bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an Index of Biotic Integrity Approach Used to Assess Biological Condition in Western U.S. Streams and Rivers at Varying Spatial Scales
Authors: Meador Michael R. , Whittier Thomas R. , Goldstein Robert M. , Hughes Robert M. , Peck David V. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractConsistent assessments of biological condition are needed across multiple ecoregions to provide a greater understanding of the spatial extent of environmental degradation. However, consistent assessments at large geographic scales are often hampered by lack of uniformity in data collection, analyses, and interpretation. The index of biotic integrity (IBI) has been widely used in eastern and central North America, where fish assemblages are complex and largely composed of native species, but IBI development has been hindered in the western United States because of relatively low fish species richness and greater relative abundance of alien fishes. Approaches to developing IBIs rarely provide a consistent means of assessing biological condition across multiple ecoregions. We conducted an evaluation of IBIs recently proposed for three ecoregions of the western United States using an independent data set covering a large geographic scale. We standardized the regional IBIs and developed biological condition criteria, assessed the responsiveness of IBIs to basin‐level land uses, and assessed their precision and concordance with basin‐scale IBIs. Standardized IBI scores from 318 sites in the western United States comprising mountain, plains, and xeric ecoregions were significantly related to combined urban and agricultural land uses. Standard deviations and coefficients of variation revealed relatively low variation in IBI scores based on multiple sampling reaches at sites. A relatively high degree of corroboration with independent, locally developed IBIs indicates that the regional IBIs are robust across large geographic scales, providing precise and accurate assessments of biological condition for western U.S. streams.
Mercury, Vaccines, and Autism
Authors: Baker Jeffrey P. 
Published: January 2008

The controversy regarding the once widely used mercury-containing preservative thimerosal in childhood vaccines has raised many historical questions that have not been adequately explored. Why was this preservative incorporated in the first place? Was there any real evidence that it caused harm? And how did thimerosal become linked in the public mind to the “autism epidemic”?I examine the origins of the thimerosal controversy and their legacy for the debate that has followed. More specifically, I explore the parallel histories of three factors that converged to create the crisis: vaccine preservatives, mercury poisoning, and autism.An understanding of this history provides important lessons for physicians and policymakers seeking to preserve the public’s trust in the nation’s vaccine system.
Characteristics of Recipients of Free Prescription Drug Samples: A Nationally Representative Analysis
Authors: Cutrona Sarah L. , Woolhandler Steffie , Lasser Karen E. , Bor David H. , McCormick Danny , Himmelstein David U. 
Published: January 2008

Objectives. Free prescription drug samples are used widely in the United States. We sought to examine characteristics of free drug sample recipients nationwide. Methods. We analyzed data on 32681 US residents from the 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a nationally representative survey. Results. In 2003, 12% of Americans received at least 1 free sample. A higher proportion of persons who had continuous health insurance received a free sample (12.9%) than did persons who were uninsured for part or all of the year (9.9%; P<.001). The poorest third of respondents were less likely to receive free samples than were those with incomes at 400% of the federal poverty level or higher. After we controlled for demographic factors, we found that neither insurance status nor income were predictors of the receipt of drug samples. Persons who were uninsured all or part of the year were no more likely to receive free samples (odds ratio [OR]=0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.087, 1.11) than those who were continuously insured. Conclusions. Poor and uninsured Americans are less likely than wealthy or insured Americans to receive free drug samples. Our findings suggest that free drug samples serve as a marketing tool, not as a safety net.
Transcending the Known in Public Health Practice
Authors: Frohlich Katherine L. , Potvin Louise 
Published: January 2008

Using the concept of vulnerable populations, we examine how disparities in health may be exacerbated by population-approach interventions. We show, from an etiologic perspective, how life-course epidemiology, the concentration of risk factors, and the concept of fundamental causes of diseases may explain the differential capacity, throughout the risk-exposure distribution, to transform resources provided through population-approach interventions into health. From an intervention perspective, we argue that population-approach interventions may be compromised by inconsistencies between the social and cultural assumptions of public health practitioners and targeted groups. We propose some intervention principles to mitigate the health disparities associated with population-approach interventions.
Older Persons’ Perception of Risk of Falling: Implications for Fall-Prevention Campaigns
Authors: Hughes Karen , van Beurden Eric , Eakin Elizabeth G. , Barnett Lisa M. , Patterson Elizabeth , Backhouse Jan , Jones Sue , Hauser Darren , Beard John R. , Newman Beth 
Published: January 2008

Objectives. We examined older people’s attitudes about falls and implications for the design of fall-prevention awareness campaigns. Methods. We assessed data from (1) computer-assisted telephone surveys conducted in 2002 with Australians 60 years and older in Northern Rivers, New South Wales (site of a previous fall-prevention program; n=1601), and Wide Bay, Queensland (comparison community; n=1601), and (2) 8 focus groups (n=73). Results. Participants from the previous intervention site were less likely than were comparison participants to agree that falls are not preventable (odds ratio [OR]=0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.65, 0.90) and more likely to rate the prevention of falls a high priority (OR=1.31; 95% CI=1.09, 1.57). There was no difference between the groups for self-perceived risk of falls; more than 60% rated their risk as low. Those with a low perceived risk were more likely to be men, younger, partnered, and privately insured, and to report better health and no history of falls. Focus group data indicated that older people preferred messages that emphasized health and independence rather than falls. Conclusions. Although older people accepted traditional fall-prevention messages, most viewed them as not personally relevant. Messages that promote health and independence may be more effective.
Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein
Authors: Chen Junqin , Saxena Geetu , Mungrue Imran N. , Lusis Aldons J. , Shalev Anath 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE—In diabetes, glucose toxicity affects different organ systems, including pancreatic islets where it leads to β-cell apoptosis, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Recently, we identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a proapoptotic β-cell factor that is induced by glucose, raising the possibility that TXNIP may play a role in β-cell glucose toxicity.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—To assess the effects of glucose on TXNIP expression and apoptosis and define the role of TXNIP, we used INS-1 β-cells; primary mouse islets; obese, diabetic BTBR.ob mice; and a unique mouse model of TXNIP deficiency (HcB-19) that harbors a natural nonsense mutation in the TXNIP gene.
RESULTS—Incubation of INS-1 cells at 25 mmol/l glucose for 24 h led to an 18-fold increase in TXNIP protein, as assessed by immunoblotting. This was accompanied by increased apoptosis, as demonstrated by a 12-fold induction of cleaved caspase-3. Overexpression of TXNIP revealed that TXNIP induces the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Islets of diabetic BTBR.ob mice also demonstrated increased TXNIP and apoptosis as did isolated wild-type islets incubated at high glucose. In contrast, TXNIP-deficient HcB-19 islets were protected against glucose-induced apoptosis as measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and caspase-3, indicating that TXNIP is a required causal link between glucose toxicity and β-cell death.
CONCLUSIONS—These findings shed new light onto the molecular mechanisms of β-cell glucose toxicity and apoptosis, demonstrate that TXNIP induction plays a critical role in this vicious cycle, and suggest that inhibition of TXNIP may represent a novel approach to reduce glucotoxic β-cell loss.
Diophantine equations for Morgan-Voyce and other modified orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Stoll Thomas , Tichy Robert 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
It is well-known that Morgan-Voyce polynomials B
n(x) and b
n(x) satisfy both a Sturm-Liouville equation of second order and a three-term recurrence equation ([SWAMY, M.: Further properties of Morgan-Voyce polynomials, Fibonacci Quart. 6 (1968), 167–175]). We study Diophantine equations involving these polynomials as well as other modified classical orthogonal polynomials with this property. Let A, B, C ∈ ℚ and {pk(x)} be a sequence of polynomials defined by
$$\begin{gathered} p_0 (x) = 1 \hfill \\ p_1 (x) = x - c_0 \hfill \\ p_{n + 1} (x) = (x - c_n )p_n (x) - d_n p_{n - 1} (x), n = 1,2,..., \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$
with
$$(c_0 ,c_n ,d_n ) \in \{ (A,A,B),(A + B,A,B^2 ),(A,Bn + A,\tfrac{1}{4}B^2 n^2 + Cn)\} $$
with A ≠ 0, B > 0 in the first, B ≠ 0 in the second and C > −¼B
2 in the third case. We show that the Diophantine equation with m > n ≥ 4, ≠ 0 has at most finitely many solutions in rational integers x, y.
Patriots, Villains, and the Quest for Liberty: How American Film has Depicted the American Revolution
Authors: Rhoden Nancy L. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract:This study of a dozen American films featuring the American Revolution (released 1939–2002) evaluates the major characters (patriots and loyalists), diverse plots, and various social/class themes. Cinematic and popular culture understandings of the revolution are compared with the interpretations of historians to reveal thematic consistencies, noteworthy variations, and conceptual gulfs between filmmakers and historians.
Synthesis of Porous Microparticles with Aligned Porosity
Authors: Zhang H. , Edgar D. , Murray P. , Rak‐Raszewska A. , Glennon‐Alty L. , Cooper A. I. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMicroparticles with controlled porosity have been widely used in various applications. In this Full Paper, a new method of freezing emulsions has been developed to prepare porous microparticles with unique aligned porosity. Aligned porous poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) microparticles are formed on an aligned porous polymeric composite. The aligned porous microparticles can be released simply by dissolving the supporting composite in water. The formation mechanism for the aligned porosity is discussed. The effects of freezing temperature and stirring speed are investigated. This method is also demonstrated to be generic in preparing porous microparticles with controlled porosity. As an example, polystyrene microparticles with different types of pores are produced. A preliminary study on the application of the porous microparticles in supporting stem cell growth is performed. It is found that poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) microparticles can support the growth of mouse embryo stem cells.
No evidence of major transcriptional changes in the brain of mice exposed to 1800 MHz GSM signal
Authors: Paparini A. , Rossi P. , Gianfranceschi G. , Brugaletta V. , Falsaperla R. , De Luca P. , Romano Spica V. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTo analyze possible effects of microwaves on gene expression, mice were exposed to global system for mobile communication (GSM) 1800 MHz signal for 1 h at a whole body SAR of 1.1 W/kg. Gene expression was studied in the whole brain, where the average SAR was 0.2 W/kg, by expression microarrays containing over 22,600 probe sets. Comparison of data from sham and exposed animals showed no significant difference in gene expression modulation. However, when less stringent constraints were adopted to analyze microarray results, 75 genes were found to be modulated following exposure. Forty‐two probes showed fold changes ranging from 1.5 to 2.8, whereas 33 were down‐regulated from 0.67‐ to 0.29‐fold changes, but these differences in gene expression were not confirmed by real‐time PCR. Under these specific limited conditions, no consistent indication of gene expression modulation in whole mouse brain was found associated to GSM 1800 MHz exposure. Bioelectromagnetics 29:312–323, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Redox Reactions of a Dinuclear Manganese Complex – the Influence of Water
Authors: Kurz Philipp , Anderlund Magnus F. , Shaikh Nizamuddin , Styring Stenbjörn , Huang Ping 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe redox properties of the dinuclear manganese complex [MnIII,III2L(μ‐OAc)2]+ (1) (where L is the trianion of the heptadentate ligand 2,6‐bis{[(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}‐4‐methylphenol) were studied in acetonitrile solutions containing different concentrations of water. Electrochemical reactions as well as reactions with different chemical and photochemical redox reagents were monitored, using a variety of analytical techniques, namely cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and EPR spectroscopy. We found that even small concentrations of water influence the compound's redox behaviour significantly, especially the oxidation reactions. As a consequence, the presence of water reduces the overall potential span needed to reach the highest oxidation state observed for 1 (MnIII,IV2) from its most reduced state (MnII,II2) to about 1.1 V. Higher oxidation states of 1 are stabilized, most likely by water coordination and the formation of μ‐oxido bridge(s) between the two manganese atoms. For reducing conditions, an unprecedented 25‐line EPR signal was observed, which might originate from reduced 1 in its MnII,II2 or MnII,III2 state after considerable ligand rearrangement. As complexes like 1 have been designed to act as potential water oxidation catalysts, the complicated redox‐ and ligand‐exchange chemistry found for 1 in the presence of water, its intended substrate, might be exemplary for many of the dinuclear manganese compounds currently under investigation. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
An Efficient Total Synthesis of Decarestrictine D
Authors: Gupta Priti , Kumar Pradeep 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAn efficient total synthesis of decarestrictine D has been achieved using cross‐metathesis or ring‐closing metathesis and Yamaguchi macrolactonization as key steps. The stereogenic centres were generated by means of hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Supportive‐expressive psychotherapy for comorbid personality disorders: a case study
Authors: Vinnars Bo , Barber Jacques P. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSupportive‐expressive psychotherapy (SEP) has generated some empirical evidence supporting its effectiveness for treating a variety of Axis I disorder; however, no evidence supporting its use for patients with severe personality disorders has been published. This article describes a patient suffering from several personality disorders—avoidant, obsessive–compulsive, paranoid, narcissistic, and antisocial—using the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method. Supportive‐expressive psychotherapy focuses on connecting the CCRT with symptoms and maladaptive personality traits, with the goal of resolving these conflicts. Most maladaptive traits for such a complex patient are ego‐syntonic, not experienced as internal conflicts, and therefore not easily accessible to therapeutic exploration. Such a patient is likely to experience the external environment as hostile once his ego‐syntonic wishes are not automatically granted and thus the therapeutic alliance may suffer. This article will show the interpersonal processes that are activated when a patient is treated with time‐limited, manualized psychotherapy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 64: 1–12, 2008.
Phenotypic spectrum and sex effects in eleven myoclonus‐dystonia families with ε‐sarcoglycan mutations
Authors: Raymond Deborah , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel , de Carvalho Aguiar Patricia , Schule Birgitt , Kock Norman , Friedman Jennifer , Harris Juliette , Ford Blair , Frucht Steven , Heiman Gary A. , Jennings Danna , Doheny Dana , Brin Mitchell F. , de Leon Brin Deborah , Multhaupt‐Buell Trisha , Lang Anthony E. , Kurlan Roger , Klein Christine , Ozelius Laurie , Bressman Susan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMyoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) due to SGCE mutations is characterized by early onset myoclonic jerks, often associated with dystonia. Penetrance is influenced by parental sex, but other sex effects have not been established. In 42 affected individuals from 11 families with identified mutations, we found that sex was highly associated with age at onset regardless of mutation type; the median age onset for girls was 5 years versus 8 years for boys (P < 0.0097). We found no association between mutation type and phenotype. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
A combined approach of mass spectrometry, molecular modeling, and site‐directed mutagenesis highlights key structural features responsible for the thermostability ofSulfolobus solfataricuscarboxypeptidase
Authors: Sommaruga Silvia , De Palma Antonella , Mauri Pier Luigi , Trisciani Manuela , Basilico Fabrizio , Martelli Pier Luigi , Casadio Rita , Tortora Paolo , Occhipinti Emanuela 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSulfolobus solfataricuscarboxypeptidase (CPSso) is a thermostable zinc‐metalloenzyme, consisting of four identical subunits with aMrof 43,000. In a previous paper (Occhipintiet al., Biophys J 2003; 85:1165–1175), we developed a structure of the enzyme by molecular modeling and validated it by site‐directed mutagenesis and small angle X‐ray scattering. Here, we report investigations aimed at further validating the model, as well as at identifying molecular determinants responsible for thermostability. To this end, we took advantage of mass spectrometry techniques, notably LC‐MS/MS. The structure was confirmed by such approaches, in that they lead to the identification of a disulfide bridge formed by Cys286 and Cys293, whose location in the model is well suited for giving rise to the crosslink. More notably, we also identified a protease‐resistant core consisting of the N‐ and C‐terminal antiparallel α‐helices, which in the model are predicted to interact with each other via hydrophobic quadrants. On the basis of the model, we also tentatively identified the most tightly interacting residues as Leu7, Ala380, and Leu376. Although the replacement of Ala380 by serine did not detectably impair protein stability, a dramatic drop in thermostability was observed when the two leucines were replaced by either aspartate (L7D; L376D) or asparagine (L7N; L376N). We then investigated the kinetic thermal stability of the wild type and the mutants by determining the thermodynamic activation parameters, ΔG‡, ΔH‡, and ΔS‡. Besides highlighting the key role of the hydrophobic core in thermostability, these results suggest clearly different mechanisms of destabilization by the single mutations, depending on whether the leucines are replaced by asparagines or aspartates. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding of known drug‐target interactions in the catalytic pocket of neuraminidase subtype N1
Authors: Malaisree Maturos , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Decha Panita , Intharathep Pathumwadee , Aruksakunwong Ornjira , Hannongbua Supot 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTo provide detailed information and insight into the drug‐target interaction, structure, solvation, and dynamic and thermodynamic properties, the three known‐neuraminidase inhibitors—oseltamivir (OTV), zanamivir (ZNV), and peramivir (PRV)—embedded in the catalytic site of neuraminidase (NA) subtype N1 were studied using molecular dynamics simulations. In terms of ligand conformation, there were major differences in the structures of the guanidinium and the bulky groups. The atoms of the guanidinium group of PRV were observed to form many more hydrogen bonds with the surrounded residues and were much less solvated by water molecules, in comparison with the other two inhibitors. Consequently, D151 lying on the 150‐loop (residues 147–152) of group‐1 neuraminidase (N1, N4, N5, and N8) was considerably shifted to form direct hydrogen bonds with the OH group of the PRV, which was located rather far from the 150‐loop. For the bulky group, direct hydrogen bonds were detected only between the hydrophilic side chain of ZNV and residues R224, E276, and E277 of N1 with rather weak binding, 20–70% occupation. This is not the case for OTV and PRV, in which flexibility and steric effects due to the hydrophobic side chain lead to the rearrangement of the surrounded residues, that is, the negatively charged side chain of E276 was shifted and rotated to form hydrogen bonds with the positively charged moiety of R224. Taking into account all the ligand‐enzyme interaction data, the gas phase MM interaction energy of −282.2 kcal/mol as well as the binding free energy (ΔGbinding) of −227.4 kcal/mol for the PRV‐N1 are significantly lower than those of the other inhibitors. The ordering of ΔGbinding of PRV < ZNV < OTV agrees well with the ordering of experimental IC50 value. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inheritance of resistance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) to the pod‐sucking bug Clavigralla tomentosicollis (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
Authors: Olatunde GO , Biobaku IA , Ojo DK , Pitan OOR , Adegbite EA 
Published: January 2008

AbstractInheritance of resistance in cowpea to Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål was studied on F1, F2 and F3 generations produced from crosses made between Ife Brown, a susceptible cultivar (PS), and TVu 3354, a resistant variety (PR), on the pods of which freshly emerged nymphs of C. tomentosicollis were caged. Nymphal weight gain was significantly higher (p < 0.05) on PS. There were no significant differences between the weight gains of nymphs that fed on F1, F2 and F3 pods. Insect mortality was significantly higher on PR (86.7%) and the F2 (70.0%) generation. Total nymphal development period was significantly longer on PR (15.0 days) while that on F1 and F2 generations was significantly longer than on the F3 generation. Nymphal survival and adult emergence were observed on eight plants out of 60 and 19 plants out of 80 from the F2 and F3 generations, respectively. Broad‐sense heritability estimates were 90.3% and 94.3% for the F2 and F3 generations, respectively. The results clearly indicated that TVu 3354 has highly heritable resistance to C. tomentosicollis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd