bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Novel Peptidomimetics as Inhibitors of Protozoan Cysteine Proteases Falcipain‐2 and Rhodesain.
Authors: Ettari Roberta , Zappala Maria , Micale Nicola , Schirmeister Tanja , Gelhaus Christoph , Leippe Matthias , Evers Astrid , Grasso Silvana
Published: September 2010

Novel peptidomimetics of type (I) are supplied with a protected aspartyl aldehyde moiety to increase lipophilicity.
ChemInform Abstract: New Trends in Solvothermal Crystal Growth at the Macro‐ and Nanoscale
Authors: Demazeau Gerard , Largeteau Alain , Darracq Stephane
Published: September 2010

Review: 92 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Li‐Alloy Based Anode Materials for Li Secondary Batteries
Authors: Park Cheol‐Min , Kim Jae‐Hun , Kim Hansu Kim Hansu , Sohn Hun‐Joon
Published: September 2010

Review: 313 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Reactivity of Selectively Terminated Single Crystal Silicon Surfaces
Authors: Perrine Kathryn A. , Teplyakov Andrew V.
Published: September 2010

Review: 152 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Structural Motifs and Topological Representation of Mn Coordination Clusters
Authors: Kostakis George E. , Ako Ayuk M. , Powell Annie K.
Published: September 2010

Review: 212 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: The Discovery of Catalytic Enantioselective Polyvalent Iodine Mediated Reactions.
Authors: Ngatimin Marsewi , Lupton David W.
Published: September 2010

Review: 56 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Conversion of Carbonyl Compounds to Alkynes: General Overview and Recent Developments
Authors: Habrant Damien , Rauhala Vesa , Koskinen Ari M. P.
Published: September 2010

Review: 46 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Chemical Modification of Self‐Assembled Silane Based Monolayers by Surface Reactions
Authors: Haensch Claudia , Hoeppner Stephanie , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: September 2010

Review: 80 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: A New Context for Palladium Mediated B‐Addition Reaction: An Open Door to Consecutive Functionalization.
Authors: Pubill‐Ulldemolins Cristina , Bonet Amadeu , Bo Carles , Gulyas Henrik , Fernandez Elena
Published: September 2010

Review: 111 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: The Chemistry of C—H Bond Activation on Diamond
Authors: Zhong Yu Lin , Loh Kian Ping
Published: September 2010

Review: 58 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthetic Strategies Directed Towards the Cortistatin Family of Natural Products
Authors: Narayan Alison R. Hardin , Simmons Eric M. , Sarpong Richmond
Published: September 2010

Review: 32 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Convergence Leads to Success: Total Synthesis of the Complex Nonribosomal Peptide Polytheonamide B
Authors: Ducho Christian
Published: September 2010

Review: 15 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Artificial Light‐Gated Catalyst Systems
Authors: Stoll Ragnar S. , Hecht Stefan
Published: September 2010

Review: 208 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Gas—Liquid Interface of Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids
Authors: Santos Cherry S. , Baldelli Steven
Published: September 2010

Review: 107 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: A Non‐Empirical Chromophoric Interpretation of CD Spectra of DNA G‐Quadruplex Structures.
Authors: Masiero Stefano , Trotta Roberta , Pieraccini Silvia , De Tito Stefano , Perone Rosaria , Randazzo Antonio , Spada Gian Piero
Published: September 2010

Review: 60 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Helical Membrane Peptides to Modulate Cell Function
Authors: Beevers Andrew J. , Dixon Ann M.
Published: September 2010

Review: 131 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Biosynthesis of Polyketides by trans‐AT Polyketide Synthases
Authors: Piel Joern
Published: September 2010

Review: 436 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Self‐Assembly and Application of Diphenylalanine‐Based Nanostructures
Authors: Yan Xuehai , Zhu Pengli , Li Jumbai
Published: September 2010

Review: 66 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Healable Polymeric Materials: A Tutorial Review
Authors: Burattini Stefano , Greenland Barnaby W. , Chappell David , Colquhoun Howard M. , Hayes Wayne
Published: September 2010

Review: 55 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Nanostructured Pt‐Alloy Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Bing Yonghong , Liu Hansan , Zhang Lei , Ghosh Dave , Zhang Jiujun
Published: September 2010

Review: 130 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Design, Synthesis and Biological Application of Chemical Probes for Bio‐Imaging
Authors: Kikuchi Kazuya
Published: September 2010

Review: 29 refs.
Chirality induced by microaggregation of regioregular polythiophenes with side‐chain optically active substituent
Authors: Salatelli Elisabetta , Angiolini Luigi , Brazzi Alice
Published: September 2010

Two novel optically active terthiophene and bithiophene monomers bearing at the C‐β position of thiophene ring an enantiomerically pure chiral alkyl group, namely 3,3″‐di[2‐((S)‐(+)‐2‐methylbutoxy)ethyl]‐2,2′:5′,2″‐terthiophene and 3,3′‐di[2‐((S)‐(+)‐2‐methylbutoxy)ethyl]‐2:2′‐bithiophene, have been synthesized and characterized. Being symmetrically substituted, their polymerization adopting simple and economic method, such as the chemical oxidation with iron (III) trichloride, allowed to obtain regioregular macromolecules. The synthesized polymers have been investigated by CD in solution as well as in the microaggregated state upon gradual addition of a poor solvent. The results display different CD behaviors related to their chemical structure. Chirality, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance analysis of single‐phase, multiphase, and multicomponent lattice‐Boltzmann fluid flow simulations on GPU clusters
Authors: Myre J. , Walsh S. D. C. , Lilja D. , Saar M. O.
Published: September 2010

The lattice‐Boltzmann method is well suited for implementation in single‐instruction multiple‐data (SIMD) environments provided by general purpose graphics processing units (GPGPUs). This paper discusses the integration of these GPGPU programs with OpenMP to create lattice‐Boltzmann applications for multi‐GPU clusters. In addition to the standard single‐phase single‐component lattice‐Boltzmann method, the performances of more complex multiphase, multicomponent models are also examined. The contributions of various GPU lattice‐Boltzmann parameters to the performance are examined and quantified with a statistical model of the performance using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). By examining single‐ and multi‐GPU lattice‐Boltzmann simulations with ANOVA, we show that all the lattice‐Boltzmann simulations primarily depend on effects corresponding to simulation geometry and decomposition, and not on the architectural aspects of GPU. Additionally, using ANOVA we confirm that the metrics ofEfficiencyandUtilizationare not suitable for memory‐bandwidth‐dependent codes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HOx Regeneration in the Oxidation of Isoprene III: Theoretical Study of the key Isomerisation of the Z‐δ‐hydroxy‐peroxy Isoprene Radicals
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Lam , Vereecken Luc , Peeters Jozef
Published: September 2010

As a sequel to our communication on a proposed new isoprene oxidation mechanism aiming to rationalize the unexpectedly high OH and HO2 levels observed in isoprene‐rich areas (J. Peeters, T. L. Nguyen, L. Vereecken, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2009, 11, 5935), we report herein the detailed quantum chemical and statistical kinetics characterization of the crucial 1,6‐H shifts in the two Z‐δ‐hydroxy‐peroxy radicals from isoprene. Geometries, energies and vibration frequencies of all conformers of the reactant radicals and transition states are computed at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) level of theory and the energies of the lowest‐lying conformers are then refined at various higher levels of theory, including CBS‐QB3, IRCMax(CBS‐QB3//B3LYP) and CBS‐APNO. The rate coefficients over a wide temperature range are calculated using multi‐conformer transition state theory with WKB tunneling factors evaluated for the barrier shape found by CBS‐QB3//B3LYP IRC analyses. The WKB tunneling factors for these allyl‐stabilisation‐assisted reactions are about 25 at ambient temperatures. The rate coefficients can be represented by Arrhenius expressions over the 250–350 K range: k(T)=1.4×109 exp(−6380/T) s−1 for the Z‐1‐OH‐4‐OO⋅‐isoprene radical, and k(T)=0.72×109 exp(−5520/T) s−1 for Z‐1‐OH‐4‐OO⋅‐isoprene. With the k(1,6‐H) of order 1 s−1 at ambient temperatures, these isomerisations can compete with and even outrun the traditional peroxy reactions at low and moderate NO levels. The importance of these reactions as key processes in the newly proposed, OH‐regenerating isoprene oxidation scheme is discussed.
Novel single‐platform multiparameter FCM analysis of apoptosis: Significant differences between wash and no‐wash procedure
Authors: Stemberger Julia , Witt Volker , Printz Dieter , Geyeregger René , Fritsch Gerhard
Published: September 2010

FCM is a generally accepted tool to analyze apoptosis. Unfortunately, the cell preparation of all commercial kits available includes cell washing known to cause cell loss which is most likely to affect apoptotic cells in particular. To address this, we developed a seven‐color single‐platform no‐wash analysis technique and compared the results with those from an analogous procedure including cell washing. A five‐color mAb cocktail was employed to address target cells by surface labeling, Yo‐PRO‐1® and DAPI were used to discriminate apoptotic and necrotic from viable cells. Cells were quantified on the basis of internal‐standard fluorescent beads. Jurkat cells ACC 282 treated with camptothecin were employed to establish the staining procedure, which was then applied to blood cells collected by extracorporeal apheresis and treated with UV irradiation. Data evaluation showed that although each method by itself was highly reproducible (R2 = 0.973), the numbers of apoptotic cells detected with the no‐wash procedure were significantly higher than those obtained after cell washing (P = 6.6 E−5, Wilcoxon Test). In addition, the observed differences increased with higher cell numbers (Bland and Altmann). We conclude that the described test is a feasible and reliable tool for apoptosis measurement and it provides results that are definitely closer to the truth than those obtained from kits that require cell washing. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The use of lectins as markers for differentiated secretory cells in planarians
Authors: Zayas Ricardo M. , Cebrià Francesc , Guo Tingxia , Feng Junjie , Newmark Phillip A.
Published: September 2010

Freshwater planarians have reemerged as excellent models to investigate mechanisms underlying regeneration. The introduction of molecular tools has facilitated the study of planarians, but cell‐ and tissue‐specific markers are still needed to examine differentiation of most cell types. Here we report the utility of fluorescent lectin‐conjugates to label tissues in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. We show that 16 lectin‐conjugates stain planarian cells or tissues; 13 primarily label the secretory cells, their cytoplasmic projections, and terminal pores. Thus, we examined regeneration of the secretory system using lectin markers and functionally characterized two genes expressed in the secretory cells: marginal adhesive gland‐1 (mag‐1) and Smed‐reticulocalbin1 (Smed‐rcn1). RNAi knockdown of these genes caused a dramatic reduction of secretory cell lectin staining, suggesting a role for mag‐1 and Smed‐rcn1 in secretory cell differentiation. Our results provide new insights into planarian secretory system regeneration and add new markers for labeling several planarian tissues. Developmental Dynamics 239:2888–2897, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unusually Large Bite Angle of a Distally Diphosphanylated Calix[4]arene Chelator
Authors: Sameni Soheila , Jeunesse Catherine , Awada Mouhamad , Matt Dominique , Welter Richard
Published: September 2010

5,17‐Diphenylphosphanyl‐11,23‐bis(4‐tolyl)‐25,26,27,28‐tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (6), a semi‐rigid, calixarene‐based diphosphane in which the phosphorus atoms are separated by 12 chemical bonds, reacts with [Ni(η5‐C5H5)(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)]BF4 or AgBF4 to afford the corresponding chelate complexes [Ni(η5‐C5H5)(6)]BF4 and [Ag(6)]BF4 quantitatively. These complexes were both characterised by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study. In the nickel complex the ligand shows a bite angle of 104.5°, which lies in the range expected for this kind of diphosphane with a large P···P separation. In the silver(I) complex the diphosphane displays a much larger bite angle of 138.8°, which was unexpected and reflects the flexilibilty of the calix[4]arene skeleton. Furthermore, in solution the silver complex shows dynamic behaviour. One of the observed motions corresponds to the silver atom switching reversibly from a linear to a bent AgP2 cordination geometry.
Total Synthesis of Berkeleyamide A and its 10‐epi Isomer
Authors: Chakor Narayan S. , Dallavalle Sabrina , Scaglioni Leonardo , Merlini Lucio
Published: September 2010

A short and efficient synthesis of the novel cytotoxic natural product berkeleyamide A, isolated from a deep‐water Penicillium rubrum, has been accomplished. L‐Leucinol was used as the only chiral starting material. A diastereoselective aldol condensation is the key step in the synthesis.
A proteomic approach based on multiple parallel separation for the unambiguous identification of an antibody cognate antigen
Authors: Mun Joohee , Kim Yong‐Hak , Yu Jonghan , Bae Jinhee , Noh Dong‐Young , Yu Myeong‐Hee , Lee Cheolju
Published: September 2010

Autoantibodies obtained from cancer patients have been identified as useful tools for cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and as potential targets for immunotherapy. Serological proteome analysis in combination with 2‐DE is a classic strategy for identification of tumor‐associated antigens in the serum of cancer patients. However, serological proteome analysis cannot always indicate the true antigen out of a complex proteome identified from a single protein spot because the most abundant protein is not always the most antigenic. To address this problem, we utilized multiple parallel separation (MPS) for proteome separation. The common identities present in the fractions obtained using different separation methods were regarded as the true antigens. The merit of our MPS technique was validated using anti‐ARPC2 and anti‐PTEN antibodies. Next, we applied the MPS technique for the identification of glycyl‐tRNA synthetase as the cognate antigen for an autoantibody that was overexpressed in the plasma of breast cancer patients. These results reveal that MPS can unambiguously identify an antibody cognate antigen by reducing false‐positives. Therefore, MPS could be used for the characterization of diagnostic antibodies raised in laboratory animals as well as autoantibodies isolated from diseased patients.
Genotoxic effects of three selected black toner powders and their dimethyl sulfoxide extracts in cultured human epithelial A549 lung cells in vitro
Authors: Gminski Richard , Decker Katharina , Heinz Christina , Seidel Albrecht , Könczöl Mathias , Goldenberg Ella , Grobéty Bernard , Ebner Winfried , Gieré Reto , Mersch‐Sundermann Volker
Published: September 2010

Until now, the adverse effects of toner powders on humans have been considered to be minimal. However, several recent reports have suggested possible significant adverse health effects from toner dust inhalation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of black toner powders in vitro. For the study of DNA damage, A549 cells were exposed to toner‐powder suspensions and to their DMSO extracts, and then subjected to the comet assay and to the in‐vitro cytokinesis block micronucleus test (CB‐MNvit). Cytotoxic effects of the toner samples were assessed by the erythrosin B assay. Furthermore, size, shape, and composition of the toner powders were investigated. None of the three toner powders or their DMSO extracts reduced cell viability; however, they did induce DNA damage and formed micronuclei at concentrations from 80 to 400 μg cm−2, although to a varying extent. All toner powders contain considerable amounts of the pigments carbon black and magnetite (Fe3O4) as well as small amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The overall results of our in‐vitro study suggest that the investigated toner‐powder samples are not cytotoxic but genotoxic. From the results of the physical and chemical characterization, we conclude that metals and metalloids as components of magnetite, or PAHs as components of the carbon‐bearing material, are responsible for the genotoxic effects. Further research is necessary to determine the relevance of these in‐vitro observations for private and occupational toner powder exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strong ground motion record selection for the reliable prediction of the mean seismic collapse capacity of a structure group
Authors: Ghafory‐Ashtiany Mohsen , Mousavi Mehdi , Azarbakht Alireza
Published: September 2010

How to select a limited number of strong ground motion records (SGMRs) is an important challenge for the seismic collapse capacity assessment of structures. The collapse capacity is considered as the ground motion intensity measure corresponding to the drift‐related dynamic instability in the structural system. The goal of this paper is to select, from a general set of SGMRs, a small number of subsets such that each can be used for the reliable prediction of the mean collapse capacity of a particular group of structures, i.e. of single degree‐of‐freedom systems with a typical behaviour range. In order to achieve this goal, multivariate statistical analysis is first applied, to determine what degree of similarity exists between each selected small subset and the general set of SGMRs. Principal Component analysis is applied to identify the best way to group structures, resulting in a minimum number of SGMRs in a proposed subset. The structures were classified into six groups, and for each group a subset of eight SGMRs has been proposed. The methodology has been validated by analysing a first‐mode‐dominated three‐storey‐reinforced concrete structure by means of the proposed subsets, as well as the general set of SGMRs. The results of this analysis show that the mean seismic collapse capacity can be predicted by the proposed subsets with less dispersion than by the recently developed improved approach, which is based on scaling the response spectra of the records to match the conditional mean spectrum. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the impact of organizational culture on supply chain integration
Authors: Braunscheidel Michael J. , Suresh Nallan C. , Boisnier Alicia D.
Published: September 2010

Supply chain integration constitutes the major thrust of supply chain management initiatives. In this study, we investigate the effects of organizational culture to determine the types of cultural characteristics that are strongly associated with efforts to integrate the supply chain and delivery performance. Previous researchers have theorized and demonstrated that organizational culture leads to adopting management practices consistent with the culture and that these practices are associated with firm performance. There has been a relative dearth of research, however, on the impact of organizational culture in operations management literature. Thus, this study investigates the effects of organizational culture, measured by the competing values framework (CVF), on two types of supply chain integration efforts: (1) internal integration and (2) external integration with key suppliers and key customers. Employing the CVF, we assess organizational culture along four dimensions—market, hierarchy, clan, and adhocracy. Results indicate that culture does influence firms to adopt internal and external integration practices. Our findings also provide evidence that a firm's adhocracy culture score is positively associated with external integration, while a firm's hierarchy culture score is negatively associated with both internal and external integration practices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel 7‐azaisoindigo derivative‐induced cancer cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress
Authors: Xu Jing‐jing , Dai Xiao‐min , Liu Hai‐liang , Guo Wen‐jie , Gao Jing , Wang Chao‐hui , Li Wen‐bin , Yao Qi‐zheng
Published: September 2010

This research focused on a novel 7‐azaisoindigo derivative [namely N1‐(n‐butyl)‐7‐azaisoindigo, 7‐AI‐b], and investigated its molecular antitumor mechanism by exploring the means of cell death and the effects on mitochondrial function. 7‐AI‐b inhibited cancer cell proliferation in a dose‐ and time‐dependent way. The morphological and nuclei changes in H2B‐GFP‐labeled HeLa cells were observed using a live cell system. The results suggested that cell death induced by 7‐AI‐b is closely related to apoptosis. 7‐AI‐b induced release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol and activation of caspase‐3, showing that the apoptosis is mediated by the mitochondrial pathway. Furthermore, our data indicated that 7‐AI‐b triggers apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS): cellular ROS levels were increased after 3 h exposure of 7‐AI‐b, which was reversed by the ROS scavenger N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. As a consequence, 7‐AI‐b‐mediated cell death, mitochondrial transmembrane potential collapse and ATP level were partly blocked by N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Further study showed that 7‐AI‐b could induce mitochondrial dysfunction: collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reduction of intracellular ATP level. In summary, the novel synthesized 7‐AI‐b was demonstrated to be effective in killing cancer cells via an ROS‐promoted and mitochondria‐ and caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathway. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anoxia, acidosis, and intergenic interactions selectively regulate methionine sulfoxide reductase transcriptions in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhang Chi , Jia Pingping , Jia Yuanyuan , Li Yuejin , Webster Keith A. , Huang Xupei , Achary Mohan , Lemanski Sharon L. , Lemanski Larry F.
Published: September 2010

Methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr) belong to a gene family that contains one MsrA and three MsrBs (MsrB1, MsrB2, and MsrB3). We have identified all four of the genes that are expressed in mouse embryonic stem cell cultures. The vital cellular functions of the Msr family of genes are to protect cells from oxidative damage by enzymatically reducing the oxidized sulfide groups of methionine residues in proteins from the sulfoxide form (SO) back to sulfide thus restoring normal protein functions as well as reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have performed studies on the Msr family genes to examine the regulation of gene expression. Our studies using real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting have shown that expression levels of the four Msr family genes are under differential regulation by anoxia/reoxygenation treatment, acidic culture conditions and interactions between MsrA and MsrB. Results from these in vitro experiments suggest that although these genes function as a whole in oxidative stress protection, each one of the Msr genes could be responsive to environmental stimulants differently at the tissue level. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 98–106, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Red wine may be used in the therapy of myocarditis
Authors: Chen Chun‐Juan , Yu Wei , Wang Wei
Published: September 2010

Myocarditis is one of the most commonly cardiovascular diseases in clinical practice, but the treatment is always limited at present. Considering the multifactorial etiology of myocarditis, a novel therapeutic agent with multi‐bioactivties should be presented. Red wine has been recognized as a favorable natural medicine against a large number of pathologic conditions. Recent results indicate that red wine could effectively decrease inflammatory factors secretion, reduce the migration of neutrophils, antagonize oxidation, and regulate immunity. By these bioactivities of anti‐inflammation, anti‐oxidation, and immunomodulation, red wine may be an effective therapeutic candidate to manage the symptoms and prevent the recurrence of myocarditis. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 808–810, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of fetal nasofrontal angle in the second trimester in normal pregnancies
Authors: Öztürk Hasan , İpek Ali , Tan Sinan , Yener Öztürk Şenay , Keskin Suat , Kurt Aydın , Arslan Halil
Published: September 2010

Purpose:

The nasal bone is one of the important fetal structures to be radiologically evaluated in the first and second trimesters. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the nasal root and to determine the normal range of the naso‐frontal angle, which may potentially be used as a predictive or diagnostic parameter in the diagnosis of the above‐mentioned syndromes or other congenital abnormalities with associated nasal features using obstetric ultrasonography in normal fetuses.

Methods:

We evaluated the naso‐frontal angle using transabdominal ultrasonography in 195 healthy fetuses between the 18th and 21st weeks of gestation. The measurements were performed with the fetal neck in mild flexion and three echogenic lines (nasal end, skin on the nasal bone, nasal bone) visualized.

Results:

The minimum, maximum and mean naso‐frontal angle values were 110°, 143° and 128°, respectively, between the 18th and 21st weeks of gestation. Linear regression analysis showed no association between NFA and gestational week (Beta = 0.020 p = 0.786).

Conclusions:

The normal range of NFA between the 18th and 21st weeks of gestation was determined in this study. The association between NFA measurements and various congenital anomalies or fetal outcomes remains to be investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Clinically significant thromboembolic disease in orthopedic oncology: An analysis of 986 patients treated with low‐molecular‐weight heparin
Authors: Ruggieri Pietro , Montalti Maurizio , Pala Elisa , Angelini Andrea , Calabrò Teresa , Errani Costantino , Mercuri Mario
Published: September 2010

Background and Objectives

Thromboembolic risk in orthopedic oncology is high due to several factors. The aim of this study was to assess clinically significant thromboembolic disease in 986 patients operated on with a prosthetic reconstruction of the lower limbs after the resection of bone tumors and prophylactically treated with low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH).

Methods

Between 1983 and 2006, 986 patients had uncemented megaprostheses after a resection of the lower limbs for bone tumors. Antithromboembolic prophylaxis was always administered with LMWH from the immediate postoperative time until the time of complete weight‐bearing. Phlebographies and vascular ecodoppler were not performed postoperatively on a regular basis. Patients were followed in the clinic with imaging studies for several years (lower limb CT, MRI, CT of the chest for malignant tumors). The diagnosis of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) was established or excluded on clinical evidence and MRI study.

Results

Among the 986 cases treated, only 11 patients (1.1%) showed a major thromboembolic event confirmed clinically and through imaging. One of these patients died with pulmonary embolism a few days after surgery. Two cases of thromboembolism occurred in patients with a vascular bypass.

Conclusions

Despite general oncologic and orthopedic factors favoring VTE, the clinical occurrence of this event was extremely low in this series, probably due to a consistent and careful prophylaxis, prolonged until the time of complete weight‐bearing. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:375–379. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on advanced low rectal cancer
Authors: Kao Ping‐Sheng , Chang Shih‐Ching , Wang Ling‐Wei , Lee Rheun‐Chuan , Liang Wen‐Yi , Lin Tzu‐Chen , Chen Wei‐Shone , Jiang Jeng‐Kai , Yang Shung‐Haur , Wang Huann‐Sheng , Lin Jen‐Kou
Published: September 2010

Background

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by radical resection is an option for advanced low rectal cancer. This study was aimed to clarify the impact of CCRT on patients' outcome.

Patients and Methods

One hundred thirty‐six patients with rectal cancer (<10 cm from anal verge) were enrolled prospectively between July 2000 and December 2004. The preoperative clinical stage was T3, T4, or node‐positive disease. Sixty‐nine and 67 patients underwent surgery with and without preoperative CCRT, respectively. The regimen of pre‐op CCRT was a radiation dosage of 45 Gy in 20 fractions and oral tegafur‐uracil (UFUR) and leucovorin.

Results

There was no statistical difference in the preserved anorectal function between two groups after 5 years of follow‐up (62.3% vs. 47.8%; P = 0.125). The 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival (DFS) percentage were 88.4% and 76.8% for patients with preoperative CCRT, and 65.7% and 58.2% for patients without CCRT, respectively. Patients with preoperative CCRT had a higher overall survival rate and DFS (P = 0.001 and 0.015).

Conclusions

In patients with advanced low rectal cancer, preoperative CCRT followed by radical surgery significantly improved overall survival and DFS compared with surgery alone. The effect of sphincter preservation with preoperative CCRT is questionable. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:771–777. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor contributes angiogenesis by up‐regulating IL‐8 and correlates with poor prognosis of patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liao Bing , Zhong Bi‐ling , Li Zhi , Tian Xiao‐ying , Li Yang , Li Bin
Published: September 2010

Background and Objectives

We aim at the association of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) with neovascularization and survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and determine whether MIF is a valuable prognostic predictor for NPC patients.

Methods

One hundred and forty one cases of NPC and 25 normal tissues of nasopharynx were collected. The expression of MIF and interleukin 8 (IL‐8) was evaluated in tissues microarray by immunostaining. Intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) in relation to immunostainings and clinicopathological factors were analyzed statistically as well as the follow‐up data of patients.

Results

High‐expression of both MIF (69.5%) and IL‐8 (56.0%) were significantly associated with increased microvessels and lymph node metastasis. High‐expression of MIF, IL‐8 and higher level of IMD were correlated with either patients' overall survival or disease‐specific survival in univariate analysis, but only angiogenesis and lymph node status exhibited in relation to survival of patients as independent prognostic factor of NPC by multivariate analysis. In addition, high‐expression of MIF and higher level of IMD were closely associated with locoregional failure of NPC patients.

Conclusions

MIF may contribute to lymph node metastasis in NPC by inducing angiogenesis through the way of upregulation of IL‐8 expression in an autocrine EBV‐independent pathway. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:844–851. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of stationary phases and gas chromatographic detectors for determination of amines in water
Authors: Jurado‐Sánchez Beatriz , Ballesteros Evaristo , Gallego Mercedes
Published: September 2010

For the first time, a systematic overview deals with the advantages and disadvantages of several stationary phases (polar and non‐polar) and gas chromatographic detectors (flame ionization detector, nitrogen–phosphorus detector and MS) for the determination of 27 amines (aliphatic and aromatic amines and N‐nitrosamines) in water samples. To increase sensitivity (250 mL of sample was eluted with 150 μL of solvent) and matrix elimination, an automatic SPE system was employed prior to GC determination. The best results in terms of resolution and retention times were achieved using a column coated with 5% phenyl‐dimethylpolysiloxane (DB‐5). Capacity factor (k) values for the 27 amines increased with the rise in the polarity of the stationary phase, ranging from 3.0–27.7 and 2.2–14.4 for polar (polyethylene glycol) and non‐polar (DB‐5) columns, respectively. The detection limits of the method were 0.9–9 μg/L for flame ionization detector, 8–95 ng/L for nitrogen–phosphorus detector and 0.2–6.3 ng/L for MS. The precision was similar for the three detectors (RSD, 3.7–6.0%). The GC‐MS method was applied with a high degree of accuracy and precision to determine amines in real samples including tap, river, pond, well, swimming pool and wastewaters.
HPLC enantioseparation of α,α‐diphenyl‐2‐pyrrolidinemethanol and methylphenidate using a chiral fluorescent derivatization reagent and its application to the analysis of rat plasma
Authors: Inagaki Shinsuke , Taniguchi Sayuri , Hirashima Haruo , Higashi Tatsuya , Min Jun Zhe , Kikura‐Hanajiri Ruri , Goda Yukihiro , Toyo'oka Toshimasa
Published: September 2010

Enantioseparation of α,α‐diphenyl‐2‐pyrrolidinemethanol (D2PM) and methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin®) using (R)‐(−)‐4‐(N,N‐dimethylaminosulfonyl)‐7‐(3‐isothiocyanatopyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole as the chiral derivatization reagent has been achieved for the first time, and a simple, reliable detection method using HPLC with fluorescence detection has been developed. D2PM and MPH have been derivatized with (R)‐(−)‐4‐(N,N‐dimethylaminosulfonyl)‐7‐(3‐isothiocyanatopyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole at 55°C for 15 min. The derivatives of D2PM and MPH have been separated, completely and rapidly, using a reversed‐phase system within 16 min (resolution factor (Rs)=1.60 and 2.53, respectively). The detection limits of (R)‐ and (S)‐D2PM were found to be 6.8 and 13 ng/mL, respectively, and those of D‐ and L‐threo‐MPH were 61 and 66 ng/mL, respectively (S/N=3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of rat plasma, where the rats were separately dosed with D2PM and MPH (Ritalin).
Characterization of Mixtures. Part 2: QSPR Models for Prediction of Excess Molar Volume and Liquid Density Using Neural Networks
Authors: Ajmani Subhash , Rogers Stephen C. , Barley Mark H. , Burgess Andrew N. , Livingstone David J.
Published: September 2010

In our earlier work, we have demonstrated that it is possible to characterize binary mixtures using single component descriptors by applying various mixing rules. We also showed that these methods were successful in building predictive QSPR models to study various mixture properties of interest. Here in, we developed a QSPR model of an excess thermodynamic property of binary mixtures i.e. excess molar volume (VE). In the present study, we use a set of mixture descriptors which we earlier designed to specifically account for intermolecular interactions between the components of a mixture and applied successfully to the prediction of infinite‐dilution activity coefficients using neural networks (part 1 of this series). We obtain a significant QSPR model for the prediction of excess molar volume (VE) using consensus neural networks and five mixture descriptors. We find that hydrogen bond and thermodynamic descriptors are the most important in determining excess molar volume (VE), which is in line with the theory of intermolecular forces governing excess mixture properties. The results also suggest that the mixture descriptors utilized herein may be sufficient to model a wide variety of properties of binary and possibly even more complex mixtures.
Multicomponent T2* mapping of knee cartilage: Technical feasibility ex vivo
Authors: Qian Yongxian , Williams Ashley A. , Chu Constance R. , Boada Fernando E.
Published: September 2010

Disorganization of collagen fibers is a sign of early‐stage cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritic knees. Water molecules trapped within well‐organized collagen fibrils would be sensitive to collagen alterations. Multicomponent effective transverse relaxation (T2*) mapping with ultrashort echo time acquisitions is here proposed to probe short T2 relaxations in those trapped water molecules. Six human tibial plateau explants were scanned on a 3T MRI scanner using a home‐developed ultrashort echo time sequence with echo times optimized via Monte Carlo simulations. Time constants and component intensities of T2* decays were calculated at individual pixels, using the nonnegative least squares algorithm. Four T2*‐decay types were found: 99% of cartilage pixels having mono‐, bi‐, or nonexponential decay, and 1% showing triexponential decay. Short T2* was mainly in 1‐6 ms, while long T2* was ∼22 ms. A map of decay types presented spatial distribution of these T2* decays. These results showed the technical feasibility of multicomponent T2* mapping on human knee cartilage explants. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of perfusion and arterial transit time in myocardium using free‐breathing myocardial arterial spin labeling with navigator‐echo
Authors: Wang Danny J. J. , Bi Xiaoming , Avants Brian B. , Meng Tongbai , Zuehlsdorff Sven , Detre John A.
Published: September 2010

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) provides noninvasive measurement of tissue blood flow, but sensitivity to motion has limited its application to imaging of myocardial blood flow. Although different cardiac phases can be synchronized using electrocardiography triggering, breath holding is generally required to minimize effects of respiratory motion during ASL scanning, which may be challenging in clinical populations. Here a free‐breathing myocardial ASL technique with the potential for reliable clinical application is presented, by combining ASL with a navigator‐gated, electrocardiography‐triggered TrueFISP readout sequence. Dynamic myocardial perfusion signals were measured at multiple delay times that allowed simultaneous fitting of myocardial blood flow and arterial transit time. With the assist of a nonrigid motion correction program, the estimated mean myocardial blood flow was 1.00 ± 0.55 mL/g/min with a mean transit time of ∼400 msec. The intraclass correlation coefficient of repeated scans was 0.89 with a mean within subject coefficient of variation of 22%. Perfusion response during mild to moderate stress was further measured. The capability for noninvasive, free‐breathing assessment of myocardial blood flow using ASL may offer an alternative approach to first‐pass perfusion MRI for clinical evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robust spatially selective excitation using radiofrequency pulses adapted to the effective spatially encoding magnetic fields
Authors: Schneider Johannes T. , Haas Martin , Ruhm Wolfgang , Hennig Jürgen , Ullmann Peter
Published: September 2010

Multidimensional spatially selective excitation (SSE) has stimulated a variety of useful applications in magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which have regained considerable interest after the recent introduction of parallel excitation. For SSE, radiofrequency pulses are designed specifically for certain time‐courses of spatially encoding magnetic fields (SEM) which are applied simultaneously with the radiofrequency pulses. However, experimental imperfections of gradient‐systems and undesired SEM field contributions often prevent the correct co‐action of radiofrequency pulses and gradient‐waveforms and therefore degrade the fidelity of excitation patterns, especially for parallel excitation. To cope with such imperfections, a classical measurement of k‐space‐trajectories can be performed followed by an adaptation of the SSE‐pulses. However, this method is limited to linear SEM field distributions, which are describable in the k‐space‐formalism. Hence, this work presents a more sophisticated method consisting in a spatially resolved measurement of the temporal phase evolution of the transverse magnetization. This exhaustive phase information can be incorporated into pulse‐design algorithms to compensate even for undesired spatially nonlinear, dynamic SEM field contributions. Both approaches are assessed in various experimental scenarios and individual benefits and limitations are discussed. The adaptation of SSE‐pulses to experimentally achieved calibration data turned out to be very beneficial, and especially the novel spatially resolved method exhibited high potential for robust SSE even in adverse experimental setups. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Women's attitudes to the successive decisions possibly involved in prenatal screening for Down syndrome: how consistent with their actual decisions?
Authors: Seror Valerie , Ville Yves
Published: September 2010

Objectives

To investigate women's attitudes to successive decisions possibly involved in Down syndrome screening (i.e. about ultrasound and biochemical screening, invasive testing, and termination of pregnancy) and to compare attitudes and actual decisions.

Methods

Four hundred women were invited to complete a self‐administered questionnaire within 3 days postpartum. A hierarchical cluster analysis identified respondents with similar attitudes, and logistic regressions assessed the effects of factors relating to decision‐making on attitudes.

Results

Three hundred and ninety‐one women returned the questionnaire. Three clusters of women were identified. Two clusters comprised respondents stating that decision‐making should be based on attitudes to either termination of pregnancy (32.8%) or invasive testing‐related miscarriage (30.2%). The third cluster (37.0%) considered that obtaining information about pregnancy should be the main objective when deciding about biochemical screening or invasive testing. Multivariate logistic regressions showed some consistency between attitudes and previous decisions.

Practice implications

Providing information and eliciting women's attitudes towards the sequence of decisions possibly involved in Down syndrome screening could help them make their decisions about screening and/or invasive testing in line with their attitudes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sex—Differences on self‐medication in Spain
Authors: Carrasco‐Garrido Pilar , Hernández‐Barrera Valentín , López de Andrés Ana , Jiménez‐Trujillo Isabel , Jiménez‐García Rodrigo
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This study mainly aimed at describing the factors associated with self‐medicated consumption of drugs in Spain from a gender perspective.

Methods

Descriptive, cross‐sectional study covering the Spanish adult population, using data drawn from the 2006 and 2007 Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS). A total of 20 738 subjects were analyzed. The independent variables were sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health‐related, and the dependent variable was self‐medicated drug use. Using logistic multivariate regression models we have estimated the independent effect of each of these variables on the self‐medicated consumption. Two models were generated, one for female and one for male.

Results

The 20.17% of all Spaniards indulge in self‐medication. The prevalence of self‐medication was 16.93% (2715) for women and 14.46% (1469) for men (p < 0.05). The variables that were independently and significantly associated with a greater probability of self‐medicated consumption in women were: lower age; consumption of alcohol; smoking habit. Among men, self‐medication is associated with nationality (immigrants were more likely to self‐medicate), income, and alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

The prevalence of self‐medicated drug use is higher in women than men. In our population, the influence of unhealthy lifestyles, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, are related to a higher likelihood of self‐medication Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copolymerization of methacrylic acid with methyl methacrylate by SET‐LRP
Authors: Fleischmann Sven , Percec Virgil
Published: September 2010

Single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) has developed as a reliable, robust and straight forward method for the construction well‐defined polymers. To span an even larger variety of functional monomers, we investigated the copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with methacrylic acid by SET‐LRP. Copolymerizations were catalyzed by Cu(0)/Me6‐TREN and performed in MeOH/H2O mixtures at 50 °C. The SET‐LRP copolymerizations of varying methacrylic acid content were evaluated by kinetic experiments. At low (2.5%) and moderate (10%) MAA loadings, the copolymerizations obeyed perfect first order kinetics (kpapp = 0.008 min−1 and kpapp = 0.006 min−1) and exhibited a linear increase in molecular weights with conversion providing narrow molecular weight distributions. The SET‐LRP of MMA/25%‐MAA was found to be significantly slower (kpapp = 0.0035 min−1). However, a reasonable first‐order kinetics in monomer consumption was maintained, and the control of the polymerization process was preserved since the molecular weight increased linearly with conversion and could therefore be adjusted. This work demonstrates that the copolymerization of methacrylic acid by SET‐LRP is feasible and the design of well‐defined macromolecules comprising acidic functionality can be achieved. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Dramatic acceleration of SET‐LRP of methyl acrylate during catalysis with activated Cu(0) wire
Authors: Nguyen Nga H. , Percec Virgil
Published: September 2010

A simple method for the activation of the Cu(0) wire used as catalyst in single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) is reported. The surface of Cu(0) stored in air is coated with a layer of Cu2O. It is well established that Cu2O is a less reactive catalyst for SET‐LRP than Cu(0). We report here the activation of the Cu(0) wire under nitrogen by the reduction of Cu2O from its surface to Cu(0) by treatment with hydrazine hydrate. The kinetics of SET‐LRP of methyl acrylate (MA) catalyzed with activated Cu(0) wire in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 25 °C demonstrated a dramatic acceleration of the polymerization and the absence of the induction period observed during SET‐LRP catalyzed with nonactivated Cu(0) in several laboratories. Exposure of the activated Cu(0) wire to air results in a lower apparent rate constant of propagation because of gradual oxidation of Cu(0) to Cu2O. This dramatic acceleration of SET‐LRP is similar to that observed with commercial Cu(0) nanopowder except that the polymerization provides excellent molecular weight evolution, very narrow molecular weight distribution and high polymer chain‐end functionality. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Influences of three kinds of springs on the retraction of a polymer ellipsoid in dissipative particle dynamics simulation
Authors: Liu Yong , An Ying , Yan Hua , Guan Changfeng , Yang Weimin
Published: September 2010

The impacts of Rouse spring, Fraenkel spring, and one kind of finitely extensible nonlinear elastic spring (FENE‐PM spring) on the surface tension‐induced retraction of a polymer ellipsoid in a matrix were compared using dissipative particle dynamics. Using the same spring constant, obvious differences among the three kinds of springs were found. A fast retraction process was observed from the hard Fraenkel spring, a slow process from the soft Rouse spring, and an intermediate process from the FENE‐PM spring. The effects of varying the spring constant and the chain length were also investigated. The results indicate that the influence of increasing spring hardness for a given spring type was significant; whereas, the influence of chain length was minor after five bonds were reached. The effects of varying the FENE‐PM rm parameter were also studied to provide a reliable value for this study. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010