bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved myelin water quantification using spatially regularized non‐negative least squares algorithm
Authors: Hwang Dosik , Du Yiping P.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To improve the myelin water quantification in the brain in the presence of measurement noise and to increase the visibility of small focal lesions in myelin‐water‐fraction (MWF) maps.

Materials and Methods

A spatially regularized non‐negative least squares (srNNLS) algorithm was developed for robust myelin water quantification in the brain. The regularization for the conventional NNLS algorithm was expanded into the spatial domain in addition to the spectral domain. Synthetic data simulations were performed to study the effectiveness of this new algorithm. Experimental free‐induction‐decay measurements were obtained using a multi‐gradient‐echo pulse sequence and MWF maps were estimated using the srNNLS algorithm. The results were compared with other conventional methods.

Results

A substantial decrease in MWF variability was observed in both simulations and experimental data when the srNNLS algorithm was applied. As a result, false lesions in the MWF maps disappeared and the visibility of small focal lesions improved greatly. On average, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio for focal lesions was improved by a factor of 2.

Conclusion

The MWF variability due to the measurement noise can be substantially reduced and the detection of small focal lesions can be improved by using the srNNLS algorithm. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:203–208. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DCE‐MRI pixel‐by‐pixel quantitative curve pattern analysis and its application to osteosarcoma
Authors: Guo Jun‐Yu , Reddick Wilburn E.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To present a novel curve pattern analysis (CPA) method to characterize and quantify signal curves from the dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data without any prerequisites such as arterial input function (AIF) or T1 measurement.

Materials and Methods

CPA parameters represent characteristics of the scaled DCE signal curve. Simulations were performed to investigate the dependence of CPA parameters on T1, TR, and flip angle. In vivo studies were performed on five pediatric patients with osteosarcoma. Parametric maps were generated using the CPA method and a pharmacokinetic model‐based method for comparison.

Results

Simulations show that CPA parameters varied less than 2% when T1 changed from 300 msec to 1500 msec, and less than 10% when the flip angle changed from 30° to 40°. Various curve patterns can be qualitatively identified and recognized from CPA parameter maps. Simulation and in vivo studies showed that the CPA parameter had a strong correlation with kep, with correlation coefficients of 0.9983 in the simulation and 0.95 in the in vivo studies.

Conclusion

A novel CPA method is presented. Simulations and in vivo studies showed that the CPA method provides a feasible alternative to quantifying DCE‐MRI studies with possibly higher repeatability by minimizing variations potentially induced by AIF and T1 estimations and model dependence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:177–184. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional analysis of segmental wall shear stress in the aorta by flow‐sensitive four‐dimensional‐MRI
Authors: Frydrychowicz Alex , Stalder Aurélien F. , Russe Maximilian F. , Bock Jelena , Bauer Simon , Harloff Andreas , Berger Alexander , Langer Mathias , Hennig Jürgen , Markl Michael
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To assess the distribution and regional differences of flow and vessel wall parameters such as wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) in the entire thoracic aorta.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐one healthy volunteers (mean age = 23.7 ± 3.3 years) were examined by flow‐sensitive four‐dimensional (4D)‐MRI at 3T. For eight retrospectively positioned 2D analysis planes distributed along the thoracic aorta, flow parameters and vectorial WSS and OSI were assessed in 12 segments along the vascular circumference.

Results

Mean absolute time‐averaged WSS ranged between 0.25 ± 0.04 N/m2 and 0.33 ± 0.07 N/m2 and incorporated a substantial circumferential component (–0.05 ± 0.04 to 0.07 ± 0.02 N/m2). For each analysis plane, a segment with lowest absolute WSS and highest OSI was identified which differed significantly from mean values within the plane (P < 0.05). The distribution of atherogenic low WSS and high OSI closely resembled typical locations of atherosclerotic lesions at the inner aortic curvature and supraaortic branches.

Conclusion

The normal distribution of vectorial WSS and OSI in the entire thoracic aorta derived from flow‐sensitive 4D‐MRI data provides a reference constituting an important perquisite for the examination of patients with aortic disease. Marked regional differences in absolute WSS and OSI may help explaining why atherosclerotic lesions predominantly develop and progress at specific locations in the aorta. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:77–84. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of reproducibility of human arterial plaque reconstruction and its effects on stress analysis based on multispectral in vivo magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Gao Hao , Long Quan , Graves Martin , Gillard Jonathan H. , Li Zhi‐Yong
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To quantify the uncertainties of carotid plaque morphology reconstruction based on patient‐specific multispectral in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their impacts on the plaque stress analysis.

Materials and Methods

In this study, three independent investigators were invited to reconstruct the carotid bifurcation with plaque based on MR images from two subjects to study the geometry reconstruction reproducibility. Finite element stress analyses were performed on the carotid bifurcations, as well as the models with artificially modified plaque geometries to mimic the image segmentation uncertainties, to study the impacts of the uncertainties to the stress prediction.

Results

Plaque reconstruction reproducibility was generally high in the study. The uncertainties among interobservers are around one or the subpixel level. It also shows that the predicted stress is relatively less sensitive to the arterial wall segmentation uncertainties, and more affected by the accuracy of lipid region definition. For a model with lipid core region artificially increased by adding one pixel on the lipid region boundary, it will significantly increase the maximum Von Mises Stress in fibrous cap (>100%) compared with the baseline model for all subjects.

