bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fumigant toxicity of Korean medicinal plant essential oils and components from Asiasarum sieboldi root against Sitophilus oryzae L.
Authors: Kim Junheon , Park Il‐Kwon
Published: February 2008

Medicinal plant essential oils and components from Asiasarum sieboldi were tested for their insecticidal activities against the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with plant material and concentration. The LC50 value of A. sieboldi essential oil against rice weevil was 2.37 µg/ml air. Analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry led to the identification of 20 compounds from A. sieboldi essential oil. Among identified compounds, five main compounds were tested for their insecticidal activity against rice weevil and compared to the toxicity of dichlorvos. Responses varied with compound and dose. Eucarvone was the most toxic, followed by safrole, with LC50 values of 3.32 and 11.27 µg/ml, respectively. LC50 values of other compounds were >25 µg/ml. The LC50 value of dichlorvos was 0.0081 µg/ml. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unclassified variants identified in BRCA1 exon 11: Consequences on splicing
Authors: Anczuków Olga , Buisson Monique , Salles Marie‐Josèphe , Triboulet Sarah , Longy Michel , Lidereau Rosette , Sinilnikova Olga M. , Mazoyer Sylvie
Published: February 2008

Numerous mutations identified in breast/ovarian cancer families occur in splice sites of the BRCA1 gene. Splicing can also be disrupted by mutations occurring in exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) sequences. It is important to identify those mutations among the large number of nontruncating sequence variants that are identified during molecular diagnosis, as this could help to classify some of them as cancer predisposing. Several software programs have been designed to identify ESEs and can therefore be used to predict the outcome of genetic variation. However, it is not known whether these predictions are relevant in the case of BRCA1 exon 11 (3.4 kb). In this study, we assessed the consequences on splicing of 108 exon 11 variants identified in French breast/ovarian cancer families, most of them predicted to alter putative ESEs, and of nine variants located in the exon 11 alternative donor splice site. We employed a BRCA1 minigene consisting of exon 10 to 12, into which we introduced separately each of the variants to be tested. RNA was analyzed by RT‐PCR after transient transfection of the resulting minigenes. None of the tested variants was found to dramatically alter splicing through disruption of an ESE. However, we identified several variants in the alternative donor splice site that are likely to be of biological significance as they appear to favor the expression of BRCA1‐Δ11b over that of the full‐length transcript. The results of this study will be of value to classify BRCA1 exon 11 variants of unknown significance. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High definition cytogenetics and oligonucleotide aCGH analyses of cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Prasad Mona , Bernardini Marcus , Tsalenko Anya , Marrano Paula , Paderova Jana , Lee Chung‐Hae , Ben‐Dor Amir , Barrett Michael T. , Squire Jeremy A.
Published: February 2008

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a key platform to assess cancer genomic profiles. Many structural genomic aberrations cannot be detected by aCGH alone. We have applied molecular cytogenetic analyses including spectral karyotyping, multicolor banding, and fluorescence in situ hybridization with aCGH to comprehensively investigate the genomic aberrations associated with cisplatin resistance in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. A2780 is a well‐established model of chemotherapeutic resistance with distinct karyotypic abnormalities in the parental and cisplatin‐resistant cells. Cytogenetic analysis revealed that two unbalanced translocations, der(8)t(1;8) and der(X)t(X;1), and loss of chromosome 13 were present only in the resistant line. Our aCGH analyses detected imbalances affecting an additional 10.59% of the genome in the cisplatin‐resistant cells compared with the parental. DNA copy number changes included deletions at 1p10–p22.1, 8p23.3, and Xq13.1‐pter, and a duplication of 8q11.22‐q23. Cryptic genomic aberrations associated with concurrent localized changes of specific gene expression included a homozygous deletion of 0.38 Mb at 1p21.3 adjacent to SNX7, and an insertional transposition of 0.85 Mb from 13q12.12 into chromosome 22. This latter rearrangement led to an overexpression of four contiguous genes that flanked one of the breakpoint regions in chromosome 13. Furthermore, 17 genes showed differential expression correlating with genomic gain or loss between the resistant and parent lines, validated by a second expression array platform. These results highlight the integration of comprehensive profiling to determine relationships of genomic aberrations and genes associated with an in vitro drug resistance model in ovarian cancer. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homozygous deletions may be markers of nearby heterozygous mutations: The complex deletion at FRA16D in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line removes exons of WWOX
Authors: Alsop Amber E. , Taylor Karen , Zhang Jieqing , Gabra Hani , Paige Adam J. W. , Edwards Paul A. W.
Published: February 2008

Homozygous deletions in cancer cells have been thought to harbor tumor suppressor genes. We show that the 25 and 50 kb homozygous deletions in WWOX in the colon cancer cell line HCT116 result from a complex set of heterozygous deletions, some of which overlap to give homozygous loss. One of the heterozygous deletions has removed exons 6–8 of one allele of WWOX, and there is also a third copy of the distal region of WWOX in an unbalanced translocation. The exon 6–8 deletion results in allele‐specific expression of a deleted transcript, which seems likely to be the main biological consequence of the deletions, since similar transcripts are found in other tumors. We show that such a complex set of deletions could form in a single exchange event between two homologous chromosomes, so that the selective advantage of such rearrangements need not be within the homozygous deletion. We conclude that homozygous deletions can be markers of complex rearrangements that have targets outside the homozygous deletion itself and that the target of deletions in the FRA16D region is indeed WWOX, the common outcome being the removal of particular WWOX exons. This article contains supplementary material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors affecting healthcare costs in manufacturing
Authors: Kara Kubi , Kothari Jinen , Genaidy Ash , Weckman Gary , Shell Richard , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: February 2008

Numerous reviews were conducted on healthcare cost items and the factors that affect them. These reviews were not comprehensive enough to capture the entire objective and did not include the elements of an evidence‐based approach. This research presents a quality assessment designed to provide some possible solutions to the increasing effects of healthcare costs among manufacturing companies. The objective of this research is to develop a model that measures direct or insured costs and expands on the work by Paez et al. (2005) in which an estimation of uninsured costs was made. Published articles were obtained using a search of electronic databases and bibliographies of identified articles. The quality assessment of each article was conducted using a predetermined set of criteria. Seven articles satisfied the inclusion criteria adopted for this research. Although real‐life study setups and data collection activities exist, many articles lacked healthcare cost categorization. The findings do not include the relationship between factors and the cost of items. Results from the examples used in the automotive and chemical industries helped obtain an estimate of insurance and property damage costs. There appears to be a need for a model that represents the relationship between healthcare cost items and the leading factors. It could make it possible to control and greatly reduce the leading healthcare cost factors. A complete model containing both insured and uninsured costs was developed by combining the models. It built upon the concept of severity introduced by Paez et al. and applied the concept to include insured costs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interventions in the construction industry: A systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Rinder Maria Magdalena , Genaidy Ash , Salem Sam , Shell Richard , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: February 2008

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the construction industry represent a significant problem resulting in days away from work, and the effective solution to this problem requires the implementation of useful interventions. This article presents a systematic review and critical appraisal of construction intervention studies to provide a basis for future research and practice. A comprehensive search of seven electronic databases—Medline, PubMed, Ergonomics Abstracts, Health and Safety Science Abstracts, BIOSIS, Psychinfo, and NIOSHTIC 2—was performed to identify relevant articles. Further, the methodological quality of identified studies was assessed by the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument (EAI). Eight intervention studies linking and introducing the following aspects of the construction industry were identified: an intervention with reduced MSD; decreasing work demands; or increasing human abilities, comfort, or ease of use among workers. The methodological quality of the studies ranged between marginal and average. There is an urgent need for more construction intervention studies to fill the gaps in this research area. Moreover, future research and practice should avoid the limitations of past studies in order to ultimately reach the goal of effective interventions in the construction industry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytogenetic analysis of 298 newly diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Tunisia
Authors: Gmidène Abir , Sennana Hlima , Elghezal Hatem , Ziraoui Sihem , Youssef Yosra Ben , Elloumi Moez , Issaoui Lamia , Harrabi Imed , Raynaud Sophie , Saad Ali
Published: February 2008

Genetic changes associated with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) provide diagnostic and prognostic information with a direct impact on patient management. We report the cytogenetic analysis of 298 Tunisian patients with ALL, including 183 children and 115 adults. Chromosome abnormalities have been detected in 68.2% of our patients associating clonal numerical and/or structural rearrangements. Some chromosomal abnormalities especially hyperdiploidy, 19p13 abnormalities, 8q24 translocations, 12p, 6q deletions and TCR rearrangements occur at a lower incidence compared to that reported in other populations. ALL cases (5.7%) had miscellaneous clonal abnormalities. We also found in our Tunisian series a higher incidence for T‐lineage ALL more than usually described. Among structural chromosomal abnormalities, t(9;22)(q34;q11) resulting in the BCR/ABL fusion and the t(12;21)(p13;q22) resulting in the TEL/AML1 fusion were studied by FISH providing additional diagnostic and prognostic information. We conclude that although the incidence of our cytogenetic results are slightly different, their clinical significance is similar to that described in the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin‐1B (IL1B) and interleukin‐6 (IL6) gene polymorphisms are associated with risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Ennas Maria G. , Moore Patrick S. , Zucca Mariagrazia , Angelucci Emanuele , Cabras Maria G. , Melis Massimo , Gabbas Attilio , Serpe Roberto , Madeddu Clelia , Scarpa Aldo , Cocco Pierluigi
Published: February 2008

Common polymorphisms in genes encoding for cytokines implicated in the inflammatory response and Th1/Th2 balance might play a role in the development and prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). To test the hypothesis, we investigated 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine of such genes in a population‐based case‐control study, conducted in the Italian region of Sardinia in 1999–2003. Forty incident CLL cases and 113 population controls were available for study. The following SNPs were selected: IL1A‐889C > T, IL1RN 9589A > T, IL1B‐31C > T, IL1B‐511C > T, IL2‐384T > G, IL6‐174G > C, IL6‐597G > A, IL10‐1082A > G, IL10‐3575T > A, TNF‐308G > A, LTA‐ 91A > C, LTA 252A > G and CARD15 nt1007. After adjusting by age and gender, individuals homozygous for the IL1B‐511T allele run a lower risk of CLL (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.0, 0.8, p = 0.032), while risk showed a 4.5‐fold increase associated with the genotype homozygous for the IL6‐174C allele (OR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.1, 19.3, p = 0.041). Individuals homozygous for the IL6‐174C allele and carrying the homozygous IL1B‐511C allele showed an 11‐fold increase in CLL risk (OR = 11.4, 95% CI 1.9, 69.4, p = 0.008). None of the other interleukin SNPs evaluated showed any association with CLL risk. Large multicentre pooled studies are warranted, achieving the statistical power required to confirm whether IL6 and IL1B gene polymorphisms might play a role in CLL development and prognosis, as well as the null associations herein reported. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viscosity measurements of Newtonian liquid by natural convection (Part 2: Evaluation method by mean temperature of heated vertical plate)
Authors: Tanaka Hiroshi , Okawauchi Yoshihiko , Tomimura Toshio
Published: February 2008

A simple method for viscosity measurements of Newtonian liquid by using the temperature difference between the surface of a uniformly heated vertical plate and the ambient liquid formed by natural convection has been proposed. Surface temperature is taken as its mean while the ambient liquid temperature is considered as the bulk. The measuring system is simply composed of a beaker containing a tested liquid, a vertical heated plate, thermocouples for the heated surface and the ambient liquid, a power supply, a voltmeter, a recorder, and a personal computer. From comparison of the measured results on pure water and silicone oil with known thermophysical properties, fairly good agreement has been obtained, and the validity of the present method has been confirmed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(2): 115–126, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20183
Research on the human thermal model with a poly‐segmented hand
Authors: Li Ding , Minjing Sang , Yanpeng Lei , Xiugan Yuan
Published: February 2008

A more integral human thermal model was built by combining the human thermal cylindrical model and the manual poly‐segment thermal model. Finite element methods (FEM) was used to define the body thermal model. It was in good agreement with the experimental results. The results show: the experimental results are consistent with the calculated value, when suitable blood flux is taken into consideration. The blood flux is in a certain range when the manual temperature is stable. Blood flux is the major factor in the manual temperature field. Body temperature and intake artery temperature have little effect on the hand temperature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(2): 94–100, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20187
Molecular dynamics simulation of self‐diffusion coefficient and its relation with temperature using simple Lennard‐Jones potential
Authors: Wei‐Zhong Li , Cong Chen , Jian Yang
Published: February 2008

The diffusion coefficient is indispensable to chemical engineering design and research. In practical engineering and research, there is still a great lack of available data. Therefore, methods need to be developed to solve this problem. In this paper, a molecular dynamics simulation method is used to predict the self‐diffusion coefficient for a simple fluid by using the Green– Kubo relation (VACF) and the Einstein relation (MSD). The simulation results are in good agreement with experimental findings except for an error of about 10%. The algorithm average of the two methods (AV) reduces the error to 7%. The relationship of the diffusion coefficient with temperature has also been simulated. According to the simulation data, whose correlation is all above 0.99, the diffusion coefficient agrees well with temperature following the Arrenhius relationship. Activation energy for self‐diffusion has been calculated and the result were 1258(VACF), 1272(MSD), and 1265(AV) J/mol separately. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(2): 86–93, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20191
Acute risperidone treatment did not increase daily cigarette consumption or plasma levels of cotinine and caffeine: a pilot study
Authors: Yoshimura Reiji , Kakihara Shingo , Umene‐Nakano Wakako , Sugita Atsuko , Hori Hikaru , Ueda Nobuhisa , Nakamura Jun
Published: February 2008

Excessive cigarette smoking and caffeine intake are often seen in schizophrenic patients being treated with antipsychotic drugs, particularly typical antipsychotic drugs. Using nicotine and caffeine sometimes influences psychotic symptoms in these patients. Clozapine is the only antipsychotic drug reported to reduce the amount of cigarette smoking, however, still remains controversial of its efficacy. In the present study, we examined the effect of acute risperidone treatment on the amount of cigarette smoking and plasma levels of cotinine and caffeine in schizophrenic patients. Treatment with risperidone for 4 weeks did not increase daily cigarette consumption or plasma levels of cotinine and caffeine. The results suggest that acute risperidone treatment does not promote the intake of nicotine and caffeine at least by 4 weeks in schizophrenic patients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of mildronate with the mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine transport protein
Authors: Oppedisano Francesca , Fanello Delia , Calvani Menotti , Indiveri Cesare
Published: February 2008

The interaction of mildronate [3‐(2,2,2‐trimethylhydrazine) propionate] with the purified mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine transporter reconstituted in liposomes has been studied. Mildronate, externally added to the proteoliposomes, strongly inhibited the carnitine/carnitine antiport catalyzed by the reconstituted transporter with an IC50of 560 μM. A kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition is completely competitive, that is, mildronate interacts with the substrate‐binding site. The half‐saturation constant of the transporter for external mildronate (Ki) is 530 μM. Carnitine/mildronate antiport has been measured as [3H]carnitine uptake into proteoliposomes containing internal mildronate or as [3H]carnitine efflux from proteoliposomes in the presence of external mildronate, indicating that mildronate is transported by the carnitine/acylcarnitine transporter and that the inhibition observed was due to the transport of mildronate in the place of carnitine. The intraliposomal half‐saturation constant for mildronate transport (Km) has been determined. Its value, 18 mM, is much higher than the external half‐saturation constant (Ki) in agreement with the asymmetric properties of the transporter. In vivo, the antiport reaction between cytosolic (administered) mildronate and matrix carnitine may cause intramitochondrial carnitine depletion. This effect, together with the inhibition of the physiological transport, will lead to impairment of fatty acid utilization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:8–14, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20208
The cytosolic calcium concentration is affected by S‐nitrosocysteine in human lymphomonocytes
Authors: Palmerini Carlo A. , Mazzoni Michela , Saccardi Carla , Arienti Giuseppe
Published: February 2008

The homeostasis of cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]c in mammalian cells is a complex phenomenon, requiring the contribution of many cellular and extracellular systems. Nitric oxide (NO) acts on [Ca2+]c, although the mechanism of this action is unknown. We study the release and the uptake of Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum and its capacitative entry in human lymphomonocytes in the presence of the NO donor S‐nitrosocysteine (CysNO) at low (16 μM) and at high (160 μM) concentrations by measuring the [Ca2+]c by the Fura 2‐AM method. Thapsigargin (TG), which inhibits sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA), and nifedipine (NIF), which blocks the Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, are used to clarify the effects of NO on calcium movements. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, CysNO decreases basal [Ca2+]c, whereas TG increases it as the result of SERCA inhibition. This effect of TG diminishes in the presence of the NO donor. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+(capacitative entry conditions), CysNO does not influence Ca2+ entry but reduces the toxic effects of TG connected to the increase of [Ca2+]c in these conditions. The effect of NIF is, up to a certain extent, similar to that of CysNO, although the mechanisms of action of the two agents do not seem related. We conclude that CysNO participates in [Ca2+]c homeostasis by stimulating the movement of the ion from the cytosol to other compartments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:35–40, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20211
Comparative cytotoxicity of alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor herbicides in isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes
Authors: Kale Vijay M. , Miranda Sonia R. , Wilbanks Mitchell S. , Meyer Sharon A.
Published: February 2008

Noncancerous adverse effects observed at the lowest dose for chloroacetanilide herbicides alachlor [2‐chloro‐2′,6′‐diethyl‐N‐(methoxymethyl)‐acetanilide] and acetochlor [2‐chloro‐2′‐methyl‐6′‐ethyl‐N‐(ethoxymethyl)acetanilide], but not metolachlor [2‐chloro‐2′‐ethyl‐6′‐methyl‐N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐methoxymethyl)acetanilide], are hepatotoxicity in rats and dogs. Liver microsomalN‐dealkylation, a step in the putative activating pathway, of acetochlor exceeds that of alachlor and is negligible for metolachlor. In the present investigation, cytotoxicity of the three chloroacetanilides was ranked using isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes to correlate this endpoint with CYP3A‐dependent metabolism. Chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity in rat hepatocyte suspensions was time dependent (e.g., LC50 ‐ alachlor/2 hvs. LC50 ‐ alachlor/4 h= 765 vs. 325 μM). Alachlor and acetochlor were more potent than metolachlor after 2 and 4 h, times whenN‐dealkylated alachlor product 2‐chloro‐N‐(2,6‐diethylphenyl)acetamide (CDEPA) formation was readily detectable. Alachlor and acetochlor potencies with cryopreserved human hepatocytes at 2 h were comparable to freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, and alachlor metabolism to CDEPA was likewise detectable. Unlike rat hepatocytes, metolachlor potency was equivalent to acetochlor and alachlor in human hepatocytes. Furthermore, chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity from two sources of human hepatocytes varied inversely with CYP3A4 activity. Collectively, while cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes was consistent with chloroacetanilide activation by CYP3A, an activating role for CYP3A4 was not supported with human hepatocytes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:41–50, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20213
RNACluster: An integrated tool for RNA secondary structure comparison and clustering
Authors: Liu Qi , Olman V. , Liu Huiqing , Ye Xiuzi , Qiu Shilun , Xu Ying
Published: February 2008

RNA structure comparison is a fundamental problem in structural biology, structural chemistry, and bioinformatics. It can be used for analysis of RNA energy landscapes, conformational switches, and facilitating RNA structure prediction. The purpose of our integrated tool RNACluster is twofold: to provide a platform for computing and comparison of different distances between RNA secondary structures, and to perform cluster identification to derive useful information of RNA structure ensembles, using a minimum spanning tree (MST) based clustering algorithm. RNACluster employs a cluster identification approach based on a MST representation of the RNA ensemble data and currently supports six distance measures between RNA secondary structures. RNACluster provides a user‐friendly graphical interface to allow a user to compare different structural distances, analyze the structure ensembles, and visualize predicted structural clusters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
Metabolic depression induced by urea in organs of the wood frog,Rana sylvatica: effects of season and temperature
Authors: Muir Timothy J. , Costanzo Jon P. , Lee Richard E.
Published: February 2008

It has long been suspected that urea accumulation plays a key role in the induction or maintenance of metabolic suppression during extended dormancy in animals from diverse taxa. However, little evidence supporting that hypothesis in living systems exists. We measured aerobic metabolism of isolated organs from the wood frog (Rana sylvatica) in the presence or absence of elevated urea at various temperatures using frogs acclimatized to different seasons. The depressive effect of urea on metabolism was not consistent across organs, seasons, or temperatures. None of the organs from summer frogs, which were tested at 20°C, or from winter frogs tested at 4°C were affected by urea treatment. However, liver, stomach, and heart from spring frogs tested at 4°C had significantly lower metabolic rates when treated with urea as compared with control samples. Additionally, when organs from winter frogs were tested at 10°C, metabolism was significantly decreased in urea‐treated liver and stomach by ∼15% and in urea‐treated skeletal muscle by ∼50%. Our results suggest that the presence of urea depresses the metabolism of living organs, and thereby reduces energy expenditure, but its effect varies with temperature and seasonal acclimatization. The impact of our findings may be wide ranging owing to the number of diverse organisms that accumulate urea during dormancy.J. Exp. Zool. 309A:111–116, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of warm temperature acclimation‐related protein 65‐kDa (Wap65) mRNA, and physiological changes with increasing water temperature in black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli
Authors: Choi Cheol Young , An Kwang Wook , Choi Yong Ki , Jo Pil Gue , Min Byung Hwa
Published: February 2008

We isolated the warm temperature acclimation‐related protein 65‐kDa (Wap65) cDNA from the liver of black porgy and investigated the expression by increasing water temperature in black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Black porgy Wap65 full‐length cDNA consists of 1,338 nucleotides, including an open reading frame, predicted to encode a protein of 425 amino acids and showed high homology to pufferfish (79%), Medaka (73%), carp (70%), and goldfish (68%) Wap65. Increase in water temperature (20°C → 30°C; 1°C/day) induced the rise of Wap65 mRNA expression in liver of black porgy. Also, the levels of cortisol and glucose in plasma were significantly higher at 30°C than at 20°C. To determine the high water temperature stressor specificity of the induction of Wap65, black porgy were transferred from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW) for 24 hr. Wap65 expression was not detected when the fish were transferred from SW to FW (in fish transferred from SW to FW), although the levels of cortisol and glucose in plasma were increased. These results suggest that increase in Wap65 gene is related to high water temperature stress and play important roles in high water temperature environment of black porgy. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:206–214, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influences of the Indian Ocean dipole on the Asian summer monsoon in the following year
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Yang Hui , Zhou Wen , Li Chongyin
Published: February 2008

By exploring the spatiotemporal features of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) both on the sea surface and in the subsurface ocean, the present article reveals that the subsurface dipole mode, with larger amplitude than the surface one, is likely to prolong the dipole signal for a long time.

Using the wind and geopotential height data from NCEP/NCAR, this article further investigates IOD impacts on the Asian summer monsoon activities in the following year. A normal (late) South China Sea summer monsoon onset is associated with the previous positive (negative) IOD. In the summer after an IOD year, a positive (negative) IOD tends to induce a stronger (weaker) 100‐hPa South Asian High, with a more (less) eastward‐extending high ridge, and also an enhanced (a weakened) 500‐hPa western Pacific subtropical high, with a westward‐advancing (an eastward‐retreating) high ridge. Influenced by the anomalous 850‐hPa Asian monsoon circulations and the longitudinal position of the 500‐hPa subtropical high ridge, summer rainfall in China also exhibits different patterns corresponding to different phases of the IOD in the previous year. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Theory and experiment of large numerical aperture objective Raman microscopy: application to the stress‐tensor determination in strained cubic materials
Authors: Ossikovski Razvigor , Nguyen Quang , Picardi Gennaro , Schreiber Joachim , Morin Pierre
Published: February 2008

We present the theory underlying the large numerical aperture objective micro‐Raman backscattering experiment and apply it to the elaboration of a characterization methodology for the determination of the stress tensor in strained cubic semiconductor structures. The presented stress characterization technique consists in monitoring the variations of the stress‐sensitive optical phonon peak position and linewidth while rotating stepwise the sample about its normal. The practical application of the technique is illustrated on a silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) microelectronic structure demonstrating a plane stress‐tensor determination. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ascorbic acid metabolism in fruits: activity of enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation during ripening in mango and guava
Authors: Gomez Maria Luiza PA , Lajolo Franco M
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Ascorbic acid is a very important compound for plants. It has essential functions, mainly as an antioxidant and growth regulator. Ascorbic acid biosynthesis has been extensively studied, but studies in fruits are very limited. In this work we studied the influence of five enzymes involved in synthesis (L‐galactono‐1,4‐lactone dehydrogenase, GalLDH, EC 1.3.2.3), oxidation (ascorbate oxidase, EC 1.10.3.3, and ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and recycling (monodehydroascorbate reductase, EC 1.6.5.4, and dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) on changes in ascorbic acid content during development and ripening of mangoes (Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt) and during the ripening of white pulp guavas (Psidium guayava L. cv. Paloma).

RESULTS: It was found that there was a balance between the activities of GalLDH, APX and DHAR, both in mangoes and guavas.

CONCLUSIONS: Equilibrium between the enzymatic activities of synthesis, catabolism and recycling is important for the regulation of ascorbic acid content in mango and guava. These results have contributed to understanding some of the changes that occur in ascorbic acid levels during fruit ripening. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Segmental distribution and expression of two heterodimeric amino acid transporter mRNAs in the intestine of pigs during different ages
Authors: Feng Dingyuan , Zhou Xiangyan , Zuo Jianjun , Zhang Changming , Yin Yulong , Wang Xiuqi , Wang Tian
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Segmental distribution and expression of two heterodimeric amino acid transporter mRNAs during different ages were evaluated in pigs along the horizontal axis of the intestine.

RESULTS: The intestinal distribution of b0, + AT and y+LAT1 mRNA at day 90 showed that for b0, + AT the mRNA levels were increased from the proximal to distal part of the small intestine (P < 0.05) and dropped dramatically in colon (P < 0.05). The ileum had the highest b0, + AT mRNA abundance and the ileum had the lowest. Compared to b0, + AT, the y+ LAT1 mRNA levels were decreased from the proximal to distal part of the small intestine (P < 0.05). The duodenum has the highest y+ LAT1 mRNA abundance. The mRNA abundance of b0, + AT mRNA increased linearly (P < 0.0001) from day 1 to day 150 in ileum.

CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of heterodimeric amino acid transporters (b0, + AT and y+LAT1) was not only differentially regulated by age but also differentially distributed along the intestine of piglets at early stages and growing stages of life, which may be related to luminal substrate concentration as well as amino acid requirement and hormones. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of a Non‐Woven Fabric Coated with a Chitosan Bi‐Layer Composite for Wound Dressing
Authors: Liu Bai‐Shuan , Yao Chun‐Hsu , Fang Shr‐Shin
Published: February 2008

This study presents a novel design of an easily stripped bi‐layer composite that consists of an upper layer of a soybean protein non‐woven fabric coated with a lower layer, a genipin‐crosslinked chitosan film, as a wound dressing material. This study examines thein vitroproperties of the genipin‐crosslinked chitosan film and the bi‐layer composite. Furthermore,in vivoexperiments are conducted to study wounds treated with the composite in a rat model. Experimental results show that the degree of crosslinking and thein vitrodegradation rate of the genipin‐crosslinked chitosan films can be controlled by varying the genipin contents. In addition, the genipin contents should exceed 0.025 wt.‐% of the chitosan‐based material if complete crosslinking reactions between genipin and chitosan molecules are required. Water contact angle analysis shows that the genipin‐crosslinked chitosan film is not highly hydrophilic; therefore, the genipin‐crosslinked chitosan layer is not entangled with the soybean protein non‐woven fabric, which forms an easily stripped interface layer between them. Furthermore, this new wound dressing material provides adequate moisture, thereby minimizing the risk of wound dehydration, and exhibits good mechanical properties. Thein vivohistological assessment results reveal that epithelialization and reconstruction of the wound are achieved by covering the wound with the composite, and the composite is easily stripped from the wound surface without damaging newly regenerated tissue.

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Effects of Calcium Carbonate Polymorph on the Structure and Properties of Soy Protein‐Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Dagang , Tian Huafeng , Jia Xuewei , Zhang Lina
Published: February 2008

Novel protein‐based nanocomposites were well prepared by in vivo synthesis and co‐precipitation of soy protein isolate (SPI) with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in an aqueous solution. The resultant CaCO3 in the nanocomposites was identified as calcite‐ and aragonite‐type, respectively. The morphology and structure of the CaCO3/SPI composites were investigated by means of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the polymorph and the size of CaCO3 in the nanocomposites were dependent on its content, pH, and the conformation of soy protein. At the content of more than 5%, CaCO3 was changed into calcite crystal with the preference of growing along (104) plane. However, at lower content of less than 5%, CaCO3 preferred to form aragonite in the composite as a result of the modulation by soy protein. The aragonite nanocrystals were arrayed in the direction of (111) plane and self‐assembled along β‐sheet planes of soy protein polypeptides. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water resistance of the CaCO3/SPI nanocomposites were significantly improved as a result of the nanosized effects. Interestingly, the aragonite/SPI nanocomposite exhibited higher tensile strength (about 50 MPa) than that of calcite/SPI, owing to a good compatibility and strong interaction between aragonite and soy protein polypeptides. This work provided a simple pathway to develop the soy protein‐based bio‐hybrid materials with high mechanical strength and valuable information on their structure—properties relationship.

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Low‐Cost, Thermoresponsive Wettability of Surfaces: Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/Polystyrene Composite Films Prepared by Electrospinning
Authors: Wang Nü , Zhao Yong , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2008

Low‐cost, responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/polystyrene composite films were prepared by a facile electrospinning technique. The surface structures and wettabilities of the composite films are tunable by simply controlling the concentration of polymer. With a proper proportion of each polymer, the wettability of the surface can be switched between superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity when the temperature is changed from 20 °C to 50 °C. The combination of a stimuli‐responsive polymer with micro/nanostructures on the surface of the composite film contributes to this unique surface property.

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Simulated Annealing Study of Self‐Assembly of Symmetric ABA Triblock Copolymers Confined in Cylindrical Nanopores
Authors: Wang Zheng , Li Baohui , Jin Qinghua , Ding Datong , Shi An‐Chang
Published: February 2008

We report a simulated annealing study of the self‐assembly of symmetric lamella‐forming ABA triblock copolymers confined in cylindrical nanopores. We systematically examine the dependence of the self‐assembled morphologies and structural parameters on the degree of confinement and the strength of the surface preference. We find that the confined morphologies for the symmetric ABA triblocks withfA = 1/2 are similar to those for the symmetric or nearly symmetric AB diblock copolymers under the same confinement. We also find that different structural parameters can reflect different information. The predicted bridging fraction value for the bulk phase is in good agreement with previously established values, whereas the predicted values for the confined morphologies change with both the degree of confinement and the strength of the surface preference. We further explore the self‐assembling process by examining the morphology and various ensemble‐averaged thermodynamic quantities and structure parameters as a function of the reduced temperature.

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13C and 1H NMR signal assignments of some new synthetic dehydroabietic acid derivatives
Authors: de Carvalho Marinaldo S. , Baptistella Lúcia H. B. , Imamura Paulo M.
Published: February 2008

The 1H and 13C NMR signal assignments of a series of new synthetic derivatives of dehydroabietic acid are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A population‐based observational study of dental caries among survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Wogelius Pia , Dahllöf Göran , Gorst‐Rasmussen Anders , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Rosthøj Steen , Poulsen Sven
Published: February 2008

Background

The few published studies on caries among childhood cancer survivors are small and their results are conflicting. The study aim was to examine the risk of dental caries among children who have survived cancer.

Procedure

We included 299,426 7‐year‐old, 313,461 12‐year‐old, and 301,930 15‐year‐old children born between 1984 and 1988 in a nationwide population‐based study linking records from Danish Cancer Registry with records from the national database on oral health. Children whose dental examinations had been preceded by a cancer diagnosis (288 7‐year‐old, 459 12‐year‐old, and 526 15‐year‐old) were compared with children without cancer according to presence of caries: caries‐free children; children with any caries experience; and children with severe caries experience (i.e., caries in one or more smooth tooth surface).

Results

Children diagnosed with cancer before the age of 5 years did not have increased caries prevalence in permanent teeth at ages 12; and 15. Children diagnosed with cancer between 5 and 6 years of age had an increased prevalence of severe caries at age 12 years (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59 (95% CI: 1.09–2.31; P = 0.02)), but this difference disappeared by age 15. For children diagnosed with cancer at 5 or 6 years of age and who received radiation therapy the PR of severe caries was 1.52 (95% CI: 0.97–2.37; P = 0.07), 2.13 (95% CI: 0.89–5.10; P = 0.09), and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.07–1.45; P = 0.13) at ages seven, 12 and 15 years respectively.

Conclusion

Cancer and cancer treatment during childhood are risk factors for caries. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1221–1226. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A prospective longitudinal multicenter study of coagulation in pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Brandão Leonardo R. , Kletzel Morris , Boulad Farid , Kurtzberg Joanne , Maloney Kelly , Fligman Igal , Sison Cristina P. , DiMichele Donna
Published: February 2008

Background

Thrombotic complications occur in adult patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT), especially following high dose chemo‐radiotherapy. There is little published information in children on the impact of SCT on coagulation, as well as potential correlations between altered coagulation and SCT‐associated thrombosis and organ failure.

Procedure

Forty three pediatric subjects who underwent allogeneic SCT were prospectively evaluated for congenital thrombophilia, anticoagulant levels, coagulation activation, and fibrinolysis at pre‐established set points encompassing the period from the 2 to 4 weeks prior to conditioning to 28 days post‐transplantation.

Results

A significant decrease of protein C and antithrombin levels was found in 39% and 31% of subjects respectively, between SCT days +6 and +7. A peak in plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 levels in 31% of subjects was noted between days +9 and +10. No subject experienced a thrombotic event or other SCT‐related organ failure. Antithrombin deficiency correlated with underlying malignancy, donor HLA‐mismatch, and TBI, whereas decreased PC activity demonstrated a trend of association with lack of T‐cell depletion and TBI. Prophylactic heparin did not influence the pattern of acquired hemostatic abnormalities observed in this cohort.

Conclusions

Children undergoing allogeneic SCT develop a state of acquired thrombophilia in the early post‐transplantation period. Although no SCT‐related thromboembolic events were observed, our results provide new information about the hemostatic changes in children undergoing allogeneic SCT and their potential clinical triggers. The significance of these findings requires further prospective evaluation in a larger cohort of patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1240–1246. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk factors for nonadherence to warfarin: results from the IN‐RANGE study
Authors: Platt Alec B. , Localio A. Russell , Brensinger Colleen M. , Cruess Dean G. , Christie Jason D. , Gross Robert , Parker Catherine S. , Price Maureen , Metlay Joshua P. , Cohen Abigail , Newcomb Craig W. , Strom Brian L. , Laskin Mitchell S. , Kimmel Stephen E.
Published: February 2008

Background

Warfarin is widely used to prevent stroke and venous thromboembolism despite its narrow therapeutic window. Warfarin nonadherence is a substantial problem, but risk factors have not been well elucidated.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of adults initiating warfarin at two anticoagulation clinics (University and VA‐affiliated) was performed to determine factors affecting nonadherence to warfarin. Nonadherence, defined by failure to record a correct pill bottle opening each day, was measured daily via electronic medication event monitoring systems (MEMS) caps. A multivariable explanatory model using logistic regression for longitudinal data was used to identify risk factors for nonadherence.

Results

One hundred eleven subjects were followed for a median of 137 days. Warfarin nonadherence was common (4787 of 22 425 or 21% of patient‐days observed). Factors independently associated with higher odds of nonadherence included education beyond high school (odds ratio (OR) 1.8 (95%CI 1.2–2.7)), lower Short Form (SF)‐36 mental component score (OR 1.4 (1.1–1.6) for each 10 point decrease); and impaired cognition (≤19 points) on the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE) (OR 2.9 (1.7–4.8)). Compared to currently employed subjects, unemployed (OR 0.6 (0.3–1.2)) and retired (OR 0.5 (0.3–0.8)) subjects had somewhat improved adherence; disabled subjects over age 55 had worse adherence (OR 1.8 (1.1–3.1)) than younger disabled subjects (OR 0.8 (0.4–1.5)).

Conclusions

Poor adherence to warfarin is common and risk factors are related to education level, employment status, mental health functioning, and cognitive impairment. Within the carefully controlled anticoagulation clinic setting, such patient‐specific factors may be the basis of future interventions to improve nonadherence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Agreement between administrative databases and medical charts for pregnancy‐related variables among asthmatic women
Authors: Vilain Anne , Otis Sophie , Forget Amélie , Blais Lucie
Published: February 2008

Purpose

To determine the validity of pregnancy variables recorded in administrative databases of Quebec using patient medical charts as the gold standard among asthmatic pregnant women.

Methods

Three administrative databases were linked and provided information on maternal, pregnancy and infant characteristics for 726 pregnant asthmatic women who delivered in 1990–2000. Algorithms were developed to measure variables that were not recorded directly in the databases or to minimize the number of missing values for variables recorded in two or more databases. Medical file data were collected by two trained research nurses in 43 hospitals. The validity of categorical variables was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive values (PPVs) and predictive negative values (PNVs), whereas the validity of continuous variables was assessed with Pearson correlation using the medical chart as the gold standard.

Results

The sensitivity of the sex of the baby, previous live birth and previous pregnancy ranged from 0.97 to 0.99. Corresponding figures were 0.92–0.98 for specificity. We also found high correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.875 to 0.999 for the length of gestation, dates of last menstruation and delivery, maternal age and birth weight.

Conclusion

Pregnancy‐related variables recorded in administrative databases or derived from algorithms based on two or more databases were found to be highly valid as compared to the medical chart among asthmatic women. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards multidimensional liquid chromatography separation of proteins using fluorescence and isotope‐coded protein labelling for quantitative proteomics
Authors: Tribl Florian , Lohaus Christiane , Dombert Tanja , Langenfeld Elmar , Piechura Heike , Warscheid Bettina , Meyer Helmut E. , Marcus Katrin
Published: February 2008

HPLC has emerged as a valuable tool for separating proteins. To address the analysis of complex proteomes and quantitative changes of proteins therein, we developed a multidimensional LC (MDLC)‐based approach followed by large gel 1‐D SDS‐PAGE. Here we present a novel strategy that allows for simultaneously identifying and quantifying differentially regulated proteins following three separation and fractionation steps. This MDLC platform integrates advantages of dual protein labelling using both fluorescence and isotope‐coded tags for subsequent detection and quantification of abundance ratios of proteins by MS.