bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melting behavior, nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, and morphology of PP/nylon 11/EPDM‐g‐MAH blends
Authors: Wang Biaobing , Hu Guosheng , Wei Lixia
Published: November 2007

The melting behavior, nonisothermal crystallization behavior, and morphology of pure polypropylene (PP) and its blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed using the Avrami equation modified by Jeziorny and the equation combining the Avrami and Ozawa method. The surface fold free energy and the effective activation energy for both PP and its blends were obtained by Hoffman‐Lauritzen theory and Vyazovkin's approach, respectively. The results showed that the presence of nylon 11 hindered the mobility of PP chains but accelerated the overall crystallization rate. The POM observation confirmed that the addition of nylon 11 decreased the spherulites size of PP matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Study on the curing reaction, dielectric and thermal performances of epoxy impregnating resin with reactive silicon compounds as new diluents
Authors: Zheng Yun , Chonung Kim , Jin Xiaolin , Wei Ping , Jiang Pingkai
Published: November 2007

Two silicon compounds including (3‐glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (A187) and (3‐glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane (W78) were used and studied as reactive diluents for aluminum (III) acetylacetonate (Alacac) accelerated epoxy/anhydride impregnating resin systems. The dielectric performances were studied and characterized by the dielectric dissipation factor, dielectric constant, volume resistivity, and breakdown strength. The curing behaviors and thermal properties of the cured impregnants were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry. The activation energies of different epoxy formulations were determined with Kissinger method. The results showed that W78 was effective to decrease the viscosity and had little influence on the curing reaction. The cured sample of 15 parts‐of‐W78‐containing‐epoxy resin/methyl‐hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) accelerated by Alacac exhibits good dielectric and heat resistant performances with a dielectric dissipation factor below 0.04 at 155°C. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
The role of interfacial interactions on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of clay–polymer nanocomposites: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Sikdar Debashis , Katti Dinesh R. , Katti Kalpana S.
Published: November 2007

Polymer clay nanocomposites (PCN) show enhanced mechanical, thermal, liquid or gas barrier properties in comparison to pure polymer. However, the mechanisms for enhancement of these physical properties of PCN are not well understood. This knowledge is important for tailoring the properties of PCN to desired specifications. Our earlier study showed that organic modifiers have significant influence on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of PCN. For quantitative evaluation of the influence of organic modifiers on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of PCN, molecular models of three intercalated PCNs containing same polymer and clay but with three different organic modifiers are constructed in this work. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the interaction energies among the different constituents of PCNs are evaluated. This study reveals that the interactions between polymer, organic modifiers, and intercalated clay are critical factors in controlling the crystallinity and enhancement of nanomechanical properties of PCN. We have described the possible mechanisms leading to change in crystallinity and nanomechanical properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Raman spectroscopy can differentiate malignant tumors from normal breast tissue and detect early neoplastic changes in a mouse model
Authors: Kast Rachel E. , Serhatkulu Gulay K. , Cao Alex , Pandya Abhilash K. , Dai Houbei , Thakur Jagdish S. , Naik Vaman M. , Naik Ratna , Klein Michael D. , Auner Gregory W. , Rabah Raja
Published: November 2007

Raman spectroscopy shows potential in differentiating tumors from normal tissue. We used Raman spectroscopy with near‐infrared light excitation to study normal breast tissue and tumors from 11 mice injected with a cancer cell line. Spectra were collected from 17 tumors, 18 samples of adjacent breast tissue and lymph nodes, and 17 tissue samples from the contralateral breast and its adjacent lymph nodes. Discriminant function analysis was used for classification with principal component analysis scores as input data. Tissues were examined by light microscopy following formalin fixation and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Discriminant function analysis and histology agreed on the diagnosis of all contralateral normal, tumor, and mastitis samples, except one tumor which was found to be more similar to normal tissue. Normal tissue adjacent to each tumor was examined as a separate data group called tumor bed. Scattered morphologically suspicious atypical cells not definite for tumor were present in the tumor bed samples. Classification of tumor bed tissue showed that some tumor bed tissues are diagnostically different from normal, tumor, and mastitis tissue. This may reflect malignant molecular alterations prior to morphologic changes, as expected in preneoplastic processes. Raman spectroscopy not only distinguishes tumor from normal breast tissue, but also detects early neoplastic changes prior to definite morphologic alteration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 235–241, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online”date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Racial differences in colorectal cancer screening practices and knowledge within a low‐income population
Authors: McAlearney Ann Scheck , Reeves Katherine W. , Dickinson Stephanie L. , Kelly Kimberly M. , Tatum Cathy , Katz Mira L. , Paskett Electra D.
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death among US women and is particularly deadly among African Americans, CRC screening rates remain low. Within a low‐income population of women, the authors examined racial differences in practices, knowledge, and barriers related to CRC screening.

METHODS.

Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 941 women (white, n = 186; African American, n = 755) older than age 50 years who were living in subsidized housing communities in 11 cities in North and South Carolina. Women were asked questions about their CRC screening history and their knowledge and beliefs concerning CRC screening.

RESULTS.

Half (49%) of the women interviewed were within CRC screening guidelines, and this did not vary by race (P = .17). However, African American women were half as likely as white women to report having had a screening colonoscopy within the past 10 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; P < .001). Awareness of tests for CRC was low overall (39%) and was lower among African Americans than whites (OR, 0.44; P < .001). Compared with white women, African American women were less likely to report embarrassment as a barrier (OR, 0.59; P = .008) and more likely to report lack of insurance coverage (OR, 1.75; P = .098).

CONCLUSIONS.

Efforts must continue to increase women's knowledge of both CRC screening tests and colon cancer risk factors. Among these low‐income women, routine encounters with the healthcare system may present opportunities to reduce deficits in CRC knowledge and to improve overall CRC screening rates. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Temporal trends and predictors of perioperative chemotherapy use in elderly patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jue , Kuo Yong Fang , Freeman Jean , Markowitz Avi B. , Goodwin James S.
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

The authors assessed patterns of perioperative chemotherapy use in elderly patients with resected stage I, II, or IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 1992 to 2002.

METHODS.

By using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 11,807 patients were identified who had resected stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC between 1992 and 2002 and survived ≥120 days beyond diagnosis. The rate of perioperative chemotherapy use was measured by calendar year, and the association between clinical/demographic characteristics and the receipt of chemotherapy was examined by using logistic regression.

RESULTS.

In total, 957 patients with stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC (8.1% of the study population) received perioperative chemotherapy. The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy for stage I NSCLC changed little during the study period. Of 3230 patients with stage II and IIIA NSCLC, 609 patients (18.9%) received chemotherapy, 423 patients (13%) received chemotherapy combined with radiation. 452 patients (15.6%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 66 patients (2.3%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The use of chemotherapy increased significantly among patients who were diagnosed after 1994 relative to patients who were diagnosed in 1992 after controlling for sociodemographic and treatment characteristics (P < .001). There was significantly increased use of new‐generation chemotherapy agents, such as carboplatin and taxanes (P < .001). The proportion of patients receiving combined‐modality therapy also increased significant (P < .001). Younger age, being married, having advanced‐stage tumor or adenocarcinoma, having a later diagnosis year, receiving radiation, and seeing an oncologist were predictors for the receipt of chemotherapy (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS.

A substantial proportion of Medicare beneficiaries with NSCLC received perioperative chemotherapy. Specifically designed prospective trials that focus on older patients are needed. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Application of distance matrices to define associations between acute toxicities in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Aprile Giuseppe , Ramoni Marco , Keefe Dorothy , Sonis Stephen
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) are likely to experience multiple concurrent toxicities that, rather than appearing singularly, may be associated with one another. Graphic and tabular representations of distance matrices were used to identify associations between toxicities and to define the strengths of these relations.

METHODS.

Using a standardized data collection tool, electronic medical charts of 300 consecutive patients receiving either the combination of leucovorin, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX); the combination of leucovorin, 5‐FU, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI); or 5‐FU) were retrospectively reviewed to record baseline demographic and clinical information. Treatment‐related toxicities were recorded using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria during the first cycle of CT. Using a distance matrix approach, an analysis of CT‐induced toxicity associations was elaborated.

RESULTS.

The graphic analysis, in which associations between toxicities were represented as links, identified 6 major hubs (fever, dehydration, fatigue, anorexia, pain, and weight loss), defined as central nodes with more connections than expected by chance. These were highly linked with minor nodes and provided evidence suggesting the existence of symptom clusters associated with CT‐induced toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS.

The application of distance matrix analyses to define CT‐induced toxicity associations is new. The technique was effective in defining the global landscape of the binary relations among toxicities associated with Cycle 1 therapy. The coherent clinical picture emerging from the network provides a strong suggestion that the toxicities in each cluster share a common pathobiologic basis, which may provide an opportunity for intervention. These findings could become useful for the early prediction of co‐occurring toxicities and, in the future, as a phenotyping framework for the pharmacogenomic analysis of individual responses to chemotherapy. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
A nonrandom association between gastrointestinal stromal tumors and myeloid leukemia
Authors: Miettinen Markku , Kraszewska Ewa , Sobin Leslie H. , Lasota Jerzy
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are KIT‐positive mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract that are driven by activated KIT‐signalling or platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α (PDFGRA) signaling. These tumors most commonly occur in the stomach and small intestine and encompass a clinical spectrum from benign to malignant. In the current study, the authors examined long‐term follow‐up data of 1892 GIST patients from the U.S.

BACKGROUND.

Nine patients (2 with gastric GISTs and 7 with GISTs of the small intestine) developed myeloid leukemia. There were 6 patients (4 women and 2 men) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including 1 case of promyelocytic and 1 case of myelomonocytic leukemia, and 3 patients (2 men and 1 woman) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

RESULTS.

The leukemias developed 1.7 to 21 years after the GIST (median interval, 6 years). None of the GIST patients had received radiotherapy or chemotherapy prior to the leukemia diagnosis. Eight of 9 patients died of leukemia, and none died of GIST. All but 1 GIST case was found to have a low mitotic rate (0–1 per 50 high‐power fields); however, tumor size varied from 3 to 18 cm (median, 4.5 cm). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated comparing the incidences of AML/CMLs in GIST patients with those in the 2000 through 2003 U.S. population. In GIST patients, the risk of AML was found to be significantly higher for women (SIR of 5.14; 95% CI, 1.34–11.4) and overall (SIR of 2.96; 95% CI, 1.07–5.8). There was a slightly increased risk for CML, but this was not statistically significant (SIR of 3.71; 95% CI, 0.7–9.1).

CONCLUSIONS.

Additional epidemiologic, clinical, and pathogenetic studies are needed to understand the apparent nonrandom association between GIST and myeloid leukemia. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Monoclonal antibody proteomics: Discovery and prevalidation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease biomarkers in a single step
Authors: Csanky Eszter , Olivova Petra , Rajnavolgyi Eva , Hempel William , Tardieu Nadege , Katalin Elesne Toth , Jullien Anne , Malderez‐Bloes Carole , Kuras Mariana , Duval Manuel X. , Nagy Laszlo , Scholtz Beata , Hancock William , Karger Barry , Guttman András , Takacs Laszlo
Published: November 2007

We define mAb proteomics as the global generation of disease specific antibodies that permit mass screening of biomarkers. An integrated, high‐throughput, disease‐specific mAb‐based biomarker discovery platform has been developed. The approach readily provided new biomarker leads with the focus on large‐scale discovery and production of mAb‐based, disease‐specific clinical assay candidates. The outcome of the biomarker discovery process was a highly specific and sensitive assay, applicable for testing of clinical validation paradigms, like response to treatment or correlation with other clinical parameters. In contrast to MS‐based or systems biology‐based strategies, our process produced prevalidated clinical assays as the outcome of the discovery process. By re‐engineering the biomarker discovery paradigm, the encouraging results presented in this paper clearly demonstrate the efficiency of the mAb proteomics approach, and set the grounds for the next steps of studies, namely, the hunt for candidate biomarkers that respond to drug treatment.
CE at the omics level: Towards systems biology – An update
Authors: Song Eun Joo , Babar Sheikh Md. Enayetul , Oh Eulsik , Hasan Md. Nabiul , Hong Hye‐Min , Yoo Young Sook
Published: November 2007

This review provides an updated overview of recent developments and applications of CE based on previously published reports in the field of omic research. The increased number of published articles on omics shows that the field is growing and attracting the attention of many life science researchers. Due to developments in the omics sciences, many researchers have been studying systems biology, in which biological events in organisms are systematically interpreted through the combination of complex measurements from various methods resulting in high‐throughput data. Given the challenges of such complex forms of analysis, CE is a strong candidate for generating omics data useful for acquiring the qualitative and quantitative knowledge necessary for systems‐level investigation. By emphasizing CE for systems biology, this review will discuss and focus on the applicability of CE to systems‐based analytical data at the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels from 2005 to the present.
Epithelial type, ingression, blastopore architecture and the evolution of chordate mesoderm morphogenesis
Authors: Shook David R. , Keller Ray
Published: November 2007

Chordate embryos show an evolutionary trend in the mechanisms they use to internalize presumptive mesoderm, relying predominantly on invagination in the basal chordates, varying combinations of involution and ingression in the anamniote vertebrates and reptiles, and predominantly on ingression in birds and mammals. This trend is associated with variations in epithelial type and changes in embryonic architecture as well as variations in the type of blastopore formed by an embryo. We also note the surprising conservation of the involution, during gastrulation, of at least a subset of the notochordal cells throughout the chordates, and suggest that this indicates a constraint on morphogenic evolution based on a functional linkage between architecture and patterning. Finally, we propose a model for the evolutionary transitions from gastrulation through a urodele amphibian‐type blastopore to gastrulation through a primitive streak, as in chick or mouse. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:85–110, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenic machines evolve more rapidly than the signals that pattern them: lessons from amphibians
Authors: Shook David R. , Keller Ray
Published: November 2007

The induction of mesoderm and the patterning of its dorsal‐ventral and anterior‐posterior axes seems to be relatively conserved throughout the chordates, as do the morphogenic movements that produce a phylotypic stage embryo. What is not conserved is the initial embryonic architecture of the fertilized egg, and the specific cell behaviors used to drive mesoderm morphogenesis. How then do conserved patterning pathways adapt to diverse architectures and where do they diverge to direct the different cell behaviors used to shape the phylotypic body plan? Amphibians in particular, probably because of their broad range of reproductive strategies, show diverse embryonic architectures across their class and use diverse cell behaviors during their early morphogenesis, making them an interesting comparative group. We examine three examples from our work on amphibians that show variations in the use of cell behaviors to drive the morphogenesis of the same tissues. We also consider possible points where the conserved patterning pathways might diverge to produce different cell behaviors. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:111–135, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunity against the GBV‐B hepatitis virus in tamarins can prevent productive infection following rechallenge and is long‐lived
Authors: Bukh Jens , Engle Ronald E. , Govindarajan Sugantha , Purcell Robert H.
Published: November 2007

GB virus‐B (GBV‐B) is the virus most closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thus, we have used GBV‐B infection of tamarins, which develop acute hepatitis following experimental infection, as a surrogate model to study protective immunity. As challenge virus, we first produced a GBV‐B pool from an infected tamarin, which was not infected with the related GBV‐A viruses. Its infectivity titer was 106.6 tamarin 50% infectious doses per ml. Next, two tamarins that were convalescent from recombinant GBV‐B infection were re‐challenged. In the original infection viremia persisted for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively, and both animals developed moderately severe hepatitis. Each tamarin was re‐challenged four times with 104.3 tamarin 50% infectious doses of the GBV‐B challenge virus. In one animal, each re‐challenge produced 1–2 weeks of viremia; hepatitis was observed following the first re‐challenge. In the other animal, however, only the first re‐challenge produced viremia, lasting 1 week. During the primary infection, peak GBV‐B titers were about 108 genome equivalents/ml in both animals; following re‐challenges, peak titers ranged from 103 to 106 genome equivalents/ml. Analysis of the polyprotein sequence of viruses recovered from both animals following the first re‐challenge demonstrated that these did not represent immune escape variants since mutations were not detected. Neutralization studies suggested that the immunity was not humoral in nature. We also demonstrated that the immunity was long‐lived: 1 year after the fourth challenge, the animal with sterilizing immunity had low titer viremia for only 1 week following an additional challenge. J. Med. Virol. 80:87–94, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serological response to hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection: IgG quantitation, avidity, and IgM response
Authors: Bendall R. , Ellis V. , Ijaz S. , Thurairajah P. , Dalton H.R.
Published: November 2007

Sequential sera were collected from 18 acute cases of UK‐acquired hepatitis E. The virus strains in all cases were of genotype 3. The IgM and IgG response to acute infection were documented over time using EIA kits based on a peptide antigen, pE2, which is derived from a genotype 1 strain of hepatitis E virus (HEV). Ninety‐five percentage of acute sera were IgM positive; after 6 months or more only 12% remained positive. The kit was adapted to quantify the IgG response (in WHO U/ml) and to determine antibody avidity. Following acute infection, anti‐HEV IgG concentrations rose between 6.9‐ and 90‐fold. IgG avidity was low (<25%) in most acute sera. After 6 months IgG avidity was greater than 50% in all cases. One patient with a poor IgM response and high avidity antibody in acute sera may have had a second HEV infection. Taken together, these results confirm that the pE2‐based EIA kits are suitable for diagnosing acute HEV genotype 3 infection. With simple modifications the IgG kit can measure anti‐HEV concentration and avidity, which can be used to confirm acute infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:95–101, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid and sensitive detection of metapneumovirus in clinical specimens by indirect fluorescence assay using a monoclonal antibody
Authors: Manoha C. , Bour J.B. , Pitoiset C. , Darniot M. , Aho S. , Pothier P.
Published: November 2007

Human metapneumovirus, with two known genotypes named A and B, is associated with mild respiratory symptoms to severe LRTI in children, high‐risk adults and the elderly. Rapid and reliable methods of hMPV detection in clinical samples are essential to implement appropriate care, to better understand the pathology of hMPV and to determine its epidemiology. Respiratory samples from 1,386 patients collected during 2 consecutive years were screened for hMPV using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay with a monoclonal antibody. Forty‐three patients tested positive for hMPV by the IFA method. In parallel, the samples were examined with RT‐PCR on the F gene. Of these, 41 specimens were RT‐PCR positive. The remaining two IF positives were cultured and the cultures were subsequently RT‐PCR positive. IFA showed therefore a sensitivity of 100%. No false positive signals were obtained with the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus or parainfluenza. When tested by RT‐PCR, all IFA‐negative samples (n = 204)were found negative. Therefore the specificity of IFA was 100%, IC95 [98–100%], with a negative predictive value of 100%. Based upon phylogenetic analysis of the fusion gene, both subgroups of hMPV were efficiently detected by IFA, and the viral aetiology could be given in 2 hr. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of immunofluorescence with our monoclonal antibody for the rapid detection of hMPV in clinical specimens in the management of therapy and the control of nosocomial diffusion. J. Med. Virol. 80:154–158, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chandipura virus: A major cause of acute encephalitis in children in North Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Tandale Babasaheb V. , Tikute Sanjaykumar S. , Arankalle Vidya A. , Sathe Padmakar S. , Joshi Manohar V. , Ranadive Satish N. , Kanojia Phoolchand C. , Eshwarachary D. , Kumarswamy M. , Mishra Akhilesh C.
Published: November 2007

A hospital‐based surveillance was undertaken between May 2005 and April 2006 to elucidate the contribution of Chandipura virus (CHPV) to acute viral encephalitis cases in children, seroconversion in recovered cases and to compare the seroprevalences of anti‐CHPV IgM and N antibodies in areas reporting cases with those without any case of acute viral encephalitis. During this period, 90 cases of acute encephalitis were hospitalized in the pediatric wards of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital, Warangal. There were 49 deaths (Case Fatality Rate, i.e., CFR of 54.4%). Clinical samples and records were obtained from 52 suspected cases. The cases were below 15 years, majority in 0–4 years (35/52, 67.3%). Computerized tomography (CT) scans and cerebro‐spinal fluid (CSF) picture favored viral etiology. No neurological sequelae were observed. CHPV etiology was detected in 25 cases (48.1%, n = 52; RNA in 20, IgM in 3 and N antibody seroconversion in 2). JEV etiology was detected in 5 cases (IgM in 4 cases and seroconversion in 1 case). Anti‐CHPV IgM seroprevalence in contacts (26/167, 15.6%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in non‐contacts (11/430, 2.6%); which was also observed in children <15 years (19/90, 21.1% vs. 3/109, 2.7%). Anti‐CHPV N antibody seroprevalence in <15 years contacts (66/90, 73.3%) and non‐contacts (77/109, 70.6%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in contacts (75/77, 97.4%) and non‐contacts (302/321, 94.1%) more than 15 years respectively. CHPV appears to be the major cause of acute viral encephalitis in children in endemic areas during early monsoon months. J. Med. Virol. 80:118–124, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship of serological subtype, basic core promoter and precore mutations to genotypes/subgenotypes of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Kramvis Anna , Arakawa Kazuko , Yu Mimi C. , Nogueira Ramon , Stram Daniel O. , Kew Michael C.
Published: November 2007

Using phylogenetic analysis and pairwise comparison of 670 complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes, we demonstrated that nucleotide divergence greater than 7.5% can be used to separate strains into genotypes A–H. Strains can be separated into subgenotypes when two criteria are met: nucleotide divergence of about 4% but less than 7.5% and good bootstrap support. There is a highly statistically significant association between serological subtypes and genotypes (χ2‐test for association, P < 0.0001): adw is associated with genotypes A, B, F, G, and H, adr with C and ayw with D and E. The logistic regression method showed that 1802–1803CG are characteristic of genotypes A, D, and E whereas 1802–1803TT are characteristic of genotypes B, C, and F. 1858C is positively associated with genotypes A, F, and H and 1858T with genotypes B, D, and E. Subgenotypes C2, F1/F4 can be differentiated from subgenotypes C1, F2/F3, respectively, because the latter have 1858C as opposed to 1858T in the former. 1888A was positively associated with subgenotype A1 and TAA at 1817 with genotype G. The Haploplot method revealed high linkage between loci 1858 and 1896 but strong evidence of recombination between loci 1862 and 1896. Loci 1809–1812, 1862, and 1888 may have co‐evolved. Using a computer program, we showed that serological subtype deduced from the S region (position 155–835) and mutations/variations within the basic core promoter/precore region (1653–1900), allowed genotyping of HBV with 97% sensitivity and 99% specificity. Certain subgenotypes or subgenotype groups could also be differentiated. J. Med. Virol. 80:27–46, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Change in hepatitis C virus genotype in hemodialysis patients after end‐of‐treatment response to interferon monotherapy—relapse or re‐infection?
Authors: Arrais Teresa C. , Van Dooren Sonia , Vandamme Anne‐Mieke , Brechot Christian , Rimlinger Francois , Silva Antonio Eduardo , Perez Renata M. , Ferraz Maria Lucia G. , Thiers Valerie
Published: November 2007

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains common among hemodialysis patients and its occurrence is related mainly to nosocomial spread. Although dialysis patients with HCV infection respond well to interferon‐based therapy, relapse is frequent. This study aimed at a selected group of hemodialysis patients infected with HCV infection undergoing interferon therapy who achieved end‐of‐treatment virological response but became HCV‐RNA positive again 6 months after end‐of‐treatment. It was evaluated whether de novo HCV‐RNA positivity in these non‐sustained responders occurred due to lack of clearance of HCV after the initial response to interferon‐alpha (relapse) or due to re‐infection with a new strain (re‐infection). Genotyping by Inno‐LiPA and by phylogenetic tree analysis using partial HCV‐NS5B sequences at two evaluation points: pre‐treatment (T0) and 6 months after end‐of‐treatment (T18). Non‐sustained responders (n = 15) carried subtypes 1a (8 patients), 1b (4 patients), 3a (2 patients), and 4a (1 patient) before treatment. Identical subtypes were detected in 10 patients at T18. Five patients changed genotypes at T18, suggesting nosocomial re‐infection. This study emphasizes the importance of epidemiologic measures to control the re‐exposure of hemodialysis patients treated previously for HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:80–86, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiology and genetic variability of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Stockholm, 2002–2003
Authors: Östlund Maria Rotzén , Lindell Annika Tiveljung , Stenler Sofia , Riedel Hilde M. , Wirgart Benita Zweygberg , Grillner Lena
Published: November 2007

The epidemiology and genetic variability of circulating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) strains in Stockholm during the season 2002–2003 were studied in consecutive RSV isolates derived from respiratory samples and diagnosed in the laboratory. Two hundred thirty‐four viruses were sequenced. The samples were mainly from children under 1 year old (79%). The phylogeny of the N‐terminal part of the G gene was studied after amplification and sequencing. One hundred fifty‐two viruses belonged to subgroup B and 82 to subgroup A. The subgroup A viruses could be further divided into genotypes GA2 (25) and GA5 (57) and the subgroup B viruses into GB3 (137) and SAB1 (15) strains. These strains clustered with subgroup A and subgroup B strains from Kenya from the same period, as well as with strains from Great Britain from 1995 to 1998. The dominance of subgroup B strains in Stockholm during 2002–2003 is in agreement with findings from other parts of the world during the same years. Only two genotypes of subgroup A, GA2 and GA5, were circulating during this time, and GA2 has been circulating in Sweden for more than 20 years. Consecutive strains from the same individual displayed no variability in the sequenced region, which was also true of strains that had been passaged in cell cultures. J. Med. Virol. 80:159–167, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiology and disease severity of respiratory syncytial virus in relation to other potential pathogens in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection in Jordan
Authors: Kaplan Nasser M. , Dove Winifred , Abd‐Eldayem Sawsan A. , Abu‐Zeid Ahmad F. , Shamoon Hiyam E. , Hart C. Anthony
Published: November 2007

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the major viral cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children. Few data about the molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in developing countries, such as Jordan, are available. The frequency and severity of infections caused by HRSV were assessed in hospitalized Jordanian children <5 years of age compared with other potential etiological agents. Overall a potential pathogen was detected in 78% (254/326) of the children. HRSV was detected in 43% (140/326) of the nasopharyngeal aspirates. HRSV was found more frequently during the winter (January/February), being less frequent or negligible by spring (March/April). Analysis of 135 HRSV‐positive strains using restriction fragment length polymorphism showed that 94 (70%) belonged to subgroup A, and 41 (30%) to subgroup B. There were also two cases of mixed genotypic infection. Only four of the six previously described N genotypes were detected with NP4 predominating. There were no associations between subgroup or N‐genogroup and disease severity. HRSV was significantly associated with more severe acute respiratory infection and the median age of children with HRSV was lower than for those without. Next in order of frequency were adenovirus (116/312: 37%), human bocavirus (57/312: 18%), rhinovirus (36/325: 11%), Chlamydia spp. (14/312: 4.5%), human metapneumovirus (8/326: 2.5%), human coronavirus NL63 (4/325: 1.2%), and influenza A virus (2/323: 0.6%). Influenza B; parainfluenza viruses 1–4, human coronavirus HKU1 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were not detected. J. Med. Virol. 80:168–174, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SERS intensity optimization by controlling the size and shape of faceted gold nanoparticles
Authors: Sabur Alia , Havel Mickael , Gogotsi Yury
Published: November 2007

In this work, we experimentally investigated the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) activity of faceted gold nanoparticles, which have been theoretically predicted to yield giant enhancements. Glycine was used to determine the SERS activity as a function of pH and ionic strength and to estimate the corresponding enhancement factor (EF). By optimizing the synthesis conditions of the flat prismatic nanoparticles, it was possible to control their size and shape. We demonstrate that the maximum SERS intensity increases with the edge length of the triangle, reaching a maximum EF of ∼1013 for 1.9 µm triangles (the largest tested). The corresponding glycine detection limit was as low as 10−12 M, close to the single‐molecule threshold. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chromatographic evaluation of chlorophyll derivatives in pasta‐based food products: effects of pasteurization treatments and correlation with sensory profiles
Authors: Suman Michele , De Maria Roberta , Catellani Dante
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: The degree of greenness, attributed to chlorophyll pigments, is important in determining the final quality and consumer appeal of processed industrial food. Thermal pasteurization treatments are usually applied to improve the mechanical and microbiological stability of pasta: this research study was focused on the investigation of the effects from these treatments on chlorophylls and their derivatives. A second aim was the correlation between the organoleptic changes and the decomposition of chlorophylls present in spinach filled pasta.

RESULTS: High‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry were used to separate and characterize pigments in dried spinach lasagna. The progressive reduction of chlorophylls and the simultaneous increase in derivatives were followed in the production steps. Furthermore, chlorophyll‐derived pigments present in spinach‐filled pasta products were monitored during shelf‐life: a complete degradation was confirmed around the sixth to seventh month, in agreement with the corresponding organoleptic tests.

CONCLUSION: The adopted chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques have proven to be successful in the estimation of pigment stability during steam treatments used for the production of dried spinach pasta. The possibility of exploiting chlorophylls and pheophytins as good markers for predicting the shelf‐life of food products enriched with edible grasses has also been demonstrated, correlating analytical measurements with sensory profiles. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Evolution of aroma compounds of murtilla fruits (Ugni molinae Turcz) during storage
Authors: Scheuermann Erick , Seguel Ivette , Montenegro Adolfo , Bustos Rubén O , Hormazábal Emilio , Quiroz Andrés
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: ‘Murtilla’, ‘mutilla’ or ‘murta’ (Ugni molinae Turcz) is a native Chilean species that produces a small berry fruit with a special aroma, whose volatile compounds have not yet been identified. The fruit may be consumed raw and also as jams, juice, canned products, confections and liquor.

RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the storage, 24 volatile compounds were identified in murtilla fruit aroma and the concentration of these compounds in murtilla fruit ranged from 1.2 to 250.5 µg kg−1 fresh weight. Methyl 2‐methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2‐methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, ethyl hexanoate, methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate were the major components, all of which have been reported as potent odors in other aromatic fruits. Based on estimated odor activity value, the most potent compound in the murtilla fruit aroma were ethyl hexanoate and 4‐methoxy‐2,5‐dimethyl‐furan‐3‐one. The statistical analysis showed that the storage produced a distinct effect on the same volatile compounds released from the murtilla ecotypes.

CONCLUSION: The volatile compounds identified in murtilla fruit aroma, which may be described as fruity, sweet and floral, have been found in other aromatic fruits. Concerning the aroma, the murtilla fruit from ecotype 19‐1 was shown to be the best in cooled storage. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Corporate governance and the returns to acquiring firms' shareholders: an international comparison
Authors: Mueller Dennis C. , Yurtoglu B. Burcin
Published: November 2007

We examine the effects of mergers on the returns to acquiring companies' shareholders for a large sample of companies from both Anglo‐Saxon and non‐Anglo‐Saxon countries over the 1980s and 1990s. With the important exception of Japan, we find similar patterns of returns across both types of countries. For a sample of 9733 acquiring companies the mean percentage gain over a short window of 21 days is 0.6%. This picture changes dramatically as the market has more time to evaluate the mergers and/or the acquiring firms. After three years, acquirers' shareholders in the United States and continental Europe lost on average 19% of their market value compared to a portfolio of non‐merging firms in their size deciles and their two‐digit industry, in Canada, Australia and New Zealand roughly 16%, and in the four Scandinavian countries almost 15%. Further analysis indicates that some mergers are consistent with the hypothesis that mergers generate synergies, but that a majority of mergers in Continental Europe are explained by the managerial discretion and/or hubris hypothesis. Our findings also suggest that corporate governance institutions in the United States and the other Anglo‐Saxon countries lead to better investment performance than in continental Europe, when one confines one's attention to mergers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving weather radar observations using pulse‐compression techniques
Authors: O'Hora Fritz , Bech Joan
Published: November 2007

Pulse‐compression techniques have been used for many years to increase sensitivity and range resolution in military and air traffic control radar systems. However, their application to ground‐based weather radar has, so far, been very limited and restricted to research applications. This article describes the practical implementation of pulse compression using non‐linear frequency modulation (NLFM) in a commercial digital processor/receiver and demonstrates its application to operational weather radars.

Three case studies are presented, including the first application of pulse compression to ground‐based travelling wave tube (TWT) weather radars. TWT radars use coherent transmitters with relatively low peak power compared to traditional magnetron or klystron systems, so in this case the sensitivity gain is crucial. The cases are from two different operational radars and illustrate the improved range resolution and sensitivity gain obtained using NLFM pulses compared to traditional simple pulses. Observations obtained using NLFM 40 µs pulses were nearly 15 dB more sensitive than those recorded with lower resolution using 1 µs simple pulses. A comparison of concurrent precipitation observations obtained with a TWT radar using pulse compression and low peak power (NLFM 40 µs and 8 kW) and a nearby traditional magnetron weather radar (2 µs and 250 kW) is also presented. The higher power system was more sensitive by less than 4 dB, but the improved resolution in the pulse compression allowed for enhanced Doppler filtering of ground clutter. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Assessment of radar data quality in upland catchments
Authors: Lewis H. W. , Harrison D. L.
Published: November 2007

Operational weather radar data have been compared with surface rain gauge measurements to quantify the uncertainties in radar‐derived surface rainfall values over upland areas. This comparison is necessary to assess the potential of radar data for flood forecasting and warning in non‐gauged upland catchments. Radar rainfall accumulations across three contrasting upland catchments in England and Wales over a 12‐month period are compared with surface rain gauge measurements. Results show that the addition of orographic corrections applied as part of the operational radar data processing chain leads to considerable improvement in the quantitative accuracy of the derived surface rainfall, typically reducing the error between radar and gauge measurements by 50%. Comparison of rainfall accumulations during specific events shows that radar data quality over upland areas is currently insufficient for quantitative use as a reliable flood warning tool in non‐gauged upland catchments. Only about 50% of rainfall events when in excess of 30 mm recorded by surface gauges are diagnosed as exceeding that threshold by the corrected radar data. © Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
1H and 13C NMR spectra of C‐6 and C‐9 substituted 3‐azabicyclco[3.3.1]nonanes
Authors: Goodall Kirsten , Brimble Margaret , Barker David
Published: November 2007

The 1H and 13C NMR data for 3‐azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes with OH and OMe substituents at C‐6 and C‐9 were measured using 1D (DEPT) and 2D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) experiments. Comparison of this NMR data illustrates the effects of stereochemistry and substitution at these positions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical behavior of KDCO3 from 2H and 39K single crystal NMR
Authors: Odin Christophe
Published: November 2007

Potassium hydrogenocarbonate KDCO3 presents an order/disorder phase transition at Tc≈ 353 K. The critical behavior of this phase transition was studied by single crystal 2H and 39K NMR. The evolution of the order parameter as a function of temperature is quantified, and the critical exponent was determined, indicating a transition close to a tricritical point. The 2H Zeeman relaxation rate is strongly increased near the transition temperature. By calculating the noncritical contribution to the Zeeman relaxation rate, we show that the observed relaxation rate clearly presents a pseudo‐divergent behavior near Tc, with a logarithmic singularity. The nature of the phase transition is discussed in the light of these results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myostatin blockade improves function but not histopathology in a murine model of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy 2C
Authors: Bogdanovich Sasha , McNally Elizabeth M. , Khurana Tejvir S.
Published: November 2007

Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. Myostatin mutations and pharmacological strategies increase muscle mass in vivo, suggesting that myostatin blockade may prove useful in diseases characterized by muscle wasting, such as the muscular dystrophies. We subjected the γ‐sarcoglycan–deficient (Sgcg−/−) mouse model of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2C to antibody‐mediated myostatin blockade in vivo. Myostatin inhibition led to increased fiber size, muscle mass, and absolute force. However, no clear improvement in muscle histopathology was evident, demonstrating discordance between physiological and histological improvement. These results and previous studies on the dyw/dyw mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy and in the late‐stage δ‐sarcoglycan–deficient (Sgcd−/−) mouse model of LGMD2F document disease‐specific limitations to therapeutic strategies based on myostatin blockade in the more severe mouse models of different muscular dystrophies. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Non‐invasive detection of hippocampal sclerosis: correlation between metabolite alterations detected by 1H‐MRS and neuropathology
Authors: Hammen Thilo , Hildebrandt Michelle , Stadlbauer Andreas , Doelken Marc , Engelhorn Tobias , Kerling Frank , Kasper Burkhard , Romstoeck Johann , Ganslandt Oliver , Nimsky Christopher , Blumcke Ingmar , Doerfler Arndt , Stefan Hermann
Published: November 2007

We assessed 1H‐MRS as a screening tool for detection of hippocampal sclerosis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). 1H‐MRS was carried out in the hippocampus of 23 patients with unilateral TLE. Metabolite alterations detected by 1H‐MRS correlated with degree of segmental neuronal cell loss and amount of astrogliosis. Positive correlation was found between total N‐Acetylaspartate (tNAA) reduction and neuronal density in hippocampal CA1 (P < 0.001), CA3 (P = 0.015), and CA4 subfields (P = 0.031) and the dentate gyrus (P = 0.006). Neuronal cell loss in CA1 turned out to be the most predictive and only significant variable for tNAA reduction (P = 0.027). The association between myo‐inositol (m‐Ins) and astroglial glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression revealed significantly increased m‐Ins concentrations associated with diffuse astrogliosis (m‐Ins = 6.4 ± 1.1 institutional units) compared with gliosis restricted to isolated sectors of the hippocampus (i.e. hilus) (m‐Ins = 5.2 ± 1.2 institutional units) (P = 0.039). A negative correlation was found between m‐Ins and neuronal loss in the CA4 subfield of the hippocampus (P = 0.028). Our results support 1H‐MRS as a suitable non‐invasive method for preoperative identification of hippocampal sclerosis in patients with TLE. The extent of tNAA reduction correlates with hippocampal neuronal cell density. Furthermore, m‐Ins is associated with the extent of hippocampal astrogliosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.