bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Niche construction and the behavioral context of plant and animal domestication
Authors: Smith Bruce D.
Published: October 2007

Many animal species attempt to enhance their environments through niche construction or environmental engineering. Such efforts at environmental modification are proposed to play an important and underappreciated role in shaping biotic communities and evolutionary processes.1, 2
Homo sapiens is acknowledged as the ultimate niche constructing species in terms of our rich repertoire of ecosystem engineering skills and the magnitude of their impact. We have been trying to make the world a better place—for ourselves—for tens of thousands of years. I argue here that it is within this general context of niche‐construction behavior that our distant ancestors initially domesticated plants and animals and, in the process, first gained the ability to significantly alter the world's environments.

The general concept of niche construction also provides the logical link between current efforts to understand domestication being conducted at two disconnected scales of analysis. At the level of individual plant and animal species, on one hand, there recently have been significant advances in our knowledge of the what, when, and where of domestication of an ever‐increasing number of species worldwide.3 At the same time, large‐scale regional or universal developmental models of the transition to food production continue to be formulated. These incorporate a variety of “macro‐evolutionary” causal variables that may account for why human societies first domesticated plants and animals.4, 5 This essay employs the general concept of niche construction to address the intervening question of how, and to connect these two scales of analysis by identifying the general behavioral context within which human societies responded to “macroevolutionary” causal variables and forged new human plant or animal relationships of domestication.
Accelerated convergence of the numerical simulation of incompressible flow in general curvilinear co‐ordinates by discretizations on the double‐staggered grids
Authors: Shklyar A. , Arbel A.
Published: October 2007

The convergence rate of a methodology for solving incompressible flow in general curvilinear co‐ordinates is analyzed. Double‐staggered grids (DSGs), each defined by the same boundaries as the physical domain, are used for discretization. Both grids are MAC quadrilateral meshes with scalar variables (pressure, temperature, etc.) arranged at the center and the Cartesian velocity components at the middle of the sides of the mesh cells. The problem was checked against benchmark solutions of natural convection in a squeezed cavity, heat transfer in concentric horizontal cylindrical annuli, and a hot cylinder in a duct.

Poisson's pressure‐correction equations that arise from the SIMPLE‐like procedure are solved by several methods: successive overrelaxation, symmetric overrelaxation, modified incomplete factorization preconditioner, conjugate gradient (CG), and CG with preconditioner. A genetic algorithm was developed to solve problems of numerical optimization of SIMPLE‐like calculation time in a space of iteration numbers and relaxation parameters. The application provides a means of making an unbiased comparison between the DSGs method and the widely used interpolation method. Furthermore, the convergence rate was demonstrated by application to the calculation of natural convection heat transfer in concentric horizontal cylindrical annuli. Calculation times when DSGs were used were 2–10 times shorter than those achieved by interpolation. With the DSGs method, calculation time increases slightly with increasing non‐orthogonality of the grids, whereas an interpolation method calls for very small iteration parameters that lead to unacceptable calculation times. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of a SUPG finite element scheme for the compressible Navier–Stokes equations using a modified inviscid flux discretization
Authors: Kirk Benjamin S. , Carey Graham F.
Published: October 2007

This paper considers the streamline‐upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method applied to the unsteady compressible Navier–Stokes equations in conservation‐variable form. The spatial discretization, including a modified approach for interpolating the inviscid flux terms in the SUPG finite element formulation, and the second‐order accurate time discretization are presented. The numerical method is discussed in detail. The performance of the algorithm is then investigated by considering inviscid flow past a circular cylinder. Validation of the finite element formulation via comparisons with experimental data for high‐Mach number perfect gas laminar flows is presented, with a specific focus on comparisons with experimentally measured skin friction and convective heat transfer on a 15° compression ramp. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐accurate stabilized finite‐element model for weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive water waves
Authors: Zhong Zhengyong , Wang K. H.
Published: October 2007

Introduction of a time‐accurate stabilized finite‐element approximation for the numerical investigation of weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive water waves is presented in this paper. To make the time approximation match the order of accuracy of the spatial representation of the linear triangular elements by the Galerkin finite‐element method, the fourth‐order time integration of implicit multistage Padé method is used for the development of the numerical scheme. The streamline‐upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method with crosswind diffusion is employed to stabilize the scheme and suppress the spurious oscillations, usually common in the numerical computation of convection‐dominated flow problems. The performance of numerical stabilization and accuracy is addressed. Treatments of various boundary conditions, including the open boundary conditions, the perfect reflecting boundary conditions along boundaries with irregular geometry, are also described. Numerical results showing the comparisons with analytical solutions, experimental measurements, and other published numerical results are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prosper study of evidence‐based intervention implementation quality by community–university partnerships
Authors: Spoth Richard , Guyll Max , Lillehoj Catherine J. , Redmond Cleve , Greenberg Mark
Published: October 2007

This study examined a community–university partnership model for sustained, high‐quality implementation of evidence‐based interventions. In the context of a randomized study, it assessed whether implementation quality for both family‐focused and school‐based universal interventions could be achieved and maintained through community–university partnerships. It also conducted exploratory analyses of factors influencing implementation quality. Results revealed uniformly high rates of both implementation adherence—averaging over 90%—and of other indicators of implementation quality for both family‐focused and school‐based interventions. Moreover, implementation quality was sustained across two cohorts. Exploratory analyses failed to reveal any significant correlates for family‐intervention implementation quality, but did show that some team and instructor characteristics were associated with school‐based implementation quality. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 981–999, 2007.
Appreciative inquiry as a mode of action research for community psychology
Authors: Boyd Neil M. , Bright David S.
Published: October 2007

In this article, the authors highlight the potential for rethinking approaches to community and social change interventions that draw on participatory action research at the organizational and community level. They distinguish problem‐centric from opportunity‐centric approaches to social change. Theory on social norms suggests that problem‐centric approaches work with the momentum of norms without substantively changing them. By contrast, opportunity‐centric approaches have the potential to reframe and dramatically shift organizational and community norms. Appreciative inquiry (AI), a growing practice in organization development, is presented as an example of opportunity‐centric change that induces innovation and collaboration through participatory methods. It is distinct from other methods that focus on resolving problems in organizations. The authors illustrate how an AI Summit, a large‐scale inquiry designed with four phases: Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny, can assist in an opportunity‐centric process. They conclude by describing how opportunity‐centric methodologies like AI fit well with the tenets and concerns of community psychologists. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 1019–1036, 2007.
Adolescent and adult low‐income mothers: How do needs and resources differ?
Authors: Eshbaugh Elaine M. , Luze Gayle J.
Published: October 2007

This study examined the living situations and self‐perceived needs and resources of 2,121 low‐income teen and adult mothers. African American and teen mothers were more likely to coreside with grandparental figure(s) than other ethnicities and older mothers. European American mothers and adult mothers were more likely to be living with a partner. While controlling for living situation and ethnicity, teen mothers indicated greater resources than adult mothers in three of four resource areas. Mothers who coresided perceived themselves as having greater basic needs and money resources than mothers in other living situations. Teen mothers perceive their resources positively, perhaps indicating that the support they receive, regardless of their coresidence situation, may be sheltering them from realities that low‐income adult mothers must face. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 1037–1052, 2007.
Assessment of renal circulation in small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age term newborns: A prospective study
Authors: Kolarovszka Hana , Zibolen Mirko , Stavel Miroslav , Matasova Katarina , Kolarovszki Branislav , Ciljak Martin , Baska Tibor
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To compare selected parameters of renal circulation between small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns.

Methods

Fifty‐two SGA and 100 AGA term newborns were examined. The size of the kidneys were measured, and renal blood flow in the central and intraparenchymal renal arteries were assessed via Doppler sonography. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean blood flow velocity (V mean), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were determined and compared between the groups.

Results

No statistically significant differences in the velocity parameters were found between SGA and AGA infants in central renal arteries. Slightly higher RIs and PIs were seen in AGA newborns (RI, 0.76 ± 0.13 versus 0.78 ± 0.06 [p < 0.05]; PI, 1.65 ± 0.54 versus 1.84 ± 0.46 [p < 0.05]). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in all measured parameters in intraparenchymal arteries (RI, 0.57 ± 0.11 versus 0.63 ± 0.05 [p < 0.001]; PI, 0.89 ± 0.26 versus 1.09 ± 0.16 [p < 0.001]) except PSV (7.11 ± 1.55 versus 7.14 ± 0.81 cm/s [p > 0.05]).

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we suggest that renal circulation is not negatively influenced by intrauterine growth restriction in SGA neonates compared with AGA newborns. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Iatrogenic abscess at uterine incision site after cesarean section: Sonographic monitoring
Authors: Cho Fu‐Nan
Published: October 2007

A woman with a large abscess at the site of a uterine incision after a cesarean section was successfully managed without hysterectomy. To my knowledge, transvaginal sonographic monitoring of the healing of an abscess at the site of a uterine incision has not been reported. Although in this case it was possible to preserve the uterus, the possibility of a weak uterine scar remains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
An ultrastructural study of cell junctions and the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells of the molluscan integument
Authors: Bairati A. , Gioria M.
Published: October 2007

Cell junctions and the cytoskeleton of integumental epidermal cells from six bivalves, four gastropods, and two cephalopods were studied by transmission electron microscopy. In all species examined, the junctions in supporting cells presented the following similar pattern: an apical‐lateral adhesion belt (occluding junctions were not observed); (b) a lateral complex of septate junctions and smooth septate junctions, with interdigitations between adjacent cells while the gap junctions were not constantly present, and a basal complex with hemidesmosomes, focal contacts, and sometimes basolateral adherent junctions. Desmosomes were never observed. Microfilamentous and microgranular material were present throughout the cells, as bundles of microfilaments within microvilli and the terminal web, within interdigitations, and as cytoplasmic plaques forming part of the adherent junctions, hemidesmosomes, and focal contacts. Bundles of intermediate filaments that originated from basal hemidesmosomes were located close to and oriented parallel with the lateral plasma membrane and terminated within the terminal web. In cells of Aplysia depilans, intermediate filaments converged apically to terminate in hemidesmosome‐like structures at the bases of the microvilli. In the cephalopods, hemidesmosomes were never observed and intermediate filaments made direct contact with the basal cell membrane. Some functional interpretations and hypotheses were also discussed. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Doublecortin‐expressing cells in the ischemic penumbra of a small‐vessel stroke
Authors: Hua Rui , Doucette Ron , Walz Wolfgang
Published: October 2007

A cortical lesion was induced by disrupting the medium‐size pial vessels, which led to a cone‐shaped cortical lesion and turned into a fluid‐filled cavity surrounded by a glial acidic fibrillary protein‐positive (GFAP+) glia limitans 21 days after injury. Therefore, it mimics conditions of lacunar infarctions, one of the most frequent human stroke pathologies. Doublecortin (DCX)‐positive cells were present in the neocortex and corpus callosum at the base of the lesion. The number of DCX‐positive cells in the corpus callosum was significantly increased from day 5 to day 14 compared with the control group. In contrast, there were no DCX‐positive cells in neocortex of control animals; the DCX‐positive cells appeared in the neocortex after lesioning and were maintained until 14 days postlesioning. Some of the DCX‐positive cells were also immunoreactive for βIII‐tubulin, another marker of immature neurons. They did not stain positively for markers of glia cells. The presence of these DCX‐positive cells near the lesion might indicate a migratory pathway for developing neuroblasts from the subventricular zone (SVZ) through the corpus callosum to the lesion. SVZ cells were labeled with a lipophilic molecule, 5‐ (and 6‐) carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) stereotaxical injections. Although rostral migratory stream and olfactory bulb were intensely labeled, no CFSE‐containing cells were found in the cortex beneath the lesion. These results do not support the idea that the DCX‐positive cells were originating from neural precursors of the SVZ, but they might be generated from local progenitor cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two‐dimensional electrophoresis with cationic detergents: A powerful tool for the proteomic analysis of myelin proteins. Part 2: Analytical aspects
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshihide , Miyagi Yudai , Baba Hiroko
Published: October 2007

The ability to analyze proteins in developing and damaged myelin will be crucial to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of myelinogenesis, dysmyelination, and demyelination. Comparative two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) is a powerful approach to analyze these proteins. In part 1 of this study (see accompanying paper), a method for the 2‐DE analysis of myelin proteins using the cationic detergents benzyldimethyl‐n‐hexadecylammonium chloride (16‐BAC) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; CTAB) was described. We obtained improved separation and found that 16‐BAC is the most effective agent for separation in 2‐DE of myelin proteins and that CTAB is the most effective agent for solubilization of myelin proteins. Here in part 2, major myelin proteins as well as membrane proteins with multitransmembrane domains were identified by mass spectrometry after 16‐BAC/SDS‐PAGE and CTAB/SDS‐PAGE. In addition, a high‐molecular‐weight protein enriched in myelin fraction was identified as unconventional myosin ID using 16‐BAC/SDS‐PAGE, which had previously not been detected using immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing (IPG)/SDS‐PAGE. From these results, we concluded that combinational analysis using IPG/SDS‐PAGE, 16‐BAC/SDS‐PAGE, and CTAB/SDS‐PAGE provides a powerful technique facilitating the proteomic analysis of myelin proteins in either developmental or pathological changes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomechanical changes at the hip, knee, and ankle joints during gait are associated with knee osteoarthritis severity
Authors: Astephen Janie L. , Deluzio Kevin J. , Caldwell Graham E. , Dunbar Michael J.
Published: October 2007

Mechanical factors have been implicated in the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Understanding how these factors change as the condition progresses would elucidate their role and help in developing interventions that could delay the progress of knee OA. In this cross‐sectional study, we identified kinematic and kinetic variables at the hip, knee, and ankle joints that change between three clinically distinct levels of knee OA disease severity: asymptomatic, moderate OA, and severe OA. The severity level was based on a combined radiographic/symptomatic clinical decision for treatment with (severe) or without (moderate) total knee replacement surgery. Gait variables that changed between groups were categorized as: those that differed between the asymptomatic group and both OA groups, those that differed between the asymptomatic group and the severe OA group only, or those that changed progressively, that is, the asymptomatic differed from the moderate OA, and the moderate OA differed from the severe OA group. Changes seen in both OA subject groups compared to asymptomatic included increased mid‐stance knee adduction moments, decreased peak knee flexion moments, decreased peak hip adduction moments, and decreased peak hip extension moments. Changes found only in the severe knee OA group included multiple kinematic and kinetic differences at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Gait differences that progressed with OA severity included decreased stance phase knee flexion angles, decreased early stance knee extension moments, decreased peak stance phase hip internal rotation moments, and decreased peak ankle dorsiflexion moments. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:332–341, 2008
High‐field magnetic resonance imaging of the response of human prostate cancer to Pc 4‐based photodynamic therapy in an animal model
Authors: Fei Baowei , Wang Hesheng , Meyers Joseph D. , Feyes Denise K. , Oleinick Nancy L. , Duerk Jeffrey L.
Published: October 2007

Introduction

High‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging technique that provides a powerful, non‐invasive tool for in vivo studies of cancer therapy in animal models. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new treatment modality for prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer mortality in American males. The goal of this study was to evaluate the response of human prostate tumor cells growing as xenografts in athymic nude mice to Pc 4‐sensitized PDT.

Materials and Methods

PC‐3, a cell line derived from a human prostate malignant tumor, was injected intradermally on the back flanks of athymic nude mice. Two tumors were initiated on each mouse. One was treated and the other served as the control. A second‐generation photosensitizing drug Pc 4 (0.6 mg/kg body weight) was delivered to each animal by tail vein injection 48 hours before laser illumination (672 nm, 100 mW/cm2, 150 J/cm2). A dedicated high‐field (9.4 T) small‐animal MR scanner was used for image acquisitions. A multi‐slice multi‐echo (MSME) technique, permitting noninvasive in vivo assessment of potential therapeutic effects, was used to measure the T2 values and tumor volumes. Animals were scanned immediately before and after PDT and 24 hours after PDT. T2 values were computed and analyzed for the tumor regions.

Results

For the treated tumors, the T2 values significantly increased (P<0.002) 24 hours after PDT (68.2± 8.5 milliseconds), compared to the pre‐PDT values (55.8±6.6 milliseconds). For the control tumors, there was no significant difference (P = 0.53) between the pre‐PDT (52.5±6.1 milliseconds) and 24‐hour post‐PDT (54.3±6.4 milliseconds) values. Histologic analysis showed that PDT‐treated tumors demonstrated necrosis and inflammation that was not seen in the control.

Discussion

Changes in tumor T2 values measured by multi‐slice multi‐echo MR imaging provide an assay that could be useful for clinical monitoring of photodynamic therapy of prostate tumors. Lesers Surg. Med. 39:723–730, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The potential use of the enhanced nonlinear properties of gold nanospheres in photothermal cancer therapy
Authors: Huang Xiaohua , Qian Wei , El‐Sayed Ivan H. , El‐Sayed Mostafa A.
Published: October 2007

Background and Objective

Laser photothermal therapy (PTT) is practiced at the moment using short laser pulses. The use of plasmonic nanoparticles as contrast agents can decrease the laser energy by using the optical property of the nanoparticles and improve the tumor selectivity by the molecular probes on the particle surface. In this study, we aim at selective and efficient PTT by exploiting the nonlinear optical properties of aggregated spherical gold nanoparticles conjugated to anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor (anti‐EGFR) antibodies using short NIR laser pulses.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Spherical gold nanoparticles are synthesized and conjugated to anti‐EGFR antibodies to specifically target HSC oral cancer cells. The nanoparticles are characterized by micro‐absorption spectra and dark field light scattering imaging. Photothermal destructions of control and nanoparticle treated cancer cells are carried out with a femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser at 800 nm with a pulse duration of 100 femtoseconds and repetition rate of 1 kHz.

Results

The laser power threshold for the photothermal destruction of cells after the nanoparticle treatment is found to be 20 times lower than that required to destroy the cells in the normal PTT, that is, without nanoparticles. The number of destroyed cells is quadratically dependent on the laser power. The number of dead cells shows a nonlinear dependence on the concentration of gold nanoparticles that are specifically targeted to cancer cells.

Conclusions

The energy threshold and selectivity of PTT can greatly benefit from the use of the plasmonic enhanced nonlinear optical processes of spherical gold nanoparticles conjugated to anti‐EGFR antibodies. The quadratic dependence of the photothermal efficiency on the pulsed NIR laser power indicates a second harmonic generation or a two photon absorption process. The observed nonlinear dependence on the gold nanoparticle concentration suggests that aggregated nanospheres are responsible for the observed enhanced photothermal destruction of the cells. Lesers Surg. Med. 39:747–753, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multimodal confocal microscopy for diagnosing nonmelanoma skin cancers
Authors: Al‐Arashi Munir Y. , Salomatina Elena , Yaroslavsky Anna N.
Published: October 2007

Background and Significance

The standard diagnostic procedure for skin cancers is invasive biopsy followed by histopathological evaluation. The biopsy may result in scarring and infection. A reliable way to noninvasively image suspicious lesions with high resolution and contrast would be valuable. In this study, the suitability of dye‐enhanced multimodal confocal microscopy for the detection of nonmelanoma skin cancers was evaluated.

Materials and Methods

For the experiments we used fresh tumor material stained using 0.2 mg/ml or 0.05 mg/ml aqueous solutions of methylene blue (MB) or toluidine blue (TB), respectively. Reflectance, fluorescence, and fluorescence polarization images of skin specimens stained with MB and TB were excited by 656 nm and 633 nm light, respectively. Fluorescence emission and anisotropy were registered between 690 nm and 710 nm. In addition, reference reflectance images at 830 nm were acquired. In total we imaged, analyzed, and compared to histology at least 10 samples of each tumor‐type including nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC), infiltrative basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Results and Conclusion

The morphological features and appearance of skin structures in the fluorescence images correlate well with corresponding histology for all investigated tumor‐types. Multi‐spectral reflectance images provide information on the tissue spectral responses and are complimentary to the fluorescence images. The differences detected by fluorescence polarization in cancerous and normal structures may be used for cancerous tissue discrimination. Our results indicate the feasibility of using multimodal confocal microscopy as real‐time tool for detecting skin pathology. Lesers Surg. Med. 39:696–705, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carotid intima‐media thickness in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lee Jong‐Moon , Park Kun‐Woo , Seo Woo‐Keun , Park Moon Ho , Han Changsu , Jo Inho , Ahn Jo Sangmee
Published: October 2007

There have been a few studies and inconsistent results regarding the coincidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and atherosclerotic diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease. Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) is a known marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the carotid IMT between PD patients and controls. We studied 43 patients with PD and 86 matched controls. The carotid IMT in PD patients was significantly smaller than in controls (0.796 ± 0.179 mm vs. 0.913 ± 0.237 mm, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the carotid IMT was inversely associated with the duration of levodopa medication and the severity of PD. These results suggest that PD patients have a lower risk of atherosclerosis. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Evaluation of the Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS) in German patients with treated Wilson's disease
Authors: Leinweber Barbara , Möller J. Carsten , Scherag Andre , Reuner Ulrike , Günther Peter , Lang Christoph J.G. , Schmidt Hartmut H.J. , Schrader Christoph , Bandmann Oliver , Czlonkowska Anna , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Hefter Harald
Published: October 2007

Wilson's disease (WD) is an inherited autosomal‐recessive disorder of copper metabolism characterized by a wide variety of neurological, hepatic, and psychiatric symptoms. The aim of the present study was the development and evaluation of a clinical rating scale, termed Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS), to assess the whole spectrum of clinical symptoms in WD. Altogether 107 patients (mean age 37.6 ± 11.9 years; 46 male, 61 female) with treated WD participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha as a measure of the internal consistency for the entire scale was 0.92, whereas the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98 (confidence interval (CI95%) 0.97–0.99), indicating an excellent interrater reliability as determined in 32 patients. Besides the total score was significantly correlated with the earning capacity of the patients as indicated by an estimated Spearman's ρ ≈ 0.54 (CI95% 0.40–0.69, P < 0.001). In summary, the UWDRS appears to be a promising tool to assess the disease severity in WD. Its usefulness in clinical research and drug trials should be further addressed. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The prevalence of LRRK2 Gly2385Arg variant in Chinese Han population with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cao Li , Zhang Ting , Xiao Qin , Wang Ying , Bai Li , Lu Guo Qiang , Ma Jian Fang , Zhang Jing , Ding Jian Qing , Chen Sheng Di
Published: October 2007

We conducted a case–control study to determine the prevalence of the LRRK2 Gly2385Arg variant in patients with Parkinson's disease in Han population in mainland China. Heterozygous LRRK2 Gly2385Arg variant was identified in 14 of 235 patients with Parkinson's disease (5.69%), but not in 214 unrelated healthy controls. Multivariate analysis indicated the frequency of Gly2385Arg variant in the female patients with early age at onset is higher than their male counterparts. The founder haplotype analysis showed the variant carriers shared the same founder. Clinically, the LRRK2 Gly2385Arg carriers presented with classical Parkinson's disease symptoms. Our study indicates that the LRRK2 Gly2385Arg variant is a potential ethnic‐specific genetic risk factor of Parkinson's disease within Chinese Han ethnicity. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Ethics of sham surgery: Perspective of patients
Authors: Frank Samuel A. , Wilson Renee , Holloway Robert G. , Zimmerman Carol , Peterson Derick R. , Kieburtz Karl , Kim Scott Y.H.
Published: October 2007

Sham surgery is used as a control condition in neurosurgical clinical trials in Parkinson's disease (PD) but remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the perspective of patients with PD and the general public on the use of sham surgery controls. We surveyed consecutive patients from a university‐based neurology outpatient clinic and a community‐based general internal medicine practice. Background information was provided regarding PD and two possible methods of testing the efficacy of a novel gene transfer procedure, followed by questions that addressed participants' opinions related to the willingness to participate and permissibility of blinded and unblinded trial designs. Two hundred eighty‐eight (57.6%) patients returned surveys. Patients with PD expressed less willingness to participate in the proposed gene transfer surgery trials. Unblinded studies received greater support, but a majority would still allow the use of sham surgery. Those in favor of sham surgery were more educated and more likely to use societal perspective rationales. Patients with PD are more cautious about surgical research participation than patients with non‐PD. Their policy views were similar to others', with a majority supporting the use of sham controls. Future research needs to determine whether eliciting more considered judgments of laypersons would reveal different levels of support for sham surgery. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Amantadine may reverse punding in Parkinson's disease—Observation in a patient
Authors: Kashihara Kenichi , Imamura Takaki
Published: October 2007

Punding, complex stereotyped behavior, sometimes occurs in patients with Parkinson's disease under dopaminergic replacement therapy. Reduction of dopaminergic drugs may reduce the problem but risks enhancing motor impairment. We report a patient with Parkinson's disease presenting disabling punding, which was reversed by amantadine without aggravating motor function. Amantadine may reduce punding by blocking NMDA receptors, in the same manner as in levodopa‐induced dyskinesias. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Failure of second‐trimester measurement of soluble endoglin and other angiogenic factors to predict placental abruption
Authors: Tikkanen Minna , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Nuutila Mika , Paavonen Jorma , Hiilesmaa Vilho , Ylikorkala Olavi
Published: October 2007

Objective

High level of soluble endoglin (sEng), a potent antiangiogenic factor, predicts pre‐eclampsia. We compared the serum levels of sEng in early second trimester in women with and without subsequent placental abruption. Proangiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) and antiangiogenic soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) were also studied.

Methods

Serum samples of 42 women with placental abruption and 50 control women, collected at 15 to 16 gestational weeks were analyzed for sEng, sFlt‐1 and PlGF by immunoassays.

Results

The levels of sEng showed no difference between the cases and controls, but parous or smoking women with abruption had lower levels of sEng. Similarly, sFlt‐1, PlGF, or sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio showed no difference between the cases and the controls.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that sEng, PlGF and sFlt‐1 levels in early second trimester fail to predict placental abruption. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taking the lid off Pandora's Box … gently!
Authors: Kibble SE , Harmer C , Brooks A
Published: October 2007

The National Service Framework for Diabetes reintroduced the term ‘empowerment’ into diabetes education. Still many health care professionals (HCPs) rarely provide the opportunity within their consultations for patients to express their feelings regarding their long‐term management of their diabetes, for fear of ‘taking the lid off Pandora's Box’. We studied the use of two simple opening questions as proposed by Anderson and Funnell in the environment of a secondary care diabetes clinic. The two questions were ‘What part of living with diabetes do you find most difficult?’ and ‘How does that make you feel?’

Seventy patients participated and 61 tapes were transcribed for content analysis. Our findings indicated a wide range of difficulties and feelings/emotions being expressed. There was no significant difference found between those participants who were given the Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire or a neutral questionnaire prior to their consultation, in the number of difficulties discussed (t [24] = ‐0.422, p>0.05), or feelings and emotions discussed (t [24] = 0.701, p>0.05).

On present evidence these two simple questions can be used as a practical and safe communication procedure by HCPs to find a way into these areas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.
Large‐scale stopping and switching treatment with COX‐2 inhibitors after the rofecoxib withdrawal
Authors: Sukel Myrthe P. P. , van der Linden Michiel W. , Chen Connie , Erkens Joëlle A. , Herings Ron M. C.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To compare treatment changes after the rofecoxib withdrawal with changes occurring normally and to re‐assess 12 months afterwards.

Methods

The PHARMO database comprised medication and hospital discharge records of over 3 million inhabitants in the Netherlands. The Study cohort included chronic coxib users with a coxib prescription on 30th September 2004; the Reference cohort others with a coxib prescription on 1st June 2004. Initial treatment changes were based on first new prescription since cohort entry. Twelve‐month changes were studied within the Study cohort only.

Results

The Study cohort (n = 6974) and Reference cohort (n = 5393) had similar demographics, stratified on type of coxib. In the Study cohort, 3341 (48%) initially stopped coxibs, of whom 1121 (16%) stopped all analgesic, versus 13 and 5% in the Reference cohort (p < 0.001). Among ‘other coxib’ users 32% stopped coxibs, and 15% stopped all analgesics, versus 14% and 4%, p < 0.001 in the Reference cohort. Among those who stopped coxibs, 34% switched to non‐selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (nsNSAID) without PPI, 21% to nsNSAID with PPI, and 45% stopped NSAID treatment (Reference cohort: 35, 20, and 44%, respectively). These rates for ‘other coxib users’ were: switching to nsNSAID without PPI 23% (Study Cohort) versus 35% (Reference Cohort), 13 versus 28%, and 64 versus 37% respectively (p < 0.001). Twelve months later, stopping NSAID increased to 43%, stopping all analgesics to 32%. Rheumatologists continued coxibs more frequently than other caregivers (87, 65, 54%, respectively).

Conclusions

The rofecoxib withdrawal resulted in a large proportion of patients who discontinued analgesic treatment altogether regardless of original coxib therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐course analysis of mouse serum proteome changes following exposure of the skin to ionizing radiation
Authors: Guipaud Olivier , Holler Valérie , Buard Valérie , Tarlet Georges , Royer Nicolas , Vinh Joëlle , Benderitter Marc
Published: October 2007

Radiation‐induced lesion outcomes of normal tissues are difficult to predict. In particular, radiotherapy or local exposure to a radioactive source by accident can trigger strong injury to the skin. The finding of biomarkers is of fundamental relevance for the prediction of lesion apparition and its evolution, and for the settlement of therapeutic strategies. In order to study radiation‐induced cutaneous lesions, we developed a mouse model in which the dorsal skin was selectively exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). 2‐D difference gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) coupled with MS was used to investigate proteins altered in expression and/or PTM in serum. Proteome changes were monitored from 1 day to 1 month postirradiation, at a dose of 40 Gy, in this specific model developing reproducible clinical symptoms ranging from erythema to skin ulceration with wound healing. About 60 proteins (including some isoforms and likely post‐translational variants), representing 20 different proteins, that exhibited significant and reproducible kinetic expression changes, were identified using MS and database searches. Several proteins, down‐ or up‐regulated from day one, could prove to be good candidates to prognosticate the evolution of a skin lesion such as necrosis. In addition, we observed shifts in pI of several spot trains, revealing potential PTM changes, which could also serve as indicators of irradiation or as predictors of lesion severity.
A hydrophobic ligand‐binding protein of the Taenia solium metacestode mediates uptake of the host lipid: Implication for the maintenance of parasitic cellular homeostasis
Authors: Lee Eung‐Goo , Kim Seon‐Hee , Bae Young‐An , Chung Joon‐Yong , Suh Myungkoo , Na Byoung‐Kuk , Kim Tong‐Soo , Kang Insug , Ma Liang , Kong Yoon
Published: October 2007

Parasitic organisms are incapable of de novo fatty acid synthesis due to a down‐regulated expression of enzymes involved in the oxygen‐dependent pathway. We investigated the uptake of host lipids by a 150‐kDa hydrophobic ligand‐binding protein (HLBP) of Taenia solium metacestode, an agent causative of neurocysticercosis. The protein was found to be a hetero‐oligomeric complex consisting of multiple subunits (Mr 7, 10, and 15 kDa within pH 8.0–9.7), which may originate from four unique genes of 7‐ and 10‐kDa gene families with 2–3 polymorphic alleles/paralogs. The 15‐kDa protein represented glycosylated forms of the 10‐kDa. With high binding affinity to lipid analogs, these subunits evidenced high‐level sequence identity with other cestode HLBPs and form a novel clade associated with excretory–secretory type HLBP. In vitro experiments with viable worms suggested that the excreted 150‐kDa protein might bind to lipids, and participate in the translocation of host lipids across the syncytial membrane. This process was substantially inhibited by the specific anti‐150 kDa antibodies. The protein was localized in the parasite syncytium and in the lipid droplets within host granuloma wall, where significant lipase activity was expressed. HLBP‐mediated uptake of the host lipid may be critical for the parasite survival and thus could be targeted by chemotherapeutics and/or vaccine.
Interactome and interface protocol (2IP): A novel strategy for high sensitivity topology mapping of protein complexes
Authors: Weerasekera Rasanjala , She Yi‐Min , Markham Kelly A. , Bai Yu , Opalka Natacha , Orlicky Stephen , Sicheri Frank , Kislinger Thomas , Schmitt‐Ulms Gerold
Published: October 2007

A few well‐characterized protein assemblies aside, little is known about the topology and interfaces of multiconstituent protein complexes. Here we report on a novel indirect strategy for low‐resolution topology mapping of protein complexes. Following crosslinking, purified protein complexes are subjected to chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide (CNBr) and the resulting fragments are resolved by 2‐D electrophoresis. The side‐by‐side comparison of a thus generated and a 2‐D CNBr fragment map obtained from uncrosslinked material reveals candidate gel spots harboring crosslinked CNBr fragments. In‐gel trypsinization and MALDI MS analysis of these informative spots identify the underlying crosslinked CNBr fragments based on unmodified tryptic peptides. Matching the cumulative theoretical molecular mass and predicted pI of these crosslinked CNBr fragments with original gel spot coordinates is required for confident crosslink assignment. The above strategy was successfully validated with the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP) core complex and subsequently applied to query the quaternary structure of components of the yeast Skp1‐Cdc53/Cullin‐F box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex. This protocol requires low picomole sample quantities, can be applied to multisubunit protein complexes, and does not rely on specialized data mining software.
Exhaled breath condensate pH in infants and children with acute and recurrent wheezy bronchitis
Authors: Vogelberg Christian , Würfel Christiane , Knoetzsch Anja , Kahlert Annegret , Range Ursula , Leupold Wolfgang
Published: October 2007

The analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a promising new method to measure airway inflammation. So far only limited data exist about methodological issues of EBC sampling in infants and young children. We evaluated 18 children with acute wheezy bronchitis (median age 24.3 months (min–max: 4–89.9)), 54 children with recurrent wheezy bronchitis (median age 52.5 months (7.2–94.8)), and 32 healthy controls (median age 49.6 months (25.3–67.8)). EBC was sampled with a modified commercially available EBC‐sampler, pH was measured after deaeration. EBC volume was significantly correlated to age (r = 0.56, P < 0.001). EBC pH was significantly decreased in all patients compared to the healthy controls (acute wheezy bronchitis 7.87 (7.16–8.19), P = 0.003, recurrent wheezy bronchitis 7.86 (6.95–8.39), P = 0.002, and healthy controls 8.04 (7.81–8.87), respectively). There were no significant differences of the EBC pH between the disease groups. When divided into different subgroups, an influence of inhaled steroid treatment was found with steroid‐naive recurrent wheezers having significantly lower EBC pH levels compared to healthy controls (7.80 (6.95–8.37), P = 0.018), but not so steroid treated (7.94 (7.24–8.39), P = 0.055). Both, recurrent wheezers with or without a positive allergy test had significantly lower EBC pH compared to healthy controls (7.91 (6.95–8.37), P = 0.007 and 7.82 (7.32–8.39), P =  0.005, respectively). This study indicates that EBC can be collected with a modified commercially available EBC sampler in infants and young children. Further studies need to be performed to evaluate the relevance and meaning of pH differences of EBC in this age group. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:1166–1172. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retraction: Ferroelectric anisotropy of sol–gel‐derived Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 thin films on SrTiO3 single‐crystal substrates
Authors: Chen X. Q. , Yang F. J.
Published: October 2007

The Editors would like to inform our readers that the article “Ferroelectric anisotropy of sol–gel‐derived Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 thin films on SrTiO3 single‐crystal substrates” by Chen and Yang 1, published online in October 2007, has been retracted by agreement between the authors and the editors of physica status solidi. The retraction was requested by Chen due to lack of consensus among all contributors regarding publication. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of D– centers confined by spherical quantum dots
Authors: Xie Wenfang
Published: October 2007

A negative donor center D– in a spherical Gaussian potential quantum dot is studied. The calculations have been performed by means of the exact diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix within the effective‐mass approximation. The dot‐radius and confinement‐height dependences of the binding energies of the D– center are obtained. We find that the stability of the D– center strongly depends on the dot radius and the depth of the confining potential. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic structure of crystalline uranium nitride: LCAO DFT calculations
Authors: Evarestov R. A. , Losev M. V. , Panin A. I. , Mosyagin N. S. , Titov A. V.
Published: October 2007

The results of the first LCAO DFT calculations of cohesive energy, band structure and charge distribution in uranium nitride (UN) crystal are presented and discussed. The calculations are made with the uranium atom relativistic effective core potentials, including 60, 78 and 81 electrons in the core. It is demonstrated that the chemical bonding in UN crystal has a metallic–covalent nature. Three 5f‐electrons are localized on the U atom and occupy the states near the Fermi level. The metallic nature of the crystal is due to the f‐character of both the valence‐band top and the conduction‐band bottom. The covalent bonds are formed by the interaction of 7s‐ and 6d‐states of the uranium atom with the 2p‐states of the nitrogen atom. It is shown that the inclusion of 5f‐electrons in the atomic core introduces small changes in the calculated cohesive energy of UN crystal and electron charge distribution. However, the inclusion of 5s‐, 5p‐, 5d‐electrons in the valence shell allows the better agreement with the calculated and experimental cohesive‐energy value. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic behaviour of superconductor/ferromagnet metallic and perovskite based superlattices
Authors: Guimpel J. , Monton C. , Haberkorn N. , de la Cruz F.
Published: October 2007

We present a study of the magnetic behaviour of superconducting/ferromagnetic superlattices, both for metallic and perovskite based systems. In the first case we find that the response is determined by the ferromagnetic layer regime. If these layers are very thin, no ferromagnetism is observed, but the superconducting layers are decoupled, and the superlattice behaves as a stack of independent superconducting films. For thicker ferromagnetic films, ferromagnetism is established and the effective field resulting from the superposition of stray and applied fields dominates the superconducting response of the superlattice. For the perovskite based superlattices, the physical properties are more affected by interface disorder. In this case we have found that the behaviour can be interpeted as charge carrier transfer between both materials, inducing a change in the magnetic character of the manganite. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)