bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antihypertensive Properties of Plant-Based Prebiotics
Authors: Yeo Siok-Koon , Ooi Lay-Gaik , Lim Ting-Jin , Liong Min-Tze
Published: August 2009

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although various drugs for its treatment have been synthesized, the occurring side effects have generated the need for natural interventions for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. Dietary intervention such as the administration of prebiotics has been seen as a highly acceptable approach. Prebiotics are indigestible food ingredients that bypass digestion and reach the lower gut as substrates for indigenous microflora. Most of the prebiotics used as food adjuncts, such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, dietary fiber and gums, are derived from plants. Experimental evidence from recent studies has suggested that prebiotics are capable of reducing and preventing hypertension. This paper will discuss some of the mechanisms involved, the evidence generated from both in-vitro experiments and in-vivo trials and some controversial findings that are raised.
Linkage-Based Frameworks for Sustainability Assessment: Making a Case for Driving Force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) Frameworks
Authors: Waheed Bushra , Khan Faisal , Veitch Brian
Published: August 2009

The main objective of this paper is to discuss different approaches, identify challenges, and to select a framework for delivering effective sustainability assessments. Sustainable development is an idealistic concept and its assessment has always been a challenge. Several approaches, methodologies and conceptual frameworks have been developed in various disciplines, ranging from engineering to business and to policy making. The paper focuses mainly on various linkage-based frameworks and demonstrates that the driving force-state-exposure-effect-action (DPSEEA) framework can be used to achieve sustained health benefits and environmental protection in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, especially because of its resemblance to the environmental risk assessment and management paradigms. The comparison of linkage-based frameworks is demonstrated through an example of sustainability in a higher educational institution.
Water: Facts without Myths
Authors: Henry Marc
Published: August 2009

Among all the chemical substances available in the universe, water, with its deceptively simple formula H2O, is the most discussed subject either in science or in philosophy [1]. If you are not convinced by this affirmation, a little experiment at no cost may help you change your mind. Just open your favorite web browser and type the word “water” in any search engine. When I have done that using Google, the number of hits was about 682,000,000 (please do not try to read all the pages). In fact, the only words that seem to beat water at this little game are “air” (770,000,000 hits with Google and 3,120,000,000 with Yahoo), and “food” (689,000,000 hits with Google and 3,820,000,000 with Yahoo). Of course this should not be a surprise, as breathing, eating, drinking just mean that you are a living entity. In fact extending the water search to “eau” (French), “wasser” (German), “agua” (Spanish, Portuguese) and “acqua” (Italian) leads to 978,900,000 hits under Google and 3,426,000,000 hits under Yahoo, showing now that water is about as important as food. After all, as everybody knows, “water is life”, and do we really have to read about one billion documents to know at least what water really is? [...]
Modulation of Viscoelasticity and HIV Transport as a Function of pH in a Reversibly Crosslinked Hydrogel
Authors: Jay Julie I. , Shukair Shetha , Langheinrich Kristofer , Hanson Melissa C. , Cianci Gianguido C. , Johnson Todd J. , Clark Meredith R. , Hope Thomas J. , Kiser Patrick F.
Published: August 2009

Materials that respond to physiological stimuli are important in developing advanced biomaterials for modern therapies. The reversibility of covalent crosslinks formed by phenylboronate (PBA) and salicylhydroxamate (SHA) has been exploited to provide a pH‐responsive gel for application to the vaginal tract. Dynamic rheology reveals that the gel frequency‐dependent viscoelastic properties are modulated by pH. At pH 4.8 the viscous component dominates throughout most of the frequency range. As the pH increases, the characteristic relaxation time continues to increase while the G′Plateau levels off above pH 6. At pH 7.5, the elastic component dominates throughout the frequency sweep and is predominately independent of frequency. Particle tracking assesses the transport of both fluorescently labeled HIV‐1 and 100‐nm latex particles in the PBA–SHA crosslinked gel as a function of pH. At pH 4.8 the ensemble‐averaged mean squared displacement at lag times greater than three seconds reveals that transport of the HIV‐1 and 100‐nm particles becomes significantly impeded by the matrix, exhibiting diffusion coefficients less than 0.0002 µm2 s−1. This pH‐responsive gel thus displays properties that have the potential to significantly reduce the transport of HIV‐1 to susceptible tissues and thus prevent the first stage of male‐to‐female transmission of HIV‐1.
Affinity‐Based Protein Surface Pattern Formation by Ligand Self‐Selection from Mixed Protein Solutions
Authors: Dubey Manish , Emoto Kazunori , Takahashi Hironobu , Castner David G. , Grainger David W.
Published: August 2009

Photolithographically prepared surface patterns of two affinity ligands (biotin and chloroalkane) specific for two proteins (streptavidin and HaloTag, respectively) are used to spontaneously form high‐fidelity surface patterns of the two proteins from their mixed solution. High affinity protein‐surface self‐selection onto patterned ligands on surfaces exhibiting low non‐specific adsorption rapidly yields the patterned protein surfaces. Fluorescence images after protein immobilization show high specificity of the target proteins to their respective surface patterned ligands. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) imaging further supports the chemical specificity of streptavidin and HaloTag for their surface patterned ligands from mixed protein solutions. However, ToF‐SIMS did detect some non‐specific adsorption of bovine serum albumin, a masking protein present in excess in the adsorbing solutions, on the patterned surfaces. Protein amino acid composition, surface coverage, density, and orientation are important parameters that determine the relative ToF‐SIMS fragmentation pattern yields. ToF‐SIMS amino acid‐derived ion fragment yields summed to produce surface images can reliably determine which patterned surface regions contain bound proteins, but do not readily discriminate between different co‐planar protein regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) of these ToF‐SIMS data, however, improves discrimination of ions specific to each protein, facilitating surface protein pattern identification and image contrast.
Birthweight and paternal involvement predict early reproduction in British women: Evidence from the National Child Development Study
Authors: Nettle Daniel , Coall David A. , Dickins Thomas E.
Published: August 2009

There is considerable interest in the mechanisms maintaining early reproduction in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in developed countries. Previous research has suggested that differential exposure to early‐life factors such as low birthweight and lack of paternal involvement during childhood may be relevant. Here, we used longitudinal data on the female cohort members from the UK National Child Development Study (n = 3,014–4,482 depending upon variables analyzed) to investigate predictors of early reproduction. Our main outcome measures were having a child by age 20, and stating at age 16 an intended age of reproduction of 20 years or lower. Low paternal involvement during childhood was associated with increased likelihood of early reproduction (O.R. 1.79–2.25) and increased likelihood of early intended reproduction (O.R. 1.38–2.50). Low birthweight for gestational age also increased the odds of early reproduction (O.R. for each additional s.d. 0.88) and early intended reproduction (O.R. for each additional s.d. 0.81). Intended early reproduction strongly predicted actual early reproduction (O.R. 5.39, 95% CI 3.71–7.83). The results suggest that early‐life factors such as low birthweight for gestational age, and low paternal involvement during childhood, may affect women's reproductive development, leading to earlier target and achieved ages for reproduction. Differential exposure to these factors may be part of the reason that early fertility persists in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. We discuss our results with respect to the kinds of interventions likely to affect the rate of teen pregnancy. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Untersuchung des Jahn‐Teller‐Effekts in molekularen Kationen mithilfe von Photoelektronenspektroskopie und Gruppentheorie
Authors: Wörner Hans Jakob , Merkt Frédéric
Published: August 2009

Das klassische Kugel‐Stab‐Modell molekularer Strukturen verliert seine Gültigkeit, sobald die Bewegung der Elektronen an die Bewegung der Kerne gekoppelt ist. Diese Situation tritt beim Jahn‐Teller(JT)‐Effekt auf, der bei offenschaligen molekularen Systemen, insbesondere Radikalen und Ionen, häufig ist. Der JT‐Effekt ist jedem Chemiker als ein Mechanismus zur Verzerrung symmetrischer Systeme bekannt. Seine Auswirkung auf die Dynamik von Molekülen stellt jedoch in vielen Fällen ein ungelöstes Problem dar. Dieser Aufsatz gibt eine Übersicht über neue Erkenntnisse zur dynamischen Struktur molekularer Kationen von hoher Permutationssymmetrie, die durch rotationsauflösende Photoelektronenspektroskopie und Gruppentheorie gewonnen wurden. Unser besonderes Augenmerk gilt dem Cyclopentadienylkation, bei dem der Pseudo‐Jahn‐Teller‐Effekt eine Lokalisierung der elektronischen und eine Delokalisierung der Kernwellenfunktion hervorruft. Dabei werden auch die grundlegenden Mechanismen erörtert, die hinter dem vage definierten Konzept der “Antiaromatizität” stecken. Unsere Untersuchung des Methankations stellt die erste experimentelle Charakterisierung des JT‐Effekts in einem dreifach entarteten elektronischen Zustand dar. Eine besondere Form von JT‐induzierter Isomerie wurde entdeckt, deren Existenz in allen JT‐Systemen, in denen die Minima der Potentialfläche durch hohe Barrieren getrennt sind, vorausgesagt wird.
A modified dissection method to preserve neck structures
Authors: Hankin Mark H. , Stoller Jeremy L.
Published: August 2009

The neck is not only one of the more challenging anatomical regions to dissect but also has important application to clinical conditions, diseases, and procedures. In this study, we describe two simple modifications for dissection of the neck that (1) aid in the identification and preservation of the cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus and the accessory nerve, and (2) provide wide exposure of the root of the neck. The cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus can be identified with relative ease at the nerve point of the neck, where they are largest. To accomplish this, the skin and platysma are reflected beginning from the anterior border of trapezius and proceeding anteriorly to the midline of the neck, rather than the conventional approach of reflecting the skin from the anterior midline. The accessory nerve is identified by its relationship to the nerve point and its course to the trapezius muscle. To achieve wide exposure of the root of the neck and its contents, the acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints are disarticulated, and then the clavicle removed completely, rather than the more common approach of removing only the middle section of the clavicle. These modified procedures can be readily performed by first‐year medical students and integrate well with methods described in widely used anatomy dissection manuals. Anat Sci Educ 2:186–192, 2009. © 2009 American Association of Anatomists.
Experimental Investigation of a Minihydrocyclone
Authors: Zhang Y. , Liu Y. , Qian P. , Wang H.
Published: August 2009

A phase doppler particle analyzer (PDPA) was used to measure the liquid/solid two‐phase flow pattern in a 25 mm minihydrocyclone. The distributions of velocity, concentration, root mean square (RMS) velocities, and especially the average diameter of the particles were evaluated in this work. The measurements showed that in the upper section of the minihydrocyclone the particles accumulated in the outer helical flow near the line of zero velocity value (LZVV), which probably means that the inner helical flow has a more important influence on the separation. Strong turbulence occurred around the air‐core as well as around the zone near the wall. The RMS value indicated that the transformation of the axial flow direction takes place in the lower section of the conical length.
Numerical Simulation of Gas‐Liquid Flow in a Stirred Tank with Swirl Modification
Authors: Zhang Y.‐H. , Yong Y.‐M. , Mao Z.‐S. , Yang C. , Sun H.‐Y. , Wang H.‐L.
Published: August 2009

Although the standard k‐ϵ model is most frequently used for turbulence modeling, it often leads to poor results for strongly swirling flows involved in stirred tanks and other processing devices. In this work, a swirling number, RS, is introduced to modify the standard k‐ϵ model. A Eulerian‐Eulerian model is employed to describe the gas‐liquid, two‐phase flow in a baffled stirred tank with a Rushton impeller. The momentum and the continuity equations are discretized using the finite difference method and solved by the SIMPLE algorithm. The inner‐outer iterative algorithm is used to account for the interaction between the rotating impeller and the static baffles. The predictions, both with and without RS corrections, are compared with the literature data, which illustrates that the swirling modification could improve the numerical simulation of gas‐liquid turbulent flow in stirred tanks.
Particle Shape, Density, and Size Effects on the Distribution of Phase Holdups in an LSCFB Riser
Authors: Razzak S. A. , Zhu J.‐X. , Barghi S.
Published: August 2009

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) as a non‐invasive technique based on conductivity measurement of the continuous phase was employed for the study of phase holdup in a liquid‐solid circulating fluidized bed (LSCFB). Local solid holdup was also measured by an optical fibre probe and pressure transducers to compare and verify the results obtained by ERT. Good agreement was observed among the three methods. Tap water was used as the continuous and conductive phase and glass beads (spherical shape) and lava rocks (irregular shape) of two different sizes were used as the solid and non‐conductive phase. Radial non‐uniformities of solid holdups were observed for all four types of particles under different superficial liquid velocities in different axial locations. The solid holdup was higher in regions close to the wall and low in the central region. Non‐uniformity in the phase holdup decreased with increasing liquid velocity. The axial flow profile was found uniform along axial locations of the riser except at the lower location closer to the distributor zone.
Optimization of a Photo‐assisted Fenton Oxidation Process: A Statistical Model for MDF Effluent Treatment
Authors: Galehdar Maedeh , Younesi Habibollah , Hadavifar Mojtaba , Zinatizadeh Ali Akbar
Published: August 2009

In the present study, the effects of initial COD (chemical oxygen demand), initial pH, Fe2+/H2O2 molar ratio and UV contact time on COD removal from medium density fiberboard (MDF) wastewater using photo‐assisted Fenton oxidation treatment were investigated. In order to optimize the removal efficiency, batch operations were carried out. The influence of the aforementioned parameters on COD removal efficiency was studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for maximum COD removal efficiency from MDF wastewater under experimental conditions were obtained at initial COD of 4000 mg/L, Fe2+/H2O2 molar ratio of 0.11, initial solution pH of 6.5 and UV contact time of 70 min. The obtained results for maximum COD removal efficiency of 96% revealed that photo‐assisted Fenton oxidation is very effective for treating MDF wastewater.
Sample stability and variability of B‐cell subsets in blood from healthy subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Belouski Shelley Sims , Wallace Daniel , Weisman Michael , Ishimori Mariko , Hendricks Lisa , Zack Debra , Vincent Mike , Rasmussen Erik , Ferbas John , Chung James
Published: August 2009

Objective:

Characterization of peripheral leukocytes is an important aspect of monitoring the effect of immunotherapeutic interventions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We analyzed cell surface markers commonly used to assess patients with SLE, focusing on the effect of holding blood prior to processing/analysis and the relative reliability of the measurements that were conducted.

Methods:

Healthy volunteers (HV; n = 20) and patients with SLE (n = 42) were studied. Whole blood was collected for flow cytometric analysis on days 1, 8, 15, 105, 195, 285, and 375 and held overnight for analysis. A subset of samples was additionally analyzed on the day of collection.

Results:

Variability arising from overnight storage of whole blood was found to be within 20% for most lymphocyte subsets. There was greater between rather than within subject variability over a 1‐year period. As anticipated, the data showed higher CD38 and lower CD19 densities on B cells from patients with SLE compared to HV. Although a higher percentage of cells with markers of plasmablasts/cells were observed in the blood of patients with SLE relative to HV, these measurements were found to be among the least reliable (i.e., most variable).

Conclusions:

This study provides technical perspectives for those conducting immunophenotypic analyses of B‐cells in patients with SLE. We envision that our data, which addresses sample stability issues and presents a method to describe the relative reliability of one measure over another, holds value for clinical assessments of B‐cells in SLE and the evaluation of investigational agents designed to modify the B‐cell compartment. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society
Influence of gully erosion control on amphibian and reptile communities within riparian zones of channelized streams
Authors: Smiley Peter C. , Knight Scott S. , Shields F. Douglas , Cooper Charles M.
Published: August 2009

Riparian zones of streams in northwestern Mississippi have been impacted by agriculture, channelization, channel incision, and gully erosion. Riparian gully formation has resulted in the fragmentation of remnant riparian zones within agricultural watersheds. One widely used conservation practice for controlling gully erosion is the installation of drop pipes. This practice involves placing earthen dams across eroding gullies and embedding a metal standpipe within the dam to convey water from the field to stream level. Installation of this structure halts gully erosion and incidentally replaces eroding gullies with riparian habitats. Previous research evaluating gully erosion control structures have not considered the ecological impacts of these conservation practices on amphibian and reptile communities. We compared amphibian and reptile communities among riparian sites containing actively eroding gullies and four riparian habitat types created by drop pipe installation. Amphibians and reptiles were sampled from four gullies and four sites of each drop pipe‐created habitat type from 1994 to 1996. Amphibian and reptile diversity and abundance were the greatest in created habitat types with mean habitat areas >1000 m2 and mean pool volumes >420 m3. Amphibian and reptile diversity and abundance within the created riparian habitats were also positively correlated with hydrology. Our results suggest that the use of drop pipes to control gully erosion is capable of creating needed riparian wetlands for amphibian and reptile communities. Additionally, altering the installation design will increase the ecological benefits resulting from this conservation practice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of sediment‐associated water quality processes for a Mississippi delta lake
Authors: Chao Xiaobo , Jia Yafei , Douglas Shields F. , Wang Sam S. Y. , Cooper Charles M.
Published: August 2009

Three major sediment‐associated processes were presented to describe the effects of sediment on the water quality processes, including the effect of sediment on the light intensity for the growth of phytoplankton (PHYTO), the adsorption–desorption of nutrients by sediment and the release of nutrients from the bed sediment layer. A formula was generated from field measurements to calculate the light attenuation coefficient by considering the effects of concentrations of chlorophyll and suspended sediment (SS). The concentrations of adsorbed and dissolved nutrients because of adsorption–desorption were calculated using two formulas that were derived based on the Langmuir Equation. The release rates of nutrients from the bed sediment were calculated by considering the effects of the concentration gradient across the water‐sediment interface, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. Model algorithms describing the adsorption and desorption of nutrients from sediment particles as well as the release of nutrients from bed sediment were tested using experimental data. These sediment‐associated water quality processes were included in a three‐dimensional (3D) water quality model, CCHE3D_WQ, developed by the National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering (NCCHE), to simulate the concentrations of PHYTO and nutrients in a shallow Mississippi Delta lake with special emphasis on sediment‐related processes. The simulated concentration of PHYTO (as chlorophyll) and nutrients were generally in good agreement with field observations. This study shows that there are strong interactions between sediment‐associated processes and water quality constituents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adenovirus 5‐ and 35‐based immunotherapy enhances the strength but not breadth or quality of immunity during chronic SIV infection
Authors: Soloff Adam C. , Liu Xiangdong , Gao Wentao , Day Richard D. , Gambotto Andrea , Barratt‐Boyes Simon M.
Published: August 2009

Heterologous adenovirus‐based vectors hold promise as preventative HIV vaccines but their capacity to induce effective T‐cell immunity in established infection has not been explored. We vaccinated rhesus macaques chronically infected with SIVmac251 and undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) with human adenovirus serotype 5‐based vectors expressing SIV Gag, Env, and Nef with and without IL‐15 and evaluated vaccine immunogenicity. Vaccination increased Ag‐specific T cells 20‐fold but did not expand the breadth of epitopes recognized or the quality of response, as the majority of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells produced only one cytokine irrespective of vaccination. Immunization transiently restored blood CD4+ central memory T cells (Tcm) and boosted CD4+ and CD8+ Tcm and effector cell responses but did not prevent virus rebound upon cessation of ART. Boosting with human adenovirus serotype 35‐based vectors during a second ART cycle increased Ag‐specific T cells to 50‐fold above pre‐vaccination levels and boosted CD4+ Tcm numbers but did not expand the breadth or quality of immunity or control virus levels following drug discontinuation. The number of blood CD4+ Tcm correlated positively with complexity of T‐cell responses and negatively with virus load, suggesting that more complete restoration of this subset through vaccination would be beneficial.
Attenuation of Th1 response through galectin‐9 and T‐cell Ig mucin 3 interaction inhibits autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice
Authors: Chou Feng‐Cheng , Shieh Shing‐Jia , Sytwu Huey‐Kang
Published: August 2009

Galectin‐9 (gal‐9), widely expressed in many tissues, regulates Th1 cells and induces their apoptosis through its receptor, T‐cell Ig mucin 3, which is mainly expressed on terminally differentiated Th1 cells. Type 1 diabetes is a Th1‐dominant autoimmune disease that specifically destroys insulin‐producing β cells. To suppress the Th1 immune response in the development of autoimmune diabetes, we overexpressed gal‐9 in NOD mice by injection of a plasmid encoding gal‐9. Mice treated with gal‐9 plasmid were significantly protected from diabetes and showed less severe insulitis compared with controls. Flow cytometric analyses in NOD‐T1/2 double transgenic mice showed that Th1‐cell population in spleen, pancreatic lymph node and pancreas was markedly decreased in gal‐9 plasmid‐treated mice, indicating a negative regulatory role of gal‐9 in the development of pathogenic Th1 cells. Splenocytes from gal‐9 plasmid‐treated mice were less responsive to mitogenic stimulation than splenocytes from the control group. However, adoptive transfer of splenocytes from gal‐9‐treated or control mice caused diabetes in NOD/SCID recipients with similar kinetics, suggesting that gal‐9 treatment does not induce active tolerance in NOD mice. We conclude that gal‐9 may downregulate Th1 immune response in NOD mice and could be used as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diabetes.
CD8+ T‐cell responses to Theileria parva are preferentially directed to a single dominant antigen: Implications for parasite strain‐specific immunity
Authors: MacHugh Niall D. , Connelley Timothy , Graham Simon P. , Pelle Roger , Formisano Principia , Taracha Evans L. , Ellis Shirley A. , McKeever Declan J. , Burrells Alison , Morrison W. Ivan
Published: August 2009

Although immunodominance of CD8+ T‐cell responses is a well‐recognised feature of viral infections, its role in responses to more antigenically complex pathogens is less clear. In previous studies we have observed that CD8+ T‐cell responses to Theileria parva exhibit different patterns of parasite strain specificity in cattle of different MHC genotypes. In the current study, we demonstrated that animals homozygous for the A10 and A18 MHC haplotypes have detectable responses to only one of 5 T. parva antigens. Over 60% of the responding T cells from the A18+ and A10+ animals recognised defined epitopes in the Tp1 and Tp2 antigens, respectively. Comparison of T‐cell receptor β chain expression profiles of CD8+ T‐cell lines and CD8+ T cells harvested ex vivo confirmed that the composition of the T‐cell lines was representative of the in vivo memory CD8+ T‐cell populations. Analysis of the Tp1 and Tp2 antigens revealed sequence polymorphism, which was reflected by differential recognition by T‐cell lines. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a profound immunodominance in the CD8+ T‐cell response to T. parva, which we propose is a major determinant of the parasite strain specificity of the response and hence immune protection.
Ethylnitrosourea‐induced thymus‐defective mutants identify roles ofKIAA1440, TRRAP, andSKIV2L2in teleost organ development
Authors: Iwanami Norimasa , Okada Minoru , Hoa Vu Q. , Seo Yasuhito , Mitani Hiroshi , Sasaki Takashi , Shimizu Nobuyoshi , Kondoh Hisato , Furutani‐Seiki Makoto , Takahama Yousuke
Published: August 2009

The thymus is an organ where T lymphocytes develop. Thymus development requires interactions of cells derived from three germ layers. However, the molecular mechanisms that control thymus development are not fully understood. To identify the genes that regulate thymus development, we previously carried out a large‐scale screening for ethylnitrosourea‐induced mutagenesis using medaka,Oryzias latipes, and established a panel of recessive thymus‐lacking mutants. Here we report the identification of three genes responsible for these mutations. We found that the mutations inKIAA1440,TRRAP, andSKIV2L2caused the defects in distinct steps of thymus development. We also found that these genes were widely expressed in many organs and that the mutations in these genes caused defects in the development of various other organs. These results enabled us to identify previously unknown roles of widely expressed genes in medaka organ development. The possible reasons why thymus‐defective teleost mutants could be used to identify widely expressed genes and future strategies to increase the likelihood of identifying genes that specifically regulate thymus development are discussed.
Novel Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyridylarsanes by a Chiral Palladium Template Promoted Asymmetric Hydroarsanation Reaction
Authors: Liu Fengli , Pullarkat Sumod A. , Li Yongxin , Chen Shuli , Leung Pak‐Hing
Published: August 2009

The asymmetric hydroarsanation reactions between diphenylarsane and (E)‐1‐phenyl‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2‐propenone and (E)‐1‐methyl‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2‐propenoate have been achieved by use of the organopalladium complex containing ortho‐metalated (R)‐[1‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene as the chiral reaction template in high regio‐ and stereoselectivities under mild conditions. Hydroarsanation of (E)‐1‐phenyl‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2‐propenone with diphenylarsane generated two stereoisomeric products in the ratio of 3:1 as five‐membered As–N bidentate chelates on the chiral naphthylamine palladium template. Using the same chiral metal template, the corresponding hydroarsanation reaction with (E)‐1‐methyl‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2‐propenoate gave only one product as a six‐membered As–N bidentate chelate. The naphthylamine auxiliary could be removed chemoselectively by treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid to form the corresponding optically pure neutral complexes. Subsequent ligands displacement from the palladium using aqueous potassium cyanide generated the optically pure keto‐ and ester‐functionalized chiral pyridylarsane ligands. The absolute configuration and the coordination properties of the pyridylarsanes have been established by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Cobalt‐Catalyzed C–N Bond‐Forming Reaction between N‐Aromatic 2‐Chlorides and Secondary Amines
Authors: Toma Gabriel , Fujita Ken‐ichi , Yamaguchi Ryohei
Published: August 2009

Secondary amines react with N‐aromatic 2‐chlorides in the presence of a catalytic amount of cobalt chloride. When DPPP was added as ligand, the yield was further improved. The N‐aromatic‐containing tertiary amines formed are interesting due to their potential biological activity. This work represents the first cobalt‐catalyzed approach to C–N bond formation involving N‐aromatic 2‐chlorides and secondary amines having a certain amount of versatility and functional group tolerance.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Phosphonylation of 2‐Amino‐ and 2‐Amido‐3‐bromopyridines and 2‐Amino‐3‐chloroquinoxalines with Triethyl Phosphite
Authors: Adam M. Shaker S. , Kindermann Markus K. , Köckerling Martin , Heinicke Joachim W.
Published: August 2009

The Tavs reaction of 2‐amino‐ and 2‐acylamido‐3‐bromopyridines 1 and 2 with triethyl phosphite in the presence of palladium acetate or chloride allows the synthesis of 2‐amino‐ and 2‐acylamidopyridine‐3‐phosphonates 3 and 4. A second ring nitrogen atom causes strong activation and leads to excellent yields in the phosphonylation of 2‐amino‐3‐chloroquinoxalines. 2,3‐Dichloroquinoxaline does not need a catalyst and undergoes double phosphonylation with sodium diethyl phosphite under Michaelis–Becker conditions. The results show an activating influence of pyridine nitrogen (–M) and deactivating influence of the amino group (+M). The reactivity of 1 and 2 in the Tavs coupling is compared with that of the 3‐NH‐2‐bromopyridine position isomers and 2‐bromoanilines and discussed in terms of the opposite effects of pyridine and amino(amido) nitrogen and different position of the N atoms towards the reaction site. The advantage of the Tavs reaction is the easy optimization because neither auxiliary ligands are required nor a base to trap the halide or a solvent. Triethyl phosphite itself acts as ligand and forms Pd0{P(OEt)3}n in the initial phase of the reaction. The structures of the products and the expected intramolecular N–H···O=P hydrogen bridging bonds were proven by solution NMR and by X‐ray crystal structure analysis of single crystalline 3c.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Lift maximization with uncertainties for the optimization of high‐lift devices
Authors: Tang Z. , Périaux J. , Bugeda G. , Oñate E.
Published: August 2009

In this paper, the aerodynamic shape optimization problems with uncertain operating conditions have been addressed. After a review of robust control theory and the possible approaches to take into account uncertainties, the use of Taguchi robust design methods in order to overcome single point design problems in aerodynamics is proposed. Under the Taguchi concept, a design with uncertainties is converted into an optimization problem with two objectives which are the mean performance and its variance, so that the solutions are as less sensitive to the uncertainty of the input parameters as possible. Furthermore, the modified non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithms are used to capture a set of compromised solutions (Pareto front) between these two objectives. The flow field is analyzed by Navier–Stokes computation using an unstructured mesh. In order to reduce the number of expensive evaluations of the fitness function a response surface modeling is employed to estimate the fitness value using the polynomial approximation model. During the solution of the optimization problem, a semi‐torsional spring analogy is used for the adaption of the computational mesh to all the obtained geometrical configurations. The proposed approach is applied to the robust optimization of the 2D high‐lift devices of a business aircraft by maximizing the mean and minimizing the variance of the lift coefficients with uncertain free‐stream angle of attack at landing flight condition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsule with memantine in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease: a 26‐week, open‐label, prospective trial (Study ENA713B US32)
Authors: Olin Jason T. , Bhatnagar Vinod , Reyes Patricio , Koumaras Barbara , Meng Xiangyi , Brannan Stephen
Published: August 2009

Objective

Rivastigmine, a dual cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI), is widely approved for the symptomatic treatment of both mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease dementia. Orally administered ChEIs may be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects and add‐on therapy with memantine, an N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist, approved for moderate‐to‐severe AD, may ameliorate such side effects. This was a 26‐week, prospective, multicenter, single‐arm, open‐label pilot study to assess the safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules plus memantine in patients with moderate AD.

Methods

The primary objective was to assess the safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules 6–12 mg/day plus memantine (5–20 mg/day) as measured by the incidences of vomiting and nausea compared with those reported in the rivastigmine United States Prescribing Information (US PI). A total of 117 patients were enrolled with 116 receiving at least one dose of study medication.

Results

The incidences of nausea and vomiting (30% and 13%, respectively) observed in patients who received 6–12 mg/day rivastigmine plus memantine were lower than those stated in the US PI for rivastigmine monotherapy 6–12 mg/day (47% and 31%, respectively). The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Conclusion

Results from this study suggest the combination of rivastigmine capsule and memantine in patients with moderate AD is safe and tolerable. A greater reduction in the GI tolerability of rivastigmine has been established with rivastigmine transdermal patch. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of Mucosa oxygenation using three discrete spectral bands of visible light
Authors: Fawzy Y.
Published: August 2009

Quantification of the mucosa oxygenation levels during Endoscopic imaging provides useful physiological/diagnostic information. In this work a method for non‐contact quantification of the oxygen saturation index during Endoscopic imaging using three discrete spectral‐band in the blue, the green, and the red parts of the spectrum (RGB bands) has been investigated. The oxygen saturation index (TOI_rgb) was calculated from the three discrete RGB spectral bands using diffusion approximation modeling and least‐square analysis. A parametric study performed to identify the optimum band width for each of the three spectral bands. The quantification algorithm was applied to in vivo images of the endobronchial mucosa to calculate (TOI_rgb) from selected areas within the image view. The results were compared to that obtained from the full visible spectral (470–700 nm, 10 nm) measurements. The analysis showed that a band width of at least 20 nm in the blue and the green is required to obtain best results. The results showed that the method provides accurate estimation of the oxygenation levels with about 90% accuracy compared to that obtained using the full spectra. The results suggest the potential of quantifying the oxygen saturation levels from the three narrow RGB spectral bands/images. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Label‐free quantitative proteome analysis of skeletal tissues under mechanical load
Authors: Zhang Wei‐Bing , Wang Lin
Published: August 2009

Skeletal tissue has the capability to adapt its mass and structure in response to mechanical stress. However, the molecular mechanism of bone and cartilage to respond to mechanical stress are not fully understood. A label‐free quantitative proteome approach was used for the first time to obtain a global perspective of the response of skeletal tissue to mechanical stress. Label‐free quantitative analysis of 1D‐PAGE‐LC/MS/MS based proteomics was applied to identify differentially expressed proteins. Differential expression analysis in the experimental groups and control group showed significant changes for 248 proteins including proteins related to proliferation, differentiation, regulation of signal transduction and energy metabolic pathways. Fluorescence labeling by incorporation of alizarin/calcein in newly formed bone minerals qualitatively demonstrated new bone formation. Skeletal tissues under mechanical load evoked marked new bone formation in comparison with the control group. Bone material apposition was evident. Our data suggest that 39 proteins were assigned a role in anabolic process. Comparisons of anabolic versus catabolic features of the proteomes show that 42 proteins were related to catabolic. In addition, some proteins were related to regulation of signal transduction and energy pathways, such as tropomyosin 4, fibronectin 1, and laminin, might be new molecular targets that are responsive to mechanical force. Differentially expressed proteins identified in this model may offer a useful starting point for elucidating novel aspects of the effects of mechanical force on skeletal tissue. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 600–611, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Future directions in clinical child and adolescent psychology: a delphi survey
Authors: James Rochelle L. , Roberts Michael C.
Published: August 2009

This study sought to identify the future directions in three domains: clinical practice, research, and training of clinical child and adolescent psychologists in the upcoming decade. Doctoral‐level active members in the field were surveyed via a two‐round Delphi survey (45 in round 1; 35 in round 2). Evidence‐based practice received the greatest consensus by the participants and highest rank in each of the three domains. Other highly ranked clinical practice directions included prevention and early diagnosis and treatment, and clinical services for specific psychological problems. Research directions focused on biological and social factors interactions in the etiology and treatment and specific child and adolescent disorders. In the training domain, major directions included the pursuit of specialty training in child and adolescent psychology and training emphasizing the biological basis of behavior. Implications of these future directions are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1–12, 2009.
Understanding empowerment, meaning, and perceived coercion in individuals with serious mental illness
Authors: Strack Kristen M. , Schulenberg Stefan E.
Published: August 2009

This study investigated the relationship among the variables of perceived coercion, psychiatric symptoms, empowerment, and meaning in an inpatient sample of individuals with serious mental illness (N=94). It was hypothesized that empowerment would be strongly related to the level of psychiatric symptoms and meaning, but not significantly related to coercion. Participants were recruited from inpatient facilities and completed the MacArthur Perceived Coercion Scale, the Empowerment Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Life Purpose Questionnaire. The results suggested that empowerment is significantly associated with the presence of meaning in one's life as well as the level of psychiatric symptoms. Coercion was not significantly related to empowerment. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1–12, 2009.
Objective assessment of circadian activity and sleep patterns in individuals at behavioural risk of hypomania
Authors: Ankers David , Jones Steven H.
Published: August 2009

Although sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are significant features of bipolar disorder and are associated with illness severity and recurrence, less is known about their significance prior to illness onset. Therefore, this study investigated these variables using objective assessment methods within a sample at high‐risk of bipolar spectrum disorders. Thirty‐one high‐risk and 24 age‐ and gender‐matched control participants wore an actigraph for 7 days to obtain sleep and circadian activity data. Self‐report measures of mood, bed and get‐up times, and cognitive style were also obtained. High‐risk participants exhibited greater variability in duration, fragmentation, and efficiency of sleep, shorter sleep duration, and later and more variable bedtimes than controls. They also had lower relative amplitude of activity patterns and made more positive self‐appraisals for hypomanic experiences. Logistic regression showed that positive self‐appraisal and variability in bedtime significantly discriminated between the two groups. Results suggest that sleep and circadian activity differences are apparent in high‐risk participants and, therefore, may not simply represent an artifact of the illness. Such individuals also report cognitive styles consistent with those observed in bipolar patients. Relevance of these results to current evolutions of the instability theory of bipolar disorder is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1–16, 2009.
Extraction and separation of rare earths from chloride medium with mixtures of 2‐ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) ester and sec‐nonylphenoxy acetic acid
Authors: Song Naizhong , Tong Shanshan , Liu Wei , Jia Qiong , Zhou Weihong , Liao Wuping
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: 2‐ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) ester (HEHEHP, H2A2) has been applied extensively to the extraction of rare earths. However, there are some limitations to its further utilization and the synergistic extraction of rare earths with mixtures of HEHEHP and another extractant has attracted much attention. Organic carboxylic acids are also a type of extractant employed for the extraction of rare earths, e.g. naphthenic acid has been widely used to separate yttrium from rare earths. Compared with naphthenic acid, sec‐nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA100, H2B2) has many advantages such as stable composition, low solubility, and strong acidity in the aqueous phase. In the present study, the extraction of rare earths with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100 has been investigated. The separation of the rare earth elements is also studied.

RESULTS: The synergistic enhancement coefficient decreases with increasing atomic number of the lanthanoid. A significant synergistic effect is found for the extraction of La3+ as the complex LaH2ClA2B2 with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100. The equilibrium constant and thermodynamic functions obtained from the experimental results are 10−0.92 (KAB), 13.23 kJ mol−1 (ΔH), 5.25 kJ mol−1 (ΔG), and 26.75 J mol−1 K−1 (ΔS), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Graphical and numerical methods have been successfully employed to determine the stoichiometries for the extraction of La3+ with mixtures of HEHEHP and CA100. The mixtures have different extraction effects on different rare earths, which provides the possibility for the separation of yttrium from heavy rare earths at an appropriate ratio of HEHEHP and CA100. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Systemic adenoviral gene delivery to orthotopic murine breast tumors with ablation of coagulation factors, thrombocytes and Kupffer cells
Authors: Koski Anniina , Rajecki Maria , Guse Kilian , Kanerva Anna , Ristimäki Ari , Pesonen Sari , Escutenaire Sophie , Hemminki Akseli
Published: August 2009

Background

Rapid clearance of adenoviruses from blood by macrophage lineage cells of the liver and spleen, and binding to platelets, hinder their successful systemic use for cancer gene therapy. Vitamin K dependent coagulation factors are important mediators for the adenovirus liver tropism. Here we aim to determine the effects of coagulation factor, thrombocyte and liver macrophage (Kupffer cell) ablation on biodistribution of serotype 5 adenoviruses in mice with orthotopic breast tumors.

Methods

Prior to intravenous injection of adenoviruses, mice bearing orthotopic breast tumors were pretreated with warfarin to inhibit vitamin K dependent coagulation factor synthesis, an anti‐platelet antibody causing thrombocytopenia or an inhibitor of the Kupffer cell scavenger receptor or their combination. Virus availability in blood after injection was determined from blood samples and transgene expression in tissues analyzed 72 hours afterwards with In Vivo Imaging and luciferase assays.

Results

Warfarin pretreatment reduced gene delivery to liver, spleen and lung. Kupffer cell ablation increased persistence of adenoviruses in blood but didn't affect biodistribution significantly. Depletion of Kupffer cells combined with thrombocytopenia doubled the systemic gene delivery of 5/3 chimeric adenovirus to tumors (p < 0.05). Triple ablation of platelets, Kupffer cells and coagulation factors increased the tumor to liver ratio of systemic adenovirus gene delivery by 81% (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Depletion of coagulation factors can reduce transduction of liver, spleen and lung. Kupffer cell depletion is the most feasible method of increasing amount adenovirus in systemic blood flow and in combination with ablation of thrombocytes can increase the transduction of adenovirus to tumors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peripheral neuropathies: A practical approach for the hospitalist
Authors: Thompson Rachel , Weiss Michael D.
Published: August 2009

Peripheral neuropathies are a common problem with a myriad of potential etiologies that may be encountered acutely. Early diagnosis of certain neuropathies can lead to life‐saving therapy. This article reviews the literature on diagnostic approaches to peripheral neuropathies and suggests a structured framework of pattern recognition and systematic evaluation to aid the hospitalist in efficient evaluation of urgent cases. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:371–374. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.