bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual Composition of Human Leukocyte Antigens and Periodontopathogens in the Background of Periodontitis
Authors: Reichert Stefan , Altermann Wolfgang , Stein Jamal M. , Schaller Hans‐Günter , Machulla Helmut K.G. , Schulz Susanne
Published: March 2012

Background: Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are a basic precondition to induce the immune response to pathogens. Therefore, this study evaluates associations among periodontitis, five key periodontopathic bacteria, and HLAs to test their impact together with additional risk factors in multivariate analyses.

Methods: Eighty‐five patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and 71 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP) were compared to 88 periodontitis‐free controls. HLA Class I and II typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence‐specific primers. Subgingival plaque specimens were detected by PCR with sequence‐specific oligonucleotides. Risk‐factor analyses were performed with respect to the cofactors age, sex, smoking, and plaque level by logistic regression.

Results: In the total patient group (GAgP + CP), the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of periodontitis was decreased in cases who were carriers of HLA‐B*57 (OR = 0.259, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.086 to 0.782), HLA‐DQB1*08 (OR = 0.404, 95% CI = 0.187 to 0.871), or the combination HLA‐DRB1*04;DRB4*;DQB1*0302 (OR = 0.407, 95% CI = 0.185 to 0.895). Moreover, individuals who expressed HLA‐DRB1*04 (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.148 to 0.886) or HLA‐DRB1*04;DRB4*;DQB1*0302 (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.092 to 0.884) had a decreased colonization risk with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Conclusions: Certain HLA markers were negatively associated to the manifestation of a generalized periodontitis and/or the individual colonization of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The underlying mechanisms have to be investigated in future studies.
Effect of Diabetes on Severity and Hospital Mortality in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Shen Hsiu-Nien , Lu Chin-Li , Li Chung-Yi
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to further investigate whether diabetes may also adversely affect outcomes of patients with AP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we compared 18,990 first-attack AP with diabetes to 37,980 matched control subjects from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2009. Primary outcomes were development of severe AP, defined by a modified Atlanta classification scheme, and hospital mortality. Analyses were performed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations accounting for hospital clustering effect.

RESULTS

After baseline characteristics were adjusted, AP patients with diabetes had a higher risk of a severe attack than their nondiabetic counterparts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.16–1.26). When severity criteria were analyzed individually, diabetic AP patients had a 58% higher risk of intensive care unit admission and a 30% higher risk of local complications, but a 16% lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, than AP patients without diabetes. The risk of organ failure at least one system) was similar between the two groups. Conversely, AP patients with diabetes were associated with a lower risk of hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Although diabetes may adversely affect the disease process of AP, it seems to protect patients from AP-related mortality.
Prepregnancy Consumption of Fruits and Fruit Juices and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chen Liwei , Hu Frank B. , Yeung Edwina , Tobias Deirdre K. , Willett Walter C. , Zhang Cuilin
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

Examine the association of prepregnancy habitual consumption of fruits and fruit juices and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A prospective study among women with at least one singleton pregnancy in the Nurses’ Health Study II from 1991 to 2001.

RESULTS

Among 13,475 women, 860 reported a first diagnosis of GDM. The adjusted relative risks (RRs) for GDM from the lowest to highest quintile of whole fruit consumption were 1.00 (referent), 0.80 (95% CI 0.65–0.98), 0.90 (0.73–1.10), 0.80 (0.64–1.00), and 0.93 (0.76–1.16), respectively. The corresponding RRs for fruit juice were 1.00, 0.82 (0.66–1.01), 0.78 (0.63–0.96), 0.84 (0.68–1.04), and 1.00 (0.81–1.23).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that prepregnancy higher consumption of whole fruits is not associated with an increased GDM risk. The association between fruit juices and GDM risk appears to be nonlinear.
Herbarium specimens, photographs, and field observations show Philadelphia area plants are responding to climate change
Authors: Panchen Zoe A. , Primack Richard B. , Aniśko Tomasz , Lyons Robert E.
Published: March 2012

• Premise of the study: The global climate is changing rapidly and is expected to continue changing in coming decades. Studying changes in plant flowering times during a historical period of warming temperatures gives us a way to examine the impacts of climate change and allows us to predict further changes in coming decades. The Greater Philadelphia region has a long and rich history of botanical study and documentation, with abundant herbarium specimens, field observations, and botanical photographs from the mid‐1800s onward. These extensive records also provide an opportunity to validate methodologies employed by other climate change researchers at a different biogeographical area and with a different group of species.

• Methods: Data for 2539 flowering records from 1840 to 2010 were assessed to examine changes in flowering response over time and in relation to monthly minimum temperatures of 28 Piedmont species native to the Greater Philadelphia region.

• Key results: Regression analysis of the date of flowering with year or with temperature showed that, on average, the Greater Philadelphia species studied are flowering 16 d earlier over the 170‐yr period and 2.7 d earlier per 1°C rise in monthly minimum temperature.

• Conclusions: Of the species studied, woody plants with short flowering duration are the best indicators of a warming climate. For monthly minimum temperatures, temperatures 1 or 2 mo prior to flowering are most significantly correlated with flowering time. Studies combining herbarium specimens, photographs, and field observations are an effective method for detecting the effects of climate change on flowering times.
Experimental study of O2 diffusion coefficient measurement at a planar gas–liquid interface by planar laser‐induced fluorescence with inhibition
Authors: Jimenez Mélanie , Dietrich Nicolas , Cockx Arnaud , Hébrard and Gilles
Published: March 2012

A new method for determining the molecular diffusivity of oxygen in liquids is described. The technique was applied through a flat air–liquid interface in a Hele‐Shaw cell (5 × 5 × 0.2 cm3) and was based on planar laser‐induced fluorescence (PLIF) with inhibition. A ruthenium complex (C72H48N8O6Ru) was used as the fluorescent dye sensitive to oxygen. A mathematical analysis was developed to determine the molecular diffusivity of oxygen simply by localizing the gas diffusion front. The specificity of this mathematical analysis is that it does not require the properties of the fluids (such as the saturation concentration) to be considered, which is especially relevant for complex media that are sometimes difficult to characterize properly. This technique was applied to three different fluids (viscosities ranging from 1 to 2.4 mPa·s) corresponding to binary diffusion coefficients ranging from 9.5 × 10−10 to 2 × 10−9 m2/s. Experimental data were found with an uncertainty of about 5% and were in good agreement with the literature. Particle image velocimetry and numerical simulations were also carried out to determine the optimal gas flow rate (0.01 L/s) to reach purely diffusive transfer, and the corresponding hydrodynamic profiles of the two phases. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 325–333, 2013
Permanent antistatic polypropylene based on polyethylene wax/polypropylene wax grafting sodium acrylate
Authors: Xu Xiang , Xiao Huining , Guan Yong , Li Shuzhao , Wei Dafu , Zheng Anna
Published: March 2012

Two types of permanent antistatic agents, polyethylene wax grafted with sodium acrylate (PEW‐g‐AAS) and polypropylene (PP) wax grafted with sodium acrylate (PPW‐g‐AAS), were prepared using a solution grafting method and applied to PP for enhancing antistatic properties. The grafting degree was determined using back titration method and structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antistatic properties of PEW‐g‐AAS/PP blends and PPW‐g‐AAS/PP blends were characterized by surface resistivities (ρs) and volume resistivities (ρv), and a combination of contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscope, permittivity, and dielectric loss were used to investigate the surface and inner structures of the blends. Results showed ρs and ρv of PEW‐g‐AAS/PP blends dropped significantly (4–7 magnitudes) above a critical addition at 10%, where a electrostatic dissipative network formed; PPW‐g‐AAS revealed an inferior antistatic performance than PEW‐g‐AAS due to its better compatibility and smaller dispersed phase in the matrix. Further, the antistatic blends treated in 80°C water, 80°C air, and room temperature were investigated, and the results were interpreted from surface energy. Moreover, the addition of antistatic agent had little impact on tensile strength of the PP matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Creep and strength retention of aramid fibers
Authors: Giannopoulos Ioannis P. , Burgoyne Chris J.
Published: March 2012

Creep tests at ambient conditions have been carried out on Kevlar 49 and Technora yarns covering a wide stress spectrum (10–70% average breaking load) for a long period of time (up to a year). The results confirm that Kevlar 49 and Technora yarns show a nonlinear behavior at stresses below 40% of the breaking load and a linear behavior at stresses above 40%. The strength retention following creep for Kevlar 49 and Technora has also been examined. The results show a significant difference in the behavior of the two materials. Kevlar 49 appears to lose strength almost linearly with time, while Technora seems to lose strength much more rapidly. These results would have significant implications for design. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis of poly(vinyl acetate) by degenerative transfer polymerization in the presence of iodine
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Zhang Wensheng , Li Wei , Yan Jinlong , Shen Guoyu , Li Jun
Published: March 2012

Polymerization of vinyl acetate initiated by 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) at 75°C in the presence of iodine has been investigated. The process efficiently controls the number‐average molecular weight and low polydispersities (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.52). Poly(vinyl acetate) with predetermined molecular weight and relatively low polydispersity was successfully synthesized. The polymerization was followed by online 1H‐NMR spectra to investigate the evolution of several compounds in the reaction medium, especially the adduct of α‐iodoisobutyronitrile ((CH3)2(CN)CI) between primary radicals and iodine. The structure of the end groups of poly(vinyl acetate) also was investigated using 1H‐NMR spectra. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of filler–elastomer interactions on the mechanical and nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors of chemically modified silica‐reinforced solution‐polymerized styrene butadiene rubber
Authors: Qu Liangliang , Yu Guozhu , Wang Lili , Li Chuanqing , Zhao Qingsong , Li Jing
Published: March 2012

We explore the effects of surface modification of silica on mechanical and nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors of solution‐polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) filled by modified silica (M‐Silica). Compared with pristine silica‐filled SSBR, SSBR reinforced by M‐Silica presents not only better filler dispersity and mechanical properties but also lower internal friction in the certain temperature range. The cure kinetics was investigated in term of curemeter, and the kinetics parameters of SSBR/M‐Silica were found to vary from those of SSBR with pristine silica, indicating that silane coupling agent molecules grafted on the silica surface provoked an enhanced mobility of rubber chain adsorbed onto filler surface and then decreased the barrier of crosslink reaction. Analysis using tube model theory provided more evidence for the reinforcement effect of M‐Silica. SSBR containing M‐Silica exhibited a combination of increments in topological tube‐like constraints and crosslink density in comparison with SSBR filled with pristine silica. Strain dependence of dynamic modulus revealed that the secondary network formed by silica particles was destroyed to some extent with the increase of the hydrophobic character of silica surface. Loss factor of SSBR/M‐Silica was dominated by different mechanism in different temperature range, i.e., secondary filler network at glass transition temperature and rubber–filler interaction and entangled structure above room temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Perceptual and Neural Response to Affective Tactile Texture Stimulation in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Cascio Carissa J. , Moana‐Filho Estephan J. , Guest Steve , Nebel Mary Beth , Weisner Jonathan , Baranek Grace T. , Essick Gregory K.
Published: March 2012

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with differences in sensory sensitivity and affective response to sensory stimuli, the neural basis of which is still largely unknown. We used psychophysics and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate responses to somatosensory stimulation with three textured surfaces that spanned a range of roughness and pleasantness in a sample of adults with ASD and a control group. While psychophysical ratings of roughness and pleasantness were largely similar across the two groups, the ASD group gave pleasant and unpleasant textures more extreme average ratings than did controls. In addition, their ratings for a neutral texture were more variable than controls, indicating they are less consistent in evaluating a stimulus that is affectively ambiguous. Changes in brain blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal in response to stimulation with these textures differed substantially between the groups, with the ASD group exhibiting diminished responses compared to the control group, particularly for pleasant and neutral textures. For the most unpleasant texture, the ASD group exhibited greater BOLD response than controls in affective somatosensory processing areas such as the posterior cingulate cortex and the insula. The amplitude of response in the insula in response to the unpleasant texture was positively correlated with social impairment as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐R). These results suggest that people with ASD tend to show diminished response to pleasant and neutral stimuli, and exaggerated limbic responses to unpleasant stimuli, which may contribute to diminished social reward associated with touch, perpetuating social withdrawal, and aberrant social development. Autism Res 2012,5:231–244. © 2012 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Review self‐assembly of amphipathic β‐sheet peptides: Insights and applications
Authors: Bowerman Charles J. , Nilsson Bradley L.
Published: March 2012

Amphipathic peptides composed of alternating polar and nonpolar residues have a strong tendency to self‐assemble into one‐dimensional, amyloid‐like fibril structures. Fibrils derived from peptides of general (XZXZ)n sequence in which X is hydrophobic and Z is hydrophilic adopt a putative β‐sheet bilayer. The bilayer configuration allows burial of the hydrophobic X side chain groups in the core of the fibril and leaves the polar Z side chains exposed to solvent. This architectural arrangement provides fibrils that maintain high solubility in water and has facilitated the recent exploitation of self‐assembled amphipathic peptide fibrils as functional biomaterials. This article is a critical review of the development and application of self‐assembling amphipathic peptides with a focus on the fundamental insight these types of peptides provide into peptide self‐assembly phenomena. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 169–184, 2012.
Juvenile Homosexual Homicide
Authors: Myers Wade C. , Chan Heng Choon (Oliver)
Published: March 2012

Limited information exists on juvenile homosexual homicide (JHH), that is, youths who perpetrate sexual homicides against same‐sex victims. Only a handful of cases from the United States and internationally have been described in the literature. This study, the first of its kind, examines the epidemiology, victimology, victim–offender relationship, and weapon‐use patterns in JHH offenders using a large U.S. database on homicide spanning three decades. The data for this study were derived from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHRs) for the years 1976 through 2005. A total of 93 cases of JHH were identified. On average, three of these crimes occurred annually in the U.S., and there was a marked decline in its incidence over the study period. Ninety‐five percent were male offender–male victim cases and 5% were female offender–female victim cases. JHH offenders were over‐represented amongst all juvenile sexual murderers, similar to their adult counterparts. The majority of these boys were aged 16 or 17 and killed adult victims. They were significantly more likely to kill adult victims than other age groups, to be friends or acquaintances of the victims, and to use contact/edged weapons or firearms. Most offenders killed same‐race victims, although Black offenders were significantly more likely than White offenders to kill interracially. A case report is provided to illustrate JHH. Further research is needed to promote our understanding of the pathogenesis, etiology, and associated risk factors for this aberrant form of murder by children. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of an Unnatural Amino Acid Side Chain on the Conformational Dynamics of Peptides
Authors: Han Chen , Wang Jianping
Published: March 2012

In this work, a non‐natural amino acid, H‐propargylglycine‐OH (Pra), is chosen to examine the side‐chain effect on the backbone conformation of small peptides. The conformations of two synthesized Pra‐containing tripeptides, Ac‐Pra‐Pra‐NH2 (PPTP) and Ac‐Pra‐Ala‐NH2 (PATP), are examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum chemical computations. By analyzing the joint distributions of backbone torsional angles, several significant conformations can be identified for the two tripeptides solvated in D2O. At room temperature, 44 % of PPTP exists in the α‐α conformation and 33 % of PATP exists in the α‐polyproline‐II conformation. Larger structural inhomogeneity is seen in both cases by MD simulations at elevated temperatures. Thus even a small side chain, such as the propargyl group can significantly alter the peptide backbone conformations. The results suggest that there is no overwhelming conformational propensity of the Pra residue in short peptides. IR spectra simulated in the amide‐I region using two different methods, reasonably reproduce the experimental IR spectra and their temperature dependence.
Primary Fragmentation Pathways of Gas Phase [M(Uracil−H)(Uracil)]+ Complexes (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pd , Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Pb): Loss of Uracil versus HNCO
Authors: Ali Osama Y. , Randell Nicholas M. , Fridgen Travis D.
Published: March 2012

Complexes formed between metal dications, the conjugate base of uracil, and uracil are investigated by sustained off‐resonance irradiation collision‐induced dissociation (SORI‐CID) in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer. Positive‐ion electrospray spectra show that [M(Ura−H)(Ura)]+ (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pd, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or Pb) is the most abundant ion even at low concentrations of uracil. SORI‐CID experiments show that the main primary decomposition pathway for all [M(Ura−H)(Ura)]+, except where M=Ca, Sr, Ba, or Pb, is the loss of HNCO. Under the same SORI‐CID conditions, when M is Ca, Sr, Ba, or Pb, [M(Ura−H)(Ura)]+ are shown to lose a molecule of uracil. Similar results were observed under infrared multiple‐photon dissociation excitation conditions, except that [Ca(Ura−H)(Ura)]+ was found to lose HNCO as the primary fragmentation product. The binding energies between neutral uracil and [M(Ura−H)]+ (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Cd, Pd ,Mg, Ca, Sr Ba, or Pb) are calculated by means of electronic‐structure calculations. The differences in the uracil binding energies between complexes which lose uracil and those which lose HNCO are consistent with the experimentally observed differences in fragmentation pathways. A size dependence in the binding energies suggests that the interaction between uracil and [M(Ura−H)]+ is ion–dipole complexation and the experimental evidence presented supports this.
Acene‐Modified Triphenylamine Dyes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: A Computational Study
Authors: Fan Wenjie , Tan Dazhi , Deng Wei‐Qiao
Published: March 2012

A series of metal‐free acene‐modified triphenylamine dyes (benzene to pentacene, denoted as TPA‐AC1 to TPA‐AC5) are investigated as organic sensitizers for application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A combination of density functional theory (DFT), density functional tight‐binding (DFTB), and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) approaches is employed. The effects of acene units on the spectra and electrochemical properties of the acene‐modified TPA organic dyes are demonstrated. The dye/(TiO2)46 anatase nanoparticle systems are also simulated to show the electronic structures at the interface. The results show that from TPA‐AC1 to TPA‐AC5 with increasing sizes of the acenes, the absorption and fluorescence spectra are systematically broadened and red‐shifted, but the oscillator strength and electron injection properties are reduced. The molecular orbital contributions show increasing localization on the bridging acene units from TPA‐AC1 to TPA‐AC5. From the theoretical examination of some key parameters including free enthalpy related to the electron injection, light‐harvesting efficiency, and the shift of semiconductor conduction band, TPA‐AC3 with an anthracene moiety demonstrates a balance of the above crucial factors. TPA‐AC3 is expected to be a promising dye with desirable energetic and spectroscopic parameters in the DSSC field, which is consistent with recent experimental work. This study is expected to deepen our understanding of TPA‐based organic dyes and assist the molecular design of new metal‐free dyes for the further optimization of DSSCs.
Antioxidant and prooxidant effects of lanthanum ions on Vicia faba L. seedlings under cadmium stress, suggesting ecological risk
Authors: Wang Cheng-Run , Xiao Jia-Jun , Tian Yuan , Bao Xia , Liu Ling , Yu Yan , Wang Xiao-Rong , Chen Tian-Yu
Published: March 2012

The present study combined chemical analyses and biological measurements to investigate biphasic effects of La on Cd stress in leaves of Vicia faba seedlings, which were hydroponically cultivated for 15 d in the combination of 6 µM CdCl2 and 2 to 480 µM La(NO3)3, respectively. The results showed that contents of Cd first elevated above and then declined below the 6 µM single Cd treatment when 2 to 30 µM extraneous La were combined. Contents of mineral nutrients altered differentially and became imbalanced. No distinct band was observed in catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), or ascorbate peroxidase (APX) patterns, but in superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozymes by the supplementation with 8 to 480 µM of extraneous La. Superoxide dismutase and APX activities changed as a U-shaped curve; however, CAT and GPX changed as an inverted U-shaped curve along with increasing La. Moreover, heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) production was reduced below the single treatment of Cd at 2 to 8 µM of extraneous La and enhanced thereafter. Thus, La at lower concentrations promoted antioxidation against Cd stress; La at higher concentrations turned to prooxidant effects, implicating potential ecological risk. Heat shock protein 70, combined with the antioxidant enzymes, constitutes an integrative defense system, which can be used to estimate the degree of antioxidation or prooxidation of extraneous La to Cd-induced oxidative stress in the seedlings. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1355–1362. © 2012 SETAC
Comparison of the SnowHydro snow sampler with existing snow tube designs
Authors: Dixon David , Boon Sarah
Published: March 2012

Snow tube samplers are the primary method of measuring snow water equivalent (SWE) in the field, as they are considerably less destructive to the snowpack and faster to use than traditional snow pit techniques. This study evaluates the performance of three commonly used snow tube designs: Standard Federal, Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC), and SnowHydro. The Standard Federal and MSC designs have previously been extensively tested; however, the SnowHydro is a new design for which an error analysis has not yet been published. We compared the three designs in a shallow, highly stratified snowpack in both a forest and a clearcut, conditions that are not well represented in previous studies. While the Standard Federal produced SWE values closest to snow pit measurements, the SnowHydro snow tube outperformed the other two designs in terms of coring performance and produced more consistent SWE measurements. Although this is the first published study to quantify the performance of the SnowHydro sampler, additional studies under varying snow conditions are required to adequately quantify sampling errors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer incidence among Nordic airline cabin crew
Authors: Pukkala Eero , Helminen Mika , Haldorsen Tor , Hammar Niklas , Kojo Katja , Linnersjö Anette , Rafnsson Vilhjálmur , Tulinius Hrafn , Tveten Ulf , Auvinen Anssi
Published: March 2012

Airline cabin crew are occupationally exposed to cosmic radiation and jet lag with potential disruption of circadian rhythms. This study assesses the influence of work‐related factors in cancer incidence of cabin crew members. A cohort of 8,507 female and 1,559 male airline cabin attendants from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden was followed for cancer incidence for a mean follow‐up time of 23.6 years through the national cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were defined as ratios of observed and expected numbers of cases. A case‐control study nested in the cohort (excluding Norway) was conducted to assess the relation between the estimated cumulative cosmic radiation dose and cumulative number of flights crossing six time zones (indicator of circadian disruption) and cancer risk. Analysis of breast cancer was adjusted for parity and age at first live birth. Among female cabin crew, a significantly increased incidence was observed for breast cancer [SIR 1.50, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.32–1.69], leukemia (1.89, 95% CI 1.03–3.17) and skin melanoma (1.85, 95% CI 1.41–2.38). Among men, significant excesses in skin melanoma (3.00, 95% CI 1.78–4.74), nonmelanoma skin cancer (2.47, 95% CI 1.18–4.53), Kaposi sarcoma (86.0, 95% CI 41.2–158) and alcohol‐related cancers (combined SIR 3.12, 95% CI 1.95–4.72) were found. This large study with complete follow‐up and comprehensive cancer incidence data shows an increased incidence of several cancers, but according to the case‐control analysis, excesses appear not to be related to the cosmic radiation or circadian disruptions from crossing multiple time zones.
Impairment of prostate cancer cell growth by a selective and reversible lysine‐specific demethylase 1 inhibitor
Authors: Willmann Dominica , Lim Soyoung , Wetzel Stefan , Metzger Eric , Jandausch Anett , Wilk Wolfram , Jung Manfred , Forne Ignasi , Imhof Axel , Janzer Andreas , Kirfel Jutta , Waldmann Herbert , Schüle Roland , Buettner Reinhard
Published: March 2012

Post‐translational modifications of histones by chromatin modifying enzymes regulate chromatin structure and gene expression. As deregulation of histone modifications contributes to cancer progression, inhibition of chromatin modifying enzymes such as histone demethylases is an attractive therapeutic strategy to impair cancer growth. Lysine‐specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) removes mono‐ and dimethyl marks from lysine 4 or 9 of histone H3. LSD1 in association with the androgen receptor (AR) controls androgen‐dependent gene expression and prostate tumor cell proliferation, thus highlighting LSD1 as a drug target. By combining protein structure similarity clustering and in vitro screening, we identified Namoline, a γ‐pyrone, as a novel, selective and reversible LSD1 inhibitor. Namoline blocks LSD1 demethylase activity in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of LSD1 by Namoline leads to silencing of AR‐regulated gene expression and severely impairs androgen‐dependent proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Thus, Namoline is a novel promising starting compound for the development of therapeutics to treat androgen‐dependent prostate cancer.
Nicotinic modulation of therapeutic response in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Warren Graham W. , Romano Michelle A. , Kudrimoti Mahesh R. , Randall Marcus E. , McGarry Ronald C. , Singh Anurag K. , Rangnekar Vivek M.
Published: March 2012

Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of developing cancer. Moreover, there is growing evidence that tobacco use decreases survival in cancer patients. Nicotine, a systemically available component of tobacco, is associated with tumor promotion and decreased apoptosis in cell culture; however, the role of nicotine on response to radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in vivo has not been evaluated. Our study evaluated the effects of nicotine administration on cancer cell survival in cell culture and mouse models. Nicotine increased survival in two cell lines following RT in vitro. Nicotine administration in mice during fractionated RT or CRT increased xenograft regrowth as compared to RT or CRT alone. Nicotine increased hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α) expression in tumor xenografts without altering expression of carbonic‐anhydrase, a clinical marker of tumor hypoxia. The effects of nicotine on HIF‐1α expression were transient, returning to baseline levels within 2‐3 days after nicotine removal. Further mechanistic studies indicated that inhibition of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K) prevented nicotine‐mediated increases in HIF‐1α expression as well as the prosurvival effects of nicotine on RT. These findings imply that during tobacco use, nicotine may function as a systemic agent through acute and reversible regulation of HIF‐1α expression and a decreased therapeutic response.
Dexamethasone and postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy in children: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Shargorodsky Josef , Hartnick Christopher J. , Lee Gi Soo
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are common pediatric surgical procedures. Although perioperative administration of dexamethasone is common, recent data indicate a possible association between dexamethasone and increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage.

Study Design:

Meta‐analysis of prospective studies.

Methods:

Meta‐analysis using MEDLINE and EMBASE, including all placebo‐controlled prospective studies with perioperative dexamethasone as the intervention and postoperative bleeding as the outcome, in children age <18 years undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The association between any dexamethasone dose and bleeding outcomes was quantified. Dexamethasone dose analyses were performed using meta‐regression and stratified dose analysis models. Individuals were pooled using the random effects model, and Mantel Haenszel odds ratios (OR) were used to assess the associations. All P values were two‐sided.

Results:

Twelve studies with 1,180 total participants were included in the meta‐analysis. There was no significant association between dexamethasone at any dose and odds of bleeding compared to placebo (OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58‐1.98; P = .82). There was no significant association between increasing dexamethasone dose and bleeding (regression slope = −1.47, P = .10). Stratifying by dose ranges, studies comparing dexamethasone doses in 0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg range to placebo showed significantly increased odds of bleeding (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.14‐8.65; P = .03). Higher or lower doses were not associated with a difference in bleeding.

Conclusions:

There was no overall association between dexamethasone administration and postoperative bleeding in children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. However, this study cannot exclude the possibility of an association between specific dexamethasone doses and increased odds of bleeding. The results underscore the need for more dedicated prospective studies of this very common intervention.
Efficacy of intratympanic steroid administration on idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in comparison with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Suzuki Hideaki , Hashida Koichi , Nguyen Khac‐Hung , Hohchi Nobusuke , Katoh Akiko , Koizumi Hiroki , Ohbuchi Toyoaki
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The efficacy of intratympanic steroid administration was examined in comparison with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

Two hundred seventy‐six consecutive patients with ISSNHL (average hearing levels at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz ≥ 40 dB; time from onset to treatment ≤30 days) were enrolled. All the patients were given intravenous hydrocortisone (400 mg/day) followed by tapered doses. In addition, 174 patients underwent HBO therapy (HBO group), and 102 patients received intratympanic dexamethasone injection (IT group). The hearing outcomes were evaluated by six indices; the cure rate, marked‐recovery rate (percent of patients with hearing gains ≥30 dB), recovery rate (percent of patients with hearing gains ≥10 dB), hearing gain, hearing level after treatment, and hearing improvement rate compared to the unaffected contralateral ear.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the cure rate, marked‐recovery rate, hearing gain, hearing level after treatment, or hearing improvement rate between the two groups; however, the recovery rate was significantly higher in the IT group than in the HBO group (79.4% vs. 68.4%; P = .048). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that patients in the IT group were significantly more likely to recover than those in the HBO group (odds ratio: 2.045; 95% confidence interval: 1.097‐3.812; P = .024).

Conclusions:

Systemic plus intratympanic steroid administration is more effective than systemic steroids plus HBO therapy, and can be a useful first‐choice treatment for ISSNHL.
Miller fisher variant of guillain‐barré syndrome masquerading as acute sphenoid sinusitis with orbital apex syndrome
Authors: Chaudhary Amit , Ramchand Tekchand , Frohman Larry P. , Liu James K. , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: March 2012

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), a variant of Guillain‐Barré syndrome, is a rare disorder typically characterized by a triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia, which may have a highly variable clinical presentation. We report a case of MFS in a 45‐year‐old female presenting with sphenoid sinusitis and sixth nerve palsy. She underwent endoscopic sphenoid sinusotomy without improvement, had postoperative deterioration, was diagnosed with MFS, and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin with complete response. Because of the potential severity of Guillain‐Barré syndrome, great vigilance should be taken when examining sixth nerve palsies to prevent misdiagnosis and delay in treatment of the MFS variant of this disease.
Crystallization, morphology, and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate)/poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites
Authors: Zhou Weihua , Yuan Shuaishuai , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang , Huang Yulan
Published: March 2012

The biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PEO‐POSS) nanocomposites were prepared by the solution blending and melt‐injection methods. The effect of PEO‐POSS on the non‐isothermal and isothermal crystallization, morphology, as well as mechanical properties of PBS was carefully investigated. The PEO‐POSS nanoparticles dispersed well in the PBS matrix, with the diameters around 30 nm. From isothermal crystallization analysis, the incorporation of PEO‐POSS enhanced the crystallization of PBS due to the heterogeneous nucleation effect while the crystal structure of PBS remained. PBS/PEO‐POSS nanocomposites showed of higher glass transition temperatures than that of neat PBS, attributing to the existence of PEO‐POSS decreasing the flexibility of PBS chains. The elongation at break of the PBS/PEO‐POSS nanocomposites reached the maximum value with PEO‐POSS content of 5 wt%. However, the elastic modulus of PBS decreased after the incorporation of PEO‐POSS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Novel‐modified kaolin for enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Liu Hai , Dong Lijie , Xie Haian , Xiong Chuanxi
Published: March 2012

Novel surface‐modified kaolin with liquid‐like behavior was prepared. The characteristics of the solvent‐free kaolin fluid were evaluated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, WAXD, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/solvent‐free kaolin fluid composites were also fabricated via melt mixing. Owing to the novel surface modification, the hydrophilic kaolin surface grafted long organic chains, which made that the solvent‐free kaolin fluid could be well dispersed in PVC matrix and firmly integrated with the PVC matrix. The resulted composites exhibited better heat resistance and mechanical properties than neat PVC resins. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular level differentiation between end‐capped and intramolecular azofunctional oligo(ε‐caprolactone) positional isomers through liquid chromatography multistage mass spectrometry
Authors: Peptu Cristian , van den Brink Oscar F. , Harabagiu Valeria , Simionescu Bogdan C. , Kowalczuk Marek , Silberring Jerzy
Published: March 2012

End‐capped and intramolecular azofunctional oligocaprolactones were characterized at molecular level by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and NMR spectroscopy. The Disperse Red 19 (DR19) azofunctional oligomers, DC, were synthesized by ring‐opening oligomerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) initiated by the hydroxyl groups of DR19 azo dye. The reaction products consist of a minor fraction of end‐capped azo functional oligocaprolactone (α‐DC), that is, a single CL arm oligomer, and a major fraction of intramolecular azo functional oligocaprolactone (β‐DC), that is, a two CL arms oligomer. The chromatographic separation was used to discriminate between α‐DC and β‐DC, and the results were confirmed by MS/MS performed on an ESI ion trap instrument. The results supported by accurate mass data obtained for product ions using an ESI quadrupole time of flight instrument demonstrate the qualitative discrimination at the molecular level between intramolecular and end‐capped azofunctional oligoesters isomers through a relatively simple multistage mass spectrometry experiment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Facile and versatile synthesis of rod‐coil poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐based block copolymers by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization
Authors: Mougnier Sébastien‐Jun , Brochon Cyril , Cloutet Eric , Magnet Stéphanie , Navarro Christophe , Hadziioannou Georges
Published: March 2012

A well‐defined and monofunctional poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐based (P3HT) macroinitiator has been obtained through a clean, simple, and an efficient multistep synthesis process. The macroinitiator is obtained via intermolecular radical 1,2‐addition onto an ω‐acrylate‐terminated P3HT macromonomer. In a second step, well‐defined rod‐coil block copolymers were obtained by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) using the so‐called Blocbuilder®. The polymerization was found to be controlled with various monomers such as styrene, isoprene, 4‐vinylpyridine, or methyl acrylate. This process constitutes a very promising way to obtain versatile and clean materials for organic electronics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Syndiotactic‐ and heterotactic‐specific radical polymerizations of N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide and phase‐transition behaviors of aqueous solutions of poly(N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide)
Authors: Hirano Tomohiro , Furutani Takahiro , Oshimura Miyuki , Ute Koichi
Published: March 2012

Radical polymerization of N‐n‐propyl‐α‐fluoroacrylamide (NNPFAAm) was investigated in several solvents at low temperatures in the presence or absence of Lewis bases, Lewis acids, alkyl alcohols, silyl alcohols, or fluorinated alcohols. Different effects of solvents and additives on stereospecificity were observed in the radical polymerizations of NNPFAAm and its hydrocarbon analogs such as N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N‐n‐propylacrylamide (NNPAAm); for instance, syndiotactic (and heterotactic) specificities were induced in radical polymerization of NNPFAAm in polar solvents (and in toluene in the presence of alkyl and silyl alcohols), whereas isotactic (and syndiotactic) specificities were induced in radical polymerizations of the hydrocarbon analogs under the corresponding conditions. In contrast, heterotactic specificity induced by fluorinated alcohols was further enhanced in radical polymerization of NNPFAAm. The effects of stereoregularity on the phase‐transition behaviors of aqueous solutions of poly(NNPFAAm) were also investigated. Different tendencies in stereoregularity were observed in aqueous solutions of poly(NNPFAAm)s from those in solutions of the hydrocarbon analogs such as poly(NIPAAm) and poly (NNPAAm). The polymerization behavior of NNPFAAm and the phase‐transition behavior of aqueous poly(NNPFAAm) are discussed based on possible fluorine–fluorine repulsion between the monomer and propagating chain‐end, and neighboring monomeric units. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Dynamic proteome in enigmatic preeclampsia: An account of molecular mechanisms and biomarker discovery
Authors: Mary Sheon , Patil Gouri V. , Kulkarni Asmita V. , Kulkarni Mahesh J. , Joshi Sadhana R. , Mehendale Savita S. , Giri Ashok P.
Published: March 2012

The coevolution of genomics and proteomics has led to advancements in the field of diagnosis and molecular mechanisms of disease. Proteomics is now stepping into the field of obstetrics, where early diagnosis of pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia (PE) is imperative. PE is a multifactorial disease characterized by hypertension with proteinuria, which is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality occurring in 5‐7% of pregnancies worldwide. This review discusses the probable molecular mechanisms that lead to PE and summarizes the proteomics research carried out in understanding the pathogenicity of PE, and for identifying the candidate biomarker for diagnosis of the disease.
Kinetic and functional characterisation of the heparin‐binding peptides from human transglutaminase 2
Authors: Teesalu Kaupo , Uibo Oivi , Uibo Raivo , Utt Meeme
Published: March 2012

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an autoantigen in celiac disease (CD) and it has multiple biologic functions including involvement in cell adhesion through interactions with integrins, fibronectin (FN), and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. We aimed to delineate the heparin‐binding regions of human TG2 by studying binding kinetics of the predicted heparin‐binding peptides using surface plasmon resonance method. In addition, we characterized immunogenicity of the TG2 peptides and their effect on cell adhesion. The high‐affinity binding of human TG2 to the immobilized heparin was observed, and two TG2 peptides, P1 (amino acids 202–215) and P2 (261–274), were found to bind heparin. The amino acid sequences corresponding to the heparin‐binding peptides were located close to each other on the surface of the TG2 molecule as part of the α‐helical structures. The heparin‐binding peptides displayed increased immunoreactivity against serum IgA of CD patients compared with other TG2 peptides. The cell adhesion reducing effect of the peptide P2 was revealed in Caco‐2 intestinal epithelial cell attachment to the FN and FN‐TG2 coated surfaces. We propose that TG2 amino acid sequences 202–215 and 261–274 could be involved in binding of TG2 to cell surface heparan sulfates. High immunoreactivity of the corresponding heparin‐binding peptides of TG2 with CD patient's IgA supports the previously described role of anti‐TG2 autoantibodies interfering with this interaction. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of the Total Alkaloidal Extract of Murraya koenigii Leaf on Oxidative Stress and Cholinergic Transmission in Aged Mice
Authors: Mani Vasudevan , Ramasamy Kalavathy , Ahmad Aliya , Wahab Siti Norshazwani , Jaafar Siti Murnirah , Kek Teh Lay , Salleh Mohd Zaki , Majeed Abu Bakar Abdul
Published: March 2012

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by signs of major oxidative stress and the loss of cholinergic cells. The present study was designed to investigate the role of the total alkaloidal extract from Murraya koenigii (MKA) leaves on age related oxidative stress and the cholinergic pathway in aged mice. Ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a standard drug. The MKA improved the level of protective antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GRD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in brain homogenate at higher doses (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.). Moreover, a dose dependent decline was noted in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the nitric oxide assay (NO) at all doses of MKA (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.). Interestingly, significant progress was noted with the supplementation of MKA by an improvement of the acetylcholine (ACh) levels and a reduction in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in aged mouse brain. In addition, a significant elevation of serum albumin (ALBU), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and total protein as well as a decline in creatinine, total cholesterol, urea nitrogen and glucose levels with MKA also ameliorated the hepatic and renal functions in normal ageing process. The results showed the possible utility of Murraya koenigii leaves in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.