bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interface of mental and emotional health and pregnancy in urban indigenous women: Research in progress
Authors: Hayes Barbara A. , Campbell Alistair , Buckby Beryl , Geia Lynore K. , Egan Margaret E.
Published: May 2010

Research among indigenous women in Australia has shown that a number of lifestyle factors are associated with poor obstetric outcomes; however, little evidence appears in the literature about the role of social stressors and mental health among indigenous women. The not‐for‐profit organization beyondblue established a “Depression Initiative” in Australia. As part of this they provided funding to the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service in the “Mums and Babies” clinic. The aim of this was to establish a project to (a) describe the mental health and level of social stressors among antenatal indigenous women and (b) assess the impact of social stressors and mental health on perinatal outcome. A purposive sample of 92 indigenous women was carried out. Culturally appropriate research instruments were developed through consultations with indigenous women's reference groups. The participants reported a range of psychosocial stressors during the pregnancy or within the last 12 months. Significant, positive correlations emerged between the participants' Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; J. Cox, J. Holden, & R. Sagovsky, 1987) score and the mothers' history of child abuse and a history of exposure to domestic violence. A more conservative cutoff point for the EPDS (>9 vs. >12) led to 28 versus 17% of women being identified as “at risk” for depression. Maternal depression and stress during pregnancy and early parenthood are now recognized as having multiple negative sequelae for the fetus and infant, especially in early brain development and self‐regulation of stress and emotions. Because of the cumulative cultural losses experienced by Australian indigenous women, there is a reduced buffer to psychosocial stressors during pregnancy; thus, it is important for health professionals to monitor the women's emotional and mental well‐being.
Improving irrigation management in dry season rice cultivation for optimum crop and water productivity in non‐traditional rice ecologies
Authors: Ghosh A. , Singh O. N. , Rao K. S.
Published: May 2010

A field experiment carried out during 2003 and 2004 in India addressed critical soil moisture tension based alternate wetting and drying (AWD) system of irrigation management in dry season rice cultivation in non‐traditional areas under waterlogged and flood‐prone deepwater conditions. Results showed that a medium duration rice variety, “Geetanjali”, grown with irrigation up to 0.1 bar soil moisture tension produced a comparable grain yield of 4.30–4.50 t ha−1 with that under conventional irrigation management (4.50–4.75 t ha−1). However, a significant yield decline of 17.8–18.1% occurred while applying irrigation at 0.2 bar moisture tension. Mean irrigation water requirement was a maximum of 2295 mm in the conventional system; 28.0, 41.7 and 55.8% higher than those at 0.0, 0.1 and 0.2 bar tension, respectively. Average water use efficiency of 3.57 kg grain ha‐mm−1 was also significantly higher at 0.2 bar tension. Irrigation at 0.1 bar moisture tension achieved optimum crop productivity of 4.3–4.4 t ha−1 and water productivity of 0.32–0.34 g grain kg−1 water applied.

Thus, it is expected that the results of this study would become very useful while planning future research programmes on water‐saving irrigation management, viz. the AWD system in rice cultivation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasmapheresis in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia‐induced pancreatitis: A community hospital's experience
Authors: Syed H. , Bilusic M. , Rhondla C. , Tavaria A.
Published: May 2010

Background: Hyperlipidemic pancreatitis is a potentially fatal complication of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). The current mainstay of treatment for the hypertriglyceridemia associated with pancreatitis includes heparin, insulin and lipid lowering agents. Experiences with plasmapheresis are limited. Here, we report our experience using plasmapheresis in the treatment of four patients with acute severe HTG‐induced pancreatitis. Methods: Four patients with acute severe HTG‐induced pancreatitis due to severe primary hyperlipidemia exacerbated by secondary factors were studied. In addition to the standard treatment (insulin or heparin infusion), antibiotics and lipid lowering agents, two were treated within the first 48 hours, and two with early (<24 hours) plasmapheresis with 5% albumin. Results: All four patients had a significant improvement in their triglyceride levels using plasmapheresis with an average reduction in TG levels of 70.4% per treatment and 89.3% with the first treatment. However, there was no clear relation between the use of plasmapheresis and either improvement in APACHE II scores, length of stay in either the ICU or overall hospital length of stay or in the prevention of complications secondary to severe pancreatitis, including in the two patients who received plasmapheresis in the first 24 hours. Conclusion: Our report showed that plasmapheresis was successful in lowering TG levels. However, in the absence of a comparison with standard treatment (heparin or insulin infusion and lipid lowering agents) the effect of plasmapheresis on lowering the morbidity and length of stay of patients with HTG‐induced acute severe pancreatitis is uncertain and warrants further investigation into its efficacy. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:229–234, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor produces a decrease in IFNγ and increase in IL‐4 when administrated to healthy donors
Authors: Rodríguez‐Cortés Octavio , Vela‐Ojeda Jorge , López‐Santiago Rubén , Montiel‐Cervantes Laura , Reyes‐Maldonado Elba , Estrada‐García Iris , Moreno‐Lafont Martha C.
Published: May 2010

Hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) is the leading curative therapy for a variety of hematological and hereditary diseases; however, graft versus host disease (GVHD), an immunologic phenomenon that is favored by Th1 cytokines and cytotoxic cells from donors, is present frequently and is one of the most important causes of transplant related mortality. Peripheral blood HSCT is the preferred source of stem cells in almost 100% of the cases of autologous HSCT and in 70% of allogeneic transplants. The best mobilizing agent to get the stem cells out from the bone marrow is the Granulocyte‐Colony Stimulating Factor (G‐CSF). In this work, our main objective was to study a possible correlation between the graft cell dose and the patient's clinical outcome. We evaluated the immunologic changes produced by G‐CSF in the lymphocyte and cytokine profiles in allogeneic HSC donors. HSC from twelve donors were mobilized with G‐CSF at 16 μg/kg/day, for 5 days. Basal Peripheral Blood (BPB), Mobilized Peripheral Blood (MPB), and aphaeresis mononuclear cells (G‐MNC) samples were taken from all donors. Using flow cytometry, we quantified CD19+, CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, NK, NKT, DC1, and DC2 cells. Cytokines were determined by ELISA in culture supernatants. CD19+ (p = 0.001), DC1 (p < 0.002) and DC2 (p < 0.001) cells were increased in MPB with respect to BPB. An increase in Th2 cytokines such as (IL‐4) and a decrease in Th1 cytokines (IFNγ, IL‐2) were also found in MPB samples. In conclusion, Th1 and Th2 cytokines are relevant in predicting the clinical outcome after allogeneic peripheral blood HSCT. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:181–187, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased risk of citrate reactions in patients with multiple myeloma during peripheral blood stem cell leukapheresis
Authors: Adamski Jill , Griffin Adrienne Carruth , Eisenmann Christa , Milone Michael C. , Sachais Bruce S.
Published: May 2010

The citrate based anticoagulant ACD is commonly used in apheresis procedures. Due to its ability to decrease ionized calcium, citrate may cause unpleasant symptoms, such as paresthesias and muscle cramps, in patients undergoing therapeutic and donor apheresis. We noticed that patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing autologous stem cell leukapheresis appeared to have more citrate reactions when compared to other patients undergoing the same procedure. A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate 139 (of 151) consecutive patients with MM, amyloidosis, hematological and solid malignancies who had autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection between January 2007 and February 2008. Citrate reactions, ranging from mild (e.g., perioral tingling and parasthesias) to severe (e.g., nausea/vomiting and muscle cramps) were noted for 35 patients. Twenty‐three of 63 patients with MM had documented citrate reactions, which was significantly higher than those with other hematological and solid malignancies (37% vs. 20%; P < 0.05, Relative Risk (RR) = 1.9). The severities of citrate reactions were the same in both groups; approximately 50% of patients in each group received i.v. calcium gluconate for treatment of hypocalcemia. No correlation between bisphosphonate therapy and citrate reactions were noted in our study group. Examination of available laboratory values related to calcium homeostasis, liver, and renal function failed to reveal a mechanism for the increase in citrate reactions observed. In summary, this single institution retrospective study indicates that patients with MM are more sensitive to citrate‐induced hypocalcemia during leukapheresis when compared to patients with other hematological and solid malignancies. Strategies for decreasing citrate reactions (e.g., supplemental calcium and slowing return rates) should be considered for patient safety and comfort, especially in the MM population, on a prophylactic rather than reactive basis. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:188–194, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutual interaction and reciprocal down‐regulation between c‐met and insulin receptor substrate‐1
Authors: DeAngelis Tiziana , Morrione Andrea , Baserga Renato
Published: May 2010

The insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) and c‐met, the receptor for the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) co‐immuno‐precipitate from lysates treated with the respective antibodies. The interaction between IRS‐1 and c‐met requires a tyrosyl phosphorylated IRS‐1 and results in reciprocal down‐regulation. IRS‐1 inhibits cell motility, while the activated c‐met promotes it. These and other results suggest an explanation for reports in the literature indicating that c‐met levels are high and IRS‐1 levels are low in human cancer metastases. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 658–663, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Caenorhabditis elegans mitofilin homologs control the morphology of mitochondrial cristae and influence reproduction and physiology
Authors: Mun Ji Young , Lee Tae Hoon , Kim Ji Hui , Yoo Bum Ho , Bahk Young Yil , Koo Hyeon‐Sook , Han Sung Sik
Published: May 2010

Human mitofilin is a mitochondrial protein that controls cristae formation. Here, we investigated the role of the Caenorhabditis elegans mitofilin homologs, IMMT‐1 and ‐2, in reproduction, physiology, and mitochondrial cristae formation. Mutation of either immt‐1 or immt‐2 produced defects in germline development and egg‐laying. These defects were exacerbated by the double mutation, which greatly reduced motility, increased levels of reactive oxygen species, decreased mitochondrial mass, and imparted resistance to oxidative stress. Cryo‐electron microscopy and electron tomography revealed that each of the single mutations resulted in curved and stacked mitochondrial crista tubules as well as a reduced number of crista junctions. The immt‐2 mutation was also associated with the presence of outer mitochondrial membrane pores, which were larger in the double mutant. IMMT‐1 and IMMT‐2 proteins were localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane, as seen by immunoelectron microscopy, and they behaved as oligomers or large complexes with F1F0 ATP synthase in native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These findings suggest that the two C. elegans mitofilin isoforms have non‐overlapping functions in controlling mitochondrial cristae formation. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 748–756, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ex vivo organ culture of adipose tissue for in situ mobilization of adipose‐derived stem cells and defining the stem cell niche
Authors: Yang Young‐Il , Kim Hyeong‐In , Choi Min‐Young , Son Sung‐Hee , Seo Min‐Jeong , Seo Ji‐Yeon , Jang Won‐Hee , Youn Young‐Chul , Choi Kang‐Joo , Cheong Soon‐Ho , Shelby Jane
Published: May 2010

In spite of the advances in the knowledge of adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs), in situ location of ASCs and the niche component of adipose tissue (AT) remain controversial due to the lack of an appropriate culture system. Here we describe a fibrin matrix‐supported three‐dimensional (3D) organ culture system for AT which sustains the ASC niche and allows for in situ mobilization and expansion of ASCs in vitro. AT fragments were completely encapsulated within the fibrin matrix and cultured under dynamic condition. The use of organ culture of AT resulted in a robust outgrowth and proliferation in the fibrin matrix. The outgrown cells were successfully recovered from fibrin by urokinase treatment. These outgrown cells fulfilled the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells, adherence to plastic, multilineage differentiation, and cell surface molecule expression. In vitro label retaining assay revealed that newly divided cells during the culture resided in interstitium between adipocytes and capillary endothelial cells. These interstitial stromal cells proliferated and outgrew into the fibrin matrix. Both in situ mobilized and outgrown cells expressed CD146 and α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA), but no endothelial cell markers (CD31 and CD34). The structural integrity and spatial approximation of CD31−/CD34−/CD146+/SMA+ interstitial stromal cells, adipocytes, and capillary endothelial cells were well preserved during in vitro culture. Our results suggest that ASCs are natively associated with the capillary wall and more specifically, belong to a subset of pericytes. Furthermore, organ culture of AT within a fibrin matrix‐supported 3D environment can recapitulate the ASC niche in vitro. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 807–816, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cigarette smoke condensate induces nuclear factor kappa‐b activity and proangiogenic growth factors in aerodigestive cells
Authors: Rohrer Joseph , Wuertz Beverly R. K. , Ondrey Frank
Published: May 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Aerodigestive cancer risk of both lung and head and neck cancers has been linked to the genotoxic effects of tobacco use. These effects include upregulation of nuclear factor kappa‐B (NFκB) and its downstream products associated with both lung and head and neck cancer malignant progression.

Study Design:

Bench Research.

Methods:

In the present study we examined the effects of cigarette smoke condensate on functional activation of NFκB in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐transformed oral cavity cells (HOK 16B cells) and transformed bronchial epithelium (Beas2B cells) using the head and neck squamous cancer cell line, UMSCC 38, as a comparison. Luciferase reporter gene assays with two types of transiently transfected NFκB reporter genes were employed and downstream NFκB‐dependent products, interleukin‐6, interleukin‐8, and vascular endothelial growth factor, were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

All cell lines were able to dose dependently activate NFκB reporter genes after exposure to cigarette smoke condensate (P < .05). However, the HPV premalignant, transformed cell line had a much more robust NFκB response (3.45‐fold) versus the squamous cancer cell line (1.62‐fold) and SV40 transformed Beas2B (1.83). Both NFκB reporter genes had similar response curves.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates cigarette smoke products might be more potent promoters of an NFκB‐dependent progression from HPV+ premalignancy to cancer rather than after tumors are established. Future studies should focus on abrogating NFκB increases during malignant progression and premalignancy. This might be even more relevant in the HPV+ patient with premalignancy. Laryngoscope, 2010
Reverse rotation flap for reconstruction of donor site after vascular pedicled nasoseptal flap in skull base surgery
Authors: Caicedo‐Granados Emiro , Carrau Ricardo , Snyderman Carl H. , Prevedello Daniel , Fernandez‐Miranda Juan , Gardner Paul , Kassam Amin
Published: May 2010

Endonasal skull base surgery is growing exponentially as a subspecialty. In recent years, advances in endoscopic techniques and intraoperative navigation systems have allowed us to expand the indications of endoscopic skull base surgery. Major skull base centers worldwide are addressing larger and more complex lesions using endoscopic techniques. As a consequence, the skull base defects are more challenging to reconstruct. In this report, we present a novel technique to reconstruct the denuded septum remaining after the use of the vascular pedicled nasoseptal flap. Laryngoscope, 2010
Injection versus medialization laryngoplasty for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Vinson Kimberly N. , Zraick Richard I. , Ragland Felicia J.
Published: May 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine whether injection laryngoplasty or medialization laryngoplasty is more effective in the long‐term treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).

Study Design:

A retrospective study of patients with UFVP who underwent either injection or medialization laryngoplasty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences between July 29, 2003 and November 18, 2005.

Methods:

The data analyzed included patient characteristics and type of intervention, along with the pretreatment and post‐treatment parameters of videostrobolaryngoscopy, perceptual voice analysis, and patients' subjective assessment of voice handicap.

Results:

Thirty‐four patients were evaluated, 15 new and 19 from a previous study. The average time from intervention to post‐treatment evaluation in the new cohort was 4.8 months (range, 1.5–10.5 months). The average time from intervention to post‐treatment in the combined cohort was 6.4 months (range, 1–24 months). Improvements were demonstrated in each of the measured voice parameters in both the injection and the medialization groups, and no significant differences were found in the degree of improvement between the two groups. Limited data on aerodynamic and acoustic voice measurements showed a trend toward improvement in each treatment group.

Conclusions:

Injection and medialization laryngoplasty were comparable in achieving voice improvement at the average long‐term follow‐up of 6 months. Laryngoscope, 2010
Anatomical differences between CBS‐corticobasal degeneration and CBS‐Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Josephs Keith A. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Boeve Bradley F. , Knopman David S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Hu William T. , Parisi Joseph E. , Dickson Dennis W. , Jack Clifford R.
Published: May 2010

We compare patterns of gray matter loss on MRI in subjects presenting as corticobasal syndrome (CBS) with Alzheimer disease pathology (CBS‐AD) to those presenting as CBS with corticobasal degeneration pathology (CBS‐CBD). Voxel‐based morphometry was used to compare patterns of gray matter loss in pathologically confirmed CBS‐AD subjects (n = 5) and CBS‐CBD subjects (n = 6) to a group of healthy controls (n = 20), and to each other. Atlas based parcellation using the automated anatomic labeling atlas was also utilized in a region‐of‐interest analysis to account for laterality. The CBS‐AD subjects were younger at the time of scan when compared with CBS‐CBD subjects (median: 60 years vs. 69; P = 0.04). After adjusting for age at time of MRI scan, the CBS‐AD subjects showed loss in posterior frontal, temporal, and superior and inferior parietal lobes, while CBS‐CBD showed more focal loss predominantly in the posterior frontal lobes when compared with controls. In both CBS‐AD and CBS‐CBD groups, there was basal ganglia volume loss, yet relative sparing of hippocampi. On direct comparisons between the two subject groups, CBS‐AD showed greater loss in both temporal and inferior parietal cortices than CBS‐CBD. No regions showed greater loss in the CBS‐CBD group compared to the CBS‐AD group. These findings persisted when laterality was taken into account. In subjects presenting with CBS, prominent temporoparietal, especially posterior temporal and inferior parietal, atrophy may be a clue to the presence of underlying AD pathology. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Chronic deep brain stimulation in patients with tardive dystonia without a history of major psychosis
Authors: Capelle Hans‐Holger , Blahak Christian , Schrader Christoph , Baezner Hansjörg , Kinfe Thomas M. , Herzog Jan , Dengler Reinhard , Krauss Joachim K.
Published: May 2010

Tardive dystonia usually occurs with a delay after neuroleptic exposure in patients with major psychosis. A subgroup of patients, however, is given such medication for “mild depression” or “neurasthenia.” Tardive dystonia, in general, may respond favorably to pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS). Nevertheless, it remains unclear thus far whether or not similar beneficial outcome is achieved with pallidal DBS in different subgroups of patients with tardive dystonia. Four women (mean age 59 years at surgery) underwent stereotactic pallidal DBS in the frame of an observational study. Tardive dystonia occurred secondary to medication with fluspirilene and haloperidol, and injection of long‐acting depot neuroleptics prescribed for mild depression or “nervousness.” Assessment included the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden (BFM) scale preoperatively and at 12 months follow‐up. Extended follow‐up was available at a mean of 27.3 months postoperatively (range 16–36 months). There were no surgically related complications. All 4 patients experienced sustained statistically significant benefit from pallidal DBS. Mean improvement at 12 months was 77% for the BFM motor score (range, 45–91%; P = 0.043), and 84% at the last available follow‐up (range, 70–91%; P = 0.03). This was paralleled by improvement of the BFM disability score. Chronic pallidal DBS in patients with tardive dystonia without a history of major psychosis provides sustained improvement which is similar to that in other subgroups of patients with tardive dystonia. This effect is stable on extended follow‐up for up to 3 years. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Beyond polar bears? Re‐envisioning climate change
Authors: Manzo Kate
Published: May 2010

Against an academic and policy backdrop of interest in (and concerns about) the issue, this paper draws on a range of academic writing in various disciplines to explore visual strategies of climate change communication. The geographic scope of the investigation is the United Kingdom, with particular attention to recognizable icons of climate change in UK media and the images used in political campaigns. The paper is in two parts. The first part concentrates on various efforts to put a ‘face’ on the climate change issue, while part two suggests that weather and renewable energy are the dominant alternative motifs.

The paper draws a basic distinction between fear‐laden representations of climate change and a variety of visual efforts to use so‐called inspirational imagery. All of the images reviewed suggest an affirmative answer to the question in the title, there are multiple efforts underway to move beyond polar bears and represent climate change in more creative and meaningful ways. The bigger question addressed is one raised already by photographers as well as academics, i.e. whether documentary photography (rather than particular types of images) is the more fundamental issue. The answer in the paper is that photographs are no different from other visual images in their capacity to draw attention to messages. The challenge is to use visuals creatively, in ways that prompt positive engagement with climate change without enhancing public disengagement and fatalism. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Examining the use of weather forecasts in decision scenarios: results from a US survey with implications for uncertainty communication
Authors: Morss Rebecca E. , Lazo Jeffrey K. , Demuth Julie L.
Published: May 2010

The hydrometeorological community has limited understanding of how people interpret forecast information and use it in decision making, hampering effective forecast communication. This article addresses these issues in the context of weather prediction, focusing especially on forecast uncertainty. It does so using empirical data from decision scenario questions asked in a nationwide US survey. Respondents were asked their probabilistic threshold for taking action to protect against potential rain or frost. They were then asked to make yes/no protective decisions in a potential reservoir flooding or fruit frost scenario given different forecasts. The results indicate that people have different probabilistic thresholds for taking protective action and that context and presentation influence forecast use. The results also suggest that many people infer uncertainty into deterministic forecasts, and that many respondents were able to interpret probabilistic forecasts of the type presented well enough to use them in the decision questions. Further, the analysis suggests that most respondents did not make decisions according to the simplest form of the cost‐loss decision model. The analysis also examines relationships between respondents' information use and other aspects of their perceptions and interpretations of forecast uncertainty, including their interpretations of probability of precipitation. The findings add to fundamental knowledge about people's interpretations and use of weather forecasts, especially forecasts that explicitly convey uncertainty, and provide a starting point for future related work using survey and experimental approaches. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Bioisosteric Replacement and Scaffold Hopping in Lead Generation and Optimization
Authors: Langdon Sarah R. , Ertl Peter , Brown Nathan
Published: May 2010

Bioisosteric replacement and scaffold hopping are twin methods used in drug design to improve the synthetic accessibility, potency and drug like properties of a compound and to move into novel chemical space. Bioisosteric replacement involves swapping functional groups of a molecule with other functional groups that have similar biological properties. Scaffold hopping is the replacement of the core framework of a molecule with another scaffold that will improve the properties of the molecule or to find similar potent compounds that exist in novel chemical space. This review outlines the key concepts, importance and challenges of both methods using examples and comparisons of techniques available for finding bioisosteric replacements and scaffold hops. There are many methods available for bioisosteric replacement and scaffold hopping, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Drug design projects would benefit from a combination of these methods to retrieve diverse and complimentary results. Continuing progress in these fields will allow further validation of both methods as well as the accumulation of knowledge on bioisosteres and possible scaffold replacements.
Highly efficient square wave distant dipolar field and its application for in vivo MRI
Authors: Cai Congbo , Gao Fenglian , Cai Shuhui , Zhong Jianhui , Chen Zhong
Published: May 2010

Intermolecular multiple quantum coherences generated by distant dipolar field (DDF) have some attractive properties, but the intrinsic weak signal intensity prevents their widespread applications. Recently, Branca et al. (J Chem Phys 2008;129:054502) suggested that square wave DDF was more efficient than conventional sinusoidal DDF because it could simultaneously produce intermolecular multiple quantum coherences signal with various major orders. In this article, instead of a series of adiabatic inversion pulses proposed previously, a more efficient composite adiabatic inversion pulse was applied to create square wave DDF. The square wave DDF was applied to in vivo MRI for the first time, and the corresponding simulations were performed. Both experimental and simulated results show that square wave DDF with composite adiabatic inversion pulse improves over the original Z‐modulation enhanced to binary for self‐refocused acquisition implementation and can enhance the signal intensity to about 2‐fold of that from conventional correlation spectroscopy (COSY) revamped with asymmetric Z‐gradient echo detection sequence for in vivo MRI, close to the theoretical prediction. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kleine, ungewöhnliche Peptide gegen Krebs
Authors: Preusentanz Rainer , Pando Orlando , Wessjohann Ludger
Published: May 2010

N‐alkylierte Peptide wie die Dolastatine und vor allem die jüngeren Tubulysine gelten als vielversprechende Leitsubstanzen für die Krebstherapie. Konjugate der Tubulysine vereinen Tumorselektivität und Aktivität in bisher nicht bekanntem Maß.
Blick zurück und nach vorn: Transaktionen in der Chemie
Authors: Schneider Bernd W.
Published: May 2010

Das vierte Quartal letzten Jahres zeigte erste Anzeichen einer Belebung bei Übernahmen und Fusionen. Der Agrosektor führt die Megadeals an.
Ein elektronisches Laborjournal als Open‐Source‐Software
Authors: Rudolphi Felix
Published: May 2010

Die Software Open Enventory berechnet Einsatzmengen für Versuche und verwaltet Chemikalien. Versuchsergebnisse lassen sich im Journal inklusive der spektroskopischen Daten ablegen, und die Reaktionen sind nach chemischen Strukturen durchsuchbar.
Härter für die Rotorfertigung
Authors: Jopp Klaus
Published: May 2010

Die BASF hat Epoxidharz‐Systeme für Faserverbundwerkstoffe entwickelt, die zur Fertigung von Rotorblättern an Windkraftanlagen maßgeschneidert sind. Sie verkürzen die Zykluszeiten und erhöhen so die Produktivität.
Gehen die Rohstoffe aus?
Authors: Gärtner Edgar L.
Published: May 2010

Wie die Rohstoffversorgung der chemischen Industrie in den nächsten Jahrzehnten aussehen wird, versucht das Positionspapier ”Rohstoffbasis im Wandel“ vorauszusagen. Dahinter stehen die Chemieverbände GDCh, Dechema, DGMK und VCI.
A non‐dominance‐based online stopping criterion for multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Goel Tushar , Stander Nielen
Published: May 2010

A non‐dominance criterion‐based metric that tracks the growth of an archive of non‐dominated solutions over a few generations is proposed to generate a convergence curve for multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs). It was observed that, similar to single‐objective optimization problems, there were significant advances toward the Pareto optimal front in the early phase of evolution while relatively smaller improvements were obtained as the population matured. This convergence curve was used to terminate the MOEA search to obtain a good trade‐off between the computational cost and the quality of the solutions. Two analytical and two crashworthiness optimization problems were used to demonstrate the practical utility of the proposed metric. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
P1‐nonconforming quadrilateral finite element for topology optimization
Authors: Jang Gang‐Won , Panganiban Henry , Chung Tae Jin
Published: May 2010

This investigation focuses on an alternative approach to topology optimization problems involving incompressible materials using the P1‐nonconforming finite element. Instead of using the mixed displacement‐pressure formulation, a pure displacement‐based approach can be employed for finite element formulation owing to the Poisson locking‐free property of the P1‐nonconforming element. Moreover, because the P1‐nonconforming element has linear shape functions that are defined at element vertices, it has considerably fewer degrees of freedom than other quadrilateral nonconforming elements and its implementation is as simple as that of the conforming bilinear element. Various problems dealing with incompressible materials and pressure‐loaded structures found in published works are solved to verify the applicability of the proposed method. The application of the method is extended to the optimal design of fluid channels in the Stokes flow. This is done by expressing pressure in terms of volumetric strain rates and developing a velocity‐field‐only finite element formulation. The optimization results obtained from all the problems considered in this study are in close agreement with those found in the literature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale methods for mechanical science of complex materials: Bridging from quantum to stochastic multiresolution continuum
Authors: Liu Wing Kam , Qian Dong , Gonella Stefano , Li Shaofan , Chen Wei , Chirputkar Shardool
Published: May 2010

Recent development in the multiscale method based on the bridging scale concept is presented with an emphasis on complex material systems. The bridging scale method (BSM) was originally proposed by Wagner and Liu (J. Comput. Phys. 2003; 190:249–274) as an effective way of treating the interface in coupled atomistic/continuum simulation. Since its publication, the BSM has become a very useful paradigm that has been applied to solve a host of problems in mechanical sciences of complex material systems. In this paper, we present a review on the recent developments. We first describe the application of BSM to the coupled atomistic/continuum simulation of dynamic fracture. The important extensions within the framework of space–time method and multiscale non‐equilibrium molecular dynamics are then presented. We then focus on the multiresolution continuum theory that inherits the BSM concept in the analysis of heterogeneous material structures. Recent work of incorporating statistical factors into this model based on the concurrent nested homogenization of randomness of the material structures is highlighted. Finally, we present the use of the bridging scale concept in resolving the electron‐mechanical coupling mechanism. The robustness of the BSM is demonstrated through many benchmark problems and application examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The hyaena in dynastic Egypt: Fancy food or fantasy food?
Authors: Legge A. J.
Published: May 2010

The extensive city of Tell el‐Amarna was constructed by the Pharaoh Akhenaten, and occupied for only 15 years until his death in 1332 BCE. Among the sites excavated, there is the ‘Workmen's Village’, a small detached village with closely grouped houses, yards and animal pens. Among the identified animal bones excavated from there are those of the striped hyaena, Hyaena hyaena. Tomb and temple scenes, mainly from the Old Kingdom, show hyaenas as ritual offerings or associated with hunting events, even under close husbandry, restraint and special feeding. The meaning of these scenes is considered in relation to the definite evidence for butchery and muscle stripping seen on these bones. Hyaena meat may well have posed a threat to the consumer as a probable carrier of trichinosis, a disease now known from mummified human tissues from ancient Egypt. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current and emerging concepts in tumour metastasis
Authors: Coghlin Caroline , Murray Graeme I
Published: May 2010

Disseminated cancer accounts for most deaths due to malignancy. Despite this, research has focused predominantly on tumour development and progression at the primary site. Recently, attention has shifted towards the field of tumour metastasis. Several new and exciting concepts that have emerged in the past few years may shed light on this complex area. The established canonical theory of tumour metastasis, as a process emerging from a stepwise accumulation of genetic events fuelled by clonal evolution, has been challenged. New evidence suggests that malignant cells can disseminate at a much earlier stage than previously recognized in tumourigenesis. These findings have direct relevance to clinical practice and shed new light on tumour biology. Gene‐profiling studies support this theory, suggesting that metastatic ability may be an innate property shared by the bulk of cells present early in a developing tumour mass. There is a growing recognition of the importance of host factors outside the primary site in the development of metastatic disease. The role of the ‘pre‐metastatic niche’ is being defined and with this comes a new understanding of the function of bone marrow‐derived progenitor cells in directing the dissemination of malignant cells to distant sites. Current research has highlighted the crucial roles played by non‐neoplastic host cells within the tumour microenvironment in regulating metastasis. These new concepts have wide‐ranging implications for our overall understanding of tumour metastasis and for the development of cancer therapeutics. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High health‐related quality of life among long‐term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Harila Marika J. , Salo Jarmo , Lanning Marjatta , Vilkkumaa Ilpo , Harila‐Saari Arja H.
Published: May 2010

Background

Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed in a cohort of long‐term childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors.

Procedure

Rand‐36‐Item health Survey (RAND‐36) was used to assess subjective HRQoL in 74 survivors of ALL an average of 20 years after the diagnosis. Cranial irradiation had been administered to 46 of the survivors, while 28 survivors had solely been treated with chemotherapy. The control group consisted of 146 healthy young adults selected from local population registry. Survivors were examined by a physician and late effects were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv3).

Results

ALL survivors achieved significantly higher scores than the controls on three of the eight HRQoL subscales; role limitations due to emotional problems (P = 0.030), mental health (P = 0.030) and vitality (P = 0.004). In comparison to controls, survivors with a follow‐up of more than 20 years had significantly higher scores on vitality (P = 0.006) and mental health (P = 0.011). Survivors with severe (grade 3 and 4) late effects scored significantly better than controls on vitality (P = 0.043) and mental health (P = 0.040). Patients who had been treated for an ALL relapse and had received the most intensive chemo‐ and radiotherapy had significantly higher scores on mental health (P = 0.004) and vitality (P = 0.004) than the controls.

Conclusions

Long‐term survivors of childhood ALL reported equal or better HRQoL in RAND‐36. Higher HRQoL scores were associated with more severe late effects and intensive therapy. Our findings support the idea of response bias. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:331–336. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency in an infant after intrathecal triple chemotherapy
Authors: Seif Alix E. , Sutter Jennifer A. , Rheingold Susan R.
Published: May 2010

Intrathecal triple chemotherapy (ITT) with hydrocortisone, methotrexate, and cytarabine is commonly used in treatment of pediatric acute leukemias. While prolonged systemic administration of corticosteroids is known to suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, there have been no reports describing this effect following administration of ITT. We present an infant with relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia who developed clinically significant central adrenal axis suppression following six doses of ITT over 3 weeks, proven by corticorelin stimulation test. As multiple pediatric leukemia protocols incorporate ITT, particularly in infants, we feel that ITT should be considered as a potential source of adrenal axis suppression. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:386–389. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Initial testing of the replication competent Seneca Valley virus (NTX‐010) by the pediatric preclinical testing program
Authors: Morton Christopher L. , Houghton Peter J. , Kolb E. Anders , Gorlick Richard , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kang Min H. , Maris John M. , Keir Stephen T. , Wu Jianrong , Smith Malcolm A.
Published: May 2010

Background

Seneca Valley virus (NTX‐010) is a non‐recombinant, replication competent RNA virus that is undergoing phase 1 clinical trials in adults for tumors with neuroendocrine characteristics. Here we have evaluated the antitumor activity of NTX‐010 administered systemically.

Procedures

In vitro NTX‐010 was tested against 23 cell lines exposed for 96 hr at 1 × 10−4 to 104 viral particles (vp)/cell. In vivo NTX‐010 was administered intravenously once at 3 × 1012 vp/kg. Three measures of antitumor activity were used: (1) an objective response measure modeled after the clinical setting; (2) a treated to control (T/C) tumor volume measure; and (3) a time to event (fourfold increase in tumor volume for solid tumor models), measure based on the median event‐free survival (EFS) of treated and control animals for each xenograft.

Results

In vitro NTX‐010 demonstrated a marked cytotoxic effect in a subset of the cell lines from the neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma panels. In vivo the most consistent activity was observed for the rhabdomyosarcoma and the neuroblastoma panels, with all four of the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts and four of five neuroblastoma xenografts achieving CR or maintained CR. Objective responses were also observed in the rhabdoid tumor, Wilms tumor, and glioblastoma panels.

Conclusions

NTX‐010 demonstrated a high level of activity both in vitro and in vivo. Further analysis of existing testing and molecular characterization data may help define the biological characteristics of cancer cells that are associated with response to NTX‐010. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:295–303. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
XIAP expression is post‐transcriptionally upregulated in childhood ALL and is associated with glucocorticoid response in T‐cell ALL
Authors: Hundsdoerfer Patrick , Dietrich Isabell , Schmelz Karin , Eckert Cornelia , Henze Günter
Published: May 2010

Background

Resistance to glucocorticoid induced apoptosis is one of the major risk factors for relapse and poor outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Overexpression of X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) has been shown to be associated with chemotherapy resistance in several malignancies.

Procedure

XIAP protein and mRNA expression were determined in leukemic blasts of 51 childhood ALL patients and normal bone marrow mononuclear cells. XIAP expression was correlated with glucocorticoid response and outcome.

Results

XIAP protein but not mRNA expression was found to be highly increased in childhood ALL compared to control bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) (median: 3.5 vs. 0.14 ng/105 MNC, P < 0.0001) indicating a post‐transcriptional regulation of XIAP expression. In patients with T‐cell ALL, poor prednisone response was associated with increased XIAP expression (median: 2.8 in good vs. 5.8 in poor responders; P = 0.005). Similarly, T‐cell ALL patients suffering adverse events showed higher initial XIAP levels than patients in continuous complete remission (CCR) (median: 2.7 in patients in CCR vs. 5.6 in patients suffering adverse events; P = 0.007). XIAP inhibition using the low‐molecular‐weight SMAC mimetic LBW242 resulted in a significant increase of prednisone‐induced apoptosis in vitro.

Conclusion

In childhood ALL compared to control bone marrow, the expression of the apoptosis inhibitor XIAP is highly increased by post‐transcriptional regulation. The association with poor in vivo glucocorticoid response and outcome in T‐cell ALL suggests XIAP inhibition as a promising novel approach for the treatment of resistant ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:260–266. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Successful treatment of multiply relapsed lymphoma with rituximab as a single agent
Authors: Alasaad Tariq , Barr Ronald
Published: May 2010

The treatment of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is an example of the successful therapy of cancer in children; the cure rate overall at approximately 80%. Unfortunately, relapsed NHL has a dismal prognosis, and the customary treatment is highly toxic chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A child with relapsed T‐cell rich B‐NHL was treated with rituximab alone. This was delivered in eight doses after the recurrence of disease after high‐dose chemotherapy and allogenic HSCT that was undertaken for the first relapse. Eight years after the last dose of rituximab he remains in complete remission. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:356–358. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
ADAM‐12 stability in first trimester maternal serum
Authors: Cowans N. J. , Stamatopoulou A. , Jaakohuhta S. , Spencer K.
Published: May 2010

Background

Maternal serum A Disintergrin And Metaloprotease‐12 (ADAM‐12) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal screening of chromosomal abnormalities, pre‐eclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we examine the stability of ADAM‐12 with time and at different temperatures.

Methods

Maternal serum and whole blood pools were stored at 30 °C, room temperature and refrigerator temperature or subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles. ADAM‐12 was measured at set time points using an automated DELFIA® research assay.

Results

Using a 10% change in concentration as a limit of stability, ADAM‐12 is stable in serum for less than 15 h at 30 °C, less than 20 h at room temperature and for 51 h at refrigerator temperature. ADAM‐12 levels are not altered following three − 20 °C to room temperature freeze‐thaw cycles. The stability of ADAM‐12 in whole blood appears similar to that in serum.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that ADAM‐12 may be unstable under many routine laboratory conditions, and the marker's instability may also be partly responsible for the discrepancies in the literature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular diversity of toxic components from the scorpion Heterometrus petersii venom revealed by proteomic and transcriptome analysis
Authors: Ma Yibao , Zhao Yong , Zhao Ruiming , Zhang Weiping , He Yawen , Wu Yingliang , Cao Zhijian , Guo Lin , Li Wenxin
Published: May 2010

Scorpion venoms contain a vast untapped reservoir of natural products, which have the potential for medicinal value in drug discovery. In this study, toxin components from the scorpion Heterometrus petersii venom were evaluated by transcriptome and proteome analysis. Ten known families of venom peptides and proteins were identified, which include: two families of potassium channel toxins, four families of antimicrobial and cytolytic peptides, and one family from each of the calcium channel toxins, La1‐like peptides, phospholipase A2, and the serine proteases. In addition, we also identified 12 atypical families, which include the acid phosphatases, diuretic peptides, and ten orphan families. From the data presented here, the extreme diversity and convergence of toxic components in scorpion venom was uncovered. Our work demonstrates the power of combining transcriptomic and proteomic approaches in the study of animal venoms.