bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prevalence study and Description of alli® use by patients with eating disorders
Authors: Steffen Kristine J. , Mitchell James E. , le Grange Daniel , Crow Scott J. , Attia Evelyn , Bulik Cynthia M. , Dellava Jocilyn E. , Bermudez Ovidio , Erickson Ann L. , Crosby Ross D. , Bansal‐Dev Vidhu P.
Published: May 2010

Objective:

This study examined the frequency and characteristics of alli® use among patients in eating disorder treatment facilities.

Method:

Patients from five treatment centers completed the Survey of Eating and Related Behaviors. Diagnoses were determined from survey responses.

Results:

Of 417 survey respondents, 26 (6.2%) reported a history of alli® use. Of those, 15 (57.7%) met criteria for an eating disorder, including one of 29 patients (3.4%) with anorexia nervosa binge‐purge subtype, six of 66 patients (9.1%) with full or subthreshold bulimia nervosa, four of 49 (8.2%) with binge eating disorder, one of six (16.7%) with purging disorder, and three of 80 (3.8%) with an eating disorder not otherwise specified.

Discussion:

The results of this survey suggest that patients with eating disorders use alli®, albeit relatively uncommonly. Therefore, it is worthwhile for clinicians to inquire about alli® use when evaluating or treating these patients in any clinical setting. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Eating patterns in patients with spectrum binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Harvey Kate , Rosselli Francine , Wilson G. Terence , DeBar Lynn L. , Striegel‐Moore Ruth H.
Published: May 2010

Objective:

We sought to describe meal and snack frequencies of individuals with recurrent binge eating and examine the association between these eating patterns and clinical correlates.

Method:

Data from 106 women with a minimum diagnosis of recurrent binge eating were used. Meal and snack frequencies were correlated with measures of weight, eating disorder features, and depression. Participants who ate breakfast every day (n = 25) were compared with those who did not (n = 81) on the same measures.

Results:

Breakfast was the least, and dinner the most, commonly consumed meal. Evening snacking was the most common snacking occasion. Meal patterns were not significantly associated with clinical correlates; however, evening snacking was associated with binge eating.

Discussion:

Our findings largely replicated those reported in earlier research. More research is needed to determine the role of breakfast consumption in binge eating. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:447–451)
Resilience of phreatophytic vegetation to groundwater drawdown: is recovery possible under a drying climate?
Authors: Sommer Bea , Froend Ray
Published: May 2010

Banksia (Proteaceae) woodlands are one of a number of groundwater‐dependent ecosystems in southwestern Western Australia that are threatened by groundwater abstraction. In addition to this threat is an ongoing decline in regional water tables due to a drying climate. We used ecological resilience theory to analyse and interpret a long‐term vegetation monitoring dataset from a site that has experienced an abstraction‐induced acute groundwater drawdown in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite reduced plant abundance, all dominant over‐ and understorey species were still found on all transect plots in which they were recorded pre‐drawdown. This suggests a notional resilience and a strong likelihood of recovery, in the event that pre‐drawdown ecohydrological habitat conditions were to return. However, since the drawdown event, the regional water table continued to decline, with the vegetation responding through progressive and uni‐directional change in abundance and composition. The change in composition was primarily manifested as a shift towards non‐woody, shallow‐rooted species not dependent on specific hydrological conditions. This slow, progressive change in hydrology associated with reduced rainfall and land use changes has continued to force a transition in the floristics towards an alternative ecohydrological state. Despite the absence of an acute drawdown event, the same progressive floristic response was also observed at two reference sites that were not under the immediate influence of production bores. The challenge for adaptive water resource management will be to enhance the capacity for resilience in these groundwater‐dependent ecosystems in a drying environment through appropriate regulation of groundwater abstraction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A revision of the Ordovician stratigraphy for the western Ireland Caledonides and implications for tectonic models
Authors: Ryan Kieran M. , Williams D. Michael , Coleman Drew S. , Loewy Staci
Published: May 2010

The western Ireland Ordovician stratigraphy has been previously used to constrain the timing of docking of an island arc and its fore‐arc basin with the margin of Laurentia for the British and Irish Caledonides. New field relationships and age data indicate that one of the key formations, the Rosroe Formation (459.2 ± 0.8 and 465.1 ± 2.1 Ma), and its supposed lateral equivalent, the Maumtrasna Formation are younger than previously interpreted. New age data for a tuff band in the Maumtrasna Formation (468.9 ± 1.3 Ma) also support previous studies showing it can be correlated to the adjacent Mweelrea Formation. The new field evidence, age data and geochemistry contradict some previous studies and show that the Maumtrasna, Rosroe and Derrylea formations can no longer be considered lateral equivalents. Based on the new stratigraphy a revised tectonic model is required with sedimentation in this part of the Caledonides taking place in a fore‐arc basin outboard of a continental arc and the oceanic arc was an along‐strike equivalent of this arc situated in an embayment of the Laurentian margin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The depression‐executive dysfunction (DED) syndrome and response to antidepressants: a meta‐analytic review
Authors: McLennan Skye N. , Mathias Jane L.
Published: May 2010

Background

The depression‐executive dysfunction (DED) model predicts that cognitive impairment, particularly executive dysfunction, is associated with poor response to antidepressant medication. A meta‐analysis was undertaken to assess the evidence for this hypothesis.

Methods

The PsycInfo and PubMed databases were searched to identify studies that examined response to antidepressant treatment in relation to pre‐treatment cognitive performance. Systematic screening yielded 17 eligible publications, providing data for 1269 individuals. Ninety cognitive tests and subtests were used by these studies; 30 were used by more than one study. Weighted mean Cohen's d effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals and Fail Safe Ns were calculated for these 30 tests.

Results

Five cognitive tests provided good discrimination (dw > 0.5) between patients who ultimately responded to antidepressant medication and those who failed to respond. One was a test of executive function but the remainder assessed other cognitive domains. Due to the small number of studies the influence of methodological factors, such as participant age and treatment duration, could not be statistically examined. However, a supplementary analysis restricted to nine studies where SSRIs were the only class of antidepressant revealed a similar pattern of results.

Conclusions

Performance on selected tests of executive function and non‐executive cognitive functions is associated with response to anti‐depressant medication in some populations. The available evidence does not provide strong support for the DED model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective disconnection of the hippocampal formation projections to the mammillary bodies produces only mild deficits on spatial memory tasks: Implications for fornix function
Authors: Vann Seralynne D. , Erichsen Jonathan T. , O'Mara Shane M. , Aggleton John P.
Published: May 2010

It is now clear that the integrity of the fornix is important for normal mnemonic function. The fornix, however, is a major white matter tract, carrying numerous hippocampal formation afferents and efferents, and it is not known which specific components support memory processes. Established theories of extended hippocampal function emphasize the sequential pathway from the hippocampal formation (i.e., subicular complex) to the mammillary bodies and, thence, to the anterior thalamus, as pathology in each of these structures is implicated in anterograde amnesia in humans and spatial memory deficits in rats. The specific importance of the hippocampal formation projections that just innervate the mammillary bodies has, however, never been tested. This study isolated these specific projections in the rat by selectively cutting the descending component of the postcommissural fornix. Two successive, cohorts of rats with these tract lesions were tested on working memory tasks in the water‐maze, T‐maze, and radial‐arm maze. Disconnecting the descending postcommissural fornix had only a mild effect or sometimes no apparent effect on the performance of these spatial memory tasks, even though tracing experiments confirmed the loss of hippocampal formation‐mammillary projections. One implication is that the spatial deficits found in rats following standard fornix lesions are only partly attributable to the loss of projections from the hippocampal formation to the mammillary bodies. Perhaps more surprising, the behavioral impact of cutting the descending postcommissural fornix in rats appeared appreciably less than the effect of either mammillary body or mammillothalamic tract lesions. The present experiments show that the mammillary bodies can still effectively support spatial memory in the absence of their dense subicular complex inputs, so revealing the importance of the other afferents for sustaining mammillary body function. This new evidence for independent functions shows that the mammillary bodies are more than just a hippocampal relay. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of different initialization protocols to obtain statistically independent molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Genheden Samuel , Ryde Ulf
Published: May 2010

We study how the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are affected by various choices during the setup, e.g., the starting velocities, the solvation, the location of protons, the conformation of His, Asn, and Gln residues, the protonation and titration of His residues, and the treatment of alternative conformations. We estimate the binding affinity of ligands to four proteins calculated with the MM/GBSA method (molecular mechanics combined with a generalized Born and surface area solvation energy). For avidin and T4 lysozyme, all variations gave similar results within 2 kJ/mol. For factor Xa, differences in the solvation or in the selection of alternative conformations gave results that are significantly different from those of the other approaches by 4–6 kJ/mol, whereas for galectin‐3, changes in the conformations, rotations, and protonation gave results that differed by 10 kJ/mol, but only if residues close to the binding site were modified. This shows that the results of MM/GBSA calculations are reasonably reproducible even if the MD simulations are set up with different software. Moreover, we show that the sampling of phase space can be enhanced by solvating the systems with different equilibrated water boxes, in addition to the common use of different starting velocities. If different conformations are available in the crystal structure, they should also be employed to enhance the sampling. Protonation, ionization, and conformations of Asn, Gln, and His may also be used to enhance sampling, but great effort should be spent to obtain as reliable predictions as possible close to the active site. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Local regulation of human breast xenograft models
Authors: Fleming Jodie M. , Miller Tyler C. , Meyer Matthew J. , Ginsburg Erika , Vonderhaar Barbara K.
Published: May 2010

Breast cancer studies implant human cancer cells under the renal capsule, subcutaneously, or orthotopically and often use estrogen supplementation and immune suppressants (etoposide) in xenograft mouse models. However, cell behavior is significantly impacted by signals from the local microenvironment. Therefore, we investigated how the combinatorial effect of the location of injection and procedural differences affected xenograft characteristics. Patient‐derived breast cancer cells were injected into mouse abdominal or thoracic mammary glands ± estrogen and/or etoposide pretreatment. Abdominal xenografts had increased tumor incidence and volume, and decreased latency (P < 0.001) compared to thoracic tumors. No statistically significant difference in tumor volume was found in abdominal xenografts treated ± estrogen or etoposide; however, etoposide suppressed tumor volume in thoracic xenografts (P < 0.02). The combination of estrogen and etoposide significantly decreased tumor incidence in both sites. In addition, mice treated ± estradiol were injected orthotopically or subcutaneously with well‐characterized breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, ZR75‐1, MDA MB‐231, or MCF10Ca1h). Orthotopic injection increased tumor volume; growth varied with estrogen supplementation. Location also altered methylation status of several breast cancer‐related gene promoters. Lastly, vascularization of orthotopic tumors was significantly enhanced compared to subcutaneous tumors. These data suggest that optimal xenograft success occurs with orthotopic abdominal injections and illustrate molecular details of the compelling influence of the local microenvironment on in vivo models. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 795–806, 2010. Published 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disabled‐2 is required for mesoderm differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells
Authors: Huang Chien‐Ling , Cheng Ju‐Chien , Kitajima Kenji , Nakano Toru , Yeh Chun‐Fung , Chong Kowit‐Yu , Tseng Ching‐Ping
Published: May 2010

A variety of signaling networks are implicated in the control of mesoderm differentiation. Previous studies demonstrated that Disabled‐2 (DAB2) is a multifunctional protein involved in growth factor signaling and embryonic development. In this study, we investigated DAB2 expression and function during in vitro mesoderm differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We found that DAB2 was up‐regulated when ESCs were co‐cultured with OP9 stromal cells for mesoderm differentiation. DAB2 was also up‐regulated when ESCs were induced for embryoid body formation. Expression of DAB2 short hairpin small interfering RNA (shDAB2) did not alter the puripotency of ESCs. However, shDAB2 disrupted ESCs cell‐cell adhesion and affected embryoid body and colony formation that subsequently impeded mesoderm differentiation of ESCs. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that disorganization of β‐catenin and plakoglobin cellular distribution may account for the aberrant cell–cell adhesion in DAB2‐deficient cells. Accordingly, DAB2 was identified as a plakoglobin‐binding partner with the interaction mediated by the phosphotyrosine binding domain of DAB2 and the Asn‐Pro‐Asp‐Tyr (NPDY) motif of plakoglobin. Molecular analysis and transcriptome profiling also revealed that DAB2 was involved in the regulation of insulin‐like growth factor 2‐mediated signaling and in the expression of p53, asparagine synthetase and glutathione peroxidase 2. Expression screening of 52 ESCs‐related miRNAs further unveiled the interplay between DAB2 and the signaling networks associated with cell death, differentiation and development. This study thereby defines a role of DAB2 in fate determination of ESCs and suggests the presence of a DAB2‐associated regulatory circuit in the control of mesoderm differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 92–105, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Authentication of the 31 species of toxic and potent chinese materia medica by microscopic technique assisted by ICP‐MS analysis, part 4: Four kinds of toxic and potent mineral arsenical CMMs
Authors: Li Qin , Chu Chu , Wang Ya‐Qiong , Chen Hu‐Biao , Li Ping , Zhao Zhong‐Zhen
Published: May 2010

Toxic and Potent Chinese Materia Medica (T/PCMM) is a special and very important category of Chinese medicines. They have long been used in traditional medical practice and are being used more and more widely throughout the world in recent years. As there may be many fatal toxic effects caused by misusing or confusion of T/PCMM, their quality and safety control arouse increasing attention internationally. Researches on the accurate identification to ensure the safe use of T/PCMM are acquired; however, there are few reports on authentication. We are carrying out a series of studies on 31 T/PCMM originating from plants, animals, minerals, and secreta. In our previous studies, we proved that modern microscopic authentication is a simple, fast, effective, low cost, and less toxic method for identifying animal, seed, and flower T/PCMM. In the present study, we focused on the authentication of four kinds of mineral arsenicals, including orpiment (mainly containing As2S3), realgar (mainly containing As4S4), arsenolite, and arsenic trioxide (mainly containing As2O3). We examined the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the above minerals and found that they all can be easily identified and authenticated by using light microscopy coupled with polarized microscopy. Moreover, the authentication results for arsenolite and arsenic trioxide are confirmed by ICP‐MS analysis. We are sure that the morphological and microscopic characteristics indicated here are indispensable to establishing standards for these four mineral T/PCMMs. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:1‐8, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of WGA lectin staining for visualization of the connective tissue in skeletal muscle, bone, and ligament/tendon studies
Authors: Kostrominova Tatiana Y.
Published: May 2010

During immunostaining of specific proteins in tissue sections using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, visualization of general tissue staining/background or major structural features is helpful to pinpoint precise localization of the protein of interest. Often in skeletal muscle research, immunostaining with antibodies against connective tissue or plasma membrane proteins (collagen 1, laminin, and caveolin 3) are used for this purpose. Although immunostaining for these proteins works well, it is time consuming, costly, limits the number of antibodies against protein of interest that can be used on a single section, and is not applicable to some staining techniques. Lectins were frequently used in earlier publications for skeletal muscle fiber boundaries and connective tissue visualization, but are not common in the current research studies. This work investigates costaining of muscle, bone, ligament, and tendon tissue sections with fluorescently tagged wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin as a tool for the visualization of connective tissue. The results of this study show that fluorescent WGA lectin costaining is a cost‐effective, fast, and convenient method for connective tissue visualization, especially in the studies where extensive washes reduce staining of the structures that are the primary interest of the investigation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:18‐22, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of ultrasonic excitation on the porosity of glass ionomer cement: A scanning electron microscope evaluation
Authors: Coldebella Cármen Regina , Santos‐Pinto Lourdes , Zuanon Angela Cristina Cilense
Published: May 2010

Background: Ultrasonic excitation (US) was applied to glass ionomer cement (GIC) during early set time to increase the advantageous properties of this material. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the inner porosity of GIC after US. Study design: A total of 16 specimens, for each material, were prepared from high‐viscosity GIC Fuji IX GP, Ketac Molar, and Ketac Molar Easymix. Half of these specimens (n = 8) received 30 s of US during the initial cement setting. After completion of the material setting, specimens were fractured and observed by scanning electronic microscopy to quantitatively assay porosity inside the material using Image J software. Results: Statistical data analysis revealed that US reduced the porosity for all tested materials (P ≤ 0.05). The following reductions (expressed in percentages) were achieved: Fuji IX—from 3.9% to 2.8%; Ketac Molar Easy Mix—from 4.4% to 2.6%, and Ketac Molar—from 2.4% to 1.6%. Conclusion: Under the tested conditions, US was an effective method for porosity reduction inside the material. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:54‐57, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Explanations for deformed frogs: plenty of research left to do (a response to Skelly and Benard)
Authors: Sessions Stanley K. , Ballengée Brandon
Published: May 2010

Our recent study (Ballengeé and Sessions, 2009. J Exp Zool (Mol Dev Evol) 312B:1–10) shows that deformed frogs with missing limbs can be explained by sublethal “selective predation” by predators that are too small, or have mouthparts that are too small, to consume whole tadpoles. Skelly and Benard do not agree with our conclusions and feel that they are not well founded. Here we respond to their critique. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:341–346, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and pharmacological screening of derivatives of isoxazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine and isoxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidine
Authors: Wagner Edwin , Al‐Kadasi Kamal , Becan Lilianna , Sawka‐Dobrowolska Wanda
Published: May 2010

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A number of derivatives of isoxazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine and isoxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidine were prepared with potential anticancer activity. Condensation of 4‐amino‐5‐benzoyl‐isoxazolo‐3‐carboxylic acid hydrazide with ethyl orthoformate and then with different amines gave a series of 3‐benzoyl‐7‐oxo‐7H‐isoxazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐6‐yl‐aryliden‐formamidine. A series of 5‐aminomethyl‐7‐phenyl‐isoxazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidine‐3‐carboxamide was obtained from 4‐amino‐5‐benzoylisoxazole‐3‐carboxamide with acetonitrile, and chloroacetonitrile with gaseous hydrogen chloride. Some of these compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Development of the ethmoidal structures of the endocranium in Discoglossus pictus (Anura: Discoglossidae)
Authors: Královec Karel , Roček Zbyněk , Žáková, Pavla , Mužáková Vladimíra
Published: May 2010

We use histological techniques and computer‐aided three‐dimensional reconstructions made from serial histological sections to describe the ontogeny of the ethmoidal endocranium of discoglossid frog Discoglossus pictus. We identify a pattern of development for the suprarostral cartilage that differs from previous findings and probably represents the ancestral anuran pattern. The nasal cartilages, including the inferior prenasal cartilage, are de novo adult structures. The only larva‐derived structures of the adult nasal capsules are the posterior aspects of the solum nasi and septum nasi. We also identify patterns of development for the ethmoid plate and postnasal wall that occur during early in ontogenesis. These patterns are associated with development events during metamorphic climax. The pattern of timing of chondrification of the anterior nasal cartilages more closely coincides with that of the neobatrachian species than that recorded for the pelobatid frog Spea. In addition, this study supports a sister taxon relationship between Discoglossus and Alytes. J. Morphol. 271:1078‐1093, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intra‐articular injections of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 retard progression of existing cartilage degeneration
Authors: Hayashi Masaya , Muneta Takeshi , Takahashi Toru , Ju Young‐Jin , Tsuji Kunikazu , Sekiya Ichiro
Published: May 2010

We investigated the effect of weekly intra‐articular injections of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 (BMP‐7) on prevention of progression of existing cartilage degeneration in an osteoarthritis model in rabbits. An anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model was used to create a progressive osteoarthritis model. BMP‐7 was intra‐articular injected weekly into the right knee and PBS into the left knee from 4 weeks after ACLT. Both sides of the knees were compared macroscopically, histologically, immunohistochemically, and by micro CT. Macroscopically, fibrillation in the femoral condyle was observed 4 weeks after ACLT. In the control knees, cartilage degeneration further progressed throughout the 12‐week period. In the BMP‐7 treated knee, osteoarthritis progression was milder than in the control knees. Histologically, safranin‐O staining was decreased in the surgical knees at 4 weeks. Obvious erosions in both medial and lateral condyles were revealed in the control knees at 12 weeks, while cartilage matrix was predominantly retained in the BMP‐7 treated knees. The macroscopic and microscopic OA score in the BMP‐7 treated knee was better than that in the control in each rabbit. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that both type II collagen and BMP‐7 were more expressed in cartilage treated with BMP‐7. Micro CT analysis showed that osteophytes were smaller in the BMP‐7 treated knee compared to that of the control. Weekly intra‐articular injections of BMP‐7 inhibited progression of existing cartilage degeneration. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1502–1506, 2010
Effect of core suture technique and type on the gliding resistance during cyclic motion following flexor tendon repair: A cadaveric study
Authors: Moriya Tamami , Zhao Chunfeng , Yamashita Toshihiko , An Kai‐Nan , Amadio Peter C.
Published: May 2010

We investigated the effects of two suture techniques using three suture types in a human model in vitro. We obtained 60 flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons from cadavers and measured the gliding resistance during 1,000 cycles of simulated flexion–extension motion and load to failure of six groups: the modified Kessler (MK) repair using 3‐0 coated, braided polyester (Ethibond, Ethicon, Somerville, NJ), 3‐0 coated, braided polyester/monofilament polyethylene composite (FiberWire®; Arthrex, Naples, FL), or 4‐0 FiberWire; and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) repair using 3‐0 Ethibond, 3‐0 FiberWire, or 4‐0 FiberWire. The 3‐0 Ethibond MGH suture had significantly higher ultimate load to failure than the 3‐0 or 4‐0 FiberWire MK suture. The 3‐0 and 4‐0 FiberWire MGH sutures had significantly higher load to failure than the three MK groups. The gliding resistances of the three MGH groups were significantly higher than that of the three corresponding MK groups. The MGH repair had more gliding resistance than an MK repair, even when comparing large diameter suture in the MK repair with smaller diameter suture in the MGH repair. In this study, suture technique was more important in predicting repair load to failure and gliding resistance than the nature or caliber of the suture material that was used. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1475–1481, 2010
The effect of spectral resolution on the Raman spectra of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and beta‐carotene mixtures
Authors: Alajtal A. I. , Edwards H. G. M. , Scowen I. J.
Published: May 2010

The spectroscopic basis for extraterrestrial life‐detection through the molecular signatures of relevant biomaterials is dependent upon several instrumental facilities which could effect the diagnostic interpretation of key Raman bands from relevant substances occurring together in the geological record. To this effect, the Raman spectra of several polyaromatic hydrocarbons have been investigated under different conditions of spectral resolution using FT‐Raman‐spectroscopy operating at 1064 nm laser excitation wavelength. The observed Raman spectra are considerably altered under different conditions of spectral resolution; in particular, the discrimination between several polyaromatic hydrocarbons and beta‐carotene no longer becomes possible as the spectral resolution decreases. These results are relevant for the evaluation of miniaturised Raman spectrometers for space flight missions and incorporation into instrumentation for landers and rovers being proposed for future missions to Mars. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of PDMS‐, PVP‐, and PS‐Containing ABCBA Pentablock Copolymers
Authors: Pavlović Dražen , Linhardt Jeffrey G. , Künzler Jay F. , Shipp Devon A.
Published: May 2010

Amphiphilic ABCBA pentablock copolymers based on PVP, PS, and PDMS were synthesized using a combination of ATRP and RAFT polymerizations. The PVP‐block‐PS‐block‐PDMS‐block‐PS‐block‐PVP pentablock copolymer was characterized using a variety of chromatography and spectroscopic methods which showed that a high degree of end group and molecular weight control can be achieved. Preliminary analysis of the aqueous solution behavior of the pentablock copolymer showed that it self‐assembles in water in order to shield the PDMS and PS segments from the water.

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Polymeric Squaraine Dyes as Electron Donors in Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Völker Sebastian F. , Uemura Shinobu , Limpinsel Moritz , Mingebach Markus , Deibel Carsten , Dyakonov Vladimir , Lambert Christoph
Published: May 2010

A polysquaraine low‐band‐gap polymer was synthesized by Yamamoto coupling of a monomeric dibromoindolenine squaraine dye. The resulting polymer has $\overline M _{\rm w} $ ≈ 34 000 and PDI ≈ 1.7. The electronic properties of monomer and polymer were investigated by CV, absorption, and emission spectroscopy. Bulk heterojunction solar cells were prepared from blends of the polysquaraine with the fullerene derivative PCBM in different weight ratios (1:3 to 1:1). The power conversion efficiencies under simulated AM1.5 conditions yielded 0.45% for these non‐optimized systems. The EQE shows that the photoresponse spans the range from 300 to 850 nm, which illustrates the promising properties of this novel organic semiconductor as a low band gap donor material in organic photovoltaics.

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Emergent conditions and multiple criteria analysis in infrastructure prioritization for developing countries
Authors: Karvetski Christopher W. , Lambert James H. , Linkov Igor
Published: May 2010

With coordinated military and civil operations in developing countries, the integration of local stakeholder values with the goals of security and nation building is crucial. Such integration encourages innovative and effective courses of action and prioritization of resources. Although tools of multi‐criteria decision analysis are well suited for resource prioritization, designing practical stakeholder value judgment elicitation in developing countries is a challenge because of cultural, organizational, and other barriers. Specifically, the weight of individual decision criteria can increase or decrease when diverse scenarios of emergent conditions are introduced or advocated by various stakeholders. This article develops methodology to identify the most important emergent conditions for infrastructure planning among a set of scenarios involving military and civil stakeholders. Across the infrastructure development alternatives, we identify scenarios that represent opportunities and those that represent threats. We adapt the framework of the swing weighting method for recalibration of a baseline value function with a variety of assumptions of scenarios, where each scenario is composed of one or more emergent conditions. The approach reduces the typical demand on stakeholders for elicitation of preference weights, as the entire value function is not entirely reconstructed per scenario. The approach and methodology were tested in a strategy workshop with more than 50 international participants and presented to ministry officials in a developing country. The testing integrated political, economic, environmental, and technology emergent conditions for prioritizing among infrastructure projects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exercise intolerance due to cytochrome b mutation
Authors: Massie Rami , Wong Lee‐Jun C. , Milone Margherita
Published: May 2010

Cytochrome b mutations are rare causes of exercise intolerance. We report an 18‐year‐old man with exercise intolerance since childhood, resting lactic acidosis, cytochrome c oxidase (COX)‐positive ragged‐red fibers, and isolated muscle complex III deficiency due to a heteroplasmic m.14849T>C mutation in cytochrome
b. We review previously described patients carrying mutations in the same gene. COX‐positive ragged‐red fibers together with exercise intolerance and lactic acidemia provide a clue for the diagnosis of this rare mitochondrial disorder. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Endurance exercise training in myostatin null mice
Authors: Savage Kathleen J. , McPherron Alexandra C.
Published: May 2010

The growth factor myostatin (Mstn) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Mstn−/− muscles are hypertrophied, stronger, and more glycolytic than Mstn+/+ muscles, suggesting that they might not perform endurance exercise as well as Mstn+/+ mice. Indeed, it has previously been shown that treadmill exercise training reduces triceps weight in Mstn−/− mice. To analyze the response of Mstn−/− muscle to endurance exercise in detail, we carried out endurance training over 4 weeks to examine muscle mass, histology, and oxidative enzyme activity. We found that muscle mass was reduced with training in several muscles from both genotypes, with no evidence of muscle damage. Citrate synthase activity was increased with training in control and mutant mice. Non‐trained Mstn−/− mice did, however, have lower maximal exercise capacity compared with Mstn+/+ mice. These results show that Mstn−/− muscle retains the metabolic plasticity necessary to adapt normally to endurance training. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Hypoglossal nerve conduction findings in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ramchandren Sindhu , Gruis Kirsten L. , Chervin Ronald D. , Lisabeth Lynda D. , Concannon Maryann , Wolfe James , Albers James W. , Brown Devin L.
Published: May 2010

Denervation of oropharyngeal muscles in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been suggested by needle electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy, but little is known about oropharyngeal nerve conduction abnormalities in OSA. We sought to compare hypoglossal nerve conduction studies in patients with and without OSA. Unilateral hypoglossal nerve conduction studies were performed on 20 subjects with OSA and 20 age‐matched controls using standard techniques. Median age was 48 years in OSA subjects and 47 years in controls. Hypoglossal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes were significantly reduced (P = 0.01, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test), but prolongation of latencies in OSA subjects did not reach significance in comparison to those of controls. Among a subgroup of subjects without polyneuropathy (15 pairs), reduced amplitudes in OSA subjects retained borderline significance (P = 0.05). Hypoglossal nerve conduction abnormalities may distinguish patients with OSA from controls. These abnormalities could potentially contribute to, or arise from, OSA. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Normal estimation on manifolds by gradient learning
Authors: Shi Lei , Zhou Ding‐Xuan
Published: May 2010

Normal estimation is an important topic for processing point cloud data and surface reconstruction in computer graphics. In this paper we consider the problem of estimating normals for a (unknown) submanifold of a Euclidean space of codimension 1 from random points on the manifold. We propose a kernel‐based learning algorithm in an unsupervised form of gradient learning. The algorithm can be implemented by solving a linear algebra problem. Error analysis is conducted under conditions on the true normals of the manifold and the sampling distribution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the feasibility of recycled polystyrene doped with NLO active meta‐Nitroaniline for optoelectronics applications
Authors: Sureshkumar M.S. , Goyal R.K. , Negi Y.S. , Pratheepkumar A. , Reddy K. Raghunatha , Singh R.P. , Dadge J.W. , Aiyer R.C.
Published: May 2010

A Guest–Host system based on meta‐Nitroaniline (m‐NA) and recycled polystyrene (RPS) susceptible to generate nonlinear optically (NLO) active property such as second harmonic generation (SHG) has been prepared. Pure, sublimed, optical grade, crystalline m‐NA is used as a guest and RPS from the disposable packaging waste as available utilized as the host polymer. In this paper we report the effect of NLO active m‐NA on the bulk and optical properties of RPS. The purified m‐NA was incorporated from 1–10 wt% in the RPS polymer matrix by conventional solution casting method. Thin, transparent, freestanding films obtained were characterized with optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), viscosity measurement, and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy for bulk properties evaluation and Nd:YAG laser studies for optoelectronics application such as SHG through frequency doubling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin and evolution of somatic cell testicular tumours in transgenic mice
Authors: Quintana Silvina , Venara Marcela , Rey Rodolfo , di Clemente Nathalie , Chemes Héctor E
Published: May 2010

Transgenic mice bearing a construct in which the expression of the SV40 oncogene is directed by the AMH promoter (AT mice) develop testicular tumours in adult life. We aimed to study early steps of tumour development and characterize tumours at different ages by histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical techniques. One‐ to 3‐month‐old AT mice depicted multifocal Leydig cell hyperplasia. The testicular volume occupied by interstitial tissue was significantly higher in 3‐month‐old AT mice in comparison with littermate controls. Between 5 1/2 and 7 months, microscopic interstitial tumours developed that progressively evolved to form large confluent areas of high mitotic index in 7‐ to 14‐month‐old AT mice. Tumour cells had the characteristics and histoarchitecture of Leydig cells, or formed solid cord‐like structures reminiscent of those seen in Sertoli cell tumours. Hyperplastic areas and tumours diffusely expressed 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) in Leydig cell areas. AMH expression was negative in Leydig cell conglomerates and tumours and variable in cord‐like tumours. The SV40 T antigen and markers of cell proliferation (PCNA) were intensely positive in hyperplastic cells and tumours. Control mice of similar ages showed neither hyperplasia nor tumours, and SV40 T expression was always negative. In conclusion, transgenic mice develop large testicular tumours that are preceded by interstitial hyperplasia and microtumours. The histological and immunohistochemical phenotype of tumours (Leydig and Sertoli cell differentiation, positive 3β‐HSD, and variable AMH) suggests a mixed differentiation of somatic cells of the specialized gonadal stroma. The finding that an oncogene directed by a promoter specifically active in fetal Sertoli cells has given rise to testicular tumours of mixed differentiation is compatible with a common origin of Leydig and Sertoli cells from the specific stroma of the gonadal ridge, as supported by double labelling experiments in fetal mice showing co‐localization of the transgene with Sertoli and Leydig cell markers. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sleep patterns in pediatric sickle cell disease
Authors: Daniel Lauren C. , Grant Mitzie , Kothare Sanjeev V. , Dampier Carlton , Barakat Lamia P.
Published: May 2010

Background

Research examining sleep in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has focused on the increased occurrence of specific sleep disorders (i.e., sleep‐disordered breathing, hypoxemia, nocturnal enuresis), but no research exists describing general sleep behaviors of children with SCD. The purpose of the current study was to compare sleep patterns and sleep behaviors in children with SCD and healthy controls and examine the associations of demographic and disease factors with sleep in the SCD group.

Procedure

The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was completed by parents of 4‐ to 10‐year‐old children with SCD (n = 54) and children attending well‐care clinics in the same urban hospital (n = 52). Within the SCD group, demographic and disease factors [i.e., genotype, healthcare utilization, SCD complications, and socioeconomic status (SES)] were determined by medical chart review.

Results

Parents of children with SCD reported significantly more behaviors associated with night waking and sleep‐disordered breathing than the control group. Within the SCD group, parasomnias were related to SES, enuresis, more severe genotypes, SCD complications, and healthcare utilization. Sleep‐disordered breathing was also related to SES, enuresis, and SCD complications.

Conclusions

Results indicate the importance of routinely assessing sleep in children with SCD as they are more likely to exhibit disrupted sleep than children with similar demographic backgrounds. Given significantly higher rates of parent reported sleep‐disordered breathing and night waking in this population, it is important to consider interventions to minimize disruptions to overnight sleep and improve daytime functioning for quality of life in children with SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:501–507. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biosimilars: pharmacovigilance and risk management
Authors: Zuñiga Leyre , Calvo Begoña
Published: May 2010

Biosimilars cannot be authorised based on the same requirements that apply to generic medicines. Despite the fact that the biosimilar and reference drug can show similar efficacy, the biosimilar may exhibit different safety profile in terms of nature, seriousness or incidence of adverse reactions. However, the data from pre‐authorisation clinical studies normally are insufficient to identify all potential differences. Therefore, clinical safety of similar biological medicinal products must be monitored closely on an ongoing basis during the post‐approval phase including continued risk–benefit assessment.

The biosimilar applicant must provide the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) with a risk management plan (EU‐RMP) and pharmacovigilance programme with its application, including a description of the potential safety issues associated with the similar biological medicinal product that may be a result of differences in the manufacturing process from the reference biologic. The most critical safety concern relating to biopharmaceuticals (including biosimilars) is immunogenicity.

Risk management applies scientifically based methodologies to identify, assess, communicate and minimise risk throughout a drug's life cycle so as to establish and maintain a favourable benefit–risk profile in patients. The risk management plan for biosimilars should focus on heightens the pharmacovigilance measures, identify immunogenicity risk and implement special post‐marketing surveillance.

Although International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) served as a useful tool in worldwide pharmacovigilance, for biologicals they should not be relied upon as the only means of product identification. Biologicals should always be commercialised with a brand name or the INN plus the manufacturer's name. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of binary polymer/surfactant or ternary polymer/surfactant/Cu2+ complexes in aqueous solution through Nile red probing
Authors: Iatridi Zacharoula , Daktiloudis Aris , Bokias Georgios
Published: May 2010

The optical properties (absorption and emission) of Nile red have been widely used for staining or probing purposes in diverse aqueous systems. However, the applications of Nile red for the determination of the critical aggregation concentration of polymer/surfactant complexes or for the investigation of ternary polymer/surfactant/Cu2+ systems are very limited. The interactions between anionic polyelectrolytes and the oppositely charged surfactant N,N,N,N‐dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride were investigated in dilute aqueous solution, exploiting the optical properties of Nile red. It is shown that the emission properties of Nile red present better sensitivity than its absorption properties, concerning the detection of the hydrophobic polymer/surfactant complexes formed in aqueous solution. Moreover, it is found that the formation of ternary polymer/surfactant/Cu2+ complexes leads to a pronounced quenching of the luminescence of Nile red. The corresponding Stern–Volmer plots indicate that quenching is more favourable when coordination of Cu2+ ions with poly(sodium acrylate) takes place, as compared to simple electrostatic binding of these ions with poly(sodium styrene sulfonate). Nile red is a sensitive and accurate tool, as an alternative to pyrene, for the characterization of binary polymer/surfactant complexes or for obtaining information on the local arrangement of ternary polymer/surfactant/Cu2+ systems in aqueous solution. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of ω‐amino‐α‐phenylcarbonate alkanes and their polymerization to [n]‐polyurethanes
Authors: Arce Silvina M , Kolender Adriana A , Varela Oscar
Published: May 2010

Aliphatic [n]‐polyurethanes have recently been synthesized from ω‐isocyanato‐α‐alkanols or, more traditionally, by cationic ring‐opening polymerization of cyclourethanes or by the Bu2Sn(OMe)2‐promoted polycondensation of ω‐hydroxy‐α‐O‐phenylurethane alkanes. For the latter procedures, the conditions employed do not seem to be suitable for highly functionalized monomers. In contrast, the polymerization of ω‐amino‐α‐phenylcarbonate alkanes is expected to occur under milder conditions. ω‐Amino‐α‐phenylcarbonate alkanes have been synthesized from 6‐aminohexanol (1) and 3‐aminopropanol (6). The procedure involves the N‐Boc protection of the amino group, followed by activation of the alcohol. Removal of the N‐Boc affords the corresponding ω‐amino‐1‐O‐phenyloxycarbonyloxyalkane hydrochlorides. Other oligomeric comonomers between 1 and 6 have been prepared. The polymerization of these precursors takes place in the absence of metal catalysts to afford the corresponding linear and regioregular [n]‐polyurethanes. The procedure described is useful for the preparation of stable ω‐amino‐α‐phenylcarbonate alkane derivatives, which possess varied chain lengths between the terminal functions. These monomers yield [n]‐polyurethanes having various structures starting from just two aminoalkanols. The polyurethanes were obtained in high yields, with reasonable molecular weight and polydispersity values, and they were characterized spectroscopically and thermally. These studies reveal constitutionally uniform structures that are free of carbonate or urea linkages. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Structure of the dimerization domain of DiGeorge Critical Region 8
Authors: Senturia Rachel , Faller Michael , Yin Sheng , Loo Joseph A. , Cascio Duilio , Sawaya Michael R. , Hwang Daniel , Clubb Robert T. , Guo Feng
Published: May 2010

Maturation of microRNAs (miRNAs, ∼22nt) from long primary transcripts [primary miRNAs (pri‐miRNAs)] is regulated during development and is altered in diseases such as cancer. The first processing step is a cleavage mediated by the Microprocessor complex containing the Drosha nuclease and the RNA‐binding protein DiGeorge critical region 8 (DGCR8). We previously reported that dimeric DGCR8 binds heme and that the heme‐bound DGCR8 is more active than the heme‐free form. Here, we identified a conserved dimerization domain in DGCR8. Our crystal structure of this domain (residues 298–352) at 1.7 Å resolution demonstrates a previously unknown use of a WW motif as a platform for extensive dimerization interactions. The dimerization domain of DGCR8 is embedded in an independently folded heme‐binding domain and directly contributes to association with heme. Heme‐binding‐deficient DGCR8 mutants have reduced pri‐miRNA processing activity in vitro. Our study provides structural and biochemical bases for understanding how dimerization and heme binding of DGCR8 may contribute to regulation of miRNA biogenesis.