bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio
Authors: Lord Linda K.
Published: April 2008

Objective—To characterize attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population—Households in Ohio.

Procedures—A random-digit–dial telephone survey was performed, and 1,250 households were contacted.

Results—703 of the 1,250 (56.2%) households completed interviews. Five hundred fifty-three (78.7%) participants reported seeing free-roaming cats at least occasionally, and 184 (26.2%) reported having fed free-roaming cats during the previous year. However, only 42 (22.8%) participants who fed free-roaming cats had ever taken one to a veterinarian, and 43 (23.4%) participants who fed free-roaming cats reported that at least one of the free-roaming cats had produced a litter in the preceding year. Differences existed between cat owners and other participants and among urban, suburban, and rural residents in regard to their attitudes toward free-roaming cats and the need for government regulations.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that free-roaming cats were common in Ohio, but that attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats differed between cat owners and other participants and among participants grouped on the basis of residential area. Thus, developing statewide approaches for regulating free-roaming cats may be challenging or unrealistic.
Goitrous hypothyroidism associated with treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in a young dog
Authors: Seelig Davis M. , Whittemore Jacqueline C. , Lappin Michael R. , Myers Alan M. , Avery Paul R.
Published: April 2008

Case Description—A 16-week-old female Boxer that had been treated for 5 weeks with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol because of aspiration pneumonia was evaluated for bilaterally symmetric masses in the subcutaneous tissues of the ventral neck, in the region of the larynx.

Clinical Findings—Fine-needle aspirates were obtained from the neck masses; cytologic examination revealed well-differentiated thyroid epithelial tissue. A blood sample was collected for serum biochemical and thyroid function analyses. Mild hyperphosphatemia, severe hypercholesterolemia, mild hyperkalemia, and a mild increase in creatine kinase activity were identified. Serum concentration of total thyroxine was less than the lower reference limit, and that of thyroid-stimulating hormone was greater than the upper reference limit. Findings were consistent with a diagnosis of clinical hypothyroidism in a skeletally immature dog.

Treatment and Outcome—Treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was discontinued. The dog was reevaluated 3 weeks later, at which time the neck masses were markedly decreased in size. Serum concentrations of cholesterol and potassium were lower; serum concentrations of total thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were near or within respective reference ranges. Age-appropriate increases in serum phosphorus concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were also detected.

Clinical Relevance—To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of antimicrobial-induced goiter in a dog. Cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates and interpretation of data from serum biochemical and thyroid function analyses were needed to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Practitioners should include goiter among the differential diagnoses for ventral neck swellings in young dogs receiving potentiated sulfonamide antimicrobials.
Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984–2005)
Authors: Zitz Julia C. , Birchard Stephen J. , Couto Guillermo C. , Samii Valerie F. , Weisbrode Steven E. , Young Gregory S.
Published: April 2008

Objective—To provide long-term follow-up information for a series of dogs and cats with invasive and noninvasive thymomas treated by excision alone.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—9 cats and 11 dogs with thymoma.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed. The following factors were analyzed for their effect on prognosis: age of dog or cat, invasiveness of the tumor, percentage of lymphocytes in the mass (percentage lymphocyte composition) on histologic evaluation, and mitotic index of the mass.

Results—All patients were treated with excision of the tumor alone. Median overall survival time for the cats was 1,825 days, with a 1-year survival rate of 89% and a 3-year survival rate of 74%. Median overall survival time for the dogs was 790 days, with a 1-year survival rate of 64% and a 3-year survival rate of 42%. Recurrence of thymoma was observed in 2 cats and 1 dog, and a second surgery was performed in each, with subsequent survival times of 5, 3, and 4 years following the first surgery. Percentage lymphocyte composition of the mass was the only factor that was significantly correlated with survival time; animals with a high percentage of lymphocytes lived longer.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study indicated that most cats and dogs with thymomas did well after excision. Even cats and dogs with invasive masses that survived the surgery and the few cats and dogs with recurrent thymomas or paraneoplastic syndromes had a good long-term outcome. Excision should be considered an effective treatment option for dogs and cats with thymomas.
Effect of stress on the creep deformation of ASME Grade P92/T92 steels
Authors: Kimura Kazuhiro , Sawada Kota , Kushima Hideaki , Kubo Kiyoshi
Published: April 2008

The stress versus strain curve of ASME Grade P92/T92 steels was analysed and the stress dependence of the creep deformation behavior was investigated. Good correspondence between 50% of 0.2% offset yield stress and a proportional limit was observed over a range of temperatures from 550 to 700°C. Stress dependence of the minimum creep rate was divided into two groups of high and low stress regimes with a boundary condition of 0% offset yield stress. Creep deformation in the low stress regime was considered to be controlled by dislocation climb. Large stress dependence of the minimum creep rate in the high stress regime was equivalent to the strain rate dependence of flow stress observed in the tensile test. Creep strength in the high stress regime is assumed to be influenced by plastic deformation, and should be excluded for a long-term creep strength evaluation.
Joining strategies for open-porous metallic foams
Authors: Dilthey Ulrich , Harms Alexander , Longerich Stefan
Published: April 2008

Within the Collaborative Research Centre 561 “Thermally highly loaded, porous and cooled multilayer systems for combined cycle power plants” open porous and high-temperature stable Ni-based structures are being developed for the requirements of effusion cooling. A two-dimensional cooling strategy for the walls of combustion chambers, that allows the outflow of the cooling medium over the complete wall area of the combustion chamber, could be realised by an open porous metallic foam structure. The open porous metallic foam is produced by the “Slip Reaction Foam Sintering” process, a powder metallurgical process. For joining several foams to assemble structural elements laser beam welding and capacitor discharge welding have been used. Different joining strategies have been examined for both processes to find out the most suitable method for joining these foams. In this paper the process setups, settings of the different strategies and results of trials (seam geometry and strength tests) are discussed. The need for graded structures to combine the essential permeability and adequate weldability is also shown.
Spheres of Microporous Titanosilicate Umbite with Hierarchical Pore Systems
Authors: Sebastián Víctor , Díaz Isabel , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín , Santamaría Jesús
Published: April 2008

Micrometric polycrystalline spheres of up to 1 mm diameter of microporous titanosilicate K2TiSi3O9·H2O with umbite structure have been prepared without the use of organic structuring agents. These spheres are organized as micro/macroporous hierarchical materials with macropores in the 0.2–1.4 µm range of average size, showing that intraparticular resistance to water transport is not limiting. Also, similar ion exchange performance can be observed in the Ti‐umbite spheres and in the single crystals obtained under the same synthesis conditions.
Gold‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,5‐Dihydrofurans in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Aksιn Özge , Krause Norbert
Published: April 2008

Nine α‐hydroxyallenes 1/3 were cyclized to the corresponding 2,5‐dihydrofurans 2/4 with complete axis‐to‐center chirality transfer in the presence of 1 mol% of AuBr3 using [BMIM] [PF6] as solvent at room temperature. The gold catalyst/ionic liquid system is air‐stable and recyclable. The leaching of the gold catalyst upon extraction of the product is extremely low (0.03% after five runs).
Refined electrolyte‐NRTL model: Activity coefficient expressions for application to multi‐electrolyte systems
Authors: Bollas G. M. , Chen C. C. , Barton P. I.
Published: April 2008

The influence of simplifying assumptions of the electrolyte‐nonrandom two‐liquid (NRTL) model in the derivation of activity coefficient expressions as applied to multi‐electrolyte systems is critically examined. A rigorous and thermodynamically consistent formulation for the activity coefficients is developed, in which the simplifying assumption of holding ionic‐charge fraction quantities constant in the derivation of activity coefficient expressions is removed. The refined activity coefficient formulation possesses stronger theoretical properties and practical superiority that is demonstrated through a case study representing the thermodynamic properties and speciation of dilute to concentrated aqueous sulfuric acid solutions at ambient conditions. In this case study phenomena, such as hydration, ion pairing, and partial dissociation are all taken into account. The overall result of this study is a consistent, analytically derived, short‐range interaction contribution formulation for the electrolyte‐NRTL activity coefficients and a very accurate representation of aqueous sulfuric acid solutions at ambient conditions at concentrations up to 50 molal. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Partial Xp11.23–p11.4 duplication with random X inactivation: Clinical report and molecular cytogenetic characterization
Authors: Monnot Sophie , Giuliano Fabienne , Massol Christophe , Fossoud Catherine , Cossée Mireille , Lambert Jean‐Claude , Karmous‐Benailly Houda
Published: April 2008

Partial duplications of the short arm of the X chromosome are relatively rare and have been described in males and females. We describe a $4{\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle {10}$}\kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em\lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle {12}$}}$‐year‐old girl presenting with developmental delay, severe language retardation and minor anomalies with slightly elevated head circumference (+1.8 SD), prominent forehead, wide palpebral fissures and anteverted nares. No pigmentary dysplasia of the skin was present. The external genitalia were normal. The karyotype completed by cytogenetic analysis with the Whole Chromosome Painting probe of chromosome X revealed a de novo partial duplication of the short arm of an X chromosome. In order to further characterize the duplicated segment, we used a series of BAC probes extending from band Xp11.22 to Xp22.1. BACs from Xp11.23 to Xp11.4 were duplicated. The karyotype was finally defined as 46,X,dup(X)(p11p11).ish dup(X)(p11.23p11.4)(WCPX+,RP11‐416I6++,RP11‐386N14++,RP11‐466C12++). The X‐inactivation status was studied using the human androgen receptor (HUMARA) and the FRAXA locus methylation assay. Unexpectedly, the two X chromosomes were found to be randomly inactivated, in the proband. Indeed, usually, in women with structurally abnormal X chromosome, the abnormal X chromosome is preferentially inactivated and those patients share an apparent normal phenotype. So, we speculate that in the present case, the phenotype of the patient could be explained by a functional disomy of the genes present in the duplicated region. We will discuss the possible implication of these genes on the observed phenotype. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delineation of a critical region on chromosome 18 for the del(18)(q12.2q21.1) syndrome
Authors: Buysse Karen , Menten Björn , Oostra Ann , Tavernier Sylvie , Mortier Geert R. , Speleman Frank
Published: April 2008

Deletions involving the long arm of chromosome 18 have been reported in many patients. Most of these deletions are localized in the distal half of the long arm (18q21.1 → qter) and are detectable by standard cytogenetic analysis. However, smaller interstitial deletions leading to a recognizable phenotype and residing in the region around chromosome band 18q12.3 (bands q12–q21) are less common. Here we report on an interstitial deletion of less than 1.8 Mb within chromosomal band 18q12.3. The phenotypic features of the propositus correspond well with those observed in patients with larger cytogenetically detectable deletions encompassing chromosome band 18q12.3. The deletion enabled us to define a critical region for the following features of the del(18)(q12.2q21.1) syndrome: hypotonia, expressive language delay, short stature, and behavioral problems. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low‐level mosaicism of trisomy 14: Phenotypic and molecular characterization
Authors: Shinawi Marwan , Shao Lina , Jeng Linda Jo Bone , Shaw Chad A. , Patel Ankita , Bacino Carlos , Sutton Vernon R. , Belmont John , Cheung Sau Wai
Published: April 2008

Trisomy 14 mosaicism is a rare cytogenetic abnormality with a defined and recognizable clinical phenotype. We present a detailed clinical history and physical findings of five patients with low‐level mosaicism of trisomy 14 detected by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) analysis or by routine chromosome analysis. These patients exhibited growth and developmental delays with variable severity, congenital anomalies, pigmentary skin lesions, and dysmorphic features. The phenotype of our patients was compared with previously described cases. This report suggests that trisomy 14 mosaicism may be more common than has been previously appreciated and also illustrates the important application of array‐CGH to detect low‐level mosaic chromosome abnormalities. We predict that a wider application of the array‐CGH technology will significantly increase the detection rate of low‐level mosaicism and will subsequently improve our ability to provide a diagnosis for patients with dysmorphic features, congenital anomalies, and developmental delay. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intensive cardiac management in patients with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18
Authors: Kaneko Yukihiro , Kobayashi Jotaro , Yamamoto Yusuke , Yoda Hitoshi , Kanetaka Yuki , Nakajima Yayohi , Endo Daiichi , Tsuchiya Keiji , Sato Hajime , Kawakami Tadashi
Published: April 2008

Intensive cardiac management such as pharmacological intervention for ductal patency (indomethacin and/or mefenamic acid for closure and prostaglandin E1 for maintenance) and palliative or corrective surgery is a standard treatment for congenital heart defects. However, whether it would be a treatment option for children with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 syndrome is controversial because the efficacy on survival in patients with these trisomies has not been evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed 31 consecutive neonates with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 admitted to our neonatal ward within 6 hr of birth between 2000 and 2005. The institutional management policies differed during three distinct periods. In the first period, both pharmacological ductal intervention and cardiac surgery were withheld. In the second, pharmacological ductal intervention was offered as an option, but cardiac surgery was withheld. Both strategies were available during the third period. The median survival times of 13, 9, and 9 neonates from the first, second, and third periods were 7, 24, and 243 days, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that the patients in the third period survived significantly longer than the others. Intensive cardiac management consisting of pharmacological intervention for ductal patency and cardiac surgery was demonstrated to improve survival in patients with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 in this series. Therefore, we suggest that this approach is a treatment option for cardiac lesions associated with these trisomies. These data are helpful for clinicians and families to consider in the optimal treatment of patients with these trisomies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The genetics of obsessive compulsive disorder: A review of the evidence
Authors: Pauls David L.
Published: April 2008

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric disorder that can have disabling effects on both adults and children. Twin, family, segregation, and linkage studies have demonstrated that OCD is familial, that the familiality is due in part to genetic factors and there are regions of the genome which very likely harbor susceptibility loci for OCD. Over 60 candidate gene studies have been conducted. Most studies have focused on genes in the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways. Unfortunately, none have achieved genome‐wide significance and with the exception of the glutamate transporter gene, none have been reliably replicated. Future research will requite much larger samples and the collaboration of researchers to be able to identify susceptibility loci for OCD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alzheimer and frontotemporal pathology in subsets of primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Mesulam Marsel , Wicklund Alissa , Johnson Nancy , Rogalski Emily , Léger Gabriel C. , Rademaker Alfred , Weintraub Sandra , Bigio Eileen H.
Published: April 2008

Objective

To identify predictors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) versus frontotemporal lobar degeneration pathology in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and determine whether the AD pathology is atypically distributed to fit the aphasic phenotype.

Methods

Neuropsychological and neuropathological analyses of 23 consecutive PPA autopsies. All had qualitative determination of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) density. Additional quantitation was done in four of the PPA/AD cases and four AD cases with the typical amnestic dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Results

The sample contained mostly logopenic, agrammatic, and mixed forms of PPA. All six agrammatics had frontotemporal lobar degeneration (five of six with tauopathy). Seven of the 11 logopenics had AD. In logopenics, lower memory scores increased the probability of AD, but there were exceptions. The PPA/AD group showed predominance of entorhinal NFT typical of the amnestic dementia of the Alzheimer type. In the small subgroup examined quantitatively, neocortical NFTs were more numerous in the left hemisphere of PPA/AD. However, the asymmetry was low and inconsistent. Neuritic plaques did not display consistent asymmetry. Apolipoprotein E4, a major risk factor for typical AD, did not predict AD pathology in PPA.

Interpretation

Subtyping PPA helps to predict AD versus frontotemporal lobar degeneration pathology at the group level. However, our results and the literature also indicate that no clinical predictor is completely reliable in individual patients. The inconsistent concordance of NFT distribution with the asymmetric atrophy and the nonamnestic phenotype also raises the possibility that the AD markers encountered at autopsy in PPA may not always reflect the nature of the initiating neurodegenerative process. Ann Neurol 2008
Short‐chain ester synthesis by transesterification employing poly (MAc‐co‐DMA‐cl‐MBAm) hydrogel‐bound lipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC‐6375
Authors: Kanwar Shamsher Singh , Sharma Chanderkant , Verma Madan Lal , Chauhan Sandeep , Chimni Swapandeep Singh , Chauhan Ghansham Singh
Published: April 2008

Lipases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) have been extensively used to achieve various esterification reactions in water‐restricted or water‐free media. In the present study a purified thermotolerant alkalophilic extracellular lipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC‐6375 has been efficiently immobilized onto a synthetic poly (MAc‐co‐DMA‐cl‐MBAm) hydrogel by surface absorption, and the bound lipase was used to perform short‐chain fatty acid ester synthesis in n‐alkane(s). The hydrogel bound lipase resulted in approximately 67 mM of isoamyl acetate at 55°C in n‐heptane under shaking in 15 h when vinyl acetate:isoamyl alcohol was used in a ratio of 100 mM:100 mM. Addition of a molecular sieve (3 Å × 1.5 mm) to the reaction system at a concentration of 25–500 mg per reaction volume had deleterious effect on the conversion of reactants to isoamyl acetate (64 mM). During the repetitive esterification under optimal conditions, the hydrogel bound lipase produced 31.3 mM of ester after fourth cycle of reuse. Use of methanol and 2‐propanol (instead of isoamyl alcohol) resulted in 78.2 and 64.9 mM of methyl acetate and 2‐propyl acetate, respectively, under the optimized conditions in n‐heptane © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of blend composition and dynamic vulcanization on the morphology and dynamic viscoelastic properties of PP/EPDM blends
Authors: Prut E.V. , Erina N.A. , Karger‐Kocsis J. , Medintseva T.I.
Published: April 2008

The morphology and dynamic viscoelastic properties of isotactic polypropylene (PP) blended with oil‐free/oil‐extended ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM) rubbers were studied. Unvulcanized and dynamically vulcanized blends with the compositions PP/EPDM = 50/50 and = 30/70 were investigated. The morphology was observed by phase contrasted atomic force microscopy. The dynamic viscoelastic properties were determined with a rheometer of plate–plate configuration. It was shown that the rheological behavior was strongly affected by both the composition and the morphology of the blends. Significant improvement in the flowability of the dynamically vulcanized blends was observed when oil‐extended EPDM was used instead of the oil‐free version. It was demonstrated that the rheological properties are mostly controlled by the elastomer phase at low frequencies, while in the high‐frequency range the influence of PP becomes dominant. The peculiarities in the rheological behavior of the thermoplastic elastomers (uncured blends, TPE) and thermoplastic dynamic vulcanizates (TPV, dynamically cured blends) containing oil‐extended EPDMs were traced to a limited compatibility between the PP and EPDM components in the melt. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation of highly crosslinked monodisperse poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) microspheres by two‐stage dispersion polymerization
Authors: Cao Moli , Tong Bin , Shen Jinbo , Dong Yuping , Zhi Junge
Published: April 2008

Monodisperse poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) microspheres crosslinked with different concentrations of divinylbenzene were synthesized by two‐stage dispersion polymerization in ethanol dispersion medium with poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) as a stabilizer and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as a radical initiator. The microsphere size, size distribution, surface morphology, and structure were characterized by a particle analyzer, a scanning microscope and IR spectroscopy. The effect of the adding time, the adding rate, and the concentration of crosslinker on the size, size distribution, and shape of the resulting particles were also investigated. Highly crosslinked monodisperse microspheres with diameters from 2 to 4 μm were obtained. The SEM characterization showed that the resulting microspheres had spherical shapes with smooth surfaces. The obtained microspheres have good resistance to solvent whether at ambient or heating temperatures and are thermally stable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Studies on new type of phenolic resin—Curing reaction of bisphenol‐A‐based benzoxazine with epoxy resin using latent curing agent and the properties of the cured resin
Authors: Kimura Hajime , Matsumoto Akihiro , Ohtsuka Keiko
Published: April 2008

Curing reaction of bisphenol‐A‐based benzoxazine (Ba) with epoxy resin (Ep) using latent curing agent, and the properties of the cured resin were investigated. Consequently, by using latent curing agent, the ring opening reaction of benzoxazine ring occurred more rapidly, and then also the phenolic hydoroxyl group generated by the ring opening reaction of benzoxazine ring reacted with epoxy ring more rapidly. And it was found that the cure time of the molten resins from Ba and Ep with latent curing agent could be reduced and also the cure temperature could be lowered, compared with those from Ba and Ep without latent curing agent. The melt viscosity of the molten resins from Ba and Ep with latent curing agent was kept about 50 [Pa s] at 100°C even after 30 min, the molten resins from Ba and Ep with latent curing agent showed good thermal stability below 100°C. However, above 170°C the curing reaction of Ba with Ep with latent curing agent proceeded rapidly. The cured resin from Ba and Ep with latent curing agent showed good heat resistance, flame resistance, mechanical properties, and electrical insulation, compared with the cured resin from Ba and Ep without latent curing agent. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Exploratory study on seaweed as novel filler in polypropylene composite
Authors: Hassan M. Masudul , Mueller Marco , Wagners Manfred H.
Published: April 2008

Seaweed (SW) is employed as filler to prepare composites on the basis of a polypropylene (PP) matrix in the ratio of 10 : 90, 20 : 80, 30 : 70, 40 : 60, and 50 : 50 (wt % SW : wt % PP) by compounding and injection molding. The tensile, bending and impact properties of the composites were investigated. The 30% SW : 70% PP composite showed the best over‐all mechanical performance of the composites prepared. Further improvement of this optimal composite was achieved by incorporating 2% thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) as additive. Interfacial adhesion and bonding between the fibers and PP matrix were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Water absorption tests of the different composites were also performed, and addition of TPE was found to lead to a substantial reduction of water uptake. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Microstructure and thermal properties of silyl‐terminated polycaprolactone–polysiloxane modified epoxy resin composites
Authors: Liu Pinggui , He Lihua , Song Jiangxuan , Liang Xingquan , Ding Heyan
Published: April 2008

With a direct nucleophilic addition between OH groups of polydiol and NCO of a silane, a blend of silyl‐terminated polycaprolactone PCL‐Si and silyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane PDMS‐Si oligomer, PCS‐2Si, were firstly prepared, and then blended with a commercial epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A, DGEBA) to form a ternary composite. The formed ternary composites of different content of DGEBA were cured using a polyamidoamine as a curing agent and a sol–gel process at ambient temperature. The microstructures and properties of the cured composites were investigated by SEM, TGA, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results showed the compatibility between DGEBA and PDMS increased with increasing content of PCS‐2Si, but higher content of PCS‐2Si resulted in a slight enrichment of silicon in the surface of the cured film. TGA showed that incorporating PCS‐2Si into epoxy resin altered the composites' thermal stability and degradation characteristics. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Carbon–Nitrogen Bond‐Forming Reactions of Dialkyl Azodicarboxylate: A Promising Synthetic Strategy
Authors: Nair Vijay , Biju A. T. , Mathew Smitha C. , Babu Beneesh Pattoorpadi
Published: April 2008

Azodicarboxylates have found applications in electrophilic amination reactions and in pericyclic reactions. The nucleophilic trigger in Mitsunobu reactions, that is, the zwitterion formed from triphenylphosphine and dialkyl azodicarboxylate, has been utilized recently in various heterocyclic constructions. This Focus Review summarizes the potential utility of azodicarboxylates in various carbon–nitrogen bond‐forming reactions.
Schlagregensicherheit von Steildachkonstruktionen – europäische und nationale Bewertungsverfahren für den Regeneintrag in gedeckte Dächer und die Schlagregensicherheit von Unterdeck‐ und Unterspannbahnen
Authors: Fechner Otto , Vogdt Frank U.
Published: April 2008

Schlagregensicherheit ist die Eigenschaft eines Außenbauteils, bei vorgegebener Windstärke, Regenmenge und Beanspruchungsdauer Schutz gegen das Eindringen von Wasser in das Innere des Bauteils bzw. des Gebäudes zu bieten. Auf Grundlage von genormten Prüfungen werden bereits Bauteile wie Fenster, Außentüren und Tore im Hinblick auf die Schlagregensicherheit beurteilt und klassifiziert. Dagegen sind bislang keine Prüfmethoden zur Beurteilung der Schlagregensicherheit von gedeckten Steildachkonstruktionen geregelt. Dies betrifft sowohl die aus kleinformatigen Dacheindeckungselementen gebildete Dacheindeckung als auch Unterdeck‐ und Unterspannbahnen, die während der Bauphase bei Neu‐ und Umbauten der Witterung ungeschützt ausgesetzt sind. Aus diesem Grunde wurden in den letzten Jahren große Anstrengungen unternommen, um auch die Schlagregensicherheit von gedeckten Steildachkonstruktionen und ungeschützt beregneten Unterdeck‐ und Unterspannbahnen – die als “Behelfsdeckung” dienen sollen – vergleichend beurteilen zu können.
Zur Berechnung der klimatisch bedingten Temperaturbeanspruchungen von Außenwandbekleidungen
Authors: Fouad Nabil A. , Richter Torsten
Published: April 2008

Außenwandkonstruktionen werden durch die ständig veränderlichen klimatischen Randbedingungen maßgeblich thermischbeansprucht. Durch diese instationären nichtlinearen Temperaturbeanspruchungen können Schäden bis hin zu Standsicherheitsproblemen entstehen. In diesem Beitrag wird anhand eines Beispiels einer Außenwandkonstruktion beschrieben, welche physikalischen Grundlagen und Annahmen für eine instationäre Temperaturfeldberechnung anzusetzen sind und wie eine praxisnahe Berechnung durchgeführt werden kann.
Enhancement of transient gene expression and culture viability using Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing Bcl‐xL
Authors: Majors Brian S. , Betenbaugh Michael J. , Pederson Nels E. , Chiang Gisela G.
Published: April 2008

Transient gene expression (TGE) provides a method for quickly delivering protein for research using mammalian cells. While high levels of recombinant proteins have been produced in TGE experiments in HEK 293 cells, TGE efforts in the commercially prominent CHO cell line still suffer from inadequate protein yields. Here, we describe a cell‐engineering strategy to improve transient production of proteins using CHO cells. CHO‐DG44 cells were engineered to overexpress the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐xL and transiently transfected using polyethylenimine (PEI) in serum‐free media. Pools and cell lines stably expressing Bcl‐xL showed enhanced viable cell density and increased production of a glycosylated, therapeutic fusion protein in shake flask TGE studies. The improved cell lines showed fusion protein production levels ranging from 12.6 to 27.0 mg/L in the supernatant compared to the control cultures which produced 6.3–7.3 mg/L, representing a 70–270% increase in yield after 14 days of fed‐batch culture. All Bcl‐xL‐expressing cell lines also exhibited an increase in specific productivity during the first 8 days of culture. In addition to increased production, Bcl‐xL cell lines maintained viabilities above 90% and less apoptosis compared to the DG44 host which had viabilities below 60% after 14 days. Product quality was comparable between a Bcl‐xL‐engineered cell line and the CHO host. The work presented here provides the foundation for using anti‐apoptosis engineered CHO cell lines for increased production of therapeutic proteins in TGE applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 567–578. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glycation improves the thermostability of trypsin and chymotrypsin
Authors: Pham Van Thong , Ewing Erin , Kaplan Harvey , Choma Christin , Hefford Mary Alice
Published: April 2008

A novel glycation procedure, in vacuo glycation, was used to attach glucose covalently to the lysine residues of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Glycated trypsin and glycated chymotrypsin have greatly increased thermostability compared to the native enzymes. For example, glycated bovine trypsin, incubated at 50°C and pH 8.0 for 3 h, retained more than 50% of its original activity whereas the native enzyme was inactivated under the same conditions. Similarly, after incubation at 50°C and pH 8.0, glycated bovine chymotrypsin retained 45% of its original activity and the native enzyme was inactivated. Glycated porcine trypsin is exceptionally thermostable and could be used to digest native ribonuclease at 70°C without the need for prior denaturation. The apparent increase in the thermal stability of the glycated proteins observed in activity measurements is also reflected by an increase in the Tm values determined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism (CD). The glycation does not alter the activity or specificity of these enzymes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 452–459. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of microbial community composition and activity in sulfate‐reducing batch systems remediating mine drainage
Authors: Pereyra L.P. , Hiibel S.R. , Pruden A. , Reardon K.F.
Published: April 2008

Five microbial inocula were evaluated in batch tests for the ability to remediate mine drainage (MD). Dairy manure (DM), anaerobic digester sludge, substrate from the Luttrell (LUTR) and Peerless Jenny King (PJK) sulfate‐reducing permeable reactive zones (SR‐PRZs) and material from an MD‐treatment column that had been inoculated with material from a previous MD‐treatment column were compared in terms of sulfate and metal removal and pH neutralization. The microbial communities were characterized at 0, 2, 4, 9, and 14 weeks using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify all bacteria and the sulfate‐reducing bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio. The cultures inoculated with the LUTR, PJK, and DM materials demonstrated significantly higher rates of sulfate and metal removal, and contained all the microorganisms associated with the desired functions of SR‐PRZs (i.e., polysaccharide degradation, fermentation, and sulfate reduction) as well as a relatively high proportion of Desulfovibrio spp. These results demonstrate that inoculum influences performance and also provide insights into key aspects of inoculum composition that impact performance. This is the first systematic biomolecular examination of the relationship between microbial community composition and MD remediation capabilities. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 702–713. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cloning, expression, and characterization of novel thermostable family 7 cellobiohydrolases
Authors: Voutilainen Sanni P. , Puranen Terhi , Siika‐aho Matti , Lappalainen Arja , Alapuranen Marika , Kallio Jarno , Hooman Satu , Viikari Liisa , Vehmaanperä Jari , Koivula Anu
Published: April 2008

As part of the effort to find better cellulases for bioethanol production processes, we were looking for novel GH‐7 family cellobiohydrolases, which would be particularly active on insoluble polymeric substrates and participate in the rate‐limiting step in the hydrolysis of cellulose. The enzymatic properties were studied and are reported here for family 7 cellobiohydrolases from the thermophilic fungi Acremonium thermophilum, Thermoascus aurantiacus, and Chaetomium thermophilum. The Trichoderma reesei Cel7A enzyme was used as a reference in the experiments. As the native T. aurantiacus Cel7A has no carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM), recombinant proteins having the CBM from either the C. thermophilum Cel7A or the T. reesei Cel7A were also constructed. All these novel acidic cellobiohydrolases were more thermostable (by 4–10°C) and more active (two‐ to fourfold) in hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) at 45°C than T. reesei Cel7A. The C. thermophilum Cel7A showed the highest specific activity and temperature optimum when measured on soluble substrates. The most effective enzyme for Avicel hydrolysis at 70°C, however, was the 2‐module version of the T. aurantiacus Cel7A, which was also relatively weakly inhibited by cellobiose. These results are discussed from the structural point of view based on the three‐dimensional homology models of these enzymes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 515–528. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Mildiomycin Biosynthesis: Initial Steps for Sequential Generation of 5‐Hydroxymethylcytidine 5′‐Monophosphate and 5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine in Streptoverticillium rimofaciens ZJU5119
Authors: Li Li , Xu Zhinan , Xu Xiaoying , Wu Jun , Zhang Yun , He Xinyi , Zabriskie T. Mark , Deng Zixin
Published: April 2008

Mildiomycin (MIL) is a peptidyl nucleoside antibiotic with strong activity against powdery mildew disease of plants. We have cloned the MIL biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptoverticillum rimofaciens ZJU5119 and shown that this organism also produces the related antifungal compound, deshydroxymethyl mildiomycin (dHM‐MIL). A cosmid genomic library was screened for a putative nucleotide hydrolase gene that is related to blsM from the blasticidin S cluster. Six cosmids were identified that contained a 3.5 kb DNA fragment that harbors a homologue of blsM. The sequence of the fragment revealed two open‐reading frames that are likely to function in MIL formation: milA is a CMP hydroxymethylase gene and milB is the homologue of the CMP hydrolase gene blsM. Insertional disruption of milA abolished the production of MIL but not dHM‐MIL, whereas a milB knockout strain did not produce either of the peptidyl nucleosides. Recombinant MilA was produced in E. coli and shown to specifically introduce a C‐5 hydroxymethyl group on CMP, but it did not accept cytosine or dCMP as a substrate. MilB was also expressed and purified from E. coli and shown to efficiently hydrolyze both hydroxymethyl‐CMP (HMCMP) and could accept CMP as an alternative substrate. The ratio of free HMC and cytosine released by MilB was ca. 9:1 in in vitro assays, and is consistent with the higher levels of MIL compared to dHM‐MIL that are produced by Streptoverticillum rimofaciens.
ANGIOCARE: An automated system for fast three‐dimensional coronary reconstruction by integrating angiographic and intracoronary ultrasound data
Authors: Bourantas Christos V. , Kalatzis Fanis G. , Papafaklis Michail I. , Fotiadis Dimitrios I. , Tweddel Ann C. , Kourtis Iraklis C. , Katsouras Christos S. , Michalis Lampros K.
Published: April 2008

Objectives:

The development of an automated, user‐friendly system (ANGIOCARE), for rapid three‐dimensional (3D) coronary reconstruction, integrating angiographic and, intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) data.

Methods:

Biplane angiographic and ICUS sequence images are imported into the system where a prevalidated method is used for coronary reconstruction. This incorporates extraction of the catheter path from two end‐diastolic X‐ray images and detection of regions of interest (lumen, outer vessel wall) in the ICUS sequence by an automated border detection algorithm. The detected borders are placed perpendicular to the catheter path and established algorithms used to estimate their absolute orientation. The resulting 3D object is imported into an advanced visualization module with which the operator can interact, examine plaque distribution (depicted as a color coded map) and assess plaque burden by virtual endoscopy.

Results:

Data from 19 patients (27 vessels) undergoing biplane angiography and ICUS were examined. The reconstructed vessels were 21.3–80.2 mm long. The mean difference was 0.9 ± 2.9% between the plaque volumes measured using linear 3D ICUS analysis and the volumes, estimated by taking into account the curvature of the vessel. The time required to reconstruct a luminal narrowing of 25 mm was approximately 10 min.

Conclusion:

The ANGIOCARE system provides rapid coronary reconstruction allowing the operator accurately to estimate the length of the lesion and determine plaque distribution and volume. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of patent foramen ovale closure with no‐device left behind
Authors: Ruiz Carlos E. , Kipshidze Nicholas , Chiam Paul T.L. , Gogorishvili Irakli
Published: April 2008

Objectives:

This study evaluated the feasibility of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure using a transcatheter suture (Superstitch), leaving no device behind.

Background:

PFO has been implicated in cryptogenic strokes and migraine with auras. Percutaneous PFO closure, being less invasive than surgical closure, is increasingly performed. There are, however, early and long‐term risks including device embolization, fracture, thrombosis, or infection, erosions into the free atrial wall and aorta, arrhythmias, and death. Furthermore, device implantation may complicate future percutaneous access to the left atrium. Partially reabsorbable devices and tissue welding to close PFO have recently been introduced. The first‐in‐man transcatheter suture closure of a PFO in an 18‐year‐old female with chronic migraine with aura and a well documented stroke is described.

Methods:

The right femoral vein was cannulated under mild sedation and local anesthesia. Using intracardiac echocardiography imaging, bubble study demonstrated a right‐to‐left shunt through the PFO at rest. A Superstitch device was advanced across the PFO and sutures were delivered through the septum primum and secundum. The sutures were exteriorized and a knot was advanced to the right atrial septum and cut.

Results:

Bubble study confirmed successful PFO suture closure. Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiograms with bubble studies at 1 and 2 months, respectively showed complete closure with no right‐to‐left shunt even during Valsalva maneuver. At 6 months, the patient remained free ofsymptoms or migraine episodes.

Conclusion:

Percutaneous transcatheter suture closure of a PFO can be successfully achieved with no residual shunt and leaving nodevice behind. Technological refinements are required for wider scale use. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ChemInform Abstract: Hydrogenoxosilicates of the Lanthanides. Part 2. La9OMg[SiO4]6[SiO3(OH)] with cerite‐Like Structure.
Authors: Lipp Christian , Schleid Thomas
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Visualizing the Crystal Structure and Locating the Catalytic Activity of Micro‐ and Mesoporous ZSM‐5 Zeolite Crystals by Using in situ Optical and Fluorescence Microscopy.
Authors: Kox Marianne H. F. , Stavitski Eli , Groen Johan C. , Perez‐Ramirez Javier , Kapteijn Freek , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of the Compounds Yb(Zn,Al)≈6 and YbZn≈6.
Authors: Fornasini Maria L. , Manfrinetti Pietro , Mazzone Donata , Dhar Sudesh K.
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Explorations of New Types of Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Materials in Cd(Zn)—VV—TeIV—O Systems.
Authors: Jiang Hai‐Long , Huang Shu‐Ping , Fan Yang , Mao Jiang‐Gao , Cheng Wen‐Dan
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Nucleation Process in the Cavity of a 48‐Tungstophosphate Wheel Resulting in a 16‐Metal‐Center Iron Oxide Nanocluster.
Authors: Kortz Ulrich , et al. et al.
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Enantioselective Organocatalytic Intramolecular Aza‐Michael Reaction: A Concise Synthesis of (+)‐Sedamine (XI), (+)‐Allosedamine (XII), and (+)‐Coniine (XIII).
Authors: Fustero Santos , Jimenez Diego , Moscardo Javier , Catalan Silvia , del Pozo Carlos
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Enantioselective Aza‐Henry Reaction with an N‐Sulfinyl Urea Organocatalyst.
Authors: Robak MaryAnn T. , Trincado Monica , Ellman Jonathan A.
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxazaborolidinone‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Diels—Alder Reaction of Acyclic α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones.
Authors: Singh Ram Shanker , Adachi Shinya , Tanaka Fumi , Yamauchi Toyonao , Inui Chieko , Harada Toshiro
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Fused Polyaza‐heterocycles and 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles via a Tricyano Synthon.
Authors: Dawood Kamal M. , Raslan Mohamed A.
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: The Skeletal Rearrangement of Gold‐ and Platinum‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of cis‐4,6‐Dien‐1‐yn‐3‐ols: Pinacol Rearrangement and Formation of Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenone and Reorganized Styrene Derivatives.
Authors: Tang Jhih‐Meng , Bhunia Sabyasachi , Sohel Shariar Md. Abu , Lin Ming‐Yuan , Liao Hsin‐Yi , Datta Swarup , Das Arindam , Liu Rai‐Shung
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Amination Reactions of Aryl Halides with Nitrogen‐Containing Reagents Catalyzed by CuI in Ionic Liquid.
Authors: Yan Jin‐Can , Zhou Li , Wang Lei
Published: April 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.