bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recreational Catch and Release: Resource Allocation between Commercial and Recreational Fishermen
Authors: Goodyear C. Phillip
Published: September 2007

Maximizing catch rates and maximizing sustainable harvest are competing objectives for fisheries. In recreational fisheries, catch rate maximization may be the desired objective for species that are treasured more for their sporting value than for their harvest. This may be achieved through catch-and-release fishing, where there is no harvest. This objective, however, contrasts with management measures that require fish to be released because of size or season limits that constrain harvest to allowable catch levels and is not compatible with the management objective of obtaining maximum sustainable yield (MSY) as envisioned by many management institutions. These two objectives also conflict when commercial and recreational fisheries compete for the same resource. Partially, for this reason, many U.S. fisheries have been allocated entirely to the recreational sector (e.g., Atlantic sailfish Istiophorus platypterus, Atlantic blue marlin Makaira nigricans, white marlin Tetrapturus albidus, bonefish Albula vulpes, and tarpon Megalops atlanticus). Here, I apply a logistic surplus production model to an arbitrary fish stock to explore the potential benefits of recreational catch and release for a stock equally allocated to recreational and commercial sectors. The findings show that the stock will grow because of recreational releases if the commercial harvest is not allowed to increase beyond its MSY allocation. This results in higher sustainable catch rates for recreational anglers and a stable harvest for commercial fishers. This option would benefit both user groups.
Effects of Rearing Density and Structural Complexity on the Pre‐ and Postrelease Performance of Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Brockmark Sofia , Neregård Lena , Bohlin Torgny , Björnsson Björn Thrandur , Johnsson Jörgen I.
Published: September 2007

Hatchery fish released for supplementation purposes often have difficulties adapting to wild conditions and, therefore, perform poorly in the wild. This can, at least partly, be explained by differences between hatchery and wild conditions. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of rearing density and structural complexity on the culture and postrelease performance of age‐0 Atlantic salmonSalmo salar. By using a 2 × 2 factorial design, we manipulated density (standard density and one‐third of standard density) and structure (standard rearing tanks with and without added rocks and plastic plants) in a conventional hatchery. After 3 months of rearing, 300 fish/treatment were individually tagged with passive integrated transponders, released in a nearby stream, and recaptured in late autumn (November) and summer (June). Fish not released were retained in the hatchery until smolting occurred during the next spring. In the stream, Atlantic salmon reared at reduced density grew faster during the first period after release, but there was no difference in June. The treatments had no effect on postrelease survival estimated by the recapture rates. In the hatchery, fish kept at low density with structure grew faster than conventionally reared fish. At smoltification, fish kept at low density had higher levels of insulin‐like growth factor I than those reared at standard density. Independent of size, fish kept at low density were more silvery (smolt‐like) and had a lower mortality rate than fish reared at high density. There was also a density effect on dorsal fin damage; Atlantic salmon at reduced density had less‐damaged fins than those at standard density. These results collectively indicate that reduced rearing density may be more important than structural complexity for improving postrelease performance of juvenile Atlantic salmon.
Variants in the Plasmacytoma Variant Translocation Gene (PVT1) Are Associated With End-Stage Renal Disease Attributed to Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Millis Meredith P. , Bowen Danielle , Kingsley Christopher , Watanabe Richard M. , Wolford Johanna K.
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVE— End-stage renal disease (ESRD) attributed to diabetes is strongly dependent on genetic factors. We previously reported association between variants in the plasmacytoma variant translocation gene (PVT1) and ESRD attributed to type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which these variants mediate susceptibility in other populations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We genotyped 24 markers showing the strongest evidence for association in Pima Indians in unrelated Caucasians with type 1 diabetes from the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) study. The study sample was comprised of 531 case subjects with ESRD and 564 control subjects with diabetes duration >20 years and a maximum urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio <150 mg/g.

RESULTS— Markers rs13447075 (odds ratio [OR] 1.47 [95% CI 1.14–1.89] per copy of A allele; P = 0.003) and rs2648862 (2.66 [1.19–5.92] per copy of C allele; P = 0.008) were strongly associated with ESRD in analyses adjusting for age2, age3, duration of diabetes, and smoking status. We further identified a common haplotype containing the C allele at rs10808565 and the A allele at rs13447075 that was associated with ESRD (P = 0.003). PVT1 gene expression yields several isoforms, and rs13447075 is located within the coding region of one of these transcript variants. We identified expression of this isoform in four major human kidney cell types, including mesangial, cortical epithelial, epithelial, and proximal tubule cells.

CONCLUSIONS— These results are the first to provide confirmatory evidence supporting a role for PVT1 in mediating susceptibility to ESRD attributable to diabetes.
Local Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition Reduces Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake but Not Capillary Blood Flow During In Situ Muscle Contraction in Rats
Authors: Ross Renee M. , Wadley Glenn D. , Clark Michael G. , Rattigan Stephen , McConell Glenn K.
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVE—We have previously shown in humans that local infusion of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor into the femoral artery attenuates the increase in leg glucose uptake during exercise without influencing total leg blood flow. However, rodent studies examining the effect of NOS inhibition on contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake have yielded contradictory results. This study examined the effect of local infusion of an NOS inhibitor on skeletal muscle glucose uptake (2-deoxyglucose) and capillary blood flow (contrast-enhanced ultrasound) during in situ contractions in rats.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Male hooded Wistar rats were anesthetized and one hindleg electrically stimulated to contract (2 Hz, 0.1 ms) for 30 min while the other leg rested. After 10 min, the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (arterial concentration of 5 μmol/l) or saline was infused into the epigastric artery of the contracting leg.

RESULTS—Local NOS inhibition had no effect on blood pressure, heart rate, or muscle contraction force. Contractions increased (P < 0.05) skeletal muscle NOS activity, and this was prevented by l-NAME infusion. NOS inhibition caused a modest significant (P < 0.05) attenuation of the increase in femoral blood flow during contractions, but importantly there was no effect on capillary recruitment. NOS inhibition attenuated (P < 0.05) the increase in contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake by ∼35%, without affecting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation.

CONCLUSIONS—NOS inhibition attenuated increases in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction without influencing capillary recruitment, suggesting that NO is critical for part of the normal increase in skeletal muscle fiber glucose uptake during contraction.
Splanchnic Spillover of Extracellular Lipase–Generated Fatty Acids in Overweight and Obese Humans
Authors: Nelson Robert H. , Basu Rita , Johnson C. Michael , Rizza Robert A. , Miles John M.
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVE—Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, primarily chylomicrons, can contribute to plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations via spillover of fatty acids during intravascular hydrolysis into the venous effluent of some tissues. The present study was undertaken to determine whether spillover occurs in the splanchnic bed of humans.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Arterial and hepatic venous blood was sampled in postabsorptive (n = 6; study A) and postprandial (n = 5; study B) obese humans during infusion of carbon-labeled (14C or 13C) oleate and 3H triolein, the latter incorporated into a lipid emulsion as a surrogate for chylomicrons. Spillover was determined by measuring production of 3H oleate.

RESULTS—Splanchnic spillover was higher than nonsplanchnic systemic spillover in both study A (60 ± 7 vs. 24 ± 6%; P < 0.01) and study B (54 ± 3 vs. 16 ± 5%; P < 0.005). Because portal vein sampling is not feasible in humans, assumptions regarding actual spillover in nonhepatic splanchnic tissues were required for the spillover calculation. A mathematical model was developed and demonstrated that nonhepatic splanchnic spillover rates in study A and study B of 69 and 80%, respectively, provided the best fit with the data. There was preferential splanchnic uptake of triglyceride fatty acids compared with FFAs in study B (fractional extraction 61 ± 3 vs. 33 ± 2%; P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS—These data confirm previous studies indicating that the transport of FFAs and triglyceride fatty acids are partitioned in tissues and indicate that splanchnic spillover from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may be a significant source of both portal venous and systemic FFAs.
Peroxynitrite: In vivo and In vitro synthesis and oxidant degradative action on biological systems regarding biomolecular injury and inflammatory processes
Authors: Hrabárová E. , Gemeiner P. , Šoltés L.
Published: September 2007

This review summarizes all significant data regarding peroxynitrite chemistry, the ways of its synthetic preparation as well as the degradative action of this species on biomolecules, in particular glycosaminoglycans, among which the hyaluronan degradation by peroxynitrite has recently been the subject of greater interest than ever before. The complex chemical behavior of a peroxynitrite molecule is strongly influenced by a few factors; conformational structural forms, active intermediates release, presence of CO2 and trace transition metals, different reaction conditions, as well as the rules of kinetics. Special attention was focused on monitoring of the kinetics of the degradative action of peroxynitrite in or without the presence of residual hydrogen peroxide on high-molar-mass hyaluronan.
Coupling of microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry with HPLC separation for speciation analysis of Cr(III)/Cr(VI)
Authors: Heltai G. , Fehér B. , Horváth M.
Published: September 2007

Feasibility and limitations of direct coupling of high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation to microwave induced plasma (MIP)-optical emission spectrometry (OES) for elementspecific detection was tested and compared to inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectrometric detection on the basis of the Cr(III)/Cr(VI) speciation analysis of water samples. Coupling was performed by a hydraulic high pressure nebulizer (HHPN) radiative-heating/watercooling interface which provides about 20 % and 80 % aerosol yield in the case of helium and argon carrier gases, respectively. Desolvation efficiency of aqueous solutions was approximately 80 %. Applying the ion-pair HPLC separation, the organic eluents and reagents in the MIP cause a 50–75 % signal suppression for Cr(VI) and 25–50 % for Cr(III). In a pure aqueous solution the MIP Cr(VI) signal was by 20 % lower than that of Cr(III). These effects were lower using the ICP source, but they cannot be neglected. Easily ionizable matrix elements (Na, Ca) can cause 70 % signal suppression in the MIP, and 20 % in the ICP. Therefore, species dependent calibration is required in both cases. In the case of HPLC detection by MIP-OES, the detection limit was 13 ng for Cr(III), and 18 ng for Cr(VI). Using the ICP-OES detection, the detection limit was 0.2 ng for Cr (III) and 0.4 ng for Cr (VI). The linear dynamic ranges in both cases were two orders of magnitude.
Determination of nitrites by the formation of bisazo dye
Authors: Dayananda B. , Revanasiddappa H.
Published: September 2007

A facile, sensitive and rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of nitrite is presented. The method involves the reaction of nitrite with 4-aminoazobenzene under acidic conditions in the presence of a bromide ion allowing to complete the diazotization reaction almost instantaneously. The formed diazonium ion is then coupled with acetyl acetone to give bisazo dye in an aqueous alkaline medium having maximum absorption at 500 nm. The molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivity of the method were found to be 4.2 × 104 dm3 mol−1 cm−1 and 1.1 ng cm−2, respectively. The system obeys the Beer’s law within the concentration range of 0.1–9 µg of nitrite in the final sample volume of 10 cm3. Optimum reaction conditions were evaluated and the influence of ionic interference on the determination of nitrite has been studied. The developed method has been applied in the determination of nitrite in water and soil samples, and the results were statistically evaluated.
Determination of As(III) and total as in water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after electrochemical preconcentration on a gold-plated porous glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Střelec M. , Čacho F. , Manová A. , Beinrohr E.
Published: September 2007

Arsenic(III) was preconcentrated in a flow-through electrochemical cell on a gold coated porous carbon electrode. On stripping, arsenic was eluted with diluted nitric acid and determined off-line by GF AAS. The deposition and stripping steps were optimized. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 1.9 µg L−1 and 6.4 µg L−1, respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility were found to be 5.3 % and 9.3 %, respectively. Total arsenic was determined after a microwave assisted chemical reduction of As(V) to As(III) making the procedure suitable for speciation analysis. The method was applied in analysis of water samples.
Chromaticity of poly(o-toluidine) matrix enhanced by anion-exchange mechanism
Authors: Ahmed S.
Published: September 2007

The incorporation of 9,10-anthraquinone-1,5-disulfonate (AQS2) into the protonated form of poly(o-toluidine) (POT), produced by oxidative polymerization of the cationic form of the monomer or by doping the basic form (POT-EB) by anion-exchange has been studied by FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The presence of sulfur and the absence of chlorine proven by elemental analysis of the polymer product confirmed the substitution of the chloride anion with AQS2 in the matrix. Molecular mechanics (MM+) calculations suggest that the optimal geometric structure (OMG) of AQS2-doped POT is at least three (3.92) times more stable than that of the parent chloride-doped POT (HCl-doped POT). The increase of the absorbance at about 840 nm associated with the increasing concentration of AQS2 revealed the insertion of AQS2 into the POT chain. This observation could be explained by the diffusion of AQS2 in the polymer chain. Kinetic parameters of the oxidative polymerization of the cationic form of o-toluidine (o-T-HClO4) in the presence of different amounts of AQS2 were deduced on the basis of absorbance variations. The results of computer-oriented kinetic analysis indicate that the rate-controlling step of the o-T polymerization is governed by the Ginstling-Bronstein equation representing the three-dimensional diffusion (D4). Activation parameters of the oxidative polymerization of protonated o-T in the presence of varying amount of AQS2 were computed and discussed.
Ethanol/water pulp enzymatic pretreatment: Chemical and FTIR-PCA analyses
Authors: Ruzene D. , Gonçalves A.
Published: September 2007

Pulps obtained from ethanol/water cooking of sugarcane bagasse were treated at different times using xylanase enzyme obtained from Thermomyces lanuginosus IOC-4145 or commercially (Cartazyme HS, Sandoz Products Ltd.). The enzyme dosage was 18 IU per g of dry pulp and the time varied from 4 h to 12 h. When xylanase from T. lanuginosus was used, the kappa number and viscosity improved independently of the processing time used (4 h, 8 h, and 12 h). After chemical evaluation, the obtained pulps were classified using Fourier Transformed Infra-Red Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis. The results showed that the first three principal components explained more than 90 % of the total variance of the pulp spectra.
Spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of complexation of some divalent metal ions with isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone
Authors: Konstantinović S. , Radovanović B. , Todorović Z. , Ilić S. , Konstantinović B.
Published: September 2007

Metal complexes of some divalent metal ions (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, and Pd) with isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone (ITS) as the Schiff base have been investigated potentiometrically and spectrophotometrically. The dissociation constants of the ligand and formation constants of the metal complexes, as well as the corresponding thermodynamic functions (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) have been determined at different temperatures in ethanol—water solution. The full stability constants were also evaluated spectrophotometrically by the Job method. The experimental results indicate that Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II), and Hg(II) form one-to-one molecular complexes (ML) with the studied ligand, whereas Co(II) and Ni(II) form both ML and ML2 species.
Structural and spectroscopic analysis of dipeptide l-methionyl-glycine and its hydrochloride
Authors: Koleva B. , Kolev T. , Todorov S.
Published: September 2007

Dipeptide l-methionyl-glycine (Met-Gly) hydrochloride was characterized structurally by means of solid-state linear polarized IR (IR-LD) spectroscopy of oriented samples as colloidal suspension in nematic liquid crystal. Quantum chemical ab initio calculations and vibrational analysis support the experimental data. 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, mass spectrometry (ESI-MS and FAB-MS) techniques, thermogravimetry (TGV), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method were employed as well. The experimental and theoretical data of hydrochloride salt were compared with analogous data of the neutral dipeptide with the aim to explain the role of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the conformational behavior and spectroscopic properties of the compound studied.
The American biodefense industry: From emergency to nonemergence
Authors: Lentzos Filippa
Published: September 2007

Since 1998, and especially since the “Amerithrax” emergency of 2001, the United States has ambitiously funded biodefense projects, intending not only to enhance detection and management of any biological-weapons attack but also to establish a robust domestic biodefense industry. I asked if the United States had fulfilled this latter intention. Using the RAND Corporation's RaDiUS database, I examined federal biodefense grants and contracts awarded from 1995 through most of 2005, noting recipient type, awarding unit, funding level, and the disease focus of research-and-development support. Patterns in these data as well as other sources suggest that the biodefense industry as late as 2005 remained in a nascent stage, with most firms small, precariously financed, and more responsive to funders' announcements and solicitations than to opportunities for self-directed innovation. A biodefense industry with investor-capital funding and retained earnings, with its own leading companies, with its own stock analysts, and with its own legitimacy in commercial and financial markets did not emerge over the period studied, nor does its emergence appear imminent.
Can an attribution assessment be made for Yellow Rain? Systematic reanalysis in a chemical-and-biological-weapons use investigation
Authors: Katz Rebecca , Singer Burton
Published: September 2007

In intelligence investigations, such as those into reports of chemical- or biological-weapons (CBW) use, evidence may be difficult to assemble and, once assembled, to weigh. We propose a methodology for such investigations and then apply it to a large body of recently declassified evidence to determine the extent to which an attribution can now be made in the Yellow Rain case. Our analysis strongly supports the hypothesis that CBW were used in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan in the late 1970s and early 1980s, although a definitive judgment cannot be made. The proposed methodology, while resource-intensive, allows evidence to be assembled and analyzed in a transparent manner so that assumptions and rationale for decisions can be challenged by external critics. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions, emphasizing the use of evolving information-extraction (IE) technologies, a sub-field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Nonparametric Bounds on the Causal Effect of University Studies on Job Opportunities Using Principal Stratification
Authors: Grilli Leonardo , Mealli Fabrizia
Published: September 2007

The authors propose a methodology based on the principal strata approach to causal inference for assessing the relative effectiveness of two degree programs with respect to the employment status of their graduates. An innovative use of nonparametric bounds in the principal strata framework is shown, examining the role of some assumptions in reducing uncertainty about the causal effects and proposing a strategy to use the covariates in the construction of the bounds. In the application, the nonparametric bounds turn out to be quite informative on the average causal effect for the latent group of students who are potentially able to graduate from both degree programs. There is some evidence that the effect is positive for economics with respect to political science, at least for some values of the covariates.
A New Test of Linear Hypotheses in OLS Regression Under Heteroscedasticity of Unknown Form
Authors: Cai Li , Hayes Andrew F.
Published: September 2007

When the errors in an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model are heteroscedastic, hypothesis tests involving the regression coefficients can have Type I error rates that are far from the nominal significance level. Asymptotically, this problem can be rectified with the use of a heteroscedasticity-consistent covariance matrix (HCCM) estimator. However, many HCCM estimators do not perform well when the sample size is small or when there exist points of high leverage in the design matrix. Prompted by a connection between MacKinnon and White’s HC2 HCCM estimator and the heterogeneous-variance two-sample t statistic, the authors provide a new statistic for testing linear hypotheses in an OLS regression model that does not assume homoscedasticity. The authors report simulation results showing that their new test maintains better Type I error rate control than existing methods in both the presence and absence of heteroscedasticity.
Powerful and Cost-Efficient Designs for Longitudinal Intervention Studies With Two Treatment Groups
Authors: Moerbeek Mirjam
Published: September 2007

Three issues need to be decided in the design stage of a longitudinal intervention study: the number of persons, the number of repeated measurements per person, and the duration of the study. The degree to which polynomial effects vary across persons and the drop-out pattern also influence the statistical power to detect intervention effects. This article presents a framework that allows researchers to calculate the power of a proposed design and compare alternative designs on the basis of their costs and sample sizes. A multilevel regression model with polynomial effects varying across persons is used to relate response to time. The persons’ length of stay in the study is modeled using a survival function.
The D-Optimality Item Selection Criterion in the Early Stage of CAT: A Study With the Graded Response Model
Authors: Passos Valeria Lima , Berger Martijn P. F. , Tan Frans E. S.
Published: September 2007

During the early stage of computerized adaptive testing (CAT), item selection criteria based on Fisher’s information often produce less stable latent trait estimates than the Kullback-Leibler global information criterion. Robustness against early stage instability has been reported for the D-optimality criterion in a polytomous CAT with the Nominal Response Model and is shown herein to be reproducible for the Graded Response Model. For comparative purposes, the A-optimality and the global information criteria are also applied. Their item selection is investigated as a function of test progression and item bank composition. The results indicate how the selection of specific item parameters underlies the criteria performances evaluated via accuracy and precision of estimation. In addition, the criteria item exposure rates are compared, without the use of any exposure controlling measure. On the account of stability, precision, accuracy, numerical simplicity, and less evidently, item exposure rate, the D-optimality criterion can be recommended for CAT.
Effects on Scale Linking of Different Definitions of Criterion Functions for the IRT Characteristic Curve Methods
Authors: Kim Seonghoon , Kolen Michael J.
Published: September 2007

Under item response theory, the characteristic curve methods (Haebara and Stocking-Lord methods) are used to link two ability scales from separate calibrations. The linking methods use their respective criterion functions that can be defined differently according to the symmetry- and distribution-related schemes. The symmetry-related scheme relates to which scale, targeted or transformed, should be used for the definition. The distribution-related scheme refers to a way of incorporating underlying ability distributions into the definition. Through simulations, this study examined if a certain optimal combination of the two schemes exists regardless of differences in proficiency distribution between samples involved in scale linking. Concurrent calibration was considered for comparative purposes and, across all nine combinations of proficiency distributions to be linked, its performance was better in linking accuracy than the linking methods. There was no optimal combination of the symmetry- and distribution-related schemes that led to minimal linking error across the nine combinations.
Use of a Retrograde Nail for Ankle Arthrodesis in Charcot Neuroarthropathy: A Limb Salvage Procedure
Authors: Paola Luca Dalla , Volpe Antonio , Varotto Davide , Postorino Andrea , Brocco Enrico , Senesi Antonella , Merico Maurizio , De Vido Daniele , Da Ros Roberto , Assaloni Roberta
Published: September 2007

Background: Charcot neuroarthropathy is a serious complication associated with diabetic neuropathy. This complication probably is most serious when the ankle is involved because of the instability and progressive deformity, which often leads to ulceration, osteomyelitis, and amputation. Arthrodesis before the ulcerated lesion appears is considered a limb salvage treatment. One of the most effective techniques for an unstable ankle in Charcot neuroarthropathy is retrograde transcalcaneal nailing. Methods: Eighteen diabetic patients, without a history of ulceration, were treated from July, 2003, to November, 2005, with panarthrodesis of the ankle using intramedullary retrograde transcalcaneal nailing. The average follow up was 14 ± 10.1 months. All patients completed the unloaded postoperative period with a fiberglass cast (3 months nonweightbearing and 3 months partial weightbearing) and commenced walking in shoes with a stiff rocker sole and a molded insole. Results: During the followup period there were no major complications. In three patients, removal of one of the proximal screws used for anchoring the nail to the tibia was done because of protrusion causing skin breakdown. Fourteen patients had a stable fusion and four patients had fibrous union. The percentage of limb salvage was 100% in the followup period. Conclusions: Our study confirms that this operative technique is effective and safe.
Use of Implantable Bone Growth Stimulation in Charcot Ankle Arthrodesis
Authors: Hockenbury R. Todd , Gruttadauria Michael , McKinney Ivan
Published: September 2007

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the results of arthrodesis of the Charcot hindfoot when an implantable bone growth stimulator was added to the procedure. Arthrodesis of the Charcot hindfoot has a high nonunion and complication rate. Methods: Ten patients (ages 50 to 69 years) with Charcot neuroarthropathy of the ankle, hindfoot, or both had arthrodesis with use of rigid internal fixation and an implantable bone growth stimulator. There were six tibiotalo-calcaneal, two pantalar, and two tibiocalcaneal arthrodeses. An intramedullary nail was used in nine patients and a blade plate was used in one patient. All but one patient was diabetic. Four of the ten patients had preoperative osteomyelitis or postoperative infection. Another patient had purulent drainage, although cultures were negative. Four patients had a preoperative ulceration. Five patients had a two-stage procedure for debridement of infected bone, removal of hardware, and placement of antibiotic beads. Autogenous bone graft from the distal fibula or proximal tibia was used in all patients. Results: One patient with a preoperative osteomyelitis developed a stable ankle pseudarthrosis. The other nine patients fused at an average of 3.7 months after surgery for a fusion rate of 90%. There were two major complications and eight minor complications. There were no amputations. All patients were ambulatory in a double upright brace or shoes for diabetic patients and were free of ulceration at the time of followup. Average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score improved from 21 preoperatively to 59 postoperatively. Conclusions: The adjunctive use of an implantable bone growth stimulator in conjunction with rigid internal fixation, autogenous bone grafting, and sound operative technique may enhance the outcome and fusion rate in patients undergoing arthrodesis for Charcot neuroarthropathy of the ankle and hindfoot.
The Modified Use of a Proximal Humeral Locking Plate for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis
Authors: Ahmad Jamal , Pour Aidin Eslam , Raikin Steven M.
Published: September 2007

Background: Different types of fixation have been used to achieve a tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine the modified use of a 3.5-mm proximal humeral locking plate (PHILOS plate, Synthes, Paoli, PA) in obtaining a TTC fusion. Methods: Between April, 2003, and November, 2005, 17 patients had 18 TTC arthrodeses with a PHILOS plate through a transfibular approach. Preoperative diagnoses included Charcot arthropathy, neuromuscular disease, arthritis, and talar osteonecrosis. Patients were followed from 8 months to 3 years and 2 months (mean 20.6 months). Results: Fusion was achieved in 16 of the 17 patients (94.1%) and 17 of the 18 arthrodeses (94.4%) with a mean time to fusion of 20.6 weeks. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score increased from 14.6 of 100 preoperatively to 76.7 of 86 (equivocal to 89.2 of 100) at final followup. One patient who had brittle diabetes went on to develop a nonunion. Conclusions: The patients in this study had a wide variety of medical conditions that left their bone osteopenic or osteoporotic. This study demonstrated that using a modified locking plate for a TTC arthrodesis results in a high rate of bony union and alignment correction stability. The locking plate provides fixation by acting as a fixed angle device, with the locking screws providing multiplanar fixation. The use of a locking plate has not been previously reported, and it may hold promise as a means of achieving a TTC fusion.
The Effects of Obesity on Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Pathology
Authors: Frey Carol , Zamora James
Published: September 2007

Background: It is believed that obese individuals may have an increased number of foot and ankle problems. The World Health Organization recommends a standard classification of adult overweight and obesity using the following body mass index (BMI) calculations: a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 kg per m 2 is defined as overweight; a BMI of 30.0 kg per m 2 or more is defined as obesity. The purpose of this paper was to report a survey of 1411 patients in an orthopaedic foot and ankle practice and compare the incidence of orthopaedic foot and ankle complaints with the BMI. Method: One thousand four hundred and eleven adults, including 887(62.4%) women and 535(37.6%) men, were evaluated in this study. The BMI was calculated for each subject using the standards of the World Health Organization. The subjects were divided into two groups: normal and overweight. The normal weight subjects had a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 ( n = 684; 48.1%) and the overweight or obese group had a BMI greater than or equal to 25 ( n = 738; 51.9%). Results: In this study, being overweight or obese significantly increased the chances of having tendinitis in general. If the subjects were overweight or obese, there was an increased likelihood, although not significant, of plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis. If the individuals were of normal weight, there was an increased likelihood of hallux valgus. Conclusions: Tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis usually are secondary to overuse and increased stress on the soft tissues and joints, which may be directly related to increased weight on these structures.
Design and synthesis of paclitaxel conjugated with an ErbB2‐recognizing peptide, EC‐1
Authors: Li Peng , Jiang Sheng , Pero Stephanie C. , Oligino Lyn , Krag David N. , Michejda Christopher J. , Roller Peter P.
Published: September 2007

The selective delivery of therapeutic agents to receptors overexpressed in cancer cells without harming the rest of the body is a major challenge in clinical oncology today. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of paclitaxel (PTX) conjugated with an erbB2‐recognizing peptide (EC‐1). The cyclic peptide EC‐1 specifically binds to the extracellular domain of ErbB2 and selectively inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2. PTX is a potent antitumor agent commonly used in the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer, yet patients have to suffer some side effects caused by its systemic toxicity. The aim of our conjugate is to specifically deliver antitumor agent PTX to breast cancer cells that overexpress oncogenic ErbB2 with the purpose to reduce toxicity and enhance selective killing of cancer cells. In this study, a concise and efficient synthetic route for the preparation of the PTX‐EC‐1 conjugate has been developed in 6% overall yield. This synthetic approach provides a general method for conjugating a highly functionalized and disulfide‐bridge containing cyclopeptide to Taxol or other antitumor agents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 87: 225–230, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
The effect of changes in the bulk dielectric constant on the DNA torsional properties
Authors: de Souza Fátima Pereira , Neto Augusto Agostinho , Fossey Marcelo Andrés , Neto João Ruggiero
Published: September 2007

The effect of changes in the bulk dielectric constant on the DNA torsional properties was evaluated from plasmid circularization reactions. In these reactions, pUC18 previously linearized by EcoRI digestion was recircularized with T4 DNA ligase. The bulk dielectric constant of the reaction medium was decreased by the addition of different concentrations of neutral solutes: ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, and sucrose, or increased by the addition of glycine. The topoisomers generated by the ligase reaction were resolved by agarose‐gel electrophoresis. The DNA twist energy parameter (κ), which is an apparent torsional constant, was determined by linearization of the Gaussian topoisomers' distribution. It was observed that the twist energy parameter for the given solutes is almost linearly dependent on the bulk dielectric constant. In the reaction buffer, the twist energy parameter was determined to be 1100 ± 100. By decreasing the dielectric constant to 74 with the addition of sorbitol, the value of the parameter reaches κ = 900 ± 100, whereas the addition of ethylene glycol leads to κ = 400 ± 50. Upon addition of glycine, which resulted in a dielectric constant equal to 91, the value of the twist energy parameter increased to κ = 1750 ± 100. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 87: 244–248, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Control of the Deprotonation Route of an Aminium Cation by the Solvent Polarity
Authors: Goez Martin , Sartorius Ingo
Published: September 2007

We have studied the photoreaction of triethylamine DH with the triplet sensitizer 9,10‐anthraquinone in a series of aprotic solvents with relative permittivity· varying between 2 and 50. The results are compared with those of an earlier investigation in which a series of triplet sensitizers in acetonitrile was used. All these reactions are two‐step processes: an aminium cation DH is formed by photoinduced electron transfer, and then deprotonated at Cα to give an α‐aminoalkyl radical D′. The deprotonation of DH can either occur within the cage, by the sensitizer radical anion, or outside the cage, by surplus amine. The final reaction products (e.g. N,N‐diethylvinylamine) are independent of the deprotonation route. Nevertheless, a distinction between the two mechanistic alternatives is possible by using measurements of chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP). This technique is sensitive to radical pairs only, and the different amine‐based intermediates contained in the two possible kinds of radical pairs (radical‐ion pairs for both deprotonation routes, and pairs of neutral radicals for in‐cage deprotonation only) give rise to characteristically different signal patterns. The influence of solvent polarity as well as sensitizer oxidation potential Eox on the deprotonation pathway (exclusive in‐cage deprotonation at low values of· or high Eox, and exclusive out‐of‐cage deprotonation at high· or low Eox) can be quantitatively explained by the dependence of the in‐cage deprotonation rate on the driving force ‐ΔGdep0 of this process, which shows a marked threshold behavior. If ΔGdep0 is more negative than ‐125 kJ/mol, proton transfer from DH to the sensitizer radical anion is faster than separation of the primarily formed radical‐ion pair, so the aminium cations are deprotonated within the cage. For ΔGdep0 more positive than ‐100 kJ/mol, this reaction is too slow to compete with escape from the cage. By the latter process, free aminium cations are formed, which are then deprotonated outside the cage by surplus amine.
A Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)‐α, β‐Unsaturated Ketones Involving the Reactions of Organocerium Reagents with Secondary β‐Enamino Ketones
Authors: Bartoli Giuseppe , Marcantoni Enrico , Petrini Marino , Sambri Letizia
Published: September 2007

Stereoselective construction of trisubstituted alkenes has wide applicability to the synthesis of many natural products Specifically, β‐disubstituted enones are important functionalized trisubstituted alkene targets. The reaction of organocerium reagents with secondary β‐enamino ketones affords β=disubsituted α,β‐unsaturated ketones in fairly good yields. This process shows considerable stereoselectivity, and α,β‐unsaturated ketones of (E) configuration are predominantly observed. Organolithium‐derived cerium reagents display better stereoselectivity than organomagnesium‐based ones. The mechanism of the reaction varies with nitrogen substitution: N‐phenyl groups give 1,2‐addition products, whereas substitution products are observed with N‐alkyl groups. When organocerium reagents were used with β‐enamino ketones bearing secondary alkyl groups at the nitrogen atom, a lack of reactivity was observed.
Differences between a drug regimen employed in early phase 1 trials and the subsequent use of the agent in routine oncologic practice
Authors: Markman Maurie
Published: September 2007

It is reasonable to assume that a decision to permit wider access to new anticancer agents after the completion of only phase 1 trials will almost certainly result in the administration of such therapy to a substantial population of individuals who would not have been eligible for such “registration‐type” testing. However, the optimal use of antineoplastic agents in routine clinical practice may differ substantially from the doses and schedules examined in phase 1 clinical trials.
Comparison of body‐fitted, embedded and immersed solutions of low Reynolds‐number 3‐D incompressible flows
Authors: Löhner Rainald , Appanaboyina Sunil , Cebral Juan R.
Published: September 2007

The solutions obtained for low Reynolds‐number incompressible flows using the same flow solver and solution technique on body‐fitted, embedded surface and immersed body grids of similar size are compared. The cases considered are a sphere at Re = 100 and an idealized stented aneurysm. It is found that the solutions using all these techniques converge to the same grid‐independent solution. On coarser grids, the effect of higher‐order boundary conditions is noticeable. Therefore, if the manual labor required to set up a body‐fitted domain is excessive (as is often the case for patient‐specific geometries with medical devices), and/or computing resources are plentiful, the embedded surface and immersed body approaches become very attractive options. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population differences in the International Multi‐Centre ADHD Gene Project
Authors: Neale Benjamin M. , Sham Pak C. , Purcell Shaun , Banaschewski Tobias , Buitelaar Jan , Franke Barbara , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Ebstein Richard , Eisenberg Jacques , Mulligan Aisling , Gill Michael , Manor Iris , Miranda Ana , Mulas Fernando , Oades Robert D. , Roeyers Herbert , Rothenberger Aribert , Sergeant Joseph , Steinhausen Hans‐Christoph , Taylor Eric , Thompson Margaret , Zhou Kaixin , Asherson Philip , Faraone Stephen V.
Published: September 2007

The International Multi‐Centre ADHD Gene sample consists of 674 families from eight countries (Belgium, England, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Spain, and Switzerland) ascertained from clinics for combined‐type attention definity hyperactivity disorder in an offspring. 863 SNPs were successfully genotyped across 47 autosomal genes implicated in psychiatric disorders yielding a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) density of approximately one SNP per 2.5 kb. A global test of heterogeneity showed 269 SNPs nominally significant (expected 43). Inclusion of the Israeli population accounted for approximately 70% of these nominally significant tests. Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium tests suggest that combining all these populations would induce stratification, but that the Northern European populations (Belgium, England, Germany, Holland, and Ireland) could be appropriate. Tag SNPs were generated using pair‐wise and aggressive tagging from Carlson et al. [2004] and de Bakker et al. [2005], respectively, in each population and applied to the other populations. Cross‐population performance across Northern Europe was consistent with within population comparisons. Smaller sample size for each population tended to yield more problems for the generation of aggressive tags and the application of pair‐wise tags. Any case‐control sample employing an Israeli sample with Northern Europeans must consider stratification. A Northern European tag set, however, appears to be appropriate for capturing the variation across populations. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integration of signaling pathways regulating chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral bone formation
Authors: Adams Sherrill L. , Cohen Arthur J. , Lassová Luisa
Published: September 2007

During endochondral bone formation, chondrocytes undergo a process of terminal differentiation or maturation, during which the rate of proliferation decreases, cells become hypertrophic, and the extracellular matrix is altered by production of a unique protein, collagen X, as well as proteins that promote mineralization. The matrix surrounding the hypertrophic chondrocytes eventually becomes mineralized, and the mineralized matrix serves as a template for bone deposition. This process is responsible for most longitudinal bone growth, both during embryonic development and in the postnatal long bone growth plates. Chondrocyte maturation must be precisely controlled, balancing proliferation with terminal differentiation; changes in the rate of either proliferation or differentiation result in shortened bones. Numerous signaling molecules have been implicated in regulation of this process. These include the negative regulators Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP; Pthlh, PTH‐like hormone), as well as a number of positive regulators. This review will focus on several positive regulators which exert profound effects on chondrocyte maturation: the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, retinoic acid (the major active metabolite of vitamin A) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), as well as the transcription factor Runx2. Each of these molecules is essential for endochondral bone formation and cannot compensate for the others; abrogation of any one of them prevents differentiation. The important features of each of these signaling pathways will be discussed as they relate to chondrocyte maturation, and a model will be proposed suggesting how these pathways may converge to regulate this process. J. Cell. Physiol. 213:635–641. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An inventory of shedding data from clinical gene therapy trials
Authors: Schenk‐Braat Ellen A. M. , van Mierlo Marjolein M. K. B. , Wagemaker Gerard , Bangma Chris H. , Kaptein Leonie C. M.
Published: September 2007

Viruses are the most commonly used vectors for clinical gene therapy. The risk of dissemination of a viral vector into the environment via excreta from the treated patient, a phenomenon called shedding, is a major safety concern for the environment. Despite the significant number of clinical gene therapy trials that have been conducted worldwide, there is currently no overview of actual shedding data available. In this article, an inventory of shedding data obtained from a total of 100 publications on clinical gene therapy trials using retroviral, adenoviral, adeno‐associated viral and pox viral vectors is presented. In addition, the experimental set‐up for shedding analysis including the assays used and biological materials tested is summarized. The collected data based on the analysis of 1619 patients in total demonstrate that shedding of these vectors occurs in practice, mainly determined by the type of vector and the route of vector administration. Due to the use of non‐quantitative assays, the lack of information on assay sensitivity in most publications, and the fact that assay sensitivity is expressed in various ways, general conclusions cannot be made as to the level of vector shedding. The evaluation of the potential impact and consequences of the observations is complicated by the high degree of variety in the experimental design of shedding analysis between trials. This inventory can be supportive to clinical gene therapy investigators for the establishment of an evidence‐based risk assessment to be included in a clinical protocol application, as well as to national regulatory authorities for the ongoing development of regulatory guidelines regarding gene therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.