bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of ectoparasites of carp fingerlings at Santaher, Bogra
Authors: Hossain MD , Hossain M Kabil , Rahman M Habibur , Akter A , Khanom DA
Published: January 2009

The research work was conducted to find out the seasonal prevalence of ectoparasites of carp fingerlings. Seven species of parasites viz. Trichodina domerguei, Trichodina reticulata, Chilodonella cyprini, Myxobolus koi, Dactylogyroides tripathi, Dactylogyrus extensus and Dactylogyrus catlarius were recovered from 640 fingerlings of Silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix), Bighead carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Thai punti (Puntius gonionotus), Catla (Catla catla), Rui (Labeo rohita) and Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) from different nursery ponds of Bogra district during June 2005 to May 2006. The highest prevalence (95%) was in Trichodina domerguei and lowest (10%) in Dactylogyrus catlarius during winter season. Average prevalence of protozoan and monogenean parasite was 37.16 in rainy season, 40.08 in winter season and 30.25 in summer season. Winter is the most disease occurring season of the year. Key words: Ectoparasite, infestation, prevalence, fingerling, nursery pond Â  doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1947Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 17-19
Comparative study on the effects of low cost oil seed cakes and fish meal as dietary protein sources for Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerling
Authors: Latif KA , Alam MT , Sayeed MA , Hussain M Afzal , Sultana S , Hossain MA
Published: January 2009

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of combination of soybean meal (SBN), mustard oilcake (MOC), sesame oilcake (SOC) and linseed oilcake (LOC) as alternative for dietary fish meal (FM) protein for Labeo rohita fingerling for a period of 56 days. Six experimental diets were formulated by replacing 30, 50, 60, 70 and 100% (2 diets) of the total dietary fish meal protein by the combination of FM, SBM, MOC, SOC, and LOC. The combinations of the protein sources were as diet 1 (FM 100%), diet 2 (FM:SBM:MOC::70:15:15), diet 3 (FM:SBM:SOC:LOC::50:20:20:10), diet 4 (FM:SBM:SOC:LOC::40:20:20:20), diet 5 (FM:SBM:SOC:LOC::25:30:15:30), diet 6 (SBM:MOC:SOC:LOC::25:25:25:25) and diet 7 (SBM:SOC:LOC::40:30:30). The performances of these six test diets were compared with the diet 1 (control). All diets were iso-nitrogenous containing about 30% protein. The growth trial was conducted in a flow through system under laboratory condition with three replications for each treatment. On the basis of the growth response, food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) diet 7 showed better performance followed by diet 1, diet 2, diet 5, diet 3, diet 4 and diet 6 respectively but those were not significantly different (P>0.05). The diet 6 produced the lowest performance. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) values for all the experimental diets were very nearer but significantly different (P0.05) in diets even from control one which were formulated to evaluate the effects of combination of low cost oil seed cakes as dietary protein source for Labeo rohita fingerling. Hence, it might be concluded that from the economic point of view, that all the low cost oil seed cakes which are locally available can be used in combination form as the alternative protein source for the feed of Labeo rohita. Key words: Oil seed cakes, Labeo rohita, fingerling, protein source. Â  doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1949 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 25-30
A study on the abundance of zooplankton of a culture and a non-culture pond of the Rajshahi University campus
Authors: Rahman Sharmeen , Hussain M Afzal
Published: January 2009

Zooplankton constitute important food item of many omnivorous and carnivorous fishes. The study was conducted with an aim to study the zooplankton production including physico-chemical parameters with an emphasis to the existing management practices taken by the operators. The study was carried out in a culture and a non-culture pond of Rajshahi University campus was carried out from September, 2004 to February, 2005. Monthly fluctuations of some physico-chemical parameters were noted. The ponds showed alkaline in nature with moderate bicarbonate alkalinity. Diurnal change of water temperature, free CO2 and dissolved Oxygen were also studied. Four groups of zooplankton were identified, of which copepods (1260 units/l and 973.33 units/l in pond-1 and pond-2 respectively) were most dominant. A total of 9 genera of zooplankton were identified of which Cyclops (68.25% and 60.28% of total copepods) was most abundant in both ponds. Total zooplankton showed positive correlation with pH, carbonate alkalinity (CO3) and bicarbonate alkalinity (HCO3) in both ponds and DO, carbon dioxide (CO2) in pond-1. Present findings indicated that the culture pond showed better result than that of the non-culture pond regarding zooplankton production. Key words: Zooplankton, culture pond, non-culture pond, physico-chemical parameters. Â  doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1951 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 35-41
Field Studies of Butterflies: A Trial for the Establishment of Indices to Evaluate the Seasonal Fluctuations and the Ecological States of Forests in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahjahan Reza M , Razzak M Abdur , Islam ATM Fayezul , Saifullah ASM , Yamanaka A , Inoue M , Endo K
Published: January 2009

