bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visualization of global science and technology policy research structure
Authors: Su Hsin‐Ning
Published: October 2011

This study proposes an approach for visualizing knowledge structures that creates a “research‐focused parallelship network,” “keyword co‐occurrence network,” and a knowledge map to visualize Sci‐Tech policy research structure. A total of 1,125 Sci‐Tech policy‐related papers (873 journal papers [78%], 205 conference papers [18%], and 47 review papers [4%]) have been retrieved from the Web of Science database for quantitative analysis and mapping. Different network and contour maps based on these 1,125 papers can be constructed by choosing different information as the main actor, such as the paper title, the institute, the country, or the author keywords, to reflect Sci‐Tech policy research structures in micro‐, meso‐, and macro‐levels, respectively. The quantitative way of exploring Sci‐Tech policy research papers is investigated to unveil important or emerging Sci‐Tech policy implications as well as to demonstrate the dynamics and visualization of the evolution of Sci‐Tech policy research.
Catalytic solid substrate–room‐temperature phosphorimetry detection for trace cadmium with Cd2+–3.5‐generation polyamidoamine dendrimer–Tween‐80 complex
Authors: Liu Jia‐Ming , Wang Hong‐Xin , Lin Li‐ping , Lin Shao‐Qin , Lin Xuan , Cai Wen‐lian , Lin Chang‐Qing , Li Zhi‐Ming
Published: October 2011

3.5‐Generation polyamidoamine dendrimers (3.5‐G‐D) emitted strong and stable room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on filter paper when Pb2+ was used as a heavy atom perturber. The RTP signal of 3.5‐G‐D was sharply enhanced upon the formation of 3.5‐G‐D–Tween‐80 micelle compound. The complex Cd2+–3.5‐G‐D–Tween‐80, generated in the coordination reaction between Cd2+ and the tertiary amidocyanogen on the outer layer of 3.5‐G‐D in 3.5‐G‐D–Tween‐80 micelle compound, could catalyze KBrO3 to oxidize 3.5‐G‐D in 3.5‐G‐D–Tween‐80, which caused the sharp quenching of the RTP signal of the system. The phosphorescence intensity change (ΔIp) of the system had a linear relationship with the content of Cd2+. Thus a new catalytic solid substrate–room‐temperature phosphorimetry (SS‐RTP) for the determination of trace cadmium has been established. This highly selective and sensitive method has been applied to determine trace cadmium in biological samples with a limit of detection (LD) of 1.2 ag per spot (when the sample volume was 0.4 μL per spot, the corresponding concentration was 3.0 × 10−15 g mL−1), the results agreeing with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mechanism of catalytic SS‐RTP for the determination of trace cadmium was also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical stability of low‐humidity single DNA molecules
Authors: Hormeño Silvia , Ibarra Borja , Valpuesta José M. , Carrascosa José L. , Ricardo Arias‐Gonzalez J.
Published: October 2011

DNA electrostatic character is mostly determined by both water and counterions activities in the phosphate backbone, which together with base sequence, further confer its higher order structure. The authors overstretch individual double‐stranded DNA molecules in water–ethanol solutions to investigate the modulation of its mechanical stability by hydration and polycations. The authors found that DNA denatures as ethanol concentration is increased and spermine concentration decreased. This is manifested by an increase in melting hysteresis between the stretch and release curves, with sharp transition at 10% ethanol and reentrant behavior at 60%, by a loss of cooperativity in the overstretching transition and by a dramatic decrease of both the persistence length and the flexural rigidity. Changes in base‐stacking stability which are characteristic of the B‐A transition between 70 and 80% ethanol concentration do not manifest in the mechanical properties of the double‐helical molecule at low or high force or in the behavior of the overstretching and melting transitions within this ethanol concentration range. This is consistent with a mechanism in which A‐type base‐stacking is unstable in the presence of tension. Binding of motor proteins to DNA locally reduces the number of water molecules and therefore, our results may shed light on analogous reduced‐water activity of DNA conditions caused by other molecules, which interact with DNA in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 199–208, 2012.
The triple helical structure and stability of collagen model peptide with 4(s)‐hydroxyprolyl‐pro‐gly units
Authors: Motooka Daisuke , Kawahara Kazuki , Nakamura Shota , Doi Masamitsu , Nishi Yoshinori , Nishiuchi Yuji , Kang Young Kee , Nakazawa Takashi , Uchiyama Susumu , Yoshida Takuya , Ohkubo Tadayasu , Kobayashi Yuji
Published: October 2011

Extensive studies on the structure of collagen have revealed that the hydroxylation of Pro residues in a variety of model peptides with the typical (X‐Y‐Gly)nrepeats (X and Y: Pro and its analogues) represents one of the major factors influencing the stability of triple helices. While(2S,4R)‐hydroxyproline (Hyp) at the position Y stabilizes the triple helix, (2S,4S)‐hydroxyproline (hyp) at the X‐position destabilizes the helix as demonstrated that the triple helix of (hyp‐Pro‐Gly)15 is less stable than that of (Pro‐Pro‐Gly)15 and that a shorter peptide (hyp‐Pro‐Gly)10 does not form the helix. To clarify the role of the hydroxyl group of Pro residues to play in the stabilization mechanism of the collagen triple helix, we synthesized and crystallized a model peptide (Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)4‐(hyp‐Pro‐Gly)2‐(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)4 and analyzed its structure by X‐ray crystallography and CD spectroscopy. In the crystal, the main‐chain of this peptide forms a typical collagen like triple helix. The majority of hyp residues take down pucker with exceptionally shallow angles probably to relieve steric hindrance, but the remainders protrude the hydroxyl group toward solvent with the less favorable up pucker to fit in a triple helix. There is no indication of the existence of an intra‐molecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl moiety and the carbonyl oxygen of hyp supposed to destabilize the triple helix. We also compared the conformational energies of up and down packers of the pyrrolidine ring in Ac‐hyp‐NMe2 by quantum mechanical calculations. © © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 111–121, 2012.
Alternative packing modes leading to amyloid polymorphism in five fragments studied with molecular dynamics
Authors: Berhanu Workalemahu M. , Masunov Artëm E.
Published: October 2011

Amyloid aggregates have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion disease. Recently determined microcrystal structures of several short peptide segments derived from fibril‐forming proteins revealed coexistence of alternative aggregation modes (amyloid polymorphism) formed by the same segment. This polymorphism may help in understanding the influence of the side chain packing on the amyloid stability. Here we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to analyze the stability of five pairs of polar and nonpolar polymorphic oligomers. MD simulation shows polymorphs with steric zipper interface containing large polar and/or aromatic side chains (GNNQQNY, and NNQNTF) are more stable than steric zipper interfaces made of small or hydrophobic residues (SSTNGVG, VQIVYK, and MVGGVV). Several geometric analyses revealed that larger sheet to sheet interface of the dry steric zipper through polar Q/N rich side chains holds the sheets together. Mutant simulations (Q/N→G) show substitutions with glycine disrupt the steric zipper, leading to unstable oligomers. Stability of Q/N rich oligomers was found to result from the large average number of hydrogen bonds. The molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) method reports the nonpolar component of free energy to be favorable, while electrostatic solvation is unfavorable for β‐sheet association. Knowledge of structural properties of these fibrils might be useful for developing therapeutic agents against amyloidoses as well as for developing biomaterials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 131–144, 2012.
Characterization of a heterodimeric Smac‐based peptide that features sequences specific to both the BIR2 and BIR3 domains of the X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein
Authors: Speer Kelsey F. , Cosimini Charles L. , Splan Kathryn E.
Published: October 2011

XIAP, an important regulator of apoptosis, has emerged as a target for the development of cancer therapeutics. The homodimeric Smac protein simultaneously binds to both the BIR2 and BIR3 domains of XIAP. Peptide‐based dimeric compounds that mimic the binding mode of Smac show promise as XIAP antagonists. Herein we characterize the first example of a Smac mimetic that incorporates a peptide sequence specific for BIR2. We show that the tetrapeptide motif Ala‐Glu‐Ala‐Val has a higher affinity for BIR2 than the BIR3‐specific sequence Ala‐Val‐Pro‐Phe, and we compare the binding characteristics of a heterodimeric peptide containing both tetrapeptide motifs to those of a homodimeric peptide featuring only AVPF. Despite the enhanced affinity of AEAV (relative to AVPF) for BIR2, the heterodimeric peptide displays only a slightly higher affinity for XIAP relative to its homodimeric counterpart. Enhanced affinity of both dimers relative to the tetrapeptide AVPF is largely maintained even when the BIR2 binding groove is modified, implying that hydrophobic contacts afforded by the second peptide motif need not necessarily be made at the BIR2 binding groove to contribute substantial binding energy. Finally, we use mutagenesis to show that the difference in sequence specificity observed between the two domains is primarily owing to steric bulk introduced at the BIR2 site by lysine 206. Replacement of K206 at BIR2 with glycine, the corresponding residue in BIR3, restores the majority of the affinity for the AVPF motif exhibited by BIR3. The implications of these finding in the development of XIAP antagonists are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 122–130, 2012.
A highly sensitive LC–tandem MS assay for the measurement in plasma and in urine of salbutamol administered by nebulization during mechanical ventilation in healthy volunteers
Authors: Sidler‐Moix Anne‐Laure , Mercier Thomas , Decosterd Laurent A. , Di Paolo Ermindo R. , Berger‐Gryllaki Markoulina , Cotting Jacques , Pannatier André
Published: October 2011

The new‐generation nebulizers are commonly used for the administration of salbutamol in mechanically ventilated patients. The different modes of administration and new devices have not been compared. We developed a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of concentrations as low as 0.05 ng/mL of salbutamol, corresponding to the desired plasma concentration after inhalation. Salbutamol quantification was performed by reverse‐phase HPLC. Analyte quantification was performed by electrospray ionization–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry using selected reaction monitoring detection ESI in the positive mode. The method was validated over concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 100 ng/mL in plasma and from 0.18 to 135 ng/mL in urine. The method is precise, with mean inter‐day coefficient of variation (CV%) within 3.1–8.3% in plasma and 1.3–3.9% in urine, as well as accurate. The proposed method was found to reach the required sensitivity for the evaluation of different nebulizers as well as nebulization modes. The present assay was applied to examine whether salbutamol urine levels, normalized with the creatinine levels, correlated with the plasma concentrations. A suitable, convenient and noninvasive method of monitoring patients receiving salbutamol by mechanical ventilation could be implemented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of unbound prednisolone, prednisone and cortisol in human serum and saliva by on‐line solid‐phase extraction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and potential implications for drug monitoring of prednisolone and prednisone in saliva
Authors: Ruiter A. F. C. , Teeninga N. , Nauta J. , Endert E. , Ackermans M. T.
Published: October 2011

Prednisolone (PLN) and prednisone (PN) are widely used glucocorticoids. Drug monitoring of PLN and PN is not routinely done owing to the need for multiple blood sampling and challenging measurement of unbound PLN and PN in blood. Here we present a robust method for quantification of cortisol, PLN and PN in serum, ultrafiltrate and saliva by on‐line solid‐phase extraction LC‐MS/MS. The method is linear for the three analytes over the range of 6–1400 nmol/L for serum and 2–450 nmol/L for ultrafiltrate and saliva. Within‐run precision of all three analytes was <10% and total precision was <15%. This method was applied to create time–concentration profiles of cortisol, PLN and PN after an oral dose of prednisolone in a healthy volunteer. Salivary levels of PLN correlated well with ultrafiltrate levels (p < 0.01), while this correlation was only marginal for PN (p = 0.052). The PN/PLN ratio was significantly higher in saliva than in ultrafiltrate and serum (p < 0.01). Addition sums of both metabolites in saliva showed excellent correlation with those of ultrafiltrate (p < 0.01). These findings have not been presented before and may have important implications for future studies concerning drug monitoring of PLN and PN in saliva. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Re‐animation and rehabilitation of the paralyzed face in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Divi Vasu , Deschler Daniel G.
Published: October 2011

Facial nerve paralysis can occasionally result from the treatment of head and neck cancer. The treatment of paralysis is patient specific, and requires an assessment of the remaining nerve segments, musculature, functional deficits, anticipated recovery, and patient factors. When feasible, reinnervation of the remaining musculature can provide the most natural outcome. However, the complex and topographic nature of facial innervation often prevents complete and meaningful movement. In these instances, a wide variety of procedures can be used to combat the functional and cosmetic sequella of facial paralysis. Clin. Anat. 25:99–107, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An innovative software application for surveying education
Authors: Dib Hazar , Adamo‐Villani Nicoletta
Published: October 2011

We present an innovative educational computer application for undergraduate students enrolled in a Construction Surveying Fundamentals course. The application includes an Interactive Virtual Environment for learning surveying concepts and practices, and an e‐assessment tool that measures the individual student's cognitive and practical abilities. Results of a pilot study with 31 undergraduate students and 2 faculties showed that the software was perceived as easy to use, useful, and effective at measuring the individual student's performance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:551–562, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.10.1002/cae.20580
Design of Fructooligosaccharide Separation Using Simulated Moving‐Bed Chromatography
Authors: Vaňková K. , Polakovič M.
Published: October 2011

Design simulations of a simulated moving‐bed (SMB) chromatography unit for the separation of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were carried out. Using the constraints on the FOS purity in the raffinate of 90 % and FOS yield in the raffinate higher than 95 %, optimal distribution of a system of twelve columns into individual process zones and optimal values for the port switching period and the flow rates were found. The optimization function was the maximum productivity of FOS when the other evaluated performance criteria were the eluent consumption and product dilution. The performance of the designed SMB system was compared to that of a batch chromatography system that was simulated for a battery of identical columns. The sensitivity of the found optimum was analyzed with respect to the optimization parameters.
DNA–Polymer Micelles as Nanoparticles with Recognition Ability
Authors: Talom Renée Mayap , Fuks Gad , Kaps Leonard , Oberdisse Julian , Cerclier Christel , Gaillard Cédric , Mingotaud Christophe , Gauffre Fabienne
Published: October 2011

The Watson–Crick binding of DNA single strands is a powerful tool for the assembly of nanostructures. Our objective is to develop polymer nanoparticles equipped with DNA strands for surface‐patterning applications, taking advantage of the DNA technology, in particular, recognition and reversibility. A hybrid DNA copolymer is synthesized through the conjugation of a ssDNA (22‐mer) with a poly(ethylene oxide)‐poly(caprolactone) diblock copolymer (PEO‐b‐PCl). It is shown that, in water, the PEO‐b‐PCl‐ssDNA22 polymer forms micelles with a PCl hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona made of PEO and DNA. The micelles are thoroughly characterized using electron microscopy (TEM and cryoTEM) and small‐angle neutron scattering. The binding of these DNA micelles to a surface through DNA recognition is monitored using a quartz crystal microbalance and imaged by atomic force microscopy. The micelles can be released from the surface by a competitive displacement event.
Copper‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Addition of Nucleophilic Silicon to Aldehydes: Mechanistic Insight and Catalytic Systems
Authors: Kleeberg Christian , Feldmann Evgenia , Hartmann Eduard , Vyas Devendra J. , Oestreich Martin
Published: October 2011

Activation of the SiB inter‐element bond with copper(I) alkoxides produces copper‐based silicon nucleophiles that react readily with aldehydes to yield α‐silyl alcohols (that is, α‐hydroxysilanes) after hydrolysis. Two independent protocols were developed, one employing a well‐defined NHCCuOtBu complex and one using the simple CuCN–NaOMe combination without added ligand. The mechanism of the aldehyde addition was investigated in detail by stoichiometric and catalytic experiments as well as NMR spectroscopic measurements. The primary reaction product of the addition of the SiB reagent and the aldehyde (a boric acid ester of the α‐silyl alcohol) and also the “dead‐end” intermediate, formed in the competing [1,2]‐Brook rearrangement, were characterized crystallographically. Based on these data, a reasonable catalytic cycle is proposed. The NHCCuOtBu catalytic setup performs nicely at elevated temperature. A more reactive catalytic system is generated from CuCN–NaOMe, showing fast turnover at a significantly lower temperature. Both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes are transformed into the corresponding α‐silyl alcohols in good to very good yields under these mild reaction conditions.
Dictionary‐based estimation of spectra for wide‐gamut color imaging
Authors: Murakami Yuri , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Ohyama Nagaaki
Published: October 2011

With the widespread use of commercialized wide‐gamut displays, the demand for wide‐gamut image content is increasing. To acquire wide‐gamut image content using camera systems, color information should be accurately reconstructed from recorded image signals for a wide range of colors. However, it is difficult to obtain color information accurately, especially for saturated colors, if conventional color cameras are used. Spectrum‐based color image reproduction can solve this problem; however, bulky spectral imaging systems are required for this purpose. To acquire spectral images more conveniently, a new spectral imaging scheme has been proposed that uses two types of data: high spatial‐resolution red, green, and blue (RGB) images and low spatial‐resolution spectral data measured from the same scene. Although this method estimates spectral images with high overall accuracy, the error becomes relatively large when multiple different colors, especially those with high saturation, are arranged in a small region. The main reason for this error is that the spectral data are utilized as low‐order spectral statistics of local spectra in this method. To solve this problem, in this study, a nonlinear estimation method based on sparse and redundant dictionaries was used for spectral image estimation—where the dictionary contains a number of spectra—without loss of information from the low spatial‐resolution spectral data. The estimated spectra are represented by a mixture of a few spectra included in the dictionary. Therefore, the respective feature of every spectrum is expected to be preserved in the estimation, and the color saturation is also preserved for any region. Experiments performed using the simulated data showed that the dictionary‐based estimation can be used to obtain saturated colors accurately, even when multiple colors are arranged in a small region. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2013
Natural selection: A concept in need of some evolution?
Authors: Smith Charles H.
Published: October 2011

In some respects natural selection is a quite simple theory, arrived at through the logical integration of three propositions (the presence of variation within natural populations, an absolutely limited resources base, and procreation capacities exceeding mere replacement numbers) whose individual truths can hardly be denied. Its relation to the larger subject of evolution, however, remains problematic. It is suggested here thata scaling‐down of the meaning of natural selection to “the elimination of the unfit,” as originally intended by Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913), might ultimately prove a more effective means of relating it to larger‐scale, longer‐term, evolutionary processes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2011
Emulation and complementarity in one‐dimensional alternatives of the axelrod model with binary features
Authors: Adamopoulos A. , Scarlatos S.
Published: October 2011

We investigate the one‐dimensional dynamics of alternatives of the Axelrod model (ξt) with k binary features and confidence parameter ε = 0, 1,…, k. Simultaneously, the simple Axelrod model is also critically examined. Specifically, for small and large ε, simulations suggest that the convergent model (ξt) is emulated by a corresponding attractive model (ηt) with the same parameters (conditional on bounded confidence). (ηt) is more mathematically tractable than (ξt), and the very definitions of the two qualitative behaviors of cyclic particle systems (fluctuation and fixation) are applicable in special cases. Moreover, we observe a complementarity: for not too small k and
$\varepsilon \approx {k \over 2}$, (ηt) fixates (each site has a final type independent of the possibly infinite size of the lattice), whereas (ξt) fluctuates (each site changes type at arbitrarily larger times t as the size of the lattice increases). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2011
Lymphohistiocytoid mesothelioma of the pleura: A case report with cytological findings
Authors: Tresserra Francisco , Castella Miriam , Fabra Gemma , Angeles Martinez Maria , Dominguez Mariasun , Fernandez‐Cid Carmen , Amalrich Maria Dolors , Ramos Carolina
Published: October 2011

Lymphohistiocytoid malignant mesothelioma is an infrequent variant of sarcomatoid mesothelioma representing approximately 0.5–3.3% of malignant mesotheliomas. It has been related to asbestos exposure. The tumor is characterized by a diffuse large histiocyte‐like cells proliferation mixed with an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Its cytological diagnosis is difficult. We present a case of a 67‐year‐old female with lymphohistiocytoid mesothelioma involving the left pleura. The cytological, histological, and immunohistochemical features are discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inclusion of a portion of the native SNCA 3′UTR reduces toxicity of human S129A SNCA on striatal‐projecting dopamine neurons in rat substantia Nigra
Authors: Khodr Christina E. , Pedapati Jyothi , Han Ye , Bohn Martha C.
Published: October 2011

Experimental models of Parkinson's disease (PD) created by aberrant expression of the alpha‐synuclein (SNCA) coding region have been reported. However, noncoding regions function in normal physiology and recent in vitro studies have shown that microRNAs‐7 and ‐153 regulate SNCA expression by binding the 3′UTR. Here, effects of different hSNCA forms were examined in vivo. Adult, male rats were injected into one substantia nigra (SN) with AAV‐wtSNCA, AAV‐S129A hSNCA, or AAV‐S129D hSNCA either with or without a portion of the native 3′UTR. DA neurons in SN that maintained striatal (ST) projections at the end of treatment were retrogradely labeled by bilateral ST fluorogold (FG) injections and FG‐positive DA neurons in SN were counted. At 5 weeks, hSNCA coding vectors reduced numbers of FG‐positive neurons in injected SN compared with uninjected SN (wtSNCA, p = 0.05; S129A/D hSNCA, p = 0.01). At 7 and 9 weeks, wtSNCA‐ and S129D hSNCA‐treated rats exhibited recovery, but S129A hSNCA‐injected rats did not (p = 0.01). In contrast, numbers of FG‐positive neurons were unaffected by hSNCA expression when the 3′UTR was included. When FG‐positive neurons were expressed as the ratio of numbers in injected to uninjected sides, the S129A hSNCA coding vector resulted in the highest decrease at 9 weeks versus wtSNCA (p = 0.05) or S129D hSNCA (p = 0.01). Inclusion of the 3′UTR resulted in no significant differences in FG‐positive neuron ratios. These data suggest that inclusion of the 3′UTR protects against S129A hSNCA‐induced loss of nigrostriatal‐projecting DA neurons in vivo and that mis‐regulation of hSNCA expression and function at noncoding regions contribute to PD pathogenesis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 906–917, 2012
EphB signaling regulates target innervation in the developing and deafferented auditory brainstem
Authors: Nakamura Paul A. , Hsieh Candace Y. , Cramer Karina S.
Published: October 2011

Precision in auditory brainstem connectivity underlies sound localization. Cochlear activity is transmitted to the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) in the mammalian brainstem via the auditory nerve. VCN globular bushy cells project to the contralateral medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), where specialized axons terminals, the calyces of Held, encapsulate MNTB principal neurons. The VCN‐MNTB pathway is an essential component of the circuitry used to compute interaural intensity differences that are used for localizing sounds. When input from one ear is removed during early postnatal development, auditory brainstem circuitry displays robust anatomical plasticity. The molecular mechanisms that control the development of auditory brainstem circuitry and the developmental plasticity of these pathways are poorly understood. In this study we examined the role of EphB signaling in the development of the VCN‐MNTB projection and in the reorganization of this pathway after unilateral deafferentation. We found that EphB2 and EphB3 reverse signaling are critical for the normal development of the projection from VCN to MNTB, but that successful circuit assembly most likely relies upon the coordinated function of many EphB proteins. We have also found that ephrin‐B reverse signaling repels induced projections to the ipsilateral MNTB after unilateral deafferentation, suggesting that similar mechanisms regulate these two processes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Postnatal developmental profile of neurons and glia in motor nuclei of the brainstem and spinal cord, and its comparison with organotypic slice cultures
Authors: Cifra Alessandra , Mazzone Graciela L. , Nani Francesca , Nistri Andrea , Mladinic Miranda
Published: October 2011

In vitro preparations of the neonatal rat spinal cord or brainstem are useful to investigate the organization of motor networks and their dysfunction in neurological disease models. Long‐term spinal cord organotypic cultures can extend our understanding of such pathophysiological processes over longer times. It is, however, surprising that detailed descriptions of the type (and number) of neurons and glia in such preparations are currently unavailable to evaluate cell‐selectivity of experimental damage. The focus of the present immunohistochemical study is the novel characterization of the cell population in the lumbar locomotor region of the rat spinal cord and in the brainstem motor nucleus hypoglossus at 0–4 postnatal days, and its comparison with spinal organotypic cultures at 2–22 days in vitro. In the nucleus hypoglossus, neurons were 40% of all cells and 80% of these were motoneurons. Astrocytes (35% of total cells) were the main glial cells, while microglia was <10%. In the spinal gray matter, the highest neuronal density was in the dorsal horn (>80%) and the lowest in the ventral horn (≤57%) with inverse astroglia numbers and few microglia. The number of neurons (including motoneurons) and astrocytes was stable after birth. Like in the spinal cord, motoneurons in organotypic spinal culture were <10% of ventral horn cells, with neurons <40%, and the rest made up by glia. The present report indicates a comparable degree of neuronal and glial maturation in brainstem and spinal motor nuclei, and that this condition is also observed in 3‐week‐old organotypic cultures. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
EGFR signaling modulates synaptic connectivity via Gurken
Authors: Naylor Sarah A. , DiAntonio Aaron
Published: October 2011

Synaptic target selection is critical for establishing functional neuronal circuits. The mechanisms regulating target selection remain incompletely understood. We describe a role for the EGF receptor and its ligand Gurken in target selection of octopaminergic Type II neurons in the Drosophila neuromuscular system. Mutants in happyhour, a regulator of EGFR signaling, form ectopic Type II neuromuscular junctions. These ectopic innervations are due to inappropriate target selection. We demonstrate that EGFR signaling is necessary and sufficient to inhibit synaptic target selection by these octopaminergic Type II neurons, and that the EGFR ligand Gurken is the postsynaptic, muscle‐derived repulsive cue. These results identify a new pathway mediating cell‐type and branch‐specific synaptic repulsion, a novel role for EGFR signaling in synaptic target selection, and an unexpected role for Gurken as a muscle‐secreted repulsive ligand. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Rapid neural circuit switching mediated by synaptic plasticity during neural morphallactic regeneration
Authors: Lybrand Zane R. , Zoran Mark J.
Published: October 2011

The aquatic oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus (Lumbriculidae), undergoes a rapid regenerative transformation of its neural circuits following body fragmentation. This type of nervous system plasticity, called neural morphallaxis, involves the remodeling of the giant fiber pathways that mediate rapid head and tail withdrawal behaviors. Extra‐ and intracellular electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that changes in cellular properties and synaptic connections underlie neurobehavioral plasticity during morphallaxis. Sensory‐to‐giant interneuron connections, undetectable prior to body injury, emerged within hours of segment amputation. The appearance of functional synaptic transmission was followed by interneuron activation, coupling of giant fiber spiking to motor outputs and overt segmental shortening. The onset of morphallactic plasticity varied along the body axis and emerged more rapidly in segments closer to regions of sensory field overlap between the two giant fiber pathways. The medial and lateral giant fibers were simultaneously activated during a transient phase of network remodeling. Thus, synaptic plasticity at sensory‐to‐giant interneuron connections mediates escape circuit morphallaxis in this regenerating annelid worm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
The Zinc‐Dependent Fluorescence of a Synthetic GFP‐Like Chromophore in Organic Solvents
Authors: Kang Juntao , Fang Xinxiu , Chen Xiankai , Zhao Guiyan , Ren Aimin , Xu Jingwei , Yang Wei
Published: October 2011

A synthetic green fluorescent protein analogue showed Zn2+‐induced fluorescence in organic solvents (Φ = 0.07 at r.t. and up to 0.3 at low temperature). The experimental observations and theoretical calculations suggest that Zn2+ binding inhibits the free rotation of an aryl–alkene bond, which allows excited molecules to relax through the emission pathway instead of the thermodynamic pathway. The solvent influenced the fluorescence intensities and wavelengths by direct or indirect interactions with the molecules.
Total Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Trocheliophorolide D
Authors: Hwang Soonho , Kim Jae Hyun , Kim Hak Sung , Kim Sanghee
Published: October 2011

The proposed structure of trocheliophorolide D was synthesized, and the NMR spectra of the synthetic compound proved to be inconsistent with those of the natural product. Our synthesis features the construction of the 2‐butenolide moiety by using an aldol strategy and assembly of the triyne system during the final stage of the synthesis.
Use of fly ash, bottom ash and zeolite as additives for enhancing lime reactivity towards flue gas desulfurization
Authors: Maina Paul , Mbarawa Makame
Published: October 2011

Lime reactivity toward desulfurization was examined by blending lime with pozzolanic additives namely fly ash, bottom ash, and zeolite. The reactivity was tested in a pH‐stat apparatus. Apart from lime to additive ratio, other important operating conditions, namely, temperature, solid to liquid ratio, and stirring speed, were varied accordingly using the design expert's design of experiments. Central cubic design was used to investigate linear, quadratic, cubic, and cross‐product effect of these operatives. Sorbents made from lime‐zeolite blends were found to have the highest reactivity followed by fly ash then bottom ash. These results were confirmed through sorption capacities of the best sorbents using a fixed bed reactor. BET surface area analysis of the best sorbents indicated that surface area improvement is the root cause of improvements in reactivity and sorption capacities. Temperature had the largest effect on reactivity. The other operative's effect varied from one additive to the other. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 75–83, 2013.
High‐order k‐exact WENO finite volume schemes for solving gas dynamic Euler equations on unstructured grids
Authors: Li Wanai , Ren Yu-Xin
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a family of High‐order finite volume schemes applicable on unstructured grids. The k‐exact reconstruction is performed on every control volume as the primary reconstruction. On a cell of interest, besides the primary reconstruction, additional candidate reconstruction polynomials are provided by means of very simple and efficient ‘secondary’ reconstructions. The weighted average procedure of the WENO scheme is then applied to the primary and secondary reconstructions to ensure the shock‐capturing capability of the scheme. This procedure combines the simplicity of the k‐exact reconstruction with the robustness of the WENO schemes and represents a systematic and unified way to construct High‐order accurate shock capturing schemes. To further improve the efficiency, an efficient problem‐independent shock detector is introduced. Several test cases are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and non‐oscillation property of the proposed schemes. The results show that the proposed schemes can predict the smooth solutions with uniformly High‐order accuracy and can capture the shock waves and contact discontinuities in high resolution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Closer Look at Barrier Exchange Options
Authors: Brown Christine A. , Handley John C. , Palmer Ken
Published: October 2011

A barrier exchange option is an exchange option that is knocked out the first time the prices of two underlying assets become equal. Lindset, S., & Persson, S.‐A. (2006) present a simple dynamic replication argument to show that, in the absence of arbitrage, the current value of the barrier exchange option is equal to the difference in the current prices of the underlying assets and that this pricing formula applies irrespective of whether the option is European or American. In this study, we take a closer look at barrier exchange options and show, despite the simplicity of the pricing formula presented by Lindset, S., & Persson, S.‐A. (2006), that the barrier exchange option in fact involves a surprising array of key concepts associated with the pricing of derivative securities including: put–call parity, barrier in–out parity, static vs. dynamic replication, martingale pricing, continuous vs. discontinuous price processes, and numeraires. We provide valuable intuition behind the pricing formula which explains its apparent simplicity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 33:29–43, 2013
Long‐term functional donor site morbidity after ulnar forearm flap harvest
Authors: Sieg Peter , Dericioglu Mete , Hansmann Cathrin , Jacobsen Hans‐Christian , Trenkle Thomas , Hakim Samer G.
Published: October 2011

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long‐term functional donor site morbidity following ulnar forearm flap harvest taking both subjective and objective criteria into consideration.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 61 patients were evaluated for subjective and objective donor site morbidity 3 to 164 months after flap harvest, and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used for evaluation of subjective hand function.

Results

There was no significant grip strength decrease in the donor limbs. Two patients developed severe functional impairment of the donor forearm. DASH scores displayed only minor functional impairment, with marginally improving scores with increasing time lag to surgery.

Conclusions

Low donor site morbidity was found after ulnar flap harvest. However, minor rates of patients suffered from severe impairment of the hand function. Therefore, we recommend using the nondominant limb and informing the patients in detail about the specific functional limitations. Head Neck, 2012
Association Learning with Own‐ and Other‐race Faces in three‐ and six‐month old infants – A longitudinal study
Authors: Fassbender Ina , Lohaus Arnold , Thomas Hoben , Teubert Manuel , Vierhaus Marc , Spangler Sibylle M. , Kolling Thorsten , Goertz Claudia , Graf Frauke , Lamm Bettina , Gudi Helene , Freitag Claudia , Keller Heidi , Knopf Monika , Schwarzer Gudrun
Published: October 2011

This longitudinal study assessed 133 Caucasian German infants at 3 and 6 months of age to investigate the influence of own‐race and other‐race faces as visual stimuli on association learning in the visual expectation paradigm (VExP). The study is related to the findings on the other‐race‐effect (ORE) which is said to emerge at 6 months of age. Caucasian faces were used as stimuli of a familiar ethnic category, whereas African faces were used as stimuli of an unfamiliar ethnic category. There was no significant difference between the two stimulus classes in infants' reaction time (RT) to stimulus shifts at 3 months. At 6 months of age, infants' RT decreased significantly in the Caucasian faces condition but not in the African faces condition. These results indicate that the processing of other‐race versus own‐race faces by the age of 6 months, which is also the relevant age for the onset of the ORE, has an important influence on the performance on the VExP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospective investigation of coffee drinking and endometrial cancer incidence
Authors: Gunter Marc J. , Schaub Jennifer A. , Xue Xiaonan , Freedman Neal D. , Gaudet Mia M. , Rohan Thomas E. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Sinha Rashmi
Published: October 2011

Coffee drinking may be associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer; however, prospective data are limited. Further, it is not clear whether any association between coffee and endometrial cancer differs according to coffee caffeine content. The association of coffee drinking with incidence of endometrial cancer was evaluated among 226,732 women, aged 50–71, enrolled in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study who completed a baseline epidemiologic questionnaire. Following a mean 9.3 years of follow‐up, data were available for 1,486 incident endometrial cancer cases. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate associations of coffee with endometrial cancer incidence. Sub‐group analyses were performed according to smoking status, hormone therapy use (HT) and body habitus. Coffee drinking was inversely related to incidence of endometrial cancer (hazard ratio [HR] comparing drinking of >3 cups/day versus no cups = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.51–0.80; Ptrend = 0.0004). The association of coffee with endometrial cancer risk was apparent for consumption of both regular (HR per cup = 0.90, 95% CI, 0.86–0.95) and decaffeinated coffee (HR per cup = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.87–0.99). The relation of coffee with endometrial cancer incidence varied significantly by HT use (Pinteraction = 0.03) with an association only apparent among HT‐never users (HR comparing drinking >3 cups/day versus no cups = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.41–0.72; Ptrend = 0.0005). Endometrial cancer incidence appears to be reduced among women that habitually drink coffee, an association that does not differ according to caffeine content.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 promoter and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 gene polymorphisms in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Diao Lan‐Ping , Ma Hui , Wei Guang‐Chuan , Li Tao , Liu Hai‐Sheng , Liu Li‐Hong , Wu Li‐Li , Zhao Gui‐Min , Gao Yu‐Huan
Published: October 2011

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter regions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) genes are associated with an adverse outcome in some cancers. We examined three polymorphisms: −1306C/T and −735C/T in MMP‐2 and −418G/C in the TIMP‐2 gene, using chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism typing analysis in 575 patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We examined the possible correlations between the three polymorphisms (MMP‐2 (−1306C/T and −735C/T) and TIMP‐2 gene (−418G/C)) and the clinical significance and survival rate in patients with NHL. The incidence of the CT, TT+CT genotypes and T allele of −735C/T was significantly higher in stage III and IV patients compared to stage I and II patients. In cases with bone marrow infiltration, the TT genotypes of the −1306C/T gene were significantly less frequent compared to CC genotypes. The CT, TT and CT+TT genotypes and T allele in patients exhibiting the −1306C/T polymorphism were significantly less frequent in patients with a large tumor size compared to a smaller tumor. The TT genotypes of the −735C/T polymorphism were more common in patients with a large tumor compared to those with a smaller tumor. The frequency of the −1306C/−735T haplotype in patients with a smaller tumor size was significantly higher compared to patients with a large tumor. The −1306T/−735C and −1306C/−735C haplotypes were significantly less frequent in patients with B‐symptoms compared to those without. Interestingly, patients with the −735CT genotype exhibited a lower rate of survival. Our results demonstrate that certain MMP‐2 and TIMP‐2 gene polymorphisms potentially effect the progression or assessment of prognosis for NHL. This research warrants further, larger scale studies.
DNA methylation patterns in blood of patients with colorectal cancer and adenomatous colorectal polyps
Authors: Cassinotti Elisa , Melson Joshua , Liggett Thomas , Melnikov Anatoliy , Yi Qilong , Replogle Charles , Mobarhan Sohrab , Boni Luigi , Segato Sergio , Levenson Victor
Published: October 2011

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are currently suboptimal. Blood‐based screening could improve rates of earlier detection for CRC and adenomatous colorectal polyps. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of plasma‐based detection of early CRC and adenomatous polyps using array‐mediated analysis methylation profiling of 56 genes implicated in carcinogenesis. Methylation of 56 genes in patients with Stages I and II CRC (N = 30) and those with adenomatous polyps (N = 30) were compared with individuals who underwent colonoscopy and were found to have neither adenomatous changes nor CRC. Composite biomarkers were developed for adenomatous polyps and CRC, and their sensitivity and specificity was estimated using five‐fold cross validation. Six promoters (CYCD2, HIC1, PAX 5, RASSF1A, RB1 and SRBC) were selected for the biomarker, which differentiated CRC patients and controls with 84% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Three promoters (HIC1, MDG1 and RASSF1A) were selected for the biomarker, which differentiated patients with adenomatous polyps and controls with sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 65%. Methylation profiling of plasma DNA can detect early CRC with significant accuracy and shows promise as a methodology to develop biomarkers for CRC screening.
MicroRNA‐148b suppresses cell growth by targeting cholecystokinin‐2 receptor in colorectal cancer
Authors: Song Yongxi , Xu Yingying , Wang Zhenning , Chen Yue , Yue Zhenyu , Gao Peng , Xing Chengzhong , Xu Huimian
Published: October 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which miR‐148b acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer. The expression of miR‐148b was significantly downregulated in 96 pairs of human colorectal cancer tissues (p < 0.0001) and three cell lines (p < 0.01) compared with non‐tumor adjacent tissues by quantitative real‐time PCR. The results of in situ hybridization highlighted that miR‐148b was important in the cancer transformation process. Using statistical analysis, we found that the expression level of miR‐148b was associated with tumor size (p = 0.033) in colorectal cancer patients. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐148b in HCT‐116 and HT‐29 cells could inhibit cell proliferation in vitro and suppress tumorigenicity in vivo. Importantly, the result of luciferase activity assay and western blot showed that the cholecystokinin‐2 receptor gene (CCK2R) was a target of miR‐148b and was downregulated by miR‐148b at the translational level. Then, we used siRNA, radioimmunoassay and ELISA to demonstrate that miR‐148b might have an effect on cell proliferation by regulating the expression of CCK2R which functioned depending on the gastrin in colorectal cancer. Taken together, our data provides the first evidences that miR‐148b acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer and should be further evaluated as a biomarker and therapeutic tool against colorectal cancer.