bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural circuits subserving the retrieval of stems and grammatical features in regular and irregular verbs
Authors: de Diego Balaguer Ruth , Rodríguez‐Fornells Antoni , Rotte Michael , Bahlmann Jörg , Heinze Hans‐Jochen , Münte Thomas F.
Published: March 2006

Many languages, including English and Spanish, feature regular (dance → danced) and irregular (catch → caught) inflectional systems. According to psycholinguistic theories, regular and irregular inflections are instantiated either by a single or by two specialized mechanisms. Those theories differ in their assumptions concerning the underlying information necessary for the processing of regular verbs. Whereas single mechanism accounts have stated an increased involvement of phonological processing for regular verbs, dual accounts emphasize the prominence of grammatical information. Using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging, we sought to delineate the brain areas involved in the generation of complex verb forms in Spanish. This language has the advantage of isolating specific differences in the regular–irregular contrasts in terms of the number of stems associated with a verb while controlling for compositionality (regular and irregular verbs apply suffixes to be inflected). The present study showed that areas related to grammatical processing are active for both types of verbs (left opercular inferior frontal gyrus). In addition, major differences between regular and irregular verbs were also observed. Several areas of the prefrontal cortex were selectively active for irregular production, presumably reflecting their role in lexical retrieval (bilateral inferior frontal area and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Regular verbs, however, showed increased activation in areas related to grammatical processing (anterior superior temporal gyrus/insular cortex) and in the left hippocampus, the latter possibly related to a greater implication of the phonological loop necessary for the reutilization of the same stem shared across all forms in regular verbs. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortisol responses of healthy volunteers undergoing magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Tessner Kevin D. , Walker Elaine F. , Hochman Karen , Hamann Stephan
Published: March 2006

Self‐reported anxiety is associated with various medical procedures, including structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The present study tested the hypothesis that MRI scanning would be associated with elevated cortisol levels in participants with no prior scanning experience. Baseline and post‐scan cortisol levels, as well as measures of state and trait anxiety, were obtained from scanner‐naive (n = 6) and scanner‐experienced (n = 8) research participants. The anxiety scores and cortisol responses of the scanner‐naive and scanner‐experienced participants were compared. Subjects novel to MRI were no more anxious before the scan than were subjects familiar with the MRI examination, but the scanner‐naive subjects manifested heightened post‐scan cortisol secretion when compared to their pre‐scan level and when compared to the scanner‐experienced participants. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the scanning environment can induce cortisol elevations and are congruent with the well‐established effects of acute stressors on activity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis. The implications for neuroimaging studies are discussed. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valuing avoided morbidity using meta‐regression analysis: what can health status measures and QALYs tell us about WTP?
Authors: Van Houtven George , Powers John , Jessup Amber , Yang Jui‐Chen
Published: March 2006

Many economists argue that willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) measures are most appropriate for assessing the welfare effects of health changes. Nevertheless, the health evaluation literature is still dominated by studies estimating nonmonetary health status measures (HSMs), which are often used to assess changes in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). Using meta‐regression analysis, this paper combines results from both WTP and HSM studies applied to acute morbidity, and it tests whether a systematic relationship exists between HSM and WTP estimates. We analyze over 230 WTP estimates from 17 different studies and find evidence that QALY‐based estimates of illness severity – as measured by the Quality of Well‐Being (QWB) Scale – are significant factors in explaining variation in WTP, as are changes in the duration of illness and the average income and age of the study populations. In addition, we test and reject the assumption of a constant WTP per QALY gain. We also demonstrate how the estimated meta‐regression equations can serve as benefit transfer functions for policy analysis. By specifying the change in duration and severity of the acute illness and the characteristics of the affected population, we apply the regression functions to predict average WTP per case avoided. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The course of etoposide‐induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells lacking p53 and Bax
Authors: Karpinich Natalie O. , Tafani Marco , Schneider Timothy , Russo Matteo A. , Farber John L.
Published: March 2006

Jurkat T‐lymphocytes lack p53 and Bax but contain p73 and Bid and are killed by etoposide (ETO). With ETO c‐abl is phosphorylated and phosphorylated p73 increased. Translocation of full‐length Bid to mitochondria follows, with induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Pronounced swelling of mitochondria was evident ultrastructurally, and the MPT inhibitor cyclosporin A prevented the release of cytochrome c. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 prevented the translocation of Bid, the release of cytochrome c, and cell death. The pan‐caspase inhibitor ZVAD‐FMK prevented the cell killing, but not the initial release of cytochrome c. An accumulation of tBid occurred at later times in association with Bid degradation. A sequence is proposed that couples DNA damage to Bid translocation via activation of c‐abl and p73. Bid translocation induces the MPT, the event that causes release of cytochrome c, activation of caspases, and cell death. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The TFG protein, involved in oncogenic rearrangements, interacts with TANK and NEMO, two proteins involved in the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Miranda Claudia , Roccato Emanuela , Raho Giovanna , Pagliardini Sonia , Pierotti Marco A. , Greco Angela
Published: March 2006

TRK‐fused gene (TFG) was first identified as a partner of NTRK1 in generating the thyroid TRK‐T3 oncogene, and is also involved in oncogenic rearrangements with ALK in anaplastic lymphoma and NOR1 in mixoid chondrosarcoma. The TFG physiological role is still unknown, but the presence of a number of motifs involved in protein interactions suggests that it may function by associating with other proteins. We have recently demonstrated that TFG associates and regulates the activity of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP‐1. In this study by yeast two‐hybrid screening we identified NEMO and TANK, two proteins modulating the NF‐κB pathway, as novel TFG‐interacting proteins. These interactions were further characterized in vitro and in vivo. We provide evidence that TFG and NEMO may be part of the same high molecular weight complex. TFG enhances the effect of TNF‐α, TANK, TNF receptor‐associated factor (TRAF)2, and TRAF6 in inducing NF‐κB activity. We suggest that TFG is a novel member of the NF‐κB pathway. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Possible involvement of gap junctions in the barrier function of tight junctions of brain and lung endothelial cells
Authors: Nagasawa Kunihiko , Chiba Hideki , Fujita Hiroki , Kojima Takashi , Saito Tsuyoshi , Endo Toshiaki , Sawada Norimasa
Published: March 2006

Gap‐junction plaques are often observed with tight‐junction strands of vascular endothelial cells but the molecular interaction and functional relationships between these two junctions remain obscure. We herein show that gap‐junction proteins connexin40 (Cx40) and Cx43 are colocalized and coprecipitated with tight‐junction molecules occludin, claudin‐5, and ZO‐1 in porcine blood–brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. Gap junction blockers 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18β‐GA) and oleamide (OA) did not influence expression of Cx40, Cx43, occludin, claudin‐5, junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)‐A, JAM‐B, JAM‐C, or ZO‐1, or their subcellular localization in the porcine BBB endothelial cells. In contrast, these gap‐junction blocking agents inhibited the barrier function of tight junctions in cells, determined by measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of mannitol and inulin. 18β‐GA also significantly reduced the barrier property in rat lung endothelial (RLE) cells expressing doxycycline‐induced claudin‐1, but did not change the interaction between Cx43 and either claudin‐1 or ZO‐1, nor their expression levels or subcellular distribution. These findings suggest that Cx40‐ and/or Cx43‐based gap junctions might be required to maintain the endothelial barrier function without altering the expression and localization of the tight‐junction components analyzed. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adjudin‐mediated junction restructuring in the seminiferous epithelium leads to displacement of soluble guanylate cyclase from adherens junctions
Authors: Sarkar Oli , Xia Weiliang , Mruk Dolores D.
Published: March 2006

A plethora of evidence supports the role of cyclic nucleotides in junction restructuring. For instance, studies have shown cGMP to be a key regulator of junction assembly and disassembly in different in vitro and in vivo systems. In this study, we examine the role of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in junction restructuring in the seminiferous epithelium of the rat testis. First, the interaction of soluble guanylate cyclase β1 (sGCβ1; sGC is a heterodimer comprised of an α and a β subunit) with proteins that constitute adherens and tight junctions in the testis was demonstrated. By immunoprecipitation, sGCβ1 was found to associate with occludin, JAM‐A, and ZO‐1, as well as with cadherin, catenin, nectin, afadin, ponsin, and espin, suggestive of its role in cell junction dynamics. These results were corroborated in part by immunohistochemistry experiments, which revealed that the localization of sGCβ1 was largely restricted to the site of the apical and basal ectoplasmic specialization. Next, the role of sGC in junction dynamics was addressed by using an in vivo model of junction restructuring. Administration of Adjudin—a chemical entity known to specifically perturb adhesion between Sertoli and germ cells (i.e., round and elongate(ing) spermatids and most spermatocytes)—resulted in a ∼1.5‐fold increase in sGCβ1, coinciding with the loss of germ cells from the epithelium. More importantly, the ability of sGCβ1 to associate with cadherin increased approximately three‐fold during Adjudin‐mediated restructuring of Sertoli–germ cell junctions, whereas its interaction with tight junction proteins (i.e., occludin and ZO‐1) decreased. Taken collectively, these results suggest that sGC participates in the remodeling of cell junctions during spermatogenesis. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elevated Golgi pH in breast and colorectal cancer cells correlates with the expression of oncofetal carbohydrate T‐antigen
Authors: Rivinoja Antti , Kokkonen Nina , Kellokumpu Ilmo , Kellokumpu Sakari
Published: March 2006

Altered glycosylation has turned out to be a universal feature of cancer cells, and in many cases, to correlate with altered expression or localization of relevant glycosyltransferases. However, no such correlation exists between observed enzymatic changes and the expression of the oncofetal Thomsen‐Friedenreich (T)‐antigen, a core 1 (Gal‐β1 → 3‐GalNAc‐ser/thr) carbohydrate structure. Here we report that T‐antigen expression, instead, correlates with elevated Golgi pH in cancer cells. Firstly, using a Golgi‐targeted green fluorescent protein (GT‐EGFP) as a probe, we show that the medial/trans‐Golgi pH (pHG) in a high proportion of breast (MCF‐7) and colorectal (HT‐29, SW‐48) cancer cells is significantly more alkaline (pHG ≥ 6.75) than that of control cells (pHG 5.9–6.5). The pH gradient between the cytoplasm and the Golgi lumen is also markedly reduced in MCF‐7 cells, suggesting a Golgi acidification defect. Secondly, we show that T‐antigen expression is highly sensitive to changes in Golgi pH, as only a 0.2 pH unit increase was sufficient to increase T‐antigen expression in control cells. Thirdly, we found that T‐antigen expressing MCF‐7 cells have 0.3 pH units more alkaline Golgi pH than non‐expressing MCF‐7 cells. Fourthly, in all cell types examined, we observed significant correlation between the number of T‐antigen expressing cells and cells with a markedly elevated Golgi pH (pHG ≥ 6.75). Consistent with these observations in cultured cells, cells in solid tumors also heterogenously expressed the T‐antigen. Thus, elevated Golgi pH appears to be directly linked to T‐antigen expression in cancer cells, but it may also act as a more general factor for altered glycosylation in cancer by affecting the distribution of Golgi‐localized glycosyltransferases. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
1,25 dihydroxyvitamin‐D3 modulates JAK–STAT pathway in IL‐12/IFNγ axis leading to Th1 response in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Muthian Gladson , Raikwar Himanshu P. , Rajasingh Johnson , Bright John J.
Published: March 2006

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a Th1 cell‐mediated autoimmune disease model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Vitamin D deficiency is commonly observed in MS patients and vitamin D supplements reduce the clinical symptoms of EAE and MS. Earlier studies have shown that in vivo treatment with vitamin D analogs ameliorates EAE in association with the inhibition of IL‐12 production and Th1 differentiation. The mechanisms in the regulation of Th1 response by vitamin D in EAE/MS are, however, not known. We show that in vivo treatment of C57BL/6 and SJL/J mice (i.p.) with 100 ng of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, on every other day from Day 0–30, ameliorates EAE in association with the inhibition of IL‐12 production and neural antigen‐specific Th1 response. In vitro treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited IFNγ‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1, without affecting JAK2, in EOC‐20 microglial cells. Treatment of activated T cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 also inhibited the IL‐12‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, TYK2, STAT3, and STAT4 in association with a decrease in T cell proliferation in vitro. These findings highlight the fact that vitamin D modulates JAK‐STAT signaling pathway in IL‐12/IFNγ axis leading to Th1 differentiation and further suggest its use in the treatment of MS and other Th1 cell‐mediated autoimmune diseases. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial ligand inhibits store‐operated calcium influx and COX‐2 production in human microglia
Authors: Hong Seok H. , Choi Hyun B. , Kim Seung U. , McLarnon James G.
Published: March 2006

We used calcium sensitive fluorescence microscopy to investigate the actions of PK11195, a ligand for the mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), to modulate Ca2+ influx through store‐operated channels (SOC) in human microglia. PK11195 effectively blocked SOC‐mediated Ca2+ influx induced by platelet‐activating factor (PAF) in a dose‐dependent manner (IC50 of 9 μM). A prolonged SOC‐mediated Ca2+ entry was also induced using the sarcoplasmic endoreticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) to deplete intracellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores; a single concentration of PK11195 (at 20 μM) reduced SOC‐mediated Ca2+ influx by 78%. RT‐PCR and immunocytochemical analysis results showed PK11195 also inhibited the expression and production of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) triggered by PAF stimulation. These results suggest that activation of the PBR in mitochondria is linked to reduced entry of Ca2+ through plasmalemmal SOC and subsequent modulation of cellular functions in human microglia. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fos‐enkephalin signaling in the rat medial vestibular nucleus facilitates vestibular compensation
Authors: Kitahara Tadashi , Kaneko Takeshi , Horii Arata , Fukushima Munehisa , Kizawa‐Okumura Kaoru , Takeda Noriaki , Kubo Takeshi
Published: March 2006

In the present study, we first observed up‐regulation in preproenkephalin (PPE)‐like immunoreactivity (‐LIR), a precursor of Met‐ and Leu‐enkephalin, in the rat ipsilateral medial vestibular nucleus (ipsi‐MVN) after unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). By means of double‐staining immunohistochemistry with PPE and Fos, a putative regulator of PPE gene expression, we revealed that some of these PPE‐LIR neurons were also Fos immunopositive. The time course of decay of these double‐stained neurons was quite parallel to that of UL‐induced behavioral deficits. This suggests that these double‐labeled neurons could have something to do with development of vestibular compensation. We next examined correlation between Fos and PPE expression in the ipsi‐MVN by means of a 15‐min pre‐UL application of antisense oligonucleotide probes against c‐fos mRNA into the ipsi‐MVN. Gel shift assay and Western blotting revealed that elimination of Fos expression significantly reduced both AP‐1 DNA binding activity and PPE expression in the ipsi‐MVN after UL. C‐fos antisense study also revealed that depression of Fos‐PPE signaling in the ipsi‐MVN caused significantly more severe behavioral deficits during vestibular compensation. Furthermore, studies with PPE antisense and naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, demonstrated that specific depression of enkephalinergic effects in the ipsi‐MVN significantly delayed vestibular compensation. All these findings suggest that, immediately after UL, Fos induced in some of the ipsi‐MVN neurons could regulate consequent PPE expression via the AP‐1 activation and facilitate the restoration of balance between bilateral MVN activities via the opioid receptor activation, resulting in progress of vestibular compensation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional properties of neurons derived from fetal mouse neurospheres are compatible with those of neuronal precursors in vivo
Authors: Pagani Francesca , Lauro Clotilde , Fucile Sergio , Catalano Myriam , Limatola Cristina , Eusebi Fabrizio , Grassi Francesca
Published: March 2006

Neural stem cells can be propagated in culture as neurospheres, yielding neurons and glial cells upon differentiation. Although the neurosphere model is widely used, the functional properties of the neurosphere‐derived neurons have been only partially characterized, and it is unclear whether repeated passaging alters their functional properties. In this study, we analyzed voltage‐ and transmitter‐gated responses in neuron‐like cells obtained by differentiating fetal mouse neurospheres at increasing passages in culture. We report that neurons fire overshooting action potentials in response to depolarizing currents up to passage 10 but loose this capability at later passages, as the density of voltage‐gated Na+ and K+ currents decreases. In contrast, the immunoreactivity for the neuronal marker β‐tubulin remains unaltered up to passage 21, indicating that this marker is not representative of cell function. In almost all neurons, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) evoked bicuculline‐sensitive whole‐cell currents, resulting from the activation of GABAA receptors, which appeared to be excitatory, insofar as the reversal potential of GABA‐gated current was about −50 mV. Much smaller currents were elicited by the glutamatergic agonist AMPA, and only occasional responses to glycine were detected. In these functional aspects, neurosphere‐derived neurons are similar to immature neurons differentiating in vivo. Therefore, at least for a limited number of passages in vitro, neurospheres provide an adequate model of in vivo neurogenesis. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CCL5 evokes calcium signals in microglia through a kinase‐, phosphoinositide‐, and nucleotide‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Shideman C.R. , Hu S. , Peterson P.K. , Thayer S.A.
Published: March 2006

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the CNS, are responsible for the innate immune response in the brain and participate in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative disorders. Chemokines initiate activation and migration of microglia. The β‐chemokine CCL5 induces an elevation in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human microglia. Here, we examined the signal transduction pathway linking activation of chemokine receptor CCR5 to an elevation in [Ca2+]i in cultured microglia by using pharmacological approaches in combination with Fura‐2‐based digital imaging. The CCL5‐induced response required Janus kinase (Jak) activity and the stimulation of an inhibitory G protein. Multiple downstream signaling pathways were involved, including phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), and phospholipase C (PLC)‐mediated release of Ca2+ from inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3)‐sensitive stores. Activation of both the kinase and the lipase pathways was required for eliciting the Ca2+ response. However, the majority of the [Ca2+]i increase was derived from sources activated by NAD metabolites. Cyclic ADP‐ribose (cADPR) evoked Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and ADPR evoked Ca2+ influx via a nimodipine‐sensitive channel. Thus, a multistep cascade couples CCR5 activation to Ca2+ increases in human microglia. Because changes in [Ca2+]i affect chemotaxis, secretion, and gene expression, pharmacologic modulation of this pathway may alter inflammatory and degenerative processes in the CNS. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neudesin, a secreted factor, promotes neural cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in mouse neural precursor cells
Authors: Kimura Ikuo , Konishi Morichika , Miyake Ayumi , Fujimoto Masafumi , Itoh Nobuyuki
Published: March 2006

Neudesin encodes a secreted signal with neurotrophic activity in neurons. Most neurotrophic factors are involved in neural cell proliferation and/or differentiation. However, the role of neudesin in neural development remains to be elucidated. We examined the expression of neudesin in mouse embryonic cerebral cortex and cultured mouse neural precursor cells and its roles in neural development. Neudesin was expressed in the embryonic cerebral cortex early in development. Its expression was observed mainly in the preplate, where mostly postmitotic neural cells existed. Because neudesin mRNA was expressed in the neural precursor cells before the appearance of neurons, the roles of neudesin in neural development were examined by using the precursor cells. Neudesin significantly promoted neuronal differentiation and overrode the undifferentiated state of the neural precursor cells sustained by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). In contrast, it inhibited the differentiation of astrocytes. In addition, neudesin transiently promoted neural cell proliferation early in the developmental process. The effect on cell proliferation was distinct from that of FGF2, a self‐renewal‐promoting factor for neural precursor cells. The differentiation was mediated though activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI‐3K) pathways. In contrast, the proliferation was mediated through the mitogen‐activated protein kinase and PKA pathways. The expression profile and activity indicate that neudesin plays unique roles in neural development. The present findings have revealed new potential roles of neudesin in neural cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics of the reaction of methyl 4‐nitrobenzenesul‐fonate + Br− in ethanol amine based surfactants
Authors: Mohareb Michael M. , Ghosh Kallol K. , Palepu Rama M.
Published: March 2006

The kinetics of the reaction of methyl 4‐nitrobenzenesulfonate + Br− ions has been studied in ethanol amine based (alkyldimethylethanolammonium bromide and alkyldiethylethanolammonium bromide) surfactant solutions. The observed first‐order rate constants increase monotonically with surfactant concentration, with hydrophobic chain length and with head group bulk in a manner similar to other quaternary ammonium surfactants. The results were analyzed using the pseudophase model of micellar rate effects in conjunction with a Langmuir form to describe micellar binding of bromide ion. An attempt to estimate activation parameters of the reaction from temperature variance of micellar pseudophase rate constants has also been made. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 303–308, 2006
Ab initio study of the OH + CH2O reaction: The effect of the OH··OCH2 complex on the H‐abstraction kinetics
Authors: Xu Shucheng , Zhu R. S. , Lin M. C.
Published: March 2006

Kinetics for the reaction of OH radical with CH2O has been studied by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on the geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) and CCSD/6‐311++G(d,p) levels. The rate constant for the reaction has been computed in the temperature range 200–3000 K by variational transition state theory including the significant effect of the multiple reflections above the OH··OCH2 complex. The predicted results can be represented by the expressions k1 = 2.45 × 10‐21 T2.98 exp (1750/T) cm3 mol−1 s−1 (200–400 K) and 3.22 × 10‐18 T2.11 exp(849/T) cm3 mol−1 s−1 (400–3000 K) for the H‐abstraction process and k2 = 1.05 × 10‐17 T1.63 exp(−2156/T) cm3 mol−1 s−1 in the temperature range of 200–3000 K for the HO‐addition process producing the OCH2OH radical. The predicted total rate constants (k1 + k2) can reproduce closely the recommended kinetic data for OH + CH2O over the entire range of temperature studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 322–326, 2006
Four-photon spectroscopy of ortho/para spin-isomer
H2O molecule in liquid water in
sub-millimeter range
Authors: Bunkin A F , Pershin S M , Nurmatov A A
Published: March 2006

H2O molecules coherent librations in Milli-Q
water and aqueous solution of α-hymotripsin protein in
sub-millimeter range (70–90 cm-1) are observed by four
photon scattering technique for the first time. Perfect
correlation of detected resonances with rotational spectrum of
H2O molecules in gas phase is found. Moreover a few lines of
H2O molecules ortho- and para- isomers were identified. The
presence of α-hymotripsin molecules in water directs to an
essential gain of the four-photon signal. It was found that the
protein molecule in aqueous solution interacts selectively with
para-isomers of H2O molecules.
Surface plasmon polariton guiding by chains of nanoparticles
Authors: Evlyukhin A B , Bozhevolnyi S I
Published: March 2006

We investigate numerically the possibility for surface
plasmon polariton (SPP) guiding by chains of strongly interacting
nanoparticles located near a metal surface. The model employed is
based on the Green's function formalism and the dipole
approximation for field scattering by nanoparticles. We
demonstrate that the SPP confinement and guiding by chains of
nanoparticles is feasible but crucially dependent on the
scattering cross-section magnitude of individual particles and
inter-particle distances. SPP guiding along bent chains of
nanoparticles is also discussed.
A linear cavity S-band Brillouin/Erbium fiber laser
Authors: Harun S W , Zulkifli M Z , Ahmad H
Published: March 2006

A linear cavity short wavelength band Brillouin/Erbium
fiber laser (S-band BEFL) is demonstrated. The architecture
utilizes a bi-directional oscillation provided by two optical
circulators at both ends of the laser cavity. Therefore, the
number of channel is higher in this BEFL compared with the
ring-based S-band BEFL. A stable output laser comb with 11
channels was obtained with Brillouin and 980 nm pumps of 9.4 mW
and 206.5 mW, respectively at around 1503 nm region. The BEFL has
the potential to be used in the future dense wavelength division
multiplexing communication system.
Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Poly(butylene succinate) Reinforced by Trimellitic Imide Units
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Li Chuncheng , Zhang Dong , Xiao Yaonan
Published: March 2006

Summary: A series of high molecular weight poly(butylene succinate) copolyester containing rigid imide units were synthesized in this paper. The chemical structure and composition of the copolyesters were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was employed to determine the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique showed that the melting temperature (Tm) of the copolyester decreased slightly with the increment in trimellitic imide unit content. When the imide unit content was increased to 6.3 mol‐%, it had an elongation at break of 510% (83% higher than that of PBS) and a tensile strength of 37 MPa (7% higher than that of PBS). The changes in mechanical properties of the copolyester might be owed to the compositive effects of spherulitic morphology and imide units.

FT‐IR spectra of PBS and PBST.

magnified image

FT‐IR spectra of PBS and PBST.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Chem. Phys. 6/2006
Authors: Wang Jingxia , Wen Yongqiang , Ge Hongli , Sun Zhongwei , Zheng Yongmei , Song Yanlin , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2006

Cover: The images show the essential features of colloidal crystal films fabricated by assembling latex spheres with rigid PS core and flexible PMMA/PAA shell: fully‐dense FCC morphology observed from [111], [110] or [100] plane, tough mechanical strength, and brilliant colors covering the entire visible region. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by J. Wang, Y. Wen, H. Ge, Z. Sun, Y. Zheng, Y. Song,* and L. Jiang* on page 596.
International multicenter pilot study of the first comprehensive self‐completed nonmotor symptoms questionnaire for Parkinson's disease: The NMSQuest study
Authors: Chaudhuri Kallol Ray , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Schapira Anthony H.V. , Stocchi Fabrizio , Sethi Kapil , Odin Per , Brown Richard G. , Koller William , Barone Paolo , MacPhee Graeme , Kelly Linda , Rabey Martin , MacMahon Doug , Thomas Sue , Ondo William , Rye David , Forbes Alison , Tluk Susanne , Dhawan Vandana , Bowron Annette , Williams Adrian J. , Olanow Charles W.
Published: March 2006

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) are not well recognized in clinical practice, either in primary or in secondary care, and are frequently missed during routine consultations. There is no single instrument (questionnaire or scale) that enables a comprehensive assessment of the range of NMS in PD both for the identification of problems and for the measurement of outcome. Against this background, a multidisciplinary group of experts, including patient group representatives, has developed an NMS screening questionnaire comprising 30 items. This instrument does not provide an overall score of disability and is not a graded or rating instrument. Instead, it is a screening tool designed to draw attention to the presence of NMS and initiate further investigation. In this article, we present the results from an international pilot study assessing feasibility, validity, and acceptability of a nonmotor questionnaire (NMSQuest). Data from 123 PD patients and 96 controls were analyzed. NMS were highly significantly more prevalent in PD compared to controls (PD NMS, median = 9.0, mean = 9.5 vs. control NMS, median = 5.5, mean = 4.0; Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, and t test, P < 0.0001), with PD patients reporting at least 10 different NMS on average per patient. In PD, NMS were highly significantly more prevalent across all disease stages and the number of symptoms correlated significantly with advancing disease and duration of disease. Furthermore, frequently, problems such as diplopia, dribbling, apathy, blues, taste and smell problems were never previously disclosed to the health professionals. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Mechanisms underlying mirror movements in Parkinson's disease: A transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Cincotta Massimo , Borgheresi Alessandra , Balestrieri Fabrizio , Giovannelli Fabio , Ragazzoni Aldo , Vanni Paola , Benvenuti Francesco , Zaccara Gaetano , Ziemann Ulf
Published: March 2006

The neural mechanisms underlying unintended mirror movements (MMs) of one hand during unimanual movements of the other hand in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are largely unexplored. Here we used surface electromyographic (EMG) analysis and focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the pathophysiological substrate of MMs in four PD patients. Surface EMG was recorded from both abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles. Cross‐correlation EMG analysis revealed no common motor drive to the two APBs during intended unimanual tasks. Focal TMS of either primary motor cortex (M1) elicited normal motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) in the contralateral APB, whereas MEPs were not seen in the ipsilateral hand. During either mirror or voluntary APB contraction, focal TMS of the contralateral M1 produced a long‐lasting silent period (SP), whereas stimulation of the ipsilateral M1 produced a short‐lasting SP. During either mirror or voluntary finger tapping, 5 Hz repetitive TMS (rTMS) of the contralateral M1 disrupted EMG activity in the target FDI, whereas the effects of rTMS of the ipsilateral M1 were by far slighter. During either mirror or voluntary APB contraction, paired‐pulse TMS showed a reduction of short‐interval intracortical inhibition in the contralateral M1. These findings provide converging evidence that, in PD, MMs do not depend on unmasking of ipsilateral projections but are explained by motor output along the crossed corticospinal projection from the mirror M1. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Homozygous and heterozygous PINK1 mutations: Considerations for diagnosis and care of Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Zadikoff Cindy , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Djarmati Ana , Sato Christine , Salehi‐Rad Shabnam , St. George‐Hyslop Peter , Klein Christine , Lang Anthony E.
Published: March 2006

The first mutations described in PINK1 were homozygous. More recently, heterozygous mutations have been reported but the role of heterozygosity in disease pathogenesis is still debated. We describe two unrelated cases with PINK1 mutations (homozygous nonsense and heterozygous missense) that highlight issues regarding the role of heterozygous mutations and the utility of genetic screening in patient care. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Junior occupational therapists' continuity of employment: what influences success?
Authors: Rugg Sue
Published: March 2006

