bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the safety of frontal sinus trephination
Authors: Lee Annie S. , Schaitkin Barry M. , Gillman Grant S.
Published: February 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The depth of the frontal sinus was measured using axial computed tomography (CT) images to examine the safety of frontal sinus trephination at selected distances from the midline.

Study Design:

Review of 200 sinus CT scans.

Methods:

Two hundred sinus CT scans (400 frontal sinuses) were reviewed to measure the frontal sinus depth at 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm from midline.

Results:

Males had a significantly deeper frontal sinus than females at all measurements points (P < .001). The measurements revealed a considerable number of small but nonhypoplastic frontal sinuses, which were shallower than the length of standard frontal trephine instruments (7 mm) and would risk penetration of the posterior table of the sinus. Of all frontal sinuses studied, 9.54% were <7 mm deep at 5 mm from the midline, 10.12% at 10 mm, and 8.96% at 15 mm from the midline. Overall, 15.3% of all frontal sinuses studied had at least one point where the measured depth was <7 mm.

Conclusions:

Although the majority of patients have frontal sinuses deep enough to accommodate standard trephine instruments, surgeons should recognize that up to 15% of nonhypoplastic frontal sinuses may not be sufficiently deep at a given point to allow safe trephination without risking unintentional transgression of the posterior table. This study suggests that trephination routinely carried out at a given predetermined distance from the midline may be an unsafe practice. Careful evaluation of the imaging is essential in every case to avoid inadvertent injury and to help select the safest distance from the midline for frontal sinus trephination. Laryngoscope, 2010
Supramolecular Nanocycles Comprising β‐Cyclodextrin‐click‐Ferrocene Units: Rings of Rings of Rings
Authors: Munteanu Maricica , Kolb Ute , Ritter Helmut
Published: February 2010

We applied 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition to bind ethynylferrocene onto 6I‐azido‐6I‐deoxycyclomaltoheptaose under microwave assisted conditions. The process was investigated by 1H NMR, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The ability of the synthesized compound to self‐organize to cyclic supramolecular structures was investigated by dynamic light scattering measurements and cryo‐transmission electron microscopy.

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Spasticity treatment facilitates direct care delivery for adults with profound intellectual disability
Authors: Charles P. David , Gill Chandler E. , Taylor Henry M. , Putman Michael S. , Blair CaraLee R. , Roberts Amanda G. , Ayers Gregory D. , Konrad Peter E.
Published: February 2010

Many adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have spasticity, where increased muscle tone impairs activities of daily living (ADL) self‐performance and care delivery. There are few reports of spasticity treatment for people with ID, and none of functionally meaningful outcomes. Our objective is to determine the effect of comprehensive spasticity management on ADL self‐performance and care delivery. Baseline evaluation included repeated modified Ashworth and range of motion assessments, and timed and videotaped care task observations. Spasticity treatment was initiated immediately thereafter. Follow‐up evaluation was conducted after spasticity management was optimized, one year after initiation. All individuals with spasticity at a single developmental center for whom treatment goals could be identified were included. Treatment was recommended by a neurologist from any accepted treatment for spasticity except oral medications, including botulinum neurotoxin A, intrathecal baclofen and orthopedic procedures. The main outcome measure is comparison of ease of videotaped care delivery, rated by direct caregivers blinded to participant treatment status. Spasticity treatment resulted in significant improvement across all outcome measures. Range of motion improved by 9° (P = 0.005) and MAS by 0.4 (P = 0.022). Participants took 14% percent less time to complete tasks post‐treatment (P = 0.01). Thirteen caregivers completed evaluations of 35 video pairs with an intra‐class correlation of 0.9. After treatment, undergarment change (P = 0.031) and shirt change (P = 0.017) were rated easier, and all goals (P = 0.0006). Transfers trended toward improvement (P = 0.053). This study shows comprehensive spasticity management provides meaningful improvement in ADL care for patients with ID, which may improve quality of life and reduce caregiver burden. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Cardiac sympathetic degeneration correlates with olfactory function in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Iijima Mutsumi , Osawa Mikio , Momose Mitsuru , Kobayakawa Tatsu , Saito Sachiko , Iwata Makoto , Uchiyama Shinichiro
Published: February 2010

Autonomic and olfactory dysfunctions are considered markers for preclinical diagnosis in Parkinson's disease (PD), because pathological changes in these systems can start before motor symptoms develop. We investigated whether cardiac sympathetic function and olfactory function are associated in PD. Participants comprised 40 nondemented patients with idiopathic PD, and age‐matched controls. Cardiac sympathetic function was evaluated by 123 I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake, in terms of the heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratio in both early and delayed images, and the washout rate (WR). Olfactory function was evaluated using the Odor Stick Identification Test for Japanese, which evaluates the detection of 12 odorants familiar to Japanese participants. Smell identification scores were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in patients with PD than in controls. Smell identification scores correlated positively with early (P < 0.05) and delayed H/M ratios (P < 0.01), and inversely with the WR (P < 0.005) especially in patients with early PD (below 5 years of the start of motor symptoms), whereas smell identification scores did not correlate with any parameters of MIBG in the advanced PD (above 5 years of the start of motor symptoms). There was no correlation between motor symptom scores and smell identification scores, H/M ratios, or WR. The results suggest that the cardiac sympathetic nervous system might degenerate in parallel with the olfactory system in patients with early PD, and that these two systems might degenerate at a different rate of speed in advanced PD. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Heparin binding epidermal growth factor in renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Mulder Gemma M , Nijboer Willemijn N , Seelen Marc A , Sandovici Maria , Bos Eelke M , Melenhorst Wynand BWH , Trzpis Monika , Kloosterhuis Niels J , Visser Lydia , Henning Rob H , Leuvenink Henri GD , Ploeg Rutger J , Sunnarborg Susan W , van Goor Harry
Published: February 2010

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its ligands are crucially involved in the renal response to ischaemia. We studied the heparin binding‐epidermal growth factor (HB‐EGF), a major ligand for the EGF receptor, in experimental and human ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). HB‐EGF mRNA and protein expression was studied in rat kidneys and cultured human tubular (HK‐2) cells that were subjected to IRI and in human donor kidneys during transplantation. The effect of EGF receptor inhibition was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, urinary HB‐EGF protein excretion was studied after renal transplantation. Finally, HB‐EGF KO and WT mice were subjected to IRI to study the role of HB‐EGF in renal injury. HB‐EGF mRNA was significantly up‐regulated in the early phase of IRI in rats, cells, and human donor biopsies. Treatment with PKI‐166 reduces macrophage accumulation and interstitial α‐SMA in the early phase of IRI in rats. In vitro, PKI‐166 causes a marked reduction in HB‐EGF‐induced cellular proliferation. Urinary HB‐EGF is increased after transplantation compared with control urines from healthy subjects. HB‐EGF KO mice subjected to IRI revealed significantly less morphological damage after IRI, compared with WT mice. We conclude that IRI results in early induction of HB‐EGF mRNA and protein in vivo and in vitro. Absence of HB‐EGF and inhibition of the EGF receptor in the early phase of IRI has protective effects, suggesting a modulating role for HB‐EGF. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of heat treatment on the electrical properties of lead zirconate titanate/poly (vinylidene fluoride) composites
Authors: Dong Lijie , Li Rui , Xiong Chuanxi , Quan Hongying
Published: February 2010

Ceramic/polymer composites are attracting increasing interest in materials research and practical applications due to the combination of excellent electric properties of piezoelectric ceramics and good flexibility of polymer matrices. In this case, the crystallization of the polymer has a significant effect on the electric properties of ceramic/polymer composites. Based on different heat treatment methods, the crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in composites of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and PVDF can be controlled effectively. PZT/PVDF composites with various PVDF crystallizations exhibit distinctive dielectric and piezoelectric properties. When the crystallization of PVDF is 21%, the PZT/PVDF composites show a high dielectric constant (ε) of 165 and a low dielectric loss (tan δ) of 0.03 at 103 Hz, and when the crystallization of PVDF reaches 34%, the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of PZT/PVDF composites can be up to ca 100 pC N−1. By controlling the crystallization of PVDF, PZT/PVDF composites with excellent dielectric and piezoelectric properties were obtained, which can be employed as promising candidates in high‐efficiency capacitors and as novel piezoelectric materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐performance biobased epoxy derived from rosin
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Zhang Jinwen
Published: February 2010

Great achievements have been made in the research of biobased thermoplastic polymers, but the progress concerning thermosetting resins has been minor. In particular, research on high‐performance thermosetting polymers from renewable feedstock has not been reported elsewhere. A novel biobased epoxy was synthesized from a rosin acid. Its chemical structure was confirmed using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the rosin‐based epoxy possessed high glass transition temperature (Tg = 153.8 °C), high storage modulus at room temperature (G′ = 2.4 GPa) and good thermal stability. A rosin‐based epoxy with excellent properties was achieved. The results suggest it is possible to develop high‐performance thermosetting resins from renewable resources. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Atom transfer radical polymerization synthesis and association properties of amphiphilic pullulan copolymers grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Leonardis Piero De , Mannina Luisa , Diociaiuti Marco , Masci Giancarlo
Published: February 2010

Amphiphilic copolymers of pullulan grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization under homogeneous mild conditions without using protecting group chemistry. The hydroxyl groups of pullulan were reacted with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to prepare pullulan macroinitiators with various degrees of substitution. Kinetic study showed that the polymerization was first order. The copolymers were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The molecular weights of the grafted chains were controlled and polydispersities were low. Association properties in aqueous solution were studied using 1H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Spherical nanoparticles with size and size distribution significantly affected by the number and length of the grafted chains were formed. Graft copolymers with a degree of substitution of 5.3% and length of PMMA grafted chains from 5 to 35 repeating units formed well‐defined quite monodisperse spherical nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters in the range 20–40 nm. This means that nanoparticle size can be tuned by changing the length of the grafted chains for this degree of substitution. Less control of aggregate size was obtained for a degree of substitution of 1.0%. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Interpenetrating polymer networks based on acrylic elastomers and plasticizers with improved actuation temperature range
Authors: Zhang Han , Düring Lukas , Kovacs Gabor , Yuan Wei , Niu Xiaofan , Pei Qibing
Published: February 2010

The VHB 4910 acrylic elastomer, already exhibiting great efficacy at room temperature, was modified to enhance its actuation performance via two approaches. To eliminate the requirement of high pre‐strain, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on poly(trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) were formed in the original acrylic network. Furthermore, plasticizing additives were used to reduce the glass transition temperature, broaden the operating temperature range, lower the elastic modulus (hence the electric field required for actuation) and decrease the viscoelastic loss (to increase response speed). Dibutoxyethoxyethyl formal (DBEF) was found to be a highly effective plasticizing agent. For a relaxed IPN film containing 40 wt% DBEF actuated at −40 °C with an applied voltage of 6.5 kV, a large deformation (215% in areal expansion) is demonstrated. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
XTandem Parser: An open‐source library to parse and analyse X!Tandem MS/MS search results
Authors: Muth Thilo , Vaudel Marc , Barsnes Harald , Martens Lennart , Sickmann Albert
Published: February 2010

Identification of proteins by MS plays an important role in proteomics. A crucial step concerns the identification of peptides from MS/MS spectra. The X!Tandem Project (http://www.thegpm.org/tandem) supplies an open‐source search engine for this purpose. In this study, we present an open‐source Java library called XTandem Parser that parses X!Tandem XML result files into an easily accessible and fully functional object model (http://xtandem‐parser.googlecode.com). In addition, a graphical user interface is provided that functions as a usage example and an end‐user visualization tool.
Remarkable emissions in diprotonated 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine derivatives
Authors: Yoshikawa Naokazu , Yamabe Shinichi , Kanehisa Nobuko , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Takashima Hiroshi , Tsukahara Keiichi
Published: February 2010

A series of new metal‐free blue emission compounds, i.e., diprotonated terpyH2ClPF6 (1), tterpyH2ClPF6 (2), ClterpyH2ClPF6 (3), and BterpyH2(PF6)2 (4), were prepared and characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV–vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Abbreviations used are terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, tterpy = 4′‐(4‐tolyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, Clterpy = 4′‐chloro‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, and Bterpy = 4,4′,4″‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine. The X‐ray crystal structures of the three new compounds 1, 2, and 4 were determined. Both protonated pyridine rings of the terpyridine derivatives are hydrogen bonded intermolecularly to the adjacent Cl− ion in compounds 1, 2, and 3. The π–π* absorption bands in the UV region for 1, 2, 3, and 4 in acetonitrile were red‐shifted relative to those of the corresponding neutral compounds. All the compounds exhibited stronger emissions (around 400 nm) than their neutral counterparts. All the CVs for the diprotonated species, terpyH, tterpyH, ClterpyH, and BterpyH, showed the first reduction waves around −0.6 V, which were more positive than those of the neutral ones. Density functional theory was applied to interpret the remarkable differences in the interaction of the Cl− ion. The attachment of two protons to the two terminal Bterpy nitrogens in 4 elicits remarkable characteristics. Both positive charges on the nitrogens are delocalized over the conjugated pyridine systems and the tertiary carbonium ions are stabilized to lead to stronger emission (Φ = 0.35) than the corresponding neutral Bterpy (Φ = 0.045).

CCDC 732045–732047 contains the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forever young: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model cases for structural and optical studies
Authors: Rieger R. , Müllen K.
Published: February 2010

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are popular research subjects due to their high stability, their rigid planar structure, and their characteristic optical spectra. The recent discovery of graphene, which can be regarded as giant PAH, has further stimulated the interest in this area. For this reason, the relationship between the geometric and electronic structure and the optical spectra of PAHs are reviewed, pointing out the versatile properties of this class of molecules. Extremely stable fully‐benzenoid PAHs with high optical gaps are encountered on the one side and the very reactive acenes with low optical gaps on the other side. A huge range of molecular sizes is covered from the simplest case benzene with its six carbon atoms up to disks containing as much as 96 carbon atoms. Furthermore, the impact of non‐planarity is discussed as model cases for the highly important fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. The detailed analysis of the electronic structure of PAHs is very important with regard to their application as fluorescent dyes or organic semiconductors. The presented research results shall encourage developments of new PAH structures to exploit novel materials properties. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐CTE photosensitive polyimide based on semialicyclic poly(amic acid) and photobase generator
Authors: Ogura Tomohito , Higashihara Tomoya , Ueda Mitsuru
Published: February 2010

A negative‐type photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) based on semialicyclic poly(amic acid) (PAA), poly(trans‐1,4‐cyclohexylenediphenylene amic acid), and {[(4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrobenzyl)oxy]carbonyl} 2,6‐dimethylpiperidine (DNCDP) as a photobase generator has been developed as a next‐generation buffer coat material. The semialicyclic PAA was synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and trans‐1,4‐cyclohexyldiamine in the presence of acetic acid, and the PAA polymerization solution was directly used for PSPI formulation. This PSPI, consisting of PAA (80 wt %) and DNCDP (20 wt %), showed high sensitivity of 70 mJ/cm2 and high contrast of 10.3, when it was exposed to a 365‐nm line (i‐line), postexposure baked at 190 °C for 5 min, and developed with 2.38 wt % tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution containing 20 wt % isopropanol at 25 °C. A clear negative image of 6‐μm line and space pattern was printed on a film, which was exposed to 500 mJ/cm2 of i‐line by a contact printing mode and fully converted to poly(trans‐1,4‐cyclohexylenebiphenylene imide) pattern upon heating at 250 °C for 1 h. The PSPI film had a low coefficient of thermal expansion of 16 ppm/K compared to typical PIs, such as prepared from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1317–1323, 2010
Preparation and properties of oxadiazole‐containing polyacetylenes as electron transport materials
Authors: Wang Xin , Guan Shanyi , Xu Hongyao , Su Xinyan , Zhu Xuhui , Li Chun
Published: February 2010

A series of functional polyacetylenes (PAs) bearing diphenyl oxadiazole pendant groups (P1–P4) were prepared, and the resultant polymers are completely soluble in common organic solvents. Their structures and properties were characterized and evaluated by DSC, TGA, UV, PL, CV, and EL analyses. The results show that all the resulting polymers possesses low LUMO energy level and high thermal stability, and the resultant functional polyacetylenes without spacer group between the polyacetylene conjugated main chain and oxadiazole pendant groups (P1–P3) show lower LUMO energy level (∼−3.87 eV) and higher thermal properties (Tg) than that (P4) with a flexible spacer. The resultant polymer (P2) was applied as an ETM in bilayer electroluminescent devices and effectively enhances external quantum efficiency and the brightness of device, and decreases turn‐on voltages of devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1406–1414, 2010
Chemistry of 2‐oxazolines: A crossing of cationic ring‐opening polymerization and enzymatic ring‐opening polyaddition
Authors: Makino Akira , Kobayashi Shiro
Published: February 2010

Chemistry of 2‐oxazolines is involved in the polymer synthesis fields of cationic ring‐opening polymerization (CROP) and enzymatic ring‐opening polyaddition (EROPA), although both polymerizations look like a quite different class of reaction. The key for the polymerization to proceed is combination of the catalyst (initiator) and the design of monomers. This article describes recent developments in polymer synthesis via these two kinds of polymerizations to afford various functional polymers having completely different structures, poly(N‐acylethylenimine)s via CROP and 2‐amino‐2‐deoxy sugar unit‐containing oligo and polysaccharides via EROPA, respectively. From the viewpoint of reaction mode, an acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening polyaddition (ROPA) is considered to be a crossing where CROP and EROPA meet. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1251–1270, 2010
Swelling kinetics of poly(aspartic acid)/poly(acrylic acid) semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels in urea solutions
Authors: Zhao Ying , Tan Tianwei , Kinoshita Takatoshi
Published: February 2010

Semi‐interpenetrating network (semi‐IPN) hydrogels, composed of poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) with various ratios of PAsp to AAc, were prepared. In this work, swelling kinetics was investigated through calculating some parameters. The swelling ratios were measured at room temperature, using urea solutions as liquids to be absorbed. Compared to in deionized water, the hydrogels showed larger swelling ratios in urea solutions, which might be attributed to the chemical composition of urea. The equilibrium swelling ratio could achieve 600 g/g, and the equilibrium urea/water contents were more than 0.99. The diffusion exponents were between 0.5 and 0.7, suggesting that the solvent transport into the hydrogel was dominated by both diffusion and relaxation controlled systems. Therefore, the PAsp/PAAc semi‐IPN hydrogels were appropriate to carry substances in a urea/water environment for pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, and biomedical applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 666–671, 2010
Influence of matrix glass transition temperature on the memory effect of polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals
Authors: Du Xin , Yan Bin , Wang Yinghan
Published: February 2010

In this article, macroinitiators with different glass transition temperature (Tg) were synthesized by reversible additional‐fragmental chain transfer polymerization, and used to prepare polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) with methyl acrylate. The memory effect of these PDLCs was investigated. The results showed that remarkable memory effect exhibit only in PDLCs with high and lowTgblock chain. The possible mechanism responsible for the behavior is sketched. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 729–732, 2010
Inactivation of Bacteria and Biomolecules by Low‐Pressure Plasma Discharges
Authors: von Keudell A. , Awakowicz P. , Benedikt J. , Raballand V. , Yanguas‐Gil A. , Opretzka J. , Flötgen C. , Reuter R. , Byelykh L. , Halfmann H. , Stapelmann K. , Denis B. , Wunderlich J. , Muranyi P. , Rossi F. , Kylián O. , Hasiwa N. , Ruiz A. , Rauscher H. , Sirghi L. , Comoy E. , Dehen C. , Challier L. , Deslys J. P.
Published: February 2010

The inactivation of bacteria and biomolecules using plasma discharges were investigated within the European project BIODECON. The goal of the project was to identify and isolate inactivation mechanisms by combining dedicated beam experiments with especially designed plasma reactors. The plasma reactors are based on a fully computer‐controlled, low‐pressure inductively‐coupled plasma (ICP). Four of these reactors were built and distributed among the consortium, thereby ensuring comparability of the results between the teams. Based on this combined effort, the role of UV light, of chemical sputtering (i.e. the combined impact of neutrals and ions), and of thermal effects on bacteria such as Bacillus atrophaeus, Aspergillus niger, as well as on biomolecules such as LPS, Lipid A, BSA and prions have been evaluated. The particle fluxes emerging from the plasmas are quantified by using mass spectrometry, Langmuir probe measurements, retarding field measurements and optical emission spectroscopy. The effects of the plasma on the biological systems are evaluated using atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, electrophoresis, specially‐designed western blot tests, and animal models. A quantitative analysis of the plasma discharges and the thorough study of their effect on biological systems led to the identification of the different mechanisms operating during the decontamination process. Our results confirm the role of UV in the 200–250 nm range for the inactivation of micro‐organisms and a large variability of results observed between different strains of the same species. Moreover, we also demonstrate the role of chemical sputtering corresponding to the synergism between ion bombardment of a surface with the simultaneous reaction of active species such as O, O2 or H. Finally, we show that plasma processes can be efficient against different micro‐organisms, bacteria and fungi, pyrogens, model proteins and prions. The effect of matrices is described, and consequences for any future industrial implementation are discussed.

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Effects of nicotine on pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D in ovine lung epithelia
Authors: Lazic Tatjana , Matic Milan , Gallup Jack M. , Van Geelen Albert , Meyerholz David K. , Grubor Branka , Imerman Paula M. , de‐Macedo Marcia M.M.A. , Ackermann Mark R.
Published: February 2010

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the incidence and severity of respiratory infections in neonates. Surfactant proteins A and D (SP‐A and SP‐D, respectively) are components of pulmonary innate immunity and have an important role in defense against inhaled pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine if nicotine exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy alters the expression of SP‐A and SP‐D of fetal lung epithelia. Pregnant ewes were assigned to four groups; a nicotine‐exposed full‐term and pre‐term group, and control full‐term and pre‐term group. Lung tissue was collected for Western blot and IHC analysis of SP‐A level, Western blot analysis of SP‐D level and qPCR analysis of SP‐A and SP‐D mRNA expression. Exposure to nicotine significantly decreased SP‐A gene expression (P = 0.01) and SP‐A protein level in pre‐term lambs. This finding suggests that maternal nicotine exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy alters a key component of lung innate immunity in offspring. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:255–262. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease proteomics
Authors: Rodríguez‐Suárez Eva , Duce Antonio M. , Caballería Juan , Arrieta Félix Martínez , Fernández Estefanía , Gómara Carolina , Alkorta Nere , Ariz Usue , Martínez‐Chantar M. Luz , Lu Shelly C. , Elortza Felix , Mato José M.
Published: February 2010

Purpose: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important cause of chronic liver injury that has gained concern in clinical hepatology. The principal aim of this study was to find differences in protein expression between patients with NAFLD and healthy controls.

Experimental design: Changes in protein expression of liver samples from each of the three groups of subjects, controls, non‐alcoholic steatosis, and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), were analyzed by DIGE combined with MALDI TOF/TOF analysis, a proteomic approach that allows to compare hundreds of proteins simultaneously.

Results: Forty‐three proteins exhibiting significant changes (ratio ≥1.5, p<0.05) were characterized, 22 comparing steatosis samples versus control samples and 21 comparing NASH versus control samples. Ten of these proteins were further analyzed by Western blot in tissue samples to confirm the observed changes of protein expression using DIGE. The proteins validated were further tested in serum samples of different cohorts of patients.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Following this approach we identified two candidate markers, carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 and 78 kDa glucose‐regulated protein, differentially expressed between control and NASH. This proteomics approach demonstrates that DIGE combined with MALDI TOF/TOF and Western blot analysis of tissue and serum samples is a useful approach to identify candidate markers associated with NAFLD, resulting in proteins whose level of expression can be correlated to a disease state.
A formal approach to robustness testing of network protocol with time constraints
Authors: Yin Xia , Wang Zhiliang , Jing Chuanming , Wu Jianping
Published: February 2010

Network protocols often have time constraints. Robustness testing of network protocol with time constraints aims to detect vulnerabilities of its implementation. However, related theory is not well developed. This paper proposes a novel Timed NPEFSM model containing sufficient inputs with various time values and their processing rules to formalize complex protocol with time constraints. In order to test delay transitions, Grid Timed NPEFSM is proposed and it can be generated by state characterization of Timed NPEFSM based on time sampling. Thus, these two models jointly guide robustness testing of protocol with time constraints. For test generation, we propose timed anomalous test case in which only state under test is characterized by time sampling and this method can simplify test sequences largely without compromising test coverage. We also propose several strategies to construct test sequences for timed transitions. To inject test data efficiently and effectively, three types of timed compound anomalous test cases are proposed and the algorithm of generating timed compound anomalous test cases considering both single‐field and multi‐field mutations is then presented. Standard test specification language TTCN‐3 is extended to describe timed compound anomalous test case. We illustrate our test method using an intra‐domain routing protocol OSPFv2. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface chemical composition and conformation of liquid crystalline polymers studied with ToF‐SIMS and XPS
Authors: Lau Yiu‐Ting R. , Weng Lu‐Tao , Ng Kai‐Mo , Chan Chi‐Ming
Published: February 2010

In this work, we examined the effects of the liquid crystalline ordering on the surfaces of thermotropic fluorocarbon‐hydrocarbon polymers (FmHn, with m = 8; n = 8, 10) by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) combined with principal component analysis (PCA). XPS results showed that the liquid crystal surfaces of the polymers were enriched with hydrocarbon segments. PCA of ToF‐SIMS data further showed that reversible structural changes between the amorphous and ordered states of the polymers occurred. As these polymers ordered at room temperature, their surfaces were transformed from the amorphous state with fluorocarbon‐segment enrichment to the fully ordered liquid crystal states with hydrocarbon‐segment enrichment. All these results suggested that the molecular orientation controlled the surface composition of the liquid crystalline polymers notwithstanding the surface energy. The axial alignment of the rigid fluorocarbon mesogens anchored the flexible hydrocarbon segments at the surface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preferential anodic oxidation of second‐phase constituents during anodising of AA2024‐T3 and AA7075‐T6 alloys
Authors: Saenz de Miera M. , Curioni M. , Skeldon P. , Thompson G. E.
Published: February 2010

Model analogues of the metallurgical phases found in 2xxx and 7xxx series aluminium alloys were produced by magnetron sputtering and employed to investigate the local and general anodising behaviour of the alloys. Electrochemical tests, allied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, enabled insight into the local anodising behaviour of the constituents and related effects on the overall porous oxide morphology. Under potentiodynamic conditions, the observed anodic current peaks of the commercial alloys were related with the anodic oxidation of specific second‐phase particles. At 0 V, magnesium‐containing particles, including S‐phase, were preferentially removed from the alloy surface; at 5–6 VSCE, the copper‐ and/or iron‐containing particles, such as θ phase and Al7Cu2Fe particles were anodically oxidised. The initial voltage transient revealed for the commercial alloys during galvanostatic anodising was related to the previous findings and reproduced by the use of coupled alloy analogues. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the voltage transient associated with oxidation of second‐phase material influence the morphology of the anodic film formed on the aluminium matrix. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the reliability of diagnostic tests in population‐based agreement studies
Authors: Nelson Kerrie P. , Edwards Don
Published: February 2010

Many large‐scale studies have recently been carried out to assess the reliability of diagnostic procedures, such as mammography for the detection of breast cancer. The large numbers of raters and subjects involved raise new challenges in how to measure agreement in these types of studies. An important motivator of these studies is the identification of factors that contribute to the often wide discrepancies observed between raters' classifications, such as a rater's experience, in order to improve the reliability of the diagnostic process of interest. Incorporating covariate information into the agreement model is a key component in addressing these questions. Few agreement models are currently available that jointly model larger numbers of raters and subjects and incorporate covariate information. In this paper, we extend a recently developed population‐based model and measure of agreement for binary ratings to incorporate covariate information using the class of generalized linear mixed models with a probit link function. Important information on factors related to the subjects and raters can be included as fixed and/or random effects in the model. We demonstrate how agreement can be assessed between subgroups of the raters and/or subjects, for example, comparing agreement between experienced and less experienced raters. Simulation studies are carried out to test the performance of the proposed models and measures of agreement. Application to a large‐scale breast cancer study is presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sleep: an important factor in stress‐health models
Authors: Benham Grant
Published: February 2010

A growing body of literature supports the notion that psychological stress negatively impacts physical health. In parallel to this programme of stress/health investigations, researchers are demonstrating the deleterious health effects of poor sleep. The current study simultaneously examines the association of both stress and sleep with health. Two hundred and eighteen subjects completed an anonymous survey packet that included stress, sleep and health measures. Psychological stress (as assessed by both life‐events and by self‐perceived stress), daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality, but not sleep quantity, were all negatively associated with health. A regression model that integrated both stress measures was a statistically significant predictor of health. Adding the sleep measures to the stress‐health model accounted for a statistically significantly greater proportion of the variance in health scores, with the stress + sleep model accounting for 39–56 per cent of the variance in health scores depending on the health measure used. These results suggest that studies of stress and health may benefit from the inclusion of sleep measures and that, from a practical standpoint, poor sleep might be best understood not simply as a sequela of psychological stress but rather as a factor that should be actively addressed as part of the treatment programme. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring Grade 11 students' conceptual pathways of the particulate nature of matter in the context of multirepresentational instruction
Authors: Adadan Emine , Trundle Kathy Cabe , Irving Karen E.
Published: February 2010

This study investigated the conceptual pathways of 19 Grade 11 introductory chemistry students (age 16–17) as they participated in a multirepresentational instruction on the particulate nature of matter (PNM). This study was grounded in contemporary conceptual change theory, in particular, research on students' conceptual pathways that focuses on the interaction between students' existing conceptions and instruction, which might give rise to observing multiple paths. This mixed method study combined a quantitative research design with qualitative data collection and analysis methods. Data were collected through open‐ended questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis to portray the patterns of students' conceptual pathways of the PNM from pre to postinstruction to 3 months after the instruction. An interpretive analysis of the qualitative data revealed six different conceptual pathways varying between radical progress and no additional progress (stable) after the multirepresentational instruction and between stable (no change) and full decay over a 3‐month period following the instruction. The identified patterns of conceptual pathways provide information about the manner in which conceptual change occurred, as well as suggest potential implications for instructional practices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 1004–1035, 2010
Learning curve for lung area to head circumference ratio measurement in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Cruz‐Martinez R. , Figueras F. , Moreno‐Alvarez O. , Martinez J. M. , Gomez O. , Hernandez‐Andrade E. , Gratacos E.
Published: February 2010

Objective

To assess the learning curve for the fetal lung area to head circumference ratio (LHR) calculation in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods

Three trainees with the theoretical knowledge, but without prior experience in the LHR measurement, were selected. Each trainee and one experienced examiner measured the observed to expected (O/E)‐LHR in the lung contralateral to the side of the hernia by two methods—manual tracing of lung borders and multiplication of the longest diameters—in a cohort of 95 consecutive CDH fetuses. The average difference between the three trainees and the expert in the O/E‐LHR measurement was calculated. A difference below 10% was considered to indicate an accurate measurement. The average learning curve was delineated using cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM).

Results

The CUSUM plots demonstrate that the learning curve was achieved by 77 and 72 tests performed for the area obtained by the manual‐tracing and multiplication‐of‐the‐longest‐diameter methods, respectively.

Conclusion

The minimum number of scans required for an inexperienced trainee to become competent in examining the LHR is on average 70. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social cognition
Authors: Bodenhausen Galen V. , Todd Andrew R.
Published: February 2010

Social cognition research investigates the way information present in the social environment is represented and used in adaptively guiding behavior. Representations of persons and of social relationships form the basic building blocks of social cognition, and we review what is known about how such representations are constructed and constituted. In particular, we review a range of mechanisms whereby observers can infer the psychological qualities of the actors they encounter, including relatively automatic processes as well as more thoughtful and deliberative ones. Prominent approaches for situating person representations within the context of interpersonal relationships are also reviewed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Exclusion of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Fine‐Needle Aspiration Cytology After Negative 18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography: Interim Analysis
Authors: Traugott Amber L. , Dehdashti Farrokh , Trinkaus Kathryn , Cohen Mark , Fialkowski Elizabeth , Quayle Frank , Hussain Hameda , Davila Rosa , Ylagan Lourdes , Moley Jeffrey F.
Published: February 2010

Background

In all, 20% of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of thyroid nodules have an indeterminate diagnosis; of these, 80% are found to be benign after thyroidectomy. Some previous reports indicate that positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging may predict malignancy status. We now report results on the first 51 patients in the largest prospective study of FDG‐PET in patients with an indeterminate thyroid nodule FNA.

Methods

Eligible patients had a dominant thyroid nodule that was palpable or ≥1 cm in greatest dimension as seen by ultrasonography, and indeterminate histology of the FNA biopsy specimen. Participants underwent preoperative neck FDG‐PET alone or FDG‐PET with computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT). Images were evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Final diagnosis was determined by histopathologic analysis after thyroidectomy. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 51 patients underwent preoperative FDG‐PET or FDG‐PET/CT. Studies without focally increased uptake localized to the lesion were considered negative. For all lesions (10 malignant, 41 benign), the sensitivity, specificity, positive‐predictive value (PPV), and negative‐predictive value (NPV) were 80%, 61%, 33%, and 93%, respectively. Postoperatively, two malignant and six benign lesions were found to be <1 cm by pathology examination; one lesion was not measured. When these lesions were excluded, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100%, 59%, 36%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on these preliminary data, FDG‐PET may have a role in excluding malignancy in thyroid nodules with an indeterminate FNA biopsy. This finding justifies ongoing accrual to our target population of 125 participants.
The Incidence and Success of Treatment for Severe Chronic Groin Pain After Open, Transabdominal Preperitoneal, and Totally Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair
Authors: Bright Elizabeth , Reddy Venkat M. , Wallace David , Garcea Giuseppe , Dennison Ashley R.
Published: February 2010

Background

Chronic groin pain (CGP) is a significant cause of postoperative morbidity after inguinal hernia repair. Open, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair are all commonly performed methods of herniorrhaphy. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of attendance at a chronic pain clinic (CPC) for CGP after open, TAPP or TEP repair.

Methods

A retrospective review of all inguinal hernia repairs between January 1997 and December 2006 identified patients attending the CPC for CGP post‐herniorrhaphy. In this study CGP post‐herniorrhaphy was defined as pain that limited daily activities despite simple analgesia thereby requiring referral to the specialist CPC following surgical review.

Results

A total of 8513 patients underwent 9607 inguinal hernia repairs; 6497 (75.5%) were open, 1916 (22.3%) were TAPP, and 198 (2.3%) were TEP. Of these, 46 (0.71%) open, 22 (1.15%) TAPP, and 6 (3.03%) TEP repairs required attendance at CPC. A statistically significant difference in frequency of CPC attendance following laparoscopic versus open (P = 0.008), TEP versus open (P ≤ 0.001), and TEP versus TAPP repair (P = 0.027) was observed. After an average of 1 year, 69% of patients were discharged symptom‐free from the CPC. In 16%, CGP resolved prior to CPC attendance.

Conclusions

In contrast to previous reports, laparoscopic hernia repair is associated with a greater frequency of attendance at CPC than open repair, a finding that merits further investigation. Of those requiring treatment, the majority were discharged pain‐free after an average of 1 year.
Long‐term Evaluation of Genetic Counseling Following False‐Positive Newborn Screen for Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Cavanagh Laura , Compton Cecilia J. , Tluczek Audrey , Brown Roger L. , Farrell Philip M.
Published: February 2010

This cross‐sectional mixed method study was a long‐term follow‐up evaluation of families who participated in an earlier survey of their understanding of cystic fibrosis (CF) genetics and their infants’ false‐positive CF newborn screening (NBS) results. Thirty‐seven of the original 138 parents participated in the follow‐up telephone survey. Results showed parents who received genetic counseling at the time of their infants’ diagnostic sweat tests had significantly higher long‐term retention of genetic knowledge than those without genetic counseling. However, both groups still had misconceptions and lacked accurate information about the actual risk associated with being a CF carrier. Most parents either had already informed (65%) or planned to inform (19%) their children about the child's carrier status. Mean child age at the time of disclosure was 9.2 years. Situational prompts were the most common reasons for informing their children. Neither parental knowledge, medical literacy, nor parental education predicted whether parents informed their children about their carrier status. False‐positive NBS results for CF were not associated with parental perceptions of child vulnerability 11–14 years after the testing. Although the sample from this study was small, these findings underscore the benefits of genetic counseling at the time of the diagnostic sweat test and offer information that can assist parents in talking with their children about the implications of having one CFTR mutation.
The influence of family relations on trajectories of cigarette and alcohol use from early to late adolescence
Authors: Gutman Leslie Morrison , Eccles Jacquelynne S. , Peck Stephen , Malanchuk Oksana
Published: February 2010

The present study examines growth curve trajectories of cigarette and alcohol use from 13 to 19 years, and investigates how family relations (i.e., decision‐making opportunities, negative family interactions, and positive identification with parents) relate to contemporaneous and predictive alcohol and cigarette use during adolescence. Data came from a longitudinal study of European American and African American families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds (n = 1160 for alcohol use; n = 1102 for cigarette use). European Americans had higher levels and faster rates of alcohol and cigarette use than African Americans. European Americans females had the greatest likelihood of increased cigarette use. Negative family interactions and positive identification had contemporaneous and predictive associations with alcohol and/or cigarette use. Negative family interactions were related to increased smoking and drinking, whereas positive identification was associated with decreased use. Family relations differentially affected cigarette use according to ethnicity and gender, but had similar effects on alcohol use.