bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of Crystallosolvates Comprising Nano‐Crystals of Stereocomplex in a Ternary Mixture of Poly(L‐lactide)/Poly(D‐lactide)/Diphenyl Ether
Authors: Nakajima Hajime , Wataoka Isao , Ohara Hitomi , Kimura Yoshiharu
Published: December 2009

Equal amounts of poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D‐lactide) (PDLA) were mixed with diphenyl ether (DE) at high temperature in DE‐to‐polymer composition from 0 to 80 wt.‐%. Cooling of the ternary mixtures produced white crystallosolvates without deposition of DE. Various analyses revealed that the crystallosolvates consisted of both homo‐chiral (hc) and stereocomplex (sc) crystals of PLLA and PDLA as well as amorphous domains involving DE. The crystallosolvate obtained at a DE content of 80 wt.‐%, comprised only the sc crystals. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that many granules having a size of 20 nm in diameter were formed from rod‐like hc crystallites and that the DE was slightly phase‐separated to form nano‐sized reservoirs. The stronger sc interaction between the PLLA and PDLA chains excluded DE from the polymer matrix.

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Different Effects of Water and Glycerol on Morphology and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Soy Protein Concentrate Blends
Authors: Liu Bo , Jiang Long , Liu Hongzhi , Sun Lili , Zhang Jinwen
Published: December 2009

When containing extra water, soy protein concentrate (SPC) can behave like a plastic melt rather than particulate filler in blending process. In this study, blends of formulated SPC and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were prepared. The effects of glycerol and water added to SPC on phase morphology, rheological, thermal, thermal‐dynamic, and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. The results demonstrated that water was more effective in gelating SPC and transforming it into a plastic than glycerol. With extra water added, SPC in the resulting blend existed as stretched threads with certain degree of interconnectivity between the threads. In contrast, with only glycerol added, SPC existed as large SPC agglomerates. Consequently, the blends made from extra water‐containing SPC exhibited higher mechanical, thermal‐dynamic, and rheological properties.

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A Novel Approach for Mixing ZnO Nanoparticles into Poly(ethyl methacrylate)
Authors: Agrawal Mukesh , Zafeiropoulos Nikolaos E. , Gupta Smrati , Svetushkina Ekaterina , Pionteck Jürgen , Pich Andrij , Stamm Manfred
Published: December 2009

A novel and versatile approach for the mixing of ZnO nanofillers into a host polymer matrix, poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), is reported. Firstly, ZnO nanoparticles are deposited onto the surface of polystyrene (PS) colloidal particles in a “raspberry‐like” fashion and subsequently obtained PS/ZnO composite particles are mixed into the PEMA matrix in the range of 0.5 to 5 wt.‐%. Microscopic analyses reveal a homogenous distribution of PS/ZnO domains into the PEMA matrix even at 5 wt.‐% loading level. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results indicate an improvement in thermal stability of PEMA matrix after mixing with PS/ZnO filler particles. A significant enhancement in mechanical properties of PEMA matrix in the presence of PS/ZnO particles has been evidenced by dynamic mechanical analysis and three point bending measurements.

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Reconstruction of large head and neck deformities: Experience with free gracilis muscle and myocutaneous flaps
Authors: Del Frari Barbara , Schoeller Thomas , Wechselberger Gottfried
Published: December 2009

Microvascular free flaps continue to revolutionize coverage options in head and neck reconstruction. The authors describe their experience with the gracilis free flap and the myocutaneous gracilis free flap with reconstruction of head and neck defects. Eleven patients underwent 12 free tissue transfer to the head and neck region. The reconstruction was performed with the transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap (n = 7) and the gracilis muscle flap with skin graft (n = 5). The average patient age was 63.4 years (range, 17–82 years). The indications for this procedure were tumor and haemangioma resections. The average patient follow‐up was 20.7 months (range, 1 month–5.7 years). Total flap survival was 100%. There were no partial flap losses. Primary wound healing occurred in all cases. Recipient site morbidities included one hematoma. In our experience for reconstruction of moderate volume and surface area defects, muscle flaps with skin graft provide a better color match and skin texture relative to myocutaneous or fasciocutaneous flaps. The gracilis muscle free flap is not widely used for head and neck reconstruction but has the potential to give good results. As a filling substance for large cavities, the transverse myocutaneus gracilis flap has many advantages including reliable vascular anatomy, relatively great plasticity and a concealed donor area. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
The bipedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap: Clinical experience with 53 patients
Authors: Karaaltin Mehmet Veli , Erdem Adnan , Canter Ibrahim , Çavdar Günay , Baghaki Semih
Published: December 2009

The Latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is a valuable workhorse of the microsurgeon, especially in closing large body defects. One of the pitfalls in harvesting the flap, is particularly in its inferior aspect which may be unreliable. Here we report a series of 53 patients who were undergone bipedicled free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flaps for extensive tissue defects. The age of patients were between 5 and 64 and all of them were males. The wound sizes in these patients ranged between 31–35 × 10–12 cm and flap dimensions were between 38–48 × 6–8 cm. Perforator branches of the 10th intercostal vessels were dissected and supercharged to the flaps to reduce the risk of ischemia of the inferior cutaneous extensions. The secondary pedicles were anastomosed to recipient vessels other than the primary pedicles. Recipient areas were consisted of lower extremities. Four patients suffered of early arterial failure in the major pedicle and all revisions were successfully attempted. Neither sign of venous congestion nor arterial insufficiency were observed at the inferior cutaneous extensions of the flaps, and all defects were reconstructed successfully. All donor sites were primarily closed, only two patients suffered from a minor area of superficial epidermal loss at the donor site, without suffering any adjunct complications. In conclusion coverage of large defects can be safely performed with extending the skin paddle of latissimus dorsi flap as a bipedicled free flap. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Brain temperature by Biosensor Imaging of Redundant Deviation in Shifts (BIRDS): comparison between TmDOTP5−and TmDOTMA−
Authors: Coman Daniel , Trubel Hubert K. , Hyder Fahmeed
Published: December 2009

Chemical shifts of complexes between paramagnetic lanthanide ions and macrocyclic chelates are sensitive to physiological variations (of temperature and/or pH). Here we demonstrate utility of a complex between thulium ion (Tm3+) and the macrocyclic chelate 1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetate (or DOTMA4−) for absolute temperature mapping in rat brain. The feasibility of TmDOTMA− is compared with that of another Tm3+‐containing biosensor which is based on the macrocyclic chelate 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐ 1,4,7,10‐tetrakis(methylene phosphonate) (or DOTP8−). In general, the in vitro and in vivo results suggest that Biosensor Imaging of Redundant Deviation in Shifts (BIRDS) which originate from these agents (but exclude water) can provide temperature maps with good accuracy. While TmDOTP5− emanates three major distinct proton resonances which are differentially sensitive to temperature and pH, TmDOTMA− has a dominant pH‐insensitive proton resonance from a CH3 group to allow higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) temperature assessment. Temperature (and pH) sensitivities of these resonances are practically identical at low (4.0T) and high (11.7T) magnetic fields and at nominal repetition times only marginal SNR loss is expected at the lower field. Since these resonances have extremely short relaxation times, high‐speed chemical shift imaging (CSI) is needed to detect them. Repeated in vivo CSI scans with BIRDS demonstrate excellent measurement stability. Overall, results with TmDOTP5− and TmDOTMA− suggest that BIRDS can be reliably applied, either at low or high magnetic fields, for functional studies in rodents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effect of quercetin on periodontal pathogens in vitro
Authors: Geoghegan F. , Wong R.W.K. , Rabie A.B.M.
Published: December 2009

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) are bacteria strongly associated with early onset, progressive and refractory periodontal disease and associated alveolar bone loss. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many foods including apples, onions and tea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of quercetin on in vitro growth of periodontal pathogens Aa and Pg. For comparison, quercetin's effect on several oral microbes was also evaluated.

Different concentrations of quercetin solution were added to calibrated suspensions of Aa and Pg. All suspensions were incubated for 1, 3, 6, and 24 h in an anaerobic chamber at 37°C. At each time point, selected dilutions from each culture broth were plated on blood agar plates. Colonies appearing on blood agar plates were visually counted on 3 days for Aa and 5 days for Pg. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of both periodontal pathogens were also determined.

Both periodontal bacteria showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in viable counts after 1 h. No colony forming units of Pg could be observed after 24 h. The results suggest that quercetin possesses significant antimicrobial properties on periodontal pathogens in vitro. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of olive leaf extract and its main component oleuroepin on acute ultraviolet B irradiation‐induced skin changes in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Sumiyoshi Maho , Kimura Yoshiyuki
Published: December 2009

Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves have long been used in folk medicine and herbal tea in Europe and the Mediterranean area. The Mediterranean climate is characterized by high temperatures, and by strong ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causing the skin to age, increasing wrinkling, pigmentation and skin thickness. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an olive leaf extract and its component oleuropein on skin damage caused by acute UVB irradiation in C57BL/6J mice. The extract (300 or 1000 mg/kg) and oleuropein (25 or 85 mg/kg) were administered orally twice daily for 14 days. UVB was administered daily at a dose of 120 mJ/cm2 for the first 5 days and then every other day for 9 days. Both treatments inhibited the increases in skin thickness induced by radiation. They also inhibited increases in the Ki‐67‐ and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine‐positive cell numbers, melanin granule area and matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) expression. These preventive effects on UVB‐induced skin damage might be caused in part by inhibiting the degradation of extracellular matrixes in the corium, and by the proliferation of epidermal cells through the inhibition of increases in MMP‐13 levels and reactive oxygen species induced by irradiation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persicarin from water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) protects primary cultured rat cortical cells from glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Ma Choong Je , Lee Ki Yong , Jeong Eun Ju , Kim Seung Hyun , Park Junghyun , Choi Yun Hee , Kim Young Choong , Sung Sang Hyun
Published: December 2009

The n‐BuOH fraction of O. javanica significantly protected the primary cultures of rat cortical cells exposed to glutamate. Four flavonoids yielded from this fraction through bioactivity‐guidance. The isolated compounds, identified as isorhamnetin (1), afzelin (2), hyperoside (3) and persicarin (4), were evaluated in vitro for their neuroprotective activity. Persicarin (4), the main constituent of O. javanica, showed significant neuroprotective activities in glutamate‐injured rat cortical cells. Persicarin diminished calcium influx and inhibited the subsequent overproduction of nitric oxide and intracellular peroxide. In addition, persicarin significantly restored the reduced activities of glutathione (GSH) reductase and glutathione peroxidase, and the contents of GSH induced by glutamate. These results support a conclusion that persicarin greatly contributes to the neuroprotective activities of O. javanica. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of some Tanzanian medicinal plants for their trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities
Authors: Nibret Endalkachew , Ashour Mohamed L. , Rubanza Chrispinus D. , Wink Michael
Published: December 2009

The objective of the present study was to evaluate in vitro antitrypanosomal and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts of 20 traditionally used medicinal plants of Tanzania. A total of 40 extracts (dichloromethane and methanol) were screened for antiproliferative activity of bloodstream form of T. b. brucei and human leukaemia HL‐60 cell. Inhibition of cell proliferation was assessed using resazurin as vital stain. Of the 40 extracts tested, the dichloromethane extract from bark of Warburgia salutaris (Canellaceae) exhibited the most potent antitrypanosomal activity with an IC50 value of 10.68 μg/ml. A dichloromethane extract from Lannea stuhlmannii (Anacardiaceae) was found to be the most cytotoxic extract against HL‐60 (IC50 = 27.15 μg/ml). Out of the 20 plants tested, 5 plants exhibited trypanocidal activity with IC50 values below 20 μg/ml. These 5 plants: Entandrophragma bussei (Meliaceae), Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae), Warburgia salutaris (Canellaceae), Zanha africana (Sapindaceae) and Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Rutaceae) could therefore serve as sources of lead compounds for treatment of trypanosomiasis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid identification of additives in poly(vinyl chloride) lid gaskets by direct analysis in real time ionisation and single‐quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Rothenbacher Thorsten , Schwack Wolfgang
Published: December 2009

Gaskets for lids of glass jars usually consist of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) containing plasticisers and additional additives, which may migrate into packed foodstuffs. To conform to legal regulations, any such migration has to be determined analytically, which is a big challenge due to the huge chemical variety of additives in use. Therefore, a rapid screening method by means of direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS), using a single‐quadrupole mass spectrometer, was developed. On introducing a plastisol sample into the DART interface, protonated molecules and ammonium adducts were obtained as the typical ionisation products of any additives present, and cleavages of ester bonds as typical fragmentation processes. Generally, additives present in the 1% range could be directly and easily identified if ion suppressive effects deriving from specific molecules did not occur. These effects could be avoided by analysing toluene extracts of plastisol samples, and this also improved the sensivity. Using this method, it was possible to identify phthalates, fatty acid amides, tributyl O‐acetylcitrate, dibutyl sebacate, bis(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate, 1,2‐diisononyl 1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylate, and even more complex additives like acetylated mono‐ and diacylglycerides, epoxidised soybean oil, and polyadipates, with a limit of detection of ≤1% in PVC plastisols. Only in the case of epoxidised linseed oil were levels of ≥5% required for identification. The detection of azodicarbonamide, used as a foaming agent within the manufacturing process, was possible in principle, but was not highly reproducible due to the very low concentrations in plastisols. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversity of non‐stoichiometric substitutions on the lipopolysaccharide of E. coli C demonstrated by electrospray ionization single quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Kojima Hisaki , Inagaki Minoru , Tomita Tsuyoshi , Watanabe Teruko
Published: December 2009

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of enterobacteria frequently contains various numbers of charged non‐stoichiometric substituents such as phosphate (P) and ethanolamine (EtN) groups and a third residue of 3‐deoxy‐D‐manno‐2‐octulosonic acid (KDO) on the R‐core polysaccharide backbone. These substituents can modify the biological activities of LPS including varying the stability of the outer membrane, tolerance to cationic antibiotics, pathogenicity, and sensitivity to enterobacteria bacteriophages. These diverse substituents can be clearly detected in degraded samples of LPS from E. coli C using electrospray ionization single quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI‐Q‐MS) from a 0.1 mg/mL solution in a 50:50 mixture of methanol and 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6.8). The O‐deacylated derivative showed multiple peaks of [M–3H]3− ions which corresponded to species having up to eight phosphates, two ethanolamines, and an additional KDO on the backbone of Hex5 Hep3 KDO2 GlcN2 C14:0(3‐OH)2. The major components of the O,N‐deacylated derivative were the species associated with four and five phosphates on Hex5 Hep3 KDO2 GlcN2. The polysaccharide portion of LPS also revealed species which corresponded to Hex5 Hep3 KDO associated with two to four phosphates and an ethanolamine. The present method was proved to be useful to investigate the structural diversity of enterobacterial LPS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid screening and confirmation of drugs and toxic compounds in biological specimens using liquid chromatography/ion trap tandem mass spectrometry and automated library search
Authors: Liu Hsiu‐Chuan , Liu Ray H. , Lin Dong‐Liang , Ho Hsiu‐O
Published: December 2009

Recent advances in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) technology have provided an opportunity for the development of more specific approaches to achieve the ‘screen’ and ‘confirmation’ goals in a single analytical step. For this purpose, this study adapts the electrospray ionization ion trap LC/MS/MS instrumentation (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) for the screening and confirmation of over 800 drugs and toxic compounds in biological specimens. Liquid‐liquid and solid‐phase extraction protocols were coupled to LC/ESI‐MS/MS using a 1.8‐µm particle size analytical column operated at 50°C. Gradient elution of the analytes was conducted using a solvent system composed of methanol and water containing 0.1% formic acid. Positive‐ion ESI‐MS/MS spectra and retention times for each of the 800 drugs and toxic compounds were first established using 1–10 µg/mL standard solutions. This spectra and retention time information was then transferred to the library and searched by the identification algorithm for the confirmation of compounds found in test specimens – based on retention time matches and scores of fit, reverse fit, and purity resulting from the searching process. The established method was found highly effective when applied to the analyses of postmortem specimens (blood, urine, and hair) and external proficiency test samples provided by the College of American Pathology (CAP). The development of this approach has significantly improved the efficiency of our routine laboratory operation that was based on a two‐step (immunoassay and GC/MS) approach in the past. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards security architecture for Home (evolved) NodeB: challenges, requirements and solutions
Authors: Rajavelsamy R. , Lee Jicheol , Choi Sungho
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we evaluate the options for a viable security architecture for the 3GPP Home (evolved) NodeB (H(e)NB) and present the trade‐off between the level of security provided and the associated cost of a H(e)NB device. Low cost of the H(e)NB device is one of the key factors to achieve high market penetration and the major contributor to the cost of the H(e)NB device is the security architecture. It is of interest to analyse the security challenges, security requirements and security mechanisms for (i) H(e)NB authentication, (ii) provisioning of security credentials, (iii) backhaul link protection, (iv) location verification and (v) user access control in the H(e)NB. It is required that the H(e)NB architecture mitigates the threats foreseen by opting a comprehensive security mechanisms amenable to both the operators and the subscribers, while satisfying the acceptable level of security required. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Providing key recovery capability for mobile communications
Authors: Chu Xiaowen , Jiang Yixin , Lin Chuang , Yin Hao , Li Bo
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we propose a novel security scheme with key recovery capability for mobile communications. The proposed key recovery mechanism offers a “backdoor” for an authorized agency to monitor suspected communications while protecting legal users from unauthorized disclosure of their data privacy. All the features form a unitary security scheme with monitoring service. The performance analysis shows that our scheme has a low‐computational complexity and it can be practically deployed on contemporary mobile devices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of solid standards prepared by freeze‐drying
Authors: Dang T. A. , Lunk H.‐J. , Roychowdhury S. , Frisk T. A. , Bard T. J.
Published: December 2009

Solid standards prepared by freeze‐drying consistently showed a high degree of homogeneity. The freezing process, completed in fractions of a second, preserves the original homogeneous distribution of the dopants, and the subsequent sublimation step would minimize any disturbance. Compared to those prepared by conventional methods such as blending and spiking, freeze‐dried standards exhibited superior lateral distribution and better uniform depth distribution. There is, however, a concentration constraint for achieving homogeneity. At 5% doping, segregation was observed in both lateral and depth distribution. Many tungsten standards doped with 10–28 elements ranging from 10 to 200 ppm were successfully prepared and used as controls for a number of analytical techniques including glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) and d.c.‐arc optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HDL‐Mimicking Peptide–Lipid Nanoparticles with Improved Tumor Targeting
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Chen Juan , Ding Lili , Jin Honglin , Lovell Jonathan F. , Corbin Ian R. , Cao Weiguo , Lo Pui‐Chi , Yang Mi , Tsao Ming‐Sound , Luo Qingming , Zheng Gang
Published: December 2009

Targeted delivery of intracellularly active diagnostics and therapeutics in vivo is a major challenge in cancer nanomedicine. A nanocarrier should possess long circulation time yet be small and stable enough to freely navigate through interstitial space to deliver its cargo to targeted cells. Herein, it is shown that by adding targeting ligands to nanoparticles that mimic high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), tumor‐targeted sub‐30‐nm peptide–lipid nanocarriers are created with controllable size, cargo loading, and shielding properties. The size of the nanocarrier is tunable between 10 and 30 nm, which correlates with a payload of 15–100 molecules of fluorescent dye. Ligand‐directed nanocarriers targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. The nanocarriers show favorable circulation time, tumor accumulation, and biodistribution with or without the targeting ligand. The EGFR targeting ligand is proved to be essential for the EGFR‐mediated tumor cell uptake of the nanocarriers, a prerequisite of intracellular delivery. The results demonstrate that targeted HDL‐mimetic nanocarriers are useful delivery vehicles that could open new avenues for the development of clinically viable targeted nanomedicine.
Delta opioid peptide DADLE and naltrexone cause cell cycle arrest and differentiation in a CNS neural progenitor cell line
Authors: Tsai Shang‐Yi , Lee Chung‐Ting , Hayashi Teruo , Freed William J. , Su Tsung‐Ping
Published: December 2009

Opioids have been demonstrated to play an important role in CNS development by affecting proliferation and differentiation in various types of neural cells. This study examined the effect of a stable delta opioid peptide [D‐Ala(2), D‐Leu(5)]‐enkephalin (DADLE) on proliferation and differentiation in an AF5 CNS neural progenitor cell line derived from rat mesencephalic cells. DADLE (1 pM, 0.1 nM, or 10 nM) caused a significant growth inhibition on AF5 cells. The opioid antagonist naltrexone at 0.1 nM also caused growth inhibition in the same cells. When DADLE and naltrexone were both added to the AF5 cells, the resultant growth inhibition was apparently additive. DADLE alone or DADLE in combination with naltrexone did not cause apoptosis as evidenced by negative TUNEL staining. The cell‐cycle progression analysis indicated that both DADLE (0.1 nM) and naltrexone (0.1 nM) caused an arrest of AF5 cell cycle progression at the G1 checkpoint. Neuronal marker indicated that DADLE‐ or naltrexone‐treated AF5 cells tend to differentiate more when compared to controls. Results demonstrate the nonopioid action of both DADLE and naltrexone on cell cycle arrest and differentiation in a CNS neural progenitor cell line. Results also suggest some potential utilization of DADLE and/or naltrexone in stem cell research. Synapse 64:267–273, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trans‐Free Plastic Shortenings Prepared with Palm Stearin and Rice Bran Oil Structured Lipid
Authors: Jennings Brenda H. , Akoh Casimir C.
Published: December 2009

Rice bran oil structured lipid (RBOSL) was produced from rice bran oil (RBO) and the medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), caprylic acid, with Lipozyme RM IM as biocatalyst. RBOSL and RBO were mixed with palm stearin (PS) in ratios of 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 v/v (RBOSL to PS) to formulate trans‐free shortenings. Fatty acid profiles, solid fat content (SFC), melting and crystallization curves and crystal morphology were determined. The content of caprylic acid in shortening blends with RBOSL ranged from 9.92 to 22.14 mol%. Shortening blends containing 30:70 and 60:40 RBOSL or RBO and PS had fatty acid profiles similar to a commercial shortening (CS). SFCs for blends were within the desired range for CS of 10–50% at 10–40 °C. Shortening blends containing higher amounts of RBOSL or RBO had melting and crystallization curves similar to CS. All shortening blends contained primarily β′ crystals. RBOSL blended with PS was comparable to RBO in producing shortenings with fatty acid profiles, SFC, melting and crystallization profiles and crystal morphologies that were similar. RBOSL blended with PS can possibly provide healthier alternative to some oils currently blended with PS and commercial shortening to produce trans‐free shortening because of the health benefits of the MCFA in RBOSL.
A Modified Coupled Enzyme Method for O-linked GlcNAc Transferase Activity Assay
Authors: Zhang Lianwen , Ren Feifei , Li Jing , Ma Xiaofeng , Wang Peng
Published: December 2009

In order to determine the activity of O-linked GlcNAc transferase (OGT), a modified coupled enzyme method was proposed. This method was based on the measurement of uridine 5'-(trihydrogen diphosphate) (UDP), a product generated in transglycosylation reaction. In the assay, UDP was coupled to the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate using pyruvate kinase. Using a commercial pyruvate assay kit, the pyruvate was converted to a red terminal product, which could be photometrically measured at 570 nm or fluorometrically measured at 587 nm (E
m = 535 nm) on a microplate reader. Kinetic study of a truncated recombinant mOGT and quantitative analysis of OGT in two biological samples indicated that this method was practical and competitive for quantitative analysis of OGT.
A Practical Guide to Rodent Islet Isolation and Assessment
Authors: Carter Jeffrey D , Dula Stacey B , Corbin Kathryn L , Wu Runpei , Nunemaker Craig S
Published: December 2009

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans secrete hormones that are vital to the regulation of blood glucose and are, therefore, a key focus of diabetes research. Purifying viable and functional islets from the pancreas for study is an intricate process. This review highlights the key elements involved with mouse and rat islet isolation, including choices of collagenase, the collagenase digestion process, purification of islets using a density gradient, and islet culture conditions. In addition, this paper reviews commonly used techniques for assessing islet viability and function, including visual assessment, fluorescent markers of cell death, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and intracellular calcium measurements. A detailed protocol is also included that describes a common method for rodent islet isolation that our laboratory uses to obtain viable and functional mouse islets for in vitro study of islet function, beta-cell physiology, and in vivo rodent islet transplantation. The purpose of this review is to serve as a resource and foundation for successfully procuring and purifying high-quality islets for research purposes.
The role of siblings in identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood
Authors: Wong Thessa M.L. , Branje Susan J.T. , VanderValk Inge E. , Hawk Skyler T. , Meeus Wim H.J.
Published: December 2009

This study examined the role of siblings on identity formation in adolescence and emerging adulthood, using a three‐wave longitudinal design. Measures of identity formation were filled out by 498 sibling dyads. Sibling effects differed as a function of age and gender configuration within the dyads. Controlled for age, earlier‐born siblings reported the most advanced levels of identity formation, and later‐born siblings the lowest. Positive relations between siblings' identity and changes in identity of respondents provided support for modeling processes between siblings. The identity of earlier‐born same‐sex siblings, in particular, tends to be important in influencing identity formation. Contrary to the expectations, differentiation processes between siblings did not appear to influence identity formation. It is apparent from this study that both the gender and birth order of siblings affect whether their own identity formation processes influence those of adolescents and emerging adults.
Consumer Protocol Evidence against Ehrenberg's “Stochastic” Theory of Brand Associations
Authors: Rossiter John R.
Published: December 2009

This small-scale experiment includes analysis of consumers’ open-ended protocols and provides conclusive evidence disproving Ehrenberg's theory that brand-attribute associations are very unstable because consumers generate them probabilistically each time. The distribution of stable associations corresponds closely with deterministic brand positioning theory.
The role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in different animal models of neuropathic pain
Authors: Vanelderen Pascal , Rouwette Tom , Kozicz Tamas , Roubos Eric , Van Zundert Jan , Heylen Rene , Vissers Kris
Published: December 2009

Even in present day pain therapy, neuropathic pain remains a challenge for clinicians to treat and a challenge for researchers to investigate. Different animal models have been developed to mimic neuropathic pain. Neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 3 have been studied extensively in these models, yet few review articles concerning brain‐derived neurotrophic factor have been published. This article reassesses the literature concerning brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in the sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury model, the sciatic nerve transection model, the spinal nerve ligation model and the spinal nerve transection model and discusses differences in regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor between these models and their causality with neuropathic pain.
A content analysis of ideal, ought, and feared selves in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Kindermans Hanne P. , Goossens Marielle E. , Roelofs Jeffrey , Huijnen Ivan P. , Verbunt Jeanine A. , Morley Stephen , Vlaeyen Johan W.
Published: December 2009

Patients with chronic pain are not only faced with disabilities but are also challenged to maintain a valued sense of self. This sense of self is in part determined by the extent to which patients can accomplish their identity‐related goals. The present study explores the content of three domains of the self, namely the ideal, ought and feared self and examines how the content relates to disability and depression.

The ideal, ought and feared attributes of 80 chronic low back pain patients were analyzed and categorized in eight general goal‐domains: interpersonal attributes, personal abilities, physical, emotional and psychological well‐being, close interpersonal relationships, self‐expression abilities, achievement‐related attributes, physical appearance, and religion. Results showed that most of the attributes that patients generated involved interpersonal attributes. Comparisons between the self‐guides revealed that ideal attributes were more intrapersonally focused while ought and feared attributes were interpersonally focused. The content appeared to be related to disability but not to depression. More specifically, the more disabled patients were, the more they listed well‐being related attributes as part of their ought self. None of the other goal‐domains was related to disability or depression.

The present study provides additional insight into the goals of patients with chronic pain at the level of identity and has shown that these are, at least in part, related to the level of functional disability. These results might be useful for future studies incorporating the role of identity in chronic pain, such as psychological interventions.
Interleukin‐6 induces microglial CX3CR1 expression in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury through the activation of p38 MAPK
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Min , Jeon Sang‐Min , Cho Hee‐Jung
Published: December 2009

Peripheral nerve injury leading to neuropathic pain induces the upregulation of interleukin (IL)‐6 and microglial CX3CR1 expression, and activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the spinal cord. Here, we investigated whether IL‐6 regulates CX3CR1 expression through p38 MAPK activation in the spinal cord in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Similar temporal changes in the expression of IL‐6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and CX3CR1 were observed following CCI. The increases in CX3CR1 expression, p38 MAPK activation and pain behavior after CCI were suppressed by blocking IL‐6 action with a neutralizing antibody, while they were enhanced by supplying exogenous recombinant rat IL‐6 (rrIL‐6). rrIL‐6 also induced increases in spinal CX3CR1 expression, p38 MAPK activation and pain behavior in naïve rats without nerve injury. Furthermore, treatment with the p38 MAPK‐specific inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed the increase in CX3CR1 expression induced by CCI or rrIL‐6 treatment. Finally, blocking CX3CR1 or p38 MAPK activation prevented the development of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by CCI or rrIL‐6 treatment. These results suggest a new mechanism of neuropathic pain, in which IL‐6 induces microglial CX3CR1 expression in the spinal cord through p38 MAPK activation, enhancing the responsiveness of microglia to fractalkine in the spinal cord, thus playing an important role in neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury.
Globotriaosyl ceramide receptor function – Where membrane structure and pathology intersect
Authors: Lingwood C.A. , Binnington B. , Manis A. , Branch D.R.
Published: December 2009

The glycosphingolipid globotriaosyl ceramide, (Galα1‐4Galß1‐4 glucosyl ceramide‐Gb3) also known as CD77 and the Pk blood group antigen, is bound by both verotoxins and by the HIV adhesin, gp120. Gb3 plays an important receptor role in VT induced hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and HIV infection. The organization of glycolipids, including Gb3, into lipid rafts is central to both pathologies. The fatty acid heterogeneity within the Gb3 lipid moiety plays a central role in assembly within such ordered domains. Differential binding of verotoxins and gp120 to such Gb3 isoforms in model and cell membranes indicates a significant role in the eventual pathogenic outcome. HUS may provide the first example whereby membrane Gb3 organization provides a predictor for tissue selective in vivo pathology.
Risk factors and management patterns for emergency obstetric hysterectomy over 2 decades
Authors: Lone Farah , Sultan Abdul H. , Thakar Ranee , Beggs Andrew
Published: December 2009

Objective

To review the demographic characteristics of patients, risk factors, indications, and complications of emergency obstetric hysterectomy (EOH), and to determine the changing trends in EOH over the last 2 decades.

Methods

A retrospective review of all consecutive cases of EOH over the last 20 years at Mayday University Hospital, UK.

Results

There were 84 698 deliveries between January 1989 and January 2009. Fifty‐two women had an EOH, with an incidence of 0.6 per 1000 deliveries. The underlying cause of EOH was uncontrolled primary hemorrhage in 50 (96.2%) women and severe sepsis leading to secondary hemorrhage in 2 (3.8%) women. A total of 38 (73%) EOHs were performed for intractable bleeding after cesarean delivery. Twenty‐five EOHs were performed in the first decade, and 27 EOHs were performed in last decade.

Conclusion

Despite the introduction of pharmacologic agents and new surgical techniques to control postpartum hemorrhage, there was no reduction in the prevalence of EOH. Previous cesarean delivery with associated placenta previa or placenta accreta was a major contributor toward EOH.
Registration of the Religion of Children under the Irish Poor Law, 1838–1870
Authors: COUSINS MEL
Published: December 2009

There were obvious tensions inherent in the fact that in nineteenth-century Ireland, while the majority of the population was Catholic, the state religion was Protestant. This had numerous effects on Irish political and social history, including the administration of the poor law. This article looks at one of the religious issues involved in the operation of the poor law: the registration of children (of unknown religion) on admission to the workhouse. The Irish attorney-general had ruled that they should be registered as Protestant. However, local boards of guardians often objected strongly to this. This article outlines and analyses the struggles which took place between the different interests involved.
Luther's Theology of the Cross Fifteen Years after Heidelberg: Lectures on the Psalms of Ascent
Authors: KOLB ROBERT
Published: December 2009

Luther's hermeneutical principles labelled ‘the theology of the cross’, developed in his ‘Heidelberg theses’ of 1518, continued to guide his formulation of biblical teaching throughout his career. In lectures on the Psalms of ascent (1532–3), under quite different circumstances, Luther claimed again that ‘Our theology is a theology of the cross’. Five elements of his Heidelberg theologia crucis guided his interpretation in these lectures. The distinction of the hidden and the revealed God, the focus on Christ's atoning sacrifice for sin, the reliance on faith in God's Word rather than human reason, God's working ‘under the appearance of opposites’ and the suffering involved in battling Satan shape his treatment of many passages in the lectures on Psalms cxx–cxxxiv.
Revisiting Taylor's hypothesis
Authors: MOIN P.
Published: December 2009

Taylor's hypothesis, relating temporal to spatial fluctuations in turbulent flows is investigated using powerful numerical computations by del Álamo & Jiménez (J. Fluid Mech., 2009, this issue, vol. 640, pp. 5–26). Their results cast doubt on recent interpretations of bimodal spectra in relation to very large-scale turbulent structures in experimental measurements in turbulent shear flows.
A Brazilian Counterweight: Music, Intellectual Property and the African Diaspora in Rio de Janeiro (1910s–1930s)
Authors: HERTZMAN MARC ADAM
Published: December 2009

This article treats Tio Faustino, a little-known samba musician and Afro-Brazilian religious leader living in Rio de Janeiro, as an entry point for exploring larger questions about Brazil and the African Diaspora. The inquiry expands outward from Tio Faustino to Rio's early twentieth-century markets in ‘African’ commodities, the city's nascent music industry and the growing call to defend intellectual property rights in Brazil. In order to advance their careers, Tio Faustino and other artists accessed nationalist sentiment in ways that highlighted differences rather than commonalities with African-descended peoples elsewhere. In this way, Brazil's global standing and its colonial history and post-colonial trajectory functioned as a counterweight to transnational and diasporic connections. These findings deepen, rather than completely unseat, recent trends in diaspora and transnational studies.
From John 2.19 to Mark 15.29: The History of a Misunderstanding
Authors: Rojas-Flores Gonzalo
Published: December 2009

Against the consensus that John 2.19 alludes to the destruction of the temple and is dependent on Synoptic traditions, it is argued here that: (a) there is some interdependence between the Johannine and Synoptic sayings on temple destruction, but not so as to posit Johannine use of Synoptic material; (b) Jesus' saying in John 2.19 does not refer to the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, but to his death and resurrection (proof of his temple-cleansing authority), formulated in distinctively and exclusively Johannine terms; (c) Mark takes Jesus to have predicted the destruction of the temple, but the notion that he also predicted its rebuilding (Mark 15.29) can be explained only as a distorted version of John 2.19, known to Mark via a source hostile to Jesus.
Kaisertum und Kaiserkult: Ein Vergleich zwischen PhilosLegatio ad Gaiumund derOffenbarung des Johannes
Authors: Gradl Hans-Georg
Published: December 2009

In face of the religious and cultic claims of the Roman emperors, Philo (Legatio ad Gaium) and Revelation develop contrasting perspectives in positioning their respective religious communities within the cultural majority of their day. The Alexandrian Jew Philo opts for critical integration and social cohabitation—a solution that is conventionally ascribed to early Christianity. John pleads strongly for the self-isolation of the Christian minority groups in the Province of Asia—a solution conventionally ascribed to Jewish self-definition in the Tannaitic period. The article illustrates this remarkable exchange of religious and social self-conceptualisations in both authors. Social rather than religious boundaries determine the framework in which the Roman Empire and its ruler are conceptualised, literary reactions are developed, and strategic alternatives are formed.
Early childhood language memory in the speech perception of international adoptees
Authors: OH JANET S. , AU TERRY KIT-FONG , JUN SUN-AH
Published: December 2009

It is as yet unclear whether the benefits of early linguistic experiences can be maintained without at least some minimal continued exposure to the language. This study compared 12 adults adopted from Korea to the US as young children (all but one prior to age one year) to 13 participants who had no prior exposure to Korean to examine whether relearning can aid in accessing early childhood language memory. All 25 participants were recruited and tested during the second week of first-semester college Korean language classes. They completed a language background questionnaire and interview, a childhood slang task and a Korean phoneme identification task. Results revealed an advantage for adoptee participants in identifying some Korean phonemes, suggesting that some components of early childhood language memory can remain intact despite many years of disuse, and that relearning a language can help in accessing such a memory.
Hearing Indigenous Voices, Protecting Indigenous Knowledge
Authors: Recht Jo
Published: December 2009

In a rapidly globalizing world, indigenous knowledge is in mortal danger, and it will require new forms of intellectual property protection to save it. There are fundamental incongruities between Western intellectual property law and indigenous knowledge that prevent the current international intellectual property framework from fully comprehending or addressing the contexts and needs of indigenous knowledge. This article will review the history of international and regional initiatives to develop protection for indigenous knowledge. It will consider the geopolitical context that has informed discussions about protecting the intangible wealth of indigenous peoples, including the recent addition of articulate and impassioned indigenous voices to the conversation. Finally, this article will discuss some of the concerns that have been raised about subjecting indigenous knowledge to a system of formal legal regulation.
Changes in the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis B virus after introduction of a hepatitis B vaccination programme in Korea
Authors: JEONG S. H. , YIM H. W. , YOON S. H. , JEE Y. M. , BAE S. H. , LEE W. C.
Published: December 2009

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are endemic in Korea. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of HBsAg positivity in Korea and to evaluate the changes in intrafamilial transmission after introduction of HBV vaccination in 1983. This study was based on the 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2512 study subjects, aged 10–29 years, were selected from across Korea using a stratified multi-stage probability sampling design. To identify the changes in intrafamilial transmission after the introduction of the HBV vaccination programme, 1850 subjects with parental serological markers were selected. These subjects were then grouped into two birth cohorts (cohort 1: born before 1983; cohort 2: born after 1983). Appropriate sampling weights were used for all analyses. The weighted age-specific prevalence of HBsAg was 4·9% in participants in their 20s and 1·9% in adolescents; the combined weighted prevalence was 3·2%. Of subjects with HBsAg positivity in either parent, 17·5% were HBsAg-seropositive. Of subjects with two HBsAg-negative parents, 1·5% were HBsAg-seropositive. The HBsAg positivity rate of offspring with HBsAg-positive mothers was higher than those with HBsAg-positive fathers (27·3% vs. 4·8%, P<0·001). The weighted HBsAg positivity rate of offspring with HBsAg-negative mothers was 2·3% for cohort 1 and 0·4% for cohort 2 (P<0·01), and for those offspring with HBsAg-positive mothers it was also significantly decreased compared to cohorts 1 and 2 (40·2% vs. 16·4%, P<0·01). However, the weighted HBsAg positivity rate of offspring with HBsAg-positive mothers was still high. Our results showed that introduction of HBV vaccination has resulted in a decline in the overall HBsAg positivity rate and a reduction in intrafamilial transmission in Korea, but further preventive measures for maternal intrafamilial transmission are needed.