Considerable time, effort and expense are spent on educating occupational therapists for practice, yet little is known about the factors influencing the success of this process. This article details a study that investigated the influence of selected personal and environmental variables on British occupational therapists' continuity of employment one year post‐qualification. Data were gathered using purpose‐designed questionnaires and a semi‐structured interview. The results linked respondents' retention in practice to issues of support, resources, success with clients, job satisfaction and the extent to which work matched their personal values. Respondents' withdrawal from practice was linked to issues of support, autonomy and a perceived discrepancy between their expected and actual practice. Their level of perceived responsibility was also cited as influential. These findings provide fuel for discussion and the opportunity to make recommendations for future occupational therapy policy, education and practice. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Movement dynamics and occupational embeddedness in a grasping and placing task
Authors: Rice Martin S. , Alaimo Alison J. , Cook Jennifer A.
Published: March 2006

The investigators examined the movement dynamics of 39 female participants aged 22–52 years during a grasping and placing task with objects having varying levels of occupational embeddedness. The occupationally embedded (OE) condition involved labelled soup cans, the limited occupationally embedded (LOE) condition used unlabelled soup cans, and the non‐occupationally embedded (NOE) condition used modelling clay having the same mass and relative size as the cans. The task involved grasping and placing the objects from a designated countertop location to a designated location on a cupboard shelf, with each condition involving three trials. It was hypothesized that the OE condition would yield the most efficient movement compared with the LOE condition, followed by the NOE condition. Data were collected using an electric goniometer placed on the participant's right elbow. Significance was found between the LOE and NOE conditions with angular displacement (p<0.05) and in the OE and NOE conditions with movement units (p<0.05). A limitation of the study was that there was little time between trials. This may have influenced participant performance on subsequent trials. In addition, the investigators were not blind to the hypotheses and could have inadvertently influenced the participant during data collection. Clinical implications include the importance of structuring the occupational forms to be as relevant to the occupation as possible. Future research is needed to examine the influence of contextual relevancy on occupational performance. Additionally, this line of research needs to be extended to special populations. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Goal, intervention and outcome of occupational therapy in individuals with psychoses. Content analysis through a chart review
Authors: Ivarsson Ann‐Britt , Söderback Ingrid , Stein Franklin
Published: March 2006

The purpose of the study was to analyse the content of occupational therapy records documenting treatment for individuals with psychoses. A retrospective content analysis of occupational therapy records regarding treatment goals, interventions and outcome was undertaken using a coding scheme, the Template of Occupational Therapy (TOT). Twenty‐five occupational therapists chosen at random contributed 64 occupational therapy records, generating 2992 statements. The patients' disorders and functional and activity limitations (n=1723) were comprehensively described. Ability to manage self‐care and the home environment, and to engage in a daily occupation, emerged as the prominent treatment goals. The content of the occupational therapy interventions was characterized by descriptions of a wide range of activities, which were used as therapeutic resources. The occupational therapist had a client‐centred approach, combining the use of the current activity with the use of herself/himself as a resource. A few statements in the records were interpreted as relating to outcomes of treatment for this patient group. Statements related to outcome were the patients' self‐reports and how they were able to manage activities of daily living. This retrospective study was found to be a useful conceptual model for designing studies of evidence‐based occupational therapy in mental health. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Effectiveness of using a computer to improve attention to visual analysis activities of five preschool children with disabilities
Authors: Cardona Maria Del Pilar , Martinez Alba Lucia , Hinojosa Jim
Published: March 2006

This study used a single‐subject reversal research design to examine the effectiveness of using a computer to improve attention to visual analysis activities in five preschool children with disabilities in a special education programme. Baseline levels of attention to task behaviours were measured during the performance of fine motor tabletop visual analysis activities of matching, requiring shape recognition, counting, free drawing, and size and colour discrimination. During the intervention phase, computer‐based visual analysis activities were introduced. Results suggest that each child's attention to task performance improved during the computer‐based activities, when measured by the number of distractions, although sitting tolerance and visual attention to the task did not change. The findings of this study, although limited to five participants with developmental disabilities, suggest that the students were interested and motivated to engage in computer‐based activities. More research is needed to examine a longer intervention phase and the effectiveness of computer‐based intervention in natural settings such as a classroom. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Evaluating motivational deficits in individuals with mental illness: the Chinese General Causality Orientations Scale
Authors: Wu Chin‐Yu , Hwang Mann‐Tsong
Published: March 2006

The study examined the adequacy of the Chinese version of the General Causality Orientations Scale in measuring motivational deficits among clients with mental illness. The scale was part of a motivational frame of reference designed to evaluate and resolve motivational deficits. The study was carried out in Taiwan, and data were collected at multiple psychiatric facilities. Based on a sample of 353 participants, the translated version was found to be internally consistent and valid. To make the scale more suitable for clinical use, a mixed category was added to the three previously suggested typological categories. It is concluded that the scale can be used in this patient population. Further research is needed to investigate temporal stability and other validity traits of the scale. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Development of a personal, professional and educational occupational philosophy: an Australian perspective
Authors: Wilcock Ann A.
Published: March 2006

Occupational science, the study of people as occupational beings, provides the impetus to review occupational therapy practice and education in a new light. In this article personal reflections grounded in Australasian experience suggest the benefits of developing simple but generic personal, professional and educational philosophies which are complementary to one another and founded on the notion of ‘occupation for health’. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Occupational science: a renaissance of service to humankind through knowledge
Authors: Yerxa Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2006

The context for the development of occupational science, the study of the human as an occupational being, included the worldwide increase in the population of people with chronic impairments, decreased resources for people with handicaps, growth in the complexity of daily life and the global maturation of the profession of occupational therapy. Occupational science promises that occupational therapists will define the knowledge base of the profession and its appropriate scope of practice through scholarly work. Occupational scientists need to develop a fresh synthesis of ideas from those scholarly disciplines that view the human as a complex being who interacts with the environment by using occupation over the three time spans of evolution, human development and learning; occupation as agency; and viewing the person served as Homo occupacio, a dynamic, open human system. The occupational human engages in daily life through development of a repertoire of skills which adheres to the rules of culture. Such study will need to include the contexts in which people carry out their rounds of occupation. The ‘detective work’ of occupational scientists, contributing to but not bound by the immediate demands of occupational therapy practice, will be guided by the values and traditions of the field to ensure its relevance and ethical foundation. The most important tool of the world community of occupational therapists will be the mind of the occupational therapist, who, through knowledge of occupation, will foster human capability and influence health. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Philosophy, science and ideology: a proposed relationship for occupational science and occupational therapy
Authors: Blanche Erna Imperatore , Henny‐Kohler Enrique
Published: March 2006

This paper explores the interaction between the philosophy of occupational therapy, the science of occupation and the regional ideology of a specific geographical area, and proposes two models to depict the relationship. One model focuses on the interaction between daily occupational therapy practice in a specific geographical region and the international influences on that practice. The international influences include the effect of occupational science. The second model focuses on the relationship between the philosophy of occupational therapy, occupational science and regional ideology. It concludes by showing the importance of developing a global identity through the importation of knowledge from evolving sciences in industrialized countries at the same time as basic and applied knowledge is developed in the scientific community of a geographic region. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Occupational science: updating the United Kingdom journey of discovery
Authors: Mounter Catherine R. , Ilott Irene
Published: March 2006

The metaphor of a journey is used to describe the incremental influence of occupational science in the UK. A historical perspective is taken to identify and discuss key concepts and issues. Subjective bias and methodological flaws are acknowledged. Discussion for future directions is contained within contextual orientation. Ongoing debate is invited and encouraged. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Affective experiences during daily occupations: measurement and results
Authors: Lo Jin‐Ling , Huang Sheau‐Ling
Published: March 2006

Occupation is the medium of occupational therapy. It is believed that people maintain a rhythmic balance of life through participation in daily occupation. In this study, the affective experiences of 60 subjects during daily occupations were measured using a diary‐log recording which had acceptable internal consistency and test–retest reliability. It was found that a week's daily occupational affective experiences were stable over two months, with no significant difference between males and females. The content or orchestration of daily occupations might affect the pattern of affective experiences during a week. Happy and unhappy experiences during daily occupations were negatively correlated. The implications for occupational therapy are discussed. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A pilot survey of animal‐facilitated therapy in Southern California and South Dakota nursing homes
Authors: Darrah Joseph P.
Published: March 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify the current uses of animal‐facilitated therapy (AFT), in nursing facilities located in Southern California and South Dakota. A mail questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 105 California and 45 South Dakota nursing facility administrators. Selection criteria for Southern California nursing facilities included a geographical location south of 36 degrees latitude, and listing of pet therapy as a facility activity in the Directory of Nursing Homes (1993). South Dakota nursing facilities were randomly selected. A total of 56 nursing facility administrators from South Dakota and California completed the survey resulting in a 40% return rate.

The study supported previous research indicating the multiple benefits of AFT. Both California and South Dakota nursing facility administrators identified sensory stimulation, facilitation of resident social interaction, stress reduction, and companionship as the top four therapeutic purposes for using pets and animals in the nursing home. Administrators also identified patient‐therapist interaction, increasing muscle strength and ROM, pain management, reduction of blood pressure and heart rate, increasing responsibility, self‐esteem, and patient independence as therapeutic benefits of pet therapy.

Further research is needed in the field of pet therapy to demonstrate the efficacy of AFT. In addition, occupational therapists should become more involved with the use of AFT for treatment purposes. It has been demonstrated that pet therapy can be used with a variety of diagnoses and conditions and for implementing therapeutic goals. It is recommended that occupational therapists participate in research on pet therapy and consider its use in nursing homes with older patients. It is also recommended that the use of pets in therapy be incorporated into occupational therapy curricula. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers Ltd.