bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peroxynitrite treatment in vitro disables catalytic activity of recombinant p38 MAPK
Authors: Webster Rose P. , Macha Stephen , Brockman Diane , Myatt Leslie
Published: August 2006

Protein tyrosine nitration is a post‐translational modification occurring under conditions of oxidative stress in a number of diseases. The causative agent of tyrosine nitration is the potent prooxidant peroxynitrite that results from the interaction of nitric oxide and superoxide. We have previously demonstrated existence of nitrotyrosine in placenta from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, which suggested the possibility of the existence of nitrated proteins. Nitration of various proteins has been demonstrated to more commonly result in loss of protein function. Potential nitration of p38 MAPK, a critical signaling molecule has been suggested and also tentatively identified in certain in vivo systems. In this study we demonstrate for the first time nitration of recombinant p38 MAPK in vitro and an associated loss of its catalytic activity. LC‐MS data identified tyrosine residues Y132, Y245 and Y258 to be nitrated. Nitration of these specific residues was deduced from the 45.0‐Da change in mass that these residues exhibited that was consistent with the loss of a proton and addition of the nitro group.
Evaluation of 2‐DE protein patterns from pre‐ and postnatal stages of the mouse brain
Authors: Seefeldt Ingo , Nebrich Grit , Römer Irmgard , Mao Lei , Klose Joachim
Published: August 2006

Brains of the mouse from three developmental stages, embryo day 16 (Ed16), postnatal stage one week (1W) and eight weeks (8W), were distributed to different laboratories for a collaborative proteome analysis (The Human Brain Proteome Project). As one of the laboratories involved in this project, we separated total protein extracts of the brains by large gel 2‐DE. From the 2‐DE protein patterns a section was evaluated for each of the three stages according to resolution, reproducibility and quantitative changes using an image analysis software. The evaluated pattern section was selected to allow comparisons of 2‐DE patterns between different laboratories on the basis of optimum separation. Changes in protein expression were analysed within two phases of development: Stage Ed16 versus stage 1W and stage 1W versus stage 8W. Out of the 200 protein spots evaluated 5–6% showed quantitative changes in the range of ≥30% between two stages. The relationship in the frequency of up‐ and down‐regulated protein spots differed between the two investigated phases. Most of the protein spots which showed altered expression between two stages were identified by MS. High quality in protein separation and evaluation is demonstrated.
Gaining knowledge from previously unexplained spectra‐application of the PTM‐Explorer software to detect PTM in HUPO BPP MS/MS data
Authors: Chamrad Daniel C. , Körting Gerhard , Schäfer Heike , Stephan Christian , Thiele Herbert , Apweiler Rolf , Meyer Helmut E. , Marcus Katrin , Blüggel Martin
Published: August 2006

A novel software tool named PTM‐Explorer has been applied to LC‐MS/MS datasets acquired within the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) Brain Proteome Project (BPP). PTM‐Explorer enables automatic identification of peptide MS/MS spectra that were not explained in typical sequence database searches. The main focus was detection of PTMs, but PTM‐Explorer detects also unspecific peptide cleavage, mass measurement errors, experimental modifications, amino acid substitutions, transpeptidation products and unknown mass shifts. To avoid a combinatorial problem the search is restricted to a set of selected protein sequences, which stem from previous protein identifications using a common sequence database search. Prior to application to the HUPO BPP data, PTM‐Explorer was evaluated on excellently manually characterized and evaluated LC‐MS/MS data sets from Alpha‐A‐Crystallin gel spots obtained from mouse eye lens. Besides various PTMs including phosphorylation, a wealth of experimental modifications and unspecific cleavage products were successfully detected, completing the primary structure information of the measured proteins. Our results indicate that a large amount of MS/MS spectra that currently remain unidentified in standard database searches contain valuable information that can only be elucidated using suitable software tools.
A comparison of the HUPO Brain Proteome Project pilot with other proteomics studies
Authors: Martens Lennart , Müller Michael , Stephan Christian , Hamacher Michael , Reidegeld Kai A. , Meyer Helmut E. , Blüggel Martin , Vandekerckhove Joël , Gevaert Kris , Apweiler Rolf
Published: August 2006

The pilot phase of the Brain Proteome Project (BPP), the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) initiative that focuses on studies of the brain of both humans and mice, has now been completed. Participating laboratories studied the proteomes of two human samples derived from biopsy and autopsy as well as three mouse samples from various developmental stages. With the combined and centrally reprocessed data now available, a comparison in terms of protein identifications and project organization is made between the HUPO BPP pilot and three other proteomics studies: the HUPO Plasma Proteome Project (PPP) pilot, a proteome of human blood platelets and a recently published comprehensive mouse proteome. Finally, as any comparison between large‐scale proteomics datasets is decidedly non‐trivial, we also evaluate and discuss several ways to go about comparing such different result sets.
Detection of a hidden folding intermediate in the focal adhesion target domain: Implications for its function and folding
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Feng Hanqiao , Bai Yawen
Published: August 2006

