bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of painful osseous metastases
Authors: Dupuy Damian E. , Liu Dawei , Hartfeil Donna , Hanna Lucy , Blume Jeffrey D. , Ahrar Kamran , Lopez Robert , Safran Howard , DiPetrillo Thomas
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND:

The study was conducted to determine whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can safely reduce pain from osseous metastatic disease.

METHODS:

The single‐arm prospective trial included patients with a single painful bone metastasis with unremitting pain with a score >50 on a pain scale of 0‐100. Percutaneous computed tomography‐guided RFA of the bone metastasis to temperatures >60°C was performed. Endpoints were the toxicity and pain effects of RFA before and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after RFA.

RESULTS:

Fifty‐five patients completed RFA. Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 3 of 55 (5%) patients. RFA reduced pain at 1 and 3 months for all pain assessment measures. The average increase in pain relief from pre‐RFA to 1‐month follow‐up is 26.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.7‐34.9; P < .0001), and the increase from pre‐RFA to 3‐month follow‐up is 16.38 (95% CI, 3.4‐29.4; P = .02). The average decrease in pain intensity from pre‐RFA to 1‐month follow‐up was 26.9 (P < .0001) and 14.2 for 3‐month follow‐up (P = .02). The odds of lower pain severity at 1‐month follow‐up were 14.0 (95% CI, 2.3‐25.7; P < .0001) times higher than at pre‐RFA, and the odds at 3‐month follow‐up were 8.0 (95% CI, 0.9‐15.2; P < .001) times higher than at pre‐RFA. The average increase in mood from pre‐RFA to 1‐month follow‐up was 19.9 (P < .0001) and 14.9 to 3‐month follow‐up (P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS:

This cooperative group trial strongly suggests that RFA can safely palliate pain from bone metastases. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society
Serum amyloid A
Authors: Cocco Emiliano , Bellone Stefania , El‐Sahwi Karim , Cargnelutti Marilisa , Buza Natalia , Tavassoli Fattaneh A. , Schwartz Peter E. , Rutherford Thomas J. , Pecorelli Sergio , Santin Alessandro D.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors investigated the expression of serum amyloid A (SAA) in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma and evaluated its potential as a serum biomarker.

METHODS:

SAA gene and protein expression levels were evaluated in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma and normal endometrial tissues, by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry. SAA concentration in 194 serum samples from 50 healthy women, 42 women with benign diseases, and 102 patients including 49 grade 1, 38 grade 2, and 15 grade 3 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma was also studied by a sensitive bead‐based immunoassay.

RESULTS:

SAA gene expression levels were significantly higher in endometrial endometrioid carcinoma when compared with normal endometrial tissues (mean copy number by real‐time PCR = 182 vs 1.9; P = .001). IHC revealed diffuse cytoplasmic SAA protein staining in poorly differentiated endometrial endometrioid carcinoma tissues. High intracellular levels of SAA were identified in primary endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cell lines evaluated by flow cytometry, and SAA was found to be actively secreted in vitro. SAA concentrations (μg/mL) had medians of 6.0 in normal healthy women and 6.0 in patients with benign disease (P = .92). In contrast, SAA values in the serum of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma patients had a median of 23.7, significantly higher than those of the healthy group (P = .001) and benign group (P = .001). Patients harboring G3 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma were found to have SAA concentrations significantly higher than those of G1/G2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

SAA is not only a liver‐secreted protein, but is also an endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cell product. SAA is expressed and actively secreted by G3 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma, and it is present in high concentration in the serum of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma patients. SAA may represent a novel biomarker for endometrial endometrioid carcinoma to monitor disease recurrence and response to therapy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Long‐term quality of life after radiotherapy for the treatment of anal cancer
Authors: Das Prajnan , Cantor Scott B. , Parker Crystal L. , Zampieri Joan B. , Baschnagel Andrew , Eng Cathy , Delclos Marc E. , Krishnan Sunil , Janjan Nora A. , Crane Christopher H.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND:

Radiotherapy is the current standard of care for patients with localized squamous cell cancer of the anal canal. The goal of the current study was to evaluate long‐term quality of life (QoL) in patients after this treatment.

METHODS:

Questionnaires were mailed to 80 patients treated with definitive radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, for anal cancer, with a minimum 2‐year interval after the completion of radiotherapy. The questionnaire included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Colorectal (FACT‐C), the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sexual Problems Scale, and questions regarding demographic characteristics and comorbidities.

RESULTS:

A total of 32 (40%) patients completed the questionnaire. There were no significant differences noted with regard to clinical and demographic characteristics between the survey responders and nonresponders. Among the 32 responders, the median dose of radiotherapy was 55 Grays (Gy), and 97% had received concurrent chemotherapy. The median interval between radiotherapy and survey participation was 5 years (range, 3‐13 years). The median total FACT‐C score was 108 (range, 47‐128), of a maximum (best possible) score of 136. Patients who reported depression or anxiety and younger patients were found to have significantly lower total FACT‐C scores. The median scores on the Physical, Social/Family, Emotional, Functional, and Colorectal subscales of the FACT‐C were 20, 23, 21, 22, and 21, respectively, of maximum (best possible) scores of 28, 28, 24, 28, and 28, respectively. The median score on the MOS Sexual Problems Scale was 67 (range, 0‐100), of a maximum (worst possible) score of 100.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients treated with radiotherapy for anal cancer reported acceptable overall QoL scores, but poor sexual function scores. Investigations are warranted into more modern radiation techniques that could potentially reduce late toxicity from radiotherapy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Matrix‐valued Szegő polynomials and quantum random walks
Authors: Cantero M. J. , Moral L. , Grünbaum F. Alberto , Velázquez L.
Published: December 2009

We consider quantum random walks (QRW) on the integers, a subject that has been considered in the last few years in the framework of quantum computation.

We show how the theory of CMV matrices gives a natural tool to study these processes and to give results that are analogous to those that Karlin and McGregor developed to study (classical) birth‐and‐death processes using orthogonal polynomials on the real line.

In perfect analogy with the classical case, the study of QRWs on the set of nonnegative integers can be handled using scalar‐valued (Laurent) polynomials and a scalar‐valued measure on the circle. In the case of classical or quantum random walks on the integers, one needs to allow for matrix‐valued versions of these notions.

We show how our tools yield results in the well‐known case of the Hadamard walk, but we go beyond this translation‐invariant model to analyze examples that are hard to analyze using other methods. More precisely, we consider QRWs on the set of nonnegative integers. The analysis of these cases leads to phenomena that are absent in the case of QRWs on the integers even if one restricts oneself to a constant coin. This is illustrated here by studying recurrence properties of the walk, but the same method can be used for other purposes.

The presentation here aims at being self‐contained, but we refrain from trying to give an introduction to quantum random walks, a subject well surveyed in the literature we quote. For two excellent reviews, see [1, 9]. See also the recent notes [20]. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Debye sources and the numerical solution of the time harmonic Maxwell equations
Authors: Epstein Charles L. , Greengard Leslie
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we develop a new representation for outgoing solutions to the time‐harmonic Maxwell equations in unbounded domains in ℝ3. This representation leads to a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind for solving the problem of scattering from a perfect conductor, which does not suffer from spurious resonances or low‐frequency breakdown, although it requires the inversion of the scalar surface Laplacian on the domain boundary. In the course of our analysis, we give a new proof of the existence of nontrivial families of time‐harmonic solutions with vanishing normal components that arise when the boundary of the domain is not simply connected. We refer to these ask‐Neumann fields, since they generalize, to nonzero wave numbers, the classical harmonic Neumann fields. The existence ofk‐Neumann fields was established earlier by Kress. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coupling Interactions between Sulfurous Acid and the Hydroperoxyl Radical
Authors: Li Ping , Ma Zhi‐Ying , Wang Wei‐Hua , Shen Zhi‐Tao , Bi Si‐Wei , Sun Hai‐Tao , Bu Yu‐Xiang
Published: December 2009

Radical–molecule complexes associated with the hydroperoxyl radical (HOO) play an important role in atmospheric chemistry. Herein, the nature of the coupling interactions between sulfurous acid (H2SO3) and the HOO radical is systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory in combination with the atoms in molecules (AIM) theory, the natural bond orbital (NBO) method, and energy decomposition analyses (EDA). Eight stable stationary points possessing double H‐bonding features were located on the H2SO3⋅⋅⋅HOO potential energy surface. The largest binding energies of −12.27 and −11.72 kcal mol−1are observed for the two most stable complexes, where both of them possess strong double intermolecular H‐bonds of partially covalence. Moreover, the characteristics of the IR spectra for the two most stable complexes are discussed to provide some help for their possible experimental identification.
Relating therapy for people who hear voices: perspectives from clients, family members, referrers and therapists
Authors: Hayward Mark , Fuller Ella
Published: December 2009

Current psychological models of voice hearing emphasise the personal meaning that individuals attribute to the voice hearing experience. Recent developments in theory and research have highlighted the importance of the relationship between the hearer and the voice. This study aims to contribute to this area of research, by exploring the experience and usefulness of a new form of ‘Relating Therapy’ that aims to modify distressing relationships with voices.

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and explored the experience and usefulness of a pilot of Relating Therapy: three therapists, three voice hearers, two relatives and two referrers. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three themes that emerged from the analysis are presented for discussion: engaging with the therapeutic model; developing a new relating style; and how change is described and defined by participants.

This study is consistent with the growing body of theory and research that highlights the interpersonal nature of the voice hearing experience. It also offers tentative support for a therapeutic framework that aims to modify distressing relationships with voices as a means of bringing about positive change. Clinical implications and areas for future research are outlined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

• Conceptualising the voice hearing experience within a relational framework may be normalising, hopeful and helpful for some clients.

• Similarities exist between social relationships and the relationship with the voice.

• Therapy that aims to modify distressing relationships with voices may be of benefit for some voice hearers.
An investigation into the experience of self‐conscious emotions in individuals with bipolar disorder, unipolar depression and non‐psychiatric controls
Authors: Highfield Julie , Markham Dominic , Skinner Martin , Neal Adrian
Published: December 2009

There has been little research into the association of shame and other self‐conscious emotions in bipolar disorder, although there is evidence linking shame to various psychopathologies.

Objectives: This research investigates the levels of shame in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Design and Methods: A cross‐sectional design was used to compare 24 individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to a clinical control group of 18 individuals with unipolar depression, and 23 age‐matched non‐psychiatric controls on measures of mood (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] and Self Report Manic Inventory [SRMI]) and of self‐conscious emotions (Internalized Shame Scale and Test of Self‐Conscious Affect).

Results: Higher levels of trait shame and lower guilt‐proneness were found in the bipolar group. Higher levels of shame‐proneness were found in the unipolar group in comparison to the bipolar and control groups. BDI scores positively correlated with trait shame and shame‐proneness, and accounted for a large proportion of the variance in these scores. SRMI scores positively correlated with trait (internalized) shame and negatively correlated with guilt‐proneness.

Conclusions: There was evidence for the presence of shame within bipolar disorder, but this differed to the evidence for shame in individuals with unipolar depression. Clinical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

• Evidence suggests that cognitive–behavioural therapy is not effective in individuals with bipolar disorder with more than 12 illness episodes.

• Shame has been elucidated as a factor is some chronic mental health problems, including depression.

• Compassionate mind training has recently been developed to address experience of shame and is designed as an adjunct to cognitive–behavioural approaches.

• This paper finds evidence for the presence of shame within bipolar disorder, but with a different manifestation than that found in individuals with depression.

• This suggests that clinicians should consider shame as a factor for exploration within therapy, possibly using compassionate mind therapy, and its inclusion may improve on therapeutic outcome.
The Role of Chemistry in the Energy Challenge
Authors: Schlögl Robert
Published: December 2009

Chemistry with its key targets of providing materials and processes for conversion of matter is at the center stage of the energy challenge. Most energy conversion systems work on (bio)chemical energy carriers and require for their use suitable process and material solutions. The enormous scale of their application demands optimization beyond the incremental improvement of empirical discoveries. Knowledge‐based systematic approaches are mandatory to arrive at scalable and sustainable solutions. Chemistry for energy, “ENERCHEM” contributes in many ways already today to the use of fossil energy carriers. Optimization of these processes exemplified by catalysis for fuels and chemicals production or by solid‐state lightning can contribute in the near future substantially to the dual challenge of energy use and climate protection being in fact two sides of the same challenge. The paper focuses on the even greater role that ENERCHEM will have to play in the era of renewable energy systems where the storage of solar energy in chemical carries and batteries is a key requirement. A multidisciplinary and diversified approach is suggested to arrive at a stable and sustainable system of energy conversion processes. The timescales for transformation of the present energy scenario will be decades and the resources will be of global economic dimensions. ENERCHEM will have to provide the reliable basis for such technologies based on deep functional understanding.
Carbon exchange and water loss from two evergreen trees in a semiarid woodland
Authors: Bendevis Mira A. , Owens M. Keith , Heilman James L. , McInnes Kevin J.
Published: December 2009

Ashe juniper (Juniperus asheiBuchholz) has encroached into the historical grasslands of the Edwards Plateau, an environmentally sensitive area that serves as the recharge zone for the Edwards Aquifer. An understanding of gas exchange and water relations of the two dominant tree species, Ashe juniper and live oak (Quercus virginianaP. Mill. var.fusiformis), is important to assess the trade‐offs between potential aquifer recharge and carbon storage during woody plant encroachment. Over a 12‐month period, juniper consistently had lower instantaneous carbon assimilation, transpiration rates and stomatal conductance than live oak. Oak exhibited greater seasonal variation and a greater correlation with antecedent precipitation in gas exchange measurements, whereas juniper did not respond to precipitation events. The consistent low rates of gas exchange and stomatal responses in juniper could indicate shallower rooting structure and/or limitation of hydraulic conductivity, as well as lower photosynthetic capacity. The higher rates of photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance exhibited by live oak during drought suggest alternate sources of soil moisture and possibly a deeper rooting pattern than Ashe juniper. Water‐use efficiency was greater for juniper than for live oak suggesting that juniper may sequester more carbon than oak trees for a given amount of water. This finding implies that Ashe juniper may not be the extravagant water user previously reported but may serve an important role in carbon sequestration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determining hydrologic factors that influence stream macroinvertebrate assemblages in the northeastern US
Authors: Kennen Jonathan G. , Riva‐Murray Karen , Beaulieu Karen M.
Published: December 2009

The effects of changes in the landscape and alteration of natural flow process on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages were investigated in 67 small‐to‐medium sized (15–526 km2) upland streams in the northeastern United States. Environmental characteristics that were found to be important in determining macroinvertebrate‐assemblage composition include urbanization and concomitant changes in natural streamflow patterns. In particular, hydrologic attributes accounted for a significant proportion of the variability and were important in driving modifications to assemblage structure after natural environmental variability was extracted. For example, mean April flow accounted for the greatest amount of assemblage variability in any single multiple linear regression (MLR) model (65%) and duration of high flows accounted for a significant portion of the assemblage variability in the five, four and one‐variable models (25, 26, and 23%, respectively). Seasonal predictability of low flow consistently accounted for a significant proportion of the assemblage variability in all but the two‐variable (MLR) model. Significant (p < 0·05) bivariate flow–ecology response relations were established, especially for hydrologic measures that account for the frequency, duration, and magnitude of flow events, and these relations generally followed increasing or decreasing trends that would be expected given changes in stream hydrology. This study demonstrates that there are likely specific negative consequences to stream biotic integrity in northeastern streams as the result of hydrologic alteration associated with basin urbanization. Understanding the relations between hydrologic modification and aquatic assemblages will help efforts to set sustainable flow standards for protection of aquatic assemblages while providing water for human needs. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of α‐pinene‐contaminated air using silicone oil‐coated perlite biofilter
Authors: Hejazi Parisa , Borenberg Fredrik , Iş ik Güldem , Rupar‐Gadd Katarina , Strandmark Gunnar , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas , Welander Ulrika
Published: December 2009

Two biofilters equal in size were filled with perlite for treatment of α‐pinene‐contaminated air. The perlite used for one of the biofilters was partially coated with silicone oil to make the surface of the particles more hydrophobic. The filters were run at 1.5, 2.5, and 5 L/min airflow rate (3.1, 1.9, and 0.9‐min retention time). The filters were operated for 5.5 months. The results showed that the silicone oil‐coated filter performed better at 2.5 L/min with a maximum elimination capacity of 20 g/(m3 h) in comparison with 15 g/(m3 h) for the filter without oil. The efficiency was approximately the same for both filters at 1.5 L/min (40 g/m3 h), whereas it was slightly higher for the without oil filter at 5 L/min [35 g/(m3 h)]. The flow rate was set to 2.5 L/min once more (day 151). The results showed that the elimination capacity had increased to 35 g/(m3 h) and that the efficiency of both filters was approximately the same. The difference in results between the initial run and the later run at 2.5 L/min is probably depending on that the number of microorganisms had increased during the experiment and that the oil‐containing biofilter adsorbed α‐pinene to a higher extent than the biofilter without silicone oil during the start‐up period. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Modeling kinetics and isotherms of functionalized filter media for nutrient removal from stormwater dry ponds
Authors: Hossain Fahim , Chang Ni‐Bin , Wanielista Marty
Published: December 2009

Sorption media with mixes of some recycled materials, such as sawdust and tire crumbs, combined with sand/silt and limestone, become appealing in nutrient removal for promoting urban stormwater management with sustainability implications. This article aims to present a specific type of functionalized filter medium and examine its physicochemical process for nutrient removal with the aid of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and isolated filtration kinetics. Within a suite of batch tests, pollutants of concern include ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate, total dissolved phosphorus, etc. The potential for application in stormwater management facilities, such as dry ponds, was emphasized in terms of life expectancy and removal efficiency. When compared with the natural soil that was selected as the control case in the column tests, our “green sorption media mixture” with respect to three types of sorption, including adsorption, absorption, and ion exchange, proved relatively effective in terms of removing most of the target pollutants under various influent waste loads. Sensitivity analysis with respect to the pH values and initial concentrations simultaneously or separately was presented in the end to enhance the engineering reliability analysis. It shows that with the inclusion of limestone, drastic changes of pH values can be buffered well, so that the impacts on the ultimate removal efficiency of ammonia and nitrates can be isolated solely to the changes of initial concentrations. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
The job of the river
Authors: Phillips Jonathan D.
Published: December 2009

Earth scientists have traditionally conceptualized rivers and streams as geomorphic machines, whose role is to transfer sediment and to sculpt the landscape. Steady‐state relationships between sediment supply and transport capacity have traditionally been considered normative in fluvial systems. Rivers are hydrological entities, however, whose function is to redistribute excess moisture on land. The geomorphic work of the river – erosion, transport, deposition, etc. – is a byproduct of the hydrological job of the river. There is therefore no reason to expect any particular relationship between sediment supply and transport capacity to develop as a normative condition in fluvial systems. The apparent steady‐state equilibrium slope adjustments of rivers are a byproduct of four basic phenomena: (1) hydraulic selection, which favors channels and branching networks over other flux patterns; (2) water flows along the available path of least resistance; (3) energy dissipation; and (4) finite relaxation times. Recognizing converging trends of stream power or slope and sediment supply as common (but far from inevitable) side effects rather than self‐regulation has important implications for interpreting and predicting fluvial systems, and for river management and restoration. Such trends are variable, transient, contingent, and far from universal. Where they occur, they are an emergent byproduct of fundamental physical mechanisms, not a goal function or attractor state. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new finite volume method on junction coupling and boundary treatment for flow network system analyses
Authors: Hong Seok Woo , Kim Chongam
Published: December 2009

To adequately analyze the flow in a pipe or duct network system, traditional node‐based junction coupling methods require junction losses, which are specified by empirical or analytic correlations. In this paper, a new finite volume junction coupling method using a ghost junction cell is developed by considering the interchange of linear momentum as well as the important wall effect at the junction without requiring any correlation on the junction loss. Also, boundary treatment is modified to preserve the stagnation enthalpy across boundaries, such as the pipe end and the interface between the junction and the branch.

The computational accuracy and efficiency of Godunov‐type finite volume schemes are investigated by tracing the total mechanical energy of rapid transients due to sudden closure of a valve at the downstream end. Among the approximate Riemann solvers, the proposed RoeM scheme turns out to be more suitable for finite volume junction treatment than the original Roe's approximate Riemann solver because of conservation of the stagnation enthalpy across the geometric discontinuity. From the viewpoint of computational cost, the implicit LU‐SGS time integration is appropriate for steady and slow transients, while the explicit third‐order TVD Runge–Kutta scheme is advantageous for rapid transients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equation‐free model reduction for complex dynamical systems
Authors: Le Maître O. P. , Mathelin L.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a reduced model strategy for simulation of complex physical systems. A classical reduced basis is first constructed relying on proper orthogonal decomposition of the system. Then, unlike the alternative approaches, such as Galerkin projection schemes for instance, an equation‐free reduced model is constructed. It consists in the determination of an explicit transformation, or mapping, for the evolution over a coarse time‐step of the projection coefficients of the system state on the reduced basis. The mapping is expressed as an explicit polynomial transformation of the projection coefficients and is computed once and for all in a pre‐processing stage using the detailed model equation of the system. The reduced system can then be advanced in time by successive applications of the mapping. The CPU cost of the method lies essentially in the mapping approximation which is performed offline, in a parallel fashion, and only once. Subsequent application of the mapping to perform a time‐integration is carried out at a low cost thanks to its explicit character.

Application of the method is considered for the 2‐D flow around a circular cylinder. We investigate the effectiveness of the reduced model in rendering the dynamics for both asymptotic state and transient stages. It is shown that the method leads to a stable and accurate time‐integration for only a fraction of the cost of a detailed simulation, provided that the mapping is properly approximated and the reduced basis remains relevant for the dynamics investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Space–time finite element computation of complex fluid–structure interactions
Authors: Tezduyar Tayfun E. , Takizawa Kenji , Moorman Creighton , Wright Samuel , Christopher Jason
Published: December 2009

New special fluid–structure interaction (FSI) techniques, supplementing the ones developed earlier, are employed with the Stabilized Space–Time FSI (SSTFSI) technique. The new special techniques include improved ways of calculating the equivalent fabric porosity in Homogenized Modeling of Geometric Porosity (HMGP), improved ways of building a starting point in FSI computations, ways of accounting for fluid forces acting on structural components that are not expected to influence the flow, adaptive HMGP, and multiscale sequentially coupled FSI techniques. While FSI modeling of complex parachutes was the motivation behind developing some of these techniques, they are also applicable to other classes of complex FSI problems. We also present new ideas to increase the scope of our FSI and CFD techniques. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in anxiety disorders: a comprehensive review of their clinical efficacy
Authors: Dell'Osso Bernardo , Buoli Massimiliano , Baldwin David S. , Altamura A. Carlo
Published: December 2009

Anxiety disorders are common psychiatric conditions that typically require long‐term treatment. This review summarizes current knowledge of the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders with serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) with specific emphasis on the findings of recent randomized clinical trials and relevant neurobiological investigations. It is now well established that gabaergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems play a critical role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, abnormalities in these systems being related to structural and functional alterations in specific brain areas such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, locus coeruleus and hippocampus, as repeatedly shown by neuroimaging studies. SNRIs selectively inhibit norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake and have shown to be efficacious and generally well tolerated treatments in patients with anxiety disorders, with some potential clinical advantages over selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are considered by many to represent first‐line pharmacological treatments in patients with anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by a typically chronic course, high rates of comorbidity and frequent partial response to standard treatments, and the increasing use of SNRIs reflects currently unmet clinical need, in terms of overall response, remission rates and treatment tolerability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Berk Lesley , Hallam Karen T. , Colom Francesc , Vieta Eduard , Hasty Melissa , Macneil Craig , Berk Michael
Published: December 2009

Objectives

Medication adherence contributes to the efficacy‐effectiveness gap of treatment in patients with bipolar disorder. This paper aims to examine the challenges involved in improving medication adherence in bipolar disorder, and to extract some suggestions for future directions from the core psychosocial studies that have targeted adherence as a primary or secondary outcome.

Methods

A search was conducted for articles that focused on medication adherence in bipolar disorder, with emphasis on publications from 1996 to 2008 using Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL PLUS, and PsychINFO. The following key words were used: adherence, compliance, alliance, adherence assessment, adherence measurement, risk factors, psychosocial interventions, and psycho‐education.

Results

There are a number of challenges to understanding non‐adherence including the difficulty in defining and measuring it and the various risk factors that need to be considered when aiming to enhance adherence. Nevertheless, the importance of addressing adherence is evidenced by the connection between adherence problems and poor outcome. Despite these challenges, a number of small psychosocial studies targeting adherence as a primary outcome point to the potential usefulness of psycho‐education aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes, and adherence behavior, but more large scale randomized controlled trials are needed in this area. Evidence of improved outcomes from larger randomized controlled trials of psychosocial interventions that target medication adherence as a secondary outcome suggests that tackling other factors besides medication adherence may also be an advantage. While some of these larger studies demonstrate an improvement in medication adherence, the translation of these interventions into real life settings may not always be practical. A person centered approach that considers risk factors for non‐adherence and barriers to other health behaviors may assist with the development of more targeted briefer interventions. Integral to improving medication adherence is the delivery of psycho‐education, and attention needs to be paid to the implementation, and timing of psycho‐education. Progress in the understanding of how medicines work may add to the credibility of psycho‐education in the future.

Conclusions

Enhancement of treatment adherence in bipolar patients is a necessary and promising management component as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy. The current literature on psychosocial interventions that target medication adherence in bipolar disorder points to the possibility of refining the concept of non‐adherence and adapting psycho‐education to the needs of certain subgroups of people with bipolar disorder. Large scale randomized controlled trials of briefer or more condensed interventions are needed that can inform clinical practice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lorazepam modulates orbitofrontal signal changes during emotional processing in catatonia
Authors: Richter Andre , Grimm Simone , Northoff Georg
Published: December 2009

Objective

Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome characterized by concomitant emotional, behavioural and motor symptoms. In many cases clinical symptoms disappear almost immediately with administration of lorazepam, which acts on GABAA receptors.

Methods

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we investigated prefrontal activation patterns during emotion processing in catatonic patients with and without lorazepam in a double‐blind study design. For emotional stimulation the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) was used. BOLD‐signals were determined using regions of interest (ROI) and were statistically compared between groups.

Results

For negative emotional pictures lorazepam induced higher signal decreases in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in catatonic patients than in healthy subjects resulting in a regularization of activity patterns comparable to healthy subjects with placebo.

Conclusions

Results indicate disturbances in the functioning of OFC in catatonia. GABAergic modified emotion regulation with decreased inhibition of affective stimuli could lead to the intense emotions reported by many catatonic patients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Switching stable patients with schizophrenia from depot and oral antipsychotics to long‐acting injectable risperidone: reasons for switching and safety
Authors: Hawley Chris , Turner Martin , Latif Muhammud A , Curtis Vivienne , Saleem Packeruther T , Wilton Kristina
Published: December 2009

Objective

An international, non‐randomised study evaluated efficacy and safety of risperidone long‐acting injectable (RLAI) compared to previous treatment. To investigate generisability of the European data set to the UK subset safety and switching data are reported here.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, symptomatically stable on antipsychotic medication, received intramuscular injections of RLAI 25 mg (to a maximum of 50 mg) every 2 weeks for 6 months.

Results

Of 182 UK patients enrolled, 79% had schizophrenia, 21% other psychotic disorders. Insufficient efficacy (43%), side effects (45%), and non‐compliance (25%) were the most common reasons for switching. Sixty‐nine per cent of patients completed the trial; 8% discontinued due to adverse events (AEs). Most frequent treatment‐emergent AEs were headache (8.2%), relapse (7.7%) and insomnia (7.1%); 8 (4.4%) patients reported injection‐related AEs. There were significant improvements in extrapyramidal symptom rating scale total and subscale (particularly Parkinsonism) scores, regardless of previous medication (total cohort, p≤0.0001). There was a small but significant increase in body weight at endpoint (1.2kg, p = 0.0023). One patient suffered a myocardial infarction and died (not treatment‐related). There were no substantial differences between the full data set and the UK sub‐population

Conclusion

Switch to RLAI was well‐tolerated in stable patients over 6 months. The European data set is generalisable to the UK patient population. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 4H‐benzopyrans catalyzed by acyclic acidic ionic liquids in aqueous media
Authors: Fang Dong , Zhang Hua‐Bin , Liu Zu‐Liang
Published: December 2009

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Some halogen‐free acyclic task‐specific ionic liquids (TSILs) were synthesized as novel and recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of 5‐oxo‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐benzo[b]pyrans by one‐pot three‐component condensation of aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile (or ethyl cyanoacetate), and dimedone (or 1,3‐cyclohexanedione) in water. The condensation accomplished successfully with good yields ranged from 86 to 94%. After the reaction, the products could simply be separated from the catalyst/water, and the catalyst could be reused at least 10 times without noticeably decreasing the catalytic activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
Synthesis and crystal structure characterization of 3,5‐bis(2‐quinolyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole
Authors: Cheng Hui‐Min , Zhu Dun‐Ru , Lu Wei , Xu Ren‐Hui , Shen Xuan
Published: December 2009

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The first quinolyl substituted 1,2,4‐triazole, 3,5‐bis(2‐quinolyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (4), was synthesized from 2‐cyanoquinoline (1) through an intermediate 2‐quinolylhydrazidine (2) with 60.4% yield in a simple way. In the synthetic process of 4, another new intermediate, 1,4‐diamino‐1,4‐bis(2‐quinolyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene (3) was obtained in a yield of 81.5%. Additionally, the absolute configurations of both 3 and 4 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel 2‐benzimidazolylimino‐5‐arylidene‐4‐thiazolidinones
Authors: Mobinikhaledi Akbar , Foroughifar Naser , Kalhor Mehdi , Mirabolfathy Mansoureh
Published: December 2009

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A series of 5‐arylidene derivatives 3a‐k, as potential antifungal agents, were synthesized in good to high yields by the reaction of 2‐benzimidazolylimino‐4‐thiazolidinone and corresponding aromatic aldehyde in a buffered medium. These compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activities against four agricultural fungi, Botrytis elliptica, Fusarium graminearum, Phytophthora nicotianae, and Rhizoctonia solani. Thereby, it was found that the compound 1 exhibits an antifungal effect against P. nicotianae and B. elliptica, comparable with carbendazim as a standard antifungal. Our results may provide some guidance for development of some novel benzimidazole‐based antifungal lead structures. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
Piperidine mediated synthesis of n‐heterocyclic chalcones and their antibacterial activity
Authors: Venkatesan P. , Sumathi S.
Published: December 2009

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The chalcones 1‐(2′‐hydroxy‐aryl)‐3‐(1‐indol‐3‐yl)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (3) and 1‐(2′‐hydroxy‐aryl)‐3‐(2‐chloroquinolin‐3‐yl)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (6) were synthesised by piperidine mediated condensation of an ethanolic solution of an o‐hydroxyacetophenone (1) with corresponding heteroaryl‐3‐carboxaldehyde. The structures have been established on the basis of elemental (C, H, N) analysis, UV, IR, 1H NMR spectral data. The compounds 3 and 6 were screened for antimicrobial activities against a variety of bacterial agents. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
Unusual anisotropic effects from 1,3‐dipolar cycloadducts of 4‐azidomethyl coumarins
Authors: Kusanur Raviraj A. , Kulkarni Manohar V. , Kulkarni Geetha M. , Nayak Susanta K. , Guru Row Tayur N. , Ganesan Kilivelu , Sun Chung‐Ming
Published: December 2009

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4‐Bromomethylcoumarins (1) reacted with sodium azide in aqueous acetone to give 4‐azidomethylcoumarins (2), which underwent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition with acetylenic dipolarophiles to give triazoles (3). These triazoles (3) have been found to exhibit interesting variations in the chemical shifts of C3H and C4‐methylene protons. Protonation studies indicate that the shielding effect of the C3H of coumarin is due to π‐electrons of the triazole ring, further supported by diffraction and computational studies. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some methyl‐2‐[N‐coumarin‐6′‐yl]‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isoindolone‐5‐carboxylates
Authors: Mir Aabid Ali , Mulwad Vinata V. , Trivedi G. K.
Published: December 2009

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N‐substituted furylmethylimines are prepared by condensing 6‐aminocoumarins with furfural, these on sodium borohydride reduction afford N‐[coumarin‐6′‐yl]‐2‐furylamines. Intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of these amines with maleic anhydride results into 3‐[N‐coumarin‐6′‐yl]‐4‐oxo‐10‐oxa‐3‐azatricyclo[5.2.1.01.5]dec‐8‐ene‐6‐carboxylic acids 4a, 4b, 4c. The [4+2] cycloadducts on p‐toluene sulphonic acid treatment followed by esterification yield the titled compounds. Compound 5a, 5b, 5c was also reduced to isoindolone alcohol 7a, 7b, 7c by sodium borohydride in the presence of a base. All the compounds have been tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, one gram‐negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and one fungal strain Candida albicans at 100 μg/mL concentration. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
n‐Butyllithium‐mediated reactions of 1‐(2‐azidoarylmethyl)‐ 1H‐benzotriazoles with alkyl halides
Authors: Kim Taehoon , Kim Kyongtae
Published: December 2009

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Treatment of 1‐(2‐azidoarylmethyl)‐1H‐benzotriazoles (6) with n‐BuLi (2.5 equiv.) in THF at −78°C, followed by an addition of alkyl halides such as allyl, benzyl, and ethyl bromides with stirring for 2 h at room temperature afforded 2‐(dialkylamino)‐3‐(benzotriazol‐1‐yl)‐2H‐indazoles (8), 3‐(benzotriazol‐ 1‐yl)‐2H‐indazoles (9), 2‐[(benzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl]arylamine (10), and 2‐[(benzotriazol‐1‐yl)(alkyl) methyl]arylamine (11). J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2010.
A fast, reproducible and low‐cost method for sequence deconvolution of ‘on‐bead’ peptides via ‘on‐target’ maldi‐TOF/TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Amadei Giulio A. , Cho Choi‐Fong , Lewis John D. , Luyt Leonard G.
Published: December 2009

A novel approach to high‐throughput sequence deconvolution of on‐bead small peptides (MW < 2000 Da) using on‐target MALDI‐TOF/TOF instrumentation is presented. Short peptides of pentamer and octamer length, covalently attached to TentaGel polystyrene beads through a photolabile linker, were placed onto the MALDI target, apportioned with suitable matrix (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) and then hit with the instrument laser (Nd : YAG, 355 nm). This induced easy and highly reproducible photochemical cleavage, desorption (MS mode) and fragmentation (MS/MS mode). Peptide fragments were identified with a mass accuracy of 0.1 Da of the expected values. This technique significantly accelerates the sequence determination of positive peptide hits obtained from random combinatorial libraries when screening against biological targets, paving the way for a rapid and efficient method to identify molecular imaging ligands specific to pathological targets in cancer and other diseases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomistic analysis of B clustering and mobility degradation in highly B‐doped junctions
Authors: Aboy Maria , Pelaz Lourdes , López Pedro , Bruno E. , Mirabella S.
Published: December 2009

In this paper we discuss from an atomistic point of view some of the issues involved in the modeling of electrical characteristics evolution in silicon devices as a result of ion implantation and annealing processes in silicon. In particular, evolution of electrically active dose, sheet resistance and hole mobility has been investigated for high B concentration profiles in pre‐amorphized Si. For this purpose, Hall measurements combined with atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo atomistic simulations have been performed. An apparent anomalous behavior has been observed for the evolution of the active dose and the sheet resistance, in contrast to opposite trend evolutions reported previously. Our results indicate that this anomalous behavior is due to large variations in hole mobility with active dopant concentration, much larger than that associated to the classical dependence of hole mobility with carrier concentration. Simulations suggest that hole mobility is significantly degraded by the presence of a large concentration of boron‐interstitial clusters, indicating the existence of an additional scattering mechanism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An in‐situ fluorescence‐based optical extensometry system for imaging mechanically loaded bone
Authors: Price Christopher , Li Wen , Novotny John E. , Wang Liyun
Published: December 2009

The application and quantification of well‐controlled tissue strains is required for investigations into mechanisms of tissue adaptation within the musculoskeletal system. Although many commercial and custom extensometry systems exist for large biological samples, integrated loading/strain measurement for small samples is not as readily available. Advanced imaging modules such as laser scanning microscopy provide in situ, minimally invasive tools to probe cellular and molecular processes with high spatiotemporal resolution. Currently, a need exists to devise loading/strain measurement systems that can be integrated with such advanced imaging modules. We describe the development and validation of a fluorescence‐based, optical extensometry system directly integrated within a confocal microscopy platform. This system allows in situ measurement of surface strain and is compatible with the direct imaging of cellular processes within small bone samples. This optical extensometry system can accurately and reproducibly measure physiologically relevant surface strains (200 to 3000 microstrain) in beams machined from various well‐characterized materials, including bovine femoral cortex, and in intact murine tibia. This simple system provides a powerful tool to further our investigation of the relationships between mechanical loading, fluid and solute transport, and mechanosensation within the musculoskeletal system. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:805–811, 2010