bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscope-assisted microsurgical resection of an intraneural ganglion cyst of the hypoglossal nerve
Authors: Baldauf Jörg , Junghans Dirk , Schroeder Henry W. S.
Published: May 2009

✓ An unusual case of an intraneural ganglion cyst of the hypoglossal nerve is presented. Only one case of this rare clinical entity has been reported previously. A 51-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of left-sided hypoglossal nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion related to the hypoglossal canal. There was no enhancement of the lesion after administration of Gd. A high-resolution computerized tomography scan of the skull base demonstrated an enlargement of the hypoglossal canal.

To access the lesion, a far-lateral endoscope-assisted microsurgical approach was used. An intraneural ganglion lesion invading the hypoglossal nerve was found and resected. A histopathological examination confirmed that the lesion was an intraneural ganglion cyst. The occurrence of an intraneural ganglion cyst at the hypoglossal nerve is very rare. This case exemplifies an atypical location of a synovial cyst with cranial nerve involvement.
Reflux-free cannula for convection-enhanced high-speed delivery of therapeutic agents
Authors: Krauze Michal T. , Saito Ryuta , Noble Charles , Tamas Matyas , Bringas John , Park John W. , Berger Mitchel S. , Bankiewicz Krystof
Published: May 2009

Object. Clinical application of the convection-enhanced delivery (CED) technique is currently limited by low infusion speed and reflux of the delivered agent. The authors developed and evaluated a new step-design cannula to overcome present limitations and to introduce a rapid, reflux-free CED method for future clinical trials.

Methods. The CED of 0.4% trypan blue dye was performed in agarose gel to test cannula needles for distribution and reflux. Infusion rates ranging from 0.5 to 50 µl/minute were used. Agarose gel findings were translated into a study in rats and then in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) by using trypan blue and liposomes to confirm the efficacy of the reflux-free step-design cannula in vivo.

Results of agarose gel studies showed reflux-free infusion with high flow rates using the step-design cannula. Data from the study in rats confirmed the agarose gel findings and also revealed increasing tissue damage at a flow rate above 5-µl/minute. Robust reflux-free delivery and distribution of liposomes was achieved using the step-design cannula in brains in both rats and nonhuman primates.

Conclusions. The authors developed a new step-design cannula for CED that effectively prevents reflux in vivo and maximizes the distribution of agents delivered in the brain. Data in the present study show reflux-free infusion with a constant volume of distribution in the rat brain over a broad range of flow rates. Reflux-free delivery of liposomes into nonhuman primate brain was also established using the cannula. This step-design cannula may allow reflux-free distribution and shorten the duration of infusion in future clinical applications of CED in humans.
Deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease: a metaanalysis of patient outcomes
Authors: Weaver Frances , Follett Kenneth , Hur Kwan , Ippolito Dolores , Stern Matthew
Published: May 2009

Object. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat advanced Parkinson disease (PD) has been focused on one of two anatomical targets: the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPI). Authors of more than 65 articles have reported on bilateral DBS outcomes. With one exception, these studies involved pre- and postintervention comparisons of a single target. Despite the paucity of data directly comparing STN and GPI DBS, many clinicians already consider the STN to be the preferred target site. In this study the authors conducted a metaanalysis of the existing literature on patient outcomes following DBS of the STN and the GPI.

Methods. This metaanalysis includes 31 STN and 14 GPI studies. Motor function improved significantly following stimulation (54% in patients whose STN was targeted and 40% in those whose GPI was stimulated), with effect sizes (ESs) of 2.59 and 2.04, respectively. After controlling for participant and study characteristics, patients who had undergone either STN or GPI DBS experienced comparable improved motor function following surgery (p = 0.094). The performance of activities of daily living improved significantly in patients with either target (40%). Medication requirements were significantly reduced following stimulation of the STN (ES = 1.51) but did not change when the GPI was stimulated (ES = −0.02).

Conclusions. In this analysis the authors highlight the need for uniform, detailed reporting of comprehensive motor and nonmotor DBS outcomes at multiple time points and for a randomized trial of bilateral STN and GPI DBS.
Resection of parietal lobe gliomas: incidence and evolution of neurological deficits in 28 consecutive patients correlated to the location and morphological characteristics of the tumor
Authors: Russell Stephen M. , Elliott Robert , Forshaw David , Kelly Patrick J. , Golfinos John G.
Published: May 2009

Object. The goal of this study is to report the incidence and clinical evolution of neurological deficits in patients who underwent resection of gliomas confined to the parietal lobe.

Methods. Patient demographics, findings of serial neurological examinations, tumor location and neuroimaging characteristics, extent of resection, and surgical outcomes were tabulated by reviewing inpatient and office records, as well as all pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 28 consecutive patients who underwent resection of a glial neoplasm found on imaging studies to be confined to the parietal lobe. Neurological deficits were correlated with hemispheric dominance, location of the lesion within the superior or inferior parietal lobules, subcortical extension, and involvement of the postcentral gyrus.

The tumors were located in the dominant hemisphere in 18 patients (64%); had a mean diameter of 39 mm (range 14–69 mm); were isolated to the superior parietal lobule in six patients (21%) and to the inferior parietal lobule in eight patients (29%); and involved both lobules in 14 patients (50%). Gross-total resection, documented by MR imaging, was achieved in 24 patients (86%). Postoperatively, nine patients (32%) experienced new neurological deficits, whereas seven (25%) had an improvement in their preoperative deficit. A correlation was noted between larger tumors and the presence of neurological deficits both before and after resection. Postoperatively higher-level (association) parietal deficits were noted only in patients with tumors involving both the superior and inferior parietal lobules in the dominant hemisphere. At the 3-month follow-up examination, five of nine new postoperative deficits had resolved.

Conclusions. Neurological deterioration and improvement occur after resection of parietal lobe gliomas. Parietal lobe association deficits, specifically the components of Gerstmann syndrome, are mostly associated with large tumors that involve both the superior and inferior parietal lobules of the dominant hemisphere. New hemineglect or sensory extinction was not noted in any patient following resection of lesions located in the nondominant hemisphere. Nevertheless, primary parietal lobe deficits (for example, a visual field loss or cortical sensory syndrome) occurred in patients regardless of hemispheric dominance.
Aneurysms of the posterior circulation: detection and treatment planning using volume-rendered three-dimensional helical computerized tomography angiography
Authors: Villablanca J. Pablo , Achiriolaie Adina , Hooshi Parizad , Martin Neil , Duckwiler Gary , Jahan Reza , Frazee John , Gobin Pierre , Sayre James , Viñuela Fernando
Published: May 2009

Object. The aim of this study was to determine whether computerized tomography (CT) angiography could be used to identify and characterize aneurysms of the posterior circulation and guide optimal treatment selection, and how data obtained using this method compared with intraoperative findings.

Methods. Patients suspected of harboring brain aneurysms underwent CT angiography and digital subtraction (DS) angiography; the results were prospectively interpreted by blinded independent evaluators. All patients with posterior circulation aneurysms were consecutively enrolled in the study. After treatment, neurosurgeons and endovascular therapists evaluated the ability of CT and DS angiography to demonstrate features of the lesions important for triage between treatment options (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and to allow for coil or clip preselection and complete treatment planning (McNemar test of proportions), while using intraoperative findings as the basis of truth.

In 242 patients overall, CT angiography detected 38 aneurysms and two aneurysmal blisters in 32 patients. The sensitivity of CT angiography in revealing posterior circulation aneurysms was 100% compared with DS angiography, with no false-positive results. Furthermore, CT angiography was sufficient as the sole study at triage for 65% of the posterior circulation aneurysms (26 of 40 lesions; p < 0.001), including 62% of the complex lesions (p < 0.001), and permitted coil or clip preselection in 74% of treated cases (20 of 27 cases; p < 0.002). Results of CT angiography revealed information about mural calcification and intraluminal thrombus not available on DS angiography, which affected patient care.

Conclusions. In this study population, CT angiography was comparable to DS angiography in the detection and characterization of aneurysms of the posterior circulation. Computerized tomography angiography was used successfully to triage patients between endovascular and neurosurgical treatment options in a significant proportion of cases and permitted treatment planning in more than 70% of treated cases.
Local distribution and toxicity of prolonged hippocampal infusion of muscimol
Authors: Heiss John D. , Walbridge Stuart , Morrison Paul , Hampton Robert R. , Sato Susumu , Vortmeyer Alexander , Butman John A. , O'Malley James , Vidwan Param , Dedrick Robert L. , Oldfield Edward H.
Published: May 2009

Object. The activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter, is reduced in the hippocampus in patients with complex partial seizures from mesial temporal sclerosis. To provide preliminary safety and distribution data on using convection-enhanced delivery of agents to treat complex partial seizures and to test the efficacy and safety of regional selective neuronal suppression, the authors infused muscimol, a GABA-A receptor agonist, directly into the hippocampus of nonhuman primates using an integrated catheter electrode.

Methods. Ten rhesus monkeys were divided into three groups: 1) use of catheter electrode alone (four monkeys); 2) infusion of escalating concentrations of muscimol followed by vehicle (three monkeys); and 3) infusion of vehicle and subsequent muscimol mixed with muscimol tracer (three monkeys). Infusions were begun 5 days after catheter electrode placement and continued for 5.6 days before switching to the other agent. Head magnetic resonance (MR) images and electroencephalography recordings were obtained before and during the infusions. Brain histological studies and quantitative autoradiography were performed.

Neurological function was normal in controls and when muscimol concentrations were 0.125 mM or less, whereas higher concentrations (0.5 and 1 mM) produced reversible apathy and somnolence. Fluid distribution was demonstrated on MR images and muscimol distribution was demonstrated on autoradiographs throughout the hippocampus and adjacent white matter.

Conclusions. Targeted modulation of neuronal activity is a reasonable research strategy for the investigation and treatment of medically intractable epilepsy.
Synovial sarcoma of the frontal sinus
Authors: Gallia Gary L. , Sciubba Daniel M. , Hann Christine L. , Raman Siva P. , Westra William H. , Tufaro Anthony P. , Olivi Alessandro
Published: May 2009

✓ Synovial sarcoma is a soft-tissue lesion occurring predominantly in the extremities of young adults. Although the head and neck region is the second most common site of involvement, synovial sarcoma has rarely been reported in the paranasal sinus. The authors present a case of synovial sarcoma arising from the frontal sinus and review the literature of synovial sarcomas arising from the paranasal sinuses.
Cytotoxic Effects of CdSe Quantum Dots on Maturation of Mouse Oocytes, Fertilization, and Fetal Development
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Shu , Shiao Nion-Heng , Chan Wen-Hsiung
Published: May 2009

Quantum dots (QDs) are useful novel luminescent markers, but their embryonic toxicity is yet to be fully established, particularly in oocyte maturation and sperm fertilization. Earlier experiments by our group show that CdSe-core QDs have cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and are associated with defects in subsequent development. Here, we further investigate the influence of CdSe-core QDs on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and subsequent pre- and postimplantation development. CdSe-core QDs induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryo development, but not ZnS-coated CdSe QDs. Treatment of oocytes with 500 nM CdSe-core QDs during in vitro maturation (IVM) led to increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased placental and fetal weights. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the negative impact of CdSe-core QDs on mouse oocyte development. Moreover, surface modification of CdSe-core QDs with ZnS effectively prevented this cytotoxicity.
The Effect of Self-Assembling Peptide RADA16-I on the Growth of Human Leukemia Cells in Vitro and in Nude Mice
Authors: Tang Chengkang , Shao Ximing , Sun Binbin , Huang Wenli , Zhao Xiaojun
Published: May 2009

Nanofiber scaffolds formed by self-assembling peptide RADA16-I have been used for the study of cell proliferation to mimic an extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated the effect of RADA16-I on the growth of human leukemia cells in vitro and in nude mice. Self-assembly assessment showed that RADA16-I molecules have excellent self-assembling ability to form stable nanofibers. MTT assay displayed that RADA16-I has no cytotoxicity for leukemia cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. However, RADA16-I inhibited the growth of K562 tumors in nude mice. Furthermore, we found RADA16-I inhibited vascular tube-formation by HUVECs in vitro. Our data suggested that nanofiber scaffolds formed by RADA16-I could change tumor microenvironments, and inhibit the growth of tumors. The study helps to encourage further design of self-assembling systems for cancer therapy.
Construction of an Artificial MicroRNA Expression Vector for Simultaneous Inhibition of Multiple Genes in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Hu Tao , Fu Qiong , Chen Ping , Ma Li , Sin Onsam , Guo Deyin
Published: May 2009

Recently, artificial microRNA (amiRNA) has become a promising RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Here, we describe a flexible and reliable method for constructing both single- and multi-amiRNA expression vectors. Two universal primers, together with two specific primers carrying the encoding sequence of amiRNA were designed and utilized to synthesize the functional amiRNA cassette through a one-step PCR. With appropriate restriction sites, the synthesized amiRNA cassettes can be cloned into any site of different destination vectors. Using the method, we constructed both single- and multi-amiRNA expression vectors to target three reporter genes, which code firefly luciferase (Fluc), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and β-galactosidase (LacZ), respectively. The expressions of three genes were all specifically inhibited by either the corresponding single- or the multi-amiRNA expression vector in 293T cells. And the RNAi efficiency of each amiRNA produced by both single- and multi-amiRNA expression vectors was comparable.
Digitally Programmable Analogue Circuits for Sensor Conditioning Systems
Authors: Zatorre Guillermo , Medrano Nicolás , Sanz María Teresa , Aldea Concepción , Calvo Belén , Celma Santiago
Published: May 2009

This work presents two current-mode integrated circuits designed for sensor signal preprocessing in embedded systems. The proposed circuits have been designed to provide good signal transfer and fulfill their function, while minimizing the load effects due to building complex conditioning architectures. The processing architecture based on the proposed building blocks can be reconfigured through digital programmability. Thus, sensor useful range can be expanded, changes in the sensor operation can be compensated for and furthermore, undesirable effects such as device mismatching and undesired physical magnitudes sensor sensibilities are reduced. The circuits were integrated using a 0.35 mm standard CMOS process. Experimental measurements, load effects and a study of two different tuning strategies are presented. From these results, system performance is tested in an application which entails extending the linear range of a magneto-resistive sensor. Circuit area, average power consumption and programmability features allow these circuits to be included in embedded sensing systems as a part of the analogue conditioning components.
Temperature requirements differ for the two stages of seed dormancy break in Aegopodium podagraria (Apiaceae), a species with deep complex morphophysiological dormancy
Authors: Phartyal Shyam S. , Kondo Tetsuya , Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C.
Published: May 2009

