bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Health Weapons Prohibition: Demographic and Psychiatric Factors in Petitions for Relief*
Authors: Simpson Joseph R. , Sharma Kaushal K.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Federal law and most states prohibit possession of firearms by individuals with a history of certain psychiatric diagnoses and/or treatment. In California, an involuntary 72‐h hold can trigger a 5‐year ban on firearm possession. Individuals so prohibited may petition for early termination of the ban. We report on the demographic and psychiatric characteristics of a sample of individuals petitioning for early relief in Los Angeles County, and on the results of their petitions. The majority of petitioners were Caucasian men over age 40. Sixteen percent of petitioners were employed in law enforcement or armed security, and all of their petitions were granted. Individuals for whom there was greater evidence of mental disorder were significantly less likely to petition successfully. The results are discussed in terms of the benefits of involving a forensic expert in the petition process, which is not presently required under California law.
The polymine spermine regulates osteogenic differentiation in adipose stem cells†
Authors: Tjabringa G.S. , Zandieh‐Doulabi B. , Helder M.N. , Knippenberg M. , Wuisman P.I.J.M. , Klein‐Nulend J.
Published: May 2008

For bone tissue engineering, it is important that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiate into osteoblasts. To develop a method for differentiation of adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT‐MSCs) along the osteogenic lineage, we studied the effect of polyamines, which are organic cations implicated in bone growth and development, on differentiation of AT‐MSCs. Treatment of goat‐derived AT‐MSCs with 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin‐D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), which stimulates osteogenic differentiation, for 7 days induced gene expression of the polyamine‐modulated transcription factor‐1 (PMF‐1) and spermidine/spermine N (1)‐acetyltransferase (SSAT), which are both involved in polyamine metabolism, suggesting that polyamines are involved in osteogenic differentiation of AT‐MSCs. Furthermore, treatment of AT‐MSCs with the polyamine spermine‐regulated gene expression of runx‐2, a transcription factor involved in early stages of osteogenic differentiation, and that of osteopontin, a bone matrix protein expressed in later stages of osteogenic differentiation. Runx‐2 gene expression was increased 4 and 14 days after a short 30 min. treatment with spermine, while osteopontin gene expression was only increased 4 days after spermine treatment. Finally, alkaline phosphatase activity, which is intimately involved in the formation of extracellular matrix of bone, was increased 4 weeks after the 30 min.‐spermine treatment of AT‐MSCs. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that the polyamine spermine regulates differentiation of AT‐MSCs along the osteogenic lineage, which can be used as a new method for differentiation of AT‐MSCs along the osteogenic lineage. Therefore, polyamines may constitute a promising tool for bone tissue engineering approaches using AT‐MSCs, such as a one‐step surgical procedure for spinal interbody fusion.
Functional in vivo assessment of retinal artery microirregularities in glaucoma
Authors: Kotliar Konstantin E. , Nagel Edgar , Vilser Walthard , Lanzl Ines M.
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  We investigated whether retinal branch arteries in healthy subjects, and non‐treated and treated primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) patients show irregular local patterns during dynamic reaction to acute increases of different magnitudes in intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods:  Nine POAG patients and nine age‐matched normal volunteers were examined with the retinal vessel analyser (RVA) using a suprasystolic IOP increase (Study 1). Fourteen POAG patients and 13 age‐matched controls were examined using a moderate IOP increase for 100 seconds (Study 2). Longitudinal arterial profiles were obtained for the chosen time intervals. The high‐frequency waviness (HFW) of these profiles was analysed quantitatively.

Results:  No significant changes in HFW were found in controls in different phases of the arterial reaction. Significant increases in HFW from baseline to dilation (Study 1, P < 0.03) and from dilation to constriction (Study 2, P < 0.05) were found in POAG patients. High‐frequency waviness was higher in POAG patients than in controls during dilation (P < 0.05) in both studies.

Conclusions:  Our results indicate a local vessel wall difference in glaucoma patients compared with age‐matched controls. Increasing HFW might worsen hydraulic resistance of the vessel segment to blood flow. Significant increase of arterial microirregularities in the POAG retina during vascular dilation might be an indication for vascular endothelial alterations in glaucoma, leading to impaired perfusion in response to IOP increase.
Weight gain in bipolar disorder: pharmacological treatment as a contributing factor
Authors: Torrent C. , Amann B. , Sánchez‐Moreno J. , Colom F. , Reinares M. , Comes M. , Rosa A. R. , Scott J. , Vieta E.
Published: May 2008

Objective:  The aim of this paper was to review the association of most commonly used psychopharmacological drugs with weight gain in bipolar disorder.

Method:  Information was retrieved from a PubMed/Medline literature search reviewing weight gain in pharmacological studies in bipolar disorder.

Results:  Obesity and overweight in bipolar disorder are partly related to prescribed drugs with a strong effect of clozapine and olanzapine. Lesser but still relevant weight gain is caused by quetiapine, risperidone, lithium, valproate, gabapentin and by some antidepressants. Ziprasidone, aripiprazole, carbamazepine and lamotrigine do not seem to cause significant overweight.

Conclusion:  Careful monitoring of weight changes in patients before and after drug prescription should be implemented in the clinical routine and drugs which potentially cause weight gain should be avoided in overweight patients with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, eating habits and daily activities should be targeted as they may also have a significant impact on overall health and weight‐related issues.
Nicotine in breast milk influences heart rate variability in the infant
Authors: Dahlström Anders , Ebersjö Christina , Lundell Bo
Published: May 2008

Aim: To study the effects of postnatal exposure to nicotine on the regulation of heart rate and blood pressure in infants.

Subjects and Methods: Thirty‐eight mother–infant pairs were studied. Twenty nonsmoking and 18 smoking (2–20 cigarettes per day) mothers were included. All infants were healthy, exclusively breastfed and their postnatal age was 6 weeks. During a home visit infant's urine and mothers' milk were sampled and concentrations of nicotine and cotinine were analyzed. Infants' electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded, sleep state documented and blood pressure during sleep was measured. Heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated with spectral analysis of R–R intervals.

Results: The smoking mothers exposed their infants to nicotine in milk with a median nicotine concentration of 47 (8–192) μg/L. Analysis of infants' urine showed that the nonsmoking group had 0.8 (0–5.2) and the smoke group 60 (17–139) μg cotinine/L (p < 0.01). The frequency domain low‐to‐high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, was correlated to milk nicotine concentrations in the milk sample, from smoking mothers. HRV decreased, with increasing milk nicotine, ingested by the boys (r =−0.74, p = 0.02) but not the girls (r =−0.13, p = 0.76). The differences of mean arterial pressure between sleep states in the infants, were significantly lower in the smoke group 5.8(6.8) compared to the nonsmoke group 11.5(7.2) mmHg (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Postnatal exposure to nicotine influences autonomic cardiovascular control in infants.
Implant overdentures for edentulous elders: study of patient preference
Authors: Esfandiari Shahrokh , Lund James P. , Penrod John R. , Savard André , Mark Thomason J. , Feine Jocelyne S.
Published: May 2008

Background:  Studies show that elders wearing implant overdentures have improved nutrition and quality of life. However, upfront costs of this therapy are high, and the income of elderly edentulous populations is low.

Objectives:  This study was designed (i) to measure the preferences of edentulous patients for mandibular two‐implant overdentures using Willingness‐To‐Pay (WTP) and Willingness‐To‐Accept (WTA), (ii) to assess the effect of long‐term financing on WTP and (iii) to assess the desired role of health care plans in financing dental prostheses.

Methods:  Edentulous elders (68–79 years; n = 36) wearing maxillary dentures and either a mandibular conventional denture (CD, n = 13) or a two‐implant overdenture with ball attachments (IOD, n = 23) participated in this study. All had received their prostheses 2 years previously, as part of a randomised clinical trial. A three‐part questionnaire was completed during a 20‐min interview with a trained researcher.

Results:  Forty‐six per cent (6/13) of the CD wearers and 70% (16/23) of the IOD wearers were willing to pay three times more than the current cost of conventional dentures for implant prostheses. These percentages were increased to 77% (CD) and 96% (IOD) if participants could pay for implant overdentures in monthly instalments. Eighty‐six per cent (31/36) of all participants in both groups (21/23 IOD; 10/13 CD) thought that the government should cover at least some of the cost of implant overdentures.

Conclusions:  This study shows that, the majority of elderly edentate individuals who have not experienced mandibular two‐implant overdenture therapy are willing to pay the cost, particularly when payment can be made in monthly instalments.
The periplasmic peptidyl prolyl cis–trans isomerases PpiD and SurA have partially overlapping substrate specificities
Authors: Stymest Krista H. , Klappa Peter
Published: May 2008

One of the rate‐limiting steps in protein folding has been shown to be the cis–trans isomerization of proline residues, catalysed by a range of peptidyl prolyl cis–trans isomerases (PPIases). In the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli and other Gram‐negative bacteria, two PPIases, SurA and PpiD, have been identified, which show high sequence similarity to the catalytic domain of the small PPIase parvulin. This observation raises a question regarding the biological significance of two apparently similar enzymes present in the same cellular compartment: do they interact with different substrates or do they catalyse different reactions? The substrate‐binding motif of PpiD has not been characterized so far, and no biochemical data were available on how this folding catalyst recognizes and interacts with substrates. To characterize the interaction between model peptides and the periplasmic PPIase PpiD from E. coli, we employed a chemical crosslinking strategy that has been used previously to elucidate the interaction of substrates with SurA. We found that PpiD interacted with a range of model peptides independently of whether they contained proline residues or not. We further demonstrate here that PpiD and SurA interact with similar model peptides, and therefore must have partially overlapping substrate specificities. However, the binding motif of PpiD appears to be less specific than that of SurA, indicating that the two PPIases might interact with different substrates. We therefore propose that, although PpiD and SurA have partially overlapping substrate specificities, they fulfil different functions in the cell.
A Comparison of Oxidation Kinetics of O′‐SiAlON and β‐SiAlON Powders Synthesized from Bauxite
Authors: Hou Xinmei , Zhang Guohua , Chou Kuochih , Zhong Xiangchong
Published: May 2008

The oxidation mechanism and kinetics of β‐SiAlON and O′‐SiAlON powders synthesized from bauxite have been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy. Oxidation experiments were carried out in both isothermal and nonisothermal modes in oxygen atmosphere. β‐SiAlON begins to oxidize at above 1000 K, and the rate increases significantly after 1200 K, forming SiO2 and Al2O3 at low temperature and mullite at high temperature. By comparison, the oxidation of O′‐SiAlON powder starts at about 1250 K and after 1300 K the rate increases significantly. The O′‐SiAlON phase remains dominant up to 1623 K, as demonstrated by XRD analysis, and the oxidation products are SiO2 as well as a small amount of mullite. At higher temperature, liquid phase resulting from the fusion of SiO2 and the impurities in O′‐SiAlON powder hinders the progress of oxidation, which causes O′‐SiAlON to have more oxidation resistance. Diffusion is the controlling step during both the oxidation processes. Based on the experimental data, a new model for predicting the oxidation process is developed. The application of this new model to the two systems demonstrates the validity of this new model. The activation energy of the oxidation of O′‐SiAlON and β‐SiAlON has been calculated to be 224.1 and 175.7 kJ/mol, respectively.
Evaluation of Vertical Head Profiles in Water Production Wells during Pumping
Authors: Boggs Kevin G.
Published: May 2008

In a recent field study, the performance of four production wells was evaluated. The intake of a vertical turbine test pump was set below the top of the screened interval of the wells due to anticipated drawdown. Water level sounding tubes were welded to the well casing at various depths in each well. Drawdown data collected at various depths were used to evaluate the vertical head distribution in the wells under various pumping stresses. A direct relationship was observed between the head loss and the location of the pump intake in the production wells. A vertical head profile developed, suggesting that the location of the pump intake controlled the location of water production from the aquifer. The head loss in the wells observed during pumping was directly proportional to well discharge and annulus size between the well casing and the vertical turbine pump shaft. The pressure differences that developed in the wells created increased drawdown in water level sounding tubes installed deep in the wells compared to the total drawdown observed in the production wells. Certain implications should be considered based on the evaluation of the data obtained from this study. Because water management decisions are made using well test data, the quality of the data is crucial. In instances where well performance is evaluated using water level data collected from water level sounding tubes that are located close to a pump intake (in this case deep in the well), it should be recognized that well performance could be underestimated.
DEVELOPING EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS OF INNOVATIONS: MICROECONOMETRIC EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN
Authors: YANG Chih‐Hai , LIN Chun‐Hung A.
Published: May 2008

This paper aims to identify the effects of innovation on employment and labor composition in Taiwan. Using a new and detailed firm‐level data set, the empirical results determine that innovations, measured by R&D investments or patent counts, have a positive impact on employment. Both of the estimated employment effects of product and process innovations are overall significantly positive. Although the effects of process innovations differ between high and low R&D‐intensive industries, the process innovation tends to expand the firms’ output and then increase employment for high R&D‐intensive industries. However, it frequently results in laborsavings in terms of production work and reduces jobs in low R&D‐intensive industries. Moreover, technological innovations are found to be non‐neutral, leading to a shift in labor composition in favor of skilled and more educated workers.
IS A GOVERNMENTAL MICRO‐CREDIT PROGRAM FOR THE POOR REALLY PRO‐POOR? EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM
Authors: CUONG Nguyen Viet
Published: May 2008

It is argued that without collateral the poor often face binding borrowing constraints in the formal credit market. This justifies a micro‐credit program, which is operated by the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to provide the poor with preferential credit. The present paper examines poverty targeting and the impact of the micro‐credit program. It is found that the program is not very pro‐poor in terms of targeting. The nonpoor account for a larger proportion of the participants. The nonpoor also tend to receive larger amounts of credit compared to the poor. However, the program has reduced the poverty rate of the participants. The positive impact is found for all three Foster‐Greer‐Thorbecke poverty measures.
THE ROLE OF COMMODITY TERMS OF TRADE IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE REAL EXCHANGE RATES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES
Authors: CAMARERO Mariam , CUESTAS Juan Carlos , ORDÓÑEZ Javier
Published: May 2008

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether there exists a long‐run relationship between the real exchange rate and the commodity terms of trade in the so‐called Mediterranean or MENA countries. These economies are good candidates for this type of formulation, as are commodity exporting countries. Using cointegration techniques, we find long‐run relationships linking the real exchange rate and a commodity‐based measure of the terms of trade. Therefore, commodity terms of trade are a potential explanation for the apparent nonstationarity of MENA countries’ real exchange rates previously found in the empirical literature.
Facial cooling and peripheral chemoreflex mechanisms in humans
Authors: Argacha J. F. , Xhaët O. , Gujic M. , De Boeck G. , Dreyfuss C. , Lamotte M. , Adamopoulos D. , Van De Borne P.
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Reductions in arterial oxygen partial pressure activate the peripheral chemoreceptors which increase ventilation, and, after cessation of breathing, reduce heart rate. We tested the hypothesis that facial cooling facilitates these peripheral chemoreflex mechanisms.

Methods:  Chemoreflex control was assessed by the ventilatory response to hypoxia (10% O2 in N2) and the bradycardic response to voluntary end‐expiratory apnoeas of maximal duration in 12 young, healthy subjects. We recorded minute ventilation, haemoglobin O2 saturation, RR interval (the time between two R waves of the QRS complex) and the standard deviation of the RR interval (SDNN), a marker of cardiac vagal activity throughout the study. Measurements were performed with the subject’s face exposed to air flow at 23 and 4 °C.

Results:  Cold air decreased facial temperature by 11 °C (P < 0.0001) but did not affect minute ventilation during normoxia. However, facial cooling increased the ventilatory response to hypoxia (P < 0.05). The RR interval increased by 31 ± 8% of the mean RR preceding the apnoea during the hypoxic apnoeas in the presence of cold air, compared to 17 ± 5% of the mean RR preceding the apnoea in the absence of facial cooling (P < 0.05). This increase occurred despite identical apnoea durations and reductions in oxygen saturation. Finally, facial cooling increased SDNN during normoxia and hypoxia, as well as during the apnoeas performed in hypoxic conditions (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The larger ventilatory response to hypoxia suggests that facial cooling facilitates peripheral chemoreflex mechanisms in normal humans. Moreover, simultaneous diving reflex and peripheral chemoreflex activation enhances cardiac vagal activation, and favours further bradycardia upon cessation of breathing.
Control of Aeromonas hydrophila Infection in Spotted Snakehead, Channa punctatus, by Solanum nigrum L., a Medicinal Plant
Authors: Rajendiran A. , Natarajan E. , Subramanian P.
Published: May 2008

The present study describes the potential of black nightshade, Solanum nigrum, to control Aeromonas hydrophila infection in spotted snakehead, Channa punctatus. Similar sizes of Ch. punctatus were grouped into three categories as follows: control (injected with sterilized water), Ae. hydrophila infected + untreated, and Ae. hydrophila infected + treated with S. nigrum leaf extract. Hematological parameters (white blood cell [WBC], red blood cell [RBC], hemoglobin [Hb], and packed cell volume [PCV]) were analyzed in these fishes once every 5 d from Days 5 to 30 postexposure. Preliminary antibacterial assay reported that leaf extracted with ethyl acetate had the maximum inhibition compared to other parts of the plant (i.e., berries and whole plant) or when extracted with other solvent extracts (chloroform and ethanol). Except for WBC count, all other parameters showed a declining trend from Day 5 onward and reaching to a minimum on Day 30 in Ae. hydrophila‐infected fish, whereas the WBC count increased. The infected fish treated with S. nigrum leaf extract reported a significant reversion to normal RBC, WBC, Hb, and PCV levels and the skin ulceration recovered within a short period. The antiulcer potential of the medicinal plant as described in humans may be extended to the fish population.
Comparison of Two Environmental Regimes for Culture of Australian Snapper, Pagrus auratus, Larvae in Commercial‐scale Tanks
Authors: Fielder D. Stewart , Allan Geoff L. , Pankhurst Patricia M.
Published: May 2008

The performance of Australian snapper, Pagrus auratus, larvae from 4 to 33 days posthatch (dph) under two environmental rearing regimes was evaluated in 2000‐L commercial‐scale larval rearing tanks (N = 3 tanks/treatment). The treatments were the following: (1) a varying regime of salinity (20–35 ppt), temperature (24 C), and photoperiod (12 light [L] : 12 dark [D] to swim bladder inflation and then 18L : 06D) and (2) a constant regime of salinity (35 ppt), temperature (21 C), and photoperiod (14L : 10D). The final total length (TL) and wet and dry weights (mean ± SEM) of larvae grown in the varying regime were greater (15.6 ± 0.5 mm; 42.4 ± 3.4 mg wet weight; and 7.3 ± 0.6 mg dry weight) than those of larvae grown in the constant regime (11.1 ± 0.2 mm; 12.9 ± 0.8 mg wet weight; and 2.1 ± 0.2 mg dry weight). By 33 dph, larvae in the varying regime were fully weaned from live feeds to a formulated pellet diet and were suitable for transfer from the hatchery to a nursery facility. In contrast, larvae in the constant regime were not weaned onto a pellet diet and still required live feeds. Neither survival (Treatment 1, 14.2 ± 3.0% and Treatment 2, 13.3 ± 1.9%) nor swim bladder inflation (Treatment 1, 70.0 ± 17.3% and Treatment 2, 70.0 ± 11.5%, by 13 dph) was affected by rearing regime. The incidence of urinary calculi at 7 dph was greatest initially in the varying regime; however, by 19 dph, when larvae were 8.0 ± 0.28 mm TL, very few larvae in this treatment had urinary calculi. In contrast, many larvae in the constant regime had developed urinary calculi and this continued until the end of the experiment. The incidence of urinary calculi was not associated with larval mortality. Extrapolation of the snapper larval growth curves for the constant larval rearing regime predicts that a further 15–18 d, or approximately 1.5 times longer, will be required until these larvae attain the same size and development of larvae reared in the varying regime.
Optimizing Tilapia, Oreochromis sp., Marketing Strategies in Nicaragua: A Mixed‐integer Transshipment Model Analysis
Authors: Leyva Carlos M. , Engle Carole R.
Published: May 2008

Tilapia, Oreochromis sp., production has increased in the Central American region in recent years. Yet, commercial tilapia aquaculture has not developed in Nicaragua on the scale that it has in other neighboring countries. Although demand for tilapia products exists, lack of thorough understanding of domestic markets and coordinated production and marketing efforts have hampered the development of a domestic market. The objectives of this study were to quantify domestic marketing costs for tilapia produced in Nicaragua and develop a mixed‐integer transshipment mathematical programming model to identify the most profitable marketing alternatives for tilapia farmers. Results suggested targeting primarily outlets with higher sales prices such as restaurants with supplemental production delivered to local supermarkets. The model chooses cities with weekly restaurant demand capable of absorbing the farm’s production with excess product sold to alternative outlets. Supply of farm‐raised tilapia production in most regions of Nicaragua was insufficient and created problems associated with frequent and dependable deliveries required by higher paying outlets (restaurants and supermarkets). Larger farms will generate greater returns with regular consistent deliveries to higher priced restaurant outlets. Smaller farms with limited production volumes were not able to meet weekly delivery requirements. Biannual deliveries reduced transportation cost and sales price and were not profitable. However, sustaining markets with infrequent deliveries may not be feasible. This analysis provides guidelines for targeting those specific markets that optimize returns to specific farm sizes in specific regions.
Hypocretin and Melanin‐Concentrating Hormone in Patients with Huntington Disease
Authors: Aziz Ahmad , Fronczek Rolf , Maat‐Schieman Marion , Unmehopa Unga , Roelandse Freek , Overeem Sebastiaan , Van Duinen Sjoerd , Lammers Gert‐Jan , Swaab Dick , Roos Raymund
Published: May 2008

To evaluate whether hypocretin‐1 (orexin‐A) and melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) neurotransmission are affected in patients with Huntington disease (HD), we immunohistochemically stained hypocretin and MCH neurons and estimated their total numbers in the lateral hypothalamus of both HD patients and matched controls. In addition, hypocretin‐1 levels were determined in prefrontal cortical tissue and post‐mortem ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a radioimmunoassay. The total number of hypocretin‐1 neurons was significantly reduced by 30% in HD brains (P = 0.015), while the total number of MCH neurons was not significantly altered (P = 0.100). Levels of hypocretin‐1 were 33% lower in the prefrontal cortex of the HD patients (P = 0.025), but ventricular CSF levels were similar to the control values (P = 0.306). Neuronal intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions of mutant huntingtin were present in all HD hypothalami, although with a variable distribution across different hypothalamic structures. We found a specific reduction in hypocretin signaling in patients with HD as MCH cell number was not significantly affected. It remains to be shown whether the moderate decrease in hypocretin neurotransmission could contribute to clinical symptoms. As the number of MCH‐expressing neurons was not affected, alterations in MCH signaling are unlikely to have clinical effects in HD patients.
MILK ALKALI SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH EXCESSIVE INGESTION OF RENNIE®: CASE REPORTS
Authors: Irtiza‐Ali Ayesha , Waldek Stephen , Lamerton Elizabeth , Pennell Ashley , Kalra Philip A.
Published: May 2008

Milk alkali syndrome is a cause of hypercalcaemia, renal failure and alkalosis, and is potentially reversible if detected early and the calcium and alkali source withdrawn. It was originally described in patients ingesting large amounts of calcium containing milk for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. We present a modern day version of the syndrome in three cases which were associated with excessive intake of Rennie®, a calcium carbonate containing antacid.
Cisplatin‐conjugated Gelpart: initial study in vitro
Authors: Ohta Shinichi , Nitta Norihisa , Sonoda Akinaga , Seko Ayumi , Tanaka Toyohiko , Takahashi Masashi , Murata Kiyoshi
Published: May 2008

Aim:  In Japan, Gelpart (Nippon Kayaku, Tokyo, Japan) is commercially available as an embolic agent made of gelatin for hepatocellular carcinoma. The object of this study was to develop cisplatin‐conjugated Gelpart, confirm its bonding capability and confirm cisplatin‐release from it in vitro.

Methods:  Gelpart (80 mg) were immersed in 50 mL of the cisplatin solution (0.3 mg/mL) at 38°C for 1 hour to allow conjugation to cisplatin. Half of them were washed with double distilled water and centrifuged seven times to remove the uncombined cisplatin from Gelpart. Five mg of washed Gelpart and 5 mg unwashed Gelpart were freeze‐dried and the platinum concentrations in these Gelpart were analyzed. In an in vitro release test, 30 mg of each cisplatin‐conjugated Gelpart were placed in 10 mL of phosphate buffered salts (PBS) containing 0.01 wt.% Tween 80 and the system was shaken reciprocally at 72 strokes/min at 38°C. At different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours), 5 mL of the supernatant was pipetted out and immediately after that the same volume of PBS was added. The platinum concentration of the solutions sampled was measured and the release rate from cisplatin‐conjugated Gelpart was calculated.

Results:  The platinum concentrations (µg/g) of unwashed Gelpart and washed Gelpart were, respectively, 9563.5 ± 101.1 and 6396.5 ± 14.8. The release rates (%) from unwashed Gelpart and from washed Gelpart were, respectively, 43.1, 56.3, 56.5, 58.5, 60.9 and 5.8, 6.7, 8.5, 11.0, 12.0.

Conclusion:  Gelpart had a bonding capability to cisplatin and an ability of sustained release from it. Cisplatin‐conjugated Gelpart might become a simple embolic agent with drug delivery systems.
Improvements in Treatment of Waste From Petroleum Industry in Croatia
Authors: Durn Goran , Gaurina-Međimurec Nediljka , Fröschl Heinz , Veil John A. , Veronek Boris , Mesić Sanja
Published: May 2008

Exploration and production (E&P) waste generated by the petroleum industry in Croatia from two central oilfield pits (COPs) was investigated in order to (1) examine materials for waste treatment that can preferentially sorb organic contaminants and, in that way, improve the process of stabilization/solidification (S/S), and (2) find field-acceptable methods to reduce the amount of waste to be treated with S/S or some other method. Composite samples from COP Vinkovci were treated in the laboratory with different materials or with combinations of several materials: (a) Cement, (b) organophilic clay, (c) calcined moler clay, (d) lime+organophilicclay+bentonite, (e) cement+organophilicclay+bentonite, (f) lime+calcined moler clay, and (g) cement+calcined moler clay. A sample of E&P waste treated with lime was used for comparison of results. The most successful treatment for the majority of inorganic and organic pollutants was treatment with organophilic clay. Samples treated with organophilic clay release 63 times less total oils, 67 times less mineral oils, 798 times less naphthalene, and 136 times less lead to distilled water than the sample treated with lime. The next most successful material is calcined moler clay. The results clearly show that reduction in hydrocarbon content using some of the field-acceptable methods and detailed chemical analysis of remaining organic and inorganic pollutants must be implemented before selecting the most appropriate method for treatment of technological waste in petroleum industry. A composite sample from COP Žutica was treated in the laboratory using a four-step procedure involving boiling water, condensate, and organophilic clay. Organophilic clay was used because of its ability to sorb hydrophobic pollutants. In the leachate of an E&P waste sample, the lowest values for the majority of inorganic and organic pollutants were observed following the fourth step (treatment with organophilic clay). This is also manifested in the lowest indicator of total discharge (ITD%) values for the fourth treatment step. Considering the concentrations of analyzed parameters in leachates and their ITD% values, the biggest effect for the majority of inorganic and organic pollutants was achieved between the first and the second treatment step. This suggests that treatment with boiling water is the most effective treatment for the majority of inorganic and organic pollutants. Concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene (BETX) in distilled-water leachate generally increase after each succeeding treatment step. This shows that BETX is added to the E&P waste through condensate addition in the third treatment step.
Improving the Efficiency of the Advanced Injection Low Pilot Ignited Natural Gas Engine Using Organic Rankine Cycles
Authors: Srinivasan K. K. , Mago P. J. , Zdaniuk G. J. , Chamra L. M. , Midkiff K. C
Published: May 2008

Intense energy security debates amidst the ever increasing demand for energy in the US have provided sufficient impetus to investigate alternative and sustainable energy sources to the current fossil fuel economy. This paper presents the advanced (injection) low pilot ignition natural gas (ALPING) engine as a viable, efficient, and low emission alternative to conventional diesel engines, and discusses further efficiency improvements to the base ALPING engine using organic rankine cycles (ORC) as bottoming cycles. The ALPING engine uses advance injection (50–60deg BTDC) of very small diesel pilots in the compression stroke to compression ignite a premixed natural gas-air mixture. It is believed that the advanced injection of the higher cetane diesel fuel leads to longer in-cylinder residence times for the diesel droplets, thereby resulting in distributed ignition at multiple spatial locations, followed by lean combustion of the higher octane natural gas fuel via localized flame propagation. The multiple ignition centers result in faster combustion rates and higher fuel conversion efficiencies. The lean combustion of natural gas leads to reduction in local temperatures that result in reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, since NOx emissions scale with local temperatures. In addition, the lean premixed combustion of natural gas is expected to produce very little particulate matter emissions (not measured). Representative base line ALPING (60deg BTDC pilot injection timing) (without the ORC) half load (1700rpm, 21kW) operation efficiencies reported in this study are about 35% while the corresponding NOx emission is about 0.02g∕kWh, which is much lower than EPA 2007 Tier 4 Bin 5 heavy-duty diesel engine statutes of 0.2g∕kWh. Furthermore, the possibility of improving fuel conversion efficiency at half load operation with ORCs using “dry fluids” is discussed. Dry organic fluids, due to their lower critical points, make excellent choices for waste heat recovery Rankine cycles. Moreover, previous studies indicate that dry fluids are more preferable compared to wet fluids because the need to superheat the fluid to extract work from the turbine is eliminated. The calculations show that ORC—turbocompounding results in fuel conversion efficiency improvements of the order of 10% while maintaining the essential low NOx characteristics of ALPING combustion.
Comment on "Brain IRS2 Signaling Coordinates Life Span and Nutrient Homeostasis"
Authors: Selman Colin , Lingard Steven , Gems David , Partridge Linda , Withers Dominic J.
Published: May 2008

Taguchi
et al
. (Reports, 20 July 2007, p. 369) reported that mice heterozygous for a null mutation in insulin receptor substrate–2 (Irs2) display a 17% increase in median life span. However, using the same mouse model, we find no evidence for life-span extension and suggest that the findings of Taguchi
et al
. were due to atypical life-span profiles in their study animals.
Extending the Sub-Sea-Floor Biosphere
Authors: Roussel Erwan G. , Bonavita Marie-Anne Cambon , Querellou Joël , Cragg Barry A. , Webster Gordon , Prieur Daniel , Parkes R. John
Published: May 2008

Sub‐sea-floor sediments may contain two-thirds of Earth's total prokaryotic biomass. However, this has its basis in data extrapolation from ~500-meter to 4-kilometer depths, whereas the deepest documented prokaryotes are from only 842 meters. Here, we provide evidence for low concentrations of living prokaryotic cells in the deepest (1626 meters below the sea floor), oldest (111 million years old), and potentially hottest (~100�C) marine sediments investigated. These Newfoundland margin sediments also have DNA sequences related to thermophilic and/or hyperthermophilic Archaea. These form two unique clusters within Pyrococcus and Thermococcus genera, suggesting unknown, uncultured groups are present in deep, hot, marine sediments (~54� to 100�C). Sequences of anaerobic methane-oxidizing Archaea were also present, suggesting a deep biosphere partly supported by methane. These findings demonstrate that the sub‐sea-floor biosphere extends to at least 1600 meters below the sea floor and probably deeper, given an upper temperature limit for prokaryotic life of at least 113�C and increasing thermogenic energy supply with depth.
Inverse Temperature Dependence of Toughness in an Ultrafine Grain-Structure Steel
Authors: Kimura Yuuji , Inoue Tadanobu , Yin Fuxing , Tsuzaki Kaneaki
Published: May 2008

Materials are typically ductile at higher temperatures and become brittle at lower temperatures. In contrast to the typical ductile-to-brittle transition behavior of body-centered cubic (bcc) steels, we observed an inverse temperature dependence of toughness in an ultrahigh-strength bcc steel with an ultrafine elongated ferrite grain structure that was processed by a thermomechanical treatment without the addition of a large amount of an alloying element. The enhanced toughness is attributed to a delamination that was a result of crack branching on the aligned {100} cleavage planes in the bundles of the ultrafine elongated ferrite grains strengthened by nanometer-sized carbides. In the temperature range from 60° to –60°C, the yield strength was greater, leading to the enhancement of the toughness.
Evolution of the Secondary Symbiont “
Candidatus
Serratia symbiotica” in Aphid Species of the Subfamily Lachninae
Authors: Lamelas Araceli , Pérez-Brocal Vicente , Gómez-Valero Laura , Gosalbes María José , Moya Andrés , Latorre Amparo
Published: May 2008

Buchnera aphidicola
BCc, the primary endosymbiont of the aphid
Cinara cedri
(subfamily Lachninae), is losing its symbiotic capacity and might be replaced by the coresident “
Candidatus
Serratia symbiotica.” Phylogenetic and morphological analyses within the subfamily Lachninae indicate two different “
Ca
. Serratia symbiotica” lineages and support the longtime coevolution of both symbionts in
C. cedri
.
Listeria monocytogenes
EGD-e Biofilms: No Mushrooms but a Network of Knitted Chains
Authors: Rieu Aurélie , Briandet Romain , Habimana Olivier , Garmyn Dominique , Guzzo Jean , Piveteau Pascal
Published: May 2008

Listeria monocytogenes
is a food pathogen that can attach on most of the surfaces encountered in the food industry. Biofilms are three-dimensional microbial structures that facilitate the persistence of pathogens on surfaces, their resistance toward antimicrobials, and the final contamination of processed goods. So far, little is known about the structural dynamics of
L. monocytogenes
biofilm formation and its regulation. The aims of this study were, by combining genetics and time-lapse laser-scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), (i) to characterize the structural dynamics of
L. monocytogenes
EGD-e sessile growth in two nutritional environments (with or without a nutrient flow), and (ii) to evaluate the possible role of the
L. monocytogenes agr
system during biofilm formation by tracking the spatiotemporal fluorescence expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter system. In the absence of nutrient flow (static conditions), unstructured biofilms composed of a few layers of cells that covered the substratum were observed. In contrast, when grown under dynamic conditions,
L. monocytogenes
EGD-e biofilms were highly organized. Indeed, ball-shaped microcolonies were surrounded by a network of knitted chains. The spatiotemporal tracking of fluorescence emitted by the GFP reporter system revealed that
agr
expression was barely detectable under static conditions, but it progressively increased during 40 h under dynamic conditions. Moreover, spatial analysis revealed that
agr
was expressed preferentially in cells located outside the microcolonies. Finally, the in-frame deletion of
agrA
, which encodes a transcriptional regulator, resulted in a decrease in initial adherence without affecting the subsequent biofilm development.
Genetic Homogeneity of
Clostridium botulinum
Type A1 Strains with Unique Toxin Gene Clusters
Authors: Raphael Brian H. , Luquez Carolina , McCroskey Loretta M. , Joseph Lavin A. , Jacobson Mark J. , Johnson Eric A. , Maslanka Susan E. , Andreadis Joanne D.
Published: May 2008

A group of five clonally related
Clostridium botulinum
type A strains isolated from different sources over a period of nearly 40 years harbored several conserved genetic properties. These strains contained a variant
bont/A1
with five nucleotide polymorphisms compared to the gene in
C. botulinum
strain ATCC 3502. The strains also had a common toxin gene cluster composition (
ha−
/
orfX+
) similar to that associated with
bont/A
in type A strains containing an unexpressed
bont/B
[termed A(B) strains]. However,
bont/B
was not identified in the strains examined. Comparative genomic hybridization demonstrated identical genomic content among the strains relative to
C. botulinum
strain ATCC 3502. In addition, microarray data demonstrated the absence of several genes flanking the toxin gene cluster among the
ha−
/
orfX
+ A1 strains, suggesting the presence of genomic rearrangements with respect to this region compared to the
C. botulinum
ATCC 3502 strain. All five strains were shown to have identical
flaA
variable region nucleotide sequences. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of the strains were indistinguishable when digested with SmaI, and a shift in the size of at least one band was observed in a single strain when digested with XhoI. These results demonstrate surprising genomic homogeneity among a cluster of unique
C. botulinum
type A strains of diverse origin.
Ralstonia eutropha
H16 Flagellation Changes According to Nutrient Supply and State of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Accumulation
Authors: Raberg Matthias , Reinecke Frank , Reichelt Rudolf , Malkus Ursula , König Simone , Pötter Markus , Fricke Wolfgang Florian , Pohlmann Anne , Voigt Birgit , Hecker Michael , Friedrich Bärbel , Bowien Botho , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: May 2008

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE), in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight analysis, and the recently revealed genome sequence of
Ralstonia eutropha
H16 were employed to detect and identify proteins that are differentially expressed during different phases of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) metabolism. For this, a modified protein extraction protocol applicable to PHB-harboring cells was developed to enable 2D PAGE-based proteome analysis of such cells. Subsequently, samples from (i) the exponential growth phase, (ii) the stationary growth phase permissive for PHB biosynthesis, and (iii) a phase permissive for PHB mobilization were analyzed. Among several proteins exhibiting quantitative changes during the time course of a cultivation experiment, flagellin, which is the main protein of bacterial flagella, was identified. Initial investigations that report on changes of flagellation for
R. eutropha
were done, but 2D PAGE and electron microscopic examinations of cells revealed clear evidence that
R. eutropha
exhibited further significant changes in flagellation depending on the life cycle, nutritional supply, and, in particular, PHB metabolism. The results of our study suggest that
R. eutropha
is strongly flagellated in the exponential growth phase and loses a certain number of flagella in transition to the stationary phase. In the stationary phase under conditions permissive for PHB biosynthesis, flagellation of cells admittedly stagnated. However, under conditions permissive for intracellular PHB mobilization after a nitrogen source was added to cells that are carbon deprived but with full PHB accumulation, flagella are lost. This might be due to a degradation of flagella; at least, the cells stopped flagellin synthesis while normal degradation continued. In contrast, under nutrient limitation or the loss of phasins, cells retained their flagella.
Genetic Tools for Allelic Replacement in
Burkholderia
Species
Authors: Barrett Ashley R. , Kang Yun , Inamasu Ken S. , Son Mike S. , Vukovich Joseph M. , Hoang Tung T.
Published: May 2008

Allelic replacement in the
Burkholderia
genus has been problematic due to the lack of appropriate counter-selectable and selectable markers. The counter-selectable marker
sacB
, commonly used in gram-negative bacteria, is nonselective on sucrose in many
Burkholderia
species. In addition, the use of antibiotic resistance markers of clinical importance for the selection of desirable genetic traits is prohibited in the United States for two potential bioterrorism agents,
Burkholderia mallei
and
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. Here, we engineered a mutated counter-selectable marker based on the
B. pseudomallei
PheS (the α-subunit of phenylalanyl tRNA synthase) protein and tested its effectiveness in three different
Burkholderia
species. The mutant PheS protein effectively killed 100% of the bacteria in the presence of 0.1%
p
-chlorophenylalanine. We assembled the mutant
pheS
on several allelic replacement vectors, in addition to constructing selectable markers based on tellurite (Tel
r
) and trimethoprim (Tp
r
) resistance that are excisable by flanking unique FLP recombination target (FRT) sequences. As a proof of concept, we utilized one of these gene replacement vectors (pBAKA) and the Tel
r
-FRT cassette to produce a chromosomal mutation in the
Burkholderia thailandensis betBA
operon, which codes for betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase and choline dehydrogenase. Chromosomal resistance markers could be excised by the introduction of pFLP-AB5 (Tp
r
), which is one of two constructed
flp
-containing plasmids, pFLP-AB4 (Tel
r
) and pFLP-AB5 (Tp
r
). These
flp
-containing plasmids harbor the mutant
pheS
gene and allow self curing on media that contain
p
-chlorophenylalanine after Flp-FRT excision. The characterization of the Δ
betBA
::Tel
r
-FRT and Δ
betBA
::FRT mutants indicated a defect in growth with choline as a sole carbon source, while these mutants grew as well as the wild type with succinate and glucose as alternative carbon sources.
Therapeutic Supplementation of Caprylic Acid in Feed Reduces
Campylobacter jejuni
Colonization in Broiler Chicks
Authors: de los Santos F. Solis , Donoghue A. M. , Venkitanarayanan K. , Reyes-Herrera I. , Metcalf J. H. , Dirain M. L. , Aguiar V. F. , Blore P. J. , Donoghue D. J.
Published: May 2008

Poultry colonized with
Campylobacter
species are a significant source of human food-borne illness. The therapeutic use of the medium chain fatty acid caprylic acid consistently reduced enteric
C. jejuni
colonization in chicks by 3 to 4 logs in three separate trials. These results support caprylic acid's potential to reduce
Campylobacter
carriage in poultry.
Impact of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine on Antibody Responses to Erythrocytic-StagePlasmodium falciparumAntigens in Infants in Mozambique
Authors: Quelhas Diana , Puyol Laura , Quintó Llorenç , Serra-Casas Elisa , Nhampossa Tacilta , Macete Eusebio , Aide Pedro , Mayor Alfredo , Mandomando Inacio , Sanz Sergi , Aponte John J. , Chauhan Virander S. , Chitnis Chetan E. , Alonso Pedro L. , Menéndez Clara , Dobaño Carlota
Published: May 2008

We evaluated the impact of intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), which was given at ages 3, 4, and 9 months through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), on the development of antibody responses toPlasmodium falciparumin Mozambique. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG subclass antibodies specific to whole asexual parasites and to recombinant MSP-119, AMA-1, and EBA-175 were measured at ages 5, 9, 12, and 24 months for 302 children by immunofluorescence antibody tests and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Antibody responses did not significantly differ between children receiving IPTi with SP and those receiving a placebo at any time point measured, with the exception of the responses of IgG and IgG1 to AMA-1 and/or MSP-119, which were significantly higher in the SP-treated group than in the placebo group at ages 5, 9, and/or 24 months. IPTi with SP given through the EPI reduces the frequency of malarial illness while allowing the development of naturally acquired antibody responses toP. falciparumantigens.