bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical role of B3 serotonergic cells in baroreflex inhibition during the defense reaction triggered by dorsal periaqueductal gray stimulation
Authors: Bernard Jean‐François , Netzer Florence , Gau Rémi , Hamon Michel , Laguzzi Raùl , Sévoz‐Couche Caroline
Published: November 2007

The present study was designed to identify the serotonergic pathway causing baroreflex inhibition associated with the defense reaction in rats. Under conditions that produce physiological responses typical of the defense reaction, electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) was found to double c‐Fos immunoreactive serotonergic neurons within the mid‐rostrocaudal extent of the B3 group (which comprises the raphe magnus and the lateral paragigantocellular reticular nuclei) in anesthetized rats. Local blockade of neuronal activity by microinjection of muscimol (a GABAA receptor agonist) directly into the B3 region prevented the inhibitory effect of dPAG activation on the cardiac baroreflex. Conversely, neuron activation by local application of D,L‐homocysteic acid into B3 region caused baroreflex inhibition that was suppressed by microinjection of granisetron (a 5‐HT3 antagonist) into the nucleus tractus solitarius. These results show that activation of serotonergic cells in the mid‐portion of B3 group is critical to trigger baroreflex inhibition occurring during the defense reaction evoked by dPAG stimulation. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:108–121, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A DFT Study of the Nitric Oxide and Tyrosyl Radical Interaction: A Proposed Radical Mechanism
Authors: Papavasileiou Konstantinos D. , Tzima Theodora D. , Sanakis Yiannis , Melissas Vasilios S.
Published: November 2007

The present study employs a complete theoretical investigation, at the B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ level of theory, of the interactions between the tyrosyl radical and nitric oxide, exploring in detail the nitrotyrosine formation radical mechanism. Tyrosyl radicals play an essential role in catalytic reactions of numerous enzymes and biological systems have regulated appropriate mechanisms for their formation. Nitric oxide reacts with the tyrosyl radical and affords a weak intermediate complex which, through a sequence of non‐ionic water catalyzed and biologically feasible intermediate reactions, yields the iminoxyl radical. The iminoxyl radical further combines with hydroxyl radical, a species present in pathophysiological conditions, to yield nitrotyrosine.
Sub‐Wavelength Antireflection Coatings From Nanostructure Sculptured Thin Films
Authors: Schubert E.
Published: November 2007

Nanostructure sculptured thin films from SiO2 are grown on quartz substrates by ion beam sputter deposition using rotating substrate motion accommodated to an oblique angle of incidence for the particle flux. Structural peculiarities of sculptured thin films have an intriguing impact on the optical response upon reflection of light with different wavelengths. The reflectivity of quartz substrates coated with SiO2 sub‐wavelength nanostructures is simulated by means of effective medium theory and antireflection is predicted for the deep ultraviolet spectral region. Spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflectivity measurements are performed on SiO2 sculptured thin films and antireflection near λ = 193 nm is found. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression is necessary for monocyte adhesion to the placental bed endothelium and is increased in type 1 diabetic human pregnancy
Authors: Xie Lijuan , Galettis Anoula , Morris Jonathan , Jackson Christopher , Twigg Stephen M. , Gallery Eileen D. M.
Published: November 2007

Background

That adhesion molecule expression is upregulated in endothelial cells of the placental bed in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus, and that this is associated with increased adherence of peripheral blood monocytes, which can be reversed by reduction in activity or expression of relevant adhesion molecules. Specific aims were to compare the adherence of monocytes from normal pregnancies to decidual endothelial cells from both normal and diabetic pregnancies, and to examine the involvement of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) in regulation of such adhesion.

Methods

We examined adhesion of peripheral blood monocytes (isolated by density gradient centrifugation) of normal third trimester pregnant women, to cultured endothelial cells (isolated from decidual biopsies collected at elective caesarean section) from both normal women and those with type 1 diabetes. Adhesion molecule expression was determined by flow cytometry. The role of ICAM‐1 was further investigated by monoclonal antibody‐blocking experiments and gene‐silencing methodology.

Results

There was a significant increase in monocyte adhesion to decidual endothelial cells from diabetic pregnancies, associated with increased endothelial cell expression of ICAM‐1, but not VCAM‐1. ICAM‐1 expression in normal decidual endothelial cells was stimulated by pro‐atherogenic and pro‐inflammatory stimuli. Following ICAM‐1 antibody blockade, monocyte adhesion was decreased by > 70%. ICAM‐1 silencing by small interfering RNAs also inhibited monocyte adhesion and ICAM‐1 expression.

Conclusions

These findings implicate upregulation of ICAM‐1 in decidual endothelial cells in the development of placental bed vascular pathology in diabetic pregnancy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SUMO4 and its role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis
Authors: Wang Cong‐Yi , She Jin‐Xiong
Published: November 2007

Susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D) is determined by interactions of multiple genes with unknown environmental factors. Despite the characterization of over 20 susceptibility regions for T1D, identification of specific genes in these regions is still a formidable challenge. In 2004, we first reported the cloning of a novel, small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) gene, SUMO4, in the IDDM5 interval on chromosome 6q25, and presented strong genetic and functional evidence suggesting that SUMO4 is a T1D susceptibility gene. Subsequent studies have consistently confirmed this association in multiple Asian populations despite controversial observations in Caucasians. In this review, we will update the genetic evidence supporting SUMO4 as a T1D susceptibility gene and discuss the possible explanations for the discrepant associations observed in Caucasians. We will then discuss the mechanisms through which SUMO4 contributes to the pathogenesis of T1D. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The 1,1,3,3‐Tetramethylguanidine–Borane Adduct: Theoretical Comparison of the Bonding Properties in Amine– and Guanidine–Borane Adducts
Authors: Ciobanu Oxana , Leingang Simone , Wadepohl Hubert , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: November 2007

Herein we report on the synthesis and characterization of the adduct 1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine–borane, H3B·N(H)C(NMe2)2, and a general inspection of the bonding properties of guanidine adducts to BH3. The new compound was characterized by its vibrational, NMR and mass spectra as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Quantum chemical calculations match the experimental results. Particular attention was devoted to the evaluation of the dimeric assembly through H···H contacts of the molecules in the crystalline phase. The adduct is formed at 80 °C, but it also decomposes slowly at this temperature. The bonding properties in amine– and guanidine–borane adducts are compared in general on the basis of quantum chemical calculations carried out for several representative amine–borane adducts, namely H3B·NH3, H3B·NMe3 and H3B·quinuclidine, and guanidine–borane adducts, namely H3B·N(H)C(NH2)2, H3B·N(H)C(NMe2)2 and H3B·hppH, as well as the available experimental data for these species. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
High‐Yielding Cleavage of (Aryloxy)acetates
Authors: Spurg Anke , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: November 2007

A reliable and high‐yielding one‐pot sequence for the removal of O‐carboxymethyl moieties from phenols is presented. When diethylphosphoryl azide is employed as theazide transfer reagent in the Curtius rearrangement and glycerol in the subsequent hydrolytic workup, the protocol can be reliably applied to a very broad scope of substrates. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
High‐throughput simultaneous detection of point mutations and large‐scale rearrangements by CE
Authors: Weber Jérémie , Miserere Sandrine , Champ Jérôme , Looten Rachelle , Stoppa‐Lyonnet Dominique , Viovy Jean‐Louis , Houdayer Claude
Published: November 2007

The detection of unknown mutations is important both in population genetics research and in diagnosis. At present, two different methods must be used to detect either point mutations or large‐scale genetic rearrangements, which is costly and time‐consuming. We describe here a new method for the simultaneous detection of these two types of mutations. It is based on electrophoretic heteroduplex analysis (HDA) using enhanced mismatch mutation analysis (EMMA) and semiquantitative multiplexed PCR conditions. The use of such conditions allows the simultaneous search of any kind of mutation in up to five different fragments per capillary, in a single or multi‐CE system. The method was validated on patient samples with mutations in the breast predisposition gene BRCA1. It leads to highly reliable and high‐throughput mutation detection at low cost, as compared with classical methods.
The relationship between eco‐audits and environmental management systems
Authors: Shimell Pamela
Published: November 2007

This article identifies the importance of environmental management systems but also points towards the problems associated with the growing number of EMS standards. Reviewing ISO developments, the author argues that much can be learned from ISO audit methodologies and that therefore the new ISO EMS standard is likely to become increasingly important. Copyright © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Improving the environmental performance of local government
Authors: Wright Geoff
Published: November 2007

This article provides a brief outline of the Department of Environment's adaption of the EU eco‐management and audit scheme for local authorities, as well as a comparison with BS7750. An insight into the piloting of the scheme in Leeds is given, and the potential routes forward for local authorities are examined. The scheme is then set in the context of the wider environmental initiatives of local authorities. The author argues that the scheme should be broadly welcomed, especially if levels of community involvement can be improved. Copyright © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
BS7750: Panacea or palliative?
Authors: Shayler Mark , Welford Richard , Shayler Guy
Published: November 2007

In a review of BS7750, this paper highlights some of the inadequacies of environmental management systems standards. In particular it considers the non‐existence of basic environmental performance indicators and whether standards like BS7750 can actually deliver sustainability. In considering the preliminary results of the BS7750 pilot programme the paper also points towards some immediate issues which require attention. It is argued that although BS7750 provides a model for better environmental practice, more radical culture change is required to attain sustainability. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Development of eco‐management and auditing in local government
Authors: Davis Peter
Published: November 2007

The formal launch of the modified EC Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) for local government in April 1995 follows substantial work undertaken by central and local government. However, despite the increasing preponderance of guidance publications, there remains inadequate documented experience of the implementation of EMAS in local government and an absence of open debate about the benefits of implementation of what is seen by some as an excessively bureaucratic management system. This article is intended to provide background to the development of EMAS for local government and to highlight the methodology employed by one local authority to translate occasionally cumbersome documentation into working practice. A number of innovative management and training tools are presented, which have been found to introduce successfully the concept and requirements of EMAS in an easily assimilated form to an occasionally sceptical audience. The approach outlined within this article is, therefore, not definitive; however, the methodology adopted has proved advantageous to one District Council working towards the requirements of EMAS with limited resources. Copyright © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Environmental audit training: Present and future
Authors: Wilkinson Nigel
Published: November 2007

