bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperative Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Effect and Basicity –An Ab Initio and DFT Study of the Superbasic Properties ofN‐[(Dimethylamino)alkyl]‐2,3‐diaminocycloprop‐2‐ene‐1‐imines
Authors: Gattin Zrinka , Kovačević Borislav , Maksić Zvonimir B.
Published: June 2005

The MP2(fc)/6‐311+G**//HF/6‐31G* and B3LYP/6‐311+G**//HF/6‐31G* calculations show thatN‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl] andN‐[4‐(dimethylamino)butyl] derivatives of 2,3‐diamino‐cycloprop‐2‐ene‐1‐imine (CPI) possess high gas phase proton affinities (PA) and pronounced basicities in acetonitrile (MeCN). Tris[N‐dimethylaminopropyl(‐butyl)]‐CPI derivatives achieve superbasic PA and pKavalues. The reason behind these remarkable features is the stability of the resulting conjugate acids. They are stabilized by aromatization of the three‐membered ring accompanied by the cationic resonance between the cyclopropyl ring and amino nitrogen atoms of the side chains, and, last but not least, by the cooperative multiple intramolecular hydrogen bonding effect. The latter is particularly enhanced in tris‐substituted CPIs. It was found that theN‐[4‐(dimethylamino)butyl] side chains contribute more to the stability of the conjugate acids than those of the corresponding compound with a propyl chain, because they undergo a somewhat larger relaxation upon protonation. The studied compounds might be helpful in building up a dense ladder of strong bases and superbases, which could contribute to the development of the chemistry of superacids and superbases. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Preliminary estimates of performance and cost of mercury emission control technology applications on electric utility boilers: An update
Authors: Srivastava R.K. , Staudt James E. , Jozewicz Wojciech
Published: June 2005

The Environmental Protection Agency has recently proposed a reduction in mercury emissions from coal‐fired power plants. There are two broad approaches under development to controlling mercury emissions from coal‐fired electric utility boilers: (1) powdered activated carbon (PAC) injection; and (2) multipollutant control, in which Hg capture is enhanced in existing and new sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) control devices. To help inform the recent EPA rulemaking proposal, estimates of performance levels and related costs associated with the above mercury control approaches were developed. This work presents these estimates.

Estimates of cost for PAC injection range from 0.003 to 3.096 mills/kWh. In general, the higher costs are associated with the plants using spray dryers and electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) or plants using hot‐side ESPs, which represent a minority of power plants. Excluding these plants, cost estimates range between 0.003 and 1.903 mills/kWh. At the low end of the cost ranges, 0.003 mills/kWh, it is assumed that no additional control technologies are needed, but mercury monitoring will be necessary. In these cases, high mercury removal may be the result of the type of NOx and SO2 control measures currently used, such as combinations of selective catalytic reduction and wet flue gas desulfurization or spray drier absorbers with fabric filters on bituminous coal–fired boilers.

Because mercury control approaches are under development at present, cost and performance estimates are preliminary and are expected to be refined as mercury control technologies are matured to commercial status. Factors that may affect the performance of these technologies include speciation of mercury in flue gas, the characteristics of the sorbent, and the type(s) of PM, NOx, and SO2 controls used. The effect of these factors may not be entirely accounted for in the data points that form the basis for this work. Ongoing research is expected to address these issues. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2005
Buprenorphine mortality, seizures and prescription data in the UK, 1980–2002
Authors: Schifano Fabrizio , Corkery John , Gilvarry Eilish , Deluca Paolo , Oyefeso Adenekan , Ghodse A. Hamid
Published: June 2005

Buprenorphine safety in overdose has been debated recently, but no mortality data related to this compound from the UK have been published. To gather together all of the buprenorphine mortality figures, a number of different sources have been checked. To inform on buprenorphine safety issues, accessible information related to its availability indicators (i.e. prescriptions; seizures) data for the 1980–2002 time frame have been sought. In the UK, during this period, buprenorphine was mentioned in 43 fatalities. Typically, victims were males in the 25–44 age group. In 12 cases (28% of total), a verdict of suicide was given. Buprenorphine was detected on its own in seven cases; more frequently, it was found together with benzodiazepines and other opiates. Large quantities of buprenorphine were prescribed both in England in 1985–1989 and in 1991–1992 in Scotland, where seizures reached their highest levels. Buprenorphine prescriptions seemed to peak again after 1999, when high dose buprenorphine formulations entered the UK market. No positive correlation was found between the number of buprenorphine deaths over the years and either buprenorphine dispensings/prescriptions or seizures. However, an increase in buprenorphine‐related deaths since 1999 was identified and this may be an issue which should be carefully monitored over the next few years. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antipsychotic drug use: McLean Hospital, 2002
Authors: Centorrino Franca , Fogarty Kate V. , Sani Gabriele , Salvatore Paola , Cimbolli Paola , Baldessarini Ross J.
Published: June 2005

Objective

Major changes in antipsychotic treatment in recent years encouraged a survey of inpatient practice in 2002, compared with earlier samples.

Methods

Based on records of a random sample of McLean Hospital inpatients prescribed antipsychotics in 2002, the study recorded DSM‐IV discharge diagnosis, all psychotropic treatments and doses, initial, peak and final doses of all antipsychotics, clinical status at admission and discharge, and adverse effects reported. Results were compared with similar data from our earlier surveys.

Results

Subjects were 344 inpatients (n = 202 women, 59%), diagnosed with psychotic (n = 102, 30%), bipolar (n = 93, 27%), major depressive (n = 67, 19.5%), dementia (n = 19, 5.5%), substance‐use (n = 28, 8%) or other psychiatric disorders (n = 35, 10%). Second‐generation antipsychotics accounted for 88% of antipsychotic prescriptions; 17% of patients received ≥ 2 antipsychotics and total CPZ‐eq discharge does in 2002 averaged 291 ± 305 mg/day (22% less than a 1998 peak). Doses were unrelated to age, but higher in men, among psychotic vs major affective disorder patients, and with greater illness‐severity and longer hospitalization. There was a 3.3‐fold increase in the simultaneous use of ≥ 3 psychotropic agents since 1998.

Conclusions

The use of second‐generation antipsychotics dominates current inpatient practice. Total antipsychotic dosing has not increased recently, but the use of multiple psychotropics increased strikingly from 1998 to 2002. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor type M2 pyruvate kinase (TuM2‐PK) as a novel plasma tumor marker in melanoma
Authors: Ugurel Selma , Bell Nellie , Sucker Antje , Zimpfer Anette , Rittgen Werner , Schadendorf Dirk
Published: June 2005

Proliferating cells express the pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2 (M2‐PK). This enzyme exists as an active tetramer and an inactive dimer. The dimeric form is predominantly found in tumor cells and is therefore termed Tumor M2‐PK (TuM2‐PK). TuM2‐PK molecules are released into the peripheral blood and may hereby function as a marker of tumor load in cancer patients. Our study was aimed to investigate TuM2‐PK as a potential plasma marker in melanoma patients compared to the well‐established serum marker S100β. We measured the concentration of TuM2‐PK in plasma and S100β in corresponding serum samples from 300 melanoma patients and 53 healthy controls using a sandwich ELISA and an immunoluminometric assay, respectively. Plasma concentrations of TuM2‐PK were significantly increased in melanoma patients compared to healthy controls (9.30 U/ml vs. 7.20 U/ml; p = 0.0036) and correlated with tumor load (p < 0.0005) and disease stage (p < 0.0005). Patients with elevated plasma TuM2‐PK (cut‐off = 15 U/ml) presented a reduced overall (p < 0.000005) and progression‐free (p = 0.023) survival. Multivariate analysis revealed plasma TuM2‐PK and serum S100β as independent predictors of overall survival in metastasized patients. Neither plasma TuM2‐PK nor serum S100β showed prognostic relevance for tumor‐free patients. Although the sensitivity and specificity to predict disease progression or death was higher for serum S100β compared to plasma TuM2‐PK, the combination of both markers improved the estimation of prognosis compared to that of serum S100β alone. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic and environmental determinants of risk for cholangiocarcinoma via Opisthorchis viverrini in a densely infested area in Nakhon Phanom, northeast Thailand
Authors: Honjo Satoshi , Srivatanakul Petcharin , Sriplung Hutcha , Kikukawa Hiroko , Hanai Shuji , Uchida Kazuhiko , Todoroki Takeshi , Jedpiyawongse Adisorn , Kittiwatanachot Pacharin , Sripa Banchob , Deerasamee Somyos , Miwa Masanao
Published: June 2005

Infection with Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is associated with cholangiocarcinoma. OV is common in northeast Thailand, but less than 10% of the inhabitants develop cholangiocarcinoma. Animal experiments suggest that OV infection alone does not cause cholangiocarcinoma, and thus other environmental and genetic factors may play a role in causation. We conducted a population‐based case‐control study in which sex, age and place of residence were matched individually. Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 alone were not associated with risk for cholangiocarcinoma, while an elevated level of antibodies against OV (ELISA) ≥0.200 was the strongest risk indicator (odds ratio as compared to that <0.200 = 27.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.30–116.57]. Compared to subjects who had a normal antibody range and the wild‐type GSTM1 gene, those who had elevated antibodies had higher odds ratios of 12.32 (95% CI: 1.60–94.85) for wild‐type GSTM1 and 23.53 (95% CI: 4.25–130.31) for the null variant thereof, respectively. Past and current regular drinkers of alcohol had higher risk [odds ratio = 5.39 (95% CI: 1.11–26.06) and 4.82 (95% CI: 1.29–18.06), respectively]. Eating fermented products was an independent risk factor. Smokers or consumers of fermented fish had substantially increased risk if they were past or current drinkers. Infection with OV correlates strongly with cholangiocarcinoma, susceptibility to which may be possibly associated with GSTM1 polymorphism. Alcohol may affect metabolic pathways of endogenous and exogenous nitrosamines. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase‐1 promoter with glioblastoma
Authors: McCready Jessica , Broaddus William C. , Sykes Virginia , Fillmore Helen L.
Published: June 2005

A key feature in the malignant behavior of glioblastoma is the tendency to invade host brain tissue surrounding the primary tumor site. Several members of the matrix metalloproteinase family are thought to contribute to this invasive capacity. A single nucleotide polymorphism has been described in the matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) promoter that consists of either the presence or absence of a guanine nucleotide at position −1607. The presence of the guanine base creates a functional binding site for members of the ETS family of transcription factors and has been shown to increase MMP‐1 transcription. The purpose of our study was to characterize this polymorphism in human glioblastoma. Promoter genotyping was performed on brain tumor tissue obtained from 81 patients and compared to 57 healthy individuals. The 2G/2G genotype is more prevalent in glioblastoma tissue compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.01). mRNA and protein expression were measured in a subset of brain tumor and normal brain tissue samples. MMP‐1 protein levels are significantly higher in glioblastoma tissue compared to normal brain (p = 0.001). Electromobility shift assays and promoter assays were performed to assess binding capability and transcriptional activity, respectively. Proteins present in glioma cell lines can specifically bind the 2G promoter probe. MMP‐1 transcription is significantly higher in cells transfected with the 2G promoter when compared to cells transfected with the 1G promoter (p<0.02). This polymorphism may provide a mechanism for increased expression of MMP‐1 in malignant gliomas via elevation of MMP‐1 mRNA transcription and may underlie the invasive phenotype. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of Com‐1/P8 in human breast cancer and its relevance to clinical outcome and ER status
Authors: Jiang Wen G. , Watkins Gareth , Douglas‐Jones Anthony , Mokbel Kefah , Mansel Robert E , Fodstad Oystein
Published: June 2005

Com‐1 is a recently discovered molecule that has putative action on the metastatic nature of cancer cells. The molecular action and clinical implication in cancer and prognosis are yet to be established. The current study examined the role of Com‐1 in a cohort of patients with breast cancer, with particular emphasis on its relationship with clinical outcomes and ER status. A panel of human breast cancer cell lines were tested. A cohort of breast cancer tumours (n‐120) with matched normal non‐neoplastic mammary tissues (n = 32) were used. Expression of Com‐1 in cancer cells and mammary tissues were studied using conventional and real‐time quantitative PCR. Expression profile was analysed against clinical information including tumour grade, staging, nodal status, ER status and survival of the patients. Statistical analysis was Mann‐Whitney U‐test and Cox Proportion analysis. Com‐1 was expressed in breast cancer cell lines. Com‐1 protein staining was primarily found in nucleus of epithelial cells of mammary tissues. Tumour cells in breast tissues exhibited a significant reduction in nuclear staining of Com‐1, compared to normal epithelial cells (p = 0.0061). Breast tumour tissues expressed similar levels of Com‐1, compared to normal non‐neoplastic mammary tissues (p = 0.62). There was, however, a stepwise decrease in tumours from patients with predicted good, moderate, to poor prognosis (using Nottingham Prognostic Index) (166 ± 135 copies of Com1 transcript, 44.3 ± 36 and 0.64 ± 0.24, respectively, p = 0.06 by Kruskal‐Wallis test). Likewise, node positive tumours had low levels of Com‐1, compared to node negative tumours. Tumours from patients who developed metastasis (11.4 ± 7 copies of Com1 transcript), had local recurrence (41.5 ± 3.7 copies of Com1 transcript), or who died of breast cancer (0.058 ± 0.03 copies of Com1 transcript) had lower levels of Com‐1, when compared to tumours from patients who remained disease free (156 ± 129 copies of Com1 transcript). There was no significant correlation between Com‐1 and overall survival or disease free survival. When ER status were taken into consideration, it was demonstrated that low levels of Com‐1 in ER‐β positive tumours were highly correlated with shorter overall survival of the patients (p = 0.018) (median follow‐up 120 months). Com‐1 is a nuclear protein, whose expression is reduced in human breast cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. The loss of Com‐1 protein is primarily from the nuclear compartment in cancer cells. The expression levels of Com‐1 in breast tumours are correlated with the prognosis of the patients and with the long term overall survival in association with ER status. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased incidence of invasive breast cancer after the introduction of service screening with mammography in Sweden
Authors: Jonsson Håkan , Johansson Robert , Lenner Per
Published: June 2005

Screening with mammography has been shown to substantially reduce mortality from breast cancer. The incidence of invasive cancer will increase as screening starts, and it is desirable that it gradually returns to the same level as before screening. Age‐specific incidence of invasive breast cancer in 11 Swedish counties, including 463,000 women aged 40–74 years, was analysed before and after the start of service screening with mammography. Incidence, as observed on average during 12.8 years from screening start, was compared to expected incidence based on the incidence during a 15‐year period preceding screening start. The height of the incidence peak during the first screening round was increasing with increasing age, compatible with the accumulation in the population of slowly growing tumours by age. All analysed age groups showed an increased ratio between observed stabilised incidence 7–14 years after screening start and expected incidence. When relative risks were adjusted for lead time, the estimates were 1.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33–1.79) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.04–1.41) for the age groups 50–59 and 60–69 years, respectively. In the age groups 40–49 and 70–74, no change was observed. The findings were further confirmed by the observation of a disappearance in the screened population of the notch in the increasing trend of age‐specific breast cancer incidence for the ages after menopause. This notch could indicate hormone‐related retardation in tumour growth around menopause. It appears that many of these clinically insignificant, retarded tumours are detected with screening mammography. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activating mutations in the extracellular domain of the melanoma inducing receptor Xmrk are tumorigenic in vivo
Authors: Winnemoeller Dirk , Wellbrock Claudia , Schartl Manfred
Published: June 2005

Mutated versions or overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor are found frequently in various cancers. In Xiphophorus the formation of hereditary melanoma is caused by the overexpression of the Xmrk oncogene locus. Xmrk is a mutationally altered version of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Two amino acid changes in the extracellular domain of the receptor were shown in vitro to be responsible for a constitutive, ligand‐independent activity of Xmrk. To analyze whether these two mutations are indeed responsible for the in vivo oncogenic activity of the receptor, both were independently introduced into the wild‐type, non‐oncogenic Xiphophorus EGF‐receptor and tested in Medaka embryos for their tumorigenic capacity. Both mutations were sufficient to induce tumors after short latency periods and at a comparable frequency as the native Xmrk oncogene. The G359R mutation led to a significantly higher tumor rate than the C578S mutation. Our study shows that subtle point mutations of the EGF‐receptor can lead to a highly tumorigenic oncoprotein. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role for casein kinase 2 in the regulation of HIF‐1 activity
Authors: Mottet Denis , Ruys Sébastien Pyr Dit , Demazy Catherine , Raes Martine , Michiels Carine
Published: June 2005

Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is a heterodimeric transcription factor that plays a major role in cellular adaptation to hypoxia. The mechanisms regulating HIF‐1 activity occurs at multiple levels in vivo. The HIF‐1α subunit is highly sensible to oxygen and is rapidly degraded by the proteasome 26S in normoxia. Activation in hypoxia occurs through a multistep process including inhibition of HIF‐1α degradation, but also increase in the transactivation activity of HIF‐1. Several data indicate that phosphorylation could play a role in this regulation. In this report, we investigated the role of casein kinase 2 (CK2), an ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase, in the regulation of HIF‐1 activity. Hypoxia was capable of increasing the expression of the β subunit of CK2, of inducing a relocalization of this subunit at the plasma membrane, of inducing nuclear translocation of the α subunit and of increasing CK2 activity. Three inhibitors of this kinase, DRB (5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl‐benzimidazole), TBB (4,5,6,7‐tetrabromotriazole) and apigenin, as well as overexpression of a partial dominant negative mutant of CK2α, were shown to inhibit HIF‐1 activity as measured by a reporter assay and through hypoxia‐induced VEGF and aldolase expression. This does not occur at the stabilization process since they did not affect HIF‐1α protein level. DNA‐binding activity was also not inhibited. We conclude that CK2 is an important regulator of HIF‐1 transcriptional activity but the mechanism of this regulation remains to be determined. Since HIF‐1 plays a major role in tumor angiogenesis and since CK2 has been described to be overexpressed in tumor cells, this new pathway of regulation can be one more way for tumor cells to survive. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electron pairing and chemical bonds. Electron fluctuation and pair localization in ELF domains
Authors: Ponec Robert , Chaves Joaquin
Published: June 2005

This article reports the numerical comparison of the quantities characterizing the extent of electron fluctuation and pair localization in the domains determined by the direct minimization of electron fluctuation with the domains resulting from the partitioning of the molecules based on the topological analysis of the so‐called electron localization function (ELF). Such a comparison demonstrates that the ELF partitioning can be regarded as a feasible alternative to computationally much more demanding direct optimization of minimum fluctuation domains. This opened the possibility of the systematic scrutiny of the electron pair model of the chemical bond, and as it was demonstrated, the previous pessimistic claims about the applicability of this model are not completely justified. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 1205–1213, 2005
Some advances in the knowledge of grape, wine and distillates chemistry as achieved by mass spectrometry
Authors: Flamini Riccardo
Published: June 2005

Mass spectrometry plays a very important role in acquiring knowledge of the chemistry of grape and its derivative products. By liquid mass spectrometry, anthocyanins of grape were studied, and in hybrid grape extracts, delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and malvidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐p‐coumaroyl)‐5‐O‐diglucosides were found. A semiquantitative procedure to estimate the amounts and percentages of monoglucoside and diglucoside anthocyanins without chromatography was developed. By gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), aroma compounds of grape, wine and the distillate Italian grappa were studied, and molecular structures characterized. The representative aroma profile of Muscat grape was characterized by 23 terpenols, present in both free and bonded form, and direct correlation between aroma and genetic profile permitted to distinguish between different Muscat grape varieties. Aroma of Italian grappa resulted from and was characterized by several compounds linked to the grape variety, such as vitispiranes, terpenols, ethyl cinnamate, salicylic esters, benzaldehyde and farnesol.

Synthesis of O‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl)‐hydroxylamine (PFBOA) derivatives and GC/MS analysis resulted in a sensitive and selective method to study carbonyl compounds at the low levels occurring in wine. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurotensin and the neurotensin receptor‐3 in microglial cells
Authors: Martin Stéphane , Dicou Eleni , Vincent Jean‐Pierre , Mazella Jean
Published: June 2005

Microglia motility plays a crucial role in response to lesion or exocytotoxic damage of the cerebral tissue. The neuropeptide neurotensin elicited the migration of the human microglial cell line C13NJ by a mechanism dependent on both phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3 kinase) and mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases pathways. The effect of neurotensin on cell migration was blocked by the neurotensin receptor‐3 propeptide, a selective ligand of this receptor. The type I neurotensin receptor‐3 was the only known neurotensin receptor expressed in these microglial cells, and its activation led to the phosphorylation of both extracellular signaling‐regulated kinases Erk1/2 and Akt. Furthermore, the effect of neurotensin on cell migration was preceded by a profound modification of the F‐actin cytoskeleton, particularly by the rapid formation of numerous cell filopodia. Both the motility and the filopodia appearance induced by neurotensin were totally blocked by selective inhibitors of MAP kinases or PI3 kinase pathways. In the murine microglial cell line N11, the neurotensin receptor‐3 is also the only neurotensin receptor expressed, and its activation by neurotensin leads to the phosphorylation of both Erk1/2 and Akt. In these cells, neurotensin induces the gene expression of several cytokines/chemokines, including MIP‐2, MCP‐1, interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α. This induction is dependent on both protein kinases pathways. We observed that the effect of neurotensin on the cytokine/chemokine expression is also inhibited by the neurotensin receptor‐3 propeptide. This is the demonstration that the neurotensin receptor‐3 is functional and mediates both the migratory action of neurotensin and its induction of chemokines/cytokines expression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immortalized human microglial cell line: Phenotypic expression
Authors: Nagai Atsushi , Mishima Seiji , Ishida Yuri , Ishikura Hiroto , Harada Takayuki , Kobayashi Shotai , Kim Seung U.
Published: June 2005

Microglia are a major neuroglial component of the CNS, playing an important role as resident immunocompetent and phagocytic cells in the CNS in the event of injury and disease. To understand the role of microglia in the CNS in health and diseases, we have recently established an immortalized clonal cell line of human microglia, HMO6, from human embryonic telencephalon tissue by using a retroviral vector encoding v‐myc. This immortalized microglia HMO6 cell line exhibits cell‐type‐specific antigens for microglia, including CD11b (Mac‐1), CD68, CD86 (B7‐2), HLA‐ABC, HLA‐DR, and RCA‐1 lectin, and actively phagocytoses latex beads. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigations with cultured human microglia on pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Walker D.G. , Lue L‐F.
Published: June 2005

Inflammation‐mediated mechanisms for human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have evolved from being on the fringe of medical hypotheses to mainstream thinking. Pioneering immunopathology studies with human brain tissues identified microglia associated with neuropathologic hallmarks of these diseases. As activated macrophages were known to produce many potential toxic products, this gave rise to the hypothesis that activated microglia (brain resident macrophages) could be contributing to the degeneration of key target neurons in these diseases, as well as potential vascular dysfunction. Studies with microglia derived from different sources, including human brains, have confirmed that activated microglia can mediate neuronal cell death. Based on these theories, a number of human clinical trials with antiinflammatory agents have been carried out on AD patients. Results to date have indicated a lack of effectiveness at slowing disease progression and have begun to cast doubt on the significance of inflammation in AD. It has been shown recently that activating microglia through immunization of amyloid plaque‐developing mice with amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) has promise as a therapeutic strategy and despite some setbacks, has potential as a treatment for AD patients. This article will consider experimental data with microglia to determine whether the additional targets need to be investigated. The use of human microglia cultures, in particular those derived from elderly diseased human brains, offers an experimental system that can closely model the cell type activated in human neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental data produced by our laboratory and others is reviewed to determine the contribution of this unique experimental model to understanding disease mechanisms and possibly discovering new therapeutic targets. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NeuroAIDS: Contributions of the human immunodeficiency virus‐1 proteins tat and gp120 as well as CD40 to microglial activation
Authors: D'Aversa T.G. , Eugenin E.A. , Berman J.W.
Published: June 2005

Microglia are the resident phagocytes of the brain and are an important source of proinflammatory mediators. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 infects the central nervous system early in the course of disease, and it is believed that this occurs, in part, through the transmigration of HIV‐1‐infected cells across the blood–brain barrier. Infected cells release viral proteins, such as Tat and gp120. After microglia interact with these proteins, they become activated and secrete chemokines; up‐regulate key surface receptors, such as CD40, and also activate resident cells. This review focuses on the consequences of microglial activation in NeuroAIDS, with an emphasis on chemokine production and CD40 up‐regulation after interaction with tat or gp120. The importance of microglial CD40 in two other neurological diseases, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, is also discussed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Production of dialysable iron by in vitro digestion of chicken muscle protein fractions: the size of the dialysable iron
Authors: Vattem Dhiraj A , Mahoney Raymond R
Published: June 2005

Muscle foods enhance the absorption of non‐haem iron. We studied the size of the dialysable iron species produced following in vitro digestion of soluble and insoluble chicken muscle proteins and compared the results with those for egg white and whey protein. Digestion of chicken muscle proteins caused a four‐ to fivefold increase in dialysable iron, whereas egg white showed only a slight increase and whey protein caused a reduction, as compared with the control. All the dialysable iron species produced by egg white and whey were smaller than 1 kDa. In contrast, chicken muscle proteins produced dialysable iron species of all sizes up to 10 kDa, but the majority were in the range 2–3.5 kDa for both soluble and insoluble muscle proteins. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Rice proteomics: A cornerstone for cereal food crop proteomes
Authors: Agrawal Ganesh Kumar , Rakwal Randeep
Published: June 2005

Proteomics—a systematic study of proteins present in a cell, tissue, organ, or organism at a particular moment during the life cycle—that began with classical two‐dimensional electrophoresis and its advancement during the 1990s, has been revolutionized by a series of tremendous technological developments in mass spectrometry (MS), a core technology. Proteomics is exerting its influence on biological function of genes and genomes in the era (21st century) of functional genomics, and for this reason yeast, bacterial, and mammalian systems are the best examples. Although plant proteomics is still in its infancy, evolving proteomic technologies and the availability of the genome sequences ofArabidopsis thaliana(L.) Heyhn, and rice (Oryza sativaL.), model dicotyledoneous and monocotyledoneous (monocot) species, respectively, are propelling it towards new heights, as evidenced by the rapid spurt in worldwide plant proteome research. Rice, with an immense socio‐economic impact on human civilization, is a representative model of cereal food crops, and we consider it as a cornerstone for functional genomics of cereal plants. In this review, we look at the history and the current state of monocot proteomes, including barley, maize, and wheat, with a central focus on rice, which has the most extensive proteomic coverage to date. On one side, we highlight advances in technologies that have generated enormous amount of interest in plant proteomics, and the other side summarizes the achievements made towards establishing proteomes during plant growth & development and challenge to environmental factors, including disease, and for studying genetic relationships. In light of what we have learned from the proteomic journey in rice and other monocots, we finally reveal and assess their impact in our continuous strive towards completion of their full proteomes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic repositioning of single voxels in longitudinal 1H MRS studies
Authors: Hancu Ileana , Blezek Daniel J. , Dumoulin Michelle C.
Published: June 2005

An automatic procedure, allowing the prospective registration of brain MRI images and the acquisition of nearly identical brain volumes (coverage and orientation) in longitudinal exams, is presented. This procedure, based on a fast registration algorithm and a tailored pulse sequence, is used to reposition single voxels for 1H MRS data acquired in vivo. The impact of the repositioning method on the extent of voxel overlap and on the reproducibility of metabolite concentration measurements is studied. A statistically significant increase in voxel overlap and generally decreased short‐term measurement variability (decreased coefficients of variation and increased reproducibility coefficients) are observed. Differences in the long‐term variances of metabolite concentrations and concentration ratios measured using the eye and automatic repositioning scheme, however, do not reach statistical significance. The improved workflow associated with the use of the automatic repositioning process, which obviates the need for skilled operator intervention for voxel repositioning, suggests that approaches similar to the one presented here may be a standard element in tomorrow's longitudinal MRI and MRS exams. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Splitting methods for Hamilton‐Jacobi equations
Authors: Tourin Agnès
Published: June 2005

We explain how the exploitation of several kinds of operator splitting methods, both local and global in time, lead to simple numerical schemes approximating the solution of nonlinear Hamilton‐Jacobi equations. We review the existing local methods which have been used since the early 80's and we introduce a new method which is global in time. We show some numerical experiments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
ERβ isoform expression in colorectal carcinoma: an in vivo and in vitro study of clinicopathological and molecular correlates
Authors: Wong Newton ACS , Malcomson Roger DG , Jodrell Duncan I , Groome Nigel P , Harrison David J , Saunders Philippa TK
Published: June 2005

Colorectal carcinoma shows several sex‐related differences with regard to incidence, response to chemotherapy and microsatellite instability. These differences may relate to differential expression of ERβ1 (wild‐type) as well as the truncated ERβ2 and ERβ5 splice variant isoforms, which have recently been detected in normal and malignant colorectal epithelium. This hypothesis was tested through the study of ERβ isoform protein and/or mRNA expression amongst 91 primary colorectal carcinoma cases and 20 colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Study of the latter showed an absolute correlation between mRNA and protein expressions for ERβ1 and ERβ2. ERβ1 and ERβ2 protein expression was lost in 22% and 49%, respectively, of the primary colorectal carcinomas. By contrast, ERβ5 expression was found in all primary colorectal carcinomas and all colorectal carcinoma cell lines studied. Lower ERβ1 protein expression was associated with poorer differentiation, higher pT stage and absence of microsatellite instability. Higher ERβ2 protein expression was associated with right‐sided location and presence of lymph node metastases. Protein expression of ERβ1 correlated positively with expression of the oestrogen‐responsive protein trefoil factor 1 (TFF1). There was no correlation between ERβ protein isoform expression and response to 5‐fluorouracil therapy, tumour proliferation, or thymidylate synthase expression. These data suggest that ERβ1 and/or ERβ2 isoform expression may have prognostic value and may explain sex‐related differences in microsatellite instability and colorectal carcinoma. The opposing associations shown by ERβ1 and/or ERβ2 in relation to colorectal carcinoma are in keeping with differential activities shown by the two isoforms. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn due to congenital capillary alveolar dysplasia
Authors: Singh Soraisham Amuchou , Ibrahim Thowfique , Clark Deborah Jane , Taylor Richard Scott , George David Hilles
Published: June 2005

Congenital alveolar capillary dysplasia is a rare and fatal cause of pulmonary hypertension in neonates. We report on a term baby with severe pulmonary hypertension unresponsive to high‐frequency ventilation and nitric oxide. A diagnosis of alveolar capillary dysplasia was established on autopsy. We review the literature regarding pathophysiology, clinical presentations, associated malformations, and treatment trials. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Near‐Infrared and Visible Absorption Spectroscopy of Nano‐Energetic Materials Containing Aluminum and Boron
Authors: Yang Yanqiang , Wang Shufeng , Sun Zhaoyong , Dlott Dana D.
Published: June 2005

Near‐infrared and visible absorption spectra are measured for nano‐energetic materials consisting of thirteen different types of Al or B nano‐particles in the 30 nm to 1 μm size range embedded in nitrocellulose or Teflon oxidizers, using an integrating sphere absorption spectrometer. The Al nano‐particle absorption is generally similar to the spectra of bulk Al, but the absorption strength is size‐dependent and up to twelve times more intense. Absorption coefficients are determined as a function of nano‐particle loading. For Al particles where the size is known, per particle cross sections are also determined. The ratio of cross section to volume decreases with increasing particle size. The implications of these measurements for nano‐sized energetic material analysis and for laser‐ignition experiments are briefly discussed.
Re‐Calibration of the UK Large Scale Gap Test
Authors: Bourne Neil K. , Cooper Gary A. , Burley Stephen J. , Fung Virgil , Hollands Ron
Published: June 2005

A new donor explosive, ROWANEX 3601 has been selected for use in the large scale gap test (LSGT). It was necessary to calibrate the peak pressure recorded on the central axis of the PMMA gap using calibrated piezo‐resistive pressure transducers as a function of the gap thickness. The stress history within the PMMA gap was measured and the peak pressure plotted against gap thickness as a calibration. Further effects were noted relating to the curvature of front exiting the donor charge and the validity of the measurement of the transmitted shock at small gap thicknesses.
Metal/Fluorocarbon Pyrolants: VI. Combustion Behaviour and Radiation Properties of Magnesium/Poly(Carbon Monofluoride) Pyrolant
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian
Published: June 2005

The performance of poly(carbon monofluoride) (PMF) (synonym: graphite fluoride) (CFx)n, (1) as oxidizer in a fuel rich Mg based pyrolant (ξ(Mg)=0.45) is investigated. The radiance [W sr−1] under both static and dynamic conditions, the spectral radiant exitance [W cm−2 μm−1], the linear burn rate [mm s−1] and the mass consumption rate [g s−1 cm−2] have been determined. Calculations for enthalpy of anaerobic and aerobic combustion [kJ g−1] and for the equilibrium composition of the combustion products as well as combustion temperature are given. A mechanism for the reaction is discussed. The combustion product from Mg/(CFx)n surprisingly reveals the formation of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and “carbon nano carpet rolls” (CNCR). For part V see Ref. [1].
Shaped Charge Optimization against ERA Targets
Authors: Held Manfred
Published: June 2005

Shaped charges with different angles or/and different liner wall thicknesses have been tested against an explosive reactive armor sandwich. The reason was to find out if more robust shaped charges give more residual penetration against an ERA sandwich, compared to shaped charges with more penetration performance in RHA targets. It was thought, that the latter ones are more sensitive against disturbances. But the shaped charges with the higher perforation capability have typically higher jet tip velocities and this gives more residual penetration also against ERA targets. In other words the so‐called more robust charges gave less performance against the ERA sandwiches than the shaped charges which have higher performance in RHA targets.
Projectile Attack of Surface Scattered Munitions Comparing Closed Form Theory with Live Trials
Authors: Almond Robert J. , Murray Stephen G.
Published: June 2005

This paper describes research that has been undertaken to develop a low‐cost vehicle‐mounted gun system to provide for the rapid disposal of surface deployed munitions (principally mines) from up to 100 m distance. Inert high‐shock projectiles with optimized internal, external and terminal ballistic performance have been developed during this study. Work on shock wave interaction was reviewed in terms of the Rankine‐Hugoniot jump equations, and Walker and Wasley criterion has been employed using two modifications from James to predict initiation in this divergent shock application.
Low Temperature Non‐Isothermal Aging of Nitrocellulose
Authors: Bauer Clare L. , Deacon Paul R. , Garman Russell N. , Emsley Alan M. , Jones John R.
Published: June 2005

Slow multi‐sample thermal ramp aging experiments were performed on high viscosity lacquer grade nitrocellulose over the temperature range 30–80 °C. Nitrocellulose was used in the fibrous state, in solution and as the gelatinous nitro‐plasticized binder used to bind high explosive crystals (HMX) in a polymer‐bonded explosive (PBX) formulation. Samples were subjected to a slow, stable heating rate (dT/dt) of 10 °C per day with periodic sample withdrawal for analysis by triple detector size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity data indicate inter‐chain recombination/aggregation for fibrous material or highly concentrated solutions, when dry. When in fibrous or gelatinous binder form, little degradation was observed, aside from apparent recombination/aggregation. As a concentrated solution complex behavior was noted; fast eluting peaks formed with increased temperature, accompanied by rapid molecular weight reduction and a marked decrease in light scattering peak area. Progressive dilution of nitrocellulose solutions and/or addition of very small quantities of water reduced the recombination/aggregation effects but did not appear to significantly affect the overall rate of nitrocellulose degradation. Activation energies for nitrocellulose chain scission have been estimated from the molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity data obtained by the thermal ramp method.
Photoluminescence studies of GaN: A comparison between layers grown on sapphire and nitridated GaAs layers
Authors: Escobosa Arturo , Sánchez‐R. Victor M. , Avendaño Miguel A. , Navarro Gerardo
Published: June 2005

Gallium nitride layers were grown epitaxially on sapphire substrates in a LP‐MOCVD reactor using trimethylgallium and ammonia. GaN films were also obtained by nitridation, exposing GaAs substrates to ammonia in the same reactor under similar conditions. The temperature ranged between 750 °C and 900 °C, while the pressure was adjusted between 75 and 585 Torr. Photoluminescence measurements were made on the samples using a 325 nm He–Cd laser; near band edge emission and subbandgap luminescence were observed. The luminescence color of the sapphire grown layers went from orange to yellow‐green, while it ranged from yellow to blue‐violet in the nitridated samples. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spin magnetic moments from single atoms to small Cr clusters
Authors: Boeglin C. , Ohresser P. , Decker R. , Bulou H. , Scheurer F. , Chado I. , Dhesi S. S. , Gaudry E. , Lazarovits B.
Published: June 2005

Morphology studies at the first stages of the growth of Cr/Au(111) are reported and compared to the magnetic properties of the nanostructures. We analyze by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Low Energy Electron Diffraction the Cr clusters growth between 200 K and 300 K. In the early stages of the growth the morphology of the clusters shows monoatomic high islands located at the kinks of the herringbone reconstructed Au(111) surface. By X‐ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism performed on the Cr L2,3 edges it is shown that the temperature dependent morphology strongly influences the magnetic properties of the Cr clusters. We show that in the sub‐monolayer regime Cr clusters are antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic when the size reaches the atomic limit. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Symmetries and anisotropies of the electronic states within full spin–orbit coupling
Authors: Marques G. E. , Bittencourt A. C. R. , Lopez‐Richard V. , Destefani C. F. , Ulloa Sergio E.
Published: June 2005

We have analyzed how the symmetries and the anisotropies of energy dispersions and of the spinor states, within full spin–orbit interaction, form the two independent circular spin polarizations. We also compare how the effects produced by Rashba and Dresselhauss interaction terms act on the structure of the Hilbert space. These aspects are used to envisage a voltage controlled multichannel spin‐filtering regime in nonmagnetic diode structures. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron ionization mass spectral fragmentation of cholestane‐3β,4α,5α‐triol and cholestane‐3β,5α,6α/β‐triol bis‐ and tris‐trimethylsilyl derivatives
Authors: Rontani J.‐F. , Aubert C.
Published: June 2005

The electron ionization (EI) mass spectral fragmentation of the bis‐ and tris‐trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane‐3β,4α,5α‐triol, cholestane‐3β,5α,6β‐triol and cholestane‐3β,5α,6α‐triol was investigated. The EI mass spectrum of the 3β,4α‐bis‐trimethylsilyl derivative of cholestane‐3β,4α,5α‐triol exhibits interesting fragment ions at m/z 142 and 332 resulting from the initial loss of TMSOH between the carbons 2 and 3 and subsequent retro‐Diels‐Alder (RDA) cleavage of the ring A. Trimethylsilyl transfer between the 4α‐ and the 5α‐hydroxy groups acts significantly before RDA cleavage affording an ion at m/z 404. Complete silylation of cholestane‐3β,4α,5α‐triol strongly stabilizes the molecule, affording an abundant molecular ion at m/z 636 and decreasing the abundance of the RDA cleavage. Loss of water (from the non‐silylated 5α‐hydroxy group) plays a very important role during the decomposition of the molecular ion of 3β,6α/β‐bis‐trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane‐3β,5α,6α/β‐triols. These derivatives appear to be very useful in assigning the configuration of the carbon 6. This assignment is based on the abundance of the fragment ions at m/z 321, 367 and 403, which are more prominent in the EI mass spectrum of the β‐isomer. In contrast, EI mass spectra of the tris‐trimethylsilyl derivatives of cholestane‐3β,5α,6β‐triol and cholestane‐3β,5α,6α‐triol differ only slightly and appear to be poorly informative. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.