bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of vitamin B1 excretion in 24‐hr urine by assay of first‐morning urine
Authors: Ihara Hiroshi , Matsumoto Takayuki , Kakinoki Takashi , Shino Yoshio , Hashimoto Reiko , Hashizume Naotaka
Published: July 2008

Urinary B1 (vitamin B1) excretion is commonly determined in 24‐hr urine specimens to obtain an estimate of nutritional status. The aim of our study was to investigate whether B1 in random urine specimens, corrected for the urine creatinine (Cr), can be substituted for B1 in 24‐hr urines. Collection of such hour urines is often fraught with errors; an alternative method is described here. All urine specimens voided over 24 hr were collected from 32 healthy adults as were the first‐morning urines from 30 healthy Japanese women. The B1 excretion was expressed as the ratio of B1 to Cr. Although the B1 excretion was expressed as the B1/Cr ratio, the B1 excretion varied with the urine volume and the time of urine collection. The B1/Cr ratio in random urine specimens not collected at a fixed time may mislead the evaluation of the nutritional status. We found that the B1/Cr ratio in the first‐morning urine correlated significantly with the ratio in 24‐hr urines (r=0.970, P<0.001) and also with the concentration of total B1 (B1 plus its phosphate esters) in whole blood (r=0.733, P<0.001). We conclude that the B1/Cr ratio in 24‐hr urines could be estimated by measuring the ratio in the first‐morning urine. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:291‐294, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and Indian ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha on serum digoxin measurement by digoxin III, a new digoxin immunoassay
Authors: Dasgupta Amitava , Tso Gertie , Wells Alice
Published: July 2008

Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha demonstrated modest interference with serum digoxin measurements by the fluorescent polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Recently, Abbott Laboratories marketed a new digoxin immunoassay, Digoxin III for application on the AxSYM analyzer. We studied potential interference of these herbal supplements on serum digoxin measurement by Digoxin III assay in vitro and compared our results with the values obtained by Tina‐quant assay. Aliquots of drug‐free serum pool were supplemented with various amounts of Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, or Ashwagandha approximating expected concentrations after recommended doses and overdoses of these herbal supplements in serum. Then digoxin concentrations were measured by the Digoxin III and Tina‐quant (Roche Diagnostics) assay. We also supplemented aliquots of a digoxin pool prepared from patients receiving digoxin with various amounts of these herbal supplements and then measured digoxin concentrations again using both digoxin immunoassays. We observed modest apparent digoxin concentrations when aliquots of drug‐free serum pool were supplemented with all three herbal supplements using Digoxin III assay (apparent digoxin in the range of 0.31–0.57 ng/ml), but no apparent digoxin concentration (except with the highest concentration of Ashwagandha supplement for both brands) was observed using the Tina‐quant assay. When aliquots of digoxin pool were further supplemented with these herbal supplements, digoxin concentrations were falsely elevated when measured by the new Digoxin III assay. For example, we observed 48.2% (1.63 ng/ml digoxin) increase in digoxin concentration when an aliquot of Digoxin pool 1 (1.10 ng/ml digoxin) was supplemented with 50 μl of Asian ginseng extract (Brand 2). Measuring free digoxin does not eliminate the modest interferences of these herbal supplements in serum digoxin measurement by the Digoxin III assay. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:295–301, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A simple, rapid, and convenient Luminex™‐compatible method of tissue isolation
Authors: Barclay Derek , Zamora Ruben , Torres Andres , Namas Rajaie , Steed David , Vodovotz Yoram
Published: July 2008

Various pathological conditions are associated with changes in multiple protein biomarkers, and these changes can be assessed using xMAP™ beads and the Luminex™ platform. Although this platform is most commonly utilized in the analysis of biomarkers in serum, plasma, or urine, it is often desirable to measure these analytes in tissues (e.g., biopsy specimens). We have developed a simple, rapid method of tissue isolation in which excised tissues are permeabilized in RNAlater™ at 4°C overnight, followed by Luminex™ analysis for inflammatory biomarkers (cytokines). This method was compared with flash‐freezing in both mouse liver and human debrided wound specimens, and may be of utility in other clinical settings. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:278–281,
2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nontreponemal tests in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis: an evaluation of the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) tests
Authors: Castro Rita , Prieto Emília Simões , da Luz Martins Pereira Filomena
Published: July 2008

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test has long been considered the best serological test for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. The goal of this study was to find out if the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) could be an alternative to the VDRL. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera samples from patients in the following stages of syphilis were tested: 8 had symptomatic and 16 asymptomatic neurosyphilis, 4 were in the primary stage, 6 had secondary syphilis, and 92 were in the latent stage. We have also studied 61 samples from individuals with treated syphilis and 126 with other neurological diseases than neurosyphilis. All the CSF samples were studied with both RPR and VDRL tests. RPR and VDRL test results were mostly concordant. The specificity of these tests for current neurosyphilis was 99% for the VDRL and 99.3% for the RPR, whereas the sensitivity was 70.8 and 75%, respectively, for the VDRL and RPR. In view of these results it seems to us that the RPR could be an alternative to the VDRL in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:257–261, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation of fecal elastase‐1 determination using immunoenzymatic assay in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: de Oliveira Claudia Giorgia Bronzatti , Affonso Fonseca Fernando Luiz , Stackunas Salotto Nicolle , Ambrosio Chicoli Felipe , Leopoldo Dória Pedro , Alessi Rudá , Zimberg Chehter Ethel
Published: July 2008

Pancreatic elastase‐1 is a proteolytic enzyme exclusively produced in the pancreas, is stable when passing through the bowel, and its determination is associated with chronic pancreatitis. The clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on anamnesis, physical examination, radiological, sonographic, endoscopic, and laboratory findings. Nowadays, there is a test for the determination of fecal elastase‐1, by enzymatic reaction (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA), which specifically determines human elastase‐1, promoting the pancreatic function evaluation. Parameters such as linearity, calibration curve, sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve are used to evaluate the test. The aim of this study was the validation of the immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and the use of its results in patients with HIV, alcoholics, and under antiretroviral therapy. The study involved 157 patients, 95 of them were HIV‐infected, and 62 were completely healthy. The elastase‐1 ELISA kit from Bioserv was used, and we noted that the obtained results were linear, sensitive, precise, and accurate. Moreover, our results suggest that this test can be a laboratory evaluation to determine the relationship of pancreatitis with alcohol use, but not its association with antiretroviral use in HIV patients (P=0.424). This test is useful to diagnose pathologies related to pancreatic insufficiency. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:286‐290, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical laboratory automated urinalysis: comparison among automated microscopy, flow cytometry, two test strips analyzers, and manual microscopic examination of the urine sediments
Authors: Mayo S. , Acevedo D. , Quiñones‐Torrelo C. , Canós I. , Sancho M.
Published: July 2008

Urinalysis is one of the habitual clinical laboratory procedures, which implies that one of the largest sample volumes currently requires significant labor to examine microscopic sediments. Different analyzers currently used to perform this task have been compared with the manual microscopic sediment examination. The Atlas Clinitek 10 (Bayer Corporation, Diagnostics Division, Tarrytown, NY) and Urisys 2400 (Hitachi Science Systems Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan) test strips analyzers and two automated urinalysis systems, Sysmex UF‐100 (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan) and IRIS iQ200 (International Imaging Remote Systems, Chatsworth, CA), have been considered. We assessed the concordance between the results obtained from 652 freshly collected urine samples for erythrocytes (RBC), leukocytes (WBC), squamous epithelial cells (EC), nitrites/bacteria, and crystals using the methodologies mentioned. A principal components analysis was performed in order to examine the correlation between these parameters. Instrument accuracy was also assessed. The Spearman's statistic (p) showed an adequate agreement between methods for RBC (iQ200=0.473; UF‐100=0.439; Atlas=0.525; Urisys=0.539), WBC (iQ200=0.695; UF‐100=0.761; Atlas=0.684: Urisys=0.620), and bacteria/nitrites (iQ200=0.538; UF‐100=0.647; Atlas=0.532; Urisys=0.561) counts. By applying the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests, a concordance degree was found between 82–99 and 52–95% for the values obtained from the two test strips analyzers considered and from the iQ200 and UF‐100 systems, respectively. From these results, we can conclude that both test strips analyzers are similar and, on the other hand, that automated urinalysis is needed to improve precision and the response time; but sometimes manual microscopic revisions are required, mainly when flags, because of crystals, are detected. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:262–270, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison between a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry assay and a fluorescent polarization immunoassay to measure whole blood everolimus concentration in heart and renal transplantations
Authors: Dailly Eric , Deslandes G. , Hourmant M. , Petit T. , Renaud C. , Treilhaud M. , Jolliet P.
Published: July 2008

Various methods [fluorescent polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) assay] are used for therapeutic drug monitoring of everolimus. The aim of this study is to compare these assays in renal and heart transplantation. The correlation between results was investigated by linear regression in 44 patients (24 heart recipients and 20 renal recipients—137 samples). The comparison between assays was performed by a paired t‐test. A highly significant correlation was found between FPIA and LC‐MS/MS in heart and renal recipients [FPIA=0.851 × LC‐MS/MS+1.773r2=0.8738 (P<0.001)]. Paired t‐tests did not show a significant difference between everolimus whole blood concentrations in the populations of heart and renal recipients or heart recipients or renal recipients. FPIA and LC‐MS/MS assays gave consistent overall results although some significant differences were observed in some samples between these methods indicating that FPIA assay has limitations that deserve further investigations. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:282‐285, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic potential of a PSA complex in sera of prostate cancer patients with α2‐macroglobulin deficiency
Authors: Kanoh Yuhsaku , Ohara Tadashi , Egawa Shin , Baba Shiro , Akahoshi Tohru
Published: July 2008

We previously reported on a number of cases of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) in which serum α2‐macroglobulin (α2M) levels were markedly decreased to less than 20 mg/dl (α2M deficiency). In order to elucidate the relative proportions of free and a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) complex in PCa patients with α2M deficiency, we have assessed serum α2M and total PSA levels, and ratios of free PSA to total PSA (F/T ratios) at each stage of PCa. Moreover, the PSA reactivity profile was determined on fractionated serum specimens of PCa patients using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a TSKG‐3000 SWXL column. Measurement of α2M concentration was performed by laser‐nephelometry. PSA levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay, free PSA by radioimmunoassay. In those PCa patients with α2M deficiency, serum α2M and F/T ratios were lower, whereas PSA levels were higher when compared with those PCa patients without α2M deficiency (P<0.05). PSA elution profiles on HPLC columns revealed two major peaks. The proportion of PSA‐antichymotrypsin (PSA‐ACT) increased, whereas the proportion of free PSA decreased in PCa patients with α2M deficiency as compared with those PCa patients without α2M deficiency. F/T ratios were significantly lower in PCa patients with α2M deficiency than in those PCa patients without α2M deficiency. PSA‐ACT and F/T ratio may be useful for monitoring bone metastasis in PCa. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:302–306, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibitory effects of starvation on prothoracic gland cell DNA synthesis during the last larval instar of the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Chen Chien‐Hung , Gu Shi‐Hong
Published: July 2008

Activation of DNA synthesis in prothoracic gland cells of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, during the middle stages of the last larval instar appears to be nutrition dependent, with starvation on day 3 of the last larval instar inhibiting its dramatic increase. The possible cellular mechanism causing the inhibition of DNA synthesis owing to starvation was further examined by determining changes in the growth‐promoting activity of the hemolymph and the responsiveness of gland cells to starvation. The results showed that on starvation, the activity of the growth‐promoting factor in the hemolymph did not greatly decrease until 2 days after starvation had begun. However, the dramatic increase in the responsiveness of gland cells (the ability to synthesize DNA when exposed to the hemolymph growth factor), which normally occurs on day 4 of the last instar, was not observed when starvation was begun on day 3. A dramatic increase in gland cell size was observed in control larvae during later stages of the last larval instar. However, with starvation beginning on day 3, gland cell size was maintained at lower levels compared with those of control larvae, indicating that the inhibition of DNA synthesis is indeed related to the inhibition of cell size. From these results, it was assumed that alterations in growth factor receptors and downstream signaling may be related to the inhibition of DNA synthesis by starvation and that the deficiency in growth‐promoting factor signaling may guarantee that the growth of endoreplicative tissues in these larvae ceases. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:399–406, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lung ventilation during treadmill locomotion in a semi‐aquatic turtle, Trachemys scripta
Authors: Landberg Tobias , Mailhot Jeffrey D. , Brainerd Elizabeth L.
Published: July 2008

It is reasonable to presume that locomotion should have a mechanical effect on breathing in turtles. The turtle shell is rigid, and when the limbs protract and retract, air in the lungs should be displaced. This expectation was met in a previous study of the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas; breathing completely ceased during terrestrial locomotion (Jackson and Prange, 1979. J Comp Physiol 134:315–319). In contrast, another study found no direct effect of locomotion on ventilation in the terrestrial box turtle, Terrapene carolina (Landberg et al., 2003. J Exp Biol 206:3391–3404). In this study we measured lung ventilation during treadmill locomotion in a semi‐aquatic turtle, the red‐eared slider, Trachemys scripta. Sliders breathed almost continuously during locomotion and during brief pauses between locomotor bouts. Tidal volume was relatively small (∼1 mL) during locomotion and approximately doubled during pauses. Minute ventilation was, however, not significantly smaller during locomotion because breath frequency was higher than that during the pauses. We found no consistent evidence for phase coupling between breathing and locomotion indicating that sliders do not use locomotor movements to drive breathing. We also found no evidence for a buccal‐pump mechanism. Sliders, like box turtles, appear to use abdominal musculature to breathe during locomotion. Thus, locomotion affects lung ventilation differently in the three turtle species studied to date: the terrestrial Te. carolina shows no measurable effect of locomotion on ventilation; the semi‐aquatic Tr. scripta breathes with smaller tidal volumes during locomotion; and the highly aquatic C. mydas stops breathing completely during terrestrial locomotion. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:551–562, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lung and metabolic development in mammals: contribution to the reconstruction of the marsupial and eutherian morphotype
Authors: Szdzuy Kirsten , Zeller Ulrich
Published: July 2008

Marsupials represent only 6% of all living mammals. Marsupialia and Placentalia are distinguished mainly by their modes of reproduction. In particular, the differences in the stage of development of the neonates may be one explanation for the divergent evolutionary success. In this respect one important question is whether the survivability of the neonate depends on the degree of maturation of the respiratory system relative to the metabolic capacity at the time of birth. Therefore, this review highlights the differences in lung morphology and metabolic development of extant Marsupialia and Placentalia. The Marsupial neonate is born with a low birth weight and is highly immature. The neonatal lung is characterized by large terminal sacs, a poorly developed bronchial system and late formation of alveoli. Marsupialia have a low metabolic rate at birth and attain adult metabolic rate and thermoregulatory capacity late in postnatal development. In contrast, the eutherian neonate is born with a relative high birth weight and is always more mature than marsupial neonates. The neonatal lung has small terminal sacs, the bronchial system is well developed and the formation of alveoli begins few days after birth. Placentalia have a high metabolic rate at birth and attain adult metabolic rate and thermoregulatory capacity early in postnatal development. The differences in the developmental degree of the newborn lung between Marsupialia and Placentalia have consequences for their metabolic and thermoregulatory capacity. These differences could be advantageous for Placentalia in the changing environments in which they evolved.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:555–578, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Global dimming and global brightening—an analysis of surface radiation and cloud cover data in northern Europe
Authors: Stjern Camilla W. , Kristjánsson Jón Egill , Hansen Aksel Walløe
Published: July 2008

In the present study, surface solar radiation data from 11 stations in northwestern Europe and the European Arctic are presented in the context of the ongoing discussion on global dimming and global brightening. The surface solar radiation records are compared to records of cloud cover, and to qualitative information on aerosol concentrations and atmospheric circulation patterns, in order to explain the temporal variations.

Through simple statistical analyses, we examine annual trends as well as trends for individual months, and compare the results between the stations. Comparisons are also made between different time periods within the records. We find that surface solar radiation changes in the region considered, even at the remote arctic stations, correspond well with trends found in global studies, with a significant decrease from the 1950s to the 1980s, followed by a slight increase in recent years. At stations that stand out from the general pattern, the deviations can be explained by variations in cloud cover in most cases.

There has been a general tendency to attribute the majority of the observed surface solar radiation trends to aerosol changes caused by changes in anthropogenic emissions. This study stresses the importance of the contribution of clouds and the atmospheric circulation to global dimming and global brightening. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Systematic biotic responses to palaeoenvironmental change in the Late Pleistocene southern South China Sea: a preliminary study
Authors: Chen Muhong , Li Qianyu , Zhang Lanlan , Zheng Fan , Lu Jun , Xiang Rong , Zhang Lili , Yan Wen , Chen Zhong , Xiao Shangbin
Published: July 2008

Oxygen and carbon isotopes from the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides sacculifer, trace element contents, calcium carbonate, biogenic silica, grain size, and abundances of diatoms, radiolarians and foraminifera in a deep‐sea core from the southwestern South China Sea were analysed to investigate the response of various marine ecological communities to environmental changes over the last 200 ka. The synthesised results show that the quality of the palaeoecological environment for biological growth is primarily affected by nutrient supply and terrigenous disturbance. Ba and P are important nutrient elements for the growth of diatoms, radiolarians and planktonic foraminifera. Together with dissolved silica and calcium carbonate in sea water, these elements may control microbiotic development. However, variations in Fe content appear to affect diatom and radiolarian abundance. Optimal biotic growth occurs when nutrients are abundant and when there is minimal terrigenous disturbance. Biotic growth decreases when sea water is highly oligotrophic and terrigenous input is high. Maximum biological growth occurred in the mid Holocene, but deteriorated soon afterwards owing to increased terrigenous input, causing a decrease of biological abundance and productivity in the late Holocene. The results also indicate how the Toba volcanic eruption ca. 74 ka ago contributed to changing the ecological environment in the southern South China Sea. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subfossil Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) along a latitudinal gradient in Finland: development of a new temperature inference model
Authors: Luoto Tomi P.
Published: July 2008

Numerical techniques were used to study chironomid distribution and abundance in lakes from a 1000 km transect in Finland, with special interest on the effect of local summer air temperatures on chironomid assemblages. The final aim of the study was to develop a chironomid‐based palaeotemperature inference model. The dataset consisted of 82 lakes (of which 77 were used in the model after deletion of outliers), with catchments spanning from boreal coniferous forests to mountain birch woodland and tundra vegetation. Numerical analysis showed that the mean July air temperature was the most significant variable explaining the distribution and abundance of chironomids in Finnish lakes. Weighted‐averaging partial least squares techniques were used to develop a palaeotemperature inference model for mean July air temperature reconstructions. The model performance statistics were favourable, with cross‐validated coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.78, root mean squared error of prediction of 0.721°C and maximum bias of 0.794°C. Based on these values, the transfer function is a valid means of performing quantitative palaeotemperature estimates in downcore studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changing management and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma: Evaluation of 501 patients treated at a single comprehensive center
Authors: Kooby David A. , Egnatashvili Vasili , Graiser Michael , Delman Keith A. , Kauh John , Wood William C. , Staley III Charles A.
Published: July 2008

Background

We evaluated changes in therapy and outcome for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over time in a large cohort of Western patients managed at one U.S. medical center.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients with HCC treated at one U.S. medical center was performed. Analyses were stratified by time intervals 1990–1996 (pre‐Milan) and 1997–2004 (post‐Milan) to examine impact of UNOS criteria adapted from the post‐Milan experience with OLT on treatment and survival.

Results

From 1990 to 2004, 501 patients were identified, 170 (34%) pre‐Milan and 331 (66%) post‐Milan. Seventy‐four (15%) underwent OLT, 99 (20%) had partial hepatectomy (PH), 51 (10%) had ablative therapy (Ablate), 84 (16%) had embolic treatment (Embo), and 194 (39%) had chemotherapy or supportive care (C/SC). Median survival for all patients was 11 months. By time interval, median overall survival (OS) was better for post‐Milan patients as compared with the pre‐Milan group (13 months vs. 7 months, P = 0.02). On multivariate analysis OLT had the strongest association with improved survival of all factors examined (Odds ratio 12.4, 95% CI 7.7–20.5).

