bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature‐dependent Performances of a Fuel Cell Using a Superacid Zirconia‐doped Nafion Polymer Electrolyte
Authors: Navarra M. A. , Abbati C. , Croce F. , Scrosati B.
Published: February 2009

Sulphated zirconia‐added Nafion membranes were prepared and used as polymer electrolyte separators in H2‐air fuel cells. The cell performances of the composite membrane were compared with those of an unmodified Nafion membrane having the same thickness. The cell response was studied by means of voltage–current dependence, in situ impedance spectroscopy and current interrupt‐based cell resistance. The effect of temperature on the cells behaviour was evaluated. When using the composite membrane as an electrolyte a general enhancement was found, both in terms of power density delivered and ohmic resistance. Moreover, the high‐temperature impedance response of the zirconia‐doped Nafion‐based cell was highly improved, showing a wellcontrolled charge transfer resistance.
Formation of Nanostructured Gold Sponges by Anodic Dealloying. EIS Investigation of Product and Process
Authors: Cattarin S. , Kramer D. , Lui A. , Musiani M.
Published: February 2009

Gold sponges are prepared by anodic leaching of silver from Ag75Au25 alloy sheets in 1 mol L—1 HClO4 solutions. EIS investigations performed after exhaustive dissolution, under blocking conditions, show classical porous behaviour and a capacity, increasing with dissolution potential, in the range of 3–10 F g—1. The observed time decrease of capacity is consistent with the occurrence of slow coarsening phenomena. EIS investigations performed during dissolution show a faradaic process in parallel with capacitive charging of the metal sponge, and a much larger capacity. The phenomena are discussed and a simulation is presented, based on a set of plausible parameters.
Increased expression of fatty acid synthase in human aberrant crypt foci: Possible target for colorectal cancer prevention
Authors: Kearney Kathleen E. , Pretlow Thomas G. , Pretlow Theresa P.
Published: February 2009

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF), the earliest identified monoclonal lesions in the colon, provide insights into changes that promote and/or accompany the transformation of normal colonic epithelial cells to colorectal cancer. Fatty acid synthase (FAS), the primary enzyme involved in de novo lipogenesis from carbohydrates, is expressed at low levels in most normal human tissues but is elevated in several human neoplasms including colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. To determine if this pathway is altered even earlier in colorectal tumorigenesis, 35 human ACF from 21 patients were evaluated for the immunohistochemical expression of FAS. Sections of colon cancer served as positive controls, and normal colonic mucosa distant from cancer or ACF served as negative controls. FAS expression was increased in 30 (86%) ACF compared with that in adjacent normal colonic mucosa. The expression of FAS in ACF was not related to the degree of dysplasia or to the number of crypts in the ACF. The over expression of FAS in a high proportion of ACF suggests that this enzyme plays an important role very early in colorectal tumorigenesis and may be a target for chemoprevention. © 2009 UICC
Greater vegetable and fruit intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among Chinese women
Authors: Zhang Cai‐Xia , Ho Suzanne C. , Chen Yu‐Ming , Fu Jian‐Hua , Cheng Shou‐Zhen , Lin Fang‐Yu
Published: February 2009

The effect of vegetable and fruit consumption on breast cancer risk is controversial. We examined the association between vegetable and fruit intake and breast cancer risk in a hospital‐based case–control study conducted in Guangdong, China. Four hundred and thirty‐eight cases were frequency matched to 438 controls by age (5‐year interval) and residence (rural/urban). Dietary intake was assessed by face‐to‐face interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for various potential confounders. Total vegetable and fruit intake was found to be inversely associated with breast cancer risk. The ORs of the highest quartile relative to the lowest quartile of total vegetable and fruit intake were 0.28 (95% CI 0.18–0.43) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.34–0.82), respectively. Consumption of individual vegetable and fruit groups such as dark green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, carrots and tomatoes, banana, watermelon/papaya/cantaloupe were all inversely and significantly related with breast cancer risk. An inverse association was also observed for vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber intake. These data indicate that greater intake of vegetables and fruits is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women residing in Guangdong. © 2009 UICC
In vitroassay for drug‐induced hepatosteatosis using rat primary hepatocytes, a fluorescent lipid analog and gene expression analysis
Authors: Fujimura Hisako , Murakami Naoko , Kurabe Michie , Toriumi Wataru
Published: February 2009

To evaluate new drugs' potential for hepatosteatosis, we developed a cell‐based assay using a fluorescent fatty acid analog: BODIPY558/568 C12. Rat primary hepatocytes were exposed to positive reference compounds [cyclosporine A (CsA), clofibrate (CFR), tetracycline (TC), valproic acid (VPA), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), tamoxifen (TMX)] in the presence of BODIPY558/568 C12. The formation of fluorsecent particles or lipid droplets in the cytoplasm was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy respectively. The accumulation of BODIPY558/568 C12was measured by fluorometry and high content imaging method. All positive reference compounds increased fluorescent particles in number and fluorescence intensity. High content imaging was more sensitive and selective method than fluorometry to detect fluorescent particles. Gene expression analysis of the hepatocytes showed two patterns: genes related to lipid metabolism/synthesis were down‐regulated by oxidative stress inducing compounds: CsA, TC and TMX, and up‐regulated by peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha agonists: CFR and VPA. From these findings, we concluded that the cell‐based assay developed in this study is an appropriate method to predict drugs' potential for hepatosteatosis, and gene expression analysis is useful to profile the mechanism of the hepatosteatosis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statins, stem cells, and cancer
Authors: Gauthaman Kalamegam , Fong Chui‐Yee , Bongso Ariff
Published: February 2009

The statins (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) were proven to be effective antilipid agents against cardiovascular disease. Recent reports demonstrate an anticancer effect induced by the statins through inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, or inhibition of angiogenesis. These effects are due to suppression of the mevalonate pathway leading to depletion of various downstream products that play an essential role in cell cycle progression, cell signaling, and membrane integrity. Recent evidence suggests a shared genomic fingerprint between embryonic stem cells, cancer cells, and cancer stem cells. Activation targets of NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, and c‐MYC are more frequently overexpressed in certain tumors. In the absence of bona fide cancer stem cell lines, human embryonic stem cells, which have similar properties to cancer and cancer stem cells, have been an excellent model throwing light on the anticancer affects of various putative anticancer agents. It was shown that key cellular functions in karyotypically abnormal colorectal and ovarian cancer cells and human embryonic stem cells are inhibited by the statins and this is mediated via a suppression of this stemness pathway. The strategy for treatment of cancers may thus be the targeting of a putative cancer stem cell within the tumor with specific agents such as the statins with or without chemotherapy. The statins may thus play a dual prophylactic role as a lipid‐lowering drug for the prevention of heart disease and as an anticancer agent to prevent certain cancers. This review examines the relationship between the statins, stem cells, and certain cancers. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 975–983, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimization of oil and carotenes recoveries from palm oil mill effluent using response surface methodology
Authors: Ahmad A. L. , Chan C. Y. , Abd Shukor S. R. , Mashitah M. D.
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is a liquid waste that is highly polluting and has a significant impact on the environment if not dealt with properly. POME contains oil and carotenes that needs to be treated before discharge. In this work solvent extraction was used to recover oil‐containing carotenes from POME. Optimum conditions for the extraction of oil and carotenes from POME were determined using response surface methodology.

RESULTS: A central composite design was used to investigate the effects of three independent factors, namely solvent:POME ratio, mixing rate (rpm) and mixing time (min) on the responses, extracted oil and carotenes recovery. The optimal conditions for extraction of oil and carotenes from POME were 8:10 solvent:POME ratio; 500 rpm mixing rate and 25 min mixing time. Under these conditions, the amount of oil extracted from POME was 7885 mg L−1, and carotenes recovery was 87.1%.

CONCLUSION: The experimental values agreed with those predicted, thus indicating the suitability of the model employed in optimizing the extraction parameters. A high yield of carotenes was obtained under the optimized conditions, with relatively low solvent levels. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Possible protection by notoginsenoside R1 against glutamate neurotoxicity mediated by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors composed of an NR1/NR2B subunit assembly
Authors: Gu Bin , Nakamichi Noritaka , Zhang Wen‐Sheng , Nakamura Yukary , Kambe Yuki , Fukumori Ryo , Takuma Kazuhiro , Yamada Kiyofumi , Takarada Takeshi , Taniura Hideo , Yoneda Yukio
Published: February 2009

Notoginsenoside R1 (NTR1) is the main active ingredient inPanax notoginseng, a herbal medicine widely used in Asia for years. The purpose of this study was to investigate pharmacological properties of NTR1 on neurotoxicity of glutamate (Glu) in primary cultured mouse cortical neurons along with its possible mechanism of action. Wefound that NTR1 significantly protected neurons from the loss of cellular viability caused by brief exposure to 10 μM Glu for 1 hr in a dose‐dependent manner at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 μM, without affecting the viability alone. NTR1 significantly inhibited the increased number of cells positive to propidium iodide (PI) staining, increase of intracellular free Ca2+ions, overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured neurons exposed to Glu, in addition to blocking decreased Bcl‐2 and increased Bax expression levels. We further evaluated the target site at which NTR1 protects neurons from Glu toxicity by using the acquired expression strategy of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We found that 10 μM NTR1 protected NR1/NR2B subunit expressing cells from cell death by 100 μM NMDA, but not cells expressing NR1/NR2A subunits, when determined by PI staining. These results suggest that NTR1 may preferentially protect neurons from Glu excitotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptor composed of an NR1/NR2B subunit assembly in the brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
17β‐estradiol protects against hypoxic/ischemic white matter damage in the neonatal rat brain
Authors: Gerstner Bettina , Lee Joan , DeSilva Tara M. , Jensen Frances E. , Volpe Joseph J. , Rosenberg Paul A.
Published: February 2009

Developing oligodendrocytes (pre‐OLs) are highly vulnerable to hypoxic‐ischemic injury and associated excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. 17β‐Estradiol plays an important role in the development and function of the CNS and is neuroprotective. The sudden drop in circulating estrogen after birth may enhance the susceptibility of developing OLs to injury. Estrogen receptor (ER)–α and ER‐β are both expressed in OLs. We examined the effect of 17β‐estradiol on oxygen‐glucose deprivation and oxidative stress–induced cell death in rat pre‐OLs in vitro and on hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury in vivo. Pre‐OLs in culture were subjected to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) or glutathione depletion in the presence or absence of 17β‐estradiol. LDH release, the Alamar blue assay, and phase‐contrast microscopy were used to assess cell viability. Hypoxic‐ischemic injury was generated in 6‐day‐old rats (P6) by unilateral carotid ligation and hypoxia (6% O2 for 1 hr). Rat pups received one intraperitoneal injection of 300 or 600 μg/kg 17β‐estradiol or vehicle 12 hr prior to the surgical procedure. Injury was assessed by myelin basic protein (MBP) immunocytochemistry at P10. 17β‐Estradiol produced significant protection against OGD‐induced cell death in primary OLs (EC50 = 1.3 ± 0.46 × 10−9 M) and against oxidative stress. Moreover, 17β‐estradiol attenuated the loss of MBP labeling in P10 pups ipsilateral to the carotid ligation. These results suggest a potential role for estrogens in attenuation of hypoxic‐ischemic and oxidative injury to developing OLs and in the prevention of periventricular leukomalacia. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of localized retinal malfunction in retinal degeneration model using a multielectrode array system
Authors: Homma Kohei , Osakada Fumitaka , Hirami Yasuhiko , Jin Zi‐Bing , Mandai Michiko , Takahashi Masayo
Published: February 2009

Light stimulation inhibits the retinal dark current through phototransduction signals in the photoreceptors. Electroretinography (ERG) detects the blockage of the dark current as the a‐wave of the ERG. However, standard ERGs represent the summed neural activity of the retina, and information on localized functions cannot be obtained. In this study, we used a multielectrode array (MEA) system and directly recorded the focal activities of the photoreceptors of the retina. Retinas were isolated from dark‐adapted rodents and were draped over the electrode array with vitreal surface of the retina on the electrode array. After light stimulation, negative waves were recorded from each electrode. Adding aminobutyric acid, a selective agonist of mGluR6 expressed on ON‐bipolar cells, to the media did not block the generation of the responses. The amplitude of the response increased with increasing retinal development. When the retina was locally injured, light‐elicited responses were diminished only in the injured areas of the retina. Retinas isolated from rats given N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU) were also tested. In central retinas of MNU‐treated rats, the responses were progressively decreased following injection of MNU. In contrast, in the peripheral retinas, amplitude of the responses was relatively retained, consistent with the retinal thickness observed by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, light‐evoked responses were recorded with the MEA system. The MEA system was useful for detecting subtle and focal activation of photoreceptors. This spatial information should be valuable in investigating local functional recovery in therapeutically treated areas, such as in gene transfer or cell transplantation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biostratigraphic and aminostratigraphic constraints on the age of the Middle Pleistocene glacial succession in north Norfolk, UK
Authors: Preece Richard C. , Parfitt Simon A. , Coope G. Russell , Penkman Kirsty E. H. , Ponel Philippe , Whittaker John E.
Published: February 2009

Considerable debate surrounds the age of the Middle Pleistocene glacial succession in East Anglia following some recent stratigraphical reinterpretations. Resolution of the stratigraphy here is important since it not only concerns the glacial history of the region but also has a bearing on our understanding of the earliest human occupation of north‐western Europe. The orthodox consensus that all the tills were emplaced during the Anglian (Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 12) has recently been challenged by a view assigning each major till to a different glacial stage, before, during and after MIS 12. Between Trimingham and Sidestrand on the north Norfolk coast, datable organic sediments occur immediately below and above the glacial succession. The oldest glacial deposit (Happisburgh Till) directly overlies the ‘Sidestrand Unio‐bed’, here defined as the Sidestrand Hall Member of the Cromer Forest‐bed Formation. Dating of these sediments therefore has a bearing on the maximum age of the glacial sequence. This paper reviews the palaeobotany and describes the faunal assemblages recovered from the Sidestrand Unio‐bed, which accumulated in a fluvial environment in a fully temperate climate with regional deciduous woodland. There are indications from the ostracods for weakly brackish conditions. Significant differences are apparent between the Sidestrand assemblages and those from West Runton, the type site of the Cromerian Stage. These differences do not result from contrasting facies or taphonomy but reflect warmer palaeotemperatures at Sidestrand and a much younger age. This conclusion is suggested by the higher proportion of thermophiles at Sidestrand and the occurrence of a water vole with unrooted molars (Arvicola) rather than its ancestor Mimomys savini with rooted molars. Amino acid racemisation data also indicate that Sidestrand is significantly younger than West Runton. These data further highlight the stratigraphical complexity of the ‘Cromerian Complex’ and support the conventional view that the Happisburgh Till was emplaced during the Anglian rather than the recently advanced view that it dates from MIS 16. Moreover, new evidence from the Trimingham lake bed (Sidestrand Cliff Formation) above the youngest glacial outwash sediments (Briton's Lane Formation) indicates that they also accumulated during a Middle Pleistocene interglacial – probably MIS 11. All of this evidence is consistent with a short chronology placing the glacial deposits within MIS 12, rather than invoking multiple episodes of glaciation envisaged in the ‘new glacial stratigraphy’ during MIS 16, 12, 10 and 6. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microcolumn LC enantioseparation of chiral compounds using diol silica gel functionalized with vancomycin crystalline degradation products
Authors: Gholami Morteza , Ghassempour Alireza , Alizadeh Reza , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: February 2009

Vancomycin crystalline degradation products (CDPs) have been introduced as one of the newest and most interesting derivatives of vancomycin for enantiomer separation of a wide variety of chiral compounds. In this attempt, a chiral stationary phase (CSP) has been prepared using diol silica gel based on vancomycin CDPs which led to a new chiral selector with new functionality of functional groups on a microcolumn LC. Different kinds of mobile phases were examined to realize the behavior of the chiral selector in separation of atropine, fluoxetine, amlodipine, mandelic acid, alanine, and phenylalanine which were separated successfully on this column. Good results were obtained by using a polar mobile phase containing water, methanol, and acid additives for separation of chiral acidic compounds and amino acid samples. Considerable results were obtained for analysis of basic compounds by using polar organic mobile phase (POP) containing methanol, acid and base additives. These results can be associated with the presence of the carboxylic acid groups present in new CSP by using a diol silica gel.
Multi‐mycotoxin analysis in complex biological matrices using LC‐ESI/MS: Experimental study using triple stage quadrupole and LTQ‐Orbitrap
Authors: Herebian Diran , Zühlke Sebastian , Lamshöft Marc , Spiteller Michael
Published: February 2009

In the present study, we report the application of LC‐MS based on two different LC‐MS systems to mycotoxin analysis. The mycotoxins were extracted with an ACN/water/acetic acid mixture and directly injected into a LC‐MS/MS system without any dilution procedure. First, a sensitive and reliable HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS method using selected reaction monitoring on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TSQ Quantum Ultra AM) has been developed for determining 32 mycotoxins in crude extracts of wheat and maize. This method was operated both in positive and in negative ionization modes in two separate chromatographic runs. The method was validated by studies of spiked recoveries, linearity, matrix effect, intra‐assay precision and sensitivity. Further, we have developed and evaluated a method based on accurate mass measurements of extracted target ions in full scan mode using micro‐LC‐LTQ‐Orbitrap as a tool for fast quantitative analysis. Both instruments exhibited very high sensitivity and repeatability in positive ionization mode. Coupling of micro‐LC to Orbitrap technology was not applicable to the negatively ionizable compounds. The LC triple quadrupole MS method has proved to be stable in quantitation, as it is with respect to the matrix effects of grain samples.
Generation of quantum‐entangled twin photons by waveguide nonlinear‐optic devices
Authors: Suhara T.
Published: February 2009

This paper reviews the quasi‐phase‐matched (QPM) waveguide nonlinear‐optic device technologies for generation of quantum‐entangled twin photons indispensable for quantum‐information techniques. After a brief introduction to the concept of entanglement, quantum theory analysis of twin‐photon generation (TPG) is outlined to clarify the properties of twin photons. Then, methods for entangled‐photon generation are discussed. Practical design and theoretical performances of LiNbO3 waveguide QPM TPG devices, as well as the fabrication techniques, are described. Finally, experimental demonstrations of polarization‐entangled twin‐photon generation by waveguide Type‐I and Type‐II QPM TPG devices are presented.
Edge symbolic structures of second generation
Authors: Calvo D. , Schulze B.‐W.
Published: February 2009

Operators on a manifold with (geometric) singularities are degenerate in a natural way. They have a principal symbolic structure with contributions from the different strata of the configuration. We study the calculus of such operators on the level of edge symbols of second generation, based on specific quantisations of the corner‐degenerate interior symbols, and show that this structure is preserved under composition (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Asymptotic analysis of solutions to parabolic systems
Authors: Kozlov Vladimir , Langer Mikael , Rand Peter
Published: February 2009

We study asymptotics as t → ∞ of solutions to a linear, parabolic system of equations with time‐dependent coefficients in Ω × (0, ∞), where Ω is a bounded domain. On ∂ Ω × (0, ∞) we prescribe the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition. For large values of t, the coefficients in the elliptic part are close to time‐independent coefficients in an integral sense which is described by a certain function κ (t). This includes in particular situations when the coefficients may take different values on different parts of Ω and the boundaries between them can move with t but stabilize as t → ∞. The main result is an asymptotic representation of solutions for large t. As a corollary, it is proved that if κ ∈ L1(0, ∞), then the solution behaves asymptotically as the solution to a parabolic system with time‐independent coefficients (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A maximum modulus estimate for solutions of the Navier–Stokes system in domains of polyhedral type
Authors: Maz'ya V. , Rossmann J.
Published: February 2009

The authors prove a maximum modulus estimate for solutions of the stationary Navier–Stokes system in bounded domains of polyhedral type (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bounded H∞‐calculus for pseudo‐differential Douglis–Nirenberg systems of mild regularity
Authors: Denk Robert , Saal Jürgen , Seiler Jörg
Published: February 2009

We consider pseudo‐differential Douglis–Nirenberg systems on ℝn with components belonging to the standard Hörmander class S1,δ *(ℝn × Rn ), 0 ≤ δ < 1. Parameter‐ellipticity with respect to a subsector Λ ⊂ ℂ is introduced and shown to imply the existence of a bounded H∞‐calculus in suitable scales of Sobolev, Besov, and Hölder spaces. We also admit non pseudo‐differential perturbations. Applications concern systems with coefficients of mild Hölder regularity and the generalized thermoelastic plate equations (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The essential spectrum of an operator arising in 2‐dimensional magneto‐hydrodynamics
Authors: Faierman M. , Mennicken R.
Published: February 2009

Descloux and Geymonat considered a model problem for a plasma in a toroidal configuration and conjectured that the essential spectrum has an explicitly given band structure. This conjecture was recently proved by Faierman, Mennicken, and Möller by employing an operator matrix representation of the problem. In this paper we discuss the behaviour of the essential spectrum under a perturbation of the original problem (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On Gevrey solvability and regularity
Authors: Petronilho Gerson
Published: February 2009

In this paper we study global C∞ and Gevrey solvability for a class of sublaplacian defined on the torus T3. We also prove Gevrey regularity for a class of solutions of certain operators that are globally C∞ hypoelliptic in the N ‐dimensional torus (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The duration of the motor response to apomorphine boluses is conditioned by the length of a prior infusion in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Vaamonde Julia , Flores José M. , Weisser Roberto , Ibañez Ramón , Obeso José A.
Published: February 2009

“Pulsatile” administration of levodopa has been invocated a relevant factor for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied dopaminergic sensitivity to apomorphine in 10 parkinsonian patients with motor fluctuations. Patients were tested as follows: the minimal effective dose of apomorphine (MED‐1) was administered in the morning to induce anonresponse. Fifteen minutes after this motor response had disappeared, an apomorphine infusion was initiated and maintained to ensureonperiods of three different durations on different days. Infusion lasted for ∼30, 60 and 90 minutes. Subsequently, the infusion was stopped, and after 15 minutes in theoffstate, a second bolus of apomorphine (MED‐2) was given. The mean infusion doses were 49.2 ± 5.4, 108.4 ± 10.3, and 150 ± 8.2 mg. These elicitedonperiods of 48.2 ± 4.1, 110 ± 4.5, and 195 ± 3.8 minutes. The MED‐2 elicitedonresponses with a duration of 30 ± 4.5, 18.4 ± 3.2, and 11.2 ± 4.1 minutes. The duration of theonresponse induced by the apomorphine infusions correlated inversely (P< 0.01) with theoninduced by the MED‐2 of apomorphine. Our findings indicate that a continuous dopaminergic stimulus may induce pharmacodynamic changes associated with tolerance in PD patients. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Contrast sensitivity in Parkinson's disease patients with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation
Authors: Chou Kelvin L. , Amick Melissa M. , Gagner Margaret
Published: February 2009

This study examined whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) would affect the contrast sensitivity (CS) curve in patients with PD. CS was tested in 12 nondemented PD patients treated with bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS on and off stimulation and medications. Neither stimulation condition (on vs. off) nor medications altered CS performance in this group of patients. However, collapsed across conditions, patients with bipolar stimulation in this study had significantly poorer CS at higher spatial frequencies (12 and 18 cycles per degree) than patients with monopolar stimulation. This suggests that CS deficits in PD may possibly be influenced by DBS polarity and merits further study. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Botulinum neurotoxins for post‐stroke spasticity in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Elia Antonio Emanuele , Filippini Graziella , Calandrella Daniela , Albanese Alberto
Published: February 2009

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) reduce spasticity or improve function in adult patients after stroke. Eleven double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trials met inclusion criteria. They encompassed 782 patients, 767 (98%) of whom received BoNT/A, and 15 (2%) BoNT/B. Most studies used the Ashworth scale as primary outcome measure. Differences between treated and control groups were assessed as categorical or continuous comparisons. The overall effect on upper limb spasticity was in favor of BoNT/A. A significantly higher number of patients had a reduction of upper limb spasticity at 4‐week and 8‐week evaluations in the treatment group compared with placebo. Mean changes in joint spasticity revealed improvement 3 to 6 weeks and 9 to 12 weeks after treatment. There were insufficient data to establish BoNT/A efficacy on lower limb spasticity or the effect of BoNT/B on the upper and lower limbs. Because of inconsistency and heterogeneity of the available data, it was not possible to perform a meta‐analysis on disability and patients' reported outcomes. There was an overlapping safety profile between the treatment and the placebo groups. BoNT/A reduces upper limb spasticity in patients post‐stroke, but the improvement in functional ability remains to be established. This gap needs to be filled by new studies to assess the effect of BoNT in the context of multidisciplinary patient management. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Investigation of the correlations between 19F and 1H NMR signals for various mono‐ and di‐substituted octafluoro[2.2]paracyclophanes
Authors: Roche Alex J. , Marchione Alexander A.
Published: February 2009

A selection of mono‐ and pseudo ortho di‐substituted octafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane derivatives were analyzed using 19F‐1H HOESY, 1H COSY and 19F COSY techniques. This resulted in the unambiguous assignment of the 19F and 1H NMR resonances, and also revealed interesting solvent effects and noteworthy coupling patterns for various JHH, JHF, and JFF interactions, including observable through bond 7JFF and 8JFF couplings. For the four mono‐substituted derivatives, the assignments were achieved through the combination of 19F‐1H HOESY, 1H COSY and 19F COSY techniques. The C2 symmetry of the six pseudo ortho di‐substituted derivatives that were examined produced simplified spectra, and careful inspection of the characteristic 1H coupling patterns led to the assignment of 1H signals. Therefore only 19F‐1H HOESY experiments were required to complete the assignments for those molecules. Refinements and alternative strategies for previous protocols are presented for the molecules that were less responsive to nuclear Overhauser effect (nOe) experiments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical inverse analysis based on genetic algorithm and principal component analysis: Method and developments using synthetic data
Authors: Levasseur S. , Malecot Y. , Boulon M. , Flavigny E.
Published: February 2009

This study concerns the identification of parameters of soil constitutive models from geotechnical measurements by inverse analysis. To deal with the non‐uniqueness of the solution, the inverse analysis is based on a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization process. For a given uncertainty on the measurements, the GA identifies a set of solutions. A statistical method based on a principal component analysis (PCA) is, then, proposed to evaluate the representativeness of this set. It is shown that this representativeness is controlled by the GA population size for which an optimal value can be defined. The PCA also gives a first‐order approximation of the solution set of the inverse problem as an ellipsoid. These developments are first made on a synthetic excavation problem and on a pressuremeter test. Some experimental applications are, then, studied in a companion paper, to show the reliability of the method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A numerical method for the study of shear band propagation in soft rocks
Authors: Castelli Marta , Allodi Andrea , Scavia Claudio
Published: February 2009

This paper investigates the possibility of interpreting progressive shear failure in hard soils and soft rocks as the result of shear propagation of a pre‐existing natural defect. This is done through the application of the principles of fracture mechanics, a slip‐weakening model (SWM) being used to simulate the non‐linear zone at the tips of the discontinuity. A numerical implementation of the SWM in a computation method based on the boundary element technique of the displacement discontinuity method (DDM) is presented. The crack and the non‐linear zone at the advancing tip are represented through a set of elements, where the displacement discontinuity (DD) in the tangential direction is determined on the basis of a friction law. A residual friction angle is assumed on the crack elements. Shear resistance decreases on elements in the non‐linear zone from a peak value at the tip, which is characteristic of intact material, to the residual value. The simulation of a uniaxial compressive test in plane strain conditions is carried out to exemplify the numerical methodology. The results emphasize the role played by the critical DD on the mechanical behaviour of the specimen. A validation of the model is shown through the back analysis of some experimental observations. The results of this back analysis show that a non‐linear fracture mechanics approach seems very promising to simulate experimental results, in particular with regards to the shear band evolution pattern. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adult scurvy in skeletal remains of late 19th century mineworkers in Kimberley, South Africa
Authors: Van der Merwe A. E. , Steyn M. , Maat G. J. R.
Published: February 2009

Throughout history, scurvy has been a well‐known disease which develops due to restricted resources of fresh fruit and vegetables. The condition results from an extended limited intake of vitamin C. Although skeletal lesions associated with infantile scurvy have been well described by many authors, very little literature is available on adult scurvy and the resulting skeletal lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skeletal remains of a 19th century mining population from Kimberley, South Africa, for any skeletal lesions that may be indicative of adult scurvy. Scurvy was well documented as being extremely prevalent in this population. The skeletal remains of 107 individuals, presumed to have died around 1898, were studied. The majority of these individuals were males between 19 and 45 years of age. It is likely that most individuals were migrant workers at the diamond mines. All bones were visually assessed for macroscopic indications of pathological bone alterations associated with healed scurvy. Bone samples were also taken from ambiguous lesions in order to perform histological investigations. Lesions indicative of possible healed adult scurvy were observed in 16 individuals. These lesions included bilateral ossified haematomas, osteoperiostitic bone changes and periodontal disease. Histological investigation confirmed the presence of ossified haematomas on the anterior tibiae of some individuals. Hospital records and historical documents describing the incidence of scurvy in the local hospitals and the daily diet of the black mine workers supported these findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nicotinic receptor‐associated modulation of stimulatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in NNK‐induced adenocarcinoma of the lungs and pancreas
Authors: Al‐Wadei Hussein AN , Schuller Hildegard M
Published: February 2009

Small airway‐derived pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PAC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are among the most common human cancers and smoking is a risk factor for both. Emerging research has identified cAMP signalling stimulated by the stress neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline as an important stimulator of adenocarcinomas, including PAC and PDAC. The nicotine‐derived nitrosamine 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK) is a potent mutagen and the most powerful tobacco carcinogen. NNK is also an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Using hamster models of NNK‐induced PAC and PDAC, we have tested the hypothesis that in analogy to chronic effects of nicotine in the brain, NNK may modulate the α7‐ and α4β2nAChRs, causing an increase in stress neurotransmitters and a decrease in the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Immunoassays showed a significant increase in serum adrenaline/noradrenaline and increased intracellular cAMP in the cellular fraction of blood of NNK‐treated hamsters. Western blots on microdissected control small airway epithelia, alveolar epithelia, pancreatic islet and pancreatic duct epithelia, and from NNK‐induced PACs and PDACs showed that the GABA‐synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and GABA were suppressed in NNK‐induced PACs and PDACs. In contrast, protein expression of the α7nAChR, α4nAChR as well as p‐CREB and p‐ERK1/2 were up‐regulated. These findings suggest that NNK‐induced alterations in regulatory nAChRs may contribute to the development of smoking‐associated PAC and PDAC by disturbing the balance between cancer‐stimulating and ‐inhibiting neurotransmitters. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving medication safety in the North‐East of England: The potential enabling role of NRLS data
Authors: Laker M.F.
Published: February 2009

NA project was established to explore the feasibility of using NRLS incident data from local organisation to support a patient safety programme. It was divided into two phases, a pilot and full study. Aims agreed with local organisations included timely, targeted reporting to the NRLS in relation to selected medication errors, one of which was incidents involving anticoagulants. The present report outlines initial experience in the utilisation of data from the pilot phase of the study related to these drugs.

The total number of incidents was 55 in the pre‐pilot period and 92 in the pilot phase, an increase of 67%. In the Primary Care sector there was a threefold increase in the pilot study while there was a 41% increase the Secondary Care sector. There was no overall reduction in the lag time of reporting incidents although in Secondary Care the median lag time in reporting incidents was 54 days in the pre‐pilot phase compared to 38 days in the pilot phase (p = 0.008). Sixty five percent of incidents involved warfarin while low molecular weight heparin was involved in 20% of incidents. The most common type of incident related to blood testing (30%), particularly missing INR results, with communication failures being responsible for 20% of incidents. Prescription errors (16%) and errors in the amount of drug administered (14%) were other common causes of incidents.

Targeting increased the reporting rate to the NRLS in the selected area and reduced the lag time in submitting reports in the Secondary Care sector. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pathological personality traits and externalizing behaviour
Authors: Pryor Lauren R. , Miller Joshua D. , Hoffman Brian J. , Harding Hilary G.
Published: February 2009

Previous research has identified general personality traits and personality disorders that are associated with externalizing behaviour (EB). There is a dearth of research, however, investigating the relations between pathological personality traits and EB. The current study examined pathological personality traits, as measured by the Schedule for Non‐adaptive and Adaptive Functioning (SNAP) and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology‐Basic Questionnaire (DAPP‐BQ), in relation to EB. Undergraduates (n = 228) completed the SNAP, DAPP‐BQ, and a measure of antisocial behaviour, substance use, gambling, intimate partner violence and risky sexual behaviour. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we identified the best fitting model as one that specified eight factors: five personality factors composed of constructs assessed by the DAPP and SNAP, one externalizing factor and two method factors corresponding to each of the measures. Consistent with the empirical literature using general personality traits, the current results suggest that pathological personality traits related to impulse control (i.e. low conscientiousness), as well as more interpersonally focused traits (i.e. low agreeableness), were most strongly associated with EB. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cross‐national validity study of the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP‐118)
Authors: Arnevik Espen , Wilberg Theresa , Monsen Jon T. , Andrea Helene , Karterud Sigmund
Published: February 2009

Objective The objective in this study was to test the validity of a new dimensional measure of maladaptive core pathology for personality disorders (PDs), the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP‐118), by comparing a Norwegian sample of 114 patients with PDs with two Dutch samples. In addition, Avoidant PD and Borderline PD were compared, and the relationship between scores on the SIPP‐118 and commonly used clinical measures were investigated.

Results The results showed good psychometric properties of the SIPP‐118 at the facet level. The Norwegian PD sample had scores equal to the Dutch PD sample and significantly below the general population sample. Correlation with other clinical measures was in the low to moderate range.

Conclusion The cross‐national validity of the SIPP‐118 was good, and the instrument seems promising as a dimensional instrument for measuring personality pathology. Further research should be undertaken to establish the structure of higher‐order domains, its use as a measure of therapeutic change, and its capacity to distinguish Axis II from Axis I pathology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment response in subtypes of borderline personality disorder
Authors: Digre Ellen I. , Reece John , Johnson Amanda L. , Thomas Rosemary A.
Published: February 2009

Background and Aims Based on the frequently noted heterogeneity in symptom representation and treatment resistance amongst clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), this study sought to investigate whether a sample of 77 people with severe personality disorder, primarily BPD (n = 74), could be grouped into clinically meaningful subtypes. A follow‐up question was whether the subtypes would respond differently to a specialist intervention.

Method Participants were public mental health clients referred to a specialist residential treatment programme in Victoria, Australia. Using an existing data set, cluster analysis was applied in order to identify subtypes based on various demographic, clinical and psychological variables. Post‐treatment analyses were carried out to investigate change in self‐harm, suicide attempts, depression and dissociation.

Results Three subtypes were identified, namely: withdrawn–internalizing, severely disturbed–internalizing and anxious–externalizing. Furthermore, the subtypes responded differently to the treatment, with the withdrawn–internalizing subtype showing reduced levels of dissociation and the anxious–externalizing subtype responding by large reductions in levels of depression. The severely disturbed–internalizing subtype did not improve significantly on any of the outcome measures in this study.

Discussion These findings suggest that subtypes can be identified amongst clients with BPD, and that the subtypes may be related to treatment outcomes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption and dissociation of water on the (0001) surface of double hexagonal close packed americium
Authors: Dholabhai Pratik P. , Ray Asok K.
Published: February 2009

Ab initio total energy calculations within the framework of density functional theory have been performed for water molecule adsorption on the (0001) surface of double hexagonal packed americium using a full‐potential all‐electron linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method (FP‐L/APW + lo). Subsequent partial dissociation (OH + H) and complete dissociation (H + O + H) of the water molecule have been examined. The completely dissociated H + O + H configuration exhibit the strongest binding with the surface (3.35 eV), followed by partially dissociated species OH + H (2.23 eV), with all molecular H2O configurations showing weak physisorption (0.366 eV). For molecular adsorptions, the flat lying orientation of the water molecule if found to be more favorable for majority of the cases. In the case of partial dissociation (OH + H), the vertical orientation of OH molecule with O facing the surface adsorbed at a h3 adsorption site and the H atom adsorbed at another neighboring h3 site is found to be the most favorable. For complete dissociation (H + O + H), the dissociated species occupy three different neighboring h3 adsorption sites. The changes in work functions and net magnetic moments are presented for all the cases studied. The adsorbate‐substrate interactions have been analyzed in detail using difference charge density distributions and the local density of states. The effects of adsorption on the Am 5f electron localization‐delocalization characteristics have been discussed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Raman selection rules and tensor elements for PMN–0.3PT single crystal
Authors: Ge Wanyin , Zhu Wenliang , Pezzotti Giuseppe
Published: February 2009

Selection rules were put forward theoretically and Raman tensor elements experimentally determined for PMN–0.3PT single‐crystal. Such a body of information was then employed to evaluate local domain orientation in a relaxor‐based PMN–0.3PT material by means of polarized microprobe Raman spectroscopy. The dependence of Raman spectra upon crystal rotation under different polarized probe configurations was experimentally confirmed by collecting the intensity variation of selected Raman modes on Euler's angle rotation in a poled single‐crystal. The periodicity of relative Raman intensity of selected Raman bands revealed symmetry properties. Upon exploiting such properties and with the knowledge of the Raman tensor elements from the Ag and Eg vibrational modes, a viable path becomes available to determine domain texture in relaxor‐based PMN–PT materials with high spatial resolution. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)