bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraurethral stimulation for reflex bladder activation depends on stimulation pattern and location
Authors: Bruns Tim M. , Bhadra Narendra , Gustafson Kenneth J.
Published: March 2009

Aims

Reflex bladder excitation has been demonstrated by stimulation of the pudendal nerve and several of its distal branches. However, excitation parameters have not been consistent and the relationship to anatomical locations within the urethra has not been fully investigated. An improved understanding of the lower urinary tract neurophysiology will improve human studies and neuroprosthetic device development.

Methods

Intraurethral stimulation was performed in nine cats at near isovolumetric bladder volumes before and/or after spinalization. Bladder excitability profiles were obtained for lower (2 Hz) and higher (33 Hz) frequency stimuli along the urethra between the bladder neck and external meatus.

Results

Higher frequency stimuli were excitable at all urethral locations prior to spinalization but only excitable in the middle and distal urethra after spinalization. Lower frequency stimuli were excitable at proximal and middle locations before spinalization but not excitable at any location after spinalization. In most evaluations, bursting pulse stimulation patterns evoked greater bladder pressures than the dominant continuous frequency (2 or 33 Hz).

Conclusions

These data indicate the potential presence of two distinct pathways for reflex bladder activation within the urethra: a supra‐T10 circuit initiated in the proximal and mid urethra that responds to lower and higher frequency stimuli, and a sacral circuit initiated in the mid and distal urethra that responds to higher frequency stimuli. This work suggests potential anatomical targets and stimulus patterns for clinical evaluations of peripheral nerve‐based neuroprostheses for bladder control. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:561–566, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different estrogen sensitivity of urogenital tissue from women with and without stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Edwall Lena , Carlström Kjell , Jonasson Aino Fianu
Published: March 2009

Aims

Oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) based on estradiol‐17β (E2), E2 esters or conjugated equine estrogens gives rise to huge amounts of circulating estrone (E1) as a result of the first liver pass. E1 is an estrogen (ER) receptor agonist but has also been reported to act as a partial E2 antagonist in vitro. Our aim was to investigate the influence of circulating estrogens on estrogen sensitivity of urogenital tissue collagen turnover in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and in urologically healthy women, with and without HRT, in view of possible effects of E1 as a partial E2 antagonist.

Methods

Markers of collagen turnover, the carboxy‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), the carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and the amino‐terminal propeptide of procollagen III (PIIINP) were assayed in urogenital tissue homogenates and E1 and E2 were analyzed in serum from 54 patients with SUI and 29 urologically healthy women.

Results

In the total control group only a significant positive correlation was found between E2 and T‐PICP. Lowering the upper serum E1 limit resulted in significant positive correlations also between E2 and T‐PIIINP and finally also between E2 and T‐ICTP. This pattern was found also in subgroups of post‐ and premenopausal controls. No association between serum E2 and collagen turnover markers and no effects of lowering the upper serum E1 limit was found in the total and postmenopausal SUI patients, while the correlation pattern in premenopausal SUI patients showed some resemblance to that in the controls.

Conclusion

At physiological E1 levels E2 increases collagen turnover in urogenital tissue in urologically healthy women but not in women with SUI in general; however, there was a certain effect of E2 in premenopausal but not in postmenopausal SUI patients. Urogenital tissue in SUI patients and in urologically healthy women may differ in estrogen sensitivty and in SUI patients this difference may be related to menopause. Circulating E1, which is present in huge amounts during oral HRT, may act as an estrogen receptor agonist as well as a partial E2 antagonist also in humans in vivo. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:516–520, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lower urinary tract dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Silva José Ailton Fernandes , Alvares Ronaldo Alvarenga , Barboza André Luis , Monteiro Raphael Temporão Maciel
Published: March 2009

Aims

The focus of this study was to evaluate urodynamic findings and possible renal damage in children with cerebral palsy and urinary symptoms.

Methods

Children with cerebral palsy and lower urinary tract symptoms were studied. Patients were submitted to urodynamic evaluation, urine examination, measurement of serum creatinine, and renal and urinary tract ultrasonography. Voiding cystourethrography was performed on patients with urinary tract infections.

Results

Thirty‐seven children were investigated, including 21 females and 16 males. The mean age was 7 years and 8 months [SD of 4 years 6 months], with a range from 1 to 17‐year‐old. The symptoms that led to evaluation were urinary infections in 21 56.7% cases, incontinence in 15 (40.5%) cases, increased voiding frequency in six (16%) cases, enuresis in five (13.5%) cases, and hesitancy and urgency in two (5.4%) cases each. The urodynamic findings involved reduced bladder capacity in 20 (54%) cases, with mean cystometric capacity of 168.0 ± 122.2 ml. Detrusor overactivity was observed in 13 (35.1%) cases, with mean of 67.9 ± 34.6 cmH2O. The range of the residual volume was 17.5 ± 33.5 ml, which was increased in five (13.5%) cases. Low bladder compliance was seen in four (10.8%) patients, mean bladder compliance of 22.2 ± 12.2 ml/cmH2O. No hydronephrosis or reflux was observed.

Conclusion

Almost one‐third of the patients with cerebral palsy and urinary symptoms presented with normal urodynamic findings. The most frequent findings were reduced bladder capacity, detrusor overactivity, and increased post‐void residual. No urinary tract complications were observed. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:959–963, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Slice‐selective FID acquisition, localized by outer volume suppression (FIDLOVS) for 1H‐MRSI of the human brain at 7 T with minimal signal loss
Authors: Henning Anke , Fuchs Alexander , Murdoch James B. , Boesiger Peter
Published: March 2009

In comparison to 1.5 and 3 T, MR spectroscopic imaging at 7 T benefits from signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) gain and increased spectral resolution and should enable mapping of a large number of metabolites at high spatial resolutions. However, to take full advantage of the ultra‐high field strength, severe technical challenges, e.g. related to very short T2 relaxation times and strict limitations on the maximum achievable B1 field strength, have to be resolved. The latter results in a considerable decrease in bandwidth for conventional amplitude modulated radio frequency pulses (RF‐pulses) and thus to an undesirably large chemical‐shift displacement artefact. Frequency‐modulated RF‐pulses can overcome this problem; but to achieve a sufficient bandwidth, long pulse durations are required that lead to undesirably long echo‐times in the presence of short T2 relaxation times. In this work, a new magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) localization scheme (free induction decay acquisition localized by outer volume suppression, FIDLOVS) is introduced that enables MRSI data acquisition with minimal SNR loss due to T2 relaxation and thus for the first time mapping of an extended neurochemical profile in the human brain at 7 T. To overcome the contradictory problems of short T2 relaxation times and long pulse durations, the free induction decay (FID) is directly acquired after slice‐selective excitation. Localization in the second and third dimension and skull lipid suppression are based on a T1‐ and B1‐insensitive outer volume suppression (OVS) sequence. Broadband frequency‐modulated excitation and saturation pulses enable a minimization of the chemical‐shift displacement artefact in the presence of strict limits on the maximum B1 field strength. The variable power RF pulses with optimized relaxation delays (VAPOR) water suppression scheme, which is interleaved with OVS pulses, eliminates modulation side bands and strong baseline distortions. Third order shimming is based on the accelerated projection‐based automatic shimming routine (FASTERMAP) algorithm. The striking SNR and spectral resolution enable unambiguous quantification and mapping of 12 metabolites including glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), N‐acetyl‐aspartatyl‐glutamate (NAAG), γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutathione (GSH). The high SNR is also the basis for highly spatially resolved metabolite mapping. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dual echo approach to removing motion artefacts in fMRI time series
Authors: Buur Pieter F. , Poser Benedikt A. , Norris David G.
Published: March 2009

In fMRI, subject motion can severely affect data quality. This is a particular problem when movement is correlated with the experimental paradigm as this potentially causes artefactual activation. A method is presented that uses linear regression, to utilise the time course of an image acquired at very short echo time (TE) as a voxel‐wise regressor for a second image in the same echo train, that is acquired with high BOLD sensitivity. The value of this approach is demonstrated using task‐locked motion combined with visual stimulation. Results obtained at both 1.5 and 3 T show improvements in functional activation maps for individual subjects. The method is straightforward to implement, does not require extra scan time and can easily be embedded in a multi‐echo acquisition framework. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting colorectal cancer by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of fecal extracts
Authors: Bezabeh T. , Somorjai R. , Dolenko B. , Bryskina N. , Levin B. , Bernstein C. N. , Jeyarajah E. , Steinhart A. H. , Rubin D. T. , Smith I. C. P.
Published: March 2009

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the western world. Its early detection has been found to improve the prognosis of the patient, providing a wide window of opportunity for successful therapeutic interventions. However, current diagnostic techniques all have some limitations; there is a need to develop a better technique for routine screening purposes. We present a new methodology based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy of fecal extracts for the non‐invasive detection of colorectal cancer. Five hundred twenty‐three human subjects (412 with no colonic neoplasia and 111 with colorectal cancer, who were scheduled for colonoscopy or surgery) were recruited to donate a single sample of stool. One‐dimensional 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) experiments were performed on the supernatant of aqueous dispersions of the stool samples. Using a statistical classification strategy, several multivariate classifiers were developed. Applying the preprocessing, feature selection and classifier development stages of the Statistical Classification Strategy led to ∼87% average balanced sensitivity and specificity for both training and monitoring sets, improving to ∼92% when only crisp results, i.e. class assignment probabilities ≥75%, are considered. These results indicate that 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human fecal extracts, combined with appropriate data analysis methodology, has the potential to detect colorectal neoplasia accurately and reliably, and could be a useful addition to the current screening tools. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fictitious domain method with penalty for an incompressible fluid
Authors: Zhu Jingtao , Ma Yichen
Published: March 2009

Fictitious domain method shows great advantages when handling problems with complex and constantly varying domains. In this article, we propose an algorithm which extends the fictitious domain method by introducing penalties. Test results with the numerical examples of backward facing step problem and the flow around steady and dynamic cylinder problem show that the algorithm we propose is highly efficient for solving incompressible fluid problems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Numerical solution of hyperbolic telegraph equation using the Chebyshev tau method
Authors: Saadatmandi Abbas , Dehghan Mehdi
Published: March 2009

In this article we propose a numerical scheme to solve the one‐dimensional hyperbolic telegraph equation. The method consists of expanding the required approximate solution as the elements of shifted Chebyshev polynomials. Using the operational matrices of integral and derivative, we reduce the problem to a set of linear algebraic equations. Some numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique. The method is easy to implement and produces very accurate results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Numerical experiments on optimal shape parameters for radial basis functions
Authors: Roque C. M. C. , Ferreira A. J. M.
Published: March 2009

A numerical investigation on a technique for choosing an optimal shape parameter is proposed. Radial basis functions (RBFs) and their derivatives are used as interpolants in the asymmetric collocation radial basis method, for solving systems of partial differential equations. The shape parameter c in RBFs plays a major role in obtaining high quality solutions for boundary value problems. As c is a user defined value, inexperienced users may compromise the quality of the solution, often a problem of this meshless method. Here we propose a statistical technique to choose the shape parameter in radial basis functions. We use a cross‐validation technique suggested by Rippa Adv Comput Math 11 (1999), 193–210 for interpolation problems to find a cost function Cost(c) that ideally has the same behavior as an error function. If that is the case, the parameter c that minimizes the cost function will be an optimal shape parameter, in the sense that it minimizes the error function. The form of the cost and error functions are analized for several examples, and for most cases the two functions have a similar behavior. The technique produced very accurate results, even with a small number of points and irregular grids. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Development of the ways of helping questionnaire: A measure of preferred coping strategies for older African American cancer survivors
Authors: Hamilton Jill B. , Stewart Barbara J. , Crandell Jamie L. , Lynn Mary R.
Published: March 2009

Although researchers have identified beneficial coping strategies for cancer patients, existing coping measures do not capture the preferred coping strategies of older African American cancer survivors. A new measure, the Ways of Helping Questionnaire (WHQ), was evaluated with 385 African American cancer survivors. Validity evidence from factor analysis resulted in 10 WHQ subscales (Others There for Me, Physical and Treatment Care Needs, Help from God, Church Family Support, Helping Others, Being Strong for Others, Encouraging My Healthy Behaviors, Others Distract Me, Learning about Cancer, and Distracting Myself). Reliability evidence was generally strong. Evidence regarding hypothesized relationships with measures of well‐being and another coping measure was mixed. The WHQ's content coverage makes it especially relevant for older African American cancer survivors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32:243–259, 2009
A sacral anomaly from the Quaker Cemetery, Kingston‐upon‐Thames, England
Authors: Pitre Mindy C. , Lovell Nancy C.
Published: March 2009

A rare defect of the sacrum was observed in the skeleton of an adult female from the Quaker Cemetery (1663–1814 CE) in Kingston‐upon‐Thames, England. This is an isolated finding in the skeletal collection and no other elements in this individual were similarly affected. After eliminating post‐depositional damage and skeletal asymmetry, a differential diagnosis resulted in the consideration of two conditions: hemivertebra and sacral agenesis, both of which are rare developmental defects that originate during foetal growth. Although the defect is interesting from an embryological, genetic and palaeopathological perspective, it would have resulted in few clinical symptoms for the individual. This case adds to the limited knowledge of the morphological variability of the sacrum, and will aid in future diagnoses of these rare pathological conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation and identification of isomeric dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra Chinensis by high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shi Peiying , He Qing , Zhang Yufeng , Qu Haibin , Cheng Yiyu
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans are bioactive constituents in Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. They are often present as isomers and this makes structural discrimination difficult.

Objective

To develop a rapid approach towards the characterisation and identification of isomeric dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from S. chinensis using HPLC‐PAD‐ESI‐MSn.

Methodology

The fragmentation behaviours of seven dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from S. chinensis were studied using ion trap mass spectrometry with positive electrospray ionisation and loop injection. The fragmentation patterns of angeloylgomisin H, tigloylgomisin H, benzoylgomisin H and gomisin D were supported by high‐resolution mass spectrometric analysis of some characteristic ions using a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. Combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection, the established approach to the structural identification of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans by ion trap mass spectrometry was applied to the analysis of extracts of S. chinensis.

Results

According to the HPLC retention behaviour, the diagnostic UV spectra and the molecular structural information provided by multistage mass spectrometry spectra and the literature, a total of 25 dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, including seven groups of lignan isomers, were identified or tentatively characterised in S. chinensis rapidly. One of these was reported as a constituent of S. chinensis for the first time.

Conclusion

This study has shown that HPLC‐PAD‐ESI‐MSn may be used as an effective and rapid method for the characterisation and identification of isomeric dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from S. chinensis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability studies of alprazolam tablets: effects of chemical interactions with some excipients in pharmaceutical solid preparations
Authors: Castañeda Beatriz , Ortiz‐Cala William , Gallardo‐Cabrera Cecilia , Nudelman Norma Sbarbati
Published: March 2009

An HPLC method was developed to determine the stability of alprazolam (AL) as a pure drug and in monodrug pharmaceutical tablets. The main degradation product of AL tablets was isolated and fully characterized as triazolaminoquinoleine (TAQ). For a quantitative evaluation of the excipient effects in the pharmaceutical formulations, a 2k fractionated factorial design was applied in the preparation of the different samples. The kinetic of degradation of AL in each formulation was followed by UV spectrophotometry. It was found that excipients like CMC and magnesium stearate favour degradation, while the rate of the reaction is decreased when lactose and starch were used as excipients. A mechanism for the interactions of AL with some excipients is postulated that explains the observed results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid‐Liquid Coaxial Swirl Injector Performance Prediction Using General Regression Neural Network
Authors: Ghorbanian Kaveh , Soltani Mohammad R. , Ashjaee Mehdi , Morad Mohammad R.
Published: March 2009

A general regression neural network technique was applied to design optimization of a liquid‐liquid coaxial swirl injector. Phase Doppler Anemometry measurements were used to train the neural network. A general regression neural network was employed to predict droplet velocity and Sauter mean diameter at any axial or radial position for the operating range of a liquid‐liquid coaxial swirl injector. The results predicted by neural network agreed satisfactorily with the experimental data. A general performance map of the liquid‐liquid coaxial swirl (LLCS) injector was generated by converting the predicted result to actual fuel/oxidizer ratios.
Systematic structural studies of iron superoxide dismutases from human parasites and a statistical coupling analysis of metal binding specificity
Authors: Bachega Jose Fernando Ruggiero , Navarro Marcos Vicente Albuquerque Salles , Bleicher Lucas , Bortoleto‐Bugs Raquel Kely , Dive Daniel , Hoffmann Pascal , Viscogliosi Eric , Garratt Richard Charles
Published: March 2009

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are a crucial class of enzymes in the combat against intracellular free radical damage. They eliminate superoxide radicals by converting them into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. In spite of their very different life cycles and infection strategies, the human parasites Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei are known to be sensitive to oxidative stress. Thus the parasite Fe‐SODs have become attractive targets for novel drug development. Here we report the crystal structures of FeSODs from the trypanosomes T. brucei at 2.0 Å and T. cruzi at 1.9 Å resolution, and that from P. falciparum at a higher resolution (2.0 Å) to that previously reported. The homodimeric enzymes are compared to the related human MnSOD with particular attention to structural aspects which are relevant for drug design. Although the structures possess a very similar overall fold, differences between the enzymes at the entrance to the channel which leads to the active site could be identified. These lead to a slightly broader and more positively charged cavity in the parasite enzymes. Furthermore, a statistical coupling analysis (SCA) for the whole Fe/MnSOD family reveals different patterns of residue coupling for Mn and Fe SODs, as well as for the dimeric and tetrameric states. In both cases, the statistically coupled residues lie adjacent to the conserved core surrounding the metal center and may be expected to be responsible for its fine tuning, leading to metal ion specificity. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender and chain migration: the case of Aruba
Authors: Croes Haime , Hooimeijer Pieter
Published: March 2009

Family reunification and family formation form a substantial part of chain migration, as most countries accept this form of settlement on the basis of humanitarian commitment to protecting families. Yet this does not mean that all migrants are treated equally in allowing them to bring over family members. Whether people are allocated this statutory right depends on their social and economic position. Women might be ‘triply disadvantaged’ as migrant women are often in more marginal jobs, from a different ethnicity, and have a harder time in acquiring these statutory rights. In this contribution we test this gender hypothesis using data from Aruba.

Aruba provides an interesting case because the rapid development of the tourist‐driven economy has given rise to enormous labour shortages across the various sectors of the economy, and it is now among the ten countries in the world with the highest net immigration rate. Due to its geographical position the island has recruited labour migrants from both Latin and North America and also from Europe. Dutch nationals receive preferential treatment as Aruba is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This diversity in immigration allows for an analysis of the social, ethnic, economic and legal determinants of family reunification. The results show that women have a disadvantaged position with respect to each of these determinants. On top of that a separate gender effect remains, indicating that it is harder for women migrants to bring over their spouses and children from their home country. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Narrating everyday spaces of the resettled Adivasis in Sardar Sarovar
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sutapa
Published: March 2009

Population geographers continue to contribute to migration scholarship using feminist‐informed methods. Adding to this literature, this article combines migration and development discourses and addresses the realities and lived experiences of the Adivasi populations whose lives are impacted by development‐induced displacement due to the construction of a multipurpose river valley project, the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) on the Narmada River in western India. The different sections of this article discuss the conceptual approach to migration, provide a detailed case study of the Adivasi displacees, and contribute towards understanding the everyday spaces of displaced Adivasis by taking a narrative approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cultural geographies of counter‐diasporic migration: perspectives from the study of second‐generation ‘returnees’ to Greece
Authors: King Russell , Christou Anastasia
Published: March 2009

This paper aims to contribute to ongoing theorisation of diasporas by a specific focus on ‘second‐generation return’ – the migration of host‐country‐born second‐generation persons to the birth‐country of their parents. We nominate the term ‘counter‐diasporic migration’ to describe this particular migration chronotope. Although the ideology of ‘return to the homeland’ is inscribed into most definitions of diaspora, relatively few studies have been made of ‘counter‐diaspora’, where the ‘scattering’ is reversed. Adopting a cultural‐geographical perspective, the paper explores some of the core elements that are constitutive of second‐generation relocation to the ancestral homeland: specifically the migrants' complex and ambiguous views of ‘home’, ‘place’, ‘belonging’ and ‘identity’; or, from the emic perspective of the migrants, the ‘who I am’ in the ‘where I am’. The paper draws on some results from ongoing research by the authors into the second‐generation return of Greek‐Americans and Greek‐Germans to Greece, as well as on other studies of counter‐diaspora around the world. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying the period of a step change in high‐yield processes
Authors: Noorossana Rassoul , Saghaei Abbas , Paynabar Kamran , Abdi Sara
Published: March 2009

Quality control charts have proven to be very effective in detecting out‐of‐control states. When a signal is detected a search begins to identify and eliminate the source(s) of the signal. A critical issue that keeps the mind of the process engineer busy at this point is determining the time when the process first changed. Knowing when the process first changed can assist process engineers to focus efforts effectively on eliminating the source(s) of the signal. The time when a change in the process takes place is referred to as the change point. This paper provides an estimator for a period of time in which a step change in the process non‐conformity proportion in high‐yield processes occurs. In such processes, the number of items until the occurrence of the first non‐conforming item can be modeled by a geometric distribution. The performance of the proposed model is investigated through several numerical examples. The results indicate that the proposed estimator provides a reasonable estimate for the period when the step change occurred at the process non‐conformity level. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and fragmentation pathways of caffeine metabolites in urine samples via liquid chromatography with positive electrospray ionization coupled to a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap (LTQ) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bianco Giuliana , Abate Salvatore , Labella Cristiana , Cataldi Tommaso R. I.
Published: March 2009

Liquid chromatography (LC) with positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI+) coupled to a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap (LTQ) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) was employed for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and its metabolites in human urine within a single chromatographic run. LC/ESI‐FTICRMS led to the unambiguous determination of the molecular masses of the studied compounds without interference from other biomolecules. A systematic and comprehensive study of the mass spectral behaviour of caffeine and its fourteen metabolites by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was performed, through in‐source ion trap collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the protonated molecules, [M+H]+. A retro‐Diels‐Alder (RDA) process along with ring‐contraction reactions were the major fragmentation pathways observed during CID. The base peak of xanthine precursors originates from the loss of methyl isocyanate (CH3NCO, 57 Da) or isocyanic acid (HNCO, 43 Da), which in turn lose a CO unit. Also uric acid derivatives shared a RDA rearrangement as a common fragmentation process and a successive loss of CO2or CO. The uracil derivatives showed a loss of a ketene unit (CH2CO, 42 Da) from the protonated molecule along with the loss of H2O or CO. To assess the potential of the present method three established metabolite ratios to measure P450 CYP1A2,N‐acetyltransferase and xanthine oxidase activities were evaluated by a number of identified metabolites from healthy human urine samples after caffeine intake. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and electrical properties of the phosphor‐doped nano‐silicon film under an external electric field
Authors: Cheng G. G. , Ding J. N. , Xie G. X. , Kan B. , Ling Z. Y. , Fan Z.
Published: March 2009

The mechanical and electrical properties of the phosphor‐doped nano‐silicon film (nc‐Si:H) prepared by the plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method under electric field have been studied by Tribolab system, which is equipped with nano‐electrical contact resistance (ECR) tool. During indentation, different voltages and loads were applied. The topography of the sample surface was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The experimental results show that the roughness of the film is 5.69 nm; the electric current was measured through the sample/indenter tip with different loads at a fixed voltage, and it increased nonlinearly during the indentation. The maximum current value depth was shallower than the maximum depth of each indent due to the plasticity of the film. When the loading speed is increased to 250 µN/s, the microcrack occurred on the film; the hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) changed with the voltage applied both in open circuit and in short circuit case, which resulted in different values of H/E rate from 0.082 to 0.096. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Embryo development, stress protein (Hsp70) responses, and histopathology in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following exposure to nickel chloride, chlorpyrifos, and binary mixtures of them
Authors: Scheil Volker , Zürn Alexandra , Köhler Heinz‐R. , Triebskorn Rita
Published: March 2009

Two different classes of chemicals were tested in a multilevel approach in this study: NiCl2 as a representative for heavy metals and chlorpyrifos, a pesticide. Both, the single substances and mixtures of them were investigated for their effects on embryonic development, histological alterations, and the stress protein (Hsp70) response in the zebrafish Danio rerio. Fishes were exposed from fertilization of eggs up to a maximum of 168 h post fertilization, depending on the investigated endpoint. NiCl2 led to effects in all tests which, however, were less severe at the histopathological level than in developmental (hatching success) and stress protein studies. Chlorpyrifos did not lead to developmental alterations but it was found to induce the Hsp70 response as well as histopathological damages. Mixtures of both substances resulted in similar results as the single substances; the results suggest an independent mode of action of these two substances and additivity of their effects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Effect of excess iron and copper on physiology of aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid
Authors: Xing Wei , Huang Wenmin , Liu Guihua
Published: March 2009

To elucidate effect of chemical reagents addition on growth of aquatic plants in restoration of aquatic ecosystem, Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid was used to evaluate its physiological responses to excess iron (Fe3+) and copper (Cu2+) in the study. Results showed that accumulation of iron and copper both reached maximum at 100 mg L−1 iron or copper after 24 h short‐term stress, but excess iron and copper caused plants necrosis or death and colonies disintegration as well as roots abscission at excess metal concentrations except for 1 mg L−1 iron. Significant differences in chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) were observed at 1–100 mg L−1 iron or copper. The synthesis of chlorophyll and protein as well as carbohydrate and the uptake of phosphate and nitrogen were inhibited seriously by excess iron and copper. Proline content decreased with increasing iron or copper concentration, however, MDA content increased with increasing iron or copper concentration. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Fundamental characteristics of polycapillary x‐ray optics combined with glass conical pinhole for micro x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Matsuda Akinori , Nakano Kazuhiko , Komatani Shintaro , Ohzawa Sumito , Uchihara Hiroshi , Tsuji Kouichi
Published: March 2009

We have developed a new micro x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (µ‐XRF) instrument using polycapillary x‐ray lens (PCXL) combined with glass conical pinhole (GCP). The x‐rays focused by the PCXL were focused again by the GCP. The size of the obtained x‐ray microbeam was estimated by a wire scanning method. In our instrument, the size of the x‐ray microbeam end was 25 µm for Cr Kα at 0.5 mm from the GCP. The divergence angle of x‐ray microbeam was 15 mrad. In order to evaluate the performance of our instrument, the gain (x‐ray flux density) was estimated. The gain in our instrument was corrected by comparison of the intensity per unit area for a Cu pinhole aperture. The gain thus obtained was approximately 1400. This highly intense micro x‐ray beam will be useful for micro‐XRF analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Captive reproduction of the Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei)
Authors: Searcy Richard A. , Villers Lynne M. , Reams Richard D. , Wyatt John E. , Pilarski Jon
Published: March 2009

The Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1990 in the Hellshire Hills region of Jamaica. Between 1994 and 1996, several wild caught juveniles were placed in six North American zoological institutions including the Indianapolis Zoo. The intent was to establish a self‐sustaining captive population outside of Jamaica in order to serve as an ancillary population should the wild numbers decline. Several environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, photoperiod and diet were manipulated to encourage reproduction in captivity. In 2006, two clutches of eggs were deposited by two separate females for a total of 35 eggs. Twenty‐six eggs were fertile and 22 hatched after a 76–83‐day incubation at 30.3–30.8°C (86.5–86.7°F). The average weight of the neonates was 26.4 g and the average total length was 21.7 cm. This successful reproduction of C. collei constitutes the first North American hatching for this species. Environmental parameters, incubation techniques and neonate morphometry can serve as a baseline for further propagation of the species. This represents a positive milestone for the continuing conservation of this critically endangered species. Zoo Biol 28:343–349, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Technique of Antroduodenectomy Without Ulcer Excision as a Safe Alternative Treatment for Bleeding Chronic Duodenal Ulcers
Authors: Guinier David , Destrumelle Nicolas , Denue Pierre Olivier , Mathieu Pierre , Heyd Bruno , Mantion Georges Andre
Published: March 2009

Background

The treatment of a bleeding chronic posterior duodenal ulcer, with bleeding recurrence or persistence despite endoscopic therapy, requires surgical treatment and constitutes a challenge for the surgeon; furthermore such chronic ulcers are often wide and sclerotic, so the surgeon needs to avoid the risk of recurrent bleeding if conservative surgery is applied. If radical surgery must be performed, the greater risk involves duodenal leakage, hepatic hilar injury, or pancreatic injury. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and complications arising from a surgical procedure, described by Dubois in 1971 (Gastrectomy and gastroduodenal anastomosis for post‐bulbar ulcers and peptic ulcers of the second part of the duodenum. J Chir 101:177–186). This operation involves antroduonectomy with gastroduodenal anastomosis. It is similar to a Billroth I gastrectomy but without dissection of the ulcer.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively studied the medical data of patients who underwent this procedure for the treatment of bleeding chronic posterior duodenal ulcers during the past 20 years.

Results

There were 28 such patients admitted to our institution for emergency surgery, who went on to be treated by the Dubois procedure. Ulcerous disease was efficiently treated without rebleeding or duodenal leakage. The mortality rate was 17%; most deaths resulted from medical failure in older patients suffering from massive bleeding. The rate of medical complications reached 21%. Surgical complications developed in 14% of patients.

Conclusions

The Dubois antroduodenectomy is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of bleeding chronic duodenal ulcers. The number of fatal outcomes among patients with this condition remains high, particularly in older and vulnerable patients experiencing massive bleeding.
Selective Sentinel Node Plus Additional Non‐Sentinel Node Biopsy Based on an FDG‐PET/CT Scan in Early Breast Cancer Patients: Single Institutional Experience
Authors: Kim Jeryong , Lee Jinsun , Chang Eilsung , Kim Seongmin , Suh Kwangsun , Sul Jiyoung , Song Insang , Kim Yonghoon , Lee Chuljoo
Published: March 2009

Background

This study was designed to determine whether a preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) integrated with computed tomography (CT) (FDG‐PET/CT) could be used as a guide for axillary node dissection (AND) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Between February 2007 and April 2008, we performed FDG‐PET/CT scans in 137 biopsy‐proven breast cancer patients planning to have an SNB to select patients for either AND (PET/CT N+) or SNB (PET/CT N0). In performing SNB, we also performed additional non‐SNB (ADD), which was enlarged at the lower axilla.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients with positive scans underwent complete AND as a primary procedure, and 110 patients with negative scans underwent SNB + ADD. There were 8 cases of false negative scans, and no case of false positive scan. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and overall accuracy of FDG‐PET/CT in predicting axillary metastasis were 77.1%, 100%, 100%, and 94.2%, respectively. In a subset of 110 patients with SNB + ADD, 104 patients had histologically negative SN, and 6 patients had positive SN in frozen section. Among 110 SNB + ADD cases, there were only 8 cases (7.3%) of positive axillary basins in permanent biopsy, including two cases of late positives that had micrometastases in the SN only. Through selective SNB + ADD based on an FDG‐PET/CT, we have spared 27 unnecessary SNBs (true positive scans).

Conclusions

FDG‐PET/CT is a specific imaging modality for predicting axillary node metastasis, and allows for a selective approach to either AND or SNB. A selective SNB + ADD based on an FDG‐PET/CT reduced both unnecessary SNBs and positive axillary basins, enhancing the identification rates of SN and the accuracy of SNB.
Consideration of gene therapy for paediatric neurotransmitter diseases
Authors: Rotstein Michael , Kang Un Jung
Published: March 2009

The paediatric neurotransmitter diseases (PNDs) are a group of inborn errors of metabolism characterized by abnormalities of neurotransmitter synthesis or metabolism. Although some children may react favourably to neurotransmitter augmentation treatment, optimal response is not universal and other modes of treatment should be sought. The genes involved in many of the currently known monoamine PNDs have been utilized in pre‐clinical and in phase I clinical trials in Parkinson disease (PD) and the basic principles could be applied to the therapy of PNDs with some modifications regarding the targeting and distribution of vectors. However, issues that go beyond neurotransmitter replacement are important considerations in PD and even more so in PNDs. Understanding the pathophysiology of PNDs including abnormal development resulting from the neurotransmitter deficiency will be critical for rational therapeutic approaches. Better animal models of PNDs are necessary to test gene therapy before clinical trials can be attempted.
Which Outcome Measure is the Best? Evaluating Responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale following Hand and Wrist Surgery
Authors: McMillan Catherine R. , Binhammer Paul A.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, or tumor. Eighty-one subjects prospectively completed each questionnaire shortly before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Newman–Keuls multiple comparison tests. Responsiveness to clinical change was calculated using standardized response means. The DASH was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.77), wrist pain (0.61), and tumor (0.55); the MHQ was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (1.04), wrist pain (0.87), and finger contracture (0.62); and the PSFS was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.65) and finger contracture (0.64). The interval during which the highest responsiveness occurred for the carpal tunnel, wrist pain, and finger contracture groups was the preoperative to 6-month period. The tumor group experienced the highest responsiveness during the preoperative to 3-month period. Our results indicate that one or more of the instruments evaluated are suitable for outcomes research related to surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, and tumor.
Phaeohyphomycosis Infection Leading to Flexor Tendon Rupture: A Case Report
Authors: Chahal Jaskarndip , Dhotar Herman S. , Anastakis Dimitri J.
Published: March 2009

A rare previously unreported cause of flexor tendon rupture is described. A 66-year-old man presented with a fully extended left middle finger, accompanied by swelling and purulent drainage. Prior to presentation, he had received a steroid injection for left middle finger stenosing tenosynovitis and subsequently developed culture-proven phaeohyphomycosis fungal infection and secondary enterococcal bacterial infection, requiring pharmacotherapy and incision, drainage, and debridement for abscess formation. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with the diagnosis of closed flexor tendon rupture of the left middle finger. Antifungal and antibiotic therapy followed by two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction was performed. Six months postoperatively, full passive range of motion was achieved and the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the left middle finger actively flexed to 125° and 90°, respectively.
Simultaneous Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Polyurethane from Pentaerythritol–Modified Castor Oil and Polystyrene: Structure–Property Relationships
Authors: Valero Manuel F. , Pulido Jorge E. , Ramírez Álvaro , Cheng Zhengdong
Published: March 2009

Castor oil was transesterified with pentaerythritol thereby introducing reactive hydroxyl groups. The method of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy was used to determine the components of the castor oil pentaerythritol alcoholysis products. Simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks of pentaerythritol modified castor oil and diphenyl‐methane 4‐4′ diisocyanate polyurethane (P1‐CO‐PU) and polystyrene (PS) were synthesized using benzoyl peroxide as the initiator and divinyl benzene as the crosslinker. The effect of PU/PS composition on the morphology, miscibility and physical properties of the resulting IPNs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, measurements of mechanical properties and resistance to chemical reagents. The patterns of the extent of the phase separation and the characteristics of the interpenetration reached as a function of the components were deduced.
The Electoral Impact of Press Coverage of the British Economy, 1979–87
Authors: Sanders David , Marsh David , Ward Hugh
Published: March 2009

There is a considerable amount of evidence to suggest that the political preferences of voters are influenced by the condition of the domestic economy. This article examines the proposition that, in Britain at least, the connections between macro-economic change and public perceptions of the government are mediated by the way in which the major national daily newspapers cover economic news. Using an aggregate data-analytic approach, it is shown that there is a moderate correlation between the economic coverage of most national dailies and the condition of the ‘real economy’ – though, unsurprisingly, some newspapers tend to be more accurate in their coverage than others. It is also shown that although press coverage of the economy fails to exert a direct effect on government popularity, it does exert an indirect effect through its impact on the overall level of personal financial optimism/pessimism.
A Landscape Theory of Aggregation
Authors: Axelrod Robert , Bennett D. Scott
Published: March 2009

Aggregation means the organization of elements of a system into patterns that tend to put highly compatible elements together and less compatible elements apart. Landscape theory Predicts how aggregation will lead to alignments among actors (such as nations), whose leaders are myopic in their assessments and incremental in their actions. The predicted configurations are based upon the attempts of actors to minimize their frustration based upon their pairwise Propensities to align with some actors and oppose others. These attempts lead to a local minimum in the energy landscape of the entire system. The theory is supported by the results of two cases: the alignment of seventeen European nations in the Second World War and membership in competing alliances of nine computer companies to set standards for Unix computer operating systems. The theory has potential for application to coalitions of political Parties in parliaments, social networks, social cleavages in democracies and organizational structures.
Where's the Party?
Authors: Krehbiel Keith
Published: March 2009

Political parties are prominent in legislative politics and legislative research. Using data from the 99th Congress, this article assesses the degree to whichsignificantparty behaviour – defined and operationalized as behaviour that is independent of preferences – occurs in two key stages of legislative organization: the formation of standing committees and the appointment of conferees. Four hypotheses are developed and tested. When controlling for preferences and other hypothesized effects, positive and significant party effects are rare. A discussion addresses some criticisms of this unorthodox approach and attempts to reconcile some differences between these and previous findings.