bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Interprofessional Wellness Care of Rural Older Adults: Student Outcomes and Future Perspectives
Authors: Neill Karen S. , Powell Linda
Published: August 2009

This article describes the outcomes of an innovative program developed to deliver mobile health and wellness services to older adults residing in rural Idaho. The Senior HealthMobile project had been implemented based on a framework of interprofessional practice, with faculty and students from varied health professions providing wellness care to rural older adults. Students had participated in the community-based experience to improve access to interdisciplinary wellness care and enhance existing services. Outcomes are shared as they relate to the experience of the students over the initial 6-year implementation of the project, with future perspectives and opportunities also presented.
IT Sophistication and Quality Measures in Nursing Homes
Authors: Alexander Gregory L. , Madsen Richard
Published: August 2009

This study explores relationships between current levels of information technology (IT) sophistication and seven reportable quality measures (QMs) in 210 nursing homes in Missouri. Between December 2006 and August 2007, each nursing home completed a survey providing IT sophistication levels measured within nine subscales. During this same time, nationally reported QMs were collected for each nursing home giving permission (
n
= 95). The QM data were merged with IT sophistication data, and relationships between the QM variables and IT sophistication subscales were examined. Mean IT sophistication scores were higher in resident care management and administrative processes. Significant relationships were found in nearly all IT sophistication subscales and the QM regarding residents' need for assistance with activities of daily living; another significant relationship occurred with IT sophistication in clinical support and incontinence. Correlating IT sophistication with quality is important to determine whether IT implementation provides clinical benefits to residents.
Toward an Appreciation of Nursing Scholarship: Recognizing Our Traditions, Contributions, and Presence
Authors: Thoun Deborah Sally
Published: August 2009

The notion of scholarship as a process and product of inquiry has received abundant attention since Boyer, in association with The Carnegie Foundation, challenged the narrowly defined and restricted merit system of academe. This article examines the scope and definitions of scholarship advanced by Boyer and his colleagues with a view to surfacing the limitations that this framework places on academic disciplines that also serve professional mandates. Also presented is a framework for contemporary nursing scholarship that moves beyond Boyer's construction and captures the immensely rich and varied contributions that nursing does and can make to humankind.
Academic Dishonesty in Nursing Schools: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: McCabe Donald L.
Published: August 2009

Academic dishonesty, whether in the form of plagiarism or cheating on tests, has received renewed attention in the past few decades as pervasive use of the Internet and a presumed deterioration of ethics in the current generation of students has led some, perhaps many, to conclude that academic dishonesty is reaching epidemic proportions. What is lacking in many cases, including in the nursing profession, is empirical support of these trends. This article attempts to provide some of that empirical data and supports the conclusion that cheating is a significant issue in all disciplines today, including nursing. Some preliminary policy implications are also considered.
Experimental study comparing the behaviour of steel truss plates and birch plywood inserts in ridge joints on glued laminated rafters
Authors: Serrano López M. A. , Lozano Martínez-Luengas A. G. , López Gayarre F. , Del Coz Díaz J. J.
Published: August 2009

The present paper reports on an analysis of the mechanical performance of two flat joining systems used in roof members made of glued laminated timber.Six pairs of laminated timber rafters for a double-pitched roof with a 100x180-mm cross-section, a 6.00-m span and a height of 1.00 m were subjected to full-scale four-point bending. In three of the specimens the rafters were joined at the ridge with a birch plywood insert, while in the other three the connection was secured with a fitting consisting in a standard flat steel truss plate. The objective pursued was to evaluate the possibility of replacing the steel fittings with birch plywood inserts. The approach adopted to reach this objective was to compare the strength of the two joint pieces and the deformation generated in the overall structure during strength tests.The results proved to be highly satisfactory in terms of both the bearing capacity and the stiffness of the structures tested.
The pendulum is never static: Jesus Sira to Jesus Christ on women in the light of Judith, Susanna and LXX Esther
Authors: Jordaan Pierre
Published: August 2009

When the New Testament is interpreted, directly preceding literature is largely neglected. The dialectical terms, discourse and contra-discourse do not often surface in research on this period. This is especially the case with reference to women. Jesus Ben Sira (ca. 196 BCE) as well as other wisdom writers had quite a negative view of women. Although it has previously been argued that this negative discourse on women was challenged by Judith, this article goes further: the Additions to Esther and Susanna are added as possible challenging discourses. It is argued that these texts convincingly confront Ben Sira’s negative views and add substantial value to the worth and status of women. During the CE, both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul had a mainly positive view of women. Positive ideas and allusions from texts are pointed out that might have their roots in the Apocrypha. Lastly, this article argues that the disputed Pauline letters contain a swing back towards Jesus Ben Sira’s negative view of women.
Mammalian Reoviruses: Propagation, Quantification, and Storage
Authors: Berard Alicia , Coombs Kevin M.
Published: August 2009

Mammalian reoviruses are pathogens that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. In humans, the mammalian reoviruses usually cause mild or subclinical disease, and they are ubiquitous, with most people mounting immunity at a young age. Reoviruses are prototypic representations of the Reoviridae family, which contains many highly pathogenic viruses. This unit describes techniques for culturing mouse fibroblast L929 cell lines, the preferred cell line in which most mammalian reovirus studies take place. In addition, mammalian reovirus propagation, quantification, purification, and storage are described. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 14:15C.1.1‐15C.1.18. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Avian Reoviruses: Propagation, Quantification, and Storage
Authors: Tran Anh , Berard Alicia , Coombs Kevin M.
Published: August 2009

Avian reoviruses (ARVs) are pathogens that cause significant morbidity among commercial poultry. ARVs are prototypic representatives of non‐enveloped viruses that can cause cell‐cell fusion. They belong to the Reoviridae family, which contains many highly pathogenic viruses. ARVs are ubiquitous in commercial poultry and are frequently isolated from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of chickens with acute infections. The virus causes a range of disease states in chicken, including viral arthritis/tenosynovitis, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, “pale bird syndrome,” runting‐stunting syndrome, and respiratory illness. This unit describes avian reovirus propagation, quantification, and storage. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 14:15C.2.1‐15C.2.16. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Determination of curcumol in rat plasma by capillary gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector
Authors: Zhao Xiao , Liu Yu‐Ling
Published: August 2009

A simple and sensitive capillary gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) method was developed for the determination of curcumol in rat plasma. From a variety of compounds and solvents tested, buagafuran was selected as the internal standard (IS) and acetonitrile was found to be the best protein precipitation agent and solvent for extracting curcumol from plasma and tissues samples. (Buagafuran was used as an internal standard. Curcumol was extracted by a protein precipitation with acetonitrile.) The samples were determined by GC on an HP‐5 column (30.0 m × 0.32 mm, 0.25 μm); inlet volume 2 μL; split ratio 10 : 1; inlet temperature 250°C; oven temperature 180°C; flow 1.0 mL/·min; FID 250°C; carrier gas N2. The resulting retention times of curcumol and IS were 6.0 and 9.5 min. There was good linearity over the range 0.133–133.3 μg/mL (r = 0.9999) in plasma samples. The method recoveries were 97.7–102.0% in plasma, and the intra‐ and inter‐day variances (RSD) were less than 15% in all cases. The GC method was applied to develop a pharmacokinetics study in which experimental rats received a single administration of curcumol by intravenous injection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized conditions for 2‐aminobenzamide labeling and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of N‐acylated monosaccharides
Authors: Maury Delphine , Couderc François , Czaplicki Jerzy , Garrigues Jean Christophe , Poinsot Véréna
Published: August 2009

The monosaccharides GlcNAc (N‐acetylglucosamine) and the home‐made GlcNC16 (N‐palmitoyl‐D‐glucosamine) were labeled with 2‐AB (2‐aminobenzamide) by reductive amination of the sugar. The aldehyde group of the monosaccharide reacts with the amino group of 2‐AB, forming a Schiff base. In the second step, the Schiff base is reduced with sodium cyanoborohydride to yield a stable secondary amine. We describe here a simple and fast procedure. Previous studies reported the same labeling at high concentration (10−1 M) during 30 h with further purification steps. In the present paper all operations were carried out in an Eppendorf tube and the reaction medium was directly analyzed without purification. Using the described protocol, the whole procedure can be accomplished in less than 6 h at 65°C at very low concentration (10−4 M). For both GlcNC16 and GlcNAc, the 2‐AB labeling conditions were optimized and, in addition, new conditions of high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis were developed. These N‐alkylated sugars were analyzed on reversed‐phase HPLC with fluorimetric detection at excitation and emission wavelengths of 340 and 400 nm, respectively. The separation was achieved on a C18 column with a gradient mobile phase composed of water (0.1% formic acid)–methanol (volume varying) in less than 19 min with 12.5 and 18.3 min retention times for GlcNAc and GlcNC16, respectively. Positive‐ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) analysis enabled their structural determination. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obtaining maximally flat transconductances with any number of multiple coupled differential pairs
Authors: Carrasco‐Robles Manuel , Serrano Luis
Published: August 2009

This paper presents the solution to the mathematical problem of obtaining maximally flat transconductances with transconductors of multiple coupled asymmetric differential pairs. This problem has remained unresolved until now and this solution provides an extremely fast an easy way to obtain the transistor asymmetries and tail current factors. General expressions for the differential output current and the transconductance for any number of pairs are deduced. Likewise, the compatibility of this linearization technique with both source degeneration via diode connected transistors and the use of back‐gate offset voltages is analysed. A designer's guide showing the way of modifying the theoretical parameters in order to be used in simulation is also proposed and finally, as a proof of concept, simulated results of several configurations with 10 coupled differential pairs are given. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectroscopic study of the reaction mechanism of buspirone interaction with iodine and tetracyanoethylene reagents and its applications
Authors: Zayed M.A. , El‐Habeeb Abeer A.
Published: August 2009

The reactions between the drug buspirone (busp) in its base form and iodine amphoteric reagent (n‐donor and/or σ‐acceptor) and with tetracyanoethylene as a π‐acceptor reagent (TCNE) have been studied spectrophotometrically at different reactant concentrations, time intervals, temperatures, and with different solvents and wavelengths, with the aim of selecting the conditions that give the most suitable molar extinction coefficients. This study aims chiefly to throw light on the nature of these reactions and to select the most proper conditions for spectrophotometric application of these reagents to determine this biologically active drug used in treating different diseases.

The reaction mechanism involves the formation of busp‐I2 outer and inner sphere complexes. The separated busp‐I2 solid product obtained was investigated using elemental analyses, FT‐IR, thermal analyses (TA) and electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS) and was found to be biologically active. The reaction mechanism of busp‐TCNE involves the formation of a charge transfer (CT) complex. The analytical parameters of the proposed spectrophotometric procedures were calculated. These procedures were applied in the analysis of busp in its formulations as a drug used to treat psychiatric illnesses. The values of the Sandell sensitivity, standard deviation (SD), relative standard deviation (RSD) and recovery percentage show the high sensitivity of these procedures. This study also presents a promising new busp‐I2 drug derivative that can be used more efficiently for the same purposes as its parent. It gives a clear idea about the possible metabolites and metabolic pathways of busp and its derivative that may occur in vivo. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hoxa2 plays a direct role in murine palate development
Authors: Smith Tara M. , Wang Xia , Zhang Wei , Kulyk William , Nazarali Adil J.
Published: August 2009

The cleft palate exhibited by Hoxa2 null murine embryos has been described as being secondary to abnormalities of tongue musculature, and Hoxa2 was presumed to not play a direct role in palate development. However, we detected Hoxa2 expression in the developing palate at both the mRNA and protein levels between embryonic day (E) 12.5 and E15.5. Organ cultures of Hoxa2−/− palates maintained in the absence of the tongue showed decreased fusion rates than either Hoxa2+/− or Hoxa2+/+ palate cultures. Knocking down Hoxa2 expression with antisense retroviral constructs resulted in decreased fusion rates than corresponding controls. An overall increase in cell proliferation was observed in Hoxa2 null palates providing a potential mechanism by which Hoxa2 may be affecting palate development. Hoxa2 also repressed the expression of its downstream targets Msx1, Bmp4, Barx1, and Ptx1 within the palate. These results demonstrate the cleft palate phenotype of Hoxa2 null embryos is not solely due to abnormal tongue musculature, and indicate a direct role of Hoxa2 in regulating murine palatogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:2364–2373, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postembryonic fast muscle growth of teleost fish depends upon a nonuniformly distributed population of mitotically active Pax7+ precursor cells
Authors: Marschallinger J. , Obermayer A. , Sänger A.M. , Stoiber W. , Steinbacher Peter
Published: August 2009

Muscle development in teleost embryos has been shown to depend on myogenic cell recruitment from the dermomyotome (DM). However, little is known as to the cellular mechanisms that account for myotome growth after the dissociation of the DM. Here we combine immunolabeling for cell‐specific markers with quantitative analysis to determine the sources and patterns of activation of myogenic cells in pearlfish larvae. Results demonstrate that appearance of mitotically active myogenic precursors inside the myotome coincides with the dissociation of the DM. Such cells are preferentially aggregated within the posterior lateral fast muscle. We therefore propose a growth model in which a pool of proliferative DM‐derived precursors transferred to the posterior lateral fast muscle functions as an important source of myogenic cell spread to carry forward stratified fast muscle hyperplasia. This indicates that postembryonic teleost muscle growth includes a cellular mechanism that has no direct equivalent in the amniotes. Developmental Dynamics 238:2442–2448, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Xmc mediates Xctr1‐independent morphogenesis in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Haremaki Tomomi , Weinstein Daniel C.
Published: August 2009

In the frog, Xenopus laevis, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is required for both mesoderm formation and the morphogenetic movements that drive the elongation of the notochord, a dorsal mesodermal derivative; the coordination of these distinct roles is mediated by the Xenopus Ctr1 (Xctr1) protein: maternal Xctr1 is required for mesodermal differentiation, while the subsequent loss of Xctr1 promotes morphogenesis. The signaling cascade activated by FGF in the presence of Ctr1 has been well characterized; however, the Xctr1‐independent, FGF‐responsive network remains poorly defined. We have identified Xenopus Marginal Coil (Xmc) as a gene whose expression is highly enriched following Xctr1 knockdown. Zygotic initiation of Xmc expression in vivo coincides with a decrease in maternal Xctr1 transcripts; moreover, Xmc loss‐of‐function inhibits Xctr1 knockdown‐mediated elongation of FGF‐treated animal cap explants, implicating Xmc as a key effector of Xctr1‐independent gastrular morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:2382–2400, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of Lrp6 conditional gene‐targeting mouse line for modeling and dissecting multiple birth defects/congenital anomalies
Authors: Zhou Chengji J. , Wang Ya‐Zhou , Yamagami Takashi , Zhao Tianyu , Song Lanying , Wang Kai
Published: August 2009

Lrp6 is a key coreceptor in the canonical Wnt pathway that is widely involved in tissue/organ morphogenesis. We generated a loxP‐floxed Lrp6 mouse line. Crossing with a general Cre deleter, we obtained the Lrp6‐floxdel mice, in which the loxP‐floxed exon 2 of Lrp6 gene has been deleted ubiquitously. The homozygotes of Lrp6‐floxdel mice reproduced typical defects as seen in the conventional Lrp6‐deficient mice, such as defects in eye, limb, and neural tube, and die around birth. We also found new phenotypes including cleft palate and agenesis of external genitalia in the Lrp6‐floxdel mice. In addition, the Lrp6‐deficient embryos are known to be defective in other systems and internal organs including the heart and brain. Thus, by selectively crossing with a lineage‐specific or inducible Cre mouse line, the Lrp6 conditional gene‐targeting mice will allow us to model specific types of birth defects for mechanism and prevention studies. Developmental Dynamics 239:318–326, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EU energy‐intensive industries and emission trading: losers becoming winners?
Authors: Wettestad Jorgen
Published: August 2009

The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) initially treated power producers and energy‐intensive industries similarly, despite clear structural differences between these industries regarding e.g. pass‐through of costs. Hence, the energy‐intensive industries could be seen as losing out in the internal distribution. In the January 2008 proposal for a reformed ETS post‐2012, a differentiated system was proposed where the energy‐intensive industries would come out relatively much better. Why is this? Although power producers still have a dominant position in the system, the increasing consensus about windfall profits has weakened their standing. Conversely, increasing attention to such profits and not least the possibility of global carbon leakage has strengthened the case of energy‐intensive industries at both national and EU levels. These industries have become more active in EU processes and somewhat better organized. Finally, growing fear of lax global climate policies has strengthened the case of these industries further. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Equilibrium Studies on Complex‐Formation Reactions of Pd[(2‐(2‐aminoethyl)pyridine)(H2O)2]2+ with Ligands of Biological Significance and Displacement Reactions of DNA Constituents
Authors: Shehata Mohamed R. , Shoukry Mohamed M. , Abdel‐Shakour Fatma H. , van Eldik Rudi
Published: August 2009

The [Pd(AEP)Cl2] complex was synthesized and characterized, where AEP = 2‐(2‐aminoethyl)pyridine. The stoichiometry and stability constants of the complexes formed between various biologically relevant ligands (amino acids, peptides, DNA constituents and dicarboxylic acids) and [Pd(AEP)(H2O)2]2+ were investigated at 25 °C and 0.1 M ionic strength. The equilibrium constants for the substitution of representative coordinated ligands such as inosine, glycine or methionine by cysteine were calculated and the concentration distribution diagrams of the various species evaluated. The kinetics of base hydrolysis of free and coordinated amino acid esters was investigated. The effects of the medium dielectric constant and temperature on the kinetics of base hydrolysis of the glycine methyl ester in the presence of the [Pd(AEP)(H2O)2]2+ complex were studied and the activation parameters ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ for the hydrolysis process were determined.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
The effect of co‐surfactant‐modified micelles on chiral separations in EKC
Authors: Kojtari Adeline B. , Guetschow Erik D. , Foley Joe P.
Published: August 2009

The use of chiral pseudostationary phases in EKC provides high efficiencies and excellent resolution for enantiomeric separations. The chiral pseudostationary phases of interest in this study are alcohol‐modified (“swollen”) micelles, in which a co‐surfactant (medium chain‐length alcohol) is added with the surfactant. In this study, the chiral surfactant, dodecoxycarbonylvaline (DDCV), along with the co‐surfactant, 2‐hexanol, has been prepared as swollen micelle in order to investigate the chiral separation of enantiomeric pairs. Three sets of experiments were investigated in which swollen micelle systems contained: chiral surfactant and racemic co‐surfactant; chiral surfactant and chiral co‐surfactant; and phase ratio increases, in which both chiral surfactant and chiral co‐surfactant were employed. In the first two sets of experiments, co‐surfactant concentration was held constant and the surfactant concentration was increased. In the third set of experiments, both surfactant and chiral surfactant concentrations were increased proportionally. The chromatographic figures of merit for each enantiomeric pair were investigated and compared with various chiral aggregate systems. In swollen micelle compositions using constant racemic 2‐hexanol concentration, when DDCV concentration increased, enantioselectivity and resolution increased; whereas, efficiency remained constant for most of the test compounds. Compositions using constant S‐2‐hexanol concentration reached a maximum in all chromatographic figures of merit when DDCV concentration was increased from 2 to 3%. An increase in both surfactant and co‐surfactant concentrations led to noisy baselines and chiral aggregates that were generally unstable in solution.
Advanced CE for chiral analysis of drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers in biological samples
Authors: Mikuš Peter , Maráková Katarína
Published: August 2009

An analysis of recent trends indicates that CE can show real advantages over chromatographic methods in ultratrace enantioselective determination of biologically active compounds in complex biological matrices. It is due to high separation efficiency and many applicable in‐capillary electromigration effects in CE (countercurrent migration, stacking effects) enhancing significantly (enantio)separability and enabling effective sample preparation (preconcentration, purification, analyte derivatization). Other possible on‐line combinations of CE, such as column coupled CE–CE techniques and implementation of nonelectrophoretic techniques (extraction, membrane filtration, flow injection) into CE, offer additional approaches for highly effective sample preparation and separation. CE matured to a highly flexible and compatible technique enabling its hyphenation with powerful detection systems allowing extremely sensitive detection (e.g. LIF) and/or structural characterization of analytes (e.g. MS). Within the last decade, more as well as less conventional analytical on‐line approaches have been effectively utilized in this field and their practical potentialities are demonstrated on many new application examples in this article. Here, three basic areas of (enantioselective) drug bioanalysis are highlighted and supported by a brief theoretical description of each individual approach in a compact review structure (to create integrated view on the topic), including (i) progressive enantioseparation approaches and new enantioselective agents, (ii) in‐capillary sample preparation (preconcentration, purification, derivatization), and (iii) detection possibilities related to enhanced sensitivity and structural characterization.
K‐Ras mutant fraction in A/J mouse lung increases as a function of benzo[a]pyrene dose
Authors: Meng Fanxue , Knapp Geremy W. , Green Terry , Ross Jeffrey A. , Parsons Barbara L.
Published: August 2009

K‐Ras mutant fraction (MF) was measured to examine the default assumption of low‐dose linearity in the benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) mutational response. Groups of 10 male A/J mice (7‐ to 9‐weeks old) received a single i.p. injection of 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 mg/kg B[a]P and were sacrificed 28 days after treatment. K‐Ras codon 12 TGT and GAT MFs in lung DNAs were measured using Allele‐specific Competitive Blocker‐PCR (ACB‐PCR). The K‐Ras codon 12 TGT geometric mean MF was 3.88 × 10−4 in controls, indicating an average of 1 mutation in every ∼1,288 lung cells. The K‐Ras codon 12 TGT geometric mean MFs were as follows: 3.56 × 10−4; 6.19 × 10−4; 2.02 × 10−3, and 3.50 × 10−3 for the 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg B[a]P treatment groups, respectively. The 5 and 50 mg/kg dose groups had TGT MFs significantly higher than did controls. Although 10−5 is considered as the limit of accurate ACB‐PCR quantitation, K‐Ras codon 12 GAT geometric mean MFs were as follows: 8.38 × 10−7, 1.47 × 10−6, 2.19 × 10−6, 5.71 × 10−6, and 8.99 × 10−6 for the 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg B[a]P treatment groups, respectively. The K‐Ras TGT and GAT MFs increased in a B[a]P‐dose‐dependent manner, with response approximately linear over the 0.05 to 5 mg/kg dose range. K‐Ras MF increased with B[a]P adduct burden measured for identical doses in a separate study. Thus, ACB‐PCR may be useful in characterizing the shape of a dose‐response curve at low doses and establishing relationships between DNA adducts and tumor‐associated mutations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2010. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Revisiting old bones: coupled carbon isotope analysis of bioapatite and collagen as an ecological and palaeoecological tool
Authors: Clementz M.T. , Fox‐Dobbs K. , Wheatley P.V. , Koch P.L. , Doak D.F.
Published: August 2009

Isotopic studies of palaeoecological and ecological questions often use bone collagen or bioapatite as substrates, but rarely both. Substantial new information can be gained from the incorporation of isotopic values from both the organic and inorganic fractions of bone. Here we show that combining isotopic data from both substrates provides valuable and unique insights into (1) trophic relationships and dietary interactions; (2) differences in digestive physiologies and (3) identification of palaeontological or archaeological remains that lack diagnostic morphological characters. We present a range of new isotopic data collected from modern and fossil mammals, and investigate patterns within several published datasets. We define carbon isotope spacing variables, and then explore four diverse palaeoecological and ecological case studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cerebrospinal fluid total tau as a marker of Alzheimer's disease intensity
Authors: Sämgård Kajsa , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Hansson Oskar , Minthon Lennart , Londos Elisabet
Published: August 2009

Objectives

The aim of this longitudinal study was to test the hypothesis that CSF biomarkers in AD patients also may be forward‐looking measures that are associated not only with the degree and profile of cognitive impairment but also with changes in cognition over time.

Methods

Here, we assessed the association of CSF Aβ42, T‐tau and P‐tau with neuropsychological scores of disease severity, as well as the rate of disease progression, in 142 patients with Alzheimer's disease. All patients were part of a 3‐year prospective longitudinal treatment study.

Results

A more rapid progress in MMSE score reduction was seen in AD patients with T‐tau levels higher than the upper quartile (800 ng/L) compared with Alzheimer's disease patients with lower T‐tau levels (p = 0.008). We also found that individuals with T‐tau > 800 ng/L performed worse in total scores and especially in memory and orientation when assessed with MMSE and ADAS cog than patients with T‐tau <800 ng/L. Similar results were obtained for P‐tau. No associations were seen between Aβ42 and cognitive scores or disease progression.

Discussion

These findings support the hypothesis that increased levels of T‐tau reflect the intensity of the disease and are associated with a more rapid disease progress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Getting lost in the community: a phone survey on the community‐dwelling demented people in Hong Kong
Authors: Kwok Timothy C. Y. , Yuen Kenneth S. L. , Ho Florence K. Y. , Chan W. M.
Published: August 2009

Objective

Research from Western countries reported that the incidence rate of dementia patients getting lost in the community ranged from 30 to 60%. It had imposed significant burden on the caregivers. In the current study, we investigated the situation on the incidents of getting lost in a densely populated as well as homogenous community environment.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty one caregivers of older adults with demented people who had either used dementia day care service or participated in a community survey were interviewed on the telephone. Respondents were asked on older adult's experience of getting lost in the community and their mode of care. Correlating factors of such incidents were examined.

Results

The overall prevalence of lost history in our subjects was 27.5%. The subjects recruited from day care center were much more likely than those recruited from the community survey to have lost history (39.2% vs. 7.5%, p < 0.0001, χ2 test). Greater degrees of cognitive decline were associated with greater chance of having had lost episodes. Immobility was associated with lower risk. Both the older people and their caregivers had reported significant degrees of psychological disturbances after the incidents.

Conclusion

Demented people with greater degrees of cognitive decline and with mobility maintained are at greater risk of getting lost. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuropsychological functioning in buprenorphine maintained patients versus abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapy
Authors: Messinis Lambros , Lyros Epameinondas , Andrian Virginia , Katsakiori Paraskevi , Panagis George , Georgiou Vasileios , Papathanasopoulos Panagiotis
Published: August 2009

Rationale

Methadone and buprenorphine are among the most widely employed pharmacological treatments currently available for opioid addiction. Cognitive effects of buprenorphine in abstinent heroin abusers are nevertheless far from being understood.

Methods

Neuropsychological performance of 18 buprenorphine‐maintained patients (BMP) was evaluated relative to that of 32 currently abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapy (FHAN), and 34 non‐drug dependent controls. The three groups were demographically balanced. Clinical groups reported histories of similar patterns of drug use and had increased periods of abstinence from any illicit substance use including heroin.

Results

The BMP group performed poorer than controls on the RAVLT (encoding and delayed recall of verbal information), CTT (conceptual flexibility, executive functions) and the RBANS figure copy (visual perception) and delayed recall of visual information. There were no significant differences in any of the cognitive measures between the BMP and FHAN groups or between the FHAN group and controls. Furthermore, the non‐differing percentage of abnormal cases between the two patient groups led us to infer that treatment with either BPM or FHAN is not accompanied by qualitative differences in the cognitive profiles of these patients.

Conclusion

Overall, results suggest that treatment with naltrexone in abstinent heroin abusers may result in less impairment of cognitive functions compared to treatment with buprenorphine. These findings are relevant for improved prognosis and treatment strategies in opioid dependence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Label‐free biochemical characterization of stem cells using vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Chan James W. , Lieu Deborah K.
Published: August 2009

Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy are two complementary vibrational spectroscopic techniques that have experienced a tremendous growth in their use in biological and biomedical research. This is, in large part, due to their unique capability of providing label‐free intrinsic chemical information of living biological samples at tissue, cellular, or sub‐cellular resolutions. This article reviews recent developments in applying these techniques for the characterization of stem cells. A discussion of the potential for these methods to address some of the major challenges in stem cell research is presented, as well as the technological and scientific advancements that are needed to progress the knowledge in the field. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A rapidly resorbable hemostatic biomaterial based on dihydroxyacetone
Authors: Henderson Peter W. , Kadouch Daniel J. M. , Singh Sunil P. , Zawaneh Peter N. , Weiser Jennifer , Yazdi Sara , Weinstein Andrew , Krotscheck Ursula , Wechsler Bennett , Putnam David , Spector Jason A.
Published: August 2009

We have developed a rapid acting, rapidly resorbable, non‐toxic, topical hemostatic agent comprised of a PEGylated, polymerized sequence of dihydroxyacetone (MPEG‐pDHA) that is highly effective in vivo. Twenty‐eight Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent left lateral hepatectomy. To the cut edge of the liver, rats received MPEG‐pDHA (50 mg), normal saline (0.5 mL), or Instat™ (50 mg), a commercially available hemostatic compound. Bleeding time and total blood loss were quantified. Coagulation studies and scanning electron microscopy were performed on phlebotomized blood combined with MPEG‐pDHA. Rats treated with MPEG‐pDHA had significantly decreased bleeding time (97 s) and total blood loss (1.35 g) compared to normal saline (464 s and 3.83 g, p < 0.05 for each), and a significantly shorter bleeding time compared to Instat (165 s, p < 0.05). Histology confirmed that all MPEG‐pDHA was metabolized within 3 weeks. The addition of MPEG‐pDHA to whole blood did not significantly affect prothrombin time (12.0 s vs. 13.2 s, p = 0.130), partial thromboplastin time (27.0 s vs. 21.8 s, p = 0.118), or thrombin clotting time. MPEG‐pDHA is an effective and rapidly resorbable hemostatic agent that may find broad hemostatic application in a wide range of surgical procedures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Participation and sector selection in Nicaragua
Authors: Pozzoli Dario , Ranzani Marco
Published: August 2009

This paper investigates the structure of the labor market in Nicaragua and is aimed at understanding the determinants of the choice between a number of segments, namely inactivity, unemployment, agriculture, the formal and the informal sectors. In addition, a model with a separate participation equation is estimated: it allows us to understand that age mainly is a supply‐side factor, while education is an important element determining employer's choices Information networks, captured by the presence of a household member working in the formal sector, and geographical barriers to mobility also play a leading role. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracorporeally irradiated autograft‐prosthetic composite arthroplasty using AML® extensively porous‐coated stem for proximal femur reconstruction: A clinical analysis of 14 patients
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Fong , Chen Wei‐Ming , Cheng Yu‐Chieh , Chiang Chao‐Ching , Huang Ching‐Kuei , Chen Tain‐Hsiung
Published: August 2009

Background and Objectives

Allograft‐prosthetic composite for reconstruction of the proximal femur after tumor excision is widely used as an alternative to megaprosthesis. To achieve greater biological fixation, we employed a long‐stem prosthesis that is cemented proximally into the extracorporeally irradiated autograft and press‐fit distally into the host femur without any supplementary plate fixation of the junction instead of the standard all‐cemented technique.

Methods

From 1997 to 2002, 14 patients underwent proximal femur reconstruction with extracorporeally irradiated autograft‐prosthetic composite using an AML® extensively porous‐coated long stem for reconstruction of the bone defect of tumor excisions.

Results

At the mean follow‐up period of 65.7 months, only one patient (8.1%) developed non‐union and another died of disease before union of the junction. The remaining 12 patients (85%) achieved union at a mean of 20.3 weeks (range, 14–40 weeks) without major complication. The mean functional Enneking score was 72.1% (range, 53–93%).

Conclusions

These clinical results show that this reliable and satisfactory technique promotes union through compression at the host‐graft junction with weight‐bearing by leaving the distal portion of the femoral stem uncemented into the host bone. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:418–422. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of surgical staging in locally advanced cervical cancer and subsequent chemotherapy
Authors: Marana Heitor Ricardo Cosiski , de Andrade Jurandyr Moreira , dos Reis Francisco José Cândido , Tiezzi Daniel Guimarães , Zola Fábio Eduardo , Clagnan Willan Simões , Garieri Alexandre Pavan
Published: August 2009

Background

Surgical staging (SS) is the gold standard for determination of the true extent of a patient's disease and is an important prognostic factor in cervical cancer. We investigated whether lymph node dissection (LND) prior to chemotherapy (CT) followed by radical surgery (RS) could modified overall (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS).

Methods

We performed a cohort analysis of 98 patients with cervical carcinoma. The experimental group consisted of 36 patients who underwent SS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and then by RS (objective response) or chemo‐radiation therapy (with or without subsequent surgery when not possible). The control group consisted of 62 similarly treated patients without pretreatment SS. The value of this procedure as a diagnostic tool in defining the extent of disease was evaluated. Furthermore, LND/CT‐associated treatment complications and the impacts on OS and DFS were also evaluated.

Results

Fourteen (38.9%) patients had pelvic LN metastases and three (8.3%) patients had pelvic and para‐aortic LN metastases. The 39‐month OS and DFS rates for the current study were 80.6% for the staged group and 52% for non‐staged treatment (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

SS in cervical cancer is a feasible and safe pretreatment procedure, and when associated with CT, it improves OS and DFS. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:505–510. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hereditary multiple exostoses and juvenile colon carcinoma: A case with a common genetic background?
Authors: Pata Giacomo , Nascimbeni Riccardo , Di Lorenzo Diego , Gervasi Maria , Villanacci Vincenzo , Salerni Bruno
Published: August 2009

A case of obstructing colon cancer is described in a 31‐year‐old patient affected by hereditary multiple exostoses. The association of these two rare conditions, which has never been described previously, and their early onset prompt us to discuss the clinical and genetic elements of a potential common pathogenic scenario. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:520–522. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical displacement of risk organs to improve stereotactic radiotherapy for liver tumors
Authors: Gunvén Peter , Jonas Eduard , Wersäll Peter , Lax Ingmar
Published: August 2009

Background and Objectives

Precision irradiation may cure some liver malignancies, but adjacent stomach and colon may interfere with the delivery of the desired high doses due to the risk for serious side effects.

Methods and Results

Preferably laparoscopic distancing of the risk organs included their mobilization, omental interposition between them and the target, and gastropexy to the lateral abdominal wall. This enabled us to more than double the radiation doses that were permitted by native anatomy.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgical displacement of risk organs may increase the prospect of local control of liver tumors after precision irradiation with little demand on the patients and resources. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:515–517. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cervical thymic anomalies—The Texas Children's Hospital experience
Authors: Sturm‐O'Brien Angela K. , Salazar Jorge D. , Byrd Robert H. , Popek Edwina J. , Giannoni Carla M. , Friedman Ellen M. , Sulek Marcelle , Larrier Deidre R.
Published: August 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To review the presentation and management of cervical thymic cysts and ectopic thymic tissue at Texas Children's Hospital over the last 25 years.

Study Design:

Case report and case series using retrospective chart review.

Methods:

A case report is presented of a recently diagnosed thymic cyst highlighting diagnostic, management, and treatment strategies available for optimizing management of patients with significant mediastinal extension. We then present a retrospective review of cervical thymic anomalies at a tertiary academic medical center over a 25‐year span (1983–present). Data extracted include patients' characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, surgical management, and postoperative complications.

Results:

Fifteen patients were found to have a pathological diagnosis of cervical thymic cyst, and 10 patients had a diagnosis of ectopic thymic tissue in the neck. This is the largest case series of cervical thymic anomalies presented in the literature to date. Patients' characteristics, diagnostic techniques, and treatment strategies are discussed.

Conclusions:

Cervical thymic anomalies are a rare but necessary part of the differential diagnosis of a cervical mass. Computed tomography scan can both narrow the preoperative differential diagnosis and aid in surgical planning for thymic cyst excision. A full discussion of the embryology, clinical presentation, and management of cervical thymic cysts and a review of the current literature is presented. Laryngoscope, 2009
Influence of cold work and sigma phase on the pitting corrosion behavior of 25 chromium super duplex stainless steel in 3.5% sodium chloride solution.
Authors: Elhoud A. , Ezuber H. , Deans W.
Published: August 2009

The effect of cold work (up to 16% strain) and sigma phase precipitation (at 850 °C for 10 and 60 min) on the pitting resistance of 25 chromium super duplex stainless steel were investigated in 3.5% sodium chloride solution at 70 and 90 °C. Anodic polarization scans for cold worked samples revealed immunity to pitting attack at 70 °C even with 16% strain. At 90 °C, the alloy still showed high pitting resistance, pitting occurring at about 600 mV (SCE) for the 16% plastic strain samples. A serious deterioration of the pitting corrosion resistance was found after heating the alloy at 850 °C for 10 min resulting in a clear drop in the pitting potential at 90 °C. After heating for 60 min, the material showed rapid deterioration of pitting corrosion resistance at 70 °C.
Effects of coolant chemistry on corrosion of 3003 aluminum alloy in automotive cooling system
Authors: Liu Y. , Cheng Y.F.
Published: August 2009

In this work, effects of coolant chemistry, including concentrations of chloride ions and ethylene glycol and addition of various ions, on corrosion of 3003 Al alloy were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy characterization. In chloride‐free, ethylene glycol–water solution, a layer of Al‐alcohol film is proposed to form on the electrode surface. With the increase of ethylene glycol concentration, more Al‐alcohol film is formed, resulting in the increase in film resistance and charge‐transfer resistance. In the presence of Cl− ions, they would be involved in the film formation, decreasing the stability of the film. In 50% ethylene glycol–water solution, the threshold value of Cl− concentration for pitting initiation is within the range of 100 ppm to 0.01 M. When the ethylene glycol concentration increases to 70%, the threshold Cl− concentration for pitting is from 0.01 to 0.1 M. In 100% ethylene glycol, there is no pitting of 3003 Al alloy even at 0.1 M of Cl−. Even a trace amount of impurity cation could affect significantly the corrosion behavior of 3003 Al alloy in ethylene glycol–water solution. Addition of Zn2+ is capable of increasing the corrosion resistance of Al alloy electrode, while Cu2+ ions containing in the solution would enhance corrosion, especially pitting corrosion, of Al alloy. The effect of Mg2+ on Al alloy corrosion is only slight.
3D‐mappings by means of monogenic functions and their approximation
Authors: Malonek H. R. , Falcão M. I.
Published: August 2009

We consider quasi‐conformal 3D‐mappings realized by hypercomplex differentiable (monogenic) functions and their polynomial approximation. Main tools are the series development of monogenic functions in terms of hypercomplex variables and the generalization of Kantorovich's approach for approximating conformal mappings by powers of a small parameter. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Representation and sampling of Hardy functions
Authors: Boumenir Amin , Tuan Vu Kim
Published: August 2009

We prove a new sampling formula and disprove the existence of a Shannon sampling formula for functions in the Hardy space ℋ︁2(ℝ). As a consequence, a new series representation of the Riemann zeta function in the half plane \documentclass{article}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\Re(s){>}\frac{1}{2}$\end{document} is obtained. We also provide various estimates for the truncations error. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tissue distribution of anthocyanins in rats fed a blackberry anthocyanin‐enriched diet
Authors: Felgines Catherine , Texier Odile , Garcin Pauline , Besson Catherine , Lamaison Jean‐Louis , Scalbert Augustin
Published: August 2009

Anthocyanins are natural dietary pigments that could be involved in various health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of anthocyanins to various organs (bladder, prostate, testes, heart and adipose tissue) in rats fed with a blackberry anthocyanin‐enriched diet for 12 days. Identification and quantification of anthocyanins were carried out by HPLC‐DAD. The urinary excretion of total anthocyanins (native anthocyanins and their metabolites) was low (0.20 ± 0.03%, n = 8). Proportions of anthocyanin derivatives (methylated anthocyanins and glucurono‐conjugated derivatives) differed according to the organ considered. The bladder contained the highest levels of anthocyanins followed by the prostate. Prostate, testes and heart contained native cyanidin 3‐glucoside and a small proportion of cyanidin monoglucuronide. Cyanidin 3‐glucoside and methylated derivatives were present in adipose tissue. Thus, anthocyanin feeding in rats resulted in a wide distribution of anthocyanin derivatives to several organs. Identification of target tissues of anthocyanins may then help to understand the mechanisms of action of anthocyanins in vivo.