bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Axonal regeneration proceeds through specific axonal fusion in transected C. elegans neurons
Authors: Neumann Brent , Nguyen Ken C. Q. , Hall David H. , Ben‐Yakar Adela , Hilliard Massimo A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFunctional neuronal recovery following injury arises when severed axons reconnect with their targets. In Caenorhabditis elegans following laser‐induced axotomy, the axon still attached to the cell body is able to regrow and reconnect with its separated distal fragment. Here we show that reconnection of separated axon fragments during regeneration of C. elegans mechanosensory neurons occurs through a mechanism of axonal fusion, which prevents Wallerian degeneration of the distal fragment. Through electron microscopy analysis and imaging with the photoconvertible fluorescent protein Kaede, we show that the fusion process re‐establishes membrane continuity and repristinates anterograde and retrograde cytoplasmic diffusion. We also provide evidence that axonal fusion occurs with a remarkable level of accuracy, with the proximal re‐growing axon recognizing its own separated distal fragment. Thus, efficient axonal regeneration can occur by selective reconnection and fusion of separated axonal fragments beyond an injury site, with restoration of the damaged neuronal tract. Developmental Dynamics 240:1365–1372, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A First TDDFT Study of Metallocorrole Electronic Spectra: Copper meso‐Triarylcorroles Exhibit Hyper Spectra
Authors: Alemayehu Abraham , Conradie Jeanet , Ghosh Abhik 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe Soret maxima of a number of metallotriarylcorrole derivatives, notably the copper corroles, are exquisitely sensitive to substitutions on the meso phenyl groups. In contrast, the Soret maxima of silver triarylcorroles are essentially invariant with respect to phenyl‐group substituents. TDDFT calculations indicate that the substituent sensitivity in the copper case results from significant phenyl‐to‐metal charge‐transfer character in the main peaks of the Soret region. In other words, copper triarylcorroles exhibit so‐called hyper spectra. By contrast, the Soret region in the silver case is largely π→π* in nature. DFT calculations suggest that the difference in nature of the Soret bands reflects the energy difference between the LUMOs of the copper and silver complexes, which, in both cases, may be described as an antibonding metal(d)‐corrole(π)‐based MO. Strong support for this picture comes from electrochemistry: the reduction potentials of silver triarylcorroles are about 0.7–0.8 V more negative than for the analogous copper complexes. In the same vein, the “electrochemical HOMO–LUMO gaps” are ca. 1 eV for the silver corroles and only 0.8 eV for their copper analogues.
Use of epoxy‐embedded electrodes to integrate electrochemical detection with microchip‐based analysis systems
Authors: Selimovic Asmira , Johnson Alicia S. , Kiss István Z. , Martin R. Scott 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA new method of fabricating electrodes for microchip devices that involves the use of Teflon molds and a commercially available epoxy to embed electrodes of various sizes and compositions is described. The resulting epoxy base can be polished to generate a fresh electrode and sealed against poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐based fluidic structures. Microchip‐based flow injection analysis was used to characterize the epoxy‐embedded electrodes. It was shown that gold electrodes can be amalgamated with liquid mercury and the resulting mercury/gold electrode is used to selectively detect glutathione from lysed red blood cells. The ability to encapsulate multiple electrode materials of differing compositions enabled the integration of microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. Finally, a unique feature of this approach is that the electrode connection is made from the bottom of the epoxy base. This enables the creation of three‐dimensional gold pillar electrodes (65 μm in diameter and 27 μm in height) that can be integrated within a fluidic network. As compared with the use of a flat electrode of a similar diameter, the use of the pillar electrode led to improvements in both the sensitivity (72.1 pA/μM for the pillar versus 4.2 pA/μM for the flat electrode) and limit of detection (20 nM for the pillar versus 600 nM for the flat electrode), with catechol being the test analyte. These epoxy‐embedded electrodes hold promise for the creation of inexpensive microfluidic devices that can be used to electrochemically detect biologically important analytes in a manner where the electrodes can be polished and a fresh electrode surface is generated as desired.
Capillary electrophoresis microchip for direct amperometric detection of DNA fragments
Authors: Jang You‐Cheol , Jha Sandeep Kumar , Chand Rohit , Islam Kamrul , Kim Yong‐Sang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDetection and quantitation of nucleic acids have gained much importance in the last couple of decades, especially in the post‐human genome project era. Such processes are tedious, time consuming and require expensive reagents and equipment. Therefore, in the present study, we demonstrated a simple process for the separation and analysis of small DNA fragments using capillary electrophoretic amperometric detection on an inexpensive disposable glass microchip. The device used polydimethylsiloxane engraved microchannel and Au/Ti in‐channel microelectrodes for sample detection. The DNA fragments were separated under low electric field (20 V/cm) for improved detection sensitivity and to retain the biomolecules in their native conformation. With a low sample requirement (as low as 1 μL) and high reproducibility, the proposed microchip device was successful in resolution and detection of DNA fragments of various lengths.
Applying the ecosystem service concept to air quality management in the UK: a case study for ammonia
Authors: Smart James C. R. , Hicks Kevin , Morrissey Tim , Heinemeyer Andreas , Sutton Mark A. , Ashmore Mike 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTo date evaluation of the benefits of policies to control emissions of air pollutants in the UK has focused on human health effects, which are quantified economically, whereas ecosystem protection has been assessed using critical levels and critical loads. This paper considers the current feasibility of using an ecosystem services approach to appraise the benefits of alternative scenarios for controlling agricultural ammonia emissions in the UK. The effect of ammonia emission reductions on ecosystem service delivery was assessed using an impact pathway approach. A ‘weakest link’ analysis identified that economic valuation of impacts on many key ecosystem services was constrained by inadequate dose–response relationships to predict physical changes in service flows and/or by an inability to produce economic valuations of the predicted physical changes. For effects on biodiversity, both the timescale of response and poorly defined relationships between changes in species composition and ecosystem service delivery are significant barriers. However, it was possible to produce indicative values for the marginal impact of ammonia abatement measures on climate regulation; the values obtained were comparable in magnitude to those for human health impacts. The ecosystem service approach thus offers the potential to provide a holistic appraisal of the effects of emission reductions, and could therefore make a valuable contribution to future air quality management. However, improvements in data collection and quantification methods are needed before a full ecosystem services‐based evaluation of costs and benefits becomes possible for ammonia and for other major air pollutants. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Threshold modelling of spatially dependent non‐stationary extremes with application to hurricane‐induced wave heights
Authors: Northrop Paul J. , Jonathan Philip 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn environmental applications it is common for the extremes of a variable to be non‐stationary, varying systematically in space, time or with the values of covariates. Multi‐site datasets are common, and in such cases there is likely to be non‐negligible inter‐site dependence. We consider applications in which multi‐site data are used to infer the marginal behaviour of the extremes at individual sites, while adjusting for inter‐site dependence. For reasons of statistical efficiency, it is standard to model exceedances of a high threshold. Choosing an appropriate threshold can be problematic, particularly if the extremes are non‐stationary. We propose a method for setting a covariate‐dependent threshold using quantile regression. We consider how the quantile regression model and extreme value models fitted to threshold exceedances should be parameterized, in order that they are compatible. We adjust estimates of uncertainty for spatial dependence using methodology proposed recently. These methods are illustrated using time series of storm peak significant wave heights from 72 sites in the Gulf of Mexico. A simulation study illustrates the applicability of the proposed methodology more generally. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined transnasal endoscopic and transoral robotic resection of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yin Tsang Raymond King , Ho Wai Kuen , Wei William I. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground:We report a case of resecting a recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a combined technique of transoral robotic surgery and transnasal endoscopic surgery.Method:A small recurrent tumor was located in the roof of the nasopharynx. The inferior part of the resection was performed with a da Vinci surgical robot transorally after splitting the soft palate to expose the nasopharynx. The superior part of the resection, including removal of the anterior wall and floor of the sphenoid was performed transnasally under endoscopic vision.Results:The tumor was removed enbloc with the sphenoid sinus wall with clear resection margin. Recovery was uneventful and the patient had minimal morbidity from the operation.Conclusion:For minimally invasive surgery to resect recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, transnasal endoscopic surgery and transoral robotic surgery compliments each other, allowing improved resection. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
POTENTIAL USE OF SALINE WATER FOR IRRIGATING SHELTERBELT PLANTS IN THE ARID REGION
Authors: Hu Meng , Kang Shaozhong , Zhang Jianhua , Li Fusheng , Du Taisheng , Tong Ling 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTIn water‐scarcity areas fresh water is allocated with priority to urban areas and agriculture, and ecosystem function benefits are obtained from marginal quality water. Meanwhile the scientific use of saline water needs to quantify the effect of quality and quantity of water on plant growth. A saline irrigation experiment was carried out for two shelterbelt plants, Haloxylon ammodendron Bunge and Caragana karshiskii Kom, during 2007–08 in the arid region of northwest China. Three salt concentrations (3, 7 and 12 g l−1) were considered and irrigation was controlled when soil moisture reached an enacted critical value. Based on the quadratic regressions fitted to the experimental data, the befitting irrigation with the three salt concentrations for H. ammodendron and C. karshiskii respectively were 381 and 295 mm, 290 and 248 mm, 213 and 188 mm, averaged for two years. Two kinds of plant–water–salinity production functions, quadratic and square root functions were employed to describe the relationship between plant biomass increment and quality and quantity of applied saline water. The functions performed well with experimental data and showed a positive marginal productivity with water and a negative marginal productivity with salt for the frontal area. That could be useful for evaluating low‐quality water exploitation and estimating the growth and yield of shelterbelt plants in connection with forest planning. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age‐related changes in corticosteroid receptor expression and monoamine neurotransmitter concentrations in various brain regions of postnatal pigs
Authors: Kanitz Ellen , Otten Winfried , Hameister Theresa , Tuchscherer Margret , Puppe Birger , Tuchscherer Armin 
Published: March 2011

AbstractNegative early life experience may be associated with altered functioning of stress‐related systems and may increase vulnerability to diseases later in life. Corticosteroids are important mediators of homeostasis and stress and exert their effects via two receptors, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and through the glucocorticoid‐metabolizing enzymes 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β‐HSD) types 1 and 2 in a brain‐region‐specific manner. However, relatively little is known about the postnatal ontogeny of these receptors and enzymes in the central nervous system. Here we describe, for the first time, the postnatal ontogeny of central GR, MR, 11β‐HSD1, and 11β‐HSD2 gene expression and monoamine levels in stress‐related brain regions of domestic pigs at 7, 21, and 35 days of age. During the postnatal period, there was an increase in GR, MR, and 11β‐HSD1 mRNA expression in the pituitary and prefrontal cortex and an increase in MR mRNA expression in the hippocampus. We also demonstrated age‐dependent changes in levels of noradrenaline and dopamine and their metabolites in the locus coeruleus, with the highest concentrations on day 7 compared with days 21 and 35. In conclusion, the dynamic changes in corticosteroid receptors and monoamines during neural development of postnatal pigs may represent periods of sensitivity to environmental stress that are comparable to some extent with those that are observed in primates and humans. Thus, these findings support the use of the domestic pig as an alternative animal model for humans in stress research. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding daily citizenship behaviors: A social comparison perspective
Authors: Spence Jeffrey R. , Ferris D. Lance , Brown Douglas J. , Heller Daniel 
Published: March 2011

AbstractResearch that has sought to understand why employees engage in organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) has concentrated on between‐person variables, typically ignoring intraindividual influences. Accordingly, we know much about who engages in OCB, in general, but know relatively little regarding under what circumstances people engage in OCB. By integrating social comparison with affective events and just‐world theories, we propose and test a dynamic model wherein directional social comparisons are expected to have direct (automatic‐motivational) and indirect (affective) intraindividual effects on OCB. The hypotheses were tested using multilevel modeling on 1076 observations from 99 participants that were collected via an interval‐contingent experience sampling methodology. The results provide support for the hypotheses that social comparisons are related to OCB through positive affect and the direct effects of social comparisons on OCB are moderated by beliefs in a just world. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman scattering of MnOxCeOx composite catalysts: structural aspects and laser‐heating effects
Authors: Fazio Barbara , Spadaro Lorenzo , Trunfio Giuseppe , Negro Jacopo , Arena Francesco 
Published: March 2011

AbstractComposite MnOxCeOx catalysts (Mnat: Ceat = 1) synthesized via the redox and coprecipitation routes were comparatively characterized by micro‐Raman spectroscopy using a laser irradiation power ranging between 0.6 and 4.2 mW. A quasi‐molecular dispersion of the oxide species determines a major and irreversible structural rearrangement of the redox MnOxCeOx system because of severe heating effects for laser power in excess of 0.6 mW. The X‐ray diffraction data of samples calcined in the range of 6731273 K confirm that the micro‐Raman characterization of the composite MnOxCeOx systems requires an adequate minimization of the irradiation power to prevent the strong sintering and restructuring phenomena due to laser‐heating effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic impact of the Lymph node ratio in rectal cancer patients who underwent preoperative chemoradiation
Authors: Kang Jeonghyun , Hur Hyuk , Min Byung Soh , Lee Kang Young , Kim Nam Kyu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the lymph node ratio (LNR) in ypN‐positive rectal cancer patients who received preoperative chemoradiation (preop‐CRT).MethodsA total of 75 patients diagnosed as node‐positive after undergoing preop‐CRT followed by curative resection were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their median LNR, 0.143.ResultsThe median metastatic and retrieved lymph node numbers were 2.0 (range: 1–79) and 18.0 (range: 5–80). Abdominoperineal resection, circumferential resection margin involvement and higher LNR were proven to be independent adverse prognostic factors affecting survival in the multivariate analysis including LNR as a covariate. Of the 47 patients with ypN1, 35 (74.5%) showed a lower LNR (N1G1) and 12 (25.5%) showed a higher LNR (N1G2). The N1G1 group showed better overall survival than the N1G2 group (P = 0.018). There was no difference between the survival rates of the N1G2 group and the ypN2 group (P = 0.987).ConclusionsLNR is an independent prognostic factor after preop‐CRT for rectal cancer. LNR showed better prognosis stratification than the ypN stage. Therefore, LNR should be considered as an additional prognostic factor in node‐positive rectal cancer after preop‐CRT. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:53–58. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐risk stage II colon cancer after curative resection
Authors: Sato Harunobu , Maeda Koutarou , Sugihara Kenichi , Mochizuki Hidetaka , Kotake Kenjiro , Teramoto Tetsuo , Kameoka Shingo , Saito Yukio , Takahashi Keiichi , Hirai Takashi , Ohue Masayuki , Shirouzu Kazuo , Sakai Yoshiharu , Watanabe Toshiaki , Hirata Koichi , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjectivesThis study was designed to clarify which attributes of stage II colon cancer are associated with tumor recurrence and survival after curative resection, and the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed outcomes and clinicopathological characteristics of 1476 patients with stage II colon cancer who underwent curative resection.ResultsOf 1476 patients, 204 (13.8%) developed recurrence. Macroscopic type, serum CA19‐9 levels, venous invasion, emergency operation, and postoperative ileus were independently associated with overall recurrence. Carbohydrate antigen (CA)19‐9 levels, the number of dissected lymph nodes (LN), sex, age, ACT, emergency operation, venous invasion, and macroscopic type were independently associated with poor prognosis. Prognosis was significantly better in patients who received ACT than in those who did not. Among patients with extensive venous invasion, those with fewer than 13 dissected LNs, male patients, and patients >50 years old, the prognosis was significantly better in patients who received ACT than in those who did not.ConclusionsACT for stage II colon cancer is recommended to improve the prognosis of patients with extensive venous invasion, patients with fewer than 13 dissected LNs, patients >50 years old, and male patients, particularly patients with more than two of these risk factors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:45–52. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conjugation of siRNA with Comb‐Type PEG Enhances Serum Stability and Gene Silencing Efficiency
Authors: Gunasekaran Karthikeyan , Nguyen Thi H. , Maynard Heather D. , Davis Thomas P. , Bulmus Volga 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA thiol‐modified siRNA targeting the enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene was conjugated with RAFT‐synthesized, pyridyl disulfide‐functional poly(PEG methyl ether acrylate)s (p(PEGA)s). siRNA‐p(PEGA) conjugates demonstrated significantly enhanced in vitro serum stability and nuclease resistance compared to the unmodified and thiol‐modified siRNA. The complexes of siRNA‐p(PEGA) conjugates with a fusogenic peptide, KALA ((+)/(–) = 2) inhibited the protein expression approximately 28‐fold more than the KALA complex of the unmodified siRNA. The protein inhibition caused by siRNA‐p(PEGA)‐KALA complexes (56 ± 5%–58 ± 3% of the fluorescence expressed in non‐treated cells) was comparable to the effect of the unmodified siRNA‐lipofectamine complex (77 ± 7%). magnified image
Influence of MWNT on Polypropylene and Polyethylene Photooxidation
Authors: Bocchini Sergio , Di Blasio Alessandro , Frache Alberto 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSummary: Nanocomposites containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared by melt compounding with polypropylene and polyethylene. The samples were UV‐light irradiated in artificial accelerated conditions representative of solar irradiation (λ > 300 nm) at 60 °C in air. The chemical modifications resulting from photooxidation were followed by FT‐IR spectroscopy.The behaviour of nanocomposites containing MWNT depends from the type of polymer and presence or absence of antioxidant. The presence of MWNT affect photooxidation of the two polymers working as an UV‐screener on the other hand the increase of thermal oxidation provoked by conversion of photon energy into thermal partially balance the decrease of positive effects on oxidation rate. The negative effects can be minimized by the presence of antioxidants that show interesting synergistic effects with MWNT.
Fetal surgery for severe lower urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Ruano Rodrigo 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFetal interventions have been proposed for treatment of severe lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), as this condition is associated with high rates of perinatal mortality and postnatal renal impairment. The rationale for in utero treatment for those cases is based on the possibility of relieving the obstruction, improving the amniotic fluid volume, and preventing renal and bladder damage. Candidates for fetal intervention should be rigorously selected based on the confirmation of severe LUTO (dilated bladder and bilateral hydronephrosis), oligohydramnios or anyhydramnios and ‘favorable’ fetal urinalysis (dependent on gestational age). Nowadays there are two different therapeutic options with specific technical approaches. Vesico‐amniotic shunting is an easier procedure, but with a higher frequency of related complications. Fetal cystoscopy can be used for diagnostic purpose and for treatment of posterior urethral valves, with suggestive advantage of allowing a more physiological release of the obstruction. According to the literature, estimated survival rates and postnatal normal renal function frequencies are approximately 40 and 50% after vesico‐amniotic shunting and 75 and 65% after fetal cystoscopy, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.