bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular cytogenetic characterization of two cases with constitutional distal 11q duplication/triplication
Authors: Burnside Rachel D. , Lose Edward J. , Domínguez Maria G. , Sánchez‐Corona Jose , Rivera Horacio , Carroll Andrew J. , Mikhail Fady M.
Published: June 2009

Here, we report two cases with isolated distal 11q rearrangement and multiple congenital anomalies. The first patient is a two‐and‐a‐half year old male referred to our genetics clinic due to dysmorphic features and developmental delay including speech delay. Using conventional and molecular cytogenetic techniques, we demonstrate that he carries a recombinant chromosome with duplication of the 11q23.3q24.2 region resulting from an intrachromosomal insertion in the father. The second patient was originally reported by Partida‐Perez, et al. [Partida‐Perez et al., 2006] as having a tandem duplication of the 11q23.3 region. We performed array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on this patient in order to map the exact region of the duplication, and demonstrated that the patient actually had a triplication within 11q23.3. We compare the clinical features of our two patients with those previously reported to further delineate the phenotype of isolated distal 11q duplication. Our study also demonstrates the clinical usefulness of whole genome high resolution aCGH analysis as a powerful molecular cytogenetic tool capable of detecting genomic imbalances due to cytogenetically visible but uncertain rearrangements. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic counseling and cardiac care in predictively tested hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation carriers: The patients' perspective
Authors: Christiaans Imke , van Langen Irene M. , Birnie Erwin , Bonsel Gouke J. , Wilde Arthur A.M. , Smets Ellen M.A.
Published: June 2009

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common hereditary heart disease associated with sudden cardiac death. Predictive genetic counseling and testing are performed using adapted Huntington guidelines, that is, psychosocial care and time for reflection are not obligatory and the test result can be disclosed by telephone or mail. Proven mutation carriers detected by predictive DNA testing are advised to undergo regular cardiac follow‐up according to international guidelines. We evaluated the opinion of 143 predictively tested HCM mutation carriers on received cardiogenetic care using questionnaires (response rate 86%). Predictive genetic counseling and DNA testing were evaluated on four domains: information provision, satisfaction with counseling, social pressure in DNA testing and regret of DNA testing. Opinions on cardiac follow‐up were assessed pertaining to communication, nervous anticipation, reassurance, and general disadvantages. Genetic counseling was valued positively and only four carriers would rather not have known that they were a mutation carrier. A majority received their DNA test result by mail or telephone, and almost all were satisfied. Only 76% of carriers received regular cardiac follow‐up. Those who did, had a positive attitude regarding the cardiac visits. General disadvantages of the visits were valued as low, especially by older carriers, men and carriers with manifest HCM. We conclude that our adapted Huntington guidelines are well accepted and that cardiogenetic care is generally appreciated by predictively tested HCM mutation carriers. To better understand the cause of the substantial portion of mutation carriers not receiving regular cardiac follow‐up, although recommended in international guidelines, further research is needed. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family‐based association study of Neuregulin 1 with psychotic bipolar disorder
Authors: Goes Fernando S. , Willour Virginia L. , Zandi Peter P. , Belmonte Pamela L. , MacKinnon Dean F. , Mondimore Francis M. , Schweizer Barbara ,   Bipolar Disorder Phenome Group, NIMH Genetics Initiative Bipolar Disorder Consortium, Gershon Elliot S. , McMahon Francis J. , Potash James B.
Published: June 2009

The Neuregulin 1 gene (NRG1) has been associated with schizophrenia, and, to a lesser extent, with bipolar disorder (BP). We investigated the association of NRG1 with BP in a large family sample, and then performed analyses according to the presence of psychotic features or mood‐incongruent psychotic features. We genotyped 116 tagSNPs and four Icelandic “core” SNPs in 1,199 subjects from 314 nuclear families. Of 515 BP offspring, 341 had psychotic features, and 103 had mood‐incongruent psychotic features. In single‐marker and sliding window haplotype analyses using FBAT, there was little association using the standard BP or mood‐incongruent psychotic BP phenotypes, but stronger signals were seen in the psychotic BP phenotype. The most significant associations with psychotic BP were in haplotypes within the 5′ “core” region. The strongest global P‐value was across three SNPs: NRG241930‐NRG243177‐rs7819063 (P = 0.0016), with an undertransmitted haplotype showing an individual P = 0.0007. The most significant individual haplotype was an undertransmitted two‐allele subset of the above (NRG243177‐rs7819063, P = 0.0004). Additional associations with psychotic BP were found across six SNPs in a 270 kb central region of the gene. The most 3′ of these, rs7005606 (P = 0.0029), is located ∼4 kb from the type I NRG1 isoform promoter. In sum, our study suggests that NRG1 may be specifically associated with the psychotic subset of BP; however, our results should be interpreted cautiously since they do not meet correction for multiple testing and await independent replication. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The ontogeny of Holocene and Late Pleistocene human postcranial strength
Authors: Cowgill Libby W.
Published: June 2009

While a wide variety of studies have focused on population variation in adult cross‐sectional properties, relatively little is known about population variation in postcranial robusticity in immature individuals. Furthermore, the age at which the population differences readily detected in adults manifest during growth is also unknown. This research addresses these gaps in our current understanding through the analysis of immature humeral and femoral long bone strength. Cross‐sectional geometry was used to compare the developmental trajectories of diaphyseal strength in Late Pleistocene Neandertal and modern human subadults to a sample of immature humans from seven geographically diverse Holocene populations. Population differences in size‐standardized cross‐sectional properties appear to be systemic and develop very early in ontogeny in the Holocene sample. In many cases, these differences are present before one year of age. In general, the Late Pleistocene fossil samples fit within the range of recent human variation in long bone strength. Population differences detected here are likely related to a combination of factors including activity patterns, genetic propensities, and nutritional status. These results highlight the complex mosaic of processes that result in adult postcranial robusticity, and suggest that further exploration of the developmental interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic influences on skeletal robusticity will likely enhance our understanding of adult postcranial morphology. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cleaner Continuous Photo‐Oxidation Using Singlet Oxygen in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Bourne Richard A. , Han Xue , Poliakoff Martyn , George Michael W.
Published: June 2009

Hochdruck im Fokus: Ein Milliliter‐Reaktor wurde entwickelt, um überkritisches CO2 für kontinuierliche Photooxidationen nutzen zu können. Der Wechsel von einer traditionellen Batch‐Reaktion im Mikroliterbereich zu einer achtstündigen Reaktion im neuen Reaktor entsprach einer Ansatzvergrößerung um den Faktor 3000 bei der Oxidation von α‐Terpinen (siehe Bild).

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Enantioselective Linchpin Catalysis by SOMO Catalysis: An Approach to the Asymmetric α‐Chlorination of Aldehydes and Terminal Epoxide Formation
Authors: Amatore Muriel , Beeson Teresa D. , Brown Sean P. , MacMillan David W. C.
Published: June 2009

Dreh‐ und Angelpunkt: Erstmals wurde eine SOMO‐Aktivierung genutzt, um Aldehyde in α‐Stellung zu chlorieren. Diese Umwandlung lässt sich als Teil eines „Linchpin“‐Katalyseprozesses einsetzen, der die enantioselektive Synthese terminaler Epoxide ermöglicht (siehe Schema).

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A Facile Route to Aryl Boronates: Room‐Temperature, Copper‐Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl Halides with Alkoxy Diboron Reagents
Authors: Kleeberg Christian , Dang Li , Lin Zhenyang , Marder Todd B.
Published: June 2009

Eine einfache und effektive kupferkatalysierte Borylierung von Arylhalogeniden, einschließlich elektronenreicher und sterisch gehinderter Arylbromide, mit Alkoxydiborreagentien gelingt unter milden Bedingungen (siehe Schema). DFT‐Rechnungen legen nahe, dass eine σ‐Bindungsmetathese zwischen einer Kupfer‐Boryl‐Zwischenstufe und dem Arylhalogenid zum Arylboronat führt.

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Self‐Coupling of a 4‐H‐Butatrienylidene Tungsten Complex
Authors: Semenov Sergey N. , Blacque Olivier , Fox Thomas , Venkatesan Koushik , Berke Heinz
Published: June 2009

Rendezvous zweier Wolfram‐Fragmente: Ein 4‐H‐Butatrienyliden‐Komplex des Wolframs wurde isoliert und strukturell charakterisiert. Der Komplex geht eine einmalige Selbstkupplung ein, die zu einem Dimer mit kreuzkonjugiertem π‐System sowie elektrochemisch und magnetisch aktiven Metallzentren führt (siehe Bild; P violett, O rot).

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A Facile Template Approach to High‐Nuclearity Silver(I) Alkynyl Clusters
Authors: Bian Shu‐Dan , Wu Hua‐Bin , Wang Quan‐Ming
Published: June 2009

Erdnussförmig: Eine einfache Synthese großer Silbercluster nutzt Anionen als Template. Die Zahl an Silberatomen im Cluster lässt sich über die Größe des Templats und die Eigenschaften der Alkinylliganden einstellen. Für den größten Cluster mit 35 Silber(I)‐Zentren wurden Chromat‐Ionen als Templat eingesetzt (siehe Bild).

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Coordination Polymers.Design, Analysis and Application. Von Stuart S. Batten, Suzanne M. Neville und David R. Turner.
Authors: Fromm Katharina M.
Published: June 2009

Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge 2008. 471 S., geb., 89.95 £.—ISBN 978‐0854048373

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Hydrogen‐Bonding Catalysts Based on Fluorinated Alcohol Derivatives for Living Polymerization
Authors: Coulembier Olivier , Sanders Daniel P. , Nelson Alshakim , Hollenbeck Andrew N. , Horn Hans W. , Rice Julia E. , Fujiwara Masaki , Dubois Philippe , Hedrick James L.
Published: June 2009

Recognize this! A hydrogen‐bonding motif based on hexafluorinated alcohol derivatives (see picture; O red, F yellow) activates electrophilic substrates. The catalytic activity of the hydrogen‐bonded systems was demonstrated for the ring‐opening polymerization of a variety of strained heterocycles. Narrowly dispersed polymers with predictable molecular weights were obtained with end‐group fidelity.

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Probing the Inner Space of Resorcinarene Molecular Capsules with Nitroxide Guests
Authors: Mileo Elisabetta , Yi Song , Bhattacharya Papri , Kaifer Angel E.
Published: June 2009

In quarantine: Nitroxide spin probes are encapsulated by hexameric resorcinarene molecular capsules in dichloromethane solutions (see picture). A substantial reduction in the tumbling rates occurs upon encapsulation of two cationic probes and one neutral probe. As the molecular volume of the probe increases, the tumbling rate of the probe reflects the overall tumbling rate of the entire supramolecular assembly.

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Synthesis and Characterization of a Photoluminescent Nanoparticle Based on Fullerene–Silica Hybridization
Authors: Jeong Jinyoung , Cho Miyoung , Lim Yong Taik , Song Nam Woong , Chung Bong Hyun
Published: June 2009

Bright lights: Fullerene–silica hybrid nanoparticles have bright photoluminescence, high photostability, and low cytotoxicity, which are assets for bioimaging agents. The origin of the photoluminescence of the nanoparticle is the C–O–Si bond (see picture).

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A Facile Route to Aryl Boronates: Room‐Temperature, Copper‐Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl Halides with Alkoxy Diboron Reagents
Authors: Kleeberg Christian , Dang Li , Lin Zhenyang , Marder Todd B.
Published: June 2009

A simple but effective copper‐catalyzed borylation of aryl halides, including electron‐rich and sterically hindered aryl bromides, with alkoxy diboron reagents occurs under mild conditions (see scheme). Preliminary DFT studies of the mechanism suggest that σ‐bond metathesis between a copper–boryl intermediate and the aryl halide generates the aryl boronate product.

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Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylation of Cyclic Enamides with Aryl Silanes by sp2 CH Activation
Authors: Zhou Hai , Xu Yun‐He , Chung Wan‐Jun , Loh Teck‐Peng
Published: June 2009

It does get in! A fluoride‐assisted direct cross‐coupling of cyclic enamides with trialkoxy aryl silanes by a palladium‐catalyzed CH activation leads to a wide range of enamides in yields of up to 95 %.

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Nanofiber organic semiconductors: The effects of nanosize on the electrical charge transport and optical properties of bulk polyanilines
Authors: Yakuphanoglu F. , Mehrotra R. , Gupta A. , Muñoz M.
Published: June 2009

The electrical transport, optical, and microstructural properties of bulk polyaniline (PANI) and nano‐PANIs were investigated. A field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of bulk PANI showed macroscopic and aggregated granular particles. A SEM image of the nanostructured PANI showed the formation of one‐dimensional nano/microstructures. The formation of nanofibers was observed from the transmission electron microscopy image. The electrical conductivities of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs increased with increasing temperature, which indicated semiconductor behavior. The electrical conductivities of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs at room temperature were found to be 2.12 × 10−5 and 1.80 × 10−2 S/cm, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the nanostructured PANI was about 850 times higher than that of the bulk PANI. The obtained band gaps of the bulk and nanostructured PANIs were determined from diffuse reflectance measurements and were found to be 3.27 and 2.41 eV, respectively. The refractive index of the PANI samples changed from 1.3 to 1.61. The obtained results indicate that the electrical and optical properties of the PANI were inherently dependent on the nanostructure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
A simple method for the preparation of stable chitooligomers
Authors: Zeng Lintao , Qin Caiqin , Li Wei , Wang Wei
Published: June 2009

The chitosan was degraded by the cheap, efficient, and commercially available enzymes in hydrochloric acid solution. The effect of molar ratio of added HCl to NH2 of chitosan on the degradation was investigated, and the favorable ratio was between 0.50 and 0.95. The chitooligomer hydrochlorides were directly prepared by this simple method. The chitooligomer hydrochlorides were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared. These results show that the obtained chitooligomer hydrochlorides were much more stable than the chitooligomer acetates. This preparation procedure of chitooligomer hydrochlorides was simple and cheap, and helpful for the preservation of chitooligomers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
New generation polymeric nanospheres for catalase immobilization
Authors: Akgöl Sinan , Öztürk Nevra , Denizli Adil
Published: June 2009

Monosize poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐N‐methacryloly‐L‐histidinemethylester) [mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH)] nanospheres were prepared via surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization method. L‐Histidine groups of the mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH) nanospheres were chelated with Fe3+ ions. Mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH) nanospheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton NMR, and scanning electron microscopy. Particle size of the mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH) nanospheres was measured by Zeta Sizer. Elemental analysis of MAH for nitrogen was estimated as 0.94 mmol/g polymer. The catalase immobilized onto the mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH)–Fe3+ nanospheres resulted in increasing the enzyme stability with time. Optimum operational temperature for both immobilized preparations was the same, and the temperature profiles of the immobilized preparations were significantly broader. It was observed that enzyme could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed on the mon‐poly(HEMA‐MAH)–Fe3+ nanospheres without loss of adsorption capacity or enzymic activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Preparation of poly(ester imide) ultrafine fibers by gas‐jet/electrospinning
Authors: Wang Bing , Yao Yongyi , Peng Jinrong , Lin Yi , Liu Wenlong , Luo Yang , Xiang Ruili , Li Ruixia , Wu Dacheng
Published: June 2009

In this study, ultrafine fibers of poly(ester imide) (PEI) were produced by gas‐jet/electrospinning of its solutions in mixtures of phenol and dichloromethane (DCM). The process parameters, including the solution concentration, gas flow rate, applied voltage, tip‐to‐collector distance (TCD), and inner diameter of the metal needle, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the solution concentration, gas flow rate, TCD, and inner diameter of the needle were the most important process parameters influencing the average diameter and morphology of the PEI gas‐jet/electrospun fibers. An increase in the solution concentration resulted in a larger average diameter in the PEI gas‐jet/electrospun fibers. Mixed‐bead fibers were obtained when the concentration of PEI in phenol/DCM was below 20 wt % during gas‐jet/electrospinning. A larger diameter of the capillary and a smaller gas flow rate favored the formation of ultrafine fibers with thicker fibers. Thinner and uniform PEI fibers with an average diameter of 298 nm were formed at a TCD of 25 cm. On the basis of the systematic parameters study, uniform PEI ultrafine fibers with an average diameter of 293 nm were prepared by this gas‐jet/electrospinning with the following optimal process parameters: the concentration of the polymer solution was 20 wt %, the gas flow rate was 10.0 L/min, the applied voltage was 25.0 kV, the TCD was 25 cm, and the inner diameter of the metal needle was 0.24 mm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
A kinetic analysis on thermal degradation of poly(phenylene sulfide ether)
Authors: Gu Aiqun , Yu Zili , Li Yubao
Published: June 2009

Thermal degradation of poly(phenylene sulfide ether) (PPSE) was investigated by using thermogravimetry (TG) under air and nitrogen atmosphere. It was found that the existence of oxygen depressed the thermal stability of PPSE and changed the mechanism of thermal degradation. The influences of molecular weight and heating rate on the decomposition of PPSE were also investigated under N2 atmosphere. The results showed that the thermal stability of PPSE was excellent and can be further enhanced by increasing molecular weight. A simple kinetic model concerning two parallel reactions in overall temperature range was proposed to describe the thermal degradation process of PPSE in nitrogen. Kinetic analysis of the dynamic TG curves for PPSE was carried out by using Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Coats–Redfern methods. The kinetics of PPSE degradation displayed that the two parallel reactions were in accordance with the first‐order equation. The kinetic model was further validated by comparing the experimental and calculated results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of conducting polyaniline prepared by laccase‐catalyzed method in sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate micellar solutions
Authors: Streltsov Alexander V. , Morozova Olga V. , Arkharova Nataliya A. , Klechkovskaya Vera V. , Staroverova Irina N. , Shumakovich Galina P. , Yaropolov Alexander I.
Published: June 2009

Enzymatic polymerization of aniline was performed in micellar solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS). High‐redox–potential oxidase–laccase isolated from the fungi, Trametes hirsuta, was used as a catalyst in oxidative polymerization of aniline, the atmospheric oxygen serving as an oxidizing agent. It is shown that the laccase‐catalyzed reaction of monomer polymerization is kinetically controllable and its mechanism is very distinctly different from that of chemical polymerization. The synthesized PANI/SDBS complexes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, termogravimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction. The antistatic properties of the prepared PANI/SDBS composite were also studied. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Improvement of the properties of ground tire rubber (GTR)‐filled nitrile rubber vulcanizates through plasma surface modification of GTR powder
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Zhu Xiaoqing , Liang Mei , Lu Canhui
Published: June 2009

The surface modification of ground tire rubber (GTR) powder to enhance its adhesion to nitrile rubber (NBR) vulcanizates was investigated. The hydrophobic surface of GTR powder has been transformed to a hydrophilic one through atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The water contact angle dropped markedly from 116 to 0° after being treated for more than 10 s. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectral (ATR‐FTIR) studies revealed the increase in peak intensity at 3298 and 1640 cm−1 that correspond to OH and CC, respectively, on the surface of the GTR powder. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis further confirmed the presence of oxygen containing polar functional groups on the surface of the GTR powder after atmospheric plasma treatment. The improvement in tensile strength and tear strength was observed for the modified GTR‐filled NBR vulcanizates, which is attributed to the enhanced interfacial interaction between modified GTR and NBR matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions by crosslinked‐acrylic acid/acrylamidopropane sulfonic acid hydrogels
Authors: Akkaya M. Çağil , Emik Serkan , Güçlü Gamze , İyim Tülin Banu , Özgümüş Saadet
Published: June 2009

In this study, Acrylic acid (AA)/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methlypropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) hydrogels were prepared by free radical polymerization in aqueous solutions of AA, AMPS, and N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) as crosslinker. Potassium persulfate (PPS)/potassium bisulfide (PBS) were used as initiator and accelerator pair. The water absorption capacities and dye adsorption properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Adsorption properties of the hydrogels were evaluated by depending on different adsorption conditions such as different initial dye concentration and contact time. The concentrations of the dyes were determined using UV/Vis Spectrophotometer at wavelength 530 nm for safranine T (ST) and 622 nm for brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). Adsorption kinetic studies showed that pseudo‐first order kinetic model is suitable to explain the adsorption kinetic data of the hydrogels. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to describe adsorption data. The result revealed that the adsorption of basic dyes onto hydrogels fit very well both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Nonisothermal crystallization and melting behavior of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) by DSC analysis
Authors: Wei Zhiyong , Yu Fengyun , Chen Guangyi , Qu Chao , Wang Pei , Zhang Wanxi , Liang Jicai , Qi Min , Liu Lian
Published: June 2009

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) triblock copolymer (PCL‐PEG‐PCL), in which the weight fraction of the PCL block is 0.87, has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nonisothermal crystallization data at various cooling rates are analyzed with the Ozawa, modified Avrami, and Mo models. The modified Avrami and Mo models were found to describe the nonisothermal crystallization processes fairly well. The values of the Avrami exponent n were near three, suggesting the crystallization process with a three‐dimensional crystallite growth by heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. The crystallization activation energy estimated from the cooling scans using Kissinger's method was 168.9 KJ/mol. The phenomenon of the double melting behavior was observed for the PCL block during melting process after nonisothermal crystallization, being the reflection of a complicated crystallization process and the existence of the amorphous middle PEG block. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Hydrolytic stability of cured urea‐formaldehyde resins modified by additives
Authors: Abdullah Zaimatul Aqmar , Park Byung‐Dae
Published: June 2009

Urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resins are prone to hydrolysis that results in low‐moisture resistance and subsequent formaldehyde emission from UF resin‐bonded wood panels. This study was conducted to investigate hydrolytic stability of modified UF resins as a way of lowering the formaldehyde emission of cured UF resin. Neat UF resins with three different formaldehyde/urea (F/U) mole ratios (1.4, 1.2, and 1.0) were modified, after resin synthesis, by adding four additives such as sodium hydrosulfite, sodium bisulfite, acrylamide, and polymeric 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI). All additives were added to UF resins with three different F/U mole ratios before curing the resin. The hydrolytic stability of UF resins was determined by measuring the mass loss and liberated formaldehyde concentration of cured and modified UF resins after acid hydrolysis. Modified UF resins of lower F/U mole ratios of 1.0 and 1.2 showed better hydrolytic stability than the one of higher F/U mole ratio of 1.4, except the modified UF resins with pMDI. The hydrolytic stability of modified UF resins by sulfur compounds (sodium bisulfate and sodium hydrosulfite) decreased with an increase in their level. However, both acrylamide and pMDI were much more effective than two sulfur compounds in terms of hydrolytic stability of modified UF resins. These results indicated that modified UF resin of the F/U mole ratio of 1.2 by adding acrylamide was the most effective in improving the hydrolytic stability of UF resin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The properties of reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesives modified with novel thermoplastic polyurethanes
Authors: Kim Tae K. , Kim Byung K. , Kim Yong S. , Cho Yang L. , Lee Sang Y. , Cho Youn B. , Kim Joe H. , Jeong Han M.
Published: June 2009

A reactive hot melt adhesive (RHMA) consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was modified with sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) intercalated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and their effects on the adhesion, rheological, and mechanical properties of the RHMA were examined. The Na‐MMT intercalated with PEG (Na‐MMT/PEG) effectively enhanced the initial bond strength development of the RHMA, although the amounts of Na‐MMT/PEG in the RHMA were less than 0.2%. The increase of the complex viscosity and pseudo‐solid like behavior observed at low shear rate indicates that there are intimate interactions between the RHMA molecules and Na‐MMT/PEG. The improved modulus and tensile strength of the cured RHMA film in the presence of Na‐MMT/PEG demonstrates that Na‐MMT/PEG effectively reinforced the RHMA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
GDNF Expression in Terminal Schwann Cells Associated With the Periodontal Ruffini Endings of the Rat Incisors During Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Ohishi Megumi , Harada Fumiko , Rahman Farhana , Saito Isao , Kawano Yoshiro , Nozawa‐Inoue Kayoko , Maeda Takeyasu
Published: June 2009

The terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) which play crucial roles in regeneration of the periodontal Ruffini endings (RE) exhibit immunoreaction for glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). However, no information is available regarding the role of GDNF in the periodontal RE during nerve regeneration. This study was undertaken to examine the changes in GDNF expression in the rat periodontal RE following transection of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) using immunohistochemistry for GDNF and S‐100 protein, a marker for the TSCs. We additionally investigated the changes in expression of GDNF in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) at protein and mRNA levels. A transection to IAN induced a disappearance of the TSCs from the alveolus‐related part (ARP), followed by a migration of spindle‐shaped cells with S‐100 but without GDNF immunoreactions into the tooth‐related part (TRP) by postoperative (PO) week 2. At PO week 2, GDNF immunoreacted cellular elements increased in number in the ARP although the spindle‐shaped cells without GDNF reaction remained in the TRP. After PO week 4, many GDNF‐positive TSCs appeared in the ARP though the spindle‐shaped cells vanished from the TRP. A real time RT‐PCR analysis demonstrated the highest elevation of GDNF mRNA in the TG at PO week 2. These findings suggested the involvement of this molecule in the maturation and maintenance of the periodontal RE during regeneration. Taken together with our previous and current studies, it appears that the regeneration of the periodontal RE is controlled by multiple neurotrophins in a stage‐specific manner. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Building developmental gene regulatory networks
Authors: Li Enhu , Davidson Eric H.
Published: June 2009

Animal development is an elaborate process programmed by genomic regulatory instructions. Regulatory genes encode transcription factors and signal molecules, and their expression is under the control of cis‐regulatory modules that define the logic of transcriptional responses to the inputs of other regulatory genes. The functional linkages among regulatory genes constitute the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that govern cell specification and patterning in development. Constructing such networks requires identification of the regulatory genes involved and characterization of their temporal and spatial expression patterns. Interactions (activation/repression) among transcription factors or signals can be investigated by large‐scale perturbation analysis, in which the function of each gene is specifically blocked. Resultant expression changes are then integrated to identify direct linkages, and to reveal the structure of the GRN. Predicted GRN linkages can be tested and verified by cis‐regulatory analysis. The explanatory power of the GRN was shown in the lineage specification of sea urchin endomesoderm. Acquiring such networks is essential for a systematic and mechanistic understanding of the developmental process. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 87:123–130, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apprehending multicellularity: Regulatory networks, genomics, and evolution
Authors: Aravind L. , Anantharaman Vivek , Venancio Thiago M.
Published: June 2009

The genomic revolution has provided the first glimpses of the architecture of regulatory networks. Combined with evolutionary information, the “network view” of life processes leads to remarkable insights into how biological systems have been shaped by various forces. This understanding is critical because biological systems, including regulatory networks, are not products of engineering but of historical contingencies. In this light, we attempt a synthetic overview of the natural history of regulatory networks operating in the development and differentiation of multicellular organisms. We first introduce regulatory networks and their organizational principles as can be deduced using ideas from the graph theory. We then discuss findings from comparative genomics to illustrate the effects of lineage‐specific expansions, gene‐loss, and nonprotein‐coding DNA on the architecture of networks. We consider the interaction between expansions of transcription factors, and cis regulatory and more general chromatin state stabilizing elements in the emergence of morphological complexity. Finally, we consider a case study of the Notch subnetwork, which is present throughout Metazoa, to examine how such a regulatory system has been pieced together in evolution from new innovations and pre‐existing components that were originally functionally distinct. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 87:143–164, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The utilization of glycogen accumulating organisms for mixed culture production of polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Bengtsson Simon
Published: June 2009

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by an open mixed culture enriched in glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) under alternating anaerobic–aerobic conditions with acetate as carbon source was investigated. The culture exhibited a stable enrichment performance over the 450‐day operating period with regards to phenotypic behavior and microbial community structure. Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis dominated the culture at between 54% and 70% of the bacterial biomass throughout the study, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. In batch experiments under anaerobic conditions, PHA containing 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 27 mol‐% 3‐hydroxyvalerate (3HV) was accumulated up to 49% of cell dry weight utilizing the glycogen pool stored in the SBR cycle. Under aerobic and ammonia limited conditions, PHA comprising only 3HB was accumulated to 60% of cell dry weight. Glycogen was consumed during aerobic PHA accumulation as well as under anaerobic conditions, but with different stoichiometry. Under aerobic conditions 0.31 C‐mol glycogen was consumed per consumed C‐mol acetate compared to 0.99 under anaerobic conditions. Both the PHA biomass content and the specific PHA production rate obtained were similar to what is typically obtained using the more commonly applied aerobic dynamic feeding strategy. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 698–708 © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Forequarter amputation for malignancy
Authors: Rickelt J , Hoekstra H , van Coevorden F , de Vreeze R , Verhoef C , van Geel A N
Published: June 2009

Background

Forequarter amputation (FQA) is an important treatment for malignant disease of the shoulder girdle. The aim of this study was to elucidate its role in surgical oncology.

Methods

This retrospective study analysed 40 patients who had an FQA. In nine, the chest wall was resected. The most frequent diagnoses were soft-tissue sarcoma (28 patients) and recurrent breast cancer (five).

Results

Median follow-up was 16 (range 1–184) months. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival for patients with malignant disease was 71, 59 and 38 per cent respectively. The median time to local recurrence (eight patients) was 4 (range 1–19) months. Thirty-two patients had curative FQA with a 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival of 90, 75 and 48 per cent respectively, and a median overall survival of 51 months. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival for soft-tissue sarcoma was 41 and 26 per cent respectively. Eight patients had a palliative FQA with a median survival of 5 (range 1–12) months.

Conclusion

In locoregional disease such as sarcoma, FQA may offer the only possibility of cure. However, in patients with axillary metastasis, FQA has no impact on survival, although local control may improve the patient's quality of life.
Socioeconomic deprivation adversely affects survival of patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Harris A R , Bowley D M , Stannard A , Kurrimboccus S , Geh J I , Karandikar S
Published: June 2009

Background

The aim was to examine the influence of socioeconomic deprivation on stage at presentation, perioperative mortality, permanent stoma rates and overall survival in patients with rectal cancer.

Methods

Data on patient demographics, mode and stage of presentation, and short- and longer-term outcomes were extracted from a database of patients with rectal cancer. Comparisons were made after stratification into quintiles of socioeconomic deprivation.

Results

In total 486 patients were identified. Fewer patients from the most deprived group than from the least deprived group underwent resectional surgery (79·2 versus 93 per cent; P = 0·005). Permanent stoma rates among patients who had surgery were 40·8 and 30 per cent respectively (P = 0·110). The overall 5-year survival rate was 32·8 per cent for the most deprived compared with 64·0 per cent for the least deprived patients (P < 0·001). Respective rates for those who underwent resectional surgery were 49·9 and 72 per cent (P = 0·030).

Conclusion

In rectal cancer, socioeconomic deprivation appears to be associated with poorer outcomes and survival. This has important implications for healthcare planning.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prophylactic gastroenterostomy for unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hüser N , Michalski C W , Schuster T , Friess H , Kleeff J
Published: June 2009

Background

The value of prophylactic gastroenterostomy (usually combined with a biliary bypass) in patients with unresectable cancer of the pancreatic head is controversial.

Methods

A systematic review of retrospective and prospective studies, and a meta-analysis of prospective studies, on the use of prophylactic gastroenterostomy for unresectable pancreatic cancer were performed.

Results

Analysis of retrospective studies did not reveal any advantage or disadvantage of prophylactic gastroenterostomy. Three prospective studies comparing prophylactic gastroenterostomy plus biliodigestive anastomosis with no bypass or a biliodigestive anastomosis alone were identified (altogether 218 patients). For patients who had prophylactic gastroenterostomy, the chance of gastric outlet obstruction during follow-up was significantly lower (odds ratio (OR) 0·06 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·02 to 0·21); P < 0·001). The rates of postoperative delayed gastric emptying were similar in both groups (OR 1·93 (95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 6·53); P = 0·290), as were morbidity and mortality. The estimated duration of hospital stay after prophylactic gastroenterostomy was 3 days longer than for patients without bypass (weighted mean difference 3·1 (95 per cent c.i. 0·7 to 5·5); P = 0·010).

Conclusion

Prophylactic gastroenterostomy should be performed during surgical exploration of patients with unresectable pancreatic head tumours because it reduces the incidence of long-term gastroduodenal obstruction without impairing short-term outcome.
Two-week target for laparoscopic cholecystectomy following gallstone pancreatitis is achievable and cost neutral
Authors: Monkhouse S J W , Court E L , Dash I , Coombs N J
Published: June 2009

Background

The British Society of Gastroenterology recommends that all patients with gallstone pancreatitis should undergo cholecystectomy within 2 weeks. This study assessed whether these guidelines are feasible and cost-effective.

Methods

Admissions for gallstone pancreatitis between January 2006 and January 2008 were reviewed. Readmissions for subsequent pancreatitis or biliary pathology were noted together with additional investigations, severity scores, hospital stay and time to cholecystectomy. The costs of readmission and theoretical costs of developing a dedicated operating list were provided by independent accountants.

Results

During the 2 years, 153 patients were admitted. Twenty-one patients (13·7 per cent) had further attacks requiring 40 readmissions. There were no deaths. Additional hospital costs related to readmissions were £172 170, including bed occupancy (£67 860), investigations (£12 510) and 153 cholecystectomies on an existing theatre list (£91 800). The estimated cost of staffing a half-day theatre list every fortnight, performing 153 cholecystectomies, was £170 391.

Conclusion

Instigating a dedicated theatre for cholecystectomy after biliary pancreatitis has many potential benefits. The costs of readmissions and ad hoc operating are balanced by those of a dedicated theatre list in the long term. Implementation of the guidelines would save approximately £900 annually and be cost neutral.
A new efficient mixture screening design for optimization of media
Authors: Rispoli Fred , Shah Vishal
Published: June 2009

Screening ingredients for the optimization of media is an important first step to reduce the many potential ingredients down to the vital few components. In this study, we propose a new method of screening for mixture experiments called the centroid screening design. Comparison of the proposed design with Plackett‐Burman, fractional factorial, simplex lattice design, and modified mixture design shows that the centroid screening design is the most efficient of all the designs in terms of the small number of experimental runs needed and for detecting high‐order interaction among ingredients. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Cost of care of patients with personality disorders in forensic psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands
Authors: Avramenko Aleksandr , Evers Silvia , Philipse Martien , Chakhssi Farid , Ament Andre
Published: June 2009

Background Ter beschikking stelling (TBS) clinics form the mainstay of forensic psychiatric services in the Netherlands. Their costs are rising, but little is known about how these costs are distributed.

Aim To determine the distribution of service costs for patients with personality disorders in TBS medium security units in the Netherlands.

Method Data on service use were extracted retrospectively from the case files of 55 people with personality disorder who are residents in six medium security units within two TBS centres during 2006 (De Rooyse Wissel and Pompestichting). Standard unit costs were obtained for each service, and multiplied by frequency of service use to obtain the total cost of service per patient. A modified version of the Secure Facilities Service Use Schedule was completed.

Results The average daily cost of a bed in a TBS hospital in 2006 was 388 Euros (402 (SD 37) Euros in De Rooyse Wissel; 375 (SD 48) Euros in the Pompestichting). Over half of this was spent on non‐treatment fixed costs (overheads). There was considerable difference between patients and between unit variations in the other costs, but about one‐third went on costs of staying in department (sociotherapists), and less than 10% each on specific therapeutic interventions or daily activities. About 3% of the budget overall was spent on other costs, but, as these included escorted leaves, at times these costs accounted for a much higher proportion of the per patient expenditure.

Conclusion Our results may provide a baseline measurement, with which future costs of TBS treatment can be compared as the services expand and develop. More attention to costs in this way may help to contain budget increases. New studies could examine more specific aspects of treatment or other specific patient groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender differences in jail inmates' symptoms of mental illness, treatment history and treatment seeking
Authors: Drapalski Amy L. , Youman Kerstin , Stuewig Jeff , Tangney June
Published: June 2009

Background Rates of mental illness among prisoners are substantial, but little is known about the unique mental health needs of women in jail, those under pre‐trial custodial remand or serving short sentences.

Aims To compare male and female jail inmates along a wide range of symptoms of mental illness using identical assessment methods, and to examine gender differences in treatment seeking before and during incarceration.

Methods Soon after incarceration in a county jail, 360 male and 154 female pre‐trial and post‐trial inmates completed the Personality Assessment Inventory, a wide‐ranging measure of psychiatric symptoms. Treatment seeking information was taken from official jail records.

Results Women were more likely to report clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, borderline personality features, somatic concerns and trauma‐related symptoms; however, trauma‐related symptoms and borderline features were also common among male inmates. Although both men and women reported high rates of drug‐related problems, alcohol‐related problems were twice as prevalent among male inmates. Female inmates were more likely to seek and be enrolled in jail‐based treatment; there were no differences in reported help seeking prior to incarceration.

Conclusions Female jail inmates are especially in need of mental health services. Effective interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder are needed in jail settings for both male and female inmates during incarceration and upon release. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How well do community colleges respond to the occupational training needs of local communities? Evidence from California
Authors: Leigh Duane E. , Gill Andrew M.
Published: June 2009

Using California as a case study, this chapter provides new evidence on whether community colleges supply occupational training that meets the skill requirements of local employers.
Relief of severe immediate postoperative superior vena cava stenosis with covered stent: Case report with midterm follow up
Authors: Rossi F. Raul I. , Manica João Luiz L.
Published: June 2009

Sinus venous atrial septal defects are commonly associated with abnormal pulmonary venous connection. Numerous surgical techniques have been proposed with excellent short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Pulmonary and superior vena cava obstructions, as well as rhythm disturbances, are the most common problems seen during follow up. However, acute postoperative superior vena cava obstruction with successful percutaneous covered‐stent implantation has not been reported in the literature. The objective of this study is to report a unique case of acute obstruction of the superior vena cava on the first postoperative day after sinus venous atrial septal defect repair in an infant who was successfully relieved by a percutaneous angioplasty with covered‐stent implantation, and the midterm follow up after this intervention. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.