bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How chronic viral infections impact on antigen‐specific T‐cell responses
Authors: Frebel Helge , Richter Kirsten , Oxenius Annette
Published: January 2010

Persistent viral infections are, by definition, associated with ineffective antiviral immunity, in particular those infections caused by viruses that are highly productive and replicative (including HIV, HBV and HCV). The reasons for ineffective antiviral immunity in these types of infections are complex and manifold, and only recently a more comprehensive picture of the parameters responsible for attenuation of immune function is emerging. One reason for poor viral control in these types of infections is the functional deterioration of antiviral T‐cell responses and understanding the underlying mechanisms is of key importance. This review summarizes our current knowledge of cell‐intrinsic and cell‐extrinsic parameters that contribute to T‐cell exhaustion during chronic viral infections and discusses related implications for host survival, immunopathology, and control of infection.
Selective Synthesis of Functional Alkynylmono‐ and ‐trisilanes
Authors: Hoffmann Florian , Wagler Jörg , Roewer Gerhard
Published: January 2010

The selective synthesis of functional alkynylsilanes RC≡C–(SiMe2)m–X (m = 1, 3) was investigated. Monofunctionalization with or without protecting groups gave moderate to good yields of alkynyldimethylmonosilanes RC≡CMe2SiX [R = Ph, X = Cl (1), NEt2 (2), OMe (3), H (4), Br (5), I (6), Cp (8), C5H4Li (10), Ph (11); R = Pr, X = Ph (12)]. Compounds 4 and 8 were converted into the (alkyne)transition‐metal complexes 4·Cp2Mo2(CO)4 (13) and 8·Co2(CO)6 (14), respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Stepwise extension and functionalization of the silane chain starting from 1‐chloro‐2‐(diethylamino)tetramethyldisilane (Et2NMe2Si–SiMe2Cl) yielded the trisilanes Ph–(SiMe2)3–X [X = NEt2 (18), OMe (19), Cl (20), H (21), C≡CPh (22), C≡CPr (23)]. The synthesized compounds were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, 4, 11, 13, and 14 also by UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Ester Pyrolysis of Carbonates: Bis(benzene hydrate) Carbonate as Potential Precursor for Monomeric Carbonic Acid
Authors: Bucher Götz
Published: January 2010

The twofold ester pyrolysis of carbonates, yielding monomeric carbonic acid, was investigated by computational methods. By comparison with CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ benchmark calculations, the M05‐2X method was found to give the most accurate reaction enthalpies among the DFT methods employed. While the first ester pyrolysis of diethyl carbonate, (E)‐bis(acetaldoxime) carbonate or di‐N,N‐dimethylhydroxylamine carbonate will yield the corresponding monocarbonates, these highly labile compounds are predicted to decay via alternative reaction channels that result in the formation of carbon dioxide. Due to competing O–O bond homolyis reactions, dialkyl diperoxycarbonates are predicted to afford at best moderate yields of monomeric carbonic acid upon flash vacuum pyrolysis. The carbonate derived from “benzene hydrate” (cyclohexa‐2,4‐dien‐1‐ol), however, is predicted to be an ideal precursor for monomeric carbonic acid, undergoing ester pyrolysis in a very facile reaction, with no competing bond homolysis processes.
Diversity of volatile organic compound emissions from flowering and vegetative branches of Yeheb, Cordeauxia edulis (Caesalpiniaceae), a threatened evergreen desert shrub
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed A. , Egigu Meseret C. , Kasurinen Anne , Yahya Asha , Holopainen Jarmo K.
Published: January 2010

Yeheb is a shrub endemic to the Horn of Africa. It is adapted to hot and xeric environments and known to be resistant to insect herbivores. We analysed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace of vegetative branches (VBs) and flowering branches (FBs), stored terpenoids from leaf and bark extracts and foliar total phenolics. Isoprene was the dominant compound in the headspace. In total, 66 VOCs were identified, but only a few stored terpenes were detected. Isoprene and monoterpene emissions from FBs were at levels of 24.0 and 5.12 μg/g dw (dry weight)/h, respectively. A total of 30 compounds were emitted at significantly higher rates from FBs than from VBs. The emission of large quantities of a diverse range of VOCs and the presence of high levels of total phenolics in this plant may be attributed to its defence strategy against both abiotic and biotic stresses in arid environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A local domain‐free discretization method for simulation of incompressible flows over moving bodies
Authors: Zhou C. H. , Shu C.
Published: January 2010

This paper presents a local domain‐free discretization (DFD) method for the simulation of unsteady flows over moving bodies governed by the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The discretization strategy of DFD is that the discrete form of partial differential equations at an interior point may involve some points outside the solution domain. All the mesh points are classified as interior points, exterior dependent points and exterior independent points. The functional values at the exterior dependent points are updated at each time step by the approximate form of solution near the boundary. When the body is moving, only the status of points is changed and the mesh can stay fixed. The issue of ‘freshly cleared nodes/cells’ encountered in usual sharp interface methods does not pose any particular difficulty in the presented method. The Galerkin finite‐element approximation is used for spatial discretization, and the discrete equations are integrated in time via a dual‐time‐stepping scheme based on artificial compressibility. In order to validate the present method for moving‐boundary flow problems, two groups of flow phenomena have been simulated: (1) flows over a fixed circular cylinder, a harmonic in‐line oscillating cylinder in fluid at rest and a transversely oscillating cylinder in uniform flow; (2) flows over a pure pitching airfoil, a heaving–pitching airfoil and a deforming airfoil. The predictions show good agreement with the published numerical results or experimental data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐marker identification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cells with aldehyde dehydrogenase
Authors: Clay Matthew R. , Tabor Mark , Owen John Henry , Carey Thomas E. , Bradford Carol R. , Wolf Gregory T. , Wicha Max S. , Prince Mark E.
Published: January 2010

Background

In accord with the cancer stem cell (CSC) theory, only a small subset of cancer cells are capable of forming tumors. We previously reported that CD44 isolates tumorigenic cells from head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Recent studies indicate that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity may represent a more specific marker of CSCs.

Methods

Six primary HNSCCs were collected. Cells with high and low ALDH activity (ALDHhigh/ALDHlow) were isolated. ALDHhigh and ALDHlow populations were implanted into NOD/SCID mice and monitored for tumor development.

Results

ALDHhigh cells represented a small percentage of the tumor cells (1% to 7.8%). ALDHhigh cells formed tumors from as few as 500 cells in 24/45 implantations, whereas only 3/37 implantations of ALDHlow cells formed tumors.

Conclusions

ALDHhigh cells comprise a subpopulation cells in HNSCCs that are tumorigenic and capable of producing tumors at very low numbers. This finding indicates that ALDH activity on its own is a highly selective marker for CSCs in HNSCC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
miR‐193b is an epigenetically regulated putative tumor suppressor in prostate cancer
Authors: Rauhala Hanna E. , Jalava Sanni E. , Isotalo Jarkko , Bracken Hazel , Lehmusvaara Saara , Tammela Teuvo L.J. , Oja Hannu , Visakorpi Tapio
Published: January 2010

miRNAs have proven to be key regulators of gene expression and are differentially expressed in various diseases, including cancer. Our aim was to identify epigenetically dysregulated genes in prostate cancer. We performed miRNA expression profiling after relieving epigenetic modifications in 6 prostate cancer cell lines and nonmalignant prostate epithelial cells. Thirty‐eight miRNAs showed increased expression in any prostate cancer cell line after 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5azadC) and trichostatin A (TSA) treatments. Six of these also had decreased expression in clinical prostate cancer samples compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Among these, miR‐193b was methylated in 22Rv1 cell line at a CpG island ∼1 kb upstream of the miRNA locus. Expressing miR‐193b in 22Rv1 cells using pre‐miR‐193b oligonucleotides caused a significant growth reduction (p < 0.001) resulting from a decrease of cells in S‐phase of the cell cycle (p < 0.01). In addition, the anchorage independent growth was partially inhibited in transiently miR‐193b‐expressing 22Rv1 cells (p < 0.01). Altogether, our data suggest that miR‐193b is an epigenetically silenced putative tumor suppressor in prostate cancer.
Reduction of transforming growth factor‐β type II receptor is caused by the enhanced ubiquitin‐dependent degradation in human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Fukasawa Hirotaka , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Fujigaki Yoshihide , Misaki Taro , Ohashi Naro , Takayama Tatsuya , Suzuki Sayuri , Mugiya Soichi , Oda Toshiaki , Uchida Chiharu , Kitagawa Kyoko , Hattori Takayuki , Hayashi Hidetoshi , Ozono Seiichiro , Kitagawa Masatoshi , Hishida Akira
Published: January 2010

Although dysregulation of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling is implicated in renal carcinogenesis, its precise mechanism is unknown in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In our study, we investigated Smad‐mediated TGF‐β signaling pathway and its regulatory mechanisms in surgical samples from patients with RCC. We found that immunoreactivity for nuclear phosphorylated Smad2 was significantly decreased in RCC compared to normal renal tissues, thereby TGF‐β signaling was suggested to be attenuated in RCC tissues. In accordance with the result, transcriptional downregulation of Smad4 and post‐transcriptional downregulation of TGF‐β type II receptor (TβR‐II) were frequently found in RCC tissues compared to normal renal tissues. Next, to clarify the reason why the protein level of TβR‐II was decreased in RCC, we investigated the activities of degradation and ubiquitination of TβR‐II. We found that both proteasome‐mediated degradation and ubiquitination of TβR‐II were markedly enhanced in RCC tissues. Moreover, we found that the level of Smad‐ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2), the E3 ligase for TβR‐II, was increased in RCC tissues of the patients with higher clinical stages compared to the normal tissues and was inversely correlated with the level of TβR‐II. Our results suggest that the low TβR‐II protein level is due to augmented ubiquitin‐dependent degradation via Smurf2 and might be involved in the attenuation of TGF‐β signaling pathway in RCC.
Anti‐breast cancer potential of SS1020, a novel antiestrogen lacking estrogenic and genotoxic actions
Authors: Laxmi Y.R. Santosh , Liu Xiaoping , Suzuki Naomi , Kim Sung Yeon , Okamoto Kanako , Kim Hyo Jeong , Zhang Guangxiang , Chen John J. , Okamoto Yoshinori , Shibutani Shinya
Published: January 2010

Long‐term treatment with tamoxifen (TAM) increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer in women. Several antiestrogens developed in last decades have been discontinued from clinical testing because of their undesirable effects on the uterus. To avoid such serious side‐effect while increasing the drug's anti‐breast cancer potential, new triphenylethylene antiestrogens, 2E‐3‐{4‐[(E)‐4‐chloro‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenylbut‐1‐enyl]‐phenyl} acrylic acid (SS1020) and 2E‐3‐{4‐[(Z)‐4‐chloro‐1,2‐diphenylbut‐1‐enyl]phenyl}acrylic acid (SS1010), were designed as safer alternatives. Unlike TAM, SS1020 does not present significant uterotrophic potential in rats; in contrast, SS1010, a compound removing a 4‐OH moiety from SS1020, represented weak uterotrophic activity. The structurally related compounds 4‐hydroxytamoxifen, toremifene, ospemifene, raloxifene (RAL) and GW5638 all have uterotrophic activity. In addition, SS1020 and SS1010 exhibit no genotoxic activity to damage hepatic DNA in rats. Therefore, SS1020 was selected as a safer antiestrogen candidate and used for evaluating the antitumor potential in animals. At the human equivalent doses of TAM, SS1020 had antitumor potential much higher than that of TAM, RAL and GW5638 against 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene‐induced mammary carcinoma in rats. The growth of human MCF‐7 breast cancer xenograft implanted into athymic nude mice was also effectively suppressed by SS1020. SS1020, lacking estrogenic and genotoxic actions and having strong antitumor potency superior to that of TAM and RAL, could be a safer alternative for breast cancer therapy and prevention.
Supervision and training in child care: Does reflective supervision foster caregiver insightfulness?
Authors: Amini Virmani Elita , Ontai Lenna L.
Published: January 2010

The goal of this study was to explore the effects of reflective and traditional supervision and training on caregiver insightfulness. Caregiver insightfulness, or caregiver ability to understand “motives underlying the child's behavior in a complete, open, and accepting way” (D. Oppenheim, D. Goldsmith, & N. Koren‐Karie, 2004, p. 352) was assessed at two time points with 21 new caregivers at two university‐based childcare sites. Trends suggest that caregiver insightfulness was relatively stable while increased levels of components of caregiver insightfulness over a period of approximately 2.5 months were positively associated with reflective supervision and training. These findings suggest that encouraging caregivers to reflect on their interactions with the children in their care fosters caregivers' ability to see from the child's perspective in an open and accepting way.
Emerging roles of deubiquitinases in cancer‐associated pathways
Authors: Sacco Joseph J. , Coulson Judy M. , Clague Michael J. , Urbé Sylvie
Published: January 2010

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are emerging as important regulators of many pathways germane to cancer. They may regulate the stability of key oncogenes, exemplified by USP28 stabilisation of c‐Myc. Alternatively they can negatively regulate ubiquitin‐dependent signalling cascades such as the NF‐κB activation pathway. We review the current literature that associates DUBs with cancer and discuss their suitability as drug targets of the future. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(2): 140–157, 2010
Influence of a magnesium‐fluoride coating of magnesium‐based implants (MgCa0.8) on degradation in a rabbit model
Authors: Thomann Martina , Krause Christian , Angrisani Nina , Bormann Dirk , Hassel Thomas , Windhagen Henning , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andrea
Published: January 2010

MgCa0.8 cylinders (2.5 × 25 mm2) were coated with a magnesium‐fluoride layer and implanted in the marrow cavities of both tibiae of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The implantation duration was 3 and 6 months. The implants were clinically well tolerated. Micro‐computed tomography revealed a new bone formation at the edges of the implants as well as an endosteal and periosteal remodeling. Using EDX‐analysis, a calcium and phosphorus rich degradation layer could be found on the implant surface. It was covered by an incomplete layer containing fluoride. The analysis by weight before implantation and after 3 and 6 months, respectively, showed a slight decrease in volume in comparison to uncoated implants. When compared with uncoated implants, the mechanical properties of the coated implants exhibited a reduction in strength after 3 months. After 6 months, the strength of the coated implants was higher than that of uncoated cylinders. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Determination of side‐chain‐rotamer and side‐chain and backbone virtual‐bond‐stretching potentials of mean force from AM1 energy surfaces of terminally‐blocked amino‐acid residues, for coarse‐grained simulations of protein structure and folding. I. The method
Authors: Kozłowska Urszula , Liwo Adam , Scheraga Harold A.
Published: January 2010

In this and the accompanying article, we report the development of new physics‐based side‐chain‐rotamer and virtual‐bond‐deformation potentials which now replace the respective statistical potentials used so far in our physics‐based united‐reside UNRES force field for large‐scale simulations of protein structure and dynamics. In this article, we describe the methodology for determining the corresponding potentials of mean force (PMF's) from the energy surfaces of terminally‐blocked amino‐acid residues calculated with the AM1 quantum‐mechanical semiempirical method. The approach is based on minimization of the AM1 energy for fixed values of the angles λ for rotation of the peptide groups about the Cα ··· Cα virtual bonds, and for fixed values of the side‐chain dihedral angles χ, which formed a multidimensional grid. A harmonic‐approximation approach was developed to extrapolate from the energy at a given grid point to other points of the conformational space to compute the respective contributions to the PMF. To test the applicability of the harmonic approximation, the rotamer PMF's of alanine and valine obtained with this approach have been compared with those obtained by using a Metropolis Monte Carlo method. The PMF surfaces computed with the harmonic approximation are more rugged and have more pronounced minima than the MC‐calculated surfaces but the harmonic‐approximation‐and MC‐calculated PMF values are linearly correlated. The potentials derived with the harmonic approximation are, therefore, appropriate for UNRES for which the weights (scaling factors) of the energy terms are determined by force‐field optimization for foldability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
The golden section and American psychology, 1892–1938
Authors: Benjafield John G.
Published: January 2010

The golden section has been said by many to be the most beautiful proportion. Fechner was the first to investigate it experimentally, and several late‐nineteenth‐ and early‐twentieth‐century American psychologists followed up on his work. Among these were four prominent names: Lightner Witmer (1867–1956), Edward L. Thorndike (1874–1949), Robert S. Woodworth (1869–1962), and Robert M. Ogden (1877–1959). Why did such well‐known psychologists bother with the golden section? In attempting to answer this question we discovered that the golden section was surprisingly well known during this period, not only in psychology but also in advertising and design. It would have been entirely congruent with their stature for prominent psychologists to take an interest in it. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simulation of the hot‐carrier degradation in short channel transistors with high‐K dielectric
Authors: Amat E. , Kauerauf T. , Degraeve R. , Rodríguez R. , Nafría M. , Aymerich X. , Groeseneken G.
Published: January 2010

The degradation produced by channel hot‐carrier (CHC) on short channel transistors with high‐k dielectric has been analyzed. For short channel transistors (L<0.15 µm), the most damaging stress condition has been found to be VG=VD instead of the ‘classical’ VG=VD/2 determined for long channel transistors. In this work, experimentally validated simulations have been performed to demonstrate that this shift is not caused by the presence of the high‐k layer but due to short channel effects. Furthermore, the CHC degradation lifetime has been evaluated, revealing larger operating voltages for high‐k than for SiO2‐based transistors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nuclear translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c, lysosomal cathepsins B and D, and three other death‐promoting proteins within the first 60 minutes of generalized seizures
Authors: Zhao Shuangping , Aviles Ernesto R. , Fujikawa Denson G.
Published: January 2010

We have shown that generalized seizures produce necrotic neurons with caspase‐independent nuclear pyknosis and DNA fragmentation. In this study, we determined the time course of translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c, apoptosis‐inducing factor, endonuclease G, lysosomal cathepsins B and D, and DNase II with respect to signs of irreversible neuronal damage. Adult male Wistar rats underwent lithium‐pilocarpine‐induced seizures lasting for 60 min, 3 hr, and 3 hr with 6‐ or 24‐hr survival periods, after which the brains were prepared for immunofluorescence microscopic examination of piriform cortex. Contrary to expectation, cytochrome c and cathepsins B and D translocated to neuronal nuclei with DNase II, endonuclease G, and apoptosis‐inducing factor within 60 min of seizure onset and persisted for 24 hr after 3‐hr seizures. After 60‐min seizures, some neurons showed translocation of the death‐promoting proteins in normal‐appearing neurons, prior to their appearance in irreversibly damaged neurons. Western blots of subcellular fractions of cytochrome c and cathepsins B and D confirmed their nuclear translocation. This is the first evidence of nuclear translocation of cathepsins B and D and the first in vivo evidence of nuclear translocation of cytochrome c. The appearance of these mitochondrial proteins and lysosomal enzymes before signs of irreversible neuronal death suggests that they could contribute to seizure‐induced nuclear pyknosis and DNA fragmentation. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical mechanisms behind the SERS enhancement of pyramidal pit substrates
Authors: Vernon K. C. , Davis T. J. , Scholes F. H. , Gómez D. E. , Lau D.
Published: January 2010

In this paper we theoretically consider the physical mechanisms behind the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement produced by commercially available Klarite substrates, which consist of rectangular arrays of micrometre‐sized pyramidal pits in silicon with a thin gold coating. Full three‐dimensional numerical simulations of the pits are conducted for both a real gold metal coating and a perfect electrical conductor (PEC) to determine whether the SERS enhancement is due to diffraction or plasmon effects. The pit apex angle and metal coating thickness are also varied to determine whether it is possible to further enhance the SERS signal by optimising the structural parameters of these substrates. By decreasing the film thickness and adjusting the apex angle, it is possible to achieve an enhancement almost double that of a standard Klarite substrate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical touch pointer for fluorescence guided glioblastoma resection using 5‐aminolevulinic acid
Authors: Haj‐Hosseini Neda , Richter Johan , Andersson‐Engels Stefan , Wårdell Karin
Published: January 2010

Background and Objective

Total tumor resection in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is difficult to achieve due to the tumor's infiltrative way of growing and morphological similarity to the surrounding functioning brain tissue. The diagnosis is usually subjectively performed using a surgical microscope. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a hand‐held optical touch pointer using a fluorescence spectroscopy system to quantitatively distinguish healthy from malignant brain tissue intraoperatively.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A fluorescence spectroscopy system with pulsed modulation was designed considering optimum energy delivery to the tissue, minimal photobleaching of PpIX and omission of the ambient light background in the operating room (OR). 5‐Aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) of 5 mg/kg body weight was given to the patients with a presumed GBM prior to surgery. During the surgery a laser pulse at 405 nm was delivered to the tissue. PpIX in glioblastoma tumor cells assigned with peaks at 635 and 704 nm was detected using a fiber optical probe.

Results/Conclusion

By using the pulsed fluorescence spectroscopy, PpIX fluorescence is quantitatively detected in the GBM. An effective suppression of low power lamp background from the recorded spectra in addition to a significant reduction of high power surgical lights is achieved. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:9–14, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IL‐1β, TNF‐α, total antioxidative status and microbiological findings in chronic periodontitis treated with fluorescence‐controlled Er:YAG laser radiation
Authors: Domínguez Arantza , Gómez Clara , García‐Kass Ana Isabel , García‐Nuñez Juan Antonio
Published: January 2010

Background and Objective

Although some studies have attempted to elucidate the possible advantages of the use of Er:YAG laser radiation as a coadjuvant of scaling and root planing (SRP), the results have often been contradictory. A new possibility to improve the results of the laser therapy is the control of the laser radiation by a feedback system that selectively detects subgingival calculus. This study compared the effects of fluorescence‐controlled Er:YAG radiation after SRP with SRP alone on the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Thirty patients with chronic periodontitis were randomly distributed into two groups of 15 patients to receive: SRP or SRP followed by fluorescence controlled Er:YAG laser (SRP+ERL). Clinical parameters including probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were recorded and samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and subgingival plaque were taken at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. The laser therapy was performed 1 day after the SRP procedure. The GCF samples were analyzed for interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and total antioxidative status (TAS). Subgingival plaque was examined by culture for 10 bacteria.

Results

During the observation periods (4 and 8 weeks postoperatively), no statistically significant differences were detected for clinical, microbiological variables and TAS of GCF between SRP and SRP+ERL groups. However, the amount of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in GCF was increased after SRP procedure in contrast to a slight decrease of their levels after SRP+ERL treatment, where in addition the process of recolonization seems to be more delayed.

Conclusion

SRP+ERL allowed a decrease of the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and prevented a fast process of recolonization. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:24–31, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PHOTOFRIN‐mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of early stage (Tis‐T2N0M0) SqCCa of oral cavity and oropharynx
Authors: Schweitzer Vanessa Gayl , Somers Melissa L.
Published: January 2010

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of dihematoporphyrin ether (PHOTOFRIN)‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of diffuse field cancerization and Tis‐T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SqCCA) of the oral cavity and oropharynx in patients not amenable to or that have failed conventional head and neck cancer treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 30 patients with Tis‐T2N0M0 SqCCA of the oral cavity/oropharynx treated with PDT. Intravenous PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) (dose 2.0 mg/kg) was administered outpatient, followed 48–60 hours later by intraoperative photoactivation at 630 nm via fiberoptic microlens surface delivery (light dose 50–100 J/cm2) or interstitial implantation via cylindrical diffuser fiberoptic delivery (light dose 50–100 J/cm).

Results

Twenty‐four of 30 patients (80%) have demonstrated complete remission (follow‐up 3–144 months). There were six patients who had partial remission with recurrence observed at 3, 3, 5, 9, 23, and 26 months subsequently retreated with conventional therapy. Eleven of 24 patients were cancer disease free at 2 years following PDT.

Conclusion

PDT provides a surgical oncologic modality for potentially curative treatment of early stage oral cavity and oropharyngeal malignancies either as a primary modality or for treatment in patients that have previously failed surgery and/or radiation therapy. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:1–8, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using tapered fibers
Authors: Blackmon Richard L. , Irby Pierce B. , Fried Nathaniel M.
Published: January 2010

Introduction

The Thulium fiber laser has recently been tested as a potential alternative to the Holmium:YAG laser for lithotripsy. This study explores use of a short taper for expanding the Thulium fiber laser beam at the distal tip of a small‐core fiber.

Methods

Thulium fiber laser radiation with a wavelength of 1,908 nm, 10 Hz pulse rate, 70 mJ pulse energy, and 1‐millisecond pulse duration was delivered through a 2‐m‐length fiber with 150‐µm‐core‐input‐end, 300‐µm‐core‐output‐end, and 5‐mm‐length taper, in contact with human uric acid (UA) and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones, ex vivo (n = 10 each). Stone mass loss, stone crater depths, fiber transmission losses, fiber burn‐back, irrigation rates, and deflection through a flexible ureteroscope were measured for the tapered fiber and compared with conventional fibers.

Results

After delivery of 1,800 pulses through the tapered fiber, mass loss measured 12.7±2.6 mg for UA and 7.2±0.8 mg COM stones, comparable to conventional 100‐µm‐core fibers (12.6±2.5 mg for UA and 6.8±1.7 mg for COM stones). No transmission losses or burn‐back occurred for the tapered fiber after 36,000 pulses, while a conventional 150‐µm fiber experienced significant tip degradation after only 1,800 pulses. High irrigation rates were measured with the tapered fiber inserted through the working port of a flexible ureteroscope without hindering its deflection, mimicking that of a conventional 150 µm fiber.

Conclusions

The short tapered distal fiber tip allows expansion of the laser beam, resulting in decreased fiber tip damage compared to conventional small‐core fibers, without compromising fiber bending, stone vaporization efficiency, or irrigation rates. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:45–50, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
330Cb alloy (Fe35Ni18Cr1Nb2Si) oxidation study between 800 and 1000 °C
Authors: Issartel C. , Buscail H. , Nguyen C. T. , Fleurentin A.
Published: January 2010

The 330Cb alloy (Fe35Ni18Cr1Nb2Si) has been oxidized, in air, in the 800–1000 °C temperature range. Results show the formation of a chromia layer acting as a good diffusion barrier under isothermal conditions. Nevertheless, some oxide scale spallation is generally observed after cooling to room temperature. A fine and adherent chromia scale is only obtained after short‐term oxidation at 800 °C. In this case, the scale is probably too fine to expect a protection against carburization. At 900 °C we have observed that the scale spalled off on the niobium rich alloy areas. At 1000 °C the scale adherence is very bad. This study shows that the oxide scale adherence is decreased when the 330Cb alloy oxidation duration is increased.
Electrochemical behavior of corroded and protected construction steel in cement extract
Authors: Koleva D. A.
Published: January 2010

The corrosion behavior of corroded, cathodically protected and control (reference) construction steel, previously embedded in concrete, was studied in cement extract (pH 12.6, considered as concrete pore water), using cyclic voltammetry (CVA) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP). The necessity for this investigation occurred from the previously observed and commented discrepancies in the recorded corrosion parameters for corroded and protected steel in embedded conditions 1. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate how the “naturally” formed in concrete product layers (after 460 days) will influence the electrochemical behavior of the steel in cement extract. The PDP measurements reveal the lowest corrosion resistance to be for the previously corroded steel samples, for which the most active corrosion potential (−0.7 V SCE) and the highest anodic current in the potential region 0 to 0.6 V (SCE) were recorded. The CVA tests support the results from PDP and correlate the properties of the naturally formed layers with the recorded peak current densities and peak potentials with cycling. For all specimens, except the corroded ones, the peak potential initially shifts anodically, which denotes for a high corrosion resistance in the former and low corrosion resistance in the latter case. For the control and protected specimens, the passive current in the potential region of 0 to 0.6 V (SCE) remains almost unchanged with cycling, i.e. the protective properties of the initial layers remain unchanged. Thickening of the film with cycling does not influence the corrosion resistance of the previously formed layers. For the protected specimens, however, a tendency to reach a steady state and change of peak currents' height only were observed, without a pronounced shift to more anodic values. An increase in the peak current only, not accompanied by anodic shift of the peak potential, suggests that the layers in the cathodically protected specimens are more homogeneous and compact. Overall it can be stated that in cement extract, the product layer with lowest corrosion resistance is the one on the surface of the corroded steel reinforcement. The product layers in the protected specimens (although similar to control conditions) are with the highest corrosion resistance.
The inhibitive effect of 5‐amino‐indole on the corrosion of mild steel in acidic media
Authors: Düdükcü M.
Published: January 2010

The inhibitor performance of 5‐aminoindole (5‐AI) on mild steel corrosion in 0.5 M HCl was investigated in relation to the inhibitor concentration using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear polarization (LPR) methods. The effect of immersion time on the corrosion behavior of mild steel was also studied. The impedance data obtained were fitted and modeled using an equivalent circuit model. The results show that 5‐AI is an effective inhibitor and has an inhibition efficiency of 90% at 1 × 10−2 M additive concentration. The adsorption behavior of 5‐AI was also investigated. For this purpose, the adsorption equilibrium constant (Kads), and the free energy of adsorption (ΔGads) were calculated and discussed. It was found that 5‐AI acts as mixed‐type inhibitor and obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a free energy of adsorption of −27.71 kJ/mol.
The use of infrared thermography in the corrosion science area
Authors: Jönsson M. , Rendahl B. , Annergren I.
Published: January 2010

The use of infrared (IR) cameras has in recent years gained interest as a non‐destructive testing (NDT) technique in a number of different research fields. All objects with a temperature above absolute zero emits IR radiation, and the amount of radiation increases with temperature. Infrared thermography is a non‐contact technique with high speed which allows inspection of large areas in a relatively short time. In the present work different aspects of IR thermography are described and discussed. Further, corrosion panels with defects, i.e. blisters and filiform corrosion, have been investigated with pulsed thermography. The area of the blisters and filaments, measured with pulsed thermography, have been evaluated, the result obtained have been compared with results from surface profile measurements of the same area. The differences between the results and the limitations of the pulsed thermography are discussed.
Electrochemical aspects of Ti–Ta alloys in HBSS
Authors: Mareci D. , Chelariu R. , Ciurescu G. , Sutiman D. , Gloriant T.
Published: January 2010

Corrosion behaviour of the studied Ti–Ta alloys with Ta contents of 30, 40 and 50 wt% together with the currently used metallic biomaterials commercial pure titanium (Cp–Ti) was investigated for biomedical applications. All the samples were tested by potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) with and without albumin protein at 25 °C. Very low corrosion current densities and passive current densities (in the order of 10−6 A/cm2) were obtained from the polarization curves, indicating a typical passive behaviour for all the samples in HBSS with and without albumin. The EIS technique was applied to study the nature of the passive film formed on all the samples at various imposed potentials −500 mV (SCE), 0 mV (SCE), 500 mV (SCE) and 1000 mV (SCE). The equivalent circuit (EC) used successfully to describe the behaviour of the samples suggests a single passive film present on the metals' surface in HBSS with and without albumin. The results showed that the presence of albumin in HBSS had an influence on the zero current potential (ZCP), polarization resistance (Rp) and capacitance (C). The presence of albumin protein in HBSS improved slightly the corrosion resistance of the entire sample. The experimental results confirm that the electrochemical behaviour of the studied Ti–Ta alloys is better to that of Cp–Ti, suggesting their promising potential for biomedical applications.
Effect of different thermochemical treatments on the electrochemical behaviour of a hot working steel
Authors: Rosalbino F. , Scavino G. , Angelini E.
Published: January 2010

The X 37CrMoV5 1 KU hot working steel has been quenched and tempered, overcarburised, nitrided and nitrocarburised. The surface layers constituted after the thermochemical treatments were characterised by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, micro‐ and macrohardness indentations. The electrochemical behaviour was evaluated in two different aggressive environments: 0.1 M Na2SO4 and 0.1 M NaCl solutions. While the overcarburised and the nitrocarburised samples exhibit a poor electrochemical behaviour, the presence of a nitrided surface layer enhances the corrosion resistance. This is attributable to the protective action of the nitrided layer that hinders the anodic dissolution reaction of the matrix, whereas the presence of complex carbides in the overcarburised or nitrocarburised samples causes the preferential dissolution of the ferritic matrix due to galvanic coupling phenomena. Finally, the poor corrosion resistance exhibited by the nitrocarburised sample can be ascribed to the presence of a large amount of ferrite together with little ε solid solution in the surface layer.
Two Types of Block Copolymer Micelles with Ion‐Containing Cores
Authors: Erel Irem , Zhu Zhichen , Sukhishvili Svetlana , Patyukova Elena , Potemkin Igor , Kramarenko Elena
Published: January 2010

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of micellization of block copolymer with hydrophilic nonionic corona‐forming blocks and weak polyelectrolyte (wPE) core‐forming blocks with pH‐triggered solubility in aqueous solutions. We demonstrate that in addition to micelles with neutral cores, there exist two other types of micelles with PE‐ or ionomer‐like cores, in which monovalent counterions are released or condensed on core wPE block, respectively. The transition between the two types of micelles occurred upon changes in ionization of the PE core block and resulted in nonmonotonous changes of aggregation number as a function of pH. Such micelles with stimulus responsive cores represent promising nanocarriers for controlled delivery applications.

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Reckless generosity in Parkinson's disease
Authors: O'Sullivan Sean S. , Evans Andrew H. , Quinn Niall P. , Lawrence Andrew D. , Lees Andrew J.
Published: January 2010

There is an increasing awareness of impulsive‐compulsive phenomena in patients treated for Parkinson's disease (PD). We describe another, potentially related phenomenon putatively associated with the use of dopamine agonists in 3 patients with PD, characterized by excessive and inappropriate philanthropy. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Kinematic and electromyographic tools for characterizing movement disorders in mice
Authors: Scholle Hans C. , Jinnah H.A. , Arnold Dirk , Biedermann Frank H.W. , Faenger Bernd , Grassme Roland , Hess Ellen J. , Schumann Nikolaus P.
Published: January 2010

Increasing interest in rodent models for movement disorders has led to an increasing need for more accurate and precise methods for both delineating the nature of abnormal movements and measuring their severity. These studies describe application of simultaneous high‐speed video kinematics with multichannel electromyography (EMG) to characterize the movement disorder exhibited by tottering mutant mice. These mice provide a uniquely valuable model, because they exhibit paroxysmal dystonia superimposed on mild baseline ataxia, permitting the examination of these two different problems within the same animals. At baseline with mild ataxia, the mutants exhibited poorly coordinated movements with increased variation of stance and swing times, and slower spontaneous walking velocities. The corresponding EMG showed reduced mean amplitudes of biceps femoris and vastus lateralis, and poorly modulated EMG activities during the step cycle. Attacks of paroxysmal dystonia were preceded by trains of EMG bursts with doublets and triplets simultaneously in the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis followed by more sustained coactivation. These EMG characteristics are consistent with the clinical phenomenology of the motor phenotype of tottering mice as a baseline of mild ataxia with intermittent attacks of paroxysmal dystonia. The EMG characteristics of ataxia and dystonia in the tottering mice also are consistent with EMG studies of other ataxic or dystonic animals and humans. These studies provide insights into how these methods can be used for delineating movement disorders in mice and for how they may be compared with similar disorders of humans. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
The flavonoid tangeretin activates the unfolded protein response and synergizes with imatinib in the erythroleukemia cell line K562
Authors: Lust Sofie , Vanhoecke Barbara , Van Gele Mireille , Philippé Jan , Bracke Marc , Offner Fritz
Published: January 2010

We explored the mechanism of cell death of the polymethoxyflavone tangeretin (TAN) in K562 breakpoint cluster region‐abelson murine leukemia (Bcr‐Abl+) cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that TAN arrested the cells in the G2/M phase and stimulated an accumulation of the cells in the sub‐G0 phase. TAN‐induced cell death was evidenced by poly(ADP)‐ribose polymerase cleavage, DNA laddering fragmentation, activation of the caspase cascade and downregulation of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl‐1 and Bcl‐xL. Pretreatment with the pancaspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK_blocked caspase activation and cell cycle arrest but did not inhibit apoptosis which suggest that other cell killing mechanisms like endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated cell death pathways could be involved. We demonstrated that TAN‐induced apoptosis was preceded by a rapid activation of the proapoptotic arm of the unfolded protein response, namely PKR‐like ER kinase. This was accompanied by enhanced levels of glucose‐regulated protein of 78 kDa and of spliced X‐box binding protein 1. Furthermore, TAN sensitized K562 cells to the cell killing effects of imatinib via an apoptotic mechanism. In conclusion, our results suggest that TAN is able to induce apoptosis in Bcr‐Abl+ cells via cell cycle arrest and the induction of the unfolded protein response, and has synergistic cytotoxicity with imatinib.
Life‐history theory, past human populations and climatic perturbations
Authors: Ahlström T.
Published: January 2010

A sensitivity and elasticity analysis is performed on historical life‐tables, that of Swedish females from 1751–1755 and 1966–1970, i.e. during and after the Little Ice Age. Coupled with life‐history theory, this approach supplies us with some ideas on how stature can be understood as a proxy for conditions during the intrauterine growth, important if we aspire to calibrate proposed climatic perturbations and their effect on past societies. Matrix population models represent a versatile tool that has been used extensively in conservation biology, ecology, primatology and evolutionary demography. As of yet, applications in bioarchaeology/human osteology have been restricted to population forecasting. The following paper introduces matrix population models and discusses their use in bioarchaeology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unusual burial from an early Neolithic site of the lengyel culture in central Poland: Punishment, violence or mortuary behaviour?
Authors: Lorkiewicz W.
Published: January 2010

During excavations at the Early Neolithic site of the Brześć Kujawski Group of the Lengyel Culture in Osłonki (central Poland), an atypical burial of an adult male was discovered. The individual's skeleton revealed traces of several perimortem injuries: both broken shins (the right shin with two fractures), a large fracture to the frontal bone and about 25 cut marks made with a flint blade in the parietal‐occipital region of the cranium on the left side. The arrangement of the fractured parts of the lower limbs might suggest that the injuries were intentionally exposed. Due to the relatively rich grave goods, it seems unlikely that the buried person was rejected by the community and thus killed or stigmatized by mutilation of the cadaver. The way the cuts were made is different from the cases of scalping or severing muscles in cannibalistic or mortuary practices known from the literature. This burial probably reflects some special funerary rite, which is now difficult to reconstruct or interpret. It is both possible that the observed injuries resulted from wounds that led to the individual's death (perhaps in circumstances that motivated the other special features of the burial) or that they were inflicted on the dead body. Taking into account the probable practices of dismembering of the dead body or human sacrifice found in the later Neolithic period in Poland, all of these possibilities may be considered with respect to this burial. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Artificial cranial modification on a female skeleton from the Byzantine site of Maroneia (Thrace, Greece)
Authors: Tritsaroli Paraskevi
Published: January 2010

Artificial cranial modification is one of the most often documented types of intentional intervention on the human skeleton in the anthropological record. A female cranium exhibiting headshaping recently came to light at the Early Byzantine site of Maroneia, in Thrace, northern Greece. Headshaping was practiced by several different population groups during the migration period (1st–9th c. AD), but was unknown in Byzantine customs. Homogeneity in burial customs, evidenced by the skeleton's position and orientation and by cemetery topography, strongly supports the hypothesis that this burial belonged to a Christianised citizen who had the right to be buried in a common Christian cemetery. Headshaping provides strong evidence for the cultural adaptability and complexity of Early Byzantine society at Maroneia, an important provincial urban centre of the Byzantine Empire. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased nuchal translucency in euploid fetuses—what should we be telling the parents?
Authors: Bilardo C.M. , Timmerman E. , Pajkrt E. , van Maarle M.
Published: January 2010

Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation is an undisputed marker for aneuploidies. When conventional karyotyping is normal, enlarged NT is a strong marker for adverse pregnancy outcome, associated with miscarriage, intrauterine death, congenital heart defects, and numerous other structural defects and genetic syndromes. The risk of adverse outcome is proportional to the degree of NT enlargement. Although the majority of structural anomalies are amenable to ultrasound detection, unspecified genetic syndromes involving developmental delay may only emerge after birth. Concern over these prenatally undetectable conditions is a heavy burden for parents. However, following detection of enlarged NT the majority of babies with normal detailed ultrasound examination and echocardiography will have an uneventful outcome with no increased risk for developmental delay when compared to the general population. Counseling should emphasize this to help parents restore hope in normal pregnancy outcome and infant development. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.