bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria in Arachis spp. and the Implications on Development of Resistant Peanut Cultivars1
Authors: Holbrook C. Corley , Noe James P.
Published: April 2010

Peanut root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1) is a serious pathogen in commercial peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. There is no peanut cultivar with resistance to this nematode. The primary constraint in the development of resistant cultivars has been the absence of identified sources of resistance in A. hypogaea and related wild species. The objective of this study was to examine the wild Arachis spp. collection of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station for sources of resistance to M. arenaria. Thirty-six wild Arachis spp. genotypes were compared with the susceptible cv. Florunner for resistance to M. arenaria reproduction and galling response in two greenhouse tests. A. monticola Krap. et Rig., a member of the second-order gene pool, was the only wild species tested which did not have a gall index and egg-mass index significantly lower than that of A. hypogaea. There was no significant difference between A. monticola and A. hypogaea for the number of eggs per root system or per gram of fresh root weight. In addition, the host efficiency of A. monticola was 3.49, indicating a high level of susceptibility. All genotypes examined from the third-order gene pool species (A. cardenasii Krap. et Greg. nom. nud., A. duranensis Krap. et Greg. nom. nud., A. helodes Martius ex Krap. et Rig. and A. villosa Benth.) exhibited significantly less plant damage and nematode reproduction than A. hypogaea. Except for one A. villosa genotype, all entries from the third-order gene pool exhibited high levels of resistance to M. arenaria based on a host efficiency less than 1.00. All fourth-order gene pool accessions examined (A. burkartii Handro, A. glabrata Benth., and A. hagenbeckii Harms.) exhibited high levels of resistance to M. arenaria. These results indicate that resistance to M. arenaria is prevalent in both the third- and fourth-order gene pools of peanut. These results increase the probability of success in developing peanut cultivars with resistance to M. arenaria since species in the third-order gene pool are cross compatible with A. hypogaea. Based on genetic theory, these results also increase the probability of resistance to M. arenaria in the first-order gene pool. Therefore, further screening for resistance to M. arenaria in A. hypogaea is recommended.
The Effectiveness of Early Generation Testing as Applied to a Recurrent Selection Program in Peanut1
Authors: Halward T. M. , Wynne J. C. , Monteverde-Penso E. J.
Published: April 2010

The effectiveness of early generation testing for yield improvement in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was evaluated in an attempt to increase the efficiency of an on-going recurrent selection program by reducing the time required for evaluation and selection. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine if the number of years required per cycle of selection could be reduced; and (2) estimate the amount of genetic variability remaining in the population for yield and four agronomic traits after four cycles of recurrent selection. Sixty-eight random-mated crosses, among the 40 highest yielding lines from the cycle 3 population, were evaluated for yield and agronomic traits in 1985 (S0:1), 1986 (S0:2), and 1987 (S0:3). The results were compared to determine if early generation performance accurately predicts the performance of cross bulks in later generations. No significant correlations were found for yield of entries in the S0:3 and S0:2 or in the S0:3 and S0:1; however, there was a significant correlation between yield of entries in the S0:2 and S0:1 generations. No correlations were found between yield and any of the agronomic traits measured in the S0:3; however, significant correlations were found in the S0:2 between yield and most traits measured. Significant correlations were also found for entries in the S0:3 and S0:2 generations for each agronomic trait measured except number of seed per 20 pods. Early generation testings appears to be useful for selection of certain agronomic traits, but of limited value when selecting for yield. A decrease in genetic variation for yield in the population from the S0:1 to the S0:3 generation was observed; however, the number of crosses equal to or exceeding the yield of the check cultivar increased in later generations. All agronomic traits measured, except number of seed per 20 pods, showed significant genetic variation remaining in the population in both the S0:2 and S0:3 generations. The greater the genetic variation remaining in the population for a given trait, the more likely it is that further improvement of that trait will be realized with additional cycles of selection.
Cotyledon Cells and Seed Growth Relationships in CO2-enriched Peanut1
Authors: Sung F. J. M. , Chen J. J.
Published: April 2010

Seed size is a dynamic component of seed yield. Factors affecting seed size in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) are not well defined. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of CO2 enrichment and timing of pod formation on cotyledon cell and seed growth in virginia-type peanut. The results indicated that the number of cotyledon cells was relatively constant across all the treatments. However, size of cotyledon cells and seed growth rate (SGR) increased in the pods developed in high CO2 conditions. Striking differences in both cell size and SGR also existed between early and late formed pods. Our data indicate that assimilate supplies strongly limit cotyledon cell size, and accordingly affect SGR and final seed size
A Two Step Process for the Regeneration of Arachis spp. by Shoot Tip Culture of Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Authors: Chen W. Q. , Johnson B. , Sherwood J. L.
Published: April 2010