Conclusion

The current in vivo MRI in the carotid plaque could provide useful and reliable information for plaque morphology. The accuracy of stress analysis based on plaque geometry is subject to MRI quality. The improved resolution/quality in plaque imaging with newly developed MRI protocols would generate more realistic stress predictions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:85–93. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of cerebrospinal fluid contamination on brain metabolites evaluation with 1H‐MR spectroscopy: A single voxel study of the cerebellar vermis in patients with degenerative ataxias
Authors: Guerrini Laura , Belli Giacomo , Mazzoni Lorenzo , Foresti Silvia , Ginestroni Andrea , Della Nave Riccardo , Diciotti Stefano , Mascalchi Mario
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To investigate the impact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contamination on metabolite evaluation in the superior cerebellar vermis with single‐voxel 1H‐MRS in normal subjects and patients with degenerative ataxias.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐nine healthy volunteers and 38 patients with degenerative ataxias and cerebellar atrophy were examined on a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Proton spectra of a volume of interest placed in the superior vermis were acquired using a four TE PRESS technique. We calculated N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr), choline (Cho)/Cr, and NAA/Cho ratios, T2 relaxation times and concentrations of the same metabolites using the external phantom method. Finally, concentrations were corrected taking into account the proportion of nervous tissue and CSF, that was determined as Volume Fraction (VF).

Results

In healthy subjects, a significant difference was observed between metabolite concentrations with and without correction for VF. As compared to controls, patients with ataxias showed significantly reduced NAA/Cr and NAA concentrations, while only corrected Cr concentration was significantly increased. The latter showed an inverse correlation with VF.

Conclusion

CSF contamination has a not negligible effect on the estimation of brain metabolites. The increase of Cr concentration in patients with cerebellar atrophy presumably reflects the substitutive gliosis which takes place along with loss of neurons. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:11–17. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combining spatial and temporal information to explore function‐guide action of acupuncture using fMRI
Authors: Liu Peng , Qin Wei , Zhang Yi , Tian Jie , Bai Lijun , Zhou Guangyu , Liu Jixin , Chen Peng , Dai Jianping , von Deneen Karen M. , Liu Yijun
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To investigate the brain response patterns of modulation of GB37 (Guangming) and KI8 (Jiaoxin).

Materials and Methods

An experiment using nonrepeated event‐related fMRI design was carried out on 28 subjects with electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) at GB37 or KI8 on the left leg. The discrete cosine transform and functional connectivity methods were adopted to detect the differences related with these two acupoints before and after the EAS.

Results

Spatial patterns were distinct for EAS at the two acupoints, and the overlapping brain regions were mainly located in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus (pC). Two opposite patterns of modulation in the default mode network were detected from the temporal patterns with the overlapping PCC/pC as the region of interest. Furthermore, the specific responses of sustained effects at these acupoints were also identified.

Conclusion

Spatial and temporal patterns of the sustained effect modulation of GB37 and KI8 were distinct. We suggest these findings may attribute to the functional specificity of a certain acupoint. Moreover, our current results reflect a significant methodological contribution to future acupuncture studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:41–46. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pilot study of improved lesion characterization in breast MRI using a 3D radial balanced SSFP technique with isotropic resolution and efficient fat‐water separation
Authors: Moran Catherine J. , Kelcz Frederick , Jung Youngkyoo , Brodsky Ethan K. , Fain Sean B. , Block Walter F.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To assess a 3D radial balanced steady‐state free precession (SSFP) technique that provides submillimeter isotropic resolution and inherently registered fat and water image volumes in comparison to conventional T2‐weighted RARE imaging for lesion characterization in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

3D projection SSFP (3DPR‐SSFP) combines a dual half‐echo radial k‐space trajectory with a linear combination fat/water separation technique (linear combination SSFP). A pilot study was performed in 20 patients to assess fat suppression and depiction of lesion morphology using 3DPR‐SSFP. For all patients fat suppression was measured for the 3DPR‐SSFP image volumes and depiction of lesion morphology was compared against corresponding T2‐weighted fast spin echo (FSE) datasets for 15 lesions in 11 patients.

Results

The isotropic 0.63 mm resolution of the 3DPR‐SSFP sequence demonstrated improved depiction of lesion morphology in comparison to FSE. The 3DPR‐SSFP fat and water datasets were available in a 5‐minute scan time while average fat suppression with 3DPR‐SSFP was 71% across all 20 patients.

Conclusion

3DPR‐SSFP has the potential to improve the lesion characterization information available in breast MRI, particularly in comparison to conventional FSE. A larger study is warranted to quantify the effect of 3DPR‐SSFP on specificity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:135–144. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temporal sampling requirements for reference region modeling of DCE‐MRI data in human breast cancer
Authors: Planey Catherine R. , Welch E. Brian , Xu Lei , Chakravarthy A. Bapsi , Gatenby J. Christopher , Freehardt Darla , Mayer Ingrid , Meszeoly Ingrid , Kelley Mark , Means‐Powell Julie , Gore John C. , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To assess the temporal sampling requirements needed for quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) data with a reference region (RR) model in human breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

Simulations were used to study errors in pharmacokinetic parameters (Ktrans and ve) estimated by the RR model using six DCE‐MRI acquisitions over a range of pharmacokinetic parameter values, arterial input functions, and temporal samplings. DCE‐MRI data were acquired on 12 breast cancer patients and parameters were estimated using the native resolution data (16.4 seconds) and compared to downsampled 32.8‐second and 65.6‐second data.

Results

Simulations show that, in the majority of parameter combinations, the RR model results in an error less than 20% in the extracted parameters with temporal sampling as poor as 35.6 seconds. The experimental results show a high correlation between Ktrans and ve estimates from data acquired at 16.4‐second temporal resolution compared to the downsampled 32.8‐second data: the slope of the regression line was 1.025 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.021, 1.029), Pearson's correlation r = 0.943 (95% CI: 0.940, 0.945) for Ktrans, and 1.023 (95% CI: 1.021. 1.025), r = 0.979 (95% CI: 0.978, 0.980) for ve. For the 64‐second temporal resolution data the results were: 0.890 (95% CI: 0.894, 0.905), r = 0.8645, (95% CI: 0.858, 0.871) for Ktrans, and 1.041 (95% CI: 1.039, 1.043), r = 0.970 (95% CI: 0.968, 0.971) for ve.

Conclusion

RR analysis allows for a significant reduction in temporal sampling requirements and this lends itself to analyze DCE‐MRI data acquired in practical situations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:121–134. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A diffusion tensor imaging group study of the spinal cord in multiple sclerosis patients with and without T2 spinal cord lesions
Authors: Van Hecke Wim , Nagels Guy , Emonds Griet , Leemans Alexander , Sijbers Jan , Van Goethem Johan , Parizel Paul M.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To examine the T2‐normal appearing spinal cord of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using diffusion tensor imaging.

Materials and Methods

Diffusion tensor images of the spinal cord were acquired from 21 healthy subjects, 11 MS patients with spinal cord lesions, and 10 MS patients without spinal cord lesions on the T2‐weighted MR images. Different diffusion measures were evaluated using both a region of interest (ROI) ‐based and a diffusion tensor tractography‐based segmentation approach.

Results

It was observed that the FA, the transverse diffusivity λ⟂, and the ratio of the longitudinal and transverse diffusivities (λ∥/λ ⟂) were significantly lower in the spinal cord of MS patients with spinal cord lesions compared with the control subjects using both the ROI method (P = 0.014, P = 0.028, and P = 0.039, respectively) and the tractography‐based approach (P = 0.006, P = 0.037, and P = 0.012, respectively). For both image analysis methods, the FA and the λ ∥/λ ⟂ values were significantly different between the control group and the MS patient group without T2 spinal cord lesions (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the spinal cord may still be affected by MS, even when lesions are not detected on a conventional MR scan. In addition, we demonstrated that diffusion tensor tractography is a robust tool to analyze the spinal cord of MS patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:25–34. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Added value of diffusion‐weighted imaging in the MRI assessment of perilesional tumor recurrence after chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: Yu Jeong‐Sik , Kim Joo Hee , Chung Jae‐Joon , Kim Ki Whang
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To investigate the additional value of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in the MRI assessment of perilesionally recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Materials and Methods

For gadopentetate dimeglumine‐enhanced multiphasic dynamic images with precontrast T1‐ and T2‐weighted images of 23 patients treated with TACE, two radiologists independently sorted the confidence levels for the presence of a viable tumor in the vicinity of the treated lesions into five grades. In another session, images from DWI (b factor = 50, 400, and 800 s/mm2) were added to the previously reviewed images and the same radiologists sorted the confidence levels.

Results

A total of 26 lesions (0.7–3.5 cm) from 16 patients were confirmed to be perilesional recurrences of HCC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) for the second interpretation session (0.826) was not significantly different (P = 0.299) from that of the first session (0.859). The overall sensitivity was increased from 85% to 92%, but the specificity decreased from 65% to 50% after adding DWI.

Conclusion

The addition of DWI has the potential to improve sensitivity, but not the overall diagnostic accuracy, in the assessment of perilesional recurrence of HCCs after chemoembolization. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:153–160. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automated assessment of whole‐body adipose tissue depots from continuously moving bed MRI: A feasibility study
Authors: Kullberg Joel , Johansson Lars , Ahlström Håkan , Courivaud Frederic , Koken Peter , Eggers Holger , Börnert Peter
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To present an automated algorithm for segmentation of visceral, subcutaneous, and total volumes of adipose tissue depots (VAT, SAT, TAT) from whole‐body MRI data sets and to investigate the VAT segmentation accuracy and the reproducibility of all depot assessments.

Materials and Methods

Repeated measurements were performed on 24 volunteer subjects using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner and a three‐dimensional (3D) multi‐gradient‐echo sequence (resolution: 2.1 × 2.1 × 8 mm3, acquisition time: 5 min 15 s). Fat and water images were reconstructed, and fully automated segmentation was performed. Manual segmentation of the VAT reference was performed by an experienced operator.

Results

Strong correlation (R = 0.999) was found between the automated and manual VAT assessments. The automated results underestimated VAT with 4.7 ± 4.4%. The accuracy was 88 ± 4.5% and 7.6 ± 5.7% for true positive and false positive fractions, respectively. Coefficients of variation from the repeated measurements were: 2.32 % ± 2.61%, 2.25% ± 2.10%, and 1.01% ± 0.74% for VAT, SAT, and TAT, respectively.

Conclusion

Automated and manual VAT results correlated strongly. The assessments of all depots were highly reproducible. The acquisition and postprocessing techniques presented are likely useful in obesity related studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:185–193. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR prediction of postnatal outcomes in left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia using right lung signal intensity: Comparison with that using right lung volume
Authors: Nishie Akihiro , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Asayama Yoshiki , Ishigami Kousei , Hirakawa Masakazu , Nakayama Tomohiro , Ushijima Yasuhiro , Kakihara Daisuke , Okamoto Daisuke , Yoshiura Takashi , Masumoto Kouji , Taguchi Tomoaki , Tsukimori Kiyomi , Tokunaga Shoji , Irie Hiroyuki , Yoshimitsu Kengo , Honda Hiroshi
Published: June 2009

Purpose

To investigate the validity of the fetal right lung‐to‐liver signal intensity ratio (LLSIR) for prediction of postnatal outcomes in left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

Materials and Methods

The study included 14 pregnant women who underwent MR exams for evaluation of fetal left‐sided CDH. The fetuses were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 9), alive, and Group B (n = 5), dead. On the basis of the half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo sequence, LLSIR and the right fetal lung volume (FLV) was calculated. In the control group, a regression analysis was performed to associate LLSIR and right FLV with gestational age. The relative LLSIR and right FLV (the observed/expected LLSIR and right FLV) were compared between Groups A and B.

Results

The mean relative LLSIR, as well as the mean relative right FLV, of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (p = 0.035). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for the relative LLSIR and the relative right FLV, when the cutoff point was defined as 0.646 and 0.420, were the same and were 88.9%, 80.0%, 88.9%, 80.0%, and 85.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

The postnatal outcomes in left‐sided CDH may be predicted using the LLSIR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:112–120. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uncertainties in early Central England temperatures
Authors: Parker David E.
Published: June 2009

Uncertainties in historical climate records constrain our understanding of natural variability of climate, but estimation of these uncertainties enables us to place recent climate events and extremes into a realistic historical perspective. Uncertainties in Central England temperature (CET) since 1878 have already been estimated; here we estimate uncertainties back to the start of the record in 1659, using Manley's publications and more recently developed techniques for estimating spatial sampling errors. Estimated monthly standard errors are of the order of 0.5 °C up to the 1720s, but 0.3 °C subsequently when more observing sites were used. Corresponding annual standard errors are up to nearly 0.4 °C in the earliest years but around 0.15 °C after the 1720s. Daily standard errors from 1772, when the daily series begins, up to 1877 are of the order of 1 °C because only a single site was used at any one time. Inter‐diurnal variability in the daily CET record appears greater before 1878 than subsequently, partly because the sites were in the Midlands or southern England where day‐to‐day temperature variability exceeds that in the Lancashire part of Manley's CET. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Influence of PROP taster status on the consumer acceptability of food made from tannin sorghums
Authors: Kobue‐Lekalake Rosemary I , Taylor John RN , de Kock Henriëtte L
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Condensed tannins in sorghum are powerful antioxidants, beneficial for health. However, tannin sorghums are believed to be unpalatable. The objective was to determine the influence of 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status on consumer acceptability of food from tannin sorghums. Consumers (n = 194) classified by PROP taster status (super, medium and non) evaluated the appearance, flavour, overall liking and texture of sorghum rice from two tannin‐free sorghums, PAN 8564 and Phofu, and two tannin sorghums, PAN 3860 (82 g catechin equivalents (CE) kg−1) and NS 5511 (18 g CE kg−1), with high antioxidant activity.

RESULTS: The PROP tasters could distinguish differences among the sorghum cultivars varying in tannin content levels, finding PAN 3860 less acceptable than the other sorghums. The non tasters preferred all the cultivars equally, presumably because they could not detect taste (bitter and astringent) differences between the sorghums. With the exception of appearance, tannin sorghum NS 5511 was generally equally preferred by PROP tasters to tannin‐free sorghums.

CONCLUSION: There appear to some tannin sorghums that are palatable, even to PROP tasters, because the level of tannins is below a sensitivity threshold (ca 20 g CE kg−1). Hence such tannin sorghums could be used to produce acceptable high‐antioxidant activity foods. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Residual deposits in green tea shoots and black tea after individual and combined application of propiconazole and copper oxychloride
Authors: Karthika Chinnachamy , Muraleedharan Narayanan Nair
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: A combination of propiconazole and copper oxychloride is commonly used for controlling blister blight disease caused by the fungus Exobasidium vexans Massee of tea in south India. Field trials were conducted in wet and dry seasons to determine the rate of dissipation of propiconazole and copper oxychloride (COC) in green tea shoots and black tea. High‐performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify propiconazole residues in these matrices. Copper was analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry.

RESULTS: The rate of dissipation of propiconazole in both seasons followed first‐order kinetics. Dissipation was faster in the wet than in the dry season. Factors such as rainfall elution and leaf growth dilution lead to faster residual decline in the wet season. However, even in wet season 0.10 mg kg−1 of propiconazole residues were noted in black tea on the seventh day after fungicide application because of its systemic nature. Thus good control over the disease could be achieved.

CONCLUSION: The recommended safe harvest interval and half‐life for the combined application of propiconazole and COC from this study is 5.39 and 2.43 days respectively in green tea shoots during the dry season. Moreover, the residues of propiconazole in green tea shoots on the seventh day is the same as the maximum residue limit (MRL) proposed by the European Union (EU), indicating that combined application of the two chemicals does not leave significant residues on seventh day or thereafter. Hence, upon harvest, which is usually between 8 and 10 days after fungicide application, the green tea shoots are safer from fungicide residues and pose less risk to human consumption. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation and classification of Spanish Verdejo young white wines by volatile and sensory analysis with chemometric tools
Authors: Rodríguez‐Nogales José M , Fernández‐Fernández Encarnación , Vila‐Crespo Josefina
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, Verdejo young wine is exported to many countries all over the world, so it is considered one of the most important Spanish white young wines. In spite of its commercial and historical repercussions, little information is available about the aromatic profile of Spanish Verdejo young wine. The aim of our study was to give further information about this aspect, focusing our research on the characterisation and classification of Verdejo young wine.

RESULTS: Aroma of the Verdejo, Sauvignon blanc and barrel‐fermented and barrel‐aged Verdejo wines—all from the D.O. Rueda, Spain—was evaluated using gas chromatographic and sensory analyses. A good relationship was found between the chemical composition and some of the sensory attributes of the wines. The wine samples were correctly classified according to their grape variety and oenological practice showing a 100% of correct classification using chemical or sensory data.

CONCLUSIONS: Characterisation and differentiation of Spanish Verdejo wines was achieved, for the first time, showing different groups of Verdejo wines with similar volatile composition and sensory profiles. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of polymerization conditions on morphology and chromatographic characteristics of polyacrylamide‐based beds (monoliths) for capillary electrochromatography and capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Ratautaite Vilma , Maruška Audrius , Erickson Magnus , Kornyšova Olga
Published: June 2009

Pioneering research work on continuous or monolithic beds for LC was published in 1989 [1]. However, till date there is a lack of complex investigation of various factors affecting the morphology of the beds polymerized from water‐soluble co‐monomers. In this article the effect of buffer, used as polymerization medium, concentration and pH, and total monomer concentration on the morphology of the resultant continuous beds are discussed. Evaluation of the continuous beds was performed by means of capillary LC, CEC, and inverse size‐exclusion chromatography.
Between relaxation and excitement: activities and benefits gained in retirees' tourism
Authors: Nimrod Galit , Rotem Arie
Published: June 2009

While most studies that focused on older adults' tourism behaviour have used quantitative methods, most studies that focused on benefits that older adults gain from tourism have used qualitative methods. Thus, the associations between seniors' tourism behaviour and its results, namely, the benefits gained, were never explored. This study aimed to examine these associations. The study was based on a national mail survey of 298 Israeli retirees, who travelled abroad at least once in the year prior to the survey. Results indicated that there are nine factors of destination activities and five factors of benefits gained, which are intricately interrelated. In addition, four differentiated sub‐segments were identified based on their destination activities, but the differences between them in terms of benefits gained were rather minor. These findings suggest a balance mechanism in older adults' tourism that leads to maximization of benefits in different activities and/or circumstances. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioimaging of metals by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS)
Authors: Becker J. Sabine , Zoriy Miroslav , Matusch Andreas , Wu Bei , Salber Dagmar , Palm Christoph , Becker J. Susanne
Published: June 2009

The distribution analysis of (essential, beneficial, or toxic) metals (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, and others), metalloids, and non‐metals in biological tissues is of key interest in life science. Over the past few years, the development and application of several imaging mass spectrometric techniques has been rapidly growing in biology and medicine. Especially, in brain research metalloproteins are in the focus of targeted therapy approaches of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, or stroke, or tumor growth. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) using double‐focusing sector field (LA‐ICP‐SFMS) or quadrupole‐based mass spectrometers (LA‐ICP‐QMS) has been successfully applied as a powerful imaging (mapping) technique to produce quantitative images of detailed regionally specific element distributions in thin tissue sections of human or rodent brain. Imaging LA‐ICP‐QMS was also applied to investigate metal distributions in plant and animal sections to study, for example, the uptake and transport of nutrient and toxic elements or environmental contamination. The combination of imaging LA‐ICP‐MS of metals with proteomic studies using biomolecular mass spectrometry identifies metal‐containing proteins and also phosphoproteins. Metal‐containing proteins were imaged in a two‐dimensional gel after electrophoretic separation of proteins (SDS or Blue Native PAGE). Recent progress in LA‐ICP‐MS imaging as a stand‐alone technique and in combination with MALDI/ESI‐MS for selected life science applications is summarized. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:156–175, 2010
Metabolomic applications of HILIC–LC–MS
Authors: Cubbon Simon , Antonio Carla , Wilson Julie , Thomas‐Oates Jane
Published: June 2009

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), although not a new technique, has enjoyed a recent renaissance with the introduction of robust and reproducible stationary phases. It is consequently finding application in metabolomics studies, which have traditionally relied on the stability of reversed phases (RPs), since the biofluids analyzed are predominantly aqueous and thus contain many polar analytes. HILIC's retention of those polar compounds and use of solvents readily compatible with mass spectrometry have seen its increasing adoption in studies of complex aqueous metabolomes. This review describes the stationary phases and their features, surveys HILIC–LC–MS's role in metabolomics experiments, discusses approaches to data extraction and analysis including multivariate analysis, and reviews the literature on HILIC–MS applications in metabolomics. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:671–684, 2010
Fair p(l)ay for police—the 2007/2008 Bobby Lobby
Authors: Bradshaw Isobel
Published: June 2009

This article follows the campaign conducted by the Police Federation of England and Wales as they strove to overturn the Home Secretary's decision on pay in 2007/2008. The campaign combined direct action, media relations, public affairs and legal action as the Federation sought to galvanise public and political support during their dispute.

The campaign failed to secure its most immediate aim ‐ the restitution of its rightful pay award ‐ but it won considerable concessions from the Government in later salary negotiations.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chartered Insurance Institute: influencing the course of industry change
Authors: Pedley Daniel
Published: June 2009

The Chartered Insurance Institute's campaign to raise professionalism in financial advice is shaping the future of the industry. Our aim is to protect the public and ensure better levels of service by driving a step change in behaviour and professional standards. Success factors have included clear aims and objectives (concentrating on a single issue), the ability to build momentum for our proposals and sustaining interest, and developing an industry consensus in support of our proposals. The campaign has influenced the thinking of the regulator with them adopting our proposals around raising professionalism.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and photopolymerization of piperonylamine derivatives as a polymerizable cyclic acetals co‐initiator for light‐cured unfilled dental resins
Authors: Wang Kemin , Yin Ruixue , Zhang Xiaodan , Shi Suqing , Nie Jun
Published: June 2009

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterizeN,N‐di(methacryly‐ethoxycarbonyl‐ethyl)‐N‐(1,3‐benzodioxole‐ 5‐methylene)(DMEBM) to replace both triethylene glycol dimethylacrylate(TEGDMA) as a dilute and the non‐polymerizable amine, which is added as a co‐initiator in dental resin mixtures. 2,2‐bis[4‐(2‐Hydroxy‐3‐methacryloxypropoxy) phenyl]‐propane (Bis‐GMA) and camphorquinone (CQ) were used as monomer and photoinitiator in these model dental resin systems, in contrast to ethyl 4‐dimethylaminobenzoate (EDMAB) which was usually used as a co‐initiator. DMEBM was synthesized via Michael‐Addition reaction and characterized using1H NMR spectroscopy. A mixture of Bis‐GMA/DMEBM/CQ was found to reach the double bond conversion of 67.5%, slightly higher than that of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDMAB (66.8%) and Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/DMEBM (64.8%). In addition, the glass transition temperature of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDMAB (93.4°C) were higher than that of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/DMEBM (89.3 °C) and Bis‐GMA/DMEBM/CQ (80.4°C). The water sorption and solubility of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/DMEBM were higher than that of Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDMAB and Bis‐GMA/DMEBM/CQ. However, the values were still within the range of the ISO 4049 standards. DMEBM could be used as a potential co‐initiator and diluent for dental composite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, and drug release behaviors of a novel thermo‐sensitive poly(N‐acryloylglycinates)
Authors: Deng Kuilin , Zhong Haibin , Zheng Xiangyang , Song Xiaohui , Tian Hua , Zhang Pengfei , Ren Xiaobo , Wang Haijun
Published: June 2009

In this study, a novel thermo‐sensitive poly(N‐acryloylglycinates) was prepared in order to get a potential drug release carrier. The corresponding monomers and the polymers were characterized with Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H NMR. The thermo‐sensitivity of the poly(N‐acryloylglycinates) was evaluated by measuring their lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in water, inorganic salt solution, and different pH solutions. The results indicated that poly(N‐acryloylglycine methyl ester) (NAGME) and poly(N‐acryloylglycine ethyl ester) (NAGEE) exhibit a reversible thermo‐sensibility in their aqueous solutions at 61.5 and 12.5°C, respectively. However, no thermo‐sensitive behavior of poly(N‐acryloylglycine propyl ester) (NAGPE) was found due to its over hydrophobicity. The swelling studies on hydrogels were carried out at different temperatures, in different pH, and inorganic salt solutions. The hydrogels showed a remarkable phase transition at about 35°C with changing temperature. The release rate of caffeine from the thermo‐sensitive hydrogel was apparently decreased as the crosslinker content increased and temperature decreased. Seventy five percent caffeine from the polymeric hydrogel with 5% NMBA (N, N‐methylenebis(acrylamide)) was released at room temperature within 240 min, whereas 95.4% caffeine diffused into the medium at 37°C. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel, highly efficient polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator containing coinitiator moieties for photopolymerization
Authors: Wei Jun , Lu Rong , Liu Fang
Published: June 2009

A novel polymeric photoinitiator P(MPBP‐co‐DMAEMA), bearing side‐chain benzophenone (BP) and coinitiator amine, was synthesized through free radical copolymerization of a polymerizable photoinitiator, 4‐[(4‐maleimido)phenoxy]benzophenone (MPBP), and a polymerizable coinitiator amine, N, N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). In order to find out the influences of coinitiator amine on photopolymerization, a polymeric coinitiator amine, P(DMAEMA), was also synthesized for comparison. FT‐IR, 1H NMR, and GPC analyses confirm the structures of polymers. The UV‐Vis spectra of polymeric photoinitiator P(MPBP‐co‐DMAEMA) and polymerizable photoinitiator MPBP are similar, and both exhibit high red‐shifted maximal absorption as compared with BP. The photopolymerization of 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), initiated by MPBP/DMAEMA, MPBP/P(DMAEMA), and P(MPBP‐co‐DMAEMA) systems, was studied by photo‐DSC. The results indicate that P(MPBP‐co‐DMAEMA) is most efficient for the polymerization of both HDDA and TMPTA, and MPBP/P(DMAEMA) is the least efficient of the three photoinitiating systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of low‐band‐gap conjugated polymers containing phenothiazine and benzo‐2,1,3‐thia‐/seleno‐diazole
Authors: Xu Shengang , Liu Yingliang , Li Jianghui , Wang Yanbin , Cao Shaokui
Published: June 2009

Two phenothiazine‐based conjugated polymers, poly(3, 7‐divinylene‐N‐octyl‐phenothiazine‐alt‐benzo‐2,1,3‐ thiadiazole) (PQS) and poly(3,7‐divinylene‐N‐octyl‐phenothiazine‐alt‐benzo‐2,1,3‐selenodiazole) (PQSe) were synthesized by Heck coupling reaction. The chemical structures of the two polymers were confirmed by 1H‐NMR and Ft‐IR. They showed good solubility in some common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform. The weight‐average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymers determined by GPC in THF against polystyrene standards was 3.7 × 103 for PQS and 1.9 × 103 for PQSe, respectively. The temperatures of 5% weight loss (T5) were 385.0°C for PQS and 324.0°C for PQSe, respectively, determined by TGA measurements under nitrogen ambience. UV–vis absorption spectra of the polymer films showed the absorption maxima at 537 nm for PQS and 539 nm for PQSe, with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 190 and 230 nm, respectively. The optical band gaps ($\mathop E\nolimits_g^{{\rm opt}}$) of the polymer films are 1.86 eV for PQS and 1.80 eV for PQSe, respectively. As the polymers have low‐band‐gap and broad absorption in the visible region, they may be used as potential light‐harvesting materials for photovoltaic devices (PVDs). Furthermore, photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the polymer solutions showed the emission maxima at 698 nm for PQS and 709 nm for PQSe, with FWHM of 152 nm and 167 nm, respectively, which revealed that these two polymers may be used as red and near infrared light‐emitting materials for polymeric light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cancer stem cell marker CD133 has high prognostic impact but unknown functional relevance for the metastasis of human colon cancer
Authors: Horst David , Scheel Silvio K , Liebmann Sibylle , Neumann Jens , Maatz Susanne , Kirchner Thomas , Jung Andreas
Published: June 2009

In colon cancer, CD133 has recently been used to enrich for a subset of tumour cells with tumour‐initiating capabilities and was therefore suggested to mark colon cancer stem cells. However, this molecule has surprisingly been shown to lack functional importance for tumour initiation itself. Herein, we investigated whether CD133 may be relevant for colon cancer metastasis in patients, and as metastasis requires several additional biological characteristics besides tumour initiation, we examined the effects of knocking down CD133 expression in colon cancer cell lines on proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation. We demonstrate that high CD133 expression correlates strongly with synchronous liver metastasis in a matched case–control collection, while siRNA‐mediated knock down of this factor has no significant effect on the mentioned biological characteristics. Thus, we conclude that CD133 expression is a marker with high prognostic impact for colon cancer, while it seems to have no obvious functional role as a driving force of this malignancy. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerization of epoxy resins initiated by metal complexes
Authors: Döring Manfred , Arnold Ulrich
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Processing parameters and material properties of epoxy resins can be vastly influenced by choice of curing agent. In this work, metal complexes were investigated as initiators for anionic and cationic epoxide polymerization. Systems for thermally induced and electron beam‐induced curing are described.

RESULTS: Zinc or cobalt imidazole complexes of the type [M(imidazole)2(anion)2] are efficient initiators for anionic polymerization of glycidyl‐based epoxy resins. The complexes can be employed to prepare tailored resin systems ranging from fast curing systems at slightly elevated temperatures to systems with very high thermal latencies curable at temperatures far above 150 °C. Silver complexes [Ag(L)n]SbF6 (L = crown ether or alkene) are highly efficient initiators for cationic curing and low initiator contents of around 1% are sufficient to reach high degrees of crosslinking. The complexes are excellent initiators for both thermally induced and electron beam‐induced polymerizations.

CONCLUSION: Metal complexes are powerful initiators for the homopolymerization of epoxy resins and can be designed not only for anionic and cationic polymerization but also for thermal and radiation curing. Based on this study and additional work, a library can be compiled which allows retrieval of optimized metal–ligand–anion combinations and adjustment of the initiators to the respective processing and material demands. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Polypentadecalactone prepared by lipase catalysis: crystallization kinetics and morphology
Authors: Cai Jiali , Hsiao Benjamin S , Gross Richard A
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: This work addresses the need to better understand the crystallization kinetics and morphology of poly (ω‐pentadecalactone) (PPDL). This polyester has promising mechanical properties and a unique structure that resembles that of polyethylene. PPDL is a member of the poly(ω‐hydroxy fatty acid) family, which can be derived from biobased feedstocks.

RESULTS: PPDL (Mn = 34 000 g mol−1 and dispersity D = Mw/Mn = 2.7) was synthesized using enzyme catalysis. Equilibrium melting enthalpy and equilibrium melting point were determined using extrapolation techniques, being 227 J g−1 and 101 °C, respectively. In addition, the equilibrium melting point ($T_{\rm {m}}^{0}$) was found to be 109.3 °C by the nonlinear Hoffman‐Weeks plot. For $T_{\rm {m}}^{0} = 101.0 ^{\circ}\hbox{C}$, the lateral surface free energy (σ), fold surface free energy (σe) and fold work (q) are 10.4 erg cm−2, 47.5 erg cm−2 and 2.6 kcal mol−1, respectively; while for $T_{\rm {m}}^{0} = 109.3 ^{\circ}\hbox{C}$, they are 25.1 erg cm−2, 46.6 erg cm−2 and 2.6 kcal mol−1, respectively. The results indicated the existence of a regime I to regime II transition during crystallization at about 80 °C. Polarized optical microscopy and AFM provided further evidence for the regime I–II transition. In regime I, coarse spherulites were formed through splaying out and occasional branching of lamellae, as well as stacking of lamellae through screw dislocation. In contrast, in regime II, banded spherulites were formed through crystal twisting.

CONCLUSION: Morphological changes in PPDL at spherulitic and lamellar levels in regimes I and II were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, POM and AFM. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of novel over‐ and under‐sulfated glycosaminoglycan sequences by enzyme cleavage and multiple stage MS
Authors: Zamfir Alina D. , Flangea Corina , Sisu Eugen , Serb Alina F. , Dinca Nicolae , Bruckner Peter , Seidler Daniela G.
Published: June 2009

We report on a novel strategy for identification of specific sulfation motifs in chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) chain derived from decorin (Dcn), based on enzyme cleavage and multistage MS (MSn). Released CS/DS chains were digested with chondroitin B and in parallel with AC I lyases to obtain oligosaccharides of known hexuronic acid (HexA) epimerization. The depolymerized chains were separated by gel filtration, and collected di‐ and hexasaccharides were analyzed by ESI MSn. MS2 on bisulfated 4,5‐Δ‐HexAGalNAc revealed an additional sulfate ester group at 4,5‐Δ‐HexA. MS2 data provided evidence upon GlcA sulfation in Dcn due to the fact that 4,5‐Δ‐HexA derived from GlcA after chondroitin AC I lyase treatment. Hexasaccharide screening in the MS1 mode indicated direct correlation between the sulfate distribution and HexA epimerization. MSn performed on ions that, according to mass calculation, correspond to pentasulfated [4,5‐Δ‐HexAGalNAc(GlcAGalNAc)2], trisulfated [4,5‐Δ‐HexAGalNAc(GlcAGalNAc)2] with IdoA‐derived 4,5‐Δ‐HexA at the nonreducing end, tetrasulfated [4,5‐Δ‐HexAGalNAc(IdoAGalNAc)2] and monosulfated [4,5‐Δ‐HexAGalNAc(IdoAGalNAc)2] with GlcA‐derived 4,5‐Δ‐HexA at the nonreducing end rendered fragmentation patterns confirming the presence of over‐, regular, and under‐sulfated regions as well as structural motifs having both types of HexA sulfated within Dcn CS/DS.
Fire protection sprinkler system for extremely corrosive industrial duct environments
Authors: Su Paul , Doerr William W.
Published: June 2009

Because of the extremely corrosive environments inside many industrial exhaust ducts, sprinkler systems have not been successfully designed to protect against fires originating within these ducts. Damage to the exhaust ductwork system caused by fire can lead to interruption of the plant operations for an extended period of time with substantial financial losses. Research has been performed to evaluate the corrosion resistance properties of various materials and coatings such that corrosion resistant sprinklers and fire protection hardware can be developed for use in these flammable exhaust ducts and other corrosive industrial environments. Laboratory tests, including electrochemical techniques and crevice coupon immersion tests, were used to select suitable alloys and coatings for in‐situ field test rack studies. These results are providing the basis for the development of fire protection systems suitable for these industrial exhaust ducts.1 © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2010
Psoriasis in children: currentapproaches to management
Authors: Proudfoot Laura , Higgins Elisabeth , Davids Judy
Published: June 2009

Our series Prescribing in children gives practical advice for successful management of childhood problems in general practice. Here, the authors describe the diagnosis and treatment options for psoriasis. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Dysmenorrhoea: a practical evidence‐based approach
Authors: Monaghan Marie , Islam Melissa , Varma Rajesh
Published: June 2009

Dysmenorrhoea is a common condition that can adversely affect a woman's quality of life. Our Drug review describes how to distinguish primary from secondary dysmenorrhoea and assesses the evidence for the various treatment options. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd