bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of Antimicrobial Activity of Murraya koenigii Leaf Extracts Against Pathogenic Bacterial Strains Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolated from Contaminated Water
Authors: Varghese Vini Mary , Aravind Hemand , Saritha SS  , Jaiswal Mithilesh
Published: March 2024

Aim: Murraya koenigii is a widely used plant both as a potential medicinal agent and also for common cooking purposes. Aim of this present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Study Design: Screening and isolation of pathogenic bacterial strains from contaminated water. Preparation of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts using petroleum ether, acetone and ethyl acetate by using serial extraction method with Soxhlet apparatus.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of microbiology, Agro biotec research centre Ltd, Poovanthuruthu, Kottayam, Kerala, India, between 2014 January to 2014 May.

Methodology:  Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the bacterial strains used in this study. Morphological and biochemical analysis of microorganisms were conducted to identify the strains. Leaf extracts (petroleum ether, acetone and ethyl acetate) of Murraya koenigii were screened using MHA disc diffusion methods.

Results: Various concentration of plant extracts were used to check its activity against isolated pathogens. Acetone extract of curry leaves exhibit maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and petroleum ether extracts shown maximum inhibition against Escherichia coli.
Efficient Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye Using Ni/Al Layered Double Hydroxide-Graphene Oxide Composite
Authors: Amri Amri , Wibiyan Sahrul , Wijaya Alfan , Ahmad Nur , Mohadi Risfidian , Lesbani Aldes
Published: March 2024

To address environmental pollution, we developed Ni/Al layered double hydroxide-graphene oxide (Ni/Al-GO) adsorbent materials for the purpose of eliminating methylene blue (MB) dye pollutants. The adsorption process was explored by examining many experimental factors, including temperature, regeneration/reuse procedure, pH, and time, and their effects on the material. The appropriate model for the isotherm is the Langmuir isotherm. The Ni/Al-GO material achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 61.35 mg/g for MB dye at a temperature of 60 °C. The thermodynamic characteristics indicate that the adsorption process is both endothermic and spontaneous as the temperature increases. The regeneration method demonstrated that the Ni/Al-GO material has a highly stable structure, enabling it to be utilized for five cycles with a remarkable regeneration rate of 93.49% in the fifth cycle. The pH that yielded the best results for all materials was pH 10, and the kinetic model demonstrated a pseudo second-order behavior. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by MKICS and BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Improving Process Design for Reaching Energy Efficiency, Environmentally Friendly, and Producing High Purity Methyl Chloride of Dehydrochlorination Process of Methanol and Hydrogen Chloride
Authors: Ramadhani Muhammad Nuzul , Darmawan Faisal Adhi , Mauludiyah Fatimah , Nugraha Muhammad Rizal Aditya
Published: March 2024

Methyl chloride, also known as chloromethane, plays a vital role in producing various industrial goods. The current demand for methyl chloride in Indonesia exceeds production levels, making the design of a methyl chloride plant essential. This research focuses on improving methyl chloride production economically and operationally by exploring plant design using simulations that emphasize energy efficiency and high purity. The objective of this research is to develop a process design for producing methyl chloride from methanol and hydrogen chloride, aiming for energy efficiency, an environmentally friendly factory, and high-purity methyl chloride products. The research employed an iterative simulation method to compare the basic and modified processes for methyl chloride production. The process involved constructing a simulation model using Aspen HYSYS, analyzing the simulation results using Aspen Energy Analyzer V12, and iteratively adjusting process parameters until achieving the desired performance or results. The research findings indicate that the methyl chloride modification process exhibits a lower energy requirement compared to the methyl chloride base process. Moreover, the modification process demonstrates minimal carbon emissions, establishing it as a sustainable and environmentally friendly design. Additionally, the methyl chloride produced in the modification process achieves a higher percentage of purity. In the initial process, the methyl chloride purity stood at 98.17%, while in the modified process, it saw an elevation to 99.35%. Considering these three aspects, the modification process is conclusively more efficient than the basic process system. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by Universitas Diponegoro and BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Hydrothermally Robust Molecular Sieve Silica for Wet Gas Separation
Authors: Duke M. C. , da Costa J. C. D. , Do D. D. , Gray P. G. , Lu G. Q.
Published: May 2006

A major challenge in silica membranes for gas separation is to maintain a robust pore structure in the presence of steam. In this work, use of a carbonized template is proposed to reduce damage to the pore structure by inhibiting silica migration along the membrane pore surface. This departs from the conventional wisdom of creating hydrophobic surfaces to achieve hydrostability. The carbonized‐template molecular sieve silica (CTMSS) membranes can then be applied to clean‐energy systems such as hydrogen separation and carbon dioxide sequestration, and membrane reactors where steam is present.
Cover Picture: Three‐Dimensional SiCN Ceramic Microstructures via Nano‐Stereolithography of Inorganic Polymer Photoresists (Adv. Funct. Mater. 9/2006)
Authors: Pham T. A. , Kim D.‐P. , Lim T.‐W. , Park S.‐H. , Yang D.‐Y. , Lee K.‐S.
Published: May 2006

An inorganic polymer photoresist was successfully synthesized for the first time with high photosensitivity and a high ceramic yield. Furthermore, it is shown by Kim, Yang, and co‐workers on p. 1235 that a nano‐stereolithography process linked with careful pyrolysis of this resin paves the way for the fabrication of 2D and 3D ceramic microstructures (examples of which are shown on the cover) with high spatial resolution.

We report a newly synthesized inorganic polymer photoresist with a high ceramic yield by the functionalization of polyvinylsilazane (KiON VL20) with 2‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate via linkage or insertion reaction routes. The chemistry of the synthesis and the pyrolytic conversion as well as the mechanical evaluation were investigated by using various analytical instruments. We show for the first time that this photosensitive resin is a novel precursor for the fabrication of complex 3D SiCN ceramic microstructures with a 210 nm resolution via a two‐photon absorbed crosslinking process and subsequent pyrolysis at 600 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, the dimensional deformation during pyrolysis was significantly reduced by adding silica nanoparticles as a filler. In particular, the ceramic microstructures containing 40 wt % silica nanoparticles exhibited a relatively isotropic shrinkage owing to its sliding free from the substrate during pyrolysis.
Mortality of workers employed in shoe manufacturing: An update
Authors: Lehman Everett J. , Hein Misty J.
Published: May 2006

Background

In the late 1970s, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified two shoe manufacturing facilities where workers experienced relatively “pure” exposures to toluene. A mortality study was conducted through December 31, 1982. An original study did not detect elevated leukemia mortality but did detect increased lung cancer mortality. The present study is an update of the mortality of the original cohort.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of workers employed 1 month or more between 1940 and 1979 at two Ohio shoe manufacturing plants. Vital status was ascertained through December 31, 1999.

Results

Seven thousand eight hundred twenty eight workers, contributing 300,777 person years, were available for analysis. An excess of lung cancer deaths persisted with additional years of follow‐up (SMR = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–1.54). Trend tests did not indicate a positive trend between lung cancer risk and duration of employment. Mortality from leukemia was not significantly elevated in the updated analysis.

Conclusions

Results indicate a possible association between lung cancer mortality and exposure to chronic, low‐levels of organic solvents. Although the strength of this conclusion was weakened by the lack of increasing lung cancer risk in relation to duration of employment, other studies have supported this association. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:535–546, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noise exposures aboard catcher/processor fishing vessels
Authors: Neitzel Richard L. , Berna Bryan E. , Seixas Noah S.
Published: May 2006

Background

Commercial fishing workers have extended work shifts and potential for 24 hr exposures to high noise. However, exposures in this industry have not been adequately characterized.

Methods

Noise exposures aboard two catcher/processors (C/P) were assessed using dosimetry, sound‐level mapping, and self‐reported activities and hearing protection device (HPD) use. These data were combined to estimate work shift, non‐work, and 24 hr overall exposure levels using several metrics. The length of time during which HPDs were worn was also used to calculate the effective protection received by crew members.

Results

Nearly all workers had work shift and 24 hr noise levels that exceeded the relevant limits. After HPD use was accounted for, half of the 24 hr exposures remained above relevant limits. Non‐work‐shift noise contributed nothing to 24 hr exposure levels. HPDs reduced the average exposure by about 10 dBA, but not all workers wore them consistently.

Conclusions

The primary risk of hearing loss aboard the monitored vessels comes from work shift noise. Smaller vessels or vessels with different layouts may present more risk of hearing damage from non‐work periods. Additional efforts are needed to increase use of HPDs or implement noise controls. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diachronic study of pleural plaques in rural population with environmental exposure to asbestos
Authors: Sichletidis L. , Chloros D. , Chatzidimitriou N. , Tsiotsios I. , Spyratos D. , Patakas D.
Published: May 2006

Background

The progress of pleural plaques in persons exposed to environmental asbestos in Almopia, Greece were studied prospectively.

Methods

During a 15‐year period, 198 individuals, in whom pleural plaques had been observed during the period 1988–1990 were followed. Respiratory function was initially evaluated in 23. All were inhabitants of seven villages of Northern Greece, where rocks with high concentration in asbestos fibers were used for whitewashing until 1935.

Results

Out of this population, 126 survived and underwent chest X‐ray in 2003 while respiratory function was retested in 18. New radiological findings were compared to previous ones using digital technology. Furthermore, the cause of death of the remaining 72 was recorded. Deterioration of X‐ray findings was observed in all survivors. Not only did the surface area of previous plaques increase (8.66 ± 12.6 cm2, mean value ± SD) but new ones also appeared. Total lung capacity decreased from 95.6 ± 14.8 in 1998 to 76.5 ± 9.3% predicted in 2003. It was found that out of 72 deaths, 11 people died of malignant lung neoplasm, and 4 of mesothelioma.

Conclusions

Radiological appearance of pleural plaques and respiratory function of people previously exposed to asbestos environmental pollution worsens over the years. Prevalence of mesothelioma was found to be higher than expected. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AA amyloidosis complicating hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome: A report of two cases
Authors: Lachmann Helen J. , Goodman Hugh J. B. , Andrews Peter A. , Gallagher Hugh , Marsh James , Breuer Stephan , Rowczenio Dorota M. , Bybee Alison , Hawkins Philip N.
Published: May 2006

AA amyloidosis is the most serious potential complication of the inherited autoinflammatory syndromes and frequently results in end‐stage renal failure. Although this complication is well recognized in familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated periodic syndrome, and Muckle‐Wells syndrome, there is only 1 previous published report of its occurrence in hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome (HIDS). We report 2 further cases of patients with AA amyloidosis in HIDS, both of whom developed dialysis‐dependent renal failure, and we describe the outcome of the first renal transplant in this setting.
Allogeneic marrow transplantation in patients with severe systemic sclerosis: Resolution of dermal fibrosis
Authors: Nash Richard A. , McSweeney Peter A. , Nelson J. Lee , Wener Mark , Georges George E. , Langston Amelia A. , Shulman Howard , Sullivan Keith M. , Lee Julie , Henstorf Gretchen , Storb Rainer , Furst Daniel E.
Published: May 2006

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after myeloablative conditioning in patients with severe systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Eligibility criteria for the study included SSc patients with features indicative of a poor prognosis. The myeloablative conditioning regimen included busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin. Prophylaxis for graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) consisted of cyclosporine and methotrexate. Bone marrow was transplanted from HLA‐identical siblings.

Results

Two patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc and lung involvement who were refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatment were enrolled in the study. In patient 1, there were no complications related to the conditioning regimen, and GVHD did not develop after transplantation. At 5 years after HCT, there was nearly complete resolution of the scleroderma and marked improvement in physical functioning. Internal organ function improved (lung) or remained stable. On examination of serial skin biopsy samples, there was resolution of the dermal fibrosis. Patient 2 experienced skin toxicity from the conditioning regimen and hypertensive crisis that was likely related to high‐dose corticosteroids given for treatment of GVHD. Although this patient experienced an improvement in scleroderma and overall functioning, a fatal opportunistic infection developed 17 months after HCT.

Conclusion

Allogeneic HCT may result in sustained remission of SSc. GVHD and opportunistic infections are the major risks associated with allogeneic HCT for SSc, as for allogeneic HCT in general.
Reduced brain habituation to somatosensory stimulation in patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Montoya Pedro , Sitges Carolina , García‐Herrera Manuel , Rodríguez‐Cotes Alfonso , Izquierdo Raúl , Truyols Magdalena , Collado Dolores
Published: May 2006

Objective

To examine brain activity elicited by repetitive nonpainful stimulation in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and to determine possible psychophysiologic abnormalities in their ability to inhibit irrelevant sensory information.

Methods

Fifteen female patients with a diagnosis of FM (ages 30–64 years) and 15 healthy women (ages 39–61 years) participated in 2 sessions, during which electrical activity elicited in the brain by presentation of either tactile or auditory paired stimuli was recorded using an electroencephalogram. Each trial consisted of 2 identical stimuli (S1 and S2) delivered with a randomized interstimulus interval of 550 msec (±50 msec), which was separated by a fixed intertrain interval of 12 seconds. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) elicited by 40 trials were averaged separately for each sensory modality.

Results

ERP amplitudes elicited by the somatosensory and auditory S2 stimuli were significantly reduced compared with those elicited by S1 stimuli in the healthy controls. Nevertheless, significant amplitude reductions from S1 stimuli to S2 stimuli were observed in FM patients for the auditory, but not the somatosensory, modality.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that in FM patients, there is abnormal information processing, which may be characterized by a lack of inhibitory control to repetitive nonpainful somatosensory information during stimulus coding and cognitive evaluation.
Transition from primary Raynaud's phenomenon to secondary Raynaud's phenomenon identified by diagnosis of an associated disease: Results of ten years of prospective surveillance
Authors: Hirschl Mirko , Hirschl Katharina , Lenz Matthias , Katzenschlager Reinhold , Hutter Hans‐Peter , Kundi Michael
Published: May 2006

Objective

To assess the early signs, risk factors, and rate of transition from primary Raynaud's phenomenon (primary RP) to secondary RP.

Methods

A clinical sample of 307 consecutive patients with RP was included in a prospective followup study. After an initial screening, 244 patients were classified as having primary RP, of whom 236 were followed up for a mean ± SD of 11.2 ± 3.9 years. Patients classified according to the screening as having suspected secondary RP underwent an extended screening program annually until transition to secondary RP occurred.

Results

The initial prevalence of secondary RP was 11%. The annual incidence of transition to suspected secondary RP was 2%, and the annual incidence of transition to secondary RP was 1%. Overall, 46 patients were classified as having suspected secondary RP, and 23 of these later were classified as having secondary RP. Older age at onset of RP (hazard ratio 2.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.40–4.80), shorter duration of RP at enrollment (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94), and abnormal findings on thoracic outlet test (hazard ratio 2.69, 95% CI 1.12–6.48) were associated with an increased risk for transition to secondary RP. Compared with patients with suspected secondary RP, those diagnosed as having secondary RP had a higher number and earlier occurrence of pathologic findings. Furthermore, antinuclear antibodies at a titer of ≥1:320 and positive findings in specific serologic subsets were associated with a significantly increased risk for developing a connective tissue disease.

Conclusion

Patients diagnosed initially as having primary RP may actually comprise 1 of 3 groups: those with idiopathic RP, those with a rather benign disease course, and those with a more severe course of the disease.
The effect of manganese(II) on the structure of DNA/HMGB1/H1 complexes: Electronic and vibrational circular dichroism studies
Authors: Polyanichko A. M. , Chikhirzhina E. V. , Andrushchenko V. V. , Vorob'ev V. I. , Wieser H.
Published: May 2006

The interactions were studied of DNA with the nonhistone chromatin protein HMGB1 and histone H1 in the presence of manganese(II) ions at different protein to DNA and manganese to DNA phosphate ratios by using absorption and optical activity spectroscopy in the electronic [ultraviolet (UV) and electronic circular dichroism ECD)] and vibrational [infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD)] regions. In the presence of Mn2+, the protein–DNA interactions differ from those without the ions and cause prominent DNA compaction and formation of large intermolecular complexes. At the same time, the presence of HMGB1 and H1 also changed the mode of interaction of Mn2+ with DNA, which now takes place mostly in the major groove of DNA involving N7(G), whereas interactions between Mn2+ and DNA phosphate groups are weakened by histone molecules. Considerable interactions were also detected of Mn2+ ions with aspartic and glutamic amino acid residues of the proteins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 182–192, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Changes in the enzymatic hydrolysis rate of Avicel cellulose with conversion
Authors: Yang Bin , Willies Deidre M. , Wyman Charles E.
Published: May 2006

The slow down in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose with conversion has often been attributed to declining reactivity of the substrate as the more easily reacted material is thought to be consumed preferentially. To better understand the cause of this phenomenon, the enzymatic reaction of the nearly pure cellulose in Avicel was interrupted over the course of nearly complete hydrolysis. Then, the solids were treated with proteinase to degrade the cellulase enzymes remaining on the solid surface, followed by proteinase inhibitors to inactive the proteinase and successive washing with water, 1.0 M NaCl solution, and water. Next, fresh cellulase and buffer were added to the solids to restart hydrolysis. The rate of cellulose hydrolysis, expressed as a percent of substrate remaining at that time, was approximately constant over a wide range of conversions for restart experiments but declined continually with conversion for uninterrupted hydrolysis. Furthermore, the cellulose hydrolysis rate per adsorbed enzyme was approximately constant for the restart procedure but declined with conversion when enzymes were left to react. Thus, the drop off in reaction rate for uninterrupted cellulose digestion by enzymes could not be attributed to changes in substrate reactivity, suggesting that other effects such as enzymes getting “stuck” or otherwise slowing down may be responsible. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oligonucleotide‐arrayed TFT photosensor applicable for DNA chip technology
Authors: Tanaka Tsuyoshi , Hatakeyama Keiichi , Sawaguchi Masahiro , Iwadate Akihito , Mizutani Yasushi , Sasaki Kazuhiro , Tateishi Naofumi , Takeyama Haruko , Matsunaga Tadashi
Published: May 2006

A thin film transistor (TFT) photosensor fabricated by semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) technology was applied to DNA chip technology. The surface of the TFT photosensor was coated with TiO2 using a vapor deposition technique for the fabrication of optical filters. The immobilization of thiolated oligonucleotide probes onto a TiO2‐coated TFT photosensor using γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and N‐(γ‐maleimidobutyloxy) sulfosuccinimide ester (GMBS) was optimized. The coverage value of immobilized oligonucleotides reached a plateau at 33.7 pmol/cm2, which was similar to a previous analysis using radioisotope‐labeled oligonucleotides. The lowest detection limits were 0.05 pmol/cm2 for quantum dot and 2.1 pmol/cm2 for Alexa Fluor 350. Furthermore, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection was examined using the oligonucleotide‐arrayed TFT photosensor. A SNP present in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene was used as a target. The SNPs in ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 target DNA were detected successfully using the TFT photosensor. DNA hybridization in the presence of both ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 target DNA was observed using both ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 detection oligonucleotides‐arrayed TFT photosensor. Use of the TFT photosensor will allow the development of a disposable photodetecting device for DNA chip systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Responses of the biogas process to pulses of oleate in reactors treating mixtures of cattle and pig manure
Authors: Nielsen Henrik Bangsø , Ahring Birgitte Kiær
Published: May 2006

The effect of oleate on the anaerobic digestion process was investigated. Two thermophilic continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) were fed with mixtures of cattle and pig manure with different total solid (TS) and volatile solid (VS) content. The reactors were subjected to increasing pulses of oleate. Following pulses of 0.5 and 1.0 g oleate/L, the most distinct increase in volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were observed in the reactor with the lowest TS/VS content. This suggests a higher adsorption of oleate on the surfaces of biofibers in the reactor with the highest TS/VS and a less pronounced inhibition of the anaerobic digestion process. On the other hand, addition of 2.0 g oleate/L severely inhibited the process in both reactors, and a significant increase in all VFA concentrations combined with an immediate drop in methane production was noticed. However, 20 days after the reactors had been exposed to oleate both reactors showed a lower VFA concentration along with a higher methane production than before the pulses. This indicates that oleate had a stimulating effect on the overall process. The improved acetogenic and methanogenic activity in the reactors was confirmed in batch activity tests. In addition to this, toxicity tests revealed that the oleate pulses induced an increase in the tolerance level of acetotrophic methanogens towards oleate. When evaluating the usability of different process parameters (i.e., VFA and methane production) as indicators of process recovery, following the inhibition by oleate, propionate was found to be most suitable. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study on the inactivation of micro‐organisms and enzymes by high pressure CO2
Authors: Bertoloni Giulio , Bertucco Alberto , De Cian Veronica , Parton Tiziana
Published: May 2006

This study addresses some microbial inactivation phenomena induced by high pressure CO2 over micro‐organisms and enzymes. The activity of four selected enzymes was measured before and after treatment with CO2 under pressure in both buffer solutions and natural cellular environment (E. coli cells and tomato paste). Results are reported for acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, ATPase, and pectinase at different conditions of temperature, CO2 pressure, and treatment time (32–40°C, 85–150 bar, 30–70 min). The results obtained show that the high pressure CO2 treatment induces an inactivation of cellular enzymatic activity higher than the one caused on the same enzymes in solution. However, the measured activity difference is not caused by a damage at the enzymes molecular level but is a consequence of the permeabilization of the cellular envelopes which leads to a release of unmodified enzymes from the cells with simultaneous drop of enzymatic cellular activity. The reported data suggest that the bacterial cell death is probably due not to a selective effect of high pressure CO2 treatment but to simultaneous detrimental action of CO2 on cellular membrane and cell wall. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive‐behavioural hypnotic treatment for managing examination anxiety and facilitating performance
Authors: Yu Calvin Kai‐Ching
Published: May 2006

This paper delineates a treatment group, including three Chinese undergraduate participants, run for managing examination anxiety and facilitating performance, principally derived from the stress management programme designed by the Hypnosis Unit of University College London. The treatment group comprised four sessions spread over two weeks and was carried out just before, in between and immediately after the examinations. Hypnosis was utilized as an adjunct to cognitive‐behavioural therapy in tackling the stress in relation to examinations, and in facilitating revision, sleep and examinations. Although formal assessments of achievement anxiety showed only mild changes, personal reports reflected improvements in both anxiety management and performance during examinations along with changes of perspectives towards learning and examinations. Copyright © 2006 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of the factor structure of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A)
Authors: Piesbergen Christoph , Peter Burkhard
Published: May 2006

In order to investigate the effects of the hypnotic state a standardized hypnosis session was conducted with 144 subjects in a controlled laboratory study. The induction of a hypnotic trance in the German version of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS:A by Shor and Orne, 1962) was tape‐recorded and used as the treatment.

The HGSHS:A seems to be a reliable measure of suggestibility and hypnotizability. This is underlined by the consistent results of a factor analysis on the depths of hypnosis that is in agreement with former studies. Descriptive data analyses with a sufficient number of subjects of high and low suggestibility suggest that our hypnosis induction by tape is an effective method of producing a hypnotic trance. Analyses of within‐subjects variables did not reveal any valid predictors of hypnotizability, thereby confirming the need of screening instruments such as the HGSHS. Copyright © 2006 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypnosis with a 31‐year‐old female with dental phobia requiring an emergency extraction
Authors: Gow Michael A.
Published: May 2006

Presenting problem: Female, 31, attended emergency appointment at dental surgery with pain, dental phobia prevented extraction.

Aim: Manage dental phobia using hypnosis integrated into anxiety management treatment plan to facilitate extraction.

Methods: Pre‐treatment questionnaire assessed dental anxiety, reasons for anxiety, and ascertained management options. Post‐treatment questionnaire assessed changes in dental anxiety and attitudes. Anxiety management techniques: needle desensitization and hypnosis.

Results: Pre‐treatment questionnaire revealed high level anxiety (16/20 Corah score, and 25/30 modified Corah score) and anticipation of pain during future dental treatment (5/10 on a Visual Analogue Scale). Following the successful extraction of the tooth, a post‐treatment questionnaire revealed low level anxiety (7/20 Corah and 11/30 modified Corah) and low anticipation of future pain (1/10).

Conclusion: Patient attended second emergency appointment and hypnotic intervention facilitated the removal of the troublesome tooth. Successful outcome of this treatment and new learned self‐hypnosis techniques allowed patient to feel more confident about accepting future dental treatment without need for pharmacological intervention. Copyright © 2006 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthetic Scope of Alcohol Transfer Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Cu/Al2O3: A New Metallic Catalyst with Unusual Selectivity
Authors: Zaccheria Federica , Ravasio Nicoletta , Psaro Rinaldo , Fusi Achille
Published: May 2006

A method for the anaerobic oxidation of a wide series of alcohols including cyclohexanols and steroidal alcohols, has been set up. It relies on a transfer dehydrogenation reaction from the substrate alcohol to styrene catalyzed by a heterogeneous, reusable copper catalyst under very mild liquid‐phase experimental conditions (90 °C, N2) and shows unusual selectivity. Thus, the method is selective for the oxidation of secondary and allylic alcohols even in the presence of unprotected primary and benzylic alcohols. Electronic effects and the choice of the hydrogen acceptor account for the selectivity observed.
Unprecedented Association of [Mo6Bri7YiBra6]3− Cluster Units and [MoIIIBr6]3− Complexes: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties of the Double Salts Rb3[Mo6Bri7YiBra6](Rb3[MoBr6])3 (Y=Se, Te)
Authors: Kirakci Kaplan , Cordier Stéphane , Perrin Christiane
Published: May 2006

The double salts Rb3[Mo6Bri7YiBra6](Rb3[MoBr6])3 (Y=Se, Te) result from the partial disproportionation of the Mo6Br12 octahedral‐cluster‐based bromide, in the presence of corresponding chalcogenides and RbBr salt (crystal data: Rb12[MoBr6]3[Mo6Bri7TeiBra6] (1), Pm$\bar 3$m (No. 221), a=12.1558(2) Å, Z=1, R1=0.028; wR2=0.050; Rb12[MoBr6]3[Mo6Bri7SeiBra6] (2), Pm$\bar 3$m, a=12.144(3) Å, Z=1, R1=0.028; wR2=0.050). The structures of 1 and 2 are built up from [MoIIIBr6]3− complexes and [Mo6Bri7YiBra6]3− cluster units characterised by a random distribution of seven bromine and one chalcogen ligands on all the eight inner positions that face cap the Mo6 clusters. Such a distribution implies a static orientational disorder of the [Mo6Bri7YiBra6]3− units around the origin of the unit cell. Close‐packed anionic layers based on [MoIIIBr6]3− complexes and [Mo6Bri7YiBra6]3− cluster units are stacked in the sequence ABC. This arrangement leads to very short BraBra intercluster unit distances of 3.252 Å, much lower than the sum of the van der Waals radii (3.70 Å). The trivalent oxidation state of molybdenum in the Mo complexes and 24 valence electrons per Mo6 cluster have been confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Salts 1 and 2 constitute the first examples of structurally characterised bromides containing discrete [MoIIIBr6]3− complexes obtained by means of solid‐state synthesis.
Syntheses and Properties of Enantiomerically Pure Higher (n ≥ 7) [n−2]Triangulanedimethanols and σ‐[n]Helicenes
Authors: de Meijere Armin , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Kozhushkov Sergei I. , Yufit Dmitrii S. , Chetina Olga V. , Howard Judith A. K. , Kurahashi Takuya , Miyazawa Kazutoshi , Frank Daniel , Schreiner Peter R. , Rinderspacher B. Christopher , Fujisawa Mari , Yamamoto Chiyo , Okamoto Yoshio
Published: May 2006

(P)‐(+)‐Hexaspiro[2.0.0.0. 0.0.2.1.1.1.1.1]pentadecane [(P)‐17] as well as (M)‐(−)‐ and (P)‐(+)‐octaspiro[2.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1]nonadecanes [(M)‐ and (P)‐25]—enantiomerically pure unbranched [7]‐ and [9]triangulanes—have been prepared starting from racemic THP‐protected (methylenecyclopropyl)methanol 6. The relative configurations of all important intermediates as well as the absolute configurations of the key intermediates were established by X‐ray crystal structure analyses. This new convergent approach to enantiomerically pure linear [n]triangulanes for n=7, 9 was also tested in two variants towards [15]triangulane. Some of the most prominent and unexpected features of the newly prepared compounds are the remarkable modes of self‐assembly of the diols (P)‐14, (E)‐(3S,3′S,4S,4′S,5R,5′R)‐21, (P)‐(+)‐22, and (E)‐31 in the solid state through frameworks of intermolecular hydrogen bonds leading to, depending on the respective structure, nanotube‐ [(P)‐14, (P)‐(+)‐22, and (E)‐31], honeycomb‐like structures [(E)‐(3S,3′S,4S,4′S,5R,5′R)‐21] or a supramolecular double helix [(P)‐(+)‐ and (M)‐(−)‐22]. Liquid crystalline properties of the esters and ethers of the diols (P)‐14, (P)‐, and (M)‐22 have also been tested. Although all of these [n]triangulanes have no chromophore which would lead to significant absorptions above 200 nm, they exhibit surprisingly high specific rotations even at 589 nm with [α]${{{20\hfill \atop {\rm D}\hfill}}}$=+672.9 (c=0.814 in CHCl3) for (P)‐(+)‐17, +909.9 (c=0.96 in CHCl3) for (P)‐(+)‐25, −890.5 (c=1.01 in CHCl3) for (M)‐(−)‐25, and −1302.5 (c=0.36 in CHCl3) for (M)‐(−)‐39, and the specific rotations increase drastically on going to shorter wavelengths. This outstanding rotatory power is in line with their rather rigid helical arrangement of σ bonds, and accordingly these helically shaped unbranched [n]triangulanes may be termed “σ‐[n]helicenes”, as they represent the σ‐bond analogues of the aromatic π‐[n]helicenes. Density functional theory (DFT) computations at the B3 LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) level of theory for the geometry optimization and time‐dependent DFT for determining optical rotations with a triplet‐ζ basis set (B3 LYP/TZVP) reproduce the optical rotatory dispersions (ORD) very well for the lower members (n=4, 5) of the σ‐[n]helicenes. For the higher ones (n=7, 9, 15) the computed specific rotations turn out increasingly larger than the experimental values. The remarkable increase of the specific rotation with an increasing number of three‐membered rings is proportional neither to the molecular weight nor to the number of cyclopropane rings in these σ‐[n]helicenes.
Sex differences in genetic and environmental determinants of pulse pressure
Authors: Scurrah Katrina J. , Byrnes Graham B. , Hopper John L. , Harrap Stephen B.
Published: May 2006

Pulse pressure (PP) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. PP rises with age, more so in women. We examined sex differences in the correlations and variance components of PP in adult subjects from 767 nuclear families, enriched with those containing twins, from the Victorian Family Heart Study. After adjusting for age, we found no significant differences in the means or variances of PP in males and females. Under the assumption of no sex differences, the proportions of variance due to shared genes, shared environment, and individual‐specific environment were 20%, 23% and 57%, respectively. However, same‐sex relative pairs had significantly higher correlations than opposite‐sex pairs (P=0.005), implying the existence of sex‐dependent effects. Extensions to the simple variance components model suggested three possible explanations for these differences: smaller genetic correlation between opposite‐sex pairs (ρG,MF=0.45, P=0.007); smaller environmental correlation between opposite‐sex pairs (P=0.0003); or different environmental and genetic correlations obtained by estimating genetic, environmental, and individual variance components separately for males and females (not nested, Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) smaller by 6.69). Under the last model, the genetic component of PP variance is greater for males (1.62 vs 0.33) while the environmental component is greater for females (1.84 vs 0), which would have implications for the planning of gene discovery studies, since heritability would be higher in males. However, the second (environmental) approach best fits the data according to the AIC. Genetic explanations for sex differences in phenotypic correlations may be misleading unless shared environmental factors are also considered. PP illustrates a phenotype in which sex dependency represents an important component of phenotypic determination that can be revealed by detailed variance components modelling. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Muscle‐sparing abdominal free flaps in head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Woodworth Bradford A. , Gillespie M. Boyd , Day Terry , Kline Richard M.
Published: May 2006

Background.

Our aim in this retrospective case series was to review the indications, results, and complications of abdominal muscle–sparing free flaps in head and neck cancer reconstruction.

Methods.

A retrospective review of all head and neck cancer defects reconstructed with abdominal muscle–sparing free tissue transfers from 1999 to 2004 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, etiology and site of the defect, reconstructive technique, flap size, recipient vessels, complications, reconstructive technique, and clinical follow‐up.

Results.

Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap (n = 11), the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap (n = 4), or the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) flap (n = 1). Average age was 61 years (range, 41–77 years). The average hospital stay was 7.6 days (range, 6–14 days). The average defect size was 74.5 cm2 (range, 30–240 cm2). No subsequent abdominal wall hernias or other donor site complications occurred after a mean follow‐up of 21 months.

Conclusions.

Muscle‐sparing abdominal free flaps are attractive options for head and neck cancer reconstruction. The SIEA and SCIA free flaps have the distinct advantage of eliminating abdominal hernias and other morbidity related to the excision of rectus abdominus fascia or muscle. In addition, the incisions are very low on the abdomen and are more cosmetically pleasing to the patient. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Different histopathological subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma show significantly different levels of FDG uptake
Authors: Hutchings Martin , Loft Annika , Hansen Mads , Ralfkiaer Elisabeth , Specht Lena
Published: May 2006

Positron emission tomography using 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG‐PET) enables quantitative analysis of metabolic activity. This study investigated standardized uptake value (SUV) levels in the different histopathological subtypes of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Sixty patients with newly diagnosed HL underwent staging FDG‐PET/CT after lymph node biopsy. Maximum SUV in each patient (SUVmax/total) and in each affected region or organ (SUVmax) were recorded. Mean SUVmax/total was 9.3 g/ml in seven nodular lymphocyte predominance (NLP) patients, 16.3 g/ml in 38 nodular sclerosis (NS) patients, 20.8 g/ml in 11 mixed cellularity (MC) patients, and 19.5 g/ml in four patients with unclassified classical HL (CHL‐NOS), (ANOVA, p = 0.011). Out of 780 sites (600 lymph node regions plus 180 organs), 208 sites were found to be affected with HL. Mean SUVmax was 8.3 g/ml in the 12 sites with NLP, 11.2 g/ml in the 147 sites affected with NS, 14.6 g/ml in the 36 sites with MC, and 13.1 g/ml in the 13 sites with CHL‐NOS (ANOVA, p = 0.002). There is a significant difference in FDG/glucose uptake between the different histopathological subtypes of HL. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized simulated annealing applied to protein folding studies
Authors: Agostini Flavia P. , Soares‐Pinto Diogo De O. , Moret Marcelo A. , Osthoff Carla , Pascutti Pedro G.
Published: May 2006

During the last few years, computational simulations based on the atomic description of biological molecules have resulted in significant advances in the comprehension of biological processes. It is well known, however, that a molecular system may have a great number of conformations due to the large number of rotation of degrees of freedom around chemical bonds, leading to several local minima on the energy hypersurface. It has been proposed though, that proteins express their biological function when their structure is close to a conformation with energy global minimum. To help solve the protein‐folding problem, we use a new strategy based on Simulated Annealing methods. These methods have been well suited for a large extent of optimization problems, especially those containing many local minima. In fact, this work applies the Generalized Simulated Annealing method (GSA) coupled to the GROMOS96 Molecular Force Field to research the minimum energy conformation of 18‐alanine. We show that the qT GSA parameter can be used to control the freezing process during the annealing procedure, and to avoid polypeptide chains to be trapped in energy local minima. We scanned the q‐values for visiting (qV) and accepting (qA) functions for qT values ranging from 1 to 3, and found the best values to obtain an α‐helix conformation for the polyalanine peptide, which is the conformation with energy global minimum. Global optimization methods also exemplify a class of applications that requires a large amount of computational resources, being suitable for Grid computing. To implement a Grid computing platform, we developed and tested a Grid environment based on MYGRID middleware, which is a technology that can employ all machines accessed by the user to run the application. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1142–1155, 2006
A QM/MM study on the aqueous solvation of the tetrahydroxouranylate [UO2(OH)4]2− complex ion
Authors: Infante Ivan , van Stralen Bas , Visscher Lucas
Published: May 2006

We report a QM augmented QM/MM study on the coordination of the tetrahydroxouranylate ion in aqueous solution. QM/MM geometry optimizations followed by full QM single‐point calculations on the optimized structures show that a hexa‐coordinated structure is more stable than the hepta‐coordinated structure by 43 kJ/mol. Charge transfer of the tetrahydroxouranylate to the solvating water molecules is relatively modest, and can be modeled by including a solvation layer consisting of 12 explicit water molecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1156–1162, 2006
A novel silk fibroin‐supported iron catalyst for hydroxylation of phenol
Authors: Pekşen Bahar Başak , Üzelakçil Caner , Güneş Alev , Malay Özge , Bayraktar Oguz
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of silk fibroin (SF) as a catalyst support material for phenol hydroxylation reactions. Iron‐substituted silk fibroin fibers were prepared using formic acid at room temperature and characterized using inductively coupled plasma atomic‐emission spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and optical microscopy. Measurement of an FTIR spectrum showed that the secondary structure was β‐structure before and after iron substitution. To evaluate the catalytic properties of prepared catalyst, phenol hydroxylation reaction was carried out using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. An excellent transformation of phenol into dihydroxybenzenes (catechol and hydroquinone) was achieved. Phenol conversions of 3.3%, 61.2%, and 80.3% were obtained at room temperature, 40 °C and 60 °C respectively. It was found that no further phenol conversion proceeded because catalysts became separated from the reaction system during the reaction. No significant leaching of the iron was detected. Catalyst could be reused several times without a significant change in activity. Parent silk fibroin fibers without iron were inactive. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Lipase‐catalyzed acylation of konjac glucomannan in ionic liquids
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Gang , Zong Min‐Hua , Li Guang‐Ji
Published: May 2006

A comparative study was made of lipase‐catalyzed acylation of konjac glucomannan (KGM) with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor in five ionic liquids (ILs) and also in the presence of the organic solvent tert‐butanol (t‐BuOH). An obvious enhancement in enzyme activity and stability was observed using ILs as the reaction media when compared with t‐BuOH. The maximum degree of substitution (DS) of the modified KGM in ILs and t‐BuOH under the conditions employed is 0.71 and 0.54, respectively. The water activity (aw) of the reaction system affected the acylation of KGM to some extent. 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (C4MIm.BF4) was the best IL medium for the reaction, and an aw of 0.75 was optimum. It was also found that the nature of both the cation and the anion of ILs had an effect on the reaction. Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized on an acrylic resin (Novozym 435) displayed no acylation activity to KGM in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (C4MIm.Cl). The optimum reaction temperature for enzymatic acylation in ILs was shown to be 45‐55 °C. Enzymatic acylation of KGM in IL‐t‐BuOH co‐solvent systems was also investigated. When an appropriate amount of t‐BuOH was added to ILs, the DS of the modified KGM was enhanced. Additionally, the enzymatic acylation of KGM in all the media examined was shown to be regioselective, with acylation occurring predominantly at the C‐6‐OH. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Solidification/stabilization of thermally‐treated toxic tannery sludge
Authors: Swarnalatha Somasundaram , Arasakumari Munusamy , Gnanamani Arumugam , Sekaran Ganesan
Published: May 2006

The high concentration of trivalent chromium along with organic/inorganic compounds in tannery sludge causes severe ground‐water contamination in the case of land disposal and chronic air pollution during incineration. In the present investigation the sludge was subjected to starved‐air combustion at 800 °C, which prevented the conversion of Cr3+ to Cr6+. The efficiency of starved‐air combustion was confirmed through differential thermo‐gravimetric analysis (DTG), electron spin resonance (ESR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The calcined sludge was solidified/stabilized using fly ash, clay, lime and Portland cement as mixture constituents. The solidified specimens were tested for compressive strength and heavy metal fixation. The compressive strength and metal fixation of the calcined sludge (Cs)–fly ash (F)–cement (C) mortar at a ratio of 41.66% Cs, 41.66% F, 16.66% C were 185 kg cm−2 and 93.84%, respectively. The stabilization of chromium(III) in the cement gel matrix was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy. Leachability studies were carried out to determine the percentage of metal fixation and chemical oxygen demand in the leachate. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry