bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cystic papillary thyroid carcinoma in fine needle aspiration may represent a subset of the encapsulated variant in WHO classification
Authors: Yang Grace C. H. , Stern Connie M. , Messina Albert V.
Published: December 2009

This study audits the reliability of ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) in excluding papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in thyroid cysts containing mural nodules, and investigates the histological counterpart of cystic PTC diagnosed on FNA. Using a 10–5 MHz ultrasound probe and a 27‐gauge needle, solid portions of thyroid nodules were sampled and assessed immediately using both Diff‐Quik and Ultrafast Papanicolaou stains. Unlike usual PTCs that demonstrate hypercellularity, the aspirates of cystic PTC showed low cellularity and consisted of papillae with atypical nuclei scattered in abundant thin colloid. Over a period of 13 years, histological follow‐up was obtained from 11 women and 6 men in whom cystic PTC was reported on FNA. This represented 4.4% of 383 cases of PTC reported and 0.25% of all thyroid FNAs performed. In all 17 cases, histopathology showed encapsulated PTC in various stages of cystic degeneration. Sonography correlated well with histopathology, where findings ranged from cysts with small mural nodules to solid nodules with pockets of thin colloid. In 87 patients with thyroid cysts containing mural nodules, FNA findings were benign, as was clinical follow‐up that ranged from 1 to 12 years. In conclusion, ultrasound‐guided FNA, if performed in the manner described, can reliably distinguish cystic PTC from a benign cyst with a mural nodule. Cystic PTC on FNA in this series correlates to a subset of the encapsulated variant of PTC, an entity described in the 1988 WHO Histological Typing of Thyroid Tumours in the good prognostic category. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:721–726. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular Multi‐Wavelength Optical Anion Sensors
Authors: Siebler Daniel , Förster Christoph , Heinze Katja
Published: December 2009

Polychromatic fingerprinting of simple anions (halides, oxo anions) is achieved by employing neutral and charged multicolor fluorescent probes based on ferrocene‐spaced dansyl and naphthyl groups (1/1+; 2/2+). The conformation of the neutral double dye sensor 2 has been elucidated by NMR spectroscopic techniques (in solution), by X‐ray crystallography (solid state) and by DFT calculations (gas phase). The double‐dye receptors 2/2+ exhibit specific emission responses in the presence of anions X– when excited at the absorption maxima of the dyes (fingerprint).
Improved peak capacity for CE separations of enzyme inhibitors with activity‐based detection using magnetic bead microreactors
Authors: Yan Xiaoyan , Gilman S. Douglass
Published: December 2009

A technique for separating and detecting enzyme inhibitors was developed using CE with an enzyme microreactor. The on‐column enzyme microreactor was constructed using NdFeB magnet(s) to immobilize alkaline phosphatase‐coated superparamagnetic beads (2.8 μm diameter) inside a capillary before the detection window. Enzyme inhibition assays were performed by injecting a plug of inhibitor into a capillary filled with the substrate, AttoPhos. Product generated in the enzyme microreactor was detected by LIF. Inhibitor zones electrophoresed through the capillary, passed through the enzyme microreactor, and were observed as negative peaks due to decreased product formation. The goal of this study was to improve peak capacities for inhibitor separations relative to previous studies, which combined continuous engagement electrophoretically mediated microanalysis and transient engagement electrophoretically mediated microanalysis to study enzyme inhibition. The effects of electric field strength, bead injection time and inhibitor concentrations on peak capacity and peak width were investigated. Peak capacities were increased to ≥20 under optimal conditions of electric field strength and bead injection time for inhibition assays with arsenate and theophylline. Five reversible inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase (theophylline, vanadate, arsenate, L‐tryptophan and tungstate) were separated and detected to demonstrate the ability of this technique to analyze complex inhibitor mixtures.
A sensitive method for simultaneous determination of four macrolides by CE with electrochemiluminescence detection and its applications in human urine and tablets
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ming , Shi Yan‐Mei , Liu Zhuan‐Li , Tian Wei
Published: December 2009

A sensitive method for simultaneous determination of azithromycin (AZI), acetylspiramycin (ACE), erythromycin (ERY), and josamycin (JOS) was developed by CE coupled with electrochemiluminescence detection with Ru(bpy)32+. The parameters related to separation and detection were investigated in detail. The four macrolides were well separated and detected within 6 min under the optimized conditions. The LOD (S/N=3) of AZI, ACE, ERY, and JOS were 1.2×10−9, 7.1×10−9, 3.9×10−8 and 9.5×10−8 mol/L, respectively. The LOQ (S/N=10) of AZI, ACE, ERY, and JOS in human urine were 8.2×10−8, 2.5×10−7, 8.9×10−7 and 1.2×10−6 mol/L, respectively. The recoveries of the four macrolides in human urine and pharmaceutical tablet samples were 85.0–104.0% at different concentration levels.
Continuous intact cell detection and viability determination by CE with dual‐wavelength detection
Authors: Ren Xiaomin , Qu Feng , Zhang Lu , Ding Jinmei , Liu Qingsheng
Published: December 2009

We introduce here a method for continuous intact cell detection and viability determination of individual trypan blue stained cells by CE with ultraviolet–visible dual‐wavelength detection. To avoid cell aggregation or damage during electrophoresis, cells after staining were fixed with 4% formaldehyde and were continuously introduced into the capillary by EOF. The absorbance of a cell at 590 nm was used to determine its viability. An absorbance of two milli‐absorbance unit at 590 nm was the clear cut‐off point for living and dead Hela cells in our experiments. Good viability correlation between the conventional trypan blue staining assay and our established CE method (correlation coefficient, R2=0.9623) was demonstrated by analysis of cell mixtures with varying proportions of living and dead cells. The CE method was also used to analyze the cytotoxicity of methylmercury, and the results were in good agreement with the trypan blue staining assay and 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide methods. Compared with the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide method, our established CE method can be easily automated to report cell viability based on the state of individual cells. Tedious manual cell counting and human error due to investigator bias can be avoided by using this method.
High‐throughput negative detection of SDS‐PAGE separated proteins and its application for proteomics
Authors: Cong Wei‐Tao , Hwang Sun‐Young , Jin Li‐Tai , He Hong‐Zhang , Choi Jung‐Kap
Published: December 2009

A negative detection method for proteins on SDS‐PAGE is described. In this method, Eosin Y (EY) was selectively precipitated in the gel background, which is absent from those zones where proteins are located through the formation of a stable water‐soluble protein–dye complex. Negative staining of proteins using EY, allows high‐sensitivity, low‐cost, and simple protocol. The new described method takes less than an hour to complete all the protocol, with a detection limit of 0.5 ng of single protein band. Comparing with imidazole‐zinc negative stain, EY dye provides broader linear dynamic range, higher sensitivity and reproducibility, and better obvious contrast between the protein bands or spots and background. Furthermore, the novel technique developed here presented a real practical method for simultaneous processing of multiple gels, which makes it possible to perform high‐throughput staining for proteome research. Additionally, we have also compared the influence of staining method on the quality of mass spectra by PMF.
Ontogeny of Ctenitis melanosticta (Kunze) Copel. and Diplazium expansumWilld. (Dryopteridaceae) fronds with emphasis on the circumendodermal sheath
Authors: Hernández‐Hernández V. , Terrazas T. , Stevenson D. Wm.
Published: December 2009

The ontogeny of Ctenitis melanosticta (Kunze) Copel. and Diplazium expansum Willd. fronds was studied with the main goals to determine if continuous and discontinuous sheaths (bands in tranverse section) have the same origin in parenchyma cells. Frond ontogeny was followed from the crozier (fiddlehead) to the mature frond. Differentiation of the sheath begins during the crozier stage a few centimeters from the base of the stipe. As seen in transverse section, band differentiation occurs in the innermost parenchyma cells of the ground tissue, which surrounds the vascular strands of each vascular bundle of a multiple leaf trace. Based on its position and origin, it is named circumendodermal band (sheath in three dimensions) and the discontinuous form is designated “perforated sheath”. The circumendodermal band and the endodermis arise from parenchyma cells. Both the continuous circumendodermal band in C. melanosticta and the discontinuous circumendodermal band in D. expansum differentiate from ground parenchyma cells surrounding each vascular bundle. In the lamina of C. melanosticta, the circumendodermal band differentiates when frond is fertile and in the lamina of D. expansum, it never differentiates. The circumendodermal band traits are not related to plant size, but to number of vascular strands. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
What's the best statistic for a simple test of genetic association in a case‐control study?
Authors: Kuo Chia‐Ling , Feingold Eleanor
Published: December 2009

Genome‐wide genetic association studies typically start with univariate statistical tests of each marker. In principle, this single‐SNP scanning is statistically straightforward—the testing is done with standard methods (e.g. χ2 tests, regression) that have been well studied for decades. However, a number of different tests and testing procedures can be used. In a case‐control study, one can use a 1 df allele‐based test, a 1 or 2 df genotype‐based test, or a compound procedure that combines two or more of these statistics. Additionally, most of the tests can be performed with or without covariates included in the model. While there are a number of statistical papers that make power comparisons among subsets of these methods, none has comprehensively tackled the question of which of the methods in common use is best suited to univariate scanning in a genome‐wide association study. In this paper, we consider a wide variety of realistic test procedures, and first compare the power of the different procedures to detect a single locus under different genetic models. We then address the question of whether or when it is a good idea to include covariates in the analysis. We conclude that the most commonly used approach to handle covariates—modeling covariate main effects but not interactions—is almost never a good idea. Finally, we consider the performance of the statistics in a genome scan context. Genet. Epidemiol. 34: 246–253, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osseointegration into a novel titanium foam implant in the distal femur of a rabbit
Authors: Willie Bettina M. , Yang Xu , Kelly Natalie H. , Merkow Justin , Gagne Shawn , Ware Robin , Wright Timothy M. , Bostrom Mathias P.G.
Published: December 2009

A novel porous titanium foam implant has recently been developed to enhance biological fixation of orthopaedic implants to bone. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanical and histological characteristics of bone apposition into two different pore sizes of this titanium foam (565 and 464 micron mean void intercept length) and to compare these characteristics to those obtained with a fully porous conventionally sintered titanium bead implant. Cylindrical implants were studied in a rabbit distal femoral intramedullary osseointegration model at time zero and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. The amount of bone ingrowth, amount of periprosthetic bone, and mineral apposition rate of periprosthetic bone measured did not differ among the three implant designs at 3, 6, or 12 weeks. By 12 weeks, the interface stiffness and maximum load of the beaded implant was significantly greater than either foam implant. No significant difference was found in the interface stiffness or maximum load between the two foam implant designs at 3, 6, or 12 weeks. The lower compressive modulus of the foam compared to the more dense sintered beaded implants likely contributed to the difference in failure mode. However, the foam implants have a similar compressive modulus to other clinically successful coatings, suggesting they are nonetheless clinically adequate. Additional studies are required to confirm this in weight‐bearing models. Histological data suggest that these novel titanium foam implants are a promising alternative to current porous coatings and should be further investigated for clinical application in cementless joint replacement. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010
Antibacterial effects of 4‐META/MMA‐TBB resin containing chlorhexidine
Authors: Kwon Tae‐Yub , Hong Su‐Hyung , Kim Young Kyung , Kim Kyo‐Han
Published: December 2009

This study evaluated the antibacterial effects of 4‐acryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate‐tri‐n‐butylborane (4‐META/MMA‐TBB) resin containing chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate. The CHX was incorporated into the resins at varying concentrations from 0.0 (control) to 3.0%. The antibacterial effect of each resin against seven microorganisms was examined using agar diffusion tests. Growth inhibition of two streptococci was also tested in brain heart infusion (BHI) liquid broth containing each resin. Release of CHX was analyzed using HPLC, and enamel and dentin bond strengths of each resin were measured. In the agar diffusion tests, growth of all the microorganisms was inhibited by the resin specimens containing CHX at 1.0% or higher except for Enterococcus faecalis. There was greater sensitivity in Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus than in the other bacteria tested. Complete growth inhibition of these two streptococci was observed in BHI liquid broth containing 1.0–1.5% or greater CHX‐incorporated resin. According to HPLC analysis, 1.0% and 1.5% CHX‐containing resins released means of 3.63 and 8.59 μg/mL of CHX, respectively. Specimens with 0.5–1.5% and 0.5–2.0% CHX exhibited no significant reduction in enamel and dentin bond strengths, respectively, when compared to the control (p > 0.05). This in vitro study suggested that incorporation of 1.0–1.5% CHX digluconate into the 4‐META resin is optimal in terms of antibacterial effects and bond strength to the tooth. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010
Molecular and tissue responses in the healing of rat calvarial defects after local application of simvastatin combined with alpha tricalcium phosphate
Authors: Nyan Myat , Miyahara Takayuki , Noritake Kanako , Hao Jia , Rodriguez Reena , Kuroda Shinji , Kasugai Shohei
Published: December 2009

We have previously reported that healing of rat calvarial defects was enhanced by application of alpha tricalcium phosphate (αTCP) combined with simvastatin, a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms in this phenomenon. Rat calvarial defects were grafted with αTCP with or without simvastatin or left untreated. Animals were sacrificed on 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postoperatively and histological changes in the defect region were assessed. Gene expression patterns were examined by RT‐PCR. Proliferation and migration of osteoprogenitor cells from the dura mater were increased in simvastatin group from day 3 to day 10 (p < 0.01). New bone formation was significantly increased in simvastatin group on day 14 and day 21 (p < 0.01). BMP‐2 expression was significantly higher in simvastatin group on day 3 and day 14 (p < 0.05) and maintained until day 21. Increased upregulation of TGF‐β1 was also observed in the simvastatin group on day 7 (p < 0.05) which was maintained until day 14. These findings suggest that the proliferation and recruitment of osteoprogenitor cells were critical steps in early stage of bone healing and that these steps were enhanced by TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2, which were stimulated by simvastatin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010
Preventive effect of (−)epigallocatechin gallate on lipids, lipoproteins, and enzymes of lipid metabolism in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Devika P. T. , Stanely Mainzen Prince P.
Published: December 2009

This article reports data on the preventive effect of (−)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on lipid metabolism and lipoproteins in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar rats. The rats were induced MI by ISO (100 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. EGCG (30 mg/kg) was given to rats as pretreatment for 21 days orally using an intragastric tube. EGCG significantly reduced the increased serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in the heart and serum phospholipids (PLs) in ISO‐treated rats. It also significantly increased the reduced levels of heart PLs in ISO‐induced rats. EGCG reduced the levels of serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol in ISO‐treated rats. It also reduced the increased cholesterol/PL ratio and atherogenic index and significantly increased the reduced ratio of HDL‐cholesterol/total cholesterol. Also EGCG significantly increased the reduced activity of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase in ISO‐treated rats. Thus, EGCG prevented the accumulation of lipids and altered the levels of lipoproteins in myocardial‐infarcted rats. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:387–393, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20302
Metabolism of the mesoionic compound (MI‐D) by mouse liver microsome, detection of its metabolite In Vivo, and acute toxicity in mice
Authors: Romão Silvia , Cadena Silvia M. S. C. , Amorim Juliana C. , Méndez‐Sánchez Stelia C. , Echevarria Aurea , Silva Edson F. , Rocha Maria Eliane M. , Noleto Guilhermina R. , Carnieri Eva G. S. , Martinez Glaucia R. , Oliveira Maria Benigna M.
Published: December 2009

The mesoionic derivative 4‐phenyl‐5‐[4‐nitrocinnamoyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolyl‐2‐phenylamine chloride (MI‐D) has antitumoral and anti‐inflammatory effects. In this study, we present aspects of its metabolism and toxicity in mice. MI‐D was metabolized in vitro by liver microsome, generating a main product with a much shorter retention time than MI‐D in high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis but with a spectrum similar to that of the original molecule. Mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive mode analysis of the purified compound by HPLC indicated that the product of metabolism has four additional hydroxyl groups (m/z = 465) compared with MI‐D (m/z = 401). The HPLC analyses of plasma and urine samples from mice treated with MI‐D showed the presence of the metabolite product. The kinetic parameters Km (19.5 ± 4.5 μM) and Vmax [1.5 ± 0.4 units of fluorescence/(100 μg of microsomal protein/mL/s)] were estimated, confirming the metabolism of MI‐D and indicating that the reaction follows Michaelis‐Menten kinetics. Acute toxicity was established on the basis of an estimation of mean lethal dose (LD‐50; 181.2 mg/kg) and histopathological analysis of animals that survived the LD‐50 test. Abdominal adhesions, inflammatory foci, and formation of granulomas were observed. Altogether, the results contribute to the advancement of research in support of MI‐D as a future chemotherapeutic drug. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:394–405, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20303
The cathepsin K inhibitor AAE581 induces morphological changes in osteoclasts of treated patients
Authors: Chappard Daniel , Libouban Hélène , Mindeholm Linda , Baslé Michel F. , Legrand Erick , Audran Maurice
Published: December 2009

Inhibitors of Cathepsin K (Cat‐K) are recognized as an interesting way to inhibit osteoclast (OC) activity. OCs from patients treated with the anticathepsin‐K inhibitor AAE581 (balicatib) were found enlarged. They contained numerous vacuoles filled with tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP), an intracellular enzyme that terminates the degradation of collagen internalized in OC transcytotic vesicles. In a phase 2 clinical study, 675 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis received the Cat‐K inhibitor AAE581 at 0, 5, 10, 25, or 50 mg/D during 1 year. Eleven patients had a transiliac bone biopsy, studied undecalcified. Histoenzymatic detection of TRAcP was used to identify and count OC number. The histomorphometrist was not aware of the randomization of patients at the time of analysis. OC were unstained in one patient because of a failure in the fixation protocol, but easily observable in the 10 remaining patients. Whatever the received dose, treated patients exhibited a characteristic aspect of the OC cytoplasm which appeared filled of deeply‐stained brown vacuoles, making cells looking like bunches of grape. These round vacuoles, evidenced on TRAcP‐stained sections, were due to the accumulation of intracytoplasmic TRAcP. This led to a moderate enlargement of the OC size when compared to a series of control osteoporotic patients. AAE581 did not induce OC apoptosis at any dosage but it modified OC morphology. Cat‐K inhibition (inhibiting the extracellular collagen breakdown) is associated with a compensatory accumulation of intracellular TRAcP that could not be used to complete protein degradation. TRAcP is also known to be degraded by Cat‐K. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prothrombin kringle‐2 induces death of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in vivo and in vitro via microglial activation
Authors: Kim Sang Ryong , Chung Eun Sook , Bok Eugene , Baik Hyung Hwan , Chung Young Cheul , Won So Yoon , Joe Eunhye , Kim Tae Hyong , Kim Soung Soo , Jin Min Young , Choi Sang Ho , Jin Byung Kwan
Published: December 2009

We have shown that prothrombin kringle‐2 (pKr‐2), a domain of human prothrombin distinct from thrombin could activate cultured rat brain microglia in vitro. However, little is known whether pKr‐2‐induced microglial activation could cause neurotoxicity on dopaminergic (DA) neurons in vivo. To address this question, pKr‐2 was injected into the rat substantia nigra (SN). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry experiments demonstrate significant loss of DA neurons seven days after injection of pKr‐2. In parallel, pKr‐2‐activated microglia were detected in the SN with OX‐42 and OX‐6 immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcription PCR and double‐label immunohistochemistry revealed that activated microglia in vivo exhibit early and transient expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and several proinflammatory cytokines. The pKr‐2‐induced loss of SN DA neurons was partially inhibited by the NOS inhibitor NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, and the COX‐2 inhibitor DuP‐697. Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase were activated in the SN as early as 1 hr after pKr‐2 injection, and localized within microglia. Inhibition of these kinases led to attenuation of mRNA expression of iNOS, COX‐2 and several proinflammatory cytokines, and rescue of DA neurons in the SN. Intriguingly, following treatment with pKr‐2 in vitro, neurotoxicity was detected exclusively in co‐cultures of mesencephalic neurons and microglia, but not microglia‐free neuron‐enriched mesencephalic cultures, indicating that microglia are required for pKr‐2 neurotoxicity. Our results strongly suggest that microglia activated by endogenous compound(s), such as pKr‐2, are implicated in the DA neuronal cell death in the SN. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interannual variability in rainfall and wet spell frequency during the New South Wales sugarcane harvest season
Authors: Everingham Yvette L. , Reason C. J. C.
Published: December 2009

The sugarcane harvest season in northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia operates from June to November. Rainfall during this period can delay harvest practices and push the harvest window into the wetter summer period which can have severe economic consequences for industry. Farmer groups acknowledge that, whilst information about seasonal rainfall totals can assist forward planning activities impacted by harvest rainfall, knowledge about the number of wet spells during the harvest season would also be helpful. This diagnostic study investigated the interaction between harvest rainfall totals and wet spell frequency for Harwood, a major sugarcane growing region in Northern NSW. The El Nino‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effect on harvest rainfall totals and wet spell frequency was also considered and climate diagnostics for extreme wet seasons were investigated. A moderate linear relationship between total rainfall and wet spell frequency exists for both winter (r = 0.68) and spring (r = 0.66). The ENSO had little influence in winter but La Niña events in spring favoured higher rainfall totals and wet spell frequency. Extreme wet seasons were largely influenced by positive pressure anomalies over southeastern Australia and the Tasman Sea. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Effect of fat replacers on kefir quality
Authors: Ertekin Bilge , Guzel‐Seydim Zeynep B
Published: December 2009

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of fat replacers on the quality of non‐fat kefir. Skim milk fortified with Dairy Lo® (DL) and inulin (INU) was fermented with kefir grains to manufacture kefir. The results of compositional, microbiological, rheological and sensorial analyses were compared with whole kefir (WK) and non‐fat kefir (NFK) controls. Results for dry matter, pH and lactic acid ranged between 82.4 and 109.1 g kg−1, 4.26 and 4.40, and 7.0 and 9.2 g L−1, respectively. Acetaldehyde and ethanol contents of samples were between 2.89 and 7.28 mg L−1, and 151.46 and 323.89 mg L−1, respectively. In all samples, Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus spp. and yeast counts were between 9.1 and 9.9, 9.3 and 9.9, and 5.2 and 5.6 log cfu mL−1, respectively. Kefir samples had non‐Newtonian behaviour and pseudoplastic fluid with thixotropy. At the first day, DL had the highest apparent viscosity (3.119 Pa s) while NFK had the lowest value (1.830 Pa s). In the sensory evaluation, odour and taste scores of samples were not different. Dairy Lo® and inulin could be used without any adverse effect for the production of non‐fat kefir. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of mass transfer in a dynamic hollow‐fibre liquid phase microextraction system
Authors: Hansson Helena , Colmsjö Anders , Nilsson Ulrika
Published: December 2009

The extraction characteristics of a dynamic hollow‐fibre liquid phase microextraction system were investigated by studying the mass transfer and diffusion rates of dinitrophenols from plasma samples over the liquid membrane (dihexylether). The measured diffusion coefficients were compared with theoretical values calculated from Stokes diameters. The diffusion mechanism was simulated by computer and the most polar compounds, 2,4‐dinitrophenol and 4,6‐o‐dinitrocresol, had associated diffusion coefficients that were close to the calculated theoretical values. 2‐sec‐Butyl‐4,6 dinitrophenol and 2‐tert‐butyl‐4,6‐dinitrophenol, the compounds with the highest log P values, were retained by the polypropylene membrane, which reduced the experimentally observed diffusion rates to about half of the theoretical values. The retention was most likely due to dispersive forces interacting with the pore inner walls. Extraction was linearly correlated with time for all compounds and the repeatability was high (RSDs 7–11%), even for the shortest extraction times. Method LOD as the amount injected ranged between 0.3 and 3.1 ng for an extraction cycle of 213 s.
2‐D hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography‐RP separation in urinary proteomics – Minimizing variability through improved downstream workflow compatibility
Authors: Loftheim Håvard , Nguyen Thien Duc , Malerød Helle , Lundanes Elsa , Åsberg Anders , Reubsaet Léon
Published: December 2009

Optimization of every step in a bottom‐up urinary proteomics approach was studied with respect to maximize the protein recovery and making the downstream steps in the workflow fully compatible without compromising on the amount of information obtained. Sample enrichment and desalting using centrifugal filtration (5 kDa cut‐off) yielded protein recoveries up to 97% when 8 M urea was used. Although yielding lower recoveries (88%), addition of Tris‐HCl/NaCl was considered a better choice due to good down‐stream compatibility. The consecutive depletion of HSA, using an immunoaffinity column was successfully adapted for use in urine. Separation of the trypsin generated peptides in an off‐line 2‐D chromatographic system consisting of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column, followed by a RP chromatography column showed a high peak capacity and good repeatability in addition to a high degree of orthogonality. All operations were modified in order to keep sample handling between every step to a minimum, reducing the variability of each process. In order to test the suitability of the full method in an extensive proteomic experiment, a urine sample from a kidney‐transplanted patient was analyzed (n=6). The total variability of the method was identified with RSD values ranging from 11 to 30%. Eventually, we identified a total of 1668 peptides and 438 proteins from a single urine sample despite the use of low‐resolution MS/MS equipment. The optimized and “streamlined” complex method has shown potential for use in future urinary proteomic studies.
Translational systems biology and voice pathophysiology
Authors: Li Nicole Y. K. , Verdolini Abbott Katherine , Rosen Clark , An Gary , Hebda Patricia A. , Vodovotz Yoram
Published: December 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Personalized medicine has been called upon to tailor healthcare to an individual's needs. Evidence‐based medicine (EBM) has advocated using randomized clinical trials with large populations to evaluate treatment effects. However, due to large variations across patients, the results are likely not to apply to an individual patient. We suggest that a complementary, systems biology approach using computational modeling may help tackle biological complexity in order to improve ultimate patient care. The purpose of the article is: 1) to review the pros and cons of EBM, and 2) to discuss the alternative systems biology method and present its utility in clinical voice research.

Study Design:

Tutorial.

Methods:

Literature review and discussion.

Results:

We propose that translational systems biology can address many of the limitations of EBM pertinent to voice and other health care domains, and thus complement current health research models. In particular, recent work using mathematical modeling suggests that systems biology has the ability to quantify the highly complex biologic processes underlying voice pathophysiology. Recent data support the premise that this approach can be applied specifically in the case of phonotrauma and surgically induced vocal fold trauma, and may have particular power to address personalized medicine.

Conclusions:

We propose that evidence around vocal health and disease be expanded beyond a population‐based method to consider more fully issues of complexity and systems interactions, especially in implementing personalized medicine in voice care and beyond. Laryngoscope, 2010
Battles and beliefs: Rethinking the roles of today's leaders
Authors: Bolman Lee G. , Deal Terrence E.
Published: December 2009

The modern business environment is wild, messy, and unpredictable. That's why the two operating frameworks that leaders have typically relied on—the caregiver and the analyst—are no longer enough. Two additional frameworks—the wizard and the warrior—can help leaders make sense of the political and symbolic predicaments that organizations face daily.
Testing computational toxicology models with phytochemicals
Authors: Valerio Luis G. , Arvidson Kirk B. , Busta Emily , Minnier Barbara L. , Kruhlak Naomi L. , Benz R. Daniel
Published: December 2009

Computational toxicology employing quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling is an evidence‐based predictive method being evaluated by regulatory agencies for risk assessment and scientific decision support for toxicological endpoints of interest such as rodent carcinogenicity. Computational toxicology is being tested for its usefulness to support the safety assessment of drug‐related substances (e.g. active pharmaceutical ingredients, metabolites, impurities), indirect food additives, and other applied uses of value for protecting public health including safety assessment of environmental chemicals. The specific use of QSAR as a chemoinformatic tool for estimating the rodent carcinogenic potential of phytochemicals present in botanicals, herbs, and natural dietary sources is investigated here by an external validation study, which is the most stringent scientific method of measuring predictive performance. The external validation statistics for predicting rodent carcinogenicity of 43 phytochemicals, using two computational software programs evaluated at the FDA, are discussed. One software program showed very good performance for predicting non‐carcinogens (high specificity), but both exhibited poor performance in predicting carcinogens (sensitivity), which is consistent with the design of the models. When predictions were considered in combination with each other rather than based on any one software, the performance for sensitivity was enhanced, However, Chi‐square values indicated that the overall predictive performance decreases when using the two computational programs with this particular data set. This study suggests that complementary multiple computational toxicology software need to be carefully selected to improve global QSAR predictions for this complex toxicological endpoint.
Pharmacological and genetic analysis of mechanisms underlying detrusor overactivity in rats
Authors: Yokoyama Osamu
Published: December 2009

Aims

Suprapontine lesions, such as those resulting from cerebrovascular disease, cause bladder storage dysfunction. Detrusor overactivity (DO) following cerebral infarction may be explained by impairment of the suprapontine regulatory system. However, precise mechanisms underlying DO is not clear. The following studies were undertaken to examine pharmacological and genetic mechanisms of DO in rats.

Results and Conclusions

Mechanisms of long‐lasting DO in rats with cerebral infarction require signal transfer, which begins with the opening of glutamate receptors at the dorsal pontine tegmentum. DO induced by cerebral infarction has been proven to be accompanied by an increase in c‐fos and zif268 expression in the dorsal pontine tegmentum and periaqueductal gray and mediated by the activation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES). Therefore, the arachidonic acid cascade is dynamically activated in the brain after brain ischemia. Bladder sensory pathways are potential targets for drugs used to treat various bladder dysfunctions because of their role in storage symptoms (i.e., urgency, frequency) and in triggering reflex bladder activity. Antimuscarinic drugs and α1‐blockers are the main treatments for overactive bladder, a condition caused by neurologic lesions, aging, bladder outlet obstruction, and other pathologies. These drugs affect sensory bladder storage symptoms, suggesting an action on bladder and urethral afferent pathways. Using animal models of DO, we demonstrated that these drugs improved bladder storage function via suppression of C‐fiber afferent nerves from the lower urinary tract. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29: 107–111, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beyond neurons: Involvement of urothelial and glial cells in bladder function
Authors: Birder Lori A. , Wolf‐Johnston Amanda S. , Chib Manjul K. , Buffington Charles A. , Roppolo James R. , Hanna‐Mitchell Ann T.
Published: December 2009

Aim

The urothelium, or epithelial lining of the lower urinary tract (LUT), is likely to play an important role in bladder function by actively communicating with bladder nerves, smooth muscle, and cells of the immune and inflammatory systems. Recent evidence supports the importance of non‐neuronal cells that may extend to both the peripheral and central processes of the neurons that transmit normal and nociceptive signals from the urinary bladder. Using cats diagnosed with a naturally occurring syndrome termed feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), we investigated whether changes in physiologic parameters occur within 3 cell types associated with sensory transduction in the urinary bladder: 1) the urothelium, 2) identified bladder dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and 3) grey matter astrocytes in the lumbosacral (S1) spinal cord. As estrogen fluctuations may modulate the severity of many chronic pelvic pain syndromes, we also examined whether 17β‐estradiol (E2) alters cell signaling in rat urothelial cells.

Results

We have identified an increase in nerve growth factor (NGF) and substance P (SP) in urothelium from FIC cats over that seen in urothelium from unaffected (control) bladders. The elevated NGF expression by FIC urothelium is a possible cause for the increased cell body size of DRG neurons from cats with FIC, reported in this study. At the level of the spinal cord, astrocytic GFAP immuno‐intensity was significantly elevated and there was evidence for co‐expression of the primitive intermediate filament, nestin (both indicative of a reactive state) in regions of the FIC S1 cord (superficial and deep dorsal horn, central canal and laminae V‐VIl) that receive input from pelvic afferents. Finally, we find that E2 triggers an estrus‐modifiable activation of p38 MAPK in rat urothelial cells. There were cyclic variations with E2‐mediated elevation of p38 MAPK at both diestrus and estrus, and inhibition of p38 MAPK in proestrous urothelial cells.

Conclusion

Though urothelial cells are often viewed as bystanders in the processing of visceral sensation, these and other findings support the view that these cells function as primary transducers of some physical and chemical stimuli. In addition, the pronounced activation of spinal cord astrocytes in an animal model for bladder pain syndrome (BPS) may play an important role in the pain syndrome and open up new potential approaches for drug intervention. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29: 88–96, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Base‐stock policies in capacitated assembly systems: Convexity properties
Authors: Huh Woonghee Tim , Janakiraman Ganesh
Published: December 2009

We study an assembly system with a single finished product managed using an echelon base‐stock or order‐up‐to policy. Some or all operations have capacity constraints. Excess demand is either backordered in every period or lost in every period. We show that the shortage penalty cost over any horizon is jointly convex with respect to the base‐stock levels and capacity levels. When the holding costs are also included in the objective function, we show that the cost function can be written as a sum of a convex function and a concave function. Throughout the article, we discuss algorithmic implications of our results for making optimal inventory and capacity decisions in such systems.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
A branch‐and‐cut algorithm for partition coloring
Authors: Frota Yuri , Maculan Nelson , Noronha Thiago F. , Ribeiro Celso C.
Published: December 2009

Let G = (V, E, Q) be a undirected graph, where V is the set of vertices, E is the set of edges, and Q = {Q1,…,Qq} is a partition of V into q subsets. We refer to Q1,…,Qq as the components of the partition. The partition coloring problem (PCP) consists of finding a subset V′ of V with exactly one vertex from each component Q1,…,Qq and such that the chromatic number of the graph induced in G by V′ is minimum. This problem is a generalization of the graph coloring problem. This work presents a branch‐and‐cut algorithm proposed for PCP. An integer programing formulation and valid inequalities are proposed. A tabu search heuristic is used for providing primal bounds. Computational experiments are reported for random graphs and for PCP instances originating from the problem of routing and wavelength assignment in all‐optical WDM networks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
Longitudinal study on pediatric dyslipidemia in population‐based claims database
Authors: Li Jie , Motsko Stephen P. , Goehring Earl L. , Vendiola Ruby , Maneno Mary , Jones Judith K.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

To examine the rate of lipid testing among children from a large US medical insurance claims database, describe the characteristics of pediatric dyslipidemia, and assess the sensitivity of the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes for identifying dyslipidemic children.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used the claims data from the Integrated Healthcare Information Services (IHCIS), for the years 2003–2006. Two study cohorts consisted of children with laboratory‐defined and diagnosis/treatment‐defined dyslipidemia, respectively. They were compared to age‐ and gender‐matched children without dyslipidemia, with respect to co‐morbidities during the 6‐month prior to and 12‐month after the first dyslipidemic laboratory value or diagnosis/treatment.

Results

Seven per cent of the children who had laboratory values available in the database had a cholesterol test during the study period. Only 15% of laboratory‐defined children (n = 23 475) had a dyslipidemia diagnosis. Cholesterol‐modifying medications were rarely prescribed. Substantially more laboratory‐defined children than their comparators were obese (8 times), had diabetes mellitus (10 times), or had hypertension (5 times). These co‐morbidities were even higher among diagnosis/treatment‐defined children.

Conclusions

The rate of lipid testing among children was low. The ICD‐9‐CM diagnostic codes showed low sensitivity against laboratory definitions. Though only a small proportion of dyslipidemic children were diagnosed or treated with a medication, co‐morbidities associated with dyslipidemia were common. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal and electrical behaviour of some hybrid polyimide films containing barium and titanium oxides
Authors: Hamciuc Corneliu , Hamciuc Elena , Olariu Marius , Ciobanu Romeo
Published: December 2009

Aromatic polyimides are high‐performance polymers used in applications demanding service at enhanced temperature while maintaining their structural integrity and excellent combination of chemical, physical and mechanical properties. The incorporation of various metallic additives into a polyimide matrix improves its properties, leading to materials required by specific applications. Hybrid polyimide films containing barium and titanium oxides having thicknesses in the range of tens of micrometres were prepared. These films were obtained using the sol–gel technique starting from a poly(amic acid) and a soluble precursor of metal oxides. They exhibited good thermal stability having an initial decomposition temperature above 460 °C, and a glass transition temperature in the range 217–238 °C. Two subglass transitions, γ and β, were evident from dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric spectroscopy. A study of the thermal and electrical behaviour of some hybrid polyimide films containing barium and titanium oxides is presented. On increasing the concentration of metal oxides, an increase of dielectric constant and a decrease of thermal stability of the hybrid films were observed. The presence of metal oxides shifted the glass transition temperature and the temperature of the β transition to higher values. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers via atom transfer radical “bulk” polymerization
Authors: Zu Baiyi , Zhang Ying , Guo Xianzhi , Zhang Huiqi
Published: December 2009

The first application of atom transfer radical “bulk” polymerization (ATRBP) in molecular imprinting is described, which provides molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with obvious imprinting effects towards the template, very fast binding kinetics, and an appreciable selectivity over structurally related compounds. In comparison with the MIP prepared via the normally used traditional “bulk” free radical polymerization (BFRP), the MIPs obtained via ATRBP showed somewhat lower binding capacities and apparent maximum numbers Nmax for high‐affinity sites as well as quite similar binding association constants Ka for high‐affinity sites and high‐affinity site densities, in contrast with the previous reports (e.g., nitroxide/iniferter‐mediated “bulk” polymerization provided MIPs with improved properties). This is tentatively ascribed to the occurrence of rather fast gelation process in ATRBP, which greatly restricted the mobility of the chemical species, leading to a heavily interrupted equilibrium between dormant species and active radicals and heterogeneous polymer networks. In addition, the general applicability of ATRBP was also confirmed by preparing MIPs for different templates. This work clearly demonstrates that applying controlled radical polymerizations (CRPs) in molecular imprinting not always benefits the binding properties of the resultant MIPs, which is of significant importance for the rational use of CRPs in generating MIPs with improved properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 532–541, 2010
Effect of chain entanglements on plastic deformation behavior of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Bartczak Zbigniew
Published: December 2009

Samples of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene, in which the chain topology within the amorphous component was altered using two‐stage processing, including crystallization at high pressure in the first step, were produced and their deformation behavior in the plane‐strain compression was studied. Deformation and recovery experiments demonstrated that the state of the molecular network governed by entanglement density is one of the primary parameters controlling the response of the material on the imposed strain, especially at moderate and high strains. Any change in the concentration of entanglements markedly influences the shape of the true stress–true strain curve. The strain hardening modulus decreases while the onset of strain hardening increases with a decrease of the entanglement density within the amorphous component. Density of entanglements also influences the amount of rubber‐like recoverable deformation and permanent plastic flow. In material of the reduced concentration of entanglements permanent flow appears easier and sets in earlier than in the material with a higher entanglement density, becoming a favorable deformation mechanism at moderate strains. As a result, strong strain hardening is postponed to higher strain when compared with the samples of equilibrium entanglement density. In the samples of an increased entanglement density the molecular network becomes stiffer, with a reduced ability of strain induced disentangling of chains. Consequently, there is a less permanent flow and strain hardening begins earlier than in the reference material of an unaltered chain topology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 276–285, 2010