bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaise dans la procréation
Authors: Korff-Sausse Simone
Published: July 2009

Résumé Les nouvelles technologies médicales produisent des modifications radicales des données fondamentales de l’existence humaine, en particulier dans le domaine de la procréation, où on peut parler d’une mutation anthropologique. Quelles sont les conséquences de ces mutations contemporaines sur la subjectivité individuelle et en particulier sur les rapports entre les enfants et les adultes ? Comment penser les situations psychologiques inédites que génèrent les nouvelles technologies ? En réalité, la clinique montre que, confronté à ces situations très spécifiques, que l’on désigne un peu facilement comme “irreprésentables”, malgré leur caractère insolite, terrifiant, voire monstrueux, là où les capacités de symbolisation sont sollicitées jusqu’à leurs limites, le sujet humain déploie une étonnante capacité à mettre en place des processus psychiques pour parvenir malgré tout à une subjectivation. Et on voit alors que la médicalisation, aussi envahissante soit-elle, ne peut jamais évacuer la question du désir.
Et si la question était ailleurs ?
Authors: Aupetit Laurence
Published: July 2009

Résumé Aujourd’hui en France, environ 10 % des nouveaux-nés effectuent un séjour en service de médecine néonatale. A contre-courant des modèles lésionnel et carentiel dominants dans le champ des soins précoces, cette réflexion met au travail la notion psychanalytique de traumatisme psychique. Elle prend appui, d’une part sur la théorie de la séduction généralisée de Jean Laplanche pour appréhender la potentialité traumatique directe chez l’enfant et d’autre part sur le modèle winnicottien pour tenter de cerner les résonances du vécu maternel.
Réalité psychique et cicatrisation
Authors: Jacobi Benjamin
Published: July 2009

Résumé Aller de la cicatrisation externe d’une brûlure subie dans le réel du corps à la cicatrisation interne structurée par la vie pulsionnelle et ses brûlures constitue le circuit choisi pour décrire cliniquement et conceptuellement la notion de réalité psychique.
Handicap et création(s) : la relation père/fils chez Kenzaburô Ôé
Authors: Fort Pierre-Louis
Published: July 2009

Résumé Cet article est consacré à l’écrivain japonais Kenzaburô Ôé, Prix Nobel de littérature en 1994. L’étude est plus particulièrement centrée sur Une famille en voie de guérison , texte constitué à partir d’articles de journaux dans lesquels l’écrivain parle sans masque aucun de son fils Hikari et de son handicap. L’analyse met en avant les renaissances vécues par cette dyade et s’interroge sur les rapports tumultueux et complexes des corps et des identités, non seulement au niveau familial mais aussi au niveau social.
Roulette chinoise : jeu de vérité et handicap
Authors: Kkona Christina
Published: July 2009

Résumé A travers l’analyse du film de R.W. Fassbinder Roulette chinoise , nous avons essayé d’élucider certains enjeux sociaux, familiaux et sexuels du handicap dans ses différents aspects : physique, psychique et émotionnel. Sans tomber dans le piège de la compassion ou dans l’idéalisation, le réalisateur fait du handicap visible la seule chance pour le sujet valide d’affronter sa propre vulnérabilité. Pas moins jeu de société que jeu de véridicité, la roulette chinoise, ouvre une nouvelle perspective à la compréhension des questions telles que l’accès à la sexualité des personnes en situation de handicap, l’homosexualité, la relation mère-fille, le crime et l’adultère.
Le regard est visage
Authors: Piot Maudy
Published: July 2009

Résumé On peut perdre la vue, on ne perd jamais le regard ! Le regard et la vision se construisent dans le visage de la mère. Ce n’est pas parce qu’une maman n’a pas de vision que son enfant ne pourra pas se structurer dans un regard construit. Certes, nous malvoyants, provoquons chez le bien-voyant des réactions d’angoisse parce que notre différence dérange. La singularité que nous lui renvoyons le met immédiatement en danger. Mais ce danger vient avant tout de l’environnement qui n’a pas été conçu pour que l’on vive, tout simplement. Il faut affirmer haut et fort que nous sommes des personnes citoyennes avant d’être « des handicapés ».
Aux consultations thérapeutiques du Dr Jean Bergès
Authors: Arrieta Leonardo
Published: July 2009

Résumé L’auteur se questionne sur la pratique du psychanalyste Jean Bergès au sein de ses « Consultations thérapeutiques d’enfants ». Face à une situation spécifique, où un regard psychopathologie ne manquerait pas de pointer les symptômes d’ordre psychotique qu’exhibe l’enfant dans ses rapports à l’autre, ce clinicien intervient auprès de l’enfant et de sa mère, en présence d’autres psychanalystes, pour en dégager des pistes d’interventions thérapeutiques. Des passages de cet entretien clinique sont analysés avec des éléments de théorie psychanalytique. Il ressort une réflexion sur le discours qu’articule la mère auprès de son enfant, la place où l’enfant se retrouve, et la position fondamentalement clinique que tient l’analyste d’enfants.
Le corps
Authors: Lindenmeyer Cristina
Published: July 2009

Résumé Cet article part d’une expérience clinique avec des patients atteints de cancer. Il développe l’idée d’un effet traumatique déclenché par l’annonce de la maladie donnant lieu à une perception corporelle à partir de laquelle le sujet recompose son fantasme de mort. Cette « étrangeté » du corps qui se poursuit par la reprise active du traumatique vient réveiller des traumatismes inconscients qui ne demandent qu’à profiter de cette situation de maladie pour être réanimés. Au psychanalyste de participer à un véritable processus de perlaboration qui ne pourra se faire qui dans le travail qui permet le transfert.
Current and Future Leaders’ Perceptions of Agricultural Biotechnology
Authors: Wingenbach Gary J. , Miller René P.
Published: July 2009

Were elected state FFA officers’ attitudes toward agricultural biotechnology significantly different from elected Texas legislators’ attitudes about the same topic? The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in agricultural biotechnology perceptions or information source preferences when compared by leadership status: current (Texas legislators) vs. future (state FFA officers). Descriptive survey methods were used to obtain data from all elected state FFA officers (n = 360) and all House (n = 150) and Senate (n = 181) members in Texas (n = 181). State FFA officers’ perceptions of agricultural biotechnology were influenced by their families’ perceptions of biotechnology; Texas legislators’ perceptions were not as affected by their families’ perceptions of biotechnology, possibly because of a function of age. Respondents perceived agricultural biotechnology as having “positive” effects on the environment. Legislators relied more on the cooperative extension service as their biotechnology information source than did state FFA officers. Both groups relied on the internet and newspapers as information sources for agricultural biotechnology. Since respondents used internet and newspapers as information sources, those working in agricultural biotechnology or those communicating it should use the internet and newspapers more often to educate leaders about agricultural biotechnology practices. Education about agricultural biotechnology through the most accessed media may produce more informed leaders, which may alleviate their concerns about agricultural biotechnology uses.
Tailoring Macromolecular Expression at Polymersome Surfaces
Authors: Blanazs Adam , Massignani Marzia , Battaglia Giuseppe , Armes Steven P. , Ryan Anthony J.
Published: July 2009

A series of amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymers are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization, wherein the ‘A’ and ‘C’ blocks are hydrophilic and the pH‐sensitive ‘B’ block can be switched from hydrophilic in acidic solution to hydrophobic at pH 7. Careful addition of base to the molecularly dissolved copolymer in acidic solution readily induces the self‐assembly of such triblock copolymers at around neutral pH to form pH‐sensitive polymersomes (a.k.a. vesicles) with asymmetric membranes. By systematic variation of the relative volume fractions of the ‘A’ and ‘C’ blocks, the chemical nature of the polymer chains expressed at the interior or exterior corona of the polymersomes can be selected. Treatment of primary human dermal fibroblast cells with these asymmetric polymersomes demonstrates the biological consequences of such spatial segregation, with both polymersome cytotoxicity and endocytosis rates being dictated by the nature of the polymersome surface chemistry. The pH‐sensitive nature of the polymersomes readily facilitates their dissociation after endocytosis due to the relatively low endosomal pH, which results in the rapid release of an encapsulated dye. Selective binding of anionic substrates such as DNA within the inner cationic polymersome volume, coupled with a biocompatible exterior, leads to potential gene delivery applications for these pH‐sensitive asymmetric nanovectors.
Spatiotemporal Control over Molecular Delivery and Cellular Encapsulation from Electropolymerized Micro‐ and Nanopatterned Surfaces
Authors: Stern Eric , Jay Steven M. , Demento Stacey L. , Murelli Ryan P. , Reed Mark A. , Malinski Tadeusz , Spiegel David A. , Mooney David J. , Fahmy Tarek M.
Published: July 2009

Bioactive, patterned micro‐ and nanoscale surfaces that can be spatially engineered for three‐dimensional ligand presentation and sustained release of signaling molecules represent a critical advance for the development of next‐generation diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Lithography is ideally suited to patterning such surfaces due to its precise, easily scalable, high‐throughput nature; however, to date polymers patterned by these techniques have not demonstrated the capacity for sustained release of bioactive agents. Here a class of lithographically defined, electropolymerized polymers with monodisperse micro‐ and nanopatterned features capable of sustained release of bioactive drugs and proteins is demonstrated. It is shown that precise control can be achieved over the loading capacity and release rates of encapsulated agents and this aspect is illustrated using a fabricated surface releasing a model antigen (ovalbumin) and a cytokine (interleukin‐2) for induction of a specific immune response. Furthermore, the ability of this technique to enable three‐dimensional control over cellular encapsulation is demonstrated. The efficacy of the described approach is buttressed by its simplicity, versatility, and reproducibility, rendering it ideally suited for biomaterials engineering.
Process similarity and developing new process models through migration
Authors: Lu Junde , Yao Ke , Gao Furong
Published: July 2009

An industrial process may operate over a range of conditions to produce different grades of product. With a data‐based model, as conditions change, a different process model must be developed. Adapting existing process models can allow using fewer experiments for the development of a new process model, resulting in a saving of time, cost, and effort. Process similarity is defined and classified based on process representation. A model migration strategy is proposed for one type of process similarity, family similarity, which involves developing a new process model by taking advantage of an existing base model, and process attribute information. A model predicting melt‐flow‐length in injection molding is developed and tested as an example and shown to give satisfactory results. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Modeling cell adhesion to a substrate with gradient in ligand density
Authors: Sarvestani Alireza S. , Jabbari Esmaiel
Published: July 2009

Surface density profile of bioadhesive ligands greatly influences spreading and migration of cells on substrates. A 1D peeling model is developed to predict the equilibrium adhesion strength and peeling tension of a cell membrane, adhered on a substrate with linearly increasing density of ligands. Cell membrane is modeled as a linear elastic shell subjected to a tensile force applied at the free extremity and adhesive traction due to specific receptor‐ligand interactions with the substrate. Membrane peeling tension increased with gradient slope and reached an asymptotic limit independent of gradient slope but proportional to receptor‐ligand interaction energy. Peeling tension from substrates with negative gradient slope, at the rear edge of adhesion zone, was considerably lower than the tension from substrates with positive gradient slope at the leading edge, indicating that detachment is more likely to be initiated at the rear edge. This prediction leads to a possible mechanism for experimentally observed haptotactic locomotion of motile cells toward the direction of higher ligand density. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Vigilance in ursine black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus): an examination of the effects of conspecific threat and predation
Authors: MacIntosh Andrew J.J. , Sicotte Pascale
Published: July 2009

Vigilance is thought to have evolved as an antipredator defense but, in primates, conspecific threat often better explains this behavior. We examined vigilance in one group of Colobus vellerosus inhabiting the Boabeng‐Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana. We aimed to (1) describe factors affecting vigilance in this population, and (2) examine the importance of predation avoidance and conspecific threat in explaining vigilance patterns. Because of a male takeover preceding the study, our focal group (B2) consisted of six adult males and three adult females. We collected 490 10‐min focal samples (82 hr) from all adults in the group (N=9) from July to November, 2001. To avoid predators, individuals should be more vigilant (i) with fewer neighbors, and (ii) in areas of the canopy with higher predation risks. Conspecific threats can be divided into extra‐ and intra‐group threats. Extra‐group threats should lead to higher vigilance levels (iii) during intergroup encounters, and (iv) in areas where the home range overlaps with other groups of colobus. Intra‐group threats should lead to greater vigilance (v) in the presence of neighbors and (vi) while feeding or occupying food patches (if resources are limiting). Our results best support the hypothesis that vigilance functions primarily to detect extra‐group, conspecific threats. Individuals were most vigilant during intergroup encounters and in areas of range overlap, and monthly vigilance rates were associated with monthly encounter rates. Individuals tended to scan less in proximity to familiar vs. unfamiliar group mates, suggesting that relationship quality may affect colobus vigilance. Finally, predation pressures or anthropogenic disturbances might have influenced vigilance, as individuals were more vigilant low in the canopy. However, this last result could also be due to the lower visibility because of dense foliage or to the fact that the monkeys have access to fewer escape routes when ranging lower in the canopy. Am. J. Primatol. 71:919–927, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Substantial early, but nonprogressive neuronal loss in multiple sclerosis (ms) spinal cord
Authors: Schirmer Lucas , Albert Monika , Buss Armin , Schulz‐Schaeffer Walter J. , Antel Jack P. , Brück Wolfgang , Stadelmann Christine
Published: July 2009

Research in multiple sclerosis (MS) has recently been focusing on the extent of neuroaxonal damage and its contribution to disease outcome. In the present study, we examined spinal cord tissue from 30 clinically well‐characterized MS patients. MS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and control spinal cord tissue were subjected to morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry for markers of cell damage and regeneration. Data were related to disease duration and age at death. Here, we present evidence for substantial, nonprogressive neuronal loss on the cervical and lumbar levels early in the disease course of MS. Chromatolytic neurons and immunoreactivity for c‐Jun and GAP43 were observed in the ventral gray matter in and adjacent to actively demyelinating lesions, pointing toward neuronal damage and regeneration as an early response to lesion formation. Ann Neurol 2009;66:698–704
Intrathecal pathogenic anti–aquaporin‐4 antibodies in early neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Bennett Jeffrey L. , Lam Chiwah , Kalluri Sudhakar Reddy , Saikali Philippe , Bautista Katherine , Dupree Cecily , Glogowska Magdalena , Case David , Antel Jack P. , Owens Gregory P. , Gilden Don , Nessler Stefan , Stadelmann Christine , Hemmer Bernhard
Published: July 2009

Objective

The serum of most neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients contains autoantibodies (NMO‐IgGs) directed against the aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) water channel located on astrocyte foot processes in the perivessel and subpial areas of the brain. Our objectives were to determine the source of central nervous system (CNS) NMO‐IgGs and their role in disease pathogenesis.

Methods

Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting and single‐cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were used to identify overrepresented plasma cell immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of an NMO patient after a first clinical attack. Monoclonal recombinant antibodies (rAbs) were generated from the paired heavy and light chain sequences and tested for target specificity and Fc effector function. The effect of CSF rAbs on CNS immunopathology was investigated by delivering single rAbs to rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Results

Repertoire analysis revealed a dynamic, clonally expanded plasma cell population with features of an antigen‐targeted response. Using multiple independent assays, 6 of 11 rAbs generated from CSF plasma cell clones specifically bound to AQP4. AQP4‐specific rAbs recognized conformational epitopes and mediated both AQP4‐directed antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement‐mediated lysis. When administered to rats with EAE, an AQP4‐specific NMO CSF rAb induced NMO immunopathology: perivascular astrocyte depletion, myelinolysis, and complement and Ig deposition.

Interpretation

Molecular characterization of the CSF plasma cell repertoire in an early NMO patient demonstrates that AQP4‐specfic Ig is synthesized intrathecally at disease onset and directly contributes to CNS pathology. AQP4 is now the first confirmed antigenic target in human demyelinating disease. Ann Neurol 2009;66:617–629
Chemische und physikalische Lösungen für die Speicherung von Wasserstoff
Authors: Eberle Ulrich , Felderhoff Michael , Schüth Ferdi
Published: July 2009

Wasserstoff ist ein vielversprechender Energieträger für zukünftige Energiesysteme, allerdings ist seine Speicherung eine große Herausforderung, besonders beim Einsatz in Fahrzeugen mit Polymer‐Elektrolyt‐Membran‐Brennstoffzellen. Verschiedene Methoden der Wasserstoffspeicherung werden diskutiert, einschließlich der Hochdruck‐ und Flüssigwasserstoffspeicherung, der Speicherung durch Adsorption an Materialien mit großen Oberflächen, der chemischen Speicherung in Metallhydriden und komplexen Hydriden oder der Speicherung in Borwasserstoffverbindungen. Für die letzteren Lösungen sind sowohl reversible Methoden als auch die hydrolytische Freisetzung des Wasserstoffs mit späterer Wiederaufbereitung möglich. Ebenso ist die Reformierung von flüssigen, wasserstoffhaltigen Verbindungen ein möglicher Weg zur Wasserstofferzeugung. Die Vor‐ und Nachteile der verschiedenen Systeme werden einander gegenübergestellt.
Tuning the Composition of Guest Molecules in Clathrate Hydrates: NMR Identification and Its Significance to Gas Storage
Authors: Seo Yutaek , Lee Jong‐Won , Kumar Rajnish , Moudrakovski Igor L. , Lee Huen , Ripmeester John A.
Published: July 2009

Gas hydrates represent an attractive way of storing large quantities of gas such as methane and carbon dioxide, although to date there has been little effort to optimize the storage capacity and to understand the trade‐offs between storage conditions and storage capacity. In this work, we present estimates for gas storage based on the ideal structures, and show how these must be modified given the little data available on hydrate composition. We then examine the hypothesis based on solid‐solution theory for clathrate hydrates as to how storage capacity may be improved for structure II hydrates, and test the hypothesis for a structure II hydrate of THF and methane, paying special attention to the synthetic approach used. Phase equilibrium data are used to map the region of stability of the double hydrate in P–T space as a function of the concentration of THF. In situ high‐pressure NMR experiments were used to measure the kinetics of reaction between frozen THF solutions and methane gas, and 13C MAS NMR experiments were used to measure the distribution of the guests over the cage sites. As known from previous work, at high concentrations of THF, methane only occupies the small cages in structure II hydrate, and in accordance with the hypothesis posed, we confirm that methane can be introduced into the large cage of structure II hydrate by lowering the concentration of THF to below 1.0 mol %. We note that in some preparations the cage occupancies appear to fluctuate with time and are not necessarily homogeneous over the sample. Although the tuning mechanism is generally valid, the composition and homogeneity of the product vary with the details of the synthetic procedure. The best results, those obtained from the gas–liquid reaction, are in good agreement with thermodynamic predictions; those obtained for the gas–solid reaction do not agree nearly as well.
Observation of the Properties of a Single Unit of a Limited CDW Structure in a PtII/PtIV Host–Guest Binary System Based on a Square‐Shaped Complex
Authors: Hirahara Eri , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: July 2009

A macrocyclic tetranuclear platinum(II) complex [Pt(en)(4,4′‐bpy)]4(NO3)8 (1⋅(NO3)8; en=ethylenediamine, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) and a mononuclear platinum(IV) complex [Pt(en)2Br2]Br2 (2⋅Br2) formed two kinds of PtII/PtIV mixed valence assemblies when reacted: a discrete host–guest complex 1⋅2⋅Br10 (3) and an extended 1‐D zigzag sheet 1⋅(2)3⋅Br8(NO3)6 (4). Single crystal X‐ray analysis showed that the dimensions of the assemblies could be stoichiometrically controlled. Resonance Raman spectra suggested the presence of an intervalence interaction, which is typically observed for quasi‐1‐D halogen‐bridged MII/MIV complexes. The intervalence interaction indicates the presence of an isolated {PtII⋅⋅⋅XPtIVX⋅⋅⋅PtII} moiety in the structure of 4. On the basis of electronic spectra and polarized reflectance measurements, we conclude that 4 exhibits intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands. A Kramers–Kronig transformation was carried out to obtain an optical conductivity spectrum, and two sub‐bands corresponding to slightly different PtII–PtIV distances were observed.
Bemessung typischer massiver Bauteile des Kraftwerkbaus nach unterschiedlichen europäischen Regelwerken
Authors: Kunstein Jens , Jun Daniel , Klöker Titus , Gunkler Erhard
Published: July 2009

Im Zuge ihrer Expandierung erweitern die Energieversorger ihre Kraftwerkparks zunehmend im Ausland. Aus Gründen der Wirtschaftlichkeit werden die Kraftwerksneubauten dabei teilweise im sogenannten “Konvoi” errichtet. Aufgrund der in den europäischen Ländern unterschiedlich geltenden Normen ergeben sich aber unter anderem Unterschiede in der Bemessung und Dimensionierung der Stahlbetontragwerke. In diesem Beitrag werden diese Unterschiede exemplarisch zwischen den für Deutschland und für die Niederlande gültigen Normen, sowie nach den in Europa zukünftig verbindlich anzuwendenden Eurocodes untersucht.

Design of typical massive concrete elements in power plants according to different European codes.

In course of expansion the energy companies expand their plant areas more and more in foreign countries. Because of economy the new built plants are partly built in the so called “convoy”. Due to the different standards in European countries there could be some differences for the design of concrete structures. In the following article the differences between the valid German, Dutch and the future authentic applicable European standards for design of concrete structures are analysed.
A statistical thermodynamic approach for predicting the sequence‐dependent nucleosome positioning along genomes
Authors: Scipioni Anita , Morosetti Stefano , De Santis Pasquale
Published: July 2009

Nucleosomes are the fundamental repeating unit of chromatin and constitute the structural building blocks of the eukaryotic genome. The distribution of nucleosomes along the genome is a significant aspect of chromatin structure and influences gene regulation through modulation of DNA accessibility. For this reason, an increasing interest is arising in models capable of predicting the nucleosome positioning along genomes. Toward this goal, we propose a theoretical model for predicting nucleosome thermodynamic stability in terms of DNA sequence. The model, based on a statistical mechanical approach allows the calculation of the canonical ensemble free energy involved in nucleosome formation. The theoretical free energies were evaluated for about one hundred nucleosome DNA tracts and successfully compared with those obtained in different laboratories with nucleosome competitive reconstitution (correlation coefficient equal to 0.92). We extended these results to the nucleosome positioning along genomes. To test our model, the theoretical nucleosome distribution was compared with that of yeast genome experimentally determined. The results are comparable with those obtained by different authors adopting models based on identifying some recurrent sequence features obtained from the statistical analysis of a very large pool of nucleosomal DNA sequences provided by the positioning maps of genomes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 1143–1153, 2009.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Insulin adsorption into porous charged membranes: Effect of the electrostatic interaction
Authors: Zhang Shaoling , Tanioka Akihiko , Saito Keiichiro , Matsumoto Hidetoshi
Published: July 2009

Insulin adsorption into a series of porous charged membranes was investigated by batch adsorption experiments, and the experimental results were analyzed by the homogeneous diffusion model. The membranes used in this study were prepared by pore‐surface modification of porous poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) membranes by grafting with weak acidic and basic functional groups. The amount of insulin adsorbed into the membrane was determined from the material balance of insulin. The insulin partition coefficient K between the membrane and solution was estimated from the equilibrium adsorption amount, and the effective diffusion coefficient D was estimated by matching the model with the experimental data as a fitting parameter. The dependence of K and D on the charge properties of the insulin and membrane is observed and discussed. The partition coefficient K increased when the insulin and the membrane carried opposite charges, on the other hand, the effective diffusion coefficient D was reduced. These results indicate that the electrostatic interaction between the insulin and the membranes played an important role in the insulin adsorption. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. 2009
Popliteal artery embolization with the Mynx closure device
Authors: Islam M. Ashequl , George Anil K. , Norris Marc
Published: July 2009

Several different arterial puncture closure devices are available for use after cardiovascular procedures. The main advantages include decrease need of manual compression, reduce patient discomfort, and the time to ambulation. Access site complications are not rare after vascular closure device use. We report a case of popliteal artery emobilization after using an extravascular water soluble plug‐mediated vascular puncture closure device. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous versus surgical delivery of autologous myoblasts after chronic myocardial infarction: An in vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance study
Authors: Larose Eric , Proulx Guy , Voisine Pierre , Rodés‐Cabau Josep , De Larochellière Robert , Rossignol Guy , Bertrand Olivier F. , Tremblay Jacques P.
Published: July 2009

Background: Stem cell transplantation for chronic myocardial infarction (MI) provides variable benefits. Most clinical trials have relied on surgical delivery, where results are biased by simultaneous coronary bypass. When bypass is not indicated, percutaneous delivery may provide comparable efficacy with reduced risk. We evaluated in vivo by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) the effects of autologous myoblast (AM) transplantation on myocardial morphology, function, perfusion and scar, and compared percutaneous versus surgical delivery. Methods: Chronic MI was completed in 10 Yucatan mini‐pigs. Three months later, AM were injected in half by percutaneous NOGA® system and in the other half by surgical mini‐thoracotomy. CMR was performed at baseline and 6 months after transplantation. Results: Six months after injection, AM transplantation led to a 26.3% decrease in indexed left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (95% CI: 20.1–29.7%; P = 0.02), 25.5% thickening of the infarct‐related segment (IRS) wall (95% CI: 19.6–33.2%; P = 0.03), and 20.9% increase in left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (95% CI: 15.8–28.4%; P = 0.03). Scar tissue within IRS decreased by 29.4% (95% CI: 19.2–37.0%; P = 0.03), whereas the number of nonviable segments decreased by 25.0% (95% CI: 16.4–32.6%; P = 0.04). Myocardial perfusion of IRS improved by 29.1% (95% CI: 19.7–36.1%; P = 0.04). The arrhythmogenic peri‐infarct zone increased by 33.2% (95% CI: 21.4–44.1%; P = 0.01) after AM transplantation. Benefits were similar by percutaneous or by surgical delivery. Conclusions: Comprehensive in vivo CMR reveals reversed remodeling and improved systolic function, perfusion, and scar characteristics after AM transplantation. A relative increase in the arrhythmogenic peri‐infarct border zone may explain previously reported arrhythmia. Percutaneous and surgical transplantation of AM both lead to comparable improvements in chronic MI. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increasing incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer in the United States, 1988–2005
Authors: Chen Amy Y. , Jemal Ahmedin , Ward Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

Studies have reported an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer since 1980. One possible explanation for this trend is increased detection through more widespread and aggressive use of ultrasound and image‐guided biopsy. Increases resulting from increased detection are most likely to involve small primary tumors rather than larger tumors, which often present as palpable thyroid masses. The objective of the current study was to investigate the trends in increasing incidence of differentiated (papillary and follicular) thyroid cancer by size, age, race, and sex.

METHODS:

Cases of differentiated thyroid cancer (1988‐2005) were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) dataset. Trends in incidence rates of papillary and follicular cancer, race, age, sex, primary tumor size (<1.0 cm, 1.0‐2.9 cm, 3.0‐3.9 cm, and >4 cm), and SEER stage (localized, regional, distant) were analyzed using joinpoint regression and reported as the annual percentage change (APC).

RESULTS:

Incidence rates increased for all sizes of tumors. Among men and women of all ages, the highest rate of increase was for primary tumors <1.0 cm among men (1997‐2005: APC, 9.9) and women (1988‐2005: APC, 8.6). Trends were similar between whites and blacks. Significant increases also were observed for tumors ≥4 cm among men (1988‐2005: APC, 3.7) and women (1988‐2005: APC, 5.70) and for distant SEER stage disease among men (APC, 3.7) and women (APC, 2.3).

CONCLUSIONS:

The incidence rates of differentiated thyroid cancers of all sizes increased between 1988 and 2005 in both men and women. The increased incidence across all tumor sizes suggested that increased diagnostic scrutiny is not the sole explanation. Other explanations, including environmental influences and molecular pathways, should be investigated. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Application of Gegenbauer polynomial expansions to mitigate Gibbs phenomenon in Fourier–Bessel series solutions of a dynamic sphere problem
Authors: Kamm James R. , Williams Todd O. , Brock Jerry S. , Li Shengtai
Published: July 2009

We utilize the inverse polynomial reconstruction (IPR) method to mitigate the Gibbs phenomenon observed in Fourier–Bessel (FB) series. Gibbs phenomenon is the oscillatory behavior that occurs near discontinuities when evaluating series solutions for Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue problems. We employ an approach that uses expansions of the solution in terms of Gegenbauer polynomials on each side of solution discontinuities, the location of which must be known in advance. The IPR solutions provide pointwise values that are more accurate than the truncated series solution, which are polluted by Gibbs phenomenon. We apply this method to discontinuous solutions of a time dependent, linear elastic spherical shell problem, for which a series solution is derived in terms of a FB expansion. For the loading conditions and material properties, we consider the Gibbs phenomenon in the FB solution for a perfectly elastic shell renders the numerically evaluated results unusable as an ‘exact’ solution for code verification analysis. We quantify the degree to which the IPR method eliminates the Gibbs phenomenon in the computed solution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phospholipid Bilayers Supported on Thiolate‐Covered Nanostructured Gold: In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry of Redox Species
Authors: Daza Millone M. Antonieta , Vela María E. , Salvarezza Roberto C. , Creczynski‐Pasa Tânia B. , Tognalli Nicolás G. , Fainstein Alejandro
Published: July 2009

Thiol‐covered nanostructured gold has been tested as a platform for the preparation of high‐area phospholipid bilayer systems suitable for optical and electrochemical sensing. In situ and ex situ Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements are made to study methylene blue (MB) and flavin‐adenine dinucleotide (FAD) incorporation into dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayers prepared by vesicle fusion on dithiothreitol (DTT)‐covered nanostructured gold. Results show that lipophilic positively charged MB molecules are incorporated in the bilayer reaching the DTT‐gold interface. On the other hand, the negatively charged FAD molecules are immobilized at the outer part of the phospholipid bilayer and cannot be electrochemically detected. Our results demonstrate that DTT‐covered nanostructured gold provides a suitable high‐area platform for phospholipid membranes that are able to separate and sense different kinds of molecules and biomolecules.
QASI, an international quality management system for CD4 T‐cell enumeration focused to make a global difference
Authors: Bergeron Michèle , Ding Tao , Houle Guy , Arès Linda , Chabot Christian , Soucy Nadia , Seely Peggy , Sherring Alice , Bogdanovic Dragica , Faucher Sylvie , Summers Randy , Somorjai Ray , Sandstrom Paul
Published: July 2009

Background:

A significant worldwide mobilization effort to treat people with HIV disease began in 2003. Most guidelines for initiating antiretroviral therapy require reliable and reproducible CD4 T‐cell counting. Therefore, any effort that improves global availability of quality managed assessment schemes for CD4 T‐cell enumeration is a positive achievement for the clinical management of AIDS on a worldwide scale.

Methods:

The Canadian QASI‐Quality Management System (QMS) has been in operation for over a decade. More recently, QMS has fine‐tuned its strategy to optimize its global impact in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Three modifications were implemented: (1) introduction of skills and knowledge transfer workshops pertaining to the initiation of national quality management programs for CD4 counting, (2) introduction of a road map to establish domestic EQAP for countries that are ready, and (3) introduction of a statistical analysis package which permits continuous monitoring of global impact of the QASI‐QMS.

Results:

Based on QASI‐QMS distribution of specimens over four consecutive participation cycles, there was decreased interlaboratory variation for both low and medium CD4 T‐cell levels. After three cycles of consecutive participation, there is an average of 38 and 26% error reduction reported for the mid and low CD4 levels, respectively.

Conclusion:

The program improvements mentioned earlier appear to have had a profound effect with regard to enhancing the performance of laboratories participating in the QASI‐QMS. Specifically, there is a significant reduction in interlaboratory variability of CD4 T‐cell counts resulting from continuous participation in the QASI‐QMS. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society
Synthesis and evaluation of micellar properties and antimicrobial activities of imidazole‐based surfactants
Authors: Kanjilal Sanjit , Sunitha Sadula , Reddy Paidimarla S. , Kumar Koochana P. , Murty Upadyayula S. N. , Prasad Rachapudi B. N.
Published: July 2009

The synthesis of two types of imidazole‐based surfactants, [(ROCOCH2MIm)Br] and [(RNHCOCH2MIm)Br], of varying chain lengths (C10, C12 and C16), was conducted in the present work. The synthesis involves an initial reaction of bromoacetic acid with fatty alcohols or fatty amines, followed by quaternization with N‐methyl imidazole. The micellar properties of all the synthesized compounds were determined using surface tensiometry and compared with [(RMIm)Br], a well‐studied alkyl‐substituted imidazole‐based surfactant. Within the same homologous series, a decrease in critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed with increasing alkyl chain length in all three types of cationic surfactants. Introduction of an ester [(ROCOCH2MIm)Br] or an amide group [(RNHCOCH2MIm)Br] in the alkyl chain lowers the cmc when compared to a cationic surfactant without functional group, [(RMIm)Br]. The synthesized surfactants were also assayed for antimicrobial activities and found to possess good activities against selected strains.
Mutagen structure and transcriptional response: Induction of distinct transcriptional profiles in Salmonella TA100 by the drinking‐water mutagen MX and its homologues
Authors: Ward William O. , Swartz Carol D. , Hanley Nancy M. , Whitaker John W. , Franzén Robert , DeMarini David M.
Published: July 2009

The relationship between chemical structure and biological activity has been examined for various compounds and endpoints for decades. To explore this question relative to global gene expression, we performed microarray analysis of Salmonella TA100 after treatment under conditions of mutagenesis by the drinking‐water mutagen MX and two of its structural homologues, BA‐1, and BA‐4. Approximately 50% of the genes expressed differentially following MX treatment were unique to MX; the corresponding percentages for BA‐1 and BA‐4 were 91 and 80, respectively. Among these mutagens, there was no overlap of altered Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways or RegulonDB regulons. Among the 25 Comprehensive Microbial Resource functions altered by these mutagens, only four were altered by more than one mutagen. Thus, the three structural homologues produced distinctly different transcriptional profiles, with none having a single altered KEGG pathway in common. We tested whether structural similarity between a xenobiotic and endogenous metabolites could explain transcriptional changes. For the 830 intracellular metabolites in Salmonella that we examined, BA‐1 had a high degree of structural similarity to 2‐isopropylmaleate, which is the substrate for isopropylmalate isomerase. The transcription of the gene for this enzyme was suppressed twofold in BA‐1‐treated cells. Finally, the distinct transcriptional responses of the three structural homologues were not predicted by a set of phenotypic anchors, including mutagenic potency, cytotoxicity, mutation spectra, and physicochemical properties. Ultimately, explanations for varying transcriptional responses induced by compounds with similar structures await an improved understanding of the interactions between small molecules and the cellular machinery. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2010. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Basement controls on Acadian thrusting and fault reactivation along the southern margin of the Welsh Basin
Authors: Schofield D. I. , Aspden J. A. , Kemp S. J. , Merriman R. J. , Wilby P. R.
Published: July 2009

Inversion of the Lower Palaeozoic Welsh Basin during the Early to Mid‐Devonian is generally thought to have been achieved by a combination of approximately co‐axial shortening and transcurrent movement along major faults to produce a strongly partitioned transpressional strain. However, new field observations from Rhydwilym in southwest Wales reveal superimposed deformations which indicate that thrust tectonics operated within the Welsh Borderland Fault System (WBFS) along this segment of the basin margin. An increasing regional magnetic response towards the south suggests that contrasting depth to magnetic basement across the WBFS may have buttressed basin shortening and provided the focus for thrusting and late‐Caledonian or proto‐Variscan reactivation. British Geological Survey © Nerc 2009. All rights reserved.
Coffee intake is associated with lower rates of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C # ∥ ‡
Authors: Freedman Neal D. , Everhart James E. , Lindsay Karen L. , Ghany Marc G. , Curto Teresa M. , Shiffman Mitchell L. , Lee William M. , Lok Anna S. , Di Bisceglie Adrian M. , Bonkovsky Herbert L. , Hoefs John C. , Dienstag Jules L. , Morishima Chihiro , Abnet Christian C. , Sinha Rashmi
Published: July 2009

Higher coffee consumption has been associated inversely with the incidence of chronic liver disease in population studies. We examined the relationship of coffee consumption with liver disease progression in individuals with advanced hepatitis C–related liver disease. Baseline coffee and tea intake were assessed in 766 participants of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial who had hepatitis C–related bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis on liver biopsy and failed to achieve a sustained virological response to peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment. Participants were followed for 3.8 years for clinical outcomes and, for those without cirrhosis, a 2-point increase in Ishak fibrosis score on protocol biopsies. At baseline, higher coffee consumption was associated with less severe steatosis on biopsy, lower serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, alpha-fetoprotein, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) score, and higher albumin (P < 0.05 for all). Two hundred thirty patients had outcomes. Outcome rates declined with increasing coffee intake: 11.1/100 person-years for none, 12.1 for less than 1 cup/day, 8.2 for 1 to fewer than 3 cups/day, and 6.3 for 3 or more cups/day (P-trend = 0.0011). Relative risks (95% confidence intervals) were 1.11 (0.76-1.61) for less than 1 cup/day; 0.70 (0.48-1.02) for 1 to fewer than 3 cups/day; and 0.47 (0.27-0.85) for 3 or more cups/day (P-trend = 0.0003) versus not drinking. Risk estimates did not vary by treatment assignment or cirrhosis status at baseline. Tea intake was not associated with outcomes. Conclusion: In a large prospective study of participants with advanced hepatitis C–related liver disease, regular coffee consumption was associated with lower rates of disease progression. (Hepatology 2009.)
Identification of androgen response elements in the enhancer I of hepatitis B virus: A mechanism for sex disparity in chronic hepatitis B #
Authors: Wang Sheng-Han , Yeh Shiou-Hwei , Lin Wei-Hsiang , Wang Hurng-Yi , Chen Ding-Shinn , Chen Pei-Jer
Published: July 2009

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs more often in men than in women. Male HBV carriers usually have higher viral loads, which is a well-known risk factor for HCC. Whether and how the male androgen axis regulates HBV transcription and replication is investigated here. We used HBV transgenic mice to evaluate any sex disparity of serum hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV titers as well as the castration effect on this disparity. Compared to females, HBV transgenic male mice showed higher hepatitis B surface antigen and viral titers, which were lessened by castration of the males. In a cell culture system, HepG2 cells transfected with HBV and androgen receptor (AR) constructs were used to study the effect of the androgen pathway on viral transcription and replication. We found the ligand-stimulated AR could increase the transcription of HBV RNAs through its transcription activation domain. A genomic region within HBV enhancer I was identified that is responsible for the transcriptional activation of AR. The results from chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays further demonstrated a direct binding of AR to this region, in a ligand-dependent manner. Two androgen-responsive element motifs in this region were identified, and their mutations can significantly abolish the AR effects. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the androgen pathway can increase the transcription of HBV through direct binding to the androgen-responsive element sites in viral enhancer I. This may explain a higher HBV titer in male carriers and an increased risk of HCC. (Hepatology 2009.)
Clinical optical coherence tomography combined with multiphoton tomography of patients with skin diseases
Authors: König Karsten , Speicher Marco , Bückle Rainer , Reckfort Julia , McKenzie Gordon , Welzel Julia , Koehler Martin J. , Elsner Peter , Kaatz Martin
Published: July 2009

We report on the first clinical study based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in combination with multiphoton tomography (MPT) and dermoscopy. 47 patients with a variety of skin diseases and disorders such as skin cancer, psoriasis, hemangioma, connective tissue diseases, pigmented lesions, and autoimmune bullous skin diseases have been investigated with (i) state‐of‐the‐art OCT systems for dermatology including multibeam swept source OCT, (ii) the femtosecond laser multiphoton tomograph, and (iii) dermoscopes. Dermoscopy provides two‐dimensional color images of the skin surface. OCT images reflect modifications of the intratissue refractive index whereas MPT is based on nonlinear excitation of endogenous fluorophores and second harmonic generation. A stack of cross‐sectional OCT “wide field” images with a typical field of view of 5 × 2 mm2 gave fast information on the depth and the volume of the lesion. Multiphoton tomography provided 0.36 × 0.36 mm2 horizontal/diagonal optical sections within seconds of a particular region of interest with superior submicron resolution down to a tissue depth of 200 μm. The combination of OCT and MPT provides a unique powerful optical imaging modality for early detection of skin cancer and other skin diseases as well as for the evaluation of the efficiency of treatments. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)