bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal occupational pesticide exposure and risk of hypospadias in the national birth defects prevention study
Authors: Rocheleau Carissa M. , Romitti Paul A. , Sanderson Wayne T. , Sun Lixian , Lawson Christina C. , Waters Martha A. , Stewart Patricia A. , Olney Richard S. , Reefhuis Jennita
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND

Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation among men in which the urethral opening is ventrally displaced. Pesticide exposure has been suggested as a possible etiologic factor, but previous epidemiologic studies have produced inconsistent results.

METHODS

We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), a population‐based case‐control study, to examine maternal occupational exposure to fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides among 647 hypospadias case infants and 1496 unaffected male control infants with estimated delivery dates from October 1997 to December 2002. Periconceptional (1 month before conception through the first trimester of pregnancy) pesticide exposures were assigned by an expert rater, assisted by a job‐exposure matrix (JEM), from a job history completed by mothers during a telephone interview. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with multivariable logistic regression, and adjusted for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Maternal periconceptional occupational exposure to any pesticides (yes/no) was not associated with an increased risk of hypospadias (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.61–1.01). Maternal occupational periconceptional pesticide exposure type (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) and estimated quantity also showed no significantly increased risk of hypospadias and no evidence of a dose‐response relationship; however, the estimated pesticide exposure levels in this population were low.

CONCLUSION

Using broad classes of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, we found no evidence that low intensity maternal periconceptional occupational pesticide exposure was a risk factor for hypospadias. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanosecond electric pulses cause mitochondrial membrane permeabilization in Jurkat cells
Authors: Napotnik Tina Batista , Wu Yu‐Hsuan , Gundersen Martin A. , Miklavčič Damijan , Vernier P. Thomas
Published: September 2011

Nanosecond, high‐voltage electric pulses (nsEP) induce permeabilization of the plasma membrane and the membranes of cell organelles, leading to various responses in cells including cytochrome c release from mitochondria and caspase activation associated with apoptosis. We report here evidence for nsEP‐induced permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes in living cells. Using three different methods with fluorescence indicators—rhodamine 123 (R123), tetramethyl rhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE), and cobalt‐quenched calcein—we have shown that multiple nsEP (five pulses or more, 4 ns duration, 10 MV/m, 1 kHz repetition rate) cause an increase of the inner mitochondrial membrane permeability and an associated loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These effects could be a consequence of nsEP permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane or the activation of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pores. Plasma membrane permeabilization (YO‐PRO‐1 influx) was detected in addition to mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Bioelectromagnetics 33:257–264, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrolysis of Penicillin G by Penicillin G Acylase Immobilized on Chitosan Microbeads in Different Reactor Systems
Authors: Žuža M. G. , Obradović B. M. , Knežević‐Jugović Z. D.
Published: September 2011

The kinetic parameters for penicillin G hydrolysis in systems with penicillin G acylase from Escherichia coli (free and immobilized on activated chitosan microbeads produced by electrostatic extrusion) were determined. The obtained kinetic results indicated that both systems (free and immobilized) are inhibited by high concentrations of the substrate (penicillin G) as well as by products of the reaction (6‐aminopenicillanic acid and phenylacetic acid). The microbeads appeared convenient for penicillin G acylase immobilization reducing negative inhibitory effects. The hydrolysis was also investigated in a packed bed reactor. The derived kinetic model predicted good hydrolysis rates in the reactor while the system with recirculation of the reaction mixture proved to be a potentially favorable solution providing operation at low shear stresses and possibly higher hydrolysis rates than in the packed bed reactor alone.
ChemInform Abstract: Novel Catalytic Bromolactonization of Alkenoic Acids Using Iodobenzene and Oxone®.
Authors: He Yan , Pu Ye , Shao Bo , Yan Jie
Published: September 2011

A mild and simple synthesis of the five‐membered bromolactones (II) and (IV) is presented.
ChemInform Abstract: The Role of Higher Oxidation State Species in Platinum‐Mediated C—H Bond Activation and Functionalization
Authors: Labinger Jay A. , Bercaw John E.
Published: September 2011

Review: 103 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Cellulose Nanomaterials Review: Structure, Properties and Nanocomposites
Authors: Moon Robert J. , Martini Ashlie , Nairn John , Simonsen John , Youngblood Jeff
Published: September 2011

Review: 393 refs.
A unified taxonomy for ciliary dyneins
Authors: Hom Erik F. Y. , Witman George B. , Harris Elizabeth H. , Dutcher Susan K. , Kamiya Ritsu , Mitchell David R. , Pazour Gregory J. , Porter Mary E. , Sale Winfield S. , Wirschell Maureen , Yagi Toshiki , King Stephen M.
Published: September 2011

The formation and function of eukaryotic cilia/flagella require the action of a large array of dynein microtubule motor complexes. Due to genetic, biochemical, and microscopic tractability, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has become the premier model system in which to dissect the role of dyneins in flagellar assembly, motility, and signaling. Currently, 54 proteins have been described as components of various Chlamydomonas flagellar dyneins or as factors required for their assembly in the cytoplasm and/or transport into the flagellum; orthologs of nearly all these components are present in other ciliated organisms including humans. For historical reasons, the nomenclature of these diverse dynein components and their corresponding genes, mutant alleles, and orthologs has become extraordinarily confusing. Here, we unify Chlamydomonas dynein gene nomenclature and establish a systematic classification scheme based on structural properties of the encoded proteins. Furthermore, we provide detailed tabulations of the various mutant alleles and protein aliases that have been used and explicitly define the correspondence with orthologous components in other model organisms and humans. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prognostic impact of insulin receptor expression on survival of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Kim Jin‐Soo , Kim Edward S. , Liu Diane , Lee J. Jack , Solis Luisa , Behrens Carmen , Lippman Scott M. , Hong Waun Ki , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Lee Ho‐Young
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to characterize insulin receptor (IR) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) expression in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS:

A total of 459 patients who underwent curative resection of NSCLC were studied (median follow‐up duration, 4.01 years). Expression of the IR and IGF‐1R protein in tumor specimens was assessed immunohistochemically using tissue microarrays.

RESULTS:

The cytoplasmic IR score was higher in patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC) than in those with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), whereas cytoplasmic IGF‐1R score was higher in patients with SCC than those with ADC. Neither IR nor IGF‐1R expression was associated with sex, smoking history, or clinical stage. Patients with positive IR or IGF‐1R expression levels had poor recurrence‐free (RFS) (3.8 vs 3.3 years; 3.8 vs 2.0 years, respectively), but similar overall survival (OS). Patients with high expression levels of IR and IGF‐1R had shorter RFS and OS compared with those with low levels of IR and/or IGF‐1R expression. Finally, a multivariate analysis revealed the impact of IR, but not of IGF‐1R, as an independent predictive marker of NSCLC survival: hazard ratio (HR) for OS, 1.005 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001‐1.010], HR for RFS, 1.005 (95% CI, 1.001‐1.009), when IR score was tested as a continuous variable.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overexpression of IR predicts a poor survival among patients with NSCLC, especially those with SCC. These results might serve as future guidance to the clinical trials involving IR or IGR‐1R targeting agents. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Segregation of visual inputs from different regions of the compound eye in two parallel pathways through the anterior optic tubercle of the bumblebee (Bombus ignitus)
Authors: Pfeiffer Keram , Kinoshita Michiyo
Published: September 2011

Visually guided behaviors require the brain to extract features of the visual world and to integrate them in a context‐specific manner. Hymenopteran insects have been prime models for ethological research into visual behaviors for decades but knowledge about the underlying central processing is very limited. This is particularly the case for sky‐compass navigation. To learn more about central processing of visual information in general and specifically to reveal a possible polarization vision pathway in the bee brain, we used tracer injections to investigate the pathways through the anterior optic tubercle, a prominent output target of the insect optic lobe, in the bumblebee Bombus ignitus. The anterior optic tubercle of the bumblebee is a small neuropil of 200 μm width and is located dorsolateral to the antennal lobe at the anterior surface of the brain. It is divided into a larger upper and a smaller lower subunit, both of which receive input from the optic lobe and connect to the lateral accessory lobe, and the contralateral tubercle, via two parallel pathways. The lower subunit receives input from the dorsal rim area (DRA) of the compound eye. The bumblebee DRA shares structural similarities with polarization‐sensitive DRAs of other insects and looks similar to that of honeybees. We identified several neurons within this pathway that could be homologous to identified polarization‐sensitive neurons in the locust brain. We therefore conclude that the pathway through the lower subunit of the anterior optic tubercle could carry polarization information from the periphery to the central brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:212–229, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variability estimation of hue and saturation components in the HSV space
Authors: Romani Santiago , Sobrevilla Pilar , Montseny Eduard
Published: September 2011

When dealing with hue‐saturation‐value (HSV) components, one must be very careful about nonlinearity and singularities of the HSV space, which can amplify considerably the sampling errors of the original components, namely, red‐green‐blue (RGB) channels. Contradictorily, almost all research in computerized image analysis or processing based on HSV (or other nonlinear color space) neglect to account for such inhomogeneous variability. In this article, we present two approaches for estimating the degree of variability of hue and saturation in the HSV space, intended to assist any color image processing or analysis based on such components. Both approaches end up with new estimators of the hue and saturation standard deviation for a pixel distribution of any color sample. The first approach consists in applying error‐propagation analysis on the RGB‐to‐HSV formulation and the second one is based on heuristic rules inferred from geometrical relations between HSV values of pixel distributions. Experiments show that introduced estimators provide very accurate predictions of true H‐S deviations obtained from a broad subset of 183 NCS® color samples. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011
Measuring semantic similarity between words by removing noise and redundancy in web snippets
Authors: Xu Zheng , Luo Xiangfeng , Yu Jie , Xu Weimin
Published: September 2011

Semantic similarity measures play important roles in many Web‐related tasks such as Web browsing and query suggestion. Because taxonomy‐based methods can not deal with continually emerging words, recently Web‐based methods have been proposed to solve this problem. Because of the noise and redundancy hidden in the Web data, robustness and accuracy are still challenges. In this paper, we propose a method integrating page counts and snippets returned by Web search engines. Then, the semantic snippets and the number of search results are used to remove noise and redundancy in the Web snippets (‘Web‐snippet’ includes the title, summary, and URL of a Web page returned by a search engine). After that, a method integrating page counts, semantics snippets, and the number of already displayed search results are proposed. The proposed method does not need any human annotated knowledge (e.g., ontologies), and can be applied Web‐related tasks (e.g., query suggestion) easily. A correlation coefficient of 0.851 against Rubenstein–Goodenough benchmark dataset shows that the proposed method outperforms the existing Web‐based methods by a wide margin. Moreover, the proposed semantic similarity measure significantly improves the quality of query suggestion against some page counts based methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cold chain logistics system based on cloud computing
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Wang Ying , Chen Xi
Published: September 2011

All information technology (IT) resources that cloud computing provide can be seen as services. As a new IT implementation, cloud computing now has a profound impact on technological change. Cloud computing can provide critical software for business management, reducing IT and maintenance costs for hardware and software effectively. It can also enable small and medium enterprises to have access to professional IT solutions with less IT investment. The cold chain logistics system based on cloud computing can be used to connect the database between cold chain logistics and external customers, so that each database connection terminal can keep track of and update the data. A cold chain logistics system based on cloud computing is designed in this paper. This system consists of six functional parts: (1) data collection; (2) data calculation; (3) data updating and transmission; (4) configuration management; (5) control strategy; and (6) business development. It brings better cooperation between cold chain logistics and their customers, realizes co‐control of product sales information, accelerates the speed of cold chain logistics and maximizes the interests of all parties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on hybrid insulation composition joint using gas and solid insulator for gas‐insulated power equipment
Authors: Shinkai Hiroyuki , Goshima Hisashi , Yashima Masafumi
Published: September 2011

SF6 is used as the main insulation gas for gas‐insulated switchgear (GIS), but it has recently become a gas that must be restricted because of its greenhouse effects. To date, we have studied the insulation characteristics of compressed N2 and CO2 as possible alternatives for SF6. We have reported that N2 or CO2 must be pressurized to 2.0 MPa when it is used as a substitute for SF6 at 0.5 MPa. Therefore, we have proposed a hybrid installation composition that uses gas and solid insulators. Because the central conductor of GIS is covered by a solid insulator in this composition, a high‐pressure gas at 2.0 MPa is not needed. However, the joint of the solid insulator becomes a weak point for discharge development. In this paper, we describe an effective configuration for improvement of the withstand voltage based on experiments. The most effective connector was made of resin without an implant electrode and the most effective configuration was one without a solid–solid interface between the solid insulator of the central conductor and the resin connector. In this experiment, the improvement of breakdown electric field of the hybrid composition was 44% or more compared with the case of only gas insulation (conventional method). In addition, further improvement can be expected by optimizing the insulation creepage distance and configuration. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 178(1): 11–20, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21107
Extracellular proteolysis in macrophage migration: Losing grip for a breakthrough
Authors: Vérollet Christel , Charrière Guillaume M. , Labrousse Arnaud , Cougoule Céline , Le Cabec Véronique , Maridonneau‐Parini Isabelle
Published: September 2011

Macrophage tissue infiltration is a hallmark of several pathological situations including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and chronic inflammation. Hence, deciphering the mechanisms of macrophage migration across a variety of tissues holds great potential for novel anti‐inflammatory therapies. Leukocytes have long been thought to migrate through tissues by using the amoeboid (protease‐independent) migration mode; however, recent evidence indicates that macrophages can use either the amoeboid or the mesenchymal (protease‐dependent) migration mode depending on the environmental constraints. Proteolytic activity is required for several key processes including cell migration. Paradoxically, the role of proteases in macrophage migration has been poorly studied. Here, by focusing on the best characterized extracellular protease families – MMPs, cathepsins and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator – we give an overview of their probable involvement in macrophage migration. These proteases appear to play a role in all of the situations encountered by migrating macrophages, i.e. diapedesis, 2D and 3D migration. Migration of macrophages across tissues seems to proceed through an integrative analysis of numerous environmental clues allowing the cells to adapt their migration mode (amoeboid/mesenchymal) and secrete dedicated proteases to ensure efficient tissue infiltration, as discussed in this review. The role of proteases in macrophage migration is an emerging field of research, which deserves further work to allow a more precise understanding.
Structural Flexibility and Sorption Properties of 2D Porous Coordination Polymers Constructed from Trinuclear Heterometallic Pivalates and 4,4′‐Bipyridine
Authors: Polunin Ruslan A. , Kolotilov Sergey V. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Cador Olivier , Golhen Stéphane , Shvets Oleksiy V. , Ouahab Lahcène , Dobrokhotova Zhanna V. , Ovcharenko Victor I. , Eremenko Igor L. , Novotortsev Vladimir M. , Pavlishchuk Vitaly V.
Published: September 2011

The temperature dependence of crystal structure parameters of isostructural coordination polymers Fe2MO(Piv)6(bipy)1.5·2DMF [1·2DMF and 2·2DMF, where M = NiII or CoII, respectively, Piv = (CH3)3CCO2–, bipy = 4,4‐bipyridine and DMF is N,N‐dimethylformamide] was studied at five temperatures in the range from 120 to 296 K. The X‐ray structure of the N,N‐diethylformamide (DEF) solvate of the same coordination polymer 1, Fe2NiO(Piv)6(bipy)1.5·2DEF (1·2DEF), was studied at 173 and 260 K. Both the DMF and DEF solvates possess similar crystal structures, consisting of a series of parallel 2D polymeric layers with honeycomb voids. These series of parallel layers intersect, leading to their interpenetration and formation of zig‐zag channels. It was found that the change of temperature and/or solvent molecule in the pores causes significant structural rearrangement associated with a change of the separation between parallel layers and the angle between intersecting layers. These structural changes lead to a variation of the calculated solvent‐accessible volume from 0.21 cm3 g–1 (120 K, 2·2DMF) to 0.30 cm3 g–1 (260 K, 1·2DEF) for a probe molecule with r = 1.4 Å. These changes can model structural transformations which can occur at desolvation and adsorption of guests. Adsorption of n‐hexane, n‐octane, methanol and ethanol by Fe2MO(Piv)6(bipy)1.5 was studied. The sorption isotherms of alkanes were typical for microporous sorbents and in this case the behaviour of the coordination polymers resembled that which is typical for sorbents with a rigid structure. In a contrast, alcohol sorption capacity continuously grew at increasing pressure which may be caused by structural transformations, similar to temperature‐induced structural transformations. Among the studied sorbates, sorption capacity grew in order methanol < ethanol < n‐hexane < n‐octane which may be caused by the hydrophobic nature of the channels (due to the presence of tert‐butyl groups).
Photocatalytic H2 and Added‐Value By‐Products – The Role of Metal Oxide Systems in Their Synthesis from Oxygenates (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 28/2011)
Authors: Cargnello Matteo , Gasparotto Alberto , Gombac Valentina , Montini Tiziano , Barreca Davide , Fornasiero Paolo
Published: September 2011

The cover picture shows how light can be efficiently used to activate hydrogen production over metal oxides from biomass‐derived compounds, such as alcohols and sugars. These processes have gained a considerable importance for the sustainable production of H2, a strategic energy vector, starting from renewable resources. Interestingly, H2 generation from these largely available raw materials is accompanied by the simultaneous formation of added‐value by‐products that might be appealing even for other applications. The Microreview by D. Barreca, P. Fornasiero et al. on p. 4309 ff. focuses on recent developments in the field, discussing selected representative research results and highlighting the major open problems and future perspectives.
Peterson Olefination: Unexpected Rearrangement in the Overcrowded Polycyclic Aromatic Ene Series
Authors: Assadi Naela , Pogodin Sergey , Agranat Israel
Published: September 2011

An attempted synthesis of the angularly annelated 9‐(11′‐benzo[a]fluoren‐11′‐ylidene)‐9H‐fluorene (3) through a Peterson olefination reaction between (9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)trimethylsilyl anion (5a) and 11H‐benzo[a]fluoren‐11‐one (6) led to the linearly annelated 9‐(11′‐benzo[b]fluoren‐11′‐ylidene)‐9H‐fluorene (4), due to an unexpected rearrangement. The proposed mechanism of the rearrangement is illustrated. The core of the mechanism is an intramolecular Haller–Bauer cleavage of the naphthyl C11a′–C11′ bond in the β‐oxysilane anion 11 (formed from 5a and 6) to give the 1‐naphthyl anion (E)‐12, followed by E/Z isomerization to (Z)‐12 and by proton migration to give the 3‐naphthyl anion (Z)‐14. The intramolecular nucleophilic addition of the naphthyl anion at C‐3′ of (Z)‐14 to the carbonyl carbon gives the β‐oxysilane anion 15, a benzo[b]fluorenylidene derivative. The mechanism is supported by the results of DFT calculations. The synthesis of 3 was achieved by application of Barton's double extrusion diazo–thione coupling method.
Preparation of an Electrode Modified with an Electropolymerized Film as a Mediator of NADH Oxidation and Its Application in an Ethanol/O2 Biofuel Cell
Authors: Masuda Miyuki , Motoyama Yusuke , Murata Kenichi , Nakamura Nobuhumi , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: September 2011

This paper reports a novel mediator for the oxidation of β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH), an electropolymeric film (pAPRu) of [Ru(NH2‐phen)3]2+. A pAPRu‐modified electrode was prepared via electropolymerization and exhibited catalytic activity toward the electrochemical oxidation of NADH due to the imine moieties of pAPRu. The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol was observed using an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)‐immobilized electrode. A compartmentless ethanol/O2 biofuel cell composed of an ADH anode and a bilirubin oxidase cathode was constructed. The maximum current density and the maximum power density of the biofuel cell were 190 µA cm−2 and 31 µW cm−2 (at 0.29 V), respectively.
Out‐of‐plane seismic behaviour of rocking masonry walls
Authors: Shawa Omar Al , de Felice Gianmarco , Mauro Alberto , Sorrentino Luigi
Published: September 2011

The evaluation of the out‐of‐plane behaviour of unreinforced walls is one of the most debated topics in the seismic assessment of existing masonry buildings. The discontinuous nature of masonry and its interaction with the remainder of the building make the dynamic modelling of out‐of‐plane response troublesome. In this paper, the results of a shaking table laboratory campaign on a tuff masonry, natural scale, U‐shaped assemblage (façade adjacent to transverse walls) are presented. The tests, excited by scaled natural accelerograms, replicate the behaviour of external walls in existing masonry buildings, from the beginning of rocking motion to overturning. Two approaches have been developed for modelling the out‐of‐plane seismic behaviour: the discrete element method and an SDOF analytic model. Both approaches are shown to be capable of reproducing the experimental behaviour in terms of maximum rotation and time history dynamic response. Finally, test results and numerical time history simulations have been compared with the Italian seismic code assessment procedures. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validity and Reliability of a Turkish Version of the Body Shape Questionnaire Among Female High School Students: Preliminary Examination
Authors: Akdemir Asena , Inandi Tacettin , Akbas Duygu , Karaoglan Kahilogullari Akfer , Eren Mehmet , Canpolat Banu Isik
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among young people. The BSQ was initially administrated to female high school students (N = 665) and administered a second time to a subset of subjects (N = 144). The subjects also completed the Eating Attitudes Test, the Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire (a dieting questionnaire) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL‐90), and were weighed, and their body mass indices were calculated. Test–retest reliability of the BSQ was 0.81. The BSQ score correlated highly with the Eating Attitudes Test, Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Higher BSQ scores were also associated with higher body mass index. The results suggest that the Turkish version of BSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing body image concerns in teenagers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Modeling metal bioaccumulation in the invasive mussels Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis in the rivers Rhine and Meuse
Authors: Le T.T. Yen , Leuven Rob S.E.W , Hendriks A. Jan
Published: September 2011

The metal-specific covalent index and the species-specific size-based filtration rate were integrated into a biokinetic model estimating metal bioaccumulation in mussels from the dissolved phase and phytoplankton. The model was validated for zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) mussels in the rivers Rhine and Meuse, the Netherlands. The model performed well in predicting tissue concentrations in different-sized zebra mussels from various sampling sites for 55Mn, 56Fe, 59Co, 60Ni, 82Se, 111Cd, 118Sn, and 208Pb (r2 = 0.71–0.99). Performance for 52Cr, 63Cu, 66Zn, 68Zn, and 112Cd was moderate (r2 < 0.20). In quagga mussels, approximately 73 to 94% of the variability in concentrations of 82Se, 111Cd, 112Cd, and 208Pb was explained by the model (r2 = 0.73–0.94), followed by 52Cr, 55Mn, 56Fe, 60Ni, and 63Cu (r2 = 0.48–0.61). Additionally, in both zebra and quagga mussels, average modeled concentrations were within approximately one order of magnitude of the measured values. In particular, in zebra mussels, estimations of 60Ni and 82Se concentrations were equal to 51 and 76% of the measurements, respectively. Higher deviations were observed for 52Cr, 59Co, 55Mn, 56Fe, 111Cd, 63Cu, and 112Cd (underestimation), and 66Zn, 68Zn, 208Pb, and 118Sn (overestimation). For quagga mussels, modeled concentrations of 66Zn and 68Zn differed approximately 14% from the measured levels. Differences between predictions and measurements were higher for other metals. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2825–2830. © 2011 SETAC
Thermal properties and microstructure of gypsum board and its dehydration products: A theoretical and experimental investigation
Authors: Yu Q. L. , Brouwers H. J. H.
Published: September 2011

This article addresses the thermal properties and the microstructure of gypsum boards produced from β‐hemihydrate by studying its dehydration process.

Dehydration reaction of gypsum boards was investigated from both micro and macro levels, employing thermogravimetric analysis and a ventilated oven. A new dehydration mechanism of gypsum was proposed. The thermal properties of gypsum board such as enthalpy of reaction, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and a heat transfer analyzer, respectively. The effect of void fraction and dehydration on thermal physical properties of gypsum board was investigated. The microstructure of the gypsum board at high temperature was studied with experiments and modeling. A model was proposed to describe the microstructure of a dehydrated system at high temperature, and experiments indicate its validity. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of gypsum at high temperature were investigated, and the effect of water content was discussed as well. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and architecture of biofilms on used voice prostheses
Authors: Buijssen Kevin J. D. A. , van der Laan Bernard F. A. M. , van der Mei Henny C. , Atema–Smit Jelly , van den Huijssen Pauline , Busscher Henk J. , Harmsen Hermie J. M.
Published: September 2011

Background

Biofilms on medical devices are a frequent reason for failure of the device. Voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients deteriorate within 3 to 4 months due to adhering biofilms, impeding proper functioning. Recently, we showed that these biofilms are dominated by Candida and lactobacilli. However, the early report of this finding lacked an indepth analysis of the species diversity and community structure.

Methods

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of amplified rRNA genes was used to identify microorganisms. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze biofilm architecture.

Results

Candida are the predominant fungi in the biofilms, while lactobacilli are the predominant bacteria in all investigated biofilms, followed by streptococci. FISH shows that lactobacilli and streptococci seem to have an important interaction with fungi.

Conclusion

The results give a better understanding of biofilm formation and can be used in further development to prevent biofilm formation on voice prostheses. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Acute glucocorticoid effects on the multicomponent model of working memory
Authors: Vaz Leonardo José , Pradella‐Hallinan Márcia , Bueno Orlando Francisco Amodeo , Pompéia Sabine
Published: September 2011

Objective

In comparison with basal physiological levels, acute, high levels of cortisol affect learning and memory. Despite reports of cortisol‐induced episodic memory effects, no study has used a comprehensive battery of tests to evaluate glucocorticoid effects on the multicomponent model of working memory. Here, we report the results of a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, between‐subjects study.

Methods

Twenty healthy young men were randomly assigned to either acute cortisol (30 mg hydrocortisone) or placebo administration. Participants were subjected to an extensive cognitive test battery that evaluated all systems of the multicomponent model of working memory, including various executive domains (shifting, updating, inhibition, planning and access to long‐term memory).

Results

Compared with placebo, hydrocortisone administration increased cortisol blood levels and impaired working memory in storage of multimodal information in the episodic buffer and maintenance/reverberation of information in the phonological loop. Hydrocortisone also decreased performance in planning and inhibition tasks, the latter having been explained by changes in storage of information in working memory.

Conclusions

Thus, hydrocortisone acutely impairs various components of working memory, including executive functioning. This effect must be considered when administering similar drugs, which are widely used for the treatment of many clinical disorders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dickkopf1: A tumor suppressor or metastasis promoter?
Authors: Menezes Mitchell E. , Devine Daniel J. , Shevde Lalita A. , Samant Rajeev S.
Published: September 2011

Dickkopf1 (DKK1), a secreted inhibitor of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, is a negative regulator of bone formation. DKK1 acts as a switch that transitions prostate cancer bone metastases from osteolytic to osteoblastic and also is an active indicator of poor outcome for multiple myeloma. However, in other tumor types, DKK1 upregulation or overexpression suppresses tumor growth. Thus, the role of DKK1 in cancer appears to be diverse. This raises a question: Could the increased levels of DKK1 still be tumor protective when observed in high levels in the serum of patients? Here, we summarize the diverse, seemingly contradicting roles of DKK1 and attempt to explain the apparent dichotomy in its activity. We propose that DKK1 is a critical secreted factor that modulates microenvironment. Based on the location and components of the microenvironment DKK1 will support different outcomes.
HLA‐E/β2 microglobulin overexpression in colorectal cancer is associated with recruitment of inhibitory immune cells and tumor progression
Authors: Bossard Céline , Bézieau Stéphane , Matysiak‐Budnik Tamara , Volteau Christelle , Laboisse Christian L. , Jotereau Francine , Mosnier Jean‐François
Published: September 2011

The host immune response plays a major role in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression. A mechanism of tumor immune escape might involve expression of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐E/β2m on tumor cells. The inhibitory effect of HLA‐E/β2m on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells is mediated by the main HLA‐E receptor CD94/NKG2A. As the pathophysiological relevance of this mechanism in CRC remains unknown, this prompted us to examine, in situ, in a series of 80 CRC (i) the HLA‐E and β2m coexpression by tumor cells, (ii) the density of CD8+, cytotoxic, CD244+ and NKP46+ intraepithelial tumor‐infiltrating lymphocyte (IEL‐TIL) and (iii) the expression of CD94/NKG2 receptor on IEL‐TIL. These data were then correlated to patient survival. We provided (i) the in situ demonstration of HLA‐E/β2m overexpression by tumor cells in 21% of CRC characterized by an overrepresentation of signet ring cell carcinomas, mucinous carcinomas and medullary carcinomas, (ii) the significant association between HLA‐E/β2m overexpression by tumor cells and increased density of CD8+ cytotoxic, CD244+ and CD94+ IEL‐TIL and (iii) finally, the unfavorable prognosis associated with HLA‐E/β2m overexpression by tumor cells. Our findings show that HLA‐E/β2m overexpression is a surrogate marker of poor prognosis and point to a novel mechanism of tumor immune escape in CRC in restraining inhibitory IEL‐TIL.
Mapping the margins in higher education: On the promise of intersectionality frameworks in research and discourse
Authors: Museus Samuel D. , Griffin Kimberly A.
Published: September 2011

In this chapter, the authors discuss how understandings of individuals and groups in higher education research are limited by overreliance on one‐dimensional analyses. They also underscore the importance of intersectionality research as one method to address such limitations.
Analyzing gender differences in black faculty marginalization through a sequential mixed‐methods design
Authors: Griffin Kimberly A. , Bennett Jessica C. , Harris Jessica
Published: September 2011

Focusing on the intersection of gender and racial identity, this chapter explores the utility of mixed methods to promote understanding of how black faculty experience cultural taxation, or the “black tax,” in the academy.
Cellular Uptake, Intracellular Trafficking and Biological Responses of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Xiu‐Mei , Wang Li‐Ming , Chen Chun‐Ying
Published: September 2011

Promising application of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in biomedical and environmental fields is increasing the likelihood of direct interaction with living systems. The knowledge about GNPs interacting with cells is quite limited and however, is necessary for risk prediction and evaluation of biological effects. Herein, we review recent advances in cellular effects of GNPs including cellular uptake, trafficking, subcellular distribution and cellular responses, and the relationship between physiochemical properties of GNPs and biological effects as well. To uncover these issues, it is quite instructive for safe and sustainable use of GNPs.
Comparison of ultrasonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in the diagnosis of parotid masses
Authors: Huang Yu‐Chieh , Wu Chen‐Te , Lin Gigin , Chuang Wen‐Yu , Yeow Kee‐Min , Wan Yung‐Liang
Published: September 2011

Background.

To retrospectively compare the accuracies of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (USFNA) and ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy (USCNB) in the diagnosis of parotid masses.

Methods.

A total of 171 patients (aged 17–86 years, mean 54 years) with parotid masses (35 malignant and 136 benign lesions) underwent either USFNA (n = 107) or USCNB (n = 64). The diagnostic accuracies for differentiating benign from malignant lesions of both examinations were compared. Surgical histopathology (n = 104) and clinical diagnosis (n = 67) were used to establish the final diagnoses.

Results.

USCNB had a significantly higher sensitivity (94.1%) than USFNA (55.6%) (p < 0.05) in differentiating benign lesions from malignant conditions. The specificity and overall accuracy of USCNB were higher than those of USFNA (100% and 98.4% versus 93.3% and 86.9%, respectively). USCNB provided more specific diagnosis than USFNA (100% versus 93.3%, p < 0.05). All six patients with lymphomas who underwent USCNB were accurately diagnosed, whereas all four patients with lymphomas who underwent USFNA were not.

Conclusions.

USCNB should be preferred to USFNA when a definite diagnosis of a parotid solid mass is needed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;
Gene delivery methods in cardiac gene therapy
Authors: Ishikawa Kiyotake , Tilemann Lisa , Fish Kenneth , Hajjar Roger J.
Published: September 2011

Gene therapy for the treatment of heart failure is emerging as a multidisciplinary field demonstrating advances with respect to identifying key signaling pathways, modernized vector creation and delivery technologies. Although these discoveries offer significant progress, selecting optimal methods for the vector delivery remains a key component for efficient cardiac gene therapy to validate the targets in rodent models and to test clinically relevant ones in pre‐clinical models. Although the goals of higher transduction efficiency and cardiac specificity can be achieved with several delivery methods, the invasiveness and patient safety remain unclear for clinical application. In this review, we discuss various features of the currently available vector delivery methods for cardiac gene therapy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐specific selection of molecular targets for heart failure gene therapy
Authors: Katz Michael G. , Fargnoli Anthony S. , Tomasulo Catherine E. , Pritchette Louella A. , Bridges Charles R.
Published: September 2011

Heart failure (HF) is a complex multifaceted problem of abnormal ventricular function and structure. In recent years, new information has been accumulated allowing for a more detailed understanding of the cellular and molecular alterations that are the underpinnings of diverse causes of HF, including myocardial ischemia, pressure‐overload, volume‐overload or intrinsic cardiomyopathy. Modern pharmacological approaches to treat HF have had a significant impact on the course of the disease, although they do not reverse the underlying pathological state of the heart. Therefore gene‐based therapy holds a great potential as a targeted treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Here, we survey the relative therapeutic efficacy of genetic modulation of β‐adrenergic receptor signaling, Ca2+ handling proteins and angiogenesis in the most common extrinsic models of HF. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cluster Analysis Examination of Serial Killer Profiling Categories: A Bottom‐Up Approach
Authors: Taylor Sandie , Lambeth Daniel , Green Georga , Bone Rachael , Cahillane Marie A.
Published: September 2011

Two studies explored the validity of dichotomous classification of organised/disorganised serial killers and the four typologies (visionary, mission, hedonistic, and power/control) adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Tables documenting crime scene criteria were devised consisting of 50 typifying different crime scenes (Study 1) and 48 crime scenes (taken from the 50 crime scene criteria) with a further 10 motive‐based crime scene criteria (Study 2). Adopting content analysis, crime scenes depicted for 40 (Study 1) and 40 (Study 2) serial killers using secondary sources of data were dichotomously coded for the presence or absence of the crime scene criteria. These data were inputted for agglomerative hierarchical cluster using Ward's method as the clustering algorithm. Differences in the nature of clusters were found for male and female serial killers; however, there was no empirical support for the organised/disorganised classifications or the four typologies. The ‘bottom‐up’ approach resulted in clusters from the different crime scene criteria that helped to understand how these criteria were associated within the serial killer cohort considered. It is concluded that the resulting clusters in both studies support the notion of there being an underlying organised element to most serial murder and that serial murders differ according to the nature of disorganised crime scene criteria present. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of isotopically labelled [14C]ZT‐1 (Debio‐9902), [d3]ZT‐1 and (−)‐[d3]huperzine A, a new generation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Leman Loïc , Kitson Sean L , Brown Rodney T , Cairns Jana , Watters William , McMordie Austin , Murrell Victor L , Marfurt Judith
Published: September 2011

A method has been developed for the synthesis of two isotopically labelled forms of a pro‐drug of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (−)‐huperzine A. These labelled compounds,[14C]ZT‐1 (Debio‐9902) and [d3]ZT‐1, were used in clinical studies to evaluate a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The pro‐drug [14C]ZT‐1 was isolated with a radiochemical purity of >98% and a gravimetric specific activity of 129 μCi/mg in a seven‐step synthesis starting from [U‐14C]phenol in 7% yield. Subsequently, the deuterium labelled target (−)‐[d3]huperzine A was achieved in six steps with an overall yield of 15% and gave an isotopic distribution of d2 (1.65% huperzine A) and d3 (97.93% huperzine A) with a chemical purity of 98.5%. Condensation of the substrate (−)‐[d3]huperzine A with 5‐chloro‐o‐vanillin gave the Schiff base [d3]ZT‐1 in a chemical yield of 80%. Reduction of the Schiff base gave reduced‐[d3]ZT‐1, which was converted into the hydrochloride salt with an isotopic distribution of d2 (1.60%) and d3 (98.02%). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accelerated aortic imaging using small field of view imaging and electrocardiogram‐triggered quadruple inversion recovery magnetization preparation
Authors: Peel Sarah A. , Hussain Tarique , Cecelja Marina , Abbas Abeera , Greil Gerald F. , Chowienczyk Philip , Spector Tim , Smith Alberto , Waltham Matthew , Botnar Rene M.
Published: September 2011

Purpose:

To accelerate and optimize black blood properties of the quadruple inversion recovery (QIR) technique for imaging the abdominal aortic wall.

Materials and Methods:

QIR inversion delays were optimized for different heart rates in simulations and phantom studies by minimizing the steady state magnetization of blood for T1 = 100–1400 ms. To accelerate and improve black blood properties of aortic vessel wall imaging, the QIR prepulse was combined with zoom imaging and (a) “traditional” and (b) “trailing” electrocardiogram (ECG) triggering. Ten volunteers were imaged pre‐ and post‐contrast administration using a conventional ECG‐triggered double inversion recovery (DIR) and the two QIR implementations in combination with a zoom‐TSE readout.

Results:

The QIR implemented with “trailing” ECG‐triggering resulted in consistently good blood suppression as the second inversion delay was timed during maximum systolic flow in the aorta. The blood signal‐to‐noise ratio and vessel wall to blood contrast‐to‐noise ratio, vessel wall sharpness, and image quality scores showed a statistically significant improvement compared with the traditional QIR implementation with and without ECG‐triggering.

Conclusion:

We demonstrate that aortic vessel wall imaging can be accelerated with zoom imaging and that “trailing” ECG‐triggering improves black blood properties of the aorta which is subject to motion and variable blood flow during the cardiac cycle. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diffusion‐weighted MRI: Role in detecting abdominopelvic internal fistulas and sinus tracts
Authors: Schmid‐Tannwald Christine , Agrawal Garima , Dahi Farid , Sethi Ila , Oto Aytekin
Published: September 2011

Purpose:

To retrospectively determine the incremental value of diffusion‐weighted MR‐imaging (DW‐MRI) to T2‐weighted (T2w) images in diagnosis of internal fistulas (IFs) and sinus tracts (STs).

Materials and Methods:

Fourteen patients with 25 IFs and STs arising from the small bowel (20), colon (4) and biliary tract (1) were included. Two independent observers reviewed T2w images, T2w+DW‐MRI images and T2w+contrast enhanced T1‐weighted (CE T1w) images at three sessions to detect IF/ST based on a confidence scale of five. Sensitivity and confidence score of each session was compared.

Results:

10/25 (40%) and 9/25 (36%) IFs and STs were detected on T2w images by observer 1 and 2, respectively. Both observers detected 19/25 (76%) and 24/25(96%) IFs and STs on T2w+DW‐MRI and T2w+CE T1w images, respectively. Detection rate and confidence score improved significantly by combining T2w images with DW‐MRI or CE T1w images (reader 1 + 2: P ≤ 0.01). There was no significant difference between the IF/ST detection rate of T2w+DW‐MRI and T2w+CE T1 image combinations. Confidence scores with T2w+CE T1w images were significantly greater than DW‐MRI+T2w images (reader 1:P = 0.01; reader 2: P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

DW‐MRI showed additional value to T2w imaging for diagnosis of IF and ST. DW‐MRI can be a useful adjunct, especially for patients with renal failure. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:125‐131. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyphal morphology modification in thermal adaptation by the white‐rot fungus Fomes sp. EUM1
Authors: Ordaz Armando , Favela Ernesto , Meneses Marcos , Mendoza German , Loera Octavio
Published: September 2011

A thermotolerant white‐rot fungus was identified as Fomes sp. EUM1. The strain exhibited maximum growth at 30 °C, with activation and inactivation energy values of 68 and 32 kJ/mol, respectively. The temperature affected the hyphal morphology, which was related to the thermotolerance of the microorganism: A shift from 30 to 40 °C in the growth temperature caused a decrease (15%) in mycelium branching; also longer (32%) and thinner (13%) hyphae were produced. In addition, as the temperature rose from 25 to 45 °C, an increase was observed in both the hyphal surface area (43%) and the surface growth rate (193%). The modification of the hyphal morphology suggests a strategy to colonize nutrient‐rich areas while spending minimal energy for biomass formation under thermal stress. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)