Identification of ''tissue'' transglutaminase binding proteins in neural cells committed to apoptosis

Mice in which the gene that encodes the receptor (R) for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been deleted show abnormal growth and development of the placenta. This indicates that LIF plays an important role in placental development. The expression of LIF-R and LIF was examined in human trophoblast and decidua using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. LIF-R mRNA and immunoreactivity was localized in villous and extravillous trophoblast throughout pregnancy, and in endothelial cells of the fetal villi. Strong expression of mRNA encoding LIF was detected in decidual leukocytes, which are abundant at the implantation site. Extravillous trophoblast, which invades the maternal decidua, therefore expresses LIF-R as it moves past decidual leukocytes, which express LIF mRNA. The effect of LIF on cultured human trophoblast was examined in vitro. Recombinant human LIF had no effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation by purified extravillous trophoblast, nor on expression of integrins alpha1, alpha5, or beta1 by isolated trophoblast. These results identify fetal endothelial cells and all cells of the trophoblast lineage as targets for the action of LIF in human placenta. Although its effects on trophoblast are not yet clear, LIF appears to mediate interactions between maternal decidual leukocytes and invading trophoblast. LIF may also play a critical role in controlling angiogenesis in the placental villi, since human fetal endothelial cells express LIF-R, and mice lacking a functional LIF receptor gene show altered vascular development in the placenta.     

A Missing Link in Suggestibility Research: What Is Known About the Behavior of Field Interviewers in Unstructured Interviews With Young Children?

Despite suggestibility researchers' focus on adult behaviors that distort children's reports, whether behaviors examined in experimental work are used in the field is unknown. The current study presents a mutually exclusive and exhaustive hierarchical coding system that reflects interview questioning behaviors of concern in experimental work. The study examined 80 unstructured interviews conducted by 41 field interviewers with 40 children ages 3 to 7 about known events. Data on the use of leading and neutral questions are presented and include distinctions between accurate and inaccurate suggested information. In addition, analyses show that interviewers are consistent in their style of questioning and that a preinterview measure of interviewers' preference for a qualitative versus a quantitative interviewing style predicted the introduction of novel information into the interview. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metabolomic analysis and visualization engine for LC-MS data

Metabolomic analysis by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry results in data sets with thousands of features arising from metabolites, fragments, isotopes, and adducts. Here we describe a software package, Metabolomic Analysis and Visualization ENgine (MAVEN), designed for efficient interactive analysis of LC-MS data, including in the presence of isotope labeling. The software contains tools for all aspects of the data analysis process, from feature extraction to pathway-based graphical data display. To facilitate data validation, a machine learning algorithm automatically assesses peak quality. Users interact with raw data primarily in the form of extracted ion chromatograms, which are displayed with overlaid circles indicating peak quality, and bar graphs of peak intensities for both unlabeled and isotope-labeled metabolite forms. Click-based navigation leads to additional information, such as raw data for specific isotopic forms or for metabolites changing significantly between conditions. Fast data processing algorithms result in nearly delay-free browsing. Drop-down menus provide tools for the overlay of data onto pathway maps. These tools enable animating series of pathway graphs, e.g., to show propagation of labeled forms through a metabolic network. MAVEN is released under an open source license at http://maven.princeton.edu.     

Selective voltammetric determination of electroactive neuromodulating species in biological samples using iron(II) phthalocyanine modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes paste electrode

Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes paste electrodes (MWCNTPEs) were used as voltammetric sensors to selectively detect dopamine (DA) in the presence of serotonin (5-HT). The electrochemical behavior of DA at the new modified electrode was investigated using CV. The enhanced current response of DA indicates that FePc modification of the MWCNTPE surface results in a high catalytic activity for the redox reaction of DA. Differential pulse voltammetry was applied in detection of DA and 5-HT at FePc-MWCNTPE. The method parameters were optimized. Detection limit of 2.05 × 10⁻⁷ M was obtained for DA by using the electrocatalytic oxidation signal corresponding to the Fe^II/Fe^III redox process. The separation between the peak potentials of DA and 5-HT is 170 mV which is large enough for the simultaneously, selective determination of the two chemical species in their mixtures. There was no electrochemical response for ascorbic acid (AA) added in the sample. The monoamine neurotransmitter measuring method has been tested in analyzing deproteinized serum samples.     

Representation of Preferences by Quasi-Linear Means

Starting by quasilinear means, we propose and analyze functionals that allow to represent the preferences of the decision maker in a more general setting; the preference order in the set of the alternatives depends on the way the functional has been generated. The functionals of this kind enjoy classical properties as independence and dominance principle. Anyway we stress that to make use of a single functional is not sufficient to describe paradoxical situations that arise for istance in the Kahneman and Tversky experiment.