bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, spectroscopic and X‐ray single‐crystal structure study of bis(2‐methoxy‐ethanolato)‐bis(8‐quinolinato)titanium(IV)
Authors: Mirzaee M. , Amini M. M.
Published: February 2005

Reaction of Ti(OCH2CH2OR)4 (RCH3 and C2H5) with 8‐hydroxyquinoline in benzene at room temperature resulted in the formation of Ti(C9H6NO)2(OCH2CH2OR)2, characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, UV and mass spectroscopies. The molecular structure of Ti(C9H6NO)2(OCH2CH2OCH3)2 has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The geometry at titanium is a distorted octahedron, with the nitrogen atoms of quinolinate occupying the trans position with respect to oxygens of the 2‐methoxyethoxy groups. The prepared quinolinate derivatives of titanium alkoxides are very stable towards hydrolysis and harsh conditions are required for hydrolytic cleavage. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Side‐chain control of folding of the homologous α‐, β‐, and γ‐peptides into “mixed” helices (β‐helices)
Authors: Baldauf Carsten , Günther Robert , Hofmann Hans‐Jörg
Published: February 2005

A systematic analysis of the substituent influence on the formation of the unique secondary structure type of “mixed” helices in the homologous α‐, β‐, and γ‐peptides was performed on the basis of ab initio molecular orbital theory. Contrary to the common periodic peptide helices, mixed helices have an alternating periodicity and their hydrogen‐bonding pattern is similar to those of β‐sheets. They belong, therefore, to the family of β‐helices. It is shown that folding of peptide sequences into mixed helices is energetically preferred over folding into their periodic counterparts in numerous cases. The influence of entropy and solvents on the formation of the various competitive mixed and periodic helix types is discussed. Among the oligomers of the various homologous amino acids, β‐peptides show the highest tendency to form β‐helices. The rules of substituent influence derived from the analysis of a wide variety of backbone substitution patterns might be helpful for a rational design of mixed helix structures, which could be important for mimicking membrane channels. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 80: 675–687, 2005

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Estrogen modulates the sexually dimorphic synaptic connectivity of the ventromedial nucleus
Authors: Sá Susana I. , Madeira M. Dulce
Published: February 2005

Neurons in the ventrolateral division of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMNvl) display a remarkable estrogen‐dependent functional and structural plasticity, which is likely to be mediated, in part at least, by neuronal afferents. The present study was designed to determine whether the number of synapses per neuron and the size of individual synapses in the VMNvl vary across the estrus cycle and, also, whether they differ between the sexes. To accomplish this, the VMNvl of adult female rats at proestrus or diestrus day 1 and of age‐matched male rats was analyzed using electron microscopy. We found that a single VMNvl neuron receives around 7,000 synapses during diestrus and ∼10,000 during proestrus. This estrus cycle‐related variation is accounted for by increases in the number of all types of synapses. In males, the number of synapses received by each VMNvl neuron is similar to that of diestrus rats (∼7,500). However, in males the number of axodendritic and axospinous synapses is smaller than in proestrus rats, whereas the number of axosomatic synapses is higher than in diestrus rats. In addition, we found that the size of the postsynaptic densities of axospinous and axosomatic synapses is consistently larger in males than in females. Our results show that the synaptic organization of the VMNvl is sexually dimorphic, with females having more dendritic synapses and males more somatic synapses. They also show that the synaptic plasticity induced by estrogen in the VMNvl is characterized by changes in the number, but not the size, of the synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 484:68–79, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localization of the Na+‐activated K+ channel Slick in the rat central nervous system
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arin , von Hehn Christian A.A. , Mei Xiaofeng , Kaczmarek Leonard K.
Published: February 2005

Na+‐activated K+ currents (KNa) have been reported in multiple neuronal nuclei and the properties of KNa vary in different cell types. We have described previously the distribution of Slack, a Na+‐activated K+ channel subunit. Another recently cloned Na+‐activated K+ channel is Slick, which differs from Slack in its rapid activation and its sensitivity to intracellular ATP levels. We now report the localization of Slick in the rat central nervous system using in situ and immunohistochemical techniques. As for Slack, we find that Slick is widely distributed in the brain. Specifically, strong hybridization signals and immunoreactivity were found in the brainstem, including auditory neurons such as the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. As has also been shown for Slack, Slick is expressed in the olfactory bulb, red nucleus, facial nucleus, pontine nucleus, oculomotor nucleus, substantia nigra, deep cerebellar nuclei, vestibular nucleus, and the thalamus. Slick mRNA and protein, however, also are found in certain neurons that do not express Slack. These neurons include those of the hippocampal CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions, the dentate gyrus, supraoptic nucleus, hypothalamus, and cortical layers II, III, and V. These data suggest that Slick may function independently of Slack in these regions. Computer simulations indicate that Slick currents can cause adaptation during prolonged stimuli. Such adaptation allows a neuron to respond to high‐frequency stimulation with lower‐frequency firing that remains temporally locked to individual stimuli, a property seen in many auditory neurons. Although it is not yet known if Slick and Slack subunits heteromultimerize, the existence of two genes that encode KNa, that are widely expressed in the nervous system, with both overlapping and nonoverlapping distributions, provides the basis for the reported heterogeneity in the properties of KNa from various neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 484:80–92, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomical basis of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in the striatum and related basal ganglia during postnatal development of the rat
Authors: Oo Tinmarla Frances , Ries Vincent , Cho Jinwhan , Kholodilov Nikolai , Burke Robert E.
Published: February 2005

There is increasing evidence that glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays a role as a limiting, striatal target‐derived neurotrophic factor for dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) by regulating the magnitude of the first phase of postnatal natural cell death which occurs in these neurons. While it has been shown that GDNF mRNA is relatively abundant in postnatal striatum, the cellular basis of its expression has been unknown. We therefore used nonradioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to examine the cellular basis of GDNF mRNA and protein expression, respectively, in postnatal striatum and related structures. We found that GDNF mRNA is expressed within medium‐sized striatal neurons. Expression in glia was not observed. At the protein level, regionally, GDNF expression in striatum was observed in striosomal patches, as previously described. At a cellular level a few neurons were observed, but they do not account for the striosomal pattern. This pattern is predominantly due to GDNF‐positive neuropil. Some of this neuropil arises from tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive nigro‐striatal dopaminergic afferents. Astrocytic processes do not appear to contribute to the striosomal pattern. GDNF‐positive fibers are identified not only within intrinsic striatal neuropil, but also in fibers within the major striatal efferent targets: the globus pallidus, the entopeduncular nucleus, and the SN pars reticulata. We conclude that during normal postnatal development, medium‐sized neurons are the principal source of GDNF within the striatum. J. Comp. Neurol. 484:57–67, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comorbidity of depression and anxiety in nursing home patients
Authors: Smalbrugge Martin , Jongenelis Lineke , Pot Anne Margriet , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Eefsting Jan A.
Published: February 2005

Objectives

To assess the occurrence and risk indicators of depression, anxiety, and comorbid anxiety and depression among nursing home patients and to determine whether depression and anxiety are best described in a dimensional or in a categorical classification system.

Methods

DSM and subthreshold anxiety disorders, anxiety symptoms, major and minor depression and depressive symptoms were assessed in 333 nursing home patients of somatic wards of 14 nursing homes in the north west of the Netherlands with the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Comorbidity was studied along a severity gradient. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify demographic, health‐related, psychosocial and care‐related correlates of anxiety and depression.

Results

The prevalence of pure depression (PD) was 17.1%, of pure anxiety (PA) 4.8%, and of comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) 5.1%. Comorbidity increased dependent on severity of both anxiety and depression. Different patterns of risk indicators were demonstrated for PA, PD and CAD for the investigated baseline characteristics.

Conclusions

Comorbidity of anxiety and depression is most prevalent in the more severe depressive and anxious nursing home patients. The gradual increase of comorbidity of anxiety and depression dependent on the levels of severity of depression and anxiety suggests that for nursing home patients a dimensional classification of depression and anxiety is more appropriate than a categorical one. The observed differences in patterns of risk indicators for PA, PD and CAD support a distinguishing of anxiety and depression. Future studies are needed to assess the effect of treatment of PA, PD and CAD in nursing home patients. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of life in dementia—a one‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Selwood Amber , Thorgrimsen Lene , Orrell Martin
Published: February 2005

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is becoming an increasingly used outcome measure in both clinical practice and research but little is known about QoL in dementia and how it may change over time.

Objective

To study longitudinal change in quality of life over a period of one year in 60 people with dementia aged 65 years or over.

Methods

The original sample was selected from inpatient, day hospital, nursing home and residential home settings within a London Mental Health Trust. The QoL‐AD, DQoL and EQ‐5D were assessed at baseline and repeated one‐year later. At follow‐up the CSDD, MMSE and RAID were also completed.

Results

Fifty‐eight people were traced and of these 40 (69%) were alive at follow up. There was no mean change in quality of life over the one‐year period, however around half of the people had increases or decreases in their quality of life. The only significant predictor of quality of life at follow‐up was initial quality of life (p < 0.0005). Quality of life at follow‐up correlated significantly with depression (p < 0.0005) and anxiety (p < 0.01) but not with cognition.

Conclusion

The main finding of this study is that people with dementia do not perceive that their quality of life declined over a period of one‐year. More people were able to complete the QoL‐AD than the DQoL or EQ‐5D at follow‐up and it seemed easier to use for people with severe dementia. Future research should investigate how quality of life changes over longer time periods with larger samples and in relation to specific interventions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mortality from dementia in a community‐dwelling Brazilian population
Authors: Nitrini Ricardo , Caramelli Paulo , Herrera Emílio , de Castro Isac , Bahia Valéria S. , Anghinah Renato , Caixeta Leonardo F. , Radanovic Márcia , Charchat‐Fichman Helenice , Porto Cláudia S. , Teresa Carthery Maria , Hartmann Ana Paula J. , Huang Nancy , Smid Jerusa , Lima Edison P. , Takahashi Daniel Yasumasa , Takada Leonel Tadao
Published: February 2005

Background

The influence of dementia on mortality has not yet been reported for a Latin American country.

