bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IGF1 induces up-regulation of steroidogenic and apoptotic regulatory genes via activation of phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase/AKT in bovine granulosa cells
Authors: Mani Arul Murugan , Fenwick Mark A , Cheng Zhangrui , Sharma Mohan K , Singh Dheer , Wathes D Claire
Published: October 2009

IGF1, a potent stimulator of cellular proliferation, differentiation and development, regulates granulosa cell steroidogenesis and apoptosis during follicular development. Depending upon species and stage of follicular growth, IGF1 acts on granulosa cell steroidogenesis either alone or together with FSH. We examined the mechanism of action of IGF1 in bovine granulosa cells in serum-free culture without insulin to determine its potential role in the regulation of steroidogenic and apoptotic regulatory gene expression and to investigate the interaction of FSH with IGF1 on this mechanism. Bovine granulosa cells treated with IGF1 demonstrated a significant increase in 17β-oestradiol (OE2) production, cell number and in mRNA expression ofCYP11A1,HSD3B1,CYP19A1,BAX, type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) andFSHR, while FSH alone had no significant effects. IGF1 or FSH alone or both together had no effect onBCL2expression. IGF1 with FSH resulted in a synergistic increase in granulosa cell number and in mRNA expression ofCYP19A1andIGF1Rwithout altering OE2production. IGF1 stimulated the phosphoinositide 3′-OH kinase (PI3K) but not the MAPK pathway in granulosa cells, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of AKT but not extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2. Addition of the PI3K pathway inhibitor LY294002 (but not the MAPK pathway inhibitor PD98059) abrogated the increased expression of genes induced by IGF1. IGF1 therefore up-regulates the steroidogenic and apoptotic regulatory genes via activation of PI3K/AKT in bovine granulosa cells. The synergistic action of IGF1 with FSH is of likely key importance for the development of small antral follicles before selection; subsequently, other factors such as LH may also become necessary for continued cell survival.
Anaphylactic reaction caused by a horse-fly species (Hippobosca equina)
Authors: Decastello Alice , Farkas Róbert
Published: October 2009

A szerzők egy 46 éves nőbeteg esetét ismertetik, akinél egy légy okozta csípést követően szerencsés kimenetelű anafilaxiás reakció zajlott le. A hajas fejbőrön, a homlok és a haj találkozásánál rövid időn belül 15 cm átmérőjű kemény, savós varral fedett duzzanat, a homlokon ödéma jelentkezett. Nem sokkal ez után helyi és testszerte bőrpír, viszketés, kéz-, arc- és ajaködéma alakult ki, később jelentkező hidegrázás, émelygés, hányinger, hányás kíséretében. A befogott rovar egy határozókulcs segítségével történt meghatározás alapján lókullancslégy(Hippobosca equina)volt. Tudomásunk szerint e légyfaj csípése által kiváltott anafilaxiás reakcióról ez az első közölt eset Magyarországon. A lókullancslégy világszerte jelen van, hazánkban régóta ismert, leginkább legelőn, istállóban tartott lovakon, szamarakon, szarvasmarhákon, esetenként más állatfajokon naponta többször szív vért. Vektorként különféle kórokozókat terjeszthet. Esetismertetésünkkel a lókullancslégycsípésre és a csípés okozta klinikai tünetekre kívánjuk felhívni a családorvosok és a klinikusok figyelmét, mivel a rovarcsípések diagnosztizálása terén nem rendelkeznek kellő tapasztalattal és nem gondolnak erre a lehetőségre.
Commentary: Anthracyclines in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Is It the End of an Era?
Authors: Pritchard Kathleen I.
Published: October 2009

The author argues for the view that the clinical role of the anthracyclines will persist in the adjuvant therapy of breast cancer for some time to come.
Complementary or Alternative--Does It Matter In Your Questionnaire?
Authors: Wilkinson Jenny
Published: October 2009

In this study the impact of the use of the terms complementary medicine and alternative medicine on participants responses to surveys about the use of, and beliefs about, these therapies was explored. Two identical surveys were prepared, one of which referred to alternative medicines and the other which referred to complementary medicine. A telephone survey was used to gather responses from a random sample of individuals living in 3 geographically close metropolitan cities in Australia. Respondents were those aged over 18 years who consented to participate in the study. Forty five percent of respondents indicated using complementary medicines while 34% used alternative medicine; similarly 40% had visited a complementary medicine practitioner while 29% had visited an alternative medicine practitioner. However neither of these comparisons was statistically significant. Questions related to beliefs about these therapies, sources of information and benefits for specific conditions showed few, if any, differences between the two groups. While the results of this study do not demonstrate that there are significant differences in responses to questionnaires depending on whether the terms complementary medicine or alternative medicine are used, the data does suggest that this is an area that requires more exploration.
Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Application for Revealing Genomic Micro Imbalances in Congenital Malformations
Authors: Hadjidekova S , Toncheva D
Published: October 2009

Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Application for Revealing Genomic Micro Imbalances in Congenital Malformations

Birth defects affect 3-5% of live births and are a major cause of fetal, neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality in all industrialized countries. Some 40-60% of congenital physical anomalies in humans have no cause, 20% that seem to be multifactorial, 10-13% environmental and 12-25% genetic.

Classical cytogenetic or common comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) methods have limited use in investigation of the whole genome because of their low resolution (5-10 Mb). Fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) and quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) have higher resolution but do not allow genome-wide screening and require some prior knowledge regarding the suspected chromosomal abnormality and its genomic location.

Because of these limitations, the impact of genetic micro imbalances as etiological factors for the development of congenital malformations (CM) is underestimated. Array-based techniques have enabled higher resolution screens for genomic imbalances in CM as they permit identification of micro aberrations with a size between 60 bp and several hundred kilobases. They make possible screening of the whole genome and detection of novel unbalanced micro structural rearrangements in a single reaction and also effective screening of new dose-dependent genes. In addition, the application of the aCGH technology has the potential to improve our understanding of the normal quantitative variants of the human genome.
Web-Based Software for Storage, Statistical Processing and Analysis of SNP Data in Studies on Complex Disorders
Authors: Betcheva E , Betchev C , Toncheva D
Published: October 2009

Web-Based Software for Storage, Statistical Processing and Analysis of SNP Data in Studies on Complex Disorders

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have become a very powerful tool for molecular genetics studies. Public databases provide information on over 10 million polymorphisms in the human genome. The candidate gene approach and genomewide association studies through SNP analysis have opened a new avenue for defining the genetics of complex disorders. However, analysis of large numbers of SNPs is time-consuming, cost-intensive, and requires huge experimental and statistical resources in association studies. We have developed a web-based product that facilitates the processing and statistical analysis of SNP-genotyping data for casecontrol association studies and provides for custom design, a structured database and practical export layout. Here we describe the software product database and how it helps in high-speed comprehensive SNP analysis.
Polymorphism of Biotransformation Genes and Risk of Relapse in Childhood Acute Leukemia
Authors: Gra O , Kozhekbaeva Zh , Makarova O , Samochatova E , Nasedkina T
Published: October 2009

Polymorphism of Biotransformation Genes and Risk of Relapse in Childhood Acute Leukemia

Leukemia is a hematological malignancy that involves bone marrow. Polymorphism of biotransformation genes plays an important role in primary childhood leukemia and affects the incidence and character of acute leukemia relapse. A biochip designed to assess some polymorphisms of biotransformation genes was used to determine the frequency of the polymorphic variants ofCYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTT1, GSTM1, MTHFR, MTRR, NQO1, CYP2C9, CYP2C19andNAT2in 332 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 71 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). TheCYP1A1 *1/*2A, GSTT1non null andGSTM1non null genotypes were more frequent in patients with primary leukemia than in relapse. Analysis of theNAT2genotype frequency revealed a characteristic genotype for each type of leukemia, which prevailed in patients with relapse: the genotype341C/-, 481T/-, 590G/G, 857G/Gprevailed in ALL patients with relapse, and the genotype341T/T, 481C/C, 590A/- in AML patients with relapse when compared with patients having primary ALL or AML, respectively. Thus, the polymorphisms ofCYP1A1, GSTT1, GSTM1andNAT2genes can be considered as markers for risk of relapse in childhood acute leukemia and can be used for the prognosis and individualization of standard therapy.
Five Novel Mutations in Cystinuria Genes SLC3A1 and SLC7A9
Authors: Popovska-Jankovic K , Tasic V , Bogdanovic R , Miljkovic P , Baskin E , Efremov G , Plaseska-Karanfilska D
Published: October 2009

Five Novel Mutations in Cystinuria Genes SLC3A1 and SLC7A9

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by impaired transport of cystine, lysine, ornithine and arginine in the proximal renal tubule and epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The transport of these amino acids is mediated by the rBAT/b0,+AT transporter, the subunits of which are encoded by the genes SLC3A1, located on chromosome 2p16.3-21, and SLC7A9, located on chromosome 19q12-13.1. Based on the urinary cystine excretion patterns of obligate heterozygotes, cystinuria is classified into type I (normal amino acid urinary pattern in heterozygotes) and non type I (a variable degree of urinary hyper excretion of cystine and dibasic amino acids in heterozygotes). On the basis of genetic aspects, cystinuria is classified into type A, is caused by mutations in both alleles of SLC3A1; type B, caused by mutations in both alleles of SLC7A9 and type AB, is caused by one mutation in SLC3A1 and one mutation in SLC7A9. Here we present two novel mutations in the SLC3A1 gene (C242R and L573X), which were found in patients from Serbia, and three in the SLC7A9 gene (G73R, V375I, 1048-1051 delACTC), found in patients from Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey, respectively.
Students educating students: insights from organising an international, interdisciplinary conference on surveillance and policing
Authors: Viteri Maria-Amelia , Tobler Aaron
Published: October 2009

This article illustrates the multiple ways in which anthropology graduate students crossed the boundaries of educational discourses by encouraging themselves, other students, activists and community leaders to speak in dialogical contexts (Giroux 2005: 73). They did this through the organisation of the Interrogating Diversity Conference. The authors organised this conference in March 2007 at the American University, Washington, DC, to expand scholarship on surveillance and policing in an egalitarian forum. We discuss how students can engage their departments and faculty in building the students' knowledge of both anthropological theories and methodology through shared scholarship. We show how students can 'apply' anthropology to audiences, which will in turn influence policy decision making. In addition, the authors explore how academics can transform knowledge sharing into tools that shape broader political and social dialogue.
The evolution of government policy towards English higher education 1979-2007
Authors: Welch Penny
Published: October 2009

Using statistics, documentary evidence and commentary from academics and academic trades unions, this article analyses

the key features of U.K. government policy towards higher

education in England since 1979. The focus is on England

because the details of policy and policy implementation vary

between the four nations of the U.K. My findings support the view that, over the whole period, successive governments established increasing central control over the higher education system and mobilised it to meet goals compatible with government interpretations of the national interest. In the process, the total number of

students in U.K. higher education has trebled, the average cost of a

student place has almost halved and the proportion of income from

public funds has fallen to 55% (Universities UK 2007).
Low‐Distortion Holographic Data Storage Media Using Free‐Radical Ring‐Opening Polymerization
Authors: Choi Kyongsik , Chon James W. M. , Gu Min , Malic Nino , Evans Richard A.
Published: October 2009

Holographic data storage, due to its potential to increase capacity beyond one terabyte per disk, is tipped to be one of the next generation optical data storage technologies. Polymer‐based systems are leading candidates due to their high dynamic range, high sensitivities, and flexible and easy production, and yet polymerization‐shrinkage‐induced distortion is a major hurdle for its reliable use. In this paper, a new free radical polymerization holographic recording medium, based on low shrink cyclic allylic sulfides (LS‐CASs) ring‐opening monomers, is proposed and demonstrated. The percentage of volume shrinkage is measured to be 0.02%, with refractive index (RI) contrast of (1.01 ± 0.5) × 10−3. The measured volume shrinkage is, to the authors' best knowledge, the best reported so far in the literature. Other parameters such as sensitivity, dynamic range, and dark reaction properties are also measured, where the values can be optimized with high RI functional groups without sacrificing the low shrinkage.
Integrated Multifunctional Nanosystems for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Shi Donglu
Published: October 2009

This article provides an overview on the development of integrated multifunctional nanosystems for medical diagnosis and treatment. In particular, a novel system is developed specifically for achieving simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Critical issues are addressed on the architecture and assembly of nanocomponents based on medical requirements: targeted in vivo imaging, controlled drug release, localized hyperthermia, and toxicity. Nanotube‐based carriers are summarized with surface functionalized properties. Other types of nanocarriers are also included such as super paramagnetic composite nanospheres and biodegradable hydroxylapatite nanoparticles. In addition, polymeric‐based nanosystems are introduced with several novel features: they can be bio‐dissolved due to environmental pH and temperature fluctuations. The nanocarriers are surface tailored with key functionalities: surface antibodies for cell targeting, anti‐cancer drug loading, and magnetic nanoparticles for both hyperthermia and MRI. Future requirements, aims, and trends in the development of multifunctional nanosystems, particularly with intelligent functionalities for fundamental studies, are also provided.
Idiotype‐pulsed antigen presenting cells following autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma may be associated with prolonged survival
Authors: Lacy Martha Q. , Mandrekar Sumithra , Dispenzieri Angela , Hayman Suzanne , Kumar Shaji , Buadi Francis , Dingli David , Litzow Mark , Wettstein Peter , Padley Douglas , Kabat Brian , Gastineau Dennis , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Gertz Morie A.
Published: October 2009

Vaccines are attractive as consolidation therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM). We report the results of a phase II trial of the immunotherapeutic, APC8020 (Mylovenge™), given after ASCT for MM. We compared the results with that of other patients with MM who underwent ASCT at Mayo Clinic during the same time period. Twenty‐seven patients were enrolled on the trial between July, 1998 and June, 2001, and the outcomes were compared to that of 124 consecutive patients transplanted during the same period, but not enrolled on the trial. The median (range) follow‐up for patients still alive from the vaccine trial is 6.5 (2.9–8 years), and 7.1 (6–8 years) in the control group. The median age was 57.4 range (36.1–71.3) in the DB group and 56.4 (range, 30–69) in the trial group. Known prognostic factors including PCLI, B2M, and CRP were comparable between the groups. The median overall survival for the trial patients was 5.3 years (95% CI: 4.0 years—N/A) compared to 3.4 years (95% CI: 2.7–4.6 years) for the DB group (P = 0.02). The median time to progression and progression‐free survival for the trial group was similar to the DB group. Although not a controlled trial, the vaccines given after ASCT appear to be associated with improved overall survival compared to historical controls. This approach warrants further investigation to confirm this and define the role of vaccine therapy in myeloma. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytoreductive therapy in 108 adults with systemic mastocytosis: Outcome analysis and response prediction during treatment with interferon‐alpha, hydroxyurea, imatinib mesylate or 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine
Authors: Lim Ken H. , Pardanani Animesh , Butterfield Joseph H. , Li Chin‐Yang , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: October 2009

Cytoreductive therapy in systemic mastocytosis (SM) includes several drugs whose individual merit has not been well characterized. We retrospectively studied 108 Mayo Clinic patients who met the 2008 WHO diagnostic criteria for SM and received at least one cytoreductive drug. The numbers of patients who were evaluable for response to treatment with interferon‐alpha with or without prednisone (IFN‐α), hydroxyurea (HU), imatinib mesylate (IM) or 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine (2‐CdA) were 40, 26, 22, and 22, respectively. The corresponding overall (major) response rates, according to recently published consensus criteria, were 53% (18%), 19% (0%), 18% (9%), and 55% (37%). The respective overall response rates in indolent SM, aggressive SM and SM associated with another clonal hematological nonmast cell lineage disease (SM‐AHNMD) were 60%, 60%, 45% for IFN‐α, 0, 0, 21% for HU, 14%, 50%, 9% for IM and 56%, 50%, 55% for 2‐CdA. The absence of mast cell mediator release symptoms in IFN‐α‐treated patients and presence of circulating immature myeloid cells in 2‐CdA‐treated patients predicted inferior response. TET2 mutational status did not influence treatment response. Although the major response rates with these four cytoreductive agents were still suboptimal and HU was mainly used in patients with SM‐AHNMD, the current study favors 2‐CdA or IFN‐α as first‐line current therapy in SM and identifies patients who are likely to respond to such therapy. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Static magnetic field exposure fails to affect the viability of different bacteria strains
Authors: László János , Kutasi József
Published: October 2009

The viability of the microbes Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus circulans, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella enteritidis, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus was tested under static magnetic field exposure up to 24 h in either a homogeneous (159.2 ± 13.4 mT) or three types of inhomogeneous static magnetic fields: (i) peak‐to‐peak magnetic flux density 476.7 ± 0.1 mT with a lateral magnetic flux density gradient of 47.7 T/m, (ii) 12.0 ± 0.1 mT with 1.2 T/m, or (iii) 2.8 ± 0.1 mT with 0.3 T/m. Even the longest period of exposure failed to produce any effect in the growth of bacteriae that could be correlated with static magnetic field exposure. Bioelectromagnetics 31:220–225, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of 2‐year clinical outcomes with sirolimus and paclitaxel‐eluting stents for patients with diabetes: Results of the Registro Regionale AngiopLastiche Emilia‐Romagna Registry
Authors: Balducelli Marco , Ortolani Paolo , Marzaroli Paolo , Piovaccari Giancarlo , Menozzi Alberto , Manari Antonio , Sangiorgio Pietro , Tarantino Fabio , Rossi Rosario , Maresta Aleardo , Tondi Stefano , Passerini Francesco , Guastaroba Paolo , Grilli Roberto , Marzocchi Antonio
Published: October 2009

Background: Long‐term outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) compared to paclitaxel‐eluting‐stents (PES) in unselected diabetics in routine practice is still debated. Objective: This study compared the 2‐year incidence of MACE (all‐cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization) of SES and PES in a real‐world setting of patients with diabetes. Design: Observational, multicenter, nonrandomized study. Setting: Prospective web‐based registry (REAL Registry; study period, 2002–2005) comprising all 13 hospitals performing PCI. Patients: Among the 945 eligible patients treated with either SES alone (n = 606) or PES alone (n = 339), 29% were insulin‐requiring, 72% had multivessel coronary disease, 26% had prior myocardial infarction and 10% had poor left ventricular function. Measurements: Unadjusted and propensity score‐adjusted 2‐year clinical outcome. Results: After propensity score adjustment, 2‐year MACE incidence in the SES and PES groups was equivalent (23.3% vs. 23.7%, HR 1.01, 95%CI 0.72–1.42, P = 0.96). Adjusted 2‐year angiographic stent thrombosis occurred in 1.1% of the SES patients versus 2.6% of the PES patients (P = 0.15). In this large, real‐world, diabetic population treated with DES, there was no difference in outcome between SES and PES. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the long‐term safety of different types of DES in patients with diabetes. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long term clinical outcomes after deployment of femoral vascular closure devices in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Lee Stephen Wai‐Luen , Ho Hee‐Hwa , Kong Shun‐Ling , Lam Yui‐Ming , Siu Chung‐Wah , Miu Kin‐Man , Lam Linda , Chan Hon‐Wah
Published: October 2009

Background: We evaluated the long term clinical outcomes of femoral vascular closure devices following its deployment in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. Methods: From June 2000 to September 2004, 265 patients who received femoral vascular closure devices after coronary angiography and PCIs were enrolled into the study. Patients' medical records were reviewed and vascular complications within 1 year of follow‐up period were recorded. Rutherford's categories of claudication were used to quantify different degrees of claudication and leg ischaemia. Duplex ultrasonography of both femoral arteries (using the nonaccessed site as control) was performed at 1 year after deployment of vascular closure devices. Vessel diameter and flow velocities for both common femoral arteries were obtained. Results: There was no occurrence of late vascular complications like arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, surgical repair of access site complications, late groin bleeding and infection. By Rutherford categories of claudication, 99.2% of patients had grade 0 claudication while the remaining 0.8% was in grade 1. By arterial Duplex ultrasonography, the peak systolic velocity of the accessed femoral artery (predominantly right side) was nonsignificantly higher, 94.9 ± 26.0 cm/s when compared to 91.5 ± 24.8 cm/s in the control site (P = 0.12). As for vessel diameter, no significant difference was found in the mean end‐diastolic vessel diameter 8.8 ± 1.3 mm (puncture site) versus 8.7 ± 4.4 mm (control site) (P = 0.72). Conclusion: We found that the use of femoral closure devices was safe and it was not associated with any adverse long term vascular complications. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TIMI myocardial perfusion frame count: A new method to assess myocardial perfusion and its predictive value for short‐term prognosis
Authors: Ding Song , Pu Jun , Qiao Zhi‐qing , Shan Peiren , Song Wei , Du Yongping , Shen Jie‐Yan , Jin Shu‐xuan , Sun Yu , Shen Long , Lim Yean‐leng , He Ben
Published: October 2009

Objectives: We sought to develop a new quantitative method to evaluate the degree of myocardial perfusion. Background: Currently available methods for assessing myocardial perfusion, both TIMI myocardial perfusion grading (TMPG) and myocardial blush grading (MBG), are subjective. Methods: TIMI Myocardial Perfusion Frame Count (TMPFC), an objective method that measures the filling and clearance of contrast in the myocardium using cine‐angiographic frame‐counting, was developed to quantify myocardial perfusion. Myocardial perfusion of 45 normal coronary arteries in 15 patients, and 137 culprit arteries in 137 patients immediately after primary angioplasty, was successfully assessed with TMPFC. Results: The mean TMPFC in the normal arteries was 83.47 ± 17.96 frames (95% CI: 78.07 frames ≤ TMPFC ≤ 88.86 frames). Therefore, TMPFC < 90 frames, a value representing the upper bound of the 95% CI for the TMPFC observed in normal arteries, was defined as normal myocardial perfusion. In 137 culprit arteries, the mean TMPFC values after primary angioplasty for the right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), and left circumflex artery (LCX) were 141 ± 82.6, 112 ± 80.3, and 102 ± 37.5 frames, respectively. Patients with suboptimal myocardial perfusion (ex: TMPG ≤ 2 or MBG ≤ 2 grade) had higher levels of TMPFC. Furthermore, multivariate analysis shows that the TMPFC was an independent predictor for 30‐day (P = 0.0261) and 6‐month incidence of MACE (P = 0.0207). Conclusions: TMPFC is a quantitative index for the assessment of myocardial perfusion; it allows quantification of TMPG and may serve as a discerning tool to predict prognosis in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical cerebrovascular anatomy
Authors: Krishnaswamy Amar , Klein Joshua P. , Kapadia Samir R.
Published: October 2009

Stroke is often the result of carotid atheroma, which may cause ischemia via progressive arterial narrowing or lead to superimposed thrombus formation and subsequent atheroembolism to the intracerebral vasculature. Revascularization through carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting with embolic protection devices has produced favorable results in appropriately selected patients. In planning the percutaneous approach, an arch aortogram is first acquired to determine arch type and identify the presence of any anatomic variants which may affect the approach to the procedure and catheter selection. Subsequent imaging of the cerebral vasculature is performed to delineate the collateral circulation that is present, including an evaluation of the Circle of Willis. Although Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may be useful in evaluating the presence of carotid or cerebrovascular disease, digital subtraction angiography is required prior to performance of a percutaneous intervention in order to create a procedural “roadmap”. Additionally, the comprehensive management of cerebrovascular disease requires a detailed knowledge of the specific clinical syndromes that result from ischemia in each vascular territory. This methodical review of cerebrovascular anatomy and stroke syndromes will provide the operator with the tools to conduct a thorough neurological assessment prior to revascularization, evaluate any periprocedural complications that may arise, and evaluate the patient with suspected stroke. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Left main intervention in myocardial infarction
Authors: Castagna Marco T. , Machado Mauricio Cavalieri , de Oliveira Jordan Vieira
Published: October 2009

We report an 84‐year‐old patient who suddenly developed nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and needed intubation, assisted ventilation and pharmacological vasopressor support. Admission EKG showed anterior and lateral leads ST segment depression and 2 mm ST segment elevation in avR lead. Angiogram showed unprotected left‐main coronary‐artery (LM) sub‐occlusive disease and totally occluded ostial right‐coronary‐artery (RCA), distally filled through the left‐coronary system. Unprotected LM disease was immediately treated with bare metal stent. The stent jailed the left‐circunflex coronary‐artery (LCx) ostium but did not compromise the arterial flow. Lately, the patient was discharged in a very good health condition. Ten months angiographic follow‐up showed an extremely compromised LCx ostium treated successfully with drug eluted stent (DES) and mid left anterior descendent (LAD) severe lesion, treated with DES. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐year outcome of drug‐eluting stent implantation for coronary artery bifurcation lesions
Authors: Stinis Curtiss T. , Hu Stephen P.C. , Price Matthew J. , Teirstein Paul S.
Published: October 2009

Objectives: To compare the very long‐term clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesions using the crush and the simultaneous kissing stent (SKS) techniques. Background: A variety of two‐stent techniques have been used to treat coronary artery bifurcation lesions in the drug‐eluting stent era, but the long‐term clinical outcome of these approaches is not known. Methods: A total of 74 consecutive patients underwent bifurcation stenting using either the crush or SKS techniques. Mean patient age was 66.91 ± 11.3 years; 26% were diabetic, and the left anterior descending/diagonal bifurcation was the most frequently treated lesion (68%). Results: In‐hospital outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Over a median follow‐up of 3.3 years, 1 patient in the SKS group and 3 patients in the crush group died (P = ns). Probable stent thrombosis leading to death according to the Academic Research Consortium definition occurred in 1 patient in the crush group. Mortality in the remaining 3 patients was noncardiac. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 14 patients (40%) in the SKS group and 5 patients (12.8%) in the crush group (P = 0.015). Survival free from major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was significantly less in the SKS group and predominantly driven by TLR (60 vs. 88%, P = 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, over a median of 3.3 years of follow‐up, TLR and MACE are significantly lower in bifurcation lesions treated with the crush technique when compared with the SKS technique. Definite or probable stent thrombosis is rare with either technique. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mesoporous Silica Nanosphere‐Supported Chiral Ruthenium Catalysts: Synthesis, Characterization, and Asymmetric Hydrogenation Studies
Authors: Mihalcik David J. , Lin Wenbin
Published: October 2009

Chiral RuCl2–diphosphine–diamine complexes with a pendant siloxy group were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The Ru complexes were grafted onto three different types of mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) through the siloxane linkage, and the resulting MSN‐supported Ru catalysts were highly active for the asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones, to afford chiral secondary alcohols, and racemic arylaldehydes, to give chiral primary alcohols. Excellent activities and enantioselectivities were observed for these MSN‐supported Ru catalysts owing to readily accessible and uniform catalytic sites within the large channels of MSNs (diameters of >2 nm) and short diffusion lengths for the organic compounds as a result of small nanoparticle sizes of less than 1 μm. This catalyst immobilization strategy with MSN supports should be amenable to the design of many highly active and enantioselective heterogeneous asymmetric catalysts.
Improved Molecular Weight Control in Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) Reactions with Ru‐Based Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Using N Donors and Acid: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Investigation
Authors: Dunbar Miles A. , Balof Shawna L. , LaBeaud Lawrence J. , Yu Bing , Lowe Andrew B. , Valente Edward J. , Schanz Hans‐Jörg
Published: October 2009

The effect of the addition of H3PO4 on the ROMP activity of cyclooctene (COE) with first‐ [Cl2(PCy3)2RuCHPh] and second‐generation [(H2IMes)Cl2(PCy3)RuCHPh] Grubbs’ catalysts 1 and 4 (Cy=cyclohexyl, Ph=phenyl, Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl (mesityl)), their inhibited mixtures with 1‐methylimidazole (MIM), as well as their isolated bis‐N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) derivatives [Cl2(PCy3)(DMAP)2RuCHPh)] (5 b) and [Cl2(H2IMes)(DMAP)2RuCHPh] (7 b) (DMAP=dimethylaminopyridine), a novel catalyst, has been investigated. The studies include the determination of their initiation rates, as well as a determination of the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the polymers obtained with these catalysts and catalyst mixtures from the exo‐7‐oxanorbornene derivative 11. The structure of catalyst 7 b was confirmed by means of X‐ray diffraction. All N‐donor‐bearing catalysts or N‐donor‐containing catalyst mixtures not only exhibited elevated activity in the presence of acid, but also increased initiation rates. Using the reversible inhibition/activation protocol with MIM and H3PO4 enabled us to conduct controlled ROMP with catalyst 4 producing the isolated exo‐7‐oxanorbornene‐based polymer 12 with predetermined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. This effect was based on fast and efficient catalyst initiation in contrast to the parent catalyst 4. Hexacoordinate complex 5 b also experienced a dramatic increase in initiation rates upon acid‐addition and the ROMP reactions became well‐controlled in contrast to the acid‐free reaction. In contrast, complex 7 b performs well‐controlled ROMP in the absence of acid, whereas the polymerization of the same monomer becomes less controlled in the presence of H3PO4. The closer evaluation of catalysts 5 b and 7 b demonstrated that their initiation rates exhibit a linear dependency on the substrate concentration in contrast to catalysts 1 and 4. As a consequence, their initiation rates are determined by an associative step, not a dissociative step as seen for catalysts 1 and 4. A feasible associative metathesis initiation mechanism is proposed.
Divergent Syntheses of Resorcylic Acid Lactones: L‐783277, LL‐Z1640‐2, and Hypothemycin
Authors: Dakas Pierre‐Yves , Jogireddy Rajamalleswaramma , Valot Gaëlle , Barluenga Sofia , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: October 2009

The resorcylic acid lactones (RAL) are endowed with diverse biological activity ranging from transcription factor modulators (zearalenone and zearalenol) to HSP90 inhibitors (radicicol and pochonin D) and reversible (aigialomycin D) as well as irreversible kinase inhibitors (hypothemycin and other RAL containing a cis‐enone). Our interest in broadening the diversity of this family beyond naturally occurring diversity has led us to seek a general approach that could be used to address the entire spectrum of functionalities present within this family. Herein, we present our efforts on accessing macrocycles bearing an alkane, alkene, or epoxide at the benzylic position from a common benzylic sulfide intermediate to access L‐783277, LL‐Z1640‐2, and hypothemycin.
Ambident PCN Heterocycles: N‐ and P‐Phosphanylation of Lithium 1,3‐Benzazaphospholides
Authors: Aluri Bhaskar R. , Burck Sebastian , Gudat Dietrich , Niemeyer Mark , Holloczki Oldamur , Nyulaszi Laszlo , Jones Peter G. , Heinicke Joachim
Published: October 2009

Synthetic and structural aspects of the phosphanylation of 1,3‐benzazaphospholides 1Li, ambident benzofused azaphosphacyclopentadienides, are presented. The unusual properties of phospholyl‐1,3,2‐diazaphospholes inspired us to study the coupling of 1Li with chlorodiazaphospholene 2, which led to the N‐substituted product 3. Reaction of 1Li with chlorodiphenyl‐ and chlorodicyclohexylphosphane likewise gave N‐phosphanylbenzazaphospholes 4 and 5, whereas with the more bulky di‐tert‐butyl‐ and di‐1‐adamantylchlorophosphanes, the diphosphanes 6 and 7 are obtained; in the case of 7 they are isolated as a dimeric LiCl(THF) adduct. Structural information was provided by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and solution NMR spectroscopy experiments. 2D exchange spectroscopy confirmed the existence of two rotamers of the aminophosphane 5 at room temperature; variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy studies of 6 revealed two dynamic processes, low‐temperature inversion at ring phosphorus (ΔH≠=22 kJ mol−1, ΔS≠=2 J K−1 mol−1) and very low‐temperature rotation of the tBu2P group. Quantum chemical studies give evidence that 2‐unsubstituted benzazaphospholides prefer N‐phosphanylation, even with bulky chlorophosphanes, and that substituents at the 2‐position of the heterocycle are crucial for the occurrence of P–N rotamers and for switching to alternative P‐substitution, beyond a threshold steric bulk, by both P‐ and 2‐position substituents.
Preparation, Modification, and Evaluation of Cruentaren A and Analogues
Authors: Bindl Martin , Jean Ludovic , Herrmann Jennifer , Müller Rolf , Fürstner Alois
Published: October 2009

An expeditious total synthesis of the highly cytotoxic F‐ATPase inhibitor cruentaren A (1) is described based on a ring‐closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM) reaction for the formation of the macrocylic ring. Other key transformations comprise a C‐acylation of the benzyl lithium reagent derived from orsellinic acid ester9with Weinreb amide7, a CBS reduction of the resulting ketone10, and a Soderquist propargylation of aldehyde21with allenylborane (S)‐27to set the C‐15 chiral center of the required alcohol fragment25. The RCAM precursor33was assembled by acylation of25with acid fluoride32, since more conventional methods for ester bond formation were unproductive. Moreover, the choice of the protecting groups, in particular for the secondary alcohol at C‐9, which is prone to engage in translactonization, turned out to be critical; a relatively stable TBDPS ether had to be chosen for this site, which was removed in the final step of the synthesis with aqueous HF since other fluoride sources met with failure. The successful synthetic route was then expanded beyond the natural product, bringing a series of analogues into reach that feature incremental but deep‐seated structural modifications. Three of these fully synthetic compounds turned out to be as or even more cytotoxic than cruentaren A itself against L‐929 mouse fibroblast cells, reaching IC50values as low as 0.7 ng mL−1.
Part Load Performance and Emission Improvement of Direct Injection Diesel Engine through Porous Medium Combustion Technique
Authors: Kannan Chidambaram , Tamilporai Packirisamy
Published: October 2009

Diesel engines are being extensively used in the transport sector owing to their excellent fuel efficiency, low emissions of carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. However, high emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) place diesel engines on the down side. It is extremely complex to reduce both emissions at the same time, because of the trade‐off between NOx and PM emissions. Even though the implementation of high pressure injection and common rail system could reduce both NOx and PM emissions together, the cost involved would be high and unaffordable for many engine producers and consumers. In this research work, a new combustion technique termed, porous medium combustion, has been proven to be a proficient technique in reducing both NOx and PM emissions from the direct injection diesel engines. However, the NOx and PM emissions were found to be higher than the conventional engine at low range of part loads.
Removal of Chromium from Synthetic Effluent using Nymphaea rubra
Authors: Taj Rafi Yasmin , Renganathan Sahaderan , Partha Nagarajan , Baskar Gurunathan , Velan Manikom
Published: October 2009

In the present work, biosorption of Cr(VI) by Nymphaea rubra was investigated in batch studies. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effect of initial sorbent dosage, solution pH and initial Cr(VI) concentration. The results showed that the equilibrium uptake capacity was increased with decrease in biomass dosage. The Cr(VI) removal was influenced by the initial chromium compound concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used to represent the equilibrium data. The Freundlich isotherm model was fitted very well with the equilibrium data when compared to Langmuir isotherm model. The sorption results were analyzed for pseudo‐first order and pseudo‐second order kinetic model. It was observed that the kinetic data fitted very well with the pseudo‐second order rate equation when compared to the pseudo‐first order rate equation. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed the presence of different functional groups in the biomass. The surface morphology of the sorbent was exemplified by SEM analysis. Aquatic weeds seem to be a promising biosorbent for the removal of chromium ions from water environment. This paper reports the research findings of a laboratory‐based study on the removal of Cr(VI) from the synthetic solution using the dried stem of N. rubra as a biosorbent.
Degradation of Monoazo Pigments Red 53:1 and Red 48:2 by Fenton, Photo‐Fenton and UV/Peroxide Reactions
Authors: Ilha Clóvis E. G. , dos Santos Antônio J. M. G. , SouzaDe Jurandir R.
Published: October 2009

The degradation reactions of two monoazo pigments, namely, Red 53:1 and Red 48:2, by Fenton, photo‐Fenton and UV/H2O2 systems have been studied. The efficiencies of the Fenton reactions increased with temperature, but the formation of solid agglomerates was observed when the reactions were carried out above 50°C indicating a coagulant action of Fe+2 or Fe+3. Photo‐Fenton reactions irradiated by sunlight presented the best rate constants for cleavage of the azo bond and the naphthalene rings. The UV/H2O2 system exhibited the highest efficiency with respect to the consumption of H2O2. The presence of a carbonyl group in the ortho position of the naphthol ring hampered the oxidation of pigment Red 48:2 by hydroxyl radicals. This finding may be explained in terms of the acceptor character of the COOH group, and suggests the formation of a complex containing two six‐membered rings between Fe+3 and the pigment molecule.
Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil by Miniaturized Ultrasonic Extraction and Gas Chromatography‐Mass Selective Detection
Authors: Ozcan Senar , Tor Ali , Aydin Mehmet Emin
Published: October 2009

A miniaturized ultrasonic extraction procedure was developed for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. After determination of the most suitable extraction solvent with 5 min sonication time, several other parameters (sample amount, solvent volume and number of extraction times) were optimized using a 23 factorial experimental design. Recoveries of PAHs from spiked soil samples were over 90% for three different fortification levels between 50 and 300 μg/kg, and relative standard deviations of the recoveries were in the range of < 1–15%. The limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 1.87 μg/kg. The performance of the developed procedure was also compared with other traditional Soxhlet, shake flask and large scale ultrasonic extraction procedures on real soil samples, and extraction methods showed comparable efficiencies. The proposed procedure required small volumes of solvent and sample. It was practicable, rapid and easy to use for analysis of PAHs in soils.
Conformations of Entangled Semiflexible Polymers: Entropic Trapping and Transient Non‐Equilibrium Distributions
Authors: Hinsch Hauke , Frey Erwin
Published: October 2009

The tube model is a central concept in polymer physics, and allows one to reduce the complex many‐filament problem of an entangled polymer solution to a single‐filament description. We investigate the probability distribution function of conformations of confinement tubes and single encaged filaments in entangled semiflexible polymer solutions. Computer simulations are developed that mimic the actual dynamics of confined polymers in disordered systems with topological constraints on time scales above local equilibration, but well below large‐scale rearrangement of the network. We observe the statistical distribution of curvatures and compare our results to recent experimental findings. Unexpectedly, the observed distributions show distinctive differences from free polymers even in the absence of excluded volume. Extensive simulations permit to attribute these features to entropic trapping in network void spaces. The transient non‐equilibrium distributions are shown to be a generic feature in quenched‐disorder systems on intermediate time scales.
Diffusion of Circular DNA in Two‐Dimensional Cavity Arrays
Authors: Nykypanchuk Dmytro , Hoagland David A. , Strey Helmut H.
Published: October 2009

Through a two‐dimensional cavity array with connecting pores of submolecular size, diffusion of relaxed circular and linear DNA molecules is visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Across the entropic barriers transport regime, associated with spatially heterogeneous confinement of flexible polymers, circular DNA diffuses slower than linear DNA of the same length, a trend indicating that linear DNA preferably moves through connecting pores by the threading of an end rather than the looping of a midsection.
Automated quality assessment of autonomously acquired microscopic images of fluorescently stained bacteria
Authors: Zeder M. , Kohler E. , Pernthaler J.
Published: October 2009

Quality assessment of autonomously acquired microscopic images is an important issue in high‐throughput imaging systems. For example, the presence of low quality images (≥10%) in a dataset significantly influences the counting precision of fluorescently stained bacterial cells. We present an approach based on an artificial neural network (ANN) to assess the quality of such images. Spatially invariant estimators were extracted as ANN input data from subdivided images by low level image processing. Different ANN designs were compared and >400 ANNs were trained and tested on a set of 25,000 manually classified images. The optimal ANN featured a correct identification rate of 94% (3% false positives, 3% false negatives) and could process about 10 images per second. We compared its performance with the image quality assessment by different humans and discuss the difficulties in assigning images to the correct quality class. The computer program and the documented source code (VB.NET) are provided under General Public Licence. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry