bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient dietary patterns and the risk of breast and ovarian cancers
Authors: Edefonti Valeria , Decarli Adriano , Vecchia Carlo La , Bosetti Cristina , Randi Giorgia , Franceschi Silvia , Maso Luigino Dal , Ferraroni Monica
Published: August 2007

The issue of diet and breast and ovarian cancers has been considered in terms of foods and nutrients, but rarely in terms of dietary patterns. We examined the associations between dietary patterns and breast and ovarian cancers in 2 Italian multicentric case–control studies. Cases were 2,569 breast cancers and 1,031 ovarian cancers hospitalized in 4 Italian areas between 1991 and 1999. Controls were 3,413 women from the same hospital network. Dietary habits were investigated through a validated food‐frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified on a selected set of nutrients through principal component factor analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for both cancers were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models on quartiles of factor scores and continuous factor scores. We identified 4 major dietary patterns named Animal products, Vitamins and fiber, Unsaturated fats and Starch‐rich. The animal products pattern and the unsaturated fats pattern were inversely associated with breast cancer (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61–0.91 and OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.68–1.00, respectively, for the highest consumption quartile), whereas the starch‐rich pattern was directly associated with it (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10–1.65). The vitamins and fiber pattern was inversely associated with ovarian cancer (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.98), whereas the starch‐rich pattern was directly associated with it (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.37–2.48). In conclusion, the starch‐rich pattern is potentially an unfavorable indicator of risk for both breast and ovarian cancers, while the animal products and the vitamins and fiber patterns may be associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, respectively. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes, ionizing radiation exposure and risk of breast cancer in U.S. Radiologic technologists
Authors: Bhatti Parveen , Struewing Jeffery P. , Alexander Bruce H. , Hauptmann Michael , Bowen Laura , Mateus‐Pereira Lutecia H. , Pineda Marbin A. , Simon Steven L. , Weinstock Robert M. , Rosenstein Marvin , Stovall Marilyn , Preston Dale L. , Linet Martha S. , Doody Michele M. , Sigurdson Alice J.
Published: August 2007

High‐dose ionizing radiation exposure to the breast and rare autosomal dominant genes have been linked with increased breast cancer risk, but the role of low‐to‐moderate doses from protracted radiation exposure in breast cancer risk and its potential modification by polymorphisms in DNA repair genes has not been previously investigated among large numbers of radiation‐exposed women with detailed exposure data. Using carefully reconstructed estimates of cumulative breast doses from occupational and personal diagnostic ionizing radiation, we investigated the potential modification of radiation‐related breast cancer risk by 55 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms in 17 genes involved in base excision or DNA double‐strand break repair among 859 cases and 1083 controls from the United States Radiologic Technologists (USRT) cohort. In multivariable analyses, WRN V114I (rs2230009) significantly modified the association between cumulative occupational breast dose and risk of breast cancer (adjusted for personal diagnostic exposure) (p = 0.04) and BRCA1 D652N (rs4986850), PRKDC IVS15 + 6C > T (rs1231202), PRKDC IVS34 + 39T > C (rs8178097) and PRKDC IVS31 − 634C > A (rs10109984) significantly altered the personal diagnostic radiation exposure‐response relationship (adjusted for occupational dose) (p ≤ 0.05). None of the remaining 50 SNPs significantly modified breast cancer radiation dose‐response relationships. The USRT genetic study provided a unique opportunity to examine the joint effects of common genetic variation and ionizing radiation exposure on breast cancer risk using detailed occupational and personal diagnostic exposure data. The suggestive evidence found for modification of radiation‐related breast cancer risk for 5 of the 55 SNPs evaluated requires confirmation in larger studies of women with quantified radiation breast doses in the low‐to‐moderate range. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of novel antiangiogenic anticancer activities of deguelin targeting hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha
Authors: Oh Seung‐Hyun , Woo Jong K. , Jin Quanri , Kang Hye‐Jin , Jeong Joo‐Won , Kim Kyu‐Won , Hong Waun Ki , Lee Ho‐Young
Published: August 2007

Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) plays an essential role in tumor angiogenesis and growth by regulating the transcription of several genes in response to hypoxic stress and changes in growth factors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of deguelin on tumor growth and angiogenesis, and the mechanisms underlying the antitumor activities of deguelin. We show here that orally administered deguelin inhibits tumor growth and blocks tumor angiogenesis in mice. Deguelin decreased expression of HIF‐1α protein and its target genes, such as VEGF, in a subset of cancer cell lines, including H1299 lung cancer cells, and vascular endothelial cells in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor by adenoviral vector infection abolished the antiangiogenic effects of deguelin on H1299 nonsmall cell lung cancer cells. Deguelin inhibited de novo synthesis of HIF‐1α protein and reduced the half‐life of the synthesized protein. MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, protected the hypoxia‐ or IGF‐induced HIF‐1α protein from deguelin‐mediated degradation. Our findings suggest that deguelin is a promising antiangiogenic therapeutic agent in cancer targeting HIF‐1α. Considering that HIF‐1α is overexpressed in a majority of human cancers, deguelin could offer a potent therapeutic agent for cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fetus with osteogenesis imperfecta presenting as increased nuchal translucency thickness in the first trimester
Authors: Hsieh Charles Tsung‐Che , Yeh Guang‐Perng , Wu Hsin‐Hung , Wu Joung‐Liang , Chou Pan‐Hsin , Lin Yueh‐Min
Published: August 2007

Type II osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a perinatally lethal disorder due to type I collagen abnormalities that has been diagnosed successfully in the second trimester. We report a case of type II OI that was confirmed on postmortem histology and radiography presenting as increased nuchal translucency in the first trimester. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Transient non‐viral cutaneous gene delivery in burn wounds
Authors: Steinstraesser L. , Hirsch T. , Beller J. , Mittler D. , Sorkin M. , Pazdierny G. , Jacobsen F. , Eriksson E. , Steinau H. U.
Published: August 2007

Background

Gene transfer to burn wounds could present an alternative to conventional and often insufficient topical and systemic application of therapeutic agents to aid in wound healing. The goals of this study were to assess and optimize the potential of transient non‐viral gene delivery to burn wounds.

Methods

HaCaT cells were transfected with luciferase or β‐galactosidase transgene using either pure plasmid DNA (pDNA) or complexed with Lipofectamine 2000, FuGENE6, or DOTAP‐Chol. Expression was determined by bioluminescence and fluorescence. Forty male Sprague‐Dawley rats received naked pDNA, lipoplexes, or carrier control intradermally into either unburned skin, superficial, partial, or full‐thickness scald burn. Animals were sacrificed after 24 h, 48 h, or 7 days, and transgene expression was assessed.

Results

Gene transfer to HaCaT cells showed the overall highest expression for DOTAP/Chol (77.85 ng luciferase/mg protein), followed by Lipofectamine 2000 (33.14 ng luciferase/mg protein). pDNA‐derived gene transfer to superficial burn wounds showed the highest expression among burn groups (0.77 ng luciferase/mg protein). However, lipoplex‐derived gene transfer to superficial burns and unburned skin failed to show higher expression.

Conclusions

Lipofectamine 2000 and DOTAP/Chol lipoplex showed significantly enhanced gene transfer, whereas no transfection was detectable for naked DNA in vitro. In contrast to the in vitro study, naked DNA was the only agent with which gene delivery was successful in experimental burn wounds. These findings highlight the limited predictability of in vitro analysis for gene delivery as a therapeutic approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel asymmetrical 99mTc‐nitrido complex of metronidazole derivative
Authors: Kong Dejing , Lu Jie , Ye Shuzhang , Wang Xuebin
Published: August 2007

The novel dithiocarbamate derivative of metronidazole, potassium 2‐(2‐methyl‐5‐nitro‐1H‐imidazolyl)‐ethyl‐dithiocarbamate (MNIE‐DTC), was synthesized as the pharmacophore‐containing bifunctional ligand. The corresponding asymmetrical 99mTc‐nitrido complex, expected as a tumor hypoxia marker, had been successfully obtained by the addition of the biphosphine ligand PNP5 (PNP5 = N‐ethoxethyl‐N,N‐bis[2‐(bis(3‐methoxypropyl)phosphino)ethyl]‐amine) and the dithiocarbamate ligand (MNIE‐DTC) to the 99mTc‐nitrido precursor solution at 100°C for 15 min. The radiochemical purity of the product was above 95% as measured by thin‐layer chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography. In vitro studies showed that the complex possessed good stability under physiological conditions. Its partition coefficient studies indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The electrophoresis results showed that the complex was cationic. Biological evaluation of the complex [99mTcN(PNP5)(MNIE‐DTC)]+ performed in Kunming mice bearing H22 tumor showed that the complex had a moderate tumor uptake (0.57±0.06%ID/g at 1h), and the ratios of tumor/blood and tumor/muscle were 2.46 and 1.31 at 1h p.i., and reached 4.52 and 2.86 at 4h p.i., respectively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural deuterium isotope effects reveal the cooperativity of polymers
Authors: Cheon Kap‐Soo , Green Mark M.
Published: August 2007

The signature characteristic of different kinds of polymers, synthetic and natural, is cooperativity arising from the recurring features common to all polymer structures. Cooperativity and amplification are simply different words expressing the same phenomenon leading one to expect that studies of polymers will allow small effects to be magnified, or, that is, for small effects to have surprisingly large effects on polymer properties. In the work reviewed in this short article we see this amplification at work in two different ways: (1) a synthetic polymer that forms a helical conformation but without preference for helical sense, right or left handed, is caused to take on a large excess of a single helical sense by incorporation of chiral information in surprising ways, including by forming chiral centers by deuterium substitution; (2) two polymers that mix homogeneously with each other by virtue of an unknown attractive interaction are revealed by deuterium labeling to be involved in a weak hydrogen bond between a hydrogen bound to aromatic carbon and an ethereal oxygen. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tritium labelling and degradation studies of Dmt1‐endomorphin 2
Authors: Szemenyei Erzsébet , Tóth Géza
Published: August 2007

Two tritiated derivatives of Dmt1‐endomorphin 2 (Dmt1‐EM2) were prepared by the catalytic tritiodehalogenation of 3′,5′‐diiodo‐Dmt1‐EM2 and the saturation of 3,4ΔPro2‐Dmt1‐EM2, resulting in [3′,5′‐3H2]Dmt1‐EM2 and [3H2]Pro2‐Dmt1‐EM2 with specific activities of 2.88 TBq/mmol (77.8 Ci/mmol) and 1.95 TBq/mmol (52.8 Ci/mmol), respectively. 3′,5′‐Diiodo‐Dmt1‐EM2 was synthesized by the chloramine T method from Dmt1‐EM2. 3,4ΔPro2‐Dmt1‐EM2 was synthesized by using the Merrifield solid‐phase method. The distributions of the tritium in the labelled peptides were investigated by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography after acidic hydrolysis. The stability of Dmt1‐EM2 in a rat brain membrane homogenate was also determined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,4‐Dihydropyridines (DHPs) – a class of very potent drugs: syntheses of isotopically labeled DHP derivatives during the last four decades
Authors: Pleiss U.
Published: August 2007

1,4‐Dihydropyridines (DHPs) belonging to the group of calcium antagonists or calcium channel blockers' are among the most important drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. During the development processes all candidates on the market have to be labeled with isotopes. Since the discovery of 1,4‐dihydropyridines (DHP) as cardiovascular drugs, the published syntheses for the labeling with radioactive isotopes like tritium, carbon‐11, carbon‐14, iodine‐125 and stable isotopes like deuterium and carbon‐13 are reviewed in the present report. The different synthetic routes are depicted and the synthesis details will be discussed with respect to the yields referred to labeled starting materials, specific activities and labeling degrees. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid simultaneous determination of 14 sulfonamides in wastewater by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ye Sai , Yao Ziwei , Na Guangshui , Wang Juying , Ma Deyi
Published: August 2007

This paper describes a rapid method for the determination of 14 kinds of sulfonamides (SAs) in wastewater using SPE, and LC‐MS/MS with positive ESI (ESI(+)) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The SPE was performed on an Oasis hydrophilic‐lipophilic‐balanced (HLB) cartridge. Chromatographic separation on a C18 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.2% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 22.3 to 87.0% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The LODs in wastewater except sulfathiazole (3 ng/L) could be detected and quantified at levels as low as 1 ng/L. Finally, the method was applied to water from the municipal outlet and the aquaculture wastewater effluent. Sulfamethazine (SM2), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP), and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) were most frequently found in wastewater in a concentration range between 1.2 and 31.7 ng/L.
Quantitative analysis of methadone in human urine samples by microextraction in packed syringe‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (MEPS‐GC‐MS)
Authors: El‐Beqqali Aziza , Abdel‐Rehim Mohamed
Published: August 2007

A method for the simultaneous analysis of methadone in urine samples by microextraction in a packed syringe online with GC‐MS (MEPS‐GC‐MS) is described. The new method reduced the sample handling and the detection limit by two‐ to seven‐fold compared to published methods. Using a quantitation method based on the calculation of analyte concentration by comparison to an internal standard, we were able to measure methadone levels consistent with values reported for healthy individuals. The intra‐assay precisions (RSD) of the method using quality control (QC) samples at three different concentration levels were about 11–14% (n = 6). The interassay precisions (RSD) were 11–15% for methadone in urine samples (n = 18). The accuracy varied from 89 to 109% for intra‐assay (n = 6), and 97 to 107% for inter‐assay (n = 18). The regression correlation coefficients (r2) were over 0.99 in all experiments.
Optimization of the separation of chlorophenols with stepwise gradient elution in reversed phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Hadjmohammadi Mohammad Reza , Kamel Kamyar , Fatemi Mohammad Hosein
Published: August 2007

An optimization technique based on gradient elution was used to separate eleven chlorophenols by reversed phase liquid chromatography. The separation was based on gradient elution with a stepwise variation pattern of the volume fraction of organic modifier, φ, in the mobile phase. Initially, two‐, three‐, and four‐parameter equations which describe the dependence of ln k′ upon φ, were examined for their ability to fit the experimental data. It was found that, among these equations, the four‐parameter equation gave the best fit of the experimental data. In addition to separation optimization, a non‐linear least squares program with a grid search for initial estimates was used to determine the best variation pattern. The best variation pattern was obtained with φ1 = 0.27, φ2 = 0.39, φ3 = 0.62, t1 = 33 min, and t2 = 11 min. This pattern allowed the chromatographic separation of the chlorophenols with a good resolution and a total analysis time of 51 min. Good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental values of the retention times under optimal condition.
Improved conditions for the application of solid phase microextraction prior to HPLC–FLD analysis of anatoxin‐a
Authors: Rellán Sandra , Gago‐Martínez Ana
Published: August 2007

Solid phase microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been optimized and evaluated for a simple, rapid, and selective analysis of anatoxin‐a. Four kinds of fiber (100 μm polydimethylsiloxane, 60 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene, 50 μm Carbowax/templated resin‐100, and 85 μm polyacrylate) were evaluated for an efficient extraction of the toxin. Parameters relating to the desorption step, such as desorption mode, solvent composition, time for both static and dynamic desorption, as well as carryover, have been studied and optimized. The derivatization process was investigated using NBD‐F as derivatizing reagent. Anatoxin‐a derivative was formed when the anatoxin‐a‐loaded fiber was inserted in a vial containing 5 μL of NBD‐F. Variables affecting extraction such us ionic strength, temperature, and time have been also optimized. The results obtained showed linearity in the range of 10–2000 ng and a limit of detection of 0.29 ng/mL in river water. The presented method has been applied to different environmental samples.
An advanced solventless column test for capillary GC columns
Authors: Luong Jim , Gras Ronda , Jennings Walter
Published: August 2007

Manufacturing skills for capillary GC columns have improved to a point where the commonly used tests no longer distinguish between “adequate” and “excellent” columns. A more stringent test mixture, coupled with a more exacting procedure, was proposed for testing capillary columns in 2004. The solutes were less sterically hindered and less retained, permitting the test to be run isothermally at lower temperatures where sorptive forces are stronger. To avoid masking active sites by solvent flooding, the test used a higher boiling solvent that eluted last. This test mixture, used under the prescribed conditions, differentiated adequate from excellent columns, but removal of the late‐eluting solvent prolonged run times to as long as 1 h. The new test uses the same probes proposed in 2004, but entirely eliminates the solvent. Injections utilize a plunger‐in‐needle microvolume syringe, and the “gas saver” feature of a contemporary gas chromatograph. The latter serves as a dynamic diluter to deliver nanogram quantities of undiluted solutes to the column. The test can be conducted isothermally at a lower temperature in less than 15 min for most of the columns. This paper summarizes the analytical approach used, and presents method performance data and test results obtained on contemporary capillary columns from leading manufacturers.
Hollow‐fibre supported liquid membrane extraction for determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentration at ultra trace level in sewage samples
Authors: Zorita Saioa , Mårtensson Lennart , Mathiasson Lennart
Published: August 2007

In this study, a method was developed for determining the concentration of the pharmaceutical fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, in sewage water samples. Sample preparation was performed by hollow‐fibre supported liquid membrane (HF‐SLM) extraction with final analysis using liquid chromatography with UV detection. Several parameters were studied including type of organic solvent, sample and acceptor pH, and salt and humic acid content. The optimised method allowed determination of the analyte at the ng/L level in sewage water. A linear plot gave a correlation coefficient better than 0.991 for both analytes and resulted in limits of detection in sewage water of 11 and 12 ng/L, for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. The enrichment factor was over 1700 for both analytes in sewage water. The repeatability and reproducibility were better than 8% and 17%, respectively. The developed methodology was used to study daily variations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in municipal sewage streams. Norfluoxetine has been detected for the first time in sewage water and a preliminary analysis gave average concentrations of 150 and 225 ng/L for norfluoxetine and fluoxetine, respectively.
Speciation of alkyllead in aqueous samples with application of liquid membrane probe for extraction and preconcentration
Authors: Cukrowska Ewa M. , Nsengimana Hermogène , Chimuka Luke
Published: August 2007

Lead is known to be toxic, especially in its organic forms (organolead, OL). In the environment tetraalkyllead species are rapidly degraded by sunlight and atmospheric constituents like ozone or hydroxyl radicals. Such breakdown yields the soluble forms such as trialkyllead and dialkyllead and finally ionic lead species. The liquid membrane extraction probe (LMP) device has been developed and used as an extraction and preconcentration tool for the speciation analysis of organolead compounds by GC/MS. It allows analysis of OL species at low concentrations in complicated matrices of environmental samples. The effect of pH, stirring rate, and time that influence the extraction efficiency of OL extraction by the LMP method were optimized. The transformation of tetramethyllead in aqueous media at different concentrations of major ions K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl–, SO42– and the application of LMP to environmental samples are presented. It was found that degradation of tetramethyllead takes between 24 and 37 days. The detection limit (LOD) of the method for all organolead species investigated is around 4.7 μg/L, with a limit of quantitation of 15 μg/L.
Determination of alachlor, metolachlor, and their acidic metabolites in soils by microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) combined with solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with GC‐MS and HPLC‐UV analysis
Authors: Vryzas Zisis , Tsaboula Ageliki , Papadopoulou‐Mourkidou Euphemia
Published: August 2007

A well‐validated analytical method based on microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) and SPE is presented for the combined analysis of alachlor, alachlor–oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor–ethanesulfonic acid (ESA), metolachlor, metolachlor–OXA, metolachlor–ESA residues in soils. Extraction of solutes by soil sample was carried out by MAE for 20 min at 100°C in the presence of 50 mL solution (methanol/water 50:50), the extract was subsequently passed through C18 cartidges and fractionated into two fractions, the first with parent compounds (PCs) analyzed with GC‐MS and the second one containing the metabolites analyzed with HPLC. For the SPE step, various types of sorbents (Environmental C18, tC18, Supelclean ENVI‐carb, and LiChrolut EN) have been used, and their respective advantages and disadvantages are discussed. After the method optimization, average recovery values of all solutes were > 71% in the 50–500 μg/kg fortification range with RSD <10%. The LOQ and LOD were 10–50 and 5–10 μg/kg, respectively. The method was validated with two types of soils (1 and 2.4% organic matter) and in fresh (12 h aging), intermediate (1 wk aging), and aged (1 month aging) spiked samples. Moreover, residue levels determined after field application of alachlor or metolachlor were higher when soils were processed using this method than with a comparison method based on an overnight flask shaking (FS) of soil suspension.
High‐performance liquid chromatography with sequential injection for online precolumn derivatization of some heavy metals
Authors: Burakham Rodjana , Srijaranai Supalax , Grudpan Kate
Published: August 2007

HPLC was coupled with sequential injection (SI) for simultaneous analyses of some heavy metals, including Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Fe(II). 2‐(5‐Nitro‐2‐pyridylazo)‐5‐[N‐propyl‐N‐(3‐sulfopropyl)amino]phenol (nitro‐PAPS) was employed as a derivatizing reagent for sensitive spectrophotometric detection by online precolumn derivatization. The SI system offers an automated handling of sample and reagent, online precolumn derivatization, and propulsion of derivatives to the HPLC injection loop. The metal–nitro‐PAPS complexes were separated on a C18‐μBondapak column (3.9×300 mm2). Using the proposed SI‐HPLC system, determination of four metal ions by means of nitro‐PAPS complexes was achieved within 13 min in which the parallel of derivatization and separation were processed at the same time. Linear calibration graphs were obtained in the ranges of 0.005–0.250 mg/L for Cu(II), 0.007–1.000 mg/L for Co(II), 0.005–0.075 mg/L for Ni(II), and 0.005–0.100 mg/L for Fe(II). The system provides means for automation with good precision and minimizing error in solution handling with the RSD of less than 6%. The detection limits obtained were 2 μg/L for Cu(II) and Co(II), and 1 μg/L for Ni(II) and Fe(II). The method was successfully applied for the determination of metal ions in various samples, including milk powder for infant, mineral supplements, local wines, and drinking water.
Quantitative analysis of phosphatidylcholine in rat liver tissue by nanoflow liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ahn Eun Jeong , Kim Hanna , Chung Bong Chul , Moon Myeong Hee
Published: August 2007

A quantitative method was developed for the determination of phosphatidylcholine (PC) species concentration using nanoflow LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. In this study, a calibration method is developed to determine the effect of PC carbon chain length on MS peak intensity. Using the multiple standard addition method, a relationship between the peak intensities of different PC species from nanoflow LC‐MS and carbon chain length is established first using different injection amounts of PC standards. From this relationship, a calibration curve for each carbon chain length can be obtained for the concentration calculation. It was found that the MS peak area of PC species analyzed by nanoflow LC‐MS linearly decreased with increased acyl carbon numbers, and that the effect of the degree of acyl chain unsaturation on MS peak intensity was minimized when the injection amount was maintained at less than 1 pmol. The method was applied for the quantitative calculation of 34 PC species from rat liver, which were identified from data‐dependent MS/MS analysis during nanoflow LC separation.
Confirmation and determination of carboxylic acids in root exudates using LC–ESI‐MS
Authors: Chen Zuliang , Jin Xiaoyin , Wang Qinqping , Lin Yuman , Gan Li , Tang Caixing
Published: August 2007

Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with UV detection is of limited applicability in the separation and identification of carboxylic acids because of the column's poor separation efficiency and the non‐selective nature of the UV detector. To address this issue, RP‐LC with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been explored for the confirmation and determination of carboxylic acids in plant root exudates, with ESI‐MS providing structural information, high selectivity, and high sensitivity. The separation of 10 carboxylic acids (pyruvic, lactic, malonic, maleic, fumaric, succinic, malic, tartaric, trans‐aconitic, and citric acid) was performed on a C18 column using an eluent containing 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid within 10 min, where the acidic eluent not only suppressed the ionization of the carboxylic acids to be retained on the column, but was also compatible with ESI‐MS detection. In addition, an additional standard was used to overcome the matrix effect. The results showed that peak areas correlated linearly with the concentration of carboxylic acids over the range 0.05–10 mg/L. The detection limits of target acids (signal‐to‐noise S/N ratio of 3) ranged from 20 to 30 μg/L. Finally, the proposed method was used for the confirmation and determination of low‐molecular‐weight carboxylic acids in plant root exudates, and provided a simple analytical procedure, including sample processing, fast separation, and high specificity and sensitivity.
Application of three‐dimensional digitalized reconstruction of an anterolateral thigh flap and an arterial dorsalis pedis flap
Authors: Zhang Yuan‐Zhi , Li Yan‐Bing , Tang Mao‐Lin , Xie Le , Geddes Christopher R. , Zhong Shi‐Zhen , Pei Guo‐Xian
Published: August 2007

Developments in the field of digitalized technique and three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction methods allowed a precise description of anatomy structures. With the development of Visible Human Project (1989) and Virtual Chinese Human (VCH) techniques, we could get more precise anatomic images. Digitized visible models of these structures can be a useful tool in clinical training. Combining modern radiology and VCH techniques, we designed a method to establish digitized visible models of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and arteria dorsalis pedis (ADP) flap from adult fresh cadaver specimens perfused with lead oxide‐gelatine mixture and VCH Male III dataset. The 3D reconstructed visible models established from these datasets perfectly displayed the anatomic structures of ALT flap and ADP flap. This is the first report on the ACFL and ADP structures which were reconstructed digitally. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
The superficial inferior epigastric artery fascia flap in the rabbit
Authors: Giessler Goetz A. , Friedrich Patricia F. , Shin Richard H. , Bishop Allen T.
Published: August 2007

In reconstructive surgery, fascial flaps provide thin, pliable tissue for mucosal closure or serve as a highly vascularized support for skin grafts. Their angiogenic potential is used for experimental neovascularization of avascular tissue grafts. However, most fascial flaps in animal surgery have random pattern design with short reach. As a pilot study for a femur revascularization project in rabbits, a new axial fascial flap is described based on the superficial inferior epigastric (SIE) vessels. They were used in this species previously only as ligated bundles or in fasciocutaneous flaps. The topographical anatomy of the SIE‐vessels, lower abdominal fascia, and panniculus carnosus are outlined. The angiogenic capabilities are demonstrated microangiographically by abundant vessel formation in a femur allograft. Used in a pedicled fashion, this flap is an alternative to femoral and saphenous vessels for prefabrication or revascularization procedures in the lower abdomen, genital area, and thigh. Distant recipient sites seem possible with microsurgical transfer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Variational formulations for scattering in a three‐dimensional acoustic waveguide
Authors: Arens Tilo , Gintides Drossos , Lechleiter Armin
Published: August 2007

Variational formulations for direct time‐harmonic scattering problems in a three‐dimensional waveguide are formulated and analyzed. We prove that the operators defined by the corresponding forms satisfy a Gårding inequality in adequately chosen spaces of test and trial functions and depend analytically on the wavenumber except at the modal numbers of the waveguide. It is also shown that these operators are strictly coercive if the wavenumber is small enough. It follows that these scattering problems are uniquely solvable except possibly for an infinite series of exceptional values of the wavenumber with no finite accumulation point. Furthermore, two geometric conditions for an obstacle are given, under which uniqueness of solution always holds in the case of a Dirichlet problem. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the multilevel preconditioning of Crouzeix–Raviart elliptic problems
Authors: Kraus J. , Margenov S. , Synka J.
Published: August 2007

We consider robust hierarchical splittings of finite element spaces related to non‐conforming discretizations using Crouzeix–Raviart type elements. As is well known, this is the key to the construction of efficient two‐ and multilevel preconditioners.

The main contribution of this paper is a theoretical and an experimental comparison of three such splittings. Our starting point is the standard method based on differences and aggregates (DA) as introduced in Blaheta et al. (Numer. Linear Algebra Appl. 2004; 11:309–326). On this basis we propose a more general (GDA) splitting, which can be viewed as the solution of a constraint optimization problem (based on certain symmetry assumptions). We further consider the locally optimal (ODA) splitting, which is shown to be equivalent to the first reduce (FR) method from Blaheta et al. (Numer. Linear Algebra Appl. 2004; 11:309–326). This means that both, the ODA and the FR splitting, generate the same subspaces, and thus the local constant in the strengthened Cauchy–Bunyakowski–Schwarz inequality is minimal for the FR (respectively ODA) splitting. Moreover, since the DA splitting corresponds to a particular choice in the parameter space of the GDA splitting, which itself is an element in the set of all splittings for which the ODA (or equivalently FR) splitting yields the optimum, we conclude that the chain of inequalities γ⩽γ⩽γ⩽3/4 holds independently of mesh and/or coefficient anisotropy. Apart from the theoretical considerations, the presented numerical results provide a basis for a comparison of these three approaches from a practical point of view. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dental pathology and diet at Apollonia, a Greek colony on the Black Sea
Authors: Keenleyside A.
Published: August 2007

Dental pathology has the potential to provide insight into the composition of the diet and to reveal dietary differences based on age, sex and social status. Human skeletal remains from the Greek colonial site of Apollonia (5th to 2nd centuries BC) on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria were analysed for various forms of dental pathology in order to: assess the prevalence of dental disease in the population; compare the dental pathology data from Apollonia with dietary data derived from ancient literary texts and from previous stable isotopic analysis of the colonists' remains; explore variations in dental disease with respect to age and sex; and compare the prevalence of dental pathology in the Apollonians with that of other Greek populations. The composition of the diet, as indicated by the dental pathology data, is consistent with the stable isotopic evidence from Apollonia and with the ancient literary texts, both of which indicate the consumption of a relatively soft, high carbohydrate diet. The higher frequency of dental caries, abscesses, calculus, and antemortem tooth loss in older adults compared with younger ones reflects the age‐progressive nature of these conditions. The lack of significant sex differences in caries, abscesses, calculus and tooth loss corresponds with the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic data derived from bone collagen, which indicate no significant sex differences in the consumption of dietary protein. In contrast, these findings conflict with the ancient literary texts, which refer to distinct dietary differences between males and females, and with the stable carbon isotopic values derived from bone carbonate, which indicate sex differences with respect to the overall diet. Despite the lack of marked sex differences in dental pathology, overall trends point to subtle dietary differences between males and females. A greater degree of tooth wear in males also hints at possible sex differences in the use of the teeth as tools. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality characteristics of research volunteers
Authors: Lönnqvist Jan‐Erik , Paunonen Sampo , Verkasalo Markku , Leikas Sointu , Tuulio‐Henriksson Annamari , Lönnqvist Jouko
Published: August 2007

We evaluated Big Five personality factor differences between research volunteers and nonvolunteers. In the first study, 158 military officers were asked to participate in a mail survey. The personality scores of the officers were available from an archival data set. In our second study, adult siblings from large families were invited to participate in extensive clinical epidemiological evaluations. The personality scores of volunteers (N = 55) and nonvolunteers from the same families (N = 29) were estimated from sibling ratings made by those who participated in the study. In both studies, respondents, compared to nonrespondents, were found to be significantly lower in Neuroticism and higher in Conscientiousness. The second study further indicated respondents as being higher in Extraversion and Agreeableness. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanostructure and properties of sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone copolymers as proton exchange fuel cell membranes
Authors: Yoonessi Mitra , Bai Zongwu , Dang Thuy D.
Published: August 2007

A systematic investigation of properties and nanostructure of sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone (SPTES) copolymer proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications has been presented. SPTES copolymers are high temperature resistant (250 °C), and form tough films with excellent proton conductivity up to 170 ± 5 mS/cm (SPTES 70 @ 85 °C, 85%RH). Small angle X‐ray scattering of hydrated SPTES 70 revealed the presence of local water domains (diameter ∼5 nm) within the copolymer. The high proton conductivity of the membranes is attributed to the formation of these ionic aggregates containing water molecules, which facilitate proton transfer. AFM studies of SPTES 70 as a function of humidity (25–65%RH) showed an increase in hydrophilic domains with increasing humidity at 22 °C. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2813–2822, 2007
Quantitative comparison of functional MRI and direct electrocortical stimulation for functional mapping
Authors: Larsen S. , Kikinis R. , Talos I.‐F. , Weinstein D. , Wells W. , Golby A.
Published: August 2007

Background

Mapping functional areas of the brain is important for planning tumour resections. With the increased use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for presurgical planning, there is a need to validate that fMRI activation mapping is consistent with the mapping obtained during surgery using direct electrocortical stimulation (DECS).

Methods

A quantitative comparison of DECS and fMRI mapping techniques was performed, using a patient‐specific conductivity model to find the current distribution resulting from each stimulation site. The resulting DECS stimulation map was compared to the fMRI activation map, using the maximal Dice similarity coefficient (MDSC).

Results

Our results show some agreement between these two mapping techniques—the stimulation site with the largest MOSC was the only site that demonstrated intra‐operative effect.

Conclusions

There is a substantial effort to improve the techniques used to map functional areas, particularly using fMRI. It seems likely that fMRI will eventually provide a valid non‐invasive means for functional mapping. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The MesoHABSIM model revisited
Authors: Parasiewicz Piotr
Published: August 2007

The MesoHABSIM simulation model was developed in 2000 as an enhancement of the habitat descriptions used in the physical habitat simulation model (PHABSIM). MesoHABSIM integrates system‐scale assessment of ecological integrity in flowing waters with quantitative information on physical habitat distribution to simulate habitat changes at the watershed scale. The goal was better integration of physical habitat models into river management by ‘upscaling’ to address issues relevant at management levels. This paper describes the most updated version of the MesoHABSIM approach resulting from the experience gained during the application of the model in projects since 2000. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dose–cohort designs in cancer phase I trials
Authors: Huang Bo , Chappell Rick
Published: August 2007

Traditional designs for phase I clinical trials assign the same dose to patients in the same cohort. In this paper, we present a new class of designs for cancer phase I trials which initially rapidly escalate by allowing multiple doses (usually 3) to be assigned to each cohort of patients. The class of designs, called the LMH‐CRM (an extension of the continual reassessment method (CRM) by administering different percentiles of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), denoted ‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’), is proven to be consistent and coherent (a commonsense property of phase I trials for dose escalation and de‐escalation). Three designs (slow, moderate and fast) are derived based on different dose‐escalation restrictions. Simulation results show that moderate and fast LMH‐CRM combine the advantages of the CRM with one patient per cohort and three patients per cohort: it accurately estimates the MTD; controls overall toxicity rates; and is time efficient. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in the non‐communicating horn of a unicornuate uterus (cornual pregnancy)
Authors: Mavrelos D. , Sawyer E. , Helmy S. , Holland T. K. , Ben‐Nagi J. , Jurkovic D.
Published: August 2007

Objective

To prospectively evaluate ultrasound criteria for the diagnosis of pregnancy in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus (cornual pregnancy).

Methods

This was a prospective observational study over a period of 90 months in a tertiary referral center in a London teaching hospital. A diagnosis of cornual pregnancy was made when all the following ultrasound criteria were met: (1) a single interstitial portion of Fallopian tube in the main uterine body; (2) a gestational sac, mobile and separate from the uterus, surrounded by myometrium; and (3) a vascular pedicle joining the gestational sac to the unicornuate uterus. In cases where the ultrasound criteria were met the pregnancy was followed up and the final outcome was recorded, including operative and histological findings.

Results

Over the study period eight cases of cornual pregnancy were diagnosed. Six women had a single case of cornual pregnancy. One woman was managed expectantly in her first cornual pregnancy and subsequently suffered a recurrence. Surgical management varied depending on viability of the pregnancy and gestational age at presentation. In all the women who underwent surgery the diagnosis was eventually confirmed at operation and on histological examination. During the study period there were no false positive or false negative results in our unit using the above criteria.

Conclusion

The proposed ultrasound criteria appear accurate and may be applied in clinical practice to facilitate preoperative diagnosis of cornual ectopic pregnancy. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Performance of Black-Owned Commercial Banks: A Comparative Analysis1
Authors: Ziorklui Sam Q.
Published: August 2007

The objective of this study was to examine performance differences among black banks of different asset sizes, as compared with average nonminority banks of similar asset size from 1985 to 1991. The study found that large black banks with assets over $50 million outperformed smaller black banks with assets less than $50 million in terms of return on assets (ROA) and return on owners’ equity. Also, when compared with average nonminority banks with assets less than $300 million, the large black banks exhibited a statistically significant higher ROA than average nonminority banks in 1985 through 1987. However, the differences were found to be statistically insignificant in terms of return on owners’ equity (ROE) during the study period. Regression results show that provision for loan loss, high liquidity, and investment in treasury and government securities continue to impact negatively on small black banks’ performance but these factors have no statistically significant impact on large black banks’ performance.
A Crumbling Legacy: The Decline of African American Insurance Companies in Contemporary America
Authors: Weems Robert E.
Published: August 2007

African American insurance companies, since the 1960s, have experienced a significant decline in their profitability and stature. Because of recent racial desegregation, which in an economic sense consists of white-controlled businesses and black consumers increasing their interaction with each other, black insurers are waging an increasingly difficult struggle to survive. It appears the only way African American insurance companies can counteract this disturbing trend is to voluntarily merge into one “mega” company. Such a maneuver would empower consolidated black insurers to better serve African American consumers and to make definitive inroads in cultivating the burgeoning African consumer market.
The Demand for Labor in Caribbean Community MDCs
Authors: Coppin Addington
Published: August 2007

This article presents a comparative analysis of labor market demand in the three major economies of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) in the period since 1970. The regression analysis indicates that the manufacturing sectors in Barbados and Jamaica were more responsive to changing domestic and international market conditions than the agricultural sectors, or than the Trinidad & Tobago manufacturing sector. Other important conclusions based on specifications at the aggregate level are that the real wage explained labor demand only in Jamaica, and that there was a secular increase in the demand for labor in both Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, even after wages and output were controlled for. Taken in conjunction with the other findings for Trinidad & Tobago, we conclude that there is a need to focus on other sectors as important employers of labor in the period under analysis.
The Effect of Public Sector Employment on the Earnings of White and African American Males: A Sample Selectivity Approach
Authors: Greene Michael , Hoffnar Emily
Published: August 2007

This research note uses a sample selection model to measure the earnings premium (or penalty) to public sector employment. A model correcting for both labor force participation and sectoral choice is estimated for both white and African American males. Results indicate that African American males are no better off in the public than in the private sector. Moreover, white males employed in the public sector earn significantly less than their private sector counterparts.
Hydrothermal synthesis of amorphous MoS2nanofiber bundles via acidification of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate
Authors: Nagaraju G , Tharamani CN , Chandrappa GT , Livage J
Published: August 2007

MoS2nanofiber bundles have been prepared by hydrothermal method using ammonium molybdate with sulfur source in acidic medium and maintained at 180 °C for several hours. The obtained black crystalline products are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PXRD pattern of the sample can be readily indexed as hexagonal 2H-MoS2. FTIR spectrum of the MoS2shows the band at 480 cm−1corresponds to the γas(Mo-S). SEM/TEM images of the samples exhibit that the MoS2nanofiber exist in bundles of 120–300 nm in diameter and 20–25 μm in length. The effects of temperature, duration and other experimental parameters on the morphology of the products are investigated.