bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in biosutures do not improve healing of experimental colonic anastomoses
Authors: Pascual I , de Miguel G Fernández , Gómez-Pinedo U A , de Miguel F , Arranz M García , García-Olmo D
Published: August 2008

Background

The feasibility of producing ‘biosutures’ coated with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) was assessed and their effect on colonic anastomoses evaluated.

Methods

Sutures were cultured with ASCs isolated from BDIX rats before analysis by light and scanning electron microscopy. Anastomoses were performed in 40 BDIX rats using either biosutures or conventional sutures. Histopathological features, adhesion formation and anastomotic strength were evaluated.

Results

Sutures were coated with ASCs within 24 h. Anastomoses made with biosutures had a lower adhesion index only during the first week (P = 0·006 at 7 days), but not subsequently. There were no significant differences in anastomotic healing with the two types of suture.

Conclusion

ASC biosutures have no effect on anastomotic healing in rats.
Outcome of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer
Authors: Morita S , Katai H , Saka M , Fukagawa T , Sano T , Sasako M
Published: August 2008

Background

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy has been introduced as a function-preserving operation for early gastric cancer in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and radicality of the procedure.

Methods

Between 1995 and 2004, 611 patients with apparent early gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach had pylorus-preserving gastrectomy. The short-term surgical and long-term oncological outcomes of these operations were assessed.

Results

The accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of early gastric cancer was 94·3 per cent. Nodal involvement was seen in 62 patients (10·1 per cent). There were no postoperative deaths. Complications developed in 102 patients (16·7 per cent). Major complications, such as leakage and abscess, were observed in 19 (3·1 per cent). The most common complication was gastric stasis, occurring in 49 (8·0 per cent). The overall 5-year survival rate in patients with early gastric cancer was 96·3 per cent.

Conclusion

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is a safe operation with an excellent prognosis in patients with early gastric cancer. It is recommended as the standard procedure for early gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach.
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of virtual reality training for laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Gurusamy K , Aggarwal R , Palanivelu L , Davidson B R
Published: August 2008

Background

Surgical training has traditionally been one of apprenticeship. The aim of this review was to determine whether virtual reality (VR) training can supplement and/or replace conventional laparoscopic training in surgical trainees with limited or no laparoscopic experience.

Methods

Randomized clinical trials addressing this issue were identified from The Cochrane Library trials register, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, grey literature and reference lists. Standardized mean difference was calculated with 95 per cent confidence intervals based on available case analysis.

Results

Twenty-three trials (mostly with a high risk of bias) involving 622 participants were included in this review. In trainees without surgical experience, VR training decreased the time taken to complete a task, increased accuracy and decreased errors compared with no training. In the same participants, VR training was more accurate than video trainer (VT) training. In participants with limited laparoscopic experience, VR training resulted in a greater reduction in operating time, error and unnecessary movements than standard laparoscopic training. In these participants, the composite performance score was better in the VR group than the VT group.

Conclusion

VR training can supplement standard laparoscopic surgical training. It is at least as effective as video training in supplementing standard laparoscopic training.
The frequency of metopism in Anatolian populations dated from the Neolithic to the first quarter of the 20th century
Authors: Eroğlu S.
Published: August 2008

Metopism, which is defined as a condition in which the two pieces of the frontal bone fail to merge in early childhood, displays varying degrees of incidence. In this study, the variation of the frequency of metopism across historical periods is investigated on the skulls of 487 adults from 12 different Ancient Anatolian populations dated to various periods of history ranging from the Neolithic to the first quarter of the 20th century. In addition, the study also examines the relationship of metopism to sex and cranial form. It is revealed that the frequency of metopism showed a relative increase across time periods in Anatolia after the Neolithic Period, with the exception of the Cevizcioğlu Çiftliği population. However, no significant relationship was found between metopism and cranial form or sex. It is found that the frequency of metopism in Ancient Anatolia had a distribution range of 3.3–14.9%. This distribution shows that the inhabitants of Anatolia have a heterogeneous genetic make‐up due to the geographical situation of Anatolia, which has been open to gene flow both in the past and at present. Clin. Anat. 21:471–478, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Solution Structure of a Functional Biomimetic and Mechanistic Implications for Nickel Superoxide Dismutases
Authors: Schmidt Matthias , Zahn Stefan , Carella Michela , Ohlenschläger Oliver , Görlach Matthias , Kothe Erika , Weston James
Published: August 2008

The nickel complex of a synthetic nonapeptide (HCDLPCFVY‐NH2) is capable of catalytically disproportionating O2.− and is thus a functional biomimetic for nickel superoxide dismutases. This represents a simplification as compared to a NiSOD “maquette” that is based on a dodecapeptide that was recently reported [Inorg. Chem. 2006, 45, 2358]. The 3D solution structure reveals that the first six residues form a stable macrocyclic structure with a preformed binding site for NiII. Proline 5 exhibits a trans peptide linkage in the biomimetic and a cis conformation in NiSOD enzymes. DFT calculations reveal the source of this preference. Mechanistic consequences for the mode of action (identity of the fifth ligand) are discussed. The SOD activity is compared to enzymatic systems, and selected modifications allowed the biomimetic to be reduced to a functional minimal motif of only six amino acids (ACAAPC‐NH2).
Equilibrium and Kinetics of the Extraction of Propionic Acid Using Tri‐n‐Octylphosphineoxide
Authors: Keshav A. , Wasewar K. L. , Chand S.
Published: August 2008

Organophosphorous compounds have been widely used in inorganic analysis for the extraction and separation of inorganic acids or metal species. Since these compounds can form hydrogen bonds to proton donors, they can also be used for the extraction of acidic organic compounds. Therefore, the reactive extraction of propionic acid using tri‐n‐octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in hexane was studied. Equilibrium and kinetics experiments were performed. The extraction of propionic acid using n‐heptane, light liquid paraffin, heavy liquid paraffin and hexane was studied and hexane was found to be most suitable diluent. The equilibrium complexation constant for the propionic acid‐TOPO complex was determined to be 0.702 m3/kmol. The extraction was found to be first order in propionic acid and first order in TOPO with the overall rate constant as 46.91 (m3/kmol)2/s.
Different Effects of Fluoride Surface Modification on the Photocatalytic Oxidation of Phenol in Anatase and Rutile TiO2 Suspensions
Authors: Lv K. , Lu C. S.
Published: August 2008

The effect of calcination temperature on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol with aqueous suspensions of synthetic anatase and rutile TiO2 under UV light irradiation (λ > 320 nm), was studied in the absence and presence of NaF. The presence of fluoride accelerates the degradation of phenol in anatase TiO2, with this positive effect increasing at first, before declining with increasing calcined temperature. A negative effect of fluoride was observed for all the rutile TiO2 suspensions. The selectivity of catechol increased in the presence of fluoride in both anatase and rutile TiO2 suspensions.
Modeling of Electrochemistry and Heat/Mass Transfer in a Tubular Solid Oxide Steam Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Ni M. , Leung M. K. H. , Leung D. Y. C.
Published: August 2008

A finite‐volume based mathematical model has been developed for modeling hydrogen production by a tubular cell of solid oxide steam electrolyzer (SOSE), taking into account the electrochemical reactions and heat/mass transfer effects. The model is composed of three systems of nonlinear equations that govern the electric current density, energy balance in the solid SOSE cell, and energy balance in the flow of steam and hydrogen. The simulated hydrogen production rate proportional to the applied potential agreed well with the experimental measurements published in the literature. The intermediate modeling results indicated that the activation effect dominate the overall cell overpotential due to low exchange current density through the SOSE cell electrodes. Thus, higher electrode activity was identified as an important factor for enhancing cell performance. Parametric modeling analyses were conducted to gain better understanding of the SOSE characteristics. It was found that low‐temperature gas intake would cause a high temperature gradient in the tubular cell material at the inlet, possibly leading to a thermal expansion problem. The risk could be reduced by increasing the gas inlet temperature. It was also found that energy‐efficient SOSE hydrogen production can be achieved by reducing the hydrogen content in the steam intake and regulating the steam intake flow rate to an optimum that minimizes the overall electrical and thermal requirements. More parametric modeling results are discussed in this paper. The tubular SOSE cell model developed in this study can easily be expanded to accomplish tubular SOSE stack analysis for comprehensive system design optimization.
In Vitro Anticancer Activity and Biologically Relevant Metabolization of Organometallic Ruthenium Complexes with Carbohydrate‐Based Ligands
Authors: Berger Isabella , Hanif Muhammad , Nazarov Alexey A. , Hartinger Christian G. , John Roland O. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Groessl Michael , Schmitt Frederic , Zava Olivier , Biba Florian , Arion Vladimir B. , Galanski Mathea Sophia , Jakupec Michael A. , Juillerat‐Jeanneret Lucienne , Dyson Paul J. , Keppler Bernhard K.
Published: August 2008

The synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity of dihalogenido(η6‐p‐cymene)(3,5,6‐bicyclophosphite‐α‐D‐glucofuranoside)ruthenium(II) complexes are described. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry, and the molecular structures of dichlorido‐, dibromido‐ and diiodido(η6‐p‐cymene)(3,5,6‐bicyclophosphite‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D‐glucofuranoside)ruthenium(II) were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The complexes were shown to undergo aquation of the first halido ligand in aqueous solution, followed by hydrolysis of a PO bond of the phosphite ligand, and finally formation of dinuclear species. The hydrolysis mechanism was confirmed by DFT calculations. The aquation of the complexes was markedly suppressed in 100 mM NaCl solution, and notably only very slow hydrolysis of the PO bond was observed. The complexes showed affinity towards albumin and transferrin and monoadduct formation with 9‐ethylguanine. In vitro studies revealed that the 3,5,6‐bicyclophosphite‐1,2‐O‐cyclohexylidene‐α‐D‐glucofuranoside complex is the most cytotoxic compound in human cancer cell lines (IC50 values from 30 to 300 μM depending on the cell line).
ChemInform Abstract: Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding within MgB2 and Related Borides from First Principles
Authors: Matar Samir F.
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure Refinements of Ge(tP12), Physical Properties and Pressure‐Induced Phase Transformation Ge(tP12)↔Ge(tI4).
Authors: Wosylus Aron , Prots Yurii , Schnelle Walter , Hanfland Michael , Schwarz Ulrich
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Structures and Thermal Properties of Silver(I) (Poly)chalcogenide Halide Solid Solutions Ag10Te4‐(q,p)Q(q,p)Br3 with Q: S, Se.
Authors: Nilges Tom , Bawohl Melanie
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and X‐Ray Excited Luminescent Properties of LuBa3B9O18.
Authors: Duan Cheng‐Jun , Li Wei‐Feng , Yuan Jun‐Lin , Zhao Jing‐Tai
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Impregnation Method for the Synthesis of Li—N—H Systems.
Authors: Hao Ting , Matsuo Motoaki , Nakamori Yuko , Orimo Shin‐ichi
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Incorporating a Transition Metal Complex into Polymeric Iodoplumbate: Structure Characterization, Properties and Theoretical Study of a Unprecedented Hybrid Semiconductor: {[Cu(en)2][Pb2I6]}n.
Authors: Li Hao‐Hong , Sun Ling‐Guo , Chen Zhi‐Rong , Wang Yun‐Jie , Li Jun‐Qian
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis, Structure and Properties of the (Bi0.5Sr0.5) (Co0.5Ru0.5)O3 Perovskite.
Authors: Ortega‐San Martin Luis , Rodgers Jennifer A. , Attfield J. Paul
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Tin‐Free Generation of Alkyl Radicals from Alkyl 4‐Pentynyl Sulfides via Homolytic Substitution at the Sulfur Atom.
Authors: Bencivenni Giorgio , Lanza Tommaso , Leardini Rino , Minozzi Matteo , Nanni Daniele , Spagnolo Piero , Zanardi Giuseppe
Published: August 2008

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 of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
The association between prenatal exposure to cigarettes and cortisol reactivity and regulation in 7‐month‐old infants
Authors: Schuetze Pamela , Lopez Francisco A. , Granger Douglas A. , Eiden Rina D.
Published: August 2008

We examined the association between prenatal exposure to cigarettes and adrenocortical responses to stress in 7‐month‐old infants. Cortisol levels were assessed twice prior to and twice following affect‐eliciting procedures in 111 (59 exposed and 52 nonexposed) infants. Cortisol reactivity was defined as the difference between the peak poststressor cortisol level and the pretask cortisol level. Higher values indicated higher cortisol reactivity. Exposed infants had higher peak cortisol reactivity than nonexposed infants. There were no differences in pretask cortisol levels. Maternal hostility mediated the association between cigarette exposure and peak cortisol reactivity. Furthermore, infant gender moderated this association such that exposed boys had significantly higher peak cortisol reactivity than nonexposed infants or exposed girls. These findings provide additional evidence that prenatal cigarette exposure is associated with dysregulation during infancy and that early adverse, nonsocial experiences may have relatively long‐lasting effects on cortisol reactivity in infants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 819–834, 2008
Reactivity of Yttrium Quinoline–Imine–Phenoxide Complexes Towards Inter‐ and Intramolecular Alkyl Nucleophilic Attacks
Authors: Paolucci Gino , Bortoluzzi Marco , Bertolasi Valerio
Published: August 2008

Yttrium(III) chloride complexes [YCl2(NNOH)] (1H) and [YCl2(NNOMe)] (1Me) {NNOH = 2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(quinolin‐8‐yliminomethyl)phenoxide; NNOMe = 2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[(2‐methylquinolin‐8‐ylimino)methyl]phenoxide} were synthesized by treating a thf solution of YCl3 at room temperature with the NNOH‐H and NNOMe‐H ligands {NNOH‐H = 2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(quinolin‐8‐yliminomethyl)phenol; NNOMe‐H = 2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[(2‐methylquinolin‐8‐ylimino)methyl]phenol}, which were previously deprotonated with potassium tert‐butoxide or thallium ethoxide. Surprisingly, reaction of 1H with the Grignard reagent MeMgBr to prepare the corresponding dialkyl derivative led to the formation of the tetranuclear magnesium dimer [Mg2BrCl{NN(Me)OH}(thf)]2 {NN(Me)OH =2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[1‐(quinolin‐8‐ylamido)ethyl]phenoxide} (2), whose structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. By reacting the neutral ligand NNOH‐H withY(CH2SiMe3)3·2thf in toluene at low temperature the alkyl complex [Y(CH2SiMe3){NN(CH2SiMe3)O}(thf)] {NN(CH2SiMe3)O = 2‐tert‐butyl‐6‐[1‐(quinolin‐8‐ylamido)‐2‐trimethylsilanylethyl]phenoxide} (3) was isolated. The supposed reaction mechanism leading to the formation of 3 was simulated by using the PM6 Hamiltonian. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Sugar‐Derived Bifunctional Thiourea Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Michael Addition of Acetylacetone to Nitroolefins
Authors: Gao Peng , Wang Chungui , Wu Yang , Zhou Zhenghong , Tang Chuchi
Published: August 2008

