bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
US Intergroup Anal Carcinoma Trial: Tumor Diameter Predicts for Colostomy
Authors: Ajani Jaffer A. , Winter Kathryn A. , Gunderson Leonard L. , Pedersen John , Benson Al B. , Thomas Charles R. , Mayer Robert J. , Haddock Michael G. , Rich Tyvin A. , Willett Christopher G.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The US Gastrointestinal Intergroup Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 98-11 anal carcinoma trial showed that cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy resulted in a significantly higher rate of colostomy compared with mitomycin-based therapy. Established prognostic variables for patients with anal carcinoma include tumor diameter, clinical nodal status, and sex, but pretreatment variables that would predict the likelihood of colostomy are unknown.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed by combining patients in the two treatment arms to evaluate whether new predictive and prognostic variables would emerge. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to correlate overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, and time to colostomy (TTC) with pretreatment and treatment variables.

Results

Of 682 patients enrolled, 644 patients were assessable and analyzed. In the multivariate analysis, tumor-related prognosticators for poorer OS included node-positive cancer (P ≤ .0001), large (> 5 cm) tumor diameter (P = .01), and male sex (P = .016). In the treatment-related categories, cisplatin-based therapy was statistically significantly associated with a higher rate of colostomy (P = .03) than was mitomycin-based therapy. In the pretreatment variables category, only large tumor diameter independently predicted for TTC (P = .008). Similarly, the cumulative 5-year colostomy rate was statistically significantly higher for large tumor diameter than for small tumor diameter (Gray's test; P = .0074). Clinical nodal status and sex were not predictive of TTC.

Conclusion

The combined analysis of the two arms of RTOG 98-11, representing the largest prospective database, reveals that tumor diameter (irrespective of the nodal status) is the only independent pretreatment variable that predicts TTC and 5-year colostomy rate in patients with anal carcinoma.
Is left-right asymmetry a form of planar cell polarity?
Authors: Aw Sherry , Levin Michael
Published: January 2009

Consistent left-right (LR) patterning is a clinically important embryonic process. However, key questions remain about the origin of asymmetry and its amplification across cell fields. Planar cell polarity (PCP) solves a similar morphogenetic problem, and although core PCP proteins have yet to be implicated in embryonic LR asymmetry, studies of mutations affecting planar polarity, together with exciting new data in cell and developmental biology,provide a new perspective on LR patterning. Here we propose testable models for the hypothesis that LR asymmetry propagates as a type of PCP that imposes coherent orientation onto cell fields, and that the cue that orients this polarization is a chiral intracellular structure.
Retinol dehydrogenase 10 is a feedback regulator of retinoic acid signalling during axis formation and patterning of the central nervous system
Authors: Strate Ina , Min Tan H. , Iliev Dobromir , Pera Edgar M.
Published: January 2009

Retinoic acid (RA) is an important morphogen that regulates many biological processes, including the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Its synthesis from vitamin A (retinol) occurs in two steps, with the second reaction - catalyzed by retinal dehydrogenases (RALDHs) - long considered to be crucial for tissue-specific RA production in the embryo. We have recently identified the Xenopus homologue of retinol dehydrogenase 10 (XRDH10)that mediates the first step in RA synthesis from retinol to retinal. XRDH10 is specifically expressed in the dorsal blastopore lip and in other domains of the early embryo that partially overlap with XRALDH2expression. We show that endogenous RA suppresses XRDH10 gene expression, suggesting negative-feedback regulation. In mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos, XRDH10 mimicked RA responses, influenced the gene expression of organizer markers, and synergized with XRALDH2in posteriorizing the developing brain. Knockdown of XRDH10 and XRALDH2 by specific antisense morpholino oligonucleotides had the opposite effects on organizer gene expression, and caused a ventralized phenotype and anteriorization of the brain. These data indicate that the conversion of retinol into retinal is a developmentally controlled step involved in specification of the dorsoventral and anteroposterior body axes, as well as in pattern formation of the CNS. We suggest that the combinatorial gene expression and concerted action of XRDH10 and XRALDH2 constitute a`biosynthetic enzyme code' for the establishment of a morphogen gradient in the embryo.
EGFR signaling regulates the proliferation ofDrosophilaadult midgut progenitors
Authors: Jiang Huaqi , Edgar Bruce A.
Published: January 2009

In holometabolous insects, the adult appendages and internal organs form anew from larval progenitor cells during metamorphosis. As described here, the adult Drosophila midgut, including intestinal stem cells (ISCs),develops from adult midgut progenitor cells (AMPs) that proliferate during larval development in two phases. Dividing AMPs first disperse, but later proliferate within distinct islands, forming large cell clusters that eventually fuse during metamorphosis to make the adult midgut epithelium. We find that signaling through the EGFR/RAS/MAPK pathway is necessary and limiting for AMP proliferation. Midgut visceral muscle produces a weak EGFR ligand, Vein, which is required for early AMP proliferation. Two stronger EGFR ligands, Spitz and Keren, are expressed by the AMPs themselves and provide an additional, autocrine mitogenic stimulus to the AMPs during late larval stages.
no polesencodes a predicted E3 ubiquitin ligase required for early embryonic development ofDrosophila
Authors: Merkle Julie A. , Rickmyre Jamie L. , Garg Aprajita , Loggins Erin B. , Jodoin Jeanne N. , Lee Ethan , Wu Louisa P. , Lee Laura A.
Published: January 2009

In a screen for cell-cycle regulators, we identified a Drosophilamaternal effect-lethal mutant that we named `no poles'(nopo). Embryos from nopo females undergo mitotic arrest with barrel-shaped, acentrosomal spindles during the rapid S-M cycles of syncytial embryogenesis. We identified CG5140, which encodes a candidate RING domain-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase, as the nopogene. A conserved residue in the RING domain is altered in our EMS-mutagenized allele of nopo, suggesting that E3 ligase activity is crucial for NOPO function. We show that mutation of a DNA checkpoint kinase, CHK2,suppresses the spindle and developmental defects of nopo-derived embryos, revealing that activation of a DNA checkpoint operational in early embryos contributes significantly to the nopo phenotype. CHK2-mediated mitotic arrest has been previously shown to occur in response to mitotic entry with DNA damage or incompletely replicated DNA. Syncytial embryos lacking NOPO exhibit a shorter interphase during cycle 11, suggesting that they may enter mitosis prior to the completion of DNA replication. We show that Bendless (BEN), an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, interacts with NOPO in a yeast two-hybrid assay; furthermore, ben-derived embryos arrest with a nopo-like phenotype during syncytial divisions. These data support our model that an E2-E3 ubiquitination complex consisting of BEN-UEV1A (E2 heterodimer) and NOPO (E3 ligase) is required for the preservation of genomic integrity during early embryogenesis.
Triggering the regeneration and tissue repair programs
Authors: Tanaka Elly , Galliot Brigitte
Published: January 2009

In early October 2008, researchers from diverse backgrounds gathered at an EMBO conference entitled `The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Regeneration and Tissue Repair' to discuss the basic biology of regeneration. Topics included cell plasticity in regenerative and developmental contexts, and the link between wound healing and regeneration. The meeting also highlighted the progress made in identifying the molecular networks that underlie regeneration in a variety of model systems.
An in vitro ES cell imprinting model shows that imprinted expression of theIgf2rgene arises from an allele-specific expression bias
Authors: Latos Paulina A. , Stricker Stefan H. , Steenpass Laura , Pauler Florian M. , Huang Ru , Senergin Basak H. , Regha Kakkad , Koerner Martha V. , Warczok Katarzyna E. , Unger Christine , Barlow Denise P.
Published: January 2009

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process that results in parental-specific gene expression. Advances in understanding the mechanism that regulates imprinted gene expression in mammals have largely depended on generating targeted manipulations in embryonic stem (ES) cells that are analysed in vivo in mice. However, genomic imprinting consists of distinct developmental steps, some of which occur in post-implantation embryos,indicating that they could be studied in vitro in ES cells. The mouse Igf2r gene shows imprinted expression only in post-implantation stages, when repression of the paternal allele has been shown to require cis-expression of the Airn non-coding (nc) RNA and to correlate with gain of DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications. Here we follow the gain of imprinted expression of Igf2r during in vitro ES cell differentiation and show that it coincides with the onset of paternal-specific expression of the Airn ncRNA. Notably, although Airn ncRNA expression leads, as predicted, to gain of repressive epigenetic marks on the paternal Igf2r promoter, we unexpectedly find that the paternal Igf2r promoter is expressed at similar low levels throughout ES cell differentiation. Our results further show that the maternal and paternal Igf2r promoters are expressed equally in undifferentiated ES cells,but during differentiation expression of the maternal Igf2r promoter increases up to 10-fold, while expression from the paternal Igf2rpromoter remains constant. This indicates, contrary to expectation, that the Airn ncRNA induces imprinted Igf2r expression not by silencing the paternal Igf2r promoter, but by generating an expression bias between the two parental alleles.
Vav proteins are necessary for correct differentiation of mouse cecal and colonic enterocytes
Authors: Liu John Y. , Seno Hiroshi , Miletic Ana V. , Mills Jason C. , Swat Wojciech , Stappenbeck Thaddeus S.
Published: January 2009

In the mammalian cecum and colon, a single layer of absorptive, mature enterocytes are a crucial element of the physical barrier to the contents of the lumen. Enterocytic differentiation involves expansion of cytoplasmic cytoskeletal networks, which have been proposed to maintain structural integrity of individual cells and thus the entire epithelial barrier. We sought molecular tools to test this hypothesis in vivo, because in vitro systems displaying full intestinal epithelial differentiation have not yet been developed. Vav proteins are RhoGEFs that modulate cytoskeletal networks in immune cells. We found that Vav proteins were preferentially expressed in terminally differentiating cecal and colonic enterocytes. Loss of Vav protein expression in triple-knockout mice (Vav1–/–;Vav2–/–;Vav3–/–) resulted in defective expansion of microtubule cytoskeletons, a significant decrease in cell height and diminished expression of differentiation markers. Despite these changes, enterocytes in the triple-mutant mice did not contain measurable alterations in actin cytoskeleton, apical cell-cell junctions, nuclear position or global polarized delivery of proteins involved in terminal differentiation. Aged triple-mutant mice spontaneously developed ulcerative lesions that were, in part, a result of defective wound repair. These studies show that Vav proteins are required for enterocytic differentiation and colonic epithelial barrier integrity.
Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Tris-bridged [3.3.n](3,6,9)Carbazolophanes
Authors: Tani Keita , Sakumoto Naoki , Kubono Koji , Hori Kazushige , Tohda Yasuo , Benten Hiroaki , Ohkita Hideo , Ito Shinzaburo , Yamamoto Masahide
Published: January 2009

Tris-bridged [3.3.n](3,6,9)carbazolophanes 1n (n=3–6), which are appropriate model compounds for fully overlapped excimer in carbazole chromophore, have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, X-ray, absorption and fluorescence spectra; 1n showed excimeric fluorescence, whose emission maxima strongly depended on the angles and distances between carbazole rings.
Monolayer Formation of a Pt–Ru Dinuclear Complex on a Gold (111) Surface and Its Conversion to a Pt–Ru Two-dimensional Nanocomposite Having Electrocatalytic Activity
Authors: Uehara Hiromitsu , Okawa Yukihisa , Sasaki Yoichi , Uosaki Kohei
Published: January 2009

Monolayers of Pt–Ru hetero-dinuclear complex were prepared on a Au(111) surface to obtain a designed two-dimensional Pt–Ru nanocomposite that acts as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline solution.
The Structure and Absolute Stereochemistry of Briaexcavatin U, a New Chlorinated Briarane from a Cultured Octocoral Briareum excavatum
Authors: Sung Ping-Jyun , Lin Mei-Ru , Chiang Michael Y
Published: January 2009

A new chlorinated briarane, briaexcavatin U (1), has been isolated from a cultured octocoral Briareum excavatum. The structure, including the absolute stereochemistry of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods and further confirmed by X-ray data analysis.
The use of radiotelemetry to assess the time needed to acclimatize guineapigs following several hours of ground transport
Authors: Stemkens-Sevens Sylvia , van Berkel Kees , de Greeuw Inge , Snoeijer Berber , Kramer Klaas
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ground transportation on guineapigs. Physiological parameters, i.e. heart rate (HR), body temperature (BT) and activity (ACT), were measured before and after transport, using previously implanted radiotelemetry transmitters. Body weight was measured before and after transport. After a postsurgical recovery period and data recording at the breeder's facility, the animals were transported for 2.25 h (Group 1) and for 7.5 h (Group 2) to a different animal facility. Data collection started immediately after arrival at the second animal facility. All parameters measured changed significantly after transport. These results suggest that a 10- to 12-day period is required for guineapigs to return to pre-transport levels of HR, BT and ACT.
Influence of early neonatal experience on nociceptive responses and analgesic effects in rats
Authors: Dickinson Amy L , Leach Matthew C , Flecknell Paul A
Published: January 2009

Early maternal separation has profound effects on nociception in rats. Cross-fostering is a standard husbandry procedure used by some commercial breeders. This study aimed to determine if cross-fostering altered nociception and the analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine and morphine. At seven and nine weeks of age, an elevated plus maze was used to assess anxiety and Hargreaves apparatus was used to measure thermal nociception at two intensities in cross-fostered and naturally-reared rats. At 10 weeks of age these rats were assigned to one of three treatment groups: saline, buprenorphine or morphine. The Hargreaves apparatus was used to evaluate the effect of analgesics on nociception. Differences were observed in nociception between the cross-fostered and naturally-reared rats at both intensities. At the lower intensity no significant differences were seen between the cross-fostered and naturally-reared rats post-administration of an analgesic. At the higher intensity significant differences were apparent. Morphine was less effective in inducing analgesia to thermal stimuli in cross-fostered rats compared with naturally-reared rats, whereas the opposite was found with buprenorphine which had a more pronounced analgesic effect in the cross-fostered rats. No significant differences in performance on an elevated plus maze were demonstrated between the cross-fostered and naturally-reared rats.
Comparative study of heart rate variability between healthy human subjects and healthy dogs, rabbits and calves
Authors: Manzo A , Ootaki Y , Ootaki C , Kamohara K , Fukamachi K
Published: January 2009

Several studies have been performed to assess heart rate variability (HRV) in several species such as humans, dogs, pigs, calves, rabbits and rats. However, haemodynamic parameters are totally different in each animal, and optimal animal models for studying HRV corresponding to human HRV are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess HRV in human subjects and to compare those HRV data with canine, bovine and rabbit HRV data. The heart rate in the human subjects (62.8 ± 7.4 bpm) was significantly lower than that in dogs (124.2 ± 18.8 bpm, P < 0.001), calves (73.4 ± 10.5 bpm, P < 0.05), and rabbits (217.3 ± 21.5 bpm, P < 0.001). The low-frequency waves (LF) (57.9 ± 65.8 ms2/Hz) and high-frequency waves (HF) (33.8 ± 49.1 ms2/Hz) in rabbits were significantly lower than human LF (1216.3 ± 1220.7 ms2/Hz, P < 0.05) and HF (570.9 ± 581.3 ms2/Hz, P < 0.05). Dogs and calves showed similar LF (991.1 ± 646.1 ms2/Hz and 547.0 ± 256.9 ms2/Hz, respectively), HF (702.1 ± 394.1 ms2/Hz and 601.0 ± 666.6 ms2/Hz, respectively) and LF/HF (2.0 ± 1.3 and 2.5 ± 1.9, respectively) when compared with the human data. The present study shows that dogs and calves revealed similar HRV values as those which relate to humans. Large deviation of the HRV values in rabbits compared with humans might be considered when conducting animal studies using those animals to reflect human clinical situations.
Quality of plasma sampled by different methods for multiple blood sampling in mice
Authors: Christensen S D , Mikkelsen L F , Fels J J , Bodvarsdóttir T B , Hansen A K
Published: January 2009

For oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in mice, multiple blood samples need to be taken within a few hours from conscious mice. Today, a number of essential parameters may be analysed on very small amounts of plasma, thus reducing the number of animals to be used. It is, however, crucial to obtain high-quality plasma or serum in order to avoid increased data variation and thereby increased group sizes. The aim of this study was to find the most valid and reproducible method for withdrawal of blood samples when performing OGTT. Four methods, i.e. amputation of the tail tip, lateral tail incision, puncture of the tail tip and periorbital puncture, were selected for testing at 21°C and 30°C after a pilot study. For each method, four blood samples were drawn from C57BL/6 mice at 30 min intervals. The presence of clots was registered, haemolysis was monitored spectrophotometrically at 430 nm, and it was noted whether it was possible to achieve 30–50 μL blood. Furthermore, a small amount of extra blood was sampled before and after the four samplings for testing of whether the sampling induced a blood glucose change over the 90 min test period. All methods resulted in acceptable amounts of plasma. Clots were observed in a sparse number of samples with no significant differences between the methods. Periorbital puncture did not lead to any haemolysed samples at all, and lateral tail incision resulted in only a few haemolysed samples, while puncture or amputation of the tail tip induced haemolysis in a significant number of samples. All methods, except for puncture of the tail tip, influenced blood glucose. Periorbital puncture resulted in a dramatic increase in blood glucose of up to 3.5 mmol/L indicating that it is stressful. Although lateral tail incision also had some impact on blood glucose, it seems to be the method of choice for OGTT, as it is likely to produce a clot-free non-haemolysed sample, while periorbital sampling, although producing a high quality of sample, induces such a dramatic change in blood glucose that it should not be applied for OGTT in mice.
Coexistence of different tissue tumourigenesis in an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinoma model: a histopathological report in Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Esendagli G , Yilmaz G , Canpinar H , Gunel-Ozcan A , Guc M O , Guc D
Published: January 2009

N-methyl- N-nitrosourea (MNU), a highly potent carginogen, is widely used to generate mammary tumours in murine species. In a model of MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis using immature female Sprague-Dawley rats, large mammary tumours (largest dimension ≥0.5 cm) were obtained within a very short period of time. In addition, in the rats bearing MNU-induced mammary carcinomas, there were a number of tumours whose origins were not from mammary tissue but from several different tissues and from mammary non-epithelial tissue. The tumours were of mesenchymal or epithelial origin and they were located in the inguinal region. These tumours were diagnosed as fibroadenoma, combined tubular adenoma and fibroadenoma, hyperkeratotic papilloma, keratinous cyst and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) with smooth muscle differentiation. The occurrence of these other tumours in addition to the development of the mammary carcinomas may be attributed to a direct local effect of the intraperitoneal administration of MNU during the sexual development of the immature rats. In the MNU-induced mammary tumour model, coexistence of tumourigenesis in various non-mammary tissues should be considered an important factor that may interfere with experimental procedures and results and also the quality of life of the tumour-bearing animals.
Use of ultrasound imaging for early diagnosis of pregnancy and determination of litter size in the mouse
Authors: Pallares P , Gonzalez-Bulnes A
Published: January 2009

Precocity and efficiency of ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and determination of litter size in mice were assessed on a total of 46 adult mice of different lines (19 BALB/c, 15 C57BL/6 and 12 CD1) from Day 4.5 after vaginal plug. Different commercial ultrasound machines and probes (linear versus sectorial; 7.5 MHz versus 10 MHz) were compared. The best images were obtained by the use of 10 MHz linear transducers. The first visualization compatible with pregnancy, specifically with the implantation sites, was observed at Day 4.5 in three animals. Presence of embryonic vesicles was differentiated at Day 5.5 in all the females. The embryos and remaining gestational structures inside the vesicles were clearly distinguished at Day 8.5. Data were validated not only after delivery but also by comparison with postmortem findings on crucial days (Days 4.5 and 8.5). The efficiency for counting the exact number of embryos was very low, due mostly to underestimation in highly prolific females. Conversely, the estimation of the range of the number of conceptuses, instead of the total number, was more accurate. Sensitivity, specificity and total efficiency reached 100% at Day 8.5. Ultrasonography can be accurately used as an alternative non-invasive technique for pregnancy diagnosis and determination of litter size in the mouse from very early stages of gestation, replacing other procedures currently used and increasing efficiency in animal management and research.
Positive effect of partial zona pellucida digestion on in vitro fertilization of mouse oocytes with cryopreserved spermatozoa
Authors: Fan Zhi Qiang , Wang Yan Ping , Yan Chang Liang , Suo Lun , Zhu Shi En
Published: January 2009

Cryopreservation of mouse spermatozoa has been widely used; however, fertility of frozen spermatozoa in some strains, especially when inseminating cryopreserved oocytes, is low and may be improved by assisted fertilization techniques. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of partial zona pellucida (ZP) digestion on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) capacity of frozen mouse spermatozoa. Mouse oocytes were subjected to partial ZP digestion using acidic Tyrode's solution (pH 3.1). Fertilization rates in digestion groups (30 or 45 s) were higher ( P < 0.05) than that of zona-intact control (78.3% or 86.3% vs. 52.5%). The recovery rate at 45 s was lower ( P < 0.05) than that at 30 s (84.2% vs. 97.3%). Among vitrified oocytes, the fertilization rate in treatment group (digested for 30 s) was higher ( P < 0.05) than that of zona-intact group (50.8% vs. 22.1%). After embryo transfer at the two-cell stage, 17.7% and 11.8% of transferred embryos derived from fresh and vitrified digested oocytes developed to term and showed no significant difference as compared with that from zona-intact oocytes (24.1%, P > 0.05). These results indicate that partial ZP digestion improves IVF efficiency of fresh and vitrified oocytes with frozen mouse spermatozoa, which can provide valuable information for in vitro assisted fertilization using cryopreserved gametes in the re-establishment of mouse colonies.
Heterogeneous Learning and the Targeting of Marketing Communication for New Products
Authors: Narayanan Sridhar , Manchanda Puneet
Published: January 2009

New product launches are often accompanied by extensive marketing communication campaigns. Firms' allocation decisions for these marketing communication expenditures have two dimensions—across consumers and over time. This allocation problem is different relative to the problem of allocation of resources for existing products. In the case of new products, consumers are uncertain about their quality and learn about the products through marketing communication. Furthermore, different consumers may have different rates of learning about product quality; i.e., there may be heterogeneous learning. Thus, consumer responsiveness to marketing communication could vary along two dimensions. For each consumer, this responsiveness would vary over time, as she learns about product quality. Across consumers, there would be differences in responsiveness in each time period. For optimal allocation of marketing communication across both consumers and time, firms would need estimates of how consumer responsiveness varies across consumers and over time. Past studies have typically focused on one of these two dimensions in which responsiveness varies. They have either looked at heterogeneity in responsiveness across agents or the variation in responsiveness over time. In the context of new products, past research has looked at how consumer learning about product quality causes responsiveness to vary over time. In this study, we build a model that allows for heterogeneous learning rates and obtain individual-level learning parameters for each consumer. We use a novel and rich panel data set that allows us to estimate these model parameters.

To obtain individual-level estimates of learning, we add a hierarchical Bayesian structure to the Bayesian learning model. We exploit the natural hierarchy in the Bayesian learning process to incorporate it in the hierarchical Bayesian model. We use data augmentation, coupled with the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, to make inferences about individual-level parameters of learning. We conduct this analysis on a unique panel data set of physicians where we observe prescription decisions and detailing (i.e., sales-force effort) at the individual physician level for a new prescription drug category.

Our results show that there is significant heterogeneity across physicians in their rates of learning about the quality of new drugs. We also find that there are asymmetries in the temporal evolution of responsiveness of physicians to detailing—physicians who are more responsive to detailing in early periods are less responsive later on and vice versa. These findings have interesting implications for the targeting of detailing across physicians and over time. We find that firms could increase their revenue if they took these temporal and cross-sectional differences in responsiveness into account while deciding on allocations of detailing.
Beyond Attention Effects: Modeling the Persuasive and Emotional Effects of Advertising Creativity
Authors: Yang Xiaojing , Smith Robert E.
Published: January 2009

While creativity in advertising is a growing area of marketing research, relatively little is known about how the effects of creativity are produced. Accordingly, this research explores the basic persuasive (i.e., desire to postpone closure) and emotional (i.e., positive affect) mechanisms through which creative ads exert their influence on consumer viewing and purchase intentions. In addition, the model hypothesizes that the level of involvement with the ad moderates the desire to postpone closure effects but not the emotional impact. An overall model of the impact of ad creativity is developed and tested using structural equations analysis. Results from three experiments show the model receives good support.
Grandidentatin isomer from bark of suwon poplar (Populus alba L.×Populus glandulosa Uyeki)
Authors: Kim Jin-Kyu , Bae Young-Soo
Published: January 2009

The phenolic glucoside cis-2-hydroxycyclohexyl 6-O-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside was isolated from the bark of the hybrid poplar Populus alba×glandulosa by column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20 and Silica gel preparative TLC. The structure elucidation was performed by NMR spectroscopy (2D NMR COSY, DEPT, HMQC, and HMBC) and MS spectrometry.
Modification of lignin with laccases for the adsorption of anionic ferulic acid studied by quartz cristall microbalance with dissipation and AFM
Authors: Saarinen Terhi , Suurnäkki Anna , Österberg Monika , Laine Janne
Published: January 2009

The adsorption of laccases and ferulic acid on a lignin substrate has been studied using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and an atomic force microscope (AFM). Two different additional strategies were applied: ferulic acid was added after laccase pretreatment, or coadsorbed together with laccase. The effect of two laccases isolated from Trametes hirsuta and Melanocarpus albomyces was compared on lignin activation. The QCM-D results were also compared against bulk experiments on chemithermomechanical pulp. The two laccases affected the adsorption of ferulic acid differently. Adsorption of T. hirsuta laccase was not observed, while the adsorption of M. albomyces laccase was obvious. However, both laccases still activated lignin and the amount of ferulic acid adsorbed was significantly higher on laccase-activated lignin than on the non-activated one. Rinsing after activation removed some slightly bound laccase from the substrate and decreased the adsorbed amount of subsequently added ferulic acid. Interestingly, only T. hirsuta laccase could catalyse the lasting attachment of polymerised ferulic acid onto lignin. The QCM-D and AFM results correlated with the findings of studies concerning bonding of ferulic acid on chemithermomechanical pulp. Thus, this approach is useful in studying the behaviour of enzymes on lignin substrates.
Mystéres limpides: Time and Transformation in Debussy's Des pas sur la neige
Authors: Rings Steven
Published: January 2009

Vladimir Jankélévitch heard Debussy's music as a sonic manifestation of certain nuclear mysteries of existence: mysteries of death, destiny, anguish, pleasure, love, space, and—in various forms—time. To describe these mysteries, he developed the paradoxical locution of the mystére limpide, the “lucid mystery.” Debussy's mysteries are lucid, Jankélévitch argued, in that they are not hidden behind arcane codes or hermetic formalisms, but are instead palpably present to experience, sensually manifest in the music's sounding surface. As such, they prove resistant to hermeneutic and analytical attention, which, per Jankélévitch, seek always to penetrate beyond sounding surfaces in search of hidden meanings.

This article takes Jankélévitch's ideas as a point of departure in both a positive and negative sense, adopting his notion of the mystére limpide as a valuable heuristic in Debussy study, but challenging his highly limited views of analysis and hermeneutics. The article takes as its focus Debussy's Prélude Des pas sur la neige and explores the ways in which it can be heard to manifest mystéres of time, representation, and consciousness. It does this, however, with the aid of analysis and hermeneutics, drawing on transformational theory, familiar concepts from narratology, and Proustian notions of memory. In short, the article deploys discourses anathema to Jankélévitch for decidedly Jankélévitchian ends. The conclusion explores the degrees to which such a paradoxical effort succeeds, ultimately arguing that discursive intervention—technical or otherwise—need not be a means of seeking out hidden meanings, but can instead be a means of drawing us closer to music as a physical, material phenomenon.
Smallness for gestational age interacts with high mobility group A2 gene genetic variation to modulate height
Authors: Bouatia-Naji Nabila , Marchand Marion , Cavalcanti-Proença Christine , Daghmoun Samia , Durand Emmanuelle , Tichet Jean , Marre Michel , Balkau Beverley , Froguel Philippe , Lévy-Marchal Claire
Published: January 2009

Objective

Height variability is largely under genetic control, although identifying the genetic variants involved has been until recently challenging. Smallness for gestational age (SGA) is a risk factor for adult short stature. Genome-wide association studies have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1042725) in the high mobility group A2 gene (HMGA2) that consistently associates with height variability but its interaction with SGA is unknown.

Design

We assess the contribution of rs1042725 SNP and height variability in a French population and the impact of rs1042725 on SGA status at birth and height at adulthood in SGA individuals.

Methods

We genotyped rs1042725 in 4710 healthy participants from the Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance syndrome (DESIR) cohort, 743 normal birth weight and 660 SGA individuals from the Haguenau study.

Results

rs1042725 is associated with increased height in the cohort participants (0.36 cm 95% CI (0.12–0.61) per C allele, P=0.004) but not with the SGA status or birth length. Interestingly, rs1042725 had a stronger effect on height in SGA participants (0.94 cm 95% CI (0.24–1.64) per C allele, P=0.009), especially in men (1.45 cm 95% CI (0.44–2.46) per C allele, P=0.005) in whom rs1042725 may explain 3% of height variability. SGA men carrying at least one C allele copy experienced more frequent catch-up in height (Padd=0.07; Pdom=0.03).

Conclusions

Our study supports further the contribution of HMGA2 rs1042725 to height variability in European populations and shows an increased effect on height in SGA individuals where this variant favors height catch-up.
A-kinase anchoring protein 4 has a conserved role in mammalian spermatogenesis
Authors: Hu Yanqiu , Yu Hongshi , Pask Andrew J , O'Brien Deborah A , Shaw Geoff , Renfree Marilyn B
Published: January 2009

A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is an X-linked member of the AKAP family of scaffold proteins that anchor cAMP-dependent protein kinases and play an essential role in fibrous sheath assembly during spermatogenesis and flagellar function in spermatozoa. Marsupial spermatozoa differ in structural organization from those of eutherian mammals but data on the molecular control of their structure and function are limited. We therefore cloned and characterized the AKAP4 gene in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The gene structure, sequence, and predicted protein of AKAP4 were highly conserved with that of eutherian orthologues and it mapped to the marsupial X-chromosome. There was no AKAP4 expression detected in the developing young. In the adult, AKAP4 expression was limited to the testis with a major transcript of 2.9 kb. AKAP4 mRNA was expressed in the cytoplasm of round and elongated spermatids while its protein was found on the principal piece of the flagellum in the sperm tail. This is consistent with its expression in other mammals. Thus, AKAP4 appears to have a conserved role in spermatogenesis for at least the last 166 million years of mammalian evolution.
Effects of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Trait Network Predictions From Quantitative Trait Locus Data
Authors: Remington David L
Published: January 2009

The use of high-throughput genomic techniques to map gene expression quantitative trait loci has spurred the development of path analysis approaches for predicting functional networks linking genes and natural trait variation. The goal of this study was to test whether potentially confounding factors, including effects of common environment and genes not included in path models, affect predictions of cause–effect relationships among traits generated by QTL path analyses. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test simple QTL-trait networks under different regulatory scenarios involving direct and indirect effects. SEM identified the correct models under simple scenarios, but when common-environment effects were simulated in conjunction with direct QTL effects on traits, they were poorly distinguished from indirect effects, leading to false support for indirect models. Application of SEM to loblolly pine QTL data provided support for biologically plausible a priori hypotheses of QTL mechanisms affecting height and diameter growth. However, some biologically implausible models were also well supported. The results emphasize the need to include any available functional information, including predictions for genetic and environmental correlations, to develop plausible models if biologically useful trait network predictions are to be made.
The Control Region of Maternally and Paternally Inherited Mitochondrial Genomes of Three Species of the Sea Mussel Genus Mytilus
Authors: Cao Liqin , Ort Brian S , Mizi Athanasia , Pogson Grant , Kenchington Elen , Zouros Eleftherios , Rodakis George C
Published: January 2009

Species of the mussel genus Mytilus possess maternally and paternally transmitted mitochondrial genomes. In the interbreeding taxa Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis, several genomes of both types have been fully sequenced. The genome consists of the coding part (which, in addition to protein and RNA genes, contains several small noncoding sequences) and the main control region (CR), which in turn consists of three distinct parts: the first variable (VD1), the conserved (CD), and the second variable (VD2) domain. The maternal and paternal genomes are very similar in gene content and organization, even though they differ by >20% in primary sequence. They differ even more at VD1 and VD2, yet they are remarkably similar at CD. The complete sequence of a genome from the closely related species M. trossulus was previously reported and found to consist of a maternal-like coding part and a paternal-like and a maternal-like CR. From this and from the fact that it was extracted from a male individual, it was inferred that this is a genome that switched from maternal to paternal transmission. Here we provide clear evidence that this genome is the maternal genome of M. trossulus. We have found that in this genome the tRNAGln in the coding region is apparently defective and that an intact copy of this tRNA occurs in the CR, that one of the two conserved domains is missing essential motifs, and that one of the two first variable domains has a high rate of divergence. These features may explain the large size and mosaic structure of the CR of the maternal genome of M. trossulus. We have also obtained CR sequences of the maternal and paternal genomes of M. californianus, a more distantly related species. We compare the control regions from all three species, focusing on the divergence among genomes of different species origin and among genomes of different transmission routes.
Rhythmic Conidiation in Constant Light inVividMutants ofNeurospora crassa
Authors: Schneider Kevin , Perrino Sabrina , Oelhafen Kim , Li Sanshu , Zatsepin Artiom , Lakin-Thomas Patricia , Brody Stuart
Published: January 2009

In Neurospora crassa, a circadian rhythm of conidiation (asexual spore formation) can be seen on the surface of agar media. This rhythm has a period of 22 hr in constant darkness (D/D). Under constant illumination (L/L), no rhythm is visible and cultures show constant conidiation. However, here we report that strains with a mutation in the vivid (vvd) gene, previously shown to code for the photoreceptor involved in photo-adaptation, exhibit conidiation rhythms in L/L as well as in D/D. The period of the rhythm of vvd strains ranges between 6 and 21 hr in L/L, depending upon the intensity of the light, the carbon source, and the presence of other mutations. Temperature compensation of the period also depends on light intensity. Dark pulses given in L/L shift the phase of the rhythm. Shifts from L/L to D/D show unexpected after effects; i.e., the short period of a vvd strain in L/L gradually lengthens over 2–3 days in D/D. The rhythm in L/L requires the white collar (wc-1) gene, but not the frequency (frq) gene. FRQ protein shows no rhythm in L/L in a vvd strain. The conidiation rhythm in L/L in vvd is therefore driven by a FRQ-less oscillator (FLO).
Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models for Multiple Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping
Authors: Yi Nengjun , Banerjee Samprit
Published: January 2009

We develop hierarchical generalized linear models and computationally efficient algorithms for genomewide analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for various types of phenotypes in experimental crosses. The proposed models can fit a large number of effects, including covariates, main effects of numerous loci, and gene–gene (epistasis) and gene–environment (G × E) interactions. The key to the approach is the use of continuous prior distribution on coefficients that favors sparseness in the fitted model and facilitates computation. We develop a fast expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to fit models by estimating posterior modes of coefficients. We incorporate our algorithm into the iteratively weighted least squares for classical generalized linear models as implemented in the package R. We propose a model search strategy to build a parsimonious model. Our method takes advantage of the special correlation structure in QTL data. Simulation studies demonstrate reasonable power to detect true effects, while controlling the rate of false positives. We illustrate with three real data sets and compare our method to existing methods for multiple-QTL mapping. Our method has been implemented in our freely available package R/qtlbim (www.qtlbim.org), providing a valuable addition to our previous Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach.
Value of Imaging Studies After a First Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Young Children: Data From Italian Renal Infection Study 1
Authors: Montini Giovanni , Zucchetta Pietro , Tomasi Lisanna , Talenti Enrico , Rigamonti Waifro , Picco Giorgio , Ballan Alberto , Zucchini Andrea , Serra Laura , Canella Vanna , Gheno Marta , Venturoli Andrea , Ranieri Marco , Caddia Valeria , Carasi Carla , Dall'Amico Roberto , Hewitt Ian
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE. We examined the diagnostic accuracy of routine imaging studies (ultrasonography and micturating cystography) for predicting long-term parenchymal renal damage after a first febrile urinary tract infection.

METHODS. This study addressed the secondary objective of a prospective trial evaluating different antibiotic regimens for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis. Data for 300 children ≤2 years of age, with normal prenatal ultrasound results, who completed the diagnostic follow-up evaluation (ultrasonography and technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scanning within 10 days, cystography within 2 months, and repeat technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scanning at 12 months to detect scarring) were analyzed. Outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for ultrasonography and cystography in predicting parenchymal renal damage on the 12-month technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scans.

RESULTS. The kidneys and urinary tracts were mostly normal. The acute technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scans showed pyelonephritis in 54% of cases. Renal scarring developed in 15% of cases. The ultrasonographic and cystographic findings were poor predictors of long-term damage, showing minor sonographic abnormalities for 12 and reflux for 23 of the 45 children who subsequently developed scarring.

CONCLUSIONS. The benefit of performing ultrasonography and scintigraphy in the acute phase or cystourethrography is minimal. Our findings support (1) technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy 6 months after infection to detect scarring that may be related to long-term hypertension, proteinuria, and renal function impairment (although the degree of scarring was generally minor and did not impair renal function) and (2) continued surveillance to identify recurrent urinary tract infections that may warrant further investigation.
Twin Gestation and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Wadhawan Rajan , Oh William , Perritt Rebecca L. , McDonald Scott A. , Das Abhik , Poole W. Kenneth , Vohr Betty R. , Higgins Rosemary D.
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to compare the risk-adjusted incidence of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months’ corrected age between twin and singleton extremely low birth weight infants. We hypothesized that twin gestation is independently associated with increased risk of death or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 to 22 months’ corrected age in these infants.

METHODS. We conducted a retrospective study of inborn extremely low birth weight infants admitted to Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network units between 1997 and 2005, who either died or had follow-up data available at 18 to 22 months’ corrected age. Neurodevelopmental impairment, the primary outcome variable, was defined as the presence of any 1 of the following: moderate or severe cerebral palsy, severe bilateral hearing loss, bilateral blindness, Bayley Mental Developmental Index or Psychomotor Developmental Index of <70. Death was included with neurodevelopmental impairment as a composite outcome. Results were compared for both twins, twin A, twin B, same-gender twins, unlike-gender twins, and singleton infants. Logistic regression analysis was performed to control for demographic and clinical factors that were different among the groups.

RESULTS. The cohort of infants who either died or were assessed for neurodevelopmental impairment consisted of 7630 singleton infants and 1376 twins. Logistic regression adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic risk factors showed an increased risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment for twins as a group when compared with the singletons. On analyzing twin A and B separately as well, risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment was increased in both twin A and twin B.

CONCLUSIONS. Twin gestation in extremely low birth weight infants is associated with an independent increased risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months’ corrected age compared with singleton-gestation infants. Both first- and second-born twins are at increased risk.