bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel anti‐idiotype antibody therapy for lipooligosaccharide‐induced experimental autoimmune neuritis: Use relevant to Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Authors: Usuki S. , Taguchi K. , Thompson S.A. , Chapman P.B. , Yu R.K.
Published: January 2010

Campylobacteriosis is a frequent antecedent event in Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), inducing high‐titer serum antibodies for ganglioside antigens in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Molecular mimicry between the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) component of Campylobacter jejuni and human peripheral nerve gangliosides is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of GBS. Conventional treatment strategies for patients with GBS include plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and immunosuppression, which are invasive or relatively ineffective. In this study, we used our animal model of GBS, in which Lewis rats were immunized with GD3‐like LOS isolated from C.jejuni. The animals developed anti‐GD3 ganglioside antibodies and manifested neuromuscular dysfunction. To develop novel therapeutic strategies, we treated the animals by intraperitoneal administration of an anti‐GD3 antiidiotype monoclonal antibody (BEC2) that specifically interacts with the pathogenic antibody. The treated animals had a remarkable reduction of anti‐GD3 antibody titers and improvement of motor nerve functions. The results suggest that ganglioside mimics, such as antiidiotype antibodies, may be powerful reagents for therapeutic intervention in GBS by neutralizing specific pathogenic antiganglioside antibodies. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Therapeutic potential of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by Fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor
Authors: Yu Jie‐Zhong , Ding Jing , Ma Cun‐Gen , Sun Chang‐Hai , Sun Yi‐Fu , Lu Chuan‐Zhen , Xiao Bao‐Guo
Published: January 2010

The migration of aberrant inflammatory cells into the central nervous system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases potentially through the Rho/Rho‐kinase (Rock) pathway, but direct evidence from human and animal models remains inadequate. Here we further confirm that Fasudil, a selective Rock inhibitor, has therapeutic potential in a mouse model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The results show that Fasudil decreased the development of EAE in C57BL/6 mice. Immunohistochemistry disclosed that expression of Rock‐II in the perivascular spaces and vascular endothelial cells of spleens, spinal cords, and brains was elevated in EAE and was inhibited in the Fasudil‐treated group. T‐cell proliferation specific to MOG35–55 was markedly reduced, together with a significant down‐regulation of interleukin (IL)‐17, IL‐6, and MCP‐1. In contrast, secretion of IL‐4 was increased, and IL‐10 was slightly elevated. There were no differences in the percentages of CD4+CD25+, CD8+CD28−, and CD8+CD122+ in mononuclear cells. Histological staining disclosed a marked decrease of inflammatory cells in spinal cord and brain of Fasudil‐treated mice. These results, together with previous studies showing the inhibitory effect of Fasudil on T‐cell migration, might expand its clinical application as a new therapy for multiple sclerosis by decreasing cell migration and regulating immune balance. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raman spectra of mirabilite, Na2SO4·10H2O and the rediscovered metastable heptahydrate, Na2SO4·7H2O
Authors: Hamilton Andrea , Menzies Robert I.
Published: January 2010

Salt crystallisation in pores is known to cause serious damage to masonry. Sodium sulphate, often regarded as one of the most damaging salts, has a rich hydrate chemistry including one rediscovered metastable hydrate and a new high pressure octahydrate plus five known polymorphs of the anhydrous phase. The difficulty in working with these hydrates lies in their strong tendency to dehydrate or to convert to the stable phase, in the case of the heptahydrate. We present Raman spectra and a table of peak wavenumbers for randomly oriented crystals of mirabilite and the metastable heptahydrate, sufficient to distinguish between these phases that have SO4ν1 values of 989.3 and 987.6 cm−1, respectively. Mirabilite has a Raman spectrum very similar to the free sulphate anion in solution, which is probably due to the mobility of oxygen atoms within the sulphate tetrahedron. The oxygen atoms in the heptahydrate sulphate groups have no partial occupancy, and predicted peak splitting is observed in the region 400–1200 cm−1. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular structure, spectroscopic (FTIR, FTIR gas phase, FT‐Raman) first‐order hyperpolarizability and HOMO–LUMO analysis of 4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl benzoic acid
Authors: Meganathan C. , Sebastian S. , Kurt M. , Lee Keun Woo , Sundaraganesan N.
Published: January 2010

Vibrational spectral analysis was carried out for 4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl benzoic acid (4M2MBA) by using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) (solid, gas phase) and FT‐Raman spectroscopy in the range of 400–4000 and 10–3500 cm−1 respectively. The effects of molecular association through OH···O hydrogen bonding have been described by the single dimer structure. The theoretical computational density functional theory (DFT) and Hatree‐Fock (HF) method were performed at 6–311++G(d,p) levels to derive the equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities. The scaled theoretical wavenumbers were also shown to be in good agreement with experimental data. The first‐order hyperpolarizability (β0) of this novel molecular system and related properties (β, α0 and Δα) of 4M2MBA are calculated using the B3LYP/cc‐pvdz basis set, based on the finite‐field approach. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of 4M2MBA is reported. The theoretical spectrograms for FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of the title molecule were also constructed and compared with the experimental one. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated analysis of lesion depth and integrated reflectivity in PS‐OCT scans of tooth demineralization
Authors: Le Michael H. , Darling Cynthia L. , Fried Daniel
Published: January 2010

Background and Objectives

Several studies have demonstrated that polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) can be used to nondestructively measure the severity of subsurface demineralization in enamel and dentin, track lesion progression over time and measure remineralization. The purpose of this study was to develop methods for the automated assessment of the depth and severity of demineralization in PS‐OCT scans.

Materials and Methods

Subsurface caries‐like lesions of increasing depth and severity were produced in adjoining windows on 10 bovine enamel samples via exposure to demineralization for periods of 1–4 days. PS‐OCT scans were acquired for each sample and analyzed using various methods to calculate the lesion depth and severity. Edge detection algorithms were most successful for measurement of the lesion depth for improved assessment of lesion severity.

Results

Edge‐finding algorithms were able to detect significant differences (P<0.05) in the lesion depth and severity between each of the periods of demineralization and sound enamel. The lesion depth and mineral loss were also measured with polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography after sectioning the teeth for comparison.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the depth and severity of early lesions can be calculated automatically for rapid analysis of PS‐OCT images. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:62–68, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and spectral imaging for breast surgical margin analysis
Authors: Keller Matthew D. , Majumder Shovan K. , Kelley Mark C. , Meszoely Ingrid M. , Boulos Fouad I. , Olivares Graciela M. , Mahadevan‐Jansen Anita
Published: January 2010

Background and Objective

Most women with early stage breast cancer have the option of breast conserving therapy, which involves a partial mastectomy for removal of the primary tumor, usually followed by radiotherapy. The presence of tumor at or near the margin is strongly correlated with the risk of local tumor recurrence, so there is a need for a non‐invasive, real‐time tool to evaluate margin status. This study examined the use of autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and spectral imaging to evaluate margin status intraoperatively.

Materials and Methods

Spectral measurements were taken from the surface of the tissue mass immediately following removal during partial mastectomies and/or from tissues immediately after sectioning by surgical pathology. A total of 145 normal spectra were obtained from 28 patients, and 34 tumor spectra were obtained from 12 patients.

Results

After correlation with histopathology, a multivariate statistical algorithm classified the spectra as normal (negative margins) or tumor (positive margins) with 85% sensitivity and 96% specificity. A separate algorithm achieved 100% classification between neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated tissues and non‐treated tissues. Fluorescence and reflectance‐based spectral images were able to demarcate a calcified lesion on the surface of a resected specimen as well.

Conclusion

Fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy could be a valuable tool for examining the superficial margin status of excised breast tumor specimens, particularly in the form of spectral imaging to examine entire margins in a single acquisition. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:15–23, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo characterization of human pigmented lesions by degree of linear polarization image maps using incident linearly polarized light
Authors: Kim Jihoon , John Raheel , Wu Paul J. , Martini Mary C. , Walsh Joseph T.
Published: January 2010

Background and Objective

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and often appears as an evolving multicolored skin growth. It is well documented that pre‐existing atypical or dysplastic nevi can evolve into a melanoma. The development of an in vivo imaging system to characterize benign and malignant nevi has been emphasized to aid in early detection of melanoma. The goal of this study is to utilize a novel Stokes polarimetry imaging (SPI) system for the characterization of pigmented lesions, and to evaluate the SPI system in comparison to dermoscopy and histology images.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Linearly polarized light with varying incident polarization angles (IPA) illuminated various types of pigmented lesions. The melanocytic nesting patterns of pigmented lesions were characterized by constructing the degree‐of‐linear‐polarization (DOLP) image map with comparison to dermoscopy and histology. The incident polarized light was filtered by visible filters for spectral imaging and incident deeply penetrating red light was used to correlate the SPI image with histopathological examination.

Results

The DOLP images with varying IPA at different visible wavelengths were used to characterize various kinds of pigmented lesions by showing subsurface melanocytic nesting distribution as well as morphological information with better resolution and contrast. In correlation with dermoscopy and histology, various defining features such as compound, junctional, lentiginous, reticular, globular patterns of melanocytic nests were identified.

Conclusion

When imaging pigmented melanocytic lesions, the SPI system with varying IPA at the red light wavelength can better define the melanocytic nesting patterns in both the dermal epidermal junction and the dermis. The SPI system has the potential to be an effective in vivo method of detecting pre‐malignant nevi and melanoma. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:76–85, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation into the optimum beam shape and fluence for selective ablation of dental calculus at λ = 400 nm
Authors: Schoenly Joshua E. , Seka Wolf , Rechmann Peter
Published: January 2010

Background and Objectives

A frequency‐doubled Ti:sapphire laser is shown to selectively ablate dental calculus. The optimal transverse shape of the laser beam, including its variability under water‐cooling, is determined for selective ablation of dental calculus.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Intensity profiles under various water‐cooling conditions were optically observed. The 400‐nm laser was coupled into a multimode optical fiber using an f = 2.5‐cm lens and light‐shaping diffuser. Water‐cooling was supplied coaxially around the fiber. Five human tooth samples (four with calculus and one pristine) were irradiated perpendicular to the tooth surface while the tooth was moved back and forth at 0.3 mm/second, varying between 20 and 180 iterations. The teeth were imaged before and after irradiation using light microscopy with a flashing blue light‐emitting diode (LED). An environmental scanning electron microscope imaged each tooth after irradiation.

Results

High‐order super‐Gaussian intensity profiles are observed at the output of a fiber coiled around a 4‐in. diameter drum. Super‐Gaussian beams have a more‐homogenous fluence distribution than Gaussian beams and have a higher energy efficiency for selective ablation. Coaxial water‐cooling does not noticeably distort the intensity distribution within 1 mm from the optical fiber. In contrast, lasers focused to a Gaussian cross section (≤50‐µm diameter) without fiber propagation and cooled by a water spray are heavily distorted and may lead to variable ablation. Calculus is preferentially ablated at high fluences (≥2 J/cm2); below this fluence, stalling occurs because of photo‐bleaching of the calculus. Healthy dental hard tissue is not removed at fluences ≤3 J/cm2.

Conclusion

Supplying laser light to a tooth using an optical fiber with coaxial water‐cooling is determined to be the most appropriate method when selectively removing calculus with a frequency‐doubled Ti:sapphire laser. Fluences over 2 J/cm2 are required to remove calculus efficiently since photo‐bleaching stalls calculus removal below that value. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:51–61, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photodynamic therapy for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a mouse skin abrasion model
Authors: Dai Tianhong , Tegos George P. , Zhiyentayev Timur , Mylonakis Eleftherios , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: January 2010

Background and Objective

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections are now known to be a common and important problem in the Unites States. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of MRSA infection in skin abrasion wounds using a mouse model.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A mouse model of skin abrasion wound infected with MRSA was developed. Bioluminescent strain of MRSA, a derivative of ATCC 33591, was used to allow the real‐time monitoring of the extent of infection in mouse wounds. PDT was performed with the combination of a polyethylenimine (PEI)–ce6 photosensitizer (PS) and non‐coherent red light. In vivo fluorescence imaging was carried out to evaluate the effect of photobleaching of PS during PDT.

Results

In vivo fluorescence imaging of conjugate PEI–ce6 applied in mice indicated the photobleaching effect of the PS during PDT. PDT induced on average 2.7 log10 of inactivation of MRSA as judged by loss of bioluminescence in mouse skin abrasion wounds and accelerated the wound healing on average by 8.6 days in comparison to the untreated infected wounds. Photobleaching of PS in the wound was overcome by adding the PS solution in aliquots.

Conclusion

PDT may represent an alternative approach for the treatment of MRSA skin infections. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:38–44, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polyaspartic acid as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel
Authors: Cui R. , Gu N. , Li C.
Published: January 2010

The inhibitor effect of the environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor polyaspartic acid (PASP) on the corrosion of carbon steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Polarization curve results clearly reveal the fact that PASP is a good anode‐type inhibitor. EIS results confirm its corrosion inhibition ability. The inhibition efficiency increases with increasing PASP concentration, and the maximum inhibition efficiency was 80.33% at 10 °C. SEM reveals that a protective film forms on the surface of the inhibited sample. The adsorption of this inhibitor is found to follow the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inhibitory action of the corrosion inhibitor.
Glycoprotein analysis using protein microarrays and mass spectrometry
Authors: Patwa Tasneem , Li Chen , Simeone Diane M. , Lubman David M.
Published: January 2010

Protein glycosylation plays an important role in a multitude of biological processes such as cell–cell recognition, growth, differentiation, and cell death. It has been shown that specific glycosylation changes are key in disease progression and can have diagnostic value for a variety of disease types such as cancer and inflammation. The complexity of carbohydrate structures and their derivatives makes their study a real challenge. Improving the isolation, separation, and characterization of carbohydrates and their glycoproteins is a subject of increasing scientific interest. With the development of new stationary phases and molecules that have affinity properties for glycoproteins, the isolation and separation of these compounds have advanced significantly. In addition to detection with mass spectrometry, the microarray platform has become an essential tool to characterize glycan structure and to study glycosylation‐related biological interactions, by using probes as a means to interrogate the spotted or captured glycosylated molecules on the arrays. Furthermore, the high‐throughput and reproducible nature of microarray platforms have been highlighted by its extensive applications in the field of biomarker validation, where a large number of samples must be analyzed multiple times. This review covers a brief survey of the other experimental methodologies that are currently being developed and used to study glycosylation and emphasizes methodologies that involve the use of microarray platforms. This review describes recent advances in several options of microarray platforms used in glycoprotein analysis, including glycoprotein arrays, glycan arrays, lectin arrays, and antibody/lectin arrays. The translational use of these arrays in applications related to characterization of cells and biomarker discovery is also included. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:830–844, 2010
Genitourinary dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sakakibara Ryuji , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Yamanishi Tomonori , Kishi Masahiko
Published: January 2010

Bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency/frequency) and sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) are common nonmotor disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD). In contrast to motor disorders, genitourinary autonomic dysfunctions are often nonresponsive to levodopa treatment. The brain pathology causing the bladder dysfunction (appearance of overactivity) involves an altered dopamine‐basal ganglia circuit, which normally suppresses the micturition reflex. By contrast, hypothalamic dysfunction is mostly responsible for the sexual dysfunction (decrease in libido and erection) in PD, via altered dopamine‐oxytocin pathways, which normally promote libido and erection. The pathophysiology of the genitourinary dysfunction in PD differs from that in multiple system atrophy; therefore, it might aid in differential diagnosis. Anticholinergic agents are used to treat bladder dysfunction in PD, although these drugs should be used with caution particularly in elderly patients who have cognitive decline. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are used to treat sexual dysfunction in PD. These treatments might be beneficial in maximizing the patients' quality of life. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
The effect of peripheral enzyme inhibitors on levodopa concentrations in blood and CSF
Authors: Nord Maria , Zsigmond Peter , Kullman Anita , Årstrand Kerstin , Dizdar Nil
Published: January 2010

Levodopa combined with a dopa‐decarboxylase inhibitor, such as carbidopa, shifts the metabolism to the COMT pathway. Adding the peripheral acting COMT inhibitor entacapone provides improvement for patients with PD suffering from motor fluctuations. We studied the effects of the enzyme inhibitors entacapone and carbidopa on the levodopa concentrations in CSF and in blood. Five PD patients with wearing‐off underwent lumbar drainage and intravenous microdialysis. Samples were taken 12 h daily for 3 days. Day 1; intravenous levodopa was given, day 2; additional oral entacapone 200 mg tid, day 3; additional oral entacapone 200 mg tid and carbidopa 25 mg bid. Levodopa in CSF and in dialysates was analysed. The AUC for levodopa increased both in blood and CSF when additional entacapone was given alone and in combination with carbidopa. The Cmax of levodopa in both CSF and blood increased significantly. Additional entacapone to levodopa therapy gives an increase of Cmax in CSF and in blood. The increase is more evident when entacapone is combined with carbidopa. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Rhythmic pupillary oscillation in Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease associated with the Glu/Lys mutation of prion protein codon 200
Authors: Nagasaka Kaori , Ohta Emiko , Nagasaka Takamura , Togashi Shinji , Miwa Michiaki , Nakamura Yuki , Shindo Kazumasa , Shiozawa Zenji
Published: January 2010

We report two Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) patients with rhythmic pupillary and palpebral oscillation who had a mutation of prion protein codon 200 that resulted in the substitution of lysine for glutamate (Glu/Lys). Alternating dilation and constriction of the pupils combined with elevation and descent of the eyelids occurred in correspondence with periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWCs) on the electroencephalogram and with myoclonus of the head, face, and extremities. The onset of pupillary dilation and palpebral elevation coincided with the PSWCs. Initiation of these rhythmic pupillary and palpebral movements may depend on sympathetic activity, but the site of the generator is unclear. Such rhythmic pupillary and palpebral oscillation may be a feature of rapidly progressive CJD with predominant right hemispheric involvement. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Differentiating vascular parkinsonism from idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Kalra Seema , Grosset Donald G. , Benamer Hani T.S.
Published: January 2010

Vascular parkinsonism (VP) remains a loose constellation of various clinical features. We systematically reviewed studies comparing clinical, neuroimaging and other investigations that might distinguish VP from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Medline, Embase, Cinahl (R), and PsycINFO were searched by querying appropriate key words. Reports were included if the study population contained comparative findings between patients with VP and PD. Twenty‐five articles fulfilled the selection criteria. Patients with VP were older, with a shorter duration of illness, presented with symmetrical gait difficulties, were less responsive to levodopa, and were more prone to postural instability, falls, and dementia. Pyramidal signs, pseudobulbar palsy, and incontinence were more common in VP. Tremor was not a main feature of VP. Structural neuroimaging was more likely to be abnormal in VP (90–100% of cases) than in PD (12–43% of cases), but there was no specific abnormal structural imaging pattern for VP. Two studies of presynaptic striatal dopamine transporters (using single photon emission computed tomography) showed a significant reduction in striatal uptake ratios in PD but not in VP, whereas another study found that only the mean asymmetry index was significantly lower in VP. Various other investigations, including alternative imaging techniques, electrophysiological, and neuropsychological studies, are reported, but the diverse diagnostic criteria used makes it difficult to reach any firm conclusions. The development of accepted international diagnostic criteria for VP is urgently needed to facilitate further studies. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome presenting as progressive nonfluent aphasia: A neuropsychological and neuroimaging analysis
Authors: Rohrer Jonathan D. , Paviour Dominic , Bronstein Adolfo M. , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Lees Andrew , Warren Jason D.
Published: January 2010

There is currently considerable interest in the clinical spectrum of progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and the intersection of these two entities. Here, we undertook a detailed prospective clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging analysis of 14 consecutive patients presenting with PNFA to identify cases meeting clinical criteria for PSP. These patients had further detailed assessment of extrapyramidal and oculomotor functions. All patients had high‐resolution MR brain volumetry and a cortical thickness analysis was undertaken on the brain images. Four patients presenting with PNFA subsequently developed features of a PSP syndrome, including a typical oculomotor palsy. The neuropsychological profile in these cases was similar to other patients with PNFA, however, with more marked reduction in propositional speech, fewer speech errors, less marked impairment of literacy skills but more severe associated deficits of episodic memory and praxis. These PSP‐PNFA cases had less prominent midbrain atrophy but more marked prefrontal atrophy than a comparison group of five patients with pathologically confirmed PSP without PNFA and more prominent midbrain atrophy but less marked perisylvian atrophy than other PNFA cases. In summary, although the PSP‐PNFA syndrome overlaps with PNFA without PSP, certain neuropsychological and neuroanatomical differences may help predict the development of a PSP syndrome. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Aberrant branches of the radial digital nerve in the index and middle finger: Two case‐reports
Authors: Nguyen D. Thuan , Harries Iwan B. , Fessas Christian , Dickson William A. , Meek Marcel F.
Published: January 2010

This report describes two incidental findings of aberrant branches of the radial digital nerves in the middle finger of a 52‐year‐old man who cut himself with a grinding machine, and in the index finger of a 45‐year‐old female who sustained a flexor sheath infection following a dog bite. In both patients, two equally sized radial digital nerves were found and both nerves originated from one common digital nerve. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
The influence of dietary status on the cognitive performance of children
Authors: Benton David
Published: January 2010

The rapid rate of growth of the brain during the last third of gestation and the early postnatal stage makes it vulnerable to an inadequate diet, although brain development continues into adulthood and micronutrient status can influence functioning beyond infancy. Certain dietary deficiencies during the first 2 years of life, for example iodine and iron, create problems that are not reversed by a later adequate diet. It is important that the intake of micronutrients varies greatly between individuals as they are essential for metabolism in general and in particular cell division and hence growth. In developing countries, there is consistent evidence that the adequacy of diet has lasting implications for cognitive development. In particular, attention has been directed to protein–calorie malnutrition and more specifically the intake of iron, iodine and vitamin A, a deficiency of which damages eyesight. In industrialized countries variations in diet are less influential, although a few well‐designed studies have reported that multivitamin and mineral supplementations influence anti‐social behaviour and intelligence. In the short term, there is increasing evidence that the missing of breakfast has negative consequences late in the morning. A working hypothesis is that meals of a low rather than high glycaemic load are beneficial.
Significance of vitamin A to brain function, behavior and learning
Authors: Olson Christopher R. , Mello Claudio V.
Published: January 2010

Retinoid acid, the bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, is a potent signaling molecule in the brains of growing and adult animals, regulates numerous gene products, and modulates neurogenesis, neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a global health problem, yet our knowledge of its effects on behavior and learning is still emerging. Here we review studies that have implicated retinoids in learning and memory deficits of post‐embryonic and adult rodent and songbird models. Dietary vitamin A supplementation improves learning and memory in VAD rodents and can ameliorate cognitive declines associated with normal aging. Songbird studies examine the effects of retinoid signaling on vocal/auditory learning and are uniquely suited to study the behavioral effects of VAD because the neural circuitry of the song system is discrete and well understood. Similar to human speech acquisition, avian vocal learning proceeds in well‐defined stages of template acquisition, rendition and maturation. Local blockade of retinoic acid production in the brain or excess dietary retinoic acid results in the failure of song maturation, yet does not affect prior song acquisition. Together these results yield significant insights into the role of vitamin A in maintaining neuronal plasticity and cognitive function in adulthood.
Hypolipidemic effect of dietary pea proteins: Impact on genes regulating hepatic lipid metabolism
Authors: Rigamonti Elena , Parolini Cinzia , Marchesi Marta , Diani Erika , Brambilla Stefano , Sirtori Cesare R. , Chiesa Giulia
Published: January 2010

Controversial data on the lipid‐lowering effect of dietary pea proteins have been provided and the mechanisms behind this effect are not completely understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible hypolipidemic activity of a pea protein isolate and to determine whether pea proteins could affect the hepatic lipid metabolism through regulation of genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis. Rats were fed Nath's hypercholesterolemic diets for 28 days, the protein sources being casein or a pea protein isolate fromPisum sativum. After 14 and 28 days of dietary treatment, rats fed pea proteins had markedly lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels than rats fed casein (p<0.05). Pea protein‐fed rats displayed higher hepatic mRNA levels of LDL receptorversusthose fed casein (p<0.05). Hepatic mRNA concentration of genes involved in fatty acids synthesis, such as fatty acid synthase and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase, was lower in pea protein‐fed rats than in rats fed casein (p<0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a marked cholesterol and triglyceride‐lowering activity of pea proteins in rats. Moreover, pea proteins appear to affect cellular lipid homeostasis by upregulating genes involved in hepatic cholesterol uptake and by downregulating fatty acid synthesis genes.
Thermal contact conductance characterization via computational contact homogenization: A finite deformation theory framework
Authors: Temizer İ. , Wriggers P.
Published: January 2010

In order to predict the macroscopic thermal response of contact interfaces between rough surface topographies, a computational contact homogenization technique is developed at the finite deformation regime. The overall homogenization framework transfers macroscopic contact variables, such as surfacial stretch, pressure and heat flux, as boundary conditions on a test sample within a micromechanical interface testing procedure. An analysis of the thermal dissipation within the test sample reveals a thermodynamically consistent identification for the macroscopic thermal contact conductance parameter that enables the solution of a homogenized thermomechanical contact boundary value problem based on standard computational approaches. The homogenized contact response effectively predicts a temperature jump across the macroscale contact interface. The strong dependence of this homogenized response on macroscale solution variables of interest is demonstrated via representative three‐dimensional numerical investigations. The proposed contact homogenization framework is suitable for the analysis of similar energy transport phenomena across heterogeneous contact interfaces where the investigation of the sources for energy dissipation is of concern. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
School psychologists' perceptions regarding the practice of identifying reading disabilities: Cognitive assessment and response to intervention considerations
Authors: Machek Greg R. , Nelson Jason M.
Published: January 2010

This study surveyed a national sample of school psychologists with respect to the identification of reading disabilities (RD). It covers school psychologists' opinions regarding perceived benefits of the use of cognitive assessment in RD identification, both within and outside of an IQ–achievement discrepancy model. The survey also solicited opinions about the nature of RD, particularly conceptions of general slow learners (and readers) versus those evidencing a discrepancy. Results related to school psychologists' concerns about job security, should IQ testing be reduced, are presented. Furthermore, the perceived benefits of a Response to Intervention (RTI) model, how school psychologists see themselves contributing to an RTI effort, as well as possible hurdles to RTI implementation are covered. Measurement of these perceptions may be beneficial in informing current and future service delivery models for RD identification as well as possible training needs of currently practicing school psychologists. Finally, the current work represents an effort to measure assessment acceptability for RD identification techniques. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Teaching social skills to children with autism spectrum disorders using tiers of support: A guide for school‐based professionals
Authors: Sansosti Frank J.
Published: January 2010

The quintessential characteristic of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is having difficulty with basic social interactions. Due to the pervasiveness of their social skills difficulties, it is necessary that supports for increasing social skills of children with ASD are included as part of the educational plan within schools. The purpose of this article is to provide educators with a framework for using multiple tiers of instruction to teach social skills to children with ASD. Specifically, a number of evidence‐based strategies for teaching social skills are summarized within a systemic, multitiered approach. It is anticipated that such a model proves helpful as educators address issues related to service delivery provisions for students with ASD. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Teenage girls' perceptions of the functions of relationally aggressive behaviors
Authors: Reynolds Bridget M. , Repetti Rena L.
Published: January 2010

Adolescent girls reported on their experiences both as perpetrators and as victims of several distinct forms of relational aggression. Details of these incidents were gathered from 114 ethnically diverse ninth and tenth graders via a secure online survey. The frequency with which girls perpetrated or were targeted for particular acts of relational aggression was assessed and, based on the responses, a computer program randomly selected one item (i.e., gossip, ignoring, or exclusion) for which each girl was asked to recall a specific experience and answer follow‐up questions. Perceptions of the goals and functions of specific relationally aggressive acts were assessed, as well as how the perpetrator or victim felt at the time of the incident. Ignoring or “giving the silent treatment” appeared to be a unique form of relational aggression inasmuch as the girls perceived different motives, or functions, for ignoring compared with gossip and exclusion and felt worse at the time of the ignoring incident, both when they were reporting as aggressors and as victims. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Missing values in gel‐based proteomics
Authors: Albrecht Daniela , Kniemeyer Olaf , Brakhage Axel A. , Guthke Reinhard
Published: January 2010

Gel‐based proteomics is a widely applied technique to measure abundances of proteins in various biological systems. Comparison of two or more biological groups involves matching of 2‐D gels. Depending on the software, this can result in spots showing missing values on several gels. Most studies ignore this fact or substitute all missing data by zero. Since a couple of years, scientists have realized that this is not the optimal way of analyzing their data and several studies were published presenting methods of imputing missing proteomics data. Most of these methods have already been applied to microarray data before; the phenomenon of missing data is well known in this field, too. With this review, we intend to further raise awareness of the problem of missing values in gel‐based proteomics. We summarize reasons for missing values and explore their distribution in data sets. We also provide a comparison and evaluation of hitherto proposed imputation methods for gel‐based proteomics data.
From proteome lists to biological impact– tools and strategies for the analysis of large MS data sets
Authors: Malik Rainer , Dulla Kalyan , Nigg Erich A. , Körner Roman
Published: January 2010

MS has become a method‐of‐choice for proteome analysis, generating large data sets, which reflect proteome‐scale protein–protein interaction and PTM networks. However, while a rapid growth in large‐scale proteomics data can be observed, the sound biological interpretation of these results clearly lags behind. Therefore, combined efforts of bioinformaticians and biologists have been made to develop strategies and applications to help experimentalists perform this crucial task. This review presents an overview of currently available analytical strategies and tools to extract biologically relevant information from large protein lists. Moreover, we also present current research publications making use of these tools as examples of how the presented strategies may be incorporated into proteomic workflows. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of Gene Ontology terms, interaction networks, biological pathways and PTMs. In addition, topics including domain analysis and text mining are reviewed in the context of computational analysis of proteomic results. We expect that these types of analyses will significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of individual proteins, protein networks and pathways in complex systems.
Free computational resources for designing selected reaction monitoring transitions
Authors: Cham (Mead) Jennifer A. , Bianco Luca , Bessant Conrad
Published: January 2010

Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) is a technique for quantifying specific proteins using triple quadrupole MS. Proteins are digested into peptides and fed into MS following HPLC separation. The stream of ionized peptides is filtered by m/z ratio so only specific peptide targets enter the collision cell, where they are fragmented into product ions. A specific product ion is then filtered from the cell and its intensity measured. By spiking an isotopically labeled version of each target peptide into a sample, both native and surrogate peptides enter MS, pass the filters and transition into product ions in tandem; thus the quantity of the native peptide may be calculated by examining the relative intensities of the native and surrogate signals. The choice of precursor‐to‐product ion transitions is critical for SRM, but predicting the best candidates is challenging and time‐consuming. To alleviate this problem, software tools for designing and optimizing transitions have recently emerged, predominantly driven by data from public proteomics repositories, such as the Global Proteome Machine and PeptideAtlas. In this review, we provide an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in automated SRM transition design tools in the public domain, explaining how the systems work and how to use them.
Shotgun proteomics data from multiple organisms reveals remarkable quantitative conservation of the eukaryotic core proteome
Authors: Weiss Manuel , Schrimpf Sabine , Hengartner Michael O. , Lercher Martin J. , von Mering Christian
Published: January 2010

Genome‐wide, absolute quantification of expressed proteins is not yet within reach for most eukaryotes. However, large numbers of MS‐based protein identifications have been deposited in databases, together with information on the observation frequencies of each peptide spectrum (“spectral counts”). We have conducted a meta‐analysis using several million peptide observations from five model eukaryotes, establishing a consistent, semi‐quantitative analysis pipeline. By inferring and comparing protein abundances across orthologs, we observe: (i) the accuracy of spectral counting predictions increases with sampling depth and can rival that of direct biochemical measurements, (ii) the quantitative makeup of the consistently observed core proteome in eukaryotes is remarkably stable, with abundance correlations exceeding RS=0.7 at an evolutionary distance greater than 1000 million years, and (iii) some groups of proteins are more constrained than others. We argue that our observations reveal stabilizing selection: central parts of the eukaryotic proteome appear to be expressed at well‐balanced, near‐optimal abundance levels. This is consistent with our further observations that essential proteins show lower abundance variations than non‐essential proteins, and that gene families that tend to undergo gene duplications are less well constrained than families that keep a single‐copy status.
Scaffold: A bioinformatic tool for validating MS/MS‐based proteomic studies
Authors: Searle Brian C.
Published: January 2010

Over‐reporting of unreliable protein identifications has reduced the accuracy and reproducibility of MS/MS‐based proteomic studies. In this work, we demonstrate the analysis workflow used by a bioinformatic tool called Scaffold, which attempts to increase the confidence in protein identification reports through the use of several statistical methods. In addition, this work describes an advanced protein grouping method used by Scaffold to further reduce falsely reported protein identifications, particularly when using large or otherwise sequence redundant protein databases.
Investigating protein isoforms via proteomics: A feasibility study
Authors: Blakeley Paul , Siepen Jennifer A. , Lawless Craig , Hubbard Simon J.
Published: January 2010

Alternative splicing (AS) and processing of pre‐messenger RNAs explains the discrepancy between the number of genes and proteome complexity in multicellular eukaryotic organisms. However, relatively few alternative protein isoforms have been experimentally identified, particularly at the protein level. In this study, we assess the ability of proteomics to inform on differently spliced protein isoforms in human and four other model eukaryotes. The number of Ensembl‐annotated genes for which proteomic data exists that informs on AS exceeds 33% of the alternately spliced genes in the human and worm genomes. Examining AS in chicken via proteomics for the first time, we find support for over 600 AS genes. However, although peptide identifications support only a small fraction of alternative protein isoforms that are annotated in Ensembl, many more variants are amenable to proteomic identification. There remains a sizeable gap between these existing identifications (10–52% of AS genes) and those that are theoretically feasible (90–99%). We also compare annotations between Swiss‐Prot and Ensembl, recommending use of both to maximize coverage of AS. We propose that targeted proteomic experiments using selected reactions and standards are essential to uncover further alternative isoforms and discuss the issues surrounding these strategies.
Project-as-Practice: In Search of Project Management Research that Matters
Authors: Blomquist Tomas , Hällgren Markus , Nilsson Andreas , Söderholm Anders
Published: January 2010

Research on projects is not only an immature field of research, but it is also insubstantial when it comes to understanding what occurs in projects. This article contributes to making project management research matter to the academic as well as to the practitioner by developing a project-as-practice approach, in alignment with the ongoing debate in social science research. The article outlines a framework and argues that there are two major challenges to the researcher and also suggests how these challenges can be met. Underlying notions of the practice approach are outlined to ensure a development of the project-as-practice approach that makes project management research matter!
An analysis of all the relevant facts and arguments indicates that enzyme catalysis does not involve large contributions from nuclear tunneling
Authors: Kamerlin Shina C. L. , Warshel Arieh
Published: January 2010

Enzymatic reactions are crucial toward controlling and performing most life processes, and, as such, understanding how they really work has both fundamental and practical importance. Thus, one of the major current challenges of biophysics involves understanding the origin of the enormous catalytic power of enzymes, an issue that is still not widely understood and remains controversial within the scientific community. Several proposals have been put forth to try to explain the origin of enzyme catalysis, one of which is the idea that enzyme catalysis involves special factors such as nuclear quantum mechanical (NQM) effects, and, in particular, nuclear tunneling. Here, we will discuss both the factors for and against this proposition, and demonstrate that an analysis of all the relevant facts and arguments seems to establish that enzyme catalysis does not involve large contributions from nuclear tunneling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics for reactions of ion pairs in aqueous solution: reactivity of tosylate anion ion paired with the highly destabilized 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl carbocation
Authors: Teshima Minami , Tsuji Yutaka , Richard John P.
Published: January 2010

The sum of the rate constants for solvolysis and scrambling of carbon bridging and nonbridging oxygen‐18 at 4‐MeC6H4CH(CF3)OS(18O2)Tos in 50/50 (v/v) trifluoroethanol/water, (ksolv + kiso) = 5.4 × 10−6 s−1, is 50% larger than ksolv = 3.6 × 10−6 for the simple solvolysis reaction of the sulfonate ester. This shows that the ion‐pair intermediate of solvolysis undergoes significant internal return to form reactant. These data give a value of k‐1 = 1.7 × 1010 s−1 for internal return of the carbocation–anion pair to the substrate. This rate constant is larger than the value of k‐1 = 7 × 109 s−1 reported for internal return of an ion pair between the 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethyl carbocation and pentafluorobenzoate anion to the neutral ester (4‐MeC6H4CH(CH3)O2CC6F5) in the same solvent. The partitioning of ion pairs to the 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethyl carbocation and to the highly destabilized 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl carbocation is compared and contrasted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.