bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The reasoning skills and thinking dispositions of problem gamblers: a dual‐process taxonomy
Authors: Toplak Maggie E. , Liu Eleanor , Macpherson Robyn , Toneatto Tony , Stanovich Keith E.
Published: September 2006

We present a taxonomy that categorizes the types of cognitive failure that might result in persistent gambling. The taxonomy subsumes most previous theories of gambling behavior, and it defines three categories of cognitive difficulties that might lead to gambling problems: The autonomous set of systems (TASS) override failure, missing TASS output, and mindware problems. TASS refers to the autonomous set of systems in the brain (which are executed rapidly and without volition, are not under conscious control, and are not dependent on analytic system output). Mindware consists of rules, procedures, and strategies available for explicit retrieval. Seven of the eight tasks administered to pathological gamblers, gamblers with subclinical symptoms, and control participants were associated with problem gambling, and five of the eight were significant predictors in analyses that statistically controlled for age and cognitive competence. In a commonality analysis, an indicator from each of the three categories of cognitive difficulties explained significant unique variance in problem gambling, indicating that each of the categories had some degree of predictive specificity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gestational stage sensitivity to ultrasound effect on postnatal growth and development of mice
Authors: Rao Suresh , Ovchinnikov Nikolai , McRae Amanda
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: An experiment was conducted to find out whether ultrasound exposure leads to changes in postnatal growth and development in the mouse. METHODS: A total of 15 pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to diagnostic levels of ultrasound (3.5 MHz, 65 mW/cm2, ISPTP = 1 mW/cm2 Intensity(Spatial Peak‐Temporal Peak), ISATA = 240 mW/cm2 Intensity(Spatial Average‐Temporal Average)) for 30 min for a single day between days 10 and 18 of gestation (GD 10–18). Virgin female mice were placed with same age group males for mating in the ratio 2 females : 1 male and examined the next morning for the presence of vaginal plug, a sign of successful copulation. The females with vaginal plugs were separated and labeled as 0‐day pregnant. Maternal vaginal temperature was also measured. A sham exposed control group of 15 pregnant mice was maintained for comparison. All exposed as well as control animals were left to complete gestation and parturition. Their offspring were used in our further studies. They were monitored during early postnatal life for standard developmental markers, postnatal mortality, body weight, body length, head length, and head width, and growth restriction was recorded up to 6 weeks of age. RESULTS: An exposure to ultrasound induced nonsignificant deviations in the maternal vaginal temperature or developmental markers. Significant low birth weight was observed in the present study, after exposure at GD 11, 12, 14, and 16. However, 14 and 16 days postcoitus during the fetal period appears to be the most sensitive to the ultrasound effect, in view of the number of different effects as well as severity of most of the observed effects when exposed on these gestation days. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that diagnostic ultrasound can induce harmful effects on mouse growth and development when given at certain critical periods of gestation. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:602–608, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wnt9b is the mutated gene involved in multifactorial nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in A/WySn mice, as confirmed by a genetic complementation test
Authors: Juriloff Diana M. , Harris Muriel J. , McMahon Andrew P. , Carroll Thomas J. , Lidral Andrew C.
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Nonsyndromic cleft lip (CL) with or without cleft palate (CLP) is a common human birth defect with complex genetic etiology. One of the unidentified genes maps to chromosome 17q21. A mouse strain, A/WySn, has CLP with complex genetic etiology that models the human defect, and 1 of its causative genes, clf1, maps to a region homologous to human 17q21. Extensive studies of the candidate region pointed to a novel insertion of an IAP transposon 3′ from the gene Wnt9b as the clf1 mutation. Independently a recessive knockout mutation of Wnt9b (Wnt9b−) was reported to cause a lethal syndrome that includes some CLP. METHODS: A standard genetic test of allelism between clf1 and the Wnt9b− mutation was done. A total of 83 F1 embryos at gestation day 14 (GD 14) from Wnt9b−/+ males crossed with A/WySn females, and 79 BC1 GD 14 embryos from F1 Wnt9b−/clf1 males back‐crossed to A/WySn females were observed for CL. Embryo genotypes at clf1 and Wnt9b were obtained from DNA markers. Genotypes for a second unlinked modifier locus from A/WySn, clf2, were similarly obtained. RESULTS: The compound mutant embryos (Wnt9b−/clf1) had high frequencies of CL: 27% in the F1 and 63% in the BC1. The clf2 modifier gene was found to have 3 alleles segregating in this study and to strongly influence the penetrance of CL in the compound mutant. CONCLUSIONS: The noncomplementation of clf1 and Wnt9b− confirms that clf1 is a mutation of the Wnt9b gene. The homologous human WNT9B gene and 3′ conserved noncoding region should be examined for a role in human nonsyndromic CLP. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:574–579, 2006. © 2006 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Endomesoderm specification in Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes
Authors: Maduro Morris F.
Published: September 2006

The endomesoderm gene regulatory network (GRN) of C. elegans is a rich resource for studying the properties of cell‐fate‐specification pathways. This GRN contains both cell‐autonomous and cell non‐autonomous mechanisms, includes network motifs found in other GRNs, and ties maternal factors to terminal differentiation genes through a regulatory cascade. In most cases, upstream regulators and their direct downstream targets are known. With the availability of resources to study close and distant relatives of C. elegans, the molecular evolution of this network can now be examined. Within Caenorhabditis, components of the endomesoderm GRN are well conserved. A cursory examination of the preliminary genome sequences of two parasitic nematodes, Haemonchus contortus and Brugia malayi, suggests that evolution in this GRN is occurring most rapidly for the zygotic genes that specify blastomere identity. BioEssays 28: 1010–1022, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Evaluation of an Intercalator–Polyamide Hairpin Designed to Target the Inverted CCAAT Box 2 in the Topoisomerase IIα Promoter
Authors: Flores Lloyd V. , Staples Andrew M. , Mackay Hilary , Howard Cameron M. , Uthe Peter B. , Sexton Jim S. , Buchmueller Karen L. , Wilson W. David , O'Hare Caroline , Kluza Jerome , Hochhauser Daniel , Hartley John A. , Lee Moses
Published: September 2006

The synthesis and DNA‐binding properties of a novel naphthalimide–polyamide hairpin (3) designed to target the inverted CCAAT box 2 (ICB2) site on the topoisomerase IIα (topoIIα) promoter are described. The polyamide component of 3 was derived from the minor‐groove binder, 2, and tailored to bind to the 5′‐TTGGT sequence found in and flanking ICB2. The propensity of mitonafide 4 to intercalate between G–C base pairs was exploited by the incorporation of a naphthalimide moiety at the N terminus of 2. Hybrid 3 targeted 5′‐CGATTGGT and covered eight contiguous base pairs, which included the underlined ICB2 site. DNase I footprinting analysis with the topoIIα promoter sequence demonstrated that 3 bound selectively to the ICB2 and ICB3 sites. Thermal‐denaturation studies confirmed these results, and the highest degree of stabilization was found for ICB2 and ‐3 in preference to ICB1 (4.1, 4.6, and 0.6 °C, respectively). CD studies confirmed minor‐groove binding and suggested a 1:1 binding stoichiometry. Emission‐titration experiments established intercalative binding. Surface plasmon resonance results showed strong binding to ICB2 (2.5×107 M−1) with no observable binding to ICB1. Furthermore, the binding constant of 3 to ICB2 was larger than that of the parent polyamide 2. The increased binding affinity was primarily due to a reduction in the dissociation‐rate constant of the polyamide–DNA complex, which can be attributed to the N‐terminal naphthalimide moiety. In addition, the binding site of 3 was larger than that of 2, which innately improved sequence selectivity. We conclude that the polyamide–naphthalimide 3 selectively binds to the ICB2 site by simultaneous intercalation and minor‐groove binding, and warrants further investigation as a model compound for the regulation of topoIIα gene expression.
Molecular Basis for the Enhanced Lipase‐Catalyzed N‐Acylation of 1‐Phenylethanamine with Methoxyacetate
Authors: Cammenberg Maria , Hult Karl , Park Seongsoon
Published: September 2006

One of the commercial methods for preparing enantiopure amines is lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution, although lipases catalyze aminolysis with only low activity. Interestingly, in 1997 Balkenhohl et al. used ethyl methoxyacetate instead of ethyl butyrate as an acylation reagent for the aminolysis of 1‐phenylethanamine and increased the reaction rate more than a 100‐fold. This method has been applied to other aminolysis reactions, but the molecular basis for the enhanced rate is not understood. A molecular‐modeling study of the transition‐state analogue for the aminolysis showed that an interaction between the β‐oxygen atom in methoxyacetate and the amine nitrogen atom might be a key factor in the rate enhancement. Other acylation reagents, such as methyl 3‐methoxypropionate and methyl 4‐methoxybutyrate, were chosen to test the influence of this interaction because these molecules can be spatially arranged to have similar interactions. The results were similar to that in the acylation with methoxyacetate. The initial aminolysis rates were improved (11‐fold and sixfold, respectively) compared to that with butyrate. In contrast, alcoholysis with 1‐phenylethanol afforded the same rate with all acyl donors.
Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide: A Simple Method for the Preparation of Metal Oxide Nanocrystals in Non‐aqueous Medium
Authors: Zhang Zhihua , Lu Meihua , Xu Hairuo , Chin Wee‐Shong
Published: September 2006

A general and facile approach has been developed to prepare various metal oxide nanocrystals from commercially available metal acetate precursors using an amine‐mediated reaction. The influence of temperature and capping agents on the yield and final morphology of the metal oxides nanocrystals was investigated. The approach was applied in the synthesis of shape‐controlled ZnO nanocrystals. ZnO nanowires, nanorods, bullets and triangular nanocrystals were successfully prepared by tuning the molar ratio between amine to zinc acetate precursor. On the basis of FTIR and NMR spectroscopic studies, we propose that the amine could mediate the breakdown of the metal acetates through a nucleophilic attack mechanism. The results suggest that amine can play dual role as both the attacking agent and capping agent in this new methodology.
Mössbauer Investigation of the Photoexcited Spin States and Crystal Structure Analysis of the Spin‐Crossover Dinuclear Complex [{Fe(bt)(NCS)2}2bpym] (bt=2,2′‐Bithiazoline, bpym=2,2′‐Bipyrimidine)
Authors: Gaspar Ana B. , Ksenofontov Vadim , Reiman Sergey , Gütlich Philipp , Thompson Amber L. , Goeta Andrés E. , Muñoz M. Carmen , Real José A.
Published: September 2006

The crystal structure of the complex [{Fe(bt)(NCS)2}2bpym] (1) (bt=2,2′‐bithiazoline, bpym=2,2′‐bipyrimidine) has been solved at 293, 240, 175 and 30 K. At all four temperatures the crystal remains in the P$\bar 1$ space group with a=8.7601(17), b=9.450(2), c=12.089(3) Å, α=72.77(2), β=79.150(19), γ=66.392(18)°, V=873.1(4) Å3 (data for 293 K structure). The structure consists of centrosymmetric dinuclear units in which each iron(II) atom is coordinated by two NCS− ions in the cis position and two nitrogen atoms of the bridging bpym ligand, with the remaining positions occupied by the peripheral bt ligand. The iron atom is in a severely distorted octahedral FeN6 environment. The average FeN bond length of 2.15(9) Å indicates that compound 1 is in the high‐spin state (HS–HS) at 293 K. Crystal structure determinations at 240, 175 and 30 K gave a cell comparable to that seen at 293 K, but reduced in volume. At 30 K, the average FeN distance is 1.958(4) Å, showing that the structure is clearly low spin (LS–LS). At 175 K the average FeN bond length of 2.052(11) Å suggests that there is an intermediate phase. Mössbauer investigations of the light‐induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect (λ=514 nm, 25 mW cm−2) in 1 (4.2 K, Hext=50 kOe) show that the excited spin states correspond to the HS–HS and HS–LS pairs. The dynamics of the relaxation of the photoexcited states studied at 4.2 K and Hext=50 kOe demonstrate that HS–HS pairs revert with time to both HS–LS and LS–LS configurations. The HS–LS photoexcited pairs relax with time back to the ground LS–LS configuration. Complex [{Fe0.15Zn0.85(bt)(NCS)2}2bpym] (2) exhibits a continuous spin transition centred around 158 K in contrast to the two‐step transition observed for 1. The different spin‐crossover behaviour observed for 2 is due to the decrease of cooperativity (intermolecular interactions) imposed by the matrix of ZnII ions. This clearly demonstrates the role of the intermolecular interactions in the stabilization of the HS–LS intermediate state in 1.
Chiral Oxazolopiperidone Lactams: Versatile Intermediates for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Piperidine‐Containing Natural Products
Authors: Escolano Carmen , Amat Mercedes , Bosch Joan
Published: September 2006

Phenylglycinol‐derived oxazolopiperidone lactams are exceptionally versatile building blocks for the enantioselective construction of structurally diverse piperidine‐containing natural products and bioactive compounds. These lactams are readily available in both enantiomeric series by cyclocondensation of the chiral amino alcohol with a δ‐oxo acid derivative and allow the substituents to be introduced at the different ring positions in a regio‐ and stereocontrolled manner, providing access to enantiopure polysubstituted piperidines bearing virtually any type of substitution pattern, and also quinolizidines, indolizidines, perhydroquinolines, hydroisoquinolines, as well as complex indole alkaloids. Of particular interest are cyclocondensation reactions with racemic or prochiral δ‐oxo (di)acid derivatives in processes involving dynamic kinetic resolution and/or differentiation of enantiotopic or diastereotopic ester groups, as they directly lead to lactams that already incorporate the carbon substituents on the heterocyclic ring. The use of (S)‐3,4‐dimethoxyphenylalaninol or (S)‐tryptophanol in the above cyclocondensation reactions expands the potential and the scope of the methodology, providing a straightforward route to enantiopure benzo[a]‐ and indolo[2,3‐a]quinolizidines.
Highly Regioselective Rhodium‐Catalysed Hydroformylation of Unsaturated Esters: The First Practical Method for Quaternary Selective Carbonylation
Authors: Clarke Matthew L. , Roff Geoffrey J.
Published: September 2006

Highly regioselective hydroformylation of unsaturated esters can be achieved when a highly reactive, ligand‐modified, rhodium catalyst is employed near ambient temperatures (15–50 °C) and pressures over 30 bar. The use of 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐2,4,8‐trioxa‐6‐phosphaadamantane shows distinct advantages over other commonly applied phosphanes in terms of reaction rate, and regio‐ and chemoselectivity. Hydroformylation of a range 1,1‐di‐ and 1,1,2‐trisubstituted unsaturated esters yields quaternary aldehydes that are forbidden products according to Keulemans Rule. The aldehydes can be reductively aminated with molecular hydrogen to give β‐amino acid esters in high yield. The overall green chemical process involves converting terminal alkynes into unusual β‐amino acid esters with only water generated as an essential byproduct. This catalytic system has also been applied to the hydroformylation of simple 1,2‐disubstitued unsaturated esters, which have been hydroformylated with excellent α‐selectivity and good chemoselectivity for the first time.
An Efficient Access to Novel Enantiomerically Pure Steroidal δ‐Amino Acids
Authors: Sünnemann Hans Wolf , Hofmeister Anja , Magull Jörg , de Meijere Armin
Published: September 2006

