bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiostrongylus costaricensis egg antigen for the immunodiagnosis of abdominal angiostrongyliasis
Authors: Mesén-Ramírez P. , Abrahams-Sandí E. , Fernández-Quesada K. , Morera P.
Published: May 2008

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is the aetiological agent of human abdominal angiostrongyliasis, a parasitic disease reported from the United States to Argentina, with a widespread occurrence of the nematode throughout Central and South America. This study assesses the performance of A. costaricensis eggs as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the determination of parasite-specific IgG1 antibodies. The specificity and the sensitivity of the method were 87% and 90.5%, respectively. Through this test it was possible to demonstrate a sharp and early decline in IgG1 antibody in serum samples taken from patients with histopathological diagnosis of abdominal angiostrongyliasis at different time points after surgical treatment. The present work demonstrated the usefulness of the egg antigen in the development of a specific diagnostic test for abdominal angiostrongylosis.
Dysphagia: implications for older people
Authors: Miller N , Carding P
Published: May 2008

This review opens with an outline definition of dysphagia, its causes, and why it is vital that people involved in the health care of older people should be aware of it. A brief consideration of prevalence is followed by an overview of assessment options. We conclude with a section on management.
The Influence of Misspecification of the Heteroscedasticity on Multilevel Regression Parameter and Standard Error Estimates
Authors: Korendijk Elly J.H. , Maas Cora J.M. , Moerbeek Mirjam , Van der Heijden Peter G.M.
Published: May 2008

Like in ordinary regression models, in multilevel analysis, homoscedasticity of the residual variances is an assumption that is mostly unchecked. However, in experimental research, the residual variance component at level two may differ in the experimental and the control condition, leading to heteroscedastic second level variances. Using a simulation study, the consequences of ignoring second level heteroscedasticity on the estimation of the fixed and random parameters and their standard errors was investigated. It was found that the standard error of the second level variance is underestimated, but that the estimated fixed parameters of the independent variables, the first level variance and their standard errors are mostly unbiased.
A perturbative view on the subsurface water pressure response at hillslope scale
Authors: Cordano E. , Rigon R.
Published: May 2008

This work deals with a rearrangement of Richards Equation to obtain a better understanding of the components of the subsurface water and pressure flows and their interactions in a hillslope. The basic idea proposed in this paper is the normalization of the spatial and temporal coordinates according to the physical knowledge of the processes and the geometry of a hillslope. The pressure head and all the other quantities contained in Richards Equation are rescaled to obtain a dimensionless equation. The pressure head is also split into an equilibrium component and a transient component and expanded in a perturbation series. Subsequently, Richards Equation itself is conveniently split into two equations connected by a source/sink term. Results of these manipulations show that, for the first order approximation, the water and pressure flow is slope‐normal, while slope‐parallel effects only occur at successive orders. Integrating the perturbed equation obtained for the long‐term pressure head component results in the well‐known Boussinesq Equation for the water table level. Further integrations then lead to the hillslope‐storage Boussinesq model and finally to a generalization of the O'Loughlin formula for the slope‐parallel long‐term subsurface flow. The introduced source/sink term is estimated at the first order of approximation to be proportional to the temporal variation of water pressure head at the bottom of the integration domain. The treatment of the equations clarifies some of the mechanisms acting in water pressure redistribution at hillslope scale, even without solving the equation.
Mangrove production and carbon sinks: A revision of global budget estimates
Authors: Bouillon Steven , Borges Alberto V. , Castañeda‐Moya Edward , Diele Karen , Dittmar Thorsten , Duke Norman C. , Kristensen Erik , Lee Shing Y. , Marchand Cyril , Middelburg Jack J. , Rivera‐Monroy Victor H. , Smith Thomas J. , Twilley Robert R.
Published: May 2008

Mangrove forests are highly productive but globally threatened coastal ecosystems, whose role in the carbon budget of the coastal zone has long been debated. Here we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available data on carbon fluxes in mangrove ecosystems. A reassessment of global mangrove primary production from the literature results in a conservative estimate of ∼218 ± 72 Tg C a−1. When using the best available estimates of various carbon sinks (organic carbon export, sediment burial, and mineralization), it appears that >50% of the carbon fixed by mangrove vegetation is unaccounted for. This unaccounted carbon sink is conservatively estimated at ∼112 ± 85 Tg C a−1, equivalent in magnitude to ∼30–40% of the global riverine organic carbon input to the coastal zone. Our analysis suggests that mineralization is severely underestimated, and that the majority of carbon export from mangroves to adjacent waters occurs as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). CO2 efflux from sediments and creek waters and tidal export of DIC appear to be the major sinks. These processes are quantitatively comparable in magnitude to the unaccounted carbon sink in current budgets, but are not yet adequately constrained with the limited published data available so far.
First analyses of planar magnetic structures associated with the Halloween 2003 events from the Earth to Voyager 1 at 93 AU
Authors: Intriligator Devrie S. , Rees Adam , Horbury Timothy S.
Published: May 2008

We perform the first analyses of planar magnetic structures beyond 5 AU. We also perform the first analyses of planar magnetic structures associated with the Halloween 2003 solar events. Our analyses show that planar magnetic structures (PMS) are associated with the interplanetary manifestation of the Halloween 2003 solar events over a wide range of heliocentric distances, heliolongitudes, and heliolatitudes. PMS are present at all five spacecraft (ACE, Ulysses, Cassini, Voyager 2, and Voyager 1); we investigate at distances ranging from the Earth to 93 AU. Our analyses indicate that generally the planes forming the PMS become better defined as they propagate farther out in the heliosphere. Also generally the cone angle of the PMS normal with respect to the radial direction decreases as the PMS propagate farther out in the heliosphere. This presence of PMS throughout the heliosphere is consistent with large‐scale compressions associated with the interplanetary propagation of shocks and interaction regions and with possible consequences for cosmic ray and energetic particle modulation. In the case of Voyager 2, the PMS occur in the region after the main shock and are associated with enhanced interplanetary magnetic field magnitudes. This post shock region is associated with the modulation of galactic cosmic rays (>70 MeV/nuc). At Voyager 1 there is a “textbook example” of a PMS which also is associated with the modulation of galactic cosmic rays. It is tempting to associate these PMS with the “propagating diffusive barriers” of Wibberenz et al. (2002).
On the size and distribution of rings and coherent vortices in the Sargasso Sea
Authors: Luce David L. , Rossby Tom
Published: May 2008

The container motor vessel CMV Oleander, which operates between New Jersey and Bermuda, crosses the Gulf Stream and Sargasso Sea all year round on a semiweekly schedule. Using an acoustic Doppler current profiler, measurements of upper ocean currents have been made on a regular basis since the fall of 1992. In this paper we examine the database for evidence of axisymmetric coherent vortices including the distribution and intensity of cold core rings. To detect the existence of coherent vortices, the patterns of current vectors averaged between 40 and 80 m depth were fit to an axisymmetric Gaussian vortex model. The parameters of the model were axis location, maximum tangential, or swirl, speed, and radius at which the maximum swirl was measured. We were able to distinguish between the well‐known cold core “rings” (CCRs) pinched from the Gulf Stream, and a population of cyclonic and anticyclonic “vortices” in the Sargasso Sea. Both the rings and the Sargasso Sea vortices showed radii of 64 ± 18 km, albeit with different swirl speeds. The rings, close to the Gulf Stream, exhibited a typical maximum swirl speed of 0.98 ± 0.40 m s−1 and a center relative vorticity of 0.64 ± 0.35 × 10−4 s−1, almost 80% of the planetary vorticity for the region. The more uniform population of Sargasso Sea vortices contained approximately equal numbers of cyclones and anticyclones, with mean speeds of +0.43 and −0.55 m s−1, and center relative vorticities of +0.24 × 10−4 s−1 and −0.29 × 10−4 s−1, respectively.
Interactive momentum flux forcing over sea ice in a global ocean GCM
Authors: Stössel Achim , Cheon Woo‐Geun , Vihma Timo
Published: May 2008

The sensitivity of Southern Ocean sea ice to the strength of the atmospheric momentum forcing is investigated in the framework of a global ocean general circulation model. In contrast to the usual approach of having the momentum flux just depend on the wind speed and a constant drag coefficient, the newly introduced momentum flux driving sea ice considers the local stratification and roughness over ice in one case, and the flux‐aggregated stratification and roughness using the blending‐height concept in the other case. While both cases thus allow for an interactive feedback, only the latter case accounts for the subgrid‐scale heterogeneity of the sea‐ice pack. In particular, the sea‐ice feedback is in the former case only provided by the simulated ice thickness, affecting the surface temperature and local stratification, while in the latter case it is also determined by the ice concentration. Both parameterizations yield predominantly statically stable, but dynamically unstable conditions at any instant over the wintertime sea‐ice pack. In the winter mean, statically and dynamically unstable conditions prevail over coastal polynyas, and lead to a positive feedback with increased momentum flux. The larger momentum flux enhances the along and offshore ice drift, leading to corresponding changes in the winter‐mean ice‐thickness distribution, a reduction in coastal ice concentration, and an increase of heat loss due to sensible heat flux. In the case where surface heterogeneity is accounted for, the impact of the lower coastal ice concentration leads to a larger momentum flux than in the homogeneous case. The long‐term deep‐ocean properties are only affected when in the heterogeneous case the form drag is raised by increasing the ice freeboard and decreasing the maximum ice concentration. Only the combination of both yields a significant increase of Antarctic Bottom Water formation, as reflected by a long‐term cooling and freshening of the global deep‐ocean properties.
Global estimates of gravity wave momentum flux from High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder observations
Authors: Alexander M. J. , Gille J. , Cavanaugh C. , Coffey M. , Craig C. , Eden T. , Francis G. , Halvorson C. , Hannigan J. , Khosravi R. , Kinnison D. , Lee H. , Massie S. , Nardi B. , Barnett J. , Hepplewhite C. , Lambert A. , Dean V.
Published: May 2008

High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) temperature profiles are analyzed to derive global properties of gravity waves. We describe a wavelet analysis technique that determines covarying wave temperature amplitude in adjacent temperature profile pairs, the wave vertical wavelength as a function of height, and the horizontal wave number along the line joining each profile pair. The analysis allows a local estimate of the magnitude of gravity wave momentum flux as a function of geographic location and height on a daily basis. We examine global distributions of these gravity wave properties in the monthly mean and on an individual day, and we also show sample instantaneous wave events observed by HIRDLS. The results are discussed in terms of previous satellite and radiosonde observational analyses and middle atmosphere general circulation model studies that parameterize gravity wave effects on the mean flow. The high vertical and horizontal resolution afforded by the HIRDLS measurements allows the analysis of a wider range of wave vertical and horizontal wavelengths than previous studies and begins to show individual wave events associated with mountains and convection in high detail. Mountain wave observations show clear propagation to altitudes in the mesosphere.
Regional terrestrial water storage change and evapotranspiration from terrestrial and atmospheric water balance computations
Authors: Yeh Pat J.‐F. , Famiglietti J. S.
Published: May 2008

In this study we estimate the regional terrestrial water storage change (TWSC) and evapotranspiration (ET) in Illinois (∼2 × 105 km2) from reanalysis data for a 22‐year period (1984–2005) using terrestrial and atmospheric water balance computations. The estimates are compared with in situ observations of TWSC as well as ET, derived as the residual of observed precipitation, streamflow, and TWSC. The 22‐year mean annual cycles of estimated TWSC and ET agree well with observations. Monthly estimates of TWSC and ET match favorably with observations, with correlation coefficients of 0.66 and 0.69, respectively. However, annual average TWSC and ET estimates significantly deviate from the observations; the correlation coefficient drops to 0.31 and 0.19, respectively. A 52‐mm/a imbalance (17% of the average streamflow in Illinois) was found between the mean water vapor convergence and streamflow, which also results in a similar magnitude of error in the estimated TWSC and ET based on reanalysis convergence. This imbalance is due in large part to the systematic bias in reanalysis data. It is concluded that the reanalysis data have the potential to estimate the climatology and monthly TWSC and ET variations but are not suitable for the diagnosis of their interannual variability. This is due to the accumulation, rather than cancellation, of the systematic errors in the reanalysis data. Whether the average streamflow would balance the average convergence depends on which particular period of time is under analysis. A longer time period of analysis does not necessarily ensure the balance between streamflow and convergence, as commonly assumed in regional water balance analyses.
Carbonyl sulfide (OCS): Large‐scale distributions over North America during INTEX‐NA and relationship to CO2
Authors: Blake Nicola J. , Campbell J. Elliott , Vay Stephanie A. , Fuelberg Henry E. , Huey L. Gregory , Sachse Glen , Meinardi Simone , Beyersdorf Andreas , Baker Angela , Barletta Barbara , Midyett Jason , Doezema Lambert , Kamboures Michael , McAdams Jennifer , Novak Brian , Rowland F. Sherwood , Blake Donald R.
Published: May 2008

An extensive set of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) observations were made as part of the NASA Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment–North America (INTEX‐NA) study, flown from 1 July to 14 August 2004 mostly over the eastern United States and Canada. These data show that summertime OCS mixing ratios at low altitude were dominated by surface drawdown and were highly correlated with CO2. Although local plumes were observed on some low‐altitude flight legs, anthropogenic OCS sources were small compared to this sink. These INTEX‐NA observations were in marked contrast to the early springtime 2001 Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific experiment, which sampled Asian outflow dominated by anthropogenic OCS emissions. To test the gridded OCS fluxes used in past models, the INTEX‐NA observations were combined with the sulfur transport Eulerian model (STEM) regional atmospheric chemistry model for a top‐down assessment of bottom‐up OCS surface fluxes for North America. Initial STEM results suggest that the modeled fluxes underestimate the OCS plant sink by more than 200%.
Global distribution, composition, and abundance of olivine on the surface of Mars from thermal infrared data
Authors: Koeppen William C. , Hamilton Victoria E.
Published: May 2008

We used spectral indexing and linear deconvolution to compare thermal infrared emission spectra of Fo91, Fo68, Fo53, Fo39, Fo18, and Fo1 olivine samples to Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data over low‐albedo regions of Mars. The Fo91, Fo68, Fo53, and Fo39 spectral end‐members were confidently identified on Mars, a range of compositions wider than inferred from Martian meteorites. Small (less than hundreds of square kilometers) occurrences of the Fo91 spectral end‐member are present in the rims of the Argyre and Hellas impact basins and may represent Martian mantle materials. The Fo68 spectral end‐member is common throughout the highlands, chasmata, outflow channels, and Nili Fossae region. The Fo53 spectral end‐member occurs in eastern Syrtis Major, the Nili Fossae region, and smooth‐floored craters of the highlands. Although less abundant than Fo68 and Fo53, the distribution of the Fo39 spectral end‐member suggests that some olivine on Mars is more Fe‐rich than olivine in Martian meteorites. Global maps of olivine show that (1) materials containing 10–20% of olivine are common in the southern highlands of Mars, (2) olivine is most common near the topographic dichotomy boundary, and (3) olivine becomes uncommon near the poles suggesting that it may be influenced by topography and/or latitude (climate). Olivine is found in early Noachian to Amazonian terrains, some of which may be coeval with phyllosilicate and sulfate deposits detected by OMEGA implying that any early Noachian wet period of Mars' climate history may have been globally inhomogeneous or insufficient to weather the olivine that remains today.
Fast and partitioned postglacial rebound of southwestern Iceland
Authors: Biessy G. , Dauteuil O. , Van Vliet‐Lanoë B. , Wayolle A.
Published: May 2008

Located both on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge and above a mantle plume, Iceland is subject to horizontal and vertical motions. Many studies described these deformations in terms of rifting episodes that have combined both extensional tectonics and magmatism. However, few studies have described the glacio‐isostatic response induced by the retreat of the Weichselian ice cap. The melting of this ice cap induced a postglacial rebound for the whole of Iceland that may be controlled by the geodynamic setting and the rheological layering of the lithosphere. This study is devoted to (1) understanding the Holocene rebound on the southwestern coast and (2) estimating the asthenosphere viscosity and depth beneath Iceland. Two stages of holocene evolution were determined by means of GPS profiles, morphological observations, and data compilation. The first stage corresponds to a vertical uplift of 67.5 to 157.5 m. It started at 10,000 years BP and ended at 8500 years BP implying uplift rates between 4.5 and 10.5 cm/a. It was a quick isostatic response to the fast ice retreat. The second stage had vertical motion of tens of meters with a probable tectonic origin and started at 8500 years BP. The uplift rate is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude slower than the one during the first stage. Uplift partitioning during the first stage was controlled by the thermal state of the lithosphere, the highest geothermal flux inducing the maximum uplift rates. The relaxation time for uplift provides a viscosity estimate of 5.4–5.8 × 1019 Pa s for the asthenosphere. This value is similar to those determined for glacial areas in different continental contexts. However, the flexural wavelength indicates a shallower asthenosphere than that occurring in continental domains. Therefore this study highlights a coupling between the thermal structure of the Icelandic asthenosphere and the glacial rebound.
Lake Baikal deepwater renewal mystery solved
Authors: Schmid Martin , Budnev Nikolay M. , Granin Nick G. , Sturm Michael , Schurter Michael , Wüest Alfred
Published: May 2008

Deepwater renewal by intrusions and turbulent diffusion in Lake Baikal is very effective despite the enormous depth of up to 1642 m and the permanently stable stratification below ∼300 m depth. Temperature time series recorded at the bottom of a mooring installed since March 2000 in the South Basin of the lake indicate recurrent freshwater intrusions with volumes of 50 to 100 km3, about one order of magnitude larger than previously observed intrusions. Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain the advective deep water renewal. Here we present for the first time direct observations which prove that they are caused by coastal downwelling and subsequent thermobaric instability along the steep lake shores. Understanding these mechanisms is an important prerequisite for studying biogeochemical cycles, for predicting the effects of climate change on this unique ecosystem and for evaluating the local climate history from the extraordinary sedimentary record of Lake Baikal.
Radiative forcing over the conterminous United States due to contemporary land cover land use albedo change
Authors: Barnes Christopher A. , Roy David P.
Published: May 2008

Recently available satellite land cover land use (LCLU) and albedo data are used to study the impact of LCLU change from 1973 to 2000 on surface albedo and radiative forcing for 36 ecoregions covering 43% of the conterminous United States (CONUS). Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow‐free broadband albedo values are derived from Landsat LCLU classification maps located using a stratified random sampling methodology to estimate ecoregion estimates of LCLU induced albedo change and surface radiative forcing. The results illustrate that radiative forcing due to LCLU change may be disguised when spatially and temporally explicit data sets are not used. The radiative forcing due to contemporary LCLU albedo change varies geographically in sign and magnitude, with the most positive forcings (up to 0.284 Wm−2) due to conversion of agriculture to other LCLU types, and the most negative forcings (as low as −0.247 Wm−2) due to forest loss. For the 36 ecoregions considered a small net positive forcing (i.e., warming) of 0.012 Wm−2 is estimated.
The changing face of Mount Etna's summit area documented with Lidar technology
Authors: Neri M. , Mazzarini F. , Tarquini S. , Bisson M. , Isola I. , Behncke B. , Pareschi M. T.
Published: May 2008

Morphostructural data derived from Lidar (Light detection and ranging) surveys carried out on Mount Etna in 2005 and 2007 are compared with earlier aerophotogrammetric surveys in 1986 and 1998. These data render an unprecedentedly clear and quantitative image of morphostructural and volumetric changes that have affected the summit area of the volcano in the past two decades and permit the production of a new topographic map. The computed volume gain during the 1986–2007 period amounts to 112 ± 12 × 10 6 m 3, at a mean annual rate of ∼5.3 × 10 6 m 3. The comparison of the various surveys furthermore emphasizes the levels of accuracy and resolution of the different techniques applied. The Lidar technology used in 2007 allows production of high‐precision maps in near‐real‐time, facilitating work concerning environmental hazards such as numerical simulations of, e.g., lava flows.
The tragedy of the uncommon: understanding limitations in the analysis of microbial diversity
Authors: Bent Stephen J , Forney Larry J
Published: May 2008

Molecular microbial community analysis methods have revolutionized our understanding of the diversity and distribution of bacteria, archaea and microbial eukaryotes. The information obtained has adequately demonstrated that the analysis of microbial model systems can provide important insights into ecosystem function and stability. However, the terminology and metrics used in macroecology must be applied cautiously because the methods available to characterize microbial diversity are inherently limited in their ability to detect the many numerically minor constituents of microbial communities. In this review, we focus on the use of indices to quantify the diversity found in microbial communities, and on the methods used to generate the data from which those indices are calculated. Useful conclusions regarding diversity can only be deduced if the properties of the various methods used are well understood. The commonly used diversity metrics differ in the weight they give to organisms that differ in abundance, so understanding the properties of these metrics is essential. In this review, we illustrate important methodological and metric-dependent differences using simulated communities. We conclude that the assessment of richness in complex communities is futile without extensive sampling, and that some diversity indices can be estimated with reasonable accuracy through the analysis of clone libraries, but not from community fingerprint data.
PathwayAnalyser: A Systems Biology Tool for Flux Analysis of Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Raman Karthik , Chandra Nagasuma
Published: May 2008

Stoichiometric and constraint-based analyses of metabolic pathways have been gaining ground in the recent past with the increase in the quality and number of pathway databases available and the curation of genome-scale metabolic models. Genome-scale metabolic models of several organisms such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Staphylococcus aureus have already been constructed. Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) and Minimisation of Metabolic Adjustment (MoMA) are two of the popular techniques for the constraint-based analysis of metabolic pathways.We have developed a computational tool, PathwayAnalyser, for the analysis of metabolic pathways, particularly by FBA and MoMA. PathwayAnalyser interfaces with the open-source GNU Linear Programming Toolkit (GLPK) for linear programming/FBA and Object Oriented Quadratic Programming (OOQP) for quadratic programming/MoMA. It gives a comprehensive report on gene deletions from the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) Model and objective function input for FBA. PathwayAnalyser is open-source and is available at "http://sourceforge.net/projects/pathwayanalyser":http://sourceforge.net/projects/pathwayanalyser
Association of Genetic Variation in ENPP1 With Obesity‐related Phenotypes
Authors: Jenkinson Christopher P. , Coletta Dawn K. , Flechtner‐Mors Marion , Hu Shirley L. , Fourcaudot Marcel J. , Rodriguez Lenore M. , Schneider Jennifer , Arya Rector , Stern Michael P. , Blangero John , Duggirala Ravindranath , DeFronzo Ralph A.
Published: May 2008

Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase (ENPP1) is a positional candidate gene at chromosome 6q23 where we previously detected strong linkage with fasting‐specific plasma insulin and obesity in Mexican Americans from the San Antonio Family Diabetes Study (SAFDS). We genotyped 106 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ENPP1 in all 439 subjects from the linkage study, and measured association with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS)‐related traits. Of 72 polymorphic SNPs, 24 were associated, using an additive model, with at least one of eight key metabolic traits. Three traits were associated with at least four SNPs. They were high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), leptin, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). HDL‐C was associated with seven SNPs, of which the two most significant P values were 0.0068 and 0.0096. All SNPs and SNP combinations were analyzed for functional contribution to the traits using the Bayesian quantitative‐trait nucleotide (BQTN) approach. With this SNP‐prioritization analysis, HDL‐C was the most strongly associated trait in a four‐SNP model (P = 0.00008). After accounting for multiple testing, we conclude that ENPP1 is not a major contributor to our previous linkage peak with MS‐related traits in Mexican Americans. However, these results indicate that ENPP1 is a genetic determinant of these traits in this population, and are consistent with multiple positive association findings in independent studies in diverse human populations.
Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Obesity in a Representative Population‐based Sample
Authors: Hilbert Anja , Rief Winfried , Braehler Elmar
Published: May 2008

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine stigmatizing attitudes toward obesity in the population, and its related psychological and sociodemographic determinants.

Methods and Procedures: In a representative population‐based survey (N = 1,000), computer‐assisted telephone interviewing was used to assess stigmatizing attitudes toward obesity, causal attributions of obesity, the labeling of obesity as an illness, perceptions about prevalence, severity, and chronicity of obesity, support of obesity prevention, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Of the 1,000 participants, 23.5% (n = 235) had stigmatizing attitudes toward obesity, 21.5% (n = 215) did not have stigmatizing attitudes toward obesity, and 55.0% (n = 550) had attitudes that were undetermined with respect to stigmatization. Predictors of greater stigmatization were more causal attributions of obesity to individual behavior, less education, and older age, while causal attributions of obesity to heredity and labeling obesity as an illness predicted less stigmatization. Stigmatizing attitudes were significantly associated with stronger overall support of obesity prevention, but less readiness to support prevention financially.

Discussion: Our results indicate that stigmatizing attitudes toward obesity are prevalent in the population. Information about the etiology of obesity and the clinical relevance of this condition could prove useful for destigmatization efforts.
Optimizing proliferation and characterization of multipotent stem cells from porcine adipose tissue
Authors: Wang Kai‐Hung , Kao An‐Pei , Wangchen Hsuan , Wang Fu‐Yuan , Chang Chih‐Hau , Chang Chia‐Cheng , Lin Sin‐Daw
Published: May 2008

Porcine mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated previously from bone marrow but not from adipose tissue. In the present study a new cell‐culture method, using a low‐calcium medium supplemented with N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine and L‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate (the PM2 medium) was developed to grow pASCs (porcine adipose‐tissue‐derived stem cells). The pASCs developed using the new medium showed a high growth rate and a high proliferation potential, as measured by a cumulative population doubling level (55) that was significantly higher than those reported for ASCs in the literature. These pASCs lacked gap‐junctional intercellular communication and were capable of differentiation into three mesodermal lineages (i.e. adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes) and an ectodermal lineage (i.e. neural cells). Surprisingly, osteogenic ability, but not adipogenesis, was found to increase dramatically with increasing passages. The high proliferative and differentiation potential of these pASCs should facilitate the development of a large‐animal model to study the use of ASCs in regenerative and reparative medicine.
A universal method for directional cloning of PCR products based on asymmetric PCR
Authors: Wang Bao‐Li , Jiao Yan‐Li , Li Xiao‐Xia , Zheng Fang , Liang Hui , Sun Zi‐Yang , Guo Gang
Published: May 2008

We have developed a novel protocol for directional cloning of PCR products into any vector. The target sequence is amplified in two parallel asymmetric PCRs using specially but simply designed primers. Two single‐stranded products are produced and they are annealed to form a double‐stranded DNA fragment bearing overhangs at both ends that correspond to the restriction overhangs of certain restriction enzymes. The fragment can then be cloned into a certain vector previously treated with the corresponding enzymes without restriction of the inserted fragment. Compared with previously published protocols, the procedure described in this paper is highly efficient and it is independent of the restriction sites of the insert and is therefore applicable to molecular biology and biotechnology studies.
Growth factors in mesenchymal stem cells following glial‐cell differentiation
Authors: Mahay Daljeet , Terenghi Giorgio , Shawcross Susan G.
Published: May 2008

Schwann cells are essential facilitators of peripheral nerve regeneration following injury, as they provide physical support and guidance. In vitro these supporting cells are slow‐growing and hence are not well suited to a tissue‐engineering approach to nerve repair. We have differentiated rat bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells into Schwann‐cell‐like cells using a cocktail of growth factors, including glial growth factor‐2. Qualitative reverse transcription–PCR, Western‐blotting and immunocytochemical approaches were used to investigate the mRNA transcript levels and protein expression of glial cell markers and neurotrophic factors in differentiated mesenchymal stem cells compared with the levels found in Schwann cells (which acted as a positive control). The results showed that differentiated mesenchymal stem cells expressed transcripts and proteins for the specific glial growth receptor 2, erbB3 and neurotrophic factors, nerve growth factor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, glial‐derived neurotrophic factor and leukaemia inhibitory factor. Expression of these growth factors provides further evidence that differentiated mesenchymal stem cells appear to have cellular and molecular characteristics similar to those of Schwann cells.
DNA molecule dynamics in converging–diverging microchannels
Authors: Hsieh Shou‐Shing , Liou Jian‐Heng
Published: May 2008

The conformation and dynamics of double‐stranded DNA molecules in a pressure‐driven flow‐through sharp/gradual converging (contraction half)‐diverging (expansion half) square microchannels with a contraction/expansion ratio of 4:1/1:4 were examined using fluorescently labelled λ‐phage DNA at 2.2≤De≤30.7 (De is Deborah number, a dimensionless number used in rheology to characterize how fluid a material is). Both the diffusion and stretching of individual DNA molecules and their local flow velocity were visualized, recorded and measured with using MPIV (microparticle image velocimetry) and CLSM (confocal laser‐scanning microscopy). The onset of the coil‐stretch transition in DNA molecules and their time‐dependent velocity in the elongational flow were determined at the micro scale. Velocity distribution was measured via MPIV through orange fluorescent particles and carboylate‐modified microspheres of 1 μm diameter. The channel geometry effect in terms of the channel contraction/expansion angle, the mass flow rate and the solution viscosity on the conformation and diffusion were also studied and discussed.
Purification and antitumour activity of a lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Bacillus natto TK‐1
Authors: Cao Xiao‐Hong , Liao Zhen‐Yu , Wang Chun‐Ling , Cai Ping , Yang Wen‐Yan , Lu Mei‐Fang , Huang Guo‐Wei
Published: May 2008

An antitumour lipopeptide biosurfactant purified from Bacillus natto TK‐1 was able to inhibit the proliferation of MCF‐7 human breast‐cancer cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase release showed no significant difference between MCF‐7 cells treated with lipopeptide and untreated controls. The antitumour activity of the lipopeptide in MCF‐7 cells was associated with cell apoptosis determined by typical morphological changes and sub‐G1 peak in cell growth‐phase distribution. The cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase. In addition, the caspase activity assay revealed that lipopeptide‐induced apoptosis in MCF‐7 cells was associated with caspase 3.
Quantitative discrimination of 16 S rRNA genes of Dehalococcoides species by MagSNiPer, a quantitative single‐nucleotide‐polymorphism genotyping method
Authors: Yohda Masafumi , Kobayashi Ai , Ohishi Shoji , Ebisawa Maiko , Sakihara Sakari , Kakihara Fumiko , Tojo Yuriko , Tajima Hideji , Nishimura Minoru
Published: May 2008

Previously we developed MagSNiPer, an SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) genotyping method. In the present paper we show development of an automated system for MagSNiPer, namely MagSNiPer Station, and its application for quantitative discrimination of Dehalococcoides species, which perform anaerobic dechlorination of chloroethenes. MagSNiPer Station is equipped with a thermal cycler, a tip stand, a microtitre‐plate automated stacker, an eight‐channel tip dispenser, a magnetic separation unit for Magtration technology, and a chemiluminescence detector. It can automatically perform all processes required for SNP genotyping by MagSNiPer. A primer was designed for discriminating single nucleotide difference between 16 S rRNA genes of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes and Dehalococcoides BAV1. Chemiluminescence intensities for the 16 S rRNA genes obtained by MagSNiPer were proportional to their quantity. MagSNiPer analysis of 16 S rRNA genes amplified on the DNA purified from groundwater gave a ratio of these two 16 S rRNA genes similar to that obtained by cloning and sequencing. MagSNiPer is much easier, more rapid and more cost‐effective than conventional sequencing. Compared with denaturing gradient‐gel electrophoresis, MagSNiPer has the advantage of being quantitative. Therefore, by applying MagSNiPer at several sites where single base differences exist among Dehalococcoides species, it is possible to analyse Dehalococcoides consortia with ease, yielding useful information on anaerobic bioremediation of chloroethenes.
Taxol production by Pestalotiopsis terminaliae, an endophytic fungus of Terminalia arjuna (arjun tree)
Authors: Gangadevi Venkatraman , Muthumary Johnpaul
Published: May 2008

Terminalia arjuna is a medicinal plant (the arjun tree) that possesses anticancer activity. An endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis terminaliae, was isolated from the fresh healthy leaves of this tree and was screened for the production of taxol, an anticancer drug, in artificial culture medium. The taxol produced was analysed chromatographically and spectrometrically. The amount of taxol produced by the fungus was found to be 211.1 μg/litre. This was sufficient for the fungus to be considered as a potential source material for improvement, by engineering, the production of taxol. The fungal taxol extracted from an organic extract of the fungal culture had strong cytotoxic activity towards BT220, H116, Int 407, HL 251 and HLK 210 human cancer cells in vitro when tested using an apoptosis assay.
High‐level expression and single‐step purification of recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen from Escherichia coli
Authors: Lu Jinbiao , Wei Dong , Wang Yefu , Wang Guozhi
Published: May 2008

PA (protective antigen) is a major immunogen of the vaccine against anthrax. In the present study, a new expression system, Escherichia coli strain Rosetta™ 2(DE3), was used for high‐level expression of rPA (recombinant PA) whose gene contains 66 rare E. coli codons (9.0% of 733 total PA gene codons). The rPA‐formed inclusion bodies were washed with Triton X‐100 and 2 M urea and solubilized in 5 M urea, followed by a 60%‐satd.‐ammonium sulfate precipitation. Finally, the untagged rPA was efficiently and rapidly purified by single‐step hydrophobic‐interaction chromatography using Phenyl‐Sepharose High Performance resin on an AKTA Purifier 10 system. The yield was approx. 13 mg of high‐purity (>99%) biologically active rPA per litre of culture, which can be used for the detection of anthrax and as a potential component of a vaccine against anthrax.
Vascular endothelial cell antigen (VECA), a novel secreted protein: overexpression in Escherichia coli of the hexahistidine‐ tagged protein and production of polyclonal antibodies
Authors: Xiong Shao Quan , Yang Han Shuo , Chen Yi Yuan , Zhao Cheng Jian , Yuan Zhu , Zhao Xin Yu , Yan Fei , Wang Bai Ding , Tang Ming Hai , Yang Jin Liang , Wei Yu Quan
Published: May 2008

A novel VECA (vascular endothelial cell antigen) was previously identified by using an antibody pool against antigens in HUVECs (human umbilical‐vein endothelial cells). VECA has been evolutionarily conserved in vertebrate species ranging from frog and fish to mouse and human. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that VECA was 10.1 kDa in size, with a predicted signal sequence and transmembrane domain, indicating that VECA may have important biological functions. The present paper describes a procedure for obtaining and purifying human recombinant VECA expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein, via a human VECA cDNA linked pQE30 expression vector to DNA coding for hexahistidine. The purified protein was used to raise anti‐(human VECA) polyclonal antibodies, which were suitable for detecting the presence of VECA in cells, cell‐culture supernatant and tissues by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the protein expression and polyclonal‐antibody production for human VECA. In addition, we report for the first time the positive identification of VECA in humans at the protein and subcellular level and provide the first experimental verification that VECA was indeed a secreted protein. The anti‐(human VECA) polyclonal antibodies prepared may serve as a useful tool for future biological function studies on VECA.
The antibacterial efficacy of an aceraceous plant [Shantung maple (Acer truncatum Bunge)] may be related to inhibition of bacterial β‐oxoacyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (FabG)
Authors: Zhang Feng , Luo Shi‐Yun , Ye Yan‐Bin , Zhao Wen‐Hua , Sun Xu‐Guang , Wang Zhi‐Qun , Li Ran , Sun Ying‐Hui , Tian Wei‐Xi , Zhang Ying‐Xia
Published: May 2008

Polyphenols, including flavonoids, are the major components of the extracts from aceraceous plants. They possess remarkable antibacterial and antitumour activity. Our study focused on whether the inhibition of the bacterial type II fatty acid synthesis system is the mechanism for the antibacterial effect of the related plant polyphenols. Extracts obtained from the fallen leaves of the Shantung maple (Acer truncatum Bunge) using different solvents, and the related pure compound PGG (1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O ‐galloyl‐β‐d‐glucose), potently inhibited the FabG (β‐oxoacyl‐ACP reductase) steps in the fatty‐acid‐elongation cycle with the IC50 values between 0.9 and 7.2 μg/ml. An ethyl acetate extract appeared to inhibit FabG reductase in a mixed manner with NADPH, as did PGG with NADPH, demonstrating that they interfered with the binding of the cofactor to the enzyme. Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and some fungi were used to evaluate the antibacterial abilities of different extract samples. The experiments showed that a higher polyphenol content of the extracts led to a more potent inhibitory capacity against FabG, thus enhancing the antibacterial efficacy.
Generation of Affibody® ligands binding interleukin‐2 receptor α/CD25
Authors: Grönwall Caroline , Snelders Eveline , Palm Anna Jarelöv , Eriksson Fredrik , Herne Nina , Ståhl Stefan
Published: May 2008

Affibody® molecules specific for human IL‐2Rα, the IL‐2 (interleukin‐2) receptor α subunit, also known as CD25, were selected by phage‐display technology from a combinatorial protein library based on the 58‐residue Protein A‐derived Z domain. The IL‐2R system plays a major role in T‐cell activation and the regulation of cellular immune responses. Moreover, CD25 has been found to be overexpressed in organ rejections, a number of autoimmune diseases and T‐cell malignancies. The phage‐display selection using Fc‐fused target protein generated 16 unique Affibody® molecules targeting CD25. The two most promising binders were characterized in more detail using biosensor analysis and demonstrated strong and selective binding to CD25. Kinetic biosensor analysis revealed that the two monomeric Affibody® molecules bound to CD25 with apparent affinities of 130 and 240 nM respectively. The Affibody® molecules were, on biosensor analysis, found to compete for the same binding site as the natural ligand IL‐2 and the IL‐2 blocking monoclonal antibody 2A3. Hence the Affibody® molecules were assumed to have an overlapping binding site with IL‐2 and antibodies targeting the IL‐2 blocking Tac epitope (for example, the monoclonal antibodies Daclizumab and Basiliximab, both of which have been approved for therapeutic use). Furthermore, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow‐cytometric analysis of CD25‐expressing cells demonstrated that the selected Affibody® molecules bound to CD4+ CD25+ PMBCs (peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells), the IL‐2‐dependent cell line NK92 and phytohaemagglutinin‐activated PMBCs. The potential use of the CD25‐binding Affibody® molecules as targeting agents for medical imaging and for therapeutic applications is discussed.
Cloning and characterization of the 1‐deoxy‐D‐xylulose 5‐phosphate reductoisomerase gene for diterpenoid tanshinone biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Chinese sage) hairy roots
Authors: Wu Shu Jing , Shi Ming , Wu Jian Yong
Published: May 2008

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Chinese sage; Lamiaceae) is a valuable Chinese herbal plant, and its rhizome, known as Danshen in Chinese because of its characteristic red pigment, is the part of the plant used in herbal medicine. The red pigment in S. miltiorrhiza roots is mainly composed of numerous diterpenoid tanshinones, as the major bioactive ingredients of the herb. In plants, diterpenes are synthesized through the MEP (2‐C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol 4‐phosphate) pathway in the plastids, and DXR [DXP (1‐deoxy‐D‐xylulose 5‐phosphate) reductoisomerase] is an enzyme catalysing the first step of the MEP pathway. In the present study, a full‐length cDNA encoding DXR (GenBank® Nucleotide Sequence Database accession no. DQ991431) was cloned from the hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza in culture. The enzyme activity of DXR protein was verified by complementation of an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in dxr. The transcription level of the dxr gene in the hairy roots was up‐regulated after exposure to hyperosmotic stress and a yeast elicitor in parallel with increased tanshinone accumulation in the hairy roots. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of elicitor‐induced dxr transcription and its correlation with the accumulation of diterpenoid tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza roots.
Antioxidative capacity of C60 (buckminsterfullerene) and newly synthesized fulleropyrrolidine derivatives encapsulated in liposomes
Authors: Lens Marko , Medenica Ljiljana , Citernesi Ugo
Published: May 2008

C60 (buckminsterfullerene or fullerene C60) has been recognized an efficient free‐radical scavenger. Owing to its high antioxidative capacity, C60 and its derivatives have a great potential for application in biological systems where prevention of oxidative cell damage is desirable. However, poor solubility of native C60 in water represents a major drawback for its use in biological systems. In order to increase the efficiency of delivery of fullerenes to target tissues it is of great interest to enhance their water solubility by developing hydrophilic organoderivatives of C60 with retained antioxidative properties, and/or by encapsulating fullerenes in biocompatible liposomes. In the present study, using EPR spin‐trapping and spin‐labelling techniques, we investigated the antioxidative capacity of C60 and newly synthesized fulleropyrrolidine derivatives Q‐C60 [N‐methyl‐(2‐quinolyl)fulleropyrrolidine60] and I‐C60 [N‐methyl‐(2‐indolyl)fulleropyrrolidine60] encapsulated in multilamellar phospholipid liposomes. The capacity for removal of •OH (hydroxyl radical) and O2•− (superoxide radical) and for the prevention of lipid peroxidation should be stressed as the most relevant biological antioxidative parameters. When these parameters for novel organofullerenes were compared with the the performance of C60, Q‐C60 and I‐C60 showed similar, or even better, antioxidative characteristics. However, further research is required to establish the toxicity of these derivatives and their antioxidant efficacy in vivo.