bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program at the University of Michigan
Authors: Gafni Ari , Walter Nils G.
Published: February 2008

The Michigan Biophysics Graduate Program (MBGP) was established in 1949, making it one of the first such programs in the world. The intellectual base of the program was significantly broadened in the 1980 when faculty members from a number of other units on campus were invited to join. Currently over forty faculty members from a variety of disciplines participate as mentors for the Ph.D. students enrolled in the MBGP providing our students with rich opportunities for academic learning and research. The MBGP has two main objectives: 1) to provide graduate students with both the intellectual and technical training in modern biophysics, 2) to sensitize our students to the power and unique opportunities of interdisciplinary work and thinking so as to train them to conduct research that crosses the boundaries between the biological and physical sciences. The program offers students opportunities to conduct research in a variety of areas of contemporary biophysics including structural biology, single molecule spectroscopy, spectroscopy and its applications, computational biology, membrane biophysics, neurobiophysics and enzymology. The MBGP offers a balanced curriculum that aims to provide our students with a strong academic base and, at the same time, accommodate their different academic backgrounds. Judging its past performance through the success of its former students, the MBGP has been highly successful, and there is every reason to believe that strong training in the biophysical sciences, as provided by the MBGP, will become even more valuable in the future both in the academic and the industrial settings. in the academic and the industrial settings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 256–261, 2008.
Surgical anatomy of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and its clinical significance in head and neck surgery
Authors: Kochilas Xenophon , Bibas Athanasios , Xenellis John , Anagnostopoulou Sofia
Published: February 2008

Injury of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) increases the morbidity following a variety of neck procedures and can have catastrophic consequences in people who use their voice professionally. Identification and preservation of the EBSLN are thus important in thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, carotid endarterectomy, and anterior cervical spine procedures, where the nerve is at risk. There are large variations in the anatomical course of the EBSLN, which makes the intraoperative identification of the nerve challenging. The topographic relationship of the EBSLN to the superior thyroid artery and the upper pole of the thyroid gland are considered by many authors to be the key point for identifying the nerve during surgery of the neck. The classifications by Cernea et al. ([1992a] Head Neck 14:380–383; [1992b] Am. J. Surg. 164:634–639) and by Kierner et al. ([1998] Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 124:301–303), as well as clinically important connections are discussed in detail. Along with sound anatomical knowledge, neuromonitoring is helpful in identifying the EBSLN during neck procedures. The clinical signs of EBSLN injury include hoarseness, decreased voice projection, decreased pitch range, and fatigue after extensive voice use. Videostroboscopy, electromyography, voice analysis, and electroglottography can provide crucial information on the function of the EBSLN following neck surgery. Clin. Anat. 21:99–105, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of a polymer‐free rapamycin‐eluting stent (YUKON) with a polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting stent (TAXUS) in real‐world coronary artery lesions
Authors: Ruef Johannes , Störger Hans , Schwarz Franz , Haase, Jürgen
Published: February 2008

Background: In selected patient cohorts the polymer‐free rapamycin‐eluting YUKON stent (A) has demonstrated noninferiority compared with the polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting TAXUS stent (B). To test for equivalency in unselected real‐world patients with coronary lesions of various complexities, we retrospectively compared both stent designs. Methods: A total of 410 patients with symptomatic CAD were successfully treated with A (n = 205) or with B (n = 205). Baseline clinical characteristics, coronary lesion location, lesion length, and the number of stents implanted per lesion were equally distributed between the treatment groups. All patients underwent QCA‐analysis at baseline. Clinical follow‐up with assessment of MACE and noncardiac deaths was obtained at 30 days and 6 months. Results: Nominal stent diameter was 2.96 ± 0.38 mm in Group A vs. 3.05 ± 0.42 mm in Group B (P = 0.2); nominal length of stented segmentwas 22.97 ±13.0 mm vs. 23.63 ± 10.0 (P = 0.56). Analysis of MACE after 6 months resulted in one angiographically documented stent thrombosis causing MI in B (0.2%) vs. none in A. No other MI or cardiac deaths occurred in either group, while two noncardiac deaths in A (1.0%) were reported. Fifteen target lesion revascularizations (7.3%) were performed in A vs. 7 (3.4%) in B. Differences in study endpoints at 6 months did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Up to 6 months after PCI of real‐world coronary lesions, there were no statistically significant differences in MACE between patients treated with the polymer‐free rapamycin‐eluting YUKON stent and the polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting TAXUS stent. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracoronary infusion of autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary PCI: Pilot study of the multicenter HEBE trial
Authors: Hirsch Alexander , Nijveldt Robin , van der Vleuten Pieter A. , Tio René A. , van der Giessen Willem J. , Marques Koen M.J. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Waltenberger Johannes , ten Berg Jurrien M. , Aengevaeren Wim R.M. , Biemond Bart J. , Tijssen Jan G.P. , van Rossum Albert C. , Piek Jan J. , Zijlstra Felix
Published: February 2008

Objective: This study was a pilot trial to determine safety and feasibility of intracoronary infusion of mononuclear bone marrow cells (MBMC) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Background: Studies reporting the effect of MBMC therapy on improvement of left ventricular (LV) function have shown variable results. The HEBE trial is a large multicenter, randomized trial that currently enrolls patients. Prior to this trial we performed a pilot study. Methods: Twenty‐six patients with a first acute MI were prospectively enrolled in eight centers. Bone marrow aspiration was performed at a median of 6 days after primary PCI (interquartile range, 5–7 days). MBMC were isolated by gradient centrifugation and were infused intracoronary the same day. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging before cell infusion and after 4 months. Clinical events were assessed up to 12 months. Results: Within 10 hr after bone marrow aspiration, 246 ± 133 × 106 MBMC were infused, of which 3.9 ± 2.3 × 106 cells were CD34+. In one patient, this procedure was complicated by local dissection. LV ejection fraction significantly increased from 45.0 ± 6.3% to 47.2 ± 6.5% (P = 0.03). Systolic wall thickening in dysfunctional segments at baseline improved with 0.9 ± 0.7 mm (P < 0.001). Infarct size decreased 37% from 17.8 ± 8.2 to 11.2 ± 4.2 gram (P < 0.001). During 12‐month follow‐up, 3 additional revascularizations were performed and an ICD was implanted in one patient, 3 weeks after PCI. Conclusion: In patients with acute MI, intracoronary infusion of MBMC is safe in a multicenter setting. At 4‐month follow‐up, a modest increase in global and regional LV function was observed, with a concomitant decrease in infarct size. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiac perforation and tamponade 3 months after transcatheter PFO closure by STARFlex device: A case report
Authors: Motreff Pascal , Dauphin Claire , Souteyrand Géraud
Published: February 2008

Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure after paradoxical embolism has become established as a safe, effective and validated procedure. The use of dedicated devices by experienced operators allows for low complication rates and good clinical results in the prevention of paradoxical embolism recurrence. This has led to a widespread use of the technique. However, late complications have been reported after the implantation of different types of devices. We report the first case of cardiac tamponade due to atrial wall erosion, which occurred three months after the implantation of a STARflex device (Nitinol Medical Technologies, Boston, Massachusetts, USA) in a 57 year‐old‐patient Transoesophageal echocardiographic images and surgical views of the perforation related to the device are presented. This report describes treatment of a late complication that arose following implantation of a STARflex device. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vulnerable plaque intervention: State of the art
Authors: Young John J. , Phillips Harry R. , Marso Steven P. , Granada Juan F. , McPherson John A. , Waksman Ron , Steinhubl Steven R. , Schwartz Robert S. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: February 2008

Progressive atherosclerotic disease is responsible for many of the late adverse clinical events that detract from the high procedural and clinical success of percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite recent advances in catheter based technology for the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease, the greater risk to the patient over time may in fact come from the significant rate of acute coronary events triggered by nonculprit and/or nonobstructive coronary artery lesions. These areas of vulnerability within the epicardial coronary tree have generated a great deal of interest surrounding the concepts of vulnerable plaque (VP), vulnerable blood and the vulnerable patient. This ‘state of the art’ review discusses the limitations of coronary angiography alone in providing risk assessment; reviews the underlying biological concepts of VP; discusses evolving noninvasive and invasive imaging technologies for the detection of VP; and finally provides a futuristic look at how the field of interventional cardiology may transcend the traditional angiogram and move toward a more comprehensive treatment approach that benefits the patients' overall coronary health. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ASD and PFO closure with the Solysafe septal occluder—Results of a prospective multicenter pilot study
Authors: Ewert Peter , Söderberg Bjoern , Dähnert Ingo , Hess Otto , Schuler Gerhard , Bussmann Christiane , Bernhard Jerome , Sick Peter
Published: February 2008

Objective:

We report the results of a prospective multicenter pilot study performed in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland with a new self‐centering device for transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO) called the Solysafe Septal Occluder.

Interventions:

The device was successfully implanted in 44 patients. In 15 patients with a median age of 40 years (range 6–76 years), a Solysafe device was successfully implanted in an ASD. The median size of the stretched defects was 17 mm (range 10–21 mm). Three 15‐mm devices, eight 20‐mm devices, and four 25‐mm devices were used. Procedure time ranged from 40 to 107 min (median 66 min) and fluoroscopic time from 5.3 to 17.5 min (median 12 min). In 29 patients with a median age of 47 years (range 15–78 years), a Solysafe device was implanted in a PFO. The procedure time ranged from 21 to 155 min (median 51 min) and fluoroscopic time from 3.1 to 31.3 min (median 7.6 min).

Results:

At discharge, 1 of the 29 patients (3%) had a small shunt. No patient in either the ASD or the PFO group had any major complication. Six months after implantation, the overall closure rate with the Solysafe septal occluder in both groups was 100% (44/44).

Conclusion:

With the self‐centering Solysafe Septal Occluder, PFOs, and ASDs with a stretched diameter of up to 21 mm can be effectively closed with very high occlusion rates. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale with the Amplatzer Cribriform septal occluder
Authors: Silvestry Frank E. , Naseer Nauman , Wiegers Susan E. , Hirshfeld John W. , Herrmann Howard C.
Published: February 2008

Objectives:

We tested the feasibility of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure utilizing the Amplatzer multifenestrated Cribriform atrial septal occluder device.

Background:

This device recently became available and may offer unique advantages for closure of PFO.

Methods:

Nineteen consecutive patients who underwent closure of PFO with the Cribriform device for a variety of indications under intracardiac echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance were studied. The degree of shunting was quantified pre‐ and postprocedure by echocardiography using both Doppler and agitated saline administration. The results with this device were compared to the prior 19 patients who underwent closure with a CardioSeal device.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 52 years and 47% were female. Indications for closure were paradoxical embolism in 17 patients, and hypoxemia due to right to left shunt in 2 patients. The postprocedure bubble contrast study showed a marked improvement in right to left shunting with 13 patients (68%) demonstrating no shunt flow, 4 (21%) having trace shunting, and 2 (11%) mild shunting. There were no device‐related complications. The mean procedure time was 28 ± 10 min. In comparison to the CardioSeal device, a trend was apparent in terms of a greater percentage of patients with immediate closure with the Cribriform device, although a similar percentage of defect closure was seen at 6 months with both devices. Procedure time was shorter with the Cribriform device, related in part to the reduced need for balloon sizing.

Conclusions:

This initial experience suggests a number of favorable characteristics of the Amplatzer Cribriform device for PFO closure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous closure of nonrestrictive aortopulmonary window in three infants
Authors: Trehan Vijay , Nigam Arima , Tyagi Sanjay
Published: February 2008

Aortopulmonary (AP) window, a communication between ascending aorta and pulmonary artery, is usually nonrestrictive and causes severe pulmonary vascular obstructive disease early in life. Only in 10% of the cases it is restrictive. There are sporadic case reports [1–8] of device closure of AP window which are mostly confined to these restrictive AP windows, that too in adults or relatively older children. Till date there is a single case report of device closure of nonrestirctive AP window in an infant [8]. We report our single experience of device closure of large, nonrestrictive AP windows in 3 infants. Percutaneous closure of AP window in each of the three patients was done by a different type of device i.e. duct occluder, muscular VSD occluder and perimembranous VSD occluder. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Drug‐eluting stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in patients with orthotopic heart transplantation: Initial clinical experience
Authors: Lee Michael S. , Chun Kook‐Jin , Tobis Jonathan M.
Published: February 2008

Objectives:

To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug‐eluting stents (DES) in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease.

Background:

Accelerated transplant coronary artery disease occurs in 50% of patients at 5 years and is the major cause of death following OHT. The optimal treatment for ULMCA disease in OHT patients is unknown.

Methods:

From April 2003 to December 2006, five OHT patients with ULMCA disease underwent PCI with DES at the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center.

Results:

Technical success was achieved in all five patients. At a median follow‐up of 518 days (range 124–990 days), all five patients were alive and free from death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. No binary restenosis was present in four patients who underwent surveillance angiography. One patient underwent repeat OHT for progressive left ventricular dysfunction.

Conclusions:

In OHT patients, ULMCA PCI with DES is feasible with an excellent technical success rate and is a reasonably palliative treatment option for this difficult patient population. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemodynamic rounds series: Left heart catheterization and mitral balloon valvuloplasty in a patient with a mechanical aortic valve
Authors: Kosmicki Douglas , Michaels Andrew D.
Published: February 2008

Patients with rheumatic heart disease and a history of mechanical aortic valve replacement will occasionally present with significant mitral stenosis for consideration of mitral balloon valvuloplasty. The conventional retrograde trans‐aortic method for left heart catheterization cannot be done for patients with a mechanical aortic valve. We present a patient with a mechanical aortic valve who underwent successful left heart catheterization and mitral valvuloplasty via a transseptal approach. A 5 French pigtail catheter was advanced through the left atrial 8 French Mullins sheath into the left ventricle, for simultaneous pressure measurement across the mitral valve. This manuscript discusses the strengths and weaknesses of several approaches for left heart catheterization in patients with a mechanical aortic valve. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determinants of coronary arterial flow‐mediated dilatation following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: McGrady Michele , Thanyasiri Panuratn , Bailey Brian P. , Celermajer David S. , Adams Mark R.
Published: February 2008

Objective: It has previously been observed that coronary diameter may increase following relief of flow‐limiting obstruction. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) is a fundamental adaptive mechanism for arteries, which is dependent on intact endothelial function. We thus aimed to characterize whether the degree of this flow‐mediated dilatation was related to risk factors, which may impair endothelial function. Design: We measured coronary diameter with quantitative angiography before and after relief of chronic total or subtotal (≥99%) occlusion in 171 patients, in which TIMI‐0 or TIMI‐1 flow was rapidly restored to TIMI‐3 (with attendant increase in flow hypothesized to result in FMD). Patients: Of the 171 patients, 73% were male, 62% were current or ex‐smokers, 47% were diabetic, 53% had hypertension, 64% had dyslipidemia (documented hypercholesterolemia or total cholesterol >5.0 mg/dL) and 65% were taking statin therapy. Results: Mean vessel diameter was 2.8 ± 0.7 mm and flow‐mediated dilatation measured 15.1% ± 20.1% in target vessel, compared with 1.6 ± 3.1 in control vessels (P < 0.05). FMD was strongly and inversely related to baseline vessel diameter (r = −0.48, P < 0.001). The degree of vessel dilation correlated negatively with the presence of diabetes (r = −0.33, P < 0.001), smoking (r = −0.30, P < 0.001) and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD, r = −0.17, P = 0.01) and positively with the use of statins (r = 0.27, P = 0.001). These factors, apart from extent of CAD, remained significant predictors of FMD on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: FMD occurs in human coronary arteries following restoration of flow. The magnitude of FMD appears related to vascular risk factors and their treatment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Successful use of the Heartrail III catheter as a stent delivery catheter following failure of conventional techniques
Authors: Mamas M.A. , Fath‐Ordoubadi F. , Fraser D.
Published: February 2008

The Terumo “five in six” system involves insertion of an extra length, 5 Fr Terumo guide catheter (Heartrail, Terumo) into a standard 6 Fr guide catheter so that the tip protrudes beyond the 6 Fr guide. This system increases backup support and has been used successfully to advance balloon catheters across chronic total occlusions. We describe the use of this system to facilitate extra deep intubation, enabling distal stent delivery beyond proximal points of obstruction that had been unsuccessful using more conventional techniques. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bidirectional manipulation facilitating percutaneous retrieval of Swan‐Ganz catheter entrapped in tricuspid valve apparatus
Authors: Khard Aleem , Lefèvre Thierry
Published: February 2008

We present a case of a 69‐year‐old male patient who, after uneventful coronary artery bypass grafting, had a Swan‐Ganz catheter entrapped in the tricuspid apparatus. An original technique to remove the catheter percutaneously was used after unsuccessful attempts using a conventional lasso technique. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carboxylate Ligands Drastically Enhance the Rates of Oxo Exchange and Hydrogen Peroxide Disproportionation by Oxo Manganese Compounds of Potential Biological Significance
Authors: Dubois Lionel , Pécaut Jacques , Charlot Marie‐France , Baffert Carole , Collomb Marie‐Noëlle , Deronzier Alain , Latour Jean‐Marc
Published: February 2008

To mimic the carboxylate‐rich active site of the manganese catalases more closely we introduced carboxylate groups into dimanganese complexes in place of nitrogen ligands. The series of dimanganese(III,IV) complexes of tripodal ligands [Mn2(L)2(O)2]3+/+/−/3− was extended from those of tpa (1) and H(bpg) (2) to those of H2(pda) (3) and H3(nta) (4) (tpa=tris‐picolylamine, H(bpg)=bis‐picolylglycylamine, H2(pda)=picolyldiglycylamine, H3(nta)=nitrilotriacetic acid). While 3 [Mn2(pda)2(O)2][Na(H2O)3] could be synthesized at −20 °C and characterized in the solid state, 4 [Mn2(nta)2(O)2]3− could be obtained and studied only in solution at −60 °C. A new synthetic procedure for the dimanganese(III,III) complexes was devised, using stoichiometric reduction of the dimanganese(III,IV) precursor by the benzil radical with EPR monitoring. This enabled the preparation of the parent dimanganese(III,III) complex 5 [Mn2(tpa)2(O)2](ClO4)2, which was structurally characterized. The UV/visible, IR, EPR, magnetic, and electrochemical properties of complexes 1–3 and 5 were analyzed to assess the electronic changes brought about by the carboxylate replacement of pyridine ligands. The kinetics of the oxo ligand exchanges with labeled water was examined in acetonitrile solution. A dramatic effect of the number of carboxylates was evidenced. Interestingly, the influence of the second carboxylate substitution differs from that of the first one probably because this substitution occurs on an out‐of‐plane coordination while the former occurs in the plane of the [Mn2O2] core. Indeed, on going from 1 to 3 the exchange rate was increased by a factor of 50. Addition of triethylamine caused a rate increase for 1, but not for 3. The abilities of 1–3 to disproportionate H2O2 were assessed volumetrically. The disproportionation exhibited a sensitivity corresponding to the carboxylate substitution. These observations strongly suggest that the carboxylate ligands in 2 and 3 act as internal bases.
Single‐Crystal X‐ray Study of Ba2Cu2Te4O11Br2 and Its Incommensurately Modulated Superstructure Companion
Authors: Fredrickson Takagi Rie , Johnsson Mats , Lidin Sven
Published: February 2008

Compounds containing lone‐pair elements such as TeIV are very interesting from the structural point of view, as the lone‐pair nonbonding regions create low‐dimensional geometrical arrangements. We have synthesized two new compounds with these features—Ba2Cu2Te4O11Br2 (I) and Ba2Cu2Te4O11−δ(OH)2δBr2 (II, δ≈0.57)—as members of the AE‐M‐Te‐O‐X (AE=alkaline‐earth metal, M=transition metal, X=halide) family of compounds by solid‐state reactions. Preliminary single‐crystal X‐ray analysis indicated that compound I crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, but attempts at refinement proved unsatisfactory. Closer inspection of the reciprocal lattice revealed systematic, non‐crystallographic absences that indicate twinning. The structure is in fact triclinic, space group C$\bar 1$ (equivalent to P$\bar 1$), with unit cell parameters (at 120 K) of a=10.9027(9), b=15.0864(7), c=9.379(2) Å, β=106.8947°. It is layered and built from [TeO3E] tetrahedra, [TeO3+1E] trigonal bipyramids (where E is the lone pair of TeIV), [CuO4] squares and irregular [BaO10Br] polyhedra. The crystal structure of II shows the same basic structure as I but contains additional oxygen, probably in the form of OH groups. The presence of satellites reveals that ordering on this O site creates an incommensurate modulation, primarily affecting Br and Te. The modulated structure of II was solved in the triclinic superspace group X$\bar 1$(αβγ)0 with the vector q≈1/16 c*.
Vesicles to Concentrate Iron in Low‐Iron Media: An Attempt to Mimic Marine Siderophores
Authors: Bednarova Lucie , Brandel Jérémy , d'Hardemare Amaury du Moulinet , Bednar Jan , Serratrice Guy , Pierre Jean‐Louis
Published: February 2008

Amphiphilic catechol‐type iron chelators were studied with the aim of mimicking the properties of marine bacterial siderophores. The FeIII complexation constants and aqueous solution speciation of LS10, a sulfonated catechol unit that has a C10 lipophilic carbon chain connected by an amide linkage, were determined by spectrophotometric titration. The calculated value of pFe3+ is 18.1 at pH 7.4. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy showed that the tris(catecholate) ferric complex formed at physiological pH initially assembles into micelles, in which the catecholate–iron units stay on the exterior of the micelle. The average diameter of these micelles was estimated to be 4.2 nm. The micelles then slowly rearrange into clusters of different sizes, which leads to the formation of unilamellar and bilamellar vesicles. The reorganization processes are comparable to those observed by Butler et al. for the marinobactin siderophores produced by marine bacteria, but in contrast to the marinobactins, vesicles of the Fe3+–LS10 complex form without an excess of iron relative to ligand concentration. The time‐dependent micelle‐to‐vesicle transition is discussed herein.
TEMPO/HCl/NaNO2 Catalyst: A Transition‐Metal‐Free Approach to Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Wang Xinliang , Liu Renhua , Jin Yu , Liang Xinmiao
Published: February 2008

Hydrochloric acid, a very inexpensive and readily available inorganic acid, has been found to cooperate exquisitely with NaNO2/TEMPO in catalyzing the molecular‐oxygen‐driven oxidation of a broad range of alcohol substrates to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones. This transition‐metal‐free catalytic oxidative conversion is novel and represents an interesting alternative route to the corresponding carbonyl compounds to the metal‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols. The reaction is highly selective with respect to the desired product when carried out at room temperature in air at atmospheric pressure. Notably, the use of very inexpensive NaNO2 and HCl in combination with TEMPO for this highly selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols in air at ambient temperature makes the reaction operationally and economically very attractive. The results of mechanistic studies, performed with the aid of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), are presented and discussed. TEMPO, TEMPOH, and TEMPO+ were observed in the redox cycle by means of ESI‐MS. On the basis of these observations, a mechanism is proposed that may provide an insight into the newly developed aerobic alcohol oxidation.
6‐Thioguanine in DNA as CD‐spectroscopic probe to study local structural changes upon protein binding
Authors: Repges Rudolf , Beuck Christine , Weinhold Elmar , Raabe Gerhard , Fleischhauer Jorg
Published: February 2008

A combination of experimental and theoretical circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was used to study local deformations of DNA caused by binding of the base flipping DNA methyltransferase M.TaqI. To selectively study the structural changes within the DNA, we replaced single guanine residues at six different positions in duplex DNA with 6‐thioguanine (s6G), which absorbs at 342 nm where unmodified DNA and the enzyme are transparent. The shape and the transition wavelength of a CD signal around 340 nm in the spectra of the free DNA and the M.TaqI‐bound DNA were found to depend on the position of the s6G probe. Theoretical rotational strengths were calculated employing the matrix method which is frequently used to model the CD of large biomolecules. The only chromophores in these calculations were the nucleic acid bases. Comparison of the measured and the calculated CD spectra showed that the applied computational method qualitatively reproduces the dominant band observed around 340 nm in all cases. From our results we conclude that the spectral changes observed upon binding of the enzyme to the DNA are indeed predominantly due to structural changes within the DNA and not to other effects caused by the presence of the enzyme. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluidic communication between multiple vertically segregated microfluidic channels connected by nanocapillary array membranes
Authors: Gong Maojun , Flachsbart Bruce R. , Shannon Mark A. , Bohn Paul W. , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: February 2008

Hybrid microfluidic/nanofluidic devices offer unique capabilities for manipulating and analyzing minute volumes of expensive or hard‐to‐obtain samples. Here, multilayer poly‐(methyl methacrylate) microchips, with multiple spatially isolated microfluidic channels interconnected by nanocapillary array membranes (NCAMs), are fabricated using an adhesive contact printing process. The NCAMs, positioned between the microfluidic channel layers, add functionality to the inter‐microchannel fluid transfer unit operation. They do so because the transport of specific analytes through the NCAM can be controlled by adjusting the ionic strength, the polarity of the applied bias, the surface charge density, and the pore size. A simplified, floating injection technique for NCAM‐coupled nanofluidic devices is described and compared with conventional biased injection. In the floating injection approach, a voltage is applied across the injection channel and the slight electric field extension at the cross‐section is used to transfer analytes through the nanopores to the separation channel. Floating injection excels in plug reproducibility, separation resolution, and operation simplicity, although it decreases assay throughput relative to biased injection. Floating injection can avoid the uneven distribution of analytes in the microfluidic channel that sometimes results from biased injection because of the volume mismatch between NCAM nanopore transport capacity and the supply of fluid. Moreover, the pressure‐driven flow caused by the mismatch of the EOFs in the microfluidic channels connected by an NCAM must be considered when using NCAMs with pore diameters below 50 nm.
Assay of bradykinin‐related peptides in human body fluids using capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Chen Ying , Xu Liangjun , Lin Jinming , Chen Guonan
Published: February 2008

A CE with LIF detection was developed for separation and determination of bradykinin (BK)‐related peptides, such as BK, kallidin (Kal), and neurokinin A (NKA). BK‐related peptides were derivatized with FITC prior to CE‐LIF analysis. Sodium borate 10 mmol/L at pH 9.5 was selected as derivatization media in order to get the high efficiency. Three peptides were baseline‐separated within 10 min by using 110 mmol/L sodium borate–sodium hydroxide solution at pH 10.0 as the running buffer. Concentration detection limits (S/N = 3) for BK, Kal, and NKA were 0.08, 0.5, and 0.2 nmol/L, respectively. Meanwhile we have also developed a simple, quick, and sensitive large‐volume sample stacking (LVSS) technique for CE‐LIF detection of BK, Kal, and NKA. By using this stacking technique, the detection limits (S/N = 3) for BK, Kal, and NKA were 0.02, 0.05, and 0.04 nmol/L, respectively. This method has been applied to the assay of human saliva and cerebrospinal fluid with satisfactory results.
Use of large‐volume sample stacking in on‐line solid‐phase extraction‐capillary electrophoresis for improved sensitivity
Authors: Puig Patricia , Tempels F. W. Alexander , Somsen Govert W. , de Jong Gerhardus J. , Borrull Francesc , Aguilar Carme , Calull Marta
Published: February 2008

We present a new system for the sensitive analysis of cephalosporins by CE using both on‐line SPE and large‐volume sample stacking (LVSS). Sample volumes of 250 μL were loaded onto the SPE microcolumn which was then desorbed with 426 nL of ACN. The SPE elution plug was injected into the CE system via an in‐line valve interface filling approximately 60% of the volume of the separation capillary. Subsequently, LVSS was performed by applying a voltage of −5 kV, which resulted in the simultaneous removal of the elution solvent and the preconcentration of the analytes in a narrow zone. This way the amount of analyte loaded into the capillary could be considerably increased without serious loss of CE separation efficiency. LODs for cefoperazone and ceftiofur were in the ng/L range which represents an improvement of a factor of 8450 and 11 450 when compared with direct CE injection. The cephalosporin test compounds presented a good linear response (corrected peak area) between 0.5 and 10 μg/L with correlation coefficients higher than 0.995. The final method is compared with previously reported LVSS‐CE and SPE‐CE systems for the analysis of cephalosporins.
Diversity of rice glutelin polypeptides in wild species assessed by the higher‐temperature sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subunit‐specific antibodies
Authors: Khan Nadar , Katsube‐Tanaka Tomoyuki , Iida Shuichi , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Nakano Junichi , Tsujimoto Hisashi
Published: February 2008

In efforts to find genetic resources with high nutritional value of rice seed, we assessed the diversity of the major storage protein glutelin in 13 wild and 2 cultivated rice species by a unique SDS‐PAGE method and subunit‐specific antibodies. Maximum separation of microheterogeneous glutelin α‐polypeptides, which is a prerequisite for the diversity evaluation, could be attained by SDS‐PAGE performed at higher temperature (45°C) than the generally employed temperatures (4–25°C). Seven antipeptide antibodies were raised against subunit‐specific epitope sequences designed at five sites from four variable regions spanning the glutelin α‐polypeptides. High specificity of each antibody was confirmed using rice glutelin mutants, and demonstrated considerable variation in amino acid sequence and accumulation level of glutelin subunit in wild species, in combination with the higher‐temperature SDS‐PAGE. The degree of the variation was, however, changed according to the site of variable regions and the type of subunit. Some wild species accumulated nutritious GluB subunits more than cultivated rice. The wild species Oryza longiglumis and O. brachyantha had glutelin with low reactivity against most antibodies examined in this study, reflecting the significant divergence. Such wild species may hopefully serve as important genetic resources for nutritional improvement of cultivated rice.
Performance of seismic‐isolated bridges with and without elastic‐gap devices in near‐fault zones
Authors: Dicleli Murat
Published: February 2008

In this paper, the efficiency of providing elastic‐gap devices (EGDs) to improve the performance of seismic‐isolated bridges (SIBs) in near‐fault (NF) zones is investigated. The device is primarily made of an assembly of circular rubber bearings and steel plates to provide additional elastic stiffness to the SIB upon closure of a gap. The EDG is intended to function at two performance levels under service and maximum considered design level (MCDL) NF earthquakes to reduce isolator displacements while keeping the substructure forces at reasonable levels. A parametric study, involving more than 500 nonlinear time history analyses of realistic and simplified structural models of typical SIBs, is conducted using simulated and actual NF ground motions to investigate the applicability of the proposed solution. It is found that providing EGD is beneficial for reducing the isolator displacements to manageable ranges for SIBs subjected to MCDL NF ground motions regardless of the distance from the fault and characteristics of the isolator. It is also found that providing EGD resulted in an improved performance of the isolators in terms of the reduction of heat generated by the isolators. Further analyses conducted using a realistic structural model of an existing bridge and five NF earthquakes confirmed that EGD may be used to reduce the displacement of the isolators while keeping the substructure base shear forces at reasonable ranges for SIBs located in NF zones. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse simulation of a four‐story steel moment frame by a distributed online hybrid test
Authors: Wang Tao , McCormick Jason , Yoshitake Nobuya , Pan Peng , Murata Yosuke , Nakashima Masayoshi
Published: February 2008

The collapse of a one‐bay, four‐story steel moment frame is simulated in this study by the proposed peer‐to‐peer (P2P) Internet online hybrid test system. The typical beam hinging mechanism, which is ensured by a strong‐column, weak‐beam design, is reproduced. The plastic hinges at the column bases are taken as the experimental portions, while the superstructure is analyzed numerically by a general‐purpose finite element program. The implicit plastic rotations of the two column bases are treated as boundary displacements. In order to account for the complex behavior of the column bases, the P2P system is modified to use the secant stiffness during iterations, and the physical specimens are designed such that the plastic hinge behavior can be obtained. For this study, the three substructures are distributed to different locations. A large ground motion is repeatedly imposed until the column bases lose their capacity to sustain the gravity load. As a result, significant deterioration is observed at both column bases. The proposed P2P system is thus demonstrated to be able to accommodate multiple‐tested substructures involving unstable behavior. The results suggest that the P2P Internet online hybrid test system provides a reliable means of studying structures up to collapse. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using neuropsychological feedback therapeutically in treatment for anorexia nervosa: two illustrative case reports
Authors: Lopez Carolina , Roberts Marion E. , Tchanturia Kate , Treasure Janet
Published: February 2008

Information processing in anorexia nervosa (AN) has been characterised as having a tendency to get trapped in detail, and having difficulties with set‐shifting. These characteristics can be addressed in treatment through personalised interventions targeting thinking styles and their role in the development and maintenance of an eating disorder (ED). This paper outlines a three‐session assessment and feedback module designed to identify and address these information processing biases. Two case reports are presented to illustrate the structure, content and outcome of the intervention. Both patients described the intervention as helpful in providing a structure and rationale for the steps required in recovery. The short nature and promising results of this intervention make it an attractive addition to current treatment programmes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Genomewide scan of ocular refraction in African‐American families shows significant linkage to chromosome 7p15
Authors: Ciner Elise , Wojciechowski Robert , Ibay Grace , Bailey‐Wilson Joan E. , Stambolian Dwight
Published: February 2008

Refractive development is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Genetic studies have identified several regions of linkage to ocular refraction, but none have been carried out in African‐derived populations. We performed quantitative trait locus linkage analyses in African‐American (AA) families to identify genomic regions responsible for refraction. We recruited 493 AA individuals in 96 families to participate in the Myopia Family Study. Genotyping of 387 microsatellite markers was performed on 398 participants. The mean refraction among genotyped individuals was −2.87 D (SD=3.58) and myopia of at least 1 D was present in 267 (68%) participants. Multipoint, regression‐based, linkage analyses were carried out on a logarithmic transformation of ocular refraction using the statistical package MERLIN‐REGRESS. Empirical significance levels were determined via 4,898 whole‐genome gene‐dropping simulations. Linkage analyses were repeated after clustering families into two subgroups based on admixture proportions as determined by the software package STRUCTURE. Genomewide significant linkage was seen at 47 cM on chromosome 7 (logarithm of the odds ratio (LOD)=5.87, P=0.00005). In addition, three regions on chromosomes 2p, 3p and 10p showed suggestive evidence of linkage (LOD>2, P<0.005) for ocular refraction. We mapped the first quantitative trait locus for ocular refraction in an AA population to chr.7p15. Two previous studies in European‐derived families reported some evidence of linkage to a nearby region, suggesting that this region may contain polymorphisms that mediate refraction across populations. The genomic region under our linkage peak spans ∼17 Mb and contains ∼170 genes. Further refinement of this region will be pursued in future studies. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GlialCAM, an immunoglobulin‐like cell adhesion molecule is expressed in glial cells of the central nervous system
Authors: Favre‐Kontula Linda , Rolland Alexandre , Bernasconi Lilia , Karmirantzou Maria , Power Christine , Antonsson Bruno , Boschert Ursula
Published: February 2008

Using structure based genome mining targeting vascular endothelial and platelet derived growth factor immunoglobulin (Ig) like folds, we have identified a sequence corresponding to a single transmembrane protein with two Ig domains, which we cloned from a human brain cDNA library. The cDNA is identical to hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule (hepaCAM), which was originally described as a tumor suppressor gene in liver. Here, we show that the protein is predominantly expressed in the mouse and human nervous system. In liver, the expression is very low in humans, and is not detected in mice. To identify the central nervous system (CNS) regions and cell types expressing the protein, we performed a LacZ reporter gene assay on heterozygous mice in which one copy of the gene encoding the novel protein had been replaced with β‐galactosidase. β‐galactosidase expression was prominent in white matter tracts of the CNS. Furthermore, expression was detected in ependymal cells of the brain ventricular zones and the central canal of the spinal cord. Double labeling experiments showed expression mainly in CNPase positive oligodendrocytes (OL). Since the protein is predominantly expressed in the CNS glial cells, we named the molecule glial cell adhesion molecule (GlialCAM). A potential role for GlialCAM in myelination was supported by its up‐regulation during postnatal mouse brain development, where it was concomitantly expressed with myelin basic protein (MBP). In addition, in vitro, GlialCAM was observed in various developmental stages of OL and in astrocytes in processes and at cell contact sites. In A2B5 positive OL, GlialCAM colocalizes with GAP43 in OL growth cone like structures. Overall, the data presented here indicate a potential function for GlialCAM in glial cell biology. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leukemia inhibitory factor signaling modulates both central nervous system demyelination and myelin repair
Authors: Marriott Mark P. , Emery Ben , Cate Holly S. , Binder Michele D. , Kemper Dennis , Wu Qizhu , Kolbe Scott , Gordon Ian R. , Wang Hong , Egan Gary , Murray Simon , Butzkueven Helmut , Kilpatrick Trevor J.
Published: February 2008

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor signaling limits the severity of inflammatory demyelination in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a T‐cell dependent animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) [Butzkueven et al. (2002) Nat Med 8:613–619]. To identify whether LIF exerts direct effects within the central nervous system to limit demyelination, we have studied the influence of LIF upon the phenotype of mice challenged with cuprizone, a copper chelator, which produces a toxic oligodendrocytopathy. We find that exogenously administered LIF limits cuprizone‐induced demyelination. Knockout mice deficient in LIF exhibit both potentiated demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss after cuprizone challenge, an effect that is ameliorated by exogenous LIF, arguing for a direct beneficial effect of endogenous LIF receptor signaling. Numbers of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in cuprizone‐challenged mice are not influenced by either exogenous LIF or LIF deficiency, arguing for effects directed to the differentiated oligodendrocyte. Studies on the influence of LIF upon remyelination after cuprizone challenge fail to reveal any significant effect of exogenous LIF. The LIF‐knockout mice do, however, display impaired remyelination, although oligodendrocyte replenishment, previously identified to occur from the progenitor pool, is not significantly compromised. Thus endogenous LIF receptor signaling is not only protective of oligodendrocytes but can also enhance remyelination, and exogenous LIF has therapeutic potential in limiting the consequences of oligodendrocyte damage. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transforming growth factor‐activated kinase 1 induced in spinal astrocytes contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity after nerve injury
Authors: Katsura Hirokazu , Obata Koichi , Miyoshi Kan , Kondo Takashi , Yamanaka Hiroki , Kobayashi Kimiko , Dai Yi , Fukuoka Tetsuo , Sakagami Masafumi , Noguchi Koichi
Published: February 2008

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Transforming growth factor‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the MAPK kinase kinase family, is indispensable for the activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. We now show that TAK1 induced in spinal cord astrocytes is crucial for mechanical hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury. Nerve injury induced a striking increase in the expression of TAK1 in the ipsilateral dorsal horn, and TAK1 was increased in hyperactive astrocytes, but not in neurons or microglia. Intrathecal administration of TAK1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS‐ODN) prevented and reversed nerve injury‐induced mechanical, but not heat hypersensitivity. Furthermore, TAK1 AS‐ODN suppressed the activation of JNK1, but not p38 MAPK, in spinal astrocytes. In contrast, there was no change in TAK1 expression in primary sensory neurons, and TAK1 AS‐ODN did not attenuate the induction of transient receptor potential ion channel TRPV1 in sensory neurons. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TAK1 upregulation in spinal astrocytes has a substantial role in the development and maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity through the JNK1 pathway. Thus, preventing the TAK1/JNK1 signaling cascade in astrocytes might provide a fruitful strategy for treating intractable neuropathic pain. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.