bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine exposure fails to produce delayed degeneration of substantia nigra neurons in monkeys
Authors: Garrido‐Gil Pablo , Belzunegui Silvia , Sebastián Waldy San , Izal‐Azcárate Amaya , López Berta , Marcilla Irene , Luquin Maria Rosario
Published: September 2008

We assessed the presence of degenerating neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of parkinsonian monkeys. For this purpose, we used two histological markers of cellular death, Fluoro Jade B (FJB) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL). Eight monkeys were subacutelly treated with four to six 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) injections (1–1.5 mg/kg, cumulative dose) and sacrificed 1 week and 11 months after last MPTP injection. Eight additional monkeys were chronically exposed to MPTP (4.5–15.3 mg/kg, cumulative dose) and sacrificed 6–35 months after last MPTP dose. Three intact monkeys served as controls. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐ and TUNEL‐positive cells was quantified in SNpc and VTA and colocalization of FJB‐positive and TUNEL‐positive cells with neuronal (TH, NeuN, MAP2) and glial markers (human ferritin, GFAP) assessed on doubly labelled tissue sections. Only MPTP monkeys with 1‐week survival displayed few doubly FJB‐TH‐labelled cells. Both groups of subacute MPTP monkeys, but not chronic MPTP monkeys, showed a significant increased number of TUNEL‐positive cells in SNpc. TUNEL‐positive cells exhibited morphological features and histological markers indicative of glial cells, whereas TUNEL/NeuN or TUNEL/MAP‐2 colocalization was not observed. Our results indicate that MPTP treatment produced a nonapoptotic cell death of dopaminergic cells and the activation of the apoptotic cascade in glial cells. More importantly, we failed to demonstrate the existence of a delayed neurodegenerative process in the dopaminergic neurons after concluding MPTP injection thus, casting doubt on the validity of the “progressive model” created by repeated MPTP administration to monkeys. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blockade of the 5‐HT3receptor for days causes sustained relief from mechanical allodynia following spinal cord injury
Authors: Chen Yuhua , Oatway Mark A. , Weaver Lynne C.
Published: September 2008

Chronic neuropathic pain is a frequent, serious outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI) that is highly refractory to treatment. Serotonin can contribute to neuropathic pain after SCI, as suggested by our previous observation that transient blockade of the 5‐HT3receptor by intrathecal injections of the antagonist ondansetron reduces mechanical allodynia after SCI in rats. The current study determined whether intrathecal or intravenous infusion of ondansetron for 3 or 7 days, respectively, could cause sustained blockade of mechanical allodynia at and below the level of a twelfth thoracic clip compression injury in rats. Intrathecal 3‐day infusion of ondansetron (2.0 μg/hr), targeted to the cord rostral to the SCI and commencing at 28 days after SCI, decreased at‐level mechanical allodynia by 40% and below‐level allodynia by 60% compared with saline‐treated rats (controls). This reduction was sustained throughout drug delivery and for 1 day afterward. During the next 3 days, allodynia gradually returned toward the values of saline‐treated rats. An initial experiment showed that bolus intravenous injections of ondansetron (20–100 μg) at 28 days after SCI decreased both at‐ and below‐level allodynia for 90–120 min. Intravenous 7‐day infusions (20 μg/hr), commencing at 28 days after SCI, significantly decreased at‐level allodynia by 48% and below‐level allodynia by 51% compared with controls. This reduction of allodynia lasted throughout the infusion and for 1–3 days afterward while pain responses gradually approached those of controls. These findings suggest a potential role of 5‐HT3receptor antagonism in the relief of neuropathic pain after SCI in humans. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minimum information about animal experiments: supplier is also important
Authors: Lonjon Nicolas , Prieto Monica , Haton Henri , Brøchner Christian B. , Bauchet Luc , Costalat Vincent , Privat Alain , Gaviria Manuel , Perrin Florence E.
Published: September 2008

It has now been established that functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) depends on several parameters, including animal strain. Here we demonstrate that rats from the same strain (Wistar) but from two independent commercial suppliers present different motor, sensory, and autonomic outcomes after a standard model of SCI, the so‐called compression model. Recovery is correlated with the extension of the lesion, and we show that the vertebral canal diameter varies between the two suppliers. To substantiate this point, we carried out another set of experiments, with the so‐called contusion model, which requires bone ablation and thus whose extension is not related to vertebral canal diameter. We show that there is no difference between the two suppliers. The purpose of our communication is to alert researchers on how crucial it is to control experimental parameters as closely as possible and to establish a standard for animal experiment in order to avoid unexpected biases. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endophytic fungi found in association with Smallanthus sonchifolius (Asteraceae) as resourceful producers of cytotoxic bioactive natural products
Authors: Gallo Margareth B. C. , Chagas Fernanda O. , Almeida Marília O. , Macedo Cláudia C. , Cavalcanti Bruno C. , Barros Francisco W. A. , de Moraes Manoel O. , Costa‐Lotufo Letícia V. , Pessoa Cláudia , Bastos Jairo K. , Pupo Mônica T.
Published: September 2008

Smallanthus sonchifolius is a traditional Andean plant which has been cultured mainly in Brazil, Japan and New Zealand due to its medicinal properties. A study of the endophytic fungi associated to the plant was carried out in order to characterize new cytotoxic agents. Thirty two fungal strains were isolated and submitted to cultivation and extraction producing 186 extracts. Of these, 12% displayed moderate to high cytotoxic activities and were considered promising anticancer compound sources. The ethyl acetate fractions of Nigrospora sphaerica and Phoma betae liquid fermentations contained the synergistic compounds 8‐hydroxy‐6‐methoxy‐3‐methylisocoumarin and (22E,24R)‐ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one which are potential compounds for drug discovery. Another isolated compound, pimara‐7,15‐dien‐3‐β‐ol diterpene is being characterized for the first time through a detailed spectroscopic analysis including GC/MS, homo‐ and hetero‐nuclear correlated NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, COSY and NOEdiff) along with its optical rotation. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ecological distribution and characterization of four collections of Bacillus thuringiensis strains
Authors: Hernández‐Rodríguez Carmen Sara , Ferré Juan
Published: September 2008

Four Collections comprising 507 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have been analysed in this study. A different ecological origin characterizes each collection. Collection No. 1 was established from soil, dust, and grain samples from Spanish agricultural and non‐cultivated soil, silos, and mills. Collection No. 2 is the result of a screening in olive‐crop related environments in Spain. Collection No. 3 is made up of strains isolated from potato‐growing areas in Bolivia. Collection No. 4 has been generated for this study and includes strains collected from diverse types of samples belonging to several habitats from Spain and Mexico. Crystal morphologies and cry1A and cry2 gene content were assessed for all isolates from each collection. In the 507 strains, the most common crystal morphology was bipyramidal crystals. Frequencies of cry1A and cry2 genes were 61.5% and 59.2%, respectively, and there was a strong correlation between the occurrence of cry1A and cry2 genes. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of fibrolytic enzymes and an inoculant on in vitro degradability and gas production of low‐dry matter alfalfa silage
Authors: Kozelov Lazar K , Iliev Fedosko , Hristov Alexander N , Zaman Shah , McAllister Tim A
Published: September 2008

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of polysaccharide‐degrading enzymes (a cellulase and a xylanase) alone or in a combination with a bacterial inoculant on fermentation parameters and in vitro degradability and gas production of low‐dry matter (DM) alfalfa silage. First cut alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), harvested at about 5% bloom stage [260 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)] was ensiled in laboratory‐scale silos without preservatives or preserved with formic acid, a cellulase (Cell), a xylanase, a cellulose/xylanase enzyme combination (Cell/Xyl), a lactic acid bacteria‐based inoculant (Inoc), and a mix of Inoc and Cell (Inoc/Cell). Triplicate silos were opened on days 1, 3, 7, 15 and 60.

RESULTS: Silage pH and ammonia N and total free amino acids concentrations were the lowest (P < 0.05) for the formic acid silage. Inoc and Inoc/Cell produced the highest (P < 0.05) lactate concentration in the 60‐day silage. In vitro degradability of silage DM was not affected (P = 0.998) by treatment, but amylase‐treated neutral detergent fiber degradability was increased (P < 0.05) by formic acid. Compared with the control (51.3 mL 100 mg−1 silage DM), all treatments except Cell/Xyl increased (P < 0.001) the 24 h cumulative gas production.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, enzyme and lactic acid bacteria‐based preparations had minor effects on silage fermentation in this experiment. The increased cumulative gas production indicates some preservation or liberation of fermentable organic matter with most treatments tested. It is not clear, however, to what extent this effect would impact silage ruminal degradability in vivo. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Stop‐flow comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with pneumatic switching
Authors: Oldridge Nathan , Panic Ognjen , Górecki Tadeusz
Published: September 2008

A new method for performing comprehensive GC×GC in the stop‐flow mode is presented. A device was used to pneumatically stop the flow in the first dimension (1D) (by applying pressure pulses at the junction between the two columns), while flow was maintained in the second dimension (2D). This allowed for better preservation of resolution in the 1D of the GC×GC chromatograms, and the extension of the 2D's separation space, reducing or eliminating the extent of wraparound. When increased flow rates in the 2D were used, sensitivity enhancements were also observed.
Accumulating resampling (modulation) in comprehensive two‐dimensional capillary GC (GC×GC)
Authors: Blumberg Leonid M.
Published: September 2008

During each sampling period, an accumulating resampler (modulator) in comprehensive 2‐D chromatography accumulates all eluite from the first‐dimension column and reinjects the whole or a portion of the accumulated material into the second‐dimension column. The detrimental effect of the resampling on peak capacity of a 2‐D separation comes from the broadening of the peaks along the first‐dimension due to the resampling itself and due to the subsequent peak reconstruction. Sampling density (ρS) of resampling is the number of sampling periods per standard deviation of a peak at the outlet of the first‐dimension column. It is shown that a simple formula describes the peak broadening as a function of ρS at any (even practically too low or too high) ρS, for the peaks of any (not necessarily Gaussian) shape, for a wide class of peak reconstruction techniques, and for any 2‐D separation (GC×GC, LC×LC, etc.). In capillary GC×GC, optimal ρS (ρS,Opt) depends on the type of the peak reconstruction and on the degree of the gas decompression along the second‐dimension column. When reconstructing using linear interpolation, ρS,Opt = 0.7 at large and ρS,Opt = 0.5 at small gas decompression. The choice of exact optimal conditions is not critical. Thus, two‐fold departure of actual ρS from ρS,Opt in either direction (under‐ or oversampling) causes only 10% drop in the net peak capacity of GC×GC. The quantitative effect of a much greater undersampling is also evaluated.
Combinatorial treatment of photothermal therapy using gold nanoshells with conventional photodynamic therapy to improve treatment efficacy: An in vitro study
Authors: Kah James Chen Yong , Wan Rachel Cheng Yi , Wong Ker Yi , Mhaisalkar Subodh , Sheppard Colin James Richard , Olivo Malini
Published: September 2008

Background and Objective

Both photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapy have proven to be effective treatment strategies for cancer, but the approach of combining them into a single treatment modality may offer better treatment efficacy. We compare the treatment efficacy of such combined treatment with the individual treatment.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We perform the individual PDT, PTT and combined treatment under selected in vitro condition with our low light dose of 1.44 J/cm2 and compare their cell viability using crystal fast violet assay.

Results

Compared to PDT and PTT alone which can reduce cell viability to 30.9% and 44.0% respectively, the combined treatment under a single irradiation can further reduce the cell viability to 17.5%.

Conclusion

A combined PDT and PTT treatment appears to be a more effective treatment strategy compared to conventional PDT or emerging PTT treatment. Lesers Surg. Med. 40:584–589, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catheter‐Free 120W lithium triborate (LBO) laser photoselective vaporization prostatectomy (PVP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Authors: Spaliviero Massimiliano , Araki Motoo , Page Jay B. , Wong Carson
Published: September 2008

Introduction and Objective

We evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter‐free LBO laser PVP for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

We prospectively evaluated our initial LBO laser PVP experience and the need for urethral catheterization.

Results

Seventy consecutive patients were identified. 49 (70%) were discharged without (C−) and 21 (30%) were discharged with (C+) a urethral catheter. There were no significant differences in pre‐operative parameters, including age (C−: 65±10 vs. C+: 69±9 years), AUASS (C−: 22±6 vs. C+: 21±6), Qmax (C−: 10±4 vs. C+: 8±3 ml/second), PVR (C−: 62±105 vs. C+: 57±82 ml) and prostate volume (C−: 65±35 vs. C+: 86±53 ml). There were no significant differences in laser time and energy usage. AUASS, Qmax and PVR values showed significant improvement within each group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups. All were outpatient procedures. 2/70 (2.9%) patients required catheter reinsertion in C+. The overall incidence of adverse events was low and did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our experience suggests that catheter‐free LBO laser PVP is safe and effective for the treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. Lesers Surg. Med. 40:529–534, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and Study of a Coupling Agent for Photocurable Hybrid Thiol/Ene/Cationic Formulations
Authors: Ortiz Ricardo Acosta , Valdéz Aida E. Garcia , Duarte Lydia Berlanga , Santos Ramiro Guerrero , Flores Luis Rodolfo Ovando , Soucek Mark D.
Published: September 2008

It is demonstrated that the mechanical properties of the resulting polymers can be enhanced by adding a coupling agent to a hybrid thiol/ene/cationic system. The coupling agent was a hybrid monomer with methacrylic and epoxycyclohexyl groups linked by a tetramethyldisiloxane moiety. The methacrylic group of the coupling agent reacted in a first stage with the components of the thiol/ene system obtaining a polymer functionalized with epoxycyclohexyl groups. This polymer could react further with the epoxy monomer of the cationic system to form a copolymer. The viscoelastic properties of the obtained polymers were compared by DMA, finding an increment in the storage modulus of the polymers with the coupling agent, ranging from 18 to 67%.

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A Directly Patternable, Click‐Active Polymer Film via Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Im Sung Gap , Kim Byeong‐Su , Lee Long Hua , Tenhaeff Wyatt E. , Hammond Paula T. , Gleason Karen K.
Published: September 2008

Click‐active surfaces patterned at 200 nm resolution are demonstrated using the dual functional polymeric film, poly(propargyl methacrylate) (PPMA). The commercially available monomer of propargyl methacrylate (PMA) is polymerized in a single step by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). FT‐IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm retention of the click‐active acetylene functional group in the bulk and surface of the iCVD film, respectively. Treating substrates with silane coupling agents prior to deposition results in grafting of iCVD PPMA polymers onto various inorganic surfaces. This grafting technique provides the chemical and mechanical stability required for the PPMA layer to survive the subsequent wet chemical steps used for click functionalization. Successful attachment of an azido‐functionalized coumarin dye is demonstrated. Moreover, the PPMA film displays direct positive‐tone sensitivity to e‐beam irradiation, which enables e‐beam patterning without the use of a resist layer. Direct e‐beam exposure of the multifunctional PPMA iCVD layer results in a 200 nm pattern to which quantum dot nanoparticles are selectively conjugated on the substrates by click chemistry.

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Preparation and thermal properties of zirconium tungstate/copper composites
Authors: Yan X. , Cheng X. , Xu G. , Wang C. , Sun S. , Riedel R.
Published: September 2008

ZrW2O8/Cu composites were prepared by the powder metallurgy method. Electroless plating was used to deposit copper on ZrW2O8 powder before sintering. The thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of composites were measured in the temperature range from 25 oC to 200 oC and compared with those predicted from various theoretical models. The results show that the coefficient of thermal expansion of ZrW2O8/ Cu composites with a different volume fraction of ZrW2O8 is greater than the theoretically calculated value. The thermal conductivities of ZrW2O8/ Cu composites increase with a higher copper content and decrease upon elevated temperature. The thermal conductivity of composites with a different volume fraction of ZrW2O8 is lower than the theoretically calculated value.
Durability‐based design for endurance strength of hydroforming tools
Authors: Groche P. , Elsenheimer D. , Berger C. , Kaiser B.
Published: September 2008

Hydroforming tools must be designed fatigue resistant because in case of tool rupture high costs for repair and production downtime occur. Available guidelines for lifetime estimation of cyclically loaded parts usually are of general nature. In order to examine their applicability to the special concerns of hydroforming tools, stress states occuring during operation were investigated by means of numerical simulation. Basing on the results, specimen geometries were developed, representing a typical stress state. The estimated durability was calculated using the “FKM‐guideline”. The real durability was determined experimentally in form of Wöhler‐graphs. Eventually calculation and experiments were compared. Hence, the qualtity of the lifetime prediction was evaluated and correction factors were proposed.
Verschleißfeste Beschichtungen von Aluminium‐Stahl‐Hybridstrukturen mittels thermischer Spritztechnik
Authors: Tillmann W. , Vogli E. , Rüther B.
Published: September 2008

Mittels Hochgeschwindigkeitsflammspritzens werden Aluminium‐Hybridstrukturen aus Al Zn 5,5 Mg Cu 1,5 (ENAW7075) und einer NiCrBSi Schicht bzw. einer Cr3C2 25NiCr‐Schicht erzeugt. Die beiden Hybridstrukturen werden metallographisch und metallurgisch hinsichtlich Härte, Oberflächenrauhigkeit, Verschleißbeständigkeit und Schichtdichte untersucht und miteinander verglichen.
Schleifbearbeitung von Hart‐Weich‐Verbunden – Finite‐Elemente‐Simulation des Schleifprozesses von hybriden Schichtverbunden
Authors: Biermann D. , Würz E.
Published: September 2008

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird das Teilprojekt TP8 „Schleifbearbeitung von Hart‐Weich‐Verbunden”︁ des Graduiertenkollegs 1378 vorgestellt. Dabei soll ein angepasster Schleifprozess für die Herstellung von symmetrischen, geradgenuteten Keramik‐Hartmetall‐Verbundbohrwerkzeugen für die Gusseisenzerspanung im Durchmesserbereich unterhalb von 20 mm geschaffen werden. Dieser soll mit Hilfe von experimentellen Untersuchungen und dem Einsatz der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode für die Schleifbearbeitung von Keramik‐Hartmetall‐Verbundbohrwerkzeugen optimiert werden. Des Weiteren wird ein Ansatz für die Simulation des Schleifprozesses von hybriden Schichtverbunden dargestellt, der als Grundlage für eine Finite‐Elemente‐Simulation der Schleifbearbeitung von Keramik‐Hartmetall‐Verbundbohrwerkzeugen dienen soll.
Beeinflussbarkeit der Bauteilgestalt durch Prozessstellgrößen beim Außenlängsdrehen von AlSi9Cu3 ‐ GJS400 Parallelverbunden
Authors: Denkena B. , Boehnke D. , Dege J. , Hajibeik N.
Published: September 2008

Bei einer Prozessauslegung für Werkstoffverbunde sind zur Sicherstellung der geforderten Bauteilqualität charakteristische Wechselwirkungen zu berücksichtigen. Insbesondere bei Parallelverbunden, bei denen beide Werkstoffe alternierend bearbeitet werden, unterscheidet sich die Zerspanbarkeit des Verbundes maßgeblich von der Zerspanbarkeit der homogenen Einzelwerkstoffe. In Abhängigkeit des Verbundpartners können bei identischem Werkstoff signifikant unterschiedliche Oberflächentopografien resultieren. Die Gestalt rotationssymmetrischer Verbundbauteile ist primär durch Radiusfehler sowie durch Übergangsfehler bestimmt. Neben unterschiedlicher Werkzeug‐ und Bauteilabdrängung wird der Radiusfehler vor allem durch verschiedenartige Oberflächenfeingestalten in den einzelnen Werkstoffbereichen verursacht. Für eine Prozessauslegung sind daher stellgrößenabhängige Zerspankraftunterschiede, die Oberflächentopographie sowie deren Messmethoden zu berücksichtigen.
A mortar method for energy‐momentum conserving schemes in frictionless dynamic contact problems
Authors: Hesch Christian , Betsch Peter
Published: September 2008

In the present work the mortar method is applied to planar large deformation contact problems without friction. In particular, the proposed form of the mortar contact constraints is invariant under translations and rotations. These invariance properties lay the foundation for the design of energy‐momentum time‐stepping schemes for contact–impact problems. The iterative solution procedure is embedded into an active set algorithm. Lagrange multipliers are used to enforce the mortar contact constraints. The solution of generalized saddle point systems is circumvented by applying the discrete null space method. Numerical examples demonstrate the robustness and enhanced numerical stability of the newly developed energy‐momentum scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Matched interface and boundary (MIB) for the implementation of boundary conditions in high‐order central finite differences
Authors: Zhao Shan , Wei G. W.
Published: September 2008

High‐order central finite difference schemes encounter great difficulties in implementing complex boundary conditions. This paper introduces the matched interface and boundary (MIB) method as a novel boundary scheme to treat various general boundary conditions in arbitrarily high‐order central finite difference schemes. To attain arbitrarily high order, the MIB method accurately extends the solution beyond the boundary by repeatedly enforcing only the original set of boundary conditions. The proposed approach is extensively validated via boundary value problems, initial‐boundary value problems, eigenvalue problems, and high‐order differential equations. Successful implementations are given to not only Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin boundary conditions, but also more general ones, such as multiple boundary conditions in high‐order differential equations and time‐dependent boundary conditions in evolution equations. Detailed stability analysis of the MIB method is carried out. The MIB method is shown to be able to deliver high‐order accuracy, while maintaining the same or similar stability conditions of the standard high‐order central difference approximations. The application of the proposed MIB method to the boundary treatment of other non‐standard high‐order methods is also considered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived stress in occupational therapy students
Authors: Pfeifer Teresa A. , Kranz Peter L. , Scoggin Angela E.
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived stress of entry‐level master's occupational therapy (OT) students enrolled at a Texas university. A total of 29 students including nine men and 20 women participated in the study. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The participants were interviewed during the end of the first and second year of the entry‐level master's programme in OT. Questionnaires, given at the same time, contained demographic data, open‐end questions and force choice questions rated on a Likert scale. The results indicated that the majority of students (66.4%) rated their current level of stress as above average or the highest in their lives. The students expressed feelings of being overwhelmed, confused regarding course expectations and wanted more hands‐on experience. When responding to how they managed stress, more than half of the students in the study took an active approach by utilizing exercise. Limitations of the study include using a non‐standardized questionnaire, a small number of participants, and that the participants did not represent diversity and were for the most part Hispanic. It is recommended that future research address the cultural and generational issues that may affect perceptions of stress and how students cope with stress. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abundant expression of CXCL9 (MIG) by stromal cells that include dendritic cells and accumulation of CXCR3+ T cells in lymphocyte‐rich gastric carcinoma
Authors: Ohtani H , Jin Z , Takegawa S , Nakayama T , Yoshie O
Published: September 2008

The neoplastic environment is generally regarded as an immunosuppressive milieu. However, a group of cancers are characterized by the abundance of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Here we examined the possible roles of chemokines in the formation of lymphoid stroma in lymphocyte‐rich gastric carcinomas (GCs), including EBV+ cases and conventional GCs. Regardless of EBV positivity, TILs in lymphocyte‐rich GCs predominantly expressed CXCR3, while its ligand CXCL9 was abundantly expressed by stromal cells and a portion of cancer cells. CXCL9+ stromal cells were judged to include dendritic cells, because they partly co‐expressed fascin, DC‐sign, CD83, DC‐lamp or HLA‐DR. T cells in close contact with CXCL9+ cells showed frequent labelling of Ki‐67 (approximately 10%), suggesting the immunostimulatory activity of CXCL9+ stromal cells. The T‐cell zone of the regional lymph nodes of lymphocyte‐rich GCs also abounded with CXCR3+ T cells and CXCL9+ stromal cells. This indicated a close similarity between cancer stroma and regional lymph nodes of lymphocyte‐rich GCs. Quantitative RT–PCR also confirmed the strong expression of CXCR3, CXCL9 and IFNγ in lymphocyte‐rich GCs. In contrast, conventional GCs contained less abundant CXCR3+ T cells and few CXCL9+ stromal cells. Collectively, the CXCL9–CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in the formation of lymphoid stroma in lymphocyte‐rich GCs. Given similar findings in the regional lymph nodes, the lymphoid stroma of lymphocyte‐rich GCs may represent a tertiary lymphoid tissue with predominantly Th1‐shifted immune responses. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transactional development of parent personality and child temperament
Authors: Komsi Niina , Räikkönen Katri , Heinonen Kati , Pesonen Anu‐Katriina , Keskivaara Pertti , Järvenpää Anna‐Liisa , Strandberg Timo E.
Published: September 2008

Stability and change in parental extraversion and neuroticism were studied in transaction with their views of their child's temperament from the age of six months to the age of five‐and‐a‐half years in 109 mother–father–child triads (parent–daughter: n = 61, parent–son: n = 48). While parental traits showed high stability, infants' higher positive affectivity predicted an increase in parental extraversion over 5 years, and infant's higher activity predicted a decrease in parental neuroticism. Parent‐rated temperament showed expected heterotypic continuity. Initially higher parental extraversion predicted an increase in the child's effortful control, and higher parental neuroticism predicted an increase in the child's negative affectivity. The results indicate that parental personality and child temperament develop in transaction promoting change in each other. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The personality basis of justice: The five‐factor model as an integrative model of personality and procedural fairness effects on cooperation
Authors: Van Hiel Alain , De Cremer David , Stouten Jeroen
Published: September 2008

Building upon the self‐based model of cooperation (De Cremer & Tyler, 2005), the present study investigates the relationship between the five‐factor model (FFM) and cooperation. Study 1 (N = 56), an experiment conducted in the laboratory, and Study 2 (N = 116), a field study conducted in an organisational context, yielded a moderator effect between neuroticism and procedural fairness in explaining cooperation. Study 3 (N = 177) showed that this moderator effect was mediated by the self‐uncertainty and relational variables proposed by the self‐based model of cooperation. It is concluded that the FFM is useful in explaining cooperation and contributes to a better understanding of (procedural) fairness effects. Moreover, the necessity to build integrative, multi‐level models that combine core and surface aspects of personality to explain the effects of fairness on cooperation is elaborated upon. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personal values and relational models
Authors: Biber Pascal , Hupfeld Jörg , Meier Laurenz L.
Published: September 2008

In this study, the comprehensive value research by Schwartz (e.g. 1992) was linked to Fiske's relational models theory (RMT, e.g. Fiske, 1991). A sample of 297 people answered the personal values questionnaire (PVQ), the modes of relationship questionnaire (MORQ) and the relationship profile scale (RPS) in a web‐based online survey. As hypothesized, the set of 10 values correlated in a systematic manner—according to the circular structure of personal value systems—with both trait‐like construal of and motivational investment in the relational models communal sharing (CS), authority ranking (AR) and market pricing (MP). Further research concerning a person–environment value congruency approach to predict well‐being is suggested combining the two research traditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A stronger latent‐variable methodology to actual–ideal discrepancy
Authors: Scalas L. Francesca , Marsh Herbert W.
Published: September 2008

We introduce a latent actual–ideal discrepancy (LAID) approach based on structural equation models (SEMs) with multiple indicators and empirically weighted variables. In Study 1, we demonstrate with simulated data, the superiority of a weighted approach to discrepancy in comparison to a classic unweighted one. In Study 2, we evaluate the effects of actual and ideal appearance on physical self‐concept and self‐esteem. Actual appearance contributes positively to physical self‐concept and self‐esteem, whereas ideal appearance contributes negatively. In support of multidimensional perspective, actual‐ and ideal‐appearance effects on self‐esteem are substantially—but not completely—mediated by physical self‐concept. Whereas this pattern of results generalises across gender and age, multiple‐group invariance tests show that the effect of actual appearance on physical self‐concept is larger for women than for men. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contextual cues as a source of response bias in personality questionnaires: The case of the NEO‐FFI
Authors: Krahé Barbara , Becker Jana , Zöllter Jana
Published: September 2008

Two experiments demonstrated the susceptibility of a standard personality inventory to response bias elicited by contextual cues. In Study 1, participants who completed the NEO‐FFI in a simulated application for a job stereotypically associated with extraversion (a journalist) scored higher on the extraversion scale than those who completed it under standard instructions. The increase occurred in response to the job label ‘journalist’ and in response to a job description stressing extraversion‐related qualities. In Study 2, a priming procedure was used to elicit cognitive response distortions. Participants exposed to an extraverted stimulus person scored higher on extraversion than participants completing the NEO‐FFI under standard instructions. No effects were found on the remaining scales of the NEO‐FFI. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen scavengers and sensitizers for reduced oxygen inhibition in radical photopolymerization
Authors: Höfer Michael , Moszner Norbert , Liska Robert
Published: September 2008

Oxygen inhibition in the free‐radical photopolymerization of (meth)acrylates is one of the most challenging problems in thin film application. Apart from the utilization of an inert gas atmosphere, additives reducing oxygen inhibition due to production of new propagating centers are used. In the present study, a more straightforward approach to reduce oxygen inhibition by photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen and subsequent scavenging of these species by selective singlet oxygen trappers was investigated. The potential of 1,2‐dions conventionally used as type‐II photoinitiators for visible light polymerization to function as singlet oxygen generators was verified in sensitized steady state photooxidation experiments in solution. A set of furan and anthracene derivatives were tested as oxygen scavengers and their corresponding relative reaction rates were determined. The ability of these sensitizer/scavenger systems to reduce oxygen inhibition in practical applications was studied in photo‐DSC‐experiments. In thin film polymerization (investigated by ATR‐FTIR), the formation of insufficiently cured surfaces could be prevented by the usage of singlet oxygen trappers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6916–6927, 2008
Dichlorovanadium (IV) complexes with salen‐type ligands for ethylene polymerization
Authors: Białek Marzena , Czaja Krystyna
Published: September 2008

Vanadium complexes with tetradentate salen‐type ligands were first time explored in ethylene polymerizations. The effects of the vanadium complex structure, the alkyl aluminum cocatalysts type (EtAlCl2, Et2AlCl, Et3Al, and MAO), and the polymerization conditions (Al/V molar ratio, temperature) on polyethylene yield were explored. It was found that EtAlCl2 in conjunction with investigated vanadium complexes produced the most efficient catalytic systems. It was shown, moreover, that the structural changes of the tetradentate salen ligand (type of bridge which bond donor nitrogen atoms and type of substituent on aryl rings) affected activity of the catalytic system. The complexes containing ligands with cyclohexylene bridges were more active than those with ethylene bridges. Furthermore, the presence of electron‐withdrawing groups at the para position and electron‐donating substituents at the ortho position on the aryl rings of the ligands resulted in improved activity in relation to the systems with no substituents (with the exception of bulky t‐Bu group). The results presented also revealed that all vanadium complexes activated by common organoaluminum compounds gave linear polyethylenes with high melting points (134.8–137.6 °C), high molecular weights, and broad molecular weight distribution. The polymer produced in the presence of MAO possesses clearly lower melting point (131.4 °C) and some side groups (around 9/1000 C). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6940–6949, 2008
Synthesis of Carbon‐Rich Hybrid Foam from GAP‐Modified Polyurethane
Authors: König Alexander , Kroke Edwin
Published: September 2008

4,4′‐Diisocyanato diphenylmethane (MDI)‐based polyurethanes melt and start to burn at 150–200 °C. Mainly H2O, CO2, CO, HCN, and N2 are formed. The new modified polyurethane shows a different pyrolysis behavior. GAP‐diol (glycidyl azide polymer), which was used as a modifying agent, is a well‐known energetic binder with a high burning velocity and a very low adiabatic flame temperature. The modified polyurethane starts to burn at approximately 190 °C because of the emitted burnable gases, but it does not melt. The PU foam shrinks slightly and a black, solid, carbon‐rich hybrid foam remains. TGA and EGA‐FTIR revealed a three‐step decomposition mechanism of pure GAP‐diol, the isocyanate‐GAP‐diol, and PU‐GAP‐diol formulations. The first decomposition step is caused by an exothermic reaction of the azido group of the GAP‐diol. This decomposition reaction is independent of the oxygen content in the atmosphere. In the range of 190–240 °C the azido group spontaneously decomposes to nitrogen and ammonia. This decomposition is assumed to take place partly via the intermediate hydrogen azide that decomposes spontaneously to nitrogen and ammonia in the range of 190–240 °C. The second decomposition step was attributed to the depolymerization of the urethane and bisubstituted urea groups. The third decomposition step in the range of 500–750 °C was attributed to the carbonization process of the polymer backbone, which yielded solid, carbon‐rich hybrid foams at 900 °C. In air, the second and the third decomposition step shifted to lower temperatures while no solid carbon hybrid foam was left. Samples of PU‐GAP‐diol, which were not heated by a temperature program but ignited by a bunsen burner, formed a similar carbon‐rich hybrid foam. It was therefore concluded that the decomposition products of the hydrogen azide, ammonia and mainly nitrogen act as an inert atmosphere. FTIR, solid‐state 13C‐NMR, XRD, and heat conductivity measurements revealed a high content of sp2‐hybridized, aromatic structures in the hybrid foam. The carbon‐rich foam shows a considerable hardness coupled with high temperature resistance and large specific surface area of 2.1 m2⋅g−1.
Psychoses: current approaches to drug management
Authors: Livingston Martin
Published: September 2008

Antipsychotic drugs are a key element in the management of psychosis, usually supported by psychosocial treatments. Our Drug review discusses the properties and uses of the wide range of antipsychotics currently available, followed by sources of further information and a review of prescription data. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Performance of thin‐film transistors fabricated by sequential lateral solidification crystallization techniques
Authors: Exarchos M. A. , Moschou D. C. , Papaioannou G. J. , Kouvatsos D. N. , Voutsas A. T.
Published: September 2008

The performance of Excimer Laser Annealed (ELA) Thin‐Film Transistors (TFTs), in terms of drain current behaviour in unstressed as well as in DC stressed devices, is presented. The transistors studied were fabricated under different irradiation schemes of a novel Sequential Lateral Solidification (SLS) process. As far as unstressed transistors concerned, drain current transients relaxed through stretched exponential law. Fitting results disclosed that both gate dielectric polarization and carrier recombination mechanisms occurred through transient relaxation. Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) technique was called forth in order to investi‐ gate the origin of carrier recombination mechanisms. DC hot carrier stress measurements, under “worst ageing condition” regime, were conducted in order to probe degradation mechanisms and device reliability standards. Crystal domain size significantly affects threshold voltage degradation. The latter increases with decreasing crystal domain size, due to increased concentration of protrusions in the polysilicon film. Transconductance degradation also depends on crystal domain size, attributed mainly to bulk polysilicon trap generation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanotechnology advances in controlled drug delivery systems
Authors: Kiparissides C. , Kammona O.
Published: September 2008

Nanotechnology advances in drug delivery deal with the development of synthetic nanometer sized targeted delivery systems for therapeutic agents of increased complexity, and biologically active drug products. Therapeutic systems in this class are up to a million times larger than classical drugs like aspirin. Being larger there is more scope for diversity and complexity, which makes their protection much more challenging and their delivery more difficult. Their increased complexity however, gives these systems the unique power to tackle more challenging diseases. Targeted delivery systems can have multiple functions, a key one being their ability to recognize specific molecules which can be located either on the membrane of target cells, or in specific compartments within the cell. A challenging objective of targeted drug delivery is the development of innovative multidisciplinary approaches for the design, synthesis and functionalization of novel nanocarriers for targeted delivery of protein/peptide (P/P) drugs via oral, pulmonary and nasal administration routes as well as the fabrication of “smart” miniaturized drug delivery devices able to release a variety of drugs on demand. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of the magnetic behaviour between Co‐ and Ni‐nanostructures embedded in silicon matrices
Authors: Rumpf K. , Granitzer P. , Pölt P. , Šimič S. , Krenn H.
Published: September 2008

The incorporation of Ni‐ and Co‐nanostructures into a porous membrane allows to fabricate nanocomposites with different magnetic properties. The precipitation of metal into the pores is carried out during a galvanic process and Ni as well as Co are deposited utilizing an adequate metal‐salt solution. In case of nickel elongated, needle‐like precipitations with a length up to a few micrometers can be achieved. Cobalt precipitated under comparable deposition conditions exhibits mainly spherical and ellipsoidal particles with a maximum length of about 200 nm. Also the composition of a NiCo‐electrolyte (Ni:Co 2:1) was used to get a broader avenue of physical properties of the nanocomposite. The Incorporation of metal nanostructures into the non‐magnetic silicon‐matrix leads to different magnetic properties depending on the metal species as well as the shape and distribution of the precipitations. Coercivity, squareness and anisotropy can be tailored in varying the geometry and/or spatial distribution of the metal structures as well as the choice of the metal‐species. The spatial distribution of the precipitations within the pores modifies the magnetic interaction among them. The metal‐growth of Ni, Co and NiCo within the templates differs and therefore leading to specific characteristics too. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dielectric characterization of macroporous thick silicon films in the frequency range 1 Hz–1 MHz
Authors: Theodoropoulou M. , Pagonis D. N. , Nassiopoulou A. G. , Krontiras C. A. , Georga S. N.
Published: September 2008

Macroporous silicon was fabricated on selected areas on p+ silicon substrate by anodization in HF x Ethanol solution. Pore size was ∼ 130 nm. By high temperature thermal oxidation, a thin SiO2 layer was formed on pore walls. MOS capacitors with Al metallization were then fabricated and the samples were characterized by dielectric spectroscopy (DS) in the frequency range 1 Hz–1 MHz and in the temperature range 173–353 K. The results reveal that at low temperatures the dielectric constant ε ′ is independent of frequency (tox = 20 nm ε ′ ∼ 3.4, tox = 40 nm ε ′ ∼ 2.8, tox = 72 nm ε ′ ∼ 2.6). A theoretical model, based on Vegard's law, which calculates the static dielectric constant of the samples, was used. The calculated theoretical values are in good agreement with the experimental results. Dielectric loss data show that the oxidized samples exhibit values of tanδ < 10–2 which are smaller than those of the non oxidized samples. The obtained dielectric characteristics enable oxidized macroporous silicon thick layers to be good candidates for use in RF isolation on a silicon substrate. Transient current measurements were also performed at room temperature for voltages from 1.0 to 20.0 V in the time interval 1‐100s in accumulation. The analysis of the experimental data reveals that the conductivity is governed by two different conduction mechanisms. In the low applied voltage region the conduction is due to thermally excited electrons, hopping from one state to another. For higher voltages Fowler‐Nordheim (F‐N) tunnelling of electrons through the oxide prevails. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Direct determination of recombinant bovine somatotropin in plasma from a treated goat by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Le Breton Marie‐Hélène , Rochereau‐Roulet Sandrine , Pinel Gaud , Bailly‐Chouriberry Ludovic , Rychen Guido , Jurjanz Stefan , Goldmann Till , Le Bizec Bruno
Published: September 2008

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) is used in dairy cattle to enhance milk production. Despite the ban on this hormone in some countries, especially in Europe, there is so far no method available for the direct detection of rbST either in milk or in plasma. An analytical strategy has been developed to analyze rbST in plasma, including a purification procedure based on a precipitation with ammonium sulphate, followed by a solid‐phase extraction (SPE)‐based clean‐up on C4 sorbent and precipitation with cold methanol. The hormone was then digested with trypsin and analyzed by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMSn) on a linear ion trap coupled with an Orbitrap. The tryptic N‐terminal peptide, specific to the difference between the endogenous and recombinant form of the somatotropin, was fragmented and product ions were analyzed at high mass resolution. Applying this approach to goat plasma allowed the direct detection of 10 ng mL−1 of rbST in fortified samples. It also showed the presence of rbST in plasma collected from a goat treated with the hormone, even 2 days after administration. These results are of a great interest in the field of somatotropin control and undoubtedly constitute a first step in the development of a method for the detection of rbST not only in bovine plasma, but also in other biological matrices such as milk. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of modified nucleosides in the urine of patients with malignant cancer by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Hua‐Yu , Wang Shao‐Min , Liu Hong‐Min , Li Juan , Han Dong , Bu Shan‐Shan , Zhang Ming‐Zhi
Published: September 2008

As modified nucleosides reflect altered tRNA turnover which seems to be impaired in the body of cancer patients, they have been evaluated as potential tumor markers. High‐performance liquid chromatography/electrosprary ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐Q‐TOFMS) was used to identify nucleosides purified from urine in positive ionization mode. Potential nucleosides were assessed by their evident UV absorbance in HPLC and then further examined by mass spectrometric techniques. In this manner, 21 nucleosides were detected in the urine of a patient with lymphoid cancer including three modified nucleosides 5′‐dehydro‐2‐deoxyinosine, N1,N2,N7‐trimethylguanosine and N1‐methyl‐N2‐ethylguanosine, which had never been reported previously. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.