bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Abundance and Stock Characteristics of Flathead Catfish in the Lower St. Joseph River, Michigan
Authors: Daugherty Daniel J. , Sutton Trent M.
Published: August 2005

Little information exists regarding the biological attributes and stock dynamics of flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris in lotic systems throughout the northern United States. We examined the population abundance, annual survival, growth, condition, size structure, and age structure of flathead catfish in the lower St. Joseph River, Michigan, to direct future management efforts in this system and increase our knowledge of northern flathead catfish stocks. Fish were collected by means of electrofishing during June through September 2002 and 2003. Population abundance was estimated at 5,452 individuals (range, 3,985–7,277 fish), and annual survival was estimated at 67%. Analysis of pectoral spine cross sections revealed that growth was greatest for fish younger than age 6 (range, 83–98 mm/year) and decreased among older age-classes (range, 18–70 mm/year). Relative weight was greatest for individuals less than 300 mm total length (TL; 115%) and declined with increasing fish length. The size structure and age structure of flathead catfish were dominated by fish less than 400 mm TL and younger than age 4 (89% and 79%, respectively), although individuals greater than 1,100 mm TL and up to age 17 were present in the population. Relative stock density estimates indicated that 58% of fish greater than the minimum stock size were of quality length, while flathead catfish of preferred, memorable, and trophy sizes represented 28, 7, and 1% of fish collected, respectively. Despite their presence on the northern fringe of the species' geographic distribution, the flathead catfish in the lower St. Joseph River exhibited biological characteristics and stock dynamics that were similar to those reported for other lightly exploited stocks throughout the midwestern United States.
The Molecular Perspective: RAD51 and BRCA2
Authors: Goodsell David S.
Published: August 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss homologous recombination and its role in cancer.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the pre-receptor regulation of corticosteroid hormone action
Authors: Draper Nicole , Stewart Paul M
Published: August 2005

Two isozymes of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2) catalyse the interconversion of hormonally active cortisol and inactive cortisone. The enzyme evolved from a metabolic pathway to a novel mechanism underpinning human disease with the elucidation of the role of the type 2 or ‘kidney’ isozyme and an inherited form of hypertension, ‘apparent mineralocorti-coid excess’. ‘Cushing’s disease of the kidney’ arises because of a failure of 11β-HSD2 to inactivate cortisol to cortisone resulting in cortisol-induced mineralocorticoid excess.

Conversely, 11β-HSD1 has been linked to human obesity and insulin resistance, but also to other diseases in which glucocorticoids have historically been implicated (osteoporosis, glaucoma). Here, the activation of cortisol from cortisone facilitates glucocorticoid hormone action at an autocrine level. The molecular basis for the putative human 11β-HSD1 ‘knockout’ – ‘cortisone reductase deficiency’ - has recently been described, an observation that also answers a long standing conundrum relating to the set-point of 11β-HSD1 activity. In each case, these clinical studies have been underpinned by studies in vitro and the manipulation of enzyme expression in vivo using recombinant mouse models.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 stimulates human insulin promoter activity in part through cAMP-responsive elements that lie upstream and downstream of the transcription start site
Authors: Hay Colin W , Sinclair Elaine M , Bermano Giovanna , Durward Elaine , Tadayyon Mohammad , Docherty Kevin
Published: August 2005

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide hormone secreted from the enteroendocrine L-cells of the gut and which acts primarily to potentiate the effects of glucose on insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. It also stimulates insulin gene expression, proinsulin biosynthesis and affects the growth and differentiation of the islets of Langerhans. Previous studies on the mechanisms whereby GLP-1 regulates insulin gene transcription have focused on the rat insulin promoter. The aim of this study was to determine whether the human insulin promoter was also responsive to GLP-1, and if so to investigate the possible role of cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) that lie upstream (CRE1 and CRE2) and downstream (CRE3 and CRE4) of the transcription start site. INS-1 pancreatic β-cells were transfected with promoter constructs containing fragments of the insulin gene promoter placed upstream of the firefly luciferase reporter gene. GLP-1 was found to stimulate the human insulin promoter, albeit to a lesser degree than the rat insulin promoter. Mutagenesis of CRE2, CRE3 and CRE4 blocked the stimulatory effect of GLP-1 while mutagenesis of CRE1 had no effect. Analysis of nuclear protein binding to the four CREs showed that, while they share some proteins, each CRE site is unique. Stimulation of transcription by GLP-1 through CRE2, CRE3 and CRE4 resulted in altered protein binding that was different for each of the CRE sites involved. Collectively, these data show that the four human CREs are not simply multiple copies of the rat CRE site and further emphasise that the human insulin promoter is distinct from the rodent promoter.
Decay-accelerating factor in the periovulatory rat ovary
Authors: Gieske Mary C , Na Gi Youn , Koo Yongbum , Jo Misung , Curry Thomas E , Ko Chemyong
Published: August 2005

One of the most prominent inflammatory reactions is the activation of the complement system. The activated complement system does not distinguish between pathogens and the host cell. In order to prevent autologous complement-mediated attack, host cells express a variety of both membrane-bound and fluid-phase complement regulatory proteins which control activity of the complement cascade by acting on convertase enzymes or the membrane-attack complex. Although the process of ovulation is facilitated by the inflammatory reaction, this reaction has the potential to cause serious damage to growing follicles, ovulated follicles, and other important ovarian tissues. This study was undertaken to characterize the expression and regulation of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), a complement regulator, as a potential mediator of ovarian tissue protection from ovulatory inflammation. DNA microarray and Northern blot analyses showed that an ovulatory gonadotropin stimulus dramatically yet transiently induced DAF mRNA expression in the immature rat ovary. Northern blot and PCR analyses revealed that of the three known DAF isoforms, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-, soluble-, and transmembrane-(TM) DAF, GPI-DAF was the predominant form. In situ hybridization localized GPI-DAF mRNA expression in the theca-interstitial cells of the periovulatory ovary. Neither the anti-progestin RU486 nor the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin significantly inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced GPI-DAF mRNA expression in vivo. In vitro theca cell culture studies indicated that hCG induces GPI-DAF mRNA expression through the protein kinase A pathway. This study suggests that gonadotropin-induced GPI-DAF may be involved in the protection of ovarian tissues from the potential attack by the complement system activated by the inflammatory response associated with ovulation.
Incidence of micronuclei in pregnant women and cord blood samples before and after the bombing of Serbia
Authors: Stankovic Miroslava , Joksic Gordana , Guc-Scekic Marija
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: This study provides the data regarding monitoring of population using CB-micronuclei assay in the period 1995-2001 in Serbia. The target groups consisted of 45 pregnant women of mean age 34.3(6.56) years, unaware of being exposed to chemicals drugs or other substances and undergoing cordocentesis. The incidence of micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in fetal cord blood lymphocytes was analyzed. METHODS: The study was carried out on cultures of PHA-stimulated blood lymphocytes. Three drops of blood samples ware added into 5ml RPMI-1640 (Gibco) medium supplemented with 15% of calf serum and PHA (Gibco, 2.5?g/ml). For micronuclei preparation the cytokinesis block method was used (Fenech et al., 1993). RESULTS: The results of the study showed that in the year 1995, the incidence of micronuclei in pregnant women was 9.61(3.26) per 1000 binucleated (BN) cells, and 3.74(1.60) in cord blood samples per 1000 BN cells, respectively. In 2000 the incidence of micronuclei in study group was 28.26(7.87) per 1000 BN cells, and in cord blood samples 22.22(5.63) per 1000 BN cells. One year later (2001) the incidence of micronuclei in pregnant woman slightly decreased and reached the value of 26.98(4.50), while in cord blood it slightly increased up to 26.58(6.85) per 1000 BN cells. CONCLUSION: The monitoring data obtained in this study have shown significantly increase of micronuclei (2- to 3-fold) in study groups in 2000 and 2001.
Neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the auricle
Authors: Divani Smaroula , Vardouli Anna , Reppas Spiros , Alexopoulou Vana , Skoulakis Charalampos , Valagiannis Dimitris
Published: August 2005

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare locally aggressive malignancy. Most commonly occurs in the head and neck area and only six cases on the auricle have been reported. Immunocytochemistry may help with the differential diagnosis of small cell tumors that share cytomorphological features with merkel cell carcinoma. We present cytological findings as well as immunocytochemical ones in a case of this unusual entity of the auricle.
Astrometric star catalogues as combination of Hipparcos/Tycho catalogues with ground-based observations
Authors: Vondrák J.
Published: August 2005

The successful ESA mission Hipparcos provided very precise parallaxes positions and proper motions of many stars in optical wavelength. Therefore it is a primary representation of International Celestial Reference System in this wavelength. However, the shortness of the mission (less than four years) causes some problems with proper motions of the stars that are double or multiple. Therefore, a combination of the positions measured by Hipparcos satellite with ground-based observations with much longer history provides a better reference frame that is more stable in time. Several examples of such combinations are presented (ACT, TYCHO-2, FK6, GC+HIP, TYC2+HIP, ARIHIP) and briefly described. The stress is put on the most recent Earth Orientation Catalogue (EOC) that uses about 4.4 million optical observations of latitude/universal time variations (made during the twentieth century at 33 observatories in Earth orientation programmes), in combination with some of the above mentioned combined catalogues. The second version of the new catalogue EOC-2 contains 4418 objects, and the precision of their proper motions is far better than that of Hipparcos Catalogue.
Photographic zenith tubes observations to improve HIPPARCOS proper motion in declination of some stars
Authors: Damljanovic Goran
Published: August 2005

A procedure of calculation and results of an attempt to improve proper motions in declination for some HIPPARCOS stars are presented. A long series of optical observations of these stars observed with Photographic Zenith Tubes (PZT) are used. The HIPPARCOS ESA mission (ESA 1997) was nearly 4 years long, but each of the different Earth rotation programmes (PZTs included) covers a few decades in the interval 1899.7 1992.0 (Vondr?k et al. 1998). The HIPPARCOS mission period of a few years only is not enough to determine the precise proper motions for some stars, with the standard error of proper motions of about 1 mas/year, but groundbased data covering a few decades with positional errors one or two orders higher than HIPPARCOS ones are nevertheless useful for checking or improving some HIPPARCOS proper motions (mostly of double and multiple stars). Here, the observations of two PZTs (with different longitudes and the same latitude) are used to improve some HIPPARCOS proper motions in declination; the method is explained and some results are presented. .
Effect of Nb on barium titanate prepared from citrate solutions
Authors: Stojanovic Biljana , Foschini C.R. , Zaghete M.A. , Vieira F.O.S. , Paiva-Santos C.O. , Cilense M. , Varela J.A.
Published: August 2005

The influence of the addition of dopants on the microstructure development and electrical properties of BaTiO3 doped with 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mol% of Nb and 0.01 mol% of Mn based compounds was studied. Doped barium titanate was prepared using the polymeric precursor method from citrate solutions. The powders calcined at 700?C for 4 hours were analysed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy to verify the presence of carbonates, and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase formation. The phase composition, microstructure and dielectric properties show a strong dependence on the amount of added niobium.
Plasma oscillations in porous samples
Authors: Kornyushin Y.
Published: August 2005

The influence of the shape of a sample on the type of uniform dipole collective electrons oscillations is discussed. In samples of a bulk shape uniform bulk dipole oscillations cannot exist. They exist in samples of a thin slab shape only. However in essentially porous materials the electrostatic energy of the oscillation in a sample is considerably larger thus leading to stronger restoring force and higher frequency of the oscillation. When this frequency exceeds the Langmuir frequency, the oscillation becomes of a bulk type. .
Validated method for l‐ornithine‐l‐aspartate analysis in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Kowalski P. , Bieniecki M. , Olȩdzka I. , Lamparczyk H.
Published: August 2005

A rapid capillary electrophoresis method for routine determination of two amino acids, l‐ornithine and l‐aspartic acid, in human plasma is reported. The method runs automatically, requires a minimum of sample preparation and moreover includes no extensive extraction and no gradient or derivatization procedure. Analyses were performed on an uncoated silica capillary using buffer solution composed with 10 mm sodium tetraborate and 1 m sodium hydroxide (pH = 10.0). A capillary electrophoresis P/ACE system equipped with UV detection (200 nm), an automatic injector, a fluid cooled cartridge and System Gold data station was used in this study. The total analysis time under these conditions was 8.0 min. The calibration curve was linear in the range 10–280 µg mL−1 for l‐aspartic acid and 20–280 µg mL−1 for l‐ornithine (for both amino acids, r = 0.999). The method was validated by inaccuracy (bias) and precision (RSD) studies by analysing samples. The method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of l‐ornithine‐l‐aspartate in human plasma and could be useful for clinical and bioavailability investigations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of antiviral nucleoside analogues AM365 and AM188 in perfusate and bile of the isolated perfused rat liver using HPLC
Authors: Wang Jiping , Nation Roger L. , Evans Allan M. , Cox Susan , Li Jian
Published: August 2005

Development, validation and application of an HPLC assay for new antiviral nucleoside analogues AM365 and AM188 in isolated perfused rat liver perfusate and bile were performed. An analytical column (Phenosphere‐NEXT, 250 × 4.6 mm, C18, 4 µm, Phenomenex) was used in tandem with a guard column (4 × 3 mm, C18, Phenomenex) and operated at 25°C. The mobile phase [methanol:10 mmol/L sodium orthophosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 15:85, v/v] was pumped at 1 mL/min. The signal from a diode array detector was collected from 190 to 300 nm. The chromatogram was processed at 220 and 252 nm for AM365 and AM188, respectively. The HPLC method was validated by six intraday and seven interday runs. Standard curves were linear in the range 0.125–8.00 µg/mL for AM365 and AM188, and the lower limit of quantification for AM365 and AM188 was 0.125 µg/mL. Mean interday precision and accuracy of IPL perfusate quality control samples were within 8.8%, and mean intraday precision and accuracy were within 13.1%. The assay has been successfully used in the study of metabolism and disposition of AM365 in the isolated perfused rat liver. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of the ZnII Binding to the Peptide Amyloid‐β1–16 linked to Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mekmouche Yasmina , Coppel Yannick , Hochgräfe Katja , Guilloreau Luc , Talmard Christine , Mazarguil Honoré , Faller Peter
Published: August 2005

Aggregation of the human peptide amyloid‐β (Aβ) is a key event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Zinc ions play an important role in AD and in Aβ aggregation. In vitro, ZnII binds to Aβ and accelerates its aggregation. In this work we have investigated ZnII binding to the synthetic peptide Aβ1–16, which contains the metal‐binding domain of Aβ. CdII was used to probe the ZnII site. Aβ1–16 bound one equivalent of ZnII with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 10−4 M. This Kd value is in the same range as the Zn concentration needed to precipitate Aβ. Circular dichroism and NMR indicated predominantly random‐coil secondary structures of apo‐Aβ1–16, ZnII–Aβ1–16 and CdII–Aβ1–16, which were all highly dynamic and flexible. The three histidines at positions 6, 13 and 14 were suggested to be ligands to ZnII and CdII. Evidence that the aspartate at position 1 served as a fourth ligand to ZnII and CdII was found at pH 8.7. 111CdII NMR showed a resonance at 84 ppm, in line with a mixed oxygen‐/nitrogen‐ligand environment. The tyrosine at position 10 could be excluded as a ligand.
Silicon Chelation in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Media: The Furanoidic Diol Approach
Authors: Kästele Xaver , Klüfers Peter , Kopp Florian , Schuhmacher Jörg , Vogt Martin
Published: August 2005

Anhydroerythritol (AnEryt) shares some of its ligand properties with furanosides and furanoses. Its bonding to silicon centers of coordination number four, five, and six was studied by X‐ray and NMR methods, and compared to silicon bonding of related compounds. Diphenyl(cycloalkylenedioxy)silanes show various degrees of oligomerization depending on the diol component involved. For example, Ph2Si(cis‐ChxdH−2) (1) and Ph2Si{(R,R)‐trans‐ChxdH−2)} (2; Chxd=cyclohexanediol) are dimeric, Ph2Si(AnErytH−2) (3) is monomeric, and Ph2Si(L‐AnThreH−2) (4; AnThre=anhydrothreitol) is trimeric both in the solid state and in solution. Ph2Si(cis‐CptdH−2) (5) (Cptd=cyclopentanediol) is monomeric in solution but dimerizes on crystallization. Si(AnErytH−2)2 (6) and Si(cis‐CptdH−2)2 (7) are monomeric spiro compounds in solution but are pentacoordinate dimers in the crystalline state. Pentacoordinate silicate ions are found in A[Si(OH)(AnErytH−2)2] (A=Na, 8 a; Rb, 8 b; Cs, 8 c). Related compounds are formed by substitution of the hydroxo by a phenyl ligand. K[SiPh(AnErytH−2)2]⋅1/2 MeOH (9) is a prototypical example as it shows the two most significant isomers in one crystal structure: the syn/anti and the anti/anti form (syn and anti define the oxolane ring orientation close to, or apart from, the monodentate ligand, respectively). syn/anti Isomerism generally rules the appearance of the NMR spectra of pentacoordinate silicates of furanos(id)e ligands. NMR spectroscopic data are presented for various pentacoordinate bis(diolato)silicates of adenosine, cytidine, methyl‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside, and ribose. In even more basic solutions, hexacoordinate silicates are enriched. Preliminary X‐ray analyses are presented for Cs2[Si(CydH−2)3]⋅ 21.5 H2O (10) and Cs2[Si(cis‐InsH−3)]⋅ cis‐Ins⋅8 H2O (11) (Cyd=cytidine, Ins=inositol).
Phase 1 study of concurrent RMP‐7 and carboplatin with radiotherapy for children with newly diagnosed brainstem gliomas
Authors: Packer Roger J. , Krailo Mark , Mehta Minesh , Warren Katherine , Allen Jeffrey , Jakacki Regina , Villablanca Judith G. , Chiba Akiko , Reaman Gregory
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

Ninety percent of children with diffuse intrinsic brainstem tumors will die within 18 months of diagnosis. Radiotherapy is of transient benefit, and one way to potentially improve its efficacy is to add radiosensitizers. Carboplatin is antineoplastic and radiosensitizing. However, delivery to the primary tumor site is problematic. RMP‐7 is a bradykinin analog that causes selective permeability of the blood‐brain‐tumor interface. The goal of the current Phase I study was to determine the toxicity and feasibility of delivering RMP‐7 and carboplatin for 5 successive days during radiotherapy.

METHODS

RMP‐7 was given before the end of carboplatin infusion. Local radiotherapy (5940 centigrays) was given within 4 hours of completion of drug delivery. Duration of treatment was escalated in a stepwise, weekly fashion, in cohorts of 3, until there was treatment‐limiting toxicity or until radiotherapy was completed. Thirteen patients were treated, whose median age was 7 years (range, 3–14 yrs).

RESULTS

One child died early in treatment of progressive disease and was not assessable for toxicity. Treatment for 3, 4, or 5 weeks was tolerated well, with mild flushing, tachycardia, nausea, emesis, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Of 3 children treated at the full duration of therapy (33 doses over 7 wks), 1 developed dose‐limiting hepatotoxicity and neutropenia. The estimated median survival period was 328 days, and 1 patient remained disease progression free > 400 days from initiation of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study confirmed the feasibility of giving RMP‐7 and carboplatin daily during radiotherapy. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
A mixed finite element method for the generalized Stokes problem
Authors: Bustinza Rommel , Gatica Gabriel N. , González María
Published: August 2005

We present and analyse a new mixed finite element method for the generalized Stokes problem. The approach, which is a natural extension of a previous procedure applied to quasi‐Newtonian Stokes flows, is based on the introduction of the flux and the tensor gradient of the velocity as further unknowns. This yields a two‐fold saddle point operator equation as the resulting variational formulation. Then, applying a slight generalization of the well known Babuška–Brezzi theory, we prove that the continuous and discrete formulations are well posed, and derive the associated a priori error analysis. In particular, the finite element subspaces providing stability coincide with those employed for the usual Stokes flows except for one of them that needs to be suitably enriched. We also develop an a posteriori error estimate (based on local problems) and propose the associated adaptive algorithm to compute the finite element solutions. Several numerical results illustrate the performance of the method and its capability to localize boundary layers, inner layers, and singularities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomic profiling of myeloid sarcoma by array comparative genomic hybridization
Authors: Deeb George , Baer Maria R. , Gaile Daniel P. , Sait Sheila N. Jani , Barcos Maurice , Wetzler Meir , Conroy Jeffrey M. , Nowak Norma J. , Cowell John K. , Cheney Richard T.
Published: August 2005

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a tumor mass of myeloblasts or immature myeloid cells occurring in an extramedullary site. In this study, seven cases of MS [stomach (1), testis (1), skin (2), and lymph node (3)] and 3 synchronous and 1 follow‐up bone marrow (BM) samples were studied for genomic abnormalities using array comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH). Array‐CGH construction used ∼5,400 bacterial artificial chromosome clones from the RPCI‐11 library, spanning the human genome. Data were analyzed using the DNAcopy software and custom heuristics. All MS cases had genomic abnormalities detected by array‐CGH. Unbalanced genomic abnormalities in five MS cases were confirmed by conventional cytogenetics (CC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); these abnormalities included loss of 4q32.1‐q35.2, 6q16.1‐q21, and 12p12.2‐p13.2 and gain of 8q21.2‐q24.3, 8, 11q21‐q25, 13q21.32‐q34, 19, and 21. Array‐CGH was also invaluable in identifying possible deletions, partner translocations, and breakpoints that were questionable by CC. The remaining two MS cases had genomic aberrations detected by array‐CGH, but were not studied further by CC/FISH. Chromosome 8 was most commonly abnormal (3/7 cases). Identical genomic abnormalities were demonstrated in MS and in synchronous BM in two cases. These results demonstrate that array‐CGH is a powerful tool to screen MS tissue for unbalanced genomic abnormalities, allowing identification of chromosome abnormalities when concurrent BM is nonanalyzable or nonleukemic. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Snow cover dynamics, soil moisture variability and vegetation ecology in high mountain catchments of central Norway
Authors: Löffler Jörg
Published: August 2005

The influence of water balance on vegetation was investigated by measurements of snow cover dynamics and soil moisture variability within small high mountain catchments of central Norway. The challenge of this study is to explain vegetation patterns by means of a functional ecosystem analysis as a basis for regionalization approaches. Results of a process‐oriented analysis of factors determining vegetation were based on spatial data from the low‐ and middle‐alpine altitudinal belts. Methods and techniques were combined for mappings and process measurements. Complex data were processed using a database, a geographical information system and multivariate statistics for spatio‐temporal analyses. The new outcome of this study is that soil moisture gradients do not primarily determine the distribution of vegetation. Snow cover is important for each catchment but does not explain differences between low‐ and middle‐alpine conditions. Similar snow conditions are correlated with different vegetation types along an altitudinal range. Near‐surface temperature conditions have secondary effects on plant species distribution. There is no single significant statistical factor that describes spatial ecological patterns. Only multiple factor groupings can explain the micro‐mosaicing of high‐mountain landscapes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An In Vivo Study of the Host Response to Starch‐Based Polymers and Composites Subcutaneously Implanted in Rats
Authors: Marques Alexandra P. , Reis Rui L. , Hunt John A.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Implant failure is one of the major concerns in the biomaterials field. Several factors have been related to the fail but in general these biomaterials do not exhibit comparable physical, chemical or biological properties to natural tissues and ultimately, these devices can lead to chronic inflammation and foreign‐body reactions. Starch‐based biodegradable materials and composites have shown promising properties for a wide range of biomedical applications as well as a reduced capacity to elicit a strong reaction from immune system cells in vitro. In this work, blends of corn starch with ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA‐C), cellulose acetate (SCA) and polycaprolactone (SPCL), as well as hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced starch‐based composites, were investigated in vivo. The aim of the work was to assess the host response evoked for starch‐based biomaterials, identifying the presence of key cell types. The tissues surrounding the implant were harvested together with the material and processed histologically for evaluation using immunohistochemistry. At implant retrieval there was no cellular exudate around the implants and no macroscopic signs of an inflammatory reaction in any of the animals. The histological analysis of the sectioned interface tissue after immunohistochemical staining using ED1, ED2, CD54, MHC class II and α/β antibodies showed positively stained cells for all antibodies, except for α/β for all the implantation periods, where it was different for the various polymers and for the period of implantation. SPCL and SCA composites were the materials that stimulated the greatest cellular tissue responses, but generally biodegradable starch‐based materials did not induce a severe reaction for the studied implantation times, which contrasts with other types of degradable polymeric biomaterials.

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Specker sequences revisited
Authors: Simonsen Jakob G.
Published: August 2005

Specker sequences are constructive, increasing, bounded sequences of rationals that do not converge to any constructive real. A sequence is said to be a strong Specker sequence if it is Specker and eventually bounded away from every constructive real. Within Bishop's constructive mathematics we investigate non‐decreasing, bounded sequences of rationals that eventually avoid sets that are unions of (countable) sequences of intervals with rational endpoints. This yields surprisingly straightforward proofs of certain basic results fromconstructive mathematics. Within Russian constructivism, we show how to use this general method to generate Specker sequences. Furthermore, we show that any nonvoid subset of the constructive reals that has no isolated points contains a strictly increasing sequence that is eventually bounded away from every constructive real. If every neighborhood of every point in the subset contains a rational number different from that point, the subset contains a strong Specker sequence. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Study on the Relationship Between the Crystal Structure and Hard Elasticity of PVDF Fibers
Authors: Du Chun‐Hui , Zhu Bao‐Ku , Xu You‐Yi
Published: August 2005

Summary: Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibers were prepared by melt‐spinning process. The crystal structure of annealed PVDF fibers was characterized by wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD and SAXD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystalline reflections of c‐axis orientation of annealed PVDF fibers were illustrated by WAXD pattern. The stacked lamellar structure aligned in the direction normal to the fiber axis was found in SAXD pattern and the d‐spacing of the lamellae was 13.4 nm. Such lamellar structure was supported by SEM micrographs as well. The elastic recovery of annealed PVDF fibers was above 80% from 50% extension, which was much higher than that of unannealed fibers on the first cycle. The initial elastic modulus of annealed fibers reached to a value of 3.5 GPa. The morphological and mechanical properties, all indicated that the annealed PVDF fibers had the characteristic of hard elasticity. A typical stress‐strain curve at a very low strain rate indicated the deformation of crystal lamellae in the fibers and a suggested structural deformation mechanism detailed the characteristics of hard elasticity.

Cyclic loading to 50% extension of annealed PVDF fibers.

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Cyclic loading to 50% extension of annealed PVDF fibers.
Back Cover: Macromol. Rapid Commun. 15/2005
Authors: Yamamoto Takakazu , Yasuda Takuma , Sakai Yoshimasa , Aramaki Shinji
Published: August 2005

Back Cover: A newly synthesized CT‐type π‐conjugated polymer, P(ThdzTh), served as active materials for both n‐type and p‐type field‐effect‐transistors. This ambipolar behavior of the polymer is discussed on the basis of its electronic structures. Further details can be found in the Communication by T. Yamamoto,* T. Yasuda, Y. Sakai, and S. Aramaki on page 1214.
Neuroleptic‐induced acute and chronic akathisia: A clinical comparison
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hoon , Jin Young‐Ho , Kang Ung Gu , Ahn Yong Min , Ha Kyoo‐Seob , Kim Yong Sik
Published: August 2005

We compared the severity of subjective and objective symptomatology of akathisia between the acute and chronic subtypes of neuroleptic‐induced akathisia. Sixty‐one schizophrenic subjects were evaluated. Multivariate analysis revealed that motor manifestations and distress of akathisia were less severe in chronic akathisia than in acute akathisia. The severity of subjective restlessness was not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, there were differences in the severity of symptoms and signs between the acute and chronic subtypes of akathisia, suggesting that the severity of the subjective and objective components of akathisia may be differentially affected by the duration of akathisia. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Influence of aggregate formation in the copolymerization of ethyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate with methyl methacrylate
Authors: Cuervo‐Rodríguez R. , París‐Escribano R. , Fernández‐Monreal M. C. , Madruga E. L. , Fernández‐García M.
Published: August 2005

Ethyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate was homopolymerized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate in chlorobenzene and 1,4‐dioxane solutions at 50 °C with 1.5 × 10−2 mol/L 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and a global monomer concentration of 3.0 mol/L. The experiments showed differences in the calculated values of the monomer reactivity ratios in both solvents. The kinetic behavior was analyzed in terms of the implicit penultimate effect and the radical reactivity ratios. All the parameters were examined with respect to the aggregation ability of the ethyl α‐hydroxymethylacrylate monomer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4187–4195, 2005
Generation and analysis of a protein–protein interface data set with similar chemical and spatial patterns of interactions
Authors: Mintz Shira , Shulman‐Peleg Alexandra , Wolfson Haim J. , Nussinov Ruth
Published: August 2005

Protein–protein interfaces are regions between 2 polypeptide chains that are not covalently connected. Here, we have created a nonredundant interface data set generated from all 2‐chain interfaces in the Protein Data Bank. This data set is unique, since it contains clusters of interfaces with similar shapes and spatial organization of chemical functional groups. The data set allows statistical investigation of similar interfaces, as well as the identification and analysis of the chemical forces that account for the protein–protein associations. Toward this goal, we have developed I2I‐SiteEngine (Interface‐to‐Interface SiteEngine) [Data set available at http://bioinfo3d.cs.tau.ac.il/Interfaces; Web server: http://bioinfo3d.cs.tau.ac.il/I2I‐SiteEngine]. The algorithm recognizes similarities between protein–protein binding surfaces. I2I‐SiteEngine is independent of the sequence or the fold of the proteins that comprise the interfaces. In addition to geometry, the method takes into account both the backbone and the side‐chain physicochemical properties of the interacting atom groups. Its high efficiency makes it suitable for large‐scale database searches and classifications. Below, we briefly describe the I2I‐SiteEngine method. We focus on the classification process and the obtained nonredundant protein–protein interface data set. In particular, we analyze the biological significance of the clusters and present examples which illustrate that given constellations of chemical groups in protein–protein binding sites may be preferred, and are observed in proteins with different structures and different functions. We expect that these would yield further information regarding the forces stabilizing protein–protein interactions. Proteins 2005. 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
X‐ray structure of the γ‐subunit of a dissimilatory sulfite reductase: Fixed and flexible C‐terminal arms
Authors: Mander Gerd J. , Weiss Manfred S. , Hedderich Reiner , Kahnt Jörg , Ermler Ulrich , Warkentin Eberhard
Published: August 2005

The X‐ray structure of the γ‐subunit of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DsrC) from Archaeoglobus fulgidus was determined at 1.12 and 2.1 Å resolution, in the two crystal forms named DsrCnat and DsrCox the latter being cocrystallized with the oxidizing agent tert‐butyl hydroperoxide. The fold corresponds to that of the homologous protein from Pyrobaculum aerophilum but is significantly more compact. The most interesting, highly conserved C‐terminal arm adopts a well‐defined conformation in A. fulgidus DsrC in contrast to the completely disordered conformation in P. aerophilum DsrC. The functional relevance of both conformations and of a potentially redox‐active disulfide bond between the strictly invariant Cys103 and Cys114 are discussed.
Anselm on Eudaemonism and the hierarchical structure of moral choice
Authors: ROGERS KATHERIN A.
Published: August 2005

Because Anselm of Canterbury argues that the morally responsible created agent must have the option to choose between justice and benefit, many scholars conclude that he is a proto-Kantian, pitting duty against self-interest and natural inclination. This is mistaken. Anselm proposes a hierarchical schema, prefiguring that of Harry Frankfurt, in which the inclination for justice constitutes a second-order desire that one's first-order desires for benefits should be moderated to conform to God's will. I defend this interpretation through careful textual analysis, then show that Anselm's hierarchical analysis is not subject to some of the criticisms one might raise against Frankfurt's.
Prayers for the past
Authors: TIMPE KEVIN
Published: August 2005

All three of the world's major monotheistic religions traditionally affirm that petitionary prayers can be causally efficacious in bringing about certain states of affairs. Most of these prayers are offered before the state of affairs that they are aimed at helping bring about. In the present paper, I explore the possibility of whether petitionary prayers for the past can also be causally efficacious. Assuming an incompatibilist account of free will, I examine four views in philosophical theology (simple foreknowledge, eternalism, Molinism, and openism) and argue that the first three have the resources to account for the efficacy of past-directed prayers, while the latter does not. I further suggest that on those views which affirm the possible efficacy of past-directed petitionary prayers, such prayers can be ‘impetratory’ even if the agent already knows that the desired state of affairs has obtained.
Fruit preferences of Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus in Western Ghats, India
Authors: BALASUBRAMANIAN P. , SARAVANAN R. , MAHESWARAN B.
Published: August 2005

Food habits of Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus were studied from December 2000 to December 2001, in the Athikadavu valley, Western Ghats, India. A total of 147 individuals belonging to 18 fleshy-fruited tree species were monitored fortnightly. Thirteen fruit species, including five figs and eight non-figs, were recorded in the birds' diet. The overall number of tree species in fruit and fruiting individuals increased with the onset of summer, the Malabar Pied Hornbill's breeding season. The peak in fruiting is attributed to the peak in fruiting by figs. Figs formed the top three preferred food species throughout the year. During the non-breeding period (May to February), 60% of the diet was figs. During the peak breeding period (March and April), two nests were monitored for 150 hours. Ninety-eight per cent of food deliveries to nest inmates were fruits belonging to six species. Most fruits delivered at the nests constituted figs (75.6%). In addition, figs sustained hornbills during the lean season and should be considered “keystone species” in the riverine forest ecosystem. Two non-fig species are also important. Habitat features and local threats at Athikadavu valley were assessed. The distribution and conservation status of Malabar Pied Hornbill in the Western Ghats was reviewed. Conservation of hornbill habitats, particularly the lowland riparian vegetation, is imperative.
In the Supreme Court Justices' Shoes: Critical Thinking
Through the Use of Hypothetical Case Law Analyses and Interactive
Simulations
Authors: Hardy Richard J. (Rick) , Rackaway Chapman , Sonnier Laurie E.
Published: August 2005

Judicial decisions are an integral part of American politics and,
despite the presence of written and explicated opinions of federal
judges, the internal deliberations and decision making processes of
judges themselves remains a mystery to many. A burgeoning body of
literature focuses on the use of simulations to engage students and
bridge theory to practical application. Few simulations target the
judicial component of politics, despite its natural disposition for
group participation in a simulation project. Richard J. (Rick) Hardy is the director of the
Institute for Leadership in Civic Education, director of the
National Institute for Advanced Civic Studies (sponsored by the
Center for Civic Education), and assistant director of the
Honors College at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He
regularly teaches courses in American politics, constitutional
law, and the Supreme Court. His publications include:
Government in America (Houghton Mifflin),
Missouri Government and Politics (Missouri
Press), Civic Education (Pearson), and
Politics: The Art of Drawing Dividing Lines
(Thomson). Hardy also serves as a political commentator for
numerous national outlets and is a presidential elector in the
Electoral College. Chapman Rackaway teaches courses in American
government, political campaign management, political parties,
and voting behavior at Fort Hays State University. He is the
director and advisor for the Political Campaigns and Management
tract at FHSU. He has published in the Journal of
Politics and has consulted on numerous state and
national political races. Laurie E. Sonnier currently teaches
social studies courses at St. Martin high school in Ocean
Springs, Mississippi. She earned her B.A. in political science
at the University of Southern Mississippi and her M.Ed. in
Education from Bowie State University. Laurie has won numerous
teaching awards and has been actively involved with the National
Council for the Social Studies and the Center for Civic
Education. She is the co-editor of Voices of Advocacy in
American Democracy (Pearson).
Legitimacy Crisis: Again?
Authors: Gilley Bruce
Published: August 2005

Since the dawn of time, it seems, social critics have been warning of
a “crisis of legitimacy” in the political world. Manuel Castells
repeats this ageless battle-cry in his 2004 Ithiel de Sola Pool
lecture (PS, January 2005, 9–16), warning darkly of
an “increasing alienation of citizens” that “threatens to undo the
democratic system” (9). As proof, he offers an array of
point-in-time survey results from Western countries in recent years,
as well as anecdotal evidence of “the expression of political
protest” in places like California and France (9). Yet, none of this
shows anything except the fact that states are imperfect creations
for the expression of political community and, as Isaiah Berlin
might have added, the timeless costs of social life.
The Arf-like GTPase Arl1 and its role in membrane traffic
Authors: Munro S.
Published: August 2005

Small GTP-binding proteins of the Rab and Arf (ADP-ribosylation factor) families play a central role in the membrane trafficking pathways of eukaryotic cells. The prototypical members of the Arf family are Arf1–Arf6 and Sar1, which have well-characterized roles in membrane traffic or cytoskeletal reorganization. However, eukaryotic genomes encode additional proteins, which share the characteristic structural features of the Arf family, but the role of these ‘Arf-like’ (Arl) proteins is less well understood. This review discusses Arl1, a GTPase that is widely conserved in evolution, and which is localized to the Golgi in all species so far examined. The best-characterized effectors of Arl1 are coiled-coil proteins which share a C-terminal GRIP domain, but other apparent effectors include the GARP (Golgi-associated retrograde protein)/VFT (Vps fifty-three) vesicle-tethering complex and Arfaptin 2. As least some of these proteins are believed to have a role in membrane traffic. Genetic analysis in a number of species has shown that Arl1 is not essential for exocytosis, but rather suggest that it is required for traffic from endosomes to the Golgi.
Mechanism and role of localized activation of Rho-family GTPases in growth factor-stimulated fibroblasts and neuronal cells
Authors: Kurokawa K. , Nakamura T. , Aoki K. , Matsuda M.
Published: August 2005

Rho-family GTPases regulate various aspects of cell function by controlling cytoskeletal changes; however, their spatial regulation within the cells remains largely unknown. To understand this regulation, we have studied the spatiotemporal activity of Rho-family GTPases in migrating cells and growth factor-stimulated cells by using probes based on the principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. In migrating fibroblasts and epithelial cells, the level of RhoA activity is high both at the contractile tail and at the leading edge, whereas Rac1 and Cdc42 activities are high only at the leading edge. In cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor or nerve growth factor, activities of Rac1 and Cdc42 were transiently elevated in a broad area of the plasma membrane, followed by a localized activation at nascent lamellipodia. In contrast, on epidermal growth factor stimulation, RhoA activity decreased diffusely at the plasma membrane. Notably, RhoA activity persisted at the tip of growth factor-induced membrane ruffles and, in agreement with this finding, RhoA is required for membrane ruffling. These observations suggest that the activities of Rho-family GTPases are elaborately regulated in a time- and space-dependent manner to control cytoskeletal changes and that the basic mechanism of controlling cell shape via Rho-family GTPases is common to various cell types.
Studies on thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzymes
Authors: Leeper F.J. , Hawksley D. , Mann S. , Perez Melero C. , Wood M.D.H.
Published: August 2005

The 3-deaza analogue of TPP (thiamine diphosphate), a close mimic of the ylid intermediate, has been synthesized and is an extremely potent inhibitor of a variety of TPP-dependent enzymes, binding much more tightly than TPP itself. Results using deazaTPP complexed with the E1 subunit of PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) have led to a novel proposal about the mechanism of this enzyme. The 2-substituted forms of deazaTPP, which mimic other intermediates in the catalytic mechanism, can also be synthesized and 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)deazaTPP is also an extremely potent inhibitor of PDC (pyruvate decarboxylase). Attachment of such 2-substituents is expected to be a way to introduce selectivity in the inhibition of various TPP-dependent enzymes.
Improved quality factors of magneto-optical imaging calculated for heteroepitaxial iron garnet multilayers
Authors: Kahl S. , Grishin A. M.
Published: August 2005

We suggest to modify the usual iron garnet sensor film for magneto-optical imaging by introducing a Bragg mirror consisting of heteroepitaxial garnet layers between the substrate and sensor film. For the example situation of a hexagonal vortex lattice in a type II superconductor, we show by calculation that the quality factors of image contrast and optical efficiency can be higher for the proposed heteroepitaxial garnet multilayers than for the single-layer garnet films currently in use as sensor films.
High-level ab initio studies of the structure, vibrational spectra, and energetics of S3
Authors: Francisco Joseph S. , Lyons James R. , Williams Ian H.
Published: August 2005

Observation of mass-dependent and non-mass-dependent sulfur isotope fractionations in elemental sulfur is providing new insight into the nature of the sulfur cycle in the atmosphere. Interpretation of the experimental isotope data requires estimation of the energetics for the reaction S+S2→S3 (isoelectronic with O+O2→O3). Key molecular properties of the S3 potential-energy surface, such as vibrational frequencies and isotopic shifts, are presented that can be used to assess the mass-dependent fractionation effect. Ab initio results are compared to the available experimental results for S2 to evaluate the reliability of the computational results for S3. The S–S bond dissociation energy for S3 is determined to be 60.9±1kcalmol−1.