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of dementia on mortality of a community‐dwelling elderly population in Brazil, and to verify the extent to which the diagnosis of dementia is reported on death certificates.

Methods

A cohort of 1,656 individuals, aged 65 and over, was screened for dementia at their domiciles, in 1997. The same population was re‐evaluated in 2000, and information on deaths was obtained from relatives and from the municipal obituary service. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used for the survival analysis, and the mortality risk ratio (MMR) was calculated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

We obtained data from 1,393 subjects, corresponding to 84.1% of the target population. The number of deaths was 58 (51.3%) among the patients with dementia and 163 (12.7%) among those without dementia in 1997 (p < 0.0001). Dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) decreased survival, with hazards ratios of 5.16 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.74–7.12] for dementia and 4.76 (95% CI: 3.16–7.18) for AD. The Cox proportional hazards model identified dementia (MMR = 3.92, 95% CI: 2.80–5.48) as the most significant predictor of death, followed by age, history of stroke, complaints of visual impairment and heart failure and by severe arterial hypertension in the baseline evaluation. Dementia and/or AD were mentioned in only 12.5% of the death certificates of individuals with dementia.

Conclusions

Dementia causes a significant decrease in survival, and the diagnosis of dementia is rarely reported on death certificates in Brazil. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological wellbeing in later life: the longitudinal effects of marriage, widowhood and marital status change
Authors: Bennett Kate M.
Published: February 2005

Aim

The study examined cross‐sectionally and longitudinally psychological wellbeing in the context of marital status, gender, and age.

Method

Measures were taken eight years apart for three groups: married at both interviews; widowed at both interviews; and married at first interview but widowed at third. Data were analysed using multiple regression models: dependent variables were morale and social engagement; independent variables were marital status, gender and age.

Results

Cross‐sectionally significant differences were found for marital status and age for both morale and social engagement. Both widowed and newly widowed participants reported lower morale and social engagement than their married counterparts. In the longitudinal model, when prior levels of morale were taken into account, only age and being newly widowed contributed significantly to the variance (R2). The same pattern of results was found for social engagement. Gender was never significant.

Conclusion

The results illustrate the value of modelling both cross‐sectional and longitudinal data. The latter demonstrated that the size of the effect differed between those who had recently widowed and those who had been widowed for longer. The study shows that age needs to be taken into account when examining widowhood. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modification of poly(ether urethane urea) with modified dehydroepiandrosterone for improved in vivo biostability
Authors: Christenson Elizabeth M. , Wiggins Michael J. , Anderson James M. , Hiltner Anne
Published: February 2005

In this study, a fatty acid urethane derivative of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was synthesized and evaluated as a polyurethane additive to increase long‐term biostability. The modification was hypothesized to reduce the water solubility of the DHEA and physically anchor the additive in the polyurethane during implantation. Polyurethane film weight loss in water as a function of time was studied to determine the polymer retention of the modified DHEA. The polyurethane film with unmodified DHEA had significant weight loss in the first day (10%) that was previously correlated to rapid leaching of the additive. The polyurethane film with modified DHEA had significantly less weight loss at all time points indicating improved polymer retention. The effect of the modified DHEA additive on the biostability of a poly(ether urethane urea) was examined after 5 weeks of subcutaneous implantation in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Optical micrographs and infrared analysis of the specimens indicated that the modified DHEA bloomed to the surface of the film forming a crystalline surface layer approximately 10–15 microns thick. After explantation, this surface layer was intact without measurable differences in surface chemistry as monitored by attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. There was no evidence of degradation of the polyurethane underneath the modified DHEA surface layer as compared with the polyurethane control. We have concluded that the modified DHEA self‐assembled into a protective surface coating that inhibited degradation of the polyurethane. The roughness of the modified DHEA surface layer prevented adherent cell analysis to determine if the additive retained the ability to down‐regulate macrophage activity. Subsequent studies will investigate the ability of surface‐modifying additives to modulate cellular respiratory bursts in addition to the formation of an impermeable barrier. This bimodal approach to improving biostability holds great promise in the field of polyurethane biomaterials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 73A: 108–115, 2005
Role of interleukin‐6 in cardiomyocyte/cardiac fibroblast interactions during myocyte hypertrophy and fibroblast proliferation
Authors: Fredj Sandra , Bescond Jocelyn , Louault Claire , Delwail Adriana , Lecron Jean‐claude , Potreau Daniel
Published: February 2005

The process of cardiac hypertrophy is considered to involve two components: that of cardiac myocyte (CM) enlargement and cardiac fibroblast (CF) proliferation. The interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) family cytokines have been implicated in a variety of cellular and molecular interactions between myocytes and non‐myocytes (NCMs), which in turn have important roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In the study of these interactions, we previously detected very high levels of IL‐6 in supernatants of a “dedifferentiated model” of adult ventricular CMs cultured with CFs. In the present study, we have used this in vitro coculture system to examine how IL‐6 is involved in the interactions between CMs and CFs during CM hypertrophy and CF proliferation. IL‐6 and its signal transducer, 130‐kDa glycoprotein (gp130), were detected by immunostaining cultured CMs and CFs with anti‐IL‐6 or anti‐gp130 antibodies. Addition of anti‐IL‐6 or anti‐gp130 antagonist antibodies into CM/CF cocultures induced a significant decrease in expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and β‐myosin heavy chain (β‐MHC) in CMs. The presence of IL‐6 antagonist also resulted in a decrease in the surface area of 12‐day‐old CMs cultured with CFs or in the presence of fibroblast conditioned medium (FCM), and decreased fibroblast proliferation in CM/CF cocultures, particularly in the presence of a gp130 antagonist. The results also show that angiotensin II (AngII) is mainly secreted by CFs and induces IL‐6 secretion in CMs cultured with CFs or with FCM. In addition, the effects of IL‐6 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibroblast proliferation were inhibited by addition of the AT‐1 receptor antagonist, losartan. These results suggest that IL‐6 contributes significantly to CM hypertrophy by an autocrine pathway and to fibroblast proliferation by a paracrine pathway and that these effects could be mediated by AngII. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deep desulfurization of hydrodesulfurized diesel oil by Pseudomonas delafieldii R‐8
Authors: Guobin Shan , Jianmin Xing , Huaiying Zhang , Huizhou Liu
Published: February 2005

Biodesulfurization is a promising technology for deep desulfurization. The remaining alkylated DBTs (dibenzothiophenes) in the HDS‐treated (hydrodesulfurized‐treated) diesel oil could be selectively and efficiently desulfurized by resting cells of Pseudomonas delafieldii R‐8, a Gram‐negative bacterium. The desulfurization activities of resting cells were greatly affected by W/O ratio (the volume ratio of aqueous phase to oil phase) and cell concentration. The desulfurization activity increased with the increase in the W/O ratio. When the W/O ratio and cell concentration were 2 and 25 mg cm−3, the desulfurization activity was as high as 0.41 mg(total sulfur) g−1(dry cell weight, DCW) h−1, ie higher than that reported previously. GC‐AED (gas chromatography with an atomic emission detector) analysis showed that the total reductions for all the C1DBTs and C2DBTs were approximately 100%, 94.63% for C3DBT, and 97.09% for C4DBT (designated CxDBT, where x is the number of alkyl groups attached). The rates of biodesulfurization relate to the number and position of alkyl groups attached to the DBT. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Estimating the selectivity of ozone in the removal of polyphenols from vinasse
Authors: Martín Santos MA , Bonilla Venceslada JL , Martín Martín A , García García I
Published: February 2005

The detoxification of some types of wastewater such as vinasse requires the combined use of chemical and biological treatments. The chemical treatment (eg chemical oxidation) tries to remove resistant compounds in order to make the waste more biodegradable. For economic and environmental reasons, the oxidant should be as selective as possible. Ozone in an acid medium can be an appropriate choice for this purpose. In this work, a straightforward method for estimating the oxidative selectivity of ozone against the rest of the organic load of the waste is developed. Though the kinetic constants found for the reactions of ozone with phenolic compounds are between 20 and 4 times higher than the reaction of ozone with the rest of the whole organic charge, the high organic load (COD) of vinasse yields low values for the selectivity of the reaction of interest, in any case, the selectivity increases with the increasing concentration of phenols. For the highest phenols concentration relative to the whole organic load (ie 0.6%) a selectivity of approximately 12% is obtained. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Effective poxvirus removal by sterile filtration during manufacture of plasma derivatives
Authors: Berting A. , Goerner W. , Spruth M. , Kistner O. , Kreil T.R.
Published: February 2005

As a consequence of the September 2001 terrorist events, programs to protect against further such acts including potentially the use of biological warfare agents have been launched in the USA and elsewhere. As part of these initiatives, Vaccinia virus was procured for the pre‐emptive vaccination of key personnel against smallpox as well as population‐wide protection after an eventual exposure. The introduction of this live virus into a population at a relatively large scale represents a theoretical challenge for the safety of the blood supply, and potentially for plasma for fractionation. To strengthen further the demonstration of safety margins for plasma derived products against Vaccinia virus, the capacity of sterile filtration procedures to remove the virus was investigated. An infectivity assay for the Vaccinia virus strain which represents the majority of smallpox vaccine stocks available currently was used to investigate the potential removal of this virus by sterile filtration processes during the manufacture of plasma derivatives. Vaccinia virus behaves as predicted based on its size, i.e., an artificially added virus load is removed about 10,000‐fold by the sterile filtration procedures tested. As the current investigation covered a range of different protein concentrations, filter materials and filters from different manufacturers, the results obtained are considered to be widely applicable. The current investigation supports further the high safety margins of plasma derivatives against any potential Vaccinia virus content of plasma for fractionation. As the large size is a general feature of Orthopox viruses, the results would also provide assurance against poxviruses identified more recently, for example, Monkeypox virus. J. Med. Virol. 75:603–607, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HIV‐1 subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) from HIV‐infected patients residing in two regions of central and southern Italy
Authors: Monno Laura , Brindicci Gaetano , Caputo Sergio Lo , Punzi Grazia , Scarabaggio Teresa , Riva Chiara , Bari Cesare Di , Pierotti Piera , Saracino Annalisa , Lagioia Antonella , Mazzotta Francesco , Balotta Claudia , Angarano Gioacchino
Published: February 2005

A total of 347 pol gene sequences from 88 Tuscan and 259 Apulian subjects (including 52 non‐Italians and 9 children) were analyzed phylogenetically. Forty‐four (12.6%) non‐B subtypes were found, including 3.4% C, 1.4% F1, 0.8% G, and 0.3% each for J and A pure subtypes, and 3.7% CRF02_AG, 1.4% CRF01_AE, 0.6% BF, and 0.3% CRF06‐cpx recombinant forms. An additional sample close‐matched the pol gene of an unique recombinant form (URF AGK 99GR303). The non‐B subtypes were from 40 adults and 4 children; 12 of these 44 patients were epidemiologically linked. Thirty‐three of the 44 non‐B viruses pertained to non‐Italian immigrants and 11 to Italians, signifying that 63.4% immigrants and 3.7% Italians harbored non‐B subtypes. The overall frequency of non‐B subtypes was higher in Tuscany than in Apulia (18.1% vs. 10.8%). Moreover, 6.1% and 3.0% non‐B subtypes were found among Italians from Florence and Apulia, respectively, while 52.1% and 72.4% of immigrants living in Tuscany and Apulia harbored non‐B subtypes. Women infected by means of sexual contact prevailed among non‐Italian adults; the majority of Italians were males and admitted high‐risk sexual behavior. Four Italians had a history of extensive travel in countries of high endemicity. Social and epidemiological changes are responsible for an increasing circulation of non‐B subtypes in Italy. Although non‐B subtypes principally infect non‐Italian patients, in Italy they can no longer be considered exclusively restricted to subjects from endemic areas. J. Med. Virol. 75:483–490, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutations in the nonstructural region 5B of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b: Their relation to viral load, response to interferon, and the nonstructural region 5A
Authors: Watanabe Kazumasa , Yoshioka Kentaro , Yano Motoyoshi , Ishigami Masatoshi , Ukai Koji , Ito Hiroshi , Miyata Fumiyuki , Mizutani Tetsuya , Goto Hidemi
Published: February 2005

The nonstructural 5B (NS5B) protein of hepatitis C virus possesses RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase activity and plays an essential role in viral replication. The mutations in NS5B were determined and the correlation with viral load and response to interferon (IFN) were assessed. The entire NS5B region in 33 patients and its thumb domain in 62 patients was sequenced. The number of amino acid substitutions in the NS5B protein, that in thumb domain and the substitution at aa 389 was correlated with viral load and the response to IFN. Multivariate analysis selected only mutation in IFN sensitivity determining region (ISDR) as a factor associated with the viral load and response to IFN. The number of substitutions in the thumb domain and the substitution at aa 389 correlated with the number of substitutions in the ISDR. These results suggest that mutations in NS5B, especially in the thumb domain and at aa 389, have an important effect on viral load and the response to IFN, although they were dependent on mutations in ISDR. Further studies on the relationship between NS5B and NS5A (ISDR) are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of the correlation with viral load and the response to IFN. J. Med. Virol. 75:504–512, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Favorable efficacy of long‐term lamivudine therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B: An 8‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Someya Takashi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: February 2005

The long‐term efficacy of lamivudine therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still not clear. In this study, 20 non‐cirrhotic Japanese patients infected with HBV received lamivudine therapy for more than 1 year and were followed for a median period of 8.5 years (range, 6.7–8.7 years). The rates of HBe antigen (HbeAg) negative, HBV‐DNA undetectable, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normal level at the start of lamivudine were 55%, 25%, and 20% and 85%, 80%, and were 80%, respectively, at the last visit, including patients who received additional treatment. The values at the last visit tended to and were significantly higher than those at the start. The values improved at the last visit regardless of the emergence of YMDD motif mutant and continuation of lamivudine. YMDD mutant and biochemical relapse with mutant virus (breakthrough hepatitis) appeared in 65% and 45% during follow‐up, respectively, but severe breakthrough hepatitis occurred in only 5%. Furthermore, 80% of patients who received additional treatment for breakthrough hepatitis, regardless of continuation of lamivudine, were ALT normal level at the last visit, in contrast to 25% untreated. HBsAg clearance occurred in two patients of the discontinuous lamivudine group with non‐vertical transmission, who were relatively young. One was infected with HBV genotype C with breakthrough hepatitis and the other had no YMDD mutant and was infected with genotype D, a rare type in Japan. None developed cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during follow‐up. Our results suggest that long‐term lamivudine therapy improves long‐term prognosis, especially when additional treatment for breakthrough hepatitis is used. J. Med. Virol. 75:491–498, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of three different serological techniques for primary diagnosis and monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in two age groups from Tunisia
Authors: Karray H. , Ayadi W. , Fki L. , Hammami A. , Daoud J. , Drira M.M. , Frikha M. , Jlidi R. , Middeldorp J.M.
Published: February 2005

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisia is characterized by its bimodal age distribution involving juvenile patients of 10–24 years and adult patients of 40–60 years. Three serological techniques were compared for primary diagnosis (N = 117) and post‐treatment monitoring (N = 21) of NPC patients separated in two age groups. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used as the “gold standard” for detection of IgG and IgA antibodies reactive with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) early (EA) and viral capsid (VCA) antigens. Results were compared with ELISA measuring IgG and IgA antibody reactivity to defined EBNA1, EA, and VCA antigens. Immunoblot was used to reveal the molecular diversity underlying the anti‐EBV IgG and IgA antibody responses. The results indicate that young NPC patients have significantly more restricted anti‐EBV IgG and IgA antibody responses with aberrant IgG VCA/EA levels in 78% compared to 91.7% in elder patients. IgA VCA/EA was detected in 50% of young patients versus 89.4% for the elder group (P < 0.001). Immunoblot revealed a reduced overall diversity of EBV antigen recognition for both IgG and IgA in young patients. A good concordance was observed between ELISA and IFA for primary NPC diagnosis with 81–91% overall agreement. Even better agreement (95–100%) was found for antibody changes during follow‐up monitoring, showing declining reactivity in patients in remission and increasing reactivity in patients with persistent disease or relapse. ELISA for IgA anti‐VCA‐p18 and immunoblot proved most sensitive for predicting tumor relapse. VCA‐p18 IgA ELISA seems suitable for routine diagnosis and early detection of NPC complication. J. Med. Virol. 75:593–602, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The importance of HCV on the burden of chronic liver disease in Italy: A multicenter prevalence study of 9,997 cases
Authors: Sagnelli Evangelista , Stroffolini Tommaso , Mele Alfonso , Almasio Piero , Coppola Nicola , Ferrigno Luigina , Scolastico Carlo , Onofrio Mirella , Imparato Michele , Filippini Pietro ,   Operative units
Published: February 2005

Knowledge of the current epidemiology of chronic liver disease in Italy is mostly obsolete and fragmentary for the lack of up‐to‐date consistent data. In 2001, a 6‐month prevalence study was undertaken in 79 hospitals to assess the characteristics of chronic liver disease in Italy. Both prevalent and incident cases were enrolled. A total of 9,997 patients were recruited, of whom 939 (9.4%) had normal liver biochemistry, 6,210 (62.1%) had chronic hepatitis, 1,940 (19.4%) had liver cirrhosis, and 341 (3.4%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 567 patients (5.7%) the diagnosis was not established. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was found in 69.9% of the patients and was the only etiological factor in 56.3% of all the patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was present in the serum of 13.4% of the cases (in 10% it was the only etiological factor). A history of alcohol abuse was found in 23% of the cases (9.4% without viral infection). The prevalence of HCV‐related cases was significantly lower in incident than in prevalent cases (44.9% vs. 59.9%, P < 0.0001), while the proportion of patients with alcohol abuse was much higher in incident than in prevalent cases (18.1% vs. 6.6%, P < 0.0001). These findings indicate that nearly one quarter of patients with chronic liver diseases in Italy have a severe disease such as liver cirrhosis and HCC represents a not negligible burden for the national health system. Hepatitis B fell in importance as an etiological factor. Hepatitis C is the important pathogenic factor for chronic liver disease in Italy. However, a comparison between the prevalent and incident cases suggests that in future HCV infection will also play a progressively decreasing role, in part as a consequence of treatment. J. Med. Virol. 75:522–527, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of fertilization and organic amendments on organic‐carbon fractions in Heilu soil on the loess plateau of China
Authors: Wu Tianyun , Schoenau Jeff J. , Li Fengmin , Qian Peiyuan , Malhi Sukhdev S. , Shi Yuanchun
Published: February 2005

The influence of fertilization on organic‐carbon fractions separated by density and particle size in Heilu soil (Calcic Kastanozems, FAO) was investigated in a 20‐year (1979–1999) long‐term experiment on the Loess Plateau of China. Compared to an unfertilized treatment, N application alone did not increase total organic carbon (TOC) and its fractions of density and particle size. However, the treatment of N + P fertilization significantly increased salty‐solution–soluble organic carbon (SSOC), microbial biomass C (MB‐C), and organic C associated with fine silt. When manure was applied alone and in combination with N and P fertilizer, the light fraction of organic C (LFOC), SSOC, and MB‐C were increased significantly, and the TOC was as high as that of a native Heilu soil. Organic C associated with different particle‐size fractions was also increased significantly, and the allocation of C among the fractions was altered: the proportions of C in sand (>50 μm), coarse‐silt (20–50 μm), and fine‐clay (<0.2 μm) fractions were increased whereas fine‐silt (2–20 μm) and coarse‐clay (0.2–2 μm) fractions were decreased. It is concluded that N fertilizer alone is not capable of restoring organic‐matter content in the Heilu soils of the Loess Plateau and that C‐containing material like manure and straw is necessary to produce significant increase in soil organic carbon in these soils.
Erosion processes and erodibility of cultivated soils in North Rhine‐Westphalia under artificial rain. II. Results of field experiments and comparison with laboratory trials
Authors: Kehl Martin , Everding Christoph , Botschek Johannes , Skowronek Armin
Published: February 2005

In the densely populated state of North Rhine‐Westphalia, soil erosion by water causes substantial on‐site degradation and off‐site damages. The implementation of soil‐conservation measures is improved, if soil erodibilities and erosion processes are known. In a state‐wide investigation, we aimed to representatively assess soil‐erosion processes and erodibilities of cultivated soils. For this purpose, we measured surface runoff and soil‐loss rates of 28 cultivated soils with field plots under artificial rain.

In the field experiments, surface runoff and soil loss indicated high sealing susceptibilities and high erodibilities on soils of quite different textures including a clay silt, a loam silt, a loam sand, a sand loam, and two standard loams. Rill formation causing high soil‐loss rates was observed on a clay silt (soil BM) and on a loam silt (soil RB), the latter yielding an empirical K‐factor of 1.66 t ha–1 h N–1. K‐factors of other silty soils ranged from 0.04 to 0.48, whereas sandy soils and clayey soils had K‐factors ranging from 0.00 to 0.32, and 0.00 to 0.12, respectively. Comparatively high erodibilities of two silt clays were due to saturation overland flow. Erosion processes and erodibilities of soils with similar texture varied to a large extent, possibly caused in part by seasonal differences in the timing of erosion tests.

Surface runoff was different in field experiments compared with laboratory experiments (companion paper) conducted with topsoil material taken from the field plots. In addition, higher concentrations of suspended sediment were recorded on average in the field than in the laboratory. These differences might reflect the influence of the subsoil and are due to higher transport capacities on longer plots in the field. Thus, laboratory experiments can complement but not replace costly field trials for K‐factor determination.

Empirical K‐factors derived from field and laboratory experiments are in general lower than K‐factors of other soils in Germany or calculated K‐factors derived from pedotransfer functions, which might be attributed to a more maritime‐type climate in North Rhine‐Westphalia. Since the temporal variability of erodibility was not assessed, the reported K‐factors should be regarded as preliminary.
Release of interlayer potassium in Norwegian grassland soils
Authors: Falk Øgaard Anne , Krogstad Tore
Published: February 2005

Potassium (K) release from sources that are not initially exchangeable is attributed to depletion of interlayer K of micas and clay minerals or weathering of feldspars. The aim of the present study was to estimate the K release from interlayer K. Soil samples from 17 field experiments in ley on a range of mineral soils in Norway were used in the study. The change in K‐fixation capacity was used as an estimate of depletion of interlayer K. It was assumed that the increase in K‐fixation capacity during 3 yr of cropping was equivalent to the amount of K depleted from the interlayer positions. Mean K fixation increased in the majority of the soils during 3 yr of grass cropping both with and without K application. The increase in K fixation indicated that without K application, the K uptake from interlayer K amounted to 43%, 28%, and 26% of the K yield for clay soils, high‐K sandy soils, and low‐K sandy soils, respectively. Including K uptake from exchangeable K in the topsoil and from subsoil, the explained K uptake amounted to 79%, 69%, and 81% for the three groups of soil, respectively. Simple linear‐regression analyses showed that the change in K fixation during 3 yr of grass cropping was best explained by the percentage of clay in the soil.
Long‐term effects of cropped vs. fallow and fertilizer amendments on soil organic matter I. Organic carbon
Authors: Antil Rajinder Singh , Gerzabek Martin H. , Haberhauer Georg , Eder Gerfried
Published: February 2005

A long‐term field experiment, conducted since 1962 in Gumpenstein (Austria) on a Dystric Cambisol, was used for the present investigation. We combined a physical fractionation procedure with the determination of natural abundance of 13C and FT‐IR spectroscopy to study the influence of fertilizer amendments (organic manure and mineral fertilizers) and management practices (fallow vs. cropped) on changes in organic carbon (OC) associated with different particle‐size fractions. The OC content in bulk soil decreased or was not affected by slurry+straw, PK, and NPK treatments in both fallow and cropped plots after 28 and 38 yr of treatment. However, OC in plots receiving organic manures increased depending on the quality of the organic manures applied. The ranking among the different treatments under both fallow and cropped plots was: animal manure (liquid) > animal manure (solid) > cattle slurry = slurry+straw = PK = NPK. Results showed that the two types of management practices, fallow (non‐tilled) vs. cropped (tilled) had effects on OC concentrations. Comparing the OC contribution of particle‐size fractions to the total OC amount revealed the following ranking: silt > clay > fine sand > coarse sand except in the plots receiving solid or liquid animal manure. Size fractions within treatments showed larger variations of 13C abundances than bulk samples between treatments. The natural abundances of 13C increased especially in cropped (and tilled) plots. It was shown by cluster analysis that FT‐IR spectra differentiated between the different treatments originating from different land management practices. The present study revealed that below‐ground C deposition by agricultural plants can hardly compensate the C losses due to tillage.
Exchangeability of phosphate extracted by four chemical methods
Authors: Demaria Paolo , Flisch René , Frossard Emmanuel , Sinaj Sokrat
Published: February 2005

Isotopically exchangeable phosphate (P) is a major source of P for plants. In practice, however, plant‐available P is assessed by chemical extractions solubilizing a mixture of P forms the availability of which is ill defined. We undertook an isotopic approach to assess the exchangeability of P extracted by (1) CO2‐saturated water (P‐CO2), (2) ammonium acetate EDTA (P‐AAEDTA), and (3) sodium bicarbonate (P‐NaHCO3) compared to the exchangeability of P extracted by water. Five topsoils with similar P‐fertilization histories but different soil properties were studied. Phosphorus was extracted from soils labeled with carrier‐free 33P after 1 week of incubation, and the specific activity (SA = 33P / 31P) of the extracts was compared with the SA of P extracted by water to calculate the amount of P isotopically exchangeable that had been solubilized during the extraction. P‐CO2 extracted between 20 and 100 times less P than P‐AAEDTA and P‐NaHCO3. The SA of P‐CO2 was not different from the SA of water‐extractable P, showing that P‐CO2 solubilized similar forms of P as water and that these forms can be considered as available. The SA of P extracted by the two other methods ranged between 25% and 63% for P‐AAEDTA and 66% and 92% for P‐NaHCO3 of the SA of water‐extractable P. The fraction of exchangeable P extracted by AAEDTA decreased linearly with increasing soil pH, suggesting that this method dissolves slowly or non‐exchangeable P from calcium phosphates.
Market mavens: Psychological influences
Authors: Clark Ronald A. , Goldsmith Ronald E.
Published: February 2005

Market mavens are consumers who are highly involved in the marketplace and represent an important source of marketplace information to other consumers. Because of their influence on other consumers across a wide range of product domains, market mavens are particularly interesting to retailers. Previous studies have clarified the behavioral tendencies of market mavens. The present study focuses on psychological influences on market mavenism. A structural‐equation model of the normative influences on the psychology of the market maven is developed and tested. The hypothesized model describes relationships between global psychological constructs (self‐esteem, tendency to conform), consumer traits (susceptibility to interpersonal influence, consumer need for uniqueness), and a domain‐specific tendency (opinion leadership), placing the market maven construct in a normative, nomological network. The hypothesized model was supported by the data. The findings reveal the complexity of the market maven by disclosing their susceptibility to normative influence despite their need for uniqueness. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The moderating effect of on‐line experience on the antecedents and consequences of on‐line satisfaction
Authors: Rodgers Waymond , Negash Solomon , Suk Kwanho
Published: February 2005

The purpose of the present study is to test the moderating effect of on‐line experience on antecedents to on‐line satisfaction and on the relationship between on‐line satisfaction and loyalty. A survey (n = 836) was conducted to test the differences between high and low online experience respondents. The relationship between on‐line satisfaction and on‐line loyalty is stronger for consumers with more online experience than for consumers with less on‐line experience. Another key finding is that antecedents to on‐line satisfaction also differ between high and low on‐line experience consumers. Implications indicate that organizations may develop and provide differentiated services to high‐ and low‐experience consumers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Theory Simul. 2/2005
Authors: Wang Qiang
Published: February 2005

Cover: Monte Carlo simulations reveal the intriguing thin‐film morphology of self‐assembled symmetric diblock copolymers (A‐B) between nano‐patterned surfaces (lower‐right). Tilted lamellae (upper) form at a film thickness of 2.67L0 (where L0 denotes the bulk lamellar period, and the black curves mark the A‐B interfaces), while a checkerboard morphology (lower‐left) forms at a smaller thickness of 1.33L0; in these two y‐z plots, the red corresponds to A‐rich regions in the film, and the blue corresponds to B‐rich regions. The red stripes on the surfaces prefer A blocks, and the blue stripes prefer B blocks; the surface pattern period here is 1.5L0.

Further details can be found in the Full Paper by Q. Wang on page 96.
Skeletal muscle expression of clathrin and mannose 6‐phosphate receptor in experimental chloroquine‐induced myopathy
Authors: Masuda Tomoko , Ueyama Hidetsugu , Nakamura Ken‐Ichiro , Jikumaru Mika , Toyoshima Itaru , Kumamoto Toshihide
Published: February 2005

Previous studies suggest that the muscle fiber lysosome system plays a central role in the increased formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes that occurs in the context of chloroquine‐induced myopathy. The goal of this study was to characterize the contribution of receptor‐mediated intracellular transport, particularly the endosomal pathway, to the abnormal accumulation of vacuoles in experimental chloroquine myopathy. Expression of the mannose 6‐phosphate receptor (M6PR) and clathrin were analyzed in innervated and denervated rat soleus muscles after treatment with either saline or chloroquine. Accumulation of vacuoles was observed only in chloroquine‐treated denervated muscles. Further, clathrin immunostaining and M6PR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were significantly increased in denervated soleus muscle from saline‐ and chloroquine‐treated rats compared to contralateral, innervated muscles. However, there was no difference in clathrin levels when comparing saline‐ and chloroquine‐treated denervated muscles. These data suggest that chloroquine activates the transport of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes from the secretory pathway via the trans‐Golgi network of the Golgi apparatus (an endosomal pathway) as well as autophagosome formation (an autophagic process) in skeletal muscles. Vacuoles may subsequently accumulate secondary to abnormal formation or turnover of autolysosomes at or after fusion of autophagosomes with early endosomes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve, 2005