bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model studies of corrosion-induced copper runoff fate in soil
Authors: Bertling Sofia , Degryse Fien , Wallinder Inger Odnevall , Smolders Erik , Leygraf Christofer
Published: February 2006

Laboratory experiments have been performed with 3-cm soil columns simulating the fate of corrosion-induced copper runoff in contact with soil. The investigation simulates approximately 30 years (assuming an infiltration surplus of 25 cm/year) of continuous percolation of copper containing runoff water of a concentration realistic at the immediate release situation (4.8 mg/L) into four soils representative of urban conditions. Two of the three investigated topsoils reached their breakthrough of copper within the simulated time, while the third topsoil did not show a breakthrough. The subsoil reached a breakthrough after approximately 10 years of simulated exposure. To simulate more realistic outdoor scenarios, the laboratory-obtained breakthrough curves were modeled with Hydrus-1D® using a Langmuir-Freundlich model to describe copper sorption, the parameters of which were estimated from soil properties (pH, organic carbon content). The model predicts longer breakthrough times with increasing pH and organic content of the soil and with decreasing concentrations of copper and dissolved organic carbon in the runoff water. The time span for copper in runoff water (at concentrations of 0.01–10 mg/L) to reach a soil depth of 50 cm varied between 170 and more than 8,000 years for the predicted field scenarios.
Long-term corrosion-induced copper runoff from natural and artificial patina and its environmental impact
Authors: Bertling Sofia , Wallinder Inger Odnevall , Kleja Dan Berggren , Leygraf Christofer
Published: February 2006

The overall objective of this paper is to present an extensive set of data for corrosion-induced copper dispersion and its environmental interaction with solid surfaces in the near vicinity of buildings. Copper dispersion is discussed in terms of total copper flows, copper speciation and bioavailability at the immediate release situation, and its changes during transport from source to recipient. Presented results are based on extensive field exposures (eight years) at an urban site, laboratory investigations of the runoff process, published field data, generated predictive site-specific runoff rate models, and reactivity investigations toward various natural and manmade surfaces, such as those in soil, limestone, and concrete. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of copper-containing runoff water with different soil systems through long-term laboratory column investigations. The fate of copper is discussed in terms of copper retention, copper chemical speciation, breakthrough capacities, and future mobilization based on changes in copper concentrations in the percolate water, computer modeling using the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model, and sequential extractions. The results illustrate that, for scenarios where copper comes in extensive contact with solid surfaces, such as soil and limestone, a large fraction of released copper is retained already in the immediate vicinity of the building. In all, both the total copper concentration in runoff water and its bioavailable part undergo a significant and rapid reduction.
Assessment and control of the bioavailability of nickel in soils
Authors: Echevarria Guillaume , Massoura Stamatia Tina , Sterckeman Thibault , Becquer Thierry , Schwartz Christophe , Morel Jean Louis
Published: February 2006

