bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous sulfide and acetate oxidation under denitrifying conditions using an inverse fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Beristain‐Cardoso Ricardo , Texier Anne‐Claire , Sierra‐Álvarez Reyes , Field Jim A , Razo‐Flores Elías , Gómez Jorge
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous removal of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon compounds from wastewaters is a commercially important biological process. The objective was to evaluate the influence of the CH3COO−/NO3− molar ratio on the sulfide oxidation process using an inverse fluidized bed reactor (IFBR).

RESULTS: Three molar ratios of CH3COO−/NO3− (0.85, 0.72 and 0.62) with a constant S2−/NO3− molar ratio of 0.13 were evaluated. At a CH3COO−/NO3− molar ratio of 0.85, the nitrate, acetate and sulfide removal efficiencies were approximately 100%. The N2 yield (g N2 g−1 NO3−‐N consumed) was 0.81. Acetate was mineralized, resulting in a yield of 0.65 g inorganic‐C g−1 CH3COO−‐C consumed. Sulfide was partially oxidized to S0, and 71% of the S2− consumed was recovered as elemental sulfur by a settler installed in the IFBR. At a CH3COO−/NO3− molar ratio of 0.72, the efficiencies of nitrate, acetate and sulfide consumption were of 100%, with N2 and inorganic‐C yields of 0.84 and 0.69, respectively. The sulfide was recovered as sulfate instead of S0, with a yield of 0.92 g SO42−‐S g−1 S2− consumed.

CONCLUSIONS: The CH3COO−/NO3− molar ratio was shown to be an important parameter that can be used to control the fate of sulfide oxidation to either S0 or sulfate. In this study, the potential of denitrification for the simultaneous removal of organic matter, sulfide and nitrate from wastewaters was demonstrated, obtaining CO2, S0 and N2 as the major end products. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Potent antitumor effect of TRAIL mediated by a novel adeno‐associated viral vector targeting to telomerase activity for human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yigang , Huang Fang , Cai Haibo , Zhong Suyang , Liu Xinyuan , Tan Wen‐Song
Published: March 2008

Background

Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) has rapidly become a promising gene delivery vehicle for its excellent advantages of low pathogenicity and long‐term gene expression. However, lack of tissue specificity caused low efficiency of AAV transfer to target cells. The promoter of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been implicated in mediating gene expression in cancer cells as hTERT is transcriptionally upregulated in most cancer cells. Thereby, the hTERT promoter becomes a good candidate to enhance the targeting efficiency of AAV in cancer cells. Tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) functions as a soluble cytokine to selectively kill various cancer cells without toxicity to most normal cells. It remains to be determined whether the hTERT promoter can efficiently mediate TRAIL gene therapy in cancer cells using AAV vector.

Methods

A novel AAV vector containing the TRAIL gene under the control of the hTERT promoter (AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL) was generated. The specific expression of hTERT‐controlled genes was evaluated in cell lines. The antitumor efficacy of AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL was assessed in tumor cell lines and human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft mouse model.

Results

TRAIL expression was observed in tumor cells infected with AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL at both the protein and mRNA level. AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL displayed cancer‐specific cytotoxicity and induced tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, in animal experiments, intratumoral administration of AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL significantly suppressed the growth of xenograft tumors and resulted in tumor cell death.

Conclusions

AAVs in combination with hTERT‐mediated therapeutic gene expression provide a promising targeting approach for developing effective therapy for human cancers. These data suggest that AAV‐hTERT‐TRAIL is a potent therapeutic agent for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dimerizable cationic lipid with potential for gene delivery
Authors: Candiani Gabriele , Pezzoli Daniele , Cabras Mariasara , Ristori Sandra , Pellegrini Cinzia , Kajaste‐Rudnitski Anna , Vicenzi Elisa , Sala Carlo , Zanda Matteo
Published: March 2008

Background

Despite the use of currently optimized lipofection conditions, including transfection in serum‐depleted media, the efficiency of gene transfer is low and high transfection rates often induce cytotoxicity. A lipid formulation with transfection efficiency not inhibited by serum would provide an advance towards in vivo applications.

Methods

We explored the ability of the cationic lipid SH‐14 to dimerize upon DNA and form lipoplexes, and potentially release nucleic acids in the intracellular reducing milieu. We investigated the critical micelle‐forming concentration of SH‐14 and its intrinsic toxicity, size and Zeta potential measurements, the in vitro cytotoxicity of SH‐14/plasmid DNA lipoplexes and their ability to transfect cells.

Results

Among all the charge ratios (CR, + /−) tested, lipoplexes at CR 10 with a mean diameter of 295 nm and a surface charge of + 20 mV, exhibited the best compromise between transfection efficiency and tolerability. SH‐14 presented the same cytotoxicity level whether alone or complexed in lipoplexes. Lipofections carried out in serum‐free medium shared a transfection efficiency, on average, of 40% and a cytotoxicity of 38%. An increase of 73% in transfection efficiency and 24% in cell viability were obtained, extending lipofection over 48 h in complete‐medium. Moreover, when serum concentration was increased from 10% to 50%, a three‐fold increase in plasmid dose led to more than 72% of cells being transfected with almost no sign of cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Overall, SH‐14 presents good potential as a novel transfection reagent to be used in the presence of serum. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene transfer into guinea pig cochlea using adeno‐associated virus vectors
Authors: Konishi Masaya , Kawamoto Kohei , Izumikawa Masahiko , Kuriyama Hiromichi , Yamashita Toshio
Published: March 2008

Background

Several genes are candidates for treating inner ear diseases. For clinical applications, minimally invasive approaches to the inner ear are desirable along with minimal side‐effects.

Methods

Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) was used as a vector into the guinea pig inner ear. Six AAV‐cytomegalovirus hybrids (AAV‐2/1, ‐2/2, ‐2/5, ‐2/7, ‐2/8 and ‐2/9) were infused into perilymph of the cochlea basal turn, an approach that could be used in cochlear implant surgery. At 7 days after injection, distribution of gene expression, hearing and morphology were evaluated. Adenoviral vector was also used to compare distributions of gene expression. Moreover, distribution of cell surface receptors of AAV in the cochlea was examined using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Using the perilymphatic approach, adenovirus could be transferred to mesothelial cells lining the perilymph, but not sensory cells. Conversely, all AAV serotypes displayed tissue tropism to inner hair cells, with AAV‐2/2 showing particularly efficient transfer to sensory cells. This tissue tropism of AAV could not be explained by the distribution of AAV receptors. Hearing and morphology were largely unaffected.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that AAV vector can be safely applied to the inner ear and AAV‐2/2 offers a good tool for transferring transgenes into sensory cells of the inner ear efficiently without toxicity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyperpolarized 3He apparent diffusion coefficient MRI of the lung: Reproducibility and volume dependency in healthy volunteers and patients with emphysema
Authors: Diaz Sandra , Casselbrant Ingrid , Piitulainen Eeva , Pettersson Goran , Magnusson Peter , Peterson Barry , Wollmer Per , Leander Peter , Ekberg Olle , Akeson Per
Published: March 2008

Purpose

To measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of hyperpolarized (HP) 3He gas using diffusion weighted MRI in healthy volunteers and patients with emphysema and examine the reproducibility and volume dependency.

Materials and Methods

A total of eight healthy volunteers and 16 patients with emphysema were examined after inhalation of HP 3He gas mixed with nitrogen (N2) during breathhold starting from functional residual capacity (FRC) in supine position. Coronal diffusion‐sensitized MR images were acquired. Each subject was imaged on three separate days over a seven‐day period and received two different volumes (6% and 15% of total lung capacity [TLC]) of HP 3He each day. ADC maps and histograms were calculated. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the ADC at different days and volumes were compared.

Results

The reproducibility of the mean ADC and SD over several days was good in both healthy volunteers and patients (SD range of 0.003–0.013 cm2/second and 0.001–0.009 cm2/second at 6% and 15% of TLC for healthy volunteers, and a SD range of 0.001–0.041 cm2/second and 0.001–0.011 cm2/second, respectively, for patients). A minor but significant increase in mean ADC with increased inhaled gas volume was observed in both groups.

Conclusion

Mean ADC and SD of HP 3He MRI is reproducible and discriminates well between healthy controls and patients with emphysema at the higher gas volume. This method is robust and may be useful to gain new insights into the pathophysiology and course of emphysema. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of rainfall estimation uncertainty on streamflow estimations for catchments Wye and Tyne in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ekström Marie , Jones Philip D.
Published: March 2008

The main sources of uncertainty in rainfall‐runoff models are found in the input variables where the largest impact on estimated streamflow is generally given by the catchment rainfall. Hence, by quantifying the uncertainty of catchment rainfall, it is possible to provide an estimate, albeit conservative, of streamflow estimation uncertainty. In this article, 42 series of catchment average rainfall were used to estimate monthly streamflow for two river catchments in the United Kingdom over a period of 8 years, these were as follows: a composite series based on weighted rain gauge series, a series based on interpolated gridded rainfall data and an ensemble of 40 series, based on simulated rainfall grids conditioned on observed rainfall statistics. This study shows that, on average, the uncertainty in monthly streamflow, as given from the mean range of monthly simulated data, were approximately 28 and 42% of the long‐term mean for the two catchments respectively. By quantifying uncertainty in streamflow due to catchment rainfall uncertainty it was possible to identify contributions of other factors to the total streamflow estimation uncertainty. For example, streamflow uncertainty was, in this experiment, shown to respond also to the absolute magnitude of the streamflow, a consequence of the model being optimized for low flows. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Interannual variability of atmospheric water balance over South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka during northeast monsoon season
Authors: Prasanna Venkatraman , Yasunari Tetsuzo
Published: March 2008

In this study we have investigated atmospheric water balance over South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka during the months October to December (OND) using computed moisture convergence (C) and residual evaporation (E) from National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data and Global Precipitation and Climatology Project (GPCP) precipitation data. The interannual signatures of OND precipitation, moisture convergence and evaporation over the South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka have been captured. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the hydrological cycle and the contribution of evaporation (E) and convergence (C) to precipitation (P) are discussed in detail. Over the South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, evaporation (E) dominates during the entire monsoon months (OND). However, the interannual variability of precipitation over the domain is not necessarily influenced by the same criteria which influences the mean seasonal precipitation. The moisture from the Indian Ocean (IO) sector also modulates the precipitation over this region on a year‐to‐year basis. It has been noted that the positive northeast monsoon rainfall (NEMR) is associated with El Nino coupled with IO dipole, but negative NEMR is weakly associated only with La Nina over South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. There also exists a significant land‐atmospheric interaction over the region in modulating the hydrological cycle on a year‐to‐year basis. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Fruit quality of mini‐watermelon as affected by grafting and irrigation regimes
Authors: Proietti Simona , Rouphael Youssef , Colla Giuseppe , Cardarelli Mariateresa , De Agazio Marina , Zacchini Massimo , Rea Elvira , Moscatello Stefano , Battistelli Alberto
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean region suffers water deficit that affects fruit yield and quality. Grafting improves crop tolerance to disease and drought, but the taste and quality of fruit may be negatively affected. The aim of the present work was to determine the quality parameters of mini‐watermelon, ungrafted or grafted onto a squash hybrid rootstock, and grown under different irrigation regimes: 1.0, 0.75, and 0.5 of evapotranspiration (ET) rates.

RESULTS: The interaction between grafting and irrigation rate was not significant for the variables tested. The highest fruit yields were recorded at 1.0 ET and at 0.75 ET with respect to 0.5 ET, and they were obtained in grafted plants. Fruit quality was slightly affected by drought, with an increase in K, Mg and spermine concentrations, especially with 0.5 ET. Nitrate concentration in the watermelon pulp was very low (average 10 mg kg−1 fresh weight). Fruit quality parameters were similar in grafted and ungrafted plants, whereas the titratable acidity (TA), juice electrical conductivity, TSS/TA ratio, K and Mg concentrations were improved in the grafted one. Lycopene, dehydroascorbate (DAscA) and total vitamin C contents for grafted plants were higher by 40.5%, 13% and 7.3%, respectively, than those from ungrafted plants. Spermidine and putrescine concentrations were reduced by grafting (by 24% and 59%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Grafting of mini‐watermelon under irrigation deficit did not modify crop response to water availability, but increased productivity and induced small positive changes in plant quality and nutritional value. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Leukemia inhibitory factor induces an antiapoptotic response in oligodendrocytes through Akt‐phosphorylation and up‐regulation of 14‐3‐3
Authors: Slaets Helena , Dumont Debora , Vanderlocht Joris , Noben Jean‐Paul , Leprince Pierre , Robben Johan , Hendriks Jerome , Stinissen Piet , Hellings Niels
Published: March 2008

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promotes the survival of oligodendrocytes (OLG) both in vitro and in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Here, we show that LIF protects mature rat OLG cultures selectively against the combined insult of the proinflammatory cytokines interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α, but it does not protect against oxidative stress nor against staurosporine induced apoptosis. We further demonstrate that LIF activates the janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway in mature OLG. We show that LIF protection is independent of suppressors of cytokine signaling and Bcl‐2 mRNA expression levels. To gain further insight into the protective mechanism, a quantitative proteomic approach (DIGE) was applied to identify differentially expressed proteins in LIF‐treated OLG. Our results indicate that LIF induces a shift in the cellular machinery toward a prosurvival execution program, illustrated by an enhanced expression of isoforms of the antiapoptotic molecule 14‐3‐3. These data provide further insight into the mechanisms of LIF‐mediated protection of mature OLGs.
Systematic gene expression profiling of mouse model series reveals coexpressed genes
Authors: Horsch Marion , Schädler Sandra , Gailus‐Durner Valerie , Fuchs Helmut , Meyer Helmut , de Angelis Martin Hrabé , Beckers Johannes
Published: March 2008

A major aim of the Human Brain Proteome Project (HBPP) is a better understanding of the molecular etiology and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Transgenic and loss‐of‐function mouse mutant lines (MMLs) serve as experimental models. Transcriptome and proteome regulate each other in a complex and controlled way, and their comparative analysis is an essential aspect. As a fundamental study, we have assessed transcript profiles using a microarray containing 21 000 cDNA probes in a series of disease models within the German Mouse Clinic (GMC). Seventeen distinct organs of one adult stage were systematically collected for each submitted MML. Samples for gene expression profiling are individually selected based on conspicuous phenotypes in at least one of 14 GMC phenotype screens or on previous knowledge of the mutant phenotype. By microarray experiments expression patterns of 90 organs from 46 MMLs were analysed, identifying up to 232 differentially expressed genes in 45 organs. Here we present an overview of the results of all MMLs analysed and demonstrate the efficiency of systematic genome‐wide expression profiling for the detection of molecular phenotypes in organs of a mammalian model organism. We identify the recurring regulation of particular genes and groups of coexpressed genes in apparently unrelated MMLs.
A fusion PET–MRI system with a high‐resolution research tomograph‐PET and ultra‐high field 7.0 T‐MRI for the molecular‐genetic imaging of the brain
Authors: Cho Zang‐Hee , Son Young‐Don , Kim Hang‐Keun , Kim Kyoung‐Nam , Oh Se‐Hong , Han Jae‐Yong , Hong In‐Ki , Kim Young‐Bo
Published: March 2008

We have developed a positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion system for the molecular‐genetic imaging (MGI) of the in vivo human brain using two high‐end imaging devices: the HRRT‐PET, a high‐resolution research tomograph dedicated to brain imaging on the molecular level, and the 7.0 T‐MRI, an ultra‐high field version used for morphological imaging. HRRT‐PET delivers high‐resolution molecular imaging with a resolution down to 2.5 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM), which allows us to observe the brain's molecular changes using the specific reporter genes and probes. On the other front, the 7.0 T‐MRI, with submillimeter resolution images of the cortical areas down to 250 μm, allows us to visualize the fine details of the brainstem areas as well as the many cortical and subcortical areas. The new PET–MRI fusion imaging system will provide many answers to the questions on neurological diseases as well as cognitive neurosciences. Some examples of the answers are the quantitative visualization of neuronal functions by clear molecular and genetic bases, as well as diagnoses of many neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The salient point of molecular‐genetic imaging and diagnosis is the fact that they precede the morphological manifestations, and hence, the early and specific diagnosis of certain diseases, such as cancers.
Synthesis and characterization of acrylamide/acrylic acid hydrogels crosslinked using a novel diacrylate of glycerol to produce multistructured materials
Authors: Lopez‐Ureta Luz Cecilia , Orozco‐Guareño Eulogio , Cruz‐Barba Luis Emilio , Gonzalez‐Alvarez Alejandro , Bautista‐Rico Fernando
Published: March 2008

In this work we propose a new crosslinking agent and the method to use it for the synthesis of acrylate based hydrogels. The use of this diacrylate of glycerol, synthesized in our laboratory, allows the generation of materials with well defined micro‐structures in the dry state, unique meso‐ and macro‐structures during swelling, and enhanced mechanical properties and swelling capacity in water. These properties depend on the crosslinking agent concentration, as well as synthesis thermal history. Poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) hydrogels are commonly crosslinked with N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide or N‐isopropylacrylamide. Here we obtain and use a new crosslinking agent, obtained from the reaction between glycerol and acrylic acid to produce a Diacrylate of glycerol (DAG). Two synthesis methods at equivalent molar ratio of acrylamide/acrylic acid (AM/AA) were analyzed. The mechanical properties, the swelling capacity, and the morphology at microscale of these hydrogels showed a well defined transition at a critical concentration of crosslinking agent. DAG induces the generation of hydrogels with hierarchichal structure. The micro‐structure surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, the meso‐structure by polarized light microscopy and the macro‐structure by CCD imaging. The hydrogels with hierarchical structures showed improved mechanical properties when compared with structureless hydrogels. Control of the microstructure allows the generation of materials for different applications, i.e. templates or smart materials that interact with electromagnetic radiation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2667–2679, 2008
Synthesis of a hyperbranched polythioketal with 100% degree of branching
Authors: Sinananwanich Warapon , Ueda Mitsuru
Published: March 2008

A 100% hyperbranched polymer was successfully prepared by using 2‐[4‐(4‐mercaptobutoxy)phenoxy]‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐one as an AB2 monomer in trifluoroacetic acid. The kinetics of the model reaction between 9‐fluorenone and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid was investigated. The reaction obeyed the second‐order kinetics, indicating that the first reaction, that is, the formation of the intermediate from 9‐fluorenone and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid, is considerably slower than the second one, that is, the reaction of the intermediate with 3‐mercaptopropionic acid. On the basis of this finding, a new monomer expected to produce a 100% branched hyperbranched polymer, 2‐[4‐(4‐mercaptobutoxy)phenoxy]‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐one, was designed and prepared. The obtained polymer was characterized by 1H and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy, which confirmed that the polymer was a 100% branched hyperbranched polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2689–2700, 2008
Relationship between coracoacromial arch and rotator cuff analysed by a computer‐assisted method
Authors: Casino Daniela , Bruni Danilo , Zaffagnini Stefano , Martelli Sandra , Visani Andrea , Alvarez Pau Golanò , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: March 2008

Background

In this paper we describe and assess the feasibility of a computer‐assisted method which could be useful to investigate the mechanism of subacromial impingment of the shoulder.

Methods

The relationship between the infraspinatus and supraspinatus and the coracoacromial (CA) arch during passive elevation and abduction are described. The methodology is based on the use of a tracker for recording surfaces and passive movements and data elaboration using dedicated software.

Results

In four cadavers, we observed that the minimal distances between the rotator cuff insertions and CA arch were realized at 45° abduction between the acromion and infraspinatus, at 50–90° elevation between the acromion and supraspinatus and also at 45–70° abduction between the CA ligament and supraspinatus. This study showed that the proposed method is able to provide repeatable kinematic data (ICC ≥ 0.90), numerical anatomical data comparable with the literature and, moreover, individual measurements on the shoulder joint.

Conclusions

This preliminary results support the extension of the methodology to an in vivo protocol to be used during computer‐assisted arthroscopic surgery. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensing of λDNA solutions by metal‐gap‐semiconductor devices
Authors: Hirokane Takaaki , Kanzaki Daisuke , Hashimoto Hideaki , Urabe Shinichi , Arima Kenta , Uchikoshi Junichi , Morita Mizuho
Published: March 2008

We have proposed a metal‐gap‐semiconductor (MGS) sensing device. Different concentrations of λDNA solutions have been characterized by capacitance–voltage measurements of the sensing device. Hysteresis due to electron traps and flatband voltage shift due to negative charge are observed in capacitance–voltage curves. As the λDNA concentration increases, the flatband voltage shift toward the positive voltage increases in the concentration between 0.01 and 0.3 µg/µl. It is suggested that the hysteresis in capacitance–voltage curves arises from the capture and emission of electrons through the states of the λDNA solution, and the flatband voltage shift is attributed to the charge of the λDNA solution. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of SPE‐grown bcc‐Fe, polycrystal and β‐FeSi2 phases on Si(111) surfaces
Authors: Hattori Azusa N. , Hattori Ken , Daimon Hiroshi
Published: March 2008

Ultrathin films of iron silicides were grown on Si(111) surfaces by solid phase epitaxy (SPE); iron deposition and subsequent annealing, and analyzed using in situ high energy‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We analyzed peaks using Lorentzian and Donaich‐Šunjić curves and estimated the validity of both fittings. Under the sequence from bcc‐Fe to polycrystal phase (the mixture of Fe3Si and β‐FeSi2), and then β‐FeSi2 phase with annealing process, the slight chemical shifts of Fe 2p3/2 toward higher binding energy (BE) and the reduction of peak asymmetry for Fe 2p3/2 and Fe 2p1/2 were observed. We attributed this behavior to the reduction of the metallicity in iron silicide films. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical aspects of the Bayesian approach to phase I cancer trials
Authors: Neuenschwander Beat , Branson Michael , Gsponer Thomas
Published: March 2008

The Bayesian approach to finding the maximum‐tolerated dose in phase I cancer trials is discussed. The suggested approach relies on a realistic dose–toxicity model, allows one to include prior information, and supports clinical decision making by presenting within‐trial information in a transparent way. The modeling and decision‐making components are flexible enough to be extendable to more complex settings. Critical aspects are emphasized and a comparison with the continual reassessment method (CRM) is performed with data from an actual trial and a simulation study. The comparison revealed similar operating characteristics while avoiding some of the difficulties encountered in the actual trial when applying the CRM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute toxicity and bioaccumulation of arsenic in freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea
Authors: Liao Chung‐Min , Jau Sheng‐Feng , Chen Wei‐Yu , Lin Chieh‐Ming , Jou Li‐John , Liu Chen‐Wuing , Liao Vivian Hsiu‐Chuan , Chang Fi‐John
Published: March 2008

Arsenic is a potent human carcinogen of skin, lung, and urinary bladder. Freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea is a commercially important native species in Taiwan. C. fluminea is also a suitable biomonitoring test organism. Little is known, however, about the actual effects of arsenic on C. fluminea. The objectives of this study were to provide information on the acute toxicity and bioaccumulation kinetics of arsenic in C. fluminea. We carried out a 14‐day exposure experiment to obtain bioaccumulation parameters. Uptake was very rapid when C. fluminea was first exposed and then slightly decayed during the uptake phase of the experiment and an uptake rate constant of 1.718 ± 6.70 (mean ± SE) mL g−1 d−1 was estimated. The elimination of arsenic from C. fluminea obeyed first‐order depuration kinetics (r2 = 0.85, p < 0.05) with a calculated half‐life of 6.80 days. The derived bioaccumulation factor of 16.84 suggests that arsenic has a high potential for bioaccumulation in C. fluminea. This had important implications for dietary exposure of arsenic to humans who eat contaminated clams, because the soft tissue usually constitutes the majority of tissue consumed. The 96‐h LC50 value was estimated to be 20.74 (95% CI: 11.74–30.79) mg L−1 obtained from a 7‐day acute toxicity bioassay. We also kinetically linked an acute toxicity model and a Hill sigmoid model to reconstruct an internal effect concentration based dose‐response profile to assess the effect of soft tissue arsenic burden on the C. fluminea mortality. This result could be used to support the establishment of an ecological risk assessment to prevent possible ecosystem and human health consequences. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy in Conn’s Syndrome Caused by Adrenal Adenomas or Nodular Hyperplasia
Authors: Walz Martin K. , Gwosdz Roland , Levin Stephanie L. , Alesina Piero F. , Suttorp Anna‐Carinna , Metz Klaus A. , Wenger Frank A. , Petersenn Stephan , Mann Klaus , Schmid Kurt W.
Published: March 2008

Background

In patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, solitary adrenal adenomas are an indication for surgical intervention. In contrast, adrenal hyperplasia is almost exclusively treated by drugs.

Patients and methods

In a prospective clinical study 183 patients (81 men, 102 women; age 49.6 ± 12.8 years) with Conn’s syndrome were operated on using the posterior retroperitoneoscopic approach. Tumor size ranged from 0.2 to 5.0 cm (mean 1.5 ± 0.8 cm). Final histology described a solitary adenoma in 127 patients and adrenal hyperplasia in 56 patients. Partial adrenalectomies were performed in 47 operations.

Results

The perioperative complication rate was 4%, mortality zero. In none of the cases was conversion to open surgery necessary. The mean operating time was 58 ± 32 minutes (range 20–230 minutes) and was associated with sex (p < 0.001) but not with the extent of resection (partial vs. total, p = 0.51) or with tumor size (≤1.5 vs. >1.5 cm; p = 0.43) or tumor site (p = 0.77). Median blood loss was 15 ml. Median duration of postoperative hospitalization was 4 days. After a mean follow‐up of nearly 5 years, 96% of patients are normokalemic, 30% of patients are cured (normotensive without medication), and 87% showed an improvement of hypertension (normotensive without or with reduced medication). Cure of hypertension depended on the patient’s age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001), duration of hypertension (p < 0.05), and histomorphology (p < 0.001). Improvement of hypertension was not associated with any of these factors.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneoscopic removal of adrenal glands in patients with Conn’s syndrome is a safe, rapidly performed surgical procedure and can thus be considered as first choice option for treatment of both solitary adrenal adenomas and hyperplasia presenting with a clinically predominating nodule.
Sensorial and Physico‐Chemical Characterization of Virgin Olive Oils Produced in Çanakkale
Authors: Öğütçü Mustafa , Mendeş Mehmet , Yılmaz Emin
Published: March 2008

The objective of the present study was to characterize the virgin olive oils (28 samples from the 2005–06 seasons) produced in the Çanakkale region. The total phenolics of the samples ranged from 34.60 to 162.61 mg gallic acid/kg. Similarly, antioxidant capacity was indicated by a range of 0.25–1.66 mmol Trolox equivalent/kg. Samples with a greater antioxidant capacity also had the highest phenolic content. Viscosity of the samples (60.4–66.3 cP) and instrumental color values (L, a*, and b*) were not statistically different among the five counties. Peroxide values of some samples were out of this range, indicating oxidation problems. The sensory quantitative description (QDA) of the appearance, aroma, flavor and mouthfeel of the olive oil samples was using 14 defining terms developed by the panel. Also, a canonical correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between physico‐chemical and QDA measurements. The five geographic counties of Çanakkale were found to be statistically not different from each other (p > 0.05). All regions had olive oils which were mostly olive‐like, grassy, faintly bitter, very yellow and clear with a small amount of green color.
Separation and Determination of Functional Complex Lipids from Chicken Skin
Authors: Yunoki Keita , Kukino Osamu , Nadachi Yoshitaka , Fujino Takehiko , Ohnishi Masao
Published: March 2008

Complex lipids including sphingolipid and plasmalogens were expected to be used as functional supplement, although their physiological activities have not been fully demonstrated. Although these complex lipids exist voluminously in brain and nervous tissues, hardly any animal resources of these lipids have been used since the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Thus, the chemical composition and concentration method of complex lipids from the skin of mature laying hens, a huge amount of which is wasted every year, has been investigated. Total lipid yield (32 g/100 g) prepared from chicken skin contained 2% complex lipids. Total lipids predominantly consisted of triacylglycerol (TAG), with phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin (SM) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) generally predominant as complex lipids. PE was primarily plasmalogens (62 mol%), of which arachidonic acid (47.6 mol%) and docosahexaenoic acid (11.2 mol%) were the predominant fatty acids. The component sphingoid base of sphingomyelin was almost totally 4‐trans sphingenine (sphingosine). The complex lipids were able to be separated from an ethanol extract of minced skin in good yield by solvent fractionation with a hexane/ethanol system. Moreover, highly purified SM (>95 wt%) was prepared by a combination of solvent fractionation and alkaline/acidic hydrolysis from the ethanol extract. Thus, it was shown that culled chicken skin could be a potential resource of the antioxidant phospholipid plasmalogens and human‐type sphingolipid.
Selected metabolic parameters and the risk for uterine fibroids
Authors: Sadlonova Jana , Kostal Milan , Smahelova Alena , Hendl Jan , Starkova Jitka , Nachtigal Petr
Published: March 2008

Objective

To analyze the possible association between insulin resistance and dyslipidemia with uterine fibroids, using objective metabolic measurements.

Method

A cross‐sectional study of 56 women with uterine fibroids (case group) and 20 women without fibroids (control group). Levels of fasting glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, sex hormone‐binding globulin, and the lipid panel were measured. The short insulin tolerance test was performed. Body mass index, atherogenic index, and the indicator of insulin resistance (Kitt) were also calculated.

Results

Women with fibroids had significantly higher levels of serum HDL‐cholesterol compared with control patients (1.8 ± 0.3 vs 1.6 ± 0.5; P < 0.05). Women with fibroids aged 30–45 years had significantly lower LDL‐cholesterol levels than comparative control patients (2.9 ± 0.7 vs 3.4 ± 0.9; P < 0.05). A positive correlation between volume of the largest fibroid and serum HDL‐cholesterol level was found in women aged 30–45 years. There were no differences in indicators of insulin resistance between the groups.

Conclusion

Insulin resistance was not shown to be a risk factor for fibroids. There is a negative association between some parameters of metabolic syndrome and fibroid volume.
Acceptance of evidence‐based reproductive health care among postgraduate specialist trainees in Nigeria
Authors: Fawole Adeniran , Oladapo Olufemi , Enahoro Folashade , Akande Ebenezer
Published: March 2008

Objective

To assess the perception and practice of evidence‐based reproductive health care among Nigerian postgraduate specialist trainee doctors.

Method

A questionnaire survey of 326 Nigerian postgraduate specialist trainee doctors involved in reproductive health care was undertaken during training workshops on evidence‐based medicine.

Results

Most respondents were familiar with evidence‐based medicine (96.6%) and agreed that it would improve patient care (95.1%). Only 38.3% had ever received training on evidence‐based medicine. Awareness and utilization of resources for evidence‐based medicine were low; only 18.7% and 28.2% had ever used the Cochrane Library or the WHO Reproductive Health Library, respectively. Understanding of technical terms related to evidence‐based medicine was poor. Lack of access to evidence was the most common constraint to the practice of evidence‐based reproductive health care.

Conclusion

Nigerian postgraduate specialist trainee doctors are positively disposed to evidence‐based reproductive health care but their understanding of the principles of evidence‐based practice is inadequate.
An Automated Approach to NMR Data Handling for Compound Validation and Registration
Authors: Bach Alvin C. , Massefski Walter W. , Mattes James F.
Published: March 2008

We have designed and implemented a computer application called CHECKIN to submit open-access NMR data to the Wyeth Research compound validation and registration workflow process. At Wyeth Research, all analytical data used for compound validation and subsequent registration must be examined by Discovery Analytical Chemistry (DAC) staff. The traditional process required the medicinal chemist to submit vials of a pure sample to DAC to perform assays to validate its structure. For NMR analysis, DAC used this material to prepare a sample in deuterated solvent, which is used to collect one-dimensional 1H NMR data. DAC then reviews the spectra for consistency with the proposed chemical structure. This evaluation process was designed to reduce the number of misidentified compounds submitted to the corporate library by having a second set of eyes examine the data for each submission.

This new computer application allows the medicinal chemist to select previously acquired hands-on NMR data and enter it into the standard workflow for evaluation, bypassing the sample preparation and data acquisition steps. The CHECKIN application saves time for the medicinal chemist and DAC staff, as well as compound library material for Wyeth. An explanation of the workflow and implementation for Bruker and Varian NMR data will be described.
Compound Management for Quantitative High-Throughput Screening
Authors: Yasgar Adam , Shinn Paul , Jadhav Ajit , Auld Douglas , Michael Sam , Zheng Wei , Austin Christopher P. , Inglese James , Simeonov Anton
Published: March 2008

An efficient and versatile Compound Management operation is essential for the success of all downstream processes in high-throughput screening (HTS) and small molecule lead development. Staff, equipment, and processes need to be not only reliable, but remain flexible and prepared to incorporate paradigm changes. In the present report, we describe a system and associated processes that enable handling of compounds for both screening and follow-up purposes at the NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC), a recently established HTS and probe development center within the Molecular Libraries Initiative of the NIH Roadmap. Our screening process, termed quantitative HTS (qHTS), involves assaying the complete compound library, currently containing > 200,000 members, at a series of dilutions to construct a full concentration—response profile. As such, Compound Management at the NCGC has been uniquely tasked to prepare, store, register, and track a vertically developed plate dilution series (i.e., inter-plate titrations) in the 384-well format. These are compressed into a series of 1536-well plates and are registered to track all subsequent plate storage. Here, we present details on the selection of equipment to enable automated, reliable, and parallel compound manipulation in 384- and 1536-well formats, protocols for preparation of inter-plate dilution series for qHTS, as well as qHTS-specific processes and issues.
Modeling, Analysis, Simulation, and Control of Laboratory Automation Systems Using Petri Nets—Analysis and Control
Authors: Russo Mark F.
Published: March 2008

In this second part of the tutorial series, we continue the investigation of Petri net theory as it applies to laboratory automation systems. The focus of this tutorial is the application of theoretical results to the analysis of laboratory automation system models. The mathematical description of a Petri net is introduced. Several analytical methods are reviewed and applied to examples of laboratory automation systems. Analytical results include the identification of deadlock situations, computation of cycle times, optimization of design, and the automatic calculation of system-control schemes.
The effect of representation of triggers on design outcomes
Authors: Sarkar Prabir , Chakrabarti Amaresh
Published: March 2008

Creativity of designers can be enhanced by the application of appropriate triggers. The presence of triggers helps designers to search solution spaces. The searching of a solution space increases the possibility of finding creative solutions. Both representation and content of the triggers or stimulus to which the designers are exposed are believed to play a vital role in the representation and content of the outcome of the designers during problem solving. We studied the effect of representation of triggers on ideas generated by six design engineers while trying to solve a given problem. A variety of representations (video/animation and audio, text, explanation, and others) that are potentially useful to designers for five prespecified triggers were administered to each designer, who generated ideas in response to each trigger–representation combination individually. The effect of representations of these triggers on the content and representation of the solutions generated by the design engineers was studied. The results showed significant influence of the representation of the triggers on the representations, number, and quality of the resulting ideas that were generated.
Analogical recognition of shape and structure in design drawings
Authors: Yaner Patrick W. , Goel Ashok K.
Published: March 2008

We describe a method for constructing a structural model of an unlabeled target two-dimensional line drawing by analogy to a known source model of a drawing with similar structure. The source case is represented as a schema that contains its line drawing and its structural model represented at multiple levels of abstraction: the lines and intersections in the drawing, the shapes, the structural components, and connections of the device are depicted in the drawing. Given a target drawing and a relevant source case, our method of compositional analogy first constructs a representation of the lines and the intersections in the target drawing, then uses the mappings at the level of line intersections to transfer the shape representations from the source case to the target; next, it uses the mappings at the level of shapes to transfer the full structural model of the depicted system from the source to the target.
A lost Ambrosian antiphoner of Southern Italy
Authors: BAILEY TERENCE
Published: March 2008

The survival, as binding material, of a single folio written in Beneventan script and neumes provides evidence for the existence of the Ambrosian antiphoner prior to 1058 and the earliest diastematic source for several melodies. A certain confusion on the part of the Beneventan scribe suggests that the Ambrosian liturgy was not familiar to him, and from this we may infer that, in the eleventh century at least, it was not usual in his region. Since the purpose of the book to which the fragment belonged was not practical, we may speculate that the prompting for its production was a scholarly interest in the liturgy presumably practised by the Ostrogoth and Lombard rulers of the south from the sixth to the eighth century, former Arians whose forebears had been converted to orthodoxy while residing in Ambrosian territory.
The vigils of medieval Tuscany
Authors: BRAND BENJAMIN
Published: March 2008

Of the liturgical ceremonies enacted by the papal court in the Middle Ages, few were as distinctive as the ‘double offices’ that occurred on nights before high feasts of the Sanctorale. These consisted of two night offices, a private ‘vigil’ enacted by the pope and his entourage at dusk and a public office at the normal hour of Matins. Even as this custom flourished in Rome through the twelfth century, it concomitantly migrated north to cathedrals throughout Tuscany. Typically comprising only one nocturn, the Tuscan vigils shed their once private character, presenting a selection of the plainsong and lessons of the night office at a convenient hour for the laity. They likewise acquired distinctively civic overtones as cathedral clerics employed them in honour of local patron saints. Nowhere was this transformation more evident than in Florence and Lucca, where the vigils of Sts Zenobius and Reparata, Regulus and Martin emerged as eminently public spectacles. In this way, Tuscan clerics transformed a venerable Roman tradition into an emblem of civic as well as ecclesiastical prestige.
Recent recordings of plainchant
Authors: WEBER JEROME F.
Published: March 2008

The first recording to be made from the new Liber Antiphonarius, volume 1, of 2005, a volume that bears the old title Antiphonale Monasticum on its cover, offers twenty-four antiphons and a brief responsory from that volume; six communions and an introit from the Graduale Triplex; and five responsories from the Liber Hymnarius (no. 1 in the list below). All the chants are chosen for the words of our Lord that are quoted in the texts, which recounts the life of Christ from Cana to Emmaus. Some of these chants have been re-edited from the 1934 edition, but half of the group heard here are newly created, including one, Venite ad me, that has a new melody for a text still assigned to the same office of the Sacred Heart. Essential to understanding the method of editing these chants is Dom Daniel Saulnier’s article in Études Grégoriennes (15056 in Günther Paucker’s chant bibliography). The singing is exquisite in the semiological style.
A trip down the Red Sea with Reynald of Châtillon
Authors: MALLETT ALEX
Published: March 2008

In the pages of the Islamic chronicles which tell of the deeds of the crusaders, one figure stands apart. A man who not only is said to have attacked pilgrim caravans in a time of truce and insulted Muhammad himself, but who also, it is reported, had the audacity, temerity, and insanity (or possible genius) to threaten the very heart of the Islamic world – the cities of Mecca and Medina, and the ‘Islamic’ Red Sea. This man was Reynald of Châtillon, lord of Oultrejourdain, erstwhile Prince of Antioch, and he is described, amongst other things, as “one of the most devilish of the Franks, and one of the most demonic, and he had the strongest hostility to the Muslims”. The raid on the Red Sea and purported attempts to attack Mecca and Medina are believed to be one of the main reasons why Reynald is so despised in the Arabic chronicles. The intention of this article, therefore, is to examine the raid anew, using the Arabic material available, in order to try to contribute to an understanding of the raid, and to establish whether, indeed, Reynald even did try to attack the holy cities of Islam, and whether the criticism of him is justified.
Reading the‘Inner Biography of the Perfected Person of Purple Solarity’:Religion and Society in an Early Daoist HagiographyWINNER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY'S PROFESSOR MARY BOYCE AWARD
Authors: TSAI JULIUS N.
Published: March 2008

One of the first copies ofThe Legends of the Saintshad a reception I was far from expecting. The friend who had received the complimentary copy informed me that he would put the book in his library, but that he would never read it. “What do you expect?” he said, “I love the legends of the saints, and I do not want anything to spoil my pleasure in them”.