bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision-Making for Postpartum Discharge of 4300 Mothers and Their Healthy Infants: The Life Around Newborn Discharge Study
Authors: Bernstein Henry H. , Spino Cathie , Finch Stacia , Wasserman Richard , Slora Eric , Lalama Christina , Touloukian Carol Litten , Lilienfeld Harris , McCormick Marie C.
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. Postpartum discharge of mothers and infants who are not medically or psychosocially ready may place the family at risk. Most studies of postpartum length of stay, however, do not reflect the necessary complexity of decision-making. With this study we aimed to characterize decision-making on the day of postpartum discharge from the perspective of multiple key informants and identify correlates of maternal and newborn unreadiness for discharge.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. This was a prospective observational cohort study of healthy term infants with mothers, pediatric providers, and obstetricians as key informants to assess the decision-making process regarding mother-infant dyad unreadiness for discharge. A mother-infant dyad was defined as unready for postpartum hospital discharge if ≥1 of 3 informants perceived that either the mother or infant should stay longer at time of nursery discharge. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires on the day of discharge.

RESULTS. Of 4300 mother-infant dyads, unreadiness was identified in 17% as determined by the mother (11%), pediatrician (5%), obstetrician (1%), and ≥2 informants (<1%). Significant correlates of unreadiness were as follows: black non-Hispanic maternal race/ethnicity, maternal history of chronic disease, primigravid status, inadequate prenatal care as determined by the Kotelchuck Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index, delivering during nonroutine hours, in-hospital neonatal problems, receiving a limited number of in-hospital classes, and intent to breastfeed.

CONCLUSIONS. Mothers, pediatricians, and obstetricians must make decisions about postpartum discharge jointly, because perceptions of unreadiness often differ. Sensitivity toward specific maternal vulnerabilities and an emphasis on perinatal education to insure individualized discharge plans may increase readiness and determine optimal timing for discharge and follow-up care.
Induction of multidrug resistance associated protein 2 in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells
Authors: Choi Hoo Kyun , Yang Jin Won , Roh Sang Hee , Han Chang Yeob , Kang Keon Wook
Published: July 2007

Acquired resistance to tamoxifen (TAM) is a serious therapeutic problem in breast cancer patients. The transition from chemotherapy-responsive breast cancer cells to chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells is mainly accompanied by the increased expression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs). In this study, it was found that TAM-resistant MCF-7 (TAMR-MCF-7) cells expressed higher levels of MRP2 than control MCF-7 cells. Molecular analyses using MRP2 gene promoters supported the involvement of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) in MRP2 overexpression in TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Although CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β was overexpressed continuously in TAMR-MCF-7 cells, this might not be responsible for the transcriptional activation of the MRP2 gene. In addition, the basal activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) were higher in the TAMR-MCF-7 cells than in the control cells. The inhibition of PI3-kinase significantly reduced both the PXR activity and MRP2 expression in TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Overall, MRP2 induction plays a role in the additional acquisition of chemotherapy resistance in TAM-resistant breast cancer.
Leptin induces proliferation and anti-apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma cells by up-regulating cyclin D1 and down-regulating Bax via a Janus kinase 2-linked pathway
Authors: Chen Chiachen , Chang Yuan-Ching , Liu Chien-Liang , Liu Tsang-Pai , Chang King-Jen , Guo Ing-Cherng
Published: July 2007

Obesity serves as an important risk factor for incidences of both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Leptin, the obesity biomarker molecule secreted systemically by body fat mass and locally by activated hepatic stellate cells, is proposed to play a certain role in HCC growth. Here, we show both proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of leptin in HCC cells. Leptin stimulated cyclin D1 promoter activity to increase cyclin D1 protein expression, which accelerated the cell cycle progression. The reduced ratio between anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and pro-apoptotic (Bax) Bcl-2 family proteins by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β 1 caused HCC cells degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and consequential apoptosis; whereas, leptin protected cells from apoptosis by reversing TGF-β 1-reduced Bcl-2/Bax ratio as a result of down-regulating Bax. Any inhibitor specific for Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) blocked these leptin functions. When intrahepatocytic JAK2 was activated by leptin, the active JAK2 afterward triggered a signaling cascade involving activations of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1/2 in order of occurrence. As yet, in most cases, the crosstalks among signaling pathways primarily studied in diverse cancer cell types for mediating somatotropic effect of leptin are not well clarified and seem to be cell-type dependent. For the first time, our results demonstrate the direct effects of leptin on HCC growth and define its signal pathway with a crosstalking JAK2-PI3K/Akt-MEK/ERK1/2 connection. The identified hierarchy of intrahepatocytic leptin signaling pathway provides a clear basis potentially beneficial to make accurate and effectual strategies for facing both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver carcinogenesis.
Histopathological and molecular studies in patients with goiter and hypercalcitoninemia: reactive or neoplastic C-cell hyperplasia?
Authors: Verga Uberta , Ferrero Stefano , Vicentini Leonardo , Brambilla Tatiana , Cirello Valentina , Muzza Marina , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Fugazzola Laura
Published: July 2007

The cut-off values able to differentiate between reactive or neoplastic C-cell hyperplasia (CCH) or to predict sporadic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) are still debated both for basal and stimulated calcitonin (bCT and sCT). In the present study, the prevalence and the histological patterns of CCH in 15 patients with multinodular goiter (MNG), bCT>10 pg/ml and sCT levels >50 pg/ml were studied. As controls, 16 patients with MNG and bCT levels <10 pg/ml and 4 patients with familial (FMTC) were included. For each case, calcitonin (CT) immunoreactive cells were counted in 60 consecutive high-power fields (400×) and CCH classified as focal, diffuse, nodular, or neoplastic. RET genetic analyses were performed at the germline and tissue levels in MTC and CCH cases. In patients with MNG, sCT levels >50 pg/ml were associated with CCH or MTC, being the total number of C-cells/60 fields significantly higher than that found in MNG with normal bCT (P = 0.0008) and comparable with that detected in FMTCs. In the group with sCT>50 pg/ml, the C-cells displayed a neoplastic phenotype. Neither germline nor somatic RET mutations were found. In conclusion, sCT levels >50 pg/ml were always associated with CCH, without correlation between CT levels and the number of C-cells or the final diagnosis. The C-cells had a morphology and distribution pattern similar to those observed in FMTC. Thus, sCT levels >50 pg/ml indicate the presence of CCH with a possible preneoplastic potential, suggesting the opportunity to perform a prophylactic surgical treatment.
Allelic alterations in pancreatic endocrine tumors identified by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism analysis
Authors: Nagano Yasuhiko , Kim Do Ha , Zhang Li , White Jill A , Yao James C , Hamilton Stanley R , Rashid Asif
Published: July 2007

Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are uncommon and the genetic alterations in these indolent tumors are not well characterized. Chromosomal imbalances are frequent in tumors but PETs have not been studied by high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We used genome-wide high-density SNP array analysis to detect copy number alterations using matched tumor and non-neoplastic tissue samples from 15 patients with PETs. In our study, whole or partial loss of chromosomes 1, 3, 11, 22 was present in 40, 47, 53, 40% of tumors respectively, and gain of chromosomes 5, 7, 12, 14, 17, and 20 was present in 47, 60, 47, 53, 53, and 47% of tumors respectively. One tumor had loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 3 and another of chromosome 22 without copy number alterations, suggesting uniparental disomy due to non-disjunction and deletion or to chromosomal recombination. Chromosomal aberrations of the autosomal chromosomes were correlated with chromosomal loss or gain of other chromosomes (r>0.5, P<0.5). About 60% of PETs had high allelic imbalances (AI) defined by more than four chromosomal aberrations, and 40% of tumors had low AI. The PETs with high AI were larger: the mean tumor size with high AI was 5.4 ± 3.1 cm compared with 2.3 ± 1.3 cm for low AI (P = 0.03). Our study shows that genome-wide allelotyping is a powerful new tool for the analysis of AI in PETs.
Chromogranin A as a marker of neuroendocrine neoplasia: an Italian Multicenter Study
Authors: Zatelli Maria Chiara , Torta Mirella , Leon Antonette , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Gion Massimo , Tomassetti Paola , De Braud Filippo , Delle Fave Gianfranco , Dogliotti Luigi , Uberti Ettore C degli , _ _
Published: July 2007

Elevated circulating chromogranin A (CgA) levels are found in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), but the diagnostic usefulness of this marker is still debatable. To assess the role of CgA for the diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs and the identification of metastatic patients, an Italian multicenter observational study has been performed. CgA was evaluated in 202 GEP NET patients by IRMA and ELISA. The cutoffs for diagnosis and presence of metastases were identified by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We found good correlation between IRMA and ELISA. The ROC analysis identified a cutoff of 53 ng/ml for IRMA and 16 U/l for ELISA as discriminating between controls and patients with active disease (sensitivity 71.3 and 84%; specificity 71 and 85% respectively). Metastases were present in 123 patients, having significantly higher CgA levels than patients without metastases. ROC analysis identified a cutoff of 146 ng/ml for IRMA and 67.3 U/l for ELISA as discriminating between patients with and without metastases (sensitivity 57 and 63.3%; specificity 55.6 and 71.4% respectively). For pancreatic NETs positive and negative predictive values were 84 and 78% respectively (90% specificity and 68% sensitivity). We found lower CgA levels in patients with extensive metastatic spread than in those with liver metastases only. These data assess the role of CgA evaluation in GEP NETs, and demonstrate that higher CgA levels associate with metastatic disease, confirming that CgA levels can provide a helpful practical biochemical marker for the clinical management of NETs, but with low sensitivity and specificity.
HOOK3-RET: a novel type of RET/PTC rearrangement in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ciampi Raffaele , Giordano Thomas J , Wikenheiser-Brokamp Kathryn , Koenig Ronald J , Nikiforov Yuri E
Published: July 2007

Chromosomal rearrangements of the RET proto-oncogene (RET/PTC) are the common feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In this study, we report the identification, cloning, and functional characterization of a novel type of RET/PTC rearrangement that results from the fusion of the 3′-portion of RET coding for the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of the receptor to the 5′-portion of the Homo sapiens hook homolog 3 (HOOK3) gene. The novel fusion was identified in a case of PTC that revealed a gene expression signature characteristic of RET/PTC on DNA microarray analysis, but was negative for the most common types of RET rearrangement. A fusion product between exon 11 of HOOK3 and exon 12 of RET gene was identified by 5′RACE, and the presence of chimeric HOOK3-RET protein of 88 kDa was detected by western blot analysis with an anti-RET antibody. The protein is predicted to contain a portion of the coiled-coil domains of HOOK3 and the intact TK domain of RET. Expression of the HOOK3-RET cDNA in NIH3T3 cells resulted in the formation of transformed foci and in tumor formation after injection into nude mice, confirming the oncogenic nature of HOOK3-RET.
LH analog and dietary isoflavones support ovarian granulosa cell tumor development in a spontaneous mouse model
Authors: Dorward Ann M , Shultz Kathryn L , Beamer Wesley G
Published: July 2007

The reproductive hormone environment is an important influence upon spontaneous ovarian granulosa cell (GC) tumor development in genetically susceptible (SWR × SWXJ-9) F1 female mice: androgenic support during puberty stimulates tumorigenesis, while exposure to 17β-estradiol (E2) suppresses tumor initiation. We sought to determine whether gonadotropic stimulation was sufficient to initiate GC tumors in a grafted model system, and to determine the potential for dietary isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) as alternatives to E2 for tumor chemoprevention in vivo. Isolated ovaries from pre-pubertal (SWR × SWXJ-9) F1 females were transferred to the kidney capsule of host mice homozygous for the hypogonadal (hpg/hpg) and severe combined immunodeficiency (scid/scid) mutations. CB17; HPG-Prkdcscid Gnrh1hpg/Bm host mice received either follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or a functional analog for LH human chorionic gonadotropin for 2 consecutive weeks, at which time the ovary grafts were examined for evidence of tumor initiation. LH analog administration, but not FSH, initiated GC tumorigenesis in the graft system, suggesting that the LH surge at puberty initiates GC tumor development in genetically susceptible female mice. To assess the chemopreventive potential of phytoestrogens, GC tumor frequency was compared between (SWR × SWXJ-9) F1 females reared on an isoflavone-free diet versus a diet supplemented with 125 μg/g each of the isoflavones daidzein and genistein. It was observed that (SWR × SWXJ-9) F1 females reared on isoflavone-supplemented diet maintained significantly higher GC tumor frequency (22%) than females reared on isoflavone-free diet (11%), and that non-tumor-bearing siblings reared on the isoflavones had significantly increased ovarian weight, indicative of an overall stimulation of the reproductive hormone axis. The stimulation of GC tumorigenesis by isoflavones, which contrasts with the chemopreventive action of E2 (2.5 mg/kg) administration during pubertal maturation, may result from general stimulation of ovarian growth, and the inability of the genistein and daidzein supplements to suppress LH secretion.
MEK signaling modulates sodium iodide symporter at multiple levels and in a paradoxical manner
Authors: Vadysirisack Douangsone D , Venkateswaran Anjli , Zhang Zhaoxia , Jhiang Sissy M
Published: July 2007

The Na+/I− symporter (NIS)-mediated iodide uptake is the basis for targeted radioiodine ablation of thyroid cancers. However, NIS-mediated radioiodide uptake (RAIU) activity is often reduced in thyroid cancers. As mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is activated in about 70% of papillary thyroid carcinoma, we investigated whether MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibition will restore NIS protein levels and NIS-mediated RAIU activity in RET/PTC oncogene-transformed thyroid cells. We found that MEK inhibitor PD98059 increased NIS protein levels within 30 min of treatment. However, the increase of NIS protein level was not accompanied with an increase in NIS-mediated RAIU activity, particularly at early time points of PD98059 treatment. PD98059 also decreased RAIU activity mediated by exogenous NIS in non-thyroid cells. The transient decrease of RAIU activity by PD98059 in thyroid cells was not due to decreased NIS cell surface level, decreased NIS binding affinity for I− , or increased iodide efflux. While PD98059 moderately decreased Na+/K+-ATPase activity, ouabain titration indicates that the extent of decrease in Na+/K+-ATPase activity is much greater than the extent of decrease in RAIU activity. Additionally, a decrease of Na+/K+-ATPase activity was not accompanied with a decrease of biotin uptake activity mediated by Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter. Since PD98059 reduced Vmax− I− without decreasing NIS cell surface levels, it is most likely that PD98059 decreases the turnover rate of iodide transport with an yet to be identified mechanism.
A Rearrangement Resulting in Small Tandem Repeats in the F3′5′H Gene of White Flower Genotypes Is Associated with the Soybean W1 Locus
Authors: Zabala Gracia , Vodkin Lila O.
Published: July 2007

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] flower pigmentation is controlled by six loci, W1, W2, W3, W4, Wm, and Wp, of which the functions of only three are known. None of the recessive alleles at those three loci completely abolishes flower pigmentation. On the other hand, the W1 locus is required for flower pigmentation. Based on genetic and biochemical data, the trihydroxylation reaction to form delphinidin‐3‐glucoside has been postulated as a likely function of the W1 locus. We report the cloning and sequencing of a flavonoid 3′5′‐hydroxylase (F3′5′H) gene from the purple flower soybean line L79‐908 (W1) and the recessive allele from the white flower isoline ‘Williams’ (w1). The mutation is a rearrangement leading to a small (65 bp) insertion of tandem repeats in exon 3 that truncates the translation product prematurely. The presence of this insertion in all‐white flower soybean lines examined and in those of a segregating population resulting from a cross between purple and white flower lines presents compelling evidence that the F3′5′H gene isolated is likely encoded by the W1 locus of Glycine max. GmF3′5′H is a single‐copy gene, expressed at very low levels in all tissues examined, including flower and seed coats, but sufficient to account for the contribution of the delphinidin‐based anthocyanins and/or proanthocyanins in these tissues.
Evaluation of Target Preparation Methods for Single‐Feature Polymorphism Detection in Large Complex Plant Genomes
Authors: Gore Michael , Bradbury Peter , Hogers René , Kirst Matias , Verstege Esther , van Oeveren Jan , Peleman Johan , Buckler Edward , van Eijk Michiel
Published: July 2007

For those genomes low in repetitive DNA, hybridizing total genomic DNA to high‐density expression arrays offers an effective strategy for scoring single‐feature polymorphisms (SFPs). Of the ∼2.5 gigabases that constitute the maize (Zea mays L.) genome, only 10 to 20% are genic sequences, with large amounts of repetitive DNA intermixed throughout. Therefore, a target preparation method engineered to generate a high genic–to–repetitive DNA ratio is essential for SFP detection in maize. To that end, we tested four gene enrichment and complexity reduction target preparation methods for scoring SFPs on the Affymetrix GeneChip Maize Genome Array (“Maize GeneChip”). Methylation filtration (MF), C0t filtration (CF), mRNA‐derived cRNA, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methods were applied to three diverse maize inbred lines (B73, Mo17, and CML69) with three replications per line (36 Maize GeneChips). Our results indicate that these particular target preparation methods offer only modest power to detect SFPs with the Maize GeneChip. Most notably, CF and MF are comparable in power, detecting more than 10 000 SFPs at a 20% false discovery rate. Although reducing sample complexity to ∼125 megabase by AFLP improves SFP scoring accuracy over other methods, only a minimal number of SFPs are still detected. Our findings of residual repetitive DNA in labeled targets and other experimental errors call for improved gene‐enrichment methods and custom array designs to more accurately array genotype large, complex crop genomes.
Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS): A Case with Congenital Onset
Authors: Kahwash Samir B. , Fung Bonita , Savelli Stephanie , Bleesing Jack J. , Qualman Stephen J.
Published: July 2007

We describe a case of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), which is very unusual with regard to a clinical onset soon after birth, and a clinical picture dominated by splenomegaly, jaundice, and consumptive peripheral blood cytopenias, with minimal lymphadenopathy. Our documented close follow up demonstrated initial involvement of the spleen, followed by involvement of the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. The patient underwent bone marrow transplant and is alive and well 20 months after diagnosis.
Occult Placenta Accreta: The Missing Link in the Diagnosis of Abnormal Placentation
Authors: Stanek Jerzy , Drummond Zarius
Published: July 2007

Placenta creta (accreta, increta, or percreta) is a clinically symptomatic condition, usually diagnosed histologically on hysterectomy specimens. At a minimum, focal absence of decidua is the histological finding for this condition; however, excessive amounts of extravillous trophoblasts were recently documented on hysterectomy specimens. The histological finding of basal plate myometrial fibers (BPMF) without intervening decidua in spontaneously delivered placentas, which we term occult placenta accreta (OPA), is not infrequent, even in clinically asymptomatic cases. To prove that OPA is a missing link between normal placental implantation and clinical placenta accreta, CD146 immunohistochemical stains were performed on 25 sections of OPA (study group) and 25 placental sections without BPMF (control group). Implantation-site intermediate trophoblast (ISIT) cell number, thickness, and density were compared between the study and control groups. The ISIT micrometry thickness and cell number at BPMF sites were statistically significantly higher in OPA than in control group and same OPA placentas away from BPMF. There were no statistically significant differences in ISIT density. Therefore, although asymptomatic, OPA features the same histopathology as clinical placenta accreta and may share same pathogenesis, which may include decidual deficiency, abnormal trophoblast/ decidua interaction, and/or hypoxia.
Achondrogenesis
Authors: Kapur Raj P.
Published: July 2007

In this issue of Pediatric and Developmental Pathology, Aigner and colleagues report a detailed investigation of cartilage matrix changes in a 14-week fetus with achondrogenesis type IA [ 1 ]. The changes reported differ from matrix alterations observed in achondrogenesis types IB or II and provide insight into the phenotypic and genotypic differences within this group of skeletal dysplasias.
Pore classification in the characterization of porous materials: A perspective
Authors: Zdravkov Borislav , Čermák Jiří , Šefara Martin , Janků Josef
Published: July 2007

The original version of the article was published in Cent. Eur. J. Chem., Vol. 5(2), (2007), pp. 385–395. It can be also found online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11532-007-0017-9.

Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains mistakes in the Acknowledgements section. There should be: This work was supported by Grants 240/08/0016 of Institute of Chemical Technology, 257 Prague, 104/06/1079 of Czech Science Foundation and MSM6046137308 of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.
Dirac and Yang monopoles revisited
Authors: Meng Guowu
Published: July 2007

The Dirac monopoles in 3-space and their generalization by C.N. Yang to 5-space are observed to be just the Levi-Civita spin connections of the cylindrical Riemannian metric on the 3-and 5-dimensional punctured spaces respectively. Their straightforward generalization to higher dimensions is also investigated.
A remark about possible unity of the neutron star and black hole high frequency QPOs
Authors: Török Gabriel , Stuchlík Zdeněk , Bakala Pavel
Published: July 2007

In a series of papers it was discussed,on the basis of phenomenological arguments, whether the high frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (kHz QPOs)observed in the neutron-star and black-hole X-ray sources originate in the same physical mechanism. Recently it was suggested that a general trend seen in neutron star kHz QPOs instead excludes such a uniform origin. Using the example of the atoll source 4U 1636-53 we illustrate that this is not neccesarily true.
Variation in the analgesic activity of opioid peptide fragments in correlation with the amino acidic sequence
Authors: Jaba Irina , Tamba Bogdan , Manolidis Georgios , Mungiu Ostin
Published: July 2007

Short fragments of typical or atypical opioid peptides, lacking the whole four amino acid sequence of the enkephalin motif, can preserve a significant percentage of the analgesic activity of the original peptides. This paper investigates the importance of the amino-acidic sequence of minimum structure typical opioid peptides for the analgesic activity. Different groups of rats were treated with 1) Gly-Tyr, 0.5 mg/rat i.t., 2) Tyr-Gly, 0.5 mg/rat i.t., 3) Tyr-Gly-Gly, 0.5 mg/rat i.t., 4) Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu, 0.5 mg/rat i.t., 5) Leu-enkephalin, 0.5 mg/rat i.t.. The analgesic effect of the tested substances was appreciated through the nociceptive threshold for thermal (plantar test) and mechanical nociception (algesimetric test). Fragments of typical opioid peptides elicited antinociceptive activity only when a tyrosine residue was present at the N-terminal end of the amino-acidic sequence. The presence of Nterminal tyrosine provides affinity for the opioid receptors and significant analgesic activity. The intensity of the antinociceptive effect was directly proportional with the length of the amino-acidic sequence. The inhibition of the analgesic effect by previous administration of naloxone proves that this effect is mediated through the opioid system.
Object extraction as a basic process for content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system
Authors: Jaworska T.
Published: July 2007

This article describes the way in which image is prepared for content-based image retrieval system. Automated image extraction is crucial; especially, if we take into consideration the fact that the feature selection is still a task performed by human domain experts and represents a major stumbling block in the process of creating fully autonomous CBIR systems. Our CBIR system is dedicated to support estate agents. In the database, there are images of houses and bungalows. We put all our efforts into extracting elements from an image and finding their characteristic features in the unsupervised way. Hence, the paper presents segmentation algorithm based on a pixel colour in RGB colour space. Next, it presents the method of object extraction applied to obtain separate objects prepared for the process of introducing them into database and further recognition. Moreover, we present a novel method of texture identification which is based on wavelet transformation. Due to the fact that the majority of texture is geometrical (such as bricks and tiles) we have used the Haar wavelet. After a set of low-level features for all objects is computed, the database is stored with these features.
Stabilization of Palladium Nanoparticles by Polyoxometalates Appended with Alkylthiol Tethers and their Use as Binary Catalysts for Liquid Phase Aerobic Oxydehydrogenation
Authors: De bruyn Mario , Neumann Ronny
Published: July 2007

A polyoxometalate with two alkyl thiol appendages, Q4[SiW11O40(SiCH2CH2CH2SH)2] (Q=ammonium salt) stabilized the formation of palladium nanoparticles. This tethered polyoxometalate–palladium binary catalyst was effective for the aerobic oxydehydrogenation of vinylcyclohexene and vinylcyclohexane to styrene as the major product via activation of the allylic, tertiary carbon‐hydrogen bond.
Synthesis of Polymer‐Supported Fesulphos Ligands and their Application in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Martín‐Matute Belén , Pereira Susana Isabel , Peña‐Cabrera Eduardo , Adrio Javier , Silva Artur M. S. , Carretero Juan C.
Published: July 2007

The synthesis of two Fesulphos‐based chiral ligands and their immobilization on a polystyrene support is described. These supported chiral ligands act as very efficient catalysts in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and allylic substitution reactions providing the products with excellent enantioselectivities (91 to >99 % ee). Filtration of the catalyst from the reaction mixtures allows simple product isolation. The polymer‐supported Cu complex of chiral ligand PS‐8 can be recycled without further addition of a copper salt in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions.
Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction between α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes and Nitrones Catalyzed by Well‐Defined Iridium or Rhodium Catalysts
Authors: Carmona Daniel , Lamata M. Pilar , Viguri Fernando , Rodríguez Ricardo , Fischer Thomas , Lahoz Fernando J. , Dobrinovitch Isabel T. , Oro Luis A.
Published: July 2007

Reaction of the complexes (SM,RC)‐[(η5‐C5Me5)M{(R)‐Prophos}(H2O)](SbF6)2 (M=Rh, Ir) with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes diastereoselectively gave complexes (SM,RC)‐[(η5‐C5Me5)M{(R)‐Prophos}(enal)](SbF6)2 which have been fully characterized, including an X‐ray molecular structure determination of the complex (SRh,RC)‐[(η5‐C5Me5)Rh{(R)‐Prophos}(trans‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal)](SbF6)2. These enal complexes efficiently catalyze the enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of the nitrones N‐benzylideneaniline N‐oxide and 3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline N‐oxide to the corresponding enals. Reactions occur with excellent regioselectivity, perfect endo selectivity and with enantiomeric excesses up to 94 %. The absolute configuration of the adduct 5‐methyl‐2,3‐diphenylisoxazolidine‐4‐carboxaldehyde was determined through its (R)‐(−)‐α‐methylbenzylamine derivative.
Nitrilase‐Catalyzed Selective Hydrolysis of Dinitriles and Green Access to the Cyanocarboxylic Acids of Pharmaceutical Importance
Authors: Zhu Dunming , Mukherjee Chandrani , Biehl Edward R. , Hua Ling
Published: July 2007

To further explore its synthetic applications, the nitrilase bll6402 from Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA110 has been examined toward the hydrolysis of various dinitriles. It has been found that nitrilase bll6402 effectively hydrolyzed α,ω‐dinitriles to ω‐cyanocarboxylic acids, and the selectivity was independent of the substrate chain length. This feature is distinct from all the known nitrilases of various sources. Nitrilase bll6402 was thus applied to the synthesis of 1‐cyanocycloalkaneacetic acids, the useful precursors for the synthesis of gabapentin and its analogues.
Highly Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of α‐Imino Esters by a Phosphoric Acid
Authors: Kang Qiang , Zhao Zhuo‐An , You Shu‐Li
Published: July 2007

Chiral phosphoric acids have been identified as highly efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of α‐imino esters and amide. Utilizing Hantzsch esters as the hydrogen donor, versatile highly enantioenriched α‐amino esters and their derivatives were obtained with up to 98 % ee.
Genetic factors in physical growth and development and their relationship to subsequent health outcomes
Authors: Czerwinski Stefan A. , Lee Miryoung , Choh Audrey C. , Wurzbacher Keith , Demerath Ellen W. , Towne Bradford , Siervogel Roger M.
Published: July 2007

Normal physical growth during childhood is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, few studies have examined whether there are shared genetic effects between aspects of child growth and later health outcomes. In this study, we estimate the influence of genetic factors on growth in stature during childhood and determine whether there are pleiotropic effects of genes influencing both childhood growth and later adult health outcomes using familial data. Serial stature data (i.e., birth through adulthood) from participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study were used to derive stature growth parameters. Adult health outcome data for each participant were available for at least one visit after age 30 years. Maximum likelihood‐based variance component methods were used to determine the heritability of each parameter and to examine the relationships between growth parameters and adult health outcomes by estimating genetic correlations between the traits. Heritability estimates for the growth parameters are generally high and statistically significant ranging in magnitude from 0.65–0.98. Heritabilities for adult health outcomes are also significant ranging from 0.31–0.98. Results of the phenotypic correlation analysis show that stature growth parameters are significantly related to several adult health outcomes including stature, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, percent body fat, fat‐free mass, skeletal muscle mass in the arms and legs, and total body bone mass. Results of the genetic correlation analysis reveal some evidence of common genetic pathways underlying certain aspects of growth and adult health outcomes including body composition and blood pressure variables. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adverse environments: Investigating local variation in child growth
Authors: Moffat Tina , Galloway Tracey
Published: July 2007

Epigenetic and life history approaches to child growth are centered on the relationship between the organism and its environment. However, defining and operationalizing the concept of environment is challenging, in light of the multiple variables that influence growth. Moreover, the concept of adaptation as it applies to child growth is seldom considered in the developed country context. This paper presents a study of children living in three neighborhoods in the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Two of the communities are considered adverse environments on the basis of low socioeconomic status, and their inner city, industrial location. In contrast to children living in the higher socioeconomic status area, children in these adverse environments display negative growth indicators, i.e., somewhat constrained linear growth in one and risk for overweight and obesity in both. Although both these inner city neighborhoods constitute adverse environments, they differ in ways that have a significant impact on children's growth. We argue for a definition of “adverse environment” that is broadly based, incorporating a range of physical, social, and temporal factors that are highly localized and sensitive to community‐level influences on growth and health. As well, we consider whether higher prevalence of overweight and obesity is adaptive in any way to these adverse environments and conclude that they are more likely to be deleterious than adaptive in either the long or short term. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tradeoffs between oxygen and energy in tibial growth at high altitude
Authors: Bailey S.M. , Xu J. , Feng J.H. , Hu X. , Zhang C. , Qui S.
Published: July 2007

Some studies of high altitude populations argue that stature reduction results from caloric, rather than hypoxic, stress. However, tradeoff models of oxygen and glucose metabolism predict that in hypoxemia, glucose metabolism will be downregulated. We used tradeoff assumptions in two hypotheses: First, that hypoxia targets leg segment growth differentially, and second, that proportions of leg segments partition the impact of high altitude into hypoxemic and energetic components. A group of 113 Han and Tibetan middle school children at 3100 m aged 8 to 11 were measured for segment anthropometries, skinfolds, vital capacity, blood oxygen saturation, and percent body fat. MANOVA showed that Tibetan children were significantly larger and fatter than Han children. Independent of ethnicity or caloric status, absolute and relative tibia length was significantly reduced in children with lower blood oxygen saturation. Height, chest circumference, sitting height, tibia length, and ankle diameter were greatest in fatter children, independent of ethnicity or blood oxygen. For children of either ethnicity with the lowest blood oxygen, size as well as proportion was impacted. These results support the tradeoff model. Caloric reserves and ethnicity independently affect total skeletal size. Oxygen saturation and ethnicity affect leg proportions. In hypoxemia, body fat has less impact on growth than when ample oxygen is present. Therefore, we should qualify the claim that size in high altitude populations stems from nutritional stress. The findings also suggest that decanalization may have different meanings and outcomes depending on which body segments contribute to the effect. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of pressure and temperature on coal pyrolysis/gasification
Authors: Chen Hanping , Yang Haiping , Ju Fudong , Wang Jing , Zhang Shihong
Published: July 2007

The aim of the study is mainly to understand the effect of pressure and temperature on the property of coal particles in pyrolysis/gasification. The pyrolysis of Shenfu (SF) coal sample and the gasification of resultant char were carried out in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) under pressurized and ambient conditions. The gas released from coal pyrolysis was analyzed using a portable FTIR spectrometer connected to the TGA. Simultaneously, the surface structure and main chemical compounds of the pyrolyzed char particles were analyzed using gas sorption (ASAP2020), CNHS, etc. analysis instruments. First, the pyrolysis of SF coals was carried out in a pressurized TGA at various pressures (0.1, 0.8, 1.5, 3 and 5 Mpa) with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 and a final temperature of 1000 °C. It was observed that higher pressures accelerated the devolatilization of coal samples at lower temperatures (<500 °C), while the maximum mass loss rate was reduced, and the solid char yield increased with increasing pressure. The specific surface area and chemical components changed with changing system pressure. The gasification reactivity of the solid char particles obtained was analyzed using ambient thermal balance at 1000 °C, using CO2 as the gasifying agent. The gasification reactivity increased with increasing pyrolysis pressure. Then the pyrolysis of SF coal was carried out under different temperatures (500, 650, 800 and 1000 °C) at ambient and higher pressures (3 Mpa). With increasing temperature, the gas product from coal pyrolysis enhanced greatly at the expense of decreasing charcoal residue. The surface area of the char particles obtained were minimum at 800 °C (ambient pressure) and at 600 °C (3 Mpa). The gasification reactivity of solid charcoal residues decreased considerably with increasing pyrolysis temperature at ambient pressure, while at 3 Mpa a different result was obtained, with the highest gasification reactivity at 800 °C. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial adhesion of plasma‐treated carbon fiber/poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) composite
Authors: Lu Chun , Chen Ping , Yu Qi , Ding Zhenfeng , Lin Zaiwen , Li Wei
Published: July 2007

Interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix has a strong influence on composite mechanical performance. To exploit the reinforcement potential of the fibers in advance composite, it is necessary to reach a deeper understanding on the relation between fiber surface treatment and interfacial adhesion. In this study, air plasma was applied to modify carbon fiber (CF) surface, and the capability of plasma grafting for improving the interfacial adhesion in CF/thermoplastic composite was discussed and also the mechanism for composite interfacial adhesion was analyzed. Results indicated that air plasma treatment was capable of increasing surface roughness as well as introducing surface polar groups onto CF; both chemical bonding and mechanical interaction were efficient in enhancements of interlaminate shear strength of CF/PPESK composite, while mechanical interaction has a dominant effect on composite interfacial adhesion than chemical bonding interaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Thermoforming process of amorphous polymeric sheets: Modeling and finite element simulations
Authors: Makradi A. , Belouettar S. , Ahzi S. , Puissant S.
Published: July 2007

A temperature and strain rate dependent model for the thermoforming process of amorphous polymer materials is proposed. The polymeric sheet is heated at a temperature above the glass transition temperature then deformed to take the mold shape by the means of an applied pressure. The applied process temperature is taken uniform throughout the sheet and its variation is due only to the adiabatic heating. The behavior of the polymeric material is described by a micromechanically‐based elastic‐viscoplastic model. The simulations are conducted for the poly(methyl methacrylate) using the finite element method. The polymer sheet thickness and the orientation of the polymer molecular chains show an important dependence on the process temperature, the applied pressure profile, and the contact forces with the mold surface. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Engineering and utilizing a stopword list in Greek Web retrieval
Authors: Lazarinis Fotis
Published: July 2007

The main aim of the article is the presentation of the construction process of a stopword list for a non‐Latin language and the evaluation of the effect of stopword elimination from user queries. The article presents the phases of engineering a stopword list for the Greek language as well as the problems faced and the inferences deduced from this procedure. A set of 32 authentic queries are proposed by users and are run in Google with and without the stopwords. The importance of eliminating the stopwords from the user queries is then evaluated, in terms of relevance, in the top‐10 results from Google.
Electron‐Transfer Properties and Active‐Site Structure of the Type 1 (Blue) Copper Protein Umecyanin
Authors: Dennison Christopher , Van Driessche Gonzalez , Van Beeumen Jos , McFarlane William , Geoffrey Sykes A.
Published: July 2007

The electron self‐exchange rate constant for the Type 1 blue copper protein umecyanin from horseradish roots has been determined as 6.1 × 103 M−1 S−1 at pH 7.5, I = 0.100 M, 25°C by an NMR line‐broadening method. The value obtained is one of the lower self‐exchange rate constants determined for this class of protein; this is attributed to the presence of positively charged residues near to the electron‐transfer site. The self‐exchange rate constants calculated by means of a Marcus analysis of data for the cross‐reactions (25°C) of umecyanin with azurin and cytochrome c551 (both from Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are substantially less at 8.0M−1 S−1 and 13.9M−1S−1, respectively, and are independent of pH in the range 7.0–8.0, I = 0.100M. The discrepancy between the self‐exchange rate constants obtained by these two different methods can be rationalised if it is assumed that umecyanin reacts with the two proteins employed in the cross‐reaction studies through the same site, but that this site is different from that used for the self‐exchange process. A comparison of the primary structure of umecyanin with those of other Type 1 copper proteins has revealed that a glutamine rather than a methionine is likely as the fourth ligand of Cu at the active site. Other comparisons are made with stellacyanin, and the electron‐transfer reactivity of the two proteins is discussed.
Molecular Dynamics with a Quantum‐Chemical Potential: Solvent Effects on an SN2 Reaction at Nitrogen
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Müller‐Plathe Florian , van Gunsteren Wilfred F.
Published: July 2007

Solvent effects on an SN2 reaction at nitrogen (Cl− + NH2Cl → ClNH2 + Cl−) in dimethyl ether solution were studied by means of molecular dynamics simulation with a combined quantum‐chemical and molecular‐mechanical potential. The energetics and geometrical parameters of the reaction in the gas phase, calculated by means of the semiempirical model PM3(the quantum chemical part of the combined potential), were compared with ab initio calculations up to the 6‐311 + G* */MP2 and 6‐311 + G(2 d,p)/MP2 levels of theory. Compared with the gas phase potential energy surface, the free energy profile of the reaction in dimethyl ether solution shows that the solvent makes the ion‐dipole complex well shallower by approximately 6.4 kcal mol−1 and raises the height of the effective barrier from the complex to the transition state by about 2.2 kcal mol−1. The overall transition barrier between the separated reactants and the products is raised from 6.4 kcal mol−1 to 15.0 kcal mol−1 upon solvation. The radial distribution functions between solvent‐solute atom pairs at different stages of the reaction course were compared. Results show that better solvation of the charge‐localised separated reactants is responsible for the increase in the barrier height. Polarisation of the solute by its surroundings is also discussed.
Ionic Fluorination of Carbon Monoxide as a Route to Gasphase Carbonylation of Inert CH and NH Bonds
Authors: Grandinetti Felice , Pepi Federico , Ricci Andreina
Published: July 2007

Gaseous FCO+ ions from the ionization of mixtures of nitrogen trifluoride and carbon monoxide execute selective and efficient CO‐functionalization of the C–H bonds of benzene and toluene and of the N–H bond of ammonia. The occurrence of these carbonylation reactions has been unambiguously ascertained by Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) spectrometry, and the details of the structure and the mechanism of formation of the precursor FCO+ ions have been investigated. FT‐ICR experiments show that these ions, structurally assigned as F–C–O+ by collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) spectrometry, arise from the reaction of CO.+ with NF3 and of NF+2 with CO. Combining the latter F+ transfer with the independently observed fluoride‐ion abstraction by FCO+ from NF3 results in a catalytic cycle in which gaseous NF+2 ions promote the conversion of carbon monoxide into carbonic difluoride, F2CO, with nitrogen trifluoride as the source of F.
Giant Magnetoresistance Phenomenon in Manganates
Authors: Rao C. N. R.
Published: July 2007

The discovery of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in rare earth manganates of the general formula Ln1–xAxMnO3 (Lnrare earth, A=divalent cation) has aroused much interest not only because of its technological implications, but also due to the fascinating features and mechanism of the phenomemon in these oxides. GMR is observed in these manganates when they become ferromagnetic and transform from an insulating state to a metallic state close to the Curie temperature. The essential features of magnetoresistance in the manganates can be understood on the basis of the double‐exchange mechanism, but this is too simplistic to account for all the observed data. The most curious property of the manganates relates to the high resistivity exhibited in the so‐called metallic state. Charge ordering competes with the double‐exchange interaction responsible for ferromagnetism and GMR in these materials. The charge‐ordered (charge‐crystal) insulating state in the rare earth manganates can be melted into a metallic and ferromagnetic charge‐liquid state by applying a magnetic field, thus providing a unique case of charge and spin separation in solids. The observation of GMR in Tl2Mn2O7 shows that there can be causes other than double‐exchange for the phenomenon.
Synthesis of a Pentasaccharide–Oligonucleotide Conjugate: A Novel Antithrombotic Agent
Authors: Buijsman Rogier C. , Kuijpers Will H. A. , Basten Jan E. M. , Kuyl‐Yeheskiely Esther , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , van Boeckel Constant A. A. , van Boom Jacques H.
Published: July 2007

Derivatization of the octadecathymidylate derivative 18 (T18 ODN) containing a free amine function with sulfo‐SIAB® gave the corresponding iodoacetyl ODN 21. Conjugation of the latter with the thiol‐containing pentasaccharide 17c gave pentasaccharide–ODN conjugate III, which exhibited anti‐Xa and antithrombin activities of 173 U mg‐1 and 5 U mg‐1, respectively.