bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Color‐edge detection based on discrimination of noticeable color contrasts
Authors: Liu Kuo‐Cheng
Published: November 2009

Color‐edge detection is an important research task in the field of image processing. Efficient and accurate edge detection will lead to higher performance of subsequent image processing techniques, including image segmentation, object‐based image coding, and image retrieval. To improve the performance of color‐edge detection while considering that human eyes are ultimate receiver of color images, the perceptually insignificant edges should avoid being over‐detected. In this article, a color‐edge detection scheme based on the perceptual color contrast is proposed. The perceptual color contrast is defined as the visible color difference across an edge in the CIE‐Lab color space. A perceptual metric for measuring the visible color difference of a target color pixel is defined by utilizing the associated perceptually indistinguishable region. The perceptually indistinguishable region for each color pixel in the CIE‐Lab color space is estimated by the design of an experiment that considers the local property due to local changes in luminance. Simulation results show that the perceptual color contrast is effectively defined and the color edges in color images are detected while most of the perceptually insignificant edges are successfully suppressed through the proposed color‐edge detection scheme. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 332–339, 2009
Cross‐band fusion by energy weight as solution to illumination and arch restrictions in palm‐print recognition
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Hua , Li Chun‐Zhi
Published: November 2009

Palm‐print image is often influenced by illumination and the arch of the palm‐print results in a great deal of noise during the course of palm‐print image acquisition. This article presents palm‐print recognition based on cross‐band fusion by energy weight and comprehensively takes into account the noisy properties of various sub‐bands in single wavelet level and decomposition coefficient of the adjacent sub‐band, thus the method of energy weight based on palm‐print image is employed. Then two‐dimensional principal component analysis (2DPCA) is employed for dimension reduction and decorrelated. Finally, a nearest neighbor classifier is used for palm‐print recognition. Experimental results on Hong Kong PolyU palm‐print database show that correct recognition rate can reach 100% by the method presented within this article. Correct recognition rate and recognition efficiency is higher than that of 2DPCA and WT + DCT + 2DPCA (Wavelet Transform, Discrete Cosine Transform and 2DPCA, WT + DCT + 2DPCA). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 350–355, 2009
An image compression method based on multiple models for the probabilities of patterns
Authors: Chan Yung‐Kuan , Wang Ching‐Lin
Published: November 2009

This article proposes an image compression method based on multiple models for the probabilities of patterns (MMPP method) to encode a gray‐level image f. First, the MMPP method employs a median edge detector (MED) to reduce the entropy of f. The intensities of two adjacent pixels in an image are usually close to each other. A base switching transformation (BST) is then used to lessen the spatial redundancy of f. Finally, the arithmetic encoding method is applied to further encode the data generated after the processing of MED and BST. To reduce the memory space required to hold f, the MMPP method classifies the data and then compresses the data in each cluster by the arithmetic encoding method based on different probability tables. The experimental results show that mostly the MMPP method can provide better efficiency in memory space than the lossless JPEG 2000 method does. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 362–368, 2009
Low CD34 collection from a healthy blood progenitor cell donor: A case report
Authors: Refaai Majed A. , Cusick Robin M. , Paranjape Geeta , Sutor Laurie J.
Published: November 2009

Background:

Transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells is widely used to ameliorate the consequences of bone marrow failure. In allogeneic transplantation, peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) from an HLA‐matched donor are collected by apheresis and then identified using flow cytometric methods as being CD34 marker positive cells.

Case Report:

A 25‐year‐old healthy male was matched with an obese 106 kg 23‐year‐old female diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. After a routine course of G‐CSF induction, a 2‐day PBPC collection procedure with a collection volume of 12 L/day was planned. All samples for CD34 estimation were shipped, stored, and tested according to the laboratory standard regulations. Testing was performed per International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft protocol, and CD34+ cells were immunophenotyped using monoclonal antibody against CD34 and CD45 by multicolor flow cytometry.

Results:

The cumulative yield of both collections was 70.6 × 106 CD34+ cells (0.67 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg), which fell short of the requested dose of 530 × 106 (5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg). Surprisingly, the recipient engrafted successfully and 12 days posttransplant short tandem repeat testing demonstrated only T cells of donor origin in the peripheral blood.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, no successful engraftment has been reported as yet with such a poor collection of PBPC. The amountof transfused CD34+ cells (0.67 × 106/kg) was significantly less than the minimum required amount (5× 106/kg). J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Appropriate timing of G‐CSF use after mobilization chemotherapy significantly increases the yield of CD34+ cells in autoPBSCT
Authors: Xu Li , Chang Chunkang , Li Xiao , Gan Weijin
Published: November 2009

The yield of CD34+ cells collected by apheresis for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation was greatly increased when the appropriate timing was determined to begin using G‐CSF after COAEP (Cytoxan, Vinblastine, Arabinosylcytosin, Etoposide and Prednisone) mobilization. Twenty‐nine patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma (MM) received the same mobilization chemotherapy, including cytoxan (CTX) 400 mg/m2 d1; vinblastine (VLB) 2 mg/m2 d1; Ara‐C 60 mg/m2 × 5d; vp‐16 60 mg/m2 × 5d; and prednisone 40 mg/m2 × 5d. The historical control group (12 cases) received subcutaneous G‐CSF (filgrastim) at the first restoration after the initial nadir of the peripheral WBC count. The experimental group (17 cases) received G‐CSF during the steady rise of the WBC count (end of fluctuating after initial nadir). G‐CSF was given in a single daily subcutaneous dose of 5 μg/kg until the final PBSC apheresis. When the peripheral WBC and mononuclear cell (MNC) counts reached 10 × 109/L and 1 × 109/L, respectively, leukapheresis was carried out using the COBE Spectrablood cell separator. Despite comparable treatment with alkylating agents, a significantly increased yield of CD34‐positive cells was observed in the experimental group (32 × 106/kg) compared with the historical control group (3.1 × 106/kg) (P = 0.0182). This result indicates the importance of appropriate timing for the use G‐CSF after mobilization chemotherapy to increase the CD34+ cell yield. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA methylation in embryonic stem cells
Authors: Altun Gulsah , Loring Jeanne F. , Laurent Louise C.
Published: November 2009

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent, self‐renewing cells. These cells can be used in applications such as cell therapy, drug development, disease modeling, and the study of cellular differentiation. Investigating the interplay of epigenetics, genetics, and gene expression in control of pluripotence and differentiation could give important insights on how these cells function. One of the best known epigenetic factors is DNA methylation, which is a major mechanism for regulation of gene expression. This phenomenon is mostly seen in imprinted genes and X‐chromosome inactivation where DNA methylation of promoter regions leads to repression of gene expression. Differential DNA methylation of pluripotence‐associated genes such as Nanog and Oct4/Pou5f1 has been observed between pluripotent and differentiated cells. It is clear that tight regulation of DNA methylation is necessary for normal development. As more associations between aberrant DNA methylation and disease are reported, the demand for high‐throughput approaches for DNA methylation analysis has increased. In this article, we highlight these methods and discuss recent DNA methylation studies on ESCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 1–6, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Purity, cell viability, expression of GFAP and bystin in astrocytes cultured by different procedures
Authors: Du Fang , Qian Zhong Ming , Zhu Li , Wu Xiao Mei , Qian Christopher , Chan Robbie , Ke Ya
Published: November 2009

Primary astrocyte cultures are the most commonly used in vitro model for neurobiological studies. We speculated that different protocols might induce differences not only in the percentage of astrocytes but also in their biological characteristics. In this study, we investigated the effects of four major protocols on the purity of astrocytes, cell viability, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and bystin of cultured astrocytes using MTT assay, immunocytochemical staining, and Western blot analysis. We demonstrated that the purity of astrocytes (98.9%) generated by the subculture (SC) procedure is significantly higher than those generated by primary culture (PC), shaken once culture (SK‐1) or shaken twice culture (SK‐2). We also showed that expressions of GFAP and bystin in astrocytes that are purified by the SK‐2 or SK‐1 procedures are significantly higher than those in astrocytes prepared by PC or SC. In addition, astrocytes cultured by SK‐2 or SK‐1 have a higher level of cell viabilities at most time points after ischemia compared with astrocytes cultured by PC or SC. These suggested that physical stimulation induced by “shaken” or culture operation might be able to activate astrocytes and implied that different procedures induce differences not only in the purity but also in the biological characteristics of astrocytes, such as the percentage of activated astrocytes, GFAP, and bystin expressions and responses to ischemia. A more detailed analysis about the effect of “culture protocol factor” on the biological characteristics of astrocytes is absolutely needed. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 30–37, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RNA secondary structure prediction using a self‐consistent mean field approach
Authors: Kleesiek Jens , Torda Andrew E.
Published: November 2009

We propose a method for predicting RNA base pairing which imposes no restrictions on the order of base pairs, allows for pseudoknots and runs in O(mN2) time for N base pairs and m iterations. It employs a self‐consistent mean field method in which all base pairs are possible, but with each iteration, the most energetically favored base pairs become more likely as long as they are consistent with their neighbors. Performance was compared against three other programs using three test sets. Sensitivity varied from 20% to 74% and specificity from 44% to 77% and generally, the method predicts too many base pairs leading to good sensitivity and worse specificity. The predicted structures have excellent energies suggesting that, algorithmically, the method performs well, but the classic literature energy models may not be appropriate when pseudoknots are permitted. Website and source code for the simulations are available at http://cardigan.zbh.uni‐hamburg.de/∼rnascmf. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Evaluation of the impact of lipid fouling during the chromatographic purification of virus‐like particles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Jin Jing , Chhatre Sunil , Titchener‐Hooker Nigel J. , Bracewell Daniel G.
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: Production of recombinant virus‐like particles (VLPs) in yeast expression systems for use as vaccines requires cell disruption and detergent‐mediated steps to liberate the product. Typically, these release high levels of cellular components such as lipids that foul chromatography columns. This study compares the impact of applying lipid‐rich and lipid‐depleted feedstocks to hydrophobic interaction chromatography columns to quantify the loss of performance caused by the presence of host lipids over a total of 40 operational cycles.

RESULTS: VLP binding capacity in the lipid‐rich feed was significantly lower than for the lipid‐depleted feed, with greater than 24% of the lipids remaining in the column after each cycle. Triacylglycerol was found to be the major contaminant. The effectiveness of subsequent caustic clean‐in‐place was limited, resulting in column hydrophobicity increasing over repeated loading cycles. This improved the effective VLP binding capacity and affinity, but also made product elution more difficult, and recovery decreased by more than 70% over the 40 cycles.

CONCLUSION: Host cell lipids cause major fouling problems during VLP purification. Instead of screening for better CIP conditions, priority should be given to identifying suitable upstream lipid removal strategies in order to maintain column performance and so yield more economically viable processes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
A facile and practical approach to randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Cui Yanli , Wang Caixia , Mao Jianwei , Yu Yongping
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: Because of its high demand for use in pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, soil remediation technologies, etc., randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (RM‐β‐CD) is one of the most important cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. The aim of this present work is to use a green and commercially available approach to obtain RM‐β‐CD. Compared with other methylated CDs, RM‐β‐CD with an asymmetric molecular structure has higher water solubility. When the degree of substitution (DS) is about 1.8, the solubility tends to increase with increasing temperature and is suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

RESULTS: RM‐β‐CD was synthesized using a green approach with ideal DS equal to 1.79. The one step process of β‐cyclodextrin methylation by CH3Cl instead of (CH3)2SO4 at mild temperature (80 °C) and pressure (1.60 MPa) with a good yield (78%), is convenient and environmentally friendly. The mixture of RM‐β‐CD obtained contained five compounds with various DS, from which the main compound with a DS equal to 1.8 was separated by column chromatography. The compounds were carefully characterized by infra‐red, NMR and mass spectrometry.

CONCLUSIONS: The one‐step process to RM‐β‐CDs with CH3Cl is more economical, more efficient and less noxious than the usual method using (CH3)2SO4. Moreover, this approach avoids some poisonous residual materials and meets the demand for protecting the environment. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma: A case of complete prenatal involution
Authors: Ozcan Umit Aksoy
Published: November 2009

We report a case of rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma of the flank, which was diagnosed in the 2nd trimester of gestation and showed complete involution before term. In our case sonography revealed a highly vascular soft tissue mass with smooth contours, which was isointense with the placenta on T2‐weighted MR images. The fetus was born with scar tissue at the site of the lesion. To our knowledge this is the 1st reported case of rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma showing complete involution before term. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2010
A new reaction of 1,2‐di‐ and 1,2,3‐trialkyldiaziridines: Ring expansion under the action of diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in ionic liquids
Authors: Syroeshkina Yuliya S. , Kuznetsov Vladimir V. , Kachala Vadim V. , Makhova Nina N.
Published: November 2009

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New reaction of diaziridine ring expansion resulting in diethyl 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrimidine‐4,5‐dicarboxylate derivatives was discovered under the action of diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate on 1,2‐di‐ and 1,2,3‐trialkyldiaziridines in ionic liquids. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Synthesis of imidacloprid analogues from novel chloronicotinaldehydes
Authors: Gangadasu B. , Raju B. China , Rao V. Jayathirtha
Published: November 2009

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A serious of imidacloprid analogues have been synthesized from novel chloronicotinaldehydes. The chloronicotinaldehydes are the important synthons obtained from Vilsmeier reaction of various enamides. Thus synthesized imidacloprid analogues are new heterocyclic compounds obtained in very good yields. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of 5‐arylnaphtho[2,1‐c][2,7]naphthyridine derivatives catalyzed by iodine
Authors: Wang Xiang‐Shan , Li Qing , Wu Jian‐Rong , Yao Chang‐Sheng , Tu Shu‐Jiang
Published: November 2009

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A novel method for the synthesis of 1,2‐dihydro‐5‐arylnaphtho[2,1‐c][2,7]naphthyridine derivatives via a three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehyde, naphthalen‐2‐amine, and N‐substituted piperidin‐4‐one derivatives is described using 5 mol % iodine as catalyst. The features of this new procedure are mild reaction condition, high yield, operational simplicity, and uses available reactants. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Knowledge translation: An opportunity to reduce global health inequalities
Authors: Welch Vivian , Ueffing Erin , Tugwell Peter
Published: November 2009

Knowledge translation represents an opportunity to redress global health inequalities. This paper first assesses models for how health inequalities are produced and sustained, including effects of catastrophic illness and globalisation. Secondly, this paper illustrates how methods for knowledge translation can be applied to reducing inequalities in health by ensuring the best evidence is applied when appropriate. Thirdly, the paper describes available databases and tools for monitoring effects of knowledge translation on global health inequalities. In particular, mapping methods for creating visual representations of changes in global health inequalities are useful for setting priorities for action and research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The global pattern of household wealth
Authors: Davies James B. , Sandström Susanna , Shorrocks Anthony , Wolff Edward
Published: November 2009

We provide the first estimate of the level and distribution of global household wealth. The level of assets and debts for 39 countries are measured using household balance sheet and survey data centred on the year 2000. Average wealth holdings are imputed to countries lacking direct evidence. Microdata on household wealth distribution are assembled for 20 countries. Wealth inequality is imputed to other countries from the observed relation between wealth and income distribution in these countries. We find that the top 10 per cent owned 85 per cent of world wealth, and the Gini coefficient was 0.893, greater than that for the global distribution of income. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global inequality and injustice
Authors: Moellendorf Darrel
Published: November 2009

In this paper I shall argue that much of the existing global inequality is unjust, and that this injustice is not only because reducing inequality could serve the important goal of poverty reduction. I reject arguments of John Rawls and Thomas Nagel that limit the importance of distributive egalitarianism to states. I argue in contrast that a commitment to respect for human dignity has egalitarian distributive implications for the global economy. Injustice in the existing institutional order provides reasons for reforming the global institutional structure to reduce inequality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Did globalisation affect health status? A simulation exercise
Authors: Cornia Giovanni Andrea , Rosignoli Stefano , Tiberti Luca
Published: November 2009

The last two decades of the 20th century recorded a slowdown in the pace of progress of life expectancy at birth in most developing and transitional regions. The paper explores the causes of such trend on the basis of existing mortality theories. The results obtained through an eclectic econometric model confirm the negative impact of the 1980–2000 trends in the main determinants of health, such as rising inequality and volatility, declining health expenditure, lower vaccination coverage, slowly improving female literacy and so on. Finally, the paper simulates the level of LEB that would have been achieved in 10 regions of the world if the above determinants of health had continued developing over 1980–2000 as they did over 1960–1980. The results indicate that in seven of such regions (including China and India) in 2000 LEB would have been higher than actually observed. In this regard, the paper raises some doubts about the way globalisation has taken place and the way public policy oriented it. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and radiosynthesis of N5‐[18F]fluoroethyl‐Pirenzepine and its metabolite N5‐[18F]fluoroethyl‐LS 75
Authors: Riss Patrick J. , Soskic Vukic , Schrattenholz Andre , Roesch Frank
Published: November 2009

The well established M1 selective muscarinergic antagonist Pirenzepine 11‐[2‐(4‐methyl‐piperazin‐1‐yl)‐acetyl]‐5,11‐dihydro‐benzo[e]pyrido[3,2‐b][1,4]diazepin‐6‐one (1) exhibits an unusual behaviour in vivo, which cannot be explained with M1 antagonism exclusively. One of the aspects discussed is a specific interaction with poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP‐1). 1 undergoes metabolism to form LS 75 5,11‐dihydro‐benzo[e]pyrido[3,2‐b][1,4]diazepin‐6‐one (2). In order to study deviations in Pirenzepine efficacy from pure M1 binding in vivo using PET, appropriate positron emitter labelled analogues of 1 and 2 were synthesised. Non‐radioactive reference compounds 3 and 4 were tested for PARP‐1 inhibition. The n‐octanol–water partition coefficients of compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 at pH 7.4 (logD7.4) were determined. Both, 3 and 4 were labelled with 18F via 2‐[18F]fluoroalkylation in position 5 of the benzodiazepinone moiety to obtain N5‐[18F]fluoroethyl Pirenzepine [18F]‐3 and N5‐[18F]fluoroethyl LS 75 [18F]‐4. Radiotracers [18F]‐3 and [18F]‐4 were obtained in radiochemical yields of 15±4 % and 30±5% after 120 and 110 min, respectively. Metabolism of both compounds was investigated in vitro in human and rat plasma, respectively. Compound 3 did not show activity as an inhibitor of PARP‐1. Contrary, 4 displays moderate PARP‐1 inhibition potency. The new radiotracer [18F]‐4 can be applied for molecular imaging using autoradiography and PET. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with n‐propanol and iso‐propanol between 237 and 376 K
Authors: Rajakumar B. , McCabe David C. , Talukdar Ranajit K. , Ravishankara A. R.
Published: November 2009

The rate coefficients for the reaction OH + CH3CH2CH2OH → products (k1) and OH + CH3CH(OH)CH3 → products (k2) were measured by the pulsed‐laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence technique between 237 and 376 K. Arrhenius expressions for k1 and k2 are as follows: k1 = (6.2 ± 0.8) × 10−12 exp[−(10 ± 30)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with k1(298 K) = (5.90 ± 0.56) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, and k2 = (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10−12 exp[(150 ± 20)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with k2(298) = (5.22 ± 0.46) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The quoted uncertainties are at the 95% confidence level and include estimated systematic errors. The results are compared with those from previous measurements and rate coefficient expressions for atmospheric modeling are recommended. The absorption cross sections for n‐propanol and iso‐propanol at 184.9 nm were measured to be (8.89 ± 0.44) × 10−19 and (1.90 ± 0.10) × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1, respectively. The atmospheric implications of the degradation of n‐propanol and iso‐propanol are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 10–24, 2010
Use of real‐time FT‐IR monitoring of a pharmaceutical compound under stress atmospheric conditions to characterize its solid‐state degradation kinetics
Authors: Skrdla Peter J. , Harrington Chandra , Lin Zhihao
Published: November 2009

The use of online FT‐IR is described for investigating the degradation kinetics of the solid amorphous pharmaceutical compound, fosaprepitant dimeglumine (FD), under stress storage conditions (i.e., high temperature, T, and humidity, % RH). It is found that under conditions of elevated T and % RH, the kinetics are denucleation rate limited for the deliquescence of the amorphous FD solid, based on the high quality fits obtained to the authors' dispersive kinetic model for that mechanism. At elevated T and low % RH, it is found that a classical, first‐order hydrolysis mechanism for the degradation of FD (which forms crystalline aprepitant, AP) significantly contributes to the overall conversion rate. That mechanism is similar to the one observed previously for the solution‐phase hydrolysis of FD. Appropriate kinetic models are proposed for the FD‐to‐AP conversion under all of the experimental conditions investigated in this work. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 25–36, 2010
Surface Modification of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles with Thermal‐Responsive PNIPAM by ATRP
Authors: Wei Junchao , He Pan , Liu Aixue , Chen Xuesi , Wang Xianhong , Jing Xiabin
Published: November 2009

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles grafted by poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes (PNIPAM‐g‐HA) have been synthesized by the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). The surface grafting amount of PNIPAM ranges from 15.5% to 46.4%. PNIPAM‐g‐HA has been characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The UV transmittance spectra and the particle size analysis of PNIPAM‐g‐HA in aqueous solution demonstrates that the PNIPAM‐g‐HA possess reversible thermal stimuli responsive properties. An in vitro bioactivity assessment indicates that PNIPAM‐g‐HA can induce the mineralization of Ca2+ and HPO and possesses an excellent bioactivity. The cell culture results show that the cells adhered to the surface of PNIPAM‐g‐HA grow better than on HA, and the area of the cells on the surface of PNIPAM‐g‐HA is much greater than for HA, which proves that the PNIPAM‐g‐HA has a better biocompatibility than HA.

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Risk factors for poor sleep quality among patients with interstitial cystitis in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Fen , Ouyang Wen‐Chen , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Hong Chen‐Jee , Lin Tong‐Long
Published: November 2009

Aims

Previous research has suggested that patients with interstitial cystitis have more sleep disturbances and higher levels of depression. However, reports that employ validated sleep questionnaires are rare for this population. The present study investigates the relationship between sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and the severity of urologic interstitial cystitis symptoms in outpatients, and risk factors for poor sleep quality.

Methods

A total of 69 patients (52 female) with interstitial cystitis met National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) criteria, completed all instruments. The O'Leary‐Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) was performed to assess interstitial cystitis severity. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to evaluate quality of sleep and depression level, respectively. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify independent factors of sleep quality.

Results

Mean PSQI global score was 9.5 ± 4.2 (range: 1–19); 81.2% of subjects had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Regression analysis suggested that the severity of interstitial cystitis (Beta coefficient = 0.42, P < 0.001) and level of anxiety and depression (Beta coefficient = 0.26, P < 0.05) were significant independent risk factors for poor sleep quality, after controlling for age, gender, marital status, years of education, and years of symptomatic duration. Further analysis of ICSI subdomain scores shows that association between nighttime urination and poor sleep quality remains significantly (Beta coefficient = 0.32, P < 0.05), after adjustment for demographic data and anxiety and depression.

Conclusions

Poor sleep quality is common in interstitial cystitis patients and severity of urological symptoms and depression levels are important independent risk factors. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:568–572, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A collocation approach for the numerical solution of certain linear retarded and advanced integrodifferential equations with linear functional arguments
Authors: Gülsu Mustafa , Sezer Mehmet
Published: November 2009

This article presents a Taylor collocation method for the approximate solution of high‐order linear Volterra‐Fredholm integrodifferential equations with linear functional arguments. This method is essentially based on the truncated Taylor series and its matrix representations with collocation points. Some numerical examples, which consist of initial and boundary conditions, are given to show the properties of the technique. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2011
Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of a novel polyurethane containing cyanovinylthiophene with enhanced thermal stability of dipole alignment for electro‐optic applications
Authors: Won Dong‐Seon , Kim Jin‐Hyang , No Hyo Jin , Cho You Jin , Lee Ju‐Yeon , Rhee Bum Ku , Choi Hee‐Dok
Published: November 2009

Stabilization of electrically induced dipole alignment is one of the important criteria in the development of nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers for electro‐optic device applications. Polyurethanes for NLO applications have attracted attention because of their high thermal stability due to hydrogen bonding. In the work reported here, we designed and synthesized a new type of NLO polyurethane, in which the pendant NLO chromophores are part of the polymer backbone. This mid‐type NLO polymer is expected to have the merits of both main‐chain and side‐chain NLO polymers, namely stable dipole alignment and good solubility. 1‐[3,4‐Di‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]‐2‐(2‐thienyl)ethene was prepared and condensed with 3,3′‐dimethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenylenediisocyanate to yield a polyurethane. This polyurethane was reacted with tetracyanoethylene to give a novel Y‐type polyurethane (7) containing 1‐(3,4‐dioxyphenyl)‐2‐[5‐(1,2,2‐tricyanovinyl)‐2‐thienyl]ethenes as NLO chromophores, which constitute part of the polymer backbone. Polyurethane 7 is soluble in common organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide. It shows a thermal stability up to 280 °C from thermogravimetric analysis with a glass transition temperature obtained from differential scanning calorimetry of ca 162 °C. The second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient (d33) of a poled polymer film of he polyurethane at 1560 nm fundamental wavelength is ca 1.11 × 10−18 C. Polymer 7 exhibits an enhanced thermal stability and no significant SHG decay is observed below 150 °C, which is acceptable for NLO device applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Electropolymerisation and characterisation of nanosize conducting poly[(o‐chloroaniline)‐co‐(4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone)] on a polyaniline‐modified electrode
Authors: Palaniappan Subramanian , Manisankar Paramasivam
Published: November 2009

An exciting methodology for the electrosynthesis of poly(o‐chloroaniline) is proposed, based on the electrochemical polymerisation of o‐chloroaniline (OCA) on a polyaniline‐modified electrode and copolymerisation of OCA with different compositions of biologically important 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) on the same electrode. The copolymer electrosynthesised from an equimolar feed composition of OCA and DDS behaved the best among the other compositions employed for polymerisation. The UV‐visible and Fourier transform infrared spectral data obtained for this copolymer suggest the incorporation of DDS in the polymer chain. The X‐ray diffraction profile of the copolymer indicates a substantial amorphous nature of the as‐synthesised copolymer. Scanning electron micrographs recorded for the homo‐ and copolymer reveal distinctly different morphologies. The average grain size of the prepared copolymer as approximated from the micrographs is 80 nm. The procedure reported is found to be a very efficient method for electrochemically polymerising pristine OCA and poly(OCA‐co‐DDS) and the adopted strategy is the best so far reported for the electrochemical polymerisation of OCA on any electrode surface. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel modification of polybut‐1‐ene using auto‐oxidation controlled by addition of limonene monomer
Authors: Nakatani Hisayuki , Ichizyu Tadashi , Miura Hiroyuki , Terano Minoru
Published: November 2009

Free radical graft polymerization has been used as a modification method to incorporate functional groups into polyolefins using a melt‐mixing process. The presence of oxygen simultaneously brings about auto‐oxidation during the polymerization. Although functional groups such as ketones are easily incorporated into polyolefin chains by auto‐oxidation, the method is rarely employed because of the difficulty of handling. In the study reported here, a novel modification of polybut‐1‐ene (PB) was performed using auto‐oxidation controlled by the addition of limonene monomer. The modified PB samples were prepared using 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionitrile), benzyl peroxide, tert‐butyl peroxide (TBPO) and Nd2O3/dicumyl peroxide (DCP) radical initiators in air. It was found that excessive auto‐oxidation was suppressed by the presence of the limonene, and that the greatest numbers of grafted groups were contained in the modified PB samples prepared using TBPO and Nd2O3/DCP. The samples obtained showed slower crystallization behavior and slower crystal–crystal transformation rates, respectively. In addition, the modified PB sample prepared using Nd2O3/DCP showed less ductile behavior than that prepared using TBPO because of a much slower transformation rate. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
The phosphoproteome of Fusarium graminearum at the onset of nitrogen starvation
Authors: Rampitsch Christof , Subramaniam Rajagopal , Djuric‐Ciganovic Slavica , Bykova Natalia V.
Published: November 2009

Fusarium graminearum grown under stress, such as nutrient deprivation, activates, among others, the trichothecene pathway that produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and its derivatives. The kinase inhibitor staurosporine reduced the production of trichothecenes by 39% compared with control in vitro. On the other hand, phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid increased the amount by 72% compared with the control in vitro. This suggests that phosphorylation events are involved in the signalling pathway, leading to the activation of the trichothecene pathway. Three approaches were used to study the phosphoproteome of F. graminearum under nitrogen‐limiting conditions: 2‐DE (2‐DE: IEF×SDS‐PAGE) in combination with MS protein identification; SDS‐PAGE in combination with off‐line IMAC and TiO2 enrichment and gel electrophoresis LC‐MS analysis; and a gel‐free approach using strong anion exchange chromatography, IMAC and LC‐MS. A total of 348 phosphorylation sites localized in 301 peptides from 241 proteins were identified. By 2‐DE, 20 phosphoproteins were identified, nine of which underwent changes during the time course examined. Using gel electrophoresis LC‐MS 231 phosphopeptides were identified from three samples (ten gel slices each) at time points of nitrogen starvation t=0, 6, and 12 h. The gel‐free analysis added 70 peptides from 65 proteins to the total. Proteins of unknown function and enzymes of known function comprised the largest groups overall. Ten protein kinases and seven transcription factors were identified. This is the first reported phosphoproteome of F. graminearum.
Synthesis of through‐space conjugated polymers containing [2.2]paracyclophane and thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine in the main chain
Authors: Lin Lin , Morisaki Yasuhiro , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: November 2009

We synthesized through‐space conjugated polymers with [2.2]paracyclophane and thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine units in the main chain by the Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction. The obtained polymers were soluble in common organic solvents, and homogeneous thin films were readily obtained from the polymer solutions by spin‐coating techniques. The polymers exhibited the extension of the conjugation length via the through‐space interaction. The polymers showed orangish‐red emission with peak maxima of around 610 nm in diluted solutions and their thin films, which were derived from the thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine moieties. The optical and electrochemical behaviors of the polymers containing pseudo‐para‐ and pseudo‐ortho‐linked [2.2]paracyclophane were identical. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
A degradable, porous, emulsion‐templated polyacrylate
Authors: Lumelsky Yulia , Lalush‐Michael Inbal , Levenberg Shulamit , Silverstein Michael S.
Published: November 2009

A polyHIPE is a highly porous, emulsion‐templated polymer synthesized by polymerizing a monomer and a crosslinking comonomer in the continuous phase of a high‐internal phase emulsion (HIPE). The synthesis of degradable polyHIPE could be of interest for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds. In this research, a poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) oligomer with terminal vinyl groups was used as the crosslinking comonomer for a polyHIPE based on t‐butyl acrylate (tBA). The porous structure, properties, water absorption, and hydrolytic degradation of the polyHIPE were investigated. The polyHIPE containing 50 wt % PCL exhibited very large voids, 1 to 3 mm in diameter that resulted from the destabilization of the HIPE on addition of PCL, making the polyHIPE more suitable for tissue engineering applications. The relatively flexible PCL enhanced segmental mobility, yielding two glass transition temperatures and a significant reduction in modulus. When exposed to a 3 M aqueous solution of NaOH, the t‐butyl groups underwent hydrolysis and the PCL underwent degradation, rapidly leading to the complete disintegration of the macromolecular structure. The tBA‐based polyHIPE containing 50 wt % PCL exhibited enhanced cell adhesion, penetration, and growth indicating that it is a suitable candidate for further research and development. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
Sequential and localized grafting on aliphatic polyester diblock copolymers using alkyne deprotection and click cycloaddition
Authors: Cooper Beth M. , Emrick Todd
Published: November 2009

Diblock copolymers, in which both blocks are composed of aliphatic polyesters, were synthesized from two different alkyne‐functionalized δ‐valerolactone monomers by ring opening polymerization and subsequent click cycloaddition. Trimethylsilyl protection of the alkyne functionality of one block was instrumental to the success of the synthesis. These novel aliphatic polyester diblock copolymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Sequential functionalization of the diblock copolymers with hydrophobic groups on one block, and hydrophilic groups on the other block, provides access to amphiphilic structures. Micellar structures generated from these polyester amphiphiles were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and transition electron microscopy (TEM). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
Information‐theoretic analysis of the reference state in contact potentials used for protein structure prediction
Authors: Solis Armando D. , Rackovsky Shalom R.
Published: November 2009

Using information‐theoretic concepts, we examine the role of the reference state, a crucial component of empirical potential functions, in protein fold recognition. We derive an information‐based connection between the probability distribution functions of the reference state and those that characterize the decoy set used in threading. In examining commonly used contact reference states, we find that the quasi‐chemical approximation is informatically superior to other variant models designed to include characteristics of real protein chains, such as finite length and variable amino acid composition from protein to protein. We observe that in these variant models, the total divergence, the operative function that quantifies discrimination, decreases along with threading performance. We find that any amount of nativeness encoded in the reference state model does not significantly improve threading performance. A promising avenue for the development of better potentials is suggested by our information‐theoretic analysis of the action of contact potentials on individual protein sequences. Our results show that contact potentials perform better when the compositional properties of the data set used to derive the score function probabilities are similar to the properties of the sequence of interest. Results also suggest to use only sequences of similar composition in deriving contact potentials, to tailor the contact potential specifically for a test sequence. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
At the dawn of the 21st century: Is dynamics the missing link for understanding enzyme catalysis?
Authors: Kamerlin Shina C. L. , Warshel Arieh
Published: November 2009

Enzymes play a key role in almost all biological processes, accelerating a variety of metabolic reactions as well as controlling energy transduction, the transcription, and translation of genetic information, and signaling. They possess the remarkable capacity to accelerate reactions by many orders of magnitude compared to their uncatalyzed counterparts, making feasible crucial processes that would otherwise not occur on biologically relevant timescales. Thus, there is broad interest in understanding the catalytic power of enzymes on a molecular level. Several proposals have been put forward to try to explain this phenomenon, and one that has rapidly gained momentum in recent years is the idea that enzyme dynamics somehow contributes to catalysis. This review examines the dynamical proposal in a critical way, considering basically all reasonable definitions, including (but not limited to) such proposed effects as “coupling between conformational and chemical motions,” “landscape searches” and “entropy funnels.” It is shown that none of these proposed effects have been experimentally demonstrated to contribute to catalysis, nor are they supported by consistent theoretical studies. On the other hand, it is clarified that careful simulation studies have excluded most (if not all) dynamical proposals. This review places significant emphasis on clarifying the role of logical definitions of different catalytic proposals, and on the need for a clear formulation in terms of the assumed potential surface and reaction coordinate. Finally, it is pointed out that electrostatic preorganization actually accounts for the observed catalytic effects of enzymes, through the corresponding changes in the activation free energies. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of pairs of survival curves under heterogeneity: A Poisson correlated gamma‐frailty approach
Authors: Fiocco M. , Putter H. , van Houwelingen J. C.
Published: November 2009

We address the problem of meta‐analysis of pairs of survival curves under heterogeneity. Starting point for the meta‐analysis is a set of studies, each comparing the same two treatments, containing information about multiple survival outcomes. Under heterogeneity, we model the number of events using an extension of the Poisson correlated gamma‐frailty model with serial within‐arm and positive between‐arm correlations.

The parameters of the models are estimated following a two‐stage estimation procedure. In the first stage the underlying hazards and between‐study variance are estimated using the marginals, while a second stage is used to estimate both within‐arm and between‐arm correlations. The methodology is illustrated with an observational study on breast cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power and sample size calculations for longitudinal studies comparing rates of change with a time‐varying exposure
Authors: Basagaña X. , Spiegelman D.
Published: November 2009

Existing study design formulas for longitudinal studies have assumed that the exposure is time‐invariant. We derived sample size formulas for studies comparing rates of change by exposure when the exposure varies with time within a subject, focusing on observational studies where this variation is not controlled by the investigator. Two scenarios are considered, one assuming that the effect of exposure on the response is acute and the other assuming that it is cumulative. We show that accurate calculations can often be obtained by providing the intraclass correlation of exposure and the exposure prevalence at each time point. When comparing rates of change, studies with a time‐varying exposure are, in general, less efficient than studies with a time‐invariant one. We provide a public access program to perform the calculations described in the paper (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/faculty/spiegelman/optitxs.html). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correction
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees
Published: November 2009

It has been brought to our attention that the main result in Nadarajah and Kotz 1 has been previously known 2. Although our derivations were independent, we are sorry for not giving a reference to the original paper.
Stress‐related growth: pre‐intervention correlates and change following a resilience intervention
Authors: Dolbier Christyn L. , Jaggars Shanna Smith , Steinhardt Mary A.
Published: November 2009

Correlates of stress‐related growth and the effectiveness of a resilience intervention to enhance stress‐related growth were examined. College students were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 31) and waiting list control (n = 33) groups. The intervention group received the psychoeducational intervention, Transforming Lives Through Resilience Education, in four weekly 2‐hour sessions. Measures of personal, environmental and stressor characteristics, coping strategies, adjustment and stress‐related growth were assessed. Multiple regressions revealed that pre‐intervention self‐esteem, self‐leadership, hopeful coping and depressive symptoms significantly related to pre‐intervention growth. A repeated measures analysis of variance yielded a significant group by time interaction for total growth; the intervention group showed greater increases in growth pre‐ to post‐intervention compared with the control group. Our results supported the relationships of self‐esteem and adaptive coping strategies to stress‐related growth and introduce a new correlate of growth, self‐leadership, to the literature. In addition, our results highlighted the complex role depressive symptoms may play in relation to growth, indicating that depressive symptoms might decrease one's inner resources while simultaneously serving as a catalyst for growth. Further, the findings supported the resilience intervention as a promising approach to facilitate growth. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Migrating legacy data structures based on variable overlay to Java
Authors: Ceccato Mariano , Dean Thomas Roy , Tonella Paolo , Marchignoli Davide
Published: November 2009

Legacy information systems, such as banking systems, are usually organized around their data model. Hence, when these systems are migrated to modern environments, translation of the data model involves the most critical decisions, having strong implications on the rest of the translation. In this paper, we report our experience and describe the approaches adopted in migrating a large banking system (ten million lines of code) to Java, starting from a proprietary data model which gives programmers explicit control of the variable overlay in memory. After presenting the basic translation scheme, we discuss the exceptions that may occur in practice. Then, we consider two heuristic approaches useful to reduce the number of cases where a behavior equivalent to that of unions must be reproduced in Java. Finally, we comment on the experimental results obtained so far. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.