The focal adhesion target (FAT) domain of focal adhesion kinase has a four‐helix bundle structure. Based on a hydrogen exchange‐constrained computer simulation study and some indirect experimental results, it has been suggested that a partially unfolded state of the FAT domain with the N‐terminal helix unfolded plays an important role in its biological function. Here, using a native‐state hydrogen exchange method, we directly detected an intermediate with the N‐terminal helix unfolded in a mutant (Y925E) of the FAT domain. In addition, kinetic folding studies on the FAT domain suggest that this intermediate exists on the native side of the rate‐limiting transition state for folding. These results provide more direct evidence of the existence of the proposed intermediate and help to understand the folding mechanism of small single domain proteins. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High resolution crystal structure of deoxy hemoglobin from Trematomus bernacchii at different pH values: The role of histidine residues in modulating the strength of the root effect
Authors: Mazzarella Lelio , Vergara Alessandro , Vitagliano Luigi , Merlino Antonello , Bonomi Giovanna , Scala Sonia , Verde Cinzia , di Prisco Guido
Published: August 2006

The Root effect is a widespread property in fish hemoglobins (Hbs) that produces a drastic reduction of cooperativity and oxygen‐binding ability at acidic pH. Here, we report the high‐resolution structure of the deoxy form of Hb isolated from the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii (HbTb) crystallized at pH 6.2 and 8.4. The structure at acidic pH has been previously determined at a moderate resolution (Ito et al., J Mol Biol 1995;250:648–658). Our results provide a clear picture of the events occurring upon the pH increase from 6.2 to 8.4, observed within a practically unchanged crystal environment. In particular, at pH 8.4, the interaspartic hydrogen bond at the α1β2 interface is partially broken, suggesting a pKa close to 8.4 for Asp95α. In addition, a detailed survey of the histidine modifications, caused by the change in pH, also indicates that at least three hot regions of the molecule are modified (Eβ helix, Cβ‐tail, CDα corner) and can be considered to be involved at various levels in the release of the Root protons. Most importantly, at the CDα corner, the break of the salt bridge Asp48α–His55α allows us to describe a detailed mechanism that transmits the modification from the CDα corner far to the α heme. More generally, the results shed light on the role played by the histidine residues in modulating the strength of the Root effect and also support the emerging idea that the structural determinants, at least for a part of the Root effect, are specific of each Hb endowed with this property. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coherence control of electron spin currents in semiconductors
Authors: van Driel Henry M. , Sipe John E. , Smirl Arthur L.
Published: August 2006

We provide an overview of some of our recent work on the use of one color and two color optical techniques to generate and control electronic spin currents in semiconductors for which a spin–orbit interaction exists. The generation process relies on the quantum interference between different absorption pathways, such as that between single and two photon absorption or those involving different polarization states of a monochromatic beam. For different crystal orientations and/or beam polarizations it is possible to generate a spin current with or without an electric current, and an electrical current with or without a spin current. In our experiments, which are conducted either at 80 K or 295 K, we typically employ nominally 100 fs pulses centered near 1500 and 750 nm. The currents generated are quasi‐ballistic and the carriers typically move distances of ∼1–10 nm, determined by the momentum relaxation time, which is of the order of 100 fs. The transient characteristics of spin‐polarized electrical currents generated in strained GaAs at room temperature by ∼100 fs pulses is detected by the emitted THz radiation. Pure spin currents can be detected by taking advantage of the accumulation of up and down spins on opposite sides of tightly focused pump beams. The spin states are detected through differential transmission measurements of tightly focused right and left circularly polarized, near‐band‐edge probe pulses, delayed by several picoseconds from the pump pulses to allow carrier thermalization to occur. By spatial scanning across the differential spin profiles and determining the amplitude of the response we are able to translate this into nm spatial resolution of spin displacement. Finally, the ability to generate ballistic currents using purely optical techniques allows us to generate transverse Hall‐like currents, with transverse charge currents generated from pure spin currents and transverse spin currents generated from pure charge currents. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pure dephasing of carriers in quantum dots due to anharmonicity‐induced phonon scattering
Authors: Machnikowski Paweł
Published: August 2006

Anharmonic coupling between phonon modes leads to scattering of phonons on the polaronic deformation around localized charges, which results in dephasing of charge states. This dephasing process is studied for an electron in a double‐dot structure and for an exciton in a quantum dot. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interaction between localized and delocalized surface plasmon polariton modes in a metallic photonic crystal
Authors: Christ A. , Zentgraf T. , Tikhodeev S. G. , Gippius N. A. , Martin O. J. F. , Kuhl J. , Giessen H.
Published: August 2006

We experimentally and theoretically study the controlled coupling between localized and delocalized surface plasmon modes supported by a multilayer metallic photonic crystal slab. The model system to visualize the interaction phenomena consists of a gold nanowire grating and a spatially separated homogeneous silver film. We show that plasmon‐plasmon coupling leads to drastic modification of the optical properties in dependence on the chosen geometrical parameters. Strong coupling and plasmon hybridization can be clearly observed. The numerical calculations reveal excellent agreement with the experiments. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Plasmon‐polariton transport in hybrid semiconductor–metal–nanoparticle structures with gain
Authors: Citrin D. S. , Backes T. D.
Published: August 2006

Plasmon‐polariton transport in noble‐metal nanoparticle chains embedded in an optical‐gain medium are considered theoretically. We show that short‐wavelength modes can acquire gain to counter loss. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Two‐color pump–probe experiments on silicon inverse opals
Authors: Becker C. , Linden S. , von Freymann G. , Tétreault N. , Vekris E. , Kitaev V. , Ozin G. A. , Wegener M.
Published: August 2006

We present time‐resolved pump–probe experiments in a transmission geometry using off‐resonant excitation on very high‐quality silicon inverse opals. We show that the nonlinear optical response can drastically be modified by tempering of the sample. The as‐grown samples are dominated by an absorptive response with recovery times as short as one picosecond. For the tempered samples, both the relaxation and the scattering times increase, leading to a prominent dispersive response. The data reveal a transient blue‐shift of the fundamental stop band on the order of 150 nm with transmission changes as large as a factor of five. Based on simple calculations using the Drude model we estimate corresponding refractive index changes as large as Δn = –0.5 + i0.07. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High resolution spectroscopy of excitons in Cu2O
Authors: Fröhlich D. , Brandt J. , Sandfort C. , Bayer M. , Stolz H.
Published: August 2006

The lowest ortho‐ and paraexcitons of Cu2O are studied by high‐resolution spectroscopy. After a detailed description of the experimental setup, the quadrupole polariton is extended to a two‐oscillator resonance. As an example, the group velocity of the M = ±1 orthoexciton components in a magnetic field of 0.1 T is measured and fitted to a two‐oscillator model with f (oscillator strength) as the only fit parameter. The paraexciton resonance is measured in a magnetic field of 10 T. Its oscillator strength is by almost a factor 200 lower than the oscillator strength of the orthoexciton. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theory of strong electron–phonon coupling for ultrafast intersubband excitations
Authors: Butscher S. , Knorr A.
Published: August 2006

The impact of the electron–phonon interaction onto semiconductor intersubband transitions is investigated in a strong coupling regime. We show that a non‐Markovian description of the electron–phonon interaction is necessary in order to obtain an asymmetric broadening of the line shape as observed in recent experimental measurements. The equations of motions are obtained through a second order time convolutionless density matrix method. Furthermore, we demonstrate for linear spectra, that the applied method contains electron–phonon processes of higher order. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers
Authors: Bashir Samra , Janbaz Khalid H , Jabeen Qaiser , Gilani Anwar H.
Published: August 2006

The aqueous‐ethanol extract of Calendula officinalis flowers (Co.Cr) was studied for its possible spasmolytic and spasmogenic effects in isolated gut preparations. In rabbit jejunum, Co.Cr caused a dose‐dependent (0.03–3.0 mg/mL) relaxation of spontaneous and K+‐induced contractions, suggestive of calcium channel blockade (CCB). In a few preparations, a mild non‐reproducible spasmogenic effect was observed at lower doses, followed by relaxation. The CCB effect was confirmed when pretreatment of the jejunum preparations with Co.Cr produced a dose‐dependent rightward shift in the Ca++ dose‐response curves, similar to that of verapamil. Activity‐directed fractionation revealed that the spasmolytic activity of the plant was concentrated in its organic fractions. The aqueous fraction exhibited a marked atropine sensitive spasmogenic effect but was found to be devoid of any spasmolytic effect. These data indicate that the crude extract of Calendula officinalis flowers contains both spasmolytic and spasmogenic constituents, exhibiting these effects through calcium channel blocking and cholinergic activities and this study provides a scientific base for its traditional use in abdominal cramps and constipation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimulatory effects of extract prepared from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia blume on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hee , Choi Eun‐Mi
Published: August 2006

The ethanol extract from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia Blume (CCE) was tested for estrogenic activity. CCE (4–60 µg/mL) significantly induced the growth of MCF‐7 cells, an ER‐positive human breast cancer cell line, over that of untreated control cells (p < 0.05). In the ER competitive binding assay, CCE showed higher affinity with ERβ compared with ERα. To investigate the bioactivities of CCE, which act on bone metabolism, the effects of CCE on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells and the production of local factors in osteoblasts were studied. CCE (4–60 µg/mL) dose‐dependently increased the survival of MC3T3‐E1 cells. In addition, CCE (10 and 50 µg/mL) increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis and osteocalcin secretion in MC3T3‐E1 cells. Treatment with CCE (10 and 50 µg/mL) prevented apoptosis induced by TNF‐α (10−10 m) in osteoblastic cells. In the presence of TNF‐α, culture with CCE (10–100 µg/mL) for 48 h inhibited the production of IL‐6 and nitric oxide in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. These results suggest that Cinnamomum cassia has a direct stimulatory effect on bone formation in vitro and may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon Microfibers Sheathed with Aligned Carbon Nanotubes: Towards Multidimensional, Multicomponent, and Multifunctional Nanomaterials
Authors: Qu Liangti , Zhao Ye , Dai Liming
Published: August 2006

Multicomponent and multifunctional hybrid structures based on microsized carbon fibers sheathed with aligned carbon nanotubes and their derivatives have been successfully prepared, and have been demonstrated to be an effective means for connecting nanoscale entities to the outside world and to possess interesting electrochemical properties attractive for a wide range of potential applications, including in methanol direct fuel cells and highly sensitive biological and chemical sensors. Judicious modification of the carbon‐fiber‐supported aligned carbon nanotubes with various functional moieties could lead to a class of novel multidimensional, multicomponent, and multifunctional materials of practical significance.
The effects on maternal anxiety of two‐dimensional versus two‐ plus three‐/four‐dimensional ultrasound in pregnancies at risk of fetal abnormalities: a randomized study
Authors: Leung K. Y. , Ngai C. S. W. , Lee A. , Chan H. Y. , Leung W. C. , Lee C. P. , Tang M. H. Y.
Published: August 2006

Objective

To test the hypothesis that the use of two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasonography with three‐dimensional/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasonography can reduce anxiety to a greater extent in women at risk of having a fetus with congenital abnormalities than the use of 2D ultrasonography alone.

Methods

A total of 124 women attending the prenatal diagnostic clinic of a teaching hospital were randomized into the intervention group (2D ultrasonography followed by 3D/4D ultrasonography) or control group (2D ultrasonography alone). The primary outcome was maternal anxiety levels, which were assessed by the Spielberger state–trait anxiety inventory. We measured the anxiety levels in all women at the first visit, at around 18 weeks' gestation (immediately after ultrasound examinations) and at 28 weeks' gestation.

Results

A short‐term reduction of the state‐anxiety score (by around 2 points) from the first visit to after ultrasound examinations was observed in both the intervention group and the control group. Unexpectedly, a small increase in the state‐anxiety score from the first visit to 28 weeks' gestation was observed in the intervention group but not in the control group, though there was no significant difference in the changes between the two groups. Repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance) also showed that there was no significant interaction effect between groups and time of assessment on the state‐anxiety scores (F = 1.072 and P = 0.344). About 80% of women reported a better understanding that their baby was normal after viewing 3D rather than 2D images.

Conclusion

This randomized study indicates that the addition of 3D/4D ultrasound does not cause a significant reduction in maternal anxiety in pregnancies at risk of fetal abnormalities compared with conventional 2D ultrasound alone. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abscheidung, Charakterisierung und Anwendung von Plasma‐Polymerschichten auf HMDSO‐Basis
Authors: Jacoby B. , Bock W. , Haupt M. , Hilgers H. , Kopnarski M. , Molter J. , Oehr C. , Rühle T. , Wahl M.
Published: August 2006

Hochwertige siliziumorganische Schichten lassen sich mittels plasmachemischer Gasphasenabscheidung unter Verwendung des Monomers Hexamethyldisiloxan (HMDSO) herstellen. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden abscheidungstechnische, analytische und anwendungsrelevante Aspekte der HMDSO/O2‐Plasmabeschichtung vorgestellt. Anhand von XPS‐Untersuchungen wird aufgezeigt, dass sich durch geeignete Wahl von Plasmaleistung und Gasmischungsverhältnis der organische bzw. anorganische Charakter der Schichten einstellen lässt. Somit können insbesondere anwendungstechnisch interessante Gradienten‐ und Wechselschichtsysteme hergestellt werden. Mit der Sekundärneutralteilchen‐Massenspektrometrie kann die Zusammensetzung dieser Schichten tiefenabhängig gemessen werden. Rasterkraftmikroskopische Untersuchungen zeigen, dass die Oberflächenrauheiten der Schichten durch das Auftreten halbkugelförmiger Agglomerate bestimmt werden. Diese treten umso deutlicher in Erscheinung, je glasartiger die Schichten sind. Als Applikationsbeispiel wird eine HMDSO‐Plasmabehandlung von Elastomeren vorgestellt. Durch eine geeignete Prozessführung kann das tribologische Verhalten von Elastomerbauteilen deutlich verbessert werden. Die vorgestellten Arbeiten sind im Rahmen des BMBF‐Verbundprojektes “Nano‐Funktionalisierung von Grenzflächen für Daten‐, Textil‐, Gebäude‐, Medizin‐, Bio‐, und Raumfahrttechnik” durchgeführt worden.
Plasmalichtquellen – Stand und Ausblick
Authors: Hess Hemlut , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter
Published: August 2006

Plasmalampen können derzeit alle Anforderungen der Allgemeinbeleuchtung mit hoher Effizienz erfüllen. Eine weitere Erhöhung der Lichtausbeute und eine hohe Flexibilität bezüglich der Farbtemperatur bei gleichzeitigem Ersatz von Quecksilber als Füllmaterial sind möglich. Halbleiterlichtquellen können erst in einigen Jahren ernsthafte Konkurrenten für bestimmte Gruppen von Plasmalampen werden
Plasmachemische Gasphasenabscheidung und Plasmaätzen bei Atmosphärendruck
Authors: Dani Ines , Hopfe Volkmar , Rogler Daniela , Lopez Elena , Mäder Gerrit
Published: August 2006

Plasmaprozesse werden für eine Vielzahl von Oberflächenmodifizierungen eingesetzt, typische Beispiele sind Beschichtungen für einen verbesserten Korrosions‐ und Kratzschutz oder die Oberflächenreinigung und ‐texturierung. Da diese Prozesse jedoch in der Regel im Vakuum ablaufen, sind sie für viele großflächige industrielle Anwendungen nicht anwendbar. Plasmagestützte CVD‐Prozesse bei Atmosphärendruck (AP‐PECVD) ermöglichen die Herstellung von Bauteilen und Halbzeugen mit Funktionsschichten im Durchlaufverfahren ohne kostenintensiven Einsatz von Vakuumanlagen. Durch Integration in in‐line‐Produktionsprozesse reduzieren sich Substrathandhabungs‐ und Beschichtungskosten.

Eine thermische Plasmaquelle, basierend auf einer linear ausgedehnten DC‐Bogenentladung bei Atmosphärendruck, wurde für einen kontinuierlichen PECVD‐Prozess zur Abscheidung von Siliziumnitrid bei Substrattemperaturen unterhalb von 300 °C sowie zum plasmachemischen Ätzen und Texturieren von Silizium untersucht.
Geschichte der Gefriertrocknung bis 1910
Authors: Bürger Heinz‐Dieter
Published: August 2006

Gefriertrocknung ist keine Erfindung des 20. oder 19. Jh., wie viele glauben. Asiatische Völker haben die Sublimationstrocknung bei Normaldruck vermutlich bereits vor über 10.000 Jahren gekannt. Die Methode ist offenbar auch bis zu den Indianern “diffundiert”, und sie wird beim Zubereiten von Pemmikan, aber auch für die in Südamerika bekannten “cuno”‐Kartoffeln noch heute verwendet. Vakuum‐Gefriertrocknung wäre, von den erreichbaren Enddrücken her gesehen, ab 1782 möglich gewesen. Die Versuche mit dem Cryophorus von Wollaston demonstrierten die erste Sublimation von Wasserdampf aus Eis. Die erste Gefriertrocknung nach moderner Definition führte der Leipziger Anatomie‐Professor Richard Altmann 1890 durch.
Games in Clinical Genetic Counseling Supervision
Authors: McIntosh Nathalie , Dircks Anita , Fitzpatrick Jennifer , Shuman Cheryl
Published: August 2006

Games are defined as ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions that are superficially plausible but have a concealed motivation to maximize pay‐offs and minimize penalties for the initiator. While some games are harmless and part of socialization, others are destructive. Destructive game‐playing in clinical supervision, in which game‐playing (initiated by either supervisors or students) interferes with a student's realization of internship goals, has been documented in some allied healthcare professions but has not yet been studied in genetic counseling. Genetic counselors and clinical supervisors of genetic counseling students were anonymously surveyed regarding their experiences with destructive game‐playing. Results show that such games do occur in genetic counseling clinical supervision. Some games are the same or similar to ones previously described in other health‐care professions; others may be unique to genetic counseling. The purpose of this paper is to document these games as a first step to facilitating dialogue, understanding and awareness of them.
Hip protectors in the elderly: lack of effectiveness or just suboptimal implementation?
Authors: Meyer G. , Mühlhauser I.
Published: August 2006

Hip protectors seemed to be the only non-pharmacological intervention to effectively prevent hip fractures in high-risk populations. In contrast, recently published trials did not find hip fracture reduction through hip protector interventions. An updated Cochrane review concluded that the device is ineffective for community-dwelling elderly and of uncertain effectiveness for institutionalised elderly. However, some primary studies used suboptimal implementation of hip protectors, which has led to low adherence and ineffectiveness of the intervention. Shortcomings in implementation techniques have not been assessed by the Cochrane review. Therefore, reviewers should explicitly assess whether the intervention was well planned and competently administered. As a checklist cannot adequately assess individual, study-specific implementation flaws, we suggest narrative expert review and feedback to the authors of the primary study.
6‐Pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase orthologs of either a single or dual domain structure are responsible for tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis in bacteria
Authors: Kong Jin Sun , Kang Ji-Youn , Kim Hye Lim , Kwon O-Seob , Lee Kon Ho , Park Young Shik
Published: August 2006

6‐Pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) catalyzes the second step of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis. We previously identified PTPS orthologs (bPTPS‐Is) in bacteria which do not produce BH4. In this study we disrupted the gene encoding bPTPS‐I in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942, which produces BH4‐glucoside. The mutant was normal in BH4‐glucoside production, demonstrating that bPTPS‐I does not participate in BH4 synthesis in vivo and bringing us a new PTPS ortholog (bPTPS‐II) of a bimodular polypeptide. The recombinant Synechococcus bPTPS‐II was assayed in vitro to show PTPS activity higher than human enzyme. Further computational analysis revealed the presence of mono and bimodular bPTPS‐II orthologs mostly in green sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria, respectively, which are well known for BH4‐glycoside production. In summary we found new bacterial PTPS orthologs, having either a single or dual domain structure and being responsible for BH4 synthesis in vivo, thereby disclosing all the bacterial PTPS homologs.
Interactions of daidzin with intramolecular G‐quadruplex
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Ming , Zhang Jin-li , Li Hui-qing , Zhang Xiao-chen , Sun Qian , Qiu Chun-mei
Published: August 2006

The potential interaction of daidzin, an ingredient of soy isoflavones, with human telomeric antiparallel G‐quadruplex dAG3(T2AG3)3 was studied using ESI‐MS, PAGE, CD and molecular simulation. Experimental studies indicated that daidzin molecules interacted with dAG3(T2AG3)3 and formed DNA–daidzin complex with the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 and 1:2. The transition temperature of the G‐quadruplex increased at higher ratio of daidzin to DNA. Under molecular crowding conditions the interactions between daidzin and the G‐quadruplex become much stronger. Combining computational simulation and experimental results, it is demonstrated that the dAG3(T2AG3)3/daidzin complex with a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 is stabilized through the π–π conjugacy interactions and hydrogen bondings between daidzin and the bases of G‐quadruplex. This work provides guidance not only on exploring the molecular anti‐cancer mechanism of dietary isoflavones, but also searching small natural products as promising anticancer candidates that can inhibit telomerase activity.
Waves of agitation inside anchovy schools observed with multibeam sonar: a way to transmit information in response to predation
Authors: Gerlotto François , Bertrand Sophie , Bez Nicolas , Gutierrez Mariano
Published: August 2006

Most pelagic fish live in schools. To allow fast reactions, for instance to predator attacks, these collective structures require behavioural mechanisms authorizing fast, coordinated movements. Considering the large number of individuals constituting a school of small pelagic fish, a crucial premise to coordinated movements and school reorganization is an ability to transfer quickly and efficiently information across the whole collective structure. We observed anchovy school movements and reactions to sea-lion attacks while the ship was drifting in Peruvian waters. The main process of information transfer we could observe was that of waves of agitation crossing large anchovy schools. The average speed of these waves (7.45 m s−1) was much greater than the average 0.3 m s−1 school speeds measured during this experiment. The internal organization of each school modified dramatically after the waves of agitation had crossed them. Changes in school external morphology and internal structure were described and measured using geostatistics. Our results show that information transfer is a crucial process for the cohesion and plasticity of schools. As such, it allows efficient reactions of schools of pelagic fish to variations in their immediate environment in general, and to predation in particular.
Age characteristics of walleye pollock school echoes
Authors: Kang Myounghee , Honda Satoshi , Oshima Tatsuki
Published: August 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of identifying the age of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) using acoustic information. Acoustic data targeting walleye pollock were collected at 38 and 120 kHz from 16 June to 12 July 2000 in the Pacific, off Hokkaido, Japan. To complement these data 33 trawl hauls were made and the species and age of the sample fish were accurately examined. The echoes of walleye pollock schools according to age were used to determine the morphological and bathymetric characteristics such as mean height, maximum length, centre depth, seabed depth, and distance from the seabed, as well as the frequency characteristics, this latter being the difference of mean volume backscattering strengths at 38 and 120 kHz, respectively (ΔMVBS). The ΔMVBS method is elaborated using MVBS (mean volume backscattering strength) from an integration cell of optimal size, the cell being examined by means of various integration periods to highlight the characteristics of the walleye pollock schools resulting in 20 pings (120 m), and by applying this method only in a common observation range for two frequencies. The ages of the schools are identified by a combination of morphological and bathymetric characteristics, and ΔMVBS characteristics. Age-0 groups are easy to distinguish from other age groups because they exist in distinct, small schools, are close to the coast, and have a narrow range of ΔMVBS regardless of time of day. Age-1 schools are low in height and very long, are distributed close to the sea floor, and have an ΔMVBS range of −1 to 8 dB, with most between 3 and 5 dB. These characteristics of age-1 schools are distinct from other age groups. As age-2 and age-5 schools have similar maximum length and distribution depth, it is almost impossible to identify these two by just morphological and bathymetric characteristics. However, the ΔMVBS of age-2 and age-5 schools show characteristic patterns that can be used as a means of identification. The pattern of ΔMVBS, which reflects an internal structure (swimming angles) of a school, is different for each age class, and is essential in the identification of the age of a walleye pollock school.
Matching plant flexibility and supplier flexibility: Lessons from small suppliers of U.S. manufacturing plants in India
Authors: Avittathur Balram , Swamidass Paul
Published: August 2006

This is a study about the flexibility of manufacturers and their small suppliers; a subject of growing interest today (Swafford, P.M., Ghosh, S., Murthy, N., 2006. The antecedents of supply chain agility of a firm: Scale development and model testing, Journal of Operations Management 24 (2), 170–188.) The study is based on empirical data collected from U.S. manufacturing plants operating in India and their small suppliers. While globalization is causing hundreds of multinational firms from developed countries to locate manufacturing facilities in developing countries such as China and India, the supply chain environment in China and India is different from domestic supply chains environments familiar to U.S. manufacturers venturing to such countries. For global ventures of multinationals to succeed, multinational firms must strive to understand the supply environment and practices in countries such as China and India.

The literature on supply chain has two shortcomings. First, studies have not investigated the result of matched plant and supplier flexibility. Second, although, supply chain in the U.S. has been investigated by numerous researchers, the same is not true about the supply chains in developing countries such as China and India. This paper strives to fill these two voids.

A survey of U.S. manufacturing plants in given SIC classifications found that U.S. plants preferred the following: (1) stable JIT suppliers and (2) proximate flexible suppliers. An Additional finding was that suppliers were engaged in: (1) JIT material supply and (2) automated material supply.

Our regression model explains up to 38% of the variance in profitability (power = 0.7). A notable finding about fit is that profitability is highest when an inflexible plant uses small inflexible suppliers. Profitability is above average when a flexible plant uses flexible small suppliers. In contrast, if there is a mismatch of plant flexibility with supplier flexibility, the profitability is below average. The regression model for WIP inventory explains over 44% of the variance (power = 0.9). Lower levels of WIP inventory were associated with JIT practices of small suppliers. The mismatch between factory and supplier flexibility is associated with lower WIP inventory, a finding that deserves further investigation. This study demonstrates one practical method of studying the fit between a factory and its suppliers.

Methodological contributions of this paper are twofold. First, it demonstrates how to select and use appropriate research tools to conduct scientific studies using borderline samples. This is a useful contribution to the OM area when OM empirical research is routinely shying away from borderline samples. Second, interaction effects are investigated at great depth using methods not seen in OM literature.
The Fools of the Leisure Class. Honor, Ridicule, and the Emergence of Animal Protection Legislation in England, 1740–1840
Authors: Bargheer Stefan
Published: August 2006

The article analyzes the emergence of moral concern for animals in late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century England. This concern was fuelled by a developing aristocratic discourse on civility that was accompanied by a drastic increase in the factual visibility of violence inflicted on animals in the growing cities. In opposition to interpretations based on the concepts of discipline and distinction, the article elaborates the way in which the emergence of moral concern for animals was class-structured without being class-interested.
Les causes, les raisons et la morale
Authors: Pharo Patrick
Published: August 2006

The Verstehen controversy, which stems from Wilhelm Dilthey, has today become an academic question. But, recently, cognitive sciences and new developments in action theory provided an interesting renewal of the topic. The classical problem of explanation vs. understanding has been reformulated in terms of explanation by causes vs. explanation by reasons. The paper relies on these new issues in order to clarify the original distinction by making explicit its three basic dimensions: ontological, logical and ethical. It also draws some consequences of taking into account the normative facts in sociological analysis.
The Social Sources and Environmental Consequences of Axial Thinking: Mesopotamia, China, and Greece in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Marangudakis Manussos
Published: August 2006

In an effort to identify the social sources and environmental consequences of axial thinking, and in particular of rational naturalism, three civilizational centres are compared: Ancient Mesopotamia, China, and Greece. Analysis of a series of societal features suggests that 1) axial thinking in the form of reflective intellectual networks arose in areas where a pre-axial priesthood was organizationally and functionally weak; 2) for the emergence of axial naturalism free-lance intellectuals in the midst of social revolutions appears to have been a crucial factor; 3) axial innovations were grafted onto a more archaic distinction of nature and culture; and 4) notwithstanding the form or context of Axial thinking, environmental treatment remained exploitative as a consequence of state-led political and economic issues.
Role of mitomycin C in reducing adhesion formation following endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Gupta M , Motwani G
Published: August 2006

Objective: To study the role of mitomycin C in reducing adhesion formation following endoscopic sinus surgery.

Study design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary care referral centre.

Patients: Thirty patients were selected suffering long-term problems with bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis, with no relief obtained from medical therapy. Patients requiring revision sinus surgery or having acute upper respiratory tract infection were excluded.

Interventions: Diagnostic nasal endoscopies and non-contrast computerized tomography of nose and paranasal sinuses were undertaken and, following confirmation of the diagnosis, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was carried out bilaterally using the Messerklinger technique. On completion of the surgery, a cotton wick soaked in mitomycin C was placed in one or other side of the nose in the middle meatus. Follow up was for three months and patients were assessed for subjective and objective improvement in their symptoms.

Results: Post-operatively, of the 11 (36.6 per cent) patients complaining of persistent nasal obstruction, nine had complaints limited to the control side only (p=0.005). Out of the nine (30 per cent) patients complaining of recurrent nasal discharge, eight had complaints on the control side and only one reported discharge from both sides (p=0.006).

Conclusion: Mitomycin C may be topically applied in post-operative FESS cases to reduce adhesion formation and hence the need for revision surgery.
Cocaine versus tetracaine in septoplasty: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Drivas E I , Hajiioannou J K , Lachanas V A , Bizaki A J , Kyrmizakis D E , Bizakis J G
Published: August 2006

Background: Successful local anaesthesia is of critical importance for the success of septoplasty, and many surgeons prefer to use cocaine for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cocaine 4 per cent solution, compared with tetracaine 2 per cent plus adrenaline, as a local anaesthetic for patients undergoing septoplasty.

Methods: From December 2002 to February 2005, a prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. One hundred and eight patients underwent septoplasty under local anaesthesia. Patients were randomly classified into group A and group B, in which was used respectively cocaine 4 per cent solution and tetracaine 2 per cent solution plus adrenaline. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate the severity of patients' pain during their procedure.

Results: Group B (tetracaine; mean rank=43.77) reported significantly less pain (p<0.001) compared with group A (cocaine; mean rank=65.23).

Conclusions: On the basis of these findings, we recommend tetracaine as the first choice anaesthetic for nasal septoplasty; the use of cocaine should be limited.
Investigation of interleukin 10, 12 and 18 levels in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Jebreel A , Mistry D , Loke D , Dunn G , Hough V , Oliver K , Stafford N , Greenman J
Published: August 2006

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive epithelial malignancy. It is the most common neoplasm arising in the upper aerodigestive tract.

Interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-18 are cytokines which have a major anti-tumour activity via stimulation of a T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune response. Interleukin 10, a potent antagonist of IL-12, is a cytokine which possesses immunosuppressive activity mainly produced via T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells. Studies of other types of cancer have shown that the level of IL-12 in serum or tissues is suppressed and/or the IL-10 level is increased, suggesting that there is an impaired cell-mediated anti-tumour response.

The aim of this study was to measure pre-operative serum cytokine concentrations in HNSCC patients in order to detect any changes in IL-10, IL-12 and IL-18, compared with non-tumour controls. The relationship between cytokine levels and standard clinicopathological features, including tumour site, tumour stage and presence of nodal metastasis, was also examined.

Fifty-seven patients with primary HNSCC were prospectively recruited, together with 40 non-tumour control patients with a similar age and sex distribution. Serum cytokine levels were measured using commercial quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The HNSCC patients had significantly lower IL-12 levels (median; interquartile range) than controls (42.8 pg/ml, 26.2–61.6 vs 52.3 pg/ml, 37.5–113.7; p=0.018). Also, patients were more likely to have detectable IL-10 levels than were controls, as IL-10 was positive in 27/55 patients but in only 9/39 controls (p=0.011). Furthermore, IL-10 detectability varied according to primary site, being more commonly observed in hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumours, and IL-10 was more likely to be detected with advanced tumour stage (T3 and T4). No differences in IL-18 levels were observed between patients and controls (p=0.169).

These results suggest (in agreement with studies on other solid malignancies) that HNSCC causes a significant change in the serum levels of specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines, producing an in vivo environment that is unlikely to promote an effective cell-mediated anti-tumour response.
Cognitive, and behavioural and emotional functioning of young children awaiting elective cardiac surgery or catheter intervention
Authors: Utens Elisabeth M.W.J. , Versluis-Den Bieman Herma J. , Witsenburg Maarten , Bogers Ad J.J.C. , Verhulst Frank C. , Hess John
Published: August 2006

Aims: To assess the cognitive, and behavioural and emotional functioning of children aged 3 months to 7 years shortly before elective cardiac surgery or elective interventional catheterisation. Methods: We used the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, to measure cognitive functioning. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess behavioural and emotional problems. Results: We found no significant differences in mean cognitive scores for children scheduled for cardiac surgery or interventional catheterisation when compared with reference groups. This was also the case for children awaiting cardiac surgery as opposed to those awaiting interventional catheterisation, and for those below as compared to those above the age of 2.5 years. Overall, our results regarding behavioural and emotional functioning were comparable to those of normative reference groups. The only difference found was that the children scheduled for cardiac surgery and aged from 2 to 3 years had significantly higher scores on the Child Behavior Checklist than did peers from normative groups. Conclusion: Cognitive, and behavioural and emotional functioning, both for young children awaiting elective cardiac surgery and interventional catheterisation, can be considered as quite favourable.
Dilation of the ascending aorta in childhood: 4 cases without obvious predisposing disease
Authors: Pfammatter Jean-Pierre , Pavlovic Mladen , Berdat Pascal , Carrel Thierry
Published: August 2006

Dilation of the ascending aorta is rare in childhood. When seen, it is usually associated with some form of connective tissue disease or predisposing cardiac malformations, especially an aortic valve with two leaflets. We describe four children in whom significant dilation of the ascending aorta was encountered as an incidental finding. No patient had any sign of an associated connective tissue disease, nor did we detect any predisposing cardiac anomalies. One patient had undergone surgical ligation of the arterial duct in infancy, whilst another had undergone repair of aortic coarctation, also in infancy. A third child has had repair of an atrioventricular septal defect with exclusively atrial shunting, whereas the fourth patient had a structurally normal heart. The aortic valve had three leaflets, and was functionally normal in all. The dilation of the ascending aorta was progressive in all patients, and finally surgical treatment was recommended, relying on the guidelines established for the management of patients affected with the Marfan syndrome.