bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of thermo‐oxidative treatments for the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge
Authors: Takashima M , Tanaka Y
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: In this study, various thermo‐oxidative treatments were examined and compared with the aim of overcoming the disadvantages of thermal treatment and enhancing the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.

RESULTS: Oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and ozone were selected as oxidant, accompanied with the addition of either acid (HCl) or alkali (Na2CO3) for oxygen. The temperature and duration were fixed at 170 °C and 1 h, respectively. Anaerobically digested sludge was used as the substrate, to see the effects on the refractory part of sewage sludge. A batch methanogenesis test using 120 mL serum bottles was run at 35 °C for 20 days, and methane production, solids reduction, dewaterability and color intensity were measured. As the strength of the oxidants was increased, methane production tended to decrease, whereas solids reduction was increased. The dewaterability of the sludges and the color in the filtrates became worse for thermo‐oxidative treatment with oxygen and alkali. On the other hand, the dewaterability was improved significantly and color generation was restricted the most for the thermo‐oxidative treatment with oxygen and acid.

CONCLUSION: Lowering the pH of thermo‐oxidative treatment is advantageous with respect to the dewaterability and color generation of digested sludge. Based on evaluation of the overall performance, thermo‐oxidative treatment with acid is considered the best among the thermo‐oxidative treatments examined. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimization of medium and process parameters for a constitutive α‐amylase production from a catabolite derepressed Bacillus subtilis KCC103
Authors: Rajagopalan Gobinath , Krishnan Chandraraj
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: In Bacillus subtilis KCC103 α‐amylase is hyper‐produced and not catabolite repressed by glucose. Various sugars, raw starches and nitrogen sources were tested for their repression effect on α‐amylase synthesis. Enhancement of α‐amylase production by supplementing micronutrients and surfactants was studied. Using optimized medium, process parameters were optimized for improved α‐amylase production.

RESULTS: α‐Amylase was produced from KCC103 utilizing simple sugars indicating the absence of catabolite repression. Raw potato and yeast extract were best carbon and nitrogen sources for α‐amylase production. α‐Amylase synthesis was enhanced by micronutrients cysteine, thiamine, Mg2+ and SDS. Maximum α‐amylase (394 IU mL−1) was produced in the optimized medium consisting of (in g L−1) raw potato (30.0), yeast extract (20.0), cysteine (0.3), thiamine (0.2), SDS (0.2) and MgSO4 (0.5 mmol L−1) at 36–48 h under optimal conditions (pH 7.0, 37 °C, 200 rpm). The α‐amylase production was further enhanced to 537.7 IU mL−1 with shorter time (15–18 h) in a bioreactor with optimized agitation rate of 700 rpm at 30% dissolved oxygen.

CONCLUSION: Since there was no carbon catabolite repression of α‐amylase synthesis, sugar mixture from various agro‐residues hydrolysates could be utilized for α‐amylase production. The study showed the feasibility of utilization of raw potato for α‐amylase production from the KCC103, which would lead to a significant reduction in process cost. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Strategies of pH control and glucose‐fed batch fermentation for production of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes CGMCC1593
Authors: Liu Yu‐Peng , Zheng Pu , Sun Zhi‐Hao , Ni Ye , Dong Jin‐Jun , Wei Ping
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Succinic acid is an important precursor of numerous products, including pharmaceuticals, feed additives, green solvents, and biodegradable polymers. In this work, strategies of pH control and glucose‐fed batch fermentation for producing succinic acid using Actinobacillus succinogenes CGMCC1593 were carefully optimized.

RESULTS: The production of succinic acid was stable within the pH range 6.0–7.2. Both cell growth and succinic acid production were inhibited by high concentrations of sodium and calcium ions, while there was no significant inhibition by magnesium ions. With an initial glucose concentration of 25 g L−1, and glucose concentration was maintained between 10 and 15 g L−1 during the course of fed batch fermentation, succinic acid concentration, productivity and yield were 60.2 g L−1, 1.3 g L−1 h−1 and 75.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Of all the neutralization reagents used for pH control of A. succinogenes CGMCC1593, solid MgCO3 was the most satisfactory. With increase of initial glucose concentration, the time course showed a longer growth lag period and the maximum biomass declined, while more carbon was diverted to succinate synthesis. The results obtained in this study should be helpful for the design of a highly efficient succinic acid production process. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Modulated gluconic acid production from immobilized cells of Aspergillus niger ORS‐4.410 utilizing grape must
Authors: Singh Om V
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Gluconic acid (GA) production by immobilized cells of mutant Aspergillus niger ORS‐4.410 on polyurethane sponge (PUS) and calcium‐alginate (Ca‐alginate) was evaluated in repeated batches of solid state surface fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) conditions, respectively, utilizing rectified grape must as carbon source.

RESULTS: The passive immobilization of cells in fermentation medium solid support of having 0.4 cm3 cube size, 4% spore suspension, 0.6 g inoculum of PUS immobilized cells at 32 °C and 2.0 L min−1 resulted in the maximum GA production (88.16 g L−1) with a 92.8% yield, while the Ca‐alginate matrix with a 0.5 cm diameter bead size, 2–3% spore suspension, 15 g inoculum at 34 °C and 150 rpm agitation speed revealed 67.19 g L−1 GA with a 85.2% yield. Repeated use of PUS showed higher levels of GA (110.94 g L−1) in the third–fourth fermentation cycles with 95–98% yield and 22.50 g L−1 d−1 productivity under SSF that was 2.5‐fold higher than the productivity obtained from a typical fermentation cycle, and 54% greater than the productivity obtained with repetitive use of Ca‐alginate immobilized cells of A. niger under SmF.

CONCLUSION: Using immobilized cells of A. niger in PUS, the rectified form of grape must can be utilized for GA production as an alternative source of carbohydrate by replacing the conventional fermentation conditions. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Simultaneous phenol removal and biological reduction of hexavalent chromium in a packed‐bed reactor
Authors: Tziotzios George , Dermou Eftychia , Politi Dorothea , Vayenas Dimitris V
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Phenol and hexavalent chromium are considered industrial pollutants that pose severe threats to human health and the environment. The two pollutants can be found together in aquatic environments originating from mixed discharges of many industrial processes, or from a single industry discharge. The main objective of this work was to study the feasibility of using phenol as an electron donor for Cr(VI) reduction, thus achieving the simultaneous biological removal/reduction of the two pollutants in a packed‐bed reactor.

RESULTS: A pilot‐scale packed‐bed reactor was used to estimate phenol removal with simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction through biological mechanisms, using a new mixed bacterial culture originated from Cr(VI)‐reducing and phenol‐degrading bacteria, operated in draw–fill mode with recirculation. Experiments were performed for feed Cr(VI) concentration of about 5.5 mg L−1, while phenol concentration ranged from 350 to 1500 mg L−1. The maximum reduction/removal rates achieved were 0.062 g Cr(VI) L−1 d−1 and 3.574 g phenol L−1 d−1, for a phenol concentration of 500 mg L−1.

CONCLUSION: Phenol removal with simultaneous biological Cr(VI) reduction is feasible in a packed‐bed attached growth bioreactor. Phenol was found to inhibit Cr(VI) reduction, while phenol removal was rather unaffected by Cr(VI) concentration increase. However, the recorded removal rates of phenol and Cr(VI) were found to be much lower than those obtained from previous research, where the two pollutants were examined separately. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of a novel glutamate decarboxylase from Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus Y2
Authors: Yang Sheng‐Yuan , Lin Qian , Lu Zhao‐Xin , Lü Feng‐Xia , Bie Xiao‐Mei , Zou Xiao‐Kui , Sun Li‐Jun
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: γ‐Aminobutyric acid with several well‐known physiological functions is biosynthesized via the irreversible α‐decarboxylation of L‐glutamate catalysed by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). Although Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus has been widely applied to the dairy, the characterization of its GAD has not been reported. In this paper, the purification and the characterization of S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus GAD were investigated.

RESULTS: GAD was purified 22‐fold from crude protein extracts with a yield of 7.8% in five steps. The final preparation gave a single band on SDS‐PAGE. The molecular weight of GAD determined by SDS‐PAGE and gel filtration was 46.9 kDa and 103.6 kDa, respectively, indicating that the enzyme exists as a dimmer of homological subunits. The optimum temperature and pH of GAD was 55 °C and pH 4.0, respectively. The enzyme reacted only with L‐glutamate among 19 α‐amino acids with apparent Km at 2.3 mmol L−1 and did not react with D‐glutamic acid. Activity of the enzyme could significantly be activated by 5 mmol L−1 of BaCl2 and inhibited by FeSO4, ZnSO4, CuSO4, MnSO4, Na2SO4, AgNO3, CoCl2, LiCl and KCl, respectively. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of GAD was NH2‐MNEKLFREI.

CONCLUSION: Both the characterization and the deduced amino sequence (ABI31651) showed the purified enzyme was a novel GAD. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Biological Cr(VI) reduction in a trickling filter under continuous operation with recirculation
Authors: Dermou Eftychia , Vayenas Dimitris V
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is toxic to humans, animals and plants. Conventional treatment technologies reduce Cr(VI) to the less toxic and mobile Cr(III), but these methods are usually expensive and generate secondary waste. Microbial Cr(VI) reduction has recently gained attention as a detoxification process, since it enables Cr(VI) reduction through relatively cheap and simple methods. The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanism and the performance of biological Cr(VI) reduction using mixed cultures originated from industrial sludge under continuous operation with recirculation in a pilot‐scale trickling filter.

RESULTS: Biological Cr(VI) reduction was studied using a pilot‐scale trickling filter filled with plastic media under continuous operation with recirculation and the use of indigenous bacterial population. The effect of the organic carbon (electron donor) concentration was examined for constant Cr(VI) influent concentration at about 5.5 mg L−1 and volumetric flow rates ranging from 60 to 900 mL min−1. The highest reduction rate achieved was 1117 g Cr(VI) m−2 d−1 for a volumetric flow rate of 900 mL min−1. The system's reduction capacity was significantly affected by chromate loadings, resulting in frequent backwashing of the filter. The determination of the reduction mechanism was also studied using batch cultures of free suspended cells and culture supernatant.

CONCLUSION: The high reduction rates combined with the low operating cost indicate that the above technology can be a viable solution for the treatment of industrial chromate effluents. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of ionic liquids for the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic materials
Authors: Zhu Shengdong
Published: February 2008

Lignocellulosic materials are the most abundant renewable resource in the world and their efficient utilization provides a practical route to maintain social sustainable development. Application of ionic liquids has opened new avenues for the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic materials in such areas as fractionation, preparation of cellulose composites and derivatives, analysis, and removal of pollutants. However, there are still many challenges in putting these potential applications into practical use, for example, the high price of ionic liquids and lack of basic physico‐chemical and toxicological data. Further research and financial support are required to address such challenges. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Radiosynthesis of novel 18F‐labelled derivatives of indiplon as potential GABAA receptor imaging tracers for PET
Authors: Fischer Steffen , Hiller Achim , Scheunemann Matthias , Deuther‐Conrad Winnie , Hoepping Alexander , Diekers Michael , Wegner Florian , Brust Peter , Steinbach Jörg
Published: February 2008

The involvement of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors in a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases has promoted the development and use of radiolabelled benzodiazepines (BZ) for brain imaging by PET. However, these radioligands are unable to distinguish between the various subtypes of GABAA receptors. Novel non‐BZ such as the pyrazolo‐pyrimidine indiplon proved to be selective for the α1‐subunit of the GABAA receptor. Here, we describe the syntheses of four novel 18F‐labelled indiplon derivatives. Radiosyntheses were performed via n.c.a. 18F‐nucleophilic substitution starting from the tosyl, bromo, and 4‐nitrobenzoyl precursors to obtain fluorine substituted N‐alkylamide side chain derivatives of indiplon, followed by multistep purification using semi‐preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction. Tosyl and bromo precursors were converted into 18F‐labelled indiplon derivatives with good and reproducible radiochemical yield (RCY) (35–70%, decay corrected), high radiochemical purity (≥98.5%), and high specific activity ( > 150 GBq/µmol). By contrast, a low RCY (5–10%) and specific activity (10–15 GBq/µmol) were achieved for the 4‐nitrobenzoyl precursor. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental micromechanics of the cement–bone interface
Authors: Mann Kenneth A. , Miller Mark A. , Cleary Richard J. , Janssen Dennis , Verdonschot Nico
Published: February 2008

Despite the widespread use of cement as a means of fixation of implants to bone, surprisingly little is known about the micromechanical behavior in terms of the local interfacial motion. In this work, we utilized digital image correlation techniques to quantify the micromechanics of the cement–bone interface of laboratory‐prepared cemented total hip replacements subjected to nondestructive, quasistatic tensile and compressive loading. Upon loading, the majority of the displacement response localized at the contact interface region between cement and bone. The contact interface was more compliant (p = 0.0001) in tension (0.0067 ± 0.0039 mm/MPa) than compression (0.0051 ± 0.0031 mm/MPa), and substantial hysteresis occurred due to sliding contact between cement and bone. The tensile strength of the cement–bone interface was inversely proportional to the compliance of the interface and proportional to the cement/bone contact area. When loaded beyond the ultimate strength, the strain localization process continued at the contact interface between cement and bone with microcracking (damage) to both. More overall damage occurred to the cement than to the bone. The opening and closing at the contact interface from loading could serve as a conduit for submicron size particles. In addition, the cement mantle is not mechanically supported by surrounding bone as optimally as is commonly assumed. Both effects may influence the longevity of the reconstruction and could be considered in preclinical tests. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:872–879, 2008
Full‐length bovine spp24 [spp24 (24‐203)] inhibits BMP‐2 induced bone formation
Authors: Sintuu Chananit , Murray Samuel S. , Behnam Keyvan , Simon Robert , Jawien Janusz , Silva Jose Denison Prado , Duarte Maria Eugenia Leite , Brochmann Elsa J.
Published: February 2008

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (spp24) is a bone matrix protein. It contains a TGF‐β receptor II homology 1 (TRH1) domain. A cyclic, synthetic 19 amino acid peptide (bone morphogenetic protein binding peptide or BBP) based on the sequence of the TRH1 domain enhances BMP‐2 induced osteogenesis. Many observations suggest that different size forms of this protein have very different effects (inhibiting or enhancing) on BMP‐2 induced osteogenesis. Using the stable recombinant Met(His)6‐tagged secretory form of full‐length (fl) bovine spp24 [Met(His)6‐spp24 (residues 24–203)] and transgenic (TG) mice expressing fl bovine spp24 (residues 1–203), we have demonstrated that spp24 inhibits BMP‐2 induced bone formation. The effects of Met(His)6‐spp24 (24–203) were determined in the ectopic bone‐forming bioassay in male mice. Implantation of 5 µg of BMP‐2 stimulated bone formation, assessed densitometrically as bone area and mineral content. When Met(His)6‐spp24 (24–203) was implanted with BMP‐2, it elicited a dose‐dependent decrease in BMP‐2‐medicated ectopic bone formation. When added at a 50‐fold excess (w/w), Met(His)6‐spp24 (24–203) completely ablated the effects of BMP‐2, while addition of a 10‐fold excess had no effect. Constitutive expression of fl bovine spp24 (1–203) under the control of the osteocalcin promoter in TG female mice reduced femoral and vertebral bone mineral density at 3 months of age and reduced femoral BMD at 8 months of age, but had no effects in male mice, which can exhibit less osteocalcin‐promoter driven gene transcription than females. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that bone volume and trabecular thickness were lower in TG female mice at 3 months of age than in sex‐ and age‐matched wild type (WT) controls. Thus, fl spp24 and its secretory isoform (Met(His)6‐spp24 [24–203]), which contain a BMP‐binding or TRH1 motif, inhibit ectopic bone formation in male mice and adversely affects BMD and histological parameters related to bone mass and formation in female mice expressing the human transgene. Under these conditions, fl spp24 acts as a BMP antagonist in vivo. © 2008 Orthopaedic Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:753–758, 2008
SERS characterization of metallic silver nanoparticle self‐assembly within thin films
Authors: Whitcomb D. R. , Stwertka B. J. , Chen S. , Cowdery‐Corvan P. J.
Published: February 2008

Clusters of silver nanoparticles are generated by the thermally initiated reduction of silver carboxylates (long‐chain fatty acids) in the thin polymer films. The size, shape, and aggregation of these nanoparticles are affected by the reduction reaction in the presence of capping agents. In order to understand the mechanism(s) controlling the silver structure formation, it is essential to understand the surface coordination chemistry occurring during this process. We now report the first application of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to directly characterize adsorbates on the surfaces of silver nanoparticles within a thin film imaging construction containing multiple components. In addition, SERS investigation of model silver substrates was used to confirm the identify of specific adsorbates of silver complexes. This is a powerful tool for revealing the chemistry involved with the control of silver nanoparticle aggregation during thermally induced metallic silver formation within thin films. Both the catechol‐reducing agent and the phthalazinone (PAZ) particle aggregation agent are observed on the metallic silver surface at the initial particle formation and during its crystal growth. However, careful attention to excitation wavelength is required in order to observe all the surface species. PAZ appears to be more effective at stabilizing individual silver particles than other aggregation agents investigated. An understanding of the roles of the aggregation/reducing agents in the growth and aggregation of silver nanoparticles is important for preparing different types of silver particles for specific applications including silver‐based thermal imaging systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐resolved resonance Raman and density functional theory study of the photochemistry of 4‐benzoylpyridine in acetonitrile and 2‐propanol
Authors: Du Yong , Xue Jiadan , Ma Chensheng , Kwok Wai Ming , Phillips David Lee
Published: February 2008

A nanosecond time‐resolved resonance Raman (ns‐TR3) spectroscopic investigation of the intermolecular hydrogen‐abstraction reaction of the triplet state of 4‐benzoylpyridine (4‐BPy) in 2‐propanol solvent is reported. The TR3 results reveal a rapid hydrogen abstraction (<10 ns) by the 4‐BPy triplet state (nπ*) with the 2‐propanol solvent, leading to formation of a 4‐BPy ketyl radical and an associated dimethyl ketyl radical partner from the solvent. The recombination of these two radical species occurs with a time constant about 200 ns to produce a para‐N‐LAT (light absorbing transient). The structure, major spectral features, and identification of the ketyl radical and the para‐N‐LAT coupling complex have been determined and confirmed by comparison of the TR3 results with results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A reaction pathway for the photolysis of 4‐BPy in 2‐propanol deduced from the TR3 results is also presented. The electron‐withdrawing effect of the heterocyclic nitrogen for 4‐BPy on the triplet state makes it have a significantly higher chemical reactivity for the hydrogen abstraction with 2‐propanol compared to the previously reported corresponding benzophenone triplet reaction under similar reaction conditions. In addition, the 4‐BPy ketyl radical reacts with the dimethyl ketyl radical to attach at the para‐N atom position of the pyridine ring to form a cross‐coupling product such as 2‐[4‐(hydroxy‐phenyl‐methylene)‐4h‐pyridin‐1‐yl]‐propan‐2‐ol instead of attacking at the para‐C atom position as was observed for the corresponding benzophenone reaction reported in an earlier study. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting lateral interfaces with focus‐engineered coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Krishnamachari Vishnu Vardhan , Potma Eric Olaf
Published: February 2008

Focus‐engineered coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (FE‐CARS) microscopy is used to highlight the lateral interfaces between chemically distinct media. Interface highlighting is achieved by using a HG10 mode for the Stokes laser beam and a HG00 mode for the pump laser beam in the forward detection scheme. The spectral and the orientation dependence of FE‐CARS are found to be in agreement with theoretical predictions. A brief discussion on the relevance of this technique for imaging third‐order nonlinear susceptibility interfaces in thin samples of biological or chemical importance is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational analysis of the H4I2O102− ion in CuH4I2O10·6H2O
Authors: Jaquet R. , Haeuseler H.
Published: February 2008

Vibrational wavenumbers (IR and Raman) have been calculated for the diperiodate ion H4I2O102− on the basis of a DFT method and assigned to experimental wavenumbers obtained from CuH4I2O10·6H2O. To obtain vibrational wavenumbers in the range comparable to the experiment it was necessary to use the complex [(H4I2O10)7(Cu(H2O)6)6]2−. Smaller complexes lead to much too high wavenumbers for the O‐H stretching vibrations and to too small wavenumbers in the range of the internal vibrations of the anion. On the basis of the results of the calculations an assignment of the Raman lines observed for CuH4I2O10· 6H2O to the vibrational modes is given. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive signal enhancement in spatially offset Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Eliasson Charlotte , Matousek Pavel
Published: February 2008

We demonstrate experimentally, for the first time, the feasibility of enhancing signals in Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) using a dielectric bandpass filter, building on our earlier experimental work on the enhancement of transmission Raman signals. The method is shown to lead to the enhancement of both the surface and subsurface Raman layer signal improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio of Raman spectra from the deep areas of samples, thus enhancing the technique's sensitivity and penetration depth. The filter is placed over the laser illumination zone, on the sample surface acting as a ‘unidirectional’ mirror transmitting the collimated laser beam on one side and reflecting photons escaping from the sample back into it. This enhances the degree of coupling of laser radiation into the medium and associated generated Raman signal. The feasibility study was performed on a two‐layer sample with the second layer located at the limit of the penetration depth of the method for this sample. The sample consisted of a 2.2‐mm over‐layer of a thinned paracetamol tablet followed by a 2‐mm layer of trans‐stilbene powder. The Raman signal was collected from a spatially offset region through a hole fabricated within the filter. The experiments demonstrate the presence of an enhancement of the Raman signal from both the layers by a factor of 4.4–4.5 and the improved signal‐to‐noise ratio of sublayer signal by a factor of 2.2, in agreement with photon shot noise dominated signal. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependence of the stimulated Raman scattering threshold in droplets on the temporal stretching of a nanosecond laser pulse
Authors: Malarski A. , Leipertz A.
Published: February 2008

For linear Raman spectroscopy in micro‐droplets the excitation laser energy and therefore the signal strength is limited either by the threshold for the excitation of nonlinear processes in the droplets or by the generation of a plasma (gas breakdown) in the vicinity of the droplets. These processes are due to the enhancement of the excitation field by morphology‐dependent resonances (MDRs) which are built up in the cavity synthesised by the droplets. As these stimulated signals disturb the detection of the linear signal it is of high interest for different applications to suppress the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) or to use an excitation intensity below the SRS threshold with a sufficiently large integrated laser energy to obtain an appropriate signal‐to‐noise ratio for the linear Raman process. In this paper the effect of temporal stretching of the incoming laser pulse with the help of an optical pulse stretcher on the SRS threshold is described and discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bridging biomolecules with nanoparticles: surface‐enhanced Raman scattering from colon carcinoma and normal tissue
Authors: Pînzaru S. Cîntă , Andronie L. M. , Domsa I. , Cozar O. , Astilean S.
Published: February 2008

In order to get insight into the chemical heterogeneities of solid tumors, here we report the first surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiment from normal and altered epithelial layer in human colon carcinoma tissues. The Ag colloidal nanoparticles that can be incorporated into the interstitial space in solid tumors or those penetrating into cytoplasm or nucleus of many cells allowed high quality SERS signal. Different tissue structures of tumor and normal colon have characteristic features in SERS spectra. Prominent SERS features of malignant tissue spectra are related to the strong enhancement of the bands preponderantly attributable to DNA or RNA bases. The preliminary studies demonstrate that it is possible to probe Ag colloidal nanoparticles adsorption onto the tissue resulting in a strong molecular signaling with high specificity and rapid acquisition time using visible laser line excitation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TEMPO‐Mediated Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Maehata Hideo , Liu Xinzhi , Cunningham Michael , Keoshkerian Barkev
Published: February 2008

While miniemulsion polymerization has proven to be well‐suited for conducting living/controlled radical polymerizations, emulsion polymerizations have proven to be far more challenging. Ab initio emulsion polymerizations, in which monomer droplets are present during polymerization, have thus far not been successful with TEMPO‐mediated polymerizations, as a result of colloidal instability and coagulum formation. By selectively inhibiting polymerization in the monomer droplets, it is demonstrated that droplet polymerization is responsible for the formation of large (>1 µm) particles that can lead to coagulum formation. Furthermore, we show that coagulum‐free latexes can be produced using a TEMPO‐mediated ab initio emulsion polymerization by suppressing droplet polymerization.

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Correlation between microsurgical course performance and future surgical training selection by intern and junior residents
Authors: Lin Tsan‐Shiun , Chiang Yuan‐Cheng
Published: February 2008

How to improve a young surgeon's skills in microsurgical techniques have been tried and practiced. From 1998 to 2006, microsurgical training was arranged for 285 interns and 104 junior residents in the surgical department. Thirty‐nine percent (40/104) of the residents and 20% (58/285) of the interns were graded as “good.” Forty‐six percent (48/104) of the residents and 46% (131/285) of the interns were graded as “fine.” Fifteen percent (16/104) of the residents and 34% (96/285) of the interns were graded as “poor.” Fifty‐three percent of the interns who were graded “good” and 31% of the interns who were graded “fine” would later choose a surgical field for further training during their residency. Students who were graded “poor” did not select any surgical residency program. The difference was statistical significant. The results of the observed skills practice can be used as a direction for further training in a subspecialty for young doctors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Analysis of a semigroup approach in the inverse problem of identifying an unknown coefficient
Authors: Demir Ali , Ozbilge Ebru
Published: February 2008

This article presents a semigroup approach to the mathematical analysis of the inverse coefficient problems of identifying the unknown coefficient k(ux) in the quasi‐linear parabolic equation ut(x, t)=(k(ux)ux(x, t))x+F(x, t), with Dirichlet boundary conditions u(0, t)=ψ0, u(1, t)=ψ1 and source function F(x, t). The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinguishability of the input–output mappings Φ[·]: 𝒦 → C1[0, T], Ψ[·]: 𝒦 → C1[0, T] via semigroup theory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Development of an education programme for caregivers of people aging with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Finlayson Marcia , Garcia Jennifer Dahl , Preissner Katharine L.
Published: February 2008

The article from Occupational Therapy International, Development of an Education Program for Caregivers of People Aging with Multiple Sclerosis (DOI: 10.1002/OTI.245) by Marcia Finlayson, Jennifer Garcia and Katharine Preissner, published online on 5 February 2008 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to dual publication of this article as a result of an administrative error at the publisher. Copyright ? 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [Statement updated December 2009]
Progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE‐deficient mice that express distinct molecular forms of TNF‐alpha
Authors: Canault M , Peiretti F , Poggi M , Mueller C , Kopp F , Bonardo B , Bastelica D , Nicolay A , Alessi M‐C , Nalbone G
Published: February 2008

TNFα (TNF) critically regulates inflammation‐driven atherosclerosis. Because the transmembrane (tmTNF) and soluble (sTNF) forms of TNF possess distinct immuno‐modulatory properties, we hypothesized that they might differentially regulate atherosclerosis progression. Three groups of male ApoE−/− mice were studied: one expressing wild‐type TNF (WT‐TNF); one expressing exclusively a mutated non‐cleavable form of TNF (KI‐TNF); and one deficient in TNF (KO‐TNF). Mice aged 5 weeks were fed the high‐fat diet for 5 (T5) and 15 weeks (T15) or a standard chow diet for 15 weeks. At T5, in mice fed the high‐fat diet, no significant differences in lesion area were observed among the three groups, either in valves or in aortas. At T15, lesion areas in valves were significantly lower in KO‐TNF mice compared with those in WT‐TNF mice, whereas in KI‐TNF mice, they were intermediate between KO‐ and WT‐TNF mice but not significantly different from these two groups. In aortas, lesions in KI‐TNF were comparable to those of KO‐TNF, both being significantly lower than those in WT‐TNF. Theses differences were not linked to circulating lipids, or to macrophage, actin, and collagen contents of lesions. At T15, in mice fed the chow diet, lesion areas in valves and the aortic arch were not significantly different between the three groups. Levels of IL‐6, IFNγ, IL‐10, and Foxp3 mRNAs in spleens and production of IL‐6, IL‐10, MCP‐1, RANTES, and TNFR‐2 by peritoneal macrophages at T15 of the high‐fat diet showed a decrease in pro‐inflammatory status, more marked in KO‐TNF than in KI‐TNF mice. Apoptosis was reduced only in KO‐TNF mice. In conclusion, these data show that TNF effects on atherosclerosis development are detectable at stages succeeding fatty streaks and that wild‐type TNF is superior to tmTNF alone in promoting atherosclerosis. TNF‐dependent progression of atherosclerosis is probably linked to the differential production of pro‐inflammatory mediators whether tmTNF is preponderant or essentially cleaved. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low prevalence and assay discordance of “aspirin resistance” in children
Authors: Yee D.L. , Dinu B.R. , Sun C.W. , Edwards R.M. , Justino H. , Teruya J. , Bray P.F. , Bomgaars L.
Published: February 2008

Background

Although “aspirin resistance” (AR‐inadequate platelet inhibition as suggested by in vitro testing of aspirin‐treated patients) has been widely studied in adults and linked to increased risk of adverse outcomes, its prevalence and clinical significance are largely unknown in children.

Procedure

To determine AR prevalence in children and its relationship to assay methodology, we undertook a cross‐sectional study of 44 children (1–17 years, 24 male) on aspirin for various indications and considered three published definitions of AR in adults: platelet aggregation ≥70% to 10 µM adenosine diphosphate and ≥20% to 0.5 mg/ml arachidonic acid (AA), normal PFA‐100® closure time and elevated urinary 11‐dehydro thromboxane B2 (11dhTxB2) concentration.

Results

Six subjects exhibited AR according to at least one of the criteria (5 by PFA‐100®, 1 by aggregometry and 11dhTxB2 criteria); nearly all subjects had low levels of 11dhTxB2 compared with controls. Subjects studied prior to therapy showed pronounced changes in AR parameters after aspirin dosing (e.g., mean aggregation to AA decreased from 82% to 6%, P < 0.001), confirming an aspirin effect. Subjects with AR did not differ from aspirin responsive subjects in terms of age, race, platelet count, or aspirin dose, indication or therapy duration. There was minimal correlation between assays.

Conclusions

In this initial prevalence study of a clinically diverse group of pediatric patients, frequencies of AR were assay‐dependent; however, the prevalence of true AR is likely low in children (2.3%; 95% CI 0.1–10.7%), in agreement with adult studies. To better define the clinical relevance of AR in children, multicenter, prospective cohort studies are imperative. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:86–92. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Late relapse of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, botryoid variant, of the vagina
Authors: Vasquez Roberto , Collini Paola , Meazza Cristina , Favini Francesca , Casanova Michela , Ferrari Andrea
Published: February 2008

We report on two very similar cases of vaginal embryonal RMS, botryoid variant, that relapsed 9 and 10 years after initial diagnosis, a few months after the menarche in both cases. A possible causal association with estrogen hormones is hypothesized, particularly for the second case described, in which estrogen receptors were negative in the primary tumor specimen and positive in the relapsing tumor specimen. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:140–141. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychological referral and consultation for adolescents and young adults with cancer treated at pediatric oncology unit
Authors: Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Massimino Maura , Casanova Michela , Cefalo Graziella , Terenziani Monica , Vasquez Roberto , Meazza Cristina , Ferrari Andrea
Published: February 2008

Purpose

Managing older adolescents and young adults with cancer is a challenge, both medically and psychosocially: it is important to assess these patients' psychological issues and the type of services they need when deciding who should treat these patients, and where.

Methods

This study describes the pattern of psychological referral and consultation for older adolescents and young adults with cancer being treated at a pediatric oncology unit, as compared with the case of younger patients.

Results

Between 1999 and 2006, 318 patients <15 (32% of the patients in this age group) and 117 ≥ 15 years old (30%) were referred for psychological consultation. The number of interviews per patient was 2.8 for patients under fifteen and 7.8 for older patients. Younger patients were referred by all members of staff, while most older patients were referred by doctors, mainly because they had trouble adapting to the cancer's diagnosis and treatment. An ongoing, weekly, long‐term psychotherapy was needed for 1% of patients <15 and 10% of those ≥15 years old.

Conclusions

Adolescents and young adults with cancer have specific psychological needs. While awaiting the full development of programs dedicated to these patients, they would seem to benefit from being treated in a multidisciplinary setting of the kind usually developed at pediatric units, fully integrating the psychological operators with the other staff members. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:105–109. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical utility of array comparative genomic hybridization for detection of chromosomal abnormalities in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Rabin Karen R. , Man Tsz‐Kwong , Yu Alexander , Folsom Matthew R. , Zhao Yi‐Jue , Rao Pulivarthi H. , Plon Sharon E. , Naeem Rizwan C.
Published: February 2008

Background

Accurate detection of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities is critical to assign patients to risk‐based therapeutic regimens for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Procedure

We investigated the utility of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) for detection of chromosomal abnormalities compared to standard clinical evaluation with karyotype and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Fifty pediatric ALL diagnostic bone marrows were analyzed by bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) array and findings compared to standard clinical evaluation.

Results

Sensitivity of aCGH was 79% to detect karyotypic findings other than balanced translocations, which cannot be detected by aCGH because they involve no copy number change. aCGH also missed abnormalities occurring in subclones constituting less than 25% of cells. aCGH detected 44 additional abnormalities undetected or misidentified by karyotype with 21 subsequently validated by FISH, including abnormalities in 4 of 10 cases with uninformative cytogenetics. aCGH detected concurrent terminal deletions of both 9p and 20q in three cases, in two of which the 20q deletion was undetected by karyotype. A narrow region of loss at 7p21 was detected in two cases.

Conclusions

aCGH detects the majority of karyotypic findings other than balanced translocations, and may provide key prognostic information in the approximately 35% of cases with uninformative cytogenetics. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:171–177. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activated charcoal to prevent irinotecan‐induced diarrhea in children
Authors: Sergio Gallegos‐Castorena , Félix Gaytán‐Morales , Luis Juárez‐Villegas
Published: February 2008

Background

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of activated charcoal (AC) to prevent irinotecan‐induced diarrhea (IID).

Procedure

We designed a prospective trial including all patients receiving irinotecan as part of their chemotherapy treatment. Patients were divided into two groups. The experimental group received AC at a dose of 250 mg three times daily during irinotecan administration. The number and severity of events were graded according to the gastrointestinal toxicity criteria of the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria. We used descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test to evaluate our results.

Results

Twenty‐two evaluable patients were included for a total of 66 irinotecan chemotherapy cycles. Ten patients received AC and 12 did not. There were 45 cycles in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. A total of 28 events of diarrhea were registered, 13 in 45 cycles (28.88%) in the experimental group and 15 in 21 cycles (71.42%) in the control group (P = 0.002). Grade 3 and 4 diarrhea was present in 4.4% of patients receiving AC against 52.3% in the controls (P = 0.010). Chemotherapy was discontinued in 6.6% in the experimental group and 52.3% in the control group.

Conclusions

The use of AC decreased the frequency and severity of IID improving compliance with treatment. We consider AC and effective and safe prophylactic treatment to prevent IID. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:49–52. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatoblastoma in a Noonan syndrome patient with a PTPN11 mutation
Authors: Yoshida Rie , Ogata Tsutomu , Masawa Nobuhide , Nagai Toshiro
Published: February 2008

Although Noonan syndrome (NS) is occasionally associated with embryonal solid tumors, there has been no report of hepatoblastoma in NS. We identified hepatoblastoma spreading into bilateral hepatic lobes in a 1‐month‐old NS patient with a heterozygous PTPN11 mutation (Asn308Asp). This finding suggests the potential relevance of constitutively activated RAS/MAPK signaling in the development of hepatoblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1274–1276. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of outpatients with schizophrenia in a depot clinic
Authors: Crockett Adrienne , Goldstein Mary
Published: February 2008

Patients with schizophrenia on conventional antipsychotics may benefit from a switch to an atypical antipsychotic if they are experiencing unacceptable side‐effects. Here, Dr Crockett and Dr Goldstein present the results of their clinical review of outpatients with a reported diagnosis of schizophrenia attending a depot clinic in WestYorkshire to address whether those patients on typical antipsychotic depot preparations were receiving optimum treatment. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Construction of polymer skeletons with radiation‐scissile groups at predetermined sites
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Hayakawa Takashi , Sogabe Takahiro , Ichikawa Tsuneki
Published: February 2008

Polymers that can be cleaved at predetermined sites by ionizing radiations have been synthesized by incorporating benzylic esters into their skeletons. Secondary electrons generated by ionizing radiations are captured by the benzylic esters to dissociate into benzylic radicals and carboxyl anions, so that the polymer skeletons are cleaved at predetermined sites. The γ‐irradiation of a three‐armed star polymer, 1,2,4‐tri‐(2‐polystyrene‐2‐methyl‐propyonyloxymethyl)‐benzene, results in the selective scission of the arms, and the resultant radicals neither combine with each other nor graft to the other polymer skeletons to give larger polymer molecules. The irradiation of poly(methyl methacrylate) crosslinked with 4‐methacryloyloxybenzyl methacrylate results in the selective scission at the crosslinking sites with high radiation‐chemical efficiency of 8.5 scissions per 100 eV radiation energy absorbed. These results indicate that the incorporation of benzylic esters into polymer skeletons opens a new way of constructing radiation resists with high sensitivity to ionizing radiations and high resistivity to plasma etching. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1945–1953, 2008
Micelle formation and sol–gel transition behavior of comb‐like amphiphilic poly((PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA) copolymers
Authors: Park Chung Won , Lee Su Jeong , Kim Dukjoon , Lee Doo Sung , Kim Sung Chul
Published: February 2008

Comb‐like amphiphilic poly(poly((lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol)) methacrylate (poly((PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA)) copolymers were synthesized by radical polymerization. (PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA macromonomer was prepared by ring‐opening bulk polymerization of DL‐lactide and glycolide using purified poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) as an initiator. (PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA macromonomer was copolymerized with PEGMA and/or acrylic acid (AA) by radical polymerization to produce comb‐like amphiphilic block copolymers. The molecular weight and chemical structure were investigated by GPC and 1H NMR. Poly((PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA) copolymer aqueous solutions showed gel–sol transition behavior with increasing temperature, and gel‐to‐sol transition temperature decreased as the compositions of the hydrophilic PEGMA and AA increased. The gel‐to‐sol transition temperature of the terpolymers of the poly((PLGA‐b‐PEG)MA‐co‐PEGMA‐co‐AA) also decreased when the pH was increased. The effective micelle diameter obtained from dynamic light scattering increased with increasing temperature and with increasing pH. The critical micelle concentration increased as the composition of the hydrophilic monomer component, PEGMA and AA, were increased. The spherical shape of the hyperbranched polymers in aqueous environment was observed by atomic force microscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1954–1963, 2008
Ozonolysis efficiency of PS‐b‐PI block copolymers for forming nanoporous polystyrene
Authors: Chen Suz‐Yen , Huang Yuming , Tsiang Raymond Chien‐Chao
Published: February 2008

A PS‐b‐PI diblock copolymer has been synthesized and blended with a homopolystyrene of a variable molecular weight at a variable weight ratio, resulting in different volume fractions of PS to PI and various morphologies. After being cast as a film, the double bonds in the PI microdomains were cleaved via ozonolysis resulting in the formation of a nanoporous PS. The ease of ozonolysis depended strongly upon the morphology of the PI microdomains. The degree of ozonization after 24‐h reaction was about 90% for lamellar microdomains, about 80% for bicontinuous microdomains, about 70% for cylindrical microdomains, and about 50% for spherical microdomains. These variations were attributed to the decrease in the contact area of PI microdomains with ozone and the total volume of PI microdomains accessible to ozone. All PS‐b‐PI/homopolystyrene samples have turned into nanoporous materials after the removal of PI nanodomains. SEM, AFM, and TEM images indicated that the resulting PS had a pore size of 20–30 nm, and thus was potentially useful for photonic crystals or fuel cell applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1964–1973, 2008