bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N2O fluxes from a Haplic Luvisol under intensive production of lettuce and cauliflower as affected by different N‐fertilization strategies
Authors: Pfab Helena , Palmer Iris , Buegger Franz , Fiedler Sabine , Müller Torsten , Ruser Reiner
Published: December 2010

Vegetable‐production systems often show high soil mineral‐N contents and, thus, are potential sources for the release of the climate‐relevant trace gas N2O from soils. Despite numerous investigations on N2O fluxes, information on the impact of vegetable‐production systems on N2O emissions in regions with winter frost is still rare. This present study aimed at measuring the annual N2O emissions and the total yield of a lettuce–cauliflower rotation at different fertilization rates on a Haplic Luvisol in a region exposed to winter frost (S Germany). We measured N2O emissions from plots fertilized with 0, 319, 401, and 528 kg N ha–1 (where the latter three amounts represented a strongly reduced N‐fertilization strategy, a target value system [TVS] in Germany, and the N amount fertilized under good agricultural practices). The N2O release from the treatments was 2.3, 5.7, 8.8, and 10.6 kg N2O‐N ha–1 y–1, respectively. The corresponding emission factors calculated on the basis of the total N input ranged between 1.3% and 1.6%. Winter emission accounted for 45% of the annual emissions, and a major part occurred after the incorporation of cauliflower residues. The annual N2O emission was positively correlated with the nitrate content of the top soil (0–25 cm) and with the N surpluses of the N balance. Reducing the amount of N fertilizer applied significantly reduced N2O fluxes. Since there was no significant effect on yields if fertilization was reduced from 528 kg N ha–1 according to “good agricultural practice” to 401 kg N ha–1 determined by the TVS, we recommend this optimized fertilization strategy.
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and reconstruction using autologous vein graft for the treatment of inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Munene Gitonga , Mack Lloyd A. , Moore Randy D. , Temple Walley J.
Published: December 2010

Background and Objectives

Inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcomas are rare and are a relatively small subset of retroperitoneal sarcomas. The current approach is resection and ligation or reconstruction of the IVC. This study was undertaken to analyze the outcomes associated with the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and IVC reconstruction in the treatment of IVC leiomyosarcoma.

Methods

A retrospective clinicopathological review of patients treated during a 10‐year period.

Results

Four patients were treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, median 47.5 Gy, all underwent margin negative resection with 75% of the tumors being high grade and all patients requiring resection of adjacent organs. Reconstruction of the IVC was performed with an autologous superficial femoral vein graft. There were no mortalities and the morbidity rate was 50%. At a median follow up of 37 months; two patients had a patent IVC, no patients had a local recurrence, and one patient developed a distant metastases treated successfully with metastectomy.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and resection of the IVC leiomyosarcoma resulted in 100% local control, and all patients are alive at median follow up of 37 months. IVC reconstruction with the superficial femoral vein is safe and associated with acceptable short and long term morbidity. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:175–178. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional ability and physical activity in children and young adults after limb‐salvage or ablative surgery for lower extremity bone tumors
Authors: Bekkering W. Peter , Vliet Vlieland Theodora P.M. , Koopman Hendrik M. , Schaap Gerard R. , Bart Schreuder H.W. , Beishuizen Auke , Jutte Paul C. , Hoogerbrugge Peter M. , Anninga Jacob K. , Nelissen Rob G.H.H. , Taminiau Antonie H.M.
Published: December 2010

Background

Aim of our study was to compare functional ability and physical activity in children and young adults who underwent surgery for a malignant bone tumor that was located around the knee.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 82 patients aged 8–25 years with a follow‐up of 1–5 years. The functional ability and the amount of physical activity were evaluated by means of questionnaires and objective instruments.

Results

Thirty nine patients underwent limb‐salvage surgery (24 allograft and 15 endoprosthesis) and 43 underwent ablative surgery (27 amputations and 16 rotationplasty). Patients in the limb‐salvage group were significantly older at the time of surgery than patients in the ablative group (mean age 15.2 years vs. 13.2 years, P = 0.03). Apart from significantly better scores for the timed up and down stairs and various walking activities in the limb‐salvage group as compared to the ablative surgery group, no significant differences were seen for any of the outcome measures.

Conclusions

One to 5 years after limb‐salvage and ablative surgery due to a malignant bone tumor children and young adults do, apart from a few activities involving walking and climbing stairs, not differ with respect to overall functional ability and physical activity. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:276–282. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolomics and surgical oncology: Potential role for small molecule biomarkers
Authors: Davis Vanessa W. , Bathe Oliver F. , Schiller Daniel E. , Slupsky Carolyn M. , Sawyer Michael B.
Published: December 2010

Metabolomics, the newest of the “omics” sciences, has brought much excitement to the field of oncology as a potential new translational tool capable of bringing the molecular world of cancer care to the bedside. While still early in its development, metabolomics could alter the scope and role of surgery in the multidisciplinary treatment of cancer. This review examines potential roles of metabolomics in areas of early cancer detection, personalized therapeutics and tumorigenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:451–459. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vascular endothelial growth factors and angiopoietins in presentations and prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Hsueh Chuen , Lin Jen‐Der , Wu I‐Chin , Chao Tzu‐Chieh , Yu Jau‐Song , Liou Miaw‐Jene , Yeh Chi‐Ju
Published: December 2010

Aims

Angiogenesis from thyroid cancer cell plays the important roles in post‐surgical persistent, recurrent, and metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study is to investigate the expression of angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1), angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2), Tek/Tie‐2 receptor, and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in normal, benign thyroid tissues and different stage of PTC. We expect angiogenetic factors are important in the presentation of local‐regional neck or distant metastases in PTC.

Materials and Results

A total of 101 tissues from the subjects underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled in the study. There were 22 control and 79 thyroid cancer patients in different TNM stagings were collected. Ang‐1 illustrated highest mean immunostaining score in metastatic group. Comparing with normal and benign thyroid tissues, thyroid cancer tissues illustrated significantly high expression of three angiogenetic factors and Tie‐2 receptor. Of the PTC, significantly high expression of three angiogenetic factors and Tie‐2 receptor were illustrated in recurrent cases. VEGF showed statistical difference in disease‐free cancer mortality, and recurrent groups.

Conclusions

Immunochemical staining illustrated VEGF, Ang‐1, Ang‐2 expression in PTC tissues related to clinical staging; however, we need more information concerning these factors with long‐term follow‐up results. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:395–399. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased post‐operative complications with methylene blue versus lymphazurin in sentinel lymph node biopsies for skin cancers
Authors: Neves Rogerio I. , Reynolds Brandon Q. , Hazard Sprague W. , Saunders Brian , Mackay Donald R.
Published: December 2010

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB) is the standard of care in staging of melanoma and other skin cancers. Early studies used lymphazurin (LZ) for SLNB. A national shortage of LZ promoted methylene blue (MB) as an alternate stain.

Objective

This study compares complication rates between LZ and MB in SLNB patients, and the reliability dyes in locating sentinel lymph nodes.

Methods

Charts were reviewed for patients who underwent SLNB for skin cancers between September 2006 and November 2008 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The type and quantity of dye, the presence of blue stained sentinel nodes, and any complications were recorded.

Results

Ninety‐three patients underwent SLNB (46 LZ, 47 MB). The amount of dye used was similar (avg. 0.93 ml LZ, 1.24 ml MB). The complication rate of LZ was 8.7%, and MB was 25.5%. There was significantly more (P = 0.003) skin graft complications in the MB patients (6/12) versus LZ (0/15).

Conclusions

There is a higher rate of complications with MB, especially with skin grafting. The reported risk of anaphylaxis with LZ has not been reported in volumes <2 ml. The sentinel lymph node identification rate is historically similar between dyes, and in this study was noted to be higher with LZ. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:421–425. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impression of Liusanjie: Effect of mood on experience and satisfaction
Authors: Huang Yanling , Scott Noel , Ding Peiyi , Cheng Daopin
Published: December 2010

This paper examines the effect of mood on satisfaction derived from experiencing an iconic and immersive cultural performance in Guilin, China called Impression of Liusanjie using structural equation modeling. Mood, together with visitor expectations and performance evaluations, was found to be significantly related to satisfaction and future intentions to recommend the show to others. Satisfaction was more strongly related to experiential evaluation of the performance than with attribute evaluation. The results indicate that understanding the mood and experiential outcomes for visitors at a performance is important increasing satisfaction and word‐of‐mouth recommendations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Farmers' land management practices and status of agricultural land in the Jos Plateau, Nigeria
Authors: Thapa G. B. , Yila O. M.
Published: December 2010

A wide range of land management practices, including application of fertilizers, contour‐plowing, stone bunds, mulching and agroforestry, have been adopted by farmers in the Jos Plateau to control degradation. This study examined the relative popularity of 13 land management practices based on mainly qualitative primary information collected through a questionnaire survey of 150 farm households and group discussions held during May to August 2007. The results of the analysis revealed four practices, namely, application of chemical fertilizers and farm yard manure, intercropping and crop rotation were highly popular. These practices generally need little technical skills, show positive short‐term benefits and short establishment time, suggesting that the benefits of increased productivity can be obtained quite quickly. Practices like agroforestry, mulching, legume cultivation and crop residue barriers were moderately popular as they take time, sometimes up to 3 years, before some benefits could be manifested. For farmers dependent on the farm income without any financial back‐up, this is too long as many do not have the economic capital to apply a practice that will only start showing benefits after a few years. The least popular practices were stone and earthen bunds, grass strips, alley cropping and contour‐plowing. These prove to be more labour intensive, and with dwindling labour force in the area, the adoption trend favours other practices requiring relative less labour. Farmers could not control land degradation effectively, despite their efforts made to manage land. Broad policy recommendations are made in line with findings of the analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of solid lubricant for improving tribological properties in turning process
Authors: Suresh Kumar Reddy N. , Nouari Mohammed
Published: December 2010

Control of machining zone temperature is achieved by providing effective cooling and lubrication. Though cutting fluids are widely used to carry away the heat in metal cutting, they cannot be recommended in the light of ecological and economic manufacture. Hence, there arises a need to identify eco‐friendly and user‐friendly alternatives to conventional cutting fluids. The present work features a specific study of the application of molybdenum disulphide as solid lubricant for improving tribological properties in turning and to overcome the limitations that arise with the use of cutting fluids or while dry machining. An experimental setup developed has been used to maintain constant flow rate of solid lubricant powder continuously on to the workpiece and tool interface zone. Results are encouraging with overall improvement in machining properties in terms considered parameters as compared to wet and dry techniques, due to the reduction in friction at tool/work and tool/chip interface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A parametric investigation of the friction performance of electroless Ni‐B coatings
Authors: Das Suman Kalyan , Sahoo Prasanta
Published: December 2010

Friction performance of electroless Ni‐B coatings sliding against steel is experimentally investigated in this paper. Friction performance is measured in terms of coefficient of friction (COF) for varying tribological testing parameters such as load, speed and time. Taguchi‐based optimisation of the testing parameters is attempted to find the optimal combination of testing parameters for minimum COF. An analysis of variance reveals that all the testing parameters have significant influence on the friction performance of the coating. Also, the interaction between load and speed is found to affect the friction more compared with the rest of the interactions. The coating characterisation is done with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray and X‐ray diffraction analysis. It is found that the Ni‐B coating is amorphous in the as‐deposited condition but gradually turns crystalline with heat treatment. The sliding tracks observed with SEM showed that abrasive failure is the predominant wear mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local lipschitz regularity of vector valued local minimizers of variational integrals with densities depending on the modulus of the gradient
Authors: Fuchs Martin
Published: December 2010

If \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$u : {\mathbb R}^{n}\supset \Omega \rightarrow {\mathbb R}^{M} $\end{document} locally minimizes the functional ∫Ωh(|∇u|) dx with h such that ${{h^{\prime }(t)}\over{t}} \le h^{\prime \prime }(t) \le c\, (1 + t^2)^\omega {{h^{\prime }(t)}\over{t}} $ for all t ⩾ 0, then u is locally Lipschitz independent of the value of ω ⩾ 0. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Uniqueness implies existence and uniqueness conditions for a class of (k + j)‐point boundary value problems for nth order differential equations
Authors: Eloe Paul , Henderson Johnny
Published: December 2010

For the nth order nonlinear differential equation, y(n) = f(x, y, y′, …, y(n−1)), we consider uniqueness implies existence results for solutions satisfying certain (k + j)‐point boundary conditions, 1 ⩽ j ⩽ n − 1, and 1 ⩽ k ⩽ n − j. We define (k; j)‐point unique solvability in analogy to k‐point disconjugacy and we show that (n − j0; j0)‐point unique solvability implies (k; j)‐point unique solvability for 1 ⩽ j ⩽ j0, and 1 ⩽ k ⩽ n − j. This result is in analogy to n‐point disconjugacy implies k‐point disconjugacy, 2 ⩽ k ⩽ n − 1. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Oncogenic H‐Ras, FK228, and exogenous H2O2 cooperatively activated the erk pathway in selective induction of human urinary bladder cancer j82 cell death
Authors: Choudhary Shambhunath , Wang Kwo‐Kwang Abraham , Wang Hwa‐Chain Robert
Published: December 2010

More than 35% of human urinary bladder cancers involve oncogenic H‐Ras activation. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the ERK pathway in mediating apoptotic signals induced by oncogenic H‐Ras, FK228 treatment, and exogenous H2O2 treatment to increase Nox‐1 elevation, leading to production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) for inducing apoptosis in human bladder cancer J82 cells. Our study revealed that FK228 combined with exogenous H2O2 cooperatively induced activation of Mek1/2 and Erk1/2 to increase Nox‐1 elevation, intracellular ROS production, caspase activation, and cell death. Expression of oncogenic H‐Ras significantly increased these FK228‐ and exogenous H2O2‐induced effects. Oncogenic H‐Ras‐increased cell susceptibility to FK228 could be alternately achieved by additional treatment with exogenous H2O2. Hence, combined use of FK228 with ROS‐generating agents may apply to therapeutic strategies to preferentially kill malignant cells with or without oncogenic H‐Ras activation. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemopreventive effect of ERβ‐Selective agonist on intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ Mice
Authors: Giroux Véronique , Bernatchez Gérald , Carrier Julie C.
Published: December 2010

Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that estrogen replacement therapy reduces the risk of colon cancer in postmenopausal women. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is thought to be the principal mediator of the estrogen effect in the colon. Recent studies by our team suggested positive regulation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)β pathway by estrogen in mice colonocytes. We therefore wanted to investigate the effects of ERβ agonist treatment on intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Weaned ApcMin/+ mice were injected subcutaneously three times a week for 12 wk with vehicle or ERβ‐selective agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN, 5 mg/kg). DPN administration resulted in a significant reduction in small intestinal polyp multiplicity in both ApcMin/+ male and female mice. Furthermore, the mean diameter of small intestinal polyps was lower in DPN‐treated than vehicle‐treated males, along with lower BrdU incorporation indices in jejunal and colon epithelial cells of both sexes. DPN treatment also increased apoptosis in colon epithelium as measured by TUNEL assay and cleaved caspase 3 quantification. The effect of DPN on various components of the TGFβ pathway was also studied in colonocytes. DPN treatment increased expression of TGFβ1 and TGFβ3 transcripts, levels of nuclear and phosphorylated Smad2 as well as p27 cell‐cycle inhibitor, a TGFβ pathway target gene. Our results demonstrate that DPN treatment reduces intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Furthermore, we suggest that positive regulation of the TGFβ pathway by ERβ activation could contribute to the protective role of estrogen in intestinal tumor development. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy balance modulates colon tumor growth: Interactive roles of insulin and estrogen
Authors: Rondini Elizabeth A. , Harvey Alison E. , Steibel Juan P. , Hursting Stephen D. , Fenton Jenifer I.
Published: December 2010

Obesity increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and progression. However, the impact of obesity on CRC in women is dependent on ovarian hormone status. The purpose of this study was to determine the interactive roles of obesity and ovarian hormones on serum markers of inflammation, cell signaling, and transplanted colon tumor growth. Female C57BL/6 mice (6 wk) were either ovariectomized (OVX) or ovaries left intact (nonovariectomized, NOVX) and randomized to receive a (1) control, (2) 30% calorie‐restricted (CR), or (3) diet‐induced obese (DIO) diet regimen for 20 wk to induce differing levels of adiposity. Serum was collected and inflammatory and metabolic markers were measured using an antibody array (62 proteins) and ELISAs. Mice were subcutaneously injected with syngeneic MC38 colon cancer cells after 20 wk and sacrificed 4 wk later. CR mice had the smallest tumors irrespective of hormone status, whereas the largest tumors were observed in DIO‐OVX mice. Glucose tolerance was impaired in OVX mice, being most severe in the DIO‐OVX group. Cytokine arrays suggested that in CR animals, inhibition of tumor growth paralleled insulin sensitivity and associated changes in leptin, adiponectin, and IGF‐BPs. Conversely, in DIO‐OVX animals, tumor growth was associated with insulin and leptin resistance as well as higher levels of pro‐inflammatory proteins. In vitro, leptin and adiponectin had no effect, whereas insulin induced MC38 cell proliferation and MAPK activation. Co‐treatment with estrogen blocked the stimulatory effects of insulin. Thus, our in vitro and in vivo data indicate female reproductive hormones have a modulating effect on obesity‐induced insulin resistance and inflammation, which may directly or indirectly influence CRC progression. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dissection of the oncogenic MYCN transcriptional network reveals a large set of clinically relevant cell cycle genes as drivers of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis
Authors: Murphy Derek M. , Buckley Patrick G. , Bryan Kenneth , Watters Karen M. , Koster Jan , van Sluis Peter , Molenaar Jan , Versteeg Rogier , Stallings Raymond L.
Published: December 2010

Amplification of the oncogenic transcription factor MYCN plays a major role in the pathogenesis of several pediatric cancers, including neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and rhabodomyosarcoma. For neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification is the most powerful genetic predictor of poor patient survival, yet the mechanism by which MYCN drives tumorigenesis is only partially understood. To gain an insight into the distribution of MYCN binding and to identify clinically relevant MYCN target genes, we performed an integrated analysis of MYCN ChIP‐chip and mRNA expression using the MYCN repressible SHEP‐21N neuroblastoma cell line. We hypothesized that genes exclusively MYCN bound in SHEP‐21N cells over‐expressing MYCN would be enriched for direct targets which contribute to the process of disease progression. Integrated analysis revealed that MYCN drives tumorigenesis predominantly as a positive regulator of target gene transcription. A high proportion of genes (24%) that are MYCN bound and up‐regulated in the SHEP‐21N model are significantly associated with poor overall patient survival (OS) in a set of 88 tumors. In contrast, the proportion of genes down‐regulated when bound by MYCN in the SHEP‐21N model and which are significantly associated with poor overall patient survival when under‐expressed in primary tumors was significantly lower (5%). Gene ontology analysis determined a highly statistically significant enrichment for cell cycle related genes within the over‐expressed MYCN target group which were also associated with poor OS. We conclude that the over‐expression of MYCN leads to aberrant binding and over‐expression of genes associated with cell cycle regulation which are significantly correlated with poor OS and MYCN amplification. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rictor regulates MMP‐9 activity and invasion through Raf‐1‐MEK‐ERK signaling pathway in glioma cells
Authors: Das Gowry , Shiras Anjali , Shanmuganandam Karthik , Shastry Padma
Published: December 2010

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and highly aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) secrete TNF‐α that activates important survival pathways including Akt (PKB)/mTOR network. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) network functions downstream of PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate cell growth, proliferation and survival. mTOR exists in two distinct complexes—mTORC1 and mTORC2 that differ in their components and sensitivity to rapamycin. The rapamycin‐insensitive complex (mTORC2) consists of mTOR, mLST8, Rictor, mSin1 and Protor and regulates the actin cytoskeleton in addition to activating Akt (protein kinase B). The present study aimed to investigate the role of Rictor‐a core component of mTORC2 in regulating proliferation, survival, and invasion in gliomas. siRNA‐mediated loss of Rictor function in human glioma cell lines, LN18 and LN229 and in primary GBM cells resulted in elevated expression and activity of MMP‐9 and significant increase in the invasive potential of these cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that the activation of Raf‐1‐MEK‐ERK pathway was essential for induction of MMP‐9 activity and enhanced invasion. Interestingly, ablation of Rictor did not affect TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 activity and invasiveness suggesting that TNF‐α in the microenvironment of tumor might overrule the function of Rictor as a negative regulator of MMP‐9 and invasion. Silencing Rictor had no effect on the survival or proliferation in the cell lines in the presence or absence of TNF‐α. Our findings identify a role for Rictor in bridging two major pathways—Akt (PKB)/mTOR and Raf‐1‐MEK‐ERK in regulating MMP‐9 activity and invasion of glioma tumor cells. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of Nrf2 on UVB‐induced skin inflammation/photoprotection and photoprotective effect of sulforaphane
Authors: Saw Constance L. , Huang Mou‐Tuan , Liu Yue , Khor Tin Oo , Conney Allan H. , Kong Ah‐Ng
Published: December 2010

Ultraviolet (UV) of sunlight is a complete carcinogen that can burn skin, enhance inflammation, and drive skin carcinogenesis. Previously, we have shown that sulforaphane (SFN) inhibited chemically induced skin carcinogenesis via nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) and others have shown that broccoli sprout extracts containing high SFN protected against UV‐induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH‐1 hairless mice. A recent study showed that there was no difference between Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) and Nrf2 wild‐type (WT) BALB/C mice after exposing to high dose of UVB. Since Nrf2 plays critical roles in the anti‐oxidative stress/anti‐inflammatory responses, it is relevant to assess the role of Nrf2 for photoprotection against UV. In this context, the role of Nrf2 in UVB‐induced skin inflammation in Nrf2 WT and Nrf2 KO C57BL/6 mice was studied. A single dose of UVB (300 mJ/cm2) resulted in skin inflammation in both WT and Nrf2 KO (−/−) mice (KO mice) at 8 h and 8 d following UVB irradiation. In the WT mice inflammation returned to the basal level to a greater extent when compared to the KO mice. SFN treatment of Nrf2 WT but not Nrf2 KO mice restored the number of sunburn cells back to their basal level by 8 d after UVB irradiation. Additionally, UVB‐induced short‐term inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐6) were increased in the KO mice and UVB‐induced apoptotic cells in the KO mice were significantly higher as compared to that in the WT. Taken together, our results show that functional Nrf2 confers a protective effect against UVB‐induced inflammation, sunburn reaction, and SFN‐mediated photoprotective effects in the skin. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of cigarette smoking on functional recovery following peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Rinker Brian , Fink Betsy F. , Barry Neil G. , Fife Joshua A. , Milan Maria E. , Stoker Ashley R. , Nelson Peter T.
Published: December 2010

This study was designed to determine if cigarette smoking adversely affects functional recovery following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in peripheral nerves. Forty Wistar rats were divided evenly among four groups. Animals in groups A and B were exposed to cigarette smoke via a controlled smoking chamber for 20 minutes daily. On study day 14, all animals underwent a controlled I/R injury to one sciatic nerve. Recovery was assessed with walking track assessments, malondialdehyde (MDA) assay, and histology. Walking track results on study day 21 did not differ significantly between the smoking and nonsmoking animals. However, by study day 28, the nonsmoking animals showed a greater degree of functional recovery (SFI = −18.0 and −22.8, respectively, P = 0.03). MDA concentration in the smoking group was significantly higher than the nonsmoking group at the 28 day time point (P = 0.04). Exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with a slower functional recovery following peripheral nerve I/R injury. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
A radial self‐calibrated (RASCAL) generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) method using weight interpolation
Authors: Codella Noel C.F. , Spincemaille Pascal , Prince Martin , Wang Yi
Published: December 2010

A generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) method for radial k‐space sampling is presented that calculates GRAPPA weights without synthesized or acquired calibration data. Instead, GRAPPA weights are fitted to the undersampled data as if they were the calibration data. Because the relative k‐space shifts associated with these GRAPPA weights vary for a radial trajectory, new GRAPPA weights can be resampled for arbitrary shifts through interpolation, which are then used to generate missing projections between the acquired projections. The method is demonstrated in phantoms and in abdominal and brain imaging. Image quality is similar to radial GRAPPA using fully sampled calibration data, and improved relative to a previously described self‐calibrated radial GRAPPA technique. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved reproducibility of MRS regional brain thermometry by ‘amplitude‐weighted combination’
Authors: Cady Ernest B. , Penrice Juliet , Robertson Nicola J.
Published: December 2010

Brain temperature is important in stroke and trauma. In birth asphyxia, hypothermia improves outcome, but local brain temperature information is needed to optimise therapy. The proton MRS water chemical shift (δwater) is temperature dependent, and the in vivo brain temperature has often been estimated by measuring δwater relative to the N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) singlet methyl resonance. However, the NAA peak amplitude may be reduced if cerebrospinal fluid occupies part of the MRS voxel and because of the lower concentration in immaturity, pathology and neonatal white matter. These factors can increase random and systematic δNAA errors and also, therefore, MRS brain temperature errors. The aim of this study was to improve MRS brain temperature reproducibility and resilience to pathological, developmental and regional peak amplitude variations by amplitude‐weighted combination (AWC) of brain temperatures (TCho, TCr and TNAA) determined using the prominent choline (Cho), total creatine (Cr) and NAA resonances separately as chemical shift references. δwater – δCho, δwater – δCr and δwater – δNAA were calibrated against tympanic temperature in piglet brain at 7 T (2.5‐cm‐diameter surface coil over the parietal lobes; binomial water suppression spin‐echo sequence; TE = 540 ms; TR = 5 s). Eight normal human infants underwent thalamic region (Thal) and five occipito‐parietal (OP) cerebral MRS at 2.4 T [point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localisation; cubic voxel, 8 mL; water suppression off; TE = 270 ms; TR = 2 s]. AWC with TCho, TCr and TNAA weighted by the squared Cho, Cr and NAA peak amplitudes provided the smallest intersubject standard deviations: Thal, 0.45°C; OP, 0.33°C (for TNAA values of 0.65°C and 1.12°C, respectively). AWC provided resilience against simulated pathological alterations in Cho, Cr and NAA peak amplitudes, with Thal and OP TAWC changing by less than 0.04°C. AWC improves both intersubject reproducibility of MRS temperature estimation and resilience against pathological, anatomical and developmental variation of Cho, Cr and NAA peak amplitudes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvements in high‐field localized MRS of the medial temporal lobe in humans using new deformable high‐dielectric materials
Authors: Snaar J.E.M. , Teeuwisse W.M. , Versluis M.J. , van Buchem M.A. , Kan H.E. , Smith N.B. , Webb A.G.
Published: December 2010

The intrinsic nonuniformities in the transmit radiofrequency field from standard quadrature volume resonators at high field are particularly problematic for localized MRS in areas such as the temporal lobe, where a low signal‐to‐noise ratio and poor metabolite quantification result from destructive B field interference, in addition to line broadening and signal loss from strong susceptibility gradients. MRS of the temporal lobe has been performed in a number of neurodegenerative diseases at clinical fields, but a relatively low signal‐to‐noise ratio has prevented the reliable quantification of, for example, glutamate and glutamine, which are thought to play a key role in disease progression. Using a recently developed high‐dielectric‐constant material placed around the head, localized MRS of the medial temporal lobe using the stimulated echo acquisition mode sequence was acquired at 7 T. The presence of the material increased the signal‐to‐noise ratio of MRS by a factor of two without significantly reducing the sensitivity in other areas of the brain, as shown by the measured B maps. An increase in the receive sensitivity B was also measured close to the pads. The spectral linewidth of the unsuppressed water peak within the voxel of interest was reduced slightly by the introduction of the dielectric pads (although not to a statistically significant degree), a result confirmed by using a pad composed of lipid. Using LCmodel for quantitative analysis of metabolite concentrations, the increase in signal‐to‐noise ratio and the slight decrease in spectral linewidth contributed to statistically significant reductions in the Cramer–Rao lower bounds (CRLBs), also allowing the levels of glutamate and glutamine to be quantified with CRLBs below 20%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid monitoring of iron‐chelating therapy in thalassemia major by a new cardiovascular MR measure: the reduced transverse relaxation rate
Authors: Kim Daniel , Jensen Jens H. , Wu Ed X. , Feng Li , Au Wing‐Yan , Cheung Jerry S. , Ha Shau‐Yin , Sheth Sujit S. , Brittenham Gary M.
Published: December 2010

In iron overload, almost all the excess iron is stored intracellularly as rapidly mobilizable ferritin iron and slowly exchangeable hemosiderin iron. Increases in cytosolic iron may produce oxidative damage that ultimately results in cardiomyocyte dysfunction. Because intracellular ferritin iron is evidently in equilibrium with the low‐molecular‐weight cytosolic iron pool, measurements of ferritin iron potentially provide a clinically useful indicator of changes in cytosolic iron. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) index of cardiac iron used clinically, the effective transverse relaxation rate (R
2*), is principally influenced by hemosiderin iron and changes only slowly over several months, even with intensive iron‐chelating therapy. Another conventional CMR index of cardiac iron, the transverse relaxation rate (R
2), is sensitive to both hemosiderin iron and ferritin iron. We have developed a new MRI measure, the ‘reduced transverse relaxation rate’ (RR
2), and have proposed in previous studies that this measure is primarily sensitive to ferritin iron and largely independent of hemosiderin iron in phantoms mimicking ferritin iron and human liver explants. We hypothesized that RR
2 could detect changes produced by 1 week of iron‐chelating therapy in patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia. We imaged 10 patients with thalassemia major at 1.5 T in mid‐ventricular short‐axis planes of the heart, initially after suspending iron‐chelating therapy for 1 week and subsequently after resuming oral deferasirox. After resuming iron‐chelating therapy, significant decreases were observed in the mean myocardial RR
2 (7.8%, p < 0.01) and R
2 (5.5%, p < 0.05), but not in R
2* (1.7%, p > 0.90). Although the difference between changes in RR
2 and R
2 was not significant (p > 0.3), RR
2 was consistently more sensitive than R
2 (and R
2*) to the resumption of iron‐chelating therapy, as judged by the effect sizes of relaxation rate differences detected. Although further studies are needed, myocardial RR
2 may be a promising investigational method for the rapid assessment of the effects of iron‐chelating therapy in the heart. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filters in topology optimization based on Helmholtz‐type differential equations
Authors: Lazarov B. S. , Sigmund O.
Published: December 2010

The aim of this paper is to apply a Helmholtz‐type partial differential equation as an alternative to standard density filtering in topology optimization problems. Previously, this approach has been successfully applied as a sensitivity filter. The usual filtering techniques in topology optimization require information about the neighbor cells, which is difficult to obtain for fine meshes or complex domains and geometries. The complexity of the problem increases further in parallel computing, when the design domain is decomposed into multiple non‐overlapping partitions. Obtaining information from the neighbor subdomains is an expensive operation. The proposed filter technique requires only mesh information necessary for the finite element discretization of the problem. The main idea is to define the filtered variable implicitly as a solution of a Helmholtz‐type differential equation with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. The properties of the filter are demonstrated for various 2D and 3D topology optimization problems in linear elasticity, solved on serial and parallel computers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complementary geometric formulations for electrostatics
Authors: Specogna Ruben
Published: December 2010

The simultaneous use of a pair of complementary discrete formulations for electrostatic boundary value problems (BVPs) allows to accurately compute electromagnetic quantities, such as capacitance or electrostatic force with a minimum computational effort. In fact, the two formulations provide the upper and lower bounds for these quantities and their averages result quite close to the exact solution even for extremely coarse meshes. Despite the potential benefit to the many three‐dimensional large‐scale applications, taking advantage of this feature is not exploited in practice due to theoretical difficulties in the potential design.

The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by rigorously introducing a pair of three‐dimensional complementary geometric formulations to solve electrostatic BVPs on domains covered by conformal polyhedral meshes. In particular, an original formulation based on a vector potential is introduced by using cohomology theory with integer coefficients. It is shown how the so‐called thick links are needed, which are representatives of the second cohomology group generators of the dielectric region. Two easy‐to‐implement graph‐theoretic algorithms to automatically find such a basis with optimal computational complexity are described. Some benchmark problems are presented to show how the simultaneous use of both formulations yields to a sensible computational advantage. Therefore, solvers based on complementary formulations should be embedded in the next‐generation of electromagnetic Computer‐Aided Engineering (CAE) softwares. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of modified high‐density polyethylene/barium sulfate nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Xiaolei , Shi Jiangao , Wang Lei , Shi Hang , Liu Yongli , Wang Lumin
Published: December 2010

The melting/crystallization behavior and isothermal crystallization kinetics of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/barium sulfate (BaSO4) nanocomposites were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The isothermal crystallization kinetics of the neat HDPE and nanocomposites was described with the Avrami equation. For neat HDPE and HDPE/BaSO4 nanocomposites, the values of n ranges from 1.7 to 2.0. Values of the Avrami exponent indicated that crystallization nucleation of the nanocomposites is two‐dimensional diffusion‐controlled crystal growth. The multiple melting behaviors were found on DSC scan after isothermal crystallization process. The multiple endotherms could be attributed to melting of the recrystallized materials or the secondary lamellae caused during different crystallization processes. Adding the BaSO4 nanoparticles increased the equilibrium melting temperature of HDPE in the nanocomposites. Surface free energy of HDPE chain folding for crystallization of HDPE/BaSO4 nanocomposites was lower than that of neat HDPE, confirming the heterogeneous nucleation effect of BaSO4. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Posterior brain in fetuses with open spina bifida at 11 to 13 weeks
Authors: Lachmann Robert , Chaoui Rabih , Moratalla Jose , Picciarelli Gemma , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: December 2010

Objective

To measure the changes in the posterior fossa in first‐trimester fetuses with open spina bifida (OSB).

Methods

The brain stem diameter and brain stem to occipital bone (BSOB) diameter were measured in stored images of the mid‐sagittal view of the fetal face at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks from 30 fetuses with OSB and 1000 normal controls.

Results

In the control group, the brain stem and BSOB diameter increased significantly with crown‐rump length (CRL) and the brain stem to BSOB ratio decreased. In the spina bifida group, the brain stem diameter was above the 95th percentile of the control group in 29 (96.7%) cases, the BSOB diameter was below the 5th percentile in 26 (86.7%) and the brain stem to BSOB ratio was above the 95th percentile in all cases.

Conclusions

At 11 to 13 weeks the majority of fetuses with OSB have measurable abnormalities in the posterior brain. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of carbon black properties on the Joule heating stimulated shape‐memory behavior of filledethylene‐1‐octene copolymer
Authors: Le Hai Hong , Osazuwa Osayuki , Kolesov Igor , Ilisch Sybill , Radusch Hans‐Joachim
Published: December 2010

The shape‐memory (SM) behavior of ethylene‐1‐octene copolymer (EOC) reinforced by carbon black (CB) was investigated. Two CB types, N110 and EC600, with different structure and specific surface area were used as conductive fillers. The mechanical tests showed that on addition of CB into EOC, modulus and strength increased significantly for both CB types but the elastic behavior stands on. The electrical resistivity decreases drastically with increasing CB content. The thermally stimulated SM recovery is deteriorated significantly because of the rigid CB network formed in EOC. With increasing temperature, the CB network gradually loses its rigidity, as the glassy polymer layers connecting the CB aggregates become softened. As a result, the samples with high CB content could recover nearly 100%. In this work, a sample preparation and a corresponding arrangement of experiment were introduced, which allows to quantify the Joule heating stimulated recovery behavior. EOC containing 17 wt% CB EC600 reaches a low resistivity of 8 Ω cm and shows good Joule heating stimulated SM recovery of up to 97% at a voltage of 15 V. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
FTIR and thermal analyses of intermolecular interactions in poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/phenoxy blends
Authors: Farmahini‐Farahani Madjid , Jafari Seyed‐Hassan , Khonakdar Hosein Ali , Yavari Ahmad , Melati Amir
Published: December 2010

Intermolecular interactions in the blends of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/phenoxy resin of bisphenol A prepared by melt mixing in a microcompounder were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The FTIR results revealed the characteristic bands of the blend constituents along with the bands showing interassociated, self‐associated, and nonassociated hydrogen bonding in the blends. It was found that the self‐associated hydrogen bonds in the blends were favorable over the interassociated bonds. On the other hand, using the melting point depression, the interaction parameter of the blends was calculated to be about 0.047. The positive value of the interaction parameter and low degree of interassociated hydrogen bonding in the blends suggest the immiscibility of the blends, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations as well as dynamic mechanical analysis. However, for chemically reacted compositions, the blends were changed to homogenous systems. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
The unique flow of polypropylene at the weld line behind an obstacle in injection molding
Authors: Kobayashi Yutaka , Teramoto Gensei , Kanai Toshitaka
Published: December 2010

In this article, a weld line placed behind an obstacle in an injection‐molded plaque made of metallic mold‐in‐color polypropylene (PP) was investigated. A broad uneven glossy section was visually observed along the weld line after the v‐notch weld disappeared. Although disk‐shaped metallic pigments were oriented parallel to the wall according to laminar flow, the pigment particles at the weld behind the obstacle were ordered vertically at the center of the depth direction. In PP molded without pigment, a black line was observed at the same position in the metallic weld. Based on a measurement of the crystal structure, the black line was caused by the rapid cooling of molten PP. Elongational flow occurred along the weld line after the diminishing v‐notch weld. The unique flow ordered the pigments obliquely at the advancing flow front and disturbed the subsequent flow of hot PP which transferred heat to the crystallizing mass. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Diffusion studies through fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in hydrated polyamides
Authors: Hatzigrigoriou N.B. , Papaspyrides C.D. , Joly C. , Pinte J. , Dole P.
Published: December 2010

The effect of hydrogen bonding on the diffusivities of two almost identical fluorescent probes through polyamides was examined using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The two molecules have the same geometry and a negligible difference in their molecular weight, the main difference confined is one characteristic group able to form a hydrogen bond with the polyamide matrices. Moreover, the effect of hydration on the diffusion coefficients and the plasticization activation energy is also studied as the experiments are repeated in various relative humidity environments. The differences in the diffusivities of the two molecules due to hydrogen bonding were as much as one order of magnitude regardless the matrix or the water content. In addition, it is shown that the plasticization activation energy of diffusion is also affected by matrix—diffusant interactions as the relevant values of the two examined diffusing molecules showed noticeable differences due to hydrogen bonding. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
In situ oxidative polymerization of polyaniline counter electrode on ITO conductive glass substrate
Authors: Qin Qi , Tao Jie , Yang Yan , Dong Xiang
Published: December 2010

Polyaniline (PANI) electrode was synthesized on a conducting indium tin oxide glass by in situ oxidative polymerization to construct a low production cost counter electrode of dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The scanning electron microscopy image showed that PANI electrode was a porous state with the particles diameter in 20–30 nm. The cyclic voltammogram measurement revealed that PANI electrode had smaller charge transfer resistance and higher electrocatalytic activity for I/I− redox reaction. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of PANI was high to 53.114 m2/g, and the high surface area of PANI electrode benefited for the absorption of electrolyte. Finally, we compared the photoelectric properties of DSSC using the PANI counter electrode and platinized counter electrode. The results indicated the efficiency of DSSC with PANI electrode reached 2.64%, which was higher than that with platinized electrode (1.75%). Therefore, the PANI counter electrode with excellent catalytic performance is a potential substitute for platinized electrode to save cost of DSSC. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers