bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polluted-site killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) embryos are resistant to organic pollutant-mediated induction of CYP1A activity, reactive oxygen species, and heart deformities
Authors: Arzuaga Xabier , Elskus Adria
Published: March 2010

Exposure to coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can adversely affect fish embryonic development, induce expression of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, effects believed to be mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) populations in New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA (NBH) and Newark Bay, New Jersey, USA (NB) are generationally exposed to coplanar PCBs and PAHs and have developed resistance to PCB mediated induction of CYP1A. We hypothesized that fish resistant to CYP1A induction would also exhibit resistance to PCB and PAH induced ROS production and teratogenesis. Killifish embryos from two contaminated (NB, NBH) and two reference-site populations were exposed to vehicle or 3,3′4,4′5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and evaluated for in ovo CYP1A activity, heart deformities, and ROS production. Both chemicals significantly increased in ovo ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and ROS production in reference-site embryos. These chemicals provoked only moderate induction of in ovo EROD in NBH and NB embryos, and neither PCB126 nor 3-MC induced ROS production in these populations. Similarly, heart deformities were significantly induced by PCB126 in reference-site embryos, but had no significant effects on NB and NBH animals. These results indicate that fish resistant to CYP1A induction also exhibit decreased sensitivity to PCB126 and 3-MC-induced ROS production and teratogenesis. These findings further our understanding of toxicant resistance by demonstrating that reduced response to coplanar PCBs and PAHs extends beyond resistance to CYP1A induction to resistance to the physiological and teratogenic effects of these toxicants, responses that undoubtedly contribute to the increased survival of killifish inhabiting contaminated sites. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:676–682. © 2009 SETAC
Modeling the response of passive samplers to varying ambient fluid concentrations of organic contaminants
Authors: Hawker Darryl W.
Published: March 2010

Passive samplers are an important and versatile adjunct to active sampling methods for air and water. The underlying theory is increasingly mature but is often based on the assumption of constant concentrations with time in the ambient fluid. This theoretical work details the passive sampler response to possible environmental situations in which ambient concentrations vary linearly with time, decrease exponentially with time, constitute a pulsed event, or oscillate regularly with time. The modeled shape of sampler response curve with time is characteristic and can be used to determine how fluid concentrations have changed with time. The sampler elimination rate constant is shown to be crucial in governing sampler response. Thus, by using performance reference compounds and under certain conditions, information from the sampler response can in theory be used to derive specific details of the temporal variation of the contaminant in the ambient fluid. For example, data captured by a passive sampler can be used to characterize a contamination pulse. This extends the versatility of passive samplers. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:591–596. © 2009 SETAC
Enantioselective induction of oxidative stress by permethrin in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells
Authors: Hu Fen , Li Ling , Wang Cui , Zhang Quan , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhao Meirong
Published: March 2010

Synthetic pyrethroid (SP) insecticides are chiral compounds with multiple asymmetric positions. Several recent studies have focused on the effect of enantioselectivity of SPs in acute aquatic toxicity, endocrine-disrupting activities, and immunotoxicity. However, the relevant molecular mechanisms are still unknown. The potential relationship between ecotoxicological effects and oxidative stress could contribute to SP-induced enantioselective cytotoxicity, but this requires further investigation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in enantiomer-specific permethrin (PM)-induced cytotoxicity in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The study demonstrated that PM induced enantioselective oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were obviously increased, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) and glutathione (GSH) content had declined after exposure in 1R-trans-PM at a concentration of 30 mg/L. Meanwhile, the result of the cytotoxicity assay showed a clear, dose-dependent growth-inhibition effect of PM in an enantioselective manner. The most toxic effect on PC12 cells was shown by 1R-trans-PM and was approximately 1.6 times higher than that with 1S-cis-PM, which exhibited only a slightly toxic effect at a concentration of 20 mg/L. These results suggested that PM exhibited significant enantioselectivity in oxidative stress, which may be one of the initial events in PM-induced enantioselective cytotoxicity. The present study also improved understanding of enantiomer-specific, SP-induced cytotoxicity. The enantioselectivity should be taken into consideration when assessing ecological effects and development of new chiral pesticides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:683–690. © 2009 SETAC
Complexes of glutathione with heavy metal ions as a new biochemical marker of aquatic environment pollution
Authors: Baloun Jiri , Adam Vojtech , Trnkova Libuse , Beklova Miroslava , Svobodova Zdenka , Zeman Ladislav , Kizek Rene
Published: March 2010

Reduced glutathione (GSH) plays a number of key roles in many biochemical pathways. This peptide is highly reactive and forms conjugates with other molecules via its sulfhydryl moiety. The interactions of the common heavy metal pollutant Cd(II) with GSH were determined by using the Brdicka reaction to evaluate whether this technique would be suitable as a biomarker. After GSH interaction with Cd(II) ions, two characteristic changes in the measured voltammogram were observed: Cat2 signal height decreased, and a new signal called P1 was found. The observed signal probably relates to the formation of a GSH–heavy metal ion complex adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode. When the interaction of GSH with cisplatin was studied, the same characteristic changes in the voltammogram were observed, which confirmed our hypothesis. Moreover, changes in the height of P1 and Cat2 signals with increasing time of GSH interaction with Cd(II) ions and/or cisplatin were also investigated. Cat2 peak height decreased proportionally with increasing time of interaction. This decrease can be explained by shielding of free sulfhydryl moiety by heavy metal ions, so it cannot catalyze the evolution of hydrogen from the supporting electrolyte. In addition, we found that, with increasing time of the interaction, the P1 signal was enhanced and shifted to more positive potentials for both Cd(II) ions and cisplatin. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:497–500. © 2009 SETAC
Heavy metals and metallothionein in vespertilionid bats foraging over aquatic habitats in the Czech Republic
Authors: Pikula Jiri , Zukal Jan , Adam Vojtech , Bandouchova Hana , Beklova Miroslava , Hajkova Pavlina , Horakova Jana , Kizek Rene , Valentikova Lucie
Published: March 2010

There has been growing interest in the study and conservation of bats throughout the world. Declines in their absolute numbers in recent decades are due, in part, to the fact that insectivorous bats may bioaccumulate toxic pollutants. The purpose of the present study was to quantify heavy metal concentrations in kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle samples in relation to metallothionein (MT) levels. In total, 106 bats belonging to 11 European species (i.e., Myotis myotis, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis nattereri, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis mystacinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nyctalus noctulla, Eptesicus serotinus) were used for the study. The highest MT levels were found in Pipistrellus pipistrellus. High MT levels were also found in juvenile bats and aquatic-insect-foraging species. Cadmium was found only in the liver and kidney of Myotis myotis, except for a solitary finding in Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Myotis myotis juveniles had significantly higher liver and kidney Zn concentrations than adults. Interestingly, the liver Pb concentration was approximately two times higher in females than in males of Myotis myotis. The same gender difference was found for kidney Zn concentration in Pipistrellus pipistrellus. The present study confirms exposure of vespertilionid bats to toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd) in the Czech Republic and provides data on the essential element Zn and the metal-binding protein MT in bats foraging over aquatic, aquatic and terrestrial, and terrestrial habitats. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:501–506. © 2009 SETAC
Passive sampling methods for monitoring endocrine disruptors in the Svratka and Svitava rivers in the Czech Republic
Authors: Grabic Roman , Jurcikova Jana , Tomsejova Sarka , Ocelka Tomas , Halirova Jarmila , Hypr Dusan , Kodes Vit
Published: March 2010

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are manmade or natural chemicals that have the ability to interfere with the endocrine system of animals. They have not been monitored systematically in the Czech Republic. The goal of the present study was the characterization of aquatic environmental pollution from the Brno (Czech Republic) city agglomeration focusing on EDC. Passive sampling devices, as well as semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS), were used for the pilot assessment of EDC. They were deployed for 21- to 28-d periods at nine locations in the Svratka and Svitava Rivers, Brno, Czech Republic, including at the inlet and outlet of Brno's wastewater treatment plant. The SPMDs were used to monitor nonpolar compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorinated pesticides (OCP). The POCIS were used to monitor polar compounds such as pesticides and their metabolites, perfluoro-organic compounds (PFOC), and pharmaceuticals. The passive samplers allowed very low detection limits for soluble (bioavailable) fractions of pollutants. The contribution of PAH, PCB, and HCB in sewage water to pollution of the Svratka River was low. The Brno wastewater treatment plant was identified as the main source of pharmaceuticals, triclosan, methyl triclosan, and some polar pesticides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:550–555. © 2009 SETAC
Microcystin-LR modulates selected immune parameters and induces necrosis/apoptosis of carp leucocytes
Authors: Rymuszka Anna , Sierosławska Anna , Bownik Adam , Skowroński Tadeusz
Published: March 2010

Microcystins (MCs) are potent hepatotoxins acting by the inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, and may promote liver tumors. Moreover, studies also suggest they are nephrotoxic. The aim of the present study was to assess possible in vitro effects of microcystin-LR (which contains the amino acids leucine and arginine, the most widely studied and distributed variant of all microcystins) on the selected immune functions of the cells isolated from the head kidney of carp. In the experiments, pure microcystin-LR (MC-LR), was used at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 µg/ml RPMI-1640 medium. Leucocytes (lymphocytes and phagocytes) were isolated by centrifugation on a density gradient. Lymphocyte proliferation, intracellular production of reactive oxygen species by phagocytes, and the presence of apoptotic and/or necrotic cells were assessed. The respiratory burst activity of phagocytic cells was increased at the lowest toxin concentration used in the study, but it was decreased at higher concentrations. Using a sensitive luminescent immunoassay, MC-LR was observed to have no influence on the T-cell proliferation but decreased the proliferation of B lymphocytes. Moreover, it was noted that MC-LR induced necrosis to a higher degree than apoptosis in fish leucocytes. The results of the present study suggest the modulatory potency of microcystin-LR on fish leucocytes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:569–574. © 2009 SETAC
Oribatid mites in soil toxicity testing—the use of Oppia nitens (C.L. Koch) as a new test species
Authors: Princz Juliska I. , Behan-Pelletier Valerie M. , Scroggins Richard P. , Siciliano Steven D.
Published: March 2010

Few soil invertebrate species are available for the toxic assessment of soils from boreal or other northern ecozones, yet these soils cover the majority of Canada's landmass as well as significant portions of Eurasia. Oppia nitens (C.L. Koch) is an herbivorous and fungivorous oribatid mite found in soil throughout Holarctic regions, including Canada. Soil tests using O. nitens were performed using 15 different forest soil types and horizons to investigate test variability in adult survival and reproduction. Adult survival (86.1 ± 1.1%) was consistent across soil types, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 15%. However, reproduction varied significantly, ranging from 2.9 (±1.1) to 86.2 (±11.7) individuals, with a corresponding CV of 118 and 30%, respectively. Of the soil factors assessed (NH3, NO3, pH, phosphorus [P], organic matter content (OM), carbon:nitrogen (C:N), sand, silt, clay, and sodium adsorption ratio), soil organic matter (OM) explained 68% of the variation observed for reproduction. Increasing the OM using Sphagnum sp. peat moss resulted in optimal reproduction at 7% OM (8% peat content) with the lowest variability (CV of 20%). When assessing the toxicity of a reference chemical, boric acid, the effect of peat amendment reduced lethality to adults with no observable difference on reproduction. The use an age-synchronized culture reduced the test variability for reproduction relative to the use of unsynchronized cultures. Oppia nitens is a good candidate species for a standardized test design, with adult survival easily assessed in a relatively simple design. A long-term reproduction test with O. nitens will require the use of a synchronized population and, on occasion, OM amendment when testing soils with low organic matter content. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:971–979. © 2009 SETAC
Astrocyte targeted overexpression of Hsp72 or SOD2 reduces neuronal vulnerability to forebrain ischemia
Authors: Xu Lijun , Emery John F. , Ouyang Yi‐Bing , Voloboueva Ludmila A. , Giffard Rona G.
Published: March 2010

Brief forebrain ischemia is a model of the delayed hippocampal neuronal loss seen in patients following cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Previous studies demonstrated that selective dysfunction of hippocampal CA1 subregion astrocytes occurs hours to days before delayed neuronal death. In this study we tested the strategy of directing protection to astrocytes to protect neighboring neurons from forebrain ischemia. Two well‐studied protective proteins, heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) or superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), were genetically targeted for expression in astrocytes using the astrocyte‐specific human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. The expression constructs were injected stereotacticly immediately above the hippocampal CA1 region on one side of the rat brain two days prior to forebrain ischemia. Cell type specific expression was confirmed by double label immunohistochemistry. When the expression constructs were injected two days before transient forebrain ischemia, the loss of CA1 hippocampal neurons observed seven days later was significantly reduced on the injected side compared with controls. This neuroprotection was associated with significantly better preservation of astrocyte glutamate transporter‐1 immunoreactivity at 5‐h reperfusion and reduced oxidative stress. Improving the resistance of astrocytes to ischemic stress by targeting either the cytosolic or mitochondrial compartment was thus associated with preservation of CA1 neurons following forebrain ischemia. Targeting astrocytes is a promising strategy for neuronal preservation following cardiac arrest and resuscitation. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interferon-Lambda Genotype and Low Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Authors: Li Josephine H. , Lao Xiang Qian , Tillmann Hans L. , Rowell Jennifer , Patel Keyur , Thompson Alexander , Suchindran Sunil , Muir Andrew J. , Guyton John R. , Gardner Stephen D. , McHutchison John G. , McCarthy Jeanette J.
Published: March 2010

Recently, genetic polymorphisms occurring in the interferon (IFN)-lambda gene region were associated with response to IFN-based treatment of hepatitis C infection. Both infection with the hepatitis C virus and IFN therapy are associated with decreased serum cholesterol and high cholesterol has been associated with increased likelihood to respond to IFN. We sought to determine if the IFN-lambda gene variant was also associated with serum lipid levels in chronic hepatitis C patients. We compared genotypes of the rs12979860 polymorphism, located proximal to the

IL28

gene, with serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in 746 subjects with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, not currently undergoing treatment, using multivariable analysis of variance. Levels of total cholesterol (

P

= 6.0 × 10−4), apolipoprotein B (

P

= 1.3 × 10−6) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (

P

= 8.9 × 10−10) were significantly higher in subjects carrying the rs12979860 CC responder genotype compared with those with the CT or TT genotype. Levels of triglycerides (

P

= 0.03), apolipoprotein A-I (

P

= 0.06), and apolipoprotein E (

P

= 0.01) were slightly lower in the rs12979860 CC genotype group, whereas levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (

P

= 0.78) and apolipoprotein C-III (

P

= 0.74) did not vary by rs12979860 genotype.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that low levels of LDL cholesterol in chronic hepatitis C patients may be a marker of host endogenous IFN response to hepatitis C and that subjects with the rs12979860 CC responder genotype may have a lower endogenous IFN response to the virus. Hepatology 2010
Fertility preservation after chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: van der Kaaij Marleen AE , van Echten‐Arends Jannie , Simons Arnold HM , Kluin‐Nelemans Hanneke C
Published: March 2010

Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can negatively affect fertility. This review summarizes data on fertility after chemotherapy in adult patients. Alkylating chemotherapy, especially if containing procarbazine and/or cyclophosphamide, is most harmful to gonadal functioning. Alkylating regimens cause prolonged azoospermia in 90–100% of men and ovarian failure in 5–25% of women under the age of 30. Non‐alkylating chemotherapy, like ABVD, is much less harmful: one‐third of male patients develop transient azoospermia, and almost no female patients experience ovarian failure. Age is an important factor for women: females over 30 years have a much higher risk of acute ovarian failure. However, with long‐term follow‐up the cumulative risk of menopause before the age of 40 becomes the same irrespective of treatment age. In males, semen cryopreservation before start of treatment should be offered to all (post)pubertal patients. For females with a partner, IVF followed by embryo cryopreservation is a widely available method, but this necessitates postponement of lymphoma therapy for at least a month. Oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are experimental techniques showing great promise. GnRH‐analogues are being investigated as possible means to preserve fertility in women, but effectiveness has not yet been proven conclusively. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of the murine SIRT3 mitochondrial localization sequence and comparison of mitochondrial enrichment and deacetylase activity of long and short SIRT3 isoforms
Authors: Bao Jianjun , Lu Zhongping , Joseph Joshua J. , Carabenciov Darin , Dimond Christopher C. , Pang Liyan , Samsel Leigh , McCoy J. Philip , Leclerc Jaime , Nguyen PhuongMai , Gius David , Sack Michael N.
Published: March 2010

SIRT3 is identified as the major mitochondrial deacetylase. Two distinct isoforms of the murine SIRT3 have been identified with the short isoform having no recognizable mitochondrial localization sequence (MLS) and the long isoform having a putative MLS. A recent study questions the mitochondrial deacetylase activity of this short isoform. In contrast, the long isoform has been shown to be predominantly mitochondrial with robust deacetylase activity. In this study, we investigate whether the amino‐terminus of the long SIRT3 isoform is a legitimate MLS and evaluate in‐situ mitochondrial deacetylase activity of both isoforms. We confirm the presence of long and short isoforms in murine liver and kidney. The long isoform is generated via intra‐exon splicing creating a frame‐shift to expose a novel upstream translation start site. Mitochondrial localization is significantly more robust following transfection of the long compared with the short isoform. Insertion of this alternatively spliced novel 5′ sequence upstream of a GFP‐reporter plasmid shows greater than 80% enrichment in mitochondria, confirming this region as a legitimate mitochondrial localization sequence. Despite lower mitochondrial expression of the short isoform, the capacity to deacetylate mitochondrial proteins and to restore mitochondrial respiration is equally robust following transient transfection of either isoform into SIRT3 knockout embryonic fibroblasts. How these alternative transcripts are regulated and whether they modulate distinct targets is unknown. Furthermore, in contrast to exclusive mitochondrial enrichment of endogenous SIRT3, overexpression of both isoforms shows nuclear localization. This overexpression effect, may partially account for previously observed divergent phenotypes attributed to SIRT3. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 238–247, 2010. Published 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome enablement of the notothenioidei: genome size estimates from 11 species and BAC libraries from 2 Representative Taxa
Authors: Detrich H. William , Stuart Andrew , Schoenborn Michael , Parker Sandra K. , Methé Barbara A. , Amemiya Chris T.
Published: March 2010

The perciform suborder Notothenoidei provides a compelling opportunity to study the adaptive radiation of a marine species flock in the cold Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. To enable genome‐level studies of these psychrophilic fishes, we estimated the sizes of the genomes of 11 Antarctic species and generated high‐quality BAC libraries for 2, the notothen Notothenia coriiceps and the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus. Our results indicate that evolution of phylogenetically derived notothenioid families, [e.g., the icefishes (Channichthyidae)], was accompanied by genome expansion. Species (n=6) of the basal family Nototheniidae had C values that ranged between 0.98 and 1.20 pg, whereas those of the icefishes, the notothenioid crown group, were 1.66–1.83 pg (n=4 species). The BAC libraries VMRC‐19 (N. coriiceps) and VMRC‐21 (C. aceratus) comprised 12X and 10X coverage of the respective genomes and had average insert sizes of 138 and 168 kb. Greater than 60% of paired BAC ends sampled from each library (∼0.1% of each genome) contained repetitive sequences, and the repetitive element landscapes of the 2 genomes (13.4% of the N. coriiceps genome and 14.5% for C. aceratus) were similar. The representation and depth of coverage of the libraries were verified by identification of multiple Hox gene contigs: six discrete Hox clusters were found in N. coriiceps and at least five Hox clusters were found in C. aceratus. Given the unusual anatomical and physiological adaptations of the notothenioids, the availability of these BAC libraries sets the stage for expanded analysis of the psychrophilic mode of life. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:369–381, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A fatal case of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis
Authors: Mathews Emily Z. T.
Published: March 2010

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a significant, potentially life‐threatening immune‐mediated adverse event that occurs several days after commencement of therapy with unfractionated or low‐molecular weight heparin. We present a 51‐year‐old female treated with unfractionated heparin for acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). She developed extension of her thrombosis and was promptly diagnosed with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). She did not, however, develop thrombocytopenia until 5 days after the extension of her thrombosis. The possible diagnosis of HITT is important for clinicians to keep in mind for all patients that are receiving any form of heparin, not only those patients who present with thrombocytopenia but also those with otherwise unexplainable thrombosis regardless of the platelet count. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E14–E15. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
A case of extreme subcutaneous and peripheral insulin resistance
Authors: Tapper Elliot B. , Dressler Daniel D.
Published: March 2010

Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E16–E17. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Impact of congenital anomalies and treatment location on the outcomes of infants hospitalized with herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Authors: Lorch Scott A. , Millman Andrea M. , Shah Samir S.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a rare but costly reason for hospitalization in infants under 60 days of age. The impact of coexisting comorbid conditions and treatment location on hospital outcome is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE:

Determine patient and hospital factors associated with poor outcomes or death in infants hospitalized with HSV.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study using the 2003 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).

SETTING:

U.S. hospitals.

PATIENTS:

Infants under 60 days of age with a diagnosis of HSV.

INTERVENTION:

Treatment at different types of hospitals, younger age at admission, and presence of congenital anomalies.

MEASUREMENTS:

Serious complications, in‐hospital death.

RESULTS:

A total of 10% of the 1587 identified HSV hospitalizations had a concurrent congenital anomaly. A total of 267 infants had a serious complication and 50 died. After controlling for clinical and hospital characteristics, concurrent congenital anomalies were associated with higher odds of a serious complication (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00–5.56) and higher odds of death (adjusted OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.74–10.0). Similar results were found for infants admitted under 7 days of age. Although different hospital types had statistically similar clinical outcomes after controlling for case‐mix differences, treatment at a children's hospital was associated with an 18% reduction in length of stay (LOS).

CONCLUSIONS:

Infants with concurrent congenital anomalies infected with HSV were at increased risk for serious complications or death. Health resource use may be improved through identification and adoption of care practiced at children's hospitals. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:154–159. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Sensitive determination of tilmicosin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate and clindamycin by CE with electrochemiluminescence detection using azithromycin as internal standard and its applications
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ming , Shi Yan‐Mei , Liu Zhuan‐Li , Peng Long‐Fei
Published: March 2010

A sensitive approach for the simultaneous determination of tilmicosin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate and clindamycin was developed by CE coupled with electrochemiluminescence detection with ionic liquid. The parameters for CE, electrochemiluminescence detection and the effect of ionic liquid were investigated systematically. The three analytes were well separated and detected within 8 min. The limits of detection (S/N=3) of tilmicosin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate and clindamycin are 3.4×10−9, 2.3×10−8 and 1.3×10−8 mol/L, respectively. The precisions (RSD%) of the peak area and the migration time are from 0.8 to 1.5% and from 0.2 to 0.5% within a day and from 1.8 to 2.7% and from 0.6 to 0.8% in 3 days, respectively. The limits of quantitation (S/N=10) of tilmicosin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate and clindamycin are 3.2×10−8, 2.9×10−7 and 9.1×10−8 mol/L in human urines and 5.5×10−8, 3.2×10−7 and 2.1×10−7 mol/L in milk samples, respectively. The recoveries of three analytes at different concentration levels in urine, milk and drugs are between 90.0 and 104.7%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of three analytes in human urine, milk and drugs.
Microsurgery for lymphedema: Clinical research and long‐term results
Authors: Campisi Corradino , Bellini Carlo , Campisi Corrado , Accogli Susanna , Bonioli Eugenio , Boccardo Francesco
Published: March 2010

Objectives: To report the wide clinical experience and the research studies in the microsurgical treatment of peripheral lymphedema. Methods: More than 1800 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic microvascular procedures recognize today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic‐venous anastomoses (LVA). In case of associated venous disease reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed. Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed‐up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow‐up of more than 10 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery. Conclusions: Microsurgical LVA have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema, and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Comparative 1H NMR studies of saturation transfer in copolymer gels and mouse lenses
Authors: Nakamura Koji , Sogami Masaru , Era Seiichi , Matsushima Shigeru , Kinosada Yasutomi
Published: March 2010

Saturation transfer in cross‐linked copolymer gels and excised intact and perforating trauma‐induced cataract mouse lenses (4‐ or 8‐week‐old) were studied using intermolecular cross‐relaxation rates (1/TIS(H2O); 1/TIS), monitored with f2‐irradiation at −8.79, −4.00, and 7.13 ppm (γH2/2π ∼ 69 Hz). [1] The 1/TIS(7.13 ppm) vs dry weight [W (%)] profiles for hydrophilic copolymer gels were far steeper than those for hydrophobic copolymer gels, indicating the participation of an amount of bound water and a number of copolymer hydroxyl groups in the saturation transfer process. In contrast, the 1/TIS(−8.79 ppm) vs W (%) profiles exhibited little difference between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic copolymer gels, indicating the major participation of molecular rigidity, i.e. W (%) in the saturation transfer process. [2] The 1/TIS(7.13 ppm) values for cataractous mouse lenses were larger than those for intact lenses, indicating the formation of large, immobile lens protein associates or aggregates containing a sufficient amount of bound water for the saturation transfer. [3] The 1/TIS(7.13 ppm) vs W (%) profiles for the hydrophilic copolymer gels exhibited similar characteristics to the intact and cataractous mouse lenses with regard to the saturation transfer process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the failure to protect the rights of the Roma child in Romania
Authors: Butler Michael J.R. , Gheorghiu Lidia
Published: March 2010

An important test of the progress of development management is its contribution to human rights, especially in transition economies. This article explores the failure to protect the rights of the Roma child in Romania, who are particularly vulnerable to abandonment and institutionalisation. 2008 witnessed the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and several other related celebrations. Nevertheless, within EU borders, minority populations can still lead dismal lives. It is argued that although both the EU and the Romanian government made the Roma's social inclusion a top priority, they failed to bring about substantial improvement. The first contribution of the article is to reinforce the trend within development management of linking policy implementation to the specific needs of the local context. Contemporary policy reports and early empirical results from an exploratory study in Galati, mainly in the area of education, suggest several inter‐related causes of poor implementation, including the national political context, specific issues affecting the Roma and local implementation capacity. The second contribution suggests that ideas from business and management, specifically the notion of organisational receptivity to change, could increase the pace of change. Receptivity provides a framework for understanding local issues and how to manage them. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of electrical and thermal conductivities of a polysiloxane/metal complex with metal oxides
Authors: Im Hyungu , Kim Jooheon
Published: March 2010

Block copolymer‐type polysiloxane was synthesized to investigate the influence of metal oxide addition on the dispersity of metal particles in a polysiloxane/metal composite. The metal oxide was introduced in a newly synthesized polysiloxane to improve the electrical and thermal conductivities of the polysiloxane/metal composite. The composite containing the metal oxide showed better dispersion than the composite without the metal oxide. The electrical conductivity displayed a typical percolation threshold behavior. The composite containing the metal oxide showed a slightly lower critical concentration (φc) than the composite without. The thermal conductivity of the composite increased considerably with the concentration of the filler. Thermal conductivity was used to calculate thermal interconnectivity, and the composite containing metal oxide showed an enhanced thermal interconnectivity. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1669–1677, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions and pharmacological treatment of adult ADHD
Authors: Gerhard Tobias , Winterstein Almut G. , Olfson Mark , Huang Cecilia , Saidi Arwa , Crystal Stephen
Published: March 2010

Background

Stimulants and atomoxetine should generally not be used or used only with caution in adults with pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions. The extent to which pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions influence initiation of these ADHD medications in adults is not known.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of privately insured adults with new ADHD treatment episodes. Pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions were assessed by the presence of ICD‐9‐CM codes for congenital abnormalities, atherosclerosis, cardiac disease, and cerebrovascular disease in the 12 months before the index ADHD diagnosis. The primary outcome was new initiation of a stimulant or atomoxetine in the 3 months after the index date. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of treatment initiation with stimulants or atomoxetine based on pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions, patient demographic characteristics, clinical mental disorder comorbidities, other psychotropic drug use, and provider type.

Results

Of 8752 patients with a new ADHD treatment episode, 917 (10.5%) had evidence of ≥1 pre‐existing cardiovascular condition. Stimulants were started by 40.8% of patients with and 53.0% of patients without pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 0.71; 95%CI 0.61–0.82). Pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions reduced the likelihood of initiating stimulant treatment in younger but not in older patients (p‐value for age × cardiovascular condition interaction = 0.0002). Initiation of atomoxetine treatment was not affected by pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions (AOR 1.19, 95%CI 0.94–1.50).

Conclusions

Pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions reduce the likelihood of stimulant therapy but not atomoxetine treatment in adult ADHD patients. However, many adult ADHD patients with pre‐existing cardiovascular conditions initiate stimulant therapy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Calabi‐Yau manifolds with small Hodge numbers
Authors: Candelas P. , Davies R.
Published: March 2010

It is known that many Calabi‐Yau manifolds form a connected web. The question of whether all Calabi‐Yau manifolds form a single web depends on the degree of singularity that is permitted for the varieties that connect the distinct families of smooth manifolds. If only conifolds are allowed then, since shrinking two‐spheres and three‐spheres to points cannot affect the fundamental group, manifolds with different fundamental groups will form disconnected webs. We examine these webs for the tip of the distribution of Calabi‐Yau manifolds where the Hodge numbers (h11, h21) are both small. In the tip of the distribution the quotient manifolds play an important role. We generate via conifold transitions from these quotients a number of new manifolds. These include a manifold with χ = ‐6, that is an analogue of the χ = ‐6 manifold found by Yau, and manifolds with an attractive structure that may prove of interest for string phenomenology. We also examine the relation of some of these manifolds to the remarkable Gross‐Popescu manifolds that have Euler number zero.
A three‐generation Calabi‐Yau manifold with small Hodge numbers
Authors: Braun V. , Candelas P. , Davies R.
Published: March 2010

We present a complete intersection Calabi‐Yau manifold Y that has Euler number ‐72 and which admits free actions by two groups of automorphisms of order 12. These are the cyclic group ℤ12 and the non‐Abelian dicyclic group Dic3. The quotient manifolds have χ = ‐6 and Hodge numbers (h11, h21) = (1,4). With the standard embedding of the spin connection in the gauge group, Y gives rise to an E6 gauge theory with 3 chiral generations of particles. The gauge group may be broken further by means of the Hosotani mechanism combined with continuous deformation of the background gauge field. For the non‐Abelian quotient we obtain a model with 3 generations with the gauge group broken to that of the standard model. Moreover there is a limit in which the quotients develop 3 conifold points. These singularities may be resolved simultaneously to give another manifold with (h11, h21) = (2,2) that lies right at the tip of the distribution of Calabi‐Yau manifolds. This strongly suggests that there is a heterotic vacuum for this manifold that derives from the 3 generation model on the quotient of Y. The manifold Y may also be realised as a hypersurface in a toric variety. The symmetry group does not act torically, nevertheless we are able to identify the mirror of the quotient manifold by adapting the construction of Batyrev.
Optical characterization of intersubband transitions in ZnxCd1‐xSe/Znx′Cdy′Mg1‐x′‐y′Se asymmetric coupled quantum well structures by contactless electroreflectance
Authors: Wu Jiun‐De , Huang Chen‐Tai , Huang Ying‐Sheng , Charles William O. , Shen Aidong , Zhang Qiang , Tamargo Maria. C.
Published: March 2010

Contactless electroreflectance (CER) was used to characterize the possible optical transitions in a ZnxCd1‐xSe/Znx′Cdy′Mg1‐x′‐y′Se asymmetric coupled quantum well (ACQW) structure grown by molecular beam epitaxy for quantum cascade laser (QCL) applications. CER spectrum revealed a wide range of the possible optical transitions in ACQW structure. The ground state transition was assigned by comparing with the photoluminescence emission signal taken from the same structure. A comprehensive analysis of the CER spectrum led to the identification of various interband transitions. The intersubband transitions were estimated and confirmed by FTIR measurements. The results demonstrate the potential of using CER as a complimentary technique for the contactless and nondestructive characterization of the wide band gap II‐VI ACQW structures for QCL applications (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Control of cadmium vapor pressure at growth and annealing of CdZnTe:Cl crystals with variable content of zinc for nuclear detectors
Authors: Terentyev A. I. , Sedov V. E. , Beregulin E. V. , Karpenko V. P. , Tomasov A. A. , Zelenina N. K. , Matveev O. A.
Published: March 2010

Conductance compensation of Cd1‐xZnxTe:Cl crystals with variable content of Zn (x = 0,0002, 0,005, 0,01 and 0,05) for nuclear detectors both during postgrowth annealing of ingots and at annealing of separate samples at different vapor pressures of Cd was investigated. It is established that to obtain the Cd1‐xZnxTe:Cl crystals (x≥0.05) with the best transport performances, it is necessary to control cadmium vapour pressure as well as zinc vapour pressure of during material growing. On crystals with Zn content x=0.0002; 0.005; 0.01 with annealing of conditions change it was possible to achieve high values of μeτeand μhτh, comparable with these values for CdTe:Cl. For crystals with x=0.05; 0.1 μeτeand μhτh practically did not depend on conditions of postgrowth annealing (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and characterization of Zn1–x–yBexMgySe solid solutions with luminescence and photoacoustic methods
Authors: Firszt Franciszek , Zakrzewski Jacek , Strzałkowski Karol , Maliński Mirosław , Łęgowski Stanisław , Męczyńska Hanna , Marasek Agnieszka , Huang Ying‐Sheng , Dumcenco Dumitru
Published: March 2010

Zn1–x–yBexMgySe mixed crystals were grown from the melt by the high pressure Bridgman method. Photoluminescence and photoluminescence‐excitation spectra were measured and the origin of luminescence in Zn1–x–yBexMgySe was discussed. Photothermal properties were investigated with photoacoustic method. From the spectral dependence of the amplitude and phase of photoacoustic signal as well as from photoluminescence spectra the values of energy gap were determined. The influence of surface preparation on photoacoustics data was investigated and discussed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spin quenching of transition metals deposited on MgO insulator and CdO semiconductor density functional calculations
Authors: Shalabi A. S. , Aal S. Abdel , Abdel Halim W. S. , Ghonaim M. S.
Published: March 2010

We have analyzed spin quenching of first row transition metals deposited on (001) defect‐free and defect‐containing surfaces of MgO insulator and CdO semiconductor by means of density functional calculations and embedded cluster model. Clusters of moderate sizes were embedded in the simulated Coulomb fields that closely approximate the Madelung fields of the host surfaces, and relaxation of ions that surround the defect sites was taken into account. Spin states of metals deposited on the defect free surfaces were maintained as in the isolated metals except for Ti, V, and Co on MgO, and Ti, V, and Cr on CdO. On the defect containing surfaces, spin states were maintained too except for Fe on MgO, and V and Cr on CdO. The metal‐support interactions stabilize the low spin state of the adsorbed metal with respect to the isolated metal, but the effect was not in general enough to quench the spin. Spin polarization effects tend to preserve the spin states of the adsorbed metals relative to those of the isolated metals. Although charge transfer took place from the adsorbed metal to the insulator surface, it took place the other way round from the semiconductor surface to the adsorbed metal. The encountered variations in magnetic properties were attributed to the smaller band gap of the semiconductor, and the behavior of a single metal atom adsorbed on a particular surface was a result of a competition between Hund's rule for the adsorbed metal and the formation of a chemical bond at the interface. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Electronic structure and chemical bonding in the ground and low‐lying electronic states of Ta2
Authors: Borin Antonio Carlos , Gobbo João Paulo
Published: March 2010

The electronic structure and chemical bonding of the ground and low‐lying Λ − S and Ω states of Ta2 were investigated at the multiconfiguration second‐order perturbation theory (CASSCF//CASPT2) level. The ground state of Ta2 is computed to be a X3Σ state (Re = 2.120 Å, ωe = 323 cm−1, and De = 4.65 eV), with two low‐lying singlet states close to it (a1Σ: Te = 409 cm−1, Re = 2.131 Å, and ωe = 313 cm−1; b1Γg: Te = 1,038 cm−1, Re = 2.127 Å, and ωe = 316 cm−1). These electronic states are derived from the same electronic configuration: |13σ14σ7δ13π〉. The effective bond order of the X3Σ state is 4.52, which indicates that the Ta atoms are bound by a quintuple chemical bond. The a1Σ state interacts strongly with the X3Σ ground state by a second‐order spin‐orbit interaction, giving rise to the (1)0 (ground state) (dominated by the X3Σ Λ − S ground state) and (9)0 (dominated by the a1Σ Λ − S state) Ω states. These results are in line with those reported for the group 5B homonuclear transition metal diatomics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
The Role of SMAD4 in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Stem Cell Fate
Authors: Avery Stuart , Zafarana Gaetano , Gokhale Paul J. , Andrews Peter W.
Published: March 2010

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily proteins play a key role in the regulation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Those of the TGFβ/activin/nodal branch seem to support self-renewal and pluripotency, whereas those of the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) branch induce differentiation. In contrast to this generalization, we found that hESC remained undifferentiated after knockdown of SMAD4 with inducible short hairpin RNA interference, although the knockdown inhibited TGFβ signaling and rendered the cells nonresponsive to BMP-induced differentiation. Moreover, the rapid differentiation of hESC after pharmacological inhibition of TGFβ/activin/nodal receptor signaling was restricted after SMAD4 knockdown. These results suggest that TGFβ/activin/nodal signaling supports the undifferentiated phenotype of hESC by suppressing BMP activity. During long-term culture, SMAD4 knockdown cell populations became less stable and more permissive to neural induction, a situation that was rescued by re-establishment of SMAD4 expression. These results suggest that SMAD4 is not required for maintenance of the undifferentiated state of hESC, but rather to stabilize that state.
May captive populations of Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) act as genetic reservoirs in Argentina?
Authors: Alonso Roldán V. , Navarro J. L. , Gardenal C. N. , Martella M. B.
Published: March 2010

The Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) is a characteristic bird of the Argentine Pampas. Despite the increasing farming interest of this ratite, their natural populations are progressively decreasing in size and range. The object of this study was to evaluate the status of captive populations as potential genetic reservoirs. Using Inter‐Simple Sequence Repeats as molecular markers, levels of genetic variability of F1 individuals from two captive populations were estimated and compared with those of wild populations in the same region. The captive populations were polymorphic for 12.22 and 13.33% of the loci, with a genetic diversity of 0.050. Differences with wild populations were not significant (z=1.79; P>0.05). Therefore, captive populations of rheas in Argentina should not be overlooked as genetic reservoir and source of individuals for reinforcement of natural populations, through reintroduction and translocation. Zoo Biol 30:65–70, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.