bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement on acid pyrolysis method for alkyl homolog and phenyl isomer distribution of alkylbenzene sulfonates
Authors: Uchiyama Toshihiko , Kawauchi Akihiko
Published: November 2006

An acid pyrolysis method developed by H.L. Lew in 1967 has been further investigated and improved. Alkylbenzene sulfonates are pyrolyzed with phosphoric acid. This gives quantitative desulfonation. The resulting alkylbenzenes are online analyzed by gas chromatography. Lew's approach replaced the time‐consuming reflux desulfonation gas chromatography methodology. While greatly reducing turnaround time, phosphoric acid used for acid pyrolysis in Lew's method resulted in deterioration of the gas chromatography column stationary phase and also corrosion of the pyrolysis tube. Improvement in these areas was studied. Column deterioration can be eliminated by using an acid trap, and pyrolysis tube corrosion can be minimized by using quartz wool to prevent phosphoric acid sputtering in the pyrolyzer. The method discussed in this paper produces results totally comparable with the reflux desulfonation gas chromatography and Lew's methods.
Surface properties of N‐alkanoyl‐N‐methyl glucamines and related materials
Authors: Zhu Yun‐Peng , Rosen Milton J. , Vinson Phillip K. , Morrall Stephen W.
Published: November 2006

The surface properties [effectiveness of surface tension reduction (γCMC) critical micelle concentration (CMC), efficiency of surface tension reduction (pC20), maximal surface excess concentration (Γmax), minimal area/molecule at the interface (Amin), and the (CMC/C20) ratio] of some well‐purified N‐alkanoyl‐N‐methyl glucamines and related polyol‐based N‐methyl amide‐type surfactants, having the structural formula RC(O)N(Me)CH2(CHOH)xCH2OH, where RC(O)=undecanoyl, lauroyl, tridecanoyl, myristoyl, and x=1,3, and 4, were investigated at 25°C in distilled water and 0.1 M NaCl. Water solubility of these compounds does not simply depend on the number of hydroxyl groups in the molecule but is associated with the balance between intermolecular hydrogen bonds and hydrogen bonds formed with water molecules. The fundamental interfacial properties, such as CMC and γCMC and two thermodynamic parameters, standard free energy of adsorption and standard free energy of micellization, were found to be significantly dependent on the hydrophobic acyl chain rather than on the number of CHOH groups in the hydrophilic moieties. By contrast, the practical performance properties were greatly dependent on the nature of the hydrophilic group. As a whole, these surfactants had desirable foaming properties and efficient wetting abilities. Furthermore, synergism in foaming and wetting abilities was observed in a binary mixture of these surfactants with an alkyloxyethylene sulfate.
Ester alkoxylation technology
Authors: Weerasooriya Upali
Published: November 2006

Conventional ethyoxylation technologies, when used on fatty methyl esters, produce poor yields as well as flat ethoxymer distributions. Peaking ethoxylation catalysts have been successful in efficient conversion of methyl esters into the ethoxylates possessing peaked ethoxymer distribution. Surfactant performance of methyl ester ethoxylates was evaluated. Results generally show these to behave similarly to alcohol ethoxylates, with the exception of exhibiting a lower foam profile. This ester ethoxylation technology has been successful in ethoxylating esters of varying steric environments. Triglyceride ethoxylates have been partially saponified as well as glucaminolyzed to produce mild surfactant blends.
Genetics of obesity: More complicated than initially thought
Authors: Shuldiner Alan R. , Munir Kashif M.
Published: November 2006

During the past several decades, there has been an explosion in the prevalence of obesity. Since our genes have not changed appreciably during that time, it stands to reason that the present epidemic is caused by our pervasive obesigenic environment, in which excess caloric intake and decreased physical activity conspire with one another. Despite an obesigenic environment, humans have great variability in their susceptibility to obesity, which is determined in large part by genetics. Current evidence suggests that genetic susceptibility to human obesity is the result of multiple genes, each with a modest effect, that interact with each other and with environmental provocations. Elucidation of obesity susceptibility genes through genome‐wide and candidate gene approaches provides great promise in ultimately determining the genetic underpinnings of obesity. Further research will translate these new insights on the pathophysiological basis of obesity into new medications and diagnostic tests.
Sedentary lifestyle and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hu Frank B.
Published: November 2006

Obesity and type 2 diabetes have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is well‐established that increasing physical activity plays an important role in reducing rick of obesity and diabetes. Few studies, however, have examined the association between sedentary behaviors such as prolonged television (TV) watching and obesity and diabetes. Using data from a large prospective cohort study, the Health Professionals’ Follow‐up Study, we have demonstrated that increasing TV watching is strongly associated with obesity and weight gain, independent of diet and exercise. Also, prolonged TV watching is associated with a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Men who watched TV more than 40 h per week had a nearly threefold increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who spent less than 1 h per week watching TV. The increased risk was not entirely explained by the decreased physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns associated with TV watching. Thus, public health campaigns to reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes should promote not only increasing exercise levels but also decreasing sedentary behaviors, especially prolonged TV watching.
The role of energy density
Authors: Drewnowski Adam
Published: November 2006

Dietary energy density (ED) appears to have a major influence on the regulation of food intake and body weight. If people consume a fixed weight of food each day, then high‐ED diets should be associated with high energy intakes and with overweight. In contrast, low‐ED diets should result in lower daily energy intakes and therefore weight loss. For this approach to work, low‐ED foods must be as palatable as high‐ED foods and, calorie for calorie, have a greater satiating power. Each of those assumptions is debatable. Dietary ED depends chiefly on the water content of foods. As a rule, high‐ED foods are more palatable but less satiating, whereas low‐ED foods are more satiating but less palatable. Consumer preferences for high‐ED foods can be explained in terms of good taste, low cost, and convenience. Low‐ED foods, such as fresh produce, provide less energy per unit cost than do high‐ED foods, which often contain added sugars and fats. Poverty and obesity may well be linked through the habitual consumption of a low‐cost, high‐ED diet.
In vitro comparison of hepatic metaboliosm of 9cis‐11 trans and 10trans‐12cis isomers of CLA in the rat
Authors: Gruffat Dominique , De La Torre Anne , Chardigny Jean‐Michel , Durand Denys , Loreau Olivier , Sébédio Jean‐Louis , Bauchart Dominique
Published: November 2006

Hepatic metabolism of the two main isomers of CLA (9cis‐11 trans, 10trans‐12cisC18∶2) was compared to that of oleic acid (representative of the main plasma FA) in 16 rats by using the in vitro method of incubated liver slices. Liver tissue samples were incubated at 37°C for 17h under an atmosphere of 95% O2/5%CO2 in a medium supplemented with 0.75 mM of FA mixture (representative of circulating nonesterified FA) and with 55 μM [1‐14C]9cis‐11 trans C18∶2, [1‐14C]10trans‐12cis C18∶2, or [1‐14C]oleate. The uptake of CLA by hepatocytes was similar for both isomers (9%) and was three times higher (P<0.01) than for oleate (2.6%). The rate of CLA isomer oxidation was two times higher (49 and 40% of incorporated amounts of 9cis‐11 trans and 10trans‐12 cis, respectively) than that of oleate (P<0.01). Total oxidation of oleate and CLA isomers into [14CO2] was low (2 to 7% of total oxidized FA) compared to the partial oxidation (93 to 98%) leading to the production of [14C] acid‐soluble products. CLA isoemrs escaping from catabolism were both highly desaturated (26.7 and 26.8%) into conjugated 18∶3. Oleate and CLA isomers were mainly esterified into neutral lipids (30%). They were slowly secreted as parts of VLDL particles (<0.4% of FA incorporated into cells), the extent of secretion of oleate and of 10trans‐12 cis being 2.2‐fold higher than that of 9cis‐11 trans (P<0.02). In conclusion, this study clearly showed that both CLA isomers were highly catabolized by hepatocytes, reducing their availability for peripheral tissues. Moreover, more than 25% of CLA escaping from catabolism was converted into conjugated 18∶3, the biological properties of which remain to be elucidated.
Effects of policosanols and phytosterols on lipid levels and cholesterol biosynthesis in hamsters
Authors: Wang Y. W. , Jones P. J. H. , Pischel I. , Fairow C.
Published: November 2006

The current study was carried out to examine the effects of policosanols and phytosterols, alone and in combination, on lipid profiles, cholesterol biosynthesis, and tissue histopathological changes in hamsters. Fifty male Golden Syrian hamsters, weighing 100 to 120 g, were fed a regular rodent chow for 2 wk before being randomly assigned into 5 groups of 10 animals each fed semisynthetic diets for 4 wk. Group 1 was given a control diet that contained 0.25% cholesterol and 5% fat with a PUFA to saturated FA ratio of 0.4. Groups 2 to 5 were fed the control diet and given Octa‐6 [a policosanol mixture from sugar cane was, 25 mg/kg body weight (BW)], Ricewax (a policosanol mixture from rice wax with 50% being converted to the corresponding acids, 50 mg/kg BW), phytosterols (CholestatinTM; 1,000 mg/kg BW), and Ricewax (50 mg/kg BW) plus phytosterols (1,000 mg/kg BW), respectively. The results showed that there was no difference between Octa‐6 and Ricewax treatments in any of the lipid parameters measured, and both had similar levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T‐C), and HDL cholesterol (HDL‐C) as the control. Octa‐6 but not Ricewax increased (P=0.03) non‐HDL‐C as compared with the control. Phytosterols reduced T‐C (P<0.0003) and HDL‐C (P<0.004) without a significant effect on TG and non‐HDL‐C as compared to the control. Ricewax plus phytosterols had effects similar to those with phytosterols alone. Free cholesterol synthetic rates were not different among the treatments. Policosanols or phytosterols did not show any toxic effects in liver, heart, brain, or kidney. Results suggest that, although phytosterols reduce T‐C and HDL‐C levels, policosanols have no significant favorable effect in changing lipid levels in hamsters.
Effects of high‐γ‐linolenic acid canola oil compared with borage oil on reproduction, growth, and brain and behavioral development in mice
Authors: Wainwright Patricia E. , Huang Yung‐Sheng , DeMichele Stephen J. , Xing HuaCheng , Liu Jim‐Wen , Chuang Lu‐Te , Biederman Jessica
Published: November 2006

Previous research in rats and mice has suggested that γ‐linolenic acid (GLA) derived from borage oil (BO: 23% GLA) may be an appropriate source for increasing levels of long‐chain n−6 FA in the developing brain. Recently, transgenic technology has made available a highly enriched GLA seed oil from the canola plant (HGCO: 36% GLA). The first objective of this study was to compare the effects of diets containing equal levels of GLA (23%) from either BO or HGCO on reproduction, pup development, and pup brain FA composition in mice. The second objective was to compare the effects of the HGCO diluted to 23% GLA (GLA‐23) with those of undiluted HGCO containing 36% GLA (GLA‐36). The diets were fed to the dams prior to conception and throughout pregnancy and lactation, as well as to the pups after weaning. The behavioral development of the pups was measured 12 d after birth, and anxiety in the adult male offspring was assessed using the plus maze. The findings show that despite equivalent levels of GLA, GLA‐23 differed from BO in that it reduced pup body weight and was associated with a slight increase in neonatal pup attrition. However, there were no significant effects on pup behavioral development or on performance in the plus maze. An increase in dietary GLA resulted in an increase in brain 20∶4n−6 and 22∶4n−6, with a corresponding decrease in 22∶6n−3. Again, despite their similar levels of GLA, these effects tended to be larger in GLA‐23 than in BO. In comparison with GLA‐23, GLA‐36 had larger effects on growth and brain FA composition but no differences with respect to effects on reproduction and behavioral development. These findings suggest that the HGCO can be used as an alternative source of GLA.
Natural abundance stable carbon isotope evidence for the routing and de novo synthesis of bone FA and cholesterol
Authors: Jim Susan , Ambrose Stanley H. , Evershed Richard P.
Published: November 2006

This research reported in this paper investigated the relationship between diet and bone FA and cholesterol in rats raised on a variety of isotopically controlled diets comprising 20% C3 or C4 protein (casein) and C3 and/or C4 nonprotein or energy (sucrose, starch, and oil) macronutrients. Compoundspecific stable carbon isotope analysis (δ13C) was performed on the FA (16∶0, 18∶0, 18∶1, and 18∶2) and cholesterol isolated from the diet (n=4) and bone (n=8) of these animals. The dietary signals reflected by the bone lipids were investigated using linear regression analysis. δ13C values of bone cholesterol and stearic (18∶0) acid were shown to reflect whole‐diet δ13C values. whereas the δ13C values of bone palmitic (16∶0), oleic (18∶1), and linoleic (18∶2) acids reflected dietary FA δ13C values. Dietary signal differences are a result of the balance between direct incorporation (or routing) and de novo synthesis of each of these bone lipids. Estimates of the degree of routing of these bone lipids gleaned from correlations between Δ13Cdlipid‐wdiet (δ13Cdiet lipid‐δ13Cwhole diet) spacings and Δ13Cblipid‐wdiet (δ13Cbone lipid‐δ13Cwhole diet fractionations demonstrated that the extent of routing, where 18∶2>16∶0>18∶1>18∶0>cholesterol, reflected the relative abundances of these lipids in the diet. These findings provide the basis for more accurate insights into diet when the δ13C analysis of bone fatty FA or cholesterol is employed.
Implications of inadequate parental bonding and peer victimization for adolescent mental health
Authors: Rigby K. , Slee P.T. , Martin G.
Published: November 2006

Previous studies have indicated significant associations between relatively poor mental health of children and both perceived negative parenting and exposure to peer victimization at school. This paper examines their relative contribution to the mental status of adolescent school children. Questionnaires were administered to Australian school children () aged 12–16 years. These contained reliable self‐report measures of mental health (the GHQ) parental bonding (the PBI) and degree of peer victimization. As predicted, multiple regression analyses indicated that low levels of perceived parental care, high parental control and frequent peer victimization were each significantly and independently associated with relatively poor mental health. Together, they accounted for some 17% and 27% of variance in the mental health status of adolescent boys and girls, respectively. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are considered. Limitations of the study are also discussed (deleted)
Long term methadone for chronic pain: A pilot study of pharmacokinetic aspects
Authors: Fredheim Olav Magnus S. , Borchgrevink Petter C. , Klepstad Pål , Kaasa Stein , Dale Ola
Published: November 2006

Methadone is used as an alternative opioid when first line opioids fail to provide adequate pain control. Highly variable morphine:methadone dose ratios make switching challenging and little is known about the pharmacokinetics of long lasting methadone treatment for pain. Twelve patients treated with morphine for chronic non‐malignant pain were switched to methadone. Seven of these patients continued with methadone throughout the nine months study period and only minor dose adjustments were performed. Serum concentrations of morphine, methadone and their metabolites were measured at baseline, day one and two, after dose titration and one week, five weeks, three months and nine months after the end of dose titration. Serum concentrations of methadone and its metabolite EDDP did not change significantly from the end of dose titration and during the nine months (repeated measures ANOVA: p = 0.88 and p = 0.06). Very low correlation between dose ratios and serum concentration ratios between morphine and methadone was observed. Large interindividual differences in serum concentrations and metabolism were observed. Our findings contradict that autoinduction of methadone metabolism takes place during long term treatment and supports that a 3‐day opioid switch from morphine to methadone followed by a one week titration seems pharmacologically sound.
Reduction meatoplasty with a post-auricular island flap
Authors: Harvey R J , Fagan P , Baldwin M
Published: November 2006

The importance of an adequate meatoplasty is often emphasised in mastoid surgery. However, bigger is not always better, as an excessively widened external meatus can be cosmetically unacceptable, provide little extra benefit for cleaning, be an obstacle to the good fitting of hearing aids and expose the mastoid cavity to exaggerated caloric effect.

The problems created by an overly large meatus can occasionally be difficult to manage, prompting consideration of reduction of the meatus. We describe the use of a pedicled, post-auricular skin flap to achieve reduction of an excessively large meatus.
A vector-format fuzzy logic approach for online robot motion planning in 3D space and its application to underwater robotic vehicle
Authors: Wu X. J. , Tang J. , Li Q. , Heng K. H.
Published: November 2006

Due to its inherent advantages such as reasoning in the format of heuristic rules based on human experience and less stringent requirement on environmental description, fuzzy logic is a promising tool for the robot motion planning in 3-dimensional dynamic environment. In general, in the Cartesian space, the variables used in characterizing the motion of a mobile robot, such as position, velocity, and force relative to other objects or coordinate frames, contain both the magnitude and the pointing information. In previous studies, the fuzzy reasoning on the pointing information was often developed based on the decomposition of the pointing vector followed by conventional fuzzy logic technique on individual vector components. Consequently, when multiple pointing variables are involved, the number of fuzzy variables that need to be considered simultaneously becomes large and the rule base may become very complex, which diminishes the advantages of the fuzzy reasoning approach. In this research, we tackle this issue by implementing a new fuzzy reasoning approach based on vector-format fuzzy variables. To achieve this, a set of new membership functions is defined for the vector-format fuzzy variables, followed by the establishment of a series of new vector-based fuzzification, fuzzy inference, and defuzzification procedures. By treating the multidimensional variables as unitary linguistic variables, the number of fuzzy variables in the fuzzy propositions and therefore the scale of the rule base can be reduced considerably. As an application example, the proposed new fuzzy reasoning approach for motion planning is applied to an Underwater Robotics Vehicle (URV) operating in an oceanic environment, where the pointing of the goal and the pointing vectors of the obstacles are treated as vector-type fuzzy variables, which leads to a compact and significantly simplified rule base. The motion planner can successfully guide the URV to move in the complicated dynamic environ-ment in a real-time fashion, which clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of the new fuzzy logic approach.
Neonatal transcatheter closure of a large pulmonary arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Boudjemline Younes , Ladouceur Magalie , Bonnet Damien
Published: November 2006

A congenital fistulous connection between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium is a rare condition, resulting in early cyanosis and cardiac failure. These patients usually required urgent surgery. We present a neonate in whom we successfully closed such a large fistula via catheterization with an Amplatzer Duct Occluder, resulting in rapid clinical improvement, and obviating the need for surgical repair.
Neonatal death due to transposition in association with premature closure of the oval foramen
Authors: Ashworth Michael , Al Adnani Mudher , Sebire Neil J.
Published: November 2006

We present a male infant, born at term, who collapsed and died at 30 minutes of age. Autopsy demonstrated concordant atrioventricular and discordant ventriculo-arterial connections with premature closure of the oval foramen, which bulged markedly into the left atrium. Premature closure of the oval foramen is rare in the setting of transposition. As far as we know, there have been only three previously reported cases.
Common patterns of response to the head-up tilt test in children and adolescents
Authors: Boysen Arnulf , Lewin Martin A.G. , Uhlemann Frank
Published: November 2006

Testing using the head-up tilt table is performed regularly as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of syncope. Recommendations for protocols, and interpretation of the results, however, are mainly based on experience in adults. We evaluated the results of tilt table testing in 100 consecutive children and adolescents aged from 6 to 18 years and referred for investigation of syncope. Over half the patients, 55%, proved impossible to classify using the criterions established by the European Society of Cardiology. Based on our data, we propose a modified classification for responses to tilt table testing in the young.
Incidental detection of parvovirus myocarditis at time of resection of discrete subaortic stenosis
Authors: Iroh Tam Pui-Ying , Butler Karina , McMahon Colin J.
Published: November 2006

We report an asymptomatic 18-month-old boy who underwent surgical resection of the discrete subaortic stenosis. Histopathologic examination of the muscle demonstrated diffuse lymphocytic infiltration of the myocardium. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of blood demonstrated parvovirus. This report highlights that asymptomatic myocarditis may be more prevalent than we realise, and that involvement of the myocardium by parvovirus may be entirely asymptomatic.
Magnetic resonance coronary angiography to evaluate coronary arterial lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Suzuki Atsuko , Takemura Atsushi , Inaba Rikako , Sonobe Tomoyoshi , Tsuchiya Keiji , Korenaga Tateo
Published: November 2006

We evaluated the efficiency of non-invasive magnetic resonance coronary angiography in detecting coronary arterial lesions in 106 patients, aged from 4 months to 37 years, with a median of 13 years, with Kawasaki disease. Non-contrast enhanced, free-breathing magnetic resonance coronary angiographic studies using both the steady-state free precession technique, namely bright blood imaging, and navigator-echo proton density weighted black blood imaging, so-called black blood imaging, were performed in all the patients. Conventional X-ray coronary angiography was performed in 70 patients with coronary arterial lesions.

We observed 97 aneurysms, 17 dilatations, 17 occlusions, 18 localized stenoses and 10 recanalized vessels, and we clarified their unique pattern of images on magnetic resonance coronary angiography. The differences in size of the aneurysms as seen on X-ray coronary angiography and bright blood imaging was mean 0.0, and the 95% confidence interval was from −1.4 to 1.5 on the Bland-Altman plots. With bright blood imaging, the sensitivity of occlusion and localized stenosis based on X-ray angiography was 94.2% and 97.2%, specificity was 99.5% and 97.2%, and negative-predictive value was 99.5% and 97.2%, respectively. Black blood imaging provided remarkable visualization of the thickened intima of aneurysms, and/or thrombus, in 38 lesions. We conclude that magnetic resonance coronary angiography can visualize all types of lesions due to Kawasaki disease in patients of all ages, and that it is useful to reduce the number of times X-ray angiography needs to be performed in patients with Kawasaki disease.
Medium-term follow-up of mechanical valves inserted in children
Authors: Larsen Signe Holm , Houlind Kim , Hansen Ole Kromann , Hjortholm Kirsten , Emmertsen Kristian , Hjortdal Vibeke
Published: November 2006

Objective:We reviewed our experience with mechanical valves inserted between 1988 and 2002 in children aged 15 years or younger.Methods:Hospital files were extracted retrospectively. Follow-up was completed by March 2005.Results:Of 41 patients, we inserted a valve in atrioventricular position in 27 children, having a median age of 3.1 years, ranging from 0.4 to 14.5 years, and in aortic position in the remaining 14, having a median age of 13.5 years, and a range from 7.0 to 14.9 years. For the valves inserted in atrioventricular position, the underlying disease was congenital in 23, rheumatic in two, post-endocarditic in one, and Marfan's syndrome in one. Mean follow-up was 7.7 years, with standard deviation of 5.3, giving a total follow-up of 209 patient years. Mortality at 30 days was 7%, and survival was 73% at up to 16 years follow-up. Events related to anticoagulation were seen in 3 patients, corresponding to 1.4% per patient year. In 6 patients (22%), heart block ensued which required implantation of a pacemaker treatment, and 5 patients (19%) had reoperations. For the implantations in aortic position, the underlying disease was congenital in 13, stenosis in 10 and insufficiency in three, and post-endocarditis in one. Mean follow-up was 6.8 years, with standard deviation of 4.6, giving a total of 95 patient years. We lost one patient within 30 days (7.7% mortality), and survival was 77% at up to 13 years follow-up. There were no incidents of thrombosis, nor events related to anticoagulation, but one patient (7%) needed insertion of a pacemaker due to a perioperative heart block, and one (7%) required new valvar replacement.Conclusions:Although preferably avoided, mechanical valves can be implanted in children with an acceptable mortality and morbidity, and good long-term results.
Diagnosis, management, and follow-up of systemic venous drainage via a single left superior caval vein into the left atrium
Authors: Schleich Jean-Marc , Azzabi Ons , Almange Claude
Published: November 2006

A 15-month-old boy presented with asymptomatic hypoxaemia due to right-to-left venous shunting via a left superior caval vein emptying into the left atrium, in absence of right superior caval vein. The diagnosis, suspected by contrast echocardiography, was confirmed by computed tomography and angiography. The child underwent surgical correction of the systemic anomalous return by tunnelling the left superior caval vein towards the right atrium. An asymptomatic narrowing inside the intra-atrial baffle developed 6 months later.
Sustainable development in an aging economy
Authors: Ono Tetsuo , Maeda Yasuo
Published: November 2006

In this paper, we analyze the effects of population aging on economic growth and the environment in a two-period overlapping generations model of growth, aging, and the environment. We show that aging may be beneficial to economic growth and the environment under perfect annuitisation, while possibly harmful under imperfect annuitisation. We also discuss the implications of our results for environmental policy in an aging economy.
Issues in production, recycling and international trade: analysing the Chinese plastic sector using an optimal life cycle (OLC) model
Authors: Duraiappah Anantha Kumar , Xin Zhou , Beukering Pieter J.H. Van
Published: November 2006

There have been increasing pressures by governments and NGOs to restrict international trade in secondary material waste in the conviction that imports of these goods are in reality a disguise for waste dumping by the exporting country. Moreover, cheap imports of secondary material waste tend to crowd out the local recovery system leading to a domestic waste disposal problem. Alternatively, proponents of trade argue that a ban on secondary material waste leads to an inefficient use of resources resulting inevitably in higher economic and environmental costs, both in developed and developing countries. In this paper we set out to investigate if free trade in secondary material waste can support economic development and simultaneously reduce environmental degradation in a developing country and the conditions necessary for the trade to be permitted. In this study we focus on the trade in waste plastics in China. A life cycle model is formulated within an optimization framework and solved by non-linear programming methods. Preliminary results suggest that trade in waste plastics is both economically and environmentally advantageous but under a number of stringent conditions.
Adiponectin, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome: lessons from human genetic studies
Authors: Vasseur Francis , Meyre David , Froguel Philippe
Published: November 2006

Adiponectin, a protein exclusively secreted by adipose tissue but present at low levels in obesity, is now widely recognised as a key determinant of insulin sensitivity and of protection against obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. In this review we explain how genetic findings have contributed to a better understanding of the physiological role of adiponectin in humans. The adiponectin-encoding gene, ADIPOQ (ACDC), is very polymorphic: many frequent exonic synonymous, intronic and promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified, as well as a few rare exonic amino acid substitutions. Several of these variations additively contribute to the modulation of adiponectin level and function, and associate with insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes and vascular complications of obesity.
Rapid heating of carbonaceous matter by igneous intrusions in carbon-rich shale, Isle of Skye, Scotland: an analogue for heating of carbon in impact craters?
Authors: Lindgren Paula , Parnell John
Published: November 2006

The response of organic matter to high-temperature events is important to astrobiology, as it governs the survival of carbon during several processes that may be critical to the origin and spread of life. Impact cratering is a widespread high-temperature process. The behaviour of carbon during impact events is not well understood. But there is the potential to examine other examples of the response of organic matter to high-temperature processes in the terrestrial geological record. In this study, we report on the interaction of Tertiary igneous intrusions (dolerite sills) and carbon-rich Jurassic mudrocks on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Despite the high temperatures of the igneous intrusion, carbon has been preserved at the dolerite–shale contact and in shale enclaves where partial melting of the shale has occurred. Even though the temperatures achieved by igneous intrusion are much lower than during impact events, it is a valuable analogue, because it represents a rapid introduction of high temperatures to a carbon-rich rock.
Suicide-Related Crimes in Contemporary European Criminal Laws
Authors: Mäkinen Ilkka Henrik
Published: November 2006

This article describes suicide-related penal legislation in contemporary Europe, and analyzes and relates the results to cultural attitudes towards suicide and to national suicide rates. Data were obtained from 42 legal entities. Of these, 34 have penal regulations which - according to definition - chiefly and directly deal with suicide. There are three main types of act: aiding suicide, abetting suicide, and driving to suicide. The laws vary considerably with regard to which acts are sanctioned, how severely they are punished, and whether any special circumstances such as the motive, the result, or the object can make the crime more serious. Various ideologies have inspired legislation: religions, the euthanasia movement, and suicide prevention have all left their mark. There are some cases in which neighboring legal systems have clearly influenced laws on the topic. However, the process seems mostly to have been a national affair, resulting in surprisingly large discrepancies between European legal systems. The laws seem to reflect public opinions: countries which punish the crimes harder have significantly less permissive cultural attitudes towards suicide. Likewise, suicide rates were significantly higher in countries with a narrow scope of criminalization and milder punishments for suicide-related crimes. The cultural and normative elements of society are connected with its suicide mortality.
Biological activities of a novel selective oestrogen receptor modulator derived from raloxifene (Y134)
Authors: Ning M , Zhou C , Weng J , Zhang S , Chen D , Yang C , Wang H , Ren J , Zhou L , Jin C , Wang M‐W
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:

Selective oestrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERMs) are of great value in the treatment of breast cancer and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to characterize pharmacologically a new class of SERMs synthesized based on the core structure of raloxifene.

Experimental approach:

Competitive receptor binding and luciferase‐based reporter methods were used to study the bioactivities of raloxifene analogues, followed by efficacy determination in breast cancer cell proliferation assay. ER antagonist effects were investigated in female rats by measuring uterine and mammary gland growth, using wet weight, BrdU incorporation and terminal end bud (TEB) as indicators.

Key results:

Five analogues, belonging to two different structural series and display higher binding affinities for ERα than ERβ were functionally evaluated. One such analogue, Y134, exhibited potent antagonist activity at ERs in CV‐1 cells cotransfected with plasmids containing ERα or ERβ and oestrogen‐response element‐driven luciferase. The estimated IC50 value was 0.52 nM for ERα and 2.94 nM for ERβ, comparable to that of raloxifene. Little cytotoxicity was observed at Y134 concentrations below 10 μM. Y134 suppressed oestrogen‐stimulated proliferation of ER‐positive human breast cancer MCF‐7 and T47D cells. At an identical dose, administered to ovariectomized rats, Y134 was more effective than raloxifene at arresting oestrogen‐induced outgrowth of TEB and mammary gland DNA synthesis, but their inhibitory effects on the uterus were comparable.

Conclusions and Implications:

Y134 is a potent ER antagonist with better mammary gland selectivity than raloxifene and shows potential for development as a new SERM for therapeutic use.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 19–28. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706960
Beyond raloxifene for the prevention of osteoporosis and breast cancer
Authors: Jordan V C
Published: November 2006

Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can build bone in the postmenopausal woman and lower circulating cholesterol. These oestrogen‐like properties contrast with the anti‐oestrogenic properties observed in the breast where SERMs inhibit the oestrogen‐mediated development and growth of ER positive breast cancers. The two clinically useful SERMs, tamoxifen and its chemical cousin raloxifene, are currently used successfully either for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer (tamoxifen) or the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis (raloxifene). However, raloxifene has the beneficial side‐effect of breast cancer prevention. These multifunction medicines provide proof of concept that novel molecules can be selectively targeted to diseases mediated by the endocrine system.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 3–4. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706962
Study on the cyclic GMP‐dependency of relaxations to endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide in the mouse gastrointestinal tract
Authors: De Man J G , De Winter B Y , Herman A G , Pelckmans P A
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:

cGMP mediates nitrergic relaxations of intestinal smooth muscle, but several studies have indicated that cGMP‐independent mechanisms may also be involved. We addressed this contention by studying the effect of ODQ and NS2028, specific inhibitors of soluble guanylate cyclase, on nitrergic relaxations of the mouse gut.

Experimental approach:

Mouse gastric fundus and small intestinal muscle preparations were mounted in organ baths to study relaxations to exogenous NO, NO donors and electrical field stimulation (EFS) of enteric nerves.

Key results:

In gastric fundus longitudinal muscle strips, ODQ and NS2028 abolished the L‐nitroarginine‐sensitive relaxations to EFS and the relaxations to NO and NO donors, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), SIN‐1 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). EFS of intestinal segments and muscle strips showed L‐nitroarginine‐resistant relaxations, which were abolished by the purinoceptor blocker suramin. In the presence of suramin, ODQ and NS2028 abolished all relaxations to EFS in intestinal segments and strips. ODQ and NS2028 abolished the relaxations to exogenous NO and to the NO donors GTN, SIN‐1 and SNP in circular and longitudinal intestinal muscle strips. Intestinal segments showed residual relaxations to NO and GTN.

Conclusions and Implications:

Our results indicate that relaxations to endogenous NO in the mouse gastric fundus and small intestine are completely dependent on cGMP. ODQ and NS2028 incompletely blocked nitrergic relaxations to exogenous NO in intact intestinal segments. However, it is unlikely that this is due to the involvement of cGMP‐independent pathways because ODQ and NS2028 abolished all relaxations to endogenous and exogenous NO in intestinal muscle strips.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 88–96. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706964
pEg6, a Spire family member, is a maternal gene encoding a vegetally localized mRNA in Xenopus embryos
Authors: Le Goff Catherine , Laurent Véronique , Le Bon Kristell , Tanguy Gaëlle , Couturier Anne , Le Goff Xavier , Le Guellec René
Published: November 2006

Background information. In Xenopus, during oocyte maturation and the segmentation period, cell cycle progression is independent of new transcription, but requires de novo translation. This suggests that the completion of oocyte maturation and then the rapid cell division period is controlled exclusively at a post‐transcriptional level by specific gene products. To isolate these maternal genes, a differential screening of a Xenopus egg cDNA library was performed. Several cDNAs were isolated which correspond to mRNA polyadenylated in eggs and deadenylated in embryos, and these constitute the founders members of the Eg family of mRNAs.

Results. We report here the characterization of Eg6 mRNA as a novel maternal gene expressed in Xenopus egg until gastrula stage. The Eg6 transcript is initially concentrated in the vegetal cytoplasm of the egg, and later the distribution of the transcript marks the posterior vegetal end of developing embryos. pEg6 is a multidomain protein with a kinase non‐catalytic C‐lobe domain of unknown function, a cluster of four WH2 (Wiskott—Aldrich syndrome protein homology 2) domains and a modified FYVE zinc‐finger motif. The amino acid sequence of pEg6 is related to PEM‐5 (posterior end mark‐5), from an ascidian maternal mRNA, and spire, a Drosophila protein required to establish dorsal—ventral and anterior—posterior axes of polarity and recently described as an actin nucleation factor. In Xenopus and Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells pEg6 expression induces filamentous actin clusters and is associated with vesicular structure.

Conclusions. These data suggest that pEg6 acts as a vegetally localized factor contributing to the actin nucleation process during Xenopus early development.
Traction forces exerted through N‐cadherin contacts
Authors: Ganz Arthur , Lambert Mireille , Saez Alexandre , Silberzan Pascal , Buguin Axel , Mège René Marc , Ladoux Benoît
Published: November 2006

Background information. Mechanical forces play an important role in the organization, growth and function of living tissues. The ability of cells to transduce mechanical signals is governed by two types of microscale structures: focal adhesions, which link cells to the extracellular matrix, and adherens junctions, which link adjacent cells through cadherins. Although many studies have examined forces induced by focal adhesions, there is little known about the role of adherens junctions in force‐regulation processes. The present study focuses on the determination of force transduction through cadherins at a single cell level.

Results. We characterized for the first time the distribution of forces developed by the cell through cadherin contacts. A N‐cadherin (neural cadherin)–Fc chimaera, which mimicks the cell adhesion molecule N‐cadherin, was immobilized on a μFSA (micro‐force sensor array), comprising a dense array of vertical elastomer pillars, which were used both as a cell culture support for N‐cadherin‐expressing C2 myogenic cells and as detectors for force mapping. We coated the top of the pillars on which cells adhere and recruit adhesion complexes and F‐actin. Individual pillar bending allowed the measurement of forces that mainly developed at the cell edge and directed toward their centre. Similar force distribution and amplitude were detected with an unrelated cell line of neuronal origin. Further comparison with forces applied by cells on pillars coated with fibronectin indicates that mechanical stresses transduced through both types of adhesions were comparable in distribution, orientation and amplitude.

Conclusions. These results present a versatile method to measure and map forces exerted by cell—cell adhesion complexes. They show that cells transduce mechanical stress through cadherin contacts which are of the same order as magnitude of those previously characterized for focal adhesions. Altogether, they emphasize the mechanotransduction role of cytoskeleton‐linked adhesion receptors of the cadherin family in tissue cohesion and reshaping.
Making Heads Turn: The Effect of Familiarity and Stimulus Rotation on a Gender-Classification Task
Authors: Stevenage Sarah V , Osborne Cara D
Published: November 2006

Recent work has demonstrated that facial familiarity can moderate the influence of inversion when completing a configural processing task. Here, we examine whether familiarity interacts with intermediate angles of orientation in the same way that it interacts with inversion. Participants were asked to make a gender classification to familiar and unfamiliar faces shown at seven angles of orientation. Speed and accuracy of performance were assessed for stimuli presented (i) as whole faces and (ii) as internal features. When presented as whole faces, the task was easy, as revealed by ceiling levels of accuracy and no effect of familiarity or angle of rotation on response times. However, when stimuli were presented as internal features, an influence of facial familiarity was evident. Unfamiliar faces showed no increase in difficulty across angle of rotation, whereas familiar faces showed a marked increase in difficulty across angle, which was explained by significant linear and cubic trends in the data. Results were interpreted in terms of the benefit gained from a mental representation when face processing was impaired by stimulus rotation.
Scene Recognition following Locomotion around a Scene
Authors: Motes Michael A , Finlay Cory A , Kozhevnikov Maria
Published: November 2006

Effects of locomotion on scene-recognition reaction time (RT) and accuracy were studied. In experiment 1, observers memorized an 11-object scene and made scene-recognition judgments on subsequently presented scenes from the encoded view or different views (ie scenes were rotated or observers moved around the scene, both from 40° to 360°). In experiment 2, observers viewed different 5-object scenes on each trial and made scene-recognition judgments from the encoded view or after moving around the scene, from 36° to 180°. Across experiments, scene-recognition RT increased (in experiment 2 accuracy decreased) with angular distance between encoded and judged views, regardless of how the viewpoint changes occurred. The findings raise questions about conditions in which locomotion produces spatially updated representations of scenes.
Demonstrations of Spatiotemporal Integration and what they Tell us about the Visual System
Authors: Schiller Peter H , Carvey Christina E
Published: November 2006

Five sets of displays are presented on the journal website to be viewed in conjunction with the text. We concentrate on the factors that give rise to the integration and disruption of the direction of apparent motion in two-dimensional and three-dimensional space. In the first set of displays we examine what factors contribute to the integration and disruption of apparent motion in the Ramachandran/Anstis clustered bistable quartets. In the second set we examine what factors give rise to the perception of the direction of motion in rotating two-dimensional wheels and dots. In the third and fourth sets we examine how the depth cues of shading and disparity contribute to the perception of apparent motion of opaque displays, and to the perception of rotating unoccluded displays, respectively. In the fifth set we examine how the depth cue of motion parallax influences the perception of apparent motion. Throughout, we make inferences about the roles which various parallel pathways and cortical areas play in the perceptions produced by the displays shown.
Effects of Image Background on Spatial-Frequency Thresholds for Face Recognition
Authors: Collin Charles A , Wang Luisa , O'Byrne Byron
Published: November 2006

A great deal of work has been devoted to the question of which spatial frequencies, if any, are optimal for various visual tasks, such as face and object recognition. However, to date these studies have all been carried out with stimuli set against a uniform background. It is possible that this type of stimulus does not produce ecologically valid results. The natural world in which visual tasks normally take place involves a great deal of luminance variation and distracting visual structure, which may alter the spatial frequencies necessary for a task. We conducted two experiments that examined the effects of image background on the spatial-frequency thresholds (50% maximum of a low-pass or high-pass Butterworth filter) for face recognition by the psychophysical methods of adjustment and constant stimuli. In both experiments we found no significant difference in spatial-frequency thresholds between uniform-grey backgrounds and natural-scene backgrounds, and only minor differences between uniform-grey backgrounds and fractal noise backgrounds. This suggests that results obtained with uniform backgrounds are ecologically valid and that background effects, if they exist, are small.
Eye-Witnesses Should Not Do Cryptic Crosswords Prior to Identity Parades
Authors: Lewis Michael B
Published: November 2006

Navon letter tasks have been shown to affect subsequent face recognition performance. As such tasks are not likely to by carried out prior to a witness attending an identity parade this is unlikely to have much applied relevance. Here, however, it is explored how a range of puzzles that witnesses might engage in affect face recognition. Cryptic crosswords were found to have a detrimental effect on subsequent face recognition, unlike reading, literal crosswords, or sudoku. As well as this finding's practical importance, it also provides a further insight into the Navon effect on face processing.