bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of the most common high‐risk HPV genotypes among women in three new independent states of the former Soviet Union
Authors: Kulmala Satu‐Maria A. , Shabalova Irena P. , Petrovitchev Nikolay , Syrjänen Kari J. , Gyllensten Ulf B. , Syrjänen Stina M.
Published: April 2007

Type distribution of HPV has been studied in different geographic regions, but the data are scanty from the new independent states of the former Soviet Union. Here the HPV prevalence and distribution of the most frequent high‐risk HPV types among 3,187 women at different risk for HPV and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Russia, Belarus, and Latvia is reported. HPV detection, type distribution and viral load analysis in DNA samples from cervical scrapes were done with real‐time PCR‐based assay detecting HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 52, and 58. The overall HPV prevalence was 31.2%, HPV16 was the most prevalent type followed by HPV31 and HPV33 group. The overall HPV prevalences in Russia, Belarus and Latvia were 33.4%, 27.5%, and 26.2%. The type distributions were similar in these countries, except for Latvia where HPV39 was the third prevalent genotype. HPV prevalence was highest (40.8%) among women from sexually transmitted disease clinic, followed by 30.9% among gynecological outpatients and 27.2% in screening patients. HPV detection increased with cytological abnormality (P = 0.0001) and lesion grade in the biopsy (P = 0.0001), from 27% to 72% in normal samples to cancer, and from 64% to 77% in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 to cancer. The normalized viral loads varied greatly between and among different HPV‐types. The mean log HPV33 group copies/cell increased from negative for intraepithelial lesions to cancer (P = 0.049). Distribution of the most common high‐risk HPV‐types seems to be similar in these countries as reported in other major geographical regions. J. Med. Virol. 79: 771–781, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of human rotavirus G9P[8] strains circulating in Argentina: Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 and NSP4 genes
Authors: Stupka Juan A. , Parra Gabriel I. , Gómez Jorge , Arbiza Juan
Published: April 2007

During the surveillance of rotavirus strains that were circulating in Argentinean children from 2000 to 2004, seven rotaviruses were detected bearing the genotype combination G9P[8]. The molecular characterization of the VP7 and NSP4 genes and the RNA migration patterns support the hypothesis that rotaviruses G9 could have been reintroduced into Argentina as a novel G9P[8] strain, rather than represent VP7 gene reassortants from G9P[6] strains that had been circulating previously in this country. J. Med. Virol. 79: 838–842, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temporal dynamics of human T‐lymphotropic virus type I tax mRNA and proviral DNA load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human T‐lymphotropic virus type I‐associated myelopathy patients
Authors: Ramirez Eugenio , Cartier Luis , Torres Mauricio , Barria Marcelo
Published: April 2007

Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I) is the etiologic agent of HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). High HTLV‐I provirus load and tax mRNA level have been suggested as predictors of disease progression in patients with HAM/TSP, but little is known about the temporal variation in patients. To clarify the role of high proviral and tax mRNA loads and their fluctuations in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP, we measured proviral load and tax mRNA in serially collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from nine patients with HAM/TSP during a long‐term follow‐up, by use of real‐time polymerase chain reaction using tax primers. The real‐time PCR quantitation revealed a wide range of variation of proviral loads (7.82–97.13 copies per 100 PBMCs) and tax mRNA (0.20–245.30 copies) among HAM/TSP patients. Patients showed three different patterns of HTLV‐I tax mRNA loads during the course of the disease. Tax mRNA load showed a separate evolution with respect to the disease. The dynamic patterns of proviral load and mRNA Tax expression suggest that only the permanent presence of a basal level of tax mRNA, rather than the tax mRNA load, is related to the development of HAM/TSP. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to determine tax mRNA expression at different clinical stages. J. Med. Virol. 79: 782–790, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum levels of anti‐NS4a and anti‐NS5a predict treatment response of patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Desombere Isabelle , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Weiland Ola , Hultgren Catharina , Sällberg Matti , Quiroga Juan , Carreño Vicente , Leroux‐Roels Geert
Published: April 2007

In order to understand better the clinical significance and prognostic value of antibody responses to HCV proteins and in search for parameters that may allow the early identification of non‐sustained responders to therapy, antibody levels were measured against NS3, NS4a and NS5a at baseline in the serum of 120 patients chronically infected with HCV of genotype 1 that were classified as sustained responders, relapsers, or non‐responders to therapy. The capacity of these antibody tests to predict therapy‐outcome was evaluated. While no differences were observed in the anti‐NS3 responses in these different response groups, anti‐NS4a and anti‐NS5a antibodies were observed more frequently and at higher titres in sustained responders versus non‐responders or non‐sustained responders (=non‐responders + relapsers). Based on this observation, a combination of test results consisting of ‘the absence of NS4a (AA 1687–1718) antibody at baseline and the presence of HCV‐RNA exceeding 105 IU/ml after 1 week of treatment’ was identified which predicts non‐sustained response to treatment with 100% certainty. Replacing the HCV‐RNA decision limit by a HCV‐core antigen level of >15 pg/ml resulted in the same predictive value. The proposed algorithm also holds for patients treated with peg‐interferon and ribavirin. In conclusion, in patients with chronic HCV infection, the decision to continue or stop treatment can be made after 1 week of treatment with (peg)‐interferon α and ribavirin. J. Med. Virol. 79: 701–713, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the complete hepatitis B virus genome in patients with genotype C chronic hepatitis in relation to HBeAg and anti‐HBe
Authors: Zhang KaiYu , Imazeki Fumio , Fukai Kenichi , Arai Makoto , Kanda Tatsuo , Mikata Rintaro , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: April 2007

To investigate the relationship between viral factors and the development of chronic hepatitis B, the entire hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome of chronic carriers at different disease stages were analyzed. Eighty genotype C HBV carriers including 12 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive asymptomatic carriers (Group A), 49 HBeAg positive patients with chronic liver diseases (Group B) and 19 anti‐HBe positive patients with chronic liver diseases (Group C) were studied. HBV nucleic acid from serum samples was sequenced directly and compared with GenBank reference sequences HBV X01587 and M12906. On phylogenetic analysis, 76 cases were genotype C2. Of the 76 genotype C2 cases, the nucleotide and amino acid substitution rates in the precore/core region were significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A, also in Group C than in Group B. The nucleotide substitution rates in the full genome and the core promoter region were significantly higher in Group C than in Group A, also in group C than in Group B. The nucleotide and amino acid substitution rates in the X region were significantly higher in Group C than in Group A. The amino acid substitution rate in the pre‐S2 region was significantly higher in Group C than in Group B. Deletion mutations were found mainly in Groups B and C. This whole genome analysis of HBV chronic carriers suggested that the nucleotide substitutions and deletions in HBV were closely associated with the pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 79: 683–693, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India, caused by coxsackie virus A‐24 variant
Authors: Gopalkrishna V. , Patil P.R. , Kolhapure R.M. , Bilaiya H. , Fulmali P.V. , Deolankar R.P.
Published: April 2007

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is associated with enteroviruses. Among these, Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24) and Enterovirus‐70 (EV‐70) are known to cause epidemics and pandemics. An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis occurred in August–September 2003 in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India. The present investigation was carried out to determine the viral etiological agent associated with the epidemic. Virus isolates were obtained from 11 eye swabs of conjunctivitis patients using HeLa/ Hep‐2 cell lines. The isolates were characterized by serological and mouse pathogenecity tests, RT‐PCR using enterovirus common primers (VP4‐VP2), CA‐24 specific primers (3C‐proteinase region), EV‐70 primers (VP‐3) followed by sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The virus was characterized as a Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24v) and none of the isolates were found to be positive for EV‐70. Sequencing of the PCR products derived from all the 11 isolates revealed 98.4% (SE 0.20) nucleotide identity within the Indian strains and 98.6% (0.50) and 94.4% (0.30) nucleotide identity respectively with the West Indies and Asian strains reported worldwide. The findings suggest that the outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis that occurred in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India during August–September 2003 was caused by the Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24v). J. Med. Virol. 79: 748–753, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microarray assay for evaluation of the genetic stability of modified vaccinia virus Ankara B5R gene
Authors: Laassri Majid , Meseda Clement A. , Williams Ollie , Merchlinsky Michael , Weir Jerry P. , Chumakov Konstantin
Published: April 2007

Adverse events associated with the use of live smallpox vaccines have led to the development of a new generation of attenuated smallpox vaccines that are prepared in cultured cells as alternatives. The inability to conduct direct clinical evaluation of their efficacy in humans demands that licensure be based on animal studies and exhaustive evaluation of their in vitro properties. One of the most important characteristics of live viral vaccines is their genetic stability, including reversion of the vaccine strain to more virulent forms, recombination with other viral sequences to produce potentially pathogenic viruses, and genetic drift that can result in decrease of immunogenicity and efficacy. To study genetic stability of an immunoessential vaccinia virus gene in a new generation smallpox vaccine, an advanced oligonucleotide microchip was developed and used to assay for mutations that could emerge in B5R gene, a vaccinia virus gene encoding for a protein that contains very important neutralizing epitopes. This microarray contained overlapping oligonucleotides covering the B5R gene of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), a well‐studied candidate smallpox vaccine. The microarray assay was shown to be able to detect even a single point mutation, and to differentiate between vaccinia strains. At the same time, it could detect newly emerged mutations in clones of vaccinia strains. In the work described here, it was shown that MVA B5R gene was stable after 34 passages in Vero and MRC‐5 cells that were proposed for use as cell substrates for vaccine manufacture. Potentially, the proposed method could be used as an identity test and could be extended for the entire viral genome and used to monitor consistency of vaccine production. J. Med. Virol. 79: 791–802, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of human influenza virus among Iranian patients in Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Shahidi Mahsa , Kheiri Masoumeh Tavassoti , Amini‐Bavil‐Olyaee Samad , Hosseini Masoud , Moattari Afagh , Tabatabaeian Mansoureh , Bashar Rouzbeh , Sarrami‐Forooshani Ramin , Mahboudi Fereidoun
Published: April 2007

Influenza is a viral respiratory pathogen responsible for frequent seasonal epidemics. There are currently three major human influenza viruses in global circulation namely A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B. The objective of this study was to determine the human influenza virus genotypes in Shiraz, the capital of the Fars province of Iran. Three hundred patients suspected with human influenza virus infection were enrolled in this survey (2004–2005). The throat samples were cultured and titrated by hemagglutination (HA) assay. Typing and subtyping were performed by an in‐house developed multiplex RT–PCR. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis was carried out for HA gene. A total of 24 samples were found to be positive for human influenza virus infection, 17 H1N1 and 7 H3N2. These results were in agreement with the HI assay. The phylogenetic analysis results revealed that the Iranian H1N1 isolated were close to the A/New Caledonia/20/99 vaccine strain genetically and the Iranian H3N2 isolates were also related closely to the Fujian/411/021 and California/7/2004 vaccine strains. However, a slight genetic drift was found in these isolates. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that both influenza A subtypes A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 were dominant among Iranian patients in Shiraz during the 2004/5 winter season. J. Med. Virol. 79: 803–810, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor suppresses tunicamycin‐induced upregulation of CHOP in neurons
Authors: Chen Gang , Fan Zhiqin , Wang Xin , Ma Cuiling , Bower Kimberly A. , Shi Xianglin , Ke Zun‐Ji , Luo Jia
Published: April 2007

The accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen triggers ER stress. ER stress initiates a number of specific compensatory signaling pathways including unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is characterized by translational attenuation, synthesis of ER chaperone proteins such as glucose‐regulated protein of 78 kDa (GRP78, also known as Bip), and transcriptional induction, which includes the activation of transcription factors such as activating transcriptional factor 6 (ATF6) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP, also known as growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible gene 153 [GADD153]). Sustained ER stress ultimately leads to cell death. ER functions are believed to be impaired in various neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in some acute disorders of the brain. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family, functions as a neuroprotective agent and rescues neurons from various insults. The molecular mechanisms underlying BDNF neuroprotection, however, remain to be elucidated. We showed that CHOP partially mediated ER stress‐induced neuronal death. BDNF suppressed ER stress‐induced upregulation/ nuclear translocation of CHOP. The transcription of CHOP is regulated by ATF4, ATF6, and XBP1; BDNF selectively blocked the ATF6/CHOP pathway. Furthermore, BDNF inhibited the induction of death receptor 5 (DR5), a transcriptional target of CHOP. Our study thus suggests that suppression of CHOP activation may contribute to BDNF‐mediated neuroprotection during ER stress responses. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequential expression of cell‐cycle regulators and Alzheimer's disease–related proteins in entorhinal cortex after hippocampal excitotoxic damage
Authors: Hernández‐Ortega Karina , Ferrera Patricia , Arias Clorinda
Published: April 2007

Growing evidence suggests that one of the earliest events in the neuronal degeneration of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is aberrant cell‐cycle activation in postmitotic neurons, which may, in fact, be sufficient to initiate the neurodegenerative cascade. In the present study we examined whether cyclins and cyclin‐dependent kinases, molecules normally associated with cell‐cycle control, may be involved in delayed expression of altered Alzheimer's proteins in two interconnected areas, the entorhinal cortex (EC) and the dentate gyrus (DG), after a hippocampal excitotoxic lesion. Several cell‐cycle proteins of the G1 and S phases and even of the G2 phase were found to be up‐regulated in the EC after kainic acid evoked neuronal death in the hippocampus. In addition, we describe the progressive expression of two Alzheimer's‐related proteins, PHF‐1 and APP, which reached higher levels immediately after the increase in G1/S‐phase markers. Hence, the results of the present study support the participation of cell‐cycle dysregulation as a key component of the process that may ultimately lead to expression of AD proteins and neuronal death in a brain area when the target site for synaptic inputs in that area is damaged by an excitotoxic insult. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increases in expression of 14‐3‐3 eta and 14‐3‐3 zeta transcripts during neuroprotection induced by Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in AF5 cells
Authors: Chen Jia , Lee Chun‐Ting , Errico Stacie L. , Becker Kevin G. , Freed William J.
Published: April 2007

The molecular mechanisms involved in N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐induced cell death and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)‐induced neuroprotection were investigated in vitro with an AF5 neural progenitor cell line model. By microarray analysis, Ywhah, CK1, Hsp60, Pdcd 4, and Pdcd 7 were identified as being strongly regulated by both NMDA toxicity and THC neuroprotection. The 14‐3‐3 eta (14‐3‐3η; gene symbol Ywhah) and 14‐3‐3 zeta (14‐3‐3ζ; gene symbol Ywhaz) transcripts were deceased by NMDA treatment and increased by THC treatment prior to NMDA, as measured by cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Other 14‐3‐3 isoforms were unchanged. Whereas up‐regulation of 14‐3‐3ζ expression was observed 30 min after treatment with THC plus NMDA, down‐regulation by NMDA alone was not seen until 16 hr after treatment. By Western blotting, THC increased 14‐3‐3 protein only in cells that were also treated with NMDA. Overexpression of 14‐3‐3η or 14‐3‐3ζ by transient plasmid transfection increased 14‐3‐3 protein levels and decreased NMDA‐induced cell death. These data suggest that increases in 14‐3‐3 proteins mediate THC‐induced neuroprotection under conditions of NMDA‐induced cellular stress. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glycogen is a preferred glutamate precursor during learning in 1‐day‐old chick: Biochemical and behavioral evidence
Authors: Gibbs Marie E. , Lloyd Hilary G.E. , Santa Thomas , Hertz Leif
Published: April 2007

Bead discrimination training in chicks sets in motion a tightly timed series of biochemical events, including glutamate release, increase in forebrain level of glutamate and utilization of glycogen and glucose. Inhibition of glycogen breakdown by the glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐D‐arabinitol (DAB) around the time of training abolishes the increase in glutamate 5 min posttraining in the left hemisphere, in spite of uninhibited glucose metabolism. It also reduces the contents of glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate in the right hemisphere. Behavioral evidence supports the conclusion that glucose breakdown serves to provide energy, whereas glycogen acts as a substrate for glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate formation, requiring both pyruvate dehydrogenation to acetyl coenzyme A and pyruvate carboxylation in astrocytes. Inhibition of memory consolidation caused by DAB or 2‐deoxyglucose (2‐DG), an inhibitor of glucose phosphorylation without effect on glycogen metabolism, was challenged by intracerebral administration of acetate, aspartate, glutamine, lactate or glucose. DAB‐mediated memory inhibition was successfully challenged by administration at 0 or 20 min posttraining of acetate (an astrocyte‐specific acetyl CoA precursor) together with aspartate, substituting for pyruvate carboxylation, or of glutamine at 0–2.5 or 30 min posttraining. 2‐DG‐mediated memory impairment was not challenged by acetate with or without aspartate at 0 time but was challenged by acetate without aspartate at 20 min. Lactate, a substrate for both dehydrogenation and pyruvate carboxylation challenged both DAB and 2‐DG. Doses of DAB and 2‐DG which, on their own were subeffective, were not additive, further supporting the existence of one pathway using glucose and another using glycogen. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
QNQKE targeting motif for the SMN‐Gemin multiprotein complexin neurons
Authors: Zhang Honglai , Xing Lei , Singer Robert H. , Bassell Gary J.
Published: April 2007

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a heritable neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons that is caused by the impaired expression of the full‐length form of the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN), which may have a specialized function in neurons related to mRNA localization. We have previously shown that a population SMN complexes contain Gemin ribonucleoproteins and traffic in the form of granules to neuronal processes and growth cones of cultured neurons. A QNQKE sequence within exon 7 has been shown to be necessary for both cytoplasmic localization of SMN and axonal function. Here we show that the QNQKE sequence can influence the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of the SMN‐Gemin complex and its localization into neuronal processes. QNQKE exerted a stronger effect on SMN localization in primary neurons compared with COS‐7 cells. By using double‐label fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, SMN granules within neuronal processes colocalized with poly‐(A) mRNA and PABP. These findings provide further evidence in support of a neuronal function for SMN and motivation to investigate for impaired assembly and/or localization of mRNP complexes as an underlying cause of SMA. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal PAS domain protein 1 regulates tyrosine hydroxylase level in dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Teh Christina H.L. , Loh Chin Chieh , Lam Kevin K.Y. , Loo Jia Min , Yan Tie , Lim Tit Meng
Published: April 2007

Catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) are all synthesized from a common pathway in which tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate‐limiting enzyme. Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter present in dopaminergic neurons of the ventral midbrain, where dysfunction of these neurons can lead to Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Neuronal PAS domain protein 1 (NPAS1) was identified as one of the genes up‐regulated during dopaminergic MN9D cell differentiation. We found that there was a corresponding decrease in TH level during MN9D differentiation. Overexpression and siRNA experiments revealed that NPAS1, in concert with ARNT, negatively regulates the expression of TH and that this regulation is mediated by a direct binding of NPAS1 on the TH promoter. Expression studies also confirmed a decrease in TH level in the ventral midbrain during mouse development, concomitant with an increase in NPAS1 level. These results suggest that NPAS1 plays a novel and important role in regulating TH level of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral midbrain during development. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distributing a fixed amount of cyclic loading to tendon explants over longer periods induces greater cellular and mechanical responses
Authors: Devkota Aaditya C. , Tsuzaki Mari , Almekinders Louis C. , Banes Albert J. , Weinhold Paul S.
Published: April 2007

Tendon overuse injuries are a major source of clinical concern. Cyclic loading causes material damage and induces biochemical responses in tendon. The purpose of this study was to examine the biochemical and biomechanical tendon response after applying cyclical loading over varying durations. Avian flexor digitorum profundus tendons were loaded (3 or 12 MPa) to a fixed number of cycles across either 1 or 12 days in vitro. The tendon response evaluations included biomechanical data gathered during loading and subsequent failure testing. Evaluations also included cellular viability, cell death, and proteoglycan, collagen, collagenase, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content measurements obtained from tissue specimens and media samples. Significant strains (up to 2%) accumulated during loading. Loading to 12 MPa significantly reduced maximum stress (33% and 27%) and energy density (42% and 50%) when applied across 1 or 12 days, respectively. Loading to 3 MPa also caused a 40% reduction in energy density, but only when applied across 12 days. Cell death and collagenase activity increased significantly with increasing magnitude and duration. However, no differences occurred in cell viability or collagen content. Glycosaminoglycan content increased 50% with load magnitude, while PGE2 production increased 2.5‐fold with loading magnitude and 11‐fold with increased duration. Mechanical fatigue‐induced mechanical property changes were exhibited by the tendons in response to increased loading magnitude across just 1 day. However, when the same loading was applied over a longer period, most outcomes were magnified substantially, relative to the short duration regimens. This is presumably due to the increased response time for the complex cellular response to loading. A key contributor may be the inflammatory mediator, PGE2, which exhibited large magnitude and duration dependent increases to cyclic loading. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1078–1086, 2007
In vivo effects of coating loaded and unloaded Ti implants with collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and hydroxyapatite in the sheep tibia
Authors: Rammelt Stefan , Heck Christian , Bernhardt Ricardo , Bierbaum Susanne , Scharnweber Dieter , Goebbels Jürgen , Ziegler Jörg , Biewener Achim , Zwipp Hans
Published: April 2007

The in vivo effects of coating titanium implants with organic extracellular matrix molecules were examined in the sheep tibia. Titanium screws (5.0 mm) were coated with type I collagen (Ti/Coll) or type I collagen and chondroitin sulfate (Ti/Coll/CS) by biomimetic fibrillogenesis. Uncoated screws (Ti) and screws coated with hydroxyapatite (Ti/HA) served as control. Six adult female sheep received one screw of each type to stabilize a midshaft tibial fracture with external fixation. Four cylindrical implants of 4‐mm outer diameter and 3.3‐mm inner diameter with the same coatings were inserted into the tibial head. No pin track infections were seen at the time of implant retrieval 6 weeks after implantation. Extraction torque was greater for Ti/HA (1181 Nmm) and Ti/Coll/CS (1088 Nmm) compared to Ti/Coll (900 Nmm) and Ti (904 Nmm) [N.S.]. Newly formed bone was noted around all coated screws within the medullary cavity. Macrophage and osteoclast activity was significantly reduced around Ti/Coll/CS in both types of implants compared to uncoated controls (p < 0.05). Osteoblast activity was significantly increased around loaded Ti/Coll and Ti/Coll/CS screws compared to uncoated Ti screws (p < 0.05). Microtomographic evaluation (SRµCT) revealed no significant differences in new bone formation around the unloaded tibial head implants.Coating of external fixation devices with of type I collagen and chondroitin sulfate appears to have similar effects with respect to stability and bone healing as HA but with less osteoclast activity. These findings were more pronounced under loaded than unloaded conditions in the sheeptibia. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1052–1061, 2007
Effects of traditional storage practices of small‐scale organic farmers on potato quality
Authors: Katundu Mangani GC , Hendriks Sheryl L , Bower John P , Siwela Muthulisi
Published: April 2007

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of traditional storage practices of small‐scale organic farmers in rural KwaZulu–Natal on the quality of potatoes. Changes in sugar and starch content were monitored. A preference ranking test was used to investigate preference for organically produced potatoes left in situ, stored under ambient conditions in a farmer's house and under controlled conditions (7 °C and 90% relative humidity) for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The lowest and highest sugar levels were observed in potatoes stored in situ and under controlled conditions, respectively. Potatoes stored in situ were significantly preferred by sensory panellists (P < 0.05) over those stored in both the farmer's house and in controlled storage. Preference rank scores were negatively correlated to total sugar content and positively correlated to starch content although not all correlations were statistically significant. This gives an indication that other factors not investigated in this study, like glycoalkaloid content, may have contributed to the acceptability of potatoes from different modes of storage and requires further investigation. However, the study clearly shows that leaving potatoes in situ as a method of storage maintains desirable sensory properties of potatoes by maintaining low sugar levels and higher starch content. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro starch digestibility of fresh and sun‐dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Bello‐Pérez Luis A , Islas‐Hernández José Juan , Rendón‐Villalobos J Rodolfo , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Morales‐Franco Leticia , Tovar Juscelino
Published: April 2007

Fresh and sun‐dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were cooked, stored for various times at 4 °C and analysed for available starch (AS), resistant starch (RS) and fibre‐associated resistant starch (FARS) contents as well as α‐amylolysis. Fresh beans required a shorter cooking time (25 min) than dried beans (158 min). Cooked fresh faba beans had a higher AS content than cooked dried faba beans. The AS content in both decreased during cold storage, with fresh beans showing a smaller decrease than dried beans with increasing storage time. Cooked fresh faba beans also had a higher total RS content than cooked dried faba beans, although a greater increase in RS content was recorded in the latter upon storage. Starch retrogradation was more prominent in cooked dried faba beans than in cooked fresh faba beans, as indicated by the consistently higher FARS content. The α‐amylolysis rate decreased with increasing storage time, i.e. long‐stored (72 h) cooked faba beans exhibited slower starch digestion, and differences were recorded between fresh and dried beans. The predicted glycaemic index ranged between 60.9 and 58.0% for cooked fresh faba beans and between 57.9 and 55.8% for cooked dried faba beans, which is suggestive of slow glucose release from starch in faba beans. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential nutritive value and tannin bioassay of selected Acacia species from Kenya
Authors: Osuga Isaac M , Maindi Catherine N , Abdulrazak Shaukat A , Nishino Naoki , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi , Fujihara Tsutomu
Published: April 2007

Six Acacia forage species–A. brevispica, A. elatior, A. mellifera, A. nilotica, A. senegal and A. seyal—were analysed for their chemical composition, including phenolics and rumen fermentation characteristics. In vitro gas production technique was used to study the rumen fermentation characteristics and the effect of tannins present in the browse forages on in vitro fermentation by including polyethylene glycol (PEG‐6000) in the incubation. The forages had high crude protein content (145.7–270.1 g kg−1 DM) and low to moderate content of neutral detergent fibre (220.2–442.8 g kg−1 DM). The forages had variable content of total extractable phenolics ranging from 18.4 to 384.2 g kg−1 DM and total extractable tannins ranging from 7.1 to 364.8 g kg−1 DM (tannic acid equivalent). Fractionation of the condensed tannin flavonoids showed that the delphinidin/cyanidin ratio ranged from not detected:100 to 71:29. The gas production potential ranged from 28.4 to 40.8 mL gas 0.2 g−1 DM. The rate of gas production was highest in A. elatior and lowest in A. nilotica. Addition of PEG‐6000 increased gas production significantly (P < 0.05) in all species except A. mellifera. PEG‐6000 addition did not have any significant effect on in vitro true dry matter and organic matter degradability but decreased the partitioning factor in all the species. Gas production and degradability parameters correlated positively with the CP content and negatively with the fibre and phenolics contents. Based on chemical composition, gas production and degradability, the forages have high potential nutritive value, especially as supplements to low‐quality feeds in the tropics and particularly during the dry season. However, the presence of tannins in terms of high levels and biological antinutritive activity may limit the nutritive potential of some of the forages, such as A. seyal and A. nilotica. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of sensory evaluation, consumer acceptability, affordability and market price of rice
Authors: Tomlins Keith , Manful John , Gayin Joseph , Kudjawu Bernice , Tamakloe Iris
Published: April 2007

The purpose of the study was to evaluate consumer acceptance, affordability and market value of a prototype parboiled rice (PPR) in relation to three local samples and a high‐value imported one. While descriptive sensory evaluation and central location testing are used to evaluate consumer acceptability, this study suggests that affordability and market price of rice can also be assessed. The PPR was acceptable and the suggested market price was influenced by both affordability and acceptability. Acceptance scores suggested a potential higher price; consumers discounted the prototype rice and the extent depended on affordability. The concept of consumer acceptability and affordability varied widely among consumers and this was related to the market price, demographics and attitudes towards rice. Sensory attributes associated with quality were positively related with price but negatively with affordability. Acceptability was related to rice consumption and purchasing behaviour, whereas affordability was associated with income, gender and quality perception. Low affordability groups knew the least about the benefits of rice. The implications are discussed. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
5‐ALA for photodynamic photorejuvenation—optimization of treatment regime based on normal‐skin fluorescence measurements
Authors: Christiansen Kaare , Bjerring Peter , Troilius Agneta
Published: April 2007

Background and Objectives

Photodynamic therapy using 20% 5 aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) has recently been introduced as a new tool in optical skin rejuvenation. The primary objective of this study was to optimize incubation time, the topical delivery mechanism (vehicle) and the concentration of 5‐ALA by detecting the dynamic changes of normal skin after 5‐ALA application. The secondary objective was to develop a treatment regime which minimizes post‐treatment photosensitivity.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Skin fluorescence distribution patterns after topical application of low concentrations of 5‐ALA (0.5% and 1% preparations encapsulated in liposomes), were investigated. Twenty percent 5‐ALA in moisturizing cream was used as a control. Ten healthy volunteers participated, and skin fluorescence was documented by fluorescent photography. The fluorescent intensity was measured in % of maximum obtained fluorescence after 3 hours 5‐ALA application.

Results

Skin fluorescence intensity after topical application of 0.5% and 1% non‐occluded liposome‐encapsulated 5‐ALA application was heterogeneous distributed and reached saturation level after approximate 2 hours. The maximal fluorescence for 0.5% and 1% 5‐ALA treated areas was 4.2% (SD: 3.5%) and 2.4% (SD: 2%), respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.036). The fluorescence decayed linearly shortly (within 15 minutes) after end of application and was back to baseline within 8 hours. In contrast, the fluorescence of areas treated more than 1 hour with 20% 5‐ALA was very uniform and a linear relationship (r2 = 0.998) to the incubation time (0–3 hours) was registered. Furthermore, fluorescence intensity (15.2–57.9%) continued to increase after the end of 5‐ALA application. The maximum fluorescence reach a level of 1.6–9 times the fluorescence measured by end of the 5‐ALA application and occurred 8:13 hours (SD: 0:49 hours) after the end of 20% 5‐ALA application. The average skin surface fluorescence induced by the liposome‐encapsulated 0.5% 5‐ALA applied for longer than 2 hours, was found to be statistically equal (P = 0.47) to the average measured skin surface fluorescence (4.2%) obtained after 30 minutes exposure to 20% 5‐ALA cream (4.3%).

Conclusion

Changing the 5‐ALA vehicle from a moisturizing cream to liposome encapsulation, the 5‐ALA concentration can be lowered by a factor of 40, and still induce the same skin fluorescence and at the same time eliminates the need for occlusion. The low post‐treatment fluorescence also suggests a significantly reduced risk of post‐treatment phototoxicity. Lasers Surg. Med. 39: 302–310, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Metallocene Structures on their Performance in Ethene Polymerisation
Authors: Piel Tanja , Saarinen Tapio , Löfgren Barbro , Kokko Esa , Maaranen Janne , Pitkänen Päivi
Published: April 2007

Six (Cp)(4‐phenyl‐indenyl)MCl2 (A) and four (Cp)(1‐phenyl‐indenyl)MCl2 (C) (M = Zr/Hf) based complexes were tested in ethene homo‐ and copolymerisation under different conditions to explain how the differences in the complex structure affect the polymerisation process and the formed polymer. Polymerisation experiments reveal that hafnocene catalysts need a higher amount of MAO to reach the maximum activity than zirconocenes. Hafnocenes also incorporate better 1‐hexene. Catalysts with the Cp* or 1,2,4‐Me3Cp ligand show higher activity, and work well with [HNMe2Ph][B(C6F5)4]/TIBA as cocatalyst, but produce polymers with lower $\overline M _{\rm n} $ than the corresponding catalyst with a plain Cp ligand. The Cp* ligand seems to prevent 1‐hexene incorporation. A methyl group in the 2‐position of (Cp)(4‐PhInd)ZrCl2 decreases the activity and $\overline M _{\rm n} $ but favours 1‐hexene insertion. Polymerisation activity is higher with catalysts with a 1‐PhInd‐ligand than with a 4‐PhInd‐ligand.

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Synthesis and Properties of Helical Polyacetylenes Carrying Cholesteryl Moieties
Authors: Qu Jinqing , Shiotsuki Masashi , Sanda Fumio , Masuda Toshio
Published: April 2007

Novel acetylene monomers containing cholesteryl groups, N‐cholesteryloxycarbonyl‐2‐ethynylcarbazole (1) and cholesteryl N‐propargylcarbamate (2) were synthesized and polymerized with an Rh catalyst to give the corresponding polymers [poly(1) and poly(2)] with $\overline M _{\rm n} $ of 22 600 and 26 600 in 56% and 95% yields, respectively. CD spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(1) and poly(2) took predominantly one‐handed helical structure in CHCl3, THF, and toluene. The helical structure of poly(1) remarkably changed upon temperature, while that of poly(2) was stable against heating. The helix of poly(2) was relatively stable to the addition of MeOH, but largely affected by the composition of CHCl3 and toluene. Poly(1) exhibited no clear oxidation peak, but a clear reduction peak at 0.65 V in cyclic voltammetry. Poly(1) and poly(2) showed liquid crystalline properties.

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Anionic Synthesis of Epoxy End‐Capped Polymers
Authors: Ji Haining , Farmer Brandon S. , Nonidez William K. , Advincula Rigoberto C. , Smith Grant D. , Kilbey S. Michael , Dadmun Mark D. , Mays Jimmy W.
Published: April 2007

The reaction of living anions of polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with epibromohydrin for the synthesis of well‐defined epoxy end‐functionalized polymers is reported. Polyanions were reacted with an excess of epibromohydrin in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C. The functionalities of the resulting polymers were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS), NMR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The epoxy end groups were reacted with 1,1‐diphenyl‐ hexyllithium, and MALDI‐TOF MS and NMR before and after this chemical modification were used to determine the presence of the epoxy end groups. The presence of the epoxy end group was confirmed by anionically polymerizing ethylene oxide from these epoxy end group. The formation of a block copolymer due to the epoxy end groups was proved by SEC analysis. The combined MALDI‐TOF MS, 1H NMR, and SEC results indicate that epoxy end‐capped PS was obtained in quantitative yield. The method was extended to the synthesis of epoxy end‐capped PMMA. With this polymer the extent of end‐functionalization was high but not quantitative, with non‐dimeric byproducts detected by MALDI‐TOF MS.

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Macromol. Chem. Phys. 8/2007
Authors: Kloninger Christian , Rehahn Matthias
Published: April 2007

Cover: Sequential anionic copolymerization opens access to the world of block copolymers. Plenty of microphase morphologies can be created especially with triblock systems. Moreover, when ferrocene is involved, special optical and electronic properties can be achieved, and no staining is required for TEM. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by C. Kloninger and M. Rehahn* on page 833.
Poly(2,5‐thienylene vinylene) in Nano Shapes by CVD Polymerization
Authors: Lee Ki‐Ryong , Yu Young‐Jun , Joo Sung‐Hoon , Lee Chun‐Young , Choi Dong Hoon , Joo Jin Soo , Park Young‐Sup , Jin Jung‐Il
Published: April 2007

Poly(2,5‐thienylene vinylene) (PTV), an insoluble conjugated polymer, can be readily prepared in various shapes of different nanodimensions by the chemical vapor deposition polymerization of 2,5‐bis(chloromethyl)thiophene. The bischloromethyl monomer in the vapor phase is activated at 600 °C. The activated monomer vapor is deposited at room temperature on the surface of various substrates to prepare polymeric films, fibers, tubes etc., which are then thermally converted into PTV. PTV thin films can be carbonized thermally to produce graphitic compositions that contain sulfur atoms. Electrical conductivities of FeCl‐doped PTV and carbonized films are reported.

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Unusual Aggregation of Nanosized Six‐Arm Star Oligofluorenes
Authors: Han Yang , Fei Zhuping , Sun Minghao , Bo Zhishan , Liang Wan‐Zhen
Published: April 2007

A series of monodisperse six‐arm benzene‐cored star oligofluorenes are prepared by a divergent/convergent strategy, starting from the repetitive divergent synthesis of symmetrical ethynyl‐bridged oligofluorenes to the convergent Co‐catalyzed alkyne cyclotrimerization. The structures of these six‐arm molecules are fully characterized. The diameter of the largest molecule SF3 reaches ca. 3 nm. These highly substituted star‐shaped oligomers exhibit extremely high fluorescent quantum yields in solution and unexpected red‐shifted and broadened emission with fine structure in the film as a result of the formation of stable aggregates.

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Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles Initiated by 2,2′‐Azoisobutyronitrile via Differential Microemulsion Polymerization
Authors: Norakankorn Chaiwat , Pan Qinmin , Rempel Garry L. , Kiatkamjornwong Suda
Published: April 2007

The synthesis of nanosized poly(methyl methacrylate) initiated by 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile via differential microemulsion polymerization has been investigated. Poly(methyl methacrylate) with a molecular weight of around 1 × 106 and a particle size of about 20 nm was achieved under mild reaction conditions. A typical condition was that the surfactant amount required could be as low as 1/130 of the monomer amount in weight, and the surfactant/water ratio could be as low as 1/600, which is much less than the corresponding amounts reported in the literature. “Molecular bricks”, i.e., nanoparticles in which there are only one or two polymer chains, can be achieved using mild conditions by differential microemulsion polymerization, which may have potential applications for making molecular devices.

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Microporous Polymers as Potential Hydrogen Storage Materials
Authors: McKeown Neil B. , Budd Peter M. , Book David
Published: April 2007

Microporous organic polymers offer the possibility of storing hydrogen safely at low temperatures and moderate pressures via physisorption. A range of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have been studied. The best PIM to date is based on a triptycene monomer and takes up 2.7% H2 by mass at 10 bar/77 K. Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) also show promising performance, particularly at pressures >10 bar. The form of the H2 isotherm is influenced by the micropore distribution, a higher concentration of ultramicropores (pore size <0.7 nm), as found in PIMs, being associated with enhanced low pressure adsorption. The performance of polymers relative to other microporous materials (carbons and metal‐organic frameworks) is compared and promising methods to enhance the hydrogen uptake of microporous polymers are suggested.

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3T MR of the prostate: Reducing susceptibility gradients by inflating the endorectal coil with a barium sulfate suspension
Authors: Rosen Yael , Bloch B. Nicolas , Lenkinski Robert E. , Greenman Robert L. , Marquis Robert P. , Rofsky Neil M.
Published: April 2007

Most prostate MRI/MRS examinations are performed with an endorectal coil inflated with air, leading to an air–tissue interface that induces magnetic susceptibility gradients within the gland. Inflation of the coil with a barium sulfate suspension is described and compared to inflation with air or liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC). The B0 field in the prostate gland was mapped for five healthy volunteers when the endorectal coil was inflated with each of the three agents. A marked decrease in the posterior‐anterior (P‐A) field gradient and a significant improvement in field homogeneity were evident in the presence of a barium suspension and PFC relative to air. MRS data acquired from the prostate gland in the presence of air, PFC, and a barium suspension in the endorectal coil showed similar trends, demonstrating improvement in line‐widths and spectral resolution when the barium suspension or the PFC were inflating the endorectal coil. On this basis we conclude that a barium suspension provides an available, cheap, and safe alternative to PFC, and we suggest that inflating the endorectal coil with a barium suspension should be considered for prostate MR studies, especially at high field strengths (such as 3T). Magn Reson Med 57:898–904, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal methods for the preservation of cartilage samples in MRI and correlative biochemical studies
Authors: Fishbein Kenneth W. , Canuto Holly C. , Bajaj Preeti , Camacho Nancy Pleshko , Spencer Richard G.
Published: April 2007

MRI studies of cartilage require the prevention of sample degradation before and during scanning and during shipment for correlative studies. Methods to achieve this include immersion in protease inhibitors (PIs), refrigeration, and freezing. In this study, bovine nasal cartilage (BNC) samples were stored in Dulbecco's phosphate‐buffered saline (DPBS), DPBS with standard PIs, or PI solution with GM6001, a potent metalloproteinase inhibitor. For each buffer, three samples were scanned at +4°C and stored at +4°C or at −20°C with thawing prior to imaging. T2 and magnetization transfer (MT) rate, km, were measured weekly over 4 months, after which time water and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents were compared with those of matching tissue excised pre‐storage. Samples in DPBS exhibited increased T2 (+33.6% after 1 month at +4°C, P = 0.040) and decreased km (−20.6%, P = 0.004), while refrigeration in DPBS with PI and GM6001 yielded good stability (T2: +2.7%, P = 0.874; km: −4.2%, P = 0.654 after 108 days at +4°C). Water content increased while GAG content markedly decreased in all samples. Thus, stability in cartilage MRI parameters can be optimized with appropriate storage conditions, but storage time should nonetheless be minimized. Magn Reson Med 57:866–873, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.