed the International RLS Study Group questionnaire and underwent an interview by a neurologist. Data from the annual checkup were compared between subjects with and without RLS. The prevalence of RLS was 6.7% (95% CI 5.45–7.95) among 1,537 responders. RLS subjects' blood tests showed significantly higher fasting blood glucose level (P = 0.029), higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.029) and reduced renal function (P = 0.013), and increased prevalence of low hematocrit (P = 0.008). RLS subjects weighed more (P = 0.029), had a higher BMI (P = 0.033), larger hip circumference (P = 0.033), and were less fit (P = 0.010). To control for interactions among statistical predictors, we also employed multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, smoking, BMI, hemoglobin, glucose, HDL/LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine. We found that female gender (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.11–4.17), smoking (OR 1.82; 95% CI, 1.10–3.00), and HDL/LDL cholesterol (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.034–0.90) were significantly associated with RLS compared with subjects without RLS. RLS was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus improves intrinsic alertness in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fimm Bruno , Heber Ines A. , Coenen Volker A. , Fromm Christoph , Noth Johannes , Kronenbuerger Martin
Published: June 2009

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a treatment option for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the advanced stage. Besides motor improvement, DBS of the STN may also modulate cognitive and attentional functions of the basal ganglia. In our study, 13 patients with PD and bilateral DBS of the STN were assessed with DBS switched on and off by the use of a wide range of neuropsychological tasks. This included reasoning, cognitive flexibility, phonemic and semantic word fluency, verbal and nonverbal short‐term memory, learning, delayed verbal memory recall, and stimulus‐response incompatibility. Special emphasis was put on basic attentional functions, in particular intrinsic and phasic alertness as well as visual search. DBS significantly improved intrinsic alertness, whereas phasic alertness and other neuropsychological domains were not affected. Additionally, the effects on intrinsic alertness were independent of motor improvements by DBS. The findings suggest that DBS modulates the fronto‐parietal network of alertness. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Parsing brain activity associated with acupuncture treatment in Parkinson's diseases
Authors: Chae Younbyoung , Lee Hyejung , Kim Hackjin , Kim Chang‐Hwan , Chang Dae‐Il , Kim Kyung‐Mi , Park Hi‐Joon
Published: June 2009

Acupuncture, a common treatment modality within complementary and alternative medicine, has been widely used for Parkinson's disease (PD). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we explored the neural mechanisms underlying the effect of specific and genuine acupuncture treatment on the motor function in patients with PD. Three fMRI scans were performed in random order in a block design, one for verum acupuncture (VA) treatment, another one for a covert placebo (CP), and the third one for an overt placebo (OP) at the motor function implicated acupoint GB34 on the left foot of 10 patients with PD. We calculated the contrast that subtracts the blood‐oxygen‐level dependent (BOLD) response for the acupuncture effect (VA vs. CP) and the placebo effect (CP vs. OP). We found a significant improvement in the motor function of the affected hand after acupuncture treatment. The putamen and the primary motor cortex were activated when patients with PD received the acupuncture treatment (VA vs. CP) and these activations correlated with individual enhanced motor function. Expectation towards acupuncture modality (CP vs. OP) elicited activation over the anterior cingulate gyrus, the superior frontal gyrus, and the superior temporal gyrus. These findings suggest that acupuncture treatment might facilitate improvement in the motor functioning of patients with PD via the basal ganglia‐thalamocortical circuit. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Delimiting subterritories of the human subthalamic nucleus by means of microelectrode recordings and a Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Zaidel Adam , Spivak Alexander , Shpigelman Lavi , Bergman Hagai , Israel Zvi
Published: June 2009

Positive therapeutic response without adverse side effects to subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) depends to a large extent on electrode location within the STN. The sensorimotor region of the STN (seemingly the preferred location for STN DBS) lies dorsolaterally, in a region also marked by distinct beta (13–30 Hz) oscillations in the parkinsonian state. In this study, we present a real‐time method to accurately demarcate subterritories of the STN during surgery, based on microelectrode recordings (MERs) and a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Fifty‐six MER trajectories were used, obtained from 21 PD patients who underwent bilateral STN DBS implantation surgery. Root mean square (RMS) and power spectral density (PSD) of the MERs were used to train and test an HMM in identifying the dorsolateral oscillatory region (DLOR) and nonoscillatory subterritories within the STN. The HMM demarcations were compared to the decisions of a human expert. The HMM identified STN‐entry, the ventral boundary of the DLOR, and STN‐exit with an error of −0.09 ± 0.35, −0.27 ± 0.58, and −0.20 ± 0.33 mm, respectively (mean ± standard deviation), and with detection reliability (error < 1 mm) of 95, 86, and 91%, respectively. The HMM was successful despite a very coarse clustering method and was robust to parameter variation. Thus, using an HMM in conjunction with RMS and PSD measures of intraoperative MER can provide improved refinement of STN entry and exit in comparison with previously reported automatic methods, and introduces a novel (intra‐STN) detection of a distinct DLOR‐ventral boundary. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Falcipain‐2 inhibitors
Authors: Ettari Roberta , Bova Floriana , Zappalà Maria , Grasso Silvana , Micale Nicola
Published: June 2009

Malaria, particularly that one caused by Plasmodium falciparum, remains a serious health problem in Africa, South America, and many parts of Asia where it afflicts about 500 million people and is responsible for the death of more than one million children each year. The main reasons for the persistence of malaria are the emergence of resistance to common antimalarial drugs, inadequate control of mosquito vectors, and the lack of effective vaccines. Therefore, the identification and characterization of new targets for antimalarial chemotherapy are of urgent priority. This review is focused on inhibitors of falcipain‐2, a cysteine protease from P. falciparum, which represents one of the most promising targets for antimalarial drug design. Falcipain‐2 is a key enzyme in the life cycle of P. falciparum since it degrades hemoglobin, at the early trophozoite stage, and cleaves ankyrin and protein 4.1, the cytoskeletal elements vital to the stability of red cell membrane, at the schizont stage. The main classes of falcipain‐2 inhibitors are peptides or peptidomimetics bearing the most popular pharmacophores of cysteine protease inhibitors, such as vinyl sulfones, halomethyl ketones, and aldehydes. Furthermore, many other chemotypes have been identified as inhibitors of falcipain‐2, such as isoquinolines, thiosemicarbazones, and chalcones. These inhibitors represent all classes, which, to the best of our knowledge, have been disclosed in journal articles to date. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 30, No. 1, 136–167, 2010
Scaphoid reconstruction by a free vascularized osteochondral graft from the rib: A case report
Authors: Lanzetta Marco
Published: June 2009

Nonunion and avascular necrosis of the proximal pole of the scaphoid remain one of the most difficult problems in wrist reconstructive surgery. A number of interpositional vascularized bone grafts have been proposed for scaphoid nonunion, in order to promote faster union at the contact site with both fragments. However, once the proximal pole has undergone avascular changes and is completely necrotic, there is no alternative other than to remove it. At present, more radical operations have been advocated in these cases, such as proximal row carpectomy or intercarpal arthrodesis. We present a case where the necrotic proximal pole of the scaphoid was removed and replaced with a remodeled osteochondral‐free vascularized graft from the rib based on the inferior and superior intercostal arteries, branches of the internal mammary artery. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Vascularized bone transfer for severe injury around the ankle
Authors: Henry Steven L. , Frome Britton A. , Pederson William C.
Published: June 2009

Severe injuries around the ankle are very difficult to treat. Although technically demanding, vascularized bone transfer has the potential to span bone defects, eradicate infection, and provide soft tissue coverage all in one stage. The fibula is the best choice for transfer as it produces the best results and the least donor site morbidity. Complications are reasonably common as in all complex reconstructive surgery, but in the properly selected patient this approach offers the best chance for salvage of a functional limb. The purpose of this review isto evaluate some of the various options available for managing severe injuries around the ankle with particular focus on vascularized bone grafts, particularly the vascularized fibular bone graft. Selection criteria, surgical timing, potential donor sites, as well as outcomes and possible complications are presented regarding the available options for vascularized bone grafts in managing severe ankle injuries. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Free microvascular iliac crest flap for extensive talar necrosis—Case report with a 16‐year long‐term follow up
Authors: Rieger Ulrich M. , Haug Martin , Schwarzl Franz , Kalbermatten Daniel F. , Hintermann Beat , Pierer Gerhard
Published: June 2009

Atraumatic osteonecrosis of the talus can be extremely painful and lead to significant functional impairment. Although clinical, radiographic, and demographic characteristics of atraumatic osteonecrosis of the talus have been well documented, the diagnosis is frequently missed or delayed; the most common causes are use of corticosteroids and the presence of immune disorders. Operative treatment of large osteochondral lesions of the talus is difficult because the blood supply is poor in the talar dome. Microvascular reconstruction of the talar dome with iliac crest autografts is a complex but functionally excellent therapeutic option. We present a 48‐year‐old man, who developed an extensive atraumatic avascular necrosis of the talar dome without collapse. Except for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus no further comorbidities were known. A microvascular iliac crest bone flap was inserted into the talus. A follow‐up 16 years postoperatively showed a clinically as well as radiographically stable reconstruction of the talar dome and an excellent mobility of the ankle joint. The AOFAS hindfoot scale had improved from initially 33 points to 100 on the last follow‐up. Free microvascular bony reconstruction of the talar dome should not only be considered in younger patients but also for middle aged active patients, since our follow‐up shows an excellent long term result. Early reconstruction can prevent collapse of the talar bone. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
Simple and reliable methods for the determination of sixteen marker components for quality control of Daochi pill by HPLC coupled with diode array detection
Authors: Lu Binan , Liu Yuetao , Yin Lianhong , Wang Xiaona , Peng Jinyong
Published: June 2009

Introduction

Traditional Chinese medicine plays a very important role in the healthcare system of China and thus the quality control of medicinal herb products is of paramount concern.

Objective

To establish a simple and effective high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to evaluate the quality of Daochi pill.

Methodology

Two HPLC methods were developed for the determination of 16 marker components in Daochi pills. In method A, the analytes were separated on a Lichrosorb C18 column using a gradient elution of methanol and 1% aqueous phosphoric acid (pH 2.9, adjusted by triethylamine). In method B, the separation was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column using a gradient elution of methanol and 3% aqueous phosphoric acid (pH 2.0, adjusted by triethylamine) in a gradient elution mode.

Results

Methods were linear over the range 0.27–500 µg/mL (r2 ≥ 0.9995). Accuracy, precision and repeatability were all within the required limits. The mean recoveries measured at three concentrations were higher than 95% with RSD ≤ 4% for the targets.

Conclusion

The established methods are simple and can be used as tools for quality evaluation and control of this natural product. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A meta‐analysis of psychopathy‐, antisocial PD‐ and FFM associations
Authors: Decuyper Mieke , De Pauw Sarah , De Fruyt Filip , De Bolle Marleen , De Clercq Barbara J.
Published: June 2009

This research meta‐analytically summarizes the relationships of the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) with psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). Effect sizes of the associations between psychopathy, APD and the FFM were compiled from 26 independent samples (N = 6913) for psychopathy and 57 independent samples (N = 16 424) for APD. The results revealed predominantly points of similarity and some differences in the FFM associations of both disorders. Symptoms of psychopathy and APD were negatively associated with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness facets and positively with scores on Angry–Hostility (N2), Impulsiveness (N5), Excitement Seeking (E5) and negatively with Warmth (E1). Only psychopathy had a small negative association with Anxiety (N1) and was characterized by stronger negative associations with Agreeableness and Straightforwardness (A2), Compliance (A4) and Modesty (A5) compared to APD. The moderator analyses showed that sample type, use of the NEO‐PI‐R and APD instrument moderated the APD FFM associations, while psychopathy instrument and age group were moderators in the psychopathy MA. Implications of this research for the assessment of APD and psychopathy relying on dimensional models of personality pathology are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of a serodiagnostic antigen, legumain, by immunoproteomic analysis of excretory‐secretory products of Clonorchis sinensis adult worms
Authors: Ju Jung‐Won , Joo Hyun‐Na , Lee Myoung‐Ro , Cho Shin‐Hyeong , Cheun Hyeng‐Il , Kim Jung‐Yeon , Lee Young‐Hee , Lee Kwang‐Jun , Sohn Woon‐Mok , Kim Dong‐Min , Kim Il‐Chul , Park Byoung Chul , Kim Tong‐Soo
Published: June 2009

Clonorchis sinensis, the Chinese liver fluke, is the causative agent of clonorchiasis as well as liver and biliary diseases. The excretory‐secretory products (ESPs) of the parasites play important roles in host–parasite interactions. In this study, we have investigated the proteome of ESPs obtained from C. sinensis adult worms. Although the full genome database of C. sinensis is not yet available, we have successfully identified 62 protein spots using 2‐DE‐based mass analysis and EST database of C. sinensis. The proteins identified include detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione S‐transferase and thioredoxin peroxidase, myoglobin and a number of cysteine proteases that are expressed abundantly. In order to identify potential targets for the diagnosis and therapy of clonorchiasis, we conducted immunoblot analysis of the ESPs proteome using the sera obtained from clonorchiasis patients and identified legumains and cysteine proteases as antigens present in the ESPs. Although the cysteine proteases were previously reported to elicit antigenicity, the legumains are found herein for the first time as a serological antigen of C. sinensis. To confirm these findings, we expressed recombinant legumain in Escherichia coli and verified that recombinant legumain also functions as a potent antigen against the sera of clonorchiasis patients. Our results illustrate the validity of immuno‐proteomic approaches in the identification of serodiagnostic antigens in the parasites.
Proteomic analysis of Brucella suis under oxygen deficiency reveals flexibility in adaptive expression of various pathways
Authors: Dahouk Sascha Al , Loisel‐Meyer Séverine , Scholz Holger C. , Tomaso Herbert , Kersten Michael , Harder Alois , Neubauer Heinrich , Köhler Stephan , Jubier‐Maurin Véronique
Published: June 2009