To establish the indices evaluating the ecological conditions of forests in Bangladesh, total number of butterflies counted in 5 observation sites reached 27,805 (76 species, 10 families). Number of butterflies (IND) and species showed bimodal pattern of seasonal fluctuations peaked in April and November-to- December. The values of I(R5) also showed bimodal seasonal fluctuations peaked in January-to-February and July-to-September. The ratios of IND/I(R5) formed a large peak in November. Results indicate that species diversities of butterflies high in March-to-July decreased thereafter, the numbers of butterflies increased toward November in the study area. Key words: Butterfly, seasonal fluctuation, population indices, ecological states Â  doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1958 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 67-71
On the food and feeding habit of an estuarine catfish (Mystus gulio Hamilton) in the south-west coast of Bangladesh
Authors: Begum M , Alam MJ , Islam MA , Pal HK
Published: January 2009

No Abstract doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1962 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 91-94
Toxicity of chloroform extracts of Derris indica Bennet. against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) adults
Authors: Mondal Omar Ali , Islam Nurul
Published: January 2009

No Abstract Key words: Toxicity, Derris indica, Chloroform extract, Callosobruchus maculatus doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1963 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 95-96
Growing older in Malta. Experiences of British retirees
Authors: Innes Anthea
Published: January 2009

International retirement migration (IRM) is attracting increasing research interest. This article reports findings from an exploratory case study of 16 older people who havemoved from theUKto grow older in Malta. Data was collected using in-depth interviews drawing on a life history approach. This article builds on previous research in the IRM field by providing detailed examples of the push and pull factors influencing the decision to move to Malta and the reported positive experiences of living in Malta. The article also discusses negative impressions of life in Malta, an issue that has not been previously documented in relation to Malta. Future difficulties that the immigrants may encounter are also considered. This article contributes to the growing body of knowledge concerning the experience of IRM.
Desensitization to media violence over a short period of time
Authors: Fanti Kostas A. , Vanman Eric , Henrich Christopher C. , Avraamides Marios N.
Published: January 2009

This study investigated the desensitization to violence over a short period of time. Participants watched nine violent movie scenes and nine comedy scenes, and reported whether they enjoyed the violent or comedy scenes and whether they felt sympathetic toward the victim of violence. Using latent growth modeling, analyses were carried out to investigate how participants responded to the different scenes across time. The findings of this study suggested that repeated exposure to media violence reduces the psychological impact of media violence in the short term, therefore desensitizing viewers to media violence. As a result, viewers tended to feel less sympathetic toward the victims of violence and actually enjoy more the violence portrayed in the media. Additionally, desensitization to media violence was better represented by a curvilinear pattern, whereas desensitization to comedy scenes was better represented by a linear pattern. Finally, trait aggression was not related to the pattern of change over time, although significant effects were found for initial reports of enjoyment and sympathy. Aggr. Behav. 35:179–187, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cover Picture: “Half‐Bonds” in an Unusual Coordinated S42− Rectangle (Chem. Asian J. 2/2009)
Authors: Poduska Anne , Hoffmann Roald , Ienco Andrea , Mealli Carlo
Published: January 2009

This stone lantern is known as the “Koto‐ji”, or “harp‐tuner”, as it resembles the tuning bridge of the Japanese koto. The six windows of the lantern are said to symbolize the six essential attributes of a perfect garden, such as the one it overlooks: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views. R. Hoffmann et al. report on two synthesized compounds containing the unusual S42− rectangles bound to either Ir or Rh fragments, illuminated by the two lamp windows. Like the Koto‐ji lantern, this paper, which suggests the presence of SS half‐bonds, sheds some light in the garden of beautiful compounds. For more information, see their Full Paper on page 302 ff.

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Normal renal arterial anatomy assessed by multidetector CT angiography: Are there differences between men and women?
Authors: Turba Ulku Cenk , Uflacker Renan , Bozlar Ugur , Hagspiel Klaus D.
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine renal arterial anatomy and gender differences in adults without renovascular disease using multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA). MDCTA datasets of 399 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements of the aortorenal diameters, the angulation of the renal ostia and pedicles as well as the distance between the origins of the renal arteries were measured. Differences in measurements between genders were tested for statistical significance using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's Chi‐Square tests. A total of 798 renal arteries were available for analysis in 207 female (mean age = 52.91 years) and 192 male patients (mean age = 53.04 years). Female patients were found to have smaller aortae (at the level of the right renal ostium) and bilateral renal arteries than males (mean aortic diameter M/F = 18.33/15.89 mm, mean right renal artery ostial diameter M/F = 5.06/4.59 mm, mean left ostial renal diameter M/F = 5.14/4.66 mm) (p < .001). There was no statistical significance for the renal ostia level in relation to the vertebrae and the majority of renal arteries originated at the L1 and L2 levels. The longitudinal distance between right and left renal artery ostia ranged from 0 to 32 mm (mean = 4,6 mm, median = 5mm). The mean anteroposterior orientation of the right renal ostia was M/F = 29.45°/28.20°, and M/F = −7.96°/−11.14° for left renal artery ostia. The mean anteroposterior orientation of the right renal pedicle was M/F = 41.37°/44.34° and M/F = 42.31°/43.95° for the left pedicle. There are some differences in normal renal arterial anatomy between genders. Normal renal arterial information is useful not only for planning and performing of endovascular and laparoscopic urologic procedures, but also for medical device development. Clin. Anat. 22:236–242, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models in the learning process of Hydraulic Engineering
Authors: López P. A. , Mora J. J. , Martínez F. J. , Izquierdo J.
Published: January 2009

In this article, we show the ability to use sophisticated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models as simple and useful tools in the learning process for Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Engineering topics. Specifically, we present a comparison between results obtained for a controlled layout simulated both by physical and computational models. This particular experience is based on a Venturi tube. In the laboratory of the Multidisciplinary Center for Fluid Modeling (CMMF), we have implemented a suitable assembly to simulate different Venturi‐related phenomena and to take measurements in an intrusion flow forced by the pressure field into the perforated Venturi tube. The same geometry has been reproduced using a CFD code, and both pressure and velocity values have been compared. By doing this comparison, we first provide awareness to our students about the importance of calibration, then show them the agreement between measured and computed values, and finally design a methodology for students to visualize pressure and velocity fields by means of a number of graphical displays of the results. This approach has revealed itself to be a powerful tool for them to understand the intricacies of hydraulic topics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 252–260, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20248
Rank annihilation factor analysis for multicomponent kinetic‐spectrophotometric determination using difference spectra
Authors: Bahram Morteza , Mabhooti Mehdi
Published: January 2009

In this work rank annihilation factor analysis (RAFA) is used to analyze difference spectra of kinetic‐spectrophotometric data. Annihilation of the contribution of one chemical component from the original data matrix is a general method in RAFA. However, sometimes RAFA is not suitable for studying rank deficient data such as kinetic‐spectrophotometric measurements. On the other hand, in order to apply RAFA for the determination of an analyte in an unknown sample, a standard two‐way matrix of the analyte with rank one should generally be available. This is not usually attainable for kinetic‐spectrophotometric monitoring of complexation reactions. Processes monitored by difference spectroscopy always have the spectrum of the initial stage subtracted from each spectrum in the data matrix. In this work we show that, for kinetic‐spectrophotometric data of complexation reactions, the spectrum of ligand (reactant) itself can be used as initial spectrum for subtraction. The obtained difference matrix of sample and that of analyte of interest will be full‐rank and rank 1, respectively. Therefore the system can be analyzed by RAFA. The proposed method was investigated with simulated data at the first stage. The method was then applied in the analysis of experimental kinetic‐spectrophotometric data of a complexation reactions of Co(II) and Ni(II) with chromogenic reagent 1‐(2‐pyridylazo) 2‐naphthol in order to do multi‐component determination of these ions in various real samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rosuvastatin positively changes nerve electrophysiology in diabetic rats
Authors: Tarhzaoui K. , Valensi P. , Leger G. , Cohen‐Boulakia F. , Lestrade R. , Behar A.
Published: January 2009

Objective

To examine the effect of rosuvastatin on peripheral nerve function in diabetic rats using electrophysiological measurements.

Background

Diabetes was induced in 5‐day‐old male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). As many as 45 diabetic rats were randomized to three groups: one treated with rosuvastatin (group R), another with rosuvastatin and mevalonate (group MR) and the other was untreated (group U). The data were compared with a group of normal age‐matched rats i.e. control rats (group C).

Methods

Neurophysiological measurements were performed at the age of 3 months (T1) and again at the age of 8 months (T2), after 3 months of treatment.

Results

At T1, there was a trend to lower amplitude of compound motor action potential (CMAP) in the three diabetic groups as compared to controls, and no difference for motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), amplitude of sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) between diabetic groups and controls. At T2, the amplitude of CMAP was significantly lower in groups R and MR versus group U and control rats. MNCV was significantly and similarly decreased in the three diabetic groups; the latency of the first sensory peak (fastest sensory fibres) was significantly increased in group U but was normal in groups R and MR.

Conclusions

This study shows that :

rosuvastatin exerts a beneficial effect on the conduction of the fastest sensory fibres;

these effects are independent of blood pressure and lipid changes.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) 30 years later: still the best option for insulin therapy
Authors: Bruttomesso Daniela , Costa Silvana , Baritussio Aldo
Published: January 2009

Thirty years after its introduction, the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) keeps increasing, especially among children and adolescents. The technique, when used properly, is safe and effective.

Compared with traditional NPH‐based multiple daily injections (MDI), CSII provides a small but clinically important reduction of HbA1c levels, diminishes blood glucose variability, decreases severe hypoglycaemic episodes and offers a better way to cope with the dawn phenomenon.

Insulin analogues have improved the treatment of diabetes, eroding part of the place previously occupied by CSII, but CSII still remains the first option for patients experiencing severe hypoglycaemic episodes, high HbA1c values or marked glucose variability while being treated with optimized MDI. Furthermore CSII is better than MDI considering the effects on quality of life and the possibility to adjust insulin administration according to physical activity or food intake.

CSII may be limited by cost. Present estimates suggest that CSII may be cost‐effective just for patients experiencing a marked improvement in HbA1c or a decrease in severe hypoglycaemic episodes, but the effects on quality of life are difficult to measure.

CSII does not merely imply wearing an external device; it requires a multidisciplinary team, intensive patient education and continuous follow up. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elevated glutamate and NMDA disrupt production of the second messenger cyclic GMP in the early postnatal mouse cortex
Authors: Currie Douglas A. , Corlew Rebekah , de Vente Jan , Moody William J.
Published: January 2009

The second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) plays many roles during nervous system development. Consequently, cGMP production shows complex patterns of regulation throughout early development. Elevated glutamate levels are known to increase cGMP levels in the mature nervous system. A number of clinical conditions including ischemia and perinatal asphyxia can result in elevated glutamate levels in the developing brain. To investigate the effects of elevated glutamate levels on cGMP in the developing cortex we exposed mouse brain slices to glutamate orN‐methylD‐aspartate (NMDA). We find that at early postnatal stages when the endogenous production of cGMP is high, glutamate or NMDA exposure results in a significant lowering of the overall production of cGMP in the cortex, unlike the situation in the mature brain. However, this response pattern is complex with regional and cell‐type specific exceptions to the overall lowered cGMP production. These data emphasize that the response of the developing brain to physiological disturbances can be different from that of the mature brain, and must be considered in the context of the developmental events occurring at the time of disturbance. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009
Effect of perceived anonymity in assessments of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes
Authors: Lavender Jason M. , Anderson Drew A.
Published: January 2009

Objective:

The present study assessed the effect of perceived anonymity on endorsements of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes across multiple response formats.

Method:

Four hundred sixty‐nine undergraduate women responded using one of three questionnaire formats: a nominally anonymous true/false condition, an unmatched count condition, or a randomized‐response condition. Both the unmatched count and randomized response conditions provided complete response anonymity.

Results:

Significantly different endorsement rates were found for the majority of items when comparing the standard and unmatched count conditions, whereas differences were found for fewer items when comparing the standard and randomized response conditions. Perceived anonymity significantly differed across conditions, with the highest and lowest perceptions of anonymity found for the unmatched count and standard conditions, respectively.

Discussion:

Perceived anonymity and response format affect endorsements of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes, highlighting the necessity of understanding factors that contribute to response bias. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Negative reinforcement eating expectancies, emotion dysregulation, and symptoms of bulimia nervosa
Authors: Hayaki Jumi
Published: January 2009

Objective:

Research suggests that emotion dysregulation or difficulties in the modulation of emotional experience constitute risk for eating disorders. Recent work has also highlighted the role of certain eating‐related cognitions, specifically expectations of negative emotional reinforcement from eating, in the development of disturbed eating patterns. However, it is unclear whether these expectancies are merely a dimension of a general inability to regulate emotions effectively or rather a unique cognitive‐affective risk factor for the development of an eating disorder. This study examines the unique contribution of eating expectancies to symptoms of bulimia nervosa (BN) after controlling for two dimensions of emotion dysregulation (alexithymia and experiential avoidance) previously implicated in the phenomenology of eating disorders.

Method:

Participants were 115 undergraduate women who self‐reported demographics, alexithymia, experiential avoidance, eating expectancies, and symptoms of BN.

Results:

Eating expectancies uniquely contributed 12.4% of the variance in symptoms of BN, F(2, 108) = 11.74, p < .001. The final model was statistically significant, F(6, 108) = 13.62, p < .001, and accounted for 40.0% of the variance in symptoms of BN.

Discussion:

These results suggest that individuals who expect eating to provide emotional relief may be especially susceptible to disordered eating. Findings are discussed in terms of emotional risk models and clinical interventions for BN. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Sterol lipidomics in health and disease: Methodologies and applications
Authors: Griffiths William J. , Wang Yuqin
Published: January 2009

In this review we discuss the importance of sterols and their metabolites in health and disease. The review extends from precursors of cholesterol to their ultimate metabolites, i.e. bile acids. The mass spectrometry technology used for the analysis of these molecules is reviewed and the most modern methodologies highlighted.
Square‐Wave Voltammetry as a Tool for Investigation of Doxorubicin Interactions with DNA Isolated from Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Huska Dalibor , Adam Vojtech , Babula Petr , Hrabeta Jan , Stiborova Marie , Eckschlager Tomas , Trnkova Libuse , Kizek Rene
Published: January 2009

We investigated ethidium bromide intercalation into DNA molecule as a model system to test square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) as a suitable method for this purpose We found that 0.13 μg EtBr intercalates into 1 μg dsDNA in average. Further, SWV was utilized for investigation of doxorubicin‐DNA interactions. Intercalated doxorubicin reduced observed dsDNA cytosine and adenine (CA) signal, but also provided new signal called DOXO at −0.35 V. This phenomenon was observed at both single and double stranded DNA standards. We also employed adsorptive transfer stripping technique coupled with SWV for study of doxorubicin‐DNA interactions. Doxorubicin intercalation into dsDNA molecule adsorbed onto working electrode was fast, because we observed considerable changes in CA and DOXO signals after 360 s. Finally, we detected doxorubicin‐DNA adducts formed in doxorubicin treated neuroblastoma cells.
Advantages of Odd Random Phase Multisine Electrochemical Impedance Measurements
Authors: Van Ingelgem Yves , Tourwé Els , Blajiev Orlin , Pintelon Rik , Hubin Annick
Published: January 2009

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique to study electrochemical processes and to perform screening tasks. Recently an integrated measuring and modeling methodology for EIS based on a multisine excitation signal was developed. A key issue in this methodology is the data analysis, allowing us to rapidly quantify the reliability of the measured data. In this paper, a comparison is made between classical single‐sine and the proposed multisine measurements on the same system. The fitting of the impedance data obtained by single‐or multisine excitation and using different weighting factors is also discussed. In addition to the advantages reported in earlier work, it is concluded that, of all investigated frequencies, the odd random phase multisine excitation yields the highest quality data in the shortest measurement time.
Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Tea Polyphenols at Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Chitosan Composite Electrode
Authors: Guo Deyin , Zheng Dan , Mo Guangquan , Ye Jianshan
Published: January 2009

This study reports the catalytic oxidation and detection of tea polyphenols (TPs) at glassy‐carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐chitosan (MWCNTs‐CS) film. The adsorption of TPs at the surface of the MWCNTs through π–π conjugation prevents the aggregation of nanotubes and induces a stable MWCNTs suspension in water over 30 days. Based on the adsorptive accumulation of polyphenols at MWCNTs, TPs is sensitively and selectively detected by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The accumulation conditions and pH effect on the adsorptive stripping detection were examined. The linear range was found to be 100 to 1000 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 10 mg L−1 (S/N=3) for 2.5 min accumulation. Additionally, the MWCNTs‐CS electrode is easily renewed by applying positive potential to remove the adsorbed TPs. This method was successfully applied to determine TPs in commercially available teas with satisfied result compared with that of conventional spectrometric analysis.
Determination of Theophylline at a Cysteic Acid Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Brunetti Barbara , Desimoni Elio
Published: January 2009

A glassy carbon electrode modified with electrodeposited cysteic acid is proposed for the determination of theophylline. Estimation of the linear range, calibration function and limit of detection, as well as determination in real samples such as medication tablets were performed.
Electrochemical Characterization of Horse Spleen Ferritin Covalently Immobilized on Self‐Assembled Monolayer Modified Gold Electrodes
Authors: Casella Sean S. , Ritzert Nicole L. , Zapien Donald C.
Published: January 2009

Horse spleen ferritin was covalently attached to SAM‐modified gold electrodes using cross‐linking agents. Reduction of ferritin occurs at negative potentials and is electrochemically irreversible. The voltammetry reveals the presence of a new electrochemical couple that has been determined to be a dissolved iron species released upon the reduction of ferritin. Covalently attached ferritin retains its ability to release iron as evidenced by the absence of the dissolved couple peaks when ferritin is reduced in the presence of nitrilotriacetate. As the SAM chain length increases, the reduction potential becomes more negative, suggesting a tunneling mechanism is involved in the electron transfer.
Automated 3D mapping of hippocampal atrophy and its clinical correlates in 400 subjects with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and elderly controls
Authors: Morra Jonathan H. , Tu Zhuowen , Apostolova Liana G. , Green Amity E. , Avedissian Christina , Madsen Sarah K. , Parikshak Neelroop , Hua Xue , Toga Arthur W. , Jack Clifford R. , Schuff Norbert , Weiner Michael W. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: January 2009

We used a new method we developed for automated hippocampal segmentation, called the auto context model, to analyze brain MRI scans of 400 subjects from the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative. After training the classifier on 21 hand‐labeled expert segmentations, we created binary maps of the hippocampus for three age‐ and sex‐matched groups: 100 subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 200 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 100 elderly controls (mean age: 75.84; SD: 6.64). Hippocampal traces were converted to parametric surface meshes and a radial atrophy mapping technique was used to compute average surface models and local statistics of atrophy. Surface‐based statistical maps visualized links between regional atrophy and diagnosis (MCI versus controls:P= 0.008; MCI versus AD:P= 0.001), mini‐mental state exam (MMSE) scores, and global and sum‐of‐boxes clinical dementia rating scores (CDR; allP< 0.0001, corrected). Right but not left hippocampal atrophy was associated with geriatric depression scores (P= 0.004, corrected); hippocampal atrophy was not associated with subsequent decline in MMSE and CDR scores, educational level, ApoE genotype, systolic or diastolic blood pressure measures, or homocysteine. We gradually reduced sample sizes and used false discovery rate curves to examine the method's power to detect associations with diagnosis and cognition in smaller samples. Forty subjects were sufficient to discriminate AD from normal and correlate atrophy with CDR scores; 104, 200, and 304 subjects, respectively, were required to correlate MMSE with atrophy, to distinguish MCI from normal, and MCI from AD. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional brain areas associated with manipulation of a prehensile tool: A PET study
Authors: Tsuda Hayato , Aoki Tomoko , Oku Naohiko , Kimura Yasuyuki , Hatazawa Jun , Kinoshita Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

Using PET, brain areas representing the use of a well‐learned tool (chopsticks) were investigated in 10 normal common users. The experimental task was to hold the tool in their right hand and use it to pick up and transport a small pin from a table. Data for the same task performed using only the fingers were also obtained as a control. The results showed an extensive overlap in activated areas with and without the use of the tool. The tool‐use prehension, compared to the finger prehension, was associated with higher activities in the caudal‐ventral premotor, dorsal premotor, superior parietal, posterior intraparietal, middle temporal gyrus, and primary sensory, occipital cortices, and the cerebellum. These are thus considered to be the human cortical and subcortical substrates representing the use of the tool studied. The activity of the posterior intraparietal area was negatively correlated with the number of drops of the pin, whereas occipital activity was positively correlated with the same error parameter. The caudal‐ventral premotor and posterior intraparietal areas are together known to be involved in tool use‐related modulation in peripersonal space. The correlation results suggest that this modulation depends on the level of performance. The coactivated left middle temporal gyrus further suggests that familiarity with a tool as well as the knowledge about its usage plays a role in peripersonal space modulation. Superior parietal activation, along with occipital activation, indicates the involvement of visual‐spatial attention in the tool use, possibly reflecting the effect of interaction between the prehension (task) and the tool. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coordinate‐based activation likelihood estimation meta‐analysis of neuroimaging data: A random‐effects approach based on empirical estimates of spatial uncertainty
Authors: Eickhoff Simon B. , Laird Angela R. , Grefkes Christian , Wang Ling E. , Zilles Karl , Fox Peter T.
Published: January 2009

A widely used technique for coordinate‐based meta‐analyses of neuroimaging data is activation likelihood estimation (ALE). ALE assesses the overlap between foci based on modeling them as probability distributions centered at the respective coordinates. In this Human Brain Project/Neuroinformatics research, the authors present a revised ALE algorithm addressing drawbacks associated with former implementations. The first change pertains to the size of the probability distributions, which had to be specified by the used. To provide a more principled solution, the authors analyzed fMRI data of 21 subjects, each normalized into MNI space using nine different approaches. This analysis provided quantitative estimates of between‐subject and between‐template variability for 16 functionally defined regions, which were then used to explicitly model the spatial uncertainty associated with each reported coordinate. Secondly, instead of testing for an above‐chance clustering between foci, the revised algorithm assesses above‐chance clustering between experiments. The spatial relationship between foci in a given experiment is now assumed to be fixed and ALE results are assessed against a null‐distribution of random spatial association between experiments. Critically, this modification entails a change from fixed‐ to random‐effects inference in ALE analysis allowing generalization of the results to the entire population of studies analyzed. By comparative analysis of real and simulated data, the authors showed that the revised ALE‐algorithm overcomes conceptual problems of former meta‐analyses and increases the specificity of the ensuing results without loosing the sensitivity of the original approach. It may thus provide a methodologically improved tool for coordinate‐based meta‐analyses on functional imaging data. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Separating function from structure in perfusion imaging of the aging brain
Authors: Asllani Iris , Habeck Christian , Borogovac Ajna , Brown Truman R. , Brickman Adam M. , Stern Yaakov
Published: January 2009

The accuracy of cerebral blood flow (CBF) imaging in humans has been impeded by the partial volume effects (PVE), which are a consequence of the limited spatial resolution. Because of brain atrophy, PVE can be particularly problematic in imaging the elderly and can considerably overestimate the CBF difference with the young. The primary goal of this study was to separate the structural decline from the true CBF reduction in elderly. To this end, a PVE‐correction algorithm was applied on the CBF images acquired with spin‐echo EPI continuous arterial spin labeling MRI (voxel size = 3.4 × 3.4 × 8 mm3). Tissue‐specific CBF images that were independent of voxels' tissue fractional volume were obtained in elderly (N = 30) and young (N = 26); mean age difference was 43 years. Globally, PVE‐corrected gray matter CBF was 88.2 ± 16.1 and 107.3 ± 17.5 mL/100 g min−1 in elderly and young, respectively. The largest PVE contribution was found in the frontal lobe and accounted for an additional 10% and 12% increase in the age‐related CBF difference between men and women, respectively. The GM‐to‐WM CBF ratios were found to be on average 3.5 in elderly and 3.9 in young. Whole brain voxelwise comparisons showed marked CBF decrease in anterior cingulate (bilateral), caudate (bilateral), cingulate gyrus (bilateral), cuneus (left), inferior frontal gyrus (left), insula (left), middle frontal gyrus (left), precuneus (bilateral), prefrontal cortex (bilateral), and superior frontal gyrus (bilateral) in men and amygdala (bilateral), hypothalamus (left), hippocampus (bilateral), and middle frontal gyrus (right) in women. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The free choice whether or not to respond after stimulus presentation
Authors: Karch Susanne , Mulert Christoph , Thalmeier Tobias , Lutz Jürgen , Leicht Gregor , Meindl Thomas , Möller Hans‐Jürgen , Jäger Lorenz , Pogarell Oliver
Published: January 2009

The concept of ‘willed’ actions has attracted attention during the last few years. Free choices have been associated with activations on the medial frontal surface, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe. Self‐paced movements and free selection between various motor responses were typically used to investigate voluntary behavior. The aim of the present study was to determine neural correlates of voluntary motor responses and the voluntary inhibition of motor responses in a group of healthy subjects. Hence, a go/nogo/voluntary selection paradigm was used. In the voluntary selection condition subjects decided freely whether or not to respond with a button press after stimulus presentation. Functional MRI data and event‐related potentials were acquired simultaneously in order to reliably investigate spatial and temporal characteristics of these responses. The results showed decision‐related enhanced neural responses predominantly in the medial frontal gyrus/supplementary motor area, lateral frontal brain regions and the inferior parietal gyrus. Additional activations associated with voluntary movements were detected in the frontal eye field as well as brain regions directly linked to motor responses (e.g. somatosensory cortical areas). Altogether, decision processes were shown to be relatively independent of the kind of response chosen. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A multiparametric evaluation of regional brain damage in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ceccarelli Antonia , Rocca Maria A. , Valsasina Paola , Rodegher Mariaemma , Pagani Elisabetta , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this study is to define the topographical distribution of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) damage in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), using a multiparametric MR‐based approach. Using a 3 Tesla scanner, dual‐echo, 3D fast‐field echo (FFE), and diffusion tensor (DT) MRI scans were acquired from 18 PPMS patients and 17 matched healthy volunteers. An optimized voxel‐based (VB) analysis was used to investigate the patterns of regional GM density changes and to quantify GM and WM diffusivity alterations of the entire brain. In PPMS patients, GM atrophy was found in the thalami and the right insula, while mean diffusivity (MD) changes involved several cortical‐subcortical structures in all cerebral lobes and the cerebellum. An overlap between decreased WM fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased WM MD was found in the corpus callosum, the cingulate gyrus, the left short temporal fibers, the right short frontal fibers, the optic radiations, and the middle cerebellar peduncles. Selective MD increase, not associated with FA decrease, was found in the internal capsules, the corticospinal tracts, the superior longitudinal fasciculi, the fronto‐occipital fasciculi, and the right cerebral peduncle. A discrepancy was found between regional WM diffusivity changes and focal lesions because several areas had DT MRI abnormalities but did not harbor T2‐visible lesions. Our study allowed to detect tissue damage in brain areas associated with motor and cognitive functions, which are known to be impaired in PPMS patients. Combining regional measures derived from different MR modalities may be a valuable tool to improve our understanding of PPMS pathophysiology. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Syllable congruency and word frequency effects on brain activation
Authors: Carreiras Manuel , Riba Jordi , Vergara Marta , Heldmann Marcus , Münte Thomas F.
Published: January 2009

This article investigates the neural representation of the processes involved in recognizing multisyllabic words in Spanish asking whether lexical and sublexical processes are reflected in a different neuronal activation pattern. High and low frequency words were presented for lexical decision in two different colors. In the congruent condition the color boundaries matched the limit of the first syllable, whereas in the incongruent condition color boundaries and syllable boundaries did not match. The results revealed robust and dissociable brain activations for lexical frequency and syllable‐color congruency, but no interaction between the two. We interpreted the greater activation for low relative to high frequency words in the left pre/SMA region, and in the insula/inferior frontal cortex bilaterally to reflect a differential recruitment of lexico‐phonological and/or semantic processes. In contrast, we considered two interpretations for the greater deactivation in the precuneus for both lexical frequency and syllable‐color congruency words, and in the thalami and a frontal area for syllable‐color congruency words only. The deactivations may reflect the differential engagement of semantic processing or may result from the differential allocation of attentional resources. Importantly, while a differential deactivation pattern was observed in the precuneus region for lexicality and syllable‐color congruency, BOLD deconvolution revealed a remarkable difference in timing of the two effects with a much earlier deactivation peak for the syllable‐color congruency factor. Thus, effects of lexical frequency and syllable‐color congruency on brain activation show an important dissociation between lexical and sublexical processes during visual word recognition of multisyllabic words. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Water management and user association analysis for irrigation improvement in Egypt
Authors: Batt Hussein Aly , Merkley Gary P.
Published: January 2009

A participatory irrigation management policy has been adopted by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation over the past two decades to support agricultural productivity, decrease open‐channel conveyance losses, and increase agricultural water distribution equity. Two recent projects that dealt with the introduction of this policy in the Nile Delta through improvement projects are the irrigation improvement project (IIP) by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Bahr El‐Nor, and the integrated water management districts (IWMDs) by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in El‐Ibrahimia. The implementation of these projects and their associated policies promoted the evolution and sustainability of these policies.

An analysis of case studies for these projects, taking into account four dimensions of improvement and sustainability, shows that farmers were reluctant to accept the policies because they lacked training on various irrigation system improvement techniques, as introduced through the projects. Thus, the current focus should be on the reform of irrigation system improvement policies so that they are more realistic, and ultimately more successful, supporting agriculture and encouraging Ministry personnel to adopt and support participatory water management as implemented in the targeted Egyptian irrigation projects. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The potential for histological screening using a combination of rapid Raman mapping and principal component analysis
Authors: Hutchings Joanne , Kendall Catherine , Smith Brian , Shepherd Neil , Barr Hugh , Stone Nicholas
Published: January 2009

Rapid Raman mapping was carried out on 20 μm sections of oesophageal biopsy samples. Contiguous 7 μm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) with histopathology provided by an expert pathologist. The step size and acquisition times were varied and the resulting spectra, principal component (PC) score maps and loads were compared. Overall mapping times were also compared to traditional Raman point mapping. The principal component loads for each of the maps were seen to be similar despite varying the acquisition time and number of spectra. Gross biochemical information was extracted showing good correlation with the H&E sections even for short overall mapping times (30–90 minutes for a 2 mm biopsy, 0.5 s acquisition time per 25.3 μm Raman pixel). This demonstrates that low signal to noise spectral maps are sufficient for the identification of histologically relevant biochemistry using principal component analysis as long as the spectral dataset is large enough. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Screening biomaterials for functional complement activation in serum
Authors: Lyle Daniel B. , Bushar Grace S. , Langone John J.
Published: January 2009

Complement plays an important role in the immune attack against invading microorganisms. However, blood‐contacting medical device biomaterials lacking specific complement inhibitors, with free hydroxyl and/or amino groups, or with absorbed antibodies, may inappropriately activate complement. Inappropriate activation by either the antibody‐mediated classical or the antibody‐independent alternative pathway may have well‐known acute or poorly understood chronic effects on the host or device. This article describes methods for screening biomaterials for functional whole complement activation using normal human serum, or specifically for alternative pathway activation using C4‐deficient guinea pig serum, or for classical pathway activation using both sera in combination. Detailed protocols are available as standard methodologies from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F1984, ASTM F2065, and ASTM F2567). Results obtained with these functional tests are confirmed by detection of classical and alternative pathway‐specific markers C4d and Bb, respectively. These methods demonstrate dose and time‐course activation of complement to beaded agarose, cellulose acetate, and purified alginate as examples of biomaterials. Significant difference in a functional endpoint denoting specific complement pathways is an appropriate screening method for complement activation by medical device biomaterials which might result in adverse events when the device is implanted or contacts human blood. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Bioactivating electrically conducting polypyrrole with fibronectin and bovine serum albumin
Authors: Akkouch Adil , Shi Guixin , Zhang Ze , Rouabhia Mahmoud
Published: January 2009

Electrically conducting polypyrrole (PPy) and its composite materials are useful in interfacing electrical components and cells or living tissue. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to bioactivate PPy by incorporating biomolecules. The main objective of this work was to chemically bioactivate PPy particules by incorporating fibronectin (FN) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Modified PPy particles were synthesized through a water‐in‐oil emulsion polymerization. XPS and FTIR confirmed the presence of biomolecules on the PPy particles, and the surface morphology was observed by SEM. A four‐point probe was used to measure the conductivity of the newly synthesized PPy particles, which was in the range of 10−1 S cm−1. Conductive biodegradable membranes were prepared with 5 and 10% (wt/wt) PPy to poly(L,L‐lactide) (PPy/PLLA). The contact angles of each synthesized membrane were ∼75°, supporting their usefulness for cell culture. The cultured human skin fibroblasts demonstrated normal morphology and significantly higher adhesion and spreading on the PPy/PLLA∼FN membrane than on the unmodified PPy/PLLA membrane. On the other hand, the PPy/PLLA∼BSA membranes showed decreased cell adhesion. Bioactivated PPy may be useful in tissue engineering to fabricate conducting biodegradable scaffolds with either improved or reduced cell adhesion properties for various cell culture and in vivo applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010