bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Which Pharmacists Contribute to High-Level Pharmacotherapy Audit Meetings with General Practitioners?
Authors: Florentinus Stefan R , Hulten Rolf van , Kramer Marjolein , Dijk Liset van , Heerdink Eibert R , Leufkens Hubert GM , Groenewegen Peter P
Published: August 2006

Background:

In the Netherlands, community pharmacists and general practitioners (GPs) collaborate in pharmacotherapy audit meetings (PTAMs) to optimize pharmacotherapy.

Objective:

To identify associations between the quality level of PTAMs and characteristics of pharmacists.

Methods:

We used a cross-sectional questionnaire design in a Dutch general practice and community pharmacy setting to estimate the contribution of pharmacists to the quality level of PTAMs. The questionnaire was sent to 123 community pharmacies working closely with 104 GP practices. The outcome variable was the quality level of PTAMs. The questionnaire provided information on 4 topics that were used as independent variables: characteristics of the PTAMs, provision of pharmacotherapy activities, characteristics of the pharmacists, and characteristics of the pharmacies.

Results:

In total, 109 (88.6%) pharmacists completed the questionnaire, with 103 participating in 62 different PTAMs. Seventeen pharmacists participated in level 1 PTAMs (lowest level), 57 in level 2, 21 in level 3, and 8 in PTAMs at the highest level. The multinomial logistic regression identified only one significant association: pharmacists who participated in the highest quality level reported that they undertake initiatives in PTAMs (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.07 to 8.26) more frequently compared with pharmacists participating on the lowest level.

Conclusions:

In light of existing evidence, the role of pharmacists in PTAMs seems to be important. Pharmacists should create a distinct profile of their expertise, allowing them to professionalize PTAMs by undertaking more initiatives. PTAMs offer pharmacists a great opportunity to become integral members of the prescribing process.
Direct investigation of the structural properties of tension wood cellulose microfibrils using microbeam X-ray fibre diffraction
Authors: Müller Martin , Burghammer Manfred , Sugiyama Junji
Published: August 2006

Single tension-wood fibres from poplar were investigated using a synchrotron radiation X-ray microbeam. The resulting diffraction patterns are highly resolved (smallest d-spacing 0.11 nm). In the gelatinous layer, cellulose microfibrils of high perfection are found in almost ideal parallel alignment. Their cross-section is approximately four-fold greater than that of microfibrils in the S2 layer of the same wood cell. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of encrusting cell wall polymers and cellulose biosynthesis on the structure of wood cellulose microfibrils. In temperature-dependent experiments, the low-temperature thermal expansion coefficients of crystalline cellulose were determined.
Synthesis of plantamajoside, a bioactive dihydroxyphenylethyl glycoside from Plantago major L.
Authors: Kawada Toshinari , Yoneda Yuko , Asano Ryuji , Kan-no Ippei , Schmid Walther
Published: August 2006

The first total synthesis of plantamajoside (1), 2-(3′,4′-dihydroxylphenyl)ethyl-4-O-caffeoyl-3-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, which is one of the dihydroxyphenylethyl glycosides (caffeic acid sugar esters), is described. Key intermediate 2, 2-[3′,4′-bis(O-benzyl)phenyl]ethyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-4-O-[3′,4′-bis(O-benzyl)caffeoyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside was glycosylated with trichloroacetoimidoyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glycopyranoside (3) to afford plantamajoside derivative 4a, 2-[3′,4′-bis(O-benzyl)phenyl]ethyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-4-O-[3′,4′-bis(O-benzyl)caffeoyl]-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, in 39% yield. Plantamajoside derivative 4a was successfully converted into the target compound, plantamajoside (1), through a series of de-protective procedures. 1H- and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data of the synthesized plantamajoside (1) were identical to those of the natural compound.
Diffusion of sulfide into Southern pine (Pinus taeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) particles and chips
Authors: Jacobson Aaron J. , Smith Gregory D. , Yang Rallming , Banerjee Sujit
Published: August 2006

Sulfide diffusion into wood has a rapid reversible component and a much slower irreversible component. During the initial reversible phase, sulfide is unable to diffuse into parts of the wood structure, probably because of charge exclusion. The diffusion of hydroxide and sulfide into saturated wood was imaged by immersing chips in white liquor, splitting them open and then imaging the hydroxide and sulfide profiles. Sulfide moves into the interior of the chip at a faster rate than hydroxide does because it is prevented from entering some of the pores and must move deeper into the chip to access dilution water.
Studies on the dehydrogenative polymerizations of monolignol β-glycosides. Part 2: Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed dehydrogenative polymerization of isoconiferin
Authors: Tobimatsu Yuki , Takano Toshiyuki , Kamitakahara Hiroshi , Nakatsubo Fumiaki
Published: August 2006

Dehydrogenative polymerization of isoconiferin (IC; coniferyl alcohol γ-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was carried out. The polymerization of IC proceeded in a homogeneous system, resulting in a water-soluble dehydrogenation polymer (IC-DHP). The degree of polymerization (DP) of IC-DHP was significantly higher than that of a standard dehydrogenative polymer (CA-DHP) obtained from coniferyl alcohol (CA) in a heterogeneous system. Under optimum conditions, the DP of IC-DHP was 44 (M
n=1.5×104), whereas that for CA-DHP was only 11 (M
n=3.0×103, as acetate). Spectroscopic analyses confirmed that IC-DHP has a lignin-like structure containing D-glucose moieties attached to the lignin side-chains. The D-glucose unit introduced into γ-O position of CA essentially influenced the water solubility and molecular mass of the resulting DHP.
The role of resol fortifiers in latex wood adhesives
Authors: López-Suevos Francisco , Frazier Charles E.
Published: August 2006

Static and dynamic rheological analyses using time/temperature equivalence were applied to freestanding poly(vinyl acetate-co-NMA) adhesive films and to wood-bonded films (composites), which were completely dry in all cases. Films and composites were prepared with two types of cross-linking: (1) cross-linking through AlCl3 catalysis of N-methylolacrylamide (NMA) comonomer; and (2) additional cross-linking using a resol phenolic (PF) additive, in addition to AlCl3 catalysis. Rheological experiments revealed that accelerated weathering (AW) significantly modified the mechanical response of films and composites lacking the PF additive. For samples lacking PF fortifier, AW caused a new thermal transition appearing as a major mechanical softening in the long time domain (creep master curves) or in the low-frequency region (dynamic master curves). This new transition correlated to a performance loss found with fracture testing in a previous publication. Here, the static and dynamic rheological data indicated that the AW-induced softening was a reversible transition. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis and the manipulation of physical aging effects demonstrated that the AW-induced softening was a glass transition. The calorimetric weakness and temperature of this transition indicated that it corresponds to the Tg of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), which is the emulsion polymerization interfacial agent. In contrast, all PF-formulated samples displayed only the base polymer Tg. Therefore, the PF additive prevented weathering effects that lead to PVOH softening. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopy provided visual evidence of the action of PF on PVOH at interparticle boundaries. We suggest that the PF fortifier enhances latex durability through the formation of hydrolytically stable PVOH cross-links at the interparticle boundaries.
Cannabinoid CB1Receptor Antagonist AM251 Inhibits Cocaine-Primed Relapse in Rats: Role of Glutamate in the Nucleus Accumbens
Authors: Xi Zheng-Xiong , Gilbert Jeremy G. , Peng Xiao-Qing , Pak Arlene C. , Li Xia , Gardner Eliot L.
Published: August 2006

Blockade of cannabinoid CB1receptors has been reported to inhibit cocaine- or cocaine cue-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. However, the mechanisms underlying this action are poorly understood. Given the importance of dopamine, glutamate, and GABA in cocaine reward and relapse, we studied the effects of AM251 [N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophonyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide], a novel highly selective CB1receptor antagonist, on cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior and on cocaine-induced changes in extracellular DA, glutamate, and GABA in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) under reinstatement conditions. We found that systemic administration of AM251 selectively inhibited cocaine-induced, but not sucrose plus sucrose cue-induced, reinstatement of reward-seeking behavior. AM251 alone did not trigger reinstatement. Local perfusion of AM251 into the NAc or the dorsal striatum also inhibited cocaine-triggered reinstatement. AM251 alone dose dependently elevated NAc glutamate in a voltage-dependent Na+channel-dependent manner. AM251 did not affect NAc DA or GABA. Pretreatment with AM251 dose dependently inhibited cocaine-induced increases in NAc glutamate but not in DA. Blockade of NAc metabotropic glutamate mGluR2/3 receptors by LY341495 [(2S)-2-amino-2-[(1S,2S)-2-carboxycycloprop-1-yl]-3-(xanth-9-yl) propanoic acid] slightly facilitated cocaine-enhanced glutamate release but blocked the antagonism of cocaine-induced reinstatement by AM251. These data suggest the following: (1) CB1receptors exert tonic inhibition over NAc glutamate release under cocaine-extinction conditions; (2) blockade of CB1receptors by AM251 inhibits cocaine-enhanced NAc glutamate release and cocaine-triggered reinstatement; and (3) these effects appear to be mediated by activation of presynaptic mGluR2/3 autoreceptors secondary to AM251-induced increase (disinhibition) of NAc glutamate release.
Haptic Object Localization in the Vibrissal System: Behavior and Performance
Authors: Knutsen Per Magne , Pietr Maciej , Ahissar Ehud
Published: August 2006

Using their large mystacial vibrissas, rats perform a variety of tasks, including localization and identification of objects. We report on the discriminatory thresholds and behavior of rats trained in a horizontal object localization task. Using an adaptive training procedure, rats learned to discriminate offsets in horizontal (anteroposterior) location with all, one row, or one arc of whiskers intact, but not when only a single whisker (C2) was intact on each cheek. However, rats initially trained with multiple whiskers typically improved when retested later with a single whisker intact. Individual rats reached localization thresholds as low as 0.24 mm (∼1°). Among the tested groups, localization acuity was finest (<1.5 mm) with rats that were initially trained with all whiskers and then trimmed to one arc of whiskers intact. Horizontal acuity was finer than the typical inter-vibrissal spacing (∼4.8 mm at contact points). Performance correlated with the net whisking spectral power in the range of 5–25 Hz but not in nonwhisking range of 30–50 Hz. Lesioning the facial motor nerves reduced performance to chance level. We conclude that horizontal object localization in the rat vibrissal system can reach hyperacuity level and is an active sensing process: whisker movements are both required and beneficiary, in a graded manner, for making accurate positional judgments.
TGFβ Type II Receptor Signaling Controls Schwann Cell Death and Proliferation in Developing Nerves
Authors: D’Antonio Maurizio , Droggiti Anna , Feltri M. Laura , Roes Jürgen , Wrabetz Lawrence , Mirsky Rhona , Jessen Kristján R.
Published: August 2006

During development, Schwann cell numbers are precisely adjusted to match the number of axons. It is essentially unknown which growth factors or receptors carry out this important controlin vivo. Here, we tested whether the type II transforming growth factor (TGF) β receptor has a role in this process. We generated a conditional knock-out mouse in which the type II TGFβ receptor is specifically ablated only in Schwann cells. Inactivation of the receptor, evident at least from embryonic day 18, resulted in suppressed Schwann cell death in normally developing and injured nerves. Notably, the mutants also showed a strong reduction in Schwann cell proliferation. Consequently, Schwann cell numbers in wild-type and mutant nerves remained similar. Lack of TGFβ signaling did not appear to affect other processes in which TGFβ had been implicated previously, including myelination and response of adult nerves to injury. This is the firstin vivoevidence for a growth factor receptor involved in promoting Schwann cell division during development and the first genetic evidence for a receptor that controls normal developmental Schwann cell death.
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Family Members Sensitize NociceptorsIn Vitroand Produce Thermal HyperalgesiaIn Vivo
Authors: Malin Sacha A. , Molliver Derek C. , Koerber H. Richard , Cornuet Pamela , Frye Rebecca , Albers Kathryn M. , Davis Brian M.
Published: August 2006

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been implicated as an effector of inflammatory pain because it sensitizes primary afferents to noxious thermal, mechanical, and chemical [e.g., capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) agonist] stimuli and because NGF levels increase during inflammation. Here, we report the ability of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family members artemin, neurturin and GDNF to potentiate TRPV1 signaling and to induce behavioral hyperalgesia. Analysis of capsaicin-evoked Ca2+transients in dissociated mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons revealed that a 7 min exposure to GDNF, neurturin, or artemin potentiated TRPV1 function at doses 10–100 times lower than NGF. Moreover, GDNF family members induced capsaicin responses in a subset of neurons that were previously insensitive to capsaicin. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR, we found that artemin mRNA was profoundly upregulated in response to inflammation induced by hindpaw injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA): artemin expression increased 10-fold 1 d after CFA injection, whereas NGF expression doubled by day 7. No increase was seen in neurturin or GDNF. A corresponding increase in mRNA for the artemin coreceptor GFRα3 (for GDNF family receptor α) was seen in DRG, and GFRα3 immunoreactivity was widely colocalized with TRPV1 in epidermal afferents. Finally, hindpaw injection of artemin, neurturin, GDNF, or NGF produced acute thermal hyperalgesia that lasted up to 4 h; combined injection of artemin and NGF produced hyperalgesia that lasted for 6 d. These results indicate that GDNF family members regulate the sensitivity of thermal nociceptors and implicate artemin in particular as an important effector in inflammatory hyperalgesia.
Influence of soil humic acid and fulvic acid on sorption of thorium(IV) on MX-80 bentonite
Authors: Xu D. , Wang X. K. , Chen C. L. , Zhou X. , Tan X. L.
Published: August 2006

Th(IV) is considered herein as a chemical analogue of other actinides (IV). Effect of pH, ionic strength and humic acid/fulvic acid concentrations on the sorption of thorium(IV) to MX-80 bentonite was studied by batch technique. The sorption isotherms were acquired by varying pH in the range of 0.5–12 and FA/HA concentration in the range of 2–20 mg/L. The results indicate that soil fulvic acid has higher carboxylic content than humic acid, and has stronger positive influence on the sorption of Th(IV) on bentonite at low pH values than humic acid. The increase of FA/HA concentration results in a slight increase of Th(IV) sorption on FA/HA coated bentonite. The results of no drastic effect of different addition sequences of FA/HA and Th(IV) to bentonite suspension on Th(IV) sorption in the ternary system HA/FA-Th(IV)-bentonite indicate that both the Th(IV)-HA/FA complexation and HA/FA-bentonite sorption do not affect the sorption of Th(IV) on HA/FA coated bentonite obviously. The samples were also measured by SEM method and the results show that the surface properties of different samples are different.
Separation of uranium(VI) from tri- and tetravalent elements in phosphoric acid solutions
Authors: Brandel V. , Clavier N. , Dacheux N.
Published: August 2006

A new method of separation of uranyl ions from di-, tri- and tetravalent cations such as thorium, zirconium, cerium(IV) and/or lanthanides(III) involving phosphoric acid medium is described in this paper. The process is based on the difference of solubility between various phosphates: M2(PO4)2(HPO4)·H2O, M(HPO4)2·H2O, M(OH)PO4(where M is a tetravalent cation) or APO4·nH2O (where A is a trivalent cation) on the one hand, and the uranyl phosphate pentahydrate (UO2)3(PO4)2·5H2O, on the other hand. Taking into account the associated solubility constants, the conditions of separation were calculated then experimented for a mixture of Th4+, Ce4+(as a plutonium surrogate), Zr4+, La3+, Ba2+, Sr2+and UO22+. Tetravalent and trivalent cations phosphates were precipitated in 2 mol L−1nitric acid medium while uranyl ion and divalent cations remained in the solution. In a second step, (UO2)3(PO4)2·5H2O was precipitated at pH ≈ 1.5 and thereby separated from divalent cations present in the solution.
Cost-effectiveness of using recombinant human TSH prior to radioiodine ablation for thyroid cancer, compared with treating patients in a hypothyroid state: the German perspective
Authors: Mernagh P , Campbell S , Dietlein M , Luster M , Mazzaferri E , Weston A R
Published: August 2006

Objective: This investigation evaluated the cost-effectiveness of radioiodine remnant ablation following preparation with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH), compared with the standard preparation, whereby patients are rendered hypothyroid.

Design: The economic evaluation relates to patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer who have undergone thyroidectomy, but have no metastases. The evaluation takes a societal perspective, considering costs and benefits to all parties. The benefits were expressed in units of quality-adjusted life years (QALY), so differences in life expectancy were captured with consideration of quality of life.

Methods: A lifetime Markov model with Monte Carlo simulation of 100 000 patients was used to assess cost per QALY gained. The clinical inputs were sourced from a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial comparing remnant ablation success after rhTSH-preparation with hypothyroid preparation. The model applied German unit costs, however, the structure is generalisable to other jurisdictions. The additional cost of rhTSH procurement and administration is considered relative to the clinical benefits and cost offsets. These included avoidance of hypothyroidism, increased work productivity, earlier discharge from radioprotection and a theoretical reduction in the risk of secondary malignancy. The latter two benefits relate to faster radioiodine clearance after rhTSH preparation.

Results: The additional benefits of rhTSH (0.0495 QALY) are obtained with an incremental societal cost of €47, equating to an incremental cost per QALYof €958. Sensitivity analyses had only a modest impact upon cost-effectiveness, with all one-way sensitivity results remaining under €15 000/QALY.

Conclusions: The use of rhTSH prior to radioiodine ablation represents good value-for-money with the benefits to patient and society obtained at modest net cost.
The effects of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin1 on an in vitro model of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy; contrasting effects on adipogenesis
Authors: Cawood T J , Moriarty P , O’Farrelly C , O’Shea D
Published: August 2006

Objective: Cytokines are likely to play a key pathogenic role in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Anti-cytokine therapy has been proposed to be a possible treatment for active TAO. We aimed to establish the effects of selected cytokines on intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) expression, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production and adipogenesis in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) from patients with TAO.

Methods: Orbital tissue was taken during surgery from eight patients with TAO and five control subjects. OFs were cultured and ICAM1 expression measured by flow cytometry. GAG production was measured by hyaluronic acid ELISA. OFs were grown in adipogenic media and the degree of adipogenesis quantified.

Results: Responses were similar in OFs from patients with and without TAO. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin1 (IL1) (0.1 ng/ml) stimulated ICAM1 expression by eight- to ten-fold. Anti-cytokine agents inhibited the cytokine-upregulated ICAM1 expression by 90–99% (P<0.01). TNFα and IL1 (0.1 ng/ml) increased hyaluronic acid production by 44 and 95% (P<0.01) respectively. Anti-cytokine agents inhibited these responses by 79–138% (P<0.04). TNFα (0.1 ng/ml) inhibited adipogenesis (−0.013 AU and −1.0; P<0.03) whilst IL1 (0.1 ng/ml) stimulated adipogenesis (+0.05 AU and +5.7; P<0.02) measured by oil-red-O extraction and visual assessment respectively. The anti-IL1 agent inhibited IL1-mediated adipogenesis by 69–106% (P<0.04).

Conclusion: TNFα and IL1 stimulate ICAM1 expression and GAG production, but have opposite effects on adipogenesis in OFs in vitro. IL1 promotes adipogenesis and its effects can be blocked by anti-IL1 agents in vitro. These agents may be the anti-cytokine treatment of choice for clinical trials in active TAO.
Perceived Sleepiness of Non‐Shift Working Men in Two Different Types of Work Organization
Authors: Fukasawa Kenji , Aikawa Hiroyuki , Okazaki Isao , Haratani Takashi , Takahashi Masaya , Nakata Akinori , Otsuka Yasumasa , Kaida Kosuke , Hanada Takanobu
Published: August 2006

Perceived Sleepiness of Non‐Shift Working Men in Two Different Types of Work Organization: Kenji Fukasawa, et al. Department of Basic Clinical Science and Public Health, Tokai University School of Medicine—Increased sleepiness at work is increasingly being focused on as a safety and health issue. However, research on workers’ sleepiness is very limited in scope and the characteristics of work organization, including the impact of job stress, have not been fully addressed. A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of daytime sleepiness and its associated factors among non‐shift working men at two manufacturing businesses: Company A, having a rapid rate of development and growth, with 564 workers (19– 61 yr old, mean age: 32.7, response rate: 81.4%); and Company B, long established, possessing a huge production facility, with 1,654 workers (20–63 yr old, mean age: 37.1, response rate: 78.2%). The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was 11.3% in company A and 16.8% in company B. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, in company A, perceived sleepiness was associated with long sleep duration on non‐working days and high cognitive demands and, in company B, with insufficient daily sleep, single, and depression. Psychosomatic exhaustion resulting from jobs requiring high adaptivity due to rapid frequency of operational change as in company A may have the potential to become an important factor in perceived sleepiness. However, in a comparatively stable work organization, as in company B, increased sleepiness may be mainly linked to factors outside work. It is suggested that not only lifestyle and sleep habits, but also the characteristics and dynamics of a work organization should be a focus of attention when planning measures to prevent sleepiness at work.
Controlled Trial of Worksite Health Education through Face‐to‐Face Counseling vs. E‐mail on Drinking Behavior Modification
Authors: Araki Ikuno , Hashimoto Hideki , Kono Keiko , Matsuki Hideaki , Yano Eiji
Published: August 2006

Controlled Trial of Worksite Health Education Through Face‐to‐Face Counseling vs. E‐mail on Drinking Behavior Modification: Ikuno Araki, et al. Department of Medicine & Occupational Health, ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha—This study examined the effectiveness of a traditional face‐to‐face health education and e‐mail health education on alcohol usage among male workers in comparison with a control group. Male workers at a manufacturing plant (N=36) who had abnormal serum γ‐GTP were stratified by age and job types, then randomized into three groups: face‐to‐face education, e‐mail education, and the control. The subjects were assessed on their knowledge about and attitude towards drinking, reported alcohol consumption, and serum γ‐GTP before the start of education and 2 months later after comparison of the education. Paired t‐test and repeated ANOVA were conducted to test the significance of changes pre and post the intervention and across groups. In the face‐to‐face group, knowledge (p=0.001), attitude (p=0.026), alcohol consumption (p=0.003) and serum γ‐GTP showed significant improvement. In the e‐mail group, only alcohol consumption showed marginal improvement (p=0.077). In the control group, no variables remarkably changed. These results indicate that the face‐to‐face health education was more effective than the e‐mail program. We discuss why the face‐to‐face approach was superior to the e‐mail approach in this study by referring to self‐monitoring, goal setting processes and timely feedback. We concluded that further studies are warranted to identify the effect of health education using e‐mails and other network tools in consideration of the above three factors.
The Relationship between Coping with Stress and Employment in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Takaki Jiro , Yano Eiji
Published: August 2006

The Relationship Between Coping with Stress and Employment in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: Jiro Takaki, et al. Department of Hygiene & Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine—The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between emotion‐ and task‐oriented coping (EOC/TOC) with stress and employment in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Individuals aged 18 to 64 yr who had uremia and had been undergoing hemodialysis regularly for at least three months were evaluated according to sociodemographic and clinical factors. Work status was defined using the most recent International Labour Organization definitions. Patients were requested to complete the following questionnaires: the Japanese version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, the Short Form‐36 Health Survey, an item on itchiness, the Self‐Efficacy on Health‐Related Behavior Scale, the Japanese version of the Health Locus of Control Scale, the Social Support Scale, and the Japanese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A total of 317 individuals participated in this study. Among men, age, physical functioning, EOC, and depression differed significantly (p<0.05) depending on employment. Among women, marital status, household composition, EOC, depression, and anxiety differed significantly (p<0.05) depending on employment. TOC was not significantly associated with employment in either sex. Multiple logistic regression analyses, including possible confounders, indicated that when EOC increased by 10 points, the associated adjusted odds ratio of an unemployed or economically inactive status changed by 1.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.11; p=0.030) in men and by 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.02– 3.46; p=0.042) in women. These results suggest that EOC is associated with employment in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.
Improved diagnostic and real-time pcr in rapid screening for Salmonella in the poultry food chain
Authors: Szmolka Annamária , Kaszanyitzky Éva , Nagy B.
Published: August 2006

The goal of this study was to improve the diagnostic applicability of genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific PCR systems in screening faecal and caecal samples of poultry, poultry feed and poultrymeat for Salmonella, by keeping the opportunity to obtain Salmonella cultures from positive samples. Peptone broth pre-enrichment cultures of the samples were tested by PCR. In faecal and caecal samples from broiler chicks a strong inhibitory action was frequently observed. This could be reduced markedly by the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) acting as amplification facilitator. The results of testing pre-enrichment cultures from artificially contaminated faecal, poultry feed and poultrymeat samples (using S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium and S. Hadar as contaminants) suggest that the sensitivity of the above systems is 101-102 CFU g-1 sample. The testing of 95 caecal samples from slaughtered chicks resulted in 49% culture-positive and 76% PCR-positive samples. The suitability of a generic real-time PCR for testing faecal samples of poultry was also studied. Its detection limit for these samples was found to be lower than that of the diagnostic PCR system. Both methods reduced the time required for Salmonella detection to 24-30 h, and the advantage of the real-time PCR was its increased sensitivity. We have established a diagnostic and a real-time PCR system for rapid and reliable genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific detection of Salmonella for monitoring purposes in the poultry food chain. Sensitivity is equal to, or higher than, that of the standard bacterial culture method, and the method still provides the Salmonella culture if needed.
First report on Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection of swine in Europe
Authors: Valenčáková Alexandra , Bálent P. , Húska M. , Novotný F. , Luptáková Lenka
Published: August 2006

Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection of sows is reported from a pig farm in Slovakia. Spores were detected by direct microscopic visualisation in the faeces of 25 out of 27 sows (92.6%). This finding was also supported serologically by the presence of specific anti-E.intestinalis antibodies and by a species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This is the first report on E. intestinalis infection of swine in Europe.
Influence of the type of management system on corticosterone transfer into eggs in laying hens
Authors: Sas B. , Domány G. , Gyimóthy Ilse , Gaál Kovácsné Katalin , Süth M.
Published: August 2006

The effect of free-range versus cage management system on corticosterone transfer into the eggs was studied in laying hens. Hungarian Yellow laying hens (age: 21 weeks, body weight: 2.0 ± 0.5 kg) were divided into two groups in the spring: Group I, free-range keeping (n = 15 layers, density: ≯ 0.5 bird/m2) in outdoor runs, with continuous access to a commercial layer feed; Group II, hens kept in battery cages (n = 17 layers, density: 2 birds/m2, natural light, continuous access to feed and water). Eggs were collected after a one-week adaptation period on days 2, 7 and 16. Corticosterone (CST) was extracted from homogenised egg samples using an ASE-200 Accelerated Solvent Extractor and then assayed by liquid chromatography linked with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) [Thermo Quest Surveyor high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) interfaced via Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation (APCI) ion source to Finnigan/Thermo Quest LCQ Deca MS/MS] using dexamethasone as internal standard with positive APCI ionisation. CST concentrations of whole eggs laid by free-range hens on days 2, 7 and 16 were 0.370 ± 0.218, 0.259 ± 0.066 and 0.915 ± 0.745 ng·g-1, respectively, while those of eggs laid by caged hens were 0.206 ± 0.157, 0.223 ± 0.165 and 0.184 ± 0.110 ng·g-1 at the above sampling times. It is concluded that in free-range laying hens the sharp changes of environmental weather conditions significantly increased the corticosterone content of eggs, while the environmentally controlled and closed battery cage management technology resulted in relatively uniform corticosterone concentrations in the whole eggs.
Is Somebody Watching You? Ancient Surveillance Systems in the Southern Judean Desert
Authors: Yekutieli Yuval
Published: August 2006

The Panoptic model of surveillance, which enables a small number of observers to control large numbers of people, is usually considered a modern (18th century AD) invention and a conceptual cornerstone of modern surveillance and disciplinary systems. On the basis of two case studies encountered in a survey near the southwestern edge of the Dead Sea, this study suggests that the concept of surveillance is much older. The first case deals with a quarry from the Roman period, and the second concentrates on an ascent from the Early Bronze Age II–III periods (3000–2400 BC).
The Rhetorical Tendency in Undergraduate Courses
Authors: Easton Morton W.
Published: August 2006

In the undergraduate classes in modern languages, there is a certain line of work to be pursued by every teacher, whatever be the further details to which his taste, the direction of his own private studies, or his conception of the demands of his chair may lead him to give most emphasis. This line of work, briefly stated, consists in teaching such matters, lexical and grammatical, as are needed for the purpose of simple translation, from the English or into the English.
On schemes for congruence distributivity
Authors: Chajda I. , Halaš R.
Published: August 2006

We present diagrammatic schemes characterizing congruence 3-permutable and distributive algebras. We show that a congruence 3-permutable algebra is congruence meetsemidistributive if and only if it is distributive. We characterize varieties of algebras satisfying the so-called triangular scheme by means of a Maltsev-type condition.
Modulating the Activity and Selectivity of an Immobilized Ruthenium‐Porphyrin Catalyst using a Fluorous Solvent
Authors: Burri Estelle , Leeder Shannon M. , Severin Kay , Gagné Michel R.
Published: August 2006

A ruthenium porphyrin catalyst with styrene side chains was incorporated into a highly cross‐linked polymer by co‐polymerization with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of a chloroform porogen. Oxidation reactions catalyzed by the resulting polymer were accelerated when perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PFMC) was used as a co‐solvent. Moreover, the PFMC co‐solvent was found to change the substrate selectivity of the catalytic reactions. Both effects could be explained by a PFMC‐induced partitioning of substrates and oxidant into the polymeric, catalyst containing matrix.
Enantioselective Catalysis on the Solid Phase: Synthesis of Natural Product‐Derived Tetrahydropyrans Employing the Enantioselective Oxa‐Diels–Alder Reaction
Authors: Sanz Miguel A. , Voigt Tobias , Waldmann Herbert
Published: August 2006

Aliphatic aldehydes were synthesized on a solid support and subjected to an enantioselectively catalyzed oxa‐Diels–Alder reaction with Danishefsky’s diene. Employing 5 mol % of a Cr(III)‐salen catalyst enantiomeric ratios up to>99 % and yields up to 40 % over five steps were achieved. Further elaboration of the polymer‐bound dihydropyrones was performed by subsequent conjugate cuprate addition, reduction of the ketone and transformation of the resulting alcohol to a carbamate yielding 2,4,6‐trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans after cleavage from the solid support.
Polymer‐Supported Chiral Schrock Catalysts Immobilized via the Arylimido Ligand
Authors: Wang Dongren , Kröll Roswitha , Mayr Monika , Wurst Klaus , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: August 2006

The immobilization of both chiral and non‐chiral versions of the Schrock catalyst via the arylimido ligand was accomplished for the first time. For this purpose, four different 4‐(6‐halogenohexyl)‐2,6‐R2‐anilines, i.e., {4‐[6‐X‐(CH2)6]‐2,6‐R2‐C6H2‐NH2} (7: R=Me, X=Br; 8: R=Me, X=Cl, 9: R=2‐Pr, X=Cl, 10: R=2‐Pr, X=Br) were prepared and used for the synthesis of the corresponding Mo‐bis(imido)dichloro complexes Mo{N‐2,6‐R2‐4‐[6‐X‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}2Cl2⋅DME (11: R=Me, X=Br; 12: R=Me, X=Cl; 13: R=2‐Pr, X=Cl; 14: R=2‐Pr, X=Br). Compounds 11–14 were transformed into the corresponding Mo‐bis(imido)dialkyl complexes Mo{N‐2,6‐R2‐4‐[6‐X‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}2(CH2CMe2Ph)2 (15: R=Me, X=Br; 16: R=Me, X=Cl, 17: R=2‐Pr, X=Cl; 18: R=2‐Pr, X=Br). These were used for the synthesis of the Mo‐imidoalkylidene triflates Mo{N‐2,6‐R2‐4‐[6‐X‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)(OTf)2⋅DME (19: R=Me, X=Br; 20: R=2‐Pr, X=Br, 21: R=2‐Pr, X=Cl). Compounds 19‐‐21 were used in the synthesis of the Schrock type catalysts Mo{N‐2,6‐Me2‐4‐[6‐Br‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[OC(CH3)(CF3)2]2 (22) and Mo{N‐2,6‐(2‐Pr)2‐4‐[6‐Cl‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[OC(CH3)(CF3)2] (23), Mo{N‐2,6‐Me2‐4‐[6‐Br‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[(R)‐BIPHEN] (24) and Mo{N‐2,6‐(2‐Pr)2‐4‐[6‐Br‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[(R)‐BIPHEN] (25). Compounds 22, 24 and 25 were immobilized on Ag‐perfluoroalkylsulfonate‐modified PS‐ and PS‐DVB materials to yield the corresponding immobilized catalysts Mo{N‐2,6‐Me2‐4‐[PS‐CH2‐O‐CF2‐CF(CF3)‐SO3‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[OCMe(CF3)2]2 (26), Mo{N‐2,6‐Me2‐4‐[PS‐DVB‐CH2‐O‐CF2‐CF(CF3)‐SO3‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[(R)‐BIPHEN] (27) Mo{N‐2,6‐(2‐Pr)2‐4‐[PS‐DVB‐CH2‐O‐CF2‐CF(CF3)‐SO3‐(CH2)6]‐C6H2}(CHCMe2Ph)[(R)‐BIPHEN] (28). These were used in a series of ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), ring‐opening cross metathesis, asymmetric RCM and desymmetrization reactions. The use of 27 and 28 resulted in values for enantiomeric excess (ee) virtually identical to those obtained with the corresponding homogeneous chiral catalysts.
Ionic‐Liquid‐Supported Organocatalyst: Efficient and Recyclable Ionic‐Liquid‐Anchored Proline for Asymmetric Aldol Reaction
Authors: Miao Weishi , Chan Tak Hang
Published: August 2006

Ionic‐liquid‐anchored (2S,4R)‐4‐hydroxyproline 12 catalyzes direct asymmetric aldol reactions with comparable enantioselectivities in DMSO, and with superior enantioselectivities in neat acetone or 2‐butanone, than (S)‐proline (8) (up to 28 % ee difference) itself. Furthermore, the supported catalyst 12 can be easily recycled and reused for at least four times without significant loss of yields and enantioselectivity.
Asymmetric Synthesis of α‐Acyl‐γ‐butyrolactones Possessing All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters by Phase‐Transfer‐Catalyzed Alkylation
Authors: Ooi Takashi , Miki Takashi , Fukumoto Kazuhiro , Maruoka Keiji
Published: August 2006

The enantioselective construction of all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters on α‐acyl‐γ‐butyrolactones has been achieved by the N‐spiro chiral quaternary ammonium bromide 1‐catalyzed alkylation under mild phase‐transfer conditions. The resulting α‐alkylated keto lactones serve as valuable chiral building blocks in organic synthesis as clearly demonstrated by the facile conversion to optically active α,α‐dialkyl‐α‐amino acid derivatives via Schmidt rearrangement.
Preparation, Characterization and Catalytic Properties of Polyaniline‐Supported Metal Complexes
Authors: Choudary Boyapati M. , Roy Moumita , Roy Sarabindu , Kantam M. Lakshmi , Sreedhar Bojja , Kumar Karasala Vijay
Published: August 2006

Polyaniline‐supported Sc, In, Pd, Os and Re catalysts were prepared by using a simple protocol and the thus prepared catalysts were well characterized using FTIR, XPS, UV‐Vis/DRS, TGA‐DTA. All the catalysts were successfully employed in a wide range of organic transformations such as cyanation and allylation of carbonyl compound, Suzuki coupling of aryl halides and boronic acids, and, most importantly, in asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins to afford optically active vicinal diols. All the catalysts were separated from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reused with consistent activity for five cycles without noticeable leaching of metal from the support.
Maximise Equilibrium Conversion in Biphasic Catalysed Reactions: Mathematical Description and Practical Guideline
Authors: Eckstein Marrit F. , Peters Martina , Lembrecht Julia , Spiess Antje C. , Greiner Lasse
Published: August 2006

What is the best solvent combination for a catalytic biphasic reaction system to maximise equilibrium conversion? And which phase volume ratio and reaction stoichiometry maximises the conversion? Which product yield can be obtained using a distinct biphasic reaction mixture? These questions are essential, as optimisation can only be carried out within the thermodynamically imposed boundaries. Within this paper we introduce a mathematical expression to calculate and predict equilibrium conversion and product yield in biphasic reaction mixtures with only one reactive phase. This mathematical expression allows a time‐saving design of biphasic experiments with respect to maximum conversion and product yield. The calculations were verified by experimental data obtained from a substrate‐coupled alcohol dehydrogenase‐catalysed reduction under different biphasic reaction conditions.
Catalyzed Reactions of Alkynes in Water
Authors: Chen Liang , Li Chao‐Jun
Published: August 2006

This review summarizes the catalytic organic reactions of alkynes in aqueous media. The aqueous version of the alkyne reactions gives new reactivities, is environmentally friendly, and has broard applications in all areas of chemistry and materials science.
Thermoregulated Liquid/Liquid Catalyst Separation and Recycling
Authors: Behr Arno , Henze Guido , Schomäcker Reinhard
Published: August 2006

Considerable effort has been done to overcome the loss of catalyst in homogeneously catalysed processes. In this contribution we describe five recycling concepts for thermoregulated catalyst separation and recycling: fluorous biphasic systems (FBS), thermoregulated phase transfer catalysis (TRPTC), soluble polymer‐based catalysis, thermoregulated microemulsions and temperature‐dependent multicomponent solvent systems (TMS). Each of these concepts has its own special advantages like low catalyst leaching or simple process engineering but also drawbacks like usage of expensive special solvents or complex and expensive catalysts. In this context, TMS systems exhibit most advantages of the other concepts combined with the possibility to use common and cheap solvents as well as numerous classical molecular catalysts. Therefore, TMS systems are expected to be one of the most promising thermomorphic recycling concepts for industrial scale.
Immobilization of Organic Catalysts: When, Why, and How
Authors: Cozzi Franco
Published: August 2006

This review article is divided in two parts. In the first part (Sections 2 and 3) selected examples of the publications that appeared in the literature in the period 2003–2005 in the field of immobilized organic catalysis are presented. When appropriate, the results of these publications are compared to those reported earlier and already discussed in a previous review article (see ref. 4). On the basis of this survey, in Section 4 some general considerations about when and why a supported version of an organic catalyst is worth developing are proposed. In Section 4 a list of suggestions about how the process of immobilization should be carried out is also included, taking into account several factors such as the properties of the catalyst, the nature of the support, and the mode of connection of the catalyst to the support.
Synthesis of C‐Glycosides and C‐Disaccharides using Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction in Aqueous Media
Authors: Zeitouni Jennifer , Norsikian Stéphanie , Merlet Denis , Lubineau André
Published: August 2006

We describe here a new strategy for the preparation of C‐glycosides and C‐disaccharides in the aqueous phase using the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. We first studied the reaction between formyl‐2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐benzyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside 1 and the trimethylsilyl enol ether 2 derived from acetophenone. Using Yb(OTf)3 (10 mol %) as catalyst in a mixture of THF/water at room temperature, the enol adducts were isolated in a high (90 %) yield but with a moderate diastereoselectivity. The reaction can also be performed in pure THF leading to a single diastereoisomer but in a much lower yield (56 %). The aldol reaction was then applied to the synthesis of C‐disaccharides using the trimethylsilyl enol ether 10 derived from the functionalized ketone 9. In both the aqueous phase and in anhydrous THF, the reaction can be achieved in high yields giving in each case only two aldol products out of the four possible diastereoisomers.
Structural Modification of Polymer‐Supported Ionic Liquids as Catalysts for Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions Including Fluorination
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Hong Dong Jin , Jang Keun Sam , Chi Dae Yoon
Published: August 2006

A polymer‐supported ionic liquid (PSIL) system was reported to be a highly efficient catalyst in nucleophilic fluorination and other nucleophilic substitution reactions using metal salts. In this study we have prepared structurally modified PSIL systems and examined their catalytic activity in nucleophilic fluorination and other substitution reactions in dependence on the length of the alkyl chain linker, counteranion, and the ionic liquid loading in the resin. The PSIL system with a longer alkyl linker had better catalytic activity, and the PSIL system with tetrafluoroborate (BF4‐) as the counteranion showed the best catalytic activity among the other counteranions. The nucleophilic fluorination of 2‐(3‐methanesulfonyloxypropyl)naphthalene (2), as a model compound, with cesium fluoride in the presence of a 0.5 equivs. of an ionic liquid portion of PS[domim][BF4] (polymer‐supported 1‐n‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) was completed within 2.5 h, affording the fluoroalkane 3 (96 %). The PSIL system with a higher ionic loading as a catalyst produced a better fluorination, while the PSIL system with a lower loading produced a better bromination. In addition, these PSIL systems had good swelling properties in polar aprotic solvents such as DMF (7.2 mL/g), DMSO (6.5 mL/g) and acetonitrile (5.2 mL/g). Based on the swelling of PSIL, nucleophilic acetoxylation and fluorination reactions were carried out in four different solvents. It was found that the PSIL with a longer alkyl linker had superior catalytic activity due to the longer distance between the polystyrene backbone and ionic liquid portion. The PSIL system with tetrafluoroborate (BF4−) as the counteranion shows the best catalytic activity compared with PSIL systems with other counteranions. These PSIL systems absorb polar aprotic solvents and swell considerably, which is a favorable characteristic in new types of resins for other applications.
Multipurpose box‐ and azabox‐Based Immobilized Chiral Catalysts
Authors: Fraile José M. , Pérez Ignacio , Mayoral José A. , Reiser Oliver
Published: August 2006

Azabis(oxazolines) can be used as chiral ligands in the copper‐catalyzed enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction. When supported on solids, azabis(oxazoline)‐copper complexes are more easily deactivated than their analogous bis(oxazoline)‐copper complexes, and are not compatible with the use of coordinating solvents in the method of preparation. The performance of the immobilized catalysts (up to 86 % ee) depends on the support and the reaction solvent, with some positive effect on enantioselectivity due to surface effects. The deactivation is not irreversible and the deactivated catalysts show excellent performance in the cyclopropanation reaction, providing added value to the supported multipurpose catalysts.
An Immobilized Organocatalyst for Cyanosilylation and Epoxidation
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuya , Imago Toru , Ogasawara Yoshiyuki , Kasai Jun , Kotani Miyuki , Mizuno Noritaka
Published: August 2006

An immobilized organocatalyst has been synthesized by covalently anchoring an N‐octyldihydroimidazolium hydroxide fragment onto SiO2 (denoted as 1‐OH/SiO2). This catalyst exhibits high catalytic performance for the cyanosilylation of various carbonyl compounds with trimethylsilyl cyanide (Me3SiCN). The effectiveness of the system is evidenced by the high to excellent yields of the corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers under mild reaction conditions, which are superior to those obtained with commercially available MgO and anion exchange resins. This catalyst also acts as a heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of electron‐deficient olefins with hydrogen peroxide. Further, the catalyst/product(s) separation can be easily carried out by the simple filtration (or centrifugation) and the reaction is immediately stopped by the removal of the solid catalyst, suggesting that the nature of the observed catalysis is truly heterogeneous.