bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DRG11 immunohistochemical expression during embryonic development in the mouse
Authors: Rebelo Sandra , Reguenga Carlos , Osório Liliana , Pereira Carlos , Lopes Claúdia , Lima Deolinda
Published: August 2007

DRG11 is a paired domain transcription factor that is necessary for the assembly of the nociceptive circuitry in the spinal cord dorsal horn. It is expressed in small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and in their projection area in the spinal cord. Drg11 knockout mice exhibit structural and neurochemical defects both at the DRG and spinal superficial dorsal horn and present reduced nociceptive responses. In this study, a polyclonal antibody against DRG11 was generated and used for a detailed systematic spatio‐temporal analysis of DRG11 expression during development. DRG11 is first detected at E10.5 in the spinal dorsal horn, DRG and trigeminal ganglion, where it persists until P14‐21. At the cranial level, DRG11 expression is observed from E10.5 up to the same early post‐natal ages in several cranial sensory ganglia and brain nuclei. These results suggest that DRG11 is required for the establishment of the first neuronal sensory relay along development. Developmental Dynamics 236:2653–2660, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of novel markers expressed during fin regeneration by microarray analysis in medaka fish
Authors: Nishidate Masanobu , Nakatani Yuki , Kudo Akira , Kawakami Atsushi
Published: August 2007

Urodeles and fish have a remarkable ability to regenerate lost body parts, whereas many higher vertebrates, including mammals, retain only a limited capacity. It is known that the formation of specialized cell populations such as the wound epidermis or blastema is crucial for regeneration; however, the molecular basis for their formation has not been elucidated. Recently, approaches using differential display and microarray have been done in zebrafish for searching molecules involved in regeneration. Here, we used the medaka fish, a distantly diverged fish species, for microarray screening of transcripts up‐regulated during regeneration. By setting criteria for selecting transcripts that are reliably and reproducibly up‐regulated during regeneration, we identified 140 transcripts. Of them, localized in situ expression of 12 transcripts of 22 tested was detected either in differentiating cartilage, basal wound epidermis, or blastema. Our results provide useful molecular markers for dissecting the regeneration process at a fine cellular resolution. Developmental Dynamics 236:2685–2693, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic DNA methylation reprogramming: Active demethylation and immediate remethylation in the male pronucleus of bovine zygotes
Authors: Park Jung Sun , Jeong Young Sun , Shin Sang Tae , Lee Kyung‐Kwang , Kang Yong‐Kook
Published: August 2007

DNA methylation reprogramming (DMR) is believed to be a key process by which mammalian zygotes gain nuclear totipotency through erasing epigenetic modifications acquired during gametogenesis. Nonetheless, DMR patterns do not seem to be conserved among mammals. To identify uniform rules underlying mammalian DMRs, we explored DMRs of diverse mammalian zygotes. Of the zygotes studied, of particular interest was the bovine zygote; the paternal DNA methylation first decreased and was then rapidly restored almost to the maternal methylation level even before the two‐cell stage. The 5‐azadeoxycytidine treatment led to complete demethylation of the male pronucleus. The unusually dramatic changes in DNA methylation levels indicate that the bovine male pronucleus undergoes active demethylation, which is followed by de novo methylation. Our results show that, in bovine, the compound processes of active DNA demethylation and de novo DNA methylation, along with de novo H3‐K9 trimethylation also, take place altogether within this very narrow window of pronucleus development. Developmental Dynamics 236:2523–2533, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
N‐(2,4,6‐Trimethylborazinyl)‐Substituted Phosphanes, Arsanes, and Stibanes
Authors: Nöth Heinrich , Gemünd Birgit , Paine Robert T.
Published: August 2007

Reaction of the N‐lithioborazine LiH2N3B3Me3·OEt2 (2) in diethyl ether with PCl3 or PBr3 leads to the borazinylphosphanes (Me3B3N3H2)PX2, (Me3B3N3H2)2PX (X = Cl, Br), and (Me3B3N3H2)3P, depending on the initial stoichiometry. The analogous arsane and stibane derivatives were obtained in a similar manner. While (Me3B3N3H2)2PBr is reduced byLiAlH4 in diethyl ether/hexane to give the monophosphane (Me3B3N3H2)2PH (13), the reaction of (Me3B3N3H2)PBr2 (5) with LiAlH4 in diethyl ether/hexane produces the zwitterionic compound [Me3B3N2(HN)]–P+H2Et (14). Dehalogenation of (Me3B3N3H2)2PBr (6) with Na yields the diphosphane (Me3B3N3H2)2PP(H2N3B3Me3)2 (18), while the mixed diphosphane (Me3B3N3H)2PPmes2 (17) is obtained from 6 and LiPmes2. Dehalogenation of Me3B3N3H2PBr2 with Na results in the exclusive formation of (Me3B3N3H2)4P4 (19), while the reaction of 5 with Li2Pmes leads to a mixture of cyclotetraphosphanes (mes)4–n(Me3B3N3H2)nP4 (A–F) along with bicyclic P4mes2. The new compounds have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and partly by mass spectrometry. X‐ray structures for compounds, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, and E have been determined. All show different B–N bond lengths within the borazine rings, and some have borazine rings in a half‐chair conformation.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
A Practical Method for Selective Cleavage of a tert‐Butoxycarbamoyl N‐Protective Group from N,N‐Diprotected α‐Amino Acid Derivatives Using Montmorillonite K‐10
Authors: Hernández J. Nicolás , Crisóstomo Fernando R. Pinacho , Martín Tomás , Martín Víctor S.
Published: August 2007

