bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoloration of Amaranth by the white-rot fungusTrametes versicolor. Part I. Statistical analysis
Authors: Gavril Mihaela , Hodson Peter V. , McLellan Jim
Published: May 2007

The white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor decolorized the mono-azo-substituted naphthalenic dye Amaranth. The relationship between the amount of enzymes present in the system and the efficiency of the decoloration process was investigated. The two responses used to quantify the process of decoloration (i.e., initial decoloration rate, v0, and the percent concentration of dye decolorized in 1 h, %c) were correlated with the amount of three enzymes considered for the study (lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase) and analyzed through stepwise regression analysis (forward, backward, and mixed). The results of the correlation analysis and those of the regression analysis indicated that lignin peroxidase is the enzyme having the greatest influence on the two responses.
Comparison of rhizobia that nodulate Medicago laciniata and Medicago truncatula present in a single Tunisian arid soil
Authors: Badri Y. , Zribi K. , Badri M. , Huguet T. , van Berkum P. , Aouani M.E.
Published: May 2007

The rhizobia present in a single arid region Tunisian soil that nodulate Medicago laciniata and Medicago truncatula were compared. All isolates, 40 from each host, were Sinorhizobium meliloti based on 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) patterns and subsequent confirmation by sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA genes in four representatives from each host species. There was no apparent relationship between Medicago host species of isolation and the nodulating rhizobial genome as determined by repetitive extragenic palandromic PCR. The isolates of M. laciniata were distinguished from those of M. truncatula present in the same soil by variation in PCR–RFLP of nifDK, indicating that this dissimilarity is originally genetic and not geographic. While forming effective symbioses with their own respective isolates, both M. laciniata and M. truncatula formed ineffective true nodules, nodule-like structures, or no nodules at all in cross-inoculation tests, as confirmed by the histological observations.
Atrioventricular conduction with and without AV nodal delay: two pathways to the bundle of His in the rabbit heart
Authors: Hucker William J. , Sharma Vinod , Nikolski Vladimir P. , Efimov Igor R.
Published: May 2007

The electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular (AV) nodal dual pathways have traditionally been investigated with premature stimuli delivered with right atrial pacing. However, little is known about the functional characteristics of AV nodal inputs outside of this context. Superfused rabbit triangle of Koch preparations ( n = 8) and Langendorff-perfused hearts ( n = 10) were paced throughout the triangle of Koch and mapped electrically and optically for activation pattern, electrogram and optical action potential morphologies, stimulation thresholds, and stimulus-His (S-H) intervals. Optical mapping and changes in His electrogram morphology were used to confirm the activation pathway. Pacing stimuli ≥2 mm above the tricuspid valve caused fast-pathway activation of the AV node and His with a threshold of 2.4 ± 1.6 mA. An area directly below the coronary sinus had high thresholds (8.6 ± 1.4 mA) that also resulted in fast-pathway excitation ( P < 0.001). S-H intervals (81 ± 19 ms) for fast-pathway activation remained constant throughout the triangle of Koch, reflecting the AV delay. Stimuli applied <2 mm from the tricuspid valve resulted in slow pathway (SP) excitation or direct His excitation (4.4 ± 2.2 mA threshold; P < 0.001 compared with fast pathway). For SP/His pacing, S-H intervals showed a strong dependence on the distance from the His electrode and were significantly lower than S-H intervals for fast-pathway activation. SP/His pacing also displayed characteristic changes in His electrogram morphology. In conclusion, optical maps and S-H intervals for SP/His activation suggest that AV conduction via SP bypasses the compact AV node via the lower nodal bundle, which may be utilized to achieve long-term ventricular synchronization.
Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 Inversely Correlates with Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Activity and Associates with Poor Prognosis in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Ding Qingqing , He Xianghuo , Xia Weiya , Hsu Jung-Mao , Chen Chun-Te , Li Long-Yuan , Lee Dung-Fang , Yang Jer-Yen , Xie Xiaoming , Liu Jaw-Ching , Hung Mien-Chie
Published: May 2007

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), an antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, is overexpressed in many types of human cancer and associates with cell immortalization, malignant transformation, and chemoresistance. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway, is involved in multiple physiologic processes such as protein synthesis, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. Here, we report that expression of Mcl-1 was correlated with phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) at Ser9 (an inactivated form of GSK-3β) in multiple cancer cell lines and primary human cancer samples. In addition, Mcl-1 was strikingly linked with poor prognosis of human breast cancer, in which the high level of Mcl-1 was related to high tumor grade and poor survival of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, we found that activation of GSK-3β could down-regulate Mcl-1 and was required for proteasome-mediated Mcl-1 degradation. Under some physiologic conditions, such as UV irradiation, anticancer drug treatment, and inhibition of growth factor pathways, Mcl-1 was down-regulated through activation of GSK-3β. Our results indicate that Mcl-1 stabilization by GSK-3β inactivation could be involved in tumorigenesis and serve as a useful prognostic marker for human breast cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(10):4564–71]
Inhibition of p38α Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Prevents the Development of Osteolytic Bone Disease, Reduces Tumor Burden, and Increases Survival in Murine Models of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Vanderkerken Karin , Medicherla Satya , Coulton Les , De Raeve Hendrik , Willems Angelo , Lawson Michelle , Van Camp Ben , Protter Andrew A. , Higgins Linda S. , Menu Eline , Croucher Peter I.
Published: May 2007

The bone microenvironment plays a critical role in supporting the growth and survival of multiple myeloma as well as in the development of osteolytic bone disease. Signaling through p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediates synthesis of multiple myeloma cell growth factors, and its inhibition reduces proliferation in vitro. However, it is unclear whether targeting p38α MAPK prevents multiple myeloma growth and the development of bone disease in vivo. In this study, we determined whether SCIO-469, a selective p38α MAPK inhibitor, inhibits multiple myeloma growth and prevents bone disease in the 5T2MM and 5T33MM models. SCIO-469 decreased constitutive p38α MAPK phosphorylation of both 5T2MM and 5T33MM cells in vitro. This was associated with decreased DNA synthesis and an induction of apoptosis when the cells were cultured with bone marrow stromal cells. Treatment of C57Bl/KaLwRij mice bearing 5T33MM cells with SCIO-469 inhibited p38α MAPK phosphorylation and was associated with a significant decrease in serum paraprotein, an almost complete reduction in tumor cells in the bone marrow, a decrease in angiogenesis, and a significant increase in disease-free survival. Injection of 5T2MM murine myeloma cells into C57Bl/KaLwRij mice resulted in myeloma bone disease characterized by increased osteoclast occupation of the bone surface, reduced cancellous bone, and the development of osteolytic bone lesions. Treatment of 5T2MM-injected mice with SCIO-469 reduced this development of bone disease. Together, these data show that targeting p38α MAPK with SCIO-469 decreases myeloma burden in vivo, in addition to preventing the development of myeloma bone disease. [Cancer Res 2007;67(10):4572–7]
The 2006 William Feinberg Lecture
Authors: Sacco Ralph L.
Published: May 2007

By the year 2010, it is estimated that 18.1 million people worldwide will die annually because of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. “Global vascular risk” more broadly includes the multiple overlapping disease silos of stroke, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and vascular death. Estimation of global vascular risk requires consideration of a variety of variables including demographics, environmental behaviors, and risk factors. Data from multiple studies suggest continuous linear relationships between the physiological vascular risk modulators of blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose rather than treating these conditions as categorical risk factors. Constellations of risk factors may be more relevant than individual categorical components.

Exciting work with novel risk factors may also have predictive value in estimates of global vascular risk. Advances in imaging have led to the measurement of subclinical conditions such as carotid intima-media thickness and subclinical brain conditions such as white matter hyperintensities and silent infarcts. These subclinical measurements may be intermediate stages in the transition from asymptomatic to symptomatic vascular events, appear to be associated with the fundamental vascular risk factors, and represent opportunities to more precisely quantitate disease progression. The expansion of studies in molecular epidemiology and detection of genetic markers underlying vascular risks also promises to extend our precision of global vascular risk estimation.

Global vascular risk estimation will require quantitative methods that bundle these multi-dimensional data into more precise estimates of future risk. The power of genetic information coupled with data on demographics, risk-inducing behaviors, vascular risk modulators, biomarkers, and measures of subclinical conditions should provide the most realistic approximation of an individual’s future global vascular risk. The ultimate public health benefit, however, will depend on not only identification of global vascular risk but also the realization that we can modify this risk and prove the prediction models wrong.
Complex Hemodynamics at the Apex of an Arterial Bifurcation Induces Vascular Remodeling Resembling Cerebral Aneurysm Initiation
Authors: Meng Hui , Wang Zhijie , Hoi Yiemeng , Gao Ling , Metaxa Eleni , Swartz Daniel D. , Kolega John
Published: May 2007

Background and Purpose—

Arterial bifurcation apices are common sites for cerebral aneurysms, raising the possibility that the unique hemodynamic conditions associated with flow dividers predispose the apical vessel wall to aneurysm formation. This study sought to identify the specific hemodynamic insults that lead to maladaptive vascular remodeling associated with aneurysm development and to identify early remodeling events at the tissue and cellular levels.

Methods—

We surgically created new branch points in the carotid vasculature of 6 female adult dogs. In vivo angiographic imaging and computational fluid dynamics simulations revealed the detailed hemodynamic microenvironment for each bifurcation, which were then spatially correlated with histologic features showing specific tissue responses.

Results—

We observed 2 distinct patterns of vessel wall remodeling: (1) hyperplasia that formed an intimal pad at the bifurcation apex and (2) destructive remodeling in the adjacent region of flow acceleration that resembled the initiation of an intracranial aneurysm, characterized by disruption of the internal elastic lamina, loss of medial smooth muscle cells, reduced proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and loss of fibronectin.

Conclusions—

Strong localization of aneurysm-type remodeling to the region of accelerating flow suggests that a combination of high wall shear stress and a high gradient in wall shear stress represents a “dangerous” hemodynamic condition that predisposes the apical vessel wall to aneurysm formation.
The Direct Material Inputs into Singapore's Development
Authors: Schulz Niels B.
Published: May 2007

Because human population and socioeconomic activity are both increasingly concentrated in cities, an improved understanding of the environmental consequences of urbanization is needed. A 41‐year annual time series of direct material flows was compiled for Singapore, representing a case of fast, export‐driven industrialization. Results show that the spectacular economic growth of Singapore by a factor of 20 was associated with a similar expansion of domestic material consumption (DMC). DMC remained closely coupled to economic activity, increasing from below 4 tonnes per capita annually in 1962 to more than 50 tonnes annually in 2000. Despite economic structural changes and a growing service sector, no significant improvements in overall material productivity have been observed.
Influence of the North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) 2004 Enhanced Soundings on NCEP Operational Analyses
Authors: Mo Kingtse C. , Rogers Eric , Ebisuzaki Wesley , Higgins R. Wayne , Woollen J. , Carrera M. L.
Published: May 2007

During the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) field campaign, an extensive set of enhanced atmospheric soundings was gathered over the southwest United States and Mexico. Most of these soundings were assimilated into the NCEP operational global and regional data assimilation systems in real time. This presents a unique opportunity to carry out a series of data assimilation experiments to examine their influence on the NCEP analyses and short-range forecasts. To quantify these impacts, several data-withholding experiments were carried out using the global Climate Data Assimilation System (CDAS), the Regional Climate Data Assimilation System (RCDAS), and the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) Eta Model Data Assimilation System (EDAS) for the NAME 2004 enhanced observation period (EOP).

The impacts of soundings vary between the assimilation systems examined in this study. Overall, the influence of the enhanced soundings is concentrated over the core monsoon area. While differences at upper levels are small, the differences at lower levels are more substantial. The coarse-resolution CDAS does not properly resolve the Gulf of California (GoC), so the assimilation system is not able to exploit the additional soundings to improve characteristics of the Gulf of California low-level jet (GCLLJ) and the associated moisture transport in the GoC region. In contrast, the GCLLJ produced by RCDAS is conspicuously stronger than the observations, though the problem is somewhat alleviated with additional special NAME soundings. For EDAS, soundings improve the intensity and position of the Great Plains low-level jet (GPLLJ). The soundings in general improve the analyses over the areas where the assimilation system has the largest uncertainties and errors. However, the differences in regional analyses owing to the soundings are smaller than the differences between the two regional data assimilation systems.
Sensitivity to Horizontal Resolution in the AGCM Simulations of Warm Season Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation over the United States and Northern Mexico
Authors: Lee Myong-In , Schubert Siegfried D. , Suarez Max J. , Held Isaac M. , Kumar Arun , Bell Thomas L. , Schemm Jae-Kyung E. , Lau Ngar-Cheung , Ploshay Jeffrey J. , Kim Hyun-Kyung , Yoo Soo-Hyun
Published: May 2007

This study examines the sensitivity of the North American warm season diurnal cycle of precipitation to changes in horizontal resolution in three atmospheric general circulation models, with a primary focus on how the parameterized moist processes respond to improved resolution of topography and associated local/regional circulations on the diurnal time scale. It is found that increasing resolution (from approximately 2° to ½° in latitude–longitude) has a mixed impact on the simulated diurnal cycle of precipitation. Higher resolution generally improves the initiation and downslope propagation of moist convection over the Rockies and the adjacent Great Plains. The propagating signals, however, do not extend beyond the slope region, thereby likely contributing to a dry bias in the Great Plains. Similar improvements in the propagating signals are also found in the diurnal cycle over the North American monsoon region as the models begin to resolve the Gulf of California and the surrounding steep terrain. In general, the phase of the diurnal cycle of precipitation improves with increasing resolution, though not always monotonically. Nevertheless, large errors in both the phase and amplitude of the diurnal cycle in precipitation remain even at the highest resolution considered here. These errors tend to be associated with unrealistically strong coupling of the convection to the surface heating and suggest that improved simulations of the diurnal cycle of precipitation require further improvements in the parameterizations of moist convection processes.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Precipitation Intensity as Observed by the NAME Event Rain Gauge Network from 2002 to 2004
Authors: Gochis David J. , Watts Christopher J. , Garatuza-Payan Jaime , Cesar-Rodriguez Julio
Published: May 2007

Detailed information on the spatial and temporal characteristics of precipitation intensity from the mountainous region of northwest Mexico has, until recently, been lacking. As part of the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) enhanced observing period (EOP) surface rain gauge networks along with weather radar and orbiting satellites were employed to observe precipitation in a manner heretofore unprecedented for this semiarid region. The NAME Event Rain gauge Network (NERN), which has been in operation since 2002, contributed to this effort. Building on previous work, this paper presents analyses on the spatial and temporal characteristics of precipitation intensity as observed by NERN gauges. Analyses from the 2004 EOP are compared with the 2002–04 period and with long-term gauge observations. It was found that total precipitation from July to August of 2004 was similar in spatial extent and magnitude to the long-term average, though substantially wetter than 2003. Statistical analyses of precipitation intensity data from the NERN reveal that large precipitation events at hourly and daily time scales are restricted to coastal and low-elevation areas west of the Sierra Madre Occidental. At 10-min time scales, maximum intensity values equal to those at low elevations could be observed at higher elevations though they were comparatively infrequent. It is also shown that the inclusion of NERN observations in existing operational analyses helps to correct significant biases, which, on the seasonal time scale, are of similar magnitude as the interannual variability in precipitation in key headwater regions of northwest Mexico.
Modeling Intraseasonal Features of 2004 North American Monsoon Precipitation
Authors: Gao X. , Li J. , Sorooshian S.
Published: May 2007

This study examines the capabilities and limitations of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) in predicting the precipitation and circulation features that accompanied the 2004 North American monsoon (NAM). When the model is reinitialized every 5 days to restrain the growth of modeling errors, its results for precipitation checked at subseasonal time scales (not for individual rainfall events) become comparable with ground- and satellite-based observations as well as with the NAM’s diagnostic characteristics. The modeled monthly precipitation illustrates the evolution patterns of monsoon rainfall, although it underestimates the rainfall amount and coverage area in comparison with observations. The modeled daily precipitation shows the transition from dry to wet episodes on the monsoon onset day over the Arizona–New Mexico region, and the multiday heavy rainfall (>1 mm day−1) and dry periods after the onset. All these modeling predictions agree with observed variations. The model also accurately simulated the onset and ending dates of four major moisture surges over the Gulf of California during the 2004 monsoon season. The model reproduced the strong diurnal variability of the NAM precipitation, but did not predict the observed diurnal feature of the precipitation peak’s shift from the mountains to the coast during local afternoon to late night. In general, the model is able to reproduce the major, critical patterns and dynamic variations of the NAM rainfall at intraseasonal time scales, but still includes errors in precipitation quantity, pattern, and timing. The numerical study suggests that these errors are due largely to deficiencies in the model’s cumulus convective parameterization scheme, which is responsible for the model’s precipitation generation.
Chronic Disease and Lifestyle Transitions
Authors: van Gool Coen H. , Kempen Gertrudis I. J. M. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Deeg Dorly J. H. , van Eijk Jacques Th. M.
Published: May 2007

Objective: This article addresses the association between course of chronic disease and lifestyle. Method: We examined differences in unhealthy lifestyles—smoking, excessive alcohol use, being sedentary—and transitions herein after 6 years in prevalent and incident chronic disease categories— lung and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis and/or rheumatic arthritis—among 2,184 respondents aged 55 years and older from the Netherlands. We also examined if transitions in lifestyle co-occurred with changes in disease-related symptomatology. Results: Proportions of respondents who smoked decreased over time, whereas proportions of respondents who were sedentary increased. Respondents with incident cardiovascular disease demonstrated more lifestyle transitions than respondents from other disease categories. Respondents demonstrating healthy lifestyle transitions did not differ from those persisting in unhealthy lifestyles in change in disease-related symptoms. Discussion: Health promotion may benefit from these findings in a way that patient groups at risk for not initiating healthy lifestyles might be identified sooner.
Government and University: The Emergence of Academic Biology in Venezuela
Authors: Arnal Yolanda Texera
Published: May 2007

This article describes the factors that played a role in paving the way for the emergence of the basic sciences, in particular biology, at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in 1946. Account has been taken of the fluid, dynamic situation in the country—at that time undergoing a process of change—that influenced the visions of the players taking part in this project, which unfolded in a university environment that demanded profound changes, both on the political-academic front and in terms of physical infrastructure, to enable it to adapt to the process of modernisation that was taking place. In order to put this research into its proper context, we have examined elements from the world of politics, and from the economic and social fields, as well as aspects of the dominant culture. In existing documentation, moreover, there are indications of agreements and disagreements among members of the university itself, and between the university and representatives of the government, a struggle that reveals personal preferences, given approaches and political commitments, visions of science and even professional jealousies.
Micromechanical Modeling of Switching Effects in Piezoelectric Materials — A Robust Coupled Finite Element Approach
Authors: Arockiarajan Arunachalakasi , Menzel Andreas , Delibas Buelent , Seemann Wolfgang
Published: May 2007

A micromechanically motivated model for piezoelectric materials has been developed in this work. In particular, the nonlinear behavior of poly-crystalline specimens with tetragonal perovskite-type substructure are studied, and a robust three-dimensional coupled finite element formulation is elaborated. Differently oriented grains are taken into account within the proposed model, whereby representative dipole directions attached to each grain are randomly oriented. Furthermore, an energy reduction criterion applied to individual domains is adopted as a criterion for the initiation of domain switching processes. Based on this, macroscopic bulk response can be predicted by classical volume-averaging techniques. In practice, however, domain switching might occur even below the classical critical energy barrier which mainly stems from so-called intergranular effects. These effects are incorporated into the developed framework via a phenomenologically motivated probabilistic approach by relating the actual energy level to a critical energy level. In order to compare representative coupled finite element examples with experimental data reported in the literature, macroscopically uni-axial and quasi-static loading is applied to the bulk material: first, hysteresis and butterfly curves under purely electrical loading are discussed; secondly, additional mechanical loads in axial and lateral direction are applied to the specimen.
Examining the Effects of Fashion Activities on Life Satisfaction of Older Females: Activity Theory Revisited
Authors: Joung Hyun‐Mee , Miller Nancy J.
Published: May 2007

This study applied activity theory to older female consumers' apparel shopping behavior and explored relationships among these consumers' characteristics, social activity, fashion‐apparel shopping orientation, apparel shopping activity, and life satisfaction. A self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to 1,000 females older than age 55 living in a midwestern state. A total of 386 (38.6%) questionnaires were used in the study. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of older female consumers' characteristics, social activity, fashion‐apparel shopping orientation, and apparel shopping activity on life satisfaction. The regression results indicate that the following variables significantly contributed to the older female consumer's life satisfaction: age, education, income, self‐assessed health, fashion involvement, and frequency of participation in leisure and informal social activities. Participation in apparel shopping activity did not contribute to life satisfaction when controlling for the other variables in the regression analysis.
Representations of the nation and cultural diversity in discourses on World Heritage
Authors: Labadi Sophia
Published: May 2007

This article presents the main values for which 106 sites have been nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List. The article then analyses how these values have been used for the representation of the nation, the past and cultural diversity and the construction of national collective identities. The exclusions of specific themes and groups of the population as well as their histories and values from these representations are highlighted. Finally, international efforts that aim to relocate these themes and subjects from a marginal to a more central position within official discourses on World Heritage are detailed.
The immune response to lentiviral-delivered transgene is modulated in vivo by transgene-expressing antigen-presenting cells but not by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Annoni Andrea , Battaglia Manuela , Follenzi Antonia , Lombardo Angelo , Sergi-Sergi Lucia , Naldini Luigi , Roncarolo Maria-Grazia
Published: May 2007

Systemic delivery of lentiviral vector (LV) in immunocompetent mice leads to efficient in vivo cell transduction and expression of the encoded protein under the control of the ubiquitous promoter of human cytomegalovirus (CMV). However, antitransgene immune response results in clearance of transduced cells 4 weeks after injection. T regulatory cells (Tregs), which have been demonstrated to control immune responses in vivo, were tested for their ability to suppress antitransgene response leading to stable long-term expression. Adoptive transfer of natural CD4+CD25+ Tregs (nTregs) isolated from wild type (wt) mice or from transgene tolerant transgenic (tg) mice did not suppress the antitransgene immune response after LV delivery. These data demonstrate that neither increasing the endogenous pool of natural Tregs nor transferring nTregs selected in a transgene-expressing thymus can modulate the immune response and mediate sustained transgene expression. Conversely, adoptive transfer of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) isolated from transgene-tolerant tg mice efficiently reduced the immune response leading to stable LV-encoded protein expression in vivo. Reduction of CD8+ effector T cells was observed in LV-treated mice coinjected with transgene-expressing APCs compared with control mice. These data indicate that antitransgene immune response can be modulated by transgene-expressing APCs possibly through deletion of effector T cells.
Platelet factor 4 is a negative autocrine in vivo regulator of megakaryopoiesis: clinical and therapeutic implications
Authors: Lambert Michele P. , Rauova Lubica , Bailey Matthew , Sola-Visner Martha C. , Kowalska M. Anna , Poncz Mortimer
Published: May 2007

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) is a negative regulator of megakaryopoiesis in vitro. We have now examined whether PF4 regulates megakaryopoiesis in vivo by studying PF4 knockout mice and transgenic mice that overexpress human (h) PF4. Steady-state platelet count and thrombocrit in these animals was inversely related to platelet PF4 content. Growth of megakaryocyte colonies was also inversely related to platelet PF4 content. Function-blocking anti-PF4 antibody reversed this inhibition of megakaryocyte colony growth, indicating the importance of local PF4 released from developing megakaryocytes. The effect of megakaryocyte damage and release of PF4 on 5-fluorouracil–induced marrow failure was then examined. Severity of thrombocytopenia and time to recovery of platelet counts were inversely related to initial PF4 content. Recovery was faster and more extensive, especially in PF4-overexpressing mice, after treatment with anti-PF4 blocking antibodies, suggesting a means to limit the duration of such a chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, especially in individuals with high endogenous levels of PF4. We found that approximately 8% of 250 healthy adults have elevated (> 2 times average) platelet PF4 content. These individuals with high levels of platelet PF4 may be especially sensitive to developing thrombocytopenia after bone marrow injury and may benefit from approaches that block the effects of released PF4.
Eosinophils contribute to innate antiviral immunity and promote clearance of respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Phipps Simon , Lam Chuan En , Mahalingam Suresh , Newhouse Matthew , Ramirez Ruben , Rosenberg Helene F. , Foster Paul S. , Matthaei Klaus I.
Published: May 2007

Eosinophils are recruited to the lungs in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection; however, their role in promoting antiviral host defense remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that eosinophils express TLRs that recognize viral nucleic acids, are activated and degranulate after single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) stimulation of the TLR-7–MyD88 pathway, and provide host defense against RSV that is MyD88 dependent. In contrast to wild-type mice, virus clearance from lung tissue was more rapid in hypereosinophilic (interleukin-5 transgenic) mice. Transfer of wild-type but not MyD88-deficient eosinophils to the lungs of RSV-infected wild-type mice accelerated virus clearance and inhibited the development of airways hyperreactivity. Similar responses were observed when infected recipient mice were MyD88 deficient. Eosinophils isolated from infected hypereosinophilic MyD88-sufficient but not MyD88-deficient mice expressed greater amounts of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)–7 and eosinophil-associated ribonucleases EAR-1 and EAR-2. Hypereosinophilia in the airways of infected mice also correlated with increased expression of IRF-7, IFN-β, and NOS-2, and inhibition of NO production with the NOS-2 inhibitor L-NMA partially reversed the accelerated virus clearance promoted by eosinophils. Collectively, our results demonstrate that eosinophils can protect against RSV in vivo, as they promote virus clearance and may thus limit virus-induced lung dysfunction.
Pivotal Advance: Endogenous pathway to SIRS, sepsis, and related conditions
Authors: Tang Amy H , Brunn Gregory J , Cascalho Marilia , Platt Jeffrey L
Published: May 2007

TLRs are usually thought to recognize substances produced by microorganisms and thus, to initiate host defenses. This concept, however, fails to explain some functions of this family of receptors. Recognition of endogenous substances may explain the broader functions of TLRs in physiology and disease. Activation of TLRs by endogenous substances necessitates vigorous control of the function of the receptors. This communication will summarize a line of research, which points to an endogenous agonist for TLR4 and a putative mechanism for controlling the function of that receptor.
Weaning Triggers a Decrease in Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand Expression, Widespread Osteoclast Apoptosis, and Rapid Recovery of Bone Mass after Lactation in Mice
Authors: Ardeshirpour Laleh , Dann Pamela , Adams Douglas J. , Nelson Tracey , VanHouten Joshua , Horowitz Mark C. , Wysolmerski John J.
Published: May 2007

A significant portion of milk calcium comes from the mother’s skeleton, and lactation is characterized by rapid bone loss. The most remarkable aspect of this bone loss is its complete reversibility, and the time after weaning is the most rapid period of skeletal anabolism in adults. Despite this, little is known of the mechanisms by which the skeleton repairs itself after lactation. We examined changes in bone and calcium metabolism defining the transition from bone loss to bone recovery at weaning in mice. Bone mass decreases during lactation and recovers rapidly after weaning. Lactation causes changes in bone microarchitecture, including thinning and perforation of trabecular plates that are quickly repaired after weaning. Weaning causes a rapid decline in urinary C-telopeptide levels and stimulates an increase in circulating levels of osteocalcin. Bone histomorphometry documented a significant reduction in the numbers of osteoclasts on d 3 after weaning caused by a coordinated wave of osteoclast apoptosis beginning 48 h after pup removal. In contrast, osteoblast numbers and bone formation rates, which are elevated during lactation, remain so 3 d after weaning. The cessation of lactation stimulates an increase in circulating calcium levels and a reciprocal decrease in PTH levels. Finally, weaning is associated with a decrease in levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand mRNA in bone. In conclusion, during lactation, bone turnover is elevated, and bone loss is rapid. Weaning causes selective apoptosis of osteoclasts halting bone resorption. The sudden shift in bone turnover favoring bone formation subsequently contributes to the rapid recovery of bone mass.
Distinct Roles for Steroidogenic factor 1 and Desert hedgehog Pathways in Fetal and Adult Leydig Cell Development
Authors: Park Susan Y. , Tong Minghan , Jameson J. Larry
Published: May 2007

Testicular Leydig cells produce testosterone and provide the hormonal environment required for male virilization and spermatogenesis. In utero, fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) are necessary for the development of the Wolffian duct and male external genitalia. Steroidogenic factor 1 (Sf1) is a transcriptional regulator of hormone biosynthesis genes, thus serving a central role in the Leydig cell. Desert hedgehog (Dhh), a Sertoli cell product, specifies the FLC lineage in the primordial gonad through a paracrine signaling mechanism. Postnatally, FLCs are replaced in the testis by morphologically distinct adult Leydig cells (ALCs). To study a putative interaction between Sf1 and Dhh, we crossed Sf1 heterozygous mutant mice with Dhh homozygous null mice to test the function of these two genes in vivo. All of the compound Sf1+/−; Dhh−/− mutants failed to masculinize and were externally female. However, embryonic gonads contained anastomotic testis cords with Sertoli cells and germ cells, indicating that sex reversal was not attributable to a fate switch of the early gonad. Instead, external feminization was attributable to the absence of differentiated FLCs in XY compound mutant mice. ALCs also failed to develop, suggesting either a dependence of ALCs on the prenatal establishment of Leydig cell precursors or that Sf1 and Dhh are both required for ALC maturation. In summary, this study provides genetic evidence that combinatorial expression of the paracrine factor Dhh and nuclear transcription factor Sf1 is required for Leydig cell development.
Control techniques for structural testing: A review
Authors: Plummer A. R.
Published: May 2007

Dynamic testing of structures and components in the laboratory to determine their mechanical properties is an essential part of engineering research and development. Test apparatus of increasing sophistication has been designed over the past few decades to replicate real-world forces and motions within the laboratory environment. Accurate control of actuators is vital to the effectiveness of such apparatus, and a variety of closed- and open-loop control algorithms has been developed to address this need. The present paper reviews algorithms that are currently used in the testing industry, as well as those which are the subject of academic and industrial research. The techniques are presented in an analytical framework. As both the required forces and frequency range are often high, electrohydraulic actuation is typically used, and discussion is restricted to this area. Most examples are from the automotive industry or civil engineering field.
Assessment of controller strategies for real-time dynamic substructuring of a lightly damped system
Authors: Stoten D P , Lim C. N. , Neild S. A.
Published: May 2007

The concept of real-time substructuring enables a complex engineering system to be tested via physical experimentation on one of its subcomponents, which then interacts with a numerical model of the remaining parts of the overall system. In the present paper, the substructuring technique is used to emulate a two degree-of-freedom mechanical system which has a low level of damping. The numerical model displacement, determined at the interface between the physical and numerical components, is used by a substructuring controller to impose the same displacement onto the physical component. This is achieved via a servohydraulic actuator, with the simultaneously measured reactive force at the interface being passed back to the numerical model, using a load cell attached to the physical test rig.

In this paper, several forms of controllers are proposed to compensate for the substructured system actuator dynamics, thus ensuring minimal interface error between the two components for accurate emulation of the complete system. Experiments are presented to illustrate the performance of these controllers, which ranged from fixed-gain linear algorithms to an adaptive scheme. Analysis of the results highlight the salient features of substructuring and substructured system control for lightly damped systems.
Selected Exonic Sequencing of the AGXT Gene Provides a Genetic Diagnosis in 50% of Patients with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1
Authors: Williams Emma , Rumsby Gill
Published: May 2007

Background: Definitive diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) requires analysis of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) activity in the liver. We have previously shown that targeted screening for the 3 most common mutations in the AGXT gene (c.33_34insC, c.508G>A, and c.731T>C) can provide a molecular diagnosis in 34.5% of PH1 patients, eliminating the need for a liver biopsy. Having reviewed the distribution of all AGXT mutations, we have evaluated a diagnostic strategy that uses selected exon sequencing for the molecular diagnosis of PH1.

Methods: We sequenced exons 1, 4, and 7 for 300 biopsy-confirmed PH1 patients and expressed the identified missense mutations in vitro.

Results: Our identification of at least 1 mutation in 224 patients (75%) and 2 mutations in 149 patients increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 50%. We detected 29 kinds of sequence changes, 15 of which were novel. Four of these mutations were in exon 1 (c.2_3delinsAT, c.30_32delCC, c.122G>A, c.126delG), 7 were in exon 4 (c.447_454delGCTGCTGT, c.449T>C, c.473C>T, c.481G>A, c.481G>T, c.497T>C, c.424-2A>G), and 4 were in exon 7 (c.725insT, c.737G>A, c.757T>C, c.776 + 1G>A). The missense changes were associated with severely decreased AGT catalytic activity and negative immunoreactivity when expressed in vitro. Missense mutation c.26C>A, previously described as a pathological mutation, had activity similar to that of the wild-type enzyme.

Conclusions: Selective exon sequencing can allow a definitive diagnosis in 50% of PH1 patients. The test offers a rapid turnaround time (15 days) with minimal risk to the patient. Demonstration of the expression of missense changes is essential to demonstrate pathogenicity.
First Record of Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus in Rainbow Trout Fry in Croatia
Authors: Vardić I. , Kapetanović D. , Teskeredžić Z. , Teskeredžić E.
Published: May 2007

The paper describes the first diagnosis of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in Croatia. The viral causative agent was detected in pooled organ samples from the imported rainbow trout fry on the fish farm. Reverse transcriptase - semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT- snPCR) was applied directly on the infected tissue for rapid virus detection. After isolation on cell cultures, IHNV isolate was characterised on the basis of the 303 nt region of the glycoprotein gene (Mid-G) sequence. Phylogenetic comparison to North American and European IHNV isolates revealed that this Croatian isolate belongs to the M genogroup, confirming the prediction of the M genogroup origin of European IHNV isolates. The introduction of the virus presents a threat of further spreading of the disease in Croatia, as the infected farm is in a direct contact with the open waters.
Content of Iodine in Broiler Meat
Authors: Herzig I. , Trávníček J. , Kursa V. , Kroupová J. , Řezníček I.
Published: May 2007

The present study brings current information on providing broilers with the required iodine level by the determination of its content in breast and leg muscles and on the relationship between those concentrations and iodine intake by the human population. The iodine content was assessed by the Sandell-Kolthoff method in 84 samples of broiler breast and leg muscles from seven farms in four districts of the Czech Republic, collected during the period from August to September 2004. Average iodine content in broiler breast and leg muscles was 18.9 ± 6.71 μg I kg-1 and 38.1 ± 19.79 μg I kg-1, respectively, and coefficient of variation was 35.5% and 52.0%, respectively. Iodine concentration in leg muscles was statistically significantly higher (P < 0.0001) relative to breast muscles. Iodine level variations in the samples from respective farms were expressed in the levels range of 11.4 to 24.3 μg I kg-1 and 18.3 to 61.2 μg I kg-1 in breast and leg muscles, respectively. The detected variations might have been caused by different iodine saturation of broilers from different herds, manifestation of physiological ability of respective animals to utilize the iodine source, potential effect of goitrogens and environmental conditions. Statistical significance of correlation (P < 0.05) between average iodine levels in breast and leg muscles was confirmed in respective flocks (r = 0.91). It is necessary to accept the iodine content in broiler meat in the balance of iodine supply in the shopping basket of consumers. Provided that the average annual consumption of poultry meat is 23.9 kg with the iodine content of 18.9 μg kg-1 and 38.1 μg kg-1 in breast and leg muscles, respectively, the annual iodine intake is 452 to 911 μg; that represents 0.8 to 1.7% of the requirement per year, which is 150 μg day-1 for an adult person.
Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) detects a large X chromosome deletion including FMR1, FMR2, and IDS in a female patient with mental retardation
Authors: Probst Frank J. , Roeder Elizabeth R. , Enciso Victoria B. , Ou Zhishuo , Cooper M. Lance , Eng Patricia , Li Jiangzhen , Gu Yanghong , Stratton Robert F. , Chinault A. Craig , Shaw Chad A. , Sutton V. Reid , Cheung Sau Wai , Nelson David L.
Published: May 2007

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a new clinical test for the detection of well‐characterized genomic disorders caused by chromosomal deletions and duplications that result in gene copy number variation (CNV). This powerful assay detects an abnormality in approximately 7–9% of patients with various clinical phenotypes, including mental retardation. We report here on the results found in a 6‐year‐old girl with mildly dysmorphic facies, obesity, and marked developmental delay. CMA was requested and showed a heterozygous loss in copy number with clones derived from the genomic region cytogenetically defined as Xq27.3–Xq28. This loss was not cytogenetically visible but was seen on FISH analysis with clones from the region. Further studies confirmed a loss of one copy each of the FMR1, FMR2, and IDS genes (which are mutated in Fragile X syndrome, FRAXE syndrome, and Hunter syndrome, respectively). Skewed X‐inactivation has been previously reported in girls with deletions in this region and can lead to a combined Fragile X/Hunter syndrome phenotype in affected females. X‐inactivation and iduronate 2‐sulfatase (IDS) enzyme activity were therefore examined. X‐inactivation was found to be random in the child's peripheral leukocytes, and IDS enzyme activity was approximately half of the normal value. This case demonstrates the utility of CMA both for detecting a submicroscopic chromosomal deletion and for suggesting further testing that could possibly lead to therapeutic options for patients with developmental delay. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wide‐band reflective polarizers from cholesteric liquid crystals with stable optical properties
Authors: Xiao Jiumei , Cao Hui , He Wanli , Ma Zheng , Geng Jun , Wang Liping , Wang Ge , Yang Huai
Published: May 2007

A wide‐band reflective polarizer from glassy siloxane cyclic side‐chain liquid crystals with stable optical properties was developed. The pitch gradient that formed was first stored by rapid cooling, which, by preventing the crystallization of glassy materials, was a very easy way of keeping the molecular arrangement. Then, the polymer network that formed through UV‐initiated chain crosslinking of the photopolymerizable monomers in the reflective polarizer further stabilized the cholesteric structure stored by the former rapid cooling. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Expression of HSP72 after ELF‐EMF exposure in three cell lines
Authors: Gottwald Eric , Sontag Werner , Lahni Brigitte , Weibezahn Karl‐Friedrich
Published: May 2007

It has been reported that magnetic fields with flux densities ranging from µT to mT are able to induce heat shock factor, HSP72 mRNA or heat shock proteins in various cells. In this study we investigated changes in the HSP72 mRNA transcription level in three cell lines (HL‐60, H9c2, and Girardi heart cells) and in the intracellular HSP72 protein content in two cell lines (HL‐60 and Girardi heart cells) after treatment schemes using electromagnetic fields with a flux density of 2 µT to 4 mT, a frequency of 50 Hz and exposure times from 15 to 30 min. None of the treatments or modalities showed any significant effect on the HSP72 protein level, although HSP72 mRNA could be induced, at least to some extent, with one of the parameter combinations in all cell lines tested. Obviously, HSP72 mRNA transcription and translation are not necessarily coupled in certain cells. This leads to the conclusion that electromagnetic field effects on HSP72 mRNA levels are not indicative for downstream effects unless increased mRNA levels can be correlated with increased HSP72 protein levels as well. Bioelectromagnetics 28:509–518, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.