bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of atherosclerotic plaque depositions by Raman and FTIR imaging
Authors: Lattermann Annika , Matthäus Christian , Bergner Norbert , Beleites Claudia , Romeike Bernd F. , Krafft Christoph , Brehm Bernhard R. , Popp Jürgen
Published: November 2012

Spectroscopy‐based imaging techniques can provide useful biochemical information about tissue samples. Here, we employ Raman and Fourier transform infrared (IR) imaging to characterize composition and constitution of atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits, fed with a high cholesterol diet. The results were compared with conventional light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin eosin, and elastica van Gieson. The spectral unmixing algorithm vertex component analysis was applied for data analysis and image reconstruction. IR microscopy allowed for differentiation between lipids and proteins in plaques of full aortic cross sections. Raman microscopy further discriminated cholesterol esters, cholesterol and triglycerides. FTIR and Raman images were recorded at a resolution near 20 micrometer per pixel for a large field of view. High resolution Raman images at 1 micrometer per pixel revealed structural details at selected regions of interest. The intima‐media and the lipid‐protein ratio were determined in five specimens for quantitation. These results correlate well with histopathology. The described method is a promising tool for easy and fast molecular imaging of atherosclerosis. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of Hepatitis B Prevalence in Parallel With the Most Frequent HBVGenotype in South Iranian Blood Donors
Authors: Karimabad Mojgan Noroozi , Hassanshahi Gholamhossein , Gharebaghiyan Ahmad , Sharifi Zohre
Published: November 2012

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the leading causes of acute and chronic liver diseases and in turn responsible for a million of worldwide annual deaths. HBVhas been classified into eight main groups, designated as A–H with different geographical distribution. Some genotypes are associated with different clinical outcomes and particular viral mutations. Current study was aimed to investigate the genotype and prevalence of HBV in blood donors of south of Iran.

Methods

This experimental study investigated the prevalence of HBVpositivity in 198,289 Iranian blood donors from south of Iran by both ELISA‐ and PCR‐based methods. Within 198,289 donors, 120 HBsAg+ cases were selected, HBV‐DNAwas extracted, and the p gene sequences were amplified by nested‐PCR. The HBVgenotypes were determined by direct sequencing of the polymerase gene of HBV. Phylogenetic trees also were constructed by the neighbor‐joining (NJ) method.

Results

Findings of this study indicated that 0.184%, 0.329%, and 0.215% of blood donors were HBsAg+ among Isfahan, Kerman, and Yazd provinces, respectively. Only 69 (57.5%) cases of 120 HBsAg+ donors were HBV‐DNA+. Sequencing analysis revealed that all of HBV‐infected donors had the D genotype of HBV.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the prevalence of genotype D was 100% in Iranian HBVblood donors. These findings may have an impact on the immunological and genetic diagnosis of HBV, selection of diagnostic kits, and viral quality control panels to evaluate diagnostic methods.
Hsa‐miR‐196a2 Functional SNP is Associated With Severe Toxicity After Platinum‐Based Chemotherapy of Advanced Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients in a Chinese Population
Authors: Zhan Xiaoying , Wu Wenting , Han Baohui , Gao Ge , Qiao Rong , Lv Juan , Zhang Shuyu , Zhang Wei , Fan Weiwei , Chen Hongyan , Zhang Tianbao , Gu Aiqin , Shen Jie , Wu Qihan , Lu Daru
Published: November 2012

Background

Rs11614913 is a polymorphism in hsa‐miR‐196a2 reported to alter mature microRNA expression and function. This single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was reported to be associated with susceptibility and prognosis of lung cancer.

Methods

In this article, association study was performed to reveal the relation between SNP and response rate or severe toxicity after platinum‐based regimen in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer patients.

Results

By screening this polymorphism in 442 Chinese patients with MALDI‐TOF Mass Spectrometer, significantly higher occurrence of grade 3 or 4 overall toxicity (P = 0.02) in response to treatment was found in patients with homozygous CC. After stratified analyses, association between rs11614912 and overall toxicity existed, especially in individuals treated with gemcitabine (P = 0.006) or cisplatin (P = 0.008), and in male patients (P = 0.02) or younger patients (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that rs11614913 in hsa‐miR‐196a2 was associated with severe toxicity in lung cancer patients, and might help to improve individualized therapy in the future.
Mean Platelet Volume in Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Oncel Mehmet Yekta , Ozdemir Ramazan , Yurttutan Sadik , Canpolat Fuat Emre , Erdeve Omer , Oguz Serife Suna , Uras Nurdan , Dilmen Ugur
Published: November 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate any changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with neonatal sepsis (NS).

Methods

Subjects were stratified into two groups: proven sepsis (Group 1a) and clinical sepsis (Group 1b). The control group (Group 2) consisted of healthy newborns matched for gestational age and birth weight.

Results

A total of 100 patients with NS (35 with proven sepsis and 65 with clinical sepsis) and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. A comparison of markers of sepsis obtained at baseline revealed white blood cell count (WBC), C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and MPV levels to be significantly higher in newborns with sepsis compared to healthy controls (P = 0.01, <0.001, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively). Mean baseline serum levels of CRP and MPV were significantly higher in Group 1a compared to Group 1b (P = 0.003, P = 0.007, respectively), whereas the difference between group with regards to baseline serum levels of IL‐6 and platelet count was statistically insignificant (P = 0.14, P = 0.28, respectively).

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate a statistically significant difference with regard to baseline MPV values between patients with sepsis (proven or clinical) and healthy controls.
Treatment efficacy of DNA lipid nanocapsules and DNA multimodular systems after systemic administration in a human glioma model
Authors: David Stephanie , Montier Tristan , Carmoy Nathalie , Resnier Pauline , Clavreul Anne , Mével Mathieu , Pitard Bruno , Benoit Jean‐Pierre , Passirani Catherine
Published: November 2012

Background

We previously developed different types of DNA nanocarriers for systemic administration. Recently, the biodistribution profiles of these intravenously administered nanocarriers, DNA lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) and different multimodular systems (MMS), were analysed in healthy mice using in vivo biofluorescence imaging.

Methods

In the present study, the experiments were performed in an ectopic human U87MG glioma model in nude mice. First, the biodistribution profiles of intravenously administered multimodular systems delivering a plasmid DNA with a luciferase cassette were analysed using in vivo biofluorescence imaging. Afterwards, a systemic treatment with two long circulating DNA nanocarriers, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) DNA LNCs and galactose (GAL) DNA MMS dioleylamin‐succinyl paromomycin (DOSP) was performed on this glioma model using a plasmid encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV‐tk) and subsequent ganciclovir (GCV) treatment.

Results

The biodistribution profiles of the different DNA nanocarriers on this glioma model were similar to those observed on healthy animals and varied in function of their cationic lipid composition and their surface characteristics. Furthermore, PEG DNA LNCs and GAL DNA MMS DOSP showed a specific accumulation and some luciferase expression in the tumour tissue. The systemic treatment using the HSV‐tk/GCV approach showed a tumour growth reduction compared to the nontreated mice cohort.

Conclusions

These results are in good accordance with those obtained previously with PEG DNA LNCs in a human melanoma mouse model and highlight the potential use of GAL DNA MMS DOSP and PEG DNA LNCs as future therapeutics in glioma and other cancers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chondromodulin‐I derived from the inner meniscus prevents endothelial cell proliferation
Authors: Fujii Masataka , Furumatsu Takayuki , Yokoyama Yusuke , Kanazawa Tomoko , Kajiki Yuya , Abe Nobuhiro , Ozaki Toshifumi
Published: November 2012

The meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous tissue that plays an important role in controlling complex biomechanics of the knee. A perimeniscal capillary plexus supplies the outer meniscus, whereas the inner meniscus is composed of avascular tissue. Anti‐angiogenic molecules, such as chondromodulin‐I (ChM‐I) and endostatin, have pivotal roles in preserving the avascularity of cartilage. However, the anti‐angiogenic role of ChM‐I is unclear in the meniscus. We hypothesized that the inner meniscus might maintain its avascular feature by expressing ChM‐I. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that ChM‐I was mainly detected in the inner and superficial zones of the meniscus. On the other hand, endostatin distribution was similar between the inner and outer meniscus. In Western blot, ChM‐I was detected only in the inner meniscus, whereas endostatin was equally observed in both inner and outer menisci. In addition, ChM‐I concentration of the inner meniscus‐derived conditioned medium was higher than that of the outer meniscus‐derived medium. ChM‐I removal from the inner meniscus‐derived medium and functional blocking of ChM‐I significantly increased endothelial cell proliferation. In this study, we demonstrated that the inner meniscus contained larger amounts of ChM‐I, and that the inner meniscus‐derived ChM‐I inhibited endothelial cell proliferation. Our results suggest that ChM‐I may be a key anti‐angiogenic factor for maintaining the avascularity of the inner meniscus. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 538–543, 2013
The overexpression of SIRT1 inhibited osteoarthritic gene expression changes induced by interleukin‐1β in human chondrocytes
Authors: Matsushita Takehiko , Sasaki Hiroshi , Takayama Koji , Ishida Kazunari , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Kubo Seiji , Matsuzaki Tokio , Nishida Kotaro , Kurosaka Masahiro , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: November 2012

In this study, we examined the effects of overexpression of SIRT1 on IL‐1β‐induced gene expression changes in human chondrocytes to explore a protective role of SIRT1 in human chondrocytes. SIRT1 was overexpressed in human chondrocytes by expression plasmid under stimulation with IL‐1β. SIRT1 was also inhibited by siRNA under stimulation with IL‐1β. Gene expression changes were examined by real‐time PCR. The interaction of SIRT1 and p65 (NF‐κB) were examined by Western blotting. SIRT1, MMP‐13, and ADAMTS‐5 expressions in human cartilage were examined by immunohistochemistry. IL‐1β stimulation significantly up‐regulated MMP‐1, 2, 9, and 13 and ADAMTS‐5. Overexpression of SIRT1 significantly inhibited the up‐regulation of those genes caused by IL‐1β while the inhibition of SIRT1 further increased them. In addition, the overexpression of SIRT1 markedly reduced the IL‐1β‐induced acetylation of p65. SIRT1 expression was clearly detected in the non‐OA cartilage while MMP‐13 and ADAMTS‐5 were undetectable. In contrast, in the OA cartilage, SIRT1 expression was decreased while MMP‐13 and ADAMTS‐5 were increased. Our observations suggested that SIRT1 can play a protective role by suppressing IL‐1β‐induced expressions of cartilage‐degrading enzymes partially through the modulation of the NF‐κB pathway. SIRT1 overexpression might be a new therapeutic approach for OA. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 531–537, 2013
Kernel elongation in rice
Authors: Golam Faruq , Prodhan Zakaria H
Published: November 2012

Kernel elongation after cooking is an important character of fine rice and most rice consumers prefer length‐wise elongation. Although improvement of aromatic rice began early in the 1970s, until now the mechanisms and genetics of kernel elongation has remained unrevealed. Kernel elongation is considered as a physical phenomenon and is influenced by several physicochemical and genetic factors, including genotypes, aging temperature, aging time, water uptake, amylose content and gelatinization temperature. Recently the complete genetic map of fine rice has been created and the gene responsible for kernel length identified; moreover, this gene is tightly linked with the cooked kernel elongation trait. Several molecular markers linked with cooked kernel elongation have been developed. These tools will be helpful for the improvement of this important trait. For the proper study of cooked kernel elongation of rice, this review paper will provide the basis and directional materials for further studies.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Improvement of lipopolysaccharide‐induced hepatic injuries and inflammation with mulberry extracts
Authors: Ou Ting‐Tsz , Kuo Chih‐Yi , Chyau Charng‐Cherng , Lee Huei‐Jane , Peng Jih‐Shin , Wang Chau‐Jong
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Mulberry water extracts (MWEs), which contain polyphenols including anthocyanins, have been used in traditional Chinese edible food. The hepatoprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of MWEs on acute liver failure induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were investigated in vivo.

RESULTS

Rats were administered different doses of MWEs (0.5 and 1 g kg−1) 1 h before injection of LPS (5 mg kg−1) and then sacrificed 10 h after treatment with LPS. Liver function, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress index and hepatic histopathological alteration were examined in the rats with and without MWE treatment. Pretreatment with MWEs prevented LPS‐induced liver damage by preventing associated increases of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), triglycerol (TG), cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein/high‐density lipoprotein ratio. MWEs also suppressed oxidative stress to prevent the formation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism involved in LPS‐induced liver injury was associated with reducing the expression of COX‐2, NF‐κB and iNOS in liver tissues.

CONCLUSION

The results support the investigation of MWEs as a therapeutic candidate for liver injuries and indicate that MWEs exhibit hepatoprotective activities via NF‐κB signaling.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Stance instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6
Authors: Bunn Lisa M. , Marsden Jonathan F. , Giunti Paola , Day Brian L.
Published: November 2012

Balance impairment is a principal symptom of cerebellar disease, but is poorly understood partly because subjects with heterogenous cerebellar and extracerebellar lesions have often been studied. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) provides an opportunity to understand balance dysfunction associated with a relatively homogenous cerebellar lesion. This study investigated stance instability in SCA6 and how it is affected by varying stance width. Body sway, as well as its directional preponderance and distribution across joints, was measured three‐dimensionally in 17 SCA6 and 17 matched healthy control subjects. Subjects stood for 40 seconds on a stable surface with their eyes open and feet positioned at various stance widths (32, 16, 8, 4, and 0 cm). SCA6 subjects swayed faster than controls at every stance width. Decreasing the stance width produced a disproportionate increase in sway speed in SCA6 subjects, compared to controls. Directional preponderance of sway was dependent on stance width, but did not differ between groups. Joint instability was increased by reducing stance width in both groups, but there was greater instability of the ankle joint in the roll plane in the SCA6 group. Measures of global instability correlated strongly with disease severity measured with the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (r = 0.79). The sway characteristics suggest a disruption of sensorimotor processing for balance control in SCA6. The correlation with disease severity implies that balance impairment is a feature of progression of SCA6 clinical syndrome. With stance width standardized, the instability measures employed could provide sensitive, continuous outcome measures of longitudinal or therapeutic change. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Very mild presentation in adult with classical cellular phenotype of ataxia telangiectasia
Authors: Worth Paul F. , Srinivasan Venkataramanan , Smith Anna , Last James I. , Wootton Laura L. , Biggs Paul M. , Davies Nicholas P. , Carney Ellen F. , Byrd Philip J. , Taylor A. Malcolm R.
Published: November 2012

Background

The major clinical feature of ataxia telangiectasia (A‐T) is severe progressive neurodegeneration with onset in infancy. This classical A‐T phenotype is caused by biallelic null mutations in the ATM gene, leading to the absence of ATM protein and increased cellular radiosensitivity. We report an unusual case of A‐T in a 41‐year‐old mother, A‐T210, who had very mild neurological symptoms despite complete loss of ATM protein.

Methods

A neurological examination was performed, cellular radiosensitivity was assessed, and the ATM gene was sequenced. Skin fibroblasts and a lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) were assayed for ATM protein expression and kinase activity.

Results

Patient A‐T210 showed mild chorea, dystonia, and gait ataxia, walked independently, and drove a car. LCL and skin fibroblasts were radiosensitive and did not express ATM protein. Two ATM‐null mutations were identified.

Conclusions

The severe neurodegeneration resulting from loss of ATM can be mitigated in some circumstances. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Cumulative exposure to lead and cognition in persons with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Weuve Jennifer , Press Daniel Z. , Grodstein Francine , Wright Robert O. , Hu Howard , Weisskopf Marc G.
Published: November 2012

Dementia is an important consequence of Parkinson's disease (PD), with few known modifiable risk factors. Cumulative exposure to lead, at levels experienced in the community, may exacerbate PD‐related neural dysfunction, resulting in impaired cognition. Among 101 persons with PD (“cases”) and, separately, 50 persons without PD (“controls”), we evaluated cumulative lead exposure, gauged by tibia and patella bone lead concentrations, in relation to cognitive function, assessed using a telephone battery developed and validated in a separate sample of PD patients. We also assessed the interaction between lead and case‐control status. After multivariable adjustment, higher tibia bone lead concentration among PD cases was associated with worse performance on all of the individual telephone tests. In particular, tibia lead levels corresponded to significantly worse performance on a telephone analog of the Mini–Mental State Examination and tests of working memory and attention. Moreover, higher tibia bone lead concentration was associated with significantly worse global composite score encompassing all the cognitive tests (P = 0.04). The magnitude of association per standard deviation increment in tibia bone lead level was equivalent to the difference in global scores among controls in our study, who were approximately 7 years apart in age. The tibia lead‐cognition association was notably stronger within cases than within controls (Pdifference = 0.06). Patella bone lead concentration was not consistently associated with performance on the tests. These data provide evidence suggesting that cumulative exposure to lead may result in worsened cognition among persons with PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Parkinson's disease patients show reduced cortical‐subcortical sensorimotor connectivity
Authors: Sharman Michael , Valabregue Romain , Perlbarg Vincent , Marrakchi‐Kacem Linda , Vidailhet Marie , Benali Habib , Brice Alexis , Lehéricy Stephane
Published: November 2012

Reduced dopamine input to cortical and subcortical brain structures, particularly those in the sensorimotor network, is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The extent to which dopamine dysfunction affects connectivity within this and other brain networks remains to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to measure anatomical and functional connectivity in groups of PD patients and controls to determine whether connectivity deficits within the cortico–basal ganglia thalamocortical system could be attributed to PD, particularly in sensorimotor connections. A neuroimaging paradigm involving diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting‐state functional MRI was implemented in a large cohort of PD patients and control subjects. Probabilistic tractography and functional correlation analyses were performed to map connections between brain structures and to derive indices of connectivity that were then used to compare groups. Anatomical connectivity deficits were demonstrated in PD patients, specifically for sensorimotor connections. Functional deficits were also found in some of the same connections. In addition, functional connectivity was found to increase in associative and limbic connections in PD patients compared with controls. This study lends support to findings regarding the dysfunction of the sensorimotor circuit in PD. As deficits in anatomical and functional connectivity within this circuit were in some cases concordant in PD patients, a possible link between brain structure and function is suggested. Increases in functional connectivity in other cortico–basal ganglia thalamocortical circuits may be indicative of compensatory effects in response to system deficits elsewhere. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
oct4‐EGFP reporter gene expression marks the stem cells in embryonic development and in adult gonads of transgenic medaka
Authors: Froschauer Alexander , Khatun Mst. Muslima , Sprott David , Franz Alexander , Rieger Christiane , Pfennig Frank , Gutzeit Herwig O.
Published: November 2012

Maintenance of pluripotency in stem cells is tightly regulated among vertebrates. One of the key genes in this process is oct4, also referred to as pou5f1 in mammals and pou2 in teleosts. Pou5f1 evolved by duplication of pou2 early in the tetrapod lineage, but only monotremes and marsupials retained both genes. Either pou2 or pou5f1 was lost from the genomes of the other tetrapods that have been analyzed to date. Consequently, these two homologous genes are often designated oct4 in functional studies. In most vertebrates oct4 is expressed in pluripotent cells of the early embryo until the blastula stage, and later persist in germline stem cells until adulthood. The isolation and analysis of stem cells from embryo or adult individuals is hampered by the need for reliable markers that can identify and define the cell populations. Here, we report the faithful expression of EGFP under the control of endogenous pou2/oct4 promoters in transgenic medaka (Oryzias latipes). In vivo imaging in oct4‐EGFP transgenic medaka reveals the temporal and spatial expression of pou2 in embryos and adults alike. We describe the temporal and spatial patterns of endogenous pou2 and oct4‐EGFP expression in medaka with respect to germline and adult stem cells, and discuss applications of oct4‐EGFP transgenic medaka in reproductive and stem cell biology. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 48–58, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thoracoamniotic shunting for fetal pleural effusions using a double‐basket shunt
Authors: Takahashi Yuichiro , Kawabata Ichiro , Sumie Masahiro , Nakata Masahiko , Ishii Keisuke , Murakoshi Takeshi , Katsuragi Shinji , Ikeda Tomoaki , Saito Mari , Kawamoto Hiroshi , Hayashi Satoshi , Sago Haruhiko
Published: November 2012

Objective

To describe the safety and efficacy of thoracoamniotic shunting for fetal pleural effusion using a double‐basket catheter with a very small diameter (1.47 mm).

Method

In this 2‐year multicenter, prospective single‐arm clinical study registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN00001095); shunting was performed between 18w0d and 33w6d of gestation with this catheter in cases of fetal pleural effusions reaccumulating after thoracocentesis. The primary endpoint measures were maternal and fetal adverse effects and survival in the neonatal period.

Results

A total of 24 cases were included, of which 17 had hydrops (71%). The median gestational ages at shunting and delivery were 27.4 and 34.8 weeks, respectively. There were no fetal deaths, lung injuries, or severe maternal complications. Preterm rupture of the membranes occurred in 7/24 (29%) cases at a median of 62 days after the shunting. Preterm rupture of the membranes within 28 days of the procedure occurred in 1/24 (4%) cases. Catheter displacement towards the fetal thoracic cavity occurred in 4/42 (10%) cases. The overall survival rate was 79% (19/24), whereas it was 71% (12/17) in the cases with hydrops.

Conclusion

Drainage of fetal pleural effusions with a double‐basket shunt is safe and effective, and the shunt could be an alternative device. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portfolio Management: The Australian Experience
Authors: Koh Aileen , Crawford Lynn
Published: November 2012

The increasing use of projects and programs by organizations to achieve business strategy and goals has led to the need for understanding project portfolio management. Along with the increasing diffusion of portfolio management, a new managerial role has evolved: the portfolio manager. This new role is pivotal in planning and controlling complex project landscapes more effectively and efficiently. This study investigates the governance structures and the roles, responsibilities, and practices of portfolio managers. A sequential mixed-method approach under a realism paradigm is used. This article presents the first-stage qualitative study, using an inductive interview-based approach with six portfolio managers from six organizations in Australia. The results of six case studies from the qualitative study are used to validate the research model developed based on previous research. It developed the constructs for the concept of portfolio context and the roles, responsibilities, and practices of portfolio managers.
Metaphor Interactions to Develop Team Relationships and Robustness Enhance Project Outcomes
Authors: Shelley Arthur
Published: November 2012

This article reports the findings from an ongoing action research program to assess the impacts of stimulating constructive dialogue around behaviors on team performance, using metaphor as a catalyst. Interactions based on a new reflective performance cycle model were reported by participants to be intuitive and fun. Implementation of metaphor-based interactions with project teams was found to align participants around objectives and enable them to leverage the behavioral diversity inherent in the group. These metaphorical interventions assist to create a behavioral environment that encourages participants toward more specific outcomes in more collaborative and constructive ways. This article introduces two practical examples of metaphor-based interventions designed to stimulate conversations that are either convergent or divergent, depending on the situation. Although early indications from this research suggest the metaphor-based interactions are effective, the current data are limited, and further research is continuing in several contexts to build a more robust body of evidence.
Waist circumference, BMI, and lung function in 8‐year‐old children: The PIAMA birth cohort study
Authors: Bekkers Marga B.M. , Wijga Alet H. , de Jongste Johan C. , Kerkhof Marjan , Postma Dirkje , Gehring Ulrike , Smit Henriëtte A. , Brunekreef Bert
Published: November 2012

Background

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) may be associated with lung function in children, as observed in adults.

Methods

Height, weight, waist circumference, and lung function (FVC and FEV1) were measured during a medical examination in 1,058 eight‐year‐old children participating in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) birth cohort study.

Results

After adjusting for height, age and other potential confounders large WC or high BMI (>90th percentile) were not associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC). In girls only, large WC was, independently of BMI, associated with 3.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): −6.4, −0.6) lower FEV1/FVC ratio in the model including WC and BMI. Girls with low BMI (<10th percentile) had 4.6% lower FEV1 (95% CI: −8.4, −0.6) and 5.1% lower FVC (95% CI: −8.8, −1.2) than girls with normal BMI. In boys, we did not observe associations between low or high BMI and lung function independent of WC, or between small or large WC and lung function after adjustment for BMI.

Conclusion

At 8 years of age, a high BMI or large WC are not yet associated with FEV1 and FVC, indicating that this association may change over the course of life from childhood to adulthood. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:674–682. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variation in selenoenzyme genes and prostate cancer risk and survival
Authors: Geybels Milan S. , Hutter Carolyn M. , Kwon Erika M. , Ostrander Elaine A. , Fu Rong , Feng Ziding , Stanford Janet L. , Peters Ulrike
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

While several studies showed that selenium may prevent prostate cancer (PCa), few studies have evaluated variation in selenoenzyme genes in relation to PCa risk and survival.

METHODS

We studied common variants in seven selenoenzymes genes in relation to risk of PCa and PCa‐specific mortality (PCSM). In a population‐based case–control study of men of European ancestry (1,309 cases, 1,266 controls), we evaluated 35 common, tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GPX1 (n = 2), GPX2 (n = 4), GPX3 (n = 6), GPX4 (n = 6), SEP15 (n = 4), SEPP1 (n = 6), and TXNRD1 (n = 7) in relation to PCa risk, and among cases, associations between these variants and risk of PCSM. We used logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the relative risk of PCa and PCSM, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the SNPs examined, only GPX1 rs3448 was associated with overall PCa risk with an odds ratio of 0.62 for TT versus CC (95% confidence interval, 0.44–0.88). SNPs in GPX2, GPX3, GPX4, SEP15, and SEPP1 had different risk estimates for PCa in subgroups based on stage and grade. We observed associations between SNPs in GPX4, and TXNRD1 and risk of PCSM. None of these associations, however, remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

We found evidence that genetic variation in a subset of selenoenzyme genes may alter risk of PCa and PCSM. These results need validation in additional subsets. Prostate 73: 734–742, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photoconducting nanocomposite films of PbS nanocrystals in insulating polystyrene
Authors: Chaudhuri T. K. , Kothari A. J. , Tiwari D. , Ray A.
Published: November 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS)/polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite (NCP) thin films have been synthesized from solution by in situ thermolysis. PbS nanocrystals (NCs) are of 3–5 nm size as determined from Transmission Electron Microscope. The films are p‐type with dark conductivity of ∼10−6 S cm−1 and high photoconductivity with linear current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. The electrical properties are explained on the basis of strong interaction between PbS and PS as revealed by infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

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Investigation of carbon–silicon Schottky barrier diodes
Authors: Yim Chanyoung , Rezvani Ehsan , Kumar Shishir , McEvoy Niall , Duesberg Georg S.
Published: November 2012

The fabrication of high performance Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) between silicon and two different types of conductive carbon films is reported. The diodes are fabricated by simply spin coating and annealing of photoresist films (PPF) or by the chemical vapour deposition of pyrolytic carbon (PyC) onto n‐type silicon wafers. After patterning with a metal hardmask and structural transfer a defined diode interface has achieved. The current–voltage characteristics of the SBDs were recorded in ambient. Diode parameters including the ideality factor n, the barrier height φB and the series resistance RS were extracted using an extended thermionic emission theory and the Norde function. The ideality factors were n = 1.25 for the PPF/n‐Si diodes and n = 1.45 for the PyC/n‐Si diodes. The values are close to those of commercial products and therefore, these highly durable and easily fabricated diodes may prove to be commercially viable. Moreover, the diode characteristics can be used to evaluate the electrical properties of thin carbon films.
Resonance behavior of defect‐induced modes in metallic and semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Laudenbach Jan , Hennrich Frank , Kappes Manfred , Maultzsch Janina
Published: November 2012

We analyze the defect‐induced Raman mode (D mode) and the second order 2D mode of samples enriched with metallic and semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). By resonance Raman spectroscopy, we study the evolution of the line shape of the D and 2D mode. We compared the radial‐breathing mode (RBM) frequencies with different components of the D and 2D mode in the enriched samples and a non‐enriched SWCNT reference material. We show that the components of the broad D mode can be assigned to different species of nanotubes and that this assignment is not necessarily correlated to the RBM for the same excitation energy.

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Raman intensity of the 2D mode for differently enriched samples and comparison with a reference sample. The gray spectrum is the sum of the spectra from the enriched samples.
Chirally enhanced solubilization through perylene‐based surfactant
Authors: Ernst Friederike , Heek Timm , Haag Rainer , Reich Stephanie , Setaro Antonio
Published: November 2012

Recently we introduced a rationally designed surfactant which forms energy transfer complexes with carbon nanotubes. We investigate the chiral selectivity of this compound, a perylene derived surfactant, through photoluminescence (PL) measurements, and find a strong enhancement of the luminescence intensity for one particular group of chiralities. The effect is striking, with luminescence increases of several hundred percent.

Chiral selectivity of the investigated surfactant compound as compared to solubilization through sodium cholate (SC). Small numbers indicate chirality, large numbers laola family.

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Spectroscopic study of the diameter distribution of B‐doped single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ruiz‐Soria G. , Daothong S. , Pichler T. , Ayala P.
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we report on the diameter distribution of boron‐doped single‐walled carbon nanotubes grown from triethyl borate with high vacuum chemical vapor deposition, using multi‐frequency Raman resonance spectroscopy. The nanotube yield is higher than in previously reported material produced with the same method. Our results suggest that the amount of as‐grown material and the range of diameters are directly correlated with feedstock used in the synthesis. The ID/IG ratio shows that the morphology of the samples is critically affected by the temperature. The population of diameters in the optimal conditions shows a Poisson distribution with a mean value at ∼1.15 nm.
Magnetic phase transition for defect induced electron spins from fully metal–semiconductor separated SWCNTs
Authors: Havlicek M. , Chernov A. , Jantsch W. , Wilamowski Z. , Yanagi K. , Kataura H. , Rümmeli M. H. , Malissa H. , Kuzmany H.
Published: November 2012

ESR experiments from PtRhRe grown and highly semiconductor—metal separated single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were performed at 9.45 GHz and temperatures T between 0.39 and 200 K. No explicit evidence was found for a response from itinerant electrons in the metallic tubes. Rather, in both the metallic (M) and the semiconducting (SC) tubes, the ESR signal originates from quasi‐localized defect spins but interactions with free electrons render the two systems characteristically different. The spin susceptibility was of Curie–Weiss type for T ≥ 10 K. For annealed samples it drops for lower T indicating a transition to a ferromagnetic state. Linewidths decrease and increase with increasing T for M and SC tubes, respectively. As a consequence they cross for the two systems. Interaction of spins with free carriers in M tubes via an RKKY type mechanism and increase of linewidth with temperature for SC tubes due to spin–lattice interaction is suggested to be responsible for this.
Synthesis of novel thiophene‐phenylene oligomer derivatives with a dibenzothiophene‐5,5‐dioxide core for use in organic solar cells
Authors: Fujii Shunjiro , Duan Zongfan , Okukawa Takanori , Yanagi Yuichiro , Yoshida Akira , Tanaka Takeshi , Zhao Gaoyang , Nishioka Yasushiro , Kataura Hiromichi
Published: November 2012

A novel donor–acceptor–donor oligomer, 3,7‐bis[5‐(4‐n‐hexylphenyl)‐2‐thienyl]dibenzothiophene‐5,5‐dioxide (37HPTDBTSO) with a dibenzothiophene‐5,5‐dioxide core and end‐cap phenylene–thiophene moieties, was synthesized using Stille cross‐coupling reactions. The functional properties, including the optical and electrochemical properties, were investigated. Using 37HPTDBTSO and phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as a photoactive layer, bulk‐heterojunction solar cell devices were fabricated by a spin‐coating technique. 37HPTDBTSO was found to be a valuable electron donor. The device had a high open circuit voltage of 0.85 V and the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.84% when the weight ratio of 37HPTDBTSO to PCBM was 1:1.5. These results indicate that the new oligomer is a promising solution‐processable photovoltaic material.
Enhanced optical absorbance of CVD‐graphene monolayer by combination with photonic crystal slab
Authors: Rybin Maxim G. , Pozharov Anatoliy S. , Chevalier Céline , Garrigues Michel , Seassal Christian , Peretti Romain , Jamois Cécile , Viktorovitch Pierre , Obraztsova Elena D.
Published: November 2012

We present the fabrication of graphene by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) on nickel foils. The growth process was optimized for formation of large area and high quality graphene monolayer films. The film quality was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Although the absorbance of a bare single graphene layer is limited to 2.3%, we show theoretically that it can be enhanced to 50% by integration with a resonant reflective membrane based on one‐dimensional (1D) photonic crystal (PC) slab. The absorbance of a graphene monolayer combined with a PC membrane slab was increased up to 16%, experimentally.
Tunable far‐IR bandgaps in a one‐dimensional graphene‐dielectric photonic crystal
Authors: Hajian Hodjat , Soltani‐Vala Ali , Kalafi Manoochehr
Published: November 2012

We propose a novel type of one‐dimensional photonic crystal composed of stack of alternating layers of dielectric and graphene sheets. Based on discontinuity in derivative of electric field component in the boundaries between graphene sheets and dielectric layers, analytical dispersion relations of this structure, for both TE and TM polarizations, is obtained. A comparison between bandgaps created in this structure and ones created in a one‐dimensional metallic photonic crystal, for normal incidence is made. It is concluded that a novel type of bandgap appears in this structure due to dissipative feature of graphene which we call it graphene absorption bandgap. Moreover, in comparison with the one‐dimensional metallic photonic crystal, the electromagnetic waves penetrate in this structure with much lower damping. Finally, since the chemical potential of graphene sheets can be modified by gate voltage, the bandgaps in the considered structure can be tuned by the gate voltage (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chalcogenide/tellurite hybrid microstructured optical fiber with high nonlinearity and flattened dispersion
Authors: Kawashima Hiroyasu , Kohoutek Tomas , Yan Xin , Suzuki Takenobu , Ohishi Yasutake
Published: November 2012

We have investigated a new design of hybrid microstructured optical fiber (HMOF) with chalcogenide glass core and tellurite glass cladding. We conducted the chromatic dispersion simulation and nonlinear coefficient calculation by using finite element method. The flattened dispersion with value between ‐20 and 32 ps/nm/km were successfully realized in wide wavelengths ranging from 1.5 to 3.8 μm and the nonlinear coefficient was 86000 km‐1W‐1, one or two orders lager than that of the highly nonlinear fibers reported so far. This HMOF exhibited promising features such as the low flattened dispersion property as well as high nonlinearity, which led to broadband optical amplification, wavelength conversion, and supercontinuum generation from near‐ to mid‐infrared region (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication and photoluminescence properties of semiconductor microtubes separated from substrates like bridge structures
Authors: Ito Yuki , Akahane Koichi , Hosoda Makoto , Ohtani Naoki
Published: November 2012

We fabricated semiconductor microtubes separated from substrates and investigated photoluminescence (PL) properties. The rolling of microtubes containing quantum dots (QDs) was found to happen at many points on the surface of the substrate, while the rolling of microtubes containing a quantum well (QW) started from the cleaved surface. The semiconductor microtubes separated from substrates like bridge structures could be successfully fabricated using photolithography and wet‐etching. The distance between the microtube and the substrate was about 30 nm. In this case, lasing oscillations could not be observed due to the large loss of optical power caused by the absorption in the substrate. This indicates that the wider separation between the microtube and the substrate is necessary for achieving the lasing oscillations (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Improving the efficiency of red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes by exciton management
Authors: Chang Yi‐Lu , Puzzo Danny P. , Wang Zhibin , Helander Michael G. , Qiu Jacky , Castrucci Jeffrey , Lu Zheng‐Hong
Published: November 2012

Phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) have undergone remarkable development from both academia and industry in the past decade. Nevertheless, devices with higher efficiency remain highly desirable for energy‐efficient general lighting as well as low power consumption LED backlight applications. In this respect, several groups have conducted complex device engineering designs such as doping of the transport layers to increase charge carrier mobility, incorporation of blocking layers to confine excitons/charge carriers, or use of multiple emissive layers to widen the emission zone, in order to achieve higher device performances. In this work, we report an alternative and relatively simple approach to improve the efficiency of red PHOLEDs by exciton management to attain a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of >20%. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
X‐ray and photoluminescence properties of Sm3+ doped barium sulfide
Authors: Maeda Kouji , Kawaida Nao , Tsudome Ryutaro , Sakai Kentaro , Ikari Tetsuo
Published: November 2012

X‐ray induced luminescence (XL) properties of phosphor materials made of samarium doped barium sulfide have been investigated. The samples were prepared by solid‐phase reaction method heated at 1200 °C for 10 hours from the mixture of barium sulfide (BaS, 99.9%) and samarium sulfide (Sm2S3, 99.9%) in evacuated silica ampoule. The concentration of Sm was from 0 to 5 at.%. The optical characterizations of the samples were carried out by photoluminescence (PL) and XL spectroscopies at room temperature. The red light XL can be visually observed clearly in the dark. The XL spectral bands at 565, 600, and 650 nm bands were identified and attributed to the transitions from 4G5/2 to 6H5/2, 6H7/2, and 6H9/2 in Sm3+ ions respectively. The XL and PL intensity as a function of Sm content have a maximum at 2 at.% followed by a decrease of intensity due to concentration quenching of Sm ions. The spectral shape of XL was similar to 325 nm excited PL and was different to 405 nm PL. The shape of luminescence has an influence on the direct or indirect excitation of rare‐earth ions (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Many‐body effects in optically‐trapped metallic nanoparticles under thermal fluctuations
Authors: Iida Takuya , Tamura Mamoru
Published: November 2012

We have theoretically studied light‐induced many‐body dynamics of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) under the focused laser beam and the thermal fluctuations in liquid medium at room temperature. The effect of surface ionization is also taken into account. The random motion of NPs by collisions of medium molecules can be suppressed with increasing the laser intensity, and the transition from a diffusive state to metastable states of metallic NPs is possible. Obtained results will provide a novel way to control the phase transitions in assembled structure of NPs under the balance of optically‐modulated interparticle forces and thermal fluctuations. Such a mechanism is significantly different from a conventional gas‐liquid‐solid transition based on spontaneous interparticle forces because it is based on the transient anisotropic force controlled by light (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Organic/inorganic hybrid optical upconversion devices for near‐infrared imaging
Authors: Ban Dayan , Chen Jun , Tao Jianchen , Helander Michael G. , Wang Zhibin , Qiu Jacky , Lu Zhenghong
Published: November 2012

Traditional near infrared (NIR) imaging is realized by a two dimensional InGaAs photodetector (PD) array integrated with a Si readout integrated circuit active matrix. The integration between the two different semiconductor arrays seriously restrains the device size‐scalability and leads to high manufacture cost. One alternative approach is to up‐convert infrared photons to a shorter wavelength (e.g., 1 µm or below) that can be effectively detected by a conventional Si detector. Herein, we report a highly simplified single‐mesa (pixel‐less) hybrid organic/inorganic up‐conversion imaging device through the integration of a large area inorganic PD with an organic light emitting diode, which can up‐convert a NIR scene to a visible‐light image. By combining the fabricated device with a commercially available camera, we demonstrate the first time pixel‐less up‐conversion NIR imaging with a spatial resolution of better than 6 µm. This device has great potential for making low‐cost, large‐area and high resolution NIR cameras (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical analysis of wavelength conversion through an antenna‐enhanced up‐conversion
Authors: Osaka Yoshiki , Yokoshi Nobuhiko , Nakatani Masatoshi , Ishihara Hajime
Published: November 2012

We theoretically investigate two‐photon up‐conversion process on a quantum dot (QD) through an optical antenna for high efficiency wavelength conversion. For a simplified one‐dimensional model, we analytically derive the propagator for the up‐conversion process, and numerically calculate the wave function of the converted photon. As a result, the up‐conversion probability can be increased up to 0.7. Because the probability for the QD only is about 0.04 in the same condition, one can see that the optical antenna clearly enhances the process. We also find the existence of the optimal regime for the antennaQD coupling constant. We discuss the origin of the optimal coupling and show that a quantum mechanical coupling between the QD and optical antenna plays an essential role for the high efficiency wavelength conversion. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)