bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of hearing preservation after stereotactic radiosurgery for acoustic neuroma
Authors: Kano Hideyuki , Kondziolka Douglas , Khan Aftab , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: March 2009

Object

Many patients with acoustic neuromas (ANs) have hearing function at diagnosis and desire to maintain it. To date, radiosurgical techniques have been focused on conformal irradiation of the tumor mass, with less attention to inner ear structures for which there was scant radiobiological information. The authors of this study evaluated tumor control and hearing preservation as they relate to tumor volume, imaging characteristics, and nerve and cochlear radiation dose following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using the Gamma Knife.

Methods

Seventy-seven patients with ANs had serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson [GR] Class I or II) and underwent SRS between 2004 and 2007. This interval reflected more recent measurements of inner ear dosimetry during the authors' 21-year experience. The median patient age was 52 years (range 22–82 years). No patient had undergone any prior treatment for the ANs. The median tumor volume was 0.75 cm3 (range 0.07–7.7 cm3), and the median radiation dose to the tumor margin was 12.5 Gy (range 12–13 Gy). At diagnosis, a greater distance from the lateral tumor to the end of the internal auditory canal correlated with better hearing function.

Results

At a median of 20 months after SRS, no patient required any other additional treatment. Serviceable hearing was preserved in 71% of all patients and in 89% (46 patients) of those with GR Class I hearing. Significant prognostic factors for maintaining the same GR class included (all pre-SRS) GR Class I hearing, a speech discrimination score (SDS) ≥ 80%, a pure tone average (PTA) < 20 dB, and a patient age < 60 years. Significant prognostic factors for serviceable hearing preservation were (all pre-SRS) GR Class I hearing, an SDS ≥ 80%, a PTA < 20 dB, a patient age < 60 years, an intracanalicular tumor location, and a tumor volume < 0.75 cm3. Patients who received a radiation dose of < 4.2 Gy to the central cochlea had significantly better hearing preservation of the same GR class. Twelve of 12 patients < 60 years of age who had received a cochlear dose < 4.2 Gy retained serviceable hearing at 2 years post-SRS.

Conclusions

As currently practiced, SRS with the Gamma Knife preserves serviceable hearing in the majority of patients. Tumor volume and anatomy relate to the hearing level before radiosurgery and influence technique. A low radiosurgical dose to the cochlea enhances hearing preservation.
Entrapment of the glossopharyngeal nerve in patients with Eagle syndrome: surgical technique and outcomes in a series of 5 patients
Authors: Shin John H. , Herrera Sebastian R. , Eboli Paula , Aydin Sabri , Eskandar Emad H. , Slavin Konstantin V.
Published: March 2009

Object

Eagle syndrome is characterized by unilateral pain in the oropharynx, face, and earlobe, and is caused by an elongated styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament with associated compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve. The pain syndrome may be successfully treated with surgical intervention that involves resection of the styloid process. Although nerve decompression is routinely considered a neurosurgical intervention, Eagle syndrome and its treatment are not sufficiently examined in the neurosurgical literature.

Methods

A review was performed of cases of Eagle syndrome treated in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center over the last 7 years. The clinical characteristics, radiographic imaging, operative indications, procedural details, surgical morbidity, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the many patients with facial pain treated between 2001 and 2007, 7 were diagnosed with Eagle syndrome, and 5 of these patients underwent resection of the elongated styloid process. There were 4 women and 1 man, ranging in age from 20 to 68 years (mean 43 years). The average duration of disease was 11 years. In all patients, a preoperative workup revealed unilateral or bilateral elongation of the styloid process. All patients underwent resection of the styloid process on the symptomatic side using a lateral transcutaneous approach. There were no surgical complications. All patients experienced pain relief immediately after the operation. At the latest follow-up (average 46 months, range 7 months to 7.5 years) all but 1 patient maintained complete pain relief. In 1 patient, the pain recurred 12 months postoperatively and additional interventions were required.

Conclusions

Eagle syndrome may be considered an entrapment syndrome of the glossopharyngeal nerve. It is a distinct clinical entity that should be considered when evaluating patients referred for glossopharyngeal neuralgia. The authors' experience indicates that patients with Eagle syndrome may be successfully treated using open resection of the elongated styloid process, which appears to be both safe and effective in terms of long-lasting pain relief.
The influence of focal brain cooling on neurophysiopathology: validation for clinical application
Authors: Oku Takayuki , Fujii Masami , Tanaka Nobuhiro , Imoto Hirochika , Uchiyama Joji , Oka Fumiaki , Kunitsugu Ichiro , Fujioka Hiroshi , Nomura Sadahiro , Kajiwara Koji , Fujisawa Hirosuke , Kato Shoichi , Saito Takashi , Suzuki Michiyasu
Published: March 2009

Object

Focal brain cooling has been recognized to have a suppressive effect on epileptiform discharges or a protective effect on brain tissue. However, the precise influence of brain cooling on normal brain function and histology has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurophysiopathological consequences of focal cooling and to detect the threshold temperature that causes irreversible histological change and motor dysfunction.

Methods

The experiments were performed in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 250–350 g) after induction of halothane anesthesia. A thermoelectric chip (6 × 6 × 2 mm) was used as a cooling device and was placed on the surface of the sensorimotor cortex after a 10 × 8–mm craniotomy. A thermocouple was placed between the chip and the brain surface. Focal cooling of the cortex was performed at the temperatures of 20, 15, 10, 5, 0, and −5°C for 1 hour (5 rats in each group). Thereafter, the cranial window was repaired. Motor function was evaluated using the beam-walking scale (BWS) every day for 7 days. The rats were killed 7 days after the operation for histological examination with H & E, Klüver-Barrera, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling stainings. The authors also euthanized some rats 24 hours after cooling and obtained brain sections by the same methods.

Results

The BWS score was decreased on the day after cooling only in the −5°C group (p < 0.05), whereas the score did not change in the other temperature groups. Histologically, the appearance of cryoinjury such as necrosis, apoptosis, loss of neurons, and marked proliferation of astrocytes at the periphery of the lesion was observed only in the −5°C group, while no apparent changes were observed in the other temperature groups.

Conclusions

The present study confirmed that the focal cooling of the cortex for 1 hour above the temperature of 0°C did not induce any irreversible histological change or motor dysfunction. These results suggest that focal brain cooling above 0°C has the potential to be a minimally invasive and valuable modality for the treatment of severe brain injury or to assist in the examination of brain function.
Relevance of intracranial hypertension for cerebral metabolism in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Nagel Alexandra , Graetz Daniela , Schink Tania , Frieler Katja , Sakowitz Oliver , Vajkoczy Peter , Sarrafzadeh Asita
Published: March 2009

Object

Intracranial hypertension, defined as intracranial pressure (ICP) ≥ 20 mm Hg, is a complication typically associated with head injury. Its impact on cerebral metabolism, ICP therapy, and outcome has rarely been studied in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH); such an assessment is the authors' goal in the present study.

Methods

Cerebral metabolism was prospectively studied in 182 patients with aSAH. The database was retrospectively analyzed with respect to ICP. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on ICP. There were 164 with low ICP (< 20 mm Hg) and 18 with high ICP (≥ 20 mm Hg, measured > 6 hours/day). Cerebral microdialysis parameters of energy metabolism, glycerol, and glutamate levels were analyzed hourly from the brain parenchyma of interest for 7 days. The 12-month outcome in these patients was evaluated.

Results

In the high ICP group, extended ICP therapy including decompressive craniectomy was necessary in 7 patients (39%). Cerebral glycerol levels and the lactate/pyruvate ratio were pathologically increased on Days 1–7 after aSAH (p < 0.001). The excitotoxic neurotransmitter glutamate and glycerol, a marker of membrane degradation, further increased on Days 5–7, probably reflecting the development of secondary brain damage. An ICP ≥ 20 mm Hg was shown to have a significant influence on the 12-month Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score (p = 0.001) and was a strong predictor of mortality (OR = 24.6; p < 0.001). Glutamate (p = 0.012), the lactate/pyruvate ratio as a marker of anaerobic metabolism (p = 0.028), age (p < 0.001), and Fisher grade (p = 0.001) also influenced the GOS score at 12 months.

Conclusions

The authors confirmed the relevance of intracranial hypertension as a severe complication in patients with aSAH. Because high ICP is associated with a severely deranged cerebral metabolism and poor outcome, future studies focusing on metabolism-guided, optimized ICP therapy could help minimize secondary brain damage and improve prognosis in patients with aSAH.
Distinct striatal targets in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression
Authors: Aouizerate Bruno , Cuny Emmanuel , Bardinet Eric , Yelnik Jerome , Martin-Guehl Corinne , Rotge Jean-Yves , Rougier Alain , Bioulac Bernard , Tignol Jean , Mallet Luc , Burbaud Pierre , Guehl Dominique
Published: March 2009

The ventral striatum, including the head of the caudate nucleus and the nucleus accumbens, is a putative target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depression (MD). However, the respective roles of these structures in the pathophysiology of OCD and MD remain to be clarified. To address this issue, DBS of the ventral striatum was tested in 2 patients with severely distressing and intractable forms of OCD and MD. Comparisons of clinical outcomes and anatomical data on electrode positioning showed that caudate nucleus stimulation preferentially alleviated OCD manifestations, whereas nucleus accumbens stimulation improved depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens participate differently in the pathogenesis of both of these psychiatric conditions.
Localization of bone marrow stromal cells to the injury site after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Seyfried Donald M. , Han Yuxia , Yang Dongmei , Ding Jennifer , Shen Li Hong , Savant-Bhonsale Smita , Chopp Michael
Published: March 2009

Object

Previous studies demonstrated that intravascular injection of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) significantly improved neurological functional recovery in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). To further investigate the fate of transplanted cells, we examined the effect of male rat BMSCs administered to female rats after ICH.

Methods

Twenty-seven female Wistar rats were subjected to ICH surgery. At 24 hours after ICH, these rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and injected intravenously with 1 ml phosphate-buffered saline or 0.5 million or 1 million male rat BMSCs in phosphate-buffered saline. To evaluate the neurological functional outcome, each rat was subjected to a series of behavioral tests (modified neurological severity score and corner turn test) at 1, 7, and 14 days after ICH. The rats were anesthetized intraperitoneally and killed, and the brain tissues were processed at Day 14 after ICH. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to identify cell-specific markers.

Results

The male rat BMSCs significantly improved the neurological functional outcome and also significantly diminished tissue loss when intravenously transplanted into the rats after ICH. Immunoassay for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and neuronal markers demonstrated a significant increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells, which indicated endogenous neurogenesis, and a significant increase in the number of cells positive for immature neuronal markers. In situ hybridization showed that more BMSCs resided around the hematoma of the rats treated with the 1-million-cell dose compared with the 0.5-million-cell–dose group. In addition, a subfraction of Y chromosome–positive cells were co-immunostained with the neuronal marker microtubule-associated protein–2 or the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein.

Conclusions

Male rat BMSCs improve neurological outcome and increase histochemical parameters of neurogenesis when administered to female rats after ICH. This study has shown that the intravenously administered male rat BMSCs enter the brain, migrate to the perihematomal area, and express parenchymal markers.
Stereotactic coordinates associated with facial musculature contraction during high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus
Authors: Gorgulho Alessandra A. , Shields Donald C. , Malkasian Dennis , Behnke Eric , DeSalles Antonio A. F.
Published: March 2009

Object

High-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in patients with parkinsonian symptoms is often used to ameliorate debilitating motor symptoms associated with this condition. However, individual variability in the shape and orientation of this relatively small nucleus results in multiple side effects related to the spread of electrical current to surrounding structures. Specifically, contraction of the muscles of facial expression is noted in a small percentage of patients, although the precise mechanism remains poorly understood.

Methods

Facial muscle contraction was triggered by high-frequency stimulation of 49 contacts in 18 patients undergoing deep brain stimulation of the STN. The mean coordinates of these individual contacts relative to the anterior commissure–posterior commissure midpoint (also called the midcommissural point) were calculated to determine the location or structure(s) most often associated with facial contraction during physiological macrostimulation.

Results

The x, y, and z coordinates associated with contraction of the facial musculature were found to be 11.52, 1.29, and 1.15 mm lateral, posterior, and inferior to the midcommissural point, respectively. This location, along the lateral-anterior-superior border of the STN, may allow for the spread of electrical current to the fields of Forel, zona incerta, and/or descending corticospinal/corticobulbar tracts. Because stimulation of corticobulbar tracts produces similar findings, these results are best explained by the spread of electrical current to nearby internal capsule axons coursing lateral to the STN.

Conclusions

Thus, if intraoperative deep brain stimulation lead testing results in facial musculature contraction, placement of the electrode in a more medial, posterior position may reduce the amount of current spread to corticobulbar fibers and resolve this side effect.
Two eighteenth-century strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) on the Swedish coast
Authors: BARTHELMESS K. , SVANBERG I.
Published: March 2009

Strandings and sightings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Swedish waters are rare. Only two strandings are recorded from the eighteenth century. The oldest of 1718 is not widely known, whilst hitherto the more recent one of 1749 was little known to zoologists. Details are provided of the two strandings, and of two ink-and-wash drawings of the 1749 stranding.
Bibliography of publications written by Alwyne (Wyn) Cooper Wheeler (1929–2005)
Authors: DATTA ANN
Published: March 2009

The bibliography brings together more than 250 scientific papers and books written by Alwyne (Wyn) Wheeler over fifty years, from 1955–2006. This chronological list shows that from the beginning his research followed three themes: taxonomy of historically important fish collections; identification and distribution of the British and European fish fauna ; the status of British fishes in a changing environment. Until the mid-point in Wyn's career he published regularly on the identification of fish remains in archaeological sites in Britain and Europe. Wyn also wrote under an alias, Allan Cooper, and these have been listed separately. The bibliography concludes with a selection of the regular columns he contributed to angling magazines.
All too human: responses to same-sex copulation in the common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha(L.)), 1834–1900
Authors: BROOKS R.
Published: March 2009

Beginning in 1834, entomologists across Europe began reporting same-sex copulatory activity in a variety of insect species, sometimes between species or genera. Most communications concerned male-male couplings of the common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha, syn. M. vulgaris). These reports offer a unique snapshot of how nineteenth-century naturalists responded when they were required to explain precisely what was natural in their observations. Initial communications of same-sex couplings were mainly accompanied by exclamations of surprise and the rhetoric of disapproval. Such activity was explained either by the assumption that one of the parties must in some way have a female anatomy or that blind or excessive lust compelled more virile individuals to force copulation upon weaker ones. As these explanations were questioned, more complex and controversial theories founded in fashionable evolutionary theories were forwarded as means of assimilating the phenomenon within hegemonic constructions of sexuality. These came from both within entomological circles and from outside observers whose primary interest was in theorizing human eroticism. This article follows a particularly intense dispute which erupted following the claim by one of France's leading naturalists, Henri Gadeau de Kerville, that the homoerotic activity demonstrated by male cockchafers evidenced the existence of a distinctly “homosexual” instinct. By 1900 no single taxonomy of non-human homoeroticism dominated intellectual discourse on the subject. Although zoological observations of same-sex eroticism continued to be made through the twentieth century, Melolontha were left in relative peace.
An Image Pattern Tracking Algorithm for Time-resolved Measurement of Mini- and Micro-scale Motion of Complex Object
Authors: Gui Lichuan , Seiner John  M.
Published: March 2009

An image pattern tracking algorithm is described in this paper for time-resolved measurements of mini- and micro-scale movements of complex objects. This algorithm works with a high-speed digital imaging system, which records thousands of successive image frames in a short time period. The image pattern of the observed object is tracked among successively recorded image frames with a correlation-based algorithm, so that the time histories of the position and displacement of the investigated object in the camera focus plane are determined with high accuracy. The speed, acceleration and harmonic content of the investigated motion are obtained by post processing the position and displacement time histories. The described image pattern tracking algorithm is tested with synthetic image patterns and verified with tests on live insects.
Multi-Band Spectral Subtraction Method for Electrolarynx Speech Enhancement
Authors: Li Sheng , Wan MingXi , Wang SuPin
Published: March 2009

Although the electrolarynx (EL) provides an important means of voice reconstruction for patients who lose their vocal cords by laryngectomies, the radiated noise and additive environment noise reduce the intelligibility of the resulting EL speech. This paper proposes an improved spectrum subtract algorithm by taking into account the non-uniform effect of colored noise on the spectrum of EL speech. Since the over-subtraction factor of each frequency band can be adjusted in the enhancement process, a better noise reduction effect was obtained and the perceptually annoying musical noise was efficiently reduced, as compared to other standard speech enhancement algorithms.
Energy Utilization and Environmental Aspects of Rice Processing Industries in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahiduzzaman Mohammed , Sadrul Islam Abul  K. M.
Published: March 2009

In this study, the energy utilization and environmental aspects of the rice processing industries in Bangladesh was analyzed. Rice husk, a milling by-product of rice, is used as a source of thermal energy to produce steam for parboiling of raw rice. The rice is mostly dried on a concrete floor under the sunshine. In mechanical drying, rice husks are used as a source of primary energy. In Bangladesh, the annual estimated energy used in 2000 for the drying of rice by sunshine was 10.7 million GJ and for drying and parboiling by rice husks it was 48.2 million GJ. These amounts will increase to 20.5 and 92.5 million GJ in 2030, respectively. Electrical energy consumption for mechanical drying and milling of rice was calculated as 1.83 million GJe and 3.51 million GJe in 2000 and in 2030, respectively. Biogenic carbon dioxide emission from burning of rice husk is renewed every year by the rice plant. Both the biogenic and non-biogenic carbon dioxide emissions in 2000 were calculated as 5.7 and 0.4 million tonnes, respectively, which will increase to 10.9 and 0.7 million tonnes in 2030. The demand of energy for rice processing increases every year, therefore, energy conservation in rice processing industries would be a viable option to reduce the intensity of energy by increasing the efficiency of rice processing systems which leads to a reduction in emissions and an increased supply of rice husk energy to other sectors as well.
Evaluation of the Waste Tire Resources Recovery Program and Environmental Health Policy in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chia-Ching , Yamada Tetsuji , Chiu I-Ming , Liu Yi-Kuen
Published: March 2009

This paper examines the effectiveness of Taiwanese environmental health policies, whose aim is to improve environmental quality by reducing tire waste via the Tire Resource Recovery Program. The results confirm that implemented environmental health policies improve the overall health of the population (i.e. a decrease in death caused by bronchitis and other respiratory diseases). Current policy expenditures are far below the optimal level, as it is estimated that a ten percent increase in the subsidy would decrease the number of deaths caused by bronchitis and other respiratory diseases by 0.58% per county/city per year on average.
Folding of Trp-cage Mini Protein Using Temperature and Biasing Potential Replica—Exchange Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Kannan Srinivasaraghavan , Zacharias Martin
Published: March 2009

The folding process of the 20 residue Trp-cage mini-protein was investigated using standard temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics (T-RexMD) simulation and a biasing potential RexMD (BP-RexMD) method. In contrast to several conventional molecular dynamics simulations, both RexMD methods sampled conformations close to the native structure after 10-20 ns simulation time as the dominant conformational states. In contrast, to T-RexMD involving 16 replicas the BP-RexMD method achieved very similar sampling results with only five replicas. The result indicates that the BP-RexMD method is well suited to study folding processes of proteins at a significantly smaller computational cost, compared to T-RexMD. Both RexMD methods sampled not only similar final states but also agreed on the sampling of intermediate conformations during Trp-cage folding. The analysis of the sampled potential energy contributions indicated that Trp-cage folding is favored by both van der Waals and to a lesser degree electrostatic contributions. Folding does not introduce any significant sterical strain as reflected by similar energy distributions of bonded energy terms (bond length, bond angle and dihedral angle) of folded and unfolded Trp-cage structures.
Preparation of Novel Banana-Shaped Triple Helical Liquid Crystals by Metal Coordination
Authors: Iqbal Parvez , Mayanditheuar Manickam , Childs Laura , Hannon Michael , Spencer Neil , Ashton Peter , Preece Jon
Published: March 2009

The synthesis of a series of banana-shaped structures has been carried out, in which the bend unit is formed by a 4,4’-methylenedianiline or 3,3’-methylenedianiline core bearing two symmetric pyridylimine linkages to di- and tri- alkoxyphenylester moieties on the side arms. The molecules, in addition to providing an elongated aromatic central core associated with liquid crystal (LC) molecules, also provide binding sites for metals. The methylenedianiline spacer incorporates phenylene groups that sterically prevent the two binding sites from co-ordinating to a single metal centre and the central methylene unit introduces enhanced flexibility into the ligand backbone. Furthermore, complexes have been formed by the co-ordination between 3, 3’-methylenedianiline containing ligands and Cu (I) ions [Cu2(3a-c)2][PF6]2. Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (ESMS) and Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry (FABMS) showed the formation of dimeric species; [Cu (L)2][PF6]2. Finally,thermal analysis of the ligands (1a-d, 2a-d, 3a-c and 4a-d) andCu complexes [Cu2(3a-c)2][PF6]2 has been carried out in order to investigate the phase properties of these materials. None of the banana-shaped ligands and the metal complexes [Cu2(3a-c)2][PF6]2 showed any mesophases.
Laser Photolysis and Thermolysis of Organic Selenides and Tellurides for Chemical Gas-phase Deposition of Nanostructured Materials
Authors: Pola Josef , Ouchi Akihiko
Published: March 2009

Laser radiation-induced decomposition of gaseous organic selenides and tellurides resulting in chemical deposition of nanostructured materials on cold surfaces is reviewed with regard to the mechanism of the gas-phase decomposition and properties of the deposited materials. The laser photolysis and laser thermolysis of the Se and Te precursors leading to chalcogen deposition can also serve as a useful approach to nanostructured chalcogen composites and IVA group (Si, Ge, Sn) element chalcogenides provided that it is carried out simultaneously with laser photolysis or thermolysis of polymer and IVA group element precursor.
CMOS Image Sensor with a Built-in Lane Detector
Authors: Hsiao Pei-Yung , Cheng Hsien-Chein , Huang Shih-Shinh , Fu Li-Chen
Published: March 2009

This work develops a new current-mode mixed signal Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) imager, which can capture images and simultaneously produce vehicle lane maps. The adopted lane detection algorithm, which was modified to be compatible with hardware requirements, can achieve a high recognition rate of up to approximately 96% under various weather conditions. Instead of a Personal Computer (PC) based system or embedded platform system equipped with expensive high performance chip of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the proposed imager, without extra Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) circuits to transform signals, is a compact, lower cost key-component chip. It is also an innovative component device that can be integrated into intelligent automotive lane departure systems. The chip size is 2,191.4 x 2,389.8 mm, and the package uses 40 pin Dual-In-Package (DIP). The pixel cell size is 18.45 x 21.8 mm and the core size of photodiode is 12.45 x 9.6 mm; the resulting fill factor is 29.7%.
Quantitative Assessment of Desertification Using Landsat Data on a Regional Scale – A Case Study in the Ordos Plateau, China
Authors: Xu Duanyang , Kang Xiangwu , Qiu Dongsheng , Zhuang Dafang , Pan Jianjun
Published: March 2009

Desertification is a serious threat to the ecological environment and social economy in our world and there is a pressing need to develop a reasonable and reproducible method to assess it at different scales. In this paper, the Ordos Plateau in China was selected as the research region and a quantitative method for desertification assessment was developed by using Landsat MSS and TM/ETM+ data on a regional scale. In this method, NDVI, MSDI and land surface albedo were selected as assessment indicators of desertification to represent land surface conditions from vegetation biomass, landscape pattern and micrometeorology. Based on considering the effects of vegetation type and time of images acquired on assessment indictors, assessing rule sets were built and a decision tree approach was used to assess desertification of Ordos Plateau in 1980, 1990 and 2000. The average overall accuracy of three periods was higher than 90%. The results showed that although some local places of Ordos Plateau experienced an expanding trend of desertification, the trend of desertification of Ordos Plateau was an overall decrease in from 1980 to 2000. By analyzing the causes of desertification processes, it was found that climate change could benefit for the reversion of desertification from 1980 to 1990 at a regional scale and human activities might explain the expansion of desertification in this period; however human conservation activities were the main driving factor that induced the reversion of desertification from 1990 to 2000.
Thiopental and Phenytoin as Novel Ionophores for Potentiometric Determination of Lead (II) Ions
Authors: Rizk Nashwa M.H. , Abbas Samah S. , Hamza Salem M. , Hamza Salem M. , Abd EL-Karem Yasser M.
Published: March 2009

Two novel polymeric membrane sensors for the analysis of Pb(II) have been developed based ontwo therapeutic drugs, thiopental (TP) and phenytoin (PT) as two new ionophores and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as a lipophilic additive, in plasticized PVC membranes. The sensors show a Nernstian response for Pb(II) ions over the wide concentration ranges of 1×10-2 - 7×10-6 M and 1×10-2 - 8×10-6 M for the sensors based on thiopental and phenytoin, respectively. The proposed sensors have a fast response time and can be used for more than nine weeks without any considerable divergence in potentials. The sensors exhibit comparatively good selectivity with respect to alkaline, alkaline earth and some transition and heavy metal ions. They were employed for direct determination of lead in solder alloys and in galena rocks with a good agreement with the obtained results by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Sampling and Sample Preparation in Process Analysis
Authors: Creasy Kenneth E. , Francisco Troy W. , Baughman Ernie H.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this article is to introduce the reader to the important design characteristics of sampling and sample preparation systems for process analytical measurements, as well as to discuss several of the most commonly used configurations for gas‐ and liquid‐phase process streams. Design criteria essential to the success of any process‐analyzer installation are discussed at length, and the pitfalls associated with neglecting these items are highlighted. This article provides an overview of what must be considered while building the interface between the analytical instrument and the process stream. It is not intended to be a comprehensive dissertation on the subject or a tutorial. The reader is referred to literature references and textbooks for detailed explanations and relevant design formulae. In addition, we also provide several sections regarding calibration procedures, maintenance concerns, and safety considerations.
Vertical Phase Separation in Poly(3‐hexylthiophene): Fullerene Derivative Blends and its Advantage for Inverted Structure Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Zheng , Chen Li‐Min , Yang Guanwen , Huang Chun‐Hao , Hou Jianhui , Wu Yue , Li Gang , Hsu Chain‐Shu , Yang Yang
Published: March 2009

A method which enables the investigation of the buried interfaces without altering the properties of the polymer films is used to study vertical phase separation of spin‐coated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):fullerene derivative blends. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis reveals the P3HT enrichment at the free (air) surfaces and abundance of fullerene derivatives at the organic/substrate interfaces. The vertical phase separation is attributed to the surface energy difference of the components and their interactions with the substrates. This inhomogeneous distribution of the donor and acceptor components significantly affects photovoltaic device performance and makes the inverted device structure a promising choice.
The potential of current high‐resolution imaging‐based particle size distribution measurements for crystallization monitoring
Authors: Larsen P. A. , Rawlings J. B.
Published: March 2009

High‐speed, in situ video microscopy is a promising technology for measuring critical solid‐phase properties in suspension crystallization processes. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of high‐resolution, video‐imaging‐based particle size distribution (PSD) measurement by applying image analysis and statistical estimation tools to images from a simulated batch crystallization of an industrial photochemical. The results also demonstrate the ability to monitor important quality parameters, such as the ratio of nuclei mass to seed mass, that cannot be monitored by conventional technologies. General recommendations are given for achieving appropriate sampling conditions to enable effective imaging‐based PSD measurement. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
A patient with Baller–Gerold syndrome and midline NK/T lymphoma
Authors: Debeljak Marusa , Zver Aleksandra , Jazbec Janez
Published: March 2009

Three autosomal recessive disorders are associated with mutations in the RECQL4 gene: Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. BGS is characterized by two major clinical abnormalities: craniosynostosis and preaxial limb anomalies but not cancer development. We performed RECQL4 mutation detection in a patient with BGS and several clinical signs of RTS who developed a midline NK/T‐cell lymphoma. Sequencing was used to identify RECQL4 mutations, and RNA analysis was used to examine expression of mRNA in leukocytes. The patient was found to be compound heterozygous for two mutations in exon 15, namely c.[2492_2493delAT] + c.[2506_2518del13bp]. We found that only the allele with 13 bp deletion was expressed in blood leukocytes. Our patient showed severe phenotypic abnormalities, with clinical signs of both BGS and RTS. She developed an extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, which is extremely rare in children of her age and is the first described case of BGS with development of a cancer. This case of a RECQL4‐related disorder highlights the significant phenotypic overlap between the classically delineated RECQL4‐associated syndromes and questions the need to redefine or combine these clinical entities. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cognition and mood in Parkinson's disease in subthalamic nucleus versus globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation: The COMPARE Trial
Authors: Okun Michael S. , Fernandez Hubert H. , Wu Samuel S. , Kirsch‐Darrow Lindsey , Bowers Dawn , Bova Frank , Suelter Michele , Jacobson Charles E. , Wang Xinping , Gordon Clifford W. , Zeilman Pam , Romrell Janet , Martin Pam , Ward Herbert , Rodriguez Ramon L. , Foote Kelly D.
Published: March 2009

Objective

Our aim was to compare in a prospective blinded study the cognitive and mood effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) vs. globus pallidus interna (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson disease.

Methods

Fifty‐two subjects were randomized to unilateral STN or GPi DBS. The co‐primary outcome measures were the Visual Analog Mood Scale, and verbal fluency (semantic and letter) at 7 months post‐DBS in the optimal setting compared to pre‐DBS. At 7 months post‐DBS, subjects were tested in four randomized/counterbalanced conditions (optimal, ventral, dorsal, and off DBS).

Results

Forty‐five subjects (23 GPi, 22 STN) completed the protocol. The study revealed no difference between STN and GPi DBS in the change of co‐primary mood and cognitive outcomes pre‐ to post‐DBS in the optimal setting (Hotelling's T2 test: p = 0.16 and 0.08 respectively). Subjects in both targets were less “happy”, less “energetic” and more “confused” when stimulated ventrally. Comparison of the other 3 DBS conditions to pre‐DBS showed a larger deterioration of letter verbal fluency in STN, especially when off DBS. There was no difference in UPDRS motor improvement between targets.

Interpretation

There were no significant differences in the co‐primary outcome measures (mood and cognition) between STN and GPi in the optimal DBS state. Adverse mood effects occurred ventrally in both targets. A worsening of letter verbal fluency was seen in STN. The persistence of deterioration in verbal fluency in the off STN DBS state was suggestive of a surgical rather than a stimulation‐induced effect. Similar motor improvement were observed with both STN and GPi DBS. Ann Neurol 2009
Serum biomarker for progranulin‐associated frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Sleegers Kristel , Brouwers Nathalie , Van Damme Philip , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Gijselinck Ilse , van der Zee Julie , Peeters Karin , Mattheijssens Maria , Cruts Marc , Vandenberghe Rik , De Deyn Peter P. , Robberecht Wim , Van Broeckhoven Christine
Published: March 2009

Objective

Mutations that lead to a loss of progranulin (PGRN) explain a considerable portion of the occurrence of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We tested a biomarker allowing rapid detection of a loss of PGRN.

Methods

We used an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to measure in serum the PGRN protein levels of six affected and eight unaffected carriers from within an extended Belgian founder family segregating the null mutation IVS1+5G>C. Further, we measured serum PGRN levels in 2 patients with another null mutation (a Met1 and a frameshift mutation), in 4 patients carrying a predicted pathogenic missense mutation and in 5 patients carrying a benign missense polymorphism, in 9 unaffected noncarrier relatives, and in 22 community controls.

Results

Serum PGRN levels were reduced in both affected and unaffected null mutation carriers compared with noncarrier relatives (pexact < 0.0001), and allowed perfect discrimination between carriers and noncarriers (sensitivity: 1.0; 1 − specificity: 0.0). Serum PGRN levels in Cys139Arg and Arg564Cys mutation carriers were significantly lower than in controls, but greater than in null mutation carriers, fitting the hypothesis of partial loss of function caused by these missense mutations. As expected, levels for carriers of benign missense polymorphisms were not significantly different from controls.

Interpretation

Our results indicate that the serum PGRN level is a reliable biomarker for diagnosing and early detection of frontotemporal lobar degeneration caused by PGRN null mutations, and provided the first in vivo evidence that at least some missense mutations in PGRN may lead to a (partial) loss of PGRN. Ann Neurol 2009
Efficacy of systemic morpholino exon‐skipping in duchenne dystrophy dogs
Authors: Yokota Toshifumi , Lu Qi‐long , Partridge Terence , Kobayashi Masanori , Nakamura Akinori , Takeda Shińichi , Hoffman Eric
Published: March 2009

Objective

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the inability to produce dystrophin protein at the myofiber membrane. A method to rescue dystrophin production by antisense oligonucleotides, termed exon‐skipping, has been reported for the mdx mouse and in four DMD patients by local intramuscular injection. We sought to test efficacy and toxicity of intravenous oligonucleotide (morpholino)‐induced exon skipping in the DMD dog model.

Methods

We tested a series of antisense drugs singly and as cocktails, both in primary cell culture, and two in vivo delivery methods (intramuscular injection and systemic intravenous injection). The efficiency and efficacy of multiexon skipping (exons 6–9) were tested at the messenger RNA, protein, histological, and clinical levels.

Results

Weekly or biweekly systemic intravenous injections with a three‐morpholino cocktail over the course of 5 to 22 weeks induced therapeutic levels of dystrophin expression throughout the body, with an average of about 26% normal levels. This was accompanied by reduced inflammatory signals examined by magnetic resonance imaging and histology, improved or stabilized timed running tests, and clinical symptoms. Blood tests indicated no evidence of toxicity.

Interpretation

This is the first report of widespread rescue of dystrophin expression to therapeutic levels in the dog model of DMD. This study also provides a proof of concept for systemic multiexon‐skipping therapy. Use of cocktails of morpholino, as shown here, allows broader application of this approach to a greater proportion of DMD patients (90%) and also offers the prospect of selecting deletions that optimize the functionality of the dystrophin protein. Ann Neurol 2009
Supramolecular ABC Triblock Copolymers
Authors: Ambade Ashootosh V. , Yang Si Kyung , Weck Marcus
Published: March 2009

Nur rein damit! Rutheniuminitiatoren mit Bindungsstellen für Wasserstoffbrücken lösen eine Ringöffnungsmetathesepolymerisation aus, die in einer Stufe heterotelechele Polymere mit Wasserstoffbrücken‐ und Metallkoordinationsstellen ergibt. Supramolekulare ABC‐Triblockcopolymere wurden anschließend direkt durch Zugabe komplementärer telecheler Polymere zu Lösungen der heterotelechelen Polymere erhalten (siehe Bild).

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Incorporation of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles into Organometallic Coordination Polymers by Nanoparticle Surface Modification
Authors: Kim Sang Bok , Cai Chen , Sun Shouheng , Sweigart Dwight A.
Published: March 2009

Oberflächenmodifizierte Fe3O4‐Nanopartikel (NPs) werden durch den Austausch von Oleylamin‐Schutzgruppen gegen [(η5‐Semichinon)Mn(CO)3]‐Einheiten erhalten. Sie können als Keim oder Templat bei der Bildung kristalliner Koordinationspolymere wirken, die die superparamagnetischen Fe3O4‐NPs dann einschließen. Hybride magnetische Eigenschaften resultieren, wenn paramagnetische Metallzentren wie Mn2+ in die Polymere eingeführt werden (siehe Bild).

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Peptides Recognize Photoresponsive Targets
Authors: Chen Jing , Serizawa Takeshi , Komiyama Makoto
Published: March 2009

Nie auf dem falschen Film: 7‐mer‐Peptide, die an Azobenzol‐haltige Polymerfilme binden, wurden unter Einstrahlung von sichtbarem Licht aus einer Phagenbibliothek selektiert. Isolierte Klone hatten unter UV‐Bestrahlung höhere Affinitäten für die Filme als unter sichtbarem Licht. Die Bindung der Peptide reagiert auch auf die lichtinduzierte Isomerisierung der Azobenzoleinheiten.

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Exploring the Limits of Förster Theory for Energy Transfer at a Separation of 20 Å
Authors: Ziessel Raymond , Alamiry Mohammed A. H. , Elliott Kristopher J. , Harriman Anthony
Published: March 2009

Für Donor‐Spacer‐Akzeptor‐Systeme, die Bordipyrromethaneinheiten als Donor‐ und Akzeptorkomponente in verschiedenen Protonierungsstufen enthalten, wurde eine ausgezeichnete Übereinstimmung zwischen den experimentellen und berechneten Matrixelementen der Coulomb‐Kopplung erhalten. Das Vorliegen dieser Korrelation ist bemerkenswert, weil für intramolekulare Elektronentransfers über kurze Entfernungen (hier 20 Å) die Förster‐Theorie nur mit Einschränkungen gültig ist (siehe Bild).

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Direct Alkenylation of Indoles with α‐Oxo Ketene Dithioacetals: Efficient Synthesis of Indole Alkaloids Meridianin Derivatives
Authors: Yu Haifeng , Yu Zhengkun
Published: March 2009

Durch säurevermittelte Substitution von α‐Oxoketendithioacetalen mit Indolen in Trifluoressigsäure(TFA)/Dichlormethan gelingt die metallfreie direkte Alkenylierung von Indolen; man erhält selektiv α,β‐ungesättigte Carbonylverbindungen mit einem oder zwei Indolylsubstituenten in β‐Stellung (siehe Schema). Die Kondensation der Indolyl/Keten‐Monothioacetale mit Guanidiniumnitrat liefert effizient Meridianinderivate.

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Meniscus deformation and dynamics of moving contact line between poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface and glycerol–water mixtures
Authors: Karakashev Stoyan I. , Nguyen Anh V.
Published: March 2009

The microscopic hydrodynamic (HD) and macroscopic theories for describing the meniscus deformation and dynamics of a moving contact line have been analyzed and compared by using the extrapolated dynamic contact angles between a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surface and glycerol–water mixtures. The analysis showed that the microscopic theory is confined by the microscopic length scale and small capillary number. The macroscopic theory is not subjected to any restrictions. Three (inner, intermediate and outer) regions of the dynamic meniscus have been combined by using the contact molecular kinetics and hydrodynamics. The combined molecular‐HD theory has been validated using the experimental data for the extrapolated dynamic contact angles between a PET surface and glycerol–water mixtures. The analysis showed that the combined theory describes the phenomenon of wetting qualitatively. It was found that the contradiction within the theoretical framework of the molecular kinetics and hydrodynamics hinders the exact description of the wetting phenomenon. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Faster clearance of omeprazole in mutant Nagase analbuminemic rats: possible roles of increased protein expression of hepatic CYP1A2 and lower plasma protein binding
Authors: Lee Dae Y. , Jung Young S. , Kim Young C. , Kim Sung Y. , Lee Myung G.
Published: March 2009

It is well known that there are various changes in the expression of hepatic and intestinal CYPs in mutant Nagase analbuminemic rats (NARs). It has been reported that the protein expression of hepatic CYP1A2 was increased, whereas that of hepatic CYP3A1 was not altered, and it was also found that the protein expression of the intestinal CYP1A subfamily significantly increased in NARs from our other study. In addition, in this study additional information about CYP changes in NARs was obtained; the protein expression of the hepatic CYP2D subfamily was not altered, but that of the intestinal CYP3A subfamily increased in NARs. Because omeprazole is metabolized via hepatic CYP1A1/2, 2D1, 3A1/2 in rats, it could be expected that the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole would be altered in NARs. After intravenous administration of omeprazole to NARs, theClnrwas significantly faster than in the controls (110 versus 46.6 ml/min/kg), and this could be due to an increase in hepatic metabolism caused by a greater hepatic CYP1A2 level in addition to greater free fractions of the drug in NARs. After oral administration of omeprazole to NARs, the AUC was also significantly smaller (80.1% decrease) andFwas decreased in NARs. This could be primarily due to increased hepatic and intestinal metabolism caused by greater hepatic CYP1A2 and intestinal CYP1A and 3A levels. In particular, the smallerFcould mainly result from greater hepatic and intestinal first‐pass effect in NARs than in the controls. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.