bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyroglobulin measurement on fine‐needle washout fluids: Influence of sample collection methods
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Ceriani Luca , Suriano Sergio , Crippa Stefano
Published: October 2008

Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement on fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) specimens (Tg‐FNA) is useful in the management of patients affected by differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, the preanalytical procedure for FNA‐Tg measurement is not standardized. We evaluated the accuracy of FNA‐Tg measurement by using different tubes for needle washout fluids collection.

Ultrasound‐guided FNA was performed on a combined 156 lesions from 108 patients. Following cytology sampling, the needles were rinsed by normal saline and aliquots collected into three different tubes (plain serum tube, serum separator tube, and lithium‐heparin tube, respectively). The Tg‐FNA was measured by an immunoradiometric assay.

The cytological examination was nondiagnostic in six cases, false‐positive in one, and false‐negative in two cases. The Tg‐FNA was higher in plain serum tubes as compared with serum separator and lithium‐heparin ones. FNA‐Tg measurement on plain serum and serum separator tubes showed a 100% sensitivity while two false‐negative results occurred by lithium‐heparin tubes (sensitivity 98%).

The diagnostic performance of FNA‐Tg compared favorably with cytology. However, biases in FNA‐Tg measurement may be introduced by different collection tubes. A collection of standardized washout fluids volume into plain serum tubes is highly recommended. Serum separator tubes and lithium‐heparin tubes may lower measured FNA‐Tg concentration. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hematologic malignancies of the female genital tract diagnosed on liquid‐based Pap test: Cytomorphologic features and review of differential diagnoses
Authors: Hanley Krisztina Z. , Tadros Talaat S. , Briones Alice J. , Birdsong George G. , Mosunjac Marina B.
Published: October 2008

The female genital tract is rarely the primary site for hematologic malignancies; however, secondary involvement of this anatomic site is common. Primary lymphomas of the gynecologic tract are reported to represent less than 1% of extranodal non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), and the majority of them being B‐cell in origin. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma is the most common subtype, whereas primary extraosseus plasmacytoma of the genital tract is rare.

If clinically not suspected, these rare tumors pose a diagnostic challenge both for clinicians and pathologists. Clinical symptoms are often nonspecific and mimic other more common gynecologic malignancies such as squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix or endometrial adenocarcinoma. Although cervico‐vaginal (Pap) smear is the primary screening method for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and its precursors, it is far less sensitive for detection of other primary or metastatic malignancies. In this review, we present three cases of hematologic gynecologic malignancies, two cases of primary NHL, and a case of acute myeloid leukemia with relapse as a pelvic mass, all of which were diagnosed on a liquid‐based Pap test. In addition, we discuss the morphologic features of differential diagnostic entities of these rare tumors on conventional and liquid‐based preparations. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of 1,2‐Hydroboration and 1,1‐Organoboration: A Convenient Route to 5‐Silaspiro[4,4]nona‐1,6‐diene Derivatives
Authors: Khan Ezzat , Wrackmeyer Bernd , Kempe Rhett
Published: October 2008

Dialkyn‐1‐yl(divinyl)silanes were prepared and their reactions with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) were studied. 1,2‐Hydroboration takes place selectively at the vinyl group, followed by intramolecular 1,1‐organoboration to form a 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene ring. Repetition of this sequence affords, in essentially quantitative yield, 5‐silaspiro[4,4]nona‐1,6‐diene derivatives bearing substituents in the 1,6‐positions and 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl groups in the 2,7‐positions. Protodeborylation with an excess amount of acetic acid gives the respective spirosilanes bearing substituents only in the 1,6‐positions. All new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy in solution (1H, 11B, 13C, 29Si NMR) and for two examples of the spirosilanes by X‐ray structural analysis in the solid state. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Interaction of Bis(diisopropylamino)carbene with Aroylimines Activated by Trifluoromethyl Groups
Authors: Poliakov Dmytro , Rogalyov Alexey , Shevchenko Igor
Published: October 2008

Bis(diisopropylamino)carbene deoxygenates the carbonyl group of aroylimines Ar–C(O)–N=C(CF3)2 to form alkenes, which formally result from the coupling of two carbenes, [Ar–C(:)–N=C(CF3)2] and [(iPr2N)2C:]. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Bioanalytical Application of the Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Modified Electrodes
Authors: Zhu Liande , Tian Chunyuan , Yang Dongxu , Jiang Xiaoyan , Yang Ruilan
Published: October 2008

An ordered mesoporous carbon modified electrode (OMCE) was prepared by film forming method. The electrochemical behavior of the OMCE was evaluated in connection with the electrochemistry of some electroactive biospecies, such as ascorbic acid (AA), acetaminophenol (AP), cysteine (CySH), dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP), uric acid (UA), β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced disodium salt hydrate, NADH), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with cyclic voltammetry. Compared with the conventional carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphite powder (GP) modified electrodes, the OMCE provided the best electrochemical reactivities in all cases associated with decreased over potential, better‐defined peak shape, and higher sensitivity. In addition, the OMC, CNT, and GP modified electrodes were employed as sensitive sensors for H2O2 and NADH quantification and as stable platforms for the fabrication of glucose and ethanol biosensors on which the enzymes were immobilized.
A Novel Cell Design for the Improved Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) on Commercial Screen‐Printed Strips by Bismuth Codeposition in Stirred Solutions
Authors: Granado Rico Ma Ángeles , Olivares‐Marín Mara , Gil Eduardo Pinilla
Published: October 2008

A novel electrochemical cell design is proposed to allow fast, reproducible and highly efficient convective transport of dissolved substances to screen‐printed electrochemical three‐electrode strips mounted on miniaturized plastic vessels, with the goal of improving detection limits in disposable electrochemical stripping field sensors. The experimental configuration has been tested for accumulation of the selected heavy metals ions Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), codeposited with bismuth ions on a carbon disk screen‐printed working electrode before detection by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Chemical and instrumental variables of the proposed device and associate electrochemical method were optimized. Selected parameters gave detection limits in the low ng mL−1 range with moderate deposition time (120 s). Practical applicability was tested on certified water and real samples (tap water and waste water), with acceptable results, suggesting potential usefulness for field environmental monitoring of heavy metals.
Unit commitment using a new integer coded genetic algorithm
Authors: Amjady Nima , Shirzadi Ali
Published: October 2008

This paper proposes a new Integer‐Coded Genetic Algorithm (ICGA) for the solution of the thermal unit commitment problem. The thermal generating units scheduling consists of the sequence of operation/reservation times of the generating units, which is coded into a sequence of alternating sign integer numbers in the proposed ICGA. The minimum up and down time constraints of the generating units are directly coded in the chromosome structure of the ICGA. The proposed ICGA has a new hybrid crossover composed of modified average bound and swapping operators. In addition, a combination of uniform and non‐uniform mutations is used as the mutation operator. As a result, the algorithm robustness is improved. Test results with systems of up to 300 units and 24 hours scheduling horizon are presented. The comparison of the obtained results with those of other Unit Commitment (UC) methods justifies the effectiveness of the proposed method in light of minimizing the total operation cost. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal production cost of the power producers with linear ramp model using FDR PSO algorithm
Authors: Anitha M. , Subramanian S. , Gnanadass R.
Published: October 2008

In practice, the power producers have to be rescheduled for power generation beyond their power limits to meet vulnerable situations like credible contingency and increase in load conditions. During this process, the ramping cost is incurred if they violate their permissible elastic limits. In this paper, optimal production costs of the power producers are computed with ramping cost considering stepwise and piecewise linear ramp rate limits using fitness distance ratio particle swarm optimization (FDR PSO) algorithm. Transient stability constraints are also considered while formulating the optimal power flow (OPF) problem as additional rotor angle inequality constraints. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated on a practical 39 bus New England and 62 bus Indian Utility system with different case studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporating power system security into market‐clearing of day‐ahead joint energy and reserves auctions
Authors: Aghaei J. , Shayanfar H. , Amjady N.
Published: October 2008

This paper is intended to introduce a technique for incorporating system security into the clearing of day‐ahead joint electricity markets, with particular emphasis on the voltage stability. A Multiobjective Mathematical Programming (MMP) formulation is implemented for provision of ancillary services (Automatic Generation Control or AGC, spinning, non‐spinning, and operating reserves) as well as energy in simultaneous auctions by pool‐based aggregated market scheme. In the proposed market‐clearing structure, the security problem, as an important responsibility of ISO, is addressed and a nonlinear model is formulated and used as the extra objective functions of the optimization problem. Thus, in the MMP formulation of the market‐clearing process, the objective functions (including augmented generation offer cost, overload index, voltage drop index, and loading margin) are optimized while meeting AC power flow constraints, system reserve requirements, and lost opportunity cost (LOC) considerations. The IEEE 24‐bus Reliability Test System (RTS 24‐bus) is used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of the fourth‐order compact difference scheme on computational properties of 3D grids in a nonhydrostatic model
Authors: Liu Yu‐di , Zhang Qing‐hong , Lau K. H.
Published: October 2008

To investigate the potential of the fourth‐order compact difference scheme within the specific context of numerical atmospheric models, a linear baroclinic adjustment system is discretized, using a variety of candidates for practically meaningful staggered 3D grids. A unified method is introduced to derive the dispersion relationship of the baroclinic geostrophic adjustment process. Eight popular 3D grids are obtained by combining contemporary horizontal staggered grids, such as the Arakawa C and Eliassen grids, with optimal vertical grids, such as the Lorenz and Charney‐Phillip (CP) grids, and their time‐staggered versions. The errors produced on the 3D grids in describing the baroclinic geostrophic adjustment process relative to the differential case are compared in terms of frequency and group velocity components with the elimination of implementation error. The results show that by utilizing the fourth‐order compact difference scheme with high precision, instead of the conventional second‐order centered difference scheme, the errors in describing baroclinic geostrophic adjustment process decrease but only when using the combinations of the horizontally staggered Arakawa C grid and the vertically staggered CP or the C/CP grid, the time‐horizontally staggered Eliassen (EL) grid and vertically staggered CP or the EL/CP grid, the C grid and the vertically time‐staggered versions of Lorenz (LTS) grid or C/LTS grid, EL grid and LTS grid or EL/LTS grid. The errors were found to increase for specific waves on the rest grids. It can be concluded that errors produced on the chosen 3D grids do not universally decrease when using the fourth‐order compact difference scheme; hence, care should be taken when implementing the fourth‐order compact difference scheme, otherwise, the expected benefits may be offset by increased errors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactivity and Selectivity of Captodative Olefins as Dienes in Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reactions
Authors: Sanabria Rubén , Herrera Rafael , Aguilar Raúl , González‐Romero Carlos , Jiménez‐Vázquez Hugo A. , Delgado Francisco , Söderberg Björn C. G. , Tamariz Joaquín
Published: October 2008

The reactivity and selectivity of the the captodative olefins 1‐acylvinyl benzoates 1a–1f and 3a as heterodienes in hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions in the presence of electron‐rich dienophiles is described. Heterodienes 1 undergo regioselective cycloaddition with the alkyl vinyl etherdienophiles 6a,b and 9 to give the corresponding dihydro‐2H‐pyrans 7, 8, and 10 under thermal conditions. The reactivity of these cycloadditions depends, to a large extent, on the electronic demand of the substituent in the aroyloxy group of the heterodiene. Frontier‐molecular‐orbital (FMO; ab initio) and density‐functional‐theory (DFT) calculations of the ground and transition states account for the reactivity and regioselectivity observed in these processes.
Formal Synthesis of Olivacine via Indolylborate
Authors: Ishikura Minoru , Takahashi Norinobu , Yamada Koji , Abe Takumi , Yanada Reiko
Published: October 2008

Palladium‐catalyzed tandem cyclization–cross‐coupling reaction of indolylborate 2 and vinyl bromide 5 was successfully applied in a short formal synthesis of olivacine. The reaction of 2 with 5 in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 readily afforded three kinds of products, triene derivative 6 and vinylindole derivative 7, along with a small amount of the piperidine derivative 8 (Scheme 2). On the other hand, the reactions of 2 with bromide 10 or 15 were also examined (Schemes 4 and 5), and their outcome markedly depended on the relative ease of ring closure as a function of ring size. Irradiation of 6 with a high‐pressure mercury lamp (→9; Scheme 2), followed by removal of the N‐[(benzyloxy)carbonyl] group and subsequent oxidation afforded, after deprotection, pyridocarbazole 23, and the conversion of 23 to olivacine is known (Scheme 6).
Nortriterpenoids from Schisandra wilsoniana
Authors: Yang Guang‐Yu , Xiao Wei‐Lie , Chang Ying , Wang Rui‐Rui , Pu Jian‐Xin , Gao Xue‐Mei , Lei Chun , Lu Yang , Zheng Yong‐Tang , Sun Han‐Dong
Published: October 2008

Three new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, wilsonianadilactones A–C (1–3), together with twelve known ones, i.e., 4–15, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra wilsoniana. Their structures were established by means of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, and compound 1 was further confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic diffraction. Compounds 1–3 showed weak anti‐HIV‐1 activity with EC50 values of 23.5, 55.5, and 66.4 μg/ml, respectively.
Highly Oxygenated Triterpenoids from the Marine Red Alga Laurencia mariannensis (Rhodomelaceae)
Authors: Ji Nai‐Yun , Li Xiao‐Ming , Xie Hua , Ding Jian , Li Ke , Ding Lan‐Ping , Wang Bin‐Gui
Published: October 2008

Two new and one known squalenoid‐derived triterpenoids, namely, laurenmariannol (1) and (21α)‐21‐hydroxythyrsiferol (2), and the known thyrsiferol (3) were isolated and identified from the marine red alga Laurencia mariannensis, which was collected off the coast of Hainan and Weizhou Islands of China. The structures of these compounds were established by means of spectroscopic analyses, as well as by comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant cytotoxic activity against P‐388 tumor cells with IC50 values of 0.6 and 6.6 μg/ml, respectively.
Four New Cycloartane (=9,19‐Cyclolanostane) Saponins from the Aerial Parts of Thalictrum fortunei
Authors: Sun Hui , Zhang Xian‐Tao , Wang Lei , Zhang Xiao‐Qi , Wang Ying , Chen Si‐Bao , Xiao Pei‐Gen , Ye Wen‐Cai
Published: October 2008

The four new cycloartane (=9,19‐cyclolanostane) glycosides 1–4 were isolated from the aerial parts of Thalictrum fortunei (Ranunculaceae). The structures of these new glycosides were elucidated as (3β,16β,24S)‐cycloartane‐3,16,24,25,30‐pentol 3,25‐di‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (1), (3β,16β,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)cycloartane‐3,16,25,30‐tetrol 3,25‐di‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (2), (3β,16β,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐(β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)cycloartane‐16,25,30‐triol 25‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (3), and (3β,16β,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐(β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)cycloartane‐16,25,30‐triol 25‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (4). The structure elucidations were accomplished by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR methods, HR‐ESI‐MS, and hydrolysis.
An Improved Convergent Strategy for the Synthesis of Oligoprenols
Authors: Yu Xiong‐Jie , Zhang Hao , Xiong Fang‐Jun , Chen Xu‐Xiang , Chen Fen‐Er
Published: October 2008

A practical and highly regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of oligoprenols starting from commercially available geraniol is described. The convergent synthetic strategy features the iterative allyl‐allyl coupling of monomers easily derived from geraniol that contain one reacting terminal functional group and the repetitive reductive elimination of the p‐toluenesulfonyl (Ts) groups.
Oligostilbenoids from Dipterocarpaceaeous Plants: A New Resveratrol Tetramer from Vateria indica and the Revised Structure of Isohopeaphenol
Authors: Ito Tetsuro , Abe Naohito , Oyama Masayoshi , Iinuma Munekazu
Published: October 2008

The investigation of phenolic constituents in Vateria indica afforded five resveratrol tetramers, vateriaphenols B and C, isohopeaphenol, hopeaphenol, and shoreaketone. Their structures and configurations were established by spectroscopic methods. The structure assigned to vateriaphenol C was found to be identical with the structure reported in the literature for the resveratrol tetramer isohopeaphenol. The structure of isohopeaphenol was revised and confirmed by spectroscopic evidences.
Nitrogen retention and plant uptake on a highly weathered central Amazonian Ferralsol amended with compost and charcoal
Authors: Steiner Christoph , Glaser Bruno , Geraldes Teixeira Wenceslau , Lehmann Johannes , Blum Winfried E.H. , Zech Wolfgang
Published: October 2008

Leaching losses of N are a major limitation of crop production on permeable soils and under heavy rainfalls as in the humid tropics. We established a field trial in the central Amazon (near Manaus, Brazil) in order to study the influence of charcoal and compost on the retention of N. Fifteen months after organic‐matter admixing (0–0.1 m soil depth), we added 15N‐labeled (NH4)2SO4 (27.5 kg N ha–1 at 10 atom% excess). The tracer was measured in top soil (0–0.1 m) and plant samples taken at two successive sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) harvests. The N recovery in biomass was significantly higher when the soil contained compost (14.7% of applied N) in comparison to only mineral‐fertilized plots (5.7%) due to significantly higher crop production during the first growth period. After the second harvest, the retention in soil was significantly higher in the charcoal‐amended plots (15.6%) in comparison to only mineral‐fertilized plots (9.7%) due to higher retention in soil. The total N recovery in soil, crop residues, and grains was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on compost (16.5%), charcoal (18.1%), and charcoal‐plus‐compost treatments (17.4%) in comparison to only mineral‐fertilized plots (10.9%). Organic amendments increased the retention of applied fertilizer N. One process in this retention was found to be the recycling of N taken up by the crop. The relevance of immobilization, reduced N leaching, and gaseous losses as well as other potential processes for increasing N retention should be unraveled in future studies.
The role of Ni(II) in the oxidation of glycylglycine dipeptide by peroxomonosulfatex
Authors: Thendral P. , Shailaja S. , Ramachandran M. S.
Published: October 2008

The kinetics of oxidation of the dipeptide glycylglycine by peroxomonosulfate (PMS) was studied in the pH range of 3.42–5.89. The rate is first order in [PMS], glycylglycine concentration, and inverse first order in [H+]. The kinetic data suggest that SO2−5reacts, with glycylglycine, faster than HSO−5 by five orders of magnitude. The observed kinetics can be explained as due to the formation of an intermediate by the nucleophilic interaction of peroxide with the terminal protonated amine of glycylglycine, which then decomposes in the rate‐limiting step to the product aldehyde. The thermodynamic parameters are evaluated. The reaction is catalyzed by Ni(II) ions only when pH ⩽ 4.63, and above this pH the rate is zero order with respect to [Ni(II)]. Perusal of the enhanced rate constant values suggests that the Ni‐peroxide intermediate also reacts with glycylglycine. The Ni‐dipeptide complex is not oxidized by PMS, and this complex in fact inhibits the formation of Ni‐peroxide intermediate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 18–26, 2009
Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus through liver transplantation
Authors: Ahn Joseph , Cohen Stanley M.
Published: October 2008

In November 2007, a liver transplant recipient was confirmed to have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection after the organ procurement agency notified our institution that the donor has been HIV and HCV positive. We reviewed medical records and the collected blood sample results for HIV and HCV testing. A 66 year old female with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis underwent liver transplantation. The donor was a male who had sex with men who received multiple blood transfusions during resuscitation. Preoperative testing for HIV and HCV antibodies were negative for both donor and recipient. Ten months later, HIV and HCV were identified with nucleic acid testing in the recipient and in the stored donor sera. This is the first reported case of HIV transmission from solid organ transplantation in 20 years, and the first ever reported case of simultaneously transmitted HIV and HCV. The current case represents a high risk donor with newly-acquired HIV and HCV who transmitted the diseases during the window period of the infections. In this era of organ shortages one option would be avoidance of any high-risk donor organs. Another option would be to continue the use of such organs with appropriate informed consent, acknowledging the limitations of current screening tests for HIV and HCV. This report should serve as a wake-up call to the transplant community to consider revamping organ donor screening for HIV and HCV using nucleic acid testing as well as reconsidering the ongoing use of high-risk donors. Liver Transpl 14:1603–1608, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Liver transplantation and subsequent risk of cancer: Findings from a Canadian cohort study
Authors: Jiang Ying , Villeneuve Paul J. , Fenton Stanley S. A. , Schaubel Douglas E. , Lilly Les , Mao Yang
Published: October 2008

Characterization of the long-term cancer risks among liver transplant patients has been hampered by the paucity of sufficiently large cohorts. The increase over time in the number of liver transplants coupled with improved survival underscores the need to better understand associated long-term health effects. This is a cohort study whose subjects were assembled with data from the population-based Canadian Organ Replacement Registry. Analyses are based on 2034 patients who received a liver transplant between June 1983 and October 1998. Incident cases of cancer were identified through record linkage to the Canadian Cancer Registry. We compared site-specific cancer incidence rates in the cohort and the general Canadian population by using the standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Stratified analyses were performed to examine variations in risk according to age at transplantation, sex, time since transplantation, and year of transplantation. Liver transplant recipients had cancer incidence rates that were 2.5 times higher than those of the general population [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1, 3.0]. The highest SIR was observed for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SIR = 20.8, 95% CI = 14.9, 28.3), whereas a statistically significant excess was observed for colorectal cancer (SIR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4, 4.4). Risks were more pronounced during the first year of follow-up and among younger transplant patients. In conclusion, our findings indicate that liver transplant patients face increased risks of developing cancer with respect to the general population. Increased surveillance in this patient population, particularly in the first year following transplantation, and screening for colorectal cancer with modalities for which benefits are already well recognized should be pursued. Liver Transpl 14:1588–1597, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Dynamic metabonomic analysis of BALB/C mice with different outcomes after D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide–induced fulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Feng Bo , Wu Shengming , Lv Sa , Fang Junjian , Liu Feng , Li Yu , Gao Yan , Yan Xianzhong , Dong Fangting , Wei Lai
Published: October 2008

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is one of the most challenging gastrointestinal emergencies encountered in clinical practice. Early identification of patients with FHF who need liver transplantation is very important. To construct a prediction model for the early diagnosis and prognosis of FHF, we studied the dynamics of metabolic intermediates and metabolic profiles with a D-galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–treated BALB/c mouse model of FHF. Levels of plasma metabolites were quantified with gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and data were processed with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Distinct clustering differences were observed 5 and 6 hours after GalN/LPS treatment between mice that survived and those that died, but there were no differences between these groups 4 hours after treatment. Five hours after treatment, plasma levels of some metabolites differed significantly between the survival, dead, and control groups. Ketogenesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were inhibited in both the survival and dead groups, but in the dead group, the urea cycle was also inhibited, and glycolysis was elevated. PLS-DA indicated that principal component weighting was greatest for plasma levels of phosphate, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, glucose, and lactate. The Y-predicted scatter plot in the partial least squares (PLS) model assigned samples to the survival or dead groups with an a priori cutoff of 0.10 with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Similar results were observed in 11 FHF patients with different outcomes. In conclusion, the PLS model based on metabonomic analysis can be used to predict outcomes well, and plasma levels of phosphate, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, glucose, and lactate may constitute a set of markers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of FHF. Liver Transpl 14:1620–1631, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Paralysis in the left phrenic nerve after living-donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia with situs inversus
Authors: Sanada Yukihiro , Mizuta Koichi , Kawano Youichi , Egami Satoshi , Hayashida Makoto , Hishikawa Shuji , Kawarasaki Hideo
Published: October 2008

A 7-month-old boy with biliary atresia accompanied by situs inversus and absent inferior vena cava (IVC) underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Because a constriction in the recipient hepatic vein (HV) was detected during the preparation of the HV in LDLT, a dissection in the cranial direction and a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC was performed, and the suprahepatic IVC and the graft HV were anastomosed end-to-end. Postoperatively, atelectasis in the left upper lobe and ventilator failure accompanied by an elevation of the left hemidiaphragm were observed and mechanical ventilation was repetitively required. Paralysis in the left phrenic nerve was diagnosed by chest radiograph and ultrasonography. In our patient, conservative treatment was administrated, because weaning him from mechanical ventilation was possible a few days after intubation and the ventilator function was expected to be improved with growth. The disease course was good, and he was discharged from the hospital at 78 days after LDLT. Complications of paralysis in the phrenic nerve after cadaveric liver transplantation have been reported to be high. Although using a conventional technique during the reconstruction of the HV may injure the phrenic nerve directly, use of the piggyback technique with preservation of the IVC is rare. Even if LDLT was undertaken, a dissection of the HV or a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC as a conventional technique can directly injure the phrenic nerve. Therefore, a dissection of the HV or a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC at the reconstruction of the HV in LDLT should be carefully performed, and the possibility of paralysis in the phrenic nerve should be considered in patients with a relapse of respiratory symptoms and an elevation of the hemidiaphragm after LDLT. Liver Transpl 14:1659–1663, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Ischemic preconditioning of the liver: A few perspectives from the bench to bedside translation
Authors: Desai Kunj K. , Dikdan George S. , Shareef Asif , Koneru Baburao
Published: October 2008

Utilization of ischemic preconditioning to ameliorate ischemia/reperfusion injury has been extensively studied in various organs and species for the past two decades. While hepatic ischemic preconditioning in animals has been largely beneficial, translational efforts in the two clinical contexts—liver resection and decreased donor liver transplantation—have yielded mixed results. This review is intended to critically examine the translational data and identify some potential reasons for the disparate clinical results, and highlight some issues for further studies. Liver Transpl 14:1569–1577, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
The Methods Used To Diagnose Invasive Aspergillosis in the Liver Transplant Recipient Continue To Evolve
Authors: Perkins James D.
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening complication of liver transplantation. Detection of circulating galactomannan (GM) in serum samples is a method to improve the microbiological diagnosis in patients at risk for IA. However, the assay is hampered by false positive results. The search for circulating Aspergillus DNA in the first GM-positive sample could improve the specificity of the test. Among 484 liver transplant recipients followed in a single center over 4 years, 25 patients had at least 1 GM-positive serum sample. The threshold of GM positivity was a ratio ≥1. These 25 patients were classified by the clinicians as probable IA (n=11), possible IA (n=2), and no IA (n=12) using the EORTC/MSG criteria with blinding to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. After 1 mL aliquots of the first GM-positive serum sample were thawed, 2 independent DNA extractions were performed using the MagNA Pure Compact apparatus. Real-time amplification targeted at Aspergillus fumigatus mitochondrial DNA was performed on 10 μL of the final eluate in duplicate in the 2 independent DNA extractions using a LightCycler instrument. A sample was considered positive when the crossing point was ≤43 cycles in at least 2 out of the 4 replicates. Among the 13 probable or possible IA, 8 patients were PCR positive. The other 12 patients who had no IA were all PCR negative. Our data suggest that a concomitant real-time PCR performed on the first GM-positive sample improves the specificity of the first GM-positive assay result.
Liver tumors: Pediatric population
Authors: Finegold Milton J. , Egler Rachel A. , Goss John A. , Guillerman Paul R. , Karpen Saul J. , Krishnamurthy Rajesh , O'Mahony Christine Ann
Published: October 2008

Liver tumors in childhood are rare and are typically not detected clinically until they reach a large size and often spread within the organ or metastasize. This can make surgical resection problematic, and almost all of them require extirpation for cure. With very effective chemotherapy for hepatoblastoma and to some extent for sarcomas, many cancers can be shrunk to permit partial hepatectomy, but for most hepatocarcinomas, some of the other malignancies, and even some benign proliferations, their location at the hilum and multiplicity of masses in multiple lobes make transplantation the treatment of choice. Major advances in diagnostic imaging, especially enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, permit a preoperative choice of resection versus transplantation to be achieved in almost all instances, and for the remainder, intraoperative ultrasonography can further help to determine the most desirable approach. The outcome is very much better in the case of hepatoblastoma when transplantation is a primary modality rather than following unsuccessful attempts at resection. In this review, transplantation for liver tumors in children is considered from all aspects, including the importance of screening for tumors whenever possible to avoid the need for transplantation. Liver Transpl 14:1545–1556, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Visualization approaches for the prototype improvement problem
Authors: Statnikov Roman , Anil Kivanc Ali , Bordetsky Alex , Statnikov Alexander
Published: October 2008

One of the basic engineering optimization problems is improvement of the prototype. This problem is often encountered by industrial and academic organizations that produce and design various objects (e.g. motor vehicles, machine tools, ships, and aircrafts). This paper presents an approach for improving the prototype by constructing the feasible and Pareto sets while performing multicriteria analysis. We introduce visualization methods that facilitate construction of the feasible and Pareto sets. Using these techniques developed on the basis of Parameter Space Investigation method, an expert can correctly state and solve the problem under consideration in a series of dialogues with the computer. Finally, we present a case study of improving the ship prototype. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The informational content of the shape of utility functions: financial strategic behavior
Authors: Pennings Joost M.E. , Garcia Philip
Published: October 2008

Recently, Pennings and Smidts (2003) showed a relationship between organizational behavior and the global shape of the utility function. Their results suggest that the shape of the utility function may be related to ‘higher‐order’ decisions. This research examines the relationship between financial strategic decisions and the global shape of the utility function of real decision makers. We assess the shape of utility functions of portfolio managers and show that the global shape is related to their strategic asset allocation. The findings demonstrate the informational content of the shape of utility functions in the context of financial strategic behavior. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the longitudinal validity and minimally important difference of the 8‐item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐8)
Authors: Luo Nan , Tan Louis C.S. , Zhao Yingjiao , Lau Puay‐Ngoh , Au Wing‐Lok , Li Shu Chuen
Published: October 2008

The aim of our study was to assess the longitudinal validity of the 8‐item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐8) in terms of responsiveness and test–retest reliability and to determine the minimally important difference (MID) for PDQ‐8 using the anchor‐based approach in Asians with Parkinson's disease (PD). A consecutive sample of PD patients attending a tertiary neuroscience clinic in Singapore completed the English or Chinese version of PDQ‐8 twice during two different clinic visits. During the second visit, patients were also asked to rate their changes in health in general, PD severity, and overall impact of PD since at the time of their first visit 1 year ago using a 5‐point response scale. A total of 96 patients participated in the study. For patients who reported changed conditions in the second visit, responsiveness measured by Cohen's effect size, standardized response mean, and Guyatt's responsiveness index ranged from 0.21 to 0.68. The intraclass correlation coefficient values calculated using patients reporting no change in health or PD status ranged from 0.64 to 0.76. The mean changed PDQ‐8 summary index score in patients who reported that their health or PD status worsened only “a little bit” ranged from 5.8 to 7.4 points. Our current results show that PDQ‐8 is a longitudinally reliable and responsive measure for assessing the health‐related quality of life in patients with PD. The MID of the PDQ‐8 estimated in the study will further support the use of this instrument in both clinical research and practice. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Increased oxidative stress in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsonism‐dementia complex in the Kii peninsula, Japan
Authors: Morimoto Satoru , Kuzuhara Shigeki , Kokubo Yasumasa
Published: October 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinsonism‐dementia complex of the Kii peninsula (Kii ALS/PDC) is an endemic and a tauopathy, which shows clinical symptoms of amyotrophy, parkinsonism, and dementia. The objective of this study was to report the role of oxidative stress on Kii ALS/PDC using biochemical analysis. Urinary 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG)/creatinine ratio was analyzed in 11 patients with Kii ALS/PDC and 8 normal controls. The mean level of urinary 8‐OHdG/creatinine ratio of the patients with Kii ALS/PDC was significantly higher than that of control subjects. Oxidative stress may be implicated in pathogenesis of Kii ALS/PDC. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Modeling Web session behavior using cluster analysis: A comparison of three search settings
Authors: Wolfram Dietmar , Wang Peiling , Zhang Jin
Published: October 2008

Session characteristics taken from large transaction logs of three Web search environments (academic website, public search engine, consumer health information service) are modeled using cluster analysis to determine if different session groups emerge for each environment. The analysis reveals that several distinct clusters of session behaviors emerge, with brief “hit and run” sessions on focused topics, brief sessions on popular topics, and sustained sessions on focused topics with more query modifications. A better understanding of session characteristics can help system designers by developing interfaces or search features that cater to identifiable groups of users based on their search behaviors.
Towards a social affordances perspective of media capabilities and interface design
Authors: Turner Jason M.
Published: October 2008

This study examined the relationships between collaborative group work and communication technologies. First, a model of experience depicting the most perceptually relevant aspects of group work was produced using self‐guided focus groups and survey responses. Eleven elements of the group work context, their interrelationships, and technologies supporting collaborative activity were described. The model suggested communication technologies are situated within contexts of use that affect and are affected by relevant aspects of that context. Participant task groups then resolved various problems using one of three technologies: face‐to‐face, voice conferencing, or chat. Activity unfolded longitudinally allowing for the emergence of situated actions, interaction, and technology effects. Individual and collective perceptions of how technology affected each element of the model, and how those elements impacted perceptions of technology, were analyzed via in‐depth interviews.
Information seeking and source selection among ePatients with cancer: Findings from the HINTS 2005
Authors: Kim Kyunghye , Kwon Nahyun
Published: October 2008

This study is a secondary analysis of the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) of 5,586 randomly chosen Americans, conducted by the National Cancer Institute. The current study focuses on a subset of this dataset and includes the responses of ePatients (n=252) – people with history of cancer researching cancer topics from the Internet‐, and other cancer information seekers (n=1,740). A series of t‐tests and chi‐square tests was conducted to obtain insight into the socio‐demographic, communication, and information‐seeking characteristics the two groups possess. Compared to other cancer information seekers, ePatients were older; poorly employed or retired; more likely to have health coverage (insurance or Medicare, etc.); non‐immigrant; more likely to pay higher attention to media coverage of health news; more likely to e‐mail to doctors; more likely to trust information from the Internet; less likely to trust information from family/friends or radio; and more likely to have higher search expertise. More than half of the ePatients used the Internet for their primary information source, but growing number of the ePatients preferred doctors as the most preferred information source. The findings reveal five patterns in information and communication behaviors of ePatients. Implications from HINTS for health information providers were suggested.
“Where'd it go?”: How people ask after lost Web information
Authors: Teevan Jaime
Published: October 2008

This paper investigates the way people described the difficulties they encountered when returning to information on the Web. It presents analysis of Web pages, collected via a Web search, where the phrase, “Where'd it go?” was used. A number of interesting observations arose from this analysis, including that the path originally taken to get to the information target is commonly referred to during its re‐retrieval, and that the temporal aspects of when the information was last seen were only important when considered relative to other events. While people expressed frustration when problems re‐finding arose, an explanation of why the change had occurred was often sufficient to allay that frustration, even in the absence of a solution. The implications of these observations for systems that support re‐finding in dynamic environments are discussed.
Figure and table retrieval from scholarly journal articles: User needs for teaching and research
Authors: Sandusky Robert J. , Tenopir Carol , Casado Margaret M.
Published: October 2008

This paper discusses user needs for a system that indexes tables and figures culled from scientific journal articles. These findings are taken from a comprehensive investigation into scientists' satisfaction with and use of a tables and figures retrieval prototype. Much previous research has examined the usability and features of digital libraries and other online retrieval systems that retrieve either full‐text of journal articles, traditional article‐level abstracts, or both. In contrast, this paper examines the needs of users directly searching for and accessing discrete journal article components – figures, tables, graphs, maps, and photographs – that have been individually indexed.
An asymmetric FRP laminate with a circular precrack to determine impact‐induced damage
Authors: Singh Kalyan Kumar , Singh R.K. , Chandel P.S. , Kumar Prashant
Published: October 2008

An asymmetric laminate is employed to study impact‐induced damage of subpenetration experiments. The configuration of the asymmetric laminate is chosen to have its stiffness characteristics almost identical to those of a symmetric laminate. The impact is made with a mild steel striker to have impact energy close to 12 J and impact velocity close to 50 m/s. A circular precrack is also introduced to facilitate failure on the midplane of a laminate. Due to material discontinuity at the midplane the damage area extension (DAE) of the precrack is found to be 1.83 cm2 on asymmetric laminates against 0.73 cm2 on symmetric laminates. Impact experiments are also conducted on bonded GFRP specimen with Epibond 1590 A/B adhesive using asymmetric laminates. DAE of adhesive interface is found to be substantially smaller than DAE of interlaminar failure. DAE of adhesive interface is further reduced when the adhesive is modified with 7.5% XNBR. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
A rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray Ionisation mass spectrometric method for the analysis of saponins in the adventitious roots of Panax notoginseng
Authors: Dan Mo , Xie Guoxiang , Gao Xianfu , Long Xiangbao , Su Mingming , Zhao Aihua , Zhao Tie , Zhou Mingmei , Qiu Yunping , Jia Wei
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Saponins are bioactive compounds employed in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The adventitious roots of Panax notoginseng may offer an alternative source of saponins. Identification and determination of saponins in the crude extract is challenging owing to their similar structures and the lack of standards.

Objective

To develop a rapid, sensitive and accurate method based on solid‐phase extraction followed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐MS) for the identification and quantification of saponins in P. notoginseng.

Methodology

Following extraction using Waters OasisTM HLB cartridges, the analytes were subjected to a UPLC system with a Waters Acquity BEH C18 chromatographic column and a binary mobile phase system consisting of 0.05% formic acid in water and acetonitrile under gradient elution conditions, with final detection by ESI‐MS in the positive ion mode.

Results

The UPLC‐ESI‐MS method gave limits of detection and quantification within the range 0.015–0.382 and 0.052–1.124 µg/mL, respectively, for 15 studied saponins. The instrumentation/injection precision (RSD) was 4.5% for a low concentration and 3.2% for an intermediate concentration sample. The intra‐ and inter‐day repeatability was less than 2.65% (RSD). The method described was validated using spiked samples with different amounts of saponin standards.

Conclusion

This UPLC‐ESI‐MS assay provides a suitable quality control method for the tentative identification and determination of major biological active constituents in adventitious and native roots of P. notoginseng. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.