{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T04:36:28Z","timestamp":1777610188744,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Nanobiotechnol"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2005,9]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n          <jats:p>Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as the only technique capable of real-time imaging of the surface of a living cell at nano-resolution. Since AFM provides the advantage of directly observing living biological cells in their native environment, this technique has found many applications in pharmacology, biotechnology, microbiology, structural and molecular biology, genetics and other biology-related fields. AFM has also proved to be a valuable tool for reproductive biologists. An exhaustive review on the various applications of AFM to sperm cells is presented. AFM has been extensively applied for determining the structural and topological features of spermatozoa. Unstained, unfixed spermatozoa in their natural physiological surroundings can be imaged by this technique which provides valuable information about the morphological and pathological defects in sperm cells as three-dimensional images with precise topographical details. Sperm head defects and the acrosome at the tip of the head responsible for fertilization, can be examined and correlated with the lack of functional integrity of the cell. Considerable amount of work is reported on the structural details of the highly condensed chromatin in sperm head using AFM. Detailed information on 3D topographical images of spermatozoa acquired by AFM is expected to provide a better understanding of various reproductive pathways which, in turn, can facilitate improved infertility management and\/or contraceptive development.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1186\/1477-3155-3-9","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2005,9,28]],"date-time":"2005-09-28T18:14:23Z","timestamp":1127931263000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":33,"title":["Atomic force microscopy: a powerful tool for high-resolution imaging of spermatozoa"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"3","author":[{"given":"Sunil","family":"Kumar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Koel","family":"Chaudhury","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Prasenjit","family":"Sen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sujoy K","family":"Guha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2005,9,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"27_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.2741\/A384","volume":"3","author":"RD Franken","year":"1998","unstructured":"Franken RD: The clinical significance of sperm-zona pellucida binding. Front Biosci. 1998, 3: 247-253.","journal-title":"Front Biosci"},{"key":"27_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1006\/jsbi.1997.3855","volume":"119","author":"HG Hansma","year":"1997","unstructured":"Hansma HG, Kim KJ, Laney DE, Garcia RA, Argaman M, Allen MJ, Parsons SM: Properties of biomolecules measured from atomic force microscope images: a review. J Struct Biol. 1997, 119: 99-108. 10.1006\/jsbi.1997.3855.","journal-title":"J Struct Biol"},{"key":"27_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/00018739600101467","volume":"45","author":"Z Shao","year":"1996","unstructured":"Shao Z, Mou J, Czajkowsky DM, Yang J, Yuan JY: Biological atomic force microscopy: What is achieved and what is needed. Adv in Phy. 1996, 45: 1-86.","journal-title":"Adv in Phy"},{"key":"27_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1002","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1067410","volume":"302","author":"JKH H\u00f6rber","year":"2003","unstructured":"H\u00f6rber JKH, Miles MJ: Scanning Probe Evolution in Biology. Science. 2003, 302: 1002-1005. 10.1126\/science.1067410.","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"27_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1080\/014850100262416","volume":"44","author":"N Joshi","year":"2000","unstructured":"Joshi N, Medina H, Colasante C, Osuna A: Ultrastructural investigation of human spermatozoon by using atomic force microscope. Arch Androl. 2000, 44: 51-57. 10.1080\/014850100262416.","journal-title":"Arch Androl"},{"key":"27_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1186\/1477-3155-2-6","volume":"2","author":"WMJ Lee","year":"2004","unstructured":"Lee WMJ, Mah-Lee Ng: A nano-view of West Nile virus-induced cellular changes during infection. J Nanobiotechnology. 2004, 2: 6-10.1186\/1477-3155-2-6.","journal-title":"J Nanobiotechnology"},{"key":"27_CR7","first-page":"351","volume":"73","author":"M Schaller","year":"2000","unstructured":"Schaller M, Panhans GA, Benzold G, Korting HS, Wolff H: Ultrastructural defects in acquired immotile sperm flagella. Fertil Steril. 2000, 73: 351.","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"27_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1006\/jsbi.1995.1019","volume":"114","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1995","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Bradbury EM, Balhorn R: The natural subcellular surface structure of the bovine sperm cell. J Struct Biol. 1995, 114: 197-208. 10.1006\/jsbi.1995.1019.","journal-title":"J Struct Biol"},{"key":"27_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"471","DOI":"10.1002\/mrd.10195","volume":"63","author":"A Mai","year":"2002","unstructured":"Mai A, Wattana W, Mauro T, Danial DMW, George W, Balhorn R, Arthur L, Jean LC, Nongnuj T: Use of atomic force microscopy for morphological and morphometric analyses of acrosome intact and acrosome-reacted human sperm. Mol Repro Dev. 2002, 63: 471-479. 10.1002\/mrd.10195.","journal-title":"Mol Repro Dev"},{"key":"27_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"437","DOI":"10.1093\/oxfordjournals.jmicro.a023826","volume":"49","author":"H Takano","year":"2000","unstructured":"Takano H, Kazuhiro A: Changes in the surface structure of the hamster sperm head associated with maturation, in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction: an atomic force microscopic study. J Electron Microsc. 2000, 49: 437-443.","journal-title":"J Electron Microsc"},{"key":"27_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1016\/S1047-8477(02)00025-4","volume":"138","author":"DJ Ellis","year":"2002","unstructured":"Ellis DJ, Shadan S, James PS, Henderson RM, Michael EJM, Hutchings A, Jones R: Post-testicular development of a novel membrane substructure within the equatorial segment of ram, bull, boar, and goat spermatozoa as viewed by atomic force microscopy. J Struct Biol. 2002, 138: 187-98. 10.1016\/S1047-8477(02)00025-4.","journal-title":"J Struct Biol"},{"key":"27_CR12","volume-title":"Proceedings of International Symposium on Advanced Materials and Processing ISAMAP2K4: 6\u20138 December 2004; IIT Kharagpur, India","author":"S Kumar","year":"2004","unstructured":"Kumar S, Chaudhury K, Sen P, Guha SK: AFM study of surface structure changes in human spermatozoa treated with RISUG: a new male contraceptive. Proceedings of International Symposium on Advanced Materials and Processing ISAMAP2K4: 6\u20138 December 2004; IIT Kharagpur, India 2004."},{"key":"27_CR13","first-page":"85","volume":"242","author":"H Takano","year":"2004","unstructured":"Takano H, Abe K: AFM study of surface structure changes in mouse spermatozoa associated with maturation. Methods Mol Biol. 2004, 242: 85-94.","journal-title":"Methods Mol Biol"},{"key":"27_CR14","volume-title":"J Reprod Dev","author":"K Saeki","year":"2004","unstructured":"Saeki K, Sumitomo N, Nagata Y, Kato N, Hosoi Y, Matsumoto K, Iritani A: Fine Surface Structure of Bovine Acrosome-Intact and Reacted Spermatozoa Observed by Atomic Force Microscopy. J Reprod Dev. 2004 in press."},{"key":"27_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"961","DOI":"10.1016\/S0015-0282(01)01755-1","volume":"75","author":"N Joshi","year":"2001","unstructured":"Joshi N, Honorio M, Ibis C, Jesus OMD: Determination of the ultrastructural pathology of human sperm by atomic force microscopy. Fertil Steril. 2001, 75: 961-965. 10.1016\/S0015-0282(01)01755-1.","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"27_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1080\/014850101316901352","volume":"47","author":"NV Joshi","year":"2001","unstructured":"Joshi NV, Medina H, Osuna JA: Ultrastructural pathology of varicocele spermatozoa by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Arch Androl. 2001, 47: 143-52. 10.1080\/014850101316901352.","journal-title":"Arch Androl"},{"key":"27_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.1080\/aan.50.2.121.129","volume":"50","author":"JM Barboza","year":"2004","unstructured":"Barboza JM, Medina H, Doria M, Rivero L, Hernandez L, Joshi NV: Use of atomic force microscopy to reveal sperm ultrastructure in HIV-patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Arch Androl. 2004, 50: 121-129.","journal-title":"Arch Androl"},{"key":"27_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6493","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.082520599","volume":"99","author":"M McElfresh","year":"2002","unstructured":"McElfresh M, Eveline B, Rod B, James B, Michael JA, Robert ER: Combining constitutive materials modeling with atomic force microscopy to understand the mechanical properties of living cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2002, 99: 6493-6497. 10.1073\/pnas.082520599.","journal-title":"Proc Natl Acad Sci"},{"key":"27_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1564","DOI":"10.1016\/S0006-3495(98)77868-3","volume":"74","author":"AE Hassan","year":"1998","unstructured":"Hassan AE, Heinz WF, Antonik MD, D'Costa NP, Nageswaran S, Schoenenberger CA, Hoh JH: Relative microelastic mapping of living cells by atomic force microscopy. Biophys J. 1998, 74: 1564-1578.","journal-title":"Biophys J"},{"key":"27_CR20","first-page":"73","volume":"2","author":"RE Rudd","year":"2002","unstructured":"Rudd RE, McElfresh M, Baesu E, Balhorn R, Alleny M, Belak J: Modeling of the Deformation of Living Cells Induced by Atomic Force Microscopy. NanoTech. 2002, 2: 73-76.","journal-title":"NanoTech"},{"key":"27_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"711","DOI":"10.1038\/31520","volume":"393","author":"C Shingyoji","year":"1998","unstructured":"Shingyoji C, Higuchi H, Yoshimura M, Katayama E, Yanagida T: Dynein arms are oscillating force generators. Nature. 1998, 393: 711-714. 10.1038\/31520.","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"27_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"586","DOI":"10.1038\/23066","volume":"400","author":"H Sakakibara","year":"1999","unstructured":"Sakakibara H, Kojima H, Sakai Y, Katayama E, Oiwa K: Inner-arm dynein c of Chlamydomonas flagella is a single-headed processive motor. Nature. 1999, 400: 586-590. 10.1038\/23066.","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"27_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"346","DOI":"10.1016\/S0006-3495(04)74110-7","volume":"86","author":"HM Sakakibara","year":"2004","unstructured":"Sakakibara HM, Kunioka Y, Yamada T, Kamimura S: Diameter oscillation of axonemes in sea-urchin sperm flagella. Biophys J. 2004, 86: 346-352.","journal-title":"Biophys J"},{"key":"27_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"691","DOI":"10.1126\/science.2024121","volume":"252","author":"T Tomie","year":"1991","unstructured":"Tomie T, Shimizu H, Majima T, Yamada M, Kanayama T, Kondo H, Yano M, Ono M: Three-dimensional readout of flash x-ray images of living sperm in water by atomic-force microscopy. Science. 1991, 252: 691-693.","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"27_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"623","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00352310","volume":"102","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1993","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Lee C, Lee JD, Pogany GC, Balooch M, Siekhaus WJ, Balhorn R: Atomic force microscopy of mammalian sperm chromatin. Chromosoma. 1993, 102: 623-630. 10.1007\/BF00352310.","journal-title":"Chromosoma"},{"key":"27_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0029(19970201)36:3<159::AID-JEMT3>3.0.CO;2-K","volume":"36","author":"A Diaspro","year":"1997","unstructured":"Diaspro A, Beltrame F, Fato M, Palmeri A, Ramoino P: Studies on the structure of sperm heads of Eledone cirrhosa by means of CLSM linked to bioimage-oriented devices. Microsc Res and Tech. 1997, 36: 159-164. 10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0029(19970201)36:3<159::AID-JEMT3>3.0.CO;2-K.","journal-title":"Microsc Res and Tech"},{"key":"27_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2284","DOI":"10.1360\/03ww0086","volume":"48","author":"N Yang","year":"2003","unstructured":"Yang N, Chen Z, Zhang Z, Zhu X, Zhai Z, Tang X: Atomic force microscopy observation on nuclear reassembly in a cell-free system. Chinese Science Bulletin. 2003, 48: 2284-2287. 10.1360\/03ww0086.","journal-title":"Chinese Science Bulletin"},{"key":"27_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2818.1992.tb03266.x","volume":"168","author":"BG De Grooth","year":"1992","unstructured":"De Grooth BG, Putman CA: High-resolution imaging of chromosome-related structures by atomic force microscopy. J Microsc. 1992, 168: 239-247.","journal-title":"J Microsc"},{"key":"27_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(199609)45:1<87::AID-MRD12>3.0.CO;2-U","volume":"45","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1996","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Lee JD, Lee C, Balhorn R: Extent of sperm chromatin hydration determined by atomic force microscopy. Mol Reprod Develop. 1996, 45: 87-92. 10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(199609)45:1<87::AID-MRD12>3.0.CO;2-U.","journal-title":"Mol Reprod Develop"},{"key":"27_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1347","DOI":"10.1006\/bbrc.1993.1773","volume":"193","author":"NV Hud","year":"1993","unstructured":"Hud NV, Allen MJ, Downing KH, Lee J, Balhorn R: Identification of the elemental packing unit of DNA in mammalian sperm cells by atomic-force microscopy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1993, 193: 1347-1354. 10.1006\/bbrc.1993.1773.","journal-title":"Biochem Biophys Res Commun"},{"key":"27_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2221","DOI":"10.1093\/nar\/25.11.2221","volume":"25","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1997","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Bradbury EM, Balhorn R: AFM analysis of DNA-protamine complexes bound to mica. Nucleic Acids Res. 1997, 25: 2221-2226. 10.1093\/nar\/25.11.2221.","journal-title":"Nucleic Acids Res"},{"key":"27_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1095","DOI":"10.1016\/0304-3991(92)90408-C","volume":"42","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1992","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Hud NV, Balooch M, Tench RJ, Siekhaus WJ, Balhorn R: Tip-radius-induced artifacts in AFM images of protamine-complexed DNA fibers. Ultramicroscopy. 1992, 42: 1095-1100. 10.1016\/0304-3991(92)90408-C.","journal-title":"Ultramicroscopy"},{"key":"27_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(199711)48:3<367::AID-MRD10>3.0.CO;2-T","volume":"48","author":"LL Soon","year":"1997","unstructured":"Soon LL, Bottema C, Breed WG: Atomic force microscopy and cytochemistry of chromatin from marsupial spermatozoa with special reference to Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Mol Reprod Dev. 1997, 48: 367-374. 10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(199711)48:3<367::AID-MRD10>3.0.CO;2-T.","journal-title":"Mol Reprod Dev"},{"key":"27_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(200006)56:2+<230::AID-MRD3>3.0.CO;2-V","volume":"56","author":"R Balhorn","year":"2000","unstructured":"Balhorn R, Brewer L, Corzett M: DNA condensation by protamine and arginine-rich peptides: analysis of toroid stability using single DNA molecules. Mol Reprod Dev. 2000, 56: 230-234. 10.1002\/(SICI)1098-2795(200006)56:2+<230::AID-MRD3>3.0.CO;2-V.","journal-title":"Mol Reprod Dev"},{"key":"27_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod56.1.42","volume":"56","author":"JD Lee IV","year":"1997","unstructured":"Lee JD, Allen MJ, Balhorn R: Atomic force microscope analysis of chromatin volumes in human sperm with head-shape abnormalities. Biol Reprod. 1997, 56: 42-49.","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"key":"27_CR36","first-page":"989","volume":"10","author":"MJ Allen","year":"1996","unstructured":"Allen MJ, Bradbury EM, Balhorn R: The chromatin structure of well-spread demembranated human sperm nuclei revealed by atomic force microscopy. Scanning Microsc. 1996, 10: 989-994.","journal-title":"Scanning Microsc"},{"key":"27_CR37","first-page":"240","volume":"19","author":"J Vesenka","year":"1995","unstructured":"Vesenka J, Mosher C, Schaus S, Ambrosio L, Henderson E: Combining optical and atomic force microscopy for life sciences research. Biotechnique. 1995, 19: 240-253.","journal-title":"Biotechnique"},{"key":"27_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1093\/clinchem\/43.2.251","volume":"43","author":"JL Kricka","year":"1997","unstructured":"Kricka JL: Optical Tweezers and Immunoassay. Clin Chem. 1997, 43: 251-253.","journal-title":"Clin Chem"},{"key":"27_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1016\/S0304-3991(96)00087-3","volume":"66","author":"Z Shao","year":"1996","unstructured":"Shao Z, Zhang Y: Biological Cryo Atomic Force Microscopy: A Brief Review. Ultramicroscopy. 1996, 66: 141-152. 10.1016\/S0304-3991(96)00087-3.","journal-title":"Ultramicroscopy"},{"key":"27_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2168","DOI":"10.1016\/S0006-3495(96)79418-3","volume":"71","author":"Y Zhang","year":"1996","unstructured":"Zhang Y, Sheng S, Shao Z: Imaging Biological Structures with the Cryo Atomic Force Microscope. Biophysical Journal. 1996, 71: 2168-2176.","journal-title":"Biophysical Journal"},{"key":"27_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1006\/abio.2001.5435","volume":"300","author":"F Nagami.","year":"2002","unstructured":"Nagami. F, Zuccheri G, Samori B, Kuroda R: Time-lapse imaging of conformational changes in supercoiled DNA by scanning force microscopy. Anal Biochem. 2002, 300: 170-176. 10.1006\/abio.2001.5435.","journal-title":"Anal Biochem"},{"key":"27_CR42","first-page":"8","volume":"13","author":"HK Johannes","year":"2003","unstructured":"Johannes HK, Jackey AC, Thomas G, Paul KH: New atomic force microscopies (AFM) for the study enzymatic properties and processes. AAPPS Bulletin. 2003, 13: 8-11.","journal-title":"AAPPS Bulletin"},{"key":"27_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3583","DOI":"10.1063\/1.1147177","volume":"67","author":"DA Walters","year":"1996","unstructured":"Walters DA, Cleveland JP, Thomson NH, Hansma PK, Wendman MA, Gurley G, Elings V: Short cantilevers for atomic force microscopy. Rev Sci Instrum. 1996, 67: 3583-3590. 10.1063\/1.1147177.","journal-title":"Rev Sci Instrum"},{"key":"27_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12468","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.211400898","volume":"98","author":"T Ando","year":"2001","unstructured":"Ando T, Kodera N, Takai E, Maruyama D, Saito K, Toda A: A high-speed atomic force microscope for studying biological macromolecules. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2001, 98: 12468-12472. 10.1073\/pnas.211400898.","journal-title":"Proc Natl Acad Sci"},{"key":"27_CR45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"94","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2818.2003.01122.x","volume":"209","author":"AM Rothery","year":"2003","unstructured":"Rothery AM, Gorelik J, Bruckbauer A, Yu W, Korchev YE, Klenerman D: A novel light source for SICM-SNOM of living cells. J Microsc. 2003, 209: 94-101. 10.1046\/j.1365-2818.2003.01122.x.","journal-title":"J Microsc"},{"key":"27_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1007\/s00436-002-0690-8","volume":"88","author":"M Akaki","year":"2002","unstructured":"Akaki M, Nagayasu E, Nakano Y, Aikawa M: Surface charge of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites as revealed by atomic force microscopy with surface potential spectroscopy. Parasitol Res. 2002, 88: 16-20. 10.1007\/s00436-002-0690-8.","journal-title":"Parasitol Res"}],"container-title":["Journal of Nanobiotechnology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/1477-3155-3-9.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,31]],"date-time":"2021-08-31T23:06:23Z","timestamp":1630451183000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/jnanobiotechnology.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/1477-3155-3-9"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2005,9]]},"references-count":46,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2005,9]]}},"alternative-id":["27"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1477-3155-3-9","relation":{},"ISSN":["1477-3155"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1477-3155","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2005,9]]},"assertion":[{"value":"5 April 2005","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"27 September 2005","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"27 September 2005","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}}],"article-number":"9"}}