Conclusions

In this series, treatment post‐1996 is associated with improved survival, likely due to improvements in selection criteria and outcomes for liver transplantation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:81–88. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aberrant crypt foci as precursors in colorectal cancer progression
Authors: Orlando Frank A. , Tan Dongfeng , Baltodano Juan D. , Khoury Thaer , Gibbs John F. , Hassid Victor J. , Ahmed Bestoun H. , Alrawi Sadir J.
Published: July 2008

Colorectal cancer progression originates when accumulated genetic and epigenetic alterations cause genomic instability and a malignant phenotype. Subsequent molecular pathway deregulation leads to histopathologic changes that are clinically evident as aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and visualized by high‐magnification chromoscopic colonoscopy. ACF are biomarkers of increased colorectal cancer risk, particularly those with dysplastic features. Genetic profiling using genomic instability, loss of heterozygosity, and methylation analysis has revealed a minority population of ACF genotypically analogous to cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:207–213. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronological changing patterns of clinical characteristics of Korean breast cancer patients during 10 years (1996–2006) using nationwide breast cancer registration on‐line program: Biannual update
Authors: Ko Seung Sang ,   and The Korean Breast Cancer Society
Published: July 2008

Background

We performed this study to evaluate the chronological changes in Korean breast cancer characteristics and reproductive factors from 1996 to 2006.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed the chronological changes among newly diagnosed primary breast cancer patients recruited at 102 general hospitals. All participating hospitals provided the essential information through the nationwide on‐line registration program.

Results

Eleven thousand two hundred seventy five cases of breast cancer were newly diagnosed in 2006. The crude incidence rate of breast cancer of 2006 was 46 (average 47.0 ± 10.8) among 100,000 and the patient's median age was 48 (average 49.2 ± 10.4) years (P < 0.001). In a difference from the United States and Western countries, the age distribution of breast cancer peaked in the fifth decade of life; this was followed by the sixth, fourth, and seventh decades. Compared with the results of previous studies 1996, this study also showed a continuous increase in: the incidence; breast‐conserving surgery; breast reconstruction after operation; the percentage of early breast cancer; and the number of patients with risk factors.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the incidence of breast cancer in Korea will continue to rise. Several characteristics of Korean breast cancer patients seem to follow the patterns of Western countries, but differences are present. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:318–323. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of glycoprotein enrichment by microscale lectin affinity chromatography
Authors: Madera Milan , Mann Benjamin , Mechref Yehia , Novotny Milos V.
Published: July 2008

Reproducible and efficient affinity enrichment is increasingly viewed as an essential step in many investigations leading to the discovery of new biomarkers. In this work, we have evaluated the repeatability of lectin enrichment of glycoproteins from human blood serum through both qualitative and quantitative proteomic approaches. In a comprehensive evaluation of lectin binding, we have performed 30 separate microscale lectin affinity chromatography experiments, followed by a conventional sample purification, and LC‐MS/MS analysis of the enriched glycoproteins. Two lectin affinity matrixes, both with Con A lectin, immobilized to the same solid support but differing in the amount of immobilized lectin, were investigated to characterize their binding properties. Both qualitative and quantitative data indicate acceptable repeatability and binding efficiency for the lectin materials received from two different commercial sources.
Sampling flower scent for chromatographic analysis
Authors: Stashenko Elena E. , Martínez Jairo René
Published: July 2008

The analysis of flower volatiles requires special methods for their isolation with enrichment. Living flowers show a continuous change in their volatile profile that depends on intrinsic (genetic) and external (light, temperature, hydric stress) factors. Excised flowers suffer rapid deterioration and loss of volatiles. While industrial isolation methods for flower volatiles are well established, those at the laboratory‐scale experience progressive development, in the search for higher sensitivity, reproducibility, and simplicity. This review covers the flower scent sampling methods most commonly employed during the last decade, and includes comments on their strengths and limitations. The strengths of headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) forin vivomonitoring are emphasized with the examples of monitoring the circadian variation ofBrugmansia suaveolensflower scent and of volatile aldehyde detection in flower scent using on‐fiber derivatization.
Polymethacrylate monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Urban Jiří , Jandera Pavel
Published: July 2008

In recent years, continuous separation media have attracted considerable attention because of the advantages they offer over packed columns. This research resulted in two useful monolithic material types, the first based on modified silica gel and the second on organic polymers. This work attempts to review advances in the development, characterization, and applications of monolithic columns based on synthetic polymers in capillary chromatography, with the main focus on monolithic beds prepared from methacrylate‐ester based monomers. The polymerization conditions used in the production of polymethacrylate monolithic capillary columns are surveyed, with attention being paid to the concentrations of monomers, porogen solvents, and polymerization initiators as the system variables used to control the porous and hydrodynamic properties of the monolithic media. The simplicity of their preparation as well as the possibilities of controlling of their porous properties and surface chemistries are the main benefits of the polymer monolithic capillary columns in comparison to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. The application areas considered in this review concern mainly separations in reversed‐phase chromatography, ion‐exchange chromatography, hydrophobic and hydrophilic interaction modes; enzyme immobilization and sample preparation in the capillary chromatography format are also addressed.
Evaluation of use of a very short polar microbore column segment in high‐speed gas chromatography analysis
Authors: Quinto Tranchida Peter , Mondello Monica , Sciarrone Danilo , Dugo Paola , Dugo Giovanni , Mondello Luigi
Published: July 2008

Very fast GC analyses are commonly carried out by using 10 m×0.1 mm id capillaries. In order to achieve rapid elution times (1–3 min), the latter are operated under suboptimum conditions. The present research is focused on the evaluation of use of a 0.1 mm id polar column segment (2 m), operated under near‐to‐optimum conditions, in very fast GC analysis. The results attained are compared with those derived from using a 10 m microbore column in very fast GC experiments. Prior to method development, the effects of gas velocity, temperature program rate, and sample amounts on analytical performance were evaluated. Following these preliminary applications, a complex lipidic sample, cod liver oil, was subjected to rapid separation (∼︁2.1 min) on the 10 m capillary through the application of a 50°C/min temperature rate and a 130 cm/s gas velocity. The same matrix was analyzed on the 2 m capillary using the same temperature program rate and range, but with a close‐to‐ideal linear velocity. The results observed were of interest, as the separation was achieved in less time (1.45 min) with improved peak resolution. Finally, both methods were validated in terms of retention time and peak area repeatability, LOQ, and linearity.
Effects of alcohols on CE enantioseparation of basic drugs with native γ‐CD as chiral selector
Authors: Deñola Nerissa L. , Quiming Noel S. , Catabay Alicia P. , Saito Yoshihiro , Jinno Kiyokatsu
Published: July 2008

The effects of alcohol on the CE enantioseparation of selected basic drugs with γ‐CD as the chiral selector was investigated. The enantioseparation behavior of the analytes with γ‐CD in the absence and presence of different alcohols specifically methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol (IPA), and 2‐methyl‐2‐propanol (TBA), the relationship of enantiomeric resolution (Rs) values with either hydrophobicity or bulkiness of the alcohols, as well as the effect of these alcohols on interaction of the analytes with γ‐CD were studied. Results showed that hydrophobicity and/or bulkiness of alcohols have an influence on the enantioresolution of most of the analytes based on the relatively high correlation coefficients (R) obtained between Rs versus log P and between Rs versus ovality (i.e., parameter to indicate bulkiness of a molecule). Comparison of the values of the average binding constants obtained for each enantiomeric pair in the presence and absence of 5% IPA showed that alcohols can increase, decrease, or give a minimal effect on the analyte‐γ‐CD interaction depending on the analyte. Furthermore, the significant enhancement in the enantioresolution of both propranolol and pindolol in the presence of either IPA or TBA led to the baseline enantioresolution of both drugs using 35 mM γ‐CD.
Kinetics of aerobic and anaerobic oxidations of ethanol by Fenton's reagent
Authors: Kremer Mordechai L.
Published: July 2008

For the first time, the time dependence of [H2O2] and [Fe2+] was followed during the aerobic oxidation of ethanol by Fenton's reagent. It was found that part of the ethanol was oxidized by dissolved O2 via the transient formation of H2O2. A model was set up based on FeO2+ as the key intermediate. Both one‐ and two‐equivalent oxidations of ethanol occur, the former producing radical species derived from ethanol. No free radicals derived from H2O2 play part in the system. The relevant rate constants or their ratios were determined. The mechanism accounted successfully also for the anaerobic oxidation of ethanol. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 541–553, 2008
Dynamics and kinetics of the S + HO2 reaction: A theoretical study
Authors: Ballester M. Y. , Varandas A. J. C.
Published: July 2008

We report a quasi‐classical trajectory study of the S + HO2 reaction using a previously reported global potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of HSO2. Zero‐point energy leakage is approximately accounted for by using the vibrational energy quantum mechanical threshold method. Calculations are carried out both for specific ro‐vibrational states of the reactants and thermalized ones, with rate constants being reported as a function of temperature. The results suggest that the title reaction is capture type, with OH and SO showing as the most favorable products. The internal energy distribution of such products and the reaction mechanism are also investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 533–540, 2008
Residuated lattices arising from equivalence relations on Boolean and Brouwerian algebras
Authors: Vetterlein Thomas
Published: July 2008

Logics designed to deal with vague statements typically allow algebraic semantics such that propositions are interpreted by elements of residuated lattices. The structure of these algebras is in general still unknown, and in the cases that a detailed description is available, to understand its significance for logics can be difficult. So the question seems interesting under which circumstances residuated lattices arise from simpler algebras in some natural way. A possible construction is described in this paper.

Namely, we consider pairs consisting of a Brouwerian algebra (i. e. a dual Heyting algebra) and an equivalence relation. The latter is assumed to be in a certain sense compatible with the partial order, with the formation of differences, and with the formation of suprema of pseudoorthogonal elements; we then call it an s‐equivalence relation. We consider operations which, under a suitable additional assumption, naturally arise on the quotient set. The result is that the quotient set bears the structure of a residuated lattice. Further postulates lead to dual BL‐algebras. In the case that we begin with Boolean algebras instead, we arrive at dual MV‐algebras. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mesoporous Polymeric Materials Tailored from Oligoester‐Derivatized Interpenetrating Polymer Networks
Authors: Rohman Géraldine , Grande Daniel
Published: July 2008

The utilization of semi‐hydrolyzable oligoester‐derivatized Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) as nanostructured precursors provides a straightforward and effective route to novel (meso)porous networks. In a first stage, different types of poly(D,L‐lactide)/poly(methyl methacrylate)‐based IPNs were synthesized by resorting to the so‐called in situ sequential method. In a second stage, the quantitative hydrolysis of the polyester sub‐network afforded porous structures with pore sizes ranging from 10 to 100 nm. The potentialities offered by this versatile approach were discussed, and the porosity of the resulting methacrylic networks was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and thermoporometry using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
Microporous, Thermosensitive Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Hydrogel Prepared by Freezing
Authors: Kato Norihiro
Published: July 2008

Thermally triggered shrinking rates of poly(N‐isopropyl‐acrylamide) (PNIPA) ‐based organic‐inorganic hydrogel could be accelerated by applying the ice templating method. Freezing and subsequent rehydration of gels is an effective way to prepare the porous polymer network that leads to rapid expelling of pore water. The shrinking coefficients obtained by fitting Fick's law to the data increased two orders of magnitude as compared with the conventional gel before freezing. The microstructure of gels generated during freezing gels had advantage to expel the pore water rapidly probably due to the PNIPA aggregation through the hydrophobic interaction.
Tuning the Surface/Bulk Properties by the Control of the Amphiphilic Profile in Gradient Copolymer
Authors: Karaky Khaled , Derail Christophe , Reiter Gunter , Billon Laurent
Published: July 2008

Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization (NMP) combined with the Semi‐Batch process is used for synthesize poly(N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide‐grad‐Butyl acrylate), called poly(DMA‐grad‐BuA), in the presence of SG1 as control agent and the alkoxyamine (MAMA) as initiator. The instantaneous composition is used to characterize the gradient copolymers. The variation of the addition rate of DMA influences on the incorporation of DMA in the macromolecular chains. The thermal/rheological properties of gradient copolymers in bulk are also studied and discussed in relation with their local structure.
Alternative Synthetic Routes to Epoxy Polymer – Clay Nanocomposites using Organic or Mixed‐Ion Clays Modified by Protonated Di/Triamines (Jeffamines)
Authors: Triantafyllidis Kostas S. , Xidas Panagiotis I. , Pinnavaia Thomas J.
Published: July 2008

The use of homoionic organic clays and mixed‐ion organic/inorganic clays modified by di‐ or triamines (Jeffamines), which are being used as epoxy resin curing agents, in the synthesis of polymer nanocomposites has been studied in this work. Our aim is to enhance polymer crosslinking and interfacial adhesion in the nanocomposite structure by utilizing the functionality of the di/triamines on the surface of clay nanolayers and by reducing the organic modifier via formation of homostructured mixed‐ion organic/inorganic clays. The results show that the use of homoionic organic clays exchanged with relatively short chain di‐ or triamines and mixed‐ion organic/inorganic clays partially exchanged (ca. 35%) with long chain diamines resulted in intercalated structures with enhanced thermo‐mechanical properties (Young's Modulus, Storage Modulus). On the other hand, homoionic organic clays exchanged with long chain diamines and triamines resulted in exfoliated nanocomposites but with compromised mechanical properties due to the plasticizing effect of the long chain amine modifiers.
Network Formation in PP/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: Modeling and Analysis of Rheological Properties
Authors: Kovács János , Dominkovics Zita , Vörös György , Pukánszky Béla
Published: July 2008

PP/organophilic montmorillonite composites were prepared from PP homopolymer, maleinated polypropylene and a clay organophilized with octadecyl amine. Various approaches were used to analyze the rheological properties of the composites. Cole‐Cole plots proved to be useful, since they detect the network very sensitively. The frequency dependence of the real part of complex viscosity was described with a series of Maxwel bodies coupled parallel to each other. The relaxation time of the melt changed in the range of 0.0005 and 200 sec. Under certain conditions long relaxation times appear in the spectrum, which indicate the formation of new structural units, probably a silicate network. A certain number of silicate layers are needed to create a house‐of‐cards structure. A threshold concentration of MAPP exists for network formation, which depends on silicate content.
Thermal Degradation and Kinetics of Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/Organoclay Nanocomposites
Authors: Erceg Matko , Kovačić Tonka , Klarić Ivka
Published: July 2008

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/Cloisite30B (PHB/30B) nanocomposites were prepared by solution‐intercalation method. The influence of 30B content on the thermal stability of PHB was investigated. With the addition of 3 wt. % of 30B the highest thermal stability of PHB was achieved. The kinetic analysis of the non‐isothermal degradation was performed using the isoconversional Friedman method and invariant kinetic parameters method.
Relaxation Processes and Glass Transition in Polymer Filled with Nanoparticles
Authors: Lopez Ivan Joel , Dolidze Vladimir , Rivera Manuel , Aliev Fouad
Published: July 2008

We report the results of the investigations of the influence of filling of polymer with Aerosil nanosize particles on the glass transition and dynamics of the α‐ and the β‐relaxation processes in poly(n‐octyl methacrylate) by dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymer was filled with hydrophilic and hydrophobic Aerosil particles of 12 nm diameter. In filled polymers the characteristic frequency of the alpha‐process was shifted to higher frequencies in comparison with pure bulk polymer at the same temperature. This suggests that the filling of the polymer with nanoparticles has resulted in the shift of its glass transition temperature Tg. This change in Tg was mainly due to the existence of a developed solid particle‐polymer interface and the difference in the dynamic behavior of the polymer in the surface layers at this interface compared to the bulk behavior. This result was in agreement with DSC experiments.
Polymer Based Nanocomposites with PhenethylPOSS as Nanofiller Investigated by Dielectric Spectroscopy and Gas Transport Measurements
Authors: Hao N. , Böhning M. , Wohlrab S. , Schönhals A.
Published: July 2008

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with phenethyl substituents (PhenethylPOSS) as nanofiller was incorporated within Poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBAC) as matrix. Dielectric spectroscopy proved an almost complete miscibility of PhenethylPOSS up to 7 wt. %. At higher concentrations phase separation yields composites with a PBAC‐rich matrix and POSS‐rich domains which posses well shaped interfaces. The nanocomposites were also investigated with respect to their gas transport behaviour. An increase of the gas permeability was found at higher PhenethylPOSS concentrations, which is due to the phase separated structure.
Morphology of Different Epoxy‐Amine Systems Modified with a Thermoplastic: Influence of Temperature, Thermoplastic Concentration and Molecular Structure of Epoxy Systems
Authors: Ramírez Carmen , Rico Maite , López Joaquín , Montero Belén , Ladra Marcelino
Published: July 2008

The morphologies generated by polymerization induced phase separaron (PIPS) in different epoxy‐amine systems modified with a thermoplastic, polystyrene (PS), were studied by SEM. The amino groups of the epoxy‐amine systems were provided by a monoamine and a diamine in different proportions, so that the resulting polymer would vary from a linear polymer (epoxy‐MA) to a highly crosslinked polymer (epoxy‐DA). The effects of reaction temperature, initial modifier concentration and degree of crosslinking of epoxy‐amine system on the morphology were discussed and trends for the size, distribution and concentration of dispersed particles were deduced. Different types of morphologies were obtained depending on the initial PS content. Typical morphologies of compositions close to critical point were observed for the 9 and 12 wt. % of PS in all the studied systems.
Preparation of Metal Microdots and Microdiscs by Using Honeycomb Template Prepared by Self‐organization
Authors: Hirai Yuji , Yabu Hiroshi , Shimomura Masatsugu
Published: July 2008

Honeycomb‐patterned films were prepared by using orderly arranged water droplets as templates. By using the honeycomb‐patterned films as templates, Pt/Pd metal microdot arrays were formed on solid substrates. Silver layer was formed on the Pt/Pd layer by electroless deposition, and then, the microdiscs of Ag were obtained by removing the substrate.
Monte Carlo Simulations of Self‐Assembling Copolymer Brushes
Authors: Romiszowski Piotr , Sikorski Andrzej
Published: July 2008

We studied a simplified model of a polymer brush formed by linear chains, which were restricted to vertices of a simple cubic lattice. The macromolecules consisted of a sequence of two different kinds of united atoms arranged in a specific sequence. The chains were grafted to an impenetrable surface, i.e. they were terminally attached to the surface with one end. The model system was studied at different solvent quality from good to poor solvent. The properties of this model system were determined by means of Monte Carlo simulation using a Metropolis‐like sampling algorithm based on local changes of chain's conformations. The size and the structure of the brush were determined.
Direct Observation of Dye‐Containing Amphiphilic Copolymer in the Honeycomb‐Patterned Film
Authors: Kojima Miki , Yabu Hiroshi , Shimomura Masatsugu
Published: July 2008

Honeycomb‐patterned film was prepared by casting chloroform solution of hydrophobic polymer and dye‐containing amphiphilic copolymer under humid conditions. The confocal laser scanning microscopy image shows that amphiphilic copolymer is localized around the pores of the honeycomb‐patterned film.
Sorption Characteristics of Porous Styrene‐Divinylbenzene Copolymers Filled with Modified Silica
Authors: Bolbukh Yulia , Kuzema Pavlo , Tertykh Valentin , Gawdzik Barbara
Published: July 2008

The structural parameters of porous styrene‐divinylbenzene copolymer, unfilled and filled with silica containing surface trimethylsilyl and silicon hydride groups were studied by aniline and p‐chloroaniline adsorption. It has been shown that embedding of chemically modified silica affects the material porosity and decreases the copolymer swelling in benzene.