bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associated Autoimmune Diseases in Systemic Sclerosis Define a Subset of Patients with Milder Disease: Results from 2 Large Cohorts of European Caucasian Patients
Authors: AVOUAC JÉRÔME , AIRÒ PAOLO , DIEUDE PHILIPPE , CARAMASCHI PAOLA , TIEV KIET , DIOT ELISABETH , SIBILIA JEAN , CAPPELLI SUSANNA , GRANEL BRIGITTE , VACCA ALESSANDRA , WIPFF JULIEN , MEYER OLIVIER , KAHAN ANDRÉ , MATUCCI-CERINIC MARCO , ALLANORE YANNICK
Published: January 2010

Objective.

To assess the prevalence and potential associations with the systemic sclerosis (SSc) phenotype of additional autoimmune diseases (AID).

Methods.

A multicenter study was performed in France and Italy to recruit consecutive European Caucasian patients with SSc systematically assessed for the coexistence of predefined AID known to occur with connective tissue diseases.

Results.

We recruited 585 French and 547 Italian patients with SSc. Specific AID were found in 114/585 (19%) French and 179/547 (33%) Italians with SSc (p < 0.0001). Sjögren’s syndrome and thyroiditis were the predominant AID in both cohorts (12% for Sjögren’s syndrome and 6% for thyroiditis in the combined populations). The frequency of myositis, primary biliary cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus was low (< 4%) and similar in both cohorts. The coexistence of at least 1 of the AID in the whole cohort was associated in multivariate analysis with the limited cutaneous subtype, the presence of antinuclear antibodies, and a lower prevalence of digital ulcers.

Conclusion.

Our study shows that 21% of this large series of European Caucasian patients with SSc have developed at least 1 AID. This latter condition identified a subset of patients with milder disease. Thus, associations of AID and autoimmune background in SSc have to be considered for further therapeutic and biological investigations in SSc.
Longterm Safety of Patients Receiving Rituximab in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials
Authors: van VOLLENHOVEN RONALD F. , EMERY PAUL , BINGHAM CLIFTON O. , KEYSTONE EDWARD C. , FLEISCHMANN ROY , FURST DANIEL E. , MACEY KATHERINE , SWEETSER MARIANNE , KELMAN ARIELLA , RAO RAVI
Published: January 2010

Objective.

To evaluate the longterm safety of rituximab in clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

Pooled analysis of safety data, including adverse events (AE) and infections, from patients treated with rituximab in combination with methotrexate in a global clinical trial program.

Results.

A total of 2578 patients with RA received at least 1 course of rituximab. Safety analyses were based on 5013 patient-years of rituximab exposure. The most frequent AE was infusion-related reactions (25% of patients during the first infusion of Course 1). Less than 1% of infusion-related reactions were considered serious. Rates of AE and serious AE (SAE; 17.85 events/100 patient-yrs, 95% CI 16.72, 19.06) were stable following each course. The overall serious infection rate was 4.31/100 patient-years (95% CI 3.77, 4.92). Infections and serious infections over time remained stable across 5 courses at 4–6 events/100 patient-years. Compared with other patients with RA and with the general US population, there was no increased risk of malignancy.

Conclusion.

In this longterm safety update in RA clinical trial patients, rituximab remained well tolerated over multiple courses. SAE and infections remained stable over time and by treatment course.
Relationship Between Flare and Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: ZHU TRACY Y. , TAM LAI-SHAN , LEE VIVIAN W.Y. , LEE KENNETH K. , LI EDMUND K.
Published: January 2010

Objective.

To investigate (1) the relationship between flares and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Hong Kong; and (2) the influence of severity of flare, number of organs involved in flares, and manifestations of flares on HRQOL.

Methods.

A retrospective study was performed on 303 patients with SLE. Participants completed the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and underwent clinical and laboratory examination to evaluate disease activity and damage. The total number and manifestations of flares during the preceding year were assessed retrospectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the independent variables associated with impairment of HRQOL.

Results.

Patients with flares were younger, had a shorter disease duration, and had higher disease activity at the time of the assessment. A total of 72 episodes of flares were recorded in 61 patients in the preceding year. Patients with flares had significantly lower scores in the areas of role limitation due to physical problems, general health, social function, and role limitation due to emotional problems compared with those without flare. The physical health summary scale was also lower in patients with flares. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of musculoskeletal flare was independently associated with all scales of the SF-36, except bodily pain and mental health.

Conclusion.

The low level of patients’ HRQOL is mostly associated with the presence of musculoskeletal involvement.
Bibliography of Milko Matičetov
Authors: Huzjan Vanja
Published: January 2010

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From My Desk. Thoughts on Štrekelj upon the 100th Anniversary of the First Fascicle of Slovenian Folk Song
Authors: Matičetov Milko
Published: January 2010

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“An Irish Boy He May Well Be but He Spak Braid Scots When He Coortit Me”: Song Connections between Ireland and South West Scotland
Authors: Bold Valentina
Published: January 2010

This survey paper makes a start at looking, through a series of specific examples, drawn from oral and printed song traditions. This paper looks at the song culture of South West Scotland and the way it relates to that of its near neighbour across the water, Ireland. The range of examples considers allows the writer to look at images from the nineteenth century to the present—many racist and unpleasant—and to show the influence of Irish area, more broadly, on both urban and rural Scottish musical and song traditions. The modern song culture of the area under consideration, in conclusion, bears lasting traces of Irish influence. This field would prove rewarding for further, in-depth research.
***
Pregledni članek omogoča začetek analize niza značilnih primerov iz ustne in pisne pesemske tradicije. Prinaša pogled na pesemski izročili jugozahodne Škotske in sosednje Irske. Vrsta primerov je avtorici omogočila, da si je ogledala upodobitve ljudi – nekatere rasistične in neprijetne – in v širšem smislu pokazala vplive irske pesemske tradicije, tako na urbano kot ruralno škotsko glasbeno izročilo. V sklepu ugotavlja, da »sodobna« pesemska kultura raziskanega območja nosi sledove irskega vpliva. To področje bi bilo vredno nadaljnjih poglobljenih raziskav.
Anthropology, Technology, and the Neo-Liberal Market
Authors: Telban Borut
Published: January 2010

Avtor podaja podobo sveta, v katerem je kvaliteta življenja urbanega človeka pod vedno večjim pritiskom tehnologije, tržnega gospodarstva in neoliberane filozofije. Tudi tisti, ki urejajo in vodijo financiranje humanističnih in družboslovnih ved, raje sledijo ekonomskim in političnim zahtevam, namesto da bi dali prednost intelektualnim in vsebinskim razsežnostim. Ob tem mnogi socialni in kulturni antropologi spreminjajo svojo podobo, da bi zadovoljili hegemonistične imperialne sile in se pridružili tistim težnjam, ki jih vodi neoliberalno tržišče. V svojem delovanju ne uvidijo, da niso zgolj orodje v rokah novega imperializma, ki leži za konceptom globalizacije, pač pa ga dejavno soustvarjajo. Usmerjeni predvsem v sedanjost zanikajo pomen časa v medčloveških odnosih, odklanjajo klasične antropološke pristope in prilagajajo svoj akademski diskurz političnemu, tržnemu in modnemu videnju sveta.
***
In the current world the quality of human life in urban environment came under rising pressure of technology, market economy, and neo-liberal philosophy. Those, who are involved in financial organization and leadership of humanities and social sciences, often simply follow economic and market oriented political demands rather than pursue intellectual ones. Many social and cultural anthropologists are modifying their vocation in order to satisfy the hegemonic imperial powers and join the trends, which are guided by the neo-liberal market. In their endeavour they do not realize that they are not just tools in the hands of new imperialism lying behind the concept of globalisation but are rather its co-creators. Focusing mainly on the present, they deny the importance of time in interpersonal relationships, reject classical anthropological approaches and adjust their academic discourse to political, market oriented and fashionable view of the world.
On the Concepts of Time, Space and Causality among the Araucanians, or: Why Should We Remember Juan Benigar?
Authors: Gregorc Tomaž
Published: January 2010

Juan (Ivan, Janez) Benigar, antropolog/etnolog, filolog, teozof, filozof in »politični aktivist«, je med letoma 1922 in 1925 napisal tri razprave, ki veljajo za jedro Benigarjevega etnološkega dela: o času, prostoru in vzročnosti med Aravkanci. Z njimi se je zelo približal Lévi-Straussovemu konceptu »divje misli«, a mu dispozitiv vednosti (epistemološki okvir) časa ni omogočal izostrene teoretske formulacije. Članek med drugim skuša predstaviti prevečkrat zanemarjen politični angažma Juana Benigarja in postaviti raziskave o njem onstran nacionalnega diskurza. Sklepna teza članka je, da si je treba Benigarja zapomniti predvsem kot človeka (ontološko) in kot kritičnega (angažiranega) intelektualca (teoretsko oziroma profesionalno).
***
Juan Benigar, an anthropologist/ethnologist, philologist, theosophist, philosopher and “political activist” wrote three essays: on time, space and causality among the Araucanians between the years 1922 and 1925. In his essays Benigar approached Levi-Strauss’s concept of the “savage mind”. It was the dispositif (apparatus) of knowledge of his time (the epistemological framework) that prevented him to conceptualise it. The article tries also to stress the somehow forgotten “political engagement” of Juan Benigar and to conceptualise this scientist beyond national discourse. The final horizon of this article is that we should remember Benigar as a human being (ontologically speaking) and as a critical (socially engaged) intellectual (theoretically and professionally speaking).
Cultural Influences of the East and West: Costume among Population of Boka Kotorska in the 18th Century
Authors: Radojičić Dragana
Published: January 2010

During the 18th century a variety of elements of the cultures of the East and West blended harmonically into a unique dress mode in the Boka Kotorska bay. This paper confirms the general well known opinion that clothes has an important role in system of communication and stands as an obvious exponent of cultural affairs. I put an accent on women’s clothes, dividing it into urban costume and traditional costume, the latter serving as the best example in pointing out many layers and different cultural influences on clothes, ranging from the ancient Balkans, Slavic to Mediterranean and Oriental. The examples used allowed me to show how the different cultural interests of the East and West were incorporated together in a synthesis, adjusting to every single individual.
***
V 18. stoletju se je v zalivu Boka Kotorska množica raznovrstnih kulturnih elementov Vzhoda in Zahoda harmonično spletla v enkraten oblačilni slog. Prispevek potrjuje splošno poznano mnenje, da imajo oblačila pomembno vlogo v komunikaciji in so viden kazalnik kulturnih razmer. V prispevku so v ospredju ženska oblačila, razločena na mestna in tradicionalna, pri čemer so druga izjemen zgled, ki kaže na večplastne in raznovrstne kulturne vplive – stare balkanske, slovanske, sredozemske in vzhodnjaške. Zgledi omogočajo, da pokažemo na različne kulturne interese Vzhoda in Zahoda, ki so se zlili v celoto in si jih je vsak/a posameznik/posameznica prilagodil/a po svoji meri.
When “ninna nannas” and “aja tutajas” Awake. Ethnomusiological Research of Lullabies
Authors: Juvančič Katarina
Published: January 2010

Prispevek obravnava vprašanja prenosa (predvsem) etnomuzikološkega znanja in izkušenj v javnost na konkretnem primeru uspavank. Pri tem opozarja na težave in izzive pri preučevanju in krepitvi vloge »drugega« ter vabi k premisleku lastnega znanstvenega angažmaja. Avtorica posebno pozornost namenja tudi prezrtim tematikam in kontekstom, ki jih je mogoče opazovati pri izvajanju uspavank in pesmi za uspavanje.
***
The following article focuses on the issues of application of (mostly) ethnomusicological knowledge and experiences into the public domain through the case study of lullabies. The author draws attention to the problems and challenges arising with the research and empowerment of »the Other« and calls for a thorough reflection of our scholarly engagement. Special attention is given to the neglected topics and contexts that can be observed through the performance of lullabies and songs for soothing children.
Bell Chiming. National Speciality or Invented Tradition?
Authors: Kovačič Mojca
Published: January 2010

Pritrkavanje je že nakaj časa tako v znanosti kot širši javnosti opredeljeno kot 'slovenska posebnost, ki ji ni para zunaj naši etničnih meja'. Tovrstno prepričanje pa je temeljilo na raziskavah, ki niso nikoli presegale geografskih okvirov naše države. Zadošča, da primerjamo opredelitve 'slovenskega pritrkavanja' z nekaterimi drugimi praksami igre na zvonove, in ugotovimo, da je zelo razširjeno tudi v evropskem prostoru. Poudarjanje unikatnosti slovenskega pritrkavanja lahko razlagamo z vidika koncepta umišljene tradicije, kot enim od dejavnikov oblikovanja nacionalne identitete, s katerim narod išče samobitnost, unikatnost, avtentičnost in izvirnost lastne tradicije v primerjavi z drugimi. V prispevku obravnavam izhodišča za nastanek umišljenosti nekaterih aspektov pritrkovalske prakse v slovenskem prostoru, opozarjam na obstoj pritrkavanja v drugih evropskih državah ter na podlagi lastne terenske izkušnje podrobneje predstavljam sorodno prakso pritrkavanja v Nemčiji. *** In the professional and scholarly community, as well as in Slovenian public discourse bell chiming became regarded as a special Slovenian feature unrivalled outside Slovenian ethnic borders. The assumption was based on researches, which never exceeded geographical frames of Slovenian territory. But, only comparing the definitions of ‘Slovenian bell chiming’ to some other European practices of bell playing, one can establish that in Europe, bell chiming is a widespread practice. The case of promoting the uniqueness of Slovenian bell chiming can be explained from the viewpoint of the concept of invented tradition, as one of the factors of shaping national identity that a nation uses to find the character, uniqueness, authenticity, and originality of its own tradition in comparison to others. In this contribution, I discuss the origins for the invention of some aspects of the bell chiming practice, and give arguments for the existence of bell chiming practice in other European countries. Based on the fieldwork experience, I finally present the bell chiming practice in Germany.
Sodium Chloride
Authors: Westphal Gisbert , Kristen Gerhard , Wegener Wilhelm , Ambatiello Peter , Geyer Helmut , Epron Bernard , Bonal Christian , Steinhauser Georg , Götzfried Franz
Published: January 2010

The article contains sections titled:1.History2.Properties3.Formation and Occurrence of Salt Deposits4.Production4.1Mining of Rock Salt from Underground and Surface Deposits4.1.1.Mining by Drilling and Blasting4.1.2.Continuous Mining4.1.3.Upgrading of Rock Salt4.1.4.Utilization of the Chambers4.2.Brine Production4.2.1.Natural Brine Extraction4.2.2.Solution Mining4.2.2.1.Drilling and Construction of the Borehole4.2.2.2.The Process of Solution Mining4.2.2.3.Planning of the Extraction Process4.2.2.4.Other Systems4.2.2.5.Equipment4.2.2.6.Storage Caverns4.2.3.Combined Dry and Solution Mining4.3.Vacuum Salt4.3.1.Brine Purification4.3.2.Open‐Pan Evaporation4.3.3.Multiple‐Effect Process4.3.4.Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) Process4.3.5.Recrystallization Process4.3.6.Other Process Steps4.3.7.Evaluation of the Different Processes4.3.8.Vacuum Salt based on Seawater as Raw Material4.4.Production of Solar Salt4.4.1.Production from Sea Water4.4.1.1.The Main Factors Governing Production of Sea Salt4.4.1.2.Production Stages in a Modern Salt Field4.4.2.Crystallization from Mined Brine4.4.3.Extraction from Salt Lakes4.4.4.Seawater Desalination5.Salt Standards6.Analytical Methods7.Uses7.1.Table Salt and Food Processing7.2.Agriculture7.3.Water Treatment7.4.Chemical Uses7.5.De‐icing and Anti‐icing7.6.Other Industrial Uses8.Anticaking and Free‐Flow Additives9.Health Aspects10.Environmental Aspects11.Economic Aspects
Carbon, 2. Diamond
Authors: Vohler Otto , Nutsch Gabriele , von Sturm Ferdinand , Wege Erhard
Published: January 2010

The article contains sections titled:

1.Properties and Structure of Natural Diamond2.Diamond Synthesis2.1.HPHT Synthesis2.2.The Diamond Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Process2.3.Diamond CVD Techniques2.3.1.Nonthermal Plasma CVD2.3.2.Thermal Plasma Diamond CVD2.3.3.Other CVD Techniques
Cognitive–behavioral therapy attenuates nociceptive responding in patients with fibromyalgia: A pilot study
Authors: Ang Dennis C. , Chakr Rafael , Mazzuca Steve , France Christopher R. , Steiner Jennifer , Stump Timothy
Published: January 2010

Objective

To explore the possibility that cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) influences fibromyalgia symptoms via descending inhibition of nociception, we evaluated the effects of CBT on the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold, an objective measure of spinal nociceptive transmission.

Methods

Female fibromyalgia patients (n = 32) were randomized to 6 weekly sessions of telephone‐delivered CBT or usual care (UC). Assessments of the NFR threshold and clinical outcomes were conducted at baseline, week 6 (post‐CBT), and week 12.

Results

From baseline to week 6, the NFR threshold increased in the CBT group and decreased in the UC group (mean ± SD 4.4 ± 13.7 mA versus −10.2 ± 9.9 mA; P = 0.005). This difference was also apparent at week 12 (mean ± SD 7.3 ± 9.2 mA for CBT versus −5.4 ± 13.5 mA for UC; P = 0.01). The groups reported similar reductions in NFR pain ratings at week 6 (mean ± SD −20.2 ± 23.9 for CBT versus −14.9 ± 16.4 for UC; P = 0.8) and week 12 (mean ± SD −8.9 ± 25.3 for CBT versus −10.8 ± 24.1 for UC; P = 0.4).

Conclusion

Compared with UC, CBT reduced nociceptive responding in fibromyalgia patients. Moreover, while the UC group exhibited longitudinal decreases in both the stimulation level and pain associated with the NFR threshold, those receiving CBT required more intense stimulation to elicit the NFR as well as rated that stimulation as less painful than at baseline. These data indicate the need for a larger study to confirm that changes in nociceptive responsivity may underlie the benefits of CBT in fibromyalgia patients.
With a little help from my friends: Self‐interested and prosocial behavior on MySpace Music
Authors: Antin Judd , Earp Matthew
Published: January 2010

In this article, we explore the dynamics of prosocial and self‐interested behavior among musicians on MySpace Music. MySpace Music is an important platform for social interactions and at the same time provides musicians with the opportunity for significant profit. We argue that these forces can be in tension with each other, encouraging musicians to make strategic choices about using MySpace to promote their own or others' rewards. We look for evidence of self‐interested and prosocial “friending” strategies in the social network created by Top Friends links. We find strong evidence that individual preferences for prosocial and self‐interested behavior influence friending strategies. Furthermore, our data illustrate a robust relationship between increased prominence and increased attention to others' rewards. These results shed light on how musicians manage their interactions in complex online environments and extend research on social values by demonstrating consistent preferences for prosocial or self‐interested behavior in a multifaceted online setting.
Analysis of user needs and information features in natural language queries seeking music information
Authors: Lee Jin Ha
Published: January 2010

Our limited understanding of real‐life queries is an obstacle in developing music information retrieval (MIR) systems that meet the needs of real users. This study aimed, by an empirical investigation of real‐life queries, to contribute to developing a theorized understanding of how users seek music information. This is crucial for informing the design of future MIR systems, especially the selection of potential access points, as well as establishing a set of test queries that reflect real‐life music information‐seeking behavior. Natural language music queries were collected from an online reference Website and coded using content analysis. A taxonomy of user needs expressed and information features used in queries were established by an iterative coding process. This study found that most of the queries analyzed were known‐item searches, and most contained a wide variety of kinds of information, although a few features were used much more heavily than the others. In addition to advancing our understanding of real‐life user queries by establishing an improved taxonomy of needs and features, three recommendations were made for improving the evaluation of MIR systems: (i) incorporating user context in test queries, (ii) employing terms familiar to users in evaluation tasks, and (iii) combining multiple task results.
Using ISO 14001 to promote a sustainable supply chain strategy
Authors: Curkovic Sime , Sroufe Robert
Published: January 2010

Formally adopted in 1996 by the International Organization of Standardization, ISO 14001 represents a voluntary international environmental standard, which will likely be adopted by a vast majority of corporations. Its major focus is on the structure, implementation and maintenance of a formal environmental management system. Despite its international acceptance, ISO 14001 is surrounded by controversy and criticism. The literature is clearly divided in its assessment of ISO 14001, which is viewed as a variant of total quality environmental management or a paper‐driven process of limited value. In this study, case‐based research is used to address the competing views of the standard to show that ISO 14001 registration can be leveraged across the supply chain into a competitive advantage. By looking at ISO 14001 registered firms, we compare different amounts of integration and sustainability in the supply chain. We then posit several research propositions to provide an empirical framework for the impacts of ISO 14001 on supply chain design and how it will evolve in the future. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Photosynthetic efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana in a turbulently mixed short light‐path photobioreactor
Authors: Kliphuis Anna M. J. , de Winter Lenneke , Vejrazka Carsten , Martens Dirk E. , Janssen Marcel , Wijffels René H.
Published: January 2010

To be able to study the effect of mixing as well as any other parameter on productivity of algal cultures, we designed a lab‐scale photobioreactor in which a short light path (SLP) of (12 mm) is combined with controlled mixing and aeration. Mixing is provided by rotating an inner tube in the cylindrical cultivation vessel creating Taylor vortex flow and as such mixing can be uncoupled from aeration. Gas exchange is monitored on‐line to gain insight in growth and productivity. The maximal productivity, hence photosynthetic efficiency, of Chlorella sorokiniana cultures at high light intensities (1,500 μmol m−1 s−1) was investigated in this Taylor vortex flow SLP photobioreactor. We performed duplicate batch experiments at three different mixing rates: 70, 110, and 140 rpm, all in the turbulent Taylor vortex flow regime. For the mixing rate of 140 rpm, we calculated a quantum requirement for oxygen evolution of 21.2 mol PAR photons per mol O2 and a yield of biomass on light energy of 0.8 g biomass per mol PAR photons. The maximal photosynthetic efficiency was found at relatively low biomass densities (2.3 g L−1) at which light was just attenuated before reaching the rear of the culture. When increasing the mixing rate twofold, we only found a small increase in productivity. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the maximal productivity and photosynthetic efficiency for C. sorokiniana can be found at that biomass concentration where no significant dark zone can develop and that the influence of mixing‐induced light/dark fluctuations is marginal. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Design and characterization of a modified T‐flask bioreactor for continuous monitoring of engineered tissue stiffness
Authors: Lasher Richard A. , Wolchok Jeffrey C. , Parikh Monir K. , Kennedy James P. , Hitchcock Robert W.
Published: January 2010

Controlling environmental conditions, such as mechanical stimuli, is critical for directing cells into functional tissue. This study reports on the development of a bioreactor capable of controlling the mechanical environment and continuously measuring force‐displacement in engineered tissue. The bioreactor was built from off the shelf components, modified off the shelf components, and easily reproducible custom built parts to facilitate ease of setup, reproducibility and experimental flexibility. A T‐flask was modified to allow for four tissue samples, mechanical actuation via a LabView controlled stepper motor and transduction of force from inside the T‐flask to an external sensor. In vitro bench top testing with instrumentation springs and tissue culture experiments were performed to validate system performance. Force sensors were highly linear (R2 > 0.998) and able to maintain force readings for extended periods of time. Tissue culture experiments involved cyclic loading of polyurethane scaffolds seeded with and without (control) human foreskin fibroblasts for 8 h/day for 14 days. After supplementation with TGF‐β, tissue constructs showed an increase in stiffness between consecutive days and from the acellular controls. These experiments confirmed the ability of the bioreactor to distinguish experimental groups and monitor tissue stiffness during tissue development. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Single step purification of lactoperoxidase from whey involving reverse micelles‐assisted extraction and its comparison with reverse micellar extraction
Authors: Nandini K.E. , Rastogi Navin K.
Published: January 2010

The extraction of lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) from whey was studied using single step reverse micelles‐assisted extraction and compared with reverse micellar extraction. The reverse micelles‐assisted extraction resulted in extraction of contaminating proteins and recovery of lactoperoxidase in the aqueous phase leading to its purification. Reverse micellar extraction at the optimized condition after forward and backward steps resulted in activity recovery of lactoperoxidase and purification factor of the order of 86.60% and 3.25‐fold, respectively. Whereas reverse micelles‐assisted extraction resulted in higher activity recovery of lactoperoxidase (127.35%) and purification factor (3.39‐fold). The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) profiles also evidenced that higher purification was obtained in reverse micelles‐assisted extraction as compared of reverse micellar extracted lactoperoxidase. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Modeling and optimization of hairy root growth in fed‐batch process
Authors: Mairet Francis , Villon Pierre , Boitel‐Conti Michèle , Shakourzadeh Khalil
Published: January 2010

This article proposes a feeding strategy based on a kinetic model to enhance hairy roots growth. A new approach for modeling hairy root growth is used, considering that there is no nutrient limitation thanks to an appropriate feeding, and the intracellular pools are supposed to be always saturated. Thus, the model describes the specific growth rate from extracellular concentration of the major nutrients and nutrient uptakes depend on biomass growth. An optimized feeding strategy was determined thanks to the model to maintain the major nutrient levels at their optimum assuming optimal initial concentrations. The optimal feed rate is computed in open loop using kinetic model prediction or in closed loop using conductivity measurements to estimate biomass growth. Datura innoxia was chosen as the model culture system. Shake flask cultures were used to calibrate the model. Finally, cultures in bioreactor were performed to validate the model and the control laws. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole–Aryl Derivatives: Structure Tuning for Spectrophotometric Recognition of Specific DNA and RNA Sequences and for Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Hernandez‐Folgado Laura , Baretić Domagoj , Piantanida Ivo , Marjanović Marko , Kralj Marijeta , Rehm Thomas , Schmuck Carsten
Published: January 2010

We present a systematic study of different guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole‐aryl derivatives designed to interact with DNA or RNA both through intercalation of an aromatic moiety into the base stack of the nucleotide and through groove binding of a guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole cation. We varied 1) the size of the aromatic ring (benzene, naphthalene, pyrene and acridine), 2) the length and flexibility of the linker connecting the two binding groups, and 3) the total number of positive charges present at different pH values. The compounds and their interactions with DNA and RNA were studied by UV/Vis, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. Antiproliferative activities against human tumour cell lines were also determined. Our studies show that efficient interaction with, for example, DNA requires a significantly large aromatic ring (pyrene) connected through a flexible linker to the pyrrole moiety. However, a positive charge, as in12, is also needed. Compound12allows for base‐pair‐selective recognition of ds‐DNA at physiological pH values. The antiproliferative activities of these compounds correlate with their binding affinities towards DNA, suggesting that their biological effects are most probably due to DNA binding.
Analysis of a Pentacoordinate Iron Dicarbonyl as Synthetic Analogue of the Hmd or Mono‐Iron Hydrogenase Active Site
Authors: Liu Tianbiao , Li Bin , Popescu Codrina V. , Bilko Andrey , Pérez Lisa M. , Hall Michael B. , Darensbourg Marcetta Y.
Published: January 2010

Pentacoordinate iron dicarbonyls, (NS)Fe(CO)2P (NS=2‐amidothiophenylate, P=PCy3 (4), PPh3, (5), and P(OEt)3 (6)) were prepared as potential biomimetics of the active site of the mono‐iron hydrogenase, [Fe]‐H2ase. Full characterization including X‐ray diffraction, density functional theory (DFT) computations, and Mössbauer studies for complexes 5 and 6 find that, despite similar infrared v(CO) pattern and absorption frequencies as the active site of the [Fe]‐H2ase, the geometrical distortions towards trigonal bipyramidal, the negative isomer shift parameters, and the differences in CO‐uptake reactivity are due to the “non‐innocence” of the NS ligand. Ligand‐based protonation with a strong acid, HBF4⋅Et2O, interrupted the extensive π‐delocalization over Fe and NS ligand of complex 4 and switched on CO uptake (1 bar) to form a CO adduct, mer‐[(H‐NS)Fe(CO)3(PCy3)]+ or 4(CO)‐H+. The extrinsic CO is reversibly removed on deprotonation with Et3N to regenerate complex 4. In a 13CO atmosphere, concomitant CO uptake by 4‐H+ and exchange with intrinsic CO groups provide a facile route to 13C‐labeled 4(CO)‐H+ and, upon deprotonation, 13C‐labeled complex 4. DFT calculations show substantial Fe character in the LUMO of 4‐H+ typical of the d6 FeII in a regular square‐pyramidal geometry. Thus, the Lewis acidity of 4‐H+ makes it amenable for CO binding, whereas the dianionic NS ligand renders the iron center of 4 insufficiently electrophilic and largely of FeI character.
Dendronized Triangular Oligo(phenylene ethynylene) Amphiphiles: Nanofibrillar Self‐Assembly and Dye Encapsulation
Authors: García Fátima , Sánchez Luis
Published: January 2010

Triangular‐shaped oligo(phenylene ethynylene) amphiphiles 1 a and 1 b decorated in their periphery with two‐ and four‐branched hydrophilic triethyleneglycol dendron wedges, have been synthesized and their self‐assembling properties in solution and onto surfaces investigated. The steric demand produced by the dendritic substituents induces a face‐to‐face rotated π stacking of the aromatic moieties. Studies on the concentration and temperature dependence confirm this mechanism and provide binding constants of 1.2×105 and 1.7×105 M−1 in acetonitrile for 1 a and 1 b, respectively. Dynamic and static light scattering measurements complement the study of the self‐assembly in solution and demonstrate the formation of rod‐like supramolecular structures in aqueous solution. The nanofibers formed in solution can be efficiently transferred onto surfaces. Thus, TEM images reveal the presence of strands of various thickness, with the most common being several micrometers long and with diameters of around 70 nm. Some of these nanofibers present folded edges that are indicative of their ribbon‐like nature. Interestingly, compound 1 b can also form thick filaments with a rope‐like appearance, which points to a chiral arrangement of the fibers. AFM images under highly diluted conditions also reveal long fibers with height profiles that fit well with the molecular dimensions calculated for both amphiphiles. Finally, we have demonstrated the intercalation of the hydrophobic dye Disperse Orange 3 within the filaments and its subsequent release upon increasing the temperature.
Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid among atomic bomb survivors
Authors: Hayashi Yuzo , Lagarde Frederic , Tsuda Nobuo , Funamoto Sachiyo , Preston Dale L. , Koyama Kojiro , Mabuchi Kiyohiko , Ron Elaine , Kodama Kazunori , Tokuoka Shoji
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Radiation exposure is an established cause of clinical thyroid cancer, but little is known about radiation effects on papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) of the thyroid, a relatively common subclinical thyroid malignancy. Because the incidence of these small thyroid cancers has been increasing, it is important to better understand them and their relation to radiation.

METHODS:

PMCs were identified in a subset of 7659 members of the Life Span Study of atomic bomb survivors who had archived autopsy or surgical materials. We conducted a pathology review of these specimens and evaluated the histological features of the tumors and the association between PMCs and thyroid radiation dose.

RESULTS:

From 1958 to 1995, 458 PMCs were detected among 313 study subjects. The majority of cancers exhibited pathologic features of papillary thyroid cancers. Overall, 81% of the PMCs were of the sclerosing variant and 91% were nonencapsulated, psammoma bodies that occurred in 13% and calcification was observed in 23%. Over 95% had papillary or papillary‐follicular architecture and most displayed nuclear overlap, clear nuclei, and nuclear grooves. Several of these features increased with increasing tumor size, but no association was found with radiation dose. A significant radiation‐dose response was found for the prevalence of PMCs (estimated excess odds ratio/Gy = 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.01‐1.55), with the excess risk observed primarily among women.

CONCLUSIONS:

Exposure to low‐to‐moderate doses of ionizing radiation appears to increase the risk of thyroid PMCs, even when exposure occurs during adulthood. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Allatostatin immunoreactivity in the honeybee brain
Authors: Kreissl Sabine , Strasser Christine , Galizia C. Giovanni
Published: January 2010

Information transmission and processing in the brain is achieved through a small family of chemical neurotransmitters and neuromodulators and a very large family of neuropeptides. In order to understand neural networks in the brain it will be necessary, therefore, to understand the connectivity, morphology, and distribution of peptidergic neurons, and to elucidate their function in the brain. In this study we characterize the distribution of substances related to Dip‐allatostatin I in the honeybee brain, which belongs to the allatostatin‐A (AST) peptide family sharing the conserved c‐terminal sequence ‐YXFGL‐NH2. We found about 500 AST‐immunoreactive (ASTir) neurons in the brain, scattered in 18 groups that varied in their precise location across individuals. Almost all areas of the brain were innervated by ASTir fibers. Most ASTir neurites formed networks within functionally distinct areas, e.g., the antennal lobes, the mushroom bodies, or the optic lobes, indicating local functions of the peptide. A small number of very large neurons had widespread arborizations and neurites were found in the corpora cardiaca and in the cervical connectives, suggesting that AST also has global functions. We double‐stained AST and GABA and found that a subset of ASTir neurons were GABA‐immunoreactive (GABAir). Double staining AST with backfills of olfactory receptor neurons or mass fills of neurons in the antennal lobes and in the mushroom bodies allowed a more fine‐grained description of ASTir networks. Together, this first comprehensive description of AST in the bee brain suggests a diverse functional role of AST, including local and global computational tasks. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:1391–1417, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of substrate temperature on the properties of electron beam evaporated ZnSe films
Authors: Syed Basheer Ahamed M. G. , Nagarethinam V. S. , Balu A. R. , Thayumanavan A. , Murali K. R. , Sanjeeviraja C. , Jayachandran M.
Published: January 2010

ZnSe films were deposited on glass substrates keeping the substrate temperatures, at room temperature (RT), 75, 150 and 250 °C. The films have exhibited cubic structure oriented along the (111) direction. Both the crystallinity and the grain size increased with increasing deposition temperature. A very high value of absorption co‐efficient (104 cm‐1) is observed. The band gap values decrease from a value of 2.94 eV to 2.69 eV with increasing substrate temperature. The average refractive index value is in the range of 2.39 – 2.41 for the films deposited at different substrate temperatures. The conductivity values increases continuously with temperature. Laser Raman spectra showed peaks at 140.8 cm‐1, 246.7 cm‐1and 204.5 cm‐1which are attributable to 2TA LO phonon and TO phonon respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Phase‐manipulable synthesis of Cu‐based nanomaterials using ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate
Authors: Zhu L. , Chen Y. , Sun Y. , Cui Y. , Liang M. , Zhao J. , Li N.
Published: January 2010

Using the ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate, and the precursor Cu7Cl4(OH)10·H2O, series of phase‐manipulable Cu‐based nanomaterials were synthesized by hydrothermal and microwave assisted routes, respectively. The structural characters of the as‐prepared CuO, CuO/Cu2O composites and pure Cu nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM and HRTEM, and their surface photovoltaic properties were studied by surface photovoltage spectra. Via hydrothermal route Cu2+ ions were found to be reduced gradually into Cu+ and subsequently Cu0 with increasing the IL, and various phase ratio of CuO, Cu2O and Cu composite nanosheets and pure Cu nanoparticles were obtained. This implies that the IL could function as both a reductant in the oxygen‐starved condition and a template for the nanosheet products. The 1H‐NMR result of the IL supports it being a reductant. In microwave assisted route, however, only monoclinic single crystalline CuO nanosheets were obtained, which indicates the IL being a template only in oxygen‐rich condition. Therefore, the crystal phase, composition and morphology of the Cu‐based products could be controlled by simply adjusting the quantity of the IL and oxygen in solution routes. The molecular structure of the IL after oxidation reactions was investigated by 1H‐NMR and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of indium content and rapid solidification on microhardness and micro‐creep of Sn‐Zn eutectic lead free solder alloy
Authors: Shalaby R. M.
Published: January 2010

The Sn‐Zn alloys have been considered as lead‐free solders. In this paper, the effect of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.% Indium as ternary additions on melting temperature, structure, microhardness and micro‐creep of the Sn‐9Zn lead‐free solders were investigated. It is shown that the alloying additions of Indium to the Sn‐Zn binary system result in a suppression of the melting point to 187.9 °C. From x‐ray diffraction analysis, a new intermetallic compound phase, designated β‐In3Sn is detected. The formation of an intermetallic compound phase causes a pronounced increase in the electrical resistivity and mechanical strength. Also, an interesting connection between dynamic Young's modulus and the axial ratio (c/a) of the unit cell of the β‐Sn was found in which Young's modulus increases with increasing the axial ratio (c/a). The ternary Sn‐9Zn‐xIn exhibits creep resistance superior to Sn‐9Zn binary alloy. The better creep resistance of the ternary alloy is attributed to solid solution effect and precipitation of In3Sn in the Sn matrix. The addition of small amounts of In is found to refine the effective grain size and consequently, improves hardness. The 89%Sn‐9%Zn‐2%In alloy is a lead‐free solder designed for possible drop‐in replacement of Pb‐Sn solders. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and Characterization of 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐Dimensional Bimetallic UO22+/Zn2+ Phosphonoacetates
Authors: Knope Karah E. , Cahill Christopher L.
Published: January 2010

Four bimetallic UO22+/Zn2+ phosphonoacetates have been prepared from hydrothermal reactions of uranyl nitrate, zinc nitrate, and triethyl phosphonoacetate. These compounds, (UO2)2(PPA)2(H2O)2·Zn(H2O)6·4H2O (1), (UO2)4(PPA)2(HPPA)2·Zn(H2O)6·5H2O·(2), (UO2)2(H2O)2(PPA)2Zn(H2O)4 (3), and (UO2)2(PPA)2(HPPA)Zn2(H2O)2·3(H2O) (4), adopt 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐dimensional architectures wherein the UO22+ cation exhibits coordination preference for the phosphonate over the carboxylate oxygen atoms. The Zn2+ metal centers show an increased degree of ligand coordination with increasing reaction temperature. At 120 °C, compounds 1 and 2 are formed. These structures are 1‐ and 2‐dimensional, respectively, and contain fully hydrated [Zn(H2O)6]2+ cations. At 150 °C and 180 °C, the HPPA ligand displaces H2O molecules from the inner Zn2+ hydration sphere and binds to the metal centers via a –CO2H oxygen atom in 3 and both carboxylate and phosphonate oxygen atoms in 4. The overall Zn2+ reaction can be expressed by the equation Zn(H2O)62+ + HPPA [rlarr2] Zn(H2O)5(HPPA) + H2O. Presented here are the syntheses, structures, and characterization of these materials.
Kinetic study of β‐carotene and lutein degradation in oils during heat treatment
Authors: Achir Nawel , Randrianatoandro Verohanitra A. , Bohuon Philippe , Laffargue Andréina , Avallone Sylvie
Published: January 2010

The kinetics of trans‐β‐carotene and trans‐lutein degradation were individually investigated in palm olein and Vegetaline®, at four temperatures ranging from 120 to 180 °C. HPLC‐DAD analysis was carried out to monitor trans and cis carotenoid variations over the heating time at each temperature. In both oils, initial trans‐β‐carotene and trans‐lutein degradation rates increased with temperature. Trans‐lutein was found to degrade at a slower rate than trans‐β‐carotene, suggesting a higher thermal resistance. The isomers identified were 13‐cis‐ and 9‐cis‐β‐carotene, and 13‐cis‐, 9‐cis‐, 13'‐cis‐, and 9'‐cis‐lutein. In spite of the higher number of lutein cis isomers, their total amount was lower than that of β‐carotene cis isomers. Trans and cis carotenoids were involved in degradation reactions at rates that increased with temperature. All degradation rates were generally found to be lower in Vegetaline® than in palm olein. These results were explained by the initial composition of the two oils and especially their peroxide and vitamin E contents.
A Novel Diameter‐Selective Functionalization of SWCNTs with Lithium Alkynylides
Authors: Gebhardt Benjamin , Graupner Ralf , Hauke Frank , Hirsch Andreas
Published: January 2010

Covalent functionalization by addition to the sidewalls ofsingle‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is one of the most important methods for the derivatization of carbon nanotubes. The nucleophilic addition of organometallic reagents (carbon‐ and nitrogen‐based carbanions) has recently become a widely used tool for the introduction of functional moieties onto the surface of this new carbon allotrope. The extension of this concept by the successful nucleophilic addition of in situ generated lithium acetylides to the SWCNT scaffold is presented herein. The chemically derivatized SWCNTs have been characterized in detail by TGA/MS, Raman, UV/Vis/NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. On the basis of a detailed examination of the signals in the radial breathing‐mode region of the Raman spectra, the preferred functionalization of smaller‐diameter tubes has been clearly demonstrated.
Supramolecular Assemblies Derived from Formyl‐Substituted π‐Conjugated Acyclic Anion Receptors
Authors: Maeda Hiromitsu , Fujii Rika , Haketa Yohei
Published: January 2010

We report on the synthesis and properties of formyl‐substituted dipyrrolyl diketone–BF2 complexes (anion receptors) and their extended derivatives. The formyl‐substituted receptors exhibited efficient anion‐binding behavior and complicated solid‐state hydrogen‐bonding assembly patterns, due to the formyl group's electron‐withdrawing and hydrogen‐bond‐accepting properties. The extended derivatives, prepared by the formation of Schiff bases and their subsequent reduction, behaved as building subunits to provide gel‐like materials in spite of the existence of β‐ethyl substituents. Fairly unspecific spherical particle morphologies were observed for these gel‐like materials by optical microscopy and AFM. The anion‐responsive behavior of the supramolecular assemblies (gelated materials) was also examined.
nBuLi‐Mediated Hydrophosphination: A Simple Route to Valuable Organophosphorus Compounds
Authors: Perrier Arnaud , Comte Virginie , Moïse Claude , Richard Philippe , Le Gendre Pierre
Published: January 2010

A straightforward synthesis of homoallyl‐ and allylphosphanes has been developed using nBuLi‐mediated hydrophosphination of conjugated dienes. In all the cases the phosphorus atom of the reacting phosphane attacked thesterically less demanding side of the diene exclusively. In addition, high regioselectivities towards 1,2‐ or 1,4‐addition products were observed depending on the nature of the dienes. This hydrophosphination reaction was extended to a variety of substrates such as styrene derivatives, alkynes and 1,3,5‐cycloheptatriene. The structures of three hydrophosphination products were confirmed by X‐ray diffractionstudies.