bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drosophila
flies in “Evolution Canyon” as a model for incipient sympatric speciation
Authors: Korol Abraham , Rashkovetsky Eugenia , Iliadi Konstantin , Nevo Eviatar
Published: November 2006

The genetic basis of population divergence leading to adaptive radiation and speciation is a major unresolved problem of evolutionary biology. Molecular elucidation of “speciation genes” advanced recently, yet it remains without clear identification of the gene complexes participating in reproductive isolation between natural populations, particularly, in sympatry. Genetic divergence was discovered between
Drosophila melanogaster
populations inhabiting ecologically contrasting, opposite slopes in “Evolution Canyon” (EC), Mt. Carmel, Israel. Interslope migration of flies is easy and verified. Nevertheless, significant interslope
D. melanogaster
population divergence was established at EC involving habitat choice, mate choice, thermal and drought tolerances, adaptive genes, and mobile elements. Parallel patterns of stress tolerance, habitat choice, and mate choice were demonstrated in
Drosophila simulans
at EC, although on a smaller scale. However, some tests for interslope genetic differentiation in
Drosophila
, derived from the opposite EC slopes, gave somewhat controversial results. Here we present new empirical data on interslope genetic divergence of
Drosophila
at EC, and summarize previous supporting and controversial results. We suggest that
Drosophila
populations at EC represent a rare example, demonstrating how selection overrides migration, and propose an ad hoc ecological model of incipient sympatric divergence.
The diversity of definitions of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Falagas Matthew E. , Koletsi Patra K. , Bliziotis Ioannis A.
Published: November 2006

Different definitions of the terms multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been used in the biomedical literature. The authors searched for relevant studies indexed in the PubMed database (01/2000–09/2005) to systematically examine the various definitions of MDR and PDR for these bacteria. Initially 107 retrieved relevant studies were reviewed. Ninety-two studies were further analysed, 50 of which focused on A. baumannii and 42 on P. aeruginosa. A considerable diversity of definitions of the terms MDR and PDR A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa was found. Of note, the term PDR was inappropriately used in all five studies that used it. The review reveals that various definitions have been used for the terms MDR and PDR A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, a fact that causes confusion to researchers and clinicians. The authors believe that at least a widely accepted definition for PDR A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa should be uniformly used worldwide.
Staphylococcal secretory inhibitor of platelet microbicidal protein is associated with prostatitis source
Authors: Ivanov Iuri B. , Gritsenko Viktor A. , Kuzmin Michael D.
Published: November 2006

This study reports the detection of an extracellular staphylococcal product, designated secretory inhibitor of platelet microbicidal protein (SIPMP), that causes local inhibition of the bactericidal action of platelet microbicidal protein (PMP) in the fluid phase. Urethral isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (n=24) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (n=47) from patients with or without chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) were tested. SIPMP production was tested by inhibition of PMP bioactivity against Bacillus subtilis and was expressed as percentage inhibition of PMP bactericidal activity. The PMP susceptibility of staphylococcal strains was determined by exposing bacterial cells to serial dilutions of PMP. Staphylococci from patients without CBP produced SIPMP at levels of 10.3±1.2 and 13.25±1.72 % for S. aureus and CNS, respectively. Strains isolated from men with CBP inhibited PMP-induced killing of B. subtilis by 23.38±4.2 % (P<0.05) and 23.69±1.87 % (P<0.01) for S. aureus and CNS, respectively. SIPMP production correlated with staphylococcal resistance to PMP (r
2=0.6082 and 0.7264 for S. aureus and CNS, respectively). SIPMP represents a hitherto unrecognized determinant of staphylococcal pathogenicity. These results suggest that SIPMP production is associated with the CBP source. Data from this study may have significant implications for the understanding of the pathogenesis of CBP.
Enhancement of crystalline perfection by organic dopants in ZTS, ADP and KHP crystals as investigated by high-resolution XRD and SEM
Authors: Bhagavannarayana G. , Parthiban S. , Meenakshisundaram Subbiah
Published: November 2006

To reveal the influence of complexing agents on crystalline perfection, tristhiourea zinc(II) sulfate (ZTS), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) and potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) crystals grown by slow-evaporation solution growth technique using low concentrations (5 × 10−3M) of dopants like ethylenediamminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were characterized by high-resolution X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High-resolution diffraction curves (DCs) recorded for ZTS and ADP crystals doped with EDTA show that the specimen contains an epilayer, as observed by the additional peak in the DC, whereas undoped specimens do not have such additional peaks. On etching the surface layer, the additional peak due to the epilayer disappears and a very sharp DC is obtained, with full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of less than 10 arcsec, as expected from the plane wave dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction for an ideally perfect crystal. SEM micrographs also confirm the existence of an epilayer in doped specimens. The ZTS specimen has a layer with a rough surface morphology, having randomly oriented needles, whereas the ADP specimen contains a layer with dendric structure. In contrast to ADP and ZTS crystals, the DC of phen-doped KHP shows no additional peak, but it is quite broad (FWHM = 28 arcsec) with a high value of integrated intensity, ρ (area under the DC). The broadness of the DC and the high value of ρ indicate the formation of a mosaic layer on the surface of the crystal. However, similar to ADP and ZTS, the DC recorded after etching the surface layer of the KHP specimen shows a very sharp peak with an FWHM of 8 arcsec. An SEM photograph of phen-doped KHP shows deep cracks on the surface, confirming the mosaicity. After removing the surface layer, the SEM pictures reveal a smooth surface. A similar trend is observed with other complexing agents, like oxalic acid, bipy and picolinic acid. However, only typical examples are described in the present article where the effects were observed prominently. The investigations on ZTS, ADP and KHP crystals, employing high-resolution XRD and SEM studies, revealed that some organic dopants added to the solution during the growth lead to the formation of a surface layer, due to complexation of these dopants with the trace metal ion impurities present in the solution, which prevents the entry of impurities, including the solvent, into the crystal, thereby assisting crystal growth with high crystalline perfection. The influence of organic dopants on the second harmonic generation efficiency is also investigated.
Rapid determination of stress factors and absolute residual stresses in thin films
Authors: Martinschitz K. J. , Eiper E. , Massl S. , Köstenbauer H. , Daniel R. , Fontalvo G. , Mitterer C. , Keckes J.
Published: November 2006

