bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Albedo of the ice covered Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas
Authors: Weiss A. I. , King J. C. , Lachlan-Cope T. A. , Ladkin R. S.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. This study investigates the surface albedo of the sea ice areas adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer. Aircraft measurements of the surface albedo, which were conducted in the sea ice areas of the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas show significant differences between these two regions. The averaged surface albedo varied between 0.13 and 0.81. The ice cover of the Bellingshausen Sea consisted mainly of first year ice and the sea surface showed an averaged sea ice albedo of αi = 0.64 ± 0.2 (± standard deviation). The mean sea ice albedo of the pack ice area in the western Weddell Sea was αi = 0.75 ± 0.05. In the southern Weddell Sea, where new, young sea ice prevailed, a mean albedo value of αi = 0.38 ± 0.08 was observed. Relatively warm open water and thin, newly formed ice had the lowest albedo values, whereas relatively cold and snow covered pack ice had the highest albedo values. All sea ice areas consisted of a mixture of a large range of different sea ice types. An investigation of commonly used parameterizations of albedo as a function of surface temperature in the Weddell and Bellingshausen Sea ice areas showed that the albedo parameterizations do not work well for areas with new, young ice.
13q Deletion syndrome and retinoblastoma in identical dichorionic diamniotic monozygotic twins
Authors: De Francesco Sonia , Galluzzi Paolo , Del Longo Alessandra , Piozzi Elena , Renieri Alessandra , Menicacci Cristina , Mari Francesca , Munier Francis , Hadjistilianou Theodora , Mastrangelo Domenico
Published: April 2012

Purpose

To report the case of identical dichorionic diamniotic female twins with unilateral retinoblastoma in 13q deletion syndrome.

Methods

Clinical and ophthalmoscopic evaluation, combination of multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification, array–comparative genomic hybridization analyses, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed.

Results

Peculiar facial features, marked hypotonia, gastroesophageal reflux, interatrial septal defect with left to right shunt and light dilatation of right chambers, 5th finger hypoplasia, 3rd-5th toes clinodactyly, 2nd toe overlapped to 3rd toe, and cutis marmorata were found. Ophthalmoscopic evaluation revealed unilateral retinoblastoma in both girls. Magnetic resonance imaging detected corpus callosum hypoplasia in both twins. A 34.4-Mb deletion involving bands 13q13.2-q21.33 and including the RB1 gene was identified in both twins. The deletion was not present in the DNA of their parents and older brother.

Conclusions

Dysmorphic features in children must be always suspicious of 13q deletion syndrome and a short ophthalmoscopic follow-up is necessary to detect the presence of a retinoblastoma.
Development of an Ultra Mini-Oxygenator for use in Low-Volume, Buffer-Perfused Preparations
Authors: Berner Marion , Clément David , Stadelmann Mathieu , Kistler Michael , Boone Yves , Carrel Thierry P. , Tevaearai Hendrik T. , Longnus Sarah L.
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

Small animal models are widely used in basic research. However, experimental systems requiring extracorporeal circuits are frequently confronted with limitations related to equipment size. This is particularly true for oxygenators in systems with limited volumes. Thus we aimed to develop and validate an ultra mini-oxygenator for low-volume, buffer-perfused systems.

Methods:

We have manufactured a series of ultra mini-oxygenators with approximately 175 aligned, microporous, polypropylene hollow fibers contained inside a shell, which is sealed at each of the two extremities to isolate perfusate and gas compartments. With this construction, gas passes through hollow fibers, while perfusate circulates around fibers. Performance of ultra mini-oxygenators (oxygen partial pressure (PO2), gas and perfusate flow, perfusate pressure and temperature drop) were assessed with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer in an in vitro perfusion circuit and an ex vivo rat heart preparation.

Results:

Mean priming volume of ultra mini-oxygenators was 1.2±0.5 mL and, on average, 86±6% of fibers were open (n=17). In vitro, effective oxygenation (PO2=400–500 mmHg) was achieved for all flow rates up to 50 mL/min and remained stable for at least 2 hours (n=5). Oxygenation was also effective and stable (PO2=456±40 mmHg) in the isolated heart preparation for at least 60 minutes (“venous” PO2=151±11 mmHg; n=5).

Conclusions:

We have established a reproducible procedure for fabrication of ultra mini-oxygenators, which provide reliable and stable oxygenation for at least 60–120 min. These oxygenators are especially attractive for pre-clinical protocols using small, rather than large, animals.
Electrophysiological Properties and Synaptic Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells during Neurogenic Differentiation – a Mini-Review
Authors: Liu Jing , Song Lin , Jiang Changbin , Liu Yang , George Julian , Ye Hua , Cui Zhanfeng
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained considerable interest due to their potential use in cell therapies and tissue engineering. They have been reported to differentiate into various anchorage-dependent cell types, including bone, cartilage, and tendon. Our focus is on the differentiation of MSCs into neuron-like cells through the use of soluble chemical stimuli or specific growth factor supplements. The resulting cells appear to adopt neural phenotypes and express some typical neuronal markers, however, their electrophysiological properties and synaptic function remains unclear.

Results:

This mini-review illustrates how particular characteristics, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic functions of MSCs change during their neuronal differentiation. In particular we focus on changes in ion currents, ion channels, synaptic communication, and neurotransmitter release. We also highlight conflicting results, caused by inconsistencies in the experimental conditions used and in the methodologies adopted.

Conclusions:

We conclude that there is insufficient data and that further, carefully controlled investigations are required in order to ascertain whether MSC-derived neuron-like cells can exhibit the necessary neuronal functions to become clinically relevant for use in neural repairs.
Role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the control of malignant pleural effusion and survival in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Qian Qian , Sun Wen-Kui , Zhan Ping , Zhang Yu , Song Yong , Yu Li-Ke
Published: April 2012

This study aimed at assessing the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the control of pleural effusion (PE) and survival in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma.

The concentrations of the 3 cytokines were measured in PE from 79 lung adenocarcinoma patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and 23 patients with tuberculosis. Data were correlated with the efficacy of MPE control and patient survival. The level of MCP-1 in PE was significantly higher in patients with lung adenocarcinoma than those with tuberculosis. By contrast, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in patients with lung adenocarcinoma than those with tuberculosis. An MCP-1 level greater than 3,187 pg/mL (which was used as a cutoff point) indicated failure to control MPE (odds ratio [OR]=2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.02–7.82, p=0.04). In multivariate analysis, MCP-1 was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]=2.02, 95% CI=1.24–3.30, p=0.01). The level of MCP-1 in PE appears to be a reliable surrogate marker for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy in the control of MPE and predicting survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE.
Development and Validation of HPTLC Method for Estimation of Safinamide Mesylate in Bulk and in Tablet Dosage Form
Authors: Redasani Vivekkumar K. , Mali Bhushan J. , Surana Sanjay J.
Published: April 2012

A simple, specific, and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method has been developed and validated for estimation of Safinamide Mesylate as bulk and in tablet dosage form. The chromatographic development was carried out on aluminum plates precoated with silica gel 60 F254 using a mixture of Toluene: Methanol: Triethylamine (4 : 1 : 0.5 v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was carried out densitometrically at 226 nm. The value of drug was found to be . The method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. The calibration curve was found to be linear over a range of 400–2400 ng μL−1. The % assay (Mean ± S.D.) was found to be . Accuracy of the method was accessed by percentage recovery and found to be . Thus the proposed HPTLC method was found to provide fast and cost-effective quantitative control for routine analysis of Safinamide mesylate as bulk and in tablet dosage form.
Results and Complications of 1104 Surgeries for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Authors: Hirschberg Jenő
Published: April 2012

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) means that the velopharyngeal closure is inadequate or disturbed. VPI may be organic or functional, congenital or acquired and is caused by structural alterations or paresis. The symptoms are primarily to be found in speech (hypernasality), more rarely in swallowing and hearing. The management types are as follows: speech therapy, surgery, speech bulb, and others. Surgery is indicated if the symptoms of VPI cannot be improved by speech therapy. Among the operative methods, velopharyngoplasty constitutes the basis of the surgery. The pharyngeal flap was incorporated and survived in 98.1% of the cases, hyperrhinophony disappeared or became minimal in 90% after surgery in our material (1104 cases). The speech results seemed to be the same with superiorly or inferiorly based pharyngeal flap. The Furlow technique, push-back procedure, the sphincteroplasty, and the augmentation were indicated by us if the VP gap was less than 7 mm; these methods may also be used as secondary operation. We observed among 1104 various surgeries severe hemorrhage in 5 cases, aspiration in 2 cases, significant nasal obstruction in 68 patients, OSAS in 5 cases; tracheotomy was necessary in 2 cases. Although the complication rate is rare, it must always be considered that this is not a life-saving but a speech-correcting operation. A tailor-made superiorly based pharyngeal flap is suggested today, possibly in the age of 5 years.
Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate-Decorated Titania Nanotube: CoHCF@TNT Modified GCE as an Electron Transfer Mediator for the Determination of Hydrazine in Water Samples
Authors: Sophia S. Jancy , Devi S. , Pandian K.
Published: April 2012

The cobalt hexacyanoferrate-decorated titania nanotube (CoHCF@TNT) was prepared by dispersing 100 mg of titania nanotube (TNT) to a solution of an equimolar concentration of CoCl2 · 6H2O and K3[Fe(CN)6] containing 0.05 M KCl solution (35 mL). The TNT was synthesized by hydrothermal method using Degussa P-25 TiO2in 2 M NaOH as reported in the literature. The CoHCF@TNT was isolated and characterized by DRS-UV, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and XRD analysis. The electrochemical behavior of the CoHCF@TNT was carried out in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. The CoHCF@TNT modified system showed an excellent electron transfer mediator for the oxidation of hydrazine at +0.5 V versus Ag wire. The proposed method can be utilized for the amperometry detection of hydrazine from environmental samples. A calibration plot was constructed by plotting the concentration of hydrazine against the peak current. The current response was linear in the ranges of the hydrazine concentration from 5 × 10−4 M to 2.5 × 10−3 M with a slope of 72.8 μAmM−1and the linear correlation coefficient of 0.9972. The detection limit was found to be 1 × 10−3 M.
Presence of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strain CK/CH/LDL/97I in the Middle East
Authors: Ababneh Mustafa , Dalab Abd Elhafeed , Alsaad Saad , Al-Zghoul Mohammad
Published: April 2012

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a very dynamic and evolving virus, causing major economic losses to the global poultry industry. In early 2011, respiratory disease outbreaks were investigated in Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Five IBV isolates (JOA2, JOA4, Saudi-1, Saudi-2, and Iraqi IBV) were detected by diagnostic-nested nucleocapsid RT-PCR. Strain identification was characterised by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplified hypervariable region of the spike 1 (S1) gene. These five IBV isolates were found to be of the IBV strain CK/CH/LDL/97I. Nucleotide identity between these five IBV isolates ranged from 96.9% to 99.7%, and between these isolates and the CK/CH/LDL/97I strain in the range of 96.6–99.1%. The sequenced fragment of the S1 gene of the CK/CH/LDL/97I strain had less than 80% nucleotide identity to the IBV vaccine strains commonly used in the Middle East (M41 and H120). The presence of these CK/CH/LDL/97I-like strains may account for vaccination failure against IBV, since all IBV isolates were from vaccinated chickens. In this paper, we documented for the first time the presence of IBV strain CK/CH/LDL/97I in the Middle East. This strain is known to have originated in China and Taiwan.
Influence of Heat Treatment and Composition Variations on Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Resistance of C 18000 Copper Alloy
Authors: Osorio-Galicia Ramon , Gomez-Garcia Carlos , Alcantara Miguel Angel , Herrera-Vazquez Andres
Published: April 2012

The hardness and wear behavior properties of two C 18000 copper alloys with variations in Ni, Si, and Cr concentrations, both within the range of C18000 chemical analysis standard, were studied after the alloy samples had been prepared by melting and casting in sand molds and then heat-treated in solution using two-stage aging for different heating time periods. The results obtained from sample sets of the aforementioned two alloys,
and , show that the alloy , with slightly higher Si and Ni and lower Cr concentrations than the alloy , produced significantly higher hardness values and wear resistance than the alloy . Optical and electron microscopy microstructure studies of representative samples revealed a copper matrix containing nickel and silicon in solution and precipitates of chromium and nickel silicides. By studying the wear surfaces and debris of the former samples with electron microscopy, different types of wear mechanisms including adhesive, abrasive, oxidation, and repeated-cycle deformation were found.
The wear behavior was expressed as mass weight loss, which correspondingly shows a typical inverse relationship with the hardness values for both the and alloy groups.
Modeling Drought Option Contracts
Authors: Zhu Jielin , Pollanen Marco , Abdella Kenzu , Cater Bruce
Published: April 2012

We introduce a new financial weather derivative—a drought option contract—designed
to protect agricultural producers from potential income loss due to agricultural drought. The contract
is based on an index that reflects the severity of drought over a long period. By modeling temperature
and precipitation, we price a hypothetical drought contract based on data from the Jinan climate station
located in a dry region of China.
Time-Series Regression Model for Prediction of Mean Daily Global Solar Radiation in Al-Ain, UAE
Authors: Hejase Hassan A. N. , Assi Ali H.
Published: April 2012

The availability of short-term forecast weather model for a particular country or region is essential for operation planning of energy systems. This paper presents the first step by a group of researchers at UAE University to establish a weather model for the UAE using the weather data for at least 10 years and employing various models such as classical empirical models, artificial neural network (ANN) models, and time-series regression models with autoregressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA). This work uses time-series regression with ARIMA modeling to establish a model for the mean daily and monthly global solar radiation (GSR) for the city of Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Time-series analysis of solar radiation has shown to yield accurate average long-term prediction performance of solar radiation in Al-Ain. The model was built using data for 10 years (1995–2004) and was validated using data of three years (2005–2007), yielding deterministic coefficients (R2) of 92.6% and 99.98% for mean daily and monthly GSR data, respectively. The low corresponding values of mean bias error (MBE), mean absolute bias error (MABE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) confirm the adequacy of the obtained model for long-term prediction of GSR data in Al-Ain, UAE.
The Electronic Properties of the Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes: Ab Initio Density Functional Theory Investigation
Authors: Tetik Erkan , Karadağ Faruk , Karaaslan Muharrem , Çömez İbrahim
Published: April 2012

We examined the graphene and carbon nanotubes in 5 groups according to their structural and electronic properties by using ab initio density functional theory: zigzag (metallic and semiconducting), chiral (metallic and semiconducting), and armchair (metallic). We studied the structural and electronic properties of the 3D supercell graphene and isolated SWCNTs. So, we reported comprehensively the graphene and SWCNTs that consist of zigzag (6, 0) and (7, 0), chiral (6, 2) and (6, 3), and armchair (7, 7). We obtained the energy band graphics, band gaps, charge density, and density of state for these structures. We compared the band structure and density of state of graphene and SWCNTs and examined the effect of rolling for nanotubes. Finally, we investigated the charge density that consists of the 2D contour lines and 3D surface in the XY plane.
Onset of Magnetic Monopole-Antimonopole Condensation
Authors: Hofmann Ralf
Published: April 2012

We determine the critical strength of the effective electric coupling for the onset of Bose condensation of stable magnetic monopoles and antimonopoles in SU(2) Yang-Mills thermodynamics. Two scenarios are considered: infinitely fast and infinitely slow downward approaches of the critical temperature. Our results support the claim that the first lepton family and the weak interactions emerge from pure SU(2) gauge dynamics of scale  MeV.
UV Irradiation Chlorine Dioxide Photocatalytic Oxidation of Simulated Fuchsine Wastewater by UV-Vis and Online FTIR Spectrophotometric Method
Authors: Shi Laishun , Wang Xiaomei , Li Na , Huai Chunlei , Liu Jie
Published: April 2012

The photocatalyst TiO2/SiO2 was prepared and used for chlorine dioxide photocatalytic oxidation of simulated fuchsine wastewater under UV irradiation. The removal efficiency of fuchsine treated by photocatalytic oxidation process is higher than that of chemical oxidation process. By using UV-Vis and online FTIR analysis technique, the intermediates during the degradation process were obtained. The benzene ring in fuchsine was degraded into quinone and carboxylic acid and finally changed into carbon dioxide and water during the photocatalytic oxidation. The degradation reaction mechanism of fuchsine by UV irradiation chlorine dioxide photocatalytic oxidation was proposed based upon the experiment evidence.
Prevalence and clinical features of Costello syndrome and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome in Japan: Findings from a nationwide epidemiological survey
Authors: Abe Yu , Aoki Yoko , Kuriyama Shinichi , Kawame Hiroshi , Okamoto Nobuhiko , Kurosawa Kenji , Ohashi Hirofumi , Mizuno Seiji , Ogata Tsutomu , Kure Shigeo , Niihori Tetsuya , Matsubara Yoichi ,   Costello and CFC syndrome study group in Japan
Published: April 2012

Costello syndrome and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous (CFC) syndrome are congenital anomaly syndromes characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, heart defects, and intellectual disability. Germline mutations in HRAS cause Costello syndrome, and mutations in KRAS, BRAF, and MAP2K1/2 (MEK1/2) cause CFC syndrome. Since the discovery of the causative genes, approximately 150 new patients with each syndrome have been reported. However, the clinico‐epidemiological features of these disorders remain to be identified. In order to assess the prevalence, natural history, prognosis, and tumor incidence associated with these diseases, we conducted a nationwide prevalence study of patients with Costello and CFC syndromes in Japan. Based on the result of our survey, we estimated a total number of patients with either Costello syndrome or CFC syndrome in Japan of 99 (95% confidence interval, 77–120) and 157 (95% confidence interval, 86–229), respectively. The prevalences of Costello and CFC syndromes are estimated to be 1 in 1,290,000 and 1 in 810,000 individuals, respectively. An evaluation of 15 adult patients 18–32 years of age revealed that 12 had moderate to severe intellectual disability and most live at home without constant medical care. These results suggested that the number of adult patients is likely underestimated and our results represent a minimum prevalence. This is the first epidemiological study of Costello syndrome and CFC syndrome. Identifying patients older than 32 years of age and following up on the patients reported here is important to estimate the precise prevalence and the natural history of these disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rheology and enhancement of extrusion of linear and branched polyethylenes using low amount of organoclay
Authors: Adesina Ayuba A. , Al‐Juhani Abdulhadi A. , Tabet Nouar , Ul‐Hamid Anwar , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A.
Published: April 2012

Interaction between 0.05 wt % organoclay and polyethylenes of different short chain branching (SCB) was studied. Linear rheology (van Gurp‐Palmen plot) was used to study the effect of organoclay on the rheology of polyethylenes. Organoclay had effect only on the van Gurp‐Palmen plot of linear polyethylene. Fourier transform (FT) rheology, extrusion at high‐shear rates in a slit rheometer, transient stress growth analysis, and extensional rheology were conducted to examine the potential of organoclay as a processing aid. Organoclay reduced the transient stress overshoot, normal stress difference, ηo, onset of shear thinning, and extrusion pressure of polyethylene. The reduction was more pronounced in linear polyethylene without branching. Such effects gradually decreased as the branch content increased. The trend was independent of the type of flow (shear or extensional). It was interesting to note that FT rheology was not effective in explaining the impact of organoclay on polyethylene. The work concluded with the proposition that organoclay (as low as 0.05 wt %) was a good processing aid for linear polyethylene and polyethylenes with low content of SCB. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Global Prevalence of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Authors: Elsabbagh Mayada , Divan Gauri , Koh Yun‐Joo , Kim Young Shin , Kauchali Shuaib , Marcín Carlos , Montiel‐Nava Cecilia , Patel Vikram , Paula Cristiane S. , Wang Chongying , Yasamy Mohammad Taghi , Fombonne Eric
Published: April 2012

We provide a systematic review of epidemiological surveys of autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) worldwide. A secondary aim was to consider the possible impact of geographic, cultural/ethnic, and socioeconomic factors on prevalence estimates and on clinical presentation of PDD. Based on the evidence reviewed, the median of prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders was 62/10 000. While existing estimates are variable, the evidence reviewed does not support differences in PDD prevalence by geographic region nor of a strong impact of ethnic/cultural or socioeconomic factors. However, power to detect such effects is seriously limited in existing data sets, particularly in low‐income countries. While it is clear that prevalence estimates have increased over time and these vary in different neighboring and distant regions, these findings most likely represent broadening of the diagnostic concets, diagnostic switching from other developmental disabilities to PDD, service availability, and awareness of autistic spectrum disorders in both the lay and professional public. The lack of evidence from the majority of the world's population suggests a critical need for further research and capacity building in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Autism Res 2012, 5: 160–179. © 2012 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nrf2‐Mediated Resistance to Oxidant‐Induced Redox Disruption in Embryos
Authors: Harris Craig , Hansen Jason M.
Published: April 2012

Events that control developmental changes occur during specific windows of gestation and if disrupted, can lead to dysmorphogenesis or embryolethality. One largely understudied aspect of developmental control is redox regulation, where the untimely disruption of intracellular redox potentials (Eh) may alter development, suggesting that tight control of developmental‐stage–specific redox states is necessary to support normal development. In this study, mouse gestational day 8.5 embryos in whole embryo culture were treated with 10 μM dithiole‐3‐thione (D3T), an inducer of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2). After 14 hr, D3T‐treated and ‐untreated conceptuses were challenged with 200 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidant‐induced change to intracellular Ehs. Redox potentials of glutathione (GSH), thioredoxin‐1 (Trx1), and mitochondrial thioredoxin‐2 (Trx2) were then measured over a 2‐hr rebounding period following H2O2 treatment. D3T treatment increased embryonic expression of known Nrf2‐regulated genes, including those responsible for redox regulation of major intracellular redox couples. Exposure to H2O2 without prior D3T treatment produced significant oxidation of GSH, Trx1, and Trx2, based on Eh values, where GSH and Trx2 Eh recovered, reaching to pre‐H2O2 Eh ranges, but Trx1 Eh remained oxidized. Following H2O2 addition in culture to embryos that received D3T pretreatments, GSH, Trx1, and Trx2 were insulated from significant oxidation. These data show that Nrf2 activation may serve as a means to protect the embryo from chemically induced oxidative stress through the preservation of intracellular redox states during development, allowing normal morphogenesis to ensue.
High‐throughput analysis of the plasmid bioproduction process in Escherichia coli by FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Scholz Teresa , Lopes Vitor V. , Calado Cecília R.C.
Published: April 2012

Monitoring plasmid production systems is a lab intensive task. This article proposes a methodology based on FTIR spectroscopy and the use of chemometrics for the high‐throughput analysis of the plasmid bioproduction process in E. coli. For this study, five batch cultures with different initial medium compositions are designed to represent different biomass and plasmid production behavior, with the maximum plasmid and biomass concentrations varying from 11 to 95 mg L−1 and 6.8 to 12.8 g L−1, respectively, and the plasmid production per biomass varying from 0.4 to 5.1 mg g−1. After a short sample processing consisting of centrifugation and dehydration, the FTIR spectra are recorded from the collected cellular biomass using microtiter plates with 96 wells. After spectral pre‐processing, the predictive FTIR spectra models are derived by using partial least squares (PLS) regression with the wavenumber selection performed by a Monte‐Carlo strategy. Results show that it is possible to improve the PLS models by selecting specific spectral ranges. For the plasmid model, the spectral regions between 590–1,130, 1,670–2,025, and 2,565–3,280 cm−1 are found to be highly relevant. Whereas for the biomass, the best wavenumber selections are between 900–1,200, 1,500–1,800, and 2,850–3,200 cm−1. The optimized PLS models show a high coefficient of determination of 0.91 and 0.89 for the plasmid and biomass concentration, respectively. Additional PLS models for the prediction of the carbon sources glucose and glycerol and the by‐product acetic acid, based on metabolism‐induced correlations between the nutrients and the cellular biomass are also established. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2279–2285. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adherence to treatment guidelines and survival in patients with early-stage breast cancer by age at diagnosis
Authors: van de Water W , Bastiaannet E , Dekkers O M , de Craen A J M , Westendorp R G J , Voogd A C , van de Velde C J H , Liefers G J
Published: April 2012

Background

Elderly patients with breast cancer are under-represented in clinical studies. It is not known whether treatment guidelines, based on clinical trials, can be extrapolated to this population. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to treatment guidelines by age at diagnosis, and to examine age-specific survival in relation to adherence to guidelines.

Methods

Patients with early-stage breast cancer aged either less than 65 years, or 75 years or more, diagnosed between 2005 and 2008, were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Adherence to treatment guidelines for breast and axillary surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy was determined. Non-adherence to the guidelines was defined as overtreatment or undertreatment. The primary endpoint was overall survival, assessed by means of an instrumental variable, the comprehensive cancer centre region.

Results

Some 24 959 patients younger than 65 years and 6561 patients aged 75 years or more were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 2·8 years. Compared with patients younger than 65 years, those aged at least 75 years were less frequently treated in concordance with guidelines: 62·0 per cent (15 487 patients) versus 55·6 per cent (3647 patients) (P < 0·001). In both age groups, most patients received at least three of five treatment modalities in concordance with guidelines: 98·8 per cent (24 652 patients) and 93·8 per cent (6152 patients) respectively. Analysis of survival using the instrumental variable showed that adherence to guidelines was not associated with overall survival in patients younger than 65 years (P = 0·601) or those aged at least 75 years (P = 0·190).

Conclusion

Adherence to treatment guidelines was affected by age at diagnosis. However, adherence to the guidelines was not associated with overall survival in either age group.
Structural Characteristics and Biological Activity of Fucoidans from the Brown Algae Alaria sp. and Saccharina japonica of Different Reproductive Status
Authors: Vishchuk Olesya S. , Tarbeeva Dariya V. , Ermakova Svetlana P. , Zvyagintseva Tatyana N.
Published: April 2012

Structural characteristics and the antitumor activity of fucoidans isolated from vegetative and reproductive tissue of the brown algae Alaria sp. and Saccharina japonica were studied. The reproductive status of the brown algae affected the yield of fucoidans and their structural characteristics. The fucoidan yield was 5.7% (w/w on the basis of the dried algae weight) for fertile and 3.8% for sterile Alaria sp. and 1.42 and 0.71% for fertile and sterile S. japonica, respectively. The fucoidans from fertile Alaria sp. and S. japonica had a slightly higher degree of sulfation and a somewhat more homogeneous monosaccharide composition, with predominate amounts of fucose and galactose, than those isolated from sterile algae tissue. The fucoidans from both the sterile and fertile brown algae tissue tested possessed selective cytotoxicity towards human breast cancer (T‐47D) and melanoma (RPMI‐7951) cell lines, but not to normal mouse epidermal cells (JB6 Cl41), and effectively inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of the breast cancer and melanoma cell lines. The fucoidans from reproductive tissue of brown algae possessed higher antitumor activity than those from vegetative plants.
Insertion of Heme b into the Structure of the Cys34‐Carbamidomethylated Human Lipocalin α1‐Microglobulin: Formation of a [(Heme)2(α1‐Microglobulin)]3 Complex
Authors: Siebel Judith F. , Kosinsky Robyn L. , Åkerström Bo , Knipp Markus
Published: April 2012

α1‐Microglobulin (α1m) is a 26 kDa plasma and tissue protein belonging to the lipocalin protein family. Previous investigations indicate that the protein interacts with heme and suggest that it has a function in heme metabolism. However, detailed characterizations of the α1m–heme interactions are lacking. Here, we report for the first time the preparation and analysis of a stable α1m–heme complex upon carbamidomethylation of the reactive Cys34 by using recombinantly expressed human α1m. Analytical size‐exclusion chromatography coupled with a diode‐array absorbance spectrophotometry demonstrates that at first an α1m–heme monomer is formed. Subsequently, a second heme triggers oligomerization that leads to trimerization. The resulting (α1m[heme]2)3 complex was characterized by resonance Raman and EPR spectroscopy, which support the presence of two ferrihemes, thus indicating an unusual spin‐state admixed ground state with S=3/2, 5/2.
Feasibilities and Demands of IT Support in Plant Engineering Construction – Based on Experiences in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Paul Rolf , Paul Georg , Pethe Roman
Published: April 2012

Die Entwicklung von Software für die Automobilindustrie wird seit 20 Jahren intensiv erforscht und realisiert. Motiviert durch eine intensive öffentliche Debatte über die Situation der Support‐Software in der Prozessindustrie soll erläutert werden, wie Erkenntnisse aus der Softwareentwicklung in der Automobilindustrie auf die Prozessindustrie übertragen werden können. Dabei werden Ergebnisse von Forschungsprojekten vorgestellt, und eigene Erfahrungen auf dem Gebiet des Produktdatenmanagements in der Automobilindustrie geschildert. Als Ergebnis lassen sich Rückschlüsse für die Entwicklung von Support‐Software für die Prozessindustrie geziehen.
A Comparative Review of Petroleum‐Based and Bio‐Based Acrolein Production
Authors: Liu Lu , Ye X. Philip , Bozell Joseph J.
Published: April 2012

Acrolein is an important chemical intermediate for many common industrial chemicals, leading to an array of useful end products. This paper reviews all the synthetic methods, including the former (aldol condensation) and contemporary (partial oxidation of propylene) manufacturing methods, the partial oxidation of propane, and most importantly, the bio‐based glycerol‐dehydration route. Emphasis is placed on the petroleum‐based route from propylene and the bio‐based route from glycerol, an abundantly available and relatively inexpensive raw material available from biodiesel production. This review provides technical details and incentives for industrial proyduction that justify a transition toward bio‐based acrolein production.
Performance of a multi‐marker Diabetes Risk Score in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS), a multi‐ethnic US cohort
Authors: Rowe Michael W. , Bergman Richard N. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Kolberg Janice A.
Published: April 2012

Background

This study compares a previously developed Diabetes Risk Score to commonly used clinical tools for type 2 diabetes risk evaluation in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) cohort, a multi‐ethnic US cohort. Available as a clinical test, the PreDx® Diabetes Risk Score uses fasting concentrations of adiponectin, C‐reactive protein, ferritin, interleukin‐2 receptor alpha, HbA1c, glucose and insulin, plus age and gender to predict 5‐year risk of diabetes. It was developed in a Northern European population.

Methods

The Diabetes Risk Score was measured using archived fasting plasma specimens from 722 non‐diabetic IRAS participants, 17.6% of whom developed diabetes during 5.2 years median follow‐up (inter‐quartile range: 5.1–5.4 years). The study included non‐Hispanic whites (41.8%), Hispanics (34.5%) and African Americans (23.7%). Performance of the algorithm was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC) and risk reclassification against other tools.

Results

The Diabetes Risk Score discriminates participants who developed diabetes from those who did not significantly better than fasting glucose (AROC = 0.763 versus 0.710, p = 0.003). The Diabetes Risk Score performed equally well in subpopulations defined by race/ethnicity or gender. The Diabetes Risk Score provided a significant net reclassification improvement of 0.24 (p = 0.01) when comparing predefined low/moderate/high Diabetes Risk Score categories to metabolic syndrome risk factor counting. The Diabetes Risk Score complemented the use of the oral glucose tolerance test by identifying high risk patients with impaired fasting glucose but normal glucose tolerance, 33% of whom converted.

Conclusions

Measuring the Diabetes Risk Score of elevated‐risk US patients could help physicians decide which patients warrant more intensive intervention. The Diabetes Risk Score performed equally well across the ethnic subpopulations present in this cohort. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The antioxidative effect of lipophilized rutin and dihydrocaffeic acid in fish oil enriched milk
Authors: Sørensen Ann‐Dorit Moltke , Petersen Lone Kirsten , de Diego Sara , Nielsen Nina Skall , Lue Bena‐Marie , Yang Zhiyong , Xu Xubing , Jacobsen Charlotte
Published: April 2012

The antioxidative effect of phenolipids was evaluated in fish oil enriched milk emulsions as a model for a complex food system. Two different phenolipids modified from dihydrocaffeic acid (with C8 or C18:1) and rutin (with C12 or C16) were evaluated. Both dihydrocaffeate esters and rutin laurate showed significantly better antioxidant properties in milk emulsion compared with the original phenolics. However, rutin palmitate only performed slightly better as antioxidant than rutin. The results with rutin indicated that a cut‐off effect exists in relation to the alkyl chain length with respect to optimal antioxidant activity in milk emulsions. Thus, the optimal alkyl chain length is at least below 16 carbon atoms, and maybe even less for rutin esters. For dihydrocaffeate esters it was not possible to conclude on a cut‐off effect in relation to alkyl chain length and antioxidative effect due to the almost similar antioxidant effect of the two phenolipids. However, there was a tendency towards octyl dihydrocaffeate being slightly more efficient than oleyl dihydrocaffeate.

Practical application: The finding that phenolipids are better antioxidants in milk emulsions than the original phenolic acid provides new knowledge that can be used to develop new antioxidant strategies to protect foods against lipid oxidation. However, the results indicate that both optimization of alkyl chain length for each type of phenolic, and optimization for each type of emulsion will be necessary in order to get the best oxidative stability of an emulsion with these phenolipids. Use of efficient antioxidants may lower the amount of antioxidant needed to protect against lipid oxidation and may in addition decrease the costs.
Synthesis and Immunological Screening of β‐Linked Mono‐ and Divalent Mannosides
Authors: Mukherjee Chinmoy , Ranta Kaarina , Savolainen Johannes , Leino Reko
Published: April 2012

Three different β‐linked divalent mannosides, along with their corresponding monovalent counterparts, have been designed and chemically synthesized by coupling the corresponding propargyl (propargyl alcohol in the case of the monovalent compounds) and 2‐azidoethyl glycosides by using an efficient click chemistry protocol. Crich's β‐mannosylation methodology was applied to the construction of the β‐mannosidic linkages. All the glycosylation reactions gave moderate‐to‐good yields with high selectivities. A competitive inhibition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the inhibition, by the synthesized mannosides, of specific human IgG binding to low‐molecular‐weight Candida albicans mannan; moderate inhibition capacity was observed for some of the compounds.
Did Unexpectedly Strong Economic Growth Cause the Oil Price Shock of 2003–2008?
Authors: Kilian Lutz , Hicks Bruce
Published: April 2012

Recently developed structural models of the global crude oil market imply that the surge in the real price of oil between mid 2003 and mid 2008 was driven by repeated positive shocks to the demand for all industrial commodities, reflecting unexpectedly high growth mainly in emerging Asia. We evaluate this proposition using an alternative data source and a different econometric methodology. Rather than inferring demand shocks from an econometric model, we utilize a direct measure of global demand shocks based on revisions of professional real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts. We show that forecast surprises during 2003–2008 were associated primarily with unexpected growth in emerging economies (in conjunction with much smaller positive GDP‐weighted forecast surprises in the major industrialized economies), that markets were repeatedly surprised by the strength of this growth, that these surprises were associated with a hump‐shaped response of the real price of oil that reaches its peak after 12–16 months, and that news about global growth predict much of the surge in the real price of oil from mid 2003 until mid 2008 and much of its subsequent decline. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
U–Pb zircon geochronological and petrographic constraints on late to post‐collisional Variscan magmatism and metamorphism in the Ligurian Alps, Italy
Authors: Maino Matteo , Dallagiovanna Giorgio , Gaggero Laura , Seno Silvio , Tiepolo Massimo
Published: April 2012

In the Ligurian Alps, the Barbassiria massif (a Variscan basement unit of the Briançonnais domain) is made up of orthogneisses derived from K‐rich rhyolite protoliths and minor rhyolite dykes. However, on account of subsequent Alpine deformation and a related blueschist facies metamorphic overprint that are pervasive within the Barbassiria Orthogneisses, little evidence of the earlier Variscan metamorphism is preserved. In this study, new U–Pb laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) dating of zircon from the Barbassiria Orthogneisses and dykes was undertaken to unravel the relationships between protolith magmatism and the Variscan metamorphic overprint. The results suggest a protolith age for the Barbassiria Orthogneisses of ~315–320 Ma (i.e., Early/Late Carboniferous), and constrain the age of a subsequent rhyolite dyke emplacement event to 260.2 ± 3.1 Ma (i.e., Late Permian). The Variscan high‐temperature (greenschist–amphibolite facies) metamorphic event that affected the Barbassiria Orthogneisses was likely associated with both tectonic burial and compression during the final stages of the Variscan collision during the Late Carboniferous period. Emplacement of late‐stage rhyolite dykes that cut the Barbassiria Orthogneisses is linked to a diffuse episode of Late Permian rhyolite volcanism that is commonly observed in the Ligurian Alps. The age of this dyke emplacement event followed a ~10–15 Ma Mid‐Permian gap in the volcano‐sedimentary cover sequence of the Ligurian Alps, and represents the post‐orogenic stage in this segment of the Variscides. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autobiographical memory in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A comparison between the Levine and Kopelman interview methodologies
Authors: Barnabe Alexandra , Whitehead Victor , Pilon Randi , Arsenault‐Lapierre Geneviève , Chertkow Howard
Published: April 2012

Previous studies have produced inconsistent results concerning the two components of autobiographical memory—personal semantic memory and episodic memory. Results in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) have varied concerning the existence of a temporal gradient in retrograde amnesia. These results have important theoretical implications regarding multiple trace theory versus standard consolidation models of long‐term memory (LTM). We investigated whether this variability arises from differences in the methods used in assessing autobiographical memory. We examined patterns of memory impairment in 20 healthy elderly controls, 20 MCI subjects, and 10 DAT subjects using the Autobiographical Memory Interview (AMI) of Kopelman and the Autobiographical Interview (AI) of Levine. Both the AMI and AI were modified to allow for the test scores to be derived from a single interview without fatiguing the subjects. On the AMI, DAT subjects were significantly impaired on both components of autobiographical memory—episodic memory and personal semantics—with episodic memory showing a significant though gentle temporal gradient sparing childhood memories. Using the AI test, subjects with DAT showed impaired recall of episodic details (but not personal semantics), again with a gentle temporal gradient. Differences between the two interview methods (fewer epochs in the AMI; fewer memories per epoch in the AI) were found to have a significant impact on the pattern of findings; fewer epochs in the AMI brought out the temporal gradient, and fewer memories per epoch (in the AI) diminished it. These data show the importance of technical details of the different tests in favouring one versus another LTM theory. The data are not purely compatible with either theory. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eremosides A – C, New Iridoid Glucosides from Eremostachys loasifolia
Authors: Ali Bakhat , Mehmood Rashad , Mughal Uzma Rasheed , Malik Abdul , Safder Muhammad , Hussain Riaz , Imran Muhammad , Tareen Rasool Bakhsh
Published: April 2012

Eremosides A–C (1–3), three new iridoid glucosides, were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Eremostachys loasifolia, along with buddlejoside B (4), 10‐O‐benzoylcatalpol (5), and pakiside A (6) reported for the first time from this species. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data including 2D‐NMR, FAB‐MS, ESI‐MS, as well as by acid and basic hydrolyses.
Synthesis of 1,5‐Disubstituted 1H‐Tetrazole Derivatives via a Three‐Component Reaction of Carbodiimides, Isocyanides, and Trimethylsilyl Azide
Authors: Kazemizadeh Ali Reza , Hajaliakbari Nasrin , Hajian Roghayeh , Shajari Nahid , Ramazani Ali
Published: April 2012

The three‐component reaction of isocyanides 1, carbodiimides 2, and trimethylsilyl azide (3) occurs at room temperature, and the produced 1,5‐disubstituted 1H‐tetrazole derivatives 4 are formed in 81–98% yields (Scheme 1, Table). The reaction proceeds smoothly and cleanly under mild conditions, and no side reactions are observed.
Nicotinium Dichromate (=3‐Carboxypyridinium Dichromate; NDC) as an Efficient Reagent for the Oxidative Deamination of Amines and Aminophosphonates
Authors: Sobhani Sara , Aryanejad Sima , Maleki Mahdi Faal
Published: April 2012

A new method for the efficient synthesis of aldehydes, ketones, and oxophosphonates from various types of amines (primary and secondary) and aminophosphonates via oxidative deamination by nicotinium dichromate (=3‐carboxypyridinium dichromate; NDC) is described.