bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintaining glycemic control when transitioning from infusion insulin: A protocol‐driven, multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Ramos Pedro , Childers Diana , Maynard Greg , Box Kevin , Namba Jennifer , Stadalman Kelli , Renvall Marian
Published: October 2010

Background:

An observational pilot study of 41 medical and surgical intensive care patients on infusion insulin at our own institution found that glycemic control rapidly deteriorated within 48 hours of stopping infusion insulin. This prompted the design and testing of a transition protocol.

Methods:

The transition protocol identified appropriate patients for subcutaneous (SC) insulin along with the insulin dose and schedule. A pharmacist‐hospitalist improvement team offered protocol guidance but adherence was left to the discretion of the provider. The primary endpoints were mean blood glucose the first and second day after stopping the insulin infusion and the number of patients with hypoglycemia (41‐70 mg/dL) and severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) during the 48‐hour transition. Secondary endpoints include severe hyperglycemia (>300 mg/dL), length of stay (LOS), re‐initiation of the infusion insulin, day‐weighted glucose mean 12 days following transition for patients with diabetes, and identification of a new diagnosis of diabetes.

Results:

Patients with diabetes transitioned by protocol (n = 33) had better glycemic control than those (n = 39) transitioned without the protocol (Day 1 population glucose mean of 168 mg/dL vs. 211 mg/dL [P<0.001], Day 2 means of 176 mg/dL vs 218 mg/dL [P<0.001]). Severe hypoglycemia occurred once in each group. There were 14 patients newly diagnosed with diabetes based on an A1c ≥6%. Patients with stress hyperglycemia maintained good glycemic control with correctional insulin only.

Conclusion:

Protocol adherence improved glycemic control, reduced unnecessary use of insulin, and identified patients with previously undiagnosed diabetes, without any increase in hypoglycemia. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Nitric oxide reduces the stress effects of aluminum on the process of germination and early root growth of rice
Authors: Peres da Rocha Oliveiros Marciano Danielle , Toledo Ramos Flávia , Neiva Alvim Marina , Ronaldo Magalhaes Jose , Giovanni Costa França Marcel
Published: October 2010

The present study examined the action of nitric oxide (NO) on the germination process of rice seeds and early root growth under aluminum (Al) stress. Seeds and seedlings of two rice genotypes, with different levels of sensitivity to aluminum stress, were examined after treatment with Al and NO or only with Al. Further, the histochemical localization of Al and NO was performed on the root tissues. In both genotypes, NO was able to neutralize the inhibitory Al effects on germination. In the roots of seedlings, a reduction of Al toxicity as mediated by NO was indicated by an increased root elongation and a reduction of Al accumulation on the root surface in the Al hematoxylin complexation, irrespective of the genotype. The histolocalization of NO in roots using diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF‐2DA) and confocal microscopy revealed endogenous Al‐induced levels of NO. It is concluded that NO can alleviate Al stress in the seedlings of the studied rice genotypes by improving germination and early root growth and is likely to play a role in a specific stress‐signaling pathway.
Hydrophobic Polyphenylalanine‐Grafted Hyperbranched Polyethylenimine and its in vitro Gene Transfection
Authors: Xia Jialiang , Chen Lei , Chen Jie , Tian Huayu , Li Feifan , Zhu Xiaojuan , Li Gao , Chen Xuesi
Published: October 2010

A series of amphiphilic multi‐armed PPn copolymers were prepared by ROP of Phe‐NCA with PEI‐25k as a macroinitiator. The particle size of the PPn/DNA complexes was about 100 nm and the zeta potentials were below 20 mV. An MTT assay demonstrated that all the PPn copolymers had lower cytotoxicity compared to PEI‐25k. In vitro gene transfection studies were also conducted in HeLa, 293 and CT 26 cells. The optimal quantity of hydrophobic phenylalanine segments in PP80 led to higher transfection efficiency in various cell lines based on this study. The results indicate that PP80 was the best candidate for gene delivery among these PPn copolymers.

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Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites Produced via Impregnation of Long Carbon Nanotube Forests
Authors: Silva Glaura G. , Rodrigues Marco‐Tulio F. , Fantini Cristiano , Borges Raquel S. , Pimenta Marcos A. , Carey Brent J. , Ci Lijie , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: October 2010

TPU was infiltrated into vertically aligned, 3.5 mm‐long MWNT forests to produce continuously reinforced anisotropic nanocomposites, and thermomechanical and electrical testing has revealed multifunctionality which shows promise for numerous applications. A 1000% increase in the storage modulus at 70 °C was observed as compared to the neat TPU, and these continuously aligned composites showed electrical conductivity two orders‐of‐magnitude greater (≈1.5 S · cm−1) than randomly aligned composites prepared using CNTs from these forests. The heightened improvement for the continuously reinforced composite appears to be owed to the extremely high aspect ratio of these CNTs and the interconnected network which remains after infiltration.

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Regulation of FGF‐2 by an endogenous antisense RNA: Effects on cell adhesion and cell‐cycle progression
Authors: MacFarlane Leigh‐Ann , Murphy Paul R.
Published: October 2010

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) and its endogenous antisense RNA FGF antisense (FGF‐AS) have been implicated in cancer progression and correlated with clinical outcomes of cancer patients. We previously reported that elevated FGF‐AS expression is associated with reduced tumor recurrence and improved survival rates in patients with FGF‐2‐dependent esophageal adenocarcinoma. In the present study we examined the effect of siRNA knockdown of each transcript on the expression of its complementary partner RNA, and consequent changes in cellular phenotype and behavior. FGF‐AS and FGF‐2 were inversely expressed in a cell‐cycle‐dependent manner and siRNA‐mediated knockdown of either FGF‐AS or FGF‐2 resulted in upregulation of the complementary transcript and protein. siRNA‐mediated knockdown of FGF‐AS was associated with a dramatic increase in cell–substratum adhesion and marked changes in the expression of a number of genes encoding adhesion molecules. Microarray analysis and RT‐PCR analysis also revealed antithetical effects of FGF‐2 and FGF‐AS siRNA knockdown on the expression of a number of cell‐cycle‐related genes, including SKP2, SESTRIN‐3, EIF4BP2, CDC27, and P190RhoGAP (P190). Cell‐cycle analysis following siRNA‐mediated knockdown of FGF‐AS or FGF‐2 indicate that both factors are involved in control of transition through the G1and G2boundaries, affecting cell‐cycle progression, proliferation, and apoptosis. Finally, siRNA knockdown of FGF‐AS resulted in a significant increase in invasion activity. These data indicate that regulatory interactions between FGF‐AS and FGF‐2 are involved in control of cell adhesion, cell‐cycle progression, and invasion, providing a possible explanation for the protective effects of FGF‐AS expression observed in FGF‐2‐dependent cancers. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of all‐Trans‐retinoic acid‐induced proteasome activation potentiates the differentiating effect of retinoid in acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Fang Yanfen , Zhou Xinglu , Lin Meihua , Ying Meidan , Luo Peihua , Zhu Difeng , Lou Jianshu , Yang Bo , He Qiaojun
Published: October 2010

All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is nowadays considered to be the sole efficient agent for differentiation‐based therapy in leukemia; however, the mechanisms of ATRA's biological effects remain largely unknown. Here we first reported that ATRA‐induced myeloid leukemia differentiation was accompanied with the increased level of ubiquitin–protein conjugates and the upregulation of proteasome activity. To explore the functional role of the activated proteasome in retinoic acid (RA) signaling, the effects of proteasome inhibitors on RA‐induced cell differentiation were determined. Our results demonstrated that inhibition of ATRA‐elevated proteasome activity obviously promoted the myeloid maturation program triggered by ATRA, suggesting that the overactivated proteasome is not beneficial for ATRA's effects. Further studies demonstrated that the synergistic differentiating effects of ATRA and proteasome inhibitors might be associated with the protection of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) from degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPP). Moreover, the accumulated RARα was able to enhance the transcription of its target gene, which might also contribute to the enhanced differentiation of leukemia cells. Together, by linking the UPP to ATRA‐dependent signaling, our data provide a novel insight into studying the mechanisms of ATRA‐elicited cellular effects and imply the possibility of combination of ATRA and proteasome inhibitors in leukemia therapy. Mol. Carcinog. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonmotor symptoms are independently associated with impaired health‐related quality of life in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Huijuan , Zhang Meifen , Chen Ling , Zhang June , Pei Zhong , Hu Ailing , Wang Qing
Published: October 2010

We performed a cross‐sectional study of 82 Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) enrolled during an 18‐month period using a clinical interview to assess the prevalence of nonmotor symptoms (NMS), the association with disease severity and motor status, and the impact on patients' health‐related quality of life (Hr‐QoL). The patients' NMS, Hr‐QoL, disease severity, and motor status were assessed by the Nonmotor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), the 39‐item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐39), the modified Hoehn and Yahr staging scale (H&Y) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III), respectively. We found that 100% of patients with PD presented with NMS. The NMSS significantly correlated with disease duration (Spearman's rS = 0.276, P = 0.012), H&Y (rS = 0.230, P = 0.038), and UPDRS III (rS = 0.350, P = 0.001). Similarly, the PDQ‐39 SI significantly associated with the disease duration (rS = 0.258, P = 0.019), H&Y (rS = 0.340, P = 0.002), and UPDRS III (rS = 0.453, P < 0.001). NMS domains that influenced the PDQ‐39 SI were sleep/fatigue, mood, gastrointestinal, urinary, and miscellaneous symptoms. This strongly suggested that the five domains played a key role in the manifestation of Hr‐QoL. NMSS explains more of the variability in Hr‐QoL than UPDRS III, when both are the model (stepwise multiple linear regression analysis R2 change, 47.8% vs. 5.87%, respectively). Therefore, these findings demonstrate that NMS are independently and negatively associated with Hr‐QoL in PD and that improving NMS should be viewed as an important part in the management of PD. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Synthesis and structure elucidation of five new pyrimido[5,4‐c]quinoline‐4(3H)‐one derivatives using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Ai Yong , Yang Guangzhong , Liu Jianchao , Chen Yu , Liu Lu , Lei Xinxiang
Published: October 2010

Five new 2‐(amino/aroxy)‐5‐methylpyrimido[5,4‐c]quinolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives have been designed and synthesized via an aza‐Wittig reaction, and the structure elucidation was accomplished using extensive 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies (COSY, HSQC and HMBC experiments). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary artery blood velocity in rats as assessed by electrocardiography‐triggered three‐dimensional time‐resolved MR angiography
Authors: de La Roque Eric Dumas , Thiaudière Eric , Ducret Thomas , Marthan Roger , Franconi Jean‐Michel , Guibert Christelle , Parzy Elodie
Published: October 2010

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease that leads to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. Noninvasive methods are needed to detect changes in the pulmonary artery circulation during PAH establishment and/or treatment. Pulmonary blood flow velocity can be evaluated by dynamic MR angiography, although the relevance of such data in the context of PAH remains to be demonstrated. A novel dynamic MR angiography technique was used in this work to measure blood flow velocity in the pulmonary arteries of the same living animals, before and after the establishment of chronic hypoxia‐induced PAH. Chronic hypoxia decreased significantly the blood flow velocity (43.8 ± 4.9 vs 24.3 ± 8.7 cm/s) on electrocardiography‐triggered time‐resolved angiograms. In parallel, chronic hypoxia‐induced PAH was confirmed from invasive measurements of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (32.1 ± 4.8 vs 12.5 ± 2.2 mmHg) and the ratio of the right ventricle weight to the left ventricle plus septum weight (Fulton index: 0.54 ± 0.06 vs 0.27 ± 0.04). This study demonstrates the potential interest of dynamic MR angiography for the investigation of experimental models and for the evaluation of treatment efficacy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of ZnSnO buffer layers for CuIn0.5Ga0.5Se2 solar cells
Authors: Hultqvist A. , Edoff M. , Törndahl T.
Published: October 2010

Thin ZnSnO films are evaluated as new buffer layer material for Cu(In,Ga)Se2‐based solar cell devices. A maximum conversion efficiency of 13.8% (Voc = 691 mV, Jsc(QE) = 27.9 mA/cm2, and FF = 71.6%) is reached for a solar cell using the ZnSnO buffer layer which is comparable to the efficiency of 13.5% (Voc = 706 mV, Jsc(QE) = 26.3 mA/cm2, and FF = 72.9%) for a cell using the standard reference CdS buffer layer. The open circuit voltage (Voc) and the fill factor (FF) are found to increase with increasing tin content until an optimum in both parameters is reached for Sn/(Zn + Sn) values around 0.3–0.4. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient avenue to poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) polymers via switching from RAFT to hydroxyl functionality: Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Schmid Christina , Falkenhagen Jana , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: October 2010

The recently introduced procedure of quantitatively switching thiocarbonyl thio capped (RAFT) polymers into hydroxyl terminated species was employed to generate narrow polydispersity (PDI ≈ 1.2) sulfur‐free poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) polymers (26,000 ≤ Mn/g·mol−1 < 45,000). The ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) was conducted under organocatalysis employing 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD). The obtained block copolymers were thoroughly analyzed via size exclusion chromatography (SEC), NMR, as well as liquid adsorption chromatography under critical conditions coupled to SEC (LACCC‐SEC) to evidence the block copolymer structure and the efficiency of the synthetic process. The current contribution demonstrates that the RAFT process can serve as a methodology for the generation of sulfur‐free block copolymers via an efficient end group switch. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Synthesis of main chain polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator via thiol‐ene click chemistry and Its use in free radical polymerization
Authors: Temel Gokhan , Karaca Nurcan , Arsu Nergis
Published: October 2010

Main chain polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator (PBP) was synthesized by using “Thiol‐ene Click Chemistry” and characterized with 1H NMR, FTIR, UV, and phosphorescence spectroscopies. PBP as a polymeric photoinitiator presented excellent absorption properties (ε294 = 28,300 mol−1L−1cm−1) compared to the molecular initiator BP (ε252 = 16,600 mol−1L−1cm−1). The triplet energy of PBP was obtained from the phosphorescence measurement in 2‐methyl tetrahydrofurane at 77 K as 298.3 kJ/mol and according to phosphorescence lifetime, the lowest triplet state of PBP has an n‐π* nature. Triplet–triplet absorption spectrum of PBP at 550 nm following laser excitation (355 nm) were recorded and triplet lifetime of PBP was found as 250 ns. The photoinitiation efficiency of PBP was determined for the polymerization of Hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) with PBP and BP in the presence of a coinitiator namely, N‐methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) by Photo‐DSC. The initiation efficiency of PBP for polymerization of HDDA is much higher than for the formulation consisting of BP. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers bearing stable nitroxyl radicals
Authors: Zhuang Xiuli , Xiao Chunsheng , Oyaizu Kenichi , Chikushi Natsuru , Chen Xuesi , Nishide Hiroyuki
Published: October 2010

We present here the synthesis of two kinds of amphiphilic block copolymers, a diblock copolymer MPEG‐b‐PTAm and a triblock copolymer MPEG‐b‐PLA‐b‐PTAm, which can self‐assemble into micelles with nitroxyl radicals‐containing PTAm segment in the core. The structure of the block copolymers was characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. Dynamic laser light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the micellar behavior of the two block copolymers in aqueous solution. The micelles carrying nitroxyl radicals in the core can generate electron paramagnetic resonance, which is stable for a period of time up to 8 min even in the presence of reducing reagent such as ascorbic acid. The enhanced stability against the reducing agent was ascribed to the inaccessibility of the nitroxyl radical core placed in the interior of the micelles. Combined with the biocompatibility, these micelles were promising to be used as the EPR probes for bioimaging in vivo. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of polyacetylenes containing oxadiazole and thiophene pendant groups with high thermal stability
Authors: Wang Xin , Yan Yongxin , Liu Tianbao , Su Xinyan , Qian Liwu , Song Yinglin , Xu Hongyao
Published: October 2010

A series of random copolymers poly(3‐ethynylthiophene)‐copoly(2‐(4‐decyloxyphenyl)‐5‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) with different oxadiazole content (P2–P4) and homopolymer poly(3‐ethynylthiophene) (P1) as well as poly(2‐(4‐decyloxyphenyl)‐5‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) (P5) were prepared. The copolymers (P2–P4) are completely soluble in common organic solvents. The structures and properties of all polymers were characterized and evaluated by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, TGA, UV, PL, GPC, and nonlinear optical (NLO) analyses. The incorporation of diaryl‐oxadiazole into polyacetylene‐containing thiophene significantly endows copolymers with higher thermal stability, which may origin from the synergetic effect of the “jacket effect” of diaryl‐oxadiazole units and the effect of retarding or eliminating a few 6π‐electrocycliaztion proceeds of oxadiazole‐containing polyacetylene due to the hindrance of thiophene units. When the copolymer (P3) posses more regular alternating thiophene pendants and oxadiazole pendants arrangement along the polymer backbone, it shows good thermal stability (Td up to 388 °C) and larger third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3) up to 11.0 × 10−11 esu). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Novel superhydrophobic silica/poly(siloxane‐fluoroacrylate) hybrid nanoparticles prepared via two‐step surface‐initiated ATRP: Synthesis, characterization, and wettability
Authors: Yu Hai‐Jiang , Luo Zheng‐Hong
Published: October 2010

Poly(siloxane‐fluoroacrylate)‐grafted silica hybrid nanoparticles were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP). The silica nanoparticles with α‐bromo‐ester initiator group for copper‐mediated ATRP were prepared by the self‐assembled monolayers of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and 2‐bromoisobutyrate bromide. Well‐defined diblock copolymer brushes consisting of poly(methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) and poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) blocks were obtained by using initial homopolymer brushes as the macroinitiators for the SI‐ATRP of the second monomer. Chemical compositions and structures of the nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. Surface properties and morphology of the nanoparticles were investigated with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle measurement. It is revealed that the surfaces of the nanocomposites are rough at the microscale and nanoscale. The formation reason of the superhydrophobic surfaces was also discussed in this work. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Behavior of the ATP grasp domain of biotin carboxylase monomers and dimers studied using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Novak Brian R. , Moldovan Dorel , Waldrop Grover L. , de Queiroz Marcio S.
Published: October 2010

The enzyme biotin carboxylase (BC) uses adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to carboxylate biotin and is involved in fatty acid synthesis. Structural evidence suggests that the B domain of BC undergoes a large hinge motion of ∼45° when binding and releasing substrates. Escherichia coli BC can function as a natural homodimer and as a mutant monomer. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we evaluate the free energy profile along a closure angle of the B domain of E. coli BC for three cases: a monomer without bound Mg2ATP, a monomer with bound Mg2ATP, and a homodimer with bound Mg2ATP in one subunit. The simulation results show that a closed state is the most probable for the monomer with or without bound Mg2ATP. For the dimer with Mg2ATP in one of its subunits, communication between the two subunits was observed. Specifically, in the dimer, the opening of the subunit without Mg2ATP caused the other subunit to open, and hysteresis was observed upon reclosing it. The most stable state of the dimer is one in which the B domain of both subunits is closed; however, the open state for the B domain without Mg2ATP is only approximately 2kBT higher in free energy than the closed state. A simple diffusion model indicates that the mean times for opening and closing of the B domain in the monomer with and without Mg2ATP are much smaller than the overall reaction time, which is on the order of seconds. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Bayesian optimal design for accelerated degradation tests
Authors: Liu Xiao , Tang Loon‐Ching
Published: October 2010

This paper proposes a Bayesian design approach to planning a pre‐production accelerated design test (ADT) with physically based statistical models. To motivate the study, we consider the hot‐carrier‐induced degradation of modern MOS field effect transistors. A single‐path power‐law statistical degradation model with nonlinear stress–life relationships is first developed. Based on this model, we formulate a Bayesian optimal design problem that minimizes the expected pre‐posterior variance of the quantity of interest at use environment. To solve the problem, a simulation‐based stochastic optimization method, which yields a consistent estimate of the optimal design, is utilized. As demonstrated by the numerical example, such an algorithm is of great practical importance in planning an ADT because it is considerably faster than the commonly used Monte Carlo simulation for evaluating the expected pre‐posterior variance. Finally, we perform a comparison study between the proposed Bayesian plan and the locally optimal plan, which is based on the maximum likelihood theory. Results strongly suggest that the robustness of the proposed plan against the uncertainty associated with planning inputs can be significantly enhanced. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double‐Peak Mechanical Properties of Carbon‐Nanotube Fibers
Authors: Zhao Jingna , Zhang Xiaohua , Di Jiangtao , Xu Geng , Yang Xiaojie , Liu Xiangyang , Yong Zhenzhong , Chen Minghai , Li Qingwen
Published: October 2010

The introduction of twist during the spinning of carbon nanotubes from their arrays (forests) has been widely applied in making ultrastrong, stiff, and lightweight nanotube fibers. Here, for the first time, an important observation of a double‐peak behavior of the tensile properties, as a function of the twist angle, that is different from the single peak of traditional fibers is reported. Raman spectra show that the new peak arises from the collapse of nanotubes, showing a strong “nano” element in applying the ancient draw‐and‐twist technique, besides the downsizing. A qualitative continuum model is also presented to describe the collapse‐induced enhancement as well as traditional fibers. Our combined experimental and theoretical studies indicate the direction of full utilization of the nano element in improving the mechanical properties of nanotube fibers.
Phosphorylation of Sox2 Cooperates in Reprogramming to Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Jeong Chul-Ho , Cho Yong-Yeon , Kim Myoung-Ok , Kim Sung-Hyun , Cho Eun-Jin , Lee Sung-Young , Jeon Young-Jin , Yeong Lee Kun , Yao Ke , Keum Young-Sam , Bode Ann M. , Dong Zigang
Published: October 2010

Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by transduction of reprogramming factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. A coordinated network of these factors was suggested to confer a pluripotency of iPSCs. Together with Oct4, Sox2 plays a major role as a master regulator in ESCs. However, the underlying mechanisms by which Sox2 contributes to self-renewal or reprogramming processes remain to be determined. Here, we provide new evidence for a phosphorylation-based regulation of Sox2 activity. Akt directly interacts with Sox2 and promotes its stabilization through phosphorylation at Thr118, which enhances the transcriptional activity of Sox2 in ESCs. Moreover, phosphorylation of Sox2 cooperates in the reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts by enabling more efficient induction of iPSCs. Overall, our studies provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of Sox2 in ESCs and also provide a direct link between phosphorylation events and somatic cell reprogramming.
Antibacterial Effect of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Is Mediated in Part from Secretion of the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37
Authors: Krasnodembskaya Anna , Song Yuanlin , Fang Xiaohui , Gupta Naveen , Serikov Vladimir , Lee Jae-Woo , Matthay Michael A.
Published: October 2010

Recent in vivo studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may have beneficial effects in the treatment of sepsis induced by bacterial infection. Administration of MSCs in these studies improved survival and enhanced bacterial clearance. The primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that human MSCs possessed intrinsic antimicrobial properties. We studied the effect of human MSCs derived from bone marrow on the bacterial growth of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. MSCs as well as their conditioned medium (CM) demonstrated marked inhibition of bacterial growth in comparison with control medium or normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). Analysis of expression of major antimicrobial peptides indicated that one of the factors responsible for the antimicrobial activity of MSC CM against Gram-negative bacteria was the human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, hCAP-18/LL-37. Both m-RNA and protein expression data showed that the expression of LL-37 in MSCs increased after bacterial challenge. Using an in vivo mouse model of E.  coli pneumonia, intratracheal administration of MSCs reduced bacterial growth (in colony-forming unit) in the lung homogenates and in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and administration of MSCs simultaneously with a neutralizing antibody to LL-37 resulted in a decrease in bacterial clearance. In addition, the BAL itself from MSC-treated mice had a greater antimicrobial activity in comparison with the BAL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice. Human bone marrow-derived MSCs possess direct antimicrobial activity, which is mediated in part by the secretion of human cathelicidin hCAP-18/ LL-37.
A 9‐mW Continuous‐time Hybrid Active–Passive ΣΔ Modulator with 84‐dB Dynamic Range
Authors: Ye Tianfeng , Zhang Yi , Hong Zhiliang , Liu Bill Yang
Published: October 2010

A hybrid active–passive, continuous time (CT) sigma–delta (ΣΔ) modulator with a multibit quantizer is presented. The modulator is designed as a fifth‐order, dual‐loop architecture, allowing for a maximum quantizer delay of half a clock period. By removing the summing block before the quantizer as well as by introducing an active–passive hybrid loop filter, the design achieves high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) comparable to a fourth‐order active design while dissipating power equivalent to a third‐order implementation. A data‐weighted averaging (DWA) algorithm implemented with analog reference shuffling is utilized to suppress the mismatches in the current‐steering digital‐to‐analog conversion (DAC) with no extra delay introduced between the quantizer and DAC. The chip, manufactured in a 1.8‐V, 0.18‐µm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, experimentally achieves 79.5 dB peak SNR, 78 dB peak signal‐to‐noise‐and‐distortion ratio (SNDR), and 84‐dB dynamic range over a 1‐MHz signal bandwidth. The 0.43‐mm2test chip consumes 9‐mW of power when clocked at 128 MHz. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Finding All DC Solutions of Diode and BJT Circuits by Interval Method and Modified LP‐Narrowing Technique
Authors: Uatrongjit Sermsak
Published: October 2010

The method based on the interval algorithm is one of the techniques used to find all direct current operating points of nonlinear circuits. Many approaches have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of the interval method. Amongst them, the linear programming narrowing (LP‐narrowing) strategy has been proposed and it shows very promising results. In this paper, a modification of the LP‐narrowing technique is proposed. The proposed technique is applied with the interval‐based method to find all direct current solutions of a circuit whose nonlinear elements are only diodes and bipolar junction transistors. It employs the voltage‐current characteristic of diodes to contract the size of the box under consideration before applying the interval operator. The proposed technique has been implemented by using the C‐XSC Toolbox and the GNU Linear Programming Kit package (GLPK). Its performance is evaluated by testing with some nonlinear circuits. The results indicate that the proposed technique can reduce the number of search boxes and improve the computation time. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Design of Fourth‐Order Continuous‐Time Bandpass ΔΣAD Modulator for RF Sampling
Authors: Lin Haijun , Lo Ré Pascal , Iizuka Kunihiko , Kobayashi Haruo , Takai Nobukazu
Published: October 2010

This paper presents the design of a fourth‐order continuous‐time bandpass ΔΣAD modulator for RF sampling. It employs subsampling, RF DAC, as well as digital techniques to compensate for finite Q and excess loop delay, and its loop filter uses inverter‐type OTAs; these basic techniques have been described in our previous papers. This paper validates a transistor‐level circuit design of a complete fourth‐order modulator that combines all of the above techniques, and its SPICE simulation results are as follows: the center of the signal band is 2.4 GHz, the sampling frequency is 3.2 GHz, the signal bandwidth is 2 MHz, the peak SNDR is 56 dB, the power consumption from a 1.8‐V supply voltage is 50 mW, and it uses TSMC 0.18‐µm CMOS process. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Novel Boost Class‐D Amplifier Using an H‐bridge Circuit
Authors: Tsuchiya Hirotaka , Michitaka Yoshino , Shinkawa Naoto , Akaba Hiroyuki , Yasuda Akira
Published: October 2010

A novel class‐D amplifier with a boost mode is proposed. It solves a problem that cannot boost the signal over a power supply voltage when a certain power supply given. The proposed amplifier can output higher voltages than the power supply voltage. Since the boost DC–DC converter circuit and the class‐D amplifier utilize similar switching circuits, the boost DC–DC function is implemented within the class‐D amplifier circuit. The half‐bridge circuit utilized in a conventional class‐D amplifier is replaced with an H‐bridge circuit. The simulation results show that the output voltage swing is twice that of the power supply voltage without an external boost DC–DC converter. The signal‐to‐noise ratio and third‐harmonic distortion are 103.5 dB and 0.0058%, respectively. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Researches on Cascaded Photovoltaic Modular Systems for Performance Improvement with Power Margin Evaluation
Authors: Xu Qingshan , Sun Xiangdong , Yukita Kazuto , Goto Yasuyuki , Ichiyanagi Katsuhiro
Published: October 2010

Photovoltaic/converter modular systems offer flexibility with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the individual modules to decrease module mismatching losses, especially for building integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems. For achieving relatively high voltage outputs, a cascaded configuration is usually preferred at the same time. However, due to efficiency reasons, i.e. the general limit of conversion ratio, issues emerge in which not all modules can actually operate at optimal levels. This paper discusses the main issues encountered, and proposes a novel approach to evaluate power margins of PV modules at different operating levels, which can be an auxiliary criterion for judging whether some modules with lower irradiation should be bypassed or not in such cascaded configurations. Representative cases are investigated, and simulation results testify the validity of evaluating the potential and available power. The proposed approach can also be applied for practical MPPT of photovoltaic generation systems. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Split Process of Low‐Pressure Arc Cathode Spots on SS400(Fe + C) Surface with Oxide Layer
Authors: Kamishima Shinya , Iwao Toru , Yumoto Motoshige
Published: October 2010

A remarkable characteristic of a cathode spot of a low‐pressure arc is that the cathode spot moves around on the metal surface. A cathode spot can remove an oxide layer. Cathode spots of low‐pressure arcs have been used for cleaning metal oxide surfaces. However, the influence of an oxide layer on the cathode spot movement remains unclear. As described herein, the cathode spot movements on the oxide layer surface and on the metal surface were measured to determine the cathode spot movement. Experiments were performed using an SS400 cathode and a cylindrical copper anode. A high‐speed video camera recorded the cathode spot movement. Then the obtained images were analyzed using plasma image processing. The cathode spot movement was generated mainly on the boundary layer, but sometimes on the processed surface. The first spot remains at the boundary when the cathode spot splits; the second spot moves on the bulk surface and reappears at a different boundary. Therefore, the cathode spot does not appear suddenly; instead, it moves continuously during the splitting process. The oxide layer serves an important role for cathode spot existence because of oxide layer vaporization. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neural Network‐based Algorithm for Harmonic Analysis of Industrial Systems Using Asynchronous Simulations in Time and Frequency Domains
Authors: Hooshmand Rahmat A. , Noohi Saeid
Published: October 2010

Nonlinear loads used in industrial systems cause harmonic pollution in power system voltages and currents. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate properly the propagation of voltage and current harmonic distortions at power system buses in order to eliminate the harmonics. On the other hand, power system harmonic analysis methods can be used to avoid direct measurement of the harmonics. In this paper, a neural network (NN) based algorithm for harmonic analysis of industrial systems (i.e., systems whose topology rarely changes during the year) is proposed. In the meantime, an asynchronous simulation of the system in time and frequency domains is used to avoid the complications of some hybrid methods. Due to the use of time domain simulation to obtain the harmonic currents injected by nonlinear devices, in addition to giving acceptable precision, the method is completely independent of the measurement system. Application of NN for modeling nonlinear loads along with the use of an appropriate fast harmonic analysis procedure in frequency domain has resulted in acceptable execution time in the presented algorithm. The results obtained by modeling and simulation of the Sn‐coating unit of the Mobarakeh integrated steel making plant demonstrate the high accuracy and acceptable execution time of the proposed method. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Virtual Wattmeter Power Consumption Billing Division for Building Air‐Conditioners Supporting User's Energy Saving Intention
Authors: Ninagawa Chuzo , Sato Tomotaka , Kawakita Yahiko , Matsumura Noriaki
Published: October 2010

This paper provides a field test of a new power consumption billing division for building air‐conditioning systems. Since almost all power is consumed by a shared outdoor unit, power consumption bill must be logically divided among each tenant's indoor unit without using any physical meters. First, the paper discusses the algorithm of our ‘virtual wattmeter’ method for a logical division of the power consumption. Our field test result shows that the correlation coefficient between set room temperature and billing division was significant, and shifting the set temperature by 1°C had the effect of decreasing the hourly billing division by 21%. Thus, our virtual wattmeter is a unique method that can reflect the user's energy‐saving intention by adjusting the set temperature on the power consumption billing division. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Serial Unequal Error Protection Code System Using Multilevel Trellis Coded Modulation with Ring‐type Signal Constellations for AWGN Channels
Authors: Yamazaki Satoshi , Asano David K.
Published: October 2010

We propose a serial unequal error protection (UEP) code system for use with information sources that contain a mixture of both important and less important data. To achieve UEP, the proposed scheme uses a form of Trellis coded modulation (TCM) which encodes the data by switching between some codes that use different signal constellations. So we propose ring‐type signal constellations with M levels of importance (MRING). Also, as no extra information about which code is used is added, the receiver estimates which code was used in the transmitter by examining the received signal points. In this paper, theoretical analyses of the 2RING signal constellations (that is, for M = 2) and TCM codes are presented, and the effectiveness and the validity of the system for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels are confirmed using theoretical analyses and computer simulations. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A New Accurate Model for Waste Heat Recovery System Using Power Turbine Generator: A New Approach to Shipboard Energy System
Authors: Matsui Nobumasa , Kurokawa Fujio , Shiraishi Keiichi
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this paper is to present an accurate model of a waste heat recovery system using a power turbine generator (PTG) with respect to its dynamic characteristics. The PTG is the waste heat recovery type making use of the exhaust gas from the main shipboard diesel engines. However, with the PTG systems, the dynamic characteristics are not entirely clear. So, an accurate model is used to evaluate the safe operation of the PTG system. The simulation results are verified with a prototype constructed on the basis of simulation. As a result, in the transient response of the frequency, the frequency is overshot by 8% in both the simulated and measured models. Furthermore, in the startup process, the overshoot speed is 0.81 p.u. in the simulation and 0.83 p.u. in the measured models against 0.80 p.u. as per the design condition, at 100% output from the main diesel engine, which is considered as the most severe condition. The error between the overshoot speed in the simulated and measured data is less than 2%. The Instruments Society of America (ISA) Standard defines an error in dynamic plant simulation within 10%. Hence, it is confirmed that the proposed model has excellent property within standard. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of Dynamic Air Gap on Air Gap Breakdown Discharge in Sand/Dust Environment
Authors: He Bo , Gao Naikui , Jin Haiyun , Peng Zongren
Published: October 2010

Effects of vibration frequency and amplitude on air gap discharge characteristics were studied by simulation experiments through a special model. The results show that in clean air environment the air gap discharge characteristics are mainly affected by the minimum air gap distance, while in the sand/dust–air environment the air gap discharge characteristics are affected by the swing amplitude and frequency as well as by the minimum air gap distance. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An efficient mesh‐based multicast routing protocol in mobilead hocnetworks
Authors: Astier Eric , Hafid Abdelhakim , Aljahdali Sultan
Published: October 2010

Mesh‐based multicast routing protocols for mobilead hocnetworks (MANETs) build multiple paths from senders to receivers to deliver packets even in the presence of links breaking. This redundancy results in high reliability/robustness but may significantly increase packet overhead. This paper proposes a mesh‐based multicast protocol, called centered protocol for unified multicasting through announcements (CPUMA), that achieves comparable reliability as existing mesh‐based multicast protocols, however, with significantly much less data overhead. In CPUMA, a distributed core‐selection and maintenance algorithm is used to find the source‐centric center of a shared mesh. We leverage data packets to center the core of each multicast group shared mesh instead of using GPS or any pre‐assignment of cores to groups (the case of existing protocols). The proposed centering scheme allows reducing data packet overhead and creating forwarding paths toward the nearest mesh member instead of the core to reduce latency. We show,viasimulations, that CPUMA outperforms existing multicast protocols in terms of data packet overhead, and latency while maintaining a constant or better packet delivery ratio, at the cost of a small increase in control overhead in a few scenarios. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging of apoptosis in the heart with nanoparticle technology
Authors: Chen Howard H. , Josephson Lee , Sosnovik David E.
Published: October 2010

Apoptosis plays an important role in the loss of cardiomyocytes in both ischemic injury and heart failure. Pioneering work with single photon emission computed tomography imaging of 99Tc‐annexin showed that cell death in the heart could be imaged in vivo. Over the last 5 years a significant amount of experience with annexin‐labeled magnetic nanoparticles, principally AnxCLIO‐Cy5.5, has also been gained. Here, we review the experience with AnxCLIO‐Cy5.5 in the heart and compare this experience to that of earlier studies with 99Tc‐annexin. The imaging of apoptosis with AnxCLIO‐Cy5.5 provides valuable insights not only into molecular imaging in the heart but, more broadly, into the use of nanoparticle technology for molecular imaging in general. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 86–99 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.115

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Cardiovascular Disease
Axillary Staging in Breast Cancer Patients with Exclusive Lymphoscintigraphic Drainage to the Internal Mammary Chain
Authors: van Esser Stijn , Madsen Eva V. E. , van Dalen Thijs , Koelemij Ron , van Rossum Peter S. N. , Borel Rinkes Inne H. M. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Witkamp Arjen J.
Published: October 2010

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the need of axillary staging in breast cancer patients showing exclusive lymphatic drainage to the internal mammary chain (IMC).

Methods

A total of 2203 patients treated for breast carcinoma in three participating hospitals between July 2001 and July 2008 were analyzed. Only patients showing drainage to the IMC on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy were included. The number of harvested IMC sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), axillary SLNs, and metastases were recorded. Finally, the follow‐up of this group of patients was analyzed.

Results

In 25/426 patients, drainage was exclusively to the IMC. Exploration of the axilla resulted in the harvesting of blue SLNs in 9 patients (36%) and the retrieval of an enlarged lymph node in 1 patient. In 4 of the remaining 15 patients, an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was done. Lymph node metastases were found in 3 patients who had blue axillary SLNs and in 1 patient who underwent ALND. In the 11 patients who had no blue SLNs and no ALND, no axillary recurrences were observed during follow‐up (median = 26 months).

Conclusions

Proper staging of the axilla remains crucial in patients showing exclusive drainage to the IMC. When no axillary node can be retrieved, ALND remains subject to discussion.
Gentrification and Urban Children's Well‐Being: Tipping the Scales from Problems to Promise
Authors: Formoso Diana , N. Weber Rachel , S. Atkins Marc
Published: October 2010

Gentrification changes the neighborhood and family contexts in which children are socialized—for better and worse—yet little is known about its consequences for youth. This review, drawn from research in urban planning, sociology, and psychology, maps out mechanisms by which gentrification may impact children. We discuss indicators of gentrification and link neighborhood factors, including institutional resources and collective socialization, to family processes more proximally related to child development. Finally, we discuss implications for intervention and public policy recommendations that are intended to tip the scales toward better outcomes for low‐income youth in gentrifying areas.
The Subprime Crisis and African Americans
Authors: Phillips Sandra
Published: October 2010

There is a long history of unfair housing and lending practices in the United States and generally, African Americans have been disproportionately negatively impacted by these activities. In order to understand the current economic crisis and its impacts on African Americans, one must first explore the historical spectrum of discriminatory actions leveled against blacks in housing and mortgage lending. This paper discusses the recent subprime mortgage crisis and identifies the ways that African Americans were impacted. It provides an historical review of mortgage lending and housing discrimination and the role that public policy played in these practices. It then chronicles the subprime mortgage crisis and connects the consequences of lending policy run amok by targeting minority communities.