Shoot-tips of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars Florunner and Pronto grown in the greenhouse, and the tips of A. villosulicarpa Hoehne from in vitro cultured plants were used for in vitro regeneration of peanut. The terminal and lateral buds excised from greenhouse grown plants were surface sterilized with 70% ethanol for 3 min followed by 0.525% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min. Shoot-tips (0.5–3 mm long) were isolated from the buds, transferred to a modified Murashige Skoog (MS) agar medium, and maintained at 26 C with a 16-h photoperiod. The modified MS medium contained MS mineral salts, B5 vitamins, and the hormones 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA). The best growth of meristems (0.5–1 mm) was induced with 5.0 μM NAA and 5.0 μM BA. Rooting was induced with 5.0 μM NAA. Both shoot growth and rooting occurred on medium that contained 5.0 μM NAA when large tips (1–3 mm) were cultured. Plantlets regenerated from the tips were successfully transferred to pots and grown to maturity.
Reaction of Peanut Cultivars to Pythium Pod Rot and Their Influence on Populations of Pythium spp. in Soil1
Authors: Lewis P. I. , Filonow A. B.
Published: April 2010

In four field experiments the peanut cultivars Florigiant and NC 7 were generally more susceptible (P = 0.05) than Pronto and Spanco to pod rot and sometimes more susceptible (P = 0.05) than Florunner, GK 7, Langley or Okrun. The pod rot susceptibility of Florunner, GK 7, Langley, Okrun, Pronto and Spanco was usually similar. No consistent cultivar differences (P = 0.05) among pod yields were observed. Pythium myriotylum was the dominant species isolated from infected hull pieces plated on a medium selective for pythiaceous fungi. No cultivar significantly reduced populations of Pythium spp. in the soils of their pegging zones. In 1987, populations of Pythium spp. in soils at Ft. Cobb and Madill, Oklahoma increased at 67 days after planting (DAP) but declined at 89 DAP. in 1988 a similar population trend occurred at Ft. Cobb at 89 DAP and at Enos, Oklahoma at 127 DAP. The increase and decline of Pythium spp. were probably not directly influenced by soil temperature or matric potential. The involvement of the peanut plant in the fluctuation of Pythium spp. in soil is a plausible explanation for this trend.
Monitoring Visitor Flows in Destinations: The Case of Multiple-Use Hiking Trails in Grand Canyon National Park
Authors: Schwartz Zvi , Stewart William , Backlund Erik A.
Published: April 2010

Monitoring trail traffic in popular destinations plays essential roles in governing management actions and assessing effectiveness of operations. In varying degrees, the amount of visitor use is often a key factor linked to extent and type of impacts, maintenance schedules, budget and
resource allocations, and when compiled across a period of time, is used to inform planning scenarios and forecast future demand. This study uses direct observation of visitor volume to calibrate counts from infrared technology on multiple-use trails at Grand Canyon National Park during May
to October 2004. A calibration procedure was developed to better reflect variability in the proportion of exiting day hikers across time of the day and the trail of use within Grand Canyon National Park. The calibrated exit proportion models had good fits with low mean absolute deviations
where the larger the traffic volume the better fit. This finding was replicated across the trails of study, albeit using an explicit calibration model developed for each trail.
The Influence of Gender on Travel Risk Perceptions, Safety, and Travel Intentions
Authors: Reisinger Yvette , Crotts John C.
Published: April 2010

This study replicates and extends the work of Reisinger and Mavondo, who explored the influence of national culture on travel risk and safety perceptions, anxiety, and travel intentions. The current study differs in that it adds gender as a key explanatory variable alone and in combination
with national culture to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the influences on risk perceptions and future travel intent. Respondents (290 females and 239 males) from different nationalities (Asia, Australia, Europe, UK, US) were surveyed as to their cultural orientations, travel
risk and safety perceptions, anxieties, and future intentions to travel. Female respondents perceived traveling internationally as involved higher risk, were more anxious, felt less safe, and intended to travel less internationally than male respondents regardless of their cultural orientation.
However, in the male sample the long-/short-term cultural orientations of respondents were the most significant predictors of travel risk and safety perceptions. In both groups, terrorism and sociocultural risk emerged as the most significant determinants of travel anxieties and perceptions
of safety. In the female group, intentions to travel internationally again were determined by anxiety, whereas in the male group they were determined by perceived safety. Implications of the study results are discussed.
Evaluating Popular City Destinations' Websites: A Framework for Website Assessment
Authors: Özdemir Gökce , Gök Osman
Published: April 2010

Information gathering has fundamental effects on travel-related decision-making process. When destinations use the Internet effectively, they possibly enjoy more successful destination marketing processes, more concentrated branding and promotion efforts, as well as a diversified destination
image. Websites of city destinations can contain various features, including attractions, accommodation and transportation information, downloadable materials, maps, etc. A website design that is rich in content may attract prospective visitors, stimulate repeat visit intentions, and extend
the duration of stay. This study primarily aims to analyze the features that are relevant to the contents of city destinations' websites and to generate a framework for website evaluation of city destinations. The Internet provides opportunities for virtually endless creative and diverse applications;
however, most city destinations' websites do not adequately engage in such efforts, and they are almost identical with regard to the types of applications used for the content presentation.
Distinctive Features of the Australian Gambling Industry and Problems Faced by Australian Women Gamblers
Authors: Lee Timothy Jeonglyeol
Published: April 2010

The money generated by state and territory governments from various gambling activities in Australia represents about 12% of their individual tax revenues. Gamblers using Australia's 188,000 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in hotels and clubs spent AU$9.55 billion (US$8.02
billion) in 2003–04. In recent years, the Australian gambling industry has experienced significant changes, particularly in terms of the increased participation of women in the industry. This article highlights those features of the Australian gambling industry that make it unique, including
the effects that casinos and EGMs have had on Australian society and, in particular, on Australian women. The article concludes by providing nine recommendations including support groups, clocks, jogger cards, and education, to help reduce problem gambling among Australian women.
Early French Caricature (1795-1830) and English Influence
Authors: Rossiter Caroline
Published: April 2010

This article analyses the production of caricatures in post-revolutionary Paris, specifically the role of publishers and artists and the constraints of censorship within society of that time. By considering such factors in the light of English caricature production, we will outline the exchanges that took place between London and Paris at the turn of the nineteenth century and demonstrate that the two cities' comic print productions were subject to reciprocal influences.
'From the Land Where the Word Balloons Throw Shadows'
Authors: Nevins Mark David , Feuchtenberger Anke
Published: April 2010

Anke Feuchtenberger is a German avant-garde cartoon artist (b. 1963) with a strongly caricatural style. In this interview she discusses her childhood and education in former East Germany, historical influences upon her - including Rodolphe Töpffer - and current inspiration, as well as creational techniques and work in progress. In a further section the artist provides direct analysis of several of her publications.
Bête et méchant
Authors: Weston Jane
Published: April 2010

The weekly French satirical newspaper, Charlie hebdo, which originally ran from 1969 to 1982, pending a revival in 1992, distinguishes itself through its bête et méchant ['stupid and nasty'] humorous heritage, defined in its parent publication, Hara-Kiri, as the freedom to make jokes on potentially any subject, however taboo. Whilst this satirical ethos predominated in Charlie hebdo up to 1982, its enduring place in the publication has become more ambiguous since 1992, with the abrupt sacking of Siné in July 2008 seemingly belying its vigorous defence of provocative humour in the context of the 2006 Danish caricature affair. An important underlying continuity nonetheless remains in Charlie hebdo and transcends the bête et méchant project: that of negotiating a space for satirical expression that has continuously engaged with both elements of bande dessinée and the rich French tradition of polemical editorial cartooning and caricature.
Introduction
Authors:   The Editors
Published: April 2010

If comic art were to have its equivalent of the Querelle des Anciens et des Modernes [‘Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns’], it would be the polemic that developed in 1996 as an ‘add-on’ to the centenary celebrations of the invention of cinema of a year earlier. Following the assertion that the first comic strip was R. F. Outcault’s Yellow Kid of 1896, French reaction was indignant. Speaking at a high-profile conference in Angoulême, Yves Frémion, media personality and Euro-politician, made a lengthy tongue-in-cheek attack on perceived American usurping of credit for key cultural creations (cinema, science-fiction, bluejeans, AIDS, the Olympics…) before arriving at the following conclusion: Il me revient l’honneur, en commençant ce colloque, d’orienter le débat clairement pour éviter qu’il ne dévie vers un résultat mitigé, et pour que cette imposture soit démasquée sans ambiguïté. En réalité, tout ce que nous pouvons fêter cette année, c’est le cent-cinquantenaire de la mort de l’inventeur de la BD, Rodolphe Töpffer. (6) [In opening this conference I have the honour of setting the debate clearly in the right direction so as to avoid it going off on a dubious tangent, and in order for such impostures to be well and truly outed. In truth, all that is to be celebrated this year is the 150th anniversary of the death of the inventor of the BD, Rodolphe Töpffer.]
VALUATION OF FLEXIBLE LEASES FOR CORPORATE TENANTS FACING UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR REQUIRED WORK SPACE
Authors: Ashuri Baabak
Published: April 2010

A valuation approach is presented to price flexible leases with expansion, contraction, and/or cancelation options from the corporate tenant perspective. This model uses the real option valuation approach and determines the flexibility value or the option premium of a lease. This premium is the maximum amount of money that the tenant is willing to invest in incorporating a specific flexible feature in the leasing arrangement. Our model considers uncertainty in the rental market, as well as uncertainty about the firm's required workspace in an integrated valuation framework. Santruka Pristatomas vertinimo metodas, kaip iš komercinio nuomininko perspektyvos ikainoti lanksčiaja nuoma su galimybe didinti arba mažinti plota ir (arba) atsisakyti nuomos. Šiame modelyje, taikant realiu pasirinkimo sandoriu vertinimo metoda, nustatoma nuomos lankstumo verte arba priemoka už galimybe rinktis. Ši priemoka ‐ tai maksimali pinigu suma, kuria nuomininkas pasiruošes investuoti, idant i nuomos susitarima galetu itraukti konkretu punkta del lankstumo. Mūsu modelyje i nuomos rinkos netikruma ir i netikruma del imonei reikiamo darbo ploto atsižvelgiama taikant kompleksine vertinimo sistema.
Image of Children in Slovenian Folk Ballads. Psychoanalytic Vignettes
Authors: Huzjan Vanja
Published: April 2010

Prispevek skuša s pomočjo psihoanalitične interpretacije izbranih slovenskih ljudskih pripovednih pesmi razgrniti podobo otroka tekom njegovega duševnega razvoja. Na metodološki ravni skuša utemeljiti, kako je taka interpretacija sploh mogoča.
***
This article reveals an image of children in the course of their psychological development through psychoanalytical interpretation of certain Slovenian folk ballads. It seeks to methodologically establish the basis on which such an interpretation is achievable.
Local, National, and Global Perceptions of Art Worlds. Slovenians in Buenos Aires
Authors: Toplak Kristina
Published: April 2010

Avtorica v razmišljanju o umetniški produkciji Slovencev v Buenos Airesu izhaja predvsem iz domneve, da načini (so) delovanja posameznih akterjev v umetnostnih svetovih na različnih ravneh (lokalno, nacionalno, globalno) pričajo o spremembah identifikacij, hkrati pa spremembe identifikacij kažejo na možnost drugačnih razmerij in načinov sodelovanja v umetnostnih svetovih. Umetnostni svetovi, ki so osrednji koncept razprave, so konstrukcija, ki združuje produkcijo umetnosti, umetniške objekte in njihovo porabo. V njih se ustvarjajo, ohranjajo in spreminjajo vsakokratne predstave o umetnosti.
***
The author’s thoughts about the art production of Slovenians in Buenos Aires primarily stem from the assumption that the ways individual actors cooperate in “art worlds” at different levels (local, national, and global) imply changes in identifications and the interaction system. At the same time, changes in identifications suggest the possibility of different attitudes and manners of cooperation in art worlds. Art worlds are used here as the main theoretical concept in which images about art are created, preserved, and modified. As such, art worlds connect art production, art objects, and art consumption.
Phonetic Transcription of Dialect Ethnology Texts
Authors: Karničar Ludvik
Published: April 2010

Prispevek nudi osnovo za razpravo o fonetičnem zapisovanju slovenskih koroških govorov v Avstriji in prikaz transkripcijskih možnosti, kar naj bi služilo zlasti etnologom in literatom, ki imajo željo izražati svoje pesniške misli tudi po domače.
***
This article offers a basis for discussing phonetic transcription of Slovenian dialects in Austrian Carinthia and a presentation of transcription methods. This will especially assist ethnologists and men of letters that wish to express their poetic thoughts in their local dialect.
Acute Diarrheal Syndromic Surveillance
Authors: Kam H.J. , Choi S. , Cho J.P. , Min Y.G. , Park R.W.
Published: April 2010

Objective: In an effort to identify and characterize the environmental factors that affect the number of patients with acute diarrheal (AD) syndrome, we developed and tested two regional surveillance models including holiday and weather information in addition to visitor records, at emergency medical facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area of Korea.

Methods: With 1,328,686 emergency department visitor records from the National Emergency Department Information system (NEDIS) and the holiday and weather information, two seasonal ARIMA models were constructed: (1) The simple model (only with total patient number), (2) the environmental factor-added model. The stationary R-squared was utilized as an in-sample model goodness-of-fit statistic for the constructed models, and the cumulative mean of the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) was used to measure post-sample forecast accuracy over the next 1 month.

Results: The (1,0,1)(0,1,1)7 ARIMA model resulted in an adequate model fit for the daily number of AD patient visits over 12 months for both cases. Among various features, the total number of patient visits was selected as a commonly influential independent variable. Additionally, for the environmental factor-added model, holidays and daily precipitation were selected as features that statistically significantly affected model fitting. Stationary R-squared values were changed in a range of 0.651-0.828 (simple), and 0.805-0.844 (environmental factor-added) with p<0.05. In terms of prediction, the MAPE values changed within 0.090-0.120 and 0.089-0.114, respectively.

Conclusion: The environmental factor-added model yielded better MAPE values. Holiday and weather information appear to be crucial for the construction of an accurate syndromic surveillance model for AD, in addition to the visitor and assessment records.

Citation: Kam HJ, Choi S, Cho JP, Min YG, Park RW. Acute diarrheal syndromic surveillance – effects of weather and holidays. Appl Clin Inf 2010; 1: 79–95 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2009-12-RA-0024
Using Spectral Libraries for Peptide Identification from Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) Data
Authors: Lam Henry , Aebersold Ruedi
Published: April 2010

Spectral library searching is an emerging approach in proteomic data analysis for the inference of peptide identifications from tandem mass spectra. It offers a promising alternative to sequence database searching, currently the dominant method for this purpose. In spectral searching, a spectral library is first meticulously compiled from a large collection of previously observed and identified peptide MS/MS spectra. The spectrum of the unknown peptide can then by identified by comparing it to all the candidates in the spectral library for the best match. This unit covers the basic principles of spectral searching, describes its advantages and limitations, and reviews the available software tools developed for spectral library searching and building, in terms of their algorithms and their surrounding informatics support. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 60:25.5.1‐25.5.9. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Safe Use of Radioisotopes
Authors: Meisenhelder Jill , Bursik Steve
Published: April 2010

The pursuit of scientific knowledge has been considerably advanced by the use of biochemical molecules that incorporate radioisotopes at specific sites. The fate of these labeled molecules, and/or the radiolabeled products that result from biochemical reactions in which the parent molecule was involved, can be traced using a variety of instruments that detect radioactivity. This appendix begins with a discussion of the principles of radioactivity in order to provide the reader/user with knowledge on which to base a common sense approach to the safe use of isotopes. The characteristics of isotopes most commonly used in a molecular biology laboratory are then detailed, as well as the safety precautions and monitoring methods peculiar to each one. Detection and imaging methods used in experimental analysis are reviewed. Finally, an outline of an orderly response to a spill of radioactive material is presented. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 60:A.2B.1‐A.2B.18. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Socioeconomic status, education, and reproduction in modern women: An evolutionary perspective
Authors: Huber Susanne , Bookstein Fred L. , Fieder Martin
Published: April 2010

Although associations between status or resources and reproduction are positive in premodern societies and also in men in modern societies, in modern women the associations are typically negative. We investigated how the association between socioeconomic status and reproductive output varies with the source of status and resources, the woman's education, and her age at reproductive onset (proxied by age at marriage). By using a large sample of US women, we examined the association between a woman's reproductive output and her own and her husband's income and education. Education, income, and age at marriage are negatively associated with a woman's number of children and increase her chances of childlessness. Among the most highly educated two‐thirds of the sample of women, husband's income predicts the number of children. The association between a woman's number of children and her husband's income turns from positive to negative when her education and age at marriage is low (even though her mean offspring number rises at the same time). The association between a woman's own income and her number of children is negative, regardless of education. Rather than maximizing the offspring number, these modern women seem to adjust investment in children based on their family size and resource availability. Striving for resources seems to be part of a modern female reproductive strategy—but, owing to costs of resource acquisition, especially higher education, it may lead to lower birthrates: a possible evolutionary explanation of the demographic transition, and a complement to the human capital theory of net reproductive output. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:578–587, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Technical note: An R program for automating bone cross section reconstruction
Authors: Sylvester Adam D. , Garofalo Evan , Ruff Christopher
Published: April 2010

Many recent studies have used long bone cross‐sectional geometric properties in various comparative analyses. Methods have been described for reconstructing diaphyseal cross sections from external molds and biplanar radiographs that produce accurate results (within 5% of true values on average). The manual image processing required, however, is both time and labor intensive. A new freely available program developed here for the computational freeware, R, automates much of the process. This study compares cross‐sectional properties calculated using the new R program to those from peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) and the original manual method. We find that the R program works aswell as the original manual image processing for most cross sections eliminates the chance for entry errors at several steps and greatly speeds up data collection. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:665–669, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cultural consonance and body morphology: Estimates with longitudinal data from an Amazonian society
Authors: Reyes‐García Victoria , Gravlee Clarence C. , McDade Thomas W. , Huanca Tomás , Leonard William R. , Tanner Susan
Published: April 2010

Researchers have hypothesized that the degree to which an individual's actual behavior approximates the culturally valued lifestyle encoded in the dominant cultural model has consequences for physical and mental health. We contribute to this line of research by analyzing data from a longitudinal study composed of five annual surveys (2002–2006 inclusive) from 791 adults in one society of foragers–farmers in the Bolivian Amazon, the Tsimane'. We estimate the association between a standard measure of individual achievement of the cultural model, cultural consonance, and three indicators of body morphology. Drawing on research suggesting that in societies in the early stages of economic development an increase in socioeconomic status is associated with an increase in mean body mass, we expect to find a positive association between cultural consonance and three anthropometric measures. We found the expected positive association between cultural consonance and anthropometric measures—especially for men—only when using ordinary least square (OLS) regression models, but not when using fixed‐effects regression models. The real magnitude of the association was low. The comparison of estimates from OLS and fixed‐effect regression models suggests that previous findings on the effects of cultural consonance on body morphology using cross‐sectional data should be read with caution because the association might be largely explained by fixed characteristics of individuals not accounted in OLS models. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:167–174, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Days to criterion as an indicator of toxicity associated with human Alzheimer amyloid‐β oligomers
Authors: Gandy Sam , Simon Adam J. , Steele John W. , Lublin Alex L. , Lah James J. , Walker Lary C. , Levey Allan I. , Krafft Grant A. , Levy Efrat , Checler Frédéric , Glabe Charles , Bilker Warren B. , Abel Ted , Schmeidler James , Ehrlich Michelle E.
Published: April 2010

Objective

Recent evidence suggests that high molecular weight soluble oligomeric Aβ (oAβ) assemblies (also known as Aβ‐derived diffusible ligands, or ADDLs) may represent a primary neurotoxic basis for cognitive failure in Alzheimer disease (AD). To date, most in vivo studies of oAβ/ADDLs have involved injection of assemblies purified from the cerebrospinal fluid of human subjects with AD or from the conditioned media of Aβ‐secreting cells into experimental animals. We sought to study the bioactivities of endogenously formed oAβ/ADDLs generated in situ from the physiological processing of human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenitin1 (PS1) transgenes.

Methods

We produced and histologically characterized single transgenic mice overexpressing APPE693Q or APPE693Q X PS1ΔE9 bigenic mice. APPE693Q mice were studied in the Morris water maze (MWM) task at 6 and 12 months of age. Following the second MWM evaluation, mice were sacrificed, and brains were assayed for Aβtotal, Aβ40, Aβ42, and oAβ/ADDLs by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and were also histologically examined. Based on results from the oAβ/ADDL ELISA, we assigned individual APPE693Q mice to either an undetectable oAβ/ADDLs group or a readily detectable oAβ/ADDLs group. A days to criterion (DTC) analysis was used to determine delays in acquisition of the MWM task.

Results

Both single transgenic and bigenic mice developed intraneuronal accumulation of APP/Aβ, although only APPE693Q X PS1Δ9 bigenic mice developed amyloid plaques. The APPE693Q mice did not develop amyloid plaques at any age studied, up to 30 months. APPE693Q mice were tested for spatial learning and memory, and only 12‐month‐old APPE693Q mice with readily detectable oAβ/ADDLs displayed a significant delay in acquisition of the MWM task when compared to nontransgenic littermates.

Interpretation

These data suggest that cerebral oAβ/ADDL assemblies generated in brain in situ from human APP transgenes may be associated with cognitive impairment. We propose that a DTC analysis may be a sensitive method for assessing the cognitive impact in mice of endogenously generated oligomeric human Aβ assemblies. ANN NEUROL 2010
Atherosclerosis, dementia, and Alzheimer disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of aging cohort
Authors: Dolan Hillary , Crain Barbara , Troncoso Juan , Resnick Susan M. , Zonderman Alan B. , Obrien Richard J.
Published: April 2010

Objective

Although it is now accepted that asymptomatic cerebral infarcts are an important cause of dementia in the elderly, the relationship between atherosclerosis per se and dementia is controversial. Specifically, it is unclear whether atherosclerosis can cause the neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that define Alzheimer neuropathology and whether atherosclerosis, a potentially reversible risk factor, can influence cognition independent of brain infarcts.

Methods

We examined the relationship between systemic atherosclerosis, Alzheimer type pathology, and dementia in autopsies from 200 participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a prospective study of the effect of aging on cognition, 175 of whom had complete body autopsies.

Results

Using a quantitative analysis of atherosclerosis in the aorta, heart, and intracranial vessels, we found no relationship between the degree of atherosclerosis in any of these systems and the degree of Alzheimer type brain pathology. However, we found that the presence of intracranial but not coronary or aortic atherosclerosis significantly increased the odds of dementia, independent of cerebral infarction. Given the large number of individuals with intracranial atherosclerosis in this cohort (136/200), the population attributable risk of dementia related to intracranial atherosclerosis (independent of infarction) is substantial and potentially reversible.

Interpretation

Atherosclerosis of the intracranial arteries is an independent and important risk factor for dementia, suggesting potentially reversible pathways unrelated to Alzheimer pathology and stroke through which vascular changes may influence dementia risk.
Policy‐relevant Webometrics for individual scientific fields
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Klitkou Antje , Verbeek Arnold , Stuart David , Vincent Celine
Published: April 2010

Despite over 10 years of research there is no agreement on the most suitable roles for Webometric indicators in support of research policy and almost no field‐based Webometrics. This article partly fills these gaps by analyzing the potential of policy‐relevant Webometrics for individual scientific fields with the help of 4 case studies. Although Webometrics cannot provide robust indicators of knowledge flows or research impact, it can provide some evidence of networking and mutual awareness. The scope of Webometrics is also relatively wide, including not only research organizations and firms but also intermediary groups like professional associations, Web portals, and government agencies. Webometrics can, therefore, provide evidence about the research process to compliment peer review, bibliometric, and patent indicators: tracking the early, mainly prepublication development of new fields and research funding initiatives, assessing the role and impact of intermediary organizations and the need for new ones, and monitoring the extent of mutual awareness in particular research areas.
Occurrence and fate of fetal lumbar rib induced by Scutellariae radix in rats
Authors: Ko Eun A. , Park Won Sun , Lim Inja , Yun Jihyun , Kim Jung‐Ha , Kang Young‐Ku , Kim Nari , Han Jin , Bang Hyoweon , Ko Jae‐Hong
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence and fate of fetal lumbar rib induced by Scutellariae radix (SR) in rats. METHODS: Water extracts of SR were orally administered to pregnant rats from day 7 to day 17 of gestation at a dose of 186 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 25 g/kg of starting material, representing a 100‐fold increase over typical human intake level. RESULTS: The incidence of fetal lumbar rib in the SR‐treated group was increased on gestational day 20 and then decreased on postnatal day 50. The weight of fetuses in the SR‐treated group tended to be less than that in the control group. Alkaline phosphatase in SR‐treated dams was increased on gestational day 20, but was decreased on postnatal day 50. There were no significant differences between the vehicle control and SR‐treated groups in maternal body weight, embryological, histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical changes. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that the appearance of lumbar rib induced by SR is a transient fetal variation rather than teratogenicity or maternal toxicity. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:201–206, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of N‐terminus modifications on the biological activity, membrane interaction, and secondary structure of the antimicrobial peptide hylin‐a1
Authors: Crusca Edson , Rezende Adrielle A. , Marchetto Reinaldo , Mendes‐Giannini Maria J. S. , Fontes Wagner , Castro Mariana S. , Cilli Eduardo M.
Published: April 2010

Recently the peptide Hy‐a1 (IFGAILPLALGALKNLIK), with antimicrobial activity, was isolated from the skin secretion of the frog Hypsiboas albopunctatus. The aim of the present work was to evaluate four analogues with introduction of acetyl group, Asp or Lys at the N‐terminus of antimicrobial peptide Hy‐al to supply information about the relationship of structure–biological activity. The antimicrobial activities were assayed by measuring growth inhibition of four species of bacteria and four species of fungus. The hemolytic activity was also tested. The peptide containing Trp instead of Leu in position 6 (for fluorescence studies) presented MIC values comparable to wild type sequence: 32 μmol L−1, 32 μmol L−1, 8 μmol L−1, and 2 μmol L−1 for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis, respectively. Two peptides with this modification and containing one acetyl group or Asp residue at the N‐terminal region showed activities only against Gram‐positive bacteria. Different results were observed when the residue added was Lys. In this case, the activity against the microorganisms was sustained or increased. Conformational properties were investigated by CD techniques in water, TFE, and in zwitterionic micelles (LPC). The CD experiments demonstrated that, in water, the peptides had a random structure, but in TFE and LPC solutions they acquired an ordered structure, composed mainly by α‐helix. However, these data have no relationship with activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. These results showed that the N‐terminal region of the peptide Hy‐a1 has key roles in its antibacterial action toward different types of bacteria. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 41–48, 2011.
Microanatomical and immunohistochemical study of the human lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm at the antecubital fossa and its clinical implications
Authors: Marx S. Chakravarthy , Kumar Pramod , Dhalapathy S. , Prasad Keerthana , Marx C. Anitha
Published: April 2010

Changes in the intraneural anatomy with age can cause poor prognosis of nerve repair in patients after nerve injury. The occurrence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome‐Type II, secondary to peripheral nerve injury, is common. The purpose of this study is to asses changes in cross‐sectional anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm (LCNF) at the antecubital fossa in the fascicular, nonfascicular components (adipose and nonadipose tissue), and sympathetic fibers area with respect to age. For the purpose of the study, 32 human (37–88 years) fresh cadaveric LCNF were collected from left‐antecubital fossae and processed for histological, morphometric analysis [total cross‐sectional (Asc), fascicular (Af), and nonfascicular area (Anonf)], and immunohistochemical method (tyrosine hydroxylase) for sympathetic fibers. The LCNF's average total cross‐sectional area was 3.024 mm2, and fascicular area was 0.582 mm2. The average number of fascicles per mm2 was 3.09. The cross‐sectional area in the nerve was mainly occupied by nonfascicular connective tissue (80.75%). There was increased adipose tissue deposition (48.48% of Asc) and decreased collagen fibers (32.24% of Asc) in interfascicular domains without any definite relationship with age. The average sympathetic fiber area was 0.026 mm2 within the nerve fascicular area without any correlation with age. In LCNF, there was more adipose tissue and less collagen fibers deposition in the interfascicular domains of all age cases, and this may act as an obstacle for nerve fiber regeneration on using LCNF as an interpositional nerve graft. Clin. Anat. 23:693–701, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sphingosine Kinase Interacting Protein is an A‐Kinase Anchoring Protein Specific for Type I cAMP‐Dependent Protein Kinase
Authors: Kovanich Duangnapa , van der Heyden Marcel A. G. , Aye Thin Thin , van Veen Toon A. B. , Heck Albert J. R. , Scholten Arjen
Published: April 2010

The compartmentalization of kinases and phosphatases plays an important role in the specificity of second‐messenger‐mediated signaling events. Localization of the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase is mediated by interaction of its regulatory subunit (PKA‐R) with the versatile family of A‐kinase‐anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Most AKAPs bind avidly to PKA‐RII, while some have dual specificity for both PKA‐RI and PKA‐RII; however, no mammalian PKA‐RI‐specific AKAPs have thus far been assigned. This has mainly been attributed to the observation that PKA‐RI is more cytosolic than the more heavily compartmentalized PKA‐RII. Chemical proteomics screens of the cAMP interactome in mammalian heart tissue recently identified sphingosine kinase type 1‐interacting protein (SKIP, SPHKAP) as a putative novel AKAP. Biochemical characterization now shows that SPHKAP can be considered as the first mammalian AKAP that preferentially binds to PKA‐RIα. Recombinant human SPHKAP functions as an RI‐specific AKAP that utilizes the characteristic AKAP amphipathic helix for interaction. Further chemical proteomic screening utilizing differential binding characteristics of specific cAMP resins confirms SPHKAPs endogenous specificity for PKA‐RI directly in mammalian heart and spleen tissue. Immunolocalization studies revealed that recombinant SPHKAP is expressed in the cytoplasm, where PKA‐RIα also mainly resides. Alignment of SPHKAPs' amphipathic helix with peptide models of PKA‐RI‐ or PKA‐RII‐specific anchoring domains shows that it has largely only PKA‐RIα characteristics. Being the first mammalian PKA‐RI‐specific AKAP with cytosolic localization, SPHKAP is a very promising model for studying the function of the less explored cytosolic PKA‐RI signaling nodes.
Metal–Arene Interactions in Dialkylbiarylphosphane Complexes of Copper, Silver, and Gold
Authors: Pérez‐Galán Patricia , Delpont Nicolas , Herrero‐Gómez Elena , Maseras Feliu , Echavarren Antonio M.
Published: April 2010

Dialkylbiphenylphosphane–AuI complexes exhibit only weak metal–arene interactions with the covering arene ring. However, the contacts in isoleptic AgI and CuI complexes are shorter than the limiting values of 3.03 Å (AgI) and 2.83 Å (CuI). Strong metal–arene interactions were also found in the two AgI aquo complexes and in two acetonitrileCuI complexes with dialkylbiphenylphosphane ligands. Arene–AgI complexes with these bulky phosphane ligands show the strongest AgIarene bonds known.
Intensely Fluorescent Azobenzenes: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Effects of Substituents, and Application to Fluorescent Vital Stain
Authors: Yoshino Junro , Furuta Akiko , Kambe Tetsuya , Itoi Hiroaki , Kano Naokazu , Kawashima Takayuki , Ito Yuzuru , Asashima Makoto
Published: April 2010

2‐[Bis(pentafluorophenyl)boryl]azobenzenes bearing hydrogen, methoxy, dimethylamino, trifluoromethyl, fluoro,n‐butyl, andtert‐butyldimethylsiloxy groups at the 4′‐position or methoxy and bromo groups at the 4‐position have been synthesized. The 4‐bromo group of the 2‐boryl‐4‐bromoazobenzene derivative was converted to phenyl and diphenylamino groups by palladium‐catalyzed reactions. The absorption and fluorescence properties have been investigated using UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The 2‐borylazobenzenes emitted an intense green, yellow, and orange fluorescence, in marked contrast to the usual azobenzene fluorescence. The 4′‐siloxy derivative showed the highest fluorescence quantum yield (0.90) among those reported for azobenzenes to date. The correlation between the substituent and the fluorescence properties was elucidated by studying the effect of the substituent on the relaxation process and from DFT and TD‐DFT calculations. An electron‐donating group at the 4′‐position was found to be important for an intense emission. Application of fluorescent azobenzenes as a fluorescent vital stain for the visualization of living tissues was also investigated by microinjection intoXenopusembryos, suggesting these compounds are nontoxic towards embryos.
Fragment‐Based Lead Discovery: Screening and Optimizing Fragments for Thermolysin Inhibition
Authors: Englert Lisa , Silber Katrin , Steuber Holger , Brass Sascha , Over Björn , Gerber Hans‐Dieter , Heine Andreas , Diederich Wibke E. , Klebe Gerhard
Published: April 2010

Fragment‐based drug discovery has gained a foothold in today's lead identification processes. We present the application of in silico fragment‐based screening for the discovery of novel lead compounds for the metalloendoproteinase thermolysin. We have chosen thermolysin to validate our screening approach as it is a well‐studied enzyme and serves as a model system for other proteases. A protein‐targeted virtual library was designed and screening was carried out using the program AutoDock. Two fragment hits could be identified. For one of them, the crystal structure in complex with thermolysin is presented. This compound was selected for structure‐based optimization of binding affinity and improvement of ligand efficiency, while concomitantly keeping the fragment‐like properties of the initial hit. Redesigning the zinc coordination group revealed a novel class of fragments possessing Ki values as low as 128 μM, thus they provide a good starting point for further hit evolution in a tailored lead design.
Durable oncologic outcomes after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Tracy Chad R. , Raman Jay D. , Donnally Chester , Trimmer Clayton K. , Cadeddu Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND:

Long‐term oncologic outcomes for renal thermal ablation are limited. The authors of this report present their experience with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy for 243 small renal masses (SRMs) over the past 7.5 years.

METHODS:

The authors' institutional, prospectively maintained RFA database was reviewed to determine intermediate and long‐term oncologic outcomes for patients with SRMs (generally <4 cm) who underwent RFA. Particular attention was placed on patients who had a minimum 3 years of follow‐up. Patients were excluded from the analysis if they had received previous treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on the ipsilateral kidney or if they did not have at least 1 imaging study available for follow‐up.

RESULTS:

Two hundred eight patients (with 243 SRMs) who had no evidence of previous ipsilateral renal cancer treatment underwent RFA and had follow‐up imaging studies available for review. Overall, tumor size averaged 2.4 cm, and follow‐up ranged from 1.5 months to 90 months (mean, 27 months). Of the 227 tumors (93%) that underwent preablation biopsy, RCC was confirmed in 79%. The initial treatment success rate was 97%, and the overall 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was 93% (90% for 160 patients who had biopsy‐proven RCC). During follow‐up, 3 patients developed metastatic disease, and 1 patient died of RCC, yielding 5‐year actuarial metastasis‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates of 95% and 99%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

RFA provided successful treatment of SRMs and produced a low rate of recurrence as well as prolonged metastasis‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates at 5 years after treatment. Although longer term follow‐up of RFA will be required to determine late recurrence rates, the current results indicated a minimal risk of disease recurrence in patients who are >3 years removed from RFA. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.