A highly chemoselective sequence of Stille and Heck couplings on the heterocyclic bromoenol triflates 2 a–c with the bicycloalkenylstannanes cis‐3 and trans‐3 furnished the intermediate bromobutadienes 4 a–c in good yields ranging from 73–94 %. A modified Heck coupling protocol employing the palladacycle 8 and an additional bidentate ligand such as 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinyl)butane allowed a significant reduction in catalyst loading while still obtaining the heterocyclic 1,3,5‐hexatrienes 5 a–c in good yields (71–94 %). The unsymmetrically substituted 1,3,5‐hexatrienes 5 a–c in solution underwent 6π‐electrocyclizations following an optimized microwave‐heating protocol to yield the steroidal tetracycles cis‐7 a–c and trans‐7 b (59–69 %). Tetracycles cis‐7 a–c are the products of a subsequent 1,5‐hydrogen shift to the thermodynamically more stable, more highly substituted diene units. Removal of the tert‐butyl groups provided the novel steroidal δ‐amino acid 9 a and the δ‐amino acid derivatives 9 b, c in good yields (76–86 %).
In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) does not increase genomic instability in normal or neoplastic breast epithelium
Authors: Larson Pamela S. , Ungarelli Rosemarie A. , de las Morenas Antonio , Cupples L. Adrienne , Rowlings Kathleen , Palmer Julie R. , Rosenberg Carol L.
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND.

In 1992, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Continuation of Follow‐Up of DES‐Exposed Cohorts to study the long‐term health effects of exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). Genetic effects on human breast tissue have not been examined. The authors investigated whether breast tissue of women exposed in utero to DES might exhibit the genetic abnormalities that characterize other DES‐associated tumors.

METHODS.

Subjects enrolled in the NCI Cohort were queried about breast biopsies or breast cancer diagnoses. Available tissue blocks were obtained for invasive cancers (IC), in situ cancers (CIS), or atypical hyperplasia (AH). Exposure status was blinded, lesions were microdissected, and their DNA was analyzed for microsatellite instability (MI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), or allele imbalance (AI), at 20 markers on 9 chromosome arms.

RESULTS.

From 31 subjects (22 exposed, 9 unexposed), 273 samples were analyzed (167 normal epithelium, 16 AH, 30 CIS, 60 IC). Exposed and unexposed subjects exhibited no differences in breast cancer risk factors or demographic characteristics, except for age at diagnosis (exposed vs. unexposed: 43.2 vs. 48.8 years of age, P = .02). The authors found that MI was rare and that AI was common, with frequencies consistent with previous reports. The global age‐adjusted relative rate (RR) of AI was 1.3, 95% CI = 0.8–2.4. No statistically significant associations were observed after adjustment for risk factors or after stratification by histology or by chromosome arm.

CONCLUSIONS.

In utero DES exposure does not appear to significantly increase genomic instability in breast epithelium, as measured by MI and AI. Breast tissue may respond differently from that of the reproductive tract to in utero DES exposure. Consequences of in utero DES exposure on the breast may be mediated by proliferative effects of estrogen. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Extrapulmonary small cell cancer
Authors: Haider Kamal , Shahid Rabia K. , Finch Daygen , Sami Amer , Ahmad Imran , Yadav Sunil , Alvi Riaz , Popkin David , Ahmed Shahid
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND.

The objective of this study was to determine variables that correlate with the survival of patients with extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC).

METHODS.

Medical records of 101 eligible patients with EPSCC who were diagnosed in Saskatchewan from 1971 to 2002 were reviewed. Survival was calculated by using the Kaplan–Meier method. A logistic regression analysis with a backward elimination was carried out to determine prognostic variables that predicted mortality.

RESULTS.

The median patient age was 72 years (range, 24–100 years), and the male‐to‐female ratio was 1.4:1. The primary disease sites were as follows: breast, 9%; gastrointestinal, 20%; genitourinary, 18%; gynecologic, 11%; head and neck, 10%; thymus, 2%; and unknown primary site, 31%. Fifty‐one patients had limited disease (LD), and 50 patients had extensive disease (ED). Patients with LD had a median overall survival of 34 months (range, 0.2–276 months) compared with 2 months (range, 0.1–108 months) in patients with ED (P < .0001). Among different primary sites, patients with gynecologic small cell cancer (SCC) had a median survival of 54.4 months, whereas patients with SCC of an unknown primary site had a survival of 2.5 months. Among various variables that were examined with respect to their prognostic importance, an abnormal white blood cell count (odds ratio [OR], 6.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.4–14.1), an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >2 (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.1–9.9), and ED (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4–5.0) were found to be correlated significantly with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS.

The gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts were the 2 major sites involved by EPSCC in the current series. Survival varied according to the primary sites, and patients with gynecologic tumors had the best prognosis. An abnormal white blood cell count, a poor performance status, and disease extent were important factors in predicting survival. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Virologic, hematologic, and immunologic risk factors for classic Kaposi sarcoma
Authors: Brown Elizabeth E. , Whitby Denise , Vitale Francesco , Marshall Vickie , Mbisa Georgina , Gamache Christine , Lauria Carmela , Alberg Anthony J. , Serraino Diego , Cordiali‐Fei Paola , Messina Angelo , Goedert James J.
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND

Classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) is an inflammatory‐mediated neoplasm that develops in the presence of KS‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and immune perturbation. In the current study, the authors compared CKS cases with age‐matched and sex‐matched KSHV‐seropositive controls without human immunodeficiency virus‐1 infection and markers of viral control, blood counts, CD4‐positive and CD8‐positive lymphocytes, and serum β‐2‐microglobulin and neopterin levels.

METHODS

Viral loads were detected using real‐time amplification of the KSHV‐K6 and EBV‐pol genes, anti‐K8.1 (lytic) titers were detected by enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay, and antilatent nuclear antigen (LANA) titers were detected using immunofluorescence. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, and study site.

RESULTS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) KSHV DNA detection (P ≤ .0001) and high KSHV lytic (>1:1745; P ≤ .0001) and latent (>1:102,400; P = .03) antibody titers were found to be positively associated with CKS risk. Antibody titers were higher in cases with lesions compared with cases without lesions (P ≤.05). The detection of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA in PBMCs was not found to be associated with CKS (P = .95). Independent of PBMC KSHV DNA, CKS risk was found to be positively associated with reduced hematocrit (<37.4%; P = .03), hemoglobin (<12g/dL; P = .04), and lymphocytes (<1000 cells/μL; P = .004), including CD4‐positive (+) cells (<457 cells/μL; P = .07) and CD8+ cells (<213cells/μL; P = .04), and with increased monocytes (≥638 cells/μL; P = .009). Nonsignificant elevations of β‐2‐microglobulin and neopterin were observed among cases regardless of disease burden (P ≥ .08). In a multivariate model, the CKS risk was found to be associated with PBMC KSHV DNA (OR of 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4–5.3), a high KSHV lytic antibody titer (OR of 3.7; 95% CI, 1.9–7.4), and low lymphocytes, particularly among those patients age <70 years (OR of 8.0; 95% CI, 2.7–23.7).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study appear to corroborate the specificity of KSHV and highlight the hematologic and immunologic correlates involved in the pathogenesis of CKS. Cancer 2006. Published 2006 by the American Cancer Society.
Characterization of neuropeptide Y2 receptor protein expression in the mouse brain. I. Distribution in cell bodies and nerve terminals
Authors: Stanić Davor , Brumovsky Pablo , Fetissov Sergueï , Shuster Sam , Herzog Herbert , Hökfelt Tomas
Published: September 2006

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36‐amino‐acid peptide, mediates biological effects by activating Y1, Y2, Y5, and y6 receptors. NPY neurons innervate many brain regions, including the hypothalamus, where NPY is involved in regulation of a broad range of homeostatic functions. We examined, by immunohistochemistry with tyramide signal amplification, the expression of the NPY Y2 receptor (Y2R) in the mouse brain with a newly developed rabbit polyclonal antibody. Y2R immunoreactivity was specific with its absence in Y2R knockout (KO) mice and in adjacent sections following preadsorption with the immunogenic peptide (10−5M). Y2R‐positive processes were located in many brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, some cortical areas, septum, basal forebrain, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra compacta, locus coeruleus, and solitary tract nucleus. However, colchicine treatment was needed to detect Y2R‐like immunoreactivity in cell bodies in many, but not all, areas. The densest distributions of cell bodies were located in the septum basal forebrain, including the bed nucleus, and amygdala, with lower density in the anterior olfactory nucleus, nucleus accumbens, caudal striatum, CA1, CA2, and CA3 hippocampal fields, preoptic nuclei lateral hypothalamus, and A13 DA cells. The widespread distribution of Y2R‐positive cell bodies and fibers suggests that NPY signaling through the Y2R is common in the mouse brain. Localization of the Y2R suggests that it is mostly presynaptic, a view supported by its frequent absence in cell bodies in the normal mouse and its dramatic increase in cell bodies of colchicine‐treated mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 499:357–390, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative mapping of serotonin‐immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous systems of nudibranch molluscs
Authors: Newcomb James M. , Fickbohm David J. , Katz Paul S.
Published: September 2006

The serotonergic systems in nudibranch molluscs were compared by mapping the locations of serotonin‐immunoreactive (5‐HT‐ir) neurons in 11 species representing all four suborders of the nudibranch clade: Dendronotoidea (Tritonia diomedea, Tochuina tetraquetra, Dendronotus iris, Dendronotus frondosus, and Melibe leonina), Aeolidoidea (Hermissenda crassicornis and Flabellina trophina), Arminoidea (Dirona albolineata, Janolus fuscus, and Armina californica), and Doridoidea (Triopha catalinae). A nomenclature is proposed to standardize reports of cell location in species with differing brain morphologies. Certain patterns of 5‐HT immunoreactivity were found to be consistent for all species, such as the presence of 5‐HT‐ir neurons in the pedal and cerebral ganglia. Also, particular clusters of 5‐HT‐ir neurons in the anterior and posterior regions of the dorsal surface of the cerebral ganglion were always present. However, there were interspecies differences in the number of 5‐HT‐ir neurons in each cluster, and some clusters even exhibited strong intraspecies variability that was only weakly correlated with brain size. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the presence of particular classes of 5‐HT‐ir neurons exhibits a great deal of homoplasy. The conserved features of the nudibranch serotonergic system presumably represent the shared ancestral structure, whereas the derived characters suggest substantial independent evolutionary changes in the number and presence of serotonergic neurons. Although a number of studies have demonstrated phylogenetic variability of peptidergic systems, this study suggests that serotonergic systems may also exhibit a high degree of homoplasy in some groups of organisms. J. Comp. Neurol. 499:485–505, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrical coupling, receptive fields, and relative rod/cone inputs of horizontal cells in the tiger salamander retina
Authors: Zhang Ai‐Jun , Zhang Jian , Wu Samuel M.
Published: September 2006

