bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using team science to address health disparities: MacArthur network as case example
Authors: Adler Nancy E. , Stewart Judith
Published: February 2010

In this paper, the director and the administrator of the MacArthur Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health reflect on the evolution of the network. Against the backdrop of the science of “team science,” they describe the history and process of the network including the forging of a group agenda, the development of a creative, productive group working style, and the outcomes arising from these processes.
Hypertension 2008—Awareness, Understanding, and Treatment of Previously Diagnosed Hypertension in Baby Boomers and Seniors: A Survey Conducted by Harris Interactive on Behalf of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Authors: Miller Nancy H. , Berra Kathy , Long Janet
Published: February 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).

A Harris Interactive survey of 1548 hypertensive persons aged 44 and older confirms the findings of previous studies that showed suboptimal rates of adherence to medication and lifestyle regimens to lower blood pressure, despite a high level of awareness of the health consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure. When the study population was analyzed by age group (baby boomers, ages 44 to 62 years, and seniors, ages ≥63 years), nonadherence was greater in the baby boomer cohort, which nevertheless had a higher level of concern than the seniors. Poor communication between patients and health care providers contributes to nonadherence to treatment regimens. Patients’ age plays an important role in their attitudes and behaviors regarding illness and treatment as well as their preferences as to the types of educational materials they would find helpful and the ways those materials can best be delivered. Because of the growing population of baby boomers further studies are warranted to evaluate attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors concerning the identification and treatment of hypertension.
Deciphering Protein Kinase Specificity Through Large-Scale Analysis of Yeast Phosphorylation Site Motifs
Authors: Mok Janine , Kim Philip M. , Lam Hugo Y. K. , Piccirillo Stacy , Zhou Xiuqiong , Jeschke Grace R. , Sheridan Douglas L. , Parker Sirlester A. , Desai Ved , Jwa Miri , Cameroni Elisabetta , Niu Hengyao , Good Matthew , Remenyi Attila , Ma Jia-Lin Nianhan , Sheu Yi-Jun , Sassi Holly E. , Sopko Richelle , Chan Clarence S. M. , De Virgilio Claudio , Hollingsworth Nancy M. , Lim Wendell A. , Stern David F. , Stillman Bruce , Andrews Brenda J. , Gerstein Mark B. , Snyder Michael , Turk Benjamin E.
Published: February 2010

A high-throughput peptide array approach reveals insight into kinase substrates and specificity.
Dynamic Distribution of SeqA Protein across the Chromosome of Escherichia coli K-12
Authors: Sánchez-Romero María Antonia , Busby Stephen J. W. , Dyer Nigel P. , Ott Sascha , Millard Andrew D. , Grainger David C.
Published: February 2010

The bacterial SeqA protein binds to hemi-methylated GATC sequences that arise in newly synthesized DNA upon passage of the replication machinery. In
Escherichia coli
K-12, the single replication origin
oriC
is a well-characterized target for SeqA, which binds to multiple hemi-methylated GATC sequences immediately after replication has initiated. This sequesters
oriC
, thereby preventing reinitiation of replication. However, the genome-wide DNA binding properties of SeqA are unknown, and hence, here, we describe a study of the binding of SeqA across the entire
Escherichia coli
K-12 chromosome, using chromatin immunoprecipitation in combination with DNA microarrays. Our data show that SeqA binding correlates with the frequency and spacing of GATC sequences across the entire genome. Less SeqA is found in highly transcribed regions, as well as in the
ter
macrodomain. Using synchronized cultures, we show that SeqA distribution differs with the cell cycle. SeqA remains bound to some targets after replication has ceased, and these targets locate to genes encoding factors involved in nucleotide metabolism, chromosome replication, and methyl transfer.

IMPORTANCE
DNA replication in bacteria is a highly regulated process. In many bacteria, a protein called SeqA plays a key role by binding to newly replicated DNA. Thus, at the origin of DNA replication, SeqA binding blocks premature reinitiation of replication rounds. Although most investigators have focused on the role of SeqA at replication origins, it has long been suspected that SeqA has a more pervasive role. In this study, we describe how we have been able to identify scores of targets, across the entire
Escherichia coli
chromosome, to which SeqA binds. Using synchronously growing cells, we show that the distribution of SeqA between these targets alters as replication of the chromosome progresses. This suggests that sequential changes in SeqA distribution orchestrate a program of gene expression that ensures coordinated DNA replication and cell division.
Density-equalizing mapping and scientometric benchmarking of European allergy research
Authors: Scutaru Cristian , Quarcoo David , Sakr Mohannad , Shami Awfa , Al-Mutawakel Khaled , Vitzthum Karin , Fischer Tanja C , Zuberbier Torsten , Groneberg-Kloft Beatrix
Published: February 2010

Due to the great socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases, research in this field which is important for environmental medicine is currently increasing. Therefore the European Union has initiated the Global Allergy and Asthma European network (GA2LEN). However, despite increasing research in the past years detailed scientometric analyses have not been conducted so far. This study is the first scientometric analysis in a field of growing interest. It analyses scientific contributions in European allergy research between 2001 and 2007. Three different meetings of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology were analysed for contributions and an increase in both the amount of research and networks was found.
Effects of Microwave Radiation on Proteins Coexisting with Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Horiguchi Hirokazu , Ohe Haruko , Kato Ken , Sano Masahito
Published: February 2010

Microwave (MW) radiation is known to heat carbon nanotubes (CNTs) very efficiently. The maximum allowable MW irradiance to avoid proteins from denaturing was determined. The MW irradiance of 100–300 J was sufficient to denature a recognizable amount of hemoglobin with CNTs, but the same irradiance had no effect without CNTs. Additionally, CNT under MW radiation was found to accelerate reduction of ferric cytochrome c.
Unusual Phase Inversion Behavior in an Emulsion Polymerization System Caused by Ammonia
Authors: Liu Mingxian , Gan Lihua , Xu Zijie , Chen Longwu , Hu Jun , Liu Honglai
Published: February 2010

Porous carbon with pores and porewalls was prepared by the polymerization of an O/W emulsion of Span 80-Tween 80/1iquid paraffin/water–resorcinol–formaldehyde (R/F) with NaOH. However, a different kind of carbon material which comprises spherical or intertwined worm-like particles was fabricated by using ammonia as the catalyst. Inferential evidence indicates that the O/W emulsion undergoes a phase inversion caused by ammonia; whether the phase inversion leading to a W/O emulsion or a transition structure depends on the R/F concentration within the aqueous phase.
When Safe Proved Risky: Commercial Paper during the Financial Crisis of 2007–2009
Authors: Kacperczyk Marcin , Schnabl Philipp
Published: February 2010

Commercial paper is a short-term debt instrument issued by large corporations. The commercial paper market has long been viewed as a bastion of high liquidity and low risk. But twice during the financial crisis of 2007–2009, the commercial paper market nearly dried up and ceased being perceived as a safe haven. Major interventions by the Federal Reserve, including large outright purchases of commercial paper, were eventually used to support both issuers of and investors in commercial paper. We will offer an analysis of the commercial paper market during the financial crisis. First, we describe the institutional background of the commercial paper market. Second, we analyze the supply and demand sides of the market. Third, we examine the most important developments during the crisis of 2007–2009. Last, we discuss three explanations of the decline in the commercial paper market: substitution to alternative sources of financing by commercial paper issuers, adverse selection, and institutional constraints among money market funds.
Clustering of Trauma and Associations with Single and Co-Occurring Depression and Panic Attack over Twenty Years
Authors: McCutcheon Vivia V. , Heath Andrew C. , Nelson Elliot C. , Bucholz Kathleen. K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: February 2010

Individuals who experience one type of trauma often experience other types, yet few studies have examined the clustering of trauma. This study examines the clustering of traumatic events and associations of trauma with risk for single and co-occurring major depressive disorder (MDD) and panic attack for 20 years after first trauma. Lifetime histories of MDD, panic attack, and traumatic events were obtained from participants in an Australian twin sample. Latent class analysis was used to derive trauma classes based on each respondent's trauma history. Associations of the resulting classes and of parental alcohol problems and familial effects with risk for a first onset of single and co-occurring MDD and panic attack were examined from the year of first trauma to 20 years later. Traumatic events clustered into three distinct classes characterized by endorsement of little or no trauma, primarily nonassaultive, and primarily assaultive events. Individuals in the assaultive class were characterized by a younger age at first trauma, a greater number of traumatic events, and high rates of parental alcohol problems. Members of the assaultive trauma class had the strongest and most enduring risk for single and co-occurring lifetime MDD and panic attack. Assaultive trauma outweighed associations of familial effects and nonassaultive trauma with risk for 10 years following first trauma.
Tension stiffening in concrete beams. Part 1: FE analysis
Authors: Ng P. L. , Lam J. Y. K. , Kwan A. K. H.
Published: February 2010

Although after cracking, concrete has negligible tension capacity, the intact concrete between cracks within the tension zone of a reinforced concrete beam can still develop significant tensile stresses to contribute to the flexural stiffness of the concrete beam. Such a tension stiffening effect in a flexural member is not quite the same as that in an axial member because the tensile stresses in a cracked flexural member are induced not only by the steel reinforcement–concrete bond but also by the curvature of the flexural member. In this study, the tensile stresses developed in cracked concrete beams are analysed using a finite-element (FE) model that takes into account the non-linear biaxial behaviour of the concrete and the non-linear bond stress–slip behaviour of the steel reinforcement–concrete interface. Based on the numerical results so obtained, a tensile stress block is proposed for section analysis of the moment–curvature curves of reinforced concrete beams at both the uncracked and cracked states. It will be shown in part 2 of this paper that the tensile stress block may also be used for member analysis of the load–deflection curves of concrete beams without resorting to FE analysis.
Illuminating Testis Morphogenesis in the Mouse
Authors: Nel‐Themaat Liesl , Gonzalez Gabriel , Akiyama Haruhiko , Behringer Richard R.
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT: The mammalian testis is a complex organ composed of multiple cell types that are organized into seminiferous tubules and an interstitium, producing spermatozoa and hormones, respectively. During embryogenesis, the testis forms from the genital ridge associated with the embryonic kidney called the mesonephros. After germ cells migrate into the genital ridge, the Sertoli cell—germ cell mass forms and undergoes morphogenetic changes to generate testis cords, the precursors of the seminiferous tubules. Static images of the fetal testis at sequential stages of development provide structural information about cord formation. Transgenic mice that express fluorescent protein reporters offer new opportunities for time‐lapse imaging to visualize live cells and their behaviors during testis differentiation and morphogenesis.
Effect of Heavy Metals on Growth of Rhizobium Strains and Symbiotic Efficiency of Two Species of Tropical Legumes
Authors: Paudyal SP , Aryal Rishi R , Chauhan SVS , Maheshwari DK
Published: February 2010

Study on the effect of three heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mo) were studied on two strains of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of two tropical legume species, Mucuna pruriens and Trigonella foenumgraecum. The effects were assessed for bacterial growth in culture and in symbiotic parameters such as biomass production and nodulation in host plant. Aluminium was found to have detrimental effect in both in-vitro and in-vivo condition in all its concentration. Iron was found to support bacterial growth and symbiotic parameters such as biomass production and nodulation up to 25 μM. Above 25 μM iron was found to have negative effect. Molybdenum was beneficial up to the 75 ìM concentration in culture of both strains of bacteria while in plant productivity and nodulation it was beneficial only up to 20 μM. Key words: Bacterial growth; Mucuna; Nitrogen fixation; Nodulation; Plant growth; Trigonella. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v5i5.2652 Scientific World, Vol. 5, No. 5, July 2007 27-32
Plants Used as Fence and Fuelwood in Manang District, Central Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai S , Chaudhary RP , Taylor RSL
Published: February 2010

The remoteness of Manang District, Central Nepal has resulted in continued use of wild plants to meet daily needs. Local people were interviewed during 2002-2006 regarding the uses of plants as sources of fence and fuelwood. The People of Manang have been using 16 plant species (eight trees and eight shrubs) which belong to nine families and 10 genera for fence and fuelwood. The highest number of species belonged to Berberidaceae (4 species), followed by Cupressaceae (3 species), Rosaceae and Pinaceae (2 species each). Taxaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Juglandaceae were represented by one species each. Among 16 species recorded, eleven species including Berberis lycium, Hippophae salicifolia, Juniperus indica, Rosa macrophylla, etc., were used as fence and 11 species including Betula utilis, Juniperus indica, Pinus wallichiana, etc., were used as a source of fuelwood. Some plants are used as both fence and fuelwood. Fence plants protect crop field from damage by livestock and wild animals and prevented soil erosion by wind. The local people of TankiManang, Manang, Braka, Munji do not collect fuelwood, and furniture wood from their nearby forest these days as they did in the past and now collect from the next village (Hongde and Pisang forest). This a good example of awareness towards conservation and forest management. The forests near their villages are now named as ‘community forest'. There is a continued need for awareness among the people about forest use and its role in the environment. Key words: Awareness; Community forest; Livestock; Manang; Wild plants. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v5i5.2666 Scientific World, Vol. 5, No. 5, July 2007 107-111
Engineered Light Scattering in Colloidal Photonic Heterocrystals
Authors: Ding Boyang , Bardosova Maria , Povey Ian , Pemble Martyn E. , Romanov Sergei G.
Published: February 2010

Photonic heterocrystals are prepared by sandwiching films of self‐assembled opal and force‐assembled Langmuir–Blodgett colloidal crystals. Anomalously strong light scattering in conjunction with low reflectivity is observed with increasing angle of incidence in the spectral range of photonic bandgaps. The occurrence of light scattering at the interface has been assigned to the optical mode mismatch between the two types of photonic crystals. Photonic bandgap‐related mechanisms of trapping the decaying photonic crystal modes at the interface are suggested.
Laser‐Induced Rapid Carbon Nanotube Micro‐Actuators
Authors: Lim Zhi Han , Sow Chorng‐Haur
Published: February 2010

Laser‐induced rapid actuating microstructures made of aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are achieved. Desirable operational features of the CNT micro‐actuators include low laser power activation, rapid response, elastic and reversible motion, and robust durability. Experimental evidence suggests a laser‐induced electrostatic interaction mechanism as the primary cause of the optomechanical phenomenon. Oscillating CNT micro‐actuators up to 40 kHz are achieved by driving them with a modulated laser beam. The micro‐actuators are utilized in exerting a sub‐micro‐Newton force to bend nanowires. Electrical coupling of the micro‐actuator and feasibilities of multi‐actuator systems made entirely out of CNTs are also demonstrated.
Monoliths as suitable catalysts for reverse‐flow combustors: Modeling and experimental validation
Authors: Marín Pablo , Ordóñez Salvador , Díez Fernando V.
Published: February 2010

The performance of a bench‐scale monolithic reverse‐flow reactor (RFR) for methane combustion has been experimentally studied in this work. The influence of the different operating parameters, such as total gas flow rate (2.5 × 10−4–5 × 10−4 m3 s−1 (STP)), methane inlet concentration (1000–5500 ppm), and switching time (300–900 s) on the reactor performance (outlet conversion and stability), has been experimentally determined. The validation of a heterogeneous one‐dimensional dynamic model for monolithic beds with the obtained experimental data allows the use of this model to simulate the behavior of industrial‐scale reactors. In the second part of the work, a systematic comparison of particulate and monolithic RFRs is carried out through design curves. Reactor length for 99% outlet conversion and the corresponding pressure drop is determined for varying operating conditions (surface velocity and inlet methane concentration). © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Limited genetic covariance between autistic traits and intelligence: Findings from a longitudinal twin study
Authors: Hoekstra Rosa A. , Happé Francesca , Baron‐Cohen Simon , Ronald Angelica
Published: February 2010

Intellectual disability is common in individuals with autism spectrum conditions. However, the strength of the association between both conditions and its relevance to finding the underlying (genetic) causes of autism is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between autistic traits and intelligence in a general population twin sample and to examine the etiology of this association. Parental ratings of autistic traits and performance on intelligence tests were collected in a sample of 8,848 twin pairs when the children were 7/8, 9, and 12 years old. Phenotypic and longitudinal correlations in the sample as a whole were compared to the associations in the most extreme scoring 5% of the population. The genetic and environmental influences on the overlap between autistic traits and IQ and on the stability of this relationship over time were estimated using structural equation modeling. Autistic traits were modestly negatively correlated to intellectual ability, both in the extreme scoring groups and among the full‐range scores. The correlation was stable over time and was mainly explained by autistic trait items assessing communication difficulties. Genetic model fitting showed that autistic traits and IQ were influenced by a common set of genes and a common set of environmental influences that continuously affect these traits throughout childhood. The genetic correlation between autistic traits and IQ was only modest. These findings suggest that individual differences in autistic traits are substantially genetically independent of intellectual functioning. The relevance of these findings to future studies is discussed. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lactational programming? mother's milk energy predicts infant behavior and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Hinde Katie , Capitanio John P.
Published: February 2010

There are many aspects of “mothering” that may provide information to the mammalian infant about environmental conditions during critical periods of development. One essential element of mothering involves the quantity and quality of milk that mothers provide for their infants, but little is known about the consequences of variation in milk production. Mother's milk may affect infant behavior by contributing to brain development and to the development of behavioral dispositions. Here we present the first evidence for any mammal that natural variation in available milk energy (AME) from the mother is associated with later variation in infant behavior and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta,N=59). In the early postnatal period, heavier mothers with more reproductive experience produced greater AME, which is the product of milk energy density (kcal/g) and milk yield (g). Moreover, infants whose mothers produced greater AME in the early postnatal period showed higher activity levels and greater confidence in a stressful setting later in infancy. Our results suggest that the milk energy available soon after birth may be a nutritional cue that calibrates the infant's behavior to environmental or maternal conditions. These data provide new insight into potential mechanisms for the development of behavior and temperament and illuminate new directions for investigating maternal effects, nutritional programming, and developmental plasticity. Am. J. Primatol. 72:522–529, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Higher order structure of short collagen model peptides attached to dendrimers and linear polymers
Authors: Suehiro Tomoyuki , Kojima Chie , Tsumura Sayako , Harada Atsushi , Kono Kenji
Published: February 2010

Collagen, which is used as a biomaterial, is the most abundant protein in mammals. We have previously reported that a dendrimer modified with collagen model peptides, (Gly‐Pro‐Pro)5, formed a collagen‐like triple‐helical structure, showing thermal reversibility. In this study, various collagen‐mimic dendrimers of different generations and at different binding ratios were synthesized, to investigate the relationship between the peptide clustering effect and the higher order structure formation. The formation of the higher order structure was influenced by the binding ratios of the peptide to the dendrimer, but was not influenced by the dendrimer generation. A spacer, placed between the dendrimer terminal group and the peptide, negatively contributed to the formation of the higher order structure. The collagen model peptides were also attached to poly(allylamine) (PAA) and poly‐L‐lysine (poly(Lys)) to compare them with the collagen‐mimic dendrimers. The PAA‐based collagen‐mimic compound, bearing more collagen model peptides than the dendrimer, exhibited a thermally stable higher order structure. In contrast, this was not observed for the collagen‐mimic polymers based on poly(Lys). Therefore, dendrimers and vinyl polymers act as a scaffold for collagen model peptides and subsequently induce higher order structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 640–648, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Novel Preparation and Properties of Microspheres involving a Hydrocarbon‐Perfluorocarbon Solvent Extraction Process
Authors: Heiskanen H. , Denifl P. , Hurme M. , Pitkänen P.
Published: February 2010

Microspheres were prepared using a hydrocarbon‐perfluorocarbon solvent extraction process. The effects of solidification conditions on the properties of the microspheres were investigated. The emulsion flow velocity into the solidification vessel was found to have the greatest effect on the final particle size. Smaller particles were formed when the emulsion flow velocity into the solidification vessel was increased. However, mixing conditions during the solidification and the solidification temperature were also found to greatly affect the particle size of the microspheres. The initial droplet size distribution, created in the emulsification step, changed during the solidification phase, which happened partly because the emulsion stability was poor. Increasing the stirrer speed in the solidification vessel led to the production of smaller particles. At higher temperatures, larger particles were formed due, in part, to the particles forming hollow cores. Solidification conditions also strongly affected the compactness of the particles. More compact particles were produced at 10 °C than at higher temperatures, i.e., 50 °C and 90 °C, where hollow particles were mainly produced. More compact particles were produced at 50 °C when toluene was added to the PFC used in the solidification step. This result was attributed to the slower mass transfer of toluene from the solidifying droplets into the continuous phase.
Freeze Concentration of Black Currant Juice
Authors: Dette S. S. , Jansen H.
Published: February 2010

Freeze concentration is a method used to remove pure water from juice, wine, or beer by means of crystallization. The closed and fully filled liquid system completely preserves the quality of the fresh juice while operating at subzero Celsius temperatures. The aroma (including the volatile aroma that characterizes freshly squeezed juice), color, and flavor remain in the concentrated juice. Another advantage of this proven technology is the low operating temperature used that allows concentration of heat sensitive products such as black currant juice. The quality of freeze concentrated products cannot be achieved by any other technology. The solid concentration of the freeze concentrated black currant juice was increased to 39 Degrees Brix (Bx). It will be shown that the quality of this juice is equal to that of the fresh juice in all aspects. None of the aroma or fruitiness is lost.
Octakis(3‐azidopropyl)octasilsesquioxane: A Versatile Nanobuilding Block for the Efficient Preparation of Highly Functionalized Cube‐Octameric Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane Frameworks Through Click Assembly
Authors: Trastoy Beatriz , Pérez‐Ojeda M. Eugenia , Sastre Roberto , Chiara Jose Luis
Published: February 2010

A one‐step synthesis of octakis(3‐azidopropyl)octasilsesquioxane from commercially available octakis(3‐aminopropyl)octasilsesquioxane has been developed through a highly efficient diazo‐transfer reaction under very mild conditions. Nonaflyl azide is shown to be a safer, cheaper, and more efficient reagent for this transformation than the better known and generally used diazo‐transfer reagent triflyl azide. Octakis(3‐azidopropyl)octasilsesquioxane is an excellent nanobuilding block that can be readily octafunctionalized with a range of terminal alkynes by copper(I)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar azide–alkyne cycloaddition to provide new functional nanocages, maintaining a perfect 3D cubic symmetry. The mildness, simplicity, and efficiency of this approach have been demonstrated in the preparation of a glyco‐polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) conjugate and a BODIPY–POSS cluster (BODIPY=boron dipyrromethene).
Photoisomerization of a Maleonitrile‐Type Salen Schiff Base and Its Application in Fine‐Tuning Infinite Coordination Polymers
Authors: Lin Chun‐Wei , Chou Pi‐Tai , Liao Yong‐Hong , Lin Ying‐Chih , Chen Ching‐Ting , Chen Yu‐Chun , Lai Chin‐Hung , Chen Bo‐So , Liu Yi‐Hung , Wang Chih‐Chieh , Ho Mei‐Lin
Published: February 2010

Strategically designed salen ligand 2,3‐bis[4‐(di‐p‐tolylamino)‐2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino]maleonitrile (1), which has pronounced excited‐state charge‐transfer properties, shows a previously unrecognized form of photoisomerization. On electronic excitation (denoted by an asterisk), 1Z*→1E isomerization takes place by rotation about the C2C3 bond, which takes on single‐bond character due to the charge‐transfer reaction. The isomerization takes place nonadiabatically from the excited‐state (1Z) to the ground‐state (1E) potential‐energy surface in the singlet manifold; 1Z and 1E are neither thermally inconvertible at ambient temperature (25–30 °C), nor does photoinduced reverse 1E*→1Z (or 1Z*) isomerization occur. Isomers 1Z and 1E show very different coordination chemistry towards a ZnII precursor. More prominent coordination chemistry is evidenced by a derivative of 1 bearing a carboxyl group, namely, N,N′‐dicyanoethenebis(salicylideneimine)dicarboxylic acid (2). Applying 2Z and its photoinduced isomer 2E as building blocks, we then demonstrate remarkable differences in morphology (sphere‐ and needlelike nanostructure, respectively) of their infinite coordination polymers with ZnII.
Sex or survival
Authors: Wilke Derek R. , Krahn Murray , Tomlinson George , Bezjak Andrea , Rutledge Robert , Warde Padraig
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Combined long‐term androgen deprivation (LTAD) and radiation conveys a prostate cancer‐specific survival advantage over combined short‐term androgen deprivation (STAD) and radiation. The seminal question is whether or not the gains are worth the adverse effects of LTAD with respect to patient preferences.

METHODS:

Preferences for LTAD compared with STAD were elicited by direct patient interview using the probability trade‐off method. “Time trade‐off utilities” (TTOu) for erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis were elicited using the time trade‐off method. Participants' current prostate cancer‐specific health state was assessed using the Patient‐Oriented Prostate Utility Scale‐Psychometric. Participants' current sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

RESULTS:

All participants were willing to trade survival rather than undergo LTAD compared with STAD. The mean minimally required increment in prostate cancer‐specific survival (MRIS) was 8.2%. The mean TTOu for impotence was 0.78, and the mean TTOu for osteoporosis was 0.71. The MRIS was correlated with the Sexual Desire domain score of the IIEF (Spearman rank‐correlation coefficient, r = 0.50; P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients desired more prostate cancer‐specific survival than what was afforded by LTAD and radiotherapy compared with STAD and radiotherapy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Gemcitabine versus bacille Calmette‐Guérin after initial bacille Calmette‐Guérin failure in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Perdonà Sisto , Damiano Rocco , Faiella Adriana , Cantiello Francesco , Pignata Sandro , Ascierto Paolo , Simeone Ester , De Sio Marco , Autorino Riccardo
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

The efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine was evaluated compared with repeated administration of bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) after BCG failure in high‐risk, non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (BC).

METHODS:

In this multicenter, prospective, randomized, phase 2 trial, eligible patients were those with high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive BC, failing 1 course of BCG therapy. All patients were randomly allocated to Group A, receiving intravesical gemcitabine (at a dose of 2000 mg/50 mL) twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks and then weekly for 3 consecutive weeks at 3, 6, and 12 months, or Group B, receiving intravesical BCG (Connaught strain, 81 mg/50 mL) over a 6‐week induction course and each week for 3 weeks at 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcome measures were recurrence rate, time to first recurrence, and progression rate. Treatment‐related complications were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

Eighty participants were enrolled, 40 for each group 52.5% in Group A developed disease recurrence versus 87.5% of those in Group B (P = .002). There was no statistically significant difference in mean time to the first recurrence (Group A, 3.9 months; Group B, 3.1 months; P = .09). Kaplan‐Meier analysis of 2‐year recurrence‐free survival showed significant differences between Group A and B (19% and 3%, respectively, P < .008). Seven of 21 (33%) patients in Group A and 13 of 35 (37.5%) patients in Group B had disease progression and underwent radical cystectomy (P = .12). Both intravesical administrations were generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Gemcitabine might represent a second‐line treatment option after BCG failure in high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive BC patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Thalamic label patterns suggest primary and ventral auditory fields are distinct core regions
Authors: Storace Douglas A. , Higgins Nathan C. , Read Heather L.
Published: February 2010

A hierarchical scheme proposed by Kaas and colleagues suggests that primate auditory cortex can be divided into core and belt regions based on anatomic connections with thalamus and distinctions among response properties. According to their model, core auditory cortex receives predominantly unimodal sensory input from the ventral nucleus of the medial geniculate body (MGBv); whereas belt cortex receives predominantly cross‐modal sensory input from nuclei outside the MGBv. We previously characterized distinct response properties in rat primary (A1) versus ventral auditory field (VAF) cortex; however, it has been unclear whether VAF should be categorized as a core or belt auditory cortex. The current study employed high‐resolution functional imaging to map intrinsic metabolic responses to tones and to guide retrograde tracer injections into A1 and VAF. The size and density of retrogradely labeled somas in the medial geniculate body (MGB) were examined as a function of their position along the caudal‐to‐rostral axis, subdivision of origin, and cortical projection target. A1 and VAF projecting neurons were found in the same subdivisions of the MGB but in rostral and caudal parts, respectively. Less than 3% of the cells projected to both regions. VAF projecting neurons were smaller than A1 projecting neurons located in dorsal (MGBd) and suprageniculate (SG) nuclei. Thus, soma size varied with both caudal‐rostral position and cortical target. Finally, the majority (>70%) of A1 and VAF projecting neurons were located in MGBv. These MGB connection profiles suggest that rat auditory cortex, like primate auditory cortex, is made up of multiple distinct core regions. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:1630–1646, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prefrontal cortical inputs to the basal amygdala undergo pruning during late adolescence in the rat
Authors: Cressman Victoria L. , Balaban Jordan , Steinfeld Sara , Shemyakin Alexei , Graham Peter , Parisot Nelly , Moore Holly
Published: February 2010

Transformations in affective and social behaviors, many of which involve amygdalar circuits, are hallmarks of adolescence in many mammalian species. In this study, using the rat as a model, we provide the first evidence that afferents of the basal amygdala (BA) undergo significant structural remodeling during adolescence. We used quantitative tract‐tracing and gene expression profiling methods to characterize changes in the medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) inputs to the BA across ages analogous to the late juvenile period [postnatal day (P) 25], late adolescence (P45), and adulthood (P90) in the rat. As assessed after deposition of Fluorogold into the BA, the number of BA‐projecting neurons in the mPFC remained stable between P25 and P45 but decreased by about 50% between P45 and P90. Anterograde tract tracing with biotin dextran amine deposits centered in the ventral prelimbic cortex revealed that, during this period, the density of mPFC‐derived axon terminals in the BA also decrease significantly, an effect particularly evident in the dorsal basolateral nucleus. Within the BA, there were also highly significant changes in gene expression indicative of neurite or synaptic plasticity, most notably in the Ras/GTPase superfamily, and in pathways that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and steroid synthesis/lipid metabolism. These data provide convergent evidence that mPFC inputs to the BA are pruned during late adolescence or early adulthood. Moreover, the structural remodeling within these afferents may be accompanied by significant changes in neurite plasticity within the BA. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2693–2709, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retracted: α‐GalCer ameliorates listeriosis by accelerating infiltration of Gr‐1+ cells into the liver
Authors: Emoto Masashi , Emoto Yoshiko , Yoshizawa Izumi , Kita Eiji , Shimizu Takamitsu , Hurwitz Robert , Brinkmann Volker , Kaufmann Stefan H. E.
Published: February 2010

α‐Galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) activates invariant (i)NKT cells, which in turn stimulate immunocompetent cells. Although activation of iNKT cells appears critical for regulation of immune responses, it remains elusive whether protection against intracellular bacteria can be induced by α‐GalCer. Here, we show that α‐GalCer treatment ameliorates murine listeriosis, and inhibits inflammation following Listeria monocytogenes infection. Liver infiltration of Gr‐1+ cells and γ/δ T cells was accelerated by α‐GalCer treatment. Gr‐1+ cell and γ/δ T‐cell depletion exacerbated listeriosis in α‐GalCer‐treated mice, and this effect was more pronounced after depletion of Gr‐1+ cells than that of γ/δ T cells. Although GM‐CSF and IL‐17 were secreted by NKT cells after α‐GalCer treatment, liver infiltration of Gr‐1+ cells was not prevented by neutralizing mAb. In parallel to the numerical increase of CD11b+Gr‐1+ cells in the liver following α‐GalCer treatment, CD11b−Gr‐1+ cells were numerically reduced in the bone marrow. In addition, respiratory burst in Gr‐1+ cells was enhanced by α‐GalCer treatment. Our results indicate that α‐GalCer‐induced antibacterial immunity is caused, in part, by accelerated infiltration of Gr‐1+ cells and to a lesser degree of γ/δ T cells into the liver. We also suggest that the infiltration of Gr‐1+ cells is caused by an accelerated supply from the bone marrow.
Antigenic strength controls the generation of antigen‐specific IL‐10‐secreting T regulatory cells
Authors: Gabryšová Leona , Wraith David C.
Published: February 2010

Administration of peptides i.n. induces peripheral tolerance in Tg4 myelin basic protein‐specific TCR‐Tg mice. This is characterized by the generation of anergic, IL‐10‐secreting CD4+ T cells with regulatory function (IL‐10 Treg). Myelin basic protein Ac1–9 peptide analogs, displaying a hierarchy of affinities for H‐2 Au (Ac1–9[4K]<<[4A]<[4Y]), were used to investigate the mechanisms of tolerance induction, focusing on IL‐10 Treg generation. Repeated i.n. administration of the highest affinity peptide, Ac1–9[4Y], provided complete protection against EAE, while i.n. Ac1–9[4A] and Ac1–9[4K] treatment resulted in only partial protection. Ac1–9[4Y] was also the most potent stimulus for IL‐10 Treg generation. Although i.n. treatment with Ac1–9[4A] gave rise to IL‐10‐secreting CD4+ T cells, the population as a whole was also capable of secreting IFN‐γ after an in vitro recall response to Ac1–9[4A] or [4Y]. In addition to IL‐10 production, other facets of tolerance, namely, anergy and suppression (both in vitro and in vivo), were affinity dependent, with i.n. Ac1–9[4Y]‐, [4A]‐ or [4K]‐treated CD4+ T cells being the most, intermediate and least anergic/suppressive, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the generation of IL‐10 Treg in vivo is driven by high signal strength.
c‐Rel: A pioneer in directing regulatory T‐cell lineage commitment?
Authors: Hori Shohei
Published: February 2010

The transcription factor Foxp3 controls the differentiation and function of Treg, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate Foxp3 transcription remain elusive. In particular, signals and factors that open and remodel the Foxp3 locus and imprint developing Treg with a stable Foxp3 phenotype are largely unknown. Two reports in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, together with recent reports published elsewhere, demonstrate that a member of the NF‐κB family transcription factors, c‐Rel, is required for thymic differentiation of Foxp3+ Treg. Moreover, c‐Rel is shown to regulate Foxp3 transcription directly by binding to cis‐regulatory elements at the Foxp3 locus upon TCR/CD28 stimulation, including the promoter and the newly identified conserved non‐coding DNA sequence harboring a “permissive” chromatin status in Treg precursors. These findings collectively suggest that c‐Rel may act as a pioneer transcription factor in initiating Foxp3 transcription in Treg precursors in the thymus.
A fluorescent derivatization method of proteins for the detection of low‐level impurities by microchip capillary gel electrophoresis
Authors: Wenz Christian , Marchetti‐Deschmann Martina , Herwig Ela , Schröttner Evita , Allmaier Günter , Trojer Lukas , Vollmer Martin , Rüfer Andreas
Published: February 2010

A novel pre‐chip fluorescent derivatization method is presented for protein sizing and quantification by microchip CGE. The derivatization reaction employed a water‐soluble and stable fluorescent dye and was performed under conditions that favored the formation of homogeneous reaction products. The method delivered in terms of protein sizing similar results as microchip CGE with on‐chip staining but showed an extended linear dynamic range for protein quantification encompassing four orders of magnitude. The sensitivity of the method was similar to standard silver‐stained planar gels. The characterization of derivatization reaction products by MS and preparative isoelectric focusing indicated that a constant degree of dye molecule tagging was obtained over a broad range of protein/dye ratios. The method allowed detecting and quantifying an impurity spiked into an antibody preparation down to a level of 0.05%. Advantages of this method compared with CGE approaches with pre‐column derivatization include a shorter analysis time and an increased robustness and ease of use.
Identification of candidate biomarkers in ovarian cancer serum by depletion of highly abundant proteins and differential in‐gel electrophoresis
Authors: Andersen John D. , Boylan Kristin L. M. , Xue Feifei S. , Anderson Lorraine B. , Witthuhn Bruce A. , Markowski Todd W. , Higgins LeeAnn , Skubitz Amy P. N.
Published: February 2010

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death for women in the US, yet survival rates are over 90% when it is diagnosed at an early stage, highlighting the need for biomarkers for early detection. To enhance the discovery of tumor‐specific proteins that could represent novel serum biomarkers for ovarian cancer, we depleted serum of highly abundant proteins which can mask the detection of proteins present in serum at low concentrations. Three commercial immunoaffinity columns were used in parallel to deplete the highly abundant proteins in serum from 60 patients with serous ovarian carcinoma and 60 non‐cancer controls. Medium and low abundance serum proteins from each serum pool were then evaluated by the quantitative proteomic technique of differential in‐gel electrophoresis. The number of protein spots that were elevated in ovarian cancer sera by at least twofold ranged from 36 to 248, depending upon the depletion and separation methods. From the 33 spots picked for MS analysis, nine different proteins were identified, including the novel candidate ovarian cancer biomarkers leucine‐rich α2 glycoprotein‐1 and ficolin 3. Western blotting validated the relative increases in serum protein levels for three of the proteins identified, demonstrating the utility of this approach for the identification of novel serum biomarkers for ovarian cancer.
Comparison and prediction of the retention in micellar electrokinetic chromatography and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for disubstituted benzenes
Authors: Angkanasiriporn Siriporn , Singsung Wuttipong , Petsom Amorn , Nhujak Thumnoon
Published: February 2010

Retention index (I), rather than retention factor (k), was found to be a more reasonable parameter for comparison of the relative affinity of disubstituted benzenes in MEEKC and MEKC, due to independent of I with the SDS surfactant concentration. MEKC and MEEKC may give similar or different I values, depending on types of moieties. With known I and Kow for alkylbenzenes as references in MEKC and MEEKC, the values of Kow for disubstituted benzenes can be estimated from the observed I values, where Kow is the octanol–water distribution constant. In addition, a group additive approach can be used to predict I for disubstituted benzenes with different moieties from the average observed I for the disubstituted benzenes with same moieties. However, electronic effects and/or intramolecular interaction may result in the different observed I from prediction.
A conservative momentum‐exchange algorithm for interaction problem between fluid and deformable particles
Authors: Takeuchi Shintaro , Yuki Yoshihiko , Ueyama Atsushi , Kajishima Takeo
Published: February 2010

A new method for studying interaction between elastic object and a fluid is developed. The fluid phase including solid interface is solved by our immersed boundary method of body‐force type (Kajishima et al., JSME Int. J. Ser. B 2001; 44(4):526–535, Kajishima and Takiguchi, Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 2002; 23(5):639–646). The method has enabled the simulation of interaction problem between a fluid and rigid spherical particles of a total number of O(103) by an efficient momentum‐exchange technique through volume‐averaged velocity field of multiple phases. In the present study, the fluid–solid interaction force is incorporated into FEM. This process is done by a superposition of the hydrodynamic force field with the solid internal force field. The uniqueness of the present approach lies in the implementation of the inter‐phase momentum exchange through the distributed force field shared by both Eulerian and moving Lagrangian references. The applicability of the present method is demonstrated in two 2‐D flow fields including a large number of elastic particles. The effects of particle geometry and elasticity are investigated. The results suggest that particles' neutral geometry and deformability exhibit strong correlation to rotating motions and clustering behaviours of the particles in the fluid flow. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance evaluation of nonlinear algorithms with line‐search for partitioned coupling techniques for fluid–structure interactions
Authors: Minami S. , Yoshimura S.
Published: February 2010

Recently tightly coupled partitioned iterative methods have drawn a great deal of attention due to easy implementation and encapsulation features, and many nonlinear algorithms have been proposed so far. However, their practical performances have not been well understood yet. This paper describes the intensive parametric study on convergence and stability performances of four kinds of nonlinear algorithms with line‐search techniques for partitioned iterative methods of steady/unsteady fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems. Here we choose three typical FSI problems as test problems, i.e. (1) Collapsible channel as a steady problem, (2) Cavity with flexible bottom membrane and (3) Channel with flexible wall as unsteady problems. Efficiency and robustness dependency of those nonlinear algorithms on physical parameters such as degree of nonlinearity, added mass effect, time step, and control parameters peculiar to each algorithm are clarified. Through those tests, we demonstrate that the Line extrapolation method and Broyden method with Backtrack line‐search technique show good performances in both stability and efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.