bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of β‐carboline alkaloids in fruiting bodies of Hygrophorus spp. by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Teichert Axel , Lübken Tilo , Schmidt Jürgen , Kuhnt Christine , Huth Manfred , Porzel Andrea , Wessjohann Ludger , Arnold Norbert
Published: April 2008

The β‐carboline alkaloids harmane (1) and norharmane (2) were isolated from fruiting bodies of Hygrophorus eburneus (Bull.) Fr. as well as brunnein A (3) from Hygrophorus hyacinthinus Quél. (Tricholomataceae, Agaricales) for the first time. Their occurrence within the genus was investigated using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric methods, especially by selected reaction monitoring. Based on these results their chemotaxonomical relevance is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time fluorescence‐based detection of furanocoumarin photoadducts of DNA
Authors: Bissonnette Laura , Arnason John T. , Smith Myron L.
Published: April 2008

Real‐time fluorescence detection systems were adapted to identify DNA adducts formed by photogenotoxic phytochemicals. Two assays were developed: the first was based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) while the second used thermal denaturation and renaturation (D‐R). Both assays employed yeast DNA, the fluorescent dye SYBR Green and a real‐time PCR thermocycler. The furanocoumarins 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP), 5‐methoxypsoralen (5‐MOP), psoralen, angelicin and imperatorin, and the furanochrome khellin, were tested for adduct forming ability with up to 2 h of UVA light exposure (λ = 320–400 nm). The known bifunctional compounds, 8‐MOP, 5‐MOP and psoralen, were inferred to form biadducts here based on both D‐R and qPCR assays, as expected from previous research. The known monofunctional compound angelicin was used as a negative control and did not form biadducts based on either assay. Two compounds of unknown functional specificity, imperatorin and khellin, were determined to be positive and negative for biadduct activity, respectively. Detection of biadducts with 8‐MOP, 5‐MOP, psoralen and imperatorin, but not angelicin or khellin, was further verified by temperature gradient gel electrophoresis. The fluorescence methods improve and expand upon existing assays to monitor DNA adducts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of ring‐opening metathesis polynorbornenes and their hydrogenated derivatives bearing various ester and cyano groups
Authors: Nishihara Yasushi , Izawa Seisuke , Inoue Yoshiaki , Nakayama Yuushou , Shiono Takeshi , Takagi Kentaro
Published: April 2008

Doubly functionalized polar norbornenes 3a–3g substituted by both a variety of ester and cyano groups were polymerized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with a Ru carbene complex 2 bearing 3‐bromopyridine as a ligand (third generation Grubbs' catalyst) in a living manner. The successive hydrogenation of the main‐chain double bond in the synthesized living ROMP polymers 4a–4g with a hydridoruthenium complex was exploited. The comparison of thermal properties of a series of ring‐opening metathesis polymers 4a–4g with those of their hydrogenated derivatives 5a–5g revealed the decrease of glass transition temperatures (Tg) but little change of the 5% decomposition temperature (Td5). In all cases examined in this study, a decrease of Tg by hydrogenation was around 20–40 °C, regardless of the ester substitutents. In the presence of the additional PCy3, triethylamine, and methanol after complete consumption of monomer 3a under the living ROMP condition, the tandem ROMP‐hydrogenation of the resulting polymer 4a generated in situ was attained under a H2 (9.8 MPa) atmosphere at 80 °C to afford the hydrogenated polymer 5a, retaining the narrow polydispersity of 1.03. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3314–3325 2008
Surface Radical Detection on NH3‐Plasma Treated Polymer Surfaces Using the Radical Scavenger NO
Authors: Finke Birgit , Schröder Karsten , Ohl Andreas
Published: April 2008

Polystyrene was treated by low‐pressure microwave‐excited ammonia plasmas to generate surface amino groups and subsequently treated with NO to label the remaining carbon radicals for in situ detection by XPS. Short time treatments between 5 ms and 40 s duration were used to vary densities of amino groups and radicals and thus to distinguish different reaction pathways. Apparently, after less than 30 ms treatment no tertiary carbon radicals exist. Also, there are indications that amino groups react with NO to carbon radicals which in turn react with NO. A more detailed study of surface radical generation at very low treatment times would be promising.

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Plasma Polymerization of Polypyrrole‐Like Films on Nanostructured Surfaces
Authors: Yagüe Jose L. , Agulló Núria , Borrós Salvador
Published: April 2008

In this work, the deposition of polypyrrole thin films on nanostructured surfaces is reported. It has been demonstrated that the deposition and growth of polypyrrole is enhanced by the formation of a pyrrole‐terminated self‐assembled monolayer on a gold surface. Surface nanostructuration has been achieved by the self‐assembling technique and the deposition of the organic polymer by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The effect of several ω‐(pyrrolyl)alkanethiol on the SAM formation, as well as the polymerization time to control the nucleation process have been studied. Thin films compositions have been characterized by AFM and XPS techniques. Conductive measurements of the samples were performed using the four point probe method.

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Redox proteomics studies of in vivo amyloid beta‐peptide animal models of Alzheimer's disease: Insight into the role of oxidative stress
Authors: Sultana Rukhsana , Butterfield D. Allan
Published: April 2008

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disease. AD is characterized by the presence of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and synaptic loss. Amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ), a component of senile plaques, has been proposed to play an important role in oxidative stress in AD brain and could be one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of AD. In the present review, we discuss some of the AD animal models that express Aβ, and compare the proteomics‐identified oxidatively modified proteins between AD brain and those of Aβ models. Such a comparison would allow better understanding of the role of Aβ in AD pathogenesis thereby helping in developing potential therapeutics to treat or delay AD.
MicroRNA and proteome expression profiling in early‐symptomatic α‐synuclein(A30P)‐transgenic mice
Authors: Gillardon Frank , Mack Matthias , Rist Wolfgang , Schnack Cathrin , Lenter Martin , Hildebrandt Tobias , Hengerer Bastian
Published: April 2008

The α‐synuclein has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), because mutations in the alpha‐synuclein gene cause autosomal‐dominant hereditary PD and fibrillary aggregates of alpha‐synuclein are the major component of Lewy bodies. Since presynaptic accumulation of α‐synuclein aggregates may trigger synaptic dysfunction and degeneration, we have analyzed alterations in synaptosomal proteins in early symptomatic α‐synuclein(A30P)‐transgenic mice by two‐dimensional differential gel electrophoresis. Moreover, we carried out microRNA expression profiling using microfluidic chips, as microRNA have recently been shown to regulate synaptic plasticity in rodents and to modulate polyglutamine‐induced protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in flies. Differentially expressed proteins in α‐synuclein(A30P)‐transgenic mice point to alterations in mitochondrial function, actin dynamics, iron transport, and vesicle exocytosis, thus partially resembling findings in PD patients. Oxygen consumption of isolated brain mitochondria, however, was not reduced in mutant mice. Levels of several microRNA (miR‐10a, ‐10b, ‐212, ‐132, ‐495) were significantly altered. One of them (miR‐132) has been reported to be highly inducible by growth factors and to be a key regulator of neurite outgrowth. Moreover, miR‐132‐recognition sequences were detected in the mRNA transcripts of two differentially expressed proteins. MicroRNA may thus represent novel biomarkers for neuronal malfunction and potential therapeutic targets for human neurodegenerative diseases.
Formation of nitride laser cavities with cleaved facets on transferred laser diodes on GaAs substrates
Authors: Yu Wen‐Chien , Ye Shu‐Mei , Hsiao Feng‐Ke , Lee Chi‐Ling , Lee Wei‐I
Published: April 2008

Smoothly cleaved facets with high reflectivities have been demonstrated on GaN laser diodes after the devices were transferred onto GaAs substrates. The GaN based laser diode structure was first fabricated by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on c‐plane sapphire substrates. The samples were then mounted onto thin GaAs substrates using wafer‐bonding technology. Laser lift‐off (LLO) technique was applied to remove the original sapphire substrate and transfer the GaN laser structure onto GaAs substrates. Since the cubic substrates have well‐defined laser cavity cleavage facet, the GaN structures bonded onto the substrates also formed smooth facets after cleavage. The cleaved facets of GaN laser diodes have been characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) with less than 2 nm roughness. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of transferring GaN laser structures onto other more appealing substrates for formation of laser cavities. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Estimation of internal quantum efficiency in InGaN‐based light emitting diodes using electroluminescence decay times
Authors: Saito Shinji , Narita Tetsuo , Zaima Kotaro , Tachibana Koichi , Nago Hajime , Hatakoshi Gen‐ichi , Nunoue Shinya
Published: April 2008

We investigate the internal quantum efficiency of InGaN‐based Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) from the semiconductor rate equation of pulse current injection. A method is presented for estimating the internal quantum efficiency based on data of electroluminescence decay times measured as a function of current in the pulse injection. For the screening of built‐in electric field, the pulse current was injected with bias voltage. For blue LED, the internal quantum efficiency was measured to be about 70% in high injection condition. It is found that the internal quantum efficiency increase with injection current, whereas the external quantum efficiency decreases at high injection. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of icariin combined with Panax notoginseng saponins on ischemia reperfusion‐induced cognitive impairments related with oxidative stress and CA1 of hippocampal neurons in rat
Authors: Zheng Ming , Qu Linhai , Lou Yijia
Published: April 2008

Previous studies suggest that treatment with icariin (ICA) combined with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) improved behavior and cholinergic system disorders followed by amyloid β‐peptide25−35 lateral ventricle injection in rats. The present study investigated whether administration of ICA + PNS had preventive and therapeutic effects on bilateral common carotid arteries (CCA) occlusion‐induced cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided randomly as follows: sham‐operated, i.g. vehicle, ICA (5 mg/kg), PNS (40 mg/kg), ICA + PNS (2.5 + 20, 5 + 40 or 10 + 80 mg/kg), and ergoloid mesylate as a positive control (0.45 mg/kg) in model rats. Treatment was performed once a day for 7 days prior to ischemia. The rats were subjected to transient global IR induced by CCA occlusion in combination with intraperitoneal injection of sodium nitroprusside (2.0 mg/kg), then treated with ICA + PNS for another 14 days continuously. ICA + PNS significantly improved the rat passive avoidance task in step‐down paradigms, and spatial cognition in the eight‐arm radial maze, concomitant with an improvement of blood viscosity. Increased lipid peroxidation in brain after IR injury was observed, MDA being 0.56 ± 0.10 nmol/mg prot vs 0.48 ± 0.06 nmol/mg prot in the vehicle control (p < 0.05). Treatment with ICA + PNS 2.5 + 10, 5 + 40, 10 + 80 mg/kg produced a marked reduction in the MDA level to 0.46 ± 0.06, 0.42 ± 0.09 and 0.45 ± 0.08 nmol/mg prot, respectively vs 0.56 ± 0.10 nmol/mg prot in IR injury only control (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). A decrease in superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the brain of IR rats (the SOD activity being 72.75 ± 4.62 U/mg prot vs 80.97 ± 6.06 U/mg prot in control, p < 0.05). ICA + PNS 5 + 40 mg/kg prevented the IR injury mediated fall in superoxide dismutase activity being 78.90 ± 6.61 U/mg prot versus 72.75 ± 4.62 U/mg prot (p < 0.05). ICA + PNS tended to attenuate apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Either ICA or PNS treatment alone did not obviously improve cognitive impairment (except that lipid peroxidation was reduced by PNS‐treatment). The results indicated that ICA + PNS may ameliorate learning and memory deficit and blood viscosity by protecting neurons from oxidative stress in ischemic brain. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant potential of selected Spirulina platensis preparations
Authors: Dartsch Peter C.
Published: April 2008

Recent studies suggest that Spirulina, a unicellular blue‐green alga, may have a variety of health benefits and therapeutic properties and is also capable of acting as an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. In this study, a cell‐free and a cell‐based test assay were used to examine the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of four selected Spirulina platensis preparations: (1) Biospirulina, (2) SpiruComplex, a preparation with naturally bound selenium, chromium and zinc, (3) SpiruZink, a preparation with naturally bound zinc, (4) Zinkspirulina + Acerola, a preparation with naturally bound zinc and acerola powder. The cell‐free test assay used potassium superoxide as a donor for superoxide radicals, whereas the cell‐based test assay used the formation of intracellular superoxide radicals of functional neutrophils upon stimulation by phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate as a model to investigate the potential of Spirulina preparations to inactivate superoxide radicals. In accordance with the recommended daily dosage, test concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 µg/mL were chosen. The results showed a dose‐dependent inactivation of free superoxide radicals (antioxidant effect) as well as an antiinflammatory effect characterized by a dose‐dependent reduction of the metabolic activity of functional neutrophils and a dose‐dependent inactivation of superoxide radicals generated during an oxidative burst. The results demonstrate that the tested Spirulina preparations have a high antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential. Especially SpiruZink and Zinkspirulina + Acerola might be useful as a supportive therapeutic approach for reducing oxidative stress and/or the generation of oxygen radicals in the course of inflammatory processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rates of phase transformations in mixed‐phase clouds
Authors: Korolev Alexei V.
Published: April 2008

This paper presents a theoretical framework describing the thermodynamics and phase transformations of a three phase component system consisting of ice particles, liquid droplets and water vapour. The instant rates of change of water (q̇w), ice (q̇i) and vapour (q̇v) mixing ratios are described based on the quasi‐steady approximation. The local thermodynamic conditions required for the equilibrium of liquid (q̇w = 0), ice (q̇i = 0) and vapour (q̇v = 0) phases are analysed. It is shown that there are four different regimes of the partitioning of water between liquid, ice, and gaseous phases in mixed clouds. The Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process is identified as being relevant to two of those regimes. The efficiency of the WBF process in characterizing the capability of ice crystals to deplete the water evaporated from liquid droplets is introduced here. It is shown that the WBF process has maximum efficiency at approximately zero vertical velocity. The analysis of the dependences of q̇w, q̇i and q̇v on the vertical velocity, temperature, pressure and the integral radii of the cloud particles is presented. It is shown that the maximum rates of ice growth and droplet evaporation do not necessarily occur at T = − 12 °C where the maximum difference between saturation vapour pressure over ice and that over liquid is observed. Copyright © 2008 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Stability of some exact solutions of the shallow‐water equations for testing numerical models in spherical geometry
Authors: Staniforth A. , White A. A.
Published: April 2008

Five families of exact axisymmetric solutions of the nonlinear shallow‐water equations in spherical geometry have recently been proposed as an aid to the development and testing of global numerical models. Sufficient conditions for the stability of these solutions are here derived to guide the choice of values for the family parameters. Thus it can be ensured that any significant time evolution occurring in a numerical model initialised with one of these exact solutions is of numerical origin, and does not reflect an inherent physical instability. With the caveat that only sufficient conditions for stability are examined, it appears that planetary rotation stabilises the solutions (as would be so if the flow were governed by barotropic vorticity dynamics), and that low Rossby and Froude numbers favour their stability. © Crown Copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Ion yield improvement for static secondary ion mass spectrometry by use of polyatomic primary ions
Authors: De Mondt Roel , Van Vaeck Luc , Heile Andreas , Arlinghaus Heinrich F. , Nieuwjaer Nicolas , Delcorte Arnaud , Bertrand Patrick , Lenaerts Jens , Vangaever Frank
Published: April 2008

Static secondary ion mass spectrometry (S‐SIMS) is one of the potentially most powerful and versatile tools for the analysis of surface components at the monolayer level. Current improvements in detection limit (LOD) and molecular specificity rely on the optimisation of the desorption‐ionisation (DI) process. As an alternative to monoatomic projectiles, polyatomic primary ion (P.I.) bombardment increases ion yields non‐linearly. Common P.I. sources are Ga+ (liquid metal ion gun (LMIG)), SF (electron ionisation) and the newer Au, Bi (both LMIG) and C (electron ionisation) sources. In this study the ion yield improvement obtained by using the newly developed ion sources is assessed. Two dyes (zwitterionic and/or thermolabile polar functionalities on a largely conjugated backbone) were analysed as a thin layer using Ga+, SF, C, Bi+, Bi and Bi projectiles under static conditions. The study aims at evaluating the improvement in LOD, useful and characteristic yield and molecular specificity. The corrected total ion count values for the different P.I. sources are compared for different instruments to obtain a rough estimate of the improvements. Furthermore, tentative ionisation and fragmentation schemes are provided to describe the generation of radical and adduct ions. Characteristic ion yields are discussed for the different P.I. sources. An overview of the general appearances of the mass spectra obtained with the different P.I. sources is given to stress the major improvement provided by polyatomic P.I.s in yielding information at higher m/z values. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Editorial
Authors: Beaulieu Norman C. , Chen Hsiao‐Hwa , Sharif Hamid R.
Published: April 2008

The ever‐increasing demand for the services of wired and wireless data networks has led to network security being a prerequisite for all successful data transactions. This has accelerated research activities in academia, private sectors, and governments to respond to the challenges of providing complete solutions for secure communications and networks. Security and Communication Networks provides a distinctive global platform to explore the research advances in the communications network security from academia, industry, and governments. In this second issue, six thought provoking papers discussing various element of security research in communications and networks are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing alliance networks: the influence of network position, environmental change, and strategy on firm performance
Authors: Koka Balaji R. , Prescott John E.
Published: April 2008

Alliance networks are strategic decisions involving trade‐offs between two stylized structural design choices: prominent and entrepreneurial. Prominent alliance networks emphasize benefits arising out of multiple access and affiliation to other prominent firms in the network. An entrepreneurial position, on the other hand, emphasizes brokerage and diversity benefits arising out of access to nonredundant and diverse information. We demonstrate that the performance benefits of each type of alliance network are contingent on environmental change and strategy, and are thus time dependent. Following an environmental change event in the steel industry, alliance networks that were more entrepreneurial performed better, while those that were more prominent suffered performance decline. However, when the change was radical, both types of alliance networks were negatively related to performance. We suggest that following a radical change, industry alliance networks may not have the requisite information necessary for quick and effective strategic responses. Firms pursuing an analyzer strategy performed better when emphasizing a prominent, and to a lesser extent, entrepreneurial alliance network. However, firms that develop an alliance network high on both prominent and entrepreneurial structural positions had lower relative performance. Our results indicate the need for managers to assess their alliance portfolio over time and redesign it based on environmental and strategic contingencies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth Kinetics of Gold Nanocrystals: A Combined Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering and Calorimetric Study
Authors: Biswas Kanishka , Varghese Neenu , Rao Chintamani N. R.
Published: April 2008

The growth of gold nanocrystals prepared by the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid by tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride, which allows slow reduction, is investigated by small‐angle X‐ray scattering and isothermal titration calorimetry in combination with transmission electron microscopy. The growth of the nanocrystals does not follow the diffusion‐limited Ostwald ripening but instead follows a sigmoidal rate curve. The activation energy obtained from the temperature‐dependent growth study is very small. The heat change associated with the growth is determined for the first time as approximately 10 kcal mol−1 per 1 nm increase in the nanocrystals' diameter.
Dramatic Improvements in Toughness in Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) Nanocomposites
Authors: Xu Wei , Raychowdhury Subhendu , Jiang David D. , Retsos Haris , Giannelis Emmanuel P.
Published: April 2008

Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLG), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, is dramatically toughened by adding small amounts of surface modified clay nanoparticles. The elongation during tensile tests increases from 7% for the pure polymer to 210% for the nanocomposite, accompanied with a modest increase in modulus. In contrast, PLG nanocomposites based on fumed silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane show only modest improvements in toughness. Electron microscopy, X‐ray scattering, rheometry, and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy are used to investigate the toughening mechanism. Multiple crazing occurs in the clay nanocomposite after yielding. Small angle X‐ray scattering studies show significant orientation of the clay nanoparticles along the tensile stress direction during deformation. The clay nanocomposites show a new, slow relaxation mode, most likely due to interfacial adsorbption of PLG chains on the surface of the clay nanoparticles. The dramatic increase in toughness is attributed to physical crosslinks introduced by the clay nanoparticles, a mechanism absent in the PLG/silica nanocomposites. The physical crosslinks increase the brittle fracture strength of the polymer and, consequently, trigger a toughening mechanism via multiple crazing and shear yielding.
Experimental Risk Estimation for Offshore Software Outsourcing
Authors: Sheng Zhongqi , Nakano Masayuki , Kubo Shingo , Tsuji Hiroshi
Published: April 2008

It is necessary to estimate the risk for strategic decision of offshore software outsourcing projects. In this paper we propose an experimental risk estimation method based on questionnaire for externalizing the know‐how of experienced project managers. Introducing three parts of questionnaire contents, this paper describes the estimation method and presents the implementation procedure. Focusing on five client companies, this paper reports five types of risk estimation methods considering the bias of respondents with different backgrounds, and discusses the Recall, Precision together with Accuracy of these estimation methods. This paper also applies the t‐test and vector analysis to study the bias in vendor countries, software types, as well as client companies. Copyright © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
No‐Reference Image Quality Evaluation Model for JPEG and JPEG2000 Images
Authors: Parvez Sazzad Z. M. , Kawayoke Y. , Horita Y.
Published: April 2008

In this paper, we present a new no‐reference (NR) image quality evaluation model for Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and JPEG2000 coded images. The proposed model is based on the blockiness around the block boundary, average absolute difference between adjacent pixels within the block, and zero‐crossing (ZC) rate within the block of the image. Subjective experimental results of the Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE) Image Quality Assessment Database were used to train and test the model, which achieved sufficient quality prediction performance. Copyright © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preoperative local staging of endometrial cancer: transvaginal sonography vs. magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Savelli L. , Ceccarini M. , Ludovisi M. , Fruscella E. , De Iaco P. A. , Salizzoni E. , Mabrouk M. , Manfredi R. , Testa A. C. , Ferrandina G.
Published: April 2008

Objectives

To compare the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma.

Methods

This was a prospective study in which 74 women consecutively diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma were examined using TVS by physicians trained in gynecological sonography and MRI by radiologists with a special interest in gynecology. All patients underwent surgical–pathological staging after removal of the uterus, adnexa and pelvic lymph nodes. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each imaging modality with regard to detection of neoplastic invasion of the outer half of the myometrium and cervical involvement.

Results

TVS and MRI performed equally well in the preoperative staging of endometrial cancer, with no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and overall diagnostic accuracy for TVS in the evaluation of myometrial infiltration were 84%, 83%, 79%, 88% and 84%, respectively. Respective values for MRI were 84%, 81%, 77%, 87% and 82%. The corresponding statistics for detection of cervical involvement were 93%, 92%, 72%, 98% and 92% for TVS; and 79%, 87%, 58%, 95% and 85% for MRI.

Conclusions

When carried out by expert practitioners, TVS shows good accuracy in the local staging of endometrial carcinoma. Because of its high costs, MRI should be offered only to those in whom TVS produces images of poor quality. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die Bedeutung dünner Schichten für die Optischen Technologien
Authors: Kaiser Norbert
Published: April 2008

Die größten Wachstumserwartungen in Europa liegen in den zu den Optischen Technologien gehörenden Bereichen “Optische Systeme und Komponenten” und “Produktionstechnik”. Als Schlüsseltechnologie unterliegt die Optik und damit auch der Bereich der optischen Beschichtungen einem ständigen Entwicklungsdruck. Deshalb muss das Kernkompetenzfeld Beschichtungen in breitem Rahmen ausgebaut und weiterentwickelt werden, um den Anforderungen innerhalb des extrem großen Wellenlängenbereiches von 0,1 nm bis 50 μm mit kontinuierlicher bis zu Attosekunden — Strahlung gerecht zu werden. Im Vordergrund steht die Fertigung von Hochleistungsoptiken mit extrem hoher Flexibilität innerhalb der gesamten photonischen Kette von der Erzeugung, Manipulation, Übertragung bis zur Erfassung und Nutzung von Licht.
Data refinement and singleton failures refinement are not equivalent
Authors: Reeves Steve , Streader David
Published: April 2008

In this paper, we give simple example abstract data types, with atomic operations, that are related by data refinement under a definition used widely in the literature, but these same abstract data types are not related by singleton failure refinement. This contradicts results found in the literature.
The effect of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol on glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen distribution in articular chondrocyte cultures
Authors: Ab‐Rahim S. , Selvaratnam L. , Kamarul T.
Published: April 2008

Articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating chondrocyte functions via cell—matrix interaction, cytoskeletal organization and integrin‐mediated signaling. Factors such as interleukins, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) have been shown to modulate the synthesis of extracellular matrix in vitro. However, the effects of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol in ECM regulation require further investigation, although there have been suggestions that these factors do play a positive role. To establish the role of these factors on chondrocytes derived from articular joints, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol on glycosaminoglycan secretion and type II collagen distribution (two major component of cartilage ECM in vivo). Thus, chondrocyte cultures initiated from rabbit articular cartilage were treated with 10 ng/ml of TGF‐β1, 10 nM of β‐estradiol or with a combination of both factors. Sulphated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen levels were then measured in both these culture systems. The results revealed that the synthesis of GAG and type II collagen was shown to be enhanced in the TGF‐β1 treated cultures. This increase was also noted when TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol were both used as culture supplements. However, β‐estradiol alone did not appear to affect GAG or type II collagen deposition. There was also no difference between the amount of collagen type II and GAG being expressed when chondrocyte cultures were treated with TGF‐β1 when compared with cultures treated with combined factors. From this, we conclude that although TGF‐β1 appears to stimulate chondrocyte ECM synthesis, β‐estradiol fails to produce similar effects. The findings of this study confirm that contrary to previous claims, β‐estradiol has little or no effect on chondrocyte ECM synthesis. Furthermore, the use of TGF‐β1 may be useful in future studies looking into biological mechanisms by which ECM synthesis in chondrocyte cultures can be augmented, particularly for clinical application.
Hypoxia affects positively the proliferation of bovine satellite cells and their myogenic differentiation through up‐regulation of MyoD
Authors: Kook Sung‐Ho , Son Young‐Ok , Lee Kyung‐Yeol , Lee Hyun‐Jeong , Chung Wan‐Tae , Choi Ki‐Choon , Lee Jeong‐Chae
Published: April 2008

Hypoxia alters the biological functions of skeletal muscle cells to proliferate and differentiate into myotubes. However, the cellular responses of myoblasts to hypoxia differ according to the levels of oxygen and the types of cells studied. This study examined the effect of hypoxia (1% oxygen) on bovine satellite cells. Hypoxia significantly increased the proliferation of satellite cells cultured in a growth medium. In addition, the levels of PCNA, cyclin D1, cyclin‐dependent kinase‐1 (CDK1) and CDK2 expression were increased. Hypoxia facilitated the formation of myotubes as well as the stimulation of MyoD, myogenin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in differentiating medium (DM) cultures. In particular, satellite cells cultured under hypoxic/DM conditions showed increased p21 expression but not p27. The transfection of satellite cells with antisense MyoD oligonucleotides resulted in a decrease in the MHC, myogenin, MRF4 RNA and protein levels with the concomitant decrease in fused cells to levels similar to those observed under normoxia/DM conditions. This indicates that MyoD up‐regulation is closely associated with hypoxia‐stimulated myogenic differentiation. In conclusion, hypoxia stimulates the proliferation of satellite cells and promotes their myogenic differentiation with MyoD playing an important role.
Knock‐down of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase reduces gastric cancer cell survival: An in vitro study
Authors: Sun Dan‐Feng , Weng Yu‐Rong , Chen Ying‐Xuan , Lu Rong , Wang Xia , Fang Jing‐Yuan
Published: April 2008

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of knocking‐down methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) on the survival of the human gastric cancer cell line MKN45. Antisense and small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmids were used to target MTHFR in MKN45. Meanwhile, we also constructed a wild‐type MTHFR plasmid to assess the effect of over‐expression of this protein on cell viability. The knock‐down of MTHFR decreased cell survival by approximately 30% compared to the control and resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase. These cells also had lower levels of c‐myc compared to control cells, while over‐expression of MTHFR increased cell proliferation and induced the down‐regulation of p21WAF1 and hMLH1. Inhibiting MTHFR with either antisense or siRNA decreases the viability of methionine‐dependent transformed gastric cancer cells and suggests that MTHFR inhibition may be a novel anticancer approach.
Evaluation of silibinin on the viability, migration and adhesion of the human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC‐3) cell line
Authors: Mokhtari Mohammad Javad , Motamed Nasrin , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2008

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the second most common cause of death due to cancers after lung cancer. Metastasis of cancer cells involves multiple processes and various cytophysiological changes, including changed adhesion capability between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) and damaged intercellular interaction. Silibinin, a naturally occurring flavonoid antioxidant found in the milk thistle, has recently been shown to have potent antiproliferative effect against various malignant cell lines. In the present study, PC‐3 cells were incubated with various concentrations of silibinin for different times; then, cell cytotoxicity, cell adhesion and cell motility were assessed using MTT assay, cell—matrix adhesion assay and cell migration assay, respectively. The results showed that silibinin exerted a dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibitory effect on the viability, motility and adhesion of highly metastatic PC‐3 cells. These observations indicate that silibinin can probably inhibit metastasis in PCA.
The reversion effect of the RNAi‐silencing mdr1 gene on multidrug resistance of the leukemia cell HT9
Authors: Shao Shu‐Li , Sun Ying‐Yu , Li Xu‐Yan , Zhang Wei‐Wei , Fu Bo , Yun Dong‐Ze , Zuo Ming‐Xue
Published: April 2008

Overexpression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), the mdr1 gene product, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) to tumor cells and often limits the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study evaluated RNAi for specific silencing of the mdr1 gene and reversion of multidrug resistance. Three different short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were designed and constructed in a pSilencer 3.1‐H1 neo plasmid. The shRNA recombinant plasmids were transfected into HT9 leukemia cells. The RNAi effect was evaluated by real‐time PCR, Western blotting and cell cytotoxicity assay. In the cell, shRNAs can specifically down‐regulate the expression of mdr1, mRNA and P‐gp. Resistance against harringtonine, doxorubicin and curcumin was decreased. The study indicated that shRNA recombinant plasmids could modulate MDR in vitro.
Dendritic cell uptake of iron‐based magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Goya G.F. , Marcos‐Campos I. , Fernández‐Pacheco R. , Sáez B. , Godino J. , Asín L. , Lambea J. , Tabuenca P. , Mayordomo J.I. , Larrad L. , Ibarra M.R. , Tres A.
Published: April 2008

We have investigated the internalization of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) into dendritic cells (DCs) in order to assess both the final location of the particles and the viability of the cultured cells. The particles, consisting of a metallic iron core covered with carbon, showed no toxic effects on the DCs and had no effect in their viability. We found that mature DCs are able to incorporate magnetic nanoparticles in a range of size from 10 nm to ca. 200 nm, after 24 h of incubation. We describe a method to separate cells loaded with NPs, and analyze the resulting material by electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. It is found that NPs are internalized in lysosomes, providing a large magnetic signal. Our results suggest that loading DCs with properly functionalized magnetic NPs could be a promising strategy for improved vectorization in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Laminin expression during bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in hepatectomized rats
Authors: Carvalho Simone , Cortez Erika , Stumbo Ana Carolina , Thole Alessandra , Caetano Carlos , Marques Ruy , Pelajo‐Machado Marcelo , Porto Luis Cristóvão , Carvalho Laís
Published: April 2008

The adult bone marrow retains two populations of stem cells with emerging importance for the treatment of diverse liver diseases: hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the mechanisms that control liver regeneration after bone marrow cell transplantation are still controversial. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is a complex process that requires the proliferation of all hepatic cells. Growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix molecules are key elements in this process. Laminins are a family of extracellular matrix proteins with adhesive and chemotactic functions, expressed in the portal and centrolobular veins of the normal liver. The aim of this study was to investigate laminin expression during liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy followed by bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) transplantation. Rat BMMNCs were isolated by Ficoll‐gradient centrifugation, stained with DAPI and injected into recently hepatectomyzed rats via the portal vein. Liver sections obtained 15 min, 1 day and 3 days after the surgery were immunolabeled with anti‐rat CD34 and/or laminin primary antibodies and observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results showed that 15 min after partial hepatectomy, a transplanted CD34+ HSC was found in contact with laminin, which was localized in the portal and centrolobular veins of rat livers. Furthermore, 1 and 3 days after hepatectomy, transplanted BMMNCs were found in the hepatic sinusoids expressing laminin. These results strongly suggest that laminin might be an important extracellular matrix component for bone marrow cell attachment and migration in the injured liver.
Significance of the C‐terminal globular domain and the extra tail of the calmodulin‐like protein (Pinctada fucata) in subcellular localization and protein—protein interaction
Authors: Fang Zi , Cao Weizhong , Li Shuo , Wang Qin , Li Changzhong , Xie Liping , Zhang Rongqing
Published: April 2008

Calmodulin (CaM) plays a very important role in many physiological processes and is highly conserved in different species. In a previous study, we successfully cloned CaM and a novel calmodulin‐like protein (CaLP) with an extra C‐terminal sequence from the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata and then expressed in Escherichia coli. In this research, we used fluorescence confocal microscopy to analyze the protein—protein interaction between CaM/CaLP and p21Cip1, which is cloned from mammalian cells, to show the different characteristics of these two proteins in vivo. The fluorescence confocal microscopy showed that the C‐terminal globular domain together with the extra tail of CaLP is very important in CaLP's sequestration in cytoplasm. The most interesting phenomenon is that transfection of p21Cip1 can stimulate translocation of CaLP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, but this is not the case for CaM. Fluorescence confocal microscopy and co‐immunoprecipitation on different mutants of CaLP with p21Cip1 indicated that the C‐terminal globular domain of CaLP is responsible for the trafficking of CaLP from cytoplasm to nucleus.
NT‐proBNP response to dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts left ventricular contractile reserve in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Parthenakis Frangiskos I. , Patrianakos Alexandros P. , Haritakis Costas N. , Zacharis Evangelos A. , Nyktari Eva G. , Vardas Panos E.
Published: April 2008

Background:

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) inotropic reserve are major prognostic indexes in heart failure (HF).

Aims:

To investigate the relationship between N‐terminal‐proBNP (NT‐proBNP) changes in response to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and the LV inotropic reserve, in HF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC).

Methods:

We studied 41 patients with DC, LVEF 31.6±7.7%, NYHA class II–III and 15 controls. Plasma NT‐proBNP levels were measured before and 60 min after three 5‐min stages of dobutamine (5 to 15μg/kg/min).

Results:

Based on NT‐proBNP changes in response to dobutamine, patients were categorized into two groups: In Group A circulating NT‐proBNP levels fell (−16.6 ± 7.8%), and in Group B they increased (8.4±9.1%). Group A had a marked improvement in WMSI compared to Group B (32.1±9.7% vs. 18.8±15.9%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NT‐proBNP changes were an independent predictor of LV inotropic reserve (b=−0.55, p<0.001). A reduction of 21.3% in plasma NT‐proBNP levels in response to dobutamine predicted an improvement in WMSI of >25% with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92.3%.

Conclusions:

NT‐proBNP changes in response to dobutamine reflect improvement in LV contractility and constitute an independent predictor of LV inotropic reserve in patients with DC.
Neuropsychological functioning in adolescents with first episode psychosis: A two-year follow-up study
Authors: Mayoral M. , Zabala A. , Robles O. , Bombín I. , Andrés P. , Parellada M. , Moreno D. , Graell M. , Medina O. , Arango C.
Published: April 2008

Cognitive deficits are a core feature of psychotic disorders. Both in adult and adolescent populations, studies have shown that patients with psychosis have poorer cognitive functioning than controls. The cognitive domains that seem to be affected are mainly attention, working memory, learning and memory, and executive function. However, with regard to the trajectory of cognitive function throughout the illness, there is still a dearth of prospective data in patients who develop psychosis during adolescence. In this article, neuropsychological functioning was assessed in a sample of 24 first episodes of early onset psychosis (EOP) and 29 healthy adolescents at baseline and after a two-year follow-up. Patients with EOP showed lower scores than controls in overall cognitive functioning and in all specific domains assessed (attention, working memory, executive function, and learning and memory) both at baseline and the two-year follow-up. When changes in cognitive functioning over two years were assessed, patients and controls showed significant improvement in almost all cognitive domains. However, this improvement disappeared in the patient group after controlling for improvement in symptomatology. Our findings support a neurodevelopmental pathological process in this sample of adolescents with psychosis.
Effect of intestinal production of equol on menopausal symptoms in women treated with soy isoflavones
Authors: Jou Hei‐Jen , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Chang Fang‐Wei , Ling Pei‐Ying , Chu Kung Shen , Wu Wen‐Huey
Published: April 2008

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms in women who do and who do not produce equol, a daidzein metabolite.

Method:

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted over 6 months with 96 healthy menopausal women. After taking take 135 mg of isoflavones daily for 1 week, the women in the study group were assigned to the equol‐producing (EP) or the non‐EP group according to the presence or absence of equol in their urine. Menopausal symptoms were evaluated using a modified Kupperman Index.

Result:

Compared with the placebo group, the scores for hot flashes and excessive sweating were significantly reduced after 3 months, and the scores for weakness, palpitations, limb paresthesia, and total symptoms after 6 months, in the EP group only.

Conclusions:

Isoflavone supplementation improves menopausal symptoms only in women with the ability to produce equol.
Social costs of skilled attendance at birth in rural Ghana
Authors: Bazzano Alessandra Nina , Kirkwood Betty , Tawiah‐Agyemang Charlotte , Owusu‐Agyei Seth , Adongo Philip
Published: April 2008

Objective

To examine the social costs to women of skilled attendance at birth in rural Ghana.

Method

Ethnographic data were obtained through participant observation, interviews, case histories, and focus groups and were analyzed alongside data from a birth cohort of 2878 singletons born in the Kintampo study district between July 2003 and June 2004.

Results

Most women delivered at home. Home delivery raises a woman's status in her community, while seeking skilled attendance lowers it. Women feel that seeking assistance in childbirth wastes other people's time and they value secrecy in labor. Negative treatment by health providers and expensive supplies needed for delivery also act as barriers.

Conclusion

The social costs of obtaining skilled attendance at birth must be offset by community level strategies such as mobilization of older women and husbands, and ensuring health providers extend professional, humane care to laboring women.
How the transaction cost and resource‐based theories of the firm inform outsourcing evaluation
Authors: McIvor Ronan
Published: April 2008

Transaction cost economics (TCE) and the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm have been extremely influential in the study of outsourcing both in theory and practice. This paper argues that neither transaction cost economics nor the resource‐based view alone can fully explain the complexities of outsourcing. A review and critique of these theories as a means of understanding the complexities of outsourcing is presented. A prescriptive framework for outsourcing evaluation is presented, which was developed from integrating TCE and the RBV, and carrying out in‐depth case study research in a number of organizations. The research findings emphasize the utility of integrating TCE and the RBV, and highlight the importance of operations management concepts such as performance management, operations strategy, business improvement and process redesign to the study of outsourcing. However, the findings have shown that these theories should be applied with caution due to contradictory prescriptions in some instances.