bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thoracic recurrent laryngeal lymph node metastases predict cervical node metastases and benefit from three‐field dissection in selected patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Hecheng , Yang Su , Zhang Yawei , Xiang Jiaqing , Chen Haiquan
Published: November 2011

Background and Objectives

Recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes (RLN LNs) are considered sentinel nodes for cervical LN metastases of esophageal cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but whether three‐field lymph node dissection (3FL), which includes cervical LN dissection, or 2FL, which does not, should be performed is controversial.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 200 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent 3FL from January 2000 to August 2010, focusing on LN status. We also compared survival rates between these patients and those who underwent 2FL.

Results

The rate of cervical LN metastases did not differ significantly between RLN LN+ (for metastasis) and RLN LN− 3FL groups. However, in a subgroup of patients with middle/lower thoracic esophageal tumors, cervical LN metastases were significantly more common in patients with positive rather than negative RLN LNs. Survival did not differ after 3FL versus 2FL in general. However, 3FL was associated with longer survival than 2FL in patients with RLN LN positivity and either lower thoracic esophageal tumors or more than four abdominal/thoracic LN metastases.

Conclusions

Metastasis to RLN LNs is a reliable indicator of cervical LN metastasis in middle/lower thoracic esophageal cancer, while 3FL offers survival benefit over 2FL in certain patient subgroups. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:548–552. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereoselective separation and determination of triadimefon and triadimenol in wheat, straw, and soil by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liang Hongwu , Qiu Jing , Li Li , Li Wei , Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Fengmao , Qiu Lihong
Published: November 2011

A sensitive and rapid analytical method was developed for simultaneous determination of triadimefon (TF) and triadimenol (TN) stereoisomers in wheat, straw, and soil by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The direct enantioseparation of TF and TN was performed on a Lux cellulose‐1 column packed with cellulose‐tris‐(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate). The effects of mobile‐phase composition on the separation were investigated and stereoisomeric elution orders were confirmed with a polarimeter detector. The pesticides were extracted from samples with acetonitrile and cleaned up by solid‐phase extraction or activated carbon. Based on the developed stereoselective LC‐MS/MS method, for TF and TN stereoisomers, good linearities were obtained over the concentration range of 0.003–4 mg/L; recoveries were 84.2–102.7% in wheat, 84.0–104.0% in straw, and 85.2–106.8% in soil at spiked concentrations of 0.007–2.0 mg/kg; intra‐day and inter‐day assay precisions were below 12.2%. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) in wheat, straw, and soil were 0.001–0.005 mg/kg and 0.007–0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Finally, the method was successfully applied to detect TF and TN stereoisomers in wheat, straw, and soil samples from residual trials in farm.
Global proteomics and metabolomics in cancer biomarker discovery
Authors: Issaq Haleem J. , Fox Stephen D. , Chan King C. , Veenstra Timothy D.
Published: November 2011

Chromatography and electrophoresis have been used for the last half‐century to separate small and large molecules. Advances in MS instrumentation and techniques for sample introduction into the mass analyzer (i.e. matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization), chromatography in all its formats and modes and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, including two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, enabled the separation of complex biological mixtures, such as the proteome and the metabolome, in a biological sample. These advances have made it possible to identify compounds that can be used to discriminate between two samples taken from healthy and diseased individuals. The objective is to find proteins or metabolites that can be used as a clinical test for the early diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of the disease and the outcome of therapy. In this manuscript, we present an overview of what has been achieved in the search for biomarkers, with emphasis on cancer, using separation science and MS.
Neuroradiologic findings and follow‐up with magnetic resonance imaging of the genetic forms of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with CNS involvement
Authors: Rego Ines , Severino Mariasavina , Micalizzi Concetta , Faraci Maura , Pende Daniela , Dufour Carlo , Aricò Maurizio , Rossi Andrea
Published: November 2011

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by deficient down‐regulation of the immune response. Presence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement at diagnosis is a poor prognostic sign, and should be carefully investigated. Herein, we describe the neuroradiological findings, clinical data, and treatment outcome in 12 patients with genetic HLH and CNS complications. Neuroimaging was important in identifying CNS involvement, monitoring treatment responses, and detecting treatment complications. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 810–814. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell cycle‐specific function of Ikaros in human leukemia
Authors: Li Zhanjun , Song Chunhua , Ouyang Hongsheng , Lai Liangxue , Payne Kimberly J. , Dovat Sinisa
Published: November 2011

Background

The loss of Ikaros is associated with the development of B and T cell leukemia. Data on Ikaros function, including its role as a tumor suppressor and a regulator of cell cycle progression, come almost exclusively from murine studies; little is known of the mechanisms that regulate human Ikaros function. Our studies are the first to examine the function and regulation of human Ikaros isoforms during the cell cycle in human ALL.

Procedures

Electromobility shift assay (EMSA), confocal microscopy, and phosphopeptide mapping were used to study Ikaros function during different stages of the cell cycle.

