bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Self-Perception Profile for Children
Authors: Pereda Noemí , Forns Maria
Published: December 2005

Harter's Self-perception Profile for Children was designed to assess children's domain-specific judgments of their competence (scholastic, social, athletic, physical, and behavioral), as well as global self-worth. The psychometric properties and exploratory factor analysis of the profile for two Spanish samples of children (49% boys and 51% girls; M age = 11.1 yr., SD = 9.7), were examined ( n = 23 from an after-school social care center in an economically deprived neighborhood and n = 120 from a private school mainly enrolling families of medium socioeconomic status). All attending children between 9 and 12 yr. old were included. Analysis showed sex differences, with girls scoring lower than boys on Athletic Competence and higher on Behavioral Conduct. Children from the economically deprived group had higher scores on Social Acceptance and lower scores on Physical Appearance. The cross-cultural analysis showed that the Spanish control group scored significantly higher than the original American control group on Global Self-worth. A Spanish validation with 9- to 12-yr.-olds clearly replicated the five-factor structure reported by Harter in 1985 and also replicated the results obtained in other European samples, showing reliable and valid psychometric properties.
Personal and Social Bases of Children's Self-Concepts about Physical Movement
Authors: Brake N. A. , Bornholt L. J.
Published: December 2005

This project examined the personal and social bases of children's self-concepts about physical movement. Children completed the Movement Assessment Battery, ASK-KIDS self-concept inventory, personal and social self-categorizations. Participants were girls and boys from 5 to 12 years old. Study 1-( N = 242) confirmed that the ASK-KIDS self-concept inventory could be extended to physical movement for younger and older girls and boys. In Study 2 ( N = 42), self-concepts about movement were not necessarily associated with actual performance and personal self-categorizations about oneself as a ‘bookish’ or ‘sporty’ person. In contrast, self-concepts about physical movement were associated with social self-categorizations regarding age and sex. Study 3 ( N = 70) confirmed the social basis of children's self-concepts about movement. Self-concepts about physical movement were associated with children's sense of belonging and not with a sense of individuality. The findings have implications for the design of programs that motivate children to participate in physical activities.
Sensitivity to Differences in the Extent of Neck-Retraction and -Rotation Movements Made with and without Vision
Authors: Lee Haejung , Nicholson Leslie L. , Adams Roger D.
Published: December 2005

19 subjects (10 men, 9 women) ages 19 to 30 years ( M = 23.2, SD = 3.3) volunteered to participate in a study to investigate the just-noticeable-difference in movement extent for neck retraction and neck rotation. Testing was carried out with stopped movements, conducted according to the method of constant stimuli, and repeated both with and without vision in a comfortable seated position. Sensitivity was greatest for neck-retraction movements, which had lower just-noticeable-difference than either left or right rotation movements. Having full vision available gave no significant advantage in any direction when discriminating between different extents of midrange head movements.
Multiple Rapid Automatic Naming Measures of Cognition: Normal Performance and Effects of Aging
Authors: Jacobson James M. , Nielsen Niels Peter , Minthon Lennart , Warkentin Siegbert , Wiig Elisabeth H.
Published: December 2005

Rapid automatic naming tasks are clinical tools for probing brain functions that underlie normal cognition. To compare performance for various stimuli in normal subjects and assess the effect of aging, we administered six single-dimension stimuli (color, form, number, letter, animal, and object) and five dual-dimension stimuli (color-form, color-number, color-letter, color-animal, and color-object) to 144 normal volunteers who ranged in age from 15 to 85 years. Rapid automatic naming times for letters and numbers were significantly less than for forms, animals, and objects. Rapid automatic naming times for color-number and color-letter stimuli were significantly less than for color-form, color-animal, or color-object stimuli. Age correlated significantly with rapid automatic naming time for each single-dimension stimulus and for color-form, color-number, color-animal, and color-object stimuli. Linear regression showed that rapid automatic naming times increased with age for aggregated color stimuli, aggregated single-dimension stimuli, and aggregated dual-dimension stimuli. This age effect persisted in subgroups less than 60 years of age and greater than 60 years of age. We conclude that normal performance time is dependent on the task, with letter and number stimuli eliciting most rapid responses, and that most rapid automatic naming times increase with age.
Elevated Nociceptive Thresholds in Rats with Multifocal Brain Damage Induced with Single Subcutaneous Injections of Lithium and Pilocarpine
Authors: Galic M. A.
Published: December 2005

To quantify the variability in thermal pain perception of rats with chemically induced brain injury following subcutaneous lithium and pilocarpine administration, 9 female Wistar rats were subjected to a nociceptive (hotplate) paradigm. At approximately 200 days of age, subjects were injected subcutaneously with 3 mEq/kg of lithium chloride followed 4 hr. later by 30 mg/kg of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine to generate lesions that mimic human temporal lobe (limbic) epilepsy. Over 2 trials 4 of 9 subjects exhibited thermal latencies that exceeded 60 sec. while the remaining subjects obtained mean latencies of 13.40 sec. before demonstrating the criterion nociceptive response. These findings suggest that the multifocal neuronal necrosis subsequent to single peripheral injections of lithium and pilocarpine, followed by the neuroleptic, acepromazine, may significantly augment pain thresholds in certain rats within experimentally epileptic populations.
Effectiveness of Video of Conspecifics as a Reward for Socially Housed Bonnet Macaques (Macaca Radiata)
Authors: Brannon Elizabeth M. , Andrews Michael W. , Rosenblum Leonard A.
Published: December 2005

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effectiveness of presenting brief video of conspecifics to socially housed bonnet macaques as a reward for performing a joystick task. Using a joystick, subjects tracked a moving target with the cursor on a computer monitor. In Exp. 1, subjects completed significantly more joystick trials for food reward than for video reward or no reward. Subjects also preferred viewing video of another group (Other Group Video) to receiving no reward or to viewing video of their own group (Own Group Video). In Exp. 2, subjects were given two reward conditions, video of a familiar social group or video of a new social group. Two monkeys contributed the vast majority of trials, and both responded more frequently when the reward was video of the new social group. Results of these two experiments suggest that viewing video of conspecifics may serve as an effective reward for at least some socially housed primates and suggests that novelty of the individuals depicted in the video is an important factor contributing to the reward value of video.
“The Sound Must Seem an Echo to the Sense”: Pope's Use of Sound to Convey Meaning in His Translation of Homer's Iliad
Authors: Whissell Cynthia
Published: December 2005

In his Essay on Criticism, Pope suggested that sound both could and should be used to convey meaning in poetry. To test his practice of this principle, the 52,000 sounds or phonemes in the first two Books of Pope's translation of the Iliad were scored with the help of Whissell's 2000 classification of sounds in terms of emotional meaning. A chi-squared contingency analysis indicated that there was a preferential and face valid use of Passive sounds in some passages and of Active sounds in others. There was also a significant difference between Books (Book I was more Active) and a distinct pattern of rise and then fall within each of them in the preferential use of Active phonemes.
Influence of Alcohol Intake on the Parameters Evaluating the Body Center of Foot Pressure in a Static Upright Posture
Authors: Noda Masahiro , Yamaji Shunsuke , Demura Shinichi , Kitabayashi Tamotsu
Published: December 2005

To examine the influence of alcohol intake on various parameters evaluating the change in body center of foot pressure during a static upright posture, 11 healthy young males and females gave measures of blood pressure, heart rate, whole body reaction time, standing on one leg with eyes closed, and body stability for 60 sec. in the Romberg posture (open eyes, closed feet) before and after the alcohol intake. The measurement was made with an Anima's stabilometer G5500. Data sampling frequency was 20 Hz. The subjects drank alcohol (Japanese sake 540 ml) within 10 min. After 10, 20, and 30 min. of alcohol intake, the same measurements were carried out. 24 parameters with higher trial-to-trial reliability were selected from the following 7 domains: distance, mean center of foot pressure, distribution of amplitude, area, velocity, frequency (power spectrum), and direction (vector) of body-sway and velocity. Parameters for distance, velocity, and area of body-sway significantly changed after alcohol intake, but the mean center of foot pressure and frequency of body-sway were unchanged. It was inferred that the mean center of foot pressure and frequency for body-sway did not change even if a nervous function decreased by the alcohol intake, and an upright posture was maintained by increasing the distance, area, and velocity of body-sway. Further, body-sway tends to increase in the medial/lateral direction as compared with the anterior/posterior direction.
Optimal Handle Angle of the Fencing Foil for Improved Performance
Authors: Lin Fang-Tsan
Published: December 2005

Improperly designed hand tools and sports equipment contribute to undesired injuries and accidents. The idea of bending the tool, not the wrist, has been applied to sports equipment. According to Bennett's idea, the design of an ideal handle angle should be in the range of 14° to 24°. Thus design of the handle angle in the sport of fencing is also important. A well-designed handle angle could not only reduce ulnar deviation to avoid wrist injury but also enhance performance. An experiment with several different handle angles was conducted to analyze the effect on performance. Analysis showed an angle of 18° to 21° provided best overall performance in fencing.
Influence of the Flooding in 2002 on the Plankton and the Quality of Water and Sediment of the River Elbe over Its Longitudinal Profile
Authors: Pepelnik Rudolf , Karrasch Bernhard , Niedergesäß Rainer , Erbslöh Burkhard , Mehrens Maren , Link Ute , Herzog Michael , Prange Andreas
Published: December 2005

The extreme flooding of the Elbe in August 2002 led to resuspension of large amounts of sediment and thus to elevated loads of organic substance in the river. The higher organic carbon concentration was only slightly balanced by increased microbiological self‐purification capability, and this led to regional organic pollution along the river Elbe, especially in lentic water bodies. The remobilisation of sediments also led to increases in the concentrations of some elements by a factor of more than three times. In October 2002, the concentrations of most elements decreased to their 1998 values with the exception of As, Cd, W, Bi and U. One year after the flood an algae bloom and biogenous decalcification led to increases in organic matter and calcite in the suspended matter and sediments and therefore to dilution of most of the elements. However, the concentrations of Cd, W and Bi in the 2002 and 2003 sediments were higher than in 1998.
Radionuclides in the Mulde River System after the August‐2002 Flood
Authors: Michel Rolf , Feuerborn Joachim , Knöchel Arndt , Miller Frank , Ritzel Stefan , Treutler Hanns‐Christian , von Tümpling Wolf , Wanke Carsten
Published: December 2005

Radionuclides were investigated in sediments from the rivers Freiberger Mulde, Zwickauer Mulde and Vereinigte Mulde in Saxony/Germany as well as in areas potentially affected by the uranium mining and milling in Saxony in order to study the consequences of the August‐2002 flood with respect to mobilization and transport of heavy‐metal containing sediments. Sampling points were chosen to allow comparison of the results with those of earlier investigations performed about one decade ago. In addition, samples of high‐flood sediments in urban areas were investigated. Radionuclide concentrations in sediments from the Freiberger Mulde reveal the geogenic background. The Zwickauer Mulde is still strongly affected by the former uranium mining and milling activities, but 238U and 226Ra activity concentrations are significantly lower than one decade ago. The same holds true for the Vereinigte Mulde, the activity concentrations being, however, lower due to dilution of sediments during long‐range transport. To which degree the decreases are due to the interim remediation work or due to the flood event of 2002 cannot be decided. Definitive influences of the flood, i.e. mobilization and transport of materials from mine dumps and tailing ponds can be seen for some of the areas affected by uranium mining and milling. 238U/226Ra and 226Ra/210Pb radioactive disequilibria allow distinguishing the different types of materials polluting the sediments and their transport pathways. The radiological relevance of the results is discussed.
Control of different reactive distillation configurations
Authors: Hung Shih‐Bo , Lee Ming‐Jer , Tang Yeong‐Tarng , Chen Yi‐Wei , Lai I‐Kuan , Hung Wan‐Jen , Huang Hsiao‐Ping , Yu Cheng‐Ching
Published: December 2005

Three different flowsheets have been proposed for acetic acid esterification of acetic acid with alcohols ranging from C1 to C5 according to the ranking of normal boiling points and immiscibility. This work explores the similarities and differences in the dynamics and control of these three types of flowsheets. The degree of process nonlinearity is analyzed qualitatively based on the residue curve map and the boiling point ranking and it can be computed quantitatively based on the fraction of “sign reversal” for all tray temperatures or based on Allgower's nonlinearity measure. These measures provide useful information to the potential problems in closed‐loop control. Next, a systematic design procedure is proposed to devise control structures for all three types of flowsheets for these five esterification systems. The simulation results reveal that reasonable control can be achieved for all five systems with different degrees of asymmetry in closed‐loop responses as predicted by the nonlinearity measures. Dual‐temperature control and one‐temperature/one‐composition control are studied. Simulation results clearly show that the simple decentralized control provides a workable solution for highly nonlinear reactive distillation columns under various flowsheet configurations. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Clinical and pathological characterization of progressive aphasia
Authors: Knibb Jonathan A. , Xuereb John H. , Patterson Karalyn , Hodges John R.
Published: December 2005

Objective

The clinical and neuropathological categorization of patients presenting with progressive aphasia is an area of controversy. This study aimed to characterize a large group of progressive aphasic patients from a single center (n = 38), first clinically by case note review, and then pathologically.

Methods

Hierarchical cluster analysis of the cases according to their clinical language deficits was used to establish an unbiased, data‐driven classification.

Results

This analysis revealed two groups of cases corresponding to the syndromes of progressive nonfluent aphasia (n = 23) and semantic dementia (n = 15). Postmortem analysis showed a majority in both groups of pathologies from the spectrum of frontotemporal lobar degeneration: the most frequent were non–Alzheimer's disease (AD) tauopathy in the nonfluent cases (10 of 23) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin‐positive, tau‐negative inclusions in the fluent cases (8 of 15). Despite rigorous exclusion of cases with clinically significant memory deficits or other cognitive impairments, the pathology of AD was present in approximately one third of each group (overall 12 of 38), although often with an atypical neuroanatomical distribution.

Interpretation

Progressive aphasia is best seen as a composite of two conditions, on both clinical and pathological levels: progressive nonfluent aphasia and semantic dementia. Ann Neurol 2006;59:156–165
Study on antibacterial behavior of insoluble quaternary ammonium
Authors: Jiang Shan , Wang Li , Yu Haojie , Chen Ying , Shi Quan
Published: December 2005

Insoluble crosslinked polystyrenes (PS) grafted with different quaternary ammonium groups were synthesized as antibacterial agents. Their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated by a colony count method. It was found that when the concentration of the insoluble antibacterial agent was low, the antibacterial activity was different from that of the typical soluble antibacterial agent. The antibacterial activity was bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. A model for explanation of the antibacterial activity of the insoluble ammonium salt was set up. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
The diffusion of theories: A functional approach
Authors: Veer Martens Betsy Van der , Goodrum Abby A.
Published: December 2005

This comparative case study of the diffusion and nondiffusion over time of eight theories in the social sciences uses citation analysis, citation context analysis, content analysis, surveys of editorial review boards, and personal interviews with theorists to develop a model of the theory functions that facilitate theory diffusion throughout specific intellectual communities. Unlike previous work on the diffusion of theories as innovations, this theory functions model differs in several important respects from the findings of previous studies that employed Everett Rogers's classic typology of “innovation characteristics that promote diffusion.” The model is also presented as a contribution to a more integrated theory of citation.
A framework for authorship identification of online messages: Writing‐style features and classification techniques
Authors: Zheng Rong , Li Jiexun , Chen Hsinchun , Huang Zan
Published: December 2005

With the rapid proliferation of Internet technologies and applications, misuse of online messages for inappropriate or illegal purposes has become a major concern for society. The anonymous nature of online‐message distribution makes identity tracing a critical problem. We developed a framework for authorship identification of online messages to address the identity‐tracing problem. In this framework, four types of writing‐style features (lexical, syntactic, structural, and content‐specific features) are extracted and inductive learning algorithms are used to build feature‐based classification models to identify authorship of online messages. To examine this framework, we conducted experiments on English and Chinese online‐newsgroup messages. We compared the discriminating power of the four types of features and of three classification techniques: decision trees, backpropagation neural networks, and support vector machines. The experimental results showed that the proposed approach was able to identify authors of online messages with satisfactory accuracy of 70 to 95%. All four types of message features contributed to discriminating authors of online messages. Support vector machines outperformed the other two classification techniques in our experiments. The high performance we achieved for both the English and Chinese datasets showed the potential of this approach in a multiple‐language context.
Monitoring redox‐dependent contribution of lipids in Fourier transform infrared difference spectra of complex I from Escherichia coli
Authors: Hielscher Ruth , Wenz Tina , Stolpe Stefan , Hunte Carola , Friedrich Thorsten , Hellwig Petra
Published: December 2005

Biochemical and crystallographic studies have shown that phospholipids are essential for the integrity and activity of membrane proteins. In the study presented here, we use electrochemically induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to demonstrate variations occurring upon the presence and absence of lipids in NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherchia coli by following the CO vibration of the lipid molecule. Complex I is activated in the presence of lipids. Interestingly, in electrochemically induced FTIR difference spectra of complex I from E. coli, a new signal at 1744/1730 cm−1 appears after addition of E. coli polar lipids, concomitant with the oxidized or reduced form, respectively. Absorbance spectra of liposomes from mixed lipids at different pH values demonstrate shifts for the carbonyl vibration depending on the environment. On this basis we suggest that lipids, though not redox active themselves, contribute in reaction‐induced FTIR difference spectra, if a change occurs in the direct environment of the lipid during the observed reaction or coupled processes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 291–294, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Inhibition and partial reactions of Na,K‐ATPase studied by fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy
Authors: Stolz Michael , Lewitzki Erwin , Mäntele Werner , Barth Andreas , Grell Ernst
Published: December 2005

Reaction‐induced infrared (IR) difference spectroscopy with caged ATP and Na,K‐ATPase allows us to differentiate unambiguously between phosphorylated and unphosphorylated states of the enzyme as well as of its ouabain complex. The IR spectral changes upon phosphoenzyme formation are characterized and interpreted. Our results show clearly that high Na+ concentrations prevent the binding of ouabain with high affinity, which is consistent with the results of a corresponding kinetic study employing spectrofluorimetry and calorimetric titrations. This unexpected antagonism leading to low ouabain affinity is assumed related to a conformation of the protein, induced by low affinity binding of the third Na+ ion. We thus conclude that not the free enzyme but a phosphorylated state of the reaction cycle preferentially binds ouabain and leads to the loss of hydrolytic activity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 368–372, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
DNA compaction into new DNA vectors based on cyclodextrin polymer: Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy characterization
Authors: Burckbuchler V. , Wintgens V. , Lecomte S. , Percot A. , Leborgne C. , Danos O. , Kichler A. , Amiel C.
Published: December 2005

The ability of DNA to bind polycation yielding polyplexes is widely used in nonviral gene delivery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the DNA compaction with a new DNA vector using Raman spectroscopy. The polyplexes result from an association of a β‐cyclodextrin polymer (polyβ‐CD), an amphiphilic cationic connector (DC‐Chol or adamantane derivative Ada2), and DNA. The charge of the polymeric vector is effectively controlled by simple addition of cationic connector in the medium. We used surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to characterize this ternary complex, monitoring the accessibility of adenyl residues to silver colloids. The first experiments were performed using model systems based on polyA (polyadenosine monophosphate) well characterized by SERS. This model was then extended to plasmid DNA to study polyβ‐CD/Ada2/DNA and polyβ‐CD/DC‐Chol/DNA polyplexes. The SERS spectra show a decrease of signal intensity when the vector/DNA charge ratio (Z+/−) increases. At the highest ratio (Z+/− = 10) the signal is 6‐fold and 3‐fold less intense than the DNA reference signal for Ada2 and DC‐Chol polyplexes, respectively. Thus adenyl residues have a reduced accessibility as DNA is bound to the vector. Moreover, the SERS intensity variations are in agreement with gel electrophoresis and zeta potential experiments on the same systems. The overall study clearly demonstrates that the cationic charges neutralizing the negative charges of DNA result in the formation of stable polyplexes. In vitro transfection efficiency of those DNA vectors are also presented and compared to the classical DC‐Chol lipoplexes (DC‐Chol/DNA). The results show an increase of the transfection efficiency 2‐fold higher with our vector based on polyβ‐CD. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81: 360–370, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
The effect of water on the glass transition of human hair
Authors: Wortmann F.‐J. , Stapels M. , Elliott R. , Chandra L.
Published: December 2005

The glass transition of human hair and its dependence on water content were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The relationship between the data is suitably described by the Fox equation, yielding for human hair a glass transition temperature of Tg = 144°C, which is substantially lower than that for wool (174°C). This effect is attributed to a higher fraction of hydrophobic proteins in the matrix of human hair, which acts as an internal plasticizer. The applicability of the Fox equation for hair as well as for wool implies that water is homogeneously distributed in α‐keratins, despite their complex morphological, semicrystalline structure. To investigate this aspect, hair was rendered amorphous by thermal denaturation. For the amorphous hair neither the water content nor Tg were changed compared to the native state. These results provide strong support for the theory of a quasi‐homogeneous distribution of water within α‐keratins. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81: 371–375, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Composition of perineuronal nets in the adult rat cerebellum and the cellular origin of their components
Authors: Carulli Daniela , Rhodes Kate E. , Brown David J. , Bonnert Timothy P. , Pollack Scott J. , Oliver Kevin , Strata Piergiorgio , Fawcett James W.
Published: December 2005

The decrease in plasticity that occurs in the central nervous system during postnatal development is accompanied by the appearance of perineuronal nets (PNNs) around the cell body and dendrites of many classes of neuron. These structures are composed of extracellular matrix molecules, such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), hyaluronan (HA), tenascin‐R, and link proteins. To elucidate the role played by neurons and glial cells in constructing PNNs, we studied the expression of PNN components in the adult rat cerebellum by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the deep cerebellar nuclei, only large excitatory neurons were surrounded by nets, which contained the CSPGs aggrecan, neurocan, brevican, versican, and phosphacan, along with tenascin‐R and HA. Whereas both net‐bearing neurons and glial cells were the sources of CSPGs and tenascin‐R, only the neurons expressed the mRNA for HA synthases (HASs), cartilage link protein, and link protein Bral2. In the cerebellar cortex, Golgi neurons possessed PNNs and also synthesized HASs, cartilage link protein, and Bral2 mRNAs. To see whether HA might link PNNs to the neuronal cell surface by binding to a receptor, we investigated the expression of the HA receptors CD44, RHAMM, and LYVE‐1. No immunolabelling for HA receptors on the membrane of net‐bearing neurons was found. We therefore propose that HASs, which can retain HA on the cell surface, may act as a link between PNNs and neurons. Thus, HAS and link proteins might be key molecules for PNN formation and stability. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:559–577, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural activity‐ and development‐dependent expression and distribution of CASK interacting nucleosome assembly protein in mouse brain
Authors: Lin Chia‐Wen , Huang Tzyy‐Nan , Wang Guey‐Shin , Kuo Ting‐Yu , Yen Tsen‐Yann , Hsueh Yi‐Ping
Published: December 2005

CASK interacting nucleosome assembly protein (CINAP) modulates gene expression and its abundance in cultured neurons is regulated by synaptic activity. To further study the function of CINAP in vivo, we examined the temporal and spatial expression profiles of CINAP. CINAP was widely expressed in different regions of adult mouse brain, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and two adult brain regions known to generate progenitor neurons. During early development, CINAP was also expressed in regions where neuronal progenitor cells were actively dividing, the ventricular and subventricular zones, suggesting that in addition to regulating gene expression in mature neurons, CINAP may also play a role in dividing cells. Since the hypothalamus responds to several physiological responses, we examined whether CINAP protein levels in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus are regulated by changes in osmolality achieved through oral administration of hypertonic saline. Compared with control mice, mice treated with hypertonic saline expressed higher CINAP protein levels in the PVN, supporting a role of CINAP in neural response in vivo. Using confocal microscopic analysis, a significant amount of CINAP was found in the cytoplasm of neurons. Biochemical fractionation further confirmed that CINAP was associated with synapses, suggesting a translocation of CINAP protein from synapse to the nucleus. Consistent with this speculation, nuclear CINAP levels in the PVN were higher in hypertonic saline‐treated mice than those who drank water. CINAP may be regulated through changes in protein stability and nuclear translocation in neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:606–619, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical localization of calbindin‐D28k and calretinin in the spinal cord of Xenopus laevis
Authors: Morona Ruth , Moreno Nerea , López Jesús M. , González Agustín
Published: December 2005

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to investigate the distribution and morphology of neurons containing the calcium‐binding proteins calbindin‐D28k (CB) and calretinin (CR) in the spinal cord of Xenopus laevis and determine the extent to which this organization is comparable to that of mammals. Most CB‐ and CR‐containing neurons were located in the superficial dorsal gray field, but with distinct topography. The lateral, ventrolateral, and ventromedial fields also possessed abundant neurons labeled for either CB or CR. Double immunohistofluorescence demonstrated that a subpopulation of dorsal root ganglion cells and neurons in the dorsal and ventrolateral fields contained CB and CR. By means of a similar technique, a cell population in the dorsal field was doubly labeled only for CB and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), whereas in the ventrolateral field colocalization of NOS with CB and CR was found. Choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry revealed that a subpopulation of ventral horn neurons, including motoneurons, colocalized CB and CR. The involvement of CB‐ and CR‐containing neurons in ascending spinal projections was demonstrated combining the retrograde transport of dextran amines and immunohistochemistry. Cells colocalizing the tracer and CB or CR were quite numerous, primarily in the dorsal and ventrolateral fields. Similar experiments demonstrated supraspinal projections from CB‐ and CR‐containing cells in the brainstem and diencephalon. The distribution, projections, and colocalization with neurotransmitters of the neuronal systems containing CB and CR in Xenopus suggest that CB and CR are important neuromodulator substances with functions conserved in the spinal cord from amphibians through mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:763–783, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AII amacrine cells in the distal inner nuclear layer of the mouse retina
Authors: Lee Eun‐Jin , Mann Laura B. , Rickman Dennis W. , Lim Eun‐Jin , Chun Myung‐Hoon , Grzywacz Norberto M.
Published: December 2005

We serendipitously found a distal Disabled‐1 (Dab1)‐immunoreactive cell in retina of the C57BL/6J black mouse. The somata of these cells are located in the outermost part of the inner nuclear layer (INL). Their processes extend toward the outer plexiform layer (OPL), receiving synaptic inputs from horizontal and interplexiform cells. In the current study, we name this cell the “distal Dab1‐immunoreactive cell.” Double‐labeling experiments demonstrate that the distal Dab1‐immunoreactive cell is not a horizontal cell. Rather, the distal Dab1 cell appears to be a misplaced AII cell, by being glycine transporter‐1‐immunoreactive and by resembling the latter cell in an electron microscopic analysis. A distal Dab1 cell had been reported in the FVB/N mouse retina, a model of retinitis pigmentosa (Park et al. [2004] Cell Tissue Res 315:407–412). However, here, we found this distal Dab1‐immunoreactive cell in the adult and normal developing mouse retinas. Hence, we show that such cells do not require the loss of photoreceptors as suggested previously (Park et al. [2004] Cell Tissue Res 315:407–412). Instead, two other pieces of data suggest an alternative explanation sources for distal Dab1 cells. First, we find a correlation between the number of these cells in the left and right eyes Second, developmental analysis shows that the distal Dab1‐immunoreactive cell is first observed shortly after birth. At the same time, AII cells emerge, extending their neurites into the inner retina. These data suggest that distal Dab1‐immunoreactive cells are misplaced AII amacrine cells, resulting from genetically modulated anomalies owing to migration errors. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:651–662, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of [Cp*2Mo2O5] in Aqueous Medium: Structure and Properties of a Triangular Mixed Oxo‐Hydroxo‐Bridged Product, [Cp*3Mo3(μ‐O)2(μ‐OH)4](X)2 (X = CF3CO2 or CF3SO3)
Authors: Demirhan Funda , Çağatay Bahar , Demir Deniz , Baya Miguel , Daran Jean‐Claude , Poli Rinaldo
Published: December 2005

The reduction of [Cp*2Mo2O5] with Zn in a MeOH/H2O solution acidified with either CF3COOH or CF3SO3H leads to the formation of the [Cp*3Mo3(μ‐O)2(μ‐OH)4]2+ ion as its trifluoroacetate or trifluoromethanesulfonate salt. The structure of the compound was confirmed by X‐ray analyses. The anions establish hydrogen‐bonding interactions with all four bridging OH groups. Density functional calculations afford bonding parameters in close agreement with the observed structure and indicate that the cluster is best described as a valence‐delocalized Mo313+ species. The five metal electrons are distributed among an a‐type (z2) orbital, which accounts for most of the metal–metal attraction, and two essentially metal–metal nonbonding e‐type (xy) orbitals with a slight Mo‐(μ‐O) π*‐type contribution. Because of the C2 symmetry, the latter orbitals are not degenerate. The calculations show that the unpaired electron is located in a molecular orbital with equal contribution from two Mo atoms, in agreement with the experimental observation of coupling of the unpaired electron to two Mo atoms in the isotropic EPR spectrum. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Tag SNP selection for Finnish individuals based on the CEPH Utah HapMap database
Authors: Willer Cristen J. , Scott Laura J. , Bonnycastle Lori L. , Jackson Anne U. , Chines Peter , Pruim Randall , Bark Craig W. , Tsai Ya‐Yu , Pugh Elizabeth W. , Doheny Kimberly F. , Kinnunen Leena , Mohlke Karen L. , Valle Timo T. , Bergman Richard N. , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Collins Francis S. , Boehnke Michael
Published: December 2005

The pattern and nature of linkage disequilibrium in the human genome is being studied and catalogued as part of the International HapMap Project [:2003 Nature 426:789–796]. A key goal of the HapMap Project is to enable identification of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that capture a substantial portion of common human genetic variability while requiring only a small fraction of SNPs to be genotyped [International HapMap Consortium, 2005: Nature 437:1299–1320]. In the current study, we examined the effectiveness of using the CEU HapMap database to select tag SNPs for a Finnish sample. We selected SNPs in a 17.9‐Mb region of chromosome 14 based on pairwise linkage disequilibrium (r2) estimates from the HapMap CEU sample, and genotyped 956 of these SNPs in 1,425 Finnish individuals. An excess of SNPs showed significantly different allele frequencies between the HapMap CEU and the Finnish samples, consistent with population‐specific differences. However, we observed strong correlations between the two samples for estimates of allele frequencies, r2 values, and haplotype frequencies. Our results demonstrate that the HapMap CEU samples provide an adequate basis for tag SNP selection in Finnish individuals, without the need to create a map specifically for the Finnish population, and suggest that the four‐population HapMap data will provide useful information for tag SNP selection beyond the specific populations from which they were sampled. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incorporating endophenotypes into allele‐sharing based linkage tests
Authors: Wang Wen‐Chang , Chang I‐Shou , Chang Chin‐Hao , Curb David , Ho Low‐Tone , Hsiung Chao A.
Published: December 2005

For a genetic study in which there are concordant and discordant sibpairs for a complex disease trait and the measurements of other endophenotypes/intermediate phenotypes for each of the individuals are also available, we describe an allele‐sharing based multipoint linkage test that utilizes nonparametrically the additional endophenotypes/intermediate phenotypes. The usefulness of this method is evaluated in simulation studies, which show that the gain in power is influenced by not only the endophenotypic value but also the correlation between the diagnosis‐based phenotype and the endophenotype. In addition to reporting p values, our method also provides an index CE, derived from the coefficients of the weight function associated with the endophenotype in the proposed statistic, to indicate the relevance of a specific endophenotype/intermediate phenotype in the genetic study. The simulation study indicates that a larger power, in general, corresponds to a larger value of the index CE. The index CE is thus suggested as a quantity to be used in the choice of endophenotypes in linkage study. Data from the Stanford Asian Pacific Program in Hypertension and Insulin Resistance (SAPPHIRe) are used to illustrate the method. Genet. Epidemiol. 30:133–142, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epidemiology and the causes of breast cancer
Authors: MacMahon Brian
Published: December 2005

This article describes the characteristics of 3 dominant features of breast cancer epidemiology. These characteristics include the association of disease risk with childbearing, its relationship to ovarian activity and its international variation (particularly as the latter differs in the years before and after menopause). Equivocal tests of one hypothesis that reconciled some of these features through variations in levels of the fractions of estrogen are described. Other hypotheses with a similar objective are needed. The 3 known causes of human breast cancer, ionizing radiation, exogenous ovarian hormones and beverage alcohol, offer some preventive possibilities but do little to explain the epidemiologic features of the majority of cases of the disease that occur in their absence. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automated radiosynthesis of [18F]SPA‐RQ for imaging human brain NK1 receptors with PET
Authors: Chin Frederick T. , Morse Cheryl L. , Shetty H. Umesha , Pike Victor W.
Published: December 2005

[18F]SPA‐RQ is an effective radioligand for imaging brain neurokinin type‐1 (NK1) receptors in clinical research and drug discovery with positron emission tomography. For the automated regular production of [18F]SPA‐RQ for clinical use in the USA under an IND we chose to use a modified commercial synthesis module (TRACERlab FXF‐N; GE Medical Systems) with an auxiliary custom‐made robotic cooling–heating reactor, after evaluating several alternative radiosynthesis conditions. The automated radiosynthesis and its quality control are described here. [18F]SPA‐RQ was regularly obtained within 150 min from the start of radiosynthesis in high radiochemical purity (>99%) and chemical purity and with an overall decay‐corrected radiochemical yield of 15±2% (mean±S.D.; n=10) from cyclotron‐produced [18F]fluoride ion. The specific radioactivity of [18F]SPA‐RQ at the end of synthesis ranged from 644 to 2140 mCi/µmol (23.8–79.2 GBq/µmol). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of d8‐geranyl diphosphate
Authors: Comeskey Daniel J. , Rowan Daryl D. , Matich Adam J.
Published: December 2005

Multiply labelled d8‐geranyl diphosphate (3‐methyl‐7‐2H3‐methyl‐[1,1,8,8,8]‐2H5‐2E,6‐octadienyl diphosphate) was synthesised from geraniol in 8 steps. Geraniol was converted to [1,1]‐2H2‐geraniol by a three step oxidation–reduction sequence in 38% yield. Selective epoxidation of [1,1]‐2H2‐geranyl acetate gave 6,7‐epoxy‐[1,1]‐2H2‐geranyl acetate, which, on oxidative cleavage of the epoxide and Wittig elaboration with d6‐isopropyl triphenylphosphorane, gave d8‐geraniol (14% yield) which was, in turn, converted to the title compound. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses of perdeuterated indoles and derivatives as probes for the biosyntheses of crucifer phytoalexins
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Okinyo Denis P. O.
Published: December 2005

A simple two‐step preparation of [2H4]indole, a starting material necessary for the synthesis of various crucifer metabolites, starting with readily available 1H NMR solvent [2H5]nitrobenzene (99% deuterated) was developed. [4,5,6,7‐2H4]Indole 99% deuterated at the specified positions was then used to synthesize [4′,5′,6′,7′‐2H4]indolyl‐3‐acetaldoxime, [4′,5′,6′,7′‐2H4]1‐methoxyindolyl‐3‐acetaldoxime, [1″,1″,1″,4′,5′,6′,7′‐2H7]1‐methoxyindolyl‐3‐acetaldoxime, [4′,5′,6′,7′‐2H4]1‐methoxybrassinin, and [3,3,3,4′,5′,6′,7′‐2H7]1‐methoxybrassinin. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of carbon‐14 analogue of N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[e][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl)‐benzamide‐[carboxyl‐14C] as CCK‐A antagonist
Authors: Saemian Nader , Shirvani Gholamhossein , Matloubi Hojatollah
Published: December 2005

N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[e][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl)‐benzamide‐[carboxyl‐14C] has been synthesized from benzonitrile‐[cyano‐14C]. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymeric Nanocapsules Containing an Antiseptic Agent Obtained by Controlled Nanoprecipitation onto Water‐in‐Oil Miniemulsion Droplets
Authors: Paiphansiri Umaporn , Tangboriboonrat Pramuan , Landfester Katharina
Published: December 2005

Summary: The modified nanoprecipitation of polymers onto stable nanodroplets has been successfully applied to prepare well‐defined nanocapsules whose core is composing of an antiseptic agent, i.e., chlorhexidine digluconate aqueous solution. The stable nanodroplets were obtained by inverse miniemulsions with an aqueous antiseptic solution dispersed in an organic medium of solvent/nonsolvent mixture containing an oil‐soluble surfactant and the polymer for the shell formation. The change of gradient of the solvent/nonsolvent mixture of dichloromethane/cyclohexane, obtained by heating at 50 °C, led to the precipitation of the polymer in the organic continuous phase and deposition onto the large interface of the aqueous miniemulsion droplets. The monodisperse polymer nanocapsules with the size range of 240–80 nm were achieved as a function of the amount of surfactant. Using various polymer contents, molecular weights and types, an encapsulation efficiency of 20–100% was obtained as detected by proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) measurements. The nanocapsules could be easily transferred into water as continuous phase resulting in aqueous dispersions with nanocapsules containing an aqueous core with the antiseptic agent. The encapsulated amount of the antiseptic agent was evaluated to indicate the durability of the nanocapsule's wall. In addition, the use of different types of polymers having glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 10 to 100 °C in this process has been also successful.

Scheme of the nanocapsule formation mechanism by controlled nanoprecipitation of a polymer onto miniemulsion droplets.

magnified image

Scheme of the nanocapsule formation mechanism by controlled nanoprecipitation of a polymer onto miniemulsion droplets.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Biosci. 1/2006
Authors: Paiphansiri Umaporn , Tangboriboonrat Pramuan , Landfester Katharina
Published: December 2005

Cover: The modified nanoprecipitation of polymers onto stable nanodroplets by changing the gradient of the solvent/nonsolvent mixture has been successfully applied to prepare well‐defined nanocapsules containing an aqueous antiseptic agent. The nanocapsules were transferred to the aqueous phase. Further details can be found in the article by U. Paiphansiri, P. Tangboriboonrat, and K. Landfester* on page 33.
Overt testicular disease (OTD) at diagnosis is not associated with a poor prognosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results of the EORTC CLG study 58881
Authors: Sirvent Nicolas , Suciu Stefan , Bertrand Yves , Uyttebroeck Anne , Lescoeur Brigitte , Otten Jacques
Published: December 2005

To assess the prognosis of overt testicular disease (OTD) at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we analyzed the outcome of 1,165 boys enrolled in EORTC trial 58881. Thirteen (1.1%) boys had OTD associated with bad prognostic features. Patients with and without OTD did not differ in event‐free survival (EFS) (P = 0.30) or overall survival (OS) (P = 0.54), even after adjustment for the three most important independent factors (NCI risk group, presence of very high risk features, type of asparaginase used). OTD was not an independent prognostic factor. These results may be due to the use of risk‐adjusted intensive chemotherapy comprising high‐dose methotrexate. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:344–348. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.