bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The met and unmet health care needs of adult survivors of childhood central nervous system tumors
Authors: Hovén Emma , Lannering Birgitta , Gustafsson Göran , Boman Krister K.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the current study was to examine the persistent health care needs (HCNs) of adult survivors of childhood central nervous system tumors.

METHODS:

In this population‐based study, 526 of 679 eligible survivors and 550 parents provided data. Survivors' HCNs were assessed using a questionnaire covering 4 domains: Medical Care, care coordination and communication (Care Coordination), Illness Education, and Psychosocial Services. Needs were categorized as no need, met need, and unmet need. Outcomes were analyzed specifically in relation to survivors' functional late effects as assessed using the Health Utilities Index Mark 2/3.

RESULTS:

Approximately 40% of survivors experienced their HCNs as exceeding the supposed general population average, and 41% had a current HCN that was unmet. The most common unmet need concerned the Psychosocial Services domain (reported by 40%), followed by a lack of Illness Education (35%), Care Coordination (22%), and Medical Care (15%). Survivors experiencing functional late effects had greater HCNs, and a greater percentage of unmet needs. Agreement between survivor‐reported and parent proxy‐reported HCNs was satisfactory, whereas agreement for survivors' unmet HCNs ranged from poor to satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings based on reliable double‐informant data demonstrated that a considerable percentage of adult survivors report unmet HCNs, with female sex, younger age at diagnosis, and indications of disability and poor health status comprising significant risk factors. Issues critical for improved, comprehensive, long‐term follow‐up care were identified. Addressing these issues adequately in clinical follow‐up extending into adulthood would likely improve the quality of comprehensive care for this patient group. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society
Quantification of scene appearance—A valid design tool?
Authors: Hutchings John B. , Ou Li‐Chen , Ronnier Luo M.
Published: March 2011

Awareness of the science of appearance could help the designer to create and construct a more effective space—whether that consists of interiors, packaging, cityscapes or a plate of food. This article examines the current status of appearance science having direct application to the work of the practical designer using a vocabulary common to both disciplines. The way has been paved by the work of Shigenobu Kobayashi, of the Nippon Color and Design Research Institute, Paul Green‐Armytage, a design teacher, and studies on food products and food consumption environments as well as on colour semantics studies of psychologists such as, for example, Lars Sivik and Charles Taft. The article is in two parts, appearance properties and expectations of the design and impact of the design. First, there is a brief account of the application of bipolar scales to quantify both the physical properties of the scene as well as our expectations of the scene and second, the quantification and understanding of scene impact. These techniques detail how individual elements of a designed space, such as materials, design and illumination contribute to specific desired aspects of the space. The robust model proposed provides a firm platform for active collaboration between designer and scientist in the production of comfortable and effective living and working spaces. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012
Excellent outcomes of renal transplantation in patients 70 years of age or older
Authors: Guarrera James V. , Samstein Benjamin , Aziz Fahad , Kelly Joan , Hardy Mark A. , Ratner Lloyd E.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND

The survival beneﬁt of renal transplantation is well established. As the average life expectancy increases, so too will the average age of renal transplant patients.

METHODS

We reviewed our experience with renal transplantation in patients 70 years of age and older. Fifty patients aged 70 years and older were transplanted at our institution between 1997 and 2007. Demographics and outcomes were recorded retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 73.1 years (range, 70–80 years). Among the 50 transplanted allografts, 32 (64%) were from deceased donors, and 18 (36%) were from living donors. At last follow‐up, 45 (90%) patients were alive and 43 (86%) grafts were functioning. Median survival was 6.42 years. Five patients (10%) died, three from sepsis, one from cytomegalovirus infection, and one from myocardial infarction and stroke. There was no difference in the frequency of diabetes or hypertension compared with younger recipients in our institution during the same time period. Mean serum creatinine levels at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years of fol‐low‐up were, respectively, 1.8 ± 0.97 (n = 41), 1.8 ± 1.3 (n = 33), 1.5 ± 0.4 (n = 25), 1.6 ± 0.45 (n = 16), and 1.5 ± 0.37 (n = 6) mg/dL. There were no statistically signiﬁcant differences in acute cellular rejection between dif‐ferent induction regimens. There were two grafts lost to rejection and fewer infections in the interleukin‐2 receptor blocker group compared with the thymoglobulin group (p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplantation in patients 70 years of age and older is associated with excellent patient and graft survival, similar to rates in younger recipients. Advanced age should not be a contraindication to renal transplantation.
Amino acid removal in high‐flow and conventional continuous hemodiafiltration
Authors: Oishi Kazushige , Hagiwara Satoshi , Koga Satoko , Kawabe Satoshi , Uno Takahiro , Goto Koji , Noguchi Takayuki
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE

Continuous hemodiafiltration is frequently used in intensive care as renal replacement therapy for acute kidney damage. Recent studies have shown that increased flow rates can effectively increase survival. However, continuous hemodiafiltration also removes essential small molecules such as amino acids.

METHODS

We compared amino acid loss between conventional (normal‐flow) and high‐flow continuous hemodia‐filtration in 17 patients admitted to the intensive care unit for conditions such as sepsis. Patients were randomly divided into a normal‐flow group (dialysate flow, 500 mL/min; filtrate flow, 300 mL/min; and blood flow, 80 mL/min) and a high‐flow group (dialysate flow, 1,500 mL/min; filtrate flow, 900 mL/min; blood flow, 100 mL/min). Blood samples were collected immediately prior to continuous hemodiafi initiation, and at 2 and 6 hours after con‐tinuous hemodiafiltration initiation. In addition, blood and filtrate were collected from the circuit in front of and behind the continuous hemodiafiltration dialyzer.

RESULTS

We found that amino acid removal was significantly higher in the high‐flow group and that amino acids were removed into the filtrates in proportion to their plasma concentrations. Furthermore, plasma amino acid con‐centrations also tended to decrease with the length of time continuous hemodiafiltration was performed. Given that large amounts of amino acid are removed during continuous hemodiafiltration, plasma amino acid levels should be monitored when prolonged continuous hemodiafiltration is performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Amino acid loss is particularly high during high‐flow continuous hemodiafiltration, suggesting that it may be necessary to shorten the duration of high‐flow continuous hemodiafiltration or supplement patients with sufficient amounts of amino acids.
Efficient Synthetic Approaches To Access Ruthenium(II) Complexes with 2‐(Trimethylsilyl)ethyl‐ or Acetyl‐Protected Terpyridine–Thiols
Authors: Wen Hui‐Min , Zhang Dao‐Bin , Zhang Li‐Yi , Shi Lin‐Xi , Chen Zhong‐Ning
Published: March 2011

A series of thiol‐functionalized terpyridines (tpy) with protective groups, such as acetyl (Ac), 2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethyl (TMSE), and tert‐butyl (tBu), and the corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized in high yields. The TMSE‐protected thiol‐functionalized RuII(tpy) complexes can be readily converted into the corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes with an acetyl group by using AgClO4/acetyl chloride or TBAF/acetyl chloride. Based on this convenient synthetic approach under mild conditions, the ruthenium(II) complex [(AcSCH2C6H4tpy)(PPh3)2Ru(C≡CC6H4C≡CC6H5)](ClO4) {[12](ClO4)} with acetylthio–tpy was successfully obtained by a three‐step synthetic procedure. By utilizing 4′‐{4‐[(acetylsulfanyl)methyl]phenyl}‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine as a chelating ligand, a dinuclear dicyanamido‐linked ruthenium complex was prepared, characterized, and immobilized onto gold electrode surfaces to form self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). The compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR or 31P NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The solid‐state structure of complex [14](PF6)3 was determined by X‐ray crystallography, in which the intramolecular S⋅⋅⋅S distance was found to be 31.194(2) Å.
Inducible and reversible breaching of the blood brain barrier by RNAi
Authors: Rossi John J.
Published: March 2011

Sequence‐specific knockdown of gene expression is a goal that has been long sought by both basic and clinical investigators. In this regard, the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans was immediately recognized as a potential breakthrough for studying gene function (Fire et al, 1998). These findings demonstrated that double‐stranded (ds)RNAs are triggers for sequence‐specific, post‐transcriptional gene silencing via targeted degradation of messenger RNAs harbouring a complementary sequence to one of the two strands. Initially, it was thought that such post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression could not be achieved in mammalian systems due to the strong induction of interferon by dsRNAs. This potential restriction was short lived with the demonstration that endonuclease processed dsRNAs of 21–25 nucleotides in length, designated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), were able to elicit sequence‐specific degradation of mRNAs in mammalian cells without triggering interferon responses (Elbashir et al, 2001). These findings provided a huge impetus to develop RNAi as a therapeutic modality. The dream to selectively block the expression of deleterious proteins and treat formerly non‐drugable diseases led to the rapid establishment of new biotech companies and branches of major pharmaceutical companies devoted to RNAi therapeutics.

See related article in EMBO Mol Med (Campbell et al. (2011) EMBO Mol Med 3: 228–238)
The Role of Email Guidance in Internet‐Based Cognitive‐Behavioural Self‐Care Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa
Authors: Sánchez‐Ortiz Varinia C. , Munro Calum , Startup Helen , Treasure Janet , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: March 2011

Email has been progressively used as a means for providing therapeutic guidance and support for cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) self‐care programmes. Many aspects of the use of email in self‐care need to be explored such as the content of therapists' emails. Such information would optimise the delivery of self‐care treatments. To date no study has looked at the content of the therapists' emails. We analysed the content of emails (n = 712) sent by therapists to participants (n = 71) of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of internet‐based CBT with email support for bulimic disorders. 14.7% of the emails therapists sent contained at least one CBT comment, while 95.4% had at least one supportive comment and 13.6% had at least one technical comment. The mean time spent on providing email support to each participant across the complete programme was 45 minutes. Emails sent by therapists were mainly supportive in content, with only a small amount of time being required by therapists to provide email support. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Abschätzung der Standsicherheit von annähernd unendlich langen Kriechhängen
Authors: Fellin Wolfgang
Published: March 2011

Langsam kriechende Hänge stellen eine eventuelle Bedrohung für darunter liegende Siedlungen und Infrastrukturen dar. Bereits in den 1930er Jahren wurde eine Lösung zur Ermittlung des Spannungszustands in einer kriechenden Schicht konstanter Dicke auf einer unendlich langen Böschung entwickelt, die als Grundlage für die Untersuchung von Kriechhängen dienen kann. In diesem Beitrag wird diese Lösung erweitert und gemeinsam mit dem Grenzzustand nach Matsuoka‐Nakai verwendet, um die Sicherheit von Kriechhängen abschätzen zu können, die annähernd als unendliche Böschung modellierbar sind.

Estimation of the stability of approximately infinite creeping slopes. Slowly creeping slopes are a potential threat to downhill settlements and infrastructure. The stress state in a creeping layer with constant thickness on an infinite slope can be calculated using a solution from the thirties of the past century. This solution is extended and combined with the Matsuoka‐Nakai limit state criterion. The safety of an approximately infinite creeping slope can be estimated with the presented approach.
The Permian Kas Formation of SE Turkey—palynological correlation with strata from Saudi Arabia and Oman
Authors: Stolle Ellen , Yalçin M. Namik , Kavak Orhan
Published: March 2011

The Kas Formation in SE Turkey was deposited as part of the Permian sequence on the northern margin of the Arabian Plate. Its stratigraphic relationship to time‐equivalent strata of the Arabian Plate was mentioned briefly in previous studies, but has not been elaborated and illustrated in detail. This biostratigraphic review of existing palaeontological data has improved the accuracy of age interpretation for the Kas Formation, and the relationship of its excellent palynological record to the international Permian chronostratigraphic units. As a result, this study has identified a number of key palynological species from the Kas Formation, which occur as well as in the ‘Basal Khuff Clastics’ of Saudi Arabia and in the ‘Khuff transition section’ of Oman. All these units have approximately the same age: Wordian to early Capitanian, based on ‘age control’ provided by Foraminifera. This study also demonstrates that, by using key palynological taxa, correlation of strata would be possible across the entire Arabian Plate in this narrow time range. Hence, the ‘Oman and Saudi Arabia Palynological Zone 6’ (OSPZ6) is applicable throughout the Arabian Plate area, including the northern regions of SE Turkey and Iraq. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antitumor effect of sunitinib against skeletal metastatic renal cell carcinoma through inhibition of osteoclast function
Authors: Maita Shinya , Yuasa Takeshi , Tsuchiya Norihiko , Mitobe Yoko , Narita Shintaro , Horikawa Yohei , Hatake Kiyohiko , Fukui Iwao , Kimura Shinya , Maekawa Taira , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: March 2011

We investigated the inhibitory effect of sunitinib, a newly approved multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, against the progression of renal cell cancer (RCC) bone metastases in vivo. In vitro cell proliferation was determined using the MTS assay. To investigate the inhibitory effects of sunitinib in vivo, we established luciferase‐labeled ACHNLuc cells derived from papillary RCC. Mice in which ACHNLuc cells had been transplanted into the left ventricle to establish bone metastases were treated orally with 40 mg/kg/day sunitinib or vehicle control for 3 weeks. Growth of the cancer cells was monitored using an in vivo imaging system. In addition, 16 patients with metastatic RCC were treated with sunitinib, and serum and urine levels of amino‐terminal telopeptide (NTx) were measured as markers of bone resorption. Sunitinib did not inhibit the growth of RCC cells in vitro at clinically or experimentally achievable serum levels (100 nM–1 μM). To investigate the inhibitory effect of sunitinib in vivo, we established luciferase‐labeled human RCC cells (ACHNLuc). Sunitinib prevented the growth of ACHNLuc RCC cells in the bone metastatic mouse model. The number of osteoclasts in sunitinib‐treated mice was significantly less than that in control mice. Serum and urine levels of NTx in patients with metastatic RCC declined significantly during the first 4 weeks of sunitinib treatment (p = 0.027). Sunitinib is a potent anticancer agent for RCC bone metastases, at least for papillary RCC.
HtrA1 sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin‐induced cytotoxicity by targeting XIAP for degradation
Authors: He Xiaoping , Khurana Ashwani , Maguire Jacie L , Chien Jeremy , Shridhar Viji
Published: March 2011

HtrA1, a member of serine protease family, has been previously found to be involved in resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer although the underlying mechanism is not clear. Using mixture‐based oriented peptide library approach, previously we identified X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family, as a potential substrate of HtrA1. The aim of our work is to investigate the link between HtrA1 and XIAP proteins and their relationships with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Our results showed that recombinant XIAP was degraded by purified wild‐type HtrA1 but not mutant HtrA1 in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro data, coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that HtrA1 and XIAP formed a protein complex in vivo. Ectopic expression of HtrA1 led to decreased level of XIAP in OV167 and OV202 ovarian cancer cells, while knockdown of HtrA1 resulted in increased level of XIAP in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, overexpression of HtrA1 in OV202 cells promoted cell sensitivity to cisplatin‐induced apoptosis that could be reversed by increased expression of XIAP. The cleavage of XIAP induced by HtrA1 was enhanced by cisplatin treatment. Taken together, our experiments have identified XIAP as a novel substrate of HtrA1 and the degradation of XIAP by HtrA1 contributes to cell response to chemotherapy, suggesting that restoring the expression of HtrA1 may be a promising treatment strategy for ovarian cancer.
The significance of reflective supervision for infant mental health work
Authors: O'Rourke Patricia
Published: March 2011

Parent–infant work is inherently relational and occurs in the intersubjective space between parent, infant, and worker. This space can be charged with primitive, unmet needs of both parent and infant, and this in turn can trigger these same states in the worker. The challenge for workers is to remain open to being affected by and responsive to these feeling states when their own early and possibly preconscious responses and coping strategies are being stirred. If these remain out of awareness, they can manifest as avoidance and denial, and this can be reflected in the system and result in limited service delivery. This article emphasizes the significance of reflective supervision for parent–infant work and suggests that it needs to be an integral part of the system of service delivery. I am grateful to the infant mental health workers who allowed me to use examples of their work in this article, and thank Dr Jon Jureidini for his encouragement and support.
Characteristics of environments, caregivers, and children in three Central American orphanages
Authors: Groark Christina J. , McCall Robert B. , Fish Larry ,   THE WHOLE CHILD INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION TEAM
Published: March 2011

This study provides descriptive empirical information on the environments, organizational structure, caregivers, caregiver–child interactions, and children's general behavioral development and problem behaviors from three institutions for young children in Central America. While the institutions were clean, they were physically sparse and had Infant–Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS; T. Harms, D. Cryer, & R. Clifford, 2006) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS; T. Harms, R. Clifford, & D. Cryer, 2005) scores that averaged 1.62 (7 = highest). Caregivers provided routine caregiving with limited emotion, responsiveness, support, empathy, or guidance. Caregivers tended to work long hours and then were off 2 to 3 days, and children periodically graduated to new wards, so there was little stability of caregivers in children's lives. Children's average Battelle Developmental Inventory Total Developmental Quotient = 58 to 63, which would be considered mildly–moderately retarded in noninstitutional U.S. populations; no child scored >90, 80% scored <70, and nearly half scored <60. Children displayed high frequencies of indiscriminate friendliness, noncompliance, and provocative and aggressive/violent behaviors. These data and that of a few other studies represent the only comprehensive, empirical description of institutions for young children, which constitutes the independent variable (institutionalization) for a burgeoning literature on postinstitutional adopted children. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that a lack of warm, sensitive, contingently responsive interactions with relatively few consistently available caregivers may be a major contributor to delayed contemporary development and persistent deficits and problems observed in some postinstitutional adopted children and adolescents.
This is my baby: Foster parents' feelings of commitment and displays of delight
Authors: Bernard Kristin , Dozier Mary
Published: March 2011

This study examined the association between foster parents' commitment to their young foster children and the delight they showed in their interactions with children. Seventy foster parent–child dyads were included as participants. The dyads were videotaped during a play interaction when children were between 9 and 28 months, with delight coded on the basis of foster parents' responses to children. Caregivers were interviewed with the “This Is My Baby” Interview (B. Bates & M. Dozier, 1998), with commitment coded as the extent to which parents expressed interest in enduring relationships with their foster children and the extent to which they thought of them as their own. Regression analyses revealed that commitment was a significant predictor of foster parent delight. Foster parents who were more highly committed to their foster children showed greater delight in their children than did foster parents who were less highly committed. These results suggest an important way in which caregiver commitment is transmitted to foster children.
An evaluation of BMP‐2 delivery from scaffolds with miniaturized dental implants in a novel rat mandible model
Authors: Wen Bo , Karl Matthias , Pendrys David , Shafer David , Freilich Martin , Kuhn Liisa
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this study was three‐fold: (a) to develop a new small animal model to evaluate dental implant systems that recapitulates aspects of the challenging intraoral environment, (b) screen several scaffolds for in vivo bone forming efficacy when used to deliver non‐glycosylated bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) together with a miniaturized titanium (Ti) dental implant, and (c) identify correlations between in vitro BMP‐2 release rates and in vivo results. The scaffolds tested were: (1) collagen‐hydroxyapatite composite (Col/HA), (2) polyethylene glycol hydrogel (PEG‐hydrogel), and (3) Col/HA infused with PEG‐hydrogel (Col/HA/PEG‐hydrogel). BMP‐2 delivery directly from the Ti implants rather than from the scaffolds was also tested. MicroCT analyses at 4 weeks showed that the maximum volume and height of new bone occurred when BMP‐2 (10 μg) was delivered from the Col/HA/PEG‐hydrogel scaffolds. BMP‐2 delivery from the Ti implant was not as effective as from the scaffolds. While in vitro BMP‐2 release was highest for the PEG‐hydrogel, the scaffold most successful in vivo was the Col/HA/PEG‐hydrogel scaffold because it had the necessary mechanical strength to perform well in the mandibular bone environment. The in vitro release studies suggested a threshold dose of 5 μg which was borne out by the in vivo dose response studies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Effects of simulated microgravity on the development of the swimbladder and buoyancy control in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Lindsey Benjamin W. , Dumbarton Tristan C. , Moorman Stephen J. , Smith Frank M. , Croll Roger P.
Published: March 2011

The gas‐filled swimbladder of teleost fishes provides hydrodynamic lift which counteracts the high density of other body tissues, and thereby allows the fish to achieve neutral buoyancy with minimal energy expenditure. In this study, we examined whether the absence of a constant direction gravitational vector affects the ontogeny of the swimbladder and buoyancy control in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We exposed fertilized eggs to simulated microgravity (SMG) in a closed rotating wall vessel with control eggs placed in a similar but nonrotating container. All eggs hatched in both groups. At 96 hr of postfertilization (hpf), all larvae were removed from the experimental and control vessels. At this point, 62% of the control larvae, but only14% of SMG‐exposed larvae, were observed to have inflated their swimbladder. In addition, the mean volume of the inflated swimbladders was significantly greater in the control larvae compared with larvae raised in SMG. After transfer to open stationary observation tanks, larvae with uninflated swimbladders in both groups swam to the surface to complete inflation, but this process was significantly delayed in larvae exposed to SMG. Initial differences in swimbladder inflation and volume between groups disappeared by 144 hpf. Furthermore, there were no apparent changes in patterns of development and maturation of swimbladder musculature, vasculature, or innervation resulting from SMG exposure at later stages of ontogeny. These data indicate that, despite a transient delay in swimbladder inflation in zebrafish larvae exposed to SMG, subsequent swimbladder development in these animals proceeded similarly to that in normal larvae. J. Exp. Zool. 315:302–313, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tagging saccharides for signal enhancement in mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Chang Yu‐Ling , Liao Sylvain Kuo‐Shiang , Chen Ying‐Chu , Hung Wei‐Ting , Yu Hui‐Ming , Yang Wen‐Bin , Fang Jim‐Min , Chen Chung‐Hsuan , Lee Yuan Chuan
Published: March 2011

MALDI‐MS provides a rapid and sensitive analysis of large biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. However, oligo‐ and polysaccharides are less sensitive in MS analysis partly due to their neutral and hydrophilic nature to cause low ionization efficiency. In this study, four types of oligosaccharides including aldoses, aminoaldoses, alduronic acids and α‐keto acids were modified by appropriate tags at the reducing termini to improve their ionization efficiency. Bradykinin (BK), a vasoactive nonapeptide (RPPGFSPFR), containing two arginine and two phenylalanine residues turned out to be an excellent MS signal enhancer for maltoheptaose, GlcNAc oligomers and oligogalacturonic acids. In the MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis using 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5‐DHB) as the matrix, the GalA4–BK and GalA5–BK conjugates prepared by reductive amination showed the detection limit at 0.1 fmol, i.e. ∼800‐fold enhancement over the unmodified pentagalacturonic acids. The remarkable MS enhancement was attributable to the synergistic effect of the basic arginine residues for high proton affinity and the hydrophobic property phenylalanine residues for facile ionization. A tetrapeptide GFGR(OMe) and an arginine linked phenylenediamine (H2N)2Ph‐R(OMe) were thus designed to act as potent tags of oligosaccharides in MS analysis. Interestingly, concurrent condensation and lactonization of α2,8‐linked tetrasialic acid (SA4) was carried out with (H2N)2Ph‐R(OMe) to obtain a quinoxalinone derivative, which showed > 200‐fold enhancement over unmodified SA4 in the MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mass spectrometric analysis of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐(E)‐nonenal modificationof cytochrome c
Authors: Tang Xiaoxia , Sayre Lawrence M. , Tochtrop Gregory P.
Published: March 2011

Cytochrome c is a key mitochondrial respiratory protein that is particularly susceptible to modification during oxidative stress. The nature of this susceptibility is linked to the mitochondrial membrane being rich in esterified linoleic acid, which predisposes this organelle to the formation of lipid peroxidation products such as 4‐hydroxy‐2‐(E)‐nonenal (4‐HNE). To better understand the nature of cytochrome c modification by 4‐HNE, we initiated an in vitro study utilizing a combination of MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, LC‐ESI‐MS/MS and isotope labeling to monitor 4‐HNE modification of cytochrome c under various conditions. The overwhelming reaction observed is Michael addition by Lys side‐chains in addition to the modification of His 33. While the Lys‐4‐HNE adducts were generally observed to be reversible, the 4‐HNE‐His 33 was observed to be stable with half of the formed adduct surviving the denaturation and proteolysis protocols used to generate proteolytic peptides for LC–ESI‐MS/MS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of downwelling longwave irradiance under all‐sky conditions
Authors: Alados I. , Foyo‐Moreno I. , Alados‐Arboledas L.
Published: March 2011

This work is focused on the characterization and parameterisation of the downward atmospheric irradiance (LW) for clear and cloudy skies. LW is a component of the surface radiation budget that is present throughout the day. Unlike solar irradiance, LW is not measured routinely in extended networks, so it must be estimated indirectly. We evaluated five parameterisations for estimating LW under clear skies. After some consideration regarding the local fitting of the parameterisations, we analysed their different behaviour during day and night and propose a correction model for this effect. We use measurements registered at Tabernas (Spain) from 2001 to 2003. For the locally adjusted parameterisations the root mean square deviation (RMSD) and the mean bias deviation (MBD) are smaller than 5.7 and 0.6%, respectively. The combination of the more complex correction parameterisation of the day/night differences with the locally adjusted formula of Brutsaert and the original formula of Berdalh and Martin leads to estimations with RMSD below 3.1%. Using data registered at Palaiseau (France) the proposed parameterisations yields MBD close to 0% and RMSD below 3.2%. Cloudy conditions were analysed and two different approaches were used to estimate the cloud effect. Both approaches determine all sky LW using a clear‐sky formulae and a cloud modification factor, computed with the solar global irradiance on a horizontal surface. The results show that LW can be estimated under all‐sky conditions during the daytime with a RMSD of 5.8 and 6.2%, and a MBD of 1.6 and − 2.2% for the Crawford and Duchon scheme and the parameterisation in kt, respectively, at Tabernas. The application of the same parameterisations to Palaiseau yields RMSD of 6.7 and 7.7%, and MBD of − 2.5 and 0.7%. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Modified house‐keeping gene expression in a rat tail compression loading‐induced disc degeneration model
Authors: Yurube Takashi , Takada Toru , Hirata Hiroaki , Kakutani Kenichiro , Maeno Koichiro , Zhang Zhongying , Yamamoto Junya , Doita Minoru , Kurosaka Masahiro , Nishida Kotaro
Published: March 2011

House‐keeping genes (HKGs) are generally used as endogenous controls for molecular normalization in quantitative PCR analysis. However, whether all the so‐called HKGs are useful for intervertebral disc research is controversial. Our objective was, using a prevalidated rat tail static compression loading‐induced disc degeneration model, to clarify the feasibility of common HKGs for gene‐quantification in the nucleus pulposus cells. In real‐time RT‐PCR for five HKGs [β‐actin, β‐glucuronidase, β‐2 microglobulin, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)], static compression at 1.3 MPa for up to 56 days demonstrated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of consistent β‐2 microglobulin and GAPDH, slightly up‐regulated β‐glucuronidase, and fairly down‐regulated β‐actin and LDHA. Especially, β‐actin had a drastic suppression to 0.15‐fold in the loaded relative to unloaded discs at 7 days. In immunofluorescence, β‐actin showed a significant down‐regulation to almost undetectable levels from 28 days, while GAPDH was constantly detected throughout. β‐Actin mRNA and protein‐distribution are thought to be affected by the loading treatment, however, GAPDH mRNA and protein‐distribution can retain relatively stable expressions. Under prolonged static compression, β‐actin and probably LDHA are inappropriate, and GAPDH is a feasible HKG as internal references in the disc cells. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1284–1290, 2011
Effects of Graptopetalum paraguayense consumption on serum lipid profiles and antioxidative status in hypercholesteremic subjects
Authors: Yu‐Ling Lin , Hsin‐Yi Peng , Hui‐Min Hsieh , Ching‐Hsiu Lin , Su‐Tze Chou
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is known to be an important component of cellular damage regarding hypercholesterolemia and its complications. In vitro study had demonstrated that extracts of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther exhibited strong antioxidative activities. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of G. paraguayense consumption on antioxidative status and serum lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

RESULTS: Eighteen hypercholesterolemic subjects were instructed to consume 100 g G. paraguayense as a serving of vegetable daily for 8 consecutive weeks. After consumption, there were no changes in waist measurement, body mass index, body fat component, blood pressure, hepatic function (serum alanine aminotransferase activity), renal function (serum creatinine, uric acid) or fasting plasma glucose levels. Daily G. paraguayense consumption significantly increased ascorbic acid and α‐tocopherol levels and decreased malondialdehyde level in plasma. Furthermore, daily G. paraguayense consumption significantly increased glutathione levels, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in erythrocyte. However, there were no significant changes in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol after G. paraguayense consumption.

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that consumption of G. paraguayense may increase in vivo antioxidant activities and have some protective effects in decreasing oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐pressure microfluidisation‐induced changes in the antigenicity and conformation of allergen Ara h 2 purified from Chinese peanut
Authors: Hu Chun‐qiu , Chen Hong‐bing , Gao Jin‐yan , Luo Chun‐ping , Ma Xiao‐juan , Tong Ping
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is one of the most serious food allergies, and Ara h 2 is one of the most important peanut allergens as it is recognised by serum immunoglobulin E from more than 90% of peanut‐allergic individuals. Dynamic high‐pressure microfluidisation has been widely used in food processing as a new technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high‐pressure microfluidisation on the antigenicity and structure of Ara h 2. Extracted peanut allergen Ara h 2 was treated under a continuous pressure array of 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 MPa. Immunoreactivity was measured by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Secondary structure was analysed by circular dichroism. Surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl groups were assessed via fluorescence and UV absorption spectra respectively.

RESULTS: High‐pressure microfluidisation treatment decreased the antigenicity of peanut allergen Ara h 2, changed its secondary structure and increased its UV absorption intensity and surface hydrophobicity.

CONCLUSION: The change in conformation contributed to the decrease in antigenicity of Ara h 2, and the spatial conformation of peanut allergen Ara h 2 plays a critical role in its antigenicity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetic performance optimisation for liquid chromatography: Principles and practice
Authors: Causon Tim J. , Broeckhoven Ken , Hilder Emily F. , Shellie Robert A. , Desmet Gert , Eeltink Sebastiaan
Published: March 2011

This HPLC tutorial focuses on the preparation and use of kinetic plots to characterise the performance in isocratic and gradient LC. This graphical approach allows the selection of columns (i.e. optimum particle size and column length) and LC conditions (operating pressure and temperature) to generate a specific number of plates or peak capacity in the shortest possible analysis time. Instrument aspects including the influence of extra‐column effects (maximum allowable system volume) and thermal operating conditions (oven type) on performance are discussed. In addition, the performance characteristics of porous‐shell particle‐packed columns and monolithic stationary phases are presented and the potential of future column designs is discussed.
An isotopic approach to measuring nitrogen balance in caribou
Authors: Gustine David D. , Barboza Perry S. , Adams Layne G. , Farnell Richard G. , Parker Katherine L.
Published: March 2011

Nutritional restrictions in winter may reduce the availability of protein for reproduction and survival in northern ungulates. We refined a technique that uses recently voided excreta on snow to assess protein status in wild caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in late winter. Our study was the first application of this non‐invasive, isotopic approach to assess protein status of wild caribou by determining dietary and endogenous contributions of nitrogen (N) to urinary urea. We used isotopic ratios of N (δ15N) in urine and fecal samples to estimate the proportion of urea N derived from body N (p‐UN) in pregnant, adult females of the Chisana Herd, a small population that ranged across the Alaska‐Yukon border. We took advantage of a predator‐exclosure project to examine N status of penned caribou in April 2006. Lichens were the primary forage (>40%) consumed by caribou in the pen and δ15N of fiber tracked the major forages in their diets. The δ15N of urinary urea for females in the pen was depleted relative (−1.3 ± 1.0 parts per thousand [‰], ${\bar {x}}\pm {\rm SD}$) to the δ15N of body N (2.7 ± 0.7‰). A similar proportion of animals in the exclosure lost core body mass (excluding estimates of fetal and uterine tissues; 55%) and body protein (estimated by isotope ratios; 54%). This non‐invasive technique could be applied at various spatial and temporal scales to assess trends in protein status of free‐ranging populations of northern ungulates. Intra‐ and inter‐annual estimates of protein status could help managers monitor effects of foraging conditions on nutritional constraints in ungulates, increase the efficiency and efficacy of management actions, and help prepare stakeholders for potential changes in population trends. © 2010 The Wildlife Society.
Harvest regulations and artificial selection on horn size in male bighorn sheep
Authors: Hengeveld Pamela E. , Festa‐Bianchet Marco
Published: March 2011

Wild sheep in North America are highly prized by hunters and most harvest regulations restrict legal harvest to males with a specified minimum horn curl. Because reproductive success is skewed toward larger males that are socially dominant, these regulations may select against high‐quality, fast‐growing males. To evaluate potential selective effects of alternative management strategies, we analyzed horn increment measures of males harvested over 28 yr (1975–2003) in 2 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) ecotypes in British Columbia, Canada. Using mixed‐effect models we examined variation in hunter selection for horn size, early horn growth, and male age under different harvest regulations (Full Curl, Three Quarter Curl, Any Ram). Under all regulations, males with the greatest early horn growth were harvested at the youngest ages, before the age at which large horns influence reproductive success. Early growth decreased with harvest age and until ≥7 yr of age it was greatest in males harvested under Full Curl regulation. Permit type (General vs. Limited Entry Hunt) and hunter origin (British Columbia Resident vs. Non‐Resident) had little effect on horn size of harvested males. Full Curl regulations increased the average age of harvested males by <1 yr relative to Three‐Quarter Curl regulations. Age‐specific horn measures in the California ecotype harvested under Three‐Quarter Curl regulations declined over time but we observed no temporal declines in the Rocky Mountain ecotype, primarily harvested under Full Curl regulations. Management strategies that protect some males with greater early horn growth or provide harvest refuges to maintain genetic diversity are likely to reduce potential for negative effects of artificial selection. © 2010 The Wildlife Society
Life on the edge: Northern bobwhite ecology at the northern periphery of their range
Authors: Lohr Michael , Collins Bridget M. , Williams Christopher K. , Castelli Paul M.
Published: March 2011

Over the past 40 years, Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have declined range‐wide. The Mid‐Atlantic once held the highest densities in the country and now shows some of the worst declines. Although population parameters have been quantified throughout most of the bobwhite range, Mid‐Atlantic populations have been largely unstudied. To better quantify the dynamics of this declining system, we sought to not only gather annual data on home range, movement, and habitat selection, but also examine how some of these metrics might impact survival. We captured and radio‐tracked 154 bobwhites between May 2006 and April 2008 on a 125 km2 area of Cumberland County, New Jersey, USA. Seasonal daily movement ranged from 146 m to 158 m but several extreme movements were notable. Across seasons, grassland habitat was used in greater proportion to its availability, shrub‐scrub and agriculture habitats were used equally with their availability and forests and other habitats were used less than their availability. Differences in second‐order selection occurred between seasons with lower use of shrub‐scrub and forest habitats and higher use of other habitat in breeding seasons. Pooled breeding season survival was 0.343, nonbreeding season survival was 0.183, and annual survival was 0.063. Although mortality was dominated by avian predators, house cat mortalities were noteworthy. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that risk of breeding season mortality risk was increased by longer daily movement, lower grassland use, and higher forest and other use. During the nonbreeding season, risk of mortality increased with shorter daily movement and proximity to occupied buildings and barns. This information could inform management decisions in the greater Mid‐Atlantic as well as other areas of their range where they exist at very low abundances. © 2010 The Wildlife Society.
Bird community response to filter strips in Maryland
Authors: Blank Peter J. , Dively Galen P. , Gill Douglas E. , Rewa Charles A.
Published: March 2011

Filter strips are strips of herbaceous vegetation planted along agricultural field margins adjacent to streams or wetlands and are designed to intercept sediment, nutrients, and agrichemicals. Roughly 16,000 ha of filter strips have been established in Maryland through the United States Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. Filter strips often represent the only uncultivated herbaceous areas on farmland in Maryland and therefore may be important habitat for early‐successional bird species. Most filter strips in Maryland are planted to either native warm‐season grasses or cool‐season grasses and range in width from 10.7 m to 91.4 m. From 2004 to 2007 we studied the breeding and wintering bird communities in filter strips adjacent to wooded edges and non‐buffered field edges and the effect that grass type and width of filter strips had on bird community composition. We used 5 bird community metrics (total bird density, species richness, scrub‐shrub bird density, grassland bird density, and total avian conservation value), species‐specific densities, nest densities, and nest survival estimates to assess the habitat value of filter strips for birds. Breeding and wintering bird community metrics were greater in filter strips than in non‐buffered field edges but did not differ between cool‐season and warm‐season grass filter strips. Most breeding bird community metrics were negatively related to the percent cover of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) in ≥1 yr. Breeding bird density was greater in narrow (<30 m) compared to wide (>60 m) filter strips. Our results suggest that narrow filter strips adjacent to wooded edges can provide habitat for many bird species but that wide filter strips provide better habitat for grassland birds, particularly obligate grassland species. If bird conservation is an objective, avoid planting orchardgrass in filter strips and reduce or eliminate orchardgrass from filter strips through management practices. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management
Authors: Nichols James D. , Koneff Mark D. , Heglund Patricia J. , Knutson Melinda G. , Seamans Mark E. , Lyons James E. , Morton John M. , Jones Malcolm T. , Boomer G. Scott , Williams Byron K.
Published: March 2011

Climate change and its associated uncertainties are of concern to natural resource managers. Although aspects of climate change may be novel (e.g., system change and nonstationarity), natural resource managers have long dealt with uncertainties and have developed corresponding approaches to decision‐making. Adaptive resource management is an application of structured decision‐making for recurrent decision problems with uncertainty, focusing on management objectives, and the reduction of uncertainty over time. We identified 4 types of uncertainty that characterize problems in natural resource management. We examined ways in which climate change is expected to exacerbate these uncertainties, as well as potential approaches to dealing with them. As a case study, we examined North American waterfowl harvest management and considered problems anticipated to result from climate change and potential solutions. Despite challenges expected to accompany the use of adaptive resource management to address problems associated with climate change, we conclude that adaptive resource management approaches will be the methods of choice for managers trying to deal with the uncertainties of climate change. © 2010 The Wildlife Society.
Mobiles Laserschweißen im Fusionsreaktor
Authors: Lötzsch Susanne
Published: March 2011

„Zur Frage der Aufbaumöglichkeit der Elemente in Sternen”︁ — mit dieser wissenschaftlichen Publikation formulierten R. E. Atkinson und F. G. Houtermans Ende der 20er Jahre des letzten Jahrhunderts wesentliche Grundlagen der modernen Kernfusionsforschung. Heute, gut 80 Jahre später, hilft moderne Laserschweißtechnik bei der Erprobung der nächsten Ausbaustufe des Fusionsexperiments ASDEX Upgrade in Garching bei München. Die Energieerzeugung in der Sonne ist elementar für alles Leben auf der Erde und seit Jahrzehnten ein Schwerpunkt bei der Forschung nach zukünftigen Energiequellen.
Treatment of Nevus of Ota in Fitzpatrick skin type VI with the 1064‐nm QS Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Landau Jennifer M. , Vergilis‐Kalner Irene , Goldberg Leonard H. , Geronemus Roy G. , Friedman Paul M.
Published: March 2011

Background

Nevus of Ota is a pigmented lesion that usually presents at birth. Due to a greater risk for complications, physicians have not always utilized laser therapy to treat these nevi in patients with darker skin types.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the 1,064‐nm Q‐switched neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of Nevus of Ota in two patients with Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) VI.

Results

After 4–13 treatment sessions with the 1,064‐nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser with a 4 mm spot size and fluence of 4–4.2 J/cm2, two patients with FST VI noted substantial improvement in the appearance of the nevi.

Conclusion

At conservative treatment settings, these two case reports have shown that the 1,064‐nm QS Nd:YAG laser can be utilized to safely and effectively treat Nevus of Ota in individuals with FST IV–VI. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:65–67, 2011 © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.