bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein CIII overexpressing mice are predisposed to diet-induced hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance
Authors: Lee Hui-Young , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Jornayvaz Francois R. , Jurczak Michael J. , Kanda Shoichi , Popov Violeta , Frederick David W. , Zhang Dongyan , Guigni Blas , Bharadwaj Kalyani G. , Choi Cheol Soo , Goldberg Ira J. , Park Jae-Hak , Petersen Kitt F. , Samuel Varman T. , Shulman Gerald I.
Published: July 2011

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance have recently been found to be associated with increased plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein CIII (APOC3) in humans carrying single nucleotide polymorphisms within the insulin response element of the APOC3 gene. To examine whether increased expression of APOC3 would predispose mice to NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance, human APOC3 overexpressing (ApoC3Tg) mice were metabolically phenotyped following either a regular chow or high-fat diet (HFD). After HFD feeding, ApoC3Tg mice had increased hepatic triglyceride accumulation, which was associated with cellular ballooning and inflammatory changes. ApoC3Tg mice also manifested severe hepatic insulin resistance assessed by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, which could mostly be attributed to increased hepatic diacylglycerol content, protein kinase C-ε activation, and decreased insulin-stimulated Akt2 activity. Increased hepatic triglyceride content in the HFD-fed ApoC3Tg mice could be attributed to a ≈70% increase in hepatic triglyceride uptake and ≈50% reduction hepatic triglyceride secretion. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that increase plasma APOC3 concentrations predispose mice to diet-induced NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance. (Hepatology 2011;)
The H4 histamine receptor agonist, clobenpropit, suppresses human cholangiocarcinoma progression by disruption of epithelial mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis
Authors: Meng Fanyin , Han Yuyan , Staloch Dustin , Francis Taylor , Stokes Allison , Francis Heather
Published: July 2011

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a biliary cancer arising from damaged bile ducts. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs as epithelial cells begin to resemble mesenchymal cells leading to increased invasion potential as the extracellular matrix (ECM) degrades. Histamine exerts its effects by way of four receptors (H1-H4 HRs). Clobenpropit, a potent H4HR agonist, inhibits mammary adenocarcinoma growth. We have shown that (1) cholangiocytes and CCA cells express H1-H4 HRs and (2) the H3HR decreases CCA proliferation. We evaluated the effects of clobenpropit on CCA proliferation, invasion, EMT phenotypes, and ECM degradation. In vitro, we used CCA cell lines to study proliferation, signaling pathways, and the morphological invasive potential. Gene and protein expression of the hepatobiliary epithelial markers CK-7, CK-8, and CK-19, the focal contact protein paxillin, and the mesenchymal markers fibronectin, s100A4, and vimentin were evaluated. Cell invasion across an ECM layer was quantitated and matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, -3, -9, and -11 gene and protein expression was examined. Evaluation of the specific role of H4HR was performed by genetic knockdown of the H3HR and overexpression of H4HR. Proliferation was evaluated by proliferating cellular nuclear antigen immunoblotting. In vivo, xenograft tumors were treated with either vehicle or clobenpropit for 39 days. Tumor volume was recorded every other day. Clobenpropit significantly decreased CCA proliferation by way of a Ca2+-dependent pathway and altered morphological development and invasion. Loss of H3HR expression or overexpression of H4HR significantly decreased CCA proliferation. In vivo, clobenpropit inhibited xenograft tumor growth compared with controls. Conclusion: Modulation of H4HR by clobenpropit disrupts EMT processes, ECM breakdown, and invasion potential and decreases tumor growth. Interruption of tumorigenesis and invasion by histamine may add to therapeutic advances for CCAs. (Hepatology 2011;)
MicroRNA-29b suppresses tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis by regulating matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression
Authors: Fang Jian-Hong , Zhou Hui-Chao , Zeng Chunxian , Yang Jine , Liu Yinglin , Huang Xiuzhi , Zhang Jing-Ping , Guan Xin-Yuan , Zhuang Shi-Mei
Published: July 2011

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor with frequent intrahepatic metastasis. Active angiogenesis and metastasis are responsible for rapid recurrence and poor survival of HCC. We previously found that microRNA-29b (miR-29b) down-regulation was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival of HCC patients. Therefore, the role of miR-29b in tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis was further investigated in this study using in vitro capillary tube formation and transwell assays, in vivo subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft mouse models, and Matrigel plug assay, and human HCC samples. Both gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that miR-29b dramatically suppressed the ability of HCC cells to promote capillary tube formation of endothelial cells and to invade extracellular matrix gel in vitro. Using mouse models, we revealed that tumors derived from miR-29b-expressed HCC cells displayed significant reduction in microvessel density and in intrahepatic metastatic capacity compared with those from the control group. Subsequent investigations revealed that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was a direct target of miR-29b. The blocking of MMP-2 by neutralizing antibody or RNA interference phenocopied the antiangiogenesis and antiinvasion effects of miR-29b, whereas introduction of MMP-2 antagonized the function of miR-29b. We further disclosed that miR-29b exerted its antiangiogenesis function, at least partly, by suppressing MMP-2 expression in tumor cells and, in turn, impairing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-signaling in endothelial cells. Consistently, in human HCC tissues and mouse xenograft tumors miR-29b level was inversely correlated with MMP-2 expression, as well as tumor angiogenesis, venous invasion, and metastasis. Conclusion: miR-29b deregulation contributes to angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. Restoration of miR-29b represents a promising new strategy in anti-HCC therapy. (Hepatology 2011;)
Role of BRCA1 in controlling mitotic arrest in ovarian cystadenoma cells
Authors: Yu Vanessa M. , Marion Christine M. , Austria Theresa M. , Yeh Jennifer , Schönthal Axel H. , Dubeau Louis
Published: July 2011

Cancers that develop in BRCA1 mutation carriers are usually near tetraploid/polyploid. This led us to hypothesize that BRCA1 controls the mitotic checkpoint complex, as loss of such control could lead to mitotic errors resulting in tetraploidy/polyploidy and subsequent aneuploidy. We used an in vitro system mimicking premalignant conditions, consisting of cell strains derived from the benign counterparts of serous ovarian carcinomas (cystadenomas) and expressing SV40 large T antigen, conferring the equivalent of a p53 mutation. We previously showed that such cells undergo one or several doublings of their DNA content, as they age in culture and approach the phenomenon of in vitro crisis. Here, we show that such increase in DNA content reflects a cell cycle arrest possibly at the anaphase promoting complex, as evidenced by decreased BrdU incorporation and increased expression of the mitotic checkpoint complex. Down‐regulation of BRCA1 in cells undergoing crisis leads to activation of the anaphase promoting complex and resumption of growth kinetics similar to those seen in cells before they reach crisis. Cells recovering from crisis after BRCA1 down‐regulation become multinucleated, suggesting that reduced BRCA1 expression may lead to initiation of a new cell cycle without completion of cytokinesis. This is the first demonstration that BRCA1 controls a physiological arrest at the M phase apart from its established role in DNA damage response, a role that could represent an important mechanism for acquisition of aneuploidy during tumor development. This may be particularly relevant to cancers that have a near tetraploid/polyploid number of chromosomes.
Administration of 6‐gingerol greatly enhances the number of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes in murine tumors
Authors: Ju Seong‐A , Park Sang‐Min , Lee Yea‐Sol , Bae Jun‐Hyeong , Yu Rina , An Won G. , Suh Jae‐Hee , Kim Byung‐Sam
Published: July 2011

Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play critical roles in host antitumor immune responses. It is known that cancer patients with tumor‐reactive lymphocyte infiltration in their tumors have better prognoses, while patients with tumors infiltrated by immunosuppressive cells have worse prognoses. We found that administration of 6‐gingerol, which is a component of ginger, inhibited tumor growth in several types of murine tumors, such as B16F1 melanomas, Renca renal cell carcinomas and CT26 colon carcinomas, which were established by inoculating tumor cells on the flanks of mice. However, administration of 6‐gingerol did not lead to complete eradication of the tumors. 6‐Gingerol treatment of tumor‐bearing mice caused massive infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T‐cells and B220+ B‐cells, but reduced the number of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cells. The CD8 tumor‐infiltrating T lymphocytes in 6‐gingerol‐treated mice strongly expressed IFN‐γ, a marker of activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) CD107a and chemokine receptors that are expressed on TH1 cells, such as CXCR3 and CCR5. To test whether 6‐gingerol could promote infiltration of tumor antigen‐specific CD8 T‐cells into tumors, we adoptively transferred CFSE‐labeled OT‐1 CD8 T‐cells into EG7 tumor‐bearing mice. We found that CD8 T cells isolated from 6‐gingerol pretreated OT‐1 mice, but not from control OT‐1 mice, massively infiltrated tumors and tumor draining lymph nodes and divided several times. Our results strongly suggest that 6‐gingerol can be used in tumor immunotherapy to increase the number of TILs.
The distributed diagonal force decomposition method for parallelizing molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Borštnik Urban , Miller Benjamin T. , Brooks Bernard R. , Janežič Dušanka
Published: July 2011

Parallelization is an effective way to reduce the computational time needed for molecular dynamics simulations. We describe a new parallelization method, the distributed‐diagonal force decomposition method, with which we extend and improve the existing force decomposition methods. Our new method requires less data communication during molecular dynamics simulations than replicated data and current force decomposition methods, increasing the parallel efficiency. It also dynamically load‐balances the processors' computational load throughout the simulation. The method is readily implemented in existing molecular dynamics codes and it has been incorporated into the CHARMM program, allowing its immediate use in conjunction with the many molecular dynamics simulation techniques that are already present in the program. We also present the design of the Force Decomposition Machine, a cluster of personal computers and networks that is tailored to running molecular dynamics simulations using the distributed diagonal force decomposition method. The design is expandable and provides various degrees of fault resilience. This approach is easily adaptable to computers with Graphics Processing Units because it is independent of the processor type being used. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Theoretical study on the molecular structures of X‐, α‐, and β‐types of lithium phthalocyanine dimer
Authors: Sumimoto Michinori , Kawashima Yukio , Yokogawa Daisuke , Hori Kenji , Fujimoto Hitoshi
Published: July 2011

We report here the results from theoretical calculations of the potential energy curves, the geometry optimizations, and the electronic structures for three dimers of lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) by using three types of functional systems: PBE1PBE, B3LYP, and M06. The results were discussed in comparison with those obtained for the dimers of magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc). The long‐range dispersive interactions were considered in part using these functional systems in the increasing order of PBE1PBE, B3LYP, and M06. The mechanism whereby the dispersive interactions affect the geometric and electronic structures of the LiPc and MgPc dimers is discussed. The calculated results provide insight into the computational methods for both open‐ and closed‐shell metal phthalocyanine (MPc) dimers: Although the PBE1PBE and B3LYP functional systems cannot evaluate a weak dispersion interaction appropriately, the M06 functional can estimate a weak dispersion interaction well in both open‐ and closed‐shell MPc dimers. Basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrections play an important role for the quantitative analysis; however, the calculation results without BSSE corrections may be sufficient for the qualitative discussion on the properties of these dimers such as geometries, stabilities, electronic structures, and so on. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
The OB hospitalist and the risk manager: Ready for prime time
Authors: Veltman Larry
Published: July 2011

In 1996, Wachter and Goldman described a new model of care in which hospital‐based physicians provided patients' inpatient care in lieu of the patient’s primary physician.(1) They termed these physicians hospitalists. The hospitalist movement had taken hold, and by 1999, 65% of internists had hospitalists in their community and 28% reported using them for inpatient care.(2) In 2003, Louis Weinstein, in an article entitled “The Laborist: A New Focus of Practice for the Obstetrician”(3) advocated for the adoption of the hospitalist model to obstetrical care. In a 2010 study, of 28,545 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) contacted in a national survey, 7,044 clinicians responded, which yielded a response rate of 25%. Of the respondents, 1,020 clinicians (15% of respondents, 3.6% of the entire sample) described themselves as obstetrics/gynecology hospitalists or laborists.(4) According to the web site www.obgynhospitalist.com, there are at least 115 hospitals in the country that utilize a laborist or OB hospitalist model of care.(5).
The Importance of Applied Research in Investigative Interviewing: A Real‐life Perspective
Authors: Oxburgh Gavin E. , Walsh Dave , Milne Becky
Published: July 2011

The papers contained within the special issue represent some exciting innovations across different investigative bodies. In addition, all research presented has been conducted in the field. It is believed that such applied research, although often having methodological drawbacks, is of utmost importance in understanding the area from a holistic viewpoint. This special issue examines the role forensic psychology has had and is currently having in investigative interviewing in the real world. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of paint from a mural in the church of Sainte Madeleine, Manas, France
Authors: March Raymond E. , Papanastasiou Malvina , McMahon Adam W. , Allen Norman S.
Published: July 2011

The pigment in brown paint samples taken from a church in the Drôme region of France has been shown to be almost pure 6‐bromoindigo and 6,6′‐dibromoindigo. The composition of the pigment was established by comparison with 6‐bromoindigo and 6,6′‐dibromoindigo standards using atmospheric pressure photoionization combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The brown paint samples were taken from a frieze of ca 20 brown images having symmetric tree‐like forms composed of five overlapping filled circles representing foliage. The tree‐like images, simple rather than artistic, had a metallic luster. The molar ratio of 6‐bromoindigo and 6,6′‐dibromoindigo in the brown paint pigment (98:2) is remarkably similar to that of shellfish purple from the Mediterranean Murex brandaris (96.5:3.5) thus, it is possible that the origin of the indigoid compounds in the brown paint pigment is the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. As the production of Tyrian purple ended with the fall of Byzantium in 1453, purple pigment had to have been produced prior to this time. We have conjectured about the circumstances that may account for the use of ‘purple’ in this manner in the Drôme region and how the pigment was transported there from the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea during the time of the Crusades. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parametric macromodeling based on amplitude and frequency scaled systems with guaranteed passivity
Authors: Ferranti Francesco , Knockaert Luc , Dhaene Tom , Antonini Giulio
Published: July 2011

We propose a novel parametric macromodeling method for systems described by scattering parameters, which depend on multiple design variables such as geometrical layout or substrate features. It is able to build accurate multivariate macromodels that are stable and passive over the entire design space. Poles and residues are parameterized indirectly. The proposed method is based on an efficient and reliable combination of rational identification, a procedure to find amplitude and frequency scaling system coefficients and positive interpolation schemes. Pertinent numerical examples validate the proposed parametric macromodeling technique. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do paleoclimate proxies agree? A test comparing 19 late Holocene climate and sea‐ice reconstructions from Icelandic marine and lake sediments
Authors: Axford Yarrow , Andresen Camilla S. , Andrews John T. , Belt Simon T. , Geirsdóttir Áslaug , Massé Guillaume , Miller Gifford H. , Ólafsdóttir Sædís , Vare Lindsay L.
Published: July 2011

Geochemical, mineralogical and biological indicators preserved in sediments are widely used to reconstruct past climate change, but proxies differ in the degree to which their utility as climate indicators has been validated via laboratory experiments, modern spatial calibrations, or down‐core comparisons with instrumental climate data. Multi‐proxy studies provide another means of evaluating interpretations of proxies. This paper presents a multi‐proxy assessment comparing 19 sub‐centennially resolved late Holocene proxy records, covering the period 300–1900 AD, from seven Icelandic marine and lacustrine core sites. We employ simple statistical comparisons between proxy reconstructions to evaluate their correlations over time and, ultimately, their utility as proxies for regional climate. Proxies examined include oxygen isotopic composition of benthic and planktonic foraminifera, abundance of the sea‐ice biomarker IP25, allochthonous quartz in marine sediments (a proxy for drift ice around Iceland), marine carbonate abundance, total organic carbon concentration, chironomid assemblages, lacustrine biogenic silica and carbon/nitrogen ratios in lake sediments. Most of the examined proxy records, including temperature and sea‐ice proxies, correlate strongly with each other over multi‐centennial timescales, and thus do appear to record changes in regional climate. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vulture flight behavior and implications for aircraft safety
Authors: Avery Michael L. , Humphrey John S. , Daughtery Trey S. , Fischer Justin W. , Milleson Michael P. , Tillman Eric A. , Bruce William E. , Walter W. David
Published: July 2011

Growing vulture populations represent increasing hazards to civil and military aircraft. To assess vulture flight behavior and activity patterns at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina, we equipped 11 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and 11 turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) with solar‐powered Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite transmitters during a 2‐year study (1 Oct 2006–30 Sep 2008). Turkey vultures had larger seasonal home ranges than did black vultures, and 2 turkey vultures made round‐trips to Florida. Black vultures consistently spent less time in flight (8.4%) than did turkey vultures (18.9%), and black vultures flew at higher altitudes than did turkey vultures in all seasons except summer when altitudinal distributions (above ground level) did not differ. Although we recorded maximum altitudes of 1,578 m for black vultures and 1,378 for turkey vultures, most flights were low altitude. A matrix of vulture flight altitude versus time of day revealed that >60% of vulture flight activity occurred from 4 hr to 9 hr after sunrise at altitudes below 200 m. Continuation of aggressive harassment coupled with flexible training schedules to avoid times and altitudes of high vulture activity will decrease hazards to aircraft posed by these birds. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Cluster analysis of auditory and vestibular test results in definite menière's disease
Authors: Montes‐Jovellar Lourdes , Guillen‐Grima Francisco , Perez‐Fernandez Nicolas
Published: July 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine whether patients with Menière's disease can be grouped into distinct subtypes based on a cluster analysis of distinct disease parameters.

Study Design:

Prospective study at a tertiary center associated with a university hospital.

Methods:

The study included 153 patients diagnosed with unilateral definite Menière's disease. The main variables employed were taken from auditory, vestibular, posturographic, and disability assessments.

Results:

A four‐cluster solution best fitted the data. Each cluster represented a distinct patient profile. Cluster 1 patients (13.1%) were the eldest, with the worst hearing bilaterally and good vestibular function but with a significant postural impact and a low level of disability. Cluster 2 patients (41.2%) were the least affected in all the parameters that were close to normal. Cluster 3 patients (34.6%) were the most affected, experiencing frequent and intense vertigo attacks, and they were visually dependent. Cluster 4 patients (11.1%) had strong asymmetric hearing between both ears and the most uncompensated vestibular deficit; they were moderately disabled.

Conclusions:

We have identified four distinct profiles of patients with definite Menière's disease that we consider as “mildly active elderly,” “mildly active young,” “active compensated,” and “active uncompensated.” We have demonstrated that only in a restricted population of patients can the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery staging system provide analysis of subtypes of the disease.
Effect of Compatibilizer Concentration on Rheological Behavior, Morphologies, and Mechanical Properties of PVDF/TPU Blends
Authors: Ma Haiying , Xiong Zhengrong , Lv Fengxian , Li Chan , Yang Yuming
Published: July 2011

The rheological behavior, morphologies, and tensile properties of reactively compatibilized PVDF/TPU blends are reported. Using PVDF‐g‐AAc as the compatibilizer, PVDF/TPU 90/10 and 10/90 blends are prepared. The carboxylic acid groups of PVDF‐g‐AAc react with the urethane linkages of TPU during melt blending to generate in situ PVDF‐g‐AAc‐g‐TPU which leads to compatibilization of PVDF/TPU blends. The introduction of PVDF‐g‐AAc into the PVDF/TPU blends causes an increase in viscosity. The rheological behavior of the compatibilized PVDF/TPU 90/10 and 10/90 blends are well described by the generalized Zener model. The addition of the compatibilizer PVDF‐g‐AAc reduces the dispersed‐phase domain size and narrows the size distribution. ▪Author: The summary has been shortened to comply with the maximum of 700 characters. Pls check/confirm changes!▪

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Flow‐Induced Morphology of iPP Solidified in a Shear Device
Authors: Pantani Roberto , Balzano Luigi , Peters Gerrit W. M.
Published: July 2011

The morphology of molded parts is the result of a competition between deformation rate, crystallization kinetics, relaxation times, and cooling. In this work, samples are solidified isothermally, so that the differences in morphology can be ascribed only to flow, and after a step shear, so that the effect of crystallinity on flow can be neglected. The resulting morphology is characterized, so that the data can be adopted for any further analysis. A comparison is conducted among the resulting structures and an attempt is made to identify a key parameter able to justify the differences. It is found that the main morphological features can be correlated to a single rheological parameter: the maximum attained value of molecular strain during the pulse of flow.

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Quasiminimality in mixed Tsirelson spaces
Authors: Manoussakis Antonis , Pelczar Anna Maria
Published: July 2011

We prove quasiminimality of regular the mixed Tsirelson spaces \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$T[(\mathcal {S}_{n},\theta _{n})_{n}]$\end{document} with the sequence \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\big (\frac{\theta _n}{\theta ^n}\big )_n$\end{document} decreasing, where θ = limnθ1/nn, and quasiminimality of all mixed Tsirelson spaces \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$T[(\mathcal {A}_{n},\theta _{n})_{n}]$\end{document}. We prove that under certain assumptions on the sequence (θn)n the dual spaces are quasiminimal.
Hospitalization for invasive pneumococcal disease in a national sample of children with sickle cell disease before and after PCV7 licensure
Authors: McCavit Timothy L. , Xuan Lei , Zhang Song , Flores Glenn , Quinn Charles T.
Published: July 2011

Objective

To estimate national hospitalization rates for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) before and after the 2000 licensure of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).

Procedure

We performed a retrospective trend analysis of the 1994–2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases. Hospitalizations involving children with SCD and IPD were identified by ICD‐9CM code. The primary outcomes, the annual hospitalization rate for IPD in children with SCD and the proportion of hospitalizations for IPD per 100 total SCD hospitalizations, were analyzed using multivariable linear regression and contingency analysis, respectively.

Results

A total of 1,242 hospitalizations for IPD in SCD patients were identified from 1994–2007, with a mortality rate of 2.4%. The national mean annual rate of IPD hospitalization decreased by 65%, from 131.8 cases/year from 1994 to 2000 to 45.5 cases/year from 2001 to 2007 (P = 0.001). The national proportion of hospitalizations for IPD per 100 total SCD hospitalizations decreased from 0.4 to 0.15 (P < 0.0001) over the same interval. Following PCV7 licensure, the mean annual cumulative hospital days and cumulative hospital charges decreased nationally by 53% and 36%, respectively.

Conclusion

In a national sample, PCV7 licensure is temporally associated with a nearly threefold reduction in IPD hospitalizations in children with SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 945–949. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐component benzoxazine type photoinitiator for free radical polymerization
Authors: Temel Gokhan , Esen Duygu Sevinc , Arsu Nergis
Published: July 2011

Synthesis of the Benzoxazine based benzophenone (BPBnzx) initiator was achieved and used in free radical photopolymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) in the absence and presence of a tertiary amine. The results confirmed that BPBnzx presents a one‐component nature. BPBnzx has better absorption properties compared with BP itself and the one‐component characteristic of the BPBnzx initiator was confirmed by incorporation of the BPBnzx unit into the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) main chain, using UV spectroscopy and phosphorescence measurements. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s with alkoxy side chains by aromatizing polymerization of 4,5‐dialkoxy‐substituted 1,2‐ diisocyanobenzenes
Authors: Nagata Yuuya , Suginome Michinori
Published: July 2011

Poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s bearing alkoxy pendants was synthesized by living polymerization of 4,5‐dialkoxy‐3,6‐dimethyl‐1,2‐diisocyanobenzenes, which were easily accessible from 3,6‐dimethylcatechol, using organonickel complexes as initiators. Thermal properties of the obtained polymers were fully determined by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, exhibiting strong dependence on their side chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
The evolution of function in strictosidine synthase‐like proteins
Authors: Hicks Michael A. , Barber Alan E. , Giddings Lesley‐Ann , Caldwell Jenna , O'Connor Sarah E. , Babbitt Patricia C.
Published: July 2011

The exponential growth of sequence data provides abundant information for the discovery of new enzyme reactions. Correctly annotating the functions of highly diverse proteins can be difficult, however, hindering use of this information. Global analysis of large superfamilies of related proteins is a powerful strategy for understanding the evolution of reactions by identifying catalytic commonalities and differences in reaction and substrate specificity, even when only a few members have been biochemically or structurally characterized. A comparison of >2500 sequences sharing the six‐bladed β‐propeller fold establishes sequence, structural, and functional links among the three subgroups of the functionally diverse N6P superfamily: the arylesterase‐like and senescence marker protein‐30/gluconolactonase/luciferin‐regenerating enzyme‐like (SGL) subgroups, representing enzymes that catalyze lactonase and related hydrolytic reactions, and the so‐called strictosidine synthase‐like (SSL) subgroup. Metal‐coordinating residues were identified as broadly conserved in the active sites of all three subgroups except for a few proteins from the SSL subgroup, which have been experimentally determined to catalyze the quite different strictosidine synthase (SS) reaction, a metal‐independent condensation reaction. Despite these differences, comparison of conserved catalytic features of the arylesterase‐like and SGL enzymes with the SSs identified similar structural and mechanistic attributes between the hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by the former and the condensation reaction catalyzed by SS. The results also suggest that despite their annotations, the great majority of these >500 SSL sequences do not catalyze the SS reaction; rather, they likely catalyze hydrolytic reactions typical of the other two subgroups instead. This prediction was confirmed experimentally for one of these proteins. Proteins 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical study on HO2‐initiated atmospheric oxidation of halogenated carbonyls
Authors: Long Bo , Long Zheng‐Wen , Wang Yi‐Bo , Zhang Wei‐Jun , Long Chao‐Yun , Qin Shui‐Jie
Published: July 2011

The initial reactions of HO2with oxalyl dichloride, oxalyl dibromide, acetyl chloride, and acetyl bromide are studied for the first time using the density functional theory with CAM‐B3LYP and wB97XD, CBS‐QB3, and G3 theoretical methods and the transition state theory. The reactions occur via the similar mechanism that the prereactive complex is formed before the transition state and product. The calculated results demonstrate that the HO2radical with ClC(O)C(O)Cl and BrC(O)C(O)Br reactions is feasible and could play a significant role in the atmosphere because the barriers are 0.13 kcal/mol, −0.05 kcal/mol with respect to the free reactants, respectively at the CBS‐QB3 level of theory. In addition, the rate constants of the HO2+ ClC(O)C(O)Cl and HO2+ BrC(O)C(O)Br reactions are computed to be 1.37 × 10−15cm3mol−1s−1, 1.70 × 10−15cm3mol−1s−1at 298 K. However, the HO2reactions with acetyl chloride and acetyl bromide are of no importance because of higher activated barrier and slower rate constant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Outcome of fetal exomphalos diagnosed at 11–14 weeks of gestation
Authors: Khalil A. , Arnaoutoglou C. , Pacilli M. , Szabo A. , David A. L. , Pandya P.
Published: July 2011

Objective

To determine whether sonographic findings in cases of exomphalos detected at the 11–14‐week scan can be used to guide pregnancy management.

Methods

Retrospective study of cases of exomphalos identified from the Fetal Medicine Unit database, University College London Hospitals between January 1998 and January 2010. Pregnancy and neonatal data were ascertained from maternal and neonatal records. Fetal exomphalos was categorized into three groups: exomphalos associated with other major structural malformation(s), isolated exomphalos with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and isolated exomphalos with normal NT.

Results

A total of 98 cases of exomphalos were identified, of which 45 (45.9%) were associated with other major structural malformation(s), identified antenatally. Isolated exomphalos was found with increased NT in 22 cases (22.4%) and with normal NT in 31 cases (31.6%). Of 80 (81.6%) fetuses that were karyotyped, 43 (53.8%) had a chromosomal abnormality; the most common aneuploidy was trisomy 18 (n = 31; 72.1%). Where exomphalos was associated with other major structural abnormalities, or was isolated with increased NT, the incidence of aneuploidy was high, at 78.9% and 72.2%, respectively. Cases of isolated exomphalos with normal NT were all euploid. In 21 cases (21.4%), exomphalos resolved later in pregnancy and none had apparent abnormalities at birth; isolated exomphalos persisted in only three neonates (3.1%).

Conclusions

The finding of a major structural abnormality or of increased NT in association with exomphalos in the first trimester implies a high risk of aneuploidy. Parents can be reassured that fetuses with isolated exomphalos and normal NT are likely to be euploid. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities by integrated application of nuchal translucency, nasal bone, tricuspid regurgitation and ductus venosus flow combined with maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A: a 5‐year prospective study
Authors: Ghaffari S. R. , Tahmasebpour A. R. , Jamal A. , Hantoushzadeh S. , Eslamian L. , Marsoosi V. , Fattahi F. , Rajaei M. , Niroomanesh S. , Borna S. , Beigi A. , Khazardoost S. , Saleh‐Gargari S. , Rahimi‐Sharbaf F. , Farrokhi B. , Bayani N. , Tehrani S. E. , Shahsavan K. , Farzan S. , Moossavi S. , Ramezanzadeh F. , Dastan J. , Rafati M.
Published: July 2011

Objective

To investigate the performance of first‐trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities by integrated application of nuchal translucency thickness (NT), nasal bone (NB), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and ductus venosus (DV) flow combined with maternal serum free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (fβ‐hCG) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) at a one‐stop clinic for assessment of risk (OSCAR).

Methods

In total, 13 706 fetuses in 13 437 pregnancies were screened for chromosomal abnormalities during a period of 5 years. Maternal serum biochemical markers and maternal age were evaluated in combination with NT, NT + NB, NT + NB + TR, and NT + NB + TR + DV flow data in 8581, 242, 236 and 4647 fetuses, respectively.

Results

In total, 51 chromosomal abnormalities were identified in the study population, including 33 cases of trisomy 21, eight of trisomy 18, six of sex chromosome abnormality, one of triploidy and three of other unbalanced abnormalities. The detection rate and false‐positive rate (FPR) for trisomy 21 were 93.8% and 4.84%, respectively, using biochemical markers and NT, and 100% and 3.4%, respectively, using biochemical markers, NT, NB, TR and DV flow.

Conclusion

While risk assessment using combined biochemical markers and NT measurement has an acceptable screening performance, it can be improved by the integrated evaluation of secondary ultrasound markers of NB, TR and DV flow. This enhanced approach would decrease the FPR from 4.8 % to 3.4 %, leading to a lower number of unnecessary invasive diagnostic tests and subsequent complications, while maintaining the maximum level of detection rate. Pre‐ and post‐test genetic counseling is of paramount importance in either approach. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endometriosis of the abdominal wall: ultrasonographic and Doppler characteristics
Authors: Savelli L. , Manuzzi L. , Di Donato N. , Salfi N. , Trivella G. , Ceccaroni M. , Seracchioli R.
Published: July 2011

Objectives

To describe the sonographic and clinical features of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE), a frequently misdiagnosed condition.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 21 consecutive women with pathologically proven endometriosis of the abdominal wall. Ultrasonographic and Doppler examinations were performed, before surgery, with a high‐frequency linear transducer. The clinical data and the results of the sonographic examinations were reviewed and described.

Results

At ultrasound, all the nodules appeared as discrete solid masses that were less echogenic than the surrounding hyperechoic fat. The nodules had a median diameter of 20 (range, 5–50) mm and in 18/21 (86%) cases the nodules had a round/oval shape. In eight of 21 (38%) women the AWE was located at the umbilicus, in six of 21 (29%) it was between the transverse suprapubic line and the umbilicus, in five of 21 (24%) it was found along the scar of a previous Cesarean section and in two of 21 (9%) it was in the right inguinal canal. The content was homogeneously hypoechoic in 12/21 (57%) women and inhomogeneous in the other nine (43%). The outer borders were invariably ill defined. Scarce blood vessels were found by power Doppler. Cyclic or continuous spontaneous pain at the level of the AWE was present in 19/21 (91%) cases, and two (9%) patients were asymptomatic.

Conclusions

Hypoechoic round/oval nodules with ill‐defined borders and a hyperechoic rim should raise the suspicion of abdominal wall endometriosis, even in patients with no history of endometriosis or previous laparotomic surgery. Pressing the ultrasound probe against the nodule should reinforce a suspected diagnosis because of the pain it induces. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of EUV periodic multilayers
Authors: Le Guen K. , Hu M.‐H. , André J.‐M. , Jonnard P. , Wang Z. , Zhu J. , Galtayries A. , Meny C. , Meltchakov E. , Hecquet C. , Delmotte F.
Published: July 2011

Nanometric Co/Mg, Co/Mg/B4C, Al/SiC and Al/Mo/SiC periodic multilayers deposited by magnetron sputtering are studied in order to correlate their optical performances in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range to their structural quality. To that purpose, our recently developed methodology based on high‐resolution X‐ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and X‐ray and EUV reflectometry is now extended to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary ions mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). The analysis of the Co Lαβ and Mg Kβ emission spectra shows that the Co and Mg atoms within the multilayers are in a chemical state equivalent to that of the atoms in the pure Co and Mg references, respectively. But NMR spectra give evidence for a reaction between Co atoms and B and/or C atoms from B4C. The Al and Si Kβ emission spectra do not reveal the formation of an interfacial compound in Al/SiC and Al/Mo/SiC. Only the roughness limits the optical quality of Al/SiC. The comparative analysis of the ToF‐SIMS spectra of Al/SiC and Al/Mo/SiC indicates that the structural quality is enhanced when Mo is introduced within the stack. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positive youth development within a family leisure context: Youth perspectives of family outcomes
Authors: Ward Peter J. , Zabriskie Ramon B.
Published: July 2011

Family leisure involvement may provide the first and most essential context for positive youth development in today's society.
Recreation as a component of the community youth development system
Authors: Outley Corliss , Bocarro Jason N. , Boleman Chris T.
Published: July 2011

Community youth development is a transformative approach that can assist in a more equitable allocation of resources in programs that fail to engage low‐income and minority urban youth.
Reframing recreation as a public policy priority
Authors: Lovell Phillip
Published: July 2011

Recreation has the potential to be an important public policy priority; however, it must be reframed to address critical policy priorities.
The Influence of Weak Interactions on Electric Conductivity of Silver Sulfobenzoate Complexes with Two Neutral Ligands
Authors: Zheng Xiao‐Feng , Zhu Long‐Guan
Published: July 2011

The reaction of AgNO3 and sulfobenzoate with neutral ligands led to the formation of three complexes, {[Ag2(4‐sb)(Ph3P)2(3‐apy)]·(H2O)}n (1), {[Ag(PPh3)(2‐apy)]·[Ag(PPh3)(3‐sb)]·(H2O)}n (2) and [Ag(PPh3)(Hdpa)(4‐Hsb)] (3) (4‐H2sb = 4‐sulfobenzoic acid, PPh3 = triphenylphosphine, 3‐apy = 3‐aminopyridine, 2‐apy = 2‐aminopyridine, 3‐H2sb = 3‐sulfobenzoic acid, Hdpa = 2,2′‐dipyridylamine) Complex 1 is a 2D sandwich‐like polymer. Complex 2 is a cation‐anion species and has a 1D polymer structure. Complex 3 is a monomer. Complexes 1–3 contain the Ag‐PPh3 unit and such unit largely hinders the Ag–Ag, π···π, Ag···π, and Ag···C interactions. The experimental results indicated that these three complexes have weaker conductivities than those corresponding silver complexes having abundant weak interactions, especially π···π and Ag–Ag interactions, illustrating that the cation‐anion species having potential ability of charge transfer can largely promote the conductivity property.
Walter Peters, die Peters‐Reaktion und der Bezug zu Kurt Dehnickes Arbeiten über Organoquecksilberverbindungen
Authors: Beyer Lothar , Hoyer Eberhard
Published: July 2011

Walter Peters discovered in 1905 (Dr. phil. nat. 1903, Strassburg), as student the formation of arylmercurychlorides from arylsulfinates and HgCl2 by SO2 extrusion. At that time he worked in Arthur Hantzsch’s Laboratory of Chemistry of Leipzig University. The biography of Walter Peters is described and the meaning of this discovery is discussed in connection with early works of Kurt Dehnicke as well as the importance of the Peters‐Reaction for the synthesis of organometallic compounds.
Specifying the Interrelationship Between Exposure to Violence and Parental Monitoring for Younger Versus Older Adolescents: A Five Year Longitudinal Test
Authors: Spano Richard , Rivera Craig , Vazsonyi Alexander T. , Bolland John M.
Published: July 2011

Five waves of longitudinal data collected from 349 African American youth living in extreme poverty were used to examine the interrelationship between exposure to violence and parenting during adolescence. Semi‐parametric group based modeling was used to identify trajectories of parental monitoring and exposure to violence from T1 to T5. Results from these analyses revealed: (1) a trajectory of declining parental monitoring for 48% of youth; and (2) four distinct trajectories of exposure to violence. Multivariate findings were largely consistent with the ecological‐transactional model of community violence. Youth with stable and/or increasing trajectories of exposure to violence were more likely than youth with stable‐low exposure to violence to have declining parental monitoring, but additional analyses revealed a similar pattern of findings for younger adolescents (age 9–11 T1), but no evidence of linkages between trajectories of exposure to violence and parental monitoring for older adolescents (age 12–16 T1). The theoretical and policy implications of these findings as well as areas for future research are also discussed.
The neurobiology of mouse models syntenic to human chromosome 15q
Authors: Takumi Toru
Published: July 2011

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in childhood as social behavioral abnormalities, such as abnormal social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted interest or behavior. Of the known causes of autism, duplication of human chromosome 15q11–q13 is the most frequently associated cytogenetic abnormality. Chromosome 15q11–q13 is also known to include imprinting genes. In terms of neuroscience, it contains interesting genes such asNecdin,Ube3a, and a cluster of GABAAsubunits as well as huge clusters of non-coding RNAs (small nucleolar RNAs, snoRNAs). Phenotypic analyses of mice genetically or chromosomally engineered for each gene or their clusters on a region of mouse chromosome seven syntenic to human 15q11–q13 indicate that this region may be involved in social behavior, serotonin metabolism, and weight control. Further studies using these models will provide important clues to the pathophysiology of autism. This review overviews phenotypes of mouse models of genes in 15q11–q13 and their relationships to autism.
Changes in Volatile Compounds During Processing of Tunisian‐Style Table Olives
Authors: Dabbou Samia , Issaoui Manel , Brahmi Faten , Nakbi Amel , Chehab Hechmi , Mechri Beligh , Hammami Mohamed
Published: July 2011

Table olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit is widely used in the food industry due to its excellent nutritional and health values. The objective of the present research was to determine aroma profiles by hydrodistillation and GC/MS of the autochthonous Meski and two introduced table olives (Picholine and Manzanella) treated with two traditional Tunisian processes. Independent of the processing method, the olive fruit had significant cultivar‐dependent differences. The volatile compounds of the treated products were affected by processing: total terpenes increased, while aldehydes decreased and new aroma profiles emerged with large variations in the rate of appearances of the different aroma compounds. Principal component analysis showed that fruit quality is strongly affected by its endogenous specificity and by the processing method used.
Mother–daughter communication about sexual maturation, abstinence and unintended pregnancy: Experiences from an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Crichton Joanna , Ibisomi Latifat , Gyimah Stephen Obeng
Published: July 2011

Parental communication and support is associated with improved developmental, health and behavioral outcomes in adolescence. This study explores the quality of mother–daughter communication about sexual maturation, abstinence and unintended pregnancy in Korogocho, an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. We use data from 14 focus group discussions (n = 124) and 25 interviews with girls aged 12–17, mothers of teenage girls, and key informant teachers. Many girls and women believed that mothers are the best source of information and support during puberty but only a minority described good experiences with communication in practice. Girls preferred communication to begin early and be repeated regularly. Mothers often combined themes of sexual maturation, abstinence and avoiding pregnancy in their messages. Communication was facilitated by mothers’ availability, warmth and close parent–child relationships. Challenges included communication taboos, embarrassment, ambiguous message content, and parental lack of knowledge and uncertainty. Neighborhood poverty undermined some mothers’ time and motivation for communicating.