bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete Lipooligosaccharide Structure of the Clinical Isolate Acinetobacter baumannii, Strain SMAL
Authors: Fregolino Eleonora , Fugazza Giulia , Galano Eugenio , Gargiulo Valentina , Landini Paolo , Lanzetta Rosa , Lindner Buko , Pagani Laura , Parrilli Michelangelo , Holst Otto , De Castro Cristina
Published: January 2010

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogenic organism that posesses a serious health threat because of the occurrence of the large number of (multi)drug‐resistant strains. It can persist for prolonged periods in the hospital environment, infecting debilitated or immune‐compromised patients. In this context, the endotoxin portion of the lipopolysaccharide, the lipid A, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this bacterium, because it triggers the innate immune response and contributes to the inflammation state of the patient. In this study, the complete structure of the lipooligosaccharide has been determined. The saccharide backbone of the molecule was disclosed through chemical and spectroscopic analysis, whereas the lipid A moiety required detailed MS spectrometry and chemical investigations. The oligosaccharide backbone was found to be similar to that of A. baumannii ATCC 19606, although the LOS from the SMAL strain presented an enhanced zwitterionic character. The lipid A moiety comprises a heterogeneous and complex mixture of molecules: it possesses a conserved diphosphorylated disaccharide backbone substituted by three to seven fatty acids. The hexaacylated species appeared as the most abundant, and its chemical features, namely the number and the types of fatty acids, indicates its potential endotoxic activity.
Specific psychological and behavioral symptoms of depression in patients with dementia
Authors: Prado‐Jean Annie , Couratier Philippe , Druet‐Cabanac Michel , Nubukpo Philippe , Bernard‐Bourzeix Laurence , Thomas Philippe , Dechamps Nicole , Videaud Helene , Dantoine Thierry , Clément Jean Pierre
Published: January 2010

Behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) are very common, with 90% of patients experiencing at least one during the course of the disease. One‐third of persons with dementia have depressive symptoms, and concomitant BPSD are very likely.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the psychological and behavioral manifestations of depression in patients with dementia.

Methods

We recruited patients with dementia from several nursing homes in the Limousin region of France. Depression was as diagnosed by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) with a cut‐off of 7, and BPSD were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

Results

Of 319 patients with dementia, 42.9% (n = 137) were depressed and 75.9% (n = 242) had BPSD. All BPSD were significantly (p < 0.0001) more prevalent among depressed patients, but no significant differences were observed according to sex and age. The NPI showed that the most common additional symptoms in depressed patients were agitation (43.2%), anxiety (42.3%) and irritability (40.1%). Four NPI‐based factors were indentified (63.9% of the common variance): factor 1 (disinhibition, irritability, agitation, anxiety), factor 2 (sleep disturbance, aberrant motor behavior, apathy), factor 3 (elation, hallucination, delirium) and the last with eating disorders. Depression in dementia patients was significantly associated with disinhibition, irritability, agitation, and anxiety.

Conclusion

BPSD are common and a major problem. Before addressing them as isolated symptoms, it is important to consider comorbidity with depression in order to optimize the therapeutic approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Snipping Away at Hepatitis C
Authors: Shackel Nicholas A. , Bowen David G. , McCaughan Geoffrey W.
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 170 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of cirrhosis in North America. Although the recommended treatment for chronic infection involves a 48-week course of peginterferon-alpha-2b (PegIFN-alpha-2b) or-alpha-2a (PegIFN-alpha-2a) combined with ribavirin (RBV), it is well known that many patients will not be cured by treatment, and that patients of European ancestry have a significantly higher probability of being cured than patients of African ancestry. In addition to limited efficacy, treatment is often poorly tolerated because of side effects that prevent some patients from completing therapy. For these reasons, identification of the determinants of response to treatment is a high priority. Here we report that a genetic polymorphism near the IL28B gene, encoding interferon-lambda-3 (IFN-lambda-3), is associated with an approximately twofold change in response to treatment, both among patients of European ancestry (P = 1.06 x 10(-25)) and African-Americans (P = 2.06 x 10(-3)). Because the genotype leading to better response is in substantially greater frequency in European than African populations, this genetic polymorphism also explains approximately half of the difference in response rates between African-Americans and patients of European ancestry.
Percolation losses in paddy fields with a dynamic soil structure: model development and applications
Authors: Janssen Manon , Lennartz Bernd , Wöhling Thomas
Published: January 2010

The hydraulic characteristics of the plough pan of paddy fields provide continuous ponding conditions during the growing season and control the water use efficiency in wet rice production. Its saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks, however, exhibits a large spatiotemporal variability as a consequence of a highly dynamic soil structure involving temporary shrinkage cracks. Water flow through the earthen bunds surrounding the fields further contributes to the uncertainty in water flux calculations. The objective of this study was to develop a simple deterministic model with stochastic elements (‘PADDY‐FLUX’) for depiction of deep percolation, and to assess the effect of different water management scenarios on percolation in two channel command areas. Darcy's law is used as the fundamental equation for water flow calculations with the ponding water depth h as a time‐dependent variable. Flux uncertainty is estimated by a Monte‐Carlo‐type implementation. Ks is treated as a random variable of a bimodal probability density function (PDF), which is the weighted sum of two Gaussian PDFs (accounting for a matrix and a preferential flow domain). The weighing factor α is a function of h, reflecting an increasing risk for preferential flow situations after desiccation and the development of shrinkage cracks. Under‐bund percolation is calculated using transfer functions. The results demonstrate that percolation losses increase in the following order: continuous soil saturation < continuous flooding (CF) < mid‐season drainage and intermittent irrigation (MD + II) < mid‐season drainage and continuous flooding. The bunds contribute up to 54 and 17% to total fluxes under CF and MD + II, respectively. Preferential water fluxes are responsible for the major part of water losses as soon as desiccation causes the formation of shrinkage cracks. As a conclusion, continuous soil saturation should be promoted as the least water‐intensive irrigation regime, while intermittent irrigation is recommended only in case that irreversible shrinkage cracks have already developed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneity analysis of Turkish meteorological data set
Authors: Sahin Sinan , Cigizoglu H. Kerem
Published: January 2010

The missing value interpolation and homogeneity analysis were performed on the meteorological data of Turkey. The data set has the observations of six variables: the maximum air temperature, the minimum air temperature, the mean air temperature, the total precipitation, the relative humidity and the local pressure of 232 stations for the period 1974–2002. The missing values on the monthly data set were estimated using two methods: the linear regression (LR) and the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. Because of higher correlations between test and reference series, EM algorithm results were preferred. The homogeneity analysis was performed on the annual data using a relative test and four absolute homogeneity tests were used for the stations where non‐testable series were found due to the low correlation coefficients between the test and the reference series. A comparison was accomplished by the graphics where relative and absolute tests provided different outcomes. Absolute tests failed to detect the inhomogeneities in the precipitation series at the significance level 1%. Interestingly, most of the inhomogeneities detected on the temperature variables existed in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is considered that theseinhomogeneities were mostly caused by non‐natural effects such as relocation. Because of changes at topography at short distance in this region intensify non‐random characteristics of the temperature series when relocation occurs even in small distances. The marine effect, which causes artifical cooling effect due to sea breezes has important impact on temperature series and the orograhpy allows this impact go through the inner parts in this region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of storm runoff pathways in steep nested catchments draining a Japanese cypress forest in central Japan: a geochemical approach
Authors: Gomi Takashi , Asano Yuko , Uchida Taro , Onda Yuichi , Sidle Roy C. , Miyata Shusuke , Kosugi Ken'ichiro , Mizugaki Shigeru , Fukuyama Taijiro , Fukushima Takehiko
Published: January 2010

Flow pathways were examined using both hydrometric observations and geochemical tracers in a 4·9 ha nested Japanese cypress watershed. Hydrometric observations on hillslopes showed measurably significant amounts of overland flow for all types of hillslopes, regardless of the condition of the understorey vegetation. The relationships between small and large plots suggested that all overland flows generated on hillslopes were not transferred to the channels. Storm water chemistry was sampled for storm events with total precipitation >80 mm. On the basis of the final mixing analysis, K+ was used to separate overland flow from other components. The sizes of storm events did not affect the patterns of the flow components separated by δ18O (new water) and K+ (reacted water). On the basis of the hydrograph separation by δ18O, small catchments tended to have smaller old water components regardless of vegetation type, which agreed with the ephemeral nature of flow conditions in these small catchments. Hence, old and new water ratios between small and large catchments were found to vary greatly among storm events. Overland flow contributed up to 30% of storm runoff in specific small catchments with sparse understorey vegetation, whereas overland flow contribution attributed to 1–2% in catchments with fern and shrub vegetation cover. The contributions of overland flow on catchment runoff decreased with increases in the drainage area. The combination of both hydrometric observations and geochemical tracers can facilitate the understanding of the links between hillslopes and streams related to overland flow and material dynamics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transit time distributions of a conceptual model: their characteristics and sensitivities
Authors: Dunn S. M. , Birkel C. , Tetzlaff D. , Soulsby C.
Published: January 2010

The internal behaviour of a conceptual hydrological and tracer transport model, STREAM, has been examined through generation of transit time distributions for the model. The model has been applied to a small sub‐catchment of the Lunan Water in the east of Scotland where daily precipitation and stream water samples have been analysed for isotope content. Transit time distributions are generated by numerically tracking pulse inputs of tracer to the model and evaluating the simulated stream outputs. A set of baseline simulations was first established through calibration to time series of stream flow. A series of model experiments was then undertaken to assess the sensitivity of the simulated transit time distributions to different model parameterizations, flow paths and mixing assumptions. The results of the analysis show that the model transit time distributions do not conform to any simple statistical function and that their characteristics can be significantly altered depending on how the model is set up. The analysis provided valuable insight into the functioning of the model and could be usefully applied to other model codes. Comparison of the transit time distributions generated by conceptual models with data‐based empirical evidence of distributions gives the potential to close the gap in understanding the physical explanation for why catchment systems behave as they do. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Truncation of stream residence time: how the use of stable isotopes has skewed our concept of streamwater age and origin
Authors: Stewart Michael K. , Morgenstern Uwe , McDonnell Jeffrey J.
Published: January 2010

Although early studies of streamwater residence time included the use of stable isotopes (deuterium, oxygen‐18) and tritium, work in the last decades has largely relied on stable isotopes (or chloride) alone for residence time determination, and derived scaling relations at the headwater and mesoscale watershed scale. Here, we review critically this trend and point out a significant issue in our field: truncation of stream residence time distributions because of only using stable isotopes. When tritium is used, the age distributions generally have long tails showing that groundwater contributes strongly to many streams, and consequently that the streams access considerably larger volumes of water in their catchments than would be expected from stable isotope data use alone. This shows contaminants can have long retention times in catchments, and has implications for process conceptualization and scale issues of streamflow generation. We review current and past studies of tritium use in watersheds and show how groundwater contributions reflect bedrock geology (using New Zealand as an example). We then discuss implications for watershed hydrology and offer a possible roadmap for future work that includes tritium in a dual isotope framework. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ewing's sarcoma cells with CD57‐associated increase of tumorigenicity and with neural crest‐like differentiation capacity
Authors: Wahl Joachim , Bogatyreva Liubov , Boukamp Petra , Rojewski Markus , van Valen Frans , Fiedler Jörg , Hipp Nora , Debatin Klaus‐Michael , Beltinger Christian
Published: January 2010

The Ewing family of tumors (EFT) is an important group of pediatric malignancies with a guarded prognosis. Little is known about the heterogeneity of EFT cells, and the cellular origin of EFT is disputed. We now add evidence that EFT are heterogeneous by showing that EFT cells from spheres growing in serum‐free medium are markedly more tumorigenic than adherently growing EFT cells. Furthermore, EFT cells strongly expressing CD57 (HNK‐1), a surface marker for migrating and proliferating neural crest cells, are more tumorigenic than cells with low expression of CD57, possibly mediated in part by enhanced adhesion and invasion. We contribute to the controversy about the cellular origin of EFT by clonal analysis, showing that EFT cells can differentiate similar to neural crest cells. These data increase our knowledge about the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of EFT.
Performance of diagnostic mammography differs in the United States and Denmark
Authors: Jensen Allan , Geller Berta M. , Gard Charlotte C. , Miglioretti Diana L. , Yankaskas Bonnie , Carney Patricia A. , Rosenberg Robert D. , Vejborg Ilse , Lynge Elsebeth
Published: January 2010

Diagnostic mammography is the primary imaging modality to diagnose breast cancer. However, few studies have evaluated variability in diagnostic mammography performance in communities, and none has done so between countries. We compared diagnostic mammography performance in community‐based settings in the United States and Denmark. The performance of 93,585 diagnostic mammograms from 180 facilities contributing data to the US Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) from 1999 to 2001 was compared to that of all 51,313 diagnostic mammograms performed at Danish clinics in 2000. We used the imaging workup's final assessment to determine sensitivity, specificity and an estimate of accuracy: area under the receiver‐operating characteristics (ROCs) curve (AUC). Diagnostic mammography had slightly higher sensitivity in the United States (85%) than in Denmark (82%). In contrast, it had higher specificity in Denmark (99%) than in the United States (93%). The AUC was high in both countries: 0.91 in United States and 0.95 in Denmark. Denmark's higher accuracy may result from supplementary ultrasound examinations, which are provided to 74% of Danish women but only 37% to 52% of US women. In addition, Danish mammography facilities specialize in either diagnosis or screening, possibly leading to greater diagnostic mammography expertise in facilities dedicated to symptomatic patients. Performance of community‐based diagnostic mammography settings varied markedly between the 2 countries, indicating that it can be further optimized.
Polaprezinc prevents oral mucositis associated with radiochemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Watanabe Tomoko , Ishihara Masashi , Matsuura Katsuhiko , Mizuta Keisuke , Itoh Yoshinori
Published: January 2010

Oral mucositis is frequent but serious adverse event associated with radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy in head and neck cancer severely impairs health‐related quality of life, leading to poor prognosis due to discontinuation of the therapy. Although a number of compounds have been tested for prophylaxis of oral mucositis, few of them are satisfactory. We investigated the effect of polaprezinc (zincL‐carnosine), a gastric mucosal protective drug, on radiochemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis, pain, xerostomia and taste disturbance in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive polaprezinc (n= 16) or azulene oral rinse as the control (n= 15). The incidence rates of mucositis, pain, xerostomia and taste disturbance were all markedly lower in polaprezinc group than in control. Moreover, the use of analgesics was significantly (p= 0.003) less frequent and the amount of food intake was significantly (p= 0.002) higher in polaprezinc group than in control. On the other hand, tumor response rate in patients with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy was not significantly affected by polaprezinc, in which the response rate (complete plus partial response) was 88% for polaprezinc and 92% for control (p= 1.000). Therefore, it is highly assumable that polaprezinc is potentially useful for prevention of oral mucositis and improvement of quality of life without reducing the tumor response.
Involvement of Ca2+ and ROS in α‐tocopheryl succinate‐induced mitochondrial permeabilization
Authors: Gogvadze Vladimir , Norberg Erik , Orrenius Sten , Zhivotovsky Boris
Published: January 2010

Release of mitochondrial proteins such as cytochrome c, AIF, Smac/Diablo etc., plays a crucial role in apoptosis induction. A redox‐silent analog of vitamin E, α‐tocopheryl succinate (α‐TOS), was shown to stimulate cytochrome c release via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Bax‐mediated permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that α‐TOS facilitates mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in isolated rat liver mitochondria, Tet21N neuroblastoma cells and Jurkat T‐lymphocytes. In particular, in addition to ROS production, α‐TOS stimulates rapid Ca2+ entry into the cells with subsequent accumulation of Ca2+ in mitochondria—a prerequisite step for MPT induction. Alteration of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity was observed as early as 8 hr after incubation with α‐TOS, when no activation of Bax was yet detected. Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria was important for apoptosis progression, since inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake significantly mitigated the apoptotic response. Importantly, Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial destabilization might cooperate with Bax‐mediated mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria.
An uncommon etiology of small bowel obstruction: Gallstone ileus
Authors: Verma Akshra , Moonat Ashish , Lo Adolf
Published: January 2010

Gallstone ileus is a rare etiology of small bowel obstruction, occurring typically in the elderly population. The delay in diagnosis often results in significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we describe a case of 67 year old woman who presented with non specific abdominal symptoms and on evaluation was found to have small bowel obstruction caused by wedging of a large gallstone at the terminal ileum. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E21–E22. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Management of ischemic stroke: Part 2. The inpatient stay
Authors: Lu‐Emerson Christine , Likosky David , Amin Alpesh , Tirschwell David
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Acute ischemic stroke is commonly encountered by the hospitalist. There have been dramatic changes in our ability to care for these patients both acutely and in secondary prevention. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) primary stroke center certification has become progressively more important to institutions nationally and emphasizes many elements of the inpatient stay and discharge process.

PURPOSE:

After admission, the focus changes to avoidance of complications and the appropriate initiation of allied therapies and secondary prevention.

DATA SOURCES:

Primary trials, current guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS:

The hospitalist is well‐positioned to play a major role in the treatment of stroke patients as well as the systems work that aids in the management of this population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:88–93. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Relative impacts of ENSO and Indian Ocean dipole/zonal mode on east SADC rainfall
Authors: Manatsa D. , Matarira C. H. , Mukwada G.
Published: January 2010

The current paper is an observational study that investigates the October to December (OND) rainfall variability over the east Southern African Development Community (SADC) mainland region in relation to El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean dipole zonal mode (IODZM) for the period 1950–1999. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of OND rainfall field revealed that the north–south aligned areas of the eastern SADC are located in different covariability regions. This meridionally aligned dipole rainfall anomaly configuration is captured only in the dominant principal component (PC1), making it possible for the opposing rainfall anomalies of the two regions to have a common trigger. However, ENSO which is the standard attribute for regional rainfall variability failed dismally to adequately explain this dipole rainfall anomaly pattern. Instead, there appears to be consistent evidence through statistical techniques which strongly indicates the likelihood of the participation of only the positive IODZM phase events in the creation of the positive dipole rainfall phase (i.e. simultaneous floods over the northeast and droughts over the southeast of the SADC region). Since the negative IODZM phase events can hardly be linked to the reverse rainfall pattern, it implies that the positive and negative rainfall dipoles have fundamentally different causes. Thus, contrary to convectional knowledge, the ENSO association to this dipole rainfall anomaly pattern is by no means robust and could be symptomatic of the well‐known ENSO–IODZM connection. Interestingly, however, when analysed over the 31‐year overlapping segments, IODZM's once significant independent influence on this dipole rainfall seems to be diminishing gradually as from the early 1990s, whereas that of ENSO is correspondingly being reinforced. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in near‐surface wind speed in China: 1969–2005
Authors: Guo Hua , Xu Ming , Hu Qi
Published: January 2010

This study extends upon previous analyses and details near‐surface wind speed change in China and its monsoon regions from 1969 to 2005, using a new dataset consisting of 652 stations. Moreover, causes of wind speed changes are examined. Major results show that most stations in China have experienced significant weakening in annual and seasonal mean wind during the study period. The averaged rate of decrease in annual mean wind speed over China is − 0.018 ms−1a−1. Decrease in seasonal mean wind differs. The largest rate of decline is in spring at − 0.021 ms−1a−1 and the least is in summer at − 0.015 ms−1a−1. Spatially, large declines are found in northern China, the Tibetan Plateau and the coastal areas in east and southeast China, while central and south–central China have the least change in their wind speed. Significant weakening of wind speed has occurred primarily in strong wind categories. Decreases in light wind categories are trivial, and light wind has even increased slightly in parts of central China. These changes indicate reduced fluctuations in wind and wind storms in recent decades, contributing to decreased frequency and magnitude of dust storms. The trivial changes in summer winds in east and southeast China suggest fairly steady monsoon winds over the decades.

A main cause of the weakening wind is shown to be the weakening in the lower‐tropospheric pressure‐gradient force, a result pointing to climate variation as the primary source of the wind speed change. Superimposed on the climate effect is the urban effect. While analysis of winds between urban and rural stations reinstate the urban frictional effect, a peculiar stronger increase in wind at urban stations than at rural stations after the abrupt urbanization since 1990 indicates a new aspect of the urban effect on wind speed. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A climatic analysis of dry sequences in Argentina
Authors: Llano María P. , Penalba Olga C.
Published: January 2010

The study of the temporal‐spatial variability of dry sequences and the probability of their occurrence are particularly important in understanding the impact of climate change on droughts.

This paper analyses the different properties of dry sequences, focussing on extreme condition, analysing their degree of spatial coherence, and their temporal variability. For the study, daily precipitation data are used for the period 1961–2000 throughout Argentina.

The region north of 40°S is divided in two from the meridian of 63°W with highly differentiated ‘dry’ properties. The eastern region is more homogeneous where mean dry sequences last less than six days and long sequences of about 60 days. The Andean region shows a marked east–west gradient in any of the above properties, with extreme values of over 10 days (mean sequences) and 150 days (the longest sequences). At the seasonal level the above properties reflect a differential pattern according to the time of year under study. In the case of summer, when the dry sequences can be more harmful to crops, the maximum duration in the Pampa region can extend to about 25 days.

Owing to the problems that dry sequences of over 30 days can produce in the different ecosystems and based on the above findings, the temporal‐spatial variability is analysed, and a variability over the years, together with a progressive decrease in the occurrence of such events, is found.

The study of extreme dry events provides useful tools that can be applied to different hydrological and agricultural needs. Furthermore, our climatological findings help validate climate models. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Resonance Raman spectroscopic investigation of structural changes of CO‐heme in soluble guanylate cyclase generated by effectors and substrate
Authors: Pal Biswajit , Tanaka Katsuhiro , Takenaka Shigeo , Kitagawa Teizo
Published: January 2010

The influence of the effectors YC‐1 and BAY on the CO‐heme structure of bovine lung soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) was investigated with resonance Raman spectroscopy. The effectors produced a five‐coordinate (5c) CO‐heme in addition to the His‐bound six‐coordinate (6c) CO‐heme, and both their Soret maxima were determined by simulation. On the basis of the absorption intensity, the amount of the 5c species was not dominant, in contrast to the high activity. The heme structural features common to the 5c and 6c CO‐hemes generated by effectors are that the vinyl and propionate side chains are more coplanar to the pyrrole rings. The out‐of‐plane Raman bands were observed only for the 5c species, for which the saddling and propeller distortions of heme were deduced to be large. The FeCO stretching bands of the 5c species at 522 cm−1and of the 6c species at 488 cm−1were most enhanced upon excitation at 407 and 422 nm, respectively, which is consistent with the simulated spectra. Unexpectedly, the13C18O isotope sensitivity appeared in low wavenumber porphyrin modes. From these observations, we propose that the high catalytic activity of sGC‐CO in the presence of effectors is a result of the concerted effects of protein conformational changes triggered by certain local interactions between the heme side chains and effectors/substrate in the heme pocket, which partly induce the cleavage of the FeHisβ 105 bond. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal–metal bonding and structures of trinickel and tricobalt dipyridylamido complexes from surface‐enhanced Raman spectra
Authors: Lai Szu‐Hsueh , Hsiao Chung‐Jen , Huang Yu‐Min , Chen I‐Chia , Wang Wen‐Zhen , Peng Shie‐Ming
Published: January 2010

We recorded surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of metal‐string complexes Co3(dpa)4 Cl2 [di(2‐pyridyl)amido (dpa)], Ni3(dpa)4 Cl2 and the oxidized form of the Ni3 complex to determine their vibrational wavenumbers and to investigate their structures. For SERS measurements these complexes were adsorbed on silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution to eliminate the constraint of a crystal lattice and the complexes remain in thermal equilibrium. From our analysis of the vibrational normal modes we assigned the SERS lines at 242 and 276 cm−1 to Ni3 and Co3 symmetric‐stretching modes of the symmetric form. For Co3 (dpa)4Cl2 a Raman line at 383 cm−1 was assigned to the CoCo stretching mode of the unsymmetric form. The wavenumber of the Ni3 symmetric‐stretching mode of the oxidized form [Ni3(dpa)4]3+ is 274 cm−1, greater than that for neutral Ni3(dpa)4Cl2, in agreement with a prediction of delocalized molecular‐orbital theory that an electron is removed from an antibonding orbital after oxidation. The experimental data show that the SERS technique serves as an excellent tool to observe the variation of metal–metal bonding during an oxidation or reduction reaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A third window of the posterior semicircular canal: An animal model
Authors: Nageris Ben I. , Attias Joseph , Shemesh Rafi , Hadar Tuvia , Preis Michal
Published: January 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

A third window in the vestibular apparatus has been investigated in both animals and humans, specifically in superior semicircular canal dehiscence. There are as yet no animal model studies of the effect of a third vestibular window of the posterior semicircular canal.

Study Design:

Original basic research study.

Methods:

A fenestration was drilled in the bony labyrinth over the posterior semicircular canal, preserving the membranous labyrinth, in seven healthy, 6‐month‐old, fat sand rats (total 10 ears). Auditory brain stem responses to low‐ and high‐frequency acoustic stimuli delivered by air conduction and bone conduction were recorded before and after fenestration.

Results:

On the preoperative auditory brainstem recordings, air‐conduction thresholds to clicks and tone bursts averaged, respectively, 6.5 dB and 7.5 dB, and bone‐conduction thresholds, 8 dB and 4.5 dB. Postoperatively, air‐conduction thresholds averaged 14.5 dB, and bone‐conduction thresholds 10.5 dB and 5 dB. The change in air‐conduction thresholds was statistically significant (P < .01), whereas the bone conduction thresholds remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

A vestibular third window in the posterior semicircular canal decreases the sensitivity to air‐conducted sound stimuli, raising the air‐conduction threshold. There is no change in the bone‐conduction threshold. These findings agree with the theoretical model and clinical findings. Laryngoscope, 2010
Bone marrow-derived stem cells in liver repair: 10 years down the line
Authors: Gilchrist Eleanor S. , Plevris John N.
Published: January 2010

Hematopoietic stem cells have potential in the field of regenerative medicine because of their capacity to form cells of different lineages. Bone marrow stem cells have been shown to contribute to parenchymal liver cell populations, and although this may not be functionally significant, it has sparked interest in the field of autologous stem cell infusion as a possible treatment for cirrhosis. In this review, we will examine the evidence for the contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to populations of liver cells and for the functional contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to both liver fibrosis and repair. The mechanisms by which cells are trafficked from the bone marrow to the liver are complex; the stromal derived factor-1/CXC receptor 4 axis is central to this process. There are limited data in liver injury, but we will examine findings from the bone marrow transplantation literature and discuss their relevance to liver disease. Stromal derived factor-1 also has a role in endogenous liver stem cell accumulation. Some groups have already started infusing autologous bone marrow cells into patients with cirrhosis. We will review these trials in the context of the basic science that we have discussed, and we will consider targets for investigation in the future.
Complement component C3 allotypes and outcomes in liver transplantation
Authors: Dhillon Navdeep , Walsh Liron , Krüger Bernd , Mehrotra Anita , Ward Stephen C. , Godbold Jim , Radwan Mohamed , Schiano Thomas , Murphy Barbara , Schröppel Bernd
Published: January 2010

The complement system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Human complement component C3 (C3) exists as 2 allotypes, fast (F) and slow (S). We conducted a study to address the influence of these alleles on ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and graft survival in liver transplant recipients. Four hundred thirty patients receiving liver transplants from 2000 to 2004 were included. C3 allotypes of 296 donor-recipient pairs were determined and correlated with clinical outcomes. Four groups were analyzed according to the C3 genotype: C3 SS donor and recipient, C3 FS or C3 FF donor and C3 SS recipient, C3 SS donor and C3 FS or C3 FF recipient, and C3 FS or C3 FF donor and recipient. Baseline characteristics of the 4 groups were similar. The mean follow-up time was 4.3 ± 2.2 years. The 4 groups had similar rates of IR injury (P = 0.16). The hazard ratios for liver allograft survival in the C3 SS donor and recipient group in comparison with the other 3 groups (C3 FS or C3 FF donor and C3 SS recipient, C3 SS donor and C3 FS or C3 FF recipient, and C3 FS or C3 FF donor and recipient) were not significantly different: 1.13 (P = 0.60), 0.99 (P = 0.97), and 1.02 (P = 0.95), respectively. In conclusion, donor and recipient C3 genotypes are not associated with liver transplantation outcomes.
Minimally permutated peptide analogs as internal standards for relative and absolute quantification of peptides and proteins
Authors: Winter Dominic , Seidler Joerg , Kugelstadt Dominik , Derrer Bianca , Kappes Barbara , Lehmann Wolf D.
Published: January 2010

A novel type of isobaric internal peptide standard for quantitative proteomics is described. The standard is a synthetic peptide derived from the target peptide by positional permutation of two amino acids. This type of internal standard is denominated minimally permutated peptide analog (MIPA). MIPA can be differentiated from their target analytes by LC‐MS due to individual retention times and/or by MS/MS due to specific fragment ions. Both quantification methods are demonstrated using peptide mixtures of low and high complexity.
Selective localization of organoclay and effects on the morphology and mechanical properties of LDPE/PA11 blends with distributed and co‐continuous morphology
Authors: Filippone G. , Dintcheva N. Tz. , La Mantia F. P. , Acierno D.
Published: January 2010

A study was made on the effect of small amounts of organically modified clay on the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of low‐density polyethylene and polyamide 11 at different compositions. The influence of the filler on the blend morphology was investigated using wide angle X‐ray diffractometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and selective extraction experiments. The filler was found to locate predominantly in the more hydrophilic polyamide phase. Although such uneven distribution does not have a significant effect on the onset of phase co‐continuity of the polymer components, it brings about a drastic refinement of the microstructure for the blends both with droplets/matrix and co‐continuous morphologies. In addition to the expected reinforcing action of the filler, the resulting fine microstructure plays an important role in enhancing the mechanical properties of the blends. This is essentially because of a good quality of stress transfer across the interface between the constituents, which also seems to benefit for a good interfacial adhesion promoted by the filler. Our results provide the experimental evidence for the capabilities of nanoparticles added to multiphase polymer systems to act selectively as a reinforcing agent for specific domains of the material and as a medium able to assist the refinement of the polymer phases during mixing. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 600–609, 2010
Conformation of nonideal hyperbranched polymer in ABn(n= 2, 4) type polymerization
Authors: Wang Long , He Xuehao
Published: January 2010

The conformation of hyperbranched polymers from one pot polymerization with ABn(n= 2, 4) type monomers, applying the reactive 3D bond fluctuation lattice model, are systematically studied using scaling relationR∼Nλ, whereRis the radius of gyration or the hydrodynamic radius of a hyperbranched polymer with the degree of polymerizationN. The exponent λ was calculated at various monomer concentrations and group conversions. When the concentration of monomers with the equal reactivity of B groups increases from 0.1 to 0.9, the exponents λgand λh(corresponding to the radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius, respectively) are in the ranges of 0.51–0.37 and 0.41–0.34 at the full conversion of A groups. Especially, we find that λgdecreases linearly with the reaction conversion increasing. The ratio of z‐average radius,Rgz/Rhz, ranges from 1.08 to 1.32 and indicates that hyperbranched polymer is soft macromolecule with penetrable structure. In the case of AB2type monomer with unequal reactivities, λ displays complicated dependence on the reaction conversion and the reactivity ratio. The results of our simulation are consistent with those of experiments and theories, and valuable in better understanding the fundamental properties of hyperbranched polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 610–616, 2010
Anti‐human rhinovirus activity of gallic acid possessing antioxidant capacity
Authors: Choi Hwa Jung , Song Jae Hyoung , Bhatt Lok Ranjan , Baek Seung Hwa
Published: January 2010

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a major cause of the common cold and until now there is no registered clinically effective antiviral chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of diseases caused by HRVs. Our previous report showed that gallic acid from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers possessed antioxidant activity. Many studies reported that antioxidants possess antiviral activities against various viruses. Therefore, we examined antiviral activity of gallic acid against HRVs and mode of its actions by observing the effect of gallic acid on HRV‐induced cytopathic effect (CPE) and the infectivity of HRV particles, and then carried out a time‐addition study. As a result, gallic acid actively inhibited HRV2 and ‐3 replications with antiviral activity more than 55% without cytotoxicity in human epitheloid carcinoma cervix (HeLa) cells at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Also, ribavirin showed lower anti‐HRV3 activity than gallic acid and similar anti‐HRV3 activity to it. The addition of gallic acid to HRV‐infected HeLa cells directly reduced the formation of a visible CPE. Furthermore, gallic acid did directly interact or activate with HRV particles. Collectively, we concluded that the inhibition of HRV production by gallic acid is mainly due to a general action as an antioxidant and the mode of action derived from the inhibition of virus absorption. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition ofin vitrogrowth and arrest in the G0/G1 phase of HCT8 line human colon cancer cells by kaempferide triglycoside fromDianthus caryophyllus
Authors: Martineti Valentina , Tognarini Isabella , Azzari Chiara , Sala Silvia Carbonell , Clematis Francesca , Dolci Marcello , Lanzotti Virginia , Tonelli Francesco , Brandi Maria Luisa , Curir Paolo
Published: January 2010

The effects of phytoestrogens have been studied in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis and in various non‐gonadal targets. Epidemiologic and experimental evidence indicates a protective effect of phytoestrogens also in colorectal cancer. The mechanism through which estrogenic molecules control colorectal cancer tumorigenesis could possibly involve estrogen receptor β, the predominantly expressed estrogen receptor subtype in colon mucosa.

To validate this hypothesis, we therefore used an engineered human colon cancer cell line induced to overexpress estrogen receptor β, beside its native cell line, expressing very low levels of ERβ and not expressing ERα; as a phytoestrogenic molecule, we used kaempferide triglycoside, a glycosylated flavonol from aDianthus caryophylluscultivar. The inhibitory properties of this molecule toward vegetal cell growth have been previously demonstrated: however, no data on its activity on animal cell or information about the mechanism of this activity are available. Kaempferide triglycoside proved to inhibit the proliferation of native and estrogen receptor β overexpressing colon cancer cells through a mechanism not mediated by ligand binding dependent estrogen receptor activation. It affected HCT8 cell cycle progression by increasing the G0/G1cell fraction and in estrogen receptor β overexpressing cells increased two antioxidant enzymes. Interestingly, the biological effects of this kaempferide triglycoside were strengthened by the presence of high levels of estrogen receptor β.

Pleiotropic molecular effects of phytoestrogens may explain their protective activity against colorectal cancer and may represent an interesting area for future investigation with potential clinical applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability analysis of maintenance data for complex medical devices
Authors: Taghipour Sharareh , Banjevic Dragan , Jardine Andrew K. S.
Published: January 2010

This paper proposes a method to analyze statistically maintenance data for complex medical devices with censoring and missing information. It presents a classification of the different types of failures and establishes policies for analyzing data at the system and component levels taking into account the failure types. The results of this analysis can be used as basic assumptions in the development of a maintenance/inspection optimization model. As a case study, we present the reliability analysis of a general infusion pump from a hospital. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyelectrolyte Multilayers from Cationic and Anionic Starch: Influence of Charge Density and Salt Concentration on the Properties of the Adsorbed Layers
Authors: Lundström‐Hämälä Lisa , Johansson Erik , Wågberg Lars
Published: January 2010

The purpose of the present work was for identify limits for the formation of stable polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) from cationic and anionic starches (with degrees of substitution of 0.04–0.09) on SiO2 surfaces, taking account of the effect of the charge density of the starches and the salt concentration in the surrounding water phase. The experiments were performed at a pH of 6.3 using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D). From these experiments it was concluded that it is possible to form PEMs by the adsorption of oppositely charged starches on SiO2 surfaces; it was also found that adsorption of the first layer is controlled both by electrostatic, non‐ionic interactions and by pure steric restrictions, i.e. geometrical restrictions, at the surface. The results also indicate that the charge density of the starch must exceed a certain value to allow multilayer formation and that this critical charge density increases with increasing salt concentration. The combination of charge densities of the cationic/anionic starches was also found to influence the adsorption behaviour, and the formed polyelectrolyte multilayers had a high water content of 69–92%.
Evaluation of Service Oriented Architecture‐based federated architectures
Authors: Abusharekh Ashraf M. , Gloss Lawrence E. , Levis Alexander H.
Published: January 2010

This paper discusses the specifications, methods, and constructs to implement end‐to‐end Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)‐based systems engineering across a federation of information domains. It addresses the necessity and benefits of a repeatable service design framework and its ability to consistently yield quantifiable results for SOA performance evaluation. An illustrative example of the approach is presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 14: 56–72, 2011
Influence of nuchal cord on ductus venosus assessment at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation
Authors: Plasencia W. , Lopez P. , Esparza M. , Garcia R. , Barber M. A. , Garcia J. A.
Published: January 2010

Objectives

To assess the influence of the presence of nuchal cord (NC) on the evaluation of the fetal ductus venosus flow velocity waveform (DV‐FVW).

Methods

This prospective study included 1174 normal non‐selected singleton pregnancies between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks' gestation. We recorded the presence or absence of NC around the fetal neck, and assessed its relationship with the qualitative assessment and quantitative measurement of the DV‐FVW.

Results

We observed NC around the fetal neck in 6.73% of cases and detected reversed flow of the a‐wave of the DV‐FVW in 2.98% of cases. In the group without NC, 21 of 1095 had reversed flow in the DV‐FVW (1.9%; 95% CI, 1.28–3.02), whereas in the group with NC, 14 of 79 had reversed flow in the DV‐FVW (17.7%; 95% CI, 16.67–40.35). We found a lower pulsatility index in fetuses without NC in comparison to those with NC (P < 0.001). We also found an association between the presence of NC and an increased occurrence of absent and reversed a‐wave of the flow velocity waveforms (P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, a much higher occurrence of reversed DV‐FVW a‐wave was detected in fetuses with NC and smaller crown–rump length, and a much higher occurrence of absent DV‐FVW a‐wave was found in fetuses with NC and a higher maternal body mass index.

Conclusions

The presence of NC modifies the sonographic findings in the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the DV‐FVW. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.