A new, practical, and mild procedure for the selective cleavage of a tert‐butoxycarbonyl group (Boc) in N‐Boc‐N‐acyl‐diprotected amines is described. When applied to α‐amino acids, complete integrity of the stereochemistry was observed. The use of N,N‐di‐Boc‐α‐amino‐δ‐ and γ‐hydroxy esters provided both δ‐ and γ‐lactones in very good yields. The method is based on the use of Montmorillonite K‐10 either in CH2Cl2 at room temperature or in toluene at 65 °C and is compatible with the presence of a large range of functional and other protecting groups in the substrates. In most cases virtually pure samples are obtained after filtration and removal of solvents. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis and Glycosidase Inhibitory Studies of Pentahydroxyindolizidines: D‐Glucose‐Derived Aziridine‐2‐carboxylate Approach
Authors: Ajish Kumar K. S. , Chaudhari Vinod D. , Puranik Vedavati. G. , Dhavale Dilip D.
Published: August 2007

D‐Glucose‐derived aziridine‐2‐carboxylate 1 was converted into α‐amino aldehyde 7, which, after Wittig olefination, asymmetric dihydroxylation, hydrogenation followed byLiAlH4 reduction, and N‐Cbz protection, afforded two diastereomeric pyrrolidines 11a and 11b with sugar appendages. Removal of the 1,2‐acetonide functionality in 11a/11b and reductive amination gave the pentahydroxyindolizidine alkaloids 6g and 6h, respectively, with (S) absolute configurations at the ring junctions. The glycosidase inhibitory activities of these compounds were studied. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
The Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction of N‐Thiophosphoryl Imines Catalyzed by 1,3,5‐Triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) –– Convenient Synthesis of α‐Methylene‐β‐Amino Ketone or Acid Derivatives
Authors: Xu Xinyuan , Wang Chungui , Zhou Zhenghong , Tang Xiaofang , He Zhengjie , Tang Chuchi
Published: August 2007

In the presence of an effective air‐stable nucleophilic trialkylphosphane orgaocatalyst, 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane, N‐diethoxythiophosphorylimines 1 and N‐diphenylthiophosphinoylimines 2 exhibited good reactivity in the methyl vinyl ketone or methyl acrylate based aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction. The corresponding products were obtained in fair‐to‐excellent chemical yields. Moreover, the chiral‐imine‐induced diastereoselective aza‐MBH reaction was also realized with 90 % de. This reaction provides a convenient method for the synthesis of synthetically valuable α‐methylene‐β‐amino ketone or acid derivatives.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in goldfish liver in response to short‐term exposure to arsenite
Authors: Bagnyukova Tetyana V. , Luzhna Lidia I. , Pogribny Igor P. , Lushchak Volodymyr I.
Published: August 2007

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant capable of causing oxidative stress, disturbance of metabolism, and cancer development. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of exposure to sodium arsenite on the glutathione pool, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl levels, global DNA methylation, and activities of six antioxidant enzymes in goldfish liver. In a preliminary experiment, 7‐day exposure to 200 μM sodium arsenite, but not 10 or 100 μM, disturbed the glutathione status. A detailed investigation of oxidative stress development and antioxidant responses was further examined during different periods of exposure to 200 μM sodium arsenite. This treatment increased lipid peroxide levels after 1 and 4 days of exposure but did not affect thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls. Oxidized glutathione and the oxidative stress index rose after 4 days, but de novo glutathione synthesis decreased both parameters after 7 days. Activities of the main antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were elevated after longer periods of exposure, indicating an enhanced antioxidant response. Arsenite exposure led to DNA hypomethylation, which is an early marker of disturbed epigenetic regulations. The findings suggest that goldfish livers cope with arsenic‐induced oxidative stress mainly through adaptive changes in the glutathione pool and antioxidant enzymes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of human cell responses to hexavalent chromium
Authors: Gavin Igor M. , Gillis Bruce , Arbieva Zarema , Prabhakar Bellur S.
Published: August 2007

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a recognized environmental toxin with ubiquitous distribution in industrialized societies. Its concentration in ambient air derives from several sources including but not limited to chemical processes, the burning of fossil fuels and the production of cement. It is a food contaminant because of its deposition into bodies of water. The majority of published studies on the effects of Cr(VI) concern animal models and these studies have shown that it can induce a variety of cytotoxic and genotoxic reactions that affect the immune system. In order to identify the specific cellular impact of Cr(VI) on humans, we studied its effect on protein production and gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from both men and women of each major ethnic group including Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians and African‐Americans. High‐throughput protein profiling using bead‐based protein arrays showed a concentration‐dependent biphasic effect of Cr(VI) on the expression of many cytokines and chemokines by activated PBMC. High‐density oligonucleotide microarray analysis identified several functional families of genes including those involved in immune response, intracellular signaling, cell cycle, apoptosis, RNA transport and binding, organelle organization and biogenesis that were strongly affected by Cr(VI). Cr(VI) suppressed many cellular receptor genes involved in immune response and activated many cell cycle‐related and proapoptotic genes. These results defined responses that were unique to Cr(VI). This methodology defined an effective manner for identifying injurious/toxic human exposures to Cr(VI) at the cellular level that may facilitate the identification and monitoring of efficacious treatments for Cr(VI)‐related maladies. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Techniques to measure the dry aeolian deposition of dust in arid and semi‐arid landscapes: a comparative study in West Niger
Authors: Goossens Dirk , Rajot Jean Louis
Published: August 2007

Seven techniques designed to measure the dry aeolian deposition of dust on a desert surface were tested during field experiments in Niger, central‐west Africa. Deposition fluxes were measured during eight periods of 3–4 days each. Experimental techniques tested were the MDCO (marble dust collector) method, the Frisbee method, the glass plate method (optical analysis of dust deposited on glass surfaces using particle imaging software), the soil surface method (deposition on a simulated desert floor) and the CAPYR (capteur pyramidal) method. Theoretical techniques tested were the inferential method and the combination method (gradient method extended with a deposition term for coarse dust particles). The results obtained by the MDCO, Frisbee, inferential and combination methods could be directly compared by converting the data to identical standard conditions (deposition on a water surface producing no resuspension). The results obtained by the other methods (glass plate, soil surface, CAPYR) were compared relatively. The study shows that the crude (unconverted) deposition fluxes of the five experimental techniques were similar, while the crude deposition fluxes calculated by the two theoretical techniques were substantially higher, of the order of four to five times as high as for the experimental techniques. Recalculation of the data to identical environmental conditions (the standard water surface) resulted in nearly identical deposition fluxes for the MDCO, Frisbee, inferential and combination techniques, although the latter two still had slightly higher values (but the differences remained small). The measurements illustrate the need to include a grain shape factor in theoretical dust deposition models. Without such a factor, theoretical models overestimate the deposition. The paper also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques tested. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative reconstruction of Late Cenozoic landscapes: a case study in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain)
Authors: Benito‐Calvo Alfonso , Pérez‐González Alfredo , Parés Josep María
Published: August 2007

We have developed a method to reconstruct palaeorelief by means of detailed geomorphological and geological studies, geostatistical tools, GIS and a DEM. This method has been applied to the Sierra de Atapuerca (NE Duero Basin, Burgos, Spain), allowing us to model a three‐dimensional reconstruction of the relief evolution from the Middle Miocene to the present. The modelling procedure is based on geostatistical recovery of the palaeosurfaces characteristic of each geomorphological evolution stage, using polynomial regressions, trend surfaces and kriging. The modelling of morphology trends has been useful in establishing new geological and geomorphological relationships in the geodynamic evolution of this basin, such as uplift quantification, correlation of erosion surfaces and sedimentary units, and the evolution of fluvial base levels. The palaeosurface reconstruction together with an analysis of the slope retreat have allowed us to reconstruct the palaeoreliefs that define the Late Cenozoic landscape evolution of this area, where the Lower and Middle Pleistocene archaeopalaeontological sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca are located. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of intertidal drainage channels on a multi‐barred macrotidal beach
Authors: Reichmüth Béatrice , Anthony Edward J.
Published: August 2007

The intertidal drainage channels on a macrotidal bar–trough (ridge‐and‐runnel) beach were monitored during a 17‐day survey. Type 1 channels were persistent, dominantly longshore systems essentially limited to the wide intertidal zone between mean high and low water neap tidal levels. The cumulative length of this channel type fluctuated as a function of topographically controlled through‐flow or flow impedance in troughs, and showed no correlation with the semi‐lunar tidal cycle. Smaller, ephemeral type 2 channels appeared as dominantly cross‐shore systems incising bars on the narrower upper and lower beach zones during spring tides. They disappeared during neap tides through infill by waves and aeolian activity. The only significant phase of type 1 channel mobility occurred during a brief moderate‐energy storm at the start of the survey. The effect of this mobility on beach morphology was inextricably linked to that of waves and currents. Meander bend migration, forced by wave‐ and longshore‐current‐induced migration of a bar during the storm, resulted in important but highly localized morphological change that was only a minor part of an irregular saw‐tooth pattern of change that affected the entire beach profile, and that was largely controlled by wave processes and longshore currents. The flow velocities in channels on this beach are too weak to generate the formation and longshore migration of high‐energy bedforms. Channel mobility and impact on beach morphology are expected to increase under storm conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topographically associated but chronologically disjunct late Quaternary floodplains and terraces in a partly confined valley, south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Cohen T. J. , Nanson G. C.
Published: August 2007

The Bellinger River catchment in the New England Fold Belt on the mid‐north coast of New South Wales is characterized by an assemblage of stepped late Quaternary alluvial units. Late Pleistocene terraces were formed by large, more competent rivers that eroded almost entire valley floors; however, a decline in discharge prior to the Holocene has resulted in the abandonment of these deposits as elevated terraces or residual alluvium, onlapped by contemporary floodplains. Intrinsic controls on floodplain formation appear to be superimposed over an early–mid‐Holocene climatic signature. A fluvially active period, known as the Nambucca Phase, from 10 to 4·5 ka, eroded Late Pleistocene terraces. Two floodplain surfaces, one higher than the other, both started to accrete vertically from 4 ka but with some valley locations remaining vulnerable to episodes of erosion, resulting in substantial units of even younger basal alluvium. The high floodplain is dominated by horizontally laminated, vertically accreted sequences, while the low floodplain, which overlaps in age, is characterized by pronounced cut‐and‐fill stratigraphy. Terraces and floodplains in partly confined settings can have similar elevations but be polycyclic, with very different basal ages. In such landscapes the classical assumption that individual terrace or floodplain profiles along a valley represent periods of coeval formation is shown to be frequently invalid. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can abundance of geomorphological features be predicted using presence–absence data?
Authors: Hjort Jan , Luoto Miska
Published: August 2007

Geomorphological models are useful tools for assessing the impacts of changing environmental conditions on earth surface processes and landforms. Here we evaluate the feasibility of predicting the abundance (spatial coverage) of geomorphological features using presence–absence data. To achieve the study goals, generalized linear models (GLMs), spatial predictors and geomorphological data from a thoroughly inventoried area of 600 km2 in sub‐Arctic Finland at a resolution of 25 ha were utilized in the exercise. The key finding was that the GLMs derived from presence–absence data performed as consistently, as a relative index of abundance, as models derived directly from the abundance data. Thus, predictions based on presence–absence data may serve as a reasonable surrogate for abundance of geomorphological features. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Einige neue und wenig bekannte Taxa aus der Familie Chenopodiaceae in Europa und im östlichen Mittelmeergebiet
Authors: Suchorukow (Sukhorukov) A. P.
Published: August 2007

Die früher als anatolischer Endemit betrachtete Art Atriplex davisii Aellen wird zum ersten Mal für die Flora von Europa (Griechische Inseln) und für das östliche Mittelmeergebiet (Israel) nachgewiesen. Die Unterschiede zwischen dieser Art und nahe verwandten Taxa (A. micrantha C.A. Mey., A. patula L., A. prostrata Boucher ex DC.) aus der Sekt. Teutliopsis Dumort. werden aufgelistet. Atriplex sphaeromorpha Iljin ist außerhalb ihres Verbreitungsgebiets (von der Ukraine bis Ostkasachstan) nur einmal in Deutschland als Adventivpflanze gefunden worden. Diese Sippe wird hier lektotypifiziert. Corispermum gmelinii Bunge s.str. (C. tylocarpum Hance s. l.) erscheint neu für die europäische Flora (Frankreich). Erstmals werden Fruchtmerkmale als Unterschiede zwischen Corispermum ‐Taxa diskutiert. Statt Salsola kali L. sind für Zypern zwei Salsola ‐Arten, S. pontica (Pall.) Degen und S. tragus L., zu nennen. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Stomatal types in Chinese and Himalayan Umbelliferae
Authors: Ostroumova T. A. , Kljuykov E. V.
Published: August 2007

The leaf epidermis of 149 species from 47 genera of Asiatic Umbelliferae has been studied. For each species the form of the anticlinal walls of the epidermal cells, the presence of thick pitted walls, the composition of stomatal types, and the number of epidermal cells surrounding the stomata (neighbouring and subsidiary) have been recorded. The sto‐ matal types and the number of surrounding cells are of some taxonomic value in the genera and species groups in the family. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Examining the effect of linkage disequilibrium between markers on the Type I error rate and power of nonparametric multipoint linkage analysis of two‐generation and multigenerational pedigrees in the presence of missing genotype data
Authors: Kim Yoonhee , Duggal Priya , Gillanders Elizabeth M. , Kim Ho , Bailey‐Wilson Joan E.
Published: August 2007

Because most multipoint linkage analysis programs currently assume linkage equilibrium between markers when inferring parental haplotypes, ignoring linkage disequilibrium (LD) may inflate the Type I error rate. We investigated the effect of LD on the Type I error rate and power of nonparametric multipoint linkage analysis of two‐generation and multigenerational multiplex families. Using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism, we modified the original data set into 30 total data sets in order to consider six different patterns of missing data for five different levels of SNP density. To assess power, we designed simulated traits based on existing marker genotypes. For the Type I error rate, we simulated 1,000 qualitative traits from random distributions, unlinked to any of the marker data. Overall, the different levels of SNP density examined here had only small effects on power (except sibpair data). Missing data had a substantial effect on power, with more completely genotyped pedigrees yielding the highest power (except sibpair data). Most of the missing data patterns did not cause large increases in the Type I error rate if the SNP markers were more than 0.3 cM apart. However, in a dense 0.25‐cM map, removing genotypes on founders and/or founders and parents in the middle generation caused substantial inflation of the Type I error rate, which corresponded to the increasing proportion of persons with missing data. Results also showed that long high‐LD blocks have severe effects on Type I error rates. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tracheostomy decannulation: Implication on respiratory mechanics
Authors: Dellweg Dominic , Barchfeld Thomas , Haidl Peter , Appelhans Patrick , Kohler Dieter
Published: August 2007

Background.

Tracheostomy decreases airway resistance and work of breathing. No comprehensive data are available on respiratory mechanics after tracheostomy decannulation. We evaluated respiratory mechanics after decannulation.

Methods.

Twenty‐five patients with tracheostomy were included. Measurement of arterial blood gases, air‐flow, and esophageal pressure during spontaneous breathing were evaluated.

Results.

Overall arterial blood gas parameters as well as flow and pressure measurements including work of breathing and airway resistance were not affected by the intervention. Inspiratory time fraction increased from 40.0 ± 0.04 to 43% ± 0.05% (p = .007). We observed marked individual differences. Postdecannulation change in work of breathing is best predicted by change in airway resistance (R = 0.869, R2 = 0.755, p < .0001)

Conclusion.

Inspiratory time increased after decannulation, and arterial blood gas levels and respiratory mechanics did not change for the whole cohort. Individual changes in work of breathing are considerable and correlate closely to changes in airway resistance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007
Health behaviors of head and neck cancer patients the first year after diagnosis
Authors: Duffy Sonia A. , Khan Mumtaz J. , Ronis David L. , Fowler Karen E. , Gruber Stephen B. , Wolf Gregory T. , Terrell Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2007

Background.

This prospective, cohort study is the first to describe 5 health behaviors of head and neck cancer patients the first year after diagnosis.

Methods.

Patients (N = 283) were recruited in otolaryngology clinic waiting rooms and asked to complete written surveys. A medical record audit was also conducted. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine which variables were associated with the 5 health behaviors.

Results.

Half of the patients smoked and 25% were problem drinkers. Over half of the smokers and drinkers quit 1 year post‐diagnosis. Smoking and problem drinking were highly associated and both were associated with lower body mass index (BMI) (p < .01). Moreover, physical activity and sleep were associated with each other (p < .01). Low SLEEP (Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale) scores were common and highly associated with depression (p < .01).

Conclusion.

The health behaviors of head and neck cancer patients are interrelated, and assessing and treating these behaviors together may be beneficial. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
N-glycomic changes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with liver cirrhosis induced by hepatitis B virus
Authors: Liu Xue-En , Desmyter Liesbeth , Gao Chun-Fang , Laroy Wouter , Dewaele Sylviane , Vanhooren Valerie , Wang Ling , Zhuang Hui , Callewaert Nico , Libert Claude , Contreras Roland , Chen Cuiying
Published: August 2007

We evaluated the use of blood serum N-glycan fingerprinting as a tool for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV). A group of 450 HBV-infected patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis with or without HCC were studied. HCC was diagnosed by α-fetoprotein (AFP) analysis, ultrasonography, and/or computed tomography and was studied histologically. N-glycan profiles of serum proteins were determined with DNA sequencer–based carbohydrate analytical profiling technology. In this study, we found that a branch alpha(1,3)-fucosylated triantennary glycan was more abundant in patients with HCC than in patients with cirrhosis, patients with fibrosis, and healthy blood donors, whereas a bisecting core alpha(1,6)-fucosylated biantennary glycan was elevated in patients with cirrhosis. The concentration of these 2 glycans and the log ratio of peak 9 to peak 7 (renamed the GlycoHCCTest) were associated with the tumor stage. Moreover, for screening patients with HCC from patients with cirrhosis, the overall sensitivity and specificity of the GlycoHCCTest were very similar to those of AFP.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that a branch alpha(1,3)-fucosylated glycan is associated with the development of HCC. The serum N-glycan profile is a promising noninvasive method for detecting HCC in patients with cirrhosis and could be a valuable supplement to AFP in the diagnosis of HCC in HBV-infected patients with liver cirrhosis. Its use for the screening, follow-up, and management of patients with cirrhosis and HCC should be evaluated further.
Coupled surface and ground water models for investigating hydrological processes
Authors: Wu Ray‐Shyan , Shih Dong‐Sin , Li Ming‐Hsu , Niu Chia‐Ching
Published: August 2007

This study examines a physical based distributed‐parameter model combining surface runoff and ground water flow. Surface runoff is composed of both overland flow and river flow components, and the ground water module considers the unsaturated zone and saturated zone in an unconfined aquifer system. Previous works of surface flow module development was presented, the ground water module development and complete hydrologic processes simulations are conducted in this paper. Proposed watershed model is designed to deal with physics‐based multiple processes occurring in watershed, including evaporation, infiltration, percolation, surface runoff and ground water flow. This study used a proposed watershed model for the simulations of extreme flood events and long‐term periods that occurred in the Shihmen reservoir watershed from 1986 to 2001. This hydrological model is a flash reacting watershed model, showing good potential for storm based simulations, recession period description and long‐term modelling. Therefore, the proposed model is confirmed to be suitable for Shihmen reservoir watershed simulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting suspended sediment concentrations in the Meuse river using a supply‐based rating curve
Authors: Doomen Annette M. C. , Wijma Eisse , Zwolsman John J. G. , Middelkoop Hans
Published: August 2007

A rating curve provides a reasonable estimate of the suspended sediment concentration at a given discharge. However, analysis of a detailed 9‐year time‐series of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and discharge Q of the Meuse River in The Netherlands indicates that SSC is (besides discharge) controlled by exhaustion and replenishment of different sediment sources. Clockwise hysteresis and other effects of sediment exhaustion can be observed during and after flood events, and the effects of stockpiling of sediment in the river bed during low‐discharge periods are obvious in the SSC of the next flood. In a single regression equation we have implemented a parameter that represents the presence or absence of stock for sediment uptake. In comparison with a rating curve of SSC and Q, adding this parameter is shown to be a more reliable and comprehensive method to predict SSCs at all discharge regimes with all preceding discharge conditions, for single‐peaked and multi‐peaked runoff events as well as for low flow conditions. The method is probably applicable to other small‐ to medium‐scaled river basins. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating peat hydrological properties using field and laboratory methods: application to the Lanoraie peatland complex (southern Quebec, Canada)
Authors: Rosa E. , Larocque M.
Published: August 2007

Flow dynamics within a peatland are governed by hydraulic parameters such as hydraulic conductivity, dispersivity and specific yield, as well as by anisotropy and heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to investigate hydraulic parameters variability in peat through the use of different field and laboratory methods. An experimental site located in the Lanoraie peatland complex (southern Quebec, Canada) was used to test the different approaches. Slug and bail tests were performed in piezometer standpipes to investigate catotelm hydraulic conductivity. Combined Darcy tests and tracer experiments were conducted on cubic samples using the modified cube method (MCM) to assess catotelm hydraulic conductivity, anisotropy and dispersivity. A new laboratory method is proposed for assessing acrotelm hydraulic conductivity and gravity drainage using a laboratory experimental tank. Most of slug tests' recovery curves were characteristic of compressible media, and important variability was observed depending on the initial head difference. The Darcy experiments on cubic samples provided reproducible results, and anisotropy (Kh > Kv) was observed for most of samples. All tracer experiments displayed asymmetrical breakthrough curves, suggesting the presence of retardation and/or dual porosity. Hydraulic conductivity estimates performed using the experimental tank showed K variations over a factor of 44 within the upper 40 cm of the acrotelm. The results demonstrate that the intrinsic variability associated with the different field and laboratory methods is small compared with the spatial variability of hydraulic parameters. It is suggested that a comprehensive assessment of peat hydrological properties can be obtained through the combined use of complementary field and laboratory investigations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intra‐storm evaporation as a component of canopy interception loss in dryland shrubs: observations from Fowlers Gap, Australia
Authors: Dunkerley D. L.
Published: August 2007

Interception losses from the canopies of dryland plant taxa remain poorly understood, especially the relative contributions of intra‐storm and post‐storm evaporative losses. Employing a new measuring apparatus, this study uses low‐intensity simulated rain, matched to the properties of local rain, to explore interception processes in bluebush shrubs at an Australian dryland site. Five shrub specimens were exposed to simulated rain for 60–90 min. Experiments were repeated at three rainfall intensities (10, 15, and 20 mm h−1). Canopy evaporation was found from the difference between the flux of water delivered to the shrub and the flux of throughfall, once equilibrium had been established. The results show that evaporation from the wet foliage during rain proceeds at an average rate of 3·6 mm h−1. This figure is for relatively cool spring‐season conditions; evaporation rates in hot summer conditions would be larger. Intra‐storm evaporation is shown to exceed post‐rain evaporation from interception storage on the shrubs, and this differentiates dryland shrub interception processes from those of the better‐studied wet forest environment. Implications of the high dryland shrub canopy evaporation rates for aspects of dryland ecology are highlighted. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adult stem cells in progression and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Herr Ingrid , Groth Ariane , Schemmer Peter , Büchler Markus W.
Published: August 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumours associated with poor prognosis. Despite its significance, there is only an elemental understanding of the mechanisms that drive disease pathogenesis, and there are just limited therapy options. The medical community is currently experiencing a wave of enthusiasm for clinical trials, in which adult stem/progenitor cells are used for liver regeneration. This is based on promising results in animal models and encouraging reports from some initial clinical studies. On the other hand, several essential precautions are not being fully addressed. Stem cells may contribute to fibrosis or give rise to hepatic cancer stem cells as a source of hepatocellular carcinoma. This review outlines the current state of knowledge in progression of liver disease and highlights the function of adult stem cells in disease and therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Video tracking system optimization using evolution strategies
Authors: García Jesús , Pérez Oscar , Berlanga Antonio , Molina José M.
Published: August 2007

A video‐based tracking system for airport surveillance, composed by modules performing vision tasks at different levels, is adapted for operational conditions by means of Evolution Strategies (ES). An optimization procedure has been carried out considering different scenes composed of representative trajectories, supported by a global evaluation metric proposed to quantify the system performance. The generalization problem (the search of appropriate solutions for general situations, avoiding over‐adaptation to particular conditions) is approached considering evaluation of ES‐individuals over combinations of trajectories to build the fitness function. In this way, the optimization procedure covers sets of trajectories representing different types of problems. Besides, alternative operators for aggregating partial evaluations have been analysed. Results show how the optimization strategy provides a sensitive tuning of performance related to input parameters at different levels, and how the combination of different situations improves the generalization capability of the trained system. The global performance final system after optimization is also compared with representative algorithms in the state of the art of visual tracking. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 75–90, 2007
A comparative study on interpolation methods for controlled cardiac CT
Authors: Bharkhada Deepak , Yu Hengyong , Zeng Kai , Bai Er‐Wei , Wang Ge
Published: August 2007

Bai et al. recently proposed to acquire random fan‐beam/cone‐beam projections with a linear/planar detector from a circular scanning locus for controlled cardiac computed tomography (CT). After specifying a uniform acquisition geometry required by FBP (filtration‐backprojection), we rebin the random fan‐beam/cone‐beam data via nearest‐neighbor, quadrilateral and triangle‐based linear interpolation methods. The fan‐beam and parallel‐beam FBP algorithms are employed for rebinned fan‐beam projections. The FDK (Feldkamp–Davis–Kress) and t‐FDK (tent‐FDK) methods are employed for rebinned cone‐beam data. Also, nonuniform weighting fan‐beam/FDK methods are used to reconstruct without rebinning. As a benchmark, the images are reconstructed using uniform weighting fan‐beam/FDK method from data collected at the specified uniform grid. To evaluate the different methods, effects of increasing the number of projections and adding Poisson noise are studied. The root mean square error (RMSE) is used to quantify the image quality by numerical tests with the cardiac phantom. Our results show that it is helpful to perform data interpolation for improvements of the image quality in controlled cardiac CT from random projections. Our simulations indicate that triangular interpolation gives the most satisfactory result for improved image quality whereas quadrilateral interpolationgives the best noise performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 91–98, 2007
Error assisted fast mode decision in the H264 video coding standard
Authors: Grecos Christos , Yang M. Y.
Published: August 2007

A new algorithm for fast mode decision in the H264 video coding standard is presented in this article. The novelty of the algorithm stems from the fact that it jointly exploits error and pixel information for mode decision as opposed to pixel only information [Lim et al., Input Document JVT‐1020, 2003]. The exploitation of error information is achieved through the use of moving averages of error cost functions as decision steps for mode selection and results in significant computational savings with similar or even better Rate Distortion performance as compared to the work performed by Lim et al. [Input Document JVT‐1020, 2003] and other techniques in the literature [Jing and Chau, Electron Lett 40 (2004); Grecos and Yang, IEEE Trans Broadcast 51 (2005); Hong et al., Proceedings of the IEEE 19th International Conference on AINA, 2005]. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 99–102, 2007
The evaluation of neuroprotective efficacy of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI‐6) in cyclosarin‐poisoned rats
Authors: Kassa Jiri , Karasova Jana , Vasina Libor
Published: August 2007

The neuroprotective effects of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI‐6) in combination with atropine in rats poisoned with cyclosarin were studied. The cyclosarin‐induced neurotoxicity was monitored using a functional observational battery at 24 h and 7 days following cyclosarin challenge. The results indicate that the oxime HI‐6 combined with atropine seems to be the most effective antidote for a decrease in cyclosarin‐induced neurotoxicity. Both newly developed oximes (K074, K075) as well as obidoxime are also able to counteract cyclosarin‐induced acute neurotoxicity, but their neuroprotective potency is significantly lower compared with the oxime HI‐6. Therefore, the oxime HI‐6 is still the most suitable oxime for the antidotal treatment of acute poisonings with cyclosarin due to its neuroprotective as well as reactivating efficacy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasmid size influences chitosan nanoparticle mediated gene transfer to chondrocytes
Authors: Xu Ximing , Capito Ramille M. , Spector Myron
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present study was to prepare chitosan nanoparticles incorporating a relatively large plasmid encoding for osteogenic protein (OP)‐1 and to determine the ability of these nanoparticles to transfect adult canine articular chondrocytes in vitro. The positive charge of chitosan acted to condense the relatively large negatively‐charged OP‐1 plasmid such that it could be incorporated into nanoparticles. Incorporation of the plasmid into the chitosan nanoparticles did not affect the structural integrity of the plasmid as demonstrated by gel electrophoresis. The morphology and size of the nanoparticles were found to vary with the chitosan:plasmid weight ratio. Nanoparticles formulated with a chitosan:plasmid ratio of 10:1 were of uniformly small size (less than 250 nm) and spherical shape. These nanoparticles had a positive charge of about 20 mV. FITC‐labeled chitosan nanoparticles were found in virtually all of the cells after 24 h of incubation with the nanoparticles, and confocal microscopy revealed FITC‐related fluorescence in the nucleus of the chondrocytes. Although transfection of the chondrocytes was demonstrated by the fluorescence of cells treated with chitosan nanoparticles containing the plasmid for the enhanced green fluorescence protein, cells transfected with nanoparticles incorporating the larger OP‐1 plasmid did not show OP‐1 expression measured by ELISA for up to 2 weeks in culture. These results indicate that although a large plasmid can be successfully incorporated within chitosan nanoparticles, the size of the plasmid incorporated within the nanoparticles may still significantly affect gene transfer to cells. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Skeletal myogenesis on highly orientated microfibrous polyesterurethane scaffolds
Authors: Riboldi S.A. , Sadr N. , Pigini L. , Neuenschwander P. , Simonet M. , Mognol P. , Sampaolesi M. , Cossu G. , Mantero S.
Published: August 2007

Skeletal myogenesis is a complex process, which is known to be intimately depending on an optimal outside‐in substrate‐cell signaling. Current attempts to reproduce skeletal muscle tissue in vitro using traditional scaffolds mainly suffer from poor directionality of the myofibers, resulting in an ineffective vectorial power generation. In this study, we aimed at investigating skeletal myogenesis on novel biodegradable microfibrous scaffolds made of DegraPol®, a block polyesterurethane previously demonstrated to be suitable for this application. DegraPol® was processed by electrospinning in the form of highly orientated (“O”) and nonorientated (“N/O”) microfibrous meshes and by solvent‐casting in the form of nonporous films (“F”). The effect of the fiber orientation at the scaffold surface was evaluated by investigating C2C12 and L6 proliferation (via SEM analysis and alamarBlue™ test) and differentiation (via RT‐PCR analysis and MHC immunostaining). We demonstrated that highly orientated elastomeric microfibrous DegraPol® scaffolds enable skeletal myogenesis in vitro by aiding in (a) myoblast adhesion, (b) myotube alignment, and (c) noncoplanar arrangement of cells, by providing the necessary directional cues along with architectural and mechanical support. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Targeted treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Xinning , Yin Lihong , Rao Pravin , Stein Robert , Harsch Kelley M. , Lee Zhenghong , Heston Warren D.W.
Published: August 2007

Over a half century ago, Charles Huggins demonstrated the response of prostate cancer to androgen deprivation therapy. Subsequently, many discoveries and evolving findings continued to support a research rationale focused on the androgen receptor (AR) as a key target for prostate cancer. More recently, preliminary trials have suggested that other targets could also be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, and the proposed strategies for treatment have ranged from targeted toxins to immunotherapeutic agents. We provide an overview of some of these approaches, with an emphasis on those that employ prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a target. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 571–579, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐related gene expression profiles of rhesus monkey bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Hacia Joseph G. , Lee C. Chang I. , Jimenez Daniel F. , Karaman Mazen W. , Ho Vincent V. , Siegmund Kimberley D. , Tarantal Alice F.
Published: August 2007

The objective of this study was to elucidate age‐related differences in gene expression profiles of rhesus monkey bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (rhMSC) obtained from fetal, infant, and adult donors relevant to their growth and other properties. Although a high degree of similarity was observed in the rhMSC gene expression profiles when comparing the three age groups, significant differences were found that strongly parallel gene expression profiles of human MSC. In general, there was a trend towards increased abundance of transcripts associated with differentiation and growth arrest with increasing donor age. Conversely, transcripts involved in RNA processing and the negative regulation of gene expression showed a downward trend with increasing donor age. Overall, the observed gene expression profiles were found to be similar to observations that MSC from older individuals show diminished proliferative capacity. These data highlight the importance of use of non‐human primates to study the properties of stem and progenitor cells, and for future therapies. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1198–1210, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.