bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Esophagus reconstruction with free jejunal transfer
Authors: Pavlovics Gabor , Cseke Laszlo , Papp Andras , Tizedes Gyorgy , Tabar Bela A. , Horvath Peter Ors
Published: January 2006

Following pharyngolaryngectomy, reconstruction is one of the most challenging surgical procedures. Here we review our own experiences using a microvascularly transferred free jejunal graft. This method was performed in 22 patients (19 male and 3 female, aged 40–63 years). Seven patients underwent neoadjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy. Eighteen patients had immediate reconstruction after pharyngolaryngectomy, and 4 patients had delayed reconstruction because of complications from previous surgeries (2 stenoses, and 2 recurrent cancers). The duration of surgery ranged from 5–9 h (mean, 6.3 h), and the ischemic time of the graft was 70–125 min (mean, 88 min). This method has several advantages: it is a one‐step operation; the graft is covered by self‐cleaning mucosa; the development of fistulas and stenoses is rare; and the technique provides good swallowing. Owing to its good blood supply, this reconstructive method can also be used in previously irradiated areas. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 26: 73–77, 2006.
Influence of the side group shape on the arrangement of liquid‐crystalline polyethers obtained by ring opening polymerization of oxiranes
Authors: Giamberini Marta , Reina José Antonio , Ronda Joan Carles
Published: January 2006

A family of mono‐, di‐, and trisubstituted benzylglycidylether derivatives with 4‐dodecyloxybenzyloxy groups at the 4‐, 3,5‐, and 3,4,5‐ position of the aromatic ring was synthesized and characterized. These monomers were subsequently polymerized with an aluminum‐based ionic‐coordinative initiator, [(CH3)2CHO]2AlOZn OAl[OCH(CH3)2]2 (the Teyssie' catalyst) or an anionic initiator, potassium t‐butoxide. Polymerizations by potassium t‐butoxide gave rise to conversions below 50% in all cases and relatively low molecular weights. The resulting polymers exhibited liquid crystalline phases, which were smectic for the calamitic monomer and columnar for the tapered monomers. When the ionic‐coordinative Teyssie' catalyst was used, the conversion of monomer was almost quantitative according to the higher activity of this type of initiators. The molecular weights and degree of stereoregularity were higher. The results of mesophase characterization, by DSC, XRD, and POM suggested that higher molecular weights and stereoregularity increase the stability of the mesophase and give rise to more compact structures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1722–1733, 2006
Two types of transmembrane homomeric interactions in the integrin receptor family are evolutionarily conserved
Authors: Lin Xin , Tan Suet Mien , Law S.K. Alex , Torres Jaume
Published: January 2006

Integrins are heterodimers, but recent in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that they are also able to associate through their transmembrane domains to form homomeric interactions. Two fundamental questions are the biological relevance of these aggregates and their form of interaction in the membrane domain. Although in vitro experiments have shown the involvement of a GxxxG‐like motif, several crosslinking in vivo data are consistent with an almost opposite form of interaction between the transmembrane α‐helices. In the present work, we have explored these two questions using molecular dynamics simulations for all available integrin types. We have tested the hypothesis that homomeric interactions are evolutionary conserved, and essential for the cell, using conservative substitutions to filter out nonnative interactions. Our results show that two models, one involving a GxxxG‐like motif (model I) and an almost opposite form of interaction (model II) are conserved across all α and β integrin types, both in homodimers and homotrimers, with different specificities. No conserved interaction was found for homotetramers. Our results are completely independent from experimental data, both during molecular dynamics simulations and in the selection of the correct models. We rationalize previous seemingly conflicting findings regarding the nature of integrin interhelical homomeric interactions. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermally activated diffusion of indium into layered materials 2H‐TaSe2, and TaS2
Authors: Rajora Onkar
Published: January 2006

We have studied the thermal diffusion of indium in single crystals of the layered compounds 2H‐TaSe2, and TaS2 parallel to the layers. Measurements were done in situ in a scanning electron microscope equipped with an X‐ray energy dispersive system. The distance of the diffusing indium front into the crystal was determined as a function of time from secondary electron image as well as from X‐ray line scans for indium taken at different time intervals. The diffusion coefficients D were found by fitting the data to 〈r2〉 = 2Dt, where 〈r2〉 is the mean square displacement in time t. The diffusion coefficients thus obtained were 1.5 × 10–12, 3.8 × 10–12, 7.7 × 10–12, and 17.5 × 10–12 m2/s with an uncertainty of about 10 percent at 351, 375, 411, and 458 K respectively for TaSe2. The values for TaS2 were 5.3 × 10–11, 9.5 × 10–11, 1.7 × 10–10, and 3.6 × 10–10 m2/s at 345, 369, 388, and 437 K respectively. The activation energy E0 of indium diffusion, using D = D0 e, were determined to be (0.32 ± 0.04) eV, and (0.27 + 0.03) eV for TaSe2 and TaS2 respectively. The results show that diffusing indium atoms put severe stress on the layers as they intercalate between them. This stress is relieved by buckling of the layers and these buckling features are clearly visible in secondary electron images. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Antibacterial activity of plant extracts from azuki beans (Vigna angularis) in vitro
Authors: Hori Y. , Sato S. , Hatai A.
Published: January 2006

This study was undertaken to examine the antimicrobial property of azuki beans (Vigna angularis). The water extracts of green, black and red colored azuki beans showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In contrast, the extract of white azuki beans showed no inhibition towards any of the microorganisms examined. The extracts of colored azuki beans contained larger amounts of polyphenols including proanthocyanidins than the extracts of white azuki beans. The counts of S. aureus cells, inoculated in the medium containing the extracts of colored azuki beans, were signicantly reduced in comparison with those of control and white azuki beans after 24 h (p < 0.05). These results suggest that polyphenols including proanthocyanidins in colored azuki beans may be responsible for their antibacterial activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photostabilization of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene block copolymer by hindered phenol and phosphite antioxidants
Authors: Luengo Cristina , Allen Norman S. , Wilkinson Arthur , Edge Michele , Parellada M. Dolores , Barrio Juan A. , Santa V. Ruiz
Published: January 2006

The photostabilization of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS), by hindered phenols and their combination with phosphite antioxidants has been studied by using a variety of spectroscopic methods including FTIR, UV, and luminescence spectroscopy coupled with crosslinking and hydroperoxide analysis. The addition of a hindered phenol was found to photostabilize the SEBS in terms of the inhibition of discoloration, and the formation of hydroperoxides, acetophenone, and oxidation products, as well as chain scission and disaggregation of the styrene units. Strong synergism was found with combinations of a hindered phenol and phosphite antioxidant, especially with an increase in the phosphite concentration. Residual titanium traces present as impurities in the material were found to play an important role in the photo‐oxidation of SEBS. Molecular weight appeared to be a determining factor in the proportion of chain scission/crosslinking reactions that occured. Nevertheless, the addition of antioxidants and the reduction of titanium content also proved satisfactory in stabilizing the low‐molecular‐weight material. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL. 12:2–7, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Gln84 of moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase regulates the incorporation rates of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides
Authors: Liu Shufeng , Goff Stephen P. , Gao Guangxia
Published: January 2006

Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (RT) selectively uses deoxyribonucleotides over ribonucleotides (rNTPs) as substrates. Substitution of F155 with valine (F155V) was previously found to increase the enzyme's affinity for rNTPs, though without affecting the V
max for catalysis, and thereby conferred to the enzyme significant RNA polymerase activity. We have sought new mutations that might increase the RNA polymerase activity of the F155V mutant. We report here that substitution of Q84 with alanine improved RT‐F155V's RNA polymerase activity, but also its DNA polymerase activity. Kinetic analysis and gel‐retardation assays suggested that the substitution increased the enzyme's general affinity for the template‐primer.
Multidrug resistance associated protein 1 protects against bilirubin‐induced cytotoxicity
Authors: Calligaris Sebastián , Cekic Dean , Roca-Burgos Leslye , Gerin Fabio , Mazzone Graciela , Ostrow J. Donald , Tiribelli Claudio
Published: January 2006

We have shown that multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1) mediates ATP‐dependent extrusion of bilirubin, possibly limiting its potentially toxic accumulation in cells. To determine directly if Mrp1 protects cells against unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) toxicity, mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) were isolated from Mrp1 knockout (−/−) mice and their wild type (WT) (+/+) littermates. Compared to WT cells, cultured MEF (−/−) cells exposed to 40–140 nM unbound [H3]‐bilirubin accumulated twice as much [H3]‐bilirubin (P
< 0.01). This was associated with greater, dose‐related cytotoxicity, assessed by the methylthiazoletetrazolium test, lactate dehydrogenase release and cellular ATP content. The data confirm that Mrp1 limits intracellular accumulation of UCB and thus decreases its cytotoxicity.
Impact of early admission in labor on method of delivery
Authors: Rahnama P. , Ziaei S. , Faghihzadeh S.
Published: January 2006

Objective

The effect of the timing of admission in labor unit on the method of delivery was evaluated in a cohort study.

Method

Four hundred and sixty six low‐risk nulliparous women who were admitted in the labor unit in latent phase (group 1) were compared with 329 parturient women who were admitted in the active phase (group 2) to determine rate of and reasons for cesarean section, cervical dilation at the time of cesarean, and the rate of labor augmentation.

Result

The number of cesarean deliveries in group 1 was greater than that in the group 2 (301 vs 80, p < 0.0001). The main reason for cesarean section in group 1 was dystocia, and in 2, fetal distress. The rate of cesarean section in the women who were augmented was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (54% vs 23%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Later admission in labor increases the rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery in low risk nulliparous women.
The moral case for reincarnation
Authors: FILICE CARLO
Published: January 2006

I attempt to show that a cosmic theistic scheme that includes multiple lives as part of a benign plan for the world is likely to be the most moral scheme. It has the best chance of dealing with key aspects of the problem of evil, or of apparent cosmic injustice – particularly when compared to a single-life scheme. Its advantages have to do with the initial disparate condition of children, and with the massive nature of undeserved harm. A multiple-lives scheme is also promising for handling broader meaning of life questions. I end by replying to some common objections to multiple-lives schemes.
Jewish monotheism and the Christian God
Authors: NATHAN N. M. L.
Published: January 2006

Some Christians combine a doctrine about Christ which implies that there is more than one divine self with the doctrine that God revealed to the Jews a monotheism according to which there is just one divine self. I suggest that it is less costly for such Christians to achieve consistency by abandoning the second of these doctrines than to achieve it by abandoning the first.
Stabilization of cooperative information agents in unpredictable environment: a logic programming approach
Authors: DUNG PHAN MINH , HANH DO DUC , THANG PHAN MINH
Published: January 2006

An information agent is viewed as a deductive database consisting of three parts:

an observation database containing the facts the agent has observed or sensed from its surrounding environment;

an input database containing the information the agent has obtained from other agents;

an intensional database which is a set of rules for computing derived information from the information stored in the observation and input databases.