Nickel, a potentially toxic metal, is present in all soils with an average concentration of 20 to 30 mg/kg, sometimes exceeding 10,000 mg/kg (e.g., ultramafic soils). The ecotoxicological risk of Ni in soils to organisms is controlled by its availability. It is therefore essential to identify an efficient and reliable method for the evaluation of this risk. This paper presents a complete study of the effect of Ni origin, localization, and soil properties on its availability as assessed with the isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) method and compares plant response to isotopically exchangeable properties of Ni in soils. We performed IEK on 100 soil samples representing a worldwide range of Ni fate, and concentrations showed that pH was the main influencing parameter and that labile Ni (i.e., isotopically exchangeable Ni, Et) could be reasonably well assessed by a single diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid extraction. The identification of the soil mineral phases that bear Ni (bearing phases) in 16 Ni-rich samples selected among the 100 soils showed a strong effect of the mineralogy of the bearing phases on Ni availability (IEK). Plants with different Ni accumulation strategies all took up Ni from the same labile pool of Ni in four contrasting soils, and the amount taken up by hyperaccumulator plants could be anticipated with the IEK parameters, thus confirming the usefulness of isotopic dilution methods for risk assessment.
DNA Damage in Bovine Sperm Does Not Block Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development But Induces Apoptosis After the First Cleavages
Authors: Fatehi A. N. , Bevers M. M. , Schoevers E. , Roelen B. A. J. , Colenbrander B. , Gadella B. M.
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: The main goal of this study was to investigate whether and at what level damage of paternal DNA influences fertilization of oocytes and early embryonic development. We hypothesized that posttesticular sperm DNA damage will only marginally affect sperm physiology due to the lack of gene expression, but that it will affect embryo development at the stage that embryo genome (including the paternal damaged DNA) expression is initiated. To test this, we artificially induced sperm DNA damage by irradiation with x‐ or gamma rays (doses of 0–300 Gy). Remarkably, sperm cells survived the irradiation quite well and, when compared with nonirradiated cells, sperm motility and integrity of plasma membrane, acrosome, and mitochondria were not altered by this irradiation treatment. In contrast, a highly significant logarithmic relation between irradiation dose and induced DNA damage to sperm cells was found by both terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the acridin orange assay. Despite the DNA damage, irradiated sperm cells did not show any sign of apoptosis (nuclear fragmentation, depolarization of inner mitochondrial membranes, or phospholipid scrambling) and were normally capable of fertilizing oocytes, as there was no reduction in cleavage rates when compared with nonirradiated sperm samples up to irradiation doses of less than 10 Gy. Further embryonic development was completely blocked as the blastocyst rates at days 7 and 9 dropped from 28% (nonirradiated sperm) to less than 3% by greater than 2.5‐Gy‐irradiated sperm. This block in embryonic development was accompanied with the initiation of apoptosis after the second or third cleavage. Specific signs of apoptosis, such as nuclear fragmentation and aberrations in spindle formation, were observed in all embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization with irradiated sperm (irradiation doses >1.25 Gy). The results show that sperm DNA damage does not impair fertilization of the oocyte or completion of the first 2–3 cleavages, but blocks blastocyst formation by inducing apoptosis. Embryos produced by assisted reproductive techniques (ART) could have incorporated aberrant paternal DNA (frequently detected in sperm of sub/infertile males). Analogously, in the present work, we discuss the possibility of following embryo development of oocytes fertilized by ART through the blastocyst stage before embryo transfer into the uterus in order to reduce risks of reproductive failure.
Stromal Fibrosis Reaction in Rat Prostates Induced by Alpha 1 Adrenergic Stimulation
Authors: Rosenzweig‐Bublil Nurit , Abramovici Armand
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: Most of the publications dealing with the experimental induction of prostatic neoplasia have focused on the description of epithelial lesions, but little attention has been paid to the involvement of their stromal alterations. The present study is a first attempt to assess the stromal changes in both collagen and elastic fibrils as well as in its cellular constituents, which accompany prostatic intraepithelial neoplastic (PIN)–like lesions induced by phenylephrine (PE) in rats. Adolescent rats received subcutaneous injections of PE daily (10 mg/kg/d) for 1 month. At the end of the experimental period the rats were sacrificed; the dissected ventral prostates were fixed in Stieve solution and paraffin‐embedded; and sections were cut and stained accordingly. Most of the stromal cells were identified by immunohistochemistry techniques using primary antibodies to ED2 (resident macrophages), actin (fibrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells), vimentin (mesenchymal cells), and 5′‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (S‐phase proliferating cells). Collagen stromal mass was visualized by Gomori trichrome and individual collagen fibers by picrosirius red staining under polarized light, whereas the fine fibrils were stained according to the Pinkus method. The untreated rat prostates are characterized by a delicate interacinar stroma with scanty cells and fibrils. The PE‐treated prostates showed a significant increase in both cellular and fibrillar elements as well as an increase in arteriolar density, in addition to the typical PIN lesions. The presence of such an interstitial fibrosis, which also includes inflammatory cells, neoangiogenesis, and synthesis de novo of collagen and fibers, might be regarded as a desmoplastic reaction. It is suggested that these changes could be related to a tissue repair process occurring subsequent to the inflammatory exudate that takes place during the incipient phases of the PE treatment.
Recipient Preparation and Mixed Germ Cell Isolation for Spermatogonial Stem Cell Transplantation in Domestic Cats
Authors: Kim Yeunhee , Selvaraj Vimal , Dobrinski Ina , Lee Hang , McEntee Margaret C. , Travis Alexander J.
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: The loss of genetic diversity poses a serious threat to the conservation of endangered species, including wild felids. We are attempting to develop spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in the cat as a tool to preserve and propagate male germ‐plasm from genetically valuable animals, be they threatened wild species or lines of cats used as models for inherited diseases. In this study, we investigated the use of local external beam radiation treatment to deplete the endogenous germ cells of male domestic cats, a step necessary to prepare them for use as recipients for transplantation. Testes of 5‐month‐old domestic cats were irradiated with a fractionated dose of 3 Gy per fraction for 3 consecutive days. These cats were castrated at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks posttreatment, and progress of spermatogenesis was evaluated histologically and compared against age‐matched controls. Even at the latest time points, less than 10% of tubules contained germ cells at any stage of meiosis, showing the efficacy of this protocol. In addition, male germ cells were isolated from the testes of domestic cats using a 2‐step enzymatic dissociation to establish a protocol for the preparation of donor cells. The presence and viability of spermatogonia within this population were demonstrated by successful transplantation into, and colonization of, mouse seminiferous tubules. The success of these protocols provides a foundation to perform spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in the domestic cat.
Erection‐ and Ejaculation‐Preserving Cystectomy With Orthotopic Urinary Diversion: Is It Feasible?
Authors: Girgin Cengiz , Oder Mehmet , Sahin M. Oguz , Sezer Akif , Berkmen Serdar , Aydin Rusen , Dincel Cetin
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: Nerve‐sparing techniques to preserve sexual function in men undergoing cystoprostatectomy have been documented by different centers. We evaluated the results of the first 4 erection‐ and ejaculation‐preserving cystectomies performed in our department. The ages of patients ranged between 36 and 43 years. In all cases, patients wished to maintain sexual function. Of the cases, 3 patients had pT1 G3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) refractory to treatment and one had pT2a adenocarcinoma of the bladder. Extirpation of the bladder and anterior proximal prostate en bloc with preservation of the vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, posterior prostate, and neurovascular bundles was performed after pelvic lymphadenectomy. W‐ileal neobladder was performed by using 40 cm of ileum. All patients had erections at the third month. Of the cases, 2 patients had antegrade ejaculation. The ejaculate volumes were 0.8 and 1.2 mL in patients with antegrade ejaculation. Patients in the other cases had retrograde ejaculation. All patients were continent day and night. We started clean intermittent catheterization in 1 case because of residual urine. There were no local recurrences. One patient with TCC died because of systemic disease in the postoperative 32nd month. The most important drawback of potent cases in cystectomy decision is erectile dysfunction after radical cystectomy. This drawback causes delay of the operation and sometimes mortality. As was the case in other reports, our limited number of cases in this study demonstrated that erection and ejaculation could be preserved in selected groups of patients.
Sildenafil Improves Sleep‐Related Erections in Hypogonadal Men: Evidence From a Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, Crossover Study of a Synergic Role for Both Testosterone and Sildenafil on Penile Erections
Authors: Rochira Vincenzo , Balestrieri Antonio , Madeo Bruno , Granata Antonio R. M. , Carani Cesare
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: To study the effects of sildenafil on human sleep‐related erections according to the state of androgenization, we evaluated the effects of sildenafil on sleep‐related erections in hypogonadal men before and during testosterone replacement treatment and in control subjects. We enrolled 24 hypogonadal men and 24 healthy men as a control group. All hypogonadal subjects had very low testosterone levels (<200 ng/dL [8.93 nmol/L]). All subjects underwent nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitoring (NPTRM) for 3 consecutive nights and were randomly assigned to consume either 50 mg of sildenafil or placebo 1 hour before bedtime on the second or third night of nocturnal penile monitoring. The hypogonadal subjects were tested twice, first without replacement treatment (H‐T) and then after at least 6 months of testosterone replacement therapy (H+T). The subjects of the control group (C) were tested once. The following parameters of sleep‐related erections were analyzed: total number of valid erections, total duration of both rigidity greater than or equal 70% and increase in penile circumference greater than or equal 30 mm, maximum rigidity, and maximum increase in penile circumference. NPTRM parameters were reduced in hypogonadal men before testosterone treatment (H‐T+P) when compared with control subjects taking placebo (C+P). NPTRM parameters after testosterone (H+T+P) and sildenafil (H‐T+S) administration were similar to that of control subjects taking placebo (C+P). When the statistical analysis was restricted to the hypogonadal men before testosterone treatment, sildenafil alone significantly increased NPTRM parameters when compared with placebo (H‐T+S vs H‐T+P). Testosterone restored normal erections when administered to hypogonadal subjects (H+T+P vs H‐T+P); in hypogonadal men, however, the combined treatment (sildenafil plus testosterone) resulted in the maximum positive effect on NPTRM parameters. When the increase from baseline was analyzed, the effects of testosterone plus sildenafil were greater than the sum of the effects of each drug used alone. In conclusion, sildenafil administered at bedtime improves sleep‐related erections in hypogonadal men, suggesting that the nitric oxide pathway may be pharmacologically enrolled and enhanced despite low serum testosterone. Furthermore, these data strongly support the idea of a synergic effect on sleep‐related erections of sildenafil and testosterone.
Expression, Localization, and Regulation of Inhibitor of DNA Binding (Id) Proteins in the Rat Epididymis
Authors: Carroll Michelle , Hamzeh Mahsa , Robaire Bernard
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: The epididymis is the site in which spermatozoa are matured and stored. Regional differences along the epididymis are essential for the establishment of the microenvironment required for germ cell maturation. Inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins are transcription factors that modulate the functions of basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factors and act by binding to and sequestering bHLH proteins; the latter act to regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. The objectives of this study were to determine the mRNA expression and the immunocytolocalization of Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4 in the epididymis of adult rats and to determine the Id3 protein expression profile in orchidectomized and in aged animals. We found that, at the mRNA level, Id proteins are expressed in a unique, region‐specific manner along the epididymis. Id1 immunoreactivity is specific to myoid cells; the presence of Id2 is observed in clear cells, myoid cells, and in the apical region of principal cells. Id3 immunoreactivity is essentially confined to the nuclei of principal cells and myoid cells, whereas Id4 is observed mainly in myoid and narrow cells. Thus, Ids are localized to different cell types and are differentially expressed, at both the mRNA and protein levels, along the epididymis. Expression of Id3 is differentially regulated in response to orchidectomy along the epididymis. The fact that these regulators of gene expression are expressed in this manner may provide some insight into the differential expression of other genes that lead to region‐specific differences along the epididymis, a hallmark of this tissue.
Polyol Pathway in Human Epididymis and Semen
Authors: Frenette Gilles , Thabet Michel , Sullivan Robert
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT:Two enzymes are involved in the polyol pathway: an aldose reductase that reduces glucose in sorbitol followed by its oxidation in fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase. It has been previously shown that both enzymes are presented in the bovine epididymis, where they are associated with membranous vesicles called epididymosomes. Based on the distribution of these enzymes, it has been hypothesized that the polyol pathway can modulate sperm motility during the epididymal transit. In the present study, polyol pathway was investigated in semen and along the epididymis in humans in order to determine if sperm maturation can be associated with this sugar pathway. Western blot analysis shows that both aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase are associated with ejaculated spermatozoa and prostasomes in humans. These enzymes are also associated with epididymosomes collected during surgical vasectomy reversal. Western blot, Northern blot, and reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction analysis show that aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase are expressed at the transcriptional and translational levels along the human epididymis. Unlike what occurs in the bovine model, distribution of these enzymes is rather uniform along the human excurrent duct. Immunohistological studies together with Western blot analysis performed on epididymosomes preparations indicate that the polyol pathway enzymes are secreted by the epididymal epithelium. These results indicate that the polyol pathway plays a role in human sperm physiology.
Relationship of Cytoplasmic Droplets to Motility, Migration in Mucus, and Volume Regulation of Human Spermatozoa
Authors: Fetic Sabina , Yeung Ching‐Hei , Sonntag Barbara , Nieschlag Eberhard , Cooper Trevor G.
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: A significantly greater percentage of motile than immotile spermatozoa bore droplets at the osmolality of semen and cervical mucus. The percentage of spermatozoa with droplets was not significantly correlated with the osmolality of semen or the extent of cell swelling in response to quinine in hypotonic medium. Droplets appeared slightly more frequently (ie, were more obvious) in the presence of quinine, which blocks regulatory volume decrease, indicating that they are the major site of volume expansion. There was no selection for or against droplet‐bearing spermatozoa migrating through viscous surrogate mucus at high or low osmolality. Sperm swelling in response to quinine at mucus osmolality was significantly greater in fathers than in patients whose partners had no fertility problem. Therefore, cytoplasmic droplets are not deleterious to sperm motility and may be related to physiological volume regulation, which may be predictive of some forms of human male infertility.
Influence of a Leptin Deficiency on Testicular Morphology, Germ Cell Apoptosis, and Expression Levels of Apoptosis‐Related Genes in the Mouse
Authors: Bhat Ganapathy K. , Sea Tamika L. , Olatinwo Moshood O. , Simorangkir David , Ford Gregory D. , Ford Byron D. , Mann David R.
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT: Leptin‐deficient (ob/ob) male mice are morbidly obese and exhibit impaired reproductive function. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a leptin deficiency on testicular morphology, germ cell development, apoptotic activity within germ cells, and expression levels of apoptosis‐related genes in the testis. Sixteen week‐old ob/ob male mice (n = 8) and controls (n = 8) were killed, and their reproductive organs were weighed. Testes were processed for either histomorphological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining), germ cell apoptosis assessment (deoxy‐UTP‐digoxigenin nick end labeling [TUNEL] method), or apoptosis‐related gene expression analysis (microarray). Cross sections of the testes of leptin‐deficient animals showed reduced seminiferous tubule area, fewer pachytene spermatocytes, and fewer tubules exhibiting elongated spermatids/mature spermatozoa. Condensation of germ cell nuclei and Sertoli cell vacuolization were evident in the testes of some ob/ob animals. Overall there was an elevation of apoptotic activity in the germ cells of ob/ob mice, particularly within the pachytene spermatocytes. With microarray technology, we identified 9 proapoptosis‐related genes that were expressed at a significantly higher level in the testes of ob/ob mice than in the testes of the controls. Among these were members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor super family 1A and 5 (TNFR1 and 5) and peptidoglycan recognition proteins (associated with the extrinsic apoptotic pathway), and granzymes A and B, growth arrest and DNA damage inducible 45 gamma, sphingosine phosphate lyase 1, and caspase 9 (associated with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway). The results of the current study show that a leptin deficiency in mice is associated with impaired spermatogenesis, increased germ cell apoptosis, and up‐regulated expression of proapoptotic genes within the testes.
Profiling of injection velocity for uniform mold filling
Authors: Chen Xi , Gao Furong
Published: February 2006

Uniform melt front velocity is recommended for injection mold filling to minimize the part nonuniformity. A method of profiling the injection velocity for such a uniform mold filling is presented in this paper. Based on a neural network model developed for estimating the melt flow length from online measurable variables, the profiling problem is transformed into an optimization to minimize the difference between the predicted melt flow length and a given ramp. The rate of the ramp determines the rate of the melt front velocity traveling in the cavity during filling. Experiments with different molds show that the proposed method is effective in profiling the screw injection velocity to achieve a uniform mold filling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25: 13–21, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20054
Observation of polymer film drawing by use of thermography. An introductory investigation on the thermodynamics
Authors: Yamauchi Tatsuo
Published: February 2006

The local heat generation that accompanied tensile drawing of polymer films was successfully observed by infrared thermography as a series of temperature distribution images. These images showed that the high temperature part where rearrangements of molecular orientation and microcrystallines occurred was located mainly at the end of the necked part for the polymers that exhibited necking or appeared uniformly throughout films for the polymers that did not exhibit necking. The generated heat could be roughly estimated, and the relation between the estimated heat and mechanical work led to the thermodynamic investigation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2895–2900, 2006
In vivo administered reserpine increases piecemeal degranulation in rat adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Crivellato Enrico , Belloni Anna , Nico Beatrice , Nussdorfer Gastone G. , Ribatti Domenico
Published: February 2006

The effects of the amine‐depletory agent reserpine have been evaluated by transmission electron microscopy in chromaffin cells of the rat adrenal glands. The drug has been injected intraperitoneally in the animals at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight in two administrations at 24‐hr interval. The observed ultrastructural changes closely reminded of piecemeal degranulation (PMD), a slow and long‐lasting secretory process previously described in normal and tumor pheochromocytes. Both adrenaline‐ and noradrenaline‐storing cells presented the following microscopic features: high granule polymorphism, due to coexistence in the same cell of normal resting granules, granules with partially mobilized components, and large empty containers; absence of granule fusion; characteristic “haloed” pattern of residual secretory contents; great amount of 30–150 nm diameter, membrane‐bound, electron‐dense and ‐lucent vesicles, free in the cytoplasm or attached to granules; and multiple vesicles budding from the granule‐limiting membranes. Morphometric analysis revealed that the frequency of all these microscopic parameters was found to be significantly increased in adrenal chromaffin cells from reserpinized rats in comparison to cells from control animals. These data suggest that reserpine, besides blocking the inward transport of catecholamines in chromaffin granules, might also stimulate a complex secretory reaction, which shares many common passages with bona fide PMD. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A case of methotrexate embryopathy with holoprosencephaly, expanding the phenotype
Authors: Seidahmed Mohammed Zain , Shaheed Meeralebbae M. , Abdulbasit Omar B. , Al Dohami Hessa , Babiker Mirghani , Abdullah Mohammed A. , Abomelha Abdullah M.
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate (MTX) embryopathy was described nearly 50 years ago, when this agent began to be used as a cancer treatment and abortifacient. In this report we describe a case with typical features of MTX syndrome together with new features to expand the phenotype.

CASE

A 29‐year‐old woman decided to terminate her unwanted pregnancy because of ill health, as she had conceived soon after her last delivery by cesarian section. At 6 weeks of gestation, she took 2.5 mg of MTX 3 times a day for 7 days. The pregnancy termination failed, and the pregnancy was carried to term. A female infant was delivered who was growth retarded and had characteristic features of MTX embryopathy in addition to holoprosencephaly and other brain malformations, facial hypertrichosis, and long eyelashes—features that have not hitherto been described.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first case of holoprosencephaly in association with MTX exposure during the first 6 weeks of gestation. Physicians and the public should be aware of the effects of MTX on the fetus during pregnancy. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The trans–cis isomerization reaction dynamics in sensory rhodopsin II by femtosecond time‐resolved midinfrared spectroscopy: Chromophore and protein dynamics
Authors: Diller Rolf , Jakober Ruth , Schumann Christian , Peters Frank , Klare Johann P. , Engelhard Martin
Published: February 2006

Transient infrared (IR) vibrational spectroscopy at subpicosecond time resolution on sensory rhodopsin II from Natronomonas pharaonis, NpSRII, has been performed for the first time. The experiments yield three time constants for the description of the primary photoinduced reaction dynamics, i.e. 0.5, 3.7–4.4, and 11 ps. The data are consistent with a sequential reaction scheme, with the isomerization taking place within 0.5 ps, succeeded by an electronic ground state relaxation. The 11 ps component, observed at 1550 and 1530 cm−1, is attributed to dynamics of protein vibrational bands, possibly amide II bands of the protein backbone, perturbed by the ultrafast retinal photoisomerization. Similar observations, yet not as strongly expressed, have been made earlier in bacteriorhodopsin and halorhodopsin. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 358–362, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Potential of the marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve as a bioremediator of pathogenic bacteria in integrated aquaculture ecosystems
Authors: Fu Wantao , Sun Liming , Zhang Xichang , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2006

The aim of this article is to investigate the potential of using sponges as a bioremediator to remove pathogenic bacteria in integrated aquaculture ecosystems. Using the inter‐tidal marine sponge Hymeniacidon perleve as a model system, the ability of removing the most common pathogens Escherichia coli and Vibrio anguillarum II in aquaculture waters was screened in laboratory tests. In sterilized natural seawater (SNSW) supplemented with E. coli at (7.0–8.3) × 106 cells/mL, H. perleve can remove an average 96% of E.coli within 10.5 h at a filter rate of ca. (7.53–8.03) × 107 cells/h · g of fresh sponge in two independent tests. Despite the removal efficiency and filter rate are similar; the clearance rates (CR) vary significantly among individual sponge specimens and between two batches. For the tests on V. anguillarum II in SNSW, about 1.5 g fresh sponges can keep the pathogen growth under control at a lower initial density 3.6 × 104 cells/mL of 200 mL water volume. Further tests were done for 24 h using about 12 g fresh sponge in 2‐L actual seawater collected from two aquaculture sites that have ca. eightfold difference in pathogenic bacteria load. The concentrations of E. coli, Vibrio, and total bacteria at 24 h in treatment groups were markedly lower, at about 0.9%, 6.2%–34.5%, and 13.7%–22.5%, respectively, of those in the control. Using a fluoresce stain 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate, E. coli, and V. anguillarum II cells were stained and fed to sponges in two independent tests. The confocal microscope observation confirmed that the sponges filtering‐retained and digested these bacteria by phagocytosis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tolerance and adaptation of ethanologenic yeasts to lignocellulosic inhibitory compounds
Authors: Keating Jeffrey D. , Panganiban Chris , Mansfield Shawn D.
Published: February 2006

Synthetic mixtures of predominant lignocellulosic hexose sugars were supplemented with separate aliquots of three inhibitory compounds (furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and acetic acid) in a series of concentrations and fermented by the spent sulfite liquor (SSL)‐adapted yeast strain Tembec T1 and the natural isolate Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) Y‐1528 to compare tolerance and assess fermentative efficacy. The performance of Y‐1528 exceeded that of Tembec T1 by a significant margin, with faster hexose sugar consumption, higher ethanol productivity, and in the case of furfural and HMF, faster inhibitor consumption. Nevertheless, furfural had a dose‐proportionate effect on sugar consumption rate and ethanol productivity in both strains, but did not substantially affect ethanol yield. HMF had a similar effect on sugar consumption rate and ethanol productivity, and also lowered ethanol yield. Surprisingly, acetic acid had the least impact on sugar consumption rate and ethanol productivity, and stimulated ethanol yield at moderate concentrations. Sequential iterations of softwood (SW) and hardwood (HW) SSL were subsequently inoculated with the two yeast strains in order to compare adaptation to, and performance in lignocellulosic substrates in a cell recycle batch fermentation (CRBF) regime. Both strains were severely affected by the HW SSL, which was attributed to specific syringyl lignin‐derived degradation products and synergistic interactions between inhibitors. Though ethanologenic capacity was preserved, a net loss of performance was evident from both strains, indicating the absence of adaptation to the substrates, regardless of the sequence in which the SSL types were employed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A motion capture‐based control‐space approach for walking mannequins
Authors: Pettre Julien , Laumond Jean‐Paul
Published: February 2006

Virtual mannequins need to navigate in order to interact with their environment. Their autonomy to accomplish navigation tasks is ensured by locomotion controllers. Control inputs can be user‐defined or automatically computed to achieve high‐level operations (e.g. obstacle avoidance). This paper presents a locomotion controller based on a motion capture edition technique. Controller inputs are the instantaneous linear and angular velocities of the walk. Our solution works in real time and supports at any time continuous changes of inputs. The controller combines three main components to synthesize locomotion animations in a four‐stage process. First, the Motion Library stores motion capture samples. Motion captures are analysed to compute quantitative characteristics. Second, these characteristics are represented in a linear control space. This geometric representation is appropriate for selecting and weighting three motion samples with respect to the input state. Third, locomotion cycles are synthesized by blending the selected motion samples. Blending is done in the frequency domain. Lastly, successive postures are extracted from the synthesized cycles in order to complete the animation of the moving mannequin. The method is demonstrated in this paper in a locomotion‐planning context. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intracoronary stent dislodgment: Updated strategy enabled by the new generation of materials
Authors: Patterson Mark , Slagboom Ton
Published: February 2006

Stent dislodgment remains a vexing problem in percutaneous coronary intervention. The technological improvements in machine‐crimped premounted stents have led to a reduced incidence of dislodgment but may have exacerbated the problem of stent dislodgment (SD). Previous reports describing the management of SD have concentrated predominantly on manually mounted stents. We present a case where the position of a dislodged premounted stent in the distal left main stem was unfavorable for previously described solutions. The problem was elegantly resolved by taking advantage of the improved performance of the current generation of wires and balloons to achieve a rapid first‐rate clinical outcome. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonrecurring transient cortical blindness after coronary angiography: A role for hypoventilation and hypercarbia?
Authors: Danenberg Haim D. , Lotan Chaim
Published: February 2006

A 73‐year‐old morbidly obese patient suffered cortical blindness following coronary angiography. Symptoms rapidly resolved and did not recur following a repeated procedure. Hypoventilation due to narcotics with subsequent hypercarbia and blood‐brain barrier breaching may be implicated in the pathogenesis of this complication. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peptide Recognition: Encapsulation and α‐Helical Folding of a Nine‐Residue Peptide within a Hydrophobic Dimeric Capsule of a Bowl‐Shaped Host
Authors: Tashiro Shohei , Tominaga Masahide , Yamaguchi Yoshiki , Kato Koichi , Fujita Makoto
Published: February 2006

A dimeric capsule of coordination bowl 1 encapsulated a nine‐residue peptide (Trp‐Ala‐Glu‐Ala‐Ala‐Ala‐Glu‐Ala‐Trp; 2) within the large hydrophobic cavity in water, and stabilized the α‐helical conformation of bound 2. An NMR titration experiment revealed that monomeric bowl 1 recognized two Trp residues at the both terminals of 2 through 1/2=1:1 to 2:1 complexation. The 1:1 and 2:1 species exist in equilibrium even in the presence of excess 1. It was found that the formation of the 2:1 complex, in which two bowls of 1 wrapped the whole of 2, became dominant by the addition of NaNO3 due to the fact that the enhanced ion strength increased the hydrophobic interaction between Trp residues and the cavity of 1. The α‐helical conformation of 2 within the dimeric capsule of 1 was elucidated from detailed NOESY analysis.
A Photoactivated trans‐Diammine Platinum Complex as Cytotoxic as Cisplatin
Authors: Mackay Fiona S. , Woods Julie A. , Moseley Harry , Ferguson James , Dawson Alice , Parsons Simon , Sadler Peter J.
Published: February 2006

The synthesis and X‐ray structure (as the tetrahydrate) of the platinum(IV) complex trans,trans,trans‐[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(NH3)2] 3 are described and its photochemistry and photobiology are compared with those of the cis isomer cis,trans,cis‐[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(NH3)2] 4. Complexes 4 and 3 are potential precursors of the anticancer drug cisplatin and its inactive trans isomer transplatin, respectively. The trans complex 3 is octahedral, contains almost linear azide ligands, and adopts a layer structure with extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The intense azide‐to‐platinum(IV) charge‐transfer band of complex 3 (285 nm; ε=19 500 M−1 cm−1) is more intense and bathochromically shifted relative to that of the cis isomer 4. In contrast to transplatin, complex 3 rapidly formed a platinum(II) bis(5′‐guanosine monophosphate) (5′‐GMP) adduct when irradiated with UVA light, and did not react in the dark. Complexes 3 and 4 were non‐toxic to human skin cells (keratinocytes) in the dark, but were as cytotoxic as cisplatin on irradiation for a short time (50 min). Damage to the DNA of these cells was detected by using the “comet” assay. Both trans‐ and cis‐diammine platinum(IV) diazide complexes therefore have potential as photochemotherapeutic agents.
Characterization of bone marrow T cells in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma, and plasma cell leukemia demonstrates increased infiltration by cytotoxic/Th1 T cells demonstrating a squed TCR‐Vβ repertoire
Authors: Pérez‐Andres Martin , Almeida Julia , Martin‐Ayuso Marta , Moro Maria Jesus , Martin‐Nuñez Guillermo , Galende Josefina , Hernandez Jose , Mateo Gema , San Miguel Jesus F. , Orfao Alberto
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND

The majority of studies published to date regarding the role of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in the pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies (MG) have focused on the interaction between stroma cells and plasma cells, whereas information concerning the lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor microenvironment is scanty.

METHODS

The authors measured the distribution, TCR‐Vβ repertoire, immunophenotype, and functional characteristics of different subsets of BM T lymphocytes from 61 nontreated patients with MG (30 patients with MG of undetermined significance [MGUS], 27 patients with multiple myeloma [MM], and 4 patients with plasma cell leukemia [PCL]).

RESULTS

The authors found a significantly increased rate of BM infiltration by T cells in all patient groups, at the expense of CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8− T lymphocytes and both CD4+CD28− and CD8+CD28− cytotoxic/effector T cell subsets, and associated with TCR‐Vβ expansions in both CD4+ and CD8+ BM T cells in the majority of patients with MGUS, MM, and PCL. Moreover, the percentage of T cells secreting interferon (IFN)‐γ was found to be increased (P ≤ 0.05) both in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in MGUS and MM patients, and a higher plasma concentration of IFN‐γ was found in patients with MM. It is interesting to note that a positive correlation was noted between the proportion of CD28− and both the percentage of IFN‐γ–secreting cells and the proportion of expanded TCR‐Vβ lymphocytes within the total BM CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study demonstrated an increased infiltration of BM by T cells associated with frequent TCR‐Vβ expansions and a more prominent cytotoxic/Th1 phenotype in all the patient groups studied. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Survival analysis after resection of metastatic disease followed by peptide vaccines in patients with Stage IV melanoma
Authors: Tagawa Scott T. , Cheung Eric , Banta Warren , Gee Conway , Weber Jeffrey S.
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND

Metastatic melanoma carries a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 7–9 months. Surgical resection of metastatic disease has been advocated to improve survival. Immunotherapy after metastasectomy may further improve the outcome for high‐risk resected disease.

METHODS

Charts from patients treated on institutional vaccine trials were analyzed. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage IV melanoma who underwent surgical resection of metastatic sites followed by treatment on a peptide vaccine trial were eligible for this study. Survival was calculated from the date of enrollment on the clinical trial.

RESULTS

Forty‐one patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 56.5 years, with approximately equal numbers of men and women. The ECOG performance status was 0 in all patients. Approximately 46% of patients underwent resection of visceral metastases before vaccine. The median follow‐up was 5.6 years. The median overall survival was 3.8 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with AJCC Stage IV melanoma, resection of metastatic disease followed by vaccine therapy can result in long‐term survival. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Clinical and radiologic predictors of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in cancer patients
Authors: Hachem Ray , Sumoza David , Hanna Hend , Girgawy Essam , Munsell Mark , Raad Issam
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life‐threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. The outcome of such infections depends on early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy. The objective of the current study was to determine the significant predictive factors that characterize IPA in patients with cancer.

METHODS

The clinical characteristics and computed tomography (CT) findings for 47 cases with IPA were retrospectively reviewed and compared with 49 controls (patients diagnosed on autopsy with nonfungal pneumonias). Data from all 96 patients were modeled using multivariate logistic regression. Subgroups of patients with common characteristics and outcomes were identified.

RESULTS

Leukemia, neutropenia, cavitation, and nodular lesions occurred significantly more often among cases than controls (P = 0.04, 0.004, 0.04, and 0.02, respectively). A quantitative scoring system was developed that could be used to identify patients as being at low, medium, and high risk for IPA.

CONCLUSIONS

IPA should be highly suspected in leukemia patients with profound neutropenia, pleuritic chest pain, and cavitary or nodular lesions detected on CT scan. These predictive factors can be used to indicate when early prophylactic and therapeutic antifungal interventions should be initiated. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Electrophoresis of DNA in human genetic diagnostics – state‐of‐the‐art, alternatives and future prospects
Authors: Gödde René , Akkad Denis‐Amer , Arning Larissa , Dekomien Gabriele , Herchenbach Julia , Kunstmann Erdmute , Meins Moritz , Wieczorek Stefan , Epplen Jörg T. , Hoffjan Sabine
Published: February 2006

Electrophoretic separation of nucleic acids according to their molecular weights has dominated the methods' spectrum in molecular genetics for nearly half a century. We review the current methodological basis and evaluate its impact with special reference to new developments in the microarray technology. Although electrophoresis may be made redundant for many applications in DNA diagnostics within a few years, a number of electrophoretic vestiges will remain irreplaceable in the foreseeable future.
Parallel analysis of biomolecules on a microfabricated capillary array chip
Authors: Shen Zheng , Liu Xiaojun , Long Zhicheng , Liu Dayu , Ye Nannan , Qin Jianhua , Dai Zhongpeng , Lin Bingcheng
Published: February 2006

This paper focused on a self‐developed microfluidic array system with microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (μ‐CAE) chip for parallel chip electrophoresis of biomolecules. The microfluidic array layout consists of two common reservoirs coupled to four separation channels connected to sample injection channel on the soda‐lime glass substrate. The excitation scheme for distributing a 20 mW laser beam to separation channels in an array is achieved. Under the control of program, the sample injection and separation in multichannel can be achieved through six high‐voltage modules' output. A CCD camera was used to monitor electrophoretic separations simultaneously in four channels with LIF detection, and the electropherograms can be plotted directly without reconstruction by additional software. Parallel multichannel electrophoresis of series biomolecules including amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids was performed on this system and the results showed fine reproducibility.
A novel specific heparin‐binding activity of bovine folate‐binding protein characterized by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Heegaard Niels H. H. , Hansen Steen I. , Holm Jan
Published: February 2006

Folate‐binding proteins (FBPs) are ubiquitous, soluble and membrane‐bound high‐affinity receptors for folate, an essential nutrient involved in nucleic and amino acid metabolism. In the course of optimizing CE separation conditions for FBP purified from cow's milk we discovered a novel specific heparin‐binding activity of FBP by affinity CE. Heparin is a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan and thus prone to induce anodic migration shifts of complexing analytes. Prior complexation of FBP with folate abolished heparin binding, and thus folate competes with heparin for binding to FBP. It was estimated that heparin bound several orders of magnitude less strongly than folate with an average dissociation constant in the 1–10 μM range. In contrast to the mobility shifts induced by heparin, free and folate‐bound FBP were not separated by CE. However, binding of folate induced a distinct increase in FBP‐peak symmetry, and using heparin as an affinity displacer, the free FBP in equilibrium with folate–FBP complexes could readily be separated from the complexes. While the folate–FBP interaction was too strong to be characterized quantitatively because of inadequate detection limits of a UV‐based detection system, it was possible to estimate the folate–FBP binding stoichiometry using this approach. The heparin interaction fractionated FBP into distinct subfractions, and the CE approach thus promises to be useful for unraveling the complex oligomerization behavior of FBP isoforms as well as for evaluating the FBP affinity for various species and analogs of glycosaminoglycans and folate.