bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Oct4 homologue PouV and Nanog regulate pluripotency in chicken embryonic stem cells
Authors: Lavial Fabrice , Acloque Hervé , Bertocchini Federica , MacLeod David J. , Boast Sharon , Bachelard Elodie , Montillet Guillaume , Thenot Sandrine , Sang Helen M. , Stern Claudio D. , Samarut Jacques , Pain Bertrand
Published: September 2007

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) have been isolated from pregastrulation mammalian embryos. The maintenance of their pluripotency and ability to self-renew has been shown to be governed by the transcription factors Oct4(Pou5f1) and Nanog. Oct4 appears to control cell-fate decisions of ESC in vitro and the choice between embryonic and trophectoderm cell fates in vivo. In non-mammalian vertebrates, the existence and functions of these factors are still under debate, although the identification of the zebrafish pou2 (spg; pou5f1) and Xenopus Pou91(XlPou91) genes, which have important roles in maintaining uncommitted putative stem cell populations during early development, has suggested that these factors have common functions in all vertebrates. Using chicken ESC (cESC), which display similar properties of pluripotency and long-term self-renewal to mammalian ESC, we demonstrated the existence of an avian homologue of Oct4 that we call chicken PouV(cPouV). We established that cPouV and the chicken Nanog gene are required for the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of cESC. These findings show that the mechanisms by which Oct4 and Nanog regulate pluripotency and self-renewal are not exclusive to mammals.
WNTers in La Jolla
Authors: Sokol Sergei Y. , Wharton Keith A.
Published: September 2007

A `traditional' Wnt meeting, the first of which occurred over two decades ago as a meeting of the laboratories of Harold Varmus and Roel Nusse, was held at the University of California, San Diego, in June 2007. Organized by Karl Willert, Anthony Wynshaw-Boris and Katherine Jones, the meeting was attended by nearly 400 scientists interested in `all things Wnt', including Wnt signal transduction mechanisms, and Wnt signaling in evolutionary and developmental biology, stem cell biology, regeneration and disease. Themes that dominated the meeting included the need for precise control over each step of the signal transduction mechanism and developing therapeutics for diseases caused by altered Wnt-signaling.
Pattern formation during de novo assembly of theArabidopsisshoot meristem
Authors: Gordon Sean P. , Heisler Marcus G. , Reddy G. Venugopala , Ohno Carolyn , Das Pradeep , Meyerowitz Elliot M.
Published: September 2007

Most multicellular organisms have a capacity to regenerate tissue after wounding. Few, however, have the ability to regenerate an entire new body from adult tissue. Induction of new shoot meristems from cultured root explants is a widely used, but poorly understood, process in which apical plant tissues are regenerated from adult somatic tissue through the de novo formation of shoot meristems. We characterize early patterning during de novo development of the Arabidopsis shoot meristem using fluorescent reporters of known gene and protein activities required for shoot meristem development and maintenance. We find that a small number of progenitor cells initiate development of new shoot meristems through stereotypical stages of reporter expression and activity of CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 (CUC2), WUSCHEL (WUS), PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), SHOOT-MERISTEMLESS (STM), FILAMENTOUS FLOWER(FIL, also known as AFO), REVOLUTA (REV), ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA MERISTEM L1 LAYER (ATML1) and CLAVATA 3 (CLV3). Furthermore, we demonstrate a functional requirement for WUS activity during de novo shoot meristem initiation. We propose that de novo shoot meristem induction is an easily accessible system for the study of patterning and self-organization in the well-studied model organism Arabidopsis.
Distance travelled and offence characteristics in homicide, rape, and robbery against business
Authors: Santtila Pekka , Laukkanen Manne , Zappalà Angelo , Bosco Dario
Published: September 2007

Purpose. We aimed (1) to describe distances from home to offence locations (journey‐to‐crime) of offenders in difficult‐to‐solve homicides and rapes as well as robberies against businesses; (2) to see whether the distances in these offences differ from each other; and (3) to test whether selected features related to the offence would be associated with the distances.

Methods. Lists of difficult‐to‐solve (DTS) homicides (N = 99) and rapes (N = 56) as well as robberies against businesses (N = 275) from the city of Milan (Italy) were acquired. The collected data consisted of home and offence location coordinates with information on the behaviour of the offenders (for rapes and homicides). The journey‐to‐crime functions were calibrated using the journey‐to‐crime module of CrimeStatIII©.

Results. Most distances were short. In homicides, distances were below 1 km, in rapes below 2 km whereas in robberies against businesses almost 6 km. Some crime features were correlated with the distances in rape and homicide cases. Combining the behavioural information to a spatial behaviour measure allowed for better prediction of travelled distances compared to using single variables.

Conclusions. The results have practical implications for crime investigations as the crime features explored were, as a rule, such that they would be known by the police prior to the offender being identified. A general theoretical framework for binding together journey‐to‐crime distances and offender crime scene behaviour and other important crime features is needed.
Non-Trade Concerns and Agriculture in a Post-Doha Environment: Thinking outside the Green Box
Authors: Smith Fiona
Published: September 2007

International agricultural trade regulation is once again at the heart of the Doha Development Round's collapse. Even if a deal had been reached on the basis of the Draft Modalities on Agriculture, it is not clear that a fundamental problem would be resolved: the relationship between trade and non-trade concerns, crucially the protection of the environment. Currently, members can use domestic support measures for non-trade objectives, but only if they do not impinge significantly on free trade in agricultural products; an ethos reiterated in the Draft Modalities. However, if the ultimate goal of the Agreement on Agriculture is to reduce agriculture support and protection over time so that distortions to the market are removed, it is difficult to reconcile this goal whilst the Agreement simultaneously allows members to use trade-distorting measures to support non-trade objectives. Even if one accepts that the Agreement on Agriculture's goal is freer trade and not free trade per se, this inconsistency is not removed, as a decision still needs to be made regarding what level of ‘protection’ is acceptable at any given time during the operation of the existing rules. Despite suggested changes to the levels of protection in the Draft Modalities, there seems no indication what this acceptable level might be. Until a decision is made to this effect, a conflict exists within the Agreement and the current tension between members will remain. This article argues that the problem is not the existence of a balance between removing trade barriers whilst protecting non-trade concerns, but rather the theoretical approach driving conclusions about how that balance should be achieved. In addition to moving towards a general commitment to the reduction in agricultural support measures, the Agreement on Agriculture also emphasises the need to achieve a ‘ fair and market-oriented trading system’ ‘having regard to non-trade concerns’. Current thinking assumes that fairness is achieved by interpreting rules on the basis of an economic efficiency rationale (free trade): this approach is not inevitable, however, but only reflects contemporary views of trade rules' purpose and how they should be interpreted in the light of that purpose. As our views of trade rules' purpose changes, so the theoretical underpinnings driving the rules' interpretation evolve. This article proposes such an evolution.
The Development of Social–Emotional Competence in Preschool-Aged Children: An Introduction to the Fun FRIENDS Program
Authors: Pahl Kristine M. , Barrett Paula M.
Published: September 2007

The development of social–emotional competence is of key importance during early childhood, particularly during the preschool years. We too often believe that early childhood education should focus on the promotion of academic skills to increase intelligence and, therefore, neglect the importance of social and emotional learning. Children who are socially and emotionally well adjusted do better at school, have increased confidence, have good relationships, take on and persist at challenging tasks and communicate well. The school setting is the optimal environment to implement interventions focused on increasing social–emotional competence. This article examines the importance of developing social–emotional competence during the early years of life and discusses universal intervention approaches within the classroom. A particular universal intervention program — The Fun FRIENDS program (Barrett, 2007) — aimed at increasing social–emotional competence is described in detail. The Fun FRIENDS program is a developmentally tailored, downward extension of the preexisting, evidence-based FRIENDS for Life program (Barrett 2004; 2005).
So Worried I Don't Know What To Be: Anxiety is Associated With Increased Career Indecision and Reduced Career Certainty
Authors: Campagna C. Giuseppina , Curtis Guy J.
Published: September 2007

There is a relationship between career indecision and anxiety, however the relative contributions of state and trait anxiety are unclear in the literature. 110 first-year university students completed the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Career Decision Scale (CDS) to measure anxiety and career indecision. Regression analyses revealed that state and trait anxiety made independent contributions to career indecision and that state anxiety is a much stronger predictor of career certainty than is trait anxiety. Although anxiety significantly predicted career decidedness, participants did not indicate that anxiety impacted on their career decidedness in response to open-ended questions. As such, counselling clients may not be consciously aware that anxiety impacts on their career decidedness. It is recommended that counsellors create a relaxed environment to ease clients' career decision making.
A Variation on Functional Analysis in the Classroom: A Clinical Note
Authors: Bitsika Vicki , Sharpley Christopher F. , Hawkins Robyn
Published: September 2007

Traditional Functional Analytic procedures rely upon the identification of one or two ‘target’ behaviours for examination via observation and analysis. From these data, multiple functions are identified for each target behaviour via antecedent-behaviour-consequence data collection. However, although these methodologies have been shown to be effective with a wide range of inappropriate behaviours in classrooms, they have limitations when the inappropriate behaviours are so many and varied that selection of one or two as ‘targets’ becomes unreliable in terms of obtaining an accurate representation of the child's overall behavioural repertoire. A variation on this procedure is described and data from a case example are presented as a suggested alternative way of obtaining the kind of data required for effective classroom management of difficult behaviour.
DVD Reviews
Authors: Nixon Bryan , Palmer Liza , Palmer Tim , Caputo Davide , Dickison Stephanie
Published: September 2007

Letters from Iwo Jima, (2006)

Kicking and Screaming, (1995)

Army of Shadows, (1969)

Roman Polanski: The Cinema of a Cultural Traveller Ewa Mazierska, (2007) London: I.B. Tauris, 240 pp., ISBN: 1845112962 (hbk), 39.50

The Face on the Screen:
Death, Recognition
& Spectatorship Therese Davis (2004) Bristol, UK and Portland, OR: Intellect, 122 pp., ISBN 1-814-150-084-4 (pbk), 39.95
Form and content in early modern legal books: Bridging material bibliography with history of legal thought
Authors: Hespanha Antnio Manuel
Published: September 2007

According to common sense, a book is a way of conveying ideas. On their own books do not alter or add anything to what authors want to communicate to readers. The most recent history of books has produced a Copernican shift from this simplistic view of the nature of these companions.
Books do matter. Their material naturefrom page-layout, to typographical devices, graphics, format and even their bindingconveys meaning. This article seeks to relate intellectual shifts in early modern legal theory to actual changes in the ideas dominating the understanding of law. The paper
would like to examine the problematic the imperial position traditional legal history gives to an individual author (reviving the question once posed by Foucault: what is an author?). Is the author merely an intellectual evolution in the creation of new figures of legal discourse?
Singing actors and dancing singers: Oscillations of genre, physical and vocal codes in two contemporary adaptations of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas
Authors: Roesner David
Published: September 2007

This article looks at two recent and widely recognized productions of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (by choreographer Sasha Waltz, Berlin 2005, and theatre director Sebastian Nbling, Basel 2006) and discusses three main aspects: 1. Genre: coming from a Tanztheater (Waltz)
and a Sprechtheater (Nbling) background, each director renegotiates conventions of the operatic genre and consciously evades expectations in pursuit of a new and challenging experience for both the performers and their audience. 2. Physicality: both productions place the performers'
bodies at the forefront of the mise-en-scne they remap the singing, dancing, acting body by questioning conventions and expectations commonly found in the production and reception process. 3. Adaptation: both productions take unconventional liberties by adapting in a domain where notions
of Werktreue (fidelity to the original work or score) still reign. Adopting ideas from Nicholas Cook and Mikhail Bakhtin, I will argue that the conceptual, musical and theatrical implications of both productions indicate a renegotiation of the social and performative relevance of operatic
performance.
The corporeality of musical expression: the grain of the voice and the actor-musician
Authors: Symonds Dominic
Published: September 2007

This article considers the essential engagement of a physical corporeality in making music, a presence that is rewardingly encountered in music theatre, where it is not merely implied but visually, kinaesthetically and corporeally witnessed. Through a detailed discussion of Barthes's
The Grain of the Voice and its Kristevan source material, the author understands this physical presence to sit at the very heart of the genotextual potential of performance. The article observes the work of UK music theatre group SharpWire and other actor-musician ensembles, such as those
involved in John Doyle's recent productions, and suggests that in the performance of music theatre, the actor-musician re-enacts the emergence into the Symbolic order that is the very essence of human expression.
Just another Puerto Rican with a knife? Racism and reception on the Great White Way
Authors: Sebesta Judith A
Published: September 2007

In the January/February 1998 issue of Hispanic magazine, Robert Dominguez called the upcoming musical The Capeman a historic event, predicting that it would precipitate more Latino-themed Broadway productions (Dominguez 1998: 84). His prediction has proven inaccurate.
Musicals such as In the Heights notwithstanding, this group has continued to be under-represented or misrepresented on and behind the Broadway stage. This essay explores the roles (or lack of) Latinos have played on and off the Broadway stage and contextualizes their presence/absence
within larger issues of reception and race in musical theatre, leading to new hypotheses regarding the failure of The Capeman and pointing towards new directions for the future of Latino/a musical theatre.
Reviews
Authors: Poston-Anderson Reviews , Schneider Magnus , Wiles Ben
Published: September 2007

Dance and Dancers in the Victorian and Edwardian Music Hall Ballet, Music in Nineteenth-Century Britain series, Alexandra Carter, (2005) Aldershot: Ashgate, 177 pp., ISBN 0 7546 3736 0 (hbk), 50.00

Operatic Migrations: Transforming Works and Crossing Boundaries,
Roberta Montemorra Marvin and Downing A. Thomas (eds.), (2006) Aldershot (UK) and Burlington (US): Ashgate, 274 pp., ISBN 0 7546 5098 7 (hbk), 65.00

The Musical as Drama: A Study of the Principles and Conventions Behind Musical Shows from Kern to Sondheim, Scott McMillin,
(2006) Princeton: Princeton University Press, 230 pp., ISBN 0691127301 (hbk), 15.95
Local thrombolysis in the treatment of peripheral arterial vascular diseases
Authors: Mikita János , Ilonczai Péter , Tóth Judit
Published: September 2007

A verőereket szisztémásan érintő atheroscleroticus folyamat jellemzői az időben elhúzódó progresszivitás mellett a hirtelen kialakuló, trombózissal, embolizációval kapcsolatos érelzáródások is. A különböző lokalizációjú perifériás artériás érbetegség fulmináns formája igen súlyos klinikai tünetek kíséretében manifesztálódik. A gyors diagnosztikát követően az érsebész, a radiológus és az angiológus belgyógyász konzultációja utáni terápiában manapság egyre markánsabb hely illeti meg a lokális thrombolysist. A módszer lényege a thrombusba helyezett katéteren keresztül infúzióban elnyújtottan adott szöveti plazminogén aktivátor thrombolyticus hatásának kihasználása. A revascularisatiós eredmény angiográfiával ellenőrizhető. A szerzők bemutatják a lokális thrombolyticus kezelés indikációit és kontraindikációit perifériás artériás érbetegségben, majd két saját esetük rövid prezentálásával is alátámasztják a kérdés aktuális fontosságát. Diszkutálják a nemzetközi szakirodalom adatait, melyek általános megállapításaként az hangsúlyozandó, hogy a lokálisan alkalmazott thrombolysis egyenértékű az érsebészeti beavatkozással. Bizonyos helyzetekben, igen komplex okokkal kapcsolatban az elsőként választandó kezelési eljárásként ajánlható. A téma feldolgozásakor levonható legfontosabb tanulságok, a jövőbeli fejlődés várható útjainak bemutatásával zárul a referátum.
Resident Endothelial Precursors in Muscle, Adipose, and Dermis Contribute to Postnatal Vasculogenesis
Authors: Grenier Guillaume , Scimè Anthony , Le Grand Fabien , Asakura Atsushi , Perez-Iratxeta Carolina , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Labosky Patricia A. , Rudnicki Michael A.
Published: September 2007

A novel population of tissue-resident endothelial precursors (TEPs) was isolated from small blood vessels in dermal, adipose, and skeletal muscle of mouse based on their ability to be grown as spheres. Cellular and molecular analyses of these cells revealed that they were highly related regardless of the tissue of origin and distinct from embryonic neural stem cells. Notably, TEPs did not express hematopoietic markers, but they expressed numerous characteristics of angiogenic precursors and their differentiated progeny, such as CD34, Flk-1, Tie-1, CD31, and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin). TEPs readily differentiated into endothelial cells in newly formed vascular networks following transplantation into regenerating skeletal muscle. Taken together, these experiments suggest that TEPs represent a novel class of endothelial precursors that are closely associated with small blood vessels in muscle, adipose, and dermal tissue. This finding is of particular interest since it could bring new insight in cancer angiogenesis and collateral blood vessels developed following ischemia.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
On the Origin of Multiple Mutant Clones in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Authors: Traulsen Arne , Pacheco Jorge M. , Dingli David
Published: September 2007

The pool of hematopoietic stem cells that actively contributes to hematopoiesis is small, and the cells replicate slowly. Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria invariably have a mutation in the PIG-A gene, and many have more than one clone of PIG-A mutated cells. Typically there is a dominant clone and a smaller second clone. By using a combination of stochastic dynamics and models of hematopoiesis, we show that it is very unlikely that more than one PIG-A mutated clone arises at the level of the hematopoietic stem cells. More likely, the smaller clone develops in the progenitor cell pool that would be expected to contribute to hematopoiesis for a shorter period of time. We provide estimates for the duration of these contributions and testable hypotheses that can shed important insights on this acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorder.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Telomeric Transgenes Are Silenced in Adult Mouse Tissues and Embryo Fibroblasts but Are Expressed in Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Gao Qing , Reynolds Gloria E. , Innes Lindsay , Pedram Mehrdad , Jones Ella , Junabi Mustafa , Gao Dong-wei , Ricoul Michelle , Sabatier Laure , Van Brocklin Henry , Franc Benjamin L. , Murnane John P.
Published: September 2007

In addition to their role in protecting the ends of chromosomes, telomeres also influence the expression of adjacent genes, a process called telomere-position effect. We previously reported that the neo and HSV-tk transgenes located adjacent to telomeres in mouse embryonic stem cells are initially expressed at low levels and then become gradually silenced upon passage in culture through a process involving DNA methylation. We also reported extensive DNA methylation in these telomeric transgenes in three different tissues isolated from mice generated from one of these embryonic stem cell clones. In the present study, we demonstrate that embryo fibroblasts isolated from two different mouse strains show extensive DNA methylation and silencing of the telomeric transgenes. Consistent with this observation, we also demonstrate little or no detectable expression of the HSV-tk telomeric transgene in somatic tissues using whole body imaging. In contrast, both telomeric transgenes are expressed at low levels and have little DNA methylation in embryonic stem cell lines isolated from these same mouse strains. Our results demonstrate that telomere-position effect in mammalian cells can be observed either as a low level of expression in embryonic stem cells in the preimplantation embryo or as complete silencing and DNA methylation in differentiated cells and somatic tissues. This pattern of expression of the telomeric transgenes demonstrates that subtelomeric regions, like much of the genome, are epigenetically reprogrammed in the preimplantation embryo, a process that has been proposed to be important in early embryonic development.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Using X-ray computed tomography to study paving materials
Authors: Gopalakrishnan K. , Ceylan H. , Inanc F.
Published: September 2007

X-ray computed tomography, a non-destructive three-dimensional imaging tool, has been very helpful in medical diagnosis since the first commercial tomographs were constructed in 1973. In recent years it has gained increasing applications in civil engineering materials research. Several investigators have illustrated the use of computed tomography scans for the non-destructive evaluation of soils and have shown promising applications in characterisation, modelling and computational simulation to optimise asphalt concrete mix design, predict performance and conduct investigative forensic studies. This paper provides a detailed review of X-ray computed tomography applications in characterising asphalt concrete and also describes preliminary studies conducted at the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) at Iowa State University for characterising asphalt and concrete materials using X-ray microcomputed tomography or micro-computed tomography. Researchers are currently using the advanced imaging facilities available at the CNDE to develop a deeper understanding of the pavement internal structure, to develop and optimise the various parameters that describe the internal structure and to relate them to the performance of pavements in a scientific way. This will provide the foundations for building more durable and long-lasting transportation infrastructure systems.
Using concrete admixtures for sulphuric acid resistance
Authors: Hewayde E. , Nehdi M. L. , Allouche E. , Nakhla G.
Published: September 2007

The degradation of concrete sewer pipes by sulphuric acid attack is a problem of global scope, resulting in substantial economic losses each year. In this study, five admixtures, which offer a range of potential improvement mechanisms, were used at various dosages to enhance the resistance of concrete made with Type 50E cement to chemical sulphuric acid attack. The resistance to sulphuric acid of concrete specimens incorporating these admixtures was measured and compared to that of control specimens. An attempt was made to determine whether there is a relationship between the effect of the various admixtures on mechanical strength and porosity and the resistance of concrete to H2SO4 attack. Results indicate that metakaolin reduced the mass loss of concrete specimens due to immersion for eight weeks in H2SO4 solutions having concentrations of 7% and 3% (by volume) by 38 and 25%, respectively, compared with that of the control specimens. Other admixtures (OCI, Caltite and Xypex) reduced the mass loss of concrete specimens in the range 12–20% for the 7% H2SO4 solution and in the range 9–16% for the 3% H2SO4 solution. Although silica fume effectively increased compressive strength and reduced the porosity of concrete, its contribution to the resistance of concrete to chemical sulphuric acid was minor. No clear relationship could be established between the mechanical and physical properties of concrete (compressive strength and porosity) and its resistance to sulphuric acid attack. It was also found that the decline in compressive strength of concrete specimens subjected to H2SO4 attack was directly proportional to their mass loss, following a linear relationship.
Evaluation of melamine‐modified urea‐formaldehyde resins as particleboard binders
Authors: Young No B. , Kim Moon G.
Published: September 2007

Particleboards bonded with 6 and 12% melamine‐modified urea‐formaldehyde (UMF) resins were manufactured using two different press temperatures and press times and the mechanical properties, water resistance, and formaldehyde emission (FE) values of boards were measured in comparison to a typical urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resin as control. The formaldehyde/(urea + melamine) (F/(U + M)) mole ratio of UMF resins and F/U mole ratio of UF resins were 1.05, 1.15, and 1.25 that encompass the current industrial values near 1.15. UMF resins exhibited better physical properties, higher water resistance, and lower FE values of boards than UF resin control for all F/(U + M) mole ratios tested. Therefore, addition of melamine at these levels can provide lower FE and maintain the physical properties of boards. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Facile Synthesis and Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of 2,3‐Bis(pinacolatoboryl)‐1,3‐butadiene
Authors: Shimizu Masaki , Kurahashi Takuya , Shimono Katsuhiro , Tanaka Kei , Nagao Ikuhiro , Kiyomoto Shin‐ichi , Hiyama Tamejiro
Published: September 2007

Treatment of 1,1‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)ethene with an excess of 1‐bromo‐1‐lithioethene gave 2,3‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)‐1,3‐butadiene in high yield. Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of the resulting diborylbutadiene with aryl iodides took place smoothly in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2/PPh3and aqueous KOH to give 2,3‐diaryl‐1,3‐butadienes in good yields. The coupling reaction with commercially available 4‐acetoxyphenylmethyl chloride under the same conditions followed by hydrolysis of the acetyl groups gave anolignan B in a one‐pot manner. A variety of [3]‐ to [6]dendralenes were synthesized by palladium‐catalyzed coupling of the diene or 1,1‐bis(pinacolato)borylethene with alkenyl or dienyl halides, respectively, in good yields.
Synthesis and Characterization of Acetylene‐Linked Bisphenalenyl and Metallic‐Like Behavior in Its Charge‐Transfer Complex
Authors: Kubo Takashi , Goto Yuko , Uruichi Mikio , Yakushi Kyuya , Nakano Masayoshi , Fuyuhiro Akira , Morita Yasushi , Nakasuji Kazuhiro
Published: September 2007

We prepared and isolated a phenalenyl‐based neutral hydrocarbon (1 b) with a biradical index of 14 %, as well as its charge‐transfer (CT) complex 1 b–F4‐TCNQ. The crystal structure and the small HOMO–LUMO gap assessed by electrochemical and optical methods support the singlet‐biradical contribution to the ground state of the neutral 1 b. This biradical character suggests that 1 b has the electronic structure of phenalenyl radicals coupled weakly through an acetylene linker, that is, some independence of the two phenalenyl moieties. The monocationic species 1 b.+ was obtained by reaction with the organic electron acceptor F4‐TCNQ. The cationic species has a small disproportionation energy ΔE for the reaction 2×1 b.+⇌1 b+1 b2+, which presumably originates from the independence of the phenalenyl moieties. The small ΔE led to a small on‐site Coulombic repulsion Ueff=0.61 eV in the CT complex. Moreover, a very effective orbital overlap of the phenalenyl rings between molecules afforded a relatively large transfer integral t=0.09 eV. The small Ueff/4t ratio (=1.7) resulted in a metallic‐like conductive behavior at around room temperature. Below 280 K, the CT complex showed a transition into a semiconductive state as a result of bond formation between phenalenyl and F4‐TCNQ carbon atoms.
Pharmacokinetics of diclofenac in rats intoxicated with CCL4, and in the regenerating liver
Authors: Reyes‐Gordillo Karina , Muriel Pablo , Castañeda‐Hernández Gilberto , Favari Liliana
Published: September 2007

The pharmacokinetics of an intravenous and oral diclofenac dose of 3.2 mg/kg was studied in male Wistar rats under control conditions, 1 and 3 days after liver damage and regeneration induced by an oral injection of CCl4. One day after CCl4administration, indicators of necrosis (alanine aminotransferase), cholestasis (γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase) and regeneration (α‐fetoprotein) were significantly increased; these effects were reversed after 3 days. In nonintoxicated rats,t1/2was 43.83 ± 4.95 min,Vdwas 0.37 ± 0.04 l/kg,Clwas 129.21 ± 9.20 ml/min kg,AUCi.v.was 25.62 ± 1.45 µg/min ml, andAUCp.o.was 20.21 ± 1.03. One day after intoxication, when the liver was damaged and regenerating, the metabolism was decreased: diclofenact1/2was increased to 258.21 ± 30.80 min butVddid not change significantly, thereforeClwas reduced to 32.81 ± 3.38 ml/min kg. By day 3 after intoxication, liver function, regeneration and pharmacokinetics returned to normal. The results show that liver damage and regeneration increases the bioavailability by decreasing elimination. The present observations suggest that reduction of the pharmacokinetic parameters may lead to drug accumulation in the regenerating‐damaged liver with an attendant possible increase in toxic effects. The results in rats, also suggest that once hepatic injury is finished and regeneration is complete, diclofenac can be administered normally. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of rifampicin and pyrazinamide on isoniazid pharmacokinetics in rats
Authors: Baldan Helen M. , De Rosa Helene J. , Brunetti Iguatemy L. , Ximenes Valdecir F. , Machado Rosângela G. P.
Published: September 2007

Tuberculosis chemotherapy involves combination of the drugs isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RMP) and pyrazinamide (PYR) for a 6‐month period. The present work investigated the influence of RMP and PYR on the pharmacokinetic parameters of INH when groups of rats were pre‐treated for 21 days with INH alone or in combination with RMP and/or PYR, in the following amounts per kg body weight: INH 100 mg; INH 100 mg+RMP 100 mg; INH 100 mg+PYR 350 mg; INH 100 mg+PYR 350 mg+RMP 100 mg. It was found that the co‐administration of PYR caused an increase in the INH distribution volume (Vd/F), half‐life of elimination (t1/2β) and clearance (ClT/F), and a decrease in the area under curve 0 to 24 h (AUC). Co‐administration of RMP caused an increase in the ClT/F and a decrease in the AUC. The combination INH+PYR+RMP caused an increase in the ClT/F and a decrease in the AUC. These significant pharmacokinetic interactions between the tuberculostatic drugs might be related to differences in the therapeutic and toxic effects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new macromolecular paramagnetic MR contrast agent binds to activated human platelets
Authors: Chaubet Frédéric , Bertholon Isabelle , Serfaty Jean‐Michel , Bazeli Ramin , Alsaid Hasan , Jandrot‐Perrus Martine , Zahir Charaf , Even Pascale , Bachelet Laure , Touat Ziad , Lancelot Eric , Corot Claire , Canet‐Soulas Emmanuelle , Letourneur Didier
Published: September 2007

A new functionalized macromolecular magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent has been developed from a carboxymethyldextran‐Gd(DOTA) devoid of biospecificity. The functionalized contrast agent was synthesized in order to mimic PSGL‐1, the main ligand of P‐selectin, a glycoprotein mainly expressed on the surface of activated platelets. The starting compound, CM1, was first carboxymethylated by monochloroacetic acid leading to a series of 10 derivatives varying in their carboxymethyl content. CM8 derivative, with a degree of substitution in carboxymethyl of 0.84, was chosen for subsequent fluorolabeling and sulfation to give CM8FS. CM8FS has an average number molecular weight of 27 000 ± 500 g/mol, a hydrodynamic radius of 5.7 ± 0.2 nm and a high relaxivity (r1 = 11.2/mM (Gd)/s at 60 MHz). Flow cytometry experiments on whole human blood or on isolated platelets evidenced in vitro a preferential binding of CM8FS on TRAP‐activated human platelets. Interestingly, CM8FS did not bind to other blood cells or to resting platelets. Pellets of TRAP‐activated human platelets have also been imaged in tubes with a 1.5 T MR imager. A MR signal was observed for activated platelets incubated with CM8FS. Altogether, these in vitro results evidenced the recognition of activated human platelets by a fluorescent paramagnetic contrast agent grafted with carboxyl and sulfate groups. This biomimetic approach associated with the versatile macromolecular platform appears promising for the development of new contrast agents for molecular imaging of activated platelets in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo disruption of T cell development by expression of a dominant‐negative polypeptide designed to abolish the SLP‐76/Gads interaction
Authors: Jordan Martha S. , Maltzman Jonathan S. , Kliche Stefanie , Shabason Jacob , Smith Jennifer E. , Obstfeld Amrom , Schraven Burkhart , Koretzky Gary A.
Published: September 2007

Multi‐molecular complexes nucleated by adaptor proteins play a central role in signal transduction. In T cells, one central axis consists of the assembly of several signaling proteins linked together by the adaptors linker of activated T cells (LAT), Src homology 2 domain‐containing leukocyte‐specific phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP‐76), and Grb2‐related adaptor downstream of Shc (Gads). Each of these adaptors has been shown to be important for normal T cell development, and their proper sub‐cellular localization is critical for optimal function in cell lines. We previously demonstrated in Jurkat T cells and a rat basophilic leukemic cell line that expression of a 50‐amino acid polypeptide identical to the site on SLP‐76 that binds to Gads blocks proper localization of SLP‐76 and SLP‐76‐dependent signaling events. Here we extend these studies to investigate the ability of this polypeptide to inhibit TCR‐induced integrin activity in Jurkat cells and to inhibit in vivo thymocyte development and primary T cell function. These data provide evidence for the in vivo function of a dominant‐negative peptide based upon the biology of SLP‐76 action and suggest the possibility of therapeutic potential of targeting the SLP‐76/Gads interaction.
TGF‐β regulates pathology but not tissue CD8+ T cell dysfunction during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Authors: Martin Diana L. , Postan Miriam , Lucas Philip , Gress Ronald , Tarleton Rick L.
Published: September 2007

Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leads to chronic infection, with parasite persistence primarily in muscle tissue. CD8+ T cells isolated from muscle tissue of T. cruzi‐infected mice display decreased production of IFN‐γ in response to T cell receptor engagement. The expression of TGF‐β at the site of CD8+ T cell dysfunction and parasite persistence suggested that this immunoregulatory cytokine might play a role in these processes. Mice expressing a T cell‐specific dominant negative TGF‐β receptor type II (DNRII) were therefore infected with T. cruzi. Infection of DNRII mice resulted in massive CD8+ T cell proliferation, leading to increased numbers but decreased frequencies of antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells in the spleen compared to wild‐type mice. However, TGF‐β unresponsiveness failed to restore effector functions of CD8+ T cells isolated from muscle tissue. Histological examination of skeletal muscle from T. cruzi‐infected DNRII mice revealed an extensive cellular infiltrate, and DNRII mice displayed higher susceptibility to infection. Overall, while TGF‐β does not appear to be responsible for CD8+ T cell unresponsiveness in peripheral tissue in T. cruzi‐infected mice, these data suggest a role for TGF‐β in control of immunopathology in response to T. cruzi infection.
IL‐15 exacerbates collagen‐induced arthritis with an enhanced CD4+ T cell response to produce IL‐17
Authors: Yoshihara Kazufumi , Yamada Hisakata , Hori Akiko , Yajima Toshiki , Kubo Chiharu , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: September 2007

IL‐15 is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We found that IL‐15 plays an important role in the development of murine collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). The incidence and severity of CIA were slightly decreased in IL‐15 KO mice but were increased in IL‐15 Tg mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. The levels of type II collagen (CII)‐specific IL‐17 production were significantly increased in IL‐15 Tg mice compared with WT mice with CIA. Expression of IL‐23R was up‐regulated in CD4+ T cells in IL‐15 Tg mice but down‐regulated in IL‐15 KO mice compared with WT mice. In correlation with the expression levels of IL‐23R, IL‐17 production by CD4+ T cells in response to exogenous IL‐23 was increased in IL‐15 Tg mice compared with WT mice. Furthermore, exogenous IL‐15 synergized with IL‐23 to induce CII‐specific IL‐17 production by CD4+ T cells in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that IL‐15 plays an important role in the progression of CIA through increasing antigen‐specific IL‐17 production by CD4+ T cells.
Anti‐type II collagen antibody accelerates arthritis via CXCR2‐expressing cells in IL‐1 receptor antagonist‐deficient mice
Authors: Kagari Takashi , Tanaka Daisuke , Doi Hiromi , Iwakura Yoichiro , Shimozato Takaichi
Published: September 2007

Arthritis can be induced in mice by the injection of anti‐type II collagen (anti‐CII) Ab and LPS. To elucidate the role of IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) in Ab‐induced arthritis, WT and IL‐1ra–/– mice were administered anti‐CII Ab and LPS. These IL‐1ra–/– mice developed severe arthritis even at low doses of anti‐CII Ab and LPS, while WT mice did not. The cells that invaded the arthritic joints were mainly Gr‐1+ neutrophils, and the number of the cells in the joints remained high over 4 weeks in the IL‐1ra–/– mice. KC, a ligand for CXCR2, is found in higher levels in the arthritic paws of IL‐1ra–/– mice compared with the WT, and most of the cells that infiltrated into the joints of the IL‐1ra–/– mice were CXCR2‐expressing neutrophils. Administration of anti‐CXCR2 Ab completely inhibited arthritis development. The anti‐CXCR2 Ab decreased the number of neutrophils in the blood and also inhibited the migration of neutrophils to KC. These results suggested that the high susceptibility of IL‐1ra–/– mice to anti‐CII Ab‐induced arthritis was due to the higher expression of chemotactic factors like KC and the sustained infiltration of CXCR2‐expressing neutrophils into the joints.
Self‐Assembled 1D Water Cluster in a Supramolecular Architecture of CoII(Tartrate)(Phenanthroline/Bipyridine): An Assessment of Magnetic Property
Authors: Manna Subal Chandra , Zangrando Ennio , Ribas Joan , Chaudhuri Nirmalendu Ray
Published: September 2007

The coordination polymer, {[Co(tart)(phen)]·6H2O}n (1) (tart, tartrate dianion; phen, 1,10‐phenanthroline) has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination, magnetic measurement and thermal analysis. The structural analyses reveal two adjacent parallel 1D–[Co(phen)‐tart‐Co(phen)]– coordination polymers zipped through π‐π interactions. The lattice water molecules, forming a 1D water cluster, function as glue to form a 3D supramolecular network through an extended hydrogen bonding. A comparison highlighting the structural differences with the corresponding 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) derivative, {[Co(tart)(bpy)]·5H2O}n (2) containing a less amount of lattice water molecules is discussed. The variable‐temperature magnetic study of 1 has been carried out and interpretation of the already reported complex 2 has been re‐visited: both polymers 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interaction. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Azolium Salts Functionalized with Cyanomethyl, Vinyl, or Propargyl Substituents and Dicyanamide, Dinitramide, Perchlorate and Nitrate Anions
Authors: Gao Ye , Gao Haixiang , Piekarski Crystal , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: September 2007

A series of functionalized imidazolium and 1,2,4‐triazolium salts with cyanomethyl, vinyl and propargyl substituents coupled with energetic anions, viz., perchlorate, nitrate, dicyanamide and dinitramide were prepared and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Since some melt < 100 °C, they can be classed as ionic liquids. Their densities range between 1.25–1.76 g cm–3. The standard enthalpies of formation of the salts were calculated by using the computationally feasible DFT(B3LYP) and MP2 methods in conjunction with an empirical approach based on calculated densities of the salts. These values range from ΔH°f = –56 (12a) to 851 (21c) kJ mol–1. Of the salts synthesized, the dicyanamides exhibit the highest positive heats of formation, but also the lowest densities. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
A pyrolysis model of charring materials considering the effect of ambient oxygen concentration
Authors: Weng W. G. , Fan W. C.
Published: September 2007

In this paper, a one‐dimensional integral model is developed to describe the processes involved in the transient pyrolysis of a semi‐infinite charring material subjected to a constant radiant heat flux. In this model, a special factor that shows the effect on pyrolysis is considered, i.e. under the oxygen‐containing atmosphere. The model tracks the char layer depth, thermal penetration depth, surface temperature and mass loss rate. Comparison with experimental results demonstrates that the predictions of the mass loss rate and temperature profile within the charring material are in good agreement with the experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of trkB and trkC receptors and their ligands brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin‐3 in the murine amygdala
Authors: Krause S. , Schindowski K. , Zechel S. , von Bohlen und Halbach O.
Published: September 2007

The neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and their cognate receptors, trkB and trkC, have a variety of physiological brain functions, ranging from cell survival to mechanisms involved in learning and memory and long‐term potentiation (LTP). LTP can be induced in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as within the amygdala. However, the role of neurotrophins in amygdalar LTP is largely unknown. Expression patterns of BDNF and NT‐3 and their cognate receptors in the adult mouse amygdala have not been analyzed in detail. We have therefore examined the expression of trkB, trkC, BDNF, and NT‐3 mRNA and protein in different amygdalar nuclei as well as in the hippocampal areas CA1–CA3 and the dentate gyrus. The distribution pattern of trkB, trkC, BDNF, and NT‐3 mRNA in the murine hippocampus is comparable to that seen in rats. Within most amygdalar nuclei, a moderate BDNF mRNA expression was found; however, BDNF mRNA was virtually absent from the central nucleus. No expression of NT‐3 mRNA was found within the amygdala, but trkC mRNA‐expressing cells were widely distributed within this brain region. trkB mRNA was strongly expressed in the amygdala. Because trkB is expressed in a full‐length and a truncated form (the latter form is also expressed by nonneuronal cells), we also investigated the distribution of full‐length trkB mRNA‐expressing cells and could demonstrate that this version of trkB receptors is also widely expressed in the amygdala. These results can serve as a basis for studies elucidating the physiological roles of these receptors in the amygdala. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure of nontrivial nonnegative solutions of singularly perturbed quasilinear Dirichlet problems
Authors: Zhang Zhengce , Guo Zongming
Published: September 2007

We study structure of nontrivial nonnegative solutions for a class of singularly perturbed quasilinear Dirichlet problems. It is shown that there are infinitely many least‐energy solutions and they are spike‐layer solutions. Moreover, the measure of each spike‐layer is estimated as the parameter ε tends to 0. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diagnostic criteria for pudendal neuralgia by pudendal nerve entrapment (Nantes criteria)
Authors: Labat Jean‐Jacques , Riant Thibault , Robert Roger , Amarenco Gérard , Lefaucheur Jean‐Pascal , Rigaud Jérôme
Published: September 2007

Aims

The diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia by pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome is essentially clinical. There are no pathognomonic criteria, but various clinical features can be suggestive of the diagnosis. We defined criteria that can help to the diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

A working party has validated a set of simple diagnostic criteria (Nantes criteria).

Results

The five essentials diagnostic criteria are: (1) Pain in the anatomical territory of the pudendal nerve. (2) Worsened by sitting. (3) The patient is not woken at night by the pain. (4) No objective sensory loss on clinical examination. (5) Positive anesthetic pudendal nerve block. Other clinical criteria can provide additional arguments in favor of the diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia. Exclusion criteria are also proposed: purely coccygeal, gluteal, or hypogastric pain, exclusively paroxysmal pain, exclusive pruritus, presence of imaging abnormalities able to explain the symptoms.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia by pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome is essentially clinical. There are no specific clinical signs or complementary test results of this disease. However, a combination of criteria can be suggestive of the diagnosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:306–310, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.