bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioremediation of Malachite Green from Contaminated Water by Three Microalgae: Neural Network Modeling
Authors: Khataee Ali R. , Zarei Mahmoud , Pourhassan Minoo
Published: January 2010

Biological decolorization of the triphenylmethane dye, Malachite Green (MG), by three microalgae, Chlorella, Cosmarium and Euglena species was investigated. Results indicated that the decolorization was dependent on reaction time, initial dye concentration, algal concentration, pH and temperature. The reusability and efficiency of the algae in long term repetitive operations were also examined. Since all of the algae had reasonable reusability in repetitive decolorization operations, the process seems to be biodegradation. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict the biological decolorization of MG solution. The findings indicated that the ANN provided reasonable predictive performance (R2 = 0.98). The influence of each parameter on the variable studied was assessed, and reaction time and initial pH were found to be the most significant factors, followed by temperature, initial dye concentration and amount of algae. Simulations based on the developed ANN model can estimate the behavior of the biological decolorization process under different conditions.
Molecular Modeling Studies on the Human Neuropeptide S Receptor and Its Antagonists
Authors: Dal Ben Diego , Antonini Ippolito , Buccioni Michela , Lambertucci Catia , Marucci Gabriella , Vittori Sauro , Volpini Rosaria , Cristalli Gloria
Published: January 2010

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20‐residue peptide of great interest due to its potential involvement in several biological processes such as arousal, anxiety, and food intake. The NPS receptor belongs to the rhodopsin‐like G‐protein‐coupled receptor superfamily, and several polymorphisms and isoforms of this receptor are associated with asthma, allergies, and bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, in particular the Asn 107 Ile mutation. Limited structural information is available for this peptide–receptor system, particularly regarding the NPS receptor structure, its nonpeptide ligands, and the molecular aspects of agonist and antagonist binding processes. In this work, rhodopsin‐based homology models of the NPS receptor and its Asn 107 Ile variant were built and refined in a membrane bilayer model, and binding modes for nonpeptide antagonists were simulated. This study provides the first structural study of the human NPS receptor, and the results provide a starting point for further characterization of the binding modes of its antagonists, and for the rational design of new NPS receptor ligands.
Growth of single‐grain GdBa2Cu3O7‐x superconductors by top seeded infiltration and growth technique
Authors: Li Guo‐Zheng , Yang Wan‐Min , Tang Yao‐Long , Ma Jun
Published: January 2010

The top seeded infiltration and growth technique (TSIG) is an effective way for the preparation of bulk REBa2Cu3O7‐x (RE‐123, where RE denotes rare earth) with finely dispersed RE2BaCuO5 (RE‐211) particles compared to the conventional melt growth (MG) method. The nucleation temperature and the ending growth temperature are the most important parameters need to be optimized during the preparation of RE‐123 bulks by the TSIG process. In this paper, the effects of these parameters on the growth of single‐grain GdBa2Cu3O7‐x (GdBCO) superconductors have been investigated experimentally. It is found that the temperature for the growth of single‐grain GdBCO is in the region between 1040 °C and 1015 °C. In addition, the relation between growth rate and supercooling has been investigated in detail. The combined techniques of SEM and EDS were used to study the microstructure of the samples grown at different temperatures. Based on this, a two‐step slow cooling method during the crystallization process is proposed for the fabrication of RE‐123 bulks. Finally, the single‐grain GdBCO samples of the diameters 20 mm and 30 mm were fabricated successfully by the TSIG technique, with the slow‐cooling process in the temperature window 1030 °C–1020 °C for 60 h and 100 h respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical imaging of the growth kinetics and polar morphology of zinc tris(thiourea) sulphate single crystals
Authors: Dinakaran S. , Verma S. , Das S. Jerome , Kar S. , Bartwal K. S.
Published: January 2010

Growth kinetics of zinc tris(thiourea) sulphate (ZTS) single crystals was imaged in two different growth geometries using laser shadowgraphy technique. Growth rates of the {010} and {001} faces were computed as a function of supersaturation. The time evolution of polar morphology of ZTS crystal based on the growth rates is presented. Except (00$ \bar 1 $) face, all the other three faces are found to have a dead zone resulting in large induction period of growth. The anisotropy in the growth rates of the (001) and (00$ \bar 1 $) faces was very high, resulting in polar morphology. Different chemical environments on two sides of the (001) slice are suggested as the possible cause for the polar morphology of the crystals. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanocrystalline transparent SnO2‐ZnO films fabricated at lower substrate temperature using a low‐cost and simplified spray technique
Authors: Ravichandran K. , Sakthivel B. , Philominathan P.
Published: January 2010

Nanocrystalline and transparent conducting SnO2‐ ZnO films were fabricated by employing an inexpensive, simplified spray technique using a perfume atomizer at relatively low substrate temperature (360±5 °C) compared with conventional spray method. The structural studies reveal that the SnO2‐ZnO films are polycrystalline in nature with preferential orientation along the (101) plane. The dislocation density is very low (1.48×1015lines/m2), indicating the good crystallinity of the films. The crystallite size of the films was found to be in the range of 26–34 nm. The optical transmittance in the visible range and the optical band gap are 85% and 3.6 eV respectively. The sheet resistance increases from 8.74 kΩ/□ to 32.4 kΩ/□ as the zinc concentration increases from 0 to 40 at.%. The films were found to have desirable figure of merit (1.63×10–2 (Ω/□)–1), low temperature coefficient of resistance (–1.191/K) and good thermal stability. This simplified spray technique may be considered as a promising alternative to conventional spray for the massive production of economic SnO2 ‐ ZnO films for solar cells, sensors and opto‐electronic applications. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An energy‐efficient scheme in next‐generation sensor networks
Authors: Xiong Naixue , Cao Ming , Vasilakos Athanasios V. , Yang Laurence T. , Yang Fan
Published: January 2010

A next‐generation network (NGN) is an advanced network that exploits multiple broadband and QoS‐enabled transport technologies to provide telecommunication services. The principles and requirements of convergence of wireless sensor networks are likely to deliver all the desired benefits of NGN and should be carefully studied.

In this paper, we focus on the power consumption topic, which is a fundamental concern in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). Node placement in WMSNs has considerable impact on network lifetime. In this paper, we have investigated and developed a power‐efficient node placement scheme (PENPS) in linear WMSNs, which can minimize the average energy consumption per node and maximize the network lifetime. The analysis of PENPS and the comparison of performance with the equal‐spaced placement scheme (EPS) show that PENPS scheme can significantly decrease the average energy consumption per node, which can prolong the lifetime of sensor nodes and sensor networks effectively. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering Solid‐State Molecular Switches: N‐Salicylidene N‐Heterocycle Derivatives (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 4/2010)
Authors: Robert François , Naik Anil D. , Hidara Florence , Tinant Bernard , Robiette Raphaël , Wouters Johan , Garcia Yann
Published: January 2010

The cover picture shows a panel of functional N‐salicylidene derivatives that can be rationally designed and assembled by crystal engineering. The amplitude of their thermochromism and/or photochromism can be finely tuned as shown by the central needle. This study is supported by a multidisciplinary approach (syntheses, physical and structural studies, calculations). Details are discussed in the article by Y. Garcia et al. on p. 621 ff.
Stability constants determination of successive metal complexes by hyphenated CE‐ICPMS
Authors: Petit Jeremy , Aupiais Jean , Topin Sylvain , Geertsen Valérie , Beaucaire Catherine , Stambouli Moncef
Published: January 2010

The study of radionuclides speciation requires accurate evaluation of stability constants, which can be achieved by CE‐ICPMS. We have previously described a method for 1:1 metal complexes stability constants determination. In this paper, we present its extension to the case of successive complexations and its application to uranyl‐oxalate and lanthanum‐oxalate systems. Several significant steps are discussed: analytical conditions choice, mathematical treatment by non‐linear regression, ligand concentration and ionic strength corrections. The following values were obtained: at infinite dilution, log(β1°(UO2Oxa))=6.93±0.05, log(β2°(UO2(Oxa)22−))=11.92±0.43 and log(β3°(UO2(Oxa)34−))=15.11±0.12; log(β1°(LaOxa+))=5.90±0.07, log(β2°(La(Oxa)2−))=9.18±0.19 and log(β3°(La(Oxa)33−))=9.81±0.33. These values are in good agreement with the literature data, even though we suggest the existence of a new lanthanum‐oxalate complex: La(Oxa)33−. This study confirms the suitability of CE‐ICPMS for complexation studies.
Time domain identification of hybrid base isolation systems using free vibration tests
Authors: Oliveto Nicholas D. , Scalia Giovanni , Oliveto Giuseppe
Published: January 2010

A procedure for the dynamic identification of the physical parameters of coupled base isolation systems is developed in the time domain. The isolation systems considered include high damping rubber bearings (HDRB) and low friction sliding bearings (LFSB). A bi‐linear hysteretic model is used alone or in parallel with a viscous damper to describe the behavior of the HDRB system, while a constant Coulomb friction device is used to model the LFSB system. After deriving the analytical dynamical solution for the coupled system under an imposed initial displacement, this is used in combination with the least‐squares method and an iterative procedure to identify the physical parameters of a given base isolation system belonging to the class described by the models considered. Performance and limitations of the proposed procedure are highlighted by numerical applications. The procedure is then applied to a real base isolation system using data from static and dynamic tests performed on a building at Solarino. The results of the proposed identification procedure have been compared to available laboratory data and the agreement is within ±10%. However, the need for improvement both in models and testing procedures also emerges from the numerical applications and results obtained. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climatic influence on the inter‐annual variability of late‐Holocene minerogenic sediment supply in a boreal forest catchment
Authors: Petterson Gunilla , Renberg Ingemar , Sjöstedt‐de Luna Sara , Arnqvist Per , Anderson N. John
Published: January 2010

Processes controlling sediment yield vary over a range of timescales, although most process‐based observations are extremely short. Lake sediments, however, can be used to extend the observational timescale and are particularly useful when annually laminated (varved) sediment is present. The sediment record at Kassjön (N. Sweden) consists of ∼6400 varves, each 0·5–1 mm thick. Image analysis was used to determine grey‐scale variation and varve thickness from which annual minerogenic accumulation rate (MinAR) (mg cm−2 year−1) was inferred for the period 4486 BC – AD 1900. MinAR varies on annual to centennial scales and mainly reflects channel bank erosion by the inflow streams. The mineral input reflects the intensity of the spring run‐off, which is dependent on the amount of snow accumulated during the winter, and hence MinAR is a long‐term record of variability in past winter climate; other factors will be a variable response to catchment uplift, vegetation succession and pedogenesis. A major shift from low to high MinAR occurred ∼250 BC, and peaks occurred around AD 250, 600, 1000, 1350 and 1650. Wavelet power spectrum analysis (confirmed by Fourier analyses) indicated significantly different periodicities throughout the period 4000 BC – AD 1700, including 275 years for the period 4000 BC – 2900 BC, 567 years for the period 2901 BC – 1201 BC, and 350 and 725 years for the period 1200 BC – AD 1700. The long‐term, centennial scale variability (∼350 years) may reflect solar forcing (cf the 385‐year peak in tree‐ring calibrated 14C activity) but interestingly, there is no obvious link to high frequency forcing, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation. The high resolution component of the record highlights the relevance of varved lake sediment records for understanding erosion dynamics in undisturbed forested catchments and their link to long‐term climate dynamics and future climate change. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intensification of maternal care by double‐mothering boosts cognitive function and hippocampal morphology in the adult offspring
Authors: D'Amato Francesca R. , Zanettini Claudio , Sgobio Carmelo , Sarli Celeste , Carone Valentina , Moles Anna , Ammassari‐Teule Martine
Published: January 2010

Mice born from high care‐giving females show, as adults, low anxiety levels, decreased responsiveness to stress, and substantial improvements in cognitive function and hippocampal plasticity. Given the relevance of this issue for preventing emotional and cognitive abnormalities in high‐risk subjects, this study examines the possibility to further enhance the beneficial effects observed in the progeny by augmenting maternal care beyond the highest levels females can display in standard laboratory conditions. This was produced by placing a second female with the dam and its litter in the rearing cage from the partum until pups weaning. Maternal behavior of all females was scored during the first week postpartum, and behavioral indices of emotionality, prestress and poststress corticosterone levels, cognitive performance, and hippocampal morphology were assessed in the adult offspring. We found that pups reared by female dyads received more maternal care than pups reared by dams alone, but as adults, they did not exhibit alterations in emotionality or corticosterone response estimated in basal condition or following restraint stress. Conversely, they showed enhanced performance in hippocampal‐dependent tasks including long‐term object discrimination, reactivity to spatial change, and fear conditioning together with an increase in dendritic length and spine density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In general, the beneficial effects of dyadic maternal care were stronger when both the females were lactating. This study demonstrates that double‐mothering exerts a long‐term positive control on cognitive function and hippocampal neuronal connectivity. This experimental manipulation, especially if associated with increased feeding, might offer a concrete possibility to limit or reverse the consequences of negative predisposing conditions for normal cognitive development. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interfering with perirhinal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression impairs recognition memory in rats
Authors: Seoane Ana , Tinsley Chris J. , Brown Malcolm W.
Published: January 2010

The role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in recognition memory was investigated by locally infusing oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) into perirhinal cortex, a region of the temporal lobe essential for familiarity discrimination. Antisense but not sense BDNF ODN impaired consolidation of long‐term (24h) but not shorter‐term (20min) recognition memory. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intrinsic interhemispheric hippocampal functional connectivity predicts individual differences in memory performance ability
Authors: Wang Liang , Negreira Alyson , LaViolette Peter , Bakkour Akram , Sperling Reisa A. , Dickerson Bradford C.
Published: January 2010

When given challenging episodic memory tasks, young adults demonstrate notable individual differences in performance. Recent evidence suggests that individual differences in human behavior may be related to the strength of functional connectivity of large‐scale functional networks as measured by spontaneous fluctuations in regional brain activity during quiet wakefulness (the “resting state”), in the absence of task performance. In this study, we sought to determine whether individual differences in memory performance could be predicted by the interhemispheric functional connectivity of the two hippocampi, hypothesized to reflect the intrinsic connectivity within the large‐scale medial temporal lobe memory system. Results demonstrated that interhemispheric hippocampal functional connectivity during quiet wakefulness was predictive of the capacity to freely recall recently learned information (r = 0.47, P < 0.05). In contrast, functional connectivity of bilateral motor cortices had no relationship to free recall, supporting the specificity of the hippocampal data. Thus, individual differences in the capacity to perform episodic memory tasks, which may be persistent behavioral traits or transient states, may be at least partly subserved by individual differences in the functional connectivity of large‐scale functional‐anatomic memory networks. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The plastic human
Authors: Gluckman Peter D. , Hanson Mark A.
Published: January 2010

Developmental plasticity is the process by which environmental cues in early life influence the nature of the phenotype. The near‐universal capacity for plasticity evolved because it allows the organism to maintain or enhance its fitness, either at the time of the challenge (by allowing survival) or later in life. Importantly, developmental plasticity operates over the normative range of environmental experiences. Studies of the long‐term consequences of different developmental environments for human health and disease have shown that growth restriction (altered birth size) is not a prerequisite for altered disease risk and that there is a graded effect across the whole range of fetal milieu. Thus, the emerging consensus is that ‘fetal programming’ reflects the maladaptive consequences of developmental plasticity, arising from discordance between the triggering and later environments. Such discordance is increasingly likely, both because of demographic shifts and because of the rapid change in the nutritional and social environments experienced after weaning. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Building blocks of fetal cognition: emotion and language
Authors: Huotilainen Minna
Published: January 2010

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) can be effectively used to record fetal and neonatal cognitive abilities/functions by recording completely non‐invasively the magnetic fields produced by the active neurons in the brain. During the last trimester and the first months of life, the cognitive capabilities related to emotion recognition and language acquisition develop rapidly. Latest research shows that already the newborn has advanced abilities related to processing emotional information and speech sounds. These abilities form the basis of the child's development towards mastering social tasks and native language. The possibilities of using fetal or neonatal MEG in studying these important abilities is discussed, especially in relation to face detection and orientation to faces, as well as those required for making sense of complex, natural auditory environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood pressure, body size and prostate cancer risk in the Swedish Construction Workers cohort
Authors: Stocks Tanja , Hergens Maria‐Pia , Englund Anders , Ye Weimin , Stattin Pär
Published: January 2010

Data from prospective studies on blood pressure and prostate cancer risk are limited, and results are inconclusive. Baseline measurements of height, weight and blood pressure were available in 336,159 men in the Swedish Construction Workers cohort. During an average of 22.2 years of follow‐up, 10,002 incident cases and 2,601 fatal cases of prostate cancer were identified in National registers. For 5,219 cases, tumor characteristics were available; 2,817 tumors were classified as nonaggressive and 2,402 as aggressive. Relative risks of disease were estimated from Cox regression models, using attained age as time‐scale, and adjusting for birth year, smoking status and body mass index (BMI). Top compared to bottom quintile level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure was associated with a significant 15–20% decreased risk of incident prostate cancer (p for trend: systolic < 0.0001, diastolic = 0.3), but blood pressure was not significantly associated with risk of fatal prostate cancer. BMI was not associated with prostate cancer incidence, but was positively associated with fatal prostate cancer; men in the top quintile had a 30% increased risk (p for trend = 0.0004). The associations between blood pressure and BMI and nonaggressive tumors were similar to those of incident prostate cancer, and associations with aggressive tumors were similar to those of fatal prostate cancer. Data from our study suggest that hypertension is associated with a decreased risk of incident prostate cancer, but the explanation for this finding is unclear. Our study support a positive association between overweight and risk of fatal prostate cancer.
Antibiograms and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA‐polymerase chain reactions (RAPD‐PCR) as epidemiological markers of gonorrhea
Authors: Lawung Ratana , Charoenwatanachokchai Angkana , Cherdtrakulkiat Rungrot , Thammapiwan Sivarak , Mungniponpan Tharinda , Bülow Leif , Prachayasittikul Virapong
Published: January 2010

The development of antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae arising from wide dissemination of resistant clones is a major global health problem. In this study, a total of 235 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae isolated from patients of Bangrak Hospital were tested for their antibiotic susceptibilities to penicillin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, spectinomycin, and ceftriaxone. Mutation (Ser‐91) in the quinolone resistance determining regions of gyrA and random amplification of the polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD‐PCR) were examined from 145 isolates. Among these, 55 isolates were obtained during January–March 2000, 46 isolates during January–March 2002, and 44 isolates during October–December 2002. The occurrence of combination resistance between penicillin and quinolone was 20% in January–March 2000, which was increased to 57.8% during the period of October–December 2002 (P<0.0001). Mutation of Ser‐91 in gyrA could be directly linked with the resistance or declining of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Using RAPD‐PCR, we could classify the 145 isolates into 4 and 5 groups by primers D11344 (5′‐AGTGAATTCGCGGTGAGATGCCA‐3′) and D8635 (5′‐GAGCGGCCAAAGGGAGCA GAC‐3′), respectively. Combination of the data obtained from these two primers produced 11 fingerprint groups. Our findings conclude that monitoring of the Ser‐91 mutation of gyrA and RAPD‐PCR methods are most useful for epidemiological screening. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:31–37, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pigment epithelium‐derived factor as a new marker of metabolic syndrome in Caucasian population
Authors: Stejskal D. , Karpíšek M. , Švesták M. , Hejduk P. , Sporová L. , Kotolová H.
Published: January 2010

Authors present that serum pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) is an independent marker of metabolic syndrome in Caucasianpopulation. PEDF was measured with new ELISA sandwich test. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:17–19, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serodiagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection using three inclusion membrane proteins
Authors: Hongliang Chen , Zhou Zhou , Zhan Hu , Yanhua Zeng , Zhongyu Li , Yingbiao Lin , Guozhi Dai , Yimou Wu
Published: January 2010

The Chlamydia pneumoniae genome‐encoded open reading frames Cpn0146, Cpn0147, and Cpn0308 were expressed as recombinant proteins for detecting C. pneumoniae‐specific antibodies in samples from three groups of individuals including 183 with C. pneumoniae‐associated respiratory infection (group I), 60 healthy blood donors (group II), and 32 with no known respiratory infection (group III). The recombinant Cpn0146 was recognized by 71 (38.8% positive recognition rate), 15 (25%) and 1 (3.1%), Cpn0147 by 75 (40.9%), 14 (23.3%), and 2 (6.3%), and Cpn0308 by 82 (44.8%), 16 (26.7%), and 0 (0%) samples from groups I, II, and III, respectively. The positive recognition rates with any of the three antigens were significantly higher in group I than those in groups II and III, suggesting that more individuals from group I were likely infected with C. pneumoniae. This conclusion was confirmed with a commercially available whole organism‐based ELISA kit (Savyon Diagnostics Ltd., Ashdod, Israel), which detected C. pneumoniae antibodies in 98 (64.1%), 26 (43.3%), and 4 (12.5%) samples from group I, II, and III, respectively. Comparing to the commercial kit, the recombinant antigen‐based detection assays displayed >97% of detection specificity and >87% of sensitivity, suggesting that these recombinant antigens can be considered alternative tools for aiding in serodiagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:55–61, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth‐dependent phenotypic variation of molluscan shells: implications for allometric data interpretation
Authors: Urdy Séverine , Goudemand Nicolas , Bucher Hugo , Chirat Régis
Published: January 2010

In recent years, developmental plasticity has received increasing attention. Specifically, some studies highlighted a possible association between shell shape and growth rates in intertidal gastropods. We use a growth vector model to study how hypothetical growth processes could underlie developmental plasticity in molluscs. It illustrates that variation in instantaneous shell growth rate can induce variability in allometric curves. Consequently, morphological variation is time‐dependent. Basing our model parameters on a study documenting the results of transplants experiments of three gastropods ecomorphs, we reproduce the main aspects of the variation in size, shape, and growth rates among populations when bred in their own habitat or transplanted to another ecotype habitat. In agreement with empirical results, our simulation shows that a flatter growth profile corresponds to conditions of rapid growth. The model also allows the comparison of allometric slopes using different subdata sets that correspond to static and ontogenetic allometry. Our model highlights that depending on subdata sets, the “main effects” could be attributed to source population or environment. In addition, convergence or divergence of allometric slopes is observed depending on the subdata sets. Although there is evidence that shell shape in gastropods is to some extent growth rate dependent, gaining a general overview of the issue is challenging, in particular because of the scarcity of studies referring to allometry. We argue that the dynamics of development at the “phenotypic level” constitute a non‐reducible level of investigation if one seeks to relate the observed amount of phenotypic variation to variability in the underlying factors. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Ecol.) 314B:303–326, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic test for mumps‐specific IgM in oral fluid specimens and use as a matrix for preserving viral nucleic acid for RT‐PCR
Authors: Warrener Lenesha , Slibinskas Rimas , Brown David , Sasnauskas Kestutis , Samuel Dhanraj
Published: January 2010

The use of oral fluid specimens for diagnosis of mumps by detection of virus‐specific IgM or nucleic acid is now well established. The utility of oral fluids would be improved further if testing could be performed closer to the patient. A near patient test (NPT) for the detection of mumps‐specific IgM in oral fluid specimens was developed and evaluated using 196 oral fluid specimens from suspected cases of mumps and measles. Compared to enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the mumps IgM NPT were 79.5%, 100%, 100%, and 72.6%, respectively. On oral fluid specimens with a test to negative control optical density ratio (T/N) ≥10 in the EIA, sensitivity of the NPT increased to 95.2%. To determine whether viral nucleic acid from oral fluid was preserved on the NPT strips used for IgM detection, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was performed on 58 oral fluids before and after testing on NPT strips. In RT‐PCR‐positive oral fluids, mumps virus was detected in 19/21 (90.5%) specimens extracted from NPT strips. Mumps virus RNA was not detected in 37/37 (100%) NPT strips from mumps RT‐PCR‐negative oral fluid specimens. Mumps IgM NPT is rapid and simple to perform, with an acceptable level of performance for confirmation of a clinical diagnosis outside of the laboratory. The NPT strip is also a suitable matrix for preserving nucleic acid, enabling virus‐specific RT‐PCR to be performed. J. Med. Virol. 82:485–493, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and molecular characterization of human rotaviruses isolated in Italy and Albania
Authors: AnnaRita Petrinca , Grassi Tiziana , Donia Domenica , De Donno Antonella , Idolo Adele , Alfio Cristaldi , Alessandri Claudia , Alberto Spanò , Divizia Maurizio
Published: January 2010

Rotaviruses are one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old. Analysis of G and P rotavirus genotypes in circulation is crucial in evaluating the appropriacy of mass vaccination of children worldwide. Overall, 592 stool samples were collected in Tirana (Albania), the Salento peninsula (South Italy), and three different hospitals in Rome (Central Italy). Of the total samples, 31.3% were rotavirus positive in Albania, 78.3% in the Salento, and 40.3% in Rome. The samples collected in Tirana and Rome were G–P typed, whereas the samples collected in the Salento were only G typed. Overall, in Italy the most frequent combinations were G4 P[8] (54.5%), G1 P[8] (27.3%), and G2 P[4] (18.2%); in Albania they were G9 P[8] (72.1%), G4 P[8] (8.8%), G1 P[8] (5.9%), and G2 P[4] (2.9%). The prevalence in Albania of atypical combinations was 7.4% for G4 P[4] and 2.9% for G9 P[4]. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed to assess the genetic relatedness of the strains. J. Med. Virol. 82:510–518, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of JC human polyomavirus infection in a Portuguese population
Authors: Matos Ana , Duque Vitor , Beato Sílvia , da Silva João Poiares , Major Eugene , Meliço‐Silvestre António
Published: January 2010

JC virus (JCV) is ubiquitous in the human population, infecting children asymptomatically. After primary infection, JCV persists in the host throughout life and is often excreted in the urine. Two hundred thirty‐four urine samples and 78 serum samples, collected from 171 healthy individuals and 63 patients infected with HIV, were used to characterize JCV infection in a Portuguese population. Using PCR, JCV DNA was detected in 38% of the urine samples. A significant difference in the excretion rate was observed between patients infected with HIV (51%) and healthy individuals (33%). The frequency of JCV viruria increased with age in healthy individuals, but not in patients infected with HIV. JCV urinary load was determined by real‐time quantitative PCR and was independent of gender, age, HIV infection, and CD4+ cell count. Overall, the JCV genotype detected most commonly was 1B, followed by genotypes 2B and 4. The detection and quantitation of JCV‐specific antibodies were performed in serum samples by an established enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Antibodies to JCV were observed in 91% of the patients tested, irrespective of HIV infection. A positive correlation between JCV urinary load and antibody titers was demonstrated. The present study provides the first characterization of seroprevalence and urinary excretion of JCV in a Portuguese population and revealed similar results to those observed in other European countries. A comparison between healthy individuals and patients infected with HIV, despite identical values of seroprevalence, showed some differences in the pattern of urinary excretion. J. Med. Virol. 82:494–504, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular evolutionary analysis and mutational pattern of full‐length genomes of hepatitis B virus isolated from Belgian patients with different clinical manifestations
Authors: Pourkarim Mahmoud Reza , Amini‐Bavil‐Olyaee Samad , Verbeeck Jannick , Lemey Philippe , Zeller Mark , Rahman Mustafizur , Maes Piet , Nevens Frederik , Van Ranst Marc
Published: January 2010

Molecular evolutionary patterns of 62 HBV full‐length genomes obtained from Belgian patients were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse HBV subgenotypes including A2 and A6 (46.8%), D1–D4 (38.8%), E (9.7%), C1 (1.6%), and B2 (1.6%). The study population consisted of patients with different ethnic origin (Caucasian, Turkish, Asian, Arab, and African). One HBV D/C recombinant isolate was identified, which encoded subtype adw2. An HBV subgenotype D4 with an aberrant subtype ayw4 was detected. Although none of the genotypes was associated with a specific disease outcome, several nucleotide substitutions, deletions and insertions were observed within the HBV preS1/S and X genes, particularly among patients with active chronic hepatitis B infection and patients with cirrhosis. Within the immunological domain of the HBsAg gene, the most frequent substitutions were sT125M and sT118A. High rates of precore and basal core promoter mutations were detected in patients infected with genotype D of HBV. Almost half of the patients who received lamivudine therapy for at least 1 year had HBV variants associated with lamivudine drug resistance. In conclusion, the most common HBV genotypes in West Europe (A and D) also prevail in Belgium. The highest degree of genetic diversity was detected in HBV genotype D. In addition, this study reveals the circulation of exotic HBV genotypes B, C, and E in Belgium. J. Med. Virol. 82:379–389, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adsorption of oligopeptides on silver nanoparticles: surface‐enhanced Raman scattering and theoretical studies
Authors: Garrido C. , Aliaga A. E. , Gomez‐Jeria J. S. , Clavijo R. E. , Campos‐Vallette M. M. , Sanchez‐Cortes S.
Published: January 2010

The MRKDV peptide structurally associated with an immunomodulatory protein, as well as model peptides ADEDRDA and LGRGISL with common amino acid residues were studied using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) supported by quantum chemical computations. Peptides display different net charges and hydrophobic characteristics, which are related to particular structural aspects of the peptide–metal interaction. Samples were photostable when probed with laser lines at 514, 633 and 785 nm. SERS samples were prepared by coating the solid peptides with metal colloids on a quartz slice. This innovation makes possible to obtain high spectral batch to batch reproducibility. MRKDV SERS spectrum is dominated by signals coming from the guanidinium moiety of the arginine amino acid (R); guanidinium is the intrinsic probe which drives the orientation of the peptide on the metal surface. LGRGISL interacts with the metal surface through the guanidinium group and other amino acid residues; a single structural conformation of the peptide on the surface is proposed. ADEDRDA interacts with the metal surface through various amino acid residues, also including the guanidinium moiety; at least two different structural conformations seem to coexist on the surface. Theoretical calculations performed by using extended Hückel theory and 6‐31G* methods for a model of arginine interacting with a silver cluster support the observed experimental result. Similar calculations involving the MRKDV peptide are also reported. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐beam coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of gas‐phase CO2 via phase and polarization shaping of a broadband continuum
Authors: Roy Sukesh , Wrzesinski Paul J. , Pestov Dmitry , Dantus Marcos , Gord James R.
Published: January 2010

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of gas‐phase CO2 is demonstrated using a single femtosecond (fs) laser beam. A shaped ultrashort laser pulse with a transform‐limited temporal width of ∼7 fs and spectral bandwidth of ∼225 nm (∼3500 cm−1) is employed for simultaneous excitation of the CO2 Fermi dyads at ∼1285 and ∼1388 cm−1. CARS signal intensities for the two Raman transitions and their ratio as a function of pressure are presented. The signal‐to‐noise ratio of the single beam–generated CO2 CARS signal is sufficient to perform concentration measurements at a rate of 1 kHz. The implications of these experiments for measuring CO2 concentrations and rapid pressure fluctuations in hypersonic and detonation‐based chemically reacting flows are also discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cesium doped and undoped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films: a comparative study of structural and micro‐Raman investigation of optical phonons
Authors: Thangavel R. , Singh Moirangthem Rakesh , Lee Wei‐Shan , Chang Yia‐Chung , Wei Pei‐Kuen , Kumar J.
Published: January 2010

Undoped and cesium‐doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been deposited on sapphire substrate (0001) using the sol–gel method. Films were preheated at 300 °C for 10 min and annealed at 600 and 800 °C for 1 h. The grown thin films were confirmed to be of wurtzite structure using X‐ray diffraction. Surface morphology of the films was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO showed a strong ultraviolet (UV) emission band located at 3.263 eV and a very weak visible emission associated with deep‐level defects. Cesium incorporation induced a blue shift of the optical band gap and quenching of the near‐band‐edge PL for nanocrystalline thin film at room temperatures because of the band‐filling effect of free carriers. A shift of about 10–15 cm−1 is observed for the first‐order longitudinal‐optical (LO) phonon Raman peak of the nanocrystals when compared to the LO phonon peak of bulk ZnO. The UV resonant Raman excitation at RT shows multiphonon LO modes up to fifth order. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐line flow‐through extraction–preconcentration‐large volume injection‐RP LC for trace determination of pyrethroids in Slovak soil
Authors: Chalányová Mária , Hutta Milan , Pagáč Martin
Published: January 2010

A rapid micro‐analytical multiresidue method was developed for analysis of pyrethroids (kadethrin K, cypermethrin C and permethrin P) in soil micro‐sample (200 mg). It uses on‐line flow‐through extraction of soil micro‐samples (packed into a short glass column) with a methanol‐aqueous citric acid buffer mixture, successive on‐line SPE preconcentration of analytes from the extract and on‐line RP‐HPLC analysis with UV photometric detection. The separation of pyrethroids is performed on a Purospher RP‐18e column with methanol/water as mobile phase. Effects of sorbent placed at the bottom of a short column holding the soil sample and different kinds of on‐line SPE columns were tested. Besides, the influence of volume of the effluent on the pyrethroids recovery was also studied. Calibration curves were linear over the range assayed from 0.01 to 0.2 μg/mL with correlation coefficients of linear regression (least‐squares method) in the range 0.998–0.999. Recovery studies were carried out at 0.25–1.00 μg/g dry soil fortification level and obtained recoveries were for K 81–84%, C 56–59% and for P 58–63%. Achieved LOD (confidence band) of studied pyrethroids were for large‐volume injection (1 mL) 4.5 ng K, 3.7 ng C, 3.6 ng P or 27 ng/g K, 32 ng/g C and 29 ng/g P in dry soil “solid sampling HPLC”.
Rapid analysis of alkylphosphonate drugs by capillary zone electrophoresis using indirect ultraviolet detection
Authors: Prutthiwanasan Brompoj , Suntornsuk Leena
Published: January 2010

A rapid capillary electrophoretic method for the analysis of three alkylphosphonate drugs (i.e. fosfomycin disodium (FOS), clodronate disodium (CLO) and alendronate sodium (ALN)) was developed by using multiple probe BGE and indirect UV detection. BGE containing 30 mM benzoic acid, 5 mM salicylic acid and 0.5 mM CTAB (pH 3.8), temperature of 30°C, applied voltage of −30 kV and detection at 220 nm provided baseline separation of all analytes (resolution (R)>2.2) in 3.2 min. EOF reversal by addition of CTAB and negative voltage polarity leading to the co‐EOF flow and short analysis time. Two probe BGE greatly improved peak symmetry. The method showed good linearity (r2>0.999 in ranges of 20–1000 μg/mL for FOS, 100–1000 μg/mL for CLO and 100–750 μg/mL for ALN) repeatablitiy (RSD<2.15%), recovery (99.3–101.1%) and sensitivity (LOD<50 μg/mL). Freshly prepared BGE and sample solutions are essential for the method precision and accuracy. This new method can be utilized for routine analysis of FOS, CLO and ALN in dosage forms because of its efficiency, reliability, speed and simplicity.
Suitability of ionic liquids as mobile‐phase additives in HPLC with fluorescence and UV detection for the determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines
Authors: Martín‐Calero Aurora , Tejral Gracian , Ayala Juan H. , González Venerando , Afonso Ana M.
Published: January 2010

The effects of several ionic liquids (ILs) as mobile‐phase additives in HPLC with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection for the determination of six heterocyclic aromatic amines were evaluated using two different C18 stationary phases with moderate silanol activity. The studied ILs were 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The optical behaviour of heterocyclic aromatic amines in presence of ILs was studied and the silanol‐suppressing potency of ILs was evaluated for the two stationary phases studied. Several chromatographic parameters were evaluated in the presence or absence of ILs, or using triethylamine, the most common mobile‐phase additive. The best results were achieved using 1 mM 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as mobile‐phase additive and NovaPak® column. In these conditions and with 18% of ACN in the mobile phase, analytical performance of the chromatographic methods using fluorescence and UV–Vis were evaluated, obtaining good precision in all cases (RSD lower than 6.6%) and low LOD (0.001–0.147 μg/mL with UV–Vis and 0.001–0.006 ng/mL with fluorescence detection).
An epistaxis severity score for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Hoag Jeffrey B. , Terry Peter , Mitchell Sally , Reh Douglas , Merlo Christian A.
Published: January 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)‐related epistaxis leads to alterations in social functioning and quality of life. Although more than 95% experience epistaxis, there is considerable variability of severity. Because no standardized method exists to measure epistaxis severity, the purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with patient‐reported severity to develop a severity score.

Study Design:

Prospective, survey‐based study.

Methods:

HHT care providers and a focus group of patients were interviewed to determine epistaxis‐associated factors. From this, an electronic survey was developed and administered to patients with HHT. Descriptive analyses were performed with calculations of means and medians for continuous and proportions for categorical variables. Multiple ordinal logistic and linear regression models were developed to determine risk factors for epistaxis severity.

Results:

Nine hundred respondents from 21 countries were included. Eight hundred fifty‐five (95%) subjects reported epistaxis. The mean (standard deviation) age was 52.1 (13.9) years, and 61.4% were female. Independently associated risk factors for self‐reported epistaxis severity included epistaxis frequency (odds ratio [OR] 1.57), duration (OR 2.17), intensity (OR 2.45), need for transfusion (OR 2.74), anemia (OR 1.44), and aggressiveness of treatment required (OR 1.53, P < .001 for all).

Conclusions:

Risk factors for increasing epistaxis severity in patients with HHT include frequency, duration, and intensity of episodes; invasiveness of prior therapy required to stop epistaxis; anemia; and the need for blood transfusion. From these factors, an epistaxis severity score will be presented. Laryngoscope, 2010
Co‐continuous Nanostructured Blend by Reactive Blending: Incorporation of High Molecular Weight Polymers
Authors: Gani Léa , Tencé‐Girault Sylvie , Milléquant Michèle , Bizet Stéphane , Leibler Ludwik
Published: January 2010

One of the most challenging issues remaining in the design and the synthesis of robust nanostructured polymers blends is incorporating long crystallizable chains while preserving the co‐continuity of the phases. Here, we demonstrate that by reactive blending of functionalized polyolefin and polyamides such co‐continuous structures can be obtained provided that a bimodal mixture of short and long polyamides is used. The short chains react more readily to form graft copolymers that facilitate both grafting of long chains and formation of nanostructures. We discuss different mixing strategies, characterize, and compare reacted products and resulting blend structures.

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Curcumin inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in glioblastoma xenografts
Authors: Perry Marie‐Claude , Demeule Michel , Régina Anthony , Moumdjian Robert , Béliveau Richard
Published: January 2010

Among the natural products shown to possess chemopreventive and anticancer properties, curcumin is one of the most potent. In the current study, we investigated the effects of this natural product on the growth of human glioma U‐87 cells xenografted into athymic mice. We show here that curcumin administration exerted significant anti‐tumor effects on subcutaneous and intracerebral gliomas as demonstrated by the slower tumor growth rate and the increase of animal survival time. While investigating the mechanism of its actionin vivo, we observed that curcumin decreased the gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase‐9. Furthermore, treatment with curcumin inhibited glioma‐induced angiogenesis as indicated by the decrease of endothelial cell marker from newly formed vessels and by the diminution of the concentration of hemoglobin in curcumin‐treaded tumors. We also demonstrate, using anin vitromodel of blood−brain barrier, that curcumin can cross the blood−brain barrier to a high level. These are the first results showing that curcumin suppresses tumor growth of gliomas in xenograft models. The mechanisms of the anti‐tumor effects of curcumin were related, at least partly, to the inhibition of glioma‐induced angiogenesis.
Synthesis and NMR assignment of pentacycloundecane precursors of potential pharmaceutical agents
Authors: Onajole Oluseye K. , Makatini Maya M. , Govender Patrick , Govender Thavendran , Maguire Glenn E. M. , Kruger Hendrik G.
Published: January 2010

The synthesis and complete NMR elucidation of eight novel pentacycloundecane (PCU) derivatives are reported. These compounds are precursors in the synthesis of PCU‐based anti‐tuberculosis (TB) agents and potential human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors. Two‐dimensional (2D) NMR techniques were used to assign the NMR spectra for these compounds. Substitution of the cage molecule at (C‐8/11) further complicates the assignment, since some of the substituted alkyl chain groups overlap with the cage proton signals. The side chain heteroatoms also introduce a rare through‐space deshielding effect to some of the carbon atoms of the cage skeleton. Ring strain in the rigid cage skeleton appears to induce drastic electronic changes in some parts of the cage framework. This observation is more dramatic for the C‐4 methylene group of the cage diols and the cage ethers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.