bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Active Core in a Triazole Peptide Dual‐Site Antagonist of HIV‐1 gp120
Authors: Umashankara Muddegowda , McFadden Karyn , Zentner Isaac , Schön Arne , Rajagopal Srivats , Tuzer Ferit , Kuriakose Syna A. , Contarino Mark , LaLonde Judith , Freire Ernesto , Chaiken Irwin
Published: August 2010

In an effort to identify broadly active inhibitors of HIV‐1 entry into host cells, we previously reported a family of dodecamer triazole–peptide conjugates with nanomolar affinity for the viral surface protein gp120. This peptide class exhibits potent antiviral activity and the capacity to simultaneously inhibit interaction of the viral envelope protein with both CD4 and co‐receptor. In this investigation, we minimized the structural complexity of the lead triazole inhibitor HNG‐156 (peptide 1) to explore the limits of the pharmacophore that enables dual antagonism and to improve opportunities for peptidomimetic design. Truncations of both carboxy‐ and amino‐terminal residues from the parent 12‐residue peptide 1 were found to have minimal effects on both affinity and antiviral activity. In contrast, the central triazole(Pro)‐Trp cluster at residues 6 and 7 with ferrocenyl‐triazole(Pro) (Ftp) was found to be critical for bioactivity. Amino‐terminal residues distal to the central triazole(Pro)‐Trp sequence tolerated decreasing degrees of side chain variation upon approaching the central cluster. A peptide fragment containing residues 3–7 (Asn‐Asn‐Ile‐Ftp‐Trp) exhibited substantial direct binding affinity, antiviral potency, dual receptor site antagonism, and induction of gp120 structuring, all properties that define the functional signature of the parent compound 1. This active core contains a stereochemically specific hydrophobic triazole(Pro)‐Trp cluster, with a short N‐terminal peptide extension providing groups for potential main chain and side chain hydrogen bonding. The results of this work argue that the pharmacophore for dual antagonism is structurally limited, thereby enhancing the potential to develop minimized peptidomimetic HIV‐1 entry inhibitors that simultaneously suppress binding of envelope protein to both of its host cell receptors. The results also argue that the target epitope on gp120 is relatively small, pointing to a localized allosteric inhibition site in the HIV‐1 envelope that could be targeted for small‐molecule inhibitor discovery.
Die taxonomische Stellung und das Areal von Angelica archangelica L. und A. lucida L
Authors: Weinert Erich
Published: August 2010

Die Eingliederung der Formenkreise von Angelica archangelica L. und A. lucida L. und ihre Stellung innerhalb der Gattung Angelica L. werden mit morphologischen Merkmalen begründet.

Sie werden zwei verschiedenen Sektionen, der sect. Coelopleurum (Leder.) Pimen. und der sect. Archangelica Regel der Gattung Angelica L. zugeordnet, die jedoch eng miteinander verwandt sind.

Die zirkumpolare vorwiegend holarktische Verbreitung der Gattung Angelica L. und die Verbreitung der Arten der Sektionen werden durch Arealkarten und Arealdiagnosen veranschaulicht. A. archangelica L. wird in die subsp. archangelica mit den var. decurrens (Ledeb.) comb. nov., f. decurrens, f. tschimganica (Korov.) comb. nov., f. komarovii (Schischk.) comb. nov., f. himalaica (Clarke) comb. nov., var. sativa (Mill.) Rikli und in die subsp. litoralis (Fries) Thell. gegliedert.
Vierter Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Flora der Mongolischen Volksrepublik Ergebnisse der Mongolisch‐Deutschen Biologischen Expeditionen seit 1962, Nr. 182
Authors: Hilbig Werner
Published: August 2010

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden neue Fundorte von Pflanzen aus verschiedenen Gebieten der MVR mitgeteilt. Sie stammen im wesentlichen aus dem östlichen und nördlichen Changai, dem Chubsugul‐Gebiet, dem südlichen und östlichen Chentej und dem Gobi‐Altai. Für verschiedene pflanzengeographische Bezirke werden Erstnachweise erbracht. Als Neufunde für die MVR werden folgende Arten nachgewiesen:

Asplenium septentrionale; Carex pycnostachya; Carex erawinensis; Carex laxa; Elymus varius.
Comparative and phylogenetic significance of the colleters in the family Apocynaceae
Authors: Thomas Vinoth , Dave Yash
Published: August 2010

A comparative and phylogenetic significance of colleters of 19 members of the family Apocynaceae are studied on the basis of both morphological and anatomical features. Colleters are present on the adaxial side of petiole, bract, bracteole, calyx and corolla. In many members colleters are intermingled with petiolar hairs. Structurally a colleter consists of a central core of parenchyma cells surrounded by radially elongated epithelial cells. Besides the normal structure, unicellular epithelial hair, sub‐epidermal cells, vasculature and laticifer are also observed in the colleter tissue of various genera. It is considered that the colleters are multicellular secretory structures protecting the meristem.
Taxonomy of medicinal plants: Foliar epidermal characters in the genus Monodora (Annonaceae)
Authors: Pereira‐Sheteolu A. O.
Published: August 2010

Leaf epidermal morphology of West African species of Monodora (Annonaceae) has been studied using light microscopy. Epidermal cells are either isodiametric or irregular in shape. The anticlinal walls may be straight, curved or undulate. All taxa have paracytic stomata which are hypostomatically distributed. A dichotomous key for identifying the species, even if they are in a fragmentary condition, is presented.
Phenological studies in aquatic macrophytic plants of lower Gangetic Delta, West Bengal, India With 10 Figures and 3 Tables
Authors: Ghosh S. K. , Santra S. C. , Mukherjee P. K.
Published: August 2010

The phenology of most of the aquatic macrophytes as studied in three distinct zones was found to be influenced by physico‐chemical properties of water as well as several other environmental properties like light availability and water temperature. Among the physico‐chemical properties of water salinity played significant role on the overall phenological behaviour of species. The vegetative growth in Zone B was slightly delayed in most of the species than other two zones.

Flowering and fruiting periodicity was more seasonal in Zone A than the rest two zones. The extended period of flowering may be seen in Zone A and Zone C. Pollinators are mostly dipteran insects, although hydrophylly and transitional pollination was also recorded in several species. More than one pollinators for individual plant were also evidenced in case of plant species having large showy flowers.

Fruiting in Zone B was somewhat lower than other two zones. Most of the species showed hydrochores, although ornithochory, ichthyochory was also evidenced in several plants.

On the whole, environmental factors like light, temperature, rainfall, physico‐chemical properties of water immensely influence the aquatic macrophytic plant association as well as reproductive behaviour of the plant species.
The relevance of stomatal frequency, type and size in the delimitation of three complex species of Dioscorea L. (Dioscoreaceae) With 3 Figures, 8 Tables and 2 Plates
Authors: Ugborogho R. E. , Thottappilly N. Q. Ng. G. , Hahn S. K.
Published: August 2010

The abaxial surfaces of the fresh leaves of 6 cultivars of Dioscorea alata L. (the water yam), 10 cultivars of D. cayenensis Lam. (the yellow yam) and 34 cultivars of D. rotundata Poir. (the white yam) were investigated for variations in the frequency, type and size of stomata.

Eleven stomata types, namely anomocytic, anisocytic, contiguous, paracytic, staurocytic, dicytic, tricytic, tetracytic, pentacytic, hexacytic and septacytic were observed in both D. cayenensis and D. rotundata. Among these stomata types, the paracytic, dicytic and septacytic were not found in D. alata. On the whole, the sizes of stomata increased with increase in the number of epidermal cells surrounding the guard cells especially with reference to tricytic, tetracytic and pentacytic stomata.

The mean stomatal frequency per microscopic field of 400 x in the three species were 177/mm2 in D. alata. 142/mm2 in D. cayenensis and 226/mm2 in D. rotundata while the overall means of stomatal length and breadth were 32.06 μm x 22.05 μm in D. alata and 34.50 μm x 23.42 μm in D. cayenensis and 34.07 μm x 22.76 μm in D. rotundata.

On the basis of the mean stomatal lengths, D. alata was separated into two groups, D. cayennensis into three and D. rotundata into four. D. alata was separated from the other two species while D. cayennensis was recognized as a variable subspecies of D. rotundata.
Carotenoids in lichens from Northern Canada
Authors: Czeczuga B. , John E. A.
Published: August 2010

Column and thin‐layer chromatography revealed the presence of the following carotenoids in the thalli of 20 lichen species from Northern Canada: β‐zeacarotene, α‐carotene, β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, 3′‐epilutein, antheraxanthin, lutein epoxide, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, violaxanthin, mutatoxanthin, neoxanthin, rhodoxanthin, capsochrome, apo‐6′‐lycopenal, β‐apo‐8′‐carotenal and apo‐12′‐violaxanthal.

The finding of β‐zeacarotene in the thalli ofPeltigera aphthosafrom the Yukon is the first report of this substance in lichens.

The total content of carotenoids ranged from 19.04 μg · g−1dry wt forOchrolechia frigidato 50.27 μg · g−1dry wt forSphaerophorus globosus.
Apomictic behaviour in Costus afer – C. lucanusianus (Costaceae) complex in Nigeria
Authors: Edeoga H. O. , Okoli B. E.
Published: August 2010

Apomictic behaviour in Costus afer – C. lucanusianus (Costaceae) complex in Southern Nigeria had been investigated. This study showed that these species have produced intermediates which could be regarded as hybrid. Observations made on the inflorescence axis and the floral development revealed the exhibition of apomixis in C. lucanusianus J. BRAUN & K. SCHUM. and the natural hybrid but total absence of this behaviour in C. afer KER‐GAWL. In addition to apomictic behaviour, C. lucanusianus also reproduces by seed – (sexual reproduction). The outcome of the reproductive behaviour and the floral features of these taxa are the major causes of the taxonomic confusions commonly encountered by field biologists when grouping these taxa. However, the different mechanisms of apomixis give rise to a common endresult – the preservation of pure lines by essentially vegetative propagation, which produces the pattern of variation observed. Morphological characteristics of these taxa also suggest the occurrence of hybridisation in the complex; a fact that needs to be corroborated by evidence from studies on other areas such as palynology, cytology and breeding behaviour. The biological implications of these findings are interesting enough and have been discussed in this paper to the interest of the field workers, especially the taxonomists.
Hemispheric asymmetries of motor versus nonmotor processes during (visuo)motor control
Authors: Callaert Dorothée V. , Vercauteren Katrien , Peeters Ronald , Tam Fred , Graham Simon , Swinnen Stephan P. , Sunaert Stefan , Wenderoth Nicole
Published: August 2010

Language and certain aspects of motor control are typically served by the left hemisphere, whereas visuospatial and attentional control are lateralized to the right. Here a (visuo)motor tracing task was used to identify hemispheric lateralization beyond the general, contralateral organization of the motor system. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was applied in 40 male right‐handers (19–30 yrs) during line tracing with dominant and nondominant hand, with and without visual guidance. Results revealed a network of areas activating more in the right than left hemisphere, irrespective of the effector. Inferior portions of frontal gyrus and parietal lobe overlapped largely with a previously described ventral attention network responding to unexpected or behaviourally relevant stimuli. This demonstrates a hitherto unreported functionality of this circuit that also seems to activate when spatial information is continuously exploited to adapt motor behaviour. Second, activation of left dorsal premotor and postcentral regions during tracing with the nondominant left hand was more pronounced than that in their right hemisphere homologues during tracing with the dominant right hand. These activation asymmetries of motor areas ipsilateral to the moving hand could not be explained by asymmetries in skill performance, the degree of handedness, or interhemispheric interactions. The latter was measured by a double‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm, whereby a conditioning stimulus was applied over one hemisphere and a test stimulus over the other. We propose that the left premotor areas contain action representations strongly related to movement implementation which are also accessed during movements performed with the left body side. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thoracic Computed Tomographic Manifestations of Tuberous Sclerosis in Adults
Authors: Ajlan Amr M. , Bilawich Ana Maria , Müller Nestor L.
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the various manifestations that can be encountered on thoracic computed tomography of tuberous sclerosis in adults. The pulmonary findings include lymphangioleiomyomatosis and multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia. The extrapulmonary manifestations are divided into cardiac, vascular, mediastinal, osseous, and upper abdominal findings.
Is advice for breakfast consumption justified? Results from a short-term dietary and metabolic experiment in young healthy men
Authors: Martin Ambroise , Normand Sylvie , Sothier Monique , Peyrat Jocelyne , Louche-Pelissier Corinne , Laville Martine
Published: August 2010

Short-term (2 weeks) effects of the consumption of a high-energy (2920 kJ (700 kcal)) or low-energy (418 kJ (100 kcal)) breakfast on dietary patterns, blood variables and energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) were compared in ten free-living healthy young men in a crossover study. During the high-energy breakfast, total energy intake was increased, the intake of protein and lipids was unchanged but the intake of carbohydrates was increased. Thus, 48 (SD 4) % OF ENERGY CAME FROM CARBOHYDRATES IN THE HIGH-ENERGY BREAKFAST COMPARED WITH 42 (sd 5) % in the low-energy breakfast. Excluding breakfast, the macronutrient composition of the diet remained identical in the two situations. After the high-energy breakfast, fasting serum triacylglycerol concentration was higher and HDL-cholesterol concentration was lower than after the low-energy breakfast. A high glycaemic response was observed in the morning after the high-energy breakfast period, while there was a peak of free fatty acids after the low-energy breakfast. The high-energy breakfast induced a strong inhibition of fat oxidation throughout the day. Although long-term adaptation to a high-energy breakfast cannot be excluded, the high-energy breakfast in this study did not appear to be favourable to health. Our results do not support the current advice to consume more energy at breakfast.
Dietary histidine supplementation prevents cataract development in adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in seawater
Authors: Waagbø R. , Tröße C. , Koppe W. , Fontanillas R. , Breck O.
Published: August 2010

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cataract preventive effect of dietary histidine regimes in adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in seawater, both through manipulating the dietary histidine level and feeding period. Mean body weight of individually tagged Atlantic salmon at the start of the experiment was 1662 (sd 333) g. Low prevalence of mild cataracts were recorded in the beginning of June. Three fishmeal and fish oil-based extruded diets (crude protein: 375 g/kg and fat: 342 g/kg), differing only in histidine content (low (L): 9·3, medium (M): 12·8 and high (H): 17·2 g histidine/kg diets), were fed to duplicate net pens in seawater. The experimental period was divided into three seasons (June–July; July–September; September–October), each starting and ending with individual cataract examination, assessment of somatic data, and sampling of lens and muscle tissues for analysis of histidine and histidine derivatives. In July and September, a part of the population fed L- and H-histidine feeds were transferred (crossed over) to respective series of replicate net pens fed L-, M- and H-histidine diets (i.e. eleven experimental feeding groups at trial conclusion). The fish doubled their body weight from June to October, with no systematic effects on weight gain of dietary histidine feeding regimes. Development of severe cataracts was observed between July and September. The cataract severity was directly related to the dietary histidine level fed during the first and second periods. Feeding histidine-supplemented diets (M or H) in the first period from June to July mitigated later cataract outbreaks. The status of selected free imidazoles in muscle and lens tissues reflected the dietary histidine feeding regimes, relative to both feed concentration and feeding duration. The study shows the risk for cataract development for adult Atlantic salmon, 1 year after the transfer of salmon smolts from freshwater to seawater, which to a major extent can be prevented by histidine supplementation just before and during the early phase of cataract development.
Nutritional sensitivity of periparturient resistance to nematode parasites in two breeds of sheep with different nutrient demands
Authors: Kidane Alemayehu , Houdijk Jos , Athanasiadou Spiridoula , Tolkamp Bert , Kyriazakis Ilias
Published: August 2010

The periparturient relaxation of immunity (PPRI) to parasites in mammals is sensitive to both metabolisable protein (MP) supply and animal genotype (different reproductive outputs). We tested the hypothesis that the sensitivity of PPRI to MP scarcity would not differ between different levels of reproductive output when nutrient intake is adjusted for associated differences in MP demand; this hypothesis assumes that PPRI has a nutritional basis only. Scottish Blackface (BF) and the more productive Mule (MU) ewes were infected with the abomasal parasite Teladorsagia circumcincta, and from day− 21 to day32 (day0 is parturition), they were fed restrictedly at either 0·8 (low protein (LP)) or 1·3 (high protein (HP)) times their breed-specific estimated MP requirement (n 18 for each breed–feeding treatment combination). During late pregnancy, LP feeding reduced ewe body weight gain in both breeds, tended to increase faecal egg count (FEC), but it did not affect plasma pepsinogen. During lactation, LP feeding reduced litter growth rate and ewe plasma urea and plasma albumin concentrations compared with HP feeding in both breeds. However, breed and feeding treatment interacted for ewe FEC, worm egg excretion and plasma pepsinogen, which were higher for the LP-MU ewes compared with the HP-MU and BF ewes. The lower degree of PPRI of the BF ewes during lactation compared with the MU ewes at a similar degree of MP scarcity suggests that the effect of reproductive output on nutritional sensitivity of PPRI cannot be explained by associated differences in nutrient demand only.
Whey peptides improve wound healing following caesarean section in rats
Authors: Wang Junbo , Zhao Ming , Liang Rui , Zhang Zhaofeng , Zhao Haifeng , Zhang Jiali , Li Tian , Li Yong
Published: August 2010

We sought to determine whether postcaesarean treatment with whey peptides (WP) affects the healing of skin and uterine incision in rats during puerperium. Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into two groups. After a caesarean section, twenty-four rats were intragastrically administered WP, while others were administered a control vehicle. On days 7, 14 and 21 after delivery, the serum total protein/albumin concentration, skin tensile strength, uterine bursting pressure, skin/uterine hydroxyproline (Hyp) concentration and histological characteristics of the scar were measured in eight rats in each group. In the WP group, the albumin concentration, skin tensile strength, uterine bursting pressure and Hyp concentration in the skin increased significantly on days 21, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Low neutrophil count and smaller scar width in the skin incision were found in the WP group on day 7. Postcaesarean treatment with WP promoted significant wound healing in the skin incision, and had a significant wound healing potential in the uterus.
Plasma appearance and correlation between coffee and green tea metabolites in human subjects
Authors: Renouf Mathieu , Guy Philippe , Marmet Cynthia , Longet Karin , Fraering Anne-Lise , Moulin Julie , Barron Denis , Dionisi Fabiola , Cavin Christophe , Steiling Heike , Williamson Gary
Published: August 2010

Coffee and green tea are two of the most widely consumed hot beverages in the world. Their respective bioavailability has been studied separately, but absorption of their respective bioactive phenolics has not been compared. In a randomised cross-over design, nine healthy subjects drank instant coffee and green tea. Blood samples were collected over 12 h and at 24 h to assess return to baseline. After green tea consumption, ( − )-epigallocatechin (EGC) was the major catechin, appearing rapidly in the plasma; ( − )-EGC gallate (EGCg) and ( − )-epicatechin (EC) were also present, but ( − )-EC gallate and C were not detected. Dihydroferulic acid and dihydrocaffeic acid were the major metabolites that appeared after coffee consumption with a long time needed to reach maximum plasma concentration, suggesting metabolism and absorption in the colon. Other phenolic acid equivalents (caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA) and isoferulic acid (iFA)) were detected earlier, and they peaked at lower concentrations. Summations of the plasma area under the curves (AUC) for the measured metabolites showed 1·7-fold more coffee-derived phenolic acids than green tea-derived catechins (P = 0·0014). Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between coffee metabolites based on AUC. Inter-individual differences were observed, but individuals with a high level of CA also showed a correspondingly high level of FA. However, no such correlation was observed between the tea catechins and coffee phenolic acids. Correlation between AUC and maximum plasma concentration was also significant for CA, FA and iFA and for EGCg. This implies that the mechanisms of absorption for these two classes of compounds are different, and that a high absorber of phenolic acids is not necessarily a high absorber of catechins.
Potent anti-obesity effect of enteric-coated lactoferrin: decrease in visceral fat accumulation in Japanese men and women with abdominal obesity after 8-week administration of enteric-coated lactoferrin tablets
Authors: Ono Tomoji , Murakoshi Michiaki , Suzuki Noriyuki , Iida Norio , Ohdera Motoyasu , Iigo Masaaki , Yoshida Toshihide , Sugiyama Keikichi , Nishino Hoyoku
Published: August 2010

Lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein in mammalian milk, is reported to exert a modulatory effect on lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether enteric-coated LF (eLF) might improve visceral fat-type obesity, an underlying cause of the metabolic syndrome. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, Japanese men and women (n26; aged 22–60 years) with abdominal obesity (BMI>25 kg/m2, and visceral fat area (VFA)>100 cm2) consumed eLF (300 mg/d as bovine LF) or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. Measurement of the total fat area, VFA and subcutaneous fat area from computed tomography images revealed a significant reduction in VFA ( − 14·6 cm2) in the eLF group, as compared with the placebo controls ( − 1·8 cm2;P = 0·009 by ANCOVA). Decreases in body weight, BMI and hip circumference in the eLF group ( − 1·5 kg, − 0·6 kg/m2, − 2·6 cm) were also found to be significantly greater than with the placebo (+1·0 kg, +0·3 kg/m2, − 0·2 cm;P = 0·032, 0·013, 0·041, respectively). There was also a tendency for a reduction in waist circumference in the eLF group ( − 4·4 cm) as compared with the placebo group ( − 0·9 cm;P = 0·073). No adverse effects of the eLF treatment were found with regard to blood lipid or biochemical parameters. From these results, eLF appears to be a promising agent for the control of visceral fat accumulation.
Dietary fish oil reduces skeletal muscle oxygen consumption, provides fatigue resistance and improves contractile recovery in the rat in vivo hindlimb
Authors: Peoples Gregory E. , McLennan Peter L.
Published: August 2010

Dietary fish oil modulates skeletal muscle membrane fatty acid composition. Similar changes in heart membrane composition modulate myocardial oxygen consumption and enhance mechanical performance. The rat in vivo autologous perfused hindlimb was used to investigate the influence of membrane composition on skeletal muscle function. Male Wistar rats were fed either saturated fat (SF), n-6 PUFA (linoleic acid rich) or n-3 PUFA (fish oil) diets for 8 weeks. Hindlimb skeletal muscle perfused using the animal's own blood was stimulated via the sciatic nerve (1 Hz, 6-12 V, 0·05 ms) to contract in repeated 10 min bouts. The n-3 PUFA diet markedly increased 22 : 6n-3 DHA, total n-3 PUFA and decreased the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (P < 0·05) in red and white skeletal muscle membranes. There was no difference in initial twitch tension but the n-3 PUFA group maintained greater twitch tension within all contraction bouts and recovered better during rest to produce greater twitch tension throughout the final contraction bout (P < 0·05). Hindlimb oxygen consumption during contraction was significantly lower in the n-3 PUFA group compared with the SF group, producing a significantly higher O2 efficiency index compared with both SF and n-6 PUFA groups (P < 0·05). Resting oxygen consumption was increased in recovery in the SF group (P < 0·05) but did not change in the n-3 PUFA group. Membrane incorporation of n-3 PUFA DHA following fish oil feeding was associated with increased efficiency of muscle O2 consumption and promoted resistance to muscle fatigue.
Cross-cultural comparison between academic and lay views of healthy ageing: a literature review
Authors: HUNG LI-WEN , KEMPEN G. I. J. M. , DE VRIES N. K.
Published: August 2010

The aim of this study is to specify the concept of ‘healthy ageing’ from both western and non-western cultural perspectives, and to compare the views of academics and lay older people. Thirty-four published peer-reviewed full papers in English and Chinese (traditional characters) were identified using electronic database searches. The key components of their definitions of healthy ageing were extracted and categorised into 12 domains. The results show that, in general, lay definitions (as described in 11 studies) included more domains (independency, family, adaptation, financial security, personal growth, and spirituality) and more diversity in the healthy ageing concept than academic views (which tend to focus more on physical and mental health and social functioning in later life). Certain domains were valued differently across cultures. As shown in previous studies, the findings affirm that healthy ageing is a multi-dimensional and complex concept and that there are substantial differences in different cultures. Moreover, we found that there are pronounced variations in the conceptualisation of healthy ageing as between academic and older lay people. Generally, older lay people perceive healthy ageing more broadly than the maintenance of physical, mental and social functioning. We suggest that academic researchers should integrate the more holistic perspectives of older lay people and cultural diversity into the classical ‘physical–mental–social’ healthy ageing concept.
A 17-year review of foodborne outbreaks: describing the continuing decline in England and Wales (1992–2008)
Authors: GORMLEY F. J. , LITTLE C. L. , RAWAL N. , GILLESPIE I. A. , LEBAIGUE S. , ADAK G. K.
Published: August 2010

Systematic national surveillance of foodborne disease outbreaks effectively serves the development of public health policy on food safety. The Health Protection Agency has maintained a collaborative surveillance system for foodborne outbreaks in England and Wales since 1992. Up to 2008, 2429 foodborne outbreaks were identified, described and analysed for changes over time. Salmonella spp. accounted for half of the outbreaks, although the proportion of these decreased over the surveillance period. Similarly, the proportion of outbreaks caused by Clostridium perfringens decreased, while those attributed to Campylobacter spp. and Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 increased. Although poultry meat was the most frequently implicated food vehicle in outbreaks followed by miscellaneous foods and red meats, the proportion of outbreaks attributed to meats in fact decreased over time but those linked to miscellaneous foods did not. Over the surveillance period, the proportion of outbreaks linked to eggs and S. Enteritidis non-phage-type 4, particularly in food service establishments, increased, highlighting the importance of this organism/setting/vehicle association. Contributory factors in most outbreaks were cross-contamination, inadequate heat treatment, and inappropriate food storage. This study describes the overall decline in foodborne outbreaks, providing evidence that the introduction and adherence to effective control measures provide the best means of minimizing the risk of foodborne infection.
Decameter structure in heater‐induced airglow at the High frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility
Authors: Kendall Elizabeth , Marshall Robert , Parris Richard Todd , Bhatt Asti , Coster Anthea , Pedersen Todd , Bernhardt Paul , Selcher Craig
Published: August 2010

On 28 October 2008, small‐scale rayed artificial airglow was observed at the High frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) heating facility by the HAARP telescopic imager. This airglow occurred during an experiment at twilight from 0255–1600 UT (1855–2000 LT) and with estimated scale sizes of 100 m (at assumed 225 km altitude) constitutes the smallest structure observed in artificial airglow to date. The rays appeared to be oriented along the geomagnetic field lines. During this period, other instruments, SuperDARN, GPS receivers, stimulated electromagnetic emissions receivers, also recorded unusual data sets with the general characteristic of time scales longer than anticipated for features to form. The experiment took place at the commencement of a small geomagnetic disturbance (Kp of 4.3). This unique observation is as yet unexplained. The airglow features start as large scale structures and then become smaller as heating continues in apparent contradiction to current theories on irregularity development. A thermal gradient instability at boundary of the ionospheric footprint of the plasmapause may be responsible for causing the small‐scale structuring. Observations of 427.8 nm N2+ (first negative group) emissions indicate the presence of ionization.
Characterization of individual submicrometer aerosol particles collected in Incheon, Korea, by quantitative transmission electron microscopy energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry
Authors: Geng Hong , Kang Sujin , Jung Hae‐Jin , Choël Marie , Kim HyeKyeong , Ro Chul‐Un
Published: August 2010

For the last decade the Monte Carlo calculation method has been proven to be an excellent tool for accurately simulating electron‐solid interactions in atmospheric individual particles of micrometer size. Although it was designed for application to scanning electron microscopy, in the present study it is demonstrated that the Monte Carlo calculation can also be applied in a quantitative single particle analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with an ultrathin window energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectrometer with a high accelerating voltage (200 kV). By utilizing an iterative reverse Monte Carlo simulation combined with successive approximation, atomic elemental concentrations (including low‐Z elements) of submicrometer standard particles were determined with high accuracy for electron beam refractory particles such as NaCl, KCl, SiO2, Fe2O3, Na2SO4, K2SO4, CaCO3, and CaSO4. On the basis of quantitative X‐ray analysis together with morphological information from TEM images, overall 1638 submicrometer individual particles from 10 sets of aerosol samples collected in Incheon, Korea, were identified. The most frequently encountered particle types are carbonaceous and (NH4)2SO4/NH4HSO4‐containing particles, followed by mineral (e.g., aluminosilicate, SiO2, CaCO3), sea salt, K‐rich (e.g., K2SO4 and KCl), Fe‐rich, fly ash, and transition or heavy‐metal‐containing (e.g., ZnSO4, ZnCl2, PbSO4) particles. The relative abundances of the submicrometer particle types vary among samples collected in different seasons and also depend on different air mass transport routes. This study demonstrates that the quantitative TEM‐EDX individual particle analysis is a useful and reliable technique in characterizing urban submicrometer aerosol particles.
Role of groundwater in watershed response and land surface feedbacks under climate change
Authors: Ferguson Ian M. , Maxwell Reed M.
Published: August 2010

We use an integrated, distributed groundwater‐surface water‐land surface model, ParFlow, to analyze integrated watershed response and groundwater‐land surface feedbacks in the Little Washita River watershed, located within the southern Great Plains region of North America, under observed and perturbed climate conditions. Basin‐scale hydrologic sensitivity to temperature and precipitation perturbations is shown to be greatest under energy‐limited (direct runoff) conditions compared to moisture‐limited (base flow) conditions. Feedbacks between groundwater depth and the land surface water and energy balance are shown to significantly influence surface fluxes under moisture‐limited conditions, with differences in latent and sensible heat flux between areas of shallow and deep groundwater depth exceeding 75 W/m2 under strongly energy‐limited conditions. The influence of groundwater feedbacks on sensitivity of surface fluxes to changing climate conditions is shown to depend on changes in both moisture and energy availability over the watershed. Results demonstrate that hydrologic sensitivity to climate change depends on feedbacks between groundwater, overland flow, and the land surface water and energy balance. Results suggest not only that local and watershed response to global climate change depends on groundwater feedbacks but that the magnitude and seasonality of these feedbacks is sensitive to changes in climate.
Use of power averaging for quantifying the influence of structure organization on permeability upscaling in on‐lattice networks under mean parallel flow
Authors: de Dreuzy Jean‐Raynald , de Boiry Paul , Pichot Géraldine , Davy Philippe
Published: August 2010

We numerically assess the relevance of power averaging as a means for permeability upscaling on a variety of 2D and 3D, dense, and sparse on‐lattice networks. The power average exponent ω determined on a realization basis converges with the system size within the range of scales explored for all cases. Power averaging is strictly valid only for the 2D dense square case for which ω is equal to 0 with a numerical precision of 0.01 both for the lognormal and log‐uniform permeability distributions consistently with the theoretical proof of Matheron (1967). For all other cases, the variability of ω with the local permeability distribution variance σ2 is nonnegligible but remains small. It is equal to 0.09 for sparse networks and 0.14 for dense networks representing 4.5% and 7%, respectively, of the full possible range of ω values. Power averaging is not strictly valid but gives an estimate of upscaling at a few percent. Here ω depends slightly on the local permeability distribution shape beyond its variance but mostly on the morphological network structures. Most of the morphological control on upscaling for on‐lattice structures is local and topological and can be explained by the dependence on the average number of neighbor by points (effective coordination number) within the flowing structure (backbone).
On the value of conditioning data to reduce conceptual model uncertainty in groundwater modeling
Authors: Rojas R. , Feyen L. , Batelaan O. , Dassargues A.
Published: August 2010

Recent applications of multimodel methods have demonstrated their potential in quantifying conceptual model uncertainty in groundwater modeling applications. To date, however, little is known about the value of conditioning to constrain the ensemble of conceptualizations, to differentiate among retained alternative conceptualizations, and to reduce conceptual model uncertainty. We address these questions by conditioning multimodel simulations on measurements of hydraulic conductivity and observations of system‐state variables and evaluating the effects on (1) the posterior multimodel statistics and (2) the contribution of conceptual model uncertainty to the predictive uncertainty. Multimodel aggregation and conditioning is performed by combining the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method and Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA). As an illustrative example we employ a 3‐dimensional hypothetical system under steady state conditions, for which uncertainty about the conceptualization is expressed by an ensemble (M) of seven models with varying complexity. Results show that conditioning on heads allowed for the exclusion of the two simplest models, but that their information content is limited to further differentiate among the retained conceptualizations. Conditioning on increasing numbers of conductivity measurements allowed for a further refinement of the ensembleMand resulted in an increased precision and accuracy of the multimodel predictions. For some groundwater flow components not included as conditioning data, however, the gain in accuracy and precision was partially offset by strongly deviating predictions of a single conceptualization. Identifying the conceptualization producing the most deviating predictions may guide data collection campaigns aimed at acquiring data to further eliminate such conceptualizations. Including groundwater flow and river discharge observations further allowed for a better differentiation among alternative conceptualizations and drastic reductions of the predictive variances. Results strongly advocate the use of observations less commonly available than groundwater heads to reduce conceptual model uncertainty in groundwater modeling.
Magnetic conjugate point observations of kilometer and hundred‐meter scale irregularities and zonal drifts
Authors: de Paula E. R. , Muella M. T. A. H. , Sobral J. H. A. , Abdu M. A. , Batista I. S. , Beach T. L. , Groves K. M.
Published: August 2010

The Conjugate Point Equatorial Experiment (COPEX) campaign was carried out in Brazil, between October and December 2002, to study the conjugate nature of plasma bubble irregularities and to investigate their generation mechanisms, development characteristics, spatial‐temporal distribution, and dynamics. In this work we will focus mainly on the zonal spaced GPS (1.575 GHz) and VHF (250 MHz) receivers' data collected simultaneously at two magnetic conjugate sites of the COPEX geometry: Boa Vista and Campo Grande. These GPS/VHF receivers were set up to detect the equatorial scintillations and to measure ionospheric scintillation pattern velocities. Then, the zonal irregularity drift velocities were estimated by applying a methodology that corrects the effects caused by vertical drifts and geometrical factors. The results reveal the coexistence of kilometer‐ (VHF) and hundred‐meter‐scale (GPS L‐band) irregularities into the underlying depletion structure. Over the conjugate site of Campo Grande, the average zonal velocity at VHF seems to be consistently larger than the estimated GPS velocities until ∼0200 UT, whereas over Boa Vista the irregularities detected from both techniques are drifting with comparable velocities. The hundred‐meter‐scale structures causing L‐band scintillations appear to be drifting with comparable velocities over both the conjugate sites, whereas the kilometer‐scale structures are drifting over Campo Grande with larger average velocities (before 0300 UT). Complementary data of ionospheric parameters scaled from collocated digital ionosondes are used in the analysis to explain differences/similarities on the scintillation/zonal drift results.
An improved fast radiative transfer model for special sensor microwave imager/sounder upper atmosphere sounding channels
Authors: Han Yong , van Delst Paul , Weng Fuzhong
Published: August 2010

Special sensor microwave imager/sounder (SSMIS) on board the U. S. Defense Meteorology Satellite Program satellites includes six upper atmosphere sounding (UAS) channels for probing air temperature in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. Three of the UAS channels 19–21 are sensitive to the Doppler frequency shift due to Earth's rotation. The sensitivity to the frequency shift in large degree depends on the O2 Zeeman splitting effect, which is a function of the Earth's magnetic field strength and the angle between the Earth's magnetic field and propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave. Since the brightness temperatures can change up to 2 K as a result of the Doppler shift, the fast radiative transfer model developed earlier for the SSMIS UAS channels has recently been improved to take the Doppler shift into account. In the fast model, an averaged transmittance within the channel frequency passbands is parameterized and trained with a line‐by‐line radiative transfer model that accurately computes the monochromatic transmittances at fine frequency steps within each passband. The model is evaluated by comparing it with the line‐by‐line model in an independent experiment. The root mean square differences between the two models are 0.21, 0.39, 0.34, and 0.19 K for channels 19–22, respectively. Using the model, the sensitivities of the radiances to the Doppler shift are analyzed through simulations. A theoretical explanation is given for the dependence of the sensitivities on the Zeeman splitting effect. Results from the analysis are then compared to the observations and a good agreement is achieved.
Epidermal growth factor down-regulates the expression of human hepatic stimulator substance via CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β in HepG2 cells
Authors: Dong Ling-yue , Sun Guangyong , Jiang Luan , Shao Lei , Hu Yang , Jiang Ying , Wang Yutong , An Wei
Published: August 2010

hHSS (human hepatic stimulator substance), acting as a hepatotrophic growth factor, promotes liver regeneration. However, the regulatory mechanisms for hHSS transcription are still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated transcription of hHSS triggered by EGF (epidermal growth factor) and the role of C/EBPβ (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β) as a potential core factor responsible for hHSS transcription in HepG2 cells. The results show that EGF suppresses hHSS mRNA expression at early time points. Using a promoter deletion assay, we identified a proximal region (−358/−212) that is required for EGF suppression. Overexpression of C/EBPβ enhances EGF suppression of hHSS, and mutation of the C/EBPβ-binding site at −292/−279 or siRNA (short interfering RNA) interference abolishes EGF suppression. Furthermore, using an electrophoretic mobility-shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, we found that C/EBPβ specifically binds to the −292/−279 site that is responsible for EGF inhibition. Moreover, using a knockin (overexpression) and knockdown strategy (siRNA), we confirmed that C/EBPβ is a key factor responsible for inhibition of hHSS mRNA expression. Pre-treatment with an inhibitor of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) or down-regulation of JNK1 with specific siRNA reverses EGF-inhibited hHSS expression. Our results provide a crucial regulatory mechanism for EGF in hHSS transcription within the promoter proximal region.
Similar Rates of Phosphatidylinositol Hydrolysis Following Activation of Wild‐Type and Truncated Rat Neurokinin‐1 Receptors
Authors: Raddatz Rita , Crankshaw Carolyn L. , Snider R. Michael , Krause James E.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: The substance P (neurokinin‐1) receptor belongs to the family of seven putative transmembrane domain receptors that are coupled via G proteins to phospholipase C activation. Homologous desensitization of substance P‐stimulated responses has been described in various systems. The rat neurokinin‐1 receptor and a truncated mutant lacking the carboxyl‐terminal region were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells to examine the mechanisms of substance P‐induced desensitization. Wild‐type and truncated receptor‐bearing cells were indistinguishable in agonist binding affinity and EC50 of substance P‐induced accumulation of 3H‐inositol phosphates. Substance P‐induced responses continued for 30–45 min in cells expressing wild‐type and truncated receptors as well as in rat LRM‐55 and human U373 cells, which express endogenous neurokinin‐1 receptors. In transfected cells expressing the wild‐type receptor, CP‐96,345 added 15 min after substance P blocked further responses, demonstrating the continuing presence of responsive receptors. The rates of accumulation of 3H‐inositol phosphates were four times greater in the initial 15 s of stimulation than for the next 20 min for both wild‐type and truncated receptor types. This decrease in rate of substance P‐stimulated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis is therefore not dependent on the carboxyl‐terminal region of the rat neurokinin‐1 receptor, which contains 26 serine and threonine residues. These results are discussed in relation to current ideas regarding neurokinin‐1 receptor desensitization.
Persistent Translocation and Inhibition of Ca2+/Calmodulin‐Dependent Protein Kinase II in the Crude Synaptosomal Fraction of the Vulnerable Hippocampus Following Hypoglycemia
Authors: Hu Bing‐Ren , Kurihara Junichi , Wieloch Tadeusz
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Alterations in the levels and activity of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaM‐kinase II) were studied in the rat hippocampus during and after insulin‐induced hypoglycemic coma. A permanent loss of CaM‐kinase II immunohistostaining in the neuronal layer begins at 10 min of isoelectricity in the tip of the dentate gyrus and at 30‐min isoelectricity in the CA1 region. The reduction in immunohistostaining in the neurites is less pronounced. Immunoreactivity of CaM‐kinase II on western blots increases in the crude synaptosomal fractions and decreases in cytosolic fraction, indicative of a translocation of CaM‐kinase II. The translocation persists for at least 1 day of recovery after 30 min of isoelectricity in the vulnerable hippocampus (dorsomedial hippocampus) but not in the resistant hippocampus (dorsolateral hippocampus). Calmodulin binding to western blots shows changes similar to the immunoblots. Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent activity of CaM‐kinase II in the crude synaptosomal fraction is elevated immediately before isoelectricity and is then inhibited during and after 30 min of isoelectricity, despite the increase of CaM‐kinase II immunoreactivity. This was seen in the vulnerable hippocampus. The data indicate that stimulus of translocation and inhibition of CaM‐kinase II persist during the recovery phase, preceding neuronal degeneration in the vulnerable hippocampus. This may be of significance for hypoglycemia‐induced neuronal death.