bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of contact heat evoked potentials for detection of diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Wong Man‐Chun , Chung Joanne W.Y.
Published: June 2011

Introduction: The involvement of small myelinated fibers in the early stages of diabetic neuropathy (DN) has been suggested, but few objective methods can identify minimal neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in contact heat evoked potential (CHEP) parameters between healthy adults and diabetics with and without lower limb symptoms. Methods: CHEP was recorded at the midline channels. A peak stimulating temperature of 51°C was applied to the dorsum of the foot and at a point 10 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus. Results: There was a significant difference in N1–P1 amplitude in the three groups after stimulation of the dorsum of the foot (P = 0.028) and the point 10 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus (P = 0.006). Discussion: CHEP can help to detect early A‐delta fiber damage in diabetic patients with minimal neuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Does the severity of the LGMD2A phenotype in compound heterozygotes depend on the combination of mutations?
Authors: Sáenz Amets , Ono Yasuko , Sorimachi Hiroyuki , Goicoechea Maria , Leturcq France , Blázquez Lorea , García‐Bragado Federico , Marina Alberto , Poza Juan José , Azpitarte Margarita , Doi Naoko , Urtasun Miguel , Kaplan Jean‐Claude , De Munain Adolfo López
Published: June 2011

Introduction: Limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is caused by a deficiency of calpain‐3/p94. Although the symptoms in most LGMD2A patients are generally homogeneous, some variation in the severity and progression of the disease has been reported. Methods: We describe 2 patients who carry the same combination of compound heterozygous mutations (pG222R/pR748Q) and whose symptoms are exceptionally benign compared to homozygotes with each missense mutation. Results: The benign phenotype observed in association with the combined pG222R and pR748Q mutations suggested that it may result from a compensatory effect of compound heterozygosity rather than the individual mutations themselves. Our analyses revealed that these two mutations exert different effects on the protease activity of calpain‐3, suggesting “molecular complementation” in these patients. Conclusion: We propose several hypotheses to explain how this specific combination of mutations may rescue the normal proteolytic activity of calpain‐3, resulting in an exceptionally benign phenotype. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Clinical and pathological heterogeneity in late‐onset partial merosin deficiency
Authors: Rajakulendran Sanjeev , Parton Matt , Holton Janice L. , Hanna Michael G.
Published: June 2011

Mutations in the LAMA2 gene result in a complete loss of merosin and underlie a severe congenital type of muscular dystrophy (MDC1A).We investigated the clinical, genetic, and histological basis of late‐onset muscular dystrophy in one family. The proband and her affected brother exhibited late‐onset predominantly proximal muscle weakness. In addition, the proband experienced seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain demonstrated white‐matter abnormalities. Sequencing of LAMA2 identified two new heterozygous point mutations in the two affected members. Muscle histology demonstrated dystrophic features, rimmed vacuoles, and partial loss of laminin α immunoreactivity. Partial merosin deficiency can present with a mild, late‐onset limb‐girdle–type pattern of weakness, with or without epilepsy, and pathologically may exhibit features observed in inclusion‐body myopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Two Schools of Risk Analysis: A Review of past Research on Project Risk
Authors: Zhang Hongliang
Published: June 2011

Risk research can be generally categorized into two schools: risk as an objective fact and risk as a subjective construction. Both schools have different risk definitions, epistemologica! dimensions, and analytical methods, and tend to recommend different policies for managing risks. This study aims to locate the position of past studies on project risk found between the two schools of risk analysis and to help understand their basic assumptions and viewpoints by reviewing articles published during the last 10 years in two project management journals: the International Journal of Project Management and Project Management Journal. There are 171 articles collected from both journals. They are categorized into four groups: project management system, subjective perception, irrational behavior in risk management, and subjective construction. This study describes and discusses the basic assumptions, viewpoints, and tendencies usually held by each group, and it indicates the position of each group found between the two schools. It also develops some discussion on the starting point of both schools of risk analysis and their significance in directing practices of project risk management.
Reduction potentials of para‐substituted nitrobenzenes—an infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and density functional theory study
Authors: Kuhn Annemarie , von Eschwege Karel G. , Conradie Jeanet
Published: June 2011

Formal reduction potentials, E°′, of a series of 12 para‐substituted nitrobenzenes (R―C6H4―NO2, where R═NH(CH3), NH2, OCH3, CH3, H, OCO(CH3), Cl, CF3, CO(CH3), CO(H), CN, and NO2) were measured and related to experimental parameters and the calculated descriptors: the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy (ELUMO), electron affinity (EA), electrophilicity index (ω), and relative group electronegativity (χR). Excellent correlation was obtained in the linear relationship between E°′ and both ELUMO (R2 > 0.99) and ω, followed by EA, χR, experimental δ1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared asymmetric NO2 stretching frequency (νas), and lastly, δ13C NMR. Calculated ELUMO was found to provide the most convenient theoretical means for predicting experimental E°′ while, together with ω, also giving the highest degree of accuracy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of calcium ions in the stability and instability of a thermolysin‐like protease
Authors: Eijsink V. G. H. , Matthews B. W. , Vriend G.
Published: June 2011

Thermolysin and other secreted broad‐specificity proteases, such as subtilisin or alpha‐lytic protease, are produced as pre‐pro‐proteins that stay at least partially unfolded while in the cytosol. After secretion, the pro‐proteases fold to their active conformations in a process that includes the autolytic removal of the pro‐peptide. We review the life cycle of the thermolysin‐like protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus in light of the calcium dependent stability and instability of the N‐terminal domain. The protease binds calcium ions in the regions that are involved in the autolytic maturation process. It is generally assumed that the calcium ions contribute to the extreme stability of the protease, but experimental evidence for TLP‐ste indicates that at least one of the calcium ions plays a regulatory role. We hypothesize that this calcium ion plays an important role as a switch that modulates the protease between stable and unstable states as appropriate to the biological need.
Intermolecular versus intramolecular interactions of the vinculin binding site 33 of talin
Authors: Yogesha S. D. , Sharff A. , Bricogne G. , Izard T.
Published: June 2011

The cytoskeletal proteins talin and vinculin are localized at cell‐matrix junctions and are key regulators of cell signaling, adhesion, and migration. Talin couples integrins via its FERM domain to F‐actin and is an important regulator of integrin activation and clustering. The 220 kDa talin rod domain comprises several four‐ and five‐helix bundles that harbor amphipathic α‐helical vinculin binding sites (VBSs). In its inactive state, the hydrophobic VBS residues involved in binding to vinculin are buried within these helix bundles, and the mechanical force emanating from bound integrin receptors is thought necessary for their release and binding to vinculin. The crystal structure of a four‐helix bundle of talin that harbors one of these VBSs, coined VBS33, was recently determined. Here we report the crystal structure of VBS33 in complex with vinculin at 2 Å resolution. Notably, comparison of the apo and vinculin bound structures shows that intermolecular interactions of the VBS33 α‐helix with vinculin are more extensive than the intramolecular interactions of the VBS33 within the talin four‐helix bundle.
An improved synthesis of (2S, 4S)‐ and (2S, 4R)‐2‐amino‐4‐methyldecanoic acids: assignment of the stereochemistry of culicinins
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ding Ning , Li Yingxia
Published: June 2011

An improved synthesis of (2S, 4S)‐ and (2S, 4R)‐2‐amino‐4‐methyldecanoic acids was accomplished using a glutamate derivative as starting material and Evans' asymmetric alkylation as the decisive step. The NMR data of the two diastereomers were measured and compared with those of the natural product. As a result, the stereochemistry of this novel amino acid unit in culicinins was assigned as (2S, 4R). Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooperativity network of Trp‐cage miniproteins: probing salt‐bridges
Authors: Rovó Petra , Farkas Viktor , Hegyi Orsolya , Szolomájer‐Csikós Orsolya , Tóth Gábor K. , Perczel András
Published: June 2011

Trp‐cage miniprotein was used to investigate the role of a salt‐bridge (Asp9–Arg16) in protein formation, by mutating residues at both sides, we mapped its contribution to overall stability and its role in folding mechanism. We found that both of the above side‐chains are also part of a dense interaction network composed of electrostatic, H‐bonding, hydrophobic, etc. components. To elucidate the fold stabilizing effects, we compared and contrasted electronic circular dichroism and NMR data of miniproteins equipped with a salt‐bridge with those of the salt‐bridge deleted mutants. Data were acquired both in neutral and in acidic aqueous solutions to decipher the pH dependency of both fully and partially charged partners. Our results indicate that the folding of Trp‐cage miniproteins is more complex than a simple two‐state process as we detected an intermediate state that differs significantly from the native fold. The intermediate formation is related to the salt‐bridge stabilization; in the miniprotein variants equipped with salt‐bridge the population of the intermediate state at acidic pH is significantly higher than it is for the salt‐bridge deleted mutants. In this molecular framework Arg16 stabilizes more than Asp9 does, because of its higher degree of 3D‐fold cooperation. In conclusion, the Xxx$^{9} \leftrightarrow$Yyy16 salt‐bridge is not an isolated entity of this fold; rather it is an integrated part of a complex interaction network. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthetic studies toward labionin, a new α,α‐disubstituted amino acid from type III lantibiotic labyrinthopeptin A2
Authors: Sambeth Georg M. , Süssmuth Roderich D.
Published: June 2011

The labyrinthopeptins are a new class of lantibiotics containing two identical quaternary α,α‐disubstituted amino acids, named labionin (Lab). The synthetic formation of this unique structural feature represents the key step in the total synthesis of these polycyclic peptides. In this report we describe the synthesis of an orthogonally protected α,α‐disubstituted amino acid building block serving as labionin precursor for the future assembly of labyrinthopeptin A2 and of other labyrinthopeptin derivatives. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Creatinyl amino acids—new hybrid compounds with neuroprotective activity
Authors: Burov Sergey , Leko Maria , Dorosh Marina , Dobrodumov Anatoliy , Veselkina Olga
Published: June 2011

Prolonged oral creatine administration resulted in remarkable neuroprotection in experimental models of brain stroke. However, because of its polar nature creatine has poor ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) without specific creatine transporter (CRT). Thus, synthesis of hydrophobic derivatives capable of crossing the BBB by alternative pathway is of great importance for the treatment of acute and chronic neurological diseases including stroke, traumatic brain injury and hereditary CRT deficiency. Here we describe synthesis of new hybrid compounds—creatinyl amino acids, their neuroprotective activity in vivo and stability to degradation in different media. The title compounds were synthesized by guanidinylation of corresponding sarcosyl peptides or direct creatine attachment using isobutyl chloroformate method. Addition of lipophilic counterion (p‐toluenesulfonate) ensures efficient creatine dissolution in DMF with simultaneous protection of guanidino group towards intramolecular cyclization. It excludes the application of expensive guanidinylating reagents, permits to simplify synthetic procedure and adapt it to large‐scale production. The biological activity of creatinyl amino acids was tested in vivo on ischemic stroke and NaNO2‐induced hypoxia models. One of the most effective compounds—creatinyl‐glycine ethyl ester increases life span of experimental animals more than two times in hypoxia model and has neuroprotective action in brain stroke model when applied both before and after ischemia. These data evidenced that creatinyl amino acids can represent promising candidates for the development of new drugs useful in stroke treatment. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two antimicrobial and nematicidal peptides derived from sequences encoded Picea sitchensis
Authors: Liu Rui , Mu Lixian , Liu Huan , Wei Lin , Yan Tianhua , Chen Ming , Zhang Keyun , Li Jianxu , You Dewen , Lai Ren
Published: June 2011

Two antimicrobial peptides (piceain 1 and 2) derived from sequences encoded Picea sitchensis are identified. Their amino acid sequences are KSLRPRCWIKIKFRCKSLKF and RPRCWIKIKFRCKSLKF, respectively. One intra‐molecular disulfide bridge is formed by these two half‐cysteines in both piceain 1 and 2. Antimicrobial activities of synthesized piceains against several kinds of microorganisms were tested. They showed antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungus Candida albicans but little antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis. The results of nematicidal test showed they exerted strong nematicidal activities against Caenorhabditis elegans, following exposure for 5 h at concentrations as low as 10 µg/ml. They had weak hemolytic abilities against human and rabbit red cells. At the concentration of 250 µg/ml, they induced red cell hemolysis of less than 5%. Circular dichroism spectra of the two antimicrobial peptides were investigated in several solutions. Their main secondary structure components are β‐sheet and random. The current work provides a novel family of antimicrobial and nematicidal peptides with unique disulfided loop containing nine amino acid residues. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing the hydrolysis constant of the reactive site upon introduction of an engineered Cys14Cys39bond into the ovomucoid third domain from silver pheasant
Authors: Hemmi Hikaru , Kumazaki Takashi , Kojima Shuichi , Yoshida Takuya , Ohkubo Tadayasu , Yokosawa Hideyoshi , Miura Kin‐ichiro , Kobayashi Yuji
Published: June 2011

P14C/N39C is the disulfide variant of the ovomucoid third domain from silver pheasant (OMSVP3) introducing an engineered Cys14Cys39bond near the reactive site on the basis of the sequence homology between OMSVP3 and ascidian trypsin inhibitor. This variant exhibits a narrower inhibitory specificity. We have examined the effects of introducing a Cys14Cys39bond into the flexible N‐terminal loop of OMSVP3 on the thermodynamics of the reactive site peptide bond hydrolysis, as well as the thermal stability of reactive site intact inhibitors. P14C/N39C can be selectively cleaved byStreptomyces griseusprotease B at the reactive site of OMSVP3 to form a reactive site modified inhibitor. The conversion rate of intact to modified P14C/N39C is much faster than that for wild type under any pH condition. The pH‐independent hydrolysis constant (Khyd°) is estimated to be approximately 5.5 for P14C/N39C, which is higher than the value of 1.6 for natural OMSVP3. The reactive site modified form of P14C/N39C is thermodynamically more stable than the intact one. Thermal denaturation experiments using intact inhibitors show that the temperature at the midpoint of unfolding at pH 2.0 is 59 °C for P14C/N39C and 58 °C for wild type. There have been no examples, except P14C/N39C, where introducing an engineered disulfide causes a significant increase inKhyd°, but has no effect on the thermal stability. The site‐specific disulfide introduction into the flexible N‐terminal loop of natural Kazal‐type inhibitors would be useful to further characterize the thermodynamics of the reactive site peptide bond hydrolysis. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β‐Amino acids containing peptides and click‐cyclized peptide as β‐turn mimics: a comparative study with ‘conventional’ lactam‐ and disulfide‐bridged hexapeptides
Authors: Larregola Maud , Lequin Olivier , Karoyan Philippe , Guianvarc'h Dominique , Lavielle Solange
Published: June 2011

The increasing interest in click chemistry and its use to stabilize turn structures led us to compare the propensity for β‐turn stabilization of different analogs designed as mimics of the β‐turn structure found in tendamistat. The β‐turn conformation of linear β‐amino acid‐containing peptides and triazole‐cyclized analogs were compared to ‘conventional’ lactam‐ and disulfide‐bridged hexapeptide analogs. Their 3D structures and their propensity to fold in β‐turns in solution, and for those not structured in solution in the presence of α‐amylase, were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and by restrained molecular dynamics with energy minimization. The linear tetrapeptide Ac‐Ser‐Trp‐Arg‐Tyr‐NH2 and both the amide bond‐cyclized, c[Pro‐Ser‐Trp‐Arg‐Tyr‐D‐Ala] and the disulfide‐bridged, Ac‐c[Cys‐Ser‐Trp‐Arg‐Tyr‐Cys]‐NH2 hexapeptides adopt dominantly in solution a β‐turn conformation closely related to the one observed in tendamistat. On the contrary, the β‐amino acid‐containing peptides such as Ac‐(R)‐β3‐hSer‐(S)‐Trp‐(S)‐β3‐hArg‐(S)‐β3‐hTyr‐NH2, and the triazole cyclic peptide, c[Lys‐Ser‐Trp‐Arg‐Tyr‐βtA]‐NH2, both specifically designed to mimic this β‐turn, do not adopt stable structures in solution and do not show any characteristics of β‐turn conformation. However, these unstructured peptides specifically interact in the active site of α‐amylase, as shown by TrNOESY and saturation transfer difference NMR experiments performed in the presence of the enzyme, and are displaced by acarbose, a specific α‐amylase inhibitor. Thus, in contrast to amide‐cyclized or disulfide‐bridged hexapeptides, β‐amino acid‐containing peptides and click‐cyclized peptides may not be regarded as β‐turn stabilizers, but can be considered as potential β‐turn inducers. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of Obesity and Lipid Disorders by Extracts from Angelica acutiloba Root in High‐fat Diet‐induced Obese Rats
Authors: Liu I‐Min , Tzeng Thing‐Fong , Liou Shorong‐Shii , Chang Chia Ju
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic effects of Angelica acutiloba root (Japanese Dong Quai). High‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese rats were treated orally with the polyphenolic‐rich extract of Angelica acutiloba root (AARE) once daily for 8 weeks. The AARE (300 mg/kg per day) supplementation significantly lowered body weight gain, visceral fat‐pad weights and plasma lipid levels, as well as the coronary artery risk index and the atherogenic index of HFD‐fed rats. The AARE caused dose related reductions in the hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents, as well as lowered hepatic lipid droplet accumulation and epididymal adipocyte size in the HFD‐fed rats. The AARE reversed the HFD‐induced down‐regulation of the hepatic peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐α (PPARα). The HFD‐induced decreases of the hepatic protein level of acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACO), and the cytochrome P450 isoform 4A1 (CYP4A1) was up‐regulated by AARE. The elevated expressions of hepatic sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) of HFD‐fed rats were lowered by AARE. These results suggest that AARE attenuated visceral fat accumulation and improved hyperlipidemia in HFD‐induced obesity by increasing lipid metabolism through the down‐regulation of SREBPs and enhanced the expression of ACO and CYP4A1 in the liver, which was likely mediated by up‐regulation of the expression of hepatic PPARα. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The assessment of the equatorial counterpart of the quasi‐geostrophic model
Authors: Mohebalhojeh Ali R. , Theiss Jürgen
Published: June 2011

The equatorial counterpart of the quasi‐geostrophic model that has recently been derived and is referred to as the equatorial balanced model is compared to the shallow water equations. This comparison allows for the assessment of the accuracy with which the equatorial balanced model approximates the low‐frequency, or balanced, component of the dynamics described by the shallow water equations. In order to be able to consider fully nonlinear dynamics, numerical implementations of both models are developed for a zonally periodic channel on the equatorial β‐plane using the Contour‐Advective Semi‐Lagragian (CASL) algorithm. The CASL algorithm is chosen because it has beneficial qualities compared to other algorithms by taking full advantage of the property that both models materially conserve potential vorticity. The particular dynamics chosen for the assessment is that of an initially unstable westward flow that freely evolves. The assessment also shows that the accuracy of the equatorial balanced model is comparable to that of the quasi‐geostrophic model outside the equatorial region and to that of one of the most accurate balanced models with its balance relations linearized in the equatorial region. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Hydrogen bond and σ‐hole interaction in M2C=S···HCN (M = H, F, Cl, Br, HO, H3C, H2N) complex: Dual roles of C=S group and substitution effect
Authors: Jing Bo , Li Qingzhong , Gong Baoan , Li Ran , Liu Zhenbo , Li Wenzuo , Cheng Jianbo , Sun Jiazhong
Published: June 2011

An ab initio computational study of the dual functions of CS group in the M2CS···HCN (M = H, F, Cl, Br, HO, H3C, H2N) complex has been performed at the MP2(Full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. The CS group can act as both the electron donor and acceptor, thus two minima complexes were found for each molecular pairs. The interaction energy of hydrogen bond in the F, Cl, or Br substituted complexes is less negative than that in the corresponding H2CS one, while the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interaction is more negative. The OH substitution weakens the hydrogen bond, whereas the H3C and H2N substitution strengthens it. The σ‐hole interaction in the HO, H3C, and H2N complexes is very weak. The substitution effect has been understood with electrostatic induction and conjugation effects. The energy decomposition analysis has been performed for the halogen‐substituted complexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012.
PHYSICAL AND PLANT COMMUNITY CONTROLS ON NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS LEACHING FROM IMPOUNDED RIVERINE WETLANDS FOLLOWING DAM REMOVAL
Authors: Riggsbee J. Adam , Wetzel R. , Doyle M. W.
Published: June 2011

Dam removal has emerged as a critical issue in water resources engineering and management. Of particular concern in many regions of the USA is the effect of dam removal on downstream water quality and potential methods of decreasing sediment and nutrient loading to downstream reaches. Rapid revegetation of reservoir sediments has been suggested as a means of reducing the impact of dam removal, although little data exist about the role of vegetation in controlling the downstream release of sediment or nutrients.

This study investigated an impounded riverine wetland complex on the Little River, North Carolina, before and after the removal of a low‐head dam. We quantified the leaching of interstitial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to the adjacent river channel during reservoir dewatering and, through experimental manipulations, isolated the difference between physical (soil) and biological (plant) controls on N and P leaching from dewatering impoundment sediments. We found that the rate and the quantity of N and P leaching from impounded dewatering sediment are predominately controlled by sediment porosity and specific yield. Although vegetation controls on N and P leaching were statistically significant during the first growing season following dam removal, vegetation is likely to be more important as a long‐term control on sediment and nutrient loads. Our results suggest that the initial release of N and P from a dewatered reservoir will be difficult to control but that vegetation may play an important long‐term role. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS OF CATOSTOMIDS IN LARGE RIVER ECOSYSTEMS: EFFECTS OF DISCHARGE AND TEMPERATURE ON RECRUITMENT DYNAMICS AND GROWTH
Authors: Quist M. C. , Spiegel J. R.
Published: June 2011

Catostomids are among the most widespread and ecologically important groups of fishes in North America, particularly in large river systems. Despite their importance, little information is available on their population demographics and even less is known about factors influencing their population dynamics. The objectives of this study were to describe annual mortality, recruitment variation, and growth of eight catostomid species, and to evaluate the effects of discharge and temperature on year‐class strength and growth in Iowa rivers. Catostomids were sampled from 3‐km reaches in four nonwadable rivers during June–August 2009. Northern hogsucker, Hypentelium nigricans, golden redhorse, Moxostoma erythrurum, and shorthead redhorse, M. macrolepidotum, typically lived 6–8 years, had very stable recruitment, and had high total annual mortality (i.e., 40–60%). Golden redhorse exhibited the fastest growth of all species. Growth of northern hogsucker and shorthead redhorse was intermediate to the other catostomids. Highfin carpsucker, Carpiodes velifer, quillback, Carpiodes cyprinus, and white sucker, Catostomus commersonii, had high growth rates, low mortality (i.e., 25–30%), and relatively stable recruitment. River carpsucker, Carpiodes carpio, and silver redhorse, M. anisurum, had higher maximum ages (up to age 11), slower growth, lower total annual mortality (20–25%), and higher recruitment variability than the other species. Neither discharge nor temperature was strongly related to recruitment of catostomids. In contrast, several interesting patterns were observed with regard to growth. Species (e.g., carpsuckers, Carpiodes spp.) that typically consume prey items most common in fine substrates (e.g., chironomids) had higher growth rates in reaches dominated by sand and silt substrate. Species (e.g., northern hogsucker) that consume prey associated with large substrates (e.g., plecopterans) had much faster growth in reaches with a high proportion of rocky substrates. Temperature was weakly related to growth of catostomids; however, discharge explained a substantial amount of the variation in growth of nearly all species. Results of this study provide important information on the autecology of catostomids that can be used for comparison among species and systems. These data also suggest that connection of rivers with their floodplain is an important feature for catostomids in temperate river systems. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clairvoyant scheduling of random walks
Authors: Gács Peter
Published: June 2011

Two infinite walks on the same finite graph are called compatible if it is possible to introduce delays into them in such a way that they never collide. Years ago, Peter Winkler asked the question: for which graphs are two independent random walks compatible with positive probability. Up to now, no such graphs were found. We show in this paper that large complete graphs have this property. The question is equivalent to a certain dependent percolation with a power‐law behavior: the probability that the origin is blocked at distance n but not closer decreases only polynomially fast and not, as usual, exponentially. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2011
A Review of Utopian Themes in Sustainable Development Discourse
Authors: Harlow John , Golub Aaron , Allenby Braden
Published: June 2011

Sustainable development is commonly traced to the ‘Bruntland Report’. However, its origins wind their way back through earlier UN conferences, 18th and 19th century political economic thought, Rousseauian ideals, the modernism founded on Bacon and Descartes, early Christian utopianism, and classical utopias such as Republic and New Atlantis, which expressed themes of social justice, environmental stewardship and economic growth. This article follows these utopian themes back through the history of sustainable development thought, relying on contemporary histories and reviews of the field as well as certain original texts. We also identify these threads within, and their impact upon, contemporary narratives and debates. We conclude with the suggestion that awareness of these discursive streams can assist in the effective use of the tools and concepts available for sustainable development efforts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Concise Review: Challenging the Pluripotency of Human Testis-Derived ESC-like Cells
Authors: Tapia Natalia , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J. , Ko Kinarm , Schöler Hans R.
Published: June 2011

Several research groups have claimed to have successfully generated pluripotent or multipotent cells from human testis. However, the pluripotent character of those cells with respect to gene expression profile and ability to generate teratomas has been called into question. Here, we critically review these reports and provide insight to guide future studies on the derivation of human pluripotent cells from testicular tissue.
A framework for scaffolding students' assessment of the credibility of evidence
Authors: Nicolaidou Iolie , Kyza Eleni A. , Terzian Frederiki , Hadjichambis Andreas , Kafouris Dimitris
Published: June 2011

Assessing the credibility of evidence in complex, socio‐scientific problems is of paramount importance. However, there is little discussion in the science education literature on this topic and on how students can be supported in developing such skills. In this article, we describe an instructional design framework, which we call the Credibility Assessment Framework, to scaffold high school students' collaborative construction of evidence‐based decisions and their assessment of the credibility of evidence. The framework was employed for the design of a web‐based reflective inquiry environment on a socio‐scientific issue, and was enacted with 11th grade students. The article describes the components of the Credibility Assessment Framework and provides the details and results of an empirical study illustrating this framework in practice. The results are presented in the form of a case study of how 11th grade students investigated and evaluated scientific data relating to the cultivation of genetically modified plants. Multiple kinds of data were collected, including pre‐ and post‐tests of students' conceptual understanding and their skills in assessing the credibility of evidence, and videotapes of students' collaborative inquiry sessions. The analysis of the pre‐ and post‐tests on students' conceptual understanding of Biotechnology and their skills in assessing the credibility of evidence revealed statistically significant learning gains. Students' work in task‐related artifacts and the analysis of two groups' videotaped discussions showed that students became sensitive to credibility criteria, questioned the sources of data and correctly identified sources of low, moderate, and high credibility. Implications for designers and educators regarding the application of this framework are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 711–744, 2011
Schizencephaly prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and clues to etiology: a register‐based study
Authors: Howe D. T. , Rankin J. , Draper E. S.
Published: June 2011

Objectives

To establish the prevalence and antenatal diagnosis of schizencephaly in the UK.

Methods

Data on schizencephaly were extracted from six regional congenital anomaly registers.

Results

Thirty‐eight cases of schizencephaly were identified in 2 567 165 livebirths and stillbirths, giving a total prevalence of 1.48/100 000 births (95% CI, 1.01–1.95). Eighteen (47% (95% CI, 31–63%)) of the 38 cases were identified antenatally. No affected fetus had an abnormal karyotype identified. A high proportion of cases of schizencephaly occurred in younger mothers: 63% were aged 24 years or less, significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the corresponding proportion (26%) of mothers in England and Wales. The majority of cases were not identified until after 22 weeks of pregnancy. Additional anomalies associated with vascular disruption sequences were found in eight cases which had septo‐optic dysplasia or absent septum pellucidum, one of which also had gastroschisis.

Conclusions

Schizencephaly occurs more frequently in the fetuses of younger mothers. It is often associated with septo‐optic dysplasia, suggesting that the two conditions may share a common origin, arising as a result of destructive processes that cause changes in the brain which only become apparent on ultrasound in the second half of pregnancy. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outage analysis of blind cooperative diversity
Authors: Tourki Kamel , Alouini Mohamed‐Slim
Published: June 2011

Mobile users with single antennas can still take advantage of spatial diversity through cooperative space–time‐encoded transmission. In this paper, we considered a scheme in which a relay chooses to cooperate only if its source–relay channel is of an acceptable quality, and we evaluate the usefulness of relaying when the source acts blindly and ignores the decision of the relays whether they may cooperate or not. In our study, we consider the regenerative relays in which the decisions to cooperate are based on a targeted end‐to‐end data rate R. We derived the end‐to‐end outage probability for a transmission rate R and a code rate ρ and look at a power allocation strategy between the source and the relays in order to minimize the end‐to‐end outage probability at the destination for high signal‐to‐noise ratio, by using the golden section search method. Performance results show that the computer simulations‐based results coincide with our analytical results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Four Metal Complexes with Mulitdentate N‐Acyl‐Salicylhydrazide Ligands
Authors: Liu Dongcheng , Chen Zilu , Qin Suni , Huang Wanyun , Jiang Liping , Liang Fupei
Published: June 2011

The reactions of the new nitrilotriacetic acid N′,N′,N′‐tri(salicyloyl)trihydrazide (Ntash) with the corresponding metal salts gave four new complexes [Pb4(bshz)2]·2DMF (1), [Co2(bshz)(C5H5N)6]·2ClO4·(C5H5N)·2H2O (2), [Cu3(fshz)2(C5H5N)2] (3), and [Zn3(fshz)2(C5H5N)3]n·2DMF (4), in which two multidentate ligands, namely N,N′‐disalicyloylhydrazine (H4bshz) and N‐formylsalicylhydrazide (H3fshz) were generated in situ from Ntash. The structures of these complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 presents a novel tetranuclear lead(II) cluster structure with the four lead(II) cations in “hemidirected” coordination spheres. The neighboring tetranuclear clusters of 1 are connected by DMF molecules through weak Pb–O bonds, forming one‐dimensional ribbons. Complexes 2 and 3 show dinuclear and linear trinuclear structures with the corresponding CoIII and CuII ions in distorted octahedral and square‐planar coordination environments, respectively. Complex 4 exhibits a one‐dimensional zigzag chain structure. The magnetic properties of 3 and the photoluminescent properties of 4 were also investigated.
Syntheses and Structures of Nitridorhenium(V) and Nitridotechnetium(V) Complexes with N,N‐[(Dialkylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]‐N′‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)benzamidines
Authors: Nguyen Hung Huy , Trieu Thi Nguyet , Abram Ulrich
Published: June 2011

[MNCl2(PPh3)2] complexes (M = Re, Tc) react with N‐[(dialkylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]‐N′‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)benzamidines (H2L1) with formation of neutral, five‐coordinate nitrido complexes of the composition [MN(L1)(PPh3)]. The products have distorted square‐pyramidal coordination spheres with each a tridentate, double‐deprotonated benzamidine and a PPh3 ligand in their basal planes.
A phase II study of oral S‐1 with concurrent radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy with S‐1 alone for locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Shinchi Hiroyuki , Maemura Kosei , Mataki Yuko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Sakoda Masahiko , Ueno Shinichi , Hiraki Yoshiyuki , Nakajo Masayuki , Natsugoe Shoji , Takao Sonshin
Published: June 2011

Background/purpose

S‐1 is a new oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer agent shown to be effective for pancreatic cancer. In a previous phase I trial, we evaluated the safety of S‐1 combined with radiotherapy to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose‐limiting toxicity in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. The recommended dose of S‐1 for phase II trials of chemoradiotherapy was determined as 80 mg/m2/day given on days 1–21 of a 28‐day cycle. This phase II study was conducted to further evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy combined with S‐1 (UMIN000004794).

Methods

Eligible patients had locally advanced and unresectable pancreatic cancer without distant metastases, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–1, adequate organ and marrow functions, and no prior anticancer therapy. Patients initially received 4 weeks of chemoradiotherapy. S‐1 was given orally at a dose of 80 mg/m2/day twice daily on days 1–21. Radiotherapy was delivered in fractions of 1.25 Gy twice daily, 5 days per week for 4 weeks (total dose: 50 Gy in 40 fractions). One month after the completion of chemoradiotherapy, S‐1 was administered for 14 days followed by a 14‐day rest period. This cycle was repeated as maintenance therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled in this phase II study. Median follow‐up was 14.6 months (range 5.4–58.9 months). Forty‐three patients (86%) completed the scheduled course of chemoradiotherapy. There was no treatment‐related death or grade 4 toxicity. The major toxic effects were leukopenia and nausea. The objective tumor response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours criteria was partial response in 15 patients (30%) (95% confidence interval (CI), 18–45%), stable disease in 23 (46%), and progressive disease in 12 (24%). Median progression‐free survival and median overall survival were 6.7 months (95% CI, 4.7–11.2 months) and 14.3 months (95% CI, 10.8–20.8 months), respectively. Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 62 and 27%, respectively.

Conclusions

Combination therapy with S‐1 and radiation in patients with locally advanced and unresectable pancreatic cancer is considered a promising, well‐tolerated regimen that can be recommended as an effective treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
Evaluation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and mucin expression in normal pancreata
Authors: Matsuyama Masato , Kondo Fukuo , Ishihara Takeshi , Yamaguchi Taketo , Ito Ryu , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Tawada Katsunobu , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: June 2011

Background/purpose

It has been suggested that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) are closely related, but several reports indicate PanIN lesions can also be found in normal pancreata (normal PanINs). We examined differences in mucin expression between normal PanIN lesions and PanINs in PDACs (PDAC PanINs).

Methods

We examined 54 autopsied normal pancreata and eight autopsied PDACs for PanIN lesions; graded the pancreata specimens as PanIN‐1A (non‐papillary hyperplasia), PanIN‐1B (papillary hyperplasia), PanIN‐2 (atypical hyperplasia) or PanIN‐3 (carcinoma in situ); and tested the PanIN lesions for expression of MUC1 (pan‐epithelial membrane‐associated mucin) and MUC5AC (gastric secretory mucin) which were both previously detected in PDACs.

Results

In normal PanIN‐1A, PanIN‐1B and PanIN‐2 specimens, MUC1 was expressed in 2.8, 10.5 and 9.1%, respectively, compared to 19.1, 27.6 and 13.0% in PDAC PanIN‐1A, PanIN‐1B and PanIN‐2 specimens, respectively. MUC5AC was expressed in 41.0, 65.7 and 36.4% of normal PanIN‐1A, PanIN‐1B and PanIN‐2 specimens, respectively, and in 80.9, 75.8 and 78.3% of PDAC PanIN‐1A, PanIN‐1B and PanIN‐2 specimens, respectively. Differences in the frequency of MUC1 expression were significant between normal and PDAC PanIN‐1A (p < 0.0001) and PanIN‐1B (p < 0.05); and differences in the frequency of MUC5AC expression were significant between normal and PDAC PanIN‐1A (p < 0.0001) and PanIN‐2 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Normal PanIN and PDAC PanIN lesions differed in the rates of MUC1 and MUC5AC expression.
Ischemic preconditioning prior to intermittent Pringle maneuver in liver resections
Authors: Winbladh Anders , Björnsson Bergthor , Trulsson Lena , Offenbartl Karsten , Gullstrand Per , Sandström Per
Published: June 2011

Background/Purpose

Continuous inflow vascular occlusion during liver resections causes less severe ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) if it is preceded by ischemic preconditioning (IP) or if intermittent inflow occlusion is used during the resection. No previous clinical trial has studied the effects of adding IP to intermittent inflow occlusion.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 32) with suspicion of malignant liver disease had liver resections (minimum 2 segments) performed with inflow occlusion (intermittent clamping in a manner of 15 min of ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion repetitively; 15/5). Half of the patients were randomized to receive IP (10 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion before parenchymal transection; 10/10). The patients were stratified according to volume of resection and none had chronic liver disease. The patients were followed for 5 days with microdialysis (μD).

Results

All patients completed the study and there were no deaths. No differences were seen between the groups regarding demographics or perioperative parameters (bleeding, duration of ischemia, resection volume, complications, and serum laboratory tests). There were no differences in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, or prothrombin time (PT)‐INR levels, but μD revealed lower levels of lactate, pyruvate, and glucose in the IP group having major liver resections (analysis of variance; ANOVA). Nitrite and nitrate levels in μD decreased postoperatively, but no differences were seen between the groups. In one patient an elevated μD–glycerol curve was seen before the diagnosis of a stroke was made.

Conclusions

IP before intermittent vascular occlusion does not reduce the serum parameters used to assess IRI. IP seems to improve aerobic glucose metabolism, as the levels of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate locally in the liver were reduced, compared to controls, in patients having >3 segments resected. μD may be used to monitor metabolism locally.
Stent selection for both biliary and pancreatic strictures caused by chronic pancreatitis: multiple plastic stents or metallic stents?
Authors: Gupta Rajesh , Reddy D. Nageshwar
Published: June 2011

Endoscopic stenting is an effective treatment option in the management of both benign biliary strictures and pancreatic ductal strictures. Plastic stents and self‐expandable metal stents have been used with variable success for the management of both benign biliary strictures and pancreatic ductal strictures caused by chronic pancreatitis. Fully covered self‐expandable metal stents of improved design represent a major technological advance which has added to the endoscopic armamentarium. Both multiple plastic stents and covered self‐expandable metal stents have shown promising results. However, data to support the use of self‐expandable metal stents over multiple plastic stents or vice versa are still lacking.
Comparison of axial force and cell width of self‐expandable metallic stents: which type of stent is better suited for hilar biliary strictures?
Authors: Mukai Tsuyoshi , Yasuda Ichiro , Isayama Hiroyuki , Nakashima Masanori , Doi Shinpei , Iwashita Takuji , Iwata Keisuke , Kato Tomohiro , Tomita Eiichi , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: June 2011

Background

Various types of self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are commercially available. However, few reports have compared the performance of the various SEMSs. In addition to long‐term patency, maneuverability during initial placement and feasibility of re‐intervention for the stent occlusion are also very important.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we compared the duration of stent patency and frequency of re‐interventions in 96 patients diagnosed with unresectable hilar biliary strictures in whom initial 10‐mm SEMSs were inserted between June 1999 and November 2008.

Results

Based on Kaplan–Meier curves, significantly shorter patency duration was noted for SEMSs with moderate axial force (AF) than for other groups of SEMSs with low AF. Endoscopic re‐interventions for SEMS occlusion were easier in a group of SEMSs with low AF and large cell width than in other groups of SEMSs.

Conclusions

With respect to patency duration and the frequency of re‐intervention required, we consider that SEMSs with low AF and large cell width are favorable for hilar biliary strictures.
Expression of a behaviourally mediated morphology in response to different predators
Authors: Boyero Luz
Published: June 2011

The risk of predation generally entails alterations in prey behaviour or morphology, but only a few organisms, such as caddisfly larvae, are able to undergo rapid morphological changes mediated by behaviour. Here I explore whether predatory fish (Squalius pyrenaicus) and crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) provoke similar responses from caddisfly larvae (Calamoceras marsupus) in terms of the speed of case construction and the use of different materials differing in their protective value (sticks > leaves; tough leaves > soft leaves). Laboratory experiments demonstrated that C. marsupus larvae were able to recognise both types of predators, and responded to them by constructing a case within hours. Moreover, predation risk motivated the use of more protective materials for case construction when compared to controls. The response to the crayfish was faster than that to the fish, which could be related to differences in the nature and predation efficiency of different predators (i.e. crayfish may be more efficient at predating on leaf litter‐dwelling invertebrates than fish, which live in the water column). This study provides novel evidence about the expression of morphological defences mediated by behavioural responses to predation risk, and demonstrates that the speed of case construction and its resulting protection level can vary depending on predator nature.