bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallisation and melting properties of dromedary milk fat globules studied by X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Comparison with anhydrous dromedary milk fat
Authors: Lopez Christelle , Karray Nadia , Lesieur Pierre , Ollivon Michel
Published: July 2005

Crystallisation and melting properties of triacylglycerols (TG) in dromedary milk fat (DMF) globules are studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) as a function of temperature coupled with high‐sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using synchrotron radiation. The crystallisation properties studied on cooling at ∣dT/dt∣ = 1 °C.min−1 from 60 °C to −8 °C show the successive formation of two double‐chain length (2L) lamellar structures: α 2L1 (46.7 Å) from 22 °C and β' 2L2 (41.7 Å) from 9 °C, which coexist until the end of the cooling process. These two types of crystals are related to the two exothermal peaks recorded simultaneously by DSC. The melting properties are studied on subsequent heating of DMF globules at dT/dt = 1 °C.min−1. The detailed analysis of the intensity and position of the XRD peaks recorded as a function of time shows that (i) the α 2L1 structure melts first, (ii) some TG from 2L1 melt and are incorporated again in the 2L2 structure, and (iii) the 2L2 structure melts with a final melting temperature over 44 °C. The influence of the dispersion of TG molecules in individual fat globules, with the presence of an interface with water, was determined by comparing their crystallisation behaviour to that of the same TG extracted from cream (anhydrous DMF) under the same experimental conditions. Results show that the same lamellar structures, α 2L1 and then β' 2L2, are formed on cooling in the dispersed and bulk states. However, crystallisation in the unstable α form is favoured in fat globules.
Determination of Copper in the Presence of Various Amounts of Arsenic with L‐Cysteine Modified Gold Electrodes
Authors: Dai Xuan , Compton Richard G.
Published: July 2005

An L‐cysteine modified gold electrode for the determination of copper in the presence of various amounts of arsenic with anodic stripping voltammetry has been studied. The electrode was fabricated by immersing a gold electrode in an ethanol solution of 5mM L‐cysteine for 60 min. Various parameters, such as the effect of different supporting electrolytes, the pH of the electrolyte and the deposition potential were investigated. Under optimum conditions, copper was accumulated at −0.3 V (vs. SEC) for 60 s in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 5.0 in the presence of different amounts of arsenic. Essentially the same sensitivities (0.33±0.001 μA/μM) and limits of detection (0.13±0.002 μM) of copper were obtained with various amount of arsenic in the range 2 μM to 20 μM.
Novel Preparation and Photoelectrochemical Properties of γ‐CuI Semiconductor Nanocrystallites on Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Hsu Cheng‐Teng , Chung Hsieh‐Hsun , Kumar Annamalai Senthil , Zen Jyh‐Myng
Published: July 2005

Cuprous iodide (γ‐CuI) is an important semiconductor material having a bang gap of 3.1 eV often used for visible light assisted photoelectrochemical and solar energy conservation systems. We report the first and unique preparation of fine and precisely controlled γ‐CuI semiconductor nanocrystallites on the surface of a screen‐printed carbon electrode using a photoelectrochemical copper nanoparticle deposition method with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffer solution as a control medium. Tris buffer helps to split Cu$\rm{ {_{2}^{I}}}$O and CuIIO oxidation states through specific complexation mechanism and in turn to selective iodination of Cu$\rm{ {_{2}^{I}}}$O to the formation of γ‐CuI on the electrode. Stable and linear photoelectrochemical response was further demonstrated against variable light intensity up to 400 Klux using the γ‐CuI modified system.
Spatiotemporal mapping of cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements using an event‐related beamforming approach
Authors: Cheyne Douglas , Bakhtazad Leyla , Gaetz William
Published: July 2005

We describe a novel spatial filtering approach to the localization of cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements. The synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) minimum‐variance beamformer algorithm was used to compute spatial filters three‐dimensionally over the entire brain from single trial neuromagnetic recordings of subjects performing self‐paced index finger movements. Images of instantaneous source power (“event‐related SAM”) computed at selected latencies revealed activation of multiple cortical motor areas prior to and following left and right index finger movements in individual subjects, even in the presence of low‐frequency noise (e.g., eye movements). A slow premovement motor field (MF) reaching maximal amplitude ∼50 ms prior to movement onset was localized to the hand area of contralateral precentral gyrus, followed by activity in the contralateral postcentral gyrus at 40 ms, corresponding to the first movement‐evoked field (MEFI). A novel finding was a second activation of the precentral gyrus at a latency of ∼150 ms, corresponding to the second movement‐evoked field (MEFII). Group averaging of spatially normalized images indicated additional premovement activity in the ipsilateral precentral gyrus and the left inferior parietal cortex for both left and right finger movements. Weaker activations were also observed in bilateral premotor areas and the supplementary motor area. These results show that event‐related beamforming provides a robust method for studying complex patterns of time‐locked cortical activity accompanying voluntary movements, and offers a new approach for the localization of multiple cortical sources derived from neuromagnetic recordings in single subject and group data. Hum. Brain Mapping 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histological and radiographic evaluation of polymethylmethacrylate with two different concentrations of barium sulfate in a sheep vertebroplasty model
Authors: Kobayashi Naomi , Togawa Daisuke , Fujishiro Takaaki , Powell Kimberly A. , Turner A. Simon , Seim Howard B. , Bauer Thomas W.
Published: July 2005

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation with PMMA has been widely performed and usually provides good pain relief and stabilization of fractured vertebrae. Adequate visualization of PMMA during injection is desirable to minimize cement extravasation, so contrast agents such as barium sulfate are commonly added to the PMMA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of histology and radiographic visualization when different concentrations of barium sulfate are mixed with PMMA. Six sheep were utilized in this study. Three vertebrae of each animal were exposed via retroperitoneal approach, and a cavity was created and then filled with either 10% or 30% BaSO4/PMMA, or left empty. Vertebrae were harvested and analyzed radiographically and histologically 12 and 90 days after surgery. Average CT value of the 30% BaSO4/PMMA group was 2.4‐fold higher than that of the 10% BaSO4/PMMA group. Foreign‐body giant cells were recognized around BaSO4particles at 90 days in the 30% BaSO4 group, whereas few particles were recognized in the 10% group at 90 days, or in either group at 12 days. A very mild giant‐cell reaction is induced by a higher concentration of BaSO4 in PMMA, but the marked improvement in cement visualization by increased BaSO4may be important to minimize more serious complications of cement extravasation during PMMA injection. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
Mechanical evaluation of bone samples following alendronate therapy in healthy male dogs
Authors: Fischer Kenneth J. , Vikoren Thomas H.H. , Ney Susan , Kovach Charles , Hasselman Carl , Agrawal Mauli , Rubash Harry , Shanbhag Arun S.
Published: July 2005

Alendronate and other bisphosphonates are clinically efficacious in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease and hypercalcemia associated with malignancy. Because bisphosphonates are being considered for use in younger patients with joint replacements to prevent osteolysis, and for stress fracture prophylaxis in military recruits, it is important to know how bisphosphonate therapy affects healthy bone. We sought to determine whether bones from healthy male dogs exhibit alterations in structural or mechanical properties following alendronate treatment for 23 weeks. We tested trabecular tissue samples in compression and determined tissue ash density. We tested whole long bones in bending and torsion. For trabecular samples, we evaluated trabecular modulus, strength, and density. For whole bone specimens, we compared structural stiffness and ultimate load. We found no significant differences in any measure, between canines treated with alendronate for 23 weeks and controls, although we found consistent trends toward higher properties in the treated group. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between stiffness and strength measures for each mechanical test. Our results indicate bisphosphonate treatment in healthy canines does not weaken the properties of bone. The trends indicate a slight positive overall effect of alendronate treatment on the mechanical properties of healthy canine bone. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Sol–gel synthesis of bioactive glass scaffolds for tissue engineering: Effect of surfactant type and concentration
Authors: de Barros Coelho Marlene , Magalhães Pereira Marivalda
Published: July 2005

Well‐defined structural characteristics are some of the exigencies that have to be attended when scaffolds for bone tissue cell culture are designed. A high porosity (70–90%) and a high specific surface area and an average pore size > 150 μm will contribute to allow cell migration throughout the structure, adhesion, and proliferation. At the same time, the biodegradation of the material should occur in a proper rate. One way to reach a structure with these characteristics is to produce foams during sol–gel processing of bioactive glasses (system CaOSiO2P2O5). The addition of a surfactant in the sol–gel solution is necessary for foam formation and to maintain its stability until complete gelation occurs. This study presents the performance evaluation of two surfactants [sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and Tergitol®) to determine optimum conditions for foaming ability and stability properties. The anionic surfactant SLES showed better results in terms of foam volume and its stability. Bioactive glass foams obtained with use of this surfactant presented a higher and interconnected porosity. The porosity of the scaffolds produced was 90%, and the macropore size ranged from 100 to 500 μm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Combined segmental and focal adenomyomatosis involving the body of the gallbladder
Authors: Secil Mustafa , Karasu Sebnem , Sagol Ozgul , Coker Ahmet
Published: July 2005

Adenomyomatosis (adenomyomatous hyperplasia) of the gallbladder is a benign process of unknown origin that has been classified into three morphologic types: diffuse, segmental, and focal (fundal). Cases of combined (segmental and focal) forms involving the gallbladder body are very rare. We present the sonographic findings of a case having adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder body with focal as well as segmental forms of the disease. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 33:248–250, 2005
Dynamic ultrasonography of rotator cuff muscles
Authors: Boehm Thomas Dirk , Kirschner Stephan , Mueller Thomas , Sauer Ulf , Gohlke Frank E.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

To confirm the neuromuscular integrity of the rotator cuff and to investigate the effect of different contraction patterns on shoulder function, we sonographically analyzed dynamic contraction patterns of this muscle group.

