bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exogenous sphingomyelinase increases collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan production by primary articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study
Authors: Gilbert Sophie J , Blain Emma J , Jones Pamela , Duance Victor C , Mason Deborah J
Published: May 2006

We previously established a role for the second messenger ceramide in protein kinase R (PKR)-mediated articular cartilage degradation. Ceramide is known to play a dual role in collagen gene regulation, with the effect of ceramide on collagen promoter activity being dependent on its concentration. Treatment of cells with low doses of sphingomyelinase produces small increases in endogenous ceramide. We investigated whether ceramide influences articular chondrocyte matrix homeostasis and, if so, the role of PKR in this process. Bovine articular chondrocytes were stimulated for 7 days with sphingomyelinase to increase endogenous levels of ceramide. To inhibit PKR, 2-aminopurine was added to duplicate cultures. De novo sulphated glycosaminoglycan and collagen synthesis were measured by adding [35S]-sulphate and [3H]-proline to the media, respectively. Chondrocyte phenotype was investigated using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Over 7 days, sphingomyelinase increased the release of newly synthesized sulphated glycosaminoglycan and collagen into the media, whereas inhibition of PKR in sphingomyelinase-treated cells reduced the level of newly synthesized sulphated glycosaminoglycan and collagen. Sphingomyelinase treated chondrocytes expressed col2a1 mRNA, which is indicative of a normal chondrocyte phenotype; however, a significant reduction in type II collagen protein was detected. Therefore, small increments in endogenous ceramide in chondrocytes appear to push the homeostatic balance toward extracellular matrix synthesis but at the expense of the chondrocytic phenotype, which was, in part, mediated by PKR.
Prospective, randomized trial comparing fluids and dobutamine optimization of oxygen delivery in high-risk surgical patients [ISRCTN42445141]
Authors: Lobo Suzana M , Lobo Francisco R , Polachini Carlos A , Patini Daniela S , Yamamoto Adriana E , de Oliveira Neymar E , Serrano Patricia , Sanches Helder S , Spegiorin Marco A , Queiroz Marcio M , Christiano Antonio C , Savieiro Elisangela F , Alvarez Paula A , Teixeira Silvia P , Cunrath Geni S
Published: May 2006

Introduction

Preventing perioperative tissue oxygen debt contributes to a better postoperative recovery. Whether the beneficial effects of fluids and inotropes during optimization of the oxygen delivery index (DO2I) in high-risk patients submitted to major surgeries are due to fluids, to inotropes, or to the combination of the two is not known. We aimed to investigate the effect of DO2I optimization with fluids or with fluids and dobutamine on the 60-day hospital mortality and incidence of complications.

Methods

A randomized and controlled trial was performed in 50 high-risk patients (elderly with coexistent pathologies) undergoing major elective surgery. Therapy consisted of pulmonary artery catheter-guided hemodynamic optimization during the operation and 24 hours postoperatively using either fluids alone (n = 25) or fluids and dobutamine (n = 25), aiming to achieve supranormal values (DO2I > 600 ml/minute/m2).

Results

The cardiovascular depression was an important component in the perioperative period in this group of patients. Cardiovascular complications in the postoperative period occurred significantly more frequently in the volume group (13/25, 52%) than in the dobutamine group (4/25, 16%) (relative risk, 3.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–8.60; P < 0.05). The 60-day mortality rates were 28% in the volume group and 8% in the dobutamine group (relative risk, 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–13.46; not significant).

Conclusion

In patients with high risk of perioperative death, pulmonary artery catheter-guided hemodynamic optimization using dobutamine determines better outcomes, whereas fluids alone increase the incidence of postoperative complications.
RIFLE criteria for acute kidney injury are associated with hospital mortality in critically ill patients: a cohort analysis
Authors: Hoste Eric AJ , Clermont Gilles , Kersten Alexander , Venkataraman Ramesh , Angus Derek C , De Bacquer Dirk , Kellum John A
Published: May 2006

Introduction

The lack of a standard definition for acute kidney injury has resulted in a large variation in the reported incidence and associated mortality. RIFLE, a newly developed international consensus classification for acute kidney injury, defines three grades of severity – risk (class R), injury (class I) and failure (class F) – but has not yet been evaluated in a clinical series.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study, in seven intensive care units in a single tertiary care academic center, on 5,383 patients admitted during a one year period (1 July 2000–30 June 2001).

Results

Acute kidney injury occurred in 67% of intensive care unit admissions, with maximum RIFLE class R, class I and class F in 12%, 27% and 28%, respectively. Of the 1,510 patients (28%) that reached a level of risk, 840 (56%) progressed. Patients with maximum RIFLE class R, class I and class F had hospital mortality rates of 8.8%, 11.4% and 26.3%, respectively, compared with 5.5% for patients without acute kidney injury. Additionally, acute kidney injury (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–2.13; P < 0.001) and maximum RIFLE class I (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.88; P = 0.037) and class F (hazard ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.03–3.55; P < 0.001) were associated with hospital mortality after adjusting for multiple covariates.

Conclusion

In this general intensive care unit population, acute kidney 'risk, injury, failure', as defined by the newly developed RIFLE classification, is associated with increased hospital mortality and resource use. Patients with RIFLE class R are indeed at high risk of progression to class I or class F. Patients with RIFLE class I or class F incur a significantly increased length of stay and an increased risk of inhospital mortality compared with those who do not progress past class R or those who never develop acute kidney injury, even after adjusting for baseline severity of illness, case mix, race, gender and age.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Use Distinct Mechanisms of Action to Modulate Endocrine System Function
Authors: Henley Derek V. , Korach Kenneth S.
Published: May 2006

The term endocrine-disrupting chemicals is used to define a structurally diverse class of synthetic and natural compounds that possess the ability to alter various components of the endocrine system and potentially induce adverse health effects in exposed individuals and populations. Research on these compounds has revealed that they use a variety of both nuclear receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated mechanisms to modulate different components of the endocrine system. This review will describe in vitro and in vivo studies that highlight the spectrum of unique mechanisms of action and biological effects of four endocrine-disrupting chemicals–diethylstilbestrol, genistein, di(n-butyl)phthalate, and methoxyacetic acid–to illustrate the diverse and complex nature of this class of compounds.
Epigenetics, Evolution, Endocrine Disruption, Health, and Disease
Authors: Crews David , McLachlan John A.
Published: May 2006

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment have been linked to human health and disease. This is particularly evident in compounds that mimic the effects of estrogens. Exposure to EDCs early in life can increase risk levels of compromised physical and mental health. Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in this process. Transgenerational consequences of EDC exposure is also discussed in both a proximate (mechanism) and ultimate (evolution) context as well as recent work suggesting how such transmission might become incorporated into the genome and subject to selection. We suggest a perspective for exploring and ultimately coming to understand diseases that may have environmental or endocrine origins.
Volumetric and Ultrasonic Studies of Molecular Interactions in Binary Mixtures of Dimethyl Sulfoxide with Some Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Different Temperatures
Authors: Ali Anwar , Nain Anil Kumar , Chand Dinesh , Ahmad Rizwan
Published: May 2006

The densities (ρ) and ultrasonic speeds (u) of pure dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and mesitylene, and those of their binary mixtures, with DMSO as the common component, over the whole composition range have been measured at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, and 318.15 K. The excess molar volume (VE), deviation in isentropic compressibility (Δks), apparent molar volume (Vφ,2), apparent molar compressibility (Kφ,2), partial molar volume (), and partial molar compressibility () of aromatic hydrocarbons in DMSO at infinite dilution have been calculated from the experimental data. The variation of these parameters with the composition and temperature of the mixtures indicates that the interaction (DMSO–aromatic hydrocarbons) follows the order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > m-xylene > o-xylene > mesitylene. The effect of the number and position of the methyl groups in these aromatic hydrocarbons on molecular interactions in these mixtures is also discussed. The VE values have also been calculated theoretically by using Flory’s statistical theory and the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory. The calculated VE values were found to be in good agreement with the experimental VE values for most of the mixtures.
Rapid Coprecipitation Technique with Hybrid Hydroxide System Using Ytterbium(III), Gallium(III), and Magnesium(II) for Simultaneous Concentration of 13 Elements in Concentrated Salt Solution Prior to Their Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometric Determination
Authors: Kagaya Shigehiro , Sagisaka Tatsuki , Miwa Satoshi , Morioka Kazuya , Hasegawa Kiyoshi
Published: May 2006

Beryllium(II), chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), arsenic(V), selenium(IV), cadmium(II), antimony(III), and lead(II) ions in concentrated salt solutions, such as seawater or sodium chloride and sulfate solutions, were collected quantitatively by coprecipitation with hydroxides of ytterbium(III), gallium(III), and magnesium(II). In this method, a rapid coprecipitation technique combined with internal standardization was applied to simplify the operation; yttrium was used as an internal standard. The 13 elements collected were readily determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using internal standardization. The detection limits (3σ, n = 10) were in the range of 0.003 μg (for beryllium(II)) to 0.13 μg (for zinc(II)) in the initial sample solution (up to 150 mL). The proposed method was applied to the analyses of some commercially available salts and an effluent as well as the certified reference materials; the elements ranging from 0.03–0.14 μg g−1 in the salts, 0.004–0.041 mg L−1 in the effluent, or 0.006–0.30 mg L−1 in the certified reference materials could be determined with the relative standard deviation of 7–33, 0.3–3, or 2–17%, respectively. The time required for the preconcentration was approximately 20 min.
N-Arylation of Pyridin-2(1H)-ones with Pentavalent Organobismuth Reagents under Copper-Free Conditions
Authors: Ikegai Kazuhiro , Nagata Yuzo , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: May 2006

An efficient method for the N-arylation of pyridin-2(1H)-ones and the related heteroaromatic lactams has been established via ligand-coupling reactions using tri- or tetra-aryl organobismuth(V) reagents such as triarylbismuth dichlorides. Also, N-alkenylation of pyridin-2(1H)-one was achieved similarly by using alkenyltriarylbismuth(V) reagents.
Absolute Configuration and Chiroptical Properties of an Enantiopure [5-Chloro-2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]phenylborane Complex
Authors: Toyota Shinji , Ito Fumiko , Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Akashi Haruo , Iwanaga Tetsuo
Published: May 2006

Enantiomers of the title intramolecular amine–borane complex with a B-pentafluoropropionyloxy ligand were resolved by chiral HPLC. X-ray analysis of the (+)-isomer revealed that the configuration of the chiral boron center was S by the Bijvoet method. Thus, the absolute configuration of this chiral borane compound was established as (S)-(+) or (R)-(−).
Isolation and Reaction of Selenobenzophenones
Authors: Okuma Kentaro , Kojima Kazuki , Kaneko Isao , Ohta Hiroshi
Published: May 2006

4,4′-Dimethoxy- and 4,4′-dimethylselenobenzophenones could be isolated in moderate yields by the reaction of the corresponding ylides with selenium. Their spectral data are described. The oxidaion of these compounds with mCPBA afforded the corresponding benzophenones in good yields. Attempted isolation of unsubstituted selenobenzophenone afforded only its dimer.
Selective Reduction of NO with Propylene on Fe-silicate Catalysts
Authors: Kikuchi Eiichi , Yogo Katsunori , Tanaka Satoru , Abe Masaki
Published: May 2006

H-form Fe-silicate catalysts showed high activity and stability for the reduction of NO with propylene in the presence of a high concentration of oxygen. The catalytic activity of Fe-silicate was hardly affected by the presence of SO2.
Visible, UV, and VUV Absorption Spectra of C60 Thin Films Grown by the Molecular-Beam Epitaxy (MBE) Technique
Authors: Achiba Yohji , Nakagawa Takashi , Matsui Yoko , Suzuki Shinzo , Shiromaru Haruo , Yamauchi Kotaro , Nishiyama Kozaburo , Kainosho Masatsune , Hoshi Hajime , Maruyama Yusei , Mitani Tadaoki
Published: May 2006

On single-crystal alkali halide substrates, the C60 film shows a new band in visible wavelength region. The absorption spectrum of the C60 film has been extended to vacuum UV region, and several new bands and/or humps were found for the first time.
Sensing Behavior of CuO-Loaded SnO2 Element for H2S Detection
Authors: Maekawa Tomoki , Tamaki Jun , Miura Norio , Yamazoe Noboru
Published: May 2006

CuO-loaded SnO2 element was found to show extraordinary sensing properties to H2S in air, with such high sensitivity as ca. 35 000 to 50 ppm H2S at 200 °C and switching-like recovery on turning off H2S. The change of state between CuO and CuS on the surface of SnO2 seems to be responsible for such unique sensing properties.
The Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation of Ketones Catalyzed by Nickel(II) Complexes with Combined Use of Molecular Oxygen and an Aldehyde
Authors: Yamada Tohru , Takahashi Katsuya , Kato Koji , Takai Toshihiro , Inoki Satoshi , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: May 2006

In the presence of a catalytic amount of a nickel(II) complex coordinated with 1,3-diketone, various cyclic or acyclic ketones are converted into the corresponding lactones or esters by the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation on treatment with an atmospheric pressure of molecular oxygen (oxidant) and an aldehyde (reductant) at room temperature.
Photoswitchable Multi-response Sensor of Azobenzene-modified γ-Cyclodextrin for Detecting Organic Compounds
Authors: Fukushima Mitsuru , Osa Tetsuo , Ueno Akihiko
Published: May 2006

Azobenzene-modified γ-cyclodextrin (1) can be used as a multi-response type of host-guest sensory system, which works on the basis of guest-induced circular dichroism variations of trans and cis forms of 1.
The Chiral Catalyst Control. A Significant Role of a Chiral Catalyst in the Diastereoselective Aldol Reaction Using Chiral Aldehydes
Authors: Kobayashi Shu , Ohtsubo Akihiro , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: May 2006

The stereochemistry in the aldol reaction of a silyl enol ether with chiral aldehydes is almost completely controlled by the chiral catalyst regardless of the inherent diastereofacial preference of the chiral aldehydes.
Response Time Improvement for Liquid Crystal/Polymer Composite Films Using Dual Frequency Addressable Liquid Crystals
Authors: Gotoh Tomohisa , Murai Hideya , Saitoh Goroh
Published: May 2006

We report a significant improvement in decay time for liquid crystal/polymer (LC/P) composite films, using dual frequency addressable liquid crystals. LC/P composite film consists of a mixture of a photoactive monomer, an oligomer and a dual frequency addressable liquid crystal. The decay time for this LC/P composite film applied 50 V of 10 kHz is about 10 times faster than the passive decay time. It is also found that the response times for the LC/P composite films are controlled by superimposing the high frequency bias voltage on the low frequency voltage.
Removal of Heavy Metals from Waste Waters by Natural and Na-Exchanged Bentonites
Authors: Álvarez-Ayuso E. , García-Sánchez A.
Published: May 2006

Batch sorption studies of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) were conducted on Ca-bentonite and Na-bentonite to determine their retention capacities for these metal cations commonly present in the waste waters of galvanic industries. The Langmuir model was found to describe the sorption process well, offering maximum sorption capacities of 44.4 mg Cr/g, 6.32 mg Ni/g, 5.75 mg Zn/g, 7.72 mg Cu/g, 7.28 mg Cd/g on Ca-bentonite and 49.8 mg Cr/g, 24.2 mg Ni/g, 23.1 mg Zn/g, 30.0 mg Cu/g, 26.2 mg Cd/g on Na-bentonite. The use of Na-bentonite in the purification of waste waters from Ni, Cr and acid-Zn electroplating processes was an effective treatment in small-scale and in semi-industrial-scale tests. This proves the worth of this method as an alternative to existing methods. In contrast, Nabentonite was not effective in Zn sorption from cyanide-containing waste waters.
Microscopic Evidence for Microbial Dissolution of Smectite
Authors: Dong Hailiang , Kostka Joel E. , Kim Jinwook
Published: May 2006

This study was undertaken to investigate mechanisms of mineral transformations associated with microbial reduction of structural Fe(III) in smectite. Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 cells were inoculated with lactate as the electron donor and Fe(III) in smectite as the electron acceptor. The extent of Fe(III) reduction was observed to reach up to 26%. Reduction proceeded via association of live bacterial cells with smectite. At the end of incubation, a large fraction of starting smectite was transformed to euhedral flakes of biogenic smectite with different morphology, structure, and composition. Lattice-fringe images obtained from environmental cell transmission electron microscope displayed a decrease of layer spacing from 1.5±0.1 nm for the unreduced smectite to 1.1±0.1 nm for the reduced smectite. The biogenic smectite contained more abundant interlayer cations, apparently as a result of charge compensation for the reduced oxidation state of Fe in the octahedral site. To capture the dynamics of smectite reduction, a separate experiment was designed. The experiment consisted of several systems, where various combinations of carbon source (lactate) and different concentrations of AQDS, an electron shuttle, were used. Selected area electron diffraction patterns of smectite showed progressive change from single-crystal patterns for the control experiment (oxidized, unaltered smectite), to diffuse ring patterns for the no-carbon experiment (oxidized, but altered smectite), to well-ordered single crystal pattern for the experiment amended with 1 mM AQDS (well crystalline, biogenic smectite). Large crystals of vivianite and finegrained silica of biogenic origin were also detected in the bioreduced sample. These data collectively demonstrate that microbial reduction of Fe(III) in smectite was achieved via dissolution of smectite and formation of biogenic minerals. The microbially mediated mineral dissolution-precipitation mechanism has important implications for mineral reactions in natural environments, where the reaction rates may be substantially enhanced by the presence of bacteria.
Crystal Structures of Biotite at High Temperatures and of Heat-Treated Biotite using Neutron Powder Diffraction
Authors: Chon Chul-Min , Kim Shin Ae , Moon Hi-Soo
Published: May 2006

The crystal structure of biotite-1 M from Bancroft, Ontario, with the formula: <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:c="http://cambridge.org/core/content" xmlns:core="http://cambridge.org/core" xmlns:m="http://cambridge.org/core/metadata" xmlns:cup="http://contentservices.cambridge.org" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:mnf="http://cambridge.org/core/manifest">(K1.96Na0.13Ca0.01)(Mg3.15Fe2.592+Ti0.17Mn0.09)(Si5.98Al1.92Ti0.10)O20[(OH)1.47F1.98], was determined by Rietveld refinement using high-resolution neutron powder diffraction at in situ temperatures ranging from 20 to 900°C. The room-temperature structure of the samples heated to between 400 and 900°C using an electric furnace in air was also refined. The crystal structures were refined to an RP of 2.98 — 5.06% and Rwp of 3.84–6.77%. For the in situ heating experiments in a vacuum, the unit-cell dimensions increased linearly to 600°C. The linear expansion coefficient for the c axis was 1.65 × 10−5°C−1, while those for the a and b dimensions were 4.44 × 10−6°C−1 and 5.21 × 10−6°C−1, respectively. Accordingly, the increase in the unit-cell volume up to 600 C occurred mainly along the c axis, resulting from the expansion in the K coordination sphere along that direction. Results for all K−O bonds were analyzed in terms of the lattice component and an inner component of the structural strain. The ditrigonal distortion decreased (3.76 at 20°C to 1.95 at 600°C) with temperature, because the shorter bonds expanded and the longer bonds contracted. The increase in the interlayer separation and the decrease in the interlayer octahedral flattening angle confirmed that the c-dominated expansion occurred in the interlayer region. In the case of the ex situ-heated samples, the cell dimensions decreased sharply at temperatures over 400 C. The octahedral sheet thickness and mean  distance decreased linearly due to oxidation of octahedral Fe. However, the interlayer separation and mean  distance decreased at temperatures over 400°C. At 400°C, dehydroxylation began to increase and interlayer regions became more constricted. The overall cell parameters decreased rapidly with increasing temperatures due to dehydroxylation. The large inner strain components in the K−O bonds also resulted in an increase in the considerable ditrigonal distortion (3.57° at 400°C to 6.15° at 900°C).
Thickness Distribution of Illite Crystals in Shales. II: Origin of the Distribution and the Mechanism of Smectite Illitization in Shales
Authors: Dudek Teresa , Środoń Jan
Published: May 2006

The distributions of illite crystal (‘fundamental particle’) thickness in <0.2 µm fractions of 13 shale samples (from the Carpathian Foredeep, Poland), obtained using the Bertaut-Warren-Averbach X-ray diffraction method (MudMaster computer program), were analyzed and interpreted in terms of the mechanism of smectite illitization. All illite crystal thickness distributions in the analyzed shales are characterized by an ‘asymptotic’ shape. The origin of the asymptotic-type distributions is explained by the heterogeneity of illite crystals in shales, i.e. superposition of different populations of crystals, those included in illite-smectite (I-S) interstratifications, and those which occur as discrete illite. The analysis of the distributions in shales shows that the most frequent thickness class of illite crystals forming I-S is 2 nm. Discrete illite is composed of thicker crystals; though crystals as thin as 2 nm can also contribute to this population. The modeling of asymptotic distributions in shales by using a number of theoretical lognormal distributions shows that with progressive diagenesis, the mean thickness of illite crystals forming the I-S component increases gradually, whereas the discrete illite does not show a clear trend.

The diverse origins of illite crystals in shales do not permit determination of the mechanism of smectite illitization from the evolution of the shape of the overall crystal-thickness distribution during diagenesis. Therefore, in order to understand the mechanism of smectite illitization in shales, an attempt was made to trace the relative gains and losses of crystals of different thicknesses during illitization. This approach indicates the following mechanism of smectite illitization in the investigated shales: dissolution of smectite monolayers accompanied by growth of 2 nm crystals which are largely of detrital origin. Nucleation of 2 nm illites seems to be very limited.
Effects of Some Water Repellents on the Structure and Water Sorption of Smectite
Authors: Chang Sae Jung , Kim Soo Jin , Kwon Kideok
Published: May 2006

Waterproofing treatment is important for the preservation of smectite-rich rocks because of their shrinking and swelling properties. The effects of water repellents on the smectite structure and the water sorption of untreated and treated smectites were studied using X-ray diffraction. The hydrophobic Wacker BS 290 (around 100% silane/siloxane) does not prevent water from sorbing on the interlayer surface of smectite because the hydrophobic silane/siloxane is not intercalated into the interlayer space, but adsorbed onto the external surface of smectite. However, the hydrophilic Wacker BS 1001 (water-soluble emulsified silane/siloxane) prevents water from sorbing onto the interlayer surface beyond 33.3 wt.% because the hydrophobic part of the intercalated surfactant has a poor affinity for water. These results imply that water repellent containing a surfactant is suitable for smectite-rich rocks, but the expansion of smectite by intercalation of the surfactant is likely to influence volume change in smectite-rich rocks. This study notes that smectite within a rock can be one of the most important factors influencing the effectiveness of waterproof treatment. This study proposes that an intensive preliminary examination should be performed before applying water repellents to rocks, and furthermore, encourages development of new chemical reagents suitable for protecting smectite-rich rocks from moisture.
Serpentine-Smectite Interstratified Minerals from Lower Silesia (SW Poland)
Authors: Sakharov Boris A. , Dubińska Elżbieta , Bylina Paweł , Kozubowski Jan A. , Kaproń Grzegorz , Frontczak-Baniewicz Małgorzata
Published: May 2006

Interstratified serpentine-smectite was found in the fine-grained fraction of altered metasomatic contact biotite-schists developed between serpentinite and granite-type rocks (Lower Silesia ophiolite sequence, Poland). Ni-rich serpentine-smectite is R0-interstratified lizardite (0.80)-stevensite (0.15)-vermiculite-like (0.05), with a coherent scattering domain (csd) of 5 layers (mean value). The Mg-rich variety of serpentine-smectite is R1 lizardite (0.80)-stevensite (0.20) with a csd size of 7 layers (mean value). A transmission electron microscope study revealed complex layer relationships, with zones composed of various serpentine-smectite packets having lizardite/smectite ratios of 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 4:1 and scarce serpentine segregations. In both cases, the serpentine-smectites appear to be late products of alteration of the parent biotite-schist.

Experimental and calculated positions and intensities of reflections of the ethylene glycol-saturated, heated (250°C, thermal stage), and air-dried samples are in good agreement. Calculated X-ray diffraction patterns for interstratified glycolated and anhydrous serpentine-smectite are included in the Appendix.
Illite-Smectite Mixed-Layer Minerals in Felsic Volcaniclastic Rocks from Drill Cores, Kakkonda, Japan
Authors: Inoue Atsuyuki , Meunier Alain , Beaufort Daniel
Published: May 2006

Crystallization processes of the illite-smectite (I-S) mixed-layer mineral series during alteration of felsic vitric materials in volcaniclastic sediments through two drill holes (IT-2 and IT-8) near the Kakkonda active geothermal system, Japan, were examined by optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and oxygen isotope analysis. Temperatures measured through the drill holes increased nearly linearly with depth up to 317°C at the bottom (1700 m) of IT-8. Homogenization temperature measurements of fluid inclusions indicated that the alteration occurred at temperatures similar to the present temperatures. In selected volcaniclastic rocks, excluding andesitic rocks and black shales, clay minerals occurred as glass replacements and pore fillings as seen under SEM and optical microscopy, and exhibited predominantly euhedral hexagonal and elongated forms under TEM, implying that they precipitated in situ through hydrolytic reactions of glass and fluid. Based on XRD examination, I-S minerals showed a sigmoidal variation in illite layer percentage (%I) in the range of ∼150 to 220°C and R0 I-S minerals with intermediate %I between 20 and 40% rarely occurred (where R is the Reichweite parameter). The chemical composition also showed a specific variation with depth. Intermediate clays including smectite and I-S minerals are enriched in Al compared to those reported previously from hydrothermal alteration of almost equivalent parent rocks. The oxygen isotope data indicated that the reacting solution was percolating groundwater in the shallow levels and with fossil seawater in the deeper levels. Furthermore, calculating the fluid/rock (W/R) ratio from the isotope variations revealed that the alteration occurred at a nearly constant W/R ratio condition irrespective of %I. Consequently, the observed specific variations in structure and chemical composition of I-S minerals reflect the compositional variations of fluid participating in the crystallization at given temperatures under the conditions of a given original rock and constant W/R ratio. High pH and Na-rich solutions generated by progressive hydrolytic reactions between felsic glass and groundwater favored the precipitation of Al-rich smectite up to ∼150°C and was followed by precipitation of an aluminous R1 I-S mineral with few intermediate R0 I-S minerals at higher temperatures. The crystallization obeys Ostwald’s step rule behavior of smectite illitization processes under a high geothermal gradient.
The Kübler Index in Late Diagenetic to Low-Grade Metamorphic Pelites: A Critical Comparison of Data From 10 Å and 5 Å Peaks
Authors: Battaglia Stefano , Leoni Leonardo , Sartori Franco
Published: May 2006

A set of 99 samples covering the whole range of low- and very low-grade metamorphic conditions has been used to compare Kübler index (KI) values measured on the illite 10 Å reflection (KI10 Å) with those obtained from the 5 Å reflection (KI5 Å). Evaluation of peak widths have been carried out both graphically on the recorded peak profiles from chart-strip X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and with the WINFIT computer program (Krumm, 1996) on fitted and decomposed profiles. All the measurements were performed both on air-dried and glycolated preparations. The data collected show that in the rock samples where illite is associated with significant amounts of I-S interstratified minerals, and/or K/Na intermediate micas, paragonite and other interfering phases, full width at half-maximum (FWHM) measurements on the 5 Å peak in fitted and decomposed XRD profiles from glycolated mounts give more reliable KI values than those obtained from the 10 Å peak. This is because of the easier and more complete de-summation of the illite second reflection from the contributions of all the interfering phases. In each sample population in which the rocks have the same metamorphic grade, KI5 Å values from fitted and decomposed profiles show much lower scattering in comparison with KI10 Å values and appear consistent with the values measured in lithologies without interfering phases.

The relationship between KI10 Å and KI5 Å appears very close to a 1:1 linear relationship; nevertheless, the conversion from KI5 Å to KI10 Å through the appropriate equation (KI10 Å = KI5 Å × 0.965 + 0.023°2θ) is recommended in order to avoid a small, but systematic, error.

In the range from late diagenesis to middle anchizone, where several phases may give diffraction effects interfering with illite peaks, the proposed procedure (i.e. FWHM measurements on the 5 Å peak in fitted and decomposed XRD profiles from glycolated mounts) seems to allow better estimates of the metamorphic grade than those obtained through traditional KI measurements.
Performance Evaluation and Cross-Reactivity from Insulin Analogs with the ARCHITECT Insulin Assay,
Authors: Moriyama Masako , Hayashi Nobuhide , Ohyabu Chinami , Mukai Masahiko , Kawano Seiji , Kumagai Shunichi
Published: May 2006

Background: Insulin measurement is used for the diagnosis of hypoglycemia and for insulin pharmacokinetic evaluations. We assessed the analytical and clinical performance of the ARCHITECT® insulin assay, a chemiluminescent immunoassay recently introduced for the ARCHITECT i2000 fully automated immunoassay analyzer (Abbott Laboratories). We also tested whether major insulin analogs cross-reacted with the immunoassay reagents.

Methods: We used Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols to assess the analytical performance of the ARCHITECT insulin assay and compared its accuracy with that of the E-test TOSOH II (IRI) from TOSOH Corporation. We used 3 recombinant insulin analogs (lispro, aspart, and glargine) to evaluate the cross-reactivity of insulin analogs with the ARCHITECT immunoassay reagent.

Results: The total CV for the ARCHITECT assay was <5%. Correlation between the ARCHITECT insulin assay and the E-test TOSOH II (IRI) was satisfactory in the measured range, but we detected a slope deviation between the assays. The ARCHITECT insulin assay showed low cross-reactivity to the insulin analog aspart, whereas it detected the other insulin analogs, lispro and glargine, in concentrations as high as the theoretical concentrations.

Conclusions: The ARCHITECT insulin assay showed favorable basic performance, including reproducibility, dilution linearity, detection limit, and effects of interfering substances. When interpreting results, clinicians and laboratory pathologists should be aware of the cross-reactivity of the ARCHITECT and other immunoassays to specific insulin analogs prescribed to diabetes patients.
Life Prediction of Fretting Fatigue of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Jin O , Calcaterra JR , Mall S
Published: May 2006

The present study was aimed towards improving the prediction capability of fretting fatigue life of Ti-6Al-4V. Incremental and interrupted fretting fatigue tests were conducted. Based on the crack propagation pattern observed on the fractured surface fretting fatigue life was predicted. The disappearance of contact stresses was evidenced by the change in crack growth direction from oblique to perpendicular path to the loading direction. Thus, fatigue crack initially propagated under the influence of the contact stress, and then it grew due to the applied stress amplitude to the substrate. The transition crack length between these two conditions varied between 20 to 30 μm and depended on the contact load. This enabled the prediction of short and long crack propagation life. There was good correlation between the predicted fretting fatigue life and the experimental life.
Damage-Based Models for Step-Stress Accelerated Life Testing
Authors: Lee YL , Lu MW
Published: May 2006

Step-stress accelerated testing of mechanical components offers great potential for improvements in reliability demonstration bench testing. Most mechanical products are designed to operate for a long period of time and in such a case, life testing is a relatively lengthy procedure. Lengthy tests tend to be expensive and the results become available too late to be of much use. To reduce the experimental cost significantly and provide an efficient tool to assess the life distribution for highly reliable products, a step-stress accelerated test was developed. Step-stress testing is achieved by testing the component at stress levels greater than operational levels in a stepwise fashion to reduce the time-to-failure, or life.

Nelson's cumulative exposure model has been widely used to determine the reliability of the test parts under step-stress accelerated testing. The Nelson model does not provide information pertinent to failure mechanism and sites. Further, the model assumes that the previous exposure stress history of a test part is accounted for by the cumulative exposure distribution, instead of the damage curve. Therefore, damage curve analysis (DCA), double linear damage rule (DLDR), and linear damage rule (LDR) are adopted to assess the experimental results from step-stress accelerated testing.

Investigation into Nelson's cumulative exposure model and the three cumulative damage rules to predict fatigue reliability of mechanical products under step-stress accelerated testing was performed. The predictions by Nelson's cumulative exposure model and DCA are better than DLDR and LDR. Due to its simplicity of implementation, LDR is also capable of estimating failure life distribution reasonably well.
Motivating Ill-Structured Problem Solving in a Web-Based Peer-Group Learning Environment: A Learning-Goal Perspective
Authors: Song Hae-Deok
Published: May 2006

Motivation effort is one of the critical components that enable students to engage in the process of ill-structured problem solving. This article chronicles the development and evaluation of a motivation-supported problem-solving environment promoting learning goals. The environment was created by developing learning-goal oriented contexts that included (1) presenting task messages that stressed the intrinsic value of learning, (2) allowing learners to control their own learning activities, and (3) providing self-referenced evaluations. Forty-six middle-school students participated. One major finding was that a learning-goal oriented context was a powerful motivational strategy that boosted students' intrinsic motivation for ill-structured problem solving.
Split‐hand/split‐foot malformation 3 (SHFM3) at 10q24, development of rapid diagnostic methods and gene expression from the region
Authors: Lyle Robert , Radhakrishna Uppala , Blouin Jean‐Louis , Gagos Sarantis , Everman David B. , Gehrig Corinne , Delozier‐Blanchet Celia , Solanki Jitendra V. , Patel Uday C. , Nath Swapan K. , Gurrieri Fiorella , Neri Giovanni , Schwartz Charles E. , Antonarakis Stylianos E.
Published: May 2006

Split‐hand/split‐foot malformation (SHFM, also called ectrodactyly) is a clinically variable and genetically heterogeneous group of limb malformations. Several SHFM loci have been mapped, including SHFM1 (7q21), SHFM2 (Xq26), SHFM3 (10q24), SHFM4 (3q27) and SHFM5 (2q31). To date, mutations in a gene (TP63) have only been identified for SHFM4. SHFM3 has been shown by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis to be caused by an ∼500 kb DNA rearrangement at 10q24. This region contains a number of candidate genes for SHFM3, though which gene(s) is (are) involved in the pathogenesis of SHFM3 is not known. Our aim in this study was to improve the diagnosis of SHFM3, and to begin to understand which genes are involved in SHFM3. Here we show, using two different techniques, FISH and quantitative PCR that SHFM3 is caused by a minimal 325 kb duplication containing only two genes (BTRC and POLL). The data presented provide improved methods for diagnosis and begin to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of SHFM3. Expression analysis of 13 candidate genes within and flanking the duplicated region shows that BTRC (present in three copies) and SUFU (present in two copies) are overexpressed in SHFM3 patients compared to controls. Our data suggest that SHFM3 may be caused by overexpression of BTRC and SUFU, both of which are involved in β‐catenin signalling. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Periventricular nodular heterotopia and Williams syndrome
Authors: Ferland Russell J. , Gaitanis John N. , Apse Kira , Tantravahi Umadevi , Walsh Christopher A. , Sheen Volney L.
Published: May 2006

We report here on the first case of a child with bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) and Williams syndrome. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses demonstrated a deletion of the elastin gene in the Williams syndrome critical region (WSCR). Further mapping by loss of heterozygosity analysis both by microsatellite marker and SNP profiling demonstrated a 1.5 Mb deletion beyond the telomeric end of the typical WSCR. No mutations were identified in the X‐linked filamin‐A gene (the most common cause of PNH). These findings suggest another dominant PNH disorder along chromosome 7q11.23. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New cases of Bohring–Opitz syndrome, update, and critical review of the literature
Authors: Bohring Axel , Oudesluijs Grétel G. , Grange Dorothy K. , Zampino Giuseppe , Thierry Patrick
Published: May 2006

We report on four additional unrelated cases of Bohring–Opitz syndrome with the highly characteristic phenotype of facial anomalies including bulging forehead over the metopic suture, frontal nevus flammeus, exophthalmos, hypertelorism, upslanting palpebral fissures, and cleft lip and/or palate, as well as flexion deformities of the upper limbs, multiple other anomalies, and severe failure to thrive. We also update the clinical outcome of the patients reported in the original article by Bohring et al. [Am J Med Genet 85:438–446] and critically review the subsequently published cases considered to have Bohring–Opitz syndrome. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trigonocephaly in a boy with paternally inherited deletion 22q11.2 syndrome
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Sameshima Kiyoko , Sekido Ken‐ichi , Aida Noriko , Matsumoto Naomichi , Naritomi Kenji , Kurosawa Kenji
Published: May 2006

Deletion 22q11.2 syndrome is a well‐known contiguous gene syndrome, for which the list of findings is extensive and varies from patient to patient. We encountered a unique patient who had a familial 3‐Mb deletion 22q11.2 associated with trigonocephaly derived from craniosynostosis of the metopic suture. Almost all the symptoms of the patient, including polymicrogyria, microcephaly, facial abnormalities, internal anomalies, seizures, and mental retardation, were compatible with deletion 22q11.2 syndrome, except for synostosis of the metopic suture. This is the first report of a relationship between deletion 22q11.2 syndrome and trigonocephaly. Craniosynostosis of the metopic suture might be a minor complication of deletion 22q11.2, although coincidental occurrence cannot be ruled out. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of the mammary gland from the innate immune system?
Authors: Vorbach Claudia , Capecchi Mario R. , Penninger Josef M.
Published: May 2006

The mammary gland is a skin gland unique to the class Mammalia. Despite a growing molecular and histological understanding of the development and physiology of the mammary gland, its functional and morphological origins have remained speculative. Numerous theories on the origin of the mammary gland and lactation exist. The purpose of the mammary gland is to provide the newborn with copious amounts of milk, a unique body fluid that has a dual role of nutrition and immunological protection. Interestingly, antimicrobial enzymes, such as xanthine oxidoreductase or lysozyme, are directly involved in the evolution of the nutritional aspect of milk. We outline that xanthine oxidoreductase evolved a dual role in the mammary gland and hence provide new evidence supporting the hypothesis that the nutritional function of the milk evolved subsequent to its protective function. Therefore, we postulate that the mammary gland evolved from the innate immune system. In addition, we suggest that lactation partly evolved as an inflammatory response to tissue damage and infection, and discuss the observation that the two signaling pathways, NF‐kB and Jak/Stat, play central roles in inflammation as well as in lactation. BioEssays 28: 606–616, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ovotestis: an underdeveloped organ of evolution
Authors: Davison Angus
Published: May 2006

In animals that have separate sexes (gonochorists), many sperm are produced to fertilise a few eggs. As the male germline undergoes more mitoses, so the accumulated mutation frequency is elevated in sperm compared with ova, and evolution is ‘male‐driven’. In contrast, in many hermaphroditic animals, a single organ—the ovotestis—produces both ova and sperm. Since self‐renewing cells in the ovotestis may give rise to both cell types throughout life, ova in hermaphrodites could in theory have undergone as many cell divisions as sperm. Here, I consider some possible effects of the ovotestis on evolution. In particular, I hypothesise that the accumulated mutation frequency of nuclear genes in hermaphrodites (including species that change sex) may reach twice that compared with gonochorists. There may be an even greater increase in the mitochondrial mutation frequency. Further developmental studies and the accumulation of comparative data should allow hypothesis testing. If the prediction is correct, then it may provide the most‐straightforward explanation for the extraordinary diversity of mitochondrial DNA in some hermaphrodites, especially molluscs. BioEssays 28: 642–650, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeated Confidence Intervals in Self‐Designing Clinical Trials and Switching between Noninferiority and Superiority
Authors: Hartung Joachim , Knapp Guido
Published: May 2006

In self‐designing clinical trials, repeated confidence intervals are derived for the parameter of interest where the results of the independent study stages are combined using the generalized inverse chi‐square‐method. The confidence intervals can be calculated at each interim analysis and always hold the predefined overall nominal confidence level. Moreover, the confidence intervals calculated during the course of the trial are nested in the sense that a calculated interval is completely contained in all the previously calculated intervals. During the course of the self‐designing trial the sample sizes as well as the number of study stages can be determined simultaneously in a completely adaptive way. The adaptive procedure allows an early stop for significance.

The clinical trial may be originally designed either to show noninferiority or superiority. However, in each interim analysis, it is possible to change the planning from showing superiority to showing noninferiority or vice versa. Since the repeated confidence intervals are nested, there is no risk to loose the noninferiority once showed when, after an interim analysis, the trial is continued in an attempt to reach superiority.

A simulation study investigates the behavior of the considered confidence intervals. The performance of the derived nested repeated confidence intervals is also demonstrated in examples showing both kinds of switching during an ongoing trial. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)