bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Isobavachalcone and Some Organometallic Derivatives
Authors: Grealis John P. , Müller‐Bunz Helge , Ortin Yannick , Casey Michael , McGlinchey Michael J.
Published: November 2012

Isobavachalcone [2′,4,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′‐(3″‐methyl‐2″‐butenyl)chalcone, 1] is a prenylated chalcone that has broad biological activity, in particular against neuroblastomas, the most common cancer in infancy. It is currently commercially available at a cost of $190/mg by extraction from Psoralea corylifolia and a number of other African and Asian plants. Several synthetic routes have been explored, and the most efficient procedure involves the palladium‐catalysed Stille coupling of 3‐iodo‐2,4‐bis(methoxymethoxy)acetophenone (25) with prenyltributyltin, Claisen–Schmidt condensation with 4‐(methoxymethoxy)benzaldehyde to form the triply MOM‐protected prenylchalcone 27 and finally deprotection with 2 M HCl in methanol to form isobavachalcone in an overall yield of 15 % over five steps. The X‐ray crystal structures of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐3‐iodoacetophenone (21) and of several prenylated chalcones are reported, including the elucidation of their hydrogen‐bonding networks in the solid state. The synthetic route has been extended to include organometallic derivatives in which the 4‐(methoxymethoxy)benzaldehyde used in the Claisen–Schmidt condensation has been replaced by formylferrocene, formylruthenocene or (η5‐formylcyclopentadienyl)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt to form the corresponding analogues of isobavachalcone containing organometallic sandwich moieties.
Differential Recognition of Mannose‐Based Polysaccharides by Tripodal Receptors Based on a Triethylbenzene Scaffold Substituted with Trihydroxybenzoyl Moieties
Authors: Carrero Paula , Ardá Ana , Alvarez Mónica , Doyagüez Elisa G. , Rivero‐Buceta Eva , Quesada Ernesto , Prieto Alicia , Solís Dolores , Camarasa María José , Peréz‐Pérez María Jesús , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús , San‐Félix Ana
Published: November 2012

The tripodal receptors 1 and 2 based on a triethylbenzene scaffold substituted with trihydroxybenzoyl groups have been synthesised. The conformational preferences and carbohydrate‐binding ability of 1 and 2 have been examined by NMR spectroscopy and modelling procedures. The results reveal that the particular structural pre‐organisation of 2 facilitates the recognition, in a highly competitive medium (DMSO), of a mannose‐based polysaccharide consisting of a linear saccharide chain continuously decorated by α(1→2)‐linked branching mannose moieties. By contrast, other α(1→2)‐substituted polysaccharides or different monosaccharides are not bound, revealing the selectivity of the interaction. Due to the importance of α(1→2) mannosides, which are abundantly present on the glycan shield of several pathogens, the results reported here open attractive prospects for the potential application of 2 or its derivatives in future antiinfective strategies.
Haplotypes in the 5′‐untranslated region of the CYP1A2gene are inversely associated with lung cancer risk but do not correlate with caffeine metabolism
Authors: Gervasini Guillermo , Ghotbi Roza , Aklillu Eleni , San Jose Carmen , Cabanillas Agustin , Kishikawa Junko , Benitez Julio , Carrillo Juan Antonio
Published: November 2012

In this study, we analyzed the influence of CYP1A2 genetic variation and enzyme activity on lung cancer risk in a high‐incidence area. A total of 95 lung cancer patients and 196 controls were genotyped for the −3860G/A, −3113A/G, −2467T/delT, −739T/G, and −163C/A polymorphisms in the 5′‐untranslated region of the gene. In addition, a subset of 70 patients and 115 controls were phenotyped by high‐performance liquid chromatography determination of the caffeine metabolic ratio (CMR). The −2467T/delT polymorphism and the CYP1A2*1V haplotype (‐163C>A, −2467T>delT) were inversely associated with lung cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47 [0.2–0.9]; P = 0.02 and OR = 0.13 [0.02‐1.0]; P = 0.04; respectively). In addition, the CYP*1A/*1V and *1F (‐163C>A)/*1D (−163C>A, −2467T>delT) diplotypes were absent in the patients group, whereas accounting for 7.1% (P = 0.017) and 5.6% (P = 0.037) of controls, respectively. Mean CMR was significantly higher in patients than in controls (10.50 ± 17.31 vs. 6.52 ± 6.26, P = 0.01) but regression analyses did not yield significant ORs for the association with lung cancer risk. Similarly, no significant correlations were found between any genetic variant and enzyme activity. Several CYP1A2 haplotypes and diplotypes containing the −2467delT variant were associated with lower lung cancer risk; however, they did not correlate with significant changes in CYP1A2 metabolic activity toward caffeine. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal Futures Hedging Under Multichain Markov Regime Switching
Authors: Sheu Her‐Jiun , Lee Hsiang‐Tai
Published: November 2012

Most of the existing Markov regime switching GARCH‐hedging models assume a common switching dynamic for spot and futures returns. In this study, we release this assumption and suggest a multichain Markov regime switching GARCH (MCSG) model for estimating state‐dependent time‐varying minimum variance hedge ratios. Empirical results from commodity futures hedging show that MCSG creates hedging gains, compared with single‐state‐variable regime‐switching GARCH models. Moreover, we find an average of 24% cross‐regime probability, indicating the importance of modeling cross‐regime dynamic in developing optimal futures hedging strategies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:173–202, 2014
Socio‐demographic and clinical profile of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics in sub‐Saharan African elderly
Authors: Lekpa F.K. , Ndongo S. , Ka O. , Zeba D. , Compaoré C. , Pouye A. , Ka M.M. , Diop T.M.
Published: November 2012

Data on characteristics of neuropathic pain (NP) in sub‐Saharan Africa are scarce, especially in the elderly. We conducted this study to appreciate the socio‐demographic and clinical profile of chronic pain (CP) with neuropathic characteristics in sub‐Saharan African elderly with musculoskeletal pain. From January to December 2011, we performed a cross‐sectional study in all Rheumatology outpatients over 60 years at the Center for Gerontology and Geriatrics, Dakar, Senegal. In this study, we included patients who experienced musculoskeletal pain for 3 months or longer (CP) and with a DN4 score ≥ 4 (NP). A complete clinical examination was performed to make the diagnosis of NP ‘definite’ or ‘probable’, and to identify the aetiologies of NP. During the study period, 698 outpatients were examined. There were 394 out of the 549 patients over 60 years who reported CP. Among them, 28 patients (7.1%) scored ≥4 on the DN4 questionnaire. Female patients, low educational attainment, manual professions, non‐workers and diabetes were associated with NP (p < 0.05). The symptoms described by patients with NP, often intricate, were lumboradiculalgia (n = 9), cervico‐brachial neuralgia (n = 3), polyneuropathy (n = 12) and mononeuropathy (n = 6). The presumed aetiologies in patients with NP were: chronic spine diseases (n = 14), painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (n = 8), Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1), tarsal tunnel syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis (n = 1) and bone metastasis (n = 1). No aetiology was identified among three patients. Chronic spine diseases associated with radiculopathies and diabetic neuropathy are the main causes of NP, well detected by DN4 questionnaire and clinical examination in Senegalese sub‐Saharan African elderly.
Guided Internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic pain patients who have residual symptoms after rehabilitation treatment: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Buhrman M. , Fredriksson A. , Edström G. , Shafiei D. , Tärnqvist C. , Ljótsson B. , Hursti T. , Gordh T. , Andersson G.
Published: November 2012

Background

Chronic pain can be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy delivered in multidisciplinary settings. However, relapse is likely, and there is a need for cost‐effective secondary interventions for persons with residual problems after rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a guided Internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural intervention for patients who had completed multidisciplinary treatment at a pain management unit.

Methods

A total of 72 persons with residual pain problems were included in the study and were randomized to either treatment for 8 weeks or to a control group who were invited to participate in a moderated online discussion forum. The participants had different chronic pain conditions, and a majority were women (72%). Twenty‐two percent of the participants dropped out of the study before the post‐treatment assessment.

Results

Intent‐to‐treat analyses demonstrated differences on the catastrophizing subscale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Cohen's d = 0.70), in favour of the treatment group but a small within‐group effect. Differences were also found on other measures of pain‐related distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. A 6‐month follow‐up exhibited maintenance of improvements.

Conclusions

We conclude that Internet‐delivered treatment can be partly effective for persons with residual problems after completed pain rehabilitation.
Low back pain‐related beliefs and likely practice behaviours among final‐year cross‐discipline health students
Authors: Briggs A.M. , Slater H. , Smith A.J. , Parkin‐Smith G.F. , Watkins K. , Chua J.
Published: November 2012

Background

Evidence points to clinicians' beliefs and practice behaviours related to low back pain (LBP), which are discordant with contemporary evidence. While interventions to align beliefs and behaviours with evidence among clinicians have demonstrated effectiveness, a more sustainable and cost‐effective approach to positively developing workforce capacity in this area may be to target the emerging workforce. The aim of this study was to investigate beliefs and clinical recommendations for LBP, and their alignment to evidence, in Australian university allied health and medical students.

Methods

Final‐year students in chiropractic, medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physiotherapy disciplines in three Western Australian universities responded to a survey. Demographic data, LBP‐related beliefs data [modified Health Care Providers Pain and Impact Relationship Scale (HC‐PAIRS) and the Back Pain Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) ] and activity, rest and work clinical recommendations for an acute LBP clinical vignette were collected.

Results

Six hundred two students completed the survey (response rate 74.6%). Cross‐discipline differences in beliefs and clinical recommendations were observed (p > 0.001). Physiotherapy and chiropractic students reported significantly more helpful beliefs compared with the other disciplines, while pharmacy students reported the least helpful beliefs. A greater proportion of chiropractic and physiotherapy students reported guideline‐consistent recommendations compared with other disciplines. HC‐PAIRS and BBQ scores were strongly associated with clinical recommendations, independent to the discipline of study and prior experience of LBP.

Conclusions

Aligning cross‐discipline university curricula with current evidence may provide an opportunity to facilitate translation of this evidence into practice with a focus on a consistent, cross‐discipline approach to LBP management.
Genetic and environmental influences on non‐specific neck pain in early adolescence: A classical twin study
Authors: Ståhl M.K. , El‐Metwally A.A. , Mikkelsson M.K. , Salminen J.J. , Pulkkinen L.R. , Rose R.J. , Kaprio J.A.
Published: November 2012

Background

Prevalence of neck pain has increased among adolescents. The origins of adult chronic neck pain may lie in late childhood, but for early prevention, more information is needed about its aetiology. We investigated the relative roles of genetic and environmental factors in early adolescent neck pain with a classic twin study.

Methods

Frequency of neck pain was assessed with a validated pain questionnaire in a population‐based sample of nearly 1800 pairs of 11–12‐year‐old Finnish twins. Twin pair similarity for neck pain was quantified by polychoric correlations, and variance components were estimated with biometric structural equation modelling.

Results

Prevalence of neck pain reported at least once monthly was 38% and at least once weekly 16%, with no significant differences between gender and zygosity. A greater polychoric correlation in liability to neck pain was found in monozygotic (0.67) than for dizygotic pairs (0.38), suggesting strong genetic influences. Model fitting indicated that 68% (95% confidence interval 62–74) of the variation in liability to neck pain could be attributed to genetic effects, with the remainder attributed to unshared environmental effects. No evidence for sex‐specific genetic effects or for sex differences in the magnitude of genetic effects was found.

Conclusions

Genetic and unique environmental factors seem to play the most important roles in liability to neck pain in early adolescence. Future research should be directed to identifying pathways for genetic influences on neck pain and in exploring effectiveness of interventions that target already identified environmental risk factors.
In vitro osteoblast response to ferritic stainless steel fiber networks for magneto‐active layers on implants
Authors: Malheiro V. N. , Skepper J. N. , Brooks R. A. , Markaki A. E.
Published: November 2012

The use of a porous coating on prosthetic components to encourage bone ingrowth is an important way of improving uncemented implant fixation. Enhanced fixation may be achieved by the use of porous magneto‐active layers on the surface of prosthetic implants, which would deform elastically on application of a magnetic field, generating internal stresses within the in‐growing bone. This approach requires a ferromagnetic material able to support osteoblast attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. In this study, the human osteoblast responses to ferromagnetic 444 stainless steel networks were considered alongside those to nonmagnetic 316L (medical grade) stainless steel networks. While both networks had similar porosities, 444 networks were made from coarser fibers, resulting in larger inter‐fiber spaces. The networks were analyzed for cell morphology, distribution, proliferation, and differentiation, extracellular matrix production and the formation of mineralized nodules. Cell culture was performed in both the presence of osteogenic supplements, to encourage cell differentiation, and in their absence. It was found that fiber size affected osteoblast morphology, cytoskeleton organization and proliferation at the early stages of culture. The larger inter‐fiber spaces in the 444 networks resulted in better spatial distribution of the extracellular matrix. The addition of osteogenic supplements enhanced cell differentiation and reduced cell proliferation thereby preventing the differences in proliferation observed in the absence of osteogenic supplements. The results demonstrated that 444 networks elicited favorable responses from human osteoblasts, and thus show potential for use as magnetically active porous coatings for advanced bone implant applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Comparison of the Bactec Fx Plus, Mycosis IC/F, Mycosis/F Lytic Blood Culture Media and the BacT/Alert 3D FA Media for Detection of Candida species in Seeded Blood Culture Specimens Containing Therapeutic Peak Levels of Fluconazole
Authors: Jekarl Dong Wook , Lee So‐Young , Lee Seungok , Park Yeon‐Joon , Lee Jehoon , Baek Sun Mi , An Yeon Ju , Ock Sun Myeong , Lee Mi‐Kyung
Published: November 2012

Background

The performance of Bactec Fx Plus Aerobic/F (PA), Mycosis IC/F (MF), Myco/F Lytic (ML) media and BacT/Alert 3D FA (FA) media in detecting 15 Candida isolates in blood cultures to which fluconazole had been added was investigated.

Methods

PA with resin, MF, ML media (n = 360), and FAmedia (n = 120) were tested against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei. As the peak plasma concentration after single oral doses of fluconazole 100, 200, and 400 mg was equivalent to peak level of 1.9, 4.7, and 6.7 mg/l, respectively, corresponding fluconazole was added. Time to detection (TTD) was measured.

Results

Overall TTD (mean hour ± standard deviation) for PA, FA, MF, and ML was as follows: 24.5 ± 7.3, 27.0 ± 7.5, 31.9 ± 21.3, and 37.7 ± 30.1, respectively. TTD of PA was shorter compared to other media. The effect of fluconazole was limited in PA and FA, but MF and ML showed delayed TTD. Larger inoculum size showed shorter TTDin PA and FA.

Conclusion

TTD of Bactec Fx Plus Aerobic/F was more than 2.5 hr faster among the tested media. As thus system and media are unaffected by added fluconazole, it could be used for the diagnosis of candidemia in the clinical settings including the patients who have been treated empirically with fluconazole at the time when blood cultures were drawn.
Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping Evaluation in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Correlation to Factors Affecting Clinic Outcome
Authors: Vasconcelos de Andrade Alves Gabriela , Araújo da Cunha Fernandes Andrea Luciana , Freire Juliana Mendonça , de Souza Paiva Aldair , de Vasconcelos Roberto Chaves , Soraya de Farias Sales Valéria , Maria de Araújo Moura Lemos Telma , Gil Erica Aires , Miranda de Araújo Freire Flávio Henrique , Silva Dany Geraldo Kramer Cavalcanti e , Maciel James Farley Rafael , Farkatt Irian Guedes , Júnior Geraldo Barroso Cavalcanti
Published: November 2012

The authors conducted a flow cytometry immunophenotyping study in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The patients (n = 126) were newly diagnosed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies: CD1a, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD13, CD33, CD14, CD19, CD22, CD79a, CD117, CD34, anti‐IgM, anti‐TdT, anti‐HLA‐Dr, and anti‐human kappa and lambda light chains. Additional data, such as patients' age and gender, clinical and laboratory findings such as presence of tumor masses, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, leukemic infiltration in the central nervous system (CNS) were also investigated. Results showed that 56.7% of the cases were B‐lineage ALL and 55% were T‐cell ALL. Also, we found that males were more affected by the disease, regardless of immunological classification. The correlation between age and immunological subtypes showed that the B‐lineage ALL occurred more frequently in patients aged under 15while the T‐cell ALL subtype was more frequent in adults. Immunophenotypic profiles and morphological subtypes showed a direct correlation between L3 subtype and B‐lineage ALL, while L1 and L2 subtypes correlated more often with B‐cell lineage and T‐cell ALL, respectively. Correlation analysis between immunophenotypic and clinical profiles showed that T‐cell ALL was more associated with a higher incidence of lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and CNS leukemic infiltration, also showing a greater blast cell count in peripheral blood than the other subgroups. The presented data suggest that immunophenotyping is an important method in the diagnosis, monitoring and prognostic assessment in determining the pathological mechanisms of evolution of ALL.
Is Identification of Anti‐SSA and/or ‐SSB Antibodies Necessary in Serum Samples Referred for Antinuclear Antibodies Testing?
Authors: Yang Zaixing , Liang Yan , Zhong Renqian
Published: November 2012

Backgroud

Anti‐SSA and ‐SSB antibodies are clinically important antinuclear antibodies in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases.

Methods

We evaluated fluorescence characteristics and clinical significance of anti‐SSA and ‐SSB and explored whether identification of these antibodies was necessary in clinical application.

Results

Of 4,978 consecutive samples, 259 showed anti‐SSA or ‐SSB reactivity, clinical information of which were analyzed. Compared with SSA+SSB− and SSA−SSB+ group, SSA+SSB+ group showed a lower proportion (0.5%) of negative specimens detected with antinuclear antibody assay and a higher proportion (53.5%) of specimens with high titer. Anti‐SSA‐ and/or ‐SSB‐positive samples presented various patterns. However, 64.6% of SSA+SSB+ samples presented speckled pattern, significantly higher than SSA+SSB− and SSA−SSB+ samples. A total of 475 specimens containing anti‐SSA or ‐SSB were obtained from 302 individuals. Clinical information was obtained for 259 of them, which were further analyzed. The prevalence of Sjögren syndrome (SS) was significantly higher, and that of other diseases was lower in SSA+SSB+ than in SSA+SSB− group. Of the 259 individuals, 71 anti‐SSA‐ and/or ‐SSB‐positive patients had blood drawn on 2 or more occasions over the 2‐year study period. The number of tests per patient was 2.7 ± 1.1. In 7 of the 71 patients, anti‐SSA was observed in some but not all samples, so was anti‐SSB in 6.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the identification of anti‐SSA and ‐SSB antibodies is necessary, when corresponding diseases are suspected. The specificity of anti‐SSA for the diagnosis of SS could be improved, when combined with anti‐SSB. SS patients need not be identified frequently for anti‐SSA and ‐SSB because of their stability.
A Comparative Study of Apoptosis in Placentas of Normal and Preeclamptic Indian Pregnant Women by TUNEL Assay and M30 Immunostaining
Authors: Sharma Mona , Kumar Rani , Bhatla Neerja , Dhingra Renu
Published: November 2012

Background

Preeclampsia is a unique life‐threatening disorder of human pregnancy associated with the abnormal placentation caused by the inadequate trophoblastic invasion due to altered apoptosis of these cells. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the apoptosis in trophoblastic cells in various zones (villous and extravillous) of placentas of preeclamptic and normotensive nonproteinuric pregnant women.

Methods

Hematoxylin eosin staining, TUNEL assay and M30 immunostaining techniques were used for studying apoptosis in trophoblastic cells of placentas of two groups. The results of apoptotic indices by these techniques were compared in preeclamptic group.

Results

The TUNEL apoptotic indices were higher in all the zones of placentas of preeclamptic group as compared to control group though the results were not statistically significant. M30 immunostaining also gave higher apoptotic indices in all the zones of preeclamptic placentas as compared to the normal group but the result of apoptotic index of basal plate was not statistically significant. M30 immunostaining was absent in stromal cells.

Conclusion

In our study, the trophoblastic apoptotic rates were more in villous as well as extravillous zones of preeclamptic placentas as compared to normal placentas and M30 immunostaining was found to be more sensitive and specific for the apoptotic trophoblastic cells as compared to TUNEL assay.
Free Circulating Tumor DNA as a Diagnostic Marker for Breast Cancer
Authors: Hashad D. , Sorour A. , Ghazal A. , Talaat I.
Published: November 2012

Background

Cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in the plasma of patients with both malignant and benign breast lesions was analyzed to determine whether the findings may have diagnostic and prognostic implications and to analyze the association between the levels of cfDNA and prognostic parameters.

Methods

Plasma samples were obtained from 99 subjects; 42 with breast cancer (BC), 30 with benign breast lesions, and 27 healthy women as normal controls. Circulatory cfDNA was extracted from the plasma samples and quantified using a real‐time quantitative PCR method. Immunohistochemistry was done on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections to evaluate the status of hormonal receptors (estrogen receptor [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]), and the protein expression of both Her2/neu and Topoisomerase IIα.

Results

The level of cfDNA in the BC group was significantly higher than in the benign lesions and control groups. cfDNA level was associated with malignant tumor size, lymph node involvement, stage, and grade as well as Her2/neu and Topoisomerase IIα expression, while it was not associated with ER or PR status.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the level of cfDNA can be easily quantified using plasma samples. Thus, level of plasma cfDNA might constitute an important noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic valuable tool in cancer breast patients’ management.
Urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐Glucosaminidase Levels are Positively Correlated With 2‐Hr Plasma Glucose Levels During Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing in Prediabetes
Authors: Ouchi Motoshi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Hashimoto Masao , Motoyama Masayuki , Ohara Makoto , Suzuki Kazunari , Igari Yoshimasa , Watanabe Kentaro , Nakano Hiroshi , Oba Kenzo
Published: November 2012

Background

Urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion is increased in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This study investigated when during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) the plasma glucose, urine glucose, and insulin levels correlate most strongly with urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase (NAG) levels in prediabetic subjects.

Methods

The OGTT was administered to 80 subjects who had not yet received a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and in whom HbA1c levels were ≤6.8% and fasting plasma glucose levels were <7.0 mmol/l. Forty‐two subjects had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 31 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 7 had DM according to World Health Organization criteria. Serum levels of cystatin C, the estimated glomerular filtration rate, the urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine (Cr) ratio, urinary and serum β2‐microglobulin, and urinary NAG were measured as markers of renal function.

Results

NAG levels were significantly higher in subjects with DM and in subjects with IGT than in subjects with NGT. No significant associations were observed between glycemic status and other markers of renal function. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the NAG level was positively correlated with plasma glucose levels at 120 min of the OGTT and was associated with the glycemic status of prediabetic patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia is an independent factor that causes renal tubular damage in prediabetes patients.
Evaluation of Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) and HPLC Methods for Glycated Haemoglobin Determination
Authors: Genc Sema , Omer Beyhan , Aycan‐Ustyol Esra , Ince Nurhan , Bal Fatih , Gurdol Figen
Published: November 2012

Background

Various factors may affect the accuracy of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c measurements that are widely used to monitor glycemic control in diabetic patients. This study was aimed to compare the values of HbA1c obtained by two different methods, Roche Tina‐quant second and thirdgeneration HbA1c assays based on the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA), and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) cation‐exchange method used by Arkray Adams HA‐8160 analyzer.

Methods

Measurements of HbA1c were carried out in blood samples from 2,917 patients using above‐mentioned methods. Linear regression was used for the correlation analysis and linear equations. Bland–Altman plots were performed from method comparison data using MedCalc statistical software.

Results

For the low control, the second generation Tina‐quant assay had within‐run and between‐run CVs 0.8% and 0.9%; for the high control within‐run and between‐run CVs were 1% and 0.96%, respectively. HPLC method for the low control had within‐run CV 1% and between‐run CV 1.3%; for the high control within‐run CV was 0.6% and between‐run CV was 0.9%.

Conclusion

There was a good concordance between the results of TINIA and HPLC methods (y = 1.091x – 0.363; r2 = 0.96).
Simultaneous Determination of the Combined Drugs of Ceftriaxone Sodium, Metronidazole, and Levofloxacin in Human Urine by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Sun Hanwen , Wang Hongliu , Ge Xusheng
Published: November 2012

Aim

To develop a new high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of the combined drugs (ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin) in human urine.

Methods

Ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were separated on a Kromasil 100–5 C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm, AKZO NOBEL, Bohus, Sweden) analytical column, using the mobile phase consisted of 1.5 mM KH2PO4 (pH 4.5) with 0.0125% triethylamine–methnol (70:30, v/v). Ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were detected by a photodiode‐array detector at 247, 320, 292 nm, respectively.

Results

Under optimal conditions, the effective separation of ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin was achieved. A good linearity with the correlation coefficients more than 0.999 was demonstrated. The detection limits of ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively, and the average recoveries in human urine were in the range from 97.73 to 100.7% with the average relative standard deviation (RSD) in the range of 2.5% and 3.0%.

Conclusion

The proposed method was sensitive, accurate, and rapid. This work may provide a reference for clinical rational drug use and methodology for the pharmacokinetics study of the combined drugs.
Red Cell Distribution Width Can Predict Intestinal Atrophy in Selected Patients With Celiac Disease
Authors: Harmanci Ozgur , Kav Taylan , Sivri Bulent
Published: November 2012

Background

Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown as a distinctive marker of mortality and morbidity in a wide spectrum of conditions related to systemic inflammation or deficiency of antioxidant nutrients.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the predictive value of RDW in detection of intestinal atrophy in celiac disease (CD).

Methods

Iron indices and RDW were studied in 49 patients with CD to evaluate the utilization of RDW as a predictive marker for presence of intestinal atrophy.

Results

Sixty‐nine percent of patients had iron deficiency at initial presentation and 89% had abnormal RDW defined as >14. Receiver operating characteristics curves of RDW has been found to be a predictive of intestinal atrophy at levels higher than 17.25 (68% sensitivity and 85% specificity). In patients with transglutaminase antibody IgA titers >200 U/l, RDW level >17.75 showed 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity for intestinal atrophy.

Conclusions

We suggest that RDW can be used as a surrogate marker of atrophy in patients with iron deficiency and suspected CD. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of RDW increases when used in combination with high levels of transglutaminase IgA antibody.
Enhancing microscopy images of minerals through morphological center operator‐based feature extraction
Authors: Bai Xiangzhi
Published: November 2012

To well enhance the mineral image and image details obtained by microscopes, an effective mineral image enhancement algorithm through feature extraction using the morphological center operator is proposed in this work. First, mineral image feature extraction based on the morphological center operator is proposed and discussed. Second, the multiscale extension of the mineral image feature extraction is given by using the multiscale structuring elements. Third, the important mineral image features at multiscales of image are extracted and used to construct the final mineral features for mineral image enhancement. Finally, the original mineral image is well enhanced through importing the extracted final mineral image features into the original mineral image. Experimental results on different types of microscopy images of minerals verified the effective performance of the proposed algorithm for microscopy mineral image enhancement. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast drum strokes: Novel and convergent features of sonic muscle ultrastructure, innervation, and motor neuron organization in the pyramid butterflyfish (hemitaurichthys polylepis)
Authors: Boyle Kelly S. , Dewan Adam K. , Tricas Timothy C.
Published: November 2012

Sound production that is mediated by intrinsic or extrinsic swim bladder musculature has evolved multiple times in teleost fishes. Sonic muscles must contract rapidly and synchronously to compress the gas‐filled bladder with sufficient velocity to produce sound. Muscle modifications that may promote rapid contraction include small fiber diameter, elaborate sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), triads at the A–I boundary, and cores of sarcoplasm. The diversity of innervation patterns indicate that sonic muscles have independently evolved from different trunk muscle precursors. The analysis of sonic motor pathways in distantly related fishes is required to determine the relationships between sonic muscle evolution and function in acoustic signaling. We examined the ultrastructure of sonic and adjacent hypaxial muscle fibers and the distribution of sonic motor neurons in the coral reef Pyramid Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae: Hemitaurichthys polylepis) that produces sound by contraction of extrinsic sonic muscles near the anterior swim bladder. Relative to adjacent hypaxial fibers, sonic muscle fibers were sparsely arranged among the endomysium, smaller in cross‐section, had longer sarcomeres, a more elaborate SR, wider t‐tubules, and more radially arranged myofibrils. Both sonic and non‐sonic muscle fibers possessed triads at the Z‐line, lacked sarcoplasmic cores, and had mitochondria among the myofibrils and concentrated within the peripheral sarcoplasm. Sonic muscles of this derived eutelost possess features convergent with other distant vocal taxa (other euteleosts and non‐euteleosts): small fiber diameter, a well‐developed SR, and radial myofibrils. In contrast with some sonic fishes, however, Pyramid Butterflyfish sonic muscles lack sarcoplasmic cores and A–I triads. Retrograde nerve label experiments show that sonic muscle is innervated by central and ventrolateral motor neurons associated with spinal nerves 1–3. This restricted distribution of sonic motor neurons in the spinal cord differs from many euteleosts and likely reflects the embryological origin of sonic muscles from hypaxial trunk precursors rather than occipital somites. J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructure of the male chelicerae of hattena cometis domrow (Acari: Gamasida: Ameroseiidae) functioning as gonopods
Authors: Palma Antonella Di , Seeman Owen , Alberti Gerd
Published: November 2012

The ultrastructure and functional adaptations of male chelicerae in Hattena cometis Domrow are discussed. In particular, as in many other gamasid mites, males of Hattena use the chelicerae, modified as gonopods, to transfer the sperm into the female. For such purpose, a slender process extending from the movable digit, the spermatodactyl, is mainly involved. The spermatodactyl is provided with a sperm transfer duct; in H.cometis, the dorsal surface bent and fused with the ventral surface forms this duct so that the spermatodactyl appears as a cuticular process, connected somehow with the movable digit, and folded on itself to delimit the sperm transfer tube. The organization and ultrastructure of the spermatodactyl are discussed and compared with other gamasid mites studied so far. J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Replacing inorganic fertilizer with anaerobic digestate may maintain agricultural productivity at less environmental cost
Authors: Walsh John J. , Jones Davey L. , Edwards‐Jones Gareth , Williams A. Prysor
Published: November 2012

We applied digestate generated from the anaerobic digestion of slurry, undigested slurry, or inorganic N (ammonium nitrate) or NPK compound fertilizer to pots of grass and a grass–clover mix grown in two soils. Crop yields were equal or enhanced with digestate, and analysis of soil water showed that there was less potential for loss of nutrients via leaching. Replacing inorganic fertilizer with digestate may therefore maintain grassland productivity but with less impact on the environment.
Evaluation of the intervention of a folding screen belonging to the Momoyama period by Raman spectroscopy using different wavelengths
Authors: Pessanha Sofia , Le Gac Agnès , Madeira Teresa Isabel , Bruneel Jean‐Luc , Longelin Stéphane , Carvalho Maria Luisa
Published: November 2012

Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (Oporto) owns a pair of Japanese folding screens belonging to the early 17th century – Namban genre. As the pieces manifested structural conservation issues, they were subjected to an intervention between 2000 and 2002 in the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo. According to the restoration report, an unknown substance had been applied to the overall surface, adding a glossy finish, as well as some colors inconsistent with the original painting. These materials seem to correspond to a restoration work conducted in the Western countries, but this intervention does not appear neither in the museum records nor in other historical sources.

The aim of this work is to determine the materials used in this restoration work of which very little is known and to understand why these new materials appear in a worse condition of preservation than some of the original ones. Preliminary, in situ , Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence analyses were performed, and right from the beginning, elements such as Cr, Ba, and Co appear in the spectra of orange, yellow, brown, and blue areas, accusing the anachronism of the used materials. Nineteen microsamples were collected to be analyzed with two different confocal Raman equipments using 514, 532, 638, and 785‐nm laser sources. Interesting results were obtained for the blue decoration of one of the houses: whereas the energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrum showed the odd combination of Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn, the Raman spectra indicated mostly the use of Phthalocyanine blue. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐genera transferable e‐microsatellite markers for 12 genera of the Lamiaceae family
Authors: Karaca Mehmet , Ince Ayse Gul , Aydin Adnan , Ay Saadet T
Published: November 2012

Background

The Lamiaceae family contains many high‐valued medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plant species. Several members of the genera in this family are under heavy pressure of collection for commercial use. DNA markers such as microsatellites could be used to identify commercially important genotypes and to select high‐yielding ones for development of new varieties.

Results

A total of 12 432 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Salvia fruticosa, S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea and Stenogyne rugosa were analyzed. A total of 6216 ESTs were found to be unique according the redundancy test used. Results of this study indicated that the use of redundant ESTs in comparison to non‐redundant ESTs was advantageous in terms of higher cross‐genera transferability of the markers. A total of 75 EST–microsatellite primer pairs were tested using two different polymerase chain reaction amplification profiles and 52 were found to be cross‐genera transferable. Cross‐genera transferability of the e‐microsatellite primer pairs varied from one species to 12 species tested. It was noted that cross‐genera transferability of e‐microsatellite primer pairs decreased as the evolutionary distance between the sources and target species increased.

Conclusion

This study indicated that EST resources from Salvia spp. and Stenogyne rugosa could be successfully used to identify cross‐genera transferable e‐microsatellite markers for uncharacterized genomes of the genera in the Lamiaceae family. These e‐microsatellite markers could allow one to perform comparative analyses of population structure and genomic studies, and facilitate comparative linkage mapping in the genera studied. E‐microsatellite primer pairs reported in this manuscript are equivalent to a total of 135 e‐microsatellite primer pairs since many e‐microsatellite primer pairs show cross‐genera transferability. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
A new Maxwellian view display for trouble‐free accommodation
Authors: Yuuki Akimasa , Itoga Kenji , Satake Tetsuya
Published: November 2012

We studied a new display system that realizes a Maxwellian view. The system is composed of a base display and a fly‐eye lens with micro‐pinholes. This forms ray intersecting points of diameter of 0.8 mm at a viewing distance of 280 mm. It was confirmed that the new display system can extend the depth of field of the human eye system, where the observer sets the ray intersecting point at his pupil.
Head injury and Parkinson's disease: A population‐based study
Authors: Fang Fang , Chen Honglei , Feldman Adina L. , Kamel Freya , Ye Weimin , Wirdefeldt Karin
Published: November 2012

Background:

The epidemiological evidence on head injury and the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been inconsistent.

Methods:

We examined the relation between previous hospitalization for head injury and PD using a population‐based nested case‐control design based on the Swedish National Patient Register from 2001 until 2007, including 18,648 PD cases and 93,240 controls, randomly selected from the general population. Exposure was defined as hospitalization for head injury between 1987 and index date.

Results:

Overall, previous hospitalization resulting from head injury was associated with an increased risk of PD; this association appeared to be largely explained by head injuries experienced recently, especially within 1 year before PD ascertainment.

Conclusions:

Our results do not provide convincing evidence for a causal relationship between head injury later in life and PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
An electromyographic study of parkinsonian swallowing and its response to levodopa
Authors: Tawadros Paul B. , Cordato Dennis , Cathers Ian , Burne John A.
Published: November 2012

Background:

Few studies have investigated the effect of levodopa on parkinsonian swallowing with findings thus far being equivocal.

Methods:

We used surface electromyography and accelerometry to investigate submental and laryngeal muscle activation during swallowing in 14 parkinsonian subjects before and after levodopa and in 22 age‐matched controls. Our aims were (1) to demonstrate the clinical utility of noninvasive electromyography, (2) to identify electromyographic features of parkinsonian swallowing, and (3) to investigate the effect of levodopa on parkinsonian swallowing.

Results:

The parkinsonian group showed increased burst amplitudes and durations and increased swallow duration, clearing activity and latency between submental and laryngeal bursts (P < .05) and used more swallows than did controls to consume water boluses (P < .001). Levodopa decreased the latency between submental and laryngeal bursts (P < .05) but did not produce effects on individual muscle bursts.

Conclusions:

The clinical utility of electrophysiological and biomechanical methods of swallowing assessment was demonstrated. Levodopa tended to normalize the timing of the combined swallow response but not the activity of individual muscles. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Effect of the phytotherapeutic agent eviprostat on the bladder in a rat model of bladder overdistension/emptying
Authors: Kawai Yuko , Oka Michiko , Kyotani Junko , Oyama Tatsuya , Matsumoto Seiji , Kakizaki Hidehiro
Published: November 2012

Aims

Ischemia–reperfusion injury is an important factor in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that is partly mediated by the generation of free radicals. We investigate the effect of the phytotherapeutic agent Eviprostat, a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity, on urinary bladder blood flow (BBF), and function in a rat model of bladder overdistension and emptying (OE).

Methods

For 8 days before surgery, OE rats received daily oral Eviprostat (36 mg/kg/day) or vehicle, while sham‐operated animals received vehicle. The bladder was distended by infusion of saline over a period of 2 hr (overdistension) and then emptied. After 24 hr, BBF was measured with a laser speckle blood flow imager. The oxidative‐stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), proinflammatory cytokines, and myeloperoxidase were determined in the isolated bladder, and histological analysis was performed. Functional contractile responses of bladder strips to electrical field stimulation, carbachol, and KCl were measured.

Results

Twenty‐four hours after bladder OE, a significant decrease in BBF and significant increases in bladder weight, malondialdehyde, proinflammatory cytokines, and myeloperoxidase were observed. Eviprostat almost completely prevented these changes. Histological analysis of the bladder of OE rats showed hemorrhage, accumulation of leukocytes, desquamation of epithelium, and edema, and Eviprostat suppressed these changes. The reduction in functional contractile forces in the bladder of OE rats was also prevented by Eviprostat.

Conclusion

Eviprostat‐mediated suppression of increased bladder oxidative stress and inflammation caused by bladder OE may contribute to the improvement of BBF and bladder function by Eviprostat. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 1031–1037, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM IN POST‐CONFLICT SOCIETIES: LESSONS FROM ACEH, INDONESIA
Authors: Hillman Ben
Published: November 2012

Post‐conflict reconstruction programs increasingly include components designed to strengthen the performance of the public service and to support public sector reform. Although there is a growing body of literature on the relationship between public administration, and peace and development, there have been few case studies of donor efforts to strengthen public administration as part of post‐conflict reconstruction. This study examines efforts to strengthen the civil service in Aceh, Indonesia, following the province's first post‐conflict elections in 2006. It examines the impact of a donor‐funded program designed to assist Aceh's first post‐conflict administration (2007–2012) to reform its personnel management practices. The case study sheds light on weaknesses in current donor approaches to public administration reform in post‐conflict situations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low uptake of the combined test in the Netherlands – which factors contribute?
Authors: Bakker Merel , Birnie Erwin , Pajkrt Eva , Bilardo Caterina Maddalena , Snijders Rosalinde Johanna Maria
Published: November 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate which of the following factors affect the uptake of the combined test (CT) in the Netherlands: women's socio‐demographic background, attitude towards Down syndrome, attitude towards termination of pregnancy, counseling process, reimbursement policy, and knowledge on the aim of the CT.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey in the Northwest (NW) and the Northeast (NE) region of the Netherlands.

Results

Analyses were based on 820 questionnaires (73% response rate). Women from the NW region opted more often for the CT than women from the NE region (52.1% and 16.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). Women of 36 years and older opted more often for the CT than younger women (59.4% and 28.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Women's socio‐demographic background and their attitude towards Down syndrome and termination of pregnancy (TOP) had contributed independently on CT choice.

Conclusion

The uptake of the CT in this study is low. The main reason for the low uptake is the relatively positive attitude towards Down syndrome and a negative attitude towards TOP. Moreover, the perception of maternal age as strong predictor of Down syndrome risk and the inequality of access to care, due to the financial threshold for younger women, are likely to affect participation in screening. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.