bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approach to and management of the acute stroke patient with atrial fibrillation: A literature review
Authors: Marmagkiolis Konstantinos , Nikolaidis Ioannis G. , Politis Themos , Goldstein Lawrence
Published: August 2008

Stroke remains an increasing worldwide cause of disability and mortality, and it is the second leading cause of death in industrialized countries.1 Patients with atrial fibrillation form a unique group with increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. Despite the widespread application of the National Institutes of Health stroke scale and guidelines,2, 3 patients with atrial fibrillation represent a clinically challenging group that deserves a special approach during the acute stroke phase.

The mechanism of stroke in these patients is either cardioembolic [especially with an international normalized ratio (INR) < 2.0] or hemorrhagic (especially with INR > 5.0)4, 5 (Figure 1). Atrial fibrillation with valvular heart disease significantly increases the risk for ischemic stroke. Specifically, patients with mitral stenosis who develop atrial fibrillation increase their risk of cardioembolism by 3 to 7 times.6 Many patients with atrial fibrillation still develop ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke despite appropriate use of anticoagulation. Prior stroke, transient ischemic attacks, congestive heart failure, hypertension, age > 75, and diabetes mellitus are all well‐established risk factors for the development of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.7, 8 The CHADS‐2 score is the most widely studied and clinically used method for stratifying patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation.8 In our review, we present the most recent clinical guidelines and trends for the approach to and management of this patient group. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:326–332. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Mode of action of antimicrobial peptide P45 on Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Sirtori Lisana Reginini , Motta Amanda de Souza da , Brandelli Adriano
Published: August 2008

The mode of action of an antimicrobial peptide produced by Bacillus sp. P45 isolated from the intestine of the Amazonian basin fish Piaractus mesopotamicus was investigated. The antimicrobial peptide was purified from culture supernatants by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and gel filtration chromatography. The peptide has an EC50 of 300 AU (activity units) ml–1 and kills all viable cells of Listeria monocytogenes with a concentration of 800 AU ml–1. A decrease in OD was observed when L. monocytogenes cultures were treated with the peptide, suggesting that cells were lysed. Transmission electron microscopy showed damage of the cell envelope and loss of protoplasmic material. The peptide P45 was bactericidal and bacteriolytic to L. monocytogenes. There is evidence that the mode of action is interefering at cell membranes and the cell wall. The knowledge of the mode of action of antimicrobial peptides is an essential step to consider their utilization in food or clinic. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Archaeal diversity in acid mine drainage from Dabaoshan Mine, China
Authors: Qiu Guan‐zhou , Wan Min‐xi , Qian Lin , Huang Zhi‐ying , Liu Kai , Liu Xue‐duan , Shi Wu‐yang , Yang Yu
Published: August 2008

Three acid mine drainage (AMD) samples collected from Dabaoshan Mine (Guangdong Province, China) were studied. In addition to physicochemical analyses, the diversity and community structures of the archaeal communities in these samples were described at the genetic level by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). Nine different ARDRA patterns were obtained from 146 clones and were studied as operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were re‐amplified and sequenced. Sequence data and phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the clones belonged to the Thermoplasmatales, and that archaea belonging to the Sulfolobales were absent. Only 1 OTU attributed to Ferroplasma was found and was observed to be abundant in all 3 samples. Eight OTUs were related to 2 new undefined groups in the Thermoplasmatales. Of the 8 OTUs, the clones in 2 similar units were isolated from samples collected from an abandoned sulfide mine (Huelva, Spain) and those in 5 similar units were isolated from samples collected from a closed copper mine (Tonglushan, China). These diversities were characterized by the reciprocal of Simpson's index (1/D) and correlated with the concentrations of ferrous ions and toxic ions in the AMD samples. The high temperature of the sampling sites was one of the factors that could explain why archaea belonging to the Thermoplasmatales were abundant in the analyzed AMD samples while those belonging to the Sulfolobales were absent. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
How Johns Manville radically—and humanely—transformed its IT function into a world‐class business partner
Authors: Catton Karin
Published: August 2008

An IT function—hamstrung with a patchwork of legacy systems, a fragmented functional structure, out‐of‐date technical skills, and a reactive mind‐set—had little choice but to change its people before it could hope to deliver a platform of world‐class systems and technology to support a global company's profitability and growth. The organizational transformation discarded functional silos for customer‐focused centers of excellence and opened all positions to be staffed according to explicit new requirements for both “hard” and “soft” skills. Vigorous change management efforts included assimilation plans for new incumbents, outplacement support, and carefully timed communication. Leadership and team coaching helped set cultural/behavioral expectations and aided individual development, team building, and creation of a shared vision, strategy, and values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conducting business in Malta: A brief for international managers
Authors: Jones Stephanie
Published: August 2008

Malta, with its diversified free‐market economy, is an attractive location for international business—in complex manufacturing (electronics, pharmaceuticals, software development) and in services (financial, gaming, shipping, information and communications technology [ICT]). With a well‐established regulatory environment now based on European Union (EU) laws, with a favorable tax environment and attractive government incentives, it is widely agreed that the presence of a skilled, loyal, well‐educated and multilingual workforce is one of the strongest reasons to set up a business in this Mediterranean island. The smallest member of the EU, Malta is a well‐kept secret—it does not advertise and market itself as much as it perhaps could. Its size limitations mean that the existing Maltese window of opportunity will not be open forever. Already, the infrastructure (such as roads and housing) is showing signs of coming under pressure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
De‐esterification pattern of Valencia orange pectinmethylesterases and characterization of modified pectins
Authors: Lee Hyoungill , Rivner Josh , Urbauer Jeffrey L , Garti Nissim , Wicker Louise
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Pectinmethylesterase (PME, E.C. 1.1.11) isozymes from Valencia orange preparations with different specific activities were used to de‐esterify citrus and sugar beet pectins. Enzymatic modification offers the opportunity to create pectins of tailored functionality and gelling ability.

RESULTS: Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, catalysis by all PME extracts produced block‐wise de‐esterification patterns in both citrus and sugar beet pectins. PME activity resulted in increased numbers of contiguous de‐esterified groups and decreased numbers of contiguous esterified groups. De‐esterification by PMEs increased the elastic property (G′) of citrus and sugar beet pectins in the presence of calcium from 10 to 571 and from 0.05 to 201 Pa, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the predilection of citrus PMEs toward block wise de‐esterification of pectins and the relationship between calcium binding ability and de‐esterification degree and patterning. Within a narrow range of de‐esterification (37–48%) and with a narrow distribution of contiguous groups, PME modification did not markedly change gelling ability. At lower or higher de‐esterification values, a 2‐fold increase or 50‐fold decrease, respectively in G′ values was observed. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Stability of limonin glucoside in beverage matrices
Authors: Breksa III Andrew P , Hidalgo Marlene B , Wong Rosalind Y
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: We completed a study over a 200‐day period examining the stability of limonin glucoside formulated into three beverage matrices.

RESULTS: Beverages containing limonin glucoside were found to contain limonin (0.13–20.10 mg L−1) during their initial testing; however, these concentrations were directly attributable to the presence of contaminating limonin in the particular lot of limonin glucoside used to prepare the beverage and did not increase over the test period. Likewise, limonin glucoside concentrations did not vary significantly, with the exception of the beverage matrix that included vitamin B2. Exposure of the vitamin B2‐containing beverages to light resulted in a rapid reduction in the limonin glucoside content. Liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric and nuclear magnetic resonance results from the analyses of pre‐ and post‐light exposed beverages suggest photooxidation of the furan moiety as the likely degradation pathway.

CONCLUSION: Results from this study indicate that limonin glucoside is resistant to degradation into limonin, the stability of limonin glucoside formulated into beverages exceeds six months and that limonin glucoside should not be formulated into beverages containing vitamin B2 unless the beverages are protected from light. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigations on the microstructures and properties of in‐situ synthesized (TiB2+Fe2B)/steel‐based composites
Authors: Xue Z. , Kuang J. , Fu H.
Published: August 2008

By adding titanium and boron elements in the molten steel whose compositions were 0.10–0.30 %C, 0.20–0.50 %Si, 0.60–1.20 %Mn and 0.50–1.50 %Cu, particulate‐reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) were obtained. The reinforced phase and matrix were studied by means of the optical microscopy (OM), the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, the mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of steel‐based MMCs were measured. The results show that the in‐situ reinforced particulates of steel‐based MMCs are TiB2 and Fe2B. After heat treatment, the in‐situ reinforced particulates change into the nodular and granular forms from the broken networks. The mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of steel‐based MMCs are improved obviously. At last, the reason that in‐situ reinforced particulates improve the properties of steel‐based MMCs is particularly analyzed.
Fog prediction using a very high resolution numerical weather prediction model forced with a single profile
Authors: Tang Yong Ming , Capon Rachel , Forbes Richard , Clark Peter
Published: August 2008

Fog and low level cloud forecasting is crucial for aviation, land transport and shipping, Current numerical weather prediction (NWP) models can give a broad indication of fog formation and dissipation on scales of a few tens of kilometres, but can provide little detail especially in areas of complex terrain. One‐dimensional models for specific locations taking into account the impact of the surrounding orography on the flow have been developed as a cheap solution, but they are unable to treat complex three dimensional flows. A full NWP model running at a horizontal resolution of around 1 km (or better) may be required to address the three‐dimensional fog forecasting problem in full. Enhancement of the model resolution to such a scale is restrained by available computing power and is not presently feasible for general coverage. However, in the weakly forced situations leading to fog formation, the use of a small, local area (e.g. 50 km × 50 km), high resolution NWP model may be a viable alternative.

In this study, the local area NWP model approach is explored, initializing and forcing the model with a time series of single forcing profiles from either a low resolution NWP model, or from a local radiosonde profile. This method of homogeneous single‐profile forcing (SPF) allows the model to be run locally with a small volume of input data. The UK Met Office Unified Model (UM) is set‐up for a 50 km by 50 km horizontal domain, with real orography and a grid spacing of 1 km and 76 vertical levels. The model is initialized and forced with temperature, humidity and wind profiles from a 12 km coarse resolution model. Some typical results from a single‐profile forcing (SPF) model run will be shown and compared with the output from a full NWP model with 1 km resolution and with observational data. © Crown Copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol, leflunomide and methotrexate. Can changes to the BSR guidelines for leflunomide and methotrexate on alcohol consumption be justified?
Authors: Rajakulendran Shyra , Gadsby Kate , Deighton Chris
Published: August 2008

Introduction: The summary of product characteristics for leflunomide and methotrexate recommend avoiding alcohol. By contrast, the latest British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) guidelines suggest that alcohol should be ‘well within national limits’. A postal survey was performed of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to address their alcohol consumption, and assess whether this influenced any rise in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels while on leflunomide or methotrexate.

Methods: RA patients commenced on methotrexate or leflunomide within the preceding two years were identified using the departmental database. A total of 200 patients on methotrexate or leflunomide were sent questionnaires covering demographics, disease details, duration of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug (DMARD) use, previous medical and drug history, alcohol advice recalled, and alcohol consumption while on the drug. ALT levels at drug commencement and the highest level on the drug were recorded.

Results: Replies were received from 69.5% of methotrexate and 57.5% of leflunomide patients. 68.6% of patients recalled receiving alcohol advice. 55.8% of leflunomide patients did not drink alcohol prior to taking the DMARD, compared with 39.4% of methotrexate patients. 27.7% of leflunomide patients continued to drink alcohol compared with 64.3% on methotrexate. For both drugs, no patterns emerged to suggest that baseline or highest ALT levels were influenced by higher levels of alcohol consumption.

Discussion: No differences were found with either methotrexate or leflunomide for self‐reported alcohol consumption influencing ALT levels. It is appropriate to give similar alcohol advice to patients beginning therapy with either methotrexate or leflunomide. This research has not found any evidence to contradict the relaxation of advice on alcohol consumption with methotrexate and leflunomide in the updated BSR guidelines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of calcium malonate on the formation of β crystalline form in isotactic poly(propylene)
Authors: Dou Qiang , Lu Qu‐Liang
Published: August 2008

Calcium malonate (Camt) is used to induce the β crystalline form in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) for the first time. The relative content of the β crystalline form (K value) increases markedly with the addition of Camt and attains the maximum value of 73.48% at 0.40% Camt. The amounts of bright and colorful β spherulites increase and the spherulitic sizes decrease with the increase in Camt contents. The tensile strength and the Izod notched impact strength of the nucleated iPP samples increase with the addition of Camt; in particular, the latter almost doubles at 0.40% Camt compared to that of the blank iPP sample. The β nucleation mechanism of Camt is analyzed by the dimensional lattice match criterion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of acrylic acid neutralization on ‘livingness’ of poly[styrene‐ran‐(acrylic acid)] macro‐initiators for nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of styrene
Authors: Lessard Benoît , Marić Milan
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: The effect of acrylic acid neutralization on the degradation of alkoxyamine initiators for nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) was studied using styrene/acrylic acid and styrene/sodium acrylate random copolymers (20 mol% initial acrylate feed concentration) as macro‐initiators. The random copolymers were re‐initiated with fresh styrene in 1,4‐dioxane at 110 °C at SG1 mediator/BlocBuilder® unimolecular initiator ratios of 5 and 10 mol%.

RESULTS: The value of kpK (kp = propagation rate constant, K = equilibrium constant) was not significantly different for styrene/acrylic acid and styrene/sodium acrylate compositions at 110 °C (kpK = 2.4 × 10−6–4.6 × 10−6 s−1) and agreed closely with that for styrene homopolymerization at the same conditions (kpK = 2.7 × 10−6–3.0 × 10−6 s−1). All random copolymers had monomodal, narrow molecular weight distributions (polydispersity index M̄w/M̄n = 1.10–1.22) with similar number‐average molecular weights M̄n = 19.3–22.1 kg mol−1. Re‐initiation of styrene/acrylic acid random copolymers with styrene resulted in block copolymers with broader molecular weight distributions (M̄w/M̄n = 1.37–2.04) compared to chains re‐initiated by styrene/sodium acrylate random copolymers (M̄w/M̄n = 1.33).

CONCLUSIONS: Acrylic acid degradation of the alkoxyamines was prevented by neutralization of acrylic acid and allowed more SG1‐terminated chains to re‐initiate the polymerization of a second styrenic block by NMP. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polymers with increased chemical versatility for imprint lithographic resists
Authors: Khan Anzar , Malkoch Michael , Montague Martha F. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: August 2008

Hyperbranched polymers were prepared from a variety of mono‐ and difunctional monomers and used in the development of novel UV‐imprint lithography (UV‐IL) resists. The unique physical and chemical properties of these hyperbranched materials significantly increase the range of molecular systems that could be imprinted. Traditional challenges, such as the use of monomers that have low boiling points or the use of insoluble/highly crystalline momomers, are overcome by the preparation of hyperbranched polymers that incorporate these repeat units. In addition, the low viscosity of the hyperbranched macromolecules and the large number of reactive chain ends overcome many difficulties that are traditionally associated with the use of polymeric materials as imprint resists. Hyperbranched polymers containing up to 12 mol % pendant vinyl groups, needed for secondary crosslinking during imprinting, were prepared with a wide range of repeat unit structures and successfully imprinted with features from tens of microns to ∼ 100 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6238–6254, 2008
Oxidative degradation of poly(isophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl)s
Authors: Kihara Nobuhiro , Iino Yusuke , Misawa Tatsuya
Published: August 2008

The condensation polymerization of isophthalodihydrazide and diphenyl isophthalate affords poly(isophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl). High‐molecular‐weight poly(5‐tert‐butylisophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl) is prepared by the polycondensation of 5‐tert‐butylisophthalodihydrazide and bis(4‐nitrophenyl) 5‐tert‐butylisophthalate in NMP at 100 °C. Td of the poly(diacylhydrazine) is observed above 300 °C. No Tg is observed below Td. The high‐molecular‐weight poly(diacylhydrazine) exhibits a film‐forming ability. The poly(diacylhydrazine) decomposes on treatment with an oxidant such as sodium hypochlorite solution to obtain the corresponding carboxylic acid and nitrogen. However, poly(diacylhydrazine) was stable to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide even in the presence of transition metal ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6255–6262, 2008
Syntheses and characterization of physically crosslinked hydrogels from dithiocarbamate‐derived polyurethane macroiniferter
Authors: Patel Alpesh , Mequanint Kibret
Published: August 2008

A dithiocarbamate (DC)‐based polyurethane macroiniferter (PUMI) was synthesized and used to prepare physically crosslinked polyurethane‐block‐poly (acrylamide) (PU‐b‐PAAm) and polyurethane‐block‐poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PU‐b‐PVP) hydrogels. The success of the reactions has been confirmed by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR Spectroscopy analyses. The number average molecular weight of the block copolymers increased linearly with conversion and copolymerization time and thus followed a “living” radical mechanism. The water transport behavior of these polyurethane‐based hydrogels such as water uptake rate, equilibrium water content (EWC), transport number (n), characteristic diffusion rate constant (K), diffusion coefficient (D), and pH effect on EWC has been investigated. The results revealed that PU‐b‐PAAm hydrogels followed Fickian diffusion suggesting diffusion controlled swelling kinetics, whereas the PU‐b‐PVP hydrogels followed non‐Fickian diffusion indicating that both diffusion and structural relaxation controlled the water transport. The PU‐b‐PAAm hydrogels showed higher swelling at both low and high pH than at a neutral pH. This is attributed to protonation of the tertiary amines of N,N′‐diethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) thiuram disulfide (DHTD) at low pH and base hydrolysis of amide segments at high pH. In the thermogravimetric analysis; PUMI, PU‐b‐PVP and PU‐b‐PAAm have degraded in three distinct stages related to CS2 evolution, hard segment degradation, and soft segment degradation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6272–6284, 2008
Poly(caprolactone) containing highly branched segmented poly(ester urethane)s via A2 with oligomeric B3 polymerization
Authors: Unal Serkan , Ozturk Gozde , Sisson Kristin , Long Timothy E.
Published: August 2008

Highly branched, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) containing segmented poly(ester urethane)s were synthesized via polymerization of A2 and oligomeric B3 type monomers. An isocyanate functional butanediol‐based A2 hard segment was synthesized and immediately reacted with a poly(caprolactone)‐based trifunctional (B3) soft segment. Characterization of thermal properties using DMA and DSC analysis demonstrated that the PCL segment remained amorphous in branched poly(ester urethane)s. Conversely, the crystallinity of PCL segment was retained to some extent in a linear analogue with equivalent soft segment molecular weight. Tensile testing revealed a slight decrease in Young's modulus and tensile strength for the highly branched polymers compared with a linear analogue. However, highly branched poly(ester urethane)s demonstrated lower hysteresis. In addition to synthesis of highly branched polymers, poly(ester urethane) networks were synthesized from a highly branched hydroxyl‐terminated precursor and a low molar mass diisocyanate as the crosslinking agent. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6285–6295, 2008
β‐Hydrogen transfer from poly(methyl methacrylate) propagating radicals to the nitroxide SG1: Analysis of the chain‐end and determination of the rate constant
Authors: Dire Charlotte , Belleney Joël , Nicolas Julien , Bertin Denis , Magnet Stéphanie , Charleux Bernadette
Published: August 2008

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was polymerized in bulk at 70 °C in the presence of an alkoxyamine initiator with low dissociation temperature (the so‐called BlocBuilder™) and increasing amounts of free N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl) nitroxide (SG1). Low final monomer conversions were reached, indicating a loss in radical activity due to side reactions such as irreversible homoterminations between the propagating radicals and β‐hydrogen transfer (also called disproportionation) from a propagating radical to a free‐SG1 nitroxide. Proton NMR and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry were used to analyze the polymer chain‐ends and to clearly identify the main mechanism of irreversible termination. In particular, it was shown that all polymer chains were terminated by an alkene function in the presence of a large excess of free SG1, meaning that β‐hydrogen transfer from PMMA propagating radicals to the nitroxide SG1 was the major chain‐stopping event. On the other hand, for a low excess of free SG1, the two termination modes coexisted. Kinetic modeling was then performed using the PREDICI software, and the rate constant of β‐hydrogen transfer, kβHtr, was estimated to be 1.69 × 103 L mol−1 s−1 at 70 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6333–6345, 2008
A visual approach to providing prognostic information to parents of children with retinoblastoma
Authors: Panton Rachel L. , Downie Robert , Truong Tran , MacKeen Leslie , Kabene Stefane , Yi Qi‐Long , Chan Helen S. L. , Gallie Brenda L.
Published: August 2008

Objective: Parents must rapidly assimilate complex information when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Education correlates with the ability to process and use medical information. Graphic tools aid reasoning and communicate complex ideas with precision and efficiency.

Methods: We developed a graphic tool, DePICT (Disease‐specific electronic Patient Illustrated Clinical Timeline), to visually display entire retinoblastoma treatment courses from real‐time clinical data. We report retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of DePICT to communicate risk and complexity of treatment to parents. We assembled DePICT graphics from multiple children on cards representing each stage of intraocular retinoblastoma. Forty‐four parents completed a 14‐item questionnaire to evaluate the understanding of retinoblastoma treatment and outcomes acquired from DePICT.

Results: As a proposed tool for informed consent, DePICT effectively communicated knowledge of complex medical treatment and risks, regardless of the education level. We identified multiple potential factors affecting parent comprehension of treatment complexity and risk. These include language proficiency (p=0.005) and age‐related experience, as younger parents had higher education (p=0.021) but lower comprehension scores (p=0.011), regardless of first language.

Conclusion: Provision of information at diagnosis concerning long‐term treatment complexity helps parents of children with cancer. DePICT effectively transfers knowledge of treatments, risks, and prognosis in a manner that offsets parental educational disadvantages. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Religiosity and its relation to quality of life in Christian Orthodox cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Assimakopoulos Konstantinos , Karaivazoglou Katerina , Ifanti Amalia A. , Gerolymos Miltiadis K. , Kalofonos Haralabos P. , Iconomou Gregoris
Published: August 2008

Objectives: The first objective of the current observational study was to assess the levels of religiosity in Greek Christian Orthodox cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The second objective was to evaluate the associations between religiosity and quality of life (QoL), an endpoint of considerable importance in clinical cancer research and practice.

Method: One hundred eighteen adult outpatients with solid tumors, who consented to participate, were administered the Systems of Belief Inventory (SBI‐15R) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ‐C30) questionnaire.

Results: The analysis revealed high scores on religiosity, especially among female patients, who reported significantly higher levels of religious beliefs and practices as well as perceived social support provided by the religious community than did their male counterparts. Of all EORTC QOL‐C30 subscales, only global QoL was found to be significantly associated with the SBI‐15R religious beliefs subscale. The analysis revealed no significant correlations between the SBI‐15R social support subscale and all QoL subscales.

Conclusions: The current study reported high levels of religiosity among Greek Christian Orthodox cancer patients. However, levels of religiosity were only weakly associated with patients' QoL. The SBI‐15R appeared to be a well‐accepted and reliable tool, potentially useful for future research in Greek settings. Wide‐scale studies from the same and diverse religious and cultural backgrounds are needed to clarify further the connections between religiosity, QoL, coping, and other health outcomes with the aim to devise appropriate multicomponent interventions to enhance patients' QoL. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐related communication skills from the cancer patient perspective
Authors: Thorne Sally E. , Hislop T. Gregory , Stajduhar Kelli , Oglov Valerie
Published: August 2008

Objective: Although it is well recognized that skilled communication is an essential element of effective cancer care, lack of time to communicate is often cited as an explanation for the ongoing cancer care communications problems patients report. In this study, we sought to answer the question: How do cancer patients describe and explain the effects of health care communication upon their experience of time?

Methods: We conducted a qualitative secondary analysis, using interpretive description methodology, on a large data set that comprised transcribed interview data from two studies of cancer communication from the patient perspective. One primary study represented a cross‐sectional study of helpful and unhelpful communications (n=200) and the other a longitudinal study of changes in communication needs and preferences over the illness trajectory (n=60).

Results: We found time a meaningful and symbolic construct for cancer patients. They describe clinician time‐related attitudes and behaviors as significant factors in shaping the impact of clinical encounters on their overall psychosocial cancer experiences. They report a number of ways in which clinician communications have been particularly effective in buffering and manipulating the impact of time pressures and describe a capacity within exceptionally skilled clinicians to manufacture a perception of available time even in the context of such pressures.

Conclusions: We believe that the patient perspective on cancer care communication provides an important angle of vision from which to discern strategies that may assist clinicians to buffer the untoward effects of the time pressure under which most care systems currently operate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of extraction and purification of active fractions from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) and its osteoblastic proliferation stimulating activity
Authors: Caichompoo Wanida , Zhang Qiao‐Yan , Hou Ting‐Ting , Gao Hua‐Juan , Qin Lu‐Ping , Zhou Xiu‐Jia
Published: August 2008

Extraction and purification conditions of lignans from the fruits and seeds of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) were investigated through an orthogonal design of L9(34) assay and macroporous resin technology. The extraction was optimized using 95% ethanol. For purification, the extract was dissolved in 30% ethanol, then adsorbed on a AB‐8 macroporous resin and eluted with 30% ethanol and 70% ethanol successively, the latter resulting in a residue containing 65.2% of lignans. By HPLC analysis schisandrin, deoxyschisandrin and γ‐schisandrin were quantitatively determined. UMR 106 cells were used to examine the stimulatory activity of the lignans on osteoblasts in vitro. The lignans stimulated the proliferation of and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the osteoblasts indicating their potential activity against osteoporosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Group inspection of dependent binary processes
Authors: Weiß Christian H.
Published: August 2008

We consider serially dependent binary processes, how they occur in several fields of practice. If such a process cannot be monitored continuously, because of process speed for instance, then one can analyze connected segments instead, where two successive segments have a sufficiently large time‐lag. Nevertheless, the serial dependence has to be considered at least within the segments, i.e. the distribution of the segment sums is not binomial anymore. We propose the Markov binomial distribution to approximate the true distribution of the segment sums. Based on this distribution, we develop a Markov np chart and a Markov exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart. We show how average run lengths (ARLs) can be computed exactly for both types of chart. Based on such ARL computations, we derive recommendations for chart design and investigate the out‐of‐control performance. A real‐data example illustrates the application of these charts in practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal cardiac function in normotensive and pre‐eclamptic intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Bamfo J. E. A. K. , Kametas N. A. , Chambers J. B. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: August 2008

Objectives

To compare maternal cardiac function between pregnancies complicated by normotensive and pre‐eclamptic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods

Two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) were used to examine 19 pregnant women with IUGR and 17 with pre‐eclampsia complicated by IUGR at 20–38 weeks of gestation. Indices were converted into differences in SDs from the expected normal mean for gestation (Z‐scores) and compared.

Results

With respect to normal pregnancy, in the normotensive IUGR compared with the pre‐eclamptic IUGR group, there were similar reductions in maternal cardiac output (Z‐score, − 1.71 vs. − 1.37, P = 0.26) and heart rate (Z‐score, − 3.67 vs. − 9.43, P = 0.1) and a similar increase in total vascular resistance (Z‐score, 2.91 vs. 3.93, P = 0.05). There was also a greater decrease in stroke volume (Z‐score, − 1.72 vs. − 0.69, P = 0.01), a smaller increase in mean arterial pressure (Z‐score, 0.73 vs. 2.94, P < 0.01) and a smaller decrease in DTI systolic velocity at the lateral mitral margin (Z‐score, − 0.4 vs. − 1.42, P = 0.02). In terms of diastolic function, there was a smaller transmitral late diastolic velocity (Z‐score, 0.04 vs. 0.93, P = 0.03) and a greater DTI early diastolic velocity at the lateral mitral margin (Z‐score, − 0.17 vs. − 1.6, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

In normotensive IUGR and pre‐eclamptic IUGR there is a similar alteration in maternal left ventricular systolic function, but there is greater impairment in maternal diastolic function in pre‐eclamptic IUGR. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macro‐ and Microemulsion Silicone Softeners on Polyester Fibers: Evaluation of Different Physical Properties
Authors: Parvinzadeh Mazeyar , Hajiraissi Roozbeh
Published: August 2008

In this research, polyester fabrics were treated with three concentrations (10, 20 and 30 g/L) of macro‐ and microemulsions of silicones in water at 30 °C by the padding method. The treated fabrics were then dried/cured at 130 °C for 40 s. Some of the physical and chemical properties of the samples are discussed. The drapeability of treated samples was lower and found to depend on the silicone particle size. Moisture absorbency of treated samples was also lower. Colorimetric properties of softener treated fabrics were evaluated with a reflectance spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations showed an aggregation of silicone particles on the fiber surface.
The assessment of empathy in adolescence: A contribution to the Italian validation of the “Basic Empathy Scale”
Authors: Albiero Paolo , Matricardi Giada , Speltri Daniela , Toso Diana
Published: August 2008

The present study examined the validity of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) [Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2006a). Development and validation of the Basic Empathy Scale. Journal of Adolescence, 29, 589–611; Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2006b). Examining the relationship between low empathy and bullying. Aggressive Behavior, 32(6), 540–550.] and found further evidence for the scale's good psychometric properties. The BES was administered to a sample of 655 Italian adolescents to examine the generalizability and reliability of its factor structure. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed a reasonable data fit with the two hypothesized BES domains of Cognitive Empathy and Affective Empathy. Scale reliability was also satisfactory, showing good internal consistency. Lastly, BES scores were significantly associated with other empathy questionnaire scores (the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale) and with a scale measuring prosocial behavior. Research and practice implications are discussed.
Brief report: The Identity Style Inventory – Validation in Italian adolescents and college students
Authors: Crocetti Elisabetta , Rubini Monica , Berzonsky Michael D. , Meeus Wim
Published: August 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and convergent validity of an Italian translation of the Identity Style Inventory (ISI). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a clear three‐factor structure of identity style and a mono‐factor structure of commitment, not only in the overall sample, but also in gender and age subgroups. Convergent validity was demonstrated by theoretically consistent associations between the ISI dimensions and measures of identity processes, self‐esteem, and need for cognitive closure. The findings suggest that the Italian version of the ISI is a useful tool for assessing social‐cognitive processes relevant to identity formation in Italian adolescents and college students.
Social contexts of regular smoking in adolescence: Towards a multidimensional ecological model
Authors: Wen Ming , Van Duker Heather , Olson Lenora M.
Published: August 2008

Using data from the Add Health, this study examined multilevel factors of adolescent smoking after controlling for the baseline smoking behavior and individual characteristics. Results showed that peer, family and school were all important life domains contextually influencing subsequent smoking behavior among adolescents. Time spent with peers, best friend smoking and household member smoking were associated with higher risk. Parent–child closeness, parental control, attending a private school and having a higher percentage of Hispanic students at school were protective factors. Significant interaction effects were found between parental control and household member smoking and between parent–child closeness and communication. None of the neighborhood‐ and state‐level factors were significant in the final full model but they were significant in reduced models. More proximate social contexts appear to play a more direct and immediate role in adolescent smoking than macro‐level factors. An ecological model incorporating multiple social systems seems more fruitful than single‐system models to reveal etiology of adolescent smoking.
SHIP2 associates with intersectin and recruits it to the plasma membrane in response to EGF
Authors: Xie Jingwei , Vandenbroere Isabelle , Pirson Isabelle
Published: August 2008

MINT‐6673604:

ITSN‐1S (uniprotkb:Q15811‐2) and SHIP2 (uniprotkb:O15357) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)

MINT‐6673646, MINT‐6694843:

SHIP2 (uniprotkb:Q6P549) physically interacts (MI:0218) with ITSN‐1S (uniprotkb:Q9Z0R4‐2) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)

MINT‐6673386:

SHIP2 (uniprotkb:O15357) physically interacts (MI:0218) with ITSN‐1S (uniprotkb:Q15811‐2) by two hybrid (MI:0018)

MINT‐6673429, MINT‐6673447, MINT‐6673475:

ITSN‐1S (uniprotkb:Q15811‐2) physically interacts (MI:0218) with SHIP2 (uniprotkb:O15357) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)

MINT‐6673513, MINT‐6673542, MINT‐6673557, MINT‐6673572:

ITSN‐1S (uniprotkb:Q15811‐2) physically interacts (MI:0218) with SHIP2 (uniprotkb:O15357) by pull down (MI:0096)

MINT‐6673462:

ITSN‐1L (uniprotkb:Q15811‐1) physically interacts (MI:0218) with SHIP2 (uniprotkb:O15357) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
The lectin‐like activity of human C1q and its implication in DNA and apoptotic cell recognition
Authors: Païdassi Helena , Tacnet-Delorme Pascale , Lunardi Thomas , Arlaud Gérard J. , Thielens Nicole M. , Frachet Philippe
Published: August 2008

C1q, the binding subunit of the C1 complex of complement, is an archetypal pattern recognition molecule known for its striking ability to recognize a wide variety of targets, ranging from pathogenic non self to altered self. DNA is one of the C1q ligands, but the precise region of C1q and the DNA motifs that support interaction have not been characterized yet. Here, we report for the first time that the peripheral globular region of the C1q molecule displays a lectin‐like activity, which contributes to DNA binding through interaction with its deoxy‐d‐ribose moiety and may participate in apoptotic cell recognition.
Dominant modifiers of the polyhomeotic extra-sex-combs phenotype induced by marked P element insertional mutagenesis in Drosophila
Authors: FAUVARQUE MARIE-ODILE , LAURENTI PATRICK , BOIVIN ANTOINE , BLOYER SÉBASTIEN , GRIFFIN-SHEA RUTH , BOURBON HENRI-MARC , DURA JEAN-MAURICE
Published: August 2008

Members of the Polycomb group (Pc-G) and trithorax group (trx-G) of genes, as well as the enhancers of trx-G and Pc-G (ETP), function together to maintain segment identity during Drosophila development. In order to obtain new marked P mutations in these genes, we screened for dominant modifiers of the extra-sex-combs phenotype displayed by males mutant for the polyhomeotic (ph) gene, a member of the Pc-G group. Five P{lacW} insertions in four different genes were found to stably suppress ph: two are allelic to trithorax, one is the first allele specific to the Minute(2)21C gene, and the remaining two define new trx-G genes, toutatis (tou) in 48A and taranis (tara) in 89B10-13. tou is predicted to encode a 3109 amino acid sequence protein (TOU), which contains a TAM DNA-binding domain, a WAKZ motif, two PHD zinc fingers and a C-terminal bromodomain, and as such is likely to be involved in regulation of chromatin structure as a subunit of a novel chromatin remodelling complex. In a previous study, we found that insertion of a P{ph} transposable element containing ph regulatory sequences creates a high frequency of mutations modifying ph homeotic phenotypes. One such insertion enhanced the ph phenotype and we show that it is a new allele of UbcD1/eff, a gene encoding a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that is involved in telomere association and potentially in chromatin remodelling.
Early Archaean continental crust in the Eastern Ghats granulite belt, India: isotopic evidence from a charnockite suite
Authors: BHATTACHARYA S. , KAR RAJIB , MISRA S. , TEIXEIRA W.
Published: August 2008

The Eastern Ghats granulite belt of India has traditionally been described as a Proterozoic
mobile belt, with probable Archaean protoliths. However, recent findings suggest that synkinematic
development of granulites took place in a compressional tectonic regime and that granulite facies
metamorphism resulted from crustal thickening. The field, petrological and geochemical studies of a
charnockite massif of tonalitic to trondhjemitic composition, and associated rocks, document granulite
facies metamorphism and dehydration partial melting of basic rocks at lower crustal depths, with
garnet granulite residues exposed as cognate xenoliths within the charnockite massif. The melting and
generation of the charnockite suite under granulite facies conditions have been dated c. 3.0 Ga by
Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr whole rock systematics and Pb–Pb zircon dating. Sm–Nd model dates between 3.4
and 3.5 Ga and negative epsilon values provide evidence of early Archaean continental crust in this
high-grade terrain.
Fire-prone plant communities and palaeoclimate of a Late Cretaceous fluvial to estuarine environment, Pecínov quarry, Czech Republic
Authors: FALCON-LANG H. J. , KVAČEK J. , ULIČNÝ D.
Published: August 2008

The botanical identity and facies distribution of fossil charcoal is described from Middle to
Late Cenomanian (90–94 Ma) fluvial to estuarine units at Pecínov quarry, near Prague, Czech
Republic. Braided alluvial facies associations contain charred conifer woods (family Pinaceae) possibly
derived from upland forest fires, and abundant charred angiosperm woods, flowers and inflorescences
(families Lauraceae and ?Platanaceae) derived from riparian gallery forest fires (Unit 2).
Retrogradational coastal salt marsh facies associations contain abundant charred conifer wood (families
Cheirolepidiaceae and Cupressaceae/Taxodiaceae) derived from fires in halophytic backswamp
forest, and rare pinaceous charred cones and lauraceous angiosperm wood washed downstream from
fires further inland (Units 3–4). Progradational coastal facies associations within an estuary mouth
setting contain abundant charred conifer wood (family Cupressaceae/Taxodiaceae), common taxodiaceous
conifer and angiosperm leaves, fern rachises, and lycopsid stems derived from fires in mesic
backswamp taxodiaceous forests and supra-tidal fern-lycopsid thickets (Unit 5). Growth rings in
angiosperm and conifer woods, leaf physiognomy and computer models indicate that climate was
equable, warm and humid, but that there was a short annual dry season; most fires probably occurred
during these annual drought periods. The abundance of charcoal and the diversity of taxa preserved in
this state indicate that nearly all plant communities were fire-prone. Physiognomically, the Pecínov
flora resembles present-day seasonally-dry subtropical forests where fires are a common occurrence.
Gender, Caring and Employment in Britain
Authors: McKIE LINDA , BOWLBY SOPHIA , GREGORY SUSAN
Published: August 2008

Employment and social policies continue to be based upon a gender template
that assumes women, especially mothers, are or should be natural
carers. Invariably, policies that seek to promote women's entry to paid
work do so by facilitating their management and conduct of caring work,
thus reinforcing the gender template. In addition, contemporary debates
around concepts of citizenship emphasise the obligation to paid employment
but fail to tackle the gendered division of caring activities and
organisation of care. Enhanced access to childcare merely recreates the
gender template by promoting low paid jobs for women as paid carers
who are predominantly providing care services for other women. The
provision of unpaid paternity leave is unlikely to challenge the strong
association between femininity, mothering and care work.

In this article we explore notions of caring, home and employment. It is
argued that ambivalence exists amongst policy makers, employers, and
society more generally, towards the gendered nature of caring and the
implications of this for women, and men who wish to care, who are in
paid employment. These are old issues and the authors consider why
change in social and public policies is so slow. The authors argue that a
consideration of gender and equality principles, currently largely absent
from welfare and employment policies, and debates on notions of citizenship,
should form the basis for the development of future strategies to support
parents and children.