bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic events associated with progression of pleural malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Ivanov Sergey V. , Miller Jeremy , Lucito Robert , Tang Chunlao , Ivanova Alla V. , Pei Jianming , Carbone Michele , Cruz Christina , Beck Amanda , Webb Craig , Nonaka Daisuke , Testa Joseph R. , Pass Harvey I.
Published: October 2008

Pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer with a very long latency and a very short median survival. Little is known about the genetic events that trigger MM and their relation to poor outcome. The goal of our study was to characterize major genomic gains and losses associated with MM origin and progression and assess their clinical significance. We performed Representative Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis (ROMA) on DNA isolated from tumors of 22 patients who recurred at variable interval with the disease after surgery. The total number of copy number alterations (CNA) and frequent imbalances for patients with short time (<12 months from surgery) and long time to recurrence were recorded and mapped using the Analysis of Copy Errors algorithm. We report a profound increase in CNA in the short‐time recurrence group with most chromosomes affected, which can be explained by chromosomal instability associated with MM. Deletions in chromosomes 22q12.2, 19q13.32 and 17p13.1 appeared to be the most frequent events (55‐74%) shared between MM patients followed by deletions in 1p, 9p, 9q, 4p, 3p and gains in 5p, 18q, 8q and 17q (23‐55%). Deletions in 9p21.3 encompassing CDKN2A/ARF and CDKN2B were characterized as specific for the short‐term recurrence group. Analysis of the minimal common areas of frequent gains and losses identified candidate genes that may be involved in different stages of MM: OSM (22q12.2), FUS1 and PL6 (3p21.3), DNAJA1 (9p21.1) and CDH2 (18q11.2‐q12.3). Imbalances seen by ROMA were confirmed by Affymetrix genome analysis in a subset of samples. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Marine n‐3 and saturated fatty acids in relation to risk of colorectal cancer in Singapore Chinese: A prospective study
Authors: Butler Lesley M. , Wang Renwei , Koh Woon‐Puay , Stern Mariana C. , Yuan Jian‐Min , Yu Mimi C.
Published: October 2008

Experimental data support multiple roles for fatty acids in colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined dietary fatty acids and incidence of colorectal cancer, and evaluated effect modification by sex and stage of disease among a population‐based cohort of 61,321 Singapore Chinese that was established between 1993 and 1998. As of December 31, 2005, 961 incident colorectal cancers were diagnosed. Presented hazard ratios (HRs) are for highestversuslowest quartiles with adjustment for potential confounders. Among women, we observed a dose‐dependent, positive association between saturated fat and localized colorectal cancer (Dukes A or B) [(HR = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–2.63,pfor trend = 0.01)]. No such associations were noted in men (pfor interaction by sex = 0.04). Marine n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake was positively associated with advanced disease (Dukes C or D) (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.05–1.70,pfor trend = 0.01), regardless of sex. The association with marine n‐3 PUFAs was strongest among those with the shortest (≤5 years) duration of follow‐up (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.00–2.21,pfor trend = 0.04). In contrast, we observed a small, albeit imprecise, inverse association with marine n‐3 PUFAs for localized colorectal cancer among those with the longest duration of follow‐up (>10 years) (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.29–1.34,pfor trend = 0.55). Our findings suggest that subtypes of fatty acids may differentially influence risk of colorectal cancer of a specified stage. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Je Youjin , Liu Wei , Giovannucci Edward
Published: October 2008

An inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer has been found in several case‐control studies, but such an association was not consistent in prospective cohort studies. We conducted a systematic meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies on coffee consumption and colorectal cancer published up to June 2008. We combined relative risks (RR) for colorectal cancer comparing high vs. low categories of coffee consumption using random‐effects models. We identified 12 eligible cohort studies, which included 646,848 participants and 5,403 cases for colorectal cancer. The summarized result of the meta‐analysis comparing high‐ vs. low‐consumption categories showed no significant effect of coffee consumption on colorectal cancer risk (RR = 0.91; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.81–1.02). The RR was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.71–1.22) when considering 4 studies conducted in the United States of America, 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76–1.10) for 5 studies from Europe, and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.62–1.10) for 3 Japanese studies. No significant differences by sex and cancer‐site were found, but there was a slight suggestion of an inverse association between coffee consumption and colon cancer in women (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.60–1.04), especially Japanese women (RR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.37–1.05). The suggestive inverse associations were slightly stronger in studies that controlled for smoking and alcohol, and in studies with shorter follow‐up times. Information on coffee type, its serving size, or brewing method may provide a better understanding of this reassuring result and the real role of coffee on colorectal cancer risk. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface endotoxin contamination and hemocompatibility evaluation of materials
Authors: Maitz Manfred F. , Teichmann Juliane , Sperling Claudia , Werner Carsten
Published: October 2008

To evaluate the blood compatibility of new materials, a clear distinction between properties of the materials and effects due to surface contamination by adsorbed endotoxins is essential. This study compares direct contact approaches and elution methods with water, organic solvents, nonionic, and zwitterionic detergents for determination of surface‐adsorbed endotoxin by the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and determines the blood compatibility of various surfaces with controlled endotoxin contamination in vitro. The LAL test in direct contact with an endotoxin‐contaminated surface was concluded to be not practicable for most devices and its sensitivity showed a high dependence on surface characteristics. Among the elution methods, 0.2% Tween‐20 showed most stable elution characteristics and appears therefore preferable. Biological reactions at in vitro blood exposure were found to be only minimally influenced by adsorbed endotoxin during the time window of 2 h, allowing for a straightforward discrimination between materials and endotoxin‐dependent reactions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
The effect of paraformaldehyde fixation on the Delayed Gadolinium‐Enhanced MRI of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) measurement
Authors: Dugar Arushi , Farley Michelle L. , Wang Angeline L. , Goldring Mary B. , Goldring Steven R. , Swaim Bryan H. , Bierbaum Benjamin E. , Burstein Deborah , Gray Martha L.
Published: October 2008

The delayed Gadolinium‐Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) method allows for both qualitative and quantitative measurement of the spatial distribution of glycosaminoglycan [GAG] in excised cartilage. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of paraformaldehyde fixation on dGEMRIC measurements. Five bovine and seven human cartilage pieces were punched into 5‐mm plugs, fixed for 18 h in 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and washed. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameter T1 was measured prior and post fixation in cartilage without (T10) and with (T1Gd), the ionically charged MRI contrast agent Gd(DTPA)2−. Images of tissue before and after fixation were qualitatively very similar. The ratios of T10, T1Gd, and calculated [GAG] after fixation, relative to before fixation, were near or slightly higher than 1 for both bovine cartilage (1.01 ± 0.01, 1.04 ± 0.02, 1.05 ± 0.03, respectively) and for human cartilage (0.96 ± 0.11, 1.03 ± 0.05, 1.09 ± 0.13). Thus, these data suggest that dGEMRIC can be used on previously fixed samples to assess the three dimensional spatial distribution of GAG. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 536–539, 2009
Distribution channels for New Zealand outbound tourism
Authors: Reid Laurel , Pearce Douglas G.
Published: October 2008

This paper examines outbound travel distribution channels from a national market perspective exploring the case of New Zealand. In particular, the paper analyses the structure of the industry, intermediary patterns of sourcing, distributing and promoting as well as trends and challenges. Consistent with global trends, consolidation and vertical integration are pronounced structural features, and technological change along with evolving customer preferences and travel patterns have fostered increased multichannel distribution with online channels complementing traditional trade outlets. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organized Shells on Clay Nanotubes for Controlled Release of Macromolecules
Authors: Veerabadran Nalinkanth G. , Mongayt Dmitriy , Torchilin Vladimir , Price Ronald R. , Lvov Yuri M.
Published: October 2008

The use of tubular halloysite clay as a nanotemplate for layer‐by‐layer (LbL) shell assembly and its utilization for controlled release of drug macromolecules are studied. The LbL nanoshell allowed additional control for the sustained release of drug loaded halloysite tubes. The number of polymeric layers in the shell and molecular weight of the assembled polymers influences the drug release rate. Three bilayer shells of chitosan and gelatin of 15 nm thicknesses gave the best encapsulation and retardation in the release rate of dexamethasone. An encapsulation of the macromolecules inside the lumen of the biocompatible clay nanotubes coupled with the polyelectrolyte shell formation provides a novel formulation for the controlled release of bioactive agents.

magnified image
Glycomic analysis by capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry
Authors: Mechref Yehia , Novotny Milos V.
Published: October 2008

The occurrence of multiple glycosylation sites on a protein, together with the number of glycan structures which could potentially be associated with each site (microheterogeneity) often leads to a large number of structural combinations. These structural variations increase with the molecular size of a protein, thus contributing to the complexity of glycosylation patterns. Resolving such fine structural differences has been instrumentally difficult. The degree of glycoprotein microheterogeneity has been analytically challenging in the identification of unique glycan structures that can be crucial to a distinct biological function. Despite the wealth of information provided by the most powerful mass spectrometric (MS) and tandem MS techniques, they are not able to readily identify isomeric structures. Although various separation methods provide alternatives for the analysis of glycan pools containing isomeric structures, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is often the method of choice for resolving closely related glycan structures because of its unmatched separation efficiency. It is thus natural to consider combining CE with the MS‐based technologies. This review describes the utility of different CE approaches in the structural characterization of glycoproteins, and discusses the feasibility of their interface to mass spectrometry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:207–222, 2009
Transcription destabilizes triplet repeats
Authors: Lin Yunfu , Hubert Leroy , Wilson John H.
Published: October 2008

Triplet repeat expansion is the molecular basis for several human diseases. Intensive studies using systems in bacteria, yeast, flies, mammalian cells, and mice have provided important insights into the molecular processes that are responsible for mediating repeat instability. The age‐dependent, ongoing repeat instability in somatic tissues, especially in terminally differentiated neurons, strongly suggests a robust role for pathways that are independent of DNA replication. Several genetic studies have indicated that transcription can play a critical role in repeat instability, potentially providing a basis for the instability observed in neurons. Transcription‐induced repeat instability can be modulated by several DNA repair proteins, including those involved in mismatch repair (MMR) and transcription‐coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC‐NER). Though the mechanism is unclear, it is likely that transcription facilitates the formation of repeat‐specific secondary structures, which act as intermediates to trigger DNA repair, eventually leading to changes in the length of the repeat tract. In addition, other processes associated with transcription can also modulate repeat instability, as shown in a variety of different systems. Overall, the mechanisms underlying repeat instability in humans are unexpectedly complicated. Because repeat‐disease genes are widely expressed, transcription undoubtedly contributes to the repeat instability observed in many diseases, but it may be especially important in nondividing cells. Transcription‐induced instability is likely to involve an extensive interplay not only of the core transcription machinery and DNA repair proteins, but also of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, regulation of supercoiling, and removal of stalled RNA polymerases, as well as local DNA sequence effects. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ursolic acid inhibits IL‐1β or TNF‐α‐induced C6 glioma invasion through suppressing the association ZIP/p62 with PKC‐ζ and downregulating the MMP‐9 expression
Authors: Huang Hsiu‐Chen , Huang Chien‐Yu , Lin‐Shiau Shoei‐Yn , Lin Jen‐Kun
Published: October 2008

Ursolic acid (UA), a constant constituent of Rosmarinus officinalis extracts, is a triterpenoid compound which has been shown to have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. In the present study, we found that UA was able to reduce interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) or tumor necrosis‐alpha (TNF‐α)‐induced rat C6 glioma cell invasion, which was examined by a reconstituted basement membrane in a set of transwell chambers. However, the inhibitory effect of UA did not influence cell proliferation or cause cell cytotoxity. The results analyzed by zymography assay and Western blotting revealed that the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) was eliminated by UA in a dose‐dependent manner. Because MMP‐9 is the target gene of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB), we further investigated the effect of UA on the activity of NF‐κB. As expected, UA upregulated the levels of IkappaBalpha (IκBα) and attenuated the nuclear translocation of p65. Furthermore, UA suppressed the IL‐1β or TNF‐α‐induced activation of protein kinase C‐zeta (PKC‐ζ). Our data showed UA potently inhibited the association of ZIP/p62 and PKC‐ζ. Taken together, we demonstrated that UA could efficiently inhibit the interaction of ZIP/p62 and PKC‐ζ. It also further suppressed the activation of NF‐κB and downregulation of the MMP‐9 protein, which in turn contributed to its inhibitory effects on IL‐1β or TNF‐α‐induced C6 glioma cell invasion. These results all showcase the potential UA has in the chemoprevention and treatment of cancer metastasis and invasion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of unilateral tremor in autosomal dominant essential tremor
Authors: Phibbs Fenna , Fang John Y. , Cooper Michael K. , Charles David P. , Davis Thomas L. , Hedera Peter
Published: October 2008

The presence of bilateral arm tremor is a key diagnostic feature of essential tremor (ET). We analyzed the presence of unilateral arm tremor in familial ET cohort of 133 autosomal dominant ET kindreds with 412 affected individuals. Inclusion criteria in patients with unilateral arm postural and/or kinetic tremor required the duration of tremor for at least 5 years, without hypokinetic‐rigid syndrome, dystonic posturing, or history of sudden onset of tremor. Only subjects with at least one living first degree relative who met diagnostic criteria for definite ET were included. Eighteen subjects met the inclusion criteria and five had postural tremor only, while the majority (13/18) had a combination of postural and kinetic tremor. Our data shows that unilateral tremor associated with ET is relatively rare and can be identified in 4.4% patients in a cohort of familial ET. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of Dutch patients with early onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Macedo Maria G. , Verbaan Dagmar , Fang Yue , van Rooden Stephanie M. , Visser Martine , Anar Burcu , Uras Antonella , Groen Justus L. , Rizzu Patrizia , van Hilten Jacobus J. , Heutink Peter
Published: October 2008

Early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) has been associated with mutations in the Parkin, DJ‐1, PINK1, LRRK2, and SNCA genes. The aim of this study is to assess the contribution of these genes in a Dutch EOPD cohort and the phenotypic characteristics of the mutation carriers. A total of 187 unrelated Dutch EOPD patients (age at onset ≤ 50 years) were phenotyped and screened for mutations in all exons of Parkin, DJ‐1, and PINK1 by direct sequencing and gene dosage analysis. Additionally, analysis of the A30P mutation and exon dosage of SNCA and sequencing of exons 19,31,35,38,41, and 48 of LRRK2 was performed. Pathogenic variations could explain disease in 4% (7 of 187) of the patients including five patients carrying homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in Parkin, one with a novel homozygous deletion in DJ‐1 (P158Del) and one with a heterozygous mutation in LRRK2 (T2356I). We found seven novel mutations. The phenotypic characteristics of mutation carriers varied widely, comparable to the variability seen in sporadic EOPD. Parkin is the most frequently mutated gene in this EOPD cohort, followed by DJ‐1, PINK1 and LRRK2. The low overall mutation frequency indicates that the extrapolation of mutation frequencies from other populations should be applied with caution. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
An observing system simulation experiment for the study on attenuation of C‐band radar measurements
Authors: Molini L. , Parodi A. , Siccardi F.
Published: October 2008

A new radar simulation model based on a three‐dimensional polarimetric radar simulator model (RSM‐POL) coupled with a very high resolution cloud resolving model is presented. RSM‐POL is able to model reflectivity measurements by using some numerically‐generated meteorological fields as input: temperature, pressure, water vapour content, cloud water content, cloud ice content and rain, snow and graupel sedimentation fluxes and the number density intercept parameter No for each precipitating species. In this study, the radar simulation model is applied to assess the influence of attenuation on radar measurements at C‐band and its effect (1) in the computation of rainfall rate, (2) vertical profile of reflectivity and (3) in the retrieval of microphysical parameters. At the present time, the importance of radar data assimilation in numerical weather prediction models is continuously growing, the latter two points appear to be a fundamental research issue and a rigorous approach able to separate the contribution of different causes is needed as a starting point for developing correction algorithms. Results obtained on an idealized deep convective meteorological scenario, run at very high horizontal resolution (500 m), are presented. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Observational verification of urban surface roughness parameters derived from morphological models
Authors: Liu Gang , Sun Jianning , Jiang Weimei
Published: October 2008

This study focuses on how to verify the aerodynamic roughness parameters in an urban area by using observational data collected in the roughness sub‐layer. Anemometrical observations were made in the downtown area of Nanjing, China, in summer and winter. Data were collected using both slow and fast response anemometers mounted on a 36 m tower. The friction velocity was observed just above the top of the urban canopy layer, which is at the height of 19.7 m, while the mean wind speed was observed at a relatively low level that is generally thought to be in the roughness sub‐layer, of which the top usually ranges from 2 to 5 times the height of the urban canopy layer. The results of the measurements show that the dimensionless friction velocities (normalized by the mean wind speed at an upper level) maintain approximately a constant (0.20) and the fluctuations are small ( ± 0.02) in a period of 21 days. The results imply that the similarity relation for the mean wind profile is still valid and that the effect of stratification is negligibly small in the urban roughness sub‐layer.

Based on the measurement results, the logarithmic wind profile was applied to verify the aerodynamic roughness parameters empirically derived from four morphological models: the rule of thumb (Rt) method, the Bottema (Ba) method, the Macdonald (Ma) method and the Raupach (Ra) method. The results show that they are not very different from each other. The good performance of the Rt method may be due to the fact that the distribution of buildings in the study area is regular. The Ba and Ra methods are likely to be better since they can give reasonable estimates of roughness parameters. Evidence indicates that the Ma method underestimates the roughness length. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
29Si13C spin–spin couplings over an SiOCsp3 link
Authors: Sýkora Jan , Blechta Vratislav , Soukupová Ludmila , Schraml Jan
Published: October 2008

29Si13C spin–spin couplings over one, two, and three bonds as well as other NMR parameters [δ(29Si), δ(13C), δ(1H), 1J(13C1H), and 2J(29SiC1H)] were calculated and measured for a series of trimethylsilylated alcohols of the types Me3SiO(CH2)nCH3 and Me3SiOCH3−nRn(n = 03; R = Me, Ph, or Vi). The signs of the coupling constants determined for selected compounds can likely be extended to all such compounds, as supported by theoretical calculations. Similar to couplings between other pairs of nuclei, the 2‐bond and 3‐bond 29SiO13C couplings are of opposite signs (2J > 0 and 3J < 0), and their relative magnitudes depend on the extent of branching at the α‐carbon. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the prognostic factors for overactive bladder symptoms following surgical treatment in patients with benign prostatic obstruction
Authors: Seki Narihito , Yuki Kohei , Takei Mineo , Yamaguchi Akito , Naito Seiji
Published: October 2008

Aims

To identify the prognostic variables concerning the improvement of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) related symptoms following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted in 298 patients with BPO who had undergone TURP. All patients had completed the preoperative evaluations including OAB related symptoms and full urodynamics, as well as symptomatic assessment postoperatively. OAB related symptoms were defined by the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaires (questions 2, 4 and 7 stand for frequency, urgency and nocturia). They were divided into three categories based on an individual score ≧3 for on urgency, frequency and nocturia in the preoperative state. The association between the baseline variables and the improvement in each symptom score was analyzed.

Results

A multivariate analysis suggested that the baseline degree of detrusor contractility was consistently associated with the improvement in each OAB symptom (The odds ratio in normal/weak detrusor: 9.5, 3.4, 3.0 for score on urgency, frequency and nocturia, respectively). Both the patient's age (Odds ratio: 0.93) and the maximum flow rate (Odds ratio: 0.20) influenced the improvement in the score on nocturia.

Conclusion

The observation of a positive and consistent correlation between the baseline degree of detrusor contractility and the improvement in OAB related symptoms, suggests that good detrusor contractility is essential for the symptomatic benefits after the surgical relief of bladder outlet obstruction. Aging males with good urinary flow rates appear to experience a reduced improvement of nocturia symptoms after undergoing TURP. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:197–201, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulated childbirth injuries in an inbred rat strain
Authors: Woo Lynn L. , Hijaz Adonis , Pan Hui Q. , Kuang Mei , Rackley Raymond R. , Damaser Margot S.
Published: October 2008

Aims

Vaginal distension (VD) in outbred rats has been shown to decrease urethral resistance, as well as increase the expression of the stem cell‐homing chemokine, monocyte chemotactic factor 3 (MCP‐3), but not stromal derived factor 1 (SDF‐1). The aim of this study was to determine if similar responses are induced by VD in an inbred rat strain.

Methods

Forty female Lewis rats underwent VD or sham VD followed by leak point pressure (LPP) testing 4 or 10 days later. Ten additional rats served as controls. The urethra and vagina were then dissected for histology. To examine chemokine expression, eight additional rats underwent VD with organs harvested immediately or 1 day after the procedure for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of MCP‐3 and SDF‐1. Four age‐matched rats served as controls.

Results

Four days after VD, LPP was significantly lower in VD rats (14.3 ± 1.6 cmH2O) than controls (18.7 ± 1.3 cmH2O). Ten days after VD, LPP in both VD (19.7 ± 2.6 cmH2O) and sham (18.4 ± 1.3 cmH2O) groups was not significantly different from controls. Urethral histology demonstrated marked disruption and atrophy of smooth and striated muscle in VD rats compared to shams and controls. RT‐PCR yielded a 25‐fold significant increase in expression of urethral MCP‐3 immediately following VD. SDF‐1 was significantly decreased in the urethra and vagina immediately after VD and in the bladder 24 hr after VD.

Conclusion

VD in Lewis rats produces functional, histological and molecular results similar to that of outbred rats. This model could be utilized in future studies investigating cellular transplant methods of improving urethral function. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:356–361, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular and pharmacological detection of dopaminergic receptors in the human male urinary tract
Authors: Arrighi Nicola , Bodei Serena , Zani Danilo , Simeone Claudio , Fiorentini Chiara , Milanese Giulio , Dellabella Marco , Muzzonigro Giovanni , Cunico Sergio Cosciani , Spano PierFranco , Sigala Sandra , Missale Cristina
Published: October 2008

Aims

Evidence indicates that dopamine (DA) and DA receptors play a role in the central nervous system (CNS) control of micturition; however, while the central DAergic role in the micturition physiology has been extensively investigated, the expression and the function of DA receptors in the urinary tract are still under investigation. Here, we studied the distribution of DA receptor subtypes in different parts of the human male urinary tract.

Methods

Fragments were collected from 34 men. The mRNAs encoding DA receptors were assessed by RT‐PCR, followed by densitometric analysis. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was evaluated using a commercially available RIA kit. Statistical analysis was carried out using one‐way ANOVA, with the Bonferroni's post hoc test.

Results

Results obtained indicated that RT‐PCR products of D1, D4, and D5 subtypes were obtained in each part studied, while no signal was observed for the D2 and D3 receptor subtypes. The pharmacological characterization demonstrated that the expressed DA receptors were linked to AC.

Conclusions

DA receptors were expressed throughout the human male urinary tract, from the ureter to the prostatic urethra. In particular, we observed a distinctive DA receptor subtype distribution, with evidence of the presence of mRNA encoding both subtypes of the D1‐like DA receptor family (D1 and D5), while the D4 receptors were the only expressed subtype of the D2‐like family. These results suggested that DAergic drugs used for the treatment of a number of diseases may influence the micturition physiology not only in the CNS, but at the peripheral level as well. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:343–348, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of detailed explanatory leaflets on patient satisfaction with urodynamic consultation: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hougardy Véronique , Vandeweerd Jean‐Michel , Reda Ayalu A. , Foidart Jean‐Michel
Published: October 2008

Aims

To develop and validate a scale that is applicable in Belgium to investigate the aspects of female patients' satisfaction with urodynamic consultation, and to use it to measure the impact of a detailed explanatory leaflet on their satisfaction.

Materials and Methods

Question items were obtained from a group consensus (Delphi process). Each item was scored on a five‐point Likert scale. The satisfaction scale was administered to two groups of patients attending the clinics for urodynamics. One hundred twenty‐nine patients were included in the study and randomized in two groups. One group (n = 60) received a detailed explanatory leaflet about urodynamic consultation and the other did not (n = 69). Responses were subjected to a reliability and principal component analysis (PCA) to achieve data reduction and analysis, and to assess the reliability of the new scale. Relevant items were retained to compare both interventions using regression analysis.

Results

A 15‐item scale was derived from the Delphi process. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single factor solution with 11 meaningful items. No significant difference was noted in global scores of satisfaction between the two groups (P = 0.051).

Conclusions

A short‐form patient satisfaction scale with acceptable validity and reliability was developed and used to measure patient satisfaction with urodynamic consultation in this population of Belgian women. This study did not provide support for the effectiveness of explanatory leaflets in improving satisfaction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:374–379, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of shock‐wave / boundary‐layer interaction on turbulent spot propagation
Authors: Jocksch A. , Kleiser L.
Published: October 2008

We performed highly resolved large‐eddy simulations (LES) of transitional shock‐wave/boundary‐layer interactions (SW/ BLI) in which a turbulent spot passes through a laminar shock‐induced separation bubble. The initial condition consists of a laminar boundary‐layer solution over a flat plate with a superimposed oblique shock which induces a separation bubble on the plate. An upstream‐positioned initial disturbance triggers the turbulent spot that develops and encounters the SW/BLI region. Unlike the laminar boundary layer it does not separate but tunnels the SW/BLI region. Compared to a simulation without the SW/BLI region the spot growth is increased significantly during the passage. This finding supports the results of previous direct numerical simulations (DNS) in the literature. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Free‐surface instabilities during electromagnetic shaping of liquid metals
Authors: Karcher Ch. , Kocourek V.
Published: October 2008

Electromagnetic shaping of free surfaces of liquid metals is a well‐known EPM technology used in a couple of metallurgic processes like cold crucible melting, semi‐levitation, and electromagnetic slit sealing, among others. However, the stability of such free surfaces is the most important problem and stability control is crucial for success. Within this context we investigate experimentally the stability behavior of liquid metal free surfaces submitted to a high‐frequency magnetic field. In this case, the induced Lorentz forces act as an electromagnetic pressure directly on the free surface of the liquid met al. We consider three experimental model configurations: (i) Sessile liquid metal drop (ii) liquid metal ring, and (iii) liquid metal disc. In each model experiment, upon increasing the feeding current beyond a certain threshold value, IC, we observe that the initial surface contour becomes unstable resulting in (i) drop oscillations (ii) electromagnetic pinching and (iii) static disc deformations. In each configuration the threshold value depends in a similar manner on the frequency of the applied magnetic field. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A min‐max version of Dijkstra's algorithm with application to perturbed optimal control problems
Authors: Lossow Marcus von
Published: October 2008

In this paper the computational complexity of a newly developed min‐max version of Dijkstra's algorithm for solving the shortest path problem in a directed weighted hypergraph is analyzed. Together with a set oriented discretization of the state space this algorithm provides a new numerical approach for the construction of an optimally stabilizing feedback under perturbations. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On Blackmann‐Harris windows for Shannon sampling series
Authors: Tamberg Gert
Published: October 2008

This paper deals with some approximations by the generalized Shannon sampling series, which are defined by the Blackman‐Harris (or cosine‐sum) window functions. In the case of certain (m+ 1)‐term cosine‐sum window functions the order of approximation can be estimated via the 2m‐th modulus of continuity. Some choices of parameters in Blackman‐Harris window function generate interpolating generalized Shannon sampling series. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Conjugate gradient algorithms for best rank‐1 approximation of tensors
Authors: Curtef O. , Dirr G. , Helmke U.
Published: October 2008

Motivated by considerations of pure state entanglement in quantum information, we consider the problem of finding the best rank‐1 approximation to an arbitrary r ‐th order tensor. Reformulating the problem as an optimization problem on the Lie group SU (n1) ⊗ … ⊗ SU (nr) of so‐called local unitary transformations and exploiting its intrinsic geometry yields a new approach, which finally leads to Riemannian variant of the conjugate gradient algorithm. Numerical simulations support that our method offers an alternative to the higher‐order power method for computing the best rank‐1 approximation to a tensor. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantized vortices in BEC and superconductors
Authors: Du Qiang
Published: October 2008

Quantized vortices is a well‐know signature of superfluidity. They have been studied extensively in superfluid Helium, type‐II superconductors, Bose Einstein condensates and more recently in Fermi gas. We will discuss some mathematical analysis and numerical simulations of the quantized vortex nucleations in superconductors and Bose‐Einstein condensates and discuss their connections and similarities. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Convergence to equilibrium for some nonlinear evolution equations with dynamical boundary condition
Authors: Wu Hao
Published: October 2008

In this short note we present some convergence results of solutions to certain equilibrium for some nonlinear evolution equations subject to dynamical boundary condition by using the Łojasiewicz‐Simon approach. The work was done in collaboration with S. Zheng and M. Grasselli. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Sacrococcygeal teratoma over two decades: Birth prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and clinical outcomes
Authors: Swamy Ravi , Embleton Nicholas , Hale Juliet
Published: October 2008

Objective

The birth prevalence and malignant tumour recurrence of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) have not been clearly defined. We conducted this study to determine the birth prevalence, prenatal detection rate, frequency of tumour recurrence and outcome of SCT in a population‐based cohort.

Methods

Cases were identified from a population‐based, regional database of congenital anomalies for the years 1985–2006. Prenatal diagnosis, management details, tumour recurrence and outcome were obtained from case records and cross linked with a regional oncology database.

Results

There were 754 172 live births and 28 live born infants with SCT giving a birth prevalence of 1 per 27 000 live births. There was a prenatal diagnosis in 50% of cases. No cases presenting in the neonatal period had malignant tumour present at diagnosis or subsequent tumour recurrence. Nine (37.5%) of the survivors had chronic morbidities.

Conclusions

The birth prevalence of SCT was higher than that of previously reported. Infants who were live born and survived definitive surgical management had a good prognosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The presence of trophoblastic cells in intrauterine lavage samples: lack of correlation with maternal and obstetric characteristics
Authors: Cioni Riccardo , Bussani Cecilia , Conti Elisa , Buzzoni Carlotta , Bucciantini Sandra , Mattei Alberto , Scarselli Gianfranco
Published: October 2008

Objectives

To investigate the correlation between maternal, obstetric and sample characteristics and the quality (i.e. yield of trophoblastic cells) of intrauterine lavage (IUL) samples.

Methods

We collected 202 IUL samples from women scheduled for first trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP). Trophoblastic cells were isolated from IUL samples and used for DNA analysis by a multiplex quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF‐PCR) assay. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The presence of trophoblastic cells in IUL samples was documented in 151/202 cases (74.7%). Blood contamination of IULs was the only characteristic to positively correlate with the presence of trophoblasts (p = 0.039; OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.03–3.82).

Conclusions

The correlation between the presence of contaminating blood and trophoblastic cells would indirectly confirm the hypothesis that IUL might act as a mini‐CVS. The high yield rate of trophoblasts irrespective of maternal characteristics and past obstetric history would support the clinical use of this sampling technique, provided that its safety is clearly defined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hundert Jahre Mie‐Theorie. Optische Eigenschaften von Nanopartikeln
Authors: Kreibig Uwe
Published: October 2008

1908 veröffentlichte Gustav Mie eine Arbeit mit dem Titel “Beiträge zur Optik trüber Medien, speziell kolloidaler Metalllösungen” in den Annalen der Physik. Heute ist sie als Mie‐Theorie berühmt. Auf Basis der Maxwell‐Theorie beschreibt sie exakt die Wechselwirkung zwischen einer ebenen elektromagnetischen Welle und einem beliebigen kugelförmigen Körper, auf den sie trifft. Sie ist auf Wassertröpfchen in der Atmosphäre ebenso anwendbar wie auf Nanopartikel. In modifizierter Form hat sie vor allem für die Nanowissenschaften eine grundlegende Bedeutung. In Gustav Mies Lebenswerk stellt sie als angewandte Arbeit einen Sonderfall dar. Er suchte nach einer Feldtheorie, die Elektromagnetismus mit Materie vereinigt, scheiterte aber daran.
Eine höchst liebenswerte Philosophin
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: October 2008

Viel ist über ihre Kindheit nicht zu erfahren. So gilt sie als einziges Kind eines Rechtsanwalts, das das Säuglingsalter überlebt. Das erklärt wohl die besondere Fürsorge in Ausbildungsfragen, die dem Mädchen zuteil wird. Schon bald erweist es sich als Wunderkind, das in kurzer Zeit Latein lernt.
Zuckerwasser statt Öl: süßes “Frittieren”
Authors: Vilgis Thomas
Published: October 2008

Frittiert wird meist in Öl, aber muss das sein? Frittierfette haben of einen schlechten Ruf, und die Suche nach Alternativen nimmt kein Ende. Wie schön wäre es, mit schlichtem Wasser zu frittieren. Das hätte keine Kalorien, und viele Vorbehalte träten erst gar nicht auf. Aber Wasser siedet unter Normaldruck bei 100 °C – zu niedrig zum Frittieren. Durch Zuckerzugabe lässt sich der Siedepunkt deutlich erhöhen. Aber reicht dies zum Frittieren?
Sample size effects on the transport characteristics of mesoscopic graphite samples
Authors: Barzola‐Quiquia J. , Yao J.‐L. , Rödiger P. , Schindler K. , Esquinazi P.
Published: October 2008

In this work we investigated correlations between the internal microstructure and sample size (lateral as well as thickness) of mesoscopic, tens of nanometer thick graphite (multigraphene) samples and the temperature (T) and field (B) dependence of their electrical resistivity ρ (T, B). Low energy transmission electron microscopy reveals that the original highly oriented pyrolytic graphite material – from which the multigraphene samples were obtained by exfoliation – is composed of a stack of ∼50 nm thick and micrometer long crystalline regions separated by interfaces running parallel to the graphene planes. We found a qualitative and quantitative change in the behavior of ρ (T, B) upon thickness of the multigraphene samples, indicating that their internal microstructure is important. The overall results indicate that the metallic‐like behavior of ρ (T) at zero field measured for bulk graphite samples is not intrinsic of ideal graphite. The results suggest that the interfaces between crystalline regions may be responsible for the superconducting‐like properties observed in graphite. Our transport measurements also show that reducing the sample lateral size as well as the length between voltage electrodes decreases the magnetoresistance, in agreement with recently published results. The magnetoresistance of the multigraphene samples shows a scaling of the form [(R (B) – R (0))/R (0)]/Tα = f (B /T) with a sample dependent exponent α ∼ 1, which applies in the whole temperature 2 K ≤ T ≤ 270 K and magnetic field range B ≤ 8 T. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical resistivity and photoluminescence of zinc oxide films prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis
Authors: Bouzid Khedidja , Djelloul Abdelkader , Bouzid Noureddine , Bougdira Jamal
Published: October 2008

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been prepared by ultrasonic Spray pyrolysis (USP) technique using zinc acetate dihydrate dissolved in methanol, ethanol and deionized water. A number of techniques, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–visible, electrical resistivity, and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize the obtained ZnO thin films. The evolution of the preferred crystalline orientations in the ZnO films was systematically investigated. The PL measurements indicated that the as‐grown ZnO thin films showed UV and green emission bands when they were excited by a Hg arc lamp using 313 nm as the excitation source. A red‐shift in the near band edge (NBE) has been observed with the increase in the substrate temperature and has been attributed to the compressive intrinsic stress present in the films. It is confirmed that oxygen vacancy (VO) is the most important factor that causes the broad visible emission. Furthermore, the visible emission and electrical resistivity of ZnO thin films are found to be a function of porosity. Also, it has been interestingly found that the intensity of green emission at ∼2.5 eV remarkably increased when the obtained ZnO films were deposited at 320 °C. The reason might be the VO, intrinsic stress, surface‐to‐volume ratio and porosity in the sample increased at low substrate temperature. The resistivity follows the same behavior as the intensity of the green emission. We propose a new luminescence mechanism based on the recombination related to oxygen vacancies in Zn‐rich or stoichiometric conditions. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Error propagation in multiscale approaches to the elasticity of polycrystals
Authors: Friák Martin , Counts William Art , Raabe Dierk , Neugebauer Jörg
Published: October 2008

The error propagation properties of the Voigt, Reuss, Voigt–Reuss–Hill–Gilvarry, and Hershey schemes for the determination of the integral elastic response of texture free polycrystalline aggregates with cubic structure were studied. The sensitivity of the homogenized polycrystalline shear modulus was tested (i) analytically on the partial derivatives of the shear modulus with respect to the individual elastic constants within extremal Voigt and Reuss schemes, and (ii) numerically for all four methods. The sensitivity of the Hershey shear modulus on the input parameters, the single crystalline elastic constants B, C ′, C44, is shown to be within the limiting values found for the Voigt and Reuss schemes. This conclusion is illustrated numerically on a set of five cubic materials with very different physical properties. The influence of the bulk modulus was found to be approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than that of C ′ and C44. The Hershey modulus was also found to be non‐linear, asymmetric, and strongly dependent on the level of the elastic anisotropy of the studied system. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Relation between the topology of the elementary energy bands in the valence band of the Hg3TeCl4 crystal and its anisotropy
Authors: Sznajder M.
Published: October 2008

A mechanism of the Davydov‐like splitting formation in the Brillouin zone of the Hg3TeCl4 crystal (Pbca, D2h15) with two double translationally nonequivalent layers in the unit cell was analyzed. The topology of the 8‐branch elementary energy bands creating the valence band of Hg3TeCl4 was explained. Energetic distances between states of the elementary energy bands at the Brillouin zone edges were estimated by means of the localized function method. The topology of the elementary energy bands was related with the ratio of the interaction strength between the double layers in the unit cell and the interaction strength between single layers creating the double layer. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Oxygen vacancy configuration of δ‐Bi2O3: an ab initio study
Authors: Zhong Guohua , Wang Yao , Dai Zhenxiang , Wang Jianglong , Zeng Zhi
Published: October 2008

The oxygen vacancy configurations and electronic structures of δ‐Bi2O3 have been studied using the ab initio calculation full‐potential linearized augmented plane‐wave (FPLAPW) method and considering the relativistic effect in Bi atoms in terms of spin–orbital coupling. Three vacancy structures, 〈111〉, 〈110〉 and 〈100〉, were analysed. It was found that the layered δ‐Bi2O3 with 〈110〉 vacancy alignment is the most stable. An indirect band gap of 0.46 eV was observed for this structure. Additionally, the role of lone‐pair electrons as well as polarization during the diffusion of oxygen atoms have been investigated. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Kinetics of coupled ordering and segregation in antiphase domains
Authors: Gumennyk K. , Stefanovich L. , Feldman E.
Published: October 2008

We study a multi‐domain ordering kinetics in solid solutions under simultaneous diffusion of solute atoms. By the example of a binary bcc alloy a system of kinetic equations is derived, describing the coupled relaxation of occupancies of the two sublattices, building a bcc lattice, by A and B atomic species. Such an approach supplemented by the simplest mean‐field approximation proves sufficient to describe both the establishing of long‐range order and the segregation processes occurring in antiphase domains. An interaction and interrelation between evolution of the conserved and non‐conserved order parameter fields are elucidated. Asymptotical and numerical analysis of the obtained evolution equations reveals a multi‐stage scenario of the alloy relaxation: first comes the quick development of long‐range order which is then followed by the slow redistribution of local alloy concentration, so that the majority atoms segregate towards the region of an antiphase boundary. The alloy exhibits a distinct tendency to form a multi‐domain structure out of a solitary long‐range order parameter fluctuation of a certain sign. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)