Gearing up for environmental responsibilities –carrying the can for a business's environmental impact –requires some training. This paper explains what constitutes a useful training programme and suggests how one may be constructed. Copyright © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Book Reviews
Authors: Fagan Brian M.
Published: November 2007

Quaternary International Vol. 150, June 2006. “Impact of Rapid Environmental Changes on Humans and Ecosystems.” Quaternary International Vol. 151, July 2006. “Dark Nature: Responses of Humans and Ecosystems to Rapid Environmental Changes.” S.A.G. Leroy, H. Jousse, M. Cremaschi (Editors). Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Book reviews
Authors: Steffen Anastasia
Published: November 2007

Obsidian: Geology and Archaeology in the North American Southwest. M. Steven Shackley, 2005. The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, xvi + 246 pp., $55 (hardcover).
Book reviews
Authors: Drennan Robert D.
Published: November 2007

Space and Spatial Analysis in Archaeology. Elizabeth C. Robertson, Jeffrey D. Seibert, Deepika C. Fernandez, Marc U. Zender (Editors), 2006. University of Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta, and University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico. xxiv + 406 pp., $49.95 Canadian from Calgary, $60.00 U.S. from New Mexico (softcover).
US health economists: who we are and what we do
Authors: Morrisey Michael A. , Cawley John
Published: November 2007

This paper reports the results of a Fall 2005 survey of US health economists, the first in over 18 years. Where appropriate, the results are compared with the earlier findings of Feldman and Morrisey (J. Health Politics Policy Law 1990; 15(3):627–646). The paper describes the demographics and training of health economists. It also describes how employers view the substitutability between a Ph.D. in economics and a Ph.D. in health services research, which is a key question because self‐identified health economists increasingly include health services researchers trained in schools of public health or medicine. This study also reports the expectations of various, employers of health economists regarding external grant and contract support. It also reports health economists' perceptions of the processes that allocate resources and recognition: promotion review, journal refereeing, and grant review. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maximum acyclic and fragmented sets in regular graphs
Authors: Haxell Penny , Pikhurko Oleg , Thomason Andrew
Published: November 2007

We show that a typical d‐regular graph G of order n does not contain an induced forest with around ${2 {\rm In} d \over d}$ vertices, when n ≫ d ≫ 1, this bound being best possible because of a result of Frieze and Łuczak [6]. We then deduce an affirmative answer to an open question of Edwards and Farr (see [4]) about fragmentability, which concerns large subgraphs with components of bounded size. An alternative, direct answer to the question is also given. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 57: 149–156, 2008
Rank‐width is less than or equal to branch‐width
Authors: Oum Sang‐il
Published: November 2007

We prove that the rank‐width of the incidence graph of a graph G is either equal to or exactly one less than the branch‐width of G, unless the maximum degree of G is 0 or 1. This implies that rank‐width of a graph is less than or equal to branch‐width of the graph unless the branch‐width is 0. Moreover, this inequality is tight. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 57: 239–244, 2008
Mechanisms underlying reversal of motor unit activation order in electrically evoked contractions after spinal cord injury
Authors: Kayagil Turan A. , Grimes Jason P. , Grill Warren M.
Published: November 2007

Extracellular stimulation normally activates larger‐diameter axons, innervating motor units producing higher force, at lower stimulation intensities than required to activate small‐diameter axons innervating motor units producing low force. However, activation of weaker thenar motor units at lower stimulation intensities than required to activate strong motor units has been reported during extracellular stimulation of the median nerve in persons with chronic cervical spinal cord injury. We used a computational model that reproduced this experiment to identify the potential mechanisms for the observed reversal of the inverse recruitment order, including preferential death of large motoneurons, demyelination and remyelination, and denervation and reinnervation of muscle fibers. Five sets of simulations assessed these mechanisms with seven simulated subjects. Preferential reinnervation, with small‐diameter axons reinnervating more abandoned muscle fibers than larger‐diameter axons, accounted for the apparent reversal of the inverse recruitment order observed previously. Preferential death of larger axons enhanced the reversal, but alone could not account for the observed reversal. Further, demyelination and remyelination, even in an extreme case and when combined with preferential death of large motoneurons, could not reproduce the reversal of inverse recruitment order. Thus, the apparent reversal of the inverse recruitment order was not a reversal of activation order across different diameter nerve fibers, but rather was a consequence of the redistributed force‐generating capacity of the motor units resulting from denervation and reinnervation. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Implicit integration of a mixed isotropic–kinematic hardening plasticity model for structured clays
Authors: Amorosi Angelo , Boldini Daniela , Germano Vincenzo
Published: November 2007

In recent years, a number of constitutive models have been proposed to describe mathematically the mechanical response of natural clays. Some of these models are characterized by complex formulations, often leading to non‐trivial problems in their numerical integration in finite elements codes.

The paper describes a fully implicit stress‐point algorithm for the numerical integration of a single‐surface mixed isotropic–kinematic hardening plasticity model for structured clays. The formulation of the model stems from a compromise between its capability of reproducing the larger number of features characterizing the behaviour of structured clays and the possibility of developing a robust integration algorithm for its implementation in a finite elements code. The model is characterized by an ellipsoid‐shaped yield function, inside which a stress‐dependent reversible stiffness is accounted for by a non‐linear hyperelastic formulation. The isotropic part of the hardening law extends the standard Cam‐Clay one to include plastic strain‐driven softening due to bond degradation, while the kinematic hardening part controls the evolution of the position of the yield surface in the stress space.

The proposed algorithm allows the consistent linearization of the constitutive equations guaranteeing the quadratic rate of asymptotic convergence in the global‐level Newton–Raphson iterative procedure. The accuracy and the convergence properties of the proposed algorithm are evaluated with reference to the numerical simulations of single element tests and the analysis of a typical geotechnical boundary value problem. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation to estimate the short circuit current by applying the solar spectrum
Authors: Tsutsui Jun , Kurokawa Kosuke
Published: November 2007

The influence of the solar spectrum is investigated to estimate the outdoor short circuit current (Isc) of various photovoltaic (PV) modules. It is well known that the solar spectrum always changes. Hence, it is rare to fit the standard solar spectrum AM1·5G defined in standard IEC 60904‐3. In addition, the spectral response (SR) of PV module is different depending on the material. For example, crystal silicon (c‐Si) has broad sensitivity that the wavelength range is between 350 and 1150 nm; meanwhile, amorphous silicon (a‐Si) has relatively narrow sensitivity comparing to c‐Si. Since Isc of the PV module decides by multiplying the solar spectrum and SR together, it is necessary to investigate the solar spectrum to estimate the outdoor Isc in addition to the solar irradiance and module temperature. In this study, the spectral mismatch is calculated and the outdoor Isc is estimated in the whole year. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐electrophoretic differential detergent fractionation proteomics using frozen whole organs
Authors: van den Berg Bart H. J. , Harris Tya , McCarthy Fiona M. , Lamont Susan J. , Burgess Shane C.
Published: November 2007

Non‐electrophoretic methods based on two‐dimensional liquid chromatography followed directly by tandem mass spectrometry (2D‐LC/MS2) have become the preferred method for high‐throughput expression proteomics and are widely applied to fresh tissues. Pre‐fractionation techniques are also used in combination with 2D‐LC/MS2 to both increase the proteome size and to assign cellular locations. Data from such experiments have become central to systems biology analyses. Here we apply a differential detergent (pre)fractionation (DDF) followed by 2D‐LC/MS2 to frozen archival tissues. Our results show that by using frozen archival tissues, we do not lose proteome coverage or the ability to assign proteins to cellular compartments. In addition, we were able to assign ‘biological process’ Gene Ontology (GO) annotations, which will facilitate systems biological modeling of our proteomics data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vertical and horizontal synchronization services with outlier detection in underwater acoustic networks
Authors: Hu Fei , Malkawi Yamin , Kumar Sunil , Xiao Yang
Published: November 2007

Underwater Acoustic Networks (UANs) have important applications in ocean exploration and lake pollution monitoring. UANs are however different from terrestrial sensor networks due to their highly variable, long propagation delay, and mobility. Clock synchronization is an important protocol to achieve timing‐based sensor communications. In this paper, we propose a three dimensional, scalable UAN time synchronization scheme that can achieve both horizontal (i.e., in the same water depth) and vertical (i.e., from bottom up to the surface) clock synchronization to overcome the effects of long acoustic delay. To secure UAN clock synchronization services, we also propose a two‐step security UAN synchronization model: (1) correlation test and (2) statistical reputation and trust model. The proposed model can detect outlier timestamp data and identify nodes generating insider attacks. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two new species of lichenicolous fungi from Turkey
Authors: HALICI M. Gökhan , HAWKSWORTH David L.
Published: November 2007

Two species of lichenicolous fungi discovered in Turkey are described as new to science: Lichenostigma triseptata sp. nov. (on Aspicilia caesiocinerea) and Stigmidium johnii sp. nov. (on Caloplaca sp.). In addition, S. caloplacae is considered to be a synonym of S. cerinae.
Taxonomy of Calicium victorianum (F. Wilson) Tibell (Caliciaceae, Lecanorales), a lichenized ascomycete new to Europe
Authors: AGUIRRE-HUDSON Begoña , KOKUBUN Tetsuo , SPOONER Brian M. , TIBELL Leif
Published: November 2007

The morphological features and chemical compounds found in the first European collection of Calicium victorianum are compared with type material from Australia of C. piperatum F. Wilson. The phylogenetic relationships of the species are discussed by comparing its nuclear rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 with that of other species of Calicium.
Three new Xanthoria species from South Africa: X. hirsuta, X. inflata and X. doidgeae
Authors: EICHENBERGER Christof , APTROOT André , HONEGGER Rosmarie
Published: November 2007

Three new Xanthoria species are described from South Africa. Xanthoria hirsuta sp. nov. has hairs on the surface of the thallus and apothecia, best visible in young, growing parts. Dust particles and sand granules stick to this hairy surface, giving the thallus a somewhat dirty appearance. Xanthoria inflata sp. nov. has inflated lobes similar to a Menegazzia. It carries numerous crystals on its medullary hyphae, which are ivory-coloured in young, but intensely orange coloured in old lobes. Xanthoria doidgeae sp. nov. has relatively small lobes with pruinose margins. All three species are fertile, none of them forms symbiotic propagules.
Diploschistes elixii (Ostropales: Thelotremataceae), an overlooked terricolous species from Western Australia
Authors: LUMBSCH H. Thorsten , MANGOLD Armin
Published: November 2007

The new species Diploschistes elixii is described from Western Australia. It is characterized by perithecioid ascomata and large ascospores. It resembles D. hensseniae but is readily distinguished by larger ascospores (up to 45 μm), having lecanoric acid as major constituent, and an epruinose thallus surface. It is currently known from several localities in south-western Australia, where it grows on soil.
New species and records of Lepraria (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) from South America
Authors: FLAKUS Adam , KUKWA Martin
Published: November 2007

New records of 15 Lepraria species from South America are presented. Two species are newly described from the Bolivian Andes: Lepraria achariana Flakus & Kukwa (major compounds: lecanoric, angardianic/roccellic acids and anthraquinones) and L. neojackii Flakus & Kukwa (major compounds: porphyrilic, angardianic/roccellic, cf. rangiformic acids and anthraquinone). Lepraria impossibilis, L. lecanorica and L. rigidula are reported as new for the Southern Hemisphere, L. alpina, L. aff. caesiella and L. squamatica as new to South America, and other species as new to several countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay). In addition, two putative, undescribed species are discussed. Chemistry, ecology and general information concerning distribution of the species are presented, and the differentiation of some critical taxa discussed. A provisional key to Lepraria in South America is provided.
Difference in secondary compounds and chlorophylls between fibrils and main stems in the lichen Usnea longissima suggests different functional roles
Authors: Nybakken Line , Gauslaa Yngvar
Published: November 2007

Usnea is a species-rich and widespread lichenized fungal genus of well-lit parts of forest canopies (Motyka 1936, 1947; Clerc 1998). The bright greenish colour of these beard lichens reflects the presence of usnic acid in the cortex, which forms a thin, but dense sleeve around the trebouxioid photobiont in the outermost parts of the medulla. Usnic acid, a widely distributed dibenzofuran derivative produced by various mycobiont genera, strongly absorbs UV-B, but also the shortest PAR wavelengths (e.g. McEvoy et al. 2006, M. McEvoy, K. A. Solhaug and Y Gauslaa unpublished). Depending on species (Halonen et al. 1998), Usnea also contains a wide range of UV-B absorbing depsidones and depsides, though these are usually assumed to be confined to the medulla. Quantitative data on lichen compounds are rare in Usnea species, particularly with respect to the intrathalline variation.
Human identity, immanent causal relations, and the principle of non-repeatability: Thomas Aquinas on the bodily resurrection
Authors: DYKE CHRISTINA VAN
Published: November 2007

Can the persistence of a human being's soul at death and prior to the bodily resurrection be sufficient to guarantee that the resurrected human being is numerically identical to the human being who died? According to Thomas Aquinas, it can. Yet, given that Aquinas holds that the human being is identical to the composite of soul and body and ceases to exist at death, it's difficult to see how he can maintain this view. In this paper, I address Aquinas's response to this objection (Summa Contra Gentiles, IV.80–81). After making a crucial clarification concerning the nature of the non-repeatability principle on which the objection relies, I argue that the contemporary notion of immanent causal relations provides us with a way of understanding Aquinas's defence that renders it both highly interesting and philosophically plausible.
Human nature as God's purpose
Authors: AFFOLTER JACOB
Published: November 2007

This article responds to one of Thaddeus Metz's criticisms of the theory that the meaning of life is to fulfil a purpose assigned by God. In particular, it addresses the argument that only an atemporal God could ground meaning but that an atemporal God could not assign a purpose. In order to do this, the article first argues that Metz's criticisms misread the relevant sense of purpose. It then argues that on a more plausible reading of ‘purpose’, we can see that it is in fact the kind of thing that an atemporal God could assign.
Religious disagreement, externalism, and the epistemology of disagreement: listening to our grandmothers
Authors: KRAFT JAMES
Published: November 2007

A new emphasis in epistemology is burgeoning, known by the phrase ‘the epistemology of disagreement’. The object of investigation is the situation where the two combatants of a disagreement are equally well situated epistemologically. Central questions include whether peer epistemic conflict reduces the support one has for one's belief, whether the reduction should be understood on internalist or externalist lines, and how often such peer conflict happens. The main objective in the first two sections will be to provide background by bringing key points of contention to the surface in the recent epistemologies of disagreement both in mainstream epistemology and in religious epistemology. A final section asserts that epistemic externalism in religious epistemology doesn't easily escape the challenge of epistemic, peer, religious disagreement.
Transport and acceleration of anomalous cosmic rays in the inner heliosheath
Authors: Ferreira S. E. S. , Potgieter M. S. , Scherer K.
Published: November 2007

The transport and acceleration of anomalous cosmic rays in the inner heliosheath is studied. A unique two‐dimensional hydrodynamic numerical model is used to calculate the interaction of the solar wind and the local interstellar medium, neutral hydrogen, and pickup ions. The divergence of the flow, heliospheric magnetic field, and Alfven speed are calculated and then inserted into model which calculates cosmic ray transport and acceleration in this heliosphere by solving the Parker particle transport equation. We show that adiabatic heating and stochastic acceleration plays a major role in explaining Voyager 1 observations both at the termination shock and in the inner heliosheath. While the inclusion of adiabatic heating in a numerical modulation model results in the correct spectral shape of accelerated anomalous particles for energies ≤∼10 MeV at the termination shock, stochastic acceleration effectively accelerates these particles further to anomalous energies out in the inner heliosheath. These accelerated particles are then modulated back inward, resulting in realistic radial gradients as well as an upturn in the anomalous cosmic ray spectra. A parameter study is also done to illustrate the sensitivity of these acceleration processes to different diffusion coefficients.
P wave velocity structure in the Yucca Mountain, Nevada, region
Authors: Preston Leiph , Smith Ken , von Seggern David
Published: November 2007

We have performed a crustal tomographic inversion using over 250,000 P arrival times from local earthquake sources and surface explosions in the Yucca Mountain, Nevada, region. Within the shallowest 2–3 km, topographic features tend to dominate the structure with high velocities imaged under Bare Mountain, the Funeral Mountains, and higher terrain to the east of Yucca Mountain and low velocities imaged under Crater Flat, Jackass Flat, the Amargosa Desert, and the caldera complexes. Imaged shallow velocities also show correlation with several known gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies. Below the basins (∼2–3 km depth), velocities vary between 5.5 and 6.5 km/s and lose many of the correlations seen in the shallowest layers; however, a few major structures, such as the Bare Mountain block, can be traced to at least 10 km depth. Additionally, we image structures that may be associated with the Wahmonie intrusion and pre‐Tertiary structural trends. Yucca Mountain itself is underlain by a high‐velocity upper crustal‐scale structure similar to other structures in the region such as Bare Mountain and may represent a Basin and Range style back‐tilted block, which may provide a structural explanation for Yucca Mountain's topographic expression. Additionally, the imaged, relatively low velocity basement under Crater Flat may provide a preferred conduit for magma intrusion into Crater Flat compared to Yucca Mountain, accounting for the lack of post‐Miocene volcanism observed at the mountain proper. We explore our tomographic results in the context of four major tectonic models that have been proposed for the Yucca Mountain region.
Geomagnetic response of the Earth to crossings of the heliospheric current sheet
Authors: Pérez ‐Enríquez Roman , Mendoza Blanca
Published: November 2007

We performed a superposed epoch analysis of the aa index of geomagnetic activity with respect to the Earth's crossing of the heliospheric current sheet during periods when quiet and fluctuating activities are detected from 1976 to 1985. We found a statistically significant increase of the geomagnetic activity during boundary crossings when the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field changes from minus to plus.
Liver-X-receptor-mediated increase in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 expression is attenuated by fatty acids in CaCo- cells: effect on cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein
Authors: MURTHY Shubha , BORN Ella , MATHUR Satya N. , FIELD F. Jeffrey
Published: November 2007

The effect of fatty acids on LXR (liver X receptors)-mediated enhancement of ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) expression and cholesterol efflux was investigated in human intestinal cells CaCo-2. LXR activation by T0901317 increased basolateral cholesterol efflux to lipoprotein particles isolated at a density of 1.21 g/ml or higher. Oleic and arachidonic acids attenuated the amount of cholesterol isolated from these particles. Stearic, linoleic and docosahexaenoic acids also decreased cholesterol efflux from basolateral membranes, with the polyunsaturated fatty acids being the most potent. Although oleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids modestly decreased ABCA1 mRNA levels in response to LXR activation, stearic and linoleic acids did not. Except for oleic acid, all fatty acids substantially attenuated an increase in ABCA1 mass secondary to LXR activation. Inhibiting acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity prevented the decrease in cholesterol efflux caused by oleic acid. Thus, in response to LXR activation, all fatty acids decreased the efflux of cholesterol from the basolateral membrane of CaCo-2 cells. Although modest suppression of ABCA1 gene expression by oleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids cannot be completely excluded as a mechanism, the predominant effect of fatty acids on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux is at a post-transcriptional level.
Investigating conformational stability of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2: a novel concept in evaluating the contribution of the native-framework of disulphides to the global conformational stability of proteins
Authors: SINGH R. Rajesh , CHANG Jui-Yoa
Published: November 2007

Bovine pancreatic PLA2 (phospholipase A2) is a 14 kDa protein whose structure is highly cross-linked by seven disulphide bonds. We investigated the structural stability of this enzyme by the method of ‘disulphide-scrambling’ with denaturants such as urea, GdmCl (guanidine hydrochloride), GdmSCN (guanidine thiocyanate) and at high temperatures in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (0.2 mM) as thiol initiator. Reverse-phase HPLC was used to follow denaturation. To denature 50% of the native protein, 1.25 M GdmSCN, approx. 3 M GdmCl and higher than 8 M urea were required. Only 20% of the protein was denatured after 2 h at 60 °C, whereas complete denaturation was seen after 2 h at 70 °C and within 30 min at 80 °C. A distinct enhancement of stability was observed when denaturation was conducted in the presence of 10 mM calcium chloride, which has not been reported previously. CD studies of GdmCl denaturation of bovine PLA2 showed that 2.5 M GdmCl was required to denature 50% of the protein in the presence of 0.2 mM 2-mercaptoethanol (in agreement with the HPLC analysis), whereas 6.4 M GdmCl was necessary to denature 50% of the protein in the absence of a thiol initiator. Conformational stability (ΔGwater) was estimated to be 8.7 kcal/mol (1 cal=4.184 J) by ‘disulphide-intact’ denaturation (where ‘native’ disulphide framework was unaffected) and 2.5 kcal/mol by ‘disulphide-scrambling’ denaturation (involved breaking of native disulphides and formation of ‘non-native’ ones). The difference, Δ(ΔGwater), of 6.2 kcal/mol was the conformational stability contributed by the ‘native-framework’ of seven disulphides. Using bovine PLA2 as an example, we have demonstrated a novel comparative technique, where the conformational stability study of a disulphide-containing protein, with a common denaturant, in both the presence and absence of catalytic amounts of a thiol initiator can be used as a convenient method to estimate selectively and quantitatively the actual contribution of the ‘native disulphide bond network’ towards the global conformational stability of the protein.
Transcriptional regulation of human mucin MUC4 by bile acids in oesophageal cancer cells is promoter-dependent and involves activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signalling pathway
Authors: MARIETTE Christophe , PERRAIS Michaël , LETEURTRE Emmanuelle , JONCKHEERE Nicolas , HÉMON Brigitte , PIGNY Pascal , BATRA Surinder , AUBERT Jean-Pierre , TRIBOULET Jean-Pierre , Van SEUNINGEN Isabelle
Published: November 2007

Abnormal gastro-oesophageal reflux and bile acids have been linked to the presence of Barrett's oesophageal premalignant lesion associated with an increase in mucin-producing goblet cells and MUC4 mucin gene overexpression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of MUC4 by bile acids are unknown. Since total bile is a complex mixture, we undertook to identify which bile acids are responsible for MUC4 up-regulation by using a wide panel of bile acids and their conjugates. MUC4 apomucin expression was studied by immunohistochemistry both in patient biopsies and OE33 oesophageal cancer cell line. MUC4 mRNA levels and promoter regulation were studied by reverse transcriptase–PCR and transient transfection assays respectively. We show that among the bile acids tested, taurocholic, taurodeoxycholic, taurochenodeoxycholic and glycocholic acids and sodium glycocholate are strong activators of MUC4 expression and that this regulation occurs at the transcriptional level. By using specific pharmacological inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase A and protein kinase C, we demonstrate that bile acid-mediated up-regulation of MUC4 is promoter-specific and mainly involves activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. This new mechanism of regulation of MUC4 mucin gene points out an important role for bile acids as key molecules in targeting MUC4 overexpression in early stages of oesophageal carcinogenesis.
Significance of conservative asparagine residues in the thermal hysteresis activity of carrot antifreeze protein
Authors: ZHANG Dang-Quan , LIU Bing , FENG Dong-Ru , HE Yan-Ming , WANG Shu-Qi , WANG Hong-Bin , WANG Jin-Fa
Published: November 2007

The ~24-amino-acid leucine-rich tandem repeat motif (PXXXXXLXXLXXLXLSXNXLXGXI) of carrot antifreeze protein comprises most of the processed protein and should contribute at least partly to the ice-binding site. Structural predictions using publicly available online sources indicated that the theoretical three-dimensional model of this plant protein includes a 10-loop β-helix containing the ~24-amino-acid tandem repeat. This theoretical model indicated that conservative asparagine residues create putative ice-binding sites with surface complementarity to the 1010 prism plane of ice. We used site-specific mutagenesis to test the importance of these residues, and observed a distinct loss of thermal hysteresis activity when conservative asparagines were replaced with valine or glutamine, whereas a large increase in thermal hysteresis was observed when phenylalanine or threonine residues were replaced with asparagine, putatively resulting in the formation of an ice-binding site. These results confirmed that the ice-binding site of carrot antifreeze protein consists of conservative asparagine residues in each β-loop. We also found that its thermal hysteresis activity is directly correlated with the length of its asparagine-rich binding site, and hence with the size of its ice-binding face.
Localization of dynein light chains 1 and 2 and their pro-apoptotic ligands
Authors: DAY Catherine L. , PUTHALAKATH Hamsa , SKEA Gretchen , STRASSER Andreas , BARSUKOV Igor , LIAN Lu-Yun , HUANG David C. S. , HINDS Mark G.
Published: November 2007

The dynein and myosin V motor complexes are multi-protein structures that function to transport molecules and organelles within the cell. DLC (dynein light-chain) proteins, found as components of both dynein and myosin V motor complexes, connect the complexes to their cargoes. One of the roles of these motor complexes is to selectively sequester the pro-apoptotic ‘BH3-only’ (Bcl-2 homology 3-only) proteins, Bim (Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death) and Bmf (Bcl-2-modifying factor), and so regulate their cell death-inducing function. In vivo DLC2 is found exclusively as a component of the myosin V motor complex and Bmf binds DLC2 selectively. On the other hand, Bim interacts with DLC1 (LC8), an integral component of the dynein motor complex. The two DLCs share 93% sequence identity yet show unambiguous in vivo specificity for their respective BH3-only ligands. To investigate this specificity the three-dimensional solution structure of DLC2 was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy. In vitro structural and mutagenesis studies show that Bmf and Bim have identical binding characteristics to recombinant DLC2 or DLC1. Thus the selectivity shown by Bmf and Bim for binding DLC1 or DLC2, respectively, does not reside in their DLC-binding domains. Remarkably, mutational analysis of DLC1 and DLC2 indicates that a single surface residue (residue 41) determines the specific localization of DLCs with their respective motor complexes. These results suggest a molecular mechanism for the specific compartmentalization of DLCs and their pro-apoptotic cargoes and implicate other protein(s) in defining the specificity between the cargoes and the DLC proteins.
LEA (late embryonic abundant)-like protein Hsp 12 (heat-shock protein 12) is present in the cell wall and enhances the barotolerance of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: MOTSHWENE Precious , KARREMAN Robert , KGARI Gail , BRANDT Wolf , LINDSEY George
Published: November 2007

Yeast cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae, late embryogenic abundant-like stress response protein Hsp 12 (heat-shock protein 12) were found by immunocytochemistry to be located both in the cytoplasm and in the cell wall, from where they could be extracted with dilute NaOH solutions. Yeast cells with the Hsp 12 gene disrupted were unable to grow in the presence of either 12 mM caffeine or 0.43 mM Congo Red, molecules known to affect cell-wall integrity. The volume of yeast cells were less affected by rapid changes in the osmolality of the growth medium when compared with the wild-type yeast cells, suggesting a role for Hsp 12 in the flexibility of the cell wall. This was also suggested by subjecting the yeast cells to rapid changes in barometric pressure where it was found that wild-type yeast cells were more resistant to cellular breakage.
A novel method for observing proteins in vivo using a small fluorescent label and multiphoton imaging
Authors: Botchway Stanley W. , Barba Ignasi , Jordan Randolf , Harmston Rebecca , Haggie Peter M. , Williams Simon-Peter , Fulton Alexandra M. , Parker Anthony W. , Brindle Kevin M.
Published: November 2007

A novel method for the fluorescence detection of proteins in cells is described in the present study. Proteins are labelled by the selective biosynthetic incorporation of 5-hydroxytryptophan and the label is detected via selective two-photon excitation of the hydroxyindole and detection of its fluorescence emission at 340 nm. The method is demonstrated in this paper with images of a labelled protein in yeast cells.
Dampening the silencing effect of RNA interference in mammals
Authors: Zhang Junlong
Published: November 2007

RNAi (RNA interference) refers to the suppression of expression of a target gene (mainly at the post-transcriptional or translational level) induced by small (21–23 nucleotides) RNA molecules, including siRNA (small interfering RNA). Suppression of gene expression by RNAi represents an important part of the regulation of gene expression. Interestingly, recent advancements in RNAi research support the notion that RNAi can be regulated just as an ordinary gene. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Hong et al. report their finding that suppression of RNAi is triggered by a high dose of siRNA in mice, and the suppression of RNAi in mice is related to eri-1 (enhanced RNA interference). Eri-1 is an RNaseT enzyme initially found in Caenorhabditis elegans that can degrade double-stranded RNA with 3′ overhangs. The results presented by Hong et al. have the potential to be extended and contribute to our knowledge about the regulation of RNAi in mammals.
Identification of protein-ribulosamine-5-phosphatase as human low-molecular-mass protein tyrosine phosphatase-A
Authors: Fortpied Juliette , Gemayel Rita , Vertommen Didier , Van Schaftingen Emile
Published: November 2007

Ribulosamines, which are substrates for the deglycating enzyme fructosamine-3-kinase-related protein, are presumably formed intracellularly through glycation of proteins with ribose 5-phosphate followed by dephosphorylation of resulting RN5Ps (ribulosamine 5-phosphates) by a putative RN5Pase (ribulosamine-5-phosphatase). Ribose 5-phosphate is known to be a potent glycating agent and we show in the present study that it reacts ∼10 and 80-fold more rapidly with protein than ribose and glucose respectively. We also show that tissue extracts and, most particularly, erythrocyte extracts contain a protein-RN5Pase. We have purified this enzyme from human erythrocytes to near homogeneity and shown it to correspond to LMWPTP-A [low-molecular-mass (‘weight’) protein tyrosine phosphatase-A]. Human recombinant LMWPTP-A displayed an RN5Pase activity that was higher than its tyrosine phosphatase activity, indicating that this phosphatase may participate in protein deglycation, a new form of protein repair.