bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Let's talk: a narrative of mental illness, recovery, and the psychotherapist's personal treatment
Authors: Sawyer Annita
Published: June 2011

This article describes the author's experience in psychotherapy, beginning as a suicidal teenager with a dismal prognosis, through 5 years of hospitalization, including shock treatment that erased most memory before age 20, through an Ivy League education, and successful professional career. Retraumatization triggered by reading her hospital records 40 years later adds a unique perspective, as the author watched, but could not control, a process within herself that she regularly addressed as therapist with her own patients. Healing aspects of relationships with three psychodynamic psychotherapists (two psychiatrists and a social worker), credited with her survival and success, are examined. A dramatic interview with Harold Searles, her psychiatrist's supervisor, and its role in her recovery is considered. Lasting lessons concerning the healing aspects of psychotherapy, the effects of repressed early trauma encountered late in life, the need to counter stigma, and the value of personal psychotherapy are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–13, 2011.
Three‐dimensional sonograph of a monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy
Authors: Youssef A. , Milano V. , Pilu G. , Pelusi G. , Ghi T.
Published: June 2011

A monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy was diagnosed by sonographic scan at 9 weeks of gestation. The three embryos appeared to share the same trophoblast, with two of them sharing the same amniotic sac. The two amniotic sacs were divided by a thin membrane, with no chorionic projection within it, and each amniotic sac presented a single yolk sac. Only few cases of nontrichorionic‐triamniotic triplets have been reported in the literature. Although the diagnosis was reached using the two‐dimensional ultrasound, the complementary use of three‐dimensional ultrasound helped in confirming the diagnosis, and in offering the couple an adequate counseling. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;
Prenatal diagnosis of choledochal cyst: A case report
Authors: Tongprasert Fuanglada , Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Tongsong Theera
Published: June 2011

Choledochal cyst is one of the intra‐abdominal abnormalities of the biliary ducts that present as a cystic mass in the right upper quadrant abdomen. Prenatal diagnosis has been achieved by the demonstration of a connection between a dilated common bile duct and a cystic lesion. In this report, we describe a pregnant woman in whom routine fetal anomaly scan strongly suggested a choledochal cyst at 29 weeks of gestation by demonstrating a round cystic mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, completely separated from the stomach, bowel loops, and gall bladder, and which showed a connection with the dilated common bile duct. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Gedikbasi Ali , Oztarhan Kazim , Ulker Volkan , Aslan Gulseren , Gul Ahmet , Sener‐Arslan Esra , Ceylan Yavuz
Published: June 2011

We report the case of a male fetus with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), in whom multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas and renal angiomyolipomas were detected at 33 weeks by ultrasound with additional brain lesions detected on MRI, all confirmed after birth. DNA analysis of the TSC2 gene detected a de novo mutation in the TSC2 gene. Postnatal follow‐up and neurological examination were normal, as were the results of Holter monitoring. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;
Hoxclusters of the bichir (Actinopterygii,Polypterus senegalus) highlight unique patterns of sequence evolution in gnathostome phylogeny
Authors: Raincrow Jeremy D. , Dewar Ken , Stocsits Claudia , Prohaska Sonja J. , Amemiya Chris T. , Stadler Peter F. , Chiu Chi‐Hua
Published: June 2011

Teleost fishes have extraHoxgene clusters owing to shared or lineage‐specific genome duplication events in rayfinned fish (actinopterygian) phylogeny. Hence, extrapolating between genome function of teleosts and human or even between different fish species is difficult. We have sequenced and analyzedHoxgene clusters of the Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus), an extant representative of the most basal actinopterygian lineage. Bichir possesses fourHoxgene clusters (A, B, C, D); phylogenetic analysis supports their orthology to the fourHoxgene clusters of the gnathostome ancestor. We have generated a comprehensive database of conservedHoxnoncoding sequences that include cartilaginous, lobe‐finned, and ray‐finned fishes (bichir and teleosts). Our analysis identified putative and knownHox cis‐regulatory sequences with differing depths of conservation in Gnathostoma. We found that although bichir possesses fourHoxgene clusters, its pattern of conservation of noncoding sequences is mosaic between outgroups, such as human, coelacanth, and shark, with fourHoxgene clusters and teleosts, such as zebrafish and pufferfish, with seven or eightHoxgene clusters. Notably, bichirHoxgene clusters have been invaded by DNA transposons and this trend is further exemplified in teleosts, suggesting an as yet unrecognized mechanism of genome evolution that may explainHoxcluster plasticity in actinopterygians. Taken together, our results suggest that actinopterygianHoxgene clusters experienced a reduction in selective constraints that surprisingly predates the teleost‐specific genome duplication.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 316:451–464, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional morphology of mouthparts and digestive system during larval development of the cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (de Man, 1888)
Authors: Tziouveli Vasiliki , Bastos‐Gomez Giana , Bellwood Orpha
Published: June 2011

Mouthpart and alimentary canal development was examined in Lysmata amboinensis larvae using scanning electron microscopy and histology. The gross morphological features of external mouthparts and internal digestive tract structures of larvae at different developmental stages indicate that ingestive and digestive capabilities are well developed from early on. With increasing age of the larvae the mouthpart appendages increased in size, the hepatopancreas in tubular density and the midgut in length. The density of setae and robustness of teeth and spines of individual structures increased. The most pronounced changes from early to late stage larvae involved formation of pores on the paragnaths and labrum, transformation of the mandibular spine‐like teeth to molar cusps, development of the filter press in the proventriculus and of infoldings in the previously straight hindgut. The results suggest that early stage L. amboinensis larvae may benefit from soft, perhaps gelatinous prey, whereas later stages are better equipped to handle larger, muscular or more fibrous foods. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Reptilia: Alligatoridae)
Authors: Gribbins Kevin M. , Touzinsky Katherine F. , Siegel Dustin S. , Venable Katherine J. , Hester Georgia L , Elsey Ruth M.
Published: June 2011

This study details the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. American Alligator spermatozoa are filiform and slightly curved. The acrosome is tapered at its anterior end and surrounded by the acrosome vesicle and an underlying subacrosomal cone, which rests just cephalic to the nuclear rostrum. One endonuclear canal extends from the subacrosomal cone through the rostral nucleus and deep into the nuclear body. The neck region separates the nucleus and midpiece and houses the proximal centriole and pericentriolar material. The distal centriole extends through the midpiece and has 9 × 3 sets of peripheral microtubules with a central doublet pair within the axoneme that is surrounded by a dense sheath. The midpiece is composed of seven to nine rings of mitochondria, which have combinations of concentrically and septate cristae. The principal piece has a dense fibrous sheath that surrounds an axoneme with a 9 + 2 microtubule arrangement. The sheath becomes significantly reduced in size caudally within the principal piece and is completely missing from the endpiece. Dense peripheral fibers, especially those associated with microtubule doublets 3 and 8, penetrate into the anterior portion of the principal piece axoneme. The data reported here hypothesize that sperm morphology is highly conserved in Crocodylia; however, specific morphological differences can exist between species. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The vascular morphology and in vivo muscle temperatures of thresher sharks (Alopiidae)
Authors: Patterson James C. , Sepulveda, Chugey A. , Bernal Diego
Published: June 2011

The thresher sharks comprise a single family (Alopiidae) of pelagic sharks most easily recognized by the elongate dorsal lobe of their caudal fin. Despite morphological similarities among the alopiids, the common thresher (Alopias vulpinus) is unique in that its red, aerobic myotomal muscle (RM) is medially positioned (i.e., closer to the vertebrae), its systemic blood is supplied through a lateral circulation which give rise to counter‐current heat exchanging retia, and it is capable of regional RM endothermy. Despite this information, it remains unknown if the other two alopiid species (bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus and pelagic thresher, Alopias pelagicus) also possess some or all of the characteristics related to regional RM endothermy. Thus, this study aimed to 1) document the presence of vascular specializations necessary for heat retention and RM endothermy and 2) measure the in vivo muscle temperatures of all three alopiid species. Laboratory dissections of the thresher species showed that only A. vulpinus possesses the lateral branching of the dorsal aorta giving rise to a lateral subcutaneous circulation and retial system, and that RM temperatures are elevated relative to ambient temperature. By contrast, both A. pelagicus and A. superciliosus have a similar systemic blood circulation pathway, in which the dorsal aorta and postcardinal vein form the basis for the central circulation and in vivo RM temperature measurements closely matched those of the ambient temperature at which the sharks were captured. Collectively, the vascular anatomy and in vivo temperature data suggest that only one species of thresher shark (A. vulpinus) possesses the requisite vascular specializations (i.e., lateral subcutaneous vessels and retia mirabilia) that facilitate RM endothermy. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
P‐selectin/ligand unbinding force measured with atomic force microscopy: comparison of two chemical protocols for the tethering of single molecules
Authors: Tsapikouni Theodora , Missirlis Yannis F.
Published: June 2011

Leukocytes, as an indispensable arm of the immune system, need to be recruited from the flowing blood and transferred to the sites of infection. Their extravasation is feasible due to their ability to tether and roll over the activated endothelium, which is much dependent on the association of their selectin molecules with ligands on the activated endothelial cells. In view of the importance of this interaction for the physiological immune functions as well as for autoimmune diseases, specifying the affinity of selectins to their ligands at the single molecule level appears a challenging task to gain insight into the mechanisms that control leukocyte–endothelial avidity. To this end we functionalized substrates with P‐selectin and cantilever probes with its major ligand, the P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1, and used atomic force microscopy to measure their unbinding force. Two different chemical protocols were used for the tethering of the molecules on the substrates, one based on a homobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) linker and the other on the use of antibody‐specific binding. The unbinding forces measured with the two methods were 312 ± 149 and 230 ± 57 pN, respectively. Measurements on activated endothelials, declaratory of single molecule interactions, gave comparable results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism and thermodynamics of ligand binding to auxin amidohydrolase
Authors: Simunovic Mijo , Zagrovic Bojan , Tomić Sanja
Published: June 2011

BrILL2 is catalytically the most efficient auxin amidohydrolase from Brassica rapa, playing a key role in auxin metabolism by catalyzing its release from amino acid conjugates. Auxins, with the most abundant representative indole‐acetic acid ([1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐acetic acid, IAA), are a group of plant hormones that in very small concentrations regulate ubiquitin‐mediated degradation of transcription regulators. Kinetic studies on BrILL2 showed that it hydrolyzes alanine conjugates of IAA and of its larger analogues, indole‐propionic acid (3‐[1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐propionic acid, IPA) and indole‐butyric acid (4‐[1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐butyric acid, IBA). Structurally, BrILL2 belongs to the largest known family of metallopeptidases (M20) that share a recognizable 3D structure, characterized by two perpendicular domains. Its members have been implicated in numerous biochemical processes and have been found across all species sequenced to date. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study structural and thermodynamic properties of ligand binding to BrILL2. A conformational change was captured in multiple copies of 10 ns long simulations, described by a rigid body movement of the two domains, and its associated key interactions between residues were examined. For the three substrates, complexes in two possible binding modes were recreated, along with a single binding mode for the putative substrate tryptophanyl–alanine (Trp–Ala), which were subsequently simulated in multiple copies of 10 ns long simulations. Thermodynamic calculations were used to assess their binding affinities and explain the selectivity toward the longer ligands. Based on the results, a possible route for the reaction is proposed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A deregulated integrated stress response promotes interferon‐γ‐induced medulloblastoma
Authors: Lin Wensheng , Lin Yifeng , Li Jin , Harding Heather P. , Ron David , Jamison Stephanie
Published: June 2011

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates pancreatic ER kinase (PERK), which coordinates an adaptive program known as the integrated stress response (ISR) by phosphorylating translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). There is evidence that the ISR is involved in tumor development. Recent studies also show that the ISR stimulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A), a master regulator of angiogenesis. Our previous studies have demonstrated that enforced expression of interferon‐γ (IFNγ) in the central nervous system during development induces sonic hedgehog expression and leads to cerebellar dysplasia or medulloblastoma. Here we report that PERK was activated in cerebellar dysplasia and medulloblastoma in IFNγ‐expressing mice. We found that inactivation of the growth arrest and DNA damage 34 (GADD34) gene, encoding the stress‐inducible regulatory subunit of a phosphatase complex that dephosphorylates eIF2α, enhanced ISR signaling and facilitated medulloblastoma formation in IFNγ‐expressing mice. Moreover, we found that the induction of VEGF‐A and enhanced angiogenesis were associated with medulloblastoma formation in IFNγ‐expressing mice on the GADD34 mutation background. Thus, our data provide genetic evidence that the ISR facilitates modulloblastoma development. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of dopamine‐dependent behaviors by the Caenorhabditis elegans Olig homolog HLH‐17
Authors: Felton Chaquettea M. , Johnson Casonya M.
Published: June 2011

In vertebrates and invertebrates, dopamine signaling modulates a wide variety of physical and behavioral functions and exerts these effects through heterotrimeric G proteins. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been used to model dopamine signaling and reacts reproducibly to alterations in dopamine levels through eight well‐characterized dopaminergic neurons located in the head. In C. elegans, the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor HLH‐17 is strongly and constitutively expressed in the glia cells that ensheath four of the dopaminergic neurons, yet it is not required for specification or development of either the glia or the neurons. In this study, we sought to determine whether HLH‐17 functions in dopamine signaling. We found that, unlike wild‐type animals, hlh‐17 animals are resistant to the effects of exogenous dopamine on egg laying and mobility. hlh‐17 animals are also defective in the basal slowing and gustatory plasticity behaviors that require functional dopamine signaling. We also found that the expression of the dopamine receptor genes dop‐1, dop‐2, and dop‐3 and the RGS protein gene egl‐10 is significantly reduced in hlh‐17 animals. Together these results point to a role for HLH‐17 in dopamine signaling in C. elegans. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human L1CAM carrying the missense mutations of the fibronectin‐like type III domains is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and degraded by polyubiquitylation
Authors: Itoh Kouichi , Fujisaki Kanako , Watanabe Masatomo
Published: June 2011

Any mutations in the human neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (hL1CAM) gene might cause various types of serious neurological syndromes in humans, characterized by increased mortality, mental retardation, and various malformations of the nervous system. Such missense mutations often cause severe abnormalities or even fatalities, and the reason for this may be a disruption of the adhesive function of L1CAM resulting from a misdirection of the degradative pathway. Transfection studies using neuroblastoma N2a cells demonstrated that hL1CAM carrying the missense mutations in the fibronectin‐like type III (FnIII) domains most likely is located within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but it is less well expressed on the cell surface. One mutant, L935P, in the fourth FnIII domain, was chosen from six mutants (K655 and G698 at Fn1, L935P and P941 at Fn4, W1036 and Y1070 at Fn5) in the FnIII domains to study in detail the functions of hL1CAM200kDa, such as the intracellular traffic and degradation, because only a single band at 200 kDa was detected in the hL1CAML935P‐transfected cells. hL1CAM200kDa is expressed predominantly in the ER but not on the cell surface. In addition, this missense mutated hL1CAM200kDa is polyubiquitylated at some sites in the extracellular domain and thus becomes degraded by proteasomes via the ER‐associated degradation pathway. These observations demonstrate that the missense mutations of hL1CAM in the FnIII domain may cause the resultant pathogenesis because of a loss of expression on the cell surface resulting from misrouting to the degradative pathway. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impacts of tropical Indian Ocean SST on the meridional displacement of East Asian jet in boreal summer
Authors: Qu Xia , Huang Gang
Published: June 2011

The meridional displacement of East Asia jet (EAJ) is characterized by the leading mode of upper tropospheric zonal wind variability over East Asia in boreal summer, and is closely related to the East Asia summer monsoon and downstream climate. Present study reveals that the meridional displacement of EAJ is associated with tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) SST anomalies. When the TIO SST is higher than normal, the overlying tropospheric air warms up through the modulation of the TIO SST on tropical convection. The anomalous convection forces a Kelvin wave wedge penetrating into the equatorial western Pacific, leading to a decrease in precipitation near the Philippines. Combined with the climatological easterly shear over the subtropical western North Pacific, the Pacific‐Japan/East Asia‐Pacific (PJ/EAP) teleconnection is induced along the East Asia coast. The PJ/EAP‐related upper‐level anomalous cyclone accelerates westerly in the south flank of EAJ and decelerates westerly in the north flank. Thus, EAJ shifts southward. In contrast, the EAJ shifts northward when the TIO SST is lower than normal. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
BMP‐2 mediates PGE2‐induced reduction of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human tendon stem cells
Authors: Zhang Jianying , Wang James H‐C.
Published: June 2011

Tendon stem cells (TSCs) have been proposed to play a major role in the development of tendinopathy, which refers to pathological changes, such as calcification, in affected tendons. Using a human TSC (hTSC) culture model, this study investigated the effects of PGE2, an inflammatory mediator present in injured tendons, on hTSC proliferation and differentiation as well as the molecular mediator for such PGE2‐induced effects. We found that PGE2 treatment of hTSCs decreased cell proliferation and caused osteogenic differentiation of hTSCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, PGE2 treatment of hTSCs induced dose‐dependent BMP‐2 production in culture, and moreover, addition of BMP‐2 to hTSC culture decreased cell proliferation and induced hTSC differentiation into osteoblasts. Finally, addition of BMP‐2 antibodies to hTSC culture treated with PGE2 nearly abolished PGE2 effects on both cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, the findings of this study showed that BMP‐2 mediates PGE2‐induced reduction of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hTSCs. We suggest that such a mechanism may be partially responsible for the formation of calcified tissues in tendinopathic tendons seen in clinical settings. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:47–52, 2012
Low intensity pulsed ultrasound enhances fracture healing in both ovariectomy‐induced osteoporotic and age‐matched normal bones
Authors: Cheung Wing‐Hoi , Chin Wai‐Ching , Qin Ling , Leung Kwok‐Sui
Published: June 2011

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) was proven to enhance fracture healing effectively. Similar effect of LIPUS on accelerating the osteoporotic fracture healing was therefore hypothesized. The normal and osteoporotic fracture healings under this non‐invasive biophysical intervention of LIPUS were compared and investigated. Closed femoral fracture procedures were performed on 120 Sprague–Dawley rats, in which 60 of them were ovariectomized (OVX). The rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham OVX with treatment (Sham‐T), sham OVX control (Sham‐C), OVX with treatment (OVX‐T) and OXV control (OVX‐C). LIPUS treatment was 20 min a day, 5 days a week for durations of 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Results from weekly radiography, histomorphometry, micro‐computed tomography and mechanical test showed both the treatment groups were with better healing responses than their control groups. Moreover, between the normal and the osteoporotic treatment groups, a significantly higher (p = 0.015) callus width (week 4), higher ratio of increment in bone volume to tissue volume ratio value (7.4% more), faster response of endochondral ossification and a higher stiffness measurement were observed in the osteoporotic treatment group. These comparable results on healing responses imply that LIPUS can be applied clinically to enhance both normal and osteoporotic fracture healing. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:129–136, 2012
Dynamics of the CH3 + OH reaction
Authors: Ree J. , Kim Y. H. , Shin H. K.
Published: June 2011

We study dynamics of the CH3 + OH reaction over the temperature range of 300–2500 K using a quasiclassical method for the potential energy composed of explicit forms of short‐range and long‐range interactions. The explicit potential energy used in the study gives minimum energy paths on potential energy surfaces showing barrier heights, channel energies, and van der Waals well, which are consistent with ab initio calculations. Approximately, 20% of CH3 + OH collisions undergo OH dissociation in a direct‐mode mechanism on a subpicosecond scale (<50 fs) with the rate coefficient as high as ∼10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Less than 10% leads to the formation of excited intermediates CH3OH† with excess vibrational energies in CO and OH bonds. CH3OH† stabilizes to CH3OH, redissociates back to reactants, or forms one of various products after intramolecular energy redistribution via bond dissociation and formation on the time scale of 50–200 fs. The principal product is 1CH2 (k being ∼10−11), whereas ks for CH2OH, CH2O, and CH3O are ∼10−12. The minor products are HCOH and CH4 (k∼10−13). The total rate coefficient for CH3 + OH → CH3OH† → products is ∼10−11 and is weakly dependent on temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 455–466, 2011
Biologically Inspired Hierarchical Design of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(ethylene oxide) and Cellulose Nanofibers
Authors: Changsarn Sutheerat , Mendez James D. , Shanmuganathan Kadhiravan , Foster E. Johan , Weder Christoph , Supaphol Pitt
Published: June 2011

Attempts to create hierarchically structured, uniaxially oriented nanocomposites comprising cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs), which promise anisotropic mechanical properties, are exceedingly rare. We report here the fabrication of uniaxially‐oriented arrays of microfibers based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and CNWs by electrospinning. Compared with the neat PEO fibers, the incorporation of CNWs within the fibers increased the storage modulus (E′) of arrays along the fiber axis of the PEO/CNW nanocomposite fibers. Successful incorporation of the CNWs within each of the as‐spun PEO/CNW nanocomposite fibers in the direction parallel to the fiber axis was verified by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

magnified image
Helical Conformation in Crystalline Inclusion Complexes of V‐Amylose: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Putaux Jean‐Luc , Nishiyama Yoshiharu , Mazeau Karim , Morin Morgane , Cardoso Mateus B. , Chanzy Henri
Published: June 2011

Summary: Amylose forms V‐type crystalline inclusion complexes with a large variety of small molecules. Several authors have proposed models for these complexes based on amylose single helices with 6, 7 and 8 glucosyl units per turn. However, so far, only a small number of crystal structures have been solved and several models are still hypothetical. We have recently shown that in the unit cell of such complex with isopropanol, the amylose molecules were organized in 7‐fold left‐handed helices, with isopropanol and water molecules located as guests both within and between the helices.
Phase Behavior of Poly(n‐butyl acrylate) and Poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) in Nematic Liquid Crystal E7
Authors: Youcef Boumédiène Dali , Bouchaour Tewfik , Maschke Ulrich
Published: June 2011

Summary: This paper reports on the phase behavior of photochemically crosslinked poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PABu) and poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) networks in a nematic liquid crystal (LC) solvent. The swelling properties of these networks were studied as a function of temperature using a low molecular weight LC (LMWLC), which is an eutectic mixture of cyanoparaphenylenes named E7. To obtain different polymer network densities, the ratio of the reactive monomers ABu (or EHA) to the crosslinking agent hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) was varied prior to polymerization/crosslinking reactions. Immersion of these networks in an excess of LC solvent allowed for the measurement of size increase by polarizing optical microscopy in terms of temperature. Diameter ratios were calculated considering swollen to dry network states of the samples. The uptake of LMWLC inside the network preferentially takes place around the nematic to isotropic transition temperature of the solvent. Phase diagrams in the concentration‐temperature framework were given and discussed as a function of crosslinking degree of the polymer network and temperature and phase behavior of the solvent.
Stimuli‐Responsive Polymers in Solution Investigated by NMR and Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Spěváček Jiří , Dybal Jiří
Published: June 2011

Summary: Temperature‐induced and solvent composition‐induced phase separation in solutions of poly(N‐isopropylmethacrylamide) (PIPMAm) and other thermoresponsive polymers as studied by NMR and infrared (IR) spectroscopy is discussed. The fraction p of phase‐separated units (units with significantly reduced mobility) and subsequently, e.g., thermodynamic parameters characterizing the coil‐globule phase transition induced by temperature, were determined from reduced integrated intensities in high‐resolution 1H NMR spectra. This approach can be especially useful in investigations of phase separation in solutions of binary polymer systems. Information on behaviour of water during temperature‐induced phase transition was obtained from measurements of 1H NMR relaxation times of HDO molecules. NMR and IR spectroscopy were used to investigate PIPMAm solutions in water/ethanol (D2O/EtOH) mixtures where the phase separation can be induced by solvent composition (cononsolvency). Some differences in globular‐like structures induced by temperature and solvent composition were revealed by these methods.
Syndiotactic Polystyrene / Fullerene Composites: Elucidation of Structural Aspect
Authors: Chakraborty Chanchal , Malik Sudip , Guenet Jean‐Michel
Published: June 2011

Summary: Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS), an attractive polymer due to its wide range of application, forms polymer‐solvent intercalates with a large variety of solvent molecules ranging from liquids to solids. Recently, it has been realized that sPS intercalate prepared from SPS/naphthalene gel is more promising of making mesoporous materials. Here, the composite of sPS/fullerene have been prepared by taking advantage of sublimation of naphthalene. The different techniques as like XRD, SEM, HRTEM, FT‐IR, DSC, TGA etc have been employed to characterized sPS/fullerene composite. XRD investigation shows the presence of δ form sPS in the composite. SEM and HRTEM reveal the fibrillar network with fringe like structure in presence of fullerene only and the average diameter of fibril has increased as compared to pure sPS fibrils. The conductivities of these fibrils have been increased with increasing amount of fullerene.
Kinetics and Equilibrium Swelling Properties of Hydrophilic Polymethacrylate Networks
Authors: Elouali Fatima Zohra , Maschke Ulrich
Published: June 2011

Summary: Hydrogels were synthesized by polymerization of 2‐Hydroxy ethylmethacrylate (HEMA) in the presence of ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinking agent. Structural information and thermophysical properties of the hydrogels were analyzed using Fourier‐Transform Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetrical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The swelling behaviour of the obtained chemically crosslinked P(HEMA‐EGDMA) networks in aqueous solution was investigated as a function of the pH value and concentration of crosslinking agent. Plateau values were found at equilibrium swelling for a low pH value after one day swelling, whereas increasing water uptake was obtained for pH = 6.32 even at swelling times of more than five days. For short swelling times, a linear relationship between swelling ratio and time was found. Experimental data were rationalized using Fick's second law of diffusion. For early and moderate times of diffusion, threshold values were found in all cases considered here, indicating a Fickian behaviour below and a non‐Fickian diffusion mechanism above the threshold.
Use of Biopolymers for the Removal of Metal Ion Contaminants from Water
Authors: Bondarev A. , Mihai S. , Pântea O. , Neagoe S.
Published: June 2011

Summary: Naturally abundant biosorbants such as chitin and chitosan are recognized as excellent metal ligands, forming stable complexes with many metal ions, and serving as effective protein coagulating agents. Chitosan is a heteropolymer made of D‐glucosamine and a small fraction of N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine residues. Therefore, the adsorption ability of chitosan is found to be much higher than that of chitin, which has relatively fewer amino groups. Zeolites are crystalline microporous aluminosilicates with ion exchange properties suitable for a wide range of applications in catalysis and separation of liquid and gaseous mixtures. Incorporation in chitosan membranes is an effective method to control the diffusion outside the zeolite crystals and appropriately designed composite systems can find numerous opportunities for applications in wastewater treatment. In this paper we present the synthesis of zeolite‐chitosan and zeolite‐ethyl cellulose composites by encapsulation of clinoptilolite using a gelling solution of chitosan or an ethyl cellulose solution in ethyl acetate. The adsorption process of Cu2+ and Cd2+ on some adsorbents was investigated: clinoptillolite tuff (0.05 mm), chitosan flakes, ethyl cellulose, zeolite‐chitosan and zeolite‐ ethyl cellulose composites. Zeolite‐chitosan composites have been prepared by encapsulation of zeolites by a gelling solution of chitosan. Micrometric crystals of clinoptillolite were dispersed in a 3% chitosan solution in 1% aqueous acetic acid. The chitosan gel was formed and the zeolite crystals were encapsulated during the gelling process. The same procedure was used to obtain zeolite – ethyl cellulose composites. Study of the metal ion retention properties of different adsorbent materials was carried out using a steady state regime. The concentration of heavy metal ions in supernatant was determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Adsorption isotherms of metal ions on adsorbents were determined and correlated with common isotherm equations such as Langmuir and Freundlich models.
Effect of Curing Process on the Dynamic Response of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
Authors: Abdoune Fatima Zohra , Benkhaled Leila , Méchernène Lahcène , Maschke Ulrich
Published: June 2011

Summary: The time relaxation of the optical transmission of polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal films was investigated after application of an electric rectangular pulse. These films, consisting of liquid crystalline microdomains dispersed in a polymer matrix, were obtained by polymerization induced phase separation using ultraviolet and electron beam curing techniques. The effects of the curing procedure and film thickness on the transmission properties were investigated. The electro‐optical response was expressed via a hierarchy of order parameters. A good agreement between the experimental data and calculated transmission values was found.
Fast radiofrequency flip angle calibration by Bloch–Siegert shift
Authors: Sacolick Laura I. , Sun Ling , Vogel Mika W. , Dixon W. Thomas , Hancu Ileana
Published: June 2011

In a recent work, we presented a novel method for B field mapping based on the Bloch–Siegert shift. Here, we apply this method to automated fast radiofrequency transmit gain calibration. Two off‐resonance radiofrequency pulses were added to a slice‐selective spin echo sequence. The off‐resonance pulses induce a Bloch–Siegert phase shift in the acquired signal that is proportional to the square of the radiofrequency field magnitude B12. The signal is further spatially localized by a readout gradient, and the signal‐weighted average B1 field is calculated. This calibration from starting system transmit gain to average flip angle is used to calculate the transmit gain setting needed to produce a desired imaging sequence flip angle. A robust implementation is demonstrated with a scan time of 3 s. The Bloch–Siegert‐based calibration was used to predict the transmit gain for a 90° radiofrequency pulse and gave a flip angle of 88.6 ± 3.42° when tested in vivo in 32 volunteers. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A quantitative comparison of the influence of individual versus population‐derived vascular input functions on dynamic contrast enhanced‐MRI in small animals
Authors: Loveless Mary E. , Halliday Jane , Liess Carsten , Xu Lei , Dortch Richard D. , Whisenant Jennifer , Waterton John C. , Gore John C. , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: June 2011

For quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging data, the time course of the concentration of the contrast agent in the blood plasma, or vascular input function (VIF), is required. We compared pharmacokinetic parameters derived using individual and population‐based VIFs in mice for two different contrast agents, gadopentetate dimeglumine and P846. Eleven mice with subcutaneous 4T1 breast cancer xenografts were imaged at 7 T. A precontrast T1 map was acquired along with dynamic T1‐weighted gradient echo images before, during, and after a bolus injection of contrast agent delivered via a syringe pump. Each animal's individual VIF and derived population‐averaged VIF were used to extract parameters from the signal‐time curves of tumor tissue at both the region of interest and voxel level. The results indicate that for both contrast agents, Ktrans values estimated using population‐averaged VIF have a high correlation (concordance correlation coefficient > 0.85) with Ktrans values estimated using individual VIF on both a region of interest and voxel level. This work supports the validity of using of a population‐based VIF with a stringent injection protocol in preclinical dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging studies. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Volume measurement of bone erosions in magnetic resonance images of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Emond P. D. , Inglis D. , Choi A. , Tricta J. , Adachi J. D. , Gordon C. L.
Published: June 2011

The volume of bone erosions in the metacarpophalangeal joints is a radiological feature that can be used to track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. We introduce a hybrid segmentation algorithm that combines region growing and level‐set segmentation algorithms to semiautomatically measure the volume of bone erosions in magnetic resonance images. A total of 40 rheumatoid arthritis patients were included in the study. The scans of eight patients were used for training, whereas the remaining 32 scans were used to determine the accuracy, precision, and speed of the technique. The reproducibility of the semiautomated technique and that of manual segmentation was defined in terms of intraclass correlation coefficients. Both techniques were equally precise with intraclass correlation coefficient values greater than 0.9. The hybrid algorithm was highly accurate: the least squares fit between the semiautomated segmentations to those manually traced by a musculoskeletal radiologist resulted in a slope of 1.030 with an x‐intercept of 1.385 mm3 and an R2 value of 0.923. The semiautomated technique was significantly faster than manual segmentation, which took two to four times longer to complete. Our hybrid algorithm shows promise in the quantitative assessment of radiological features of rheumatoid arthritis in a clinical setting. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐performance hexagonal boron nitride/bismaleimide composites with high thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and low dielectric loss
Authors: Gao Yuwen , Gu Aijuan , Jiao Yicheng , Yang Yulu , Liang Guozheng , Hu Jiang‐tao , Yao Wei , Yuan Li
Published: June 2011

High‐performance insulating materials have been increasingly demanded by many cutting‐edge fields. A new kind of high‐performance composites with high thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and low dielectric loss was successfully developed, consisting of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and 2,2′‐diallylbisphenol A (DBA)‐modified 4,4′‐bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BDM) resin. The effects of hBN and its content on the integrated properties, including curing behavior of uncured system, the CTE, thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, and thermal resistance of cured composites, are systematically investigated and discussed. Results show that there are amino groups on the surface of hBN, which supply desirable interfacial adhesion between hBN and BDM/DBA resin and a good dispersion of hBN in the resin. With the increase of the hBN content, the thermal conductivity increases linearly, whereas the CTE value decreases linearly; in addition, dielectric loss gradually decreases and becomes more stable over the whole frequency from 10 to 109 Hz. In the case of the composite with 35 wt% hBN, its thermal conductivity, CTE in glassy state, and dielectric loss are about 3.3, 0.63, and 0.5 times of the corresponding value of BDM/DBA resin, respectively. These attractive integrated properties suggest that hBN/BDM/DBA composites are high‐performance insulating materials, which show great potential in applications, especially for electronics and aerospace industries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hospitalization and surgical rates in patients with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab: a matched analysis
Authors: Leombruno John Paul , Nguyen Geoffrey C. , Grootendorst Paul , Juurlink David , Einarson Tom
Published: June 2011

Purpose

The majority of subjects with Crohn's Disease (CD) will be hospitalized and will receive surgery for their disease. These interventions account for most of the direct costs of the disease. We sought to explore the association between infliximab use and CD‐related surgery and hospitalizations.

Methods

We obtained patient‐level health claims between 1996 and 2007 from the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ), a Canadian provincial health care insurer. Subjects who were i) enrolled in the RAMQ for at least 2 years, ii) received prescription drug benefits for each year of enrolment and iii) were identified as having CD using a validated algorithm were eligible for the study. For each subject treated with infliximab, up to two closely matched comparison subjects were selected using propensity score methods. We compared time to first CD‐related intra‐abdominal surgery or hospitalization in infliximab users and non‐users.

Results

We matched 338 infliximab users (mean age 34, 45% male) to at least one comparison subject using propensity score matching. Subjects who received infliximab had a significantly lower risk of experiencing a CD‐related intra‐abdominal surgery (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51–0.81) or hospitalization (HR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.63–0.85). Infliximab users also experienced lower rates of hospitalized days (Rate Ratio = 0.69; 95% CI 0.49–0.97).

Conclusions

Our results support the real world effectiveness of infliximab therapy in reducing CD‐related surgeries and hospitalizations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association between non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and keratinocyte carcinomas of the skin among participants in the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial
Authors: Nunes Anthony P. , Lapane Kate L. , Weinstock Martin A. ,   VATTC Trial Group
Published: June 2011

Purpose

Observational studies have reported significant negative associations between sporadic non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) while reporting null results for regular use. This pattern may be partially explained by the operational expression of NSAID exposure and analytic model assumptions. Our goals were to quantify the association between NSAIDs and KC and to explore the impact of exposure metrics and modeling assumptions on observed associations.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study by linking data from the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial and the VA Pharmacy Benefits Management database. NSAID use was categorized according to cyclooxygenase selectivity, timing of initiation, and frequency of use. Data were analyzed using time‐varying and time‐fixed multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazard models [Correction made here after initial online publication]. Simulated null data were generated and analyzed to explore potential biases introduced by the models and the exposure metrics.

Results

During a median follow‐up time of 2 years for basal cell carcinoma and 2.5 years for squamous cell carcinoma, 472 occurrences of BCC and 309 occurrences of SCC were observed. Time‐fixed analyses of NSAID exposure metrics produced significant negative associations, whereas time‐varying analyses produced null results. Analysis of simulated null data revealed the potential for strong bias in the time‐fixed analyses.

Conclusions

This study did not identify a negative association between NSAIDs and KC. The disparity between the time‐fixed and the time‐varying analyses highlights the extent to which operational definitions of drug exposures and reliance on time‐fixed methods may introduce bias. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Psychometric development and reliability analysis of a patient satisfaction with interpersonal relationship with navigator measure: a multi‐site patient navigation research program study
Authors: Jean‐Pierre Pascal , Fiscella Kevin , Winters Paul C. , Post Douglas , Wells Kristen J. , McKoy June M. , Battaglia Tracy , Simon Melissa A. , Kilbourn Kristin ,   The Patient Navigation Research Program Group
Published: June 2011

Background

Patient navigation (PN) is a method for addressing racial–ethnic and socioeconomically based disparities in cancer‐related care. Patient navigators provide logistic and emotional support to underserved patients to facilitate successful completion of diagnostic and treatment care. Yet, little is known about patient satisfaction with the relationship with a navigator due to a dearth of instruments measuring satisfaction.

Objective

The objective of this study was to validate the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator (PSN‐I) measure for patients undergoing diagnostic and/or therapeutic cancer care.

Methods

We administered the PSN‐I to 783 participants from the nine different sites of the National Cancer Institute sponsored Patient Navigation Research Program. We evaluated the latent structure and internal consistency of the PSN‐I using principal components analysis (PCA) and Cronbach coefficient alpha (α), respectively. We used correlation analyses to examine divergence and convergence of the PSN‐I with the Patient Satisfaction with Cancer‐related Care (PSCC), the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) Long Form, and patients' demographics.

Results

The PCA revealed a coherent set of items that explicates 76.6% of the variance in PSN‐I. Reliability assessment revealed high internal consistency (α ranging from 0.95 to 0.96). The PSN‐I had good face validity as well as convergent and divergent validities as indicated by moderate correlations with score on the PSCC (all ps < 0.0001) and non‐significant correlations with primary language, marital status, and scores on the REALM Long Form (all ps > 0.05).

Conclusion

The PSN‐I is a valid and suitable measure of satisfaction with a patient navigator for the present sample. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐Performance Plasma‐Polymerized Alkaline Anion‐Exchange Membranes for Potential Application in Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhang Chengxu , Hu Jue , Nagatsu Masaaki , Meng Yuedong , Shen Wei , Toyoda Hirotaka , Shu Xingsheng
Published: June 2011

Alkaline anion‐exchange membranes (AAEMs) are becoming significant materials for application in fuel cells. Considering the mobility of hydroxide ions is inherently slower than that of proton in dilute solution, AAEMs with high ion conductivity and several microns thickness are promising. In this study, ultra‐thin AAEMs are successfully synthesized by plasma polymerization. The attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermo gravimetric analysis demonstrate that the benzyltrimethylammonium cationic groups are successfully introduced into the polymer matrix via plasma polymerization, quaternization, and alkalization. The physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics, including ionic exchange capacity, water uptake, thermal stability, chemical stability, and ionic conductivity, are measured. The plasma‐polymerized AAEMs exhibit a satisfactory thermal stability, chemical stability, ionic exchange capacity (1.29 mmol · g−1), ionic conductivity (0.0331 S · cm−1), and activation energy (7.632 kJ · mol−1), suggesting a great potential for application in direct alcohol fuel cells.

magnified image