bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disseminated melanoma with unique unilateral distribution
Authors: Ariel Irving M.
Published: July 2010

This is a case report of extensive metastases of dermal and subcutaneous malignant melanomas limited to the right side of the body, with the left side remaining singularly free of any evidence of tumor. The primary melanoma, which had been excised 7 years before the development of metastases, existed on the posterior aspect of the chest, slightly to the right of the midline. This is the only case of its kind noted.
Features of prognostic significance in solid ovarian teratoma
Authors: Beilby J. O. W. , Parkinson Constance
Published: July 2010

The morphology of 20 ovarian tumors reported as solid teratomas is reviewed and correlated with their clinical behavior, in an attempt to select histologic features of prognostic significance. Utilizing a grading system quantitating immature tissue of embryonic origin, a tendency was shown for fully mature tumors to follow a benign course, and for those composed predominantly of immature tissues to prove fatal. This method, however, was prognostically unreliable in 16 tumors. An additional but far more important prognostic guide in this series was provided by extra‐embryonic tissue of yolk sac origin, which was present in variable amounts and diverse histologic patterns; all teratomas including this component were fatal, frequently with evidence of extra‐abdominal metastases. In certain circumstances, immature embryonic teratomas were associated with widespread peritoneal implants, causing death from intestinal obstruction and recurrent ascites. It is important when considering prognosis and therapy to realize the metastatic potential of extra‐embryonic elements in teratomas, as distinct from the tendency of immature embryonic components to implant locally and mature into noninvasive deposits, which may be amenable to surgery.
Excess occurrence of cancer of the oral cavity, lung, and bladder following cancer of the cervix
Authors: Newell Guy R. , Krementz Edward T. , Roberts Jane D.
Published: July 2010

The risk of developing a second cancer among white and black females with an initial cancer of the uterine cervix or corpus has been estimated based on the experience of the Charity Hospital of Louisiana Tumor Registry, a participant of the End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute. Observed second primary cancers were compared to expected numbers in order to obtain a direct estimate of risk. White females having an initial cancer of the cervix had a 5‐to‐6‐fold excess risk of developing a subsequent cancer of the oral pharynx, lung, or bladder during the first 5 years following their initial cancer with no excess risk during subsequent years. Black females with cervical cancer had a 3.5‐fold excess risk for developing oral cavity and lung cancer. There was no excess risk for developing subsequent cancer of the breast or large intestine, but a slight excess risk for developing subsequent cancer of the ano‐rectum. There was a 7% excess risk among both whites and blacks with initial cancer of the corpus uteri of subsequently developing another cancer.
Mesenchymal tumors of the uterus. V. Intravenous leiomyomatosis: A clinical and pathologic study of 14 cases
Authors: Norris Henry J. , Parmley Tim
Published: July 2010

Fourteen examples of intravenous leiomyomatosis in the AFIP files were studied. Growth beyond the uterus occurred in 10 of the 14 examples, largely in vessels in the broad ligament and in uterine and iliac veins. Metastasis to the heart occurred in 1 example. The study provides evidence that is consistent with both theories of origin of intravenous leiomyomatosis; namely, that it may arise either from the wall of veins within the myometrium or be a result of unusually extensive vascular invasion from a leiomyoma of the myometrium. Intravenous leiomyomatosis should be distinguished from a leiomyoma with vascular invasion by arbitrarily limiting the designation of leiomyoma with vascular invasion to neoplasms in which the vascular growth is a microscopic finding and confined within the leiomyoma. Criteria are given for distinguishing intravenous leiomyomatosis from endometrial stromal sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, leiomyoma with vascular invasion, and leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata.
Benign metastasizing uterine leiomyoma: Multiple lymph nodal metastases
Authors: Abell M. R. , Littler E. R.
Published: July 2010

A case of histologically benign lymph nodal metastases from a uterine Ieiomyoma in a 27‐year‐old woman is reported. It is postulated that fragments of a leiomyoma, detached at the time of endometrial curettage, entered dilated lymphatic channels in or adjacent to a large projecting submucous leiomyoma, and seeded several pelvic and para‐aortic lymph nodes. During an interval of 8 years, these grew slowly and did not infiltrate the perinodal tissues or give rise to secondary metastases.
Incidence, mortality or prevalence as indicators of the cancer problem
Authors: Hakama M. , Hakulinen T. , Teppo L. , Saxen E.
Published: July 2010

The magnitude of the cancer problem, as conveyed by the incidence, mortality and prevalence figures, was studied by analysis of the material of the Finnish Cancer Registry from 1953–1970. The prevalence was defined as the number of persons who had cancer, or had ever had cancer, and were living on December 31, 1970. The incidence and mortality of cancer in males exceeded those in respect of females, whereas the prevalence with females was clearly higher than that with males. According to all 3 indices, the commonest site of cancer was in the lungs in males. In females, cancer of the breast was the commonest malignant neoplasm measured by incidence and prevalence, whereas in mortality statistics it was second to cancer of the stomach. Cancers with poor prognosis, such as cancer of the lung, stomach, pancreas and esophagus, and leukemia, exhibited relatively low prevalence figures, whereas cancers with good prognosis, such as cancer of the breast, uterus, larynx and lip, showed relatively large numbers of prevalent cases. In females, cancer of the genitals, including the breasts, constituted nearly as many prevalent cases as did the total figure in males. As the 3 cancer indices measure different things, the nature of the index used should be taken into account in evaluation of the magnitude of the cancer problem.
Hemangiopericytoma: A clinicopathologic study and long‐term followup of 60 patients
Authors: McMaster Michael J. , Soule Edward H. , Ivins John C.
Published: July 2010

The clinical courses of 60 patients with hemangiopericytoma of the somatic soft tissues are summarized in this retrospective study. The tumors were subjected to a comparative histologic review and classified as benign (12 lesions), borderline malignant (16 lesions), and malignant (32 lesions). Tumors with 1 mitotic figure per 10 high‐power fields and slight cellular anaplasia or 1 mitotic figure per 20 high‐power fields and moderate cellular anaplasia may be expected to follow a malignant clinical course. Six of the 16 tumors with these microscopic features (borderline lesions) metastasized (37.5%), and 6 exhibited local recurrences after excision. Of the 32 malignant tumors, 25 (78%) metastasized. Twenty‐three patients with malignant tumors were followed for more than 5 years or until death from tumor, and only one patient was alive and free of disease. Fifteen of the 23 patients experienced one of more local recurrences. None of the benign tumors metastasized. Surgical ablation of hemangiopericytoma is, in our experience, the only satisfactory method of treatment. Amputation of an extremity need be done only when the location of the lesion precludes a wide local excision. Local recurrent tumor was experienced by 22 patients after an inadequate local excision. Long‐term follow‐up is recommended because metastasis became apparent in 11% of patients with malignant tumors and 7% with borderline tumors after 5 “disease‐free” years.
The evolution of cancer of the colon and rectum
Authors: Muto T. , Bussey H. J. R. , Morson B. C.
Published: July 2010

The malignant potential of adenomas of the colon and rectum varies with size, histological type and grade of epithelial atypia. The adenomatous polyp is usually small and has a low malignant potential, whereas tumors with a villous structure are usually larger and have a much higher cancer rate. Severe atypia is more common in villous adenomas than in adenomatous polyps. Evidence is presented which suggests that most cancers of the colon and rectum have evolved through the polyp‐cancer sequence although the majority of adenomas do not become cancerous during a normal adult life span. The slow evolution of the polyp‐cancer sequence is stressed. The implications of the polyp‐cancer sequence for the design of cancer prevention programmes and the study of the aetiology of large bowel cancer are discussed.
Formulation of a nonlinear model of chromatic adaptation for a light‐gray background
Authors: Takahama Kotaro , Sobagaki Hiroaki , Nayatani Yoshinobu
Published: July 2010

The nonlinear model of chromatic adaptation of Nayatani, Takahama, and Sobagaki1–3 is extended to apply to an adapting field with a light‐gray background. Its formulation and computational procedure are described in detail. Using the extended formulation, the following adaptation effects are predicted for a background reflectance of 50%: )1( the chromatic‐adaptation effect between standard illuminants D65 and A, )2( the change of colorfulness of colored samples )the Hunt effect(, )3( the change of bright and dark contrast of nonselective samples )the Stevens effect(, and )4( the color perception of nonselective samples under a colored adapting illumination )the Helson‐Judd effect(. Effects )2( and )3( are observed by changing the adapting luminance. The effect of changing the background reflectance from 0.20 to 0.50 is discussed with respect to prediction of the above four effects. This change is especially significant in the Helson‐Judd effect but less so in the others.
Polarization‐angle dependence of photoluminescence intensity of ordered GaInP2 layers: observation of polarization memory
Authors: Prutskij T. , Pelosi C. , Brito‐Orta1 R.
Published: July 2010

We compare measured and calculated polarization‐angle dependencies of the intensity of the photoluminescence emission from MOVPE‐grown GaInP2 layers with different ordering parameters. We measured the polarization‐angle dependencies of the emission propagating along the [001], [110] and [1$ \bar 1 $0] directions at room temperature. Symmetry considerations were used to calculate the dependence of the relative intensity of the PL emission which was linearly polarized along different directions and to estimate the value of the valence‐band splitting by fitting the measured dependencies with calculated curves. An intriguing influence of the polarization of the exciting beam on the relative amount of the polarized PL emission was observed in the emission from the (110) plane. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The party of the last part: Ethical and process implications for children in divorce mediation
Authors: Menin Bruce
Published: July 2010

No party is more greatly, directly, and ultimately affected by the issues on the table in a divorce mediation than the children of the divorcing parties. Paradoxically, the very structure of the mediation process acts in concert with the developmental vulnerability of those children to deny them a seat at the table. This article explores some ethical implications for both process and mediator in light of this paradox, by considering mediation structure, issues, and roles. I review some of the literature on mediation ethics and consider whether existing standards adequately ensure that the needs of children are addressed. I suggest important values and process options that might reflect a family‐centered approach to mediation, and I consider some of the challenges this approach may face. The appendixes of this article briefly examine the impact divorce may have on the emotional and cognitive development of children; they include a recently drafted set of mediator guidelines that offer a promising start.
Relational transformation in mediation: Following constitutive and regulative rules
Authors: Jorgensen Erling O.
Published: July 2010

Disputes can be analyzed in terms of implicit rules people use to ascribe meaning to situations (“constitutive rules”) and to specify appropriate action (“regulative rules”). These concepts, drawn from the Coordinated Management of Meaning theory of Pearce and Cronen (1980), represent an untapped resource for mediators and are especially compatible with the Transformative Mediation approach of Bush and Folger (1994). This article shows, through intensive analysis of simulated sessions, how mediators can explicitly track and clarify the multiple contexts of parties' constitutive rules, and how relational transformation can emerge and be encouraged through surfacing opportunities for empowerment (decision making and strength toward self) and recognition (perspective taking and compassion toward others).
Alkyne Hydroarylation in Ionic Liquids Catalyzed by Palladium(II) Complexes
Authors: Biffis Andrea , Gazzola Luca , Tubaro Cristina , Basato Marino
Published: July 2010

The efficiency of dicarbene palladium(II) complexes and of simple palladium(II) acetate as catalysts for alkyne hydroarylation under liquid‐liquid biphasic conditions involving an ionic liquid as the catalyst‐containing phase is investigated. The results obtained under these conditions, both in terms of activity and selectivity, are compared with those previously obtained under homogeneous conditions. The catalytic efficiency of the systems is found to be markedly dependent on the nature of the anion of the ionic liquid. Suitable anions are found to significantly improve the catalytic performance in comparison to homogeneous conditions. Preliminary investigations on the recyclability of the system as well as the on advantages of using an acidic ionic liquid are also carried out.
Experimental study of a chaos‐based communication system in the presence of unknown transmission delay
Authors: Jafari Saeid , Haeri Mohammad , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh
Published: July 2010

In this paper, a chaos‐based communication system in the presence of unknown transmission delay is studied. First, under master/slave configurations, two chaotic Chen systems as the slaves are synchronized with a master one via unidirectional coupling. Then at the transmitter, information of an image is embedded within a slave‐one signal and the resultant signal along with another one which is used to determine the transmission delay is transmitted to the receiver. At the receiver, using the received signals and the slave‐two counterpart signal, the image is recovered. The performance of the proposed method is experimentally illustrated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental Studies of Demixing in Ar–N Plasmas Produced in a Wall‐Stabilized Arc
Authors: Ksia̧żek I.
Published: July 2010

Plasmas produced in a wall stabilized arc in mixtures of argon and nitrogen, containing different amounts of these elements have been studied. The plasma composition turns out to be very important to the process of demixing in radial direction. In plasmas containing mainly argon, the argon mass fraction reveals a local minimum on the arc axis while in plasmas containing large amount of nitrogen the argon mass fraction have a maximum on the arc axis.

The increase of nitrogen amount in Ar–N plasma influences the radial temperature profile causing a decrease of the temperature in plasma layers close to the stabilizing wall and an increase on the axis of plasma column. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimizing Patching‐based multicast for video‐on‐demand in wireless mesh networks
Authors: Xie Fei , Hua Kien A. , Jiang Ning
Published: July 2010

In this work, we study the application of video‐on‐demand (VoD) in wireless mesh networks (WMN), a next generation edge technology to provide broadband data access in residential, business and even city‐wise networks. We adopt a Patching‐based multicast technique to better utilize the bandwidth resources in the mesh network. We optimize the Patching‐based multicast by addressing two critical problems, namely, theMinimum Cost Multicast Tree(MCMT) problem and theMaximum Benefit Multicast Group(MBMG) problem. The MCMT problem is to find a MCMT in the network. We show that finding such a tree in the WMN can be formulated as a graph theory problem, which is to find the tree with minimum number of non‐leaf nodes, and which spans all the nodes in the multicast group. We further prove the problem is NP‐hard and propose a fast greedy algorithm to accommodate the real‐time feature of the VoD application. We solve the MBMG problem by minimizing the communication of a Patching group in the entire network. A Markov model is proposed to capture the growth of the multicast group in the WMN. Simulation study results validate the proposed solutions of the two problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of MK‐886, a leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, on [Ca2+]iand apoptosis in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Chang Hong‐Tai , Huang Chorng‐Chih , Cheng He‐Hsiung , Lu Ti , Wang Jue‐Long , Lin Ko‐Long , Hsu Pei‐Te , Tsai Jeng‐Yu , Liao Wei‐Chuan , Lu Yih‐Chau , Huang Jong‐Khing , Jan Chung‐Ren
Published: July 2010

The effect of MK‐886 (3‐[1‐(p‐chlorobenzyl)‐5‐(isopropyl)‐3‐tert‐butylthioindol‐2‐yl]‐2, 2‐dimethylpropanoic acid), a compound widely used to inhibit leukotriene synthesis, on cytosolic free Ca2+concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in osteosarcoma cells has not been explored. This study examined whether MK‐886 altered [Ca2+]ilevels in suspended MG63 human osteosarcoma cells using fura‐2. MK‐886 at 0.1 μM and above increased [Ca2+]iin a concentration‐dependent manner. The Ca2+signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca2+. MK‐886 induced Mn2+quenching of fura‐2 fluorescence, implicating Ca2+entry. MK‐886‐induced Ca2+influx was inhibited by store‐operated Ca2+entry inhibitors, nifedipine, econazole, and SKF96365; and by the protein kinase C modulators, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) and GF109203X. In Ca2+‐free medium, after pretreatment with 5 μM MK‐886, 1 μM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+pump inhibitor)‐induced [Ca2+]irises were abolished; conversely, thapsigargin pretreatment nearly abolished MK‐886‐induced [Ca2+]irises. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not change MK‐886‐induced [Ca2+]irises. Collectively, in MG63 osteosarcoma cells, MK‐886 induced [Ca2+]irises by causing phospholipase C‐independent Ca2+release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+influx via protein kinase C‐regulated store‐operated Ca2+entry. Drug Dev Res 69: 49–57, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative evaluation of quality of doxycycline formulations registered in Estonia to those registered in the Russian Federation
Authors: Meos A. , Paap M. , Matto V. , Veski P.
Published: July 2010

The in vitro properties of four Estonian drug market (manufactured in Austria, Germany, and Finland) and four Russian Federation drug market (manufactured in Belarussia and Russian Federation) doxycycline formulations were evaluated using the estimation of the quantitative content and purity of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the dissolution test. Tolerance limits were set according to the European Pharmacopoeia (for the content and purity of the API) and USP (for the dissolution test) doxycycline monographs. All Estonian drug market doxycycline formulations complied with the tolerance limits in all tests and assays. Most of the Russian Federation drug market doxycycline formulations also passed the tolerance limits, with two minor exceptions: one formulation contained quantitatively API below the USP limit (83.7% instead of the 90%), but all the API was readily released in the dissolution test, the other formulation (capsules) released 80% of API in 39 min instead of 30 min. The general conclusion of the study is that despite some deviations, the Russian Federation drug market doxycycline formulations are comparable with those purchased from the Estonian drug market. Drug Dev Res 69: 58–68, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LBY135, a novel anti‐DR5 agonistic antibody induces tumor cell–specific cytotoxic activity in human colon tumor cell lines and xenografts
Authors: Li Jing , Knee Deborah A. , Wang Youzhen , Zhang Qingxiu , Johnson Jennifer A. , Cheng Jane , He Helen , Miller Christine , Li Zhifang , Kowal Colleen , Eckman Joseph , Tang Betty , Yuan Jing , Chen Liqing , Deveraux Quinn , Nasoff Marc S. , Stover David
Published: July 2010

TRAIL (TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand) induces apoptosis on binding to DR4 and DR5 receptors on the surface of tumor cells. These receptors are of particular interest in the development of cancer therapeutics as they preferentially mediate tumor cell apoptosis. We have generated a chimeric anti‐DR5 agonistic antibody, LBY135, from its murine parental antibody, LCR211, identified using hybridoma technology. Both LCR211 and LBY135 specifically bind to DR5 with nanomolar affinity, mimic TRAIL to induce cell death in tumor cells, and have little effect on non‐transformed cells in vitro. The anti‐DR5 antibody reduced viability in 45% of a panel of 40 human colon cancer cell lines with IC50values of 20 nM or less. In vivo, using human colorectal tumor xenograft mouse models, LCR211 induced tumor regression and showed enhanced efficacy when combined with 5‐FU. Both in vitro evaluation of ADCC (antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity) and CDC (complement‐dependent cytotoxicity), and in vivo studies using a non‐functional DR5 specific antibody or SCID‐Beige mice, suggested ADCC and CDC are unlikely to be the mechanism to ablate tumors in vivo. LBY135 and LCR211 appear to mediate cell death and tumor regression mainly through apoptosis, as demonstrated by the activation of caspase 3, caspase 8, M30, and TUNEL assay. In addition, the discovery of synergy between cross‐linked LBY135 and TRAIL not only revealed the unique epitope of LBY135, but also demonstrated an additional mechanism of action for LBY135 in vivo. LBY135 demonstrates promise as a novel therapeutic for cancer treatment and is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Drug Dev Res 69: 69–82, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Iptakalim prevents rat pulmonary hypertension induced by endothelin‐1 through the activation of KATP channel in vivo
Authors: Wang Hong , Xie Weiping , Zhang Zheng , Wang Hai , Hu Gang , Zhang Shijiang
Published: July 2010

Iptakalim has been previously characterized as a novel, selective ATP‐sensitive potassium channel opener. In the present study, to determine whether iptakalim can prevent the pulmonary hypertension induced by endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) through the activation of KATP channel in vivo, the effects of iptakalim and glibenclamide (a selective KATP channel blocker) on the mean pulmonary pressure (mPAP) induced by ET‐1 were examined in rats. Treatment of the animals with exogenous ET‐1 (via the pulmonary artery at a dose of 1.5 µg/kg) induced a pulmonary hypertension in vivo, whereas the administration of iptakalim (via the pulmonary artery at doses of either 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg/kg) prior to ET‐1 prevented pulmonary hypertension induced by ET‐1 in vivo. The ability of iptakalim to prevent pulmonary hypertension induced by ET‐1 was abolished by glibenclamide (via the femoral artery at a dose of 20 mg/kg) in vivo. These findings provide strong evidence that iptakalim acts as a specific KATP channel opener to antagonize the vasoconstrictor effect of ET‐1 in the pulmonary circulation. Thus, iptakalim may be developed as a therapeutic option for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Drug Dev Res 69: 89–94, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical inactivity and obesity: links with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Venables Michelle C. , Jeukendrup Asker E.
Published: July 2010

Data from the health survey for England 2006 1, showed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has more than doubled in men and women since 1991. In the USA certain States have a prevalence of T2DM of greater than 10% 2. Globally it has been reported that this increase is by no means slowing down and that the number of individuals with the disease is expected to rise from 171 million cases reported in 2000 to 366 million by the year 2030 3. Physical inactivity and obesity are two major risk factors for the development of T2DM. In this review we will discuss evidence of an association between physical inactivity, obesity and T2DM from prospective cohort studies and clinical trials. We will also discuss some of the potential mechanisms that are thought to link obesity and physical inactivity with the major pathophysiological precursor of T2DM, insulin resistance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational and vibrational spectroscopic studies of ipratropium bromide
Authors: Ali H. R. H. , Edwards H. G. M. , Kendrick J. , Scowen I. J.
Published: July 2010

In this study, ipratropium bromide is investigated using vibrational spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The structure of ipratropium bromide was optimised using density functional theory calculations and the geometry optimisation has been carried out on two conformations with and without intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Infrared and Raman spectra were calculated from the optimised structures. Many modes in the calculated spectra could be matched with the experimental spectra and a description of the modes is given. By analysis of the theoretical vibrational modes, it is shown that ipratropium bromide specimens are likely to be a mixture of the two conformations with and without intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In addition, several spectral features and band intensities in the CH and OH stretching regions are explained. Quantum mechanical calculations allowed improved understanding of ipratropium bromide and its vibrational spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteolysis and autolysis of proteases and the detection of degradation products in doping control
Authors: Thomas Andreas , Kohler Maxie , Walpurgis Katja , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario
Published: July 2010

The determination of protein‐ or peptide‐based performance‐enhancing pharmaceuticals has gained increasing attention in sports drug testing in recent decades. Proteases possess a high potential for use in the manipulation of regular urine specimens, interfering with established doping control procedures for proteins or peptides. Hence, the present approach was developed to identify degradation products directly from proteases with exogenous origin in urine samples by means of SDS‐PAGE and capillary liquid chromatography—Orbitrap (tandem) mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometric identification was accomplished by database search considering the accurate monoisotopic precursor mass with data dependent MS/MS analysis and no setting for specific cleavage site(s) or enzyme(s). The main characteristics of the method were shown in an exemplary way for the proteases Papain, Bacillolysin, Trypsin and Subtilisin with sufficient results for specificity, limit of detection, working range, precision and recovery after incubation. All experiments were performed with fortified urine samples under consideration of assumed realistic conditions for adulteration by cheating sportsmen. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection for simultaneous determination of proline and fleroxacin in human urine
Authors: Sun Hanwen , Li Liqing , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: July 2010

The content of free proline (Pro) in body fluids is a biological parameter for patients with renal insufficiency and chronic uraemia. Fleroxacin (FLX) must be used cautiously because of adverse reactions. Its dosage must be adjusted according to the degree of renal insufficiency. In a clinical setting the simultaneous determination of Pro and FLX in body fluids is necessary for the rational utilization of FLX. A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection with Ru(bpy)32+ was developed for the simultaneous determination of Pro and FLX in human urine. Parameters related to separation and detection were investigated and optimized. The most favourable resolution and high sensitivity were obtained using a 15 mM phosphate buffer at pH 9.6 with the detection potential at 1.15 V. Under optimized conditions, the standard curves were linear in the range of 0.1–80 µg/mL for Pro and 0.1–100 µg/mL for FLX. Detection limits(3σ) of 0.3 ng/mL for FLX and 0.02 µg/mL for Pro were obtained. Relative standard derivations (RSDs) of the ECL intensity and the migration time were 3.2% and 0.9% for 4 µg/mL Pro and 3.7% and 1.2% for 4 µg/mL FLX, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 94.8–99.6% for Pro with RSDs of 2.8%–3.6% and 94.7–97.8% for FLX with RSDs of 2.9%–3.7%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the amounts of Pro and FLX in human urine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic rearrangement of surface proteins is essential for cytokinesis
Authors: Bauer Tobias , Motosugi Nami , Miura Koichi , Sabe Hisataka , Hiiragi Takashi
Published: July 2010

Sequential time‐lapse images of a cleaving mouse zygote labeled with fluorescent latex microbeads (red) that bind to cell‐surface proteins. These images show that the second polar body moves together with cell‐surface proteins, and that the majority of the cell‐surface proteins accumulate in the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. See Bauer et al. in this issue.
Predictors of word‐level literacy amongst Grade 3 children in five diverse languages
Authors: Smythe Ian , Everatt John , Al‐Menaye Nasser , He Xianyou , Capellini Simone , Gyarmathy Eva , Siegel Linda S.
Published: July 2010

Groups of Grade 3 children were tested on measures of word‐level literacy and undertook tasks that required the ability to associate sounds with letter sequences and that involved visual, auditory and phonological‐processing skills. These groups came from different language backgrounds in which the language of instruction was Arabic, Chinese, English, Hungarian or Portuguese. Similar measures were used across the groups, with tests being adapted to be appropriate for the language of the children. Findings indicated that measures of decoding and phonological‐processing skills were good predictors of word reading and spelling among Arabic‐ and English‐speaking children, but were less able to predict variability in these same early literacy skills among Chinese‐ and Hungarian‐speaking children, and were better at predicting variability in Portuguese word reading than spelling. Results were discussed with reference to the relative transparency of the script and issues of dyslexia assessment across languages. Overall, the findings argue for the need to take account of features of the orthography used to represent a language when developing assessment procedures for a particular language and that assessment of word‐level literacy skills and a phonological perspective of dyslexia may not be universally applicable across all language contexts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summary of ‘Interventions for treating obesity in children’
Authors: Oude Luttikhuis H. , Baur L. , Jansen H. , Shrewsbury V. A. , O'Malley C. , Stolk R. P. , Summerbell C. D.
Published: July 2010

This is a summary, including tables of key findings and quality of included trials, of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Oude Luttikhuis H, Baur L, Jansen H, Shrewsbury VA, O'Malley C, Stolk RP, Summerbell CD. Interventions for treating obesity in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001872. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001872.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Commentary. Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
A conceptual framework for understanding semi‐arid land degradation: ecohydrological interactions across multiple‐space and time scales
Authors: Turnbull L. , Wainwright J. , Brazier R. E.
Published: July 2010

Land degradation is a problem prolific across semi‐arid areas worldwide. Despite being a complex process including both biotic and abiotic elements, previous attempts to understand ecosystem dynamics have largely been carried out within the disparate disciplines of ecology and hydrology, which has led to significant limitations. Here, an ecohydrological framework is outlined, to provide a new direction for the study of land degradation in semi‐arid ecosystems. Unlike other frameworks that draw upon hierarchy theory to provide a broad, non‐explicit conceptual framework, this new framework is based upon the explicit linkage of processes operating over the continuum of temporal and spatial scales by perceiving the ecosystem as a series of structural and functional connections, within which interactions between biotic and abiotic components of the landscape occur. It is hypothesized that semi‐arid land degradation conforms to a cusp‐catastrophe model in which the two controlling variables are abiotic structural connectivity and abiotic functional connectivity, which implicitly account for ecosystem resilience, and biotic structural and function connectivity. It is suggested therefore that future research must (1) evaluate how abiotic and biotic function (i.e. water, sediment and nutrient loss/redistribution) vary over grass–shrub transitions and (2) quantify the biotic/abiotic structure over grass‐shrub transitions, to (3) determine the interactions between ecosystem structure and function, and interactions/feedbacks between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A method for estimating subdaily evapotranspiration of shallow groundwater using diurnal water table fluctuations
Authors: Loheide II Steven P.
Published: July 2010

Diurnal water table fluctuations are a common feature of well hydrographs recorded in wetlands, riparian areas, and similar environments where shallow groundwater supports phreatophytic vegetation. Historically, this periodic signal has been used to estimate daily groundwater consumption by this vegetation and has shown that this is typically a very large component of the water budget. As interest in ecohydrology grows and the need for finer resolution estimates of groundwater consumption increases, new, cost‐effective measurement methodologies must be developed. Here, a method is proposed that uses the observed rate of water table decline during the day to estimate phreatophytic groundwater consumption while using the nighttime records to account for other groundwater fluxes to/from the vicinity of the well at all times. Variably saturated groundwater flow modeling was used to create a synthetic data set to test the methodology, and results showed that accurate, sub‐daily (15 min) estimates of phreatophytic groundwater consumption were obtained. The method was also applied to a preexisting data set to demonstrate the usefulness of the technique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does water abstraction from unregulated streams affect aquatic macrophyte assemblages? An evaluation based on comparisons with reference sites
Authors: Chessman Bruce C. , Royal Meredith J. , Muschal Monika
Published: July 2010

Aquatic and amphibious macrophytes were surveyed during two seasons at 85 sites on unregulated streams in northeastern New South Wales, Australia, during a period of prolonged and recurring drought. Fifty‐four of these sites were designated as reference sites with respect to water abstraction because upstream entitlement for abstraction was less than 1% of their mean annual flow (MAF). The remaining sites had an average of 4% of MAF licensed for upstream abstraction (range 1–20%). No statistically significant overall difference in macrophyte assemblage diversity (number of taxa) or composition was detected between reference and non‐reference sites. When each non‐reference site was compared with those particular reference sites that it most resembled in non‐hydrological environmental features relevant to macrophyte assemblages, the similarity between observed and reference data was unrelated to the amount of upstream entitlement for abstraction. The lack of any evident impact on macrophyte assemblages was attributed mainly to the relatively small proportion of flow licensed for abstraction, the fact that the study sites did not dry completely, and the resilience of stream macrophytes to drought. However, the difficulty in distinguishing abstraction impacts from high background spatial variability in macrophyte assemblages may also have been influential. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault Section Estimation of Power System Using Colored and Timed Petri Nets
Authors: Yang Chun‐Ling , Yokoyama Akmiko , Sekine Yasuji
Published: July 2010

A correct and rapid inference is required for practical use of expert system for fault section estimation in power systems. This paper proposes a new model‐based expert system for fault section estimation using colored and timed Petri nets. The Petri nets simplify the inference procedure greatly because it can represent the causalities among faults of power system components, protective actions of relays and circuit breakers. They can also represent the operating states of these protective devices explicitly, or, more precisely, whether a relay has been actuated correctly or falsely, etc. In addition, time sequence information on actuated relays and tripped circuit breakers can be handled by using the colored and timed Petri nets. Therefore, the operating states of relays and circuit breakers can be inferred more correctly.

Petri nets are suited for parallel processing so well that there is a possibility of reducing the inference time considerably. In the proposed system, the inference is executed by setting the initial states in the Petri nets using the information on the actuated relays and the tripped circuit breakers and then operating the Petri nets. There have been several test cases which used a prototype system on the Macintosh computer employing Object Common Lisp, and good results have been obtained.
A Fail‐safe Logic Operator Using an Insulated Planar Transformer
Authors: Asada Norihiro , Matsuki Hidetoshi , Esashi Masayoshi
Published: July 2010

A fail‐safe logic circuit must switch the output signal to the logical value “0” when an operation circuit fails. A transformer has such favorable characteristics for fail‐safe logic circuits as only the magnetic flux change is transmitted and a superposition of magnetic flux is realized. Thus those characteristics arc applied to a failsafe logic operator.

A new fail‐safe logic operator using an insulated planar transformer was developed for a fail‐safe majority operation and a fail‐safe interlocking. In this paper, the principle, structure, design and fundamental characteristics of the new fail‐safe logic operator are described.
Slip‐Frequency‐Type Vector Control Equivalent to Flux‐Feedback Vector Control Using Flux Observer
Authors: Kinpara Yoshihiko , Doki Shinji , Okuma Shigeru , Sangwongwanich Somboon
Published: July 2010

The slip‐frequency type vector control and the flux‐feedback type vector control arc typical control methods of induction motors. It is shown that the two methods are similar except for a frame of reference. The flux‐feedback‐type vector control using the rectangular coordinate uses vertical and horizontal components of the rotor flux. The slip‐frequency type vector control using the polar coordinate employs absolute value and angle of the rotor flux.

Usually, the flux‐feedback vector control does not use the rotor flux model but instead, the rotor flux observer for flux estimation. On the other hand, the slip‐frequency type control uses the rotor flux model. Therefore the slip‐frequency type vector control using the rotor flux observer is proposed. The proposed method is equivalent to the flux‐feedback type vector control using the rotor flux observer. Then it is more robust than the conventional slip‐frequency type vector control.
Persistent Current Analysis of Superconducting Coils in an Electrodynamic Suspension System
Authors: Azukizawa Teruo
Published: July 2010

In a superconductive electrodynamic suspension system, superconducting coils experience a space harmonic magnetic field generated by induced current in the levitation coils installed along the guideway. Current in a superconducting coil varies to keep the total magnetic flux constant when the coil is exposed in an external magnetic field. However, superconducting coil current was treated as constant in the conventional analysis because the electromagnetic forces can be estimated easily.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the behavior of the persistent current in making reliable and tough superconducting magnets. A simple method to analyze fluctuating persistent current in a superconducting coil is proposed first. Calculated results for the normal running condition showed that the fluctuations of persistent current are less than 1 percent of the initially excited current for the sidewall levitation system, and less than 2 percent for the ground levitation coil system. Even when the null flux guidance cable is short‐circuited, the fluctuation is less than 5 percent. Considering that the magnetic shield effects by the conductive cryostat vessels were neglected in this analysis, the fluctuating magnetic field by levitation coils will never affect the stability for a superconducting magnet.
Oxidized ATP inhibits T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity
Authors: Lang Philipp A. , Merkler Doron , Funkner Pauline , Shaabani Namir , Meryk Andreas , Krings Caroline , Barthuber Carmen , Recher Mike , Brück Wolfgang , Häussinger Dieter , Ohashi Pamela S. , Lang Karl S.
Published: July 2010

T cells directed against self antigens play an important role in several autoimmune diseases. The available immunosuppressive compounds used to treat autoimmune diseases are limited, and often they have side effects that limit their application. T cells express ATP receptors, which could be new target molecules to treat autoimmune disease. Here we analyzed the effect of oxidized ATP (oxATP), an inhibitor of the ATP receptor P2rx7, in different murine models of T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune diseases. Treatment with oxATP inhibited proliferation and effector function of T cells. In the systems we used, oxATP did not obviously interfere with the innate immune response, but strongly reduced antigen‐specific T‐cell responses. This treatment ameliorated T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune type I diabetes and autoimmune encephalitis in mice. In conclusion, oxATP was found to strongly inhibit activated T cells and could thus be used to target T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease.
Retinoic acid‐induced gut tropism improves the protective capacity of Treg in acute but not in chronic gut inflammation
Authors: Menning Astrid , Loddenkemper Christoph , Westendorf Astrid M. , Szilagyi Balint , Buer Jan , Siewert Christiane , Hamann Alf , Huehn Jochen
Published: July 2010

Treg are endowed with immunosuppressive activities and have been proposed as promising targets for the therapy of autoimmune diseases. As the suppressive capacity of Treg depends on their migration into the affected tissues, we tested here whether modulation of Treg homing would enhance their capacity to suppress inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. Retinoic acid (RA) was used to induce the gut‐specific homing receptor α4β7 efficiently and, to some extent, the chemokine receptor CCR9 on in vitro expanded Treg. Upon transfer, RA‐treated Treg were indeed more potent suppressors in an acute, small intestinal inflammation model, compared with Treg stimulated without RA. By contrast, the efficacy of Treg to resolve an established, chronic inflammation of the colon in the transfer colitis model was not affected by RA‐treatment. In the latter model, a rapid loss of RA‐induced α4β7 expression and de novo induction of α4β7 on previously negative cells was observed on transferred Treg, which implies that Treg acquire gut‐seeking properties in vivo under inflammatory and/or lymphopenic conditions. Together, our data show that the induction of appropriate homing properties prior to transfer increases the protective potential of adoptively transferred Treg in acute, but not in chronic, inflammatory disorders of the gut.
Interferon‐induced TRAIL‐independent cell death in DNase II−/− embryos
Authors: Kitahara Yusuke , Kawane Kohki , Nagata Shigekazu
Published: July 2010

The chromosomal DNA of apoptotic cells and the nuclear DNA expelled from erythroid precursors is cleaved by DNase II in lysosomes after the cells or nuclei are engulfed by macrophages. DNase II−/− embryos suffer from lethal anemia due to IFN‐β produced in the macrophages carrying undigested DNA. Here, we show that Type I IFN induced a caspase‐dependent cell death in human epithelial cells that were transformed to express a high level of IFN type I receptor. During this death process, a set of genes was strongly activated, one of which encoded TRAIL, a death ligand. A high level of TRAIL mRNA was also found in the fetal liver of the lethally anemic DNase II−/− embryos, and a lack of IFN type I receptor in the DNase II−/− IFN‐IR−/− embryos blocked the expression of TRAIL mRNA. However, a null mutation in TRAIL did not rescue the lethal anemia of the DNase II−/− embryos, indicating that TRAIL is dispensable for inducing the apoptosis of erythroid cells in DNase II−/− embryos, and therefore, that there is a TRAIL‐independent mechanism for the IFN‐induced apoptosis.
[FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Models: Overpotential Control for Electrocatalytic H2 Production by Tuning of the Ligand π‐Acceptor Ability
Authors: Huo Fengwei , Hou Jun , Chen Guicai , Guo Dongming , Peng Xiaojun
Published: July 2010

In the search for synthetic competitive catalysts that function with hydrogenase‐like capability, a series of (Pyrrol‐1‐yl)phosphane‐substituted diiron complexes [(μ‐pdt)Fe2(CO)5L] [pdt = propanedithiolate, L = Ph2PPyr (2), PPyr3 (4); Pyr = pyrrolyl] and [(μ‐pdt)Fe2(CO)4L2] [L = Ph2PPyr (3), PPyr3 (5)] were prepared as functional models for the active site of Fe‐only hydrogenase. The structures of these complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. In the IR spectra the CO bands for complexes 2–5 are shifted to higher energy relative to those of complexes with “traditional” phosphane ligands, such as PPh3, PMe3, and PTA (1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane), indicating that (pyrrol‐1‐yl)phosphanes are poor σ‐donors and better π‐acceptors. The electrochemical properties of complexes 2–5 were studied by cyclic voltammetry in CH3CN in the absence and presence of the the weak acid HOAc. The reduction potentials of these complexes show an anodic shift relative to other phosphane‐substituted derivatives. All of the complexes can catalyze proton reduction from HOAc to H2 in CH3CN at their respective FeIFe0 level. Complex 4 is the most effective electrocatalyst, which catalytically generates H2 from HOAc at –1.66 V vs. Fc+/Fc with only ca. 0.2 V overpotential in CH3CN.