bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori infection and Nonmalignant Diseases
Authors: De Vries Annemarie C. , Kuipers Ernst J.
Published: November 2010

Several interesting studies have been published on nonmalignant Helicobacter pylori‐related conditions over the past year, which are reviewed in this article. A revival of interest in the histologic classification of gastritis has led to grading of gastritis into stages correlating with risk of neoplastic progression, new data to improve this concept have been published. Unselected prescription of proton‐pump inhibitors in patients with dyspepsia has been questioned by the finding that withdrawal of proton‐pump inhibitors induces acid‐related symptoms in healthy volunteers, probably by the mechanism of rebound gastric acid hypersecretion. Additional data on the rationale of tapering proton‐pump inhibitor therapy are therefore awaited. Moreover, new data on peptic ulcer disease and its complications provide clear recommendations for daily clinical practice. Testing and eradication of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding is essential. However, in H. pylori‐negative peptic ulcer disease, high overall patient mortality should be acknowledged, and this should guide considering continuation of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. The role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease is still unclear. An association has been described by several studies; however, it cannot be translated to individual risks for development of gastroesophageal reflux disease after H. pylori eradication. Possibly, additional data on subgroups, such as gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer patients, and associated gastric mucosal changes, will solve this issue.
Helicobacter spp. other than Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Goldman Cinthia G. , Mitchell Hazel M.
Published: November 2010

Over the last 12 months, new insights into the association of non‐Helicobacter pylori Helicobacters with a range of human diseases in children and adults, including hepatobiliary disease, Crohn’s disease, sepsis, and gastric disease were published. Studies investigating the presence of non‐H. pylori Helicobacters in domestic animals reinforce previous findings that cats and dogs harbor gastric Helicobacter species and thus may be an important source of these organisms in humans. The confounding effect of enterohepatic Helicobacters on the outcome of biomedical research was investigated in several studies and led to recommendations that animals should be screened prior to performing experiments. A number of important and novel investigations regarding pathogenic mechanisms and immune responses to enterohepatic Helicobacters were conducted. Genomic advances in non‐H. pylori Helicobacters included description of the complete genome of Helicobacter canadensis, delineation of two Helicobacter bilis genomospecies, and identification of a novel cis‐regulatory RNA. New insights concerning growth conditions, biochemical characterization, and the effect of certain dietary compounds on Helicobacter spp. have also been reported.
Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Calvet Xavier , Lehours Philippe , Lario Sergio , Mégraud Francis
Published: November 2010

If we had to give a general view of the articles published in the year 2010, we should conclude that the evidence in the year 2010 suggests that, also in Helicobacter pylori diagnosis, “the devil is in the details”. In this sense, different studies suggested that skipping citric acid pretreatment or local validation or reducing the 13C‐urea dose markedly decreases the accuracy of the urea breath test. The studies also implied that, even between monoclonal stool tests, there are large differences between the marketed tests. Finally, even histology does not work adequately in patients with gastric cancer or extensive areas of intestinal metaplasia. In these cases, specific gastric sites should be biopsied to improve the reliability of histology.
Use of Polyelectrolyte Complexes as a Binding Agent in the Granulation Process of Titania Particles
Authors: Pringuet Antoine , Belounis Fahouzi , Pagnoux Cécile
Published: November 2010

The process of powder granulation by the colloidal way allows to shape millimetric ceramic spheres with a homogeneous distribution in terms of size and shape. This process is based on the coalescence of agglomerates in diluted media. This occurs because grains are partially covered by a “binding” agent. The system studied is based on a titania (anatase) powder granulated by a mixed system of a polyanion, the poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate), and a polycation, the chitosan. The reaction of condensation between the two polyelectrolytes leads to in situ formation of filaments acting as efficient binding agents. By selecting the suitable ratio between the two polymers, this formulation makes it possible to granulate the titania powder while retaining its purity. Organic filaments favor the coalescence step and also prevent the formation of cracks within the granules. The microstructural arrangement results from a “snowball” growth mechanism and from the migration of the grains due to the capillary forces occurring during the drying stage.
Gene expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in occupational exposure to nickel
Authors: Bonin Serena , Larese Francesca Filon , Trevisan Giusto , Avian Andrea , Rui Francesca , Stanta Giorgio , Bovenzi Massimo
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Allergic contact dermatitis is preceded by a clinically silent phase of sensitisation. In this study, we investigated whether the expression levels of six genes were related to nickel exposure and/or nickel sensitisation, and whether they could predict allergic manifestations to nickel. The mRNA expression level of six genes involved in cell growth (PIM1 and ETS2), metabolism/synthesis (HSD11B1 and PRDX4), apoptosis (CASP8) and signal transduction (CISH) was investigated by means of quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR in a cohort of 110 subjects, including healthy controls (n = 51), nickel‐exposed workers (n = 23) and patients allergic to nickel (n = 36). Our findings show that the expression levels of the analysed genes did not differ between allergic patients and healthy controls, while higher expression levels of ETS2 and CASP8 were detected in the nickel‐exposed workers. Changes in ETS2 and CASP8 expression are likely to be related to nickel exposure rather than to allergy.
Exploring the olfactory environment of premature newborns: a French survey of health care and cleaning products used in neonatal units
Authors: Kuhn Pierre , Astruc Dominique , Messer Jean , Marlier Luc
Published: November 2010

Aim:  To assess the main determinants of the newborn’s nosocomial olfactory environment.

Methods:  An electronic questionnaire was sent to 99 neonatal units in France. Senior nurses and/or physicians described the nature and use of skin care products (e.g. umbilical cord and skin disinfectants, adhesive removers), lubrications used for tubes positioning, disinfectants used to clean materials, hand hygiene products (e.g. alcohol‐based hand rubs, soaps) and newborns’ bath.

Results:  Nine groups of products and 76 distinct commercial preparations were identified. Depending on their level of respiratory support, preterm newborns were estimated to be exposed to nosocomial odours (NO) an average of 1320–1800 times during their first month of life. During their whole hospital stay, newborns of 28 and 32 weeks of gestational age could be exposed to NOs products an average of 3448 and 2024 times, respectively. The use of these products varied among medical centres. Newborns were most frequently exposed to the odour of aqueous alcoholic solutions.

Conclusions:  Vulnerable preterm infants are daily exposed to multiple NOs most of them be considered as irritant for the nose. Minimizing infants’ exposure to them would be beneficial. Future studies should describe the exact olfactory properties of the products considered essential for infant care and should assess their effects on the infant’s well‐being and development.
Safety and efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide treatment for premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome: follow‐up evaluation at early school age
Authors: Patrianakos‐Hoobler Athena I , Marks Jeremy D , Msall Michael E. , Huo Dezheng , Schreiber Michael D
Published: November 2010

Aims:  The aims of the study were to assess the long‐term safety and compare neurodevelopmental outcomes in school‐age children born prematurely who received inhaled nitric oxide or placebo during the first week of life in a randomized, double‐blinded study. Children treated with inhaled nitric oxide had previously been shown to have decreased intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia as newborns and decreased cognitive impairment at 2 years (L.W. Doyle and P.J. Anderson. (2005) Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 90, F484–F8).

Methods:  It is follow‐up study of medical outcomes, neurodevelopmental assessment and school readiness in 135 of 167 (81%) surviving premature infants seen at 5.7 ± 1.0 years.

Results:  Compared to placebo‐treated children (n = 65), iNO‐treated children (n = 70) demonstrated no difference in growth parameters, school readiness or need for subsequent hospitalization. However, iNO‐treated children were less likely to have multiple chronic morbidities or technology dependence (p = 0.05). They also had less functional disability (p = 0.05).

Conclusion:  These results demonstrate the long‐term safety of iNO in premature infants. Furthermore, iNO treatment may improve health status by decreasing the incidence of severe ongoing morbidities and technology dependence and may also decrease the incidence of educational and community functional disability of premature infants at early school age.
The impact of integration of dental services on oral health in long‐term care: qualitative analysis
Authors: Finkleman Gary I. , Lawrence Herenia P. , Glogauer Michael
Published: November 2010

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00413.x

The impact of integration of dental services on oral health in long‐term care: qualitative analysis

Objectives:  To qualitatively analyse how integration of dental service in long‐term care (LTC) impacts residents and their oral health.

Background:  Few studies have attempted to merge inductive and deductive data to clarify the significance of the complex psychosocial environment in LTC facilities. Understanding the subjective oral health experience of LTC residents in their social setting is key to uncovering behavioural patterns that may be limiting the oral care provided to LTC residents.

Materials and methods:  A cross‐sectional study was performed involving 61 residents in three Ontario LTC facilities. Observations and reflective notes were recorded during open‐ended interviews using a structured questionnaire to stimulate conversation topics. This ensured that each resident received the same prompting during the interview process. Inductive analysis was used to identify common patterns and themes within field notes and transcriptions.

Results:  The major themes identified included oral hygiene, oral discomfort, general health, appearance, dental access, and denture related issues. Oral hygiene and discomfort were the dominating categories within the facilities.

Conclusion:  Two of the three LTC centres identified in this study failed to provide appropriate oral care for their residents. Future research needs to be directed at prospective studies assessing the effect of oral health education and mandatory dental examinations o entry within LTC centres utilising qualitative and quantitative analyses.
The Greening of Milton Criticism
Authors: Wilcher Robert
Published: November 2010

Ecocriticism is an offshoot of the environmental movements that developed during the second half of the twentieth century and takes as its field of study literary treatments of the relationship between human beings and the physical environment. When it became established as a recognizable critical school during the 1990s, it was dominated by analyses of British Romantic poetry and literature of the American wilderness. In the present decade, its scope has been deliberately extended to include work from the early modern period. As early as the 1980s, however, the poetry of John Milton had begun to attract attention from critics with an interest in ecological concerns. Paradise Lost in particular became a key text for those who sought to resist the charge that the exploitation of the natural world was licensed by a homocentric Christian tradition based on the Biblical command to ‘subdue’ the earth and ‘have dominion’ over the creatures. An alternative to this tradition has been found in Milton’s conception of the newly created earth as a living organism, his dramatization of Eve’s response to the further Biblical command to ‘dress’ and ‘keep’ the garden of Eden, and his recognition of the ecological consequences of ‘man’s first disobedience’. Recent books and articles have begun to locate ecological readings of the epic and other poems by Milton within the contexts of seventeenth‐century developments in land management and materialist philosophy, the origins of modern scientific natural history, and the beginnings of anxiety about such environmental issues as pollution, the treatment of animals, and deforestation.
Re‐thinking Textuality in Literary Studies Today
Authors: Barry Peter
Published: November 2010

With theory no longer the dominant force in literary studies, the literary text itself has again become a major focus. The article argues the need to re‐think notions of what ‘textuality’ consists of, acknowledging the impossibility of merely returning to ‘close reading’ or merely continuing with the ‘theorised reading’ of the recent past. Instead it advocates what it calls ‘textual reading’, which is an eclectic approach that takes elements from both. Textual reading requires attention to five specific aspects of the text, which are named textuality, co‐textuality, intertextuality, contextuality and multitextuality. These are defined and briefly illustrated, and some of the sub‐categories of each are discussed in the course of the article.
Implementation of a lifestyle program in primary care by nurse practitioners
Authors: Whittemore Robin , Melkus Gail D’Eramo , Alexander Nanette , Zibel Stacie , Visone Elizabeth , Muench Ulrike , Magenheimer Elizabeth , Wilborne Stephanie
Published: November 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation process and participant satisfaction with a lifestyle program provided by nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care to adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to enhanced standard care.

Data sources: A mixed‐method clinical trial design was used (n= 58). NPs were interviewed prior to beginning the program, at 3 months, and at completion of the program. NPs also completed a questionnaire on lifestyle counseling at baseline. Process data were collected on attendance, attrition, and intervention fidelity. Participants completed a satisfaction survey at completion of the program and a sub‐sample were interviewed at the end of the program.

Conclusions: NPs reported that they felt well‐prepared and moderately effective in providing lifestyle change counseling. Participant attendance was high and in‐person sessions were implemented with good success. Participants in the lifestyle program were more satisfied with the program, reporting that the program was a good experience.

Implications for practice: Implementation of a lifestyle program to prevent T2D in primary care is feasible and acceptable to NPs and participants. Developing a structured program may improve health outcomes.
Association of depressive symptoms and social support on blood pressure among urban African American women and girls
Authors: Wu Chun Yi , Prosser Rachel A. , Taylor Jacquelyn Y.
Published: November 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between depressive symptoms and perceived social support on blood pressure in African American women.

Data sources: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 159 African American women from multiple sites in the Detroit Metro area.

Conclusions: Results from this study found that both higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively associated with higher depressive symptom scores (r= .20 and .18, p < .05). Higher depressive symptoms scores were, in turn, significantly associated with lower social support scores (r=–.44, p < .001). However, total social support scores were not significantly correlated with blood pressure readings. Higher depressive symptom scores were associated with increased systolic blood pressure independent of social support.

Implications for practice: Findings of the present study suggest the importance of appropriate social support to help alleviate depressive symptoms. However, to effectively control blood pressure in patients with depressive symptoms, other pathophysiologic mechanisms between depressive symptoms and elevated blood pressures independent of social support should be examined in future research. Future studies should consider a cohort design to examine the temporal relationship of depressive symptoms, social support, and blood pressure readings.
Potential impact of rapid diagnostic tests on improving antimicrobial use
Authors: Tenover Fred C.
Published: November 2010

Antimicrobial stewardship programs promote optimal antimicrobial use in the individual patient and reductions in inappropriate antimicrobial use in health care to limit the selective pressures that contribute to the development and spread of multidrug‐resistant organisms. These efforts presume that the antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data provided by the microbiology laboratory, which serve as the basis for clinical decision making, are accurate and delivered in a timely fashion. However, routine AST data are often not available until two to three days after the clinical specimen for culture has been collected from the patient. Nucleic acid amplification methods can provide data on the presence of antimicrobial‐resistant microorganisms directly from clinical specimens often in less than 1 hour. Organisms causing sepsis, respiratory tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases are all amenable to rapid detection. Several commercial molecular diagnostic assays are already in use in microbiology laboratories worldwide; however, physician acceptance of the rapid methods is often slow. Data on the presence of resistant bacteria in a clinical sample in less than one hour should improve the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Some Remarks on Spaces of Morrey Type
Authors: Caso Loredana , D′Ambrosio Roberta , Monsurrò Sara
Published: November 2010

We deepen the study of some Morrey type
spaces, denoted by Mp,λ(Ω), defined on an unbounded open subset Ω of ℝn. In particular, we construct decompositions for functions belonging to two different
subspaces of Mp,λ(Ω), which allow us to prove a compactness result for an
operator in Sobolev spaces. We also introduce a weighted Morrey type space,
settled between the above‐mentioned subspaces.
Acute Hepatitis B and Acute HIV Coinfection in an Adult Patient: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Bansal Raghav , Policar Maurice , Mehta Chinar
Published: November 2010

Acute HIV and acute hepatitis B coinfection is extremely rare. A 23-year-old homosexual man was admitted to our hospital with 5-day history of fever, malaise, and back pain with initial laboratory values showing severe transaminitis. The clinical picture was initially suggestive of acute viral hepatitis, which on further testing revealed acute hepatitis B and acute HIV coinfection. Although the patient was asymptomatic, a decision was made to start antiretroviral therapy. At 2-month followup, liver function tests were normal with undetectable viral loads. The early treatment of acute HIV/HBV coinfections likely contributed to eventual seroconversion with immunity to HBV in a severely immunocompromised host. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of acute Hepatitis B and acute HIV coinfection and its management. In conclusion, early treatment of acute hepatitis B in immunocompromised patients may be beneficial.
The Fat‐Fed Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mouse Brachiocephalic Artery in the Study of Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture
Authors: Bond Andrew R. , Jackson Christopher L.
Published: November 2010

Atherosclerosis has been studied in animals for almost a century, yet the events leading up to the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque (the underlying cause of the majority of fatal thrombosis formation) have only been studied in the past decade, due in part to the development of a mouse model of spontaneous plaque rupture. Apolipoprotein E knockout mice, when fed a high‐fat diet, consistently develop lesions in the brachiocephalic artery that rupture at a known time point. It is therefore now possible to observe the development of lesions to elucidate the mechanisms behind the rupture of plaques. Critics argue that the model does not replicate the appearance of human atherosclerotic plaque ruptures. The purpose of this review is to highlight the reasons why we should be looking to the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse to further our understanding of plaque rupture.
Use of Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Demonstrate Decreased Serum Statin Levels after Extracorporeal LDL‐Cholesterol Elimination
Authors: Bláha M. , Vlčková H. , Nováková L. , Solichová D. , Solich P. , Lánská M. , Malý J. , Bláha V.
Published: November 2010

Background. Using our statin analysis method, it was possible to uncover a significant drop in statin levels (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and metabolites) after extracorporeal LDL‐cholesterol elimination (EE) in severe familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The purpose of this work was to identify the mechanism underlying this drop and its clinical significance as well as to propose measures to optimize a pharmacotherapeutical regimen that can prevent the loss of statins. Methods. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) connected to the triple quadrupole MS/MS system was used. Patients. A group of long‐term treated patients (3–12 years of treatment) with severe FH (12 patients) and treated regularly by LDL‐apheresis (immunoadsorption) or haemorheopheresis (cascade filtration) were included in this study. Results. After EE, the level of statins and their metabolites decreased (atorvastatin before/after LDL‐apheresis: 8.83/3.46 nmol/l; before/after haemorheopheresis: 37.02/18.94 nmol/l). A specific loss was found (concentration of atorvastatin for LDL‐apheresis/haemorheopheresis: 0.28/3.04 nmol/l in washing fluids; 11.07 nmol/l in filters). To prevent substantial loss of statin concentrations, a pharmacotherapeutic regimen with a longer time interval between the dose of statins and EE is recommended (15 hours). Conclusions. A specific loss of statins was found in adsorbent columns and filters. The decrease can be prevented by the suggested dosage scheme.
Selective Killing of Tumor Neovasculature Paradoxically Improves Chemotherapy Delivery to Tumors
Authors: Escorcia Freddy E. , Henke Erik , McDevitt Michael R. , Villa Carlos H. , Smith-Jones Peter , Blasberg Ronald G. , Benezra Robert , Scheinberg David A.
Published: November 2010

Antiangiogenic therapies are frequently used with concomitantly administered cancer chemotherapy to improve outcomes, but the mechanism for the benefit of the combination is uncertain. We describe a mechanism by which a specific, cytotoxic antivascular agent causes vascular remodeling and improved chemotherapy results. By selectively killing tumor neovasculature using short-ranged α-particles targeted to vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin on vascular endothelial cells (by use of 225Ac-labeled E4G10 antibody) we were able both to reduce tumor growth and to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy, an effect seen only when the chemotherapy was administered several days after the vascular targeting agent, but not if the order of administration was reversed. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies showed that the vasculature of 225Ac-E4G10–treated tumors was substantially depleted; the remaining vessels appeared more mature morphologically and displayed increased pericyte density and coverage. Tumor uptake and microdistribution studies with radioactive and fluorescent small molecule drugs showed better accumulation and more homogenous distribution of the drugs within 225Ac-E4G10–treated tumors. These results show that 225Ac-E4G10 treatment leads to ablation and improvement of the tumor vascular architecture, and also show that the resulting vascular remodeling can increase tumor delivery of small molecules, thus providing a process for the improved outcomes observed after combining antivascular therapy and chemotherapy. This study directly shows evidence for what has long been a speculated mechanism for antiangiogenic therapies. Moreover, targeting the vessel for killing provides an alternative mode of improving chemotherapy delivery and efficacy, potentially avoiding some of the drawbacks of targeting a highly redundant angiogenic pathway. Cancer Res; 70(22); 9277–86. ©2010 AACR.
A Victorian Amazon.com: Edward Petherick and His Colonial Booksellers’ Agency
Authors: Rukavina Alison
Published: November 2010

In the late nineteenth century, a central figure in the international book trade was Australian Edward Petherick, who positioned himself as an important middleman for publishers wanting to expedite the sale of their books overseas. The article surveys the history of Petherick’s Colonial Booksellers’ Agency, which specialized in distributing, advertising, and publishing books for colonial and foreign markets, and illustrates the shift in the last two decades of the nineteenth century from British publishers eagerly cooperating with their overseas counterparts to British, colonial, and foreign firms directly competing for access to the international market in English-language books.
Anna Julia Cooper and Africana Womanism: Some Early Conceptual Contributions
Authors: Hubbard LaRese
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this essay is to identify and discuss critically some of the fundamental concepts of the womanist philosophy of Anna Julia Cooper and their use in the current understandings of and approaches to Africana womanism. To do this, I will use categories from Clenora Hudson-Weems—definitional typology of Africana womanism. In addition, I will conduct my analysis within an Afrocentric framework as defined and developed by Molefi Kete Asante.
Liberal Women in Rhodesia: A Report on the Mitchell Papers, University of Cape Town
Authors: Law Kate
Published: November 2010

The Mitchell collection at the Manuscripts and Archives Department of The University of Cape Town (UCT) consists of the papers of Diana Mary Mitchell, a leading white Rhodesian liberal in the 1960s and 1970s as well as private papers of some other politically active Rhodesians, such as Morris Hirsch, Pat Bashford and Allan Savory. This report presents the Mitchell collection as an instrument to investigate issues of agency by liberal White Rhodesian women in the period 1950-1980, thus aiming to counter some dominant trends in the historiography of Rhodesia and Zimbabwe.

Diana Mitchell was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1932. Her father was a merchant marine officer and her mother was originally from Australia. She attended Eveline High School in Bulawayo and with financial help from her mother she completed a BA in History at Cape Town University in 1953. Before entering formal party politics, Mitchell ran a “backyard school” which provided schooling for African children who otherwise would have had no access to education. After the announcement of the illegal Declaration of Independence (UDI), in 1965 the Rhodesian Front (RF) closed such schools and Mitchell charges this move as being “the key to my activism.” While Mitchell acknowledges that she “worked voluntarily because I could afford to, my husband was the breadwinner […] so I could afford to be this so called ‘liberal’ because of my standard of living,” she became heavily involved in parliamentary politics and was one of the founding members of the Centre Party (CP).
Potentials and Challenges in Oral Tradition Research and Education: Synchrotext Software
Authors: Seitel Peter
Published: November 2010

This short note introduces Synchrotext software, which was designed for representing African oral traditions and other kinds of performances and events. I began my documentation and analysis of Haya oral tradition in 1968. Synchrotext is the product of a decades-long project to adequately represent Haya oral traditions with an appropriate technology and an analytic frame that communicate the meaning and art in performance. Synchrotext provides a means of hearing the indigenous voices of oral tradition centered in their own time and inflected with their own intonation.

For some time now, the computer has been employed to enhance research and education in the humanities. Internet sites like the Perseus Project demonstrate the powers of automated information-processing. To date, the computer's constantly evolving, massive, sophisticated storage-and-retrieval capabilities have been focused almost exclusively on the cultural heritage of written texts. And, although computer-assisted archives of recorded oral performances do exist, there remain current needs of oral traditions research that I believe can be more effectively met. In this short note, I would like to specify what those needs are and to introduce the software I have designed to speak to them.

The needs to be discussed relate to five practices that are among those of current concern to students of oral traditions: representation of primary data, research and analysis, modes of collaboration, education, and the safeguarding of performance traditions: Each set of needs is discussed in turn, and each becomes a context for the description and evaluation of software design.
Role of CEACAM1, ECM, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Orthotopic Model of Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Samineni Sridhar , Glackin Carlotta , Shively John E.
Published: November 2010

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) is a morphogen in anin vitromodel for lumen formation and plays a similar role in breast epithelial cells implanted in humanized mammary fat pads in NOD-SCID mice. Although extra cellular matrix alone is sufficient to stimulate lumen formation in CEACAM1 transfected MCF-7 cells grown in 3D culture, there is an additional requirement for stromal or mesenchymal cells (MSCs) for these cells to form xenografts with glandular structures in an orthotopic site. We demonstrate that optimalin vitroconditions include both Matrigel and MSCs and that the inclusion of collagen I inhibits xenograft differentiation. Additionally, there is no need to remove the nascent murine mammary gland. The previously observed difference in gland development between the long and short cytoplasmic domain isoforms of CEACAM1 is no longer observed in pregnant NOD/SCID mice suggesting that stimulation of the mammary fat pad by pregnancy critically affects xenograft differentiation.
Monomer and radical reactivity ratios in 4‐vinylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt–acrylamide copolymerization in 0.1M NaCl solution
Authors: Sünbül D. , Paril A. , Alb A. M. , Catalgil‐Giz H. , Giz A. T.
Published: November 2010

Reaction kinetics and composition of 4‐vinylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (VB)–acrylamide (Aam) copolymerization in 0.1M NaCl solution are investigated. Data obtained by the automatic continuous monitoring of copolymerization system, up to 80% conversion, are analyzed by an “error‐in‐variables method” developed for obtaining the reactivity ratios by on‐line monitoring. Monomer reactivity ratios are found as rAam = 0.085 ± 0.020, rVB = 2.0 ± 0.33. Although the terminal model describes the composition data well, it is seen to be inconsistent with the reaction rates. This discrepancy is attributed to implicit penultimate effects and using the recently developed calculation method, effective radical reactivity ratios are found as sVB = 0.26 and sAam = 0.027, and both composition and rate data fit the implicit penultimate model extremely well. On‐line monitored data showed that in the reactions where the VB was completely consumed, the subsequent Aam homopolymerization was very rapid; thus, the reaction showed definitely two rate regimes, before and after VB depletion. Acrylamide take up rate also showed these two rate regimes. We conclude that low conversion results can be misleading and reactions must be monitored up to a high conversion for a robust control of composition and reaction kinetics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Modeling the degradation of natural rubber male condoms
Authors: Bó Maria Cristina , Gerofi John Paul , Nunes Regina Célia R. , Pinto José Carlos
Published: November 2010

Most condom manufacturers claim a 5 year shelf‐life for their products; however, condoms can decay much more rapidly than the reported shelf‐life would suggest, because of the uncontrolled storage conditions. For this reason, development of mathematical model to predict condom shelf‐life as a function of storage conditions can be very useful. In this work, six brands of condoms were aged under subtropical ambient conditions for 5 years and under accelerated conditions at four temperatures for various times. The changes in burst pressure and burst volume were used as the main indicators of product degradation. Experimental data were analyzed and two mathematical models (both based on the reparameterized Arrhenius equation) were proposed to describe the obtained data. It is shown for the first time that it is possible to estimate and predict the degradation of natural rubber condoms with confidence with the help of the proposed models, based on data obtained from accelerated degradation experiments, provided that different activation energies are used for the burst pressure and volume. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
A modified poly(aryle ether ketone sulfone) proton exchange membrane with in situ polymerized polypyrrole for the direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Wang Zhe , Chang Hong , Ni Hongzhe , Wu Qinghai , Zhang Mingyao , Zhang Huixuan
Published: November 2010

To meet with the requirement of proton exchange membrane in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), sulfonated poly(aryle ether ketone sulfone)/ polypyrrole(SPAEKS/Ppy) composite membranes with different contents of Ppy were prepared by chemically in situ polymerization. FT‐IR spectra suggested that the sulfonic groups on SPAEKS copolymers interacted with N groups of Ppy. SEM pictures showed that the Ppy particles were uniformly distributed throughout the SPAEKS membranes matrix. The composite membranes showed good thermal stability, low water uptake, and high proton conductive capability. The methanol diffusion coefficient (1.18 × 10−7 cm2/s) of the composite membrane with 15% Ppy was much lower than that of pure SPAEKS membrane (8.52 × 10−7 cm2/s). The composite membranes showed very good potential usage in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Geschichtliche Entwicklung und aktuelle Praxis der Probebelastung — Teil 1: Geschichtliche Entwicklung im 19. und Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Bolle Guido , Schacht Gregor , Marx Steffen
Published: November 2010

Seit der Urzeit sind Menschen bestrebt, in allen Bereichen ihres Lebens ein möglichst großes Maß an Sicherheit zu erreichen. Für das Bauwesen gilt das in ganz besonderer Weise, denn das Versagen von Bauwerken ist in der Gesellschaft viel weniger akzeptiert, als zum Beispiel das Versagen von Kraftfahrzeugen oder elektronischen Geräten. Speziell empfinden wir das Gefühl von Sicherheit, wenn wir “wissen“ oder “sehen“, dass Bauteile den entsprechenden Lasten standhalten. Deshalb stellten Probebelastungen bis ins 19. und 20. Jahrhundert den ultimativen Nachweis der Tragsicherheit für Bauteile und Bauwerke dar. Besonders die Stahlbetonbauweise konnte sich in ihren Anfangsjahren nur deshalb durchsetzen, weil ihre Leistungsfähigkeit durch vielfältige Belastungsproben gegenüber einer großen Öffentlichkeit wirkungsvoll bewiesen wurde.

Historical development and current practise of load tests in situ — part 1: historical development in the 19th and at the begin of the 20th century. Since prehistoric times people are striving to achieve the largest possible range of safety in all areas of their lives. For the construction industry this is important in a very special way, because the failure of structures is much less accepted in society, as for example the failure of motor vehicles or electronic devices. We especially feel a sense of security if we really “know“ or “see“ that components can withstand the appropriate loads. Therefore, load tests represented the ultimate proof of the safety of components and structures during the 19th and 20th Century. Especially, reinforced concrete could prevail in its early years only because its performance has been proven effective by a multitude of load tests to a wide public.
A dysmorphology score system for assessing embryo abnormalities in rat whole embryo culture
Authors: Zhang Cindy X. , Danberry Tracy , Jacobs Mary Ann , Augustine‐Rauch Karen
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND: The rodent whole embryo culture (WEC) system is a well‐established model for characterizing developmental toxicity of test compounds and conducting mechanistic studies. Laboratories have taken various approaches in describing type and severity of developmental findings of organogenesis‐stage rodent embryos, but the Brown and Fabro morphological score system is commonly used as a quantitative approach. The associated score criteria is based upon developmental stage and growth parameters, where a series of embryonic structures are assessed and assigned respective scores relative to their gestational stage, with a Total Morphological Score (TMS) assigned to the embryo. This score system is beneficial because it assesses a series of stage‐specific anatomical landmarks, facilitating harmonized evaluation across laboratories. Although the TMS provides a quantitative approach to assess growth and determine developmental delay, it is limited to its ability to identify and/or delineate subtle or structure‐specific abnormalities. Because of this, the TMS may not be sufficiently sensitive for identifying compounds that induce structure or organ‐selective effects. METHOD: This study describes a distinct morphological score system called the “Dysmorphology Score System (DMS system)” that has been developed for assessing gestation day 11 (approximately 20–26 somite stage) rat embryos using numerical scores to differentiate normal from abnormal morphology and define the respective severity of dysmorphology of specific embryonic structures and organ systems. This method can also be used in scoring mouse embryos of the equivalent developmental stage. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The DMS system enhances capabilities to rank‐order compounds based upon teratogenic potency, conduct structure‐ relationships of chemicals, and develop statistical prediction models to support abbreviated developmental toxicity screens. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:485–492, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polylactic acid (PLA): Research, development and industrialization
Authors: Pang Xuan , Zhuang Xiuli , Tang Zhaohui , Chen Xuesi
Published: November 2010

Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable, aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid. It has similar mechanical properties to polyethylene terephthalate, but has a significantly lower maximum continuous use temperature. PLA products can be recycled after use either by remelting and processing the material a second time or by hydrolyzing to lactic acid, the basic chemical. In this review, the technologies for polymerization of the lactic acid and the comparison of physical, thermal and mechanical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of the PLA and copolymers with other similar polymers are described.
Increased expression of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator in Leishmania tarentolae
Authors: Hemayatkar Mahdi , Mahboudi Fereidoun , Majidzadeh‐A Keivan , Davami Fatemeh , Vaziri Behrouz , Barkhordari Farzaneh , Adeli Ahmad , Mahdian Reza , Davoudi Noushin
Published: November 2010

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) is one of the most important thrombolytic agents for treating cardiovascular obstructions such as stroke. Glycoprotein rt‐PA is a serine protease, consisting of 527 amino acids of which 35 are cysteine residues. A variety of recombinant protein expression systems have been developed for heterologous gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. In recent years, Leishmania tarentolae has been considered because of its safety aspects and special attributes in expression of complex proteins. In this study, two expression cassettes, each one including two copies of t‐PA cDNA, were used for integration into the L. tarentolae genome by electroporation. Transformed clones were selected in the presence of appropriate antibiotics. Expression of active rt‐PA was confirmed by Western blot and Zymography tests. Real‐time PCR analysis was applied to investigate the presence of multiple t‐PA gene copies in the parasite genome. Correlation of t‐PA gene dosage and production rate was confirmed with real‐time PCR. It was shown that the expression level of rt‐PA in L. tarentolae is at least 480 IU/mL of culture media. This concentration of rt‐PA is seven times higher than what was reported in previous studies in L. tarentolae and some other eukaryotic systems.
Methodology for and the determination of the major constituents and metabolites of the Amazonian botanical medicine ayahuasca in human urine
Authors: McIlhenny Ethan H. , Riba Jordi , Barbanoj Manel J. , Strassman Rick , Barker Steven A.
Published: November 2010

Ayahuasca, also known as caapi or yage among various South American groups, holds a highly esteemed and millennia‐old position in these cultures' medical and religious pharmacopeia. There is now an increasing interest in the potential for modern medical applications of ayahuasca, as well as concerns regarding its increasing potential for abuse. Toxicological and clinical research to address these issues will require information regarding its metabolism and clearance. Thus, a rapid, sensitive and specific method for characterization and quantitation of the major constituents and of the metabolites of ayahuasca in urine is needed. The present research provides a protocol for conducting such analyses. The characteristics of the method, conducted by sample dilution and using HPLC–electrospray ionization (ESI)–selected reaction monitoring (SRM)–tandem mass spectrometry, are presented. The application of the analytical protocol to urine samples collected from three individuals that were administered ayahuasca has also been demonstrated. The data show that the major metabolite of the hallucinogenic component of ayahuasca,N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is the correspondingN‐oxide, the first time this metabolite has been described inin vivostudies in humans. Further, very little DMT was detected in urine, despite the inhibition of monoamine oxidase afforded by the presence of the harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca. The major harmala alkaloid excreted was tetrahydroharmine. Other excretion products and metabolites were also identified and quantified. The method described would be suitable for use in further toxicological and clinical research on ayahuasca. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remarkable Luminescence Properties of Lanthanide Complexes with Asymmetric Dodecahedron Structures
Authors: Miyata Kohei , Nakagawa Tetsuya , Kawakami Ryuhei , Kita Yuki , Sugimoto Katsufumi , Nakashima Takuya , Harada Takashi , Kawai Tsuyoshi , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: November 2010

The distorted coordination structures and luminescence properties of novel lanthanide complexes with oxo‐linked bidentate phosphane oxide ligands—4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (xantpo), 4,5‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphoryl)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (tBu‐xantpo), and bis[(2‐diphenylphosphoryl)phenyl] ether (dpepo)—and low‐vibrational frequency hexafluoroacetylacetonato (hfa) ligands are reported. The lanthanide complexes exhibit characteristic square antiprism and trigonal dodecahedron structures with eight‐coordinated oxygen atoms. The luminescence properties of these complexes are characterized by their emission quantum yields, emission lifetimes, and their radiative and nonradiative rate constants. Lanthanide complexes with dodecahedron structures offer markedly high emission quantum yields (Eu: 55–72 %, Sm: 2.4–5.0 % in [D6]acetone) due to enhancement of the electric dipole transition and suppression of vibrational relaxation. These remarkable luminescence properties are elucidated in terms of their distorted coordination structures.
An economically viable removal of methylene blue by adsorption on activated carbon prepared from rice husk
Authors: Sharma Y. C. , Uma  , Upadhyay S. N.
Published: November 2010

Application of an agricultural waste material, rice husk, has been investigated for preparation of activated carbon. The rice husk‐activated carbon (RHAC) was successfully utilised for the removal of a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The activated carbon was prepared in presence of ZnCl2 as an activating agent under inert nitrogen atmosphere. RHAC was characterised for surface area, pore structural parameters, and point zero charge (pHZPC). The activated carbon was further characterised by Fourier transformation infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometer, X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The effect of different parameters such as contact time and initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature on removal of the dye from aqueous solutions was investigated. The experimental data fitted well in both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity for MB was found to be 9.73 mg g−1 at 303 K. During the study of effect of adsorbent dose, almost a 100% removal was achieved at a higher dose of RHAC. Most of the experiments were carried out at an initial concentration of MB of 60 mg/L and at 303 K. Different thermodynamic parameters, viz., changes in free energy (G°), enthalpy (H°), and entropy (S°) have also been determined to explain feasibility of the process of removal. The sorption of MB on RHAC was found to be feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature.
Intelligent fitting of minimum spout‐fluidised velocity in spout‐fluidised bed
Authors: Wang Chun‐Hua , Zhong Zhao‐Ping , Li Rui , E Jia‐Qiang
Published: November 2010

The experiments were carried on to study the minimum spout‐fluidised velocity in the spout‐fluidised bed. It was found that the minimum spout‐fluidised velocity increased with the rise of static bed height, spout nozzle diameter, particle density, particle diameter, fluidised gas velocity but decreased with the rise of carrier gas density. Based on the experiments, least square support vector machine (LS‐SVM) was established to predict the minimum spout‐fluidised velocity, and adaptive genetic algorithm and cross‐validation algorithm were used to determine the parameters in LS‐SVM. The prediction performance of LS‐SVM is better than that of the empirical correlations and neural network.