bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of connexin subunits required for the survival of vestibular hair cells
Authors: Qu Yan , Tang Wenxue , Dahlke Ian , Ding Dalian , Salvi Richard , Söhl Goran , Willecke Klaus , Chen Ping , Lin Xi 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMutations in connexin (Cx) genes are responsible for a large proportion of human inherited prelingual deafness cases. The most commonly found human Cx mutations are either Cx26 or Cx30 deletions. Histological observations made in the organ of Corti of homozygous Cx26 and Cx30 gene knockout mice show that cochlear hair cells degenerate after the onset of hearing. However, it is unclear whether vestibular hair cells undergo similar degeneration in connexin knockout mice. To address this question, we first examined expression patterns of Cx26 and Cx30 in the saccule, utricle, and ampulla by immunolabeling. In wild‐type mice, Cx26 and Cx30 immunoreactivity was found extensively in vestibular supporting cells and connective tissue cells, and the two Cxs were co‐localized in most gap junction (GJ) plaques. Targeted deletion of the Cx30 gene, which caused little change in Cx26 expression pattern, resulted in a significant and age‐related loss of vestibular hair cells only in the saccule. dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining also revealed on‐going apoptosis specifically in saccular hair cells of Cx30−/− mice. These results indicated that hair cell survival in the utricle and ampulae does not require Cx30. Importantly, over‐expressing the Cx26 gene from a modified bacterial artificial chromosome in the Cx30−/− background rescued the saccular hair cells. These results suggest that it is the reduction in the total amount of GJs rather than the specific loss of Cx30 that underlies saccular hair cell death in Cx30−/− mice. Hybrid GJs co‐assembled from Cx26 and Cx30 were not essential for the survival of saccular hair cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:499–507, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deletion of EphA4 enhances deafferentation‐induced ipsilateral sprouting in auditory brainstem projections
Authors: Hsieh Candace Y. , Hong Cindy T. , Cramer Karina S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAxonal selection of ipsilateral and/or contralateral targets is essential for integrating bilateral sensory information and for coordinated movement. The molecular processes that determine ipsilateral and contralateral target choice are not fully understood. We examined this target selection in the developing auditory brainstem. Ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) axons normally project to the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) only on the contralateral side. However, after unilateral removal of cochlear input in neonates, we found that axons from the unoperated VCN sprout and project to MNTB bilaterally. We found that EphA4 is expressed in the mouse auditory brainstem during development and during a sensitive period for ipsilateral sprouting, so we hypothesized that deletion of the Eph receptor EphA4 would impair target selection in these auditory pathways. Lipophilic dyes were used to evaluate quantitatively the brainstem projections in wild‐type and EphA4‐null mice. VCN‐MNTB projections in EphA4‐null mice were strictly contralateral, as in wild‐type mice. However, after deafferentation, EphA4‐null mice had a significant, threefold increase in the proportion of axons from the intact VCN that sprouted into ipsilateral MNTB compared with wild‐type mice. Heterozygous mice had a twofold increase in these projections. These results demonstrate that EphA4 influences auditory brainstem circuitry selectively in response to deafferentation. Although this axon guidance molecule is not by itself necessary for appropriate target choice during normal development, it is a strong determinant of ipsilateral vs. contralateral target choice during deafferentation‐induced plasticity. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:508–518, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Islam and CSR: a study of the compatibility between the tenets of Islam, the UN Global Compact and the development of social, human and natural capital
Authors: Zinkin John 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPrevious research has found that Muslims score elements that are assumed to matter in determining socially responsible business behaviour less highly than people of other religions. This paper looks at whether the tenets of Islam are the reason for this lower score by comparing and contrasting the UN Global Compact's ten principles with those of Islam in the affected areas. In so doing, the paper reconstructs the principles according to their impact on social, human and natural capital and explores whether Islam is supportive of responsible behaviour in these three areas. The paper concludes that, with the possible exception of Islam's focus on personal responsibility and non‐recognition of the corporation as a legal person, which could undermine the concept of corporate responsibility, there is no divergence between the tenets of the religion and the principles of the UN Global Compact. Focusing on this convergence of values could help avert the threatened ‘clash of civilizations’. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Cyclosporin‐A treatment attenuates delayed cytoskeletal alterations and secondary axotomy following mild axonal stretch injury
Authors: Staal J.A. , Dickson T.C. , Chung R.S. , Vickers J.C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFollowing central nervous system trauma, diffuse axonal injury and secondary axotomy result from a cascade of cellular alterations including cytoskeletal and mitochondrial disruption. We have examined the link between intracellular changes following mild/moderate axonal stretch injury and secondary axotomy in rat cortical neurons cultured to relative maturity (21 days in vitro). Axon bundles were transiently stretched to a strain level between 103% and 106% using controlled pressurized fluid. Double‐immunohistochemical analysis of neurofilaments, neuronal spectrin, α‐internexin, cytochrome‐c, and ubiquitin was conducted at 24‐, 48‐, 72‐, and 96‐h postinjury. Stretch injury resulted in delayed cytoskeletal damage, maximal at 48‐h postinjury. Accumulation of cytochrome‐c and ubiquitin was also evident at 48 h following injury and colocalized to axonal regions of cytoskeletal disruption. Pretreatment of cultures with cyclosporin‐A, an inhibitor of calcineurin and the mitochondrial membrane transitional pore, reduced the degree of cytoskeletal damage in stretch‐injured axonal bundles. At 48‐h postinjury, 20% of untreated cultures demonstrated secondary axotomy, whereas cyclosporin A‐treated axon bundles remained intact. By 72‐h postinjury, 50% of control preparations and 7% of cyclosporin A‐treated axonal bundles had progressed to secondary axotomy, respectively. Statistical analyses demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in secondary axotomy between treated and untreated cultures. In summary, these results suggest that cyclosporin‐A reduces progressive cytoskeletal damage and secondary axotomy following transient axonal stretch injury in vitro. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Coemergence of regularity and complexity during neural network development
Authors: Fuchs E. , Ayali A. , Robinson A. , Hulata E. , Ben‐Jacob E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWith the growing recognition that rhythmic and oscillatory patterns are widespread in the brain and play important roles in all aspects of the function of our nervous system, there has been a resurgence of interest in neuronal synchronized bursting activity. Here, we were interested in understanding the development of synchronized bursts as information‐bearing neuronal activity patterns. For that, we have monitored the morphological organization and spontaneous activity of neuronal networks cultured on multielectrode‐arrays during their self‐executed evolvement from a mixture of dissociated cells into an active network. Complex collective network electrical activity evolved from sporadic firing patterns of the single neurons. On the system (network) level, the activity was marked by bursting events with interneuronal synchronization and nonarbitrary temporal ordering. We quantified these individual‐to‐collective activity transitions using newly‐developed system level quantitative measures of time series regularity and complexity. We found that individual neuronal activity before synchronization was characterized by high regularity and low complexity. During neuronal wiring, there was a transient period of reorganization marked by low regularity, which then leads to coemergence of elevated regularity and functional (nonstochastic) complexity. We further investigated the morphology‐activity interplay by modeling artificial neuronal networks with different topological organizations and connectivity schemes. The simulations support our experimental results by showing increased levels of complexity of neuronal activity patterns when neurons are wired up and organized in clusters (similar to mature real networks), as well as network‐level activity regulation once collective activity forms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Regulation of actomyosin contractility by PI3K in sensory axons
Authors: Orlova Irina , Silver Lee , Gallo Gianluca 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) activity is known to be required for the extension of embryonic sensory axons. Inhibition of PI3K has also been shown to mediate axon retraction and growth cone collapse in response to semaphorin 3A. However, the effects of inhibiting PI3K on the neuronal cytoskeleton are not well characterized. We have previously reported that semaphorin 3A‐induced axon retraction involves activation of myosin II, the formation of an intra‐axonal F‐actin bundle cytoskeleton, and blocks the formation of F‐actin patches that serve as precursors to filopodial formation in axons. We now report that inhibition of PI3K results in activation of myosin II in axons. Inhibition of myosin II activity, or its upstream regulatory kinase RhoA‐kinase, blocked axon retraction induced by inhibition of PI3K. In addition, inhibition of PI3K also induced intra‐axonal F‐actin bundles, which likely serve as a substratum for myosin II‐based force generation during axon retraction. In axons, filopodia are formed from axonal F‐actin patch precursors. Analysis of axonal F‐actin patch formation in eYFP‐actin expressing neurons revealed that inhibition of PI3K blocked formation of axonal F‐actin patches, and thus filopodial formation. These data provide insights into the regulation of the neuronal cytoskeleton by PI3K and are consistent with the notion that decreased levels of PI3K activity mediate axon retraction and growth cone collapse in response to semaphorin 3A. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
Activation of retinoic acid receptor‐α favours regulatory T cell induction at the expense of IL‐17‐secreting T helper cell differentiation
Authors: Schambach Felix , Schupp Michael , Lazar Mitchell A. , Reiner Steven L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAutoimmunity is thought to reflect an imbalance between regulatory T helper lymphocytes (Treg) and pathogenic, IL‐17‐secreting T helper (Th17) cells. Induction of both adaptive Treg and Th17 cells requires signalling from TGF‐β. We now show that, in the context of TGF‐β signalling, all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) leads to increased induction of CD4+ T cells expressing the Treg specification factor forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) and decreased frequency of cells expressing IL‐17, even in the presence of IL‐6. Using a specific agonist and antagonist, as well as retroviral over‐expression, we also provide evidence that the effects of ATRA are likely to be at least partially mediated by the nuclear retinoic acid receptor‐α (RARα). These findings indicate that signalling through a specific nuclear retinoic acid receptor can favour the decision to adopt the Treg fate at the expense of Th17 fate. Specific agonists of RARα could, therefore, be considered candidates for the treatment of autoimmunity.
Axial Coordination of Porphyrinatocobalt(II) Complexes with Bis(pyridinolato)silicon(IV) Phthalocyanines
Authors: Leng Xuebing , Ng Dennis K. P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTreatment of dichlorosilicon(IV) phthalocyanine with 3‐ or 4‐hydroxypyridine in the presence of pyridine in toluene gave the corresponding bis(pyridinolato)silicon(IV) phthalocyanine complexes SiPc(3‐OPy)2 (1) or SiPc(4‐OPy)2 (2), respectively, which were spectroscopically and structurally characterized. As shown by electronic absorption spectroscopy, these compounds axially bind to meso‐tetraphenylporphyrinatocobalt(II) [Co(TPP) (3)] and meso‐tetrakis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) [Co(TBPP) (4)] with the two pyridyl ligands forming the corresponding mixed phthalocyanine–porphyrin triads. The binding constants K1 between the 4‐pyridyl phthalocyanine 2 and the porphyrinatocobalt(II) complexes (1.1–1.2 × 104 M–1) are about threefold higher than those for the 3‐pyridyl counterpart 1. The heterodyads 2·3 and 2·4 were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by mass and absorption spectroscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Water‐Soluble Phenanthroline Complexes of Rhodium, Iridium and Ruthenium for the Regeneration of NADH in the Enzymatic Reduction of Ketones
Authors: Canivet Jérôme , Süss‐Fink Georg , Štěpnička Petr 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe nicotinamide coenzyme NADH, consumed in enantioselective reduction of ketones catalysed by alcohol dehydrogenases, needs to be regenerated in order to maintain enzymatic activity. We therefore studied the catalytic potential of the cationic complexes [(η5‐C5Me5)Rh(N∩N)Cl]+ (1: N∩N = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2: N∩N = 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline; 3: N∩N = 5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline), [(η5‐C5Me5)Ir(N∩N)Cl]+ (4: N∩N = 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline) and [(η6‐C6Me6)Ru(N∩N)Cl]+ (5: N∩N = 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline), isolated as the water‐soluble chloride salts, for transfer hydrogenation of NAD+ to give NADH in aqueous solution. The best results were obtained with rhodium complex 1, which gave catalytic turnover frequencies up to 2000 h–1 in aqueous solution at pH 7 and 60 °C with sodium formate as the hydrogen source. When this NADH‐regenerating catalytic system is combined with NADH‐dependent enzymes, it is possible to chemoenzymatically reduce prochiral ketones such as acetophenone or 4‐phenylbutan‐2‐one with high enantioselectivity. Combination of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) or alcohol dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus sp. (S‐ADH) with 1/formate as the NADH‐regenerating system resulted in ee values up to 98 %, depending on the nature of the substrate and the enzyme. In order to explain the different catalytic activities, the electrochemical behaviour of complexes 1–5 has been studied.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Guanidine–Borane Complex and a Dinuclear Boron(II) Hydride with Bridging Guanidinate Ligands
Authors: Ciobanu Oxana , Roquette Pascal , Leingang Simone , Wadepohl Hubert , Mautz Jürgen , Himmel Hans‐Jörg 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe report the synthesis and structural characterization of the new monomeric borane complex H3B·hppH (hppH = 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine), which represents the first example of a structurally characterized 1:1 complex between hppH and a group 13 element hydride. Significant intramolecular and, in the crystalline phase, intermolecular H···H contacts are established in this complex. It is shown that the complex can be used as a precursor to new dinuclear boron(II) compounds featuring a B–B single bond. Thus H2 elimination followed by dimerization of H3B·hppH leads to [(hpp)BH]2 with two bridging hpp units. The structural details derived from X‐ray diffraction measurements are reported.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Behavioral regulation: factor analysis and application of the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale in dementia and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Hall James R. , Harvey Michelle B. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundExecutive dysfunction is a hallmark of both Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (AD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD). A complete neuropsychological battery contains measures of executive function, but the focus tends to be on cognitive processes with verbal or written output. The Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale (BDS) is purported to be a measure of executive function that addresses control over voluntary motor behavior. Previous factor analyses revealed three‐factor solutions using a variety of patient populations. Our goals were to examine the factor structure in a sample of geriatric outpatients and to apply that factor structure to detect possible differences between AD, VaD, amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), non‐amnestic MCI, and normal controls.MethodsAn exploratory factor analysis was performed on 260 outpatient evaluations from 2002–2006. Only the seven items requiring motor responses were included.ResultsA two‐factor solution emerged. We named the factors Motor Problem‐Solving and Simple Motor Repetitive Behaviors. For the first factor, the AD and VaD groups differed from the MCI groups and normal controls, but did not differ from each other. There were no differences between the control, amnestic MCI, and non‐amnestic MCI groups. There were no differences between the groups for the second factor.ConclusionIt was concluded that voluntary control of behavior that requires problem‐solving for complex tasks may help differentiate dementia from mild cognitive impairment and normal aging. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HTR2C haplotypes and antipsychotics‐induced weight gain: X‐linked multimarker analysis
Authors: De Luca Vincenzo , Müller Daniel J. , Hwang Rudi , Lieberman Jeffrey A. , Volavka Jan , Meltzer Herbert Y. , Kennedy James L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe 5HT2C receptor (HTR2C) has been hypothesized to represent an important modulator in feeding behavior. Evidence was based on the observation that knock‐out mice for the HTR2C receptor gene develop obesity and that many antipsychotics (AP) with potent HTR2C antagonism may induce weight gain in susceptible individuals. Pharmacogenetic studies focusing either on the Cys23Ser polymorphism or on the −759C/T promoter polymorphism of the X‐linked HTR2C receptor gene revealed significant findings for the −759C/T polymorphism, however, no study has performed haplotype analyses for both polymorphisms.MethodsWe analyzed three functional polymorphisms (Cys23Ser, −759C/T, and (GT)12–18/(CT) 4–5) of the HTR2C in 139 schizophrenic patients mainly treated with clozapine. Weight gain was assessed over a time course of 6–14 weeks (mean 8.2 weeks).ResultsSingle marker and haplotype analysis revealed no significant associations with AP‐induced weight gain. The haplotype Long‐C‐Ser was protective against weight gain, but the number of subjects available for that analysis was small.ConclusionsOur pilot study did not detect any significant haplotype conferring risk for antipsychotic‐induced weight gain although the statistical model took into account the X‐linked heterogeneity and did correct for confounding factors (i.e., ethnicity, medications, clinical response, time of assessment). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobility of major ions and nutrients in the unsaturated zone during paddy cultivation: a field study and solute transport modelling approach
Authors: Rajmohan N. , Elango L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractStudy of the movement of water and solute within soil profiles is important for a number of reasons. Accumulation of prominent contaminants from agricultural chemicals in the unsaturated zone over the years is a major concern in many parts of the world. As a result, the unsaturated zone has been a subject of great research interest during the past decade. Hence, an intensive field study was conducted in a part of Palar and Cheyyar river basins to understand the variation of major ions and nutrients in the soil zone during paddy cultivation. The chloride and nitrate data were used to model the movement of these chemicals in the unsaturated zone using the HYDRUS‐2D model. The field study shows that fertilizer application and irrigation return flow increases the major ions and nutrients concentration in the unsaturated zone. Further, the nutrient concentrations are regulated by plant uptake, fertilizer application and infiltration rate. Additionally, denitrification and soil mineralization processes also regulate the nitrogen concentration in the unsaturated zone. The solute transport modelling study concluded that the simulated results match reasonably with the observed trends. Simulated concentrations of chloride and nitrate for a 5‐year period indicate that the concentrations of these ions fluctuate in a cyclic manner (from 60 to 68 mg l−1 and from 3·4 to 3·5 mg l−1 respectively in groundwater) with no upward and downward trend. The influence of excessive fertilizer application on groundwater was also modelled. The model predicts an increase of about 17 mg l−1 of chloride and 2·3 mg l−1 of nitrogen in the groundwater of this area when the application of fertilizers is doubled. The model indicates that the present level of use of agrochemicals is no threat to the groundwater quality. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fine sediment delivery and transfer in lowland catchments: modelling suspended sediment concentrations in response to hydrological forcing
Authors: Jarritt N. P. , Lawrence D. S. L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFine sediment delivery to and storage in stream channel reaches can disrupt aquatic habitats, impact river hydromorphology, and transfer adsorbed nutrients and pollutants from catchment slopes to the fluvial system. This paper presents a modelling tool for simulating the time‐dependent response of the fine sediment system in catchments, using an integrated approach that incorporates both land phase and in‐stream processes of sediment generation, storage and transfer. The performance of the model is demonstrated by applying it to simulate in‐stream suspended sediment concentrations in two lowland catchments in southern England, the Enborne and the Lambourn, which exhibit contrasting hydrological and sediment responses due to differences in substrate permeability. The sediment model performs well in the Enborne catchment, where direct runoff events are frequent and peak suspended sediment concentrations can exceed 600 mg l−1. The general trends in the in‐stream concentrations in the Lambourn catchment are also reproduced by the model, although the observed concentrations are low (rarely exceeding 50 mg l−1) and the background variability in the concentrations is not fully characterized by the model. Direct runoff events are rare in this highly permeable catchment, resulting in a weak coupling between the sediment delivery system and the catchment hydrology. The generic performance of the model is also assessed using a generalized sensitivity analysis based on the parameter bounds identified in the catchment applications. Results indicate that the hydrological parameters contributing to the sediment response include those controlling (1) the partitioning of runoff between surface and soil zone flows and (2) the fractional loss of direct runoff volume prior to channel delivery. The principal sediment processes controlling model behaviour in the simulations are the transport capacity of direct runoff and the in‐stream generation, storage and release of the fine sediment fraction. The in‐stream processes appear to be important in maintaining the suspended sediment concentrations during low flows in the River Enborne and throughout much of the year in the River Lambourn. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.