bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome sizes of cranes (Aves: Gruiformes)
Authors: Rasch Ellen M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe DNA content of blood cell nuclei of 15 species of cranes was determined by Feulgen‐DNA cytophotometry. Genome sizes agree with values reported elsewhere for several crane species analyzed by flow cytometry. Males have more DNA per cell than females in several species. A karyotype where 2n = 80 is reported for a male greater sandhill crane. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative anatomy and histology of xenarthran osteoderms
Authors: Hill Robert V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractReconstruction of soft tissues in fossil vertebrates is an enduring challenge for paleontologists. Because inferences must be based on evidence from hard tissues (typically bones or teeth), even the most complete fossils provide only limited information about certain organ systems. Osteoderms (“dermal armor”) are integumentary bones with high fossilization potential that hold information about the anatomy of the skin in many extant and fossil amniotes. Their importance for functional morphology and phylogenetic research has recently been recognized, but studies have focused largely upon reptiles, in which osteoderms are most common. Among mammals, osteoderms occur only in members of the clade Xenarthra, which includes armadillos and their extinct relatives: glyptodonts, pampatheres, and, more distantly, ground sloths. Here, I present new information on the comparative morphology and histology of osteoderms and their associated soft tissues in 11 extant and fossil xenarthrans. Extinct mylodontid sloths possessed simple, isolated ossicles, the presence of which is likely plesiomorphic for Xenarthra. More highly derived osteoderms of glyptodonts, pampatheres, and armadillos feature complex articulations and surface ornamentation. Osteoderms of modern armadillos are physically associated with a variety of soft tissues, including nerve, muscle, gland, and connective tissue. In some cases, similar osteological features may be caused by two or more different tissue types, rendering soft‐tissue inferences for fossil osteoderms equivocal. Certain osteological structures, however, are consistently associated with specific soft‐tissue complexes and therefore represent a relatively robust foundation upon which to base soft‐tissue reconstructions of extinct xenarthrans. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence at hand: Diversity, functional implications, and locomotor prediction in intrinsic hand proportions of diprotodontian marsupials
Authors: Weisbecker Vera , Warton David I. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractKnowledge about the diversity, locomotor adaptations, and evolution of the marsupial forelimb is limited, resulting in an underrepresentation of marsupials in comparative anatomical literature on mammalian forelimb anatomy. This study investigated hand proportions in the diverse marsupial order Diprotodontia. Fifty‐two measurements of 95 specimens representing 47 species, as well as 6 non‐diprotodontian specimens, were explored using principal components analysis (PCA). Bootstrapping was used to assess the reliability of the loadings. Phylogenetically independent contrasts and phylogenetic ANOVA were used to test for correlation with size and functional adaptation of forelimbs for locomotor habit, scored as arboreal vs. terrestrial. Analysis of first principal component (PC1) scores revealed significant differences between arboreal and terrestrial species, and was related to relative slenderness of their phalangeal elements. Both locomotor groups displayed allometry along PC1 scores, but with different intercepts such that PC1 discriminated between the two locomotor habits almost completely. PC2 separated some higher‐level clades and burrowing species. Analysis of locomotor predictors commonly applied by palaeontologists indicates that ratios between proximal and intermediate phalanges were unsuitable as predictors of arboreality/terrestriality, but the phalangeal index was more effective. From PCA results, a phalangeal slenderness ratio was developed which proved to be a useful discriminator, suggesting that a single unallocated phalanx can be used for an impression of locomotor mode in fossils. Most Diprotodontia are laterally paraxonic or ectaxonic, with the exception of digging species whose hands are medially paraxonic. Our results complement those of studies on placental mammals, suggesting that the demands of arboreality, terrestriality, or frequent digging on intrinsic hand proportions are met with similar anatomical adaptations in marsupials. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional morphology of the sonic apparatus in Ophidion barbatum (Teleostei, Ophidiidae)
Authors: Parmentier E. , Fontenelle N. , Fine M.L. , Vandewalle P. , Henrist C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMost soniferous fishes producing sounds with their swimbladder utilize relatively simple mechanisms: contraction and relaxation of a unique pair of sonic muscles cause rapid movements of the swimbladder resulting in sound production. Here we describe the sonic mechanism for Ophidion barbatum, which includes three pairs of sonic muscles, highly transformed vertebral centra and ribs, a neural arch that pivots and a swimbladder whose anterior end is modified into a bony structure, the rocker bone. The ventral and intermediate muscles cause the rocker bone to swivel inward, compressing the swimbladder, and this action is antagonized by the dorsal muscle. Unlike other sonic systems in which the muscle contraction rate determines sound fundamental frequency, we hypothesize that slow contraction of these antagonistic muscles produces a series of cycles of swimbladder vibration. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of monomethylmercury, monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin in environmental samples by multi‐elemental‐species‐specific isotope dilution analysis using electron ionisation GC‐MS
Authors: Moreno Maria Jimenez , Pacheco‐Arjona Jaime , Rodríguez‐González Pablo , Preud'Homme Hugues , Amouroux David , Donard Olivier F. X. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this work, the simultaneous determination of four organometallic species (monomethylmercury, monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin) in environmental samples by using a GC‐MS system with electron ionisation has been established. The measurement of isotope ratios in each species was accomplished by selecting the most adequate molecular cluster, and simple mathematical equations were applied to correct the contributions of 13C from the organic groups attached to the tin and mercury atoms. The influence of different parameters such as dwell time on the precision and accuracy of the measured isotope ratios in each target species has also been studied. The determination and the sample preparation procedures presented in this work were first individually validated by analysing several certified reference materials for butyltin compounds (mussel tissue CRM‐477 and marine sediment SOPH‐1) and for monomethylmercury (tuna fish CRM‐464) using an innovative focused microwave technology for the extraction of the species from the solid samples. Additionally, the simultaneous determination of the four species was successfully validated by obtaining quantitative recoveries in spiked natural waters and by analysing the certified reference material BCR‐710 (certified in tributyltin and monomethylmercury). The values obtained in such certified tissue were fully in agreement not only with the certified mass fractions but also with the proposed indicative values for mono‐ and dibutyltin. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometry in ionospheric research
Authors: Ferguson Eldon E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMass sectrometry played a key role in the development of the understanding of the earth's ionosphere. Of primary importance was its use for in situ atmospheric measurements of the ion and neutral composition of the atmosphere. Mass spectrometry has also played an essential role in the laboratory measurement of critical ionospheric molecular processes. Examples of both are given. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 26:142–149, 2007
Mesophase Separation of Diblock Copolymer Confined in a Cylindrical Tube Studied by Dissipative Particle Dynamics
Authors: Feng Jian , Liu Honglai , Hu Ying 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: The morphologies of diblock copolymers confined in a cylindrical tube have been investigated by the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method. Results indicate that the morphology depends on the volume ratio of the immiscible blocks, the diameter of the cylindrical tube and the interactions between the blocks and between the confinement wall and blocks. For symmetric diblock copolymers, when the tube wall is uniform toward the two blocks, perpendicular lamellae or a stacked disk morphology are generally formed except when the diameter of the cylindrical tube is very small; in that case, a special bi‐helix morphology forms because of the entropy effect. When the tube wall is non‐uniform, as the diameter of the tube increases, perpendicular lamellae are first formed, then changing to parallel lamellae and, finally, back to perpendicular lamellae again. An intermediate morphology characterizing the transition between perpendicular and parallel lamellae is observed. If the non‐uniformity of the wall is further enhanced, only parallel lamellae can be found. In the case of asymmetric diblock copolymers, more complex morphologies can be obtained. Multi‐cylindrical micro‐domains and a multilayer helical phase as well as other complex pictures are observed. Generally, the morphologies obtained could find their counterparts from experiments or Monte Carlo simulations; however, differences do exist, especially in some cases of asymmetric diblock copolymers.Bi‐helix and stacked disks morphologies of A5B5 diblock copolymer confined in two different neutral nanocylinders.imageBi‐helix and stacked disks morphologies of A5B5 diblock copolymer confined in two different neutral nanocylinders.
Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulations of Polymer Brushes: Comparison with Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Pal Sandeep , Seidel Christian 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: The structure of polymer brushes is investigated by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations that include explicit solvent particles. With an appropriate choice of the DPD interaction parameters $a_{ij}$, we obtain good agreement with previous molecular dynamics (MD) results where the good solvent behavior has been modeled by an effective Lennard–Jones potential. The present results confirm that DPD simulation techniques can be applied for large length scale simulations of polymer brushes. A relation between the different length scales $r_{\rm c}$ and $\sigma$ is established.Polymer brush at a solid–liquid interface.imagePolymer brush at a solid–liquid interface.
Interval estimation of mean response time for a G/M/1 queueing system: empirical Laplace function approach
Authors: Chu Yunn‐Kuang , Ke Jau‐Chuan 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMean response time is an important performance measure for a queueing system. In this paper, we propose a consistent and asymptotically normal (CAN) estimator of the mean response time for a G/M/1 queueing system, which is based on the fixed point of empirical Laplace function. The confidence interval for the mean response time can be constructed by applying the proposed CAN estimator and its estimated variance. And we carried out a simulation study to perform the accuracy of the constructed confidence interval by calculating the coverage percentage and the relative average length of confidence interval. Detailed discussions of all simulation results for three various models of G/M/1‐type system are presented and some valuable conclusions are provided. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methylglyoxal in food and living organisms
Authors: Nemet Ina , Varga‐Defterdarović Lidija , Turk Zdenka 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMethylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive α‐oxoaldehyde formed endogenously in numerous enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. It modifies arginine and lysine residues in proteins forming advanced glycation end‐products such as Nδ‐(5‐methyl‐4‐imidazolon‐2‐yl)‐L‐ornithine (MG‐H1), 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐amino‐5‐hydro‐5‐methyl‐4‐imidazolon‐1‐yl)pentanoic acid (MG‐H2), 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐amino‐4‐hydro‐4‐methyl‐5‐imidazolon‐1‐yl)pentanoic acid (MG‐H3), argpyrimidine, Nδ‐(4‐carboxy‐4,6‐dimethyl‐5,6‐dihydroxy‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidine‐2‐yl)‐L‐ornithine (THP), Nε‐(1‐carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), MG‐derived lysine dimer (MOLD), and 2‐ammonio‐6‐({2–[4‐ammonio‐5‐oxido‐5‐oxopently)amino]‐4‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐5‐ylidene}amino)hexanoate (MODIC), which have been identified in vivo and are associated with complications of diabetes and some neurodegenerative diseases. In foodstuffs and beverages, MG is formed during processing, cooking, and prolonged storage. Fasting and metabolic disorders and/or defects in MG detoxification processes cause accumulation of this reactive dicarbonyl in vivo. In addition, the intake of low doses of MG over a prolonged period of time can cause degenerative changes in different tissues, and can also exert anticancer activity. MG in biological samples can be quantified by HPLC or GC methods with preliminary derivatization into more stable chromophores and/or fluorophores, or derivatives suitable for determination by MS by use of diamino derivatives of benzene and naphthalene, 6‐hydroxy‐2,4,5‐triaminopyrimidine, cysteamine, and o‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine. The methods include three basic steps: deproteinization, incubation with derivatization agent, and chromatographic analysis with or without preliminary extraction of the formed products.
Trapping reactions of reactive carbonyl species with tea polyphenols in simulated physiological conditions
Authors: Lo Chih‐Yu , Li Shiming , Tan Di , Pan Min‐Hsiung , Sang Shengmin , Ho Chi‐Tang 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe carbonyl stress that leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in diabetes mellitus has drawn much attention recently. Reactive alpha‐dicarbonyl compounds, such as glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO), have been shown to be a high potential glycation agent in vitro and in vivo. In this study, epicatechins in green tea and theaflavins in black tea were found to be able to reduce the concentration of MGO in physiological phosphate buffer conditions. Modified MGO derivatization for GC/flame ionization detector (FID) method in quantification was systematically conducted. In molar ratio of 3 (MGO/polyphenol), theaflavin‐3,3′‐digallate (TF3) in theaflavins and (–)‐epigallocatechin (EGC) in epicatechins showed the highest MGO reduction at 66.65 and 45.74%, respectively, after 1 h of incubation. In kinetic study (molar ratio of MGO/polyphenol = 1:1), rapid MGO reduction occurred within 10 min. Identities of primary adducts between (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and MGO were determined. Newly generated stereoisomers at the C8 position of EGCG A‐ring were isolated with a chiral column, and structurally confirmed by 2‐D NMR analyses.
Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the enterocin P structural gene of Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from nonfermented animal foods
Authors: Arlindo Samuel , Calo Pilar , Franco Carlos , Prado Marta , Cepeda Alberto , Barros‐Velázquez Jorge 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe bacteriocins produced by two lactic acid bacteria isolated from nonfermented fresh meat and fish, respectively, and exhibiting a remarkable antilisterial activity, were characterized. Bacteriocinogenic strains were identified as Enterococcus faecium and the maximum bacteriocin production by both strains was detected in the stationary phase of growth. The activity against Listeria monocytogenes was maintained in pH range of 3–7 and was stable in both strains after heating at 100 or 121°C. The genes coding for enterocin P were detected, isolated, and sequenced in both E. faecium strains. They exhibited DNA/DNA homology in the 87.1–97.2% range with respect to the other four enterocin P genes reported so far. Three single nucleotide polymorphism events, silent at the amino acid level, were detected at nucleotide positions 45 (G/A), 75 (A/G), and 90 (T/C) in E. faecium LHICA 28–4 and may explain the differences reported for those loci in other enterocin P‐producing E. faecium strains. This work provides the first description of enterocin P‐producing E. faecium strains in nonfermented foodstuffs and, in the case of E. faecium LHICA 51, the first report of an enterocin P‐producing strain isolated from fish so far.
Chemistry and genotoxicity of caramelized sucrose
Authors: Kitts David D. , Wu C. H. , Kopec A. , Nagasawa T. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractCaramelization of a 1% sucrose solution at 180°C accompanied characteristic changes in pH, Mr, UV‐absorbance, and fluorescence values as well as increased reducing power activity after 40–60 min. Similar changes occurred to sucrose heated at 150°C, after 150–240 min. Bioactivity of caramelized sucrose samples was tested for mutagenic activity, using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA‐98 and TA‐100, respectively, as well as the Saccharomyces D7 yeast strain for mitotic recombination and Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) to assess clastogenicity. Caramelized sucrose expressed no mutagenicity in the TA‐98 strain, but gave positive (p < 0.05) results with the TA‐100, base‐pair substitution strain. Similarly, mitotic recombination in the Saccharomyces D7 yeast strain and clastogenic activity in CHO cells were induced when exposed to caramelized sucrose. In the all cases, preincubation with S‐9 reduced (p < 0.05) the mutagenic activities of caramelized sucrose. Fractionation of the caramelized sucrose into volatile and nonvolatile compounds was performed and tested for clastogenicity using CHO cells. Volatile components contributed approximately 10% to total clastogenicity, which was enhanced by the presence of S‐9. Nonvolatile components recovered, consisting of relatively lower Mr, gave highest (p < 0.05) clastogenic activity, denoting that higher Mr caramel colors are relatively free of this property.
Unfolded protein response and aggresome formation in hereditary reducing‐body myopathy
Authors: Liewluck Teerin , Hayashi Yukiko K. , Ohsawa Maki , Kurokawa Rumi , Fujita Masako , Noguchi Satoru , Nonaka Ikuya , Nishino Ichizo 
Published: November 2006

AbstractReducing‐body myopathy (RBM) is a rare myopathy characterized by the presence of unique sarcoplasmic inclusions called reducing bodies (RBs). We characterized the aggresomal features of RBs that contained γ–tubulin, ubiquitin, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, together with a set of membrane proteins, in a family with hereditary RBM. Increased messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels of a molecular chaperone, glucose‐related protein 78, were also observed. These results suggest that the unfolded protein response caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in the formation of RBs. Muscle Nerve, 2006
The molecular receptive range of an olfactory receptorin vivo(Drosophila melanogasterOr22a)
Authors: Pelz Daniela , Roeske Tina , Syed Zainulabeuddin , Bruyne Marien de , Galizia C. Giovanni 
Published: November 2006

AbstractUnderstanding how odors are coded within an olfactory system requires knowledge about its input. This is constituted by the molecular receptive ranges (MRR) of olfactory sensory neurons that converge in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (vertebrates) or the antennal lobe (AL, insects). Aiming at a comprehensive characterization of MRRs inDrosophila melanogasterwe measured odor‐evoked calcium responses in olfactory sensory neurons that express the olfactory receptor Or22a. We used an automated stimulus application system to screen [Ca2+] responses to 104 odors both in the antenna (sensory transduction) and in the AL (neuronal transmission). At 10−2(vol/vol) dilution, 39 odors elicited at least a half‐maximal response. For these odorants we established dose‐response relationships over their entire dynamic range. We tested 15 additional chemicals that are structurally related to the most efficient odors.Ethyl hexanoateandmethyl hexanoatewere the best stimuli, eliciting consistent responses at dilutions as low as 10−9. Two substances led to calcium decrease, suggesting that Or22a might be constitutively active, and that these substances might act as inverse agonists, reminiscent of G‐protein coupled receptors. There was no difference between the antennal and the AL MRR. Furthermore we show that Or22a has a broad yet selective MRR, and must be functionally described both as a specialist and a generalist. Both these descriptions are ecologically relevant. Given that adultDrosophilause approximately 43 ORs, a complete description of all MRRs appears now in reach. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Analysis by array CGH of genomic changes associated with the progression or relapse of Wilms' tumour
Authors: Natrajan R , Little SE , Sodha N , Reis‐Filho JS , Mackay A , Fenwick K , Ashworth A , Perlman EJ , Dome JS , Grundy PE , Pritchard‐Jones K , Jones C 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDespite aggressive salvage regimens, approximately half of all children who suffer a Wilms' tumour recurrence will die of their disease. Although there are increasing data on molecular genetic prognostic factors present in the tumour at diagnosis, there is little information regarding the molecular events that occur with Wilms' tumour progression and relapse. In the present study, microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis has been carried out on 58 Wilms' tumour samples, which included 38 untreated primary and 20 recurrent tumours. A higher degree of copy number changes was observed in the recurrent tumours (33.0% genomic clones) than in the primary tumour (21.2%). Paired analysis highlighted the acquisition of 15q gain with high levels of IGF1R expression in the tumour recurrence in two cases. The most statistically significant abnormality acquired between diagnosis and relapse was loss of 17p. One case that experienced 17p loss was classified as favourable histology at diagnosis, but exhibited diffuse anaplasia at recurrence and had a homozygous TP53 deletion. Another instructive case with a constitutional 11p13 deletion presented with bilateral tumours and suffered two subsequent recurrences in the left kidney. A somatic WT1 mutation was found only in the right kidney tumour, while the constitutional 11p13 deletion was the only abnormality detected in the initial left kidney tumour by aCGH. The two subsequent relapses in the left kidney contained an accumulation of additional genetic alterations, including an independent WT1 mutation. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric properties of γ‐irradiated POE highly filled with aluminum hydroxide
Authors: Kim Chonung , He Tao , Jiang Pingkai , Wei Ping , Huang Xingyi , Jin Zhijian 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe influence of γ irradiation on the dielectric and physicochemical properties of polyethylene‐octene elastomer (POE) containing 120 phr aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) as fillers has been investigated. The dielectric properties of the γ‐irradiated POE highly filled with Al(OH)3 have been measured over a wide range of frequencies (70 kHz–3 MHz). It was found that γ irradiation strongly influences the dielectric properties of the POE composite in the dose range 0–250 kGy. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1721–1727, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers