bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die neue Räumlichkeit des Krieges: Wissenschaft und Technik im Ersten Weltkrieg
Authors: Trischler Helmuth
Published: October 2006

The First World War may be conceived as a phase of acceleration of historical change. In the course of the four years of the „Great War”︁ science and technology were effectively transformed in regard to both content and social significance. In the midst of the fundamental crisis of national security politicians and the military of the belligerent nations learned to perceive science and technology as an essential resource. In order to utilize this resource most efficiently new patterns were created of linking science, technology, economy and government together. In essence these patterns proofed to be surprisingly stable; they outlived the war as well as the subsequent demobilization. This new total war modernized partially science and technology, but above all produced fundamental and deep‐reaching changes in their relationship to state and society. A look at the further course of events of the 20th century shows the ambivalence and double‐headness of this modernization process.

The new „three‐dimensional nature”︁ of the war refers to the concrete geometric, but also to the abstract, social dimension of space. On the one hand it manifested itself in the new three dimensionality of the technicized battlefield in trench warfare as well as in airwar. On the other hand it was expressed in the new institutionalization of interweavement between science and society.
Berater, Agent, Interessent? Fritz Haber, die BASF und die staatliche Stickstoffpolitik im Ersten Weltkrieg
Authors: Szöllösi‐Janze Margit
Published: October 2006

The paper reflects Fritz Haber's part in the negotiations on the building of vast saltpeter and ammonia plants in the first half of World War I. His activities in German war economy led to two important consequences: Firstly, he helped to solve the German ammunition crisis so that the Empire was able to continue its warfare for years. Secondly, he shared a big part in the making of a completely new German nitrogen industry.
Basilius Valentinus und die Labortechnik um 1600
Authors: Priesner Claus
Published: October 2006

The paper focusses on various methods of preparing chemical compounds and on laboratory techniques used in that. It is based on different texts ascribed to „Basil Valentine”︁, an important author of alchemical writings whose real identity is not yet established beyond any doubt. Basil was a leading alchemical experimentator of his time and devised a number of preparation‐processes for new substances, some of which are discussed here. The paper sheds also new light on some hitherto established notions of priority which were attributed to Basil Valentine or other alchemists.
Paul Langevin und Albert Einstein — eine Freundschaft zwischen Relativitätstheorie und politischer Realität
Authors: Franke Almut , Franke Fabian
Published: October 2006

It was only after the death of the French physicist Paul Langevin in 1946, that his famous colleague Albert Einstein strongly emphasized and honored his contributions to the theory of special relativity, similar as he did in obituaries for two other pioneer physicists of the turn of the century, Poincaré and Lorentz. But Langevin and Einstein were connected by a deep personal friendship which began in the first decades of the 20th century in spite of sharp political tensions and scientific barriers especially between Germany and France. From the physical point of view, Langevin did not accept all of the basic concepts of special relativity at once even if he developped some important consequences. Their friendship and esteem for each other was based mainly on political and ideological affinities and culminated in the visits of Einstein in Paris and Langevin in Berlin.
Wie sozialisiert man eine Hochschule? Die Eröffnungsfeiern der mittelalterlichen deutschen Universitäten und die Gründung der Erfurter Universität (28. April 1392)
Authors: Rexroth Frank
Published: October 2006

In pre‐Reformation Germany, nearly all university foundations culminated in elaborated opening celebrations which were closely linked to the local liturgy. This article tries to understand these well‐recorded acts as rituals and asks how social knowledge of what a university actually was was transmitted to the non‐academic environment. It shows that the opening celebrations were designed both to make the new institution acceptable and to distance it from its environment, thus reducing its vulnerability.
Disziplinerneuerung und Universitätsreform: Das Ius publicum Romano Germanicum
Authors: Hammerstein Notker
Published: October 2006

What caused the reforms which permitted the universities in the Holy Roman Empire to become leading places of scientific communication and mental orientation for centuries? In most cases, outside influences ‐ pressures from governments, princes, scholars, councillors, consistories, or, as we would say today, state and churches ‐ were decisive. But some reforms were the consequences of paradigm‐changes within the universities themselves. Such shifts were less likely to originate with faculties concerned with medicine or the natural sciences than with those which were concerned directly with the political community or human societies. This changed only in the nineteenth century, which cannot be dealt with here.
Gelehrte Gemeinschaft und wissenschaftlicher Großbetrieb: Hochschulbau als Spiegel von Wissenschaftsidee und ‐praxis im 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhundert
Authors: Nägelke Hans‐Dieter
Published: October 2006

The paper deals with the rise and development of university‐building in nineteenth‐century Germany. It describes its functional changes as a result of the diversification of disciplines as well as a reaction to the rapid expansion of the universities. These upheavels finally also undermined the stylistic consensus on the outer design of university‐buildings all over Germany up to the end of the century. The disintegration of this consensus in favour of varying patterns of style or design at the beginning of the 20th is interpreted as loss of „Bildung”︁ itself.
Umstrukturierung statt Neugründung: die dritte Hochschulreform der DDR
Authors: Laitko Hubert
Published: October 2006

In the course of GDR history, some centrally designed and controlled reforms of the higher education system were performed instead of founding new universities. The Third Educational Reform in the late sixties was part of a larger reform agenda, including economy, general education, basic research, and industrial R&D, following the fashionable paradigm of ‘big science’. Fundamental changes in university structure, significantly deviating from German tradition, should enhance the output both of well‐trained young specialists als well as of applicable knowledge mainly for the needs of industry. The shift in political leadership from Walter Ulbricht to Erich Honecker in 1971 left the reform uncompleted. The reform ideas partially lost their relevance against the profoundly changed reality of the seventies.
Das Flugblatt des Nürnberger Arztes Theodoricus Ulsenius von 1496
Authors: Portwich Philipp
Published: October 2006

In the following contribution the relevant aspects of the broadsheet of the municipial physician from Nuremberg Theodoricus Ulsenius of 1496 are represented. The broadsheet attracted the attention of the history of art because of the wood‐cut, attributed to Durer, and became famous as the so‐called Picture of the Plague‐Sticken Man. The history of medicine on the other hand identifies the unknown new disease, described by Ulsenius in the latin text, as an early description of syphilis. To men at the turn of the 16th century, this disease appeared as an expression of divine wrath. The Renaissance medical science, influenced by the philosophy of Neo‐Platonism, explained its origin as the consequence of a cosmological constellation. Apart from this the broadsheet as an incunabulum has some relevance for the history of early letter‐press printing, of which Nuremberg with its circles of artists and scholars represented an important centre.
Hygiène et Assainissement des Villes: Zur wissenschaftlichen Begründung der ‚Stadthygiene’︁ des 19. Jahrhunderts und deren Konsequenzen
Authors: Schoultz Martin Weyer‐Von
Published: October 2006

By studying the etiology and the causalities of the cholera breaking out in the German cities since the 1830s the young scientific discipline ‘Hygiene’ tried to influence urban administrations to prevent the contamination of the soil with human excrements. Most of the Hygienists followed the theory develloped by Max von Pettenkofer, the first German professor of Hygiene, that the soiling was the causing factor of most of the intestinal diseases. This theory based on the hypothesis of a prerequisite fermentation of a germ in the soil before beeing capable to produce disease in a susceptible individual. According to this ‐ never irrefutably proved ‐ theory the cities should be aware of the condition of soil (Bodenbeschaffenheit), whereas the pollution of the running water was not concidered to be dangerous by reason of the supposed self‐purification of running streams.
Wissenschaftstransfer als Folge studentischer Migration am Beispiel siebenbürgischer Intellektueller im 18. Jahrhundert
Authors: Kernbauer Alois
Published: October 2006

Transylvania differed in many ways from the rest of the Habsburg Empire. This was mainly because this province, bordering the Ottoman Empire, had enjoyed religious tolerance from the 16th century onwards. Most of the Protestants living in Transylvania went abroad to study at Protestant universities like Wittenberg, Halle, Göttingen and Leyden and thus escaped the Jesuit dominated education of the Habsburg universities which had become increasingly out of date in the course of the 18th century. Even a quarter of a century after the abolition of the Jesuits, and following the reforms during the period of enlightend absolutism, the Habsburg universities were still far from being first rate in most subjects.

So the majority of Transylvanian Protestant priests, lawyers and physicians were educated at universites in the north of the German speaking world or in the Netherlands, thus becoming members of a scientific community which could be regarded as belonging to the best in the world of scholarship. The impact on Transylvania was enormous because many of these scholars used modern scholarship and research methods and kept close to a world of learning which was geographically so distant from Transylvania.
Protonated Heme
Authors: Chiavarino Barbara , Crestoni Maria Elisa , Fornarini Simonetta , Rovira Carme
Published: October 2006

The ions formally corresponding to protonated heme [FeII–hemeH]+ have been obtained by collision‐induced dissociation from the electrospray ionization of microperoxidase (MP11) and their gas‐phase chemistry has been studied by FTICR mass spectrometry. H/D‐exchange reactions, used as a tool to gain information on the protonation sites in polyfunctional molecules, show that labile hydrogens pertain to the propionyl substituents at the periphery of the protoporphyrin IX. Several conceivable isomers for protonated heme have been evaluated by density functional theory. The most stable among the species investigated is the one corresponding to protonation at the β carbon atom of a vinyl group, yielding a proton affinity (PA) value for [FeII–heme] of 1220 kJ mol−1. This high PA is consistent with the inertness of the hydrogen atoms at the protonation site towards H/D exchange with ND3 and CD3CO2D. Peculiar features of this [FeII–hemeH]+ isomer emerge by analysis of its electronic structure, showing that the vinyl group undergoing formal protonation has gained significant radical character due to electron transfer from the metal center. As a consequence, the iron atom acquires partial iron(III) character and none of the two formal descriptions [FeII–hemeH+] and [FeIII–hemeH.]+ alone may adequately illustrate the protonated heme ion. In agreement with this description, the reactivity of protonated heme presents dual facets, resembling iron(III) in some aspects and iron(II) in others. On the one hand, protonated heme behaves like [FeIII–heme]+ ions in H/D‐exchange reactions. On the other, it shows markedly decreased reactivity towards the addition of ligands with the notable exception of NO, in line with the high affinity shown by iron(II) complexes towards this molecule, NO, of key biological role.
Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Henry (Nitroaldol) Reaction Utilizing a Guanidine—Thiourea Bifunctional Organocatalyst.
Authors: Sohtome Yoshihiro , Hashimoto Yuichi , Nagasawa Kazuo
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Combining Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulations in Drug Design
Authors: Alonso Hernan , Bliznyuk Andrey A. , Gready Jill E.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Universality at the edge of the spectrum for unitary, orthogonal, and symplectic ensembles of random matrices
Authors: Deift Percy , Gioev Dimitri
Published: October 2006

We prove universality at the edge of the spectrum for unitary (β = 2), orthogonal (β = 1), and symplectic (β = 4) ensembles of random matrices in the scaling limit for a class of weights w(x) = e−V(x) where V is a polynomial, V(x) = κ2mx2m + · · ·, κ2m > 0. The precise statement of our results is given in Theorem 1.1 and Corollaries 1.2 and 1.4 below. For the same class of weights, a proof of universality in the bulk of the spectrum is given in [12] for the unitary ensembles and in [9] for the orthogonal and symplectic ensembles.

Our starting point in the unitary case is [12], and for the orthogonal and symplectic cases we rely on our recent work [9], which in turn depends on the earlier work of Widom [46] and Tracy and Widom [42]. As in [9], the uniform Plancherel‐Rotach‐type asymptotics for the orthogonal polynomials found in [12] plays a central role.

The formulae in [46] express the correlation kernels for β = 1, 4 as a sum of a Christoffel‐Darboux (CD) term, as in the case β = 2, together with a correction term. In the bulk scaling limit [9], the correction term is of lower order and does not contribute to the limiting form of the correlation kernel. By contrast, in the edge scaling limit considered here, the CD term and the correction term contribute to the same order: this leads to additional technical difficulties over and above [49]. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Behaviour and modelling of partial‐strength beam‐to‐column composite joints for seismic applications
Authors: Braconi A. , Salvatore W. , Tremblay R. , Bursi O. S.
Published: October 2006

A refined component model is proposed to predict the inelastic monotonic response of exterior and interior beam‐to‐column joints for partial‐strength composite steel–concrete moment‐resisting frames. The joint typology is designed to exhibit ductile seismic response through plastic deformation developing simultaneously in the column web panel in shear, the bolted end‐plate connection, the column flanges in bending and the steel reinforcing bars in tension. The model can handle the large inelastic deformations consistent with high ductility moment‐resisting frames. Slip response between the concrete slab and the beams was taken into account. A fibre representation was adopted for the concrete slab to accurately capture the non‐uniform stress distribution and progressive crushing of the concrete at the interface between the concrete slab and the column flange. The model is validated against results from full‐scale subassemblages monotonic physical tests performed at the University of Pisa, Italy. A parametric study is presented to illustrate the capabilities of the model and the behaviour of the joints examined. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute apoptosis by cisplatin requires induction of reactive oxygen species but is not associated with damage to nuclear DNA
Authors: Berndtsson Maria , Hägg Maria , Panaretakis Theocharis , Havelka Aleksandra Mandic , Shoshan Maria C. , Linder Stig
Published: October 2006

Cisplatin is a broad‐spectrum anticancer drug that is also widely used in experimental studies on DNA damage‐induced apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis within 24–48 hr requires cisplatin concentrations that are at least one order of magnitude higher than the IC50. Here, we show that such high, apoptosis‐inducing cisplatin concentrations induce cellular superoxide formation and that apoptosis is inhibited by superoxide scavengers. The same concentration limit and the requirement for superoxide are also true for induction of caspase activation in enucleated cells (cytoplasts), showing that cisplatin‐induced apoptosis occurs independently of nuclear DNA damage. In contrast, lower cisplatin concentrations, which do not induce acute apoptosis, are sufficient for induction of DNA damage signaling. We propose that the antiproliferative effects of cisplatin at IC50 doses involve premature senescence and secondary, nonstress‐induced apoptosis. The higher doses currently used in in vitro studies lead to acute, stress‐induced apoptosis that involves induction of superoxide but is largely DNA damage‐independent. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum c‐erbB‐2 protein is a useful marker for monitoring tumor recurrence of the breast
Authors: Imoto Shigeru , Wada Noriaki , Hasebe Takahiro , Ochiai Atsushi , Kitoh Takashi
Published: October 2006

C‐erbB‐2 oncogene protein (ErbB‐2/HER‐2) overexpression is a prognostic marker of breast carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum ErbB‐2 for monitoring tumor recurrence of operable breast carcinoma patients. The subjects were 86 breast carcinoma patients with stage I–IIIB. Sera were collected at preoperative and postoperative periods from 1996 to 2000. The cutoff value was set at 5.4 ng/ml for preoperative patients and at 6.5 ng/ml for postoperative patients. Twenty‐nine patients (34%) had higher preoperative serum ErbB‐2 levels (≥5.4 ng/ml). A higher preoperative serum ErbB‐2 was associated with higher clinical stage, larger tumor size, nodal metastasis, higher histologic grade and lymphatic invasion, but not with vascular invasion, hormonal receptor status or other tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 15‐3 (CA15‐3). As of April 2005, 27 patients (31%) had recurrence and 18 (62%) of them had a higher preoperative serum ErbB‐2. Seventeen patients died of tumor progression. The recurrence‐free survival rates at 7 years after breast surgery were 84% in 57 patients with a normal preoperative serum ErbB‐2 and 41% in 29 patients with a higher preoperative serum ErbB‐2 (p < 0.0001). The overall survival rates at 7 years were 93% and 55% (p < 0.0001), respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative serum ErbB‐2 was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence‐free survival and overall survival in breast carcinoma patients. The specificities and sensitivities of postoperative tumor markers (CEA, CA15‐3 and ErbB‐2) were 91%, 100% and 85%, and 40%, 30% and 70%, respectively. Serum ErbB‐2 is a preoperative prognostic marker and may be useful for monitoring tumor recurrence of the breast. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative effects of diethyldithiocarbamate and n‐benzyl‐d‐glucamine dithiocarbamate on cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum‐induced toxicity in kidney and gastrointestinal tract in rats
Authors: Hidaka Shinji , Funakoshi Takayuki , Shimada Hideaki , Tsuruoka Michio , Kojima Shoji
Published: October 2006

Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and sodium N‐benzyl‐D‐glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD) were compared for their protective effects against cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP)‐induced toxicity in kidney and gastrointestinal tract in rats. Rats were injected i.p. with the dithiocarbamates (2.0 mmol kg−1) immediately or 1 h after i.v. injection of DDP (20 μmol kg1). Treatment with BGD immediately or at 1 h after DDP injection effectively prevented the nephrotoxicity of DDP, but administration of DDTC immediately or 1 h after DDP afforded little protection. N‐Benzyl‐D‐glucamine dithiocarbamte significantly reversed the reduction in maltase, sucrase and aminopeptidase activities of jejunal mucosa of rats treated with DDP, whereas treatment with DDTC concurrent with DDP could not reverse the reduction in disaccharidase activity following DDP injection. The platinum concentrations in liver and kidney were significantly decreased by treatment with BGD and DDTC. The treatment with DDTC at 1 h after DDP was more effective on the reduction of platinum concentrations in these tissues than that immediately after DDP. There was no difference between the renal and hepatic concentrations of platinum in two time intervals of BGD. The pharmacokinetic studies indicated that DDTC is more rapidly metabolized than BGD, resulting in larger total clearance and elimination rate constant values. These results reveal that the administration of BGD immediately and at 1 h after DDP can protect against the renal and gastrointestinal toxicities caused by DDP, whereas DDTC afforded little protection, and that the time interval between administration of DDP and DDTC greatly influences its protective effect on DDP‐induced toxicity, indicating that the chelation therapy of BGD for DDP is superior to that of DDTC.
Relative efficacy of chelating agents on excretion and tissue distribution of manganese in mice
Authors: Sánchez D. J. , Gómez M. , Domingo J. L. , Llobet J. M. , Corbella J.
Published: October 2006

The effect of repeated parenteral administration of a number of structurally diverse chelating agents on the excretion and tissue distribution of manganese was assessed in mice following 4 weeks of manganese exposure. Males Swiss mice received s.c. injections of manganese(II) chloride tetrahydrate (8.9 mg Mn kg−1 body wt.) for 4 weeks (5 days per week). After the end of this exposure period, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA), ethyleneglycol‐bis‐(β‐aminoethylether)‐NN'‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA), N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), isonicotinyl hydrazine (INH), L‐dopa, sodium 4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,3‐benzenedisulphonate (Tiron), p‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) or 0.9% saline (control group) were given i.p. for five consecutive days. The doses of the chelators were approximately equal to one‐eighth of their respective LD50 values. Urine and faeces were daily collected for 5 days. Twenty‐four hours after the final chelator injection, mice were killed and manganese concentrations were determined in various tissues. Although CDTA, EGTA and HEDTA significantly enhanced the elimination of manganese into urine, none of the chelators increased faecal excretion. Tissue concentrations of manganese were significantly reduced only by CDTA. According to these results, among the compounds tested only CDTA would mobilize effectively manganese in manganese‐loaded mice.
Hemotoxic effects of a dermally applied coal coprocessing product in the rat
Authors: Yagminas Algis P. , Chu Ih. , Valli Victor E.
Published: October 2006

The present study was conducted as part of a larger project to determine the toxicity of dermally applied coal coprocessing products. Groups of male and female rats were administered, dermally, heavy gas oil II (HGOII) at 8.7, 20.8, 50.0 and 120 mg kg−1 body wt. day−1 for 91 days. A coal liquefaction product was given as positive control at 120 mg kg−1 body wt. day−1. Saline was used on control animals. At termination, the blood and bone marrow were taken from the animals and subjected to hematological examination. Dose‐dependent hematological effects were seen in peripheral blood in HGOII‐treated animals and consisted of significantly reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell count and platelet count. Mean corpuscular volume was increased, along with mean corpuscular hemoglobin, at the highest dose level. Red cell protoporphyrin, total iron and total iron binding capacity were also significantly elevated at this dose level. Morphological analysis of blood showed increases in polychromatic red cells, schizocytes, Howell‐Jolly bodies, injured cells, hypersegmented neutrophils and shift platelets primarily at the highest dose level. In addition, there was notable anisocytosis, microcytosis and macrocytosis. Quantitative bone marrow evaluation revealed a significant reduction in the myeloid/erythroid ratio for the three highest treatment levels of HGOII. These data indicate that the effect of HGOII on the hemopoietic system is a treatment‐related, partially compensated, hemolytic anemia. The apparent reduction in myelopoiesis may be compensated for by a concurrent increase in marrow volume.
Appearance of interleukin lα relates dna interstrand cross‐links and cytotoxicity in cultured human keratinocytes exposed to bis‐(2‐chloroethyl)sulfide
Authors: Pu Y. , Lin P. , Vaughan F. L. , Bernstein I. A.
Published: October 2006

The utility of an increase in the level of interleukin lα (IL‐1α) as an indicator of cytotoxicity from exposure to bis‐(2‐chloroethyl)sulfide (BCES) was evaluated in submerged monolayer cultures of human cutaneous keratinocytes. Four‐day‐old cultures were exposed to 1–100 (μM BCES at 37°C for 30 min. The amounts of IL‐1α in the medium at and in cells 72 h after exposure were measured immunologically with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibody to human IL‐1α. The antibody was conjugated with peroxidase for visualization. Cell viability was measured concomitantly using the trypan blue exclusion technique. The degree of interstrand cross‐linking as a measure of damage in the cellular DNA was determined by measuring the fluorescence resulting from the intercalation of ethidium bromide into double‐stranded molecules that remained in heat‐denatured DNA isolated from cells that had been exposed to BCES. A high correlation was observed between the dose‐responsive increase in the level of IL‐1α in the medium and in the cells, and the dose‐responsive decrease that took place in the fraction of viable cells in exposed cultures. The dose‐responsive increase in the interstrand cross‐linking found in the DNA of cells immediately after exposure to BCES also correlated with the increase in IL‐1α 72 h after exposure. These data suggest that the appearance of IL‐1α can be used to quantify the cytotoxicity resulting from BCES‐mediated damage to cellular DNA and that the degree of cross‐linking in the DNA immediately after exposure to BCES is predictive of the level of cytotoxicity in an exposed culture 3 days later.
Enhanced insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) cell association at reduced pH is dependent on IGF binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) interaction
Authors: Forsten‐Williams Kimberly , Cassino Theresa R. , Delo Laura J. , Bellis Abigail D. , Robinson Anne S. , Ryan Thomas E.
Published: October 2006

The cellular microenvironment impacts how signals are transduced by cells and plays a key role in tissue homeostasis. Although pH is generally well regulated, there are a number of situations where acidosis occurs and our work addresses how low pH impacts cell association of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) in the presence of IGF binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3). We have previously shown that IGF‐I cell binding was enhanced in the presence of IGFBP‐3 at low pH and now show that this binding is IGFBP‐mediated as it is inhibited by Y60L‐IGF‐I, a mutant with reduced affinity for the IGF receptor (IGF‐IR), and unaffected by insulin, which binds but not IGFBPs. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we show that direct binding between IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 is pH sensitive. Despite this, the key step in the process appears to be IGFBP‐3 cell surface association as Long‐R3‐IGF‐I, a mutant with reduced affinity for IGFBPs, shows a similar increase in cell association at pH 5.8 in the presence of IGFBP‐3 but does not exhibit pH‐dependent binding by SPR. Further, analysis indicates a large increase in low‐affinity binding sites for IGF‐I in the presence of IGFBP‐3 and an elimination of IGF‐I enhanced binding when a non‐cell associating mutant of IGFBP‐3 is added in place of IGFBP‐3. That the IGFBP‐3‐mediated binding localizes IGF‐I away from IGF‐IR is suggested by triton‐solubility testing and indicates additional complexities to IGF‐I regulation by IGFBP‐3. Identifying the pH‐dependent binding partner(s) for IGFBP‐3 is a necessary next step in deciphering this process. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 298–308, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New syndromic form of benign hereditary chorea is associated with a deletion of TITF‐1 and PAX‐9 contiguous genes
Authors: Devos David , Vuillaume Isabelle , De Becdelievre Alix , De Martinville Berengère , Dhaenens Claire‐Marie , Cuvellier Jean‐Christophe , Cuisset Jean‐Marie , Vallée Louis , Lemaitre Marie‐Pierre , Bourteel Hélène , Hachulla Eric , Wallaert Benoit , Destée Alain , Defebvre Luc , Sablonnière Bernard
Published: October 2006

Benign hereditary chorea is a rare autosomal dominant disorder presenting with a childhood‐onset and slowly progressive chorea. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and genetic features of 3 patients who developed childhood‐onset chorea. Three affected patients from three generations of a family with benign hereditary chorea associated with a multisystemic disorder of the basal ganglia, thyroid, lungs, salivary glands, bowels, and teeth. The TITF‐1 gene was screened by microsatellite analysis, gene sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Genetic analysis revealed a novel 0.9‐Mb deletion on chromosome 14, which includes the TITF‐1 and PAX9 genes. We have identified a novel deletion responsible for a new syndrome of benign hereditary chorea, including symptoms of brain–thyroid–lung syndrome associated with bowels, salivary glands, and teeth disorders. Associated signs, sometimes of slight expression, remain of high interest for the clinical and genetic diagnosis of benign hereditary chorea. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Family‐based case–control study of MAOA and MAOB polymorphisms in Parkinson disease
Authors: Kang Sun J. , Scott William K. , Li Yi‐Ju , Hauser Michael A. , van der Walt Joelle M. , Fujiwara Kenichiro , Mayhew Gregory M. , West Sandra G. , Vance Jeffery M. , Martin Eden R.
Published: October 2006

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme regulating metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Two distinct forms of enzyme, encoded by genes MAOA and MAOB located on the X chromosome, have been considered as possible factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). Previous association studies of PD and MAO genes reported inconsistent results. In this study, we used a large family‐based data set to test associations between MAO genes and a risk of PD. The data set includes 298 female discordant sibpairs and 348 male discordant sibpairs. For this study, all subjects analyzed were white and families with known parkin mutations were removed. We analyzed 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a dinucleotide repeat marker in the MAO genes. Association was found with the intron 13 SNP of MAOB in the female subset (P = 0.02). No significant association was found in the male subset. Our results add to the evidence of involvement of MAOB in PD and suggest that the effect may be stronger in women. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
On the L2 and the H1 couplings for an overlapping domain decomposition method using Lagrange multipliers
Authors: Guidault P.‐A. , Belytschko T.
Published: October 2006

In this paper, a comparison of the L2 and the H1 couplings is made for an overlapping domain decomposition method using Lagrange multipliers. The analysis of the local equations arising from the formulation of the coupling of two mechanical models shows that continuous weight functions are required for the L2 coupling term whereas both discontinuous and continuous weight functions can be used for the H1 coupling. The choice of the Lagrange multiplier space is discussed and numerically studied. The paper ends with some numerical examples of an end‐loaded cantilever beam and a cracked plate under tension and shear. It is shown that the continuity enforced with the H1 coupling leads to a link with a flexibility that can be beneficial for coupling a very coarse mesh with a very fine one. To limit the effect of the volume coupling on the global response, a narrow coupling zone is recommended. In this case, volume coupling tends to a surface coupling, especially with a L2 coupling. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A role for neurotensin in bicalutamide resistant prostate cancer cells
Authors: Vias Maria , Burtt Glyn , Culig Zoran , Veerakumarasivam Abhi , Neal David E. , Mills Ian G.
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND

Anti‐androgens are administered as a principal treatment for prostate cancer. Aggressive hormone refractory disease is characterized in some cases by the development of a neuroendocrine phenotype. However little attention has been paid to resistance pathways selected for by long‐term treatment with non‐steroidal anti‐androgens.

METHODS

Using a resistant sub‐line, LNCaP‐Bic, we performed a comparative gene expression profiling using cDNA microarrays and target validation by qRT‐PCR. Targets were then explored using cell proliferation, cell cycle analysis and in vitro invasion assays using siRNA technology.

RESULTS

Neurotensin/Neuromedin N (NTS) was upregulated in the LNCaP‐Bic line at both the transcript and protein level. The resistant line was found to have an increased proliferation rate, more rapid cell cycle progression and increased invasiveness through Matrigel. Each phenotypic difference could be reduced using siRNA knockdown of NT.

CONCLUSION

Increased expression of NT in bicalutamide resistant prostate cancer cells induces cell proliferation and invasion suggesting that this peptide may contribute to the development of bicalutamide resistant prostate cancer. Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards the molecular understanding of glycogen elongation by amylosucrase
Authors: Albenne Cécile , Skov Lars K. , Tran Vinh , Gajhede Michael , Monsan Pierre , Remaud‐Siméon Magali , André‐Leroux Gwénaëlle
Published: October 2006

Amylosucrase from Neisseria polysaccharea (AS) is a transglucosidase from the glycoside‐hydrolase family 13 that catalyzes the synthesis of an amylose‐like polymer from sucrose, without any primer. Its affinity towards glycogen is particularly noteworthy since glycogen is the best D‐glucosyl unit acceptor and the most efficient activator (98‐fold kcat increase) known for this enzyme. Glycogen–enzyme interactions were modeled starting from the crystallographic AS: maltoheptaose complex, where two key oligosaccharide binding sites, OB1 and OB2, were identified. Two maltoheptaose molecules were connected by an α‐1,6 branch by molecular modeling to mimic a glycogen branching. Among the various docking positions obtained, four models were chosen based on geometry and energy criteria. Robotics calculations enabled us to describe a back and forth motion of a hairpin loop of the AS specific B′‐domain, a movement that assists the elongation of glycogen branches. Modeling data combined with site‐directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that the OB2 surface site provides an anchoring platform at the enzyme surface to capture the polymer and direct the branches towards the OB1 acceptor site for elongation. On the basis of the data obtained, a semiprocessive glycogen elongation mechanism can be proposed. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Mn‐doped (K,Na)0.96Sr0.02NbO3 ceramics
Authors: Liu T. , Ding A. L. , He X.Y. , Zheng X. S. , Qiu P. S. , Cheng W. X.
Published: October 2006

Dense, lead‐free ceramics with composition of (K0.5Na0.5)0.96Sr0.02Nb1–x Mnx O3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04) were successfully prepared by a conventional mixed‐oxide method. The X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed pure peroveskite structure after Mn doping as compared to the original composition. This was attributed to the inhibition of K+ volatility during the sintering process. A dielectric anomaly was observed and explained by a multiple‐cell structure resulting from Mn‐induced lattice distortion. Low loss tangent and relatively high planar electromechanical coupling factor were obtained at x = 0.02. The main parameters for the composition of x = 0.02 are: ε T 33/ε0 = 479, d 33 = 121 pC/N, K p = 41%, Q m = 298, tan δ = 1.6%, T c = 391 °C. The rates of resonant frequency variation, α , and planar coupling factor variation, α , with a temperature of 80 °C are –1.85% and +1.19%, respectively. This material may be suitable for applica‐ tions in ultrasonic transducers. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A 15N‐aided artificial atmosphere gas flow technique for online determination of soil N2 release using the zeolite Köstrolith SX6®
Authors: Spott Oliver , Russow Rolf , Apelt Bernd , Stange C. Florian
Published: October 2006

N2 is one of the major gaseous nitrogen compounds released by soils due to N‐transformation processes. Since it is also the major constituent of the earth's atmosphere (78.08% vol.), the determination of soil N2 release is still one of the main methodological challenges with respect to a complete evaluation of the gaseous N‐loss of soils. Commonly used approaches are based either on a C2H2 inhibition technique, an artificial atmosphere or a 15N‐tracer technique, and are designed either as closed systems (non‐steady state) or gas flow systems (steady state). The intention of this work has been to upgrade the current gas flow technique using an artificial atmosphere for a 15N‐aided determination of the soil N2 release simultaneously with N2O. A 15N‐aided artificial atmosphere gas flow approach has been developed, which allows a simultaneous online determination of N2 as well as N2O fluxes from an open soil system (steady state). Fluxes of both gases can be determined continuously over long incubation periods and with high sampling frequency. The N2 selective molecular sieve Köstrolith SX6® was tested successfully for the first time for dinitrogen collection. The presented paper mainly focuses on N2 flux determination. For validation purposes soil aggregates of a Haplic Phaeozem were incubated under aerobic (21 and 6 vol.% O2) and anaerobic conditions. Significant amounts of N2 were released only during anaerobic incubation (0.4 and 640.2 pmol N2 h−1 g−1 dry soil). However, some N2 formation also occurred during aerobic incubation. It was also found that, during ongoing denitrification, introduced [NO3]− will be more strongly delivered to microorganisms than the original soil [NO3]−. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial degradation of t‐butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate: A comparative microcosm study among five diverse ecosystems
Authors: Heitkamp Michael A. , Cerniglia Carl E.
Published: October 2006

Microcosms containing sediment and water from lacustrine, riverine and estuarine ecosystems were used to determine the rate of mineralization of t‐butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BPDP), a triaryl phosphate ester which is commonly used as a flame‐retardent plasticizer. Mineralization of BPDP ranged from 1.7% up to 37.2% after 8 weeks and the rate of degradation was related to the nutrient level and contaminant history of each ecosystem. Total heterotrophic populations as well as populations of microorganisms capable of utilizing BPDP as a sole source of carbon and energy varied but were greatest in sediments with higher BPDP mineralization rates. Phosphodi‐ and phosphotriesterase enzyme activities varied in each sediment according to BPDP mineralization rates. Adaptive increases in enzymatic activities and microbial populations were observed in some microcosms after exposure to BPDP. Volatile and nonvolatile organic‐solvent extractable 14C‐residues were quantitated by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Extractable 14C‐residues were separated by thin‐layer chromatography into polar and non‐polar compounds. Our results indicate that the rate of BPDP biodegradation varied among ecosystems and was highest in water and sediment from eutrophic ecosystems which have been previously exposed to xenobiotics. Therefore, microcosm components should be collected from ecosystems which have physical, chemical, and biological characteristics which are similar to the ecosystems most likely to be contaminated by a xenobiotic.
The application of luminescent bacteria for monitoring the toxicity of a biocide‐inhibitor
Authors: Barton A. P. , Delhaize A.
Published: October 2006

In this study bacterial luminescent toxicity tests (LTT) were used to monitor the residual toxicity concentration of a biocide‐inhibitor after several months storage. The study was completed in two parts. The first study investigated the relationship between the chemical and toxicity concentrations of a biocide‐inhibitor stored in mild steel containers and glass containers. After three months storage in the mild steel containers there was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the chemically assayed level of the biocide‐inhibitor and the toxicity level determined by the LTT. The results of the laboratory studies were confirmed in the second part of the study when the biocide‐inhibitor was incorporated in the sea water used to flood a large undersea pipeline during the pressure testing programme. The disparity between the chemical and toxic assayed concentrations was not as great when the biocide‐inhibitor was stored in glass containers. The influence of the container used for biocide testing plus the failure of the chemical analysis to reflect the toxicity level of this biocide‐inhibitor demonstrates a different application of LTT. The results of this study also illustrate the usefulness and relevance of LTT in testing the effectiveness of some biocides and indicate that LTT could be useful in monitoring the efficiency of biocides during their industrial application.
Effect of cobalt‐magnesium interaction on growth of saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Aoyama Isao , Kudo Akira , Veliky I. A.
Published: October 2006

The physiological and biochemical role of magnesium in viable cell is well established. The toxicity of higher concentrations of cobalt has been recognized for many years. In this study the interaction of the two elements has been investigated and its effect demonstrated on growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRCC#202036 in batch culture.

Magnesium stimulated the growth rate of yeast while higher concentrations (over 0.01 mM) of cobalt were inhibitory. Addition of magnesium to the medium reduced the toxicity of cobalt. Calculations based on experimental data indicate a hyperbolic relationship between growth inhibition rate and the concentration of cobalt in the medium.

The cells in their early growth phase are more sensitive to cobalt concentrations. Magnesium can repair, to a certain extent, the damage to cells caused by cobalt. The extent of such a repair depends on the cobalt concentration in the medium, the physiological state of the cells during the exposure and on the concentration of magnesium supplement. There is a linear relation between the exposure time of cell to cobalt and the growth rate or cell density. Longer exposure of cells to cobalt concentrations caused higher irreversible damage reflected in cell growth. However, magnesium addition to the medium reduced the effect of the exposure time on the yeast as indicated by cell density. The accumulation of magnesium in cells was independent of the magnesium and cobalt concentrations in the medium. However, cobalt accumulation by cells was related to its concentration in the medium. The high concentrations of magnesium in medium repressed the uptake of cobalt by the yeast.
Chemical structure‐biodegradation inhibition and fish acute toxicity relationships for narcotic industrial chemicals
Authors: Vaishnav Dinesh D.
Published: October 2006

Biodegradation of each primary alcohol from methanol (C1. OH) to 1‐dodecanol (1–C12. OH) was manometrically measured as a function of alcohol concentration. The study employed resting cells prepared from the growth of a mixed microbial culture on the respective alcohol substrate. Biodegradation rates at each alcohol concentration were calculated in terms of μmol oxygen consumed/μg cell protein/h. Maximum biodegradation rates of all alcohols were correlated with the concentrations of respective alcohols. Gaussian curves were obtained for all alcohols, except 1‐undecanol and 1‐dodecanol. From the rate inhibition data, concentrations that reduced maximum observed biodegradation rates by 50% (experimental EC50) were statistically derived for 10 alcohols (C1. OH to 1‐C10. OH). The logarithms of 1‐octanol/water partition coefficients (Log P) and EC50 values of these alcohols were correlated. This relationship was parabolic and defined by the polynomial regression equation: Log EC50 (mol/L) = –0.88 (Log P) + 0.07 (Log P)2–0.23. This equation was used for predicting EC50 values of 19 narcotic industrial chemicals based on their Log P values. Experimental EC50 values of these test chemicals were derived in the same manner as described for alcohols. The EC50 values were compared for each test chemical by taking a ratio of predicted to experimental EC50 (mol/L). The mean value of these ratios was 1.16 ± 0.35.

The logarithms of microbial respirometric EC50 and fathead minnow acute toxicity (96‐h LC50) values of 7 primary alcohols were correlated. This relationship was linear and defined by the exponential equation: LC50 (mg/L) = 0.0001 (EC50 mg/L)1.76. This equation was used for predicting LC50 values of 12 narcotic chemicals. Predicted and experimental (from literature) LC50 values of each chemical were compared by appropriately taking a ratio. The average of these ratios was about 1.2.
Resazurin reduction method for toxicity assessment of water soluble and insoluble chemicals
Authors: Liu D.
Published: October 2006

This method is intended to be used either as a screening test for detecting the presence of toxic chemicals in waters and wastewaters, or as an analytical tool in the assessment of toxicity‐chemical structure relationship.
Development of a microbial toxicity monitor
Authors: Shieh Wen K. , Yee Carl J.
Published: October 2006

In context of the current state of microbial toxicity monitoring systems, a need was recognized for further work on dissolved oxygen (DO) monitoring technique to establish the concept's validity and to improve upon both sensitivity and design using the experience of existing variations covered in the literature. Higher flow velocity, no moving parts, removal of the DO probe from direct contact with the aeration chamber, and a packed bed biofilter were the design features incorporated into the microbial toxicity monitor (MTM) described herein.

Results obtained from testing five heavy metals, four organics and pH indicated that there was a direct relationship between concentration of contaminants and MTM response. The MTM can be useful as a primary tier monitoring system because of its continuous flow operation, automation, low cost, and ease of maintenance.