bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Typing of XY (male) Genotype from Malignant Neoplastic Tissue by the Amelogenin-based Sex Test
Authors: Vauhkonen H , Hedman M , Vauhkonen M , Sipponen P , Sajantila A
Published: May 2004

DNA profiling of a cancer tissue can be problematic because of genomic instability. Here we have analyzed gastrointestinal cancer specimens from 46 males, of which seven (15%) showed aberrations in determination of gender by the widely used amelogenin test. The X-type amelogenin allele in all cases remained intact. All male tumor samples showing frequent autosomal loss of heterozygosity had a decreased signal of the Y allele from the amelogenin marker. When tested with an alternate set of primers for the amelogenin locus, the Y-type allele showed loss of heterozygosity in the same seven cases. However, when amplified with 15 Y-specific STR primers, all the cancerous tissue Y chromosomes seemed to be intact. These results indicate when malignant neoplastic tissue specimens are used, that amelogenin-based gender determination should be carefully interpreted.
The Extraction and Infrared Identification of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Chappell JS , Meyn AW , Ngim KK
Published: May 2004

The chemical analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in most forensic laboratories is complicated by the highly polar nature of the GHB molecule, which makes it unsuitable for direct analysis by gas chromatography (GC). Consequently, a popular analytical approach is to convert GHB into the corresponding lactone or a derivative compound that is then identified by mass spectrometry employed in conjunction with GC (GC/MS). An alternative approach is presented here where GHB may be isolated as a free acid specie from complex aqueous solutions employing a liquid-liquid extraction technique. This approach can yield a relatively pure residue of GHB that presents an infrared transmission spectrum that is sufficiently distinct for identification purposes. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) is a very popular technique that is available to most crime laboratories. The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of GHB is examined in detail and the uniqueness of the infrared spectrum is discussed.
Accurate STR Allele Designations at the FGA and vWA Loci Despite Primer Site Polymorphisms
Authors: Hendrickson BC , Leclair B , Forrest S , Ryan J , Ward BE , Petersen D , Kupferschmid TD , Scholl T
Published: May 2004

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based STR DNA typing systems are used extensively in the field of human identification. Under optimal PCR conditions, the amplicon yield from both alleles of an STR locus is expected to be approximately equivalent. However, it is reasonable to expect that rare genomic sequence polymorphisms will co-localize with well-designed primer sets and induce allele imbalance or “dropouts”. Two samples were identified in the course of genotyping thousands of individuals with AmpF/STRR® Profiler Plus™ that showed strong disparity in amplitude peak height of heterozygous peaks at the loci vWA and FGA. These samples were reamplified at reduced annealing temperature in an attempt to balance the peak heights. Nucleotide sequencing documented polymorphisms at the PCR primer binding sites of the affected alleles. The results indicate that reducing the annealing temperature to improve primer-binding efficiency at the mismatch and employing an alternative multiplex enhanced the data from both samples. Reducing annealing temperatures could provide a simple general solution to improving data quality for samples where polymorphisms are suspected to cause allele imbalance. Finally, we report on additional polymorphisms surrounding the vWA locus in a genetically diverse population.
Relationships Between the Deinstitutionalization of Healthcare for Patients with Mental Disorder, Substance Abuse, and Isolated Death
Authors: Thiblin IB , Fugelstad AB , Leifman AG , Romelsjö AP , Agren GS , Sorimachi Y
Published: May 2004

Isolated death (ID) (i.e., dying alone without anyone noticing for several days) has been suggested to be related to social isolation, mental disorder, and alcohol and/or drug abuse. A major transfer of patients with a mental disorder and/or alcohol and/or drug abuse from institutionalized care to treatment as outpatients has been enacted in Sweden during the past decade. On the basis of the assumption that such deinstitutionalization is likely to result in increased social isolation, our working hypothesis was that the incidence of ID among patients belonging to these categories has increased in Sweden. The present study involved all deaths subjected to a medicolegal examination in Stockholm County (with a population of approximately 1.9 million people) during the period 1992–2000. The pattern of ID (defined as cases involving a postmortem delay between death and discovery of at least 1 week), as well as the incidence of fatalities subjected to medicolegal examination with a record of mental disorder and/or alcohol and/or drug abuse was evaluated. Throughout this period, the proportion of the deceased with a record of a mental disorder was high among all the cases examined and higher still among the cases of ID, especially among those younger than 65 years of age. There was a rather limited increase in the incidence of ID and a much more pronounced increase in the number of former psychiatric patients whose deaths were subjected to medicolegal examination, but did not satisfy the criteria for ID. A record of alcohol and/or drug abuse was more common than a diagnosis of mental disorder among both the males and females who died at an age of less than 65, with a clear difference between the cases of ID and non-ID in the case of men. There was no significant increase in incidence over the course of this study. Thus, this study reveals a slight increase in the number of IDs and a more pronounced increase in the number of medicolegal examination of non-IDs of individuals with a record of a mental disorder.
Methadone-Related Deaths in Palm Beach County
Authors: Wolf BC , Lavezzi WA , Sullivan LM , Flannagan LM
Published: May 2004

The authors reviewed cases investigated by the Palm Beach Medical Examiner's Office in which postmortem toxicologic studies indicated the presence of methadone over the period from 1998 to 2002, to examine the role of the drug in these deaths. There were 139 methadonepositive cases, including 75 in which the death was attributed to combined drug toxicity and 23 to methadone toxicity alone. Methadone was most frequently used in conjunction with other prescription or illicit drugs, most commonly benzodiazepines and/or cocaine. Therewas considerable overlap in the postmortem blood methadone concentrations among the groups. Concentrations ranged from 0.114 mg/L–1.939 mg/L (mean .0559 mg/L) in cases where death was attributed to methadone toxicity; 0.050 mg/L–1.903 mg/L (mean 0.411 mg/L) in cases of combined drug toxicity; 0.069 mg/L–0.644 mg/L (mean 0.224 mg/L) in deaths attributed to other drugs; 0.062 mg/L–1.090 mg/L (mean 0.344 mg/L) among deaths attributed to natural causes and 0.072 mg/L–2.7 mg/L (mean 0.605 mg/L) among deaths due to trauma. The concentrations of methadone detected indicate that it may not be possible to establish a lethal methadone range because some deaths occurred at methadone concentrations below previously reported lethal ranges, and because of the presence of other drugs. Determining the cause of death in methadone-positive cases necessitates correlation with autopsy results and investigative findings.
STR Typing of Human DNA from Fly Larvae Fed on Decomposing Bodies
Authors: Zehner R , Amendt J , Krettek R
Published: May 2004

In homicides with entomological evidence, it may be important to prove the presumed association of fly larvae to a corpse, especially if it is in doubt whether all maggots used for entomological expertise developed and fed on it. The present study demonstrates for the first time the possibility of analyzing human microsatellite DNA present in the digestive tract of necrophagous larvae that fed on decomposed bodies with a postmortem interval up to four months. The obtained human STR profiles support the association of a maggot to a specific corpse. In addition, the identification of the host species (e.g., animal source like pig) can be achieved by analysis of the cytochrome b gene.

Maggots were collected from 13 corpses after various postmortem intervals and STR typing and HVR amplifications were performed using their crop contents. In seven cases, a complete STR profile was established, in two cases, an incomplete set of alleles was obtained, and in four cases, STR typing was not successful. HVR analysis was successful in all cases except one. The time of storage of the maggots and the length of the postmortem interval up to 16 weeks appeared to have no particular influence on the quality of the results.
Mitochondrial DNA and STR Analyses of Maggot Crop Contents: Effect of Specimen Preservation Technique
Authors: Linville JG , Hayes J , Wells JD
Published: May 2004

DNA analysis of maggot crop contents can be used to identify a missing body or aid entomologists with interpreting evidence used for PMI estimations. Entomological evidence is often collected and preserved to keep identifiable external features intact. The preservation methods currently in use may not be suitable for preserving DNA in the maggot crop for later analysis. In this study, carrion maggots raised on human tissue were preserved under the following 8 preservation conditions: no fluid at -70°C, no fluid at 4°C, no fluid at 24°C, 70% ethanol at 4°C, 70% ethanol at 24°C, 95% ethanol at 24°C, Kahle's solution at 24°C and formaldehyde at 24°C. Maggots were dissected following 2 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months of preservation. The maggot crops were extracted, human DNA was quantitated, and an attempt was made at amplifying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Both mtDNA and STRs were successfully amplified from maggots stored in ethanol or without any preservation fluid. Formalin-containing preservation solutions reduced the recovery of DNA. The best results were observed from maggots stored without any preservation fluid at -70°C.
Unusual Association of Three Rare Alleles and a Mismatch in a Case of Paternity Testing
Authors: Turchi C , Pesaresi N , Alessandrini F , Onofri V , Arseni A , Tagliabracci A
Published: May 2004

This study reports a paternity case analyzed by the AmpℓSTR Identifiler Kit (AB) in which father and daughter shared three rare alleles for D19S433, D18S51 and TH01 microsatellites. The case also showed an apparent exclusion, due to a mutation at the D3S1358 microsatellite. Sequencing analysis was performed to assess the size of the rare alleles and to establish their structure, which revealed some molecular variations in regions flanking the motif repeats.
Application of Spectral Libraries for Characterization of Oxidizers in Post-Blast Residues by Electrospray Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gapeev A , Yinon J
Published: May 2004

The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that electrospray mass spectrometry when used with spectral libraries becomes a useful method for rapid identification of inorganic oxidizers commonly present in commercial and improvised explosives.

Electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) of oxidizers reveal a series of characteristic cluster ions. Such a set of cluster ions can be regarded as a “fingerprint” of a particular oxidizer. With the aid of a spectral library, tentative identification of inorganic oxidizer becomes automated and an easy-to-implement process. The oxidizer identity may be further confirmed by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Because it is not necessary to separate the components before analysis, results become available in real time. Little sample consumption and the ease of sample preparation should also be noted. The methodology can be readily employed on various ESI-MS systems that are already in use in analytical laboratories. This is another important benefit as the ESI-MS instrumentation is becoming increasingly common in forensic laboratories.
Dr. Walter C. McCrone's Contribution to the Characterization and Identification of Explosives
Authors: Hopen TJ
Published: May 2004

Dr. McCrone was an amazing individual, possessing many talents and having many interests. He especially loved applying polarized light microscopy (PLM) to answering the question-at-hand and solving problems.He appliedPLMto many different fields including the identification of air pollution particles, asbestos identification, art conservation, pharmaceuticals, industry problems and forensic sciences. A field that I believe he enjoyed the most was the characterization and identification of explosives. Throughout his life he worked on, gave presentations and published articles on the characterization and identification of explosives. Also, he encouraged other scientists to give presentations and publish on the subject by providing “behind the scene” advice and/or be a co-author on a paper. He unselfishly taught others how to apply PLM and incorporate this invaluable tool into their analytical scheme.
Metal Content in River Suspended Particulate Matter: Data on Po River
Authors: Blo Gabriella , Conato Chiara , Contado Catia , Fagioli Francesco , Vaccaro Carmela , Dondi Francesco
Published: May 2004

The present study summarizes the last ten years of literature on heavy metal distribution in Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and dissolved phase in the Po River (Italy). The work compares different methodologies employed to collect, concentrate and fractionate the samples. The importance of metal speciation as a function of particle size is underlined and two approaches to metal speciation in the colloidal fraction of Po River SPM are presented: Sedimentation Field‐Flow Fractionation (SdFFF) and pH‐dependent extractions. Finally, emphasis is placed on the need for comparison with a reference “natural background level” of the metal load in Po River particulate matter in order to determine the real human contribution to river pollution. The high values of some trace transition elements, such as Cr and Ni, have been compared with clay sediments around Ferrara and with bricks in historic buildings. The highly comparable natural concentration of these metals in Po fine sedimentary rocks and in historic brick buildings of Ferrara (XII‐XVI centuries) can provide information on natural geochemical anomalies.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Aluminium and Nickel
Authors: Carpani Irene , Scavetta Erika , Tonelli Domenica
Published: May 2004

A simple spectrophotometric method, based on the complexes with xylenol orange (XO) and EDTA, is presented for the rapid determination of aluminium and nickel, respectively, in synthetic samples of hydrotalcite. The method only requires the solubilization in sulphuric acid of the inorganic material before the ligand addition. Under optimum conditions, the complexes Al‐XO and Ni‐EDTA showed maximum absorption at 554 nm and 380 nm, respectively. The method obeyed Beer's law in the concentration range 0.14‐1.8 μg mL‐1 of aluminium, and 30‐2730 μg mL‐1 of nickel. Molar absorptivities were 2.45×104 and 14.85 L mol‐1 cm‐1 while Sandell s sensitivities were 1.1×10‐3 and 3.9 μg cm‐1 for aluminium and nickel, respectively. The standard addition technique was used and the recoveries obtained revealed that the proposed procedure shows good accuracy.
Chromium Speciation by Surfactant Assisted Solid‐Phase Extraction and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Detection
Authors: Saber Tehrani Mohammad , Afshar Ebrahimi Arash , Rastegar Faramarz
Published: May 2004

A new procedure has been developed for chromium speciation in aqueous solution by the use of micellar, ion‐association, solid‐phase extraction techniques (SPE) followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method was based on the use of C‐18 bonded phase silica SPE disks for retention of ion‐associated Cr(VI) with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), elution of the retained species and subsequent detection by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Cr(III) was oxidized by potassium persulfate to Cr(VI), then the total chromium was retained on the disk and determined by FAAS. The amount of Cr(III) was calculated by the difference between the total and Cr(VI) values. The calculated limit of detections (LOD) (based on 3σ) are 15 μg L‐1 and 20 μg L‐1 for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) respectively. No considerable interferences have been observed from other investigated anions and cations and the method has been successfully applied to water samples taken from the Karoon River in Khuzestan province.
Progressive age‐related development of Alzheimer‐like pathology in APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Trinchese Fabrizio , Liu Shumin , Battaglia Fortunato , Walter Sean , Mathews Paul M. , Arancio Ottavio
Published: May 2004

Increasing evidence points to synaptic plasticity impairment as one of the first events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, studies on synaptic dysfunction in different transgenic AD models that overexpress familial AD mutant forms of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or presenilin (PS) have provided conflicting results. Both long‐term potentiation (LTP) and basal synaptic transmission (BST) have been found to be both unchanged and altered in different models and under differing experimental conditions. Because of their more robust amyloid‐β (Aβ) deposition, double transgenic mice currently are used by several laboratories as an AD model. Here, we report that mice overexpressing APP (K670N:M671L) together with PS1 (M146L) have abnormal LTP as early as 3 months of age. Interestingly, reduced LTP paralleled plaque appearance and increased Aβ levels and abnormal short‐term memory (working memory). BST and long‐term memory (reference memory) are impaired only later (approximately 6 months) as amyloid burden increases. Aβ pathology across different ages did not correlate with synaptic and cognitive deficits, suggesting that Aβ levels are not a marker of memory decline. In contrast, progression of LTP impairment correlated with the deterioration of working memory, suggesting that percentage of potentiation might be an indicator of the cognitive decline and disease progression in the APP/PS1 mice. Ann Neurol 2004;55:801–814
Somatic mosaicism in FSHD often goes undetected
Authors: Lemmers Richard J. L. F. , van der Wielen Michiel J. R. , Bakker Egbert , Padberg George W. , Frants Rune R. , van der Maarel Silvère M.
Published: May 2004

Autosomal dominant facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD1A) is associated with contractions of the polymorphic D4Z4 repeat array on chromosome 4qter. The disease has a high frequency of new mutations of mitotic origin. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis–based studies show that mitotic mutations leading to somatic mosaicism occur equally frequently in patients and parents. Nevertheless, somatic mosaicism in FSHD is mainly reported in asymptomatic parents by applying standard Southern analysis after linear gel electrophoresis. Explaining this apparent discrepancy, we here demonstrate that somatic mosaicism in FSHD patients goes largely undetected using the standard diagnostic technique, indicating that linear electrophoresis is unsuitable to identify mosaic patients. As a consequence, the phenotype of mosaic patient's offspring will be underestimated, whereas the recurrence risk in the symptomatic mosaic individuals will be overestimated. Moreover, somatic mosaicism may partly explain the observation of anticipation in de novo kindreds. Therefore, clinicians should always consider pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis analysis in de novo FSHD families, in particular when the patient's phenotype is much milder than expected based on D4Z4 length proper.
Molecular chaperones affect GTP cyclohydrolase I mutations in dopa‐responsive dystonia
Authors: Hwu Wuh‐Liang , Lu Mei‐Yi , Hwa Kuo‐Yuan , Fan Shu‐Wen , Lee Yu‐May
Published: May 2004

Unstable GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH) mutations in dopa‐responsive dystonia (DRD) can exert a dominant‐negative effect in the HeLa cell model, but in a batch of cells this effect could not be shown. Through differential display, we found a higher Hsc70 expression in the non–dominant‐negative cells. We further demonstrated that ectopic expression of Hsp40/Hsp70 stabilized the GCH mutant G201E. Moreover, Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin destroyed the wild‐type GCH level, and heat shock increased the synthesis of GCH protein. Therefore, the dominant‐negative effect produced by unstable proteins would be susceptible to the status of molecular chaperones, which could be the modifying genes and therapeutic targets for DRD and other genetic diseases. Ann Neurol 2004;55:875–878
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood or familial hemiplegic migraine?: A novel ATP1A2 mutation
Authors: Swoboda Kathryn J. , Kanavakis Emmanuel , Xaidara Athina , Johnson Justine E. , Leppert Mark F. , Schlesinger‐Massart Mylynda B. , Ptacek Louis J. , Silver Kenneth , Youroukos Sotiris
Published: May 2004

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is typically distinguished from familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) by infantile onset of the characteristic symptoms and high prevalence of associated neurological deficits that become increasingly obvious with age. Expansion of the clinical spectrum in FHM recently has begun to blur the distinction between these disorders. We report a novel ATP1A2 mutation in a kindred with features that bridge the phenotypic spectrum between AHC and FHM syndromes, supporting a possible common pathogenesis in a subset of such cases. Mutation analysis in classic sporadic AHC patients and in an additional five kindreds in which linkage to the ATP1A2 locus could not be excluded failed to identify additional mutations. Ann Neurol 2004;55:884–887
Alzheimer: Positive Effekte von Fisch‐Verzehr und Lernen
Authors: Kriesten Klaus
Published: May 2004

Sowohl der Verzehr der insbesondere in Fisch enthaltenen Docosahexaensäure (DHA), als auch geistige Aktivität bis ins hohe Alter scheinen einen gewissen Schutz vor der Alzheimer‐Demenz zu bieten.
Die gründliche Vorbereitung, Teil 1
Authors: Debus‐Spangenberg Isolde
Published: May 2004

Die Medienwissenschaftlerin und Karriereberaterin Isolde Debus‐Spangenberg gibt in BIUZ Tipps zu Jobsuche und Bewerbung. Den Anfang machten zehn allgemeine Karriere‐Tipps in Heft 2/2004, in dieser Ausgabe folgen konkrete Ratschläge, wo überhaupt interessante Stellenangebote für Biologen zu finden sind.
Changes in bone architecture in the femoral head and neck in osteoarthritis
Authors: Neilson Matthew , White Andrew , Malik Uzma , Morrison Elaine , McGill Paul E. , McDonald Stuart W.
Published: May 2004

This study analyses changes in the bony architecture of the femoral head and neck in osteoarthritis. Five osteoarthritic hips were obtained from female patients undergoing total hip replacement and were compared to non‐arthritic control specimens from the dissecting room. Analysis was carried out on a coronal bony slice of the femoral head and on a transverse section of the upper femoral neck. The results indicated that in the region of the compressive trabeculae the intertrabecular areas were generally smaller in the osteoarthritic specimens and that the inferior part of the cortex of the femoral neck had thickened. Our data thus quantified changes consistent with the thickening of compressive trabeculae reported by others and with thickening of the region of the femoral neck on which they converge. We found less trabecular bone in non‐weight‐bearing regions of the lower femoral head and in the medulla of the upper neck in the osteoarthritic specimens consistent with loss of tensile trabeculae. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that bone resorption activity was higher in the subchondral and non‐weight‐bearing regions of the osteoarthritic femoral heads than in the controls. Clin. Anat. 17:378–391, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface anatomy of the inferior epigastric artery in relation to laparoscopic injury
Authors: Epstein J. , Arora A. , Ellis H.
Published: May 2004

The inferior epigastric artery (IEA) is at risk of injury in laparoscopic surgery. Current descriptions of the course of the IEA do not provide surface landmarks useful to the surgeon. This study aimed to define surface relations and propose guidelines for safer trocar placement. The posterior surfaces of the anterior abdominal walls of 30 preserved cadavers were dissected. The surface anatomy of 60 IEAs and their branches were defined. At the level of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), the IEA is 38% ± 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]) from the midline to the ASIS. At the mid‐inguinal point the relation is 40% ± 17% and at the umbilicus 40% ± 22%. The pattern of branches is highly variable. Although giving guidelines for trocar insertion can be treacherous, we found the following to be of value: 1) the midline is avascular; 2) the main stem of the IEA will be avoided if trocars are inserted more than two‐thirds of the distance along a horizontal line between the midline and the ASIS; and 3) IEA branches are least frequently found in the lowest part of the abdomen lateral to the artery. Clin. Anat. 17:400–408, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topographic approach to the study of the human body
Authors: Burykh Michael P.
Published: May 2004

Recent developments in medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been explosive. These modalities provide 3D information about the human body and assess tissue damage in various pathological conditions. To complement the diagnostic usefulness of these imaging techniques, we have designed a system of topographic coordinates based on the principles of global projection cartography in which lines of latitude and longitudes are assigned to the surface of the human body. We designated the median sagittal plane as corresponding to the Greenwich Meridian (zero longitude) in global cartography. From the median sagittal plane (M0), vertical lines of longitude or “great circles” divide the body into 12 zones that are 30° apart. Parallel lines of latitude are assigned according to surface anatomy landmarks. Studying the 3D reconstruction of anatomical structures is important for: 1) devising a system of coordinates; 2) allowing biomedical measurements to be made; and 3) drawing maps that may be useful in some clinical procedures (e.g., biopsies). Clin. Anat. 17:423–428, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple arterial variations in the upper limb of a south indian female cadaver
Authors: Kumar M.R.
Published: May 2004

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Clinical Anatomy 17:233–236Clinical Anatomy(2004) 17(3) 233–236
Selective Formation of AAB‐ and ABC‐Type Heterotrimeric α‐Helical Coiled Coils
Authors: Kiyokawa Tomohiro , Kanaori Kenji , Tajima Kunihiko , Kawaguchi Masataka , Mizuno Toshihisa , Oku Jun‐ichi , Tanaka Toshiki
Published: May 2004

The α‐helical coiled coils have a representative amino acid sequence of (abcdefg)n heptad repeats. We previously reported that two peptides named IZ‐2A and IZ‐2W formed an (IZ‐2A)2/IZ‐2W heterotrimer with an Ala–Ala–Trp interaction in the hydrophobic core. In this paper, we describe the selective formation of AAB‐ and ABC‐type heterotrimers. To increase the selectivity of the AAB‐type heterotrimeric formation, Lys residues at the f position were mutated to either an Ala or a Gln residue to form IZ‐2A(fA) or IZ‐2W(fQ). Separately, both IZ‐2A(fA) and IZ‐2W(fQ) have a random structure at pH 7 and 20 °C. However, together IZ‐2A(fA) and IZ‐2W(fQ) form a 2:1 complex with a thermal transition midpoint (Tm) of 48 °C. This procedure was applied to prepare the ABC‐type heterotrimer, in which two sets of Ala–Ala–Trp interactions were designed in the hydrophobic core. Interhelical interaction between the e and g positions and the α‐helical propensity of the amino acid at the f position were also considered in the design. The resultant three peptides selectively formed the ABC‐type heterotrimer with a Tm of 51 °C. Other peptide combinations had random coil properties.
Simulation des Abbaus ozeanischer Gashydrate
Authors: Schultz H. J. , Fahlenkamp H. , Deerberg G.
Published: May 2004

No abstracts.
Einsatz sorptiver Trägermaterialien in Biofiltern zur Nitrifikation
Authors: Rother Elmar , Cornel Peter
Published: May 2004

No abstracts.
Packungseinbauten – Neue Anwendungen bei Reaktivdestillationen und in Reaktoren
Authors: Miller C. , Kaibel G. , Benfer R.
Published: May 2004

No abstracts.
Reaktorkonzepte zur autothermen Führung endothermer Hochtemperaturreaktionen
Authors: Gritsch A. , Kolios G. , Eigenberger G.
Published: May 2004

No abstracts.
Prozessführung und Optimierung von Polymerisationsprozessen
Authors: Dünnebier G. , van Hessem D. , Kadam J. , Klatt K.‐U. , Schlegel M.
Published: May 2004

No abstracts.
Distribution of the neuropeptide FF1 receptor (hFF1) in the human hypothalamus and surrounding basal forebrain structures: Immunohistochemical study
Authors: Goncharuk Valeri , Zeng Zhizhen , Wang Ruiping , MacTavish David , Jhamandas Jack H.
Published: May 2004

Neuropeptides with C‐terminal RFamide and their receptors NPFF1 (FF1) and NPFF2 (FF2) have been implicated in a wide variety of functions, including nociception and autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation. Recent studies indicate that the FF1, but not FF2, mRNA is highly expressed in the human hypothalamus. In the present study, localization of FF1 in the human hypothalamus and surrounding regions was studied immunohistochemically by using an antibody against human FF1 (hFF1). Brain sections from healthy 30–50‐year‐old individuals were used for hFF1 immunohistochemistry. The highest density of hFF1‐stained cells was found in the posterior division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and in the zona incerta. A moderate density of cells was observed in the perifornical nucleus, infundibular nucleus, tuberomammillary nucleus, and lateral tuberal nucleus. A lesser density was revealed in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, basal nucleus of Meynert, and anterior amygdaloid area. Only scattered hFF1 cells were found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. hFF1 cells and fibers were absent in the supraoptic and mammillary nuclei. Single and double strands of hFF1‐immunopositive punctate varicosities marked cellular processes of different caliber. The density of hFF1‐immunostained fiber networks did not always coincide with that of hFF1‐immunostained cells. hFF1 immunoreactivity was also found in the wall of blood vessels within most brain areas studied. Localization of hFF1 in discrete regions of the hypothalamus and extended amygdala may provide important insights into the role of amidated neuropeptides in central autonomic and neuroendocrine control in the human brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 474:487–503, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression pattern and steroid hormone sensitivity of SNAP‐25 and synaptoporin mRNA in the telencephalic song control nucleus HVC of the zebra finch
Authors: Voigt Cornelia , Metzdorf Reinhold , Gahr Manfred
Published: May 2004

Gonadal steroid hormones play an important role in the process of sexual differentiation of brain areas and behavior such as singing and song learning in songbirds. These hormones affect behavior controlling circuits on both the gross morphological and ultrastructural levels. Here we study whether the expression of genes coding for synaptic proteins is sensitive to gonadal steroid hormones and whether such altered expression coincides with changes in brain area size. We treated adult male zebra finches with the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole, to reduce estrogen synthesis and analyzed the mRNA expression of the synaptic proteins synaptoporin (SPO) and synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 kDa (SNAP‐25) in song control areas and surrounding tissues of adult male zebra finches. SPO and SNAP‐25 are differently expressed throughout the song system. Generally, the telencephalic song nuclei expressed SNAP‐25 at high intensity whereas SPO expression was area‐specific. Elevated levels of SNAP‐25 mRNA were present in the nucleus hyperstriatalis ventrale pars caudale (HVC) and in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). SPO mRNA was found in moderate levels in the HVC, in low levels in the lateral nucleus magnocellularis (lMAN) and Area X, and was absent in the RA. The treatment significantly increased the mRNA level of SPO in the HVC, whereas SNAP‐25 expression level was not affected. These expression patterns are not explained by the decrease of HVC volume after treatment. The decreased HVC size is not area‐specific but correlates with an overall reduction in size and an overall increase in cell density of the forebrain. J. Comp. Neurol. 475:83–94, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pretectal and tectal afferents to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the turtle: An electron microscopic axon tracing and γ‐aminobutyric acid immunocytochemical study
Authors: Kenigfest Natalia , Rio Jean‐Paul , Belekhova Margarita , Repérant Jacques , Vesselkin Nikolai , Ward Roger
Published: May 2004

The pretectal and tectal projections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (GLd) of two species of turtle (Emys orbicularisandTestudo horsfieldi) were examined under the electron microscope by using axonal tracing techniques (horseradish peroxidase or biotinylated dextran amine) and postembedding γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunocytochemistry. After injection of tracer into the pretectum, two types of axon terminals were identified as those of pretectogeniculate pathways. Both contained pleomorphic synaptic vesicles and were more numerous in the inner part of the nucleus. They could be distinguished on the bases of size and shape of their synaptic vesicles, type of synaptic contact, and level of GABA immunoreactivity. One type had a higher density of immunolabeling and established symmetric synaptic contacts, whereas the other, less densely immunolabeled, made asymmetric synaptic contacts. In both cases, synaptic contacts were mainly with relay cells and occasionally with interneurons. We suggest that these two types of pretectogeniculate terminals originate in two separate pretectal nuclei. After injection of tracer into the optic tectum, a single population of GABA‐immunonegative tracer‐labeled terminals was identified as belonging to the tectogeniculate pathway. These were small, had smooth contours, contained very small round synaptic vesicles, and established asymmetric synaptic contacts with long active zones, predominantly with relay cells and less frequently with interneurons, in the inner part of the nucleus. In addition, a population of GABA‐negative and occasionally GABA‐positive terminals, labeled by tracer injected into either the pretectum or the tectum, was identified as retinal terminals; these were presumably labeled by the retrograde transport of tracer in collateral branches of visual fibers innervating both the GLd and the pretectum or tectum. Comparison of the present ultrastructural findings in turtles with those previously reported in mammals shows that the cytological features, synaptic morphology, and immunochemical properties of the pretectogeniculate and tectogeniculate terminals of both groups share many similarities. Nevertheless, the postsynaptic targets of these two categories of terminals display some pronounced differences between the two groups, which are discussed in terms of their possible functional significance. J. Comp. Neurol. 475:107–127, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐related changes in the expression of axonal and glial group I metabotropic glutamate receptor in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata
Authors: Hubert George Walton , Smith Yoland
Published: May 2004

Neuronal systems undergo many significant changes during the course of brain development. To characterize the developmental changes in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) associated with the expression of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), we used the immunoperoxidase and immunogold methods at the electron microscope level to determine whether the subcellular and subsynaptic patterns of distribution of mGluR1a and mGluR5 differ between young (P14–P18) and adult (>2 months) rats. The SNr of young rats contained a significantly higher density of labeled unmyelinated axons for both receptor subtypes. In addition, mGluR5‐immunoreactive glial processes were very abundant in young rats but absent in the adults. On the other hand, the relative proportion of immunoreactive dendrites was the same for both age groups. Analysis of immunogold‐labeled rat SNr revealed similar proportions of plasma membrane‐bound mGluR1a and mGluR5 in adult (59.8 and 19.4%, respectively) and young (60.6 and 18.4%, respectively) rats. The pattern of subsynaptic localization of mGluR1a also remained the same between young and adults. However, the proportion of extrasynaptic mGluR5 decreased, whereas proportions of gold particles associated with symmetric synapses increased in adults. The results of this study demonstrate significant differences in the expression of group I mGluRs in the SNr of young and adult rats. These findings support a role for group I mGluRs during development and emphasize the importance of using brain tissue from age‐matched subjects when attempting to correlate functional data from young rat brain slices with immunocytochemical localization of group I mGluRs. J. Comp. Neurol. 475:95–106, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nestin promoter/enhancer directs transgene expression to precursors of adult generated periglomerular neurons
Authors: Beech Robert D. , Cleary Muriel A. , Treloar Helen B. , Eisch Amelia J. , Harrist Alexia V. , Zhong Weimin , Greer Charles A. , Duman Ronald S. , Picciotto Marina R.
Published: May 2004

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a major neurogenic region in the adult brain. Cells from the SVZ give rise to two populations of olfactory bulb interneurons: the granule cells and periglomerular (PG) cells. Currently, little is known about the signaling pathways that direct these newly generated neurons to become either granule or PG neurons. In the present study, we used the nestin promoter and enhancer to direct expression of the tetracycline transactivator (tTA). We generated two independent strains of nestin‐tTA transgenic animals and crossed founder mice from both lines to mice containing a tetracycline‐regulated transgene (mCREB) whose expression served as a marker for the activity of the nestin‐tTA transgene. mCREB expression occurred in a subset of proliferating cells in the SVZ and rostral migratory stream in both lines. Surprisingly, in both lines of nestin‐tTA mice transgene expression in the olfactory bulb was limited to PG neurons and was absent from granule cells, suggesting that this nestin promoter construct differentiates between the two interneuronal populations. Transgene expression occurred in several subtypes of PG neurons, including those expressing calretinin, calbindin, GAD67, and tyrosine hydroxylase. These results suggest that a unique subset of SVZ precursor cells gives rise to PG, and not granule cells. The ability to express different transgenes within this subpopulation of neuronal precursors provides a powerful system to define the signals regulating the differentiation and survival of adult‐generated neurons in the olfactory bulb. J. Comp. Neurol. 475:128–141, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidation of N‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐N′‐hydroxyguanidine to N‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)urea and Nitric Oxide by Photoexcited Iron Porphyrins
Authors: Maldotti Andrea , Molinari Alessandra , Vitali Irene , Ganzaroli Elena , Battioni Pierrette , Mathieu Delphine , Mansuy Daniel
Published: May 2004

Photochemical excitation (λ > 350 nm) of chloro[meso‐tetrakis(2,6‐dichlorophenyl)porphyrin]iron(III) [FeIII(TDCPP)Cl] and chloro[meso‐tetra(α,α,α,α‐pivalamidophenyl)porphyrin]iron(III) [FeIII(TpivPP)Cl] induces the oxidation of coordinated N‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐N′‐hydroxyguanidine (1) by molecular oxygen, to give iminoxyl radicals and the FeII(O2) [or FeIII(O2·)] adduct. This complex can be accumulated in significant amounts using [FeIII(TpivPP)Cl]. The primary photoproducts give rise to secondary reactions that lead to the formation of N‐(4‐chlorophenyl)urea (2) as the main end‐product of 1. The conversion of 1 into 2 is accompanied by the formation of NO, as revealed both by an ESR spin‐trapping technique and in the form of its stable end‐products NO2− and NO3−. The presence of 1‐methyl imidazole (1‐MeIm) coordinated in axial position has a significant positive effect on the photoinduced production of 2 and NO from the hydroxyguanidine 1. The observation that radical scavengers inhibit the photooxidation process strongly supports the possibility that the reaction pathway resembles a radical‐type autoxidation mechanism, where the very fast reaction of O2 with the ferrous porphyrin in the presence of the photogenerated iminoxyl radical should yield an iron‐peroxo intermediate as precursor of the urea 2 and NO. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Lead Adsorption on a Soil: A Polarographic Study
Authors: Trancoso M. A. , Dos Santos M. M. Correia , Gonçalves M. L. Simões
Published: May 2004

The adsorption of lead by a non‐contaminated loamy sand soil (Guarda, Portugal) was studied by voltammetric titrations using differential pulse polarography for pH values of 6.0, 6.8 and 7.2 and I of 0.5, 0.1 and 0.01 mol L−1. After lead or soil additions, residual lead in solution was measured in the presence of the soil particles after an equilibration period, thus with minimum sample manipulation. The characteristics of the surface groups were studied by acid base potentiometric titrations. Lead retention by the soil is influenced both by pH and ionic strength of the medium. From the voltammetric data surface constants and total available binding groups have been estimated according to a complex surface model for the different experimental conditions and the results interpreted in terms of the surface characteristics of the soil and the support medium. Surface binding capacities in the range 1 to 70 mmol Pb kg−1 were found depending on the pH and the ionic strength. The behavior found is in agreement with what is known in soil chemistry thus supporting the conclusion that voltammetric methods are quite appropriate for determining the extent of interaction between metal ions and soils.
Application of Electrochemiluminescence Sensor to a Rapid Method of Estimating Activity of Enzyme in Hydrolysis of Peptides
Authors: Jinshun Piao , Mitoma Yoshiharu , Uda Taizo , Hifumi Emi , Shimizu Kousuke , Egashira Naoyoshi
Published: May 2004

An advanced flow‐through electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector was applied to determination of resulting amino acids and oligopeptides in hydrolysis of four peptides by leucine aminopeptidase. For 20mer polypeptide PRGPDRPEGIEEEGGERDRD, the ECL intensity due to the polypeptide and produced proline was analyzed to give the dissociation contant Km (1.2×10−4 M) and the catalytic reaction constant kcat (3.7 s−1), which were good agreement with those obtained by HPLC. The enzymatic parameters were similarly obtained for the other peptides.
Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cobalt and Nickel as Their α‐Furil Dioxime Complexes
Authors: Bobrowski Andrzej
Published: May 2004

The exploitation of the catalytic‐adsorptive effect in the Co(II)‐dioxime‐nitrite systems provides a significant increase of the Co adsorptive stripping voltammetric response and subsequently the influence of the interfering elements such as Ni and Zn is strongly diminished. The purpose of the present paper was to study voltammetric properties of Co and Ni in a supporting electrolyte containing ammonia buffer, α‐furil dioxime in the absence and in the presence of nitrite, by differential pulse polarography and adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Results of detailed studies aimed at optimizing the analytical parameters for simultaneous catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of Co and Ni in the form of complexes with α‐furil dioxime in the presence of Zn matrix are presented. In the supporting electrolyte of composition 0.1 M NH4Cl, 0.5 M NH3, 4×10−5 M αFD, 0.5 M NaNO2 the linearity range amounts from 0.03 to 2.4 μg/L for Co and from 0.3 to 9 μg/L for Ni for 20 s of accumulation. The method enables the determination of Co and Ni in the presence of a great excess of Zn with the detection limit equal to 0.02 μg/L Co and 0.2 μg/L Ni obtained for a 20 s accumulation time.
Syntheses, characterizations, and crystal structures of organotin(IV) chloride complexes with 4,4′‐bipyridine
Authors: Ma Chunlin , Zhang Junhong , Zhang Rufen
Published: May 2004

The organotin(IV) chlorides RnSnCl4−n (n = 3, R = Ph, PhCH2, n−Bu; and n =2, R = n−Bu, Ph, PhCH2) react with 4,4′‐bipyridine (4′4‐bpy) to give [(Ph3SnCl)2(4,4′‐bpy)1.5(C6H6)0.5] (1), [(PhCH2)3‐ SnCl]2 (4,4′‐bpy) (2), [(n−Bu)3SnCl]2(4,4′‐bpy) (3), [(n−Bu)2SnCl2(4,4′‐bpy)] (4), [Ph2SnCl2(4,4′‐bpy)] (5), and [(PhCH2)2SnCl2(4,4′‐bpy)] (6). The new complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. The structures of (1), (2), (4), and (6) have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. Crystal structures of (1) and (2) show that the coordination number of tin is five. In complex (1), two different molecules exist: one is a binuclear molecule bridged by 4,4′‐bpy and another is a mononuclear one, only one N of 4,4′‐bpy coordinate to tin. Complex (2) contains an infinite 1‐D polymeric binuclear chain by weak Sn…Cl intermolecular interactions with neighboring molecules. In the complexes (4) and (6), the tin is six‐coordinate, and the 4,4′‐bpy moieties bridge adjacent dialkyltin(IV)dichloride molecules to form a linear chain. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:338–346, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20016
A facile and efficient synthesis of bisazine derivatives
Authors: Abdel‐Aziz Elassar Abdel‐Zaher
Published: May 2004

1,4‐Phenylenediamine was condensed with acetylacetone to give 4,4′‐[1,4‐phenylenedi‐(nitrilo)]‐dipenten‐2‐ol 1. Compound 1 reacted with different organic reagent to give bisazine derivatives. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:293–299, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20017
The reaction of organozinc reagents with trifluoroacylated phosphonates: Synthesis of trifluoromethylated α, β‐unsaturated esters with an active methylene moiety
Authors: Shen Yanchang , Ni Jiahong
Published: May 2004

The consecutive reaction of phosphonates 1 with n‐butyllithium, trifluoroacetic anhydride, and organozinc compounds gives trifluoromethylated α,β‐unsaturated esters with an active methylene moiety and predominant Z‐selectivity in 54–78% (3 steps) yields. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:289–292, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20018