A bifunctional chiral thiourea organocatalyst bearing a glycosyl scaffold and a tertiary amino group proved to be an effective organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition of acetylacetone to nitroolefins. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Productive innovations in hospitals: an empirical research on the relation between technology and productivity in the Dutch hospital industry
Authors: Blank Jos L. T. , Hulst Bart L. Van
Published: August 2008

This paper studies the relationship between technology and productivity in Dutch hospitals. In most studies technical change is measured by a proxy, namely a time trend. In practice however, innovations slowly spread over all hospitals and so different hospitals are operating under different technologies at the same point in time. In this study we explicitly inventory specific and well‐known innovations in the Dutch hospital industry in the past ten years. These innovations are aggregated into a limited number of homogenous innovation clusters, which are measured by a set of technology index numbers. The index numbers are included in the cost function specification and estimation. The results indicate that technical change is non‐neutral and output‐ biased and that some technologies affect cost in beneficial ways. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learning, forgetting, and hospital quality: an empirical analysis of cardiac procedures in Maryland and Arizona
Authors: Sfekas Andrew
Published: August 2008

This paper sets out an empirical model of learning with forgetting and uses it to estimate how much hospital quality improves with experience. The size of the learning effect and the depreciation rate are estimated for two cardiac procedures in Maryland and Arizona. Models are estimated using patient survival as the outcome of interest. The results show that learning does not appear to be a factor in hospital quality for either procedure or for surgery generally. From a policy standpoint, based on these results, regulations in Maryland that seek to concentrate these two procedures among a small number of providers could not be justified on the grounds that higher volume would increase the quality of care. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioral forecasts do not improve the prediction of future behavior: a prospective study of self‐injury
Authors: Janis Irene Belle , Nock Matthew K.
Published: August 2008

Clinicians are routinely encouraged to use multimodal assessments incorporating information from multiple sources when determining an individual's risk of dangerous or self‐injurious behavior; however, some sources of information may not improve prediction models and so should not be relied on in such assessments. The authors examined whether individuals' prediction of their own future behavior improves prediction over using history of self‐injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) alone. Sixty‐four adolescents with a history of SITB were interviewed regarding their past year history of SITB, asked about the likelihood that they would engage in future SITB, and followed over a 6‐month period. Individuals' forecasts of their future behavior were related to subsequent SITB, but did not improve prediction beyond the use of SITB history. In contrast, history of SITB improved prediction of subsequent SITB beyond individuals' behavioral forecasts. Clinicians should rely more on past history of a behavior than individuals' forecasts of future behavior in predicting SITB. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1–11, 2008.
Mesenchymal stem cells effectively reduce surgically induced stenosis in rat carotids
Authors: Forte Amalia , Finicelli Mauro , Mattia Monica , Berrino Liberato , Rossi Francesco , De Feo Marisa , Cotrufo Maurizio , Cipollaro Marilena , Cascino Antonino , Galderisi Umberto
Published: August 2008

Restenosis following vascular injury remains a pressing clinical problem. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promise as a main actor of cell‐based therapeutic strategies. The possible therapeutic role of MSCs in vascular stenosis in vivo has been poorly investigated so far. We tested the effectiveness of allogenic bone marrow‐derived MSCs in reduction of stenosis in a model of rat carotid arteriotomy. MSCs were expanded in vitro retaining their proliferative and differentiation potentiality. MSCs were able to differentiate into adipocyte and osteocyte mesenchymal lineage cells, retained specific antigens CD73, CD90, and CD105, expressed smooth muscle alpha‐actin, were mainly in proliferative phase of cell cycle and showed limited senescence. WKY rats were submitted to carotid arteriotomy and to venous administration with 5 × 106 MSCs. MSCs in vivo homed in injured carotids since 3 days after arteriotomy but not in contralateral uninjured carotids. Lumen area in MSC‐treated carotids was 36% greater than in control arteries (P = 0.016) and inward remodeling was limited in MSC‐treated carotids (P = 0.030) 30 days after arteriotomy. MSC treatment affected the expression level of inflammation‐related genes, inducing a decrease of IL‐1β and Mcp‐1 and an increase of TGF‐β in injured carotids at 3 and 7 days after arteriotomy (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that allogenic MSC administration limits stenosis in injured rat carotids and plays a local immunomodulatory action. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 789–799, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The University of Michigan Specialist–Hospitalist Allied Research Program: Jumpstarting hospital medicine research
Authors: Flanders Scott A. , Kaufman Samuel R. , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Saint Sanjay
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND:

Clinical research has developed slowly in most academic hospitalist programs, possibly because of a failure to recognize the important role of specialists in the diagnosis and management of complex medical patients as well as their expertise in clinical research. Ideally, a successful hospital‐based clinical research program will need to partner hospitalists with specialists.

PURPOSE:

The University of Michigan's Specialist–Hospitalist Allied Research Program (SHARP) was designed to jumpstart hospital‐based clinical and translational research at a major academic medical center by pairing specialists and hospitalists to ask and answer novel research questions.

DESCRIPTION:

SHARP is codirected by a hospitalist and a subspecialist and includes key personnel such as a hospitalist investigator, a clinical research nurse, a research associate, and a clinical epidemiologist. The program is guided by an oversight committee that includes institutional research leadership. Two initial projects have already been supported. The first, a collaboration between infectious disease specialists and hospitalists, is a prospective trial of antiseptic agents and techniques to reduce false‐positive blood cultures. The second pairs geriatricians and clinical pharmacists with hospitalists to prospectively study techniques to reduce medication errors around the time of hospital discharge. Although initial pilot projects are single‐institution studies, SHARP's goal is to expand its clinical research to include multicenter investigation. Metrics to evaluate SHARP include the number of successfully completed projects, extramural grants submitted and funded, and peer‐reviewed publications.

CONCLUSION:

A successful hospital‐based clinical research program combines hospitalists and specialists in a collaborative environment to identify optimal strategies for delivering inpatient care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:308–313. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Variation in pediatric hospitalists' use of proven and unproven therapies: A study from the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings (PRIS) network
Authors: Landrigan Christopher P. , Conway Patrick H. , Stucky Erin R. , Chiang Vincent W. , Ottolini Mary C.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND:

Undesirable practice variation remains a major concern with the quality of the healthcare system. While care in pediatric hospitalist systems has been demonstrated to be efficient, neither the quality of care nor determinants of variation in pediatric hospitalist systems are well understood.

OBJECTIVE:

To measure variation in pediatric hospitalists' reported use of common inpatient therapies, and to test the hypothesis that variation in reported use of proven therapies is lower than variation in reported use of unproven therapies.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS:

We conducted a survey of pediatric hospitalists in the US and Canada. Respondents reported their frequency of using 14 therapies in the management of common conditions. Each therapy was determined to be of proven or unproven effectiveness using published critical appraisals. Variation in reported use of proven and unproven therapies was compared.

RESULTS:

67% (213/320) of surveyed individuals participated. Little variability existed in reported use of albuterol and corticosteroids in asthma (4‐6% of respondents reported not often using them) and systemic dexamethasone in bronchiolitis (12% of respondents reported using it more than rarely). Moderate to high variation existed in reported use of all other therapies studied. Variation in reported use of proven therapies was significantly less than variation in reported use of unproven therapies (15.5 ± 12.5% vs. 44.6 ± 20.5%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Substantial variation exists in hospitalists' reported management of common pediatric conditions. Variation is significantly lower for strongly evidence‐based therapies. To decrease undesirable variation in care, a stronger evidence base for inpatient pediatric care must be built. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:292–298. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Yield and flour quality of spring wheat as affected by soil tillage and animal manure
Authors: Thomsen Ingrid K , Pedersen Lene , Jørgensen Johannes R
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Yield and quality of organic bread wheat may be improved by adjusting tillage and type of manure. We tested two different tillage strategies (rotovation plus ploughing or ploughing only) before sowing spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on a coarse loamy sand. The tillage strategies were combined with four nitrogen (N) rates of animal manure supplied in either slurry or liquid manure.

RESULTS: Rotovation before ploughing had only a negligible influence on soil inorganic N content in the spring and on wheat biomass development. Liquid manure gave a higher protein and gluten content than slurry, probably due to its higher proportion of inorganic N. At low N rates, gluten from wheat supplied with slurry was softer than from wheat given liquid manure and responded differently to baking tests than expected from their gluten and protein content. At higher N rates, loaf volume corresponded well with the gluten and protein content.

CONCLUSION: Soil tillage intensity did not have a major influence on soil N mineralisation patterns and manure N availability. Except at low N rates, the response of wheat flour to different types of animal manure is mainly determined by the amount of inorganic N supplied. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Rising African cassava production, diseases due to high cyanide intake and control measures
Authors: Nhassico Dulce , Muquingue Humberto , Cliff Julie , Cumbana Arnaldo , Bradbury J Howard
Published: August 2008

Cassava is the staple food of tropical Africa and its production, averaged over 24 countries, has increased more than threefold from 1980 to 2005, and the population has more than doubled over that time compared with a 1.5 times increase worldwide. Agriculturally, cassava performs very well but the roots and leaves contain cyanogenic glucosides that are dangerous to human health. These cyanogens sometimes produce acute intoxication leading to death, they exacerbate goitre and cretinism in iodine‐deficient regions, cause konzo and are implicated in the occurrence of tropical ataxic neuropathy and stunting of children. Konzo is an irreversible paralysis of the legs with many thousands of cases, mainly amongst children, in Mozambique, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic and probably other tropical African countries. Attempts to alleviate cassava cyanide toxicity have included the development of an information network and distribution in developing countries of picrate kits, which measure total cyanide in cassava and urinary thiocyanate. A simple wetting method that reduces total cyanide in cassava flour three‐ to sixfold has been successfully field tested and is being introduced in Mozambique. Transgenic technology shows promise in increasing the rate of loss of cyanide from roots during processing. World health and agricultural bodies should pay more attention to emerging health problems associated with toxicity of cyanogens in cassava. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative Analysis of Protein Adsorption via Atomic Force Microscopy and Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Servoli Eva , Maniglio Devid , Aguilar Maria Rosa , Motta Antonella , Roman Julio San , Belfiore Laurence A. , Migliaresi Claudio
Published: August 2008

Surface properties have a significant influence on the performance of biomedical devices. The influence of surface chemistry on the amount and distribution of adsorbed proteins has been evaluated by a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Adsorption of albumin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin was analyzed under static and dynamic conditions, employing self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) as model surfaces. AFM was performed in tapping mode with antibody‐modified tips. Phase‐contrast images showed protein distribution on SAMs and phase‐shift entity provided information on protein conformation. SPR analysis revealed substrate‐specific dynamics in each system investigated. When multi‐protein solutions and diluted human plasma interacted with SAMs, SPR data suggested that surface chemistry governs the equilibrium composition of the protein layer.

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Highly Efficient Surface Relief Formation via Photoembossing of a Supramolecular Polymer
Authors: Hermans Ko , Tomatsu Itsuro , Matecki Michael , Sijbesma Rint P. , Bastiaansen Cees W. M. , Broer Dirk J.
Published: August 2008

A new highly efficient photopolymer based on a supramolecular polymer was developed for creating surface relief structures in polymer thin films via a reaction/diffusion mechanism known as photoembossing. The effect of the photoinitiator content, the exposure dose, and developing temperature were investigated and the optimal settings were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and confocal microscopy. It was found that a surface relief structure of 2.1 µm could be obtained in a 3 µm thin film, which is more than 2.5 times higher than can be achieved in the conventional polymer/monomer based photopolymer systems.

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Artgleiche und artverschiedene reibrührgeschweißte Verbindungen aus AA2124+25 % SiC und AA2024
Authors: Fuchs U. , Zimmermann K. , Sauer H. W. , Trautmann K.‐H. , Biallas G.
Published: August 2008

Ein Aluminiummatrixverbundwerkstoff (AMC), der aus einer mit 25 Vol.‐% SiC Partikeln verstärkten AA2124 Matrix bestand, wurde in Extrusionsrichtung zu artgleichen AMC+AMC und artverschiedenen AMC+2024‐T3 Verbindungen reibrührgeschweißt. Wenn das partikelverstärkte Aluminium bei artverschiedenen Verbindungen auf der „retreating side”︁ positioniert wurde, war der Materialaustausch weniger intensiv. Aufgrund eines Verhakungseffekts waren Festigkeit und Duktilität trotzdem höher als bei der umgekehrten Anordnung der Fügepartner. Das Verhalten bei monotoner und zyklischer Belastung wurde sowohl für den partikelverstärkten Grundwerkstoff als auch für die Schweißverbindungen von einer ausgeprägten Richtungsabhängigkeit bestimmt. Ursache ist die Orientierung von SiC‐Partikelzeilen in Extrusionsrichtung. Bei artverschiedenen Verbindungen sind die longitudinalen Zugeigenspannungen auf der partikelverstärkten Seite der Schweißnaht geringer als auf der Seite des unverstärkten Materials, was wahrscheinlich mit der Ausbildung von SiC‐Partikelclustern an der Grenzfläche zwischen den beiden Materialien zusammenhängt. Die für artgleiche Verbindungen ermittelten da/dN‐ΔK Kurven wurden mit den gemessenen Eigenspannungen korreliert.
13C NMR study of the ion‐binding selectivity of a new ammonium ionophore
Authors: McGimpsey W. Grant , Soto Ernesto , Driscoll Peter F. , Nowak Cheryl , Benco John S. , Cooper Christopher G. F. , Lambert Christopher R.
Published: August 2008

A bicyclic peptide, cyclo (L‐Glu1—D‐Leu2—Aib3—L‐Lys4—D‐Leu5—D‐Ala6)‐cyclo‐(1γ‐4ε) (I), was designed and synthesized to provide an ammonium ion complexation site in a tetrahedral geometry. Molecular modeling, dynamics and electrostatic studies for I indicated that it exhibits some selectivity for ammonium ions over potassium and sodium ions. NMR measurements in CDCl3/CD3OD (1:1) show that for those carbonyl groups involved in cation binding, 13C resonances shifted downfield with increasing cation concentration. The resonance that exhibited the largest change in chemical shift between uncomplexed and complexed forms was used to determine the selectivity. Selectivity values obtained were logK = − 2.4 and logK = − 0.6. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminance and brightness field distribution of light guiding plate for backlight panel (BLP) by micro molding
Authors: Huang Chiung‐Fang , Shen Yung‐Kang , Lin Yi , Yang Jen‐Chang , Wu Chih‐Wei
Published: August 2008

This research investigates the luminance and the brightness field distribution of the microstructure of a light guiding plate (LGP) by micro injection molding (MIM) and micro injection‐compression molding (MICM). The process of manufacturing a LGP includes photo‐etching, MIM, MICM, and optical field measurement. The results show that the luminance of microstructure of LGPs produced using MICM is better than those made using MIM. The results also indicate that the most important processing parameter is the mold temperature for the luminance distribution of the LGP whether made by MIM or MICM. The maximum luminance of the LGP is 80 Nit (cd/m2) on micro molding. The brightness field distribution of the LGP made using MICM is more uniform than those made using MIM for the same processing parameters. MICM is a more suitable process than MIM for the fabrication of a LGP on a backlight panel (BLP). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stack system of PECVD amorphous silicon and PECVD silicon oxide for silicon solar cell rear side passivation
Authors: Hofmann M. , Schmidt C. , Kohn N. , Rentsch J. , Glunz S. W. , Preu R.
Published: August 2008

A stack of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si) and PECVD‐silicon oxide (SiOx) has been used as surface passivation layer for silicon wafer surfaces. Very good surface passivation could be reached leading to a surface recombination velocity (SRV) below 10 cm/s on 1 Ω cm p‐type Si wafers. By using the passivation layer system at a solar cell's rear side and applying the laser‐fired contacts (LFC) process, pointwise local rear contacts have been formed and an energy conversion efficiency of 21·7% has been obtained on p‐type FZ substrates (0·5 Ω cm). Simulations show that the effective rear SRV is in the range of 180 cm/s for the combination of metallised and passivated areas, 120 ± 30 cm/s were calculated for the passivated areas. Rear reflectivity is comparable to thermally grown silicon dioxide (SiO2). a‐Si rear passivation appears more stable under different bias light intensities compared to thermally grown SiO2. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III expression is regulated by cell‐cell adhesion via the E‐cadherin–catenin–actin complex
Authors: Akama Ryota , Sato Yuya , Kariya Yoshinobu , Isaji Tomoya , Fukuda Tomohiko , Lu Lianghao , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Ozawa Masayuki , Gu Jianguo
Published: August 2008

Recently, our research group investigated the effects of cell–cell interactions on N‐linked oligosaccharides (N‐glycans). We found that N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT‐III) activity, and thus, the enzyme product‐bisected N‐glycans were induced in cells cultured under dense condition in an E‐cadherin‐dependent manner [26]. To further explore the underlying molecular mechanism, we examined the effects of α‐catenin, which is a component of the E‐cadherin–catenin complex that can bind to actin cytoskeleton, on the regulation of GnT‐III expression in the human colon carcinoma DLD‐1 cells. GnT‐III activity was not substantially increased in cells cultured under dense conditions, compared with those cultured under sparse conditions. However, restoration of α‐catenin gene to DLD‐1 cells resulted in a significant increase in GnT‐III activity and in production of the bisected N‐glycans, which were detected by E4‐PHA, suggesting that the E‐cadherin–catenin complex is required for the induction. Moreover, treatment with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of F‐actin polymerization, completely blocked the upregulation of GnT‐III expression in the dense culture. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that GnT‐III expression is tightly regulated by cell–cell adhesion via the E‐cadherin–catenin complex and actin cytoskeleton formation.
Mucin‐induced apoptosis of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells during maturation
Authors: Ishida Akiko , Ohta Mariko , Toda Munetoyo , Murata Takeomi , Usui Taichi , Akita Kaoru , Inoue Mizue , Nakada Hiroshi
Published: August 2008

Many tumors arising from epithelial tissues produce mucins, which readily come into contact with infiltrating cells in cancer tissues. MUC2 mucins were purified from the conditioned medium of a colorectal cancer cell line, LS180 cells. It is known that in cancer patients, the number of dendritic cells (DCs) is reduced and their function is impaired. Mature DCs were generated from human peripheral blood monocytes through successive treatments with GM‐CSF and IL‐4, and then with proinflammatory mediators. When monocytes were cultured in the presence of MUC2 mucins in addition to GM‐CSF and IL‐4 at an early stage of development, mature DCs expressing CD83 decreased and apoptotic cells increased in a dose‐dependent manner. During the development of DCs, sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin (Siglec)‐3 was constantly expressed. We prepared recombinant soluble Siglec‐3 corresponding to the ectodomain of Siglec‐3 and confirmed the binding of soluble Siglec‐3 to the MUC2 mucins, probably through α2,6‐sialic acid‐containing O‐glycans including a sialyl Tn antigen, which is known to bind to Siglec‐3. Apoptosis was partially inhibited by anti‐Siglec‐3 mAb or recombinant soluble Siglec‐3. These results suggest that apoptosis was partially induced through the ligation of the MUC2 mucins with Siglec‐3.
Clinical application of functional glycoproteomics – dissection of glycotopes carried by soluble CD44 variants in sera of patients with cancers
Authors: Lim Khe‐Ti , Miyazaki Keiko , Kimura Naoko , Izawa Mineko , Kannagi Reiji
Published: August 2008

We provide here an example of clinical application of functional glycoproteomics for cancer diagnosis. Sialyl Lewis a and sialyl Lewis x glycotopes, which are the specific ligands for selectins, and variant forms of CD44, which are the adhesion molecules recognizing hyaluronate, are both implicated in cancer metastasis. The CD44 variants modified by the sialyl Lewis a and sialyl Lewis x glycotopes are expected to have dual functions, serving as ligands for vascular selectins, and simultaneously having binding activity to vascular bed hyaluronate, and are expected to figure heavily in cancer metastasis. We developed a heterogeneous sandwich assay system to detect soluble CD44v specifically modified by the cancer‐associated sialyl Lewis a/x glycotopes, using the extracellular domain of CD44v cleaved by the metalloproteinase ADAM10 as standard molecules. We also developed the assay system for CD44v modified by normal epithelial glycotopes including disialyl Lewis a and sialyl 6‐sulfo Lewis x. The results indicated that serum levels of soluble CD44v modified by cancer‐associated glycotopes were frequently increased in patients with cancers, while those of CD44v modified by the nonmalignant glycotopes tended to be elevated in patients with benign disorders.
Disialoganglioside GD3 synthase expression recruits membrane transglutaminase 2 during erythroid differentiation of the human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells
Authors: Kang Sung‐Koo , Kim Yong‐Sam , Kong Yun‐Jeong , Song Kwon‐Ho , Chang Young‐Chae , Park Young‐Guk , Ko Jeong‐Heon , Lee Young‐Choon , Kim Cheorl‐Ho
Published: August 2008

By employing proteomics analysis tool, we examined the effects of GD3 synthase expression on the differentiation properties of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)‐derived leukemia cells K562. Forced expression of GD3 synthase induced erythroid differentiation as determined by an increase in glycophorin A expression and synthesis of hemoglobins. The proteomic analysis revealed that 15 proteins were increased by GD3 synthase. In contrast, we observed three protein gel spots decreased in contents in the cell membranes of GD3 synthase‐transfected K562 cells. Among the increased proteins, membrane transglutaminase 2 (TG2) was specifically increased in the cell membrane of GD3 synthase‐transfected K562 cells. Then, we generated the GD3 synthase‐transfected cells in the K562 cells. Interestingly, the TG2 level was increased in GD3 synthase‐transfected cells compared with vector‐ and plasma membrane‐associated ganglioside sialidase (Neu3)‐transfected cells. In addition, its ability to be photoaffinity‐labeled with [α‐32P]GTP was also increased in the GD3 synthase‐ and TG2‐transfected cells. Moreover, small interfering RNA (siRNA) analysis for the GD3 synthase showed the decrease or abolishment of the membrane TG2. Finally, GD3 synthase‐transfected cells accelerated the erythroid differentiation. Therefore, we propose that the recruitment of TG2 into membranes by GD3 might play an important role in the erythroid differentiation in K562 cells.
Molecules in the signaling pathway activated by gangliosides can be targets of therapeutics for malignant melanomas
Authors: Furukawa Koichi , Hamamura Kazunori , Nakashima Hideyuki , Furukawa Keiko
Published: August 2008

There have been a number of studies on tumor‐specific glycolipid antigens. In particular, neuroectoderm‐derived cancers express characteristic ganglioside antigens, some of them have been used as tumor markers and/or target of immunotherapy. Molecules in the signaling pathway activated by gangliosides have been analyzed. Here, we reported results on the functions of molecules involved in the signaling pathway to enhance malignant properties of human melanomas under GD3 expression, and emphasized that those molecules including tumor‐associated antigens can be targets of therapeutics for malignant melanomas.
Covalent Attachment and Bioactivity of Horseradish Peroxidase on Plasma‐Polymerized Hexane Coatings
Authors: Kondyurin Alexey , Polonskyi Oleksandr , Nosworthy Neil , Matousek Jindrich , Hlidek Pavel , Biederman Hynek , Bilek Marcela M. M.
Published: August 2008

A plasma polymer coating from a hexane/argon mixture is deposited on PE. Protein attachment is investigated after incubation in a HRP‐containing buffer solution. Covalent bonding of the attached HRP is demonstrated by means of ATR FT‐IR, which shows that the protein peaks persist after washing in heated SDS solution. An enzyme activity assay demonstrates high levels of bioactivity of the attached protein over several days after washing. The retention of the protein's bioactivity depends on the coating's structure, which in turn depends on the potential between the plasma and the surface during deposition. Covalent coupling is less sensitive to polymerization parameters and occurred on polymer layers deposited both on grounded and negatively self‐biased electrodes.

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