Methods

Fifty supra‐ and 50 infraspinatus muscle contraction patterns of patients with different shoulder pathologies examined with a 7.5‐MHz transducer were recorded and saved as video files. Both data sets were analyzed by 3 independent observers who then assigned a grade to each contraction pattern: normal, slightly disturbed, severely disturbed, or no contraction. Intra‐ and inter‐observer variations were calculated. In 43 patients with isolated supraspinatus tears, the clinical relation to shoulder function as measured with the Constant score was evaluated.

Results

In the 100 cases tested, the intraclass correlations for the 3 observers were 0.82, 0.88, and 0.88. The inter‐observer reliability was 0.74. No pair of first and second readings for either the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscle differed by more than 1 grade. In patients with a supraspinatus tear, the contraction type of the supraspinatus correlated significantly with the Constant score (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

When dynamic ultrasonography is used to assess the contraction patterns of the supra‐ and infraspinatus muscles, good intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability is attained. Because a better contraction type correlates significantly with better shoulder function, this new diagnostic criterion may improve decision‐making in the treatment of shoulder diseases. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 33:207–213, 2005
Evolution of the spermatozoon in muroid rodents
Authors: Breed William G.
Published: July 2005

In the rodent superfamily Muroidea, a model for the evolution of sperm form has been proposed in which it is suggested that a hook‐shaped sperm head and long tail evolved from a more simple, nonhooked head and short tail in several different subfamilies. To test this model the shape of the sperm head, with particular emphasis on its apical region, and length of sperm tail were matched to a recent phylogeny based on the nucleotide sequence of several protein‐coding nuclear genes from 3 families and 10 subfamilies of muroid rodents. Data from the two other myomorph superfamilies, the Dipodoidea and kangaroo rats in the Geomyoidea, were used for an outgroup comparison. In most species in all 10 muroid subfamilies, apart from in the Murinae, the sperm head has a long rostral hook largely composed of acrosomal material, although its length and cross‐sectional shape vary across the various subfamilies. Nevertheless, in a few species of various lineages a very different sperm morphology occurs in which an apical hook is lacking. In the outgroups the three species of dipodid rodents have a sperm head that lacks a hook, whereas in the heteromyids an acrosome‐containing apical hook is present. It is concluded that, as the hook‐shaped sperm head and long sperm tail occur across the muroid subfamilies, as well as in the heteromyid rodents, it is likely to be the ancestral condition within each of the subfamilies with the various forms of nonhooked sperm heads, that are sometimes associated with short tails, being highly derived states. These findings thus argue against a repeated evolution in various muroid lineages of a complex, hook‐shaped sperm head and long sperm tail from a more simple, nonhooked sperm head and short tail. An alternative proposal for the evolution of sperm form within the Muroidea is presented in the light of these data. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley‐ Liss, Inc.
Enhanced proliferation of progenitor cells in the subventricular zone and limited neuronal production in the striatum and neocortex of adult macaque monkeys after global cerebral ischemia
Authors: Tonchev Anton B. , Yamashima Tetsumori , Sawamoto Kazunobu , Okano Hideyuki
Published: July 2005

Cerebral ischemia in adult rodent models increases the proliferation of endogenous neural progenitor cells residing in the subventricular zone along the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle (SVZa) and induces neurogenesis in the postischemic striatum and cortex. Whether the adult primate brain preserves a similar ability in response to an ischemic insult is uncertain. We used the DNA synthesis indicator bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newly generated cells in adult macaque monkeys and show here that the proliferation of cells with a progenitor phenotype (double positive for BrdU and the markers Musashi1, Nestin, and βIII‐tubulin) in SVZa increased during the second week after a 20‐min transient global brain ischemia. Subsequent progenitor migration seemed restricted to the rostral migratory stream toward the olfactory bulb and ischemia increased the proportion of adult‐generated cells retaining their location in SVZa with a progenitor phenotype. Despite the lack of evidence for progenitor cell migration toward the postischemic striatum or prefrontal neocortex, a small but sustained proportion of BrdU‐labeled cells expressed features of postmitotic neurons (positive for the protein NeuN and the transcription factors Tbr1 and Islet1) in these two regions for at least 79 days after ischemia. Taken together, our data suggest an enhanced neurogenic response in the adult primate telencephalon after a cerebral ischemic insult. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved liquid chromatographic determination of nine currently used (fluoro)quinolones with fluorescence and mass spectrometric detection for environmental samples
Authors: Ferdig Matthias , Kaleta Agnieszka , Buchberger Wolfgang
Published: July 2005

An HPLC method using C18‐modified silica as stationary phase has been developed for environmental trace analysis of nine (fluoro)quinolones. Detection is done by fluorescence measurement or MS using the modes of SIM and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Best separation is achieved with a gradient consisting of 50 mM formic acid and methanol, which is fully compatible with MS coupling. LOQs (S/N of 10) for fluorescence detection are between 10 and 60 μg/L, depending on the analyte. MS detection (SIM and SRM) yields LOQs that are better by a factor of at least an order of magnitude. Sample preconcentration and sample clean‐up is accomplished by SPE (preconcentration factor of 1000), leading to LOQs in the low ng/L range. Recoveries of the preconcentration procedure are better than 80% for all analytes. The suitability for real samples has been demonstrated by analyzing surface waters, municipal waste waters, sewage treatment plant effluents, sewage sludge, and sediment taken from rivers and fish ponds. The method should also be useful for determination of residues of (fluoro)quinolones in food or other matrices. The degradation of the (fluoro)quinolones has been examined over 5 days in order to get information about the decomposition rate and the degradation products eventually occurring in the environment.
The determination of sulfonamides in honey by high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry method (LC/MS)
Authors: Krivohlavek Adela , Šmit Zdenko , Baštinac Martina , Žuntar Irena , Plavšc‐Plavšic Franjo
Published: July 2005

The sulfonamides (SAs) are stable chemotherapeutics used against the bacterial disease affecting bees, known as American foulbrood (Bacillus larvae), so their residues could appear in the honey of treated bees. Their presence at a concentration above the limit value could be a potential danger to human health. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and reliable method for determination of 11 available SAs in honey was optimized. The samples were homogenized and cleaned with extraction on solid phase by means of Chromabond C18 end‐capped cartridge followed by LC/MS analyses. A detection limit of 25 μg/kg was achieved for all analytes. The repeatability of the method was proven and the optimal parameters for temperature and pH of the mobile phase and acetic buffer, respectively, were determined. In this study, 20 samples of domestic honey were included. Six of the analyzed samples were positive, but all results were below the Croatian permissible limit value (100 μg/kg).
Sway patterns in orthostatic tremor: Impairment of postural control mechanisms
Authors: Bacsi Ann M. , Fung Victor S.C. , Colebatch James G.
Published: July 2005

Sway parameters in orthostatic tremor (OT) patients were compared with age‐matched controls. The effects of vision (eyes open or closed), stance width (feet apart or together), and external support (with or without) on sway and 14–18 Hz energy were measured. Sway in OT patients decreased in the presence of each of the stabilizing factors but the extent of benefit obtained by OT patients was significantly less than controls for support for the sagittal plane (22% vs. 42% decrease;P< 0.01) and feet apart in the mediolateral plane (38% vs. 65% decrease;P< 0.01). Three patients with proprioceptive loss also had a reduced response to these factors. Energy in the 14–18 Hz range did not always change in parallel with sway levels. Vision suppresses activity at the OT frequency in patients. Postural control mechanisms in OT remain responsive to postural conditions, but patients differ significantly from normals in the degree of their responsiveness. OT appears to have disruption of the normal generation or processing of proprioceptive signals as one of its important components. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Changes induced by levodopa and subthalamic nucleus stimulation on parkinsonian speech
Authors: Pinto Serge , Gentil Michèle , Krack Paul , Sauleau Paul , Fraix Valérie , Benabid Alim‐Louis , Pollak Pierre
Published: July 2005

Levodopa (L‐dopa) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation treatments have been associated with both improvement and exacerbation of dysarthria in Parkinson's disease (PD). We report four cases illustrating variant responses of dysarthria to dopaminergic and STN stimulation therapies. Patients' motor disability and dysarthria were perceptually rated by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in four conditions according to medication and STN stimulation. Dedicated software packages allowed acquisition and analysis of acoustic recordings. Case 1, who had a severe off period aphonia, experienced improvement of speech induced by both levodopa and STN stimulation. In Case 2, both treatments worsened speech due to the appearance of dyskinesias. Case 3 had a dysarthria exacerbation induced by STN stimulation with parameters above optimal levels, interpreted as current diffusion from the STN to corticobulbar fibers. In Case 4, dysarthria exacerbation occurred with stimulation at an electrode contact located caudally to the target, also arguing for current diffusion as a potential mechanism of speech worsening. The presented cases demonstrated variant effects in relation to L‐dopa and STN stimulation on speech. It seems that motor speech subcomponents can be improved like other limb motor aspect, but that complex coordination of all speech anatomical substrates is not responsive to STN stimulation. These hypotheses may be helpful for better understanding and management of STN stimulation effects on motor speech and skeleton–motor subsystems. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Parkinson's disease, stroke, and related epidemiology
Authors: Nataraj Andrew , Rajput Ali H.
Published: July 2005

We investigated the prevalence of cerebrovascular disease and other comorbidities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients compared to the general population. Five hundred PD patients were chosen randomly from one author's (A.H.R.) database. Age‐ and sex‐matched controls were derived from 270 patients with essential tremor from the same database and from 490 patients in a general practitioner's database. Age, hypertensive status, smoking status, coronary artery disease, orthostatic hypotension, diabetes mellitus, and symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (stroke or transient ischemic attack) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson χ2 testing and binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and orthostatic hypotension was similar among groups. The PD group had more patients who never smoked and less current smokers than the other groups. While there were similar frequencies of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease among groups, the prevalence of stroke was lower in PD patients. This difference disappeared upon stratification into groups based on smoking status and in the addition of smoking as a covariate in the multivariate analysis. Diminished smoking in PD patients likely plays a role in our finding of decreased stroke in patients with PD. Increased access to appropriate neurological care and subsequent prevention of stroke after a warning transient ischemic attack may also play a role, as may diminished levels of excitotoxic neurotransmitters in PD patients. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Free mesh radial basis function collocation approach for the numerical solution of system of multi‐ion electrolytes
Authors: La Rocca A. , Power H.
Published: July 2005

The main objective of this work is to show the versatility of an innovative mesh‐free numerical scheme, which allows the solution of the coupled transport equations governing the evolution of a system of multi‐ion electrolytes, by mean of the use of radial basis functions interpolation and a nesting approach. The nesting approach is used in order to capture the detail behaviour of the solution near a solid wall i.e. at the diffusion–reaction layer. As a numerical example the problem of silver deposition on a rotating disk is analysed. The versatility of the proposed numerical scheme is proved by solving the proposed electrochemical phenomena imposing three different kinds of boundary conditions at the solid wall (Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin). The obtained numerical results are compared with simplified analytical approximation of the corresponding problems. The effect of the ligand concentration on the others species is considered and a comparison between the obtained concentration profiles for the complex AgS2O and Ag(S2O3) when the concentration of the ligand S2O takes different values is shown. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A computational study of the one‐dimensional parabolic equation subject to nonclassical boundary specifications
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi
Published: July 2005

Certain problems arising in engineering are modeled by nonstandard parabolic initial‐boundary value problems in one space variable, which involve an integral term over the spatial domain of a function of the desired solution. Hence, in the past few years interest has substantially increased in the solutions of these problems. As a result numerous research papers have also been devoted to the subject. Although considerable amount of work has been done in the past, there is still a lack of a completely satisfactory computational scheme. Also, there are some cases that have not been studied numerically yet. In the current article several approaches for the numerical solution of the one‐dimensional parabolic equation subject to the specification of mass, which have been considered in the literature, are reported. Finite difference methods have been proposed for the numerical solution of the new nonclassic boundary value problem. To investigate the performance of the proposed algorithm, we consider solving a test problem. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Papillary thyroid carcinoma of childhood and adolescence: A 30‐year experience at the istituto nazionale tumori in Milan
Authors: Collini Paola , Massimino Maura , Leite Silvia Fagundes , Mattavelli Franco , Seregni Ettore , Zucchini Nicola , Spreafico Filippo , Ferrari Andrea , Castellani Maria Rita , Cantù Giulio , Fossati‐Bellani Franca , Rosai Juan
Published: July 2005

Background

Survival rates are reportedly excellent for papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) in childhood/adolescence, despite their strong tendency to spread. The aim of this study was to verify this assumption in a single‐institution series spanning a 30‐year period with a very long follow‐up.

Procedure

From 1968 to 2001, 74 cases of thyroid carcinoma were collected. The papillary histological type was confirmed in 42 cases with available slides; we recorded the sex, age at diagnosis, age of menarche, tumor side and size, TNM/pTNM classification, multicentricity, vascular invasion, type of surgery, post‐operative complications, post‐surgical therapies and outcome up to May 31, 2004.

Results

The female/male ratio was 2.2; pT4, pN1 and M1 cases were 52%, 95%, and 12% (four in lungs and one in bone), respectively. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 33 patients, hemithyroidectomy in 8, and a biopsy in 1 inoperable case. Nine patients (21%) relapsed, six in the cervical lymph nodes and three in the lungs. After a median follow‐up of 189 months, all patients were alive, two of them with evidence of disease. Overall and progression‐free survival curves were independent of sex, age, TNM/pTNM classification, or type of surgery. Overall survival was also independent of recurrence.

Conclusions

Unlike its adult counterpart, PTC of childhood and adolescence is a cancer with a high frequency of spread, but an excellent outcome irrespective of sex, age at diagnosis, TNM/pTNM classification, type of surgery, recurrence. Since pediatric PTCs proved highly responsive to hormone manipulation, it is worth considering a different therapeutic approach from adult cases. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome
Authors: Dror Yigal
Published: July 2005

Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome (SDS) is an inherited marrow failure disorder with varying cytopenia, pancreatic dysfunction, and metaphyseal dysostosis. SDS is also characterized by a risk of myelodysplasia and leukemia in up to one third of the patients. Over the last 5 years, major advances have been made in understanding the bone marrow phenotype. The gene associated with the disease, SBDS, has recently been identified. Herein we provide an update on the clinical features, the hematopoietic defects, and the genetics of the disease as they are currently understood. We also review the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the hematological complications in the syndrome. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Successful treatment of the HIV‐associated Burkitt lymphoma in a three‐year‐old child
Authors: Fedorova Alina , Mlyavaya Tamara , Alexeichik Alexei , Busel Tatyana , Petrovich Inna , Aleinikova Olga
Published: July 2005

We report a case of successful treatment of advanced Burkitt lymphoma in a 3‐year‐old girl with congenitally acquired HIV infection. She was treated with intensive chemotherapy combined with highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART). She had not received any anti‐retroviral therapy and had stage C3 HIV infection on admission. She was treated with modified BFM 90 and remission was achieved. Simultaneously with chemotherapy, HAART with three drugs was carried out, resulting in improvements in HIV parameters. Our report suggests chemotherapy combined with HAART is feasible in children and may favorably change the outcomes in pediatric patients with AIDS‐NHL. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temozolomide in resistant or relapsed pediatric solid tumors
Authors: De Sio L. , Milano G.M. , Castellano A. , Jenkner A. , Fidani P. , Dominici C. , Donfrancesco A.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

We report the off‐label study aimed at investigating the use of temozolomide (TMZ) as single agent in relapsed or resistant pediatric solid tumors. The drug was administered at the dose of 215 mg/m2/day × 5 days or 180 mg/m2/day × 5 days in patients with prior craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT).

Patients and Methods

Fifty two patients, median age 127.6 months, with resistant or relapsed solid tumors were enrolled. Tumor types were: neuroblastoma (NB; n = 17), medulloblastoma (MB; 8), brain stem glioma (BSG; 8), extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (EOES; 4), Ewing's sarcoma (ES; 4), anaplastic astrocytoma (AA; 3), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS; 2), ependymoma (EP; 2), cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (cPNET; 2), hepatocarcinoma (HC; 1), and osteosarcoma (OS; 1). All patients were pre‐treated. Two outpatient courses were administered, with a median of 4.8 courses/pt.

Results

Objective response‐rate (CR + PR + MR) in our series was 13.4% (1.9% CR, 3.8% PR, and 7.7% MR), SD occurred in 38.4% of patients and 48% had PD. The median survival was 7.8 months (range 1–37) and median time to progression was 3.4 months (range 1–20); these data were significantly correlated with histology and previous nitrosureas administration in multivariate analysis. Haematological toxicity grade 3–4 (mainly thrombocytopenia) was observed in 21.4% of administered courses, nausea was reported in 3.1% and respiratory distress in 0.7%.

Conclusion

Oral TMZ was well tolerated in children with resistant or relapsed solid tumors and showed activity in NB and CNS tumours refractory to standard chemotherapy. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Symptomatic hypoglycemia: An unusual side effect of oral purine analogues for treatment of ALL
Authors: Bay Ali , Öner Ahmet Faik , Cesur Yasar , Dogan Murat , Etlik Ozdal , Sanli Fatih
Published: July 2005

Symptomatic hypoglycemia is an unusual complication in children receiving oral purine analogues for treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The exact mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of the antimetabolic therapy remains unclear. Reduced hepatic glycogen stores or impaired hepatic glyconeogenesis may partly explain the hypoglycemia. To prevent hypoglycemia, food containing complex carbohydrates is recommended before sleep. In severe cases of hypoglycemia due to 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP), the dose can be given in the morning and if this fails 6‐MP can be discontinued for a short period of time. We report a 3‐year‐old child who developed severe early morning hypoglycemia episodes that resolved after decreasing 6‐MP while receiving non‐high risk ALL therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006;47:330–331. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cooperative evolution in protein complexes of yeast from comparative analyses of its interaction network
Authors: Vergassola Massimo , Vespignani Alessandro , Dujon Bernard
Published: July 2005

A comparative analysis among Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the other four yeasts Candida glabrata, Kluyveromyces lactis, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Yarrowia lipolytica is presented. The broad evolutionary range spanned by the organisms allows to quantitatively demonstrate novel evolutionary effects in protein complexes. The evolution rates within cliques of interlinked proteins are found to bear strong multipoint correlations, witnessing a cooperative coevolution of complex subunits. The coevolution is found to be largely independent of the tendency of the subunits to have similar abundances.
The human plasma proteome: Analysis of Chinese serum using shotgun strategy
Authors: He Ping , He Hong‐Zhi , Dai Jie , Wang Ying , Sheng Quan‐Hu , Zhou Lan‐Ping , Zhang Zi‐Sen , Sun Yu‐Lin , Liu Fang , Wang Kun , Zhang Jin‐Sheng , Wang Hui‐Xin , Song Zhen‐Mei , Zhang Hai‐Rong , Zeng Rong , Zhao Xiaohang
Published: July 2005

We have investigated the serum proteome of Han‐nationality Chinese by using shotgun strategy. A complete proteomics analysis was performed on two reference specimens from a total of 20 healthy donors, in which each sample was made from ten‐pooled male or female serum, respectively. The methodology used encompassed (1) removal of six high‐abundant proteins; (2) tryptic digestion of low‐ and high‐abundant proteins of serum; (3) separation of peptide mixture by RP‐HPLC followed by ESI‐MS/MS identification. A total of 944 nonredundant proteins were identified under a stringent filter condition (Xcorr ≥ 1.9, ≥2.2, and ≥3.75, ≤Cn ≥ 0.1, and Rsp ≥ 4.0) in both pooled male and female samples, in which 594 and 622 entire proteins were found, respectively. Compared with the total 3020 protein identifications confirmed by more than one laboratory or more than one specimen in HUPO Plasma Proteome Project (PPP) participating laboratories recently, 206 proteins were identified with at least two distinct peptides per protein and 185 proteins were considered as high‐confidence identification. Moreover, some lower abundance serum proteins (ng/mL range) were detected, such as complement C5 and CA125, routinely used as an ovarian cancer marker in plasma and serum. The resulting nonredundant list of serum proteins would add significant information to the knowledge base of human plasma proteome and facilitate disease markers discovery.
Polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate in bulk and solution by chemical initiator and by ATRP method
Authors: Vargün Elif , Usanmaz Ali
Published: July 2005

In this study, 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) was polymerized to obtain polymers that can be used as hydrogel and copolymerized for biomedical applications. Bulk, solution, and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques at different temperatures were applied. The polymerization in bulk form was carried out in vacuum and in open atmosphere. The polymerization curves showed autoacceleration mechanism and the limiting conversion was 100%. The polymers obtained were insoluable in most common solvents because of high molecular weights and strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding. They absorb more than 30% (w/w) water as hydrogel. To decrease the molecular weight and obtain soluble polymers, HEA was polymerized in solution by ATRP method, which also gave insoluble hydrogel type polymers. The activation energy for bulk polymerization was 155.8 kJ/mol, which is very high for a free radical polymerization. This is due to the high degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, which was also supported by FTIR and TGA analysis. The polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, DSC, TGA, and 1H NMR techniques. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3957–3965, 2005
Novel materials for bioanalytical and biomedical applications: Environmental response and binding/release capabilities of amphiphilic hydrogels with shape‐persistent dendritic junctions
Authors: Zhu Chao , Hard Courtney , Lin Caiping , Gitsov Ivan
Published: July 2005

The binding and release capabilities of a hydrogel series, constructed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) segments and hydrophobic dendritic junctions [poly (benzyl ether)s], are evaluated in aqueous media. The environmental response of the amphiphilic networks is also tested in water at three pH values: 1.5, 7.0, and 10.1. The highest swelling ratio is observed under acidic conditions and varies between 3.7 and 6.5, depending on the crosslinking density and dendrimer generation. Gel specimens with embedded indicators react within 3–6 s with a clear color switch to the change in the pH of the surrounding medium. The experiments with model anionic and cationic indicators and stains show that the hydrogels have basic interiors. The gel binding capabilities depend on the water solubility of the substrate and on the size of the incorporated dendritic fragments. Model release studies have been performed at 37 °C and pHs 1.5, 7.0, and 10.1. The observed phenomena are explained by the transformations in the structure and charge that both the networks and the model compounds undergo with the changes in the pH of the aqueous medium. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4017–4029, 2005
Synthesis and physical properties of layered silicates/polyurethane nanocomposites
Authors: Gorrasi Giuliana , Tortora Mariarosaria , Vittoria Vittoria
Published: July 2005

Samples of polyurethane nanocomposites were synthesized using diphenylmethane diisocyanate, poly(ε‐caprolactone) diol, di(ethylene glycol), and a clay functionalized by hydroxyl groups. The inorganic content in the hybrids was 2 wt %, 4 wt %, and 8 wt %. The X‐ray analysis showed that exfoliation occurred for clay content equal to 2% (w/w), whereas for higher contents, the inorganic phase rearranges in an intercalated structure. FTIR analysis suggested that the degree of hydrogen bonding in the hard segments was greatly reduced because of the amount of silicate layers and their dispersion. The dynamic‐mechanical analysis showed that the presence of clay lamellae extends very much the temperature range before the hard domain transition, causing the loss of mechanical consistency of the samples. It is less than 100 °C for the pure polymer, and increases up to 200 °C for the nanocomposites. The permeability of water vapor decreases linearly with inorganic content up to 4% of inorganic phase, and levels off at higher concentrations. The permeability behavior, at low activities, is largely dominated by the diffusion phenomenon. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2454–2467, 2005
Crossover behavior in crystal growth rate from n‐alkane to polyethylene
Authors: Waheed Numan , Rutledge Gregory C.
Published: July 2005

A crystal growth rate equation, parameterized from molecular dynamics simulations of n‐alkanes, is compared to recent experiments on growth rates for polyethylene at high undercooling. The analysis reveals that the growth rate of alkanes and polyethylene can both be described by the same relationship. The appropriate relaxation time is used to describe the kinetic barrier to crystallization. For chains shorter than the entanglement length, this is the Rouse time. For chains longer than the entanglement molecular weight, kinetic limitations are modeled by the local relaxation of an entangled segment at the interface. This model supports a different mechanism for fast crystal growth at high undercooling than that usually inferred from slow growth data near the melting temperature. Use of the crystal growth rate model is illustrated for polyethylene crystallizing under conditions of slow cooling and fast cooling. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2468–2473, 2005
Thermal effects in the size distribution of SiC nanodots on Si(111)
Authors: Flores M. , Fuenzalida V. , Häberle P.
Published: July 2005

We have used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X‐ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the formation of nanoscopic structures on Si(111), from wafers with a high bulk C concentration. The samples were prepared by long time thermal annealing of the silicon samples, followed by a high temperature flash in ultrahigh vacuum. An increased surface C con‐ centration is induced by segregation from the bulk. The surface is found to roughen on the nanososcopic length scale, exhibiting a random distribution of nanostructures. The height range of the structures varies between 2 and 20 nm. The size distribution is strongly dependent on the low‐temperature preparation con‐ ditions. Ex‐situ XPS measurements reveal the formation of SiC bonds, thus confirming the nanodots are formed by a surface recombination of SiC. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Generalized Wiener indices in hexagonal chains
Authors: Eu Sen‐Peng , Yang Bo‐Yin , Yeh Yeong‐Nan
Published: July 2005

The Wiener index, or the Wiener number, also known as the “sum of distances” of a connected graph, is one of the quantities associated with a molecular graph that correlates nicely to physical and chemical properties, and has been studied in depth. An index proposed by Schultz is shown to be related to the Wiener index for trees, and Ivan Gutman proposed a modification of the Schultz index with similar properties. We deduce a similar relationship between these three indices for catacondensed benzenoid hydrocarbons (graphs formed of concatenated hexagons, or hexagonal chains, or sometimes acenes). Indeed, we may define three families of generalized Wiener indices, which include the Schultz and Modified Schultz indices as special cases, such that similar explicit formulae for all generalized Wiener indices hold on hexagonal chains. We accomplish this by first giving a more refined proof of the formula for the standard Wiener index of a hexagonal chain, then extending it to the generalized Wiener indices via the notion of partial Wiener indices. Finally, we discuss possible extensions of the result. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Atmospheric O2, CO2 and δ13C measurements from aircraft sampling over Griffin Forest, Perthshire, UK
Authors: Sturm Patrick , Leuenberger Markus , Moncrieff John , Ramonet Michel
Published: July 2005

Regular vertical aircraft sampling has been performed in the lower troposphere above Griffin Forest, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, UK (56°37′N, 3°47′W), between February 2003 and May 2004, for analysis of O2/N2, CO2 and δ13C of CO2. We sampled flasks between 800 and 3100 m above sea level. The peak‐to‐peak amplitude of the seasonal cycle of O2/N2 decreases from 171 per meg at 800 m to 113 per meg at 3100 m. Furthermore, the seasonal cycle is shifted from low to high altitudes with a lag of about 1 month. The same features are observed for CO2 with a decrease in the peak‐to‐peak amplitude of the seasonal cycle from 17.6 ppm at 800 m to 11.4 ppm at 3100 m. The vertical profiles show decreasing O2/N2 ratios in summer and increasing O2/N2 ratios in wintertime with increasing sampling height, due to surface exchange of oxygen with the land biosphere and the ocean. The O2:CO2 exchange ratios of the vertical profiles vary between −1.5 and −2.4 mol O2/mol CO2. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comprehensive metabolic profiling of mono‐ and polyglutamated folates and their precursors in plant and animal tissue using liquid chromatography/negative ion electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Garratt Lee C. , Ortori Catharine A. , Tucker Gregory A. , Sablitzky Fred , Bennett Malcolm J. , Barrett David A.
Published: July 2005

This work reports the use of reversed‐phase ion‐pair chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry for the simultaneous profiling of folate‐based metabolites including natural folates, their polyglutamatyl derivatives and their biosynthetic precursors in plant and animal tissue. A simple sample preparation method, using 0.1% citric acid and ascorbic acid in ice‐cold methanol, was used to extract and stabilise the folates, and three internal standards were used. Chromatography was on a C18 column using slow gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of methanol/water with 5 mM dimethylhexylamine. Mass spectrometric detection was performed by multiple reaction monitoring in seven separate time windows in negative ion mode over the 25 min run time. Full, quantitative analysis was obtained for 16 folates and a ‘semi‐quantitative’ analysis was possible for all other folates with up to eight conjugated glutamate residues by reference to structurally related calibration standards. The precision, accuracy and recovery of the method were generally within the accepted guidelines for a quantitative bioanalytical method and the method was linear over the range 0.2 to 10 ng of individual folate per sample. The method was applied to profile mono‐ and polyglutamated tetrahydrofolates (including subcellular analysis) in a range of plant species, including Arabidopsis, spinach, Brassica and wheat; the technique was also successfully applied to the profiling of folates in mouse tissue. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived stress, health status, and the activity of neutrophils in undergraduates over one academic year
Authors: Ellard D.R. , Barlow J.H. , Mian R.
Published: July 2005

Twenty‐eight undergraduates participated in a 12‐month (one academic year) study and were tested on six occasions to examine the effects of perceived stress on the activity of neutrophils. The six testing periods were selected to encompass variation in academic typical experiences over 1 year. At each time point, participants gave a small finger‐stick sample of blood before completing standard measure of perceived stress and health. Activity of neutrophils was determined from the whole bloods' capacity to reduce nitro‐blue tetrazolium (NBT) and was presented as percentage of NBT positive cells. Results showed that there were significant correlations between perceived stress levels and NBT positive cells (p < 0.05) at all six testing periods, with surprisingly large effects size. Further analysis (Fisher's Z averaging analysis) revealed the robust nature of this association. In addition, there were significant correlations between NBT positive cells and participants' current state of health on three of the six occasions: generally, as perceived stress increased the percentage of NBT positive neutrophils increased and health status decreased. The results support the hypothesis that stress may affect the activity of neutrophils, which in turn may influence health. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.