Stabilization of a system of information agents represents a capability of the agents to eventually get correct information about their surrounding despite unpredictable environment changes and the incapability of many agents to sense such changes causing them to have temporary incorrect information. We argue that the stabilization of a system of cooperative information agents could be understood as the convergence of the behavior of the whole system toward the behavior of a “superagent”, who has the sensing and computing capabilities of all agents combined. We show that unfortunately, stabilization is not guaranteed in general, even if the agents are fully cooperative and do not hide any information from each other. We give sufficient conditions for stabilization. We discuss the consequences of our results.
A gravity‐driven electric current in the Earth's ionosphere identified in CHAMP satellite magnetic measurements
Authors: Maus S. , Lühr H.
Published: January 2006

A gravity field acting on a collisionless, magnetized space plasma causes electrons and ions to drift into opposite directions, in addition to gyrating around the magnetic field lines. This sets up an electric current which flows perpendicular to the gravity and magnetic fields in the eastward direction. Here we present the first observational evidence for such a gravity‐driven current system in the Earth's low‐latitude ionosphere. Its magnetic field signal, although 10,000 times smaller than the ambient Earth's magnetic field, is clearly visible in CHAMP satellite magnetic measurements. We find a current ribbon of more than 50 kA, about 66° wide in latitude, which moves with the sun northward in summer and southward in winter. Correcting magnetic measurements for this current's signature should lead to a better agreement between low‐orbiting satellite and ground‐based observations.
Influence of assimilated eddies on the large‐scale circulation in a model of the northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Greatbatch Richard J. , Zhai Xiaoming
Published: January 2006

In this letter, we apply a novel technique (the “semidiagnostic method”) to assimilate the eddy field from a model with constrained large‐scale circulation into a model version with an unconstrained large‐scale circulation. Assimilation of the eddies (i) drives an anomalous circulation corresponding to the northern recirculation gyre of the Gulf Stream, but of insufficient strength to appear in the mean field and (ii) leads to a much enhanced circulation in the northwest corner, east of Newfoundland. We argue that the blocking of f/H contours from the east by the mid‐Atlantic Ridge is a major influence on the dynamics of the northwest corner, and that the dynamics of the eddy‐driven northern recirculation and the northwest corner are fundamentally similar.
Effect of aerosol number concentration on cloud droplet dispersion: A large‐eddy simulation study and implications for aerosol indirect forcing
Authors: Lu Miao‐Ling , Seinfeld John H.
Published: January 2006

Through three‐dimensional large‐eddy simulations of marine stratocumulus we explore the factors that control the cloud spectral relative dispersion (ratio of cloud droplet spectral width to the mean radius of the distribution) as a function of aerosol number concentration and the extent to which the relative dispersion either enhances or mitigates the Twomey effect. We find that relative dispersion decreases with increasing aerosol number concentration (for aerosol number concentrations less than about 1000 cm−3) because smaller droplets resulting from higher aerosol number concentrations inhibit precipitation and lead to (1) less spectral broadening by suppressed collision and coalescence processes and (2) more spectral narrowing by droplet condensational growth at higher updraft velocity because reduced drizzle latent heating at cloud top results in increased boundary layer turbulent kinetic energy production by buoyancy and thereby stronger turbulence. Increased spectral broadening owing to increased cloud‐top entrainment mixing, also as a result of increased boundary layer turbulence, is relatively insignificant compared with outcomes 1 and 2. The coefficient k, an important parameter that relates cloud droplet effective radius and volume mean radius in large‐scale models, is a function of skewness and relative dispersion of the distribution and is negatively correlated with relative dispersion. Increasing k with increasing aerosol number concentration leads to maximum enhancement of the cloud susceptibility (the change of cloud optical depth due to change of cloud droplet number concentration) over that attributable to the Twomey effect alone by about 4.2% and 39% for simulated FIRE and ASTEX cases, respectively.
RNA editing and alternative splicing: the importance of co‐transcriptional coordination
Authors: Laurencikiene Jurga , Källman Annika M , Fong Nova , Bentley David L , Öhman Marie
Published: January 2006

