bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First trimester maternal serum placental protein 13 for the prediction of pre‐eclampsia in women with a priori high risk
Authors: Khalil Asma , Cowans Nicholas J. , Spencer Kevin , Goichman Sergey , Meiri Hamutal , Harrington Kevin
Published: May 2009

Objective

To evaluate whether first trimester maternal serum PP13 can predict pre‐eclampsia among women with a priori high risk.

Method

This was a nested case–control study. Women less than 14 weeks' gestation at increased risk of developing pre‐eclampsia were recruited. Venous blood samples were assayed for PP13 using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. PP13 multiples of median (MoM) were calculated and adjusted for body mass index, ethnicity, smoking, maternal age and parity. For each case of pre‐eclampsia (n = 42), five controls were randomly selected. PP13 levels were compared between women who developed pre‐eclampsia and controls using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Sensitivity and false‐positive rates were derived from receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Women who developed pre‐eclampsia had significantly lower (P < 0.001) PP13 MoMs compared with controls. PP13 MoMs for controls and pre‐eclampsia cases were 1.0 (range 0.0–10.0) and 0.4 (range 0.0–7.0), respectively (P < 0.001). At a MoM cutoff of 0.53, for a false‐positive rate of 10%, sensitivity was 50% for pre‐eclampsia at term (>37 weeks), 62% for preterm pre‐eclampsia (<37 weeks) and 71% for early‐onset pre‐eclampsia (<34 weeks).

Conclusion

First trimester PP13 can predict pre‐eclampsia in women at increased a priori risk and predicts early‐onset better than late‐onset disease. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Training for percutaneous umbilical blood sampling during Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship in the United States
Authors: Grace Daniel , Thornburg Loralei L. , Grey Angela , Ozcan Tulin , Pressman Eva K.
Published: May 2009

Objective

To describe the rates of percutaneous umbilical blood sampling(PUBS) training in United States Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowships.

Study Design

We performed an online survey of MFM fellows in all 3 years of fellowship regarding their PUBS training experience.

Results

Of the 143 surveys, 87 (61%) were completed. The median number of PUBS performed was 1 (range 0–50) with a median of 5 (range 0–50) expected to be performed by fellowship completion. In all, 75 (86%) plan on performing PUBS after completion of fellowship. Of those, 53 (71%) do not expect to perform as many PUBS as they themselves consider the minimum number to achieve competency. There appears to regional variation in training opportunities.

Conclusion

Training for PUBS in MFM fellowships appears to be limited in many portions of the country. Most fellows planning on performing PUBS in practice will not have performed the self‐described minimum number needed for competence during fellowship. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiovascular and psychiatric risk profile and patterns of use in patients starting anti‐obesity drugs
Authors: Willemen Marjolein J. C. , Mantel‐Teeuwisse Aukje K. , M. Straus Sabine M. J. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , Egberts Antoine C. G. , M. Sturkenboom Miriam C. J.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Real‐life experience with anti‐obesity drugs has shown that psychiatric and cardiovascular diseases may be reported as adverse drug reactions. For adequate risk assessment of these drugs knowledge on baseline risks of patients starting anti‐obesity drugs and insight in patterns of use is needed. The aim was to assess whether baseline characteristics of patients starting anti‐obesity drugs differ from those not being prescribed these drugs, and to study patterns of anti‐obesity drug use.

Methods

A population‐based cohort study was conducted in the IPCI database (1995–2007). The index cohort comprised all persons who started an anti‐obesity drug. The reference cohort comprised up to six randomly sampled patients from the same GP practice with same index date. Baseline characteristics were assessed for both cohorts. The index cohort was followed for 1 year to study patterns of drug use. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The index and reference cohort comprised 1471 and 8736 persons, respectively. Both cardiovascular and psychiatric co‐morbidities were more prevalent among starters compared to non‐starters. 77.7% of the patients stopped using anti‐obesity drugs within 90 days. Users of amphetamine‐like drugs differed from patients using orlistat or sibutramine, whereas users of orlistat and sibutramine were highly comparable.

Conclusions

The increased prevalence of co‐morbidities constitutes a baseline risk which may translate in higher occurrence of psychiatric and cardiovascular diseases during use of anti‐obesity drugs, independent of the drugs. The limited period of use might reduce possible cardiovascular benefits of weight reduction induced by these drugs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk of drug‐induced photosensitivity: focus on spectroscopic and molecular characteristics
Authors: Verdel B.M. , Souverein P.C. , Meyboom R.H.B. , Kardaun S.H. , Leufkens H.G.M. , Egberts A.C.G.
Published: May 2009

Background

Drug‐induced photosensitivity is difficult to predict and remains a challenge for both the dermatological clinical practice and pharmacovigilance.

Purpose

To assess the association between spectroscopic and molecular characteristics and the occurrence of photosensitivity reactions.

Methods

For 143 well‐known photosensitisers (e.g. tetracyclines, diuretics), we retrieved information on spectroscopic and molecular parameters, including: absorption maximumλmax, molar absorption coefficientε, area under the absorption curve (AUC), molecular weight and configuration, hetero and aromatic halogen atoms, lipophilicity (log P) and acid/base status (pKa). In the WHO‐ADR database, all reports with suspected adverse drug reactions of the study drugs were selected. We identified all reports on photosensitivity reactions and defined them as cases. All other reports were selected as non‐cases. A case–non‐case approach was performed to assess the spectroscopic and molecular exposure variables as a factor for photosensitivity reactions. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Aλmaxbetween 290 and 320 nm (OR 3.74, 95% CI 3.45–4.06), and anε > 20 000 M−1 cm−1(OR 5.49, 95% CI 5.10–5.92) were highly associated with the reporting of photosensitivity reactions. Risk of the photosensitivity reactions was significantly increased among intermediate or high AUCs compared to low AUC. Low molecular weight and aromatic halogen atoms were associated with photosensitivity reactions (OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.07–2.71 resp. OR 3.37, 95% CI 3.15–3.61) as were logp < 1 and pKa < 7.

Conclusion

The reporting of photosensitivity reactions to established phototoxic drug classes is strongly influenced by spectroscopic and physicochemical characteristics of individual drugs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of γ‐radiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of a commercial poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)
Authors: Han Changyu , Bian Junjia , Liu Hao , Dong Lisong
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) has attracted wide interest as a biodegradable polymer. However, its use is restricted in certain applications due to its low melting point.

RESULTS: PBAT was treated using γ‐radiation. The radiation features were analyzed using Soxhlet extraction, and the ratio of chain scission and crosslinking and gelation dose were determined using the classical Charlesby–Pinner equation. The results showed that PBAT is a radiation‐crosslinkable polymer. The degree of crosslinking increased with increasing radiation dose; the relation between sol fraction and dose followed the Charlesby–Pinner equation. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed that the melting temperature (Tm) and the heat of fusion (ΔHm) of PBAT exhibited almost no change in the first scan. The second scan, however, showed a decrease in Tm and ΔHm. The glass transition temperature of irradiated PBAT increased with increasing radiation dose. The weight loss of control and irradiated PBAT resulting from thermal degradation was a one‐step process. Moreover, the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with an increase in radiation dose. However, the Young's modulus and stress at yield were not greatly affected by γ‐radiation.

CONCLUSION: PBAT can be crosslinked using γ‐radiation. The crosslinking efficiency is relatively low. The thermal and mechanical properties of PBAT are affected by γ‐radiation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Incorporating Employee Resourcing Requirements into Deployment Decision Making
Authors: Dainty Andrew R. J. , Raidén Ani B. , Neale Richard H.
Published: May 2009

Employee resourcing is the process of matching human resource capabilities to the strategic and operational needs of the organization. This is exceptionally problematic in project-based organizations due to the competing priorities of the project, the individual employee, and the wider succession needs of the organization. This article presents the findings of research examining the human resource management practices that form the key components of the resourcing process. These included, inter alia, human resource planning, recruitment and selection, team deployment, performance management, and human resource administration. Current practices were examined in seven leading construction firms, all of which faced dynamic resourcing priorities. Within an inductive methodology, semistructured interviews were carried out with senior executives, human resource management (HRM) specialists, senior operational managers, and project-based staff. Based on a synthesis of the promising practices extracted from the case-study organizations, an innovative approach to project resourcing was developed that aims to balance organizational, project, and individual employee requirements. Team deployment resides at the center of resourcing process for the project-based organization as it determines the success of the project, which in turn determines the competitiveness of the organization. Long-term planning and employee involvement enable team deployment to integrate with other elements of HRM effectively and thus help to balance the organizational strategic priorities, project requirements, and individual employee needs and preferences.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in the respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Bjarnsholt Thomas , Jensen Peter Østrup , Fiandaca Mark J. , Pedersen Jette , Hansen Christine Rønne , Andersen Claus Bøgelund , Pressler Tacjana , Givskov Michael , Høiby Niels
Published: May 2009

The present study was undertaken to investigate the appearance and location of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung and in sputum. Samples include preserved tissues of CF patients who died due to chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection prior to the advent of intensive antibiotic therapy, explanted lungs from 3 intensively treated chronically P. aeruginosa infected CF patients and routine sputum from 77 chronically P. aeruginosa infected CF patients. All samples were investigated microscopically using hematoxylin–eosin (HE), Gram and alcian‐blue stain, PNA FISH and immunofluorescence for alginate.

Investigation of the preserved tissues revealed that prior to aggressive antibiotic therapy, P. aeruginosa infection and destruction of the CF lung correlated with the occurrence of mucoid (alginate) bacteria present in aggregating structures surrounded by pronounced polymorphonuclear‐leukocyte (PMN) inflammation in the respiratory zone (9/9). Non‐mucoid bacteria were not observed here, and rarely in the conductive zone (1/9). However, in the explanted lungs, the P. aeruginosa aggregates were also mucoid but in contrast to the autopsies, they were very rare in the respiratory zone but abundant in the sputum of the conductive zone (3/3), which also contained abundances of PMNs (3/3). Non‐mucoid and planktonic P. aeruginosa were also observed here (3/3).

In conclusion, the present intensive antibiotic therapy of chronic P. aeruginosa infections, at the Copenhagen CF Centre, seems to restrain but not eradicate the bacteria from the conductive zone, whereas the remaining healthy respiratory zone appears to be protected, for a long period, from massive biofilm infection. This strongly suggests that the conductive zone serves as a bacterial reservoir where the bacteria are organized in mucoid biofilms within the mucus, protected against antibiotics and host defenses. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:547–558. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The volume conjecture and topological strings
Authors: Dijkgraaf R. , Fuji H.
Published: May 2009

In this paper, we discuss a relation between Jones‐Witten theory of knot invariants and topological open string theory on the basis of the volume conjecture. We find a similar Hamiltonian structure for both theories, and interpret the AJ conjecture as the 𝒟‐module structure for a D‐brane partition function. In order to verify our claim, we compute the free energy for the annulus contributions in the topological string using the Chern‐Simons matrix model, and find that it coincides with the Reidemeister torsion in the case of the figure‐eight knot complement and the SnapPea census manifold m009.
Potential gene flow from transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) to different weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) accessions based on reproductive compatibility
Authors: Song Xiaoling , Liu Linli , Wang Zhou , Qiang Sheng
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: The possibility of gene flow from transgenic crops to wild relatives may be affected by reproductive capacity between them. The potential gene flow from two transgenic rice lines containing the bar gene to five accessions of weedy rice (WR1–WR5) was determined through examination of reproductive compatibility under controlled pollination.

RESULTS: The pollen grain germination of two transgenic rice lines on the stigma of all weedy rice, rice pollen tube growth down the style and entry into the weedy rice ovary were similar to self‐pollination in weedy rice. However, delayed double fertilisation and embryo abortion in crosses between WR2 and Y0003 were observed. Seed sets between transgenic rice lines and weedy rice varied from 8 to 76%. Although repeated pollination increased seed set significantly, the rank of the seed set between the weedy rice accessions and rice lines was not changed. The germination rates of F1 hybrids were similar or greater compared with respective females. All F1 plants expressed glufosinate resistance in the presence of glufosinate selection pressure.

CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of gene flow between different weedy rice accessions and transgenic herbicide‐resistant rice may differ owing to different reproductive compatibility. This result suggests that, when wild relatives are selected as experimental materials for assessing the gene flow of transgenic rice, it is necessary to address the compatibility between transgenic rice and wild relatives. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of the CYP51 gene and encoded protein in propiconazole‐resistant isolates of Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Authors: Cañas‐Gutiérrez Gloria P , Angarita‐Velásquez Mónica J , Restrepo‐Flórez Juan M , Rodríguez Paola , Moreno Claudia X , Arango Rafael
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND: Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet causes black sigatoka, the most important disease in bananas and plantains. Disease control is mainly through the application of systemic fungicides, including sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs). Their intensive use has favoured the appearance of resistant strains. However, no studies have been published on the possible resistance mechanisms.

RESULTS: In this work, the CYP51 gene was isolated and sequenced in 11 M. fijiensis strains that had shown different degrees of in vitro sensitivity to propiconazole, one of the most widely used DMI fungicides. Six mutations that could be related to the loss in sensitivity to this fungicide were found: Y136F, A313G, Y461D, Y463D, Y463H and Y463N. The mutations were analysed using a homology model of the protein that was constructed from the crystallographic structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Zoff.) Lehmann & Neumann. Additionally, gene expression was determined in 13 M. fijiensis strains through quantitative analysis of products obtained by RT‐PCR.

CONCLUSION: Several changes in the sequence of the gene encoding sterol 14α‐demethylase were found that have been described in other fungi as being correlated with resistance to azole fungicides. No correlation was found between gene expression and propiconazole resistance. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Intercomparison of model simulations of mixed‐phase clouds observed during the ARM Mixed‐Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment. I: single‐layer cloud
Authors: Klein Stephen A. , McCoy Renata B. , Morrison Hugh , Ackerman Andrew S. , Avramov Alexander , Boer Gijs de , Chen Mingxuan , Cole Jason N. S. , Del Genio Anthony D. , Falk Michael , Foster Michael J. , Fridlind Ann , Golaz Jean‐Christophe , Hashino Tempei , Harrington Jerry Y. , Hoose Corinna , Khairoutdinov Marat F. , Larson Vincent E. , Liu Xiaohong , Luo Yali , McFarquhar Greg M. , Menon Surabi , Neggers Roel A. J. , Park Sungsu , Poellot Michael R. , Schmidt Jerome M. , Sednev Igor , Shipway Ben J. , Shupe Matthew D. , Spangenberg Douglas A. , Sud Yogesh C. , Turner David D. , Veron Dana E. , Salzen Knut von , Walker Gregory K. , Wang Zhien , Wolf Audrey B. , Xie Shaocheng , Xu Kuan‐Man , Yang Fanglin , Zhang Gong
Published: May 2009

Results are presented from an intercomparison of single‐column and cloud‐resolving model simulations of a cold‐air outbreak mixed‐phase stratocumulus cloud observed during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) programme's Mixed‐Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment. The observed cloud occurred in a well‐mixed boundary layer with a cloud‐top temperature of − 15 °C. The average liquid water path of around 160 g m−2was about two‐thirds of the adiabatic value and far greater than the average mass of ice which when integrated from the surface to cloud top was around 15 g m−2.

Simulations of 17 single‐column models (SCMs) and 9 cloud‐resolving models (CRMs) are compared. While the simulated ice water path is generally consistent with observed values, the median SCM and CRM liquid water path is a factor‐of‐three smaller than observed. Results from a sensitivity study in which models removed ice microphysics suggest that in many models the interaction between liquid and ice‐phase microphysics is responsible for the large model underestimate of liquid water path.

Despite this underestimate, the simulated liquid and ice water paths of several models are consistent with observed values. Furthermore, models with more sophisticated microphysics simulate liquid and ice water paths that are in better agreement with the observed values, although considerable scatter exists. Although no single factor guarantees a good simulation, these results emphasize the need for improvement in the model representation of mixed‐phase microphysics. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
1‐(3‐(4‐Arylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐propyl)‐Pyrrolidin‐2‐one Derivatives as α1‐Adrenoceptor Antagonists: A QSAR Study
Authors: Nowaczyk Alicja , Kulig Katarzyna , Malawska Barbara
Published: May 2009

The activity of various 1‐(3‐(4‐arylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐propyl)‐pyrrolidin‐2‐ones α1‐adrenergic receptors (α1‐ARs) antagonists, was described using the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model by applying it to 49 compounds. The molecular descriptors of the α1‐ARs antagonists were obtained by quantum chemical calculations combined with molecular modeling calculations. The obtained model explains more than 88% of the variance and it was successfully validated by four tests (LOO, LMO, external test and Y‐scrambling test). Statistical analysis shows that the α1‐ARs activity of the studied compounds depends mainly on the PCR and Qindex descriptors.
Accurate In Silico log P Predictions: One Can't Embrace the Unembraceable
Authors: Tetko Igor V. , Poda Gennadiy I. , Ostermann Claude , Mannhold Raimund
Published: May 2009

Prediction accuracy of in silico methods for physicochemical and ADMET properties of drugs is an actual matter of controversial discussions. With a particular concern on log P prediction methods, we discuss here, how understanding the limitations of methods, their applicability domains and their prediction accuracies, as well as the use of local models can help to establish accurate and meaningful in silico predictions.
Formation of Structural Categories to Allow for Read‐Across for Teratogenicity
Authors: Enoch Steven J. , Cronin Mark T. D. , Madden Judith C. , Hewitt Mark
Published: May 2009

Reproductive toxicity is a key endpoint under REACH as it is costly, both financially and in the numbers of animal used. These factors make the development of alternative methods for the identification and assessment of chemicals potentially able to cause reproductive toxicity very important. Category formation and read‐across have been suggested to be powerful methods that can utilize existing toxicological data in a transparent and interpretable manner, allowing chemical risk assessments to be carried out with minimal animal usage. Category formation relies on chemical similarity and the ability to select chemicals that act via a single mechanism of toxic action. This study therefore has investigated the use of 2D similarity indices available within the freely downloadable Toxmatch software to form mechanistically transparent categories for 57 query chemicals from a database of 233 chemicals for which teratogenicity (an important endpoint within reproductive toxicity) had been previously assessed. The hypothesis being that chemicals selected as being similar should act via a single mechanism of action, even if that mechanism is unknown. Read‐across predictions were then performed for the query chemicals for which a category could be formed. The results showed that mechanistic categories could be formed for 17 of the 57 query chemicals, within these categories read across predictions enabled the teratogenicity of the query chemicals to be correctly predicted. It was concluded that 2D similarity methods offer a useful method for building chemical categories for teratogenicity in which a‐priori mechanistic knowledge is limited.
The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate and anion‐exchange silica gel on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis of proteins
Authors: Asanuma Miwako , Fukuzawa Seketsu , Matsuda Takayoshi , Hirota Hiroshi
Published: May 2009

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant, is widely used in peptide and protein sample preparation. When the sample is analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS), this surfactant can often cause signal suppression. We have previously reported an on‐probe sample preparation method using a suspension of anion‐exchange silica gel and sinapinic acid (i.e., gel‐SA suspension) as a matrix, thereby greatly improving the MALDI signal detection of the protein solutions containing SDS. In this study, we found that a certain amount of SDS enhanced the MALDI signal intensity for protein samples. This effect was also observed when using sodium decyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate instead of SDS. Furthermore, this on‐probe sample preparation method using both SDS and the gel‐SA suspension improved the detection limit of protein samples in the MALDI‐MS analysis by about ten‐fold as compared to that of protein samples without SDS and the gel‐SA suspension. This method can be applied not only to the MALDI‐MS analysis of samples containing SDS, but also to the examination of proteins at femtomole levels or insoluble proteins such as membrane proteins. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas‐phase tautomerism in 1‐phenylazonaphthalene‐4‐ol: verification of the responses of individual tautomers
Authors: Nedeltcheva Daniela , Kurteva Vanya , Damyanova Boriana , Popov Simeon
Published: May 2009

Gas‐phase tautomerism in 1‐phenylazonaphthalene‐4‐ol (1) was studied by using electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry on the basis of the fragmentations of the model enol and keto tautomers, where the movable proton is replaced by a methyl group. These fixed tautomers were obtained as an easy separable mixture by simple methylation of the cheap and easily accessible diazene (1). It was found that their EI mass spectral fragmentations are in full congruence with the already published theoretical predictions. The relative energies required for bond cleavage in 1 and its fixed tautomers were estimated by stepwise increasing of the electron energy of the ion source of the mass spectrometer. A simple equation for the approximate estimation of the molar fractions of the individual tautomers was suggested. It was shown that the enol form is dominant in the temperature range of 200–300°C. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Random security scheme selection for mobile transactions
Authors: Babu B. Sathish , Venkataram Pallapa
Published: May 2009

Security in a mobile communication environment is always a matter for concern, even after deploying many security techniques at device, network, and application levels. The end‐to‐end security for mobile applications can be made robust by developing dynamic schemes at application level which makes use of the existing security techniques varying in terms of space, time, and attacks complexities. In this paper we present a security techniques selection scheme for mobile transactions, called the Transactions‐Based Security Scheme (TBSS). The TBSS uses intelligence to study, and analyzes the security implications of transactions under execution based on certain criterion such as user behaviors, transaction sensitivity levels, and credibility factors computed over the previous transactions by the users, network vulnerability, and device characteristics. The TBSS identifies a suitable level of security techniques from the repository, which consists of symmetric, and asymmetric types of security algorithms arranged in three complexity levels, covering various encryption/decryption techniques, digital signature schemes, and hashing techniques. From this identified level, one of the techniques is deployed randomly. The results shows that, there is a considerable reduction in security cost compared to static schemes, which employ pre‐fixed security techniques to secure the transactions data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BBN based approach for improving the software development process of an SME—a case study
Authors: Bibi S. , Stamelos I. , Gerolimos G. , Kollias V.
Published: May 2009

This article proposes an approach for improving the software process of a small/medium company. The methodology is presented through a case study during which estimation models have been applied, evaluated and introduced in a telecommunication software development process. The proposed methodology uses Bayesian Belief Networks to represent the relationships among implementation, product and process metrics and their impact on the development effort. The estimation models that were derived were applied and evaluated on the on‐going projects of the company. Finally, by performing the same analysis on data from the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group (ISBSG) repository, it is demonstrated how one company can utilize data from other companies when it lacks sufficient data of its own. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of sediment quality of Yangtze River estuary using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos
Authors: Wu Lingling , Chen Ling , Hou Junli , Zhang Yalei , Zhao Jianfu , Gao Hongwen
Published: May 2009

Yangtze River estuary is one of the largest estuaries worldwide. In this study, the sediment quality of Yangtze River estuary was evaluated using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Freshly fertilized zebrafish eggs (2 h after fertilization) were exposed to the whole sediment and its organic phase of extract, respectively. The parameters, including survival rate, abnormality, hatching rate, and heart rate of the zebrafish embryos, were recorded during the 96‐h exposure. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Cr, and As) and low‐molecular weight PAHs (Fluorene) in the sediment of Yangtze River estuary exceeded their corresponding effects range low values. The maximum concentrations of Zn and Fluorene in the sediment samples were 239.6 μg/g and 45.9 ng/g, respectively. In both whole sediment test and organic extract test, the survival rate and heart rate of zebrafish embryos were reduced, as well as abnormalities and delayed hatching were induced. For example, the highest mortality of the embryos was 39% in the whole sediment exposure. Overall, the occurrence of toxic compounds in the sediment of Yangtze River estuary may have potentially teratogenic effect on biota. The sediment from the upstream of Yangtze River estuary have more observed toxic effects on zebrafish embryos than that form the downstream. Therefore, more attention should be paid to control these pollutants, especially heavy metals in the Yangtze River estuary. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
QoS‐aware packet forwarding in MIMO sensor networks: a cross‐layer approach
Authors: Song Lingyang , Zhang Yan , Yu Rong , Yao Wenqing
Published: May 2009

Multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) enabled wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are becoming increasingly important since significant performance enhancement can be realized. In this paper, we propose a packet forward strategy for MIMO sensor networks by jointly considering channel coding, rate adaptation, and power allocation. Each sensor node has multiple antennas and uses orthogonal space time block codes (OSTBC) to exploit both spatial and temporal diversities. The objective is to determine the optimal routing path that achieves the minimum symbol error rate (SER) subject to the source‐to‐destination (S‐D) energy consumption constraint. This SER‐based quality‐of‐service (QoS) aware packet forwarding problem is formulated into the framework of dynamic programming (DP). We then propose a low‐complexity and near‐optimal approach to considerably reduce the computation complexity, which includes state space partition and state aggregation techniques. Simulations indicate that the proposed protocol significantly outperforms traditional algorithms. Further still, the performance gain increases with tighter S‐D energy constraint. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale modeling for biologists
Authors: Meier‐Schellersheim Martin , Fraser Iain D. C. , Klauschen Frederick
Published: May 2009

Biomedical research frequently involves performing experiments and developing hypotheses that link different scales of biological systems such as, for instance, the scales of intracellular molecular interactions to the scale of cellular behavior and beyond to the behavior of cell populations. Computational modeling efforts that aim at exploring such multiscale systems quantitatively with the help of simulations have to incorporate several different simulation techniques because of the different time and space scales involved. Here, we provide a nontechnical overview of how different scales of experimental research can be combined with the appropriate computational modeling techniques. We also show that current modeling software permits building and simulating multiscale models without having to become involved with the underlying technical details of computational modeling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Four New Silver(I) Complexes with the N,N′(O)‐bidentate Bridging Ligands
Authors: Li Yu‐Guang , Jiang Qi‐Bai , Cheng Kui , Yan Hong , Zhu Hai‐Liang
Published: May 2009

Four new bridged silver(I) complexes, namely [Ag2(μ2‐teda)(μ2‐fbc)2] (1), [Ag2(μ2‐1,6‐dah)2](bpdc)·4H2O (2), [Ag2(μ2‐2‐ap)(2‐ap)(bnb)]·0.34H2O (3), [Ag2(μ2‐pyc)2(2‐apy)2]·0.5H2O (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and crystallographic methods [fbc = 4‐fluorobenzoate, teda = triethylenediamine (1); bpdc = biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate, 1,6‐dah = 1,6‐diaminohexane (2); bnb = 3,5‐binitrobenzoate, 2‐ap = 2‐aminopyrimidine (3); pyc = 3‐pyridinecarboxylate acid, 2‐apy = 2‐aminopyridine (4)]. Complex 1 contains a 1D linear chain paralleling to the c‐axis, whereas in complex 2 silver(I) atoms were bridged by the 1,6‐dah ligand into a zigzag chain, further giving a 1D ribbon by weak Ag···Ag interactions. Complex 3 consists of a dinuclear silver(I) [Ag2(μ2‐2‐ap)(2‐ap)(bnb)] moiety and a lattice water molecule, forming a 3D network via a number of hydrogen‐bonding interactions such as N–H···O, N–H···N and C–H···O hydrogen bond and other weak interactions such Ag···Ag, Ag···N, N···O as well as O···O interaction. Similar to 3, the asymmetric unit of 4 consists of one dinuclear silver(I) [Ag2(μ2‐pyc)2(2‐apy)2] moiety and half lattice water molecule, further generating a tetranuclear silver(I) {[Ag2(μ2‐pyc)2(2‐apy)2]2·H2O} moiety. These moieties construct a 3D supramolecular network structure of 4 through N–H···O, O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds as well as other weak interactions such as Ag···O and N···O interactions.
Funktionalisierung von Silicium‐Nanopartikeln mit Fluorwasserstoff und Olefinen
Authors: Klingbeil Christian , Angerstein Brigitta , Klingebiel Uwe
Published: May 2009

Functionalization of Silicon Nanoparticles with Hydrogen Fluoride and Olefins

Silicon nanoparticles (Si‐NPs) from a hot wall reactor (size: 50–300 nm) were freed of surface‐bound SiOx with anhydrous HF, leaving H‐terminated Si‐NPs. Thermally induced hydrosilylation with 1‐octene lead to the formation of surface bound octyl layers. Using anhydrous HF instead of 40 % hydrofluoric acid leads more efficiently to alkylated Si‐NPs.
Significance of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Chua Terence C. , Yan Tristan D. , Ng Keh M. , Zhao Jing , Morris David L.
Published: May 2009

Background

Lymph node metastasis is common in patients with colorectal cancer. Its significance in patients at the time of primary colorectal surgery and later in patients who develop colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRPC) is unknown. Lymphatic metastasis reflects a systemic spread of cancer and its implication on patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) for carcinomatosis needs to be studied.

Methods

Patients with CRPC underwent CRS and PIC according to a standardized treatment protocol in our institution. Pathology reports from the primary colorectal surgery and at the time of treatment for CRPC was retrospectively retrieved and appraised. Comparison of survival outcomes using the log‐rank test was performed for patients with and without lymphatic metastasis.

Results

Sixty patients were treated for CRPC with CRS and PIC. At the time of colorectal surgery, patients with lymph node involvement had similar survival outcomes compared with patients without lymph node involvement (median survival: 31 months, 36 months; p = 0.9). However, when they subsequently develop peritoneal carcinomatosis and underwent treatment with CRS and PIC, patients with lymph node involvement did significantly worse (median survival: 20 months, 38 months; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that lymph node metastasis in patients with CRPC is an indicator of a poor prognosis and requires further investigation and recognition.
Diathermy vs. Scalpel Skin Incisions in General Surgery: Double‐Blind, Randomized, Clinical Trial
Authors: Shamim Muhammad
Published: May 2009

Objective

This prospective, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial was designed to compare the outcome of diathermy incisions versus scalpel incisions in general surgery.

Methods

A total of 369 patients who underwent diathermy incision (group A: 185 patients) or scalpel incision (group B: 184 patients) were analyzed. Variables analyzed were: surgical wound classification, length and depth of incision, incision time, duration of operation, incisional blood loss, postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay, duration of healing, and postoperative complications. The inclusion criteria were all patients who underwent elective or emergency general surgery. The exclusion criteria were only cases with incomplete patients’ data and patients who were lost to follow‐up. This study was conducted at Fatima Hospital‐Baqai Medical University and Shamsi Hospital (Karachi), from January 2006 to December 2007.

Results

Incision time was significantly longer for patients in group B (p = 0.001). Incisional blood loss also was more for patients in group B (p = 0.000). Pain perception was found to be markedly reduced during the first 48 h in group A (p = 0.000). Total period of hospital stay (p = 0.129) and time for complete wound healing (p = 0.683) were almost the same for both groups. Postoperative complication rate by wound classification did not differ markedly between the two groups (p = 0.002 vs. p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Diathermy incision has significant advantages compared with the scalpel because of reduced incision time, less blood loss, & reduced early postoperative pain.
Grafting of 4-(2,4,6-Trimethylphenoxy)benzoyl onto Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Poly(phosphoric acid) via Amide Function
Authors: Han Sang-Wook , Oh Se-Jin , Tan Loon-Seng , Baek Jong-Beom
Published: May 2009

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which were commercial grade containing 60–70 wt% impurity, were treated in a mild poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA). The purity of PPA treated SWCNTs was greatly improved with or without little damage to SWCNTs framework and stable crystalline carbon particles. An amide model compound, 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)benzamide (TMPBA), was reacted with SWCNTs in PPA with additional phosphorous pentoxide as “direct” Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction to afford TMPBA functionalized SWCNTs. All evidences obtained from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microcopy, and transmission electron microscopy strongly supported that the functionalization of SWCNTs with benzamide was indeed feasible.
Outcome of late-onset Perthes’ disease using four different treatment modalities
Authors: Osman M. K. , Martin D. J. , Sherlock D. A.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The outcome of Perthes’ disease in children over 8 years tends to be poor. It is unclear whether any treatment modality alters the natural history. This study compares the results of four treatment modalities for this group of patients.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of prospectively collected data for 44 children (48 hips) with Catterall grade 2, 3 or 4 Perthes’ disease with onset age 8 years or older followed to maturity. Patients were divided into four groups (a no-treatment group and three interventional groups). The interventional groups were demographically similar but the untreated patients were older and had poorer indices for most modalities.

Results

Overall for all treatment modalities only 19% had a satisfactory Stulberg grade II outcome. Poorer outcomes (as assessed by center–edge angle and percentage femoral head coverage) were associated with increasing age, greater initial head deformity, and more head involvement. Initial head deformity did not remodel for any group and progressed despite plaster treatment or varus osteotomy but not after acetabular augmentation. Acetabular augmentation gave better outcomes for C/B ratio and center–edge angle.

Conclusions

Whatever the treatment, the outcome is poorer with increasing age. No treatment guarantees a good result for significant head involvement or initial deformity but acetabular augmentation improves C/B ratio and center–edge angle and prevents progressive femoral head deformity compared with no treatment, varus osteotomy, and plaster treatment.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 signaling inhibits differentiation and activation of human dendritic cells
Authors: Tóth Balázs I. , Benkő Szilvia , Szöllősi Attila G. , Kovács László , Rajnavölgyi Éva , Bíró Tamás
Published: May 2009

The goal of the current study was to investigate the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) on human in vitro differentiated monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) and to dissect the corresponding role of TRPV1‐signaling in DC‐specific functions. TRPV1 expression was identified both at the protein and gene levels in human DCs. Moreover, the prototypic TRPV1 agonist capsaicin specifically (i.e. via TRPV1) and dose‐dependently inhibited cytokine‐induced DC differentiation, phagocytosis of bacteria, activation of DCs, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion. These data introduce TRPV1‐coupled signaling as a novel player in human monocyte‐derived DC biology with anti‐inflammatory actions.
Structures of the tumor necrosis factor α inducing protein Tipα: A novel virulence factor from Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Tosi Tommaso , Cioci Gianluca , Jouravleva Karina , Dian Cyril , Terradot Laurent
Published: May 2009

TIP alpha (uniprotkb:B2UTN0) and TIP alpha (uniprotkb:B2UTN0) bind (MI:0407) by cosedimentation (MI:0027)
Isolation and characterization of cytoplasmic cyclin D1 mutants
Authors: Murakami Hirokazu , Horihata Minoru , Andojo Satoru , Yoneda-Kato Noriko , Kato Jun-ya
Published: May 2009

Cdk4 (uniprotkb:P30285) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Cyclin D1 (uniprotkb:P24385) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
WEAK CONVERGENCE OF AN ITERATIVE SCHEME FOR GENERALIZED EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEMS
Authors: PENG JIAN-WEN , YAO JEN-CHIH
Published: May 2009

In this paper, we introduce an iterative scheme using an extragradient method for finding a common element of the set of solutions of a generalized equilibrium problem, the set of fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping and the set of the variational inequality for a monotone, Lipschitz-continuous mapping. We obtain a weak convergence theorem for three sequences generated by this process. Based on this result, we also obtain several interesting results. The results in this paper generalize and extend some well-known weak convergence theorems in the literature.
Multiple mechanisms responsible for differential susceptibilities ofSitobion avenae(Fabricius) andRhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus) to pirimicarb
Authors: Lu Y. , Gao X.
Published: May 2009

BothSitobion avenae(Fabricius) andRhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus) are the most important pests of wheat in China and usually coexist on the late period of wheat growth. Pirimicarb was introduced into China for wheat aphid control in early 1990s, and differential susceptibilities ofSitobion avenae(Fabricius) andRhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus) to pirimicarb have been observed. A bioassay exhibited thatRhopalosiphum padipossessed significantly higher susceptibility to pirimicarb thanSitobion avenae. The addition of synergists DEF, an esterase inhibitor, PBO, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitor, and DEM, a glutathioneS-transferase inhibitor, resulted in apparent reductions in the differential susceptibilities, suggesting the involvement of the above three detoxification enzymes in the differential susceptibility to pirimicarb betweenSitobion avenaeandRhopalosiphum padi. A biochemical analysis showed that the activities of carboxylesterases and glutathioneS-transferases were significantly higher inSitobion avenaethan inRhopalosiphum padi, consistent with the results of synergism. Acetylcholinesterase is the target enzyme of pirimicarb and the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to pirimicarb was significantly higher inRhopalosiphum padithan inSitobion avenae. The combined results suggest that multiple mechanisms are likely to be responsible for differential susceptibilities to pirimicarb betweenSitobion avenaeandRhopalosiphum padi. The results obtained from this study should be helpful in the rational applications of insecticides.
The effect of psychiatric co-morbidity on cognitive functioning in a population-based sample of depressed young adults
Authors: Castaneda A. E. , Marttunen M. , Suvisaari J. , Perälä J. , Saarni S. I. , Aalto-Setälä T. , Aro H. , Lönnqvist J. , Tuulio-Henriksson A.
Published: May 2009

Background

Psychiatric co-morbidity is often inadequately controlled for in studies on cognitive functioning in depression. Our recent study established no major deficits in cognition among young adults with a history of pure unipolar depression. The present study extends our previous work by examining the effects of psychiatric co-morbidity and other disorder characteristics on depression-related cognitive functioning.

Method

Performance in verbal and visual short-term memory, verbal long-term memory and learning, attention, processing speed, and executive functioning was compared between a population-based sample aged 21–35 years with a lifetime history of unipolar depressive disorders (n=126) and a random sample of healthy controls derived from the same population (n=71). Cognitive functioning was also compared between the subgroups of pure (n=69) and co-morbid (n=57) depression.

Results

The subgroups of pure and co-morbid depression did not differ in any of the cognitive measures assessed. Only mildly compromised verbal learning was found among depressed young adults in total, but no other cognitive deficits occurred. Received treatment was associated with more impaired verbal memory and executive functioning, and younger age at first disorder onset with more impaired executive functioning.

Conclusions

Psychiatric co-morbidity may not aggravate cognitive functioning among depressed young adults. Regardless of co-morbidity, treatment seeking is associated with cognitive deficits, suggesting that these deficits relate to more distress.
A note on the biadjunction between 2-categories of traced monoidal categories and tortile monoidal categories
Authors: HASEGAWA MASAHITO , KATSUMATA SHIN-YA
Published: May 2009

We illustrate a minor error in the biadjointness result for 2-categories of traced monoidal categories and tortile monoidal categories stated by Joyal, Street and Verity. We also show that the biadjointness holds after suitably changing the definition of 2-cells.
An intonational grammar for Icelandic
Authors: Dehé Nicole
Published: May 2009

The aim of this paper is to shed new light on the tonal grammar of Icelandic and to complement the tone inventory as previously described in the literature (Árnason 1998). Specifically, types of pitch accents and edge tones and their combinations in neutral declaratives and questions, and in utterances containing narrow focus are addressed. Two pitch accent types (H* and L*) and two edge tones (H- and L-) are identified, for which evidence has not been found in previous research. Moreover, the paper shows for declaratives, that along with downstep, Icelandic has upstep across Intonational Phrases. Upstep applies to a series of pitch peaks. It may occur in neutral declaratives and in utterances with final narrow focus. Overall, the results of this study provide a substantial addition to our knowledge of Icelandic intonational phonology.
Animacy and long distance binding in Norwegian
Authors: Lødrup Helge
Published: May 2009

Norwegian allows binding into finite subordinate clauses when the subordinate subject is inanimate and has a thematic role that is low on the hierarchy of thematic roles (e.g.Hun trodde hun gjorde det som var best forseg selv‘she thought she did that which was best forrefl self’). This kind of long distance binding is productive, and generally acceptable, but it has never been mentioned in the literature. This article discusses its syntactic and semantic properties. It is shown that the reflexives in question are not necessarily logophoric, and that they prefer a distributive interpretation. The general binding properties of inanimate subjects are discussed, and it is proposed that binding theory must have the option to disregard them. Binding across inanimate subjects can then be treated as local binding.