bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomic force microscopy study of germination and killing of Bacillusatrophaeus spores
Authors: Pinzón‐Arango Paola A. , Scholl Geoffrey , Nagarajan Ramanathan , Mello Charlene M. , Camesano Terri A.
Published: March 2009

Bacterial spores such as Bacillus atrophaeus are one of the most resistant life forms known and are extremely resistant to chemical and environmental factors in the dormant state. During germination, as bacterial spores progress towards the vegetative state, they become susceptible to anti‐sporal agents. B. atrophaeus spores were exposed to the non‐nutritive germinant dodecylamine (DDA), a cationic surfactant that can also be used as a killing agent, for up to 60 min, or to the nutrient germinant l‐alanine. In kinetic studies, 99% of the spores were killed within 5 min of exposure to DDA. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used as a sensitive tool to assess how the structure of the spore coat changes upon exposure to germinants or killing agents. Changes in cell height and roughness over time of exposure to DDA were examined using AFM. DDA caused the spore height to decrease by >50%, which may have been due to a partial breakdown of the spore coat. Treatment of B. atrophaeus with the nutrient germinant resulted in a decrease in height of spores after 2 h of incubation, from 0.7 ± 0.1 µm to 0.3 ± 0.2 µm. However, treatment with l‐alanine did not change the surface roughness of the spores, indicating that the changes that occur during germination take place underneath the spore coat. We propose that exposure to DDA at high concentrations causes pores to form in the coat layer, killing B. atrophaeus without the need to fully germinate spores. Published 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of estrogen receptor GPR30 in the rat spinal cord and in autonomic and sensory ganglia
Authors: Dun Siok L. , Brailoiu G. Cristina , Gao Xin , Brailoiu Eugen , Arterburn Jeffrey B. , Prossnitz Eric R. , Oprea Tudor I. , Dun Nae J.
Published: March 2009

The G protein–coupled receptor GPR30 has recently been identified as a nonnuclear estrogen receptor. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction revealed expression of GPR30 mRNA in varying quantities in the rat spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, nodose ganglia, trigeminal ganglia, hippocampus, brain stem, and hypothalamus. Immunohistochemical studies that used a rabbit polyclonal antiserum against the human GPR30 C‐terminus revealed a fine network of GPR30‐immunoreactive (irGPR30) cell processes in the superficial layers of the spinal cord; some of which extended into deeper laminae. A population of neurons in the dorsal horn and ventral horn were irGPR30. Dorsal root, nodose, and trigeminal ganglionic neurons displayed varying intensities of irGPR30. Positively labeled neurons were detected in the major pelvic ganglion, but not in the superior cervical ganglion. A population of chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla was irGPR30, so were cells of the zona glomerulosa. Double‐labeling the adrenal medulla with GPR30 antiserum and tyrosine hydroxylase antibody or phenylethanolamine‐N‐methyltransferase antiserum revealed that irGPR30 is expressed in the majority of tyrosine hydroxylase–positive chromaffin cells. Last, some of the myenteric ganglion cells were irGPR30. Tissues processed with preimmune serum resulted in no staining. Voltage‐sensitive dye imaging studies showed that the selective GPR30 agonist G‐1 (1, 10, and 100 nM) depolarized cultured spinal neurons in a concentration‐dependent manner. Collectively, our result provides the first evidence that GPR30 is expressed in neurons of the dorsal and ventral horn as well as in sensory and autonomic neurons, and activation of GPR30 by the selective agonist G‐1 depolarizes cultured spinal neurons. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The spatial pattern of summertime subtropical anticyclones over Asia and Africa: A climatological review
Authors: Zarrin Azar , Ghaemi Hooshang , Azadi Majid , Farajzadeh Manuchehr
Published: March 2009

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP‐NCAR) monthly mean reanalysis dataset has been used to analyze spatial variations of summertime subtropical anticyclones over the Asia–Africa region. The geopotential height and zonal wind components of 1000, 500, 200, and 100 hPa in a 30‐year period (1971–2000) have been used to determine the spatial and temporal variations of the anticyclone centres, their monthly frequency and latitudinal axis variations during April–October.

The results revealed that there is a clear difference in the location of the summer anticyclone centres in lower, middle and upper levels of the troposphere. In the lower levels, the Azores subtropical anticyclone is located at the east of North Atlantic. In the middle levels, the frequencies of anticyclone centre are concentrated over the northwest of Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Iranian Plateau. In the upper troposphere, the geographical location of the anticyclone centres and their frequencies in the summer season exhibit a scattered pattern from south of China up to western Iran at 200 hPa, and a bimodal pattern over the Tibetan and the Iranian Plateaus at 100 hPa. In fact, in the entire study domain, the Iranian Plateau is a preferable location of the middle and upper troposphere anticyclones.

The highest observed latitude of the subtropical anticyclone at 100, 200 and 500 hPa levels have been seen over north of Tibetan plateau, a large area from east to west of Asia and Iran during August, July–August and July, respectively. The maximum monthly variation in the latitude of the ridgeline is seen at 500, 200, and 100 hPa from June to July which goes even up to 10 degrees at some longitudes. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Predominant modes of winter surface wind variability over the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Wu Bingyi , Johnson Mark
Published: March 2009

Two distinct modes extracted from winter (Dec.–Mar.) monthly mean surface wind variability over the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and part of the northeast Pacific Ocean have been identified along with their associations with sea surface temperature (SST), coastal downwelling, surface air temperature (SAT) and sea level pressure (SLP). The leading mode of surface wind variability, accounting for 45% of the variance, is characterized by two distinct and alternating modes or their linear combination, and shows strong interannual and interdecadal variations with the transition years in the mid‐1970s and the beginning and late of 1990s. One mode (M1) features a coherent cyclonic or anticyclonic surface wind anomaly in the GOA and part of the northeast Pacific Ocean, and reflects wind field variability related to the intensity of large scale atmosphere‐ocean interactions associated with the Aleutian Low, the Pacific/North American (PNA) pattern, the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), and the South Oscillation (SO). This mode significantly influences SAT over the GOA and the entire northeast Pacific and influences downwelling along the eastern and southeastern GOA. It does not significantly influence SST in the northern GOA. The other (M2) characterizes dominant southerly or northerly anomalies, and significantly influences coastal downwelling in the northern and southeastern GOA. It is also correlated with SAT over the GOA, the Bering Sea shelf, and much of Alaska. The impact of M2 on SST is greater than that of M1 in the GOA and the Bering Sea. M1 and M2, respectively, correspond to the PNA pattern and a dipole pattern, and the later is characterized by the third mode of the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of winter SLP variability over the domain 20° –70°N and 160°E–100°W, accounting for 13% of the variance. The dipole pattern is a new mode of winter atmospheric variability, with opposite anomalous centres over the southern Bering Sea and the west coast of the USA and part of the northeast Pacific Ocean. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Delayed influence of the Indian Ocean Dipole mode on the East Asia–West Pacific monsoon: possible mechanism
Authors: Kripalani R. H. , Oh J. H. , Chaudhari H. S.
Published: March 2009

This study investigates the possible physical processes for the delayed response of the East Asia–West Pacific summer monsoon to the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode (IODM) through the Eurasian continent based on composite and correlation analyses. The media carrying the memory for this delayed response is identified.

Results reveal that the peak positive phase of the dipole during autumn could suppress the following summer monsoon activity over East Asia three seasons later, in particular over the Korea–Japan sector, South China and the adjacent West Pacific region. Composite and correlation analysis suggests that the autumn positive phase of the dipole could induce heavy snow over Eastern Eurasia, north of the Korea–Japan (EENKJ) peninsula, during the following winter and spring seasons. This could increase the temperature gradient conducive to transport cold and dry air from the north towards south over the warmer East Asia–West Pacific domain during the following summer. The sea surface temperature (SST) reveals that the positive phase of the dipole mode during autumn is associated with the warm phase (El Nino) of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the Pacific. As the seasons progress through to summer, the warm phase over the Pacific transforms to a developing cold phase (La Nina) with warmer SSTs over the West Pacific. Both the anomalous northerly winds due to heavy snow and the anomalous warm SST over the West Pacific due to La Nina displace the North Pacific Subtropical High (NPSH) eastwards, resulting in a weak cross‐equatorial flow and a weak low‐level jet. This could inhibit moisture supply from the Pacific leading to subdued rainfall activity. The footprints of the IODM for delayed response, three seasons later, could be carried by the snow distribution over Eastern Eurasia by the northern route. Furthermore, correlation analysis suggests that the relationships with IODM are slighter stronger than with the ENSO phenomenon. However, partial correlation analysis probably suggests that both the IODM and ENSO work cooperatively for the summer monsoon rainfall anomalies over East Asia–West Pacific region. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Chronology of late Pleistocene Pampa loess from the Córdoba area in Argentina
Authors: Frechen Manfred , Seifert Britta , Sanabria Jorge A. , Argüello Graciela L.
Published: March 2009

In Argentina, loess/palaeosol sequences were studied from the two sections at Monte Ralo and Corralito, located near to the city of Córdoba in the east of the Pampean ranges. Infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) dating techniques were applied to set up a more reliable chronological framework for the Upper Pleistocene loess record. IRSL ages increase with depth and are stratigraphically consistent. The oldest loess exposed correlates at least to the penultimate glaciation. The luminescence dating study gives evidence for humid climate conditions with soil formation during the last interglacial period and the middle pleniglacial correlating to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 and 3, respectively. Three extended periods of soil formation are recorded in the loess/palaeosol sequences at the Corralito section. These buried soils most likely correlate with the last interglacial and early last glacial period. During the Middle Pleniglacial, two palaeosols are intercalated in the loess successions. In the Córdoba area, the periods of increased loess accumulation and deposition of loessic sediments correlate with more arid and glacial periods during the Early Pleniglacial, the Middle Pleniglacial and the Late Glacial. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectroscopic and thermal studies on the inclusion of trans‐cinnamic acid and a number of its hydroxyl‐derivatives with α, β and γ‐cyclodextrins molecules
Authors: Nolasco Mariela M. , Amado Ana M. , Ribeiro‐Claro Paulo J. A.
Published: March 2009

The inclusion compounds of α‐, β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins (α‐CD, β‐CD and γ‐CD) with trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐CIA), 3‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐3OHCIA), 4‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐4OHCIA) and 3,4‐dihydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐3,4OHCIA) were prepared and characterized, in the solid state, by means of thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of the inclusion process on the guest molecules and on the hydrogen bond interactions of the guest were studied by monitoring sensitive vibrational modes, such as CO, CC and ring CH stretching modes.

By combining Raman and TG data with ab initio calculations and information from CSD database on similar compounds, inclusion geometries for the different compounds are proposed. The size of the host cavity and the maximization of host/guest hydrogen‐bonding contacts appear to be the main factors determining the inclusion geometries. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent dependent study of carbonyl vibrations of 3‐phenoxybenzaldehyde and 4‐ethoxybenzaldehyde by Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations
Authors: Ramakrishnan Veerabahu , Sarua Andrei , Kuball Martin , Abdullah Anis Fathima
Published: March 2009

A Raman spectroscopy investigation of the carbonyl stretching vibrations of 3‐phenoxybenzaldehye (3Phbz) and 4‐ethoxybenzaldeheyde (4Etob) was carried out in binary mixtures with different polar and nonpolar solvents. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to describe the interaction of the carbonyl groups of two solute molecules in terms of a splitting in the isotropic and anisotropic components and secondly, to analyze their spectroscopic signatures in a binary mixture. Changes in wavenumber position, variation in the anisotropic shift and full width half maximum were investigated for binary mixtures with different mole fractions of the reference systems. In binary mixtures, the observed increase in wavenumber with solvent concentration does not show linearity, indicating the significant role of molecular interactions on the occurrence of breaking of the self‐association of the solute. In all the solvents, a gradual decrease in the anisotropic shift reflects the progressive separation of the coupled oscillators with dilution. Γi(ηc), 3Phbz—solvent mixtures, exhibit a gradual decrease with decrease in the concentration of the solute which is an evidence on the influence of micro viscosity on linewidth. For 4Etob, the carbonyl stretching vibration shows two well‐resolved components in the Raman spectra, attributed to the presence of two distinct carbonyl groups: hydrogen‐bonded and free carbonyl groups. The intensity ratio of the carbonyl stretching vibration of these two types of carbonyl groups is studied to understand the dynamics of solute/solvent molecules owing to hydrogen bond interactions. Ab initio calculations were employed for predicting relevant molecular structures in the binary mixtures arising from intermolecular interactions, and are related to the experimental results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: A comparative Raman study of graphite, single‐walled, and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ojha Animesh K. , Materny Arnulf
Published: March 2009

Retraction: The following article from Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, ‘A comparative Raman study of graphite, single‐walled, and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes’, by Animesh K. Ojha and Arnulf Materny published online on 3 March 2009 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Wolfgang Kiefer, and the publisher John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to lack of citation or acknowledgement of third party interests in certain data included in the article.
Improvement of rotational CARS thermometry in fuel‐rich hydrocarbon flames by inclusion of N2‐H2 Raman line widths
Authors: Bohlin Alexis , Vestin Fredrik , Joubert Pierre , Bonamy Jeanine , Bengtsson Per‐Erik
Published: March 2009

In rotational coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) thermometry applied to air‐fed flames, the temperature sensitivity mainly depends on the intensity distribution of the nitrogen spectral lines. Temperatures are estimated by numerical fitting of theoretical spectra to experimental ones, and one uncertainty in the calculation of theoretical CARS spectra for specific flame conditions is the accuracy in utilized line‐broadening coefficients. In a previous article, self‐broadened N2‐N2 line widths were considered in the spectral calculations as well as those of N2‐CO, N2‐CO2, N2‐H2O, and N2‐O2. In the present article, we also include N2‐H2 line widths calculated from a newly developed model, and it is shown that the evaluated temperature from flame spectra increases with increasing mole fractions of hydrogen. For example, in a very rich flame at Φ = 2.5, the use of available line‐width data for all major species gives a temperature raise of 72 K at a temperature of ∼1700 K, in comparison with using self‐broadened N2‐N2 line widths only. Half of this temperature raise is related to the inclusion of N2‐H2 line widths. This article emphasizes the importance of using adequate line‐broadening models for rotational CARS thermometry in flames. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the mixed anion sulphate–arsenate mineral parnauite Cu9[(OH)10|SO4|(AsO4)2]·7H2O
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Sejkora Jiří , Čejka Jiří , Keeffe Eloise C.
Published: March 2009

The mixed anion mineral parnauite Cu9[(OH)10|SO4|(AsO4)2]·7H2O has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. Characteristic bands associated with arsenate, sulphate and hydroxyl units are identified. Broad bands are observed and are resolved into component bands. Two intense bands at 859 and 830 cm−1 are assigned to the ν1 (AsO4)3− symmetric stretching and ν3 (AsO4)3− antisymmetric stretching modes. The comparatively sharp band at 976 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1 (SO4)2− symmetric stretching mode and a broad‐spectral profile centered upon 1097 cm−1 is attributed to the ν3 (SO4)2− antisymmetric stretching mode. A comparison of the Raman spectra is made with other arsenate‐bearing minerals such as carminite, clinotyrolite, kankite, tilasite and pharmacosiderite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen bonding in amylose/DMSO complexes studied by vibrational spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Milani Alberto , Aiman Fadel Nur , Brambilla Luigi , Del Zoppo Mirella , Castiglioni Chiara , Zerbi Giuseppe , Stradi Riccardo
Published: March 2009

The intermolecular interactions in amylose/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) complexes are discussed both experimentally and theoretically by means of Raman and infrared spectroscopies.

The study is based on a preliminary analysis of well known systems such as pure liquid DMSO or DMSO in mixture with water: for such systems, an analysis of the CS stretching region is carried out both by means of Raman and infrared spectra.

In particular, Raman spectra reveal a high sensitivity to the strength and to the type of interaction involving the DMSO molecules.

These results, applied to the investigation of amylose‐DMSO complexes, show the presence of different hydrogen‐bonded complexes which coexist in this compound. In particular, DMSO molecules are identified both on the external surface of the V‐amylose helix, where they can interact via one hydrogen bond and in the inner channel of the helix where they can interact via two hydrogen bonds.

The present findings open the possibility of applying vibrational spectroscopy to the characterization of inclusion compounds of amylose which are currently being involved in many fields of nanosciences. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First and second‐order Raman scattering of B6O
Authors: Solozhenko Vladimir L. , Kurakevych Oleksandr O. , Bouvier Pierre
Published: March 2009

First and second‐order Raman spectra of B6O and their dependence on the wavelength of the excitation line from IR (infrared) to deep UV (ultraviolet) has been studied. The first‐order Raman spectra contain 11 well‐resolved lines of the 12 expected modes 5 A1g + 7 Eg (space group R‐3m, point group D3d). The second‐order Raman spectra contains eight lines that are resolved only in the case of the 244‐nm excitation line. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational spectra and scaled quantum chemical studies of the structure of Martius yellow sodium salt monohydrate
Authors: Snehalatha M. , Ravikumar C. , Joe I. Hubert , Jayakumar V. S.
Published: March 2009

The FT‐IR and Raman spectra of Martius Yellow sodium salt Monohydrate (MYM) [2, 4‐dinitro‐1‐naphthol sodium salt] in solid‐phase have been measured. The geometry, intramolecular hydrogen bonding and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of MYM have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) methods. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra has been carried out with the aid of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). The existence of intramolecular CH···O improper, blue‐shifted hydrogen bonding was investigated by means of the NBO analysis. The infrared and Raman spectra were predicted theoretically from the calculated intensities. The observed and the calculated spectra were found to be in good agreement. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A follow‐up study on 6‐[18F]fluoro‐L‐dopa uptake in early Parkinson's disease shows nonlinear progression in the putamen
Authors: Brück Anna , Aalto Sargo , Rauhala Elina , Bergman Jörgen , Marttila Reijo , Rinne Juha O.
Published: March 2009

Sixteen subjects with de novo Parkinson's disease (PD) underwent three 6‐[18F]fluoro‐L‐dopa (Fdopa) positron emission tomography (PET) scans during a follow‐up time of 5 years (mean ± SD 5.5 ± 0.4 years) to study the progression of striatal dopaminergic hypofunction. Throughout the study, the smallest Fdopa uptake values were found in the dorso‐caudal part of the putamen contralateral to the side with dominant motor symptoms. The rate of decline in Fdopa uptake in the contralateral putamen was faster in the beginning of the disease and slowed down as the disease progressed. The annual decline in Fdopa influx constant (Ki, unit × 10−3 min−1) was on average 0.5 during the first 2 years and 0.2 during the subsequent 3 years (P = 0.002) in the contralateral putamen. In caudate, the rate of decline in Fdopa values was slower than in the putamen and did not change significantly during the follow‐up time, annual decline in the contralateral caudate being 0.1 between baseline and 2 years and 0.3 between 2 and 5 years (P = 0.4). These results suggest that progression of putaminal dopaminergic hypofuncion in PD follows a nonlinear pattern at least in the contralateral side being faster in the beginning of the disease. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Localized delivery of growth factors for periodontal tissue regeneration: Role, strategies, and perspectives
Authors: Chen Fa‐Ming , Shelton Richard M. , Jin Yan , Chapple Iain L.C.
Published: March 2009

Difficulties associated with achieving predictable periodontal regeneration, means that novel techniques need to be developed in order to regenerate the extensive soft and hard tissue destruction that results from periodontitis. Localized delivery of growth factors to the periodontium is an emerging and versatile therapeutic approach, with the potential to become a powerful tool in future regenerative periodontal therapy. Optimized delivery regimes and well‐defined release kinetics appear to be logical prerequisites for safe and efficacious clinical application of growth factors and to avoid unwanted side effects and toxicity. While adequate concentrations of growth factor(s) need to be appropriately localized, delivery vehicles are also expected to possess properties such as protein protection, precision in controlled release, biocompatibility and biodegradability, self‐regulated therapeutic activity, potential for multiple delivery, and good cell/tissue penetration. Here, current knowledge, recent advances, and future possibilities of growth factor delivery strategies are outlined for periodontal regeneration. First, the role of those growth factors that have been implicated in the periodontal healing/regeneration process, general requirements for their delivery, and the different material types available are described. A detailed discussion follows of current strategies for the selection of devices for localized growth factor delivery, with particular emphasis placed upon their advantages and disadvantages and future prospects for ongoing studies in reconstructing the tooth supporting apparatus. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 3, 472‐513, 2009
Repetitive stretch suppresses denervation‐induced atrophy of soleus muscle in rats
Authors: Agata Nobuhide , Sasai Nobuaki , Inoue‐Miyazu Masumi , Kawakami Keisuke , Hayakawa Kimihide , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Sokabe Masahiro
Published: March 2009

This study was conducted to examine whether stretch‐related mechanical loading on skeletal muscle can suppress denervation‐induced muscle atrophy, and if so, to depict the underlying molecular mechanism. Denervated rat soleus muscle was repetitively stretched (every 5 s for 15 min/day) for 2 weeks. Histochemical analysis showed that the cross‐sectional area of denervated soleus muscle fibers with repetitive stretching was significantly larger than that of control denervated muscle (P < 0.05). We then examined the involvement of the Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) cascade in the suppressive effects of repetitive stretching on muscle atrophy. Repetitive stretching significantly increased the Akt, p70S6K, and 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation in denervated soleus muscle compared to controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, repetitive stretching‐induced suppression of muscle atrophy was fully inhibited by rapamycin, a potent inhibitor of mTOR. These results indicate that denervation‐induced muscle atrophy is significantly suppressed by stretch‐related mechanical loading of the muscle through upregulation of the Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Fully intact contact heat evoked potentials in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Xu Ying‐Sheng , Zhang Jun , Zheng Ju‐Yang , Zhang Shuo , Kang De‐Xuan , Fan Dong‐Sheng
Published: March 2009

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is typically considered to be a disease of motor, not sensory, neurons. However, reports exist of sensory system involvement in ALS. In this study we aimed to study the characteristic of contact heat‐evoked potentials (CHEPs) in patients with ALS and to evaluate the nociceptive pathway in these patients. Sixty patients with ALS and 60 controls had pain elicited by a CHEP stimulator with an accelerated velocity of 70°C/s. Thermal stimuli were sent at 54.5°C to three body sites: the dorsum of the hand, the proximal volar forearm, and the skin near C7. CHEPs were recorded from Cz and Pz. The onset negative peak latencies were 561.2 ± 28.6 ms, 540.1 ± 39.2 ms, and 502.4 ± 26.2 ms when the dorsum of the hand, the proximal volar forearm, and skin near C7 were stimulated, respectively. There were no significant differences between the ALS patients and the controls with CHEP (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that the nociceptive pathway is intact and support the idea that small fibers and their sensory pathway are spared in ALS. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Botulinum toxin‐induced paralysis leads to slower myosin heavy chain isoform composition and reduced titin content in juvenile rat gastrocnemius muscle
Authors: Legerlotz Kirsten , Matthews Kenneth G. , McMahon Christopher D. , Smith Heather K.
Published: March 2009

Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin A (Btx‐A) and exercise are used in the treatment of muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. However, little is known about the biological changes within muscle subsequent to Btx‐A‐induced paralysis and how the combination of Btx‐A and exercise might affect the growing muscle. The wet mass, myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition, and titin content of the juvenile rat gastrocnemius muscle were determined 3 weeks after Btx‐A injections and subsequent voluntary wheel‐running exercise. Btx‐A increased the proportion of type IIa (+121%) and IIx (+65%) MHC while decreasing the proportion of type IIb MHC (−51%) and reducing the titin content (−18%). Exercise did not amplify or reduce the changes induced by Btx‐A. Thus, we conclude that although the sarcomeric stability of paralyzed muscle might be impaired, moderate mechanical loading does not seem to affect paralyzed muscle protein composition. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Differential effects of plantar cutaneous afferent excitation on soleus stretch and H‐reflex
Authors: Sayenko Dimitry G. , Vette Albert H. , Obata Hiroki , Alekhina Maria I. , Akai Masami , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: March 2009

Previous studies have demonstrated that plantar cutaneous afferents can adjust motoneuron excitability, which may contribute significantly to the control of human posture and locomotion. However, the role of plantar cutaneous afferents in modulating the excitability of stretch and H‐reflex with respect to the location of their excitation remains unclear. In the present study, it was hypothesized that electrical stimulation delivered to the sole of the foot might be followed by modulation of spinal excitability that depends on: (1) the stimulation location and (2) the reflex studied. In these experiments, conditioned and unconditioned stretch and H‐reflexes were evoked in 16 healthy subjects in a seated position. Both reflexes were conditioned by non‐noxious electrical plantar cutaneous afferent stimulation at two different sites, the heel and metatarsal regions, at four different conditioning–test (CT) intervals. The conditioning stimulation delivered to the heel caused a significant facilitation of the soleus stretch reflex for all CT intervals, whereas the soleus H‐reflex had significant facilitation only at CT interval of 50 ms and significant inhibition at longer CT intervals. Stimulation delivered to the metatarsal region, however, resulted mainly in reduced stretch and H‐reflex sizes. This study extends the reported findings on the contribution of plantar cutaneous afferents within spinal interneuron reflex circuits as a function of their location and the reflex studied. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Effect of newly proposed CK reference limits on neuromuscular diagnosis
Authors: Nardin Rachel A. , Zarrin Amy R. , Horowitz Gary L. , Tarulli Andrew W.
Published: March 2009

The objective was to determine the effect of a proposed increase in the upper reference limits of serum creatine kinase (CK) on neuromuscular disease diagnosis. This was a retrospective study of 94 Caucasian subjects (49 women and 45 men) in whom a neuromuscular physician ordered a CK as part of their evaluation. The patients were divided into two groups: those with diagnoses that either should or could elevate serum CK, and those with diagnoses that should not elevate serum CK. Sensitivities and specificities of the manufacturer's and the newly proposed upper reference limits were determined. For women, raising the upper reference limit of CK from 140 IU/L to 201 IU/L reduced the sensitivity of the test from 50% to 29%, while increasing the specificity from 67% to 80%. For men, raising the upper reference limit of CK from 174 IU/L to 322 IU/L reduced the sensitivity from 80% to 60%, while increasing the specificity from 63% to 80%. The newly proposed upper reference limits resulted in a false‐negative CK of clinical significance in 7 of 94 subjects. Increasing the upper reference limit for CK reduced the sensitivity and increased the specificity of serum CK for neuromuscular disease diagnosis. Such a change will reduce unnecessary referrals and invasive diagnostic testing in patients with asymptomatic CK elevations. The clinical impact of the loss in sensitivity is small. If these new upper reference limits are adopted, neuromuscular physicians should be aware that a normal CK level does not exclude a diagnosis of myopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Frequency of radiculopathies in motor vehicle accidents
Authors: Braddom Randall L. , Spitz Lawrence , Rivner Michael H.
Published: March 2009

This retrospective study compared the frequency of electrodiagnostically confirmed cervical and lumbar radiculopathies in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) population to that of a non‐MVA population in 24,651 consecutive initial electrodiagnostic reports. The frequency of cervical radiculopathy was slightly but significantly increased in 8% of the MVA compared to 6% of the non‐MVA patients. The frequency of plexopathy was significantly increased in the MVA (3%) compared to the non‐MVA patients (2%). The frequency of lumbar radiculopathy was not significantly increased (12% for both groups). Nineteen percent of the MVA patients and 18% of the non‐MVA patients had cervical and/or lumbar radiculopathy. This shows that the frequency of cervical and lumbar radiculopathies is low after MVAs. MVA appears to cause a small but significant increase in the frequency of cervical radiculopathy and plexopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Außergewöhnliche Donoren und synthetische Vielfalt: Guanidine
Authors: Herres‐Pawlis Sonja
Published: March 2009

Ihr biomimetisches Design, ihre guten Donoreigenschaften und ihre flexiblen Syntheseprotokolle eröffnen der Ligandenklasse der Guanidine viele Perspektiven in der Koordinationschemie — etwa bei der Aktivierung kleiner Moleküle durch Übergangsmetall‐Guanidin‐Komplexe.
Ein bärenstarkes Heilmittel
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: March 2009

Die Gallensäure Ursodeoxycholsäure zeigt sich als potenzielles Mittel gegen bisher unheilbare Krankheiten wie Parkinson, Alzheimer und Chorea Huntington. In Form von Bärengalle ist sie in der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin weit verbreitet — sehr zum Schaden der Bären, die unter tierquälerischen Bedingungen gehalten werden. Dabei hat die Chemie längst einen Weg gefunden, die Verbindung zu synthetisieren und in Tabletten zu pressen.
SVHC — besonders besorgniserregende Stoffe
Authors: Grasemann Franka
Published: March 2009

Die Europäische Kommission hat Stoffe benannt, die wegen ihrer Gefährlichkeit zu ersetzen sind, und Hersteller sowie Importeure suchen nach Alternativstoffen. Die von der Kommission verfügte ”Pflicht zur Weitergabe von Informationen“ fordert jeden Anwender in der Lieferkette.
Verdienen Sie genug?
Authors: Schmitz Karin
Published: March 2009

Zum sechsten Mal ruft die GDCh ihre in der Industrie tätigen Mitglieder zur Gehaltsumfrage auf. Ein neuer Fragebogen und eine wissenschaftliche Auswertung ermöglichen künftig detailliertere Aussagen.
Was ist eigentlich synthetische Biologie?
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: March 2009

Wissenschaftler untersuchen und verstehen biologische Systeme nicht nur, sie erzeugen sie nun auch. Noch ist der Inhalt dieser Forschungen nicht genau definiert. Es gibt aber erste Ergebnisse, die eine Richtung erkennen lassen.
Bausteine für Quantencomputer
Authors: van Slageren Joris , Schlegel Christoph , Dressel Martin
Published: March 2009

In mehreren molekularen Magneten wurde in jüngster Zeit Quantenkohärenz nachgewiesen. Damit sind diese Moleküle vielversprechende Kandidaten für einen Quantencomputer. Zudem werden sie nun intensiv für ein grundlegendes Verständnis der Quantenmechanik genutzt.
Hochdynamische Prozesse im Röntgenblick
Authors: Hampel Uwe , Fischer Frank
Published: March 2009

Ein ultraschneller Elektronenstrahl‐Tomograph visualisiert strömende Stoffgemische berührungsfrei mit Bildraten von bis zu 7000 Bildern pro Sekunde und einer räumlichen Auflösung von einem Millimeter. Das Gerät kann so Prozesse in Blasensäulenreaktoren sichtbar machen.
Nucleinsäuren mit metallvermittelten Basenpaaren
Authors: Müller Jens
Published: March 2009

Nucleinsäuren, die Träger der Erbinformation, haben sich mittlerweile als Bausteine für die Nanotechnik etabliert. Mit künstlichen, metallvermittelten Basenpaaren ist es möglich, diese Bausteine mit zusätzlichen Funktionalitäten zu versehen.
Uniaxiale Dehnung
Authors: Plog Jan Philip
Published: March 2009

Wie eine viskoelastische Flüssigkeit auf Spannungen durch ein Dehnfeld — im Produktionsprozess oder in Anwendungen — reagiert, lässt sich über die Dehnrheolgie bestimmen. Inzwischen ist dies auch für niedrigviskose Flüssigkeiten möglich.
”Wir sind keine Hasardeure“
Authors: Riemann Achim , Haug Peter , Guiggolz Ernst
Published: March 2009

Investoren haben eine Strategie für übernommene Unternehmen. Sie zerschneiden, kombinieren, restrukturieren, integrieren oder verkaufen. Dabei spielt die Branche kaum eine Rolle. Hauptsache: Es geht schnell und profitabel. Mit Geduld, realistischen Gewinnerwartungen und fachlicher Kompetenz dagegen arbeiten die International Chemical Investors. Über ihr Geschäftsmodell sprachen die Nachrichten aus der Chemie mit den Chemikern Achim Riemann und Peter Haug .
”Weniger im Büro als vor Ort“
Authors: Guggolz Ernst , Zbikowski Frauke
Published: March 2009

Achim Riemann, Geschäftsführer, und Peter Haug, Investmentmanager, kaufen für die International Chemical Investors Group Chemieunternehmen und versuchen, diese langfristig erfolgreich zu machen. Zur Gruppe gehören zur Zeit 14 Unternehmen. Die beiden promovierten Chemiker berichten den Nachrichten aus der Chemie, wie sie zur Investmentbranche kamen und was sie dort heute tun.
Trends in einer Hochleistungsindustrie
Authors: Hübel Marcus , Müller Henning
Published: March 2009

Inmitten von Ölpreisschwankungen und Marktturbulenzen infolge der Finanzkrise bestimmte die Raffinerieindustrie auf dem Accenture Roundtable in Berlin Strategien für die Zukunft. Dabei diskutierten die Teilnehmer knappe Kapazitäten und die Nachfrageverlagerung von Benzin zu Diesel ebenso wie Emissionsauflagen, ein größeres Biokraftstoffangebot und alternative Energiequellen.
Die neue Vielseitigkeit von Boronsäuren
Authors: Graening Timm
Published: March 2009

Einen großen Stellenwert in der Synthesechemie haben Boronsäuren — unter anderem dadurch, dass sie Ausgangsmaterialien der palladiumkatalysierten Suzuki‐Miyaura‐Reaktion sind. Diese Umsetzung hat sich zu einer der wichtigsten Kreuzkupplungsmethoden in der akademischen Forschung und der industriellen Synthese von Spezialchemikalien entwickelt.
Chinesisch‐Deutsches Symposium ”Frontiers of Chemistry“
Authors: Cabrele Chiara , Kickelbick Guido , Parak Wolfgang
Published: March 2009

Die Chinesische Chemische Gesellschaft und die Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemikerorganisierten das zweite Symposium ”Frontiers of Chemistry“ vom 5. bis 11. Oktober 2008 in China.
Transaktionen, bunt gemischt
Authors: Schneider Bernd W.
Published: March 2009

Volumen und Zahl der Übernahmen und Fusionen in der Chemieindustrie nahmen im dritten Quartal dieses Jahres ab. Die Tendenzen im Farben‐ und Lacksegment bestimmt der fragmentierte Markt.
Hochtemperaturchromatographie von Polymeren
Authors: Brüll Robert , Albrecht Andreas
Published: March 2009

Die Zusammensetzungsverteilung einer Polymerprobe lässt sich mit der Wechselwirkungschromatographie oder auch Liquid Adsorption Chromatography, LAC, ermitteln. Neue Methoden erweitern die Anwendbarkeit der LAC auf Temperaturen oberhalb von 100 °C und eignen sich daher für teilkristalline Polyolefine.
Prevalence and mechanism of bladder dysfunction in Guillain–Barré Syndrome
Authors: Sakakibara Ryuji , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Kuwabara Satoshi , Mori Masahiro , Ito Takashi , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Awa Yusuke , Yamaguchi Chiharu , Yuki Nobuhiro , Vernino Steven , Kishi Masahiko , Shirai Kohji
Published: March 2009

Aim

To examine the prevalence and mechanism of urinary dysfunction in GBS.

Methods

Urinary symptoms were observed and neurological examinations made repeatedly during hospitalization of 65 consecutive patients with clinico‐neurophysiologically definite GBS. The patients included 41 men, 24 women; mean age, 41 years old; mean Hughes motor grade, 3; AIDP, 28, AMAN, 37. Urodynamic studies consisted of uroflowmetry, measurement of post‐micturition residuals, medium‐fill water cystometry, and external anal sphincter electromyography.

Results

Urinary dysfunction was observed in 27.7% of GBS cases (urinary retention, 9.2%). Urinary dysfunction was related to the Hughes motor grade (P < 0.05), defecatory dysfunction (P < 0.05), age (P < 0.05), and negatively related to serum IgG class anti‐ganglioside antibody GalNAc‐GD1a (P < 0.05). Urinary dysfunction was more common in AIDP (39%) than in AMAN (19%). No association was found between antibody titer against neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and urinary dysfunction. Urodynamic studies in nine patients, mostly performed within 8 weeks after disease onset, revealed post‐void residual in 3 (mean 195 ml), among those who were able to urinate; decreased bladder sensation in 1; detrusor overactivity in 8; low compliance in 1; underactive detrusor in 7 (both overactive and underactive detrusor in 5); and nonrelaxing sphincter in 2.

Conclusion

In our series of GBS cases, 27.7% of the patients had urinary dysfunction, including urinary retention in 9.2%. Underactive detrusor, overactive detrusor, and to a lesser extent, hyperactive sphincter are the major urodynamic abnormalities. The underlying mechanisms of urinary dysfunction appear to involve both hypo‐ and hyperactive lumbosacral nerves. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:432–437, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gating of the micturition reflex by tonic activation of bladder cold receptors in the cat
Authors: Jiang Chong‐He , Mazières Leonor , Lindström Sivert
Published: March 2009

Aims

To determine whether C afferents can modify the gating of the Aδ micturition reflex in order to identify the neuronal site of interaction of the two afferent systems.

Methods

Adult female cats, anaesthetized with α‐chloralose, had their bladder and urethra catherized through a slit in the proximal urethra. Micturition threshold volume was assessed by cystometry and bladder efferent activity recorded simultaneously. The bladder was filled at a slow rate (1.2–3.5 ml/min) with either body‐warm saline (control) or menthol solution (0.06 mM) or by cold saline (4°C).

Results

Of 14 trial sessions in 5 animals, the threshold volume of the Aδ micturition reflex was consistently reduced by menthol infusions from a control median (md) value of 16.8 to 10.2 ml (P < 0.01). The threshold pressure was also somewhat decreased from md 0.7 to 0.5 kPa (P < 0.05), while the peak pressure or pressure slope did no differ in two situations. Similar results were obtained with slow cold infusions into the bladder (nine sessions in three animals). The threshold volume decreased from md 19.8 to 17.4 ml (P < 0.05). The bladder reflex response to slow menthol or cold infusions had the typical features of an Aδ micturition reflex in that the efferent activity was largely abolished by the bladder Aδ mechanoreceptor unloading.

Conclusions

Gradual tonic activation of bladder cold receptors lowers the threshold volume of the ordinary Aδ micturition, pointing to a segmental spinal mechanism for the gating of the micturition reflex. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:555–560, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nocturnal polyuria and nocturnal arginine vasopressin (AVP): A key factor in the pathophysiology of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: AbdelFatah Diaa , Shaker Hassan , Ismail Mahmoud , Ezzat Mahmoud
Published: March 2009

Aims

To identify the relationship between nocturnal AVP deficiency, nocturnal polyuria (NP), and low urinary osmolality in children suffering of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NE).

Patients and methods

The study included 50 children (28 males and 22 females) with primary monosymptomatic NE and 30 non enuretic children of the same age group (controls). Night samples of blood and urine were obtained for AVP, blood osmolality, and urine osmolality. In addition, volume frequency charts, arousal threshold, and urodynamics were performed for these children.

Results

Twenty eight (56%) of the enuretic children were considered to have NP. Mean AVP level was 44.80 ± 8.19 and 32.49 ± 18.25 pg/ml while mean urine osmolality was 865.07 ± l58.66 mOsm/kg and 700.06 ± 84.42 mOsm/kg in controls and enuretic group respectively. These differences were highly significant. No significant difference was found between the controls and enuretics without NP. On the other hand, nocturnal AVP and urine osmolality were significantly lower in enuretics with NP when compared to both controls and enuretics without NP. Blood osmolality did not reach statistically significant difference between subgroups. Arousal threshold was significantly higher in enuretic children irrespective to NP. The timing for NE episodes were predominantly late in the night in NE children without NP while patients suffering of NE with NP typically experienced multiple incidents each night.

Conclusion

We have shown that low nocturnal AVP and urine osmolality may play a role in the pathophysiology of enuretics with NP. This abnormality doesn't occur as an isolated disease as these children suffer from arousal defect as well. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:506–509, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The profiles and patterns of detrusor overactivity and their association with overactive bladder symptoms in men with benign prostatic enlargement associated with detrusor overactivity
Authors: Shahab Nouval , Seki Narihito , Takahashi Ryosuke , Kajioka Shunichi , Takei Mineo , Yamaguchi Akito , Naito Seiji
Published: March 2009

Aims

To investigate the association of both the urodynamic profiles and patterns of detrusor overactivity (DO) with the severity of the symptoms related to overactive bladder (OAB) in men with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) associated with DO.

Methods

A total of 777 men with symptomatic BPE who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were retrospectively analyzed. All 231 cases of the 317 cases associated with DO were enrolled into the final analysis. The severity of the preoperative symptoms related to OAB were graded based on the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS). The correlation between DO profiles and the severity of OAB related symptoms were analysed using Spearman's correlation test while the association of the DO patterns with the severity of symptoms related OAB were analysed using the Mann Whitney test. Values of P less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

A significant negative correlation was found between the severity of nocturia symptoms and bladder filling volume at the beginning of the first DO. The severity of nocturia symptoms, the amplitude of DO pressure and DOtime were significantly increased with increasing age. The severity of nocturia symptom was significantly higher in single DO in comparison to that in multiple DO.

Conclusions

The significant association of the severity of nocturia symptoms with bladder filling volume at the beginning of the first DO, age and the number of DO pattern was established. The amplitude and duration of DO may affect the severity of the symptoms. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:953–958, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.