bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of plant essential oils on postharvest control of rot caused by fungi on four cultivars of apples in vivo
Authors: Lopez‐Reyes Jorge Giovanny , Spadaro Davide , Gullino Maria Lodovica , Garibaldi Angelo
Published: March 2010

The efficacy of plant essential oils was evaluated on apples, cv. Golden Delicious, cv. Granny Smith, cv. Red Chief and cv. Royal Gala, at postharvest to control Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum. The essential oils from basil (Ocimum basilicum), fennel (Foeniculum sativum), lavender (Lavandula officinalis), marjoram (Origanum majorana), oregano (Origanum vulgare), peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis), savory (Satureja montana), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild mint (Mentha arvensis) were tested at different concentrations. All the essential oils were from mediterranean plants. The fruits were artificially wounded and inoculated with a suspension at 1 × 105 conidia/ml of each pathogen. After 12 h, emulsions at 1% and 10% of each essential oil were dropped into each inoculated wound. A tebuconazole chemical control and an inoculated control were also included. All the treated fruit were stored at 4 ± 1°C. After 15 and 30 days, the diameter of the rot around each wound was measured. The results revealed that the efficacies of the essential oils tested were cultivar‐ and storage time‐dependent. In any case, treatments with essential oils from oregano, savory and thyme showed significant efficacy in all apple cultivars tested. Treatments with essential oil emulsions at 10% were phytotoxic for all the apple cultivars evaluated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heparin treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells results in the synthesis of the dual‐specificity phosphatase MKP‐1
Authors: Blaukovitch Cheryl Isleib , Pugh Raymond , Gilotti Albert C. , Kanyi Daniela , Lowe‐Krentz Linda J.
Published: March 2010

The ability of heparin to block proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells has been well documented. It is clear that heparin treatment can decrease the level of ERK activity in vascular smooth muscle cells that are sensitive to heparin. In this study, the mechanism by which heparin induces decreases in ERK activity was investigated by evaluating the dual specificity phosphatase, MKP‐1, in heparin treated cells. Heparin induced MKP‐1 synthesis in a time and concentration dependent manner. The time‐course of MKP‐1 expression correlated with the decrease in ERK activity. Over the same time frame, heparin treatment did not result in decreases in MEK‐1 activity which could have, along with constitutive phosphatase activity, accounted for the decrease in ERK activity. Antibodies against a heparin receptor also induced the synthesis of MKP‐1 along with decreasing ERK activity. Blocking either phosphatase activity or synthesis also blocked heparin‐induced decreases in ERK activity. Consistent with a role for MKP‐1, a nuclear phosphatase, heparin treated cells exhibited decreases in nuclear ERK activity more rapidly than cells not treated with heparin. The data support MKP‐1 as a heparin‐induced phosphatase that dephosphorylates ERK, decreasing ERK activity, in vascular smooth muscle cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 382–391, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel zinc finger protein Zfp637 behaves as a repressive regulator in myogenic cellular differentiation
Authors: Li Kai , Zhang Jie , Ren Jing‐jing , Wang Qi , Yang Kai‐yong , Xiong Zhu‐juan , Mao Yong‐qiu , Qi Yan‐yu , Chen Xiao‐wei , Lan Feng , Wang Xiu‐jie , Xiao Heng‐yi , Lin Ping , Wei Yu‐quan
Published: March 2010

Zinc finger proteins have been implicated as transcription factors in the differentiation and development of cells and tissues in higher organisms. The classical C2H2 zinc finger motif is one main type of motif of zinc finger proteins. Our previous studies have shown that Zfp637, which comprises six consecutively typical and one atypical C2H2 zinc finger motifs, is highly expressed in undifferentiated or poorly differentiated cell lines, but is moderately or slightly expressed in normal tissues. We have also demonstrated that Zfp637 can promote cell proliferation. However, its role in the regulation of cell differentiation remains unknown. We report here that endogenous Zfp637 as well as mTERT is expressed in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts and that their expression is downregulated during myogenic differentiation. Constitutive expression of Zfp637 in C2C12 myoblasts increased mTERT expression and telomerase activity, and promoted the progression of the cell cycle and cell proliferation. By contrast, endogenous repression of Zfp637 expression by RNA interference downregulated the mTERT gene and the activity of telomerase, and markedly reduced cell proliferation. Overexpression of Zfp637 also inhibited the expression of myogenic differentiation‐specific genes such as MyoD and myogenin, and prevented C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Our results suggest that Zfp637 inhibits muscle differentiation through a defect in the cell cycle exit by potentially regulating mTERT expression in C2C12 myoblasts. This may provide a new research line for studying muscle differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 352–362, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A redox‐linked novel pathway for arsenic‐mediated RET tyrosine kinase activation
Authors: Kato Masashi , Takeda Kozue , Hossain Khaled , Thang Nguyen D. , Kaneko Yu , Kumasaka Mayuko , Yamanoshita Osamu , Uemura Noriyuki , Takahashi Masahide , Ohgami Nobutaka , Kawamoto Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2010

