bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retracted: A modified version of galectin‐9 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis of human T‐cell leukemia virus type I‐infected T‐cell lines
Authors: Okudaira Taeko , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Ishikawa Chie , Makishi Shoko , Tomita Mariko , Matsuda Takehiro , Kawakami Hirochika , Taira Naoya , Ohshiro Kazuiku , Masuda Masato , Takasu Nobuyuki , Mori Naoki
Published: February 2007

Retraction: The following article has been retracted through agreement between the first author and several coauthors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Peter Lichter, and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: Okudaira T, Hirashima M, Ishikawa C, Makishi S, Tomita M, Matsuda T, Kawakami H, Taira N, Ohshiro K, Masuda M, Takasu N, Mori N. (2007). A modified version of galectin‐9 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis of human T‐cell leukemia virus type I‐infected T‐cell lines. Int J Cancer; 120 (May (10)): 2251‐2261, published online on 2 FEB 2007 in Wiley Online Library (www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com). After an investigation the retraction has been agreed due to inappropriate duplication of images and overlap with other published work.
Suppression of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma growth and metastasis by ErbB3 binding protein Ebp1 gene transfer
Authors: Yu Youcheng , Chen Wantao , Zhang Yuexing , Hamburger Anne W. , Pan Hongya , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: February 2007

Ebp1, an ErbB3 binding protein and downstream effector of the ErbB signaling network was shown to be a potent tumor suppressor in breast and prostate adenocarcinomas. We hypothesized that the inhibitory properties of the ebp1 gene could also be beneficial if ectopically expressed in salivary adenoid carcinoma. Salivary adenoid carcinoma cell line (ACC‐M) cells were stably transfected with the full‐length ebp1 cDNA sequence or the empty expression vector pcDNA3.1. Stable gene transfer was verified by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR. A significant reduction in cell proliferation, anchorage‐independent growth, and a change in the cell cycle profile was observed in ebp1 transfectants. Matrigel assays demonstrated that the adenoid cystic carcinoma cell invasiveness was significantly reduced. A strong decrease in the metastatic potential of human adenoid cystic carcinoma cells in an experimental metastatic model was also observed. Our results suggest that ectopic expression of Ebp1 mediates multiple antitumor activities against adenoid cystic carcinoma cells and that ebp1 gene therapy might be a viable method suppressing malignant salivary adenoid tumors. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A prospective study of dietary calcium, dairy products and prostate cancer risk (Finland)
Authors: Mitrou Panagiota N. , Albanes Demetrius , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Pietinen Pirjo , Taylor Philip R. , Virtamo Jarmo , Leitzmann Michael F.
Published: February 2007

High dietary intakes of calcium and dairy products have been hypothesized to enhance prostate cancer risk, but available prospective data regarding these associations are inconsistent. We examined dietary intakes of calcium and dairy products in relation to risk of prostate cancer in the Alpha‐Tocopherol, Beta‐Carotene (ATBC) Cancer Prevention Study, a cohort of 29,133 male smokers aged 50–69 years at study entry. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using a validated 276‐item food use questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for known or suspected risk factors for prostate cancer. During 17 years of follow‐up, we ascertained 1,267 incident cases of prostate cancer. High versus low intake of dietary calcium was associated with a marked increase in prostate cancer risk. The multivariate relative risk (RR) of prostate cancer for ≥2,000 mg/day compared to <1,000 mg/day of calcium intake was 1.63 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27–2.10; p trend < 0.0001). Total dairy intake was also positively associated with risk of prostate cancer. The multivariate RR of prostate cancer comparing extreme quintiles of intake was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.04–1.51; p trend = 0.03). However, no association with total dairy intake remained after we adjusted for calcium (p trend = 0.17). Findings were similar by stage and grade of prostate cancer. The results from this large prospective study suggest that intake of calcium or some related component contained in dairy foods is associated with increased prostate cancer risk. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma C‐peptide, insulin‐like growth factor‐I, insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins and risk of colorectal cancer in a nested case‐control study: The Japan public health center‐based prospective study
Authors: Otani Tetsuya , Iwasaki Motoki , Sasazuki Shizuka , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: February 2007

The physical inactivity and obesity involved in hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia is supposed to lead to an increased bioavailability of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I). The carcinogenic effect of IGF‐I may be influenced by IGF binding proteins. We investigated the association between plasma levels of C‐peptide, a surrogate biomarker of insulin, IGFBP‐1, IGF‐I or IGFBP‐3, and the risk of colorectal cancer in a nested case‐control study. During an 11.5‐year follow‐up, 375 newly diagnosed colorectal cancers were identified in a cohort of 38,373 adults who had returned the baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples. Two matched‐controls for each case were selected from the cohort. The odds ratio (OR) of colorectal cancer for plasma levels of each protein was estimated using the conditional logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounding factors. We observed a statistically significant association of plasma C‐peptide with colorectal cancer only in men. The ORs were 1.0, 2.3, 2.8 and 3.2 along with quartiles (p trend, 0.0072). The association was stronger in colon cancer (p trend, 0.025) than in rectal cancer (p trend, 0.24). Other peptides were not associated with the risk in either men or women. The results did not change when repeatedly analyzed by tumor invasion levels, tumor sites or follow‐up periods. In conclusion, a higher plasma C‐peptide may indicate a subsequent risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese men. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prosurvival function of the granulin‐epithelin precursor is important in tumor progression and chemoresponse
Authors: Pizarro Gresin O. , Zhou Xun Clare , Koch Anthony , Gharib Mahmood , Raval Sejal , Bible Keith , Jones Monica B.
Published: February 2007

The granulin‐epithelin precursor (GEP/PCDGF), a 68–88 kDa secreted glycoprotein, has been shown to be an important growth and survival factor for ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, GEP expression is a predictor of patient survival in metastatic ovarian cancer cells. Up to this point, however, the molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of a GEP‐mediated prosurvival phenotype remain poorly characterized. We hypothesize that the prosurvival function of GEP is important in ovarian cancer tumor progression and chemoresponse. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the effects of GEP overexpression on migration, invasion and cisplatin (CDDP) chemosensitivity in the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Full length GEP transfectants demonstrated an increased capacity to migrate and invade their substratum when compared to empty vector controls. In addition, GEP overexpression was associated with CDDP chemoresistance. Finally, GEP overexpression increased tumor formation and protected cells from tumor regression in response to CDDP treatment in vivo. Taken together, these data support a role for GEP in tumor progression and development of drug resistance. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of glutathione conjugation in the hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity induced by 1‐bromopropane in female BALB/c mice
Authors: Lee Sang Kyu , Jeon Tae Won , Kim Yong Beom , Lee Eung Seok , Jeong Hye Gwang , Jeong Tae Cheon
Published: February 2007

1‐Bromopropane (1‐BP) is used as a cleaning agent or adhesive solvent in the workplace. In the present study, the hepatotoxic and immunotoxic effects of 1‐bromopropane and its conjugation with glutathione (GSH) were investigated in female BALB/c mice. The animals were treated orally with 200, 500 and 1000 mg kg−1 of 1‐BP in corn oil for a dose response study or treated orally with 1000 mg kg−1 of 1‐BP for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h for a time course study. The hepatic and splenic contents of GSH were significantly decreased by 1‐BP in a dose‐dependent manner. S‐propyl GSH was identified in livers following treatment with 1‐BP by liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. When the production of conjugates from 1‐BP was investigated in livers following oral treatment with 1000 mg kg−1 of 1‐BP for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, the GSH conjugates were detected maximally 6 h after treatment. Treatment of mice with 1‐BP increased the serum activity of alanine aminotransferase dose‐dependently. The oral 1‐BP treatment significantly suppressed the antibody response to a T‐dependent antigen and the production of splenic intracellular IL‐2 in response to Con A in a dose‐dependent manner. The present results suggested that 1‐BP could cause hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity as well as depletion of GSH content due to the formation of GSH conjugates with 1‐BP in female BALB/c mice. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sub‐acute study of metronidazole toxicity assessed in Egyptian Tilapia zillii
Authors: Khalil Wagdy K. B. , Mahmoud Mahmoud A. , Zahran Malak M. , Mahrous Karima F.
Published: February 2007

Metronidazole (MTZ), an antiparasitic and antibacterial compound, is one of the world's most widely used drugs. Despite being considered as a rodent mutagen and a carcinogen, it is still widely used in humans for the treatment of infections with anaerobic organisms. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to evaluate the in vivo toxicity of MTZ using the micronucleus (MN) assay and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD‐PCR) analysis as well as histopathological examination in Tilapia zillii. Moreover, the protective effect of vitamin C (VitC) against toxicity of MTZ was investigated in the present study. Fish were treated with three doses of MTZ (5, 10 and 20 mg l−1) alone or in combination with VitC (200 mg kg−1 food) at several time intervals (2 days, 7 days and 14 days). The results of the present study showed a significant effect of MTZ on micronucleus formation and changes in polymorphic band patterns as well as induction of different histopathological alterations in Tilapia zillii. The effects of the drug were reduced when fish were exposed to a combination of MTZ and VitC. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and strength at the bonding interface of a titanium‐segmented polyurethane composite through 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate for artificial organs
Authors: Sakamoto Harumi , Doi Hisashi , Kobayashi Equo , Yoneyama Takayuki , Suzuki Yoshiaki , Hanawa Takao
Published: February 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the structure and strength at the bonding interface of a titanium (Ti)‐segmented polyurethane (SPU) composite through (3‐trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ‐MPS) for artificial organs. The effects of the thickness of the γ‐MPS layer on the shear bonding strength between Ti and SPU were investigated. Ti disks were immersed in various concentrations of γ‐MPS solutions for several immersion times. The depth profiles of elements and the thickness of the γ‐MPS layer were determined by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and ellipsometry, respectively. The bonding stress at the Ti/γ‐MPS/SPU interface was evaluated with a shear bonding test. Furthermore, the fractured surface of a Ti‐SPU composite was observed by optical microscopy and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Consequently, the thickness of the γ‐MPS layer was controlled by the concentration of the γ‐MPS solution and immersion time. The shear bonding stress at the interface increased with the increase of the thickness of the γ‐MPS layer. Therefore, the control of the thickness of the γ‐MPS layer is significant to increase the shear bonding stress at the Ti/γ‐MPS/SPU interface. These results are significant to create composites for artificial organs consisting of other metals and polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Effects of oncostatin M on secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and reconstruction of liver‐like structure by fetal liver cells in monolayer and three‐dimensional cultures
Authors: Ehashi Tomo , Koyama Toshie , Ookawa Keiko , Ohshima Norio , Miyoshi Hirotoshi
Published: February 2007

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for the development and regeneration of the liver. However, there have been no reports about VEGF secretion by cultured fetal liver cells (FLCs). In the present study, the effects of oncostatin M (OSM), which strongly stimulates the growth and albumin secretion of FLCs, on VEGF secretion and morphological changes of long‐term cultured FLCs were investigated under three‐dimensional (3‐D) and monolayer conditions. The cultured FLCs proliferated well and showed stable secretion of VEGF for up to 1 month under both monolayer and 3‐D culture conditions. The addition of OSM to cultured cells strongly enhanced VEGF secretion. Compared with 3‐D cultures, VEGF secretion per cell was higher in monolayer cultures. After 1 month in culture, the FLCs in 3‐D cultures formed large aggregates like liver tissue, and FLCs also formed colonies and duct‐like structures after several months of culture even under monolayer conditions. In conclusion, OSM stimulated the secretion of VEGF by cultured FLCs, which seemed to contribute to the development of a liver‐like structure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
The influence of intrinsic coagulation pathway on blood platelets activation by oxidized cellulose
Authors: Křížová P. , Mášová L. , Suttnar J. , Salaj P. , Dyr J.E. , Homola J. , Pecka M.
Published: February 2007

Oxidized cellulose is an effective haemostat that works naturally to aid in blood coagulation. The mechanism of its action is not very well understood. Little effect on blood coagulation, but a pronounce decrease in platelet count has been reported upon the addition of the oxidized cellulose to the whole blood. As a marker of platelet activation and aggregation we used serotonin release reaction and turbidity changes in time. We found that oxidized cellulose did not activate washed platelets reconstituted in plasma‐free medium or plasma‐free medium with fibrinogen; no reduction of platelet count was observed. Serotonin release in platelet‐rich plasma incubated with oxidized cellulose started in the range from 5 to 10 min. Serotonin release from platelets reconstituted in plasma deficient in either coagulation factor V, VIII, IX, or XII was delayed. Blood platelets activation by oxidized cellulose requires calcium ions present in dispersion of oxidized cellulose. Factor XIII deficiency had no influence on blood platelets activation by oxidized cellulose. Our results clearly indicate the significance of intrinsic coagulation pathway activation on blood platelets activation by oxidized cellulose and so indirectly on the haemostyptic effect of oxidized cellulose. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
A physical vapor deposition method for controlled evaluation of biological response to biomaterial chemistry and topography
Authors: Hacking S.A. , Zuraw M. , Harvey E.J. , Tanzer M. , Krygier J.J. , Bobyn J.D.
Published: February 2007

The purpose of this study was to characterize a technique to effectively mask surface chemistry without modifying surface topography. A thin layer of titanium was deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) onto different biomaterial surfaces. Commercially pure titanium disks were equally divided into three groups. Disks were either polished to a mirror finish, grit blasted with alumina particles, or grit blasted and subsequently plasma sprayed with a commercial grade of hydroxyapatite (HA). A subgroup of each of these treatment types was further treated by masking the entire disk surface with a thin layer of commercially pure titanium deposited by PVD. A comparison of surface topography and chemical composition was carried out between disks within each treatment group. Canine marrow cells were seeded on all disk surfaces to determine the stability of the PVD Ti mask under culture conditions. The PVD process did not significantly alter the surface topography of any samples. The thin titanium layer completely masked the underlying chemistry of the plasma sprayed HA surface and the chemistry of the plasma vapor deposited titanium layer did not differ from that of the commercially pure titanium disks. Aliquots obtained from the media during culture did not indicate any significant differences in Ti concentration amongst the Ti and Ti‐masked surfaces. The PVD application of a Ti layer on HA coatings formed a stable, durable, and homogenous layer that effectively masked the underlying surface chemistry without altering the surface topography. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Bioactive surface for neural electrodes: Decreasing astrocyte proliferation via transforming growth factor‐β1
Authors: Klaver Christopher L. , Caplan Michael R.
Published: February 2007

Implantation of deep‐brain recording devices is a traumatic event, which inevitably elicits reactive gliosis. The ensuing glial scar encapsulating the implanted device impedes the long‐term functional recording capability of the microelectrode. In this work, a bioactive surface is prepared by conjugation of transforming growth factor‐beta one (TGF‐β1) and laminin to dextran, which is in turn conjugated to a biomaterial substrate. Poly‐L‐lysine coated surfaces are treated with oxidized dextran, and the dextran is re‐oxidized with sodium metaperiodate to generate hemiacetal structures to which TGF‐β1 and laminin are covalently bound. Covalent conjugation of the ligand is confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. A primary cell line of astrocytes is incubated on a surface conjugated with laminin and TGF‐β1 and a surface only conjugated with laminin. Proliferation on the laminin plus TGF‐β1 surface is 57% less (p < 0.002) than the control surface (laminin alone). The results demonstrate that conjugated TGF‐β1 retains its efficacy toward astrocyte proliferation and represents a potential strategy for reducing glial scar formation in vivo. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
A semiempirical free energy force field with charge‐based desolvation
Authors: Huey Ruth , Morris Garrett M. , Olson Arthur J. , Goodsell David S.
Published: February 2007

The authors describe the development and testing of a semiempirical free energy force field for use in AutoDock4 and similar grid‐based docking methods. The force field is based on a comprehensive thermodynamic model that allows incorporation of intramolecular energies into the predicted free energy of binding. It also incorporates a charge‐based method for evaluation of desolvation designed to use a typical set of atom types. The method has been calibrated on a set of 188 diverse protein–ligand complexes of known structure and binding energy, and tested on a set of 100 complexes of ligands with retroviral proteases. The force field shows improvement in redocking simulations over the previous AutoDock3 force field. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal pharyngeal teratoma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Daskalakis George , Efthimiou Theodoros , Pilalis Athanasios , Papadopoulos Dimitrios , Anastasakis Eleftherios , Fotinos George , Antsaklis, Aris
Published: February 2007

We present a case of a fetal pharyngeal teratoma, which was diagnosed at 21 weeks' gestation. At the time of examination, a mass of mixed echogenicity was detected that protruded through the mouth. During a second examination 3 weeks later, the tumor had increased in size, and a severe polyhydramnios had developed. Intrauterine death of the fetus was detected at 27 weeks' gestation. Labor was induced with misoprostol, and a 1,015‐g stillborn female neonate was delivered. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of a pharyngeal teratoma. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
Reproducibility of 3‐dimensional sonographic measurements of fetal and placental volume at gestational ages of 11–18 weeks
Authors: Deurloo Koen , Spreeuwenberg Marieke , Rekoert‐Hollander Marijke , van Vugt John
Published: February 2007

Purpose.

Determine the reproducibility of 3D ultrasound (3DUS) measurements of fetal and placental volumes.

Methods.

We included 34 pregnant women between gestational weeks (GW) 11–18. Two operators independently acquired fetal and placental volumes using 3DUS. Each volume was acquired twice and stored on disk for off‐line analysis. Intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility was expressed in the intra‐ and interclass correlation coefficient (intra‐CC and inter‐CC). In addition, the 3DUS volumes acquired by the first operator were calculated by the second and vice‐versa to evaluate the effect of volume acquisition and caliper placement. A value >0.75 was considered a good agreement.

Results.

Fetal and placental volume measurements were successful in 97% of all cases. Between GW 11–14 and 14–18 the median fetal volume was 20.8 (5.0–35.1) and 51.7 (37.9–132.8) ml, the median placental volume was 71.3 (40.9–111.9) and 120.7 (94.2– 273.7) ml. Bland‐Altman plots were used for statistical analysis. The intraobserver reproducibility was good for fetus (intra‐CC: 0.99; 0.99) and placenta (intra‐CC: 0.99; 0.98). Also, interobserver reproducibility was good for fetus (inter‐CC 0.98) and placenta (inter‐CC 0.98). In addition, regardless of the operator who acquired the volumes, the inter‐CC remained good for both fetus (inter‐CC: 0.99; 0.99) and placenta (inter‐CC: 0.97; 0.99).

Conclusion.

The reproducibility of fetal and placental volume measurements by 3DUS between GW 11–18 is good. In addition, individually chosen caliper placement and volume acquisition has no effect on the calculation of either volumes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
Hemodynamic changes in the cephalic vein of patients with hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Albayrak Ramazan , Yuksel Seref , Colbay Mehmet , Degirmenci Bumin , Acarturk Gursel , Haktanır Alpay , Karaman Ozcan
Published: February 2007

Purpose.

To assess via Doppler sonography the hemodynamic changes in the cephalic vein after creation of an arteriovenous fistula, and to compare radiocephalic and brachiocephalic fistulas.

Methods.

Thirty‐three hemodialysis patients and 54 controls were enrolled in the study. The cephalic vein was examined with a 7.5‐MHz linear‐array transducer. Doppler waveform parameters (resistance index, pulsatility index), time‐averaged maximum flow velocity (TAV), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), and the cross‐sectional area of the vessel (A) were measured. Cephalic vein flow volume (CVFV) was calculated as TAV × A.

Results.

CVFV, PSV, EDV, A, RI, and PI were 45.5, 7.2, 6.7, 7.7, 1.2, and 1.32 times higher, respectively, in the cephalic vein of hemodialysis patients compared with controls. Both CVFV and A were higher in brachiocephalic patients compared with radiocephalic patients (1,983 ± 1,199 versus 870 ± 322 ml/min [p < 0.05] and 50.3 ± 38.9 versus 21.0 ± 7.8 mm2 [p < 0.05], respectively).

Conclusion.

The increase in cross‐sectional area and flow volume of the cephalic vein is larger in patients with brachiocephalic fistulas than in those with radiocephalic fistulas; however, flow velocities and waveform parameters are not different. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
Pediatric hospitalist comanagement of spinal fusion surgery patients
Authors: Simon Tamara D. , Eilert Robert , Dickinson L. Miriam , Kempe Allison , Benefield Elise , Berman Stephen
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND:

There are no published studies of hospitalist comanagement of pediatric surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) To describe comanagement activities; (2) to determine the association of hospitalist comanagement with length of stay (LOS) following spinal fusion surgery

DESIGN:

Retrospective analysis of the surgeons' log.

SETTING:

Tertiary‐care pediatric hospital.

PATIENTS:

Patients who underwent initial spinal fusion surgery (n = 759) between July 2000 and October 2005.

INTERVENTION:

Hospitalist pre‐ and perioperative evaluation and management of medically complex patients (from December 2004 to October 2005).

MEASUREMENTS:

Log‐transformed LOS and trend in LOS by piecewise regression were measured, adjusting for patient covariates and clustering by surgeon.

RESULTS:

After December 2004, 12% of all spinal fusion surgery patients (14 of 115) were comanaged by a hospitalist. Nine‐three percent (13 of 14) of comanaged patients had neuromuscular scoliosis, and comanaged patients represented 37% (13 of 35) of all neuromuscular patients. Mean LOS for all spinal fusion surgeries decreased from 6.5 days (95% CI: 6.2–6.7) to 4.8 days (95% CI: 4.5–5.1) after December 2004. Mean LOS decreased more for neuromuscular patients (8.6 days [95% CI: 8.0– 9.2] to 6.2 days [95% CI: 5.5–6.9]) than for idiopathic patients (5.2 days [95% CI: 5.0–5.4] to 4.1 days [95% CI: 3.9–4.4]). Variability in LOS also decreased significantly for both groups. Prior to hospitalist comanagement, there was no change in adjusted LOS over time. After December 2004, there was a significant decline in average adjusted LOS (neuromuscular slope = −0.23 to −0.31 days/month, P = .0075; idiopathic slope = −0.10 to −0.12 days/month; P = .0007).

CONCLUSIONS:

The introduction of selective hospitalist comanagement of pediatric spinal fusion surgery patients was associated with significant decreases in LOS and variability in LOS. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:23–30. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Macrophage depletion alters the blood–nerve barrier without affecting Schwann cell function after neural injury
Authors: Gray Michael , Palispis Winnie , Popovich Phillip G. , van Rooijen Nico , Gupta Ranjan
Published: February 2007

Previous work has shown that, during the early phases of chronic nerve compression (CNC) injury, axonal pathology is absent while Schwann cells undergo a dramatic process of cellular turnover with marked proliferation. It is known that macrophages may release Schwann cell mitogens, so we sought to explore the role of macrophages in CNC injury by selectively depleting the population of hematogenously derived macrophages in nerves undergoing CNC injury by injecting clodronate liposomes at days 1, 3, and 6 postinjury and evaluating both the integrity of the blood–nerve barrier (BNB) and Schwann cell function. Integrity of the BNB was evaluated by intravenously injecting Evans blue albumin (EBA), and Schwann cell number was determined via stereologic techniques. The BNB was clearly altered by 2 weeks postinjury and continued to disintegrate at later time points. Macrophage depletion attenuated this response at all observed time points. Quantification of Schwann cell nuclei in CNC nerves showed no differences between compressed sections of macrophage‐depleted and nondepleted animals. Although macrophages are largely responsible for the increased vascular permeability associated with CNC injury, it is likely that the Schwann cell response to CNC injury is not influenced by macrophage‐derived mitogenic signals but rather must be mediated via alternative mechanisms. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study of fluted moraines in the Torridon area, NW Scotland
Authors: Hodgson D. M.
Published: February 2007

A study of certain small‐scale fluted moraines, all less than 4m high but up to 400m long, in the Torridon area has shown that they are subglacial features composed of a clast‐rich till, and formed in the Loch Lomond Stadial beneath ice with a maximum depth of 100‐200m. The evidence from lithological analysis of till samples from the fluted moraines suggests that they were formed by subglacial deformation of a pre‐existing till with little in the way of net down‐glacier movement of the material.
Simultaneous headspace solid phase microextraction analysis of off‐flavour compounds from Quercus suber L. cork
Authors: Neto Paula Vieira , Rocha Silvia M , Silvestre Armando JD
Published: February 2007

A headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/(ion trap) mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME/GC/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of volatile compounds responsible for off‐flavours in cork‐stoppered wines, namely 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol (3MB), 1‐octen‐3‐ol (OCT3), 1‐octanol (1OCT), guaiacol (GUA), 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB), 2,4,6‐trichloroanisole (TCA) and geosmine (GEO). Extraction temperature, global linearity and linearity, reproducibility and repeatability of each chemical were optimised and interference effects were studied. The optimisation studies showed that an extraction temperature of 30 °C gave the best reproducibility and linearity. The global chromatographic areas were linearly correlated (R2 = 0.9788) with the global matrix concentration between 41.5 and 275.2 mg L−1. The reproducibility and linearity of the studied HS‐SPME methodology indicated coefficients of variation between 3.2 and 8.8% and linear responses to all compounds, with regression coefficients (R2) between 0.9516 and 0.9886. Finally, it has been observed that variation of the concentration of 1OCT causes significant variation in the chromatographic areas of the other compounds, with the exception of OCT3. Therefore, if 1OCT is detected at a level that potentially causes interferences in quantification of the other components, new calibration curves must be prepared incorporating an appropriate background concentration of this component. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of plasma spray technology for deposition of high temperature oxidation/corrosion resistant coatings – a review
Authors: Singh H. , Sidhu B. S. , Puri D. , Prakash S.
Published: February 2007

High temperature oxidation is one of the main failure modes of the hot‐section components in gas turbines, boilers, waste incinerations, diesel engines, coal gasification plants, chemical plants and other energy generation systems. In such applications the use of Fe‐, Ni‐ and Co‐based alloys, especially of superalloys is well known. The superior mechanical strength and good corrosion resistance of the superalloys at high temperature make them favorites for such applications. However, the presence of combustion gases constitutes an extreme environment and hot corrosion is inevitable when superalloys are used at high temperatures for long durations of time. Therefore these alloys need to be protected against this type of oxidation. Several countermeasures have been suggested in the literature to combat the same. One such countermeasure against hot corrosion and oxidation constitutes the deposition of protective coatings on these alloys. Among the various techniques used for deposition of coatings, plasma spraying is a versatile technology that has been successful as a reliable cost‐effective solution for many industrial problems. It allows the spraying of a wide range of high performance materials from superalloys and refractory intermetallic compounds to ceramics with continuously increasing commercial applications. Furthermore it does not cause deterioration of the substrate alloys, and relatively thick coatings can be formed with high deposition rates. In this paper the technique of plasma spraying has been detailed and the role of plasma sprayed coatings to arrest high temperature oxidation has been discussed with the help of a comprehensive literature survey. The main focus of this investigation is the studies related to plasma sprayed NiCrAlY, Ni‐Cr, Nickel aluminide and Co‐based coatings.
Effects of loudness cues on respiration in individuals with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sadagopan Neeraja , Huber Jessica E.
Published: February 2007

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrate low vocal intensity (hypophonia) which results in reduced speech intelligibility. We examined the effects of three cues to increase loudness on respiratory support in individuals with PD. Kinematic data from the rib cage and abdomen were collected using respiratory plethysmography while participants read a short passage. Individuals with PD and normal age‐ and sex‐matched controls (OC) increased sound pressure level (SPL) to a similar extent. As compared to OC, individuals with PD used larger rib cage volume excursions in all conditions. Further, they did not slow their rate of speech in noise as OC speakers did. Respiratory strategies used to support increased loudness varied with the cue, but the two groups did not differ in the strategies used. When asked to target a specific loudness, both groups used more abdominal effort than at comfortable loudness. Speaking in background noise resulted in the largest increase in SPL with the most efficient respiratory patterns, suggesting that natural or implicit cues may be best when treating hypophonia in individuals with PD. Data demonstrate the possibility that both vocal loudness and speech rate are impacted by cognitive mechanisms (attention or self‐perception) in individuals with PD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Case of a palatal tic resembling palatal tremor in a patient with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Schwingenschuh Petra , Wenzel Karoline , Katschnig Petra , Saurugg Ronald , Ott Erwin
Published: February 2007

We describe a case of a palatal tic resembling palatal tremor (PT) in a young female patient with a previously unrecognized mild Tourette syndrome. At the time of her visit, the patient complained about ear clicks that were audible to others. We discuss the differential diagnoses of hyperkinetic palatal movements emphasizing the ongoing discussion about essential PT representing a more heterogeneous disorder than previously thought. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptor β1 and estrogenic responses in human breast and bone cancer cell lines
Authors: Chrzan Brian G. , Bradford Peter G.
Published: February 2007

Plant‐derived phytoestrogens and estrogens in hormone replacement therapies have overlapping yet sometimes divergent effects on the incidence of breast cancer and osteoporosis. Using human MCF‐7 breast carcinoma and G‐292 osteosarcoma cell lines, it was investigated whether the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein affect reporter gene transcription via the estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα and ERβ1 as well as whether they affect the expression of estrogen‐responsive genes in MCF‐7 cells and the secretion of the cytokine IL‐6 from G‐292 cells. The results showed that genistein and daidzein potently trigger transactivation with ERβ1 from estrogen response element‐reporter genes (EC50s of 1.7–16 nM) although they were 400‐ to 600‐fold less potent than 17β‐estradiol (E2) (EC50 of 0.02–0.04 nM). E2 was the only potent activator of ERα (EC50 of 0.1–0.4 nM). The rank order potency (E2 > genistein > daidzein) is maintained in MCF‐7 cells as well as G‐292 cells with both receptor subtypes, with a strong receptor selectivity of the phytoestrogens for ERβ1 over ERα. Genistein and daidzein increased the expression of estrogen‐responsive genes in MCF‐7 cells. Daidzein, like E2, inhibited IL‐1β‐ and hormone‐mediated IL‐6 secretion from G‐292 cells. The results provide a basis for understanding how dietary phytoestrogens protect bone without increasing the risks for breast cancer.
New Method for Fabricating Aromatic Polyamide Particles with a Narrow Particle Size Distribution
Authors: Yoshioka Yayoi , Asao Katsuya , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Tachi Hideki
Published: February 2007

Three types of aromatic polyamide particles have been prepared from reacting diamines and diacid chlorides in an acetone or dioxane solution that includes water, using the precipitation polymerization method employing ultrasonic irradiation. The particle diameters were in the range from 300 nm to 1.2 µm with a narrow size distribution. The surface morphology and crystallinity differed greatly among the particles. They began to degrade at temperatures above 400 °C. Also the morphology depended on the ultrasonic frequency. The addition of water was essential to form particles using this polymerization method. Further it was useful to increase the molecular weights of polyamide products.

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Interaction of filling related sensation between anorectum and lower urinary tract and its impact on the sequence of their evacuation. A study in healthy volunteers
Authors: De Wachter Stefan , de Jong Andy , Van Dyck Johan , Wyndaele Jean Jacques
Published: February 2007

Aims

The anorectum and lower urinary tract (LUT) are closely related organs: anorectal and LUT dysfunction often occur concomitant, and therapeutic actions in one organ may influence function of the other. The aim of this study was to explore the physiologic relationship between anorectal and LUT function in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Two groups of healthy volunteers were studied. Anorectal and LUT sensory function was evaluated in ten volunteers during rectal balloon and bladder filling. The second group of 100 volunteers reported on defecation and micturition during five toilet visits. They graded perception on rectal and bladder fullness on a visual analogue scale and marked which organ evacuation started first.

Results

The volumes at which the different sensations of rectal filling during balloon distension were perceived was significantly higher with full bladder than with empty bladder (P < 0.04). Five hundred toilet visits were described. Although mean perception grade of rectal fullness was significantly higher than for bladder fullness (P < 0.0001), defecation started only in 36% of the reported visits before micturition. Only when the rectum was considered completely full, or the bladder completely empty, defecation occurred more frequently before micturition. In all other cases, micturition more frequently occurred before defecation.

Conclusions

When the bladder is full, sensation of rectal filling is decreased. When healthy people visit the toilet to defecate, the initiation of micturition often precedes that of defecation, even if both organs are considered equally full. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:481–485, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
When a parent has cancer: a community based program for school personnel
Authors: Fasciano Karen M. , Berman Harriet , Moore Cynthia , DeFrino Beth , Jameson Rachel , Kennedy Vicki , Golant Mitch
Published: February 2007

Little information has been published on interventions designed to help school personnel respond to challenges faced by a family dealing with parental cancer. The current study describes the development and piloting of a program that educated school professionals about cancer's impact on families, and effective ways of supporting families facing parental cancer. The program was implemented at four sites; 244 participants completed self‐report questionnaires before and after the program assessing knowledge and anxiety about helping families. t‐tests indicated that after the program, participants rated themselves as significantly more knowledgeable and confident about helping families with parental cancer. These differences represented large effect sizes. Post hoc comparisons revealed that initial knowledge and knowledge change varied by profession, having had personal experience with cancer, and having worked with several families facing cancer. Participants reported learning about how to reach out and listen to families' needs. These results are extremely encouraging; plans for further program refinements and evaluation are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positive and negative consequences with regard to cancer during adolescence. Experiences two years after diagnosis
Authors: Mattsson E , Ringnér A , Ljungman G , von Essen L
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to explore negative and positive consequences of cancer during adolescence experienced two years after diagnosis.

METHODS: Two years after diagnosis 38 persons, 15–21 years old, were asked two questions over the telephone: What, if anything, is bad for you due to the cancer disease? and What, if anything, is good for you due to the cancer disease? The answers were analysed by content analysis.

RESULTS: Four categories of negative experiences were identified: a problematic body; unpleasant thoughts and feelings; outside the circle of friends; and difficulties with schoolwork. Six categories of positive experiences were identified: a more positive view of life; good self‐esteem; knowledge and experience with regard to disease and hospital care; good relations; broader perspectives; and material gains.

CONCLUSIONS: Two years after diagnosis those struck by cancer during adolescence experience not only a number of negative, but also positive, consequences of the cancer disease and its treatment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zero‐resistance states induced by bichromatic microwaves
Authors: Kunold Alejandro , Torres Manuel
Published: February 2007

We have studied the bichromatic photoresistance states of a two dimensional electron gas in the regime of microwave induced resistance oscillations. Zudov and coworkers found clear experimental evidence of zero‐resistance states by measuring the bichromatic resistance in a bidimensional gas of electrons. They found that the bichromatic resistance closely replicates the superposition of the two monochromatic components provided that both contributions are positive. However, the superposition principle is no longer valid if one of the two contributions give rise to a zero‐resistance state. The experiments by Zudov and coworkers confirm that negative resistance states are rapidly driven into zero‐resistance states by an instability. In this work we present a model for the bichromatic‐photoconductivity of a two dimensional electron system subjected to a uniform magnetic field. Our model includes both components of the microwave radiation, a uniform magnetic field and impurity scattering effects. The conductivity is calculated from a Kubo‐like formula. Our calculations reproduce the main features of Zudov's experimental results. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Doping‐dependence of subband energies in quantized electron accumulation at InN surfaces
Authors: Veal T. D. , Piper L. F. J. , Phillips M. R. , Zareie M. H. , Lu Hai , Schaff W. J. , McConville C. F.
Published: February 2007

Electron tunnelling spectroscopy is used to investigate the quantized electron accumulation at the surfaces of wurtzite InN with different doping levels. The tunnelling spectra of InN‐oxide‐tip junctions recorded in air at room temperature exhibit a ∼0.6 V plateau, corresponding to the band gap of InN, and a gap between onsets of 1.3 V, consistent with the separation between the valence band maximum and the pinned Fermi level at the oxidized InN surface. Also observed within the tunnelling spectra are additional features between the conduction band minimum and the pinned Fermi level. These features are attributed to surface‐bound quantized states associated with the potential well formed by the downward band bending at the InN‐oxide interface. Their energetic positions are dependent upon the doping level of the InN films and coincide with calculated subband energies. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modelling of real space transfer optical emitters
Authors: Hepburn C. J. , Zakhleniuk N. A. , Adams M. J. , Balkan N.
Published: February 2007

In this paper we report on numerical modelling and optimisation of a novel heterojunction optical light emitter based on longitudinal transport of the electrons and holes. The real‐space‐transfer of the carriers into the quantum well takes place due to variation of the reverse and forward biased regions with applied longitudinal bias. We show that by altering individual features of the device we can achieve an increase in optical power of nearly 430 times that of the original device. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An enhanced model for the modulated reflectance spectra of vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser structures
Authors: Cripps S. A. , Hosea T. J. C.
Published: February 2007

Modulation spectroscopy has proved to be unique in being able to probe the vital active‐layer quantum well (QW) transitions in vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers (VCSELs). We have been characterising an all‐AlGaAs‐based VCSEL structure designed to operate at high temperatures, using photo‐modulated reflectance (PR) as a function of temperature up to 180 °C. We previously developed an empirical model to fit VCSEL PR spectra when the features from the QW transitions and the Fabry–Perot cavity mode (CM) overlap and interact, and this fitting function has, so far, proved to be very successful. However, the present VCSEL has a particularly high finesse cavity and our established model is unable to fit the unusually detailed interacting CM/QW PR spectra. Here, we perform new reflectivity calculations for this VCSEL structure. These provide new insight into the Seraphin coefficients of the CM, and their inter‐relationship, when they lie near the QW transitions. This deepens our understanding of VCSEL PR lineshapes, yielding an enhanced model which we successfully fit to the temperature‐dependent PR spectra of the present VCSEL. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the deepness of contactless electroreflectance probing in semiconductor structures
Authors: Motyka M. , Kudrawiec R. , Misiewicz J.
Published: February 2007

The deepness of contactless electroreflectance (CER) probing (dCER) is investigated in this work. CER spectra have been measured for various semiconductor structures and compared with photoreflectance (PR) spectra. It has been shown that most of CER signal origins from the sample region which is very close to the sample surface. It has been found that the dCER is much smaller that the penetration depth of the probing beam (dλ ∼ 0.5–1 μm), dCER ! dλ. In addition, for samples containing a sheet of carriers (a two dimensional electron gas at an interface or a delta‐doped monolayer) the dCER is reduced to the distance from the sample surface to the carrier sheet (e.g. 20 nm). This phenomenon can be called as screening of electromodulation in CER technique. No screening of electromodulation mechanism is observed in PR technique. In addition, the deepness of PR probing (dPR) is much bigger than the dCER. It means that deeper parts of semiconductor structures (e.g. the buffer layer) can be probed in PR whereas these parts are usually not probed in CER. A different electromodulation mechanism in PR and CER techniques is the origin of various probing deepness for these two techniques. In the case of CER technique, the surface electric field is mainly modulated whereas both surface and interface electric fields can be effectively modulated in the PR technique. In the case of PR technique, the electron–hole pairs can be generated far to the sample surface and hence these carriers can modulate band bending at interfaces which are far to the sample surface, e.g. at the epilayer/buffer interface. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mountain‐gap winds; a study of surface wind at Gibraltar
Authors: Scorer R. S.
Published: February 2007

The surface wind in the Straits of Gibraltar is determined by the interplay of its inclination to blow towards the end where surface pressure is lowest when the air is stable and its tendency to follow the upper wind if convection is active. The importance of cold pools of air lying below mountain‐top level is discussed and various kinds of wind reversal are described.