bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement in sample collection for the detection of MDMA using a novel planar SPME (PSPME) device coupled to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)
Authors: Gura Sigalit , Guerra‐Diaz Patricia , Lai Hanh , Almirall José R.
Published: November 2009

Trace detection of illicit drugs challenges the scientific community to develop improved sensitivity and selectivity in sampling and detection techniques. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is one of the prominent trace detectors for illicit drugs and explosives, mostly due to its portability, high sensitivity and fast analysis. Current sampling methods for IMS rely on wiping suspected surfaces or withdrawing air through filters to collect particulates. These methods depend greatly on the particulates being bound onto surfaces or having sufficient vapour pressure to be airborne. Many of these compounds are not readily available in the headspace due to their low vapour pressure. This research presents a novel SPME device for enhanced air sampling and shows the use of optimized IMS by genetic algorithms to target volatile markers and/or odour signatures of illicit substances. The sampling method was based on unique static samplers, planar substrates coated with sol‐gel polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) nanoparticles, also known as planar solid‐phase microextraction (PSPME). Due to its surface chemistry, high surface area and capacity, PSPME provides significant increases in sensitivity over conventional fibre SPME. The results show a 50–400 times increase in the detection capacity for piperonal, the odour signature of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The PSPME‐IMS technique was able to detect 600 ng of piperonal in a 30 s extraction from a quart‐sized can containing 5 MDMA tablets, while detection using fibre SPME‐IMS was not attainable.

In a blind study of six cases suspected to contain varying amounts of MDMA in the tablets, PSPME‐IMS successfully detected five positive cases and also produced no false positives or false negatives. One positive case had minimal amounts of MDMA resulting in a false negative response for fibre SPME‐IMS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Earthquake response of arch dams to spatially varying ground motion
Authors: Chopra Anil K. , Wang Jin‐Ting
Published: November 2009

The response of two arch dams to spatially varying ground motions recorded during earthquakes is computed by a recently developed linear analysis procedure, which includes dam–water–foundation rock interaction effects and recognizes the semi‐unbounded extent of the rock and impounded water domains. By comparing the computed and recorded responses, several issues that arise in analysis of arch dams are investigated. It is also demonstrated that spatial variations in ground motion, typically ignored in engineering practice, can have profound influence on the earthquake‐induced stresses in the dam. This influence obviously depends on the degree to which ground motion varies spatially along the dam–rock interface. Thus, for the same dam, this influence could differ from one earthquake to the next, depending on the epicenter location and the focal depth of the earthquake relative to the dam site. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of Advanced Liver Fibrosis by Short-Term Targeted Delivery of An Angiotensin Receptor Blocker to Hepatic Stellate Cells in Rats
Authors: Moreno Montserrat , Gonzalo Teresa , Kok Robbert J. , Sancho-Bru Pau , van Beuge Marike , Swart Josine , Prakash Jai , Temming Kai , Fondevila Constantino , Beljaars Leonie , Lacombe Marie , van der Hoeven Paul , Arroyo Vicente , Poelstra Klaas , Brenner David A. , Ginès Pere , Bataller Ramón
Published: November 2009

There is no effective therapy for advanced liver fibrosis. Angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers attenuate liver fibrogenesis, yet their efficacy in reversing advanced fibrosis is unknown. We investigated whether the specific delivery of an AT1 receptor blocker to activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) reduces established liver fibrosis. We used a platinum-based linker to develop a conjugate of the AT1 receptor blocker losartan and the HSC-selective drug carrier mannose-6-phosphate modified human serum albumin (losartan-M6PHSA). An average of seven losartan molecules were successfully coupled to M6PHSA. Rats with advanced liver fibrosis due to prolonged bile duct ligation or carbon tetrachloride administration were treated with daily doses of saline, losartan-M6PHSA, M6PHSA or oral losartan during 3 days. Computer-based morphometric quantification of inflammatory cells (CD43), myofibroblasts (smooth muscle α-actin [α-SMA]) and collagen deposition (Sirius red and hydroxyproline content) were measured. Hepatic expression of procollagen α2(I) and genes involved in fibrogenesis was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Losartan-M6PHSA accumulated in the fibrotic livers and colocalized with HSCs, as assessed by immunostaining of anti-HSA and anti–α-SMA. Losartan-M6PHSA, but not oral losartan, reduced collagen deposition, accumulation of myofibroblasts, inflammation and procollagen α2(I) gene expression. Losartan-M6PHSA did not affect metalloproteinase type 2 and 9 activity and did not cause apoptosis of activated HSCs.

Conclusion:

Short-term treatment with HSC-targeted losartan markedly reduces advanced liver fibrosis. This approach may provide a novel means to treat chronic liver diseases. (Hepatology 2010.)
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 99mTc(CO)3(IDA‐CPT) for tumor imaging
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Niu Tingting , Yang Jing , Tan Cunmin , Zheng Xiaobei , Wu Wangsuo , Dong Feng , Guo Hongyun
Published: November 2009

This work reports the synthesis, radiolabeling, and preliminary biodistribution results in tumor‐bearing mice of 99mTc(CO)3(IDA‐CPT). The novel camptothecin (CPT) derivate was successfully synthesized by conjugation of iminodiacetic acid (IDA) to camptothecin via a short carbonyl‐methylene linker. Radiolabeling was performed in high yield with [99mTc(CO)3]+ core to get 99mTc(CO)3(IDA‐CPT), which was hydrophilic and stable at room temperature. Biodistribution studies in tumor‐bearing mice showed that 99mTc(CO)3(IDA‐CPT) accumulated in the tumor with good uptake and retention. However, its clearance from normal organs was slow, resulting in poor T/NT ratios. Further modification on the linker or/and 99mTc‐chelate to improve the tumor‐targeting efficacy and in vivo kinetic profiles is currently in progress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of labeled ambroxol and its major metabolites
Authors: Latli Bachir , Hrapchak Matt , Switek Heinz‐Karl , Retz Daniel M. , Krishnamurthy Dhileepkumar , Senanayake Chris H.
Published: November 2009

Ambroxol is a mucolytic agent used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Herein, we report the synthesis of carbon‐14‐labeled ambroxol with the radioactive atom(s) either on the benzylic carbon or uniformly in the cyclohexyl ring with specific activities of 59 and 81 mCi/mmol, respectively. We also describe the preparation of deuterium‐labeled ambroxol, its deuterium‐labeled tetrahydroquinazoline metabolite (DHTQ), carbon‐13‐labeled 3,5‐dibromoanthranilic acid metabolite, as well as an unlabeled O‐glucuronide conjugate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positron lifetime evolution during room temperature ageing in Al‐Zn‐Mg‐(Cu)
Authors: Dupasquier A. , Ferragut R. , Liddicoat P. , Moia F. , Ringer S. P.
Published: November 2009

The effect on the formation of vacancy‐solute clusters by the addition of small percentages of Cu to Al‐Zn‐Mg has been studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The results document the ability of Cu to increase the number of vacancies retained after quenching, by forming an additional population of vacancy‐solute clusters in competition with pure Zn clusters. It has also been shown that Cu accelerates the decomposition of the alloy at 150°, thereby leaving a reduced supersaturation of the matrix after an early interruption. An unexpected result is that the curve positron lifetime vs, ageing time at RT displays the symptoms of a change in the nature of the coherent aggregates that occurs in about 10 hours of RT exposure. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimisation of surface passivation for highly reliable angular AMR sensors
Authors: Isler M. , Christoffer B. , Schoer G. , Philippsen B. , Mahnke M. , Vanhelmont F. , Wolters R. , Engelen R. , Opran A. , Thorns A. , Riethmueller W. , Matz H. , Tobescu C. , Stolk P.
Published: November 2009

For state‐of‐the‐art angular sensors based on the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) effect in NiFe layers, the angular accuracy over time is limited by a drift of the offset voltage of the Wheatstone bridge configuration. It is shown that the interaction of the passivation layer and the magnetic permalloy is crucial for the drift of the offset voltage. By investigating the time and temperature dependence, the offset drift is attributed to stress relief of the PECVD passivation layer due to microstructural changes. Hydrogen outdiffusion from the passivation layer is involved in the observed stress evolution. It is demonstrated that optimising the passivation layer composition as well as the time of the subsequent annealing is beneficial for stress stabilisation of the permalloy‐passivation layer system. With this optimised passivation layer a significant offset drift reduction of the NiFe Wheatstone bridge has been achieved resulting in highly accurate and long‐term stable angular AMR sensors. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Eigenfrequency and decay factor of the localized torsional phonon in a nanowire superlattice with a defect layer
Authors: Mizuno Seiji
Published: November 2009

We theoretically study the localized vibrational modes in a cylindrical nanowire superlattice with a defect layer. We focus on torsional modes whose dispersion relations can be obtained analytically. We calculate the eigenfrequencies of the localized mode and corresponding decay factor. In particular, we examined how the eigenfrequencies depend on the width of the defect layer. It is shown that the localized modes cannot exist below a critical frequency due to the effect of the radial confinement of phonons. We also study the resonant transmission of acoustic phonons as a result of the interaction with these localized modes. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Vibrational modes in a square cross‐section InAs/InP nanowire superlattice
Authors: Mizuno Seiji , Nakamura Yushi
Published: November 2009

We study theoretically the phonon modes in a square cross‐section nanowire superlattice (NWSL) consisting of InAs and InP. The phonon modes in the NWSL composed of cubic materials are classified into five types, i.e., A1, A2, B1, B2, and E modes. We calculate the dispersion relations of each phonon mode and corresponding displacement fields for this NWSL. The A1, A2, B1, B2, and E modes have features of dilatational, torsional, stretching, shear, and flexural modes, respectively. We examine the effects of both the superlattice modulation along the wire axis and lateral confinement of phonons. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Adsorption of benzene over the rutile TiO2 (110) surfaces: A theoretical study
Authors: Neto A. R. R. , Alves H. W. Leite
Published: November 2009

In this work, we present our theoretical results for the relaxation of the rutile TiO2 (110), as well as for the adsorption of benzene over this surface. Our results are in good agreement with both the available theoretical and experimental data, whenever these comparisons were possible. Based on our obtained results, we show that the interaction between the adsorbate and the TiO2 (110) surface shows a van der Waalslike character, with the calculated adsorption energies at the order of 43 to 173 meV. In this adsorption process, the H atoms of the benzene prefer to bind with the surface Ti atoms. As a result, two occupied electronic levels appear at the surface bandgap, which are responsible for the optical absorption peaks at the blue‐violet region of the electromagnetic spectra. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In‐plane optical anisotropy of copper‐phthalocyanine films: RAS studies and modelling
Authors: Fronk Michael , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Salvan Georgeta
Published: November 2009

Copper‐phthalocyanine (CuPc) films prepared by organic molecular beam deposition on H‐passivated silicon and Si covered with native oxide were investigated by means of ellipsometry and reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). In addition to the out‐of‐plane anisotropy found from the evaluation of the ellipsometry data (Aspnes and Studna, Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 1954 (1985) [1]) an in‐plane anisotropy in the order of 10‐2 was detected by RAS. In a first step model calculations assuming homogeneous in‐plane anisotropy over the whole layer thickness were performed in order to extract the anisotropy of the optical constants n and k.

In a second step, more advanced models taking into account a change in the anisotropy with film thickness were constructed in order to describe the in‐plane anisotropy spectral evolution with film thickness. For the films on Si/SiO2 the in‐plane anisotropy is found to increase with increasing thickness. On H‐Si this effect is not observed and the behaviour of CuPc is more complicated to model on this substrate. Thus, the interaction of the molecules with the differently treated substrate surfaces plays a crucial role for the molecular alignment. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Adsorption of lead phthalocyanine on the hydrogen‐passivated Ge(001)‐2x1 surface
Authors: Holland B. N. , Gavrila G. , Zahn D. R. T. , Cafolla A. A. , McGuinness C. , McGovern I. T.
Published: November 2009

The adsorption of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) on the hydrogen passivated Ge(001)‐2×1 surface is investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and near‐edge absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) techniques. The substrate‐molecule interaction is observed to be weak, with the molecule‐molecule interaction predominantly determining the ordering at the interface. The molecules in the first observable islands adopt a crystal structure similar to the bulk triclinic structure, with the stacking axis parallel to the substrate. Adlayers are ∼0.8 nm in height and the average tilt in thicker layers, as determined by NEXAFS, is consistent with this crystal structure. However, the first island height observed is ∼1.6 nm, which is considered to be a bilayer of PbPc molecules; the average tilt in these initial layers is slightly larger. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interaction of GaN(0001)‐2×2 surfaces with H2O
Authors: Lorenz P. , Gutt R. , Haensel T. , Himmerlich M. , Schaefer J. A. , Krischok S.
Published: November 2009

We performed an in‐situ analysis of the interaction of water with clean 2×2 reconstructed GaN(0001) surfaces grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The as‐grown surfaces were exposed to molecular water by backfilling. Photoemission spectra reveal an extremely high reactivity and dissociative adsorption with an oxygen sticking coefficient of 0.3 and a saturation coverage of approximately 1 ML. Core level spectra of the O1s state show three individual oxygen components with different temporal behavior. Furthermore, the initial reconstruction quickly vanishes and surface states in the valence band of the as‐grown surface are removed during the exposure of the first few Langmuirs. For higher exposures, two oxygen‐related states appear. The initial upward band bending of 0.4 eV for the as‐grown surface is effectively reduced during oxidation resulting in flat band conditions. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Kinetics of albumin homocysteinylation measured with matrix‐assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry versus with a radioactive tracer
Authors: Callegher Elisabetta , Seraglia Roberta , Vettore Monica , Puricelli Lucia , Millioni Renato , Tessari Paolo
Published: November 2009

Homocysteinylation is a post‐translational protein modification which involves homocysteine‐thiolactone and may be responsible for many pathophysiological changes secondary to hyperhomocysteinemia. Therefore, methods to measure protein homocysteinylation in intact biological samples are required. We tested whether matrix assisted‐laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) can detect time‐ and dose‐dependent changes in in vitro homocysteine‐thiolactone binding to human serum albumin. We have compared this method with a 35S‐thiolactone radioactive binding assay. Incubations with and without dithiothreitol allowed measurement of the amide‐linked and disulfide‐linked thiolactone‐protein adducts, respectively. A good correspondence in time‐ and dose‐dependent protein‐thiolactone formation was observed between the two methods. A maximum of 9 to 12 thiolactone residues were bound to each albumin molecule. The 35S‐thiolactone bound albumin tightly, particularly at the lowest concentrations, with ≈70% of the binding amide‐linked. Although the results of the two methods were rather similar, the radioactive method appears to be more sensitive than the MALDI‐MS technique. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of a series of isomeric oligosaccharides by energy‐resolved mass spectrometry: a challenge on homobranched trisaccharides
Authors: Daikoku Shusaku , Widmalm Göran , Kanie Osamu
Published: November 2009

Glycans exist as part of glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are involved in a variety of biological functions. The analysis of glycan structures, particularly that of structural isomers, is fundamentally important since isomeric glycans often show distinct functions; however, a method for their structural elucidation has not yet been established. Anomeric configurations, linkage positions and branching are the major factors in glycans and their alteration results in a large diversity of glycan structures. The analysis of vicinally substituted oligosaccharides is extremely difficult because the product ions formed in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) often have the same m/z values. In our endeavor to address the issue, we analyzed a series of homo‐substituted trisaccharides consisting only of glucose by collision‐induced dissociation (CID), especially energy‐resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS). It was found that these structurally related glycans could be distinguished by taking advantage of differences in their activation energies in ERMS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of origin of larch wood: discrimination between European (Austrian) and Siberian origin by stable isotope analysis
Authors: Horacek Micha , Jakusch Michael , Krehan Hannes
Published: November 2009

Most of the coniferous wood of non‐European origin that is imported into the European Union (EU) has to be inspected phytosanitarily, to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pests in EU territory. Wood importers have been caught declaring Siberian larch wood as being of European origin to save the costs of the inspection. Therefore, an unequivocal method has to be developed in addition to the traditional analysis of the tree ring density to identify incorrect declarations of larch wood origin. For this purpose, δ18O and δ13C analyses have been carried out to check if Siberian larch wood can be discriminated from European larch. Measurements have been carried out on bulk wood samples, as the method has to be designed to be as simple as possible. The results show an overlapping of the Siberian and Austrian δ13C, and no overlapping for the δ18O values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Online nanoelectrospray/high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry as a potential tool for discovery pharmaceutical bioanalysis
Authors: Hatsis Panos , Valaskovic Gary , Wu Jing‐Tao
Published: November 2009

Nanoelectrospray ionization (nESI) coupled online with high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for small molecule analysis in a discovery pharmaceutical setting was examined. A conventional capillary pump, autosampler and nESI source were used to introduce samples directly into the FAIMS device. The FAIMS device was used to separate gas‐phase ions on a timescale that was compatible with the mass spectrometer. The capability of the nESI‐FAIMS combination to efficiently remove metabolite interferences from the parent drug, and reduce ion suppression effects, was demonstrated. On average, 85% of the signal intensity obtained from a neat sample was preserved in the extracted plasma samples. Standard curves were prepared for several compounds. Linearity was obtained over approximately 3 to 4 orders of magnitude. Comparison of results from nESI‐FAIMS with those from conventional LC/MS for a mouse pharmacokinetic study yielded concentration values differing by no more than 30%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometry and UV‐VIS spectrophotometry of ruthenium(II) [RuClCp(mPTA)2](OSO2CF3)2 complex in solution
Authors: Peña‐Méndez Eladia María , González Beatriz , Lorenzo Pablo , Romerosa Antonio , Havel Josef
Published: November 2009

Ruthenium(II) complexes are of great interest as a new class of cancerostatics with advantages over classical platinum compounds including lower toxicity. The stability of the [RuClCp(mPTA)2](OSO2CF3)2 complex (I) (Cp cyclopentadienyl, mPTA N‐methyl 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane) in aqueous solution was studied using spectrophotometry, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and laser desorption/ionization (LDI) time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Spectrophotometry proves that at least three different reactions take place in water. Dissolution of I leads to fast coordination of water molecules to the Ru(II) cation and then slow hydrolysis and ligand exchange of chloride and mPTA with water, hydroxide or with trifluoromethane sulfonate itself. Via MALDI and LDI of the hydrolyzed solutions the formation of singly positively charged ions of general formula RuClp(Cp)q(mPTA)r(H2O)s(OH)t (p = 0–1, q = 0–1, r = 0–2, s = 0–5, t = 0–2) and of some fragment ions was shown. The stoichiometry was determined by analyzing the isotopic envelopes and computer modelling. The [RuClCp(mPTA)2](OSO2CF3)2 complex can be stabilized in dilute hydrochloric acid or in neutral 0.15 M isotonic sodium chloride solution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of low‐concentration gas samples with continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry: eliminating sources of contamination to achieve high precision
Authors: Cambaliza Maria O. L. , Harlow Benjamin A. , Ubierna Nerea , Mount George H. , Marshall John D. , Evans R. David
Published: November 2009

Developments in continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry have made possible the rapid analysis of δ13C in CO2 of small‐volume gas samples with precisions of ≤0.1‰. Prior research has validated the integrity of septum‐capped vials for collection and short‐term storage of gas samples. However, there has been little investigation into the sources of contamination during the preparation and analysis of low‐concentration gas samples. In this study we determined (1) sources of contamination on a Gasbench II, (2) developed an analytical procedure to reduce contamination, and (3) identified an efficient, precise method for introducing sample gas into vials. We investigated three vial‐filling procedures: (1) automated flush‐fill (AFF), (2) vacuum back‐fill (VBF), and (3) hand‐fill (HF). Treatments were evaluated based on the time required for preparation, observed contamination, and multi‐vial precision. The worst‐case observed contamination was 4.5% of sample volume. Our empirical estimate showed that this level of contamination results in an error of 1.7‰ for samples with near‐ambient CO2 concentrations and isotopic values that followed a high‐concentration carbonate reference with an isotope ratio of −47‰ (IAEA‐CO‐9). This carry‐over contamination on the Gasbench can be reduced by placing a helium‐filled vial between the standard and the succeeding sample or by ignoring the first two of five sample peaks generated by each analysis. High‐precision (SD ≤0.1‰) results with no detectable room‐air contamination were observed for AFF and VBF treatments. In contrast, the precision of HF treatments was lower (SD ≥0.2‰). VBF was optimal for the preparation of gas samples, as it yielded faster throughput at similar precision to AFF. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian modeling of multivariate spatial binary data with applications to dental caries
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Reich Brian J. , Slate Elizabeth H.
Published: November 2009

Dental research gives rise to data with potentially complex correlation structure. Assessments of dental caries yield a binary outcome indicating the presence or absence of caries experience for each surface of each tooth in a subject's mouth. In addition to this nesting, caries outcome exhibit spatial structure among neighboring teeth. We develop a Bayesian multivariate model for spatial binary data using random effects autologistic regression that controls for the correlation within tooth surfaces and spatial correlation among neighboring teeth. Using a sample from a clinical study conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina, we compare this autologistic model with covariates to alternative models to demonstrate the improvement in predictions and also to assess the effects of covariates on caries experience. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of the MC‐SIMEX method with application to measurement error in periodontal outcomes
Authors: Slate Elizabeth H. , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar
Published: November 2009

Measurement error is pervasive in medical research. In periodontal research studies, one measure of disease status is the probed pocket depth (PPD), the depth of the space between a tooth and the surrounding gum. In larger studies, these assessments are made by multiple examiners, each having distinct measurement error characteristics. Because PPD is recorded in whole millimeters, it may be regarded as discrete and its associated error as misclassification error. This study investigates the impact of this measurement error when evaluating the effect of periodontal disease status on levels of inflammatory markers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The marker readings are either left or right censored, due to quantities that are either too small to be reliably quantified or so large that they saturate the detector. Additionally, marker readings from multiple periodontal sites within a subject's mouth are correlated. These considerations give rise to a clustered survival model for the marker readings in which the discrete predictor of interest is misclassified. Associations between the GCF markers and periodontal assessments are corrected for misclassification error using the MC‐SIMEX method. Simulation studies reveal the impact of varying degrees of misclassification error on associations of interest. Analysis of pilot data from a periodontal study, for which examiner misclassification rates are estimated from calibration studies, further illustrates the approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adapting Häävikko's dental age for the assessment of Italian children: use of LMS and other models based on smoothing splines
Authors: Spada Elena , Butti Andrea Carlo , Ferraroni Monica , Milani Silvano
Published: November 2009

The expression ‘dental age’ (DA) denotes the mean age at which a given stage of dental development is achieved in a population chosen as calibrator. The rhythm at which the maturation occurs is a characteristic of a given population in a given period. When DA is determined on subjects of a population different from the calibrator, the shape of the relationship of DA to chronological age (CA) must be empirically determined to trace reference charts for DA that properly apply to this population. The aim of this study is to show how the DA determined in a calibration set (Häävikko's DA) can be adapted to apply to another population (Italian children), by means of CA‐dependent smooth functions of the location, scale and shape of DA distribution. A set of 492 good quality panoramic films taken on healthy Italian children aged 5.5–14.5 years was analysed. The techniques under comparison produced quite similar curves: a parsimonious (4 e.d.f.) and rather satisfactory smoothing spline was found for median, but not for scale and shape indices: so the meaning of SDS values derived from these adjusted reference charts may result doubtful. Among the software products considered here, LMS program was found to be particularly user friendly, since allows the user to visually control the effect of changing the number of e.d.f. on the pattern of DA reference charts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional ultrasound imaging for discrimination between benign and malignant endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness of at least 4.5 mm
Authors: Opolskiene G. , Sladkevicius P. , Jokubkiene L. , Valentin L.
Published: November 2009

Objectives

To determine whether endometrial volume or power Doppler indices as measured by three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging can discriminate between benign and malignant endometrium, to compare their diagnostic performance with that of endometrial thickness measurement using two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound examination, and to determine whether power Doppler indices add any diagnostic information to endometrial thickness or volume.

Methods

Sixty‐two patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm underwent transvaginal 2D gray‐scale and 3D power Doppler ultrasound examination of the corpus uteri. The endometrial volume was calculated, along with the vascularization index (VI), flow index and vascularization flow index (VFI) in the endometrium and in a 2‐mm ‘shell’ surrounding the endometrium. The ‘gold standard’ was the histological diagnosis of the endometrium obtained by hysteroscopic resection of focal lesions, dilatation and curettage or hysterectomy. Receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curves were drawn for all measurements to evaluate their ability to distinguish between benign and malignant endometrium. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to create mathematical models to estimate the risk of endometrial malignancy.

Results

There were 49 benign and 13 malignant endometria. Endometrial thickness and volume were significantly larger in malignant than in benign endometria, and flow indices in the endometrium and endometrial shell were significantly higher. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of endometrial thickness was 0.82, that of endometrial volume 0.78, and that of the two best power Doppler variables (VI and VFI in the endometrium) 0.82 and 0.82. The best logistic regression model for predicting malignancy contained the variables endometrial thickness (odds ratio 1.2; 95% CI, 1.04–1.30; P = 0.004) and VI in the endometrial ‘shell’ (odds ratio 1.1; 95% CI, 1.02–1.23; P = 0.01). Its AUC was 0.86. Using its mathematically optimal risk cut‐off value (0.22), the model correctly classified seven more benign cases but two fewer malignant cases than the best endometrial thickness cut‐off (11.8 mm). Models containing endometrial volume and flow indices performed less well than did endometrial thickness alone (AUC, 0.79 vs. 0.82).

Conclusions

The diagnostic performance for discrimination between benign and malignant endometrium of 3D ultrasound imaging was not superior to that of endometrial thickness as measured by 2D ultrasound examination, and 3D power Doppler imaging added little to endometrial thickness or volume. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonographic identification of lower limb venous hypoplasia in the prenatal diagnosis of Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome
Authors: Coombs P. R. , James P. A. , Edwards A. G.
Published: November 2009

We report the prenatal identification of lower‐limb venous hypoplasia to support a provisional prenatal diagnosis of Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome (KTS). Ultrasound assessment of a fetus with marked lower‐limb edema, cystic areas in the abdomen/pelvis/lower limbs and abnormal development of the feet demonstrated bilateral hypoplasia of the femoral and popliteal veins. The external iliac veins and the great saphenous veins were seen to be normal. The lower limb arterial system was present. These findings supported KTS as the most likely provisional diagnosis, and postnatal clinical evaluation confirmed that the infant is best classified in the spectrum of KTS. Venous hypoplasia was confirmed with a postnatal ultrasound examination of the lower limbs. This case suggests that careful examination of the lower‐limb venous system may be helpful in making the prenatal diagnosis of KTS. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Staging systems: is there a surgical staging and a medical one?
Authors: Masuzaki Ryota , Yoshida Haruhiko , Tateishi Ryosuke , Omata Masao
Published: November 2009

Clinical staging systems for cancer provide guidelines for patient assessments and therapeutic decisions. Furthermore, appropriate staging is essential for objective comparison between the outcomes of different treatments, including clinical trials. While the prognosis of most solid tumors is generally dependent on tumor stage at presentation, prediction of prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is more complicated because underlying liver function also affects patient survival. The Okuda classification and the pathologic tumor–node–metastasis classification are most commonly used internationally, but each has its own limitation. Several new staging systems for HCC have recently been reported from Italy, Japan, and Spain. Most prognostic models consist of parameters reflecting tumor stage and liver function reservoir, which were selected based on analyses of large series of HCC patients. Ideally, staging systems should be applicable to any HCC patient. However, each existing staging system may have been characterized by the patient population based on which it was constructed. For practical purposes, staging systems should be simple and based on data that are easily obtainable. Consensus is yet to be achieved on the optimal staging system for HCC that assures progress in the development of novel therapies.
Efficacy of the Health Belief Model for Predicting Intention to Pursue Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Cyr Amanda , Dunnagan Tim Allen , Haynes George
Published: November 2009

This study examined the Health Belief Model's efficacy to predict intention to undergo genetic testing for the Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) gene within a rural/frontier setting. Survey data were collected on 558 Southwest Montanan residents. Regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits, including affordability and satisfying curiosity, were the strongest indicators of intention to undergo genetic testing for CRC. Select consumer barriers and cues to action variables were also found to be significant predictors. Collectively the model explained approximately 36% of the variance. These preliminary findings have implications for genetic counselors, health practitioners and health care providers concerned with genetic counseling and addressing the public health issue of CRC.
Cancer Biomarker Discovery via Targeted Profiling of Multiclass Tumor Tissue-Derived Proteomes
Authors: Zhou Longhai , Cai Ming , Ling Xuefeng Bruce , Wang Qiang , Lau Kenneth , Zhao Jiagang Jack , Schilling James , Chen Liangbiao
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Tumor-derived proteins and naturally occurring peptides represent a rich source of potential cancer markers for multiclass cancer distinction.

Materials and Methods

In this study, proteomes/peptidomes derived from primary colon cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to identify multiclass cancer discriminative protein and peptide candidates. Spectral counting and peptidomic analyses found two biomarker panels, one with 12 proteins and the other with 53 peptides, both capable of multiclass cancer detection and classification.

Results and Discussion

Shed from tumor tissues through apoptosis/necrosis, cell secretion, or tumor-specific degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, these proteins/peptides are likely to enter into circulation and, therefore, have the potential to be configured into practical serological diagnostic and prognostic utilities.
Does early sexual debut reduce teenagers' participation in tertiary education? Evidence from the SHARE longitudinal study
Authors: Parkes Alison , Wight Daniel , Henderson Marion , West Patrick
Published: November 2009

Negative effects of early sexual debut on academic outcomes can extend beyond secondary school, although concurrent changes in other psychosocial risk factors have not been investigated. Data from three waves of a longitudinal survey of Scottish teenagers were used to examine associations between early sexual debut (first heterosexual intercourse) and both expectations for (N = 5,061) and participation in (N = 2,130) tertiary education at college or university. Early debut was associated with reduced tertiary education, after adjusting for academic performance and wave 1 confounders relating to social background, attitudes and behaviours. Pregnancy/partner pregnancy did not explain all of this finding, as many sexually experienced teenagers opted out of tertiary education after leaving school early for other reasons. Changes in other psychosocial risk factors between waves 1 and 2 mediated much of the association found. Early sexual experience may predict disengagement from tertiary education, although further research is needed to explore causal pathways.
Introduction to special issue. Careful conversations: Adolescents managing their parents' access to information
Authors: Keijsers Loes , Laird Robert D.
Published: November 2009

Stattin and Kerr's (2000; Kerr & Stattin, 2000) seminal work challenged our understanding of parental monitoring, shifted attention to adolescents' agency as information managers, and pushed researchers to focus more on their measures and to think more about the interactional and relational processes that keep, or fail to keep, parents informed. Spurred by this reinterpretation of “parental monitoring”, research has shifted in the last decade from a nearly exclusive focus on parents' role in socializing adolescents through monitoring their whereabouts, friendships, and activities, to a broader recognition of, and appreciation for, adolescents' active role in strategically managing their parents' access to information. This special issue showcases this new perspective by gathering a set of studies focusing collectively on a wide variety of information management strategies and exploring bidirectional links with indicators of youths' psychosocial adjustment and parent–child relationship qualities.
Do Urologists Adhere to the British National Formulary (BNF) Guidelines?—Results of a Postal Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Pisipati Sailaja , Gilbert Amy , Pearce Ian
Published: November 2009

Aim:

Information in the British National Formulary (BNF) is obtained from a wide range of sources. BNF contains three guidelines directly pertinent to urological practice. We set out to determine urologists' adherence to these guidelines.

Methods:

A standard questionnaire was sent to each urological unit in the UK ( n = 191). The three guidelines relate to: Prevention of endocarditis in patients undergoing urological interventions. Use of iodine containing contrast media in patients taking metformin. Use of anti-androgens in conjunction with GnRH analogues.

Results:

111 (58%) completed questionnaires were returned. Adherence rate was 28%, 34% and 17% respectively for each of the above guidelines. The adherence rate was 50%, 50% and 14% by specialist registrars in contrast to 22%, 27% and 16% by consultants. Adherence decreased as the number of years of experience in urology increased, from 36.3% at 5 years to 26.3% at 20 years.

Conclusion:

The overall adherence of urologists to BNF guidelines is low (26.3%), with adherence being higher for registrars. The longer a urologist had been in urology, the lower the adherence. In the current era of evidence-based practice, we recommend that these guidelines are revisited, perhaps by the British Association of Urological Surgeons or National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Clarithromycin, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A, greatly increases exposure to oral S‐ketamine
Authors: Hagelberg Nora M. , Peltoniemi Marko A. , Saari Teijo I. , Kurkinen Kaisa J. , Laine Kari , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Olkkola Klaus T.
Published: November 2009

Background:Oral ketamine is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of refractory neuropathic and cancer‐related pain. Drug interactions may alter the analgesic or other effects of ketamine.

Aim and methods:The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of cytochrome P450 3A enzyme inhibition with clarithromycin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral S‐ketamine in a randomized controlled cross‐over study with two phases. Ten healthy subjects were pre‐treated with oral clarithromycin or placebo for 4 days. On day 4, they ingested an oral dose of 0.2 mg/kg of S‐ketamine syrup. Plasma concentrations of ketamine and norketamine were measured for 24 h. Analgesic effects were evaluated in a cold pressor test and psychomotor effects were followed for 12 h.

Results:Clarithromycin increased the meanCmaxof ketamine by 3.6‐fold (p< 0.001) and the mean AUC0–∞of ketamine by 2.6‐fold (p= 0.001). The relative amount of the CYP3A dependent metabolite norketamine was decreased by 54% by clarithromycin (p= 0.004). Self‐rated drug effect of S‐ketamine was enhanced by clarithromycin (p< 0.05) but other behavioral effects or cold pain scores were not affected.

Conclusions:Clarithromycin strongly increases plasma concentrations of oral S‐ketamine probably by inhibiting its CYP3A‐mediated N‐demethylation. This increase is reflected as modest changes in behavioral effects of oral S‐ketamine.
Shrinking and development of lipid droplets in adipocytes during catecholamine‐induced lipolysis
Authors: Nagayama Masafumi , Shimizu Kyoko , Taira Toshio , Uchida Tsutomu , Gohara Kazutoshi
Published: November 2009

Time‐lapse observation of adipocytes during catecholamine‐induced lipolysis clearly shows that shrinking of existing lipid droplets (LDs) occurs in some adipocytes and that small LDs are newly developed in almost all cells. Immunofluorescence imaging reveals that activation and localization of hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) on the surface of LDs, which are required for conferring maximal lipolysis, are necessary for the shrinking of the LDs. However, not all adipocytes in which phosphorylated HSL is localized on LDs exhibit shrinking of LDs. The simultaneous shrinking and development of LDs yield apparent fragmentation and dispersion of LDs in adipocytes stimulated with catecholamine.
Assessment of the physical activity behavior and beliefs of infertile women during assisted reproductive technology treatment
Authors: Kucuk Mert , Doymaz Fadime , Urman Bulent
Published: November 2009

Objectives

To understand the physical activity beliefs of infertile women, and their physical activity behavior before and during assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Methods

Infertile women undergoing ART treatment completed a survey assessing their physical activity beliefs. In addition, the physical activity behavior of the participants was assessed via the Godin Leisure–Time Exercise Questionnaire.

Results

The participants were significantly less physically active during the treatment period, with 80.1% reporting that they believed there would be a negative effect on the outcome of their treatment if they did not limit their physical activity.

Conclusion

The present study showed that women's physical activity may decline during ART treatment because of the misconception that pursuing their pre‐treatment physical activity routine would decrease their chance of conceiving.
Risk factors for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion in a population from southern China
Authors: Zhang Bi‐Yun , Wei Yi‐Sheng , Niu Jian‐Min , Li Yi , Miao Zhu‐Lin , Wang Zi‐Neng
Published: November 2009

Objective

To determine risk factors for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in women from southern China.

Method

We looked for associations between RSA and body mass index (BMI), family history of spontaneous abortion, smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS [also known as passive smoking]), and alcohol and coffee consumption using an unconditional logistic regression model involving 326 patients with RSA and 400 controls.

Results

Whereas smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee consumption were not associated with increased risk of RSA, both short (< 1 hour/day) and long (≥ 1 hour/day) periods of ETS were associated (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50–3.52 and adjusted OR, 4.75; 95% CI, 3.23–6.99, respectively). The increased risk of RSA was significant for participants with a BMI of 24.0 or greater (adjusted OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.12–2.14) and those with a family history of miscarriage (adjusted OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.28–3.49).

Conclusion

We found ETS, a higher BMI, and a family history of RSA to be independent risk factors for RSA in our population.
The role of network centrality in the flow of consumer influence
Authors: Lee Seung Hwan (Mark) , Cotte June , Noseworthy Theodore J.
Published: November 2009

The authors find that a consumer's position in a social network is related to both opinion leadership and susceptibility to influence. Using two field network studies, the authors show that people see themselves as opinion leaders when they perceive that they are popular (i.e., central) in the network. However, these self‐assessments are sometimes at odds with the perceptions of the rest of the network. Counter‐intuitively, the authors demonstrate that consumers who are central in networks are quite susceptible to others' influences. The findings extend the field's knowledge by demonstrating how network centrality is associated with consumer influence.
The effect of deal exclusivity on consumer response to targeted price promotions: A social identification perspective
Authors: Barone Michael J. , Roy Tirthankar
Published: November 2009

Discounts offered selectively to consumers are commonplace in the market and reflect the assumption that individuals will respond positively to targeted discounts. We consider whether exclusive deals evoke more positive responses than inclusive offers, an outcome referred to as a deal exclusivity effect. Contrary to the intuition that targeted promotions will always be evaluated more favorably than inclusive offers, we show that deal exclusivity effects (1) can be attenuated based upon factors influencing the extent to which recipients identify with other deal recipients and (2) are mediated by the offer's ability to enable the recipient to engage in self‐enhancement.
Feline permethrin toxicity: Retrospective study of 42 cases
Authors: Boland Lara A , Angles John M
Published: November 2009

Forty-two cases of feline permethrin toxicity treated at a referral hospital in Sydney, Australia were retrospectively reviewed. In most cases canine permethrin spot-on (PSO) flea products had been directly applied to affected cats. Most presented during summer and there was an increase in cases during the 2007/2008 period. Clinical signs included; tremors/muscle fasciculations (86%), twitches (41%), hyperaesthesia (41%), seizures (33%), pyrexia (29%), ptyalism (24%), ataxia (24%), mydriasis (19%) and temporary blindness (12%). Treatment involved decontamination, anticonvulsants and supportive care. Methocarbamol was not used. Complications occurred in 33% of cats and included: hypothermia (29%), electrolyte abnormalities (26%), aspiration pneumonia (12%), hypoproteinaemia (12%), anaemia (5%), apnoea (7%), respiratory arrest (5%), cardiorespiratory arrest (2%), pleural effusion (2%), urinary tract infection (2%) and corneal ulceration (2%). One cat was euthanased. Feline permethrin toxicity may result in severe clinical signs requiring intensive treatment. Despite prominent label warnings, cases of feline permethrin toxicity continue to occur in Australia and may be fatal.