We examined the biochemical effects of arsenic on the activities of RET proto‐oncogene (c‐RET protein tyrosine kinases) and RET oncogene (RET‐MEN2A and RET‐PTC1 protein tyrosine kinases) products. Arsenic activated c‐RET kinase with promotion of disulfide bond‐mediated dimerization of c‐RET protein. Arsenic further activated RET‐MEN2A kinase, which was already 3‐ to 10‐fold augmented by genetic mutation compared with c‐RET kinase activity, with promotion of disulfide bond‐mediated dimerization of RET‐MEN2A protein (superactivation). Arsenic also increased extracellular domain‐deleted RET‐PTC1 kinase activity with promotion of disulfide bond‐mediated dimerization of RET‐PTC1 protein. Arsenic increased RET‐PTC1 kinase activity with cysteine 365 (C365) replaced by alanine with promotion of dimer formation but not with cysteine 376 (C376) replaced by alanine. Our results suggest that arsenic‐mediated regulation of RET kinase activity is dependent on conformational change of RET protein through modulation of a special cysteine sited at the intracellular domain in RET protein (relevant cysteine of C376 in RET‐PTC1 protein). Moreover, arsenic enhanced the activity of immunoprecipitated RET protein with increase in thiol‐dependent dimer formation. As arsenic (14.2 µM) was detected in the cells cultured with arsenic (100 µM), direct association between arsenic and RET in the cells might modulate dimer formation. Thus, we demonstrated a novel redox‐linked mechanism of activation of arsenic‐mediated RET proto‐oncogene and oncogene products. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 399–407, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Curcumin suppresses constitutive activation of STAT‐3 by up‐regulating protein inhibitor of activated STAT‐3 (PIAS‐3) in ovarian and endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Saydmohammed Manush , Joseph Doina , Syed Viqar
Published: March 2010

Signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT‐3) is constitutively activated in ovarian and endometrial cancers and is implicated in uncontrolled cell growth. Thus, its disruption could be an effective approach to control tumorigenesis. Curcumin is a dihydroxyphenolic compound, with proven anti‐cancer efficacy in various cancer models. We examined the anti‐tumor mechanism of curcumin on STAT‐3 and on the negative regulators of STAT‐3, including suppressors of cytokine signaling proteins (SOCS‐1 and SOCS‐3), protein inhibitors of activated STAT (PIAS‐1 and PIAS‐3), and SH2 domain‐containing phosphatases (SHP‐1 and SHP‐2) in ovarian and endometrial cancer cell lines. Treatment of cancer cells with curcumin induced a dose‐ and time‐dependent decrease of constitutive IL‐6 expression and of constitutive and IL‐6‐induced STAT‐3 phosphorylation, which is associated with decreased cell viability and increased cleavage of caspase‐3. The inhibition of STAT‐3 activation by curcumin was reversible, and phosphorylated STAT‐3 levels returned to control levels 24 h after curcumin removal. Compared to normal cells baseline expression of SOCS‐3 was high in cancer cells and a marked decrease in SOCS‐3 expression was seen following curcumin treatment. Overexpression of SOCS‐3 in curcumin‐treated cells increased expression of phosphorylated STAT‐3 and resulted in increased cell viability. Normal ovarian and endometrial cells exhibited high expression of PIAS‐3 protein, whereas in cancer cells the expression was greatly reduced. Curcumin increased PIAS‐3 expression in cancer cells. Of significance, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of PIAS‐3 overcomes the inhibitory effect of curcumin on STAT‐3 phosphorylation and cell viability. In conclusion, curcumin suppresses JAK‐STAT signaling via activation of PIAS‐3, thus attenuating STAT‐3 phosphorylation and tumor cell growth. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 447–456, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) transactivates nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) in cells of the osteoblastic lineage
Authors: Smerdel‐Ramoya Anna , Zanotti Stefano , Canalis Ernesto
Published: March 2010

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a member of the Cyr 61, CTGF, Nov (CCN) family of proteins, regulates multiple cellular functions. Overexpression of CTGF in vivo causes osteopenia, but in vitro CTGF can induce osteoblastogenesis. To investigate mechanisms involved in the effects of CTGF on osteoblastic cell differentiation, we examined whether CTGF modifies the activity of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFATc) 1, a transcription factor that cooperates with osterix in the formation of new bone. CTGF increased the transactivation of a transiently transfected reporter construct, where 9 NFAT binding sites direct the expression of luciferase (9xNFAT‐Luc) and the activity of the Regulators of calcineurin 1 exon 4 (Rcan1.4) promoter, an NFAT target gene. We postulated that CTGF could modify the phosphorylation of NFAT by regulating glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). CTGF increased the mRNA levels of Protein kinase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) dependent type II (Prkg2), the gene encoding for cGMP dependent protein kinase II (cGKII) which phosphorylates GSK3β. Accordingly, CTGF induced GSK3β phosphorylation and decreased the active pool of GSK3β, a kinase that phosphorylates NFAT and leads to its nuclear export. As a consequence, CTGF favored the nuclear localization of NFATc1. Downregulation of PRKG2 by RNA interference reversed the effect of CTGF on the transactivation of the 9xNFAT reporter construct and the Rcan 1.4 promoter, confirming the role of cGKII in the activation of NFAT by CTGF. In conclusion, CTGF enhances NFAT signaling through the induction of cGKII and the phosphorylation of GSK3β. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 477–483, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro evaluation of novel antisense oligonucleotides is predictive of in vivo exon skipping activity for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Yin HaiFang , Camelliti Patrizia , Betts Corinne , Moulton Hong , Lee Hyunil , Saleh Amer F. , Gait Michael J. , Wood Matthew J. A.
Published: March 2010

Background

Targeted splice modulation of pre‐mRNA transcripts by antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) can correct the function of aberrant disease‐related genes. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) arises as a result of mutations that interrupt the open‐reading frame in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin such that dystrophin protein is absent, leading to fatal muscle degeneration. AOs have been shown to correct this dystrophin defect via exon skipping to yield functional dystrophin protein in animal models of DMD and also in DMD patients via intramuscular administration. To advance this therapeutic method requires increased exon skipping efficiency via an optimized AO sequence, backbone chemistry and additional modifications, and the improvement of methods for evaluating AO efficacy.

Methods

In the present study, we establish the conditions for rapid in vitro AO screening in H2K muscle cells, in which we evaluate the exon skipping properties of a number of known and novel AO chemistries [2′‐O‐methyl, peptide nucleic acid, phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO)] and their peptide‐conjugated derivatives and correlate their in vitro and in vivo exon skipping activities.

Results

The present study demonstrates that using AO concentrations of 300 nM with analysis at a single time‐point of 24 h post‐transfection allowed the effective in vitro screening of AO compounds to yield data predictive of in vivo exon skipping efficacy. Peptide‐conjugated PMO AOs provided the highest in vitro activity. We also show for the first time that the feasibility of rapid AO screening extends to primary cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

In vitro screening of different AOs within the same chemical class is a reliable method for predicting the in vivo exon skipping efficiency of AOs for DMD. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibiotic prescription patterns in hospitalized patients with nursing home–acquired pneumonia
Authors: El‐Solh Ali A. , Peter Misha , Alfarah Ziad , Akinnusi Morohunfolu E. , Alabbas Abbas , Pineda Lilibeth A.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

Considerable research has increased our understanding of antibiotic prescribing practices in hospital settings when it comes to nosocomial pneumonia. Much less is known about the antibiotic prescribing patterns for hospitalized non‐critically ill patients with nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (NHAP).

OBJECTIVE:

As part of a multisite quality improvement project, we sought to examine patterns of antibiotic prescription among healthcare providers as a function of underlying comorbid, functional, and clinical factors.

SETTING:

Three tertiary care centers.

INTERVENTION:

Chart reviews of 397 individual admissions were performed on patients admitted from nursing homes with the diagnosis of pneumonia between January 2005 and September 2007.

RESULTS:

Compliance with national guidelines for the treatment of NHAP was poor. Overall, the 3 most commonly used compounds for inpatient treatment were fluoroquinolones (51.4%), ceftriaxone (45.0%), and azithromycin (42.1%). Monotherapy was prescribed in 57.1%. Fluoroquinolones represented 79.5% of these cases. Patients with higher acuity of illness were more likely to receive a combination of vancomycin plus piperacillin/tazobactam (P < 0.001). Median duration of treatment was 8.0 (range, 3‐21) days. Stratified analyses showed that combination therapy was used more often on University‐affiliated services than on private service (54% vs. 35%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

There was poor adherence with antibiotic guidelines for the treatment of NHAP. In the absence of outcome data on guidelines compliance, antibiotic use was influenced by patients' age, severity of illness, and providers' academic affiliation. Future research should focus on outcome measures and physicians factors that influence nonadherence. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E5–E10. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Hospitalist use of hand‐carried ultrasound: Preparing for battle
Authors: Kimura Bruce J. , Amundson Stan A. , Shaw David J.
Published: March 2010

Hand‐carried ultrasound (HCU) is a burgeoning technology at a critical point in its development as a general diagnostic technique. Despite the known safety and accuracy of ultrasound in radiology and echocardiography, the use of HCU to augment physical diagnosis by all physicians has yet unrealized potential. In order to incorporate ultrasound into a diagnostic model of routine bedside application, simple imaging and training protocols must first be derived and validated. Simplified cardiac ultrasound exams have already been validated to detect evidence‐based targets such as subclinical atherosclerosis, heart failure, and elevated central venous pressures. However, for general examination of the acutely ill patient, it is the internist‐hospitalist who should derive a full‐body ultrasound examination, balancing training requirements with the numerous clinical applications potentially available. As the hospital's leading diagnostician with ultrasound expertise available in‐house, the hospitalist could develop HCU so as to triage and refer more appropriately and limit unnecessary testing and hospital stays. Active involvement by hospitalists now in the planning of outcome, validation, and training studies, will be invaluable in the formation of an “ultrasound‐assisted” physical examination in the future and will promote competent, cost‐effective applications of HCU within general medical practice. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:163–167. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Pediatric observation units in the United States: A systematic review
Authors: Macy Michelle L. , Kim Christopher S. , Sasson Comilla , Lozon Marie M. , Davis Matthew M.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

As more efficient and value‐based care models are sought for the US healthcare system, geographically distinct observation units (OUs) may become an integral part of hospital‐based care for children.

PURPOSE:

To systematically review the literature and evaluate the structure and function of pediatric OUs in the United States.

DATA SOURCES:

Searches were conducted in Medline, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB), Lexis‐Nexis, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Cochrane Reviews, through February 2009, with review of select bibliographies.

STUDY SELECTION:

English language peer‐reviewed publications on pediatric OU care in the United States.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Two authors independently determined study eligibility. Studies were graded using a 5‐level quality assessment tool. Data were extracted using a standardized form.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

A total of 21 studies met inclusion criteria: 2 randomized trials, 2 prospective observational, 12 retrospective cohort, 2 before and after, and 3 descriptive studies. Studies present data on more than 22,000 children cared for in OUs, most at large academic centers. This systematic review provides a descriptive overview of the structure and function of pediatric OUs in the United States. Despite seemingly straightforward outcomes for OU care, significant heterogeneity in the reporting of length of stay, admission rates, return visit rates, and costs precluded our ability to conduct meta‐analyses. We propose standard outcome measures and future directions for pediatric OU research.

CONCLUSIONS:

Future research using consistent outcome measures will be critical to determining whether OUs can improve the quality and cost of providing care to children requiring observation‐length stays. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:172–182. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
“On the other hand …”: The evidence does not support the use of hand‐carried ultrasound by hospitalists
Authors: Feldman Mitchell D. , Petersen Amy Jean , Tice Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2010

In the right hands, ultrasound is a safe and helpful diagnostic imaging tool. However, evidence supporting the use of hand‐carried ultrasound (HCU) by hospitalist physicians has not kept pace with expanding application of these devices. In spite of its strategic point‐of‐care benefit, use of this technology by hospitalists may not ultimately translate into improved efficiency and better clinical outcomes. Optimal levels of training in image acquisition and interpretation remain to be established. Novelty, availability, and the results of a few small studies lacking patient‐centered outcomes remain insufficient grounds to justify the expanded clinical utilization of these medical imaging devices by nonspecialists. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:168–171. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Upper versus lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A direct comparison of clinical presentation, outcomes, and resource utilization
Authors: Whelan Chad T. , Chen Connie , Kaboli Peter , Siddique Juned , Prochaska Micah , Meltzer David O.
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:

To compare prevalence, clinical outcomes, and resource utilization between subjects with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

METHODS:

Using administrative data, patient surveys, and chart abstraction, comparisons between subjects admitted with LGIB and UGIB were made by employing bivariate and multivariate statistics.

RESULTS:

A total of 367 subjects were identified, LGIB = 187 and UGIB = 180. Subjects with UGIB compared to LGIB had greater admission hemodynamic instability including tachycardia and orthostasis but clinical outcomes were similar. In multivariate analyses, no significant differences were observed for in‐hospital mortality transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) or 30‐day readmission rate. Resource utilization was similar in UGIB and LGIB, including mean costs, length of stay, and number of endoscopic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS:

Unlike prior studies, this direct comparison of LGIB to UGIB identified more similarities than differences with similar prevalence rates, clinical outcomes, and resource utilization, suggesting that the epidemiology of gastrointestinal bleeding may be changing. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:141–147. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Do hospitalists affect clinical outcomes and efficiency for patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH)?
Authors: Go Jorge T. , Vaughan‐Sarrazin Mary , Auerbach Andrew , Schnipper Jeffrey , Wetterneck Tosha B. , Gonzalez David , Meltzer David , Kaboli Peter J.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND:

Care by hospitalists has been associated with improved/similar clinical outcomes and efficiency. However, less is known about their effect on conditions dependent upon specialists for procedures/treatment plans. Our objective was to compare care for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) patients attended by academic hospitalists and nonhospitalists.

METHODS:

The study included 450 UGIH patients admitted to general medical services of 6 teaching hospitals. Outcomes included in‐hospital mortality and complications (ie, recurrent bleeding, intensive care unit [ICU] transfer, decompensation, transfusion, reendoscopy, 30‐day readmission). Efficiency was measured by hospital costs and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS:

Of 450 patients, 40% (177) were cared for by hospitalists with no differences between groups by endoscopic diagnosis, performance of early esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), Rockall risk score, or Charlson comorbidity index. Unadjusted clinical outcomes between hospitalists and nonhospitalists were similar except for 2 outcomes: patients cared for by hospitalists were more likely to receive a transfusion (74% vs. 63%; P = 0.02) or be readmitted within 30 days (7.3% vs. 3.3%; P = 0.05). However, differences in adverse outcomes between providers were not seen after multivariable adjustments. Median LOS was similar for hospitalists and nonhospitalists (4 days; P = 0.69), but patients cared for by hospitalists had higher median costs ($7,359 vs. $6,181; P < 0.01). In multivariable analyses, LOS was similar (5.2 vs. 4.7 days; P = 0.15) and costs remained higher for the hospitalist‐led teams (P < 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite having similar overall outcomes and LOS, costs were higher in UGIH patients attended by hospitalists. These results suggest that the academic hospitalist model may be tempered in patients requiring specialists for procedures or management. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:133–139. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Reducing patient financial liability for hospitalizations: The physician role
Authors: Ross Edward A. , Bellamy Frank B.
Published: March 2010

With increasingly strict guidelines for insurance coverage, hospitals have adopted meticulous resource utilization review and management processes. It is important for physicians to appreciate that careful documentation of certain patient parameters may not only optimize the facility's reimbursement but have profound impact on the patient's out‐of‐pocket expenses. Hospital utilization teams have access to the frequently changing national payor guidelines for policy benefits, usually revolving around whether the patient meets medical necessity criteria for being classified as an “inpatient” vs. an “observation” outpatient. Those statuses are not merely time‐based, and lead to marked differences in patient deductibles and coverage for medication, room, procedure, laboratory, and ancillary charges. There are nationally‐recognized guidelines for classification, based on severity of illness and intensity of services provided. By participating in case management activities, physicians can have an important patient advocate role, and thereby minimize the financial burden to these individuals and their families. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:160–162. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Ready or not: How do we accelerate the developmental readiness of leaders?
Authors: Hannah Sean T. , Avolio Bruce J.
Published: March 2010

A theory of leader developmental readiness is examined comprised of leaders' motivation and ability to develop. Early theory‐building and testing suggests leaders' motivation to develop is promoted through interest and goals, learning goal orientation, and developmental efficacy; while leaders' ability to develop is promoted through self‐awareness, self‐complexity, and meta‐cognitive ability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Off‐line 2‐D RPLC/RPLC method for separation of components in Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen
Authors: Zhao Yanyan , Guo Zhimou , Zhang Xiuli , Liang Xinmiao , Zhang Yukui
Published: March 2010

An off‐line 2‐D RPLC/RPLC system incorporating a β‐CD based column and a BEH C18 column was developed in the separation of components in Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen. (Jiang Xiang). Both orthogonality and van Deemter curves of the two columns were investigated. The orthogonality was about 57%, which was evaluated with 40 standard solutes. Optimized column efficiency could be achieved under optimal linear velocity (0.04 cm/s) on the CD column or under high linear velocity (0.32 cm/s) on the BEH C18 column. With the 2‐D LC system, totally 637 peaks were separated in 114 fractions from the extraction of Jiang Xiang. Meanwhile, 19 flavanoids were tentatively identified from 114 fractions with Q‐TOF MS. The results demonstrated the separation power of this 2‐D LC system and further proved the high orthogonality between CD and C18 columns.
Characterization of the adult zebrafish cardiac proteome using online pH gradient strong cation exchange‐RP 2D LC coupled with ESI MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Jiang , Lanham Kevin A. , Peterson Richard E. , Heideman Warren , Li Lingjun
Published: March 2010

2D HPLC separations by coupling strong cation exchange (SCX) and RP fractionation have been widely used in large‐scale proteomic studies. Traditionally this method is performed by salt gradient SCX separation followed by RP and MS/MS analysis. The salt gradient SCX method has been known to have low peptide and protein resolution. In this study, we implemented a pH gradient SCX‐RP HPLC platform to separate proteome digests from adult zebrafish hearts, followed by ESI quadrupole‐TOF MS/MS analysis. This pH gradient SCX method has improved peptide separation, as demonstrated by a greater number of peptides and proteins identified from individual SCX fractions. This pH gradient method also has better MS compatibility owing to lower salt usage. This setup allows fast microflow fractionation in SCX dimension and nanoflow RP separation in the second dimension, and can be easily implemented on conventional capillary LC ESI MS/MS systems. Using this setup, we identified 1375 proteins from adult zebrafish hearts, establishing the first reported experimental data set for the heart proteome of zebrafish. This work laid the foundation for further studies of environmental cardiac toxicology using zebrafish as a model organism.
Hydrostatic countercurrent chromatography and ultra high pressure LC: Two fast complementary separation methods for the preparative isolation and the analysis of the fragrant massoia lactones
Authors: Urbain Aurélie , Corbeiller Pierre , Aligiannis Nektarios , Halabalaki Maria , Skaltsounis Alexios‐Leandros
Published: March 2010

Using a one‐step preparative hydrostatic countercurrent chromatography method, the fragrant massoia lactones were purified from the crude massoia bark oil, in less than 3 h. The fractionation was performed with the biphasic solvent system c‐hexane–methanol–water (10:9:1, v/v/v), leading to target compounds with purity over 96%, as determined by GC‐MS and ultra high pressure LC‐MS analyses. Together with C‐10, C‐12 and C‐14 massoia lactones, two other aromatic compounds used in perfumes, benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate, were also obtained as pure compounds. In parallel, an easy and efficient ultra high pressure LC method was developed for the ultra‐fast analysis of massoia lactones, as an alternative to long GC‐MS methods.
Isolated fracture of the malleus handle: A video clip
Authors: Casale Manuele , De Franco Antonio , Rinaldi Vittorio , Zini Carlo , Salvinelli Fabrizio
Published: March 2010

Isolated malleus fracture is a rare clinical entity, and usually the handle of the malleus is involved. We report a video, to our knowledge the first in the literature, of a diagnostic otoscopy of a malleus fracture showing the movement of a left fractured malleus handle during a Valsalva maneuver (see the video online at www.laryngoscope.com). Laryngoscope, 2010
Evaluation of the Personal Impact Health Assessment Questionnaire (PI HAQ) to capture the impact of disability in osteoarthritis
Authors: Wylde Vikki , Livesey Christine , Learmonth Ian D , Blom Ashley W , Hewlett Sarah
Published: March 2010

Aim: Measuring facts about disability may not reflect their personal impact. An individualized values instrument has been used to weight difficulty in performing activities of daily living in rheumatoid arthritis, and calculate personal impact (Personal Impact Health Assessment Questionnaire; PI HAQ). This study aimed to evaluate the PI HAQ in osteoarthritis (OA).

Study design: Study 1: 51 people with OA completed short and long versions of the value instrument at 0 and 1 week. Study 2: 116 people with OA completed the short value instrument, disability and psychological measures at 0 and 4 weeks.

Results: Study 1: The eight‐category and 20‐item value instruments correlated well (r = 0.85) and scores differed by just 2.7%. The eight‐category instrument showed good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.85) and moderate one‐week test‐retest reliability (r = 0.68, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test p = 0.16, intra‐class correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.62). Study 2: Values for disability were not associated with disability severity or clinical status. After weighting disability by value, the resulting PI HAQ scores were significantly associated with dissatisfaction with disability, perceived increase in disability, poor clinical status and life dissatisfaction, and differed significantly between people with high and low clinical status (convergent and discriminant construct validity). There was moderate association with the disease repercussion profile disability subscale (r = 0.511; p < 0.001) (criterion validity). The PI HAQ was stable over four weeks (ICC 0.81).

Conclusions: These studies provide an initial evaluation of an instrument to measure the personal impact of disability in people with OA, setting disability within a personal context. Further studies, including sensitivity to change, are required. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic coordination of production planning and sales admission control in the presence of a spot market
Authors: Feng Youyi , Pang Zhan
Published: March 2010

We consider the decision‐making problem of dynamically scheduling the production of a single make‐to stock (MTS) product in connection with the product's concurrent sales in a spot market and a long‐term supply channel. The spot market is run by a business to business (B2B) online exchange, whereas the long‐term channel is established by a structured contract. The product's price in the spot market is exogenous, evolves as a continuous time Markov chain, and affects demand, which arrives sequentially as a Markov‐modulated Poisson process (MMPP). The manufacturer is obliged to fulfill demand in the long‐term channel, but is able to rein in sales in the spot market. This is a significant strategic decision for a manufacturer in entering a favorable contract. The profitability of the contract must be evaluated by optimal performance. The current problem, therefore, arises as a prerequisite to exploring contracting strategies. We reveal that the optimal strategy of coordinating production and sales is structured by the spot price dependent on the base stock and sell‐down thresholds. Moreover, we can exploit the structural properties of the optimal strategy to conceive an efficient algorithm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
Multistage methods for freight train classification
Authors: Jacob Riko , Márton Peter , Maue Jens , Nunkesser Marc
Published: March 2010

In this article, we study the train classification problem. Train classification basically is the process of rearranging the cars of a train in a specified order, which can be regarded as a special sorting problem. This sorting is done in a special railway installation called a classification yard, and a classification process is described by a classification schedule. In this article, we develop a novel encoding of classification schedules, which allows characterizing train classification methods simply as classes of schedules. Applying this efficient encoding, we achieve a simpler, more precise analysis of well‐known classification methods. Furthermore, we elaborate a valuable optimality condition inherent in our encoding, which we succesfully apply to obtain tight lower bounds for the length of schedules in general and to develop new classification methods. Finally, we present complexity results and algorithms to derive optimal schedules for several real‐world settings. Together, our theoretical results provide a solid foundation for improving train classification in practice. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2011
Line planning, path constrained network flow and inapproximability
Authors: Büsing Christina , Stiller Sebastian
Published: March 2010

We consider a basic subproblem which arises in line planning, and is of particular importance in the context of a high system load or robustness: How much can be routed maximally along all possible lines? The essence of this problem is the path constrained network flow (PCN) problem. We explore the complexity of this problem and its dual. In particular we show for the primal that it is as hard to approximate as MAX CLIQUE and for the dual that it is as hard to approximate as SET COVER. We also prove that the PCN problem is hard for special graph classes, interesting both from a complexity and from a practical perspective. Finally, we present a special graph class for which there is a polynomial‐time algorithm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2011
Post‐foundational development management—power, politics and complexity
Authors: Mowles Chris
Published: March 2010

Development management as a practice borrows extensively and uncritically from management theories developed in the private sector, which are based on ideas of predictability and control, and systemic ‘whole’ change. In contemporary management discourse, we are always rushing towards an idealised tomorrow. This article sets out an alternative theory of management, which the author calls post‐foundational management, drawing on concepts of emergence. This privileges the local and the contextual, and argues that generalised plans and strategies are always taken up in particular contexts with particular actors engaged in political contestation about how to go on together. The future, then, is always provisional, even if idealised and will arise from the interweaving of many intentions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiepileptic drugs and risk of suicide: a nationwide study
Authors: Olesen Jonas Bjerring , Hansen Peter Riis , Erdal Jesper , Abildstrøm Steen Zabell , Weeke Peter , Fosbøl Emil Loldrup , Poulsen Henrik Enghusen , Gislason Gunnar H
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Patients with epilepsy or psychiatric diseases have increased risk of suicide, but whether the risk is influenced by antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment is unclear. Studies have suggested that AEDs in general increase the risk of suicidal behaviour shortly after initiation. This study investigated possible differences in suicide risk associated with different AEDs.

Methods

The use of AEDs in the Danish population from 1997 to 2006 was determined by prescription claims. The risk of suicide associated with use of AEDs was estimated by case‐crossover analyses, where each case serves at its own control during different periods. For sensitivity, the risk of suicide was estimated by a time‐dependent Cox proportional‐hazard analysis in AED treatment‐naïve patients.

Results

There were 6780 cases committing suicide in the 10‐year study period, of which 422 received AED treatment at the time of suicide. The case‐crossover analysis estimated AED treatment initiation to increase the risk of suicide (odds ratio (OR): 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36–2.49). Clonazepam (OR: 2.01, CI: 1.25–3.25), valproate (OR: 2.08, CI: 1.04–4.16), lamotrigine (OR: 3.15, CI: 1.35–7.34) and phenobarbital (OR: 1.96, CI: 1.02–3.75) were associated with a significant increased risk, while the remaining examined AEDs did not significantly influence the risk. In the cohort comprising of 169 725 AED treatment‐naïve patients, the Cox proportional‐hazard analysis yielded similar results.

Conclusions

This study suggests that clonazepam, valproate, lamotrigine and phenobarbital relatively shortly after treatment initiation may increase the risk of suicide. The increased risk of suicide associated with these AEDs appears to be a consistent finding. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sigma models and (generalized) complex geometry
Authors: Lindström U.
Published: March 2010

I explore the intimate connection between supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models and (generalized) complex geometry. This is a short summary of some of the topics covered in my lectures in Kerkyra.
Open problems in string cosmology
Authors: Toumbas N.
Published: March 2010

Some of the open problems in string cosmology are highlighted within the context of the recently constructed thermal and quantum superstring cosmological solutions. Emphasis is given on the high temperature cosmological regime, where it is argued that thermal string vacua in the presence of gravito‐magnetic fluxes can be used to bypass the Hagedorn instabilities of string gas cosmology. This article is based on a talk given at the workshop on “Cosmology and Strings”, Corfu, September 6–13, 2009.
Neutrino properties from E6 × SO(3) × Z(2)
Authors: Stech B.
Published: March 2010

The group E6 for grand unification is combined with the generation symmetry group SO(3)g × Z(2). The coupling matrices in the Yukawa interaction are identified with the vacuum expectation values of scalar flavons. The symmetric part of this 3 × 3 coupling matrix can be identified with the known up‐quark hierarchy. The antisymmetric part is responsible for fermion mixings and CP violation. Numerical fits with only few parameters reproduce quantitatively all known fermion properties. The model predicts an inverted neutrino hierarchy, CP violation properties as well as the 0 ν 2 β decay parameter. It also predicts that the masses of the two lightest of six ‘right handed’ neutrinos lie in the low TeV region.
Orientifolds of N = 2 gauged linear sigma models
Authors: Brunner I. , Herbst M.
Published: March 2010

We study B‐type parities in the framework of the linear sigma model. Geometrically, B‐type parities correspond to parity reversal combined with a holomorphic involution. The linear sigma model provides a framework to investigate such orientifolds away from the geometric regime.
Drugs in type 2 diabetes: their properties and recommended use
Authors: Campbell Ian
Published: March 2010

There are now six classes of oral antidiabetic drugs and a new class of injectable GLP‐1 agonists in the drug therapy of type 2 diabetes, with metformin remaining the cornerstone of treatment. Our Drug review considers their mode of action, properties and recommended use, followed by sources of further information and an analysis of prescription data. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Avoidable prescribing errors: incidence and the causes
Authors: Avery Tony
Published: March 2010

Prescribing errors often occur against the background of overwork, stress and competing demands. In the first of two articles looking at how to reduce prescription errors in general practice, Professor Tony Avery discusses their incidence and the underlying causes. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
‘Vive la différence?’: The ‘international’ experiences of UK students overseas
Authors: Waters Johanna , Brooks Rachel
Published: March 2010

As interest in the geographies of student mobilities grows, this paper examines the experiences of UK students overseas. More specifically, it considers the ‘international’ nature of their experiences, asking: to what extent do students actively seek out and encounter ‘cultural difference’ through their educational choices? International students are often described by those advocating the internationalisation of education as potential ‘global citizens’, cosmopolitans and ambassadors of inter‐cultural understanding. However, our research on UK students has suggested a more complex engagement with ‘diversity’ through international education. First, we examine the motivations of UK students, and show that whilst many claim to be seeking ‘something different’ from an overseas education, at the same time they also desire a ‘knowable’ destination. Film and television were very significant in terms of making certain places familiar to students and thereby influencing their decisions. Secondly, students' experiences of cultural diversity overseas were often confined to an international student community. This has several implications. Most obviously, it limits the extent to which students encounter cultures ‘local’ to the destination country. The separation and isolation of the international student community, however, does serve a useful function in terms of wider processes of elite class formation and social reproduction. Thirdly, we describe some instances of where individuals formed significant and meaningful relationships with foreign nationals, often as a direct consequence of their experiences of studying overseas. Clearly, this suggests a very direct engagement with ‘cultural diversity’, albeit of a certain kind. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manipulating emission of CdTeSe quantum dots embedded in synthetic opals
Authors: Vion C. , Barthou C. , Benalloul P. , Schwob C. , Coolen L. , Gruzintsev A. N. , Emelchenko G. A. , Masalov W. M. , Frigerio J.‐M. , Maitre A.
Published: March 2010

Photonic crystals (PCs) are the object of great interest due to the possibility, for appropriate PCs, to modify and control light propagation and even to influence the emission properties of an emitter, such as its emission diagram and its life time. One of the most common approaches to prepare 3D PCs takes advantage of the spontaneous self‐organisation of spherical colloidal particles. Large opals have been prepared by the sedimentation method and the size of the balls has been adjusted so that the pseudo‐band gap of those PCs lies in the same region than the emission band of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. Diagrams of radiation and the modification of the spontaneous life time of the embedded nanocrystals will be presented and discussed. It is found that, for the opal‐CdSe/ZnS nanocomposites, the emission intensity decreases and the luminescence decay time increases in the spatial directions, in which the spectral positions of the photonic band gap and the luminescence peak of the quantum dots coincide (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanolasers from ZnO nanorods as natural resonance cavities
Authors: Visimberga G. , Yakimov E. E. , Redkin A. N. , Gruzintsev A. N. , Volkov V. T. , Romanov S. , Emelchenko G. A.
Published: March 2010

ZnO provides conditions for the formation of a variety of micro/nanostructures which act as laser resonators sustaining guided modes, whispering gallery modes, random lasing and a combination of them. The scanning cathodoluminescence spectra and images of a ZnO nanorod with two mirrors at the end faces are studied at 10 K. Emission peaks of bound excitons and edge luminescence are observed in the ultraviolet spectral region. The spatial distribution pattern of emission intensity corresponding to localized photon modes of the nanorod is recorded at different wavelengths. A new method of visualization of localized optical modes in micro‐ and nano‐sized laser cavities is suggested. The lasing peaks display successive onset and saturation with increasing excitation power density, and fit well the expected resonance spectrum of guided modes in hexagonal ZnO nanorods (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth conditions and structural properties as limiting factors of electrical parameters of ZnO thin films grown by Atomic Layer Deposition with diethylzinc and water precursors
Authors: Krajewski Tomasz A. , Łuka Grzegorz , Wachnicki Łukasz , Guziewicz Elżbieta , Godlewski Marek , Witkowski Bartłomiej , Łukasiewicz Małgorzata , Łusakowska Elżbieta , Kowalski Bogdan J. , Paszkowicz Wojciech
Published: March 2010

This paper discusses the correlations between growth conditions and electrical, structural and optical properties of zinc oxide thin films grown at low temperature by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method from diethylzinc (DEZn) and deionized water. The surface morphology and microstructure of ZnO layers were studied with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The electrical and optical properties of samples were examined by performing room temperature Hall effect and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. These investigations and Electron Dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis revealed that changes of the growth conditions (growth temperature, number of ALD cycles (layer thickness)) enable us to control the free electron concentration in as‐grown ZnO layers in the range of 1017 – 5×1019cm–3, which is related to the changes in structural properties and stoichiometry of the films (defect concentration, grains' sizes). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of a high humidity environment and air anneal treatments on the electrical resistivity of transparent conducting ZnO‐based thin films
Authors: Asvarov Abil , Abduev Aslan , Akhmedov Akhmed , Abdullaev Abdulla
Published: March 2010

Transparent conducting Al‐doped and Ga‐doped ZnO thin films (so‐called AZO and GZO, respectively) have been grown on glass substrates by dc magnetron sputtering under identical growth conditions. The thermal stability and the damp heat stability of AZO and GZO thin films deposited at room temperature (RT) as well as 250 °C were investigated for hi‐tech applications in thin‐film solar cells and displays. AZO and GZO thin films grown at 250 °C have showed much greater stability to air and damp heat treatments than thin films deposited at RT. At growth temperature of 250 °C, however, it was shown that GZO thin films resistivity to various treatments was significantly more stable than one for AZO thin films. The mechanism of the charge carrier transport in doped ZnO conducting thin films has been proposed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)