bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional polymorphisms in the serotonin 1B receptor gene (HTR1B) predict self‐reported anger and hostility among young men
Authors: Conner Tamlin S. , Jensen Kevin P. , Tennen Howard , Furneaux Henry M. , Kranzler Henry R. , Covault Jonathan
Published: April 2009

We examined associations between haplotypes of the serotonin 1B receptor gene and individual differences in anger and hostility. Data were analyzed from a study of 361 university students (47% male). Participants were genotyped at five polymorphisms in theHTR1Bgene (rs11568817, rs130058, rs6296, rs6297, rs13212041), including promoter and 3′UTR polymorphisms with opposite functional effects on gene expression. Participants reported their emotional states across 30 consecutive days for up to 4 years. Haplotype pairs were constructed statistically and assigned to a level ofHTR1Bexpression based on the presence of the functional polymorphisms. Six haplotypes accounted for >97% of chromosomes. Three low expression haplotypes contained the 3′UTR variant (rs13212041 A‐allele) that enables a microRNA‐mediated reduction in expression. One intermediate expression haplotype contained the 3′UTR A‐allele paired with the high‐activity promoter. Two high expression haplotypes contained the 3′UTR variant (rs13212041 G‐allele) that attenuates microRNA‐mediated reduction in expression. Men with low expression haplotypes reported greater anger and hostility than men with one or two high expression haplotypes. Diplotype classification accounted for 8.4% of the variance in men's anger and hostility, primarily due to the 3′UTR polymorphism (rs13212041), but with some contribution of the functional promoter combination (rs11568817, rs130058). Associations with anger and hostility were not found in women. These findings extend our understanding of the genetic basis of anger and hostility by showing that newly characterizedHTR1Bhaplotypes, particularly those with rs13212041, which modulates microRNA‐mediated regulation ofHTR1Bexpression, may have important implications for aggression‐related phenotypes among young men. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trans‐Atlantic slavery: Isotopic evidence for forced migration to Barbados
Authors: Schroeder Hannes , O'Connell Tamsin C. , Evans Jane A. , Shuler Kristrina A. , Hedges Robert E.M.
Published: April 2009

The question of the ultimate origin of African slaves is one of the most perplexing in the history of trans‐Atlantic slavery. Here we present the results of a small, preliminary isotopic study that was conducted in order to determine the geographical origin of 25 enslaved Africans who were buried at the Newton plantation, Barbados, sometime between the late 17th and early 19th century. In order to gain a more nuanced understanding of the slaves' origin, we used a combination of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotope analyses. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were determined in bone and dentinal collagen; oxygen and strontium isotopes were measured in tooth enamel. Results suggest that the majority of individuals were born on the island, if not the estate itself. Seven individuals, however, yielded enamel oxygen and strontium ratios that are inconsistent with a Barbadian origin, which strongly suggests that we are dealing with first‐generation captives who were brought to the island with the slave trade. This idea is also supported by the fact that their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values differ markedly between their teeth and bones. These intra‐skeletal shifts reflect major dietary changes that probably coincided with their enslavement and forced migration to Barbados. While it is impossible to determine their exact origins, the results clearly demonstrate that the slaves did not all grow up in the same part of Africa. Instead, the data seem to suggest that they originated from at least three different areas, possibly including the Gold Coast and the Senegambia. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tubers as fallback foods and their impact on Hadza hunter‐gatherers
Authors: Marlowe Frank W. , Berbesque Julia C.
Published: April 2009

The Hadza are hunter‐gatherers in Tanzania. Their diet can be conveniently categorized into five main categories: tubers, berries, meat, baobab, and honey. We showed the Hadza photos of these foods and asked them to rank them in order of preference. Honey was ranked the highest. Tubers, as expected from their low caloric value, were ranked lowest. Given that tubers are least preferred, we used kilograms of tubers arriving in camp across the year as a minimum estimate of their availability. Tubers fit the definition of fallback foods because they are the most continuously available but least preferred foods. Tubers are more often taken when berries are least available. We examined the impact of all foods by assessing variation in adult body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) in relation to amount of foods arriving in camp. We found, controlling for region and season, women of reproductive age had a higher %BF in camps where more meat was acquired and a lower %BF where more tubers were taken. We discuss the implications of these results for the Hadza. We also discuss the importance of tubers in human evolution. Am J Phys Anthropol, 140:751–758, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Associations between height, body mass, and frequency of decayed, extracted, and filled deciduous teeth among two cohorts of Taiwanese first graders
Authors: Floyd B.
Published: April 2009

In this study, heights, weights, and numbers of decayed, extracted, and filled (DEF) deciduous teeth of 300 first‐graders from a less affluent area of Taipei were compared with those of 277 first‐graders from a more affluent one. Parents of all children self‐identified as having ancestors from Fujian. This study tested the hypothesis that synergisms between under‐nutrition and disease form part of a causal pathway contributing to the risk of deciduous caries. Within the less affluent community significant inverse associations between height and body mass index, as proxies for nutritional status, and the frequency of DEF deciduous teeth were anticipated. These associations were not expected in the more affluent community where nutritional status was adequate. An alternative hypothesis, that parental behavior potentially correlated with parental education, occupational backgrounds, housing, or family size contributed independently to offspring nutritional status and caries risk, was evaluated with available data. Consistent with the primary hypothesis, regression analyses revealed significant negative slopes of height (P = 0.002) and log BMI (P = 0.036) on total DEF deciduous teeth in the less affluent group, but not in the more affluent one. Direct tests of slope coefficients in the two groups indicate a significant difference for height (P = 0.041) but not log BMI (P = 0.29). Inclusion of parental education, occupational categories, housing, and numbers of siblings in the regression model provided no support to the alternative hypothesis. Results suggest that improving nutritional status significantly lowers caries risk, though most variation is probably attributable to other factors. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brief communication: Admixture analysis with forensic microsatellites in Minas Gerais, Brazil: The ongoing evolution of the capital and of an African‐derived community
Authors: Scliar Marília O. , Vaintraub Marco T. , Vaintraub Patrícia M.V. , Fonseca Cleusa G.
Published: April 2009

We report the estimated allele frequencies for 13 and 14 microsatellite loci in two populations of Minas Gerais, Brazil as follows: Belo Horizonte (the capital) and Marinhos (an African‐derived community). Analysis of the African, Amerindian, and European genetic contributions to both populations, together with historical information, revealed distinct differences between the two populations. Estimates for Belo Horizonte revealed a higher‐European (66%) than African (32%) contribution, and a minimal Amerindian contribution. These results are consistent with the peopling of the city mainly by people from the Minas Gerais hinterland, a people highly admixed but with more European ancestry. Estimates for Marinhos confirmed the high‐African component of the population. However, a temporal analysis of two datasets—CURRENT (representing the population living in Marinhos today) and ORIGINAL (representing families, who have lived in Marinhos since the onset of the 20th century),—identified a diminishing of the population's African ancestry from 92% in the ORIGINAL group to 67% in the CURRENT group. This change is here interpreted as a consequence of the growing migration into the village of people with more European ancestry and subsequent admixture with the local population. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brief communication: Minimally invasive bone sampling method for DNA analysis
Authors: Gibbon Victoria E. , Penny Clem B. , Štrkalj Goran , Ruff Paul
Published: April 2009

Obtaining a bone sample for DNA analysis has traditionally been a destructive practice, which has resulted in reluctance on behalf of curators for skeletal collections to allow invasive testing. A novel minimally invasive bone sampling method for DNA analysis is presented here. This method uses a conventional hand drill wherein the bone sample is extracted from the intercondylar fossa of the femur; it does not interfere with any known anthropometric landmarks and only leaves a small hole on the surface of the bone. The temperature of the drill is documented and it was established due to the minor increase in temperature, that this should not affect the molecular integrity of the sample. This method is easily replicated and is suitable for both human and other animal skeletal material and can be applied to rare specimens with little risk. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adsorption, Diffusion, and Self‐Assembly of an Engineered Gold‐Binding Peptide on Au(111) Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: So Christopher R. , Tamerler Candan , Sarikaya Mehmet
Published: April 2009

In einem dynamischen Prozess bilden Peptide nach der Adsorption auf einer Au(111)‐Oberfläche über Oberflächendiffusion und mehrere Dünnfilmtopologien bestimmte Anordnungen (siehe Schema und entsprechende AFM‐Bilder). Diese grundlegende Beobachtung könnte für die Entwicklung von molekularen Hybridmaterialien auf Peptidbasis von Bedeutung sein.

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Umwandlung einer Esterase in eine Epoxidhydrolase
Authors: Jochens Helge , Stiba Konstanze , Savile Christopher , Fujii Ryota , Yu Juin‐Guo , Gerassenkov Tatsiana , Kazlauskas Romas J. , Bornscheuer Uwe T.
Published: April 2009

Ein verbreitetes Strukturmotiv hydrolytischer Enzyme ist die α,β‐Hydrolasefaltung. Für eine Umwandlung von Enzymaktivitäten in dieser Superfamilie genügt das Einfügen der am Mechanismus beteiligten Aminosäuren nicht – nur durch Substitution einer Schleife konnte eine Epoxidhydrolaseaktivität in einem Esterasegerüst generiert werden (Bild: Strukturvergleich von Epoxidhydrolasen (grün) mit der Esterase (orange)). Das Resultat war ein enantioselektives Chimärenzym.

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A Multicomponent Reaction of Arynes, Isocyanides, and Terminal Alkynes: Highly Chemo‐ and Regioselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyridines and Isoquinolines
Authors: Sha Feng , Huang Xian
Published: April 2009

Leichtes Spiel mit vielen Komponenten: Eine neuartige Synthesestrategie führte hoch chemo‐ und regioselektiv zu Pyridinen und Isochinolinen. Durch Anpassen der Reaktionsbedingungen können die gewünschten Produkte hoch effizient und atomökonomisch erhalten werden (siehe Schema).

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Influence of the [2Fe]H Subcluster Environment on the Properties of Key Intermediates in the Catalytic Cycle of [FeFe] Hydrogenases: Hints for the Rational Design of Synthetic Catalysts
Authors: Bruschi Maurizio , Greco Claudio , Kaukonen Markus , Fantucci Piercarlo , Ryde Ulf , De Gioia Luca
Published: April 2009

Nach dem Rezept der Natur: Eine theoretische Studie analysiert, wie die Umgebung des katalytischen Cofaktors der [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase dessen chemische Eigenschaften beeinflusst, insbesondere die relative Stabilität von Komplexen mit verbrückenden und terminalen Hydridliganden (siehe Bild; Fe türkis, S gelb, C grün, N blau, O rot, H grau). Die Ergebnisse helfen, Regeln für den Entwurf bioinspirierter Katalysatoren für die H2‐Produktion zu finden.

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Wie viel Wasser enthält gebrannter Gips?
Authors: Weiss Horst , Bräu Michael F.
Published: April 2009

Geordnetes Wasser: Gips wird schon seit der Antike als Baumaterial eingesetzt. Die Struktur von gebranntem Gips, CaSO4⋅0.5 H2O, sorgte bis heute für Spekulationen. Eine Einkristallstrukturanalyse erbrachte nun ein geordnetes Strukturmodell (siehe Bild; gelb S, grau Ca, blau O, rot H), das mithilfe von DFT‐Rechnungen bestätigt wird.

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Adsorption, Diffusion, and Self‐Assembly of an Engineered Gold‐Binding Peptide on Au(111) Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: So Christopher R. , Tamerler Candan , Sarikaya Mehmet
Published: April 2009

Go for the gold! The structural evolution of peptide binding and assembly on a Au(111) surface is dynamic and involves surface diffusion and multiple stages of molecular thin‐film topology development (see schematic depiction and corresponding AFM images). The new fundamental observations may form the basis of peptide‐based novel hybrid molecular technologies of the future.

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Converting an Esterase into an Epoxide Hydrolase
Authors: Jochens Helge , Stiba Konstanze , Savile Christopher , Fujii Ryota , Yu Juin‐Guo , Gerassenkov Tatsiana , Kazlauskas Romas J. , Bornscheuer Uwe T.
Published: April 2009

Entering the fold: A common structural motif in hydrolytic enzymes is the α,β‐hydrolase fold. The interconversion of one enzyme into another by introduction of mechanistically important residues is not enough; only substitution of a loop allows epoxide hydrolase activity in the esterase scaffold to be formed (see picture; structure comparison of epoxide hydrolases (green) with the esterase (orange)). The result is an enantioselective chimeric enzyme.

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A Multicomponent Reaction of Arynes, Isocyanides, and Terminal Alkynes: Highly Chemo‐ and Regioselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyridines and Isoquinolines
Authors: Sha Feng , Huang Xian
Published: April 2009

Many components make light work: A novel synthetic strategy for the preparation of pyridines and isoquinolines in high chemo‐ and regioselectivity has been developed. By manipulating the reaction conditions, either product can be generated smoothly in a highly efficient and atom‐economic manner (see scheme).

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Influence of the [2Fe]H Subcluster Environment on the Properties of Key Intermediates in the Catalytic Cycle of [FeFe] Hydrogenases: Hints for the Rational Design of Synthetic Catalysts
Authors: Bruschi Maurizio , Greco Claudio , Kaukonen Markus , Fantucci Piercarlo , Ryde Ulf , De Gioia Luca
Published: April 2009

Nature's recipe: A theoretical study analyzes how the environment of the [FeFe] hydrogenase's catalytic cofactor affects its chemical properties, particularly the relative stability of complexes with bridging and terminal hydride ligands (see picture; Fe teal, S yellow, C green, N blue, O red, H gray). The results help to elucidate key rules for the design of bioinspired synthetic catalysts for H2 production.

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Reversible Switching of the Shear Modulus of Photoresponsive Liquid‐Crystalline Polymers
Authors: Verploegen Eric , Soulages Johannes , Kozberg Mariel , Zhang Tejia , McKinley Gareth , Hammond Paula
Published: April 2009

Manipulation makes light work: The morphology and rheological properties of a liquid‐crystalline system can be dynamically manipulated with UV light by attaching photoresponsive liquid‐crystalline moieties to a siloxane‐based polymer. Stimulation with UV light induces a conformational change in the molecule, which disrupts the liquid‐crystalline mesophase (see picture), and results in a dramatic change in its rheological properties.

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Separation and preconcentration of some heavy‐metal ions using new chelating polymeric hydrogels
Authors: Sharaf Mohamed A. , Arida Hassan A. , Sayed S. A. , Younis Ahmed A. , Farag A. B.
Published: April 2009

Two new chelating polymeric hydrogels, crosslinked polyacrylamide/triethylenetetraamine/CS2Na (hydrogel I) and crosslinked polyacrylamide/diethylenetriamine/CS2Na (hydrogel II), were prepared by the transamidation and dithiocarbamylation of crosslinked polyacrylamide. The products were characterized with elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. In both polymeric hydrogels, the optimum pH for the removal of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) ions ranged from 7 to 8, from 6 to 7, and from 7 to 8, respectively. The sorption isotherms of the investigated metal ions on the prepared hydrogels were developed, and the equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models well. At the optimum pH for each metal ion, the maximum sorption capacities of hydrogel I toward Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) ions, estimated from the Langmuir model, were 5.3, 0.63, and 1.27 mmol/g, respectively, and those of hydrogel II were 4.1, 0.59, and 0.89 mmol/g, respectively. The experimental sorption capacities of hydrogel I toward Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) ions were 4.5, 0.6, and 1.2 mmol/g, respectively. In the case of hydrogel II, the capacities were 3.7, 0.52, and 0.88 mmol/g in the same prescribed order. The thermodynamic parameters (the free energy of sorption, enthalpy change, and entropy change) for cadmium, lead, and zinc sorption on the prepared polymers were also determined from the temperature dependence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Using tricitation to dissect the citation image: Conrad Hal Waddington and the rise of evolutionary developmental biology
Authors: McCain Katherine W.
Published: April 2009

An author's citation image is the set of authors with whom the author is cocited. When mapped using standard author cocitation analysis methods based on cited name co‐occurrence counts across the entire citation database, the original context of cocitation (the focal author cocited with others) is lost. The citation image of Conrad Hal Waddington, a developmental biologist and evolutionary theorist, is mapped using both cocitation and tricitation approaches over three successive decades, 1975–1984, 1985–1994, and 1995–2004. All authors are tagged with a subject ID based on a principal components analysis of the cocitation data. The cocitation analyses place Waddington in a general subject context. The tricitation PFNets bring the major themes in articles citing Waddington into clearer focus. The changing scholarly landscape in which Waddington's work is used is demonstrated by changes in the citation image author set. These changes are associated with a shift from a primary focus on the mechanisms of evolutionary change (Waddington's work on canalization/genetic assimilation) to a resurgence of interest in Waddington's early experimental embryological work. The latter is linked to the emergence of evolutionary developmental biology, an interdisciplinary research area that examines the role of organismal development in evolutionary change.
Effects of domain knowledge on reference search with the PubMed database: An experimental study
Authors: Vibert Nicolas , Ros Christine , Bigot Ludovic Le , Ramond Mélanie , Gatefin Jérôme , Rouet Jean‐François
Published: April 2009

Many researchers in medical and life sciences commonly use the PubMed online search engine (http://www.pubmed.gov) to access the MEDLINE bibliographic database. The researchers' strategies were investigated as a function of their knowledge of the content area. Sixteen life science researchers with no experience in neuroscience and 16 neuroscience researchers of matched professional experience performed five bibliographic search tasks about neuroscience topics. Objective measures and concomitant verbal protocols were used to assess behavior and performance. Whatever their knowledge of PubMed, neuroscientists could find adequate references within the allotted time period. Despite their lack of knowledge in neuroscience, life scientists could select adequate references with the same efficiency. However, differences were observed in the way neuroscientists and life scientists proceeded. For instance, life scientists took more time to read the task instructions and opened more abstracts while selecting their answers. These data suggest that regular use of online databases combined with graduate‐level expertise in a broad scientific field like biology can compensate for the absence of knowledge in the specific domain in which references are sought. The large inter‐individual variability in performance within both groups implies that beyond domain knowledge, individual cognitive abilities are the main determinants of bibliographic search performance.
Diagramme zur Auswertung der Johansen‐Formeln für einschnittige Holz‐ bzw. Holzwerkstoff‐Verbindungen
Authors: Schatz Tino
Published: April 2009

Stiftförmige Verbindungsmittel im Holzbau werden gemäß aktueller Normung europaweit einheitlich nach der rechenaufwendigen Johansen ‐Theorie bemessen. Deren effiziente Umsetzung verlangt eine Auswertung mit der EDV. Dadurch kann der Blick für die Zusammenhänge erschwert werden. In diesem Beitrag wird eine Auswertung mit Hilfe von Diagrammen vorgestellt, die als Ergänzung und Alternative den Umgang mit den neuen Regelungen erleichtern soll.
Auswirkungen der Hydroabrasion auf die Oberflächenrauheit überströmter Betonoberflächen
Authors: Helbig Ulf , Horlacher Hans‐B. , Stamm Jürgen
Published: April 2009

Zur Beschreibung der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit von Bauteilen wird normalerweise bei der hydraulischen Bemessung im Wasserbau auf die rechnerische absolute hydraulische Rauheit und in der Materialgüte auf die geometrische Rauheit Bezug genommen. Eindeutige Korrelationen und Zusammenhänge konnten aber bis dato noch nicht einwandfrei aufgestellt werden. Am Institut für Wasserbau und Technische Hydromechanik der TU Dresden (IWD) ist ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Oberflächenrauheit von Betonbauwerken entwickelt worden. Weiterhin zeigt sich, dass die Hydroabrasion von Betonoberflächen sowohl einen Oberflächenverschleiß als auch eine Erhöhung der Rauheit mit sich bringt. Hierbei tritt der Einfluss des vorhandenen Größtkorns der Matrix in den Vordergrund. Bei schalglatten Flächen können hydraulische und geometrische Rauheit mit guter Näherung gleich gesetzt werden. Bei hydroabrasiv beaufschlagten Oberflächen laufen derzeit noch Untersuchungen zur Korrelation zwischen hydraulischen und geometrischen Rauheitsparametern.
Versuche zur Ermittlung der Eigenschaften von gebrochenem Verbundsicherheitsglas (VSG) und Berechnung der Resttragfähigkeit eines Glasbogens
Authors: Fahlbusch Mark , Weischede Dietger
Published: April 2009

Ziel dieser Arbeit war, am konkreten Beispiel des Glasbogens mit Zugstab einen Weg zur rechnerischen Ermittlung der Resttragfähigkeit aufzuzeigen.

Dazu wurden anhand von Zug‐ und Biegeversuchen die Materialeigenschaften der Polyvinylbutyral‐ (PVB)‐Folie und des gebrochenen Verbundsicherheitsglases (VSG) aus Einscheiben‐Sicherheitsglas (ESG) bei 10 °C ermittelt. Weiterhin wurden Versuche zur Ermittlung des Reibungswiderstandes von gebrochenem VSG auf Stahl und Neopren durchgeführt.
Mit Schrauben Bewehren – Neue Ergebnisse
Authors: Trautz Martin , Koj Christoph
Published: April 2009

Selbstbohrende Vollgewindeschrauben ermöglichen wirkungsvolle Verstärkungen und Versteifungen sowie leistungsfähige Fügungen von Holzbauteilen. Dabei werden gezielt die hohe axiale Zugfestigkeit und Dehnsteifigkeit sowie der kontinuierliche Verbund der Schrauben genutzt, um ähnlich einer Bewehrung im Stahlbetonbau die schwachen Tragrichtungen des Holzes senkrecht und schräg zur Faserrichtung zu ertüchtigen. Die Bemessung der verschiedenen Schraubenkonfigurationen kann mit Hilfe der aus dem Stahlbetonbau bekannten Stabwerkmodelle erfolgen, die den inneren Kraftfluss im Bauteil bzw. im Anschluss nachbilden und eine einfache Dimensionierung der Schrauben ermöglichen.

In mehreren Versuchsreihen mit Bauteilverstärkungen und ‐fügungen im Jahr 2007 an der RWTH Aachen konnte die erfolgreiche Anwendung dieses Konstruktionsprinzips gezeigt werden. Darauf aufbauend wurden in einem Fortsetzungsprojekt im Jahr 2008 veränderte und verfeinerte Schraubenkonfigurationen konstruiert und auf ihr Festigkeitsverhalten hin untersucht. Versuche an stahllamellenverstärkten Brettschichtholz‐Trägern und biegesteifen Rahmenecken unter positiver und negativer Momentenbelastung zeigten eine hohe Leistungsfähigkeit, die das Potential der Methode nachdrücklich untermauert.
Are birth defects among Hispanics related to maternal nativity or number of years lived in the United States?
Authors: Ramadhani Tunu , Short Vanessa , Canfield Mark A. , Waller D. Kim , Correa Adolfo , Royle Marjorie , Scheuerle Angela
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: Literature on the risk of birth defects among foreign‐ versus U.S.–born Hispanics is limited or inconsistent. We examined the association between country of birth, immigration patterns, and birth defects among Hispanic mothers. METHODS: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals and assessed the relationship between mothers' country of birth, years lived in the United States, and birth defects among 575 foreign‐born compared to 539 U.S.–born Hispanic mothers. RESULTS: Hispanic mothers born in Mexico/Central America were more likely to deliver babies with spina bifida (OR = 1.53) than their U.S.–born counterparts. Also, mothers born in Mexico/Central America or who were recent United States immigrants (≤5 years) were less likely to deliver babies with all atrial septal defects combined, all septal defects combined, or atrial septal defect, secundum type. However, Hispanic foreign‐born mothers who lived in the United States for >5 years were more likely to deliver babies with all neural tube defects combined (OR = 1.42), spina bifida (OR = 1.89), and longitudinal limb defects (OR = 2.34). Foreign‐born mothers, regardless of their number of years lived in the United States, were more likely to deliver babies with anotia or microtia. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the type of birth defect, foreign‐born Hispanic mothers might be at higher or lower risk of delivering babies with the defects. The differences might reflect variations in predisposition, cultural norms, behavioral characteristics, and/or ascertainment of the birth defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maternal nutrient intake and risks for transverse and longitudinal limb deficiencies: Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2003
Authors: Robitaille Julie , Carmichael Suzan L. , Shaw Gary M. , Olney Richard S.
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND:

The association between periconceptional intake of supplements containing folic acid with specific subtypes of limb deficiencies has been inconsistent. The objective was to investigate whether intake of nutrients involved in one‐carbon metabolism (folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, riboflavin, choline, betaine, zinc, and methionine) through diet alone or in combination with a supplement containing folic acid influenced the risk for transverse limb deficiency (TLD) and longitudinal limb deficiency (LLD).

METHODS:

We analyzed 1997–2003 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and included 324 case infants with TLD, 158 case infants with LLD, and 4982 nonmalformed control infants. A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate nutrient intakes. Use of supplements containing folic acid 1 month before through 2 months after conception was recorded.

RESULTS:

Use of a supplement containing folic acid was not associated with LLD or TLD. For nonsupplement users, within (1) the lowest quartile of dietary folate intake or vitamin B6 intake, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for LLD were, respectively, 3.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–13.78) and 4.36 (95% CI: 0.93–20.48); and (2) the lowest quartile for riboflavin intake, the aOR for TLD was 2.94 (95% CI: 1.04–8.32). For supplement users within the lowest quartile of folate intake or riboflavin intake, the aORs for TLD were, respectively, 1.52 (95% CI: 0.91–2.54) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.00–2.37).

CONCLUSIONS:

TLD and LLD were not associated with supplement use, but TLD was associated with low intakes of riboflavin from diet. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thiacarbocyanine as ligand in dye‐affinity chromatography for protein purification. II. dynamic binding capacity using lysozyme as a model
Authors: Boto R. E. F. , Anyanwu U. , Sousa F. , Almeida P. , Queiroz J. A.
Published: April 2009

A constant development of dye‐affinity chromatography to replace more traditional techniques is verified, with the aim of increasing specificity in the purification of biomolecules. The establishment of a new dye‐affinity chromatographic support imposes their complete characterization, namely with relation to the binding capacity for proteins, in order to evaluate its applicability on global purification processes. Following previous studies, the adsorption of lysozyme onto a thiacarbocyanine dye immobilized on beaded cellulose was investigated. The effect of different parameters, such as temperature, ionic strength, pH, protein concentration and flow rate, on the dynamic binding capacity of the support to retain lysozyme was also studied. Increasing the temperature and the lysozyme concentration had a positive effect on the dynamic binding capacity (DBC), whereas increasing the ionic strength and the flow rate resulted in the opposite. It was also discovered that the pH used had an important impact on the lysozyme binding onto the immobilized dye. The maximum DBC value obtained for lysozyme was 8.6 mg/mL, which was achieved at 30°C and pH 9 with a protein concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and a flow rate of 0.05 mL/min. The dissociation constant (Kd) obtained was 2.61 ± 0.36 × 10–5 m, proving the affinity interaction between the thiacarbocyanine dye ligand and the lysozyme. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of the relationship between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility in a Turkish population
Authors: Arslan Serdal , Silig Yavuz , Pinarbasi Hatice
Published: April 2009

Human sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1), the most expressed isoform of the phenol SULT1 subfamily, is an important member of sulfotransferase superfamily. A transition, G to A at position 638, in SULT1A1 gene, results in Arg213His change. This single nucleotide polymorphism reduces the activity and thermostability of SULT1A1 enzyme. Thus, in the present study the relationship between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and lung cancer was investigated. One hundred and six case and 271 control samples were studied using PCR‐RFLP. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution between lung cancer and control populations (p = 0.07; p = 0.06, respectively). Compared with the SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*1 genotype the variant SULT1A1 genotype (SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*2 or SULT1A1*2/SULT1A1*2) was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk in cases (p = 0.027). In male populations, there was no significant difference between case and controls (p = 0.313). In female populations, however, this difference was found to be significant (p = 0.04). In smoker and non‐smoker populations, no significant relationship was evident between lung cancer and control population (p = 0.170, p = 0.065, respectively). Statistical analyses of histological types of lung cancer in comparison with the control individuals indicated a significant difference between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and SCC (p = 0.027) and other types of cancer (p = 0.037), except SMCC (p = 0.854). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Pan‐Specific Inhibitor of the Polo‐Box Domains of Polo‐like Kinases Arrests Cancer Cells in Mitosis
Authors: Reindl Wolfgang , Yuan Juping , Krämer Andrea , Strebhardt Klaus , Berg Thorsten
Published: April 2009

Playing polo: Small‐molecule inhibitors of polo‐like kinase 1 are mostly ATP‐competitive, and thus face enormous specificity hurdles. This communication explores the concept of inhibiting Plk1 with a small‐molecule inhibitor of the protein–protein interactions required for Plk1 function.

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Application of two‐dimensional near‐infrared (2D‐NIR) correlation spectroscopy to the discrimination of three species of Dendrobium
Authors: Wang Caiyun , Xiang Bingren , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2009

The objective of this paper was to apply two‐dimensional (2D) near‐infrared (NIR) correlation spectroscopy to the discrimination of three species of Dendrobium. Generalized 2D‐NIR correlation spectroscopy was able to enhance spectral resolution, simplify the spectrum with overlapped bands and provide information about temperature‐induced spectral intensity variations that was hard to obtain from one‐dimensional NIR spectroscopy. The FT‐NIR spectra were measured over a temperature range of 30–140°C. The 2D synchronous and asynchronous spectra showed remarkable differences within the range of 5600–4750 cm−1 between different species of Dendrobium. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA Cross‐Linking Patterns Induced by an Antitumor‐Active Trinuclear Platinum Complex and Comparison with Its Dinuclear Analogue
Authors: Zhu Jianhui , Zhao Yongmei , Zhu Yanyan , Wu Ziyi , Lin Miaoxin , He Weijiang , Wang Yan , Chen Guangju , Dong Lei , Zhang Junfeng , Lu Yi , Guo Zijian
Published: April 2009

The center of it all: An antitumor‐active trinuclear platinum complex forms unprecedented interstrand cross‐linked triadducts with 18‐mer DNA duplexes (see figure; complex in yellow with the platinum centers in red) and behaves differently from its dinuclear analogue.

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The DNA binding and cross‐linking modes of a trinuclear platinum complex [Pt3Cl3(hptab)][ClO4]3 (1; hptab=N,N,N′,N′,N′′,N′′‐hexakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,3,5‐tris(aminomethyl)benzene) and its dinuclear analogue [Pt2Cl2(m‐tpxa)]Cl2 (2; m‐tpxa=N,N,N′,N′‐tetra(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐m‐xylylene diamine) are reported and compared. The adducts of 1 and 2 with 18‐mer duplex N1, 5′‐d(GAAGAAGTCACAAAATGT)‐3′⋅5′‐d(ACATTTTGTGACTTCTTC)‐3′, have been characterized by means of denaturing polyacrylamide gels, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing, and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry combined with enzymatic degradation to obtain insights into structural features responsible for the differences in their antitumor activities. The cytotoxic‐active complex 1 readily forms various DNA adducts, such as through 1,3‐ and 1,4‐intrastrand cross‐links, and in particular, the unique and unprecedented interstrand cross‐linked triadducts. In contrast, the cytotoxic‐inactive complex 2 preferentially forms 1,4‐intrastrand rather than 1,3‐intra‐ and ‐interstrand cross‐links. Digestion of the DNA adducts of 1 shows that the cleavage is completely blocked at one nucleotide before the cross‐linked guanine residues on the opposite strand, a feature that appears to be unprecedented in antitumor platinum complexes. In the case of 2, the cleavage bypasses the first platinated guanine site and stops at one nucleotide prior to the second platinated site, confirming that very few 1,3‐intrastrand cross‐links are formed by 2. These results are supported by molecular‐modeling studies of intra‐ and interstrand cross‐links of duplex N1 with 1 and 2. The remarkable differences between 1 and 2 in DNA binding and cross‐linking provide mechanistic insights into their different cytotoxicity against the tumor cell lines; these insights are useful for designing future antitumor agents.
Produktgestaltung bei der Nanozerkleinerung durch Einsatz kleinster Mahlkörper
Authors: Breitung‐Faes S. , Kwade A.
Published: April 2009

Der Einsatz von neugestalteten Mühlengeometrien ermöglicht nicht nur die Bereitstellung höherer Leistungsdichten, sondern auch den Einsatz feinster Mahlkörper. Der Effekt sinkender Mahlkörpergröße auf die Zerkleinerungseffektivität, Energieausnutzung und insbesondere Produktpartikelgrößenverteilung und Transparenz wurde untersucht.
Modellierung und Vergleich von polythermen autoseeded Prozessvarianten der Bevorzugten Kristallisation
Authors: Czapla F. , Lorenz H. , Seidel‐Morgenstern A.
Published: April 2009

Die bevorzugte Kristallisation bietet die Möglichkeit einer effizienten Racemattrennung durch Kristallisation. In jüngerer Zeit wurden verschiedene neuartige polytherme Varianten des Prozesses unter Erzeugung von Impfkristallen im Kristallisator (autoseeded) untersucht [1]. Am Beispiel des Stoffsystems DL‐Threonin in Wasser wird hier dargestellt, inwieweit die Partikelgröße und Produktivität durch zwei verschiedene Varianten des Prozesskonzepts beeinflusst werden können, die sich durch die Erzeugung der Impfkristalle unterscheiden. Die mit Hilfe eines eindimensionalen Populationsbilanzmodells gewonnenen Vorhersagen von Verläufen der Massenanteile beider Enantiomere in der Lösung und der Partikelgrößenverteilung des Zielprodukts werden mit Versuchsergebnissen verglichen. Es wird gezeigt, dass die zwei vorgestellten Varianten des Prozesses gut mit dem gewählten einfachen Modell beschrieben werden können. Für die Bestimmung einiger der freien Modellparameter erfolgten Vorversuche ohne autoseeding, in denen Impfkristalle mit bekannter Partikelgrößenverteilung definiert zugegeben werden.
Moderne Magnesiumorganische Chemie. Neues von der Grignard‐Reaktion
Authors: Ackermann Lutz , Althammer Andreas
Published: April 2009

Magnesiumorganische Verbindungen können in einer Vielzahl nützlicher Transformationen eingesetzt werden, die auch für industrielle Prozesse von Bedeutung sind. Jüngere Arbeiten zur Synthese hochfunktionalisierter Grignard‐Reagenzien eröffnen hierbei faszinierende neue Perspektiven für die organische Synthesechemie. Insbesondere der Zusatz überstöchiometrischer Mengen Lithiumchlorid erlaubt die Herstellung magnesiumorganischer Verbindungen ausgehend von Haloarenen oder Arenen unter sehr milden Reaktionsbedingungen. Diese hochfunktionalisierten Grignard‐Reagenzien können als Startmaterialien für übergangsmetallkatalysierte Kreuzkupplungsreaktionen dienen. Neuere Entwicklungen im Ligandendesign resultieren in hochaktiven Palladium‐ und Nickelkatalysatoren für effiziente Umsetzungen von preiswerten Chloriden und Tosylaten oder anspruchsvollen Fluoriden. Als ökonomisch attraktive Alternative weisen eisenkatalysierte Kupplungsreaktionen magnesiumorganischer Verbindungen enormes Potential für weitere Entwicklungen auf.
Papiermuseum Düren
Authors: Schwedt Georg
Published: April 2009

In der zwischen Köln und Aachen gelegenen heutigen Kreisstadt Düren entwickelte sich eine bis heute weltbekannte Papierindustrie. In der Region wurde erstmals Wellpappe hergestellt, und auch der Getränkekarton hat hier seinen Ursprung. Seit 1990 dokumentiert das Papiermuseum in Düren nicht nur die regionale Papiergeschichte, sondern die Entwicklungen seit etwa 5000 Jahren.
Actin‐Puzzle (fast) gelöst
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: April 2009

Ende der 1990er Jahre knackten Biophysiker und Strukturbiologen mit vereinten Kräften die molekularen Grundlagen der Muskelbewegung. Die Kraftübertragung des Myosin‐Motors, der sich an einem Strang des Proteins Actin entlanghangelt, wurde durch Einzelmolekül‐Kraftmessungen und die zugehörigen Molekülstrukturen von zahlreichen Myosin‐Varianten genauestens dokumentiert. Ein wichtiges Detail blieb allerdings im Dunkeln: die Struktur des Actins in seinem fibrillären Zustand, der dem Myosin als Laufschiene dient. Zwar lag seit 1990 eine hochaufgelöste Struktur des globulären Einzelbausteins G‐Actin vor, doch wie dieser sich in das fibrilläre F‐Actin umwandelt, konnte man nur mit groben Modellen beschreiben.
Fettabweisende Fischschuppen
Authors: Feil Sylvia
Published: April 2009

Läuft Öl auf hoher See aus, nimmt das Gefieder von Wasservögeln Öl auf. Fischschuppen hingegen weisen das Öl ab. Diese Beobachtung inspirierte chinesische Chemiker zu einer Silicium‐Oberfläche, die Öl abweist und sich selbst reinigt.
Experimentieren mit Pflanzen
Authors: Schumacher Elke
Published: April 2009

Vor welchen Herausforderungen steht die heutige Landwirtschaft? Welche Rolle spielt hierbei die Rapspflanze? Wie kann man Einfluss auf ihre Eigenschaften nehmen? Können Pflanzen Stress empfinden? Diese und viele weitere Fragen stehen am Beginn eines Labortags im “Baylab plants“ für Schülerinnen und Schüler der Stufen 8 bis 12 im Raum. Die folgenden sechs bis sieben Stunden intensiver Laborarbeit und wohldosierter Theorie schaffen schrittweise Klärung in entspannter Atmosphäre.
Studies of Benzamide‐ and Thiol‐Based Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Models of Oxidative‐Stress‐Induced Neuronal Death: Identification of Some HDAC3‐Selective Inhibitors
Authors: Chen Yufeng , He Rong , Chen Yihua , D'Annibale Melissa A. , Langley Brett , Kozikowski Alan P.
Published: April 2009

Less stress: We compare three structurally different classes of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that contain benzamide, hydroxamate, or thiol groups as the zinc binding group (ZBG) for their ability to protect cortical neurons in culture from cell death induced by oxidative stress. Novel benzamide‐based ligands selectively inhibit HDAC3 but provide no neuroprotection in the HCA–cortical neuron model of oxidative stress.

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We compare three structurally different classes of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that contain benzamide, hydroxamate, or thiol groups as the zinc binding group (ZBG) for their ability to protect cortical neurons in culture from cell death induced by oxidative stress. This study reveals that none of the benzamide‐based HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs) provides any neuroprotection whatsoever, in distinct contrast to HDACIs that contain other ZBGs. Some of the sulfur‐containing HDACIs, namely the thiols, thioesters, and disulfides present modest neuroprotective activity but show toxicity at higher concentrations. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the HDAC6‐selective mercaptoacetamides that were reported previously provide the best protection in the homocysteic acid model of oxidative stress, thus further supporting their study in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.
Highly Potent Naphthofuran‐Based Retinoic Acid Receptor Agonists
Authors: Santín Efrén Pérez , Khanwalkar Harshal , Voegel Johannes , Collette Pascal , Mauvais Pascale , Gronemeyer Hinrich , de Lera Ángel R.
Published: April 2009

A series of arotinoids with a central benzofuran or naphthofuran ring structure were synthesized by an efficient three‐step process. Most of these 3‐substituted naphthofuran arotinoids are potent agonists of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subtypes, with activities in the nanomolar range.

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A collection of arotinoids with a central benzofuran or naphthofuran ring structure was efficiently synthesized by a three‐step process that comprises a Sonogashira coupling, an iodine‐induced 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of the o‐methoxyphenyl‐ or naphthyl‐ethynyl benzoates, and finally a Suzuki/Sonogashira coupling of the corresponding 3‐iodobenzo‐ or naphthofurans. Most of these 3‐substituted naphthofuran arotinoids (but not the 5,7‐di‐tert‐butylbenzofurans with the same substitution pattern at the C2 and C3 positions) are potent agonists of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subtypes, with activities in the nanomolar range.
Perception of screening and risk reduction surgeries in patients tested for a BRCA deleterious mutation
Authors: Litton Jennifer K. , Westin Shannon N. , Ready Kaylene , Sun Charlotte C. , Peterson Susan K. , Meric‐Bernstam Funda , Gonzalez‐Angulo Ana M. , Bodurka Diane C. , Lu Karen H. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Arun Banu K.
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND:

Women at a high risk for breast cancer are offered choices for screening or prophylactic surgeries. The aim of this study was to evaluate opinions regarding screening and surgical strategies in high‐risk women.

METHODS:

Women at the authors' institution who received BRCA1 of 2 testing before July 2005 were sent a follow‐up patient survey. The authors compared responses of women who tested positive for a deleterious mutation with those who tested negative. For those who expressed an opinion (agree vs disagree), a 2‐sided Fisher exact test was used to compare responses.

RESULTS:

A total of 540 surveys were sent, and 312 were returned (58%). Of these, 217 had breast cancer, and 86 women tested positive for a mutation. No BRCA+ women felt mammograms were difficult to get because of discomfort, whereas 5.4% of the BRCA− group did (P = .039). Seventy percent of BRCA+ women agreed that prophylactic mastectomy (PM) is the most effective means for reducing risk, compared with 40% of BRCA− women (P < .001). PM was felt to be the only way to reduce worry in 64.7% of BRCA+ and in 34.4% of BRCA− women (P < .001). PM was felt to be too drastic for 36.1% of BRCA+ and 40.5% of BRCA− women (P = .562). Difficulty in deciding between screening and PM occurred in 23.9% of BRCA+ and 12.5% of BRCA− women (P = .046). After excluding women with bilateral breast cancers, 81.0% of women who agreed that PM was best to reduce risk underwent a PM versus 19.1% of those who disagreed (P < .001). Of women who felt PM was the only way to reduce worry, 84.2% underwent PM. Only 15.8% of women who did not believe that it was the only way to decrease worry underwent PM (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

BRCA mutation carriers were more likely to believe PM to be the best way to reduce both risk and worry of breast cancer. High‐risk women who agreed that PM was more likely to reduce risk and worry of breast cancer were more likely to proceed with this intervention. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Fungal cytoskeleton dysfunction or immune activation triggered by β‐glucan synthase inhibitors
Authors: Safdar Amar
Published: April 2009

The current discussion provides a brief overview of several possible ways echinocandins may induce fungal damage from which fungi may not readily recover, even after the drug concentration falls to below sublethal levels. This may provide a basis for clinical trials exploring intermittent high‐dose echinocandin therapy.