bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blowup and blowup rate of solutions to a weakly dissipative periodic rod equation
Authors: Hu Qiaoyi , Yin Zhaoyang
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we first establish the local well posedness for a weakly dissipative periodic rod equation. We then present a precise blowup scenario and several blowup results of strong solutions to the equation. We finally give the blowup rate of strong solutions to the equation when blowup occurs. Our blowup results for the weakly dissipative periodic rod equation improve considerably earlier results for the periodic rod equation.
A first-principles study of bulk oxide formation on Pd(100)
Authors: Seriani Nicola , Harl Judith , Mittendorfer Florian , Kresse Georg
Published: August 2009

The catalytic oxidation activity of palladium is influenced by the oxidation state of the metal. Under technologically relevant conditions, bulk and surface oxides may form and decompose. By employing first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we have investigated the transition from the surface oxide to the bulk oxide on Pd(100). We show that the most stable orientation of the oxide film is PdO(101)@Pd(100) at any film thickness. The monolayer has unique electronic, chemical, and thermodynamic properties in comparison to thicker oxide films. In particular, carbon monoxide adsorbs by ∼0.3 eV more strongly on thicker oxides than on the surface oxide, a fact that should influence the catalytical activity. Finally, we show that a simple model employing density functional theory energies predicts a Stranski–Krastanov growth mode for the oxide film, with a critical thickness of 1 ML. Our results give a framework for the interpretation of experiments of Pd oxide growth.
Quaternary semiconductors with positive crystal field splitting: Potential high-efficiency spin-polarized electron sources
Authors: Chen Shiyou , Yin Wan-Jian , Yang Ji-Hui , Gong X. G. , Walsh Aron , Wei Su-Huai
Published: August 2009

Traditional high efficiency spin-polarized electron sources (SPES) consist mainly of binary or pseudobinary zinc-blende GaAs based materials, whereas their ternary analogs II-IV-V2 (II=Zn, Cd, IV=Si, Ge, Sn, and V=As) as well as II-VI ternary analogs I-III-VI2 (I=Cu, Ag, III=Al, Ga, In, and VI=Se) have not drawn wide attention because their crystal field splitting ΔCF near the valence band maximum is either negative or close to zero in their ground state chalcopyrite structure. Using first-principles calculations, we show that some derivative quaternary I-III-II2-VI4 and II-IV-III2-V4 compounds can have coherent ground state stannite or kesterite structures with large and positive ΔCF due to their increased chemical and structural flexibility. We propose that ZnSiAl2As4 and CdGeAl2As4 in the stannite structure, and ZnSnGa2As4 and CuAlCd2Se4 in the kesterite structure could be good candidate SPES materials with high polarization and quantum efficiency.
Strain-induced nitrogen incorporation in atomic layer epitaxy growth of InAsN/GaAs quantum wells using metal organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Albo Asaf , Cytermann Catherine , Bahir Gad , Fekete Dan
Published: August 2009

We report on the growth of high-quality high-indium-content (Ga)InAsN/GaAs quantum wells grown using low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The growth was performed employing a strain-controlled atomic layer epitaxy technique. We verified experimentally that the strain enables the incorporation of nitrogen atoms during the atomic layer epitaxy growth of InAsN monolayers on GaAs. Photoluminescence and secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements indicate that about 2.5% of the nitrogen was incorporated in the grown layers. Utilizing this strain-controlled atomic layer epitaxy technique, we designed and demonstrated highly strained InAsN/GaAs short-period superlattice structure suitable for applications in optical communication.
Detection of morphotropic phase boundary of (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–Ba(Al1/2Sb1/2)O3 solid-solution ceramics
Authors: Hiruma Yuji , Nagata Hajime , Takenaka Tadashi
Published: August 2009

A solid-solution system, (1−x)(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–xBa(Al1/2Sb1/2)O3 (BNT-BAS100x), was fabricated by a conventional ceramic fabrication process. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and pseudocubic phases of BNT-BAS100x was clarified to be at approximately x=0.045, and the highest normalized strain d33* of 532 pm/V was obtained at this composition. This study also revealed that the MPB composition of a BNT-based solid solution shifts to a BNT-rich composition as the tolerance factor t of the end member increases, and t of the MPB composition is always approximately 0.983. This indicates that the MPB position can be predicted from t values of the end members.
Piezoelectric aluminum nitride nanoelectromechanical actuators
Authors: Sinha Nipun , Wabiszewski Graham E. , Mahameed Rashed , Felmetsger Valery V. , Tanner Shawn M. , Carpick Robert W. , Piazza Gianluca
Published: August 2009

This letter reports the implementation of ultrathin (100 nm) aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric layers for the fabrication of vertically deflecting nanoactuators. The films exhibit an average piezoelectric coefficient (d31∼−1.9 pC/N), which is comparable to its microscale counterpart. This allows vertical deflections as large as 40 nm from 18 μm long and 350 nm thick multilayer cantilever bimorph beams with 2 V actuation. Furthermore, in-plane stress and stress gradients have been simultaneously controlled. The films exhibit leakage currents lower than 2 nA/cm2 at 1 V, and have an average relative dielectric constant of approximately 9.2 (as in thicker films). These material characteristics and actuation results make the AlN nanofilms ideal candidates for the realization of nanoelectromechanical switches for low power logic applications.
Temperature dependence of resistance in epitaxial Fe/MgO/Fe magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Ma Q. L. , Wang S. G. , Zhang J. , Wang Yan , Ward R. C. C. , Wang C. , Kohn A. , Zhang X.-G. , Han X. F.
Published: August 2009

The temperature dependence of resistance in parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) configurations (RP,AP) has been investigated in epitaxial Fe/MgO/Fe junctions with varying MgO barrier thicknesses tMgO. RAP exhibits a substantial decrease with increasing temperature for samples with tMgO ranging from 3.0 to 1.5 nm. In contrast, RP is approximately temperature independent when tMgO=3.0 nm and increases with temperature when tMgO=2.1 and 1.5 nm. Possible origins of this temperature dependence of resistance, which include taking into account a spin independent term and consideration of spin-flip scattering, are discussed. We attribute the temperature dependence of RP,AP to the misalignment of magnetic moments in the electrodes due to thermal excitations and its effect on the spin dependent tunneling.
Enhanced infrared emission from colloidal HgTe nanocrystal quantum dots on silicon-on-insulator photonic crystals
Authors: Wang Chunxia , Roither Jürgen , Kirschschlager Raimund , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Brehm Moritz , Fromherz Thomas , Kan Qiang , Tan Pingheng , Liu Jian , Chen Hongda , Heiss Wolfgang
Published: August 2009

A two dimensional silicon-on-insulator based photonic crystal structure is used to enhance the emission from colloidal HgTe nanocrystal quantum dots embedded in a thin polymer film. The enhancement is resonant to the leaky eigenmodes of the photonic crystals due to coherent scattering effects. Transmittance and photoluminescence experiments are presented to map the leaky mode dispersion and the angle dependence of the emission enhancement factor, which reaches values up to 80 (650) for vertical (oblique) emission in the telecommunication wavelength range.
The onset of double diffusive convection in a binary viscoelastic fluid saturated anisotropic porous layer
Authors: Malashetty M. S. , Tan Wenchang , Swamy Mahantesh
Published: August 2009

The onset of double diffusive convection in a binary viscoelastic fluid saturated anisotropic porous layer is studied using a linear and a weak nonlinear stability analyses. The modified Darcy law for the viscoelastic fluid of the Oldroyd type is used to model the momentum equation. The onset criterion for stationary and oscillatory convection is derived analytically. There is a competition between the processes of thermal, solute diffusions, and viscoelasticity that causes the convection to set in through oscillatory rather than stationary. The effect of anisotropy parameters, Darcy–Prandtl number, relaxation, and retardation parameters on the stability of the system is investigated. The nonlinear theory based on the truncated representation of Fourier series method is used to find the transient heat and mass transfer. The effect of various parameters on heat and mass transfer is also brought out.
Binding sites, rotational conformers, and electronic states of Sc–C6H5X (X=F, CH3, OH, and CN) probed by pulsed-field-ionization electron spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Changhua , Krasnokutski Serge A. , Zhang Bing , Yang Dong-Sheng
Published: August 2009

Scandium (Sc) complexes of fluorobenzene (C6H5F), toluene (C6H5CH3), phenol (C6H5OH), and benzonitrile (C6H5CN) are produced in a laser-vaporization molecular beam source. These complexes are studied with pulsed-field-ionization zero-electron-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Adiabatic ionization energies and low-frequency metal-ligand and ligand-based vibrational modes are measured from the ZEKE spectra. Metal binding sites and strengths and electronic states are obtained by comparing the ZEKE spectra with the theoretical calculations. The ionization energies of Sc–C6H5X (X=F, CH3, OH, and CN) follow the trend of CN>F>OH>CH3, whereas the bond energies are in the order of CN>CH3∼OH>F. The metal-ligand stretching frequency of Sc+–C6H5CN is nearly twice as those of the other three complexes. All neutral complexes are in low-spin doublet ground states and singly-charged cations are in singlet states. The preferred Sc binding site in these complexes are the phenyl ring with X=F, CH3, and OH and the nitrile group with CN. For the phenol complex, two rotational conformers are identified in different OH orientations.
Evidence for preferential rearrangements of martensite variants by magnetic field in antiferromagnetic CoO crystal
Authors: Nie Z. H. , Ren Y. , Terai T. , Wang Y. D. , Brown D. E. , Kakeshita T.
Published: August 2009

The synchrotron high-energy x-ray diffraction provides the direct crystallographic evidence for the magnetic-field-driven preferential rearrangements of martensite multivariants in antiferromagnetic CoO crystal. When a magnetic field was incrementally applied up to 6 T on the CoO single crystal cooled below the Néel temperature, the martensite variants with the magnetization easy-axis parallel to the magnetic field direction (H⃗) were consumed, while the variants with magnetic moments perpendicular to H⃗ were enhanced. The microscopic origin for the observation is discussed, which provides important information for understanding the magnetic-field-driven strain observed in the antiferromagnetic alloys, with a selection principle on martensite variants different from that found in the ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.
Changing numbers of neuronal and non-neuronal cells underlie postnatal brain growth in the rat
Authors: Bandeira Fabiana , Lent Roberto , Herculano-Houzel Suzana
Published: August 2009

The rat brain increases >6× in mass from birth to adulthood, presumably through the addition of glial cells and increasing neuronal size, without the addition of neurons. To test this hypothesis, here we investigate quantitatively the postnatal changes in the total number of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the developing rat brain, and examine how these changes correlate with brain growth. Total numbers of cells were determined with the isotropic fractionator in the brains of 53 Wistar rats, from birth to young adulthood. We find that at birth, >90% of the cells in the rat brain are neurons. Following a dormant period of ≈3 days after birth, the net number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and remaining tissue (excluding cerebellum and olfactory bulb) doubles during the first week, then is reduced by 70% during the second postnatal week, concurrently with net gliogenesis. A second round of net addition of 6 million neurons is observed in the cerebral cortex over the following 2 weeks. During the first postnatal week, brain growth relates mainly to increased numbers of neurons of larger average size. In the second and third weeks, it correlates with increased numbers of non-neuronal cells that are smaller in size than the preexisting neurons. Postnatal rat brain development is thus characterized by dramatic changes in the cellular composition of the brain, whose growth is governed by different combinations of cell addition and loss, and changes in average cell size during the first months after birth.
Ca
2+
binding by domain 2 plays a critical role in the activation and stabilization of gelsolin
Authors: Nag Shalini , Ma Qing , Wang Hui , Chumnarnsilpa Sakesit , Lee Wei Lin , Larsson Mårten , Kannan Balakrishnan , Hernandez-Valladares Maria , Burtnick Leslie D. , Robinson Robert C.
Published: August 2009

Gelsolin consists of six homologous domains (G1–G6), each containing a conserved Ca-binding site. Occupation of a subset of these sites enables gelsolin to sever and cap actin filaments in a Ca-dependent manner. Here, we present the structures of Ca-free human gelsolin and of Ca-bound human G1–G3 in a complex with actin. These structures closely resemble those determined previously for equine gelsolin. However, the G2 Ca-binding site is occupied in the human G1–G3/actin structure, whereas it is vacant in the equine version. In-depth comparison of the Ca-free and Ca-activated, actin-bound human gelsolin structures suggests G2 and G6 to be cooperative in binding Ca
2+
and responsible for opening the G2–G6 latch to expose the F-actin-binding site on G2. Mutational analysis of the G2 and G6 Ca-binding sites demonstrates their interdependence in maintaining the compact structure in the absence of calcium. Examination of Ca binding by G2 in human G1–G3/actin reveals that the Ca
2+
locks the G2–G3 interface. Thermal denaturation studies of G2–G3 indicate that Ca binding stabilizes this fragment, driving it into the active conformation. The G2 Ca-binding site is mutated in gelsolin from familial amyloidosis (Finnish-type) patients. This disease initially proceeds through protease cleavage of G2, ultimately to produce a fragment that forms amyloid fibrils. The data presented here support a mechanism whereby the loss of Ca binding by G2 prolongs the lifetime of partially activated, intermediate conformations in which the protease cleavage site is exposed.
Knockdown of
Parhyale Ultrabithorax
recapitulates evolutionary changes in crustacean appendage morphology
Authors: Liubicich Danielle M. , Serano Julia M. , Pavlopoulos Anastasios , Kontarakis Zacharias , Protas Meredith E. , Kwan Elaine , Chatterjee Sandip , Tran Khoa D. , Averof Michalis , Patel Nipam H.
Published: August 2009

Crustaceans possess remarkably diverse appendages, both between segments of a single individual as well as between species. Previous studies in a wide range of crustaceans have demonstrated a correlation between the anterior expression boundary of the homeotic (Hox) gene
Ultrabithorax
(
Ubx
) and the location and number of specialized thoracic feeding appendages, called maxillipeds. Given that Hox genes regulate regional identity in organisms as diverse as mice and flies, these observations in crustaceans led to the hypothesis that
Ubx
expression regulates the number of maxillipeds and that evolutionary changes in
Ubx
expression have generated various aspects of crustacean appendage diversity. Specifically, evolutionary changes in the expression boundary of
Ubx
have resulted in crustacean species with either 0, 1, 2, or 3 pairs of thoracic maxillipeds. Here we test this hypothesis by altering the expression of
Ubx
in
Parhyale hawaiensis
, a crustacean that normally possesses a single pair of maxillipeds. By reducing
Ubx
expression, we can generate
Parhyale
with additional maxillipeds in a pattern reminiscent of that seen in other crustacean species, and these morphological alterations are maintained as the animals molt and mature. These results provide critical evidence supporting the proposition that changes in
Ubx
expression have played a role in generating crustacean appendage diversity and lend general insights into the mechanisms of morphological evolution.
ShortRead: a bioconductor package for input, quality assessment and exploration of high-throughput sequence data
Authors: Morgan Martin , Anders Simon , Lawrence Michael , Aboyoun Patrick , Pagès Hervé , Gentleman Robert
Published: August 2009

Summary:  ShortRead is a package for input, quality assessment, manipulation and output of high-throughput sequencing data. ShortRead is provided in the R and Bioconductor environments, allowing ready access to additional facilities for advanced statistical analysis, data transformation, visualization and integration with diverse genomic resources.

Availability and Implementation: This package is implemented in R and available at the Bioconductor web site; the package contains a ‘vignette’ outlining typical work flows.

Contact:  mtmorgan@fhcrc.org
Plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand, and FasLigand/CD95L in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy correlate with left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Lula Jamille Fernandes , Rocha Manoel Otavio da Costa , Nunes Maria do Carmo Pereira , Ribeiro Antônio Luiz Pinho , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Bahia Maria Terezinha , Talvani André
Published: August 2009

Aims

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of human chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). Members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily (TNF‐α, FasLigand/CD95L, and TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand) are known to activate the death receptor pathway. We therefore investigated whether levels of TNF‐α, FasLigand/CD95L, and TRAIL correlated with changes in heart function of patients with Chagas disease (n = 31).

Methods and results

Concentrations of TNF‐α and TRAIL were clearly augmented in individuals with severe form CCC (n = 16). Levels of FasLigand/CD95L were greater in chagasic patients than in non‐infected individuals (n = 15) but did not differentiate between clinical forms of Chagas disease. There was a good correlation between TNF‐α (r = 0.85 and r = 0.68, P < 0.0001) or TRAIL (r = 0.68 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD), respectively. In addition, TNF‐α (r = 0.57, P = 0.0001), TRAIL (r = 0.56, P = 0.001), and FasLigand/CD95L (r = 0.51, P = 0.001) showed a good correlation with brain natriuretic peptide, a well‐known parameter of ventricular dysfunction in CCC. There was a weak correlation between levels of FasLigand/CD95L (r = 0.50, P < 0.004) and both LVEF and LVDD. There was no correlation between levels of TNF superfamily ligands and chronotropic incompetence, maximal heart rate, or number of ventricular premature beats in 24 h.

Conclusion

Plasma levels of TNF superfamily ligands are elevated in patients with functional but not arrhythmogenic disturbances, and these death receptor ligands may be potential markers of ventricular dysfunction in CCC.
The Majority of the Type III Effector Inventory of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 Can Suppress Plant Immunity
Authors: Guo Ming , Tian Fang , Wamboldt Yashitola , Alfano James R.
Published: August 2009

The Pseudomonas syringae type III protein secretion system (T3SS) and the type III effectors it injects into plant cells are required for plant pathogenicity and the ability to elicit a hypersensitive response (HR). The HR is a programmed cell death that is associated with effector-triggered immunity (ETI). A primary function of P. syringae type III effectors appears to be the suppression of ETI and pathogen-associated molecular pattern–triggered immunity (PTI), which is induced by conserved molecules on microorganisms. We reported that seven type III effectors from P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 were capable of suppressing an HR induced by P. fluorescens(pHIR11) and have now tested 35 DC3000 type III effectors in this assay, finding that the majority of them can suppress the HR induced by HopA1. One newly identified type III effector with particularly strong HR suppression activity was HopS2. We used the pHIR11 derivative pLN1965, which lacks hopA1, in related assays and found that a subset of the type III effectors that suppressed HopA1-induced ETI also suppressed an ETI response induced by AvrRpm1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. A. thaliana plants expressing either HopAO1 or HopF2, two type III effectors that suppressed the HopA1-induced HR, were reduced in the flagellin-induced PTI response as well as PTI induced by other PAMPs and allowed enhanced in planta growth of P. syringae. Collectively, our results suggest that the majority of DC3000 type III effectors can suppress plant immunity. Additionally, the construct pLN1965 will likely be a useful tool in determining whether other type III effectors or effectors from other types of pathogens can suppress either ETI, PTI, or both.
Effect of Carbendazim Resistance on Trichothecene Production and Aggressiveness of Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Zhang Yan-Jun , Yu Jun-Jie , Zhang Yan-Nan , Zhang Xiao , Cheng Chang-Jun , Wang Jan-Xin , Hollomon Derek W. , Fan Ping-Sheng , Zhou Ming-Guo
Published: August 2009

Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph, Gibberella zeae) causes head blight of cereals and contaminates grains with trichothecene mycotoxins that are harmful to humans and domesticated animals. Control of Fusarium head blight relies on carbendazim (MBC) in China, but resistance to MBC in F. graminearum is now widespread. Sixty-seven strains were evaluated for trichothecene production in shake culture or in the field. The strains included 60 wild-type strains (30 MBC-resistant and 30 MBC-sensitive), three MBC-resistant site-directed mutants at codon 167 in β2-tubulin, three MBC-sensitive site-directed mutants at codon 240 in β2-tubulin, and their MBC-sensitive wild-type progenitor strain ZF21. The incidence of infected spikelets and the amount of F. graminearum DNA in field grain (AFgDNA) also were evaluated for all strains. MBC resistance increased trichothecene production in shake culture or in the field. Although MBC resistance did not change the incidence of infected spikelets, it did increase AFgDNA. Tri5 gene expression increased in MBC-resistant strains grown in shake culture. We found a significant exponential relationship between trichothecene production and Tri5 gene expression in shake culture and a linear relationship between the incidence of infected spikelets or AFgDNA and trichothecene production in field grain.
Strain-Specific Cylindrical Inclusion Protein of Soybean mosaic virus Elicits Extreme Resistance and a Lethal Systemic Hypersensitive Response in Two Resistant Soybean Cultivars
Authors: Seo Jang-Kyun , Lee Suk-Ha , Kim Kook-Hyung
Published: August 2009

In the Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)–soybean pathosystem, three independent genes (Rsv1, Rsv3, and Rsv4) conferring resistance to SMV have been identified. Recently, we constructed infectious cDNA clones of SMV G7H and G5H strains and found that these two strains differ in their ability to infect soybean genotypes possessing different SMV resistance genes despite a difference of only 33 amino acids. In particular, pSMV-G7H induced mosaic symptoms systemically in L29 (Rsv3) and provoked a lethal systemic hypersensitive response (LSHR) in Jinpumkong-2, whereas pSMV-G5H could not infect these soybean genotypes. To identify the responsible pathogenic determinants of SMV, we exploited the differential responses of pSMV-G7H- and pSMV-G5H-derived chimeric viruses and amino acid substitution mutant viruses in several soybean genotypes and demonstrated that cylindrical inclusion (CI) protein is the elicitor of Rsv3-mediated extreme resistance and a pathogenic determinant provoking LSHR in Jinpumkong-2. A single amino acid substitution in CI was found to be responsible for gain or loss of elicitor function of CI. Our finding provides a role for CI as a pathogenic determinant in the SMV–soybean pathosystem, and increases the understanding of the basis of the different disease responses of SMV strains.
The Mycorrhiza Fungus Piriformospora indica Induces Fast Root-Surface pH Signaling and Primes Systemic Alkalinization of the Leaf Apoplast Upon Powdery Mildew Infection
Authors: Felle Hubert H. , Waller Frank , Molitor Alexandra , Kogel Karl-Heinz
Published: August 2009

We analyze here, by noninvasive electrophysiology, local and systemic plant responses in the interaction of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with the root-colonizing basidiomycete Piriformospora indica. In the short term (seconds, minutes), a constant flow of P. indica chlamydospores along primary roots altered surface pH characteristics; whereas the root-hair zone transiently alkalized—a typical elicitor response—the elongation zone acidified, indicative of enhanced H+ extrusion and plasma membrane H+ ATPase stimulation. Eight to 10 min after treating roots with chlamydospores, the apoplastic pH of leaves began to acidify, which contrasts with observations of an alkalinization response to various stressors and microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). In the long term (days), plants with P. indica-colonized roots responded to inoculation with the leaf-pathogenic powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei with a leaf apoplastic pH increase of about 2, while the leaf apoplast of noncolonized barley responded to B. graminis f. sp. hordei merely with a pH increase of 0.8. The strong apoplastic pH response is reminiscent of B. graminis f. sp. hordei–triggered pH shifts in resistance gene–mediated resistant barley leaves or upon treatment with a chemical resistance inducer. In contrast, the MAMP N-acetylchito-octaose did not induce resistance to B. graminis f. sp. hordei and did not trigger the primed apoplastic pH shift. We speculate that the primed pH increase is indicative of and supports the potentiated systemic response to B. graminis f. sp. hordei–induced by P. indica in barley.
A microsphere-based remodelling formulation for anisotropic biological tissues
Authors: Menzel Andreas , Waffenschmidt Tobias
Published: August 2009

Biological tissues possess the ability to adapt according to the respective local loading conditions, which results in growth and remodelling phenomena. The main goal of this work is the development of a new remodelling approach that, on the one hand, reflects the alignment of fibrous soft biological tissue with respect to representative loading directions. On the other hand, the continuum approach proposed is based on a sound micro-mechanically motivated formulation. To be specific, use of a worm-like chain model is made to describe the behaviour of long-chain molecules as present in, for instance, collageneous tissues. The extension of such a one-dimensional constitutive equation to the three-dimensional macroscopic level is performed by means of a microsphere formulation. Inherent with the algorithmic treatment of this type of modelling approach, a finite number of unit vectors is considered for the numerical integration over the domain of the unit sphere. As a key aspect of this contribution, remodelling is incorporated by setting up evolution equations for the referential orientations of these integration directions. Accordingly, the unit vectors considered now allow interpretation as internal variables, which characterize the material’s anisotropic properties. Several numerical studies underline the applicability of the model that, moreover, nicely fits into iterative finite element formulations so that general boundary value problems can be solved.
Preliminary evidence of disease response to the pan deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) in refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Dickinson Michael , Ritchie David , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Spencer Andrew , Ottmann Oliver G. , Fischer Thomas , Bhalla Kapil N. , Liu Angela , Parker Katie , Scott Jeffrey W. , Bishton Mark , Miles Prince H.
Published: August 2009

There are few treatment options for patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) who relapse after conventional therapies. Panobinostat is an orally available pan deacetylase inhibitor with evidence of activity in myeloid malignancies and cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Thirteen HL patients were treated with escalating doses of this novel agent in a phase IA/II multicentre study. A computed tomography partial response was achieved in 5/13(38%), and a metabolic response by 18F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐ glucose positron emission tomography scanning in 7/12 (58%) evaluable patients. This report describes the preliminary evidence of anti‐tumour activity seen in the early phase of this study, which recently closed to accrual.
A randomized, controlled evaluation of early intervention: the Born to Learn curriculum
Authors: Drotar D. , Robinson J. , Jeavons L. , Lester Kirchner H.
Published: August 2009

Background  This study addressed the need for studies of the efficacy of the Born to Learn (BTL) curriculum.

Methods  Based on random assignment, 227 families of infants received the BTL curriculum conducted in monthly home visits, and 237 families received general child development education only.

Results  The BTL curriculum resulted in higher mastery motivation (task competence) at 36 months (P < 0.05) and greater effects for children from low (P < 0.01) versus high socio‐economic status on mastery motivation and cognitive development at 24 months. No effects were found on a wide range of other developmental outcomes.

Conclusion  Future studies should document the BTL curriculum effectiveness in diverse settings and samples.
Single mother–daughter pair analysis to clarify the diffusion properties of yeast prion Sup35 in guanidine‐HCl‐treated [PSI+] cells
Authors: Kawai‐Noma Shigeko , Pack Chan‐Gi , Tsuji Toshikazu , Kinjo Masataka , Taguchi Hideki
Published: August 2009

The yeast prion [PSI+] is a protein‐based heritable element, in which aggregates of Sup35 protein are transmitted to daughter cells in a non‐Mendelian manner. To elucidate the mechanism of the transmission, we have developed methods to directly analyse the dynamics of Sup35 fused with GFP in single mother–daughter pairs. As it is known that the treatment of yeast cells with guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) cures [PSI+] by perturbing Hsp104, a prion‐remodelling factor, we analysed the diffusion profiles of Sup35–GFP in GuHCl‐treated [PSI+] cells using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). FCS analyses revealed that Sup35–GFP diffusion in the daughter cells was faster; that is, the Sup35–GFP particle was smaller, than that in the mother [PSI+] cells, and it eventually reached the diffusion profiles in [psi−] cells. We then analysed the flux of Sup35–GFP oligomers from mother to daughter [PSI+] cells in the presence of GuHCl, using a modified fluorescent recovery after photobleaching technique, and found that the flux of the diffuse oligomers was completely inhibited. The noninvasive methods described here can be applied to other protein‐based transmissible systems inside living cells.
R168H and V165X mutant podocin might induce different degrees of podocyte injury via different molecular mechanisms
Authors: Fan Qingfeng , Zhang Han , Ding Jie , Liu Shufang , Miao Jing , Xing Yan , Yu Zihua , Guan Na
Published: August 2009

A lot of mutations of podocin, a key protein of podocyte slit diaphragm (SD), have been found both in hereditary and sporadic focal segmental glomeruloscleorosis (FSGS). Nevertheless, the mechanisms of podocyte injury induced by mutant podocins are still unclear. A compound heterozygous podocin mutation was identified in our FSGS patient, leading to a truncated (podocin V165X) and a missense mutant protein (podocin R168H), respectively. Here, it was explored whether and how both mutant podocins induce podocyte injury in the in vitro cultured podocyte cell line. Our results showed that podocin R168H induced more significant podocyte apoptosis and expression changes in more podocyte molecules than podocin V165X. Podocyte injury caused by the normal localized podocinV165X was effectively inhibited by TRPC6 knockdown. The abnormal retention of podocinR168H in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resulted in the mis‐localizations of other critical SD molecules nephrin, CD2AP and TRPC6, and significantly up‐regulated ER stress markers Bip/grp78, p‐PERK and caspase‐12. These results implicated that podocin R168H and podocin V165X induced different degrees of podocyte injury, which might be resulted from different molecular mechanisms. Our findings provided some possible clues for further exploring the pharmacological targets to the proteinuria induced by different mutant podocins.
Diabetes education and insulin therapy: when will they ever learn?
Authors: MüHLHAUSER I. , BERGER M.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. The Diabetes Education Study Group of the European Diabetes Association was founded in 1979 with its major goal to make effective patient training an integral part of any diabetes therapy. However, even today, in many places diabetes education is not an obligatory part of treatment, but is regarded as an optional service to the patient which is frequently fragmentary and haphazard. On the other hand, many physicians still subject their patients to rigid dietary instructions and obedience training, an approach which is mistaken for diabetes education. Several misconceptions about diabetes education keep counteracting the spread and hence the availability of effective treatment and teaching programmes for all Type 1 diabetic patients. One such misconception is that diabetes education could compensate for deficiences of inappropriate insulin treatment regimens. Studies failing to demonstrate the impact of diabetes education on metabolic control, typically used an insulin treatment regimen with only one or two insulin injections per day, the predominant use of intermediate acting insulin preparations, and without (day‐to‐day) adjustment of insulin dosages by the patients themselves. A further reason for a lack of success of diabetes education is an unstructured approach which is frequently mistaken for individualized care. The deleterious effects of putting patients on intensified insulin therapy without offering them sufficient and systematic training have manifested themselves at various places by an excessive increase in the risk of severe hypoglycaemia, and of ketoacidosis during therapy with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. The effective and safe performance of insulin therapy requires both a rational system of insulin substitution and intensive training of the patients to carry it out. The injection of regular insulin before main meals and the use of intermediate or long‐acting insulin preparations for the substitution of basal insulin requirements combined with daily metabolic self‐monitoring and (day‐to‐day) adaptation of insulin dosages by the patients themselves allow a substantial improvement of glycaemic control without an increase in the risk of severe hypoglycaemia and the adoption of a more flexible life style largely freed from forcing and directive dietary and other impositions. Each diabetes centre should continuously evaluate the quality of care offered to their patients as a basis for a specific and systematic improvement of its treatment and education programmes. Such quality control measures must include a recording of the patients' degree of metabolic control and the frequencies of severe hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis. The results of such quality control systems need to be made available to the public, i.e. the diabetic patients.
Low blood pressure and blood glucose levels in Alzheimer's disease Evidence for a hypometabolic disorder?
Authors: LANDIN K. , BLENNOW K. , WALLIN A. , GOTTFRIES C.‐G.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objective. To test possible differences between patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and patients with other forms of dementia and the healthy population concerning body composition, blood pressure, metabolic data and leukoaraiosis (LA).

Design. Retrospective study on data collected according to a predefined protocol.

Setting. A geriatric, neuropsychiatric diagnostic unit.

Subjects. Seventy‐one consecutive patients with dementia.

Main outcome measures. Body mass index, blood pressure, metabolism and LA in AD compared to other dementia forms.

Results. Mean blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels were lower in patients with AD, 94 ± 12 mmHg and 4.3 ± 0.5 mmol l−1, compared to patients with unspecified dementia (NUD), 100 ± 10 mmHg and 5.5 ± 2.5 mmol l−1 (P < 0.05) and vascular dementia (VAD), 114 ± 12 mmHg and 5.6 ± 1.6 mmol l−1 (P < 0.001) and the age‐matched healthy population. Body mass index, serum cholesterol and Cortisol were similar in all groups of dementia patients whereas triglycerides were highest in the VAD group. No cases of diabetes or treatment for hypertension were found in the AD group while the prevalence was 21% and 36% for diabetes in the NUD and VAD groups and 8% in the population from the same region. There were 16% with antihypertensive treatment in dementia NUD, 50% in VAD, and 30% in the general population. Treated or newly detected hypothyreosis was present in 11 % of the AD patients, none in the other dementia groups and 2% in the general population. Smoking was least common in AD. Degree of LA correlated with blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Conclusions. AD was clearly different to other dementia patients. They had lower blood pressure, blood glucose and higher prevalence of hypothyreosis than the healthy, age‐matched population. These findings may indicate that AD could be a hypometabolic disorder.
Vegetable versus animal protein diet in cirrhotic patients with chronic encephalopathy. A randomized cross‐over comparison
Authors: BIANCHI G. P. , MARCHESINI G. , FABBRI A. , RONDELLI A. , BUGIANESI E. , ZOLI M. , PISI E.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. In a randomized cross‐over comparison, the effects of a mainly vegetable protein diet were compared with an animal protein diet in eight patients with cirrhosis and chronic permanent encephalopathy, under optimum lactulose therapy. After a run‐in period, patients were fed two equi‐caloric, equi‐nitrogenous diets for 7 days (71 g total proteins), containing either 50 g protein of animal origin or 50 g vegetable proteins. In the last 3 days of each period, nitrogen balance was significantly better during the vegetable protein diet (+ 0.2 (SD 1.4) g vs. — 1.7 (2.4): P < 0.01), the difference being entirely due to a reduced urinary nitrogen excretion. Average daytime integrated blood glucose was slightly higher during vegetable proteins, whereas insulin, plasma amino acids and ammonia were lower. The clinical grading of encephalopathy improved slightly on vegetable proteins, and psychometric tests improved significantly, but remained grossly abnormal. Compliance to dietary manipulation was good. The data prove that a mainly vegetable protein diet is worthwhile in cirrhotic patients with chronic encephalopathy under optimum lactulose therapy. Improved nitrogen balance may be related to more effective nitrogen use for protein synthesis, probably due to blunted hormonal response, and largely outweighs the effects on encephalopathy.
Prognostic significance of type and location of a first myocardial infarction
Authors: MØLSTAD P.
Published: August 2009

Abstract.The prognostic significance of type (Q‐wave versus non‐Q‐wave) and location of infarction (anterior versus infero‐posterior) was assessed in 350 patients with a first myocardial infarction followed for 3 years. A baseline multivariate Cox model was constructed from variables assessable at entry of the index infarction. The prognostic significance of site and type of infarction was evaluated when added to this model. Both Q‐wave infarction and anterior location were significant with a risk ratio of 1.91 (95% confidence interval 1.14‐3.18) and 1.70 (95% confidence interval 1.11‐2.61) respectively. However, when the model also included the size of infarction. Q‐wave infarction was no longer formally significant, while anterior location still was associated with adverse outcome (risk ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.02‐2.39). It is inferred from the results that this effect of anterior infarction is due to a larger damage to the left ventricle for identical infarct sizes compared to infero‐posterior infarctions.
Monitoring of hearing during treatment of leukaemia with special reference to the use of amikacin
Authors: AXDORPH U. , LAURELL G. , BJÖRKHOLM M.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Thirty‐nine patients with leukaemia were followed audiometrically during treatment with broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Amikacin was given during neutropenic febrile episodes. Five patients reported a deterioration of the hearing function after termination of amikacin treatment. Significant hearing threshold loss occurred in 20 patients (51%). The hearing threshold changes were small in general, except for two patients who exhibited bilateral hearing threshold changes in the frequency range 0.5–8 kHz.

Using multiple linear regression analysis 22% of the changes in hearing thresholds was estimated to be related to old age, an increased trough concentration of amikacin and an impaired pretreatment hearing state. Factors found not to influence the hearing thresholds were maximum peak concentration of amikacin, cumulative duration of therapy, pretreatment renal dysfunction and concomitant use of vancomycin.

It is concluded that administration of amikacin for repeated treatment courses is associated with a low incidence of serious changes in hearing function.
Metabolic effects of strict salt restriction in essential hypertensive patients
Authors: DEL RÍO A. , RODRÍGUEZ‐VILLAMIL J. L.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objetive. Some observations suggest that a strict low‐salt diet may induce unfavourable metabolic side‐effects. The main aim of this study was to analyse the possible consequences of severe salt restriction in mildly hypertensive patients. Design. The study was carried out through a randomized double‐blind protocol. Subjects. Forty‐seven ambulatory patients proceeding from the hypertension unit were initially admitted: 17 were lost, and 30 non‐diabetic mildly hypertensives (DBF 90–104 mmHg) with normal renal function completed the protocol.

Intervention. After a wash‐out period, patients were maintained on a low‐salt intake (2.8 ± 1.0 g day−1 of NaCl) and placebo for 2 weeks, and the same diet and salt supplements (11.7± 2.5 g day−1 of NaCl) for another 2 weeks, separated by a second wash‐out period.

Measures. At the end of each dietary period, blood pressure (BP) and body weight were measured, and a blood sample was taken for determination of routine serum chemistries, plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and plasma renin activity (PRA). Urinary 24 h excretion of sodium and potassium were measured.

Results. During the salt restriction period BP did not change, weight lowered, and PRA raised. There was a significant increase in serum level of creatinine, uric acid, JRI, total cholesterol and apo B, and a decrease in HDL cholesterol and apo A‐I.

Conclusion. As previously suggested, these observations seem to indicate that strict salt restriction may cause, at least in the short‐term, adverse metabolic changes in hypertensive patients.
The effect of psychosocial stress and risk factors for ischaemic heart disease on the plasma fibrinogen concentration
Authors: MATTIASSON I. , LINDGÄRDE F.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To assess the effect on the fibrinogen concentration of sleep disturbance and mental stress, taking into account the effect of 21 other variables related to the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Design. A cross‐sectional study on men threatened by redundancy, and controls.

Setting. A health screening programme in Malmö, Sweden.

Subjects. Four hundred and eighty five workers in a shipbuilding yard, scheduled for closure, and 190 age‐matched men. The subjects were randomly selected from a larger group of shipyard workers and controls invited to a health screening programme. Mean age was 51.6 years (range 38–62 years).

Main outcome measures. Plasma fibrinogen concentration, serum Cortisol concentration, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, blood lipids, platelet number and size, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, vital capacity, liver enzymes, blood glucose concentration fasting and after an oral glucose tolerance test. Questionnaire designed to evaluate muscle tension, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, job stress, alcohol and smoking habits and perceived health.

Results. In stepwise regression analysis fibrinogen concentration was found to be correlated to white blood cell count, muscle tension, heart rate, body mass index, age and serum cholesterol concentration in non‐smokers, which together explained 14.9% of the variation in fibrinogen concentration. In smokers, platelet count, heart rate, serum triglyceride concentration, age and fasting glucose explained 22.5% of the variation in fibrinogen concentration. The fibrinogen concentration was inversely correlated to the psychological variables, but unrelated to the serum Cortisol concentration or to factors connected with the job situation, and it was decreased in moderate alcohol consumers.

Conclusions. Our interpretation of the findings is that an increase in the plasma fibrinogen concentration reflects the presence of a low‐grade inflammatory process, and poor physical fitness.
Deep vein thrombosis: a 7‐year follow‐up study
Authors: HELDAL M. , SEEM E. , SANDSET P. M. , ABILDGAARD U.
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To study the sequelae of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in terms of symptoms and objective signs of deep venous insufficiency (DVI) and their relationship to the initial extension of DVT, and to assess the control legs in the same way.

Design. Follow‐up study after an average of 89 (range 79–102) months.

Setting. Out‐patient clinic, University Hospital, Oslo.

Subjects. Seventy‐six patients with DVT 7 years previously. At follow‐up 41 patients were dead and 10 were not available for restudy, thus twenty‐five patients were studied in all.

Main outcome measures. Symptom rating. Objective verification of DVI by invasive pressure recordings (DVI‐I) and by the Doppler ultrasound technique (DVI‐D).

Results. At follow‐up, 42% of the patients had symptoms, half of these severe, while 68% had DVI. Eighty‐two per cent of symptomatic patients and 60% of the asymptomatic patients had DVI. There were no more symptoms in proximal than in distal DVT, but slightly more DVI. Control legs had neither symptoms nor DVI.

Conclusions. Seven years after DVT few patients had severe symptoms, although objective signs of DVI were common. Symptoms were no more frequent after proximal than after distal DVT. We found no symptoms or DVI in control legs.