bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrent deletions at 6q in early age of onset non‐HNPCC‐ and non‐FAP‐associated intestinal carcinomas. Evidence for a novel cancer susceptibility locus at 6q14‐q22
Authors: Bläker Hendrik , Mechtersheimer Gunhild , Sutter Christian , Hertkorn Christian , Kern Michael A. , Rieker Ralf J. , Penzel Roland , Schirmacher Peter , Kloor Matthias
Published: November 2007

Hereditary intestinal cancers mainly occur in the framework of the familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndromes. However, in about 50% of young patients with intestinal cancer clinically suspicious of an inherited cancer predisposition, no underlying molecular alteration can be identified. To determine the genetic profile of early onset intestinal cancer in the absence of a known cancer predisposition, we have analyzed 12 small and large intestinal tumors from 11 non‐FAP, non‐HNPCC, and noninflammatory bowel disease patients diagnosed under the age of 35years using a combination of comparative genomic hybridization and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis. The distribution of chromosomal gains and deletions was similar to late onset carcinomas except for 6q alterations which were found in 50% of carcinomas. To define a shared region affected by allelic imbalance, detailed LOH analysis at chromosome 6 was performed on three carcinomas from two patients which showed small interstitial 6q deletions. A minimal area of deletion overlap between markers D6S1652 and D6S1657 (6q14‐22) was identified. In a patient with small and large intestinal carcinoma and seven adenomas, loss of identical parental 6q14‐22 alleles was seen in both carcinomas and in three of the adenomas. Our data indicate that alterations affecting 6q are frequent in early onset intestinal carcinomas. Moreover, deletions of identical parental alleles in a 35 Mbp area at 6q in multiple independent tumors from one of the patients are compatible with the existence of a novel 6q‐associated cancer susceptibility syndrome. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The patient with dementia, the caregiver and the doctor: cognition, depression and quality of life from three perspectives
Authors: Arlt Sönke , Hornung Juliane , Eichenlaub M. , Jahn Holger , Bullinger Monika , Petersen Corinna
Published: November 2007

Background

For comprehensive information about the situation of patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), clinicians have to rely on information from different sources, e.g. caregivers or the patients themselves, which may differ from each other. In addition to the assessment of cognitive impairment, the importance of evaluating not only depressive symptoms but also health related quality of life (HRQOL) in clinical research and practice in dementia has increased.

Objective

To examine about how the ratings of patients, caregivers and clinicians regarding the patients' cognitive impairment, depression and HRQOL relate to each other by comparing these three perspectives by using self‐ and proxy‐rating measures.

Method

One hundred outpatients with mild to moderate dementia or MCI and their family caregivers participated in this study. Depression and cognitive impairment were examined with self‐ and proxy‐ratings as well as the Mini‐Mental Status Examination (MMSE); HRQOL was assessed with the SF‐12 Health Survey and the EUROHIS quality of life index.

Results

We found high correspondence between caregivers' assessment of cognitive function and MMSE scores, while patients' self‐rating did not correlate with MMSE. HRQOL was underestimated by caregivers compared to self‐rating. Concerning depression, the patients' assessment was in good accordance with the clinician's evaluation.

Conclusion

The study suggests that patients with mild to moderate dementia and MCI are important informants of their HRQOL and depressive symptoms, but they underestimate their cognitive deficits. Assessing different perspectives of the patients' HRQOL is relevant in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the patients' well‐being. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three New Lanostane Triterpenoids from Inonotus obliquus
Authors: Taji Sayaka , Yamada Takeshi , In Yasuko , Wada Shun‐ichi , Usami Yoshihide , Sakuma Kazuo , Tanaka Reiko
Published: November 2007

Three new lanostane‐type triterpenoids, inonotsulides A, B, and C (1–3, resp.) were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus (Pers.: Fr.) (Japanese name: Kabanoanatake; Russian name: Chaga). Their structures were determined to be (20R,24S)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐20,24‐olide (1), (20R,24R)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanost‐8‐en‐20,24‐olide (2), and (20R,24S)‐3β,25‐dihydroxylanosta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐20,24‐olide (3) on the basis of chemical transformation, NMR spectroscopy including 1D and 2D (1H,1H‐COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC), EI‐MS, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.
A Concise One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles from Natural Isoflavones and Hydrazine Hydrate
Authors: Zhang Zun‐Ting , Tan Da‐Jin , Xue Dong
Published: November 2007

An efficient protocol has been developed for the preparation of a series of new 3,4‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles, potential pharmacological and agricultural targets, by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with different natural isoflavones or their derivatives. The target compounds were obtained in good‐to‐excellent yields (80–95%; Table 2) under fairly mild reaction conditions (80°) tolerating various functional groups. The new compounds were fully characterized, and the single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 3,5‐diethoxy‐2‐[4‐(4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]phenol (26) and of the peracetylated compound 2‐{1‐acetyl‐4‐[4‐acetoxy‐3‐(diacetylamino)phenyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl}‐5‐acetoxyphenyl acetate (35) were solved (Figure).
Water‐Soluble Constituents from the Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Qu Jian‐Bo , Xie Chun‐Feng , Ji Mei , Shi Yan‐Qiu , Lou Hong‐Xiang
Published: November 2007

Four new glycosides, the bibenzyl glycoside α,β‐dihydrostilbene‐2,4′,5‐triol 2,5‐di‐(β‐D‐glucopyranoside) (1), the shikimic acid glycoside shikimic acid 4‐(β‐D‐xylopyranoside) (2), and two phenylethanoid glycosides 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐allopyranoside (3) and 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl O‐β‐D‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐allopyranoside (4), together with three known aromatic glycosides were isolated from the H2O‐soluble fraction of the EtOH extract of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences.
Itosides A – I, New Phenolic Glycosides from Itoa orientalis
Authors: Chai Xing‐Yun , Xu Zheng‐Ren , Ren Hong‐Yan , Shi Hai‐Ming , Lu Ya‐Nan , Li Fei‐Fei , Tu Peng‐Fei
Published: November 2007

Eight new benzoylated gentisyl alcohol (=2‐(hydroxymethyl)benzene‐1,4‐diol) glucosides, itosides A–H (1–8), together with the new pyrocatechol (=benzene‐1,2‐diol) glycoside itoside I (9) were isolated from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis (Flacourtiaceae). In itosides B–D (2–4), the gentisyl alcohol moiety was esterified by 1‐hydroxy‐6‐oxocyclohex‐2‐ene‐1‐carboxylic acid, while itosides E–H (5–8) contained instead an additional 2‐hydroxybenzoic acid moiety. The compounds were accompanied by the known derivatives 4‐hydroxytremulacin (10), poliothyrsoside (11), poliothyrsin (12), homaloside D (13), tremulacin, and pyrocatechol β‐D‐glucopyranoside. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods.
Synthesis of Phenyl‐Substituted Conduritol B and Its Mechanism of Formation
Authors: Cantekin Seda , Çalışkan Raşit , Şahin Ertan , Balci Metin
Published: November 2007

The phenyl‐substituted conduritol B 8 was prepared in racemic form in a five‐step sequence starting from 2‐phenyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone (10) (Scheme 1). The reaction mechanism of the key step 12b→13 is discussed (Scheme 2).
Multifractal analysis as a tool for validating a rainfall model
Authors: García‐Marín A. P. , Jiménez‐Hornero F. J. , Ayuso‐Muñoz J. L.
Published: November 2007

A multifractal analysis was carried out in order to validate the simulation of hourly rainfall records of a local climate model for the Iberian Peninsula. Observed and simulated hourly rainfall data from four locations in Andalusia (southern Spain) were used to carry out the study. In order to detect the influence of the length of the data series on the results, two different sizes were used for the real data: 4 years, and 20 years. The results show that algebraic tails are required to fit the probability distribution of extreme rain event sizes, and rain and dry event durations for both kinds of rainfall data. Similar results are found for the extreme rain event sizes and dry event durations fits when the real and synthetic data are considered. Nevertheless, some differences appear in the cases of rain event durations. The detection of the presence of a first‐order multifractal phase transition associated with a critical moment in the empirical moment scaling exponent function and the results of the extreme rain event sizes fits, reveal that real rainfall is a self‐organized criticality (SOC) process. That behaviour is less evident in the simulated rainfall series. The same ‘synoptic maximum’ value was found for each place with both types of rainfall data. A time clustering analysis was carried out applying the count‐based periodogram and the Fano factor methods. Some periodicities have been detected in the periodograms, especially for the longest real rainfall data series. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linking urban water balance and energy balance models to analyse urban design options
Authors: Mitchell V. G. , Cleugh H. A. , Grimmond C. S. B. , Xu J.
Published: November 2007

Using a water balance modelling framework, this paper analyses the effects of urban design on the water balance, with a focus on evapotranspiration and storm water. First, two quite different urban water balance models are compared: Aquacycle which has been calibrated for a suburban catchment in Canberra, Australia, and the single‐source urban evapotranspiration‐interception scheme (SUES), an energy‐based approach with a biophysically advanced representation of interception and evapotranspiration. A fair agreement between the two modelled estimates of evapotranspiration was significantly improved by allowing the vegetation cover (leaf area index, LAI) to vary seasonally, demonstrating the potential of SUES to quantify the links between water sensitive urban design and microclimates and the advantage of comparing the two modelling approaches. The comparison also revealed where improvements to SUES are needed, chiefly through improved estimates of vegetation cover dynamics as input to SUES, and more rigorous parameterization of the surface resistance equations using local‐scale suburban flux measurements. Second, Aquacycle is used to identify the impact of an array of water sensitive urban design features on the water balance terms. This analysis confirms the potential to passively control urban microclimate by suburban design features that maximize evapotranspiration, such as vegetated roofs. The subsequent effects on daily maximum air temperatures are estimated using an atmospheric boundary layer budget. Potential energy savings of about 2% in summer cooling are estimated from this analysis. This is a clear ‘return on investment’ of using water to maintain urban greenspace, whether as parks distributed throughout an urban area or individual gardens or vegetated roofs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel silica‐coated iron–carbon composite particles and their targeting effect as a drug carrier
Authors: Cao Hongming , Gan Jun , Wang Shufen , Xuan Shaofeng , Wu Qiufang , Li Chunzhong , Wu Chuntao , Hu Chengen , Huang Guangjian
Published: November 2007

Novel silica‐coated iron–carbon composite particles were prepared to be used in the targeting therapy as a drug carrier. The composite particles with diameter of 200–300 nm were obtained successfully via high‐energy planetary ball milling and hydrogen reduction processes. The composite particles possess the advantages of activated carbon and magnetic Fe, exhibiting excellent drug adsorption and desorption abilities as well as powerfully magnetic targeting. In in vivo experiment, 99mTcO4‐adsorbed composite particles showed prominent biodistribution in the left hepatic lobe of pigs under the control of an external magnetic field. The amount of doxorubicin content of hepatic tissue was 23.8 times higher in targeted area of the left lobe than that in the nontargeted area of the right lobe when doxorubicin‐adsorbed composite particles were infused intra‐arterially. These results also suggest that the composite particles could penetrate through the capillary wall around tissue interstitium and hepatic cells under the driving of an external magnetic force in targeting area, indicating that the novel silica‐coated iron–carbon composite particles could be a potential application in targeted treatment for some kinds of tumor as an effective drug carrier. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Surface chemistry influences implant‐mediated host tissue responses
Authors: Kamath Shwetha , Bhattacharyya Dhiman , Padukudru Chandana , Timmons Richard B. , Tang Liping
Published: November 2007

Implant‐mediated fibrotic reactions are detrimental to the performance of encapsulated cells, implanted drug release devices, and sensors. To improve the implant function and longevity, recent research has emphasized the need for inducing alterations in cellular responses. Although material surface functional groups have been shown to be potent in affecting cellular activity in vitro and short‐term in vivo responses, these groups appear to have little influence on long‐term in vivo fibrotic reactions, possibly as a result of insufficient interactions between recruited host cells and functional groups on the implants. To maximize the influence of functionality on cells, and to mimic drug release microspheres, functionalized micron‐sized particles were created and tested for their ability in modulating tissue responses to biomaterial implants. In this work, the surfaces of polypropylene particles were controllably coated with four different functional groups, specifically OH, NH2, CFx, and COOH, using a radio frequency glow discharge plasma polymerization technique. The effect of these surface functionalities on host tissue responses were then evaluated using a mice subcutaneous implantation model. Major differences were observed in contrasting tissue response to the different chemistries. Surfaces with OH and NH2 surface groups induced the thickest fibrous capsule accompanied with the greatest cellular infiltration into the implants. In contrast, surfaces with CFx and COOH exhibited the least inflammatory/fibrotic responses and cellular infiltrations. The present results clearly demonstrate that, by increasing the available functionalized surface area and spatial distribution, the effect of surface chemistry on tissue reactivity can be substantially enhanced. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Immobilization of NaIO4‐treated heparin on PEG‐modified 316L SS surface for high anti‐thrombin‐III binding
Authors: Chuang Tzu‐Wen , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Lin Feng‐Huei
Published: November 2007

Poor compatibility between blood and metallic coronary artery stents is one reason for arterial restenosis; however, the immobilization of anticoagulant agents on the surface of the stent is a feasible method of improving stent compatibility. Heparin, a well‐known anticoagulant, has been frequently used to coat the surfaces of certain biomaterials to attain blood compatibility. The compound 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyl‐aminopropyl) carbodiimide has often been utilized for the immobilization of heparin, but the critical carboxyl groups of heparin (with regards to heparin's anticoagulant activity) will be reduced by this method. This study examined possible methods of heparin immobilization without consuming these carboxyl groups. The 316L stainless steel surface was first activated with hexamethylene diisocyanate and then coupled with bis‐amine‐terminated poly (ethylene glycol) (BA‐PEG) so as to create active amine groups. Sodium periodate (NaIO4; SP) was then used to oxidize heparin to form aldehyde groups. The treated heparin could then be grafted onto the activated surface of the test material without losing its carboxyl groups. Effective surface modification of the hexamethylene diisocyanate‐activated and BA‐PEG‐grafted 316L SS surface was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and a water contact angle test. After the heparin was immobilized on the BA‐PEG‐grafted 316L SS surface by SP, the surface showed an improvement in antithrombrin III (AT III) binding ability, its anticoagulant property, and hemocompatibility in comparison with heparin grafted by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyl‐aminopropyl) carbodiimide. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Control of the molecular degradation of hyaluronic acid hydrogels for tissue augmentation
Authors: Oh Eun Ju , Kang Sun‐Woong , Kim Byung‐Soo , Jiang Ge , Cho Il Hwan , Hahn Sei Kwang
Published: November 2007

A novel protocol to control the molecular degradation of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels was successfully developed for tissue augmentation applications. HA has a different conformational structure in water and organic solvent, and the carboxyl group of HA is known to be the recognition site of hyaluronidase and HA receptors. Based on these findings, HA was chemically modified by grafting adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) to the carboxyl group of HA in the water to prepare HA‐ADHWATER and in the mixed solvent of water and ethanol to prepare degradation‐controlled HA‐ADHWATER/ETHANOL. Three kinds of HA hydrogels were prepared by the crosslinking of HA‐ADHWATER or HA‐ADHWATER/ETHANOL with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate, and by the crosslinking of HA‐OH with divinyl sulfone (DVS). In vitro and in vivo degradation tests showed that HA‐DVS hydrogels were degraded most rapidly, followed by HA‐ADHWATER hydrogels and HA‐ADHWATER/ETHANOL hydrogels. There was no adverse effect during and after in vivo degradation tests. All of the HA hydrogel samples appeared to be biocompatible, according to the histological analysis with hematoxylin–eosin and Alcian blue. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
The role of protein translocation in the regulation of glycogen metabolism
Authors: Jurczak Michael J. , Danos Arpad M. , Rehrmann Victoria R. , Brady Matthew J.
Published: November 2007

Early biochemical analyses of metabolic pathways assumed that the free diffusion of substrates and enzymes in an evenly mixed cellular space provided the interactions that enabled reactions to proceed. Metabolic complexes have since been shown to assemble and disassemble in response to changes in cellular conditions, and in turn, to channel metabolic intermediates within discreet cellular compartments, allowing for the efficient use or storage of energy. A fundamental component to the formation of metabolic complexes and the channeling of metabolites is the translocation of enzymes in response to specific extra‐ and intracellular signals. These generalities play an important role in the metabolism of glucose to glycogen within skeletal muscle and liver. In this review, the similarities and differences in skeletal muscle and liver glucose metabolism with regards to glucose transport and intracellular processing will be addressed during the fasted to fed transition. More specifically, the importance of isoform expression and protein translocation in the tissue specific control of glucose homeostasis will be covered. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 435–443, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Critical contact residues that mediate polymerization of nematode major sperm protein
Authors: del Castillo‐Olivares Antonio , Smith Harold E.
Published: November 2007

The polymerization of protein filaments provides the motive force in a variety of cellular processes involving cell motility and intracellular transport. Regulated assembly and disassembly of the major sperm protein (MSP) underlies amoeboid movement in nematode sperm, and offers an attractive model system for characterizing the biomechanical properties of filament formation and force generation. To that end, structure‐function studies of MSP from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have been performed. Recombinant MSP was purified from Escherichia coli using a novel affinity chromatography technique, and filament assembly was assessed by in vitro polymerization in the presence of polyethylene glycol. Prior molecular studies and structure from X‐ray crystallography have implicated specific residues in protein–protein interactions necessary for filament assembly. Purified MSP containing substitutions in these residues fails to form filaments in vitro. Short peptides based on predicted sites of interaction also effectively disrupt MSP polymerization. These results confirm the structural determination of intermolecular contacts and demonstrate the importance of these residues in MSP assembly. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 477–487, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular stress triggers TEL nuclear export via two genetically separable pathways
Authors: Hanson Caroline A. , Wood Lauren D. , Hiebert Scott W.
Published: November 2007

TEL (translocation ets leukemia, also known as ETV6) is a repressor of transcription that is disrupted by the t(12;21), which is the most frequent chromosomal translocation in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia. TEL is modified by SUMOylation, and the lysine (Lys 99) that is conjugated to SUMO is required for TEL nuclear export. In addition, TEL is phosphorylated by p38 kinase, which is activated by cellular stress. Induction of cellular stress reduced the ability of TEL to repress transcription in vitro, but the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon was unclear. In this study, we show that osmotic stress causes re‐localization of TEL to the cytoplasm and that p38‐mediated phosphorylation of TEL is sufficient for this re‐localization. However, impairment of both SUMOylation of Lys 99 and p38‐dependent phosphorylation of Ser 257 of TEL were required to impair the re‐localization of TEL in response to cellular stress induced by high salt, identifying two separate nuclear export pathways. Thus, alteration of the cellular localization of TEL may be a part of the cellular stress response and re‐localization of TEL to the cytoplasm is an important step in the regulation of TEL. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 488–498, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Androgen receptor acetylation sites differentially regulate gene control
Authors: Faus Hortensia , Haendler Bernard
Published: November 2007

Androgen receptor (AR) function is modulated by post‐translational modifications such as acetylation, ubiquitylation, sumoylation, and phosphorylation. Concerning acetylation, three lysines residues located in a consensus KxKK motif of the AR hinge domain have been identified. For a better evaluation of the role of this modification, the activity of AR modified at different acetylation sites was determined by comparing the effects on natural and synthetic promoters. We found that mutation of AR acetylation sites affected both potency and efficacy of androgen‐dependent response. Remarkably, elimination of all three acetylation sites was still compatible with strong AR activity on the PSA and MMTV promoters, but not on the Pem promoter. This differential effect was seen at various wild‐type (wt) to mutant AR receptor ratios and at changing hormone concentrations. Subcellular localization studies showed that both mutated and wt AR efficiently translocated into the cell nucleus. Plasmid immunoprecipitation revealed comparable binding of both receptor forms to the Pem promoter. The differential effects observed for the Pem promoter were partially due to an androgen response element (ARE) named ARE‐1 which was only poorly stimulated by the AR acetylation site mutant. Finally, AR mutants impaired in their N/C interaction elicited intact stimulation of the Pem promoter, suggesting that AR acetylation was not influenced by this inter‐domain communication. The promoter‐selective effects seen for the AR acetylation site mutants strongly suggest this post‐translational modification to be important in the fine‐tuning of the effects of androgens on different target genes. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 511–524, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strategies to reduce the brightness reversion of industrial ECF bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp
Authors: Sêco Isabel M. C. L. , Neto Carlos Pascoal , Silvestre Armando J. D.
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Brightness stability is a key property of bleached chemical pulps and is primarily determined by wood species and bleaching process conditions. Eucalyptus globulus is becoming a very important raw material for hardwood pulp production. In spite of this importance, there is a relative lack of systematic studies in the literature dealing with the subject. This research aims to study the effect of some of the foremost bleaching parameters of a DEDD bleaching sequence as well as the effect of a final P stage (DEDP instead of DEDD) in the brightness stability of bleached E. globulus kraft pulps.

RESULTS: The increase of the D0 stage temperature from 55 °C to 90 °C caused an increase in brightness stability. Increasing the ClO2 charges from 2.8% to 3.2% also improved significantly the brightness stability. A high H2SO4 charge in the D0 stage (10 kg tonne−1 pulp) diminished the brightness stability. The combination of H2O2 addition to the E stage and ClO2 reduction in the two final D stages does not affect brightness reversion. Raising the D2 stage temperature from 65 °C to 82 °C decreased the brightness reversion, while an increase was obtained when the temperature rose above 82 °C. Substitution of the last ClO2 stage in the DEDD sequence by a H2O2 stage (DEDP) significantly reduced the brightness reversion.

CONCLUSION: For an existing pulp mill in which the implementation of new technologies to improve brightness reversion is considered, the results obtained showed that brightness stability can be improved without any significant capital investment. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel fluorescence lifetime imaging system that optimizes photon efficiency
Authors: Colyer Ryan A. , Lee Claudia , Gratton Enrico
Published: November 2007

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is a powerful microscopy technique for providing contrast of biological and other systems by differences in molecular species or their environments. However, the cost of equipment and the complexity of data analysis have limited the application of FLIM. We present a mathematical model and physical implementation for a low cost digital frequency domain FLIM (DFD‐FLIM) system, which can provide lifetime resolution with quality comparable to time‐correlated single photon counting methods. Our implementation provides data natively in the form of phasors. On the basis of the mathematical model, we present an error analysis that shows the precise parameters for maximizing the quality of lifetime acquisition, as well as data to support this conclusion. The hardware and software of the proposed DFD‐FLIM method simplifies the process of data acquisition for FLIM, presents a new interface for data display and interpretation, and optimizes the accuracy of lifetime determination. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR pharmacokinetic modeling of the patellar cartilage differentiates normal from pathological conditions
Authors: Sanz Roberto , Martí‐Bonmatí Luis , Rodrigo José Luis , Moratal David
Published: November 2007

Purpose

To study the pharmacokinetic parameters derived from dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) of the patellar cartilage under normal and pathological conditions.

Materials and Methods

DCE‐MRI was obtained in 22 cases. There were 17 patients with degenerative patellar conditions (eight with chondromalacia and nine with osteoarthritis) and five normal subjects. The cartilage pharmacokinetic parameters of Ktrans (vascular permeability), kep (extraction ratio), υe (extravascular extracellular space [EES] volume fraction), and υp (intravascular space volume fraction) were extracted.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed between the different groups (normal cartilage, chondromalacia and osteoarthritis) for Ktrans and υe. Ktrans values were (mean ± SD) 1.06 ± 0.62, 11.97 ± 8.91, and 21.21 ± 16.03 mL · minute–1 · 100 mL–1 (P < 0.02), respectively; and υe values were 0.71 ± 0.69, 3.59 ± 2.21, and 10.51 ± 8.20% (P < 0.002). Reproducibility of the pharmacokinetic calculations was assessed with a second set of analyses of 10 random cases one week after the first analysis, showing a test‐retest root mean square (RMS) coefficient of variation of 9.78% for Ktrans and 14.72% for υe.

Conclusion

The vascular permeability and EES fraction of cartilage increases with the severity of the degeneration. Pharmacokinetic models allow to study the vascular properties of the cartilage and may have applications as a surrogate index in longitudinal studies to quantify the evolution of drug trials. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved HPLC method with the aid of a chemometric protocol: Simultaneous analysis of amlodipine and atorvastatin in pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Sivakumar Thanikachalam , Manavalan Rajappan , Muralidharan Chandrasekharan , Valliappan Kannappan
Published: November 2007

Statistical experimental design and Derringer's desirability function were applied to develop an improved RP‐HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of amlodipine and atorvastatin in pharmaceutical formulations. Four independent factors were considered: acetonitrile content in the mobile phase; buffer pH; buffer concentration; and flow rate. The preliminary screening step was carried out, according to a 24–1 fractional factorial design, to identify the significant factors affecting the analysis time response. Then central composite design was applied for a response surface study, in order to examine in depth the effects of the most important factors. Subsequently, Derringer's desirability function was employed to simultaneously optimize the six responses: retention factor of first peak; two resolutions; and three retention times, each having a different target. This procedure allowed deduction of two separate optimum conditions, intended for the analysis of quality control and plasma samples, within the experimental domain. The predicted optimum for the quality control samples was: methanol–acetonitrile–15 mM K2HPO4 buffer (pH 5.33) (10:42.08:47.92, v/v/v) as the mobile phase and 1.12 mL/min as the flow rate. The method using this optimized condition showed higher sensitivity and shorter analysis time than the previously published reports. The optimized assay condition was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.
Development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS analysis for simultaneous determination of delphinidin‐3‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐(6‐malonylglucoside) in human plasma and urine after blood orange juice administration
Authors: Giordano Lucia , Coletta Walter , Rapisarda Paolo , Donati Maria Benedetta , Rotilio Domenico
Published: November 2007

Blood orange juice has a high content in anthocyanins, especially represented by delphinidin‐3‐glucoside (D3G), cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin‐3‐(6‐malonylglucoside) (CMG). An LC‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of D3G and C3G in human plasma and urine was developed and validated. After sample preparation by SPE, chromatographic separation was performed with an RP‐C18 column, using a water/methanol linear gradient. The quantitation of target compounds was determined by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, using ESI. The method showed good selectivity, sensitivity (LOD = 0.05 and 0.10 ng/mL for C3G in plasma and urine, respectively; LOD = 0.10 ng/mL for D3G in plasma and urine), linearity (0.20–200 ng/mL; r ⪈0.998), intra‐ and interday precision and accuracy (⪇14.6%) and satisfactory recoveries (80.0–110.4%) for the target compounds in both plasma and urine. Stability of analytes in plasma and urine has been investigated in detail. This method was successfully applied to the determination of D3G, C3G and CMG levels in human plasma and urine after the ingestion of a single dose (500 mL) of blood orange juice.
Capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection for low molecular weight organic acids in different samples
Authors: Law Wai Siang , Zhao Jian Hong , Hauser Peter C. , Yau Li Sam Fong
Published: November 2007

CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE‐C4D) was explored and validated for the identification and quantification of organic acids in various types of samples. The analyses were performed under optimized conditions, using a buffer system composed of 20 mM MES‐histidine (His), pH 6.0, 0.1 mM CTAB, 0.025% HP‐β‐CD, and 10% methanol. The investigation included a study of the effects of buffer pH, concentration of CTAB, type and concentration of organic additives, on the migration behavior, resolution and selectivity of the organic acids. The intra‐ and interday RSDs (n = 6) obtained for migration time and peak area were typically in the range of 0.12–2% and 0.5–4%, respectively. Linearity, detection limits, and repeatability were evaluated. In order to evaluate the application potential of the developed method, real samples from different sources were analyzed. The results demonstrate that CE‐C4D is a versatile tool for analyzing organic acids in beverages, Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) and plants as it allows for their detection, identification, and quantification.
Culture conditions for maintaining the survival and mitotic activity of rainbow trout transplantable type A spermatogonia
Authors: Shikina Shinya , Ihara Shoko , Yoshizaki Goro
Published: November 2007

Germ–cell transplantation is a powerful tool for studying gametogenesis in many species. We previously showed that spermatogonia transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of trout hatchlings were able to colonize recipient gonads, and produced fully functional sperm and eggs in synchrony with the germ cells of the recipient. An in vitro‐culture system enabling spermatogonia to expand, when combined with transplantation, would be valuable in both basic and applied biology. To this end, we optimized culture conditions for type A spermatogonia in the present study using immature rainbow trout at 8–10 month of age. Spermatogonial survival and mitotic activity were improved during culture in Leibovitz's L‐15 medium (pH 7.8) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 10°C compared with culture under standard conditions for salmonids (Hank's MEM (pH 7.3) supplemented with 25 mM HEPES and 5% FBS, and culture at 20°C). Elimination of testicular somatic cells promoted spermatogonial mitotic activity. In addition, insulin, trout embryonic extract, and basic fibroblast growth factor promoted the mitosis of purified spermatogonia in an additive manner. Mitotic activity increased nearly sevenfold over 19 days of culture compared with growth factor‐free conditions and was maintained for >1 month. Furthermore, the cultured spermatogonia could colonize and proliferate in recipient gonads following transplantation. This study represents the first step towards establishing a cell line that can be transplanted for use in surrogate broodstock technology and cell‐mediated gene‐transfer systems. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 529–537, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychometric evaluation of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) response index
Authors: Riegel Barbara , McKinley Sharon , Moser Debra K. , Meischke Hendrika , Doering Lynn , Dracup Kathleen
Published: November 2007

Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of persons with ischemic heart disease are important predictors of delay in seeking treatment. We tested the psychometric profile of the Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Response Index, a measure assessing patient knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS symptoms and response, in 3,522 patients. On factor analysis, 21 dichotomous knowledge items loaded onto four factors (alpha .82). In a separate factor analysis, another five items loaded on two attitude factors, and seven items loaded on two belief factors (alpha .76). The scales discriminated between patients previously exposed to medical experts. Scale scores were significantly correlated but without evidence of multicolinearity. Initial tests of reliability and validity support further testing of this new instrument. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 30:584–594, 2007
Domestic violence screening rates in a community health center urgent care clinic
Authors: Thurston Wilfreda E. , Tutty Leslie M. , Eisener Amanda E. , Lalonde Lise , Belenky Cathie , Osborne Belinda
Published: November 2007

We describe the screening rates obtained in the first year of implementation of a universal domestic violence screening protocol by nurses in the urgent care clinic of a Canadian community health center. Rates were calculated using data extracted from electronic patient health records, and a random patient chart pull. Qualitative methods provided additional information. Screening rates were considerably higher and were maintained longer than those recorded in similar settings reported in the literature. Leadership, including monitoring of documentation rates, was key to maintaining higher than average rates. Asking all patients in urgent care settings about domestic violence may improve overall screening rates and play an important role in public education. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 30:611–619, 2007
Preparation of microcellular polysiloxane monoliths
Authors: Grosse Marie‐Thérèse , Lamotte Michel , Birot Marc , Deleuze Hervé
Published: November 2007

Microcellular polysiloxane monoliths were prepared from the continuous phase of a concentrated inverse emulsion. The formulation of the material was adapted to obtain monoliths having structural properties similar to those of common poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) polyHIPEs. The network was generated by hydrosilylation reaction between a vinylsiloxane crosslinking agent and an oligomeric hydrogenosiloxane. The solids obtained were characterized by mercury porosimetry, nitrogen sorption, and SEM. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 21–32, 2008
Synthesis of poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate) amphiphilic triblock copolymers by ATRP: Condensed‐phase and solution properties
Authors: Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Haddleton David M. , Cerrada María L. , Fernández‐García Marta
Published: November 2007

The synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(di[methylamine]ethyl methacrylate) PDMAE‐b‐PCH‐b‐PDMAE, has been performed by atom transfer radical polymerisation. Those have been obtained in a well‐controlled manner in terms of molecular weight and polydispersity index. The triblock copolymer characterisation has been made in condensed state and in solution. The existence of microphase separation has been confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. However, the domains of both inner and outer blocks seem not to be ordered for one another from small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements using synchrotron radiation. The micelle formation in dilute methanol solutions has been confirmed for all triblock copolymers by dynamic light scattering analyses. The size of these micelles has been demonstrated to be dependent on the molecular weight. Similar observations have been made in concentrate methanol solutions by using SAXS experiments, pointed also out that an increment of the intermicelle interactions is produced as the concentration increases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 85–92, 2008
Rheology of (±)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid doped polyaniline‐m‐cresol conducting gel nanocomposites
Authors: Garai Ashesh , Nandi Arun K.
Published: November 2007

The rheological behavior of polyaniline‐(±champhor‐10‐sulfonic acid)0.5‐m‐cresol [PANI‐CSA0.5‐m‐cresol] gel nanocomposites (GNCs) with Na‐montmorillonite clay (intercalated tactoids) is studied. The shear viscosity exhibits Newtonian behavior for low shear rate (<2 × 10−4 s−1) and power law variation for higher shear rate. The zero shear viscosity (η0) and the characteristic time (λ) increase but the power law index (n) decrease with increase in clay concentration. In the GNCs storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) are invariant with frequency in contrast to the pure gel. The G′ and G′ exhibit the gel behavior of the GNCs up to 105 °C in contrast to the melting for the pure gel at 75.7 °C. The percent increase of G′ of GNCs increases dramatically (619% in GNC‐5) with increasing clay concentration. The conductivity values are 10.5, 5.65, 5.51, and 4.75 S/cm for pure gel, GNC‐1, GNC‐3, and GNC‐5, respectively, promising their possible use in soft sensing devices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 28–40, 2008
Gradient copolymers with broad glass transition temperature regions: Design of purely interphase compositions for damping applications
Authors: Mok Michelle M. , Kim Jungki , Torkelson John M.
Published: November 2007

Gradient copolymers with gradients in composition along the chain lengths are synthesized by controlled radical polymerization, and their damping behaviors are compared to those of random and block copolymers. The effect of comonomer incompatibility is studied by comparing behaviors of strongly segregating styrene/4‐hydroxystyrene (S/HS) and moderately segregating styrene/n‐butyl acrylate (S/nBA) copolymers. The effect of composition gradient steepness is studied by designing “constant” or “increasing” gradients via the comonomer addition rate during semibatch polymerization. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is used to compare the temperature dependences of the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″), and tan δ of the materials. A glass transition breadth (ΔTg) is defined by a temperature range over which E′ decreases from 109 Pa to 108 Pa. The gradient copolymer ΔTgs are at least four times larger than the random copolymer ΔTgs. The S/nBA gradient copolymers show strong effects of gradient steepness on ΔTg, with ΔTg being much larger for the increasing gradient than for the constant gradient. DMA data are compared to predictions by Hashimoto et al. for tapered block copolymers in the limit where the taper extends across the entire chain. The shapes of their calculated temperature dependences of E′ and E″ correspond well to the gradient copolymers with large ΔTg values, providing strong support for symmetric gradient copolymers forming nanoscale, ordered domains with sinusoidal composition profiles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 48–58, 2008
Toward a better understanding of preeclampsia: Comparative proteomic analysis of preeclamptic placentas
Authors: Kim Young Nam , Kim Hyoung Kyu , Warda Mohamad , Kim Nari , Park Won Sun , Prince Ab del Bary , Jeong Dae Hoon , Lee Dae Shim , Kim Ki Tae , Han Jin
Published: November 2007

Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy‐specific syndrome of hypertension, proteinuria, and other systemic disturbances, is a state of widespread endothelial dysfunction secondary to defective placentation. Morphologically, the current data displayed degenerative and apoptotic changes in the mitochondria and villous trophoblasts of preeclamptic placenta. To reveal the superimposing alterations in placental proteins that might explain the pathophysiology of PE, we performed 2‐DE MALDI‐TOF MS/MS proteomics analysis of differentially expressed placental proteins with placenta from eight normal and eight preeclamptic pregnancies. The identified proteins were confirmed by Western blot analysis. We also performed morphologic evaluation of preeclamptic placentas under both electron and light microscopy. The results disclosed the marked overexpression of chaperonin 60, GST, VDAC, ERp29, and cathepsin D in PE. These proteomics findings clearly suggest the possible cellular battle against mitochondria‐originated oxidative stress during PE that either end up with recovery or apoptosis. These results provide a better understanding of proteomic alterations and may help in clarification of stress‐related changes in preeclamptic placentas.
Botanical insecticides: for richer, for poorer
Authors: Isman Murray B
Published: November 2007

Botanical insecticides presently play only a minor role in insect pest management and crop protection; increasingly stringent regulatory requirements in many jurisdictions have prevented all but a handful of botanical products from reaching the marketplace in North America and Europe in the past 20 years. Nonetheless, the regulatory environment and public health needs are creating opportunities for the use of botanicals in industrialized countries in situations where human and animal health are foremost—for pest control in and around homes and gardens, in commercial kitchens and food storage facilities and on companion animals. Botanicals may also find favour in organic food production, both in the field and in controlled environments. In this review it is argued that the greatest benefits from botanicals might be achieved in developing countries, where human pesticide poisonings are most prevalent. Recent studies in Africa suggest that extracts of locally available plants can be effective as crop protectants, either used alone or in mixtures with conventional insecticides at reduced rates. These studies suggest that indigenous knowledge and traditional practice can make valuable contributions to domestic food production in countries where strict enforcement of pesticide regulations is impractical. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Morphophysiological traits and atrazine sensitivity in Chenopodium album L.
Authors: Pavlovic Danijela , Vrbnicanin Sava , Bozic Dragana , Fischer Albert J
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: A Chenopodium album L. biotype surviving in atrazine‐treated Serbian corn fields (VC) was compared against atrazine‐susceptible (S) and atrazine‐resistant (R) standards.

RESULTS: Atrazine (2 kg ha−1) killed S and VC shoot biomass 15 days after treatment (DAT), but R was only suppressed by 42% and survived 8 kg ha−1. Atrazine at 2 kg ha−1 only inhibited VC height by 60% as against 100 and 0% for S and R respectively. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and transpiration were insensitive to atrazine in R, but were inhibited by 90 and 100% in S and by 50 and 60% in VC respectively. Decline of Fv/Fm after 2 kg ha−1 atrazine was stabilized at 3 DAT for the VC biotype.

CONCLUSION: A toxicity mitigation mechanism could have facilitated VC survival in an atrazine‐treated field. Further knowledge on this mechanism is needed to establish if surviving VC plants are indicators of atrazine resistance evolution in these Serbian corn fields. Variables related to foliar function provided better detection of weed mechanisms to survive herbicide action than the usual shoot biomass measurements. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry