bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Follow‐up observations of Comet 17P/Holmes after its extreme outburst in brightness end of October 2007
Authors: Mugrauer M. , Hohle M.M. , Ginski C. , Vanko M. , Freistetter F.
Published: May 2009

We present follow‐up observations of comet 17/P Holmes after its extreme outburst in brightness, which occurred end of October 2007. We obtained 58 V‐band images of the comet between October 2007 and February 2008, using the Cassegrain‐Teleskop‐Kamera (CTK) at the University Observatory Jena. We present precise astrometry of the comet, which yields its most recent Keplerian orbital elements. Furthermore, we show that the comet's coma expands quite linearly with a velocity of about 1650 km/s between October and December 2007. The photometric monitoring of comet 17/P Holmes shows that its photometric activity level decreased by about 5.9 mag within 105 days after its outburst (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamics of the TrES‐2 system
Authors: Freistetter F. , Süli Á. , Funk B.
Published: May 2009

The TrES‐2 system harbors one planet which was discovered with the transit technique. In this work we investigate the dynamical behavior of possible additional, lower‐mass planets. We identify the regions where such planets can move on stable orbits and show how they depend on the initial eccentricity and inclination. We find, that there are stable regions inside and outside the orbit of TrES‐2b where additional, smaller planets can move. We also show that those planets can have a large orbital inclination which makes a detection with the transit technique very difficult (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Planetary transit observations at the University Observatory Jena: XO‐1b and TrES‐1
Authors: Raetz St. , Mugrauer M. , Schmidt T.O.B. , Roell T. , Eisenbeiss T. , Hohle M.M. , Tetzlaff N. , Vaňko M. , Seifahrt A. , Broeg Ch. , Koppenhoefer J. , Neuhäuser R.
Published: May 2009

We report on observations of transit events of the transiting planets XO‐1b and TrES‐1 with a 25 cm telescope of the University Observatory Jena. With the transit timings for XO‐1b from all 50 available XO, SuperWASP, Transit Light Curve (TLC)‐Project‐ and Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD)‐data, including our own I ‐band photometry obtained in March 2007, we find that the orbital period is P = (3.941501 ± 0.000001) d, a slight change by ∼3 s compared to the previously published period. We present new ephemeris for this transiting planet. Furthermore, we present new R ‐band photometry of two transits of TrES‐1. With the help of all available transit times from literature this allows us to refine the estimate of the orbital period: P = (3.0300722 ± 0.0000002) d. Our observations will be useful for future investigations of timing variations caused by additional perturbing planets and/or stellar spots and/or moons (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photometric study of the OB star clusters NGC 1502 and NGC 2169 and mass estimation of their members at the University Observatory Jena
Authors: Hohle M.M. , Eisenbeiss T. , Mugrauer M. , Freistetter F. , Moualla M. , Neuhäuser R. , Raetz St. , Schmidt T.O.B. , Tetzlaff N. , Vaňko M.
Published: May 2009

In this work we present detailed photometric results of the trapezium like galactic nearby OB clusters NGC 1502 and NGC 2169 carried out at the University Observatory Jena. We determined absolute BVRI magnitudes of the mostly resolved components using Landolt standard stars. This multi colour photometry enables us to estimate spectral type and absorption as well as the masses of the components, which were not available for most of the cluster members in the literature so far, using models of stellar evolution. Furthermore, we investigated the optical spectrum of the components ADS 2984A and SZ Cam of the sextuple system in NGC 1502. Our spectra clearly confirm the multiplicity of these components, which is the first investigation of this kind at the University Observatory Jena (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reducing attention‐maintained behavior through the use of positive punishment, differential reinforcement of low rates, and response marking
Authors: Shaw Rick , Simms Tricia
Published: May 2009

A differential reinforcement of low (DRL) rates procedure was implemented as a changing criterion design with positive punishment and response marking to reduce attention‐maintained behavior of screaming, profanity, and disruptive behaviors of three adolescent males. One participant was diagnosed with static encephalopathy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe mental retardation, the other two were diagnosed with Down syndrome, one with moderate mental retardation, and the other with severe mental retardation. Through response marking, a verbal warning was delivered immediately following the initial occurrence of a target behavior. A special token (positive punishment) was immediately delivered with a verbal cue and placed on a behavior board following the next occurrence of that behavior. Appropriate requests (hand‐raising) for attention was acknowledged and reinforced with verbal praise. The DRL procedure, combined with positive punishment and response marking, was successful in decreasing the frequency of targeted behaviors amongst all participants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological, morphological and kinetic aspects of lovastatin biosynthesis by Aspergillus terreus
Authors: Bizukojc Marcin , Ledakowicz Stanislaw
Published: May 2009

This review focuses on selected aspects of lovastatin biosynthesis by Aspergillus terreus. Biochemical issues concerning this process are presented to introduce polyketide metabolites, in particular lovastatin. The formation of other than lovastatin polyketide metabolites by A. terreus is also shown, with special attention to (+)‐geodin and sulochrin. The core of this review discusses the physiology of A. terreus with regard to the influence of carbon and nitrogen sources, cultivation broth aeration and pH control strategies on fungal growth and product formation. Attention is paid to the supplementation of cultivation media with various compounds, namely vitamins, methionine, butyrolactone I. Next, the analysis of fungal morphology and differentiation of A. terreus mycelium in relation to both lovastatin and to (+)‐geodin formation is conferred. Finally, the kinetics of the process, in terms of associated metabolite formation with biomass growth is discussed in relation to published kinetic models. The review concludes with a list of the most important factors affecting lovastatin and (+)‐geodin biosynthesis.
An alginate hydrogel matrix for the localised delivery of a fibroblast/keratinocyte co‐culture
Authors: Hunt Nicola C. , Shelton Richard M. , Grover Liam
Published: May 2009

There is significant interest in the development of tissue‐engineered skin analogues, which replace both the dermal and the epidermal layer, without the use of animal or human derived products such as collagen or de‐epidermalised dermis. In this study, we proposed that alginate hydrogel could be used to encapsulate fibroblasts and that keratinocytes could be cultured on the surface to form a bilayered structure, which could be used to deliver the co‐culture to a wound bed, initially providing wound closure and eventually expediting the healing process. Encapsulation of fibroblasts in 2 and 5% w/v alginate hydrogel effectively inhibited their proliferation, whilst maintaining cell viability allowing keratinocytes to grow uninhibited by fibroblast overgrowth to produce a stratified epidermal layer. It was shown that the alginate degradation process was not influenced by the presence of fibroblasts within the hydrogel and that lowering the alginate concentration from 5 to 2% w/v increased the rate of degradation. Fibroblasts released from the scaffold were able to secrete extracellular matrix (ECM) and thus should replace the degrading scaffold with normal ECM following application to the wound site. These findings demonstrate that alginate hydrogel may be an effective delivery vehicle and scaffold for the healing of full‐thickness skin wounds.
Production of rhamnolipids in solid‐state cultivation: Characterization, downstream processing and application in the cleaning of contaminated soils
Authors: Neto Doumit Camilios , Meira Joel Alexandre , Tiburtius Elaine , Zamora Patrício Peralta , Bugay Cryshelen , Mitchell David Alexander , Krieger Nadia
Published: May 2009

Pseudomonas aeruginosa UFPEDA 614 produced a rhamnolipid biosurfactant when grown on sugarcane bagasse impregnated with a solution containing glycerol. Biosurfactant levels reached 40 g of rhamnolipid per kilogram of dry initial substrate after 12 days. On the basis of the volume of liquid used, the biosurfactant levels were similar to those obtained in submerged liquid culture of a medium identical to the impregnating solution. The properties of the biosurfactant were very similar to those obtained with rhamnolipids produced in submerged culture, with a critical micelle concentration of 46.8 mg/L and an emulsification index at 24 h of over 90% against gasoline. The surface properties were maintained after autoclaving of the fermented solids, meaning that it is possible to minimize safety risks by killing the producing organism with a heat treatment of the solids prior to product extraction. The biosurfactant was used in the washing of soils contaminated with gasoline. An aqueous biosurfactant solution was 3.2‐fold more efficient than water in leaching organic material from the soil, demonstrating the viability of application of rhamnolipids in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with gasoline.
Crystal structure of PD‐L1, a ribosome inactivating protein from Phytolacca dioica L. Leaves with the property to induce DNA cleavage
Authors: Ruggiero Alessia , Di Maro Antimo , Severino Valeria , Chambery Angela , Berisio Rita
Published: May 2009

The structure of the highly glycosylated type 1 ribosome inactivating protein PD‐L1 was determined by X‐ray crystallography. This protein belongs to a group of four PD‐Ls (PD‐L1‐4) expressed in Phytolacca dioica leaves. Of these, PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 are endowed with the ability to cleave double strand DNA, a property which is not shared by the other two components of the family. Single crystals of native PD‐L1, the most glycosylated, were obtained using seeding techniques and phase determination was achieved using molecular replacement. To investigate the role of glycosylation in the different functionality of these proteins, we performed DNA cleavage assays on the E. coli plasmid pBR322. These experiments revealed that DNA cleaving ability does not depend on the level of glycosylation of PD‐L1, since there is no difference in the activities displayed by native PD‐L1 and a recombinant non‐glycosylated form. Besides, confirming that DNA cleavage by PD‐L1 cannot be attributed to contaminations, these data unambiguously show that functional changes between PD‐L1 and PD‐L4 are solely to be attributed to their sequence differences. On the basis of the comparison of PD‐L1 and PD‐L4 crystal structures, we propose possible structural determinants responsible for their different functional behavior. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 1135–1142, 2009.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Description of EduCOM: A graphical modeling and programming language for teaching and learning digital communication systems
Authors: Gunther Jake , Eames Brandon , Nelson Darin
Published: May 2009

This paper presents EduCOM, a graphical language for teaching and learning digital communication systems. In EduCOM students build graphical models (i.e., block diagrams) of digital communication transmitters, channels, and receivers. Then EduCOM creates the shell of a C/C++ code realization of the graphical model, but it leaves the implementation of each block empty so that students are required to implement the functionality of the blocks in a low‐level programming language such as C/C++. Therefore, EduCOM goes beyond passive drag–drop‐connect style activities and forces students to think more deeply about each operation performed on the signals in the system, and preliminary assessment results with a small set of students bear this point out. Students indicated that the mixture of graphical modeling and low‐level programming provided by EduCOM is an improvement over pure graphical modeling or pure low‐level programming in helping them learn about communication systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 697–707, 2011
Interactive training simulator for aerial working platform in a virtual environment
Authors: Ki Jae‐Sug
Published: May 2009

Currently, aerial working platforms are commonly used in the heavy industrial and construction fields. However, their increased use is leading to a gradual raise in critical incidents caused by unskilled operators; thus, effective operator training is essential. Training with actual platforms is difficult to cover such demands because of the cost, dependence on weather conditions. This article proposes a framework for a virtual reality based training simulator to provide aerial working platform operator training. This simulator can be applied relatively inexpensively and safely, regardless of the weather conditions. The proposed simulator is developed to be flexible to the assessment level of the trainee and generally applicable to heavy equipment training simulator. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 733–738, 2011
Untersuchungen zur Stabilisierung von Naproxen in unterschiedlichen Schutzkolloidlösungen
Authors: Bolten D. , Türk M.
Published: May 2009

Das RESSAS (Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions into Aqueous Solutions)‐Verfahren bietet die Möglichkeit, submikrone pharmazeutische Wirkstoffe bei moderaten Bedingungen in einer Schutzkolloidlösung zu stabilisieren. In diesem Beitrag werden zunächst Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur Mikronisierung, und darauf aufbauend, zur Stabilisierung von Naproxen mit unterschiedlichen Schutzkolloiden vorgestellt.
Factors to Predict Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Ma XiaoJing , Zhang XingHua , Guo WenBin
Published: May 2009

Backgound

Patients with essential hypertension had a higher recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) than patients without hypertension. This study evaluated the role of various parameters for predicting recurrence after conversion of AF in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 136 patients with essential hypertension and a known history of AF. P‐wave duration and dispersion were measured in a 12‐lead electrocardiograph. The size and function of the left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) were assessed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. The time interval from initiation of P‐wave to the start of LAA ejection flow (P‐LAA) was measured at the same time. All the patients were followed up for a period of 12 ± 6 months for the recurrence of AF.

Results

In the follow‐up period, 38.2%of patients underwent AF recurrence. Age, P‐LAA, Pmax, P‐wave dispersion, left atrium diameter (LAD), and maximum and minimum LAA volume were significantly higher in patients with AF recurrence than in patients without AF recurrence, while EF‐LAA and LAA peak emptying velocity were much lower in patients with AF recurrence. P‐LAA had positive correlation with LAD and P‐wave dispersion (r = 0.501, p < 0.0001; r = 0.713, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

These results indicated that increased P‐wave dispersion, P‐LAA in addition to the dilated LA, and the depressed LAA function may be useful to identify patients with hypertension at risk of recurrent AF. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Findings at Left Heart Cardiac Catheterization of Nonagenarians
Authors: Richard Conti C.
Published: May 2009

It is estimated that the average 80‐year‐old person will live an additional eight years and 40% will have symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Few studies exist in patients 90 years or older. Several years ago, a prominent pathologist made the point that at autopsy, nonagenarians rarely had significant coronary disease. That does not seem to be the case in 2009. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in adjuvant chemotherapy for older women with lymph node‐positive, operable breast cancer
Authors: Bhargava Alessia , Du Xianglin L.
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:

Consistent with findings from clinical trials, a recent population‐based study indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy for lymph node‐positive, operable breast cancer is effective at improving survival in older women, specifically those ages 65 years to 69 years; however, to the authors' knowledge, no conclusion has been reached about the relative benefit of chemotherapy for women aged ≥70 years, probably because of small number of patients. However, little is known about racial and socioeconomic disparities in adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer among older women.

METHODS:

This study included 14,177 white women and 1277 black women aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed with operable breast cancer (stage II‐IIIA) and positive lymph nodes between 1991 and 2002. These women were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare‐linked database. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratios of receiving chemotherapy among black women compared with white women, and the causal step approach was used to test whether census tract‐level poverty mediated racial disparities.

RESULTS:

Interaction terms analyses indicated that regressions should be stratified by age group. In the group ages 65 years to 69 years, the adjusted odds ratio of receiving chemotherapy were lower for black women than for white women (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.57‐0.97). Poverty mediated the association between chemotherapy and race in this age group. No racial or socioeconomic disparities were observed among women aged ≥70 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study documented racial disparities in adjuvant chemotherapy that were mediated by poverty in women ages 65 years to 69 years, an age group for which there is clear evidence for the efficacy of chemotherapy, but no disparities were observed among women aged ≥70 years. The authors concluded that it is important to work toward reducing treatment disparities among older women. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Tumor budding in tumor invasive front predicts prognosis and survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Miyata Hiroshi , Yoshioka Akiko , Yamasaki Makoto , Nushijima Yoichiro , Takiguchi Shuji , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki , Nishida Toshiro , Mano Masayuki , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:

In neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancers, complete tumor regression has been difficult to achieve, and tumor often remained after chemotherapy. However, the best method for evaluating the response to chemotherapy based on histopathologic examination of residual tumors has not been established.

METHODS:

Studied were 74 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (5‐fluorouracil, cisplatin, and doxorubicin), followed by surgery for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The correlation between various histopathologic factors and clinical response with survival was examined, including the importance of tumor budding in the invasive front of tumors on clinical response and survival.

RESULTS:

Among 74 patients, 3 achieved a pathologic complete response, and 29 (41%) of 71 residual tumors demonstrated high‐grade budding in the invasive front. The 5‐year survival rate of patients with low‐grade budding tumors was 49%, compared with 17% for those with high‐grade budding (P < .001). Budding correlated inversely with good response, which was observed in 44 (60%) of 74 patients. Univariate analysis showed that pathologic tumor depth, number of lymph node metastases, pathologic stage, lymphatic invasion, budding and clinical response were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis identified budding as the most important prognostic factor followed by number of lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the current study indicated that tumor budding in the invasive front of tumors correlated significantly with clinical response and prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, the mechanism of tumor budding in the invasion front of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas treated with chemotherapy was not clarified. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Post‐kidney transplantation erythrocytosis and its relationship to renal artery stenosis, IGF‐1, and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3)
Authors: Khedr Essam , Abdelwhab Saeed , El‐Sharkawy Magdy , Ali Medhat , El‐Saed Kadry , Dawoud Dalia
Published: May 2009

Background

Erythrocytosis is relatively common following kidney transplantation. It increases the risk of thromboembolism. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IG‐1) and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3) may play a role in its pathogenesis.

Patients and Methods

A total of 120 consecutive kidney‐transplanted patients with at least 3 month graft function were studied. Forty‐five kidney transplant patients were then selected and divided into 2 groups: 15 patients with post‐transplant erythrocytosis (PTE; group I), 30 without erythrocytosis (group II), and 15 healthy subjects matched with the cases as a control group (group III). Full medical history, clinical examination, hematological parameters, routine biochemical tests, IGF‐1, and IGFBP‐3 were measured in all subjects. Duplex ultrasonography for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis was done.

Results

Post‐transplant erythrocytosis developed with an incidence rate of 23.3%. The serum of IGF‐1 was significantly higher in the renal transplant recipients with and without erythrocytosis (309.4 ± 72.9, 301.6 ± 67.5 ng/mL, respectively) compared to controls (232.5 ± 95.3 ng/ml, p < 0.01), although there was no statistical difference between the first 2 groups. However, the serum of IGFBP‐3 was significantly higher in the renal transplant recipients with erythrocytosis than those without erythrocytosis and normal individuals (p < 0.001). Graft function and incidence of acute and chronic rejection were similar between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Post‐transplant erythrocytosis represents an anomaly of IGF‐1 and its major binding proteins in which they may alter erythropoietin homeostatic mechanisms in the denervated transplant kidney which may be superimposed on a setting of multiple risk factors and leads to a state of erythrocytosis that is seen after kidney transplantation.
Facile Synthesis of Hyper‐Branched Tetraphosphanes and Tetraphosphane Chalcogenides
Authors: Trofimov Boris A. , Malysheva Svetlana F. , Belogorlova Nataliya A. , Kuimov Vladimir A. , Albanov Alexander I. , Gusarova Nina K.
Published: May 2009

Novel families of hyper‐branched tertiary tetraphosphanes, tetraphosphane sulfides, and tetraphosphane selenides were synthesized in 72–97 % yield by treating secondary phosphanes, phosphane sulfides, and phosphane selenides with the tetravinyl ether of pentaerythritol (UV irradiation, room temp. or AIBN, 65 °C). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Section Neurocentrae Bunge from genus Cousinia Cass. (Asteraceae) in Iran
Authors: Djavadi S. B. , Attar F. , Eskandari M.
Published: May 2009

This paper is based on experience from field studies, herbarium materials and images of type specimens belonging to sect. Neurocentrae Bunge from genus Cousinia Cass. Section Leucocaulon Tscherneva is considered as synonym of sect. Neurocentrae Bunge, according to the morphological characters of C. turcomanica C.Winkl. (the type specimen of sect. Leucocaulon) and close affinities that shows with the species of sect. Neurocentrae. Section Ramosissimae is described as a section new to science. Differences between sect. Neurocentrae and sect. Ramosissimae are discussed and a key to the species of the two sections are provided separately. Besides, C. deserti var. longispinosa is described as a new member for the sect. Neurocentrae Bunge. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Systematic revision of Compositae in Egypt. 10. Tribe Anthemideae
Authors: Zareh M.
Published: May 2009

A systematic revision for the species of tribe Anthemideae is provided. Twenty seven species belonging to eleven genera are recognized. Anthemis fayedina Zareh is described as a new one to science. Keys, synonyms as well as notes on distribution and ecology are included. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Some new species and combinations in Astragalus and Phyllolobium (Fabaceae)
Authors: Podlech D.
Published: May 2009

During the work on a revision of the Old World Astragali, twelve new species and one new species and two new combinations of the genus Phyllolobium could be found in the newly investigated material. Furthermore some illegitimately names species had to be‐renamed and some new combinations are presented. The new Astragalus species are: Sect.: Brachycarpus: A. pseudomahoschanicus; Sect. Caprini: A. gandomanicus; sect. Chlorostachys: A. lobbichleri; Sect. Dissitiflori: A. pseudoamabilis; Sect. Hymenostegis: A. ciloensis, A. salavatabadensis; Sect. Incani: A. yusufeliensis; Sect. Komaroviella: A. haiyuanensis, A. bouffordii ; Sect. Poliothrix: A. mekongensis; Sect. Pseudotapinodes: A. pseudorigidulus; Sect. Stereothrix: A. chamardiensis. The new Phyllolobium species is Ph. sichuanense. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Prevalence of four subtypes of mild cognitive impairment and APOE in a Japanese community
Authors: Sasaki Megumi , Kodama Chiine , Hidaka Shin , Yamashita Fumio , Kinoshita Toru , Nemoto Kiyotaka , Ikejima Chiaki , Asada Takashi
Published: May 2009

Background

The results of previous reports estimating the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have varied widely according to the criteria used to define MCI.

Methods

We assessed the cognitive function of Japanese community‐dwelling individuals ≥65 years old and attempted to estimate the prevalence of four MCI subtypes (amnestic single, amnestic multiple, nonamnestic single, and nonamnestic multiple) using two cutoffs (1 and 1.5 SD) below normative standard. Presence of apolipoprotein E4 allele (APOE4), which is known as a strong risk factor for AD, is reportedly associated with high risk of conversion from MCI to AD. We therefore calculated the frequency of APOE4 carriers for each MCI subtype.

Results

Initially 1888 (70%) of 2698 baseline samples participated, and 1433 (53%) subjects who had complete clinical data including APOE typing remained for the final analysis. The prevalence of MCI subtypes varied within the range of 1.7–16.6%, depending on the criteria applied. Prevalence of MCI was higher using a cutoff at −1.0 SD than at −1.5 SD, and prevalence of amnestic MCI single at −1.5 SD was lowest among all subtypes of MCI. Frequency of APOE4 was higher for amnestic MCI than for non‐amnestic MCI or the cognitively normal group.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MCI was highly dependent on the diagnostic criteria applied. A higher frequency of APOE4 in participants with amnestic MCI subtype suggested a greater risk of future AD. For future interventions to delay the onset of dementia, targeting individuals with amnestic MCI multiple at −1 SD might be desirable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Naturalistic stimulus trains evoke reproducible subicular responses both within and between animals in vivo
Authors: Tunstall Beth , Agnew Zarinah K. , Panzeri Stefano , Gigg John
Published: May 2009

Previous investigation of CA1‐evoked subicular responses has used either single low‐frequency pulses (LF), paired‐pulses (PP), or high‐frequency bursts. Here we test for the first time how subiculum responds to naturalistic stimulation trains (NSTs). We recorded CA1‐evoked field potentials from dorsal rat subiculum in response to LF, PP, and two NST patterns. The latter were derived from CA1 place cell activity; NST1 contained bursts of stimuli presented in two main episodes, while the burst‐patterned stimuli in NST2 were spaced more evenly. NSTs generated significantly greater field responses compared with LF or PP patterns. Response patterns to either NST were significantly correlated across trial repeats in 9 out of 10 rats, supporting a robust postsynaptic encoding of CA1 input by subiculum. Correlations between NST responses were also observed across experiments; however, these were more variable than those within experiments. The relationship between response magnitude and activation history revealed a strong correlation between magnitude and NST instantaneous frequency for NST1 but was weaker for NST2. In addition, the number of stimuli within a prior 500 ms window was a determining factor for response magnitude for both NSTs. Overall, the robust reproducibility in subicular responses within rats suggests that information within NSTs is faithfully transmitted through the CA1‐subiculum axis. However, variation in response sequences across rats suggests that encoding patterns to the same input differ across the subiculum. Changes in the ratio of target bursting and regularly spiking neurons along the subicular proximodistal axis may account for this variation. The activation history of this connection also appears to be a strong determining factor for response magnitude. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased expression of ErbB‐2 in liver is associated with hepatitis B × antigen and shorter survival in patients with liver cancer
Authors: Liu Jie , Ahiekpor Angela , Li Li , Li Xianxing , Arbuthnot Patrick , Kew Michael , Feitelson Mark A.
Published: May 2009

Hepatitis B × antigen, or HBxAg, contributes importantly to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given that HBxAg constitutively activates β‐catenin and that upregulated ErbB‐2 promotes β‐catenin signaling in other tumor types, experiments were designed to ask whether HBxAg was associated with upregulated expression of ErbB‐2. When HBxAg positive and negative HepG2 cells were subjected to proteomics analysis, ErbB‐2 was shown to be upregulated in HepG2X but not control cells. ErbB‐2 was also strongly upregulated in HB infected liver, and weakly in some HCC nodules, where it correlated with HBxAg expression. Among tumor bearing patients, strong ErbB‐2 staining in the liver was associated with dysplasia, and a shorter survival after tumor diagnosis. This implies that elevated ErbB‐2 is an early marker of HCC. Treatment of HepG2X cells with ErbB‐2 specific siRNA not only reduced ErbB‐2 expression, but also reduced the expression of β‐catenin, suggesting that ErbB‐2 contributed to the stabilization of β‐catenin. ErbB‐2 specific siRNA also partially blocked the ability of HBxAg to promote DNA synthesis and growth of HepG2 cells. These results suggest that ErbB‐2/β‐catenin up‐regulation contributes importantly to the mechanism of HBxAg mediated hepatocellular growth. © 2009 UICC
Drug‐regulatable cancer cell death induced by BID under control of the tissue‐specific, lung cancer‐targeted TTS promoter system
Authors: Fukazawa Takuya , Maeda Yutaka , Matsuoka Junji , Tanaka Noriaki , Tanaka Hirotoshi , Durbin Mary L. , Naomoto Yoshio
Published: May 2009

Gene therapy and virotherapy are among the approaches currently being used to treat lung cancer. The success of cancer gene therapy depends on treatments where different types of tumors can be selectively targeted and destroyed without affecting normal cells and tissue. Previously, we described a promoter system (TTS) that we designed that is specifically targeted to lung cancer cells but which does not affect other types of cells including stem cells. In our study, we have enhanced the utility of the TTS system by inserting the pro‐apoptotic gene BH3 domain interacting death agonist (Bid) into the TTS promoter system (TTS/Bid) to create a drug regulatable lung cancer‐specific gene therapy. A recombinant adenoviral vector was used to introduce TTS/Bid (Ad‐TTS/Bid) into lung cancer cells. BID expression and apoptosis occurred in A549 pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells but little Bid expression or apoptosis occurred in MCF7 breast cancer cells or in normal human lung fibroblasts. The use of cisplatin enhanced the processing of full length BID to t‐BID which significantly increased lung cancer‐specific cell death. In in vivo experiments, intraperitonal injection of cisplatin enhanced the antitumor effects of the vector in a lung cancer xeno‐graft mouse model. Moreover, dexamethasone effectively suppressed exogenous BID expression and the antitumor effect of Ad‐TTS/Bid both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe the efficacy of the use of cisplatin and dexamethasone with the anti lung cancer promoter system (Ad‐TTS/Bid) for a safe and effective gene therapy against advanced lung cancer. © 2009 UICC
Exposure to the carcinogen 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK) in smokers from 3 populations with different risks of lung cancer
Authors: Derby Kiersten S. , Cuthrell Kristine , Caberto Christian , Carmella Steven , Murphy Sharon E. , Hecht Stephen S. , Le Marchand Loïc
Published: May 2009

Native Hawaiian smokers are at higher risk and Japanese‐American smokers at lower risk of lung cancer (LC), compared with white smokers, even after accounting for smoking history. Because variation in carcinogen exposure/metabolism may occur separately of smoking amount, we compared urinary biomarkers of uptake and detoxification of 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK)—a potent lung carcinogen—among 578 smokers in these ethnic/racial groups in Hawaii. We measured the NNK metabolite 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronide (NNAL‐Gluc) and examined total NNAL (NNAL + NNAL‐Gluc) and the NNAL detoxification ratio (NNAL‐Gluc:NNAL). Native Hawaiians and Japanese–Americans had lower age‐ and sex‐adjusted mean total NNAL, compared with whites. When further adjusting for urinary nicotine equivalents (the sum of nicotine, cotinine,trans‐3′‐hydroxycotinine and their respective glucuronides), only the difference between Japanese–Americans and whites was eliminated. Therefore, consistent with their lower LC risk, a lower cigarette smoke exposure explains the lower NNK dose of Japanese–Americans, but it does not explain that of Native Hawaiians. The mean detoxification ratio was also lower in Native Hawaiians and Japanese–Americans, compared with whites, even after adjusting for nicotine equivalents (p< 0.0001). Lower NNAL glucuronidation in Native Hawaiians might contribute to their increased LC risk; however, this is inconsistent with the low glucuronidation ratio similarly observed in the low‐risk Japanese‐American group and because Native Hawaiians had lower total NNAL levels. Thus, exposure and detoxification of NNK are unlikely to explain, by themselves, the differences in LC risk among the 3 populations studied. © 2009 UICC
DNA interstrand crosslink repair in mammalian cells
Authors: McCabe Kevin M. , Olson Susan B. , Moses Robb E.
Published: May 2009

DNA damage by agents crosslinking the strands presents a formidable challenge to the cell to repair for survival and to repair accurately for maintenance of genetic information. It appears that repair of DNA crosslinks occurs in a path involving double strand breaks (DSBs) in the DNA. Mammalian cells have multiple systems involved in the repair response to such damage, including the Fanconi anemia pathway that appears to be directly involved, although the mechanisms and site of action remain elusive. A particular finding relating to deficiency of the Fanconi anemia pathway is the observation of chromosomal radial formations after ICL damage. The basis of formation of such chromosomal aberrations is unknown although they appear secondarily to DSBs. Here we review the processes involved in response to DNA interstrand crosslinks which might lead to radial formation and the role of the nucleotide excision repair gene, ERCC1, which is required for a normal response, not just to DNA crosslinks, but also for DSBs at collapsed replication forks caused by substrate depletion. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 569–573, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of microstructure and thermal shock behavior of two types of thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Saeedi B. , Sabour A. , Khoddami A. M.
Published: May 2009

Gas turbines provide one of the most severe environments challenging material systems nowadays. Only an appropriate coating system can supply protection particularly for turbine blades. This study was made by comparison of properties of two different types of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in order to improve the surface characteristics of high temperature components. These TBCs consisted of a duplex TBC and a five layered functionally graded TBC. In duplex TBCs, 0.35 mm thick yittria partially stabilized zirconia top coat (YSZ) was deposited by air plasma spraying and ∼0.15 mm thick NiCrAlY bond coat was deposited by high velocity oxyfuel spraying. ∼0.5 mm thick functionally graded TBC was sprayed by varying the feeding ratio of YSZ/NiCrAlY powders. Both coatings were deposited on IN 738LC alloy as a substrate. Microstructural characterization was performed by SEM and optical microscopy whereas phase analysis and chemical composition changes of the coatings and oxides formed during the tests were studied by XRD and EDX. The performance of the coatings fabricated with the optimum processing conditions was evaluated as a function of intense thermal cycling test at 1100 °C. During thermal shock test, FGM coating failed after 150 and duplex coating failed after 85 cycles. The adhesion strength of the coatings to the substrate was also measured. Finally, it is found that FGM coating has a larger lifetime than the duplex TBC, especially with regard to the adhesion strength of the coatings.
Structural Modification of Silicon‐Bridged Ladder Stilbene Oligomers and Distyrylbenzenes
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi , Xu Caihong , Fukazawa Aiko , Wakamiya Atsushi , Yamaguchi Shigehiro
Published: May 2009

Two kinds of the totally alkyl‐substituted ladder π‐conjugated compounds, the totally hexyl‐substituted silicon‐bridged stilbene trimer 1 and the totally propyl‐substituted silicon‐ and carbon‐bridged distyrylbenzene 2, were synthesized. X‐ray crystallography revealed that both compounds adopt the all‐parallel‐aligned packing structures through the interpenetration of the alkyl chains with those of the neighboring molecules. The effect of this packing structure on the photophysical properties was investigated. The fluorescence quantum yield measurements showed that both compounds maintained their high quantum yields (ΦF) even in the crystalline state (ΦF = 0.64 for 1; 0.63 for 2), suggesting the potential effect of the all‐parallel alignment for attaining the intense emission in the solid state.

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The Ron receptor tyrosine kinase is not required for adenoma formation in ApcMin/+ mice
Authors: Meyer Sara E. , Waltz Susan E. , Goss Kathleen H.
Published: May 2009

The Ron receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in approximately half of all human colon cancers. Increased Ron expression positively correlates with tumor progression, and reduction of Ron levels in human colon adenocarcinoma cells reverses their tumorigenic properties. Nearly all colon tumors demonstrate loss of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor, an early initiating event, subsequently leading to β‐catenin stabilization. To understand the role of Ron in early stage intestinal tumorigenesis, we generated Apc‐mutant (ApcMin/+) mice with and without Ron signaling. Interestingly, we report here that significantly more ApcMin/+ Ron‐deficient mice developed higher tumor burden than ApcMin/+ mice with wild‐type Ron. Even though baseline levels of intestinal crypt proliferation were increased in the ApcMin/+ Ron‐deficient mice, loss of Ron did not influence tumor size or histological appearance of the ApcMin/+ adenomas, nor was β‐catenin localization changed compared to ApcMin/+ mice with Ron. Together, these data suggest that Ron may be important in normal intestinal tissue homeostasis, but that the expression of this receptor is not required for the formation and growth of adenomas in ApcMin/+ mice. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patients' conceptions of the cause of their rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study
Authors: Bergsten Ulrika , Bergman Stefan , Fridlund Bengt , Alfredsson Lars , Berglund Anita , Petersson Ingemar F. , Arvidsson Barbro
Published: May 2009

Background: Patients' perspective of the causes and consequences of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can conflict with that of healthcare professionals and lead to misunderstanding, difficulties in management and a poorer outcome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the variation in how patients' conceive the cause of their RA.

Methods: An open written question from the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) study, aimed at patients recently diagnosed with RA, was answered by 38 strategically selected patients during 2003 and analysed using the phenomenographic approach.

Results: Two descriptive categories and six concepts emerged: the category ‘consequences beyond personal control’ comprised not having a clue, being exposed to climatic change, being genetically exposed and unexpected effects of events; the category ‘overloaded circumstances’ involved work and family‐related strain. Consequences beyond personal control implied that the patients could not prevent the disease and expressed their lack of understanding as to why they contracted it. Overloaded circumstances were described as strained situations that were both work and family related and could be influenced by the patient.

Conclusions: The patient's perspective of the cause of their RA includes aspects that complement the current pathogenetic models and should therefore be considered in the management of the disease. When dealing with rheumatic diseases, it is necessary to be aware of the patient's perspectives in order to new management strategies. In addition to epidemiological studies, further studies of patients' own experience are needed in order to achieve a more tailored care model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Cracking risk of partially saturated porous media—Part I: Microporoelasticity model
Authors: Pichler Bernhard , Dormieux Luc
Published: May 2009

Drying of deformable porous media results in their shrinkage, and it may cause cracking provided that shrinkage deformations are hindered by kinematic constraints. This is the motivation to develop a thermodynamics‐based microporoelasticity model for the assessment of cracking risk in partially saturated porous geomaterials. The study refers to 3D representative volume elements of porous media, including a two‐scale double‐porosity material with a pore network comprising (at the mesoscale) 3D mesocracks in the form of oblate spheroids, and (at the microscale) spherical micropores of different sizes. Surface tensions prevailing in all interfaces between solid, liquid, and gaseous matters are taken into account. To establish a thermodynamics‐based crack propagation criterion for a two‐scale double‐porosity material, the potential energy of the solid is derived, accounting—in particular—for mesocrack geometry changes (main original contribution) and for effective micropore pressures, which depend (due to surface tensions) on the pore radius. Differentiating the potential energy with respect to crack density parameter yields the thermodynamical driving force for crack propagation, which is shown to be governed by an effective macrostrain. It is found that drying‐related stresses in partially saturated mesocracks reduce the cracking risk. The drying‐related effective underpressures in spherical micropores, in turn, result in a tensile eigenstress of the matrix in which the mesocracks are embedded. This way, micropores increase the mesocracking risk. Model application to the assessment of cracking risk during drying of argillite is the topic of the companion paper (Part II). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical aging of polycarbonate block copolymers: Ductility rejuvenation below the glass transition temperature
Authors: Dhara Dibakar , Purushotham A. , Rosenquist Niles , Richards William D. , Maruvada Krishna , Chatterjee Gautam
Published: May 2009

Thermal aging of block copolymers of bisphenol A polycarbonate and polydimethylsiloxane (BPAPC and PDMS) have been studied. Changes in notched izod impact performance and yield stress are reported following aging at 120°C and 130°C for up to 20 days. Retention of impact at 120°C of the block copolymers was found to improve with increasing size of siloxane domains in the polycarbonate matrix. Quite contrary to our expectation, the retention of impact for a given sample at 130°C was found to be better than that of at120°C. These block copolymers showed (thermo) reversible ductility rejuvenation behavior at 130°C when the samples heat‐aged at 120°C were shifted from 120 to 130°C. Transmission electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and dynamic mechanical analysis techniques were used to probe the observed phenomenon. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and characterization of open‐cell foams for sound absorption with rotational molding method
Authors: Chu Raymond K.M. , Naguib Hani E. , Atalla Noureddine
Published: May 2009

Foams with open‐cell structures have improved sound absorption abilities over conventional closed‐cell foams. One technique to optimize the acoustic abilities of open‐cell foams is to control their cellular properties through the manipulation of processing parameters. This article presents a novel process to synthesize open‐cell polymeric foams for acoustic applications. The process combined rotational foam molding and particulate leaching to produce foams with open‐cell networks that are desirable for acoustic absorption. Open‐cell foams with open‐porosity of about 0.90 were successfully fabricated with this combined foaming process. Effects of processing parameters on the cellular and acoustic properties of the foam samples were examined and discussed. On the basis of the results from the study, the cellular and acoustic properties of the foam fabricated from the proposed method can be controlled through the use of different salt particle sizes in the process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improved melting strength of polypropylene by reactive compounding with ultrafine full‐vulcanized polybutadiene rubber (UFBR) particles
Authors: Liu Yuguang , Huang Yudong , Zhang Chengwu , Hou Jing , Zhang Xuequan
Published: May 2009

Ultrafine full‐vulcanized polybutadiene rubber (UFBR) in particle sizes of ca. 50–100 nm has been used for modifying mechanical and processing performances of polypropylene (PP), and PP‐g‐maleic anhydride (PP‐MA) has been used as a compatibilizer for enhancing the interfacial adhesion between the two components. The results show that PP/UFBR possesses rheological behaviors such as highly branched PP when UFBR content in blends reaches 10 wt%, while in contrast, the much low content of UFBR combining small amount of PP‐MA endows the material with rheological characteristics of high melt strength materials like highly branched PP. The mechanism accounting for the rheological behaviors of binary blends and effectiveness of PP‐MA on PP/UFBR blends has been proposed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers