bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine Leukemia Virus Infection in Dairy Cattle: Effect on Serological Response to Immunization against J5Escherichia coliBacterin
Authors: Erskine Ronald J. , Bartlett Paul C. , Sabo Kimberly M. , Sordillo Lorraine M.
Published: April 2011

Thirteen bovine leukemia virus- (BLV-) negative and 22 BLV-positive Holstein cows were immunized with J5Escherichia colibacterin at dry off, three weeks before calving, during the second week after calving, and three weeks after the third immunization. Serum was collected before the initial immunization, immediately before the third and fourth immunizations, and 21 days after the fourth immunization. Anti-J5E. coliIgM, IgG1, and IgG2 titers were determined by ELISA. Anti-J5E. coliIgM titers did not differ significantly (P=.98) between groups. Increases in anti-J5E. coliIgG1 titers were higher in the BLV-negative cows (P=.057). Geometric mean anti-J5E. coliIgG2 titers increased fourfold in the BLV-negative cows, which was significantly higher (P=.007) than the twofold increase in the BLV-positive cows. Cattle infected with BLV may have impaired serologic responses following immunization with J5 bacterin, and response may differ according to antibody isotype.
Giant Epidermoid Cyst over the Male Breast
Authors: Yagnik Vipul D.
Published: April 2011

Epidermoid cyst is commonly known as sebaceous cyst. It is the most commonly encountered cyst of the skin. Epidermoid cyst over the breast is uncommon. Punctum is the hallmark for clinical diagnosis. Local excision with primary closure is the treatment of choice. Biopsy is mandatory in giant cyst to exclude malignancy.
A systematic compilation of reports published on opioid-related problems
Authors: Butts, MD Matthew , Jatoi, MD Aminah
Published: April 2011

Objectives: This study examined the published literature on case reports of opioid-related problems to create a compendium that might lead to greater awareness and fewer such events.Methods: PubMed, Ovid, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for case reports. A problem was defined as a healthcare provider’s or patient’s administration of an opioid in an unintended manner resulting in harm.Results: From more than 2,200+ unique articles, 104 met the inclusion criteria. Fentanyl was most implicated. Problems included pump programming errors, patients’ chewing transdermal patches, and pediatric overdosing with an oral droplet dispenser. Of 105 articles, 19 focused on patients with cancer and 86 on patients without cancer.Conclusions: This compendium of opioid-related problems might generate further discussion about how best to reduce their number and morbidity.
Course of weight change during naltrexone versus methadone maintenance for opioid-dependent patients
Authors: Mysels, MD, MBA David J. , Vosburg, PhD Suzanne K. , Benga, MD Ileana , Levin, MD Frances R. , Sullivan, MD, PhD Maria A.
Published: April 2011

Background: μ-Opiate receptor agonism has been associated with weight gain, whereas μ-antagonists have been associated with weight neutrality, or even weight loss.Aim: This study examined the course of weight changes in opiate-dependent patients over the first 6 months of treatment in methadone (agonist) versus naltrexone (antagonist) maintenance.Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 36 opiate-dependent patients maintained on methadone (n = 16) or naltrexone (n = 20). Outcome measures and analyses: The primary outcome measure was change in body weight from baseline to 3 months and 6 months into treatment. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean weights between the methadone- and naltrexone-maintained patients. Secondarily, mean percent weight changes from baseline to 3 months and from baseline to 6 months into treatment were compared using Student’s t-test.Results: There was no difference between weight at baseline, 3 months, or 6 months into treatment between the two treatment groups. Furthermore, there was also no difference between the two groups regarding percent weight change from baseline to 3 months or baseline to 6 months. At 3 months, n = 16 methadone patients had a mean weight increase of 1.86 percent (standard deviation [SD] = 7.22 percent) when compared with n = 20 Behavioral Naltrexone Therapy (BNT) patients with an increase of 4.63 percent (SD = 6.49 percent). At 6 months, n = 16 methadone patients had a mean weight increase relative to baseline of 3.67 percent (SD = 9.52 percent) when compared with n = 20 BNT patients, who demonstrated a mean increase of 6.69 percent (SD = 7.56 percent). No association was found between baseline weight, defined as “low” or “high” relative to group medians, and percent gain within and between treatment groups.Conclusions: This study did not detect a statistically different course of weight gain between methadone and naltrexone maintenance treatment for opiate-dependent patients.
Saharan and Asian dust: similarities and differences determined by CALIPSO, AERONET, and a coupled climate-aerosol microphysical model
Authors: Su L. , Toon O. B.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. This study compares the properties of atmospheric dust from the Saharan deserts and the Asian deserts using data from CALIPSO and AERONET during 2006 and 2007 along with simulations using a coupled climate-microphysical sectional model. Saharan deserts are largely south of 30° N, while Asian ones are primarily north of 30° N, hence they experience different meteorological regimes. Saharan dust lifting occurs all year long, primarily due to subtropical weather systems. However, Asian dust is lifted mostly in spring when mid-latitude frontal systems lead to high winds. Rainfall is more abundant over Asia during the dust lifting events, leading to greater local dust removal than over the Sahara. However, most dust removal is due to sedimentation. Despite the different meteorological regimes, the same dust lifting schemes work in models for Asian and Saharan dust. The magnitudes of dust lifted in Africa and Asia differ significantly over the year. In our model the yearly horizontal dust flux just downwind of the African dust source is about 1088 Tg (10° S–40° N, 10° W) and from the Asian dust source it is about 355 Tg (25° N–55° N, 105° E) in 2007, which is comparable to previous studies. We find the difference in dust flux is mainly due to the larger area over which dust is lifted in Africa than Asia. However, Africa also has stronger winds in some seasons. Once lifted, the Saharan dust layers generally move toward the west and descend in altitude from about 7 km to the surface over several days in the cases studied. Asian dust often has multiple layers (two layers in the cases studied) during transport largely to the east. One layer stays well above boundary layer during transport and shows little descent, while the other, lower, layer descends with time. This observation contrasts with studies suggesting the descent of Saharan dust is due to sedimentation of the particles, and suggests instead it is dominated by meteorology. We find the size distributions of Asian and African dust are similar when the dust is lifted, but the mode size can differ and secondary size modes can develop probably due to differences in vertical wind velocities during transport. The single scattering albedo of African and Asian dust does differ, due primarily to the imaginary parts of the refractive indexes being different, which in turn is likely due to different dust composition. This study is a step towards a global understanding of dust and its properties.
Combined use of optical and radar satellite data for the monitoring of irrigation and soil moisture of wheat crops
Authors: Fieuzal R. , Duchemin B. , Jarlan L. , Zribi M. , Baup F. , Merlin O. , Hagolle O. , Garatuza-Payan J.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The objective of this study is to get a better understanding of radar signal over irrigated wheat fields and to assess the potentialities of radar observations for the monitoring of soil moisture. Emphasis is put on the use of high spatial and temporal resolution satellite data (Envisat/ASAR and Formosat-2). Time series of images were collected over the Yaqui irrigated area (Mexico) throughout one agricultural season from December 2007 to May 2008, together with measurements of soil and vegetation characteristics and agricultural practices. The comprehensive analysis of these data indicates that the sensitivity of the radar signal to vegetation is masked by the variability of soil conditions. On-going irrigated areas can be detected all over the wheat growing season. The empirical algorithm developed for the retrieval of topsoil moisture from Envisat/ASAR images takes advantage of the Formosat-2 instrument capabilities to monitor the seasonality of wheat canopies. This monitoring is performed using dense time series of images acquired by Formosat-2 to set up the SAFY vegetation model. Topsoil moisture estimates are not reliable at the timing of plant emergence and during plant senescence. Estimates are accurate from tillering to grain filling stages with an absolute error about 9% (0.09 m3 m−3, 35% in relative value). This result is attractive since topsoil moisture is estimated at a high spatial resolution (i.e. over subfields of about 5 ha) for a large range of biomass water content (from 5 and 65 t ha−1 independently from the viewing angle of ASAR acquisition (incidence angles IS1 to IS6).
Nevogenesis: A Benign Metastatic Process?
Authors: Ross Andrew L. , Sanchez Margaret I. , Grichnik James M.
Published: April 2011

It is generally accepted that cutaneous nevogenesis is a localized event that occurs exclusively in the dermis and/or epidermis. However, the discovery of nevocytes circulating in the peripheral blood suggests that other, more systemic, benign metastatic processes could also be involved. The theoretical role of lymphatic and hematogenous dissemination of loosely adherent, immature nevus progenitor cells in the development of nodal nevi and eruptive melanocytic nevi will be reviewed.
Nanobiomaterials: State of the Art and Future Trends
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang Lijuan , Webster Thomas J.
Published: April 2011

In the past decade, it is clear that the development of biomaterials has entered the “nanotechnology era.” The interface between biomaterials and nanotechnology has created enormous opportunities to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous diseases. Nanobiomaterials, a new term describing biomaterials with constituent or surface feature sizes less than 100 nm (10−7 m), provide not only extraordinary materials with unique structures and properties to solve our most traditional biomedical puzzles, but also provide unprecedented knowledge and principles toward understanding biology, medicine, and materials science. At the commencement of the second decade of the new millennium, it is worthwhile to review the current state of the art for the use of nanobiomaterials in medicine as well as possible future trends. Therefore, this paper seeks to summarize the current advances in nanobiomaterials research, spanning a wide range of tissue engineering applications (both soft and hard tissues), drug delivery, disease detection, and disease treatment. In addition, emerging concerns on the safety of manufacturing and using nanobiomaterials (especially toxicological issues) with necessary future research directions from the design of intelligent nanobiomaterials to molecular mechanisms of cell–nanomaterial interactions are also discussed.
Comparing Dirichlet normal surface energy of tooth crowns, a new technique of molar shape quantification for dietary inference, with previous methods in isolation and in combination
Authors: Bunn Jonathan M. , Boyer Doug M. , Lipman Yaron , St. Clair Elizabeth M. , Jernvall Jukka , Daubechies Ingrid
Published: April 2011

Inferred dietary preference is a major component of paleoecologies of extinct primates. Molar occlusal shape correlates with diet in living mammals, so teeth are a potentially useful structure from which to reconstruct diet in extinct taxa. We assess the efficacy of Dirichlet normal energy (DNE) calculated for molar tooth surfaces for reflecting diet. We evaluate DNE, which uses changes in normal vectors to characterize curvature, by directly comparing this metric to metrics previously used in dietary inference. We also test whether combining methods improves diet reconstructions. The study sample consisted of 146 lower (mandibular) second molars belonging to 24 euarchontan taxa. Five shape quantification metrics were calculated on each molar: DNE, shearing quotient, shearing ratio, relief index, and orientation patch count rotated (OPCR). Statistical analyses were completed for each variable to assess effects of taxon and diet. Discriminant function analysis was used to assess ability of combinations of variables to predict diet. Values differ significantly by diets for all variables, although shearing ratios and OPCR do not distinguish statistically between insectivores and folivores or omnivores and frugivores. Combined analyses were much more effective at predicting diet than any metric alone. Alone, relief index and DNE were most effective at predicting diet. OPCR was the least effective alone but is still valuable as the only quantitative measure of surface complexity. Of all methods considered, DNE was the least methodologically sensitive, and its effectiveness suggests it will be a valuable tool for dietary reconstruction. Am J Phys Anthropol 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Irrigation and infection: The immunoepidemiology of schistosomiasis in ancient Nubia
Authors: Hibbs Amber Campbell , Secor W. Evan , Van Gerven Dennis , Armelagos George
Published: April 2011

Schistosomiasis has been deemed “the most important water‐based disease from a global public‐health perspective” in modern populations. To better understand the burden of schistosomiasis in ancient populations, we conducted immunologic examinations of desiccated tissue samples from two ancient Nubian populations, Wadi Halfa (N= 46) and Kulubnarti (N= 191). Saqia irrigated agriculture increases the available habitat for the aquatic vector snails and the risk of exposure. On the basis of evidence regarding the impact of saqia irrigation on schistosomiasis prevalence and transmission in modern populations, we predicted that the prevalence ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection would be higher in Wadi Halfa (saqia irrigation) than Kulubnarti (annual flooding). We also predicted that peak infection prevalence would occur at an earlier age within the Wadi Halfa population than the Kulubnarti population and that in both populations the prevalence of schistosomiasis would be higher in males than females due to differential water contact. The prevalence ofS. mansoniwas greater in the Wadi Halfa population (26.1%) than at Kulubnarti (9.4%) (P= 0.002). However, peak prevalence of infection did not occur in a younger age category within the Wadi Halfa population; prevalence of infection peaked at 66.7% in the mature adult age group (46+ years) in the Wadi Halfa population and at 16% in the later child age group (6–10 years) in the Kulubnarti population. There were no statistically significant differences in prevalence between males and females of either population. The impact of human alteration of the environment on the transmission of schistosomiasis is clearly shown in these populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novelty‐seeking DRD4 polymorphisms are associated with human migration distance out‐of‐Africa after controlling for neutral population gene structure
Authors: Matthews Luke J. , Butler Paul M.
Published: April 2011

Numerous lines of evidence suggest that Homo sapiens evolved as a distinct species in Africa by 150,000 years before the present (BP) and began major migrations out‐of‐Africa ∼50,000 BP. By 20,000 BP, our species had effectively colonized the entire Old World, and by 12,000 BP H. sapiens had a global distribution. We propose that this rapid migration into new habitats selected for individuals with low reactivity to novel stressors. Certain dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) polymorphisms are associated with low neuronal reactivity and increased exploratory behavior, novelty seeking, and risk taking, collectively considered novelty‐seeking trait (NS). One previous report (Chen et al.: Evol Hum Behav 20 (1999) 309–324) demonstrated a correlation between migratory distance and the seven‐repeat (7R) VNTR DRD4 allele at exon 3 for human populations. This study, however, failed to account for neutral genetic processes (drift and admixture) that might create such a correlation in the absence of natural selection. Furthermore, additional loci surrounding DRD4 are now recognized to influence NS. Herein we account for neutral genetic structure by modeling the nonindependence of neutral allele frequencies between human populations. We retest the DRD4 exon 3 alleles, and also test two other loci near DRD4 that are associated with NS. We conclude there is an association between migratory distance and DRD4 exon 3 2R and 7R alleles that cannot be accounted for by neutral genetic processes alone. Am J Phys Anthropol 145:382–389, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using the life history model to set the stage(s) of growth and senescence in bioarchaeology and paleodemography
Authors: Roksandic Mirjana , Armstrong Stephanie D.
Published: April 2011

Paleodemography, the study of demographic parameters of past human populations, relies on assumptions including biological uniformitarianism, stationary populations, and the ability to determine point age estimates from skeletal material. These assumptions have been widely criticized in the literature and various solutions have been proposed. The majority of these solutions rely on statistical modeling, and have not seen widespread application. Most bioarchaeologists recognize that our ability to assess chronological age is inherently limited, and have instead resorted to large, qualitative, age categories. However, there has been little attempt in the literature to systematize and define the stages of development and ageing used in bioarchaeology. We propose that stages should be based in the human life history pattern, and their skeletal markers should have easily defined and clear endpoints. In addition to a standard five‐stage developmental model based on the human life history pattern, current among human biologists, we suggest divisions within the adult stage that recognize the specific nature of skeletal samples. We therefore propose the following eight stages recognizable in human skeletal development and senescence: infancy, early childhood, late childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, full adulthood, mature adulthood, and senile adulthood. Striving toward a better prediction of chronological ages will remain important and could eventually help us understand to what extent past societies differed in the timing of these life stages. Furthermore, paleodemographers should try to develop methods that rely on the type of age information accessible from the skeletal material, which uses life stages, rather than point age estimates. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Constraints to the tropical low‐cloud trends in historical climate simulations
Authors: Watanabe Masahiro , Shiogama Hideo , Yokohata Tokuta , Ogura Tomoo , Yoshimori Masakazu , Emori Seita , Kimoto Masahide
Published: April 2011

Given the importance and difficulty in evaluating long‐term trends in the tropical low‐cloud amount (Cl), we examined mechanisms that determine the Cl trend in 20th century experiments using two different versions of the climate model called the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC). The Cl trend patterns are coherent with trends in vertical velocity (ω) and lower‐tropospheric stability (LTS). While the mean LTS trend varies and gives a stronger constraint to the Cl trends, the ω trend cannot do so due to mass conservation. Two of three reanalysis products support the positive LTS trend, but it is inconclusive because of the diversity in pattern and sign. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Male predominance in autism: neuroendocrine influences on arousal and social anxiety
Authors: Pfaff Donald W. , Rapin Isabelle , Goldman Sylvie
Published: April 2011

We offer a neurobiologic theory based on animal work that helps account for the conspicuous male predominance in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In young male animals, testosterone (TST) binds to androgen receptors (AR) in brainstem neurons responsible for enhancing brain arousal. As a consequence, arousal‐related neurotransmitters bombard the amygdala hypersensitized by TST acting though AR. Arousal‐related inputs are known to prime amygdaloid mechanisms for fear and anxiety, with resultant social avoidance. We hypothesize that similar mechanisms contribute to autism's male predominance and to its defining impaired social skills. The theory rests on two key interacting factors: the molecular effects of TST in genetically vulnerable boys in combination with environmental stresses they experienced in utero, neonatally, or during the first years. We postulate that higher TST levels and, therefore, higher amounts of arousal‐related inputs to the amygdala sensitize these genetically vulnerable male infants to very early stresses. In sharp contrast to boys, girls not only do not have high levels of TST‐facilitated arousal‐causing inputs to the amygdala but they also enjoy the protection afforded by estrogenic hormones, oxytocin, and the oxytocin receptor. This theory suggests that novel technologies applied to the molecular endocrinology of TST's actions through AR will offer new avenues of enquiry into ASD. Since the high male preponderance in autism is important yet understudied, we offer our theory, which is based on detailed neurobehavioral research with animals, to stimulate basic and clinical research in animals and humans and hopefully help develop novel more effective medical treatments for autism. Autism Res 2011,4:163–176. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel chemiluminescent flow‐injection analysis of transferrin by its reduction of the luminol—hydrogen peroxide reaction catalysed by meso‐tetra‐(3‐methoxyl‐4‐hydroxyl) phenyl manganese porphyrin
Authors: Wu Dan , Han Yanyan , Wei Qin , Zhao Yanfang , Mao Kexia , Cai Yanyan , Li Ru , Dai Yuxue
Published: April 2011

Based on the inhibition effect of transferrin (Tf) on the reaction of the luminol–hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) chemiluminescence (CL) system, catalysed by meso‐tetra‐(3‐methoxyl‐4‐hydroxyl) phenyl manganese porphyrin (MnP) as a mimetic enzyme of peroxides, a sensitive flow‐injection CL method has been developed for the determination of Tf in an alkaline medium. The CL reaction was carefully investigated by examining the variations of reaction conditions. Under optimum conditions, the linear range for the determination of transferrin was 0.04–20.0 μg/mL and the detection limit was 1.62 ng/mL. This proposed method was sensitive, convenient and simple, and has been successfully applied to the determination of transferrin in a serum sample. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A label‐free immunoassay using eggshell membrane as matrix and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) as light‐scattering enhancer
Authors: Tang Jieli , Han Lu , Yu Yanhui , Kang Jing , Zhang Yihua
Published: April 2011

A label‐free immunoassay system using eggshell membrane as a matrix was developed. A common spectrofluorometer was used to collect light‐scattering signals. The rabbit anti‐human IgG (Ab) was first immobilized on the eggshell membrane with glutaraldehyde. Then, based on the immunoreactions and electrostatic interaction, the target human IgG antigen (Ag) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were captured on the eggshell membrane. It was found that the light‐scattering signal resulting from the PDDA immunotargeted on modified eggshell membrane was related to the concentration of target antigen. Under the optimal conditions, the light scattering intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of Ag in the range of 5.00–500 ng/mL (r = 0.995) with the limit of detection of 2.31 ng/mL [signal:noise ratio (S:N) = 3]. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of IgG in human serum, and the results were in agreement with those obtained by a general immunonephelometric method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of asperosaponin VI in dog plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a pilot pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Shakya Shailendra , Zhu He , Ding Li , Du Xiao Lang , Qi Xie Min , Yang Xiao Lin , Yang Zhong Lin
Published: April 2011

A sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of asperosaponin VI in beagle dog plasma using glycyrrhizic acid as the internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were simply pretreated with methanol for deproteinization. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Hedera ODS‐2 column using mobile phase of methanol–10 mm ammonium acetate buffer solution containing 0.05% acetic acid (71:29, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.38 mL/min. Asperosaponin VI and the IS were eluted at 2.8 and 1.9 min, respectively, ionized in negative ion mode, and then detected by multiple reaction monitoring. The detection used the transitions of the deprotonated molecules at m/z 927.5 → 603.4 for asperosaponin VI and m/z 821.4 → 645.4 for glycyrrhizic acid (IS). The assay was linear over the concentration range of 0.15–700 ng/mL and was successfully applied to a pilot pharmacokinetic study in beagle dogs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the Axial Ligand on Substrate Sulfoxidation Mediated by Iron(IV)–Oxo Porphyrin Cation Radical Oxidants
Authors: Kumar Devesh , Sastry G. Narahari , de Visser Sam P.
Published: April 2011

Cytochromes P 450 catalyze a range of different oxygen‐transfer processes including aliphatic and aromatic hydroxylation, epoxidation, and sulfoxidation reactions. Herein, we have investigated substrate sulfoxidation mediated by models of P 450 enzymes as well as by biomimetic oxidants using density functional‐theory methods and we have rationalized the sulfoxidation reaction barriers and rate constants. We carried out two sets of calculations: first, we calculated the sulfoxidation by an iron(IV)–oxo porphyrin cation radical oxidant [FeIVO(Por+.)SH] that mimics the active site of cytochrome P 450 enzymes with a range of different substrates, and second, we studied one substrate (dimethyl sulfide) with a selection of different iron(IV)–oxo porphyrin cation radical oxidants [FeIVO(Por+.)L] with varying axial ligands L. The study presented herein shows that the barrier height for substrate sulfoxidation correlates linearly with the ionization potential of the substrate, thus reflecting the electron‐transfer processes in the rate‐determining step of the reaction. Furthermore, the axial ligand of the oxidant influences the pKa value of the iron(IV)–oxo group, and, as a consequence, the bond dissociation energy (BDEOH) value correlates with the barrier height for the reverse sulfoxidation reaction. These studies have generalized substrate‐sulfoxidation reactions and have shown how they fundamentally compare with substrate hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions.
Asymmetric Catalytic Oxidative Cleavage of Polycyclic Systems: The Synthesis of Atropisomeric Diazonanes and Diazecanes
Authors: Jones Alan M. , Liu Gu , Lorion Magali M. , Patterson Stephen , Lebl Tomas , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Westwood Nicholas J.
Published: April 2011

Oxidative cleavage of internal double bonds in polycyclic systems can give access to compounds containing medium‐ to large‐sized rings. In this example, the nine‐ and ten‐membered ring containing compounds that resulted from the mCPBA‐mediated (mCPBA=meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid) oxidative cleavage reaction were shown to exhibit atropisomerism. The reaction of the polycyclic system with catalytic amounts of ruthenium tetraoxide followed by diol cleavage achieved the same synthetic goal. Use of the Nishiyama–Beller ruthenium‐based catalysts enabled the synthesis of optically‐enriched samples, providing the first example of an atropselective oxidative cleavage reaction.
DNA Reactivity Profile of trans‐Platinum Planar Amine Derivatives
Authors: Musetti Caterina , Nazarov Alexey A. , Farrell Nicholas P. , Sissi Claudia
Published: April 2011

New trans‐platinum planar amines (TPAs) represent a family of platinum‐based drugs with cytotoxicity equivalent to that of cisplatin, but with negligible cross‐resistance. According to the substitution pattern around the metal center, distinct DNA adducts can be formed which yield various levels of cytotoxicity in cell lines. We compared the effects of leaving groups (Cl− versus formate or acetate) and amines (NH3 versus aromatic heterocyclic planar systems) on the efficiency, kinetics, and mode of DNA platination. We show that the substitution of just a single amino group on the transplatin nucleus is optimal, with major effects on the kinetics of metal complex conversion into the reactive aquo species. Additionally, by monitoring TPA reactivity toward variable DNA structures, a lack of preference for double‐stranded DNA in over single‐stranded or G‐quadruplex DNA was observed which is possibly related to steric effects of the planar amine groups. These properties can lead to a unique distribution of platination sites by TPA relative to the lead compound cisplatin, which may help to explain the unique cytotoxic profile of TPAs.
Origin of the Red Sites and Energy Transfer Rates in Single MEH‐PPV Chains at Low Temperature
Authors: Feist Florian A. , Zickler Martin F. , Basché Thomas
Published: April 2011

Single poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethyl‐hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] (MEH‐PPV) molecules dispersed in thin poly(methylmethacrylate) films have been investigated by fluorescence emission, excitation and time‐resolved spectroscopy at 1.2 K. For the molecular weight studied (∼200 kDa) a bimodal distribution of emission maxima is observed. Based on a comparison of the spectroscopic properties of blue and red sites and on polarisation‐resolved measurements, we argue in agreement with recent quantum‐chemical calculations that the red subpopulation most probably does not arise from interchromophoric excitation delocalisation but is to be attributed to longer chromophoric units originating from ordered regions of a polymer chain, where due to constraints on the chain conformation larger conjugation lengths can be realised. In excitation spectra within the red spectral region we can identify multiple chromophoric units, among them chromophores without correspondence in the emission spectrum—donors of the intramolecular energy transfer. Zero‐phonon lines of donor chromophores proved to be significantly broadened, indicating fast excited‐state population decay due to energy transfer. Thus, a distribution of energy transfer times within MEH‐PPV chains could be determined from donor zero‐phonon line widths, with an average value of 3.9 ps. Our study represents the first direct measurement of energy transfer times in conjugated polymers, parameters that are crucial for the performance of many technical applications based on this class of material.
A personalized mobile IPTV system with seamless video reconstruction algorithm in cloud networks
Authors: Lai Ying‐Xun , Lai Chin‐Feng , Hu Chia‐Cheng , Chao Han‐Chieh , Huang Yueh‐Min
Published: April 2011

Mobile Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) delivers omnipresent multimedia video services through mobile devices, and a cloud system provides services for content integration. This study presents a personalized mobile IPTV system based on a cloud network. The system allows users to browse their favorite multimedia videos in the cloud networks through mobile devices. Without the trouble of repeated and complex searches of multimedia files, the system can automatically search for nearby multimedia data that users are browsing, and reconstruct dispersed video contents through a seamless video reconstruction algorithm (SVRA) for integration into video data for continuous play, thus, becoming a user‐friendly mobile IPTV system. The study focuses on the design and implementation of a SVRA, and validation of the accuracy of the theories and the algorithm through the proposed system are presented in this paper. This system was tested and validated with success. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of metal plating wastewater by electrocoagulation
Authors: Akbal Feryal , Camcı Selva
Published: April 2011

In this study, the performance of electrocoagulation process in the treatment of metal plating wastewater was investigated using different combinations of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes. The effect of applied current, metal concentration, and treatment time on the metal removal efficiency was investigated. The results show that electrocoagulation can effectively reduce metal ions to a very low level. The Fe‐Fe and Fe‐Al electrode combinations were more effective for the removal of Cu, Cr, and Ni from metal plating wastewater. Almost 100% removal of Cu, Cr, and Ni was achieved with initial Cu concentration of 335 mg/L, Cr concentration of 193 mg/L, Ni concentration of 526 mg/L after 60 min of electrocoagulation at current of 2.0 A with Fe‐Al electrode combination. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2011.
Complications of alloderm and dermamatrix for parotidectomy reconstruction
Authors: Athavale Sanjay M. , Phillips Sharon , Mangus Brannon , Datta Jashodeep , Sinard Robert J. , Netterville James L. , Burkey Brian B. , Yarbrough Wendell G.
Published: April 2011

Background

AlloDerm and DermaMatrix are 2 acellular dermal implants currently used by reconstructive surgeons at our institution for reconstruction of parotidectomy defects. We looked at the postoperative complication rates following subcutaneous implantation of these acellular dermal implants for parotid bed reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted following approval by the Institutional Review Board at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. All parotid and reconstructive operations were performed between 2001 and 2009 by 1 of 4 surgeons in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Data were collected to determine operative variables and postoperative course. Operative variables assessed were tumor type, type of implant used, type of parotidectomy (total or subtotal), and duration of Jackson Pratt (JP) drain placement.

Results

One hundred patients were analyzed. Sixty‐nine AlloDerm implants were associated with 5 complications (7%), whereas 31 DermaMatrix implants were associated with 8 complications (26%) (p = .0107). When comparing total parotidectomies, the complication rate was 1 of 20 for AlloDerm (5%) and 1 of 12 for DermaMatrix (8%) (p = .7061). When looking at subtotal parotidectomies, the incidence of complications was found to be 4 of 49 for AlloDerm (8%) and 7 of 19 for DermaMatrix (37%) (p = .004).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that DermaMatrix was associated with increased postoperative complications compared to AlloDerm, especially in the subset of patients undergoing subtotal parotidectomy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Comparison of esophageal screen findings on videofluoroscopy with full esophagram results
Authors: Allen Jacqui E. , White Cheryl , Leonard Rebecca , Belafsky Peter C
Published: April 2011

Background

Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies do not routinely obtain images of the esophagus. We incorporated a single esophageal screening swallow into our videofluoroscopic swallowing study protocol. The purpose of this study was to compare findings from “esophageal screening” with the results of full esophagram.

Methods

Patients undergoing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies with an esophageal screen followed by full esophagram between January 1, 2009, and October 1, 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. Comparison of esophageal screening and esophagram results were undertaken, with esophagram used as the gold standard.

Results

Seventy‐four patients underwent esophageal screening and esophagram. Sensitivity of esophageal screening is 63% (CI 50%‐73%); specificity is 100% (CI 39%‐100%). Positive and negative predictive values of esophageal screening were 100% and 13%, respectively.

Conclusions

Esophageal screening identified 44/70 (63%) patients with esophageal disease. Esophageal screening is a simple tool that may guide further esophageal investigation. The sensitivity of esophageal screening is limited (63%). If clinical suspicion is high, formal esophagram should be considered. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Resistance to apoptosis‐inducing stimuli in CD44+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Chikamatsu Kazuaki , Ishii Hiroki , Takahashi Goro , Okamoto Atsushi , Moriyama Motohiro , Sakakura Koichi , Masuyama Keisuke
Published: April 2011

Background

CD44 was identified previously as a surface marker in cancer stem cells (CSCs) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Most cancer treatments have been linked to the activation of the apoptosis‐signaling pathway; however, the resistance mechanisms to apoptosis in CSCs have not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods

The sensitivity of CD44+ cells to diverse apoptosis‐inducing stimuli was compared with that of CD44‐ cells. Furthermore, cell cycle changes and the expression of anti‐apoptosis‐related genes were examined using flow cytometry and real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).

Results

CD44+ cells were resistant to various apoptosis‐inducing stimuli. Moreover, CD44+ cells showed a higher proportion of cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle and upregulation of Bcl‐2 and inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family genes compared with CD44‐ cells.

Conclusion

Treatment resistance in CSCs seems to be regulated by various mechanisms, and, therefore, additional treatment strategies to target CSCs are required in patients with HNSCC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Histologic diagnoses in persistently swollen cervical lymph nodes
Authors: Laffers Wiebke , Eggert Kristina , Schildhaus Hans–Ulrich , Bootz Friedrich , Gerstner Andreas O. H.
Published: April 2011

Background

Biopsy and histological examination of persistently enlarged cervical lymph nodes represent a major health care issue and have high impact on further clinical therapy. Tertiary health centers are faced with an increased demand for diagnostic workup to rule out malignancy. We performed a retrospective study from January 2000 to June 2008 to identify patients referred to us for diagnostic biopsy and to document the histopathological result.

Methods

Patients with a diagnostic biopsy, but neither clinical signs of head and neck cancer nor other malignancies, were identified within the records. Patient characteristics and histopathological diagnosis were retrieved.

Results

Three hundred twenty‐six patients were identified (146 women, and 180 men). One hundred twenty‐three patients (38%; 44 women, and 79 men) had a malignancy: 61 with metastatic disease and 62 with malignant lymphoma; the youngest was 15 years old and the oldest was 92 years old.

Conclusion

Persistently swollen cervical lymph nodes should trigger a thorough clinical examination and prompt biopsy for histopathological workup. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
The filtering capacity of a tropical riverine wetland: I. Water balance
Authors: McJannet David , Wallace Jim , Keen Rex , Hawdon Aaron , Kemei Joseph
Published: April 2011

Wetlands in the coastal catchments adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon play an important role in local hydrological processes and provide important ecological habitats for terrestrial and aquatic species. Although many wetlands have been removed or degraded by agricultural expansion, there is now great interest in their protection and restoration as important aquatic ecosystems and potential filters of pollutant runoff. However, the filtering capacity of tropical wetlands is largely unknown, so the current study was established to quantify the water, sediment and nutrient balance of a natural riverine wetland in tropical north Queensland. Surface and groundwater fluxes of water, sediment and nutrients into and out of the wetland were monitored for a 3‐year period. This paper focuses on the water balance of this natural wetland and a companion paper presents its sediment and nutrient balance and estimates of water quality filtering. Wetland inflows and outflows were dominated by surface flows which varied by 3–4 orders of magnitude through the course of the year, with 90% of the annual flow occurring during the period January to March. Although groundwater inputs to the wetland were only 5% of the annual water balance, they are very important to sustaining the wetland during the dry season, when they can be the largest input of water (up to 90%). Water retention times in this type of wetland are very short, particularly when most of the flow and any associated materials are passing through it (i.e. 1–2 h), so there is little time to filter most of the annual flux of water through this wetland. Longer retention times occur at the end of the dry season (up to 8·5 days); but this is when the lowest fluxes of water pass through the wetland. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tangled fibroblasts in tumor‐stroma interactions
Authors: Liu Min , Xu Jingjing , Deng Hong
Published: April 2011

Fibrogenesis, expressed as “desmoplasia,” is found in many kinds of tumors and considered to be associated with malignancy. In fact, fibroblasts in cancer stroma have attracted considerable attention in the last 2 decades. Although it is accepted that fibroblasts are important in tumor development and progression, the mechanisms involved are highly complex and difficult to disentangle. Which role do fibroblasts play in tumors—are they friends or foes? Can fibroblasts account for the relationship between inflammation, fibrosis and tumor? Do fibroblasts acquire gene changes during carcinogenesis and how many signaling pathways are involved in tumor‐stroma interactions? What is the outcome of fibroblast activation in tumors—senescence, death or recovery to a progenitor cell such as the fibrocyte? These questions still need further exploration and will be discussed in this review.
Expression of T‐cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (TIAM2) promotes proliferation and invasion of liver cancer
Authors: Chen Jia‐Shing , Su Ih‐Jen , Leu Yu‐Wei , Young Kung‐Chia , Sun H. Sunny
Published: April 2011

The T‐cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (TIAM2) gene is the homolog of human TIAM1, a Rac‐specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor that plays important roles in neuron development and human malignancies. Although the role of TIAM1 is well characterized, the physiological and pathological functions of TIAM2 remain unknown. In our study, human cDNA and protein panels were evaluated for endogenous expression of TIAM2. Four hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and 91 HCC samples were used to demonstrate expression of TIAM2S (the short form of TIAM2) in cancer cells. In addition, HepG2 cells stably expressing TIAM2S were used for tumorigenic assays in both cellular and mouse models. We demonstrate that endogenous TIAM2S was induced in several human cancers including HCC. TIAM2S expression was undetectable in normal human liver but was induced in all HCC cell lines and in 86% (78/91) of HCC biopsies. TIAM2S expression was positively associated with TIAM1 expression, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and metastatic phenotype. Expression of recombinant TIAM2S in HepG2 cells promoted growth and invasiveness. In vivo study using a xenografted mouse model demonstrated that induced endogenous expression of TIAM2S converted non‐invasive human HCC cells into highly aggressive vascular tumors. Further examination revealed that TIAM2S expression resulted in up‐regulation of N‐cadherin and vimentin, and in redistribution of E‐cadherin. These findings show, for the first time, that human TIAM2S is involved in HCC pathogenesis, and that increased expression of TIAM2S promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and results in proliferation and invasion in liver cancer cells.
Modulation of mast cell adhesion, proliferation, and cytokine secretion on electrospun bioresorbable vascular grafts
Authors: Garg K. , Ryan J. J. , Bowlin G. L.
Published: April 2011

Mast cells synthesize several potent angiogenic factors and can also stimulate fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. An understanding of how they participate in wound healing and angiogenesis is important to further our knowledge aboutin situvascular prosthetic regeneration. The adhesion, proliferation, and cytokine secretion of bone marrow‐derived murine mast cells (BMMC) on electrospun polydioxanone, polycaprolactone, and silk scaffolds, as well as tissue culture plastic, has been investigated in the presence or absence of IL‐3, stem cell factor, IgE and IgE with a crosslinking antigen, dinitrophenol‐conjugated albumin (DNP). It was previously believed that only activated BMMCs exhibit adhesion and cytokine secretion. However, this study shows nonactivated BMMC adhesion to electrospun scaffolds. Silk scaffold was not found to be conducive for mast cell adhesion and cytokine secretion. Activation by IgE and DNP significantly enhanced mast cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α, and IL‐13. This indicates that mast cells might play a role in the process of biomaterial integration into the host tissue, regeneration, and possibly angiogenesis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Accurate quantum‐chemical description of gold complexes with pyridine and its derivatives
Authors: Mollenhauer Doreen , Flob Johannes , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich , Voloshina Elena , Paulus Beate
Published: April 2011

Interaction of gold with pyridine and its derivatives was studied by means of different wavefunction‐based correlation methods and standar DFT functionals as well as accounting for dispersion correction. Comparison of the calculated binding energies with benchmark CCSD(T)results allows us to find an appropriate computational method, when considering the two structures reflecting the interaction of gold with the lone pair at nitrogen, on the one hand, and with the π‐system of pyridine, on the other hand. Additional binding sites were evaluated, when performing potential energy surface calculations and structure optimizations. The enhancement of the interaction energy due to donor substituents in the 4‐position of the pyridine molecule has been investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Performance enhancements for GROMACS nonbonded interactions on BlueGene
Authors: Abraham Mark J.
Published: April 2011

Several improvements to the previously optimized GROMACS BlueGene inner loops that evaluate nonbonded interactions in molecular dynamics simulations are presented. The new improvements yielded an 11% decrease in running time for both PME and other kinds of GROMACS simulations that use nonbonded table look‐ups. Some other GROMACS simulations will show a small gain. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011