A methodology is presented that allows the determination of experimental stress factors in thin films on the basis of static diffraction measurements. The approach relies on the characterization of thin films deposited on a monocrystalline substrate serving as a mechanical sensor. Rocking-curve measurements of the symmetrical reflections of the substrate are used to determine the substrate curvature and subsequently the macroscopic stress imposed on the film. The elastic strain in the film is determined by lattice-spacing measurement at different sample tilt angles. The calculated experimental stress factors are applied to thin films deposited on other types of substrates and are used to determine the absolute magnitude of the residual stress. The approach is applied to nanocrystalline TiN and CrN thin films deposited on Si(100) and steel substrates, characterized using a laboratory-type θ/θ goniometer.
Three-dimensional birefringence imaging with a microscope tilting stage. II. Biaxial crystals
Authors: Pajdzik L. A. , Glazer A. M.
Published: November 2006

The technique enables precise three-dimensional birefringence information of optically biaxial materials to be obtained. Equations derived here describe a mathematical model of the tilting-stage system for such crystals in any general orientation. This leads to precise values of the three principal birefringences and the optical orientation. The method is also able to obtain information on preferred orientation in a biaxial polycrystalline material, providing comprehensive information on both optical orientation of crystallites and spatial resolution. In addition, an unknown crystalline material may be identified, or at least classified within a specific group of crystalline materials.
Fortran90 sources of the subroutines ofUMWEG. II. The subroutines providing crystallographic data
Authors: Rossmanith Elisabeth
Published: November 2006

The Fortran90 sources of the subroutines of the programUMWEGproviding the crystallographic data necessary for intensity calculations have been deposited in the IUCr electronic archives.
A new simplifying approach to molecular geometry description: the vectorial bond-valence model
Authors: Harvey Miguel Angel , Baggio Sergio , Baggio Ricardo
Published: November 2006

A method to describe, analyze and even predict the coordination geometries of metal complexes is proposed, based on previous well established concepts such as bond valence and valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR). The idea behind the method is the generalization of the scalar bond-valence concept into a vector quantity, the bond-valence vector (BVV), with the innovation that the multidentate ligands are represented by their resultant BVVs. Complex n-ligand coordination spheres (frequently indescribable at the atomic level) reduce to much simpler ones when analyzed in BVV space, with the bonus of a better applicability of the VSEPR predictions. The geometrical implications of the BVV description are analyzed for the cases of n = 2 and 3 (n = number of ligands), and the validity of its predictions, checked for a large number of metal complexes.
Superspace-symmetry determination and multidimensional refinement of the incommensurately modulated structure of natural fresnoite
Authors: Bindi Luca , Dusek Michal , Petricek Vaclav , Bonazzi Paola
Published: November 2006

The structure of natural fresnoite, Ba2TiSi2O8, from the sanbornite deposits of eastern Fresno County, California, has been solved and refined as an incommensurate structure in five-dimensional superspace. The structure is tetragonal, superspace group P4bm\left({\alpha, \alpha, 1/2} \right)\left({ - \alpha, \alpha, 1/2} \right)0gg, cell parameters a = 8.5353 (6), c = 10.4128 (7) Å, modulation vectors {\bf q}_1 = 0.3020\,\left(3 \right)\,\left({{\bf a}^* + {\bf b}^* } \right), {\bf q}_2 = 0.3020\,\left(3 \right)\,\left({ - {\bf a}^* + {\bf b}^* } \right). Data collection was performed on an Xcalibur CCD diffractometer at 110 K. The structure was refined from 3452 reflections to final R = 0.0123. The model includes modulation of both atomic positions and displacement parameters. As a consequence of the Ba and O positional modulation, eight-, nine- and tenfold Ba coordinations occur throughout the structure. The change of coordination around the Ba atom is clearly represented by the deformation of the pentagonal rings, as seen from a projection along [001]. The deformed pentagonal rings correspond to Ba atoms with eight- and ninefold coordinations and form octagonal clusters closely resembling those observed in the incommensurate structure of melilite-type compounds.
Pressure-frozen 1,2,3-trichloropropane
Authors: Podsiadło Marcin , Katrusiak Andrzej
Published: November 2006

The structure of 1,2,3-trichloropropane, ClCH2CHClCH2Cl, in-situ crystallized in a diamond–anvil cell, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 0.28 and 0.35 GPa. A melting point at 295 K and 0.22 GPa has been determined. The molecular conformation of aliphatic chain and terminal Cl atoms is approximately C
2 symmetric. Of the intermolecular contacts, the tightest are the Cl...Cl and then the Cl...H contacts, whereas the H...H distances are considerably longer than the sum of the van der Waals radii and leave narrow voids in the structure. The elevated pressure reduces the H...H separations but hardly affects the Cl...Cl distances. The crystal growth rates, compression and types of intermolecular interactions in the structures can be correlated with the directions of the Cl...Cl contacts, which can be considered the main motif responsible for the molecular arrangement in the structure.
A bibliometric study in crystallography
Authors: Behrens Heinrich , Luksch Peter
Published: November 2006

This is an application of the mathematical and statistical techniques of bibliometrics to the field of crystallography. This study is, however, restricted to inorganic compounds. The data were taken from the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database, which is a well defined and evaluated body of literature and data published from 1913 to date. The data were loaded in a relational database system, which allows a widespread analysis. The following results were obtained: The cumulative growth rate of the number of experimentally determined crystal structures is best described by a third-degree polynomial function. Except for the upper end of the curve, Bradford's plot can be described well by the analytical Leimkuhler function. The publication process is dominated by a small number of periodicals. The probability of the author productivity in terms of publications follows an inverse power law of the Lotka form and in terms of database entries an inverse power law in the Mandelbrot form. In both cases the exponent is about 1.7. For the lower tail of the data an exponential correction factor has to be applied. Multiple authorship has increased from 1.4 authors per publication to about four within the past eight decades. The author distribution itself is represented by a lognormal distribution.
Growth-induced incommensurability observed in the organic co-crystal hexamethylenetetramine resorcinol
Authors: Rodriguez Soraya Maria Belluga , Palatinus Lukáš , Petříček Václav , Chapuis Gervais
Published: November 2006

Co-crystals of hexamethylenetetramine and resorcinol were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The structure was refined in the superspace group Xmcm(0\beta 0)s0s, X = (\,{{1}\over{2}} {{1}\over{2}} 0 {{1}\over{2}}\,). In the average structure the resorcinol molecules are disordered between two orientations. The main effect of the modulation in the structure is a harmonic modulation of the occupation probabilities of the two orientations of the resorcinol molecule. However, the modulated order is not perfect and the resorcinol molecules remain partially disordered. Below 270 K the crystal undergoes a phase transition to a commensurately modulated structure with modulation vector {\bf q} = (0 {{1}\over{2}} {{1}\over{4}}\,) and superspace group X2/m(0\beta \gamma)0s. The structure of the low-temperature phase could not be determined owing to the poor quality of the crystals affected by the reconstructive phase transition.
Effect of pressure on the crystal structure of salicylaldoxime-I, and the structure of salicylaldoxime-II at 5.93 GPa
Authors: Wood Peter A. , Forgan Ross S. , Henderson David , Parsons Simon , Pidcock Elna , Tasker Peter A. , Warren John E.
Published: November 2006

The effect of pressure on the crystal structure of salicylaldoxime has been investigated. The ambient-pressure phase (salicylaldoxime-I) consists of pairs of molecules interacting through oximic OH...O hydrogen bonds; taken with phenolic OH...N intramolecular hydrogen bonds, these dimers form a pseudo-macrocycle bounded by an R_4^4 \left({10} \right) motif. The dimers interact principally via π...π stacking contacts. Salicylaldoxime derivatives are used industrially as selective solvent extractants for copper; the selectivity reflects the compatibility of the metal ion with the pseudo-macrocycle cavity size. On increasing the pressure to 5.28 GPa the size of the cavity was found to decrease by an amount comparable to the difference in hole sizes in the structures of the Cu2+ salicylaldoximato complex and its Ni2+ equivalent. On increasing the pressure to 5.93 GPa a new polymorph, salicylaldoxime-II, was obtained in a single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition. PIXEL calculations show that the phase transition is driven in part by relief of intermolecular repulsions in the dimer-forming OH...O-bonded ring motif, and the ten-centre hydrogen-bonding ring motif of the phase I structure is replaced in phase II by a six-centre ring formed by oximic OH...N hydrogen bonds. The transition also relieves repulsions in the π...π stacking contacts. The intramolecular OH...N hydrogen bond of phase I is replaced in phase II by a intermolecular phenolic OH...O hydrogen bond, but the total interaction energy of the pairs of molecules connected by this new contact is very slightly repulsive because the electrostatic hydrogen-bond energy is cancelled by the repulsion term. The intra- to intermolecular hydrogen-bond conversion simply promotes efficient packing rather than contributing to the overall lattice energy.
Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. I. The β1 polymorph
Authors: van Mechelen Jan B. , Peschar Rene , Schenk Henk
Published: November 2006

The crystal structures of the β1 polymorphs of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols have been solved from high-resolution laboratory and synchrotron powder diffraction data for five pure compounds, the 1,3-dimyristoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (β1-MOM), 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (β1-POP), 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (β1-SOS), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoylglycerol (β1-POS), 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-3-arachidoylglycerol (β1-SOA) and three mixtures: the co-crystallized 1:1 molar mixture of SOS and POP [β1-SOS/POP (1:1)] and two cocoa butters from Bahia and Ivory Coast, both in their β-VI (= β1) polymorph. All eight β1 structures crystallized in the space group (P21/n) and have two short cell axes (5.44–5.46 and 8.18–8.22 Å), as well as a very long b axis (112–135 Å). The dominant-zone problem in the indexing of the powder patterns was solved with the special brute-force indexing routine LSQDETC from the POWSIM program. Structures were solved using the direct-space parallel-tempering method FOX and refined with GSAS. Along the b axis, alternations of inversion-centre-related `three-packs' can be discerned. Each `three-pack' has a central oleic zone, with oleic acyl chains of the molecules being packed together, that is sandwiched between two saturated-chain zones. The conformation of the triacylglycerol molecules is relatively `flat' because the least-square planes through the saturated chains and those through the saturated parts of the olein chain are parallel. The solution of the β1 structures is a step forward towards understanding the mechanism of fat-bloom formation in dark chocolate and has led to a reexamination of the β2 structural model [see van Mechelen et al. (2006). Acta Cryst. B62, 1131–1138].
Atomic and domain structure of the low-temperature phase of barium metagermanate (BaGeO3)
Authors: Többens Daniel Maria , Kahlenberg Volker , Gspan Christian , Kothleitner Gerald
Published: November 2006

The crystal structure of the low-temperature form of barium metagermanate (BaGeO3) has been determined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data collected at 298.5 (5) K. The structure was found to consist of alternating layers of Ba cations and [GeO3]3 rings, and is closely related to pseudo-wollastonite. The rings show a twofold positional disorder owing to stacking faults. The stacking is not random, but can be rationalized by a twinning mechanism mapping the two non-congruent enantiomorphic polytypes of the structure onto each other. This model also explains the diffuse scattering and twinning observed in SAED and HRTEM, as well as the size and strain-like broadening effects found in the XRPD pattern.
Establishment and characterization of new mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines derived from double transgenic mice expressing GFP and neu oncogene
Authors: Sacco M.G. , Faggioli F. , Soldati S. , Gribaldo L. , Collotta A. , Pariselli F. , Malerba I. , Musio A. , Montagna C. , Catò E. Mira , Vezzoni P.
Published: November 2006

Abstract.  A new murine cell line, named GFPneu, was established from a mammary adenocarcinoma arising in double transgenic MMTVneu × CMV‐GFP mice. Breast tumours develop in 100% of females after 2 months latency, as a result of the over‐expression of the activated rat neu oncogene in the mammary glands. All tissues, and in particular the breast tumours, express the GFP protein. This cell line was tumorigenic when inoculated into nude mice and the derived tumours showed the same histological features as the primaries from which they were isolated. Their histopathology reproduces many characteristics of human breast adenocarcinomas, in particular their ability to metastasize. The GFP marker allows us to visualize the presence of lung metastases in fresh tissues immediately, to confirm the histopathology. From a lung metastatic fluorescent nodule, we derived a further cell line, named MTP‐GFP, which we also characterized. These two cell lines could be useful to study the role played by the neu oncogene in the maintenance of the transformed phenotype, in the metastatic process, to test novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit primary tumour growth and to observe the generation of distant metastases.
Cell transplantation with a catheter‐based approach: an efficient method for the treatment of heart failure with multiple lesions
Authors: Chen M. , Fan Z.‐C. , Liu X.‐J. , Deng J.‐L. , Yang Q. , Huang D.‐J.
Published: November 2006

Abstract.  Cell transplantation is emerging as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of heart failure. At present, popular methods of cell delivery may not be efficient in perfusing cells through the whole myocardium. We have developed a novel catheter‐based method for global transplantation of cells. Heart failure was induced in rabbit by intravenous administration of doxorubicin. Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells were transplanted into failing hearts via the root of the aorta. Bilateral sinus aortae and coronary arteries were visualized by angiography during the cell transplantation procedure; there was no intraprocedural death. Four weeks after cell transplantation, there was an improvement in the mean left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline 72.13% to 81.54% (P = 0.034). Transplanted cells were observed throughout the cardiac layers of left and right ventricles. In conclusion, cell transplantation through the root of the aorta is a useful approach to globally supply cells into the heart.
Percutaneous coronary intervention increases leptin and decreases adiponectin levels
Authors: Azar Rabih R. , Sarkis Antoine , Salameh Elie , Gannagé‐Yared Marie‐Hélène , Amm‐Azar Mireille , Badaoui Georges , Germanos Mirna , Kassab Roland
Published: November 2006

Objective  The study was designed to examine the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on adiponectin and leptin levels. We have previously demonstrated that PCI triggers a systemic inflammatory response. We hypothesized that inflammation participates in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome by modulating levels of adiponectin and leptin.

Design  Prospective study in which inflammation was induced by PCI.

Patients  Forty‐eight patients with stable coronary artery disease and without diabetes mellitus.

Measurements  High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), leptin and adiponectin were measured at baseline and 48 h after the procedure.

Results  Following PCI, hs‐CRP increased by 211%, IL‐6 by 87% and leptin by 19%, while adiponectin decreased by 14% (P < 0·001 for all). The change in IL‐6 correlated with that in hs‐CRP (rho = 0·32; P = 0·027), as did the changes in IL‐6 and leptin (rho = 0·31; P = 0·03). The change in adiponectin, however, did not correlate with the change in any of the other markers.

Conclusion  This study demonstrates that PCI affects the levels of adiponectin and leptin within 48 h. These effects may be secondary to the inflammatory response triggered by PCI.
Increased plasma concentrations of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide in patients with mild primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Almqvist Erik G. , Becker Charlotte , Bondeson Anne‐Greth , Bondeson Lennart , Svensson Johan , Svensson Sven‐Eric
Published: November 2006

Objective  Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with heart disease. The aims of the present study were to evaluate how cardiac function and secretion of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) correlate in patients with mild PHPT, and how the plasma level of NT‐proBNP is influenced by cure of the parathyroid disease.

Design and patients  Forty‐two patients with PHPT without symptoms of heart disease were examined before and 1 year after curative parathyroidectomy.

Measurements  Plasma or serum concentrations of NT‐proBNP, calcium, PTH, creatinine, oestradiol, testosterone and SHBG were measured. Cardiac function was evaluated by equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA).

Results  At baseline, NT‐proBNP levels correlated negatively with systolic function [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), P < 0·001]. Twelve per cent of the patients had NT‐proBNP levels above normal reference values preoperatively. One year postoperatively, the corresponding proportion was 21%. The mean plasma concentration of NT‐proBNP increased after parathyroidectomy (P < 0·01) in parallel with a dip in diastolic function (peak filling rate, P < 0·05) and a falling trend in systolic function (LVEF, P = 0·08). The postoperative percentage changes in circulating NT‐proBNP and total oestradiol correlated positively (P < 0·05).

Conclusions  Patients with mild PHPT and normal renal function may have high levels of circulating NT‐proBNP despite the absence of symptomatic heart disease. Cure of the parathyroid disease is followed by a further increase in NT‐proBNP secretion in parallel with ERNA measures, indicating subclinical changes in heart function. These results are in line with data indicating an association between PHPT and increased risk of premature death.
The use of vascular biomarkers and imaging studies in the early clinical development of anti‐tumour agents targeting angiogenesis
Authors: DREVS J. , SCHNEIDER V.
Published: November 2006

Recent findings about the pathomechanisms of tumour angiogenesis have led to new therapeutic options in the treatment of malignant tumours. During the development of anti‐angiogenic drugs, reporting ranged from healing cancer to completely ineffective drugs. In 2003 the first anti‐angiogenic drug was approved. Several anti‐angiogenic drugs are still in the clinical phase of development. In contrast to identifying the maximal tolerable dose, determination of the optimal biological dose – reaching biological activity at lower doses –has become the main target in the early development of anti‐angiogenic agents. This has been evaluated by different biomarker techniques. As a new standard in anti‐tumour treatment, a better understanding of imaging in the treatment monitoring for anti‐angiogenic agents is important. Studies of tumour angiogenesis by tissue sampling rely on invasive procedures, adequate sampling and painstaking estimation of histological microvessel density. Attempts to develop wound healing assays to correlate angiogenesis in wounds with angiogenesis in tumour have been made but are still considered invasive and correlation of healthy with malignant tissue is still of limited validity. Several soluble markers of tumour angiogenesis were detected in various malignant diseases and were evaluated for assessing their use as surrogate markers in tumour angiogenesis. Further, soluble markers were investigated for visualizing them as imaging tools. Combining both, new soluble markers and imaging techniques, developing anticancer drugs and monitoring of therapy success becomes a dynamic process in which finally the patients’ individual response can be achieved soon. Time‐consuming delays for anatomically based restaging procedures can be avoided. Characterization of soluble biomarkers as well as different imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography combined with or without CT are reviewed in this manuscript.
Genetic connectivity in the Florida reef system: comparative phylogeography of commensal invertebrates with contrasting reproductive strategies
Authors: RICHARDS VINCENT P. , THOMAS JAMES D. , STANHOPE MICHAEL J. , SHIVJI MAHMOOD S.
Published: November 2006

Effective spatial management of coral reefs including design of marine protected areas requires an understanding of interpopulation genetic connectivity. We assessed gene flow along 355 km of the Florida reef system and between Florida and Belize in three commensal invertebrates occupying the same host sponge (Callyspongia vaginalis) but displaying contrasting reproductive dispersal strategies: the broadcast‐spawning brittle star Ophiothrix lineata and two brooding amphipods Leucothoe kensleyi and Leucothoe ashleyae. Multiple analytical approaches to sequence variation in the mitochondrial COI gene demonstrated a high degree of overall connectivity for all three species along the Florida reef system. Ophiothrix lineata showed significant genetic structuring between Florida and Belize, and a pattern of isolation by distance but no significant genetic structuring along the Florida coastline. Bayesian estimates of migration detected a strong southerly dispersal bias for O. lineata along the Florida reef system, contrary to the general assumption of northerly gene flow in this region based on the direction of the Florida Current. Both amphipods, despite direct development, also showed high gene flow along the Florida reef system. Multiple inferences of long‐distance dispersal from a nested clade analysis support the hypothesis that amphipod transport, possibly in detached sponge fragments, could generate the high levels of overall gene flow observed. However, this transport mechanism appears much less effective across deep water as connectivity between Florida and Belize (1072 km) is highly restricted.
Phylogeographic concordance in the southeastern United States: the flatwoods salamander, Ambystoma cingulatum, as a test case
Authors: PAULY GREGORY B. , PISKUREK OLIVER , SHAFFER H. BRADLEY
Published: November 2006

Well‐supported, congruent phylogeographic and biogeographic patterns permit the development of a priori phylogeographic and distributional predictions. In the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States, the common discovery of east–west disjunctions (phylogeographic breaks and species’ distributional boundaries) suggests that similar disjunctions should occur in codistributed taxa. Despite the near ubiquity of these disjunctions, the most recent morphological analyses of the flatwoods salamander, Ambystoma cingulatum, indicate that none occur in this low‐vagility, Coastal Plain endemic. We conducted molecular and morphological analyses to test whether the flatwoods salamander is an exception to this common biogeographic pattern. Assessing geographic variation in this species is also an important management tool for this threatened, declining amphibian. We demonstrate that flatwoods salamanders, as predicted by comparisons to codistributed taxa, are polytypic with a major disjunction at the Apalachicola River. This drainage is a common site for east–west phylogeographic breaks, probably because repeated marine embayments during the Pliocene and Pleistocene interglacials generated barriers to gene flow. Based on mitochondrial DNA, morphology, and allozymes, we recognize two species of flatwoods salamanders — Ambystoma cingulatum to the east of the Apalachicola drainage and Ambystoma bishopi to the west. Given this increased diversity, the conservation status of these two taxa may warrant re‐evaluation. More generally, these results emphasize that in the absence of taxon‐specific data, established comparative patterns can provide strong expectations for designing management units for unstudied species of conservation concern.
Analysis of magnetic source localization of P300 using the multiple signal classification algorithm
Authors: UOHASHI TETSUO , KITAMURA YOSHIHIRO , ISHIZU SUGURU , OKAMOTO MOTOI , YAMADA NORIHITO , KURODA SHIGETOSHI
Published: November 2006

Abstract  The authors studied the localization of P300 magnetic sources using the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. Six healthy subjects (aged 24–34 years old) were investigated with 148‐channel whole‐head type magnetencephalography using an auditory oddball paradigm in passive mode. The authors also compared six stimulus combinations in order to find the optimal stimulus parameters for P300 magnetic field (P300m) in passive mode. Bilateral MUSIC peaks were located on the mesial temporal, superior temporal and parietal lobes. Interestingly, all MUSIC peaks in these regions emerged earlier in the right hemisphere than in the left hemisphere, suggesting that the right hemisphere has predominance over the left in the processing activity associated with P300m. There were no significant differences among the six stimulus combinations in evoking those P300m sources. The results of the present study suggest that the MUSIC algorithm could be a useful tool for analysis of the time‐course of P300m.
Splenogonadal fusion: Case report and review of published works
Authors: ANDO SATOSHI , SHIMAZUI TORU , HATTORI KAZUNORI , YAMAMOTO TAKAHIRO , KURIYAGAWA KEN , AKAZA HIDEYUKI
Published: November 2006

Abstract  Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly. We report herein a case of splenogonadal fusion associated with contra lateral testicular aplasia, and review the etiology, pathogenesis and management of this rare disease. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of splenogonadal fusion associated with testicular aplasia.
SEGREGATION IN THE AUSTRALIAN LABOUR MARKET*
Authors: PARASNIS JAAI
Published: November 2006

An important measure of the success of immigration is the assimilation of immigrants into the labour force of the host country. This criterion is important from both the perspective of immigrants themselves and that of the host country. Conversely, concentration of migrants in a few sectors is undesirable because of its adverse socio‐economic consequences. Since the pattern of distribution of migrant employment influences the structure and outcomes in the labour market in various ways, it attracts public, academic and policymakers’ attention. The present paper employs various numerical measures to estimate the degree of immigrant segregation across occupations and industries in Australia. The results indicate that the occupational distribution of immigrants is very similar to the proportion of native workers employed in the various occupations. This similarity also characterises the industrial distribution of immigrant employment. Thus, contrary to popular perception and findings for the United States, evidence from the Australian labour market does not indicate the existence of widespread immigrant segregation.
The Ascendancy of Employment Arbitrators in US Employment Relations: A New Actor in the American System?
Authors: Seeber Ronald L. , Lipsky David B.
Published: November 2006

In this paper, we survey the underpinnings of the trend towards employment arbitration in the United States, and its implications for the broader industrial relations system. Specifically, we address the question of whether or not employment arbitrators have been substituted for collective bargaining by the government to an extent that warrants their inclusion as an actor in the industrial relations system. We review developments in workplace dispute resolution in the United States, the literature that attempts to explain these developments and posit an assessment of the stability of employment arbitration, and employment arbitrators, as a central feature of the US industrial relations system.
Characteristics of α‐glycerophosphate‐evoked H2O2 generation in brain mitochondria
Authors: Tretter Laszlo , Takacs Katalin , Hegedus Vera , Adam‐Vizi Vera
Published: November 2006

Characteristics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in isolated guinea‐pig brain mitochondria respiring on α‐glycerophosphate (α‐GP) were investigated and compared with those supported by succinate. Mitochondria established a membrane potential (ΔΨm) and released H2O2 in parallel with an increase in NAD(P)H fluorescence in the presence of α‐GP (5–40 mm). H2O2 formation and the increase in NAD(P)H level were inhibited by rotenone, ADP or FCCP, respectively, being consistent with a reverse electron transfer (RET). The residual H2O2 formation in the presence of FCCP was stimulated by myxothiazol in mitochondria supported by α‐GP, but not by succinate. ROS under these conditions are most likely to be derived from α‐GP‐dehydrogenase. In addition, huge ROS formation could be provoked by antimycin in α‐GP‐supported mitochondria, which was prevented by myxothiazol, pointing to the generation of ROS at the quinol‐oxidizing center (Qo) site of complex III. FCCP further stimulated the production of ROS to the highest rate that we observed in this study. We suggest that the metabolism of α‐GP leads to ROS generation primarily by complex I in RET, and in addition a significant ROS formation could be ascribed to α‐GP‐dehydrogenase in mammalian brain mitochondria. ROS generation by α‐GP at complex III is evident only when this complex is inhibited by antimycin.
MESOZOIC TO EARLY QUATERNARY MAMMAL FAUNAS OF VICTORIA, SOUTH‐EAST AUSTRALIA
Authors: PIPER KATARZYNA J. , FITZGERALD ERICH M. G. , RICH THOMAS H.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Twenty‐two terrestrial and over 20 marine mammal faunas are currently recognized in the fossil record of Victoria, representing one of the most complete records of mammal evolution in Australia. Although the earliest recorded terrestrial mammals come from the Early Cretaceous, the majority of the faunas are concentrated in the Pliocene and Pleistocene, whereas the marine mammal record spans the Late Oligocene–Holocene. Despite the generally fragmentary nature of the fossil remains, many of the faunas are diverse and offer insights into the changes in palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental conditions of the region over time. The terrestrial mammal faunas follow the global trend with the appearance of more arid‐adapted species in the late Pliocene; however, a number of Pliocene–Pleistocene coastal sites indicate the continued presence of wet forest refugia, with several relict species occurring in the Early Pleistocene. Most of the faunas are well dated, providing a basis for the production of a biostratigraphic framework, essential for the more accurate dating of mammals in Australia. Two new diverse mammal sites, Childers Cove and Portland, are a welcome addition to the Pliocene records of both terrestrial and marine mammals. Marine mammal research is only in its early stages, but the Victorian record is fundamental in understanding the evolution of cetaceans in the southern oceans. The known diversity of species has increased substantially as a result of recent research. Some well‐preserved specimens, including complete skulls, have implications for cetacean systematics, including basal mysticetes. However, much more work needs to be focused on the cataloguing, preparation, description and interpretation of the faunas to take full advantage of this excellent record.
SEQUESTRATION, PERFORMANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CONTROL OF CRYPTOPHYTE PLASTIDS IN THE CILIATE MYRIONECTA RUBRA (CILIOPHORA)1
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. , Tengs Torstein , Oldach David , Stoecker Diane K.
Published: November 2006

Myrionecta rubra (Lohmann 1908, Jankowski 1976) is a photosynthetic ciliate with a global distribution in neritic and estuarine habitats and has long been recognized to possess organelles of cryptophycean origin. Here we show, using nucleomorph (Nm) small subunit rRNA gene sequence data, quantitative PCR, and pigment absorption scans, that an M. rubra culture has plastids identical to those of its cryptophyte prey, Geminigera cf. cryophila (Taylor and Lee 1971, Hill 1991). Using quantitative PCR, we demonstrate that G. cf. cryophila plastids undergo division in growing M. rubra and are regulated by the ciliate. M. rubra maintained chl per cell and maximum cellular photosynthetic rates (Pmaxcell) that were 6–8 times that of G. cf. cryophila. While maximum chl‐specific photosynthetic rates (Pmaxchl) are identical between the two, M. rubra is less efficient at light harvesting in low light (LL) and has lower overall quantum efficiency. The photosynthetic saturation parameter (Ek) was not different between taxa in high light and was significantly higher in M. rubra in LL. Lower Chl:carbon ratios (θ), and hence PmaxC rates, in M. rubra resulted in lower growth rates compared with G. cf. cryophila. G. cf. cryophila possessed a greater capacity for synthesizing protein from photosynthate, while M. rubra used 3.2 times more fixed C for synthesizing lipids. Although cryptophyte plastids in M. rubra may not be permanently genetically integrated, they undergo replication and are regulated by M. rubra, allowing the ciliate to function as a phototroph.
CACO3OPTICAL DETECTION WITH FLUORESCENTIN SITUHYBRIDIZATION: A NEW METHOD TO IDENTIFY AND QUANTIFY CALCIFYING MICROORGANISMS FROM THE OCEANS1
Authors: Frada Miguel , Not Fabrice , Probert Ian , De Vargas Colomban
Published: November 2006

Open oceanic calcification is mainly driven by unicellular organisms and in particular by eukaryotes such as coccolithophores and foraminifers. Open ocean microcalcifiers, like most planktonic protists, are characterized by extremely fast generation times and occasional sexual reproduction. Populations can alternate between diploid and haploid stages, which often build different kinds of cell covers. In the most important pelagic calcifiers, the coccolithophores, the diploid and haploid stages, which can self‐replicate and grow independently, display radically different morphologies with different modes of calcification or even with the absence of calcification in at least one life cycle stage. Although life cycle strategies seem likely to fundamentally influence the where and when of open ocean calcification, this issue has yet to be seriously addressed in the natural environment. Here, we introduce a new morphogenetic method, “combined CaCO3optical detection with fluorescentin situhybridization,” or COD‐FISH, which is based on a combination of TSA‐FISH and polarized optical microscopy. This technique allows simultaneous assessment of the taxonomic and life cycle status of single coccolithophore cells collected from the ocean. We demonstrate the application of COD‐FISH using both laboratory culture and field samples and discuss its potential value for assessing the ecology, biodiversity, population structure, and life cycles of coccolithophores and other open ocean unicellular calcifiers.
Discrimination that Travels: How Ethnicity Affects Party Identification for Southeast Asian Immigrants*
Authors: See Lim P. , Barry‐Goodman Colleen , Branham David
Published: November 2006

Objectives. The critical importance of party identification as a determinant of vote choice is well documented. Given the increasing diversity of the population in the United States, it is critical that we understand the process of socialization into the political system for immigrant groups. It is especially important that we should be able to distinguish differences in socialization within a group.

Methods. Using a framework developed by Cain, Kiewiet, and Uhlaner (1991), we use newly available data to test their assertions about the development of party identification in Asian‐American immigrants.

Results. Looking at a sample of foreign‐born Asian Americans, we find that critical differences can exist within groups.

Conclusions. The differences within groups have an important effect on the development of party identification for those immigrants.
The Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CHEN PENG‐SHENG , CHOU CHUNG‐CHUAN , TAN ALEX Y. , ZHOU SHENGMEI , FISHBEIN MICHAEL C. , HWANG CHUN , KARAGUEUZIAN HRAYR S. , LIN SHIEN‐FONG
Published: November 2006

In this article we have reviewed the mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) with special emphasis on the thoracic veins. Based on a number of features, the thoracic veins are highly arrhythmogenic. The pulmonary vein (PV)‐left atrial (LA) junction has discontinuous myocardial fibers separated by fibrotic tissues. The PV muscle sleeve is highly anisotropic. The vein of Marshall (VOM) in humans has multiple small muscle bundles separated by fibrosis and fat. Insulated muscle fibers can promote reentrant excitation, automaticity, and triggered activity. The PV muscle sleeves contain periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS)‐positive large pale cells that are morphologically reminiscent of Purkinje cells. These special cells could be the sources of focal discharge. Antiarrhythmic drugs have significant effects on PV muscle sleeves both at baseline and during AF. Both class I and III drugs have effects on wavefront traveling from PV to LA and from LA to PV. Separating the thoracic veins and the LA with ablation techniques also prevents PV‐LA interaction. By reducing PV‐LA interaction, pharmacological therapy and PV isolation reduce the activation rate in PV, intracellular calcium accumulation, and triggered activity. Therefore, thoracic vein isolation is an important technique in AF control. We conclude that thoracic veins are important in the generation and maintenance of AF.
Association screen for atopic dermatitis candidate gene regions using microsatellite markers in pooled DNA samples
Authors: Hoffjan S. , Parwez Q. , Petrasch‐Parwez E. , Falkenstein D. , Nothnagel M. , Epplen J. T.
Published: November 2006

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 16% of children in developed countries. A complex genetic background for AD has been suggested, with genetic as well as environmental factors influencing disease susceptibility. Among other factors, dysregulation in both the innate and the adaptive immune system has been proposed to play a role in AD pathophysiology. We present here an extended association screen for AD using microsatellite markers in 154 genes related to innate and adaptive immunity in pooled DNA samples from 150 German children with AD and 100 controls. After Bonferroni correction, no marker revealed a significant association with AD. Yet, markers representing the nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB)1 and chemokine receptor (CCR)4 genes showed differences in allelic distributions between cases and controls for both pooled DNA analysis and individual genotyping and were thus further investigated. Evaluation of additional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the NFKB1 and CCR4 genes revealed no association of individual SNPs with AD. In contrast, haplotype analyses showed a significantly different haplotype distribution between patients and controls for CCR4 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, when SNP–SNP interaction effects were analysed for these two genes, we found significant evidence for epistatic interactions between SNPs within each of the two genes but no evidence for a gene–gene interaction, suggesting that variation in or near both the CCR4 and the NFKB1 genes might individually contribute to AD pathogenesis.