bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Epidemiology and Demographics of Legg-Calvé-Perthes' Disease
Authors: Loder Randall T. , Skopelja Elaine N.
Published: September 2011

The etiology of Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (LCPD) is unknown. There are many insights however from epidemiologic/demographic information. A systematic medical literature review regarding LCPD was performed. The incidence ranges from 0.4/100,000 to 29.0/100,000 children <15 years of age. There is significant variability in incidence within racial groups and is frequently higher in lower socioeconomic classes. The typical age at presentation ranges from 4 to 8 years (average 6.5 years), except for children from the Indian subcontinent (average 9.5 years). There is a mild familial component. The children demonstrate impaired growth in height, skeletal age, and birth weight. This impaired growth coincides with an age appropriate reduced somatomedin A activity and decreased levels of IGF. LCPD can be associated with abnormalities in the coagulation cascade, including an increase in factor V Leiden mutation, low levels of protein C and/or S, and decreased antithrombin activity. There is decreased turnover in type I collagen and synthesis of type III collagen, as well as reduced levels of urinary glycosaminoglycans in the active phases of the disorder. Subtle abnormalities in the opposite hip and other minor/major congenital defects are reported. Children with LCPD are active and score abnormally in certain standardized psychological tests.
Serum Natrium Determines Outcome of Treatment of Advanced GIST with Imatinib: A Retrospective Study of 80 Patients from a Single Institution
Authors: Aggerholm-Pedersen Ninna , Rasmussen Peter , Dybdahl Helle , Rossen Philip , Nielsen Ole Steen , Safwat Akmal
Published: September 2011

Treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has drastically improved overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced GIST. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of treatment with different TKIs on advanced GIST and identify prognostic factors for OS. The medical records of all patients treated at the Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Between 2001 and 2009, 80 patients with advanced GIST were treated with imatinib as first-line therapy. The median OS was 44 months (95% CI 31–56), and the 5-year OS was 40%. Since 2005, 32 patients were treated with sunitinib as 2nd-line therapy. The median time to progression was 9 months (95% CI: 3–13 months), and the 3-year OS was 30%. The data illustrate that data from large multicenter studies are reproducible in a single sarcoma centre. This retrospective study pointed to low serum sodium at the start of imatinib as a possible prognostic factor affecting OS.
Vibration Analysis of a Rotating Disk with a Crack
Authors: Bouboulas A. S. , Anifantis N. K.
Published: September 2011

This paper studies the vibrational behaviour of a rotating disk with a radially or circumferentially oriented crack. The disk rotates with a constant angular speed. To treat this problem, the finite element method is employed. The disk is discretised into finite elements, and the crack is considered as nonpropagating and always open. The solutions to this problem's governing equations yield the natural frequencies and mode shapes. The frequency response due to dynamic loading is also yielded to determine the crack's effect on the frequency domain. For both crack orientations, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the vibrational behaviour to the disk's angular speed and radial crack length or circumferential crack angle and distance from the disk's centre. The accuracy of the results is validated through comparisons with results available from the literature.
A New Look at Teenage Pregnancy in Brazil
Authors: Heilborn Maria Luiza , Cabral Cristiane S.
Published: September 2011

This paper brings a synthesis of some of the main results provided by GRAVAD survey (Teenage pregnancy: multicentric study about youth, sexuality and reproduction in Brazil). GRAVAD is a study about sexual and reproductive behavior among Brazilian youth that interviewed 4,634 individuals in a population survey with a random sample. Women and men between 18 and 24 years old were interviewed in three capitals—Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. “Teen pregnancy” is not the consequence of promiscuous sexual activities, as popular beliefs currently state. It is often ignored that amidst the poorer social segments parenthood is seen as a sign of social status, given the lack of professional perspectives. Among the middle class, other sociocultural horizons give parenthood the status of an experience to be lived in later moments of live, when one's professional and financial lives have been consolidated.
Estado, capital e trabalho: a flexibilização do direito do trabalho no Brasil na década de 90
Authors: Pinto Geraldo Augusto , Kemmelmeier Carolina Spack
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste texto é analisar, tendo como base alterações efetuadas no campo do Direito do Trabalho no Brasil nos anos de 1990, como o governo federal brasileiro, alterando a regulamentação jurídica sobre as formas de contratação e de uso da força de trabalho, colaborou diretamente para o avanço no país de formas de organização flexível do trabalho, oriundas de adaptações do chamado sistema toyotista. Através de um levantamento da literatura sobre o assunto e tomando o caso brasileiro como exemplo concreto, nosso intuito é contribuir para uma reflexão acerca dos papéis exercidos pelos Estados nacionais diante da emergência de oligopólios transnacionais privados e suas estratégias de exploração do trabalho em países periféricos, no contexto de uma economia capitalista globalizada.
Intensive short‐term chemotherapy regimen induces high remission rate (over 90%) and event‐free survival both in children and adult patients with advanced sporadic Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia
Authors: Todeschini Giuseppe , Bonifacio Massimiliano , Tecchio Cristina , Balter Rita , Carli Giuseppe , Stefani Piero Maria , Adami Fausto , Zamò Alberto , Tos Angelo Paolo Dei , Marino Filippo , Gherlinzoni Filippo , Marradi Pierluigi , Semenzato Giampietro , Pizzolo Giovanni
Published: September 2011

The optimal treatment of advanced sporadic Burkitt lymphoma in adults is still a matter of debate. The salutary results of pediatric therapies did open the road for improving the adult outcome. Between May 1988 and March 2009, 71 consecutive patients—46 adults, 25 children—affected by Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia were treated with the same intensive pediatric protocol alternating vincristine, adriamycine and fractionated ciclophosphamide (phase A) with high dose methotrexate and high dose cytarabine (phase B) in four Italian institutions. Eighty‐nine per cent of patients were in Stage III–IV or had L3 leukemia. Complete remissions were 67/71 (94.4%), 24/25 (96%) in children, and 43/46 (93.5%) in adults. Toxic deaths were 3/71 (4.2%), all in adults. There were nine relapses (one in children, eight in adults), all but one observed early. After a median observation of 94 months (range 23–275), the Event–Free Survival rate is 92% in children and 71.7% in adults (P = 0.067). The 23 more recent adults received also rituximab, without differences in outcome as compared to patients who did not. Our experience confirms that such an intensive pediatric‐derived chemotherapy is feasible and improves the long‐term outcome of adults with advanced Burkitt lymphoma. Am. J. Hematol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcriptome‐wide gene expression in a rat model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: Rats developmentally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls
Authors: Sazonova Nadezhda A. , DasBanerjee Tania , Middleton Frank A. , Gowtham Sriharsha , Schuckers Stephanie , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: September 2011

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposure in rodents provides a useful model for the symptoms of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The goal of this study is to identify genes whose expression levels are altered in response to PCB exposure. The brains from 48 rats separated into two age groups of 24 animals each (4 males and 4 females for each PCB exposure level (control, PCB utero, and PCB lactational)) were harvested at postnatal days 23 and 35, respectively. The RNA was isolated from three brain regions of interest and was analyzed for differences in expression of a set of 27,342 transcripts. Two hundred seventy‐nine transcripts showed significant differential expression due to PCB exposure mostly due to the difference between PCB lactational and control groups. The cluster analysis applied to these transcripts revealed that significant changes in gene expression levels in PFC area due to PCB lactational exposure. Our pathway analyses implicated 27 significant canonical pathways and 38 significant functional pathways. Our transcriptome‐wide analysis of the effects of PCB exposure shows that the expression of many genes is dysregulated by lactational PCB exposure, but not gestational exposure and has highlighted biological pathways that might mediate the effects of PCB exposure on ADHD‐like behaviors seen in exposed animals. Our work should further motivate studies of fatty acids in ADHD, and further suggests that another potentially druggable pathway, oxidative stress, may play a role in PCB induced ADHD behaviors. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Influence of Exocyclic Stereochemistry on the Tethered Aminohydroxylation Reaction
Authors: Donohoe Timothy J. , Lacy Adam R. , Rathi Akshat H. , Walter Daryl S.
Published: September 2011

A new strategy that employs an exocyclic stereocenter to effect diastereocontrol in the tethered aminohydroxylation (TA) reaction is applied to the stereoselective synthesis of a range of amino alcohols in good to excellent yields, and with anti selectivities of up to 20:1. The influence of the reaction conditions and substrate parameters on the level of diastereocontrol is described. Furthermore, an “inside alkoxy” model is employed to rationalize the sense and degree of stereoselectivity observed in these systems.
Are we really short of protein for food?
Authors: Sanders Johan
Published: September 2011

In richer countries, where a lot of protein is produced, we use protein in a very inefficient way. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Selective signaling of fluoride anion based on imidazole moieties
Authors: Zheng Yuhui , Wang Qianming , Tan Chaoliang
Published: September 2011

The imidazole ring unit in both 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐benzimidazole (ligand a) and a europium(III) complex exhibited specific luminescent responses in the presence of fluoride anions. UV‐visible and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectra showed that the NH bond of the imidazole ring can form a hydrogen bond with added fluoride anions. The detection limits are 5 × 10−6 m for organic ligand and 1.0 × 10−6 m for the europium complex respectively. The response times are less than 3 s. The europium complex exhibits a linear response in a concentration range lower than 1.0 × 10−6 m (Y = −666.86X + 730.1). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dehydroabietic acid activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ and stimulates insulin‐dependent glucose uptake into 3T3‐L1 adipocytes
Authors: Takahashi Nobuyuki , Yao Ran , Kang Min‐Sook , Senda Mari , Ando Chieko , Nishimura Kanako , Goto Tsuyoshi , Hirai Shizuka , Ezaki Yoichiro , Kawada Teruo
Published: September 2011

Dehydroabietic acid (DAA) is a food‐derived terpenoid with various bioactivities. Our previous study has revealed that DAA activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) in luciferase assay and suppresses chronic inflammation in obese adipose tissues. In this study, we examined the effects of DAA on adipocyte differentiation. DAA treatment stimulated the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. The DAA treatment increased the mRNA expression levels of adipocyte differentiation marker genes such as aP2, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and PPARγ. In particular, the expression level of adiponectin, which is an adipocytokine with stimulatory effects on insulin sensitivity, was increased at both the mRNA and protein levels by the DAA treatment. Moreover, the DAA treatment stimulated insulin‐dependent glucose uptake into differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. These findings indicate that DAA stimulates adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity in 3T3‐L1 cells, suggesting that DAA is a valuable food‐derived compound for the management of metabolic syndrome.
The effect of HMGB1 A box on lung injury in mice with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Kong Xiangqian , Zhang Caiqing , Jin Xing , Wu Xuejun , Zhang Shiyi , Zhong Zhenyue , Feng Qian , Liu Ting , Yuan Hai
Published: September 2011

The objective of this study is to observe the effect of high‐mobility group protein B1 A Box (HMGB1 A) box on lung injury in mice with acute pancreatitis and its effect on the level of high‐mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in lung, to explore the mechanism. A total of 60 male Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and treatment group (n = 30). Severe acute pancreatitis mice model was induced by 20% L‐Arg intraperitoneal injection. The recombination HMGB1 A box was used in treatment after modeling. All the mice were killed under anesthesia at 24 and 48 h after the modeling injection. The level of HMGB1 and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung were measured. The pathological changes of lung were observed. The level of HMGB1 in lung of A box treatment group decreased more significantly 24 h and 48 h after modeling compared with control group. The activity of MPO in lung of A box treatment group decreased more significantly 24 h after modeling compared with control group. The lung tissue pathologic score of A box treatment group decreased more significantly 48 h after modeling compared with control group. HMGB1 expression levels in the lungs were positively related to histological score of injured lung in acute pancreatitis. It indicates that HMGB1 A box is remarkably protective to lung injury induced by acute pancreatitis.
Simultaneous determination of simvastatin, lovastatin and niacin in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS and its application to a human pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Rao Pilli Nageswara , Mullangi Ramesh , Kuamr Inamadugu Jaswanth , Kumari Nallapati Indira , N Seshagiri Rao J. V. L.
Published: September 2011

A simple, sensitive and specific LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of simvastatin (SV), lovastatin (LV) and niacin (NIA) in human plasma was developed and validated on API‐4000 in positive ion mode. Nevirapine was used as internal standard (IS). The assay procedure involved a simple one‐step liquid–liquid extraction of SV, LV, NIA and the IS from plasma into ethyl acetate. Separation of SV, LV, NIA and the IS was achieved on an Alltima C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of 5 mm ammonium acetate (pH 4.5) and acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) pumped at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Nominal retention times obtained for SV, LV, NIA and IS were 2.12, 1.67, 0.50 and 0.65 min, respectively. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) for SV, LV and NIA were 0.10, 0.10 and 25.2 ng/mL, respectively. The response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.10–101 ng/mL for SV and LV, and 25.2–5020 ng/mL for NIA, with a coefficient of correlation of >0.99 for all the compounds. Method validation was performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The proposed method was found to be applicable to clinical studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Private Benefits of Managerial Control, Government Ownership, and Acquirer Returns: Evidence from the Chinese State‐Controlled Listed Companies
Authors: Li Shuangyan , Feng Genfu , Cao Guangjun
Published: September 2011

This article examines how government ownership affects the relationship between private benefits of managerial control, measured as excessive overhead expenses, and profitability of acquirers. A total of 246 merger and acquisition (M&A) events from Chinese state‐controlled listed companies (CSCLCs) between 2001 and 2006 constitutes the analytical sample. Under a low level of government shareholding, private benefits of managerial control positively correlated with acquirer announcement returns. However, there was no relationship between private benefits of managerial control and acquirer announcement returns under a high level of government shareholding. The implications of these findings for scholarship and practice are discussed. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of bubbles characteristics on the skin friction and velocity gradient on solid sphere
Authors: Essadki A. H. , Nikov I. , Delmas H.
Published: September 2011

A detailed study of the effects of individual bubbles at high gas flow‐rate has shown, that the dominant influence on skin friction over a solid sphere is the bubble volume in compared to bubble frequency. Nevertheless the bubble frequency is very important in case of low gas flow‐rate. Referring to bubbles produced by a gas distributor, statistical and spectral analyses were performed to study the influence of bubbling on exposure time and magnitude of fluctuations. Referring to a calibrated bubble train, the existence of critical frequency is demonstrated. A bubble with larger volume and a mobile, oscillatory surface generates larger velocity gradient. In the case of gas distribution, histograms of the velocity gradient for a 2 mm glass sphere creating bubble coalescence reveal the maximum exceeds 48 000 s−1 in the front zone and 2000 s−1 in the rear zone (θ = 180°). For 5 mm plastic spheres creating bubble break‐up, the maximum of the velocity gradient is only 8100 s−1 for the front part of the sphere and 2000 s−1 in the rear zone.
Innovative cancer therapies
Authors: Khayat David
Published: September 2011

The costs of cancer care are rising, and spending on expensive innovative anticancer agents is likely to come under scrutiny as health care payers are confronted by the challenge of resource limits in the face of infinite demand. Indirect costs account for the major part of total attributable costs of cancer and are dominated by the cost of mortality in individuals of working age (who therefore do not contribute to economic productivity). Although cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality, in 2007, it was estimated that cancer accounted for only around 6% of the total health care costs in Europe. It is estimated that cancer drug costs constitute around 12% of total direct cancer costs and 5% of the costs of all drugs. Countries vary in their uptake of novel anticancer agents. However, even in France—a leading nation for the use of these agents—the costs of innovative anticancer drugs accounted for <0.6% of total health care expenditure in 2006. Population‐level data suggest that novel therapies have contributed (together with advances in screening and other aspects of care) to improvements in survival from cancer. If this is the case, then the potential reduction in the associated indirect costs could exceed the direct costs associated with the uptake of innovative drug therapies. Further research is required to establish the costs and benefits of novel agents in routine practice. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A prospective protocol for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children and adolescents
Authors: Casanova Michela , Bisogno Gianni , Gandola Lorenza , Cecchetto Giovanni , Di Cataldo Andrea , Basso Eleonora , Indolfi Paolo , D'Angelo Paolo , Favini Francesca , Collini Paola , Potepan Paolo , Ferrari Andrea ,   on behalf of the Rare Tumors in Pediatric Age Group
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is very rare in childhood. It differs from its adult counterpart in the prevalence of the nonkeratinizing, undifferentiated subtype and by an advanced clinical stage at onset and better chances of survival. The risk of long‐term treatment‐related toxicity also may be a more important issue in younger individuals.

METHODS:

A prospective chemoradiotherapy protocol for pediatric NPC was started in Italy in 2000 within the framework of the Rare Tumors in Pediatric Age (TREP) project. Three courses of cisplatin/5‐fluorouracil induction chemotherapy were followed by radiotherapy (doses up to 65 grays) with concomitant cisplatin.

RESULTS:

Forty‐six patients (ages 9‐17 years) were considered eligible for the study over a 10‐year period. The ratio of observed to expected cases based on epidemiological data was approximately 1 for both children and adolescents. All but 1 patient had lymph node involvement, and 5 patients had distant metastases. The rate of response to primary chemotherapy was 90%. The 5‐year overall and progression‐free survival rates were 80.9% and 79.3%, respectively (median follow‐up, 62 months). The only statistically significant prognostic variable was the presence or absence of distant metastases. A 65% incidence of late sequelae was reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of a prospective protocol even for such rare tumors as pediatric NPC. The use of lower radiotherapy doses than those used in adults did not affect locoregional failure rates. Long‐term follow‐up will be needed to obtain more information on both survival and treatment sequelae. The next objective will be to establish broader, international prospective cooperation schemes. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The impact of biomarkers in multivariate algorithms for bladder cancer diagnosis in patients with hematuria
Authors: Abogunrin Funso , O'Kane Hugh F. , Ruddock Mark W. , Stevenson Michael , Reid Cherith N. , O'Sullivan Joe M. , Anderson Neil H. , O'Rourke Declan , Duggan Brian , Lamont John V. , Boyd Ruth E. , Hamilton Peter , Nambirajan Thiagarajan , Williamson Kate E.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

We appraised 23 biomarkers previously associated with urothelial cancer in a case‐control study. Our aim was to determine whether single biomarkers and/or multivariate algorithms significantly improved on the predictive power of an algorithm based on demographics for prediction of urothelial cancer in patients presenting with hematuria.

METHODS:

Twenty‐two biomarkers in urine and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum were evaluated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and biochip array technology in 2 patient cohorts: 80 patients with urothelial cancer, and 77 controls with confounding pathologies. We used Forward Wald binary logistic regression analyses to create algorithms based on demographic variables designated prior predicted probability (PPP) and multivariate algorithms, which included PPP as a single variable. Areas under the curve (AUC) were determined after receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) analysis for single biomarkers and algorithms.

RESULTS:

After univariate analysis, 9 biomarkers were differentially expressed (t test; P < .05). CEA AUC 0.74; bladder tumor antigen (BTA) AUC 0.74; and nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) 0.79. PPP included age and smoking years; AUC 0.76. An algorithm including PPP, NMP22, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) significantly improved AUC to 0.90 when compared with PPP. The algorithm including PPP, BTA, CEA, and thrombomodulin (TM) increased AUC to 0.86. Sensitivities = 91%, 91%; and specificities = 80%, 71%, respectively, for the algorithms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Addition of biomarkers representing diverse carcinogenic pathways can significantly impact on the ROC statistic based on demographics. Benign prostate hyperplasia was a significant confounding pathology and identification of nonmuscle invasive urothelial cancer remains a challenge. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program comparison of adult and pediatric Wilms' tumor
Authors: Ali Arif N. , Diaz Roberto , Shu Hui‐Kuo , Paulino Arnold C. , Esiashvili Natia
Published: September 2011

PURPOSE:

To compare the characteristics and outcome of adults and children diagnosed with Wilms' tumor.

METHODS:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was analyzed for patients diagnosed with Wilms' tumor between 1973 and 2007. Patients were stratified into pediatric (<16 years) or adult (≥16 years) groups. Overall survival was the primary endpoint.

RESULTS:

A total of 2342 patients (2190 pediatric and 152 adult) with Wilms' tumor were identified. Adult patients were statistically more likely to be staged as localized than pediatric patients (62.5% vs 44.7%), to not receive any lymph node sampling (57.9% vs 16.2%), and to not receive any radiation treatment (74.3% vs 53.9%). Adults had a statistically worse overall survival (OS) than pediatric patients (5‐year OS, 69% vs 88%, P<.001) despite the earlier tumor stage. When stratified by treatment era, the OS of all patients treated after 1981 was statistically higher than those treated before (5‐year OS, 75% vs 89%, P<.001). Significant predictors of OS on univariate analysis for adults included treatment era, SEER stage, surgery, and radiation treatment. Significant predictors of OS on multivariate analysis of all patients included adult status (hazard ratio, 4.14; P<.001), treatment era, SEER stage, and surgery.

CONCLUSION:

Adults in the SEER database had statistically worse OS than pediatric patients despite previous studies showing comparable outcome when treated on protocol. The worse outcome of SEER adults likely stems from incorrect diagnosis, inadequate staging and undertreatment. We recommend lymph node samplings for all adult Wilms' tumor patients and collaboration with pediatric oncologists. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A novel type of complex ganglion cell in rabbit retina
Authors: Sivyer Benjamin , Venkataramani Sowmya , Taylor W. Rowland , Vaney David I.
Published: September 2011

The 15–20 physiological types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can be grouped according to whether they fire to increased illumination in the receptive‐field center (ON cells), decreased illumination (OFF cells), or both (ON‐OFF cells). The diversity of RGCs has been best described in the rabbit retina, which has three types of ON‐OFF RGCs with complex receptive‐field properties: the ON‐OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells (DSGCs), the local edge detectors, and the uniformity detectors. Here we describe a novel type of bistratified ON‐OFF RGC that has not been described in either physiological or morphological studies of rabbit RGCs. These cells stratify in the ON and OFF sublaminae of the inner plexiform layer, branching at about 30% and 60% depth, between the ON and OFF arbors of the bistratified DSGCs. Similar to the ON‐OFF DSGCs, these cells respond with transient firing to both bright and dark spots flashed in the receptive field but, unlike the DSGCs, they show no directional preference for moving stimuli. We have termed these cells “transient ON‐OFF” RGCs. Area‐response measurements show that both the ON and the OFF spike responses have an antagonistic receptive‐field organization, but with different spatial extents. Voltage‐clamp recordings reveal transient excitatory inputs at light ON and light OFF; this excitation is strongly suppressed by surround stimulation, which also elicits direct inhibitory inputs to the cells at light ON and light OFF. Thus the receptive‐field organization is mediated both within the presynaptic circuitry and by direct feed‐forward inhibition. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3128–3138, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Robust Yellow‐Emitting Metallophosphor with Electron‐Injection/‐Transporting Traits for Highly Efficient White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhou Guijiang , Yang Xiaolong , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Wang Qi , Suo Si , Ma Dongge , Feng Jikang , Wang Lixiang
Published: September 2011

With the aim of endowing triplet emitters in the development of organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) with electron‐injection/‐transporting (EI/ET) features, the phenylsulfonyl moiety was introduced into the phenyl ring of a 2‐phenylpyridine (Hppy) ligand and the yellow phosphorescent heteroleptic iridium(III) complex 1 was developed. It was shown that the SO2Ph unit could provide EI/ET character to 1, as indicated from both electrochemical and computational data. Complex 1 is a promising yellow‐emitting material for both monochromatic OLEDs and white OLEDs (WOLEDs). The outstanding electronic traits associated with 1, coupled with careful device design, afforded very attractive electroluminescent performances for two‐element WOLEDs, including a low turn‐on voltage of less than 3.7 V, a maximum brightness of 48 000 cd m−2, an external quantum efficiency of 13.0 %, a luminance efficiency of 34.7 cd A−1, and a power efficiency of 24.3 Lm W−1. In addition, a good color rendering index (CRI) of about 74, a stable white color with a Commission Internationale de L′Eclairage (CIEx,y) variation of Δ(x, y)<±(0.02, 0.02), and a correlated color temperature higher than 5130 K were obtained. These encouraging results indicate the potential of these WOLEDs as good candidates for warm indoor lighting sources, as well as the critical contribution of such key EI/ET properties to triplet emitters to advance new OLED research.
Host–Guest Interaction of Hoechst 34580 and Cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Lei Wanhua , Zhou Qianxiong , Jiang Guoyu , Hou Yuanjun , Zhang Baowen , Cheng Xuexin , Wang Xuesong
Published: September 2011

To track nuclear dynamic processes by fluorescence imaging, nuclear stains should be highly fluorescent, resistant to photobleaching, and inert to nuclear processes. The nuclear stains of the Hoechst family, such as Hoechst 34580, show bright fluorescence only on groove binding to DNA, and therefore may interfere with visualization of nuclear dynamic processes induced by other stimuli. We study host–guest interactions between Hoechst 34580 and Cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) in aqueous solutions. The formation of CB7–Hoechst 34580 inclusion complexes with stoichiometry of 2:1 in water and 1:1 in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) solution (pH 7.0) is confirmed by 1H NMR, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, MALDI‐TOF MS, and molecular modeling. Compared to Hoechst 34580, the inclusion complex exhibits redshifted absorption, intensified fluorescence, improved photostability, weakened DNA binding affinity, comparable ability to penetrate cell nuclei, and better nuclear‐staining capability, and thus a new avenue for the application of cucurbituril in fluorescence imaging is opened.
Coupled‐Cluster Calculations of Vibrational Raman Optical Activity Spectra
Authors: Crawford T. Daniel , Ruud Kenneth
Published: September 2011

We present the first calculations of Raman optical activity spectra at the coupled‐cluster level of theory. Calculations are presented for (S)‐methyloxirane and compared to recent experimental gas‐phase measurements as well as the results obtained at the Hartree–Fock and density functional level of theory using the popular B3LYP functional. For the experimentally relevant frequency region of 400–1600 cm−1, the Hartree–Fock, B3LYP and coupled‐cluster spectra are very similar when the same force field is used, and the results also agree well with experiment. For high‐frequency vibrational modes, differences in the ROA difference parameters are observed and are analyzed. The new coupled‐cluster ROA code will allow for critical benchmarking of the accuracy of modern exchange–correlation functionals in the calculation of ROA spectra.
The Effect of Zinc Addition on the Oxidation State of Cobalt in Co/ZrO2 Catalysts
Authors: Lebarbier Vanessa M. , Karim Ayman M. , Engelhard Mark H. , Wu Yu , Xu Bo‐Qing , Petersen Eric J. , Datye Abhaya K. , Wang Yong
Published: September 2011

The effect of zinc promotion on the oxidation state of cobalt in Co/ZrO2 catalysts was investigated and correlated with the activity and selectivity for ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Catalysts were synthesized by applying incipient wetness impregnation and characterized by using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR) measurements, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Higher ethanol conversion and lower CH4 selectivity are observed for the Co/ZrO2 catalyst promoted with Zn as compared to the Co/ZrO2 catalyst alone. Addition of Zn inhibits the oxidation of metallic cobalt (Co0) particles and results in a higher ratio of Co0/Co2+ in the Zn‐promoted Co/ZrO2 catalyst. These results suggest that metallic cobalt (Co0) is more active than Co2+ in the ethanol conversion through dehydrogenation and that Co2+ may play a role in the CH4 formation. TPR measurements, on the other hand, reveal that Zn addition inhibits the reduction of Co2+ and Co3+, which would lead to the false conclusion that oxidized Co is required to reduce the CH4 formation. Therefore, TPR measurements may not be appropriate to correlate the degree of metal reducibility (in this case Co0) with the catalyst activity for reactions, such as ESR, where oxidizing conditions exist.
Oral fluid for workplace drug testing: Laboratory implementation
Authors: Moore Christine
Published: September 2011

As oral fluid increases in popularity for workplace testing, due to its easy and observed collection, the ability to adapt existing laboratory instrumentation without further capital investment will allow more facilities to test oral fluid. The European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) guidelines for oral fluid testing outline the maximum cut‐off concentrations acceptable under the workplace drug testing programme. The recommended cut‐off values may be subject to change as advances in technology or other considerations warrant identification of these substances at different concentrations; however, the instrumentation currently exists for routine screening using immunoassay and confirmation by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) or liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectral detection (LC‐MS/MS) so laboratories can easily implement oral fluid analysis in their current systems. Immunoassays for the detection of the drug classes at recommended levels have been developed using various collection devices and different formats: liquid reagent chemistries and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platforms. Immunoassays provide faster turnaround than mass spectral methods particularly when the number of specimens increases. Since the guidelines state that positive immunoassay results should not be reported without confirmation, fully validated methods using LC‐MS/MS and/or GC‐MS for all drugs are also widely available. All proposed concentrations are easily achievable using MS instruments currently in testing laboratories; however, the likelihood of a low number of positive specimens in workplace populations allows the test facility to screen specimens in a cost‐effective manner using immunoassay, while ensuring scientific credibility and defensibility by confirming the positive results with a second test. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The roles of the cadherins Fat and Dachsous in planar polarity specification in Drosophila
Authors: Thomas Chloe , Strutt David
Published: September 2011

Planar polarity is generated through the activity of two groups of proteins, the “core” system and the Fat (Ft)/Dachsous (Ds) system. Although both are conserved from insects to mammals, vertebrate studies into planar polarity have primarily focussed on core planar polarity proteins and have only recently branched into the study of the Ft/Ds system. In Drosophila, however, years of detailed analysis have started to elucidate some of the mechanisms by which Ft/Ds signalling might set up polarity across a tissue, and how this may impact upon core protein‐mediated planar polarity. In this review, we discuss the major findings, models, and controversies that have emerged from Drosophila research into the Ft/Ds system, and indicate some areas for further investigation. Developmental Dynamics 241:27–39, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Porphyrin‐Bridged Pd Dimer Complex Stabilizes Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Fratoddi Ilaria , Battocchio Chiara , Polzonetti Giovanni , Sciubba Fabio , Delfini Maurizio , Russo Maria Vittoria
Published: September 2011

A porphyrin‐bridged bimetallic palladium(II) diphenylacetylide complex and the oligomer with 3–5 repeat units have been prepared and spectroscopically characterized. The porphyrin‐bridged Pd complex has been used for the stabilization of gold nanoparticles, thus giving rise to unexpected stable structures with no evidence of covalent bonds between the porphyrin and the gold nanoparticles. The morphology investigated by TEM analysis shows that gold nanoparticles with a mean diameter of about 5 nm have been obtained. UV/Vis spectra reveal the achievement of stabilized gold nanoparticles through the presence of the plasmon resonance at 500 nm together with the absorption features of the porphyrin molecule at 436 and 620 nm (Q band). Photoluminescence spectra exhibit an emission feature centred at 572 nm with a shoulder at 325 nm with no quenching effects. XPS measurements at the Au 4f core level suggest an electronic interaction between the gold atoms of the nanoparticle surface and the porphyrin‐based complex; NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that interactions and assemblies also occur that involve the porphyrin rings. Elemental analysis suggests that about 120 tilted porphyrins are physisorbed onto the Au core.
An Ionic Liquid Designed for Coordination Chemistry Revisited: Synthetic Routes and Safety Tests for 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Perchlorate ([emim][ClO4])
Authors: Schmeisser Matthias , Keil Philipp , Stierstorfer Jörg , König Axel , Klapötke Thomas M. , van Eldik Rudi
Published: September 2011

The colourless room‐temperature ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium perchlorate, [emim][ClO4], was revisited for reasons of its hydrophilic character and its weak coordinating ability. In this study, [emim][ClO4] was synthesized from the cheaper ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate, [emim][EtSO4], by way of direct and indirect membrane‐assisted anion metathesis. Both synthetic methods, as alternatives to the metathesis of silver perchlorate and [emim] halides, are compared and discussed in detail. In addition, some physicochemical parameters were determined to characterize the ionic liquid. With respect to the hazardous nature of organic perchlorates, the thermal stability as well as the impact and friction sensitivity of [emim][ClO4] were tested according to the UN Test Series 3a–3d.
1D CoII and NiII Chiral Polymers That Exhibit Ferromagnetic Interactions
Authors: Novitchi Ghenadie , Pilet Guillaume , Luneau Dominique
Published: September 2011

Four transition‐metal coordination compounds with d‐ and L‐mandelic acid (Hmand) were synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. The structure, refined as {MII(L/D‐mand)(4‐MePy)3}n·n(ClO4) (M = CoII and NiII; 4‐MePy = 4‐methylpyridine), reveals a chiral 1D polymer that consists of a chain complex built by the monocarboxylate ligand. The coordination sphere of the paramagnetic center is chiral and completed by three 4Me–Py ligands. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of a ferromagnetic interaction between the NiII centers [J = 0.64(5)–0.54(7) cm–1 and zero‐field splitting (ZFS) = –1.38(1)/–1.05(2) cm–1]. In the case of the CoII‐based polymer, ferromagnetic but negligible interaction is suspected.
First Acid‐Catalyzed Entry to O‐Alkylated Hydroximides from Benzylic Alcohols
Authors: Reddy Chada Raji , Radhika Laghuvarapu , Kumar Togapur Pavan , Chandrasekhar Srivari
Published: September 2011

A facile method for the synthesis of O‐alkylated hydroximides through the acid‐catalyzed alkylation of hydroximides by using benzylic alcohols as alkylating agents is described for the first time. The obtained O‐propargylated products offered easy access to 2,5‐ and 4,5‐dihydroisoxazoles.
Metal‐Free Oxidative Coupling Reactions via σ‐Iodonium Intermediates: The Efficient Synthesis of Bithiophenes Using Hypervalent Iodine Reagents
Authors: Morimoto Koji , Nakae Tomofumi , Yamaoka Nobutaka , Dohi Toshifumi , Kita Yasuyuki
Published: September 2011

The direct oxidative biaryl coupling reaction is an attractive tool for environmentally benign green chemistry. A novel direct method for the synthesis of bithiophene using a hypervalent iodine reagent has been developed. The reaction mechanism has also been investigated, casting light on the reaction intermediate and revealing the reactivity with iodonium salts.
A New Synthetic Approach to Efavirenz through Enantioselective Trifluoromethylation by Using the Ruppert–Prakash Reagent
Authors: Kawai Hiroyuki , Kitayama Takashi , Tokunaga Etsuko , Shibata Norio
Published: September 2011

The organocatalyzed asymmetric synthesis of efavirenz was achieved in five steps from a commercially available substrate through the operationally simple, enantioselective trifluoromethylation of an alkynyl ketone by using the Ruppert–Prakash reagent. The present method provides the first example of the enantioselective synthesis of efavirenz by using a direct trifluoromethylation approach.
A level set method to study foam processing: a validation study
Authors: Rao Rekha R. , Mondy Lisa A. , Noble David R. , Moffat Harry K. , Adolf Douglas B. , Notz P.K.
Published: September 2011

We have developed a production‐level foam processing computational model suitable for predicting the self‐expansion of foam in complex geometries. The model is based on a finite element representation of the equations of motion, with the movement of the free surface represented using the level set method. An empirically based time‐dependent and temperature‐dependent density model is used to encapsulate the complex physics of foam nucleation and growth in a numerically tractable manner. The evolving density drives the dynamics of foam self‐expansion. This continuum‐level model uses a homogenized description of foam, which does not include the gas explicitly, but allows varying local fields, such as temperature and gas volume fraction, and material models. In addition, material models vary with the location of the level set interface, taking properties of the displaced air phase in the negative level set region and the foam in the positive region. The level set zero describes the location of the interface, where surface forces are applied using the continuous surface force treatment. The variation from foam to gas properties is handled with a diffuse interface method using a smooth Heaviside function and equation averaging. Material model development was guided and populated by careful experiments. Results from the model are compared with temperature‐instrumented flow visualization experiments giving the location of the foam front as a function of time for a physically blown, epoxy foam. Good qualitative agreement is seen between simulations and experiments, although some of the subtleties of the filling process are lost to the model. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Role of platelet‐derived growth factor‐AB in tumour growth and angiogenesis in relation with other angiogenic cytokines in multiple myeloma
Authors: Tsirakis George , Pappa Constantina A. , Kanellou Peggy , Stratinaki Maria A. , Xekalou Athina , Psarakis Fotios E. , Sakellaris George , Alegakis Athanasios , Stathopoulos Efstathios N. , Alexandrakis Michael G.
Published: September 2011

Angiogenesis is a complex process essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of various malignant tumours, including multiple myeloma (MM). Various angiogenic cytokines have been implicated in the angiogenic process. Among them, platelet‐derived growth factor‐AB (PDGF‐AB) has been reported to be a potent stimulator of angiogenesis in many solid tumours and haematological malignancies, including MM. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between PDGF‐AB, microvascular density (MVD), and various angiogenic cytokines, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (b‐FGF), angiogenin (ANG), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), in MM patients. Forty‐seven MM patients before treatment, 22 of whom were in plateau phase, were studied. We determined the serum levels of the aforementioned cytokines and MVD in bone marrow biopsies before and after treatment. Mean serum values of PDGF‐AB, b‐FGF, ANG, and MVD were significantly higher in patients compared with controls and with increasing disease stage. Significant positive correlations were observed between serum PDGF‐AB, ANG, and IL‐6 levels and MVD. Furthermore, we found significant positive correlations between PDGF‐AB and b‐FGF, IL‐6, ANG, and β2 microglobulin. We also found that patients with high MVD had statistically significantly higher serum levels of PDGF‐AB when a median MVD value of 7.7 was used as the cutoff point. Furthermore, a significant difference was found in serum levels of PDGF‐AB between pre‐ and post‐treatment patients. Finally, survival time was significantly higher in the low MVD group versus the high MVD group (76 vs 51 months). Our results showed that there is a strong positive correlation between PDGF‐AB and the studied angiogenic cytokines and MVD. It seems that PDGF‐AB plays a role in the complex network of cytokines inducing bone marrow neovascularization in patients with MM. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dual‐targeting antibody against EGFR‐VEGF for lung and head and neck cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Hongzheng , Yun Sujin , Batuwangala Thil D. , Steward Michael , Holmes Steve D. , Pan Lin , Tighiouart Mourad , Shin Hyung Ju C. , Koenig Lydia , Park Wungki , Rycroft Daniel , Nannapaneni Sreenivas , Wang Yuxiang , Chen Zhuo (Georgia) , Shin Dong M.
Published: September 2011

An antibody simultaneously targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), two major tumor growth‐driving machineries, may provide a novel effective strategy for optimizing tumor targeting and maximizing potential clinical benefits. Human domain antibodies selected against VEGF and EGFR were formatted into a fully human dual‐targeting IgG (DT‐IgG) to directly target both antigens in a single molecule. We evaluated the efficacy of DT‐IgG in comparison with bevacizumab and cetuximab alone and in combination in the lung cancer cell line A549 (low EGFR expression and KRAS mutant) and the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line Tu212 (high EGFR expression and KRAS wild type) in vitro and in vivo. DT‐IgG suppressed Tu212 and A549 cell growth, inhibited EGFR activation and induced apoptosis as effectively as cetuximab, and neutralized VEGF as effectively as bevacizumab. DT‐IgG induced EGFR‐dependent VEGF internalization, constituting a novel antiangiogenesis mechanism. In xenograft models with lung and head and neck cancer cell lines, DT‐IgG displayed efficacy equivalent to bevacizumab in diminishing tumor growth despite its short serum half‐life (36 hr in rats) and both agents may constitute preferable alternatives to cetuximab in KRAS‐mutant tumors. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that localization of DT‐IgG was similar to that of cetuximab, largely associated with EGFR+tumor cells. Our proof of principle study suggests a DT‐IgG against EGFR and VEGF as an alternative therapeutic strategy with potentially enhanced clinical benefit.