Results

The DNA‐binding activity of human Ikaros complexes undergoes dynamic changes as the cell cycle progresses. In S phase, Ikaros DNA‐binding affinity for regulatory regions of its target genes decreases, while its binding to pericentromeric heterochromatin is preserved and correlates with Ikaros pericentromeric localization. These S phase‐specific changes in Ikaros function are controlled by phosphorylation via the CK2 kinase pathway. During cell cycle progression, the subcellular pericentromeric localization of the largest human Ikaros isoforms is different from that in mouse cells, suggesting unique functions for human Ikaros.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the function of Ikaros is cell cycle‐specific and controlled by CK2‐mediated phosphorylation during S phase of the cell cycle in human T‐cell and B‐cell ALL. The differences we observe in murine and human Ikaros function highlight the importance of using human cells in studies of ALL. These data identify the CK2 pathway as a target for therapies in ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 69–76. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psycholexical Value Factors in Spain and Their Relation with Personality Traits
Authors: Morales–Vives Fabia , De Raad Boele , Vigil–Colet Andreu
Published: November 2011

The aim of the present study is to determine the structure of values in the Spanish population and its relation to the Big Five personality traits. Using a psycholexical approach, 566 words were identified as values and administered to a sample of participants who were instructed to rate the extent to which they were guided by each value. Principal components analysis revealed seven factors: Social Recognition, Competence, Love and Happiness, Benevolence, Idealism, Equilibrium and Family. The results show that there is no complete equivalence between these factors and those obtained in previous studies. However, the results are congruent with those obtained in other studies as far as the relation between values and personality traits is concerned. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface engineering in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Schleussner Sebastian Michael , Pettersson Jonas , Törndahl Tobias , Edoff Marika
Published: November 2011

Surface modifications of three‐stage co‐evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films are investigated by finishing the evaporation with gallium‐free (CuInSe2, CIS) stages of various lengths. Secondary‐ion mass spectrometry shows substantial interdiffusion of indium and gallium, smearing out the Ga/(Ga + In) profile so that the addition of a CIS layer merely lowers the gallium content at the surface. For the thinnest top layer, equivalent to 20 nm of pure CIS, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy does not detect any compositional difference compared with the reference device. The modifications are evaluated electrically both by temperature‐dependent characterisation of actual solar‐cell devices and by modelling, using the latest version of scaps‐1d (Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Belgium). The best solar‐cell device from this series is obtained for the 20 nm top layer, with an efficiency of 16.6% after antireflective coating. However, we observe a trend of decreasing open‐circuit voltage for increasingly thick top layers, and we do not find direct evidence that the lowering of the gallium concentration at the CIGS surface should generally be expected to improve the device performance. A simulated device with reduced bulk and interface defect levels achieves nearly 20% efficiency, but the trends concerning the CIS top layer remain the same. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
InN grown by migration enhanced afterglow (MEAglow)
Authors: Butcher Kenneth Scott A. , Alexandrov Dimiter , Terziyska Penka , Georgiev Vasil , Georgieva Dimka , Binsted Peter W.
Published: November 2011

InN thin films were grown by a new technique, migration enhanced afterglow (MEAglow), a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) form of migration enhanced epitaxy (MEE). Here we describe the apparatus used for this form of film deposition, which includes a scalable hollow cathode nitrogen plasma source. Initial film growth results for InN are also presented including atomic force microscopy (AFM) images that indicate step flow growth with samples having root mean square (RMS) surface roughness of as little as 0.103 nm in some circumstances for film growth on sapphire substrates. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results are also provided for samples with a full width half maximum (FWHM) of the (0002) ω‐2θ peak of as little as 290 arcsec. Low pressure conditions that can result in damage to the InN during growth are described.
Influence of growth temperature on the twin formation of InN{10$ \bar 1 $3} on GaAs(110) by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Murakami Hisashi , Cho Hyun‐Chol , Suematsu Mayu , Inaba Katsuhiko , Kumagai Yoshinao , Koukitu Akinori
Published: November 2011

Twin formation of {10$ \bar 1 $3} semi‐polar InN layers on GaAs(110) surface has been investigated by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). It was found that the growth temperature of InN epitaxial layer strongly affected the twin formation due to the difference in the durability of In‐polar and N‐polar InN crystal at each growth temperature. From the results of polarity determination and pole figure measurements by high resolution X‐ray diffraction (HR‐XRD), InN layers grown at high temperatures showed a single domain (no twinning) and the direction of 〈0001〉 InN paralleled to the direction of 〈11$ \bar 1 $〉B GaAs, implying the epitaxial relationship to be (10$ \bar 1 $$ \bar 3 $)//GaAs(110). On the contrary, InN layers grown at relatively low temperatures contained the twin crystal and the [0001] InN of each domain paralleled to either 〈111〉A or 〈11$ \bar 1 $〉B of GaAs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reduction of reverse‐bias leakage current in GaN‐based Schottky‐type light‐emitting diodes by surface modification using the aluminum facepack technique
Authors: Honda Tohru , Sakai Naoyuki , Komiyama Shigetoshi , Hayashi Masato , Igaki Tatsuhiro
Published: November 2011

We investigated the reduction of the large reverse‐bias leakage current in GaN‐based Schottky diodes using the aluminum facepack technique, which involves the evaporation of aluminum onto the nitride surface, the subsequent oxidation of the Al film in air, and its removal by a wet‐etching technique. The reduction of the reverse‐bias leakage current was due to the mask effect of the facepack, which reduced the number of dislocation‐related leakage current paths. This reduction leads to the enhancement of quantum efficiency in Schottky‐type light‐emitting diodes (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of growth conditions on magnetic and structural properties in Gd‐doped GaN layers grown by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Hasegawa Shigehiko , Komori Sachio , Higashi Kotaro , Abe Daijiro , Zhou Yi‐Kai , Asahi Hajime
Published: November 2011

Effects of growth conditions on structural and magnetic properties in Gd‐doped GaN layers grown by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy have been investigated. It is found that the growth of Gd‐doped GaN layers with atomically flat surface morphologies requires relatively high Ga fluxes compared with the growth of GaN. For these Gd‐doped GaN layers grown under Ga‐rich conditions, (0002) diffraction spots of GaGdN appear and shift toward low scattering angle side depending on the concentration of Gd, indicating the expansion of the c‐axis lattice constant due to the incorporation of Gd. In contrast, for the Gd‐doped GaN layers grown under N‐rich condition, just the (0002) diffraction spot of GaN is observed irrespective of the concentration of Gd. Although all the samples show hysteresis in the M‐H curves at room temperature, the samples grown under the Ga‐rich conditions have higher coercevities and larger saturation magnetizations than the samples grown under the N‐rich conditions. Based on the findings, we will discuss the origin of ferromagnetic behaviour observed in Gd‐doped GaN (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analyses of light extraction efficiency in GaN‐based LEDs grown on patterned sapphire substrates
Authors: Xu Chenglong , Yu Tongjun , Yan Jian , Yang Zhiyuan , Li Xingbin , Tao Yuebin , Fu Xingxing , Chen Zhizhong , Zhang Guoyi
Published: November 2011

The GaN‐based LEDs external quantum efficiency (EQE) is significantly improved by using the patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) technique. The enhancements in the light extraction efficiency (LEE) and the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) were evaluated based on a rate equation analysis of EQE versus the square root of the light‐output power (EQE‐√P) curves. The estimated enhancement in the LEE was much larger than that in the IQE. The detailed mechanism of improving the LEE by PSS technique was investigated using Monte‐Carlo ray tracing simulation. The LEE increased with the pattern height, and tended to be saturated when the height was over 1.5 μm. These results indicate that the improved light output power of GaN‐based LEDs on PSS is mainly due to the enhancement in LEE. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Shallow donors and deep level color centers in AlN single crystals: EPR, ODMR and optical studies
Authors: Soltamov V. A. , Ilyin I. V. , Soltamova A. A. , Tolmachev D. O. , Romanov N. G. , Gurin A. S. , Mokhov E. N. , Baranov P. G.
Published: November 2011

EPR studies presented here reveal the presence of three different types of shallow donor (SD) impurities in AlN single crystals: one impurity is located at the N site (preferentially oxygen, labeled D1) and two impurities are located at the Al site (preferentially carbon and silicon, labeled D2 and D3) of the AlN lattice. We show that D1 and D2 centers exhibit a DX‐like relaxation. The light‐induced EPR signals of the D1 and D2 centers are characterized by slightly anisotropic g factors typical for SD in AlN but strongly different anisotropic EPR linewidths ΔB. The D3 center shows the SD behavior at the room temperature and can be observed without light excitation at the temperatures above 200 K. Combining EPR, optical absorption and thermoluminescence induced by the X‐ray irradiation we establish the structure of deep level color centers in AlN ‐ a neutral nitrogen vacancy VN. The an optical absorption band of the center is in the visible region with a maximum at ∼450 nm and the energy level at ∼0.75 eV relative to the bottom of AlN conduction band (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical study of the fragmentation and isomerization of ethyltoluene radical cations
Authors: Garifzianova Guzel G. , Khrapkovskii Grigorii M.
Published: November 2011

This theoretical study was held with purpose to explore fragmentation and isomerization pathways of ethyltoluene radical cation. B3LYP level of theory with 6‐31G(d) and 6‐311++G(df,p) basis sets was used to calculate potential energy surface of o‐, m‐, and p‐isomers. Single‐point energies calculations were carried out using CCSD//B3LYP/6‐31G(d). It was found that methyl loss from these seven‐membered ring ions requires less energy than either ring methyl loss or direct CH3 detachment from ethyl moiety of ethyltoluene radical cation, which is consistent with previous experimental studies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Oxygen isotopic variations in a type A Ca–Al‐rich inclusion revealed by high‐precision secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis with micrometer resolution
Authors: Park C. , Wakaki S. , Yurimoto H.
Published: November 2011

Ca–Al‐rich inclusions (CAIs) are thought to be the oldest rocks in the solar system. CAIs have oxygen isotope heterogeneities on inter‐mineral and intra‐mineral scales that provide information about environments of the early solar system. We studied a type A CAI from the Allende meteorite, showing a core–mantle structure. Reversely zoned melilite found in the mantle was identified by a combination of energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer and electron back‐scattered diffraction techniques. For investigation of oxygen isotopic variations of reversely zoned melilite, we developed a high‐precision secondary ion mass spectrometry method that achieves to ~1‰ (1σ) under the spatial resolution of ~3 µm in diameter. Oxygen isotopic composition of core melilite is uniformly 16O‐poor (δ17, 18O ≈ −5 to 0‰), whereas mantle melilite varies widely from 16O‐poor (δ17, 18O ≈ −5‰) to rich (δ17, 18O ≈ −45‰) at the micrometer scale. The variation possibly suggests that the oxygen isotopic composition of solar nebular gas was changed from 16O‐poor to 16O‐rich at the last stage of the CAI formation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compartmentalization of the foregut tube: developmental origins of the trachea and esophagus
Authors: Fausett Sarah R. , Klingensmith John
Published: November 2011

The mammalian trachea and esophagus share a common embryonic origin. They arise by compartmentalization of a single foregut tube, composed of foregut endoderm (FGE) and surrounding mesenchyme, around midgestation. Aberrant compartmentalization is thought to lead to relatively common human birth defects, such as esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF), which can prevent or disrupt a newborn infant's ability to feed and breathe. Despite its relevance to human health, morphogenesis of the anterior foregut is still poorly understood. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of trachea and esophagus formation from a common precursor, including the embryonic origin of the FGE, current models for foregut morphogenesis, relevant human birth defects, insights from rodent models, and the emerging picture of the mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal foregut compartmentalization. Recent research suggests that a number of intercellular signaling pathways and several intracellular effectors are essential for correct formation of the trachea and esophagus. Different types of defects in the formation of either ventral or dorsal foregut tissues can disrupt compartmentalization in rodent models. This implies that EA/TEF defects in humans may also arise by multiple mechanisms. Although our understanding of foregut compartmentalization is growing rapidly, it is still incomplete. Future research should focus on synthesizing detailed information gleaned from both human patients and rodent models to further our understanding of this enigmatic process. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:184–202. doi: 10.1002/wdev.12

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > From a Tubular Primordium: Non-Branched

Birth Defects > Organ Anomalies
Are grassland passerines especially susceptible to negative transmitter impacts?
Authors: Hill Jason M. , Elphick Chris S.
Published: November 2011

Assessing the impacts of manipulative research can be hard when few animals are affected in any one study. Collating information across studies, however, can identify vulnerable organisms and allow researchers to tailor research to reduce, and possibly eliminate, adverse effects. Relatively few studies have documented radiotransmitter impacts on passerine birds. We hypothesized that many studies do not publish problems, and that this lack of reporting hampers improvement of methods. We used an online survey to gather information from researchers about the species affected and the nature of any impacts. Sixty respondents provided information concerning ≥63 passerine species. Negative transmitter impacts were reported for ≥1 bird for 38% of species. Entanglement with vegetation or body parts and nonentanglement‐related injuries affected 27% and 19% of species, respectively. Simultaneously, 29% and 33% of species were reported to have caused transmitter damage and lost transmitters, respectively. Only 2 respondents indicated that they had documented these problems in the peer‐reviewed literature. The occurrence of negative transmitter effects was similar for adults and juveniles, for transmitters attached with glue or harnesses, and regardless of bird mass. Ground‐foraging passerines were significantly more likely than other passerines to have experienced transmitter loss, entanglement, and nonentanglement injuries. Our study suggests a clustering of problems in grassland passerines. We make suggestions to identify and collate problems related to negative transmitter impacts in passerines to help reduce harmful effects on birds and wasted research effort. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Implications of HER2 Amplification in Small, Node‐Negative Breast Cancers: Do Asians Differ?
Authors: Wong Fuh Yong , Yip Connie Siew Poh , Chua Eu Tiong
Published: November 2011

Background

We investigated the implications of HER2 amplification in Asian women with small, node‐negative breast cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMCs).

Methods

We reviewed the charts patients treated between 1989 and 2009 with breast conservation therapy for node‐negative breast cancers measuring ≤2 cm. Disease‐free survival (DFS), ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), distant disease‐free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and were compared by the log‐rank test. Potential covariates—age, tumor grade, hormone receptor status—were analyzed by multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 519 patients were studied including 204 (39%) and 315 (61%) patients diagnosed with pT1ab and pT1c tumors, respectively. Median follow‐up was 57 months. HER2 amplification was found in 17.1% of all patients and in 16.7% patients with pT1ab tumors. Among patients with T1ab tumors, 73.0 and 9.3% underwent adjuvant hormonal and chemotherapy, respectively; 3 of 34 T1ab patients with HER2‐amplified tumors received trastuzumab. HER2 amplification was associated with poorer 5‐year DFS (83.7% vs. 95.5%, P < 0.0001), DDFS (87.5% vs. 97.9%, P < 0.0001), and IBTR (8.6% vs. 2.1%, P < 0.0001) rates in patients with pT1 tumors. Multivariate analysis showed that HER2 amplification remained a significant negative prognostic factor for DFS [hazard ratio (HR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–7.8, P < 0.0001], DDFS (HR 6.3, 95% CI 2.4–17.0, P < 0.0001), and IBTR (HR 4.5, 95% CI 2.0–10.0, P < 0.0001) rates. In the pT1ab subgroup, univariate analysis showed that HER2 amplification prognosticated for DFS (85.1% vs. 95.7%, P = 0.022) and IBTR (14.9% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.004) rates but not for the OS (100% vs. 99.2%, P = 0.487) rate. Similar results were obtained after excluding patients given trastuzumab.

Conclusions

The decision to use trastuzumab in HER2‐amplified pT1ab tumors must balance their poor outcome against intrinsic financial limitations in LMCs. Patient selection criteria needs fine‐tuning, and resource‐sensitive regimens must be explored.
Simplified Radiocarbon Analysis Procedure for Measuring the Renewable Diesel Concentration in Diesel Fuel Blends
Authors: Norton Glenn A. , Woodruff Mary X.
Published: November 2011

A simplified analytical approach for determining the renewable diesel content of diesel fuel blends using radiocarbon (14C) analyses in a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) was investigated. Unlike more conventional procedures, the fuels were mixed directly with a fluor and then analyzed in an LSC without further processing. The factory‐installed quench curve adequately corrected for variable quench levels in the samples. When using a counting time of 180 min on samples containing 2–20% renewable diesel in fuel blends with relatively low quench levels, mean results from triplicate analyses were accurate to within 0.4% (absolute) and the standard deviations were generally 0.4% (absolute) or less. The accuracy and precision of the analyses were comparable to those observed for AMS and benzene synthesis analyses on the samples. For similar analyses on renewable diesel blends with relatively high quench levels, results were accurate to within 0.8% (absolute) with standard deviations of 0.8% or less when using a counting time of 180 min. The precision was improved significantly by increasing the counting time to 360 min for those samples. Excluding the conventional corrections for isotopic fractionation did not have a significant impact on the accuracy of the results for renewable diesel concentrations of 20% or less.
Do Apo‐Lycopenoids Have Antioxidant Activities In Vitro?
Authors: Müller Lars , Reynaud Eric , Goupy Pascale , Caris‐Veyrat Catherine , Böhm Volker
Published: November 2011

Lycopene is a predominant carotenoid in human plasma and may prevent degenerative diseases by antioxidant mechanisms. Moreover, not only lycopene itself, also its derived breakdown products, the apo‐lycopenoids, could be responsible. Therefore, we analyzed the in vitro antioxidant activities of apo‐6′‐, apo‐8′‐ and apo‐12′‐lycopenals, as well as of apo‐10′‐, apo‐14′‐ and apo‐11‐series of lycopene (with terminal functions as alcohol, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, and ester) in various assays. We observed that the antioxidant activities, determined by measuring the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP assay), the activities of bleaching 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline)‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS·+) and the activities to scavenge peroxyl radicals (LPSC assay), were often much lower compared to lycopene itself, as recently proposed by some authors. The antioxidant activities were strongly influenced by the length of the polyene chain and the type of terminal function as well. Considering our results and the low amounts of apo‐lycopenals found in plasma as well as in lycopene‐rich food products compared to (all‐E)‐lycopene we speculate that the effects of apo‐lycopenoids as direct antioxidants in food samples as well as in blood and/or target tissues can be stated as negligible. Apo‐lycopenoids may act as indirect antioxidants by activation of gene expression of antioxidant‐derived enzymes.
Schizophrenia, culture and neuropsychology: sensory deficits, language impairments and social functioning in Chinese-speaking schizophrenia patients
Authors: Yang L. , Chen S. , Chen C.-M. , Khan F. , Forchelli G. , Javitt D. C.
Published: November 2011

Background

While 20% of schizophrenia patients worldwide speak tonal languages (e.g. Mandarin), studies are limited to Western-language patients. Western-language patients show tonal deficits that are related to impaired emotional processing of speech. However, language processing is minimally affected. In contrast, in Mandarin, syllables are voiced in one of four tones, with word meaning varying accordingly. We hypothesized that Mandarin-speaking schizophrenia patients would show impairments in underlying basic auditory processing that, unlike in Western groups, would relate to deficits in word recognition and social outcomes.

Method

Altogether, 22 Mandarin-speaking schizophrenia patients and 44 matched healthy participants were recruited from New York City. The auditory tasks were: (1) tone matching; (2) distorted tunes; (3) Chinese word discrimination; (4) Chinese word identification. Social outcomes were measured by marital status, employment and most recent employment status.

Results

Patients showed deficits in tone-matching, distorted tunes, word discrimination and word identificationversuscontrols (allp<0.0001). Impairments in tone-matching across groups correlated with both word identification (p<0.0001) and discrimination (p<0.0001). On social outcomes, tonally impaired patients had ‘lower-status’ jobs overall when compared with tonally intact patients (p<0.005) and controls (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study is the first to investigate an interaction between neuropsychology and language among Mandarin-speaking schizophrenia patients. As predicted, patients were highly impaired in both tone and auditory word processing, with these two measures significantly correlated. Tonally impaired patients showed significantly worse employment-status function than tonally intact patients, suggesting a link between sensory impairment and employment status outcome. While neuropsychological deficits appear similar cross-culturally, their consequences may be language- and culture-dependent.
A novel model to explain dietary factors affecting hypocalcaemia in dairy cattle
Authors: Martín-Tereso Javier , Verstegen Martin W. A.
Published: November 2011

Most dairy cows exhibit different degrees of hypocalcaemia around calving because the gestational Ca requirements shift to the disproportionately high Ca requirements of lactation. Ca homeostasis is a robust system that effectively adapts to changes in Ca demand or supply. However, these adaptations often are not rapid enough to avoid hypocalcaemia. A delay in the reconfiguration of intestinal Ca absorption and bone resorption is probably the underlying cause of this transient hypocalcaemia. Several dietary factors that affect different aspects of Ca metabolism are known to reduce the incidence of milk fever. The present review describes the interactions between nutrition and Ca homeostasis using observations from cattle and extrapolations from other species and aims to quantitatively model the effects of the nutritional approaches that are used to induce dry cows into an early adaptation of Ca metabolism. The present model suggests that reducing dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) increases Ca clearance from the blood by dietary induction of systemic acidosis, which results in hypercalciuria due to the loss of function of the renal Ca transient receptor potential vanilloid channel TRPV5. Alternatively, reducing the gastrointestinal availability of Ca by reducing dietary Ca or its nutritional availability will also induce the activation of Ca metabolism to compensate for basal blood Ca clearance. Our model of gastrointestinal Ca availability as well as blood Ca clearance in the transition dairy cow allowed us to conclude that the most common dietary strategies for milk fever prevention may have analogous modes of action that are based on the principle of metabolic adaptation before calving.
A large 3D target with small inner details: A difficult cocktail for imaging purposes without a priori knowledge on the scatterers geometry
Authors: Eyraud Christelle , Geffrin Jean‐Michel , Litman Amélie , Spinelli Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2011

To accurately image a complex shape but large 3D target whose scattered field has been measured in an anechoic environment at high frequencies (18 and 20 GHz), we have developed a complete imaging process, combining experimental and numerical works. The adopted strategy exploits the maximum of available information related to the measurements, both in terms of quantity and accuracy without any a priori knowledge on the scatterer geometry. We first determine the position and then the dimension of the spatial domain which contains the target. This localization is realized directly from the analysis of the spectrum of the measured fields taking into account the random noise disturbing the measurement points. Then, we construct a quantitative permittivity map of this investigation domain thanks to an iterative inversion procedure based on a Bayesian formulation where the spatial diversity of the real random noise is adequately exploited. By following this strategy, we have been able to quantitatively retrieve the target both in terms of dimension, shape and electromagnetic properties, even with a very limited number of measurement points and for a single polarization case. With such a process, even spheres with a diameter equal to λ/3 are correctly reconstructed at 20 GHz.
Network‐based approaches to climate knowledge discovery
Authors: Budich Reinhard , Nyberg Per , Weigel Tobias
Published: November 2011

Climate Knowledge Discovery Workshop; Hamburg, Germany, 30 March to 1 April 2011 Do complex networks combined with semantic Web technologies offer the next generation of solutions in climate science? To address this question, a first Climate Knowledge Discovery (CKD) Workshop, hosted by the German Climate Computing Center (Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum (DKRZ)), brought together climate and computer scientists from major American and European laboratories, data centers, and universities, as well as representatives from industry, the broader academic community, and the semantic Web communities. The participants, representing six countries, were concerned with large‐scale Earth system modeling and computational data analysis. The motivation for the meeting was the growing problem that climate scientists generate data faster than it can be interpreted and the need to prepare for further exponential data increases. Current analysis approaches are focused primarily on traditional methods, which are best suited for large‐scale phenomena and coarse‐resolution data sets. The workshop focused on the open discussion of ideas and technologies to provide the next generation of solutions to cope with the increasing data volumes in climate science.
Fellows celebrated at Fall Meeting
Authors: Anonymous
Published: November 2011

The 2011 AGU Fellows will be presented during the Fall Meeting Honors Tribute in San Francisco, Calif. The formal ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 14 December 2011, during which President‐Elect Carol Finn will introduce each Fellow and read a brief statement of the achievements for which each has been selected.
AGU's new task force on scientific ethics and integrity begins work
Authors: Gleick Peter , Townsend Randy
Published: November 2011

In support of the new strategic plan, AGU has established a new task force to review, evaluate, and update the Union's policies on scientific misconduct and the process for investigating and responding to allegations of possible misconduct by AGU members. As noted by AGU president Michael McPhaden, “AGU can only realize its vision of ‘collaboratively advancing and communicating science and its power to ensure a sustainable future’ if we have the trust of the public and policy makers. That trust is earned by maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity in all that we do. The work of the Task Force on Scientific Ethics is essential for defining norms of professional conduct that all our members can aspire to and that demonstrate AGU's unwavering commitment to excellence in Earth and space science.”
Learn about AGU's scientific integrity policies during a Fall Meeting listening session
Authors: Uhlenbrock Kristan
Published: November 2011

AGU members are invited to hear about the Union's new Scientific Integrity and Ethics Policy during a listening session at Fall Meeting. (See also the About AGU article by Peter Gleick and Randy Townsend on p. 433.) At this event, members of the Task Force on Scientific Ethics will discuss current efforts to update the Union's policies on scientific integrity. In addition, AGU members will have the opportunity to become involved in helping to shape the future of AGU by providing feedback, ideas, and insights.
Seasonal dynamics of the near‐surface alongshore flow off central Chile
Authors: Aguirre Catalina , Pizarro Óscar , Strub Paul T. , Garreaud René , Barth John A.
Published: November 2011

The seasonal cycle of the near‐surface circulation off central Chile was analyzed using satellite altimetry and an oceanic model. To evaluate the role of the wind stress curl on the circulation we performed two identical simulations except for the wind‐forcing: the “control run” used long‐term monthly mean wind stress and the “no‐curl run” used a similar wind stress field, but without curl. The observed and modeled (control run) surface currents showed a strong seasonal cycle and a well‐defined equatorward flow with a jet like‐structure. This jet develops during spring and summer, consistent with the presence of a low‐level wind jet. South of Punta Lavapie cape (∼37°S), the equatorward surface current remains close to the coast. After the flow‐passes this cape, however, it separates to become an offshore jet. In contrast, in the no‐curl simulation the separation at Punta Lavapie is not observed and the offshore jet farther north is not present, demonstrating the importance of the wind stress curl on the dynamics of this flow. Although the offshore integrated Sverdrup transport was similar to the model transport, the offshore jet was not located where the wind stress curl was maximum. Instead, the position of the jet followed approximately the zero wind stress curl, which corresponds to the climatological location of the low‐level wind jet axis. These results illustrate the importance of the offshore upwelling/downwelling associated with curl‐driven Ekman pumping, which tilts isopycnals upward (downward) toward the east (west) of the wind jet, forcing a northward flow through thermal wind balance.
Alkenone producers during late Oligocene–early Miocene revisited
Authors: Plancq Julien , Grossi Vincent , Henderiks Jorijntje , Simon Laurent , Mattioli Emanuela
Published: November 2011

This study investigates ancient alkenone producers among the late Oligocene–early Miocene coccolithophores recorded at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 516. Contrary to common assumptions, Reticulofenestra was not the most important alkenone producer throughout the studied time interval. The comparison between coccolith species‐specific absolute abundances and alkenone contents in the same sedimentary samples shows that Cyclicargolithus abundances explain 40% of the total variance of alkenone concentration and that the species Cyclicargolithus floridanus was a major alkenone producer, although other related taxa may have also contributed to the alkenone production at DSDP Site 516. The distribution of the different alkenone isomers (MeC37:2, EtC38:2, and MeC38:2) remained unchanged across distinct changes in species composition, suggesting similar diunsaturated alkenone compositions within the Noelaerhabdaceae family during the late Oligocene–early Miocene. However, the overall larger cell size of Cyclicargolithus may have implications for the alkenone‐based reconstruction of past partial pressure of CO2. Our results underscore the importance of a careful evaluation of the most likely alkenone producers for periods (>1.85 Ma) predating the first occurrence of contemporary alkenone producers (i.e., Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica).
The nuclear lamina and heterochromatin: a complex relationship
Authors: Bank Erin M. , Gruenbaum Yosef
Published: November 2011

In metazoan cells, the heterochromatin is generally localized at the nuclear periphery, whereas active genes are preferentially found in the nuclear interior. In the present paper, we review current evidence showing that components of the nuclear lamina interact directly with heterochromatin, which implicates the nuclear lamina in a mechanism of specific gene retention at the nuclear periphery and release to the nuclear interior upon gene activation. We also discuss recent data showing that mutations in lamin proteins affect gene positioning and expression, providing a potential mechanism for how these mutations lead to tissue-specific diseases.
The critical role of VEGF in skeletal muscle angiogenesis and blood flow
Authors: Wagner Peter D.
Published: November 2011

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is well known as an important molecule in angiogenesis. Its inhibition is pursued as an anticancer therapy; its enhancement as therapy for tissue ischaemia. In the present paper, its role in skeletal muscle is explored, both at rest and after exercise. Muscle VEGF mRNA and protein are increased severalfold after heavy exercise. Whereas global VEGF knockout is embryonically lethal, muscle-specific knockout is not, providing models for studying its functional significance. Its deletion in adult mouse skeletal muscle: (i) reduces muscle capillarity by more than 50%, (ii) decreases exercise endurance time by approximately 80%, and (iii) abolishes the angiogenic response to exercise training. What causes VEGF to increase with exercise is not clear. Despite regulation by HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor), increased HIF on exercise, and PO2 falling to single digit values during exercise, muscle-specific HIF knockout does not impair performance or capillarity, leaving many unanswered questions.
Inhibition of angiogenesis and the angiogenesis/invasion shift
Authors: Bikfalvi Andreas , Moenner Michel , Javerzat Sophie , North Sophie , Hagedorn Martin
Published: November 2011

Angiogenesis has become a major target in cancer therapy. However, current therapeutic strategies have their limitations and raise several problems. In most tumours, anti-angiogenesis treatment targeting VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has only limited overall survival benefit compared with conventional chemotherapy alone, and reveals several specific forms of resistance to anti-VEGF treatment. There is growing evidence that anti-VEGF treatment may induce tumour cell invasion by selecting highly invasive tumour cells or hypoxia-resistant cells, or by up-regulating angiogenic alternative pathways such as FGFs (fibroblast growth factors) or genes triggering new invasive programmes. We have identified new genes up-regulated during glioma growth on the chick CAM (chorioallantoic membrane). Our results indicate that anti-angiogenesis treatment in the experimental glioma model drives expression of critical genes which relate to disease aggressiveness in glioblastoma patients. We have identified a molecular mechanism in tumour cells that allows the switch from an angiogenic to invasive programme. Furthermore, we are focusing our research on alternative inhibitors that act, in part, independently of VEGF. These are endogenous molecules that play a role in the control of tumour growth and may constitute a starting point for further development of novel therapeutic or diagnostic tools.
Nitrifying and denitrifying pathways of methanotrophic bacteria
Authors: Stein Lisa Y. , Klotz Martin G.
Published: November 2011

Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting molecule, continues to accumulate in the atmosphere as a product of anthropogenic activities and land-use change. Nitrogen oxides are intermediates of nitrification and denitrification and are released as terminal products under conditions such as high nitrogen load and low oxygen tension among other factors. The rapid completion and public availability of microbial genome sequences has revealed a high level of enzymatic redundancy in pathways terminating in nitrogen oxide metabolites, with few enzymes involved in returning nitrogen oxides to dinitrogen. The aerobic methanotrophic bacteria are particularly useful for discovering and analysing diverse mechanisms for nitrogen oxide production, as these microbes both nitrify (oxidize ammonia to nitrite) and denitrify (reduce nitrate/nitrite to nitrous oxide via nitric oxide), and yet do not rely on these pathways for growth. The fact that methanotrophs have a rich inventory for nitrogen oxide metabolism is, in part, a consequence of their evolutionary relatedness to ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Furthermore, the ability of individual methanotrophic taxa to resist toxic intermediates of nitrogen metabolism affects the relative abundance of nitrogen oxides released into the environment, the composition of their community, and the balance between nitrogen and methane cycling.
Denitrification in Sinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Torres María J. , Rubia María I. , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Delgado María J.
Published: November 2011

Denitrification is the complete reduction of nitrate or nitrite to N2, via the intermediates nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and is coupled to energy conservation and growth under O2-limiting conditions. In Bradyrhizobium japonicum, this process occurs through the action of the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD and nosRZDFYLX gene products. DNA sequences showing homology with nap, nirK, nor and nos genes have been found in the genome of the symbiotic plasmid pSymA of Sinorhizobium meliloti strain 1021. Whole-genome transcriptomic analyses have demonstrated that S. meliloti denitrification genes are induced under micro-oxic conditions. Furthermore, S. meliloti has also been shown to possess denitrifying activities in both free-living and symbiotic forms. Despite possessing and expressing the complete set of denitrification genes, S. meliloti is considered a partial denitrifier since it does not grow under anaerobic conditions with nitrate or nitrite as terminal electron acceptors. In the present paper, we show that, under micro-oxic conditions, S. meliloti is able to grow by using nitrate or nitrite as respiratory substrates, which indicates that, in contrast with anaerobic denitrifiers, O2 is necessary for denitrification by S. meliloti. Current knowledge of the regulation of S. meliloti denitrification genes is also included.
Structural and optical properties of sol-gel derived nanocrystalline Fe-doped ZnO
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Mukherjee Subhrajit , Kr. Singh Ranjan , Chatterjee S. , Ghosh A. K.
Published: November 2011

Effects of Fe doping on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of sol-gel derived Zn1−xFexO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) nanoparticles have been investigated. The single-phased wurtzite structure has been characterized by XRD analysis. The nanocrystalline nature of the samples and their crystallinity has been confirmed by TEM measurements. Raman spectroscopy has been employed to study the crystalline quality and structural disorders. FTIR analysis confirms the wurtzite structure and formation of tetrahedral coordination of the oxygen ions surrounding the zinc ions. UV-Vis measurements show that the band gap is fast blue shifted in lower Fe-concentrations and after that slowly red shifted in higher Fe-concentrations. This may be attributed to the Burstein-Moss effect which is prevailed throughout the range of Fe-doping and sp-d exchange interaction that plays a role in higher Fe-concentration. Magnetic hysteresis measurement (M-H) shows that Zn0.96Fe0.04O exhibits ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature.