bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of human cysticercosis in Brazilian patients
Authors: Cavalcante Marcela , Cavalcanti José , Costa-Cruz Julia , Barbosa Alverne , Silva Simonne , Campos Dulcinéa
Published: June 2006

Cysticercosis (CC) is a polymorphous disease, which makes its diagnosis difficult. This study had the objective of evaluating the clinical, epidemiological and laboratory criteria in human CC. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied, and indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and ELISA-IgG were utilized together with computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging on 90 patients with clinical signs suggestive of neurocysticercosis (NCC). Most patients had previously lived under deficient basic sanitary conditions. The imaging techniques showed that 92.2% of the cysticerci were in the cerebral parenchyma, 5.5% had a ventricular location, 1.1% were periventricular and 1% was ocular. The cysticerci were observed to be predominantly in the inactive phase. Seropositivity to the IFAT and/or ELISA was shown by 32.2% (29/90). Of the 29 seropositive patients, 72.4% presented cysticerci in the inactive form, and of the 61 seronegative patients, 78.7% also presented cysticerci in the inactive form. There was no correlation between active CC and seropositivity, since 72.4% of the seropositive patients presented calcified cysticerci. The results demonstrated that imaging techniques contributed significantly to elucidate the laboratorial diagnosis and to evaluate the stage of cysticercus development.
Anoplocephalid cestodes of wood rats (Neotoma spp.) in the western U.S.A.
Authors: Haukisalmi Voitto , Rausch Robert
Published: June 2006

This study reviews the taxonomy of anoplocephaline cestodes of wood rats, Neotoma cinerea, N. fuscipes and N. mexicana (Sigmodontinae) in the western and south-western U.S.A. The anoplocephaline fauna included five species, only one of which, Andrya neotomae Voge, 1946, was relatively common and occurred in all three host species. Other species were Paranoplocephala freemani Haukisalmi, Henttonen et Hardman, 2006, P. primordialis (Douthitt, 1915), both host-generalist species of North American rodents, and two apparently undescribed species of Paranoplocephala s. str. Aprostatandrya octodonensis Babero et Cattan, 1975 from the indigenous South American rodent Octodon degus is regarded as a junior synonym of A. neotomae. A redescription is provided for A. neotomae.
Occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes from the Carpathian regions of Slovakia and Poland
Authors: Reiterová Katarína , Dziemian Ewa , Miterpáková Martina , Antolová Daniela , Kołodziej-Sobocińska Marta , Machnicka Barbara , Dubinský Pavol
Published: June 2006

The extensive distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis cestode from endemic alpine areas to the parts of Central Europe has been recorded in recent years. The first confirmed finding of E. multilocularis in Slovakia was recorded in 1999 in the area adjacent to the Polish border. At present, this serious zoonosis occurs almost across the whole territory of Slovakia. The occurrence of these tapeworms in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at the border regions of Slovakia and Poland has been monitored. In these districts, out of 152 faecal samples examined, 36.2% were positive for the coproantigen-ELISA. With the sedimentation and counting technique the prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes was up to 38.8%. The examination of foxes from neighbouring districts revealed worm burden ranging from 1–15,000 specimens, but the majority of animals harboured medium number of tapeworms. In the Small Carpathian and Sub-Carpathian regions of Poland, out of 65 samples examined, 13.8% were coproantigen positive. Using the small intestine scraping method only 6.1% prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes was determined, mostly with a high worm burdens over 1,000 specimens. The results suggest possible transborder transmission of E. multilocularis, the causative agent of serious alveolar echinococcosis.
A new methodology for the definition of odor zones in perfumery ternary diagrams
Authors: Mata Vera G. , Rodrigues Alírio E.
Published: June 2006

The new methodology called “Perfumery Ternary Diagram” helps perfumers in odor prediction, allowing a fast evaluation of the odor value in the headspace for all possible combinations of a non‐ideal perfume liquid mixture with three fragrant components and one or more solvents. In this work, the determination of Perfumery Ternary Points (PTP) and Perfumery Binary Lines (PBL) is described, allowing a complete definition of Perfumery Ternary Diagram (PTD) odor zones, without the need to calculate a large number of points inside the triangle region. The methodology of PTP and PBL determination was applied to the system: limonene, geraniol, vanillin, and ethanol. The effect of solvent—ethanol—on the odor zones, namely on the number of PTP and on the shape of the PBL was studied, as well as the effect of the non‐idealities. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Ethnicity‐dependent genetic association of ABCA2 with sporadic Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wollmer M. Axel , Kapaki Elisabeth , Hersberger Martin , Muntwyler Jörg , Brunner Fabienne , Tsolaki Magdalini , Akatsu Hiroyasu , Kosaka Kenji , Michikawa Makoto , Molyva Dimitra , Paraskevas Giorgos P. , Lütjohann Dieter , Eckardstein Arnold von , Hock Christoph , Nitsch Roger M. , Papassotiropoulos Andreas
Published: June 2006

A recent study demonstrated a significant genetic association between the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A2 (ABCA2) and the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a large Caucasian sample. The rare T allele of the synonymous exonic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs908832 was overrepresented in early‐onset AD patients as compared to cognitively healthy controls. Here we confirm the association of rs908832 with AD in a Western European population (n = 291, P = 0.008). In a second sample from Southern Europe, rs908832 was not associated with AD. Interestingly, rs908832 was not polymorphic in a Japanese sample. Furthermore, rs908832 was not associated with either serum cholesterol levels or with the risk for coronary artery disease, but seemed to be related to cholesterol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. These data suggest that ABCA2 may exert population‐dependent effects on the genetic risk for sporadic AD and support a role of ABC lipid transporters in the pathogenesis of this disease. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of processing on ethylene propylene block copolymers (II): Fracture behavior
Authors: Gamez‐Perez J. , Muñoz P. , Santana O. O. , Gordillo A. , Maspoch M. Ll.
Published: June 2006

The present work investigates the relationships between the microstructural state and fracture properties in commercial polypropylene‐based materials. In this case an isopolypropylene homopolymer and three ethylene propylene block copolymers (EPBC) with different ethylene content (EC) have been studied. A variety of morphologies were obtained by a combination of several processing methods (injection molding, injection molding‐annealing, and compression molding) and thickness. Fracture behavior of deeply double‐edged notched specimens was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by the essential work of fracture (EWF) method, analyzing the influence of processing, thickness (t), EC, and orientation respect to melt flow direction (MD and TD). The testing direction and EC are the most relevant variables that affect the ability of the crack tip to deform plastically during the crack propagation, determining the final fracture behavior. The fracture parameters obtained with the EWF method, specific EWF, we, and plastic item, βwp, have proved to be very sensitive to the processing induced morphology, finding interesting relationships between such morphologies (characterized by crystallinity index, orientation level, and skin/core ratio) and the fracture parameters of the plaques. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2714–2724, 2006
Overall properties of fibrillar silicate/styrene–butadiene rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Tian Ming , Cheng Lijun , Liang Wenli , Zhang Liqun
Published: June 2006

The mechanical properties, heat aging resistance, dynamic properties, and abrasion resistance of fibrillar silicate (FS)/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites are discussed in detail. Compared with white carbon black (WCB)/SBR composites, FS/SBR composites exhibit higher tensile stress at definite strain, higher tear strength, and lower elongation at break but poor abrasion resistance and tensile strength. Surprisingly, FS/SBR compounds have better flow properties. This is because by rubber melt blending modified FS can be separated into numerous nanosized fibrils under mechanical shear. Moreover, the composites show visible anisotropy due to the orientation of nanofibrils. There is potential for FS to be used to some extent as a reinforcing agent for rubber instead of short microfibers or white carbon black. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2725–2731, 2006
Contributions to characterization of poly(vinyl chloride)–lignin blends
Authors: Banu D. , El‐Aghoury A. , Feldman D.
Published: June 2006

The present study evaluates the impact of blending organosolv and kraft lignins, which are natural polymer by‐products in the pulp and paper industry, with plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in flooring formulations. Also examined is the impact of replacing dioctyl phthalate, a PVC industry general‐purpose plasticizer, with diethylene glycol dibenzoate (Benzoflex 2‐45), tricresyl phosphate (Lindol), or alkyl sulfonic phenyl ester (Mesamoll) in these formulations. The influence of the different types of lignins and plasticizers on the processibility, thermal, and mechanical properties of the blends is discussed. These properties demonstrate that partial replacement of PVC (20 parts) with different lignins is feasible for some formulations that can be successfully used as matrices for a high level of calcium carbonate filler in flooring products. In addition, the data demonstrate that the presence of certain plasticizers, which interfere with the intramolecular interactions existing in lignins, may allow the lignin molecules to have more molecular mobility. The morphology and the properties of PVC plasticized lignin blends are strongly influenced by the degree and mode of the lignin plasticization and its dispersion within the PVC matrix. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2732–2748, 2006
Innovative ground‐penetrating radar methods for archaeological mapping
Authors: Conyers Lawrence B.
Published: June 2006

The three‐dimensional complexity of ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) data can be one of its strengths, as multiple factors are included in “cubes” of radar wave reflections. These parameters are time that can be converted to depth, wide bands of wave frequency that are capable of differing feature resolution and wave amplitudes that are a function of material differences at buried interfaces. When GPR data are filtered and corrected to enhance aspects of these factors, many otherwise invisible buried features become visible in the resulting maps and images. This can allow for buried archaeological feature resolution even in the most cluttered and noisy urban environments, as demonstrated by GPR maps from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β‐Amyloid fibril formation is promoted by step edges of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Losic Dusan , Martin Lisandra L. , Aguilar Marie‐Isabel , Small David H.
Published: June 2006

The aggregation of the amyloid‐β‐protein (Aβ) is an important step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. As Aβ fibrils are not found in all brain regions, endogenous factors may influence Aβ fibril formation. In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the role of surface phenomena in directing amyloid aggregation. Aβ1‐40 was applied to a surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite at a concentration of 0.5 μM. Steps formed by edge‐plane surface defects on the graphite were found to act as a template to promote the assembly of Aβ into fibrils. Initially, after being deposited on the graphite surface, Aβ had a uniform beaded morphology. However, after incubating (aging) the Aβ on the surface for several hours, the Aβ assembled along step edges to form linear aggregates. After more prolonged incubation, the linear Aβ aggregates fused to form mature fibrils with a distinctive helical morphology. The results demonstrate that surface interactions can promote the aggregation of Aβ into amyloid fibrils and they suggest that similar interactions could promote amyloid aggregation in vivo. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 84: 519–526, 2006

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
Secondary structural formation of α‐synuclein amyloids as revealed by g‐factor of solid‐state circular dichroism
Authors: Lin Xiao‐Jing , Zhang Feng , Xie Yuan‐Yuan , Bao Wen‐Jing , He Jian‐Hua , Hu Hong‐Yu
Published: June 2006

α‐Synuclein (α‐Syn) has been identified as a component of intracellular fibrillar deposits in Parkinson's disease. Though the real pathogenesis is still unknown, many investigations have revealed that conformational alteration and fibril formation of α‐Syn protein have an important role in causing the disease. In this work, we introduced the g‐factor spectra of solid‐state circular dichroism to estimate the secondary structure contents of α‐Syn fragments in amyloids. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) was also applied to confirm the structural formation. The results suggest that the central hydrophobic region is critical for β‐sheet formation and the conformational alteration is the foundation of protein abnormal aggregation. The research provides a practical approach to estimate the secondary structure contents of protein amyloids and further insight into the relevance of structural transformation and amyloidogenesis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 226–232, 2006

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
Expression of RANKL/RANK/OPG in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer as markers of disease stage and functional regulation
Authors: Chen Gaoping , Sircar Kanishka , Aprikian Armen , Potti Anil , Goltzman David , Rabbani Shafaat A.
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

Late‐stage prostate cancer patients are refractory to hormone therapy and exhibit a high propensity to develop skeletal metastasis. In this regard, the role of a novel cytokine system belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family that is critical for osteoclastic osteolysis and that consists of receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL), its receptor (RANK), and decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) is of potential interest.

METHODS

Reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis was used to examine the expression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG in human prostate cancer cell lines and in 89 archival samples of primary and metastatic (lymph nodes, skeleton) prostate cancer patients. Expression of these proteins was correlated with clinicopathogic parameters of the prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Expression of RANKL/RANK/OPG was low in normal but markedly higher in prostate cancer cell lines. Analysis of surgical biopsy specimens showed the expression of RANKL (31%), RANK (38%), and OPG (19%) in primary carcinoma. The expression frequency was significantly higher (RANKL [44%], RANK [49%], and OPG [73%]) in metastatic prostate cancer. OPG (83%) production was more common in skeletal as compared with lymph node metastases (46%), whereas the expression of RANKL expression was less discordant in bone (47%) and lymph node metastases (36%). The increased expression of RANKL/RANK/OPG observed correlated with Gleason score, TNM stage, androgen status, and serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels in the prostate cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of RANKL/RANK/OPG correlates with more aggressive, advanced, metastatic prostate carcinoma to suggest their role as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Preoperative radiation therapy with selective dose escalation to the margin at risk for retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Tzeng Ching‐Wei D. , Fiveash John B. , Popple Richard A. , Pablo Arnoletti J. , Russo Suzanne M. , Urist Marshall M. , Bland Kirby I. , Heslin Martin J.
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs) are rare tumors with poor survival rates due to difficult resectability and high local and distant recurrence rates. Preoperative radiation therapy appears to have dosimetric advantages to utilize the tumor as a tissue expander to limit exposure of small bowel to higher radiation doses.

METHODS

Between June 1999 and December 2003, 16 consecutive patients with biopsy‐proven RPS were treated with preoperative radiation with selective dose escalation. This included 45 grays (Gy) in 25 fractions to the entire tumor plus margin and a boost dose of 57.5 Gy to the volume predicted as high risk for positive surgical margins. Treatment toxicity and local control were evaluated prospectively as primary endpoints. The secondary goal was the theoretical calculation of future dose escalation and feasibility. Each patient underwent laparotomy. Tumor response was judged using computed tomography (CT) scan and by necrosis on final pathology. Theoretical treatment plans evaluated the potential for additional radiation dose escalation.

RESULTS

All patients completed the radiation protocol. The most common acute side effects were nausea/vomiting, which affected 4 patients (25%), with only 1 patient requiring inpatient intravenous hydration. There was no severe late postoperative morbidity or mortality. Twelve tumors (75%) decreased in maximum dimension, with a median decrease of 9.4%. Fourteen of 16 patients (88%) underwent complete macroscopic resection. With a median follow‐up of 28 months (range, 7‐52 months), there were only 2 local recurrences. The actuarial 2‐year local control rate was 80%. Theoretical treatment plans suggest that significant dose escalation (up to 80 Gy) may be possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative radiation therapy with selective dose escalation to the margin at risk is tolerable and allows higher radiation dose to the volume judged to be at greatest risk for local tumor recurrence. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Retinal capillary basement membrane thickness in diabetic mice genetically modified at the haptoglobin locus
Authors: Miller‐Lotan Rachel , Miller Benjamin , Nakhoul Farid , Aronson Doron , Asaf Roy , Levy Andrew P.
Published: June 2006

Background

Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) homozygous for the haptoglobin (Hp) 1 allele are at decreased risk of retinopathy as compared to DM individuals with the Hp 2 allele. We sought to recapitulate these findings in DM mice genetically modified at the Hp locus.

Methods

An early morphological characteristic of the microangiopathy seen in diabetic retinal disease is retinal capillary basement membrane (RCBM) thickening. RCBM thickness as assessed by electron microscopy was performed on a total of 12 eyes taken from three mice in each of the four study groups (three eyes from C57Bl/6 Hp 1 and C57Bl/6 Hp 2 mice with and without streptozotocin‐induced diabetes).

Results

The non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test demonstrated that there was a highly significant difference between the four groups of mice (P < 0.0001). Mann–Whitney tests for specific pair‐wise comparisons demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the RCBM thickness between Hp 1 and Hp 2 mice (p = 0.70) or between DM Hp 1 and non‐DM Hp 1 mice (p = 0.42). However, induction of diabetes resulted in a marked increase in RCBM thickness in Hp 2 mice compared to non‐DM Hp 2 mice (p = 0.0004) and compared to DM Hp 1 mice (p = 0.0005).

Conclusions

A highly significant increase in RCBM thickness was observed in DM mice with the Hp 2 genotype. These data provide important support for association studies done in humans showing an increased prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in individuals with the Hp 2 genotype. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Definitive endoderm of the mouse embryo: Formation, cell fates, and morphogenetic function
Authors: Lewis Samara L. , Tam Patrick P.L.
Published: June 2006

The endoderm is one of the primary germ layers but, in comparison to ectoderm and mesoderm, has received less attention. The definitive endoderm forms during gastrulation and replaces the extraembryonic visceral endoderm. It participates in the complex morphogenesis of the gut tube and contributes to the associated visceral organs. This review highlights the role of the definitive endoderm as a source of patterning cues for the morphogenesis of other germ‐layer tissues, such as the anterior neurectoderm and the pharyngeal region, and also emphasizes the intricate patterning that the endoderm itself undergoes enabling the acquisition of regionalized cell fates. Developmental Dynamics 235:2315–2329, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Barhl1 is required for maintenance of a large population of neurons in the zonal layer of the superior colliculus
Authors: Li Shengguo , Xiang Mengqing
Published: June 2006

The mammalian superior colliculus of the midbrain is a brainstem center that integrates sensorimotor signals involved in the control of orienting behaviors. Its structure is characterized by seven well‐organized cellular and fibrous layers associated with distinct physiological properties. To date, however, little is known about the molecular bases governing the lamination, differentiation, and survival of superior collicular neurons. Barhl1 is a homeodomain transcription factor that has been demonstrated to play an essential role in maintaining inner ear hair cells, cerebellar granule cells, and precerebellar neurons. We show here that Barhl1 exhibits a select expression pattern in the superior colliculus with positive neurons largely restricted to the zonal layer, as visualized by the β‐galactosidase activity expressed from the lacZ reporter knocked in the Barhl1 locus. Targeted disruption of Barhl1 results in the loss of a large population of neurons from the zonal layer of the superior colliculus, as indicated by reduced β‐galactosidase staining and marker gene expression as well as by increased apoptotic cell death. Taken together, these data suggest that Barhl1 is crucially required for the survival but not for the specification of zonal layer neurons in the superior colliculus. Developmental Dynamics 235:2260–2265, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An aligned nanofibrous collagen scaffold by electrospinning and its effects on in vitro fibroblast culture
Authors: Zhong Shaoping , Teo Wee Eong , Zhu Xiao , Beuerman Roger W. , Ramakrishna Seeram , Yung Lin Yue Lanry
Published: June 2006

Fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds with well‐defined architecture mimicking native extracellular matrix analog has significant potentials for many specific tissue engineering and organs regeneration applications. The fabrication of aligned collagen nanofibrous scaffolds by electrospinning was described in this study. The structure and in vitro properties of these scaffolds were compared with a random collagen scaffold. All the collagen scaffolds were first crosslinked in glutaraldehyde vapor to enhance the biostability and keep the initial nano‐scale dimension intact. From in vitro culture of rabbit conjunctiva fibroblast, the aligned scaffold exhibited lower cell adhesion but higher cell proliferation because of the aligned orientation of fibers when compared with the random scaffold. And the alignment of the fibers may control cell orientation and strengthen the interaction between the cell body and the fibers in the longitudinal direction of the fibers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Matrix‐mediated retention of in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone‐forming capacity by human adult bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells during ex vivo expansion
Authors: Mauney Joshua R. , Kirker‐Head Carl , Abrahamson Lauren , Gronowicz Gloria , Volloch Vladimir , Kaplan David L.
Published: June 2006

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an attractive cell source for tissue engineering applications, since they are readily isolated from adult bone marrow and have the ability to differentiate along multiple mesenchymal lineages, including osteogenic. Currently, utilization of MSCs for bone tissue engineering is limited because of the attenuation of their osteogenic differentiation potential and in vivo bone‐forming capacity following ex vivo expansion on conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP). Previously, we demonstrated that a denatured type I collagen (DC) matrix promotes the maintenance of MSC in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential during ex vivo expansion in contrast to TCP. In this study, we further demonstrate that the maintenance of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential is primarily due to the ability of DC matrix to influence the retention of early passage osteogenic functions in late passage (LP) cells during ex vivo expansion, in contrast to solely enhancing attenuated LP cellular functions during osteogenic differentiation. Serum‐associated factors played a significant role in influencing the retention of MSC osteogenic differentiation potential during expansion on the DC matrix. Significantly, the results show that although LP cells expanded ex vivo on TCP highly attentuate their in vivo bone‐forming capacity, the expansion of MSCs on DC matrix preserves this ability as determined by histological, histomorphometric, and bone mineral density evaluations of MSC‐seeded hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds following an 8‐week implantation period within a heterotopic muscle pouch model. These findings provide further insight into the importance of matrix‐mediated effects on MSC function and selective factors important in this process. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
A new approach to counterpoise correction to BSSE
Authors: Galano Annia , Alvarez–Idaboy J. Raúl
Published: June 2006

In the present work the intermolecular BSSE, associated to the A–B interaction, is obtained by subtracting the intramolecular BSSE of the fragments from the intramolecular BSSE of the supermolecule, and considering every atom as a fragment in the calculation of each intramolecular BSSE. This atom by atom scheme (CPaa) is based on the consideration that the proximity of the fragments may affect the intramolecular BSSE of every involved species, and artificially influences the value of the BSSE associated to the supermolecule formation. It drastically decreases the reported counterpoise overcorrection of the A–B interaction, even though it does not deal with all the overcorrection because it includes all the orbitals, and not only the unoccupied ones. This new approach has been tested on the water dimer, some hydrogen fluoride weakly bonded complexes, the conformational analysis of 1,2‐dichloroethane, and the reaction profile of formaldehyde + OH reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1203–1210, 2006
Lipoplexes prepared from cationic liposomes and mammalian DNA induce CpG‐independent, direct cytotoxic effects in cell cultures and in mice
Authors: Khazanov Elena , Simberg Dmitri , Barenholz Yechezkel
Published: June 2006

Background

Recent studies demonstrated the cytotoxic activity of bacterial DNA (pDNA) complexed with cationic lipids. This cytotoxicity is related to the ability of pDNA to induce potently the immune system, which is associated with release of inflamatory cytokines. Both activities seem to be related to the nonmethylated CpG sequences present in the pDNA. Here we study the cytotoxic activity of nonbacterial DNA complexed with cationic lipids against various tumor cell lines.

Methods

Various nucleic acids complexed with cationic liposomes were prepared and their cytotoxic activity was studied in cell cultures and in tumor‐bearing mice. Cell uptake of lipoplexes was evaluated, and mechanism of DNA cytotoxic activity was studied.

Results

We found that nonbacterial (vertebrate) genomic DNA when complexed with cationic lipids is highly cytotoxic against C‐26 and M‐109 tumor cells. Cationic lipids alone were not toxic to these cells. The cytotoxic activity does not result from nonspecific acidification of the intracellular milieu, as substitution of DNA by poly‐L‐glutamate did not result in cytotoxicity, although the level of uptake of anionic charges per cell was similar to that of the nucleic acids, suggesting that this cytotoxic effect is specific to nucleic acids. By studying the nucleic acid fate using confocal microscopy, we found that cytotoxicity correlated with the release of DNA into the cytoplasm following uptake of lipoplexes. Injection of calf thymus DNA‐based lipoplexes to mice with peritoneal C‐26 metastases resulted in doubling of median survival time and long‐term survival in 20% of the tumor‐bearing mice. Judging by low levels of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL‐6 in the treated mice, this effect cannot be ascribed to Th‐1 inflammation, but rather to a direct cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells.

Conclusions

The above data provide a new insight into the mechanisms of lipoplex‐mediated antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo and new perspectives in cancer therapy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On arc‐traceable tournaments
Authors: Busch Arthur H. , Jacobson Michael S. , Reid K. B.
Published: June 2006

A digraph D = (V, A) is arc‐traceable if for each arc xy in A, xy lies on a directed path containing all the vertices of V, that is, a hamiltonian path. Given a tournament T, it is well known that it contains a directed hamiltonian path. In this article, we develop the structure necessary for a tournament T to contain an arc xy that is not on any hamiltonian path. Using this structure, we give sufficient conditions for a tournament to be arc‐traceable. In addition, we give examples to show that these conditions are best possible. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 53: 157–166, 2006
Characterization of edge‐colored complete graphs with properly colored Hamilton paths
Authors: Feng Jinfeng , Giesen Hans‐Erik , Guo Yubao , Gutin Gregory , Jensen Tommy , Rafiey Arash
Published: June 2006

An edge‐colored graph H is properly colored if no two adjacent edges of H have the same color. In 1997, J. Bang‐Jensen and G. Gutin conjectured that an edge‐colored complete graph G has a properly colored Hamilton path if and only if G has a spanning subgraph consisting of a properly colored path C0 and a (possibly empty) collection of properly colored cycles C1,C2,…, Cd such that $V (C_i) \cap {V(C}_j) =\emptyset$ provided $0 \le i < j \le d$. We prove this conjecture. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 53: 333–346, 2006
Diabetes care in the hospital: Is there clinical inertia?
Authors: Knecht Laura A. D. , Gauthier Susanne M. , Castro Janna C. , Schmidt Ronald E. , Whitaker Michael D. , Zimmerman Richard S. , Mishark Kenneth J. , Cook Curtiss B.
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

Effective control of hospital glucose improves outcomes, but little is known about hospital management of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

Assess hospital‐based diabetes care delivery.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Academic teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Inpatients with a discharge diagnosis of diabetes or hyperglycemia were selected from electronic records. A random sample (5%, n = 90) was selected for chart review.

MEASUREMENTS

We determined the percentage of patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia documented in admission, daily progress, and discharge notes. We determined the proportion of cases with glucose levels documented in daily progress notes and with changes in hyperglycemia therapy recorded. The frequency of hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events was also determined.

RESULTS

A diabetes diagnosis was recorded at admission in 96% of patients with preexisting disease, but daily progress notes mentioned diabetes in only 62% of cases and 60% of discharge notes; just 20% of discharges indicated a plan for diabetes follow‐up. Most patients (86%) had bedside glucose measurements ordered, but progress notes tracked values for only 53%, and only 52% had a documented assessment of glucose severity. Hypoglycemic events were rare (11% of patients had at least one bedside glucose < 70 mg/dL), but hyperglycemia was common (71% of cases had at least one bedside glucose > 200 mg/dL). Despite the frequency of hyperglycemia, only 34% of patients had their therapy changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Practitioners were often aware of diabetes at admission, but the problem was often overlooked during hospitalization. The low rate of documentation and therapeutic change suggests the need for interventions to improve provider awareness and enhance inpatient diabetes care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;3:151–160. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Cost utility of substituting enoxaparin for unfractionated heparin for prophylaxis of venous thrombosis in the hospitalized medical patient
Authors: Leykum Luci , Pugh Jacqueline , Diuguid David , Papadopoulos Kyriakos
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

Both heparin and enoxaparin are effective for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical patients. On the basis of price, heparin appears preferable because it is less expensive. However, choosing enoxaparin may have greater cost utility when the outcomes of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) are considered.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cost utility of substituting enoxaparin for heparin from payer and institutional perspectives.

DESIGN

A decision analysis model was used. Cost data were based on Medicare reimbursement and the medication and laboratory costs for a multi‐institutional healthcare system. Quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) saved by preventing HIT/HITT through the use of enoxaparin were based on published data. Costs are expressed on a per‐day basis, and the incremental cost of enoxaparin over that of heparin was used in the calculation of cost/QALY. A sensitivity analysis also was performed.

SETTING

Inpatient medicine.

PATIENTS

All medical patients for whom VTE prophylaxis was appropriate.

INTERVENTIONS

Substitution of enoxaparin for heparin.

MEASUREMENT

Cost/QALY.

RESULTS

From a payer perspective, using enoxaparin resulted in a decrease in cost of $28.61 over that of heparin and saved 0.00629 QALYs in the base case, resulting in a savings of $4550.17/QALY. The sensitivity analysis showed this finding of decreased cost and increased effectiveness to be consistent. From an institutional perspective, the use of heparin generally appeared less costly but was dependent on medication price, length of stay required, and bed utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

From a payer and, by extrapolation, a societal perspective, cost‐utility analysis supports the use of enoxaparin in place of heparin for the prevention of VTE in medical inpatients. From an institutional perspective, the decision is more complicated, but in most cases, the use of enoxaparin also is supported. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;3:168–176. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Chem. Phys. 11/2006
Authors: Kim Ju‐Young , Kim Hyun‐Mi , Shin Dong‐Hyun , Ihn Kyo‐Jin
Published: June 2006

Cover: The figure shows a TEM micrograph of a poly(urethane acrylate‐co‐styrene) film containing CdS nanoparticles. The film could be obtained by bulk polymerization of a urethane acrylate nonionomer (UAN)/styrene mixture containing CdS nanoparticles. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by J.‐Y. Kim,* H.‐M. Kim, D.‐H. Shin, and K.‐J. Ihn on page 925.
Electrospinning of Fluorinated Polymers: Formation of Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Agarwal Seema , Horst Sven , Bognitzki Michael
Published: June 2006

Summary: Superhydrophobic surfaces are generated by a simple one‐step method of electrospinning of fluorinated homopolymers and copolymers of PFS. The hydrophobicity and superhydrophobicity can be changed by simply changing the surface morphology, which is possible by changing the electrospinning conditions. The appropriate combination of surface morphology and fluorinated materials led to the formation of super‐water‐resistant coatings showing the ‘water‐roll’ effect at an angle of 0°, i.e. placement of water droplets on such surfaces was not possible as they immediately rolled away. The effect is compared with the corresponding nonfluorinated PS and found to be clearly distinct in terms of water‐roll effect. Incorporation of about 30 mol‐% PFS onto the PS backbone could also convert hydrophobic PS surfaces to superhydrophobic surfaces. The effect is generalized by also using a new fluorinated poly(p‐xylylene) derivative. The molecular weight of the polymers has no noticeable effect on hydrophobicity/superhydrophobicity behavior.

SEM micrographs PFS–styrene copolymer, 10% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v); 5% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v) and homo‐PPFS < 2% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v).

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SEM micrographs PFS–styrene copolymer, 10% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v); 5% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v) and homo‐PPFS < 2% solution in THF:DMF (1:1 v/v).
Ring‐opening copolymerization of L‐lactide with ε‐caprolactone initiated by diphenylzinc
Authors: Contreras Jesús , Dávila Darymar
Published: June 2006

Copolymerization of mixtures of L‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone has been initiated by diphenylzinc. The reaction conditions were investigated, to discover the effects on yield, molecular weight and microstructure of copolymers obtained. The temperature used varied between 50 and 120 °C, the molar ratio of monomer to initiator ranged between 90 and 1440 mol/mol, and the molar ratio of ε‐caprolactone to L‐lactide employed was between 100/0 and 0/100 mol/mol. Copolymers were characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, DSC and gel permeation chromatography. The results indicate that incorporation of L‐lactide to the growing chain is preferred and ε‐caprolactone is copolymerized after most of the L‐lactide has been depleted. The microstructure of obtained copolyesters was affected considerably by transesterification reactions. It was observed that increasing reaction temperature, reaction time and concentration initiator was advantageous to the transesterification. The crystallinity of copolyester obtained was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The results are in good agreement with both molar composition and sequence distribution of copolyesters. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Block copolymers by chemoenzymatic cascade polymerization: A comparison of consecutive and simultaneous reactions
Authors: de Geus Matthijs , Schormans Linda , Palmans Anja R. A. , Koning Cor E. , Heise Andreas
Published: June 2006

The synthetic parameters for the chemoenzymatic cascade synthesis of block copolymers combining enzymatic ring‐opening polymerization (EROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in one pot were investigated. A detailed analysis of the mutual interactions between the single reaction components revealed that the ATRP catalyst system could have a significant inhibiting effect on the enzyme activity. The inhibition of the enzyme was less pronounced in the presence of multivalent ligands such as dinonyl bipyridine, which thus could be used in this reaction as an ATRP catalyst. Moreover, the choice of the ATRP monomer was investigated. Methyl methacrylate interfered with EROP by transesterification, whereas t‐butyl methacrylate was inert. Block copolymers were successfully synthesized with this cascade approach by the activation of ATRP after EROP by the addition of the ATRP catalyst and, with lower block copolymer yields, by the mixing of all the components before the copolymerization. Adetailed kinetic analysis of the reactions and the structure of the block copolymers showed that the first procedure proceeded smoothly to high block copolymer yields, whereas in the latter a noteworthy amount of the poly(t‐butyl methacrylate) homopolymer was detected. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4290–4297, 2006
New solvent for polyrotaxane. II. Dissolution behavior of polyrotaxane in ionic liquids and preparation of ionic liquid‐containing slide‐ring gels
Authors: Samitsu Sadaki , Araki Jun , Kataoka Toshiyuki , Ito Kohzo
Published: June 2006

The dissolution behavior of polyrotaxanes, consisting of α‐cyclodextrin and poly(ethylene glycol), with different molecular weights (2000 and 35,000) was investigated. Halogen‐containing ionic liquids, such as chlorides or bromides, were found to be good solvents for polyrotaxanes, regardless of their cations. Dissolution required a high temperature (above 90 °C), while intensive heating over 105 °C seemed to cause decomposition of the polyrotaxane. The discovery of new solvents for polyrotaxane was applied in the preparation of ionic liquid‐containing slide‐ring gels (SR gels), that is supramolecular networks of polyrotaxane swollen with ionic liquids, using a devised “non‐drying” technique accompanied by solvent exchange. Significant swelling of the SR gels with the ionic liquids was confirmed by dynamic mechanical measurements. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1985–1994, 2006
Structures of N‐acetylornithine transcarbamoylase from Xanthomonas campestris complexed with substrates and substrate analogs imply mechanisms for substrate binding and catalysis
Authors: Shi Dashuang , Yu Xiaolin , Roth Lauren , Morizono Hiroki , Tuchman Mendel , Allewell Norma M.
Published: June 2006

N‐acetyl‐L‐ornithine transcarbamoylase (AOTCase) is a new member of the transcarbamoylase superfamily that is essential for arginine biosynthesis in several eubacteria. We report here crystal structures of the binary complexes of AOTCase with its substrates, carbamoyl phosphate (CP) or N‐acetyl‐L‐ornithine (AORN), and the ternary complex with CP and N‐acetyl‐L‐norvaline. Comparison of these structures demonstrates that the substrate‐binding mechanism of this novel transcarbamoylase is different from those of aspartate and ornithine transcarbamoylases, both of which show ordered substrate binding with large domain movements. CP and AORN bind to AOTCase independently, and the main conformational change upon substrate binding is ordering of the 80's loop, with a small domain closure around the active site and little movement of the 240's loop. The structures of the complexes provide insight into the mode of substrate binding and the mechanism of the transcarbamoylation reaction. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of protein subcellular localization
Authors: Yu Chin‐Sheng , Chen Yu‐Ching , Lu Chih‐Hao , Hwang Jenn‐Kang
Published: June 2006

Because the protein's function is usually related to its subcellular localization, the ability to predict subcellular localization directly from protein sequences will be useful for inferring protein functions. Recent years have seen a surging interest in the development of novel computational tools to predict subcellular localization. At present, these approaches, based on a wide range of algorithms, have achieved varying degrees of success for specific organisms and for certain localization categories. A number of authors have noticed that sequence similarity is useful in predicting subcellular localization. For example, Nair and Rost (Protein Sci 2002;11:2836–2847) have carried out extensive analysis of the relation between sequence similarity and identity in subcellular localization, and have found a close relationship between them above a certain similarity threshold. However, many existing benchmark data sets used for the prediction accuracy assessment contain highly homologous sequences—some data sets comprising sequences up to 80–90% sequence identity. Using these benchmark test data will surely lead to overestimation of the performance of the methods considered. Here, we develop an approach based on a two‐level support vector machine (SVM) system: the first level comprises a number of SVM classifiers, each based on a specific type of feature vectors derived from sequences; the second level SVM classifier functions as the jury machine to generate the probability distribution of decisions for possible localizations. We compare our approach with a global sequence alignment approach and other existing approaches for two benchmark data sets—one comprising prokaryotic sequences and the other eukaryotic sequences. Furthermore, we carried out all‐against‐all sequence alignment for several data sets to investigate the relationship between sequence homology and subcellular localization. Our results, which are consistent with previous studies, indicate that the homology search approach performs well down to 30% sequence identity, although its performance deteriorates considerably for sequences sharing lower sequence identity. A data set of high homology levels will undoubtedly lead to biased assessment of the performances of the predictive approaches—especially those relying on homology search or sequence annotations. Our two‐level classification system based on SVM does not rely on homology search; therefore, its performance remains relatively unaffected by sequence homology. When compared with other approaches, our approach performed significantly better. Furthermore, we also develop a practical hybrid method, which combines the two‐level SVM classifier and the homology search method, as a general tool for the sequence annotation of subcellular localization. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tebufenozide resistance selected in Plutella xylostella and its cross‐resistance and fitness cost
Authors: Cao Guangchun , Han Zhaojun
Published: June 2006

A susceptible strain of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), was used to select for resistance to tebufenozide in the laboratory. After continuous selection with tebufenozide 17 times during 35 generations, a resistant strain was achieved with high resistance to tebufenozide (RR 93.8). Bioassay revealed that this strain showed high cross‐resistance to abamectin (RR 35.7), methoxyfenozide (29.1) and JS118 (16.5), and a little to deltamethrin (3.9), but no obvious cross‐resistance was found to cypermethrin (1.3), fipronil (1.3), trichlorfon (1.1), chlorfenapyr (1.0), phoxim (0.9) and acephate (0.8). The resistant and susceptible insects had similar development rates, but life table tests indicated that the resistant strain showed reproductive disadvantages, including decreased copulation rate, reproductivity and hatchability. When compared with the susceptible strain, the resistant insects had a relative fitness of only 0.3. This indicated that tebufenozide resistance selected under laboratory conditions had considerable fitness costs in this pest, and therefore rotational use of insecticides without cross‐resistance is recommended to delay development of resistance. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry