bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Genetic Alterations Detected in Circulating Microsatellite DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Patients with Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: MÜLLER IMKE , URBAN KAROLINE , PANTEL KLAUS , SCHWARZENBACH HEIDI
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Prostate cancer is the most frequent malignant disease and the second most frequent cause of death due to cancer in men in the Western world. Since serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and its subforms show poor specificity in clinical practice, a molecular marker for the detection and discrimination of prostate cancer (PCa) could be of great interest. To investigate the potential significance of genetic aberrations, such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH), in PCa we identified and characterized allelic losses in circulating tumor‐associated DNA in blood from patients with localized PCa.
Genomic DNA extracted from cell‐free plasma of blood samples drawn from 65 PCa patients was analyzed using a panel of 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers mapping to known tumor‐suppressor genes. Comparative analyses were performed with a control group of 36 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the current study, we demonstrate that PCa patients had higher DNA concentrations in their blood circulation than BPH patients. In the marker panel studied, LOH was more frequently detected in PCa patients (34%) than in BPH patients (22%). The incidence of LOH in the plasma DNA of PCa patients was highest at chromosomal regions 3p24 (THRB, 22%) and 8p21 (D8S360, 22%) in comparison to the BPH control cohort, which frequently showed LOH at loci 8q21, 8p21, 9p21, and 11q22 (D8S286, D8S360, D9S1748, and D11S898, each 6%).
These results indicate that microsatellite analysis using plasma DNA may be an interesting tool for molecular screening of PCa patients.
Improvement of Methods for the Isolation of Cell‐Free Fetal DNA from Maternal Plasma
Authors: HUANG DOROTHY J. , ZIMMERMANN BERNHARD G. , HOLZGREVE WOLFGANG , HAHN SINUHE
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  The low amount of cell‐free fetal DNA present in the maternal circulation poses significant challenges to its use in future diagnostic applications, and ways of increasing the yield of this potential marker extracted from maternal plasma are constantly being explored. In this study, we compared two methods of DNA extraction, a manual and an automated method. Our analysis revealed that although the manual method yielded overall more total cell‐free DNA, the automated system yielded higher quantities of cell‐free DNA of fetal origin. Furthermore, the DNA isolated using the automated system appeared to be of greater purity than that isolated by the manual method, with fewer inhibitors to downstream real‐time PCR reactions.
Nucleosomal DNA Fragments in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: HOLDENRIEDER STEFAN , EICHHORN PETER , BEUERS ULRICH , SAMTLEBEN WALTER , SCHOENERMARCK ULF , ZACHOVAL REINHART , NAGEL DOROTHEA , STIEBER PETRA
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  The inadequate response of immune cells to circulating apoptotic products, such as nucleosomal DNA fragments, is assumed to be a potent stimulus for the production of autoantibodies during the pathogenesis and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we analyzed the levels of circulating nucleosomes, caspases, and C‐reactive protein in sera of 244 individuals with various autoimmune diseases (155 with autoimmune hepatic disorders, 25 with ANCA‐associated vasculitis, and 64 with various connective tissue diseases), and 32 healthy controls. Nucleosomes and caspase activities were significantly elevated in sera of patients with hepatic autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, and particularly in ANCA‐associated vasculitis when compared with healthy individuals. Nucleosomes showed a correlation with caspases, and caspases with C‐reactive protein, but nucleosomes did not correlate with C‐reactive protein. Serum levels of the apoptotic products, nucleosomes, and caspases are increased in various autoimmune diseases but may not be solely responsible for antinucleosome antibody production in SLE patients. It remains to be clarified whether qualitative changes in nucleosomes are linked with pathogenesis and disease progression in SLE.
Heparan sulfate biosynthetic geneNdst1is required for FGF signaling in early lens development
Authors: Pan Yi , Woodbury Andrea , Esko Jeffrey D. , Grobe Kay , Zhang Xin
Published: November 2006

Multiple signaling molecules, including bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) and fibroblast growth factors (FGF), play important roles in early lens development. However, how these morphogens are regulated is still largely unknown. Heparan sulfate participates in both morphogen transport and morphogen-receptor interaction. In this study, we demonstrate that inactivation of the heparan sulfate biosynthetic gene Ndst1 resulted in invagination defects of the early lens and in the disruption of lens-determination gene expression, leading to severe lens hypoplasia or anophthalmia. Ndst1 mutants exhibited reduced sulfation of heparan sulfate, but both BMP- and Wnt-signaling remained unchanged. Instead, these embryos showed diminished binding of a subset of FGF proteins to FGF receptors. Consistent with disruption of FGF signaling, expression of phospho-Erk and ERM were also downregulated in Ndst1-mutant lenses. Taken together, these results establish an important role of Ndst1 function in FGF signaling during lens development.
A present-day aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase with ancestral editing properties
Authors: Zhu Bin , Zhao Ming-Wei , Eriani Gilbert , Wang En-Duo
Published: November 2006

Leucyl-, isoleucyl-, and valyl-tRNA synthetases form a subgroup of related aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that attach similar amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. To prevent amino acid misincorporation during translation, these enzymes also hydrolyze mischarged tRNAs through a post-transfer editing mechanism. Here we show that LeuRS from the deep-branching bacterium Aquifex aeolicus edits the complete set of aminoacylated tRNAs generated by the three enzymes: Ile-tRNAIle, Val-tRNAIle, Val-tRNAVal, Thr-tRNAVal, and Ile-tRNALeu. This unusual enlarged editing property was studied in a model of a primitive editing system containing a composite minihelix carrying the triple leucine, isoleucine, and valine identity mimicking the primitive tRNA precursor. We found that the freestanding LeuRS editing domain can edit this precursor in contrast to IleRS and ValRS editing domains. These results suggest that A. aeolicus LeuRS carries editing properties that seem more primitive than those of IleRS and ValRS. They suggest that the A. aeolicus editing domain has preserved the ambiguous editing property from the ancestral common editing domain or, alternatively, that this plasticity results from a specific metabolic adaptation.
Mapping Iso-Orientation Columns by Contrast Agent-Enhanced Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Reproducibility, Specificity, and Evaluation by Optical Imaging of Intrinsic Signal
Authors: Fukuda Mitsuhiro , Moon Chan-Hong , Wang Ping , Kim Seong-Gi
Published: November 2006

Activation resembling ocular dominance or orientation columns has been mapped with high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the neuronal interpretation of these functional maps is unclear because of the poor sensitivity of fMRI, unknown point spread function (PSF), and lack of comparison with independent techniques. Here we show that cerebral blood volume (CBV)-weighted fMRI with a blood plasma contrast agent (monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles), in combination with continuous temporally encoded stimulation, can map columnar neuronal activity in the cat primary visual cortex with high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. We examined hemodynamic response PSF by comparing these CBV-based signals with oxygen metabolism-based negative blood oxygenation level-dependent signals. A significant positive correlation exists between CBV- and metabolism-based iso-orientation maps, suggesting that the hemodynamic PSF is narrower than intercolumn distances. We also compared CBV-based fMRI with optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging, a technique that identifies sites of increased neuronal activity, to investigate neuronal correlation. Iso-orientation maps obtained by fMRI and OIS were well matched, indicating that areas of the highest orientation-selective CBV signals correspond to sites of increased neural activity. Using CBV-based fMRI, we successfully mapped orientation-selective functional architecture in the medial bank of the visual cortex, an area inaccessible to OIS imaging. Thus, we conclude that contrast agent-based fMRI, in combination with continuous temporally encoded stimulation, is a highly sensitive technique capable of mapping neural activity at the resolution of functional columns without depth limitation.
Growth Factor Treatment and Genetic Manipulation Stimulate Neurogenesis and Oligodendrogenesis by Endogenous Neural Progenitors in the Injured Adult Spinal Cord
Authors: Ohori Yasuo , Yamamoto Shin-ichi , Nagao Motoshi , Sugimori Michiya , Yamamoto Naoya , Nakamura Kozo , Nakafuku Masato
Published: November 2006

Neurons and oligodendrocytes are highly vulnerable to various insults, and their spontaneous replacement occurs to only a limited extent after damage in the adult spinal cord. The environment of injured tissue is thus thought to restrict the regenerative capacity of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells; strategies for overcoming such restrictions remain to be developed. Here, we combined growth factor treatment and genetic manipulation to stimulate neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis by endogenous progenitorsin vivo. The recombinant retrovirus pMXIG, which was designed to coexpress green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and a neurogenic/gliogenic transcription factor, was directly injected into the injured spinal cord parenchyma to manipulate proliferative cellsin situ. We found that cells expressing Olig2, Nkx2.2, and NG2 were enriched among virus-infected, GFP-positive (GFP+) cells. Moreover, a fraction of GFP+cells formed neurospheres and differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytesin vitro, demonstrating that GFP retroviruses indeed infected endogenous neural progenitorsin vivo. Neuronal differentiation of control virus-infected cells did not occur at a detectable level in the injured spinal cord. We found, however, that direct administration of fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor into lesioned tissue could induce a significant fraction of GFP-labeled cells to express immature neuronal markers. Moreover, retrovirus-mediated overexpression of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors Neurogenin2 and Mash1, together with growth factor treatment, enhanced the production and maturation of new neurons and oligodendrocytes, respectively. These results demonstrate that endogenous neural progenitors can be manipulated to replace neurons and oligodendrocytes lost to insults in the injured spinal cord.
Evaluation of Removal Sampling for Basinwide Assessment of Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Sweka John A. , Legault Christopher M. , Beland Kenneth F. , Trial Joan , Millard Michael J.
Published: November 2006

Removal estimators for stream fish abundance are widely used but can result in biased population estimates at the site level. We conducted computer simulations to examine how the Carle and Strub (1978) estimator, coupled with variation in catchability, influences the accuracy of population estimates at the site level. Site-level population estimates were then used to examine what effect potential bias in the population estimate at a site had on basinwide abundance estimates. Historic electrofishing data collected from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in the Narraguagus River, Maine, were used as the baseline for construction of these simulations. At the site level, mean percent bias of population estimates was −23% when catchability was low (0.30–0.40) and when the true population was low (1–20 fish). Bias was reduced as the true population size increased and catchability increased. The negative bias at the site level affected total population estimates for the entire river basin. Under current sampling methodology in the Narraguagus River, basinwide population estimates are probably 11–17% lower than the true population. Confidence intervals (95%) would be expected to cover the true population between 65% and 79% of the time. Increasing the amount of sampling had little effect on the negative bias of basinwide population estimates but did reduce the error around the estimate, as expected. These results should serve as a reference point for gauging the effectiveness of current sampling efforts in providing reliable estimates of Atlantic salmon parr in the Narraguagus River. The methodology employed by this simulation study can also be applied to other Atlantic salmon rivers to evaluate current sampling programs.
Catchability of Larval and Juvenile Northern Pike in Quatrefoil Light Traps
Authors: Pierce Rodney B. , Shroyer Steve , Pittman Bruce , Logsdon Dale E. , Kolander Todd D.
Published: November 2006

New approaches are needed for sampling northern pike Esox lucius in the complex habitats they use as nursery areas. We evaluated the potential of Quatrefoil light traps to measure differences in density of larval and juvenile northern pike, and we monitored changes in capture probability as the fish grew in size and their swimming capabilities improved. In hatchery raceways, light traps were effective for collecting northern pike at densities that seemed most realistic relative to natural nursery habitat (4–20 fish/m2 surface area). Light-trap catch rates differentiated among different densities in raceways, but efficiency decreased as density increased. Light traps effectively caught all sizes of fish, ranging from the stage when larvae first became active (12–13 mm total length [TL]) until the fish became too large to fit through the trap entrance (>66 mm TL). We also tried to apply the technique for sampling managed wetlands that simulated a more natural environment than the raceways. Light-trap catches detected both increases and decreases that were attributed to different stocking rates used over 2 years in individual wetlands. Light-trap catches showed patchy distribution of small northern pike and illustrated growth and differential survival of the fish among wetlands. Light trapping should be considered a potential tool for sampling both temporal and spatial variation in density and growth of larval and juvenile northern pike.
Point Sampling by Boat Electrofishing: A Test of the Effort Required to Assess Fish Communities
Authors: Lapointe Nicolas W. R. , Corkum Lynda D. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: November 2006

Point sampling by electrofishing is often used to study fishes in large rivers and lakes whereby a specific location is electrofished without moving the anode. Short (1–5-s) samples are taken under the belief that many small samples are preferred over a few large ones for statistical analyses. However, this typically results in relatively little time spent sampling fishes compared with time spent measuring abiotic factors and traveling among sites. We evaluated the optimal sampling duration and number of replicates per site to balance sample size and number for community-level studies. In 2004, 165 point samples were taken from shallow Canadian waters of the Detroit River. Sites were continuously electrofished for 2 min (eight 15-s intervals), and a second replicate of 2 min was taken after a pause. Subsets of the data were used to compare various designs of sampling duration and number of replicates. A sampling design of two replicates of 1 min appeared to be ideal because it balanced a large gain of information with a small increase in effort. This design would allow 35–50 sites to be sampled per day, depending on the detail of abiotic measurements. Compared with data from the first 15-s interval only, sampling for two replicates of 1 min resulted in fewer null (no fishes captured) samples (19% instead of 53%). The number of common (found at >5% of samples) species also increased from 12 to 19. By increasing the effort for point sampling by electrofishing at each site, a better understanding of the fish assemblage was obtained. This allows for more complete analyses of community composition and habitat preference.
Golf Course Applications of Near-Surface Geophysical Methods: A Case Study
Authors: Allred Barry J. , Redman J. David , McCoy Edward L. , Taylor Richard S.
Published: November 2006

As of the year 2000, there were over 15,000 golf course facilities in the U.S.A. alone. The upkeep of these facilities requires continual maintenance and occasional remodeling. The superintendents and architects responsible for the maintenance and remodeling efforts need non-destructive tools for obtaining information on shallow subsurface features within parts of the golf course, particularly tees and greens. The subsurface features of importance include, but are not limited to, constructed soil layer characteristics and drainage system infrastructure. Near-surface geophysical methods can potentially provide a non-destructive means for golf course superintendents and architects to obtain the shallow subsurface information required to address their maintenance and remodeling concerns. This case study assessment of near-surface geophysical methods in regard to golf course applications focused on electromagnetic induction (EMI) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) techniques. The investigation employed two different EMI ground conductivity meters. Two GPR systems were also tested including the evaluation of antenna center frequencies ranging from [Formula: see text]. The study incorporated three separate sites. Measurements with both EMI and GPR were collected on a tee and a green at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, U.S.A. and on a practice green at the Golf Club of Dublin in Dublin, Ohio, U.S.A. GPR was also tested on a golf course green at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute & Environmental Research Centre in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Results indicate that use of the appropriate EMI equipment can provide information on spatial changes of shallow apparent electrical conductivity [Formula: see text] within golf course green constructed soil layers. This [Formula: see text] data could potentially be employed to gauge constructed soil layer conditions, including wetness, salinity, etc., within different areas of a green. GPR proved quite capable of obtaining useful information on the golf course tee and greens that were studied, at least in regard to constructed soil layer thicknesses∕depths or their areal extent and in locating the subsurface drainage pipe systems present. For the GPR center antenna frequencies evaluated, ranging from [Formula: see text], all seemed to work relatively well for mapping tee and green constructed soil layer areal extent and drainage pipe locations. The higher frequency 900 and [Formula: see text] antennas appeared to work best for resolving thicknesses∕depths of constructed soil layers within the tee and greens investigated. In addition, computer modeling of synthetic GPR profiles provide valuable insight and help considerably with data interpretation. While more research is certainly warranted, near-surface geophysical methods, especially EMI and GPR, appear to show promise with respect to acquiring the data needed in golf course maintenance and remodeling applications.
Numerical Modeling of Surface Waves Over Shallow Cavities
Authors: Gelis C. , Leparoux D. , Virieux J. , Bitri A. , Operto S. , Grandjean G.
Published: November 2006

A new stable and accurate, finite-difference 2D elastic seismic wave propagation modeling algorithm is developed, with a Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition to avoid reflections from the edges of the numerical model. This is used to study the interaction of seismic surface waves with near-surface heterogeneities. The effects of different empty cavity shapes and depths and altered zones is evaluated from the direct and diffracted seismograms and corresponding Rayleigh wave dispersion images. Differential seismograms calculated for models both with and without a cavity show a complex, non-symmetrical, diffraction pattern and their dispersion images show well-localized scattering from heterogeneities. Missing coherent energy appears in specific frequency bands, related to the cavity depth, shape and degree of modification of the surrounding medium. The cavity more strongly affects seismograms when it is shallower. A [Formula: see text] deep rectangular cavity generates more severe perturbations than a circular section, due to non-symmetrical back-scattered patterns recognized in dispersion images. Furthermore, low velocity zones around and above the cavity, due to soil alteration, trap waves and lead to increased ground roll attenuation and strong footprints in dispersion images that can possibly mask the cavity signature. If the altered zone extends to the surface as a cone, trapping phenomena completely dominate seismograms. The detection of altered zones is a very useful indication in natural hazard assessment, making it possible to distinguish the signature of a ‘safe’ cavity from a potentially dangerous one.
Variability of Scholte-wave Dispersion in Shallow-water Marine Sediments
Authors: Kugler Simone , Bohlen Thomas , Bussat Sascha , Klein Gerald
Published: November 2006

Models of in situ shear-wave velocities of shallow-water marine sediments are of importance for geotechnical applications, sediment characterization, and seismic exploration studies. Here pseudo-2D shear-wave velocity models are inferred from the lateral variation of Scholte-wave dispersion at five different geological sites in the Baltic Sea (northern Germany). To explore Scholte-wave dispersion and the lateral variability of shear-wave velocities, Scholte waves were excited by air gun shots in the water layer and recorded by stationary ocean-bottom-seismometers or buried geophones. We analyze the recorded seismograms in a common-receiver-gather using offset-windowed, multichannel dispersion analysis. The observed local slowness-frequency spectra for the different study sites vary significantly with respect to excitation amplitudes and phase slownesses of different modes, as well as the excited frequency range. The excitation amplitudes are influenced by the local shear-wave velocity structure, absorption, length of Scholte-wave travel path, and the elevation of the source above the sea floor. The inverted shear-wave velocities range from [Formula: see text]. Directly at the sea bottom, shear-wave velocities of [Formula: see text] for fine muddy sand and [Formula: see text] for glacial till were inferred. The maximum vertical gradient was [Formula: see text] (mean [Formula: see text]) within a depth range of [Formula: see text], and horizontally [Formula: see text] (mean [Formula: see text]) within [Formula: see text] distance. The layer boundaries in the inverted shear-wave velocity models are in good agreement with high-frequency, zero-offset compressional-wave reflections. However, it was not possible to acquire the fundamental Scholte mode above very soft, unconsolidated sediment with shear-wave velocities smaller [Formula: see text]. The analysis of synthetic data shows that this is due to the elevation of the source and the receiver response function.
UXO Time-Constant Estimation from Helicopter-Borne TEM Data
Authors: Holladay J. Scott , Doll William E. , Beard Les P. , Lee James L. C. , Bell David T.
Published: November 2006

We have developed a new helicopter-borne transient electromagnetic system, known as ORAGS-TEM, which was designed for the detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO) through very low altitude measurements. This system has already achieved considerable success in demonstrations over prepared test grids and a bombing site at the former Badlands Bombing Range (BBR) in South Dakota. UXO ranging in size from [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] bombs to [Formula: see text] illumination shells and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] rocket components were detected by both magnetometer and transient electromagnetic technologies during these trials, conducted in September, 2002. The signal∕noise ratio (SNR) observed in TEM measurements during these trials was high, prompting us to ask, “What degree of UXO discrimination can be achieved through detailed analysis of this airborne TEM dataset?” Given the degree of spatial averaging and sampling limitations imposed by the system’s flight height and speed, we felt that a very detailed analysis of the type performed by Pasion and Oldenburg would not be practical. Instead, we developed an improved transient analysis technique based on the Matrix Pencil Method to improve the accuracy of exponential decomposition of the observed transients. Where target SNR values of 10 or higher were present this method yielded repeatable results that reliably distinguished compact, long-time-constant targets such as bombs and artillery shells from short-time-constant targets such as thin-walled scrap from practice bombs. As system sensitivity and resolution continues to improve, we expect that similar target discrimination methods will become standard data analysis tools.
Optimization of Array Configurations and Panel Combinations for the Detection and Imaging of Abandoned Mineshafts using 3D Cross-Hole Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Authors: Wilkinson Paul B. , Chambers Jonathan E. , Meldrum Philip I. , Ogilvy Richard D. , Caunt Simon
Published: November 2006

Cross-borehole electrical resistivity tomography was used to detect and image a concealed air-filled mineshaft at a greenfield test site. The measurement configurations and panel combinations were selected using a two-stage optimization process. An optimal set of array configurations was selected for each cross-borehole panel on the basis of the model resolution matrix. Subsequently, various combinations of panels were tested with synthetic and field data to determine the effects of coverage and data density on the resulting tomographic image. In the field trials, complicating factors were introduced by the use of resistive cement linings in the boreholes. A resistive feature was detected between the boreholes using a single panel and a 2.5D inversion, but the image quality was too poor to identify this as a mineshaft. A much-improved image was obtained using eight boreholes and eight panels with a full 3D inversion. Only four of these panels intersected the shaft. Crucially, the other panels provided coverage of outlying regions of the model, enabling the inversion algorithm to distinguish between the resistive effects of the borehole linings and the mineshaft.
Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in dogs: 1,644 cases (1991–2001)
Authors: Bamberger Michelle , Houpt Katherine A.
Published: November 2006

Objective—To determine trends in behavior diagnoses; assess the relationship between diagnoses and age, sex, reproductive status, and breed; and evaluate associations between diagnoses within the same dog (comorbidity).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—1,644 dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs evaluated for behavioral problems were reviewed for breed, sex, reproductive status, consultation year, birth date, and diagnoses.

Results—Numbers of dogs with aggression, anxiety, and unruly behavior increased over the course of the study, as did the total number of dogs evaluated for behavioral problems. In general and for aggression, Dalmatians, English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherd Dogs, and mixed-breed dogs were evaluated more often than expected, whereas Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers were evaluated less often than expected. Labrador Retrievers were also underrepresented for anxiety, whereas mixed-breed dogs were overrepresented. Males were overrepresented except for interdog aggression, anxieties, and phobias, whereas females were overrepresented for phobias. Dogs with phobias were evaluated at a median age of 6.5 years, compared with dogs with other problems (median age, 2.5 years). A mean of 1.6 diagnoses/dog was observed, with certain diagnoses clustered.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that in dogs, behavioral problems changed over the course of the study; age, sex, and breed distributions varied among diagnoses; and certain diagnoses were likely to occur together.
Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in cats: 736 cases (1991–2001)
Authors: Bamberger Michelle , Houpt Katherine A.
Published: November 2006

Objective—To describe trends in behavior diagnoses from 1991 to 2001; assess the relationship between diagnoses and age, sex, reproductive status, and breed; and evaluate associations between diagnoses within the same cat (comorbidity).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—736 cats.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for species, breed, sex, reproductive status, consultation year, birth date, and diagnoses.

Results—The caseload decreased over the course of the study. Aggression toward people increased, and spraying decreased. Cases involving Siamese cats decreased over time. Siamese cats were evaluated more often than expected in general and specifically for aggression and ingestive behavior problems, whereas Persian cats were evaluated more often than expected for elimination outside of the litter box. Domestic shorthair cats were evaluated less often than expected in general and specifically for aggression, ingestive behavior problems, and house soiling. Male cats were overrepresented. Cats with ingestive behavior problems were evaluated at a median age of 1.5 years, compared with cats with other problems (median age, 5.5 years). Certain diagnoses were clustered, with a mean of 1.2 diagnoses/cat.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that in cats, behavior problems changed over the course of the study, age and breed distributions varied among diagnoses, and certain diagnoses were likely to occur together.
Simple and generally applicable method of determination and evaluation of foam properties
Authors: Lunkenheimer K. , Malysa K.
Published: November 2006

A new, simple foam test, in which a well‐controlled volume of gas is introduced into a definite volume of solution, is presented along with the method of analysis. Aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), n‐octyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and n‐hexanol, i.e., four systems forming metastable and transient foams, were studied. The parameter R5, defined as the ratio of the height of the foam at 5 min after formation to the initial height, is proposed for the evaluation of foam stability. Foams having R5 values higher than 50% can be considered as metastable. Lower R5 values indicate low‐stability foams. Changes of R5 values with concentration are similar to those of foam half‐life with concentration. Thus, instead of measurements lasting hours for the foam half‐life, one can obtain similar information from tests lasting only a few minutes. With this test also one can obtain information about the solution contents in foams. This parameter can be used as an additional criterion for the evaluation of foam stability. In the case of metastable foams formed by SDS, CTAB, and n‐octyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside, the initial foam volume was almost equal to the volumes of the dispersed gas and the solution carried into the foam by the bubbles. This shows that there was practically no rupture of foam films at the stage of the foam formation.
Dynamic and equilibrium surface tensions of surfactin aqueous solutions
Authors: Razafindralambo Hary , Thonart Philippe , Paquox Michel
Published: November 2006

A homologous series of surfactins containing β‐hydroxy fatty acids having 13, 14, or 15 carbon atoms were isolated from the supernatant of Bacillus subtilis strain S499 cultures. Their surface‐active properties at the air‐water interface were then evaluated. Dynamic surface tension data were analyzed by the relaxation function γt=γm+(γo−γm)/[1+(t/t*)n]. Based on various parameters t*, n, vmax, γm calculated from this equation, the dynamic surface properties of surfactin were found to depend on both bulk concentration and hydrophobic character of the alkyl chain. At low concentrations of surfactin, the dynamic surface tension (γd) decreased with increasing carbon atom number of the surfactin alkyl chain (n=13 to 15). However, at high concentrations, the maximum decrease of 41‐4 was achieved by surfactin‐C14. In contrast, more strongly hydrophobic alkyl chains in surfactins always enhanced their ability in reducing the equilibrium surface tensions and their aptitude in forming micelles.
Surfactants and protocols to induce spontaneous emulsification and enhance detergency
Authors: López‐Montilla Juan C. , James Monica A. , Crisalle Oscar D. , Shah Dinesh O.
Published: November 2006

In this study the presence of an oil‐soluble nonionic surfactant, Brij 30 (polyoxyethylene‐4 lauryl ether), in an oil stain, or its addition to the stain through an oil‐based solution or water‐based mixture is shown to enhance, to a great extent, the spontaneous removal of the stain from a polyester fabric by inducing rollback and spontaneous emulsification phenomena. These findings lead to potential applications of Brij 30 as laundry pre‐spotters for enhancement of the removal of tough stains. The effect of three key factors, namely, the surfactant type, the surfactant concentration, and the surfactant application protocol, on the effectiveness of spontaneous detergency was analyzed via ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The test fabrics were soiled with a stain composed of mineral oil plus orange OT dye [1‐(o‐tolylazo)‐2‐naphthol]. The results showed that all three factors were important for effective detergency. Brij 30 removed more than 80% w/w of the stain, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate removed less than 24% w/w, and Brij 35 (polyoxyethylene‐23 lauryl ether) was ineffective, removing less than 1% w/w. It was also observed that a low threshold concentration of Brij 30, approximately 0.2 mM, was required to spontaneously remove the oil stain, and that higher concentrations did not cause a significant enhancement of the effectiveness of soil removal. Brij 30 completed the detergency effect in less than 1 min, which may have beneficial implications regarding reduced energy consumption. Video microscopy studies revealed that at low Brij 30 surfactant concentrations, the mechanism for spontaneous oil removal proceeded predominantly via a rollback mechanism and that at higher concentrations, a spontaneous emulsification mechanism became progressively more important.
Study of the kinetics of oxidation of amines by potassium ferricyanide in the presence of N,N‐dimethyldodecylamine N‐oxide
Authors: Zourab Shehata M. , Ezzo Essam M. , El‐Aila Hisham J. , Salem Jamil K. J.
Published: November 2006

This research reports on the oxidation of different amines such as dibutylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, ethylamine, ethylmethylamine, propylamine, triethylamine, and trimethylamine by 0.001 M potassium ferricyanide in the presence of 0.03 M NaOH at 25°C in aqueous medium and/or in 0.03 M N,N‐dimethyldodecylamine N‐oxide (DDAO). Oxidation rates were studied with a spectrophotometer at 420 nm. The experimental data showed that the reaction was first‐order with respect to [amine]T and [Fe(CN)6]3−. Also, the rate constant (kobs) had values within the concentration range of 0.015–0.05 M of NaOH and increased above the critical micelle concentration values of DDAO. The dependence of the reaction rate on the nature of the salt was also investigated, and the thermodynamic parameters ΔG*, ΔH*, and ΔS* were calculated. A pseudo‐phase model was applied to the system, and the binding constant of the amine to DDAO micelles was calculated.
Preparation, surface‐active properties, and antimicrobial activities of bis‐quaternary ammonium salts from amines and epichlorohydrin
Authors: Chlebicki Jan , Węgrzyńska Joanna , Maliszewska Irena , Oświęcimska Magorzata
Published: November 2006

A series of new cationic surfactants, bis‐quaternary ammonium salts, were prepared from tert‐alkylamine and a product of the reaction of epichlorohydrin with decyl‐ and dodecylamine, and their surface‐active properties were measured. Specifically, the critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness of surface tension reduction (γCMC), surface excess concentration (Γ), area per molecule at the interface (A), and standard free energies of adsorption (ΔGadso) and of micellization (ΔGmico) were determined. All these surfactants showed good water solubility and low CMC, more than one order of magnitude lower than those of corresponding mono‐alkylammonium salts. They also showed good foaming properties but worse wetting capabilities. Many of these compounds had antimicrobial activities against gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and yeast (Candida albicans), but they were not active against molds.
Influence of surfactants on the parameters of polylactide nanocapsules containing insulin
Authors: Zhu Yinyan , Zhang Gaoyong , Yang Hengquan , Hong Xinlin
Published: November 2006

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of nonionic emulsifiers on the characteristics of poly(d,l‐lactide) (PLA) nanocapsules, which were formulated using an ultrasound probe by a modified water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) emulsification and solvent evaporation method. The different types of surfactants were used in both steps as hydrophobic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively. The effects of emulsifiers in modifying the size of the nanocapsules were compared with respect to their weighted hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance (HLB) value, and the size was also affected by the content of the emulsifying agent. The mean diameters of insulin‐loaded nanocapsules ranged from 150 to 320 nm and were dependent on the types and content of the surfactants. The variations are due to the aggregation of the surfactants on the inner interface between the inner water and oil of the double emulsion. The encapsulation efficiencies and drug release rates were also affected by the addition of emulsifiers in the preparation process.
Phase behavior of laundry surfactants in polar solvents
Authors: Stuart Marc C. A. , Van de Pas John C. , Engberts Jan B. F. N.
Published: November 2006

Laundry surfactants are usually mixtures of ionic and nonionic detergents that exhibit a complex phase behavior. Here the ternary phase behavior of an isotropic and a liquid crystalline (LC) surfactant mixture has been examined in water/solvent systems. The size of the LC area in the ternary phase diagram was correlated to solvent parameters including the dielectric constant and the Gordon cohesiveness parameter. The Gordon parameter was found to have a linear relationship with the amount of solvent needed to go from an LC to an isotropic state over a wide range of solvents from polar to apolar. For solvents in which no surfactant aggregation (micellar or inverted micellar) is expected, the size of the LC area is linear with the reciprocal of the dielectric constant of the solvent. On diluting practical detergent liquids with water, a large LC area can be avoided by using solvents with a relatively low dielectric constant and with a relatively low molecular weight.

The aggregated state of the surfactant mixtures in the isotropic regions of the phase diagram was studied using the solvatochromic fluorescent probe Nile Red. In the water corner of the phase diagram, the surfactants are aggregated into micelles. In strongly polar solvents, such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, formamide, and ethanolamine, the surfactants are also aggregated into micelles. In somewhat less polar solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, and t‐butanol, the surfactant molecules are randomly distributed. In the surfactant‐rich corner of the phase diagram of the isotropic mixture, the surfactant forms inverted micelles. An inverted micelle‐to‐micelle transition could be observed on dilution in ethylene glycol as a discontinuity in the trend of the Nile Red fluorescence maxima.
Alkyl polyglucosides as hydrotropes
Authors: Matero Anna , Mattsson Åsa , Svensson Martin
Published: November 2006

The hydrotropic effect of different alkyl polyglucosides (APG) has been studied and compared with a model hydrotrope, toluol‐4‐sulfonic acid. The effect has been assessed by two different methods: (i) as the cloud point elevation of a solution containing different nonionic surfactants upon addition of the hydrotrope and (ii) the destabilization of liquid crystaline phases in a ternary system. The effect of the hydrophobic alkyl group length was found to be opposite in the two methods. APG with intermediate alkyl chain lengths (octyl and decyl) was shown to be very effective in elevating the cloud point, while APG with a short (butyl) group was the most efficient in destabilizing liquid crystalline phases in the system of water, sodium dodecyl sulfate and pentanol. Effects on phase behavior and cloud point elevation with addition of an APG are highly dependent on its structure. However, the correlation between structural effects, as observed in the two methods requires further study.
Solubilization of model stratum corneum liposomes by quaternary ammonium surfactants
Authors: de la Maza A. , Coderch L. , Lopez O. , Gonzalez P. , Baucells J. , Parra J. L.
Published: November 2006

The solubilizing interactions of a series of quaternary ammonium surfactants [alkyl chain lengths C‐12 (DoTAB), C‐14 (TeTAB), and C‐16 (HeTAB)] with liposomes formed by a mixture of lipids modeling the stratum corneum (SC) lipid composition (40% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, 25% palmitic acid, and 10% of cholesteryl sulfate) were investigated. Surfactant/lipid molar ratios (Re) and bilayer/aqueous phase partition coefficients (K) were determined by monitoring changes in static light scattering of the system during solubilization. Free surfactant concentration was always similar to the critical micelle concentration (CMC). A general assumption for phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes suggests that the free surfactant concentration must reach CMC for solubilization to occur. This assumption can be applied to SC liposomes in this study, and indicates that liposome solubilization was mainly driven by mixed micelle formation. The Re and K parameters fell as the surfactant alkyl chain length decreased or CMC increased. Thus, a higher CMC corrsponds to an increased ability of these surfactants to saturate or solubilize SC liposomes and to a lower degree of partitioning into liposomes or affinity with these bilayer structures. The overall balance of these opposing tendencies shows that TeTAB had the highest effectiveness with respect to the saturation and solubilization of SC structures in terms of total surfactant needed to produce these effects. Different trends in surfactant interaction with SC liposomes were observed when comparing Re and K parameters with those for PC liposomes. Because SC liposomes were more resistant to the surfactant action, the affinity of surfactants with these bilayer structures was higher in all cases.
Pyrimidinium cationic surfactants as emulsifiers for oil‐in‐water emulsions
Authors: Pegiadou‐Koemtjopoulou S. , Tsatsaroni E. , Mylona M.
Published: November 2006

Pyrimidinium cationic surfactants with 13–17 carbon atoms in the hydrophobe were used as emulsifiers for oil‐inwater (heptane/water) emulsions at concentrations near the critical micelle concentrations. Interfacial tensions of the emulsifier solutions in water against heptane were measured. Drop size distributions of the emulsions were determined at different times using microscopic techniques, and the rate of coalescence was calculated. The structure having 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain had coalescence rates lower than the other structures, including two conventional C‐16 cationics used as controls.
Use of low‐temperature differential scanning calorimetry for determination of ethylene oxide content in some nonionic surfactants
Authors: Rao V. Mohan , Uma S. , Gajelli C. G. , Kelkar Ravi Y.
Published: November 2006

Low‐temperature differential scanning calorimetry studies on ethoxylates of hydrogenated castor oil and 12‐hydroxystearic acid show endothermic transformations that could be ascribed to melting of ethylene oxide (EO) components of the surfactant molecule. The ethoxylation process also results in formation of free polyethylene glycol (PEG). Separation of free PEG followed by area under the curve measurements enabled estimation of EO content of the product formed during manufacture. The melting endotherm provided additional information on the chain‐length distribution of polyoxyethylene units in the surfactant.
Critical micelle concentrations of ternary surfactant mixtures: Theoretical prediction with user‐friendly computer programs and experimental design analysis
Authors: Coret J. , Shiloach A. , Berger P. , Blankschtein D.
Published: November 2006

We studied the behavior of an aqueous ternary surfactant mixture composed of a nonionic surfactant and two anionic surfactants which differ in both surfactant hydrophobic tail length and surfactant hydrophilic head structure. We used an experimental design program to calculate the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of this ternary surfactant mixture over the entire range of solution compositions. As inputs, the experimental design methodology requires the values of the ternary surfactant mixture CMCs for a limited subset of solution compositions which is determined by the experimental design program. We showed that this subset of ternary surfactant mixture CMC values can either be measured experimentally or predicted theoretically. The theoretical CMCs were predicted by a series of userfriendly computer programs which are based on molecular‐ther‐modynamic theories describing single and mixed micelle formation. The experimental design program generated two surfaces describing the ternary surfactant mixture CMCs over the entire solution composition range—one based on the experimentally measured subset of CMC values, and the other based on the theoretically predicted CMC values for the same subset of solution compositions. We found that these two CMC surfaces agree very well, thus demonstrating the utility of the computerassisted molecular‐thermodynamic modeling as a predictive tool in surfactant mixture characterization and design.
Rinse‐added fabric softener technology at the close of the twentieth century
Authors: Levinson Matthew I.
Published: November 2006

This paper reviews rinse‐added liquid fabric softener products including current and emerging technologies related to composition, raw materials, and manufacturing processes. An introductory overview of the historical drivers, market trends, advantages and disadvantages, and consumer habits and practices that affect these products is also included.