bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Random Uncertainty in the Measurement of Matric Potential Using the Miniature Tensiometer
Authors: Monroy Rafael , Zdravkovic Lidija , Ridley Andrew
Published: September 2011

The miniature (high-capacity) tensiometer is increasingly being used both in practice and in research to determine the matric potential in unsaturated soils. Although the potential which can be recorded with this type of device tends to be limited to a maximum of approximately 1500 kPa (a function of the air entry value of the porous element), simplicity of use, together with the ability to measure potentials under atmospheric conditions, makes this a unique piece of equipment for investigating and characterizing the hydro-mechanical response of unsaturated soils in the laboratory and in the field. The use of the miniature tensiometer is now well established and documented, and the particulars of a number of such devices, together with modifications to standard laboratory equipment to accommodate them, have appeared in the literature. The measurement of potential with the tensiometer, like any other measurement of a physical quantity, is not exempt from a certain degree of uncertainty. Additionally, the device is usually calibrated by applying a positive water pressure; however, when in use, the fluid filling the internal reservoir experiences a tensile stress. Although extrapolation of the calibration curve to negative values of water pressure is justified, it is nevertheless interesting to assess the level of uncertainty associated with a single measurement of potential in a soil. To this effect, data on gravimetric water content and matric potential from a statistically representative set of clay samples, carefully prepared and compacted in a similar manner to the same initial conditions, were analysed. This paper presents details and results from this exercise, together with the statistical treatment of the data.
Development of a Rat Model of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ)
Authors: Marino Karen L. , Zakhary Ibrahim , Abdelsayed Rafik A. , Carter Jared A. , O'Neill Jack C. , Khashaba Rania M , Elsalanty Mohammed , Stevens Mark R. , Borke James L.
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to develop a rat model predictive of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) after exodontias. Thirty female rats were randomized into 2 groups, control and experimental. The experimental group received 2 intravenous injections of zoledronate (20 μg/kg). The mesial root of the right mandibular first molar was extracted. Rats were euthanized at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD), collagen breakdown (pyridinium [PYD]), vascular regeneration (VEGF), and histology were examined. A trend toward higher PYD values was suggested in control vs experimental groups after wounding. Serum VEGF increased significantly after wounding for both control and experimental groups. After 8 weeks, VEGF continued to rise for the experimental group only. In the extraction socket area, BMD was significantly lower after wounding in control vs. zoledronate-treated rats. Histology sections from experimental groups showed bacteria and bone necrosis. Consistent findings of BRONJ features similar to those in humans were observed after zoledronate treatment.
Ridge Expansion and Immediate Placement With Piezosurgery and Screw Expanders in Atrophic Maxillary Sites: Two Case Reports
Authors: Kelly Andrew , Flanagan Dennis
Published: September 2011

Endosseous dental implants may require bone augmentation before implant placement. Herein is described an approach to edentulous ridge expansion with the use of piezosurgery and immediate placement of implants. This may allow for a shortened treatment time and the elimination of donor-site morbidity. Two cases are reported. This technique uses a piezoelectric device to cut the crestal and proximal facial cortices. Space is then created with motorized osteotomes to widen the split ridge. This technique allows for expansion of narrow, anatomically limiting, atrophic ridges, creating space for immediate implant placement. The facial and lingual cortices provide support with vital osteocytes for osteogenesis. The 2 patients presented had adequate bone height for implant placement but narrow edentulous ridges. In patient 1 at site #11, the ridge crest was 3.12 mm thick and was expanded to accept a 4.3 mm × 13 mm implant. The resulting ridge width was 8.88 mm, which was verified using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). In patient 2 at site #8 and site #9, the narrow ridge was expanded using the same technique to accept 2 adjacent 3.5 mm × 14 mm implants. The implants were restored to a functional and esthetic outcome.
Evaluation of Soft Tissues Around Single Tooth Implants in the Anterior Maxilla Restored With Cemented and Screw-Retained Crowns
Authors: Cutrim Emerson Souza , Peruzzo Daiane Cristina , Benatti Bruno
Published: September 2011

Implant-supported restorations can be attached as screw-retained or cemented prostheses. In both situations, the characteristics of the soft tissues around the implants are crucial for oral rehabilitation and patient satisfaction. Therefore, this study uses the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), which allows evaluation of gingival esthetics around implants, to evaluate the soft tissues around implants in the anterior maxilla rehabilitated with cemented prostheses (CP) and screw-retained prostheses (SP). Forty implants placed in the anterior maxilla were evaluated, and these had been rehabilitated with prosthetic crowns for a minimum of 1 year. Periodontal examination was performed to evaluate probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the implant and the corresponding natural tooth. The total mean (±SD) PES for SP was 10.73 (±1.98) and 10.41 (±2.67) for CP, which was not statistically significant (P ≥ .05). Periodontal examination revealed that CP and SP showed no difference for BOP (P ≥ .05). Differences were only detected in PD when comparing the reference teeth of both groups to CP and SP (P ≤ .05). The present study demonstrates that the PES proved to be an efficient index to assess peri-implant tissues, and that the type of crown retention does not influence the health and quality of the soft tissues around implants.
Ultrasonic Oscillations for Conservative Retrieval of a Rare Fracture of Implant Healing Abutment
Authors: Bhandari Sudhir , Aggarwal Narinder , Bakshi Sonika
Published: September 2011

Dental implants can be rendered useless because of complications related to implant components such as the fracture of abutment screw and prosthetic retaining screw. Removal of such fractured fragments is therefore deemed necessary for the sake of prosthetic restoration. This case report presents a rare incident of healing abutment fracture and details the stepwise and probably the most conservative clinical technique using ultrasonic oscillations for retrieval of fractured screw fragment without affecting the internal surface of the implant. The management was based on the fact that the screw, being an inclined plane, will unthread when subjected to continuous vibrations.
Demographics of Orofacial Clefts in Canada from 2002 to 2008
Authors: Pavri Sabrina , Forrest Christopher R.
Published: September 2011

Objective

Orofacial clefts such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft lip and palate are the most frequent congenital anomalies of the head and neck. The purpose of this study was to determine the current demographics for orofacial clefts in Canada.

Methods

A request for data from all Canadian provinces (excluding Quebec due to incompatibilities with provincial coding systems) for the fiscal years 2002–2003 to 2007–2008 was submitted to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Variables evaluated included gender, cleft type, gestational age, birth weight, income quintile, and institution health region.

Results

Over the period studied, the prevalence of orofacial clefts ranged from 11.0 to 15.3 per 10,000 live births (1 in 654 to 1 in 909 live births). The distribution of cleft types for live births with orofacial clefts was 17% for cleft lip, 41% for cleft palate, and 42% for cleft lip and palate, of which cleft lip and cleft lip and palate were male dominant (62% and 66% male, respectively) and cleft palate was female dominant (56% female). Saskatchewan and Manitoba had significantly higher cleft birthrates ( P < .05) compared with the other provinces. Birth weight and gestational age (but not income quintile) were significantly ( P < .0001) lower for newborns with orofacial clefting compared with those with no cleft.

Conclusions

Canada has one of the highest orofacial cleft birthrates in the world (prevalence of 12.7 per 10,000 live births, approximately 1 in 790 live births). This study presents an updated demographic of orofacial clefts in Canadian newborns and may be useful in predicting the burden of anticipated health care.
Prolonger la vie : les attrayantes promesses des alchimistes
Authors: Joly Bernard
Published: September 2011

Il ne va pas de soi que l’alchimie, science du perfectionnement des métaux, se soit intéressée à la prolongation de la vie. C’est en fait à la faveur des ambiguïtés lexicales et conceptuelles liées aux termes désignant les substances chimiques que s’est effectué dans l’alchimie arabe un rapprochement entre la perfection des métaux et la guérison des êtres vivants. La doctrine de la quintessence de Rupescissa, puis les théories de Paracelse achèveront cette évolution qui donne à l’alchimie sa double dimension, chimique et médicale, rationnelle et mythique.
Combien de temps nous reste-t-il à vivre ? La durée de la vie comme objet mathématique et comme enjeu politique au xviiie siècle
Authors: Chamayou Grégoire
Published: September 2011

Au xviie siècle, la question de la durée de la vie fait l’objet d’un nouveau traitement en termes d’arithmétique politique. Cette mathématisation, avec la construction de la notion de « vie moyenne », permet une intégration de l’art de prolonger la vie aux techniques de gouvernement. Élaborée dans le cadre des pratiques financières de rentes viagères, la notion émigre vers l’économie politique, où la vie n’est plus conçue comme support d’intérêts mais comme force productive. Le problème se pose alors en termes de philosophie politique : le pouvoir peut-il se fonder sur des impératifs de maximisation de la vie moyenne pour contraindre ses sujets ? La question fut posée au sujet de l’inoculation de la petite vérole. Dans le débat qui déchira les Lumières françaises, c’est en réalité la question du fondement de ce que Michel Foucault appelait le biopouvoir qui est en jeu.
Métaphores de la lettre : écriture, graphisme
Authors: Orlandi Eni P.
Published: September 2011

Cet article aborde l’écriture à partir de la configuration actuelle de l’espace urbain, avec ses ensembles résidentiels sécurisés qui redistribuent et donnent sens à l’espace des villes, en provoquant une raréfaction des pratiques de sociabilité. Partant du principe qu’il est impossible de penser le fonctionnement du langage en le séparant de ses conditions matérielles et de la conjoncture dans laquelle celles-ci surgissent, il analyse le lien entre l’écriture urbaine et la façon dont cet espace de signification s’organise matériellement. L’analyse se fonde sur la pratique des tags à Campinas, au Brésil. L’article aborde également le rapport de la population à l’école en tant que lieu d’institutionnalisation de l’écriture.
Stations dans la discursivité sociale : alternance et fenêtres
Authors: Lagazzi-Rodrigues Suzy
Published: September 2011

Ce travail s’insère dans un projet intitulé « Le discours aux frontières du social », qui vise à analyser, dans des films documentaires, l’entrecroisement des différents matériaux en jeu dans ces productions. Pour comprendre comment se formule la critique sociale, j’ai choisi d’analyser deux documentaires ayant pour thème des conflits sociaux : Tereza (« Thérèse », qui met en scène la vie des détenus dans une prison de Campinas) et Boca de Lixo (« Décharge publique », qui présente la vie de personnes qui habitent et travaillent dans les dépôts d’ordures).
Chronic Chemoimmunotherapy Achieves Cure of Spontaneous Murine Mammary Tumors via Persistent Blockade of Posttherapy Counter-Regulation
Authors: Rowswell-Turner Rachael B. , Harden Jamie L. , Nair Raji E. , Gu Tao , Kilinc Mehmet O. , Egilmez Nejat K.
Published: September 2011

Intratumoral delivery of IL-12 and GM-CSF induces local and systemic antitumor CD8+ T cell activation and tumor kill. However, the effector response is transient and is rapidly countered by CD4+ Foxp3+ T suppressor cell expansion. To determine whether depletion of the pre-existing T suppressor cell pool prior to treatment could diminish posttherapy regulatory cell resurgence, FVBneuN mice bearing advanced spontaneous mammary tumors were treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) 1 d before IL-12/GM-CSF therapy. Administration of CY mediated a significant delay in the post–IL-12/GM-CSF T suppressor cell rebound, resulting in a 7-fold increase in the CD8+ CTL/T suppressor cell ratio, a 3-fold enhancement of CTL cytotoxicity, and an extension of the effector window from 3 to 7 d. In long-term therapy studies, chronic chemoimmunotherapy promoted a dramatic enhancement of tumor regression, resulting in complete cure in 44% of the mice receiving CY plus IL-12/GM-CSF. Tumor eradication in the chronic therapy setting was associated with the ability to repeatedly rescue and maintain cytotoxic CD8+ T cell activity. These findings demonstrated that chronic administration of CY in conjunction with immune therapy enhances the initial induction of antitumor T effector cells and, more importantly, sustains their cytotoxic activity over the long-term via persistent blockade of homeostatic counter-regulation.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Is Required for CD4+ T Cell-Mediated Lymphopenia-Associated Autoimmunity
Authors: Housley William J. , Adams Catherine O. , Vang Amanda G. , Brocke Stefan , Nichols Frank C. , LaCombe Melissa , Rajan Thiruchandurai V. , Clark Robert B.
Published: September 2011

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was shown to play an immunoregulatory role in many immune-related cell types, and activation of PPARγ was reported to be an effective therapeutic approach in murine and human autoimmune disease. However, despite an association between lymphopenia and autoimmunity, there has been no study on the role of T cell PPARγ in lymphopenia-associated autoimmunity. In the present studies, we examined the role of PPARγ in CD4+ T cells in two murine models of lymphopenia-associated autoimmunity. Surprisingly, we found that PPARγ expression in CD4+ CD25− T cells (T effector cells [Teffs]) is actually required for development of autoimmunity under lymphopenic conditions. Mechanistically, the inability of PPARγ-deficient (T-PPAR) Teffs to mediate lymphopenic autoimmunity is associated with a significant decrease in accumulation of Teffs in the spleen, lymph nodes, and tissues after adoptive transfer. This abnormal accumulation of T-PPAR Teffs was associated with defects in both in vivo proliferation and survival. Additionally, T-PPAR Teffs demonstrated decreased cytokine production in inflammatory sites and decreased expression of the homing receptor α4β7. Finally, these abnormalities in T-PPAR Teff function were not elicited by lymphopenia alone but also required the additional activation involved in the mediation of autoimmunity. Thus, in contrast to its documented immunosuppressive role, we identified an unexpected function for PPARγ in Teffs: a role in Teff proliferation and survival in lymphopenia-associated autoimmunity. These findings highlight both the multifunctional role of PPARγ in T cells and the complexity of PPARγ as a potential therapeutic target in autoimmunity.
Characterizing the Cantor bi-cube in asymptotic categories
Authors: Banakh Taras , Zarichnyi Ihor
Published: September 2011

We present characterizations of metric spaces that are micro-, macro- or bi-uniformly equivalent to the extended Cantor set EC

= \{\sum_{i=-n}^\infty\frac{2x_i}{3^i} \mid n\in\mathbb{N} ,\ (x_i)_{i\in\mathbb{Z}}\in\{0,1\}^\mathbb{Z}\} \subset\mathbb{R}

, which is bi-uniformly equivalent to the Cantor bi-cube

2^{<\mathbb{Z}}=\{(x_i)_{i\in\mathbb{Z}}\in \{0,1\}^\mathbb{Z}\mid

there exists

n

such that

x_i=0

for all

i\ge n\}

endowed with the metric

d((x_i),(y_i))=

max

_{i\in\mathbb{Z}}2^i|x_i-y_i|

. The characterizations imply that any two (uncountable) proper isometrically homogeneous ultrametric spaces are coarsely (and bi-uniformly) equivalent. This implies that any two countable locally finite groups endowed with proper left-invariant metrics are coarsely equivalent. For the proof of these results we develop a technique of towers which may be of independent interest.
Quasi-isometries of rank one $S$-arithmetic lattices
Authors: Wortman Kevin
Published: September 2011

We complete the quasi-isometric classification of irreducible lattices in semisimple Lie groups over nondiscrete locally compact fields of characteristic zero by showing that any quasi-isometry of a rank one

S

-arithmetic lattice in a semisimple Lie group over nondiscrete locally compact fields of characteristic zero is a finite distance in the sup-norm from a commensurator.
STABILIZATION OF RAW DIENIC SYNTHETIC RUBBER POLYMERS
Authors: Kuczkowski Joseph A.
Published: September 2011

The mechanism of rubber polymer autoxidation is briefly reviewed with an emphasis and an appreciation for what these uninhibited free radical reactions can do to polymer properties and quality. Significant differences between hydrocarbon and rubber oxidation are discussed. Differences in polymer substructure are described which affect the mode of oxidation as well as the choice of stabilizer to protect these materials. An explanation of color formation and color prevention for 2,6-dialkyl-4-methylphenols is provided which also includes a discussion of how their oxidized transformation products interact with the rubber polymer. Additional factors that affect polymer quality include proxidative effects of the stabilizer, oxygen diffusion, and the formation of gel. Studies which varied the steric bulk of the alkyl groups in the 2,6 position were conducted to optimize the antioxidant activity of this system in its function in the hydrogen atom donor—hydrogen atom acceptor mechanism of stabilization. A description of the preparation and activity impact of the secondary antioxidant synergist Wingstay® SN-1 is included. Finally, the discovery of highly active 2,6-di(alkylthiomethyl) substituted phenols is described which led to the discovery of Wingstay® K and its contained synergist methylene-bis(dodecylsulfide). This material is a highly persistent auto synergistic stabilizer which is outstanding for the protection of emulsion-styrene butadiene rubber when used 50/50 with Wingstay® 29. When used by itself in polybutadiene rubber polymers, it is highly effective against the effects of oxidation and also for the prevention of gel formation and Mooney viscosity changes.
INTRINSICALLY CONDUCTING RUBBERS: TOWARD MICRO APPLICATIONS
Authors: Predeep P. , Mathew Anisha Mary
Published: September 2011

More than three decades after the major breakthrough in the efforts to develop intrinsic electric conductivity in conjugated polymers, which culminated in the year 2000 Nobel Prize for Shirakawa et al., conducting plastics hold the promise of providing a cost effective and unique alternative material solution for applications ranging from consumer electronics to optoelectronics, solar cells, lighting, memory, and a host of new photonic applications. It would not be an exaggeration to mention conducting polymers as the materials for the next century. The notion of conjugation as a pre-condition for a polymer to be made intrinsically conducting was challenged when a conjugated polymer such as natural rubber was doped to increase its electrical conductivity by more than 10 orders in magnitude. This discovery by Thakur et al., triggered a spate of investigations on the phenomenon and mechanism of conduction in nonconjugated polymers such as Elastomers. The discovery that rubbers could be doped like conjugated polymers raised the hope of finding extremely different micro applications hitherto unknown for natural rubber as well as synthetic rubbers. Investigations point toward the possibility of conducting rubbers, unlike the conjugated polymers having easy processability and cost effectiveness, finding wide applications in organic electronics and photonic applications. A critique of the early and current efforts in developing intrinsic electric conductivity in natural rubber as well as synthetic elastomers in the context of the investigations made by the authors in this direction is reviewed and presented.
Muscle Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Congenital Myopathies Due to Ryanodine Receptor Type 1 Gene Mutations
Authors: Klein Andrea , Jungbluth Heinz , Clement Emma , Lillis Suzanne , Abbs Stephen , Munot Pinki , Pane Marika , Wraige Elizabeth , Schara Ulrike , Straub Volker , Mercuri Eugenio , Muntoni Francesco
Published: September 2011

Objectives

To establish the consistency of the previously reported pattern of muscle involvement in a large cohort of patients with molecularly defined ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1)–related myopathies, to identify possible additional patterns, and to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with clinical and genetic findings.

Design

Blinded analysis of muscle MRI patterns of patients with congenital myopathies with dominant or recessive RYR1 mutations and control patients without RYR1 mutations. We compared MRI findings with the previously reported pattern of muscle involvement.

Setting

Data from 3 tertiary referral centers.

Patients

Thirty-seven patients with dominant or recessive RYR1 mutations and 23 controls with other myopathies.

Main Outcome Measures

Each MRI was classified as typical if it was identical to the reported pattern, consistent if it was similar to the reported one but with some additional features, or different. Images with no or few changes were classified as uninformative.

Results

Twenty-one of 37 patients with RYR1 mutations had a typical pattern; 13 had a consistent pattern. Two patients had uninformative MRIs and only 1 had a different pattern. Compared with patients with dominant mutations, patients with recessive mutations and ophthalmoparesis had a more diffuse pattern, classified as consistent in 6 of 8. In contrast, 10 of 11 with recessive mutations but without ophthalmoparesis had a typical pattern. All MRIs of 23 control patients were classified as different.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that muscle MRI is a powerful predictor of RYR1 involvement in patients with a congenital myopathy, especially if they carry a dominant mutation or recessive mutations without ophthalmoparesis.
Rapidly Progressive Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Schmidt Christian , Wolff Martin , Weitz Michael , Bartlau Thomas , Korth Carsten , Zerr Inga
Published: September 2011

Different rates of progression have been observed among patients with Alzheimer disease. Risk factors that accelerate deterioration have been identified and some are being discussed, such as genetics, comorbidity, and the early appearance of Alzheimer disease motor signs. Progressive forms of Alzheimer disease have been reported with rapid cognitive decline and disease duration of only a few years. This short review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of rapidly progressive Alzheimer disease. Furthermore, we suggest thatrapid, in this context, should be defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination score decrease of 6 points per year.
One‐Dimensional Hierarchical Structures Composed of Novel Metal Oxide Nanosheets on a Carbon Nanotube Backbone and Their Lithium‐Storage Properties
Authors: Ding Shujiang , Chen Jun Song , (David) Lou Xiong Wen
Published: September 2011

Some facile solution methods are developed to directly grow anatase TiO2 nanosheets with exposed (001) facets and SnO2 nanosheets onto a carbon nanotube backbone for the first time. TiO2 nanosheets can also be grown on SnO2@CNT coaxial nanocables. An electrochemical investigation shows that these unique one‐dimensional hierarchical nanostructures exhibit significantly enhanced lithium‐storage properties under different testing conditions by comparison to the pure metal oxide counterparts, and evidently suggests that improved electrochemical properties of TiO2 and SnO2 can be achieved through proper design of the nanostructure and chemical composition.
Strain Balanced Epitaxial Stacks of Quantum Dots and Quantum Posts
Authors: Alonso‐Álvarez Diego , Ripalda Jose María , Alén Benito , Llorens Jose María , Rivera Antonio , Briones Fernando
Published: September 2011

The self assembly of quantum dots by heteroepitaxy of lattice‐mismatched semiconductors is based on elastic energy relaxation, which spontaneously occurs at the growth front when the largest atoms in the crystal cluster together. Because a larger covalent radius is related to weaker bonds, and this is in turn fundamentally related to smaller bandgaps, the formation of quantum dots leads to a confinement potential for electrons and/or holes. This effect has applications ranging from ultralow threshold diode lasers to highly efficient solar cells and usually requires the stacking of multiple quantum dots. The number of layers is limited by the stress accumulated during growth due to the larger covalent radius of the atoms that constitute the quantum dots. This accumulated stress can be relieved by introducing in the epitaxial layers compensating atomic species with a smaller covalent radius, enabling a reduction of spacer layer thickness. In the limit of sub‐nanometer spacer thickness, the quantum dots, which have a tendency to line up vertically, fuse into a quantum post. The current efforts to optimize the properties of strain balanced quantum dot stacks and quantum posts are reviewed.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Tin Monosulfide Thin Films
Authors: Sinsermsuksakul Prasert , Heo Jaeyeong , Noh Wontae , Hock Adam S. , Gordon Roy G.
Published: September 2011

Thin film solar cells made from earth‐abundant, non‐toxic materials are needed to replace the current technology that uses Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 and CdTe, which contain scarce and toxic elements. One promising candidate absorber material is tin monosulfide (SnS). In this report, pure, stoichiometric, single‐phase SnS films were obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using the reaction of bis(N,N′‐diisopropylacetamidinato)tin(II) [Sn(MeC(N‐iPr)2)2] and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at low temperatures (100 to 200 °C). The direct optical band gap of SnS is around 1.3 eV and strong optical absorption (α > 104 cm−1) is observed throughout the visible and near‐infrared spectral regions. The films are p‐type semiconductors with carrier concentration on the order of 1016 cm−3 and hole mobility 0.82–15.3 cm2V−1s−1 in the plane of the films. The electrical properties are anisotropic, with three times higher mobility in the direction through the film, compared to the in‐plane direction.
Adenosine A2A receptor gene disruption protects in an α‐synuclein model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kachroo Anil , Schwarzschild Michael A.
Published: September 2011

To investigate the putative interaction between chronic exposure to adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine and genetic influences on Parkinson's disease (PD), we determined whether deletion of the adenosine A2A receptor in knockout (KO) mice protects against dopaminergic neuron degeneration induced by a mutant human α‐synuclein (hm2‐αSYN) transgene containing both A53T and A30P. The A2A KO completely prevented loss of dopamine and dopaminergic neurons caused by the mutant α‐synuclein transgene without altering levels of its expression. The adenosine A2A receptor appears required for neurotoxicity in a mutant α‐synuclein model of PD. Together with prior studies the present findings indirectly support the neuroprotective potential of caffeine and more specific A2A antagonists. Ann Neurol 2012;71:278–282
Proteomic pattern analysis discriminates among multiple sclerosis–related disorders
Authors: Komori Mika , Matsuyama Yumiko , Nirasawa Takashi , Thiele Herbert , Becker Michael , Alexandrov Theodore , Saida Takahiko , Tanaka Masami , Matsuo Hidenori , Tomimoto Hidekazu , Takahashi Ryosuke , Tashiro Kei , Ikegawa Masaya , Kondo Takayuki
Published: September 2011

Objective:

To use a new, unbiased biomarker discovery strategy to obtain and assess proteomic data from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)‐related disorders.

Methods:

CSF protein profiles were analyzed from 107 patients with either MS‐related disorders (including relapsing remitting MS [RRMS], primary progressive MS [PPMS], anti‐aquaporin4 antibody seropositive–neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder [SP‐NMOSD], and seronegative‐NMOSD with long cord lesions on spinal magnetic resonance imaging [SN‐NMOSD]), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other inflammatory neurological diseases (used as controls). CSF peptides/proteins were purified with magnetic beads, and directly measured by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The obtained spectra were analyzed with multivariate statistics and pattern matching algorithms. These analyses were replicated in an independent sample set of 84 patients composed of those with MS‐related disorders or with other neurological diseases (the second cohort).

Results:

MS‐related disorders differed considerably in terms of CSF protein profiles. SP‐NMOSD and SN‐NMOSD, both of which fit within the NMO spectrum, were distinguishable from RRMS with high cross‐validation accuracy on a support vector machine classifier, especially in relapse phases. Some peaks derived from samples of relapsed SP‐NMOSD can discriminate RRMS with high area under curve scores (>0.95) and this was reproduced on the second cohort. The similarity of proteomic patterns between selected neurological diseases were demonstrated by pattern matching analysis. To our surprise, the spectral differences between RRMS and PPMS were much larger than those of PPMS and ALS.

Interpretation:

Our findings suggest that CSF proteomic pattern analysis can increase the accuracy of disease diagnosis of MS‐related disorders and will aid physicians in appropriate therapeutic decision‐making. ANN NEUROL 2012;
Rice husk/poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) composites: Effect of different coupling agents on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties
Authors: de Carvalho Fabiana Pires , Isabel Felisberti Maria , Soto Oviedo Mauro Alfredo , Davila Vargas Marcio , Farah Marcelo , Fortes Ferreira Marcia Pires
Published: September 2011

Poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) composites with rice husk were prepared in a corotating intermeshing twin‐screw extruder using four different coupling agents. While modified maleic anhydrides such as maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and maleated polyethylene (MAPE) are commonly used as compatibilizers to improve interfacial adhesion between lignocellulosic filler and matrix, in this study, polypropylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPP) and high‐density polyethylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPE) were also used. The morphologies and the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning analysis, tensile and impact tests. The results indicate that the base resin of the compatibilizer is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of compatibilizers for composites. Composites with PP‐based compatibilizers are more effective than PE‐based compatibilizers due to the improved wetting of the former compatibilizer in the matrix polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
13C solid‐state NMR study of the 13C‐labeled peptide, (E)8GGLGGQGAG(A)6GGAGQGGYGG as a model for the local structure of Nephila clavipes dragline silk (MaSp1) before and after spinning
Authors: Yazawa Koji , Yamaguchi Erika , Knight David , Asakura Tetsuo
Published: September 2011

We prepared the water soluble model peptide, (E)8GGLGGQGAG(A)6GGAGQGGYGG, to throw light on the local structure of spidroin 1 (MaSpl) protein in spider dragline silk of Nephila clavipes before and after spinning. Solution 13C NMR showed that the conformation of the peptide in aqueous solution was essentially random coil. Solid‐state NMR was used to follow conformation‐dependent 13C chemical shifts in 13C selectively labeled versions of the peptide. The peptide lyophilized from an aqueous solution at neutral pH (hereafter referred to as “without acid treatment)”was used to mimic the state of the spidroin stored in the spider's silk gland while the peptide precipitated from the acidic solution (“with acid treatment”) was used to simulate the role of acid treatment in inducing conformation change in the natural spinning process. In without acid treatment, the fraction of random coil conformation was lowest in the N‐terminal region (residues 15–18) when compared with the C‐terminus. The conformational change produced by the acid treatment occurred in the sequence, G15AG(A)6GGAG27, interposed between pairs of Gly residues pairs, Gly12,13, and Gly29,30. The acid treated peptide showed a remarkable decrease in the fraction of random coil conformation from A20 to A23 in the poly‐Ala region when compared with the peptide without acid treatment. These observations taken together suggest that the peptide can be used as a model for studying the localization of the conformation change in spider silk fibroin in the natural spinning and the role of acid treatment in this process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 347–354, 2012.
Amyloid fibrils as functionalizable components of nanocomposite materials
Authors: Rao Shiva P. , Meade Susie J. , Healy Jackie P. , Sutton Kevin H. , Larsen Nigel G. , Staiger Mark P. , Gerrard Juliet A.
Published: September 2011

Amyloid fibrils are a form of protein nanofiber that show promise as components of multifunctional bionanomaterials. In this work, native bovine insulin and bovine insulin that had been previously converted into amyloid fibrils were combined with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) via solution casting to determine the effect of fibrillization on the thermomechanical properties of the resulting composite. The synthesis method was found to preserve the amyloid fibril structure and properties of the resulting fibril‐PVOH composite were investigated. At a filling level of 0.6 wt %, the fibril‐reinforced PVOH was 15% stiffer than the PVOH control. Various properties of the films, including the glass transition temperature, degradation temperature, microstructure, and film morphology were characterized. Although more work is required to optimize the properties of the composites, this study provides proof of principle that incorporation of amyloid fibrils into a polymeric material can impart useful changes to the mechanical and morphological properties of the films. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Reconfirmation of the right medial division of the portal venous system of liver
Authors: Zheng Nan , Zhang Jian‐Fei , Gong Jin , Yu Sheng‐Bo , Xu Qiang , Wang Xiao‐Mei , Gao Hai‐Bin , Tang Wei , Zhang Cheng‐Hong , Sui Hong‐Jin
Published: September 2011

With the development of hepatic surgery and radiology, an increasing amount of researchers have reported discrepancies between the real distribution of the hepatic portal vein branches and Couinaud's segmentation, especially for further division of the right medial division. The present study investigated 25 cadaveric liver dissections and 30 three‐dimensional reconstruction images of intrahepatic vessels. The ramifications, course, distribution and quantity of the portal branches were analyzed. An oblique fissure that had few vessels was found among third‐order branches of the hepatic portal vein of the right medial division. The right medial division could be redivided into the ventral subsegment and dorsal subsegment by this oblique fissure. A hepatic vein coursed in the oblique fissure between the ventral subsegment and dorsal subsegment. The hepatic vein could serve as an anatomical landmark of the inter‐subsegmental plane. This new method of identifying further division of the right medial division is a novel concept providing further information on conventional segmental anatomy. Clin. Anat. 25:489–495, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of molecular motors in the Woods Hole squid, Loligo pealei: An expressed sequence tag approach
Authors: DeGiorgis Joseph A. , Cavaliere Kimberly R. , Burbach J. Peter H.
Published: September 2011

The squid giant axon and synapse are unique systems for studying neuronal function. While a few nucleotide and amino acid sequences have been obtained from squid, large scale genetic and proteomic information is lacking. We have been particularly interested in motors present in axons and their roles in transport processes. Here, to obtain genetic data and to identify motors expressed in squid, we initiated an expressed sequence tag project by single‐pass sequencing mRNAs isolated from the stellate ganglia of the Woods Hole Squid, Loligo pealei. A total of 22,689 high quality expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences were obtained and subjected to basic local alignment search tool analysis. Seventy six percent of these sequences matched genes in the National Center for Bioinformatics databases. By CAP3 analysis this library contained 2459 contigs and 7568 singletons. Mining for motors successfully identified six kinesins, six myosins, a single dynein heavy chain, as well as components of the dynactin complex, and motor light chains and accessory proteins. This initiative demonstrates that EST projects represent an effective approach to obtain sequences of interest. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of vascular access: Patient characteristics or physician preference?
Authors: Shah Megha , Jain Vijay , Spalding Lori , Choudhry Wajid
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND

The goal of the Fistula First Initiative is to increase the use of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for dialysis to 66% of total dialysis patients. Most facilities fall short of this target. Our objective is to determine the impact of provider bias in influencing the rate of AVF in dialysis facilities.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 176 patients who received a new vascular access for dialysis over 18 months in two groups. In one group, a single surgeon was involved in vascular access placement (56 patients), while the other group had multiple surgeons (120 patients).

RESULTS

A significantly higher number of patients received AVF as their primary vascular access in the single‐surgeon group, even though there were no significant differences in age, gender, and co‐morbidities in the two groups. There was no difference in primary and secondary fistula failure rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that AVF rate varies in different dialysis units, involving different providers, despite similar patient profiles. This implies the presence of a possible bias among providers when selecting a patient for type of access. Thus a higher rate of AVF placement, closer to the target rate, can be achieved by removing this bias. Dial. Transplant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cre‐mediated recombination can induce apoptosis in vivo by activating the p53 DNA damage‐induced pathway
Authors: Zhu Jianjian , Nguyen Minh‐Thanh , Nakamura Eiichiro , Yang Junming , Mackem Susan
Published: September 2011

Cre‐mediated apoptosis has been observed in many contexts in mice expressing Cre‐recombinase and can confound the analysis of genetically engineered conditional mutant or transgenic alleles. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. We find that the degree of apoptosis induced correlates roughly with the copy number of loxP sites present in the genome and that some level of increased apoptosis accompanies the presence of even only a few loxP sites, as occurs in conditional floxed alleles. Cre‐induced apoptosis in this context is completely p53‐dependent, suggesting that the apoptosis is stimulated by p53 activation in response to DNA damage incurred during the process of Cre‐mediated recombination. genesis 50:102–111, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zebrafish Tshz3b negatively regulates hox function in the developing hindbrain
Authors: Erickson Timothy , Pillay Laura M. , Waskiewicz Andrew J.
Published: September 2011

Confocal images of hindbrain neurons in two‐day old wild type (left) and tshz3b mRNA‐injected (right) zebrafish embryos. The two top panels show the GFP‐positive branchiomotor neurons (green) of Tg(isl1:GFP) embryos co‐stained with the zn‐5 antibody against Alcam a (red). The bottom two panels highlight the hindbrain reticulospinal neurons as visualized using the rmo44 α‐Neurofilament‐medium antibody. Overexpression of tshz3b perturbs the normal segmental patterning of these neurons.
Enantioselective capillary electrochromatography: Recent developments and new trends
Authors: Mangelings Debby , Vander Heyden Yvan
Published: September 2011

Since its development in the early 1970s, CEC has been studied quite extensively, but unfortunately its use is still mostly located at an academic level. Reasons for this are the limited availability of commercially available stationary phases (SPs) and columns, along with some practical limitations, such as column fragility, lack of column robustness and reproducibility. Nevertheless, CEC maintains a place among the separation techniques, probably because of its unique feature to combine two separation principles. Also in the field of chiral separations, CEC is often used as a separation technique and already showed its potential for this kind of analyses. This overview will focus on the recent applications, i.e. between 2006 and 2010, in enantioselective analysis by means of CEC. For the selected applications, the used SPs (chiral selectors) and their potential for future method development or screening purposes will be evaluated and critically discussed.
Adaptive regulating reserve scheduling for the isolated power system
Authors: Chang‐Chien Le‐Ren , Chien Chung‐Wei , Hu Tsung‐Hao
Published: September 2011

Regulating reserve is generally deployed to support system frequency. Because the moment‐to‐moment load fluctuations require continuous frequency control, allocating the reserve for this kind should be flexible to support the function of automatic generation control. Because fast response units not only are assigned to support automatic generation control but also are utilized to deal with credible frequency events, the regulating reserve may be planned as a portion of contingency reserve for security concern, especially for an isolated power system. Without inter‐tie to mutually support system frequency, frequency of an isolated system is much more sensitive to the disturbances than that in the interconnection. Therefore, the scheduling of regulating reserve for an isolated system should be more cautious to take both security and economy into account. This paper describes a methodology that adaptively schedules the regulating reserve based on the dynamic security margin as well as the ongoing demand of the system. Compared with the conventional way of using the historical data, the proposed scheduling method is proven to be more capable of dealing with the change of system condition and furthermore potentially reducing the extraneous reserve. More operational cases will be presented to show the merits of the proposed method that is applied to the ancillary service market. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental release, environmental concentrations, and ecological risk of N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)
Authors: Aronson Dallas , Weeks John , Meylan Bill , Guiney Patrick D , Howard Philip H
Published: September 2011

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide's (DEET) commercial use as an insect repellent and other reported uses are reviewed. Evidence that DEET is reaching the environment mainly from consumer use of DEET-containing insect repellent includes studies reporting higher concentrations of DEET in surface water and wastewater samples during the summer months, the presence of DEET in on-site septic tank effluent at concentrations similar to that reported in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent, and changes in WWTP effluent concentrations before and after the introduction of a DEET replacement in Germany. Its detected concentrations in influent and effluent of WWTP and surface water worldwide are reviewed and correlations between DEET usage and wastewater effluent concentrations are analyzed. The removability during wastewater treatment is also evaluated. A correlation between commercial DEET use in a metropolitan area and concentrations in WWTP effluents was assessed, and 2 different models were used to predict DEET concentrations in rivers and streams throughout the United States. Ecological toxicity data are reviewed for acute studies and for chronic values that are available for Daphnia magna and algae. The ecological risk of DEET usage is evaluated by examining the relationship of the expected dose/response to observed concentrations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012;8:135–166. © 2011 SETAC
Coaxial electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and polyacrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol scaffold for skeletal muscle tissue engineering
Authors: McKeon‐Fischer K. D. , Flagg D. H. , Freeman J. W.
Published: September 2011

Skeletal muscle repair after injury usually results in scar tissue and decreased functionality. In this study, we coaxially electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and a hydrogel consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid (PCL‐MWCNT‐H) to create a self‐contained nanoactuating scaffold for skeletal muscle tissue replacement. This was then compared to electrospun PCL and PCL‐MWCNT scaffolds. All scaffolds displayed some conductivity; however, MWCNT incorporation increased the conductivity. Only the PCL‐MWCNT‐H actuated when stimulated with 15 and 20 V. The PCL, PCL‐MWCNT, and hydrogel only scaffolds demonstrated no reaction when 5, 8, 10, 15, and 20 V were applied. Thus, all components of the PCL‐MWCNT‐H scaffold are essential for movement. All three PCL‐containing scaffolds were biocompatible, but the PCL‐MWCNT‐H scaffolds displayed more multinucleated cells with actin interaction. After tensile testing, the MWCNT‐containing scaffolds had higher strength than the rat and pig skeletal muscle. Although the mechanical properties were higher than muscle, the PCL‐MWCNT‐H scaffold shows promise as a potential bioartificial nanoactuator for skeletal muscle. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.