bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Craniofacial Morphology of Dutch Patients with Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Noncleft Controls at the Age of 15 Years
Authors: van den Dungen Geer M. , Ongkosuwito Edwin M. , Aartman Irene H. A. , Prahl-Andersen Birte
Published: October 2008

Objective:

Comparison of craniofacial morphology in bilateral cleft lip and palate patients to that of a noncleft control group at the age of 15 years.

Design:

A cross-sectional study of cephalometric data.

Subjects and Methods:

Cephalometric records of 41 consecutive patients (32 boys and 9 girls) with nonsyndromic complete bilateral cleft lip and palate born between 1973 and 1987. The patients were treated by the cleft teams of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam and the VU University Amsterdam. The control group of normal Dutch subjects was followed in the Nijmegen Growth Study. From this population, mean cephalometric data were used. Differences in cephalometric measurements and other variables were calculated between the bilateral cleft lip and palate group and the control group.

Results:

Independent-sample t tests indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean of the cephalometric values of the bilateral cleft lip and palate patients and the control group with respect to all cephalometric variables. Pearson correlation coefficients calculated between angle ANB and the number of operators, number of surgical procedures before 15 years of age, and the year of birth were not significant.

Conclusions:

Bilateral cleft lip and palate patients treated in the Amsterdam and Rotterdam cleft centers differed significantly from the control group in all measurements. A Class III development due to a less forward positioned maxilla was observed. The vertical measurements indicated a more divergent growth pattern in bilateral cleft lip and palate patients (Ans-Me/N-Me, GoGn-SN, and SN-FFH).
Cervical Spondylodiscitis—A Rare Complication of Palatopharyngeal Flap Surgery
Authors: Holmgaard Rikke , Jakobsen Linda P.
Published: October 2008

Cervical spondylodiscitis was diagnosed in a 31-year-old man 2 months after palatopharyngeal flap surgery. Symptoms included pain in the neck and tingling and numbness in the left arm. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, and the patient recovered on antibiotic treatment. We propose that the spondylodiscitis may have occurred as a result of a local infection in and around the surgical wound in the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Cleft Lip and/or Palate: 10 Years Experience at a Pediatric Cleft Center in Southern Thailand
Authors: Jaruratanasirikul Somchit , Chichareon Vichai , Pattanapreechawong Nuria , Sangsupavanich Pasuree
Published: October 2008

Objective:

To study the clinical characteristics, demographic data, and associated congenital anomalies of pediatric patients with cleft lip and/or palate in Southern Thailand.

Design:

Retrospective, hospital-based study.

Setting:

Cleft Clinic Center, Songklanagarind Hospital

Participants:

Children with cleft lip and/or palate who were born or seen at Songklanagarind Hospital between January 1997 and December 2006.

Main Outcome Measure:

Clinical features including demographic data, types of cleft, associated anomalies, family history of clefts, and physical growth.

Results:

A total of 153 children were seen during the studied period, of whom 36 (23.5%) had isolated cleft lip, 32 (20.9%) had isolated cleft palate, and 85 (55.6%) had combined cleft lip and palate. Twenty-seven children (17.7%) had a family history of clefts. Congenital malformations (syndromic cleft) were found in 20 children (13%), and chromosomal abnormalities were found in four of these (20%). There were no significant differences among the three groups (isolated cleft lip, isolated cleft palate, and combined cleft lip and palate) in maternal and paternal ages, gestational age, birth weight, family history of cleft, or associated malformations. The physical growth parameters of children with nonsyndromic cleft were the same as in the general population. Children with syndromic cleft were significantly lighter at birth and had grown up significantly shorter and lighter, with smaller head circumference.

Conclusions:

Chromosomal abnormalities are commonly found in children with syndromic cleft. Children with nonsyndromic cleft have normal growth; whereas, those with syndromic cleft have some degree of prenatal and postnatal growth restriction.
The Effect of Nasal Decongestion on Nasal Patency and Nasalance Scores in Subjects with Normal Speech
Authors: Watterson Thomas , Lewis Kerry E. , Ludlow Jennifer C. , Ludlow Paul C.
Published: October 2008

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pharmacological decongestion on nasalance scores.

Participants:

The participants were 20 adults with normal speech and resonance.

Methods:

Nasal patency was first determined by measuring the mean minimal cross-sectional area of the nasal passages by acoustic rhinometry. Each participant then read two passages as two predecongestion nasalance scores were obtained. A nasal decongestant was then administered to each nostril without removing the separation plate. Ten minutes later, nasalance scores were repeated. Finally, the separation plate was removed and the mean minimal cross-sectional area was obtained again.

Main Outcome Measures:

The outcome measures were the pre- and postdecongestion measurements of nasal patency and nasalance scores.

Results:

Minimal cross-sectional area increased significantly from 0.53 cm2 before decongestion to 0.66 cm2 after decongestion. For the Turtle Passage, the group mean nasalance for the two predecongestion measures (10.70% versus 11.55%) were significantly different and the pre- versus postdecongestion measures (10.70% versus 12.15%) were also significantly different. For the Mouse Passage, the group mean nasalance scores for the two predecongestion measures (32.10% versus 32.00%) were not significantly different but the pre- versus postdecongestion means (32.10 versus 34.40) were significantly different. Correlation coefficients showed a negligible relationship between measures of nasal patency and nasalance scores for both stimulus passages.

Conclusions:

Nasalance score variability was small and not meaningful for standard clinical purposes. The correlation between nasalance scores and nasal patency was weak.
Adjusting global extinction rates to account for taxonomic susceptibility
Authors: Wang Steve C. , Bush Andrew M.
Published: October 2008

Studies of extinction in the fossil record commonly involve comparisons of taxonomic extinction rates, often expressed as the percentage of taxa (e.g., families or genera) going extinct in a time interval. Such extinction rates may be influenced by factors that do not reflect the intrinsic severity of an extinction trigger. Two identical triggering events (e.g., bolide impacts, sea level changes, volcanic eruptions) could lead to different taxonomic extinction rates depending on factors specific to the time interval in which they occur, such as the susceptibility of the fauna or flora to extinction, the stability of food webs, the positions of the continents, and so on. Thus, it is possible for an extinction event with a higher taxonomic extinction rate to be caused by an intrinsically less severe trigger, compared to an event with a lower taxonomic extinction rate.

Here, we isolate the effects of taxonomic susceptibility on extinction rates. Specifically, we quantify the extent to which the taxonomic extinction rate in a substage is elevated or depressed by the vulnerability to extinction of classes extant in that substage. Using a logistic regression model, we estimate that the taxonomic susceptibility of marine fauna to extinction has generally declined through the Phanerozoic, and we adjust the observed extinction rate in each substage to estimate the intrinsic extinction severity more accurately. We find that mass extinctions do not generally occur during intervals of unusually high susceptibility, although susceptibility sometimes increases in post-extinction recovery intervals. Furthermore, the susceptibility of specific animal classes to extinction is generally similar in times of background and mass extinction, providing no evidence for differing regimes of extinction selectivity. Finally, we find an inverse correlation between extinction rate within substages and the evenness of diversity of major taxonomic groups, but further analyses indicate that low evenness itself does not cause high rates of extinction.
Modeling fluid flow inMedullosa, an anatomically unusual Carboniferous seed plant
Authors: Wilson Jonathan P. , Knoll Andrew H. , Holbrook N. Michele , Marshall Charles R.
Published: October 2008

Medullosastands apart from most Paleozoic seed plants in its combination of large leaf area, complex vascular structure, and extremely large water-conducting cells. To investigate the hydraulic consequences of these anatomical features and to compare them with other seed plants, we have adapted a model of water transport in xylem cells that accounts for resistance to flow from the lumen, pits, and pit membranes, and that can be used to compare extinct and extant plants in a quantitative way. Application of this model toMedullosa, the Paleozoic coniferophyteCordaites, and the extant coniferPinusshows that medullosan tracheids had the capacity to transport water at volume flow rates more comparable to those of angiosperm vessels than to those characteristic of ancient and modern coniferophyte tracheids. Tracheid structure inMedullosa, including the large pit membrane area per tracheid and the high ratio of tracheid diameter to wall thickness, suggests that its xylem cells operated at significant risk of embolism and implosion, making this plant unlikely to survive significant water stress These features further suggest that tracheids could not have furnished significant structural support, requiring either that other tissues supported these plants or that at least some medullosans were vines. In combination with high tracheid conductivity, distinctive anatomical characters ofMedullosasuch as the anomalous growth of vascular cambium and the large number of leaf traces that enter each petiole base suggest vascular adaptations to meet the evapotranspiration demands of its large leaves. The evolution of highly efficient conducting cells dictates a need to supply structural support via other tissues, both in tracheid-based stem seed plants and in vessel-bearing angiosperms.
On the bidirectional relationship between geographic range and taxonomic duration
Authors: Foote Michael , Crampton James S. , Beu Alan G. , Cooper Roger A.
Published: October 2008

Geographic range and taxonomic duration are known to be positively correlated in a number of biologic groups; this is usually attributed to the influence of range upon duration rather than the other way about. Here we analyze two distinct components of this correlation within species and genera of marine invertebrates and microfossils by partitioning the total duration into two parts: the time it takes a taxon to attain its maximum geographic range, and the time a taxon persists after attaining its peak range. We find that the longer it takes a taxon to attain its maximum geographic range, the wider is that range. We also find that the broader the maximum range, the greater is the duration after this maximum is attained. These two correlations are equally strong on average. There is thus a reciprocal relationship between duration and geographic range, and there is no compelling evidence that range generally determines duration more or less than duration determines range.
A novel triply bridged dinuclear four-coordinate copper(I) complex with sterically bulky bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane ligand
Authors: Yao Zu-Fu , Gan Xin , Fu Wen-Fu
Published: October 2008

A novel triply bridged dinuclear copper(I) complex: Cu2(μ-paa)(μ-dcpm)2(BF4)2·2CH2Cl2 [ paa = pyridine-2-carbaldehyde azine (C12H10N4) and dcpm = bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane(C25H46P2) ] has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Crystallographic studies of the complex showed that two copper(I) ions were bridged by one paa ligand and two dcpm ligands. The paa ligand adopted the Z configuration at the partially double N-N bond and the two copper ions have distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. Because of the steric effect of dcpm, the pyridine rings of the paa ligand are obviously not on the same plane (the dihedral angle is 43.610). The interaction between neighboring ligands results in a N-N bond length (1.374(7) Å) contraction. The UV-vis spectra of the complex exhibited intense high-energy absorptions at λmax
Synthesis, characterization and antifungal testing of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thio)ones containing boronic acids and boronate esters
Authors: Duguay Dominique , Zamora Matthew , Blacquiere Johanna , Appoh Francis , Vogels Christopher , Wheaton Susan , Baerlocher Felix , Decken Andreas , Westcott Stephen
Published: October 2008

The addition of formylphenylboronic acid derivatives to thiourea and ethyl acetoacetate proceeds in the presence of an additional Lewis acid catalyst to give the corresponding 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-(thio)ones (Biginelli products) in moderate yield. Compounds were tested for antifungal activity against pure cultures of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae but, unfortunately, none showed any appreciable activity.
Uses of 5-Methylresorcin-bonded polyurethan foam as a new solid phase extractor for the selective separation of mercury ions from natural water samples
Authors: Burham N.
Published: October 2008

In this work, 5-Methylresorcin (MR) bonded to untreated polyurethane foam (PUF) was successfully employed as a sorbent (MR-PUF) for the selective separation and determination of mercury in natural water samples. Mercury can be quantitatively recovered in the pH range of 5-7. The system presented a minicolumn packed with the new sorbent, where the sample solution was passed through it for a period of time and an eluent solution stripped out the retained mercury, which was further determined with dithizone. The new matrix was characterized by using different tools (IR spectra, stability and density). The kinetics of mercury uptake by the new matrix was found to be fast, reaching equilibrium in 20 minutes. A preconcentration factor of 350 was achieved. The proposed preconcentration procedure was applied successfully to the selective separation and determination of trace mercury in natural water samples.
Nanosized centers for mercury(II) ions adsorption on a surface of modified silica
Authors: Belyakova Lyudmila , Shvets Oleksandra , Lyashenko Diana
Published: October 2008

The present work investigates the adsorptive interactions of Hg(II) ions in aqueous medium with hydroxylated silica, aminopropylsilica and silica chemically modified by β-cyclodextrin. Batch adsorption studies were carried out with various agitation times and mercury(II) concentrations. The maximum adsorption was observed within 15–30 min of agitation. The kinetics of the interactions, tested with the model of Lagergren for pseudo-first and pseudo-second order equations, showed better agreement with first order kinetics (k1 = 3.4 ± 0.2 to 5.9 ± 0.3 min−1). The adsorption data gave good fits with Langmuir isotherms. The results have shown that β-cyclodextrin-containing adsorbent has the largest adsorption specificity to Hg(II): K L = 4125 ± 205 mmol−1. “β-cyclodextrin-NO3-” inclusion complexes with ratio 1: 1 and super molecules with composition C42H70O35 ⊎ 3 Hg(NO3)2 are formed on the surface of β-cyclodextrin-containing silica.
Preliminary results of a quick, simple method of detecting antimony in water samples
Authors: Díaz-Pérez Mónica , Aboal-Somoza Manuel , Bermejo-Barrera Pilar , Bermejo-Barrera Adela
Published: October 2008

Preliminary results of development of a direct and fast method of determination of antimony in samples of tap water using GFAAS are presented. The found levels of antimony were lower than permitted for human consumption. A mixture of Pd and Mg(NO3)2 (concentrations in the injected solution: 8.6 μg mL−1 and 5.8 μg mL−1 respectively) was used as the chemical modifier. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1000 and 1700°C, respectively and the mean analytical recovery 98.2%.
Synthesis of SnO2 nanopowders by a sol-gel process using propanol-isopropanol mixture
Authors: Hassanzadeh Ali , Moazzez Behrang , Haghgooie Hossein , Nasseri Mohsen , Golzan Mir , Sedghi Hassan
Published: October 2008

A simple sol-gel process is proposed for synthesizing SnO2 nanopowders utilizing normal propanol and isopropanol mixture instead of just using normal alcohols such as ethanol, propanol or butanol for Sol preparation. No surfactant was used in this Sol preparation process. The structure of sol is studied by FT-IR-ATR technique. On altering propanol to isopropanol ratio, three different nanopowders were obtained. X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED) and BET techniques were used to characterize prepared powders. Results show that smaller grain size was obtained via altering alcohols ratio. In addition, Merck commercial SnO2 powder was also used as a reference material for comparing purposes; because it has nanometer scale (ca. 60 nm). HRTEM images show that obtained nanopowders were polycrystalline and their average diameters fall into the range of 6–80 nm. Finally, the effect of alkoxide ligand size through sol-gel synthesis on product particle size is discussed.
Study of multiblock polyamide-6/Poly-(isoprene) copolymers by positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Bryaskova R. , Mateva R. , Djourelov N. , Krasteva M.
Published: October 2008

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been used to determine the free volume in multiblock polyamide-6/poly-(isoprene) copolymers (PA-6/PI), synthesized via activated anionic bulk copolymerization. The diisocyanate functionalized telechelic PI, blocked with caprolactam (CL) has been used as a commoner and an activator at the same time. The elastic PI block incorporated into the main chain of PA-6 affects the amorphous and crystal phase of the copolymer leading to changing in degree of crystallinity. The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PAL) and Doppler broadening of annihilation line (DBAL) technique in a set of pure PA-6 and PA-6/PI copolymers with two different compositions have been applied and evaluation of the size of free-volume holes (pores), localized mainly in the disordered regions of the PA-6/PI copolymer by measuring the o-Ps lifetime (τ3) and o-Ps intensity (I3) has been performed.
Tensile strengths and Young’s modulus of thin copper and copper-nickel (CuNi44) substrates
Authors: Staller Oliver , Mitterbauer Christina , Mayr Katharina
Published: October 2008

In this paper we report a method to determine tensile strengths and Young’s modulus of cubic biaxial textured metal tapes used as substrate materials for coated conductors (CC). Simplicity, rapidity and reproducibility of the procedure are important for the evaluation of continuous in-house productions. Our approach is based on the EN 10002-1 B tensile test method. A key role for satisfactory results is the sample preparation of 100–250 μm thick tapes, which will be described in detail. Copper (E-Cu57) can be successfully transformed to cubic biaxial textured substrates. Best results were achieved by annealing between 750°C and 850°C in reducing atmosphere. Best FWHM values for the ψ scan are 5.51° and for the ϕ scan are 4.5°. Pole figure analysis verified the sharp {001} texture of the tape. Vickers hardness measurements (HV 0.1) for the cold worked material yielded values of 135 and for the annealed tape, values of 37. The ultimate tensile yield strength Rm of the textured substrate is 150 MPa and thus significantly lower than that for the cold worked material (413 MPa). Cubic biaxial substrates could be manufactured from Isotan CuNi44 (WM49) bars. Best results were achieved by annealing at 1200°C in reducing atmosphere. Pole figure analysis verified the {001} texture with other low intensity texture components. Vickers hardness measurements (HV 0.1) for the cold worked material yielded values of 236 and for the annealed tape values of 92. The ultimate tensile yield strength R m of the textured substrate is 300 MPa and thus significantly lower than that for the cold worked material (723 MPa).
Perception and value of nature in urban landscapes: A comparative analysis of cities in Germany, Chile and Spain
Authors: Priego Carlos , Breuste Jürgen , Rojas Jorge
Published: October 2008

Cities are not socially homogenous, but divided into socially and structurally differentiated sub-units. Likewise, the individuals of a community, city or neighbourhood present specific behavioural patterns and uses with respect to their public green areas. This premise has led us to explore the question of how the perceptions, uses, and behaviours of people from different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic levels in Chile, Germany and Spain differ or coincide as far as urban nature and landscapes are concerned. Due to the comparative nature of the project, research areas with similar characteristics were chosen, thus allowing a comparative analysis of upper and lower middle-class neighbourhoods. People from all six study areas were surveyed using the same questionnaires. The results revealed that people of different social and cultural backgrounds use and perceive urban landscape in different ways. We found that nature of different kind plays an important role in all the urban societies and particularly in the neighbourhoods studied, regardless of social status or nationality. However, the higher the social status, the greater the urban green area dedicated to private uses. The preference for specific types of nature depends not only on social status, but cultural elements, accessibility and tradition as well. Moreover, nature-related outdoor activities are defined by this status, in turn reflecting the individual's cultural status within society.
Agricultural Set-aside Programs and Grassland Birds: Insights from Broad-scale Population Trend
Authors: Riffell Samuel Keith , McIntyre Nancy E. , Hayes Robert
Published: October 2008

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary set-aside program in the United States designed to ameliorate soil erosion, control crop overproduction, enhance water quality, and provide wildlife habitat by replacing crops with other forms of land cover. Because CRP includes primarily grass habitats, it has great potential to benefit declining North American grassland bird populations. We looked at the change in national and state population trends of grassland birds and related changes to cover-specific CRP variables (previous research grouped all CRP practices). Changes in national trends after the initiation of the CRP were inconclusive, but we observed signficant bird-CRP relations at the state level. Most bird-CRP relations were positive, except for some species associated with habitats that CRP replaced. Practice- and configuration-specific CRP variables were related to grassland bird trends, rather than a generic measure of all CRP types combined. Considering all CRP land as a single, distinct habitat type may obscure actual relations between birds and set-aside characteristics. Understanding and predicting the effects of set-aside programs (like CRP or agri-environment schemes) on grassland birds is complex and difficult. Because available broad-scale datasets are less than adequate, studies should be conducted at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
Stratigraphie séquentielle et évolution géodynamique du Jurassique (Sinémurien terminal - Aalénien) d’Ait Bou Guemmez (Haut Atlas central, Maroc)
Authors: El Bchari F. , Souhel A.
Published: October 2008

Dans la région d’Ait Bou Guemmez (Haut Atlas central, Maroc), la série Jurassique (Sinémurien terminal - l’Aalénien) à été subdivisée en cinq formations sédimentaires distinctes. Ces dernières s’organisent en sept séquences de troisième ordre, elles mêmes comprises dans trois cycles de deuxième ordre présentant les maxima de régression au sommet du Carixien inférieur et au Domérien supérieur. L’évolution géodynamique comporte trois étapes successives: 1) Sinémurien terminal - Carixien inférieur: un milieu de lagon limité par des zones émergées ou faiblement subsidentes situées le long de l’accident J.Tizal - J.Azourki; 2) Carixien moyen - Domérien supérieur: vaste plateforme carbonatée ouverte vers le NE; 3) Domérien terminal - Aalénien: intensification dans l’activité tectonique de l’accident de Jbel Tizal - Jbel Azourki, conduisant à la mise en place d’une mosaïque d’environnements sédimentaires dans l’ensemble du secteur étudié.
Gene Transfer into Neural Cells In Vitro Using Adenoviral Vectors
Authors: Southgate Thomas , Kroeger Kurt M. , Liu Chunyan , Lowenstein Pedro R. , Castro Maria G.
Published: October 2008

Adenoviral vectors are excellent vehicles to transfer genes into the nervous system due to their ability to transduce dividing and nondividing cells, their ability to be grown to very high titers, and their relatively large insert capacity. Also, adenoviral vectors can sustain very long‐term transgene expression in the CNS of rodents and in neurons and glial cells in culture. Successful gene transfer into the nervous system is dependent on the development, production, and quality control of vector preparations, which need to be of the highest quality. This unit provides protocols to clone, rescue, amplify, and purify first‐generation adenoviral vectors. Detailed quality control assays are provided to ensure that vector preparations are devoid of contamination from replication‐competent adenovirus and lipopolysaccharides. Also included are methodologies related to adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer into neurons and glial cells in culture, and the analysis of transgene expression using immunocytochemistry, enzymatic assays, and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 45:4.23.1‐4.23.43. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gene Expression Analysis of Neural Cells and Tissues Using DNA Microarrays
Authors: Karsten Stanislav L. , Kudo Lili C. , Geschwind Daniel H.
Published: October 2008

DNA microarrays pose specific challenges to those studying the central and peripheral nervous systems. Probably the most important involve difficulty in obtaining appropriate tissue for study, as well as the problems posed by cellular heterogeneity. This unit describes advances in the available technologies and provides protocols for cDNA microarray hybridization, including the use of PCR amplicons. Protocols are also provided for the two major methods for limiting cellular heterogeneity by study of RNA from single cell populations in high‐throughput microarray studies, laser capture microdissection (LCM), and automated fluorescent cell sorting (FACS‐array). Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 45:4.28.1‐4.28.38. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Animal Models of Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Witkin Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2008

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs with high prevalence, and the drugs used to treat OCD are limited in efficacy and have side‐effect issues. The discovery of improved medicines for OCD has been hampered in part by the lack of predictive in vivo models. This unit provides a brief overview of two methods that might have such predictive utility. Marble burying and nestlet shredding are two behaviors that occur spontaneously with high frequency and repetitiveness in mice. These acute in vivo assays are relatively easy to conduct. Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors decrease these behaviors without producing motor side effects, as assessed by the behavior of walking on a rotating rod. In contrast, some other drugs (e.g., benzodiazepine anxiolytics) only affect marble burying and nestlet shredding at motor‐impairing doses. The present methods might therefore provide one piece of in vivo information for the discovery of novel chemical treatment solutions for the symptoms of OCD.Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 45:9.30.1‐9.30.9. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
RNA‐Dependent DNA Polymerases
Authors: Tzertzinis George , Tabor Stanley , Nichols Nicole M.
Published: October 2008

Reverse transcriptases (RTs) are multifunctional enzymes, but are mainly used as RNA‐directed DNA polymerases in first‐strand cDNA synthesis. Specifically, oligodeoxynucleotides are used as primers for extension on RNA templates. The DNA synthesized from an RNA template is referred to as complementary DNA (cDNA) and is often used as a template for PCR or converted to dsDNA for cloning. This unit describes appropriate reaction conditions for RTs from Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) and avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV), along with applications such as synthesizing cDNA, 3′ fill‐in reactions, and labeling the 3′ terminus of DNA fragments with 5′ protruding ends, and DNA sequencing. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 84:3.7.1‐3.7.4. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of Gene‐Gene Interactions
Authors: Moore Jason H.
Published: October 2008

The goal of this unit is to introduce gene‐gene interactions (epistasis) as a significant complicating factor in the search for disease susceptibility genes. This unit begins with an overview of gene‐gene interactions and why they are likely to be common. Then, it reviews several statistical and computational methods for detecting and characterizing genes with effects that are dependent on other genes. The focus of this unit is genetic association studies of discrete and quantitative traits because most of the methods for detecting gene‐gene interactions have been developed specifically for these study designs.Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 59:1.14.1‐1.14.10. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Light Microscopy Digital Imaging
Authors: Ossi John
Published: October 2008

This unit presents an overview of digital imaging hardware used in light microscopy. CMOS, CCD, and EMCCDs are the primary sensors used. The strengths and weaknesses of each define the primary applications for these sensors. Sensor architecture and formats are also reviewed. Color camera design strategies and sensor window cleaning are also described in the unit. Curr. Protocol. Cytom. 46:2.3.1‐2.3.10. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Biomaterial Interface Investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Moisel M. , de Mele M. A. F. L. , Müller W.‐D.
Published: October 2008

Application of a biomaterial requires profound knowledge about the features and structure of the biomaterial ‐ tissue interface. Electrochemical techniques, especially electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) enable a fast non‐destructive characterization of the interface. This review summarizes the application of EIS in different biological environments.
Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Nonpolar Polyrotaxane Insulated Molecular Wires with High Solubility in Organic Solvents
Authors: Frampton Michael J. , Sforazzini Giuseppe , Brovelli Sergio , Latini Gianluca , Townsend Emily , Williams Charlotte C. , Charas Ana , Zalewski Leszek , Kaka Naeem S. , Sirish Mallena , Parrott Lisa J. , Wilson Joanne S. , Cacialli Franco , Anderson Harry L.
Published: October 2008

Hydrophilic polyanionic conjugated polyrotaxanes are readily synthesized in water by Suzuki coupling, but their high polarity and ionic nature limit the potential applications of these materials. Here, we demonstrate three methods for transforming these polar polyelectrolytes into nonpolar lipophilic insulated molecular wires. A water‐soluble polyfluorene‐alt‐biphenylene β‐cyclodextrin (CD) polyrotaxane was converted into nonpolar derivatives by methylation of the carboxylic acid groups with diazomethane and conversion of the hydroxyl groups of the CDs to benzyl ethers, trihexylsilyl ethers, benzoyl esters, and butanoate esters to yield polyrotaxanes that are soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform and cyclohexane. Elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) data support the proposed structures of the organic‐soluble polyrotaxanes. The extents of reaction of the polyrotaxane CD hydroxyl groups were 55% for trihexylsilyl chloride/imidazole; 81% for benzyl chloride/sodium hydride; 72% for benzoyl chloride/pyridine/4‐dimethylaminopyridine; and 98% butanoic anhydride/pyridine/4‐dimethylaminopyridine. Alkylation, silylation, and esterification increase the bulk of the encapsulating sheath, preventing interstrand aggregation, increasing the photoluminescence efficiency in the solid state and simplifying the time‐resolved fluorescence decay. The organic‐soluble polyrotaxanes were processed into polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) from solution in nonpolar organic solvents, thereby excluding ionic impurities from the active layer.
Stretchable Electronics: Materials Strategies and Devices
Authors: Kim Dae‐Hyeong , Rogers John A.
Published: October 2008

New electronic materials have the potential to enable wearable computers, personal health monitors, wall‐scale displays and other systems that are not easily achieved with established wafer based technologies. A traditional focus of this field is on the development of materials for circuits that can be formed on bendable substrates, such as sheets of plastic or steel foil. More recent efforts seek to achieve similar systems on fully elastic substrates for electronics that can be stretched, compressed, twisted and deformed in ways that are much more extreme than simple bending. This article highlights some recent progress in this area, with an emphasis on materials approaches and demonstrated devices.
Biomimetic Approach to the Formation of Titanium Dioxide Thin Films by Using Poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)
Authors: Yang Sung Ho , Kang Kyungtae , Choi Insung S.
Published: October 2008

We demonstrate that the biomimetic method—which has been used for the formation of silica thin films—also could be applied directly to the formation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films, which are technologically important materials because of their applications to photocatalytic purifiers, photochemical solar cells, and others. After generation of poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) films on gold surfaces by surface‐initiated polymerization, titanium bis(ammonium lactato)dihydroxide was used as a precursor of TiO2. The TiO2/PDMAEMA films were successfully formed on the surfaces in aqueous solution at neutral pH (pH 6.7) and room temperature, and were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffractometry. The formed TiO2 films have an amorphous nature and large area uniformity in thickness. The degree of crystallization was controlled by annealing. We also investigated the pH effect and the phosphate incorporation in the films by using phosphate‐buffered solutions. The TiO2 films were formed in all the employed pH values in the range of 2 to 12, but phosphate anions were found to be incorporated into the films facilely only at low pH.
The Synthesis of D‐Trihydroxyllysine‐Based Oligopeptides as a Hydrophilic Scaffold and its Application to the Synthesis of Bifunctional Chelating Agents for Use as Bone Tracers
Authors: Tanaka Hiroshi , Ando Yoshio , Abe Tsutomu , Takahashi Takashi
Published: October 2008

An effective hydrophilic scaffold composed of D‐trihydroxyllysine‐based oligopeptides and its application in the synthesis of the various 111In–DTPA conjugates with mono‐ to penta‐bisphosphonate units for use as bone tracers are described. The D‐trihydroxyllysine derivative with three orthogonal protecting groups was conjugated with functional devices at the γ position and allowed oligomerization based on peptide chemistry. The radiopharmaceutical complexes of 111InIII with selected chelators, 4 and 8, were suitable for bone imaging. These results show that D‐trihydroxyllysine 2 was an effective building block for the synthesis of multivalent ligands applicable to medical use.
Bestandssanierung aus einer Hand: ein zukunftsweisendes Kooperationsmodell für die Gebäudesanierung
Authors: Spitzner Martin H. , Werner Frank
Published: October 2008

Bei privaten Hauseigentümern und kleineren gewerblichen Hauseigentümern bestehen Bedenken, dass sie bei einer umfassenden energetischen Modernisierung fachlich und organisatorisch überfordert seien. Der Artikel berichtet über die Untersuchung von Hemmnissen bei der energetischen Modernisierung sowie einer Kooperationsform von Mittelständlern und Handwerksbetrieben als Gegenmaßnahme. Diese “Bestandssanierung aus einer Hand” soll alle erforderlichen Gewerke bei der energetischen Modernisierung von Wohngebäuden abdecken und ein breiteres Durchsetzen energetischer Modernisierungen im Bestand vorantreiben. Der Artikel fasst die Erkenntnisse aus Befragungen und Interviews und die Bewertungen der Befragten zusammen. Die Untersuchung konzentriert sich auf selbstgenutzte Wohngebäude. Die Erkenntnisse können als Hilfestellung für eigene Kooperationen dienen. Bewährt haben sich freie Kooperationen zwischen befreundeten Unternehmen, sowie projektbezogene Bietergemeinschaften oder Arbeitsgemeinschaften. Dabei ist aus Sicht des Kunden der Variante der Vorzug zu geben, bei der eine der Partnerfirmen als Generalunternehmer auftritt. Diese “kleine” Kooperationslösung wird sowohl von den Bauherren als auch von vielen Handwerksbetrieben gut angenommen und sollte in der energetischen Bestandsmodernisierung stärker betont werden. Musterverträge würden Gründung und Fortbestand solcher Kooperation fördern.
Harmonisierte europäische Normen für Dämmstoffe für betriebstechnische Anlagen in der Industrie und in der technischen Gebäudeausrüstung
Authors: Schmoldt Jürgen
Published: October 2008

Europäische Normen (EN) für Baustoffe, die gemäß der Bauproduktenrichtlinie durch das CEN erstellt werden, verdrängen nationale Normen und treten als Referenzdokumente in Ausführungsvorschriften und Normen, Bauregellisten, Landesbauordnungen an deren Stelle. Grundlagen hierfür sind Die Verpflichtung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland zur Umsetzung von EU‐Richtlinien und die Verpflichtung des DIN gegenüber dem europäischen Normungsinstitut CEN. Die Verdrängung nationaler Normen durch EN gilt nicht für Arbeitspapiere der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Industriebau e. V. (AGI). Diese bleiben daher gültig und begründen die “allgemein anerkannten Regeln der Technik” im selben Maße wie bisher. Im Falle divergierender Aussagen zwischen AGI‐Arbeitsblättern und EN bzw. DIN EN wird es letztlich auf eine Streitfallentscheidung hinauslaufen, welche Aussage als “allgemein anerkannte Regel der Technik” zu gelten habe.
Die Holz‐Wasser‐Interaktion am Beispiel ausgewählter fremdländischer Holzarten. Das hypothetische Hydratwasser
Authors: Popper Rudolf , Niemz Peter , Eberle Gerhild
Published: October 2008

Die Interaktion zwischen Holz und Wasser hat eine entscheidende Bedeutung für die Anwendung von Holz. Praktisch alle Eigenschaften des Holzes sind von der Holzfeuchte beeinflusst. Das Wasser ist über den hygroskopischen Bereich der Sorptionsisotherme unterschiedlich stark an das Holz gebunden. Es treten chemische, physikalische sowie Kapillarkräfte in den unterschiedlichen Bindungsformen des Wassers auf. Sehr trockenes Holz kann das Wasser so stark binden, dass es zu einer Kontraktion der sorbierten Schicht kommt. Die Wasseraufnahme wird in dieser Schicht nicht von einer Quellung begleitet. Der Aggregatzustand des Wassers wird als Hydrat‐ oder auch als Kristallwasser bezeichnet. Aufbauend auf vorangegangenen Arbeiten zum Sorptionsverhalten verschiedener Holzarten wird nachfolgend vor allem das Phänomen Hydratwasser aufgrund von den komplexen Sorptions‐ und Quellungsmessungen an fremdländischen Holzarten untersucht.
Infrequent and low expression of cancer‐testis antigens located on the X chromosome in colorectal cancer: Implications for immunotherapy in South African populations
Authors: Dakshinamurthy Amirtha Ganesh , Ramesar Rajkumar , Goldberg Paul , Blackburn Jonathan M.
Published: October 2008

Cancer‐testis (CT) antigens are a group of tumor antigens that are expressed in the testis and aberrantly in cancerous tissue but not in somatic tissues. The testis is an immune‐privileged site because of the presence of a blood‐testis barrier; as a result, CT antigens are considered to be essentially tumor specific and are attractive targets for immunotherapy. CT antigens are classified as the CT‐X and the non‐X CT antigens depending on the chromosomal location to which the genes are mapped. CT‐X antigens are typically highly immunogenic and hence the first step towards tailored immunotherapy is to elucidate the expression profile of CT‐X antigens in the respective tumors. In this study we investigated the expression profile of 16 CT‐X antigen genes in 34 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. We observed that 12 of the 16 CT‐X antigen genes studied did not show expression in any of the CRC samples analyzed. The other 4 CT‐X antigen genes showed low frequency of expression and exhibited a highly variable expression profile when compared to other populations. Thus, our study forms the first report on the expression profile of CT‐X antigen genes among CRC patients in the genetically diverse South African population. The results of our study suggest that genetic and ethnic variations in population might have a role in the expression of the CT‐X antigen genes. Thus our results have significant implications for anti‐CT antigen‐based immunotherapy trials in this population.
Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of Reconstituted ZincMyoglobin Appending a DNA‐Binding Platinum(II) Complex
Authors: Takashima Hiroshi , Fujimoto Emi , Hirai Chiharu , Tsukahara Keiichi
Published: October 2008

A reconstituted zinc–myoglobin (ZnMb) dyad, ZnMb‐[Pt(bpy)(en)]2+, has been prepared by incorporating chemically‐modified zinc–porphyrin, being capable of DNA‐binding of the Pt complex, [Pt(bpy)(en)]2+, where bpy and en are 2,2′‐bipyridine and ethylenediamine, respectively. The steady‐state fluorescence of the cofactor, [Pt(bpy)(μ‐enPP)Zn]Cl2, in MeOH indicates that the excited singlet state of zincporphyrin was almost quenched, probably because of the strong hydrophobic and π–π stacking interactions between the [Pt(bpy)(μ‐enPP)Zn]2+ ions. In the reconstituted ZnMb‐[Pt(bpy)(en)]2+, the quenching reaction of 1(ZnMb)* with the [Pt(bpy)(en)]2+ moiety does not occur, indicating apo‐Mb matrix is essential. On the other hand, when the [Pt(bpy)(en)]2+ moiety was excited, the enhancement of the fluorescence from ZnMb unit was observed. It is suggested that the energy transfer from 1([Pt(bpy)(en)]2+)* to ZnMb occurs. The spectroscopic changes of ZnMb‐[Pt(bpy)(en)]2+ in the presence of calf‐thymus DNA were also provided. Soret band at 428 nm gradually decreased, and isosbestic points at 321, 414, and 432 nm were observed with increasing the DNA concentration. When the PtII moiety was excited at λex 321 nm, the fluorescence signal around 600 nm similarly decreased. The synthetic manipulation of ZnMb by using a DNA‐binding PtII complex demonstrates sensitive fluorescent signal for DNA and valuable information to study photoinduced electron transfer within a Mb–DNA complex.
XANES Study of the Carboxylate Binding Mode in Two Pterin Hydroxylases
Authors: Mijovilovich Ana
Published: October 2008

The 2‐His‐1‐carboxylate triad is an FeII‐binding motif common to several enzyme families. Within the catalytic cycle, the metal ion seems to alter between hexa‐ and pentacoordination, providing an open space in the Fe moiety for dioxygen binding. Anyhow, based on crystallographic studies, the picture is not fully consistent as different coordination numbers are reported for similar states. Moreover, the orientation of the metal‐coordinating carboxylate varies in these studies. These differences are reflected in the XANES spectra analyzed in this paper. For isolated tyrosine and phenylalanine hydroxylase, the different active‐site structures postulated by protein crystallography and further improved using spectroscopic data result in calculated XANES pattern that resemble very well the experiments. This work shows that structural differences in the non‐coordinated oxygen of the carboxylate have no effect in the EXAFS but cause a change in the white‐line intensity that can be successfully modeled within the muffin‐tin approximation in small clusters. Thus, the study shows a way to analyze the ‘carboxylate shift’. This highlights the potential of XANES analysis and clearly shows that the mentioned structural differences are present in solution as well, and does neither reflect the crystallization artifacts nor result from radiation damage or lacking resolution.
Stretch‐induced activation of ERK in myocytes is p38 and calcineurin‐dependent
Authors: Rauch Cyril , Loughna Paul T.
Published: October 2008

Activation of specific mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been suggested to be involved in phenotype modulation of cells subjected to mechanical strain, which may be common to different mechano‐sensitive cell types. We have submitted C2C12 myocytes to a static stretch and examined its effect upon the activation of ERK. Stretch induced a rapid but transient activation of ERK. This activation was however prevented when cells were pre‐treated with inhibitors of p38 and calcineurin. The dependence of strain‐induced ERK activation upon p38 suggests a cross‐talk between these two pathways when mediating a response to a mechanical stimulus in this cell type. This suggests that cross relationships between these MAP kinases may be of crucial importance for myocyte phenotype modulation and differentiation in response to a mechanical stimulus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of Pharmacological Chaperones for Gaucher Disease and Characterization of Their Effects on β‐Glucocerebrosidase by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tropak Michael B. , Kornhaber Gregory J. , Rigat Brigitte A. , Maegawa Gustavo H. , Buttner Justin D. , Blanchard Jan E. , Murphy Cecilia , Tuske Steven J. , Coales Stephen J. , Hamuro Yoshitomo , Brown Eric D. , Mahuran Don J.
Published: October 2008

Point mutations in β‐glucocerebrosidase (GCase) can result in a deficiency of both GCase activity and protein in lysosomes thereby causing Gaucher Disease (GD). Enzyme inhibitors such as isofagomine, acting as pharmacological chaperones (PCs), increase these levels by binding and stabilizing the native form of the enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and allow increased lysosomal transport of the enzyme. A high‐throughput screen of the 50 000‐compound Maybridge library identified two, non‐carbohydrate‐based inhibitory molecules, a 2,4‐diamino‐5‐substituted quinazoline (IC50 5 μM) and a 5‐substituted pyridinyl‐2‐furamide (IC50 8 μM). They raised the levels of functional GCase 1.5–2.5‐fold in N370S or F213I GD fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence confirmed that treated GD fibroblasts had decreased levels of GCase in their ER and increased levels in lysosomes. Changes in protein dynamics, monitored by hydrogen/deuterium‐exchange mass spectrometry, identified a domain III active‐site loop (residues 243–249) as being significantly stabilized upon binding of isofagomine or either of these two new compounds; this suggests a common mechanism for PC enhancement of intracellular transport.