bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PEL: an unbiased method for estimating age‐dependent genetic disease risk from pedigree data unselected for family history
Authors: Alarcon F. , Bourgain C. , Gauthier‐Villars M. , Planté‐Bordeneuve V. , Stoppa‐Lyonnet, D. , Bonaïti‐Pellié C.
Published: December 2008

Providing valid risk estimates of a genetic disease with variable age of onset is a major challenge for prevention strategies. When data are obtained from pedigrees ascertained through affected individuals, an adjustment for ascertainment bias is necessary. This article focuses on ascertainment through at least one affected and presents an estimation method based on maximum likelihood, called the Proband's phenotype exclusion likelihood or PEL for estimating age‐dependent penetrance using disease status and genotypic information of family members in pedigrees unselected for family history. We studied the properties of the PEL and compared with another method, the prospective likelihood, in terms of bias and efficiency in risk estimate. For that purpose, family samples were simulated under various disease risk models and under various ascertainment patterns. We showed that, whatever the genetic model and the ascertainment scheme, the PEL provided unbiased estimates, whereas the prospective likelihood exhibited some bias in a number of situations. As an illustration, we estimated the disease risk for transthyretin amyloid neuropathy from a French sample and a Portuguese sample and for BRCA1/2 associated breast cancer from a sample ascertained on early‐onset breast cancer cases. Genet. Epidemiol. 33:379–385, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examining career success of minority and women emergency medical technicians (EMTs): A LEADS project
Authors: Russ‐Eft Darlene F. , Dickison Philip D. , Levine Roger
Published: December 2008

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are a critical segment in prehospital medical care. This study examined EMT‐paramedic career success focused on minorities and women, as part of the Longitudinal Emergency Medical Technician Attributes and Demographics Study (LEADS). The LEADS data come from a representative sampling of EMTs throughout the United States. Analyses examined factors related to objective and subjective career success and did so with samples from 2000 and 2004. Regression results showed that education, experience, and hours worked predicted objective career success. In contrast, satisfaction with others and with supervisor predicted subjective career success. Minority status was not related to either objective or subjective career success, while gender appeared to have a negative influence on objective career success but was unrelated to subjective career success. Implications for HRD practitioners and researchers are discussed.
The relevance of organizational subculture for motivation to transfer learning
Authors: Egan Toby Marshall
Published: December 2008

Although human resource development practitioners and researchers emphasize organizational culture as a major contributor to employee learning and development, results from this study suggest organizational subculture has greater influence on employee‐related learning motivation. The relationships among organizational culture, organizational subculture, leadership style, and motivation to transfer learning are examined in this study of 354 randomly selected health care providers from a population of 1,255 employees of three of the largest health care organizations in the United States. Study findings indicate that organizational subculture was highly associated with employee motivation to transfer learning—far higher than organizational culture overall. Supportive and innovative subcultures have clear positive relationships, while bureaucratic subcultures negatively influenced motivation to transfer learning. Findings also support the differences between leadership style types and particular subculture types in relation to motivation to transfer learning. In terms of leadership style, a consideration style had a stronger relationship to motivation to transfer learning than did structuring style. Implications for HRD research and practice are explored.
The effect of formal mentoring program characteristics on organizational attraction
Authors: Horvath Michael , Wasko Laurie E. , Bradley Jessica L.
Published: December 2008

Although the extant mentoring literature describes the post‐hire benefits of mentoring programs, less is known about how mentoring programs affect pre‐hire perceptions of organizations—perceptions that may have subsequent implications for the success of mentoring programs and other HRD practices. To explore this issue, we used a policy‐capturing design to examine the influence of formal mentoring program characteristics on organizational attraction. Results from a sample of 254 undergraduate participants indicated preferences for organizations offering mentorship programs that are voluntary, that give protégé input into the choice of mentor, that link protégés with individuals who hold higher rank (that is, supervisors), and that offer both career and psychosocial support. Furthermore, one of these relationships was moderated by participants' Need for Dominance. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
The effects of scenario planning on participant decision‐making style
Authors: Chermack Thomas J. , Nimon Kim
Published: December 2008

This research examines changes in decision‐making styles as a result of participation in scenario planning. A quasi‐experimental pretest‐posttest design and several nonparametric tests were used to analyze data gathered from research participants in a technology firm in the Northeastern United States. Results show that participants tend to transition toward more intuitive‐based decision‐making styles after participation in scenario planning. Limitations are examined and conclusions are drawn concerning the effects of scenario planning on participation decision‐making styles as measured by the General Decision‐Making Style Survey.
St. John's wort and Kava in treating major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety: a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled pilot trial
Authors: Sarris Jerome , Kavanagh David J. , Deed Gary , Bone Kerry M.
Published: December 2008

Objective

We report the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) using a combination of St. John's wort (SJW) and Kava for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) with comorbid anxiety.

Methods

Twenty‐eight adults with MDD and co‐occurring anxiety were recruited for a double‐blind RCT. After a placebo run‐in of 2 weeks, the trial had a crossover design testing SJW and Kava against placebo over two controlled phases, each of 4 weeks. The primary analyses used intention‐to‐treat and completer analyses.

Results

On both intention‐to‐treat (p = 0.047) and completer analyses (p = 0.003), SJW and Kava gave a significantly greater reduction in self‐reported depression on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II) over placebo in the first controlled phase. However, in the crossover phase, a replication of those effects in the delayed medication group did not occur. Nor were there significant effects on anxiety or quality of life.

Conclusion

There was some evidence of antidepressant effects using SJW and Kava in a small sample with comorbid anxiety. Possible explanations for the absence of anxiolysis may include a potential interaction with SJW, the presence of depression, or an inadequate dose of Kava. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of changes in glacial run‐off in alpine basins: examples from North America, the Alps, central Asia and the Andes
Authors: Casassa Gino , López Paulina , Pouyaud Bernard , Escobar Fernando
Published: December 2008

Atmospheric warming and enhanced melting of glaciers is already resulting in changes in the glacial contribution to run‐off in mountain basins around the world. The enhanced melting of glaciers leads at first to increased run‐off and discharge peaks and an increased melt season, while in the longer time frame glacier wasting can be so severe that it results in decreased run‐off. Glacier basins with a decreasing run‐off trend have been observed in south‐central British Columbia, at low elevations in the Swiss Alps and in the central Andes of Chile, which is probably a combined effect of reduced melt from seasonal snow cover as the snow line rises, and relevant glacier area losses. In contrast, significant run‐off increases are reported in Alberta, north‐western British Columbia and Yukon in Canada, in highly glacierized basins in the Swiss and Austrian Alps, the Tianshan Mountains and Tibet in central Asia and in the tropical Andes of Peru. The run‐off increase within these basins is closely related to observed temperature rise, indicating that there is an unequivocal signal of enhanced glacier melting under the present warming trends. In future warming scenarios, glacier run‐off should start to decrease even in high‐altitude basins, affecting water availability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulations of future snow cover and discharge in Alpine headwater catchments
Authors: Bavay Mathias , Lehning Michael , Jonas Tobias , Löwe Henning
Published: December 2008

The snow cover in the Alps is heavily affected by climate change. Recent data show that at altitudes below 1200 m a.s.l. a time‐continuous winter snow cover is becoming an exception rather than the rule. This would also change the timing and characteristics of river discharge in Alpine catchments. We present an assessment of future snow and runoff in two Alpine catchments, the larger Inn catchment (1945 km2) and the smaller Dischma catchment (43 km2), based on two common climate change scenario (IPCC A2 and B2 (IPCC, 2007)). [etc]. The changes in snow cover and discharge are predicted using Alpine3D, a model for the high‐resolution simulation of Alpine surface processes, in particular snow, soil and vegetation processes. The predicted changes in snow and discharge are extreme. While the current climate still supports permanent snow and ice on the highest peaks at altitudes above 3000 m a.s.l., this zone would disappear under the future climate scenarios. The changes in snow cover could be summarized by approximately shifting the elevation zones down by 900 m. The corresponding changes in discharge are also severe: while the current climate scenario shows a significant contribution from snow melt until middle to late summer, the future climate scenarios would feature a much narrower snow melt discharge peak in spring. A further observation is that heavy precipitation events in the fall would change from mainly snow to mainly rain and would have a higher probability of producing flooding. Future work is needed to quantify the effect of model uncertainties on such predictions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroecological response of river systems to shrinking glaciers
Authors: Milner Alexander M. , Brown Lee E. , Hannah David M.
Published: December 2008

Aquatic ecosystems in high latitude and altitude environments are strongly influenced by cryospheric and hydrological processes due to links between atmospheric forcing, snowpack/glacier mass‐balance, river discharge, physico‐chemistry and biota. In the current phase of global climate warming, many glaciers are shrinking. Loss of snow and ice‐masses will alter spatial and temporal dynamics in bulk basin runoff with important changes in the relative contributions of snowmelt, glaciermelt and groundwater to stream flow. Accordingly, altered water source contributions will be accompanied by changes to fluvial, solute, sediment and thermal regimes and, thus, channel stability and habitat. The projected reduction in sediment load, warmer water temperature and increased channel stability will drive significant shifts in the floral and faunal composition of glacier‐fed rivers. This paper hypothesizes a general increase in the richness and production of micro‐organisms, algae, macroinvertebrates and fish as glacier hydrological influence shrinks under a warmer climate. With reduced glacial influence, macroinvertebrate species trait diversity will increase with more organisms possessing larger body size, less specialized body shape and lower adult mobility. In larger river systems, potential reduction of meltwater inputs will have a significant influence on off‐channel habitats (e.g. side‐channels and sloughs) that depend on glacial runoff to sustain habitat availability and connectivity, particularly for fish. Some species such as cold stenothermic taxa (including some endemic macroinvertebrates) may be vulnerable to extinction and therefore gamma (regional) diversity will be reduced. These sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa may be important biological indicators of environmental change in glacierized river basins. Moreover, high climatic sensitivity and low human perturbation make glacially influenced river basins early indicator systems for identifying hydrological and ecological responses to climate change/variability. It is concluded that glacier shrinkage and associated changes in runoff amount and timing, water source contributions and physico‐chemical habitat will be a major driver of the future biodiversity of stream communities in cold environments. Research imperatives and future directions are proposed for investigation of glacier‐fed river hydroecology. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yukon River streamflow response to seasonal snow cover changes
Authors: Yang Daqing , Zhao Yuanyuan , Armstrong Richard , Robinson David
Published: December 2008

We used remotely sensed weekly snow water equivalent (SWE) and snow cover extent (SCE) data to investigate streamflow response to seasonal snowcover change over the Yukon watershed. We quantified the seasonal cycles and variations of snowcover (both SWE and SCE) and river streamflow, and identified a clear correspondence of river discharge to seasonal snowcover change. We also examined and compared the weekly mean streamflow with the weekly basin SWE and SCE. The results revealed a strong relation between the streamflow and snowcover change during the spring melt season. This relationship provides a practical procedure of using remotely sensed snowcover information for snowmelt runoff estimation over the large northern watersheds. Analyses of extreme (high/low) streamflow cases (years) and basin snowcover conditions indicate an association of high (low) flood peak with high (low) maximum SWE. Comparative analyses of weekly basin SWE versus SCE, peak snowmelt floods, and climatic variables (temperature and winter precipitation) indicate consistency among basin SWE, SCE, and temperature, but there is some incompatibility between basin SWE and winter precipitation. The inconsistency suggests uncertainties in determination of basin winter snowfall amounts and limitations in applications of the SWE retrieval algorithm over large watersheds/regions with different physical characteristics. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the weekly SWE and SCE data/products derived from remote sensing technology are useful in understanding seasonal streamflow changes in the northern regions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility analysis of magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and iron oxide
Authors: Meenach Samantha A. , Anderson A. Ashley , Suthar Mehul , Anderson Kimberly W. , Hilt J. Zach
Published: December 2008

With the growing interest in nanocomposites and their applications in biology and medicine, studies examining the biocompatibility of those materials are critical. Magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and iron oxide nanoparticles were fabricated via UV‐polymerization with tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate acting as the crosslinking agent. In vitro biocompatibility analysis via NIH 3T3 murine fibroblast cytotoxicity was investigated. The fibroblasts in both direct and indirect contact with the hydrogels exhibited favorable cell viability indicating minimal cytotoxicity of the systems. In addition, swelling studies indicated that hydrogels with lower crosslink densities yield higher swelling ratios and that the presence of magnetic nanoparticle did not affect the swelling response of the hydrogel systems. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field, the hydrogel nanocomposites with iron oxide nanoparticles showed the capability for remote heating. This evaluation shows that these hydrogels have the potential to be used in biomedical applications such as drug delivery and hyperthermia for cancer treatment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Intermittent watt‐level ultrasonication facilitates vancomycin release from therapeutic acrylic bone cement
Authors: Cai Xun‐Zi , Chen Xian‐Zhen , Yan Shi‐Gui , Ruan Zou‐Rong , Yan Rui‐Jian , Ji Kang , Xu Jia
Published: December 2008

Ultrasound holds promise for enhancing the vancomycin release from cement though the length of time when local drug level exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration (T>MIC) was not prolonged by the previous protocol of milliwatt‐level ultrasonication. Here vancomycin‐loaded cements were subjected to continuous watt‐level ultrasonication (CUG), intermittent watt‐level ultrasonication (IUG) or no ultrasonication (NUG) for 14 d during immersion in 40‐ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 28 d. The T>MIC for IUG was more than three times that for NUG. In contrast, T>MIC for CUG was slightly shortened. The subtherapeutic release of vancomycin between 15 d and 28 d for IUG was one‐ninth that for NUG. The fitting equations indicated a significant enhancement on the burst release and the slow release for IUG; however, the continuous ultrasonication hampered the slow release. SEM images exhibited denser craters and pores with larger diameters and less residual drug in specimens from IUG relative to those from both CUG and NUG. Intermittent watt‐level ultrasonication improved the ultrasound‐enhanced vancomycin release from cement in view of the prolonged T>MIC and the inhibited subtherapeutic release compared with continuous ultrasonication. The mechanisms may be associated with the distinctive effects of detaching forces and pushing forces by acoustic microstreams. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Mechanically enhanced microcapsules for cellular gene therapy
Authors: Shen F. , Mazumder M. A. J. , Burke N. A. D. , Stöver H. D. H. , Potter M. A.
Published: December 2008

Microcapsules bearing a covalently cross‐linked coating have been developed for cellular gene therapy as an improvement on alginate‐poly(L‐lysine)‐alginate (APA) microcapsules that only have ionic cross‐linking. In this study, two mutually reactive polyelectrolytes, a polycation (designated C70), poly([2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride‐co‐2‐aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) and a polyanion (designated A70), poly(sodium methacrylate‐co‐2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate), were used during the microcapsule fabrication. Ca‐alginate beads were sequentially laminated with C70, A70, poly(L‐lysine) (PLL), and alginate. The A70 reacts with both C70 and PLL to form a ∼30 μm thick covalently cross‐linked interpenetrating polymer network on the surface of the capsules. Confocal images confirmed the location of the C70/A70/PLL network and the stability of the network after 4 weeks implantation in mice. The mechanical and chemical resistance of the capsules was tested with a “stress test” where microcapsules were gently shaken in 0.003% EDTA for 15 min. APA capsules disappeared during this treatment, whereas the modified capsules, even those that had been retrieved from mice after 4‐weeks implantation, remained intact. Analysis of solutions passing through model flat membranes showed that the molecular weight cut‐off of alginate‐C70‐A70‐PLL‐alginate is similar to that of alginate‐PLL‐alginate. Recombinant cells encapsulated in APA and modified capsules were able to secrete luciferase into culture media. The modified capsules were found to capture some components of regular culture media used during preparation, causing an immune reaction in implanted mice, but use of UltraCulture serum‐free medium was found to prevent this immune reaction. In vivo biocompatibility of the new capsules was similar to the APA capsules, with no sign of clinical toxicity on complete blood counts and liver function tests. The increased stability of the covalently modified microcapsules coupled with the acceptable biocompatibility and permeability demonstrated their potential for use as immunoisolation devices in gene therapy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Influence of ionization on the conformational preferences of peptide models. Ramachandran surfaces of N‐formyl‐glycine amide and N‐formyl‐alanine amide radical cations
Authors: Gil Adrià , Sodupe Mariona , Bertran Juan
Published: December 2008

Ramachandran maps of neutral and ionized HCO–Gly–NH2 and HCO–Ala–NH2 peptide models have been built at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level of calculation. Direct optimizations using B3LYP and the recently developed MPWB1K functional have also been carried out, as well as single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T) level of theory with the 6‐311++G(2df,2p) basis set. Results indicate that for both peptide models ionization can cause drastic changes in the shape of the PES in such a way that highly disallowed regions in neutral PES become low‐energy regions in the radical cation surface. The structures localized in such regions, $ \varepsilon^{+\bullet}_{\rm L} $ and $ \varepsilon^{+\bullet}_{\rm D} $ are highly stabilized due to the formation of 2‐centre‐3‐electron interactions between the two carbonyl oxygens. Inclusion of solvent effects by the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) shows that the solute‐solvent interaction energy plays an important role in determining the stability order. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
Interactions of the “piano‐stool” [ruthenium(II) (η6‐arene)(en)CL]+complexes with water and nucleobases; ab initio and DFT study
Authors: Futera Zdeněk , Klenko Julia , Šponer Judit E. , Šponer Jiří , Burda Jaroslav V.
Published: December 2008

Piano stool ruthenium complexes of the composition [Ru(II)(η6‐arene)(en)Cl]+/2+(en = ethylenediamine) represent an emerging class of cisplatin‐analogue anticancer drug candidates. In this study, we use computational quantum chemistry to characterize the structure, stability and reactivity of these compounds. All these structures were optimized at DFT(B3LYP)/6‐31G(d) level and their single point properties were determined by the MP2/6‐31++G(2df,2pd) method. Thermodynamic parameters and rate constants were determined for the aquation process, as a replacement of the initial chloro ligand by water and subsequent exchange reaction of aqua ligand by nucleobases. The computations were carried out at several levels of DFT and ab initio theories (B3LYP, MP2 and CCSD) utilizing a range of bases sets (from 6‐31G(d) to aug‐cc‐pVQZ). Excellent agreement with experimental results for aquation process was obtained at the CCSD level and reasonable match was achieved also with the B3LYP/6‐31++G(2df,2pd) method. This level was used also for nucleobase‐water exchange reaction where a smaller rate constant for guanine exchange was found in comparison with adenine. Although adenine follows a simple replacement mechanism, guanine complex passes by a two‐step mechanism. At first, Ru‐O6(G) adduct is formed, which is transformed through a chelate TS2 to the Ru‐N7(G) final complex. In case of guanine, the exchange reaction is more favorable thermodynamically (releasing in total by about 8 kcal/mol) but according to our results, the rate constant for guanine substitution is slightly smaller than the analogous constant in adenine case when reaction course from local minimum is considered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Extensive theoretical studies of a new energetic material: Tetrazino‐tetrazine‐tetraoxide (TTTO)
Authors: Song Xinli , Li Jicun , Hou Hua , Wang Baoshan
Published: December 2008

[1,2,3,4]Tetrazino‐[5,6‐e]‐[1,2,3,4]tetrazine‐[1,3,5,7]tetraoxide (TTTO, C2N8O4) was suggested to be a possible candidate of high energy density materials (HEDM). The most stable conformation of TTTO is a planar structure with C2h symmetry. Using various high‐level ab initio methods including Gaussian‐n, Complete Basis Set, Full Coupled Cluster, and W1U models of chemistry together with density functional theory based models, the enthalpies of formation of TTTO at 0 K and standard state were calculated precisely. Moreover, the rovibrational and nuclear magnetic resonance properties were predicted as well. The solid state TTTO was studied using the crystal packing models with the Dreiding force‐filed and the plane‐wave periodic local‐density approximation density functional theory. Three stable polymorphous cells of TTTO have been found with either P212121 or P21/C symmetry. The high heat of formation (>200 kcal/mol), the high density (>2.0 g/cm3), the planar nonpolar electronic structure, and the perfect oxygen balance lead TTTO be a very promising HEDM with exceptional performance. This work provides the first theoretical support for further experimental synthesis and testing. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
Molecular dynamics simulations of fluid methane properties using ab initio intermolecular interaction potentials
Authors: Chao Shih‐Wei , Li Arvin Huang‐Te , Chao Sheng D.
Published: December 2008

Intermolecular interaction energy data for the methane dimer have been calculated at a spectroscopic accuracy and employed to construct an ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of fluid methane properties. The full potential curves of the methane dimer at 12 symmetric conformations were calculated by the supermolecule counterpoise‐corrected second‐order Møller‐Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory. Single‐point coupled cluster with single and double and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] calculations were also carried out to calibrate the MP2 potentials. We employed Pople's medium size basis sets [up to 6‐311++G(3df, 3pd)] and Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets (cc‐pVXZ and aug‐cc‐pVXZ, X = D, T, Q). For each conformer, the intermolecular carbon–carbon separation was sampled in a step 0.1 Å for a range of 3–9 Å, resulting in a total of 732 configuration points calculated. The MP2 binding curves display significant anisotropy with respect to the relative orientations of the dimer. The potential curves at the complete basis set (CBS) limit were estimated using well‐established analytical extrapolation schemes. A 4‐site potential model with sites located at the hydrogen atoms was used to fit the ab initio potential data. This model stems from a hydrogen–hydrogen repulsion mechanism to explain the stability of the dimer structure. MD simulations using the ab initio PES show quantitative agreements on both the atom‐wise radial distribution functions and the self‐diffusion coefficients over a wide range of experimental conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009
Expression of proinflammatory cytokines by human mesenchymal stem cells in response to cyclic tensile strain
Authors: Sumanasinghe Ruwan D. , Pfeiler T. Wayne , Monteiro‐Riviere Nancy A. , Loboa Elizabeth G.
Published: December 2008

Mesenchymal stem cells produce proinflammatory cytokines during their normal growth. Direct or indirect regulation of bone resorption by these cytokines has been reported. However, the effects of osteogenic conditions—chemical and/or mechanical—utilized during in vitro bone tissue engineering on expression of cytokines by hMSCs have not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of cyclic tensile strain, culture medium (with and without dexamethasone), and culture duration on the expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) by bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Human MSCs seeded in three‐dimensional Type I collagen matrices were subjected to 0%, 10%, and 12% uniaxial cyclic tensile strains at 1 Hz for 4 h/day for 7 and 14 days in complete growth or dexamethasone‐containing osteogenic medium. Viability of hMSCs was maintained irrespective of strain level and media conditions. Expression of either TNF‐α or IL‐1β was not observed in hMSCs under any of the conditions investigated in this study. Expression of IL‐6 was dependent on culture medium. An increase in IL‐6 expression was caused by both 10% and 12% strain levels. Both 10% and 12% strain levels caused an increase in IL‐8 production by hMSCs that was dependent on the presence of dexamethasone. IL‐6 and IL‐8 expressions by hMSCs were induced by cyclic tensile strain and osteogenic differentiating media, indicating that IL‐6 and IL‐8 may be functioning as autocrine signals during osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 77–83, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel recombinant adenovirus type 41 vector and its biological properties
Authors: Lu Zhuo‐Zhuang , Zou Xiao‐Hui , Dong Liu‐Xin , Qu Jian‐Guo , Song Jing‐Dong , Wang Min , Guo Li , Hung Tao
Published: December 2008

Background

Human adenovirus serotype 41 (Ad41) is a natural pathogen of the digestive tract and can cause gastroenteritis. There has been interest in reconstructing Ad41 as a gene delivery vector targeting the gastrointestinal tract, which is hampered by its fastidiousness.

Methods

An Ad41 E1B55K‐transduced 293 cell line (293E12) was established as the packaging cell line. A backbone plasmid (pAdbone41) and a shuttle plasmid (pSh41‐CMV) were constructed based on the Ad41 genome. Replication‐defective adenovirus (Ad41‐GFP) was rescued in 293E12 after being transfected with the linearized adenoviral plasmid, which was generated by homologous recombination of pAdbone41 and the shuttle plasmid carrying the GFP gene in Escherichia coli strain BJ5183. The packaging ability of 293E12, the stability of the Ad41‐GFP genome and the acid‐resistant property of Ad41‐GFP were all investigated.

Results

A 293E12 cell could produce approximately 9000 viral particles of Ad41‐GFP, which is close to the amount in the control virus (Ad5‐GFP) amplified in one 293 cell. Ad41‐GFP contained a genetically stable genome after being passaged eight times in 293E12 cells. More significantly, Ad41‐GFP was more resistant to acid exposure than Ad5‐GFP. It retained almost complete viability when exposed to hydrochloric acid with a pH value of 2 for 30 min, whereas Ad5‐GFP lost 99% of its viability under the same conditions. Ad41‐GFP was also more tolerant to treatment with artificial digestive fluid.

Conclusions

An Ad41 vector system was successfully constructed, which consisted of the backbone plasmid, shuttle plasmid and packaging cell line 293E12. This system can be utilized to generate genetically stable and acid‐resistant recombinant Ad41 carrying any gene of interest. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short hairpin RNAs against eotaxin or interleukin‐5 decrease airway eosinophilia and hyper‐responsiveness in a murine model of asthma
Authors: Huang Hsin‐Ying , Lee Chen‐Chen , Chiang Bor‐Luen
Published: December 2008

Background

Eosinophilia plays the major role in the pathogenesis of asthma and correlates with the up‐regulation of eotaxin, which, together with interleukin (IL)‐5, is important for differentiation, chemo‐attraction, degranulation, and survival of eosinophils in local tissue. In a previous study, we found that administration of lentivirus‐delivered short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to suppress the expression of IL‐5 inhibited airway inflammation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of eotaxin shRNA and the synergistic effect of eotaxin and IL‐5 shRNAs on airway inflammation in an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced murine model of asthma.

Methods

Lentivirus‐delivered shRNAs were used to suppress the expression of eotaxin and/or IL‐5 in local tissue in an OVA‐induced murine asthma model.

Results

Intra‐tracheal administration of lentivirus containing eotaxin shRNA expressing cassette (eoSEC3.3) efficiently moderated the characteristics of asthma, including airway hyper‐responsiveness, cellular infiltration of lung tissues, and eotaxin and IL‐5 levels in bronchio‐alveolar lavage fluid. Administration of lentiviruses expressing IL‐5 or eotaxin shRNAs (IL5SEC4 + eoSEC3.3) also moderated the symptoms of asthma in a mouse model.

Conclusions

Local delivery of lentiviruses expressing IL‐5 and eotaxin shRNAs provides a potential tool in moderating airway inflammation and also has the potential for developing clinical therapy based on the application of shRNAs of chemokines and cytokines involved in T helper 2 cell inflammation and eosinophilia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Downscaled GCM projections of winter and summer mass balance for Peyto Glacier, Alberta, Canada (2000–2100) from ensemble simulations with ECHAM5‐MPIOM
Authors: Matulla Christoph , Watson Emma , Wagner Sebastian , Schöner Wolfgang
Published: December 2008

We apply a direct downscaling approach to generate ensembles of local‐scale glacier mass balance projections from coarse‐scale general circulation model (GCM) data. The general modes of the atmospheric circulation over a large geographical region are linked statistically to Peyto Glacier's winter and summer balance separately. Our study focuses on the generation of ensemble projections derived from simulations with ECHAM5‐MPIOM forced with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ‐ Special Report on Emission Scenarios (IPCC‐SRES) A1B and B1. The resulting ensembles of mass balance projections show a moderate increase in winter balance and a steep decrease in summer balance. Together these results suggest continued frontal recession and downwasting of Peyto Glacier and a shift of the equilibrium line altitude by at least 100 m above that estimated for the 1966–2001 period suggesting that very little of the glacier will remain by 2100. Copyright © 2008 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of urban warming in recent temperature trends in Japan
Authors: Fujibe Fumiaki
Published: December 2008

The contribution of urban effects on recent temperature trends in Japan was analysed using data at 561 stations for 27 years (March 1979–February 2006). Stations were categorized according to the population density of surrounding few kilometres. There is a warming trend of 0.3–0.4 °C/decade even for stations with low population density (<100 people per square kilometre), indicating that the recent temperature increase is largely contributed by background climatic change. On the other hand, anomalous warming trend is detected for stations with larger population density. Even for only weakly populated sites with population density of 100–300/km2, there is an anomalous trend of 0.03–0.05 °C/decade. This fact suggests that urban warming is detectable not only at large cities but also at slightly urbanized sites in Japan. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Climate change impact on SWAT simulated streamflow in western Kenya
Authors: Githui Faith , Gitau Wilson , Mutua Francis , Bauwens Willy
Published: December 2008

Weather and climate extremes such as droughts and floods have far reaching impacts in Kenya. They have had implications in a variety of sectors including agriculture, water resources, health, energy, and disaster management among others. Lake Victoria and its catchment support millions of people and any impact on its ability to support the livelihoods of the communities in this region is of major concern. Thus, the main objective of this study was to assess the potential future climatic changes on the Nzoia catchment in the Lake Victoria basin, and how they might affect streamflow. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was used to investigate the impact of climatic change on streamflow of the study area. The model was set up using readily available spatial and temporal data, and calibrated against measured daily streamflow. Climate change scenarios were obtained from general circulation models.

Results obtained showed increased amounts of annual rainfall for all the scenarios but with variations on a monthly basis. All—but one—global circulation models (GCMs) showed consistency in the monthly rainfall amounts. Rainfall was higher in the 2050s than in the 2020s. According to climate change scenarios, temperature will increase in this region, with the 2050s experiencing much higher increases than the 2020s with a monthly temperature change range of 0–1.7 °C. The range of change in mean annual rainfall of 2.4–23.2% corresponded to a change in streamflow of about 6–115%. The analysis revealed important rainfall–runoff linear relationships for certain months that could be extrapolated to estimate amounts of streamflow under various scenarios of change in rainfall. Streamflow response was not sensitive to changes in temperature. If all other variables, e.g. land cover, population growth etc., were held constant, a significant increase in streamflow may be expected in the coming decades as a consequence of increased rainfall amounts. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Trends in extreme precipitation indices derived from a daily rainfall database for the South of Portugal
Authors: Costa Ana Cristina , Soares Amílcar
Published: December 2008

The rainfall regime of the South of Portugal is Mediterranean with Atlantic influence. Long‐term series of reliable precipitation records are essential for land and water resources management, climate‐change monitoring, modelling of erosion and run‐off, among other applications for ecosystem and hydrological impact modelling. This study provides a qualitative classification of 106 daily rainfall series from stations located in the South of Portugal and evaluates temporal patterns in extreme precipitation by calculating a number of indicators at stations with homogeneous data within the 1955/1999 period. The methodology includes both absolute and relative approaches and a new homogeneity testing procedure, besides the application of other statistical tests. The proposed technique is an extension of the Ellipse test that takes into account the contemporaneous relationship between several candidate series from the same climatic area (SUR + Ellipse test). The results indicate that this technique is a valuable tool for the detection of non‐climatic irregularities in climate time series if the station network is dense enough. The existence of trends and other temporal patterns in extreme precipitation indices was investigated and uncertainty about rainfall patterns evolution was assessed. Three indices describing wet events and another three indicators characterizing dry conditions were analysed through regression models and smoothing techniques. The simple aridity intensity index (AII) reflects increases in the magnitude of dryness. Especially pronounced trends are found over most of southern Portugal in the 1955/1999 period, highlighting the fact that large areas are threatened by drought and desertification. The trend signals of the wetness indices are not significant at the majority of stations, but there is evidence of increasing short‐term precipitation intensity over the region during the last three decades of the twentieth century. Finally, the results also indicate that extreme precipitation variability and climate uncertainty are greater in recent times. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Raman and infrared structural investigation of (PbO)x(ZnO)(0.6−x)(P2O5)0.4 glasses
Authors: Le Saoût Gwenn , Simon Patrick , Fayon Franck , Blin Annie , Vaills Yann
Published: December 2008

The structure of ternary (PbO)x(ZnO)(0.6−x)(P2O5)0.4glasses was investigated using Raman scattering and infrared spectroscopy over the compositional range x = 0–0.6. No significant change of the average chain length composed by PO4 tetrahedral units with the substitution of zinc for the lead cation was observed. The linewidth and wavenumber variations of the Raman high‐wavenumber bands reflect the Zn/Pb substitution in these glasses and are correlated with the metal–oxygen force constant and local disorder. The infrared reflectivity spectra have been fitted with the four‐parameter dielectric function model. The variation in the 1000–1200 cm−1wavenumber range has been attributed to an increase of the oscillator damping ΓLO(PO3)2− as with PbO content vibrations rather than a variation of the chain length. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the metatellurate mineral: xocomecatlite Cu3TeO4(OH)4
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Keeffe Elle C.
Published: December 2008

The mineral xocomecatlite is a hydroxy metatellurate mineral with Te6+ O4 units. Tellurates may be subdivided according to their formula into three types of tellurate minerals: type (a) (AB)m (TeO4)pZq, type (b) (AB)m(TeO6)·xH2O and (c) compound tellurates in which a second anion including the tellurite anion, is involved. The mineral xocomecatlite is an example of the first type. Raman bands for xocomecatlite at 710, 763 and 796 cm−1, and 600 and 680 cm−1 are attributed to the ν1(TeO4)2− symmetric and ν3 antisymmetric stretching mode. Raman bands observed at 2867 and 2926 cm−1 are assigned to TeOH stretching vibrations and enable estimation of the hydrogen bond distances of 2.622 Å (2867 cm−1), 2.634 Å (2926 cm−1) involving these OH units. The hydrogen bond distances are very short implying that they are necessary for the stability of the mineral. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gelation and Hollow Particle Formation in Nitroxide‐Mediated Radical Copolymerization of Styrene and Divinylbenzene in Miniemulsion
Authors: Zetterlund Per B. , Saka Yuichi , Okubo Masayoshi
Published: December 2008

Network formation in the nitroxide‐mediated cross‐linking copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene (3 or 8.2 mol‐% relative to total monomer) using the nitroxide 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy (TEMPO) at 125 °C can proceed markedly differently in aqueous miniemulsion compared to the corresponding solution polymerization depending on the organic‐phase composition. When the organic phase comprises 54 vol‐% of the hydrophobe tetradecane, gelation occurs at much lower conversion in miniemulsion than in solution, and at significantly lower conversion than predicted by Flory–Stockmayer gelation theory. This is proposed to be a result of an effect of the oil–water interface, whereby the concentration of polymer with pendant unsaturations is higher near the interface than in the particle interior.

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Simultaneous Deconvolution of the Bivariate Distribution of Molecular Weight and Chemical Composition of Polyolefins Made with Ziegler‐Natta Catalysts
Authors: Alghyamah Abdulaziz A. , Soares João B. P.
Published: December 2008

Polyolefins made with Ziegler–Natta catalysts have non‐uniform distributions of molecular weight (MWD) and chemical composition (CCD). The MWD is usually measured by high‐temperature gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and the CCD by either temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) or crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF). A mathematical model is needed to quantify the information provided by these analytical techniques and to relate it to the presence of multiple site types on Ziegler–Natta catalysts. We developed a robust computer algorithm to deconvolute the MWD and CCD of polyolefins simultaneously using Flory's most probable distribution and the cumulative CCD component of Stockmayer's distribution, which includes the soluble fraction commonly present in linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins and have applied this procedure for the first time to several industrial LLDPE resins. The deconvolution results are reproducible and consistent with theoretical expectations.

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Neue Auswertungsmethode zur Bestimmung der Kennwerte der Dehnungswöhlerlinie und der Spannungs‐Dehnungs‐Kurve unter Berücksichtigung der Kompatibilität
Authors: el Dsoki C. , Nieslony A. , Kaufmann H. , Krug P.
Published: December 2008

Es wird eine Methode zur Auswertung dehnungsgeregelter Versuche vorgeschlagen. Sie beinhaltet eine Regressionsrechnung auf Basis der Versuchsergebnisse im 3‐Dimensionalen Raum. Dabei wird jeder Versuchspunkt genau einer Spannungsamplitude, einer Dehnungsamplitude und einer Schwingspielzahl zugeordnet. Die gesuchten zyklischen Konstanten und Exponenten werden direkt aus dem Richtungsvektor R und dem Stützpunkt P aus der Regressionsrechnung bestimmt. Weiterhin wird anhand der 3D‐Methode gezeigt, wie die Kompatibilitätsbedingung, d. h. die Gleichsetzung der elastischen und plastischen Anteile aus der Ramberg‐Osgood‐ und der Coffin‐Manson‐Basquin‐Gleichung, sowohl die mathematischen als auch die physikalischen Zusammenhänge beibehält. Anhand von Versuchsdaten, die an sprühkompaktierten Aluminiumlegierungen mit unterschiedlichen Fertigungs‐ und Prüfparametern ermittelt wurden, wird das Ergebnis und die Vorteile dieser neuen Auswertemethode gezeigt.
Method of oocyte activation affects cloning efficiency in pigs
Authors: Whitworth Kristin M. , Li Rongfeng , Spate Lee D. , Wax David M. , Rieke August , Whyte Jeffrey J. , Manandhar Gaurishankar , Sutovsky Miriam , Green Jonathan A. , Sutovsky Peter , Prather Randall S.
Published: December 2008

The following experiments compared the efficiency of three fusion/activation protocols following somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with porcine somatic cells transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by the chicken β‐actin/rabbit β‐globin hybrid promoter (pCAGG‐EGFP). The three protocols included electrical fusion/activation (NT1), electrical fusion/activation followed by treatment with a reversible proteasomal inhibitor MG132 (NT2) and electrical fusion in low Ca2+ followed by chemical activation with thimerosal/dithiothreitol (NT3). Data were collected at Days 6, 12, 14, 30, and 114 of gestation. Fusion rates, blastocyst‐stage mean cell numbers, recovery rates, and pregnancy rates were calculated and compared between protocols. Fusion rates were significantly higher for NT1 and NT2 compared to NT3 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in mean nuclear number. Pregnancy rate for NT2 was 100% (n = 19) at all stages collected and was significantly higher than NT1 (71.4%, n = 28; P < 0.05), but was not significantly higher than NT3 (82.6%, n = 23; P < 0.15). Recovery rates were calculated based on the number of embryos, conceptuses, fetuses, or piglets present at the time of collection, divided by the number of embryos transferred to the recipient gilts. Recovery rates between the three groups were not significantly different at any of the stages collected (P > 0.05). All fusion/activation treatments produced live, pCAGG‐EGFP positive piglets from SCNT. Treatment with MG132 after fusion/activation of reconstructed porcine embryos was the most effective method when comparing the overall pregnancy rates. The beneficial effect of NT2 protocol may be due to the stimulation of proteasomes that infiltrate donor cell nucleus shortly after nuclear transfer. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 490–500, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.