Only a few studies have considered the possibility that low temperature requirements may vary among stages of dormancy break in seeds with morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). We show that this lack of consideration in previous studies on seed dormancy and germination of Aegopodium podagraria might explain the low germination percentages and/or the relatively long periods of incubation needed for germination. Under natural temperatures, embryos began to grow in September and were fully elongated by late December; most growth occurred when the average daily mean temperature was about 10°C. Radicles emerged under snow in late winter, and cotyledons emerged after snowmelt in early spring. In laboratory experiments, 100% of the embryos grew to full length at both 0 and 5°C, whereas 0°C was much more effective than 5°C in overcoming the physiological dormancy in seeds after embryos were fully elongated. Following radicle emergence, cotyledons emerged readily in a wide range of temperatures ≥5°C. GA3 did not substitute for the low temperature requirement for dormancy break. Seed dormancy in A. podagraria fits Nikolaeva's formula for deep complex MPD, i.e., C3B‐C3. Better germination of seeds pretreated at 0° than at 5°C has practical implications for cultivating this species.
Reviewing the evidence for mycophenolate mofetil as a new teratogen: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Anderka Marlene T. , Lin Angela E. , Abuelo Dianne N. , Mitchell Allen A. , Rasmussen Sonja A.
Published: May 2009

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (CellCept®) is an immunosuppressant drug that is teratogenic in rats and rabbits. Reports of malformations in 13 offspring of women exposed to MMF in pregnancy raise concern that MMF is also a human teratogen. We report an additional child with malformations following prenatal exposure to MMF and review the other 13 reports. We identified a Cambodian male born at 31 weeks' gestation to a mother who had been treated for lupus nephritis with MMF from before conception to 12 weeks' gestational age. He had bilateral moderate‐to‐severe microtia, external auditory canal atresia, bilateral conductive hearing loss, mild microcephaly, and apparently normal development. Among the 14 MMF‐exposed offspring now reported, the underlying maternal conditions were kidney transplantation (7), lupus nephritis (4), liver transplantation (1), heart transplantation (1), and recurrent erythema multiforme (1). All were exposed in early pregnancy. The most distinctive malformation was moderate‐to‐severe microtia or anotia (12), with external auditory canal atresia in 9. Other common craniofacial malformations and minor anomalies included orofacial clefts (7), hypertelorism (3), coloboma (3), and micrognathia (3). Six had cardiovascular malformations, of which three were either conotruncal or aortic arch defects. MMF dose, reported in 12 patients, was <1 g/day in 4 and 1 g or more/day in 8; no correlation between dose and phenotype severity was apparent. While case reports have limited value in identifying human teratogens, the unusual distribution of malformations among the 14 reported exposed offspring identifies a phenotype suggesting that MMF is likely a human teratogen. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The ring 14 syndrome: Clinical and molecular definition
Authors: Zollino Marcella , Seminara Laura , Orteschi Daniela , Gobbi Giuseppe , Giovannini Simona , Giustina Elvio Della , Frattini Daniele , Scarano Angela , Neri Giovanni
Published: May 2009

The ring 14 (r14) syndrome is a rare condition, whose precise clinical and genetic characterization is still lacking. We analyzed a total of 20 patients with r14 and another 9 patients with a linear 14q deletion. The ring was complete, with no apparent loss of chromosome material, in 6 cases; a terminal 14q deletion, varying in size from 0.65 to 5 Mb, was detected in the remaining 14 cases. Deleted ring chromosomes were 70% paternal and 30% maternal. UPD (14) was never detected. With respect to the linear 14q deletions, three were proximal, varying in size from 4 to 7.2 Mb, and six distal, varying in size from 4.8 to 20 Mb. The majority of the linear deletions were also of paternal origin, and UPD (14) was excluded in all cases. Clinically, the r14 syndrome was characterized by a recognizable phenotype, consisting of shortness of stature, a distinctive facial appearance, microcephaly, scoliosis, and ocular abnormalities, which included abnormal retinal pigmentation, strabismus, glaucoma, and abnormal macula. All patients except one had mental retardation. Drug‐resistant epilepsy was another highly consistent finding. Aggressive and hyperactive behavior was noted in about half of the patients. Based on genotype–phenotype correlations, we could deduce that retinal abnormalities, epilepsy, microcephaly, and mental retardation map within the proximal 14q11.2‐q12 region. Likewise, behavior disorders and scoliosis could be assigned to the 14q32 region. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Xp contiguous deletion syndrome and autism
Authors: Shinawi Marwan , Patel Ankita , Panichkul Prisana , Zascavage Roxanne , Peters Sarika U. , Scaglia Fernando
Published: May 2009

Xp22 nullisomy in males causes a phenotype consistent with the loss of one or more of the genes located in this chromosomal region. Females with similar Xp deletions rarely manifest the same phenotype. Here we describe a 10‐year‐old girl with a de novo interstitial deletion encompassing Xp22.2p22.32 who presented with autism, moderate mental retardation, and some dysmorphic features. The deletion was delineated by FISH and STR analyses, and the breakpoints were determined using the Agilent 244 K oligonucleotide array. We found that the 5.5 Mb deletion is located on the paternal X chromosome and encompasses 18 genes. Further molecular and cytogenetic analyses showed unfavorable skewing of X‐inactivation of the maternal (intact) chromosome. The phenotype of our patient was compared with previously reported female patients with deletions encompassing the same chromosomal region. We discuss the potential role of the genes in the deleted region and X chromosome inactivation in the pathogenesis of the phenotypic abnormalities seen in our patient. Our findings suggest that the severity and the variability of the clinical findings are determined by the size and the parental origin of the deletions as well as the X‐inactivation status. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autism spectrum disorder in fragile X syndrome: A longitudinal evaluation
Authors: Hernandez R. Nick , Feinberg Rachel L. , Vaurio Rebecca , Passanante Natalie M. , Thompson Richard E. , Kaufmann Walter E.
Published: May 2009

The present study extends our previous work on characterizing the autistic behavior profile of boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS) who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th Edition criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into a longitudinal evaluation of ASD in FXS (FXS + ASD). Specifically, we aimed to determine the stability of the diagnosis and profile of ASD in FXS over time. Through regression models, we also evaluated which autistic and social behaviors and skills were correlates of diagnosis and autistic behavior severity (i.e., Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised total scores). Finally, we assessed the evolution of cognitive parameters in FXS + ASD. A population of 56 boys (30–88 months at baseline) with FXS was evaluated using measures of autistic, social, and cognitive behaviors and skills at three yearly evaluations. We found that the diagnosis of ASD in FXS was relatively stable over time. Further emphasizing this stability, we found a set of behaviors and skills, particularly those related to peer relationships and adaptive socialization, that differentiated FXS + ASD from the rest of the FXS cohort (FXS + None) and contributed to autistic severity at all time points. Nevertheless, the general improvement in autistic behavior observed in FXS + ASD coupled with the concurrent worsening in FXS + None resulted in less differentiation between the groups over time. Surprisingly, FXS + ASD IQ scores were stable while FXS + None non‐verbal IQ scores declined. Our findings indicate that ASD is a distinctive subphenotype in FXS characterized by deficits in complex social interaction, with similarities to ASD in the general population. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Promoter polymorphisms which modulate BACE1 expression are associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wang Shan , Jia Jianping
Published: May 2009

Beta‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) gene has been suggested as a candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known regarding the effects of polymorphisms in regulatory sequences of BACE1 on AD susceptibility. To evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms in the BACE1 promoter and sporadic AD (SAD) genetically and functionally, we performed a case‐control study (429 cases and 346 controls of Han Chinese descent) and functional characterization of the polymorphisms in vitro using luciferase assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Two polymorphisms (−918G/A, rs4938369; −2014T/C, rs3017608) were identified in the BACE1 promoter. The results showed that the −918G/A polymorphism was associated with SAD and the −918GG carriers had a 1.67‐fold higher risk for SAD than the carriers with −918AA and GA genotypes (OR = 1.667, 95% CI = 1.087–2.556, P = 0.019). The haplotype −918G/−2014T may be a possible risk factor for SAD (P = 0.016). Luciferase reporter assays showed the −918G allele and its resultant haplotype −918G/−2014T induced an increase of transcriptional activity. A more marked increase in −918G/−2014T transcriptional activity was seen when under hypoxia treatment. EMSA indicated that the −918G allele bound nuclear factors more strongly than −918A allele did. Our findings suggest that the BACE1 promoter polymorphisms which regulate BACE1 expression may contribute to SAD susceptibility. Further independent studies are required to verify our findings. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Katalytische Hydroaminoalkylierung
Authors: Roesky Peter W.
Published: May 2009

Exzellente Kupplungen: In letzter Zeit waren einige spannende Entwicklungen bei der metallkatalysierten C‐H‐Aktivierung von sp3‐Zentren in α‐Position zu einem Aminstickstoffatom und ihren Reaktionen mit Alkenen zu Alkylaminen (Hydroaminoalkylierung) zu verzeichnen (siehe allgemeines Schema), die in diesem Highlight zusammengefasst werden.

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Amplification of the Cotton Effect of a Single Chromophore through Liposomal Ordering—Stereochemical Assignment of Plakinic Acids I and J
Authors: Dalisay Doralyn S. , Quach Tim , Nicholas Gillian N. , Molinski Tadeusz F.
Published: May 2009

Eine drastische Veränderung tritt ein, wenn acyclische N‐(2‐Naphthamide) mittellanger 1‐Amino‐2‐methylalkane mithilfe von Liposomen partiell geordnet werden: Der auf π‐π*‐Übergängen des endständigen Naphthamidchromophors beruhende Cotton‐Effekt wird enorm verstärkt. Dieser Effekt wurde für die Identifizierung der Konfiguration neuer Polyketidperoxide wie 1 aus dem Schwamm Plakortis halichondroides genutzt.

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Copper‐Mediated Coupling of 1,1‐Dibromo‐1‐alkenes with Nitrogen Nucleophiles: A General Method for the Synthesis of Ynamides
Authors: Coste Alexis , Karthikeyan Ganesan , Couty François , Evano Gwilherm
Published: May 2009

Milde Reaktionsbedingungen sind der Vorteil der Titelreaktion, die einen unproblematischen Zugang zu einer Vielzahl an Inamiden eröffnet. Einfach erhältliche 1,1‐Dibrom‐1‐alkene wirken als Alkinylierungsagentien (siehe Schema; EWG= elektronenziehende Gruppe, DMF=N,N‐Dimethylformamid).

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Addition of Dimethylaminobismuth to Aldehydes, Ketones, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Authors: Nekoueishahraki Bijan , Sarish Sankaranarayana Pillai , Roesky Herbert W. , Stern Daniel , Schulzke Carola , Stalke Dietmar
Published: May 2009

Bi‐O‐Chemie: Bei einer direkten regioselektiven Route zu Bismut‐Bis(amino)naphthalin‐Verbindungen mit Bi‐O‐ und Bi‐C‐Bindungen wird eine Amidvorstufe mit Aldehyden, Ketonen, Alkenen und Alkinen umgesetzt, die unter Einschiebung in die Bi‐NMe2‐Bindung reagieren.

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New Adventures in the Molecular Chemistry of Phosphorus
Authors: Russell Christopher A.
Published: May 2009

Teaching old dogs new tricks: Recent developments in low‐coordinate phosphorus chemistry reveal the capacity of this element for surprises. For example, P for CR substitution in new phosphaalkynes was used to stabilize purported intermediates in an important synthetic transformation, and also to form new diphosphacyclobutadiene sandwich complexes (see scheme).

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Catalytic Hydroaminoalkylation
Authors: Roesky Peter W.
Published: May 2009

Excellent couplings: Recent developments in the metal‐catalyzed CH activation of sp3 centers in an α position relative to an amine nitrogen atom are presented. Their reaction with alkenes to give alkylamines (hydroaminoalkylation) is also summarized (see general scheme).

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An Optical Approach for Drug Screening Based on Light‐Harvesting Conjugated Polyelectrolytes
Authors: An Lingling , Liu Libing , Wang Shu , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: May 2009

Drugs turn the light off: Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) have been used in fluorescent assays for real‐time screening of small molecules that prevent the RNA–protein complexation that is important for virus replication and thereby can be considered potential initial candidates for drug discovery (see picture).

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Copper‐Mediated Coupling of 1,1‐Dibromo‐1‐alkenes with Nitrogen Nucleophiles: A General Method for the Synthesis of Ynamides
Authors: Coste Alexis , Karthikeyan Ganesan , Couty François , Evano Gwilherm
Published: May 2009

Mild reaction conditions are the advantage of the title reaction, which allows straightforward entry to a variety of ynamides starting from readily available 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes, which act as attractive alkynylating agents (see scheme; EWG=electron‐withdrawing group, DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide).

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Determination of the Superradiance Coherence Length of Directly Linked Linear Porphyrin Arrays at the Single‐Molecule Level
Authors: Yang Jaesung , Yoo Hyejin , Aratani Naoki , Osuka Atsuhiro , Kim Dongho
Published: May 2009

Down to the wire: Photobleaching dynamics show the exciton delocalization length of directly linked porphyrin arrays (see picture) to be about four or five porphyrin units at the single‐molecule level. This result provides a better understanding of how light‐signal transmission occurs in the solid state and gives a perspective for the porphyrin arrays to be used as single‐molecule photonic wires.

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Tellurium(II)‐Centered Dications from the Pseudohalide “Te(OTf)2”
Authors: Dutton Jason L. , Tuononen Heikki M. , Ragogna Paul J.
Published: May 2009

Te for two: Supported by pyridine‐ or carbene‐based ligands, tellurium‐centered dications are prepared in high yield and include a dicationic tellurium analogue of the recently synthesized “carbodicarbene”. The key to accessing these compounds is the isolation of a base‐stabilized form of TeOTf2 (see structure), a new highly electrophilic reagent for tellurium chemistry.

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Palladium bis(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐heptanedionate) catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation and aminocarbonylation reactions
Authors: Tambade Pawan J. , Patil Yogesh P. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: May 2009

Palladium bis(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐heptanedionate), a structurally well defined O‐containing transition metal complex, is reported to be an efficient catalyst for alkoxycarbonylation and aminocarbonylation reactions under milder operating conditions. The system tolerated the carbonylative coupling of various aryl halides with phenol/alcohol and amines, providing good to excellent yields of desired products under optimized reaction conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UV–visible spectroscopy for zirconocene activation by MAO in olefin polymerization: activity versus wavenumber
Authors: Alonso‐Moreno Carlos , Carrion Pedro , Carrillo‐Hermosilla Fernando , Antiñolo Antonio , Otero Antonio
Published: May 2009

Activation of ansa‐zirconocenes of the type Rac [Zr{1‐Me2Si(3‐R‐(η5‐C9H5))(3‐R′‐(η5‐C9H5))}Cl2] [R = Et, R′ = H (1); R = Pr, R′ = H (2); and R = Et, R′ = Pr (3), R, R′ = Me (4) and R, R′ = Bu (5)] by MAO has been studied by UV–visible spectroscopy. Compounds 1–3 have been tested in the polymerization of ethylene at different Al:Zr ratios. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to determine a correlation between the electronic structures of (1–5) and their polymerization activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a biodegradable rice straw‐g‐poly(methyl methacrylate)/sodium silicate composite flame retardant
Authors: Samal Ramakanta , Sahoo Prafulla K.
Published: May 2009

Natural fiber composites have been prepared by grafting hydrophobic monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto chemically modified rice straw (RS) using complex initiating system [CuSO4/glycine/ammonium persulfate (APS)] in an aqueous medium with and without the additive, sodium silicate (SS). The chemically modified RS, RS‐g‐PMMA, and RS‐g‐PMMA/SS composite have been characterized by FT‐IR, and their morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal behavior and tensile properties of the samples have been studied, and the flame retardant properties have also been evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) test and cone calorimetry. The biodegradation and water absorbency have been carried out for its ecofriendly nature and better commercialization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Consumer empowerment through metadata‐based information quality reporting: The Breast Cancer Knowledge Online Portal
Authors: McKemmish Sue , Manaszewicz Rosetta , Burstein Frada , Fisher Julie
Published: May 2009

Consumer empowerment and the role of the expert patient in their own healthcare, enabled through timely access to quality information, have emerged as significant factors in better health and lifestyle outcomes. Governments, medical researchers, healthcare providers in the public and private sector, drug companies, health consumer groups, and individuals are increasingly looking to the Internet to both access and distribute health information, communicate with each other, and form supportive or collaborative online communities. Evaluating the accuracy, provenance, authority, and reliability of Web‐based health information is a major priority. The Breast Cancer Knowledge Online Portal project (BCKOnline) explored the individual and changing information and decision support needs of women with breast cancer and the issues they face when searching for relevant and reliable health information on the Internet. Its user‐sensitive research design integrated multidisciplinary methods including user information‐needs analysis, knowledge‐domain mapping, metadata modeling, and systems‐development research techniques. The main outcomes were a personalized information portal driven by a metadata repository of user‐sensitive resource descriptions, the BCKOnline Metadata Schema, richer understandings of the concepts of quality, relevance, and reliability, and a user‐sensitive design methodology. This article focuses on the innovative, metadata‐based quality reporting feature of the BCKOnline Portal, and concludes that it is timely to consider the inclusion of quality elements in resource discovery metadata schema, especially in the health domain.
Fluorite and Mixed‐Metal Kagome‐Related Topologies in Metal–Organic Framework Compounds: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties
Authors: Mahata Partha , Raghunathan Rajamani , Banerjee Debamalya , Sen Diptiman , Ramasesha S. , Bhat S. V. , Natarajan S.
Published: May 2009

Cluster around: Fluorite and mixed‐metal Kagome‐related three‐dimensional metal–organic framework (MOF) compounds have been prepared by the reaction between Mn2+ions and trimellitate anions. The octameric water clusters in the former can be reversibly adsorbed and both the compounds show interesting magnetic behavior.

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Two new three‐dimensional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) [Mn2(μ3‐OH)(H2O)2(BTC)]⋅2 H2O,I, and [NaMn(BTC)],II(BTC=1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylate=trimellitate) were synthesized and their structures determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD). InI, the Mn4cluster, [Mn4(μ3‐OH)2(H2O)4O12], is connected with eight trimellitate anions and each trimellitate anion connects to four different Mn4clusters, resulting in a fluorite‐like structure. InII, the Mn2O8dimer is connected with two Na+ions through carboxylate oxygen to form mixed‐metal distorted Kagome‐related two‐dimensional MOM layers, which are pillared by the trimellitate anions forming the three‐dimensional structure. The extra‐framework water molecules inIare reversibly adsorbed and are also corroborated by powder XRD studies. The formation of octameric water clusters involving free and coordinated water molecules appears to be new. Interesting magnetic behavior has been observed for both compounds. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies indicate a broadening of the signal below the ordering temperature and appear to support the findings of the magnetic studies.
The long arms of anencephaly: A refutation
Authors: Barr Mason
Published: May 2009

A paper published in 1925 reported that human fetuses with anencephaly have arms that are longer than normal. This finding was accepted as true through the early 1990s. An analysis of body dimensions done in 1996 and enlarged and updated here shows that the arms of human fetuses with anencephaly are appropriate for gestational age and normal in proportion to their leg lengths. A subtle difference in measurement technique was found to explain the discordant findings. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mangled butterfly: Rorschach results from 45 violent psychopaths
Authors: Franks Kent W. , Sreenivasan Shoba , Spray Beverly J. , Kirkish Patricia
Published: May 2009

Participants were 45 violent California male prison inmates scoring 30 or more on the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL‐R; Hare, 1991, 2003). Inmates were evaluated using Rorschach and neuropsychological test data. The participants' intellectual functioning was within the low–average range and displayed a lack of flexibility. Rorschach data were not suggestive of chronic narcissism and anger as in other psychopathic samples. This group resembled Exner's normative sample of high Lambda adults. Consistent with previous studies, psychopaths demonstrated poor emotional modulation, diminished reality testing, little interest in people, and virtually no attachment capacity. Most utilized a simplistic, avoidant, and concrete style. This appeared to be consistent with the concrete thinking and fragmentation attributed to the criminal personality. Concrete thinking is based upon literal interpretations of events. Fragmentation is associated with attitudes that are situation specific and self‐serving. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What works in offender profiling? A comparison of typological, thematic, and multivariate models
Authors: Goodwill Alasdair M. , Alison Laurence J. , Beech Anthony R.
Published: May 2009

Utilizing a sample of 85 stranger rapists, three models (Hazelwood's (1987) Power and Anger FBI model, the Behavioral Thematic evaluation of Canter, Bennell, Alison, and Reddy (2003), and the Massachusetts Treatment Center: Rape classification system revision 3 (MTC:R3, Knight & Prentky, 1990)) were contrasted with a multivariate regression approach to assess their ability to predict an offender's previous convictions from crime scene information. In respect of the three aforementioned models, logistic regression and AUC analysis indicated that the Power and Anger FBI model was the most effective, followed by the MTC:R3, and then the Behavioral Thematic evaluation. However, predictive analyses based on a multivariate approach using a mixture of crime scene behaviors, as opposed to the grouping of behaviors into themes or types as in the three models, far exceeded the predictive ability of the three models under AUC analysis. The results suggest that emphasis should be placed on further exploration of the predictive validity of each of the individual behaviors that comprise existing thematic, typological, and multivariate classification systems, especially those that are subject to inter‐situational variation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Community sentiment and the juvenile offender: should juveniles charged with felony murder be waived into the adult criminal justice system?
Authors: Garberg Nicole M. , Libkuman Terry M.
Published: May 2009

Juveniles are more likely than adult offenders to commit crimes in groups. This tendency makes the juvenile offender more susceptible to the felony murder rule. In three experiments we tested the notion that juveniles arrested and charged under the felony murder rule would be transferred into the adult criminal justice system based on an equalistic (i.e. the application of the felony murder rule) or a proportional (i.e. the just deserts philosophy) rule. Participants read case descriptions of an armed robbery (no death, accidental death, or intentional death) in which defendants had different levels of involvement in the crime (getaway driver, lookout, sidekick, or triggerman). Involvement was manipulated within subjects in Experiment 1 (i.e., participants rendered judgments for each defendant) and between subjects in Experiment 2 (i.e., each participant judged one of the defendants). The participants in Experiments 1 and 2 were undergraduate psychology students selected from a public university located in the mid‐west. The purpose of Experiment 3 was to determine whether the results of the first two experiments could be generalized to a community sample. The community sample was randomly selected from the rural and urban areas in the same geographical region as the university samples. The results indicated that the community participants were more likely to transfer the defendants to adult court than the student participants. However, the same pattern of results emerged for all of the samples, indicating that the triggerman was more likely to be transferred to adult court than the other defendants, especially if an intentional or accidental death occurred. These results support the conclusion that the defendants were transferred based on their involvement in the crime, thus supporting the proportional rule or the just deserts philosophy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Furstyling on angle‐split shell textures
Authors: Sheng Bin , Sun Hanqiu , Yang Gang , Wu Enhua
Published: May 2009

This paper presents a new method for modeling and rendering fur with a wide variety of furstyles. We simulate virtual fur using shell textures—a multiple layers of textured slices for its generality and efficiency. As shell textures usually suffer from the inherent visual gap errors due to the uniform discretization nature, we present theangle‐split shell textures(ASST) approach, which classifies the shell textures into different types with different numbers of texture layers, by splitting the angle space of the viewing angles between fur orientation and view direction. Our system can render the fur with biological patterns, and utilizes vector field and scalar field on ASST to control the geometric variations of the furry shape. Users can intuitively shape the fur by applying the combing, blowing, and interpolating effects in real time. Our approach is intuitive to implement without using complex data structures, with real‐time performance for dynamic fur appearances. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptual 3D pose distance estimation by boosting relational geometric features
Authors: Chen Cheng , Zhuang Yueting , Xiao Jun , Liang Zhang
Published: May 2009

Traditional pose similarity functions based on joint coordinates or rotations often do not conform to human perception. We propose a new perceptual pose distance:Relational Geometric Distancethat accumulates the differences over a set of features that reflects the geometric relations between different body parts. An extensive relational geometric feature pool that contains a large number of potential features is defined, and the features effective for pose similarity estimation are selected using a set of labeled data by Adaboost. The extensive feature pool guarantees that a wide diversity of features is considered, and the boosting ensures that the selected features are optimized when used jointly. Finally, the selected features form a pose distance function that can be used for novel poses. Experiments show that our method outperforms others in emulating human perception in pose similarity. Our method can also adapt to specific motion types and capture the features that are important for pose similarity of a certain motion type. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a computational cognitive architecture for intelligent virtual character
Authors: Liew Pak‐San , Chin Ching‐Ling , Huang Zhiyong
Published: May 2009

A development of a computational cognitive architecture for the simulation of intelligent virtual characters is described in this paper. By specializing and adapting from an existing structure for a situated design agent, we propose three process models—reflexive, reactive and reflective—which derive behavioural models that underlie intelligent behaviours for these characters. Various combinations of these process models allow intelligent virtual characters to reason in a reflexive, reactive and/or reflective manner according to the retrieval, modification and reconstruction of their memory contents. This paper offers an infrastructure for combining simple reasoning models, found in crowd simulations, and highly deliberative processing models or reasoning, found in ‘heavy’ agents with high‐level cognitive abilities. Intelligent virtual characters simulated via this adapted architecture can exhibit system level intelligence across a broad range of relevant tasks. To demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed architecture, we describe the effect of the reflexive, reactive and reflective processes on a virtual character in our virtual tour application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.