bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biotransformation activities of feral fish in waters receiving bleached pulp mill effluents
Authors: Lindström-Seppä Pirjo , Oikari Aimo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractPerch (Perca fluviatilis L.), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) and bream (Abramis brama L.) were collected from an area in the southern part of Lake Saimaa (Finland), which is polluted by effluents from the pulp and paper industry, and compared to fish caught at several upstream locations in the same lake system. Livers were sampled in the field, and polysubstrate monooxygenase (PSMO) activities and other parameters of the microsomal cytochrome P-450 system, as well as conjugation enzymes, were later analyzed in the laboratory. The enzymes assayed included 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, UDP-glucuronosyltrans-ferase and glutathione S-transferase. The influence of effluents discharged from the mill, which produces chlorine-bleached kraft pulp, was seen in each fish species as elevations of liver PSMO activities. The content of total glutathione was increased in fish collected from the most polluted areas, but the changes in conjugation enzymes were not as clearly related to the pollution gradient. These results were compared to analyses from several control areas located at various distances upstream from the industry investigated. To assess the possible influence of another pulp mill, Baikalsk Cellulose Combine, hepatic PSMO activities of Cottus kessleri and Paracottus kneri, two sculpins endemic to Lake Baikal (USSR), were also measured. In this case no effects were observed. In conclusion PSMO enzymes analyzed from stationary feral fish can serve as a tool for assessing and monitoring chemical contamination caused by pulp and paper mill effluents.
Performance analysis of best‐path selection scheme for multi‐hop amplify‐and‐forward relaying
Authors: Ikki Salama Said , Ahmed Mohammed Houssm 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis letter derives closed‐form expressions for the error probability, capacity outage and channel capacity for the best‐path selection amplify‐and‐forward technique over non‐identical Rayleigh fading channels. In particular, this letter derives closed‐form expressions for the cumulative distribution function (CDF) and the probability density function (PDF) of the output signal‐to‐noise (SNR) at the destination. We use these statistics to obtain the expressions of the error probability, capacity outage and channel capacity. Furthermore, closed‐form expressions for some of the statistics of the output SNR such as the SNR moments and the amount of fading have been determined. Simulation results are used to verify the analytical results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resource allocation algorithms for minimum rates scheduling in MIMO‐OFDM systems
Authors: Klotz Johannes Georg , Knabe Frederic , Huppert Carolin 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we consider a multiple‐input‐multiple‐output‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) downlink scenario, where each receiving mobile station has quality of service requirements, namely minimum rate requirements. For this problem we propose three heuristic resource allocation algorithms, which have a much lower complexity than the existing optimal solution (opt). We compare and evaluate these algorithms according to sum rate performance and complexity. The first strategy is based on a heuristic sum rate maximisation algorithm using the so‐called eigenvalue updates. In our second algorithm, we make use of the duality of uplink and downlink, which allows us to do the allocation in the dual uplink. Finally, our third algorithm is based on the well‐known zero‐forcing dirty paper coding (ZF‐DPC) principles, which use the Gram‐‐Schmidt process to orthogonalise the transmissions towards the different users. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new and efficient sensory method for a comprehensive assessment of the sensory quality of dried aroma‐intensive herbs using oregano as a reference plant
Authors: Bansleben Anne‐Christin , Schellenberg Ingo , Ulrich Detlef , Bansleben David 
Published: May 2010

AbstractToday the world market for oregano has exploded, from a once insignificant amount to a consumption volume of 500 000 tonnes/year. This is due to consumers' change in preference for Mediterranean‐style cooking and innovative cosmetic‐ and health‐related products. Since there are currently only three genotypes on the European food market, the diversity of human taste requires the breeding of new and sensorily interesting varieties. When investigating the profiles, it is necessary to establish methods suitable for characterizing the odour, taste and even retronasal odour of strong aromatic herbs. This paper is able to fulfil these requirements. In summary, these results found the tested specimens – a commonly traded blend, Origanum onites, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum and a blend of all three specimens – to be very dissimilar. The analysis results in a reduction in the number of relevant attributes for sensory testing and the establishment of an oregano profile with high marketing potential. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anisotropic magnetic susceptibility record of the kinematics of the Boltaña Anticline (Southern Pyrenees)
Authors: Mochales T. , Pueyo E. L. , Casas A. M. , Barnolas A. , Oliva‐Urcia B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAnisotropic magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of 1454 samples evenly distributed along an 1800 m section in the South Pyrenean Zone is presented. The sampled rocks are pre‐ and syn‐tectonic limestones, marls and sandstones of Ypresian‐Lutetian age. They are weakly deformed rocks sampled from both limbs of the N–S trending Boltaña Anticline (oblique to the WNW–ESE main Pyrenean trend). Rock magnetism analyses, including low temperature and high field magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm a dominant paramagnetic signal and hence allow the interpretation of AMS in terms of preferred rock fabric or finite strain orientation. Therefore, this study was focused on obtaining an independent kinematic information from a vast set of AMS data from particular structural positions. The three directional maxima for the maximum axis of the magnetic ellipsoid (KMAX, magnetic lineation) can be tentatively related to major tectonic events in the Central Pyrenees. A first stage (recording a N–S magnetic lineation) is related to an oblique ramp of the Cotiella Thrust, emplaced during Ypresian times. A pseudo‐progressive variation turns into a second stage (linked to a NW–SE KMAX orientation maximum) that can be related to Pyrenean compression. Both stages witness a far‐field imprint of active structures on the foreland sediments. Once the Boltaña Anticline was nucleated (during the Lutetian), a predominant, more constant NW–SE trend is observed, this near‐field magnetic fabric being the only lineation imprinted in the rocks. A final stage arrived in the course of vertical axis rotation during the Late Lutetian‐Bartonian. This latest event was responsible for the present configuration of the Boltaña Anticline (N–S). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eye muscle proprioception is represented bilaterally in the sensorimotor cortex
Authors: Balslev Daniela , Albert Neil B. , Miall Chris 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe cortical representation of eye position is still uncertain. In the monkey a proprioceptive representation of the extraocular muscles (EOM) of an eye were recently found within the contralateral central sulcus. In humans, we have previously shown a change in the perceived position of the right eye after a virtual lesion with rTMS over the left somatosensory area. However, it is possible that the proprioceptive representation of the EOM extends to other brain sites, which were not examined in these previous studies. The aim of this fMRI study was to sample the whole brain to identify the proprioceptive representation for the left and the right eye separately. Data were acquired while passive eye movement was used to stimulate EOM proprioceptors in the absence of a motor command. We also controlled for the tactile stimulation of the eyelid by removing from the analysis voxels activated by eyelid touch alone. For either eye, the brain area commonly activated by passive and active eye movement was located bilaterally in the somatosensory area extending into the motor and premotor cytoarchitectonic areas. We suggest this is where EOM proprioception is processed. The bilateral representation for either eye contrasts with the contralateral representation of hand proprioception. We suggest that the proprioceptive representation of the two eyes next to each other in either somatosensory cortex and extending into the premotor cortex reflects the integrative nature of the eye position sense, which combines proprioceptive information across the two eyes with the efference copy of the oculomotor command. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The supraspinal neural correlate of bladder cold sensation—An fMRI study
Authors: Mehnert Ulrich , Michels Lars , Zempleni Monika‐Zita , Schurch Brigitte , Kollias Spyros 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn recent years, functional imaging studies have revealed a supraspinal network, which is involved in perception and processing of bladder distention. Very little information exists on the cortical representation of C‐fiber transmitted temperature sensation of the human bladder, although C‐fibers seem to be involved in the pathomechanisms of bladder dysfunctions. Our aim was, therefore, to evaluate the outcome of bladder cold stimulation on supraspinal activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A block design fMRI study was performed in 14 healthy females at the MR‐center of the University of Zurich. After catheterization, all subjects were investigated in a 3.0‐Tesla Scanner. The scanning consisted of 10 repetitive cycles. Each cycle consisted of five conditions: REST, INFUSION, SENSATION, DRAIN 1, and DRAIN 2. Cold saline was passively infused at 4–8°C during scanning. Not more than 100 ml were infused per cycle. Blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signal analysis of the different conditions was compared to REST. All activations were evaluated on a random effects level at P = 0.001. Activation of brain regions for bladder cold stimulation (DRAIN 1 period) was found bilaterally in the inferior parietal lobe [Brodmann area (BA) 40], the right insula (BA 13), the right cerebellar posterior lobe, the right middle temporal gyrus (BA 20), and the right postcentral gyrus (BA 3). In conclusion, bladder cooling caused a different supraspinal activation pattern compared to what is known to occur during bladder distention. This supports our hypothesis that cold sensation is processed differently from bladder distension at the supraspinal level. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of dihydropyrimidinase‐related protein 4 as a novel target of the p53 tumor suppressor in the apoptotic response to DNA damage
Authors: Kimura Junko , Kudoh Takuya , Miki Yoshio , Yoshida Kiyotsugu 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe p53 tumor suppressor gene, which is frequently mutated in a wide variety of tumors, plays an important role in maintaining genomic integrity. Following genotoxic insults, the protein level of p53 is increased, and p53 functions as a sequence‐specific transcription factor that regulates the expression of downstream target genes required for cell cycle arrest, DNA repair or apoptosis. However, the mechanism for p53‐inducible apoptosis remains largely unclear. To search novel downstream targets of p53 on apoptosis, we had carried out microarray analysis. We identified dihydropyrimidinase‐related protein (DPYSL) 4 gene, which was upregulated by overexpressing p53 in p53‐deficient cells. Both mRNA and protein expressions of DPYSL4 were specifically induced by anticancer agents in p53‐proficient cells. Further analyses demonstrated that DPYSL4 was a direct target for p53. We also found that genotoxic‐induced apoptosis was repressed in cells silenced for DPYSL4. These findings indicate that DPYSL4 is a novel apoptosis‐inducible factor controlled by p53 in response to DNA damage.
Therapeutic applications of bioactive sphingolipids in hematological malignancies
Authors: Ekiz Huseyin Atakan , Baran Yusuf 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSphingolipids are sphingosine‐based lipid molecules that have important functions in cellular signal transduction and in a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, programmed cell death (apoptosis) and responses to stressful conditions. Ceramides, dihydroceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate are examples of those bioactive sphingolipids. They have a major impact on determination of the cell fate by contributing to the cell survival or cell death through apoptosis. Despite the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain changes the physiological role; ceramides generally exert suppressive roles on the cell proliferation. There have been several enzymes identified in this pathway that are responsible for the conversion of ceramide into other sphingolipid derivatives. Those derivatives also have differential roles on those cellular processes. Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate is an example of such sphingolipid derivatives which has antiapoptotic effects. As they have significant impacts particularly on the cell death and survival, bioactive sphingolipids have a great potential to be targets in cancer therapy. Increasing number of studies indicates that sphingolipid derivatives are important in the progression of hematological malignancies, and they are also involved in the resistance to current chemotherapeutic options. This review compiles the current knowledge in this area for enlightening the therapeutic potentials of bioactive sphingolipids in various leukemias.
Wear pattern observations from TDR retrievals using autoregistration of voxel data
Authors: Shkolnikov Yakov P. , Bowden Anton , MacDonald Daniel , Kurtz Steven M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBecause of their unique geometry, characterization of wear damage in total disc replacement (TDR) is difficult. In the article, we developed and validated an automated damage calculation technique for explanted TDR components. Eight polyethylene cores implanted from 4.6 to 16.0 years were using cone‐beam microCT imaging (SCANCO Medical, Switzerland). The nominal uniform voxel size for the implant under investigation was 18 μm, however with a smaller sample size increased resolutions (10‐μm nominal voxel size) could be achieved using the same microCT imaging hardware. Nominal surface data for both sizes of TDR components we examined were obtained from manufacturer's drawings (Link, Germany) and converted to highly discretized triangular meshes. The damage calculation technique utilized an initial alignment phase, followed by a pointwise calculation of the linear damage at each 3D surface point. During the alignment phase, a three‐dimensional surface of the undamaged component was automatically aligned with volumetric image data from the damaged component. The alignment algorithm maximized the contact area between undamaged portions of the implant and its nominal surface using an iterative optimization technique. Linear damage at each triangle on the nominal surface was computed by moving along the local normal of the surface both inward and outward direction for a distance much less than the size of the implant. For the retrieved components, the maximum damage occurred away from the central axis of the dome close to the rim. Penetrations of up to 0.8 mm were observed in this region. Lower magnitude penetrations were observed near the pole of the dome. In conclusion, we have developed an analytical method to automatically align and measure three‐dimensional surface damage with both high resolution and accuracy on implants with complicated, nonparametric, surface geometry and used this technique to analyze eight implants. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
New parameterization approaches of the LIE method to improve free energy calculations of PlmII‐Inhibitors complexes
Authors: Valiente Pedro A. , Gil L. Alejandro , Batista Paulo R. , Caffarena Ernesto R. , Pons Tirso , Pascutti Pedro G 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe standard parameterization of the Linear Interaction Energy (LIE) method has been applied with quite good results to reproduce the experimental absolute binding free energies for several protein–ligand systems. However, we found that this parameterization failed to reproduce the experimental binding free energy of Plasmepsin II (PlmII) in complexes with inhibitors belonging to four dissimilar scaffolds. To overcome this fact, we developed three approaches of LIE, which combine systematic approaches to predict the inhibitor‐specific values of α, β, and γ parameters, to gauge their ability to calculate the absolute binding free energies for these PlmII‐Inhibitor complexes. Specifically: (i) we modified the linear relationship between the weighted nonpolar desolvation ratio (WNDR) and the α parameter, by introducing two models of the β parameter determined by the free energy perturbation (FEP) method in the absence of the constant term γ, and (ii) we developed a new parameterization model to investigate the linear correlation between WNDR and the correction term γ. Using these parameterizations, we were able to reproduce the experimental binding free energy from these systems with mean absolute errors lower than 1.5 kcal/mol. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010
Sickle cell anemia and vascular dysfunction: The nitric oxide connection
Authors: Akinsheye Idowu , Klings Elizabeth S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractEndothelial dysfunction and impaired nitric oxide bioavailability have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sickle cell anemia. Nitric oxide is a diatomic gas with a role in vascular homeostasis. Hemoglobin polymerization resulting from the HbS mutation produces erythrocyte deformation and hemolysis. Free hemoglobin, released into plasma by hemolysis scavenges on nitric oxide, and leads to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. Pulmonary hypertension is a known consequence of sickle cell anemia. It occurs in 30–40% of patients with sickle cell anemia, and is associated with increased mortality. Several studies have implicated intravascular hemolysis, and impaired nitric oxide bioavailability in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of altered nitric oxide bioavailability in sickle cell anemia and its possible role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 620–625, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential modulation of N‐type calcium channels by µ‐opioid receptors in oxytocinergic versus vasopressinergic neurohypophysial terminals
Authors: Ortiz‐Miranda Sonia I. , Dayanithi Govindan , Velázquez‐Marrero Cristina , Custer Edward E. , Treistman Steven N. , Lemos José R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractOpioids modulate the electrical activity of magnocellular neurons (MCN) and inhibit neuropeptide release at their terminals in the neurohypophysis. We have previously shown that µ‐opioid receptor (MOR) activation induces a stronger inhibition of oxytocin (OT) than vasopressin (AVP) release from isolated MCN terminals. This higher sensitivity of OT release is due, at least in part, to the selective targeting of R‐type calcium channels. We now describe the underlying basis for AVP's weaker inhibition by MOR activation and provide a more complete explanation of the complicated effects on neuropeptide release. We found that N‐type calcium channels in AVP terminals are differentially modulated by MOR; enhanced at lower concentrations but increasingly inhibited at higher concentrations of agonists. On the other hand, N‐type calcium channels in OT terminals were always inhibited. The response pattern in co‐labeled terminals was analogous to that observed in AVP‐containing terminals. Changes in intracellular calcium concentration and neuropeptide release corroborated these results as they showed a similar pattern of enhancement and inhibition in AVP terminals contrasting with solely inhibitory responses in OT terminals to MOR agonists. We established that fast translocation of Ca2+channels to the plasma membrane was not mediating current increments and thus, changes in channel kinetic properties are most likely involved. Finally, we reveal a distinct Ca‐channel β‐subunit expression between each type of nerve endings that could explain some of the differences in responses to MOR activation. These results help advance our understanding of the complex modulatory mechanisms utilized by MORs in regulating presynaptic neuropeptide release. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 276–288, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Removal of heavy metals from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash by traditional and microwave acid extraction
Authors: Xue Jun , Wang Wei , Wang Qunhui , Liu Shu , Yang Jie , Wui Tingji 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: Municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash is regarded as hazardous waste because it contains various toxic metals. A previous study has shown that fly ash can be detoxified by removal of heavy metals. In this work, the extractability of heavy metals from MSWI fly ash by traditional and microwave acid extraction were compared.RESULTS: A 24 − 1 fractional factorial experimental design was adopted using acid concentration, extraction time, temperature, and liquid/solid (L/S) ratio as the experimental factors for traditional extraction, and acid concentration, extraction time, liquid/solid (L/S) ratio and microwave power as the experimental factors for microwave extraction. The traditional extraction results show that L/S played an important role in Zn, Cd extraction while L/S ratio and extractant concentration were important for Pb extraction. However, no controlling parameter was determined for Cu and Cr extraction. For the microwave extraction, it was shown that L/S was important for Pb and Zn and extractant concentration was important for Pb, Zn and Cd. The time and the power were not significant for the extractability of heavy metals.CONCLUSION: Hydrochloric acid was an effective extractant. Microwave heating promoted extraction and shortened extraction time. Microwave acid extraction treatment is a potentially feasible method for the removal of heavy metals from MSWI fly ash. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of a microassay method to study enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated wheat straw
Authors: Alvira Pablo , Negro María José , Sáez Felicia , Ballesteros Mercedes 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol includes a disruptive pretreatment process followed by enzyme‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the cellulose and hemicellulose components to fermentable sugars. As the cost and hydrolytic efficiency of enzymes are major factors that restrict the commercialization of biomass conversion processes, significant efforts are made nowadays to improve the enzymatic mixtures and make the process cost‐effective.RESULTS: In this work, enzymatic microassays have been developed and validated to test new different enzymatic formulations on real lignocellulosic substrates. Homogeneous handsheets from steam pretreated wheat straw were elaborated to be used as substrate. The microassay was adapted to test both water‐insoluble solids and the whole slurry as substrates. Results in hydrolysis microassays were comparable with those obtained in standard flask assays using pretreated wheat straw. Moreover, using the enzymatic microassays, two novel preparations have been evaluated, demonstrating the ability of microassays to discriminate between different enzymatic mixtures.CONCLUSIONS: This enzymatic microassay represents a rapid method to test the performance of new selected cellulase enzymes on real pretreated lignocellulosic substrates. This microassay will enable evaluation of enzyme components separately, or optimized mixtures. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry