bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Ferulic Acid Ester, a New Ellagic Acid Derivative, and Other Constituents from Pachycentria formosana: Effects on Neutrophil Pro‐Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Cho Jui‐Ying , Lee Tzong‐Huei , Hwang Tsong‐Long , Yang Sheng‐Zehn , Chen Ih‐Sheng , Chou Tsung‐Hsien , Sung Ping‐Jyun , Chen Jih‐Jung
Published: September 2011

A new ferulic acid ester derivative, tetracosane‐1,24‐diyl di[(Z)‐ferulate] (1), and a new ellagic acid derivative, 3,4 : 3′,4′‐bis(O,O‐methylene)ellagic acid (2), have been isolated from leaves and twigs of Pachycentria formosana, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were determined by in‐depth spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses. Among the isolated compounds, oleanolic acid (6), ursolic acid acetate (7), and 3‐epibetulinic acid (9) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50 values ≤21.8 μM) of O2⋅− generation by human neutrophils in response to N‐formyl‐L‐methionyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). In addition, oleanolic acid (6), 3‐O‐[(E)‐feruloyl]ursolic acid (8), 3‐epibetulinic acid (9), and lawsonic acid (10) also inhibited fMLP/CB‐induced elastase release with IC50 values ≤18.6 μM.
Chemistry and Structural Biology of DNA Damage and Biological Consequences
Authors: Stone Michael P. , Huang Hai , Brown Kyle L. , Shanmugam Ganesh
Published: September 2011

The formation of adducts by the reaction of chemicals with DNA is a critical step for the initiation of carcinogenesis. The structural analysis of various DNA adducts reveals that conformational and chemical rearrangements and interconversions are a common theme. Conformational changes are modulated both by the nature of adduct and the base sequences neighboring the lesion sites. Equilibria between conformational states may modulate both DNA repair and error‐prone replication past these adducts. Likewise, chemical rearrangements of initially formed DNA adducts are also modulated both by the nature of adducts and the base sequences neighboring the lesion sites. In this review, we focus on DNA damage caused by a number of environmental and endogenous agents, and biological consequences.
Development and Progress in Solar Cooling Technologies with Sorption Systems
Authors: Albers Jan , Kühn Annett , Petersen Stefan , Ziegler Felix
Published: September 2011

Sorption cooling technologies are well known as energy efficient cooling supplying apparatuses where heat as driving energy is used from waste heat sources, trigeneration systems (engines), solar thermal plants, etc. Especially in the air‐conditioning business often a strong correlation exists between insolation and cooling requirement. Therefore, the interest in solar cooling systems prevails since several decades. Some hundred systems have been installed all over the world and operate, some satisfactorily and some others not. However, no really cost‐competitive system for widespread application exists. A step forward can only be expected by innovative design of collectors or chillers, by improved system integration and enhanced control strategies, or by expanded application, e.g., the use as a heat pump in the heating period as well. The state of the art was reported several times. Here three important topics are highlighted: the role of collector and process development, the primary energy demand (in combination with the conventional back‐up system and auxiliary energy needs), and the role of the double use of the system during summer and winter time (i.e. collectors for both heat and cold, sorption apparatus as chiller and heat pump). The paper is focusing on solar air conditioning rather than solar refrigeration.
Estimation of Local Aging Effects of Three‐Way‐Catalysts by Analysis of their Spatial Temperature Profile in Operation
Authors: Mladenov Nikolay M. , Tischer Steffen , Deutschmann Olaf
Published: September 2011

Die exotherme chemische Umsetzung des Abgases verursacht in der monolithischen Struktur technischer Dreiwegekatalysatoren einen lokal und zeitlich variierenden Wärmeeintrag, der zu charakteristischen radialen und axialen Temperaturprofilen führt. Auf einem Motorprüfstand gemessene Temperaturprofile für stationär und dynamisch mit Realabgasen sowie homogen mit heißem Inertgas gealterte Dreiwegekatalysatoren werden mit denen frischer Katalysatoren verglichen. Die experimentell ermittelten Temperaturprofile können mittels numerischer Simulation des Wärme‐ und Stofftransportes und der chemischen Umsätze durch Variation der lokalen Dispersion der katalytischen Aktivkomponente ohne Kenntnis der konkreten Alterungsgeschichte des Katalysators wiedergegeben werden. Damit kann man aus dem lokalen Wärmeeintrag, bestimmbar durch Messung von Temperaturprofilen, direkt auf die lokale Katalysatordeaktivierung, ausgedrückt durch die verminderte lokale Dispersion, schließen.
Testing uniform colour spaces and colour‐difference formulae using printed samples
Authors: Huang Min , Liu Haoxue , Cui Guihua , Luo M. Ronnier
Published: September 2011

A grey‐scale psychophysical experiment was carried out for evaluating colour differences using printed colour patches. In total, 446 pairs of printed samples were prepared surrounding 17 colour centers recommended by the CIE with an average δE of 3 units. Each pair was assessed 27 times by nine observers. The visual results were used to test some selected more advanced colour‐difference formulae and uniform colour spaces. The results showed that CIELAB and OSA performed the worst, and the advanced formulae and spaces gave quite satisfactory performance such as CIEDE2000, CIE94, DIN99d, CAM02‐UCS, and OSA‐GP‐Eu. The colour discrimination ellipses were used to compare with those of the earlier studies. The results showed that they agreed well with each other. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012
Ni‐2,3‐thiophenedithiolate Anions in New Architectures: An In‐Line Mixed‐Valence Ni Dithiolene (Ni4–S12) Cluster
Authors: Neves Ana I. S. , Santos Isabel C. , Pereira Laura C. J. , Rovira Concepció , Ruiz Eliseo , Belo Dulce , Almeida Manuel
Published: September 2011

A family of salts that was based on the [Ni(α‐tpdt)x]n–anions (α‐tpdt = 2,3‐thiophenedithiolate) and the K+crown‐ether cations were prepared and were then structurally and magnetically characterised. In [K(18‐crown‐6)][Ni(α‐tpdt)2], the anion has a square planar coordination geometry with ligand disorder and the cations and anions are segregated in alternating layers in the crystal structure, as was found in the previous [Ni(α‐tpdt)2]–salts. Two salts were obtained with the [K(15‐crown‐5)2]+cation. The expected 1:1 salt was obtained, which had the usual anion square planar coordination geometry for [Ni(α‐tpdt)2]–but that had a new molecular arrangement based on an anion double chain. In addition, a 2:1 salt was obtained, which had a new anionic geometry, namely, [Ni4(α‐tpdt)6]2–, which is an unprecedented example of an in‐line mixed‐valence Ni4dithiolene (Ni4–S12) cluster. A compound with an eight‐membered tetrasulfide ring, namely a bis(thiophene‐2,3‐diyl) bis(sulfide), was also obtained. The salts that are based on the paramagnetic [Ni(α‐tpdt)2]–anion presented interesting magnetic properties that resulted from the competition between the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) interactions with a low‐temperature cluster glass behaviour, which was associated with thecis‐transligand disorder.
Total Synthesis of α‐Linked Rha–Rha–Gal Undecaprenyl Diphosphate Found in Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Authors: Holkenbrink Annika , Koester Dennis C. , Kaschel Johannes , Werz Daniel B.
Published: September 2011

A (2+1) glycosylation approach was employed to construct the core structure of a trisaccharide found in the soil bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus. The phospholipid was assembled by the reaction of a peracetylated trisaccharide bearing an anomeric hydroxy group with phosphoramidite and subsequent oxidation to the phosphate. The final coupling step with undecaprenyl monophosphate followed by global acetate deprotection completed the total synthesis of the highly amphiphilic target molecule.
Determination of Dissolved Zn(II) and Cd(II) in Estuarine Water by Using a Bismuth Film Microelectrode
Authors: de Souza Ana P. R. , Salles Maiara O. , Braga Elisabete S. , Bertotti Mauro
Published: September 2011

A bismuth‐film electrode was employed to quantify Cd(II) and Zn(II) in estuarine water samples by anodic stripping voltammetry. The bismuth film was deposited in situ simultaneously with the analytes onto a carbon fibre disc microelectrode (radius=3 µm). Under the optimised conditions, calibration plots for both metallic ions were obtained in the range from 0.5 to 10.0 nmol L−1 and the limits of detection for Cd(II) and Zn(II) were estimated as 0.03 and 0.8 nmol L−1, respectively. The accuracy of the results supplied by the bismuth film microelectrode (BiFME) was assessed by performing addition‐recovery experiments and by comparing values with those obtained with a certified sample. The usefulness of the methodology was demonstrated by applying the BiFME to measuring the Cd(II) and Zn(II) content in estuarine water.
Amperometric Detection of Ranitidine Using Glassy Carbon Modified with Ruthenium Oxide Hexacyanoferrate Adapted in a Flow Injection System
Authors: de Araújo William R. , Paixão Thiago R. L.C.
Published: September 2011

A simple analytical method for ranitidine quantification was developed based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of ranitidine on a glassy carbon electrode modified by electrochemical deposition of ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate. Under optimal experimental conditions, the peak current response increases linearly with a ranitidine concentration over the range of 1.25–7.50 µmol L−1. The detection limit of the method was estimated to be 25 nmol L−1. The proposed method improves the analytical parameters obtained by other electroanalytical methods for the quantification of this drug, and it was employed for quantification of ranitidine in 3 commercial samples, the results being in agreement with those obtained by the manufactures.
Electrochemical Behaviors of Single Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Lakbub Jude , Pouliwe Antibe , Kamasah Alexander , Yang Cheng , Sun Peng
Published: September 2011

In this paper, the electrochemical behaviors of a single gold nanoparticle attached on a nanometer sized electrode have been studied. The single nanoparticle was characterized by using electrochemical methods. Since there is only one nanoparticle on the electrode, unarguable information for that sized particle could be obtained. Our preliminary results show that it becomes more difficult to oxidize gold nanoparticle or reduce gold nanoparticle oxide as the radius of the particle becomes smaller. Also, the peak potential of the reduction of gold nanoparticle oxide is proportional to the reciprocal of the radius of the particle.
Visual functioning and quality of life among the older people in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Jason C. S. , Kwok Timothy C. Y. , Chan Dicken C. C. , Yuen Kay W. K. , Kwok Anthony W. L. , Choy Dicky T. K. , Lau Edith M. C. , Leung P. C.
Published: September 2011

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the association of visual functioning and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among the older community in Hong Kong.

Design

This study used the baseline examination of a cohort study MrOs and MsOs (a large study for osteoporosis in men and women).

Setting

This study was set in the Hong Kong community.

Participants

A total of 4000 ambulatory community‐dwelling Chinese men and women aged 65 years or above participated in this study.

Measurements

Health‐related quality of life was assessed by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐12 (SF‐12), with physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Demographics, medical history, mental status, and quality of life were obtained from face‐to‐face interviews, using standard structured questionnaire. Visual functions (i.e., binocular visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis) were assessed by different visual tests after refraction corrections. Different visual functions were tested simultaneously in multiple ordinal logistic regression models.

Results

Better binocular visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis were associated with higher PCS. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity was associated with PCS after adjustment of different visual functions and sex, age, education level, cognitive status, and history of diabetes in multivariate analysis, (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54 0.98) for low vision (≤6/24) compared with ≥6/9 in visual acuity and (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.09 1.64) for contrast sensitivity row b 5–8 (best) compared with 0–1 (worst). MCS was only associated with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, but no association was found after adjustment.

Conclusion

Apparent association was found between visual functions and HRQOL among older community in Hong Kong. In addition to visual acuity, contrast sensitivity is also important, so eye care should also cover. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global expansion of international branch campuses: Managerial and leadership challenges
Authors: Lane Jason E.
Published: September 2011

This chapter outlines the growth of IBCs over the past fifty years and discusses some of the major management and leadership challenges associated with creating and sustaining IBCs.
Identifying fit of mission and environment: Applying the American community college model internationally
Authors: Spangler Mary S. , Tyler Arthur Q.
Published: September 2011

This chapter discusses the exporting of the American community college model and the importance of identifying a good “fit” with local partners.
Xestospongienols A–L, Brominated Acetylenic Acids from the Chinese Marine Sponge Xestospongia testudinaria
Authors: Liu Dong , Xu Jing , Jiang Wei , Deng Zhiwei , de Voogd Nicole J. , Proksch Peter , Lin Wenhan
Published: September 2011

Chemical examination of the Chinese marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria resulted in the isolation and characterization of twelve new brominated acetylenic acids, namely xestospongienols A–L (1a–1d, 2a–2d, and 3a–3d), together with the known analog 4. The structures of xestospongienols A–L were determined on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, IR, and MS analysis in association with the modified Mosher method. The structural patterns are characteristic of brominated unbranched C16‐alkyl chains containing polyene and acetylene moieties.
New Cytochalasins from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO 156
Authors: Chen Ziming , Huang Hongbo , Chen Yuchan , Wang Zhongwen , Ma Junying , Wang Bo , Zhang Weimin , Zhang Changsheng , Ju Jianhua
Published: September 2011

Two new cytochalasins, 18‐deoxycytochalasin Q (1) and 21‐O‐deacetylcytochalasin Q (2), together with four known analogues, cytochalasin Q (3), 19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q (4), 21‐O‐deacetyl‐19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q (5), and cytochalasin D (6), were isolated from the fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO156 originated from the South China Sea marine sediment. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by MS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data analyses, and comparison with known compounds. The known compounds 3–6 were identified by comparison of their MS and NMR data with those reported in the literature. In the in vitro antitumor assay, compounds 2–6 showed mild cytotoxicity against three tumor cell lines (MCF‐7, SF‐268, and NCI‐H460).
A Simple Synthesis of 5‐(2‐Aminophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles
Authors: Janjić Monika , Prebil Rok , Grošelj Uroš , Kralj David , Malavašič Črt , Golobič Amalija , Stare Katarina , Dahmann Georg , Stanovnik Branko , Svete Jurij
Published: September 2011

A four‐step synthesis of 1‐substituted 5‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles 5 as a novel type of histamine analogs and versatile building blocks for further transformations was developed. The synthesis starts from commercially available 2‐nitroacetophenone (12), which is converted into the enamino ketone 13 as the key intermediate. Cyclization of the key intermediate 13 with monosubstituted hydrazines 14a–14l afforded the 5‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles 17a–17l. Finally, catalytic hydrogenation of the nitro compounds 17a, 17c–17e, and 17g–17j furnished the title compounds 5a, 5c–5e, and 5g–5j, respectively, in good yields. As demonstrated by some further transformations, additional functionalization of compounds 17 and 5 is feasible, either by electrophilic substitution at C(4) of the pyrazole ring, or at the NH2 group.
Novel Benzyl‐ or 4‐Cyanobenzyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocyclic (Bromo)(carbene)silver(I) and (Carbene)(chloro)gold(I) Complexes: Synthesis and Preliminary Cytotoxicity Studies
Authors: Patil Siddappa , Deally Anthony , Hackenberg Frauke , Kaps Leonard , Müller‐Bunz Helge , Schobert Rainer , Tacke Matthias
Published: September 2011

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes bromo(1,3‐dibenzyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)silver(I) (2a), bromo[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene]silver(I) (2b), and bromo[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene]silver(I) (2c) were prepared by the reaction of 1,3‐dibenzyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bromide (1a), 3‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bromide (1b), and 3‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium bromide (1c), respectively, with silver(I) oxide. NHC Complexes chloro(1,3‐dibenzyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)gold(I) (3a), chloro[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene]gold(I) (3b), and chloro[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene]gold(I) (3c) were prepared via transmetallation of corresponding (bromo)(NHC)silver(I) complexes with chloro(dimethylsulfido)gold(I). The complex 3a was characterized in two polymorphic forms by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction showing two rotamers in the solid state. The cytotoxicities of all three bromo(NHC)silver(I) complexes and three (chloro)(NHC)gold(I) complexes were investigated through 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bormide (MTT)‐based preliminary in vitro testing on the Caki‐1 cell line in order to determine their IC50 values. (Bromo)(NHC)silver(I) complexes 2a–2c and (chloro)(NHC)gold(I) complexes 3a–3c were found to have IC50 values of 27±2, 28±2, 34±6, 10±1, 12±5, and 12±3 μM, respectively, on the Caki‐1 cell line.
Reactions of Imidoyl Isoselenocyanates with Aromatic 2‐Amino N‐Heterocycles and 1‐Methyl‐1H‐imidazole
Authors: Zhou YuehuiDong , Linden Anthony , Heimgartner Heinz
Published: September 2011

The reaction of N‐phenylimidoyl isoselenocyanates 1 with 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazoles 10 in acetone proceeded smoothly at room temperature to give 4H‐1,3‐thiazolo[3,2‐a] [1,3,5]triazine‐4‐selones 13 in fair yields (Scheme 2). Under the same conditions, 1 and 2‐amino‐3‐methylpyridine (11) underwent an addition reaction, followed by a spontaneous oxidation, to yield the 3H‐4λ4‐[1,2,4]selenadiazolo[1′,5′:1,5] [1,2,4]selenadiazolo[2,3‐a]pyridine 14 (Scheme 3). The structure of 14 was established by X‐ray crystallography (Fig. 1). Finally, the reaction of 1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole (12) and 1 led to 3‐methyl‐1‐(N‐phenylbenzimidoyl)‐1H‐imidazolium selenocyanates 15 (Scheme 4). In all three cases, an initially formed selenourea derivative is proposed as an intermediate.
Efficient inclusion of receptor flexibility in grid‐based protein–ligand docking*
Authors: Leis Simon , Zacharias Martin
Published: September 2011

Accounting for receptor flexibility is an essential component of successful protein–ligand docking but still marks a major computational challenge. For many target molecules of pharmaceutical relevance, global backbone conformational changes are relevant during the ligand binding process. However, popular methods that represent the protein receptor molecule as a potential grid typically assume a rigid receptor structure during ligand–receptor docking. A new approach has been developed that combines inclusion of global receptor flexibility with the efficient potential grid representation of the receptor molecule. This is achieved using interpolation between grid representations of the receptor protein deformed in selected collective degrees of freedom. The method was tested on the docking of three ligands to apo protein kinase A (PKA), an enzyme that undergoes global structural changes upon inhibitor binding. Structural variants of PKA were generated along the softest normal mode of an elastic network representation of apo PKA. Inclusion of receptor deformability during docking resulted in a significantly improved docking performance compared with rigid PKA docking, thus allowing for systematic virtual screening applications at small additional computational cost. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Methodological evaluation and comparison of five urinary albumin measurements
Authors: Liu Rui , Li Gang , Cui Xiao‐Fan , Zhang Dong‐Ling , Yang Qing‐Hong , Mu Xiao‐Yan , Pan Wen‐Jie
Published: September 2011

Background: Microalbuminuria is an indicator of kidney damage and a risk factor for the progression kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and so on. Therefore, accurate and precise measurement of urinary albumin is critical. However, there are no reference measurement procedures and reference materials for urinary albumin. Methods: Nephelometry, turbidimetry, colloidal gold method, radioimmunoassay, and chemiluminescence immunoassay were performed for methodological evaluation, based on imprecision test, recovery rate, linearity, haemoglobin interference rate, and verified reference interval. Then we tested 40 urine samples from diabetic patients by each method, and compared the result between assays. Results: The results indicate that nephelometry is the method with best analytical performance among the five methods, with an average intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.6%, an average interassay CV of 1.7%, a mean recovery of 99.6%, a linearity of R=1.00 from 2 to 250 mg/l, and an interference rate of <10% at haemoglobin concentrations of <1.82 g/l. The correlation (r) between assays was from 0.701 to 0.982, and the Bland–Altman plots indicated each assay provided significantly different results from each other. Conclusion: Nephelometry is the clinical urinary albumin method with best analytical performance in our study. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:324–329, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic and prognostic role of serum glypican 3 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Özkan Hasan , Erdal Harun , Koçak Erdem , Tutkak Hüseyin , Karaeren Zihni , Yakut Mustafa , Köklü Seyfettin
Published: September 2011

α‐Feto protein (AFP) is the widely used tumor marker in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic validity of a novel marker, serum Glypican‐3 (GPC3) and to compare AFP in patients with HCC. One hundred and twenty‐eight patients (75 patients with HCC, 55 patients with cirrhosis, and 28 healthy controls) were included in this study. Cut‐off value of GPC3 was 3.9 pg/ml. AFP was divided into four subgroups, according to cut‐off values with 13, 20, 100, and 200 ng/ml. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of GPC3 and AFP13, AFP20, AFP100, AFP200 subgroups and also GPC3+AFP13, GPC3+AFP20, GPC3+AFP100, GPC3+AFP200 combinations were compared. Serum GPC3 levels were significantly higher in patients with HCC and cirrhosis compared with control subjects (P<0.05). The median serum GPC3 levels were 3.9 pg/ml in controls, 5.51 pg/ml in patients with cirrhosis, and 5.13 pg/ml in those with HCC. The median serum AFP levels were 1.37 ng/ml in controls, 2.32 ng/ml in cirrhotics, and 50.65 ng/ml in HCC patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of GPC3 was 61.33, 41.82, 58.97, and 44.43%, respectively. The values for AFP were 68.57, 94.55, 94.12, and 70.27%, respectively. There was no correlation between GPC3 levels and prognostic parameters. GPC3 is not a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for HCC. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:350–353, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The organizational science of disaster/terrorism prevention and response: Theory‐building toward the future of the field
Authors: James Keith
Published: September 2011

The organizational science of disaster and terrorism is underdeveloped. In an effort to help promote it and, based on a review of existing literature as well as lessons learned from the process of developing the special issue, two models and derived sample propositions for future research are offered. The models span multiple levels and use system, network, and identity theories to tie together key constructs. Existing conceptual views of, and research on, organizations and disaster/terrorism are considered, and missing and under‐researched concepts are identified. Proposed linkages among constructs are offered to produce nomological networks for the organizational science of disaster/terrorism intended to help guide the future development of the field. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete ACL/MCL deficiency induces variable degrees of instability in sheep with specific kinematic abnormalities correlating with degrees of early osteoarthritis
Authors: Frank Cyril B. , Beveridge Jillian E. , Huebner Kyla D. , Heard Bryan J. , Tapper Janet E. , O'Brien Etienne J. O. , Shrive Nigel G.
Published: September 2011

People are not equally disabled by combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, nor do they all develop osteoarthritis (OA). Although biological/biomechanical causes are not clear, some association presumably exists between joint instability and OA development. We hypothesized that degree of OA development following standardized complete ACL/MCL injuries will vary directly with the degree of biomechanical abnormality between individuals. Three groups of sheep were used to test the hypothesis: 17 normal, 9 ACL/MCL transected, and 7 sham animals. Normal joints were assessed morphologically while sham and experimental animals had gait assessment pre‐ and at 4 and 20 weeks post‐surgery, with cartilage and bone changes being mapped and graded at sacrifice at 20 weeks. Sham joints were morphologically normal and had only one minor kinematic change at 20 weeks. Although variable, ACL/MCL deficient animals showed significant kinematic abnormalities in 4/6 degrees of freedom (DOFs), as well as cartilage/bone damage by 20 weeks (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that changes in medial–lateral (ML) translation were related to the current level of joint degradation as represented by total gross OA score (p = 0.0044, R2 = 0.71) in the ACL/MCL transected group. Even identical ACL/MCL injuries result in inter‐animal variations in instability and OA, however significant kinematic abnormalities in ML translation do relate to early OA in sheep. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:384–392, 2012
Short‐term muscle atrophy caused by botulinum toxin‐A local injection impairs fracture healing in the rat femur
Authors: Hao Yongqiang , Ma Yongcheng , Wang Xuepeng , Jin Fangchun , Ge Shengfang
Published: September 2011

Damaged bone is sensitive to mechanical stimulation throughout the remodeling phase of bone healing. Muscle damage and muscular atrophy associated with open fractures and subsequent fixation are not beneficial to maintaining optimum conditions for mechanical stability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether local muscle atrophy and dysfunction affect fracture healing in a rat femur fracture model. We combined the rat model of a short period atrophy of the quadriceps with femur fracture. Forty‐four‐month‐old male Wistar rats were adopted for this study. Two units of botulinum toxin‐A (BXTA) were administered locally into the right side of the quadriceps of each rat, while the same dose of saline was injected into the contralateral quadriceps. After BXTA had been fully absorbed by the quadriceps, osteotomy was performed in both femurs with intramedullary fixation. Gross observation and weighing of muscle tissue, X‐ray analysis, callus histology, and bone biomechanical testing were performed at different time points up to 8 weeks post‐surgery. Local injection of BXTA led to a significant decrease in the volume and weight of the quadriceps compared to the control side. At the eighth week, the left side femurs of the saline‐injected quadriceps almost reached bony union, and fibrous calluses were completely calcified into woven bone. However, a gap was still visible in the BXTA‐treated side on X‐ray images. As showed by bone histology, there were no mature osseous calluses or woven bone on the BXTA‐treated side, but a resorption pattern was evident. Biomechanical testing indicated that the femurs of the BXTA‐treated side exhibited inferior mechanical properties compared with the control side. The inferior outcome following BXTA injection, compared with saline injection, in terms of callus resistance may be the consequence of unexpected load and mechanical unsteadiness caused by muscle atrophy and dysfunction. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:574–580, 2012
Lateglacial and early Holocene dynamics of adjacent valley glaciers in the Western Swiss Alps
Authors: Schindelwig Inga , Akçar Naki , Kubik Peter W. , Schlüchter Christian
Published: September 2011

The Alps play a pivotal role for glacier and climate reconstructions within Europe. Detailed glacial chronologies provide important insights into mechanisms of glaciation and climate change. We present 26 10Be exposure dates of glacially transported boulders situated on moraines and ice‐moulded bedrock samples at the Belalp cirque and the Great Aletsch valley, Switzerland. Weighted mean ages of ∼10.9, 11.1, 11.0 and 9.6 ka for the Belalp, on up to six individual moraine ridges, constrain these moraines to the Egesen, Kartell and Schams stadials during Lateglacial to early Holocene times. The weighted mean age of ∼12.5 ka for the right‐lateral moraine of the Great Aletsch correlates with the Egesen stadial related to the Younger Dryas cooling. These data indicate that during the early Holocene between ∼11.7 and ∼9.2 ka, glaciers in the Swiss Alps seem to have been significantly affected by cold climatic conditions initiated during the Younger Dryas and the Preboreal Oscillation. These conditions resulted in glacier margin oscillations relating to climatic fluctuations during the second phase of the Younger Dryas – and continuing into Boreal times – as supported by correlation of the innermost moraine of the Belalp Cirque to the Schams (early) Holocene stage. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐residue analysis of pesticide residues in mangoes using solid‐phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography and UV–Vis detection
Authors: Filho Adalberto M. , dos Santos Fábio N. , de Paula Pereira Pedro A.
Published: September 2011

A sensitive and efficient solid‐phase microextraction method, based on liquid chromatography and UV–Vis detection, was developed and validated as an alternative method for sample screening prior to LC‐MS analysis. It enables the simultaneous determination of ten pesticides in mango fruits. The fiber used was polydimethylsiloxane while optimum SPME conditions employed have been developed and optimized in a previous work. The desorption process was performed in static mode, using acetonitrile as a solvent. The results indicate that the DI‐SPME/HPLC/UV–Vis procedure resulted in good linear range, accuracy, precision and sensibility and is adequate for analyzing pesticide residues in mango fruits. The limits of detection (0.6–3.3 μg/kg) and quantification (2.0–10.0 μg/kg) were achieved with values lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) established by Brazilian legislation for all pesticides in this study. The average recovery rates obtained for each pesticide ranged from 71.6 to 104.3% at three fortification levels, with the relative standard deviation ranging from 4.3 to 18.6%. The proposed method was applied for the determination of the aforementioned compounds in commercial mango samples and residues of azoxystrobin, fenthion, permethrin, abamectin and bifenthrin were detected in the mango samples, although below the MRLs established by Brazilian legislation.
Solid‐phase extraction element based on epoxy polymer monolith for determination of polar organic compounds in aqueous media
Authors: Takahashi Tadashi , Odagiri Kayo , Watanabe Atsushi , Watanabe Chuichi , Kubo Takuya , Hosoya Ken
Published: September 2011

A solid‐phase extraction element based on epoxy polymer monolith was fabricated for sorptive enrichment of polar compounds from liquid and gaseous samples. After ultrasonication of the element in an aqueous solution for a given period of time, the thermal desorption (TD) using a pyrolyzer with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), in which TD temperature was programmed from 50 to 250°C for the analytes absorbed in the element, was used to evaluate the element for basic extraction performance using the aqueous standard mixtures consisting of compounds having varied polarities such as hexanol, isoamyl acetate, linalool, furfural and decanoic acid, in concentrations ranging from 10 μg/L to 1 mg/L. Excellent linear relationships were observed for all compounds in the standard mixture, except decanoic acid. In the extraction of beverages such as red wine, the extraction element showed stronger adsorption characteristics for polar compounds such as alcohols and acids than a non‐polar polydimethylsiloxane‐based element. This feature is derived from the main polymer structure along with hydroxyl and amino groups present in the epoxy‐based monolith polymer matrix.
Tympanic membrane wound healing in rats assessed by transcriptome profiling
Authors: Santa Maria Peter L. , Redmond Sharon L. , McInnes Russell L. , Atlas Marcus D. , Ghassemifar Reza
Published: September 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The aim of this study is to elucidate transcriptional changes that occur in response to tympanic membrane (TM) perforation in rats and to infer key genes and molecular events in the healing process.

Study Design:

A prospective cohort study of 393 male Sprague‐Dawley (Rattus norvegicus) rats.

Methods:

Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly allocated into either control or perforation groups spanning a 7‐day time period. Perforation groups consisted of 12‐hour, 24‐hour, 36‐hour, 2‐day, 3‐day, 4‐day, 5‐day, six‐day, and 7‐day time points. The left TMs of all perforation groups were perforated and the RNA extracted at the specified time point postperforation. Subsequent analysis was performed using Agilent's 4 × 44 k whole rat genome arrays (40 in total) to assess wound‐healing gene expression over a 7‐day time period.

Results:

Over a 7‐day time course and at nine time points that encompassed the wounding and progression of healing, a total of 3,262 genes were differentially expressed. In this study the transcripts most upregulated occurred at 12 hours. These were Stefin A2 (344‐fold), Stefin 2 (143‐fold), and Natriuretic peptide precursor type B (222‐fold). Those most downregulated also occurred at 12 hours. These were alcohol dehydrogenase 7 (13.1‐fold) and gamma‐butyrobetaine hydroxylase (10.4‐fold). Results were validated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study provide a baseline against which to identify disease‐related molecular signatures, biomarkers, and to develop new treatments for TM conditions based on molecular evidence.
Analysis of upper airway obstruction by sleep videofluoroscopy in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Lee Chul Hee , Hong Sung‐Lyong , Rhee Chae‐Seo , Kim Sang‐Wook , Kim Jeong‐Whun
Published: September 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To analyze the pattern of the upper airway obstruction in a large cohort of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients using sleep videofluoroscopy (SVF).

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Methods:

This study included 922 OSA patients who underwent both polysomnography and SVF. Their mean age, apnea‐hypopnea index, and body mass index were 46.8 years, 34.2 per hour, and 26.2 kg/m2, respectively. Sleep was induced by intravenous injection of midazolam, and the obstruction pattern was determined on SVF when oxygen saturation dropped by more than 4% in pulse oxymetry.

Results:

The anatomic structure and airway level, which were most commonly involved in obstruction, were the soft palate (77.9%) and the oropharynx (88.1%), respectively. The soft palate alone was the most common obstructed structure in mild OSA (43.2%), and the combination of the soft palate and the tongue base was more frequent in severe OSA (45.2%). The tongue base or the hypopharynx was progressively more involved in moderate/severe OSA cases (P < .001, respectively), and a multiplicity of obstruction pattern also increased according to OSA severity (P < .001). However, 32.4% of the patients with mild OSA also had multiple obstructive anatomic structures.

Conclusions:

Even if multiplicity of obstruction pattern was most commonly associated with severe OSA, almost one third of mild OSA patients also showed multiple anatomic structures and levels of obstruction. Therefore, a precise evaluation for multiplicity of obstruction patterns should precede the decision of a treatment plan, regardless of disease severity.
Enzymatic Activity at the Surface of Biomaterials via Supramolecular Anchoring of Peptides: The Effect of Material Processing
Authors: Appel Wilco P. J. , Meijer E. W. , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: September 2011

Supramolecular polymers allow for a modular approach to bioactive biomaterials. Here the effect of processing on the bioactivation of supramolecular biomaterials using a RNase S assay is investigated. Incorporation of S‐peptides into supramolecular polymers by solvent casting shows a clear organic‐solvent dependency. Although a significant release of the S‐peptides is observed, RNase S activity can be measured indicating successful S‐peptide surface immobilization. Additionally, the effect of electrospinning on the biomaterial's bioactivity is studied, showing that the fibrous meshes developed were bioactive. The results show the importance of solvent choice, and illustrate the potency of rendering supramolecular biomaterial films and meshes bioactive via a modular approach.

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Free posterior tibial artery perforator flap for floor of mouth reconstruction: A case report
Authors: Xu Zhong‐Fei , Shang De‐Hao , Duan Wei‐Yi , Liu Fa‐Yu , Li Peng , Sun Chang‐Fu
Published: September 2011

In this report, we present a case with floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma who underwent wide excision of tumor, a marginal mandibulectomy and bilateral selective neck dissections. A 7 cm × 4 cm fasciocutaneous flap based on a posterior tibial artery perforator (PTAP) from the left posterior leg was harvested to reconstruct a floor of the mouth defect. The donor‐site defect was closed primarily. The flap survived in its entirety. No donor or recipient site complications occurred. The patient tolerated a regular diet at 3‐month follow‐up with normal speech and leg function. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report on the use of the PTAP flap for floor of mouth reconstruction. Our experience has shown the PTAP flap could be one of options for small defects. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
The one‐dimensional shallow water equations with transparent boundary conditions
Authors: Petcu Madalina , Temam Roger
Published: September 2011

In this article, we address the question of the local in time well‐posedness of the one‐dimensional shallow water on an interval, these equations being supplemented with suitable boundary conditions. The flows considered are subcritical and the height never vanishes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis in infants and children in Florida
Authors: Winterstein Almut G. , Hampp Christian , Saidi Arwa
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Palivizumab effectiveness data on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are limited to trial settings and vary considerably between selected high‐risk populations. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness in a community‐based sample.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of children with ≥3 months Florida Medicaid fee‐for‐service eligibility between 1998 and 2004 who also had matching birth certificates. Children entered the cohort at the beginning of the RSV season, after a minimum of 60 days in ambulatory care, and were followed until the earliest of the following: season end, second birthday, loss of eligibility, hospitalization, or death. Study endpoint was the first RSV‐related hospitalization. To evaluate the presence of confounding, a second endpoint, hospitalizations for pneumonia or bronchiolitis secondary to specified bacterial or viral pathogens other than RSV, was used. Palivizumab exposure defined as first use (day 1–30 of first dose), subsequent use (days 1–30 of each subsequent dose), and former use (days 31–60 after any dose if delays or no readministration occurred) was compared with non‐use with a Cox regression model, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Hazard ratios (HRs) for RSV hospitalizations were 0.89 (95%CI, 0.71–1.12), 0.56 (95%CI, 0.46–0.69), and 0.71 (95%CI, 0.51–0.97) for first, subsequent, and former use, respectively. HRs for hospitalization because of non‐RSV infections were 1.31 (95%CI, 1.04–1.65), 1.03 (95%CI, 0.86–1.23), and 1.05 (95%CI, 0.78–1.41), indicating residual confounding for first but not for subsequent and former use.

Conclusion

In this community‐based study, palivizumab was associated with a reduction in severe RSV infections of a magnitude comparable to the lower clinical trial efficacy estimates. Protection appears to extend beyond the currently recommended monthly dosing schedule. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ synthesis of high molecular weight poly(L‐lactic acid) clay nanocomposites
Authors: Katiyar Vimal , Nanavati Hemant
Published: September 2011

We propose here a significantly improved process for the preparation of a lactide‐clay intercalated mixture, which yields a high molecular weight (MW, Mn ∼ 126,000 Da) poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) clay nanocomposite (PLACN) in short times of in situ ring opening polymerization (ROP). In situ ROP using such a lactide‐clay mixture enables ROP in the “nano‐sized reactors” formed by the clay galleries. Cloisite®Na clays have been modified in‐house with two different surfactant modifiers, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, and these modified clays are compared with Cloisite®20A and Cloisite®30B. Interlayer spacings of modified clays are correlated with the resulting PLACN morphology and polymer MW growth. The optical purity of PLACNs is found similar, whereas thermal stability is significantly superior to that of neat PLLA. XRD/SAXS and TEM analyses confirm that PLACN can be prepared either with intercalated or exfoliated morphology when using either nonfunctionalized or functionalized modified clay, respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Alternating block copolymers based on polyamide‐12 and polycaprolactone
Authors: Gube Andrea , Jakisch Lothar , Häußler Liane , Schneider Konrad , Voit Brigitte , Böhme Frank
Published: September 2011

A series of alternating polyester/polyamide block copolymers were prepared by sequential conversion of hydroxy‐terminated polycaprolactone and amino‐terminated polyamide‐12 with a selectively reacting coupling agent. The thermal properties of the block copolymers were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. Mechanical properties were determined using tensile and impact tests. All polymers were phase‐separated, where the polyamide phase was semicrystalline in all compositions. Distinct crystallization of the polycaprolactone phase was observed only when the block length was greater than 2000 g mol−1. Mechanical testing showed that the polymers behave in a manner similar to that of thermoplastic elastomers. In particular, samples with a high content of polycaprolactone showed high strain and good impact behaviour. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Photoresponsive soft materials: Synthesis and photophysical studies of a stilbene‐based diblock copolymer
Authors: Menon Sajith , Thekkayil Remyamol , Varghese Shinto , Das Suresh
Published: September 2011

An amphiphilic diblock copolymer composed of a photoresponsive dialkoxycyanostilbene polymethacrylate and poly(ethylene oxide) (PDACS‐b‐PEO) was synthesized and its photophysical and aggregation properties were investigated. The amphiphilic nature of the polymer caused it to self‐assemble in water, and dynamic light scattering studies indicated formation of spherical aggregates with an average size of 160 nm. Atomic force microscopy images of dried films cast from solutions containing the polymer aggregates revealed supramolecular aggregates with a spherical morphology. Photoisomerization of the stilbene chromophore in PDACS‐b‐PEO on UV irradiation resulted in the destruction of the self‐assembled superstructures which could be attributed both to change in shape of the chromophore from the linear trans isomer to the bent cis isomer which would hinder self‐aggregation of the molecules and the higher dipole moment of the cis isomer leading to a reduction of the hydrophobic nature of the stilbene containing block of PDACS‐b‐PEO. It was observed that hydrophobic dyes such as curcumin could be encapsulated within the hydrophobic interior of the spherical micellar aggregates from which the encapsulated dye could be released on UV irradiation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Effects of an interactive tailored patient assessment on patient–clinician communication in cancer care
Authors: Heyn Lena , Finset Arnstein , Eide Hilde , Ruland Cornelia M.
Published: September 2011

Background

To test the effect of Choice, an interactive tailored patient assessment (ITPA) tool on the number and types of symptoms addressed during consultations with cancer patients, cancer patients' active participation during consultation with clinicians, and clinicians' responses.

Method

A total of 193 consultations were audio taped and coded with the task‐oriented part of Roter Interactive Assessment System. In addition, we recorded the initiator of each coded utterance (clinician or patient) as defined by Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences and indicated the symptoms addressed in a list of all symptoms within the Choice ITPA. Of the 193 consultations, 99 were standard consultations that served as a control group. In the 94 intervention group consultations, patients utilized the Choice ITPA prior to the consultation, and the assessment summary was available to both patients and clinicians. We compared the two groups in both multilevel and multivariate analyses.

Results

We found significantly more symptoms addressed in the intervention group as compared with the control group. We also found that the patients asked more questions in the intervention group, indicating that they were more active participants when utilizing Choice. The clinicians also provided more information in the intervention group.

Conclusion

The Choice ITPA was successful in making cancer patients more active participants in the consultation with their clinician. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.