The carboxy‐terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II) is essential for several co‐transcriptional pre‐messenger RNA processing events, including capping, 3′‐end processing and splicing. We investigated the role of the CTD of RNA pol II in the coordination of A to I editing and splicing of the ADAR2 (ADAR: adenosine deaminases that act on RNA) pre‐mRNA. The auto‐editing of Adar2 intron 4 by the ADAR2 adenosine deaminase is tightly coupled to splicing, as the modification of the dinucleotide AA to AI creates a new 3′ splice site. Unlike other introns, the CTD is not required for efficient splicing of intron 4 at either the normal 3′ splice site or the alternative site created by editing. However, the CTD is required for efficient co‐transcriptional auto‐editing of ADAR2 intron 4. Our results implicate the CTD in site‐selective RNA editing by ADAR2 and in coordination of editing with alternative splicing.
Generalizations of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorem: I. Legendre Transform Constructions of Variational Principles for Density Matrices and Electron Distribution Functions
Authors: Ayers Paul W. , Golden Sidney , Levy Mel
Published: January 2006

Given a general, N-particle Hamiltonian operator, analogs of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorem are derived for functions that are more general than the particle density, including density matrices and the diagonal elements thereof. The generalization of Lieb’s Legendre transform ansatz to the generalized Hohenberg-Kohn functional not only solves the υ-representability problem for these entities, but, more importantly, also solves the N-representability problem. Restricting the range of operators explored by the Legendre transform leads to a lower bound on the true functional. If all the operators of interest are incorporated in the restricted maximization, however, the variational principle dictates that exact results are obtained for the systems of interest. This might have important implications for practical work not only for density matrices but also for density functionals. A follow-up paper will present a useful alternative approach to the v- and N-representability problems based on the constrained search formalism.
Quiver gauge theory of non-Abelian vortices and noncommutative instantons in higher dimensions
Authors: Popov Alexander D. , Szabo Richard J.
Published: January 2006

We construct explicit Bogomolnyi, Prasad, Sommerfeld (BPS) and non-BPS solutions of the Yang-Mills equations on the noncommutative space Rθ2n×S2 which have manifest spherical symmetry. Using SU(2)-equivariant dimensional reduction techniques, we show that the solutions imply an equivalence between instantons on Rθ2n×S2 and non-Abelian vortices on Rθ2n, which can be interpreted as a blowing-up of a chain of D0-branes on Rθ2n into a chain of spherical D2-branes on Rθ2n×S2. The low-energy dynamics of these configurations is described by a quiver gauge theory which can be formulated in terms of new geometrical objects generalizing superconnections. This formalism enables the explicit assignment of D0-brane charges in equivariant K-theory to the instanton solutions.
The chemisorption of coronene on Si(001)-2×1
Authors: Suzuki Takayuki , Sorescu Dan C. , Jordan Kenneth D. , Levy Jeremy , Yates John T.
Published: January 2006

Coronene (C24H12) adsorption on the clean Si(001)-2×1 surface was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and by density-functional calculations. The coronene adsorbed randomly at 25 °C on the surface and did not form two-dimensional islands. The scanning tunneling microscopy measurements revealed three adsorption sites for the coronene molecule on the Si(001) surface at low coverage. The major adsorption configuration involves coronene bonding to four underlying Si atoms spaced two lattice spacings apart in a dimer row. The two minor adsorption configurations involve asymmetrical bonding of a coronene molecule between Si dimer rows and form surface species with a mirror plane symmetry to their chiral neighbor species. The two minor bonding arrangements are stabilized by a type-C defect on the Si(001) surface.
Dynamic contact angle in rim instability of dewetting holes
Authors: Choi Sung-Hwan , Zhang Newby Bi-min
Published: January 2006

The effects of dynamic contact angle (θd), between a substrate and the melt of a dewetting polymer thin film, on the evolution of rim instabilities of dewetting holes were reported. Various θd’s were achieved by covering SiOx surfaces with different coverage of octadecyltrichlorosilane. On each surface, the morphology of the dewetting holes was examined in detail as the hole grew to a certain size. Rim instabilities, in terms of undulations in both r and z directions, became more pronounced as θd increased, under which condition, narrower and higher rims were also observed. Experimentally, atomic force microscopic scans of the rim were used to obtain the rim profile, which was predicted using θd. The predicted rim profile was used, in combination with the analysis of Rayleigh instability of a cylindrical fluid, to interpret the rim instability. The model captures the basic trend of the rim instability dependency on θd. The study demonstrates the importance of the substrate properties on the rim instability and the destabilization of polymer thin films during hole growth.
Specific contact resistivity of nanowire devices
Authors: Stern E. , Cheng G. , Young M. P. , Reed M. A.
Published: January 2006

We present a study of specific contact resistivity from multiterminal Kelvin measurements for GaN nanowire (NW) devices. Nanowire specific contact resistivity is found to be process-independent and in good agreement to that of epitaxially grown GaN. A strong dependence of NW specific contact resistivity on carrier density is observed to be in good agreement with theory.
Confined optical modes in monolithic II-VI pillar microcavities
Authors: Lohmeyer H. , Sebald K. , Kruse C. , Kröger R. , Gutowski J. , Hommel D. , Wiersig J. , Baer N. , Jahnke F.
Published: January 2006

Monolithic II-VI pillar microcavities made of ZnSSe and MgS∕ZnCdSe supperlattices have been fabricated by molecular-beam epitaxy and focused-ion-beam etching. Discrete optical modes of the pillar microcavities are studied in photoluminescence measurements. The optical modes are identified by means of calculations based on an extended transfer matrix method. Achievable Purcell factors well above 10 can be estimated from the measured quality factors and calculated mode volumes.
Large electric field effects on photoluminescence of organic Eu3+ complex-based electroluminescent emitters
Authors: Virgili D. , Cocchi M. , Fattori V. , Kalinowski J. , Stampor W.
Published: January 2006

Electric field applied to indium-tin oxide (ITO)/organic layer/Au thin-film structure has been shown to strongly (up to 40%) reduce the photoluminescence (PL) of organic films composed of Eu3+ complexes-doped diamine derivative (TPD): Polycarbonate thin layers used as red light electroluminescent emitters. Two components of this effect can be extracted from the experiment: (i) electric-field enhanced dissociation of excited states, and (ii) quenching of excited states due to the injected charge. While component (i) reduces PL irrespective of the nature of electrode contacts, the negative values of component (ii) have been observed for some emitters with ITO/organic emitter/Au structures, tending to an enhancement of the PL. The latter is assigned to the recombination of holes generated by the thermionic emission from ITO (Au) anode and electrons created by exciton reactions at Au (ITO) cathode. The strong PL quenching effects have been attributed to the field increasing occupation of ligands by electrons, competing with excitation energy transfer to them from TPD, the latter being the process responsible for the population of emissive Eu3+ ion states.
Molecular content of the deposition flux during reactive Ar∕O2 magnetron sputtering of Al
Authors: Andersson Jon M. , Wallin E. , Münger E. P. , Helmersson U.
Published: January 2006

The deposition flux obtained during reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering of an Al target in Ar∕O2 gas mixtures was studied by mass spectrometry. The results show significant amounts of molecular AlO+ (up to 10% of the Al+ flux) in the ionic flux incident onto the substrate. In the presence of ∼10−4Pa H2O additional OH+ and AlOH+ were detected, amounting to up to about 100% and 30% of the Al+ flux, respectively. Since the ions represent a small fraction of the total deposition flux, an estimation of the neutral content was also made. These calculations show that, due to the higher ionization probability of Al, the amount of neutral AlO in the deposition flux is of the order of, or even higher than, the amount of Al. These findings might be of great aid when explaining the alumina thin film growth process.
Lattice parameter and hole density of (Ga,Mn)As on GaAs(311)A
Authors: Daeubler J. , Glunk M. , Schoch W. , Limmer W. , Sauer R.
Published: January 2006

We discuss the structural and electrical properties of (Ga,Mn)As layers with Mn concentrations up to 5%, grown on GaAs(311)A substrates by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy. High-resolution x-ray diffraction studies reveal a higher concentration of As antisites and a weaker linear increase of the relaxed lattice constant with Mn content in the (311)A layers compared to (100) reference layers. The hole densities and Curie temperatures, determined from magnetotransport measurements, are drastically reduced in the (311)A layers. The findings are explained by an enhanced incorporation of Mn atoms on nonsubstitutional and noninterstitial sites, probably as Mn–Mn or As–Mn complexes, caused by the larger amount of excess As in the (311)A layers.
Sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides monomeric allergoid down‐regulates allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E and increases both interferon‐γ‐ and interleukin‐10‐production
Authors: Cosmi L. , Santarlasci V. , Angeli R. , Liotta F. , Maggi L. , Frosali F. , Rossi O. , Falagiani P. , Riva G. , Romagnani S. , Annunziato F. , Maggi E.
Published: January 2006

Background
The clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for aeroallergens has been demonstrated in several trials, whereas the immunological changes induced by this treatment, which may account for the clinical improvement, are still unclear.

Objective
To investigate the effects of a successful SLIT on the in vitro allergen‐driven T cell response and cytokine secretion as well as on the serum levels of chemokines and of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies (Abs).

Materials and methods
Twenty‐five Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)‐sensitive patients with perennial rhinitic and/or rhinitic and asthmatic symptoms were randomized into two groups (13 untreated (UT) and 12 SLIT‐treated) for a 1 year and half study. The proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) to purified Der p1 allergen, their cytokines (IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β) production and serum levels of chemokines associated with T helper type 1 (Th1) (CXCL10) or T helper type 2 (Th2) (CCL22) responses and of Dp‐specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 Abs were evaluated before and after 6 months of treatment.

Results
SLIT induced a significant reduction of symptom medication scores after 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment in comparison with UT patients. SLIT‐treated patients showed a significant decrease in serum levels of DP‐specific IgE Abs, whereas total IgE, and specific IgG1 and IgG4 Abs remained unchanged. The proliferative response of allergen‐specific T cells to Der p1 in vitro after 6 months of treatment was reduced, while no effect was observed on T cell proliferation to recall antigen (streptokinase). Moreover, Der p1‐driven IFN‐γ and IL‐10 were significantly increased in culture supernatants of PBMC from 6 month‐treated patients in comparison with those detected at the beginning of therapy.

Conclusions
These data suggest that the allergen‐driven enhancement of IL‐10‐ and IFN‐γ‐producing T cells precedes and associates with SLIT‐induced down‐regulation of specific IgE, thus providing a rationale to explain the clinical benefit of SLIT in allergic patients.
Stage of exercise and health‐related quality of life among overweight and obese adults
Authors: Lee Pi‐Hsia , Chang Wen‐Ying , Liou Tsan‐Hon , Chang Pi‐Chen
Published: January 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study whose main aim was to understand the correlation between stages of exercise and health‐related qualities of life among overweight and obese adults in Taiwan.

Background.  Regular exercise has been shown to improve health‐related quality of life in the general population and among patients with chronic diseases. Nevertheless, systematic investigations of the correlation between exercise stages and the health‐related quality of life among overweight and obese adults are lacking in Taiwan.

Method.  A cross‐section of people from the weight loss clinics of a medical centre in Taipei was recruited to the study. The Chinese version of the Stages of Exercise and the Taiwanese version of Short Form 36 questionnaires were used to collect data from those whose body mass indexes were equal to or >24 kg/m2. The data were collected in 2003.

Results.  In total, 212 overweight and obese adults participated in the study. The majority were in the preparation (38·2%) or contemplation (31·6%) stages of exercise; relatively few were in the action (14·2%) or maintenance (11·3%) stages, and the smallest number (4·7%) were in the precontemplation stage. Although over 70% of respondents were not in the habit of taking regular exercise, their motivations were very high. For the Short Form 36 scales, the highest scores were for physical functioning (84·5 ± 17·3), while the lowest were for general health (55·5 ± 20·9), vitality (59·8 ± 18·1), and mental health (MH) (66·0 ± 17·9). Different stages of exercise showed statistically significant differences within the eight domains of Short Form 36 (Wilks = 0·733, P = 0·001); a statistically significant difference was also found for physical functioning (P ≤ 0·001), general health (P = 0·003), and vitality (P = 0·005).

Conclusion.  Since stages of exercise are correlated with health‐related quality of life among overweight and obese adults, healthcare providers need to understand what stages people are at in order to educate them to achieve a better quality of life and to motivate those who are inactive to do more exercise on a regular basis.
Spirituality and family nursing: spiritual assessment and interventions for families
Authors: Tanyi Ruth A.
Published: January 2006

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to propose a guideline for spiritual assessment and interventions explicitly for families, while considering each family member's unique spirituality.

Background.  Spirituality's positive effect is pervasive in health care and in the lives of many families; therefore, there is a need to integrate spiritual assessment and interventions in total family care.

Discussion.  The majority of published guidelines on spiritual assessment and interventions are designed predominantly for individuals. They fail to differentiate between individual and family spirituality or offer only brief discussions on family spirituality. Such guidelines are potentially problematic. They may lead nurses to focus only on individual spirituality and neglect to discern family unit spirituality or recognize the presence of conflicts in spiritual perspectives within the family. While other disciplines such as social work and family therapy have several guidelines/strategies to assess family spirituality, there is a dearth of such guidelines in the family health nursing and spirituality literature, in spite of the rhetoric about incorporating spirituality as part of total family assessment. As a beginning solution, guidelines are proposed for spiritual assessment and interventions for the family as a unit, and the category of spiritual interpretation to represent diagnosis is introduced. Case studies exemplify how to integrate the guideline, and illustrate elements that may favour specific interpretations which would guide the interventions.

Conclusion.  As nurses continually strive to assist families with their health needs, they must also attend to their spiritual needs, as one cannot truly assess a family without assessing its spirituality.
Loss of At4 function impacts phosphate distribution between the roots and the shoots during phosphate starvation
Authors: Shin Heungsop , Shin Hwa‐Soo , Chen Rujin , Harrison Maria J.
Published: January 2006

Plants display a range of adaptive responses to phosphate (Pi) starvation including an increase in the proportion of Pi allocated to the roots, which enhances lateral root development and consequently Pi acquisition. The mechanisms by which plants sense Pi and signal Pi reallocation are largely unknown. Previously, we cloned At4, a gene predicted to contain multiple short open‐reading frames (ORFs), whose expression is strongly induced by Pi starvation. At4 is a member of a small gene family whose members, AtIPS1 and two additional genes reported here, At4.1 and At4.2, share little conservation among the predicted ORFs but high conservation of a 22‐nt sequence located in the 3′ half of the transcript. Here, we show that under Pi‐starvation conditions, At4 is expressed in the vascular tissue and transcript levels are regulated by both cytokinin and ABA. at4, an At4 loss‐of‐function mutant fails to redistribute Pi to the roots correctly in response to Pi deprivation and At4 shoots continue to accumulate a greater proportion of Pi relative to wild type. Consistent with this, the primary root growth rate in at4 is faster than wild type in low‐Pi conditions. The conserved sequence found in all members of the At4 gene family hybridizes to a small RNA present in Pi‐starved roots. These data support a role for At4 in the internal allocation of Pi and suggest that the At4 gene is not only subject to Pi‐starvation‐inducible expression, but that transcript levels may be adjusted at a post‐transcriptional level by the activity of an miRNA.
A high‐throughput screen for genes from castor that boost hydroxy fatty acid accumulation in seed oils of transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Lu Chaofu , Fulda Martin , Wallis James G. , Browse John
Published: January 2006

It is desirable to produce high homogeneity of novel fatty acids in oilseeds through genetic engineering to meet the increasing demands of the oleo‐chemical industry. However, expression of key enzymes for biosynthesis of industrial fatty acids usually results in low levels of desired fatty acids in transgenic oilseeds. The abundance of derivatized fatty acids in their natural species suggests that additional genes are needed for high production in transgenic plants. We used the model oilseed plant Arabidopsis thaliana expressing a castor fatty acid hydroxylase (FAH12) to identify genes that can boost hydroxy fatty acid accumulation in transgenic seeds. Here we describe a high‐throughput approach that, in principle, can allow testing of the entire transcriptome of developing castor seed endosperm by shotgun transforming a full‐length cDNA library into an FAH12‐expressing Arabidopsis line. The resulting transgenic seeds were screened by high‐throughput gas chromatography. We obtained several lines transformed with castor cDNAs that contained increased amounts of hydroxy fatty acids in transgenic Arabidopsis. These cDNAs were then isolated by PCR and retransformed into the FAH12‐expressing line, thus confirming their beneficial contributions to hydroxy fatty acid accumulation in transgenic Arabidopsis seeds. Although we describe an approach that is targeted to oilseed engineering, the methods we developed can be applied in many areas of plant biotechnology and functional genomic research.
Direct labelling of BAC‐DNA by rolling‐circle amplification
Authors: Berr Alexandre , Schubert Ingo
Published: January 2006

Efficient amplification and labelling of probes are crucial for successful sequence detection by fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH). In particular, chromosome painting to visualize chromosome segments or entire chromosomes by FISH requires large amounts of probes derived from extended templates. There are a number of techniques for probe labelling. The most widespread is nick translation, based on the replicational incorporation of modified nucleotides. Here we demonstrate successful rolling‐circle amplification (RCA) of very low amounts of long circular template sequences (single bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) or pools of BACs). The amplicons were suitable for labelling by nick translation and subsequent FISH. A novel achievement is the use of RCA for simultaneous amplification and labelling of single BACs or BAC pools in a labour‐ and cost‐effective manner.
The autophosphorylated Ser686, Thr688, and Ser689 residues in the intracellular juxtamembrane domain of XA21 are implicated in stability control of rice receptor‐like kinase
Authors: Xu Wei‐Hui , Wang Yong‐Sheng , Liu Guo‐Zhen , Chen Xiuhua , Tinjuangjun Porntip , Pi Li‐Ya , Song Wen‐Yuan
Published: January 2006

The rice gene Xa21 confers resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Xa21 encodes a receptor‐like kinase (XA21). We demonstrate that XA21 autophosphorylates residues Ser686, Thr688 and Ser689 in vitro. Substitution of these residues with alanines did not affect the autophosphorylation function of this kinase, but specifically destabilized the resistance protein in vitro and in vivo. Plants carrying these same substitutions in XA21 were compromised in their resistance to the normally avirulent Xoo Philippine race 6. Additionally, we show that wild‐type XA21 and the kinase‐dead mutant with the invariable Lys736 residue mutated to glutamic acid were also proteolytically degraded in protein extracts. Finally, we show a correlation between the in vitro degradation and in vivo instability of the proteins. We propose that autophosphorylation of Ser686, Thr688 and Ser689 functions to stabilize XA21 against the developmentally controlled proteolytic activity.
Overcoming hybridization barriers in potato
Authors: Jansky S.
Published: January 2006

The cultivated potato is a major crop worldwide. It is a high input crop with complex quality requirements at harvest and during storage. Potato breeders are fortunate to have access to a very diverse and accessible germplasm resource. Wild Solanum relatives provide genetic diversity as well as genes for valuable production and quality traits. In most cases, crossing success can be predicted based on endosperm balance number (EBN), or effective ploidy, of the parents. Crossing barriers between most wild species and the cultivated potato are the consequence of differences in EBN and can be easily overcome using ploidy manipulations and bridge crosses. The most common ploidy manipulations include haploid extraction to reduce EBN and 2n gamete production to increase EBN. Additional methods to produce fertile interspecific hybrids include mentor pollination, embryo rescue, hormone treatments, reciprocal crosses, selection of cross‐compatible genotypes and somatic fusion. Knowledge of crossing barriers and mechanisms to overcome them allows potato breeders access to the rich gene pool in the genus Solanum.
Inducing male sterility in Brassica napus L. by a sulphonylurea herbicide, tribenuron‐methyl
Authors: Yu C. , Hu S. , He P. , Sun G. , Zhang C. , Yu Y.
Published: January 2006

A sulphonylurea herbicide, tribenuron‐methyl, methyl 2‐[[[[(4‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl) methylamino] carbonyl] amino] sulphonyl] benzoate, was used to induce male sterility in rapeseed. Application of 0.2 μg tribenuron‐methyl per plant at the bolting stage with the longest floral bud <2 mm and repeated 15 days afterwards, resulted in 94.5–100% plants being male sterile in six different breeding lines, but combined with low phytotoxicity. However, excessive double application of the chemical (>0.2 μg per plant) did have some significant impact on rapeseed, including stunting, fading leaves and petals, reduction in the size of floral parts and a shortened duration of flowering. The percentage of hybrid seeds from ‘84004‘ treated with 0.2 μg × 2 tribenuron‐methyl per plant and pollinated by a male parent ‘Huaye’ was 92.7%, which met the hybridity requirement in China. The results suggest that tribenuron‐methyl could be used as an efficient chemical hybridizing agent.
Validation of two major quantitative trait loci for fusarium head blight resistance in Chinese wheat line W14
Authors: Chen J. , Griffey C. A. , Saghai Maroof M. A. , Stromberg E. L. , Biyashev R. M. , Zhao W. , Chappell M. R. , Pridgen T. H. , Dong Y. , Zeng Z.
Published: January 2006

Identity of quantitative trait loci (QTL) governing resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB) initial infection (type I), spread (type II), kernel infection, and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation was characterized in Chinese wheat line W14. Ninety‐six double‐haploid lines derived from a cross of W14 × ’Pion2684’ were evaluated for FHB resistance in two greenhouse and one field experiment. Two known major QTL were validated on chromosomes 3BS and 5AS in W14 using the composite interval mapping method. The 3BS QTL had a larger effect on resistance than the 5AS QTL in the greenhouse experiments, whereas, the 5AS QTL had a larger effect in the field experiment. These two QTL together explained 33%, 35%, and 31% of the total phenotypic variation for disease spread, kernel infection, and DON concentration in the greenhouse experiments, respectively. In the field experiment, the two QTL explained 34% and 26% of the total phenotypic variation for FHB incidence and severity, respectively. W14 has both QTL, which confer reduced initial infection, disease spread, kernel infection, and DON accumulation. Therefore, marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for both QTL should be implemented in incorporating W14 resistance into adapted backgrounds. Flanking markers Xbarc133 and Xgwm493 on 3BS and Xbarc117 and Xbarc56 on 5AS are suggested for MAS.
Gli‐DtT1 and a novel γ‐gliadin gene in Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Hassani M. E. , Shariflou M. R. , Gianibelli M. C. , Sharp P. J.
Published: January 2006

Genetic studies of F2 progeny from a cross between Aegilops tauschii accessions AUS18913 and CPI110856 revealed that Gli‐DtT1 is tightly linked with a γ‐gliadin gene at the Gli‐Dt7 locus located on the short arm of chromosome 1D. Acid‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A‐PAGE) used to examine the gliadins of this population revealed two genes that encode a ω‐gliadin (T1) protein and a novel γ‐gliadin protein. The ω‐gliadin (T1) protein and the novel γ‐gliadin protein cosegregated, while having 0.69 cM recombination with the other locus (Gli‐Dt1). N‐terminal sequences were used to further classify the proteins studied.
Development of a new cytoplasmic‐nuclear male‐sterility line of soybean and inheritance of its male‐fertility restorability
Authors: Bai Y. N. , Gai J. Y.
Published: January 2006

Based on previous work, a new cytoplasmic‐nuclear male‐sterile line NJCMS2A along with its maintainer NJCMS2B of soybean was released through four episodes of nuclear substitution backcrossing with male‐sterile plants of (N8855 × N1628)F2 as donor parent and N1628 as recurrent parent. The male sterility of NJCMS2A was complete and female fertility was normal. A series of restorers from different sources were screened out and evaluated. It was found that from the crosses between NJCMS2A and its restorers, two pairs of duplicate dominant genes, allelic to those of NJCMS1A, controlled the inheritance of fertility restorability of NJCMS2A.
In vivo confocal fluorescence imaging of skin surface cellular morphology: a pilot study of its potential as a clinical tool in skin research
Authors: Leeson D. Thorn , Lynn Meyers C. , Subramanyan K.
Published: January 2006

Synopsis

The cellular morphology of the stratum corneum was studied in vivo using a novel imaging technique that uses confocal fluorescence microscopy in combination with topical application of a fluorescent contrast agent. Images obtained with this method show a strong variation in skin surface cellular morphology among healthy subjects. The results of several clinical studies suggest that cellular morphology is affected by the efficiency of the process of desquamation. As such, cellular morphology shows strong potential to serve as an indicator of skin health that yields mechanistic insight into the origins of skin ailments, such as xerosis, and the effectiveness of their treatments.
Investigating hair properties relevant for hair ‘handle’. Part I: hair diameter, bending and frictional properties1
Authors: Wortmann F.‐J. , Schwan‐Jonczyk A. ,   In cooperation with the working group‘Hair Care Products’ of the DGK (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Wissenschaftliche und Angewandte Kosmetik e.V.: German Association for Scientific and Applied Cosmetics)
Published: January 2006

Synopsis

The expert working group ‘Hair Care Products’ of the DGK currently conducts a wide study to contribute to the understanding of how single hair fibre and hair collective properties contribute towards hair ‘handle’ and ‘feel’. During the first stage of this study four hair types were selected from a large group of individual European hair braids, according to either similar or widely different panel ratings for handle. Against the background of the panel test and the state of the literature the working group readily identified the bending properties of single fibres interacting in the tress as a fibre collective and fibre friction as being of central relevance for hair ‘handle’ and ‘feel’. Fibre diameters of the hair types were determined by Optical Fibre Diameter Analyzer and by weighing. From these data mean ellipticity and bending stiffness distributions were calculated. Single fibre friction was determined by the capstan method in the root, middle and tip regions. Significant differences were determined between the hair types in diameters, ellipticity, bending stiffness and friction. The results lead to conclude that ‘handle’ is perceived as inferior when the hair is thick and bending stiffness thus high. For such hair differences in handle rating are related to differences in friction, namely in the tip region. For thin and thus ‘soft’ hair fibre friction seems to play only a minor role.