Low oxygen tension was proposed to be one of the environmental parameters characteristic of the patho‐physiological conditions of natural infections by Brucella suis. We previously showed that various respiratory pathways may be used by B. suis in response to microaerobiosis and anaerobiosis. Here, we compare the whole proteome of B. suis exposed to such low‐oxygenated conditions to that obtained from bacteria grown under ambient air using 2‐D DIGE. Data showed that the reduction of basal metabolism was in line with low or absence of growth of B. suis. Under both microaerobiosis and anaerobiosis, glycolysis and denitrification were favored. In addition, fatty acid oxidation and possibly citrate fermentation could also contribute to energy production sufficient for survival under anaerobiosis. When oxygen availability changed and became limiting, basic metabolic processes were still functional and variability of respiratory pathways was observed to a degree unexpected for a strictly aerobic microorganism. This highly flexible respiration probably constitutes an advantage for the survival of Brucella under the restricted oxygenation conditions encountered within host tissue.
The Pseudomonas putida Crc global regulator controls the hierarchical assimilation of amino acids in a complete medium: Evidence from proteomic and genomic analyses
Authors: Moreno Renata , Martínez‐Gomariz Montserrat , Yuste Luis , Gil Concha , Rojo Fernando
Published: June 2009

The Crc protein is a global translational regulator involved in catabolite repression of catabolic pathways for several non‐preferred carbon sources in Pseudomonads when other preferred substrates are present. Using proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, we have analyzed the influence of Crc in cells growing in a complete medium, where amino acids are the main carbon source. Inactivation of the crc gene modified the expression of at least 134 genes. Most of them were involved in the transport and assimilation of amino acids or sugars. This allowed envisioning which amino acids are preferentially used. Crc did not inhibit the pathways for proline, alanine, glutamate, glutamine and histidine. These amino acids are good carbon sources for P. putida. In the case of arginine, lysine, aspartate and asparagine, which can be assimilated through several pathways, Crc favored one particular route, inhibiting other alternatives. Finally, Crc‐inhibited genes needed to assimilate valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, threonine, glycine and serine, amino acids that provide a less efficient growth. Crc has therefore a key role in coordinating metabolism, controlling the sequential assimilation of amino acids when cells grow in a complete medium. Inactivation of crc reduced growth rate, suggesting that Crc optimizes metabolism.
Structure Control in Reactively Sputtered Ag/Cu/(Mn)/O Films
Authors: Pierson Jean‐Francois , Petitjean Carine , Horwat David
Published: June 2009

Copper‐ and silver‐based oxides were deposited on glass and silicon substrates by reactive sputtering in various Ar/O2 mixtures. The deposition conditions range for paramelaconite synthesis is discussed. The structure of silver oxide films is discussed as a function of the oxygen flow rate introduced into the deposition chamber. Ag/Cu/O films were deposited using either co‐sputtering of silver and copper targets or sputtering of composite targets (Ag50Cu50 and Ag60Cu40). The control of the oxygen and/or the silver content allows the formation of various kinds of structures: X‐ray amorphous, metal/oxide nanocomposites or silver/copper oxides. Finally, the effect of copper and/or manganese addition in silver‐based oxides on their thermal stability is presented.

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Deposition of TiONC Coatings by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition
Authors: Duday David , Choquet Patrick , Guillot Jérôme , Ghanbaja Jaafar , Migeon Henri‐Noël
Published: June 2009

According to its high temperature stability, low friction coefficient, and relatively high hardness, titanium oxynitride is a good candidate for wear protection. However, titanium oxynitride is brittle which limits its application as a protective coating on metallic substrates for special applications. In this work, TiONC films were deposited by magnetron sputtering of Ti target and simultaneous implantation of N, O, and Ar. The samples are immersed in an Ar + N2 plasma in an atmosphere containing C and O during simultaneous deposition and implantation. The effects of implantation energy, ion on atom ratio, and gas mixture on microstructure, chemical composition, and mechanical properties of TiONC coatings were studied.