Light responses, dendritic/axonal morphology, receptive field diameters, patterns of dye coupling, and relative rod/cone inputs of various types of horizontal cells (HCs) were studied using intracellular recording and Lucifer yellow/neurobiotin dye injection methods in the flatmount tiger salamander retina. Three physiologically and morphologically distinct types of HC entities were identified. 1) The A‐type HCs are somas that do not bear axons, with average (±SE) soma diameters of 20.01 ± 0.59 μm, relatively sparse and thick dendrites, and they resemble the A‐type HC in mammals. The average receptive field diameter of these cells is 529.6 ± 10.87 μm and they receive inputs predominantly from cones. 2) The B‐type HCs are broad‐field somas that bear thin and long axons, with average soma diameters of 17.67 ± 0.38 μm, thinner dendrites of higher density, and they resemble the B‐type HC in mammals. The average receptive field diameter of these cells is 1,633.55 ± 37.34 μm and they receive mixed inputs from rods and cones. 3) The B‐type HC axon terminals are broad‐field, coarse axon terminal processes and they resemble the B‐type HC axon terminal in rabbits. The average receptive field diameter of these axon terminals is 1,291.67 ± 24.02 μm and they receive mixed inputs from rods and cones. All these types of HC are dye‐coupled with adjacent HCs of the same type. Additionally, B‐type HCs and axon terminals are dye‐coupled with subpopulations of bipolar cells whose axon terminals ramify in the proximal half of the inner plexiform layer, raising the possibility that these HCs may send feedforward antagonistic surround responses to depolarizing bipolar cells through electrical synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 499:422–431, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the Mechanism of Superoxide Reductase Promoted Reduction of Superoxide
Authors: Brines Lisa M. , Kovacs Julie A.
Published: September 2006

Superoxide reductases (SORs) are nonheme, iron‐containing enzymes which reduce superoxide (O2–) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in anaerobic organisms. In contrast to the classical superoxide dismutases (SODs), SORs selectively reduce, rather than disproportionate, superoxide at an unusual [Fe(NHis)4SCys] catalytic site. Studies of the native enzyme and mutants have suggested the formation of a transient ferric‐(hydro)peroxide intermediate in SOR’s catalytic cycle, with subsequent protonation to yield hydrogen peroxide and a glutamate‐bound ferric resting state. With the synthesis of small molecular model compounds of the enzyme’s active site, analogous intermediates can be more thoroughly investigated in order to understand how the structure at the nonheme iron active site affects its function. Specific goals include the understanding of the role of the trans cysteinate in the promotion of SOR chemistry, as well as the role of the protons in the mechanism of the reaction. Because hydrogen peroxide formation requires two protons, investigation of the proton‐dependence of the formation of ferric‐(hydro)peroxo model complexes, as well as their subsequent reactivity with proton donors, yields important information about possible mechanisms. As new biochemical data on SORs become available, synthetic modeling, biophysical characterization, and DFT calculations continue to be important tools in the identification of viable mechanistic pathways.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Thermal Evolution of a MgAl Hydrotalcite‐Like Material Intercalated with Hexaniobate
Authors: Carriazo Daniel , Martín Cristina , Rives Vicente
Published: September 2006

A MgAl hydrotalcite‐like material intercalated with hexaniobate has been prepared by the anion exchange method from the corresponding nitrate precursor; the sample and the oxides obtained upon its calcination were characterized by element chemical analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermal analyses (thermogravimetric and differential), nitrogen adsorption‐desorption isotherms at –196 °C, transmission electron microscopy, and FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The results show the formation of a microporous hydrotalcite‐type solid with a gallery height of 7.2 Å where the H3Nb6O195– anions are oriented with their C3 axes perpendicular to the layers. This material preserves its layered structure upon calcination up to 400 °C; calcination above this temperature causes decomposition of the hexaniobate and the layered structure collapses, giving rise to amorphous mesoporous solids (Nb‐Mg‐Al‐O) with a large specific surface area (157 m2 g–1). At 800 °C crystallization of Mg4Nb2O9 takes place. FT‐IR studies on the acid‐basic properties carried out by pyridine and 2‐propanol adsorption, showed that all solids obtained through hydrotalcite calcination present Lewis‐type acid and Brönsted‐type basic sites. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthetic Approaches to α,β‐Unsaturated δ‐Lactones and Lactols
Authors: Boucard Valérie , Broustal Garance , Campagne Jean Marc
Published: September 2006

The synthesis of six‐membered unsaturated δ‐lactones has generated considerable interest, due to their occurrence in a large number of natural products possessing potent biological activities. This microreview attempts to illustrate the different strategies used to obtain such compounds, with a special emphasis on catalytic and asymmetric approaches. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
C–N Bond Formation by the Oxidative Alkylamination of Azines: Comparison of AgPy2MnO4 versus KMnO4 as Oxidant
Authors: Gulevskaya Anna V. , Maes Bert U. W. , Meyers Caroline , Herrebout Wouter A. , van der Veken Benjamin J.
Published: September 2006

Reports on the successful oxidative alkylamination of azines by the SNH‐reaction, with the use of alkylamines other than methylamine, are very scarce. Hitherto, the experimental limitation to extend oxidative amination of azines with NH3/KMnO4 to oxidative alkylamination is solely ascribed to the low solubility of KMnO4 in alkylamines and the increased sensitivity of alkylamines towards oxidation in comparison with ammonia. Our experimental data for the first time prove that there is also a substrate dependence in this type of reaction. 2‐Alkylamino‐5‐nitropyridines and 4‐alkylaminoquinazolines were smoothly obtained by the treatment of 3‐nitropyridine and quinazoline, respectively, with alkylamine/AgPy2MnO4. Although KMnO4 still gives moderate to good results with 3‐nitropyridine, it is completely useless for reactions with quinazoline with the same alkylamines. The use of AgPy2MnO4 was found to give equal or superior results to those of KMnO4 depending on the alkylamine and the substrate used and therefore seems to be a promising general oxidant for successful oxidative alkylaminations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Interrill soil erosion processes and their interaction on low slopes
Authors: Asadi H. , Ghadiri H. , Rose C. W. , Rouhipour H.
Published: September 2006

Soil erosion by water is mostly the result of rainfall‐driven and runoff‐driven processes taking place simultaneously during a storm event. However, the effect of interaction between these two erosion processes has received limited attention. Most laboratory experiments indicate that the rate of erosion in a rain‐impacted flow is greater than for un‐impacted flows of similar depth and velocity; however, negative interaction between the two processes has also been reported. There is no provision for any such interaction in any of the current erosion models. This paper reports on the results of a number of exact experiments on three soil types carried out in the flume of Griffith University's large rainfall simulator to study interaction between rain and runoff processes. The results show that interaction is generally positive under approximately steady state condition and there is very limited sign of negative interaction reported by others. Results provide strong evidence that raindrops continuously peel fine sediment from larger stable aggregates. This mechanism could be the reason for positive interaction during simultaneous rainfall and flow driven erosion in well aggregated soils as a result of increased fine particles in the eroded sediment. Strong positive interaction between rain and runoff erosion also occurs for medium to large aggregates. This strongly suggests that mechanisms that are not well understood are operational. It is quite possible that particle movement can be stimulated by rolling or creeping in a size‐selective manner. Indeed, such additional mechanisms may well be largely responsible for the positive interaction observed between rain and surface flow. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of adaptive and heuristic time stepping for variably saturated flow
Authors: D'Haese C. M. F. , Putti M. , Paniconi C. , Verhoest N. E. C.
Published: September 2006

The performance of improved initial estimates and ‘heuristic’ and ‘adaptive’ techniques for time step control in the iterative solution of Richards equation is evaluated. The so‐called heuristic technique uses the convergence behaviour of the iterative scheme to estimate the next time step whereas the adaptive technique regulates the time step on the basis of an approximation of the local time truncation error. The sample problems used to assess these various schemes are characterized by nonuniform (in time) boundary conditions, sharp gradients in the infiltration fronts, and discontinuous derivatives in the soil hydraulic properties. It is found that higher order initial solution estimates improve the convergence of the iterative scheme for both the heuristic and adaptive techniques, with greater overall performance gains for the heuristic scheme, as could be expected. It is also found that the heuristic technique outperforms the adaptive method under strongly nonlinear conditions. Previously reported observations suggesting that adaptive techniques perform best when accuracy requirements on the numerical solution are very stringent are confirmed. Overall both heuristic and adaptive techniques have their limitations, and a more general or mixed time stepping strategy combining truncation error and convergence criteria is recommended for complex problems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutathione peroxidase 1 and a high cellular glutathione concentration are essential for effective organic hydroperoxide detoxification in astrocytes
Authors: Liddell Jeff R. , Dringen Ralf , Crack Peter J. , Robinson Stephen R.
Published: September 2006

Organic hydroperoxides are produced in the eicosanoid metabolism and by lipid peroxidation. To examine the contribution of glutathione peroxidase‐1 (GPx1) and glutathione (GSH) in the disposal of organic hydroperoxides in brain astrocytes, primary astrocyte cultures from wild type or GPx1‐deficient (GPx1(−/−)) mice were exposed to cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). After application of 100 μM CHP, the peroxide disappeared quickly from the incubation medium of wild type cells with a half‐life of 9 min, whereas CHP clearance was strongly retarded in GPx1(−/−) astrocytes. Depletion of GSH by pre‐incubation with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) significantly slowed CHP clearance by wild type astrocytes, while almost completely preventing peroxide disposal by GPx1(−/−) cells. In contrast, the catalase inhibitor 3‐aminotriazole (3AT) had no effect on CHP clearance. Application of CHP to wild type astrocytes was followed by a rapid and transient accumulation of GSSG, whereas in GPx1(−/−) cells no increase in the GSSG content was detected. Astrocytes from both mouse lines remained viable for up to 24 h following CHP exposure, however depletion of cellular GSH by pre‐treatment with BSO compromised the viability of astrocytes, an effect that was stronger in GPx1(−/−) than in wild type cells. This cell death was almost completely prevented by iron chelators, whereas pre‐incubation with iron increased CHP toxicity. These novel data demonstrate that the toxicity of organic hydroperoxides in astrocytes is iron‐mediated, and that an intact GSH system is required for the effective removal of organic hydroperoxides and for protection from these peroxides. © 2006Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors related to potentially harmful behaviors towards disabled older people by family caregivers in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Megumi , Arai Yumiko , Kumamoto Keigo , Abe Koji , Arai Asuna , Mizuno Yoko
Published: September 2006

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to examine factors related to potentially harmful behaviors (PHB) by family caregivers towards their older family members.

Methods

Four hundred and twelve pairs of disabled older adults and their family caregivers participated in the study. All of these disabled older adults were users of visiting nursing services under the public Long‐Term Care insurance system, who resided in one of the eight catchment areas of visiting nursing services in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The caregivers were asked to complete questionnaires in relation to their PHB towards their older family members, caregiver burden, patient‐caregiver kinship, behavioral disturbances of their older adult, age and sex. Visiting nurses obtained the following information regarding the older adults: the severity of dementia; the severity of physical impairment; age and sex.

Results

More than 30% of the caregivers admitted PHB towards their older family members. The most frequently reported PHB included verbal aggression (16.8%) and ignoring (13.6%). A logistic regression analysis revealed that adult children (OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.23–5.89, p = 0.013) and caregivers of disabled older people with behavioral disturbances (OR = 3.61, 95%CI = 1.65–7.90, p < 0.01) were more likely to show PHB.

Conclusions

In the present study, PHB towards the older people by family caregivers was associated with patients' behavioral disturbances and patient‐caregiver kinship, i.e. an adult child as a caregiver. These findings should be taken into account when planning strategies to prevent PHB by family members. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for amnestic mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease with M@T (Memory Alteration Test) in the primary care population
Authors: Rami L. , Molinuevo J. L. , Sanchez‐Valle R. , Bosch B. , Villar A.
Published: September 2006

Objectives

To design and validate a new screening test for amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (A‐MCI) and early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

We develop a verbal episodic and semantic memory test: the Memory Alteration Test (M@T). Discriminative validity was assessed in a population sample of 400 aged individuals from primary care population centres in Barcelona, Spain, 50 patients with A‐MCI according to Petersen et al. criteria, and 66 with early AD (Global Deterioration Scale—4 stage) according to the NINCDS‐ADRDA criteria.

Results

The M@T is quick, 5‐min, and easy to administer and to score. M@T mean scores were significantly different between all groups: 41.4 (SD = 4.9) in the primary care population, 31.5 (SD = 3.9) in the A‐MCI group and 21.8 (SD = 4.9) in early AD. A cut‐off score of 37 points had a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 79% for A‐MCI diagnosis (AUC = 0.932). A cut‐off score of 28 points had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 98% for early AD diagnosis (AUC = 0.99) and a sensitivity of 87 % and specificity of 82% to differentiate between A‐MCI and AD patients.

Conclusion

The M@T provides efficient and valid screening for A‐MCI and early stage AD, and discriminates between A‐MCI and early AD patients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting subtle hydrochemical anomalies with multivariate statistics: an example from ‘homogeneous’ groundwaters in the Great Artesian Basin, Australia
Authors: O'Shea Bethany , Jankowski Jerzy
Published: September 2006

The major ion composition of Great Artesian Basin groundwater in the lower Namoi River valley is relatively homogeneous in chemical composition. Traditional graphical techniques have been combined with multivariate statistical methods to determine whether subtle differences in the chemical composition of these waters can be delineated. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal components analysis were successful in delineating minor variations within the groundwaters of the study area that were not visually identified in the graphical techniques applied. Hydrochemical interpretation allowed geochemical processes to be identified in each statistically defined water type and illustrated how these groundwaters differ from one another. Three main geochemical processes were identified in the groundwaters: ion exchange, precipitation, and mixing between waters from different sources. Both statistical methods delineated an anomalous sample suspected of being influenced by magmatic CO2 input. The use of statistical methods to complement traditional graphical techniques for waters appearing homogeneous is emphasized for all investigations of this type. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incremental distributed modelling investigation in a small agricultural catchment: 2. Erosion and phosphorus transport
Authors: Taskinen Antti , Bruen Michael
Published: September 2006

Distributed physically based erosion and phosphorus (P) transport models, run by the overland flow model described in Taskinen and Bruen (2006. Hydrological Processes 20: this issue), are described. In the erosion model, the additional components to the basic model were the outflow of the particles by infiltration and a new model component, i.e. deposition when rainfall stops. Two ways of calculating the shielding factor due to the flow depth were compared. The P transport model had both dissolved P (DP) and particulate P (PP) components. The processes included in the DP model were desorption from the soil surface, advection, storage in the overland flow and infiltration. The PP model accounted for advection, storage in the flow, infiltration, detachment from the soil surface by flow and rainfall and deposition both when transport capacity of suspended solids (SS) is exceeded and when rainfall ceases. When the models were developed and validated in small agricultural fields of cohesive soil types in southern Finland, comparisons were made between corresponding processes and the significance of added components were estimated in order to find out whether increased model complexity improves the model performance. The sedigraphs were found to follow the dynamics of rainfall, emphasizing the importance of the rainfall splash component. The basic model was too slow to react to changes in rainfall and flow rates, but infiltration and deposition that acts during the cessation in rainfall improved the model significantly by enabling the modelled SS to fall sharply enough. The shielding effect of flow depth from the splash detachment was found to play a significant role. Transport capacity should also be included in erosion models when they are applied to cohesive soils. In this study, the Yalin method worked well. A strong correlation was obvious between the measured SS and total P concentrations, indicating that the main form of P in runoff is PP. This emphasizes the importance of a good sediment transport model in P transport modelling. The submodel used for DP desorption from the soil surface produced plausible results without any calibration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.