bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parents and prevention: A systematic review of interventions involving parents that aim to prevent body dissatisfaction or eating disorders
Authors: Hart Laura M. , Cornell Chelsea , Damiano Stephanie R. , Paxton Susan J.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To systematically review the literature on interventions involving parents that aim to prevent body dissatisfaction or eating disorders in children, and provide directions for future research by highlighting current gaps.

Method

The literature was searched for articles using key concepts: parents, prevention and eating disorders or disordered eating or body dissatisfaction. All English language publications between 1992 and 2013 were searched across a range of academic databases. Studies were reviewed if they: (i) delivered an intervention designed to reduce eating disorders or body dissatisfaction or their risk factors, in children or adolescents; (ii) provided some intervention component for parents; and (iii) included some outcome measure of intervention effectiveness on disordered eating or body dissatisfaction. A scoring matrix based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) screening questions was used to assess each study's sample representativeness, relevance and data quality.

Results

From 647 novel records uncovered by the search, 20 separate studies met inclusion criteria. The CASP scoring matrix revealed eight studies provided no relevant data, four relevant and eight highly relevant data on the effects of involving parents in prevention programs. Two of four high‐quality studies reported that parental involvement significantly improved child outcomes on measures of body dissatisfaction or disordered eating.

Discussion

Although a greater focus on engaging and retaining parents is needed, this review demonstrates that a small number of prevention studies with parents have led to significant reductions in risk of body image and eating problems, and future research is indicated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:157–169)
Gene duplication and the environmental regulation of physiology and development
Authors: Gibbs David C. , Donohue Kathleen
Published: May 2014

When different life stages have different environmental tolerances, development needs to be regulated so that each life stage experiences environmental conditions that are suitable for it, if fitness is to be maintained. Restricting the timing of developmental transitions to occur under specific combinations of environmental conditions is therefore adaptively important. However, impeding development can itself incur demographic and fitness costs. How do organisms regulate development and physiological processes so that they occur under the broadest range of permissive conditions? Gene duplication offers one solution: Multiple genes contribute to the same downstream process, but do so under distinct combinations of environmental conditions. We present a simple model to examine how environmental sensitivities of genes and how gene duplication influence the distribution of environmental conditions under which an end process will proceed. The model shows that the duplication of genes that retain their downstream function but diverge in environmental sensitivities can allow an end process to proceed under more than one distinct combination of environmental conditions. The outcomes depend on how upstream genes regulate downstream components, which genes in the pathway have diversified in their sensitivities, and the structure of the pathway.
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seed oils extracted from dried press pomace after longterm frozen storage of berries can be used as functional food ingredients
Authors: Radočaj Olga , Vujasinović Vesna , Dimić Etelka , Basić Zorica
Published: May 2014

Prolonged storage of frozen berries had some impact on the quality of the oils compared to the fresh sample. Free fatty acid content (FFA) and peroxide values (PV) increased in blackberry oil (BO) (from 1.18 to 3.54% oleic acid) and in raspberry oil (RO) (from 2.66 to 8.84% oleic acid). PV values were higher in the RO (increased from 4.82 to 13.97 mmol/kg) than in the BO (increased from 3.73 to 11.14 mmol/kg). Both oils were very high in omega‐6 FA (%): 63.66 ± 0.49 for BO and 54.94 ± 0.18 for RO, and omega‐3 FA (%): 14.77 ± 0.42 for BO and 32.38 ± 0.38 for RO, with their ratio of 1.8 and 4.5. Both oils have shown a very high level of α, β + γ, and δ‐tocopherols. Much higher levels of campesterols and stigmasterols were found in the BO, while the content of β‐sitosterols was much higher in the RO. Total phenolic content was much higher in the BO (∼27%). Our results demonstrated that pomace, despite longterm frozen storage, is a good raw material for oil extraction, as its oil composition remains stable. Chemical characteristics suggested that oils are of high quality and a possible source of functional ingredients.

Practical applications: Pomace is a fruit processing waste, which is currently underutilized, and not used much for food production. Blackberry and raspberry seed pomaces that mostly consist of seeds are generated in large quantities. Both seed oils are of high quality and rich in essential omega fatty acids and very high content of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phenols, sterols, and carotenoids that have antioxidant properties. Due to their nutritional and antioxidant properties they are considered value‐added products that can be successfully used for functional and nutraceutical food products.

The oils have high levels of oleic, omega‐6, and omega‐3 fatty acids and bioactive compounds including tocopherols, phenols, sterols, and carotenoids. Based on the research results, prolonged storage (8 months) of frozen blackberries and raspberries in sealed plastic bags at −18°C before further processing and use of the pomace as a by‐product can be recommended to the food industry.
Direct Allylic Functionalization Through Pd‐Catalyzed C–H Activation
Authors: Liron Frédéric , Oble Julie , Lorion Mélanie M. , Poli Giovanni
Published: May 2014

After a brief introduction emphasizing the synthetic relevance of the allylic C–H activation step, evoking the first pioneering stoichiometric studies that sowed the “seeds” of this subject, and analyzing similarities and differences between a “classical” and a “direct” Pd‐catalyzed allylation process, this review outlines some selected examples of palladium‐catalyzed direct allylic functionalization. This old reaction, ignored for many years, is now living a new and exciting era.
Is the Perfluorinated Trityl Cation Worth a Revisit? A Theoretical Study on the Lewis Acidities and Stabilities of Highly Halogenated Trityl Derivatives
Authors: Couchman Shannon A. , Wilson David J. D. , Dutton Jason L.
Published: May 2014

The relative Lewis acidities of a series of known, unknown and observed but unstable halogenated derivatives of the trityl cation have been probed in a computational study. The Lewis acidity was investigated from hydride, fluoride and methide affinities. The results indicate that the perhalogenated trityl cation [C(C6F5)3]+ is a desirable synthetic target, especially in the modern age of weakly coordinating anions. Our results also indicate that the stable [C(C6Cl5)3]+ cation may be an equally interesting Lewis acid.
Electrochemical Investigation and Determination of Levodopa on Poly(Nile Blue‐A)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Kul Dilek , Brett Christopher M. A.
Published: May 2014

The electrochemical behaviour of levodopa (LD) has been investigated at multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and poly(Nile blue‐A) (PNB) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). MWCNT/PNB modified electrodes were prepared by NB potential cycling electropolymerisation in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PB), pH 6.0, followed by MWCNT deposition, and PNB/MWCNT/GCE by coating in the inverse order. The oxidation behaviour of LD was investigated in 0.1 M PB at pH values between 5.0 and 8.0. Quantitative determination of LD by differential pulse and square wave voltammetry was carried out in 0.1 M PB at pH 6.0. Analytical parameters were compared with the literature.
Novel colour‐clustered multiuser visible light communication
Authors: Bandara Kasun , Chung Yeon‐Ho
Published: May 2014

Visible light has a large spectral bandwidth spanning its wavelength between about 380 and 740 nm. These wavelengths create a band of colours. In this study, we propose a novel multiuser (MU) access scheme exploiting colour bands, which we define as colour clusters. In the proposed colour‐clustered MU visible light communication system, the users are allocated into separate colour clusters, and the intensity modulated user data are transmitted through the allocated coloured beams from the red, green and blue light emitting diodes. In order to increase user capacity, a secondary user separation is performed by assigning user specific intensity levels via on‐off‐keying modulation. At the receiver, the primary user separation is performed by a colour sensor that is capable of distinguishing the colours between red, green and blue colour bands. A secondary user separation criterion has also been proposed. The proposed MU‐visible light communication (VLC) system is complete in that it encompasses transmission and detection methods for multiple user access while ensuring a colour‐controlled flicker‐free illumination. The simulations demonstrate that the proposed MU‐VLC system provides an efficient MU VLC platform with significant performances over various transmission scenarios. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resource management in indoor hybrid Fi‐Wi network
Authors: Bien Q. , Prasad R.V. , Chandra K. , Niemieegers I. , Nguyen H.
Published: May 2014

In‐home networking is becoming a reality. New multimedia applications envisaged for indoor networks require data rate of up to several gigabits per second. In order to meet such a demand for high data rate unlicensed spectrum of 5GHz around 60GHz band is being considered for a potential choice. This pico cellular infrastructure also helps in reducing the interference; at the same time, it is a cause for high deployment cost. Radio‐over‐fiber infrastructure is an obvious choice to feed this last mile high data rate links. The combination of radio‐over‐fiber and 60GHz wireless links, which is known as hybrid Fi‐Wi, is a promising solution to offer high data rate indoor networking. Because of smaller cell size, handoffs between these small cells occur frequently in such a hybrid network. Because of smaller overlapping area between neighbouring cells, guaranteeing quality of service in this network is highly difficult compared with the traditional wireless cellular networks. Thus, resource management in such network is a challenging task. In indoor environments, techniques such as hidden Markov models can be employed to predict movements with high degree of accuracy. In this article, we propose a handoff scheme that utilises movement prediction to reserve bandwidth in only potential target cells before each handoff is initiated. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme performs better than the two other schemes from the literature in terms of the call dropping probability and the call blocking probability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensory descriptive quantitative analysis of unpasteurized and pasteurized juçara pulp (Euterpe edulis) during long‐term storage
Authors: da Silva Paula Porrelli Moreira , Casemiro Renata Cristina , Zillo Rafaela Rebessi , de Camargo Adriano Costa , Prospero Evanilda Teresinha Perissinotto , Spoto Marta Helena Fillet
Published: May 2014

This study evaluated the effect of pasteurization followed by storage under different conditions on the sensory attributes of frozen juçara pulp using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). Pasteurization of packed frozen pulp was performed by its immersion in stainless steel tank containing water (80°C) for 5 min, followed by storage under refrigerated and frozen conditions. A trained sensory panel evaluated the samples (6°C) on day 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90. Sensory attributes were separated as follows: appearance (foamy, heterogeneous, purple, brown, oily, and creamy), aroma (sweet and fermented), taste (astringent, bitter, and sweet), and texture (oily and consistent), and compared to a reference material. In general, unpasteurized frozen pulp showed the highest score for foamy appearance, and pasteurized samples showed highest scores to creamy appearance. Pasteurized samples remained stable regarding brown color development while unpasteurized counterparts presented increase. Color is an important attribute related to the product identity. All attributes related to taste and texture remained constant during storage for all samples. Pasteurization followed by storage under frozen conditions has shown to be the best conservation method as samples submitted to such process received the best sensory evaluation, described as foamy, slightly heterogeneous, slightly bitter, and slightly astringent.
Human drug-induced liver injury severity is highly associated with dual inhibition of liver mitochondrial function and bile salt export pump
Authors: Aleo Michael D. , Luo Yi , Swiss Rachel , Bonin Paul D. , Potter David M. , Will Yvonne
Published: May 2014

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accounts for 20-40% of all instances of clinical hepatic failure and is a common reason for withdrawal of an approved drug or discontinuation of a potentially new drug from clinical/nonclinical development. Numerous individual risk factors contribute to the susceptibility to human DILI and its severity that are either compound- and/or patient-specific. Compound-specific primary mechanisms linked to DILI include: cytotoxicity, reactive metabolite formation, inhibition of bile salt export pump (BSEP), and mitochondrial dysfunction. Since BSEP is an energy-dependent protein responsible for the efflux of bile acids from hepatocytes, it was hypothesized that humans exposed to drugs that impair both mitochondrial energetics and BSEP functional activity are more sensitive to more severe manifestations of DILI than drugs that only have a single liability factor. As annotated in the United States National Center for Toxicological Research Liver Toxicity Knowledge Base (NCTR-LTKB), the inhibitory properties of 24 Most-DILI-, 28 Less-DILI-, and 20 No-DILI-concern drugs were investigated. Drug potency for inhibiting BSEP or mitochondrial activity was generally correlated across human DILI concern categories. However, drugs with dual potency as mitochondrial and BSEP inhibitors were highly associated with more severe human DILI, more restrictive product safety labeling related to liver injury, and appear more sensitive to the drug exposure (Cmax) where more restrictive labeling occurs. Conclusion: These data affirm that severe manifestations of human DILI are multifactorial, highly associated with combinations of drug potency specifically related to known mechanisms of DILI (like mitochondrial and BSEP inhibition), and, along with patient-specific factors, lead to differences in the severity and exposure thresholds associated with clinical DILI. (Hepatology 2014;60:1015–1022)
Growing season water balance of wetland reclamation test cells, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Authors: Faubert Jean‐Pascal R. , Carey Sean K.
Published: May 2014

In the oil sands mining region near Fort McMurray, Alberta, strategies to construct wetlands and peatlands and methods to evaluate their success are just beginning. Reclamation of wetlands is particularly challenging in this region as growing seasons are short, precipitation is variable and often limiting, and the presence of elevated salinity associated with the mining process can be harmful to vegetation. As part of their reclamation programme, Syncrude Canada Ltd constructed a series of test plots (termed cells) to examine specific procedures and management strategies associated with wetland reclamation. In this study, water balance of 12 cells (each ~400 m2 in area) with different soil and vegetation treatments were studied over two growing seasons to understand the influence of soil salvage, vegetation, and placement strategy on water balance components. Cells were constructed in (i) the summer or winter, (ii) with either stockpiled material planted with vegetation or with soils directly transplanted from a nearby wetland and (iii) with soil depths of 15, 50 and 100 cm. Cells were built on a liner to eliminate leakage and were watered using an irrigation system along with receiving precipitation inputs. In 2010, cells were irrigated between ~100 and 400 mm, and water tables were maintained at or near the surface for the duration of the growing season at most cells. In 2011, watering was reduced considerably, and water tables were on average much lower. Evapotranspiration (ET) losses measured using lysimetres varied throughout the season and among cells. ET rates were greater in 2010 than in 2011 because of wet conditions at the surface, and cells placed in the winter and with shallower organic soils (15 cm) also had enhanced ET. Cumulative water balance suggests that some cells had considerable leakage despite being constructed atop a geotextile. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian network model for assessing natural estrogen fate and transport in a swine waste lagoon
Authors: Lee Boknam , Kullman Seth W , Yost Erin , Meyer Michael T , Worley-Davis Lynn , Williams C Michael , Reckhow Kenneth H
Published: May 2014

Commercial swine waste lagoons are regarded as a major reservoir of natural estrogens, which have the potential to produce adverse physiological effects on exposed aquatic organisms and wildlife. However, there remains limited understanding of the complex mechanisms of physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern the fate and transport of natural estrogens within an anaerobic swine lagoon. To improve lagoon management and ultimately help control the offsite transport of these compounds from swine operations, a probabilistic Bayesian network model was developed to assess natural estrogen fate and budget and then compared against data collected from a commercial swine field site. In general, the model was able to describe the estrogen fate and budget in both the slurry and sludge stores within the swine lagoon. Sensitivity analysis within the model demonstrated that the estrogen input loading from the associated barn facility was the most important factor in controlling estrogen concentrations within the lagoon slurry storage, whereas the settling rate was the most significant factor in the lagoon sludge storage. The degradation reactions were shown to be minor in both stores based on prediction of average total estrogen concentrations. Management scenario evaluations demonstrated that the best possible management options to reduce estrogen levels in the lagoon are either to adjust the estrogen input loading from swine barn facilities or to effectively enhance estrogen bonding with suspended solids through the use of organic polymers or inorganic coagulants. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:511–521. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

A Probabilistic Bayesian network model was developed to assess natural estrogen fate and budget from a commercial swine field site, a major reservoir of natural estrogens that could potentially produce adverse effects on nearby wildlife. The model was able to describe the estrogen fate and budget in both the slurry and sludge stores within the swine lagoon. Management scenario evaluations demonstrated that the best possible management options to reduce estrogen levels in the lagoon are either to adjust the estrogen input loading from swine barn facilities, or to effectively enhance estrogen bonding with suspended solids through the use of organic polymers or inorganic coagulants.
Supramolecular Nanofibers Self‐Assembled from Foldamers: Structure Control through Preassembly
Authors: On (Ustinov) Alona Bar , Tidhar Yaron , Pinkas Iddo , Weissman Haim , Rybtchinski Boris
Published: May 2014

We used a helical polymer backbone (polyacrylamide) as a scaffold to organize perylene diimide chromophores into well‐defined foldamers, which further undergo self‐assembly into supramolecular tube‐like arrays in aqueous media, as revealed by cryo‐TEM imaging. The arrays are supramolecular polymers, whose structure is templated by folded primary building blocks, representing a useful tool for directing self‐assembly . Exciton migration in the supramolecular arrays was studied by transient absorption and revealed a moderate exciton diffusion propensity.
Impact of Functionalized Polystyrenes as the Electron Injection Layer on Gold and Aluminum Surfaces: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study
Authors: Papadopoulos Theodoros A. , Li Hong , Kim Eung‐Gun , Liu Jie , Cella James A. , Heller Christian M. , Shu Andrew , Kahn Antoine , Duggal Anil , Brédas Jean‐Luc
Published: May 2014

At metal/organic interfaces, the insertion of an organic monolayer can significantly modify the surface properties of the substrate, especially in terms of charge injection across the interface. Herein, we study the formation of an insulating monolayer of morpholine or amine‐functionalized polystyrene on Al(111) and Au(111) surfaces and its impact on surface work‐function and charge injection. First‐principles calculations based on Density Functional Theory have been carried out and point to a significant decrease in the work‐function of modified metal surfaces; this is in very good agreement with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy measurements performed on the Au(111) surface. In addition, a bilayer cathode, consisting of a thin film of high‐work‐function metal, such as Al and Au, and a layer of amine‐functionalized polystyrene, was also fabricated and tested in organic light‐emitting diodes. Such bilayer structures exhibit substantially enhanced efficiency when compared with controls without the functionalized polymers. Our combined theoretical and experimental investigation gives insight into how a thin layer of a commodity polymer can be used to transform rather high‐work‐function metals into high‐performance cathodes to provide efficient electron injection.
Fluorescent Dye Incorporated Magnetic/Silica and Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles Based Myoglobin Detection from Whole Blood Samples
Authors: Viswanathan Kaliyaperumal , Lee Y. C. , Chen Zhuang Ming
Published: May 2014

The anti myoglobin conjugated iron oxide/ru(bpy)32+/silica, anti myoglobin conjugated rhodamine 6G/silica particles were prepared, and used for myoglobin detections. The anti myoglobin conjugated iron oxide/ru(bpy)32+/silica particles were mixed with myoglobin in the micro centrifuge tube. After 10 min, the magnetic separators were introduced to catch the myoglobin‐captured anti myoglobin/iron oxide/ru(bpy)32+/silica particles from the homogenous solutions. For sandwich assays, the anti myoglobin conjugated rhodamine 6G/silica particles were incubated. The concentration of myoglobin was quantified based on anti myoglobin conjugated rhodamine 6G/silica particles. The calibration curve of the myoglobin showed the linear range to be between 1 × 10−12 and 1 × 10−10 (M) (R2 = 0.9944). The minimum detectable concentration was 17.6 pg/mL. The fluorescence method offered the best way to determine myoglobin with a total analysis time of less than 30 min.
Construction and Validation of New Electrochemical Carbon Nanotubes Sensors for Determination of Acebutolol Hydrochloride in Pharmaceuticals and Biological Fluids
Authors: Alarfaj Nawal A. , El‐Tohamy Maha F.
Published: May 2014

A simple, rapid and a highly selective method for direct electrochemical determination of acebutolol hydrochloride (AC) was developed. The developed method was based on the construction of three types of sensors conventional polymer (I), carbon paste (II) and modified carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) carbon paste (III). The fabricated sensors depend mainly on the incorporation of acebutolol hydrochloride with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) forming ion exchange acebutolol‐phosphotungstate (AC‐PT). The performance characteristics of the proposed sensors were studied. The sensors exhibited Nernstian responses (55.6 ± 0.5, 57.14 ± 0.2 and 58.6 ± 0.4 mV mol L−1) at 25 °C over drug concentration ranges (1.0 × 10−6‐1.0 × 10−2, 1.0 × 10−7‐1.0 × 10−2 and 5.0 × 10−8‐1.0 × 10−2 mol L−1 with lower detection limits of (5.0 × 10−7, 5.0 × 10−8 and 2.5 × 10−8 mol L−1 for sensors (I), (II) and (III), respectively. The influence of common and possible interfering species, pharmaceutical additives and some related pharmacological action drugs was investigated using separate solution method and no interference was found. The stability indicating using forced degradation of acebutolol hydrochloride was studied. The standard addition method was used for determination of the investigated drug in its pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological fluids. The results were validated and statistically analysed and compared with those from previously reported methods.
Electrochemical Studies of Anticancer Herbal Drug Sophoridine and Its Interaction with DNA
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhao Dongwang , Zhao Aijuan , Zou Keke , Li Tiesheng , Wu Ynagjie
Published: May 2014

Sophoridine is a new anticancer herbal drug with remarkable antitumor effect and lower toxicity. In this paper, the electrochemical investigation of sophoridine and its interaction with DNA is reported. In 0.1 mol L−1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0), sophoridine exhibited excellent electrochemical activity. In the presence of DNA, the peak current of sophoridine decreased in a quantitative fashion and the peak potential shifted to a more positive potential value. It suggests the dominance of intercalative interaction. Importantly, as to the interaction between sophoridine and DNA in solution, characteristic parameters such as the binding stoichiometry and association equilibrium constant according to the Hill model for cooperative binding have been determined.
Can Procalcitonin in Cerebrospinal Fluid be a Diagnostic Tool for Meningitis?
Authors: Konstantinidis Theocharis , Cassimos Dimitrios , Gioka Theodora , Tsigalou Christina , Parasidis Theodoros , Alexandropoulou Ioanna , Nikolaidis Christos , Kampouromiti Georgia , Constantinidis Theodoros , Chatzimichael Athanasios , Panopoulou Maria
Published: May 2014

Background

To study the levels of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with meningitis and control group and compare them with established markers of infection—such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), high‐sensitivity CRP, and WBC—in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and assess the possible discriminative role of PCT in the differential diagnosis of meningitis from other noninfectious diseases.

Methods

We studied CSF samples of patients from Intensive Care Unit, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Hematology, and Pediatric departments. The total number of patients included in the study was 58. The samples were divided into three groups: group 1 with bacterial meningitis (BM) central nervous system (n = 19); group 2 with viral meningitis (VM, n = 11); and group 3, control group, with noninfectious diseases (n = 28).

Results

Values of PCT levels >0.5 ng/ml were considered as abnormal. In group 1, mean PCT levels were 4.714 ± 1.59 ng/ml. In group 2, all patients had PCT <0.5 ng/ml (0.1327 ± 0.03 ng/ml). In group 3, the mean PCT levels were <0.1 ng/ml.

Conclusion

PCT values in CSF can be very helpful in distinguishing BM from VM and other noninfectious diseases.
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell ABCA1 Transcripts and Protein Expression in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Shalia Kavita , Saranath Dhananjaya , Shah Vinod K.
Published: May 2014

Background

ATP binding cassette transporter‐A1 (ABCA1) facilitates the formation of high density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL due to its anti‐atherosclerotic, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐thrombotic activities provides protection against atherothrombosis or myocardial infarction (MI). The aim was to investigate the role of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) ABCA1 expression in MI.

Methods

The participants comprised 29 males with acute MI (AMI) and 20 healthy controls. AMI patients were normotensive, not on statins, with triglycerides < 200mg/dl and categorized into AMI with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (N = 12) and without T2DM (N = 17). The PBMNC ABCA1 mRNA transcripts were analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) and protein by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

PBMNC ABCA1 mRNA transcript and protein levels were not significantly different in AMI patients or when sub‐grouped into with/without T2DM, as compared to controls. ABCA1 protein correlated positively with HDL‐cholesterol (r = 0.655, p = 0.021) in AMI patients with T2DM and negatively with age (r = – 0.525, p = 0.031) in AMI patients without T2DM and it was more strongly associated in latter group with smoking and alcohol habit.

Conclusion

In the present study, the effects of metabolites of diabetes and ischemia were observed on PBMNC ABCA1 protein and thus on HDL‐C in AMI patients. Further influence of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption observed in the present study can be evaluated in larger sample size. The control of these cardiovascular associated risk factors may increase stability of PBMNC ABCA1 protein and thus HDL‐C levels.
Clinical Application of the DiversiLab Microbial Typing System Using Repetitive Sequence‐Based PCR for Characterization of Helicobacter pylori in Japan
Authors: Morimoto Norihito , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Nishida Yoshie , Morisawa Mie , Yoshikawa Tomoe , Morita Tamae , Morimoto Miyuki , Sugimoto Chizuko , Matsumura Yoshihisa , Sugiura Tetsuro
Published: May 2014

We evaluated the DiversiLab (DL) system with universal primers, a semiautomated repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (rep‐PCR) system, for the characterization of Helicobacter pylori in Japan. All 135 isolates from Japanese patients with gastric cancer (GC, n = 55) or non‐GC (n = 80) were used and subjected to the drug susceptibility examinations (amoxicillin, AMPC; metronidazole, MNZ; and clarithromycin, CAM) by E‐test. There were 28 MNZ‐resistant (20.7%), 35 CAM‐resistant (25.9%), and 16 MNZ/CAM‐resistant (11.9%) isolates. DL rep‐PCR fingerprinting analysis at the level of 95% similarity revealed five major groups (A–E) and the other including 45 isolates. The occupation rates of GC‐derived isolates in groups B (54.2%) and E (58.8%) were higher than in the other groups: A (26.7%), C (28.6%), D (30.0%), and the other (40.0%). Relative higher occupation rates of drug resistants, such as MNZ‐, CAM‐ and double MNZ/CAM‐resistant isolates, were observed in groups B (45.8%), C (42.6%), and D (40%). Five of eight GC‐derived isolates with MNZ/CAM resistance were significantly assigned to group B (P = 0.0312, χ2‐test). These results suggest that the isolates classified in group B have a potential to contribute to the development of severe gastric disorders. The DL system, rapid and high sensitive technology, would be widely available in clinical laboratory for pathological and epidemiological analyses even in H. pylori.
Site‐ and Regioselectivity of the Reaction of Hydrazonoyl Chlorides with Perimidine Ketene Aminal. Antimicrobial Evaluation of the Products
Authors: Farghaly Thoraya A. , Mahmoud Huda K.
Published: May 2014

Reaction of hydrazonoyl chlorides with perimidine ketene aminal derivative in dioxane in the presence of triethylamine afforded either pyrrolo[1,2‐a]perimidines or pyrazolyl perimidines depending on the type of hydrazonoyl chloride used. The reaction was found to be site‐ and regioselective according to the suggested mechanism. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was established on the basis of spectral data and elemental analyses. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the newly synthesized compounds was evaluated, and the results showed moderate activity of all compounds against the bacterial species.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Novel (1H‐Benzo[d]imidazole‐2‐yl)‐6‐(diethylamino)‐3H‐one‐xanthene, Phenoxazine, and Oxazine
Authors: Patil Vikas S. , Padalkar Vikas S. , Phatangare Kiran R. , Umape Prashant G. , Borase Bhushan N. , Sekar N.
Published: May 2014

A series of novel (1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐2‐yl)‐6‐(diethylamino)‐3H‐one‐xanthene, phenoxazine, and oxazine derivatives have been synthesized from 2‐(2′,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl) benzimidazole intermediate. Synthesized compounds 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are fluorescent in solution, photophysical properties of compounds were studied and results revealed that compounds absorb and emit in UV–visible region with good fluorescence quantum yield. Synthesized compounds are thermally stable up to 300°C. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were studied by the well‐diffusion method. Escherichia coli (ATTC‐25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC‐25923), Micrococcus (ATCC‐4698), and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC‐55422) were used to investigate the antibacterial activities.
Digital subtraction MR angiography roadmapping for magnetic steerable catheter tracking
Authors: Martin Alastair J. , Lillaney Prasheel , Saeed Maythem , Losey Aaron D. , Settecase Fabio , Evans Lee , Arenson Ronald L. , Wilson Mark W. , Hetts Steven W.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

To develop a high temporal resolution MR imaging technique that could be used with magnetically assisted remote control (MARC) endovascular catheters.

Materials and Methods

A technique is proposed based on selective intra‐arterial injections of dilute MR contrast at the beginning of a fluoroscopic MR angiography acquisition. The initial bolus of contrast is used to establish a vascular roadmap upon which MARC catheters can be tracked. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of the achieved roadmap was assessed in phantoms and in a swine animal model. The ability of the technique to permit navigation of activated MARC catheters through arterial branch points was evaluated.

Results

The roadmapping mode proved effective in phantoms for tracking objects and achieved a CNR of 35.7 between the intra‐ and extra‐vascular space. In vivo, the intra‐arterial enhancement strategy produced roadmaps with a CNR of 42.0. The artifact produced by MARC catheter activation provided signal enhancement patterns on the roadmap that experienced interventionalists could track through vascular structures.

Conclusion

A roadmapping approach with intra‐arterial contrast‐enhanced MR angiography is introduced for navigating the MARC catheter. The technique mitigates the artifact produced by the MARC catheter, greatly limits the required specific absorption rate, permits regular roadmap updates due to the low contrast agent requirements, and proved effective in the in vivo setting. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1157–1162. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging of brain tumors with paramagnetic vesicles targeted to phosphatidylserine
Authors: Winter Patrick M. , Pearce John , Chu Zhengtao , McPherson Christopher M. , Takigiku Ray , Lee Jing‐Huei , Qi Xiaoyang
Published: May 2014

Purpose

To investigate paramagnetic saposin C and dioleylphosphatidylserine (SapC‐DOPS) vesicles as a targeted contrast agent for imaging phosphatidylserine (PS) expressed by glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors.

Materials and Methods

Gd‐DTPA‐BSA/SapC‐DOPS vesicles were formulated, and the vesicle diameter and relaxivity were measured. Targeting of Gd‐DTPA‐BSA/SapC‐DOPS vesicles to tumor cells in vitro and in vivo was compared with nontargeted paramagnetic vesicles (lacking SapC). Mice with GBM brain tumors were imaged at 3, 10, 20, and 24 h postinjection to measure the relaxation rate (R1) in the tumor and the normal brain.

Results

The mean diameter of vesicles was 175 nm, and the relaxivity at 7 Tesla was 3.32 (s*mM)−1 relative to the gadolinium concentration. Gd‐DTPA‐BSA/SapC‐DOPS vesicles targeted cultured cancer cells, leading to an increased R1 and gadolinium level in the cells. In vivo, Gd‐DTPA‐BSA/SapC‐DOPS vesicles produced a 9% increase in the R1 of GBM brain tumors in mice 10 h postinjection, but only minimal changes (1.2% increase) in the normal brain. Nontargeted paramagnetic vesicles yielded minimal change in the tumor R1 at 10 h postinjection (1.3%).

Conclusion

These experiments demonstrate that Gd‐DTPA‐BSA/SapC‐DOPS vesicles can selectively target implanted brain tumors in vivo, providing noninvasive mapping of the cancer biomarker PS. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1079–1087. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of xylene in aqueous media using needle‐trap microextraction with a carbon nanotube sorbent
Authors: Zeverdegani Sara Karimi , Bahrami Abdulrahman , Rismanchian Masoud , Shahna Farshid Ghorbani
Published: May 2014

This paper describes a new extraction technique with needles and a sorbent based on carbon nanotubes to analyze trace amounts of three isomers of xylenes in aqueous samples. In this research, results have been compared with one commercial sorbent. The synthesized sorbent was prepared using sol–gel technology and was packed into 20 gauge needles, and the same size needle was used for packing the commercial sorbent. In the extraction process, a purge and trap sampling methodology is developed, so purging and trapping cycles were performed by a sampling pump. Optimized conditions for standard xylene samples have been obtained, and eight urine samples from workers that were exposed to xylene in the workplace were collected and analyzed. Experimental parameters such as limits of detection and quantification were investigated, and these two parameters were <1 μg/L.
Sexual Violence Therapy Group in a Women's Correctional Facility: A Preliminary Evaluation
Authors: Karlsson Marie E. , Bridges Ana J. , Bell Jessica , Petretic Patricia
Published: May 2014

This pilot study was an evaluation of an 8‐week exposure‐based therapy group targeting sexual trauma in incarcerated women, an underserved population with high rates of trauma exposure. Preliminary findings from 14 female prisoners showed significant decreases in depressive and anxiety symptoms from pre‐ to posttreatment. Of the women who were above the screening cutoff for possible posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n = 13), depression (n = 12), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; n = 12) at pretreatment, approximately 60% had recovered, meaning they had symptom reductions that placed them below the cutoff at posttreatment (n = 8 for PTSD; n = 8 for depression, and n = 9 for GAD). In addition, 85% of participants reported a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms and 50% in GAD symptoms. The findings show promise for successful group treatment of sexual violence sequelae in incarcerated women.
Efficacy and safety of hexaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy in patients with low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Hillemanns Peter , Petry Karl‐Ulrich , Soergel Philipp , Collinet Pierre , Ardaens Katty , Gallwas Julia , Luyten Alexander , Dannecker Christian
Published: May 2014

Objective

Non‐surgical therapies are needed to reduce the rate of progression of low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1) to high grade CIN (CIN 2/3). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of hexaminolevulinate (HAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of patients with CIN 1.

Study Design

This phase IIa prospective double‐blind study randomized patients with CIN 1 into three groups: HAL vaginal suppository, placebo vaginal suppository or follow‐up only. Patients in the first two groups received HAL or placebo suppositories 5 hours before illumination with 50 J/cm2 red coherent light (633 nm) using a special light catheter. All patients had a follow up including colposcopy, cytology and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing 3 and 6 months and additional biopsy 6 months after PDT. The main outcome measure was efficacy, defined as complete histologic remission 6 months after PDT. Secondary outcomes were histologic remission 3 months and HPV eradication 6 months after first PDT.

Results

Seventy patients were randomized: 47 to HAL, 12 to placebo, 11 to follow up only. After 6 months CIN lesions had cleared in 57% of patients in the HAL‐PDT group compared to 25% in the combined control group (per protocol population, P = 0.04). Twenty‐six patients (37%) reported 44 adverse events (AEs), of which 40 were mild or moderate. Nineteen treatment‐related AEs were reported by 15 patients (32%) in the HAL PDT group, one in the placebo PDT group (8%), and none in the follow‐up group. The most common adverse events were local discomfort including mild pain/cramping (11) and leucorrhoea (2).

Conclusion

HAL PDT shows a favorable efficacy and safety profile and represents a promising alternative to observation and surgical procedures in patients with CIN 1. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:456–461, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reduction of void content of vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molded composites by infusion pressure control
Authors: Chen Dingding , Arakawa Kazuo , Xu Changheng
Published: May 2014

Vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding is a promising technique for making large and complex composite structures. However, void formation remains a problem. Two primary contributors to void formation, non‐uniform resin flow and continuous evaporation of resin under low pressure, were experimentally studied. Improved pressure control at the vent is proposed to reduce the void content of the manufactured composite material: at the start of the resin infusion, the pressure at the vent is set to the full vacuum of the equipment, while after the resin has saturated all of the reinforcements, the pressure at the vent is increased slightly. The full vacuum at the start of infusion avoids air entrapment, and the slightly higher pressure later in the process restrains the resin evaporation. A lower void content is obtained. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1629–1637, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
INFORMANT EFFECTS ON BEHAVIORAL AND ACADEMIC ASSOCIATIONS: A LATENT VARIABLE LONGITUDINAL EXAMINATION
Authors: Konold Timothy R. , Shukla Kathan D.
Published: May 2014

Discrepancies among informants’ ratings of a given child's behavior complicate the study of linkages between child behavior and academic achievement. In the current study, we examined the potential moderating effect of informant type on associations between behavior and two types of achievement in a longitudinal growth model that captured children's development from 54 months of age through fifth grade. Latent internalizing and externalizing behavioral constructs, as separately measured by mothers and teachers, were modeled as time‐varying predictors of achievements to capture changes that occur as children progress through different developmental stages. Behavioral ratings obtained by both informants explained largely equivalent levels of reading achievement variance, and teachers’ ratings of child behavior explained more variance in analytic type achievements than did those of mothers.
Mythos Stradivari
Authors: Mathelitsch Leopold , Verovnik Ivo
Published: May 2014

Geigen bestehen im Wesentlichen aus einem Körper und einem Hals mit Griffbrett. Die Schwingungen ihrer vier Saiten werden von einem Steg auf den Körper übertragen. Dessen Eigenresonanzen sind auf die Saitenschwingungen abgestimmt, um sie akustisch effektiv zu verstärken. Analysen zeigen, dass der mythenumrankte Klang der alten Cremoneser Instrumente schlicht auf guter Handwerkskunst basiert. Heute kann man vergleichbar gute Instrumente bauen.
Zentrifugalkraft bremst Moleküle
Authors: Gantner Thomas , Chervenkov Sotir
Published: May 2014

Die Zentrifugal‐ oder Fliehkraft wird normalerweise mit Beschleunigung in Verbindung gebracht. Unsere Gruppe am Max‐Planck‐Institut für Quantenoptik hat kürzlich gezeigt, dass bei richtiger Dosierung dieselbe Kraft auch zum Abbremsen von Molekülen verwendet werden kann.
Grünalgen wackeln sich in den Takt
Authors: Friedrich Benjamin , Geyer Veikko
Published: May 2014

Der Erfinder des Mikroskops, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, staunte schon im 17. Jahrhundert über die Vielfalt von Lebensformen, die in einem Wassertropfen wimmeln. Viele dieser Mikroschwimmer nutzen zur Fortbewegung schlagende Geißeln. Die Grünalge Chlamydomonas schwimmt beispielsweise wie ein Brustschwimmer mit zwei Geißelarmen, die genau im Takt schlagen müssen. Unser aus Physikern und Biologen bestehendes Team konnte zeigen, wie dies den Zellen gelingt: Geraten die Geißeln einmal außer Takt, dann wackelt die Zelle und synchronisiert die beiden Geißeln wieder durch mechanische Kräfte – ohne Sensoren oder chemische Signale.
Höllenlärm am Autofenster
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim
Published: May 2014

Ein geöffnetes Fenster kann ein fahrendes Auto zu einem Helmholtz‐Resonator mit unangenehmen Tönen machen. Mit einer einfachen Rechnung lässt sich die Frequenz des Tones abschätzen.
Higgs mass in noncommutative geometry
Authors: Devastato A. , Lizzi F. , Martinetti P.
Published: May 2014

In the noncommutative geometry approach to the standard model, an extra scalar field σ – initially suggested by particle physicist to stabilize the electroweak vacuum – makes the computation of the Higgs mass compatible with the 126 GeV experimental value. We give a brief account on how to generate this field from the Majorana mass of the neutrino, following the principles of noncommutative geometry.
Linear dependence of the Hall coefficient of 1% Na doped PbTe with varying magnetic field
Authors: Brown David R. , Pei Yanzhong , Wang Heng , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: May 2014

Heavily p‐doped PbTe is known to be a highly efficient thermoelectric material and theories explaining this have connected it to positive curvature in the Seebeck coefficient between 300 and 500 K and a peak in the Hall coefficient at 500 K due to band convergence. Recent work by Jaworski et al. has suggested that a pocket of high mobility electrons between the L and Sigma point in the Brillouin zone are responsible for these effects, inferred from an observed inversion of the Hall resistivity under small magnetic fields (<0.5 T). Here the Hall resistivity of 1% Na doped PbTe is measured in magnetic fields ranging from 0.1 to 2 T at 293 and 626 K and found to be linear without any inversion of Hall resistivity.
Systemic Anticancer Neural Stem Cells in Combination with a Cardiac Glycoside for Glioblastoma Therapy
Authors: Teng Jian , Hejazi Seyedali , Badr Christian E. , Tannous Bakhos A.
Published: May 2014

The tumor-tropic properties of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been shown to serve as a novel strategy to deliver therapeutic genes to tumors. Recently, we have reported that the cardiac glycoside lanatoside C (Lan C) sensitizes glioma cells to the anticancer agent tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Here, we engineered an FDA-approved human NSC line to synthesize and secrete TRAIL and the Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) blood reporter. We showed that upon systemic injection, these cells selectively migrate toward tumors in the mice brain across the blood-brain barrier, target invasive glioma stem-like cells, and induce tumor regression when combined with Lan C. Gluc blood assay revealed that 30% of NSCs survived 1 day postsystemic injection and around 0.5% of these cells remained viable after 5 weeks in glioma-bearing mice. This study demonstrates the potential of systemic injection of NSCs to deliver anticancer agents, such as TRAIL, which yields glioma regression when combined with Lan C. Stem Cells  2014;32:2021–2032