bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the New Clinical Breaking Points Proposed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in the Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Clinical Strains Isolated from Invasive Bloodstream Candida Spp. Infections in Spain
Authors: Cisterna R. , Tellería O. , Hernaez S. , Ezpeleta G.
Published: February 2012

We tested a global collection of Candida spp. strains against fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin and anidulafungin using CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution (BMD) method, in order to to compare if there are any differences between the susceptibility data using the old and new CLSI clinical breakpoints for azoles (fluconazole and voriconazole) and echinocandins (caspofungin and anidulafungin) in a large number of Candida albicans and the non- albicans Candida species emerging in Europe ( C parapsilosis and C. tropicalis) strains isolated from BSIs. During the study period, a total of 919 isolates of Candida spp. (427 C. albicans, 304 C. parapsilosis, 82 C. tropicalis and 106 isolates of other species) were obtained from over 40 Spanish hospitals. The MICs90 (in mg/L) for fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin and anidulafungin, respectively, for each considered species were as follows: C. albicans, 2, 0.06, 0.125, 0.125; C. parapsilosis, 2, 0.06, 2, 2; C. tropicalis, 2, 0.125, 0. 125, 0.125. Considering the effects in antifungal susceptibility of the new clinical breakpoints it seems that the new clinical breakpoints are more sensitive in the detection of cross - resistance between different azoles, but contrary to what happened on the susceptibility profile of azoles, the increase in the new clinical breakpoints MIC values decreased the rate of C. parapsilosis echinocandin resistant isolates. Therefore, the new epidemiological clinical breakpoints provided by the CLSI promises to be a more sensitive tool to detect emerging reduced antifungal susceptibility among Candida spp. as well as improve the clinical utility of antifungal in vitro testing.
Inferring the Phylogeny of Bovidae Using Mitochondrial DNA sequences: Resolving power of Individual Genes Relative to complete Genomes
Authors: Arif Ibrahim A. , Bakir Mohammad A. , Khan Haseeb A.
Published: February 2012

Molecular techniques that assess biodiversity through the analysis of a small segment of mitochondrial genome have been getting wide attention for inferring the mammalian diversity. Due to their highly conserved nature, specific mitochondrial genes offer a promising tool for phylogenetic analysis. However, there is no established criteria for selecting the typical mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) segments to achieve a greater resolving power. We therefore chose the family Bovidae as a model and compared the tree-topologies resulting from the commonly used and phylogenetically-informative genes including 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, COI, Cyt b and D-loop with respect to complete mitochondrial genome. The tree topologies from the whole mitochondrial genome of 12 species were not identical albeit similar with those resulting from the five individual genes mentioned above. High bootstrap values were observed for mtDNA compared with that of any single gene. The average pair-wise sequence divergence using different genetic modes was found to be: D-loop (0.229) > Cyt b (0.159) > COI or complete mtDNA (0.143) > 12S rRNA (0.094) > 16S rRNA (0.091). The tree resulting from complete mtDNA clearly separated the 12 taxa of Bovidae into 3 major clusters, one cluster each for subfamily Cervinae and Bovinae and the third cluster comprised the distinctive clades of Caprinae and Antilopinae. However, jumping clades of Antilopinae were observed while using the individual genes. This study showed that Bison bison and Bos Taurus have very close phylogenetic relationship compared to Bubalus bubalis (Bovinae), irrespective of the method used. Our findings suggest that complete mtDNA genome provides most reliable understanding of complex phylogenetic relationships while the reliability of individual gene trees should be verified with high bootstrap support.
Five-year record of atmospheric precipitation chemistry in urban Beijing, China
Authors: Yang F. , Tan J. , Shi Z. B. , Cai Y. , He K. , Ma Y. , Duan F. , Okuda T. , Tanaka S. , Chen G.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. To investigate the chemical characteristics of precipitation in the polluted urban atmosphere in Beijing and possible mechanisms influencing their variations, a total of 131 event-based precipitation samples were collected from March 2001 to August 2005. The concentrations of major ions in the samples were analyzed by using ion chromatography. Intermediate pH (6.1–7.3) was recorded in approximately two-thirds of the precipitation samples and acidic pH (4.2–5.6) in only 16% of the samples. However, the precipitation acidity was on the growth track and the process was likely being accelerated. SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, and Ca2+ were the most abundant ions in the precipitations, with their single volume-weighted mean (VWM) concentration all above 100 μeq l−1. The two major anions and two major cations accounted for more than 80% of total anionic and cationic mass, respectively. The VWM SO42− concentration decreased by 13% compared to that during 1995–1998, much less than the 58% reduction in the annual average SO2 concentration from 1998 to 2005 in Beijing. What seems more counterintuitive is that the VWM NO3− concentration nearly doubled over the period although the annual average NO2 concentration decreased by 5% from 1998 to 2005. These results imply that the conversion of gaseous precursors to acid compounds and/or the regional transport were reinforced over the decade. The average ratio of neutralizing potential to acidifying potential (i.e. NP/AP) was as high as 1.2 but experienced an evident decline trend. This was mainly ascribed to reduced input of NH4+ and Ca2+ and increased input of NO3−. Furthermore, the equivalent mass ratio of NO3− to non-sea-salt SO42− presented an increasing trend over the study period, suggesting that the contribution of NO3− to the precipitation acidity increased in recent years. However, the mean ratio was only 0.37 ± 0.11 in the study period, which is significantly lower than those reported in some metropolitan areas in developed countries. This shows that the precipitation acidity in Beijing was still dominantly from SO2 while the SO2 contribution was progressively substituted by NOx.
Modes in the size distributions and neutralization extent of fog-processed ammonium salt aerosols observed at Canadian rural locations
Authors: Yao X. H. , Zhang L.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Among the 192 samples of size-segregated water-soluble inorganic ions collected using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) at eight rural locations in Canada, ten samples were identified to have gone through fog processing. The supermicron particle modes of ammonium salt aerosols were found to be the fingerprint of fog processed aerosols. However, the patterns and the sizes of the supermicron modes varied with ambient temperature (T) and particle acidity and also differed between inland and coastal locations. Under T > 0 °C condition, fog-processed ammonium salt aerosols were completely neutralized and had a dominant mode at 1–2 μm and a minor mode at 5–10 μm if particles were in neutral condition, and ammonium sulfate was incompletely neutralized and only had a 1–2 μm mode if particles were in acidic conditions. Under T < 0 °C at the coastal site, fog-processed aerosols exhibited a bi-modal size distribution with a dominant mode of incompletely-neutralized ammonium sulfate at about 3 μm and a minor mode of completely-neutralized ammonium sulfate at 8–9 μm. Under T < 0 °C condition at the inland sites, fog-processed ammonium salt aerosols were sometimes completely neutralized and sometimes incompletely neutralized, and the size of the supermicron mode was in the range from 1 to 5 μm. Overall, fog-processed ammonium salt aerosols under T < 0 °C condition were generally distributed at larger size (e.g., 2–5 μm) than those under T > 0 °C condition (e.g., 1–2 μm).
Modeling chemistry in and above snow at Summit, Greenland − Part 2: Impact of snowpack chemistry on the oxidation capacity of the boundary layer
Authors: Thomas J. L. , Dibb J. E. , Huey L. G. , Liao J. , Tanner D. , Lefer B. , von Glasow R. , Stutz J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The chemical composition of the boundary layer in snow covered regions is impacted by chemistry in the snowpack via uptake, processing, and emission of atmospheric trace gases. We use the coupled one-dimensional (1-D) snow chemistry and atmospheric boundary layer model MISTRA-SNOW to study the impact of snowpack chemistry on the oxidation capacity of the boundary layer. The model includes gas phase photochemistry and chemical reactions both in the interstitial air and the atmosphere. Chemistry on snow grains is simulated assuming a liquid-like layer (LLL), treated as an aqueous layer on the snow grain surface. The model has been recently compared with BrO and NO data taken on 10 June–13 June 2008 as part of the Greenland Summit Halogen-HOx experiment (GSHOX). In the present study, we use the same focus period to investigate the influence of snowpack derived chemistry on OH and HOx + RO2 in the boundary layer. We compare model results with chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) measurements of the hydroxyl radical (OH) and of the hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) plus the sum of all organic peroxy radicals (RO2) taken at Summit during summer 2008. Using sensitivity runs we show that snowpack influenced nitrogen cycling and bromine chemistry both increase the oxidation capacity of the boundary layer and that together they increase the mid-day OH concentrations by approximately a factor of 2. We show for the first time, using an unconstrained coupled one-dimensional snowpack-boundary layer model, that air-snow interactions impact the oxidation capacity of the boundary layer and that it is not possible to match measured OH levels without snowpack NOx and halogen emissions. Model predicted HONO compared with mistchamber measurements suggests there may be an unknown HONO source at Summit. Other model predicted HOx precursors, H2O2 and HCHO, compare well with measurements taken in summer 2000. Over 3 days, snow sourced NOx contributes an additional 2 ppb to boundary layer ozone production, while snow sourced bromine has the opposite effect and contributes 1 ppb to boundary layer ozone loss.
Quantifying population exposure to airborne particulate matter during extreme events in California due to climate change
Authors: Mahmud A. , Hixson M. , Kleeman M. J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The effect of climate change on population-weighted concentrations of particulate matter (PM) during extreme events was studied using the Parallel Climate Model (PCM), the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the UCD/CIT 3-D photochemical air quality model. A "business as usual" (B06.44) global emissions scenario was dynamically downscaled for the entire state of California between the years 2000–2006 and 2047–2053. Air quality simulations were carried out for 1008 days in each of the present-day and future climate conditions using year-2000 emissions. Population-weighted concentrations of PM0.1, PM2.5, and PM10 total mass, components species, and primary source contributions were calculated for California and three air basins: the Sacramento Valley air basin (SV), the San Joaquin Valley air basin (SJV) and the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB). Results over annual-average periods were contrasted with extreme events. Climate change between 2000 vs. 2050 did not cause a statistically significant change in annual-average population-weighted PM2.5 mass concentrations within any major sub-region of California in the current study. Climate change did alter the annual-average composition of the airborne particles in the SoCAB, with notable reductions of elemental carbon (EC; −3%) and organic carbon (OC; −3%) due to increased annual-average wind speeds that diluted primary concentrations from gasoline combustion (−3%) and food cooking (−4%). In contrast, climate change caused significant increases in population-weighted PM2.5 mass concentrations in central California during extreme events. The maximum 24-h average PM2.5 concentration experienced by an average person during a ten-year period in the SJV increased by 21% due to enhanced production of secondary particulate matter (manifested as NH4NO3). In general, climate change caused increased stagnation during future extreme pollution events, leading to higher exposure to diesel engines particles (+32%) and wood combustion particles (+14%) when averaging across the population of the entire state. Enhanced stagnation also isolated populations from distant sources such as shipping (−61%) during extreme events. The combination of these factors altered the statewide population-averaged composition of particles during extreme events, with EC increasing by 23%, nitrate increasing by 58%, and sulfate decreasing by 46%.
Calibration of an all-sky camera for obtaining sky radiance at three wavelengths
Authors: Román R. , Antón M. , Cazorla A. , de Miguel A. , Olmo F. J. , Bilbao J. , Alados-Arboledas L.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. This paper proposes a method to obtain spectral sky radiances, at three wavelengths (464, 534 and 626 nm), from hemispherical sky images. Images are registered with an All-Sky Imager installed at the Andalusian Center for Environmental Research (CEAMA) in Granada (Spain). The methodology followed in this work for the absolute calibration in radiance of this instrument is based on the comparison of its output measurements with modelled sky radiances derived from the Libradtran/UVSPEC radiative transfer code under cloud-free conditions. Previously, in order to check the goodness of the simulated radiances, these are compared with experimental values recorded by a CIMEL sunphotometer. In general, modelled radiances are in agreement with experimental data, showing mean differences lower than 15% except for the pixels located next to the sun position that show larger errors. The comparison between the output signal of the All-Sky Imager and the modelled sky radiances provides a calibration matrix for each image. The variability of the matrix coefficients is analyzed, showing no significant changes along a period of 5 months. Therefore, a unique calibration matrix per channel is obtained for all selected images (a total of 705 images per channel). Camera radiances are compared with CIMEL radiances, finding mean absolute differences between 2% and 15% except for pixels near to the Sun and high zenith angles. We apply these calibration matrices to three images in order to study the sky radiance distributions for three different sky conditions: cloudless, overcast and partially cloudy. Horizon brightening under cloudless conditions has been observed together with the enhancement effect of individual clouds on sky radiance.
Hydroclimate variability in the low-elevation Atacama Desert over the last 2500 yr
Authors: Gayo E. M. , Latorre C. , Santoro C. M. , Maldonado A. , De Pol-Holz R.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Paleoclimate reconstructions reveal that Earth system has experienced sub-millennial scale climate changes over the past two millennia in response to internal/external forcing. Although sub-millennial hydroclimate fluctuations have been detected in the central Andes during this interval, the timing, magnitude, extent and direction of change of these events remain poorly defined. Here, we present a reconstruction of hydroclimate variations on the Pacific slope of the central Andes based on exceptionally well-preserved plant macrofossils and associated archaeological remains from a hyperarid drainage (Quebrada Maní, ∼21° S, 1000 m a.s.l.) in the Atacama Desert. During the late Holocene, riparian ecosystems and farming social groups flourished in the hyperarid Atacama core as surface water availability increased throughout this presently sterile landscape. Twenty-six radiocarbon dates indicate that these events occurred between 1050–680, 1615–1350 and 2500–2040 cal yr BP. Regional comparisons with rodent middens and other records suggest that these events were synchronous with pluvial stages detected at higher-elevations in the central Andes over the last 2500 yr. These hydroclimate changes also coincide with periods of pronounced SST gradients in the Tropical Pacific (La Niña-like mode), conditions that are conducive to significantly increased rainfall in the central Andean highlands and flood events in the low-elevation watersheds at inter-annual timescales. Our findings indicate that the positive anomalies in the hyperarid Atacama over the past 2500 yr represent a regional response of the central Andean climate system to changes in the global hydrological cycle at centennial timescales. Furthermore, our results provide support for the role of tropical Pacific sea surface temperature gradient changes as the primary mechanism responsible for climate fluctuations in the central Andes. Finally, our results constitute independent evidence for comprehending the major trends in cultural evolution of prehistoric peoples that inhabited the region.
A Note on the Kelvin Effect in 100Cr6 Steel with Application to Identification of the Elastoplastic Limit
Authors: Hallberg Håkan
Published: February 2012

Experimental and analytical results are presented regarding the temperature evolution in 100Cr6 steel under uniaxial loading. Differently heat-treated conditions of the material are studied at different strain rates. In the annealed state, the materials exhibits a pronounced initial yield stress as it passes from the elastic region to the plastic through discontinuous yielding. In contrast, the quenched and tempered material yields continuously. The focus of the paper is on the temperature decrease during elastic deformation that precedes the more pronounced heating due to inelastic dissipation once the elastoplastic limit stress is surpassed. The applicability of the maximum temperature decrease in the elastic regime as a replacement for the commonly used 0.2%-strain measure to define the elastoplastic limit is discussed. For 100Cr6 steel, the 0.2%-strain measure is found, in some cases, to overestimate the initial yield stress by 50 MPa. The drop in temperature corresponding to the shift from elastic to inelastic material behavior is experimentally determined and compared to predictions by the Kelvin formula which in the current study give a maximum 50% error.
Antioxidant Activity of β-Glucan
Authors: Kofuji Kyoko , Aoki Ayumi , Tsubaki Kazufumi , Konishi Masanori , Isobe Takashi , Murata Yoshifumi
Published: February 2012

β-Glucans extracted from barley, which mainly contains β-(1,3-1,4)-D-glucan, are used extensively as supplements and food additives due to their wide biologic activities, including a reduction in blood lipid level. In this study, the antioxidant activity of β-glucan was examined to assess potential new benefits associated with β-glucan, because oxidative stress is considered one of the primary causal factors for various diseases and aging. β-Glucan extracted from barley was found to possess significant antioxidant activity. The amount of antioxidant activity was influenced by different physiologic properties (e.g., structure and molecular size) of β-glucan, which varied depending on the source and extraction method used. The antioxidant activity of β-glucan was significantly higher than that of various polymers that are used as food additives. These results indicate that β-glucan has promise as a polymeric excipient for supplement and food additive with antioxidant and other benefits, which may contribute to enhancing health and beauty.
Thermophysical and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene: Influence of Free Quenching
Authors: Rouabah F. , Dadache D. , Haddaoui N.
Published: February 2012

The effect of free quenching on the mechanical, thermal, and thermophysical properties of polystyrene has been investigated. Three different thermal treatments were investigated: a first quenching from the melt state to different temperatures, a second quenching from °C, and finally an annealing. The results have shown that a slight improvement of the impact strength can be obtained after a second quenching at 40°C, and a correlation between the mechanical and thermal properties is observed. The improvement of this property was obtained at the expense of other properties such as the elastic modulus, density, hardness, and the heat distortion temperature (HDT). The little improvement of the impact strength after the second quenching is probably linked to the existence of a relaxation mode located around 40°C. However, no effects have been shown on the thermophysical properties.
Periodic Variations in the Wavelength Distributions following Photon Interferences: Analogy with Electron Interferences
Authors: Vabre Maxime , Girard Sylvain , Gilles Hervé , Frankland Burcu S. , Porée Florent , Leprince Philippe , Chesnel Jean-Yves , Barrachina Raul O. , Frémont François
Published: February 2012

A new interference phenomenon is reported, which has so far not been observed with either matter or light. In a nanometer-sized version of Feynman's famous two-slit “thought” experiment with single electrons, the width of a quasi-monochromatic line has been found to oscillate with the detection angle. Since this experiment resembles the original double-slit experiment by Young with light (1807), photon interferences were investigated in order to determine the wavelength distribution as a function of the position in the interference field. In addition to the well-known oscillating dependence of the intensity with a succession of dark and bright fringes, a periodic dependence with respect to the detection position has also been observed for the width of the wavelength distribution, revealing a larger analogy between electron and photon interferences.
Comparison of LC-MS Assay and HPLC Assay of Busulfan in Clinical Pharmacokinetics Studies
Authors: Lin Hongxia , Goodin Susan , Strair Roger K. , DiPaola Robert S. , Gounder Murugesan K.
Published: February 2012

Busulfan is used in preparative regimens for bone marrow transplantation and timely busulfan plasma concentration reporting is critical for subsequent dose adjustment. We compared two sensitive methods for pharmacokinetics studies including LC-MS assay and HPLC precolumn derivatization assay. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Gemini C18 column. Liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was used for plasma sample preparation. Busulfan and internal standard ([2H8]-busulfan) were detected as ammonium adducts at m/z 264.2 and 272.2 for LC-MS assay. For HPLC assay, the extraction from plasma was derivatized with 2-naphathalenethiol using synthesized internal standard (1,6-(methanesulfonyloxy)octane). The Ex and Em wavelength was 255 nm and 370 nm. The limit of detection was 15.6 ng/mL and 7.8 ng/mL for HPLC and LC-MS assay and good linearity ranging from 31.25–1000 ng/mL for HPLC and 15.6-1000 ng/mL for LC-MS assay. The intra and interday assay precision were less than 9.2% and 12.0% for LC-MS and HPLC assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using noncompartmental pharmacokinetic model with WinNonlin. Busulfan AUClast showed an average difference of 0.7% between the two methods. The LC-MS method is accurate, reproducible, and requires less specimen, sample preparation and analysis time over the HPLC assay, making busulfan monitoring faster and easier in clinical practice.
The Florida Melanoma Trial I: A Prospective Multicenter Phase I/II Trial of Postoperative Hypofractionated Adjuvant Radiotherapy with Concurrent Interferon-Alfa-2b in the Treatment of Advanced Stage III Melanoma with Long-Term Toxicity Follow-Up
Authors: Finkelstein Steven E. , Trotti Andy , Rao Nikhil , Reintgen Douglas , Cruse Wayne , Feun Lynn , Sondak Vernon , Yu Daohai , Zhu Weiwei , Gwede Clement , DeConti Ronald
Published: February 2012

Radiotherapy (RT) and interferon-alfa-2b (IFN α-2b) have individually been used for adjuvant therapy stage III melanoma with high-risk pathologic features. We hypothesized that concurrent adjuvant RT and IFN α-2b may decrease the risk of regional recurrence following surgery with acceptable toxicity. A prospective multicenter phase I/II study was conducted to evaluate hypofractionated RT with concurrent IFN. Induction IFN α-2b, 20 MU/m2/d, was administered IV ×5 consecutive days every week for 4 weeks. Next, RT 30 Gy in 5 fractions was given with concurrent IFN α-2b, 10 MU/m2 SQ 3 times per week on days alternating with RT. Subsequent maintenance therapy consisted of adjuvant IFN α-2b, 10 MU/m2 SQ 3 times per week to a total of 1 year. To fully evaluate patterns of failure, long-term follow-up was conducted for up to 10 years. A total of 29 consenting patients were enrolled between August 1997 and March 2000. The maximum (worst) grade of acute nonhematologic toxicity during concurrent RT/IFN α-2b (and up to 2 weeks post RT) was grade 3 skin toxicity noted in 2 patients (9%). Late effects were limited. Probability of regional control was 78% (95% CI: 55%–90%) at 12 months. The median follow-up (range) was 80 (51–106) months among ten survivors (43%). The median overall survival was 34.5 months while the median failure-free survival was 19.9 months. Postoperative concurrent hypofractionated RT with IFN α-2b for advanced stage III melanoma appears to be associated with acceptable toxicity and may provide reasonable in-field control in patients at high risk of regional failure.
Applicability of Hydrus-1D in a Mediterranean Mountain Area Submitted to Land Use Changes
Authors: Rubio Carles M. , Poyatos Rafael
Published: February 2012

The aim of this research is to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the Hydrus-1D model to simulate the measured dynamics of water flow in a silt loam soil profile located in an abandoned crop area. The paper includes a physical and chemical characterization of the soil, and hydraulic properties characteristics as well. Several techniques and devices were used to develop the experiment in both, field and laboratory scales. The last part of the study was the Hydrus-1D simulation using real rain events and evapotranspiration rates. In summary, it could predict accurately the water dynamics of this “natural” scenario.
Simple and Fast Methods Based on Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled to Liquid Chromatography with UV Detection for the Monitoring of Caffeine in Natural, and Wastewater as Marker of Anthropogenic Impact
Authors: Moret Sònia , Hidalgo Manuela , Sanchez Juan M.
Published: February 2012

Two concentration methods for fast and routine determination of caffeine (using HPLC-UV detection) in surface, and wastewater are evaluated. Both methods are based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) concentration with octadecyl silica sorbents. A common “offline” SPE procedure shows that quantitative recovery of caffeine is obtained with 2 mL of an elution mixture solvent methanol-water containing at least 60% methanol. The method detection limit is 0.1 μg L−1 when percolating 1 L samples through the cartridge. The development of an “online” SPE method based on a mini-SPE column, containing 100 mg of the same sorbent, directly connected to the HPLC system allows the method detection limit to be decreased to 10 ng L−1 with a sample volume of 100 mL. The “offline” SPE method is applied to the analysis of caffeine in wastewater samples, whereas the “on-line” method is used for analysis in natural waters from streams receiving significant water intakes from local wastewater treatment plants.
Focus on ADF/Cofilin: Beyond Actin Cytoskeletal Regulation
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Han , Lee Yi-Jang
Published: February 2012

Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin, an actin-binding protein ubiquitously expressed in a variety of organisms, is required for regulation of actin dynamics. The activity of ADF/cofilin is dependent on serine 3 phosphorylation by LIM kinase (LIMK), which is regulated by the Rho small GTPase signaling pathway. ADF/cofilin is strongly associated with several important cell biological functions, including cell cycle, morphological maintenance, and locomotion. These functions affect several biological events, including embryogenesis, oncology, nephropathy, and neurodegenerations. Here, we focus on the biochemical and pathophysiological role of ADF/cofilin in mammals.
Association between Overweight, Health Behaviors, and
Insulin Resistance in School Children
Authors: Hirschler V. , Molinari C. G. , Gonzalez C.
Published: February 2012

The aim of the paper was to determine the association between children's BMI, health behaviors, and HOMA-IR. 1065 students (535M) aged  y from 6 schools were examined. Questionnaires for healthy habits were completed. As all components could not contribute equally to overweight/obesity (OW/OB), a multiple regression analysis was done with BMI as the dependent variable. Those components which were associated with BMI were totaled to establish the score. Data also included Tanner, lipids, insulin, and glucose. 165 (15.5%) of the children were OB (BMI > 95%ile per CDC norms), and 152 (14.3%), OW (85 ≤ BMI < 95%ile). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a positive association between children's OW/OB and HOMA-IR (OR, 2.42 (95% CI 1.97–2.98)), and an inverse association with healthy score (OR, 0.66 (95% CI 0.52–0.85)) adjusted for Tanner and gender. Our results suggest that this is an easy score that could be used to predict children's OW/OB; however additional longitudinal studies should be done to confirm these findings.
Fabrication and Degradation of Electrospun Scaffolds from L-Tyrosine-Based Polyurethane Blends for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Spagnuolo Michael , Liu Lingyun
Published: February 2012

It is important to control the degradation rate of a tissue-engineered scaffold so that the scaffold will degrade in an appropriate matching rate as the tissue cells grow in. A set of potential tissue engineering scaffolds with controllable rates of degradation were fabricated from blends of two biocompatible, biodegradable L-tyrosine-based polyurethanes (PEG1000-HDI-DTH and PCL1250-HDI-DTH) using the electrospinning process. The scaffolds were characterized by mat morphology, fiber diameter, diameter distribution, pore size, and hydrolytic degradation behavior. The majority of the scaffolds, despite having radically different chemical compositions, possessed no statistical difference with pore sizes and fiber diameters. The degradation pattern observed indicated that scaffolds consisting of a greater mass percentage of PEG1000-HDI-DTH decayed to a greater extent than those containing higher concentrations of PCL1250-HDI-DTH. The degradation rates of the electrospun scaffolds were much higher than those of the thin cast films with same compositions. These patterns were consistent through all blends. The work demonstrates one practical method of controlling the degradation of biopolymer scaffolds without significantly affecting an intended morphology.
The Evolution of Methotrexate as a Treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy and Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: A Review
Authors: Skubisz Monika M. , Tong Stephen
Published: February 2012

Methotrexate was developed in 1949 as a synthetic folic acid analogue to compete with folic acid and thus interfere with cell replication. While initially developed as a potential treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a serendipitous observation led to methotrexate's use to effect the dramatic cure of a case of advanced choriocarcinoma. This prompted the exploration for the potential of methotrexate to treat other conditions involving disordered trophoblastic tissue. Methotrexate has subsequently revolutionized the treatment of two pregnancy-related conditions—gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and ectopic pregnancy. This article reviews the development of modern treatment protocols that use methotrexate to medically treat these two important gynaecological conditions.
Intratympanic Steroid Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Failure of Intravenous Therapy
Authors: Ferri Emanuele , Frisina Antonio , Fasson Anna Chiara , Armato Enrico , Spinato Giacomo , Amadori Maurizio
Published: February 2012

Purpose. The aim of this study is the investigation of the effectiveness of intratympanic steroids therapy (IST) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) who had not responded to intravenous treatment, evaluating the overall hearing recovery and comparing the results with different variables. Materials and Methods. Our study consisted of 55 patients with refractory ISSHL who, at the end of 10 days of therapy with intravenous steroids, had puretone 4-frequency average (PTA) of worse than 30 dB. The patients received 0.5 mL of methylprednisolone by direct intratympanic injection. The procedure was carried out up to 7 times within a 20-days period. Statistical analysis was carried out. Results. Overall 29 patients (52.7%) showed improvement in PTA, 24 (43.8%) had no change in hearing, and 2 (3.5%) worsened. There was a significant statistical correlation between hearing recovery and time to onset of symptoms, severity of hearing loss and frequency of hearing loss. Conclusions. IST is an effective and safe therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss cases that are refractory to standard treatment. The earlier IST, the hearing losses less than 90 dB and the involvement of the low frequencies seem to influence positively the hearing recovery.
Bacterial Growth on Chitosan-Coated Polypropylene Textile
Authors: Erben D. , Hola V. , Jaros J. , Rahel J.
Published: February 2012

Biofouling is a problem common in all systems where microorganisms and aqueous environment meet. Prevention of biofouling is therefore important in many industrial processes. The aim of this study was to develop a method to evaluate the ability of material coating to inhibit biofilm formation. Chitosan-coated polypropylene nonwoven textile was prepared using dielectric barrier discharge plasma activation. Resistance of the textile to biofouling was then tested. First, the textile was submerged into a growth medium inoculated with green fluorescein protein labelled Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After overnight incubation at 33°C, the textile was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy for bacterial enumeration and biofilm structure characterisation. In the second stage, the textile was used as a filter medium for prefiltered river water, and the pressure development on the in-flow side was measured to quantify the overall level of biofouling. In both cases, nontreated textile samples were used as a control. The results indicate that the chitosan coating exhibits antibacterial properties. The developed method is applicable for the evaluation of the ability to inhibit biofilm formation.
Influence of Anxiety and Depression on Quality of Life of People with Schizophrenia in the Eastern Region of Poland
Authors: Makara-Studzińska Marta , Wołyniak Małgorzata , Kryś Karolina
Published: February 2012

Schizophrenia is the most severe and most debilitating mental illness, which is one of the first ten causes of disability in youth and elderly people. Regarding many consequences that schizophrenia brings for individual and social functioning of ill people, their assessment of the quality of their lives seems to be interesting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and severity of anxiety and depression as well as analysis of the impact level of anxiety and depression on life quality of people with schizophrenia. A group of patients with schizophrenia from psychiatric centers was involved in a study. A set of methods, included: author's questionnaire, the quality of life scale WHOQOL-BREF, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Anxiety disorders occurred in more than 78% of respondents, while depressive disorders in more than half of respondents. The more severe anxiety and depressive disorders, the lower values were observed in all tested components of quality of life. The study of quality of life of the mentally ill patients should be conducted on a continuous basis in order to explore the current factors influencing the improvement of their psychophysical welfare. It is necessary to promote prohealthy mental lifestyle.
Stridor in Asian Infants: Assessment and Treatment
Authors: Yee-Hang Wong Birgitta , Theresa Hui , So-lun Lee , Wai-Kuen Ho , Ignace Wei William
Published: February 2012

Stridor is the main symptom of upper airway obstruction in infants. It can be congenital or acquired, acute or chronic. Pathologies can be located from the nose down to the trachea. Common causes include laryngomalacia, vocal cord palsy, subglottic stenosis, tracheal anomaly, laryngeal cleft, vascular and lymphatic malformation, laryngeal papillomas, craniofacial abnormalities and even head and neck tumours. In this paper, we will discuss our approach to infants with stridor including assessment with flexible and rigid endoscopy and treatments to various conditions in a tertiary centre. Causes of stridor in infants undergoing rigid laryngotracheobronchoscopy in Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre between 2005 and 2011 will be retrospectively reviewed. Treatments according to various conditions will be discussed. Successful management of these neonates requires accurate diagnosis, early intervention, and multidisciplinary care by ENT surgeons, paediatricians, and paediatric anaesthetists.
A Smart Proofreader for All Natural Languages: Achieving Semantic Understanding by Majority Vote
Authors: Olsen Kai A.
Published: February 2012

The language tools offered in common word processors use dictionaries and simple grammatical rules. They cannot detect errors such as a wrong preposition, interchanged words, or typos that result in a dictionary word. However, by comparing the user's text to a large repository, it is possible to detect many of these errors and also to suggest alternatives. By looking at full sentences, it is often possible to get the correct context. This is important in detecting errors and in order to offer valuable suggestions. These ideas have been implemented in a prototype system. We present examples in English and Norwegian, but the method, that of following a “majority vote,” can be applied to any written language.
Rapid Quantification of Ethyl Carbamate in Spirits Using NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Monakhova Yulia B. , Kuballa Thomas , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: February 2012

Ethyl carbamate (EC, urethane, C2H5OCONH2) is a genotoxic carcinogen and is regularly found in fermented food products including alcoholic beverages. In this study, the rapid method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares (PLS) regression is applied for the first time to the analysis of ethyl carbamate in stone fruit spirits () and unrecorded alcohols () (analysis time only 15 min per sample). The PLS procedure was validated using an independent set of samples (, ,  mg/L) in comparison to reference GC/MS/MS results. The NMR method was found to outperform other screening techniques based on NIR or FTIR regarding sensitivity and selectivity. The major advantage over GC/MS/MS, besides the reduced time of instrumental analysis, is that no sample preparation besides addition of buffer with internal standard is required, while for GC/MS/MS labour-intensive sample extraction is necessary prior to measurement.
Factors associated with fatigue in early arthritis: Results from a multicenter national French cohort study
Authors: Rat Anne‐Christine , Pouchot Jacques , Fautrel Bruno , Boumier Patrick , Goupille Philippe , Guillemin Francis
Published: February 2012

Objective

Fatigue frequently occurs in patients with early arthritis (EA). Determinants of its severity are unknown. We aimed to identify the factors associated with fatigue in EA and changes in fatigue after 1 year of followup.

Methods

The Evaluation et Suivi de Polyarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes (Assessment and Followup of Early Undifferentiated Arthritis) cohort study is a multicenter, prospective, national cohort of patients with EA. At baseline and every 6 months up to 1 year, we recorded sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 Short Form (AIMS2‐SF) and Short Form 36 (SF‐36) scores for health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and fatigue severity by a visual analog scale (f‐VAS) and the SF‐36 vitality score (fatigue_SF36).

Results

We included 813 patients (77% women, mean ± SD age 48 ± 13 years). At baseline, fatigue as assessed by the f‐VAS or fatigue_SF36 was independently associated with young age, female sex, low education level, smoking, increased Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), waking up at night, Sjögren's syndrome, and worse AIMS2‐SF physical, affect, and symptom scores. At 1‐year followup, a favorable change in fatigue scores was associated with increased baseline AIMS2‐SF physical and affect scores (better quality of life), high baseline fatigue scores, and improved 1‐year AIMS2‐SF affect scores. Age, sex, and change in AIMS2‐SF physical score, DAS28, and hemoglobin or C‐reactive protein level were inconsistently associated with change in fatigue scores. The AIMS2‐SF affect score explained most of the variance in baseline fatigue score and was an important factor in 1‐year change in fatigue score.

Conclusion

Fatigue in EA is multifactorial. Its level and its course are strongly associated with HRQOL, notably the affect dimension. These results should help professionals inform patients about fatigue, explore its causes, and develop tailored interventions.
Charge Injection in Solution‐Processed Organic Field‐Effect Transistors: Physics, Models and Characterization Methods
Authors: Natali Dario , Caironi Mario
Published: February 2012

A high‐mobility organic semiconductor employed as the active material in a field‐effect transistor does not guarantee per se that expectations of high performance are fulfilled. This is even truer if a downscaled, short channel is adopted. Only if contacts are able to provide the device with as much charge as it needs, with a negligible voltage drop across them, then high expectations can turn into high performances. It is a fact that this is not always the case in the field of organic electronics.

In this review, we aim to offer a comprehensive overview on the subject of current injection in organic thin film transistors: physical principles concerning energy level (mis)alignment at interfaces, models describing charge injection, technologies for interface tuning, and techniques for characterizing devices. Finally, a survey of the most recent accomplishments in the field is given. Principles are described in general, but the technologies and survey emphasis is on solution processed transistors, because it is our opinion that scalable, roll‐to‐roll printing processing is one, if not the brightest, possible scenario for the future of organic electronics.

With the exception of electrolyte‐gated organic transistors, where impressively low width normalized resistances were reported (in the range of 10 Ω·cm), to date the lowest values reported for devices where the semiconductor is solution‐processed and where the most common architectures are adopted, are ∼10 kΩ·cm for transistors with a field effect mobility in the 0.1–1 cm2/Vs range. Although these values represent the best case, they still pose a severe limitation for downscaling the channel lengths below a few micrometers, necessary for increasing the device switching speed. Moreover, techniques to lower contact resistances have been often developed on a case‐by‐case basis, depending on the materials, architecture and processing techniques. The lack of a standard strategy has hampered the progress of the field for a long time. Only recently, as the understanding of the rather complex physical processes at the metal/semiconductor interfaces has improved, more general approaches, with a validity that extends to several materials, are being proposed and successfully tested in the literature. Only a combined scientific and technological effort, on the one side to fully understand contact phenomena and on the other to completely master the tailoring of interfaces, will enable the development of advanced organic electronics applications and their widespread adoption in low‐cost, large‐area printed circuits.
Population balance modeling and simulation of liquid–liquid–liquid phase transfer catalyzed synthesis of mandelic acid from benzaldehyde
Authors: Sowbna P. R. , Yadav Ganapati D. , Ramkrishna Doraiswami
Published: February 2012

Mandelic acid has cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and antibacterial activities and is used in urinary antiseptic medicines. An attractive process for the production of mandelic acid is through reaction between benzaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, and chloroform in the presence of polyethylene glycol 4000 as a phase transfer catalyst. The liquid–liquid phase transfer catalyzed (L–L PTC) reaction can be intensified by converting it into three‐liquid phases (L–L–L PTC). We address the modeling of a well‐stirred reactor for the foregoing process, in which organic droplets surrounded by a thin film of catalyst‐rich phase are suspended in the aqueous phase. A population balance model is formulated for the L–L–L PTC reaction and solved by Monte Carlo simulation using interval of quiescence technique. Transport processes and intrinsic reaction kinetics are extracted from the experiments. This population balance model serves to assess and interpret the relative roles of various processes in L–L–L PTC reaction, such as diffusive transport, reaction, and interaction between dispersed phase droplets. The model is expected to be an effective tool for reactor design and scale up. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Flame‐retardant and physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) chemically modified by diethyl chlorophosphate
Authors: Lin Jian‐Sheng , Chen Li , Liu Ya , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: February 2012

Phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (P‐PVA) was prepared via the modification of the pendent hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the presence of diethyl chlorophosphate (DECP). Chemical structures of the P‐PVA were characterized by attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, and 31PNMR spectra. The formed P‐PVA showed good flame retardance, improved thermal stability, enhanced hydrophilicity, decreased tensile strength, and increased elongation at break compared with PVA. The crystallinity of P‐PVA was much lower than that of PVA, and it decreased with the increase of phosphorus content. The reasons for the obvious differences between the aforementioned properties of PVA and P‐PVA were investigated and discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation of antibacterial poly(methyl methacrylate) by solution blending with water‐insoluble antibacterial agent poly[(tert‐buty1amino) ethyl methacrylate]
Authors: Zuo Huajiang , Wu Dingcai , Fu Ruowen
Published: February 2012

A simple and effective way was developed to prepare antibacterial poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) materials from commercial PMMA and synthesized poly[2‐(tert‐butylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PTBAEMA) by solution blending and solvent evaporation methods. The chemical structure of as‐synthesized PTBAEMA was characterized by FTIR and 1H‐NMR, and the molecular weight (Mw) and polydispersity index was determined by Gel Permeation Chromatograph. The two components, that is, PMMA and PTBAEMA, were partially miscible and of regular domain size and shape as revealed by SEM observation. Antibacterial assay revealed PMMA/PTBAEMA blends inherited the good antibacterial activity of PTBAEMA against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, no matter whether the bacteria were waterborne or airborne. Besides, the antibacterial performance of PMMA/PTBAEMA blends depended on the Mw and dosage of PTBAEMA, and type of bacteria strain. Furthermore, it was proved that PMMA/PTBAEMA blends killed bacteria on direct contact without releasing active component, which sufficiently met the demand of developing environment‐friendly antibacterial materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012