bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Katzman Philip J. , Schwartz Jeremy I.
Published: March 2007

Renal cell carcinomas are rare in children but are in the differential diagnosis of renal masses in children age 5 years and older. We present a case of a chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in an 8-year-old boy that arose as a 7-cm (greatest dimension) unilateral renal mass. The tumor had eosinophilic cells, with the typical perinuclear halos and positive staining with Hale's colloidal iron that are seen in this tumor. Although papillary renal cell carcinomas are the most common variant of renal cell carcinoma in children, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is a rarely reported variant that is not uncommon and has a relatively favorable prognosis in adults.
OEIS Complex with Glomerulocystic Kidney Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Hong Ran , Lim Sung-chul , Jang Jung-whan , Suh Chae-hong , Jeon Ho-jong , Lee Mi-ja , Kim Youn-shin
Published: March 2007

We present a case of OEIS complex (omphalocele, exstrophy of bladder, imperforated anus, spinal defect) combined with colonic agenesis and glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD). The baby was born at 35.2 weeks of gestational age, weighing 2.51 kg. A prenatal ultrasound examination showed spina bifida, hydroureter, and a unilateral polycystic kidney. The postdelivery examination, which included a physical examination, simple X-ray, and pelvic MRI, showed a lower abdominal wall defect through which a small pouch with a segment of bowel protruded, imperforated anus, ambiguous external genitalia, spina bifida with meningomyelocele at the lumbosacral junction, and nonunion of pubic symphysis. The baby underwent surgery, including nephrectomy, colostomy, and repair of the abdominal wall defect. In addition to the abnormalities mentioned, a tailgut as a result of colonic agenesis and 2 appendices were identified in the course of surgery. The result of histopathological examination confirmed the polycystic kidney identified as GCKD. These radiological, surgical, and histopathologic findings are consistent with the OEIS complex. The postoperative course was uneventful during a period of 4 months of follow up. We herein report a case of the very rare OEIS complex in a newborn male baby and review the available literature.
Atypical Fibroxanthoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva in Xeroderma Pigmentosum
Authors: Shao Lei , Newell Brandon , Quintanilla Norma
Published: March 2007

Patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) have defective DNA repair and a high predisposition to developing abnormalities and neoplasia in the sun-exposed areas of the skin and mucous membranes. The most common tumors reported in patients with XP are squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and melanomas. Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a pleomorphic tumor that arises predominantly in the sun-damaged skin of the head and neck regions of the elderly. We describe a unique case of a 6-year-old African American boy with XP who developed an atypical fibroxanthoma and 2 squamous cell carcinomas in the conjunctiva. The clinical and histopathologic findings of AFX are discussed.
A Potential Screening Tool for IPEX Syndrome
Authors: Heltzer Meredith Lee , Choi John K. , Ochs Hans D. , Sullivan Kathleen E. , Torgerson Troy R. , Ernst Linda M.
Published: March 2007

IPEX syndrome is a rare, inherited condition characterized by immune dysfunction, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X-linked recessive inheritance. Patients typically present in infancy with severe diarrhea and failure to thrive. Most children die by 1 year of age without therapy. The diagnosis is established by genetic analysis, which often takes several weeks to complete and can sometimes delay crucial immunosuppressive treatment. We attempted to develop a screening tool that allows rapid identification of patients with IPEX syndrome using immunocytochemical staining of FOXP3+ cells in bowel biopsies. We found that 2 patients with classic IPEX syndrome due to protein-truncating mutations in FOXP3 had markedly decreased staining of FOXP3+ T cells in the lamina propria and lymphoid aggregates. One patient with a mild, late-onset presentation and a missense mutation in FOXP3 had intact staining of FOXP3+ cells. This screening test provides a valuable tool for diagnosing IPEX syndrome in extremely ill patients who may not tolerate a delay in therapeutic intervention.
Quelle gouvernance pour les réseaux territorialisés d'organisations ?
Authors: Ehlinger Sylvie , Perret Véronique , Chabaud Didier
Published: March 2007

Pour de nombreux spécialistes des réseaux territorialisés, la question de leur gouvernance se pose de façon critique. Cependant, peu de travaux se sont focalisés sur le sujet. Dans un contexte de multiplication de ce type de réseaux et devant les résultats mitigés des diverses expériences menées jusqu'à ce jour, cet article propose une synthèse des connaissances et des pistes de formalisation d'une structure de gouvernance territoriale.
Clinical and molecular cytogenetic characterization of two patients with non‐mutational aberrations of the FMR2 gene
Authors: Honda Shozo , Hayashi Shin , Kato Mitsuhiro , Niida Yo , Hayasaka Kiyoshi , Okuyama Torayuki , Imoto Issei , Mizutani Shuki , Inazawa Johji
Published: March 2007

We report on two patients; a female having mild mental retardation (MR) with a balanced translocation, 46,XX,t(X;15)(q28;p11.2), and a male diagnosed as having mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II or Hunter syndrome) with atypical early‐onset MR and a normal male karyotype. Molecular cytogenetic analyses, including fluorescence in situ hybridization and array‐based comparative genomic hybridization using an in‐house X‐tiling array, revealed that first patient to have a breakpoint at Xq28 lying within the FMR2 gene and the second to have a small deletion at Xq28 including part of FMR2 together with the IDS gene responsible for MPS II. In Patient 1, X‐chromosome inactivation predominantly occurred in the normal X in her lymphocytes, suggesting that her MR might be explained by a disruption of the FMR2 gene on der(X) t(X;15) concomitant with the predominant inactivation of the intact FMR2 gene in another allele. We compared phenotypes of Patient 2 with those of MPS II cases with deletion of the IDS gene alone reported previously, suggesting that the early‐onset MR might be affected by the additional deletion of FMR2. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epstein–Barr virus‐associated B‐cell lymphoma in a patient with DNA ligase IV (LIG4) syndrome
Authors: Toita Nariaki , Hatano Norikazu , Ono Satoru , Yamada Masafumi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Kobayashi Ichiro , Kawamura Nobuaki , Okano Motohiko , Satoh Akira , Nakagawa Atsuko , Ohshima Koichi , Shindoh Masanobu , Takami Tsuyoshi , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Ariga Tadashi
Published: March 2007

A 14‐year‐old Japanese girl with a progressing combined immunodeficiency had developed non‐Hodgkin's diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Her molecular analysis showed a compound heterozygote of novel mutations in the LIG4 gene, M249V substitution and a five nucleotides deletion from nucleotide position 1,270–1,274. She had also a set of characteristic clinical features of LIG4 syndrome. Mutations in the LIG4 gene, which plays a critical role in the repair of DNA double‐strand breaks, imply a correlation with malignancies and several cases with leukemia or lymphoma have already been reported. We report here on a case of LIG4 syndrome complicated with distinct EBV‐associated B‐cell lymphoma. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Untersuchungen und Erfahrungen über die Seitenmittheilung der Bewegung in flüssigen Körpern, angewandt auf die Erklärung verschiedner hydraulischer Erscheinungen
Authors: Venturi J. B.
Published: March 2007

In den Blasewerken durch Wasser ist es die beschleunigende Kraft der Schwere und die Seitenmittheilung der Bewegung welche das Gebläse bewirken, Satz 8; nicht eine Zersetzung des Wassers, Versuch 25. Mögliche Stärke dieses Gebläses.

In manchen Fällen lässt sich Wasser, ohne Beihülfe von Maschinen, aus einer Gegend, welche tiefer als der Abzugskanal liegt, ableiten, Satz 9. Anwendung davon auf die Mühlgerinne.

Die Wirbel in den Strömen entstehn fast immer durch Seitenmittheilung der Bewegung, Satz 10. Vertikale Wirbel an der Oberfläche und am Boden des Stroms; sie retardiren hauptsächlich die Ströme. Grössere Wasserhöhe bei Ungleichheiten im Bette, als wenn sie fehlten.

Theorie der Wirbel, die sich im Wasser, das aus einem Gefässe durch eine horizontale Oeffnung abfliesst, bilden, aus der Lehre von den Central ‐ Kräften abgeleitet, Satz 11. Erscheinung bei denselben erklärt Versuch 26–30.

Die Seitenmittheilung der Bewegung findet in der Luft gerade so, wie im Wasser statt, Satz 12. Dadurch entsteht der Ton in den Orgelpfeifen; und die Verstärkung des Schalls in conischen divergirenden Röhren. Merkwürdige Verschiedenheit zwischen den tönenden Schwingungen der Luft in einer Röhre, und die durch die Atmosphäre sich fortpflanzenden Pulsationen.
Rodlet cells and the sensory systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Dezfuli Bahram Sayyaf , Capuano Silvia , Simoni Edi , Previati Maurizio , Giari Luisa
Published: March 2007

This preliminary work was designed to study, using routine procedures for light and transmission electron microscopy, the presence of rodlet cells (RCs) in or near the sensory systems of 12 adult specimens (4.0 ± 1.2 cm, LT ± SD) of zebrafish, Danio rerio Hamilton, 1822. Rodlet cells, characterized by a distinctive cell cortex (range, 0.4–1.5 μm in thickness) and conspicuous inclusions named “rodlets,” have a round to ovoid nucleus with irregular outline. Mature RCs are 11.5 ± 1.2 μm (mean ± SD) long and 7.8 ± 1.1 μm (mean ± SD) wide. These cells are more numerous near neuromasts enclosed by an epithelial roof and/or ossified canal wall. In contrast, very few RCs were noticed near superficial neuromasts. Based on the presence of RCs around the two cranial neuromasts of each fish, a variable number from 1 to 15 rodlet cells was found (10.4 ± 3.6, mean ± SD). The RCs were located 1.5 μm (minimal) to 73.3 μm (maximal) from the neuromast (27.9 ± 17.2, mean ± SD). Moreover, RCs were found in olfactory epithelium and in proximity to some taste buds. Interestingly, RCs were absent in the inner ear, eye, and brain. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Masticatory muscles of the great‐gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Authors: Tomo Soichiro , Tomo Ikuko , Townsend Grant C. , Hirata Kazuaki
Published: March 2007

The great‐gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) belongs to the Diprotodontia suborder (herbivorous marsupials of Australia) of the order of marsupials. We dissected the masticatory muscles in the great‐gray kangaroo and classified them based on their innervation. Three (two male and one female) adult great‐gray kangaroos (M. giganteus), fixed with 10% formalin, were examined. The masseter muscle of the great‐gray kangaroo was classified into four layers (superficial layers 1, 2, 3, and a deep layer), all innervated by masseteric nerves. Layer 1 of the masseter muscle was well developed and the deep layer inserted into the masseteric canal. The zygomaticomandibular muscle, which belongs to both the masseter and temporalis muscles, was innervated by both the masseteric nerve and posterior deep temporal nerve, and the temporalis muscle was innervated by the anterior and posterior deep temporal nerves. The medial pterygoid muscle, which was innervated by the medial pterygoid nerve, was divided into superficial and deep portions. The lateral pterygoid muscle was divided into superior and inferior heads by the buccal nerve. We propose that the relationship of the masticatory muscles in the kangaroo has evolved by passive anterior invasion of the deep layer of the masseter by the medial pterygoid muscle via the masseteric canal, associated with the development of an anteroposterior mode of mastication. Anat Rec 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outstanding problems in local helioseismology
Authors: Gizon L. , Thompson M. J.
Published: March 2007

Time‐distance helioseismology and related techniques show great promise for probing the structure and dynamics of the subphotospheric layers of the Sun. Indeed time‐distance helioseismology has already been applied to make inferences about structures and flows under sunspots and active regions, to map long‐lived convective flow patterns, and so on. Yet certainly there are still many inadequacies in the current approaches and, as the data get better and the questions we seek to address get more subtle, methods that were previously regarded as adequate are no longer acceptable. Here we give a short and partial description of outstanding problems in local helioseismology, using time‐distance helioseismology as a guiding example. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measuring helioseismic travel times
Authors: Roth M. , Gizon L. , Beck J. G.
Published: March 2007

In time‐distance helioseismology wave travel times are measured from the cross‐correlation between Doppler velocities recorded at any two locations on the solar surface. We compare two different methods to extract the travel times from the noisy cross‐correlation functions. The first method consists of fitting a 5‐parameter analytic function to the crosscorrelation to obtain the phase travel time. The second method consists of linearizing the distance between the observed cross‐correlation and a sliding reference cross‐correlation (the only parameter is the travel time). We find that the oneparameter fits are more robust with respect to noise. Using SOHO data from the MDI Structure Program for the years 1996–2003, we study in detail the statistical properties of the noise associated with the travel‐time measurements for the two different fitting methods. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A procedure for the inversion of f‐mode travel times for solar flows
Authors: Jackiewicz J. , Gizon L. , Birch A. C. , Thompson M. J.
Published: March 2007

We perform a two‐dimensional inversion of f‐mode travel times to determine near‐surface solar flows. The inversion is based on optimally localized averaging of travel times. We use finite‐wavelength travel‐time sensitivity functions and a realistic model of the data errors.We find that it is possible to obtain a spatial resolution of 2 Mm. The error in the resulting flow estimate ultimately depends on the observation time and the number of travel distances used in the inversion. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Frequencies of solar oscillations for global and local helioseismology
Authors: Reiter J.
Published: March 2007

Basically, there are two approaches for the analysis of helioseismic data. First, local helioseismology measurements and inversions and, second, global helioseismology which consists in measurements and inversions of p‐mode frequencies and frequency splittings. Both the advantages and disadvantages of global helioseismology and the local technique of ringdiagram analysis are discussed. Also discussed are two fitting methodologies for use in global helioseismology. Finally, a modification of the traditional global helioseismology approach is suggested which allows the extension of spherical harmonic decompositions for local helioseismic studies. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Local helioseismology using ring diagram analysis
Authors: Antia H. M. , Basu S.
Published: March 2007

Ring diagram analysis is an extension of global helioseismology that is applied to small areas on the Sun. It can be used to infer the horizontal components of large scale flows as well as the structure, and variations thereof, in the outer convection zone. We describe below the ring‐diagram analysis technique, and some results obtained using this technique. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Value‐added maps: fluid‐dynamics descriptors from ring diagrams
Authors: Komm R. W.
Published: March 2007

We describe fluid‐dynamics descriptors derived from maps of the horizontal flow components measured with ring‐diagram analysis. Here, we focus on quantities, such as vorticity and kinetic helicity density, and discuss three examples of results derived from them: subsurface flows associated with active regions, subsurface flows and flare activity, and large‐scale behavior of horizontal flows. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
eSDO algorithms, data centre and visualization tools
Authors: Auden E. , Toutain T. , Zharkov S.
Published: March 2007

The eSDO project is a UK e‐Science project funded by PPARC to develop solar algorithms, visualization tools and designs for a UK data centre that can be accessed through the UK virtual observatory in preparation for the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) mission in 2008. Algorithms available for use by the solar community include helioseismology applications, coronal feature recognition, and wave power analysis. Visualization tools will allow users to vary time ranges, cadence and resolution and they view streams of images data from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) instruments. Finally, a prototype UK data centre will demonstrate efficient UK user access to SDO data through both AstroGrid searches and integration with the global SDO data archive. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Time distance study of isolated sunspots
Authors: Zharkov S. , Nicholas C. J. , Thompson M. J.
Published: March 2007

We present a comparative seismic study of conditions around and beneath isolated sunspots. Using the European Grid of Solar Observations' Solar Feature Catalogue of sunspots derived from SOHO/MDI continuum and magnetogram data, 1996–2005, we identify a set of isolated sunspots by checking that within a Carrington Rotation there were no other spots detected in the vicinity. We then use level‐2 tracked MDI Dopplergrams available from SOHO website to investigate wave‐speed perturbations of such sunspots using time‐distance helioseismology. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Production of polyvinyl alcohol‐degrading enzyme with Janthinobacterium sp. and its application in cotton fabric desizing
Authors: Du Guocheng , Liu Liming , Song Zhaoxia , Hua Zhaozhe , Zhu Yang , Chen Jian
Published: March 2007

A strain capable of using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as sole carbon source was isolated from soil samples of a textile factory. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis cell morphology, physiology and biochemistry showed that it belonged to Janthinobacterium sp. This is the first report to show that the screened Janthinobacterium sp. could degrade PVA. The optimum nutritional and environmental conditions for PVA‐degrading enzyme production by Janthinobacterium sp. were investigated by single‐factor tests. Under optimized nutritional and environmental condition in shake flasks, PVA‐degrading enzyme reached 5.12 U/mL at 21 h. With PVA‐degrading enzyme produced by Janthinobacterium sp. WSH04‐01, 80% of PVA could be degraded from cotton fabrics in 3 h.
A multikinetic model approach to predict gluconic acid production in an airlift bioreactor
Authors: Mayani Mukesh , Mohanty Bikash , Singh Rajesh Pratap
Published: March 2007

This paper uses a multikinetic approach to predict gluconic acid (GA) production performance in a 4.5 L airlift bioreactor (ALBR). The mathematical model consists of a set of simultaneous firstorder ordinary differential equations obtained from material balances of cell biomass, GA, glucose, and dissolved oxygen. Multikinetic models, namely, logistic and contois equations constitute kinetic part of the main model. The main model also takes into account the hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters. These equations were solved using ODE solver of MATLAB v6.5 software. The mathematical model was validated with the experimental data available in the literature and is used to predict the effect of change in initial biomass and air sparging rate on the GA production. It is concluded that the mathematical model incorporated with multikinetic approach would be more efficient to predict the change in operating parameters on overall bioprocess of GA production in an ALBR.
PFG‐NMR diffusometry: A tool for investigating the structure and dynamics of noncommercial purified pig gastric mucin in a wide range of concentrations
Authors: Lafitte G. , Söderman O. , Thuresson K. , Davies J.
Published: March 2007

For the first time, Pulsed Field Gradient‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, a powerful noninvasive tool for studying the dynamics and structure of complex gels, has been used to measure diffusion of probe molecules in aqueous solutions/gels of noncommercial purified pig gastric mucin (PGM), in a concentration range up to 5 wt %. Complementary data were obtained from rheology measurements. The combination of techniques revealed a strong pH dependency of the structure of the PGM samples while changes in concentration, ionic strength, and temperature appeared to induce less pronounced alterations. Viscosity was found to vary in a nonmonotonous way with pH, with the more viscous solutions found at intermediate pH. We propose that this finding is due to a reduced charge density at lower pH, which is expected to continuously increase the relative importance of hydrophobic associations. The results suggest a loose network of expanded fully charged PGM molecules with considerable mobility at neutral pH (pH 7.4). At intermediate pH (pH 4), a three‐dimensional expanded network is favored. At pH 1, the charge density is low and microphase separation occurs since hydrophobic associations prevail. This leads to the formation of clusters concentrated in PGM molecules separated by regions depleted in PGM. The results obtained increase our knowledge about the gastric mucosal layer, which in vivo contains mucin in the same concentration range as that of the samples investigated here. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 165–175, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
High‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of hydroxylated uroporphyrin and urochlorin derivatives formed by photochemical oxidation of uroporphyrinogen I
Authors: Danton Malcolm , Lim Chang Kee
Published: March 2007

Hydroxylated uroporphyrin I and urochlorin I derivatives formed by photochemical oxidation of uroporphyrinogen I were separated by high‐performance liquid chromatography and fully characterized by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The porphyrins and chlorins were identified by analysis of their product ion spectra with each hydroxylated derivative giving a characteristic collision‐induced dissociation fragmentation pattern. The porphyrins and chlorins characterized were meso‐hydroxyuroporphyrin I, α‐hydroxypropionic acid uroporphyrin I, β‐hydroxypropionic acid uroporphyrin I, hydroxyacetic acid uroporphyrin I, trans‐7‐hydroxy‐8‐spirolactoneurochlorin I, cis‐7‐hydroxy‐8‐spirolactoneurochlorin I and trans‐ and cis‐7,8‐dihydroxyurochlorins I. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative LC/MS/MS method and pharmacokinetic studies of columbin, an anti‐inflammation furanoditerpen isolated from Radix Tinosporae
Authors: Shi Qirong , Liang Mingjin , Zhang Weidong , Zhang Chuan , Liu Runhui , Shen Yunheng , Li Huiliang , Wang Xiaolin , Wang Xiangwei , Pan Qiongqun , Chen Chunlin
Published: March 2007

Columbin is an important component isolated from Radix Tinosporae. It has been demonstrated to possess many pharmacological activities, including anti‐inflammation, antitumor and inhibition of enzyme activity in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to examine in vivo pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of columbin in rats using a high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry quantitative detection method. The columbin was extracted from rat plasma samples by methyl tert‐butyl ether, evaporated and reconstituted in 100 µL methanol prior to analysis. The separation was performed using a Luna reversed‐phase analytical column (5 µm, 100 × 2.0 mm) and an SB‐C18 guard column (5 µm, 20 × 4.0 mm). The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol and water containing 25 mmoL/L NH4Ac (80:20, v/v). The method was validated within the concentration range of 5–5000 ng/mL, and the calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients (r) >0.999. It was further applied to assess pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of columbin after i.v. and oral administration to rats. The oral bioavailability of columbin was only 3.18%, which indicated that columbin had poor absorption or underwent extensive first‐pass metabolism. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Highly Regioselective Synthesis of 1‐N‐Methyl‐spiro‐[2,3′′′]oxindole‐spiro‐ [3,2′′]indane‐1′′,3′′‐dione‐4‐arylpyrrolidines Through 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Protocol.
Authors: Babu A. R. Suresh , Raghunathan R. , Gayatri G. , Sastry G. Narahari
Published: March 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Sulfur‐ and Selenium‐Based Linkers in Polymer‐Supported Organic Synthesis
Authors: Kan Jovi , Toy Patrick
Published: March 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Effect of surface coverage of gold(111) electrode with cysteine on the chiral discrimination of DOPA
Authors: Matsunaga Mariko , Nakanishi Takuya , Asahi Toru , Osaka Tetsuya
Published: March 2007

The enantioselectivity imparted to a gold electrode by modifying its surface with a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of cysteine (Cys) was investigated for the electrochemical redox reaction of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). A cyclic voltammetric study of the redox reaction revealed that the enantioselectivity was determined by the surface coverage of the gold electrode with Cys molecules. The electrode modified with ∼1.8 × 1014 Cys molecules cm−2 exhibited enantioselectivity in the voltammogram for the oxidation and reduction of DOPA, while the voltammograms obtained by the electrodes with either more or less surface coverages did not exhibit significant enantioselectivity. It is suggested that the accessibility of DOPA to that area of the gold surface which is not blocked by Cys molecules at an optimum surface coverage, is required for the enantioselective redox reaction of DOPA to proceed. Chirality, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prophylaxis ofPneumocystis cariniipneumonia with atovaquone in children with leukemia
Authors: Madden Renee M. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Hughes Walter T. , Flynn Patricia M. , Leung Wing
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Despite extensive studies of atovaquone in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients, there is little information about its efficacy as a prophylactic agent forPneumocystis cariniipneumonia (PCP) in pediatric patients with cancer. Therefore, a retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the incidence of PCP in pediatric patients who received prophylactic atovaquone during treatment for acute leukemia.

METHODS.

We reviewed the medical records of all patients treated at our institution for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia between 1994 and 2004. Only patients who were intolerant of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMZ) and received atovaquone prophylaxis were included in the analysis.

RESULTS.

Eighty‐six patients were unable to tolerate TMP‐SMZ and received daily atovaquone for PCP prophylaxis. PCP was not diagnosed in any patient who received atovaquone prophylaxis: the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.74 per 100 person‐years.

CONCLUSIONS.

Atovaquone is an efficacious alternative for PCP prophylaxis in pediatric patients who have leukemia and are intolerant of TMP‐SMZ. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Case completeness and data accuracy in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries
Authors: Thoburn Kathleen K. , German Robert R. , Lewis Mary , Nichols Phyllis “Janie” , Ahmed Faruque , Jackson‐Thompson Jeannette
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Issues of case completeness (CC) and data quality within the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)‐Cancer Surveillance System (NPCR‐CSS) are assessed in part by the NPCR Technical Assistance and Audit Program (NPCR‐TAA). In addition, the NPCR Annual Program Evaluation Instrument (NPCR‐APEI) provides information about NPCR‐supported central cancer registries (CCRs). The current report includes a unique, national‐level analysis of NPCR‐TAA results linked with NPCR‐APEI data and other covariates.

METHODS.

NPCR‐TAA results for 34 CCRs were aggregated across diagnosis years 1998 to 2001 for analysis of average CC rates and site‐specific data accuracy (DA) rates by covariates obtained from the NPCR‐APEI, United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) publications, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) Web site. Site‐specific DA rates were calculated for the 13 data elements examined in the audit program. Small‐sample Student t tests were used to determine statistically significant differences in covariates (α = .05).

RESULTS.

Overall, the average CC and DA rates were 96.4% and 95%, respectively. Both site‐ and data element‐specific DA issues were highlighted. Higher CC and DA rates were observed for CCRs that were staffed with more certified tumor registrars, had supplementary sources reporting, and met USCS publication standards and/or achieved NAACCR certification.

CONCLUSIONS.

Study findings underscored the importance of CCRs having adequate, well‐trained staff, procuring supplemental reporting sources, and attaining compliance with national data standards. The study results also demonstrated the overall high completeness and quality of NPCR‐CSS data and provided guidance to users of the data. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Ma Xiaomei , Does Monique , Raza Azra , Mayne Susan T.
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) became reportable to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (the United States cancer surveillance program) in 2001. This provided the first opportunity to examine the incidence and survival of patients with MDS in the United States using a large, population‐based database.

METHODS.

The SEER 17 regions public‐use database (November 2005 submission) was accessed to obtain data on the frequency, incidence, and survival of patients with MDS. Geographic areas were selected for inclusion in the SEER Program based on their ability to operate and maintain a high‐quality, population‐based cancer reporting system and for their epidemiologically significant population subgroups.

RESULTS.

SEER data from 2001 through 2003 indicated that the risk of MDS increased with age, and approximately 86% of MDS cases were diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years (median age at diagnosis = 76 years). Men had a significantly higher incidence rate than women (4.5 vs 2.7 per 100,000 per year). Among racial groups, white individuals had the highest incidence rate. In 2003, approximately 10,300 incident cases of MDS were diagnosed in the United States. The survival of MDS patients was poor, with an observed 3‐year survival rate of only 35% (5‐year survival data were not available at the time of the current report). Male patients and patients who were diagnosed at an older age had significantly worse survival. MDS survival also varied by clinical subtype, and the survival of patients who had refractory anemia was somewhat worse than reported previously. The availability of descriptive epidemiologic data on MDS can be used now to facilitate much needed research on the etiology and outcome of MDS.

CONCLUSIONS.

The current results indicated that >10,000 incident cases of MDS are diagnosed annually in the United States, and the survival of patients with MDS is poor. The availability of descriptive epidemiologic data on MDS can be used now to facilitate much needed research on the etiology and outcomes of MDS. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
On multi‐cell admission control in CDMA networks
Authors: Fodor Gábor , Lindström Magnus
Published: March 2007

We consider a multi‐cell (MC) code division multiple access (CDMA) system that supports multiple service classes, including peak rate allocated and elastic ones. Peak rate allocated sessions—when admitted into the system—transmit at a constant bit rate, while elastic sessions can be slowed down at the expense of increasing their residency time. Admitted sessions cause an instantaneous bit rate‐dependent interference in neighbour cells. In this rather general setting, we propose a method to calculate the class‐wise blocking probabilities as the functions of the estimated so‐called inter‐cell coupling factors. In the paper this coupling factor is the ratio between the uplink path gains to different Node‐B:s (that can be easily obtained in a CDMA system from pilot measurement reports), but our model could include other coupling measures as well. We find that when these coupling factors are underestimated, the system may get into false states (FSs) or false rate states (FRSs) that lead to violating the noise rise threshold. As traffic becomes increasingly elastic, the probability of FSs decreases, but the probability of FRSs increases. Based on numerical results, we make the
point that as the traffic becomes more elastic, avoiding the underestimation of these coupling factors as well as exercising MC admission control plays an increasingly important role in guaranteeing proper service quality. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of Monte Carlo simulation to generating system well‐being analysis considering renewable sources
Authors: da Silva Armando M. Leite , Manso Luiz Antônio F. , Sales Warlley S. , Resende Leonidas C. , Aguiar Manuel J.Q. , Matos Manuel A. , Lopes João A. Peças , Miranda Vladimiro
Published: March 2007

This paper presents an application of Monte Carlo chronological simulation to evaluate the reserve requirements of generating systems, considering renewable energy sources. The idea is to investigate the behavior of reliability indices, including those from the well‐being analysis, when the major portion of the energy sources is renewable. Renewable in this work comprises hydroelectric, mini‐hydroelectric, and wind power sources. Case studies on a configuration of the Portuguese Generating System are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy of aromatherapy (Lavandula angustifolia) as an intervention for agitated behaviours in Chinese older persons with dementia: a cross‐over randomized trial
Authors: Lin Pamela Wan‐ki , Chan Wai‐chi , Ng Bacon Fung‐leung , Lam Linda Chiu‐wa
Published: March 2007

Background

Agitated behaviours among persons with dementia are distressing to both patients and their caregivers. As pharmacological interventions may be limited by their potentially adverse effects, the use of complementary therapies for treatment of agitation has become more popular and aromatherapy is the fastest growing one.

Objectives

This study investigates the effectiveness of lavandula angustifolia (lavender) in treating agitated behaviours of demented people in Hong Kong.

Methods

It was a cross‐over randomized trial. Seventy Chinese older adults with dementia were recruited; half were randomly assigned to the active group (lavender inhalation) for three weeks and then switched to control group (sunflower inhalation) for another three weeks; the other half did the opposite. Clinical response was evaluated using the Chinese versions of Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CCMAI) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (CNPI).

Results

The mean CCMAI total scores decreased from 24.68 to 17.77(t = 10.79, df = 69, p < 0.001). The CNPI scores changed from 63.17 (SD = 17.81) to 58.77 (SD = 16.74) (t = 14.59, df = 69, p < 0.001) after receiving Treatment A (Lavandula Angustifolia). There were no period and sequential effects noted.

Conclusion

In summary, lavender is effective as an adjunctive therapy in alleviating agitated behaviours in Chinese patients with dementia. In a patient population particularly vulnerable to side effects of psychotropic medications, aromatherapy using lavender may offer an alternative option. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Turkish precipitation data: homogeneity and the Southern Oscillation forcings on frequency distributions
Authors: Karabörk M. Çağatay , Kahya Ercan , Kömüşçü Ali Ümran
Published: March 2007

The homogeneity of newly compiled 212 precipitation records in Turkey for the period 1973‐2002 was checked by the Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT) and Pettitt Test. Stations were considered inhomogeneous if at least one of the tests rejects the homogeneity. As a result, 43 out of 212 stations were found to be inhomogeneous. In addition, the previously detected Southern Oscillation (SO)‐related precipitation anomalies by the authors were quantified at each station using the gamma distribution. The observed SO‐related shifts in the median precipitation amounts expressed as gamma percentiles may be considered as a typical SO response of that station. The results of this study confirm the wet responses of Turkish precipitations to El Nino events, whereas those for La Nina events seem to be masked by sampling variations within the study period. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Membrane engineering for process intensification: a perspective
Authors: Drioli Enrico , Curcio Efrem
Published: March 2007

Pushed by the increasing demand for materials, energy and products, chemical engineering today faces a crucial challenge: to support a sustainable industrial growth. One possible solution is process intensification (PI), the innovative design strategy aiming to improve manufacturing and processing by decreasing the equipment size/productivity ratio, energy consumption and waste production using innovative technical solutions. Membrane processes meet the requirements of PI because they have potential to replace conventional energy‐intensive techniques, to accomplish the selective and efficient transport of specific components, and to improve the performance of reactive processes. Here, we identify the most interesting aspects of membrane engineering in some strategic industrial sectors. The opportunity to integrate conventional membrane units with innovative systems in order to exploit the potential advantages coming from their synergic applications is also emphasized. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetics of hydroxide‐catalyzed methanolysis of crude sunflower oil for the production of fuel‐grade methyl esters
Authors: Bambase Manolito E. , Nakamura Nobuyuki , Tanaka Junko , Matsumura Masatoshi
Published: March 2007

Methyl esters from crude sunflower oil were produced via methanolysis reaction using sodium hydroxide catalyst. Methanolysis was carried out at different agitation speeds (200–600 rpm), temperatures (25–60 °C), catalyst loadings (0.25–1.00% by weight of oil), and methanol:oil mole ratios (6:1–20:1). Mass‐transfer limitation was effectively minimized at agitation speeds of 400–600 rpm with no apparent lag period. Lowering the temperature resulted in a fall in the rate of reaction prolonging the reaction time necessary to achieve maximum production of methyl ester. Using 0.50% hydroxide catalyst was found to be adequate, resulting in 97–98% conversion without compromising recovery due to soap formation. Increasing the methanol:oil mole ratio beyond the usual amount of 6:1 tended to speed up the initial rate of methanolysis and was found to lower the bonded glycerol content, especially the amount of diglyceride in the sample. Kinetic rate constants were derived from experimental results using second‐order rate expressions, and values of activation energy for glyceride methanolysis have been established. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyhydroxyalkanoates: biodegradable polymers with a range of applications
Authors: Philip S. , Keshavarz T. , Roy I.
Published: March 2007

Increased and accelerated global economic activities over the past century have led to interlinked problems that require urgent attention. The current patterns of production and consumption have raised serious concerns. In this context, greater emphasis has been put on the concept of sustainable economic systems that rely on technologies based on and supporting renewable sources of energy and materials. Average UK households produce around 3.2 million tonnes of packaging waste annually whereas 150 million tonnes of packaging waste is generated annually by industries in the UK. Hence, the development of biologically derived biodegradable polymers is one important element of the new economic development. Key among the biodegradable biopolymers is a class known as polyhydroxyalkanoates. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of polyhydroxyesters of 3‐, 4‐, 5‐ and 6‐hydroxyalkanoic acids, produced by a variety of bacterial species under nutrient‐limiting conditions with excess carbon. These water‐insoluble storage polymers are biodegradable, exhibit thermoplastic properties and can be produced from renewable carbon sources. Thus, there has been considerable interest in the commercial exploitation of these biodegradable polyesters. In this review various applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates are discussed, covering areas such as medicine, agriculture, tissue engineering, nanocomposites, polymer blends and chiral synthesis. Overall this review shows that polyhydroxyalkanoates are a promising class of new emerging biopolymers. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Porcine pancreatic lipase immobilized on polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol hybrid matrix: catalytic properties and feasibility to mediate synthesis of surfactants and biodiesel
Authors: Paula Ariela V , Urioste Daniele , Santos Julio C , de Castro Heizir F
Published: March 2007

Polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol hybrid matrix was prepared by a sol–gel technique and its capacity to bind porcine pancreatic lipase investigated. The loading of 250 units g−1 support was shown to be effective, resulting in an immobilized lipase with high catalytic activity. Both free and immobilized lipases were characterized by determining the activity profile as a function of pH, temperature, substrate concentration and thermal stability. Application of the immobilized lipase in non‐conventional biocatalysis for the synthesis of surfactants and biodiesel was also analyzed. Production of sugar fatty acid esters was found to be dependent on the carbohydrate and the highest molar conversion (50% in 3–4 h of reaction) was achieved for substrates containing fructose and lauric or oleic acids. Biodiesel synthesis from babassu oil and ethanol, propanol or butanol was feasible and regardless of the kind of alcohols, results revealed that the immobilized PPL could efficiently convert triglycerides to fatty acid alkyl esters attaining yields varying from 75 to 95%. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrastructural observations of previtellogenic ovarian follicles of the caecilians Ichthyophis tricolor and Gegeneophis ramaswamii
Authors: Beyo Reston S. , Sreejith Parameswaran , Divya Lekha , Oommen Oommen V. , Akbarsha Mohammad A.
Published: March 2007

The ultrastructural organization of the previtellogenic follicles of the caecilians Ichthyophis tricolor and Gegeneophis ramaswamii, of the Western Ghats of India, were observed. Both species follow a similar seasonal reproductive pattern. The ovaries contain primordial follicles throughout the year with previtellogenic, vitellogenic, or postvitellogenic follicles, depending upon the reproductive status. The just‐recruited primordial follicle includes an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicle and thecal cells. The differentiation of the theca into externa and interna layers, the follicle cells into dark and light variants, and the appearance of primordial yolk platelets and mitochondrial clouds in the ooplasm mark the transition of the primordial follicle into a previtellogenic follicle. During further development of the previtellogenic follicle the following changes occur: i) the theca loses distinction as externa and interna; ii) all the follicle cells become the dark variant and increase in the complexity of ultrastructural organization; iii) the nucleus of the oocyte transforms into the germinal vesicle and there is amplification of the nucleoli; iv) the primordial yolk platelets of the cortical cytoplasm of the oocyte increase in abundance; v) the mitochondrial clouds fragment and the mitochondria move away from the clouds, leaving behind the cementing matrix, which contains membrane‐bound vesicles of various sizes, either empty or filled with a lipid material; vi) the perivitelline space appears first as troughs at the junctional points between the follicle cells and oocyte, which subsequently spread all around to become continuous; vii) macrovilli and microvilli develop from the follicle cells and oocyte, respectively; and viii) the precursor material of the vitelline envelop arrives at the perivitelline space. The sequential changes in the previtellogenic follicles of two species of caecilians are described. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinction of reactive joint fluid from pyogenic abscess by diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Park Ji Kang , Kim Bong Soo , Choi Gukmyung , Kim Seung Hyoung , Lee Kwang‐Bok , Khang Hyunsoo
Published: March 2007

It is difficult to distinguish reactive joint fluid from infectious joint fluid by conventional MR images. In this presented case, we successfully distinguished these two conditions using diffusion‐weighted imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis and impairment of neurite network by short exposure of immature rat cortical neurons to unconjugated bilirubin increase with cell differentiation and are additionally enhanced by an inflammatory stimulus
Authors: Falcão Ana S. , Silva Rui F.M. , Pancadas Sérgio , Fernandes Adelaide , Brito Maria A. , Brites Dora
Published: March 2007

Nerve cell injury induced by unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) has been implicated in brain damage during severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, although the molecular mechanisms underlying UCB neurotoxicity are still not clarified. It has been suggested recently that there is an association between hyperbilirubinemia and long‐term neurologic dysfunctions. We incubated immature neurons with UCB to evaluate the short‐ and long‐term effects of UCB on apoptotic death and on neuritic outgrowth and ramification. We also evaluated whether mature neurons, exposed previously to UCB in an early stage of differentiation, are more sensitive to apoptosis or to neuritic breakdown when treated with inflammatory agents, such as lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Results show that exposure of immature neurons to UCB increased apoptosis and provoked a reduction of both neurite extension and number of nodes. These injurious effects observed in immature cells treated with UCB were increasingly perpetuated along cell differentiation, as compared to neurons incubated in the absence of UCB. In addition, neurons that were exposed to UCB when immature showed an increased susceptibility to death by apoptosis, as well as an additional decrease in neurite outgrowth when incubated with an inflammatory agent afterward. This work shows, for the first time, that UCB induces neurite changes consistent with neurodevelopment abnormalities. Furthermore, pre‐exposure to UCB followed by an inflammatory stimulus leads to an enhanced susceptibility to long‐term apoptosis, as well as a greater neuritic breakdown. These data support the association between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the later development of mental illness, such as schizophrenia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.