bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Yokukansan (TJ‐54) in the treatment of neurological disorders: a review
Authors: de Caires S. , Steenkamp V.
Published: June 2010

Kampo herbal remedies are reported to have a wide range of indications and have attracted attention due to reports suggesting that these remedies are effective when used in disease treatment while maintaining a favourable quality of life. Yokukansan, also known as TJ‐54, is composed of seven herbs; Angelica acutiloba, Atractylodes lancea, Bupleurum falcatum, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cnidium officinale and Uncaria rhynchophylla. Yokukansan is used to treat insomnia and irritability as well as screaming attacks, sleep tremors and hypnic myoclonia, and neurological disorders which include dementia and Alzheimer's disease – the focus of this article. It is concluded that Yokukansan is a versatile herbal remedy with a variety of effects on various neurological states, without reported adverse effects. Traditional herbal medicines consist of a combination of constituents which account for the clinical effect seen. Likewise, the benefits of Yokukansan are probably attributable to the preparation as a whole, rather than to individual compounds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic effect of ferulic acid from Pseudosasa japonica leaves on enhancing exercise activity in mice
Authors: You Yanghee , Kim Kyungmi , Yoon Ho‐Geun , Lee Kwang‐Won , Lee Jeongmin , Chun Jiyeon , Shin Dong‐Hoon , Park Jeongjin , Jun Woojin
Published: June 2010

Ferulic acid derived from Pseudosasa japonica leaves, which possessed antioxidative potentials with DPPH‐ (54%) and ABTs‐ (65%) radical scavenging activities, and lipid‐peroxidation inhibitory activity (71%), was orally administered to mice for 12 days in order to investigate its effects on exercise endurance capacity and alterations of antioxidant defense systems. Exhaustive swimming time was increased in the ferulic acid‐supplemented group compared with the control group on days 6 and 12 (1.7‐ and 1.8‐fold, respectively). When the mice were exhaustively exercised for 2 consecutive days, a high decrease (53%) was shown in the control group, but no change was found in the ferulic acid‐treated group. The administration of ferulic acid significantly protected the depletion of enzymatic‐ and non enzymatic‐antioxidants due to exhaustive exercise. Also, lipid‐peroxidation levels decreased in the ferulic acid‐treated group compared with the non exercised‐ and control‐groups. These results suggest that ferulic acid from Pseudosasa japonica leaves has a chronic effect on endurance exercise capacity, which is attributed to its ability to ameliorate oxidative stress by improving antioxidant potentials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of traditional Thai herbal remedies for aphthous ulcers
Authors: Mekseepralard Chantana , Kamkaen Narisa , Wilkinson Jenny M.
Published: June 2010

Four medicinal plants (Quercus infectoria, Kaempferia galanga, Coptis chinensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) as well as one traditional Thai treatment for aphthous ulcers based on these four plants were tested for antimicrobial activity. MIC values for a range of bacteria and Candida albicans were determined, with both type strains and clinical isolates being used. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS radical scavenging assay. Among the four plants, Q. infectoria showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC of 0.41 mg/mL, while C. chinensis showed antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC of 6.25 mg/mL. Activity was also shown against a range of other organisms including Salmonella typhi, Serratia marcescens, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. The antimicrobial activity of the traditional aphthous ulcer preparation (a powder) was comparable to that for the individual plant extracts, however, incorporation of the powder into a gel formulation resulted in the loss of almost all activity. All extracts, with the exception of K. galanga, also showed good antioxidant activity. This study supports the traditional use of these plants and suggests that they may also be useful in the treatment of other infections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Possible mechanisms of vasorelaxation for 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone fromKaempferia parviflorain the rat aorta
Authors: Tep‐areenan Patcharin , Sawasdee Pattara , Randall Michael
Published: June 2010

The present study investigated the vascular effects of 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone (DMF), isolated from the rhizomes ofKaempferia parviflora(KP), on rat isolated aortic rings and its possible mechanisms. DMF (1–100 μm) caused concentration‐dependent relaxations in aortic rings precontracted with methoxamine. This effect was significantly reduced by removal of the endothelium, and after pretreatment withNG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME, 300 μm), indomethacin (10 μm) and 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo‐[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ, 10 μm), but not 9‐(tetrahydro‐2‐furanyl)‐9H‐purine‐6‐amine (SQ22536, 100 μm). Relaxant responses to DMF were significantly inhibited by high KCl (60 mm) in both endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rings. In addition, the relaxations to DMF were significantly reduced by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium (TEA, 5 mm), glibenclamide (10 μm), 4‐aminopyridine (1 mm) or barium chloride (10 μm). Preincubation with DMF (10 and 100 μm) for 30 min significantly inhibited the contractile responses to CaCl2in a Ca2+‐free, high K+buffer. The present study demonstrated that DMF causes endothelium‐dependent relaxation that is partly mediated by NO‐cGMP and cyclooxygenase pathways. Interestingly, DMF‐induced responses are mainly due to increasing K+efflux, and inhibition of Ca2+influx from the extracellular space. The vasodilator effects of DMF provide experimental support for the potential use of KP as a medical plant in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiinflammatory effects in THP‐1 cells treated with verbascoside
Authors: Speranza Lorenza , Franceschelli Sara , Pesce Mirko , Reale Marcella , Menghini Luigi , Vinciguerra Isabella , De Lutiis Maria Anna , Felaco Mario , Grilli Alfredo
Published: June 2010

Verbascum thapsus commonly known as ‘mullein’ is part of a large family of Scrophulariaceae consisting of more than 360 species. From antiquity Verbascum thapsus has been used as a medicinal herb, it contains diverse polysaccharides, iroid glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, volatile oils and phenylentanoids. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) represents one of the three isoforms that produce nitric oxide using L‐arginine as a substrate in response to an increase in superoxide anion activated by NF‐kB. It is implicated in different pathophysiological events and its expression increases greatly during an inflammatory process, due to oxidative stress and the activation of the enzymes of the antioxidant network such as SOD, CAT and GPx.

In this study an inflammatory state was reproduced by treating THP‐1 cells (human myelomonocytic leukaemia) with pro‐inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS and IFN‐γ, obtaining an up‐regulation both in the expression and in the activity of iNOS. The aim of the work was to investigate the antiinflammatory action of verbascoside using a concentration of 100 μm. The results show a significant decrease of the expression and activity of iNOS, extracellular O2− production, SOD, CAT and GPx activity when the cells were treated with verbascoside. Based on these results it is hypothesized that verbascoside has antiinflammatory properties since it reduces the production of superoxide radicals and consequently reduces the activity of iNOS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extract of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) stimulates 3t3‐l1 adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Joo Jeong In , Kim Dong Hyun , Yun Jong Won
Published: June 2010

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has long been used as a folk medicine due to its numerous biological functions such as antibacterial, antiallergic, antiinflammatory and antioxidative activities. In the present study, it was found that the I. obliquus hot water extract (IOWE) activated adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Even in the absence of adipogenic stimuli by insulin, the IOWE strongly induced adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. The major constituent of IOWE was glucose‐rich polysaccharides with a molecular mass of 149 kDa. IOWE enhanced the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes, increasing TG (triacylglycerol) accumulation that is critical for acquisition of the adipocyte phenotype, in a dose‐dependent manner. IOWE stimulated gene expression of C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α) and PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors γ) during adipocyte differentiation, and induced the expression of PPARγ target genes such as aP2 (adipocyte protein 2), LPL (lipoprotein lipase) and CD36 (fatty acid translocase). Immunoblot analysis revealed that IOWE increased the expression of adipogenic makers such as PPARγ and GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4). The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that IOWE did not exhibit PPARγ ligand activity. Although these results require further investigation, the ability of natural mushroom product to increase PPARγ transcriptional activities may be expected to be therapeutic targets for dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacodynamic action of a commercial preparation of the mushroomCoprinus comatusin rats
Authors: Sabo A. , Stilinovic N. , Vukmirovic S. , Bukumiric Z. , Capo I. , Jakovljevic V.
Published: June 2010

The pharmacodynamic effect of a 7‐day oral treatment with a suspension ofCoprinus comatusat doses of 0.835 and 1.670 g/kg in rats was studied. Changes in body weight, bile secretion and hypoglycaemic action were examined together with antipyretic activity and paw oedema tests. Such treatments resulted in a significantly lower increase in the body weight of tested animals (15.73 ± 8.36 g/rat in the untreated group, 8.44 ± 8.23 g/rat (p< 0.05) and 3.18 ± 7.93 g/rat (p< 0.05), forC. comatus0.835 and 1.67 g/kg, respectively). Hypoglycaemic action was evident only in the glucose load test (6.79 ± 0.61 to 9.70 ± 1.16 (p< 0.05) in the untreated group and 6.47 ± 0.35 to 7.27 ± 0.76 forC. comatus1.67 g/kg). Histological examination of pancreas cross‐sections suggested certain protective functions of the mushroom suspension in alloxan poisoning. In the antipyretic test, a significantly lower increase in body temperature was observed in the mushroom‐pretreated rats. In the paw oedema test, no decrease in oedema induced by formalin injection was observed following treatment withC. comatus. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vitexin, orientin and other flavonoids from Spirodela polyrhiza inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 cells
Authors: Kim JinPyo , Lee IkSoo , Seo JeongJu , Jung MunYhung , Kim YoungHee , Yim NamHui , Bae KiHwan
Published: June 2010

To investigate the adipogenesis inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation, 3T3‐L1 cells were treated with fractions and isolated flavonoids of Spirodela polyrhiza. An ethanol extract of S. polyrhiza was fractionated into three fractions. The butanol soluble fraction (SPB) exhibited potent antiadipogenesis activity and decreased C/EBPα and PPARγ protein expression level in 3T3‐L1 cells without significant cytotoxicity. The flavonoids were isolated from SPB and their chemical structures were identified as chrysoeriol (1), apigenin (2), luteolin (3), vitexin (4), cosmosin (5), orientin (6) and luteolin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside (7) by spectroscopic analysis. Studies on the adipogenesis and intracellular triglyceride accumulation inhibitory effect showed that compounds 4 and 6 had the highest activity and decreased C/EBPα and PPARγ protein expression level in 3T3‐L1 cells. These results suggest that the flavonoids isolated from SPB, especially compounds 4 and 6, contribute to the inhibitory activity of S. polyrhiza in 3T3‐L1 cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ginsenoside Rg1 modulation on thrombospondin‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in early renal fibrogenesis in unilateral obstruction
Authors: Xie Xi‐Sheng , Liu Heng‐Chuan , Wang Feng‐Ping , Zhang Cheng‐Long , Zuo Chuan , Deng Yao , Fan Jun‐Ming
Published: June 2010

Renal interstitial fibrosis is the major histopathological change seen in a variety of renal disorders and is closely related to renal dysfunction. Progressive interstitial fibrosis accompanied by the loss of renal tubules and interstitial capillaries typifies all progressive renal disease. Thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) is a major angiogenic inhibitor. It is demonstrated that TSP‐1 levels were correlated with the loss of glomerular and peritubular capillaries and TSP‐1 could promote renal scarring by effects on the endothelium. It has been reported that ginsenoside Rg1 inhibited renal interstitial fibrosis in rats via suppressing the expression of TSP‐1. The present study was designed to examine whether ginsenoside Rg1 could modulate the integrity of the microvasculature and hence affect the progression of renal fibrosis in a rat unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. In UUO control kidneys, associated with interstitial fibrosis, lower peritubular capillary densities were prominent. These changes were all improved by ginsenoside Rg1 treatment. Interestingly, ginsenoside Rg1 decreased the expression of TSP‐1 and enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. The results show for the first time that ginsenoside Rg1 can evidently inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with UUO. The mechanism might be related to suppression of the expression of TSP‐1 and to repair of the peritubular capillary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of plant extracts tested in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment on cell survival and energy metabolism in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Schmidt Andreas Johannes , Krieg Jürgen‐Christian , Hemmeter Ulrich Michael , Kircher Tilo , Schulz Eberhard , Clement Hans‐Willi , Heiser Philip
Published: June 2010

Plant extracts such as Hypericum perforatum and Pycnogenol® have been tested as alternatives to the classical ADHD drugs. It has been possible to describe neuroprotective effects of such plant extracts. A reduction of ADHD symptoms could be shown in clinical studies after the application of Pycnogenol®, which is a pine bark extract. The impacts of the standardized herbal extracts Hypericum perforatum, Pycnogenol® and Enzogenol® up to a concentration of 5000 ng/mL on cell survival and energy metabolism in human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells has been investigated in the present examination. Hypericum perforatum significantly decreased the survival of cells after treatment with a concentration of 5000 ng/mL, whereas lower concentrations exerted no significant effects. Pycnogenol® induced a significant increase of cell survival after incubation with a concentration of 32.25 ng/mL and a concentration of 250 ng/mL. Other applied concentrations of Pycnogenol® failed to exert significant effects. Treatment with Enzogenol® did not lead to significant changes in cell survival.

Concerning energy metabolism, the treatment of cells with a concentration of 5000 ng/mL Hypericum perforatum led to a significant increase of ATP levels, whereas treatment with a concentration of 500 ng/mL had no significant effect. Incubation of cells with Pycnogenol® and Enzogenol® exerted no significant effects.

None of the tested substances caused any cytotoxic effect when used in therapeutically relevant concentrations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TOF‐SIMS analysis of kidney stones possibly induced by the ingestion of melamine‐ containing milk products
Authors: Sodhi R. , Chen H. , Yang S‐P. , Hu B. , Zeng X. , Xiao R‐H.
Published: June 2010

Ingestion of melamine contaminated food likely product kidney stones and may leads to acute kidney failure in mammals. In this study, ToF‐SIMS has been applied to imaging the micro structure of kidney stone samples, revealing information of the micro structure of different stone samples. Our data indicate that the melamine‐induce stones were formed by different mechanisms. However, information obtained using other techniques is also required to correlate the detailed differences in the microstructure of the stone samples with the formation mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lewis acid‐base properties of cellulose acetate butyrate by inverse gas chromatography
Authors: Rani P. Reddi , Ramanaiah S. , Reddy K. S.
Published: June 2010

The dispersive component of the surface‐free energy, $\gamma_{S}^{d}$, of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) has been determined using the net retention volume, VN, of n‐alkanes (C5C8) probes in the temperature range 323.15–393.15 K. The $\gamma_{S}^{d}$ values decrease nonlinearly with increase in temperature, and the temperature coefficients of $\gamma_{S}^{d}$ are − 0.32 (mJ/m2K) and − 0.10 (mJ/m2K) in the range 323.15–353.15 K and 353.15–393.15 K, respectively. This variation in $d\gamma_{S}^{d}\big/dT$ has been attributed to the structural changes that take place on the surface of CAB at ∼353.15 K. The specific components of the enthalpy of adsorption,${\Delta}H_{a}^{S}$, and entropy of adsorption, ${\Delta}S_{a}^{S}$, calculated using VN of polar solutes are negative. The ${\Delta}H_{a}^{S}$ values are used to evaluate Lewis acidity constant, Ka, and Lewis basicity constant, Kb, for the CAB surface. The Ka and Kb values are found to be 0.126 and 1.109, respectively, which suggest that the surface is predominantly basic. The Ka and Kb results indicate for the necessary surface modifications of CAB which act as biodegradable adsorbent material. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ZnO nanoparticles enhancing secondary ion signals of Escherichia coli analyzed by ToF‐SIMS
Authors: Lei Shiou‐Ling , Yin Yu‐Sheng , Lee Pei‐Ling , Ling Yong‐Chien
Published: June 2010

Stable colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) such as Au and Ag NPs have been studied for use in enhancing the secondary ion signals from SIMS analysis. Semiconducting zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs possess unique properties of chemical and thermal stability as well as a wide bandgap energy of 3.37 eV, which motivated us to study the feasibility of using ZnO NPs to enhance the secondary ion signals using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as model sample. The experiment was carried out first by depositing ZnO NPs onto freeze‐dried E. coli colony by dropping ZnO NPs solution onto colony top. The prepared E. coli wes then subjected to time‐of‐flight SIMS (ToF‐SIMS) analysis operating with Ga+ bombardment. We evaluated the signal enhancement using ion signals of m/z 688 (PE C32:1) and m/z 719 (PG C32:1) from the lipid membrane Preliminary results indicate an enhancement factor of ∼3 by depositing ZnO NPs onto E. coli. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of immobilized polypeptides with different C‐terminal residues using argon gas‐cluster SIMS
Authors: Aoyagi Satoka , Moritani Kousuke , Mochiji Kozo
Published: June 2010

Gas cluster (GC) ion sources, such as an argon cluster source, have been employed in SIMS of organic or biomaterials due to their low‐energy projectile effect. Recently, it was found that GC‐SIMS reportedly provides intact ion detection of proteins with molecular weights of 10000 or higher. Since GC‐SIMS enables control of the gas cluster size and collision energy per atom, it is considered sensitive for the detection of very small differences in the monolayers of polypeptides such as leu‐enkephalin (H‐Tyr‐Gly‐Gly‐Phe‐Leu‐OH) and met‐enkephalin (H‐Tyr‐Gly‐Gly‐Phe‐Met‐OH). In this study, both enkephalins were measured with GC‐SIMS and their spectra were compared to evaluate GC‐SIMS sensitivity to small chemical structure differences. The polypeptides, leu‐enkephalin and met‐enkephalin, were immobilized on indium‐ and tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass plates, respectively, by binding their N terminal residues to glutaraldehyde‐activated aminosilanized‐ITO plates. An aminosilanized‐ITO plate without polypeptide was also prepared as the control sample. After freeze‐drying, the samples were measured with TOF‐SIMS with the argon cluster ion source, and then TOF‐SIMS spectra were analyzed to select peaks specific to the polypeptides. As a result, fragment ions related to the polypeptide without recombination were detected using the argon GC‐SIMS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualization of biomolecules in the eyestalk of the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, by imaging mass spectrometry using the atmospheric‐pressure mass microscope
Authors: Sroyraya Morakot , Goto‐Inoue Naoko , Zaima Nobuhiro , Hayasaka Takahiro , Chansela Piyachat , Tanasawet Supita , Shrivas Kamlesh , Sobhon Prasert , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: June 2010

We have developed an imaging mass spectrometer—the atmospheric‐pressure mass microscope—with high spatial resolution, which is composed of an atmospheric pressure ion‐source chamber for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP‐MALDI) and a quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight (QIT‐TOF) mass spectrometer. The production of 2‐dimensional mass spectrum intensity by the atmospheric‐pressure mass microscope with a very fine scan pitch enables us to visualize the distribution of lipids and their metabolites in frozen sections without any specific probes or labels.

In this study, we applied AP‐MALDI‐QIT‐TOF imaging mass spectrometry to investigate the distribution of lipids in the compound eye‐associated eyestalk of the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus. The eyestalk of crustaceans responds to many signaling substances, and most of these substances are involved in lipid metabolism. The merged ion image of five significant biomolecules clearly showed seven separate zones in the eye and eyestalk. The results indicate that the lipid components of each cell layer of the compound eye are different. This study provides information regarding lipid compositions and locations on real tissue that correlate with function. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) with high spatial resolution could thus be a powerful tool for imaging and measurement of various samples for a first molecular screening. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The National Children's Study (NCS): Establishment and protection of the inferential base
Authors: Ellenberg Jonas H.
Published: June 2010

The National Children's Study (NCS) is a unique study of environment and health that will follow a cohort of 100 000 women from prior to or early in pregnancy and then their children until 21 years of age. The NCS cohort will be a national multi‐stage probability sample, using a U.S. Census Bureau geographic sampling frame unrelated to factors that might influence selection into the sample (e.g. access to health care). I present the case for the use of a national probability sample as the design base for the NCS, arguing that selection of the original cohort should be as free from selection bias as possible. The dangers of using a selected or nonprobability sample approach are demonstrated by an example of its use in outlining the clinical management of children with febrile seizures, an infrequent disorder, which was so wrong for decades. In addition, I stress the importance of and the NCS approach to avoiding selection bias that might occur after the initial selection of the cohort. The selection of and maintenance of an unselected cohort is an important element for the validity of inferences in this major undertaking. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical and practical issues in the design of a national probability sample of births for the Vanguard Study of the National Children's Study
Authors: Montaquila Jill M. , Brick J. Michael , Curtin Lester R.
Published: June 2010

The National Children's Study is a national household probability sample designed to identify 100 000 children at birth and follow the sampled children for 21 years. Data from the study will support examining numerous hypotheses concerning genetic and environmental effects on the health and development of children. The goals of the study present substantial challenges. For example, the need for preconception, prenatal, and postnatal data requires identifying women in the early stages of pregnancy, the collection of many types of data, and the retention of the children over time. In this paper, we give an overview of the sample design used in a pilot study called the Vanguard Study, and highlight the approaches used to address these challenges. We will also describe the rationale for the sampling choices made at each stage, the unique organizational structure of the NCS and issues we expect to face during implementation. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving cost‐effectiveness of epidemiological studies via designed missingness strategies
Authors: Strauss Warren J. , Ryan Louise , Morara Michele , Iroz‐Elardo Nicole , Davis Mark , Cupp Matthew , Nishioka Marcia G. , Quackenboss James , Galke Warren , Özkaynak Haluk , Scheidt Peter
Published: June 2010

Modern epidemiological studies face opportunities and challenges posed by an ever‐expanding capacity to measure a wide range of environmental exposures, along with sophisticated biomarkers of exposure and response at the individual level. The challenge of deciding what to measure is further complicated for longitudinal studies, where logistical and cost constraints preclude the collection of all possible measurements on all participants at every follow‐up time. This is true for the National Children's Study (NCS), a large‐scale longitudinal study that will enroll women both prior to conception and during pregnancy and collect information on their environment, their pregnancies, and their children's development through early adulthood—with a goal of assessing key exposure/outcome relationships among a cohort of approximately 100 000 children. The success of the NCS will significantly depend on the accurate, yet cost‐effective, characterization of environmental exposures thought to be related to the health outcomes of interest. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of cost saving, yet valid and adequately powered statistical approaches for gathering exposure information within epidemiological cohort studies. The proposed approach involves the collection of detailed exposure assessment information on a specially selected subset of the study population, and collection of less‐costly, and presumably less‐detailed and less‐burdensome, surrogate measures across the entire cohort. We show that large‐scale efficiency in costs and burden may be achieved without making substantive sacrifices on the ability to draw reliable inferences concerning the relationship between exposure and health outcome. Several detailed scenarios are provided that document how the targeted sub‐sampling design strategy can benefit large cohort studies like the NCS, as well as other more focused environmental epidemiologic studies. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoparticle‐Induced Folding and Fibril Formation of Coiled‐Coil‐Based Model Peptides
Authors: Wagner Sara C. , Roskamp Meike , Pallerla Manjula , Araghi Raheleh Rezaei , Schlecht Sabine , Koksch Beate
Published: June 2010

Nanomedicine is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to deliver treatments for many illnesses. However, relatively little is known about the biological risks of nanoparticles. Some studies have shown that nanoparticles can have an impact on the aggregation properties of proteins, including fibril formation. Moreover, these studies also show that the capacity of nanoscale objects to induce or prevent misfolding of the proteins strongly depends on the primary structure of the protein. Herein, light is shed on the role of the peptide primary structure in directing nanoparticle‐induced misfolding by means of two model peptides. The design of these peptides is based on the α‐helical coiled‐coil folding motif, but also includes features that enable them to respond to pH changes, thus allowing pH‐dependent β‐sheet formation. Previous studies showed that the two peptides differ in the pH range required for β‐sheet folding. Time‐dependent circular dichroism spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy are used to characterize peptide folding and aggregate morphology in the presence of negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Both peptides are found to undergo nanoparticle‐induced fibril formation. The determination of binding parameters by isothermal titration calorimetry further reveals that the different propensities of both peptides to form amyloid‐like structures in the presence of AuNPs is primarily due to the binding stoichiometry to the AuNPs. Modification of one of the peptide sequences shows that AuNP‐induced β‐sheet formation is related to the structural propensity of the primary structure and is not a generic feature of peptide sequences with a sufficiently high binding stoichiometry to the nanoparticles.
Cellular Association and Assembly of a Multistage Delivery System
Authors: Serda Rita E. , Mack Aaron , Pulikkathara Merlyn , Zaske Ana Maria , Chiappini Ciro , Fakhoury Jean R. , Webb Douglas , Godin Biana , Conyers Jodie L. , Liu Xue W. , Bankson James A. , Ferrari Mauro
Published: June 2010

The realization that blood‐borne delivery systems must overcome a multiplicity of biological barriers has led to the fabrication of a multistage delivery system (MDS) designed to temporally release successive stages of particles or agents to conquer sequential barriers, with the goal of enhancing delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents to the target site. In its simplest form, the MDS comprises stage‐one porous silicon microparticles that function as carriers of second‐stage nanoparticles. Cellular uptake of nontargeted discoidal silicon microparticles by macrophages is confirmed by electron and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a model of secondary nanoparticles, successful loading of the porous matrix of silicon microparticles is achieved, and retention of the nanoparticles is enhanced by aminosilylation of the loaded microparticles with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The impact of silane concentration and reaction time on the nature of the silane polymer on porous silicon is investigated by AFM and X‐ray photoelectron microscopy. Tissue samples from mice intravenously administered the MDS support co‐localization of silicon microparticles and SPIONs across various tissues with enhanced SPION release in spleen, compared to liver and lungs, and enhanced retention of SPIONs following silane capping of the MDS. Phantom models of the SPION‐loaded MDS display negative contrast in magnetic resonance images. In addition to forming a cap over the silicon pores, the silane polymer provides free amines for antibody conjugation to the microparticles, with both VEGFR‐2‐ and PECAM‐specific antibodies leading to enhanced endothelial association. This study demonstrates the assembly and cellular association of a multiparticle delivery system that is biomolecularly targeted and has potential for applications in biological imaging.
Enzyme digestibility and acid/shear stability of heat–moisture treated canna starch
Authors: Watcharatewinkul Yanika , Uttapap Dudsadee , Puttanlek Chureerat , Rungsardthong Vilai
Published: June 2010

The stability of heat–moisture treated (HMT) canna starches (starches with moisture contents of 15, 18, 20, 22, and 25%, treated at 100°C for 16 h) against acid, high shearing forces, and enzyme digestion was investigated. Micrographs of starch gels taken from a Rapid Visco Analyzer showed that granules of untreated native starch subjected to pH values of 7.2 and 4.6 were highly swelled, whereas granules exposed to higher acidic pH (3.0) values fragmented into small pieces. Yet, less swelling was found for the HTN15%, HMT18%, and HMT20% samples. Even at pH 3.0, HMT22% and HMT25% granules were still in an intact granular form. Similar findings were observed when native and HMT canna starches were agitated at various rates (160, 240, 320, and 480 rpm). Starch samples treated under higher moisture levels exhibited a higher tolerance to shearing forces acting on them. Comparative investigation of HMT and chemically crosslinked starches showed that pasting properties of HMT22% and HMT25% were equivalent to those of canna starches crosslinked by sodium trimetaphosphate at 0.2 and 0.5% (dwb), respectively. In regards to the enzyme digestibility of treated canna starches, there was no recognizable trend. The extent of starch hydrolysis (at 24 h) as a function of moisture level during HMT conformed to the following order: HMT25% > HTN15% > HMT18% ≈ native > HMT20% > HMT22%.
Analytic wavelet transformation‐based modal parameter identification from ambient responses
Authors: Li Chunxiang , Shen Jianhong
Published: June 2010

Analytic wavelet transform (AWT) based on Gabor wavelet function overcomes the deficiency of the time‐domain localization of traditional Fourier transform and the limitation of the constant resolution in the time‐frequency domain of short‐time Fourier transform. The identification of modal parameters of structures may be carried out by both the amplitude and phase frequency information revealed by resorting to matching mechanism between the wavelet function and complex‐valued signal. By applying the AWT in conjunction with the well‐known random decrement technique, this paper analyses the time‐frequency resolution of Gabor wavelet and the process of identifying structural modal parameters. The method of selecting the parameters of Gabor wavelet function and the formula determining the usable lengths of signal are thus proposed. Eventually, the efficiency of the present method is confirmed by applying it to a numerical simulation data without and with noise contamination of a three degree‐of‐freedom (3DOF) structure with the closely spaced natural frequencies and to ambient vibration full‐scale measurements of a super high‐rise building—Shanghai Jin Mao Building excited by wind. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionengetterpumpen
Authors: Thierley Marcus
Published: June 2010

Ionengetterpumpen werden nicht nur durch ihr nominelles Saugvermögen charakterisiert. Sehr großen Einfluss auf das Pumpverhalten für verschiedene Gase haben die eingesetzten Pumpelemente. Heute hat der Anwender die Qual der Wahl, da es verschiedene Pumpelemente auf dem Markt gibt. Dieser Artikel soll dabei helfen, die passende Pumpe für die vorgesehene Applikation auszuwählen.
Membranvakuumpumpen als Turbo‐Vorpumpen
Authors: Dirscherl Jürgen
Published: June 2010

Moderne Turbopumpen mit integrierter Molekularpumpstufe können mit einem Vorvakuum im mbar‐Bereich betrieben werden. Als Vorpumpe können daher vorteilhaft ölfreie Membranvakuumpumpen eingesetzt werden. Große Fortschritte bei der Membrantechnologie durch den Einsatz optimierter Flachmembrane sowie durch elektronisch gesteuerte Antriebssysteme machen Membranpumpen noch kompakter, leistungsfähiger und zuverlässiger. Über fünf Jahre laufende Dauertests an Membranvakuumpumpen mit kontinuierlicher Endvakuummessung zeigen Membranlebensdauern von über 40.000 Stunden, und dies bei konstant sehr gutem Endvakuum. Insbesondere bei drehzahlgeregelten Systemen sind damit Wartungsintervalle ähnlich denen von Turbopumpen mittlerweile realisierbar.
Simulation von Plasma‐Beschichtungsprozessen
Authors: Pflug Andreas , Siemers Michael , Schwanke Christoph , Szyszka Bernd
Published: June 2010

Aufgrund der fortschreitenden Hochskalierung industrieller Plasma‐Beschichtungsprozesse steigen die Anforderungen sowohl an Produktivität als auch an Präzision kontinuierlich. Beide Anforderungen sind gegensätzlich, so wird z. B. eine Produktivitätssteigerung oft mittels Vergrößerung der Substratmaße erzielt, hierdurch wird i. d. R. die Homogenität der Schichteigenschaften über die Substratfläche verschlechtert.

Eine auf experimentellen Methoden fußende Weiterentwicklung von Beschichtungsquellen wird durch die zunehmende Komplexität und Größe der Beschichtungsanlagen erschwert. Aus diesem Grund wird in der Forschung und Entwicklung in der Beschichtungstechnologie in letzter Zeit zunehmend ein Schwerpunkt auf Simulationsverfahren gesetzt.

Am Fraunhofer‐Institut für Schicht und Oberflächentechnik wurde eine Particle‐in‐Cell Monte‐Carlo – Simulationsumgebung implementiert, um Transportphänomene und Gasentladungen im Niederdruckbereich detailliert beschreiben zu können. Bei der Entwicklung neuer Plasma‐Beschichtungsquellen können mit diesem Simulationstool Vorhersagen und Optimierungen durchgeführt sowie allgemein das Verständnis der Plasmaentladungsmechanismen vertieft werden.
Sputteryield‐Amplification
Authors: Szyszka Bernd , Pflug Andreas , Sittinger Volker , Ulrich Stephan
Published: June 2010

Die Erhöhung der Sputterrate durch den Sputteryield‐Amplification‐Effekt zeigt Potential auf, um die Energieeffizienz von Sputterprozessen deutlich zu steigern. Seit der Entdeckung dieses Effekts in den 1990er Jahren wurden vornehmlich metallische Prozesse untersucht. Rechnungen und erste Experimente zeigen jedoch gerade für das Sputtern von keramischen Targets interessante möglichkeiten zur Ratensteigerung. Nachfolgend werden der Stand der Technik und die zu erwartenden Ergebnisse als Übersicht zusammengestellt.
Formation of an Inorganic‐Organic Host‐Guest Material by Intercalation of Acetone Formaldehyde Sulfite Polycondensate into a Hydrocalumite Structure
Authors: Plank Johann , von Hoessle Friedrich
Published: June 2010

An acetone formaldehyde sulfite based polycondensate (Mw ~ 64 kDa), which is commonly used as a superplasticizer in cement and concrete, was intercalated into a hydrocalumite type LDH structure. Preparation was done by controlled rehydration of tricalcium aluminate in the presence of the polymer. Formation of the LDH phase was confirmed by XRD, IR spectroscopic and TG measurements. Elemental composition of the organo‐mineral phase reveals charge balancing of the cationic LDH main layers by the polycondensate and OH– ions. Low crystallinity observed by XRD and presence of LDH foils was verified by SEM images. There, the novel Ca‐Al‐LDH phase shows a morphology of intergrown platelets which is typical for layered calcium aluminate hydrates. Depending on the preparation method, ultra‐thin foils with 20 nm–50 nm thickness were observed. TEM images also support presence of a layered structure.
Self‐assembled Monolayers of Alkylphosphonic Acids on Aluminum Oxide Surfaces – A Theoretical Study
Authors: Luschtinetz Regina , Oliveira Augusto F. , Duarte Hélio A. , Seifert Gotthard
Published: June 2010

Density‐functional based calculations were used to investigate self‐assembled monolayers of different alkylphosphonic acids on corundum α‐Al2O3 (0001), bayerite β‐Al(OH)3 (001) and boehmite γ‐AlOOH (010) surface models. Mono‐, bi‐, and tridentate adsorption modes were considered. In addition, the organization of single adsorbed molecules was compared to the organization at full surface coverage. The height (thickness) of the self‐assembled monolayers is always shorter than the length of the phosphonic acid molecules due to tilting of the alkyl chains. Tilt angles at full surface coverage are very similar to the tilt angle of a single adsorbed molecule, which indicates that the density of the self‐assembled monolayers is limited by the density of adsorption sites. The lateral interactions between alkyl chains are evidenced by small torsions of the adsorbed molecules, which may serve to minimize the repulsion forces between interchain hydrogen atoms. Similar tilt angles were obtained for mono‐, bi‐, and tridentate adsorptions. Hence, the coordination mode cannot be characterized by the molecule tilting.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic, and Electrochemical Properties of Four Novel Trinuclear RuII Polypyridyl Complexes Containing Diazafluorene
Authors: Cheng Feixiang , Wang Fan , Yang Siya , Tang Ning , Chen Longhai
Published: June 2010

Four tripodal ligands L1–4 derived from 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one were synthesized. L1–2 formed by the reaction of 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐oxime with 1,3,5‐tris(bromomethyl)benzene, and 1,1,1‐tris(p‐tosyloxymethyl)propane, respectively and L3–4 formed by the condensation of 9‐(4‐hydroxy)phenylimino‐4,5‐diazafluorene with 1,3,5‐tris(bromomethyl)benzene, and 1,1,1‐tris(p‐tosyloxymethyl)propane, respectively. Four trinuclear complexes [(bpy)6Ru3L1–4](PF6)6 (Ru‐L1–4) were obtained by reaction of Ru(bpy)2Cl2·2H2O with ligands L1–4. The photophysical behaviors of these complexes were investigated by UV/Vis absorption and emission spectrometry. The complexes display metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer absorptions at 441–445 nm and emissions at 571–578 nm. Cyclic voltammetry data of the complexes show one RuII‐centered oxidation and three successive ligand‐centered reductions.
A New Surgical Trainer (BOPT) Improves Skill Transfer for Anastomotic Techniques in Gastrointestinal Surgery into the Operating Room: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Lauscher Johannes C. , Ritz Jörg‐Peter , Stroux Andrea , Buhr Heinz J. , Gröne Jörn
Published: June 2010

Background

A multifunctional skill trainer (Berlin Operation Trainer, BOPT) allows realistic training of conventional gastrointestinal (GI) surgical techniques. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the training success and the potential for transfer of anastomotic techniques in GI surgery into the operating room using the BOPT.

Methods

Thirty‐six surgical residents and surgeons in their subspecialty fellowship were classified as novices and experts according to their surgical experience and randomized into either a group that trained on standard training devices (n = 19) or a group that trained on the BOPT (n = 17). The participants performed an intestinal anastomosis with a single‐layer running suture with BOPT (+BOPT) or without BOPT (−BOPT) at the beginning (point in time 1, PIT 1) and at the end of 4 days of surgical training (PIT 2). To simulate a real operation, the anastomosis at PIT 2 was performed in the open situs of an intubated domestic pig. The performance of the intestinal anastomoses was documented with video and photos. The time to perform the anastomosis and the quality of the anastomosis technique (total enterorrhaphy score) were rated independently by two surgeons using 17 defined quality criteria.

Results

The +BOPT group was faster than the control group (–BOPT group) (operating time = 192.4 ± 53.8 vs. 221.3 ± 47.8 s; P = 0.064) and had a higher score (12.1 ± 2.0 vs. 10.2 ± 2.6 points; P = 0.032) at PIT 2. Participants with an improved video and photo enterorrhaphy score had trained more frequently with the BOPT (+BOPT group) (14/19, 73.7%; P < 0.0005). The participants in the BOPT group showed a significant improvement in performance from PIT 1 to PIT 2 with respect to speed (P = 0.049), the quality of the suture (video enterorrhaphy score; P = 0.026), the completed anastomosis (photo enterorrhaphy score; P = 0.021), and the total enterorrhaphy score (video and photo enterorrhaphy score; P = 0.039) compared to the control group without BOPT. There were no significant differences in improvement between novices and experts.

Conclusion

The training using the Berlin Operation Trainer (BOPT) with respect to training success and the potential to transfer to GI surgery the suture and anastomosis techniques learned seems to be significantly superior to standard surgery modules, independent of the surgeon’s training status. The BOPT is a useful tool for training conventional gastrointestinal surgery techniques.
Beyond average: an experimental test of temperature variability on the population dynamics of Tribolium confusum
Authors: Estay Sergio A. , Clavijo‐Baquet Sabrina , Lima Mauricio , Bozinovic Francisco
Published: June 2010

The relationship between ectotherm ecology and climatic conditions has been mainly evaluated in terms of average conditions. Average temperature is the more common climatic variable used in physiological and population studies, and its effect on individual and population‐level processes is well understood. However, the intrinsic variability of thermal conditions calls attention to the potential effects that this variability could have in ecological systems. Regarding this point, two hypotheses are proposed. From the allocation principle, it may be inferred that if temperature variability is high enough to induce stress in the organisms, then this extra‐cost should reduce the energetic budget for reproduction, which will be reflected in population parameters. Moreover, a mathematical property of non‐linear functions, Jensen's inequality, indicates that, in concave functions, like the temperature–reproduction performance function, variability reduces the expected value of the output variable, and again modifies population parameters. To test these hypotheses, experimental cultures of Tribolium confusum under two different thermal variability regimens were carried out. With these data, we fitted a simple population dynamics model to evaluate the predictions of our hypothesis. The results show that thermal variability reduces the maximum reproductive rate of the population but no other parameters such as carrying capacity or the nonlinear factor in a nonlinear version of the Ricker model, which confirms our hypotheses. This result has important consequences, such as the paradoxical increase in population variability under a decrease in thermal variability and the necessary incorporation of climatic variability to evaluate the net effect of climate change on the dynamics of natural populations.
Genetic analysis of BIRC4/XIAP as a putative modifier gene of Wilson disease
Authors: Weiss Karl Heinz , Runz Heiko , Noe Barbara , Gotthardt Daniel Nils , Merle Uta , Ferenci Peter , Stremmel Wolfgang , Füllekrug Joachim
Published: June 2010

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal‐recessive copper overload disorder caused by mutations in the copper‐transporting adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) ATP7B. It presents with a highly variable clinical phenotype ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant hepatic failure or progressive neurological involvement. No clear genotype–phenotype correlation has been established. Thus, variants in modifier genes could have an impact on WD manifestation and severity. Recently, the antiapoptotic protein baculoviral IAP repeat‐containing protein 4 BIRC4/XIAP has been suggested as a regulator of copper‐induced cell death. With the aim of investigating a putative role of BIRC4/XIAP as modifier gene in individuals with copper overload, we analyzed a WD patient cohort (n = 98) for sequence variants at the BIRC4/XIAP locus. When compared with clinical data, the previously described coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the BRIC4/XIAP locus (rs28382721, rs28382722, rs28382723, rs5956583, rs28382740, rs12838858, rs28382741) did not correlate with age of onset or clinical presentation in our collective. However, three previously unreported variants in the BIRC4/XIAP gene were identified (c.1‐26 T > G; c.1408A > T; p.T470S; c.1019A > G; p.N340S). The two patients with variants leading to amino acid exchanges in the BIRC4/XIAP protein showed a remarkably early disease onset at the age of 5 years. Furthermore, one of these patients was only heterozygous for disease‐causing mutations in the ATP7B gene. In summary, these data emphasize the need to further elucidate a role of BIRC4/XIAP variants as putative pathogenetic factors in copper overload disorders.