bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knee joint stiffness during walking in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Dixon Sharon J. , Hinman Rana S. , Creaby Mark W. , Kemp Georgie , Crossley Kay M.
Published: December 2009

Objective

To investigate the construct validity of walking knee stiffness as a measure to differentiate between individuals with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the construct validity of walking knee stiffness as related to self‐reported knee stiffness. The contributors to walking stiffness and its relationship with loading rate and adduction moment are also investigated.

Methods

Thirty‐seven individuals with knee OA and 11 asymptomatic controls participated. Knee stiffness was calculated during walking as the change in knee flexion‐extension moment divided by the change in knee flexion angle. Forward‐stepwise regression models and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between variables.

Results

Knee stiffness in walking was significantly greater in the OA group (mean ± SD 10.1 ± 4.4 Nm/°/kg × 100) compared with the controls (mean ± SD 5.6 ± 1.5 Nm/°/kg × 100) (P < 0.001). Knee excursion range explained 39% of the variance in walking knee stiffness (B = −0.736, P < 0.001) and knee extensor moment a further 7% (B = 6.974, P = 0.045). In the OA group, walking knee stiffness was not associated with self‐reported stiffness (r = 0.029; P = 0.863). For the OA group, greater self‐reported stiffness was associated with lower peak knee adduction moment (B = −0.354, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The construct validity of walking knee stiffness is supported. The poor correlation between walking stiffness and self‐reported stiffness suggests the 2 measures evaluate different aspects of knee stiffness. Since a measure of walking stiffness is likely to provide valuable information, future research evaluating its clinical significance is merited.
Total hip or knee replacement for osteoarthritis: Mid‐ and long‐term quality of life
Authors: Rat Anne‐Christine , Guillemin Francis , Osnowycz Georges , Delagoutte Jean‐Pierre , Cuny Christian , Mainard Didier , Baumann Cédric
Published: December 2009

Objective

To compare quality of life (QOL) scores 3 and 10 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis with QOL scores in a general population, and to determine factors associated with QOL after surgery.

Methods

Data were obtained from 2 multicenter cohorts of patients with THA or TKA: 232 patients were recruited during 2003 (3‐year cohort) and 221 patients were recruited during 1994 (10‐year cohort). Preoperative data (QOL, radiograph results) and followup data (demographics, comorbidities, pain locations, environmental factors, and QOL) were collected. QOL data for the general population were obtained from a 2003 population‐based survey.

Results

A total of 195 and 89 patients for the 3‐ and 10‐year cohorts, respectively, were followed up; the mean age at followup was 73 years. For both of the cohorts, physical functioning and role‐physical or role‐emotional QOL scores were lower than those for a general population with comparable age. Scores for pain, mental health, and social dimensions were lower than those for the reference population for only the 10‐year cohort. For both cohorts, increased number of comorbidities, painful locations other than THA or TKA location, and unfavorable environmental factors were associated with impaired QOL. Low preoperative QOL scores were predictive of impaired QOL at followup for only the 3‐year cohort.

Conclusion

THA or TKA can improve QOL, but the benefits may be time limited. Addressing environmental factors and treating comorbidities and pain in locations other than the arthroplasty location could have mid‐ and long‐term effects on the QOL of patients with THA or TKA.
Validity of the bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index for the evaluation of disease activity in axial psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Fernández‐Sueiro José Luis , Willisch Alfredo , Pértega‐Díaz Sonia , Tasende José Antonio Pinto , Fernández‐López Jesús Carlos , Villar Natividad Oreiro , Galdo F. , Blanco Francisco Javier
Published: December 2009

Objective

To assess the validity of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for the evaluation and definition of disease activity of axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

Fifty‐four peripheral PsA, 46 axial PsA, and 103 primary ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients were assessed. Patients were classified as having axial PsA if they had grade 2 or higher unilateral sacroiliitis in the presence of spinal symptoms. The 3 groups of patients were evaluated using several measurements for AS. Assessments of acceptability, data quality, internal consistency, construct validity, and responsiveness of the BASDAI were undertaken. Disease activity of the disease was assessed in peripheral PsA and axial PsA patients using the BASDAI, and compared with those with AS.

Results

For peripheral PsA patients, the Cronbach's alpha for the BASDAI was 0.783, for axial PSA patients it was 0.647, and for AS patients it was 0.786. The analysis of convergent validity showed that in peripheral PsA and axial PsA patients, the BASDAI was significantly correlated with other subjective disease activity parameters. For responsiveness, no association was found between changes in the BASDAI and changes in disease activity either in peripheral PsA or in axial PsA. BASDAI scores were similar in axial PsA and AS. Axial PsA patients with a BASDAI score >4 cm showed significant differences with peripheral PsA in terms of disease activity and were very similar to patients with AS.

Conclusion

The BASDAI performed similarly in evaluating disease activity in both axial and peripheral PsA. The BASDAI does not seem to be a good index for evaluating disease activity in axial PsA.
Mutuality's prospective beneficial effects on inflammation in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kasle Shelley , Wilhelm Mari S. , McKnight Patrick E. , Sheikh Saira Z. , Zautra Alex J.
Published: December 2009

Objective

Supportive close relationships are important for health. Mutuality, the reciprocal sharing of thoughts and feelings in close relationships, is linked with better outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in cross‐sectional data. Hypothesizing that mutuality has a beneficial impact on inflammation, we tested potentially causal relations of couple mutuality with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in prospective data.

Methods

Female patients with RA (n = 70; mean age 57 years, mean RA disease duration 5 years) completed questionnaires at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, including measures of mutuality, RA flares, and negative affect. ESR laboratory values available near questionnaire dates were collected from medical charts. Using regression, we examined cross‐lagged effects of mutuality and ESR over the two 6‐month time spans (baseline to 6 months, 6 months to 12 months). We anticipated that mutuality would exert lagged inverse effects on subsequent ESR levels, and that ESR would have no effect on subsequent mutuality levels.

Results

After controlling for lagged effects of earlier inflammation, disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, antiinflammatory drugs, RA flares, and negative affect, mutuality's lagged inverse effects over both time spans accounted for unique variance in subsequent levels of ESR, explaining 9% at 6 months and 12.5% at 12 months. Concomitantly, earlier ESR had no effect on subsequent mutuality.

Conclusion

Patients with RA reporting more mutuality had less inflammation at subsequent time points, but inflammation had no effect on subsequent reports of mutuality. This suggests that mutuality exerts a beneficial effect on inflammation. Clinical implications and potential applications are discussed.
Evidence for predictive validity of remission on long‐term outcome in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review
Authors: van Tuyl Lilian H. D. , Felson David T. , Wells George , Smolen Josef , Zhang Bin , Boers Maarten
Published: December 2009

Objective

Remission is rapidly becoming a key end point in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials, but its definition is not satisfactory. Although it is generally believed that achieving a state of remission will lead to better structural outcome, this has not been studied systematically. As part of an undertaking to redefine remission, the current review describes the relationship between remission and long‐term structural outcome.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBase, and The Cochrane Library intersected 3 groups of terms: RA, remission, and long‐term outcome. The search identified 1,138 records, of which 14 were relevant to the research question.

Results

All of the studies included in this review showed a relationship between remission and long‐term structural damage or disability. Patients that achieved a state of remission, defined in various ways, showed less deterioration of function and radiographic progression compared with patients who did not reach a state of remission.

Conclusion

Patients who achieved a state of remission were less likely to show deterioration of function and radiographic progression compared with patients who did not reach a state of remission.
Anode Interfacial Tuning via Electron‐Blocking/Hole‐Transport Layers and Indium Tin Oxide Surface Treatment in Bulk‐Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Hains Alexander W. , Liu Jun , Martinson Alex B. F. , Irwin Michael D. , Marks Tobin J.
Published: December 2009

The effects of anode/active layer interface modification in bulk‐heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells is investigated using poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and/or a hole‐transporting/electron‐blocking blend of 4,4′‐bis[(p‐trichlorosilylpropylphenyl)‐phenylamino]biphenyl (TPDSi2) and poly[9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐N‐[4‐(3‐methylpropyl)]‐diphenylamine] (TFB) as interfacial layers (IFLs). Current–voltage data in the dark and AM1.5G light show that the TPDSi2:TFB IFL yields MDMO‐PPV:PCBM OPVs with substantially increased open‐circuit voltage (Voc), power conversion efficiency, and thermal stability versus devices having no IFL or PEDOT:PSS. Using PEDOT:PSS and TPDSi2:TFB together in the same cell greatly reduces dark current and produces the highest Voc (0.91 V) by combining the electron‐blocking effects of both layers. ITO anode pre‐treatment was investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy to understand why oxygen plasma, UV ozone, and solvent cleaning markedly affect cell response in combination with each IFL. O2 plasma and UV ozone treatment most effectively clean the ITO surface and are found most effective in preparing the surface for PEDOT:PSS deposition; UV ozone produces optimum solar cells with the TPDSi2:TFB IFL. Solvent cleaning leaves significant residual carbon contamination on the ITO and is best followed by O2 plasma or UV ozone treatment.
Bioinspired Smart Gating of Nanochannels Toward Photoelectric‐Conversion Systems
Authors: Wen Liping , Hou Xu , Tian Ye , Nie Fu‐Qiang , Song Yanlin , Zhai Jin , Jiang Lei
Published: December 2009

Learning from nature has inspired the creation of intelligent materials to better understand and imitate biology. Recent studies on bioinspired responsive surfaces that can switch between different states are shown, which open up new avenues for the development of smart materials in two dimensions. Based on this strategy, biomimetic nanochannel systems have been produced by introducing responsive molecules, which closely mimic the gating mechanism of biological nanochannels and show potential applications in many fields such as photoelectric‐conversion systems demonstrated in this paper.
Highly Enantioselective Epoxidation of Unfunctionalized Olefins Catalyzed by Chiral Jacobsen’s Catalyst Immobilized on Phenoxy‐Modified Zirconium Poly(syrene‐phenylvinylphos‐ phonate)phosphate
Authors: Zou Xiaochuan , Fu Xiangkai , Li Yuedong , Tu Xiaobo , Fu Shaodong , Luo Yunfei , Wu Xiaoju
Published: December 2009

Chiral Jacobsen’s catalyst was axially immobilized onto phenoxy‐modified zirconium poly(styrene‐phenylvinylphosphonate)phosphate (ZPS‐PVPA). The immobilized catalysts show comparable ee values for asymmetric epoxidation of styrene and much higher ee values for α‐methylstyrene (73.7% vs. 54.0%) and indene (99.9% vs. 65.0%) than the homogeneous Jacobsen’s catalyst. Moreover, the as‐synthesized catalysts are relatively stable and can be recycled at least five times without significant loss of activity and enantioselectivity. A point worth emphasizing is that the heterogeneous catalysts afforded remarkable increases of conversion and ee values in the absence of expensive O‐coordinating axial bases for the asymmetric epoxidation of olefins, especially for the epoxidation of α‐methylstyrene (conversion: from 24.3% to 99.9%; ee: from 29.4% to 73.7%), which may overcome the last obstacle for the potential industry application of chiral Jacobsen’s catalyst.
ortho,ortho′‐Substituted KITPHOS Monophosphines: Highly Efficient Ligands for Palladium‐Catalyzed CC and CN Bond Formation
Authors: Doherty Simon , Knight Julian G. , McGrady John P. , Ferguson Alexandra M. , Ward Nicholas A. B. , Harrington Ross W. , Clegg William
Published: December 2009

ortho,ortho′‐Substitution of the phosphinoalkyne‐derived aryl ring in KITPHOS (11‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐12‐phenyl‐9,10‐ethenoanthracene) monophosphines enhances the performance of this class of ligand in palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐couplings and Buchwald–Hartwig aminations, compared with their unsubstituted and mono‐substituted counterparts. An alternative complementary synthesis of KITPHOS monophosphines has been developed and two new members of this family, 2,6‐Me2‐KITPHOS [11‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐12‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)‐9,10‐ethenoanthracene] and 2,6‐(MeO)2‐KITPHOS [11‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐12‐(2,6‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐9,10‐ethenoanthracene], have been prepared; palladium complexes of both are highly efficient catalysts for CC and CN bond formation with a range of electron‐rich and electron‐poor aromatic chlorides as well as heteroaryl chlorides.
Product Selectivity Control in the Heteroannulation of o‐(1‐Alkynyl)benzamides
Authors: Bianchi Gabriele , Chiarini Marco , Marinelli Fabio , Rossi Leucio , Arcadi Antonio
Published: December 2009

The selective synthesis of (Z)‐ or (E)‐3‐aryl/vinyl/alkylidene‐isoindolones, and 2‐benzopyran derivatives from o‐(1‐alkynyl)benzamides by means of a suitable choice of bases or silver catalysis is described.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β‐Aryloxy Alcohols by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ketone Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)
Authors: Bai Wen‐Ju , Xie Jian‐Hua , Li Ya‐Li , Liu Sheng , Zhou Qi‐Lin
Published: December 2009

A highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral β‐aryloxy alcohols by the {RuCl2[(S)‐SDP][(R,R)‐DPEN]} [(Sa,R,R)‐1a; SDP=7,7′‐bis(diarylphosphino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane; DPEN=trans‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine] complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryloxydialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed. Enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee with good to high cis/anti‐selectivities (up to>99:1) were achieved.
Highly Efficient and Selective Synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones by Crossed Condensation of Ketones and Aldehydes Catalyzed by an Air‐Stable Cationic Organobismuth Perfluorooctanesulfonate
Authors: Qiu Renhua , Qiu Yimiao , Yin Shuangfeng , Xu Xinhua , Luo Shenglian , Au Chak‐Tong , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Shimada Shigeru
Published: December 2009

An air‐stable cationic organobismuth perfluorooctanesulfonate possessing both acidic and basic characters was synthesized, and showed high catalytic activity, diastereoselectivity, stability, and reusability in the one‐pot synthesis of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones through highly selective crossed condensation of ketones and aldehydes in water.
Silver‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Cyclization Reaction of Electron‐ Deficient Alkynes and 2‐Yn‐1‐ols: An Efficient Domino Process to Polysubstituted Furans
Authors: Cao Hua , Jiang Huanfeng , Mai Ronghuan , Zhu Shifa , Qi Chaorong
Published: December 2009

Transition metal‐catalyzed domino reactions have been used as powerful tools for the preparation of polysubstituted furans in a one‐pot manner. In this paper, an efficient synthetic method was developed for the construction of tri‐ or tetrasubstituted furans from electron‐deficient alkynes and 2‐yn‐1‐ols by a silver‐catalyzed domino reaction. It is especially noteworthy that a 2,3,5‐trisubstituted 4‐ynyl‐furan was formally obtained in an extremely direct manner without tedious stepwise synthesis. In addition, regio‐isomeric furans were observed when substituted aryl alkynyl ketones were employed. This methodology represents a highly efficient synthetic route to electron‐deficient furans for which catalytic approaches are scarce. The reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions with commercially available catalysts and materials.
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐ Palladium(II) Complexes
Authors: Winkelmann Ole H. , Navarro Oscar
Published: December 2009

The microwave‐assisted synthesis of two different types of N‐heterocyclic carbene‐palladium(II) complexes, (NHC)Pd(acac)Cl (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene; acac=acetylacetonate) and (NHC)PdCl2(3‐chloropyridine), has been carried out. A drastic reduction in reaction times (20 to 88 times faster, depending on the complex) was observed when compared to the previously described, conventionally‐heated synthesis of these complexes. The protocol also allowed for the synthesis of (IPr)Pd(acac)Cl [IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene] on a 5‐mmol scale in 30 min, with the reactants loaded in air.
Cationic polymerization in rotating packed bed reactor: Experimental and modeling
Authors: Chen Jian‐Feng , Gao Hua , Zou Hai‐Kui , Chu Guang‐Wen , Zhang Lei , Shao Lei , Xiang Yang , Wu Yi‐Xian
Published: December 2009

On the basis of analysis of key engineering factors predominating in cationic polymerization, butyl rubber (IIR) as an example was synthesized by cationic polymerization in the high‐gravity environment generated by a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor. The influence of the rotating speed, packing thickness, and polymerization temperature on the number average molecular weight (Mn) of IIR was studied. The optimum experimental conditions were determined as rotating speed of 1200 r min−1, packing thickness of 40 mm and polymerization temperature of 173 K, where IIR with Mn of 289,000 and unimodal molecular weight distribution of 1.99 was obtained. According to the experimental results and elementary reactions, a model for the prediction of Mn was developed, and the validity of the model was confirmed by the fact that most of the predicted Mns agreed well with the experimental data with a deviation within 10%. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Estimation of mass transfer velocity based on measured turbulence parameters
Authors: Janzen Johannes G. , Herlina H. , Jirka Gerhard H. , Schulz Harry E. , Gulliver John S.
Published: December 2009

The aim of this study is to quantify the mass transfer velocity using turbulence parameters from simultaneous measurements of oxygen concentration fields and velocity fields. The surface divergence model was considered in more detail, using data obtained for the lower range of β (surface divergence). It is shown that the existing models that use the divergence concept furnish good predictions for the transfer velocity also for low values of β, in the range of this study. Additionally, traditional conceptual models, such as the film model, the penetration‐renewal model, and the large eddy model, were tested using the simultaneous information of concentration and velocity fields. It is shown that the film and the surface divergence models predicted the mass transfer velocity for all the range of the equipment Reynolds number used here. The velocity measurements showed viscosity effects close to the surface, which indicates that the surface was contaminated with some surfactant. Considering the results, this contamination can be considered slight for the mass transfer predictions. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
The effect of cell size distribution during the cooling stage of cryopreservation without CPA
Authors: Fadda S. , Cincotti A. , Cao G.
Published: December 2009

A novel model capable of quantitatively describing and predicting intracellular ice formation (IIF) as a function of temperature in a cell population characterized by a size distribution is proposed. The model overcomes the classical approach which takes into account a population of identically sized cells. The size distribution dynamics of a cell population in response to water osmosis and IIF occurrence during the cooling stage of a standard cryopreservation protocol without using cryoprotective agent (CPA) is simulated by means of a suitable population balance approach. Specifically, the model couples the classical water transport equation developed by Mazur1 to the quantitative description of nucleation and diffusion‐limited growth of ice crystals in the framework of a 1‐D population balance equation (PBE). It is found that IIF temperature depends on the cell size, i.e., it is higher for larger cells. Correspondingly, the probability of IIF (PIIF) results to be dependent on the initial size distribution of the cell population. Model's parameters related to the osmotic behavior of the cell population and to IIF kinetics are obtained by comparison between theoretical results and suitable experimental data of isolated rat hepatocytes available in the literature. Model reliability is successfully verified by predicting the experimental data of PIIF at different, constant cooling rates with better accuracy as compared to the theoretical approaches available in the literature. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Process control and monitoring of reactive crystallization of L‐glutamic acid
Authors: Alatalo Hannu , Hatakka Henry , Kohonen Jarno , Reinikainen Satu‐pia , Louhi‐kultanen Marjatta
Published: December 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate feedback control of a reactive crystallization process. The present study built up a control structure needed to control the driving force of reactive crystallization using the feed rate of added acid. The concentration of the crystallizing compound and pH was used to compute feedback in the closed‐loop control of semi‐batch precipitation. The concentration of L‐glutamic acid was determined from measured MID‐IR ATR‐FTIR spectra based on a multivariate model. Dynamic change of set value was based on the mass of added sulfuric acid and pH. The studied properties of the product crystals were polymorphism and crystal size. The polymorphic composition was analyzed with a Raman spectrometer and was expressed by mass fraction of the α‐polymorph. The obtained results showed that the developed feedback process control system allows effective control of forming of polymorphs. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Associations between sleep quality with cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI among adolescent girls
Authors: Mota Jorge , Vale Susana
Published: December 2009

The main goal of this study was to examine the association between sleeping quality with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and obesity status (BMI) This was a cross‐sectional study of 1,726 adolescent girls, aged 10 to 18 years. CRF was predicted by maximal multistage 20 m shuttle‐run test according to procedures described from FITNESSGRAM. Children's BMI was classified according to International Obesity Task Force and sleeping quality was assessed by questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.2% and 5.7%, respectively. Sleeping quality was significantly associated with CRF (Rho = 0.17; P < 0.05), but not with BMI. Girls who were classified as fit were more likely (OR: 2.25; P < 0.05) to report better sleep quality compared to their unfit peers. Poor sleep quality was associated with lower CRF although no associations have been shown with BMI. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optical transparency, thermal resistance, intermolecular interaction, and mechanical properties of poly(styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) copolymer‐based thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Tsai Yuhsin , Wu Jyh‐Horng , Li Chia‐Hao , Wu Yao‐Tsu , Leu Ming‐Tsong
Published: December 2009

The optical transparency, thermal resistance, intermolecular interaction, and mechanical properties of poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene‐block‐styrene) (SBS), which were modified by blending with crystalline polypropylene (PP) or amorphous polystyrene (PS), were analyzed. The dynamic mechanical test indicated that the PP exhibited an intermolecular interaction with SBS and PS was compatible with SBS. The optical properties indicated that the direction of the light was changed due to the difference between the refractive indices of SBS and the added modifiers. Additionally, refraction and reflection occurred at the interface, reducing the transparency of SBS. The thermal resistance of SBS clearly improved upon modification by the addition of crystalline PP polymer. The thermal treatment increased the tensile strength and the elongation at breakage of modified SBS by reducing the internal stress, which was generated during the blending process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Morphological and Morphometric Changes of Pituitary Lactotrophs of Viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) in Relation to Reproductive Cycle, Age, and Sex
Authors: Filippa Verónica , Mohamed Fabian
Published: December 2009

Lactotrophs in pituitary pars distalis (PD) of viscacha were studied by immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis in the following groups: 1) adult males throughout the reproductive cycle (reproductive, gonadal regression, and recovery periods), 2) melatonin‐treated adults, 3) castrated adults, 4) prepubertal, 5) non‐pregnant females, and 6) pregnant females (early, mid, and late pregnancy). Immunopositive percentage area (%IA), cell percentage in PD (% PDC), number of cells per reference area (no.cell/RA), major cellular and nuclear diameters were analyzed. Lactotrophs were mainly localized in the ventro–medial region and the caudal extreme of PD. In the male viscachas, they were isolated in small and big groups, close to blood vessels and near follicles. These cells were pleomorphic and with a heterogeneous cytoplasmic immunolabeling pattern. In the adult males of the gonadal regression period the morphometric parameters were the lowest. Most parameters of lactotrophs in the prepubertal were significantly lower than in the adult males in the reproductive period. In the melatonin‐treated animals and in castrated animals there was a decrease in %IA, %PDC, and no.cell/RA. In the females, the morphometric parameters increased at the end of pregnancy. Non‐pregnant females exhibited a higher immunopositive area and number, but a smaller size of cells than males. Our results showed that in the adult male viscacha, lactotrophs vary seasonally, probably due to the photoperiod effect through melatonin. Besides the changes observed after castration, in prepubertal animals, in adults of different sex, and during pregnancy suggest that the gonadal steroid hormones might modify the lactotrophs activity. Anat Rec, 293:150–161, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional autoantibodies against serpin E2 in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Maciejewska‐Rodrigues H. , Al‐Shamisi M. , Hemmatazad H. , Ospelt C. , Bouton M. C. , Jäger D. , Cope A. P. , Charles P. , Plant D. , Distler J. H. W. , Gay R. E. , Michel B. A. , Knuth A. , Neidhart M. , Gay S. , Jüngel A.
Published: December 2009

Objective

To search for novel autoantibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an effort to better understand the processes of joint destruction in this disease.

Methods

Using a modified SEREX technique and complementary DNA derived from RA synovium, serpin E2 was identified as a novel autoantigen and was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Levels of anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies in serum and synovial fluid from patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and/or from healthy individuals were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Since serpin E2 is an inhibitor of serine proteases, we studied the inhibitory activity of serpin E2 toward its target, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), in vitro in the presence of isolated anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies and in vivo using the uPA activity assay.

Results

We identified autoantibodies against serpin E2 by the SEREX technique. Serpin E2 was overexpressed in RA synovial tissues as compared with OA synovial tissues. Significantly higher levels of anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies were present in samples of synovial fluid (28%) and serum (22%) from RA patients as compared with OA patients (0 and 6%, respectively) or with healthy individuals (6% of sera). Most importantly, anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies isolated from RA sera reversed the inhibitory activity of serpin E2 by 70%. Furthermore, the levels of anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies correlated with the uPA activity in vivo.

Conclusion

This study characterizes a functional property of a novel autoantibody in RA. Since anti–serpin E2 autoantibodies interfere with the inhibitory activity of serpin E2 toward serine proteases, they might facilitate the joint destruction in RA.
Identification of citrullinated vimentin peptides as T cell epitopes in HLA–DR4–positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Feitsma Anouk L. , van der Voort Ellen I. H. , Franken Kees L. M. C. , El Bannoudi Hanane , Elferink Berendina G. , Drijfhout Jan W. , Huizinga Tom W. J. , de Vries René R. P. , Toes René E. M. , Ioan‐Facsinay A.
Published: December 2009

Objective

Antibodies directed against citrullinated proteins (ACPAs) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The production of ACPAs is most likely dependent on the presence of T cells, since ACPAs undergo isotype switching and are associated with the shared epitope (SE)–containing HLA–DRB1 alleles. Vimentin is a likely candidate protein for T cell recognition, since >90% of patients positive for ACPAs that are reactive with (peptides derived from) citrullinated vimentin carry SE‐containing HLA–DRB1 alleles. The aim of this study was to identify citrullinated vimentin peptides that are presented to HLA–DRB1*0401–restricted T cells.

Methods

HLA–DR4–transgenic mice were immunized with all possible citrulline‐containing peptides derived from vimentin, and T cell reactivity was analyzed. Peptides recognized in a citrulline‐specific manner by T cells were selected and analyzed for their ability to be processed from the entire vimentin protein. A first inventory of the selected epitopes recognized by T cells was performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ACPA+, HLA–DR4+ patients with RA.

Results

A citrulline‐specific response was observed for 2 of the peptides analyzed in DR4‐transgenic mice. These peptides were found to be naturally processed from the vimentin protein, since citrullinated vimentin was recognized by peptide‐specific T cells. T cell reactivity against these peptides was also observed in cultures of PBMCs from RA patients.

Conclusion

This study identifies, for the first time, 2 naturally processed peptides from vimentin that are recognized by HLA–DRB1*0401–restricted T cells in a citrulline‐specific manner. These peptides can be recognized by T cells in ACPA+, HLA–DR4+ patients with RA, as shown in a first inventory.
Involvement of MAPKs and NF‐κB in tumor necrosis factor α–induced vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Luo Shue‐Fen , Fang Rou‐Yi , Hsieh Hsi‐Lung , Chi Pei‐Ling , Lin Chih‐Chung , Hsiao Li‐Der , Wu Chi‐Chuan , Wang Jong‐Shyan , Yang Chuen‐Mao
Published: December 2009

Objective

To investigate the roles of MAPKs and NF‐κB in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1) in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs).

Methods

Human RASFs were isolated from synovial tissue obtained from patients with RA who underwent knee or hip surgery. The involvement of MAPKs and NF‐κB in TNFα‐induced VCAM‐1 expression was investigated using pharmacologic inhibitors and transfection with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and measured using Western blot, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and gene promoter assay. NF‐κB translocation was determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The functional activity of VCAM‐1 was evaluated by lymphocyte adhesion assay.

Results

TNFα‐induced VCAM‐1 expression, phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and JNK, and translocation of NF‐κB were attenuated by the inhibitors of MEK‐1/2 (U0126), p38 (SB202190), JNK (SP600125), and NF‐κB (helenalin) or by transfection with their respective shRNA. TNFα‐stimulated translocation of NF‐κB into the nucleus and NF‐κB promoter activity were blocked by Bay11‐7082, but not by U0126, SB202190, or SP600125. VCAM‐1 promoter activity was enhanced by TNFα in RASFs transfected with VCAM‐1‐Luc, and this promoter activity was inhibited by Bay11‐7082, U0126, SB202190, and SP600125. Moreover, up‐regulation of VCAM‐1 increased the adhesion of lymphocytes to the RASF monolayer, and this adhesion was attenuated by pretreatment with helenalin, U0126, SP600125, or SB202190 prior to exposure to TNFα or by anti–VCAM‐1 antibody before the addition of lymphocytes.

Conclusion

In RASFs, TNFα‐induced VCAM‐1 expression is mediated through activation of the p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF‐κB pathways. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying cytokine‐initiated joint inflammation in RA and may inspire new targeted therapeutic approaches.
Inhibition of NF‐κB signaling by fasudil as a potential therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Okamoto Hiroshi , Yoshio Taku , Kaneko Hirotaka , Yamanaka Hisashi
Published: December 2009

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common systemic autoimmune disease and is characterized mainly by symmetric polyarticular joint disorders. The pathologic processes are mediated by a number of cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, and matrix metalloproteinases. The expression of most of these molecules is controlled at the transcriptional level. In addition, activation of NF‐κB is involved in RA pathogenesis. This study was performed to explore the role of a novel serine/threonine kinase inhibitor, fasudil, in the control of the NF‐κB activation pathway and to investigate the therapeutic effects of fasudil on arthritis development in a rat model of RA.

Methods

Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients and human endothelial cells (ECs) were established and maintained. To study the role of fasudil on cytokine expression, various cytokines expressed in the RA FLS and human ECs were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay following stimulation of the cells with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in the presence of various concentrations of fasudil. The role of fasudil on NF‐κB activation was studied using a reporter gene assay, Western blotting of IκBα, immunofluorescence analysis of the p65 subunit of NF‐κB, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The in vivo effects of fasudil on arthritis were studied in a rat adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) model.

Results

Fasudil inhibited cytokine expression in RA FLS and human ECs and also inhibited the activation of ECs, in a dose‐dependent manner. Fasudil inhibited IL‐1β–induced activation of NF‐κB independent of the inhibition of IκBα degradation and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB, and inhibited IL‐1β–induced DNA binding of NF‐κB. Finally, in vivo, fasudil ameliorated arthritis in rats with AIA, without any adverse effects.

Conclusion

Serine/threonine kinase inhibitor fasudil inhibits the development of arthritis in a rat model of RA, and also inhibits the NF‐κB signaling required for binding of NF‐κB to specific DNA sequences through, for example, the phosphorylation of p65, suggesting that a specific target of fasudil might be a novel NF‐κB kinase. Thus, fasudil serves as a novel strategy for the treatment of RA.
Muscle resident macrophages control the immune cell reaction in a mouse model of notexin‐induced myoinjury
Authors: Brigitte Madly , Schilte Clementine , Plonquet Anne , Baba‐Amer Yasmine , Henri Adeline , Charlier Caroline , Tajbakhsh Shahragim , Albert Matthew , Gherardi Romain K. , Chrétien Fabrice
Published: December 2009

Objective

Skeletal muscle may be the site of a variety of poorly understood immune reactions, particularly after myofiber injury, which is typically observed in inflammatory myopathies. This study was undertaken to explore both the cell dynamics and functions of resident macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in damaged muscle, using a mouse model of notexin‐induced myoinjury to study innate immune cell reactions.

Methods

The myeloid cell reaction to notexin‐induced myoinjury was analyzed by microscopy and flow cytometry. Bone marrow (BM) transplantation studies were used to discriminate resident from exudate monocyte/macrophages. Functional tests included cytokine screening and an alloantigenic mixed leukocyte reaction to assess the antigen‐presenting cell (APC) function. Selective resident macrophage depletion was obtained by injection of diphtheria toxin (DT) into CD11b–DT receptor–transgenic mice transplanted with DT‐insensitive BM.

Results

The connective tissue surrounding mouse muscle/fascicle tissue (the epimysium/perimysium) after deep muscle injury displayed a resident macrophage population of CD11b+F4/80+CD11c−Ly‐6C−CX3CR1− cells, which concentrated first in the epimysium. These resident macrophages were being used by leukocytes as a centripetal migration pathway, and were found to selectively release 2 chemokines, cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and to crucially contribute to massive recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes from the blood. Early epimysial inflammation consisted of a predominance of Ly‐6ChighCX3CR1lowCD11c− cells that were progressively substituted by Ly‐6ClowCX3CR1high cells displaying an intermediate, rather than high, level of CD11c expression. These CD11cintermediate cells were derived from circulating CCR2+ monocytes, functionally behaved as immature APCs in the absence of alloantigenic challenge, and migrated to draining lymph nodes while acquiring the phenotype of mature DCs (CD11c+Ia+CD80+ cells, corresponding to an inflammatory DC phenotype).

Conclusion

The results in this mouse model show that resident macrophages in the muscle epimysium/perimysium orchestrate the innate immune response to myoinjury, which is linked to adaptive immunity through the formation of inflammatory DCs.
Large‐scale magnetic flux concentrations from turbulent stresses
Authors: Brandenburg A. , Kleeorin N. , Rogachevskii I.
Published: December 2009

In this study we provide the first numerical demonstration of the effects of turbulence on the mean Lorentz force and the resulting formation of large‐scale magnetic structures. Using three‐dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of forced turbulence we show that an imposed mean magnetic field leads to a decrease of the turbulent hydromagnetic pressure and tension. This phenomenon is quantified by determining the relevant functions that relate the sum of the turbulent Reynolds and Maxwell stresses with the Maxwell stress of the mean magnetic field. Using such a parameterization, we show by means of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional mean‐field numerical modelling that an isentropic density stratified layer becomes unstable in the presence of a uniform imposed magnetic field. This large‐scale instability results in the formation of loop‐like magnetic structures which are concentrated at the top of the stratified layer. In three dimensions these structures resemble the appearance of bipolar magnetic regions in the Sun. The results of DNS and mean‐field numerical modelling are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We discuss our model in the context of a distributed solar dynamo where active regions and sunspots might be rather shallow phenomena (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The use of real options valuation methodology in enhancing the understanding of the impact of climate change on companies
Authors: Tyler Emily , Chivaka Richard
Published: December 2009

Climate change has in recent years gathered traction on the business, political and social agenda. From the business perspective, research has shown that climate change impacts on company value are uncertain, significant and strategically important. The challenge therefore is for the business community to apply financial valuation models that support the incorporation of the climate change impacts in strategic planning. However, the commonly used discounted cash flow techniques in capital budgeting are seen as failing to address the high levels of uncertainties inherent in climate change impacts. Real options thinking has been touted as having the potential to enhance understanding of these impacts via its direct handling of uncertainty, although not much research has been done to demonstrate this. Using an illustrative case study, this research presents an argument for introducing the real options approach, a new method for valuing options of future strategic action by companies in a setting that exhibits climate change impacts. The objective of this research is to contribute to the literature on strategic tools for addressing climate change and ultimately offer some management insights that can narrow the gap between finance theory and business practice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Tag SNP selection using particle swarm optimization
Authors: Chuang Li‐Yeh , Yang Cheng‐San , Ho Chang‐Hsuan , Yang Cheng‐Hong
Published: December 2009

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most abundant form of genetic variations amongst species. With the genome‐wide SNP discovery, many genome‐wide association studies are likely to identify multiple genetic variants that are associated with complex diseases. However, genotyping all existing SNPs for a large number of samples is still challenging even though SNP arrays have been developed to facilitate the task. Therefore, it is essential to select only informative SNPs representing the original SNP distributions in the genome (tag SNP selection) for genome‐wide association studies. These SNPs are usually chosen from haplotypes and called haplotype tag SNPs (htSNPs). Accordingly, the scale and cost of genotyping are expected to be largely reduced. We introduce binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) with local search capability to improve the prediction accuracy of STAMPA. The proposed method does not rely on block partitioning of the genomic region, and consistently identified tag SNPs with higher prediction accuracy than either STAMPA or SVM/STSA. We compared the prediction accuracy and time complexity of BPSO to STAMPA and an SVM‐based (SVM/STSA) method using publicly available data sets. For STAMPA and SVM/STSA, BPSO effective improved prediction accuracy for smaller and larger scale data sets. These results demonstrate that the BPSO method selects tag SNP with higher accuracy no matter the scale of data sets is used. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Accurate control of oxygen level in cells during culture on silicone rubber membranes with application to stem cell differentiation
Authors: Powers Daryl E. , Millman Jeffrey R. , Bonner‐Weir Susan , Rappel Michael J. , Colton Clark K.
Published: December 2009

Oxygen level in mammalian cell culture is often controlled by placing culture vessels in humidified incubators with a defined gas phase partial pressure of oxygen (pO2gas). Because the cells are consuming oxygen supplied by diffusion, a difference between pO2gas and that experienced by the cells (pO2cell) arises, which is maximal when cells are cultured in vessels with little or no oxygen permeability. Here, we demonstrate theoretically that highly oxygen‐permeable silicone rubber membranes can be used to control pO2cell during culture of cells in monolayers and aggregates much more accurately and can achieve more rapid transient response following a disturbance than on polystyrene and fluorinated ethylene‐propylene copolymer membranes. Cell attachment on silicone rubber was achieved by physical adsorption of fibronectin or Matrigel. We use these membranes for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes and compare the results with culture on polystyrene or on silicone rubber on top of polystyrene. The fraction of cells that are cardiomyocyte‐like increases with decreasing pO2 only when using oxygen‐permeable silicone membrane‐based dishs, which contract on silicone rubber but not polystyrene. The high permeability of silicone rubber results in pO2cell being equal to pO2gas at the tissue‐membrane interface. This, together with geometric information from histological sections, facilitates development of a model from which the pO2 distribution within the resulting aggregates is computed. Silicone rubber membranes have significant advantages over polystyrene in controlling pO2cell, and these results suggest they are a valuable tool for investigating pO2 effects in many applications, such as stem cell differentiation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Microwave‐based alkali pretreatment of switchgrass and coastal bermudagrass for bioethanol production
Authors: Keshwani Deepak R. , Cheng Jay J.
Published: December 2009

Switchgrass and coastal bermudagrass are promising lignocellulosic feedstocks for bioethanol production. However, pretreatment of lignocelluloses is required to improve production of fermentable sugars from enzymatic hydrolysis. Microwave‐based alkali pretreatment of switchgrass and coastal bermudagrass was investigated in this study. Pretreatments were carried out by immersing the biomass in dilute alkali reagents and exposing the slurry to microwave radiation at 250 W for residence times ranging from 5 to 20 min. Simons' stain method was used to quantify changes in biomass porosity as a result of the pretreatment. Pretreatments were evaluated based on yields of total reducing sugars, glucose, and xylose. An evaluation of different alkalis identified sodium hydroxide as the most effective alkali reagent for microwave‐based pretreatment of switchgrass and coastal bermudagrass. 82% glucose and 63% xylose yields were achieved for switchgrass and 87% glucose and 59% xylose yields were achieved for coastal bermudagrass following enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass pretreated under optimal conditions. Dielectric properties for dilute sodium hydroxide solutions were measured and compared with solid losses, lignin reduction, and reducing sugar levels in hydrolyzates. Results indicate that dielectric loss tangent of alkali solutions is a potential indicator of the severity of microwave‐based pretreatments. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Chemically Induced Cardiomyogenesis of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Berkessel Albrecht , Seelig Bianca , Schwengberg Silke , Hescheler Jürgen , Sachinidis Agapios
Published: December 2009

A transgenic murine embryonic stem (ES) cell lineage expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of α‐myosine heavy chain (α‐MHC) promoter (pα‐MHC‐EGFP) was used to investigate the effects of (thio)urea and cinchona alkaloid derivatives on cardiomyogenesis. The screening of the compounds yielded cardiomyogenesis inducing substances with good (IV‐5, V‐4) to very good activities (II‐16, IV‐8), as determined by a 50 to 80 % increase in the EGFP fluorescence compared to untreated cells. Time‐dependent screening approaches in which compounds were added at different developmental stages of the ES cells appeared to be of limited suitability for the identification of potential cellular targets.